RAVEN BLACK NIGHT SIGN TO METAL BLADE
Adelaide’s Raven Black Night have signed to legendary label Metal Blade Records. The band formed in 1999 and released their debut Choose The Dark in 2005. They’re currently writing a new album which will surely launch them upon a worldwide audience. Singer/guitarist Jim Petkoff says “As founders or Raven Black Night me and my metal brother Rino Amorino are proud and excited to sign with Metal Blade, a label with a rich history and much respected in the metal world. We believe Metal Blade will help bring Raven Black Night to the metal masses and look forward to a great journey together.”
GIG ALERT: THE DEVIL RIDES OUT
West Australian sludge rockers The Devil Rides Out (pictured) are returning to Melbourne for the first time in almost two years (the last time was in support of their debut album on Impedance Records, The Heart & The Crown). Since then they laid waste to the Doomsday Festival in Sydney, gave Dead Meadow, Fu Manchu and Black Cobra a run for their collective monies in Perth, and are now working on their next recording, planned for release later this year. They’re hitting the Espy on Friday June 15 supporting Mammoth Mammoth’s album launch with Dead Star Renegade and Seedy Jeezus. Doors at 8pm. Then on Saturday June 16 they have two gigs: At the Old Bar in Fitzroy with special guests The Wardens and My Left Boot (Tickets $10, doors at 8pm) then the late 2am slot at Pony in the CBD.
GIG ALERT: SLASH WITH MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS
Slash is the epitome of rock and roll. Low-slung Les Paul, cocky slouch, wall of hair, and of course killer riffs and licks. His new album Apocalyptic Love is suitably arse-kicking, and it features Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy on vocals throughout the whole thing (instead of just one a couple of tracks like Slash’s last solo album). The tophatted one sold the hell out of his last tour in under ten minutes, and the venues had to be upgraded quicksmart. So on his next Oz tour, everyone’s favourite snake wrangler is playing at Hisense Arena on Sunday August 26. Make no mistake, this will be Slash in full-on arena mode. Expect to hear G’nR classics, Velvet Revolver hits and material from his solo and Slash’s Snakepit albums. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday June 1.
GIG ALERT: CAVE OF THE SWALLOWS
Melbourne’s Cave of the Swallows are rocking Cherry Bar on Saturday June 2 with Bury The Fallen and Villain. Make sure you catch them, because they’re in talks with a US management firm and are looking at heading off the the US in a few months for a bunch of shows. Search them out on Soundcloud for some great-sounding demos which showcase their energy, chunky guitar riffage, aggressive vocals and killer drumming.
STEEL PANTHER – DON’T STOP BELIEVING!
So remember the Steel Panther tour announced recently? The Melbourne show at the Palace on Sunday October 7 sold out in about 20 milliseconds. But if you missed out on tickets, fear not! On the weekend, Soundwave Touring tweeted “…a note from the boss for Melbourne Fanthers: A 2nd show or venue upgrade WILL HAPPEN. Do not, we repeat DO NOT purchase from scalpers.” So hang tight and I’m sure something will be announced soon. In the meantime, go buy Steel Panther’s current album, Balls Out.
ARE VAN HALEN OZ-BOUND?
A bit of a shitstorm erupted over the weekend after Van Halen cancelled plans for a second leg of their American tour. Speculation splattered everywhere that the band all suddenly hated each other. So David Lee Roth filmed a video (titled Public Relations – search it out on Vimeo) explaining that they cancelled the new shows to avoid burnout, regroup and plan a second US leg with bigger production – the ‘monster truck’ of Van Halen tours, DLR says – which will take place after the band “learns to speak Australian.”
GIG ALERT: PENNYWISE
Orange County punk legends Pennywise just released the brilliant All Or Nothing, and they’re coming to Oz to blast our eardrums out (in the nicest possible way). They play at The Palace on Sunday August 26 with support from The Menzingers and The Sharks. Tickets on sale Friday May 25 at 9am.
ROCK N LOAD!
Don’t forget, the inaugural Rock N Load festival kicks off at The Espy on Saturday May 26. There will be over 30 acts across the entire venue including Electric Mary, Bugdust, The Stiffys, King Of The North, Ten Thousand, Heaven The Axe, I Am Duckeye, The Charge, Anna Salen, Hailmary, Shadowqueen, The Morrisons, Beggars Orchestra, Shadowgame, Bottle Of Smoke, System Of Venus, Arcane Saints, Apache Medicine Man, The Vendettas, Riot In Toytown and many more. Check out rocknloadfestival.com for lineup and ticketing info.
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