AMON AMARTH # 1 on Billboard

The monarchs of Swedish Death Metal Amon Amarth, have hit the number one spot on the Billboard Charts with their new album titled "Surtur Rising" (released on March 20, 2011). Their eighth studio album is a head crushing very well written album, so its not surprising at all that they have hit the top of the charts.

"Surtur Rising" is the follow-up to their punishing 2008 release, "Twilight Of The Thunder God". An album that Revolver Magazine listed as number 7 on their Top 20 albums of 2008. Metal Sucks defined this album as: "a bottomless gauntlet of riffs that the band endlessly takes gargantuan swigs from, sounding both lush and emotive as well as skull crushingly heavy… every goddamn one is a chest-beating anthem." The famous Time Out New York noted that "Amon Amarth plays some of the most unabashedly epic metal you’re likely to find these days."

Here are some facts about "Surtur Rising":

- 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.

- Here are the chart positions to this day for "Surtur Rising":

#34 Billboard 200
#7 Rock Albums
#6 Independent Albums
#19 Canadian Albums
#10 Tastemaker Albums

- 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

Amon Amarth is:
Johan Hegg: Vocals
Olavi Mikkonen: Guitar
Johan Söderberg: Guitar
Ted Lundström: Bass
Fredrik Andersson: Drums

4/14/2011 The Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
4/15: Station 4 - Saint Paul, MN
4/16: Granada Theater - Lawrence, KS
4/17: The Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
4/19: Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
4/20: Showbox Sodo - Seattle, WA
4/22: The Regency - San Francisco, CA
4/23: Ace Of Spades - Sacramento, CA
4/24: House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
4/25: Nile Theatre - Mesa, AZ
4/27: White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
4/29: Culture Room - Fort Lauderdale, FL
4/30: Beacham Theatre - Orlando, FL
5/01: Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
5/02: Jaxx - Springfield, VA
5/03: Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
5/05: Best Buy Theater - New York, NY
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 (Tickets)
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

Horns way UP to Amon Amarth, Metal Blade Records and Earsplit PR!

Related links:
Surtur Rising Landing Page
Amon Amarth's Official Site
Amon Amarth on MySpace
Amon Amarth on Facebook
Amon Amarth on Twitter
Bilboard Charts

(sic)nesses: RATED SIC

When we heard that Slipknot were headlining the Download Festival in 2009, we knew it was going to be an epic performance. Not only is Slipknot known for outperforming every single band they have played with in the last 10 years, but the UK was the first country outside of the US that opened their arms to welcome the (sic)ness that Slipknot represents. Fortunately for those who couldn't make it to their show at Donington England, there was amazing coverage produced by the team at Download Festival for a historic web-cast. This is were Slipknot chose most of the footage for their DVD titled (sic)nesses.

When it comes to visual representation, there are very few bands that capture the vibe and chaos of a concert, the way Slipknot does. As always Shawn Crahan (AKA Clown) was involved in the production of the DVD and made sure that every single moment captured, truly gave justice to the craft that made Slipknot recognized by millions of fans worldwide.

From the moment you put the DVD in your system, your eyes will be glued to the screen and scared from the insanity that Slipknot represents. Not only does the DVD feature their entire performance shot on stunning HD quality, but it also features a documentary that was directed by Shawn Crahan (AKA Clown). This documentary shows Slipknot like never before, and proves that the music always comes first for the 9, that are now 8 (bassist Paul Gray passed away earlier this year). Do your eyes and ears a favor, and check (sic)nesses out. \m/





Track listing For (sic)nesses:
1. 742617000027
2. (sic)
3. Eyeless
4. Wait and Bleed
5. Get This
6. Before I Forget
7. Sulfur
8. The Blister Exists
9. Dead Memories
10. Left Behind
11. Disasterpiece
12. Vermillion
13. Everything Ends
14. Psychosocial
15. Duality
16. People=Shit
17. Surfacing
18. Spit it Out

Audible Visions Of (Sic)Nesses
A 45 minute film directed by M. Shawn Crahan, that captures Slipknot on the road and behind the scenes, during the All Hope Is Gone cycle.

Music Videos:
1. Psychosocial
2. Dead Memories
3. Sulfur
4. Snuff

Making Of:
1. Snuff

Related links:
SLIPKNOT's Official Site
Roadrunner Records

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

SLIPKNOT: #1 (sic)nesses

Slipknot has made history yet again! Their brand new DVD titled (sic)nesses, went number 1 on the Billboard DVD Charts. The DVD was recorded in June of 2009 at their historic performance at the Download Festival in the UK, in front of 80,000 maggots. Slipknot beat releases such as “The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts” DVD, which features U2, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Joel, Black Eyed Peas and many other hit-makers. This is the third time in history that Slipknot hit the number spot in the Billboard Charts. Their 1999 release titled "Welcome to Our Neighbourhood", and their 2008 latest release "All Hope Is Gone" both hit the number 1 spot.

The DVD was produced by Shawn Crahan, most commonly known as the Clown. Here is what he had to say about this amazing accomplishment:

“(sic)nesses was one of the single hardest pieces of art for us to complete, given the circumstances,” Slipknot’s M. Shawn Crahan AKA Clown, who is the architect of (sic)nesses, said. “It’s a testament to our evolution and proof of accomplishing exactly what we set out to do over 10 years ago. We will never be the same. You will never be the same. Here’s to the future and our continuing evolution.”

(sic)nesses' was shown to thousands of fans nationwide at various movie theaters. The screening here in New York City, was attended by Clown himself, and saw fans losing their minds and moshing in the aisles during the presentation. (sic)nesses is a demonstration of one of the greatest bands of 21st century at the top of their game. It is a global phenomenon, debuting in the #1 slot in the UK, Australia and Finland. It also landed in the Top 5 in Germany, Denmark, France and Belgium and in the Top 10 in Italy and Spain. Slipknot is definitely one of the best Heavy Metal bands in history!

This is the DVD trailer:


This is an interview that Artist Direct held with James Root (#4)


The DVD features the band tearing up the stage at Download 2009, and also features a 45 minute behind the scenes documentary created by Clown.

Track listing For (sic)nesses:
1. 742617000027
2. (sic)
3. Eyeless
4. Wait and Bleed
5. Get This
6. Before I Forget
7. Sulfur
8. The Blister Exists
9. Dead Memories
10. Left Behind
11. Disasterpiece
12. Vermillion
13. Everything Ends
14. Psychosocial
15. Duality
16. People=Shit
17. Surfacing
18. Spit it Out

Audible Visions Of (Sic)Nesses
A 45 minute film directed by M. Shawn Crahan, that captures Slipknot on the road and behind the scenes, during the All Hope Is Gone cycle.

Music Videos:
1. Psychosocial
2. Dead Memories
3. Sulfur
4. Snuff

Making Of:
1. Snuff

Related links:
SLIPKNOT's Official Site
Roadrunner Records

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)