Dream Theater announce new drummer, Mike Mangini

After many months, much speculation and an online documentary, Dream Theater have announced Mike Mangini as their new drummer. The final instalment of Dream Theater’s drummer search documentary concluded today with Mangini being selected and confirmed as the new drummer. Mike auditioned in part one and the first drummer in, and is noted for working with Annihilator, Steve Vai, Extreme and even James LaBrie’s solo work.

“What it means to me to be a part of this band is a sense of fulfilment and purpose,” stated Mangini. “I feel really honoured to carry on the torch for [Mike Portnoy], I’m carrying on his spirit.”

Congrats to Mike Mangini.

Watch the video HERE.

The Bold and The Beautiful and Drainland shows this weekend

Polish powerviolence outfit The Bold and The Beautiful play The Lower Deck, Portobello this Friday. Also playing are the mighty Easpa Measa, grindcore band Sickener and the very, very promising This Tongue Is Poison. It’s only €6 in, before 9pm and €8 after.

This is the third time this week that Drainland have been mentioned on The Grind That Annoys. Christ. Anyway, the following night and also in The Lower Deck is Drainland’s tour benefit show for an upcoming trek that includes Holland and Germany. Legion of Two, Melodica Deathship and Loose Nut are also playing. €6 in before 8.30 and €7 after.

New Drainland track

The mighty Drainland have released a new track, ‘Stairs’ from their forthcoming split LP with Galway’s Trenches.

The band played the song live last Monday when supporting Keelhaul and Knut, and it sounded monstrous. The recorded version, allowing for multiple listens, unveils a densely powerful track. Last year’s And So Our Troubles Began delivered some dauntingly heavy assaults and ‘Stairs’ is no different. If anything, it’s even more disquieting and unrelenting. Fantastic stuff again.

You can listen to the track below, or on the band’s Soundcloud.

The Southern Lord reissue of And So Our Troubles Began is released May 24th.

DRAINLAND: STAIRS by drainland

Dream Theater drummer doc continues: Derek Roddy, Thomas Lang and Virgil Donati and Marco Minnemann

Dream Theater’s online documentary which chronicles their search for a new drummer continues. This instalment sees the audition of Derek Roddy, most notable for work with Hate Eternal and Malevolent Creation, possibly one of the most in demand session drummers in world in Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati of Planet X and Steve Vai and Finally Marco Minnemann (Paul Gilbert, Necrophagist, Kreator.

Watch the video below:

All the drummers are phenomenal of course but Roddy’s audition appeared to make the least impact. Marco Minnemann makes the best impression of the four drummers. However, with the news leaking that he is not the new DT drummer, it throws speculation off slightly.

Keelhaul & Knut - Button Factory, 25/4/11

Keelhaul and Knut's co-headlining tour stopped off in Dublin on Monday for a free show in the Button Factory, with support from Drainland. Click HERE for the live review.

Dream Theater’s Drummer Doc continues: Mike Mangini

Following on from last week’s trailer for Dream Theater’s Drummer Doc, which can be seen HERE, the first 20-minute instalment of the Dream Theater drummer audition documentary is online now on Roadrunner’s YouTube channel HERE.

Again, the doc provides an insightful look into the Dream Theater camp, but as mentioned in the other post, the process continues to be stretched out ridiculously. This episode however details the incredible audition of Mike Mangini.

Finally, in an interesting twist, Marco Minnemann, one of the seven auditioning for the spot, ruled himself out of contention with the following Facebook status. (Note that this documentary isn’t ongoing and Dream Theater confirmed a new drummer last December)

“Haha, thanks, but I’m not DTs drummer. I know everybody thinks I am and our chemistry is great, but I’m doing actually another thing with Jordan and there are also plans for another project with Jordan and John P together."

New earthtone9 track

This is the first new song from earthone9 in ten years! The massively overlooked band, most noted for 2000’s staggering Arc‘tan’gent album who reformed in May of last year to a warm reception, have released a new track, ‘Tide of Ambition’ for free download HERE, by signing up to their mailing list. You can also listen to the track below.

The band are using Pledge Music to help fund the recording of their new EP For Cause And Consequence. You can check out the band’s profile on Pledge HERE.

