Horns Up Rocks: 1/16/11

Friday, January 21, 2011

Tommy Vext is ready to Rock

You may know Tommy Vext Cummings from his days as front man of Divine Heresy and Snot, and you probably fear being alone with Tommy if he's pissed off! Yes Tommy is a badass singer with a very unique style, and yes he’s not someone you want to throw spitballs at. However, once you meet Tommy you realize that he’s one of the truest and nicest guys you will ever meet. We've had the chance to hang out with him a few times, and it’s evident that everyone respects Tommy. He might have been looked as the bad guy when he left Divine Heresy because of personal differences with guitarist Dino Cazares (Fear Factory and Divine Heresy), but he has moved on since then and he’s currently working on a new project with his best friend Doc Coyle from God Forbid.

As we all know, his own brother viciously attacked Tommy last September with a crowbar, which resulted in a spleen fracture that nearly cost Tommy his life. Thankfully his physical and mental recovery is going very well, and Tommy is getting ready to once again take over the world through his passionate lyrics and powerful vocals. This past November we had the chance to see Tommy's comeback at his benefit show in New York City, and definitely does not sound rusty. Seeing Tommy back on stage was a very cool moment for all of us who attended, especially after his horrible accident. As soon as he started singing he proved that the speculations of many fans which dared to say that Tommy’s career was over are not the be reckoned with.

After seeing Tommy’s legendary performance, which was the climax of the day, we decided to interview Tommy so he can tell you guys about his present and future. We purposely decided to not speak about his accident or about the friction between him and Dino Cazares, simply because Tommy is at a turning point in his life and negativity only delays a persons rise against the odds.

We want to thank Tommy Vext for this exclusive interview, which was filmed by our good friend Jay Belou! \m/

Here is a video produced by our good friend Tommy Jones from The Studio NJ

Additional donations from those who could not be at the even can be sent via PayPal to tommyvext@gmail.com

Related links:
TOMMY VEXT on Facebook
The Studio NJ

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Behemoth's Nergal Leaves Hospital

Today is a good day in Heavy Metal! Behemoth's front-man and guitarist Adam Darski (A.K.A. Nergal), who 4 weeks ago received a bone marrow transplant from a fan, was released this past Monday from the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) in Gdansk. Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia last year, and the only solution at the moment for this disease, is a bone marrow transplant.

Polish pop star Doda (who is engaged to Nergal) told reporters: "Adam feels good and is resting comfortably but cannot see any visitors as he can't risk viral infections."

After posting online that he needed a bone marrow transplant (that could save his life), a Behemoth fan happened to be compatible and offered to help Nergal. This is what Nergal had to say about such act of kindness: "It would have been difficult to achieve if it wasn't for the support of so many people... The concerts for charity have been organized all over the world and people of show business, bands and, most of all, the fans got deeply involved. You are beyond great! One of you made my transplant possible, but remember, your attitude may save many others in need."

Here are some facts about this horrible disease:

- Every year, more than 10,000 people in the United States alone are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.

- A bone marrow transplant from an unrelated person (who needs to be compatible with the patients) is the best and only hope for survival.

- Out of the thousands of people that are waiting for a match, only four out of 10 patients receive the needed transplant.

Thy Will Be Done = Rhode Island's Punch

Thy Will Be Done is one of the hardest working bands in the underground Heavy Music scene! Ever since we came across them in 2009 at the Crazy Donkey in Long Island, where they warmed up the crowd for Machine Head. We knew that they had the proper mindset and the right sound to be able to infect thousands of ear buds all across the United States. In the last few years they have been direct support for: Lamb Of God, Machine Head (as mentioned above), Fear Factory, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth and many more.

Why this all this bands ask Thy Will Be Done to share the stage with them? Well, they guys from Thy Will Be Done have managed to blend various elements of Heavy Metal and Hardcore in an original way. They are also some of the nicest guys you will ever meet, they always go the extra mile for their fans both on and off stage.

We've heard many fans out there say how at the beginning they didn't get the bands music, but that after a few spins they understood that Thy Will Be Done is "Rhode Island's Punch"! Once they hit you, they knock you out ala Mike Tyson.

This past December we headed over to Santos Party House in New York City, to check out Shadow's Fall, Thy Will Be Done and Binary Code. As soon as we got to the venue we ran into Thy Will Be Done's front-man/screamer J Costa, and immediately started talking music! Right after Thy Will Be Done were done punching everyone who attended in the gut with their furious music, we spoke with J about the past, the present and the future of Thy Will Be Done.

Check out this video interview with J Costa, which features a brand new song by Thy Will Be Done, and a cameo appearance by Doc Coyle from God Forbid. \m/

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Amon Amarth: "Surtur Rising" Album Cover and Track Listing

Swedish Vikings Amon Amarth are infecting the world once again with their signature sound that has caused plenty of neck soars since their inception in 1988. Their highly anticipated 8th album titled "Surtur Rising" (due this Spring),is expected to make plenty of ears bleed. Here are some facts about this record:

- Named in tribute to Surtur, leader of the fire giants of Muspelheim (“flame land”) and the oldest being in the nine worlds of Norse mythology.

- "Surtur Rising" was listed among Decibel Magazine's most anticipated albums of 2011.

- The record features 10 tracks of sword-wielding, fist-pumping, hyper climactic battle anthems.

