The Great Rock News Report 07.23.08

Posted by Daniel Wilcox on 07.23.2008

Death Magnetic approaches, Ozzfest to go back to being a touring festival, AX7 to release DVD, AC/DC tracklisting, Rolling Stones to tour and more news. Plus, Motorhead, Stereophonics, Smashing Pumpkins and The Hold Steady to tour and video interludes featuring Slipknot, The Subways and Scars on Broadway. All that and more in the latest Great Rock News Report!

Intro
Welcome all, to another enthralling edition of The Great Rock News Report. Today we take a look at the upcoming Metallica album Death Magnetic as more news and details about it continue to leak. This album is steadily becoming the one I'm most anticipating, and for someone who doesn't consider themselves a hardcore Metallica fan, that's impressive. As well as that, I've got plenty of album updates from various artists as well as a pleasing news piece on next year's Ozzfest, and much more.

Before we get to the usual activities, I must address The Great Rock Awards 2008, the reader-voted awards I still intend to run. I ran late last week so did not have time to mention this, but the turn out for nominations wasn't as big as I had hoped for. While I got sent a fair few nominations, to make these things be of any worth I need more of you to nominate some stuff. It's only a couple of minutes posting in the comments section, so please do so.

I am determined to make this work and will not give up, so the nomination period will remain open until I am satisfied. Synn, I know you're reading, get nominating.

To reiterate, these awards focus on Summer 2007 - Summer 2008, with the exception of the MVP Award, which is essentially a lifetime achievement deal. Here are the categories again.

Best Album
Best Band
Best Live Band
Best Single
Best Music Video
Best Vocalist
Best Guitarist
Best Drummer
Best Bassist
Best Summer Anthem
Best Unsigned Band
MVP Award for Contributions to Rock

Again, please nominate. You can nominate as many bands/albums/videos etc as you want in each category. Now then, on with the rest of the show!

The Wilcox Chart 7/23
This week's chart sees drastic changes and numerous re-entries. The Subways, Vampire Weekend, The Hold Steady, The Black Kids and Gym Class Heroes all debut on the chart, while Fall Out Boy's Beat It suffers a big drop. Rapper Busta Rhymes appears twice, and Panic At The Disco's Northern Downpour continues its slow climb towards the top.

This Week	Track – Artist (Album)	Last Week	Weeks in Chart
1.	Shake! Shake! - The Subways (All or Nothing)	N/A	1
2.	Last Call To New York City – Elliot Minor (Elliot Minor)	1	2
3.	Peace Sign/Index Down - Gym Class Heroes feat. Busta Rhymes (The Quilt)	N/A	1
4.	I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance - The Black Kids (Partie Traumatic)	N/A	1
5.	Northern Downpour - Panic At The Disco (Pretty. Odd.)	7	6
6.	We Made It - Busta Rhymes and Linkin Park (Blessed)	6	5
7.	Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend (Vampire Weekend)	N/A	1
8.	Frozen - Within Temptation (The Heart of Everything)	8	4
9.	Joke About Jamaica - The Hold Steady (Stay Positive)	N/A	1
10.	Beat It – Fall Out Boy ft. John Mayer (Live In Phoenix)	2	9

Top Stories

Death Magnetic cover art revealed
Metallica have unveiled the cover of their much anticipated ninth studio album. The cover can be seen below.


Death Magnetic has an unofficial September 9th release date and is the follow-up to 2003's critical and commercial flop St. Anger. The new album is supposedly a return to form and is thus one of the most anticipated releases of the year. The album was recorded between March last year and May of this and was produced by Rick Rubin and Metallica. Apparently, Rubin is responsible for ensuring Metallica went back to their roots with the record.

In addition, it was recently revealed at the Microsoft E3 demonstration that the entire Death Magnetic album would be made playable for the game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock at the time when the album is released, and later in October, in the new Guitar Hero game, Guitar Hero World Tour.

Finally, last week James Hetfield revealed in an interview that Death Magnetic will include an instrumental track.

Thoughts: Unlike most it seems, I really like the album cover and think it's one of their best. I also like the album title too. The inclusion of the album in the Guitar Hero franchise is big news for fans of the game and the band and is a major coo for Guitar Hero. If early reviews are anything to go by, then this may be right up there when it comes to best album of the year, and maybe even best Metallica album.

Rolling Stones Tour To Go Ahead, So Says Mick
The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is determined to embark on a European "mini tour" even if guitarist Ronnie Wood - who is currently in rehab following his well-publicized alcohol binge with a 20-year-old Russian waitress - is not fit to perform.

A source said: "Mick officially becomes a pensioner when he turns 65 at the end of July and Keith Richards at the end of the year, and I think Mick wants to get another tour under his belt in case it gets to the point where he can't do any more. Mick is still dead set on going on tour and has even said that they will do the shows without Ronnie if it comes to it."

