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DIR EN GREY ANNOUNCE HEADLINE RUN
Japanese rock band DIR EN GREY has announced a headline run of 14 North American cities that commences in Dallas, TX on November 3, and concludes on November 24th at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Renowned for a self-realized vision that is unique, cross-cultural and certainly peculiar, the world-class quintet return to the continent for their first tour in almost two years. Although on the periphery of mainstream awareness domestically, the band has achieved legendary status overseas.
TOUR DATES:
11/03 - Dallas, TX - Trees
11/04 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
11/06 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
11/08 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
11/09 - Philadelphia, PA - T.L.A.
11/11 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
11/12 - Boston, MA - Paradise
11/14 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
11/16 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
11/17 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
11/19 - Denver, CO - Bluebird
11/21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Market
11/23 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency
11/24 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
Eyes Set To Kill's "Infected" Video Released
Phoenix Arizona rockers EYES SET TO KILL have just released their new music video for the first single "Infected" from the forthcoming album MASKS. The song is a battering guitar driven groove that gives way to a soaring refrain from front woman Alexia Rodriguez. It's an unforgettable and unshakable introduction to the next phase of EYES SET TO KILL. The video captures the story and emotion of the song perfectly. Our friends at Revolver Magazine have the exclusive premiere check it out HERE.
All Time Low “A Love Like War” Video Released
All Time Low have released a music video for "A Love Like War" featuring Pierce The Veil's Vic Fuentes. It's from Don't Panic: It's Longer Now!, coming Sept. 30 via Hopeless Records. The reissue of their 2012 album will contain 7 new songs (3 original, 4 acoustic). Check out the video HERE.
Flutterbye's Flowr Fairy Flies Into Our Homes
Can you keep a secret? Fairies are real! From the toy company SpinMaster comes Flutterbye! What is it? Well it's a line of doll figures that are fairies that fly! For instance take the concept of Skyydancers meets Flutterbye except these modern day fairies bring their own uniqueness and creativeness to this day to day reality world.
Just the simple wave of your hand can make your fairy float in all sorts of directions left, right, up or down, she stands atop her charging base which needs 6 AA batteries with a 5 minutes flight off a 25 minute charge. Each doll figure comes with 1 fairy, 1 charging base, launcher, display stand, and user guide. The other fairies in this line includes 2 Flower Fairies, a Stardust Fairy, and the Sunbeam Fairy with many more to likely join them. One of the Flower Fairies with her purple hair and matching attire comes from the garden that bloom's all of the poises and flowers by also bringing love and beauty to whoever wishes to help her soar and fly away.
The doll figure itself comes in its own box of course which is quite large but filled with color and design that really catches your attention and vision. The figure is encased inside atop it's charging base with such great attention to detail, her hair, eyes, and outfit really stand out making me smile every time viewing her. Once out of the box and charged up she can fly for around 5 minutes after allowing her to charge for the recommended 25 minute stance. She along with her fairy friends will make any child's dream to believe and take that magical passion to a whole another level of enchantment.
If you're a fan of the Skydancers line or even the Winx Club series these will surely be a fluttering source of fairy time adventures! These can be found at all the major retailers online and offline Amazon, Kmart, Target. Toys R Us, and Walmart retailing for $34.99.
Blood On The Dance Floor - Bad Blood
Blood On The Dance Floor has been around for quite some time as it were and now upon their sixth album to date "Bad Blood" follows-up to "Evolution" and "The Anthem Of The Outcast" and this time around it exposes the duo in a whole another fashion.
Dahvie Vanity and Jay Von Monroe have both been known to create this electronic dance pop genre with added screams in most of their material but on "Bad Blood" Jay Von Monroe steps out of the screaming spotlight unleashing his clean cut vocal tactics only having minimal amounts of screams found upon a handful of tracks "Unchained", "Bad Blood", and "Bohemyth", 3 only 3 songs this time around contain screams which is fine but could have been better.
Having listened to a handful of Blood On The Dance Floor's material over the span of their careers again a good handful of it did have Jay engage in his screaming methods even Dahvie got into the mix with some screaming skills here and there that to me is what really makes these guys who they are and stand out musically is that screaming essence, without it nothing is the same. As for the rest of this release it still does fall between the lines of the Blood On The Dance Floor feel and vibe keeping it original and unique having it not completely step away but branch out further into what they can do.
