Day in Rock Report for 06/22/2011
Judas Priest have added over a dozen dates to the upcoming North American leg of their 'Epitaph' world tour.Last week the band assured fans that this isn't the end for them with the following statement: "We would like to clarify a situation that seems to be confusing a few people out there. When we issued our press release to announce the farewell tour - we stated that it was the last major world tour for Judas Priest - nothing has changed - we didn't say it was the end of the band or that we were going to retire or the band was going to break up........... Just that it would be the last major world tour we would be doing which is still the case. "We have plans for a new album (which we have already announced in an earlier press release) plus possible future releases and we would still consider doing the odd live show - if it is something special or for a great cause - but no more world tours." more on this story
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(Gibson) The guys in Linkin Park are pretty far along in the writing process for their new album. Producer Rick Rubin recently gave an update on the band's progress on their follow-up to 2010's A Thousand Suns."Typically we'll have a once a week meeting to go listen to the songs that they're coming up with and talk about them," Rubin told Billboard.com. "For so early in the project, they are much further along than they have been on the last two albums we did. "On A Thousand Suns there were still a lot of irons in the fire. We knew, 'OK, we can't do this forever. Let's leave this batch and we'll come back and address it when we start up again.'" more on this story
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(Gibson) Chickenfoot fans can expect a new, heavier album from the supergroup this fall. Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony said the group (which also includes Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith) have wrapped up sessions on the record, the band's second, according to UltimateClassicRock.com.Anthony addressed the album in response to birthday wishes (he just turned 57) on his Facebook page: "Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes! The only thing that makes my day better is that mixing on the new Chickenfoot CD is done! It's a lot heavier than the first record and I can't wait to get it out there!" The bass player also spoke to Adam Carolla, on the comedian's Carcast podcast, about release dates for the new music. "The first single should hit the airwaves sometime this summer with the full enchilada to follow in the fall," he said. The album is allegedly titled Chickenfoot IV, even though it's only the second full-length from the guys. more on this story
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(hennemusic) Robert Plant is playing the Montreal International Jazz Festival this Friday evening and, beyond the show itself, the music icon will be honored by event organizers.The Montreal Gazette reports Plant will be presented with the festival's Spirit Award during his June 24 concert at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The award, launched in 2006, recognizes "a popular artist's extraordinary contribution to the musical world." Plant – who makes his festival debut this year - will accept the prize from festival co-founder Andre Menard during his 7 p.m. concert. more on this story
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(Gibson) In the face of many high-profile reunions in rock and metal – from Soundgarden to Buffalo Springfield – Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser said he's not interested in anything of that sort. He was asked by Decibel magazine to discuss the chance of getting back together with brothers Max and Igor Cavalera."Yeah, it's not a possibility at all. We're so far away from that," he said. "Reunions are a weird situation. It's like trying to take back time. It's stupid. It's like you're shaking the last cent in your pocket. It's not music. I'm much more interested in growing up and living for today. Sepultura 2011. I want to build from now not then." In the same interview, Kisser talked about what inspires his riffs nowadays. "Well, life itself. So many things, you learn everything," he said. "I'm a father. I have three kids. I've been married for more than 20 years. That's a whole new experience. Music comes from everywhere." more on this story
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(Rock News Desk) Five Finger Death Punch have announced Chris Kael as replacement for bassist Matt Snell, who was fired at the end of last year. And the new man says he's "living proof dreams can come true".The band have not given a reason why Snell was dismissed, with guitarist Zoltan Bathory explaining: "Yes, he was fired. We have a contract with Matt and it says I can't tell you anything that would hurt his career if he goes any further." But they've now released photos of their most recent recruit and say: "You'll have the chance to see him this summer. It's time to get this ball rolling and get back on the road – we can't wait to hit it." more on this story
