GIG ALERT: REZUME
The most successful metal act to come out of the Indonesian island of Bali, Rezume, are heading to Melbourne for a slamming promotional show for their soon-to-be-released album, Fragment of Blessedness Spermicide, which will be unleashed upon Australia by Prime Cuts Music. It’s described as “a monstorous mesh of guttural death metal brutality, slamming groove and aggressive face-pounding grinding hooks all splashed with a good soaking of tongue in cheek porn inspired scripts!” They’ll be at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood on Friday, September 6 with Whoretopsy, The Ophidian Ascension and Iconic Vivisect.
GIG ALERT: ORPHEUS OMEGA
Melodic death metallers Orpheus Omega (formerly known as Orpheus) released their second full-length album, Resllusion, in May this year and they’ll be hitting Melbourne venues quite a few times over the coming months, so you’ll have plenty of chances to check out this epic set of finely-crafted, keyboard-driven melodeath. They’ll be at Musicland (all ages) on Sunday July 28, the Metal on the Bay festival on Saturday September 7, the Tote on Friday October 18 and the Corner Hotel on Saturday December 14.
VOROS RELEASE PT II OF DEBUT EP
Voros, the-five piece Australian metal outfit featuring former members of Double Dragon and A Red Dawn, have released the second instalment of their three-part debut EP, The Sky Burial EPs. Featuring two new tracks, titled Pollaxe and Death Throes, The Sky Burial EPs: Part II was recorded by Andy Kite at Against The Grain Studios and mixed and mastered by Darren Jenkins (Mortal Sin, Daysend, DepriVation) at Jenk Music Productions. Download it for free at voros.bandcamp.com and check out Pt I (which was released in February) while you’re there. Voros is currently playing shows around Adelaide in support of the new release and have plans for interstate shows in late 2013 and 2014.
DREAM THEATER BIOGRAPHY REVISED
The official authorised biography of Dream Theater will be reprinted in a revised version which will now cover the departure of founding drummer Mike Portnoy, the subsequent welcoming of Mike Mangini into the fold and the band’s successful touring on the back of the album A Dramatic Turn Of Events. The new version of Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater by Rich Wilson features all-new interviews with the band members and others close to the band. The book traces the band’s history from their mid-1980s Long Island origins through to the present, in full, frank and revealing detail. Meanwhile, the band’s self-titled album – their 12th studio album and the second to feature Mangini – is due Tuesday September 24.
PROGFEST RETURNS
Welkin Entertainment and Pony Music present the return of Progfest to the Espy on Saturday August 24, with over 30 bands across three stages. The lineup includes Sleepmakeswaves, Voyager, Mushroom Giant, Glass Empire, Caligula’s Horse, A Lonely Crowd, Toehider, Alithia, Rise Of Avernus, The Black Galaxy Experience, Troldhaugen, Bear The Mammoth, Anarion, Rainbird, Motionless Me, Full Code, Orsome Welles, The Nest Itself, Nihl, Cat Or Pillar, Citrus Jam, Phil Para Band and more to be announced. Tickets are $24+bf and are on sale now from oztix.com.au, The Espy, Polyester (City & Fitzroy), Greville Records, Fist2Face OR directly from the bands. Doors open at 3pm.
AMPFEST
Speaking of Pony Music and things that have ‘Fest’ in them, Pony will be the location of Melbourne Ampfest 2013, on Saturday July 27. Starting at 1pm, it’s an opportunity for guitarists to show off their amps (classic, modern, vintage, boutique, electric, acoustic and bass) and to network (and enjoy a BBQ) in a professional studio environment. Bring your amps, or just turn up to check out what others have. Pony Music is at 3/37-41 Hallam South Road, Hallam.
NEW ARISTOCRATS ALBUM
Instrumental trio The Aristocrats have released their second album, Culture Clash. The Aristocrats comprise a trio of virtuosi: guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller (Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Dethklok) and drummer Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Paul Gilbert and a memorable audition for Dream Theater). There’s also a Deluxe Edition, with a bonus DVD called Accept The Mystery: The Making Of The Aristocrats’ “Culture Clash”. That will include studio footage and exclusive interviews with each member of the band. A limited-edition double-album vinyl edition (only 1,000 copies being pressed) of Culture Clash will be released in late September exclusively through Hostile City Distribution and the band’s webstore, with pre-orders opening in late August.
WANT MARTY FRIEDMAN TO PLAY ON YOUR RECORDING?
Marty Friedman (acclaimed solo artist and former member of Megadeth and Cacophony, but you knew that) has released his first guitar loop library, titled Exotic Guitar, which seems to be pitched at the producer and DJ markets, but hey, there’s no reason you can’t take these loops and add them to your guitar compositions! A total of 65 patterns varying in length were recorded and looped at 140BPM. It’s priced at $24.99 and can be previewed at loopartists.com
TWELVE FOOT NINJA HIT THE ROAD
Fresh from their national tour with the legendary Fear Factory and recent praise from the likes of Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Dino Cazares (Fear Factory), Wolf Van Halen (Van Halen/Tremonti), Misha Mansoor (Periphery) and the folks at Soundwave, genre-bending five-piece Twelve Foot Ninja will bring their sharpened live show to Australian venues this August, September and October for their last homeland tour before heading to Europe, USA, and Canada – where they will undoubtedly become utterly huge. They’ve gone from strength to strength since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Silent Machine in late 2012, recently breaking a world record for the highest amount crowdfunded for a music video. While the massive production for that video is currently underway, Twelve Foot Ninja have released a brand new tour scrapbook video for new single Shuriken, documenting on-tour experiences of the past 12 months. Catch them at Ferntree Gully Hotel on Friday August 30, and the Corner Hotel on Saturday October 5.
