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• Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1994
  <img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/6/S/W/-/-/emperor-inthenightside.jpg"align="right"> 1994 was a really good year for heavy metal. It saw the rise of Norwegian black metal along with the continued success of American groups like Pantera and Megadeth. The Norwegians have a strong presence on this year's list, including the top three spots. CDs that just missed making the list include Cradle Of Filth, Enslaved and Slayer. Here's my choice for the best heavy metal releases of 1994. What do you think were the best metal CDs of 1994? Post your comments below. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/Best-Metal-Albums-Of-1994.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1994</a> <p> Here are my other lists of the Best Heavy Metal CDs of the 1990s:<br /> <ul> <li> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1990top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1990</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1991top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1991</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1992top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1992</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1993top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1993</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/Best-Metal-Albums-Of-1995-.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1995</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/bestof1996.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1996</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1997bestmetalalbums.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1997</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1998bestmetalcds.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1998</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1999bestmetalalbums.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1999</a></li> </ul><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/10/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1994.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1994</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 00:07:17.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/10/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1994.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/10/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1994.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/10/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1994.htm&#038;zItl=Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1994">Email this</a></p>
• Dragonforce Vocalist Out
  <img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/6/R/-/-/dragonforce.jpg"align="right"> The British power metal band <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/dragonforce/p/dragonforce.htm">Dragonforce</a> is searching for a new lead singer after the departure of vocalist ZP Theart. The band issued the following statement: <p> "It is with great regret that Dragonforce announce a parting of the ways with singer ZP Theart. This is due to insurmountable differences of musical opinion, but the rest of the band sincerely wishes ZP great success with his future projects." <p> While the band members have begun writing their fifth album, they have also started a worldwide search for a new vocalist. "We are looking for a powerful, melodic singer to write a new chapter of Dragonforce with us." said guitarist Herman Li. <p> If you'd like to try out to be Dragonforce's next singer, application instructions can be found at the band's <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.dragonforce.com/audition">official web site.</a> <p> (photo courtesy Roadrunner Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dragonforce-vocalist-out.htm">Dragonforce Vocalist Out</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 12:49:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dragonforce-vocalist-out.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dragonforce-vocalist-out.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dragonforce-vocalist-out.htm&#038;zItl=Dragonforce Vocalist Out">Email this</a></p>
• Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void Review
  <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/d/fr/darktranquillity-wearethevoid.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/v/n/-/-/darktranquillilty-wearethevoid.jpg"align="right"border="0"</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/darktranquility/p/darktranquillit.htm">Dark Tranquillity</a> has had a remarkably consistent track record, which they continue with <em>We Are The Void.</em> Consistency doesn't mean they are repeating the same album over and over. While they do have a well-defined template, they inject enough differences and the songs are constructed well enough to avoid musical deja vu. <p> This CD delivers everything you'd expect from a Dark Tranquillity effort: catchy guitar riffs, a lot of melody and strong vocals from Mikael Stanne. Harsh vocals dominate the album, but Stanne's periodic baritone melodic vocals help add a gothic vibe to songs like "The Grandest Accusation" and "Her Silent Language." <p> <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/d/fr/darktranquillity-wearethevoid.htm">Read the complete Dark Tranquillity - <i>We Are The Void</i> Review <p> (CD cover courtesy Century Media Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dark-tranquillity-we-are-the-void-review.htm">Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void Review</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 08:42:31.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dark-tranquillity-we-are-the-void-review.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dark-tranquillity-we-are-the-void-review.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/09/dark-tranquillity-we-are-the-void-review.htm&#038;zItl=Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void Review">Email this</a></p>
• Mortemia/Sirenia Interview
  <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/mortenvelandinterview.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/h/n/-/-/mortemia.jpg"align="right"border="0"></a> Sirenia mainmain Morten Veland's latest project is Mortemia. He wrote the music, played all the instruments, produced, mixed and mastered <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/m/fr/mortemia-miseremortem.htm"><i>Misere Mortem.</i></a> He gives us the background on the Mortemia project, Sirenia's upcoming plans, his top 5 Norwegian metal bands and more. <p> <b>Chad Bowar: What was the inspiration to start this project?</b><br /> Morten Veland: Some years ago I decided to take Sirenia in a more melodic direction. However, I still composed a lot of music in different genres and I ended up with a great amount of ideas that basically didn't fit in Sirenia's musical concept anymore. <p> So I was faced with two options, either to throw these ideas away or create a new project where I could bring these ideas to life. I thought that a lot of these compositions were way too good to be left uncompleted, so I decided to form Mortemia. I began working with all the ideas that I had and that could not fit into Sirenia's music, because they where either too complex, too hard or did not have the right expression, musically speaking. So this is basically how the idea of forming Mortemia came together. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/mortenvelandinterview.htm">Read the complete Mortemia/Sirenia Interview</a> <p> (photo courtesy Napalm Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/08/mortemiasirenia-interview.htm">Mortemia/Sirenia Interview</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 00:58:01.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/08/mortemiasirenia-interview.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/08/mortemiasirenia-interview.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/08/mortemiasirenia-interview.htm&#038;zItl=Mortemia/Sirenia Interview">Email this</a></p>
• Theatre Of Tragedy Calling It Quits