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Wes Borland personally responded to Antiquiet's 1 star review of their comeback album "Gold Cobra." "The hatred you have for Fred is part of the reason we've succeeded," Wes DM'd via Twitter. "I could see 1 out of 5 if you were expecting OK Computer, but… As far as LB records go, Gold Cobra is perfect. Your review was smart and I appreciate the kind words towards me, but I'm proud to be here." more(Lambgoat) Testament has announced that they've entered the studio with producer/engineer Andy Sneap (Napalm Death, Megadeth) to begin recording their next album. Notably, the group revealed that renowned drummer Gene Hoglan (Death, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad) has been recruited to perform on the effort more (FMQB) Radiohead has debuted a live video for a new song, "Staircase," as a sneak peek at their upcoming BBC special. more (BW&BK) On Thursday, June 23rd, Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal will be releasing a new song, 'Cat Fight', featuring one of his "all-time favorite vocalists," Mark Tornillo of Accept. more (FMQB) Strokes Hope For U.S. Tour This Fall The band will spend their summer playing festivals in Europe and Japan. more Ex-Oasis member Noel Gallagher married his longtime girlfriend Sara MacDonald over the weekend in New Forest, England. more (SRX) Tesla will be releasing 'Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions' on July 12th. The album will feature 6 tracks that were recorded back in 2005 at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio (which are the last recordings with original member Tommy Skeoch), 6 newly recorded tracks which include acoustic remakes of songs from their entire catalog, and two brand new songs called "Second Street" and "Better Off Without You." 'Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions' is the follow up to 2008's 'Forever More'. more (Lambgoat) The Devil Wears Prada have announced Roadrunner Records as their new worldwide label, excluding North America. more (CR) Steve Hackett has announced four UK shows for November. He'll be joined by Amanda Lehmann (guitar/vocals), Roger King (keyboards), Nick Beggs (bass/vocals), Rob Townsend (saxophone/flute/vocals) and Gary O'Toole (drums/vocals). He had a lot more to say with the back and forth here. (MU) Volbeat's 16 Dollars is being released on a 7 inch illustrated vinyl in a very limited edition. In addition to the studio version, the single features a bonus track with live recordings from Forum, Copenhagen. The single is released on July 11 more (Lambgoat) Blood For Blood have announced all dates for this summer, in both North America and Europe, which includes appearances at With Full Force Festival and Reload Festival, both in Germany, as well as East Coast Tsunami Fest in PA. more (Lambgoat) All Pigs Must Die has announced the cancellation of a previously scheduled 7", in addition to a few other release details. more
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Jeff Beck will be hitting the North American road this fall for a tour that focuses primarily on Canada. The Canadian leg is set to kick off on October 12th in Halifax, Nova Scotia and finishing on October 27th in Vancouver. In addition, four U.S. dates are scheduled for the great Northwest immediately following the Canadian portion, starting in Seattle on October 28th and wrapping up in the wine country of Napa on November 1st. more on this story
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(Gibson) As his European tour draws to a close with a July 4 date in Limerick, Ireland, Bob Dylan has announced the initial dates of a U.S. tour to follow. The 14-date stretch kicks off in Austin, Texas and concludes at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle. According to Dylan's website, additional dates will be released soon. more on this story
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(Rock News Desk) Mike Portnoy says he's not in full control of his new band, Adrenaline Mob – and that's just fine with him.The drummer was well-known for taking charge of every artistic element of former outfit Dream Theater, from song arrangements to artwork, right down to which bands they took on tour with them. But after a year which saw him dramatically quit the band he formed, ask to rejoin only to be refused, and finally surface with Adrenaline Mob following a number of side-projects, Portnoy says he's a new man. "Yesterday was our first rehearsal and we sounded amazing," He tells MusicRadar. "We recorded our album earlier this year, but we never stood in a circle before and fired up. It was electric – I couldn't believe what was happening before me." more on this story
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(RockAAA) Everyone is feeling the sudden loss of Bruce Springsteen sax man Clarence Clemons, who passed away last Saturday following complications from a stroke the week earlier.From one Jersey band to another, rockers Bon Jovi paid tribute to Clemons Sunday night in Denmark, with a performance of the Springsteen classic, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out." "A long way from here, back in our home state of New Jersey," began the introduction by Jon Bon Jovi. "We lost a pillar of the rock n roll community today. Woke up to hear that Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band had passed. The Big Man had gone up to heaven to play for the Big Man upstairs. The only thing bigger in stature and status was probably the size of the guy's heart. He was always kind, always had a kind thing to say…no matter if we were going to see them or he was coming to see us. The Big Man will be missed forever. But the legend of the E Street Band with Clarence Clemons will always live on. So for our friend…and our friends…." more on this story
