SLIPKNOT – ANTENNAS TO HELL (Deluxe Edition)

SLIPKNOT – ANTENNAS TO HELL (Deluxe Edition)                                                            RATING: 5/5

Carl Ewen

It is only appropriate that the first words that hit you while listening to Slipknot’s recently released retrospective are “Here comes the pain” from the song (SIC). It has been over 13 years since the Iowa natives released their self-titled debut album, and they changed the face of metal for the better.

The latest release from the nine piece masked behemoth that is Slipknot, is a greatest hits album, but is not your usual greatest hits. The 19 tracks on this CD were carefully selected by the band themselves, and was pieced together purely for their millions of fans worldwide, affectionately referred to as Maggots.

The selection of songs on Antennas to Hell, start right back from 1999’s Slipknot, through to IOWA (2001), Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004) and closing up with cuts from All Hope Is Gone (2008).

While Slipknot have not released any new material since 2008, during this time they have risen to the highest of the highs, by cementing themselves as one of the top selling metal outfits in the world, headlining numerous festivals and selling out numerous stadiums and arenas the world over. But, during this time they have also hit the lowest points possible, with the tragic loss of Bassist and founding member Paul Gray.

Gray was discovered dead in a hotel room in Iowa on May 24^th 2010, after an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl. The loss of Gray, hit the band in a huge way. But after several months of the scepticism as to whether Slipknot would return, they began touring again in 2011, stating that “Paul would want them to continue” – Corey Taylor.

Following a series of tours, including Soundwave Festival, Australia in February 2012, Slipknot announced the release of their retrospective of tracks for the fans, accompanied (in the deluxe edition of the album) by a live audio CD of their now legendary Download Festival performance from 2009, and a DVD featuring 20 music videos and 10 new short films created by the bands custom percussionist, Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan.

Slipknot are an unstoppable force. They have always done things their way, and do not follow any trends or fashions laid out before them. Many people say they have ‘sold out’, when in reality, the only thing they have sold out, are stadiums and festivals around the globe.

The ‘Greatest Hits’ CD of Antennas to Hell, is a perfect representation of the evolution of this band. From their early Nu-Metal beginnings with fan favourites, (SIC), Surfacing and break through track Wait and Bleed, continuing through to their heaviest album IOWA, with choice cuts like People = Shit and The Heretic Album.

Their third album, Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses is well represented with Duality, Pulse of the Maggots (a track written in gratitude of their very loyal fans) and the Grammy Award winning Before I Forget (Best Metal Performance, 2006). Rounded out with tracks from the last ‘Knot record All Hope Is Gone; Psychosocial, Sulfur and Slipknot’s genuine attempt at a power ballad Snuff.

All of the tracks that a die-hard Slipknot fan would expect are included on this best of, with only a few tracks that still could have been included. Combined in the deluxe version of this release, is a audio CD of their Download 2009 headlining performance, previously made available as a concert DVD, released in memory of their fallen brother Paul.

The intensity of a live Slipknot show are captured as well as they possibly can on this recording. Slipknot are a truly intense live experience, so to have it captured so well on a piece of plastic is astounding. The live cuts, are basically a live version of the greatest hits package, with only but a few tracks difference, but provide the listener with a completely different experience.

Rounding out this spectacular package is a DVD complete with 20 different music and live videos, plus 10 specially directed broadcasts focussing on the 9 individuals that make up the band, directed by Clown.

I am a Maggot, and damn proud of the fact. I can still vividly remember the first time I heard Slipknot, and how my live was forever changed for the better. This nine headed beast has forever changed the face of music and has helped to keep heavy metal alive in the 13 years they have been in existence. Slipknot are forever, no one can stop them, “You cannot kill what you did not create”.

SERJ TANKIAN - HARAKIRI

SERJ TANKIAN – HARAKIRI

By Carl Ewen

Serj Tankian is not one to keep his opinions to himself, and does not hold back when it comes to voicing those opinions. On his latest solo album, there is no change.