"Crucified By Your Lies" "Damaged" and "Something Grimm" are those tracks that the fans can recognize on previous material from "Bewitched" to "Rise And Shine", "Unforgiven", and even "Star Power" and "Yo Ho". The music is upbeat and on the edge here and there keeping the music fresh and easy if you will. It's what the fans know and the duo themselves have been known for - it just misses out on the screaming formula to keep it together.
Deathronic The One Man Act Who Combines The Music He Creates
Deathronic is a one man band project from Paris created in 2010 by Amine Andalous O. Deathronic experiments Symphonic Black Death Metal combining several influences such as electronic music, oriental, doom or old school heavy metal... Amine himself discuss why and how he came to create this one man act!
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Deathronic, and how long the band has been together.
Amine: Deathronic is a one man band Project I created in 2010. Deathronic experiments with Symphonic Black Death Metal by combining several influences such as electronic music, oriental…
2. Please tell us about the history of your band and why you wanted this to be a one man project?
Amine: I composed some tracks few years ago, and wanted to release those songs through an album. After working at home on the orchestration and synthetic parts, I entered the studio in late 2011. Being a One Man Band Project, is first of all in relation with my professional constraints (I have a full time job)… I can’t be available for a traditional band structure (being available several months for touring for example).
3. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Amine: I have many influences spanning over various Metal periods, from Old School heavy Metal (King Diamond …), to 90’s Death Metal (“Death” the Chuck Chuldiner’s Masterpiece…), Modern Black Metal, etc. With “Duality Chaos”, I wanted to express my seamless view of Metal, where all the styles are permitted, without focusing on one specific trend of style.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send? Is there any story or concept behind the Duality Chaos title?
Amine: The idea behind “duality Chaos” is to denounce how humans are still, today, bestial beings. The unending conflicts and wars are a perfect example of this. Mankind continues to kill for irrational reasons. I think that the origin of that violence is the internal duality of human beings (the struggle between Good and Evil). Many of the worst atrocities are perpetrated in the name of subjective notions of good or bad… A duality that gives birth to chaos…
5. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Amine: The name “Deathronic” is, first of all, an homage to Chuck Schuldiner, an artist who influenced several generations with his Masterpiece project « Death ». The other part of the name refers to my electronic music influences, which I wanted to introduce in my music.
6. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Amine: Deathronic is based in Paris. The French underground scene is really rich with talented bands. Especially in the Paris area, there is a really dynamic scene with a lot of underground concerts and festivals. I can recommend some Parisian Bands like “Tales of Blood” “Corrosive Elements”…, also some French talented bands like “Hord”, “Gnô”, “Belenos” …
7. Is there any story or concept behind the Duality Chaos title?
Amine: See answer 4.
8. Who produced Duality Chaos and what was it like working with them?
Amine: Regarding the recording of “Duality Chaos”, it took place in late 2011 at the Parlour Studios, in Kettering, UK, and it was produced by Neil Haynes. The vocals were recorded in March 2012 at the Audio Sound Art Studio in Berlin and engineered by Laurentx Etxemendi (Former Gojira’s Live Sound Engineer.). "Duality Chaos" was mixed & mastered in April 2012 by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman. It was a rewarding experience to work with that people and they really pushed me to do my best!
9. Who did the cover art for Duality Chaos and how much input did you have on it?
Amine: Seth Siro Anton (SEPTIC FLESH). He is really supporting debut projects like Deathronic and it was an honor for me to have my album cover made by him. I just described to him the concept of the Album..
10. Tell me your relationship with Mighty Music and Target Distribution, how did it all come together?
Amine: My collaboration with the Danish Metal Label Mighty Music started after the producing process of the mini-album. TARGET DISTRIBUTION is The ”mothership” of MIGHTY MUSIC. It’s Denmark’s no.1 independent music distribution. They really did a good job at promoting Duality Chaos!
11. Will you be shooting a video for any of the songs off Duality Chaos?
Amine: May be for the song Anno 1423 but later.
12. Do you have any new music in the works in terms of a follow-up release?
Amine: I started working on the next album, which, I hope, will be a full length album. And I will take the necessary time to release it.
13. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Amine: Thanks to Mighty Music and Target Group, “Duality Chaos” Mini Album is available everywhere (Digital distribution Worldwide and CD distribution in Europe) All links on store.deathronic.com
14. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
Amine: I’m working on the next album and I’m focusing on promoting “Duality Chaos” with the help of the Mighty Music team. I’m also rehearsing with a friend for a new band project and why not to perform Deathronic Songs Live sometimes…
15. Any last words?
Amine: I would to thank “Natalie's World” Webzine for supporting emerging projects…
The Drake Equation's Adam Janzi Talks EP Debut and Touring
Sweden metal/progressive/pop/electro act The Drake Equation have released their EP "Variables" and have new music in the works. Drummer Adam Janzi talks about the EP and upcoming touring plans for the rest of this year!
