Mike Keneally Interviewed in San Jose

On Novemeber 21, ACtv interviewed guitarist Mike Keneally. Keneally is part of the touring version of Dethklok – the band of interest in the animated series Metalocalypse. The interview was conducted at Event Center in San Jose, California and can be streamed below.

Photos of the concert in San Jose can be viewed at DirtJunior.com.

Leading music product providers Alfred Music Publishing have teamed up with Cartoon Network Enterprises (the licensing/merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, which showcases Metalocalypse) to present an album-matching guitar tab songbook of Dethklok’s sophomore album, Dethklok: The Dethalbum II.

Metalocalypse was created by Tommy Blacha (Da Ali G Show) and Brendon Small (Home Movies) and debuted on Adult Swim in 2006. The series is currently in its third season. Among the most popular series on the network, Metalocalypse features Dethklok – a band with unheard of popularity (they are even ranked as the seventh largest economy on earth). In 2007, the band released its first album, The Dethalbum. It debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 and has since sold more than 300,000 copies. The album-matching songbook for The Dethalbum became one of the bestselling songbooks of the year. With Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, the band has topped the first-week success of The Dethalbum. The sophomore release debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and sold nearly 45,000 copies in its first week alone.


The guitar tab songbook for Dethklok: The Dethalbum II is available at most music retail stores. It can also be purchased online at alfred.com. It has a list price of $22.95 USD.

Titles in the new songbook include:

* Black Fire Upon Us
* Bloodlines
* Burn the Earth
* Comet Song
* The Cyborg Slayers
* Dethsupport
* The Gears
* I Tamper with the Evidence at the Murder Site of Odin
* Laser Cannon Deth Sentence
* Murmaider II: The Water God
* Symmetry
* Volcano

Regarding the chart debut of Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small said the following:

"I'm both happy and humiliated that Dethalbum II reached No. 15. Happy because we beat the first Dethalbum numbers and humiliated to have been beaten by our second album numbers by ourselves. Either way we're still not as good as The Archies, and I never want to forget that. Having said all of that, dear god I am fantastic and talented."

Skolnick Says Hetfield is "An Unsung Virtuoso"

On November 17, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick posted some thoughts concerning Metallica guitarist/frontman James Hetfield on his official blog:

"Recently a writer from The Quietus, Mark Eglinton, asked for my thoughts on Metallica's James Hetfield.

"While it's no secret that the fans, myself included, haven't always agreed with every decision Metallica has made as a band, I've chosen to look at a subject which seems to have gotten lost in the chaos of Metallica's superstardom: James, the musician.

"James Hetfield is a an unsung virtuoso. His guitar and vocal sound, along with his song ideas, has enabled Metallica to go from being classified alongside Motörhead and Venom to being aligned with Bruce Springsteen and U2. Much of hard music today has been changed by his guitar tone, rhythm playing and vocal technique, making him arguably the most influential musician of his generation.

"James has had more of an influence than most 'lead' guitarists and is a great lead guitarist himself. His occasional solos are among Metallica's most memorable, proving that speed and chops are secondary to melody. He is also a terrific acoustic guitarist, playing intricate parts with a lot of depth, consistency and dynamics.

"I'm convinced that had he chosen to play drums, bass or lead guitar in his band, James Hetfield would have been just as influential and virtuosic."

Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed with Stomach Cancer

Wendy Dio, wife and manager of renowned metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Heaven & Hell), has released the following statement:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

"Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

Ronnie James Dio, now 67, is famous for his affiliations with his own band, Dio, as well as Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and Elf. He also worked on other projects, including Hear ‘n Aid, a fundraising effort for famine relief in Africa. Dio is widely hailed as being among the most powerful singers in metal. He is also credited for popularizing the “devil’s horns” gesture, which became a prominent part of metal culture. As of late, Dio has been involved with Heaven & Hell, an endeavour that includes former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Vinny Appice, and Geezer Butler. On April 28, 2009, the group released their first studio album entitled The Devil You Know.

