Eric Peterson & Mike LePond on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 458 - Titans of Babylon

On April 3rd Testament released their 13th studio album “Titians of Creation” via Nuclear Blast. Founding guitarist (and only constant member) Eric Peterson joins us to give us all the updates on the album and everything else going on with the Bay Area thrashers. 

After that we talk once again with Symphony X bassist Mike LePond about his latest progressive metal effort DeadRisen with guitarist Rod Rivera. Mike remains an ever busy guy as he does press for this as he prepares to launch the latest Silent Assassins release “Whore of Babylon”. We haven’t talked to Mike since 2018’s Pawn and Prophecy so its a good time to catch up. 

A Taste of DeadRisen

Here's the first single off "Whore of Babylon" 

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Steve Grimmett And Dug Pinnick Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 434 - At The Gates

A couple of great guests this week. First up we have Steve Grimmett of Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper. On October 11th these guys will be putting out their latest “At The Gates” and Steve will give us all the info on it. 

Also this week We welcome back Dug Pinnick. Primarily Dug is on the show to talk about the new KXM release “Circle of Dolls” but he does give us a little insight into the new King’s X release as well.

Track of the week comes to us courtesy of AFM Records artists Riot V from their latest release “Live in Japan 2018”

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Hey did we mention that we got named to Feedspot.com's 

Top 20 Metal Music Audio Podcasts & Radio You Must Subscribe and Listen to in 2019

Check out the entire esteemed list of shows on that list as well as all the rest that Feedspot has to offer at: blog.feedspot.com/metal_music_podcasts/

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Robin McAuley Guest Once Again on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 430 - Save Yourself

The sophomore McAuley Schenker Group release “Save Yourself” turns 30 this year. October 10th if you’re keeping track. This week, perpetually busy guy Robin McAuley drops by to talk about that classic album along with the upcoming sophomore Michael Schenker Fest release “Revelation” and a bit about the secret project he’s doing with Jeff Pilson, Reb Beach, and Matt Starr.

Here's a preview track off the new Schenker Fest release.

A bit of Robin showing he still does those 30 year old tracks as good as always.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Hey did we mention that we got named to Feedspot.com's 

Top 20 Metal Music Audio Podcasts & Radio You Must Subscribe and Listen to in 2019

Check out the entire esteemed list of shows on that list as well as all the rest that Feedspot has to offer at: blog.feedspot.com/metal_music_podcasts/

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Accept's Wolf Hoffmann and Connor Garrity from All Hail The Yeti on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 401 - All Hail The Wolf

First up this week we talk with Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. The band just released “Symphonic Terror, Live at Wacken 2017” on Nuclear Blast and Wolf will give us all the details. After that we talk with Connor Garritty of All Hail The Yeti. The band just put out “Highway Crosses” their third studio effort.

Track of the week is from former FoM guests Reverence from their latest “Vengeance is…Live”

Track down Accept at http://acceptworldwide.com/ and find Wolf at https://www.wolfhoffmann.com/

Connor and All Hail The Yeti can be found at https://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti/

Reverence is at http://www.reverencemetal.com/home/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Ken Mary of Fifth Angel & Jamie Brown of Roxanne on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 399 - Rising Again

29 and 30 years that’s the amount of years since the last Fifth Angel and Roxanne albums. Both bands have risen again. Roxanne just released “Radio Silence” (Rat Pak) and Fifth Angel dropped “The Third Secret” (Nuclear Blast). So this week we talk with Jamie Brown from Roxanne and Ken Mary of Fifth Angel (not to mention Flotsam and Jetsam and so many more).

A track off "Radio Silence" with special guest George Lynch

And of course some new Fifth Angel

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Alex Skolnick & Mark Tremonti Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 388 - A Dying Majesty

Once again not one, but two returning guests this week. Alex Skolnick returns to give us the run down on the latest from Metal Allegiance “Volume II, Power Drunk Majesty” as well as some commentary on the 30th anniversary of Testament’s “The New Order”. 

Also this week Mark Tremonti is with us once again, this time to talk about the release of the limited edition book that was written to accompany “A Dying Machine”, the latest from Tremonti. He also gives us some insight on the new Alterbridge release “Live at Royal Albert Hall”.

Point your browser to MetalAllegiance.com/ for links to order your own copy of “Volume II, Power Drunk Majesty” or any of their other music.