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We received the following about the first video by The Lingering Doubts whose debut album (cleverly titled The Lingering Doubts) was released earlier this week by New York indie L.E.S. Records. The song is "Auto-Tune Is A Disease" and is a reflection of TLD frontman Christian Dyas' feelings about digitally altered music. When he's not leading the band, he works as music director for Blue Man Group where, he reveals, that on occasion "We actually use Auto-Tune in the group's shows -- as a send-up. He goes on to reflect, "I feel bad that the kids watching Glee think these people actually sing that way; it's painfully obvious that much of what you hear is Auto-Tuned to death."His band's song is, of course, tongue-in-cheek; Chris kids that "It's a rallying cry against a piece of software." But he adds, "The impact that computers have had on music is really depressing." "Some of my favorite recordings, from when I was a kid in the 80s.. punk and post-punk, were by bands who didn't sing perfectly in tune. Joe Strummer would be considered 'pitchy' by contemporary standards. The blues and jazz where it all comes from is all about the 'blue note' -- the place that's in between the regular notes. Auto-Tune takes the character of our singing; there's so much variety of sound from voices recorded in the Auto-Tuneless past. Today, a lot of what's popular is by people who spend all day in the gym to look good on TV and only appear to be talented. They found a way to sell music to people who aren't passionate about music and Auto-Tune plays a significant role in that ruse." Check it out here
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Rock revivalists Rival Sons are giving away the title track to their new album, 'Pressure and Time.' 'Pressure and Time' is featured as this week's free "Single of the Week" on iTunes in the USA. The iTunes "Single of the Week" series offers free singles by the artists that iTunes are most excited about, from emerging acts to hitmakers in a variety of genres. Grab it here
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Epicenter returns for another year. This year's event is set for Saturday, September 24 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA. The day-long rock festival will feature headliners Limp Bizkit in their first Southern California show in over a decade and their first American live performance of 2011. "Limp Bizkit is back, more dangerous and contagious than ever with our original lineup, NEW album Gold Cobra, and Epicenter to take your rock and roll fantasy past the extreme," says Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. "I promise this will be a party you do NOT want to miss. Epicenter will be our first and only Southern California shindig. And fellas, don't be mad that Epicenter will be filled with women...that's how we roll." more on this story
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(Gibson) Gossip Girl actor Penn Badgley has been cast as Jeff Buckley in a new film that will explore the late singer-songwriter's relationship with his folkie father, Tim Buckley. Rolling Stone reports that the movie, titled Greetings From Tim Buckley, will follow Jeff from his performance at a tribute concert for his deceased dad through the release of his first album and his death from drowning in 1997. "To play a man who was singularly gifted as an artist, greatly misunderstood and mythologized as a human being ... It's something very special and sacred," Badgley said in a statement. "I'm going to give all I can to this project." more on this story
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(Jive) "Weird Al" Yankovic's first album in nearly 5 years, Alpocalypse, has finally arrived and it features some surprise guests. Al and his long-time bandmates were aided and abetted in the recording studio by guest appearances from Taylor Hanson and The Doors' Ray Manzarek. The 3-time Grammy Award-winner's Alpocalypse features the much-talked-about Lady Gaga parody "Perform This Way" as well as parodies of hits by Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, T.I. and B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars. more on this story
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(Gibson) Talking to Gibson.com about Queensryche's new album, Dedicated to Chaos, singer Geoff Tate explained that the album was specifically written and recorded with headphones in mind."One of the things we talked about early on with this album is we really wanted to concentrate on the headphone aspect, because people listen to music really differently these days. They don't sit in their room with their stereo system and completely absorb the record like we did when we were growing up. They listen to it passively, and most people listen on their iPods now," he said. "So we thought, 'Let's just make it that way.' We spend a lot of time with headphones on. That's primarily how we compose, so why not take what we listen to and follow suit with that? We wrote the record on headphones, recorded it on headphones, mixed it on headphones – it's pretty much a headphones thing! We listened to all the demos on headphones as we were working out at the gym or doing what we do, just to make sure it had a good feel to it." Dedicated to Chaos will be released via Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud on June 28. Read the full interview with Geoff Tate here.
