photos by Kurt Christensen

Judas Priest @ Izod Center

"Pop "retirements" prove to be about as reliable as political promises.

Witness the "just kidding, folks" resurrections of briefly absent stars Barbra Streisand, David Bowie and Cher.

So fans might be forgiven for rolling their eyes over Judas Priest's announcement some months back that their current road show... would be their "final" one.

"I wish we had a better word than final," says Priest singer Rob Halford. "It's not the end of the band but it is a farewell to these gigantic world tours."

In fact, Halford says they'll be back in the States for limited runs, and will record again. And so, it seems, they'll do nearly everything they ever did, just somewhat less of it.

"We've been reflecting on what's left to do and how best to do it," the singer says. "We're all cognizant of the fact that, while metal forges on, the one thing you can't hold back is the physical."-[NY Daily News]

Officially retired or not, Priest was sans founding guitarist K. K. Downing (who has retired, officially and was replaced by Richie Faulkner), so unfortunately the last chance to catch KK/Tipton/Halford/Hill passed with their last tour.

More pictures of Priest, Thin Lizzy and Lady Starlight (none of BLS), with Judas Priest's Izod Center setlist, below...

Continue reading "Judas Priest played their not-final NYC area show at Izod Center w/ Black Label Society & Thin Lizzy (pics & setlist)"

Judas Priest at PNC Bank Arts Center in 2009 (more by BBG)

After storming the world for nearly 40 years and taking their very special brand of heavy metal to all four corners of the planet, JUDAS PRIEST - one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time, have announced this will be their final world tour!!

However, the mighty PRIEST will certainly be going out strong as they rock the planet starting in 2011 on the massive EPITAPH tour - hitting all the major cities throughout the world they will be playing the songs that helped make the name JUDAS PRIEST synonymous with heavy metal!

With all guns blazing and amps cranked to eleven, the band will be giving all their fans one last chance to witness the ultimate metal experience that is JUDAS PRIEST!

Regardless, all tour dates are listed below including a NYC-area date at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ on 11/18. Tickets for that show are currently on presale (code is "ACCESS") and go on regular sale at 10AM on Saturday, 9/17. Black Label Society and Thin Lizzy will open the US dates.

All tour dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Judas Priest announce 'final world tour' -- dates & presale"

by BBG

Judas Priest at PNC Bank Arts Center (more here)

"The 59-year-old Judas Priest veteran blazed through several tracks [at MSG] before stopping to chat with the audience, thanking them very sincerely and introducing the cover songs that he subsequently launched into--these tracks included a Fleetwood Mac cover, a reinterpretation of Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust," and the Judas Priest track "Jawbreaker."" [WSOU blog]

Meanwhile, the recently Grammy-nominated Judas Priest have announced that they are calling it quits. The announcement came with news of a European tour, but additional shows "hitting all the major cities throughout the world" are still to be announced for the tour they've dubbed "Epitaph 2011", so stay tuned for those.

Current show list, their full statement, some videos and Halford's MSG setlist, below...

Continue reading "Halford played MSG & Izod Center, Judas Priest say they are breaking up"

by Black Bubblegum

Judas Priest played their first of two NYC area shows at PNC Bank Arts Center on July 11th (Jones Beach was the next day). The shows were part of their resurrection of the classic British Steel which was the main attraction (they played the 1980 album from start to finish). The whole setlist, which was more than just the album, was comprised of mostly classic songs (unlike the slightly heavier Nostradamus list from the Metal Masters tour). They closed with the Screaming For Vengeance classic "You Got Another Thing Coming" from atop a Harley ridden on stage (as usual)...

"I felt like I was rocking out in the 70s somewhere. Some of the slower moving stuff in songs like The Rage & Victim of Chances really had people tripping out. I think I actually saw some people dancing and grooving out...at a Judas Priest show." [Blogman 3000]

Priest's new live album, A Touch of Evil, is out this week (July 14th) and the band's trek in celebration of British Steel continues. Full tour dates, more pictures from and the setlist from PNC Bank Arts Center (which was identical to Jones Beach the next night) as well as trailer for the live LP, are below...

