“American Carnage” will kick off on January 18 in Seattle, WA for a 26-date trek across North America that will include the six Canadian dates postponed earlier this month. Tickets for most shows go on sale this Friday, November 20. Ticketmaster is offering a special presale for most shows from Wednesday November 18 at 10am until Thursday November 19 at 10pm.

“American Carnage” is the first time that Slayer and Megadeth will have toured the U.S. together since 1991’s epic “Clash of the Titans” tour. To celebrate that and in recognition of the tough economic times that many of their fans are having, Megadeth and Slayer have decided to roll back the price of a chunk of tickets at every U.S. show to the “1991 price” of $10.00. These specially-priced tickets will be limited and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Megadeth has also teamed with iloveallaccess.com to provide an Ultimate Fan Package including premium seats, meet and greets, pre-show parties and more.

In addition, Testament – who was also on the “Clash of the Titans” bill, will be Special Guests on the entire tour, marking the first time that all three bands have shared a stage together in more than 18 years, and making this a “must see” metal event.

Both Megadeth and Slayer will hit the road supporting new albums: Megadeth’s 2009 album, ENDGAME, while Slayer’s World Painted Blood, the band’s 10th studio venture, hit stores November 3. Testament’s The Formation of Damnation: Special Tour Edition, will be released on February 23, 2010, with special unreleased bonus tracks.

Slayer and Megadeth have already massacred territories together outside of the U.S. – first with four explosive dates in June, 2009 across Western Canada – “Canadian Carnage” – marking the first time the bands had shared a stage anywhere in 18 years; and then six co-headlining “Carnage” dates in Australia followed in October.

According to various Canadian press outlets last summer:

“It was a night of thrash impossible to trash…” “Tales about war, death, destruction, Satan, aliens and serial killers have never been so much fun…” “The two heavy metal heavyweights …went head-to-head on a level playing field. Both bands brought their ‘A’ game. And the results were anything but pretty – unless you include pretty freakin’ loud and pretty freakin’ awesome.”

Slayer. Few bands come close to matching the intensity that Slayer – guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, vocalist/bassist Tom Araya and drummer Dave Lombardo – brings to its live shows, having been named “Best Live Band” by numerous media outlets including Revolver, SPIN, and Metal Hammer. World Painted Blood offers a Slayer-ized point of view of our world – God’s terrifying global genocide, the chaos of our broken political system, the way-too-close proximity of world horrors that technology has brought us, and a chilling hypothesis of how the rest of the world might view America. The album was recorded in Los Angeles over two time periods, during October 2008 and then between late January and March 2009. World Painted Blood was produced by Greg Fidelman, who’s spent time in the studio with Metallica, the Gossip, the (International) Noise Conspiracy, Slipknot and others, and executive produced by long-time Slayer colleague, Rick Rubin, who suggested Fidelman for the project. One reviewer called the album “the heaviest, bloodiest and best album in almost two decades.” Fans got a couple of early morsels of the brutal new Slayer material — “Psychopathy Red,” a Hanneman song inspired by the heinous Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, who confessed to savagely murdering 56 children, was recorded last October and then leaked online. Then, the King-penned track, “Hate Worldwide,” was made available in July as a limited-edition single through Hot Topic. For “American Carnage,” Slayer’s Tom Araya promises, “no ballads, no acoustic numbers, no slow tempos.”

Megadeth. 2009 saw the release of ENDGAME, what has been heralded as Megadeth’s best album in years. It’s the record where it all comes full circle in a career that has not only set standards in hard rock and metal, but defined them. Megadeth’s signature shredding and rousing lyrics are the hallmarks of ENDGAME, with vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine once musing and making declarations about the world we live in, having named the album after a government document that should strike fear in the hearts of Americans! But that’s Mustaine and Megadeth, using the vehicle of music to shake things up, to make a point and to rattle your brain, literally, figuratively and sonically. Revolver magazine said of ENDGAME, “One of their best albums.” VH1’s That Metal Show deemed it, “One of the metal albums of the year”, and Popmatters said, “the record positively scorches with an intensity not heard since Rust in Peace.”

Legendary thrash metal titans Testament, whose latest award-winning release (2008 Album of the Year, Metal Hammer’s Golden God Award) The Formation of Damnation, displays them as the quintessential modern heavy metal band, whose experience and accumulated skill allows them to attack with reserves of anger, energy and finesse that make them more powerful than ever. Lead singer Chuck Billy says,

“Uniting these bands is the heavy metal event of generations. We are so proud to be a part of it.”

Slayer and Megadeth are also re-scheduling the east coast leg of the “Canadian Carnage” tour, postponed from this fall.