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(MSO) To help turn up the volume around hepatitis C a benefit concert featuring The Allman Brothers Band will be held in New York on July 27, the eve of World Hepatitis Day.This week marks the one-year anniversary of Allman's liver transplant, which he received after his liver had become damaged from chronic hepatitis C infection. Allman has returned to performing and recording music, and now wants to help raise awareness of hepatitis C. "I'm excited to be working with Merck and the American Liver Foundation because there are many people who have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, but aren't taking action. I want to tell them, don't wait. Doing nothing is not an option; they need to talk with their doctor," said Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. "I made the decision to take action and talk to my doctor, so that I could get back to making the music I love. I want others to take that action too, and if I can help make that happen, I've done my job." more on this story
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Yesterday Audio Fidelity released a 24 Karat Gold CD version of Bad Company's 1975 classic Straight Shooter. The discs will be issued as numbered, limited editions that will be retired after their initial runs have sold out, and will be available from both online and brick-and-mortar retail outlets.Straight Shooter was the sophomore album by British hard-rockers Bad Company. Released in April of 1975, it earned the quartet of Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell its third and fourth hit singles: "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" (penned by guitarist Ralphs) and "Feel Like Makin' Love" (a Ralphs co-write with vocalist/guitarist Rodgers). The latter track was a Top 10 hit and has enjoyed a storied pop-culture legacy, having been covered by, among others, Kid Rock, ska-punkers Goldfinger and country singer Philip Claypool, and used on episodes of The Simpsons and South Park. more on this story
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Sugar have released a remastered version of their 1992 album Copper Blue on vinyl for the first time ever in the U.S. via Ryko on 180-gram vinyl. Sugar front-man Bob Mould supervised every detail of the release, including the remastering and the all new artwork and design. Copper Blue sold over 250,000 units upon its original release and received overwhelming industry and media praise. Rolling Stone christened it "thunderous"; Vogue dubbed it "smashing". NME would ultimately name it their 1992 Album of the Year. more on this story
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(Gibson) In a new interview with Mark Egan of Reuters, keyboard legend Leon Russell thanked Elton John for resurrecting his career.After the glory days of the '70s, Russell slipped from the limelight. "I was used to playing in front of 20,000 and then with only 300 seats, the audience was right up in my face. That took a bit of getting used to." Then the Elton John collaboration album, The Union, went to #3 on the U.S. album chart and Russell was back. "It's a wonderful thing, it's all up to Elton. I am very thankful," he said. A Cameron Crowe-directed documentary of the making of the album has been produced by HBO, and Russell will be playing live again this summer, with Bob Dylan, before recording a new solo album. more on this story
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(WGM) Plug In Stereo are hitting the road for some west coast dates with Weatherstar and Bird By Bird.Plug In Stereo are touring to celebrate the release of Nothing To Something, which is available at Hot Topic stores and on iTunes. The dates will kick off on August 5th in Seattle and wrap up on August 16th in Bakersfield, Ca. more on this story
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(Conqueroo) This past Sunday Tea Leaf Green performed at the fabled Stone Pony bar and frequent home of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in what became a tribute concert for legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons. Springsteen and Clemons met at the Asbury Park bar in 1971, a story both men have told onstage for the past 40 years. Clemons, 69, the "Big Man" in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Saturday night. Fans who came to pay respects were given free admission to evening headliners Tea Leaf Green who showed love and admiration for Clemons. "It was an honor to pay tribute to 'The Big Man' at our last show on this leg of the tour," said guitarist/vocalist Josh Clark. "We saw firsthand how much Asbury Park and the Stone Pony loved him. We listened to him play all day in the van on our way down there." Weren't there... don't worry you can see them on tour
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(Submitted) After two years in the making and a successful launch overseas, Love Crushed Velvet's debut album will finally hit in the USA on July 12, 2011. The intriguing self-titled album evokes the melodic atmospherics of New Wave/post-punk yet is thoroughly modern in its sensibilities. To classic rock chord structures and New Wave flourishes, frontman/songwriter A.L.X. adds his own pop sensibilities. A Love Crushed Velvet tune may recall The Clash, early U2, even the mysterious tone of a David Lynch film—simultaneously. Love Crushed Velvet looked to veterans of the postpunk era in order to best capture the musical spirit of that time—while making it relevant to 2011. As described by A.L.X., "Instead of looking for other young players who had an appreciation of New Wave and early post-punk, we went straight to the source and recruited some of the great talents of that period." Legendary drummer Thommy Price, who is known for the driving rhythm that defined Scandal and Billy Idol and still considered one of rock's most distinguished drummers, anchors the muscular backbeat that characterizes the band's sound. The band's choice to mix their album was veteran David Bascombe (Depeche Mode, The Verve, Placebo, Tears for Fears), who understood the band's stylistic roots yet recognized the contemporary relevance of A.L.X.'s songs. more on this story
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(RockAAA) Def Leppard's "Mirrorball" album is out and the tour is underway. While US dates with Heart started last week, the band has released footage from the tour's opening night at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.The June 7th show, and another one in Dublin on the 8th, were warm-up gigs for Leppard's headlining slot at the Download Festival. Fans can check out Leppard performing its classic song, "Animal," from the rehearsals for the Belfast show here
