The Experience Hendrix tour just revealed the musicians who will take part in the 2017 trek, and once again, Zakk Wylde is on that list. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Black Label Society
Ozzfest Meets Knotfest Kicks Off Today
“Let the madness begin!” This was the familiar battle cry for over a decade of Ozzfests. Today Ozzfest is back in the con-joined monst fest that is Ozzfest Meets Knotfest. Continue reading
On The Road… with Zakk Wylde – Book Of Shadows II Tour
One thing about Zakk Wylde he never does what is expected of most guitar heroes. In his nearly 30 year career, he has always thrown curveballs at listeners, paved his own road, and still delivered for fans. Continue reading
Gozu Books European Tour With Holy Grove, New Album Revival Out Now
Boston heavy rockers Gozu, fresh off of their acclaimed Revival (Ripple Music) album have booked an extensive European tour this fall.Continue reading
Zakk Wylde Announces Meet And Greet Dates With Guitar Center
Have you ever wanted to meet a guitar God? Here is your chance! Zakk Wylde has announced a select number of meet & greet appearances surrounding the launch of Wylde Audio at different Guitar Center locations next month. Continue reading
Video: Zakk Wylde – Sleeping Dogs Live
Zakk Wylde opened for Guns`N Roses at Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ on 8/15 as part of the “Not In This Lifetime Tour”. Check out fan-filmed video of Zakk’s performance of his single ‘Sleeping Dogs’ from his album Book Of Shadows II (eOne). You can watch the video at this link or below:
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Gozu – Revival
Stoner rock boys Gozu has a new album out. It’s called Revival (Ripple Music) and it’s a belter. The Boston unit’s third album sees them continue to ply the same brand of muscular stoner-meets-grunge riffs and melodic vocals they’ve been honing since 2009. But the songs are tighter, the riffs bigger, and the quality vocals are allowed to take center stage.
From the battering ‘Nature Boy’ to the grungy ‘Bubble Time’ and slow groove of ‘Oldie’’ Revival rarely has a note out of place. The guitar work, courtesy of Marc Gaffney and Doug Sherman, stretch from almost Black Label Society-esque shredding to Josh Homme levels of fuzziness. The ability to blend both extremes into one record is one of the things that make the album so enjoyable.
At their best, Gozu sound like Kyuss fronted by Chris Cornell. Marc Gaffney’s turn in front of the mic gives an already quality band that extra edge. From the bluesy ‘Dee Dee McCall’ to the swampy but stadium size ‘Big Casino’ and even the slow jam outro of ‘Tin Chicken’; Gozu know how to craft a great song and fill it with catchy riffs and big solos.
From start to finish, Revival is brimming with energy and a stash of riffs. One of the best stoner albums of the year.
8.0/10
DAN SWINHOE
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Ozzfest Meets Knotfest To Feature Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Disturbed, Slayer
Two of the biggest heavy music brands in history have joined together as Ozzfest has returned and will team up with Slipknot’s Knotfest as a conjoined two-day festival. Ozzfest Meets Knotfest will take place Saturday, September 24 (Ozzfest) and Sunday, September 25 (Knotfest) at San Manuel Amphitheater and Festival Grounds in San Bernardino, California.Long-rumoured to be making a comeback, Ozzfest is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Knotfest which debuted in 2012 and has spawned other versions in Japan and Mexico. Tickets for the Live Nation produced fest with a multi-stage, two-day weekend camping event with more than 40 acts — go on sale Friday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. (PST) at Ozzfest.com and Knotfest.com.
At a press conference earlier today the event was announced, followed by a performance by Zakk Wylde’s Zakk Sabbath. Present were Ozzfest founder Ozzy Osbourne and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and M. Shawn Crahan. The event began with a movie screening, followed by a question-and-answer session with artists.
Ozzy commented on the event:
“We are here to create havoc and history. Let the madness begin…”
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor added:
“This could be the one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. Starting out as an Ozzfest band, coming into our own with Knotfest and now combining forces to make a little metal history…it was meant to be and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Shawn Crahan also commented:
“Playing with BLACK SABBATH is always an honor. Merging both festivals will be a legendary experience that will be life-changing for all fans. We are excited to bring all the families together again.”
