Black Sabbath Reunion In Doubt
So I guess the biggest metal news this week is that the planned Black Sabbath reunion is seriously in doubt, with all of the band’s gigs cancelled except their Download headlining set – and even that depends on Tony Iommi‘s health as he undergoes cancer treatment. Rumour is that if Tony isn’t up to it, it’ll still go ahead but with other guitarists stepping in to pay tribute, and Tony playing a few songs at the end if he’s well enough to do so. Ozzy will perform the previously-advised Sabbath gigs as ‘Ozzy & Friends,’ with Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler joining him for some classic tracks, and former guitarist Zakk Wyldereturning for a guest spot too.
Ex-Geisha Guitarist Releases Solo EP
Melbourne rock guitarist and music journalist extraordinaire Joe Matera (ex-Geisha, and you might know his work from magazines like Guitar World and, once upon a time, Beat’s sister magazine Mixdown) recently released an EP, Slave To The Fingers, which features special guests including Tony ‘Demolition’ Dolan from the mighty Venom, Rick Brewster from The Angels and Mick McConnell from Smokie. The EP has been getting great reviews internationally, and Joe’s guitar work is tasteful and melodic throughout. Check out his site at joematera.com
Opeth-Testament Alumni Form SOEN
SOEN is a new band featuring drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth), vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree), and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis. They’ve just signed with Spinefarm Records. The band was originally formed in 2005 but was put on ice pretty quickly, pending the right moment to strike. That moment came when Ekelöf was discovered in early 2010. Their debut album Cognitive was produced by GRAMMY-winning producer David Bottrill (y’know, Tool, Muse, Smashing Pumpkins), and it’s available in Australia on March 16. Check out the video for first single “Savia” on YouTube. Definite Tool and A Perfect Circle inspiration, sonically and visually, but hang around for the 1:12 mark where things get almost Meshuggah-esque.
Brendon Small’s Galaktikon
Brendon Small, creator of Adult Swim animation Metalocalypse and the earlier and equally-worth-tracking-down Home Movies, releases a solo album titled Brendon Small’s Galaktikon in April. Check out the cover. Cool, huh? Brendon describes it as a bit of a concept album, and it features his Dethklok live bandmates Bryan Beller on bass and the mighty Gene Hoglan on drums. The music is, of course, heavy as fuck, but it includes melodic vocals too, and a guitar instrumental inspired by the likes of Satriani and Vai. Oh and a new season of Metalocalypseis in the works too.
Gig Alert: Pretty Suicide, Ordnance, Anarion, Defined By Honour
Head to The Prague in Thornbury on Saturday February 24 for Anarion (melodic thrash), Pretty Suicide (groove, sludge, rock, thrash), up-and-comers Defined By Honour and the brutally-logo’d and very death metal Ordnance. It’ll kick ass. The gig is 18+ and tickets are $10.
Double Dragon Call It A Day …For Now
Adelaide metalcore motherfuckers Double Dragon are going into indefinite hiatus mode, with vocalist Lee Gardner (Liggy to you and I) announcing on Twitter that the time is right to move on to other things. But they’ll be hitting Melbourne in May for one last hurrah before they unplug. Double Dragon have put in more legwork than pretty much any Aussie metal band I can think of and they’ve scored some killer supports over the years – including the infamous Megadeth/Slayer gig when Tom Araya lost his voice and Liggy stepped up to sing Hate Worldwide. It’ll suck to live in a world without DD, but you can keep up with Liggy’s rants at thefeej.com and download DD’s final album, Sons Of Asena, for free at sonsofasena.com
Cool Band Alert: Ten Thousand & The House Of Honeys
In regular rotation at Casa Del Crunch of late have been a few local bands, Ten Thousand and The House Of Honeys. Ten Thousand are melodic hard rock with lots of killer guitar work and a bit of a bluesy undertone, both in rhythmic propulsion and lyrical approach. Their EP Tales From The Wasteland is pretty kickarse, and they’re a very strong live band too. The House Of Honeys’ Pretty & The Radical is a bit harder-edged, with shades of the dirtier side of LA’s Sunset Strip. Gritty vocals, filthy guitar tones (in the best possible way), and melodies that strike that rare balance of being memorable without being too pretty and wussy. And their musical arrangements are very well thought out and executed. Check them out on Facebook at facebook.com/thehouseofhoneys – give The Waitinga good blast.
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If you’ve got some news or a rant for Crunch, email me at [email protected] – I’d love to highlight more local bands, get more local gigs mentioned, etc.
