CHILDREN OF BODOM TO TOUR
Children of Bodom return to Australia in 2014 for an exclusive East Coast tour on the back of their strongest release to date, Halo Of Blood. Fronted by the charismatic Alexi Laiho, CoB deliver live performances that are nothing short of breathtaking, and full of shreddy delights for my fellow guitar nerds, I might add. They’ll be supported nationally by Eye Of The Enemy and will be joined by Orpheus Omega for the Melbourne show, which is on Wednesday May 7 at Billboard. Early bird tickets are on sale now via metalmassacre.com.au, or from ticketing outlets on Monday December 2. There will be a strictly limited VIP meet and greet fan pack pass available from Metal Massacre Online heaped with Australian-only exclusive items.
KILL TV AT THE VINEYARD
Kill TV play what might well be their last show of the year at The Vineyard in St Kilda on Thursday November 21. The first ten people to say they’re there to see Kill TV will get a free CD. See the band at the end of their gig to claim your prize and keep an eye out for the release of their debut single Never Gonna Change in February 2014.
KETTLESPIDER AT THE BENDIGO
Since forming in 2011, Kettlespider’s spirit of inventiveness has grown rapidly. 2012 saw the band independently release their debut album, Avadante, to critical acclaim and play to capacity crowds in some of Melbourne’s iconic venues. In 2013, two new singles (The Transcent and Inevitable) followed, bolstering the band’s reputation and taking their sound in exciting new directions. They’re headlining at The Bendigo Hotel on Friday November 22, performing a range of songs that will appear on their next album, Samsara. Joining them will be instrumental progressive jazz-rock-metal-fusion masters Xenograft, the soulful-heavy musings of Orsome Welles and the pirate-shred party that is Citrus Jam. Tickets are $10 at the door.
MELVINS & HELMET. WHOA.
One of the greatest tours of the year is getting tantalisingly close now. The Melvins (celebrating their 30th year) and Helmet (celebrating being awesome, probably) join up for a December tour that sees them playing approximately ninety billion shows across the country. They’ll be at the Meredith Music Festival on Saturday December 14, and they’ll be playing plenty of shows together in places like Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle and Byron Bay as well. But in Melbourne they’re taking a night each to lay waste to The Hi-Fi, with Melvins on Tuesday December 17 and Helmet on Wednesday December 18. “Has it really only been 30 years?” Melvins singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne ponders. “Dang! Thanks to everyone who’s been there for us. It’s been an exciting trip and I probably should have listened and learned more. I apologize for anything I’ve ever done wrong and for anything I’m going to do wrong…Ha!”
EYEHATEGOD TO TOUR
The oppressively mighty Eyehategod formed in 1988. Y’know what that means? A 25-year legacy of crushing brutality. And to celebrate, they’re on a 25th Anniversary world tour which lands in Australia in January 2014 (yeah, yeah, 2014 would technically be 26 years, but dude, unless they formed in early January 1988, it’s still part of their 25th year. So don’t go getting all mathematical on me, alright?). With founding members Jimmy Bower (guitar) and Mike Williams (vocals), together with long-time serving members Brian Patton (guitars) and Gary Mader (bass), Eyehategod now welcome their newest member Aaron Hill (drums) to the family, after the recent passing of the late Joey LaCaze, who was in the band since their inception way back when. Ticket for all shows are $40 plus booking fee via oztix.com.au, or $50 on the door. On sale now. They’ll be at The Hi-Fi on Sunday January 19.
MATTERHORN RELEASES COVERS EP
Adelaide’s premier hard rock/metal tribute band Matterhorn have released For True Fans Of Rock/Metal, a seven-track slab of hard-hitting covers of songs by Ozzy, Dio, Led Zep, Diamond Head/Metallica (guess which song), Deep Purple and Sabbath. Check it out and get acquainted with the awesome vocals of Amanda Ozolins before the band releases an album of original material next year.
