Monster High's Roller Maze Box Art Revealed

While this box art has been revealed previously this up close and personal reveal is ten times better! This is of course the new Monster High line called Roller Maze! It features Ghoulia, Operetta, Frankie, Lagoona, and Abbey in an exclusive 2-pack! BUT that's not all this line will also be featured in an ALL NEW summer TV special airing on Nick entitled "Phantom Roller"!

Roller Maze

Roller Maze

Roller Maze Abbey and Ghoulia 2-Pack

Monster High Dot Dead Gorgeous Box Art Revealed!

The upcoming Dot Dead Gorgeous line by Monster High has had it's box art revealed! This line features Spectra, Lagoona, Operetta, along with Draculaura, Abbey and Ghoulia in an exclusive 3-pack!

Spectra Dot Dead Gorgeous

Lagoona Blue Dot Dead Gorgeous

Operetta Dot Dead Gorgeous

Draculaura, Abbey, and Ghoulia Dot Dead Gorgeous

SAVING GRACE "Oaxaca" Video Released

Saving Grace has released a new video for the song "Oaxaca" you can check it out below!

 

Monster High Ghoulfriends Forever Artwork Revealed!

Infamous School Of Fear author Gitty Daneshvari, has taken charge of creating an ALL NEW tale with our famous guys and ghouls of Monster High! This time around three new students have been entangled within the halls of this scary cool school. Which ghouls? Well our latest additions of course! Robecca, Venus, and Rochelle! The story itself is said to be as follows;

"As new students, the trio must navigate the bewildering array of cute monster boys, established cliques, and monster-rific subjects like Mad Science, G-ogre-phy, and Physical Deaducation. As if that weren't hard enough, something strange and sinister seems to be happening at the school. Popular girls like Frankie Stein and Cleo de Nile are acting weird-and all signs point to everyone's new favorite teacher, Miss Sylphia Flapper. Can the new GFFs expose the fave as a fraud, or will they succumb to peer pressure?"

Having the book be aimed towards youngsters and teens alike from 3-12 years of age the book consists of 240 to 272 pages. This series is surly to be a fan favorite to that of what Lisi Harrison created in her Monster High series that just ended with her last installment Monster High 4: Back and Deader Than Ever.

Fans of other books such as Scary School, School Of Fear, and Monster High (Lisi Harrison) should drop dead after reading this series coming September 5th! Pre-Orders are available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

SKELETONWITCH ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Ohio metal heathens SKELETONWITCH have announced plans to demolish North America this summer on a headlining tour, which will also feature classic rockers Barnburner (Metal Blade Records). The tour, which includes two weeks' worth of dates in Canada, commences July 17 in York, Pa., soon after the band returns from a European tour during which they will play festivals alongside the likes of Slayer, Megadeth, and Behemoth. Complete dates are listed below.

SKELETONWITCH, who recently toured North America alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, will be out in support of their latest album “Forever Abomination,” as well as the recent vinyl reissues of their popular releases “Breathing the Fire” and “Beyond the Permafrost.” Each LP is available in three different options – splatter, half-and-half and 180-gram black wax — and features gatefold Stoughton “tip-on” record jackets.

SKELETONWITCH EU Tour Dates:

6/15                       Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell Festival
6/16                       Gothenburg, Sweden - Metal Town
6/18                       Berlin, Germany - Comet Club
6/19                       Hamburg, Germany - Gruenspan
6/20                       Köln, Germany -  Luxor
6/22                       Hasselt, Belgium - Graspop
6/23                       Basel, Switzerland - Earshakerdays
6/25                       Budapest, Hungary - Durer Kert Small Hall
6/26                       Vienna, Austria - Chelsea
6/28                       Prague, Czech Republic - Rock Café
6/29                       Leipzig, Germany - With Full Force
6/30                       Munster, Germany - Sputnikhalle
7/1                         Tuska, Finland - Open Air Metal

SKELETONWITCH North American Dates:

7/13        York, PA @ The Depot #
7/14         Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft At The Chance Theatre #
7/15         Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground #
7/16       Portland, ME @ Genos #
7/17       Trois Rivieres, QC @ Rock Cafe Le Stage #
7/18       Quebec City, QC @ Agitee  #
7/19       Montreal, QC @ Il Motore #
7/20       Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks #
7/21       Toronto, ON @ Hardluck #
7/22       Toledo, OH @ Frankies #
7/23       Madison, WI @ High Noon #
7/24       Thunder Bay, ON @ Crocks #
7/25       Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo #
7/26       Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos #
7/27       Calgary, AB @ Broken City #
7/28       Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop #
7/30       Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret #
7/31       Spokane, WA @ The Hop #
8/1       Billings, MT @ Manny's #
8/2       Fargo, ND @ Nestor Tavern #
8/3       La Crosse, WI @ The Warehouse #
8/4       Joliet, IL @ Mojoes #
 # with Barnburner

THE GWAR-B-Q IS ON!

After months of paperwork, hoop-jumping, and making the appropriate sacrifices, today Slave Pit is pleased to announce that the GWAR-B-Q is 100% completely legal and confirmed, and set for Aug, 18th at Hadad's Lake, the location we had planned on using last year. As you may recall, last year's GWAR-B-Q was switched from Hadad's to the National Theater because of problems getting the correct permits. Even though the event was still completely awesome most people seemed to agree that generally speaking, GWAR-B-Q's should be held outdoors.

"All the proper arrangements have been made in triplicate and the proper demonic sponsorships attained," said GWAR spokes-thing Oderus Urungus. "It's going to be a stinking hot, beer and beef-smeared metallic murderfest of unprecedented debauchery...the most splat-tac-cular GWAR-B-Q!

This marks the third consecutive year for the growing festival, and like last year GWAR will headline the event. As Best Friends Day, the hugely popular Richmond music fest, is taking this summer off, the GWAR-B-Q is set to be the hugest heavy music event of the Richmond summer scene. Bands will be spread across two stages and feature such acts as The Casualties, GHOUL, Valient Thorr, Occultist, Lionize, Highness, Antietam 1862, MUTWAWA, and Black Naked Wings. There will also be Spew-O-Lympics, numerous food vendors, endless streams of golden nectar, pools to cool your fevered sun-burn, and much much more, including the return of the Sexecutioner to the GWAR stage for the first time in twelve years. Sexy has completed a lengthy sabbatical beneath the catacombs of Paris with his good friend, Prince Ray Pierre, better known as "Frenchy", the demon of France. His return to the rock stage provides the promise of attaining unprecedented levels of naughtiness.