Mick and the rest of the band are stunned at Ronnie's recent behavior - which saw the rocker flee to his hideaway in County Kildare, Ireland, with Ekaterina, leaving his wife of 23 years, Jo, distraught - because they believed his marriage was happy.

The source added: "Ronnie has always had his drink and drug problems but his marriage was rock solid. Jo kept him together. What's happening now is just something else and Mick and everyone can't quite believe it."

The band hopes the tour will give Ronnie a reason to get better and save his marriage.

Video Interlude with The Subways


"Alright" - The Subways
Taken from their new album All or Nothing, this is vintage Subways, a tremendous driving anthem and a great piece of pure rock. Charlotte's vocals are a welcome addition here as her chanting makes this song for me.

My Rating: 9/10

Brief News Bites

Apparently there was sort of scuffle between Bloc Party and Johnny Rotten, triggered by racial abuse coming from Johnny. They guy's a prick. End of. Next.

Sharon Osbourne revealed yesterday that Ozzfest will once again be a touring festival next year, and that she would like AC/DC to headline.

The new AC/DC album is now apparently titled Dirty Rhythym. Here is the tracklisting;

1. Serious Nuclear Screamer
2. Run Away From Black Ice
3. The Ripper
4. 9 Days In Spider's Trap
5. Rock 'N Roll Defenders
6. Love Madness
7. Long Way To Go
8. RAW
9. Heat It Up
10. Crawlin'
11. Tornado Suicide
12. Caught In A Riff
13. The Legacy

The first single, "Run Away From Black Ice", will be released in late August with the album seeing an October 28 release.

Mudvayne's MySpace page has recently changed, with all the usual features going away and replaced by a simple, riff-heavy music loop and a black screen that displays a message in bursts of static. The message reads, "It's happening. It's coming. Are you ready?" This is the first sign of activity in a while from the Illinois-based band, whose fourth studio album was initially slated to come out late last year and was subsequently bumped to an unspecified release date while the group recorded additional music.

Paramore singer and Great Rock News Report Cover Banner Girl Hayley Williams will appear as a playable character in Guitar Hero: World Tour. The game will be out October 27 and Williams told the press at the E3 convention that "seeing myself [in the game] is the weirdest, creepiest, coolest experience."

On September 9, Avenged Sevenfold will release a DVD/CD package, entitled Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough. The live DVD features the band's April 10 hometown show at the Long Beach Arena headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, while the CD contains previously unreleased b-sides that were recorded during the making of Avenged Sevenfold, plus various covers, and other never-before-heard material. Here is the tracklisting;

CD:
01. Demons
02. Girl I Know
03. Crossroads
04. Flash of the Blade
05. Until the End
06. Tension
07. Walk
08. The Fight
09. Dancing Dead
10. Almost Easy (Remix)
11. Afterlife (Alternate version)

DVD:
01. Critical Acclaim
02. Second Heartbeat
03. Afterlife
04. Beast and Harlot
05. Scream
06. Seize the Day
07. Walk
08. Bat Country
09. Almost Easy
10. Gunslinger
11. Unholy Confessions
12. A Little Piece of Heaven

Korn frontman Jonathan Davis will release a solo DVD in the fall featuring footage from his June 16, 2008 concert at the Union Chapel, Islington in London, England. The set will be available as a "high-quality package" featuring a DVD, a CD plus as-yet-undisclosed bonus material, as well as a DVD only. He is also in the early satges of his first solo studio album. In related news...

Korn is expected to reconvene later this year to begin work on its next studio effort.

Bleeding Through will release their new album Declaration on September 30.

Ozzy Osbourne is set to return to the studio to begin work on a new studio album. Yay.

Cradle of Filth have revealed the title of their new album, due in October, to be titled Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder. The record is desribed as a 72-minute concept record about a legendary serial killer from the 15th Century, Gilles De Rais, a French nobleman who fought alongside Joan of Arc and accumulated great wealth before becoming a satanist, sexual deviant and a murderer. Here is the tracklisting;

01. In Grandeur And Frankincense Devilment Stirs
02. Shat Out Of Hell
03. The Death Of Love
04. The 13th Caesar
05. Tiffauges
06. Tragic Kingdom
07. Sweetest Maleficia
08. Honey And Sulphur
09. Midnight Shadows Crawl To Darken Counsel With Life
10. Darkness Incarnate
11. Ten Leagues Beneath Contempt
12. Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder
13. Corpseflower

Detroit, Michigan rap stars Eminem and Kid Rock have been challenged to a freestyle rap battle, which could pocket their chosen charities $1 million. The offer/publicity comes from the producers of new movie Rap Therapy, which chronicles one Detroit social worker's efforts to use hip hop to help steer troubled teens away from gangbanging, drugs and violence. The documentary features footage of 50 Cent, Diddy, Anne Hathaway, Fergie and Tom Cruise, talking about the benefits of hip-hop as a tool for kids involved in gang violence and abuse. The rap challenge will officially be launched in Detroit on Tuesday.

