An Evening with Amon Amarth in Times Square

Last night Amon Amarth brought their furious Heavy Metal to hundreds of headbangers at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square, New York City, for "An Evening with Amon Amarth". We had personally never seen the band, but had very high expectations, which the band proved right last night and demonstrated that they are one of the most important Heavy Metal bands to ever surface from Scandinavia.

Last night was Amon Amarth's show, and like any band that plays New York City, they know that people have great expectations. We had a chance to talk with the band before the show and they were all pretty anxious to deliver their powerful music to all the Metaleros present at the show.
For over 2 hours the band demonstrated how tight they are on stage and made everyone in the crowd tired just by watching them play their music at full blast. The band played two full sets. On the first set they played their brand new album "Surtur Rising" in its entirety, and after a short intermission (beer break) they played a second set full of their famous Viking Metal anthems. The technicality of this band is without a doubt what made them successful and what keeps people coming back to their shows and losing their mind in the pit.

We ran into Brian Slagel from Metal Blade Records (Amon Amarth's label) at the end of the show and we sarcastically told him that the show was so bad that we either wanted our money back or for the band to do another show. He confirmed that they will be back in New York City at the end of the summer. We can't wait! \m/


SETLIST for Set 1:
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"





SETLIST for Set 2:
1) Twilight of the Thunder God
2) Masters of War
3) Live for the Kill
4) With Oden on our Side
5) Guardians of Asgaard
6) Asator
7) Varyags of Miklagaard
8) Thousands Years of Oppression
9) Without Fear
10) Victorious March/Gods of War/Death in Fire

Encore:
1) Cry of the Black Birds
2) Runes to My Memory
3) The Pursuit of Viking

Here is what the fans thought about the show:

"I've been to many metal shows, countless to be honest. And I can truly say, The show you put on tonight was the most brutal show I have ever been too. keep up the good work guys! \m/" - Anthony Rafferty (Staten Island, New York)

"This was the best show I have ever been to. Of course I had to finish my evening with a trip to see thor. I think Johan would have been a much better choice." - Stephanie Ramos Weininger

"AWESOME SHOW ♥ Thanks for making a bad day turn into a great night :3 I lost my voice and I am damned happy about it. Thanks guys!" - Ley Dodds

"Thanks so much had a blast. Mosh the whole night. 1 and 2 sets were fucking brutal!" Diego Tapia (Queens)

Remaining US tour-dates:

5/06: Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
5/07: Theatre Of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA

EUROPEAN tour - SURTUR RISING

Presented by METAL HAMMER
Special Guests BLACK DAHLIA MURDER & EVOCATION

13/5 (N) OSLO / Betong
14/5 (S) STOCKHOLM / Tyrol
15/5 (S) GOTHENBURG / Trädgarn *
17/5 (DK) COPENHAGEN / Vega
18/5 (D) HAMBURG / Grosse Freiheit 36
19/5 (B) ANTWERP / Hof Ter Lo
20/5 (NL) AMSTERDAM / Melkweg
21/5 (D) COLOGNE / E-Werk (Tickets)
22/5 (F) PARIS / Elysee Montmartre
24/5 (D) MUNICH / Tonhalle (Tickets)
25/5 (I) MILAN / Limelight
27/5 (D) DESSAU / Metalfest Germany
28/5 (A) MINING / Metalfest Austria
29/5 (CH) PRATTELN / Metalfest Switzerland

*without Black Dahlia Murder



Photo Credit: BetYouIdid

Related links:
Official landing page for Surtur Rising
Amon Amarth's Official site
Metal Blade TV
Amon Amarth on Facebook
Follow Amon Amarth on Twitter
Amon Amarth on MySpace

Black Sabbath's Rollercoaster Ride

When Black Sabbath was founded in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne, Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, their initial musical style was Heavy Blues-Rock. After struggling to build an audience, the band started to incorporate lyrics that blended occult and horror themes with tuned-down guitars. This is also when their songs started to deal with social and political issues such as drugs and war. This new direction of the band caught the attention of many people across Europe that had never heard anything like Black Sabbath. From that moment on the band decided to stay true to their new sound and to always leave their mark wherever they performed at. Most of the time they did this through their live performance, but sometimes they did it by being the life of the party.