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in The Drake Equation, and how long the band has been together.
Adam: I'm Adam Janzi, the drummer in the band. The band has been together and out on the roads since 2009.
2. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Adam: We, The Drake Equation, are a progressive metal core band with pop and electronica influences. Joined by our burning passion for music, we have been out on the roads since 2009, delivering energetic live shows. Recently, we recorded an EP, consisting of four songs. The EP, named "Variables", was released April 23rd 2013.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Adam: The band is based out of Sweden. The music scene over here is really thriving. We notice more and more upcoming bands around us that start touring and doing really well for themselves. One local band that we can recommend, that joined us on our Scandinavian tour, are Mashima. They're really nice guys to hang out with and they've got some heavy grooves. We definitely recommend that you check them out.
4. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Adam: We knew that we wanted a band name that was serious and that could speak to big matters of the universe as well as more personal matters at the same time. We got together and looked up a few options, and then singled them out. The Drake Equation is an equation that was written by a man named Frank Drake (hence the name) which estimates the probability of there being other intelligent civilizations in the universe. The way we use it to connect it with our fans is to spread the message that no one is alone and to encourage everyone to keep hope strong.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Adam: The bands that have influenced us the most are definitely Periphery, Memphis May Fire and Bring Me The Horizon, both as a band and personally. For example, Matt Halpern who is the drummer of Periphery is also my drum teacher.
6. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Adam: The message we want to send is simple and strong: Never lose hope, never stop fighting.
Our goal with our lyrics is to unite people and encourage them to fight for their freedom since there are so many of injustices in the world. That's why our lyrics build on enlightening our listeners and inspiring resistance.
7. Why did you want the band to have 3 different vocalists?
Adam: That's actually something that we didn't really choose, it just turned out that way. Our bassist, Anton Svensson, was our only singer back in 2009 when we started. We then decided to try to incorporate some clean vocals, and so our guitarist Mattias Tiselius also became our clean vocalist. We still felt that something was missing though, and then Dennis Andersson joined the band and became our lead vocalist. And so Mattias sings the clean vocals, Dennis does the growls and screams and Anton backs up Dennis with the growls and screams. It just fell into place and contributes a lot to our current sound.
8. Can you tell me about the two music videos you've released for "Settlement" and "One Step Alone" why did you want these songs to be videos and what are the song's and video's concepts about?
Adam: We wanted those songs to be videos because we thought that they would work really well as music videos, and that they would really fit into our concept. The concept for the song and the video for "One Step Alone" is basically about losing a loved one and all the difficulties that follow. As for "Settlement", we simply wanted the video to portray a sense of progress and growth, since that is what the song is about.
9. Both of those songs come off your EP "Variables" how has this EP evolved, compared, and differed from the previous releases?
Adam: This EP has evolved in so many ways. What we did with the "Variables" EP was to find the core of our sound from our previous EPs and build on that. We kept the progressive and the pop/electronica elements from the previous EPs and evolved those, and added a lot more groove to it and made it all so much heavier. This made the "Variables" EP differ from the previous EPs because it added an aggressive and more mysterious "space" feel.
10. What can you tell me about this EP that hasn't already been said or asked?
Adam: One thing that all the songs off the EP have in common is that they all discourage self-pity. We want people to find the strength to fight all their problems and move on with their lives. On a larger scale, it's basically about all the injustices in the world, which in turn are created and controlled by all governments. What we want to convey is the importance of standing on your own feet, going your own way, and not always feeling the need to fit in. Resistance, liberation and freedom are the keywords.
11. Are you in the process of working on your debut full-length release?
Adam: We actually aren't, not yet. For us as musicians to be able to record a well-produced full-length release today, that would require a lot of money, simply put, since we're still unsigned. Recording a full-length release is something that we believe is better to do when we have a good record-label to work with. We can reveal that we've begun working on some new songs and other cool things though, so be on the lookout!
