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]

The most recent complaint about Priest is that vocalist Rob Halford is showing his age. Halford is very stoic on stage, and at times uses a cane or a staff to walk around, but his high pitched vibrato-laden voice is still in full effect. Add the fact that the rest of the band plays with coordinated guitar dance moves straight out of the 80s and you have one helluva show that is both skilled and fun to watch.

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: 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)"

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

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?"