  <img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/0/k/-/-/theatreoftragedy.jpg"align="right"> The Norwegian gothic metal band Theatre Of Tragedy will be disbanding later this year. Here's a statement from the group: <p> "After nearly 17 years in existence, Theatre Of Tragedy decided to call it a day and close down. This has not been an easy decision and we have thought about this for a long long time. We finally agreed to this during the production of our latest album <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/t/fr/theatreoftragedy-foreveris.htm"><i>Forever Is The World."</i></a> <p> "Theatre Of Tragedy will come to an end on October 2, 2010, exactly 17 years after we started making music together. Over the years all of us have strived to combine Theatre Of Tragedy with everyday life, but in the end it has proven more and more difficult. We have come to appreciate our family lives and jobs, which makes it very hard to continue this life of rock 'n' roll on the road." <p> "We know that some of you will probably be very disappointed, but we also hope you will continue to listen to our music, which all of you learned to appreciate and love so much. We want to thank everyone of you for all your support over the past 17 years! Theatre Of Tragedy wouldn't have been possible without you! Be sure to catch us on the last shows ever this year! The final gig will take place on October 2nd in Stavanger, where it all began. Our music will live on... and forever is the world." <p> (photo courtesy AFM Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/07/theatre-of-tragedy-calling-it-quits.htm">Theatre Of Tragedy Calling It Quits</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 00:37:14.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/07/theatre-of-tragedy-calling-it-quits.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/07/theatre-of-tragedy-calling-it-quits.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/07/theatre-of-tragedy-calling-it-quits.htm&#038;zItl=Theatre Of Tragedy Calling It Quits">Email this</a></p>
• Amon Amarth Tour Dates
  <img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/t/5/-/-/amonamarth.jpg"align="right"> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/amonamarth/Amon_Amarth.htm">Amon Amarth</a> is returning to North America for a spring headlining tour. The scheduled 15 date trek kicks off on April 8, 2010 at the House of Blues in Hollywood, CA. Support will come from Holy Grail and Eluveitie. <p> Amon Amarth comments: "We're extremely excited to be hitting North American shores again for a final run of the <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/amonamarthtwili.htm"><i>Twilight of the Thunder God</i></a> tour. We're also happy to bring two great bands, Eluveitie and Holy Grail with us." <p> Amon Amarth, Holy Grail and Eluveitie Tour Dates:<br /> 04/08 West Hollywood, CA House Of Blues <br /> 04/09 San Francisco, CA The Regency Ballroom w/ Fear Factory, Dirge Within, Holy Grail, Eluveitie<br /> 04/10 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre <br /> 04/11 Seattle, WA Showbox At The Market<br /> 04/12 Vancouver, BC Rickshaw Theatre <br /> 04/14 Calgary, AB McEwen Hall  University Of Calgary <br /> 04/15 Edmonton, AB Edmonton Event Center<br /> 04/16 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Event Centre<br /> 04/17 Winnipeg, MB Garrick Center<br /> 04/18 Saint Paul, MN Station 4<br /> 04/19 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium <br /> 04/21 Toronto, ON Opera House<br /> 04/22 Montreal, QC Metropolis <br /> 04/23 Quebec City, QC Imperial Theater <br /> 04/25 New York, NY The Fillmore <br /> <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/a/metaltourdates.htm">Tour Dates For Other Heavy Metal Bands</a> <p> (photo courtesy Metal Blade Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/06/amon-amarth-tour-dates.htm">Amon Amarth Tour Dates</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 00:29:52.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/06/amon-amarth-tour-dates.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/06/amon-amarth-tour-dates.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/06/amon-amarth-tour-dates.htm&#038;zItl=Amon Amarth Tour Dates">Email this</a></p>
• Borknagar - Universal Review
  <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/b/gr/borknagar-universal.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/n/n/-/-/borknagar-universal.jpg"align="right"border="0"></a> While Borknagar has long abandoned their gritty black metal roots, hints of the past lie within the seams of <em>Universal.</em> In-between the organ flourishes and acoustic bliss of "Havoc" and "Worldwide" are sections of pure venom bent on visceral mayhem. These instances of aggression mark a stark contrast to the lush soundscapes that make up a good portion of the album. It is a constant struggle between these two polarizing sides, which works wonders in delivering an energetic and gripping album. <p> Many of the melodic high points on the album can be attributed to Lars Nedland's stylistic keyboard work. He employs everything from wild Hammond organ solos to vivid orchestrations to the soft beauty of a lonely piano in the background, giving off a distinct '70s progressive rock vibe. He even gets a chance to flex his writing chops on the bouncy "Fleshflower," an infectious tune that it utterly out of place on <em>Universal.</em> <p> <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/b/gr/borknagar-universal.htm">Read the complete Borknagar - <i>Universal</i> Review</a> <p> (CD cover courtesy Indie Recordings)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/05/borknagar-universal-review.htm">Borknagar - Universal Review</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 17:49:42.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/05/borknagar-universal-review.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/05/borknagar-universal-review.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/05/borknagar-universal-review.htm&#038;zItl=Borknagar - Universal Review">Email this</a></p>
• Testament Interview
  <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/testamentinterview.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/r/n/-/-/testament.jpg"align="right"border="0"></a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/testament/p/testament.htm">Testament</a> has overcome a lot of obstacles in their long career, and are still going strong. Their 2008 CD <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/testamentformat.htm"><i>The Formation Of Damnation</i></a> got great response, and they are releasing a special tour edition that coincides with a couple of major supporting slots. They are touring now with Megadeth and Exodus, and later this summer will be a part of the American Carnage tour with Slayer and Megadeth. I caught up with Testament vocalist Chuck Billy, and we chatted about the tours, the status of the next studio CD, his other project Dublin Death Patrol and a few other topics. <p> <b>Chad Bowar: How come you decided to put together a special tour edition of your <i>Formation Of Damnation</i> CD?</b><br /> Chuck Billy: It was something we spoke about doing early on, when we were touring last year. It wasn't pulled together in time. Then when the American Carnage tour came up with Slayer and Megadeth, the record label decided it was time to put this out. It has some cool stuff on there, like when we performed live at Alcatraz in the mess hall at night. It was a pretty cool vibe. <p> <b>What's the status of your next studio CD?</b><br /> We've been working on it since October. We weren't really planning to tour this year. We passed on a summer tour, but then American Carnage came up and we took it. We decided to do the tour, then come home and finish the record. We had hoped to get the record out by the end of the year. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/testamentinterview.htm">Read the complete Testament Interview</a> <p> (photo courtesy Nuclear Blast Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/04/testament-interview.htm">Testament Interview</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 00:39:01.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/04/testament-interview.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/04/testament-interview.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/04/testament-interview.htm&#038;zItl=Testament Interview">Email this</a></p>
• Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1993
