Year Long Disaster Begin Work On New Album

Birdmonster Dropping EP

PR reports: Fader Label, is pleased to announce the release of Blood Memory, an EP by San Francisco indie rockers Birdmonster. The songs on Blood Memory were recorded during the sessions for From The Mountain To The Sea, the band's 2008 album produced by Tom Schick (Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones). The 8 song EP will be available exclusively through iTunes for only $4.99 on Tuesday, September 22nd.

Peter Arcuni, lead singer of Birdmonster describes the process for Blood Memory as, "choosing songs for an album is a lot like what I imagine picking favorites amongst your children to be. That is to say: not easy. So instead of picking them yourself, you try to let the songs decide, you try to get out of your own way. And if you can do that, you might find the album congealing all on its own, from start to finish, without needing any help from you. And sometimes what takes shape isn't exactly what you intended, but still something that needs its saying.

These were some of the thoughts ambling through our minds when sifting through the 25 songs that would eventually become the 12 comprising our second album, From The Mountain To The Sea. There were a few casualties. - more on this story

Left Lane Cruiser Hitting The Road

PR reports: Fort Wayne, Indiana's Left Lane Cruiser will hit the road in October in support of their latest release All You Can Eat on Alive Records. The two-man band features Freddie J Evans IV (aka Joe) on slide guitar and vocals, and Brenn Beck (aka Sausage Paw) on big-ass bass drum, harmonica and a toolbox full of percussive gear. Evans provides the firey fingerpicking and husky vocals. For Beck, everything is an instrument: trash cans, washboards, paint trays, hubcaps, ladders, you name it.

Learning their craft by playing at house parties, at the corner streets of their home town, and rehearsing in a heatless garage, they have developed their personal take on the North Mississippi Hill Country sound.

They have toured relentlessly, sharing the stage with artists such as Black Diamond Heavies, T-Model Ford, and Bob Log III. They have also appeared at the infamous Deep Blues festival in River Falls Wisconsin in 2007, 2008 and 2009. - more on this story

Thunderstone Burning Again

MMP reports: Thunderstone is one of the most acclaimed modern power metal bands. The Finnish quintet lead by mastermind Nino Laurenne debuted on the metal scene in 2001, and since then released five full-length albums. "The Burning", Thunderstone's sophomore offering, is still considered as one of their best works, showcasing a perfect blend of speedy riffs, bursting solos and mind-blowing vocals…

"The Burning" was released by Nuclear Blast Records on January 19th, 2004. The album's content was much more complex and heavier than on the debut, mostly thanks to an improved composing process, which focused more on teamwork. "This whole thing in the beginning was my project. On the second album you can tell that it's more of a band effort." – said Laurenne – "On the second disc I wanted the band to be heavier so maybe that's the reason we have moved away from the sound of Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius." The heavier material made vocalist Pasi Rantanen change his vocal style to a much more harsh and powerful one. The album showcased much progress compared to the previous offering. There were still some of Thunderstone's trademark mid-tempo songs to be found (such as the excellent opener "Until We Touch The Burning Sun" or "Mirror Never Lies"), but now they were accompanied by some really fast power metal masterpieces ("Tin Star Man", "Break The Emotions", "Evil Within"), as well as a beautifully lyrical ballad – "Sea of Sorrow". Also, the track "Drawn to the Flame" featured a guest performance by Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo.

Metal Mind Productions will re-release "The Burning" on 5th October in Europe and 1st December in USA (via MVD). New digipak edition includes 6 bonus tracks and is limited to 2000 copies. Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on a golden disc. - more on this story

Fog Rising

PR reports: Sentimental stories continue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock in the mainstream media. But the year was a turning point for rock 'n' roll -- when music fragmented into so many styles and scenes. Prog-rock. Metal. Experimental psych. Kraut-rock. Stoner-rock. Which is why Tee Pee Records, Secret Serpents present "FOG RISING" -- a celebration of the twisted offspring of that fragmentation.

San Francisco is the home of the club festival concept, not to mention psychedelia and poster art. It all started here -- long before the masses passed out and latched onto Woodstock.

Artwork will be displayed by famed poster artists, Alan Forbes, David DAndrea, Alan Hynes and Marq Spusta. Among the bands performing are Witch featuring Mario Rubalcaba of Earthless on drums, this will be Witch's only west coast performance of 2009. Saviours, who release their brand new album "Accelerated Living" on October 26th, Ancestors, who have a highly anticipated release of their own coming out October 6th titled "Of Sound Mind", Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound and many more. - more on this story

Sick Puppies Top Radio Chart

PR reports: Australian rock trio, Sick Puppies' lead single "You're Going Down" has hit the rock world by storm, scoring them a No. 1 record on the Mediabase & BDS Active Rock Charts.

The hard hitting fight anthem appears on the band's latest album, Tri-Polar (RMR/Virgin Records/EMI Music), which released on July 14. Revolver spotlighted Sick Puppies as one of their Bands To Watch in this month's issue on stands now (November 2009). In addition, "You're Going Down," served as the theme for WWE's Extreme Rules PPV broadcast this summer, will be used on WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Video Game (out October 20) and scored them an Unleashed video premiere on MTV2 & MTVu.