JANUARY
18 WaMu Theatre, Seattle, WA*
19 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR – tickets sold via www.rosequarter.com
21 Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA*
22 Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA* (tickets on sale 11/21)
23 Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ**
25 Magness Arena, Denver, CO*
26 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM*
27 El Paso Coliseum, El Paso, TX*
29 Verizon Wireless, Houston, TX**
31 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN*

FEBRUARY
1 Gwinnett Arena, Duluth, GA* (tickets on sale 11/20)
2 Broadbent Arena, Louisville, KY* (tickets on sale 12/4)
4 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN* (tickets on sale 12/4)
5 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL* (tickets on sale 12/4)
6 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI*
9 Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, CT**
11 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ*
13 Susquehanna Center, Camden, NJ*
14 Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA*
16 Pavillon de La Jeunesse, Quebec City, QC – tickets sold via Billetech.com
18 John Labatt Centre, London, ON – tickets on sale 11/27 via JohnLabattCentre.com
19 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – tickets sold via Ticketmaster.ca
20 Bell Centre, Montreal, QC – tickets sold via Admission.com
22 Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB – tickets sold via MonctonColiseum.com
23 Metro Centre, Halifax, NS – tickets sold via TicketAtlantic.com

* tickets sold through Ticketmaster
** tickets sold through LiveNation.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

Starting today, Rodrigo y Gabriela are offering a free mp3 to their fans.  “Atman” is a Sanskrit word meaning the only deathless part of the human being.  The song is dedicated to Dimebag Darrel and Alex Skolnick of Testament guests on the track with a guitar solo.  Rod says:

“Dimebag is the best guitarist ever…and having Alex Skolnick playing on this track (Atman) was a dream come true…it’s an incredible solo.”

11:11 was recorded in Ixtapa, Mexico and produced by Rodrigo y Gabriela, with John Leckie co-producing one of the tracks. The album was mixed in Wales and London by Colin Richardson, best known for his work with Slipknot and Trivium. Comprising 11 new original compositions, 11:11 is the band’s personal “gracias” to 11 musicians, both past and present, who have inspired them along the way. Widely-respected acoustic veterans Strunz & Farah also appear on the album. 11:11 is the long-awaited follow-up to their 2006 self-titled debut that has so far enjoyed worldwide sales in excess of half-a-million albums. Listen to “Atman” here. (Right click and “save as…” to download.)

Check out their video with which includes footage of Alex Skolnick and a tribute to Dimebag Darrell:

Rodrigo y Gabriela New Album 11:11 Out Sep 09 from Gigiddy on Vimeo.

September
16 – Terminal 5, New York, NY, USA
19 – The Buell Theatre, Denver, CO, USA
21 – Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA, USA
23 – Fox Theater, Oakland, CA, USA
25 – Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

October
10 – 4th & B Concert Theater, San Diego, CA, USA
12 – Schnitzer Hall, Portland, OR, USA
14 – Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, USA
16 – Riviera Theater, Chicago, IL, USA
19 – House of Blues, Dallas, TX, USA
20 – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre, Austin, TX, USA
22 – Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
23 – Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA, USA
24 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD, USA

Buy 11:11 now!

Post from: Metal Martyr

The ride starts this year at 2:30pm at the Longhorn Harley-Davidson/Buell located at 2830 W. Interstate 20, Grand Prairie, TX. This ride will be 38 miles long, with a special trip past Dimebag’s house and studio, and end up at The Palladium Ballroom, located at 1135 S. Lamar in Dallas, TX.

At 6:00pm, the BBQ & Bash All Star Jam begins, hosted by Jose Mangin and featuring performances by Souless Intent, Bound, and Texas Hippie Coalition. The all star lineup includes appearances by Ace Frehley (KISS), Corey Taylor (Slipknot and Stone Sour), Aaron Lewis (Staind) and members of Shinedown, Snot, Machinehead, Buckcherry, Testament and more.

All the proceeds from Ride For Dime go to several charities, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Covenant and Little Kids Rock.

[image: Newscom]

Post from: Metal Martyr

Classic Rock Magazine recently interviewed Glen Tipton of Judas Priest. The subject of some of the questions were Rob’s voice, criticism of Nostradamus and the decision of touring with Megadeth And Testament on Priest Feast. You can read the entire interview HERE, but here is my take on these three questions:

Judas Priest has been around for 30+ years. Even though Nostradamus was not an album that I listen to all the time, it’s still a great piece of music. It’s not Screaming For Vengeance or British Steel but it’s something different. A concept that the band wanted to do and you can’t really take that away from them. At times it seems drawn out but it’s still well put together.

Rob Halford is getting old. We know it, he knows it. He’s hit notes with his voice that a lot of metal singers, new and old could only dream of. Granted these days he may not be able to hit those same notes but he sounds good. If you catch a live show and then complain about how well he sung during said show, then you need to remember how many shows they do and how long the sets are. You don’t have to be very intelligent to understand that touring and singing in Rob’s style puts a hell of a strain on your voice.

Lastly, I don’t understand why anyone would complain about Judas Priest, Megadeth and Testament. Three legendary bands on one bill. The only complaint I have is that this didn’t happen in the states. Complaining about that line-up is like complaining about having a fun job that pays great. Sadly, someone always finds something to complain about.