  <img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/6/b/W/-/-/sepultura-chaos.jpg"align="right"> 1993 was another year where there weren't many mind-blowing all time great metal CDs, but there were a bunch of really good, solid releases. The benefit of doing these lists so many years later is that enough years have elapsed to judge which albums have stood the test of time, and 1993 was a good year for that. It was a really strong year for extreme metal, with groups like Death, Carcass and Entombed making the list along with more commercial bands like Anthrax and Type O Negative. Check out my list, and then post your picks of the best metal albums of 1993. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1993top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1993</a> <p> Here are my other lists of the Best Heavy Metal CDs of the 1990s:<br /> <ul> <li> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1990top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1990</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1991top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1991</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/1992top10.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1992</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/Best-Metal-Albums-Of-1994.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1994</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/Best-Metal-Albums-Of-1995-.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1995</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/bestof1996.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1996</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1997bestmetalalbums.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1997</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1998bestmetalcds.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1998</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/10/tp/1999bestmetalalbums.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1999</a></li> </ul><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/03/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1993.htm">Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1993</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 00:43:36.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/03/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1993.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/03/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1993.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/03/best-heavy-metal-albums-of-1993.htm&#038;zItl=Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1993">Email this</a></p>
• Various Artists - God Of War: Blood And Metal EP Review
  <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/v/gr/variousartists-godofwarbloodandmetal.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/heavymetal/1/G/l/n/-/-/variousartists-godofwar.jpg"align="right"border="0"></a> Though most record buyers will probably head for this comp in search for Opeth's exclusive contribution--the comparatively mellow and acoustic "Throat of Winter--and will find themselves quite pleased with what they find, the question as to whether or not they want to lay down the hard-earned for one track remains a valid one, indeed. <p> Elsewhere, the promising youngsters in Taking Dawn turn in a surprisingly twee number in the form of the <i>300</i>-inspired track "This Is Madness," an overtly goofy piss-take on the <i>God of War</i> friendly sword-and-sandal archetype, while Dream Theater provides us with "Raw Dog" a startlingly heavy and involved instrumental. <p> <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/od/v/gr/variousartists-godofwarbloodandmetal.htm">Read the complete Various Artists - <i>God Of War: Blood And Metal</i> Review</a> <p> (CD cover courtesy Roadrunner Records)<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/02/various-artists-god-of-war-blood-and-metal-ep-review.htm">Various Artists - God Of War: Blood And Metal EP Review</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/">About.com Heavy Metal</a> on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 16:16:16.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/02/various-artists-god-of-war-blood-and-metal-ep-review.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/02/various-artists-god-of-war-blood-and-metal-ep-review.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://heavymetal.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://heavymetal.about.com/b/2010/03/02/various-artists-god-of-war-blood-and-metal-ep-review.htm&#038;zItl=Various Artists - God Of War: Blood And Metal EP Review">Email this</a></p>

Roadrunner Records Latest News
All the latest label news direct from Roadrunnerrecords.com

• Dommin Discuss Love is Gone With The Gauntlet
  Los Angeles quartet <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Dommin/" target="_blank"><strong>Dommin</strong></a> have just released their darkly romantic debut album <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=403" target="_blank"><em><strong>Love is Gone</strong></em></a>, and it's been a long time coming. In this interview with <a href="http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/4282/Dommin.html" target="_blank">The Gauntlet</a>, frontman <strong>Kristofer Dommin</strong> addresses all of that and more.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/4282/Dommin.html" target="_blank">Says Dommin</a>, <img src="http://passionati.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/dommin-3-passionati.jpg" border="0" width="275" height="200" style="float:right;margin-left:3px;" />"I find romantic to be a weird word to use considering it isn't a positive spin on love, on this record anyway. In the sense of romantic, as far as super passionate and extremely emotional, I would absolutely agree."<br /><br />As for the making of the full-length, Kris goes on that, "It's been a long time in the making. The music and the album have been done for over a year now. It's just been a lot of set up time. It was originally supposed to come out in May of 2009 and some things changed with it. It got pushed back for various different reasons. It's actually been a really good thing."<br /><br />On the album, the band worked with producer Lucas Banker, of which <strong>Dommin</strong> says, "Lucas is basically the guy who discovered us. He came across a demo that I had. I had been in other bands and I would always pass my demo around in the bands that I was in. Somehow through a weird twist of fate, someone who knew him passed my demo along to him. Ever since we started working together, we started writing songs together."<br /><br />Continued <strong>Kris</strong>, "He is probably our biggest fan. In a lot of ways he has seen this whole thing grow and in some ways he has a better idea of what Dommin is more than anybody. When I first met him, I gave him between 70 to 80 demo songs. He already knows the direction we are going and what we are capable of. He has the big picture. A lot of people don't totally understand what Dommin is until they have heard more than just a few songs. The entire first album is not the complete picture. Hopefully, when we put out other records<a href="http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/4282/Dommin.html" target="undefined"><span style="color: #ff0000 ! important; font-weight: 400; font-size: 20px; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ff0000; color: #ff0000 ! important; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica; font-weight: 400; font-size: 20px; position: relative; background-color: transparent;"></span></span><span class="preLoadWrap" style="position: relative;"></span></a>, you are going to see other sides to the band."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/4282/Dommin.html" target="_blank">Read what else Kris had to say</a> about the making of <em><strong>Love is Gone</strong></em>, and get your copy of the stunning debut <a href="http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/DOMMIN-Love-Is-Gone;jsessionid=0a0102591f43c24b0dfbe6b14a2cac62b5cb833b4392.e3eTa3aSaxmTe34Pa38Ta38LbNr0" target="_blank"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!<br /><br />Dommin will be on tour with HIM in the US later this month. <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/tour/tour.aspx?tourID=1087" target="_blank">Check the tour dates</a> and get your tickets now!
