10 years ago every “Real” metal-head was criticizing 7 string guitar players because of the nu-metal movement. Hell, even these days people look down at them for it. In the past year or so musicians have stepped it up, saying; “If you don’t like 7 strings…here’s one more.”.  Let’s look at a few things in the current metal scene with more than 6 strings.

• Catalepsy is a dethcore band that has 3 seven string guitar players. It’s not like they are Iron Maiden with 3 astounding 6-stringers. You really can’t decipher between the three players. Seems like a waste to me, but they put on a good live show. I’m not sure exactly what they sound like on CD as I’ve had little interest in them.
• Dino Cazares plays an 8 string Ibanez in Divine Heresy (and other bands) and has played 7 strings in the past.
• High On Fire’s Matt Pike uses a custom 9 string guitar from first act…which is pretty much just a 12 string without the E, A and D string being strung normally. It’s actually quite interesting. He does this for a chorus type effect being that he is the sole guitar player in the band.
• Scale The Summit’s Chris Letchford uses a custom made 8 string guitar and band mate Travis Levrier uses a 7 string. Also Prosthetic Records newly signed progressive/instrumental band Animals As Leaders uses both 8 and 7 string guitars.

So is it only acceptable for a band to use more than 6 strings as long as they are using them in a non nu-metal way. Progressive metal bands are allowed to use them because they are actually doing more than chugging with them? I honestly don’t care either way as along as it sounds good, but I’m just kind of wondering what everyone’s opinion is on this.

Image: Guitarcenter.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

Twice in one week is odd for the report but there are a few things I think are news-worthy but don’t feel like writing extensively about them. Also, I was suppose to go see Mudvayne and Snot tonight and get an interview with Greg Tribbett. Unfortunately some things have come up and I can’t make it. It’s about a three hour drive for me and I would have to leave early and I have something that really needs to get done today. Anyway, here are a few things of interest…

• Statix X have announce the title and release date for their next album. “Cult of Static” will be the title and March 17th will be the date of release.
• Tony Iommi is suing Live Nation for selling merch that they no longer have a valid licence to sell. A license that expired back in 2006 allowed Signatures Network Inc. to sell Black Sabbath merchandise. In ‘07 Signatures was bought by Live Nation and they continued to sell the merchandise. I hope he wins because I hate Live Nation.
• Juan Montoya formerly of Torche talks about altercations leading up to his dismissal from the band. While Torche leans more to a hard rock sound, they have a nostalgic sound that grows on you for some reason. Check out their latest release Meanderthal and the In Return Ep sometime.
• Guns N Roses Chinese Democracy sales are being called a “Total Flop”, but guess what…Axl Rose isn’t losing a dime over it and neither is Interscope records. Best Buy agreed not to return any of the 1.3 million unsold records that they exclusively bought. Expect to see these remaining cd’s either discounted or sold to other stores maybe. I’ll wait until it’s like buy-one-get-one. I’m still curious to hear this.
• Oakland based metal trio, High On Fire have been signed to Koch  Records.

Or as the Roadrunner intern called them “Kock Records”, but that’s a whole other story.

Technorati Tags: The Scrap Metal Report,Static X,Tony Iommi,Live Nation,Juan Montoya,Torche,Guns N Roses,Chinese Democracy,HIgh On Fire,Koch Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

Baroness went on at 8PM and I wasn’t in to them at all. I wasn’t a fan to begin with so I suppose that would have helped, but sometimes when I catch a band that I’m not really in to at the moment and I see them live it makes me a fan. Not Baroness, sorry. I was expecting a lot more from High On Fire, but I couldn’t get in to them. They were heavy but it just didn’t click for me even though they did pretty well for a three piece. The lighting for both Baroness and High On Fire was terrible so I didn’t get any good shots of them. Matt Pike from High On Fire plays this odd 9 string guitar. Not like a wide fret board type guitar, but this one was made by First Act. Yeah, they sell First Acts at Wal Mart but I’m sure the artists models are much better and you’d be surprised how many artists they have on their roster. Anyway, the treble strings are doubled up like a 12 string and it gives the guitar a thicker, chorused sound.

