Vocalist Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven of Norwegian black metallers Satyricon told Terrorizer.com that the band’s upcoming concert in London, England (on December 20) will mark the beginning of a new phase in the group’s evolution. “From then on, there are going to be a lot of changes in the Satyricon camp,” he said. “After we take a long touring break and come back a couple of years later, certain people may not be with us any longer. Although we won’t be doing anything overly dramatic, we’ll be trying quite a few different things, which I think is going to be really good for Satyricon. The reason we’re doing that is so we can continue to develop our sound. At the moment we are still enjoying what we do, but if that continues any longer it’ll undoubtedly stagnate, so we need to ensure that doesn’t happen. And moving in different musical directions is definitely a good way to go about it.”

“As an artist, there are so many new things I’d like to do,” Satyr added. “And one of them is to work on some songwriting for Satyricon, though from an entirely different angle. For example, we may chose to go for a similar tone, but use a different set of instruments in the next record. Maybe there are also other recording techniques, which could add a different element to our work and open up fresh musical territory. Our last three releases all follow a certain style and pattern, and we want to create a record that’s radically different from the others. Though the foundation of Satyricon’s sound — my songwriting and Frost’s signature drumming — will always remain unchanged.”

Read the entire interview at Terrorizer.com

Archive Roadrunner Records, Satyricon

Earlier this month Australian rockers Airbourne were pleased to announce “No Guts, No Glory” as the title of their second album for Roadrunner Records. The album is set for release on February 19, 2010 in Europe. “No Guts, No Glory” was recorded in Chicago with noted producer Johnny K (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Staind).  The band relocated from their shared home in Warrnambool and moved into K’s spacious studio to record the album.

Frontman  Joel O’Keefe says, “Working with Johnny was great, he’s one of the boys. We basically just set up all the gear, chucked a few mics around and went for it! Good times!”

Brother and drummer Ryan confirms the precarious microphone placement, “With this album we threw the mics all over the building, left the doors and windows open and pressed record!”

Airbourne has been posting various interviews and studio updates online the last few weeks, here’s studio update no. 4

Archive, New releases Airbourne, Roadrunner Records

Dream Theater was honored with the “Spirit Of Prog” achievement award at the 2009 Classic Rock Awards this evening in London.

The award was presented to Mike Portnoy by Prog legend Rick Wakeman who added that he couldn’t have been happier for it to go to such a worthy recipient (and joked that he was jealous he wasn’t getting it!)

The star studded event was attended by such legends as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Pete Townshend of The Who, Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, Brian May of Queen, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Iggy Pop, Slash of Guns N Roses, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Ginger Baker of Cream, Chrissy Hynde of The Pretenders, Carl Palmer of ELP and members of Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Anvil, Marillion, ZZ Top, Uriah Heep and Mott The Hoople.

Here’s an initial report of the winners and some paparazzi pix of the red carpet arrival

Dream Theater also was nominated in the “Album Of The Year” category for their latest release “Black Clouds & Silver Linings”.

Archive Dream Theater, Roadrunner Records

Roadrunner Records are very pleased to announce the signing of legendary guitarist Slash for the forthcoming European release of his debut solo album, “Slash”, in Spring 2010.

Slash is one of the most iconic musicians of all time. His song writing, playing and performing through Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver and a host of collaborations and guest appearances has inspired and entertained millions worldwide. Since exploding onto the music scene in 1987 with Guns N’ Roses “Appetite For Destruction”, still the fastest selling debut album of all time, Slash has become one of the best loved and critically acclaimed guitarists of his generation. Time magazine, as recently as August 2009, named Slash as #2 on the list of 10 Best Electric Guitar Players of All Time.

Slash’s debut solo album will see him collaborating with some of the world’s most vital contemporary artists – from the rock world and beyond. This album is set to become an essential release…

For more info please visit www.slashonline.com or www.roadrunnerrecords.nl

Archive, New releases Roadrunner Records, Slash

New York, NY – In a sudden and unexpected move, multi-platinum hard rock artist Rob Zombie has inked a new worldwide deal with leading rock label Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records.

This shocking announcement comes as Zombie exits his former label of eighteen years, where he sold fifteen million records as a solo artist and with his former band White Zombie.  Zombie’s new album, “Hellbilly Deluxe 2″, previously set for release on November 17 will now be released by Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records in early 2010.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision to make after all this time, but it had to be done,” states Zombie. “I love this new record and wanted to surround myself with an excited new group of people who can reignite my enthusiasm for working within a hard rock record label. Roadrunner seems to be the perfect place.”

“Roadrunner is thrilled to be involved with Rob Zombie on a worldwide basis as he is a multiple-threat artist whom we’ve admired for many years,” said Roadrunner president Jonas Nachsin.

Tom Lipsky, founder and president of Loud & Proud echoed Nachsin’s sentiment, “Rob Zombie hits hard on “Hellbilly Deluxe 2″ and the fans expect nothing less. We are excited about the monster mayhem that he is certain to create!”

This latest album marks the follow-up to 1998’s triple platinum “Hellbilly Deluxe”.