• Mutiny Within's Story So Far: Episode 5
  <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/MutinyWithin/" target="_blank"><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></a> signed their contract with Roadrunner in late 2008, thus beginning their long road to release in 2010. But now that their <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=400" target="_blank">self-titled debut</a> is out, the band is letting fans in on their journey with these weekly webisodes that were filmed along the way, dubbed <em><strong>The Story So Far</strong></em>.<br /><br />We met fun-loving keyboardist Drew Stavola <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/Mutiny-Within--Mutiny-Within-Webisode-4-2997.aspx" target="_blank">last week</a>, but this week, we're watching his alter-ego "Drewl" in action!<br /><br /> Watch the fun below, and don't miss your chance to get the melodic metallers' crushing debut for only $5 <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/mwspecial" target="_self">RIGHT HERE</a>!<br /><br /> <br />
• Slipknot's Clown Gets 'Exposure' on Noisecreep
  In his recurring series on <a href="http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/03/10/slipknot-clown-exposure-the-formation/" target="_blank">Noisecreep</a>, <em>Clown Exposure</em>, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/" target="_blank"><strong>Slipknot</strong></a>'s <strong>Shawn "Clown" Crahan</strong> showcases his love of the visual arts through photography.<br /><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.noisecreep.com/media/2010/03/clown-exposure-400ak030210.jpg" border="0" width="260" height="200" style="float:right" /><br /> <a href="http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/03/10/slipknot-clown-exposure-the-formation/" target="_blank">Writes Noisecreep contributor Jon Weiderhorn</a>, "One man's junk is another man's jewelry. That's the premise for this week's 'Clown Exposure' photo by <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/" target="_blank"><strong>Slipknot</strong></a> percussionist Shawn 'Clown' Crahan. The image is a drainpipe bolted to the cement and rusted over time. The shot is distorted around the edges by Clown's Polaroid manipulation technique, but the picture is pretty much intact. Only where most see a boring drainpipe, the photographer envisions something entirely different."<br /> <br /> Clown tells Noisecreep, "I wanted to make it look like this big metal thing is walking... But you got this big brown spots coming from the seams. That's where water is getting through the gutter. Do you know how many years that would take? That's years and years and years of conditioning. Then, I do a little treatment to it. I pull the Polaroid. I got the sun up there in top left. Boom, I have something special to me."<br /><br />Read the artist's whole account <a href="http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/03/10/slipknot-clown-exposure-the-formation/" target="_blank">right here</a>.
• Video Interview: Nickelback's Mike Kroeger Checks In
  While on tour in Europe, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Nickelback/" target="_blank"><strong>Nickelbac</strong>k</a> bassist Mike Kroeger sat down with our UK counterparts to discuss the band, the lifestyle and <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=297" target="_blank"><em><strong>Dark Horse</strong></em></a>. <br /><br /> Watch Part 1 below, and stay tuned for Part 2! <br /><br />
• Opeth Frontman Discusses His Contribution to God of War: Blood & Metal
  <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Opeth/" target="_blank"><strong>Opeth</strong></a> frontman and <a href="http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=360445" target="_blank">Decibel guest blogger</a> <strong>Mikael Akerfeldt</strong> discusses his involvement with the <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/GodofWarBloodandMetal/" target="_blank"><em><strong>God of War: Blood &amp; Metal </strong></em></a>EP.<br /><br /><a href="http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=360445" target="_blank">Writes Akerfeldt</a> of his contribution to the Playstation game's soundtrack, "I got the question a while back whether <strong>Opeth</strong> would be interested in contributing a song to this game, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.comhtttp://www.godofwar.com" target="_blank"><strong>God of War III</strong></a>. As far as I remember, I said &lsquo;kinda yes&rsquo; right away, since delivery was still months away. I didn't know the game. Even though I'm a gamer myself, I'd never really heard of it, but I figured we could contribute since a few of us are into it, and just overall, we felt &lsquo;Why not?&rsquo; I wanted to try my new home studio for this which had just been set up. <div style="page-break-after: always;"><!--more--></div> <p>On <strong>"The Throat of Winter"</strong>: The opening chord sequence is something I wrote on the last tour we did, and I had another project in mind for it. I just thought it had a nice ring to it. I knew the other bands would go for something heavy and we've always like to do the opposite to other bands, so we decided to go with something softer. It has attitude though it's devoid of any Whitney Houston influences. Recording it was quite simple, the song is simple (but odd) and the sound is simple... everything about it just came together in a heartbeat more or less. I like it. It's odd but it sounds like Opeth."</p> <p>Read the whole thing <a href="http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=360445" target="_blank">right here</a>, and get your digital-only copy of the EP <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/god-of-war-blood-metal/id355190867" target="_blank">on iTunes now</a>!</p> <p>Opeth will embark on a limited-city 20th anniversary tour at the end of the month. Get all the details <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Opeth-To-Celebrate-20th-Anniversary-in-2010-20755.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>God of War 3</strong> is out on March 16th. Check their <a href="http://www.godofwar.com/Index/#News" target="_blank">official site</a> for more information.</p>
• Mutiny Within's "Awake" on Revolver's Bootleg Series
  In their new <em>Bootleg Series</em>, <em><strong>Revolver</strong></em> promises to post <a href="http://www.revolvermag.com/music/detail/mp3-listen-to-mutiny-withins-awake/" target="_blank">"cool, new, and often-exclusive tracks for you to hear before anyone else."</a> And in keeping that promise, this week, the esteemed publication is offering <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/MutinyWithin/" target="_blank"><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></a>'s crushing first single <strong>"Awake."</strong><br /><br />Bassist <strong>Andrew Jacobs</strong> <a href="http://www.revolvermag.com/music/detail/mp3-listen-to-mutiny-withins-awake/" target="_blank">tells <em>Revolver</em> about the song</a>, saying, "&ldquo;Awake&rdquo; is one of the songs that I connect with the most, but Chris [<em>Clancy, vocals</em>] won&rsquo;t tell me what it&rsquo;s actually about. [<em>Laughs</em>] Chris doesn&rsquo;t explain his lyrics much, he prefers to let the listener come up with their own interpretation. This song actually helped me through a rough time recently. I played it over and over again. The reason I enjoy this song so much is because it&rsquo;s one of the few songs Chris has written in which there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel...&ldquo;Sorrow breaks me down, it&rsquo;s crushing me tonight, but I feel alive, somewhere inside.&rdquo;"<br /><br />Go <a href="http://www.revolvermag.com/music/detail/mp3-listen-to-mutiny-withins-awake/" target="_blank">here</a> to hear the track and read more about what AJ had to say about <strong>"Awake."</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=400" target="_blank"><em><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></em></a> is out now. Get your copy for only $5 <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/mwspecial" target="_self"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!
