Music News & Notes

HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 TOUR - BEGINNING OCTOBER 29TH

ZOMBIE CURRENTLY GEARING UP FOR HIS RECORD RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD - (September 14, 2009) – The Hellbilly Returns! The Master of monster mayhem Rob Zombie will be destroying a city near you beginning this October 29th on The HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 TOUR. Not since 1998’s super smash triple platinum HELLBILLY DELUXE has Zombie hit the road under that moniker. So get ready to scream!

This will be Zombie's first headline tour since 2007 and will have other ghoulish delights in tow including openers Nekromantix and Captain Clegg & the Night Creatures last seen rocking Haddonfield and Michael Myers in Zombie’s new film HALLOWEEN 2. The tour will usher in Zombie's forthcoming album HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 – Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool (Geffen), a companion to 1998 original.

The tour will blasts off with Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, Las Vegas, NV on the 30th, and a very special Halloween event on the 31st in Hollywood, CA hosted by Uncle Seymour Coffins also seen recently in HALLOWEEN 2. Zombie will be accompanied by his longtime band mates -- guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D, and drummer Tommy Clufetos.

The HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 TOUR will mark Zombie's return to the road after much box office success as the writer and director of HALLOWEEN 2 (Dimension). His R-rated, animated feature, THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, will also be available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray September 22nd.

“I am bouncing off the walls like a mental patient”, says Zombie “ that tells me it’s time to take it to the stage and let the demons loose.”

Selling over fifteen million albums worldwide, Zombie is one of Geffen Record's top selling and the longest running artists on the label. He has written and directed five feature length films, directed dozens of high profile music videos, contributed recordings to multiple soundtracks, and authored several comic books. HALLOWEEN 2 (2009) took hold of the box office recently, following-up his record breaking blockbuster re-imagining of HALLOWEEN in 2007. In 2005, Zombie assaulted the film world with the critically-acclaimed THE DEVIL'S REJECTS (Lionsgate), the follow-up to his already cult classic HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES (Lionsgate 2004).

TOUR DATES:
Date / City / State / Venue
10/29/09 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
10/30/09 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
10/31/09 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Palladium
11/3/09 San Jose, CA San Jose Event Center
11/5/09 Salt Lake City, UT Great Salt Air
11/6/09 Denver, CO The Fillmore
11/8/09 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
11/11/09 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
11/17/09 Akron, OH Civic Theatre
11/20/09 Minneapolis, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium
11/21/09 Des Moines, IL Val Air Ballroom
11/22/09 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
11/24/09 Louisville, KY Broadbent Arena
11/27/09 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
12/1/09 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
12/2/09 Boston, MA House of Blues
12/3/09 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
12/4/09 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
12/5/09 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

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Iron Lamb Inks Record Deal With Pulverized Records

Swedish metallers Iron Lamb have signed to Pulverized Records for the release of their debut full-length album. Pulverized Records issued the following statement about the record deal:

"One of Sweden’s newest, scruffiest and back-to-the-roots Punk rock band IRON LAMB, consisting of some of Extreme Metal’s most prominent figures in the scene, is now officially a part of the Pulverised Records family! Fronted by singer Grga Lindström (ex-Repugnant), this all-star line-up also consists of Johan Wallin of General Surgery on guitars, Thomas Daun of Dismember on drums and 'Swedish Death Metal Book' author Daniel Ekeroth, also of Tyrant and ex-Insision fame on bass. IRON LAMB is slated to record their debut untitled full-length and should see the light of day in the first quarter of 2010. IRON LAMB is probably one of the most unlikely kind of band to be on our roster, but their infectious brand of filthrock and the straight-up Motorhead-esque riffs is absolutely something that we missed and loved from the old days. So naturally, there was definitely no question about it when the band approached us to work with them on the debut full-length album!”

Iron Lamb guitarist Johan Wallin also issued the following statement: "Iron Lamb are stoked on doing our first full-length on Pulverised Records! We are currently working on the songs and preparing for the first shows, and will be ready to record during the first few months of 2010. Expect a whole lot of dubious preaching scumbag rock n roll!

