Revolver Magazine

Modern Day Escape Premiere New Song, “The Syndicate”

Brandon Geist — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:41 +0000

West Coast hard-rock outfit Modern Day Escape are releasing their sophomore album, Under the Gun, on March 27. In anticipation, they’re streaming a new track, titled “The Syndicate,” exclusively here. Check it out below, read what frontman James Vegas has to say about the song, and let us know what you think in the comments.

REVOLVER What’s “The Syndicate” about?
JAMES VEGAS “The Syndicate” is about us and our amazing fans. They’re so supportive and badass. They will do anything to come to our shows, and we will do anything for them. Our fans are like us, outcasts like [in] The Goonies or The Lost Boys. I’ve had so many kids tell me that they got beat up or picked on for being a “freak,” having tattoos, being pierced, having colored hair, or listening to rock and roll too loud while hanging at the mall or just being a bunch of ruffians. “You fuck with one of us, you fuck with all of us… We are the syndicate.”

Which part of it did you come up with first? And what was the inspiration?
I think it was the chorus I came up with first. I just started humming it and it was so groovy I recorded myself singing it on my iPhone in [guitarist] Marti Rubels’ backyard. The guys just happened to be in our rehearsal spot writing the music to “The Syndicate” and it all kinda fell into place. When I walked in and grabbed the mic, I just vibed with them and it came to fruition. It’s like it was meant to be. As for the inspiration of the song, our fans were, to be honest. We want a safe haven via our music for our fans to “escape” to where they can be themselves and not have to worry about anything other than having a good time with other fans and friends. We don’t want them to dress up or wear makeup. We’re not superheroes. We’re regular people just like them, and we want them to know that we all have there back.

Was this an easy song to write or record?
Yes, it was a fairly easy song to record. It was more fun than anything because we had our friends from other native Cali bands–Fake Figures, Atreyu, Franki Doll & the Broken Toys–come out and do some gang vocals for the song, so it was fun.

What sort of feedback have you gotten on this song so far? What sort of reaction do you want to get from the song?
Everyone loves the song so much. The drums and the bass in the song just keep it moving. We have only played it a few times live so far, and we haven’t seen a single head that wasn’t rocking back and forth.

Cannibal Corpse Premiere New Song, “Scourge of Iron”

Kory Grow — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:01:13 +0000

Death-metal legends Cannibal Corpse are releasing their 12th album, Torture, on March 13 (available for preorder here). You can be the first to hear the third song on that disc, “Scourge of Iron,” below.

Comments bassist Alex Webster of the new tune: “‘Scourge of Iron’ helps to show the song writing diversity on Torture.

‘Demented Aggression’ is blazing fast and frantic, while ‘Scourge…’ is a down tempo, pounding song. They’re both death metal, but at opposite ends of the speed spectrum. Expect to hear this kind of variety throughout Torture. We’ve utilized many different tempos, rhythms, and feels in these songs with the goal of making an album that is varied and dynamic but also very brutal. On March 13th you’ll get to decide whether or not we succeeded.”

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Photo by Alex Morgan

Rock on the Range Lineup Announced; Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, and More Performing!

Kory Grow — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:05:38 +0000

Rock on the Range returns for its sixth year boasting a massive lineup covering the rock spectrum. America’s premier destination rock festival will be held May 18–20 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, featuring performances from Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, and many more.

“Incubus is stoked to be joinin’ the killer lineup at Rock On The Range this year. We’ll see y’all in Columbus,” comments Brandon Boyd from festival co-headliner Incubus.

“If you thought last time was a blast, then this time we are gonna blow your fucking mind,” says co-headliner Rob Zombie.

To get the party started and based on the success of last year’s anniversary celebration, the weekend will kick off with the Friday Night 4Play, which is absolutely free with every Rock on the Range weekend ticket purchase. The May 18 party will feature performances from Hairball, Foxy Shazam, Hells Bells, and more.

The current lineup for Rock on the Range 2012 is as follows: Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, Theory of a Deadman, Volbeat, Down, The Darkness, Halestorm, Escape The Fate, P.O.D., Lacuna Coil, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Cavo, Attack Attack!, Trivium, Bobaflex, Falling In Reverse, Redlight King, Aranda, Emphatic, Otherwise, James Durbin, Black Tide, Kyng, 12 Stones, SOiL, Rival Sons, Eve To Adam, and Ghosts of August.

Monster Energy returns as one of the driving partners behind the success of Rock on the Range as more than 15 acts perform on the mammoth Monster Main Stage. Jägermeister also celebrates its fifth year as a key partner while welcoming 12 of the hottest up-and-coming bands to the in-your-face, up close and personal Jägermeister Music Stage. In all, Rock on the Range features three stages, 44 bands, and three days of non-stop rock.