Filled with political angst, Harakiri (the Japanese word for ritualistic suicide) is a political and social statement right from the outset, with lyrics such as “Freedom is raped by war, like whore”  from the first single Figure It Out you know that Serj is not messing around.

Throughout the System of a Down frontman’s third solo LP he tackles a wide range of issues facing the world we live in: war, materialism, environmental disasters, corrupt CEOs, and repeatedly refers to animal suicide. He even manages a well-placed swipe at the issue of reality TV, and specifically at Jersey Shore ‘star’ Snookie with the lyric, "I abhor the whore who calls herself reality TV".

Serj Tankian is much more than just a musician. He is an artist. He has an unusual grasp and love for language, and with Harakiri he is able paint pictures in your mind when you are listening to the album.

Serj is very specific about the message of the album, and each song has a very specific mean. On his website he wrote the following statement, telling a story with the song titles from the record:

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 "The Cornucopia of love/hate affairs with Gaia have made us scream "Fuck! Let'sFigure It Out! CEOs are the disease." Where abusive capitalism's only fate is human/environmental devastation.

The Ching Chime, diminutive drama of a gangsta Butterfly revealed that humanity's tears actually outweigh yearly rainfall on the planet. We have witnessed Harakiri on a grand scale tearing out the Occupied Tears of victims preyed on by victims turned aggressors creating a Deafening Silence through which we hear a voice plead, "Forget Me Knot, my child." 

Reality TV has become the searing indictment of a society best described as the Uneducated Democracy. The daughters of the evolution Weave On with blood dripping down their guilty hands onto the flag as the word republic is replaced by empire."

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Serj has an uncanny ability to make you feel when you hear his music. While the album, in parts, rivals the heaviness of System of a Down’s 2001 release Toxicity, it also has it’s quiet almost peaceful moments, but these moments hold just as much depth and meaning as the rest of the album.  

This is an album that seems on the surface to have some very heavy subject matter but Serj Tankian has such a powerful voice, changing between soulful crooning, fast paced rapping and barking, so that album never gets boring. Even weaving in a variety of musical influences ranging from Armenian grooves and Middle Eastern chants especially in one of the stand out tracks Ching Chime.

He is an artist who beliefs he can make a difference to the world and makes you believe that he can. He is an activist who passionate believes in making a change in the world. I’m not the type of person that generally buys into this, so for me to start thinking differently, it says a lot.

Harakiri is easily Tankian’s best solo album, and one of his best pieces of work since SOAD’s self-titled debut, and according to the man himself it is only one of four albums set to be released in 2012.

Serj is a true asset to the musical community, and as he holds residency in New Zealand, this Piha relative is also a true asset to New Zealand.

RATING: 5/5

HELLYEAH - Band Of Brothers

GETCHA PULL!

The new album from the Texan band Hellyeah is due to be released this Friday 6th July.

The supergroup made up of Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbet, Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, Damageplan bassist Bob Zilla and former Pantera & Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul.

The new album is entitled Band of Brothers and is to be released via Eleven Seven records.

Get out and by this new ball busting release from the good ol’ boys in HELLYEAH!

Check out the new video for lead single Band of Brothers here.

FEAR FACTORY - Just Announced

Burton C. Bell - Big Day Out 2010
Photo credit: Carl Ewen

FEAR FACTORYSATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2012

Tickets from 12 Jul at Ticketmaster & Real Groovy

LA's finest exponents of industrial metal make a welcome return visit to NZ in support of their latest album 'The Industrialist'. The band were last seen in NZ in 2010, supporting Metallica in Christchuch.

Formed in 1989, the band are now in their 23rd year and show no sign of easing up.  'The Industrialist' is possibly their strongest album yet and something of a 'concept' album, informed by the recent Occupy and Anonymous movements.  Founding member and guitarist Dino Cazares describes the new album as 'more Fear Factory than anything we've done in years', and he should know.  An acrimonious rift caused Cazares to leave the band for eight years, but he was back on board for 2009's 'Mechanise' and 'The Industrialist' consolidates his return to the fold.

