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Friday, July 2, 2010

COWBOYS FROM HELL: 20 YEARS STRONG!



It gives Horns Up Rocks GREAT honor to dedicate our 100th post to the Kings of Heavy Metal: PANTERA!

When Pantera released their legendary album Cowboys From Hell on July 3, 1990. Everyone was caught by surprise to the fury the Pantera boys displayed. As we all know, Pantera started as a glam band and with Cowboys From Hell they left that part of their career behind, and single-handedly reinvented the steel! 20 years later, it is very hard to imagine the Heavy Metal scene being what it is today, without Pantera's Cowboys From Hell.



Cowboys From Hell contains Heavy Metal classics such as their anthem "Cowboys From Hell", "Domination", "Primal Concrete Sledge" and "Cemetery Gates". This album also gave Pantera the exposure they needed, and took them from playing small clubs to playing the "Monsters of Rock" festival in Russia in from of 1 million people. That night they outplayed Metallica, AC/DC and Aerosmith. It was evident that Pantera were ready for World Domination!



The legacy that Phil Anselmo, Dimebag Darrell (RIP), Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown created, is to this day untouched, unmatched, unscarred by trials! A New Level of confidence and power, that has influenced millions of musicians worldwide! We salute Pantera for their amazing album "Cowboys From Hell" and lets all have a couple of black tooth's this weekend, in memory of our brother in Metal Dimebag Darrell!

I want to dedicate this video segment to the Pantera boys (Phil Anselmo, Dimebag Darrell, Rex Brown & Vinnie Paul)! And to all the Horns Up Rocks familia! ENJOY



Our good friends from Sirius XM Liquid Metal will be conmemorating this amazing album all weekend long, so make sure you tune in! Happy 4th of July, please be safe because we need everyone of you alive and well, so we can keep this movement growing! \m/



Related links:

Official Pantera site
Try Liquid Metal for FREE

SEVERED SUNDAY!


The band Severed from New York City has been taking over Club Europa in Brooklyn on a monthly basis, and are quickly becoming ambassadors of the New York Heavy Metal scene. When we first saw this band in the basement of Santos Party House for "Double Trouble", it was evident that they are a hard working band. Every show we've seen Severed play is full of adrenaline, crushing riffs and a very tight grip.

On May 9th, they celebrated the release of their self titled album to a packed house at Club Europa. What went down was simply amazing. As we have said before, it is only a matter of time before this guys get the exposure they deserve. If you haven't heard their new album or seen this phenomenal band live, we highly recommend that you do. They have a big show coming up on July 24th, at the main stage of Santos Party House for the "No Mercy Metal" showcase. See you there!

Here is some live footage, along with an exclusive interview with their vocalist Christian Geraldino and their bassist John Wiley.


Related links:
NEW Severed streaming online now!
Severed
Help Get Severed on Roadrunner Records
Severed on ReverbnationNo Mercy Metal

Thursday, July 1, 2010

FAITH NO MORE ticket winner!!!


Horns Up Rocks congratulates Billy Dawson! You are going to see FAITH NO MORE tonight!

- EMAIL US AT info@hornsuprocks.com with your contact information!

Here is his entry:
My wife is preggers with our 3rd kid - she says no because its too expensive with the new baby. I told her we could sell the other 2 kids, and use the dough for the show AND then eventually have only kid! (and figurative 1st).

She said I'm getting too old for mosh pits - but i told her my nuts are shriveling up anyway, so one last doll up of testosterone at FNM will make me feel 20 again - and she can have her young stud back for 1 night!!
I need these tix before I'm officially locked down at the pad and t-ball games FOREVER!! AAAAgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!

PS: oh yeah - i really don't want to have to sell the first 2 kids. i really like 'em.



RELATED LINKS:

FAITH NO MORE TOUR DATES
Horns Up Rocks Official Site
Horns Up Rocks on Facebook
Horns Up Rocks on Twitter

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Based On A True Story

If my life would be a DVD, a Tape or a Vinyl, and I would rewind it back to 1997 when I discovered Sick Of It All. I wouldn't need to hit pause. Simply because while many of my school friends (who I used to head bang with) have given up on heavy music, I am still holding the flag way up high and planning to do so for the rest of my life. I often face the question of when I am going to grow out of this music. Grow out of it? This is my lifeline, not just a trend that I bought into when I was a teenager. People have dared to say that Heavy Music is dead! This is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard! Proof of that is the amazing performance that Sick Of It All displayed on their CD Release show for their latest album titled "Based On A True Story."

The Gramercy (Blender Theater) was more packed than a church on Good Friday. It was hard to move inside the venue, but I didn’t expect anything else. After all, Sick Of It All are one of New York's finest musical exports in history. During their 24 year career Sick Of It All has kept their musical integrity untouched and have never sounded dated. They are also one of the most energetic bands when it comes to their live performances.