Continue reading "Judas Priest played British Steel @ PNC Bank Arts Center (and Jones Beach) - pics & setlist"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Coalesce - "Questions To Root Out Fools" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Brutal Truth - "Sugardaddy" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Agoraphobic Nosebleed - "Agorapocalypse Now" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: General Surgery - "Restrained Remains" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Lord Mantis - "Lord Mantis"
DOWNLOAD: Mournful Congregation - The June Frost Medley (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Atomic Bitchwax - "Revival"
DOWNLOAD: Weekend Nachos - "Pain Over Acceptance" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Weekend Nachos - "Shot In The Head" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ruins - "Suicidal Pulse" (MP3)

Coalesce LIVE at Scion Rock Fest (photo by Mike White)

Relapse is KILLIN' IT in the 09 so far. In one month's time, Relapse will destroy the Earth with THREE grind releases that could all potentially make my list of favorites for the year! First up, Mumakil's new album Behold The Failure which is out NOW on Relapse. Made up of ex members of Knut, Behold The Failure has been in constant rotation since it dropped on Mar 31st. Hear the whole thing here. Then on April 17th, Relapse aims to make you empty your wallets, by releasing both the new Brutal Truth (Evolution Through Revolution) and Agoraphobic Nosebleed (Agorapocalypse) on THE SAME DAY. In other ANb/Brutal Truth news, if you skate, dig on the ANb, Total Fucking Destruction (featuring Richard Hoak of BT), Crom, and Cryptic Slaughter decks for sale here. ANb and Crom dropped a split 7" which is fading fast.... head here to scoop it before it goes bye-bye.

A month or so after the grind mayhem, Relapse will drop the new Coalesce, Ox, their first record since the classic 0:12 Revolution is Just Listening which was release TEN YEARS AGO. The quartet recently debuted two new tracks; check out "Wild Ox Moan" streaming at their myspace and download "Questions To Root Out Fools" above!

Swedish gore-grinders General Surgery will drop their new album Corpus In Extremis on Listenable Records on April 7th, which includes the massive "Restrained Remains" available for download above! Check out their myspace page or their home page for a preview, dig on the album cover (to the right), and swing way low for tour dates.

Malkuth's latest record Sefirah Gevurah is out NOW on Hospital Productions. Pick it up here. The band has one show on their itinerary... May 9th at Starr Space in Bushwick. Mark your calendars.

Mournful Congregation recently dropped their new LP, The June Frost, on Enucleation Records, and if you like your guitar chords served up in first-gear (or maybe even in neutral) this funeral doom opus is for you. Check out the above snippet MP3 featuring moments from The June Frost above, and pick that record up here. For more on the band, check out an interview with Mournful Congregation here.

The Atomic Bitchwax will re-release their LP TAB4 on Tee Pee Records. Check out "Revival" available for download above and look for the record on 4/21.

The previously mentioned Atheist tour has expanded. Check out current tour dates below. Tickets for their July 12th show at BB Kings are currently on sale.

Weekend Nachos have offered up two new songs from their upcoming LP Unforgivable due on Deep Six Records in May. Check out "Pain Over Acceptance" and "Shot In The Head" downloadable above.

Xasthur's new full length LP on cassette, All Reflections Drained has sold out. "The 2xLP should be out shortly"

More on The Auditory Assault Festival, Om, Coffins, Dark Castle, Lord Mantis, The Holy Mountain, Church of Misery, Minsk, and sooo much more as The Week In Metal continues...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (04/09/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

Possibly my favorite Judas Priest album, and one of the records that introduced me to heavy metal, is following the Don't Look Back model. Judas Priest have announced that they will perform all of British Steel on an upcoming North American tour this summer including a date at PNC Bank Arts Center and Nikon at Jones Beach on July 11th and 12th respectively! Blimey!