While the band's purpose was never to become the pioneers of Heavy Metal along with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, or to be labeled as the most important band in Heavy Music history. The four man sacrificed everything they had in order to make music their lives because they didn't want to have to get a "real" job. Just like any successful band out there, Black Sabbath has faced many obstacles and has gone through numerous lineup changes. The most notorious lineup change was when the great Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, after Ozzy was fired due to his out of control behavior caused by his alcoholism. This obviously changed the sound of the band since Ozzy and Dio have different singing styles. However, this major obstacle was beaten by Black Sabbath without any hiccups and it offered the fans a more dynamic sound.

As far as challenges go, the most notorious one is when guitarist Tony Iommi lost the tip of his fingers while working at a sheet Metal factory when he was 17 years old. After almost giving up his career in music, his boss encouraged him to reinvent his sound when he played him a record by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who had a similar accident and despite limited use of his fretting hand following an injury, became a musical phenomenon. Many say that this accident is what created the unique sound that Tony Iommi possesses and that gave Black Sabbath their signature sound.

Here are some facts about Black Sabbath:

- Black Sabbath was formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969.
- 22 musicians have at one time been members of Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi is the only member that has been with Black Sabbath consistently.
- They have sold over 15 million records in the US and more than 50 million records worldwide.
- Ranked by MTV as the "Greatest Metal Band" of all time.
- Placed second in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list, behind Led Zeppelin.
- After a few albums with Dio on vocals, the band ehad various line-up changes in the 1980s and 1990s. This changes included vocalists: Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin.
- In 1992, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler rejoined Dio and drummer Vinny Appice to record "Dehumanizer".
- The original Black Sabbath line-up reunited with Ozzy Osbourne in 1997 and released a live album, titled "Reunion".
- The 1979–1982 and 1991–1992 line-up: Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio, and Vinny Appice, rejoined forces in 2006 under the moniker Heaven & Hell. And were together until Dio's death on 16 May 2010.

After the death of singer Ronnie James Dio, the band went on hiatus and it is unknown if Ozzy will reunite with the rest of the boys and bring the original Black Sabbath back to surface. Right now the focus of the band and specially Wendy Dio (Dio's wife), is to raise money for Cancer treatment through the "Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund". Right now they are having different musicians in the music scene donate guitars that will be auctioned sometime in October. On the other hand, bassist Geezer Butler is writing a new album for his solo project GZR and writing a book of memoirs.

Here is an EXCLUSIVE "Black carpet" interview we did with Geezer Butler and Wendy Dio, at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. \m/

















Related links:
Black Sabbath
Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

Kerry King talks about the "Big 4" on Liquid Metal!

Kerry King is synonymous to Heavy Metal! Ever since he founded Slayer in 1981, Kerry's mission has been to deliver the madness both on and off stage. While many Heavy Music fans will always clash when it comes to their different tastes in bands, artists, etc. We all agree that Kerry King represents what Heavy Metal is all about: uncompromised badass honest rugged music that's not for the weak hearted!

Slayer recently performed in front of 50,000 headbangers at the "Big 4" show in Indio, California, and Jose Mangin from Sirius XM Liquid Metal interviewed Kerry King about the historic event that took place in the middle of the desert. The interview airs tomorrow Thursday 5 de Mayo at 5 pm Eastern. Here is the OFFICIAL press release:

"Kerry King from metal gods Slayer spoke to Liquid Metal's Jose Mangin backstage at 2 AM in Indio, CA and gave Sirius XM an exclusive post history making Big 4 experience wrap-up, which ended hours earlier. He opens up about the all-star "jam" on stage that he finally took part in, the massive turn out in the desert that day & other Slaytanic thoughts from Metal's reigning King!"

Kerry King BIG 4 Exclusive Interview airs on:

- Thursday, May 5th @ 5PM Eastern on Sirius XM Liquid Metal (CHANNEL 40)

Repeat Broadcasts:

- Friday, May 6th @ 8PM Eastern
- Saturday, May 7th @ 12PM Eastern
- Sunday, May 8th @ 10PM Eastern

Tune in, grab a smoke, a beer, and put your horns up for Kerry Fucking King, Slayer, and Liquid Metal!