When I met their singer Lou Koller at the Black N Blue Bowl, it also became evident that they are really good people. To the point that when he saw me at The Gramercy, he was all about having me exclusively interview him right after their epic show. Interviewing one of my favorite vocalists of all time backstage was extremely surreal. Specially, on their CD Release show, this was also their World Tour kickoff. And what better place than New York City, the city that gave birth to them and to New York Hardcore.


This piece proofs that if you fight for your dreams to come to life, they eventually will come to life. When I was 16 years old, I would have never thought that 13 years later I would be interviewing Lou Koller, one of the most charismatic and realest dudes I have ever met. So if I can inspire one thing through Horns Up Rocks, is to follow your dreams, follow your passion and don't ever stop believing in yourself. As Sick Of It All says on their song "Lifeline", which is part of Based On A True Story: "Hold on to your passion, keep it alive! It's your lifeline, never let go!"

Here is “Based On A True Story”, starring Lou Koller and Sick Of It All.



Related links:

SICK OF IT ALL on MySpace
SICK OF IT ALL official site
SICK OF IT ALL on Twitter

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Gene Hoglan: Blasts of Fear


Eugene Victor Hoglan II, known by many of you as Gene Hoglan or "The Atomic Clock", is one of the best drummers in the world. During his 26 year career he has played in bands such as Strapping Young Lad, Testament, Dark Angel, War God and Dethklok. When I heard that he was joining the mighty Fear Factory, my heart started beating at triple the tempo. I started envisioning what the new generation of Fear Factory would sound like. The results blew my mind when I heard their latest album titled "Mechanized".

Whenever I blast an album through my ear buds, I immediately start wondering how those songs will transmit on a big stage. What I experienced at the Starland Ballroom on a perfect night, brought back memories of when I saw them for the first time at the Dynamo Festival in Holland. Simply put, Fear Factory crushed Sayreville, New Jersey and proved to me that they have reinvented themselves with "Mechanized".

On this phenomenal night, not only did I get to see one of my favorite bands live, but I also got to interview Gene Hoglan. Gene is a very genuine guy with a great sense of humor. He has the mentality of a child and is not afraid to be himself. And that to me is what being "Metal" is all about. As Pantera puts it on their legendary song Walk: be yourself, by yourself...

Given the fact that Gene is a very funny guy, Horns Up Rocks came up with this comical slide show, which also features the exclusive interview that Horns Up Rocks captured for all of you to enjoy. WARNING: If you take life too seriously, this video might offend you.



Make sure you catch Fear Factory on tour, they will not disappoint you! Here is a little taste of what you can expect.

MECHANIZED:


REPLICA:


Live pictures by: Mitchell Damien Maurer

Related links:
Fear Factory on MySpace
For the latest on Fear Factory, follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/Fear_Factory

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Kingdom of Sorrow: "Behind The Blackest Tears"


When Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Kirk Windstein (Crowbar and Down), join forces to write music. The results are not for the weak hearted! I remember when Jamey announced during the 2007 Stillborn Fest that him and Windstein were working on a new project, the crowd went wild. Here we are 3 years later and Kingdom of Sorrow have already released 2 amazing albums.

In my opinion, Jasta and Windstein create a unique blend of Hard Core mixed with sludgy Southern Metal. On their newest musical creation, Kingdom of Sorrow kept the fury of their first self titled album and added more riffs, better lyrics and thanks to a well crafted plan, they managed to release an even better album.

"Behind The Blackest Tears" (released through Relapse Records) contains 12 crushing songs that as soon as you start cranking them through your ear buds, you will find yourself submerged in a very unique sonic experience. Jasta pushed his vocals to another level, by adding his famous scream with perfect harmonies and both him and Windstein released the devil with some crushing riffs. Support the underground scene and pick up this record online or at your nearest record store.

1 - Enlightened to Extinction
2- God's Law in the Devil's Land
3- Monuments of Ash
4- Behind the Blackest Tears
5- Envision the Divide
6- From Heroes To Dust
7 - Along The Path To Ruin
8 - With Barely A Breath
9 - The Death We Owe
10 - Sleeping Beast
11 - Torchlight Procession
12- Salvation Denied

Special Edition Bonus Tracks:
- Soldiers of Hell - (Running Wild cover)
- No Class - (Motörhead cover)

Related links:
KINGDOM OF SORROW

The Black N Blue Bowl: Webster Hall takeover


At these years Black N Blue Bowl, Hardcore history was written thanks to the amazing lineup that the BNB Productions team assembled. As soon as I arrived at Webster Hall, the excitement was evident on the streets as kids were anxiously waiting for the controlled chaos to begin. Outside of the venue, we ran into Freddy and Hoya from Madball, Tim Williams from Vision Of Disorder, John Joseph from the Cro Mags, Lou Koller from Sick Of It All, Danny Diablo from Skarhead, Lars Frederiksen from Rancid, Paul Bearer from Sheer Terror, Jimmy Gestapo from Murphy's Law, and Cousin Joe from Black N Blue Productions.