• Dommin Check In From Europe: Tours End, Tours Begin
  Having embarked on their first-ever European tour at the beginning of February right around the release of their debut album <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=403" target="_blank"><strong><em>Love is Gone</em></strong></a>, goth-rock newcomers <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Dommin/" target="_blank"><strong>Dommin</strong></a> have conquered some pretty big firsts so far this year.<br /><br />Keeping us up to speed as they experienced Europe, frontman <strong>Kristofer Dommin</strong> <a href="http://www.dommin.com/" target="_blank">wrote in from the road</a> giving a run down of every stop along the way. But as the tour with Lacuna Coil comes to an end in Italy, <strong>Dommin</strong> offers his summation of the experience and contemplates what's next in store as the band prepares to join HIM on some more European dates.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dommin.com/board_posts/treviso-and-tours-end-2" target="_blank">Writes <strong>Kris</strong></a>, "We are traveling somewhere among the snow covered Alps at the most northern area of Italy. Its our day off between tours. The show last night in Treviso went very well, and I can officially say, Italy and Dommin are having a beautiful love affair. It was another night of wild fans showing their appreciation and support for this new American band and us giving everything we had in us to the audience. All the shows in Italy were amazing and officially the best of the tour. It was a bittersweet show. We are happy to have accomplished our first European tour but sad to be saying goodbye to our friends in Lacuna.<br /><br />I am curious to know what some of these cities are going to be like on round 2. The tour with HIM starts tomorrow. Its going to be the first hectic day as usual, I'm sure. It will largely be crew trying to work out all the kinks with sound and lights. We'll be meeting our new tourmates as well. And we'll be spending a lot of time together as this 2 band bill will turn into a 4 band bill in the U.S. I've already heard great things about the HIM guys so I'm sure it will be pretty cool. But we are hitting some of the same areas we did with Lacuna. Now that our album has been out for a few weeks in the UK, it will be interesting to see the reaction.<br /><br />I've also been thinking about the last show of this tour. We are leaving Europe doing one headlining show in London and I'm trying to figure out how we can make it special. It will keep my mind occupied on this long drive."<br /><br />Read the whole thing <a href="http://www.dommin.com" target="_blank">right here</a> and get your copy of <em><strong>Love Is Gone</strong></em> <a href="http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/DOMMIN-Love-Is-Gone;jsessionid=0a0102591f43c24b0dfbe6b14a2cac62b5cb833b4392.e3eTa3aSaxmTe34Pa38Ta38LbNr0" target="_blank">now</a>!<br /><br />
• Airbourne Go Track By Track Through No Guts. No Glory.
  As Australian rockers <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Airbourne/" target="_blank"><strong>Airbourne</strong></a> get ready to release their sophomore album <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=404" target="_blank"><em><strong>No Guts. No Glory.</strong></em></a>, we check in with brothers <strong>Joel &amp; Ryan O'Keeffe</strong> to find out what went into the writing and making of each track. <br /><br /> Check out <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/Airbourne--No-Guts--No-Glory-Track-by-Track-Pt--1-3007.aspx" target="_blank">part 1</a> as they discuss the first 6 tracks on the album: <strong>"Born to Kill," <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/music/Airbourne--No-Way-But-the-Hard-Way-2901.aspx" target="_blank">"No Way But the Hard Way,"</a> "Blonde, Bad and Beautiful," "Raise the Flag," "Bottom of the Well"</strong> and <strong>"White Line Fever." </strong><br /><br />Watch it below, check back to hear about the second half of the album later this week and don't forget to pre-order your copy of the April 20th release <em><strong>No Guts. No Glory.</strong></em> <a href="http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Airbourne_2/AIRBOURNE-No-Guts-No-Glory" target="_blank"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!<br /><br /> <br />
• Roadrunner Newcomers Hail the Villain Stream First Single
  Canadian heavy-hitters and Roadrunner Records newcomers <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/HailTheVillain/" target="_blank"><strong>Hail the Villain</strong></a> prepare for the release of their forthcoming debut album by offering a listen to their first singe, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/music/Hail-The-Villain--Take-Back-the-Fear-3006.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>"Take Back the Fear."</strong></a><br /><br />Formed after singer<strong> Bryan Crouch</strong> quit school, <strong>Hail the Villain</strong>'s sound and style was crafted on <strong>Crouch</strong>'s headspace in doing so. Says the singer,&nbsp; &ldquo;When I was writing, I was under a lot of stress and was paranoid. I thought my health was not right, I thought I was in trouble.&nbsp; I made so many crazy mistakes instead of choosing the right path like my brother did. We all dropped out of school&hellip; I was just freaking out.&nbsp; This record was the be all and end all.&nbsp; If this didn&rsquo;t work, I&rsquo;d have to find a job and smarten up.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br /> <p>On the track (below), <strong>Crouch</strong> adds, "&lsquo;<strong>Take Back The Fear</strong>&rsquo; was when I was coming out of my paranoia saying that I&rsquo;m not going to be scared anymore.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m going to find out what&rsquo;s wrong.&rdquo;</p> Listen to the track right here, and check back for more on this burgeoning band soon.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><br />"Take Back the Fear"</strong> will be available for purchase on March 30th. The full album, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=408" target="_blank"><strong><em>Population: Declining</em></strong></a> hits shelves on June 8th. Information on the accompanying comic book to the album TBA.