Added Oderus, "I can't tell you how ecstatic I am to once again be engaging in acts of necro-bestial delight with my old buddy, The Sexecutioner. Well actually, I can. I am ecstatic I am to once again be engaging in acts of necro-bestial delight with my old buddy, The Sexecutioner."

Some of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit Richmond's Ring Dog Rescue http://www.ringdogrescue.org

More info on the GWAR-B-Q will be released in the coming weeks.

In other GWAR news, not ones to rest on their laurels, your mutant overlords will be playing a few special shows this summer in addition to the GWAR-B-Q. This includes a performance at The Zombie Prom in New York City, two headlining shows and an appearance at the D-Tox Rockfest in Montebello, Quebec.

GWAR Live
6/9: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza (Zombie Prom)
6/15: Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
6/16: Montebello, QC @ Montebello Marina (D-TOX Rockfest)
6/17: London, ON @ London Concert Theater

8/18: Richmond, VA @ Hadad's Lake - GWAR-B-Q

Make sure to keep up with Oderus' latest incoherent rants and raves on "The Mad Minute" with Full Metal Jackie. Listen to the latest installment and check out recent "Mad Minutes" at http://www.fullmetaljackieradio.com

Attraction To Tragedy Sweeps Us off Our Feet

Attraction To Tragedy went from being a full blown band to just a killing sweeping duo how does this work? Band mates Zack Brody and Jaiden Shay discuss with me their source of talent as well as what types of music these guys are capable of creating on their latest releases.

1. So instead of this being a one man band it's a duo band what can you tell me about you guys? How did you manage to pull this off?

We started off with others in the band but right after we recorded 'Underdosed' in early 2011 the other members left. Since they didn't play on the recordings and I wrote the bulk of the music it was a natural transition. In the studio Zack plays drums and I handle the rest.

2. What type of band are you?

I guess you could call us a 'metalcore' band but that's ultimately up for the listener to decide.

3. What is your music background?

Both of us come from metal backgrounds. We both really learned our instruments from death/black metal bands like Behemoth and Dissection. Zack has done some funk stuff in the past and I dabble in pop music so it's a little bit of everything.

4. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

Our songs are usually about things that have happened to me but told through metaphors. Underdosed, for example, is about someone in my past who was convinced I was two different people and gave my 'alter ego' a different name and it was just a totally strange experience.

5. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

We write all our own songs. Usually a song starts out with a riff or chorus and then from there I slowly fill in the blanks then I bring it to Zack. Zack then adds his own unique spin on to things and we have a song.

6. Who are your musical influences?

Everything I listen to comes out in our songs in one way or another whether it is Avril Lavigne or As I Lay Dying. Zack listens to a lot more metal than I do like Kreator and Morbid Angel so a lot of the parts that come from other genres get 'metalized' by Zack's drum parts. 

7. Why do you want to record and release your own music?

For the love of music!

8. Have you had any luck with getting signed to a label?

Like every band that's our ultimate goal. We've been around for 2 years but we're really just starting out still. We'll see what happens!

9. How do you describe your music to people?

When people ask me what kind of music we play I usually say 'metal but not really at all' haha The initial goal for me when we started out was to be a lighter band with a metal background and I'd like to think we're getting closer to that.

10. What image do you think your music conveys?

It's all up for the listener to decide. It's all open for interpretation. For me, lately I've been seeing colors when I think of certain songs.

11. What are your immediate music career goals?

Finish up the EP and get back on stage!

12. What are your long-term career goals?

To get signed, tour, and to eventually record a full length.

13. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?

We recorded a demo CD in 2010 and a few of those songs are still available on our Facebook. We have Underdosed and a Milli Vanilli cover on there too. All of those songs are more than a year old and are nothing compared to what we have in the works but it's still really cool that we still get comments about how much people like them.

14. What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?)

The last thing we recorded was at Zing Studios (Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada) and produced by Eric Arena (A Day To Remember, Farewell to Freeway). More info on that coming soon...

15. How did you sell your CDís/Audio Files?

We gave away most of the demo CD's through Twitter and Facebook. The other tracks were all available on our Facebook up til 100 download’s because that's sound cloud's limit.

16. What else can we expect to see from you guys in 2012?

Exciting things! Keep an eye on our Facebook!

17. Anything else you'd like to say or add?

Thanx for the interview! And I'd also like to thank anyone who has taken the time to listen to our music and support us. We appreciate it more than you all could ever know!

Dismember the Fallen - Moving In Dreamscapes

Dismember the Fallen's debut EP "Moving In Dreamscapes" takes the metalcore route by adding its mellow dramatic sense of having clean cut vocals every now and then. Like "Aspirations" for instance has the clean cut vocals occur on and off whereas "Give it Up" maintains nothing but growls and screams that really extend the band's musical ability and approach. The instrumentals used here guitars especially maintain a fast yet heavy setting while the drums keep in check with everything else going on. The other songs offered consist of the same formula having its moments of mellowness while others have that heaviness. Dismember the Fallen brings the likeliness of acts such as Suicide Silence meets Alesana. 

Children Of Bodom Releases New Video for "Shovel Knockout"

Children Of Bodom showcases their on the road lifestyle between what happens between one show ending and another soon beginning the following day in their new video off their upcoming release "Holiday at Lake Bodom" for the song "Shovel Knockout". Expect loads of drinking and flipping the birdy! Check it out below!

Chamber Of Echoes Unbreakable Silence....

Female fronted industrial act Chamber Of Echoes hails from sunny California but brings a uniqueness they consider to be pop/rocktronica/visual concept being compared to acts like Evanescence and Nine Inch Nails. Having released some music and done extensive amounts of showcases in and around the area these guys have got something going on and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Front women Klaryssa spoke to me this project and what we can expect.