12. What are the rest of the plans that you guys have for this year?
Adam: We just got back from our Scandinavian tour with the Canadian band Liferuiner, so after this we'll keep climbing and play some more shows in Sweden this autumn as well as plan some more future tours. And like I mentioned, we're writing some new songs at the moment, so that is something that we'll do actively in the near future. And to answer the question that's hanging in the air Yes, we're working on a new CD.13. What is it you'd like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Adam: We want the listener to feel and remember the pure emotion and energy that we're trying to convey through our music. We want that to feel like a punch in the listeners face, from the first listen.
14. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Adam: You can listen to us on Youtube, Spotify and our own page on Facebook.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/thedrakeequationsweden
You can also buy and listen to our songs on iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, and most other similar sites.
We also have an online store up where you can buy a physical copy of our CD and some merch.
Link: http://thedrakeequation.bigcartel.com/
15. Any final words of wisdom?
Adam: Fight for your rights and never bow down to injustices. Don't be afraid to stray from the path that is set by the norms!
Closed Casket Opens Up About Everything
Metalheads Closed Casket all got together and talks about "Hell At Capacity" their latest release to date and what they all have got in-store for themselves between now towards the end of this year into the next year!
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
The band started in early winter of 2004, when Sam and now ex-guitarist Mario began to work with Dan Pardi on a new band. Since then, the lineup has changed considerably, starting out as a mixture of gothic, punk, and thrash, which could only describe as "horror metal" since the more common genre names didn't quite match our sound. Fans will hear some sounds of our past – some of the gothic influences and hardcore riffs, are more prominent in earlier songs. They originated from the collaboration of the bands ex-keyboardist Nicole Hunter and original guitarist Mario Recupero. At the time of their exit Closed Casket was in the process of recording songs for a now unreleased album “Fall of the Rebel Angles”. The band continued to search for replacement members, eventually Alx joined the band on bass in 2008, bringing black and death metal influences to the writing style. Shortly after Dan McGrath joined on guitar, and he brings a modern power metal influence. You hear this more with newer songs such as Oracle, Shaman, and Imminent Bloom. At this point the band scrapped the previous recordings and started fresh with “Hell At Capacity.” Closed Casket still continued to play shows, but mainly focused on finishing the current recording. Dan, Chico and Sam are all grateful to have the talents of brothers Alex and Dan M in the band to continue bringing fans what is described as a unique style of Metal.
2. How did you guys come up with your band name?
SAM: ...it was so long ago; let me think way back now. Before the band had even been established. The words always stuck with me. Being brought up in a mostly Catholic family I've always heard the phrase "Closed Casket" used around funerals. For me, it meant the end of a chapter and the beginning of something new; as well as it being a mystery to what was inside, LOL! I always held on to it as I have always been intrigued by caskets and coffin shapes so for the thought of creating something dark and naming it just that.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
The band is based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has always been a great place for music since the early days of Rock to great Punk movement in both the 70’s and later 90’s revival. Since then the Hardcore scene locally of the late 90’s and early 2000’s has transitioned with more Metal oriented bands. Some great local bands we recommend checking out both past and present include Barren Oak, Forevers’ Fallen Grace, Ravage, Travel Amygdala, Apollos Resurrection, No Room to Breathe, Wargasm, Only Living Witness.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
CHICO: lyrics are based on hate love confusion determination of winning battles, helping the ones who need help. A vast look at existence. Evil and holy beings which being all and one.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Its hard to say because we are all into a huge range of different style bands, however Maiden rules to world of ruling things.
CHICO: my influence as far as voice sound is Priest Maiden Filth Diamond with a hardcore aggression.
SAM: Type O Negative, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Misfits, Rammstein, along with anything Punk, Goth, Industrial, Black Metal and Classical music.
DAN M.: Blind Gardian, Armon Armoth anything Power Metal.DAN P.: NOFX, MegaDeath.
ALX: Dissection, anything Black and Death Metal.
6. Is there any story or concept behind HELL AT CAPACITY title?
No theme no concept just a bunch of random punches from the gods that punish you!
7. Who produced HELL AT CAPACITY and what was it like working with them?
We produced it ourselves, we'd rather stress ourselves out than pay someone else to commit suicide. It gave us more freedom. We've even recorded while we've had parties going on after practice in our grimy studio we affectionately call home.
8. Who did the cover art for HELL AT CAPACITY and how much input did you have on it?
We all very much liked the work of an Artist from the Ukraine who goes by the name Seeming Watcher. Sam has followed his work over the past few years and contacted SW about featuring his work through-out the Album. We all had input and worked together on the layout and concept. While working and reviewing everything with Seeming Watcher online, we were able to complete our final revision.