Dino Cazares - Big Day Out 2010
Photo credit: Carl Ewen

Fear Factory's influence on multiple generations of metal bands cannot be over-estimated.  Their combination of death-metal's brutal 'throat singing' and 'clean' vocals within the same song was something of a game-changer in metal.  They were also one of the first metal bands to release a remix album and their use of 'syncopated guitar and kick-drum patterns' can be heard today in genres as diverse as dubstep.

This year Fear Factory embark on an extensive world tour with the odd 'surprise' show thrown into the mix, including a spot on the notorious Gathering of the Jugaloos festival in August.  But wherever they are and whoever they are playing with one thing is certain - '[Fear Factory] it's what still matters most to us', as frontman Burton C. Bell succinctly puts in.

  

Lou Dogg, Dino & NZ_Rocker - Big Day Out 2010
Photo credit: Carl Ewen

Don't miss this chance to see one of metal's most consistently innovative bands when they play....

Announcement courtesy of www.powerstation.net.nz

Watch the video for Powershifter here

The Legacy of Loud – Jim Marshall (1923-2012)

The Legacy of Loud – Jim Marshall (1923-2012)

By Carl Ewen

Jim Marshall - The Father of Loud

The Legacy of Loud – Jim Marshall (1923-2012)

By Carl Ewen

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name ‘Marshall’ is a stack of wall to wall amps lining the back of stage, with a louder than hell band cranking at the forefront. This is the essence of Rock n Roll, and Jim Marshall is the reason it sounds so loud.

Jim Marshall, the founder of Marshall Amplification tragically lost his battle with cancer on 5^th April 2012 aged 88 years. He lived out his life as an innovator, inventor and a philanthropist.

Born in Acton, West London in 1923, Jim was born into a family that included several musicians as well as boxers. At 13 years of age he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis, which forced him to drop out of school, and instead of completing a formal education spend his teenage years working odd jobs. However, during this time he was able to self-educate in two areas that would define his life, engineering and music.

Marshall, known as the Father of Loud, is the man behind one of the most innovative pieces of musical equipment in history. He began his time in the music industry as a drummer and eventually opened a moderately successful music store in West London selling drums and eventually branching out into guitars.

His guitar playing customers included the likes of Pete Townsend (The Who) and Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow) and they often spoke of their need for a specific type of amplifier. It took Marshall six attempts to achieve the trademark, ‘Marshall Sound’, but in 1962 Marshall Amplification was officially and the world of Rock n Roll was changed forever.

Once this new style of guitar amp was unleashed on the world, it did not take long for the music industry and it’s musicians to take notice. Soon enough some of the top guitarists of the 1960’s were cranking the Marshall sound. Guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Page and Eric Clapton were using Marshall Equipment.

To have a stack of Marshall’s vinyl covered cabinets was seen as the epitome of excess and excellence in Rock n Roll music. Although, some of the world’s most famous and decadent musicians in the world chose to exclusively use his amps, Jim Marshall did not live an excessive lifestyle. He lived a simple life, choosing to focus solely on his craft and improving the quality of life for others.

He was also well known for his generosity. In 2003, Jim received an OBE from Buckingham Palace for his services to the music industry and to charity. Over the years, he donated millions of pounds to the hospital in London where he was treated for tuberculosis as a child. He also supported a wide range of causes within his local community in Milton Keynes, including the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club and the Willen Hospice.

He is known as one of the four forefathers of rock music equipment. The other three members being Les Paul – the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, Leo Fender – the founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company and Seth Lover – inventor of Humbucker electric guitar pickups.

When the news of the passing of Jim Marshall was publicly announced the outpouring of messages from musicians across the globe:

Zakk Wylde: "God bless father Marshall... The saying goes leave this world a better place than before you got here. He did.”

Yngwie Malmsteen: "Every day I plug in the studio or stage, he will always be there." 

Joe Satriani: "He created the tone we all cherish in rock: big, bold, and beautiful and in your face. With every power chord, soaring melody and searing lead we will continue to salute his legacy!" 

