Metal Monarchy

BAFFLING RESULTS FROM LATEST DRUM! MAGAZINE READER'S POLL

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:15:00 -0800

Drum! magazine readers must know their drummers... right? You can make your own call when you see the results of this recent reader's poll, asking readers to vote for drummers in several pertinent categories. The results are... unusual. See for yourself.

METALLICA TO GIVE BACK TO FANS WITH LOADED DEATH MAGNETIC BOX SET

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:25:00 -0800

Cash burning a hole in your pocket? Metallica has come to save you! Get a load of this: Metallica have decided that, rather than bore you with a regular old CD for some reasonable fee, they are going to allow you the pleasure of shelling out some massive sum for a Death Magnetic box set! Because, you know, living on the edge of being broke is just more fun! All kidding aside, it actually does look like a pretty decent set. Read on to see what the box set will include.

'IT'S DINNER TIME!' - CRYPTOPSY STRIKES BACK

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:55:00 -0800

Cryptopsy have been under major fire ever since the recent release of their new album, The Unspoken King. The album has generally been received as a major sell-out moment for the band, with many pointing out that the band's new aural quality strongly resembles that of other popular (dare I say "trendy") acts. Not being ones to take criticism idly, Cryptopsy have struck back with a new "track" that pokes fun at the lame nerds that would besmirch their new sound. I won't spoil the surprise for you, you'll just have to listen to it: "It's Dinner Time."

HEAVY METAL FUNERALS - A NEW TREND!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:50:00 -0800

Sick of boring old funerals filled with people crying and some old lady crooning "Amazing Grace"? Well, you're in luck, because times they are a-changing! Telegraph.co.uk is reporting that AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" has become one of the most popularly requested funeral songs in Australia. Many Australians - those who are headed the other direction, I suppose - are also selecting Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" as their tune of choice. How bad ass is that? Those Aussies have it right. Neither of those would be my choice, however. Here is my funeral song, tell me yours:

"Hell Awaaaaaits":

HISTORY OF METAL: 1979 - MOTÖRHEAD, IRON MAIDEN, SAXON KICK OFF A NEW WAVE

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:10:00 -0800

Motörhead had released their first full-length in 1977, but didn't start to receive serious attention until the release of Overkill and Bomber in 1979. The albums, considered by most to be two of their best, saw the speed-metallers doing what they've always done - play "fast and loud."

KERRY KING, DAVE MUSTAINE, MANY MORE SHARE THEIR WILDEST TOUR STORIES

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:10:00 -0800

The rock star lifestyle is a crazy one right? Just how crazy is it? Find out by watching these endlessly entertaining Guitar World videos of a plethora of famous guitarists discussing their wildest experiences on tour. From Kerry King to Dave Mustaine, hear some weird, wild, stuff right here.

AMON AMARTH JUMP ON 'UNHOLY ALLIANCE' TOUR

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:40:00 -0800

The "Unholy Alliance: Chapter 3" tour just got a whole lot more... unholier? Swedish viking death-metallers Amon Amarth are adding their pagan brand of metal to a tour that already includes the almighty Slayer (fuck yea!), Trivium (eh), and Mastodon (boo). Some new dates have been announced as well.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD TAKE OFFENSE TO BEING HECKLED BY FANS AT 'GODS OF METAL' FESTIVAL

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Poor old Avenged Sevenfold. That crowd at the "Gods of Metal" festival in Italy just didn't give them a chance! Surely, it's not because of their overactive egos, pretty boy makeup and poserish lingo. Those Italians chanted for Iron Maiden during A7X's entire set! Even during that rousing half-assed rendition of Pantera's "Walk." I mean, come on, covering that song hasn't been played out or anything... has it? "Yo yo yo" check out M. Shadows throwing a hissy fit:

WATCH THE 'GODS OF METAL' IN ACTION IN ITALY

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:40:00 -0800

A killer metal festival seems to be the norm in Europe every weekend during the summer months. Two weekends ago it was "Hellfest" in France. This past weekend it was "Gods of Metal" in Bologna, Italy. Musica Metal got a ton of great footage of some of the biggest bands performing the epic festival. Watch it!

Iron Maiden performing "Fear of the Dark":

THE FAST FIVE: DRUMMERS THAT KNOW THE MEANING OF SPEED

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Guitar has always been my instrument. I picked it up at a young age and have never played anything else. Why? A matter of convenience more than anything else. I had one. It's a very practical instrument. I love guitar, don't get me wrong, but the instrument that I have always had a true fascination with are the drums.

Metal as a genre features some of the greatest drummers in the world. The characteristic that sets most of them apart from drummers in other genres - and that makes me enjoy their work so much - is their emphasis on blistering speed. These are the drummers whose manic energy gives the music that spectacular quality that I crave: Sheer, unadulterated aggression!

George Kollias of Nile playing "The Essential Salts":

SLIPKNOT UNVEIL NEW MASKS

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:50:00 -0800

Iowa's most wanted, Slipknot, have finally come to terms with their inner children and donned a new series of masks. For those who might say that the new masks look quite a bit like the old ones - one source went as far as to claim that it "just looks like they had the old ones laundered" - you are mistaken. These masks more fully represent the individual personalities of each member of the band. It's a statement of artistic genius! Marketing tool? HA! Here they are:

METAL BLADE FOUNDER BRIAN SLAGEL TALKS 'KILL EM ALL' WITH METALLICA

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:15:00 -0800

Brian Slagel, founder of the massively influential Metal Blade Records, sat down with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica for a surreal meeting of the metal minds recently. The trio discussed the impact of Metallica's iconic self-titled album, Kill 'Em All, 25 years after its initial release. Behold the revealing discussion - it's one that you won't want to miss:

JOB FOR A COWBOY PERFORM BRILLIANT ACOUSTIC SET IN FINLAND DUE TO SINGER'S ILLNESS

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:20:00 -0800

Job for a Cowboy ran into a fine spot of trouble over the weekend in Europe. Vocalist Jonny Davy came down with a crippling throat infection that forced him to miss a gig at the prestigious Tuska Festival in Helsinki, Finland. Rather than pack up and head for home with their tails tucked between their legs, the mighty metal warriors sucked it up and performed their first-ever instrumental set. HEAR! The heavy licks of Job for a Cowboy. SEE! An unmanned mic stand. FEEL! The raw emotion of the crowd. Ladies and gentleman, Job for a Cowboy (almost) unplugged.

KINGDOM OF SORROW ANNOUNCE SUMMER TOUR DATES

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Jamey Jasta - metal's version of the Energizer bunny - just won't quit. The Hatebreed frontman's sludgy side-project with Crowbar's Kirk Windstein, Kingdown of Sorrow, have scheduled some brand-new dates in support of their debut album, which was released in February. They will first hop on the Rockstar Mayhem tour in the northeast, before headlining two shows with Scum of the Earth in the midwest. After adding their name to Ozzfest in Dallas, they will close the mini-tour with a headlining appearance in Windstein's home base of New Orleans featuring Soilent Green in support. Check out venue info...

THE GAUNTLET'S TOP 10 WORST LIVE SINGERS

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:10:00 -0800

The Gauntlet are taking no prisoners, and taking no shit. They just posted a scathing look at their "Top 10 Worst Live Singers." Some of the names on there might surprise you, but they do back it up with solid visual evidence. For all you Buzznet regulars who might be stumbling upon this, there is one person in particular you might want to see. He's Way popular on Buzznet. Check out the entertaining list and let The Gauntlet know what you think right here.