Annapurna - I am a Leaf [single]

The new 12 minute single, 'I am a Leaf' from Belfast post metal act Annapurna was released recently and HERE is the review over on the Drop-d. Check it out.

New While Heaven Wept track

Epic progressive metallers While Heaven Wept have released a new track, ‘Obsessions Now Effigies’ from their forthcoming new album. The new record, Fear of Infinity is the band’s fourth studio album and the follow-up to 2009’s staggering Vast Oceans Lachrymose.

Hope are high for this new record after the breathtaking trek that was its predecessor. ‘Obsessions Now Effigies’ appears to be nodding in the right direction though, a very solid track.

Listen to the track below, Fear of Infinity is out next week.

Jeff Loomis and Van Williams leave Nevermore

A shocker to say the least and this comes in a week that also saw KK Downing leave Judas Priest. Nevermore have parted ways with long standing guitar virtuoso Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams.

The following statement from the two reads:

“In a mutual decision Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have decided to leave Nevermore. The time has come to pursue our own paths from the group. Due to internal struggles and ongoing issues within the band, we feel it is our time to move on. We would like to thank all of our fans around the world for their years of love, support and enthusiasm. This was not an easy decision but a very necessary one at this point, may we all meet again someday, somewhere in time.”

It is the departure of Loomis that makes this news so shocking, with no disrespect to Williams intended. Jeff Loomis is the blood of Nevermore, his guitar paying coupled with Warrel Dane’s vocals created the band’s unique and staggering sound. Where the band goes now is anyone’s guess.

The title track from Nevermore’s latest album, the blinding, The Obsidian Conspiracy:

Dream Theater's 'Drummer Doc' Part 1

Dream Theater has released the first part of a mini-documentary on their Facebook page detailing the process they undertook to find a new drummer after the shocking departure of Mike Portnoy last year. Drummer Doc follows the band as they audition seven hopeful drummers, all of which are established veterans respectively.

The emergence of this doc means a few things. Firstly, the announcement of who the new drummer is must be coming very, very soon. John Petrucci confirmed they had a new man behind the kit last December, but his identity would remain in the shadows for the time being. It has now been five months, a ridiculous time to leave fans in the dark, when the decision has been made.

The new album must surely be near completion and the setting of a release date too. Also, the band has tour dates throughout the summer, including a headlining set High Voltage all booked. The rumours and speculation amongst fans has been rampant ever since Portnoy’s exodus and frankly, the bickering and debating must come to an end. Who is the drummer? Well, we know now that the list of possibilities has been whittled down to just seven. Who do you think it is? Leave a comment below and watch the video or on Dream Theater’s Facebook page.

Aquiles Priester (Hangar, Angra)

Peter Wildoer (Darkane, James LaBrie’s latest solo album Static Impulse)

Marco Minnemann (Extensive solo career, collaborations with a wide array of artists from Paul Gilbert to Ephel Duath. Also, Minneman played live with Necrophagist for a period and is featured on the live DVDs of the Summer Slaughter tour in 2007 and 2008)

Mike Mangini (Annihilator, James LaBrie’s Elements of Persuasion, Steve Vai, Extreme)

Virgil Donati (Planet X, session work for Derek Sherinian amongst other, touring member with Steve Vai)

Thomas Lang (Session work that ranges from Robert Fripp to the Sugababes)

Derek Roddy (Nile, Malevolent Creation, Hate Eternal, Today Is The Day)

Check back for Part Two when it's online!

New Cave In track

Yes, you read that right. Cave In have released a new track from their eagerly anticipated new album White Silence. The song, ‘Sing My Loves’, can be heard below or on Hydra Head Records’ Soundcloud HERE.

‘Sing My Loves’ is satisfyingly heavy but also gorgeously melodic and atmospheric with Stephen Brodsky’s vocals being ever so strong and instantly recognisable.

The anticipation for White Silence has officially risen even higher.

Listen to the song below. White Silence is released May 24th via Hydra Head.

CAVE IN - Sing My Loves by H.H.R.

Godspeed co-founder releasing solo album

Godspeed You! Black Emperor co-founder and Thee Silver Mt. Zion helmer, Efrim Manuel Menuck is to release a solo album next month. The record entitled Plays “High Gospel” will be released on Constellation Records.