Seeing all this VIP’s of the Hardcore scene in one place was surreal. After all, one of the first things I learned about New York culture was the music created by those who are part of the New York Hardcore family. I can honestly say that this form of music has been a huge part of my life since I was 16; it has definitely helped shape me as an open minded individual. And as much respect as I have for other musical scenes, the bond between the bands and the fans that are part of the New York Hard Core family is incomparable. Let me tell you about what went on at the old Ritz.

Incendiary had the honor of being the first band to step on stage with enough fuel to burn the place down and the kids got right into the flames. Then the BNB Bowl continued to explode with H8 Inc. from Detroit, who made themselves right at home as the global audience present at Webster Hall welcomed them with their fists in the air.

Next up on this Hardcore party, was the band Sand from Japan who are also known as Asia’s masters of breakdowns. These guys impressed the hell out of the audience with their great energy, wild stage presence and most importantly their killer songs. I had the chance to speak with their lead singer Makoto (through an interpreter) and he mentioned that New York Hardcore has been instrumental in the Japanese Hardcore movement. He also mentioned that when Madball was in Japan, Freddy Cricien from Madball promised them that if they made it to the US; he would make sure they played at the BNB Bowl.

Minutes after Sand left everyone sweating profusely, Cruel Hand shook the venue with a fast driven, energetic set: a set that was not for the weak hearted. Next up the surprise of the night: Wisdom In Chains. A band with phenomenal stage presence and with a very tight dynamic sound, as a result the kids went ape shit. I spoke with singer Mad Joe Black right after the band finished their set and he was drenched in adrenaline and absolutely stoked! Then it was time for Trapped Under Ice, who had a rough time following the energetic set that Wisdom In Chains had just completed.

Around 7 PM Supertouch (the night’s special guest) took over center stage, and continued getting the crowd riled up for what was about to unfold. Supertouch were well received by most of the crowd, but some attendees were expecting a lot more from this band. I think the crowd was expecting a special guest of more caliber like Agnostic Front or Sick Of It All.

Then Webster Hall turned into a party of semi-controlled mayhem. The venue was grooving as soon as Skarhead stepped on stage. I had never seen them live, but was aware that they shoot lethal doses of energy into the crowd with their powerful music and stage antics. By the time Skarhead finished their set, everyone was bruised up.

As the night was winding down and some were starting to get tired, Toby and his band H20 charged up everyone’s batteries. It is hard to find a band with the energy of H20, and as a result hundreds of kids kept coming on stage and making their way back into the crowd. It was the Hardcore Olympics!

Soon after H2O finished their exploding set, Yuppicide made their comeback after 12 years of silence. And they made sure that it was felt by all of the Black N Blue Bowl attendees. From the moment they jumped on stage, it was clear that they were absolutely ready to get the crowd stomping and that the band was very excited to be back in front of such a great crowd.

Finally it was time for one of my favorite bands of all time, the mighty Madball, to get on stage and set it off! These guys never cease to blow minds away and they sounded tighter than ever with the addition of their new drummer Jay Weinberg (Max Weinberg’s son). There was not one person standing still or sitting down during their vulgar display of true street Hardcore. I had a chance to talk to Freddy and Hoya, and they said they are making sure that the next Madball album leaves a worldwide mark!

Concluding the night of Hard Core mayhem, the legendary Cro Mags proofed why they are one of the most influential Hardcore bands in history. From the moment they ran on stage, it was nonstop insanity. John Joseph’s vocals sounded crisp and one thing that impressed me is that the entire band knew exactly how to feed the crowd some adrenaline, when some were getting tired.

All in all, it was a fantastic day in which fans from all over the world came to have a great time. There were no major problems and the venue (which was sold out) was very happy with the results. Black N Blue 2010 was an absolute success, and it looks like it will happen again next year, at Webster Hall. Congratulations to the entire Black N Blue family for putting together one of the best shows, if not the best show, of the year! And the fact that there were people from Europe, Scandinavia, Latin America, Asia and even Australia, is proof that New York Hardcore is now Worldwide Hardcore.

ARTIST QUOTES:
Freddy Cricien (Madball):
"Thank you to everyone who supported our event. Whether you were performing or observing, you were part of a historic night.. They'll be more to come!"

John Joseph (Cro Mags):

"It was great to play in front of so many different kinds of people, to me that is the concept behind Hardcore music. I want to thank Freddy and the rest of the Black N Blue team, for putting together such a great show. We had so much fun and that is thanks to what the crowd was feeding to us. This show will be talked about for months to come. And to think that it was all started by the Bad Brains, who couldn't find a place to play back in DC and ended up in New York. Who would have thought that on times were segregation was evident, that a group of African Americans would make such an impact and help give birth to the New York Hardcore scene."

RELATED LINKS:
BNB Productions
Cro Mags
Madball
H2O
Skarhead
Sand
Wisdom In Chains
H8 Inc.
Supertouch