Heavy metal music – PITTSBURGH MUSIC MAGAZINE

The Fall Of Hearts Tour: Katatonia, Caspian, and Uncured in Pittsburgh @MrSmalls

March 21, 2017 by Alan D. Welding, posted in Pictorial, Pittsburgh Event, Pittsburgh Premiere

“Katatonia have long displayed a masterful propensity for expressing the tears and torments of mortality, offering sumptuous glimmers of sonic hope to soothe our troubled souls,” so states the biography of the band via their website. It’s not a boast it is simply a fact. The 25-year-old band out of Stockholm has survived the test of time by consistently producing heavy tonal music that is in a category all its own. Never relying on the same output of tunes, Katatonia has repeatedly reinvented themselves without losing themselves, or their audience. As Anders Nyström (guitar) has stated, “Our musical signals and language have changed considerably from 1993 to 2016, but I can still sense a common message in the atmosphere sustaining since day one. Maybe you could call us a progressive metal band with a deep passion for non-metal music? It’s easy to reach all the branches in the tree and let them sway when you have a firm root to climb (http://katatonia.com/biography/).”

Opening with “Last Song Before The Fade” from their new album, The Fall of Hearts, Katatonia was quick to set the intense somber tone of the evening (Set List below via Setlist.fm). With sparse lighting and foreboding swirls of the deepest, darkest metal the band put on a soulful and unforgettable performance.

Caspian, a post-rock band from Beverly, MA were a good pairing for Katatonia as they are not as dark, but just as musically intense and talented. At times reminiscent of a metal U2, the band has performed on the Last Call With Carson Daly which highlighted their atmospheric songwriting.

Uncured is a young progressive metal band out of NYC following in the vein of Opeth, Dream Theater, Mastodon, and Gojira. The band has a bright future considering the critical praise for their EP release and their newly release LP on March 10. 2017.

all photos MPap Photo 2017

World-Renowned Guitarist JOHN 5 Reveals “Season Of The Witch” Full Track Listing

January 12, 2017 by Alan D. Welding, posted in New Release, Tour, Video

New JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES Album, Season Of The Witch, out March 3, 2017

Pre-Orders Begin Early February via iTunes

US Tour Kicks off March 3 in Fife, WA

Awarded 4^th Best Guitarist and 3^rd Best Rock Video in 6^th Annual Loudwire Music Awards

World-renowned guitarist JOHN 5 recently announced the release of his upcoming eighth full-length solo album, entitled Season Of The Witch. The fully-instrumental album, which features his band The Creatures (bassist Ian Ross and drummer Rodger Carter), is set to hit stores on March 3, 2017. The album features experimentation with various genres – including western swing, Spanish flamenco, heavy metal and more – thoroughly showcasing JOHN 5‘s diverse virtuosic abilities. Pre-orders will become available via iTunes in early February.

JOHN 5 took a different approach with the release of Season Of The Witch, choosing to share his new music with fans throughout 2016 by releasing several tracks individually in the form of various music videos. Tracks/videos released include the fast-paced “Black Grass Plague”, downtempo, introspective “Behind The Nut Love”, hard rocking “Now Fear This”, jazz fusion marathon “Here’s To The Crazy Ones” (featuring a bit of “monkeying around”), heavy metal Claymation shredfest “Making Monsters”, and last but not least, the whiskey-soaked “Hell Haw”. The videos have garnered nearly a million views, collectively.

“Since music is so visual nowadays, I thought these videos would be the best way to get my music out there, and it seems to have worked – now everybody knows the songs on the record,” states JOHN 5. “I put so much work into this record with the videos, the artwork, the songwriting and the playing – out of my catalog, this is by far my favorite solo record.”

Season Of The Witch track listing:

1) Book of Spells

2) Black Grass Plague

3) Guitars, Tits and Monsters

4) Now Fear This

5) Behind the Nut Love

6) Making Monsters

7) Dr. Evil’s Spook Show

8) Here’s To The Crazy Ones

9) The Macabre

10) Triple D

11) Hell Haw

12) Ode to Jasper

13) Season Of The Witch

A recently released Season Of The Witch album teaser trailer, directed by Josh Hasty, is available for viewing here.

Kicking off the same day as the album release, JOHN 5 and The Creatures will embark on an 18-date US tour, beginning in Fife, WA. See below for all currently confirmed tour dates.