Just last week, Dio cancelled its European tour after Ronnie had reportedly taken ill. The band line-up was slated to include Whitesnake/ex-Dio guitarist Doug Aldrich (due to regular guitarist Craig Goldy having prior touring commitments with Budgie in Australia).

Dio’s most recent release was the Holy Diver Live album which featured the classic album performed in its entirely, from beginning to end, for the very first time. The album was recorded in 2005 in London.

Astral Doors: Album Artwork and Track Listing Revealed

Swedish metallers Astral Doors are scheduled to release their fifth studio album, Requiem of Time, in early 2010. The album will be released in Europe on January 15 and in North America on February 16 via Metalville.

The following is the official CD track listing:

01. Testament of Rock
02. Power and the Glory
03. Rainbow Warrior
04. Call of the Wild
05. St. Peter's Cross
06. So Many Day So Many Nights
07. Blood River
08. Anthem of the Dark
09. Metal DJ
10. Fire and Flame
11. Greenfield of Life
12. The Healer
13. Evil Spirits Fly
14. When Darkness Comes

The band commented that "All the previous releases from Astral Doors have been mixed by the master Peter Tägtgren (Pain, Hypocrisy). He has done a great job for us and we love and respect him very much. This time around, however, we decided to give our very own guitar player, Martin Haglund, the chance to be in control of the mixing process.

"Martin has really improved as a sound engineer and technician the last couple of years, and we felt that he could do as great job as his best friend Tägtgren.

Martin's mix is just incredible and we can't wait to share it with the entire world."

The band has described Requiem of Time as "a mixture of classic hard rock, like on the debut, Of The Son & The Father, and more modern metal like on the previous disc, New Revelation. Call it what you want; it contains the best songs the band has ever written."

Astral Doors recently parted ways with bassist Mika Itaranta. He was replaced by Ulf Lagerström (Barfly, Lunatic Parade).

The band’s last album, New Revelation, was released in September 2007 through Locomotive Music. The album was recorded at both Big Turn Studio and The Darkside in Borlänge, Sweden. It was mixed at Abyss Studios in Sweden by Astral Doors and Peter Tägtgren.

Album artwork:

Buz McGrath Interviewed by German Media

Buz McGrath, guitarist for the Massachusetts metal band Unearth, was recently interviewed by Germany’s Bunch TV. The interview was conducted during the band’s European tour with Throwdown and Chimaira in September. The interview can be streamed below.

On Novemeber 10, Unearth’s latest album, The March, was released as a deluxe edition CD. It includes a bonus DVD entitled The Three Day March. The DVD is a tour documentary which features footage captured by director Doug Spangenberg (Every Time I Die, Lamb of God, Job for a Cowboy) during the band’s recent tour of the northeastern U.S. The bonus DVD also features studio footage from Unearth’s recording sessions for The March as well as party footage (entitled Gig Life) from the band’s tour with Testament. The deluxue edition CD also includes live footage of four songs from the Wacken Open Air festival in 2008. In addition, three music videos are included, all of which were shot for The March: “Grave of Opportunity,” “Crow Killer,” and “My Will Be Done.”

An Unearth press release stated that “fans who have got their hands on the band's DVD, Alive From The Apocalypse, know that Unearth are a near-perpetual party machine while on the road, so this bonus footage and the new videos are not to be missed!"

Review – Fight Juice: Crack One Open

Kris Kelly is the guitar coach at Kelly FretWorks and is the guitarist for the fusion group Fight Juice. Fight Juice recently released their debut CD “Crack One Open”. Outside of Fight Juice, Kris has performed with a number of bands including; Deadly Blessing, Ben Vega & the Believers and Heist. Kris also appeared on the IRS/MCA Heist album “High Heel Heaven”, alongside rock icons Ronnie Montrose, and Night Ranger’s Jeff Watson and Kelly Keagy. Kris continues to teach, record, produce and collaborate in northern California.

On to the review of “Crack One Open”:
Fight Juice is a rock-metal-blues fusion of instrumental tunes “for driving, loving, drinking, working and living!” according to the band.
Speaking of the band, the members include Kris Kelly (Guitar), Rick O'Connell (Drums), Dave "Mr. Pie" Riegert (Bass) and Ben Vega (Keyboards).

