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DARK EMPIRE- New Single Available on iTunes

Posted in All Metal, Artist Watch, New Music, News, Releases with tags DARK EMPIRE, From Refuge to Ruin, metal, music, rock, The Rock Tribune, TheRockTribune.com on February 29, 2012 by Randy

New Jersey’s DARK EMPIRE return to the scene with their third release, this March entitled From Refuge to Ruin. Fusing elements of extreme and classic metal, 70’s prog rock, and poetic, meaningful lyrics, DARK EMPIRE bring forth a tremendously successful amalgam that is refreshingly unique as well as raw and aggressive.

Today sees the first official digital single release from the new release From Refuge to Ruin. The track entitled “A Plague in the Throne Room” is available exclusively on iTunes. The single features special artwork designed by acclaimed artist Gustavo Sazez known for his work with Arch Enemy, God Forbid and Morbid Angel amongst others. Purchase your copy of the digital single HERE.

Heavy Metal and Hard Rock hub Noisecreep is hosting an exclusive premiere of a track from DARK EMPIRE‘s new album. The song entitled “The Crimson Portrait” can be heard HERE.

DARK EMPIRE have released a track off of From Refuge to Ruin on their official Facebook Page HERE.

Dominating through the intricate songwriting are powerful new vocalist Brian Larkin (who replaces Jens Carlsson of Persuader and Savage Circus fame) and the commanding riffs of lead guitarist/main songwriter Matt Moliti, who also lends a chilling death vocal counterpoint to Larkin’s leather-throated melodic lines. In addition to Moliti’s elaborate guitar work and Larkin’s attention- grabbing vocals, DARK EMPIRE features the deep resonance of bassist Randy Knecht and the “Dave Lombardo-meets-Gavin Harrison” drumming of session player Matt Graff.

Not being ones to repeat themselves, DARK EMPIRE has injected fresh new influences into their follow up to their 2008 release “Humanity Dethroned”. Taking a cue from 70’s prog masters such as Genesis and King Crimson, Dark Empire inventively utilize vintage Mellotron and Hammond Organ samples throughout the album, as well as delicate 12-string acoustic interludes and haunting, atmospheric melodies (coming to full fruition in the powerfully epic title track). This is not to undermine the push DARK EMPIRE has also made in the heavier end of the dynamic spectrum, now utilizing seven-string guitars, crushing doom metal moments, and blistering death metal-inspired riffs. For older fans, these new elements serve to compliment, not overshadow, the band’s thrashy progressive metal roots, and the 13-minute-plus dark and doomy album closer “The Cleansing Fires” serves as a musical culmination of the broadened range of styles found throughout.

With pristine and powerful production from Jeremy Krull and artwork by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Firewind, Morbid Angel) along with fresh creative input and exceptional talent, DARK EMPIRE will surely become the new cross-over favorite for any metal fan.

Tracklisting

1. A Plague in the Throne Room

2. Dreaming in Vengeance

3. The Crimson Portrait

4. Dark Seeds of Depravity

5. From Refuge to Ruin

6. Lest Ye Be Judged

7. What Men Call Hatred

8. Black Hearts Demise

9. The Cleansing Fires

For More Info Visit:

http://www.facebook.com/darkempireband

http://www.nightmarerecords.com

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CAVO ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR NEW ALBUM THICK AS THIEVES IN STORES APRIL 10TH

Posted in Artist Watch, New Music, News, Releases with tags CAVO, music, rock, Rocklahoma Festival, The Rock Tribune, TheRockTribune.com, Thick as Thieves on February 29, 2012 by Randy

New York, NY – St. Louis rockers Cavo have announced a North American tour, which will coincide with the April 10th release of their upcoming album Thick as Thieves. On the heels of their successful run with Black Stone Cherry, the band will be headlining new dates with Janus as support. The tour, which starts on April 7th in Battlecreek, MI, will hit clubs in the country’s heartland, and wraps up with a return performance at the famed Rocklahoma Festival on 5/25.

“We are extremely excited to be hitting the road in support of our new CD hitting stores April 10th as well as our new track ‘Celebrity.’ We will be touring with our good friends in Janus and The Veer Union so this will be an amazing tour that you won’t want to miss! See you all soon!” – Brian “Pookie” Smith

The album’s lead single and title track “Thick as Thieves,” is Top 20 at active rock radio, according to Media Base and BDS.

AOL Noisecreep, early supporters of the band, is set to premiere a new track from Thick as Thieves, “Celebrity” today. Listen here exclusively http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/02/23/cavo-celebrity-song/

During Cavo’s recent tour with Black Stone Cherry, the band checked in with Noisecreep from the road, keeping a running tour diary for the site, which was also the host for “Thick as Thieves” acoustic video premiere.

Tour dates are as follows:

4/6 – Sault St. Marie, MI – Kewadin Casino Showroom

4/7 – Battlecreek, MI – Planet Rock

4/10 – Barrington, IL – Penny Road Pub

4/11 – Ottawa, IL – Luciana’s Rural Resort

4/13 – Madison, WI – RSR Stage

4/14 – Rockford, IL – Bar 3

4/17 – Sioux Falls, SD – Rookies

4/18 – Kearney, NE – The Garage

4/21 – San Antonio, TX – St. Mary’s University

4/25 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep

4/26 – Denver, CO – Majestic Theatre

4/28 – Mesa, AZ – KUPD Ufest

5/18 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

5/19 – Columbus, OH – Rock On The Range

5/25 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma Festival

Cavo experienced an incredible measure of success with its debut, 2009’s Bright Nights Dark Days, which yielded the No. 1 hit “Champagne.” The band’s rise to the top of the charts and subsequent touring nearly tore them apart, leaving their relationships with each other and as a unit in shreds. After a brief break and careful examination of their friendships and motives, Cavo decided to soldier on together. Thick as Thieves is the band’s testament to their bond that was once broken and has now been rebuilt and even strengthened. The title track and first single showcases front man Casey Walker’s soaring vocals with a message furthering the notion that things are tighter than ever in the Cavo ranks.