The track listing is as follows:

1. Jesus Frankenstein
2. Sick Bubblegum
3. What?
4. Mars Needs Women
5. Werewolf, Baby!
6. Virgin Witch
7. Death and Destiny Inside The Dream Factory
8. Burn
9. Cease to Exist
10. Werewolf Women of the SS
11. The Man Who Laughs

In support of this release Zombie, will kick off his first headline US tour since 2007 in Phoenix on October 29th. Shows in Las Vegas on the 30th, and a very special Halloween event on October 31st in Hollywood are set to follow. Zombie will be accompanied by his longtime band mates – guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D and drummer Tommy Clufetos. Visit www.robzombie.com for Hellbilly Deluxe 2 tour updates, including the official blog, Twitter feed, photos, and videos directly from the road. Hellbilly Deluxe 2 tour tickets are on sale now; US tour dates are listed here.

In addition to his illustrious recording career, Zombie has also written and directed five feature length films. Most recently was the animated cult favorite The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto based on his successful comic series. This season’s Halloween 2 (August 2009) followed up Zombie’s record breaking blockbuster re-imagining of Halloween in 2007. In 2005, Zombie assaulted the film world with the critically-acclaimed The Devil’s Rejects (Lionsgate), the follow-up to his already cult classic House of 1000 Corpses (Lionsgate 2004).

For more information visit www.robzombie.com or www.myspace.com/robzombie.

Archive, New releases Roadrunner Records, Rob Zombie

Archive Roadrunner Records, Satyricon

Delain has issued the following update:

“We are sad to announce that Ronald Landa (guitar) has decided to part ways with Delain.”

“Ronald has been of great value to the band. We would like to thank him for his everlasting devotion for Delain! We will never forget all the great moments we have shared together and wish him the very best for the future! Ronald will still play our shows in Zwolle and Birmingham and besides that there is a big chance he will appear on stage now and then at one of our future shows. We hope to be able to announce his successor very soon and keep you updated on that!”

Ronald: “Being a part of Delain has always been a tremendous privilege and honor for me. It was so awesome to play live and record albums for you [the fans], guys. You have been so great to us, and to me, and I want to thank you so much for that. However, the time has come to step away from the band, and to pursue a different dream”

“My musical taste has always been very wide, and I wanted to play in a band that plays a different kind of music for a long time. I could never do this because being in a band like Delain requires you to put all of your time and effort into that band. But the desire to play music with different people in different genres doesn’t let go. Therefore I decided to continue my role in Delain as a dedicated fan and friend.”

“I will follow Delain very closely, and do everything I can to still be of value to the band. Besides that, I hope that you’ll check out what I’m doing once in a while, and that you will like my new musical endeavours.”

“I want to thank Charlotte, Martijn, Rob and Sander so much for the fun we had, the great moments we shared, the hard times we conquered, and the beautiful music we played. I also want to thank all our fans so very much! You guys make it worthwhile! Thank you for coming to so many shows, and for making me feel good! I love you all!”

Archive Delain, Roadrunner Records

Legendary hard rock icons RATT announced that Infestation will be the title of their next album, due out in March 2010 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. Infestation is the band’s first studio album since 1999. The band, consisting of longtime members Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Bobby Blotzer, new guitarist Carlos Cavazo (formerly of Quiet Riot) and Robbie Crane on bass, worked with producer Elvis Baskette (Chevelle, Incubus, Limp Bizkit).  This collaboration marks the very first time in their storied career that RATT have recorded outside of Los Angeles. The band lived together at Elvis’ Virginia studio while recording Infestation.

RATT have enjoyed a rich, impressive and certainly long-lasting legacy through the years, having made their mark in the 1980s with 5 consecutive multi-platinum albums, including Out of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy and Dancing Undercover. With 1984’s mega-platinum debut Out of the Cellar celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the band is looking forward to starting a new chapter with new music to complement the impressive legacy they have established over two-plus decades. Ratt will embark on a world tour in 2010.

For more info please visit the RATT website or RATT on myspace

Archive, New releases RATT, Roadrunner Records

Delain has issued the following update: “Because our bandmate Rob [van der Loo, bass] has a lot of personal stuff going on in December, he will not able to accompany us at our European tour with Sonata Arctica. However, we already found a really good replacement for Rob. Bass guitar player Roel Vink wil take care of Rob’s job at this tour. They know each other from their mutual former band Sun Caged. However, Rob will play the Dutch gigs of the tour.”

For a list of dates, go to this location.

‘Stay Forever’, the new video from Delain, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band’s second album, April Rain.

Archive, Videos & trailers Delain, Roadrunner Records

Just in time for Halloween, Atreyu have teamed up with video game creator Jason Oda (Dropkick the Faint) for the first-person shooter “Metalhead Zombies”, which fans can play on the band’s MySpace page.

Biting a fleshy chunk from “Night of the Living Dead” and “Resident Evil”, “Metalhead Zombies” arms gamers with a firearm, then sends them out into a barren wasteland filled with lumbering zombies looking for lunch. Splatter enough of the undead and advance to the next level. But beware. You’ll run out of ammo if you don’t stop at the beams of light to buy new weapons and reload.

The soundtrack for the “Metalhead Zombies” features “Stop! Before It’s Too Late…”, first single “Storm to Pass”, and it marks the debut of a new song, “Gallows”, the hard-hitting and intensely personal song from lead singer Alex Varkatzas. There’s one catch, only the blood-soaked survivors that reach level six will have a chance to feast their ears on the new track.

Archive Atreyu, Roadrunner Records