Documentary to be released on Robert Plant’s career

Robert Plant’s Blue Note will be released on DVD August 23, a documentary on the legendary singer’s career. Click here for more info>

Japanese metal DIR EN GREY release 8th album

Japanese metal band DIR EN GREY will release their 8th studio album DUM SPIRO SPERO Tuesday, August 2 on The End Records, the follow-up to 2008’s UROBOROS which garnered overwhelming support as the strongest and the maddest record resonating across the globe. In our time when heavy rock music has become diversified, the band’s deep and extensive, unique perspective is once again borderless, uncategorized. DUM SPIRO SPERO–which encapsulates the band’s present—will not only secure tremendous support from the hard core fans, but will surely gain recognition from heavy rock fans including guitar enthusiasts and Western-music-obsessed music fans.

When asked how the new album compares to past work, guitarist KAORU said DUM SPIRO SPERO offers “something more savage from a deeper world which is completely different from any of our past works.”

There are 14 tracks including “Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami” (featured on the Saw 3D soundtrack) and the singles, “LOTUS” and “DIFFERENT SENSE.”

“These songs are definitely some of the highlights of the album,” says KAORU, “but they are actually the most catchy and easy-listening songs on this album. Can you even imagine what our other songs are like?”

“LOTUS” and its corresponding video was released earlier this year and–as with all DIR EN GREY videos–features powerful, thought-provoking imagery and shots of the band’s emotive live performance. Click Here To View Video For “Lotus”.

DIR EN GREY–vocalist KYO, guitarists KAORU and DIE, bassist TOSHIYA and drummer SHINYA–recently filmed their follow-up video for “DIFFERENT SENSE” which further pushes the societal envelope. The intense composition incorporates various snippets of Japanese anime, news clips, performance scenes and an underlining message of sea creatures and scientific experiments. Their music is inspired by sorrow, pain and anger either personally experienced or witnessed in others, and DIR EN GREY strives to maintain this theme in their videos. The video for “DIFFERENT SENSE” will be released soon; for now, a .30 second preview of the song can be heard now here.

The themes from the new album also happen to directly coincide with the recent turmoil in their native Japan. Bassist TOSHIYA explains, “We live in a world where we don’t know what is the truth and what we should believe in. We just wanted to put some hope into the music we created.” KAORU continues, “And, the title is what we can say to the world as the people of Japan.” The title translates to the Latin phrase, “While I breathe, I hope.”

With DUM SPIRO SPERO, the band is releasing the standard CD, a double vinyl LP (both featuring the same 14 tracks) and a deluxe CD which will feature two bonus tracks (see track listing below). Also available will be the Limited Edition Bundle, which includes the deluxe version of the CD (with the 2 bonus tracks), the double vinyl LP, digital download of full album, an exclusive t-shirt design and an autographed poster (while supplies last). This Limited Edition Bundle is available for pre-sale here.

With the combination of world-noted engineers–Tue Madsen and Alan Douches–and the individuality of a Japanese born-and bred-band, this album will no doubt be the determining punch for DIR EN GREY.

Tracklisting for DUM SPIRO SPERO:

1. Kyoukotsu No Nari
2. THE BLOSSOMING BEELZEBUB
3. DIFFERENT SENSE
4. AMON
5. “Yokusou Ni DREAMBOX” Aruiwa Seijuku No Rinen To Tsumetai Ame
6. Juuyoku
7. Shitataru Mourou
8. LOTUS
9. DIABOLOS
10. Akatsuki
11. DECAYED CROW
12. Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami
13. VANITAS
14. Ruten No Tou

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:

1. RASETSUKOKU
2. AMON (Symphonic Ver.)

More about DIR EN GREY:
DIR EN GREY has conquered the Japanese rock scene with lyrics that convey sorrow, darkness and anger in modern society. The band has received international critical acclaim for their masterful translation of the lyrics to their dramatic and at times shocking stage show, which includes self-mutilation with bloodshed. Originally a “visual-kei” band, which emphasized their appearance, the band’s intensity and maturing sound have helped them create a loyal following across the globe as they moved away from the genre. While singing mostly in Japanese, KYO, via his expressive voice, is able to transition effortlessly from a deep growl to theatrical vocals that transcend language barriers. The Los Angeles Times wrote that “Kyo is a staggering vocalist” and “has stockpiled an extreme range of vocal inflections, from a guttural mutter to a tonsil-ripping scream–no electronic effects needed” (2/21/07).

Dave Mustaine interview on Goldmine

By Patrick Prince

 

Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s leader and founder, has come a long way from where he was at when “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” came out (1986). Much of it has been recorded in the press, or in his autobiography, “Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir.” Now, 25 years later, he celebrates the release of “Peace Sells …” anniversary edition — remastered and expanded to include two CD and digital audio packages, a deluxe five CD and three LP box set (which includes a previously unreleased 1987 concert from the band’s first world tour) — on July 12 by Capitol/EMI.

The deluxe box set also includes previously unreleased and rare mixes of the album’s tracks, as well as an 20-page book, plus 8”x10” photos and reproductions of vintage Megadeth memorabilia. The cover of the box uses a new, unique process of lenticular 3D which reinterprets the original cover, creating the illusion of Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead character jumping out of the art.

Not only that but you get liner note praise from none other than Metallica’s Lars Ulrich: “Whether you heard this record for the first time in 1986, or you hear this record for the first time today or tomorrow, ‘Peace Sells …’ is a great heavy metal album,” writes Lars Ulrich in his liner notes for the new edition.  “Nothing more, nothing less.  It has stood the test of time.  And will continue to do so.”

Read the interview: Dave Mustaine at ‘Peace’ in his career | Goldmine Magazine

Coverdale never gets old

INFINITELY CHARMING AND CHARISMATIC MUSICALLY as he is personally, David Coverdale took time to catch up with Goldmine’s Carol Anne Szel just before the release the band’s 11th CD, “Forevermore,” on the Frontiers Records label.

Read more: Inspiration, indulgence and turning 60: Coverdale shares all | Goldmine Magazine