I only stayed for about half of Opeth’s set. Their set runs about 2 hours and the venue was packed like a sardine can. They sounded great and the lighting for them was good for photos since they don’t let you use unless your using a point and shoot type camera from the crowd. Opeth put on an amazing show. It may not be a balls out, slam-fest, but it’s a great show. There was no moshing that I saw of and I think it was for two reasons. First reason was that Opeth is kind of a tough band to mosh to because of the tempo changes. Second reason, as I stated it was crammed in there. If you ever have the chance, go to an Opeth show. Buy your tickets before the show and save yourself the trouble and the few bucks. T-shirts and other merch is expensive so bring plenty of extra cash for that if you want it. Below is the set-list for the show.

1. Heir Apparent
2. The Grand Conjuration
3. Serenity Painted Death
4. Hope Leaves
5. The Lotus Eater
6. Bleak
7. The Night and the Silent Water
8. Deliverance
9. Demon of the Fall
10. The Drapery Falls

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Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

You can still get your preorder Blooddrunk here. Which is kind of stupid because the presale says they ship on the 30th?

Check out Children Of Bodom on Gigantour 2008 with Megadeth, Job For A Cowboy, In Flames, and High On Fire

Image Source: Amazon.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

High On Fire: Devilution

Light This City: Cradle For A King

Soilent Green: Forgive And Regret

Post from: Metal Martyr

“As we near the end of 2007 and my lovely Droogs Down Under celebrate 2008 already, we back here at the Mustaine House are reflecting on the last year. They are all laughing and joking and I have snuck off to make the last post of this year.

“Where do I start? With the excitement of the new record or the disappointment of the empty promises and failure to deliver at so many turns? The electricity of being on tour with young hot new bands and the atmosphere of things to come, or the drone of old-school politics on tour and petty production games by the other bands and the other headliners? The breakthroughs with our lineup, the breakdowns with our crew, or the breakups of our ‘Cosa Nostra?’

“Yessiree, where do I start?

“Well, outside of all things MEGA, we have had the successful launch of my wife’s coffee company Legends Of Cup Coffee, Inc. and that alone will save millions in Starbucks allowance for me, and the brand new baby — TheLiveLine.com — and I am thrilled about its potential!

“I did have some truly disappointing moments, like when Matsje delivered my fantastic colt Zane this summer, only to die five months later from colic. I had a PTSD moment taking me back to Cassandra (my mare that I had before Matsje, who also died — but this time during delivery) from years past, but I was able to walk it out without losing it this time.

“And there was the toy drive that the good people of Hasbro, and my bud Elaine had helped me to provide a little relief to the families of San Diego County with little ones who have lost their toys in the fires, and the my management and the church I attend making sure that the Marines and the various churches and the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce had gotten the nearly ten pallets of toys that we were able to purchase with the proceeds of the launch of Legends Cup Coffee.

“My partner and bassist, James Lomenzo, has moved down here with his lovely wife Angie and their ubër-kewl daughter Zowie, and we are working quite often in the studio in my house. We have a load of stuff to tell you coming up, but I have to depart to attend to my New Year’s Eve guests.

“I love you all and please go to the Gigantour.com tonight for the announcement of the line-up for Gigantour 2008 North America, as well as the upcoming announcement of the line up for the European tour and the potential Gigantour 2008 UK.

“I will be leaving a new message on my TheLiveLine.com number tonight and I will be leaving a very important message you won’t want to miss in the next few days.

“So, to each and every Droogie around the world, this new year belongs to all of us and let’s make this a year that we look back on and say was one of the greatest years of our lives!”

As if the rumors and leaks flying around didn’t already give it away, The line up for 2008’s Gigantour has been officially announced. The line up is as follows.

Megadeth, In Flames, Job For A Cowboy, Children Of Bodom, and High On Fire. Only 5 bands this year.

Post from: Metal Martyr