1. You have an upcoming album called "World Of Silence" coming out what can you tell me about it?

Klaryssa: This is our very first full-length album. I initially started writing the material in early 2011, and I wanted to challenge myself by trying things I normally wouldn't want to try. This album is different from the other EP's in that a lot of the tracks are very uptempo and club friendly.

I arranged them specifically after traditional pop song structures and what's popular on the top 40 charts,but with industrial rock and soundtrack aesthetics,effects and of course my previous influences and taking into account the influences and ideas of the rest of the band. Also, there are a lot of new themes about identity, non-conformity, sexuality, self-rights, politics and positiveness.

2. You're working with Ted Phelps of Imperative Reaction, how did he come into the picture and what does he bring for Chamber of Echoes?

Klaryssa: Jeffrey, Xavier and I are big fans of Imperative Reaction. Jeff and I were listening to them in his car admiring the songwriting of the band as well as how amazing Ted makes their mixes sound. I made a joke on Facebook about "What would I have to do to get a remix from Ted Phelps" and all these people started commenting, making jokes about holding him for ransom, etc. lol, when a D.J. friend saw the post and sent him an e-mail. In short, he ended up talking with us about working together and now he is mixing and mastering this album. This is the greatest we've ever sounded! He really loves what he does, and his passion really shows through on what he creates. He is extremely professional, patient, open-minded, diligent and hard-working. He really brings out the best in us and captures our true sound!!!!
 
3. Why did you want to go with naming the band Chamber of Echoes?

Klaryssa: I came up with the project concept a few years ago, but the name literally came to me when I was in a lucid, dream-like state in the middle of the night. I finally woke up repeating the name, really liked it and it just stuck :)

4. What type of band are you?
 
Klaryssa: We border on many genres. In the past, it was an alt-metal type of sound with electronica and industrial flourishes. Now our sound has really evolved into industrial rock, with anything from dance-pop club influences,to dark cinematic soundtrack embellishments (think the Resident Evil soundtrack). An A&R rep once labeled us as "Industrial Pop/Rocktronica". I think that suits us well for the time being :) We are also a very artistic band, heavy on visual and performance aesthetics. We have a dark and unified look with traces of post-apocalyptic, gothic, and cyber, and if the venue accommodates for it, streaming visual projections, and custom stage lighting and gear stands that are currently being built. Something that has always been on our website that helps define us is "Music. Art. Fashion. Visuals."

5. Can you give us a brief history as to how the band came to be?

Klaryssa: I have been a musician and a songwriter since I was a kid. I started writing songs when I was about 11, but they were always piano-based pieces. I started getting into programming and audio engineering in high-school, and that's when I really discovered my love for Nine Inch Nails, Celldweller, etc and electronic-based music. Growing up in Orange County, CA, there weren't a lot of people into that music scene so I started following in my idol's footsteps (Trent Reznor), initially writing, performing and producing everything myself using any gear I could find or buy for cheap. When I got into college I started taking this idea of a band more seriously, and wanted to make it an all-encompassing creative project, with strong emphasis also on fashion, art & design, and visuals as well. I ended up working with Jay Gordon & Jay Baumgardner at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, CA to produce my first 5-song EP. They wanted to see my idea succeed, so they gave it a more polished audience-friendly traditional pop sound, which was a bit of a different goal than I had in mind.

I ended up re-creating the same EP as I had intended at ArtiSans Label Studios in Fullerton, CA and released the two EP's together in a double-disc package titled "Unbound and Set Free + Under Lock and Key". In 2010 was I able to find members to bring this project to stage through the internet and mutual friends. Since then, I've had about 7 different line-up changes, and in 2011 we created another EP titled "Asylum". Now we have a dedicated solid line-up. Chris was one of the first original members from when I formed the live act in 2010. He was brought to me by a former member who met him at his first night at Das Bunker, a popular Los Angeles Industrial club. I met Xavier through that former members' other band, Demona Mortiss. We became good friends, I ended up moving to Los Angeles, and we both agreed he would be a good fit for this project. I met Tim about 5 years ago when I used to see shows for his other band, I Am Ghost,always kept in contact with him and asked if he would be interested in joining.

Lastly, I met Jeffrey (My boyfriend) a few weeks after I moved here. He had all the same musical influences as I did, with the same goals in mind, and was the missing piece for the sound I was seeking to achieve.

6. Who are your musical influences?

Klaryssa: I really listen to a lot of different types of music, but if we have to choose favorites I would have to say Nine Inch Nails, Kidney Thieves, Orgy, Celldweller, The Birthday Massacre, Depeche Mode, KMFDM, Zeromancer, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, Snake River Conspiracy, Garbage, IAMX, Sneaker Pimps,VNV Nation...

7. Where are you in the recording process of the new album?

Klaryssa: I would say about 3/4 of the way done. It's taking a bit longer than I would usually like to take, but I don't want to force the creative process and end up unsatisfied. I want to create a product that our audience will admire and enjoy for years to come and something that will gain new fans and respect.

8. What label will be releasing the album?

Klaryssa: Not any specific label yet, but we are shopping around it's really up in the air whether it will be an independent release or a label release.

9. How would you describe the overall sound of the new album?
 
Klaryssa: As I mentioned before, industrial rock, with anything from dance-pop club influences, to dark cinematic soundtrack embellishments. There are also theatrical intros, and this time around the album is VERY synth-heavy with a lot of electronic percussion and samples.

10. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?

Klaryssa: To get out of my comfort zone really as far as influences and production. Also to really develop the stylization of the band as far as visuals, costumes, etc. Currently we are doing a MAJOR re-vamp of chamberofechoes.com, and are forming the concept of the upcoming album photo shoot and music video for "World of Silence". It's still being decided which song is going to be the "single" for the music video. Also before we get back to playing shows this summer, we hope to have our custom lighting and gear stands completed.

11. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?

Klaryssa: This time around I am doing some really intense and intricate programming that literally hurts my brain from all the fine editing. Also, I'm now into building and altering custom drum sounds, and a lot of choppy background vocals, patterns and delays. I'm using a lot of new software that I didn't initially use before which seems to be most popular with Dubstep DJ's, Hip-Hop Producers and Video Game Composers. Also I'm recording from obscure European Synths and Modules.

