Cannibal Corpse - Butchered At Birth - original artwork for sale

This is the original art for the Cannibal Corpse CD Butchered at Birth. The cover received lots of attention and was banned in several countries. Some copies of the CD were sold wrapped in butcher paper. Still one of my most well known paintings.

The art is watercolor and acrylic on 12"x12" illustration board. The art is framed and ready to be hung on your wall.

Artwork is listed on eBay with a starting bit of $5,000.

Vince Locke is an accomplished artist who began work in 1986 illustrating Deadworld, a zombie horror comic that soon became an underground hit. Since then, his illustrative talents in comics have included The Sandman, American Freak, Batman, Witchcraft: Le Terreur, The Spectre, and A History of Violence, which was later made into a movie directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen. Locke has also gained notoriety by creating ultra-violent watercolor paintings used as album covers for the death metal band Cannibal Corpse, and by providing illustrations for the dark-fantasy author Caitlín R. Kiernan. He lives with his wife and son in Michigan, where he continues to draw and paint many things, one of which being the all-new graphic novel for Top Shelf, Junction True, written by Ray Fawkes -- due to be published in 2011.

Nevermore announce North American Tour dates

Nevermore will be touring the states (and Canada) for the first time in three years in support of the new release The Obsidian Conspiracy. They will also be taking out Warbringer, Hatesphere and Blackguard as support acts. Be sure to catch Jeff Loomis and company at one of the following dates
Sep. 24 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
Sep. 25 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Sep. 26 – Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
Sep. 28 – Key Club – Los Angeles, CA
Sep. 30 – The Galaxy Theatre – Santa Ana, CA
Oct. 01 – Ramona Mainstage – Ramona, CA
Oct. 02 – U.B.’s Bar – Mesa, AZ
Oct. 03 – The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Oct. 05 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
Oct. 06 – Marquee – Tulsa, OK
Oct. 07 – Ridglea Theater – Ft. Worth, TX
Oct. 08 – Scout Bar – San Antonio, TX
Oct. 09 – Numbers – Houston, TX
Oct. 11 – Emo’s Alternative Lounging – Austin, TX
Oct. 13 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Oct. 14 – Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC
Oct. 15 – Jaxx – West Springfield – VA
Oct. 16 – The Palladium – Worcester, MA
Oct. 17 – The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 19 – The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
Oct. 20 – FouFounes – Montreal, Que
Oct. 21 – Music Hall – London, Ont
Oct. 22 – Opera House – Toronto, Ont
Oct. 23 – Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
Oct. 25 – Diesel Nightclub – Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 26 – Headliner’s Music Hall – Louisville, KY
Oct. 27 – Blondies – Detroit, MI
Oct. 29 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
Oct. 30 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 31 – Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
Nov. 01 – Royal Albert Arms – Winnipeg, MB
Nov. 02 – The Exchange – Regina, SK
Nov. 04 – The Republik – Calgary, AB
Nov. 05 – Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB

European office of Relapse Records destroyed by fire

The European office of Relapse Records and their warehouse was completely destroyed by a fire that broke out early Wednesday morning. All that remains of the buildings is ash. Per the record label, no one was injured in the fire and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Relapse Records operations will continue and updates will be provided.

Relapse Records is label to a great many bands, and it's a shame to hear of this tragedy.  Bands the likes of Cephalic Carnage, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, Dying Fetus, Abysmal Dawn, Devourment, and Kingdom of Sorrow call Relapse home. 


Visit Relapse Records to view their current artist roster, buy merch, find tour information, and information on new releases.  


Best wishes and best of luck to Relapses Records in recovering from this tragedy.  

R.I.P. Douglas Copley

Focus On Metal would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of Doug Copley who died suddenly last week. Doug was a friend of the show, massive Kiss fan, and all around longtime metalhead.
Lowell and the Boston area will greatly miss Doug's guitar playing.

Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

In an open letter on Facebook, Mike Portnoy states that after being a part of the band for 25 years, he has decided to leave Dream Theater. While Mike clearly states that Dream Theater has been his baby for such a long time, he admits that he has enjoyed himself a lot more working on a variety of different projects from Avenged Sevenfold to Hail and Transatlantic. Read the entire Facebook message here,

Reward Posted for return of Machine Head guitarists gear

Robb Flynn from Machine Head suffered a robbery at his bay area home on Sept 7.
Several things were taken from his home including family items and musical equipment.