The legacy of this pioneer of modern rock music will live on for the ages. With the Heavy Metal festival Download, in Donington England has announced the main stage this year will be named after Jim. A tribute concert has also been planned for the 22^nd September at London’s Wembley Arena. “Turning It Up To 11: A Tribute To Jim Marshall” to celebrate the life of Jim and the 50^th Anniversary of the legendary Marshall Amp.

 Although he is gone the legend of Jim Marshall will live on forever through every person who picks up an electric guitar, plugs it into a Marshall Amp and turns it up to 11!

Published in debate magazine Issue 10, 2012

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL: THE BEST FESTIVAL ON EARTH

Heavy Metal in full flight

Published in debate magazine, issue 2, March 2012.

Written by Carl Ewen

Established in 2004, as Gravity Soundwave, Soundwave Festival has fast become one of the most exciting and fasted growing alternative music festivals in the world. In 2012, 92 international bands featured across a total of eleven stages, making this year’s Soundwave the biggest yet.

Co-headlined by heavy metal heavyweights System of a Down and Slipknot, my expectations for this year’s festival were extremely high, even with this being my third Soundwave. Even arriving at Brisbane Airport, my brother and I were lucky enough to land at the same time as two flights from Los Angeles. We ended up meeting Coal Chamber, Limp Bizkit and Steel Panther, so we were stoked!

We arrived early at the RNA Showgrounds to beat the crowds and made our way straight to the metal stages to catch some of the earlier bands of the day. First up is metalcore band Chimaira (7). Headed by lead singer Mark Hunter, Chimaira launch into a solid performance, a little heavy on the keyboards, but the solid blast beats and break downs more than make up for it.

Lexi Foxx - Steel Panther

After Chimaira, its time to leave the metal stage and head to the main arena, to wait in anticipation for one of my favourite bands on this remarkable bill, Steel Panther (10). Hailing from L.A., specifically the Sunset Strip, Steel Panther have been rocking crowds in L.A. since 2000 and released their debut album, Feel The Steel in 2009 and sophomore album Balls Out. Their exaggerated personas imbibe and parody the classic 1980’s glam metal style.

My expectations for Panther were very high, and I was not disappointed. Belting out hits from both albums, Community Property, Just Like Tiger Woods and Death to all but Metal, Steel Panther had the 8,000+ strong crowd singing their lungs out throughout the set. You can tell that Steel Panther are truly excited to be here, and even ask the crowd “Who’s downloaded our album illegally? Put your hand’s up. If you haven’t, do it”.

The problem with so many amazing bands playing a festival of this size is that you end up feeling like a pinball ball bouncing between all the different stages. So it was back to the metal stages to catch Heavy Metal super group, Hellyeah (10).

Made up of Chad Gray and Greg Tribbet from Mudvayne, Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, Damageplan bassist Bobzilla, and former Pantera/Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul, Hellyeah are the ultimate metal party band. They are a truely unstoppable force, cranking through an intense although short set of only 30 minutes, I still feel like I have gotten my moneys worth.

Brian Fair - The Human Octopus

Shadows Fall (7) from Boston, Massachusetts, are up next. Fronted by their heavily dreadlocked vocalist Briar Fair, they open with The Power of I and I. Although the crowd is small, they manage to produce one of the most entertaining circle pits of the day. Frontman Fair’s head looks like an angry octopus with his ankle length dreads flying everywhere during the set. He also lends some important advice to budding musicians, “Never forget to bring your own guitars to a festival or you'll end up with fuckin’ bananas on either side of the stage. We borrowed ‘em from Steel Panther!".

Alt-Rock legends - Bush

Formed in London in 1992, alternative rock band Bush (8) take the main stage at 3.20pm, after a ten year hiatus. Gavin Rossdale & Co. play a range of hits from their extensive back catalogue, including Everything Zen, Come Down and a performance of crowd favourite Glycerine, featuring Rossdale solo on the electric guitar. My favourite moment of the performance however, would be the electrifying cover of The Beatles Come Together, where Gavin leaves the stage and performs at the barrier amongst all his adoring fans. Its great to have these boys back together.

