Queensryche (2013)

Much has been said about this band's public split with long-time vocalist Geoff Tate, and subsequent hiring of Todd LaTorre. Much has also been said about the court proceedings that followed and the preliminary injunction that temporarily allows two versions of the band to exist. There are many sources on the Internet where you'll find more than you'll ever want to know about those topics. What I want to talk about is the new, self-titled album just released by the band with their new front man Todd LaTorre- is it another disappointment like the Dedicated to Chaos album, or is it the triumphant return of the Queensruche that brought us classic albums such as Operation: Mindcrime or Empire? Maybe it's actually something else entirely...

Black Sabbath - 13 (2013)

On 11/11/11, the four original members of Black Sabbath announced to the world that they were reuniting, and would be producing a new Album and tour together for the first time in decades. Now, after significant drummer drama, a battle with Cancer, and a relapse of drug abuse, the album is finally here as promised- or not quite as promised depending on your point of view.  Whatever your opinion on the rocky road between the 11/11/11 announcement and the album's release, you have to admit that any new material from the aging progenitors of heavy metal while they are still healthy enough to produce and perform new music is welcome.

Tony Iommi diagnosed with Cancer.

This week, the man known as the Godfather of Heavy Metal was diagnosed at the age of 63 with lymphoma. Luckily, the cancer was detected early enough that he has a fighting chance, but it will still be a difficult road to recovery.

The news comes while Tony and the original members of Black Sabbath are in the midst of recording their reunion album. Mr. Iommi is focused on determining the best treatment plan for his condition, while work on the upcoming album continues.

The entire Metal community is pulling for him, and I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery, and quick return to doing what he does best.

Best wishes from This Blog Goes to Eleven!

They're back! - Original Black Sabbath Lineup Reunites!

November 11th, 2011 - the day that goes to eleven, will go down in metal history. The forefathers of the entire genre- all four original members of Black Sabbath- Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne, announced today that they will be recording an album together, expected to be release some time late next year. The reformed legendary band also announced that they expect to perform at the 2012 Download Festival. No other details were announced.

The announcement was made at a press conference in Los Angeles at the Whiskey A Go-Go club where the band performed their first LA gig 41 years ago. A full write up is available on the Black Sabbath web site.

Eleven Songs for 11/11/11

VH1 classic has declared November 11, 2011 (11/11/11) to be National  Metal Day. The date was chosen, of course, for the same reasons I chose the name of this blog- that famous scene from the move "This is Spinal Tap" involving a Marshall Amp Head that has dials that go to eleven so the band would always be able to go "one louder" whenever they wanted. It is only natural that I should take the time and put together an extra-heavy playlist to commemorate this "Day that goes to Eleven." What is my criteria? To be honest, I don't really have any criteria, it's just songs that I consider to be very heavy, worthy of mentioning on National Metal Day presented in no particular order.

Original Sabbath Lineup Rumors?

Rumors have been circulating for some time that something is afoot in the Black Sabbath camp. A few months ago, a reporter claimed that Tony Iommi hinted that they original Sabbath lineup was planning a reunion. Iommi later denied saying anything of the sort in any interviews, but did not directly refute the rumor itself.

Now with the day that goes to eleven looming before us- November 11, 2011 - or 11/11/11 - you would have to wonder - if Iommi, Butler, Ward, and Osbourne are ever going to do something together again, THIS would be a great time for it- on a day when the whole metal community will be celebrating all things louder than mere "10".

More rumors that the original four members, the original architects of early heavy metal themselves, have been working together again have been popping up. The most interesting evidence is on the band's official website... see it for yourself here. Something interesting is obviously going on, and we will probably know what it is on the 11th.

Irene may do to the Eastern US what The Scorpions did to the 80s!

5 Songs for Casey Anthony

Everyone in the U.S. has heard about the Casey Anthony trial. Most people are very unhappy with the verdict. Whatever you believe really happened, you have to admit that the drama and outright lies surround the case are astounding. It is far weirder than an episode of CSI.

What disturbs you the most about it? Is it the fact that a young child was killed? Is it the fact that the mother was out partying like she was auditioning to be on "Jersey Shore" while her daughter lay dead? Was it the web of lies and fabrications about a non-existent nanny, and a fictional job at Universal Studios? Was it the wild abuse accusations aimed at the grandparents? Or was it the fact that there are more than a few songs out there that seem like they should be Casey Anthony's personal theme music?

Adrenaline Mob New Album Teaser...

Former Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold drummer Mike Portnoy has a new project that is about to come to fruition. He's teamed up with singer Russell Allen (Symphony X), Guitarists Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp) and Rich Ward (Fozzy), and bassist Paul DiLeo to form a new band called Adrenaline Mob, and have nearly completed their debut album.

On Friday, June 24, the Adrenaline Mob performed their first live gig in New York City, and gave the metal world a sneak peek of their new album, and did a few covers of old favorites. There does not appear to be a release date set, but it wold appear that the album will be arriving relatively soon.

Mike Portnoy stated to AOL Noisecreep "I've listened to these tunes so many times already and all I want to do is go out and play them live with this band. I've always had lots of side projects in my life, but what's exciting for me is knowing that Adrenaline Mob is bigger than that. This is a real band with a real future and 11 new songs that I think the fans are going to flip for. This last year for me has been such an emotional rollercoaster, with lots of dramatic highs and lows, so to be in this place right now with these guys and this music — let's just say it's a very happy place for me."