JOHN 5 “SEASON OF THE WITCH” Tour Dates:

3/3 – Fife, WA @ Louie G’s

3/4 – Everett, WA @ Tony V’s Garage

3/5 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater

3/10 – San Jose, CA @ The Ritz

3/11 – Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55

3/12 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

3/16 – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Cafe

3/17 – West Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go

3/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill

3/19 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

3/23 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music

3/24 – Tyler, TX @ Clicks Live

3/25 – Houston, TX @ Scout’s Bar

3/26 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

4/13 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House

4/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue

4/15 – Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge

4/16 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

JOHN 5 has worked with a varied range of artists, performing as guitarist for some of the biggest headlining rock bands in the world such as Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, as well as playing session with Paul Stanley, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Slash has called JOHN 5, “one of the most mind-blowing guitarists around” and Rob Zombie has dubbed him “a fucking shredder”. JOHN 5 has released seven solo albums to date, as well as a remix album, and has written music for the likes of Avril Lavigne, Garbage, Ricky Martin and others. His upcoming release, Season Of The Witch, follows his previous solo work, Careful With That Axe, which debuted on the Billboard Heatseekers chart upon release in 2014.

JOHN 5 online:

www.john-5.com

www.facebook.com/John5official

www.twitter.com/john5guitarist

www.instagram.com/john5official

ICED EARTH guitarist Troy Seele announces departure from the band due to family responsibilities

August 23, 2016 by Alan D. Welding, posted in Announcement/News

After close to ten years as a guitarist in Iced Earth, the time has come for me to step away. Some of you know, but many do not, that I have a child with Autism. In the past I had a great support system that has allowed me to pursue a career in music. That is no longer the case and it has forced me to make a difficult decision. I’ve always believed that family comes first, and now it is time for me to focus on that.

The demanding life style of being in a professional heavy metal band is no longer an option for me. Knowing the band is focused on a new album and touring cycle, and given my circumstances, this is the best time for me to step down.

Playing in Iced Earth has been a great experience. It’s taken me around the world many times and given me the chance to meet many of my heroes, as well as play in front of crowds larger than I ever dreamed of.

I personally want to thank Jon and the guys for the music and the amazing times through the years. Thank you to the fans for understanding and for your support.”
Troy Seele

ICED EARTH singer Stu Block remarks on Seele’s departure, “It’s very sad that Troy is leaving. He will be missed and will always be considered family to us. I wish him the best of luck in everything he does.”

Jon Schaffer, ICED EARTH founder, states, “Troy was a good friend before he became a part of the team, and always will be. I understand and respect his decision. We shared some of the most amazing times of our lives together. We laughed hard, and we laughed often. Be well brother. We all wish you the very best.”

Troy Seele’s last gig with the band will be Knotfest in Mexico City, October 16th 2016.

For those guitarists who think they’ve got what it takes to be in the studio and on stage with ICED EARTH, send your audition video and contact info to the following link.

https://www.dropbox.com/request/OTbbKP82hQoFOocKUn25

ICED EARTH online:
www.icedearth.com
www.facebook.com/OfficialIcedEarth
www.youtube.com/officialicedearth

Dean Zelinsky Guitars New Engraved Paisley Dellatera Guitar With Antiqued Metalized Finish

August 23, 2016 by Alan D. Welding, posted in Announcement/News, Guitar Gear

Chicago, IL August 23, 2016 – World-renowned guitar designer, Dean Zelinsky, announces the release of his Engraved Paisley Dellatera in an Antiqued Nickel finish. Utilizing an exclusive metalizing process, Zelinsky achieves a realistic engraved metal look on a traditional alder wood body. Guitars are only available factory direct through Zelinsky’s ecommerce site, www.deanzelinsky.com.

Marrying the aesthetics of metal with the feel and tonal properties of wood was the maker’s inspiration. “I have been working on perfecting this look for several months,” stated Zelinsky. “Engraved metal guitars currently on the market have a sexy appeal but are extremely expensive. Additionally, they have other less desirable qualities associated with the metal bodies. We have 100% achieved that look ‘in wood’ without the lofty price tag. In a test at a local music store, players looking at my Dellatera side-by-side a metal body guitar were not able to tell the difference.”

The Engraved Paisley Dellatera comes standard with Zelinsky’s patented Z-Glide™ Reduced Friction Neck. Z-Glide™ utilizes a laser-textured design to eliminate that sticky/tacky feel by removing 70% of the neck surface. Z-Glide™ puts a little air between players and their guitar letting hands glide up and down the neck.

Players can custom configure their guitar with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards, various hardware packages, pickguards, and pickup options including Zelinsky’s revolutionary SideKick™ Pickup. SideKicks are the first pickups that enable a player to have a true single-coil and vintage humbucker in the same space. Players can switch from single to humbucker and the volumes absolutely match.

Additional features include a rock hard Canadian maple neck, 9.5” – 12” compound radius fingerboard, 20:1 locking tuners, Zelinsky’s Hi-Tail single-coil bridge pickup and Broad-Tone neck single-coil, master volume and tone control with 3-way switch, graphite nut and string retainer. Players can customize and order their Engraved Paisley Dellatera directly from Zelinsky’s website, www.deanzelinsky.com, starting at $1299.