Formed in St. Louis in 2002, Cavo is Chris Hobbs (guitar), Chad LaRoy (drums), Brian Smith (bass) and Casey Walker (vocals). The band’s last album, Bright Nights Dark Days, was released on Reprise Records in 2009 and sold over 120,00 albums and over 450,000 singles. Cavo has toured with Daughtry, Shinedown, Lifehouse, and Puddle of Mudd among others.

http://www.cavomusic.com/

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COUNTING CROWS ANNOUNCE US TOUR DATES :: KICKING OFF TOUR WITH SOLD OUT SAN FRANCISCO CLUB SHOWS :: NEW ALBUM UNDERWATER SUNSHINE WILL BE RELEASED APRIL 10th

Posted in Artist Watch, New Music, News, Releases with tags COUNTING CROWS, music, rock, The Rock Tribune, TheRockTribune.com, Underwater Sunshine on February 21, 2012 by Randy

LOS ANGELES (February 21, 2012) Multi-platinum recording artist, Counting Crows announced today they will be touring in support of their new album, Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation) which will be released April 10^th on Collective Sounds.

In the spirit of the band’s first independent release, the Crows will be kicking off the tour with two intimate club shows in their hometown of San Francisco – March 9^th at Slims and March 10^th at The Great American Music Hall (the shows sold out in record time). From there the band will head to Austin, Texas for the SXSW music conference to headline BMI’s Auditorium Shores show on March 16^th – an annual favorite of both SXSW attendees and Austin music fans, that is free and open to the public.

On April 10^th, Counting Crows will release their first new album in over 4 years, Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation). The album features songs both familiar and obscure, written by such artists as Gram Parsons, Tender Mercies, Big Star, Kasey Anderson and The Faces. Each interpretation offers an entire spectrum of emotion, delivered with the conviction and intense honesty the band is known for. Download a track from the new album at www.countingcrows.com.

To continue the band’s love of engaging fans, they are accepting Counting Crows covers – in partnership with Indaba Music and Guitar Center – to be released as a free Cover EP on their website. The band will select 3 winning tracks to be promoted on their website and given a signed guitar plus $600 to use at Guitar Center. For further info go to: http://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/counting-crows-cover-song-contest

This tour fans will get the rare treat of seeing the Crows play in smaller theaters. “We wanted to play more intimate venues to capture the feeling we had making this record,” adds Duritz. “It’s all of us squeezed into a room playing great songs together.”

Tour dates:

3/9 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s

3/10 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

3/16 Austin, TX @ SXSW BMI Showcase

4/13 Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

4/14 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

4/16 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

4/17 Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia

4/19 Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre

4/21 Minneapolis, MN @ State Theater

4/22 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

4/24 New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom

4/25 Boston, MA @ House of Blues

4/27 Mashantucket, CT @ MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods

4/28 Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata

5/1 Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre

5/4 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle

5/5 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium

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Metalocalypse Co-Creator Announces New Side Project: BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON

Posted in All Metal, Artist Watch, New Music, News, Releases with tags ADULT SWIM'S METALOCALYPSE, BRENDON SMALL, Bryan Beller, DETHKLOK, GALAKTIKON, Gene Hoglan, metal, music, rock, The Rock Tribune, TheRockTribune.com, Ulrich Wild on February 21, 2012 by Randy

BRENDON SMALL is the co-creator/ writer/ actor/ director/ producer/ of ADULT SWIM’S METALOCALYPSE television series. Brendon Small is also responsible for writing and performing all of the show’s music and DETHKLOK: THE DETHALBUM and DETHALBUM II, the latter now known as the fastest-selling death metal album to date.

Now, Brendon has written and produced BRENDON SMALL‘s GALAKTIKON: “A High Stakes Intergalactic Extreme Rock album”, his long-awaited side project set to release in April 2012. The album release will coincide with the Season 4 premiere of METALOCALYPSE.

Coming off of the second DETHKLOK album which was heavier and darker than the first, BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON searches for melody (in the vocal) and finds inspirations in modern black metal, Queen, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. No influence is unwelcome on this project. Brendon Small paired with DETHKLOK drummer (legendary metal drummer) Gene Hoglan (Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad, Testament, Fear Factory) and DETHKLOK bassist Bryan Beller (Dethklok, Steve Vai, Mike Keneally band) and DETHKLOK engineer and mixer Ulrich Wild.

“This album should be thought of as an audio comic book, an over acted chamber drama, a ridiculous premise that takes itself way too seriously all the way to the end,” states Brendon Small.

BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON comes as a follow up to Brendon’s work on the chart-topping DETHKLOK albums based on METALOCALYPSE and released by Williams Street Records. DETHKLOK: THE DETHALBUM debuted at #21 on the Billboard Top 200 with over 30,000 copies sold in the first week and held the “fastest-selling death metal album to date” position originally until the follow-up, DETHALBUM II, surpassed it to break the aforementioned record with a #15 debut on the Billboard Top 200. DETHKLOK has performed on several US tours and headlined the Los Angeles kick-off date of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.

For all up-to-date information and to purchase BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON, please visit www.brendonsmall.com: your one-stop-shop for everything involving this new project. You can also catch more intermittent updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brendonsmallgalaktikon and follow Brendon Small on Twitter at www.twitter.com/_brendonsmall.