Saturday, June 6, 2009

Music News & Notes

Green Day Reveal New Single

Green Day release their new single ‘21 Guns’ next month.

Taken from their number one album, ‘21st Century Breakdown’, Green Day release this new single on July 13th on Reprise Records. ‘21st Century Breakdown’ has already topped the charts in 22 countries including USA, Germany, France, Japan and Canada and in support of its release Green Day return to the UK this October for their first full tour since early 2005.

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AHAB: New Album Samples Available


AHAB, the German funeral doom metal band featuring MIDNATTSOL guitarist Daniel Droste on guitar/vocals and ex-MIDNATTSOL guitarist Christian Hector, has posted a four-minute teaser audio file containing clips of five songs from the group's sophomore album, "The Divinity Of Oceans".

"The Divinity Of Oceans" will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

July 22 - Finland, Spain
July 24 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Sweden
July 27 - Rest of Europe
July 28 - Canada, U.S.

The CD cover, which is a painting by Théodore Géricault called "Le Radeau De La Méduse", can be viewed below.

According to the band, the guitar parts for AHAB's new album, which were mostly written by Daniel Droste this time, are "a bit more complex, yet in a funeral doom and death doom style." Hector says, "It sounds a bit like a mixture of the 'good ole' AHAB style mixed with very atmospheric tunes. So the description of AHAB as it's posted on Doom-Metal.com as a 'riffing funeral doom band' still is valid. You may say there are riffs, that sound a bit like Devin Townsend going funeral doom, CARCASS in slomo or MORBID ANGEL going beyond the slowness of 'Blessed Are The Sick'. Still to some extent the influence of our colleague of Tyranny can still be heard in some few riffs. So most of the music stays the same as you know it, although there are some hints to postcore and classical doom as well. It also maybe said, the songs are much more epic and vast. I think the new riffs fit perfectly to tell the story of the wreckage of the Essex! So Daniel made it quite easy for me to fit the lyrics to the music!"

AHAB is named after Captain Ahab, a character in the novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. Along with its name, the band also draws thematic and lyrical inspiration from "Moby Dick" — some songs even feature direct quotations from the book.

AHAB is:

Daniel Droste: Guitar, Voices, Synths
Christian Hector: Guitar
Stephan Wandernoth: Bass
Cornelius Althammer: Drums

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Spookey Ruben Releases New Album

Hi-Hat Recordings artist Spookey Ruben returns to delight us once again with his knack for colouring outside current musical trends: June 2nd marked the release of Mechanical Royalty (via Sonic Unyon), an album that skips merrily through the garden of musical genres, playing tribute to everything from Yacht Rock to death metal.

At the heart of the album lies the seven chapter prog rock epic 16min title track where Spookey Ruben tackles a genre forever riddled with ridicule. With its 12-keyboards-and-a-robe-with-a-30-ft-dragon-on-stage guise, Spookey, historically attracted to projects that absolutely don't fit in the hipster category, manages to tantalize once again with his latest pièce de résistance.

Mechanical Royalty (a pun, alluding not only to the album cover and storyline of the title track, but also to a music business term) is an intense 70s/80s rollercoaster ride, but its Spookey's point of view that makes it feel inviting and brand new, consistently dishing up his excitement for music in his own special heartfelt way.

In addition to his musical prowess, Spookey is the mastermind behind 'Spookey Ruben's Dizzy Playground' (AUX.tv/Exclaim.ca), an ongoing series of short films guest starring notable musicians like Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), John McEntire (Tortoise/The Sea and Cake), Melissa Auf Der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins). Upcoming episodes will include Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy), Brian Borcherdt (Holy F*ck) and Leslie Feist (Feist).

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Who Set Releasesd

Geffen Records has released a deluxe 2-CD edition of "The Who Sell Out," one of the group's most important and eclectic albums and the precursor to Tommy.

Released in 1967, it was also Pete Townshend's first attempt at a concept record. Although not a totally successful experiment, it remains a critical hit from a music perspective along with a curiosity in some of the "extras" on the album. The idea behind the set was a broadcast from a pirate radio station, Radio London with jingles and fake commercials included between songs.

The album was a moderate success, reaching #48 on the album charts #13 in the UK) and producing the top ten single "I Can See For Miles."

This new release contains 27 additional tracks, including alternate versions and five that have never before been released. Included are both the mono mix, which has not been available in the U.S. or the U.K. since 1967, plus the standard stereo version. A must have for any fan of the Who- or for rock and roll for that matter.

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