12. When did you start writing for this album?

 
Klaryssa: Early 2011.

13. When can we expect the new album to be released?
 
Klaryssa: The latest would be mid-summer.

14. Will you be touring this album? Is there a chance you will be doing a short tour before the album is released?

Klaryssa: We are in negotiation with an agency for a possible booking contract for national and international touring. We already started playing some of the new songs from "World of Silence" to audiences the past few months with amazing response. After the album is released we hope to at least do a west coast tour nearing the end of the summer.

15. What more can we expect to see from you guys?
 
Klaryssa: A lot of promotion for the upcoming album, upcoming video blogs, interviews, new photo shoots, and a music video (or two) Plus LOTS OF SHOWS!!!!

16. Any last words?

Klaryssa: Thanks again for giving us this opportunity and we thank you  for this interview :) Also thank you to our unbelievable fans for your continued support, enthusiasm and excitement about Chamber of Echoes <3

Miss May I Premiere New Music Video, “Hey Mister”

MISS MAY I have released the official new music video for the track ‘Hey Mister’ with Revolver Magazine. ‘Hey Mister’ is the first single cut from the band’s upcoming full-length album, At Heart. The band plans on releasing a few more video trailers and full music videos in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out! Check out the video HERE.

Monster High's San Diego Comic Con Exclusive!

Mattel's Monster High line has been showcasing itself at San Diego's infamous Comic Con having now a third exclusive doll sold only at the convention. Last year fans voted for who would be the next doll but no one knew it would lead to this year's Comic Con exclusive! The winning votes decided it to be Scarah Screams!

Last year featured Ghoulia Yelps in her super hero attire and the year before had Frankie Stein in a black and white Frankenstein format. This year's should be a real stunner and hard to find for fans all over the world! Perhaps fans will get a second chance at nabbing her later this year in a re-release? Just gota wait and see!

Scarah Screams Comic Con Exclusive 2012

Vampires Everywhere! Posts New Single Drug Of Choice!

Vampires Everywhere! has got an all new album "Hellbound And Heartless" coming out June 19th via Hollywood Waste Records and will be a part of this summer's Vans Warped Tour! But Bloody-Disgusting has got the band's all new single entitled "Drug Of Choice!" for streaming HERE.

Michael Vampire had this to say in regards to this single,

“The world is filled with social climbing whores that only want to use you for your fame & money. I thought it was quite appropriate to write a song based around this issue because I deal with it everyday living in Hollywood, CA. However, I was dead set on using the social climber’s perspective of the situation. I wanted to reverse what I usually see in the clubs & make it about the accused. What is this person going through? How does this person feel? Does this person ever get revenge on those that treat her/him like shit? Most people never stop and think about the other person’s feelings… haha, I never do!!! However, this song is about a girl’s struggle to get attention in a world that doesn’t care.”

Buy the new single off iTunes HERE.

Blink 182 European Tour

Blink 182 will be hitting Europe for an all new tour! Find out where and when below!















TOUR DATES:


June 7, 2012 NIA Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
June 8, 2012 The O2 London, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
June 9, 2012 The O2 London, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 12, 2012 The O2 Dublin Dublin, Ireland w/All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
June 13, 2012 Odyssey Arena Belfast, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
June 15, 2012 Manchester Arena Manchester, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 16, 2012 LG Arena Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 17, 2012 Motorpoint Arena Sheffield Sheffield, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 19, 2012 Metro Radio Arena Elswick, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 20, 2012 SECC Glasgow, United Kingdom w/All American Rejects & Twin Atlantic
June 23, 2012 Hurricane Festival Scheessel, Germany
June 24, 2012 Southside Festival Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany
June 25, 2012 Grugahalle Essen Essen, Germany
June 26, 2012 Festhalle Frankfurt Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
June 28, 2012 Werchter Festival Brussels, Belgium
June 29, 2012 City Festival Prague, Czech Republic
June 30, 2012 Zitadelle Spandau Berlin, Germany
July 1, 2012 La Citadelle Arras, France
July 3, 2012 Mediolanum Forum Milan, Italy
July 4, 2012 Piazza Napoleone Lucca Lu, Italy
July 5, 2012 Hallenstadion Zurich, Switzerland
July 7, 2012 Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) Bournemouth, United Kingdom
July 8, 2012 Eden Project Bodelva, United Kingdom#
July 10, 2012 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Cardiff, United Kingdom
July 11, 2012 Capital FM Arena Nottingham Nottingham, United Kingdom
July 12, 2012 Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool, United Kingdom
July 14, 2012 Rockhal Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
July 17, 2012 Arènes de Nîmes Nîmes, France
July 19, 2012 St. Jordi Club Barcelona, Spain
July 20, 2012 Palaciode los Deportes Madrid, Spain
July 21, 2012 Atlantico Pavillion Lisbon, Portugal
July 24, 2012 Apollo Manchester, UK
July 25, 2012 Brixton Academy London, UK
July 26, 2012 Brixton Academy London, UK

Silverstein Brief Tour

Silverstein will headline a brief tour with support from Such Gold, Lions Lions and Daytrader.

TOUR DATES:

Thu/Aug-16-2012 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
Fri/Aug-17-2012 Detroit, MI Shelter
Sat/Aug-18-2012 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
Sun/Aug-19-2012 Cleveland, OH Grog
Tue/Aug-21-2012 Buffalo, NY Mohawk
Wed/Aug-22-2012 NYC, NY Studio @ Webster
Thu/Aug-23-2012 Philadelphia, PA Church
Fri/Aug-24-2012 Worcester, MA Palladium
Sat/Aug-25-2012 Montreal, QC Corona
Sun/Aug-26-2012 Toronto, ON Annex

WHITECHAPEL Unleash New Track "I, Dementia"

WHITECHAPEL has released the second single from their self-titled fourth album that is due out June 19th via Metal Blade Records. The song entitled "I, Dementia" is being exclusively premiere by Loud Wire. Get a first listen HERE.