The group will hold a preliminary 30th anniversary of its 1980 British Steel album during a 17-date North American summer concert tour that kicks off July 1 in St. Charles, Mo., and also includes a stop at Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 2 before wrapping Aug. 2 in Universal City, Calif. Whitesnake will open all of the dates.

British Steel was a commercial breakthrough for Priest on these shores, launching the radio hits "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight." The title track and "Metal Gods" have also become staples in the group's repertoire. It was certified gold in 1982 and platinum in 1989. -[Billboard]

Continue reading "Judas Priest performing 'British Steel' - 2009 Tour Dates"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Landmine Marathon - "Bile Towers" EDIT (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Suicide Note - "Black Snow" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Toxic Holocaust - "Wild Dogs" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Asva - A Trap For Judges EDIT (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Noothgrush - Unreleased 1994 Demo (MEDIAFIRE, Details At KILL THAT CAT)

I think its safe to say that I am a smidge eager to get my dirty little hands on the new Landmine Marathon. Due October 28th on Level Plane, Rusted Eyes Awake features guest throat by Jonny Davy (Job For A Cowboy) and Antony Hamalainen (Nightrage) and is the follow-up to this year's awesome split with Scarecrow (mems Repulsion, Noothgrush, Dekapitator, Exhumed). Check out "Bile Towers" available for download above!

Toxic Holocaust has posted four songs from their vicious new rabid dog, An Overdose Of Death (due Sept 2nd on Relapse). Check out "Gravelord", "War Is Hell", and "Endless Armageddon" at their myspace and download the ravenous "Wild Dogs" above! The band is currently working on a video for "Wild Dogs", we'll let you know when that drops.

Jesu will drop the Why Are We Not Perfect? EP which is the Jesu part of their recent split with Eluvium with some added bonus tracks. Look for that on August 19th via Hydra Head. Jesu recently dropped their split with Battle Of Mice on Robotic Empire.

Heaven & Hell, Metal Masters Tour, PNC, NJ - Aug 9, 2008 (kitty kowalski)

In what has to be a first, Black Sabbath (or, in this case Heaven & Hell) have apologized for NOT playing their hit "Neon Knights" at both NY area Metal Masters shows. In related Metal Masters news, Testament has been added to the NYC date of the previously mentioned Children Of Bodom, Between The Buried and Me, and (now official) The Black Dahlia Murder tour.

Tombs are currently hard at work on their new album Winter Hours. It's the follow up to the their collossal self-titled debut on Black Box (Mike Hill of Tombs's label). Look for it to land in Feb of 2009. Meanwhile, the boys are readying a tour of Europe including dates with faves Capsule, Pulling Teeth and Ultra Dolphins.

The Haunted, Trap Them, more Metal Masters, Clutch, Baroness and much more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (08/14/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

Judas Priest live at Hard Rock Cafe NYC, 8/4/04 (Factor Fiction)

Ya know, APW is gonna be great and all, but it isnt the only major show going down locally this weekend. What about the fatal-four-way of Metal titans going down at PNC Saturday and Jones Beach on sunday (tickets still available)? Judas Priest. Heaven & Hell. Motorhead. AND Testament? A heavy music must.

The show on saturday markes the third stop on the Metal Masters tour, and we have setlists from each of the four bands from night one in Camden, NJ. Check it out below. The Philadelphia Inquirer was there, and reviewed it.

Motorhead will also hit the road with Airbourne, Valient Thorr, The Misfits, and Year Long Disaster. Full tour schedule is below, tickets for the Roseland Ballroom show on 9/20 go on sale 8/20.

Testament is also playing a NY show this (Friday) evening.

Judas Priest also played Eddie Trunk's 35th anniversary show at Hard Rock Cafe in NYC. Pics are below, and yes that is Mike Piazza...