Fred getting up close with the punters

One of the more controversial bands on the bill are the Nu-Metal kings Limp Bizkit (8). It has been eleven years since they last performed in Australia, since the death of Jessica Michalik, who died of asphyxiation during their 2001 Sydney, Big Day Out performance. Fred Durst & Co. pay tribute to Jessica half way through their set by revealing a giant pink banner bearing her name, which is extremely well received by the stadium full of people in attendance. This does not appear to be forced sentiment, its real, and is an extremely touching moment.

Limp Bizkit perform a very entertaining and powerful set full of old-school hits and Fred even jumps into the crowd during the set to get close to their fans. Finishing up with their biggest hit Break Stuff, it is evident to all in attendance that the Bizkit are back!

One of the acts that I was most looking forward to seeing at Soundwave, proved to be the most disappointing. Marilyn Manson (2), was an absolute shambles. The self-proclaimed “God of F**K” was high off his face by his own account, claiming that he was “high on narcotics” throughout the show. His half-assed, diva like performance included low points of throwing his microphone to the ground after every song, face planting on the stage after tripping in his platform boots and tossing bags of ‘narcotics’ into the crowd left everyone feeling very dissatisfied with Manson.

Iowa natives, Slipknot (10) are the most ferocious and intense band on the planet. This behemoth of a band is on a path to pay tribute to their fallen brother, bassist Paul Gray who tragically passed away in May, 2010. Slipknot provide the type of ‘greatest hits’ set that dreams are made of. Filled with flaming pyrotechnics, a stage diving DJ and hydraulic rising drum kits, Slipknot are on top of their game.

  

All hail the mighty Slipknot

  

They open with the ominous opening audio from their debut album and go straight into (sic), followed by Eyeless and Wait and Bleed.  All albums are well represented during their 80 minute set, including Duality, in which DJ Sid Wilson proceeds to scale the lighting tower to dive into the crowd. This is one of the best times I have ever seen Slipknot play. Frontman Corey Taylor assures the crowd that Slipknot will be back, stating “All of you have always stood by us, and Slipknot will always stand by you”. Maggots around the world are thanking you Corey.

System of A Down (10), close the main stage with a healthy dose of alternative metal to the packed main arena. Opening with the electrifying Prison Song, System provide a substantial 28 song setlist, but as I just saw them at Trusts Stadium the Wednesday prior, I’m off to check out Virginian metallers Lamb of God (10).

System of a Down

On stage, Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe can only best be described as a rabid dog stalking his pray with the way he paces and runs back and forth throughout their set. Opening with Desolation from the new album Resolution and blasting into stand out tracks, Walk with me in Hell, Set to Fail and ruin, L.O.G have the crowd eating from their hands. Although the set is cut short, they power on with standard closing tracks Redneck and Black Label, complete with circle pits and walls of death, Lamb of God are intense.

Genuine Rednecks, Lamb of God

Soundwave Festival is definitely the best festival in the Southern Hemisphere, and easily one of the best in the world. If you like your music heavy, you need to save the cash to attend. You will not be sorry. After three Soundwaves (2010, 2011 and 2012) I am already saving for Soundwave 2013. I might just see you there.

Published in debate magazine, issue 2, March 2012.

Serj Tankian - Harakiri

Fuck Lets Figure It Out...No Bullshit

Serj Tankian, frontman of the multi platinum selling band System of a Down, is set to release his latest solo rock album this Friday, 6th July 2012. You can check out the exclusive NZ Album Stream ahead of it's release on www.therock.net.nz


The album Harakiri (Japanese for Ritual Suicide), Serj's third solo studio album, is easily his best release since SOAD's Toxicity. Serj is an artist first, and a mainstay of the metal and rock community second. And his latest offering is an example of this in the way he uses his grasp and love for lanuage, he paints pictures in your head while listening.


This is a political statement album right from the outset, with lyrics like "Freedom is raped by war, like whore" from the lead single Figure It Out. From the first listen, it is a classic. Aggressive, political and intense. Pure Serj!

Serj Tankian - Figure It Out

Serj Tankian
Harakiri
To be released 6th July 2012


Check out the official video for Figure It Out here