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Tag: Classic Metal

Interview: Al Jourgensen

ChelseaInterviews

Ministry just unleashed a new album with Moral Hygiene, the fifteenth of the band’s discography. I recently had a chance to talk with Al Jourgensen about what fueled the ideas of the new record, forming a new lineup and recording during the pandemic, and more. I have so much to say and ask you about Moral Hygiene, but I’ve got to start somewhere, so I want to start with “Alert Level”, obviously an awesome track that hits hard right off the bat, and of course you’ve got the lyric video for it out already. Can you talk about what went […]

Interview: Biff Byford

ChelseaInterviews

Saxon released their new album Inspirations, a cover album featuring the artists and songs that influenced and inspired them, via Silver Lining Music this spring. I had the chance to speak with frontman Biff Byford about the story behind the new album, his solo work, music production, social media, and more. You have the new Saxon Inspirations record which was just released, and of course Saxon has been unstoppable for years, releasing studio album after album, so I’m curious what made you want to go into a covers direction this time around?  Well, the main reason was as something fun […]

Interview: Simon Wright

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Holy Diver Live and Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City are two new Dio live album reissues that were released last month via BMG. I had the chance to talk with iconic drummer Simon Wright about the reissues, his memories of the tours and some stories of Ronnie James Dio, the Dio Returns hologram tours and Dio Disciples, as well as some new side projects and albums Simon recently recorded on. Check it out below:  The main topic that brings us here today is of course the Dio album reissues, Holy Diver Live and Evil Or Divine: Live […]

Interview: Bobby Blitz

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BPMD is a supergroup on Napalm Records, featuring Bobby Blitz, Mike Portnoy, Mark Menghi, and Phil Demmel (whose initials all form the band name). This summer, BPMD released American Made, and I had the honor of chatting with Bobby Blitz about the new project. We covered the concept and ideas behind BPMD, and also had a lot of laughs talking about Bobby’s origins and influences as a vocalist, the early days at clubs like Sundance, Roxy, and L’Amour Brooklyn, and the latest on Overkill’s 20th album on the horizon – plus took a few digs at each other for the […]

Feature: NAMM 2020

ChelseaFeatures

NAMM is massive. Both in literal size and in the level of an experience it provides. You can walk for what feels like miles and still not get from one end of the Anaheim Convention Center to the other, yet still have enough of an experience to fill your four days there. Whether you’re walking through the raucous roar of the drum room, the lilting symphonic sounds of the classical instrument rooms, the eye-catching visuals of the DJ booths, or the dissonance of an multitude of guitars being played in a variety of styles all at once, there’s always something […]

Concert Review: Ultimate NAMM Night 2020

ChelseaConcert Reviews

Ultimate NAMM Night 2020 at the Hilton Anaheim was a unique experience, and that’s putting it mildly. After all, where else can you see Alice Cooper’s daughter Calico Cooper taking on “Ace of Spades” alongside Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies), with Gary Holt (Slayer) and Ira Black (Dark Sky Choir) on guitar, Chuck Garric (Alice Cooper/Beasto Blanco) on bass, and Art Cruz (Lamb of God) on the drums? Or a thrash-heavy “Black Diamond” Kiss cover by Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Jack Gibson (Exodus), Chuck Garric, Calico Cooper and Paulie Z (The Sweet, Ultimate Jam Night)? […]

Interview: Keith St. John

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I sat down with Keith St. John for an in-depth discussion on the history of Ronnie Montrose as a figure of guitar excellence and innovation in the rock world, more on Keith’s own background as a musician and as the point person for the Ronnie Montrose Remembered event, growing up on Long Island, some rock and radio history, and even a bit of John 5 and Randy Jackson, as well as music and life overall.  So Keith, we’re kind of cooling down after NAMM right now, and the majority of NAMM for you, I feel like, must consist of Ronnie […]