Continue reading "METAL MASTERS Sat & Sun, Camden setlists, JUDAS PRIEST @ Hard Rock pics & updated MOTORHEAD tour dates"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Melvins - "Nude With Boots" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Graf Orlock - "A Shocking Interrogation" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Anaphylactic Shock - "Ultimatum" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Adai - "Hawkins" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Rob Halford - Metal Hammer interview podcast (MP3)

Weedeater sets fires while Jeff Matz (High On Fire, Zeke) admires (wusspie)

Smoke monsters Weedeater have announced a co-headlining tour with Black Cobra, including one date in NYC at the Knitting Factory! Tickets are on sale. Tour details are below. Black Cobra's Feather & Stone is now available on gatefold LP at their webstore. Weedeater is still touring off the might of God Luck & Good Speed.

Just because At The Gates doubleheader (July 9th & 10th @ Irving Plaza) (and many of their announced dates) is sold out, doesn't mean that the Bjorler twins are forgetting their day job. The Haunted dropped an update on their new record and plans to tour the US in 2009!

Roooooadtrip! Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down, Kingdom Of Sorrow) has announced that Crowbar and the legendary Eyehategod will share the stage in New Orleans at One-Eyed Jack's on August 29th for their 20th anniversary show! Crowbar also recently announced that they will tour "every country that's got electricity" with their forthcoming 2009 album.

Totimoshi and Nebula announced a US tour, sweeping coast to coast in early August and concluding in mid-September. NYC has been blessed with August 25th at the Knitting Factory with Tournament. Tickets are on sale. Nebula have just finished an EP, Heavy Psych, though there is no release date as of yet. Totimoshi will drop Milagrosa on July 8th celebrating with a record release party with Big Business and Triclops! Check out the newly minted video "Gnat" featuring Eugene Robinson of Oxbow....

That video, Watain, Graf Orlock, Carcass, Converge, and much much more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (07/07/08)"

Moldy Peaches @ Central Park Summerstage, 2002 (m. norr)

Tickets are STILL on sale for tonight's Kimya Dawson show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (July 2, 2008). It's a benefit with a bunch of bands on the bill that only costs $20, and for what it's worth, it's in a smaller venue than her last and next NYC shows *.

Has the Juno buzz worn off a little? It should be strong now that there's all this pregnancy talk that has "the Most Successful Indie Film in Six Years" back in the news. Maybe parents are afraid to let their kids near Kimya....

With a lot of attention on teen pregnancy these days, parents can use the news to talk about sex and pregnancy with their children. Here are some tips from experts.

- Have age-appropriate discussions about sex. Answer their questions openly and honestly.

- Talk about teen pregnancy. Ask your kids what they thinks about "Juno" and Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy, says Bill Albert, spokesman for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy....

- Throw away your kids' Moldy Peaches albums...
[Associated Press]

Juno" actor Jason Bateman has defended the Oscar-winning movie against claims it has encouraged teenage girls to get pregnant.

He tells "Access Hollywood," "I don't know the specifics, but I can speak about what sort of responsibility entertainment should hold for social behavior.

"Unfortunately, we've had these instances where guys kill people because of what they hear in rock 'n roll lyrics or some garbage like that. Look, if you're going to blame a movie or song for your actions, whether they be good or bad, I think you're looking at the wrong things to influence your life.

"What we're doing is providing entertainment in different flavors for your consumption. I think people should look to other areas of their life for lessons and guidance, mainly parents, or teachers, or friends, or whomever. That should probably be where you should point your eyes and ears." [SFGate]

Continue reading "Juno too busy causing pregnancies to sell concert tickets"

Nostradamus is a concept album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, focusing on the 16th century prophet Nostradamus. The band's first concept album,it was originally intended to be released in late 2006 before being pushed to a 2007 release, and was released on June 16th 2008 on Epic records. [Wikipedia]

Metal Masters Tour tickets are on sale.

Tickets are going on Citi card presale this morning for the Metal Masters tour featuring Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Testatment & Motorhead.

(and speaking of metal masters, tonight happens to be the 2nd of two Megadeth concerts at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC)

by Black Bubblegum

Hells. Yeah.

"Metal Masters" Halford and Judas Priest have top billing, but they'll share the stage with legends Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath with Dio singing), Motorhead, & Testament!