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Killswitch Engage Postpones South American Tour Dates

Killswitch Engage has issued the following announcement about postponing their South American tour dates:

"Killswitch Engage will unfortunately have to postpone their upcoming South America tour due to the illness of lead singer Howard Jones. Howard is currently bed-ridden with a gall stone issue and has been told by his doctor that he should not leave his bed until further notice. He is currently getting proper medical care and hopes to be on his feet and in less pain by the end of the week, at which time we will determine how soon we can reschedule these South America dates. Killswitch would like to apologize to their fans in South America for this set back and want to assure them that the band has every intention to make up these dates in the near future."

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Armored Saint Begins Recording New Studio Album

Los Angeles, California based heavy metal veterans Armored Saint has announced that they will shortly be entering Tranzformer Studios in Burbank, CA to begin recording their sixth studio album. Tranzformer Studios is owned by Dave Jerdan, who previously worked with the band on their 1991 effort, "Symbol Of Salvation." Some of the song titles set to appear on the next record include, "Blues," "Black Feet," "Left Hook From The Right Field," "La Raza," "Chilled," "Loose Cannon" and "Get Off The Fence."

Vocalist John Bush says about the record, "About a year and a half or so ago Joey asked me if I'd be interested in writing some songs. I was in the right mind finally, so I said send me something. To be quite honest, I wasn't thinking in terms of Armored Saint but more like just writing rock music. I felt pretty free with that mentality and the ideas felt very organic. With every passing song things improved and next thing we knew we had about eight songs demoed. Although the idea of sparking something completely new was appealing it became clear that if it was Joey and I the reality was, let's not kid ourselves; this is Armored Saint.

"So here it comes. Embracing my inner R&B singer and coupling that with our influence of the great seventy's hard rock band's we grew up on.?"

Bass player Joey Vera adds: "John and I began writing over 14 months ago and in the beginning we had only a general musical direction in which we were going. Once we decided to keep writing and with more of an intention of turning it into an Armored Saint project, we were faced with a few questions. One was, how does this new music we're writing fit into the current musical styles of today? And should we care? We quickly answered the latter. We realized we should do what we always did and that is to write good songs. And for ourselves first. We are not unaware of our parameters in which we have created over the past 25 years, but we are also not afraid to take chances and simply do what we do best. The idea of trying to continue where we left off over 10 years ago since our last release is not very appealing to me. I have to let go of what I did in 1991 and in 2000. Nothing at all against what we've recorded in the past but my head is in a different place now. Trust me; I still want to kill your senses with music, but just in a different way?"

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Alice In Chains Posts Making Of Video For "Check My Brain" Online

Alice In Chains has posted a "Making of" video talking about their first single and music video for "Check My Brain," off their just-released new album, "Black Gives Way To Blue." Go behind the scenes with Jerry Cantrell and co. as they try and visually recreate the "Seasick" feeling of the "Check My Brain" riff with director Alex Courtes (U2 and White Stripes).



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Official Cover Art for 50 Cent's 'Before I Self Destruct'

Half of 50 Cent's face is burnt as captured in the official cover art for his November 17 release.

50 Cent's forthcoming studio album entitled "Before I Self Destruct" finally gets an official cover art. Obtained via the rap mogul's twitter, the artwork features a headshot of him with half of his face damaged from fire wound.

After several puchbacks, "Before I Self Destruct" is confirmed to be put out for purchase in U.S. stores on November 17. One of the producers involved in the making of the effort is Dr. Dre. The album will also be adapted into a movie, which marks Fiddy's directorial debut and will be included in the album's packaging.

"Because I had additional time, I wrote, produced and directed my own film, 'Before I Self Destruct' and it'll actually be within the album's packaging," Fiddy explained. "So when you buy the record, you'll get the film that I wrote."

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John Henry & The Engine To Release Vinyl 'I Don't Wanna Know' EP

Fans of St. Louis-based John Henry and The Engine are dusting off their phonographs in anticipation of the Oct. 9 release of the band's new EP - and first vinyl record -I Don't Wanna Know EP. The release, which is the third for the band, reflects the river city outfit's soulful style, blurring the lines between rock, classic country and vintage Americana.