Sick Puppies has joined forces with Shinedown on tour until October 24 and will then head back to their homeland of Australia to support Nickelback starting November 10 in Brisbane at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. - more on this story

CMJ Announces New Panels & Panelists

CMJ reports: This October, you'll be able to find Grammy Award-winning producers, Hollywood directors, famed DJs, top musicians and tons of CEOs all in one place, on panels at the 2009 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival. This year will feature over 60 panel discussions, entertainment business legal seminars and mentoring sessions for music lovers to chat it up with industry power-players, famed artists and fans.

New panels just announced include: Graphically Challenged: The Lost Love Of The Album Cover And Beyond, PBS/NPR: 100 Million Consumers Can't Be Wrong, Supurban: An Urban Genre Sounding Board With Some Superior Minds, When Management Goes Label, The Bitter Truth: When Your Live Show Sucks, Internet Radio: A Free For-All, The Greening Of The Music Industry, The Ongoing Battles With Legal (Or illegal) File-Sharing and many others.

Newly confirmed panelists include: (Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday), Bob Boilen, (NPR's "All Songs Considered), Jeff Price (CEO/Founder of Lala), Traa Daniels (P.O.D.), Jarrod Gorbel (The Honorary Title), Chris Jacobs (GM Sub Pop Records), Tim Quirk (VP Programming Rhapsody America) and hundreds more. CMJ has also just confirmed artists Andrew W.K. and hip hop artist/activist Emmanuel Jal as featured speakers for this year's event. - more on this story

Skeletonwitch, Goatwhore and Toxic Holocaust Tour

PR reports: Skeletonwitch will be touring Europe in November and December of this year, alongside Goatwhore and Toxic Holocaust. The tour is a co-headlining run with bands rotating slots each night.

Skeletonwitch guitarist, Scott Hedrick commented: "Hell fucking yeah! We couldn't be more stoked to announce our European dates with Goatwhore and Toxic Holocaust. We've been wanting to get back across the pond for some time and who better to do it with?! We've logged a lot of hours and shard a few thousand beers with both of those bands on the road already. Great fucking people, great fucking bands. Any bets on who gets arrested first: Sammy D. or Joel? Ben Falghoust, don't forget your leather gloves brother!"

Skeletonwitch will be supporting their new full length, "Breathing the Fire," which was recorded in Seattle, WA by producer Jack Endino (High on Fire, Nirvana) and mastering by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer. "Breathing the Fire," hits the streets on October 12 in Europe and October 13 in the US. - more on this story

Assembly of Dust Fall Tour

PR reports: Assembly of Dust will bring their "voltaic, raw live performances" (Paste) to the masses when they head out on a Fall tour in support of their critically lauded new album 'Some Assembly Required,' kicking off on September 10th. [note: we didn't get this announcement until Monday 9/21]

'Some Assembly Required' is being hailed as a triumph. USA Today says the band "dazzle" and the album's tracks "stand tall," while the NY Times says for the band's lead singer and frontman "here's to Mr. Genauer" and saves some praise for the band, "a four-piece that works here with clarity and concision."

'Some Assembly Required' contains the strongest collection of songs the group has created to date, each expertly crafted tune illuminated by a stellar lineup of guests. Every musician recruited (including Bela Fleck, David Grisman, Grace Potter, John Scofield, Mike Gordon, Richie Havens, and Martin Sexton) lends their considerable talents in service of Genauer's skillful compositions, an inspired, inventive and spirited version of American rock and roots music. - more on this story

Thousand Foot Krutch Score With New Album

reports: Thousand Foot Krutch's "Welcome to the Masquerade" has already been touted as a "hit," the "best album of its genre to be released," and one of the "very best albums of the year."

During its first week out, TFK's latest venture made an impact debuting on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 35 and No. 2 on the Christian albums chart. Digitally, the album spent street week in the Top 10 on the overall album and rock chart on iTunes (peaking at No. 4 and No.2).

"On behalf of the band, I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for all of the tremendous support around the new album," shares TFK frontman Trevor McNevan. "It's really been an exciting week, and it feels great to be introducing the new songs live on the Creation tour. We're mixing up the old with the new in this tour set and it's off to a great start!!" - more on this story

Sound and the Jury Round Four Finalist

PR reports: The ACL Sound and the Jury competition is in its final stages. Music fans all over the U.S. voted and the five bands with the most votes have moved on to the final round of the competition.

All five bands are preparing for a live battle of the bands next week in Austin, where they will compete for a spot on the Dell Stage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

The Final Five: Andrew Tinker – Denton, TX * The Bright Light Social Hour – Austin, TX * The Bubbles – Austin, TX * Mobley – Austin, TX * OK Sweetheart (Erin Austin) – New York, San Francisco, Austin - more on this story

. The Used - Artwork

The Useds new album Artwork is one of the best albums I have listened to thus far this year. Packing a one-two punch in the visceral gut, Artwork redefines the rock genre, bridging the gap between hard-hitting heavy metal and modern emo pop. (4 stars) - Read the full The Used - Artwork review

. Jeff Healey - Songs from the Road

This is the second posthumous release of Healeys music and as the albums title intimates the set consists of live cuts. These shows appear to have been cherry-picked to show a different side of Healey, in particular his love for classic rock. (3.5 stars) - Read the full Jeff Healey - Songs from the Road review

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