9. Do you guys have any new music in the works as far as a follow-up release?
We are writing new Songs as well as working with some back burner material that we would like to feature on the next release.
10. Will you be shooting a video for any of the songs off HELL AT CAPACITY?
Yes, we are working on that, should hopefully be done many moons from now as it shall also be self produced with the help of our friend Jimmy who is a local independent filmmaker.
11. What are your upcoming touring/show plans?
We are currently booking and playing shows as well working on an east coast tour.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
At the moment Bandcamp.com is hosting digital downloads and sales of the hard copy. Expect to see availability anywhere from iTunes to CD-Baby for digital and E-Bay to your local record shop for the hard copy.13. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
The pain of listening to us.
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
DAN P.: Blue Chickens
CHICO: Chickens on blue acid
15. Any final words of wisdom?
DAN P.: Don't drink and drive when you can smoke and fly!
CHICO: Rock hard ride free!
Float Face Down's Rich Talks Old Music Meets New Music
Metal titans Float Face Down have released their newest album to date "Exitium Verum" with that they are currently in the writing process for the follow-up due out sometime soon. Guitarist Rich discusses the band's writing style, album release, and just how everything got it's start up until this point in time and place.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Float Face Down, and how long the band has been together.
Rich: My name is Rich and I play guitar. I am an original member of FFD since the band was formed in the fall of 2006.
2. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Rich: We are based out of Central New Jersey. We come from a pretty violent music scene. When we first started out, our shows were very wild which is why we tried to make our music so heavy. There are so many talented bands located in NJ such as our friends in Existence, Trauma, My Bitter End, and Sirens. I recommend checking out all of them!
3. How did the band get its name Float Face Down?
Rich: Ron (vocals) hit me up to jam for a new project he was working on. I had known who he was from his previous band. He told me that one of his friends recommended he name his new band "Float Face Down." I was so happy with the name and I was even more stoked on the fact that I didn't have think of a band name because it's something that I HATE doing!
4. Is there any story or concept behind the Exitium Verum title?
Rich: Exitium Verum means true destruction in Latin. We wanted to have an album title that fit our music and lyrics. Calling an album "True Destruction" sounds pretty lame, so we made it a bit more interesting.
5. Select two songs from Exitium Verum and tell me what inspired the lyrics.Rich: Unfortunately, I have nothing to do with writing the lyrics. We all trust Ron with that part. I do know that the song "The Broken Switch" is about somebody completely losing their mind. I also know that "In the Lion's Den" is about slutty girls. Again, Ron would know more bout this than I do.
6. Who produced Exitium Verum and what was it like working with them?
Rich: The album was recorded by Kevin Kumetz. We had worked with him previous to recording the album. We recorded at Barbershop Studios in Hopatcong NJ. The studio was beautiful and it was a blast recording there.
7. Who did the cover art for Exitium Verum and how much input did you have on it?
Rich: I'm not sure who exactly did the album art. Originally we wanted to have a crazy scene from a mental institution as the album art, but we decided that would be corny so we went with something more simple and to the point.
8. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Rich: Most, if not all of our songs are negative. They are usually about violence and anger but in different contexts. For example, The Broken Switch is about somebody losing their mind and causing violence.
9. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Rich: For the album, we all got together twice a week and wrote every single song except for the instrumental, which was written by myself and our other guitar player at the time. The lyrics are written by Ron once the music is established.
10. Who are your musical influences?
Rich: We all have a wide variety of influences. Personally, my influences consist of The Black Dahlia Murder, Pantera, Nevermore, In Flames, At the Gates, Darkest Hour, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, As I Lay Dying, Lamb Of God. Just to name a few.
11. Do you guys have plans for new music or a follow-up release?
Rich: We are in the process of writing it now. It's coming out awesome so far and were stoked for people to hear new stuff.
12. What are your upcoming touring plans and plans for this year?
Rich: We just got off tour with My Bitter End, Ark of the Covenant, and Reaping Asmodeia. We have no plans for future tours. We would like to get the album out first.
13. What advice would you give to fellow bands, who want to do what you're doing?
Rich: Make the right business decisions, don't give up, work hard, and make sure you are enjoying yourself. It's not easy. You're going to see all of your friends graduate college, get jobs, and make money. Just remember that you are doing something way more interesting and hopefully more rewarding than they are.
14. Any final words of wisdom?
Rich: Just a big thank you to all of our supporters. Stay metal !