Cory Brennan, President, 5B Artist Management also added his thoughts:
“The impact of Ozzfest on heavy music and on Slipknot, cannot be underestimated.For 20 years, Ozzfest has given fans their first glimpse at bands like Slipknot, Disturbed and countless others, but also bringing new fans and bands together every year. Ozzfest inspired Slipknot to continue this vital tradition with Knotfest, and it’s an honor to celebrate our genre alongside them in 2016.”
The Ozzfest Meets Knotfest 2016 Lineup Is As Follows, with a “Lemmy” stage included on both days for Lemmy Kilmister Of Motörhead, who passed away this past December 28th.
Ozzfest Lineup – Saturday, September 24
Main Stage
Black Sabbath
Disturbed
Megadeth
Opeth
Black Label Society
Rival Sons
Lemmy Stage
Children Of Bodom
Hatebreed
Devildriver
Goatwhore
Huntress
Dead Cross
Nuclear Blast Stage
Municipal Waste
Kataklysm
Nails
The Shrine
Still Rebel
Knotfest Lineup – Sunday, September 25
Main Stage
Slipknot
Slayer
Amon Amarth
Anthrax
Trivium
Lemmy Stage:
Sabaton
Suicide Silence
Overkill
Emmure
Butcher Babies
Man With A Mission
Nuclear Blast Stage
Whitechapel
Combichrist
Death Angel
Sim
Oni
The NAMM Show 2016 Recap
Once again Ghost Cult, along with the entire music industry it seems, invaded Anaheim, CA for The National Association of Music Merchants, a.k.a. THE NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention center. Taking over the town and part of greater Los Angeles at Night, NAMM is becoming more and more of a yearly pilgrimage for brands, gear heads and artists. Autograph and selfie-seeking fans are also starting to dip in to part of the main weekend, with really only the first two days being “industry only types”. That dynamic is expected to change in 2017 when fans have free range for the entire event. In the mean time the name of the game is networking and wheeler dealer action between manufacturers, merchants and artist reps. The main action is at the booths where the big name gear companies show their new wares, and artists from the up and coming to the legendary vie for attention and props. All day long it’s a schmooze fest and a meeting of the minds in terms of gear mavens, and artists jamming. At night it is the special events such as this years’ NAMM Jam, Tribute to Randy Rhodes, and other events, many held for charity that pack the clubs at a more-exclusive-than-usual for L.A., clip. Whatever your motivation for attending, THE NAMM Show, and its summer-time counterpart can’t be beat for an awesome industry experience and eye-popping star power all in one place. Thanks to Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography or covering it for us this years and bringing us there with her amazing photo set!
Dimebash Charity Concert During NAMM To Feature Pantera, Slayer, AIC Members
The 2016 Monster Energy Ride For Dime Dimebash benefit show will be held at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, CA on January 22nd. The event, based on the annual Ride for Dime charity events, will feature a tribute to Dimebag Darrell Abbott and the music of Pantera. Members of Pantera, in town for The NAMM Show are expected to perform Pantera classics along side members of Slayer, Alice In Chains, Black Label Society, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Stone Sour, Type O Negative, Danzig, King’s X, Devildriver, Prong, Kyng, Armored Saint and more. Proceeds from the event will go towards Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund.
Rita Haney, Dimebag‘s longtime girlfriend commented:
“I think the thing that embodies this event and entity is unity; bringing everyone together to celebrate the music played and loved by Darrell and to benefit the foundation of a very beloved man, Mr. Ronnie James Dio. Dimebag Darrell was notorious for giving us all so much, in some way, even to this day. So to be able to give back in his name is such an honor. With all of this amazing talent in one place it makes for a damn good celebration! C’mon out and getcha pull!”
Frequent events and tributes pop up at The NAMM show. Over the years since Dimebag’s murder in 2004 there has been much interest by fans in the music of Pantera, including the recent Change.Org petition calling to reunite the band, dubbed The Pantera Project, which has gained over 7,500 signatures in just a few months.