If that battle does not go down, I will be a sad panda.

Bon Jovi is set to release a new Live DVD before the end of 2008. Band guru Obie O'Brien recently commented on what fans will get: "The DVD will basically be the last two nights at MSG.....and its gonna be really amazing."

The deluxe re-issues of U2's first three albums arrive in stores yesterday, and the band has announced that their classic live album Under A Blood Red Sky will receive the remastering treatment as well. That album will be out as a CD and CD/DVD on September 23.

Shadows Fall recently began writing material for their next release. Singer Brian Fair comments: "We have been in writing mode for the past few weeks and getting a little head start on the new album while we had some down-time. So far, we have the skeletons of two songs coming together, with a third on the way. I am not sure where things will head in the future, but these songs are definitely on the fast and technical side of the Shadows Fall sound. Lots of changes, tons of thrash riffs, and guitar solos galore."

Plain White T's have revealed the tracklisting for their forthcoming album Big Bad World, to be released September 23;

1. Big Bad World
2. Natural Disaster
3. Serious Mistake
4. Rainy Day
5. 1234
6. That Girl
7. Sunlight
8. I Really Want You
9. Meet Me in California
10. Someday

Haste The Day have kicked guitarist Jason Barnes out of the band because he became an athiest. The band has also revealed their new album will be titled Dreamer.

The All American Rejects are currently working in Hollywood on the follow up to their 2005 double-platinum album Move Along. The band recently played a new track called 'Mona Lisa' while supporting Bon Jovi on tour. The album, as yet untitled, is released September 16.

The Verve will now release their new studio album Forth on August 26th as opposed to the previously announced date of the 19th.

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler was arrested last week in Hollywood for alleged drug possession. Los Angeles police spokesman Richard French says the 43-year-old Adler was arrested around 4 a.m. Friday by officers called to a home where a man reportedly was creating a disturbance and refusing to leave. Adler was booked for investigation of possessing narcotics, being under the influence and for an outstanding warrant. He was jailed on $45,000 bail. Adler was an original member of Guns N' Roses but was fired from the band in 1990 due to excessive drug use.

TV on the Radio have announced their new album will be released on September 23 and is title Dear Science.

Every Time I Die are currently in search for a new record label. Vocalist Keith Buckley revealed that the band are "talking to some labels right now, I think people will be very pleased to know that it looks like we will not be signing with a major."

Mike Skinner has finished recording The Streets fourth album, Everything Is Borrowed. The album is slated for an September 16 release date.

Video Interlude with Slipknot


"Psychosocial" - Slipknot

This is pure class. The chorus is fantastic, and the verses are typical Slipknot goodness. If this is a sign of things to come, the new album is going to be a contender for best of the year.

My Rating: 10/10

Tour Dates

US Dates
Motorhead will hit the road in September, with support from Valient Thore, The Misfits, Airbourne and Year Longon Disaster;

Sep. 03 - House of Blues - San Diego, California (no Misfits)
Sep. 04 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep. 06 - The Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, Colorado
Sep. 07 - Harrah's N. Kansas City Voodoo - N.Kansas City, Missouri
Sep. 09 - The Pageant - St. Louis, Missouri
Sep. 10 - Orpheum Theatre - Madison, Wisconsin
Sep. 12 - Myth - St. Paul, Minnesota
Sep. 13 - The Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sep. 18 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, Maryland
Sep. 19 - The Electric Factory - Philidelphia, Pennsylvania
Sep. 20 - Roseland Ballroom - New York, New York
Sep. 21 - Stone Pony Parking Lot - Asbury Park, New Jersey

Avenged Sevenfold have announced a number of new dates:

Sep. 06 - Huntington, WV - WAMX Festival
Sep. 09 - Quebec City, QC - Pavilon de la Jeunesse
Sep. 10 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
Sep. 11 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
Sep. 13 - Chicago, IL - Q101 Block Party

They will then begin a co-headlining trek with Buckcherry, and support from Shinedown and Saving Abel:

Sep. 16 - Moline, IL - iWireless Center
Sep. 18 - Sioux Falls, SD - Canaries Stadium
Sep. 19 - Kansas City, MO - Sandstone Amphitheatre
Sep. 22 - Lincoln, NE - Pershing Auditorium
Sep. 23 - Wichita, KS - Kansas Coliseum
Sep. 24 - Tulsa, OK - Riverparks
Sep. 26 - Huntsville, AL - Big Spring Jam
Sep. 30 - Clemson, SC - Littlejohn Coliseum
Oct. 04 - Mobile, AL - Bayfest

The Smashing Pumpkins have announced a handful of dates for next month, with more to be announced shortly.

