Firestorm Fest Tour

antiMusic reports: Nothing says hardcore punk like a clothing company sponsored tour. BW&BK has the story: Motive Clothing Company, in association with Mediaskare and Sumerian Records have put together the inaugural Firestorm Fest Tour featuring the reunion of EARTH CRISIS, one of the most influential hardcore bands of all time, alongside TERROR, SWORN ENEMY, SHAI HULUD, DOWN TO NOTHING, and RECON.

Earth Crisis guitarist Scott Crouse had this to say: "We are extremely excited to get Earth Crisis back out on the road, and we couldn't ask for a better package for this tour.

"We are hoping to bring the vibe of the mid '90s hardcore scene to these shows by having a diverse line up of bands, and also vendors with information supporting ethical and political causes we've always supported. The goal is to create a place where people can go to positively vent their frustration and anger." - more on this story

Court Restrains Britney's Manager

BBC reports: A Los Angeles judge has issued a restraining order against Britney Spears' manager, after her mother made the request to the court.

Lynne Spears claimed Sam Lutfi, 33, had drugged the troubled pop star and interfered with her finances.

In a six-page declaration, Lynne Spears said Mr Lutfi "moved into Britney's home and has purported to take control of her life, home and finances". - more on this story

From An Estonia Forest to Def Jam Island

PR reports: How does one go from living in a small forest town in Estonia to getting signed to Island Def Jam by L.A. Reid? Just ask Kerli, the Estonian pop princess whose debut album Love is Dead is due out this April.

Here you can get an intimate look into Kerli's life with a four-part video interview
series.

In week one, watch as Kerli talks about the music, ranging from Bonnie Tyler to Bjork, that influenced her as a child growing up in Estonia. - see that here

Ministry UK

Metal Underground reports: According to Metal Hammer, MINISTRY will play the following UK dates in May/June:

May 27 - London Kentish Town Forum
May 28 - Norwich Waterfont
May 29 - Manchester Academy
May 30 - Glasgow Academy
Jun. 01 - Bristol Academy
Jun. 02 - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall

The valedictory line-up will include PRONG frontman Tommy Victor on guitar, alongside fellow guitarist Sin Quirin, as well as PRONG drummer Aaron Rossi, while various guest musicians will also be appearing. - more on this story

Yazkua Tour and New Video

PR reports: YAZKUA is currently in the midst of booking tour dates to head down south for the South By Southwest music festival before heading up the West Coast and into Canada. A handful of dates have been confirmed already, and more will be available shortly.

YAKUZA has been confirmed to share the stage this weekend at the House of Blues Chicago on labelmates All That Remains' headlining run when it swoops through The Windy City.

YAKUZA has posted a video for the track "Black Market Liver," which appears on the band's latest effort, 'Transmutations.' Directed by Sara Jean, the four-minute clip features video imagery, apt to YAKUZA's unique sound, and can be seen online - here

Beastie Film Co

Contact Music reports: BEASTIE BOYS star ADAM YAUCH is moving into the movie business - the rapper's launching an independent film distribution company.

The Sabotage star is teaming up with David Fenkel, who he worked with on the recent Beastie Boys documentary Awesome! I F**in' Shot That, and Dan Beger to form Oscilloscope Pictures.

The New York-based firm aims to provide funds to complete and release unfinished films as well as buying films for festivals to release in the U.S. - more on this story

Asthmatic Kitty Coughs Up New Collection

Filter reports: Asthmatic Kitty Records have always had an eye for visual stimulation. Its no coincidence that the artists on their roster always release progressive and unique music videos.

And now, Asthmatic Killy is proud to present its very first visual compilation: Encyclopedia Asthmatica, Volume 1.

The DVD features over 2 hours of footage and will showcase over 30 distinctively Asthmatic Kitty visuals. - more on this story

Krokus on Ice

BW&BK reports: Swiss rock legends KROKUS have "decided to take an artistic break" according to a band update released today.

Krokus recently finished the most extensive European Tour in the band's 30-year history in support of their current gold release, Hellraiser.

The band - featuring longtime frontman Marc Storace, guitarists Mandy Meyer and Dominique Favez, bassist Tony Castell and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann - are confirmed for Rocklahoma 2008 - more on this story

Living Sacrifice Returns

Metal Underground reports: Arkansas-based Christian death/thrash metallers LIVING SACRIFICE have returned.

The following message has been posted at the band's MySpace page: "Living Sacrifice has returned. Founding members Bruce Fitzhugh (vocals / guitar) and Lance Garvin (drums) have reunited with Rocky Gray (lead guitar) and Arthur Green (bass).

"The band will be on tour this summer and we are already writing material for our brand new album, which will be released in 2008. - more on this story

Gardenian Reissue

PR reports: Metal Mind Productions presents Gardenian and their huge dose of a solid melodic death metal. Two reissues will be available on 25th February 2008 in Europe and 13th May 2008 in USA (via MVD).