• Mutiny Within Tell MetalUnderground Their Tale From the Pit
  <a href="http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=53569" target="_blank">Metalunderground.com</a> has a recurring series where they get bands to discuss their favorite mosh pit stories, and earlier this month they enlisted <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/MutinyWithin/" target="_blank"><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></a> bassist <strong>Andrew "AJ" Jacobs</strong> to spill his.<br /><br />Says <strong>Jacobs</strong>, "I was about 15 years old, went to see Children Of Bodom live, my favorite band at the time. So I was crowd surfing, screaming along with the lyrics, etc. Then I got into the pit, and oh man, I got my ass kicked. Not just that, but my sneaker came loose and I lost it. I had those big VANS sneakers, so it's no wonder it fell off." <p>Continues Jacobs, "By the end of the show, I made it up to the barricade. When the last song ended and people started clearing out, I saw a bunch of random sneakers near the security guard. I said "Give me a left shoe!", so they did. It wasn't mine, but I wore it for the next week until I bought some new shoes. Needless to say, I steered away from VANS ever since."</p> <br />Read the full account of Jacobs' pit story <a href="http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=53569" target="_blank">right here</a>, and don't miss your chance to get <strong>Mutiny Within</strong>'s self-titled debut for only 5 bucks <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/mwspecial" target="_self"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!<br />
• Dragonforce Part Ways With Singer
  <p><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/DragonForce/" target="_blank"><strong>DragonForce</strong></a> have split with lead singer <strong>ZP Theart</strong>. The band issued the following statement, regarding the matter:</p> <p>&ldquo;<img src="http://www.gigwise.com/artists/00013885_191.jpg" border="0" style="float:right" />It is with great regret that <strong>DragonForce</strong> announce a parting of the ways with singer ZP Theart. This is due to insurmountable differences of musical opinion but the rest of the band sincerely wishes ZP great success with his future projects.&rdquo;</p> <p>While the creative core members have begun writing the fifth album, they have also started a worldwide search for a new vocalist. &ldquo;We are looking for a powerful, melodic singer to write a new chapter of DragonForce with us." said guitarist <strong>Herman Li</strong>.</p> <p>Anyone wishing to audition for the vacant position should apply following the instructions <a href="http://www.dragonforce.com/audition" target="_blank">right here</a>.</p> Audition (1) delete Herman Li (9) delete zp theart (2) delete
• Video: DevilDriver Interviewed By Hard Times Canada
  While on a North American tour supporting <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=316" target="_blank"><em><strong>Pray For Villains</strong></em></a>, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Devildriver/" target="_blank"><strong>DevilDriver</strong></a> frontman <strong>Dez Fafara</strong> sat down with <a href="http://hardtimes.ca/devildriver10" target="_blank">Hardtimes.ca</a> to talk music, politics and much more. <br /><br />Watch it right here:<br />&nbsp;<br />
• Dommin Check In From Europe: Bologna & Rome
  As <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Dommin/" target="_blank"><strong>Dommin</strong></a>'s first-ever European tour begins to wind down, the band reports in from Italy, where they just played in tourmates <strong>Lacuna Coil</strong>'s home town of Milan before visiting a few more cities in the boot peninsula.<br /><br />From their time in <a href="http://www.dommin.com/board_posts/bologna-rome" target="_blank">Bologna &amp; Rome</a>, frontman <strong>Kristofer Dommin</strong> writes, "I go onstage feeling tired, maybe even a bit sluggish. I don't have the same jumpy nerves I usually do on stage. Perhaps I'm just becoming more comfortable. All I know is that it worked...whatever it is. I ended up having my best show of the entire tour. I played and sang better tonight than any other night. Perhaps it was because the excitement didn't overwhelm my focus. The Bologna fans were amazing. They gave me all the energy I would ever need to get through a set. Its only the second show in Italy but I'm wondering if this will be the trend at Italian shows. We don't stay in Bologna that night. We leave the show early to reach the next destination that night."<br /><br />"...We arrive in Rome at 3:30 AM. We have plans to get in a bit of tourist activity the next morning before heading to the venue. There is so much I want to do. Rome has always been the place I desired most to visit. But I was determined NOT to do the 2 hour drive-by tour. We picked 3 things to do in 4 hours time. Which is still too short. But how do you come all the way to Rome and not spend SOME time looking around. We get dropped off at the Coliseum. From there we visit, or more like pass by, the Forum and head to the Fountain. The amount of history here is amazing. Everywhere you look and everywhere you walk, there is such a rich history. The only disappointing thing for this tourist is how many precious things were destroyed by the citizens. Perhaps it was by necessity, I'm not sure. But many of the reasons that there are mere ruins left is because the materials were used to build houses and various other things. I suppose the thought of preserving the history while living in it didn't really cross the mind. But its beautiful all the same. <br /><br />After a small meal and some gelato, it was time to get to the venue. And for the 3rd time in a row, the Italian fans were lovely. Much like Bologna, these fans didn't need any direction or prompting when to clap or sing along. They were all over it. I think at the end of the show, we signed more things and took more pictures than we had on the entire tour. I can't imagine how it would have been had more people understood my English announcing our presence at the merch booth."<br /><br />Read <strong>Dommin</strong>'s whole Italian experience <a href="http://www.dommin.com/board_posts/bologna-rome" target="_blank">right here</a>, and check back for the conclusion to this series as the goth-rockers play their last show in Treviso.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=403" target="_blank"><em><strong>Love is Gone</strong></em></a> is available in stores now. Get your copy <a href="http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/DOMMIN-Love-Is-Gone;jsessionid=0a0102591f43c24b0dfbe6b14a2cac62b5cb833b4392.e3eTa3aSaxmTe34Pa38Ta38LbNr0" target="_blank"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!
• Airbourne to Tour With Bullet For My Valentine
  <p>The Aussie force to be reckoned with known as <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Airbourne/" target="_blank"><strong>Airbourne</strong></a> will be spreading their rock &lsquo;n roll seeds all across the US this Spring, when they embark on a full US tour supporting Bullet For My Valentine.</p> <p><strong>Airbourne</strong> are revved up and raring for another go-round with American audiences, with vocalist/guitarist <strong>Joel O&rsquo;Keeffe</strong> saying, &ldquo;We&rsquo;re really lookin&rsquo; forward to tearin&rsquo; it up on US Soil again! This time with <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=404" target="_blank"><em><strong>No Guts. No Glory.</strong></em></a>, it&rsquo;s gonna be even more rock 'n' roll. It's been a bloody long time between drinks with you guys and we've missed rockin out with you all. See ya out on the road, America!&rdquo;</p> <p><strong>Airbourne</strong>&rsquo;s second effort for Roadrunner, <em><strong>No Guts. No Glory.</strong></em>, will hit retail shelves on April 20. The current single,<strong> <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/music/Airbourne--No-Way-But-the-Hard-Way-2901.aspx" target="_blank">&lsquo;No Way But the Hard Way,&rsquo;</a></strong> is getting started at radio and is picking up new stations and airplay every week! Key adds include KISW/Seattle, KOMP/Las Vegas, WBUZ/Nashville, KFRQ/McAllen, TX, WQXA/Harrisburg, WRTT/Huntsville, WDHA/Morristown, NJ, WKLC/Charleston, WMMR/Philadelphia, Sirius/Octane and Music Choice.</p> <p>The band recently laid a hurtin&rsquo; on Canada and claimed the country&rsquo;s love during a tour with M&ouml;tley Cr&uuml;e earlier this year. The band is presently in the Top 10 of Canada&rsquo;s Active Rock Mediabase Charts.