- It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren and features strikingly brutal cover art by Tom Thiel.

- Track listing:

1: War of the Gods
2: Töck's Taunt - Loke's Treachery Part II
3: Destroyer of the Universe
4: Slaves of Fear
5: Live Without Regrets
6: The Last Stand of Frej
7: For Victory or Death
8: Wrath of the Norsemen
9: A Beast Am I
10: Doom Over Dead Man

- Album cover:

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

Crowbar "Sever The Wicked Hand" PRE-ORDER!

The heavily anticipated new Crowbar record titled "Sever The Wicked Hand", will be in stores on February 8, 2011, via E1 Music. We had the chance to listen to the entire record over a dozen times at the Official CD release party at Idle Hands Bar, and it is everything you can expect from Crowbar: crushing riffs, groovy beats, and killer vocals and lyrics!

Use "kirk10" as the coupon & save 10%!

Do your metallic ears a favor and pre-order Crowbar's new album right now!

Wake Up Fest: Chi Cheng (deftones)

On November 3rd, 2008, Deftones bass player Chi Cheng was in a tragic car accident. As a result, he suffered some very serious brain injuries. Ever since the accident Chi has been in a state of semi-consciousness after suffering severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).

Thanks to the work of the International Brain Research Foundation, Chi's condition has improved in the last year. The method that has been used in order to help maintain Chi stable is a pioneering method of treatment that could eventually wake Chi back up. As you can imagine, this is a very expensive treatment so the Deftones family need as much help as possible in order to raise some funds.

Chi’s mother, Jeanne Cheng, her son and Chi’s brother, Ming Cheng, and family friends Gina Blackmore and Dennis Morrow have been raising awareness and money that has all gone towards Chi's long and expensive treatment. Benefit shows have already commenced, and this Saturday January 22nd "Wake Up Fest" will invade Massachussets, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, and Maryland. All ticket sales will go towards Chi's treatment. Click here for more details!

This is only one of many series of shows that "Wake Up Fest" will put together in 2011. Apart from the benefit shows, national acts are being asked to donate $.25 from their ticket sales, in order to transport Chi to a treatment facility in New Jersey for a 6 month rehabilitation treatment. Relocation is an issue, so anyone who wants to donate a motor home, tour bus, or any other mode of transportation to get Chi from coast to coast is asked to contact the family at One Love For Chi, where you can also make individual donations.

Horns Up Rocks supports "Wake Up Fest" and the "One Love For Chi" foundation. We ask every single one of you to come together and celebrate your lives by helping out one of our brothers! \m/

Here is ONE SONG FOR CHI, featuring Jim Root, Clint Lowery, Wayne Lozinak, Adam Dutkiewicz, James Shaffer, Brian Welch, Reginald Arvizu, Robert Trujillo, Ray Luzier, Dave McClain, Morgan Rose, Noah Bernardo, Mike Wengren and Sid Wilson!

Wake Up Fest
One Love For Chi
International Brain Research Foundation

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Bloody Pit of Horror with Oderus

Have you ever wanted to see how vulgar it is to party with Oderus from Gwar? Well, this Wednesday January 19th thanks to Metal Blade Records and Idle Hands Bar, its time for you to drink bloody beers and bloody shots with Oderus Urungus! In celebration of the release of GWAR's picture disc LP versions of "Lust in Space" (in stores January 18th) and "Bloody Pit of Horror" (in stores February 15), the soul of GWAR will be at the bar.

Here are all the details!

- Date and time: Wednesday January 19 from 7-10 PM

- Host: Extraordinaire, Oderus Urungus, will be showing his warty face (and the rest of him)

- Location: Idle Hands Bar in New York City (25 Avenue B, downstairs between 2nd and 3rd streets in the Village.

- Drink specials: $5 bloody beers and $5 bloody shots. The featured beer of the evening will be Coney Island Lager's "Freaktoberfest" which has a 6.66 % ABV and is made with real zombie blood.

Here is Oderus's Official statement:

"My interaction with the human race is usually confined to crushing skulls and counseling rape-victims", said Oderus. "This is something new for me. I can't wait to booze up with the human filth of the tri-state area."

GWAR's latest masterpiece "Bloody Pit of Horror" is in stores on now and you can also purchase it on the official GWAR page on the Metal Blade Records website at: http://www.metalblade.com/gwar. The landing page includes all current tour dates, GWAR footage from both GWAR.tv and MetalBlade.tv, and pre-orders for "Bloody Pit of Horror" on CD, a GWAR t-shirt, or the ultimate "Bloody Pit" package that includes the CD, the GWAR t-shirt, and a 12x12 autographed cover print! (While supplies last or until GWAR decides to start using the prints as rolling papers...whichever comes first)

Catch GWAR on the "Bloody Tour Of Horror Redux":

Thu/Feb-17 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
Fri/Feb-18 Allentown PA @ Crocodile Rock
Sat/Feb-19 Millvale PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
Sun/Feb-20 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Mon/Feb-21 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater
Tue/Feb-22 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Wed/Feb-23 Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
Thu/Feb-24 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Fri/Feb-25 Richmond, VA @ The National

In case you missed "The Blizzard of GWAR" this past December, here is an exclusive video interview featuring Oderus Urungus plus plenty of live footage of GWAR! Check it out! \m/

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)