Witness The Broken the Goal Orientated Group

Metalcore titans Witness The Broken has as any other band would "goals"..... With that they wanted to have fun with making music and see where it would end up it just so happened to lead them to record a EP then play some showcases and continue to write on towards their next goal and just whatever else may be heading for them. The band discusses with me their beginning’s upcoming plans, and just who Witness The Broken is.

1. What type of band are you?

Metalcore!

2. Tell us the brief history of your band.

The band started with three guys among them current vocalist Kyle Carpenter. The goal was really just to write a few songs for fun and there really was no ambition beyond that. We recorded our EP and then later met our current members at school. From that point on we have started playing a lot of shows and started the writing process back up.

3. Who are your musical influences?

We are lucky that all of our members have a pretty diverse taste in music ranging from hardcore punk to death metal. I would say style wise we fit more into the Miss May I/Devil Wears Prada genre, but we definitely get influences from all types of bands.

4. Who writes the songs, what are they about?

We all take a pretty active part in the writing process, as everyone pretty much writes the parts that they play. Lyrically the songs are really focused on people who have obstacles to overcome. I try to write songs that tell people its okay to have problems, but encourage moving past them.

5. What's new in the recording of your music?

Currently we are working on a new single titled "Heathen" with Battleground Studios, which we should have done in the coming weeks. From there the hope is to begin work on our first full length album.

6. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?

We recorded our EP (Roman Numeral 5) with Chris Baldwin at The Process Recording last spring. That can be found on iTunes and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/witnessthebroken

7. What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?)

As I said all the songs on the EP were produced by Chris Baldwin at The Process. We did record a single titled "Revenge" with Matt Cooley at Battleground Studios this winter and he actually ended up becoming our guitarist recently.

8. How do you promote your band and shows?

We keep everyone up to date with shows on Facebook/Twitter that is a huge tool for us. It makes it really easy for fans to look and see when and where we will be playing and things like that!

9. Describe your show, visual and musically.

As a young band our first goal was to get everything down musically. I think we really have gotten there, our show sounds very tight and close to the sound you hear on the recording. Once the music was down the focus became the visual aspect, which is something that we grown on with each show. We really do play shows to have a good time and I think it shows in the way that everyone moves around and gets into it. Our goal is that whether we play for 10 people or 1,000 that everyone gets the same experience and with that in mind we try to make every show our best.

10. What advice would you give to fellow bands?

Don't forget why you started making music. That is a problem that we ourselves have run into at points. People make and listen to music because it is an escape from the stress of everyday life. If you don't have fun making it nobody is going to have fun listening to it.

11. What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

Finding members who have similar goals as you do it’s really difficult at times ya know? It is hard to find the right mix of having fun and growing as a band. We are getting there as a group and have really made some strides in the past few months. But if you have a group that has the same goal in mind and enjoys being around each other then everything else really takes care of it.

12. Anything else you'd like to say or add?

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview us!

IMPENDING DOOM ANNOUNCE BRAND NEW TOUR DATES

IMPENDING DOOM has announced a fresh batch of tour dates this summer. Kicking off on July 5th in Little Rock, dates will run along the south and south west. Support duties come from WITHIN THE RUINS, MOLTOV SOLUTION, ERRA and TO EACH HIS OWN.

IMPENDING DOOM just finished a very successful run supporting DEVILDRIVER, JOB FOR A COWBOY, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS and others on the METAL ALLIANCE TOUR. The band will head out on select dates of this summer's VAN'S WARPED TOUR and then finish out the summer on the highly anticipated SCREAM IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT tour supporting THE ACACIA STRAIN.


TOUR DATES:

VANS WARPED TOUR:

6/16  Salt Lake City, UT
Utah State Fairgrounds

6/17  Denver, CO
Sports Authority Field at Mile High

6/20  Las Vegas, NV
Luxor Festival Lot

6/21  Irvine, CA
Orange County Great Park

6/22  Ponoma, CA
Pomona Fairplex

6/23  San Francisco, CA
AT&T Park

6/24 Ventura, CA
Seaside Park

6/27  Chula Vista, CA
Cricket Amphitheatre

6/28  Scottsdale, AZ
Camelback Park

6/29  Las Cruces, NM
N.M.S.U.Practice Field

6/30  San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center

7/1 Houston, TX
Reliant Park

7/3 Dallas , TX
Gexa Energy Pavillion

Click HERE for more info!

HEADLINE DATES

7/5 Little Rock, AR
Downtown Music Hall

7/6 Nashville, TN
Exit / IN

7/7 Columbus, GA
Gallery 13

7/8 Augusta, GA
Sector 7G

7/9 Jacksonville, FL
Rocketown

7/10 Pompano Beach, FL
The Pit

7/11  St Petersburg, FL
State Theater

7/13  Broussard, LA
The Station

7/14 Corpus Christi, TX
Zeros

7/15 Lubbock, TX
Texas Republic

7/16  Albuquerque, NM
Launchpad

SCREAM IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT TOUR

7/27  San Diego, CA
Soma

7/28  Las Vegas, NV
Fremont East District

7/29  Oakland, CA
Oakland Metro Operahouse

7/31  Salt Lake City, UT
In The Venue

8/1 Denver, CO
The Summit Music Hall

8/3 Des Moines, IA
Val Air Ballroom

8/4 Milwaukee, WI
The Rave

8/5 Pontiac, MI
The Crofoot

8/6 Chicago, IL
The Bottom Lounge

8/7 Cleveland, OH
Peabody's

8/8 Buffalo, NY
Infinity

8/9 Pittsburgh, PA
Stage AE

8/10 Allentown , PA
Crocodile Rock

8/11 Baltimore, MD
Sonar

High On Fire’s Jeff Matz Discusses Mayhem Fest and Album Differences

High On Fire has six albums under their belts and plan on hitting the road this coming summer being a part of this year’s Mayhem Festival so the band is excited and stoked about it. Bassist Jeff Matz spoke to me about them taking part and how their latest album is compared to their previous works.

1. For those who may not know who High On Fire is can you give us a brief summary?

Jeff: High On Fire is a 3 piece metal band in 1998 from Oakland, California and we released a new album on this summer’s Mayehm Festival which should be fun.

