Black Label Society Signs with Roadrunner.-
The American Band "Black Label Society" of former guitarrist forOzzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, has just signed a contract with Roadrunner for an Europan launch of its next studio work. Black Label Society is schedule to release the new CD this summer 2010.
Zakk Wylde himself, said this about this collaboration with Roadrunner International:
"I`m ready to work with our brothers and sisters of BLS in Roadrunner Europe. They share the same strenght, determination and sympathy, which we have always shown in BLS, so we felt very natural to continue working together."
Sonata Artica Update.-
The Finnish band Sonata Artica has just confirmed their official presence in the "Kivenlathi Rock Festival" on June 13th in Finland. Besides that, also just announced the relaunch of their album "Takalatvi" that was released in 2003 only in Japan. Thios reissue will include a special extended tracklist with different versions and available for pre-sale on the Sonata Artica Webshop.
The Album will be officially out Jan 27th, 2010.
Scorpions to breakup, after worldtour 2010.-
German hard rock legends Scorpions are calling it a day. The band's last album Sting In The Tail will be out on March 19th 2010, with a world tour following the release. The official word from the band reads as follows:
"It was always our pleasure, our purpose in life, our passion and we were fortunate enough to make music for you - whether it was live on stage or in the studio, creating new songs.
While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was - and how much fun we were still having, in the process. But there was also something else: we want to end the Scorpion's extraordinary career on a high note.
We are extremely grateful for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we've always had since the beginning. This is why, especially now, we agree we have reached the end of the road. We finish our career with an album we consider to be one of the best we have ever recorded and with a tour that will start in our home country Germany and take us to five different continents over the next few years.
We want you, our fans, to be the first to know about this. Thank you for your never-ending support throughout the years! We uploaded the very first snippets from our new album for you, available here. And now... let's get the party started and get ready for a Sting in the Tail. See you on the world tour."
"Exodus" New CD in April.-
The Thrash American band "Exodus" will launch their latest production this coming 23rd of April 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, the title of the album is Exhibit B: The Human Condition”; and has been produced by Andy Sneap known for his work with bands such as Kreator, Megadeth and Arch Enemy.
Former Broken Hope Vocalist commits suicide.-
Joe Ptacek, best known for his work as the lead singer of death metal outfit Broken Hope, sadly passed away on Wednesday from what appears to be a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head. He was only thirty seven years old. A message from his former bandmate Jeremy Wagner reads as follows:"It's with profound sadness and shock that [I report that] my friend and former bandmate — Joe Ptacek — has died.
"Joe was my high-school friend who formed a death-metal band with me called Broken Hope. We always dreamed of putting out albums and touring the world. After graduating, we achieved a lot of those dreams and released five albums, performed worldwide, appeared in countless international magazines and did a video for MTV. We were on Metal Blade Records and met all of our heroes and performed everywhere…
"Not bad for two teenagers out of Wildwood, Illinois.
"After 2000, Joe and I lost touch until just a few years ago. In recent months, we reconnected, hung out and became friends again. I just chatted with him after the New Year as he and I had found a drummer and a rehearsal spot where we were to begin working to bring back a new, resurrected form of Broken Hope.
"As of late, Joe was positive, healthy and had a mature and humble attitude that made me happy to see.
"I'm thankful to have known him in my lifetime and to have traveled many a mile and share many a stage with such an original character. Moreover, I'm thankful to have hugged him and to have made him smile the last time we were together. Why he chose to take his life, I'll never even begin to fathom, but I pray he's in a better place.
"So, to all of you extreme metal heads out there, I ask you to raise a toast in memory of Joe Ptacek, the absolute, hands down MOST BRUTAL DEATH-METAL VOCALIST EVER!
"Joe, I love you and I will miss you, brother…
"Your friend (who you affectionately called, Peck)."
After Death - Two Members Drown In Brazil
Two members of the UK metalcore outfit After Death drowned yesterday (Thursday January 21) while swimming at the Atalaia beach in Aracaju, in the northeastern part of Brazil. 21-year-old guitarist Leon Villalba and 18-year-old bassist Timothy Kennelly, along with their bandmates, were in the middle of an extensive tour of Brazil as the support act for Master when the incident occurred.Villalba and Kennelly were reportedly swimming at the beach around 2:30 pm when another beachgoer noticed a floating body and alerted the local lifeguard rescue team. An attempt was made to resuscitate Villalba using CPR, but he didn't respond. Kennedy's body is still missing. The search for Timothy's remains will continue on Friday with air support, since the area to be covered is very wide.
Atalaia is considered to be the fourth most dangerous beach in Brazil, even though it's one of the most popular in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, which is the smallest Brazilian state by area.
In spite of the tragedy, which is being investigated by the homicide division of the Department of Public Safety, the 17 remaining dates of the "Masters of Hate Tour 2010" will take place as scheduled. The surviving After Death members have stated that they are "all in mourning and still shocked by everything that happened," but that they "are sure that [Leon and Timothy] would want the shows to go on. We'll complete the tour in their honor," they are quoted as saying by the local media.