“There are so many incredible bands playing at ROTR this year, and every one of them is significant,” says Del Williams, co-executive producer of the event for Right Arm Entertainment. “I think this is the most interesting mix of bands that we have had at the festival. The Rangers already know that the weekend is going to be insanely great, but there will be surprises this year and a certain edge to the lineup that will likely create some of the most memorable moments in the six-year history of Rock on the Range.”

Tickets for Rock on the Range go on sale Friday, February 10, at 10:00 A.M. EST at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster, and the Crew Stadium Box Office. Two-day weekend stadium GA tickets once again start at just $99.50 (plus service and transaction fees). A limited number of ROTR presale layaway tickets are also still available through February 29. Visit www.RockOnTheRange.com for full details and VIP package information.

Visit www.RockOnTheRange.com, www.facebook.com/rockontherange, and www.twitter.com/rockontherange for the most up-to-date information.

Presented by Right Arm Entertainment, AEG LIVE and Crew Stadium, Rock on the Range is a multi-stage music and lifestyle event featuring a potent line-up of bands on three stages. The nationally renowned festival centrally located in the heart of the country has annually drawn weekend crowds in excess of 70,000 since its inception in 2007.

Tool in Photos

Kory Grow — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:03:25 +0000

Tool are currently in the middle of a winter trek, and on Sunday, they stopped through Camden, New Jersey’s Susquehanna Bank Center. Photographer Derek Brad was on hand to capture some of the show with his third eye. Check out what he saw below.

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Shinedown Release New Album Cover Art and Song Snippets

Brandon Geist — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:32:30 +0000

Hard rockers Shinedown are releasing their hotly anticipated fourth album, Amaryllis, on March 27. In anticipation, the band has released the cover art for the record, as well as snippets from various new songs, right here. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Guns N’ Roses to Play Intimate Venues in New York City, Chicago, and More This February

Kory Grow — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:35:20 +0000

This year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Guns N’ Roses, have announced a series of dates at smaller venues in New York City, as well as dates in Chicago, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Atlantic City. See the dates below.

For an extremely special concert in New York, they will be playing Webster Hall, a venue formerly known as the Ritz. This holds a special significance for the group, as video of a concert they played there in 1988 has gone on to become a highly sought-after bootleg. To commemorate their return, the venue will be changing their signage to say the Ritz for that night.

Ticket presale is set for Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00am ET for the NY run, public on-sale is Wednesday, February 1. Chicago, Silver Spring and Atlantic City presale is Wednesday, February 1 at 10:00am EST, with public on-sale Friday, February 3. Tickets and VIP packages for all six dates will be available at gunsnroses.com.

Guns N’ Roses Tour Dates:

February 10 Roseland Ballroom            New York, NY
February 12 Terminal 5                       New York, NY
February 15 The Ritz (Webster Hall)      New York, NY
February 19 House of Blues                 Chicago, IL
February 23 The Fillmore                     Silver Spring, MD
February 24 House of Blues                 Atlantic City, NJ

Video: Corey Taylor, Kerry King, Scott Ian, and More on the Red Carpet at Guitar World’s Rock & Roll Roast of Zakk Wylde

Brandon Geist — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:53:26 +0000

Revolver‘s sister publication, Guitar World, held its inauguralRock & Roll Roast on January 19 at the Grove in Anaheim, CA. The first guest to make it to the hot seat? Black Label Society frontman and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde! Roastmaster Sharon Osbourne and other metal-loving luminaries such as Chris Jericho, Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, as well as comedy and roast veterans Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, and Jim Florentine ripped into Wylde. Carla Harvey of Revolver faves the Butcher Babies was there on the Red Carpet beforehand to get the lowdown on all the action.

Photos: Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, Live in Philadelphia

Kory Grow — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:37:44 +0000

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows recently stopped through Philadelphia’s Trocadero in support of their debut, D.R.U.G.S. Photographer Derek Brad was on hand to capture the mayhem as it happened (including one awesome crowdsurfing moment between a fan and frontman Craig Owens). Check out what he saw below.

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Lamb of God in Photos

Kory Grow — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:01:50 +0000

Lamb of God put out their new album, Resolution, on Tuesday. They also hit the road that same day and stopped through Philadelphia’s Trocadero last night. Photographer Derek Brad was on hand to capture the insanity as hit happened. Check out what he saw below.

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Video: Slipknot Founder Clown Takes On Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest

Kory Grow — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:39:47 +0000

Slipknot percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan released a video yesterday of him preparing for this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which he and his masked maniacs are coheadlining alongside Slayer. Check it out below and let us know what you think of it in the comments.