Every true fan of melodic death metal is familiar with the famous Gothenburg scene, which is the home for such prominent names as At The Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility. Gardenian is yet another spawn of the Swedish metal community, but unlike many other bands from that region, they managed to stand up the fathers of the genre and deliver a huge dose of solid melodic death metal, at the same time presenting a sound of their own. Both of their albums released for Nuclear Blast − "Soulburner" and "Sindustries" − received an impressive number of positive reviews over the years, but eventually Gardenian never did get the acclaim they deserved.

This double re−issue is a perfect opportunity to get to know one of the most talented groups ever to emerge on the Gothenburg scene! Released in a new digipak edition, limited to numerated 2000 copies, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc. - more on this story

The Raveonettes Stream

PR reports: The Raveonettes highly-anticipated Vice debut is currently streaming in its entirety on the band's Myspace page.

Lust Lust Lust, due out February 19th, features the Danish duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo eschewing past records boney directness for a skuzzier, darker sonic palette. - stream is here

Zu and Mike Patton Do Europe

PR reports: Zu & Mike Patton have teamed up for a string of European dates. ZU represent something unique in the Italian independent scene, a band that built a strong fan base worldwide thanks to an uncompromising sound and more than 1000 gigs in nearly 10 years.

Their sound is an unique mixture of jazz improvisation, noise, hardcore attitude and extreme metal and in their career they released records and shared stage with artists like: The Melvins, The Ex, Dalek, Peter Brotzmann, Hamid Drake, Alvin Curran, Ken Vandermark, Mats Gustafsson, The Thing, Amy Denio, Damo Suzuki, Eugene Chadbourne, Geoff Farina & many more.

This time ZU have a very special partner on stage: Mike Patton an artist who simply changed todays' music, from his earliest works with Faith No More to the experiences with Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk & Peeping Tom. - more on this story

The Nadas Set March Release

PR reports: Like so many American bands, The Nadas started as a way for its members to pass the time between college classes. Unlike so many American bands, they've outlasted their educations and rode a growing fan base to a genuine, honest-to-goodness career. On March 4, America's favorite roots rockers release their latest album, The Ghosts Inside These Halls.

The Nadas are anchored by the twin vocals of Mike Butterworth and Jason Walsmith, both of whom skillfully evoke introspection and uncertainty of living life on one's own terms in the 21st Century. With one foot firmly in their alt-country roots and another pointed wherever the open road might take them, the band seems to have effortlessly picked up where the young Bruce Springsteen left off: turning out profound and reflective tunes while simultaneously rocking audiences clear into next weekend.

The Ghosts Inside These Halls, The Nadas' sixth release, builds and improves on the band's signature sound. Playboy Magazine calls The Nadas "The Best College Band You've Never Heard Of." The band plays over 200 shows per year and have sold over 85,000 albums through their own label, Authentic Records - thenadas.com

Winter Revisited

PR reports: Winter is perhaps one of the most underrated doom metal bands ever to emerge on the American metal scene. And today Metal Mind Productions presents an exclusive re-release, combining both "Into Darkness" and the "Eternal Frost" EP.

During their career they recorded only one full-length album and one EP, but that was enough to convince the fans that a new icon of deep, depressing music was born. The band did not last long on the scene, departing shortly after the release of their debut album. Their legacy, however, lives on and does not cease to amaze fans all over the world – both of Winter's releases are to this day considered classics among the best doom metal albums ever released.

The listeners now have a unique opportunity to get to know the complete works of Winter – a collection showcasing the essence of a truly chilling doom metal experience. Classic material from Nuclear Blast archives in a new digipak edition, limited to numerated 2000 copies. Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc. - more on this story

The Spinto Band US Dates

PR reports: In the wake of completing their eighth album, Moonwink, The Spinto Band will be setting out on their Spring Tour, with The Whigs and Tally Hall. They will be heading down the east coast towards SXSW, where they are set to play several day parties and shows.

Their latest recordings, produced by Dave Trumfio and mixed by Tchad Blake, forge The Spinto Band's ability to interlace rich, textured guitars, unconventional orchestration and multiple-part vocal harmonies into exciting new pockets of indie-pop. It's quirky, energetic, radiant, and aptly engaging. - more on this story

.... Van Morrison - Still on Top

Did Van Morrison die? The steady stream of hits compilations that continue to hit record shelves hint towards a schmaltzy biopic and cover song by Sheryl Crow in the near future. (4 stars) - Read the full Van Morrison - Still on Top review

.... Downtown 81 Soundtrack

Downtown 81 is a soundtrack filled with quality music, but, as a whole, it is unlistenable. Basquiat embellished all of New York art at the time was a mix of post-disco pop, no wave, new wave, hip hop, and artsy oddness. (2.5 stars) - Read the full Downtown 81 Soundtrack review

.... Freedom Call - Dimensions

When not skipping through flower fields, these Germans show off sub par studio recordings filled with fluff, yet nothing can match the redundancy of Freedom Call's fifth bowel movement entitled Dimensions. - Read the full Freedom Call - Dimensions review

Read Day In Rock Reports From Other Days
 

Submit news or a press release to the Day In Rock report