Be sure to hit up MarkTremonti.com/  to order one of the limited first edition copies of “A Dying Machine” while they are still available.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Bobby Blitz of Overkill on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 328 - Overkill

Overkill recently released their latest “The Grinding Wheel” on Nuclear Blast. The band just finished the US run of their Killfest tour and are getting ready to make their way to Europe in June. Richie caught up with the band at their second to last US date in Worcester Mass and had a chat with Bobby Blitz.

Find all things Overkill over at their official site: wreckingcrew.com

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Death Angel's Ted Aguilar Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 322 - Death Angel

Death Angel is currently out on the road supporting their great release “The Evil Divide”. We caught up with them during their stop at the Worcester Palladium and sat down for a talk with guitarist Ted Aguilar. Ted has been with the band since 2001 and made his debut on “The Art of Dying”. Join The Pack at deathangel.us/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

METAL ALLEGIANCE - announce new EP scheduled for August 12th!

METAL ALLEGIANCE have announced they will release a special EP, entitled »Fallen Heroes«, on August 12, 2016. The band united to pay homage to the 3 legends -Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie, and Glenn Frey - who impacted not just their lives but the world as well. 

"The end of 2015 and most of 2016 has been a brutal year with many of our heroes passing," comments Mark Menghi. "When Portnoy called me in January to alert me that Glenn Frey had passed, I literally broke down. That night after having a few Tequila Sunrises in Glenn's honor, a lightbulb went off... We're going to record a few tunes to honor our fallen heroes. I called back Mike that evening and asked him what he thought and the next day we were in the studio recording. By weeks end, all guitars, drums and bass were complete. I can't begin to explain the influence that Glenn Frey, Lemmy, and David Bowie had on me. Each of their music has helped me immensely during some real dark periods of my life and not to mention their influence on me as a musician and songwriter. Lemmy is God, Glenn is King and David is the Architect."

Alex Skolnick comments: "These brilliant artists have an extensive catalogue that is sometimes on the softer side (with the exception of MOTÖRHEAD, of course). So when it came to THE EAGLES & BOWIE, we specifically chose tunes of theirs that are riff-based and translatable to high energy arrangements. For Lemmy, we immediately crossed out 'Ace Of Spades' (great tune but the last thing the world needs is yet another cover version) and chose 'Iron Fist,' which we already had a good handle on from playing live and to us is every bit as much a signature MOTÖRHEAD tune."

"I'm really excited to be a part of the »Fallen Heroes« EP," comments Alissa White-Gluz. "I think we have all felt the weight of losing so many great musicians this year. I think these songs are a cool way to pay tribute to a few people who contributed so much to the world of music and showcase a different side of ourselves."

Recorded at Conclave Studios in New York City, »Fallen Heroes« was produced by Mark Menghi and Alex Skolnick. The album was mixed by Jay Ruston in Los Angeles, CA and mastered at Sterling Sound New York City by Ted Jensen. The initial sketch of the artwork was created by Mark Menghi and Stephen Thompson (ANTHRAX) and was later finalized by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

Track list for »Fallen Heroes«:

01. Iron Fist (feat. Troy Sanders)
02. Suffragette City (feat. Mark Osegueda)
03. Life In The Fast Lane (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)

Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

METAL ALLEGIANCE took the news of Lemmy's passing very hard as the bands very first gig was on MOTÖRHEAD's first Motörboat Cruise. It was on that boat where the idea to write a record together and carry the MA flag as a brand/band rather than a sporadic, special event show... all of us in MA are humbly grateful for the opportunity that team MOTÖRHEAD gave us.

In late 2015, the band scheduled a West Coast string of intimate club dates with a stop as the world-famousWhisky A Go-Go. The year concluded with the band heartbroken saying goodbye to their beloved friend. They later found out that his funeral and memorial services would be held the day of their performance. The band was asked by their tour agent who is also MOTÖRHEAD's agent, Lemmy's management, close friends of his, and the owner of the Rainbow and Whisky to incorporate a tribute which of course, they obliged. The day of their performance, Sunset Blvd. was shut down and their bus was parked on a street filled with tears, madness, partiers and a sea of mourning metal heads. They said goodbye to their friend that evening with help from MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee amongst a ton of other special guests.