Album opener, Corporate Casual, is a rock ‘n rollish number, with distinct elements of Jazz/Rock fusion. Kelly’s overdriven tone is right there with the usual big name fusioneers, and his chops don’t let him down either.

Track 2, Roscoe’s Shuffle, has a great organ tone from Vega and a fantastic erm…shuffle rhythm to it, but the vibe stays quite dark, helping the Kelly’s awesome clean(ish) solo to stand out. The main solo has a great climax, all the while staying true to the blues genre.

The 3rd track is way down instrumental rock avenue. With a wah being used on the head, tapping, wammy stunts and a driving rock rhythm, most would recognize the Satch influence here. Very fun.

Missing You, the 4th track is a laid back, loungey piece. Great fusion sensibility from every member of the band, a real pleasure to listen to. Kelly pulls out a biting tone for the main solo and drops some scary legato licks.

Track 5 mysteriously named, 3rd I, is back into the Jazz/Rock Fusion arena, complete with a fast waltz feel, storming bass solo from Riegert and another mind bender from Vega.

Rainy Day At The Sunglass Hut features a wonderful guest solo by Jim Harrison at 3:13-3:37. Sadly, Jim has passed on to the big stage in the sky. A great fusion track, perhaps with a nod to genre pioneers.

The slowest track on the record, Blueberries In My Kibble, has at least one foot in the blues, with emotive solos from Vega and Kelly

The 7/8 feel of the 8th track, Orbit, is loads of fun. I heard some Caribbean influence, as well as a definite throwback to prog and fusion inventors from the 70’s.

The closing track, Goodbye (Reprise) starts off with some atmospheric synth sounds and a clean lead guitar, and heads into another big rocker. This is probably my favorite track as a result of both Kelly’s tone and playing. An excellent track to end on.

If you’re at all into Return to Forever, Vital Information and Tribal Tech, check these guys out for sure.

Cinderella Guitarist to Appear on Hard Rock Nights

Guitarist Jeff LaBar (Cinderella, Freakshow) is scheduled to be the special guest on the next edition of Hard Rock Nights. LaBar’s appearance on the internationally syndicated radio program is slated to air during the week of November 20-26. The guitarist will recount the early days of Cinderella, how he came to join the band, and the future of the group. He will also talk about his role in Freakshow, the rock super group featuring Markus Allen Christopher (M!ss Crazy), Frankie Banali (W.A.S.P., Quiet Riot), and Tony Franklin (The Firm).

Hard Rock Nights can be heard on numerous rock and metal radio stations.

Cinderella’s latest album, Live at the Mohegan Sun, was released through Frontiers Records and hit the shelves in Europe on November 6. The CD features the band’s original line-up, which consists of Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar), Jeff LaBar (guitar), Eric Brittingham (bass), and Fred Coury (drums). The album is a recording of the band’s concert in Uncasville, Connecticut on July 21, 2005 which was part of the VH-1-sponsored package tour entitled Rock Never Stops. The tour also featured Firehouse, Ratt, and Quiet Riot. An LP edition of the live album is being released in Europe as a primer for the band’s European tour in 2010.

The track listing for Live at the Mohegan Sun is as follows:

01. Intro
02. Night Songs
03. The Last Mile
04. Somebody Save Me
05. Heartbreak Station
06. Coming Home
07. Shelter Me
08. Nobody's Fool
09. Gypsy Road
10. Don't Know What You Got ('Till it's Gone)
11. Shake Me
12. Fallin' Apart at the Seams *
13. Push Push *
14. Still Climbing *

* Denotes bonus tracks available on the first pressing in digipack

On March 31, Cinderella released their Authorized Bootleg: Live at the Tokyo Dome – Tokyo, Japan Dec. 31 1990. The album was distributed by Island/Mercury.

In the summer of 2008, the band was forced to cancel its tour with Lynch Mob, Warrant, and Lynam after Tom Keifer’s left vocal cord haemorrhaged during rehearsal, rendering him unable to sing.