NAMM Interview: Mats Levén

ChelseaInterviews

You may know Mats Levén from Candlemass, from Trans-Siberian Orchestra, from Yngwie Malmsteen, or any of the multitude of projects he’s been involved in, but you may not have known that he’s also the face behind the solo project known as Skyblood, on Napalm Records. I sat down with him at NAMM for an interview about what’s behind Skyblood, as well as some insight into his songwriting techniques, and NAMM 2020 goings-on.  How are you doing, enjoying your day at NAMM? I’m fine, I’ve only been here for two hours, so I’ve only been to the Marshall booth and Gibson, […]

Ronnie Montrose Remembered To Celebrate the Music of Montrose with All-Star Lineup At NAMM

ChelseaNews

Ronnie Montrose Remembered is an annual event that takes place during NAMM, one which will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year. The event, set for January 17th, 2020 at The M3 Live in Anaheim, CA, unites a vast and continually expanding list of musicians for a tribute concert to the late namesake guitarist of Montrose, led and coordinated by musician and former Montrose frontman, Keith St. John. The lineup so far includes: Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), George Lynch (Lynch Mob/Dokken), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzy Osbourne), Dave Rude (Tesla), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent Band), Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), […]

Interview: Steve Harris

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Steve Harris’s extra-Maiden musical project, British Lion, is just about to release a new album, The Burning, on January 17th, right before kicking off a U.S. tour that runs until the end of February. Steve was kind enough to take the time for a phoner, discussing all the latest goings-on with British Lion, the new album, tour gear, and more. I just want to dig right into the British Lion stuff, I’ve been listening to this record, I’m very excited about it, and I heard that The Burning is a couple of years in the making, so what made now […]

Interview: Sal Abruscato

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A Pale Horse Named Death, the Brooklyn-based band formed and fronted by Type O Negative and Life of Agony’s Sal Abruscato, released their third album, When The World Becomes Undone, earlier this year. I recently spoke with Sal about the creation of the new album, what brought the band back from their hiatus, their European touring ventures, and more.  You’ve got lots going on right now with A Pale Horse Named Death, you just came off the Season of the Dead European tour, which you just mentioned before we started the interview, how was that run? It was fantastic, a […]

Interview: Kenny Hickey

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Silvertomb just released their debut album, Edge of Existence, this month via Long Branch Records. With Type O Negative’s Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly at the helm, the band evolved from Seventh Void and took on a new life with a slew of new songs and sounds, and the addition of three new band members with Joseph James (Agnostic Front, Inhuman), Hank Hell (Inhuman), and Aaron Joos (Awaken The Shadow). I recently had the chance to speak with Kenny about the making of the new Silvertomb album, including the ideas that went into some of the tracks, the personal touch […]

Mötley Crüe To Reunite

ChelseaNews

Subscribe to the Metal Magnitude YouTube Channel The video speaks for itself – the Crüe has officially thrown away the contract that was to inhibit them from ever touring together again. The band is said to have seen a resurgence in their audience, including new fans as a result of their hit Netflix biopic film The Dirt, and their time spent in the studio recording new music for the film gradually led them out of their meant-to-be-permanent touring retirement. The internet is abound with talk of exactly what Mötley Crüe reuniting might mean for the band, and there are rumors of […]

UFO To Continue “Last Orders” In 2020

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UFO has been going strong with their first North American leg of the Last Orders tour, which they just wrapped up this week, but it’s not over yet – a run of 2020 dates have just been announced for February with special guest Damon Johnson (Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy), wrapping up with the Rock Legends Cruise February 27th-March 2nd. For all the details and the full listing of tour dates, check out: http://www.ufo-music.info/.

Final Dio Studio Albums to be Reissued

ChelseaNews

The final four Dio studio albums, released from 1996-2004, are about to get a reissue in 2020, via BMG and Niji Entertainment Group Inc. The newly reissued and remastered Angry Machines (1996), Magica (2000), Killing the Dragon (2002), and Master of the Moon (2004) will feature rare and never before released live and studio bonus tracks, with updated artwork to go along with it all. February 21st, 2020 marks the date of release. Head to: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio/ for more info.