8/8 - Adler Theatre in Davenport, IA
8/9 - The Venue in Hammond, IN
8/12 - The Palace Theatre in Louisville
8/15 - Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, NC
8/20 - Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL

Stereophonics will tour the US in September. Their latest album, Pull The Pin, has yet to see a US release.

9/5 - Boston, MA, Paradise Rock Club
9/7 - Toronto, ON, Virgin Festival
9/8 - Philadelphia, PA, World Caf? Live
9/9 - New York, NY, Webster Hall
9/11 - Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
9/12 - Pittsburgh, PA, Mr. Smalls Theatre
9/13 - Chicago, IL, The Metro
9/16 - Los Angeles, CA, Henry Fonda Theatre
9/17 - San Francisco, CA, Great American Music Hall
9/19 - Portland, OR, Wonder Ballroom
9/20 - Vancouver, BC, Commodore Ballroom
9/21 - Seattle, WA, Showbox Market

The Enemy UK, or simply The Enemy, have confirmed a handful of their first-ever U.S. shows. Their debuted topped UK charts last year and will drop in the US on August 5th. The set is titled We'll Live and Die In These Towns. Here are the dates;

8/1 Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
8/3 Allston, MA - Great Scott
8/4 Montreal, QB - Parc Jean Drapeau
8/6 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
8/7 San Francisco, CA - 330 Ritch Street
8/11 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

UK Dates
Counting Crows will be touring the UK this December with Ben Folds and Melee;

Dec 2nd - Newcastle Arena
Dec 4th - Nottingham Arena
Dec 5th - London Wembley Arena
Dec 7th - Manchester MEN Arena
Dec 8th - Cardiff International Arena
Dec 10th - Bournemouth BIC
Dec 11th - Brighton Centre
Dec 13th - Birmingham NEC
Dec 14th - Sheffield Arena
Dec 18th - Glasgow SECC (no Ben Folds at this show)

Lustra, the band responsible for the mammoth "Scotty Doesn't Know" made famous by the film Eurotrip, have scheduled five dates for next month.

Aug 4 - The Metro, London
Aug 5 - Waterats, London
Aug 6 - King Tuts, Glasgow
Aug 7 - The Corporation, Sheffield
Aug 8 - Little Civic, Wolverhampton

The Hold Steady have announced a number of new dates;

9/29 - Oxford Academy
9/30 - Manchester Academy
10/1 - Glasgow ABC
10/2 - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
10/4 - Bristol University Anson Rooms
10/5 - Nottingham Rock City
10/6 - Portsmouth Pyramids
10/8 - London Roundhouse

Gama Bomb have the following UK shows lined up;

7/24 - Colchester, The Twist
7/25 - Stockport, The Thatched House
7/26 - Huddersfield, The Parish
7/27 - Nottingham, Junktion7
7/29 - Poole, Mr C's
7/31 - Peterborough, Met Lounge
8/16 - London, ULU (with Soulfly)

Horse The Band have announced the following tour dates with Atreyu, Story of the Year and As I Lay Dying;

10/15 London, UK @ Astoria
10/16 Lincoln, UK @ English Shed
10/17 Norwich, UK @ UEA
10/19 Cardiff, UK @ University
10/20 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
10/21 Birmingham, UK @ Academy
10/22 Leeds, UK @ Met University
10/24 Hull, UK @ University
10/25 Edinburgh, UK @ Picturehouse
10/26 Dundee, UK @ Fat Sam Live
10/27 Glasgow, UK @ ABC
10/29 Preston, UK @ 53 Degrees
10/30 Manchester, UK @ Academy
10/31 Oxford, UK @ Academy

Video Interlude with Scars On Broadway


"They Say" - Scars On Broadway
I didn't like this track when I first heard it, but with each additional time I've listened to it, it has grown on me. Vocally, Daron is really strong here. Although this essentialy sounds exactly like System of a Down minus the creative genius that is Serj Tankian, it's still a damn good track and I look forward to picking up the album on Monday.

My Rating: 7/10

Outro

Unfortunately folks, that brings to a close another edition of The Great Rock News Report. Aw. But don't worry, I have some essential reading for you.

- The 411 Staff list the Top 5 Punk Bands.
- Dan Marsicano asks What Happened To Down?.
- Ben Czajkowski, whose names is as hard to spell as it is to pronounce, Nine Inch Nails' The Slip.

For wrestling fans, be sure to head over to the Wrestling Zone later today for the latest edition of Thoughts From The Top Rope as well as my new ECW recap, The Palace Perspective.

I'll be back next week with more news, views, vids and dates, but until then, keep rocking, and participate in The Great Rock Awards 2008. Please.