One item stolen was a Washburn Dimebolt prototype which was a gift from Dimebag.
Robb is offering a $2000 reward for the return of that guitar.

Also taken was a black Ibanez strat which was used in the recording of the album "Burn My Eyes".
The guitar is covered in several stickers, including one that states "designated drinker".
A $1000 reward is being offered for that instrument.

If anyone sees or hears of anything on Craigslist, eBay, or their local guitar or pawn shop (basically anywhere) contact mike@machinehead1.com ASAP.

DIMMU BORGIR video now streaming

For a very limited time DIMMU BORGIR is streaming Gateways performed by KORK (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra)
The next next few days the stream can be found here.  After that it will be posted to their YouTube Channel

Nergal sets the record straight

With all the various efforts being carried out on his behalf Nergal has decided to release a statement.
He has this to say.

"I haven't intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words. Regarding my personal low opinion of humankind, I'm shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations. I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I'm unable to reply to all of them. The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time. The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states. If you know the history of Behemoth you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his Art of War said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!

"So I want to emphasize that Behemoth will by no means goes through any hibernation state. Obviously all concert plans must be postponed until some unknown point in the future, but things are happening! Lately our newest video for '…Alas, Lord is Upon Me' has premiered and stirred up quite a storm in mass media, which fills us with utter pride. Plus we've just finished the project of our new DVD; Evangelia Heretika is a three disc release, a real encyclopedia of Behemoth with nearly 5 hours of material and a bonus audio CD that will be out in November (Metal Blade US - Nuclear Blast Europe). Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it! Our official Webstore has been functional for a couple of days and official merchandise and some very exclusive stuff can be bought there. At the beginning of 2011, Peaceville in Europe and Metal Blade in US will reissue the EPs with new artwork, bonuses, liner notes and more. As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we're remaining active wherever we can.

"Finally, I want to comment on some opinions which, provoked by religious circles, lead to far-fetched and inaccurate interpretations. I was surprised to hear my illness became a pretext for some people to embark on their own crusade. Opinions suggesting I might come closer to God or abandon my ideals and grovel to the only correct world view in this country not only surprised but also frightened me. This is a typical example of supporting one's own views by preying on someone's misfortune. 'He fell ill so he will convert to Christianity, he will discover the religion he fought against is actually close to him.' Halt! Why should the illness change my point of view? It is true this is a difficult time for me and the thoughts of ultimate matters are hard to chase away. But the idea that I will change my opinions, priorities and values as a consequence of my illness sounds as if someone regards my head, and not my body, ill. Suggesting I might convert are ridiculous. To what would I convert? After all, I know Christian mythology pretty well, not only in its literary version, and I find nothing good, creative or beautiful in it. I read books better and wiser than the Bible. War, blood, blackmail, rapes, incest, pedophilia, zoophilia, collaboration and treachery – each page emanates with evil. Some may say I don't understand the message of the Bible. I'd rather say the Christianity is nothing more than a rusty and archaic structure that is going to fall down any moment. It lasts only because of the gullible that follow the shepherd blindly; without any questions, without any consideration, not to any promised land, but to an intellectual slaughter. So, I say to those, who see some chances to break my rules, and myself because of the illness: over my dead body!"

Bone Marrow Registry is international...

The Bone Marrow Registry is international. 


You might be the one who could help Nergal.


Registering as a donor is quick and painless, and consists of a swab of cheek cells.  Many donations do not require surgery and your travel and medical costs are reimbursed.  


Nergal has contributed so much to the metal world and inspired so many of us. It's time to pay him back. Show Nergal we care and support him.  Please take a moment to register.  If you cannot help Nergal, you might be able to help someone else.  If you are unable to donate marrow, please consider other ways of supporting Nergal by learning more about Leukemia and encouraging those around you to register as a donor.  Visit http://www.marrow.org/ to learn more about how you can register.


Nergal... our thoughts and wishes are with you as you fight this illness. 

Visit the Music Saves Lives website and blog to learn more.

Ozzy Osborne iPhone app available

OZZY OSBOURNE has announced the release of a a free Ozzy iPhone app. Get songs, videos, tour dates and leave a personal note to the Prince of Darkness on the fan wall. Click here to check it out and to download.