The next day they played their final show at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Mid-set they were informed that David Bowie had passed. Mark Menghi comments: "I remember coming off stage to trade bass duties with David Ellefson (we would rotate songs) and he stopped me, looked me and Osegueda in the eyes and said "Dude, Bowie just passed away." Literally in mid-set we got that news. I looked at Mark and he was in tears. Not even a minute later, he was on stage telling the Bay Area crowd of the news he just learned. I turned to the side and looked over at Mike Portnoy and he just had his head down with his hands over his head trying to comprehend what Mark was saying. The next few songs was our Lemmy tribute and tears rolled off all of our eyes while paying tribute to one while learning of the passing of another."

METAL ALLEGIANCE live:
11.08. USA Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
14.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air

Order METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut here: http://nblast.de/MetalAllegiance

Battlecross and Abnormality announce USA tour with Soulfly, Suffocation, Lody Kong

This spring, Motor City thrashers Battlecross and Massachusetts-based extreme metal outfit Abnormality will hit the road with Soulfly, Suffocation, and Lody Kong for an extensive USA tour! See below for all dates - plus some additional Battlecross shows before and after the trek! 

Battlecross will be touring in support of their latest album, Rise to Power, which landed on the Billboard charts at #103, marking the band's second Billboard chart entry (2013's War of Will entered the charts at #130). To preview and purchase Rise to Power, please visit: metalblade.com/battlecross 

Having recently signed to Metal Blade Records, Abnormality will be releasing their debut for the label this upcoming April. Stay tuned for more details coming soon! 

Battlecross tour dates

Apr. 19 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird

Apr. 21 - Oklahoma City, OK - Thunder Alley 

Battlecross and Abnormality tour dates

w/ Soulfly, Suffocation, Lody Kong

Apr. 22 - San Antonio, TX - Korova

Apr. 23 - McAllen, TX Cine - El Rey

Apr. 24 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey*

Apr. 25 - New Orleans, LA - Southport Hall

Apr. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade 

Apr. 27 - Fayetteville, NC - Rock Shop

Apr. 28 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage

Apr. 29 - Long Island, NY - Revolution

Apr. 30 - Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom

May 1 - Lowell, MA - Mill City Ballroom

May 3 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall

May 4 - Joliet, IL - Bada Brew

May 5 - Valparaiso, IN - Big Shots

May 6 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom

May 7 - Dayton, OH - Oddbody's

May 8 - Indianapolis, IN - 5th Quarter

May 10 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room

May 11 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep

May 12 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater

May 14 - Walla Walla, WA - Main Street Studios

May 15 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven 

May 17 - Portland, OR - Dantes

May 18 - Orangevale, CA - Boardwalk

May 19 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro

May 20 - Los Angeles, CA - Whisky A Go Go

*=no Suffocation 

Battlecross tour dates

May 28 - Howell, MI - Bled Fest (http://bledfest.tumblr.com) 

Battlecross online:

http://battlecrossmetal.com

http://www.facebook.com/battlecrossmetal

http://twitter.com/battlecross

https://www.youtube.com/user/BattlecrossMetal 

Abnormality online:

https://www.facebook.com/AbnormalityOfficial

https://twitter.com/abnormalityband

https://instagram.com/abnormality.band

https://www.youtube.com/AbnormalityOfficial

https://abnormality.bandcamp.com

https://www.reverbnation.com/abnormality

http://abnormality.bigcartel.com

LOST SOCIETY – UNVEIL ALBUM TITLE, COVER ARTWORK, TRACKLIST & RELEASE DATE

A bit of news from our friends at Nuclear Blast...

17, 18, 19, 19. No, that’s not today’s lottery numbers, but the age of the band members of Finland’s most promising contemporary newcomer combo. Founded early 2010 in Jyväskylä by thrash/speed metal enthusiast Samy Elbanna, the front man gathered an ensemble of passionate allies around him to establish a band that soon should become known as the most energetic up-and-comers Scandinavia had seen in years – LOST SOCIETY! 

Crafted under the aegis of famous producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, ENSIFERUM, LORDI) in the prestigious Sonic Pump Studios (FINNTROLL, SONATA ARCTICA, OMNIUM GATHERUM), the band’s debut entitled “Fast Loud Death“ will be released via Nuclear Blast on March 15, 2013. Already in the first quarter, this record can doubtlessly be ranked among this year’s best releases of its genre! 

The fantastic cover artwork was designed by no less a figure than Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, SANCTUARY, VENOM), who has once again created a true masterpiece that perfectly suits LOST SOCIETY’s music, as band leader Samy states: 
“When we heard that the one and only Ed Repka would be responsible for the album art, we were thrilled, as he created some of the most killer album covers of all times! The result looks absolutely amazing and truly captures the album’s theme - a bus full of crazy people who blew it up big time!” 

