Lacuna Coil Frontwoman Rages Against Animal Testing

Lacuna Coil is one of many metal bands to join with peta2 and speak up for animals. Visitors to peta2.com will find interviews with all their favorite bands and celebrities—including Cradle of Filth, The Agonist, OTEP, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, and Trivium. They can also enter contests to win great prizes, including free iPods and concert tickets. For more information and to view the ad, please visit - peta2.com

Amorphis, Swallow the Sun, Moonsorrow, and Kreator Supergroup Barren Earth Release Debut

Finland's up-and-coming progressive/death metal act, Barren Earth, has released their debut EP, 'Our Twilight', in the US, today, via Peaceville Records. The four-song EP, which came out in Europe last week, will soon by followed by Barren Earth's debut full-length album, to be released in early 2010.

Barren Earth's impressive roster features former members of Amorphis, plus current members of Swallow the Sun, Moonsorrow, and Kreator. The 'Our Twilight' EP is a blend of progressive and folk-textured death metal, drawing inspiration from a diversity of musical acts and genres.

The track list for 'Our Twilight' is…1. Our Twilight 2. Jewel 3. The Flame of Serenity 4. Floodred * An album trailer, giving a glimpse into the writing and recording process of the tracks, can be viewed - here

Get Rolling Stoned on Wine That Rocks?

[This was just strange enough for us to go ahead run it.]Wines That Rock, innovators of rock inspired wines, today announced the launch of its first three Rock 'n Roll varietals, "Forty Licks Merlot," "Woodstock Chardonnay" and "The Dark Side of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon." A partnership between legendary rock business managers RZO and award winning winemakers Mendocino Wine Co., Wines That Rock looks to capture the quality and spirit of Rock 'n Roll mythology in its portfolio of great tasting wines, iconic album art for labels, earth friendly production and great consumer value.

Wines That Rock takes its respect for the music very seriously, with founders that have been at the forefront of bringing Rock 'n Roll to fans for decades. Wines That Rock Co-founders Ron Roy and Howard Jackowitz originally partnered with RZO and David Bowie in 1997 to create UltraStar Entertainment, the world's largest online fan club company pioneering fan club ticketing and online artists community. UltraStar's clients ranged from The New York Yankees to AC/DC, The Police and The Who. RZO are business managers to Rock legends including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Sting and U2.

Looking for a winery that embraced the Rock 'n Roll notion of karma in its production, Mendocino Wine Co. was a natural fit for Wines That Rock, following the highest in green standards through sustainable farming, 100 percent green solar and wind power, eco friendly packaging and carbon neutrality. With the addition of Mendocino Wine Co. winemaker Mark Beaman, a talented winemaker whose passions are quality, sustainable wine and Rock 'n Roll, Wines That Rock had completed its team. - more on this story

Nonpoint In The Studio, Releasing Acoustic EP and Playing Some Holiday Shows

Nonpoint is set to release their new album in early 2010. They have been shooting behind the scenes video in the studio you can check out the first two videos here and here

While we wait for that new album, Nonpoint will hold us over with the release of an acoustic EP on December 8th.

Cut The Cord will be released as digital only EP, and features past hits like "Victim" and "What A Day". To support the release, the band will play 3 holiday shows - dates

A Storm Of Light Release Party

Brooklyn, NY doom/post rock experimentalists A Storm Of Light -- who recently returned from an extensive European tour in support of their newly released Forgive Us Our Trespasses full-length (Neurot Recordings) -- will hold their official record release show today, November 18, 2009, at the Ace Of Clubs in New York City.

Admission is free and vocalist Nerissa Campbell (Primitive North) will be joining the band for the show. Also on the bill: Bioclops and Goes Cube.

A Storm Of Light features guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Josh Graham (Neurosis visuals, Blood And Time, Battle Of Mice), bassist/vocalist Domenic Seita (formerly of Tombs and Asea) and guitarist/keyboardist Joel Hamilton (Book Of Knots, Battle Of Mice), who also recorded the latest full-length. - show details

Great Big Planes Lineup Dates With The Maine, Boys Like Girls and Never Shout Never

New Jersey's own Great Big Planes has announced a handful of East Coast tour dates. The band will be opening for The Maine in Philadelphia on 11/22 before hitting two dates with Boys Like Girls on 11/25 & 11/29.

After that, the band will join up with Never Shout Never on December 16 at Philadelphia's First Unitarian Church.

The NSN dates will wind down on December 20 in South Hackensack, NJ. You can check out all the tour dates - here

Star & Micey Release New Album Featuring Guest Spots from Members of The Black Crowes, North Mississippi Allstars, Lucero and Cat Power

In the midst of the buzz surrounding Big Star's "Keep An Eye On The Sky" Box Set and the reissue of Chris Bell's "I Am The Cosmos" comes another Ardent related story that should also be on your radar.

The Ardent Music label has just released Star & Micey's self titled debut record. While playful in nature, Josh Cosby, Geoff Smith, and Nick Redmond have created a collection of songs that reflect a churning emotion in heart.

Notable Memphis musicians who make cameo appearances include Jody Stephens (Big Star) on "Nelson," Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, The Black Crowes) on "So Much Pain," and Rick Steff (Lucero, Cat Power) on "She's on Fire." - a ton of upcoming tour dates

Victory for Amber Pacific

Victory Records sent this over: We are proud to introduce the newest addition to the Victory Records family, Amber Pacific from Federal Way, WA.