By The Way…did anyone know that Metallica is now considered “Classic Rock”? Apparently they are because they are on the cover of the Magazine.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Metal Martyr

Sometimes cds in stores are expensive. That’s why when I come across something at a good price I grab it up. In this case I found Danzig 7: I Luciferi and Testament’s The Spitfire Collection. I can’t disclose where I got them, but when I found these discs I saw the price tag and they were marked $39.00. Obviously I knew this had to be a typo of some sort so I grabber two copies of each, for myself and for this giveaway thinking that they were probably $3.90.

When I got to the register the Testament cd’s rang up as $3.95 but the Danzig cd’s rang up as $39.00. I told the cashier something was wrong and she got the electronic dept manager who had just come back from vacation. She said it was probably right because Danzig hadn’t released anything in awhile. I told her that it doesn’t matter when he last released a cd and that it normally doesn’t sell for over 15 bucks at any store. Long story short, they were obviously mis-marked and they were supposed to be $3.95. So here I have a copy of each to give away as a bundle. Just leave a comment and you’re entered to win. Must be a U.S. or Canadian resident. I’ll pick a winner next Friday (December 26th).

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

Metal Martyr Top 10 Favorite Albums of 2008

1. Kataklysm: Prevail –
2. Gojira: The Way Of All Flesh
3. Opeth: Watershed
4. Firewind: The Premonition
5. In Flames: A Sense Of Purpose
6. Arsis: We Are The Nightmare
7. Soulfly: Conquer
8. Testament: The Formation Of Damnation
9. Amon Amarth: Twilight Of The Thunder God
10. Bloodbath: The Masterless Fathomry

Metal Martyr Biggest Disappointment

• Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone (Just not as good as I thought it would be)

Biggest Surprise Of 2008

• Metallica: Death Magnetic

(While it has it’s flaws, this turned out a lot better than I anticipated and is a thousand time more listenable than St. Anger)

Acquired Tastes (albums that took more than two listens to really get in to)

• Withered: Folie Circuluire
• The Funeral Pyre: Wounds
• Neuraxis: The Thin Line Between

Here is a list of other album that I thought were great and deserve a big mention in no particular order. I suppose I could have made it a favorite top 20 if I wanted to.

• Unearth: The March
• Cavalera Conspiracy: Inflikted
• All That Remains: Overcome
• Children Of Bodom: Blooddrunk
• Torche: Meanderthal
• Trivium: Shogun
• War Of Ages: Arise & Conquer
• The Sword: Gods Of The Earth
• Byzantine: Oblivion Beckons
• Light This City: Stormchaser

Most Hated of 2008

• Century: Black Ocean

Image Source: Amazon.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

Orders are limited to the USA. The cost of the record is $20.00 and shipping is $5.00.

Image Source: Testament Legions Merch

Post from: Metal Martyr

TESTAMENT is pleased to announce a string of headlining dates this October with Louisiana metallers Soilent Green. The tour includes TESTAMENT’s appearance at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 9 in New York City, where they will be direct support to headliners Children of Bodom; also special guests, The Black Dahlia Murder and Between The Buried and Me. More news and tour dates after the fold…

Guitarist Eric Peterson checked in to discuss the Metal Masters tour and the band’s upcoming US headlining dates: “We just finished the Metal Masters tour, and it was a great tour to be on. Unfortunately, it went by too quick. We got to know everyone towards the end, and it started to feel like family. It’s too bad it had to end so soon, especially after getting to know everyone. Hopefully, the Metal Masters will continue next year in Europe.

“In the meantime, we’re heading to Japan and Australia. The last time we played there in ’06, we promised our fans we’d have a new record out the next time we came around. We kept our promise and we’re excited to get back there and play it for them.

“Once we get back, we’ll be headlining some east coast shows, including a one-off with Children of Bodom at the infamous Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. We’ll have full production, so we’re excited to put on our whole show. This tour is going to focus on secondary markets, so we don’t spoil anything for next year. We plan on having a big year and putting a big package together, wink wink.”

September Remaining tour dates

09/25/08 The Arena – Brisbane, Australia
09/26/08 HiFi – Melbourne Australia
09/27/08 The Metro – Sydney, Australia
October 2008:
10/01/08 Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
10/03/08 Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
10/04/08 The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
10/05/08 Lulu’s – State College, PA
10/07/08 Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
10/08/08 Crocodile Rock – Allentown, PA
10/09/08 Hammerstein Ballroom – New York, NY*
10/10/08 Webster Theate – Hartford, CT
All dates with Soilent Green, except for date marked with *, which is with Children of Bodom, Black Dahlia Murder, and Between Buried And Me
October 2008:
Testament in Mexico (venues TBA):
10/27/08 Monterey, Mexico
10/29/08 Guadalajara, Mexico
10/30/08 Puebla, Mexico
10/31/08 Mexico City, Mexico
November 2008:
11/09/08 Southern Amp Festival Christchurch NZ

Image used with permission from Newscom.com

Post from: Metal Martyr