I Don't Wanna Know EP will be available on 7-inch vinyl at a special release show in St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 9, at Off Broadway, sponsored by KDHX-FM 88.1 and O'Fallon Beer.

The band will also be performing tracks from the new album and signing advance copies of the record on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at Vintage Vinyl.

Steeped in American roots, I Don't Wanna Know EP feels right at home on the turntable. Side A's energetic title track features rolling piano, brisk violin work and warm harmonies, while Side B offers the cautionary 'Never Lie,' with remorseful melody and rich vocals.

Fans who buy the 7-inch record - which features individually painted cover art - get a free digital download of the EP, including the track 'Lonely the Dark,' not featured on the vinyl album.

'Rock & Roll with a tinge of blues and soul, John Henry and The Engine don't rush the music and that quality control is evident on their brand new release,' writes Vintage Vinyl. 'Don't be shy about being one of the first to pick up their amazing new EP.'

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Integrity Music /Columbia Records Set To Re-Release Sight & Sound: Alive In South Africa And A Timeless Christmas

Contemporary gospel sensation Israel & New Breed is set to re-release his Grammy award winning album Sight & Sound Series: Alive In South Africa as well as the holiday gem, A Timeless Christmas on Tuesday, October 6. on Integrity Music/Columbia Records.

Originally released as separate items in 2005 and 2006, the RIAA Certified Gold, Alive In South Africa, double CD and Alive In South Africa DVD will be together in one package for the release. Sight & Sound Series: Alive In South Africa will feature the Grammy award winning song, "Not Forgotten," the African inspired anthem "Alpha and Omega" in addition to popular tracks "Friend of God," "Again," "I Say Rejoice," and "Turn It Around." The DVD will contain the entire concert from the double audio discs in addition to an extended version of "Alpha and Omega."

Houghton's A Timeless Christmas album which was originally released in 2006 will have a new cover, new packaging and will include one new song for the holiday season, "With Us." Special guest appearances on A Timeless Christmas include gospel greats, Marvin & Cece Winans and Gerald Albright & Lalah Hathaway among others.

In 1995, Israel and Meleasa Houghton founded New Breed Ministries, an organization they continue to run and that is comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large. Since then, Israel has amassed a legion of followers that bridges generational lines with popularity across cultural listener lines. While blasting down barriers, he has been fittingly graced with two Gold-selling albums, six Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award and two GRAMMY Awards, one for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" for A Deeper Level and one for "Best Traditional Gospel Album" for Alive In South Africa.

Houghton's latest album, The Power Of One, was released on March 24 and debuted at No.1 on the Christian Album and Gospel Album charts. The new single "Every Prayer" (featuring Mary Mary) is impacting Gospel radio now.

Israel Houghton is signed to Integrity Music, distributed to Christian retail by Provident-Integrity Distribution and to the general market by Columbia Records/Sony Distribution.

Visit www.israelhoughton.net.

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U2 Speak About Plans To Release Spider-Man Album

U2 have hinted that they may feature on the album for the musical adaptation of Spider-Man.

Singer Bono and guitarist The Edge have recorded lyrics and music for the production, which is due to open next February on Broadway.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, The Edge said an album would definitely accompany the musical, but admitted it was unclear as to whether U2 would feature on it.

“It's hard to say [about a U2 Spider-Man album],” he said.

“There will be a Spider-Man album, but whether it's us or the cast, that's the sort of thing we're not sure about. There are some amazing tunes.”

Bono said that if the group were to make another rock record, “I want to do Spider-Man.”

But he admitted: “I just haven't talked Adam [Clayton, bassist] and Larry [Mullen, drummer] into that.”

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Jermaine Jackson To Judge Michael Jackson Talent Show
For the BBC...


Jermaine Jackson is to judge the new BBC Three talent show Move like Michael Jackson.

Auditions are to be held across the UK to find contestants who can dance like the late singer.

In a statement, Jermaine paid tribute to his brother's dance moves and said he was looking forward to finding “talented and inspiring dancers” in the UK.

Commissioning executive editor Karl Warner said the programme wanted to hear from anyone who had been inspired by the star's famous routines.

The auditions, which will take place in October, are open to anyone aged 16 and over.

The six-part series is due to air later this year.