</p> <p>Also, the band is headlining shows in Europe, many of which are sold out, before they head back to the US.</p> <p><strong>North American tour dates are as follows:</strong></p> <p>April 30, 2010 &ndash; The Palladium &ndash; Worchester, MA</p> <p>May 2, 2010 &ndash; Ram&rsquo;s Head Live &ndash; Baltimore, MD</p> <p>May 4, 2010 &ndash; Tabernacle &ndash; Atlanta, GA</p> <p>May 5, 2010 &ndash; Rocketown &ndash; Nashville, TN</p> <p>May 7, 2010 &ndash; House of Blues (Dallas) &ndash; Dallas, TX</p> <p>May 9, 2010 &ndash; Cain&rsquo;s Ballroom &ndash; Tulsa, OK</p> <p>May 11, 2010 &ndash; Marquee Theatre &ndash; Tempe, AZ</p> <p>May 12, 2010 &ndash; House of Blues (Las Vegas) &ndash; Las Vegas, NV</p> <p>May 14, 2010 &ndash; The Grove of Anaheim &ndash; Anaheim, CA</p> <p>May 16, 2010 &ndash; Regency Center Grand Ballroom &ndash; San Francisco, CA</p> <p>May 18, 2010 &ndash; The Great Salt Air &ndash; Magna, UT</p> <p>May 19, 2010 &ndash; Gothic Theatre &ndash; Denver, CO</p> <p>May 21, 2010 &ndash; The Pageant &ndash; St Louis, MO</p> <p>May 22, 2010 &ndash; Riviera Theater &ndash; Chicago, IL</p> <p>May 25, 2010 &ndash; Rave Ballroom &ndash; Milwaukee, WI</p> <p>May 26, 2010 &ndash; First Avenue &ndash; Minneapolis, MN</p> <p>May 28, 2010 &ndash; The Orbit Room &ndash; Grand Rapids, MI</p> <p>May 30, 2010 &ndash; The Fillmore Detroit &ndash; Detroit, MI</p> <br /> Watch the video for lead single <strong>"No Way But the Hard Way" </strong>right here:<br />
• Soulfy Tour Video, Show 3: Fort Lauderdale
  Having just embarked on their <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/tour/tour.aspx?tourID=1098" target="_blank">North American trek</a> as the pre-amble to their upcoming new album <strong><em>Omen</em></strong>, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Soulfly/" target="_blank"><strong>Soulfly</strong></a> are checking in from the road with these video blogs run by bassist <strong>Bobby Burns</strong>. <br /><br />Watch his account of night 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida below, and if you missed the first two shows in Texas, see those behind-the-scenes videos <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Video-Blog-Soulfly-Bassist-Checks-In-From-The-Road-21033.aspx" target="_blank">right here</a>. <br /><br />Check back for more as this trek soldiers on! <br /><br />
• Ratt Return To The Sunset Strip For Album Release Party & Performance
  <p>Renowned Los Angeles rock band<strong> <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/RATT/" target="_blank">Ratt</a><em></em></strong> will make its return to the Sunset Strip for a night of rock n&rsquo; roll debauchery at the Key Club on Tuesday, April 20th.&nbsp;</p> <p>The special event, which will include a set from the iconic band, will celebrate the release of the band&rsquo;s first new album in 11 years: <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=406" target="_blank"><em><strong>Infestation</strong></em></a>.&nbsp; Infestation hits streets the very same day and features the incredibly infectious single,<strong> <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/music/RATT--Best-of-Me-2920.aspx" target="_blank">&ldquo;Best Of Me."</a></strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rock icons <strong>Ratt</strong> helped pioneer the storied Sunset Strip sound and scene.&nbsp; The band returns with an invigorated sound featuring their signature heavy riffs, reminding listeners of <em>Ratt</em>&rsquo;s dominance of the airwaves. <strong>Ratt<em></em></strong> is Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Warren DeMartini (guitar), Bobby Blotzer (drums), Robbie Crane (bass) and Carlos Cavazo (guitar).</p> <p>To purchase tickets and VIP packages for this event -- including a chance to meet the band and get a copy of the new album -- go <a href="https://tixx1.artistarena.com/ratt/" target="_blank"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!</p> <p>Been a life-long fan of the band? Then <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/freeshit/contest.aspx?contestID=83" target="_blank"><strong>Tell Us Your Ratt Story</strong></a> for a chance to win an ultimate RATT prize pack, and Warren DeMartini's signature guitar!</p>
• Killswitch Engage: Heroes Meeting Heroes
  Young Army veteran and music fan Chris Bowser was involved in a horrific grenade attack while stationed overseas in Iraq, but overcame adversity to do some good for his fellow veterans and music fans by starting <a href="http://www.chrisbowser.net/hmh/index.html" target="_blank">Heroes Meeting Heroes</a>. <br /><br />Writes Bowser, "I have realized that I can turn this "bad" situation, into a "great" situation. I have been reaching out to a bunch of my favorite people (celebs, musicians, etc). I started off doing this for just me, but I am now focusing on bringing veterans to every show I attend when possible."<br /><br />His most recent venture with <a href="http://www.heroesmeetingheroes.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Heroes Meeting Heroes</strong></a> involved our very own <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/KillswitchEngage/" target="_blank"><strong>Killswitch Engage</strong></a>:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.chrisbowser.net/kse/kses.jpg" border="0" width="315" height="225" /><br /><br />Medically retired from the armed services, Bowser is currently in college studying music while continuing his work with Heroes Meeting Heroes. Read his <a href="http://www.chrisbowser.net/mystory.html" target="_blank">extraordinary story here</a>, and watch some videos from his experience at a&nbsp; <strong>Killswitch Engage</strong> show below. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br />
• Opening the Crypts: Coal Chamber
  For this late-90s-era LA-based <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/CoalChamber/" target="_blank">band</a>, music was the sound of internal combustion. Their goth, hip-hop &amp; hardcore influences can be clearly heard in frontman <strong>Dez Fafara</strong>'s ominous whispers, guttural growls, and belligerent bellows, shredder Meeg's anarchistic guitar playing, as well as bassist Rayna and drummer Bug's relentless, thundering rhythms.<br /><br />For this week's 'Crypts,' we're pulling the song/video that put Coal Chamber on the map in 1997:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/Coal-Chamber--Loco-2939.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>"Loco."</strong></a> <br /><br />Watch it below, <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/freeshit/contest.aspx?contestID=82" target="_blank">enter to win a Coal Chamber Prize Pack</a> and check back every Friday at 6pm for the latest in <strong>Opening the Crypts</strong>.<br /><br />
• Classic Rock Magazine Muse Over Ratt, Airbourne in New Release Round-Up
  Writes <a href="http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rocks-new-release-round-up-18/" target="_blank">the site</a>, "A little early, but mention must be made of the new <strong><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/RATT/" target="_blank">Ratt</a> </strong>album<em> <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=406" target="_blank"><strong>Infestation</strong></a></em> (Roadrunner/Loud &amp; Proud). It&rsquo;s not out until April 19, but the wait is worth it. This is the band&rsquo;s best album since 1986&rsquo;s <em>Dancing Undercover</em>, full of those classic Warren DeMartini guitar motifs and thumping songs. Always undervalued, the Ratt pack have shown they&rsquo;re still lean, mean, hungry and ready to burst once more out of the cellar (ouch!)."<br /><br />Also on their radar is Airbourne's forthcoming album, of which the site jests, "Do we need <strong><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Airbourne/" target="_blank">Airbourne</a> </strong>when we&rsquo;ve got AC/DC? There&rsquo;s the big question being pondered in the philosophy departments of the great seats of learning: Oxford, Cambridge, The Crobar. Actually, that&rsquo;s a touch harsh on these outback riders, because <em><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=404" target="_blank"><strong>No Guts. No Glory</strong></a>.</em> (Roadrunner) is diverting, entertaining and stuffed with the sort of dumbo drinking anthems that the Aussies in general do better than anyone else. So go on, indulge yourself and remember: if AC/DC never existed, then Airbourne would be the acknowledged masters.