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(RockAAA) Jinxx of Black Veil Brides revealed a secret during an interview with RockAAA's Ted Rock at Download last week.Band mate Andy Six teased Jinxx about his apparent lack of knowledge of a number of bands sharing the bill saying: "Jinxx only listens to classical music" When pressed, Jinxx admitted that he had fallen out of love with rock when he was a kid and the grunge movement pushed his idols aside. He said: I got into it [classical music] when I was a little kid. For me, rock music was dying out – when grunge came in I got really bored. I found that the rock music I had listened to was based on classical music. Randy Rhoads guitar playing was a big influence on me and when I found Bach it was like those guys were the rock stars – Mozart and Bach" more on this story
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The Rave Live have announced a live pay-per-view webcast of Bury Your Dead's July 2nd concert from The Rave in Milwaukee.Bury Your Dead is headlining the "Over The Limit II Tour", with support from Evergreen Terrace, For The Fallen Dreams, In The Midst Of Lions, Thick As Blood, Hundredth, Betrayal, and Murder Death Kill. All bands are scheduled to be streamed as part of the webcast. Bury Your Dead recently released a new song, "Slaughterhouse Five". The track comes off the band's new album, "Mosh & Roll", which is scheduled for release on August 2 via Mediaskare Records. more on this story
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(EMI) Yesterday Sick Puppies release their new live digital EP, Sick Puppies Live At the House Of Blues Cleveland. Recorded during their Cleveland, OH stop at the historic venue in late 2010 the album is now available exclusively on iTunes (itunes/sickpuppies). The seven track EP features live performances including "All The Same", "Maybe", and current single "Riptide" which entered the Active Rock chart at #4 after a Yahoo! Music exclusive 24-hour video premiere on the homepage. more on this story
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(Gibson) Irish rock superstars U2 have been spending a lot of time working on their set for this weekend's headlining spot at England's Glastonbury Festival. According to The Sun, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. told Radio One's Zane Lowe: "It's taken a lot of time and energy to figure out what the set list is going to be. There's a 'Where the Streets Have No Name' camp or there is the more subtle approach where we could build slowly. "We've gone through a number of combinations and everyone seems to have a different opinion." Just how the band will finally decide is unclear, but Mullen did add, jokingly: "We all know who gets his way in the end." more on this story
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August Burns Red released their brand new album, "Leveler," this week. To celebrate we asked guitarist / primary songwriter JB Brubaker to tell us about some of the favorite songs from the album. Here is today's song "Internal Cannon": Internal Cannon is probably one of the more "out there" songs we've ever recorded. It doesn't really play by the rules of metalcore, and I think that's why I like it so much. Internal Cannon was the second song I finished when writing for Leveler. I didn't set out to write a mariachi inspired metal song. It just sort of happened. The first minute or so came very naturally to me and sounded like a typical August Burns Red song. It had a thrashy intro, a big breakdown, and a lot of riffing going on. What threw the song for a loop was the key change that occurs right before the first clean section. It changes into a key ABR has never played in before and as a result, it just sounded different. I couldn't just go into a heavy open C breakdown because of the key the song had changed to. We have key changes in a lot of our songs, but they are never on purpose. They are simply a result of where the guitars happen to go. I wish I had a better explanation for this, but as a writer who has very little knowledge of music theory I can't explain why. Upon changing keys the song goes into what I like to call the "cruise ship" part. It's a light beachy sounding section that sounds nothing like anything ABR has ever played before. Matt (our drummer) recorded all kinds of percussion instruments over the section and I play a little guitar lead that a hula dancer could shake her hips to. It was at this point that I knew this song was going in strange places and I liked it. After the cruise ship section the song rips back into a thrashy metal riff that doesn't sound out of the ordinary in the least, but things get weird immediately after. The song does a complete 180 as everything drops out except a simple quiet clean guitar line that has a distinctive mariachi vibe. While recording this part our producer, Jason Suecof, described it as something straight out of a Quentin Tarantino film. This mariachi esque section is one of my favorite moments on the entire album because of how off the wall it is. The quiet mariachi section is followed by a long guitar solo that I've been told sounds like Carlos Santana gone metal. It's my favorite solo that I've ever written and I remember sitting in my room for hours working on it. My fingers were getting shredded from bending my strings so much which is something I hadn't done much of in the past. I had an absolute blast writing that guitar solo. When I finished the song I was pretty nervous as to how the rest of my band would react to it. I had a similar feeling a couple hours before we released the song online for everyone to hear. I really had no intention of trying to reinvent ABR's sound, and as a whole I don't think Leveler as an album strays too far from the path we've been following. Internal Cannon is simply us pushing the envelope of our sound and trying something brand new for us. There were mixed feeling about this song within the band when I first showed it to everyone, but in time we all got on the same page and went with it. I figured if we're going to try something different we might as well go all out and make it as crazy as we want. I hope people have as much fun listening to that song as I did writing it. Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!
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Universal Music has an ongoing project where theyre re-releasing keystone albums from some highly-influential classic rock acts, all loaded with previously impossible-to-find stuff like demos, live versions, alternate takes and other music that was until now collecting dust in the vault
- Read the full The Kinks, Thin Lizzy and Traffic review
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