2. Do you ever feel any pressure to being a 3-piece act?

Jeff: Ya know being in a 3 piece you have to learn a way of being unique. A lot less when covering up your mistakes especially being in a band like ours, we try to go for a massive heavy sound so having 3 members you have little tricks and techniques along the way.

3. What was it like to work with Converge's guitarist Kurt Ballou as the producer what did he bring to High On Fire?

Jeff: We were pretty excited and wanted to work with him on previous albums but he’s been on our radar for a while now. I really liked the raw and tight sound so he brought our band justice. He comes from a punk rock background and he’s not afraid to get dirty because he knows what he’s doing and we’re all on the same page.

4. How is this album different than your previous albums?

Jeff: There all different it just reflects on the music and what we’re feeling at the time. But with this one it goes back to our roots and has a psychotic stoner vibe to it. Our last one was straight ahead rock metal songs. While this one was more experimental and loose when we were in the studio and we didn’t have all of the songs finished so we had finished up a lot of stuff in the studio but it’s a High On Fire bearing our style and stamp and it’s being well received and we’re all stoked on it.

5. This is your sixth album did you ever think High On Fire would have gotten this far?

Jeff: I joined the band 6 years ago and they’ve been playing since 98, I’ve been a fan since the band started but ya know when I jumped on board I didn’t know what the future would hold but it’s amazing.

6. You’re going to be parts of this summer’s Mayhem Festival how excited are you to be a part of this event?

Jeff: I’m pretty stoked the line-up is legendary just the fact that I get to see Slayer and Motorhead everyday that doesn’t suck. I’ve been friends with the guys of Motorhead for a while and it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to see how it works out for us but still very cool and good and help us win some new fans.

7. How do you describe your music to people?

Jeff: Heavy, pumping, a lot of elements of classic heavy metal, rock, jazz, classical, it’s a big mish mosh of everything we grew up listening too but I usually tell people it’s just heavy!

8. What more can we expect to see from you guys for this year?

Jeff:  We’re doing the Mayhem Festival then not sure possible U.S. headlining tour in the fall and then Europe later on but we’re still figuring it all out.

9. What is it about High On Fire that really attracts people to your music?

Jeff:  That’s a good question people love to get punished I guess? I think it’s well crafted with volume of heavy metal played with passion by guys who are good with their instruments. I know I was a fan for sure and loved how heavy it was.

10. Anything else you'd like to say or add?

Jeff: Come see us on Mayhem have a good summer.

Fearless Vampire Killers Releases Video for "Could We Burn, Darling?"

U.K.'s Fearless Vampire Killers have released an all new video for the song "Could We Burn, Darling?" check it out below!

 

Madness Of Sorrow Rises from the Fallen Ashes

Muriel Saracino got his start with music releasing a debut album with his previous material called Filth Teens. From these ashes became his all new project from Italy called Madness Of Sorrow. This then lead to them releasing their first album "Signs" for FREE online. The frontman behind it all spoke to me about his current project and what and who this Madness Of Sorrow is.

1. So why did you want to go and call the band Madness Of Sorrow?

Muriel: I thought the name was cool in my opinion and it represents exactly who I am and the mood of the music that we want to create.

2. You have an album called "Signs" is this your debut album?

Muriel: Yes this is our first album that Madness Of Sorrow has released but it is NOT my first album ever only because I’d written a debut album back in 2007 called “Filthy Teens”.

3. Your lyrical writing consists of horror movies; gothic fairytales that type of genre why go in this direction?

Muriel: We liked surrounding our material in the horror world whether it’d be movies, fairytales, etc. For me it’s a good way of inspiration when writing the lyrics to these songs.

4. So since you choose to go this route, tell me what is your favorite horror movie and fairytale and why?

Muriel: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Rec 1&2, the stories of E.A. Poe and Lovecraft.

5. If you could create your own horror movie or fairy tale in just 5 words what would it be?

Muriel: I don't want to write fairytales ah ah ah...for the films I say “bloody, violent, dark, and cursed” with a simple screenplay.

6. What inspired the album title? Is it a concept album?

Muriel: I like to call it a “semi concept” album because 4-5 songs have similar contents like the title track and “Radio Death”, “Clowns of the Earth”, and “The Armageddon Song”. The concept itself is based on the Maya prophecies and personal stories. “Signs” to me is a good title because it’s short, simple, and describes exactly what this album is. There are signs out there that we continue to ignore I think maybe one day we’ll pay the consequences.

7. How would you describe the overall sound of the new album?

Muriel: The sound is the right mix of classic heavy metal, dark rock and orchestral instruments used to give to the songs the right dramatic purpose.

8. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?

Muriel: Yes I wanted to increase my ability in composing and recording the songs. I think I’ve reached that goal. The guys have made good arrangements and we’re all satisfied with the results.

9. When did you start writing for this album?

Muriel: I started writing in January 2009 then came out last October.

10. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new album? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?

Muriel:  “Miss Suicide” is the first single that I wrote for “Signs” it represented a new light in my inspiration because at the end of 2008, I felt empty. It began from a guitar riff then added keyboards and lyrics of course.

Obviously when Simon, Ross and David heard the demo, they proposed their ideas and the song came out in the way it is now. Another song is "Armageddon Song". The other guys in the band loved it immediately and it remains like the first version that I showed to them.

11. What are your expectations for the CD?

Muriel: We want to invite people to know us throught our music that it's not only dark rock or gothic metal, because we listen tons of different music and you can hear it in the songs.

12. Tell me about your record label W1tch R3cords, you’re the manager of this label and the band is of course signed with them so how did this whole thing come about?

Muriel: W1tch R3cords is a digital metal label that distributes albums all over the world through iTunes, Amazon, and other stores. I founded it two years ago because I wanted to give opportunities to underground Italian metal bands.

Obviously I wanted to release Madness of Sorrow’s music this way because we’re free from labels that can't guarantee anything to musicians.

13. What is the music scene like in Milano?

Muriel: Tragic, like in the rest of Italy ah ah. Madness Of Sorrow, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and the rest of underground bands fight for little praise. But bands like Lacuna Coil are more famous to the foreign countries instead of Italy.