• Dream Theater Review Mutiny Within's Self-Titled Debut
  Metal younguns <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/MutinyWithin/" target="_blank"><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></a>'s winning combination of progressive elements meets melodic metalcore has been lovingly dubbed "Killswitch Engage meets Dream Theater" in some circles, and while their sonic output has rendered some great reviews, there is none more better for this burgeoning band than the endorsement of labelmates, influencers and comparisons <strong>Dream Theater</strong>.<br /><br />Says <strong>John Petrucci</strong>, "I love the melodic content. &nbsp;Makes it really enjoyable to listen to while the technicality of the music totally contributes to the song power and makes it more interesting to me than typical metal. They should be huge!" <p>Meanwhile DT drummer <strong>Mike Portnoy</strong> adds, "These guys are real good! They would go over amazingly well with our audience..."</p> <p>Watch the video for the lead single <strong>"Awake"</strong> below and get yourself a copy of the Dream Theater-approved <em><strong>Mutiny Within</strong></em> for just $5 <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/mwspecial" target="_self"><strong>RIGHT HERE</strong></a>!</p>

BLABBERMOUTH.NET Latest News
All the latest metal news and CD reviews.

• SLAYER Drummer And His Two Sons Interviewed; PHILM Performance Footage Available
  Los Angeles-based experimental post-hardcore triumvirate PHILM, featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), guitarist/vocalist Gerry Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE), and bassist Pancho Tomaselli (WAR), headlined a free 21-and-over show at Club My War O))) at the Dragonfly on Sunday, March 7.
• SHADOWS FALL: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From 'Bark At The Moon' Video Shoot
  Behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the video for SHADOWS FALL's blistering take on OZZY OSBOURNE's "Bark At The Moon" classic can be viewed below.
• ANATOMY OF I Featuring SOILWORK Drummer, SADUS Bassist: Another Song Posted Online
  ANATOMY OF I, the brainchild of vocalist/guitarist Michael Dorrian, with longtime friends Dirk Verbeuren (SCARVE, SOILWORK) on drums and Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, DEATH, TESTAMENT) on bass, has posted another song on its MySpace page.
• AS I LAY DYING: 'The Powerless Rise' Release Date Announced, Artwork Unveiled
  Metal Blade Records has set a May 11 North American release date for "The Powerless Rise", the fifth full-length album from San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING.
• CYNIC's PAUL MASVIDAL Interviewed On 'White Noise Metal'
  Progressive metal fans of a certain age will remember CYNIC as one of the founding members of the sub-genre in the early '90s.
• WATAIN: More 'Reaping Death' Single Details Revealed
  Swedish black metallers WATAIN will release the "Reaping Death" single in picture-disc and CD formats in April.
• ARMORED SAINT Bassist Interviewed By 'Inside Heavy'
  "Inside Heavy" recently conducted an interview with ARMORED SAINT/FATES WARNING bassist Joey Vera.
• GEORGE LYNCH's 'DOKKEN Reunion' Interview Available For Streaming
  Legendary guitarist George Lynch (LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF WE, DOKKEN) was the featured guest on the February 21, 2010 edition of the "Turn It Up" radio show on WSCA 106.1 FM in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
• HEATHEN Singer Interviewed On 'The Metal Command'
  Singer David White of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans HEATHEN was recently interviewed on the "The Metal Command" radio show, which airs on 88.3 WBWC in Cleveland, Ohio.
• TURISAS Begins Recording New Album
  Finnish battle metallers TURISAS have entered Sound Supreme studio in Hämeenlinna, Finland to begin recording their third album for a late 2010 release via Century Media Records.
• It's Official: BRUCE DICKINSON's Radio Show Gets The Axe
  MusicWeek reports that IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson's Friday-night "Rock Show", which airs on digital radio station BBC 6 Music, will go off the air as part of BBC's overhaul of its digital services.
• HELLYEAH's TOM MAXWELL Talks About His Dean MaxHell Soltero Guitar
  HELLYEAH guitarist Tom Maxwell was interviewed by Metal Sanaz at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which was held January 14-17, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
• LEMMY Interviewed By NIKKI SIXX
  MOTÖRHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister was interviewed on this past Monday's (March 8) edition of "Sixx Sense", the new national radio program hosted by MÖTLEY CRÜE/SIXX: A.M.
• RICHARD CHRISTY, ANNICK 'THE MORBID CHEF' GIROUX Interviewed On 'Talking Metal'
  This latest episode of "Talking Metal" features an interview hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy conducted with acclaimed metal drummer Richard Christy (CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE).
• DEW-SCENTED's 'Invocation' To Receive U.S. Release Via PROSTHETIC RECORDS
  "Invocation", the new album from German thrashers DEW-SCENTED, will be released in North America on May 25 via Prosthetic Records.