Their emotional blend of powerful, "pop-punk rock" is a fitting addition to our diverse roster. As an established band, with two full length albums and two EPs already under their belt, they have sold 175,000 records to date. The band is eagerly preparing to head into the studio to record their Victory Records' debut which will be released in early 2010.

Guitarist Will Nutter had this to say about the recent signing, "We're excited and really looking forward to accomplishing great things with Victory!"

For a taste of what's to come, visit their - MySpace

Brian 'Head' Welch Working On New Album, Inks New Deal

It was announced today that William Morris Endeavor Entertainment has inked an international representation agreement with ex-KoRn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. The initial term of the agreement is for three years. Ember Rigsby Tanksley of WMEE will be principally responsible for spearheading representation duties from WMEE's Nashville, TN office.

The addition of HEAD to its existing powerhouse music division continues to fulfill WMEE's post-merger goal (with Endeavor) of adding marquee names to its roster. Although based out of Nashville, Tanksley will also work with and take advantage of WMEE's offices and agents in its Los Angeles, New York, and London offices. Tanksley also handles duties for such top Christian acts as Flyleaf, Emery, and Switchfoot. WMEE's traditional recording artist roster includes Foo Fighters, Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd and the Goo Goo Dolls, to name a few. Tanksley's reaction to the signing was filled with excitement and optimism: "We are very excited to be part of HEAD's team. He has an authenticity in his ministry that will speak to people in a different way. We are looking forward to sharing in his accomplishments and great success!"

Earlier this year, HEAD announced that he had chosen his bandmates—Michael Valentine (bass); Scott Von Heldt (guitars); Ralph Patlan (guitars); Brian Ruedy (keyboards, programming) and Dan Johnson (drums). The band toured lightly in 2009; but is ready to hit the road full time in 2010. Currently, HEAD and his band are in Nashville recording HEAD's next album with Grammy®-nominated producer Rob Graves (RED, Pillar). The album is targeted for completion February 2010, with a release shortly thereafter on his Driven Music Group label (with distribution through Ryko/Warner Music Group). - more on this story

Testament Reissue Coming Just In time for Slayer, Megadeth Tour

Bay Area thrash legends Testament are taking the stage once again in support of their award-winning 2008 release "The Formation of Damnation". Testament will be touring as special guest with fellow Thrash Legends Megadeth and Slayer.

The tour will feature the classic lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Paul Bostaph and marks the 20th anniversary of these major players taking the stage together on the same stage as Megadeth and Slayer.

The highly successful and award-winning album "The Formation of Damnation" will be reissued just in time for this amazing tour with Slayer and Megadeth with a bonus CD that contains live renditions of the classics; The New Order, Practice What You Preach and Souls Of Black. The tracks will also feature enhanced video clips recorded in Alcatraz for their MTV special 52 bands feature as well as the music video for "More Than Meets The Eye". This Special album re-release with bonus material will be in stores on February 23rd . Testament will have the tour reissue available on all of the dates of the upcoming Carnage Tour prior to it hitting stores. - presale and special package offer info

The Bastard Noise/The Endless Blockade split

The Bastard Noise/The Endless Blockade split L.P. "THE RED LIST" "Conceived in 2007 while BASTARD NOISE was on tour and getting ready to play THE SMILING BUDDHA with THE ENDLESS BLOCKADE, the full length split 12" L.P. "THE RED LIST" is now getting ready to explode the minds of the humanoid "anti-sheep" to its' greatest capabilities. (out 12-7-9)

Both THE ENDLESS BLOCKADE and BASTARD NOISE have worked closely together to make this "awareness-based" audio-violent offering the sickest it can be. T.E.B. offer up one mammoth 14 + minute composition "DEUTERONOMY" that crosses all spectrums of hardcore/true crucial punk madness and the infusion of additional unconventional sound elements, never once pausing their critical attack on the only living species that deserves(and has earned) its' own extinction. CARROLL,EDGAR,KING and NOLAN exemplify extreme crushing expression without any doubt. BASTARD NOISE' back from the conventional dead(with WOOD playing his "FOUR STEEL GIRDERS" for the first time in over eleven years !) deal the listener four tracks of sick and brutal modern hardcore with progressive tendencies that will cause the mind to wander into worlds yet ventured.

BN's line-up includes W.T. NELSON on custom-built electronics, DANNY WALKER (INTRONAUT/MURDER CONSTRUCT) on drums/percussion and WOOD on "FOUR STEEL GIRDERS" ,lyrics and vocals. The first "music -based" release for BN since its' inception in 1991 !! Tracks include "FALLEN SPECIES" / "MOVEMENT TWO" / "MUTANT WORLD OF SHAME" and "MANPHIBIAN" - these tracks mark BN's rebirth and show that bass and drums do not necessarily require guitar to achieve total brutality !! Package will include a special poster and all lyrics plus horrifying graphics. "THE RED LIST is for those who have waited long and hard for a split to truly matter ... " 100 mailorder copies on red wax (CD available thru 20 Buck Spin) - more on this story

. Keith Urban Live in Chicago Nov 2009

Urban kicked it all off with an intimate full band performance for a few hundred fans at Joes on Weed Street in Chicago. He brought the tour full circle with a one-off acoustic/ Q&A performance for a mere 300-fans once again at Joes. - Read the full Keith Urban Live in Chicago Nov 2009 review

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