Two tracks are now available for streaming below. ‘Our Lady of Parc Extension and Her Munificent Sorrows’ makes for an impressive taster of what Plays “High Gospel” could bring meanwhile, “Chickadees’ Roar pt. 2” is an eerie and ghostly ambient trek.

“Efrim Manuel Menuck Plays "High Gospel" rallies all of these talents and sensibilities to deliver a powerful and personal album that serves as an ode to his adopted Montreal hometown (where he has now lived for two decades), the passing of great friends (Vic Chesnutt, Emma) and new fatherhood. Entirely self-produced and tracked at various Montreal locations, the album offers a confident, focused, humble and enveloping song cycle.”

our lady of parc extension and her munificent sorrows by Constellation Records

chickadees' roar pt. 2 by Constellation Records

New Morbid Angel track

The release of new Morbid Angel music has been both anticipated and dreaded. New album Illud Divinum Insanus has been a divisive prospect to say the least but finally there is a ‘taster’ of what the album may entail.

The album is alleged to be heavy on industrial influences but ‘ExistoVulgore’ is no such track, however there are nine other songs on the album still to be heard. The song is little more of what one would expect from Morbid Angel – powerful drums and ripping fretwork from Trey Azagthoth. Is this enough to dispel some of the ill will that has been afforded for this album or is it just another case of a band releasing a safe number before the album drops? We’ll find out on June 6th, the album’s official release date.

Listen below:

This Tongue Is Poison - Demo

This Tongue is Poison have released a four-track demo online now for your consumption. Click HERE for the review. It alludes to something special.

Sickener tracks online

After some, dare we say, hype, Sickener have released two tracks online, at last. If you frequent this page then you are likely to be familiar with Sickener after some impressive live reports of the fresh Dublin grindcore band. The two new tracks, ‘Ego vs. Reality’ and ‘Drinking from the Cesspool can be heard on their blog page or down below.

Simply put, the two tracks are feral as fuck with vocals that can only described as revolting. A very impressive start with these two tracks.

Ego Vs. Reality by Sickener Drinking From The Cesspool by Sickener

Sickener are playing The Lower Deck on Friday April 29th with Polish hardcore band The Bold And The Beautiful, Easpa Measa and This Tongue Is Poison.

Today is the Day - Whelan's, 9/4/11

Live review of Today is the Day in Whelan's last Saturday on tour with Retox and support from Drainland. Click HERE for the review.

New Septicflesh track

Greek metal outfit Septicflesh have released another new track from their new album The Great Mass, this time it’s ‘Oceans of Grey’.

The Great Mass is an album that utilises vast orchestral arrangements and choirs and is thus so wide in scope and deep in texture. There’s a slow, brooding atmosphere in the trade offs between the guitars, vocals and the elements added by the orchestra.

Listen to the track below. The Great Mass is released April 18th.

BoSoGa - Recollective

The Reptilians' drummer Steve McMichael's new solo album released under the pseudonym of BoSoGa, Recollective. Click HERE for the review on Drop-d.

Between the Buried and Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues EP

Between the Buried and Me have returned a new EP, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, the follow to The Grind That Annoys' 2009 album of the year, The Great Misdirect. Click HERE for the review of this astonishing piece of work.

New Amorphis track

Finnish melodic progressive metallers Amorphis have posted a new track online, ‘You I Need’. The song is taken from their tenth studio album, The Beginning of Times, which is released next month on Nuclear Blast.

The song can be heard on the band’s Facebook page or down below. Amorphis released their ninth album, Skyforger in 2009 and followed it with last year’s Magic & Mayhem - Tales from the Early Years, a compilation of recorded material from their earlier days. ‘You I Need’ is more of the vehement, heavy and gorgeously melodic metal that characterised their later output.

Earth & Sabbath Assembly - The Button Factory, 8/4/11

Earth returned to Ireland last week in support of new album Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I, with support from Sabbath Assembly. Click HERE for the review.

Wormrot - Dirge

Singapore grindcore band Wormrot are back with their sophomore album, Dirge, which is the follow up to the cracking dedbut Abuse. How does it fare? Click HERE for the review.

