Randy Blythe Free On Bail
As you’ve probably heard by now, Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe is now back in the USA. Prosecutors in the Czech Republic wanted him held behind bars because they said he might never return to the country, but their protests were overturned and Blythe was allowed to leave after posting $400,000 bail. He was being held on a manslaughter charge related to the death of a fan who fell into a coma after an incident at a Lamb of God concert in 2010. Blythe vows to return for the trial. Search YouTube for an interview with Blythe after being freed.
Gig Alert: High Side Driver
Melbourne’s High Side Driver launch their second single See You Next Tuesday (geddit?) on Friday August 17 at The Evelyn Hotel on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. After the success of their debut single Dark Won’t Lie the band have been holed up in Industry Sound Studios with production great Steve Alexander to record the second single, with its B-side Voices (I Hear). The songs are the first to feature new vocalist Rob Pearson. Headlining the evening will be Pandorum, who will be playing their last show in Australia for quite some time before heading off on another tour of Asia. Also on the bill are Disgruntled Bruntle and Written In Ruins.
Graveyard Ready New Album
Sweden’s Graveyard (pictured) released a hell of a cool but criminally overlooked album in Hisingen Blues in 2011. They’ve already put the follow-up to bed: Lights Out will be released on October 26. Drummer Axel Sjöberg says, “The title Lights Out sums up the feeling of the new album, and a feeling that we have. That these times that we live in are strange times, where no one really sees anything straight/the way they are. …We all know that both we and pretty much everyone was really excited about the cover of Hisingen Blues. So we had to come up with a really strong idea to match the strength of that cover. It’s just about finished now, but even without having seen the final version, we are convinced that no one will be disappointed by the cover to Lights Out. We’ve worked with several people that all added their part, and as the saying goes in Sweden: the sum of the parts is bigger than the parts alone. So sharpen your raven’s hatches and get ready for Lights Out.”
Gig Alert: Anarion, Mason, Thundasteel, Soulforge & Sewerside
Metal Evilution present an atomic evening of thrash and trad metal in Melbourne on Friday August 17. Leading the charge are Melbourne titans Anarion ready to dissolve the weak. They will be ably assisted by thrashers Mason, Syd trad metallers Thundasteel, Broken Hill purveyors of the steel Soulforge and young mosh maniacs Sewerside. The Prague in Thornbury is where you will damage your neck muscles and the only thing more awesome than this line-up is that it is only $10 to see it! \m/
Steve Turner Recording New Material
Melbourne progressive rock composer/guitarist Steve Turner is recording a new seven-track release (hitting that perfect point between EP and album), featuring Evan Harris (Black Majesty) on bass and Chapman Stick, and Rob Brens of Alarum and now Hadal Maw on drums. Zoltan Csorsz from The Flower Kings is on drums for the track Recalibrate the Solar Wind Generators. Engineering and mixing by David Carr. I’ve heard a preview of a few in-progress tracks and it’s incredible stuff. Atmospheric and melodic, some gorgeous sonics and brilliant musicianship. Turner has great guitar technique but he knows when to hold ’em, knows when to fold ’em and knows when to tear your head off. It’s the follow-up to Turner’s Not In Kansas Anymore EP from a few years ago.
Cannibal Corpse Tour Giveaway
Cannibal Corpse are hitting town in October and you can win a fully signed Torture CD and Australian tour poster pack thanks to Metal Blade, Riot Entertainment and Soundworks Touring. There are three signed tour pack giveaways for each show! To be eligible to win, you need to have already purchased a presale ticket or buy one before August 31. Email your name and proof of purchase to [email protected] or message them via Facebook to have your chance of winning. Winners will be notified by Soundworks Touring on September 1. Cannibal Corpse with Disentomb and Entrails Eradicated are performing at Billboard The Venue on Friday October 5.
