DARIO LORINA JOINS BLS
Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote about guitarist Dario Lorina‘s awesome debut solo instrumental album via Shrapnel Records? Well on January 1 Dario was named new second guitarist in Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, filling the void left by Nick ‘Evil Twin’ Catanese, who announced his departure about a month ago after a decade and a half of faithful service. Can’t wait to hear BLS with Dario on rhythm guitar and the occasional no-doubt-face-melting solo.
BOYS OF SUMMER TOUR LINEUP CHANGE
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Like Moths To Flames have had to withdraw from the Boys Of Summer tour with Blessthefall and The Color Morale. With the tour starting on Wednesday January 8, Destroy All Lines have announced that Gold Coast progressive metalcore outfit Prepared Like A Bride will be joining the tour for all shows (other than one in Sydney and two in Perth). Blessthefall are known not only for their staggeringly powerful live performances but also for their incredibly busy work ethic. Through ten years and four albums the band have risen to the top of an endless stream of core bands. Shutting down venues due to rabid fans crashing already sold out shows and often drawing bigger crowds than the bands they were opening for. The Color Morale bring some post hardcore to the lineup and their message of positivity during times of struggle with a lyrical focus on religion. Catch the mayhem at Arrow On Swanston (all ages) with Glorified and Storm The Sky on Wednesday January 15, and at the Corner Hotel with Trainwreck on Thursday January 16.
GIG ALERT: HEAVY FEST
Heavy Magazine‘s second birthday shows in Sydney and Melbourne are almost upon us! Headlined by Greek extreme metal gods Rotting Christ, the lineup features extreme sonic terrorists The Amenta playing their final ever shows, Melbourne’s blackened horde Terra Australis and Sydney’s progressive Doom masters Rise of Avernus, as well as Denouncement Pyre (Melbourne only) and Bane of Isildur (Sydney only – great name by the way). It’s at The Hi-Fi on Saturday January 18.
GIG ALER: BE’LAKOR & CLAIM THE THRONE
Melbourne’s Be’lakor and Perth’s Claim The Throne will be joining forces across the Nullarbor for the first time in what will undoubtedly be one of the THE most impressive and world class Australian made tours next year, with quality local supports included! With three acclaimed albums and two European tours, Be’lakor have now established themselves as one of Australia’s most important metal acts. The band is in the midst of writing their fourth album, a follow-up to 2012’s Of Breath and Bone. And Claim The Throne return with their third full-length album, Forged In Flame, a 70-minute epic which sees the band take a darker and heavier approach whilst maintaining all the melody and catchiness the band are renowned for. They’ll be at The Bendigo Hotel on Sunday January 26 with Orpheus Omega, Okera and Heisenberg, and Karova Lounge in Ballarat on January 30 with The Hazard Circular, HackxWhore and Order Of Torment.
NEW JAMES RYAN ALBUM OUT NOW
Melbourne guitarist James Ryan (Men At Work, Kate Ceberano, Vanessa Amorosi, Jon Stevens and Olivia Newton John) has just released a new solo album called Twelve Tall Tales. It features James’ tastefully scorching shreddage (influenced by the likes of Jeff Beck, Richie Kotzen, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, with rhythm section contributions from Robi Parolin, Anthony Dawkins and Marcus Ryan.
CRIMSON PROJEKCT TOUR RESCHEDULED
The planned tour by The Crimson ProjeKCt – the King Crimson offshoot featuring Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto – has been postponed due to scheduling difficulties. Originally scheduled for January, the concerts will now take place in June 2014, with the Melbourne show now taking place at The Hi-Fi on Thursday June 26. Ticketholders for Melbourne show will be re-ticketed for the new date immediately.
NEW PERIPHERY ON THE WAY
If you missed it in the pre-Christmas rush, djent overlords Periphery will release Clear on Friday January 24 via Roadrunner Records. It’s a songwriting experiment where each of the band’s six members has contributed a song, all tied together via a common musical thread. Guitarist Jake Bowen says, “Clear is an experiment to explore all of the different writing styles in the band. It’s rare when you have a band where every member is capable of writing and producing music. With each member controlling their own track, this recording enabled us to go down any path we chose in terms of style and sound.” Periphery hit Australia next month with special guests Animals As Leaders, and they’re at Billboard on Sunday February 2.