Abaddon Incarnate & more... - The Lower Deck, 26/3/11

Somewhat delayed, yes. But you know what they say, better late than never. Abaddon Incarnate's show in the Lower Deck on March 26th was a blinder and the bill which included Putrefaction, Twisted Mass, Sodb and Sickener was simply fantastic. Click HERE for the review over on the Terrorizer site now.

New Shining track

Shining, the Swedish depressive black metal one that is, have released a new track from their much anticipated and quite delayed new album Född Förlorare (Born Losers). The track entitled ‘Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel’ (Despair, My Inheritance) can be heard below.

The band have been rearing their heads more often lately with the announcement that they have signed with Spinefarm Records, departing from long time partners Osmose Productions. Enigmatic front man Niklas Kvarforth also announced that he was quitting all side projects with the exception of Maniac’s Skitliv, so as to focus entirely on Shining.

Shining, over the course of their last three albums in particular, have really proved themselves musically and not just as a novelty thanks to Kvarforth’s violent onstage antics. This new track furthers accentuates this focus on the quality of the band’s output.

The new album which will feature guest appearances from Chris Amott and Watain’s Erik Danielson is released on May 25th.

Shining - Förtvivlan Min Arvedel by PATRICIA THOMAS

Another new A Storm of Light track

As if the new song, ‘Collapse’, released last month wasn’t enough, A Storm of Light are streaming another new cut from their forthcoming third record. The track entitled ‘Missing’, frankly blows its predecessor away. As reported before, Kim Thayil of Soundgarden is appearing on this new album, As We Become The Valley of Death, Our Silver Dreams Fade and his playing graces this very track which also features singer Nerissa Campbell.

The track is the fastest A Storm of Light have ever written. The sound is huge and the delivery is nothing short of punishing with a vicious vocal from Josh Graham. The solo work provided by Thayil is simply sublime too. The track is streaming over on stereogum now.

Grayceon - All We Destroy

All We Destroy is the third album from Grayceon, the cello incorporated metal act with ties to Neurosis, Today Is The Day and Agalloch. Click HERE for the review.

Death Ray Vision - Get Lost or Get Dead EP

Following on from the interview posted earlier, here's the review of Death Ray Vision's debut EP. HERE.

Death Ray Vision interview [Pete Cortese]

Click HERE for one of the first interviews with Pete Cortese of Death Ray Vision, the new side project from members of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Overcast. The interview is live now on the Terrorizer website.

Friend? & Overhead, The Albatross - The Workman's Club, 1/4/11

Last Friday, Friend? and Overhead, The Albatross played their joint EP launch in Dublin's Workman's Club and it was a stunning show. Not too say expectations were at all low, but any preconceptions were shattered. Fantastic show start to end, click HERE for the review.

Pain of Salvation video banned

Swedish prog rock outfit Pain of Salvation have released a video for ‘Where It Hurts’ from last years Road Salt One album and guess what, it’s been banned. The explicit video has been removed from YouTube for violating its “policy on nudity or sexual content”.

The video which is by no means safe for work can of course be still tracked down in the usual haunts of the great internet. (EDIT: The video is now on Vimeo and can be seen below, but may not be availalble for much longer) In summation, the video features vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw sitting down nude, holding a human heart with the blood dripping down his arms. This scene flicks to another, one which is much more on the raunchy side with Gildenlöw, to put it politely, pleasing a woman vehemently. The blood of the heart then begins to rain down on their fornication.

The clip is clearly out there to shock and does come across as very contrived. However it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, the lyrics of Road Salt One were overtly sleazy. But what do you think? Have you seen the video? What do you make of it and should it have been banned?

Pain of Salvation will be releasing the follow up album Road Salt Two in September.

Pain of Salvation - Where it Hurts (UNCENSORED) from Il Recensore on Vimeo.

New Arch Enemy track

After nearly four years, prominent Swedish melodic death metallers Arch Enemy are returning with a new album in Khaos Legions. The band have released the new track ‘Yesterday is Dead and Gone’ for free download HERE, and can be heard below.

The track is Arch Enemy through and through. Angela Gossow vocals are still ferocious and the Amott’s guitar playing is crisp and unyielding as well. ‘Yesterday is Dead and Gone’ offers no massive departure from the band’s usual formula though,

Khaos Legions is released May 30th.