Related links:
Slayer's Official Site
Sirius XM Liquid Metal

Anthrax: Antisocials that just Wanna’ Rock!

Whenever Anthrax is not on stage taking names, they need to either be in the studio making music or at a bar downing drinks, otherwise they get very antsy (as you can see below). The New York City Thrash Metal badasses proved at the recent “Big 4” show in California that with the reincarnation of singer Joey Belladonna, they are ready to get out there and do what they do best: adrenalize the crowds with pure hostile energy!

Formed in 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, Anthrax have released 9 studio albums and are scheduled to release their highly anticipated 10th album titled “Worship Music” in September! After various lineup changes that prove the bands perseverance to stay on top of their game, the bands current lineup (see below) has excellent chemistry that should keep the fans satisfied for many years to come. Here is the band's current lineup:

- Joey Belladonna (vocalist)
- Scott Ian (guitars)
- Charlie Benante (drummer)
- Frank Bello (bassist)
- Rob Caggiano (guitarist)




Here is a rundown on Anthrax’s previous band members:

Lead vocals:
- John Connelly (1981)
- Dirk Kennedy (1981)
- Jason Rosenfeld (1981–1982)
- Neil Turbin (1982–1984)
- Matt Fallon (1984)
- John Bush (1992–2005, 2009–2010)
- Dan Nelson (2007–2009)

Drums:
- Dave Weiss (1981)
- Greg D'Angelo (1981–1983)

Lead guitars:
- Danny Lilker (1981)
- Greg Walls (1981–1983)
- Bob Berry (1983)
- Dan Spitz (1983–1995, 2005–2007)
- Paul Crook (1995–2001)

Bass:
- Kenny Kushner (1981)
- Paul Kahn (1981)
- Danny Lilker (1981–1984)

Here is the bands impressive discography:
- Fistful of Metal (1984)
- Spreading the Disease (1985)
- Among the Living (1987)
- State of Euphoria (1988)
- Persistence of Time (1990)
- Sound of White Noise (1993)
- Stomp 442 (1995)
- Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998)
- We've Come for You All (2003)
- Worship Music (2011)

We had the chance to have a quick “Black carpet” interview with Anthrax at the recent Golden Gods Awards, in which the band confirmed their new album title and filled us in on their summer plans. Check it out!





Related links:
Anthrax Official Site
Anthrax on MySpace
Anthrax on Twitter

"The Horns Up Rocks Big 4 Raffle"

Horns throwers! Since we know that times are rough for all of us, Horns Up Rocks has decided to give away one ticket for the Big 4 show that will take place at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Performing live together for the first time ever in New York City will be Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.

Here are the rules:

1) You need to attend at least one Horns Up Rocks event in order to enter the contest:

- A Celebration of the NYC Music Scene (presented by the Devil's Night Happy Hour): Friday, June 24, 2011 at Idle Hands Bar

- The Sindependence Metal Bash (presented by Horns Up Rocks & Brutal Bitches Productions): Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Fontana's Bar

NOTE: MORE events to be announced soon!

2) We will pick one person per event (except for at the Kickoff Party) on the "Horns Up Rocks Big 4 Raffle", the event ticket is also your raffle ticket (where applicable). The person who wins "Horns Up Rocks Big 4 Raffle" at each event will enter the final round!

3) For the final round we want you to tell us why you deserve the ticket in a creative way! You may submit one or more of the following in order to stand out from the rest of the competition:

- Original video
- Audio message
- Picture
- Poem
- Song
- Drawing/Painting

NOTE: You must own the copyright to anything you submit. Failure to do so will immediately disqualify you from the contest.

4) All entries will be posted on Horns Up Rocks in mid August and for the next two weeks the fans will vote for their favorite entry! The winner will be announced on Monday, September 12, 2011.

Good luck and if you have any questions, email us at events@hornsuprocks.com! \m/

Related links:
The Big 4
The Big Four Festival
Metallica
Slayer
Megadeth
Anthrax