photos by Justina Villanueva

"Last night at MSG -- in between hopping around the stage like an eager So You Think You Can Dance contestant and sharing the spotlight with a ten-foot, ax-shredding demon creature -- Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson demonstrated that not even front men for legendary British metal bands were able to avoid The Decision. During a bit of stage banter, Dickinson mentioned the band had just played New Jersey and promptly received a hearty impromptu round of boos. "It's real easy to wind you up, isn't it?" Dickinson responded. "How would you feel if I mentioned LeBron James?" More boos! (By the way, you haven't heard anyone say "LeBron James" until you've heard them say "LeBron James" in a theatrical British accent from the stage at MSG). Dickinson moved on, touching on the band's recent Canadian trek ... and got even more boos! "Wow!" a genuinely surprised Dickinson shot back. "You hate Canada even more than you hate LeBron James!"" [NY Magazine]

Dream Theater opened for Iron Maiden last night, July 12th, at Madison Square Garden (the very venue Wavves will open for Phoenix at in October). The two bands are on tour together, and as NY Mag pointed out, their show one night earlier was in NJ (at PNC Bank Arts Center). More pictures and the setlist from both shows (well, they were the same), below...

Continue reading "Iron Maiden & Dream Theater played MSG (pics & setlist) "

by BBG

Bruce Dickinson shows his patriotism (more by Hardcore Shutterbug)

Iron Maiden are back on the road for a string of US dates in support of The Final Frontier, their new LP due in "late summer". The tour will stretch from June through July with Dream Theater and include PNC Bank Arts Center on 7/11 and MSG on July 12th. Fanclub presales are ongoing, and the general public get a crack at them on Saturday (3/6) at 10 AM.

About the shows the band says:

"We're still working on the set list for these summer shows, but this time it will cover the whole history of the band, and I can hint that we will be playing a taster from the new album. We already have the designs for the new Final Frontier stage show which we are building to bring out with us, so this summer tour will be a bit of a preview for the fans. It's certainly looking very spectacular at this stage and with a brand new Eddie and an amazing light show!"

"We are also trying to ensure that our fans get the tickets they want close to the stage without paying over the odds to ticket scalpers. This is something our manager Rod is working hard on so we hope to see many more familiar faces down the front having a great time. We will see you all soon"

I just have one question... with all these tour dates, are they using the plane? Full dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Iron Maiden & Dream Theater - 2010 Tour Dates (MSG)"

by Black Bubblegum

Opeth live at Ruisrock 2008 (jsantala)

You thought Metal Masters was good? What about Neurosis / Mastodon / A Storm Of Light? Chew on this... The interwebs are going apey (guilty as charged) with the rumors of an Opeth / High On Fire / Baroness / Nachtmystium tour and now Blabbermouth has released a set of UNCONFIRMED tour dates, which we have now mostly confirmed. See below.

Patience, NYCers. I am sure NYC will be included, or at least that's what Akerfeldt said in May.

On a Cryptopsy-adding-a-keyboard-player note (aka please don't let it be true), rumors of a Opeth & Dream Theater collaboration are heating up in the wake of their participation in Progressive Nation tour. A partnership was actually discussed more than TWO YEARS AGO and confirmed by the band on May 11, 2006. Not sure if this is the same thing, but look for something to be announced and released soon. Tour dates below....

Continue reading "Opeth - touring w/ High On Fire & Baroness (confirmed!), collaborating w/ Dream Theater??"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Chris La Putt

"If you don't like the Scorpions, get the fuck outta here"

Mikael Åkerfeldt made clear where he drew the line during the break between songs at night one (May 21) of Opeth's two night stay at Terminal 5 - part of the "Progressive Nation" tour. The band ripped through their hour long set, drawing from from each of their last four albums as well as their new one on deck, Watershed (due June 3rd). Look for the setlist below.

What the band lacked in live energy and on-stage movement was made up in spades when it came to effortless, buttery-smooth execution. Even Åkerfeldt's unholy death growl seemed second nature as he slid from his satiny singing voice and back again.

Although Peter Lindgren was missed, new guitarist Fredrik Åkesson (ex-Arch Enemy, Krux, Talisman) ably traded leads with lone original member Akerfeldt. I think he'll be just fine.

Overall, Akerfeldt and his horror-movie-voice-over voice kept inter-song banter witty, funny, and inconsequential except for one tasty nugget of info:

"We will take a break for the summer and then be back for a North American tour in September"

Dream Theater headlined both shows that also had Between the Buried & Me and 3 on the bill. Setlists and photos of all four bands (from night two - May 22), below.....

Continue reading "Opeth (+Dream Theater/3/BTBAM) @ Terminal 5, NYC - pics"

by Black Bubblegum

Opeth have announced details for their upcoming LP, "Watershed", to be released June 3rd via Roadrunner, the first since the departure of long-time guitarist Peter Lindgren and ensuing replacement by Fredrik Åkesson of Arch Enemy. In interviews, Mikael Akerfeldt has stated that "Watershed" is highly influenced by Scott Walker's latest album "The Drift", which he called "quite extreme & frightening". More details at Blabbermouth. Tracklist below.

Opeth is scheduled to hit the road in April on the "Progressive Nation Tour" supporting Dream Theater along with 3 & Between the Buried And Me. They play two shows at NYC's Terminal 5 in May. No tickets yet. All dates below....

Continue reading "Opeth - new album, influenced by Scott Walker, 2008 Tour Dates (w/ Dream Theater, two Terminal 5 shows)"