14. Any there any bands from Milano that you would recommend?

Muriel: Yeah, Madness of Sorrow...ah ah ah…. No, I’d have to say Scream Baby Scream, is a very good band.

15. Do you have any upcoming tour plans?

Muriel: No, we've opened for Cadaveria but there aren't any more opportunities here, and we have no money to organize a tour. Maybe someday soon something will happen.

16. Anything else you'd like to say or add?

Muriel: A BIG thanks to you and thanks to Barbara that helped me with English (I hope in a right way ah ah) I want to invite your audience to visit our website to listen to our album "Signs", buy merch and join us on Facebook! Greetings from Italy! Horns Up!!!!

Lifeforce Records welcomes DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS

Polish blackened death metal act Devilish Impressions is welcomed to the Lifeforce Records to the family. The bands Lifeforce Records debut and third album "Simulacra" will be released July 30th in Europe and July 31st in North America.

"We're very pleased to land this record deal with Lifeforce Records. From all the offers we've got this one seems to be our best option at this point of the band's career and we truly believe working with them will push us up a huuuge step forward. What impressed us the most was Stefan's, the label's driving force, work ethic and attitude towards Devilish Impressions music. His seriousness and passion about the band let us believe this was the best choice we've made. The worldwide release of the "Simulacra" album will initiate our new partnership and we can't wait to see where it is going to bring us in the years to come" – comments Devilish Impressions mainman, Quazarre.

Despite having only two albums under their belt Devilish Impressions quickly managed to put their name out there. Critically acclaimed records and intense touring along with some of the biggest names onto the metal scene made them one of the most promising acts on the European map of extreme music. After a row of personal problems that eventually caused several line-up changes and temporary stage absence, the band strikes back with the brand new opus called "Simulacra" and is now ready to take the scene by storm again.

"Simulacra" is the 3rd full-length by Devilish Impressions, considered as one of Poland's leading and most innovative modern black/death metal acts. Wrapped in breath-taking artwork created by Xaay (Nile, Kamelot, Necrophagist) the album also features guest appearances of Orion (Behemoth, Vesania), Jacek Grecki (Lost Soul) and Roman Berežnicki (Lecter) as well as session synth/samples/fx appearance by Flumen (Asgaard) and Lestath (Metransmissional).

New SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 Dates Announced

The SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 announce four new dates in the inaugural North American takeover : Calgary, Amityville, Columbus, and Joliet. See updated itinerary below.

Established to give metal fans a lower cost festival option this season, SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 stands among one of the most diversified metal tour packages of the Summer! The trek will commence on July 6 in Seattle, Washington, and feature an assorted lineup of artists including futuristic metal conjurers FEAR FACTORY and sci-fi thrash legends VOIVOD as well as CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING and FORGED IN FLAME. Presented by Full Metal Jackie with further sponsorships by EVH, DDrums, Intune Guitar Pics, Indie Merch, Earsplit PR, Skateboard Marketing, Burning Angel, Yetibite, The PRP, Rockin Wellness, Dirtycheese Design & Development and Blank TV, the caravan of chaos will run through August. Tickets are on sale NOW at THIS LOCATION.

To celebrate the tour, Full Metal Jackie Radio will be hosting a special contest. The Grand Prize Winner will receive an Ibanez GRG Electric Black Knight Guitar and a Festival T-shirt. Runner ups will receive: A CD prize pack which will include CATTLE DECAPITATION’s Monolith Of Inhumanity, DIRGE WITHIN’s There Will Be Blood, HAVOK’s Time Is Up, THE BROWNING’s Burn This World and VILDHJARTA’s Måsstaden. Enter HERE. And don’t forget to check out the official tour trailer HERE.


Full Metal Jackie Presents: SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012
Fear Factory, Voivod, Cattle Decapitation, Misery Index, Revocation, Havok, Dirge Within, Last Chance To Reason, Vildhjarta, The Browning and Forged In Flame

7/06/2012 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
7/07/2012 Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, BC
7/09/2012 The Republik – Calgary, AB  ***
7/11/2012 Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB
7/12/2012 Station 4 – St Paul, MN
7/13/2012 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
7/14/2012 Kool House – Toronto, ON
7/15/2012 The Armouries – Windsor, ON
7/17/2012 Imperial Theater – Quebec City, QC
7/18/2012 Le National – Montreal, QC
7/20/2012 Northern Lights – Clifton, NY
7/21/2012 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
7/22/2012 Reverb – Reading, PA
7/24/2012 Revolution – Amityville, NY  ***
7/25/2012 Palladium – Worcester, MA
7/26/2012 Empire – West Springfield, VA
7/27/2012 Alrosa Villa – Columbus, OH [TICKETS] ***
7/28/2012 Mojoe’s – Joliet, IL  ***
7/29/2012 Tebala Shrine – Rockford, IL
8/02/2012 Nakai Hall – Window Rock, AZ
8/03/2012 The Marqee Theater – Tempe, AZ
8/04/2012 House Of Blues – Hollywood, CA
*** – New Date Added

A HERO A FAKE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM

Progressive metalcore outfit, A HERO A FAKE from Charlotte, North Carolina will be releasing their third album, The Future Again, on July 17.  This most recent accomplishment was recorded by Jamie King (Between The Buried and Me, Wretched) at The Basement Recording NC, who also recorded their two previous Victory Records releases, Volatile (2008) and Let Oceans Lie (2010). Cameron Mizell completed the mixing and Joey Sturgis did the mastering. A HERO A FAKE’s skillful and tempered songwriting will be heard on The Future Again.

Guitarist Eric Morgan commented, “This album started from scratch, which was quite refreshing as the previous two albums were taken from material I had written when I was 18.  Evan Kirkley re-joined us on Drums and is incredible along with the addition of Chris Rosser on bass who contributed greatly to the writing process. Our goal was to make our ideas as massive, forceful, and engaging as possible and we couldn't be more excited about how the new songs turned out. It took over a year of writing and reworking before we were able to bring the new songs into the studio, and it was that extra time that helped in defining our new direction.”