About Dean Zelinsky Guitars:

Dean Zelinsky Guitars is the creation of master guitar builder Dean Zelinsky. Dean Zelinsky Guitars represents the crowning point of Zelinsky’s four decades as a guitar designer to the stars. The Dean Zelinsky Guitar collection includes the Tagliare, Dellatera, StrettaVita, Zenyatta, and LaVoce. Selected models feature new guitar technology options, such as his patented Z-Glide™ (Reduced Friction) Neck and SideKick™ Pickup. Celebrated guitarists such as Johnny Winter, Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell, Michael Schenker, Sammy Hagar, Elliot Easton of The Cars, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, Heart’s Nancy Wilson, Leslie West, Kerry Livgren of Kansas, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and scores of others have all played guitars designed and built by Zelinsky. Now, musicians can buy the same quality instrument direct from the man who created such luminary guitars.

Zelinsky launched his new line of Dean Zelinsky Guitars in August of 2013 through his ecommerce website, www.deanzelinsky.com. The company has a USA facility in the Chicago, IL suburbs, offshore manufacturing and worldwide distribution. Dean Zelinsky Guitars range from $369 to $6,000.

For more information, please visit www.deanzelinsky.com.

MAC SABBATH @REXTHEATER SEPT 1

August 18, 2016 by Alan D. Welding, posted in Announcement/News, Pittsburgh Event, Tour

*Mixing raucous comedy with borderline-horrific theatrics, the only thing more petrifying than impending health problems resulting from years of overeating is a MAC SABBATH show. Set wise, this ain’t no value meal – innocent bystanders can enjoy 10 fantastically alarming Black Sabbath-turned-junk food themed tunes on this tour: More Ribs; Chicken For The Slaves; Sweet Beef; Brand of Doom; N.I.B.B.L.E.; Lord of the Swirled; Zippin Up the Uniform; Frying Pan; Cherries Are Fruits; Pair-A-Buns.

*Show attendees should be prepared to partake in the fun – MAC SABBATH puts on a theatrical, multimedia stage show – complete with a smoking grill, laser-eyed clowns, bouncing burgers and many more magical surprises… basically anything and everything an unwary show-goer could ever want in their wildest dreams.

MAC SABBATH BIOGRAPHY

It was the Year of Our Lord 2013, and I was devouring a cheeseburger in a Chatsworth, California, franchise of a certain multinational fast food conglomerate, which shall remain nameless. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a crazed looking clown walking in my direction. Wearing a costume of bright yellow and red, and giant shiny shoes, he seemingly fit into the surroundings, but it didn’t take long to see that something wasn’t quite right. His costume was trailed by long, tattered, hippie fringe that was dirty from scraping the floor (and most likely the alley behind the restaurant), and more alarmingly his face was caked in ghostly make up that looked like it had been smeared on with a putty knife. My first thought was that he looked like Skeletor as a member of Uriah Heap. Taking a seat in my booth, he informed me that his name was Ronald Osborne, and he that he was familiar with my oddity rock band Rosemary’s Billygoat. He was a fan of the band, and said he had a concept I might appreciate, something he termed “drive-thru metal.” Some of the delinquent kids who worked for the franchise had been allowing him and a cast of characters named Slayer Mac Cheeze, Grimalice, and the Cat Burglar, to perform secret rock shows in the bunker-like basements of the local restaurants. But the time had come, he said, to bring drive-thru metal up from the “underground,” and he asked if I would consider becoming the manager of his band. I asked him what the act was called, and proclaimed with pride, “MAC SABBATH!” I barely had time to gather up what was left of my faux food before the restaurant’s manager, apparently annoyed both by the disheveled clown and the content of our conversation, came over and forcefully assisted us out onto the street. As we hit the sidewalk, I looked over at Ronald, watched him brush the dust of cold fries, sodium chloride and GMO remnants of my UN happy meal from his grease-smeared clown suit, and couldn’t help but think there was something special, perhaps even great, about the man.

He invited me to one of these secret shows, and two nights later I was sitting in the basement of a fast food restaurant in the San Fernando Valley, my eyes and taste buds tingling to a new sensation. Drive-thru metal was real, and talk about a feast for the senses! Black Sabbath’s music, hilarious fast food lyrics, smoldering clown heads with laser eyes, a giant purple gumdrop bass player, and Tony Iommi with a giant cheeseburger head. I was confused, amazed, and dare I say it, can’t ever remember feeling so………happy! I told Ronald that yes; I would love to manage his band. It wasn’t going to be easy—nothing ever is with a disturbed clown and a band of Monsanto mutants who refuse to reveal their identities because they think they came here from a wormhole in time direct from 1970. But whoever they are and however they got here, they’re here now and they’re ready, so pull up to the window and check your order, because I am proud to present the world’s newest concept in entertainment, the culinary disgrace that is MAC SABBATH!