Maestro Ed Repka himself comments: "This was a lot of work but a fun project, since both the band and the label were great to work with and very receptive to my input. LOST SOCIETY’s comical concept of their tour bus leaving a town destroyed was cool, but to make it even more crazy, I added the pop-culture "monster in car" aspect, giving the whole image a distinct, aggressive presence. Another tongue-in-cheek metal masterpiece is born!"

“Fast Loud Death” will be available as a limited digipak, deluxe digital download via iTunes and black vinyl in gatefold, all of them incl. 2 bonus tracks. Moreover, a limited digipak + t-shirt bundle as well as a limited blue-transparent 2LP in gatefold will be exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order! Pre-order your copy now at: http://www.nuclearblast.de/suche/lost_society_fast_loud_death 

The tracklist

01. N.W.L.
02. Trash All Over You
03. E.A.G.
04. KILL (Those Who Oppose Me)
05. Bitch, Out’ My Way
06. Fast Loud Death
07. Lead Through The Head
08. Diary Of A Thrashman
09. Toxic Avenger
10. This Is Me
11. Braindead Metalhead
12. Piss Out My Ass
13. Fatal Anoxia

Bonus tracks:
14. Escape From Delirium
15. I Stole Your Love (KISS cover song) 

Keep your eyes on LOST SOCIETY – this is gonna be HUGE!

AVANTASIA: FIRST SAMPLES OF „THE MYSTERY OF TIME“ ONLINE!

On http://www.tobiassammet.com you will find the first audio samples, plus a view into the recording studios of AVANTASIA’s upcoming record „The Mystery Of Time“, which will be out in March 2013. 

Tobi comments the 2-minute trailer with even more informations: 
"Hey friends, as you know I am currently working on a new Avantasia album. It's a lot of work, but I am so proud of what we are creating right now - it's amazing stuff. As my little Christmas gift to, and to make Christmas even a little more exciting for you, I'll reveal some secrets today: Of course, Michael Kiske is on board again! I bet you expected this, you can hear him loud and clear, and he is still the number one vocalist in that range - unbelievable! But, what is really new: For the first time in the history of Avantasia, we're working with a real symphonic orchestra: The German Film Orchestra Babelsberg! You may remember it, they have worked with Rammstein, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, and also with Edguy on the Hellfire Club album. It's an enchanting fairytale we are working on, so we really have no choice but to finally have a real orchestra - after all it's an epic Rock-, or probably Metal Opera! If you click on the clip below, you can check out the orchestra recordings and also, you'll hear a little sample, a rough mix of what's to come in March 2013: THE MYSTERY OF TIME! Enjoy… and Merry Christmas! - Tobi"

Watch the clip at: http://www.tobiassammet.com


SEE AVANTASIA ON THE MYSTERY WORLD TOUR 2013

European leg:

13.04.2013 (CH) Pratteln - Z7
14.04.2013 (CH) Pratteln - Z7
16.04.2013 (I) Milan - Alcatraz
18.04.2013 (D) Ludwigsburg - MPH Arena
19.04.2013 (D) Kaufbeuren - All - Karthalle
20.04.2013 (D) Fulda - Esperanto Halle
22.04.2013 (D) Berlin - Tempodrom
23.04.2013 (D) Hamburg - Große Freiheit
25.04.2013 (D) Oberhausen - Turbinenhalle
26.04.2013 (D) Lichtenfels - Stadthalle

SUICIDE SILENCE SINGER MITCH LUCKER PASSES AWAY AT AGE 28

What follows is the statement from Suicide Silence's label Nuclear Blast

2012-11-02 - It is with great sadness and regret this morning that we have to report that Mitch Lucker, vocalist of SUICIDE SILENCE, passed away a few hours ago due to injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. 



NUCLEAR BLAST would like to offer our condolences to his family, friends, band members and fans worldwide who are affected by this loss. 

He left us doing what he loved to do most. He was 28 years old and will be sorely missed.


The band has made the following statement official via its Facebook page:
“There's no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident.
This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts. R.I.P. Mitchell Adam Lucker - We Love You Brother“

Fans are encouraged to share their memories, photos of Mitch and condolences on the band’s official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SuicideSilence