The NYC-area shows will happen at PNC Back Arts Center in Jersey on August 9th ($75.25, $50.25 and $25.25) and then the next day at Jones Beach in Wantagh ($75.00, $50.00 and $25.00). Tickets go on sale Saturday April 26th @ 10am.

Judas Priest's new album "Nostradamus" is out June 17th. You can hear the title track at their site. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "'Metal Masters Tour' confirmed - 2008 Dates (Judas Priest)"

by Black Bubblegum

Testament @ Starland Ballroom - April 5, 2008 (K.Knipp)

"We'll be on first, and we're only gonna have 30 minutes, so we won't be doing any talking.....We're just gonna hit you hard -- bam, bam, bam, bam -- with everything we've got."

Thats Chuck Billy from Sunday night's show at B.B.Kings, in response to whether or not his band Testament were going to open on the previously mentioned mega terrific super ridiculous tour with Motorhead, Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath with Dio), & Judas Priest. Between Chuck Billy and Rob Halford, it sounds like all but a confirmation.....

Whats more, Blabbermouth.net are reporting that Testament had a few arena dates that were announced and then removed.... Ones that are MUCH bigger than the clubs that Testament played Sunday night and the night before (Starland Ballroom). The mystery tour dates and actual tour dates below...

Continue reading "Testament played NJ/NYC, confirms Priest/Motorhead shows"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: The Sword - "Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Soilent Green - "Antioxidant" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Iron Maiden - "Intro", "Aces High", & "Two Minutes To Midnight", Live in Tokyo Feb 16th, 2008 (VIDEO, WMV)

Neurot Recordings have announced details for THREE Neurosis-related releases in the next two months! First up, a new solo album from the mighty Scott Kelly, who will release The Wake on May 5th, his first release in the seven years since his debut Spirit Bound Flesh. Two weeks later, the world's most intense elementary school teacher Steve Von Till drops A Grave is a Grim Horse, his first non-Harvestman release in six years (Harvestman recently collabo'd with Fear Falls Burning). More details on A Grave Is A Grim Horse can be found here. The third we knew about, but has now gone official: A Storm Of Light's debut And We Wept the Black Ocean Within will be released on June 2nd. Read our recent interview with Josh Graham here.

Tickets for the previously mentioned second At The Gates show go on sale Thursday April 3rd at 10 AM here. Tomas Lindberg's other band, the mighty Disfear, have announced a few more dates, including another show in Brooklyn at Europa on May 22nd with Trap Them and Bloodhorse! Ticket info for Disfear at Europa isn't available, but there are still tickets for their show at the Knitting Factory. New tour dates are down below.

MUCH MORE..............

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (04/02/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

Motorhead @ SXSW 2008 (nevbrown)

Rob Halford is saying IT is "looking very real"!!!!

The "IT" refers to the rumors swirling of a mega-mega-mega-tour this summer or fall that could be in the unsubstanitated works with an unconfirmed Heaven & Hell (aka Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio), a hinted Judas Priest, an undisclosed Testament, and perhaps a Motorhead! All of this is uncorroborated so far, so maybe you should treat this as a (good) possibility, perchance....

Continue reading "Judas Priest, Motorhead, Heaven & Hell and Testament tour?"

Coincidentally, I took this picture of Les Savy Fav playing Guitar Hero at SXSW this year. I'm glad I waited four months to post it...

Jerry asked:
If you had to select a LSF song to be in Guitar Hero III, what would that be? Also, a non LSF song.

Seth Les Savy Fav answered:
I'd have to go with either "Pills" or "Adopduction" off of Go Forth OR "The Sweat Descends" from Inches. "Pills" has a lot of variety - both chords and single-note progression. "Adopduction" would fit nicely in the top 2 tiers of the game - it's not a face melter, but it has it's chops. "The Sweat Descends" is just guitar mania and a crowd-pleaser. As far as non LSF tunes, I'd say early Metallica - preferably "Master of Puppets" for its scope and orchestration.

Continued below.....

Continue reading "you interviewed LES SAVY FAV (part 2)"