A HERO A FAKE is determined to show the modern metal community that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2012 and beyond. They will be on tour this summer and throughout the year. Pre-order packages for The Future Again are available through the Victory Records Webstore.

1349 DISPLAY LIVE DRAWINGS; BAND EMBARKS ON U.S. TOUR

While you await the arrival of Norwegian black metallists 1349 to storm the U.S. alongside Marduk, you can feast your eyes on the drawings that artist Kim Holm created of the band performing live.

The Aural Hellfire Legion stated, “From time to time, we (1349) get approached by other artists that find inspiration in our work and want to pay tribute to us. It is a great honor and such an awarding payback for the hard work we put into our art. Every now and then there is an artist that comes along that presents us with something so special that we want to share it and promote their work, and Kim Holm is a perfect example of this. This guy drew the band while performing live and was able to transform the live energy we present on stage into his drawings. Check out his work!"

You can check out Kim Holm's representation of 1349 live on his website and compare it to real life by coming out to see the band on one of their upcoming shows along with labelmates WITHERED on one of the dates listed below:

TOUR DATES:

6/1 Puerto Rico, PR - La Respuesta %
6/2 Baltimore, MD - Sonar #
6/3 Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Music Hall #
6/4 Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques #
6/5 Toronto, ON - Wreck Room #
6/6 Ottawa, ON - Maverick's #
6/7 Columbus, OH - Alrosa Villa #
6/8 Chicago, IL - Reggie's #
6/9 St Paul, MN - Station 4 #
6/10 Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre #
6/11 Regina, SK - The Exchange #
6/12 Calgary, AB - Distillery #
6/14 Vancouver, BC - Venue #
6/15 Seattle, WA - Studio Seven #
6/16 Portland, OR - Bossanova #
6/17 San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge #
6/18 Pomona, CA - The Glass House (HEADLINING)
6/19 West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues #
6/20 San Diego, CA - Ruby Room #
6/22 San Luis Potosi, Mexico - Steel Room %
6/23 Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Alicia %
% w/ Marduk
# w/ Marduk, Withered, Weapon

Demon Hunter True Defiance Discussion and Summer Time Plans

Demon Hunter an act that's been going at it for 10 long years having released 6 albums, 1 live album and a documentary film there is nothing these guys cannot do. The band caught up with me to discuss the band's history, album details and summer time plans just around the bin.

1. For those who may not know who Demon Hunter is can you give us a brief summary?

Demon Hunter is a metal band, rooted in melody, aggression and groove. Our members are spread across the USA. We've been active for 10 years; have released 6 studio albums, 1 live record, and a documentary film.

2. Tell me about the logo for Demon Hunter what does it represent for you and the band?

The logo is a literal interpretation of the band name- a demon skull with a bullet hole in its forehead. This logo represents what the band stands for- the destruction of evil and sin, both in the self, and the world as a whole.

3. How has the band’s sound evolved from The World Is a Thorn to True Defiance?

The band's progression over the past few years has been moving further into metal territory, and further away from our roots in hardcore. That's the easiest way to put it- less breakdowns, more melody, faster, more technical. This description will make sense to those who understand the nuances of these genres. 

4. Was your songwriting and recording process any different than usual for this CD?

We wrote and recorded this album in a very similar fashion to all of our previous records. I have a tradition and formula that works best for me, in terms of writing, so I don't usually stray from that.

5. What inspired the album title? Is it a concept album?

If metal is inherently defiant, yet all that defiance is pointed in the same direction, then it stops being the exception, and starts being the rule. As a band with a Christian world-view, our ideals are very unpopular- not just in metal, but modern culture at large. I see what we do as a form of true defiance.

6. How does it feel to have six albums under your guys belts did you ever see the band to come this far and release this many albums?

I never thought I'd be looking back at 10 years and 6 albums. It's really amazing. It seems like we just started yesterday, and at the same time, so much has happened. It's been quite a ride. I'm excited to keep it moving.

7. This time around you did not decide to feature any guest artists as you have in the past why didn't you want to have anyone come abroad?

Not only was I pressed for time during the writing process, which left me with little spare time to think about the possibility of guests, but after nabbing both Speed and Christian on the last record, it's hard to know where to go from there. Those guys are 2 of my top 3 current metal vocalists.

8. What are your songs about? What specific themes do they cover?

We write songs about the human condition, love, lust, death, sin, solitude, mortality, anger, and faith, all through the lens of a Christian worldview.

9. Do you write your own songs? Can you discuss the songwriting process in detail?

Yes, we write all of our own material. I gather ideas throughout the year, and record them onto my phone- these can be riff ideas, vocal melodies, and lyrics, whatever. A few months before we're slated to record, I start to flesh these ideas out into full songs. I create these demo tracks in Garage Band. I program the drums; add some lead guitar ideas and bass... and vocals if I get time. These demos serve as the master blueprint for what we record in the studio. The lyrics I'll write whenever and wherever I can. It can happen in my car, at home, at the office... whenever they come to me.

10. Who are your musical influences?

Pantera, Metallica, Machine Head, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Slipknot, Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, At The Gates, Deftones, Alice In Chains, HIM, etc.

11. What are your expectations for the CD?

I have no expectations, but I'm hoping people love it. We're very proud of this record.

12. How do you describe your music to people? What image do you think your music conveys?

I hope that it conveys a sense of hope... and understanding. We believe Jesus Christ is the answer to everything... trial or struggle, concern, desire, hope, meaning, purpose... so we hope that comes through in our songs.

13. Can you tell me about the concept behind the video "My Destiny" is all about?

   

It's about growing up in the suburbs, finding your place in the world, hanging with your friends, getting into trouble, discovering new music, forming your tastes... the song is all about that moment I realized I wanted to do music for a living. It's about growing up and realizing your place in the world. The kids in the video are supposed to vaguely symbolize the guys in the band. We didn't all grow up together, but we did grow up in a very similar fashion, with many of the same interests.

14. What are your upcoming touring plans?

We're heading to Europe this weekend. We'll be there for about a week with Deadlock, Nightrage and Insense. We'll be announcing some summer tour dates soon, so stay tuned for that.