The band respectfully asked their fans to not post recordings of the new material online, but the band has released a teaser clip featuring short sound bytes from their upcoming album, check it out below:

Anthrax - Fight'em 'til You Can't Free Download

Thrash metal giants Anthrax have put up a free download of the track "Fight'em 'til You Can't" from their upcoming album "Worship Music" due out in September of 2011 - just in time for the "Big Four" tour's arrival in New York City - Anthrax's home town.

"Worship Music" marks the return of vocalist Joey Belladonna to the band, and so the album is reported to have a more "classic" Anthrax sound to it. Guitarist Scott Ian stated "This record is filled with not just four years of our lives, but with our lifetime in the band. It encompasses it all, and when I listen to the record, I can hear all the energy and love and hate and pain and laughter that went into this."

A widget on the official Anthrax website will allow free downloads of "Fight'em 'til You Can't" if you're willing to be on their online mailing list- you can get the track using the widget below:

Into The Pandemonium - Celtic Frost (1987)

Some bands release a ground-breaking album that defines, or redefines an entire genre. Some bands release a ground breaking album that defies classification. In 1987, Celtic Frost somehow managed to do both at the same time with their third album "Into the Pandemonium."

By 1987, Celtic Frost had already established themselves as pioneers in extreme forms of heavy metal - mainly what would eventually evolve into black metal and death metal. The band, however, was far from done with experimenting with new and radical ideas- so instead of riding on the success of their previous album, "To Mega Therion," they produced what has stood the test of time as their most radical, and most ambitious effort ever- "Into the Pandemonium."

Crazy Train (Ozzy cover) Hello Kitty Style...

I hereby declare June to be "Shred on a Hello Kitty Guitar Month"

...and this guy just kills it on this cover of Ozzy's "Crazy Train"

The Heavy Metal Vegan Chef...

Finally, something I can post both here AND on my food blog at the same time...

Check below the break for a video of the Heavy Metal Chef whipping up vegan food. I'm no vegan, but when you cook to Dimmu Borgir, Six Feet Under, Iron Maiden, and Styper!?, you've got my attention...

Black Sabbath, The Cartoon (parody)

Does anyone remember TV Funhouse? This clip is probably the funniest thing to come out of that show - it was created by Tommy Blacha - who would go on to become the co-creator of the popular animated series "Metalocalypse," and the fictional band "Dethklok." This video is obviously not meant to be taken serious, so sit back, and enjoy a laugh or two. The video clip features a version of the song "Hand of Doom" from Sabbath's second album, "Paranoid."

Judas Priest makes a guest appearance on the American Idol finale

So, aside from Zakk Wylde's guest spot earlier this season, there has never been a true metal band on American Idol. Until tonight. Fourth place contestant James Durbin got to live out his heavy metal dreams with a little help from Rob Halford and company, performing "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law" - I'll let the video clip do the rest of the talking.

Rest In Peace Ronnie James Dio

July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010

10 Essential Heavy Metal Albums

Pledge Allegiance to METAL

Everyone has their opinions about what makes an album "great." For me it's a combination of factors- was the album important or groundbreaking for it's genre, and is it an album that I want to listen to again and again. I also consider if the parts that stand out to me are just a few individual songs, or is the album consistently good all throughout - would I go back for select singles, or do I want to hear the whole album over and over.

With that said, I feel that the list of albums below (in no particular order) defines what I feel are the best parts of Heavy Metal. I will not claim that this will define the genre from everyone's perspective, but if you work through my list, you'll have a feel for what I personally consider the things that are best about the genre. It is colored by my personal likes and dislikes, and by the periods and movements within metal history that have caught my attention the most. You are free to disagree with my picks, and are more than welcome to discuss why you feel differently than I do. Enjoy!

Mother - Danzig (1988)

The sub genre called "horror-punk" was an interesting one. Take punk rock with all it's attitude and add in lyrics that would feel right at home in an old-school horror film, and you have the idea. The Misfits, featuring lead singer Glenn Danzig from Lodi, New Jersey, were arguably the iconic Horror Punk band. They were, however, short lived.

After the breakup of The Misfits, Glenn Danzig formed a new band, called Samhain - a band that continued the horror-inspired idea. They occupied an awkward stylistic space that sits somewhere between hardcore punk and doom metal. This project too, burned out and dissolved.

Finally, in 1987, Glenn Danzig put together yet another band that was originally intended to be a continuation of Samhain. In order to maintain more control, and to prevent having to start over from scratch if he went through the drastic lineup changes that hurt his previous bands, he named the band "Danzig".

Free MP3 picks - Rainbow, Dio, Heaven and Hell

This week, I came across three free live tracks available on amazon.com that were closely related despite being performed by three different bands. All three feature the vocal talents of the late great Ronnie James Dio.

WhoCares - Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan collaborate for charity

In 1988, a devastating earthquake struck Armenia, and left the country in shambles. In 1989 a group of hard rock/heavy metal musicians came together with the "Rock Aid Armenia" program- including Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), and Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath). The group produced an all star version of the Deep Purple classic song, "Smoke on the Water" with all proceeds going to the help the relief efforts in Armenia.