Horns Up Rocks

Saturday, April 16, 2011

OZZY invites you to Record Store Day

Today is Record Store Day. Record Store day is an internationally celebrated day, which takes place the third Saturday of April each year. The purpose of the holiday is to celebrate the art of music and to support artists from all calibers. Today hundreds of fans and artists will roam around 700 independently owned record stores in the United States, along with hundreds of independent record stores all over the globe.

Here are some facts about Record Store Day:

- Record Store Day was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner.

- It is a global celebration in which recording artists from all calibers participate in by making special appearances, performances, meet and greets, the holding of art exhibits, and the release of special vinyl and CD releases along with other promotional products. The event is also celebrated with cookouts and drinking parties.

- The Official Ambassador for this year is the "Prince of Darkness" Ozzy Osbourne and he has a message for you:

OZZY RSD Ambassador from Record Store Day on Vimeo.

Related links:
Record Store Day
Find a Record Store near YOU

Friday, April 15, 2011

Jamey JASTA to release NEW album this Summer

Heavy Music icon and enterpreneur Jamey Jasta, is known for being a very dedicated man when it comes to spreading his craft all over the world. Even though he has been very busy with Hatebreed, and is preparing for touring with Kingdom Of Sorrow this summer at the Rockstar Mayem Fest, he still managed to create a new solo project titled "Jasta".

The birth of "Jasta" is a result of Jamey having so much music to share, that he decided to produce another project. Some may ask why the hell is he starting another project? Well, Jasta felt that with so many songs that he has created throughout the years that didn't make it into either Hatebreed or Kingdom of Sorrow, that it would dope for the fans to get some new material this summer. Jasta's new project will be released this summer via EONE Music and it will feature a bunch of special guests.

Here is the OFFICIAL video statement by Jamey Jasta:

Photo credit: Jana Blomqvist of Music Photocalypse

Related links:
Jasta Official
Hatebreed Official
Kingdom Of Sorrow Official
EONE Music

Heavy Music for the Masses?

This past week Heavy Music was represented twice on national media, meaning that millions of people got a taste of the attitude that is a vital component of our scene. While some may say that the having Chris Jericho (Fozzy) on "Dancing With the Stars" and Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) on "American Idol" is a horrible move for Heavy Music. We believe that if anything, it helps to get the word out about the impact of the music we love.

Television has always been a great medium for artists to promote themselves, hence why all the late night talk shows have actors, musicians and bands being interviewed and/or performing on their shows. And while some Heavy Music bands like Slayer, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, deftones, and Shadow's Fall, just to mention a few, occasionally get to perform on late night shows. It is not a an easy process for publicists to get our bands on those shows, since they have to go through lots of bullshit thanks to the social stigma that is part of our culture.

Our opinion is that if two of our Army members are featured on some of the biggest television shows today, we should all embrace the moment and see this as a very positive move towards exposing the masses to Heavy Music. Unfortunately, there are some fans that are very close minded and when an artists gets any exposure that's outside of the Heavy Music world, they start freaking out and calling the artist a "sell-out". This is precisely what happened to Metallica.

Our conclusion is that we should all support the artists that represent our scene and make all of us look good. For those who watched Chris Jericho and Zakk Wylde on national television this week, you know that they made all of us look good. If you haven't seen the clips, well check them out:

Chris Jericho on Dancing With the Stars:

Zakk Wylde on American Idol:

Photo credit: Music Photocalypse

Related links:
Chris Jericho
Zakk Wylde

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Peter Steele: Gone but NEVER Forgotten

One year ago we got the terrible news of Peter Steele's passing from our good friend Juliya from Fuse TV. That gloomy night we were one of the first media sources to confirm the passing of Peter Steele. As soon as we posted this very sad news, we immediately got a Twit from former Headbangers Ball host Riki Rachtman. Riki just like all of us, was in complete disbelief about Pete's death. Specially after everyone had witnessed the return of Peter Steele in full force! His last performance in New York City with Type O Negative was absolutely flawless and there was no doubt that he was completely sober the day of his passing.

A day after his passing, we headed over to 3 Of Cups in New York City were there was an unofficial tribute for Peter Steele with some of his close friends and fans. The night was gloomy yet magical. Why magical? Well, the room was full of energy and everyone was embracing each other with respect, while chanting in unison to Carnivore's and Type O Negative's classics. This immediately inspired us to start recoding some sound clips about the legacy and greatness of Peter Steele. This is how our Peter Steele tribute was born.

In order to make our tribute memorable, we decided to contact some close friends of Peter, and ask them to contribute some images of Peter, Type O Negative and Carnivore. Here is what we came up with:

Then at the end of last year, their was a show that inevitably became a tribute to Peter Steele. Joining forces for a celebration of New York Rock were Life Of Agony, Biohazard, Vision Of Disorder and Seventh Void. The show took place at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, and once again the magic was in the air. This is when we decided to get some clips. Next thing we know, it turned into another tribute to Peter Steele! Here are those video clips:

Finally, here is Biohazard doing their song "Loss" in memory of Peter Steele!

REST IN PEACE Peter, we miss and love you! Thanks for re-igniting the Heavy Music scene! \m/

OFFICIAL promo of The Dark Arts Music Festivus

Do you like music that stimulates your senses, and at the same time crushes your ear drums and soothes your soul? And do you like art that infects your vision and ignites your own creativity? Well, Horns Up Rocks and Brutal Bitches Productions have joined forces again and on May 7 they are taking over The Trash Bar in Brooklyn.

Joining us that night will be New York's own Desolate, who will be celebrating their 10th year anniversary. Returning to Brooklyn will be Long Island's Misery, who recently released a killer album called "Evil Is Crowned". Also performing that night will be The Resurrection Sorrow who at the recent Horns Up Rocks showcase, proved that they are ready for bigger and better things. Crushing your senses will be Left In Ruins and Olom, two bands that will get the event jump started with a lethal dose of adrenaline!

Wait, there's more! In addition there will be LIVE painting on stage by accomplished NYC underground Artists: Joey James Hernandez, Lauryn Yovino, and James Groeling. All this artists will also be showcasing their works alongside the dark and evocative Art displays of acclaimed NYC Macabre Artist and Photographer, KING ZOMBIE (Jason Tamvakis), and NYC Graffiti Artist, Joseph Janaro.

The event will be hosted by Alissa Shimansky of Brutal Bitches Productions and DJed by Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks!

Cost: $10 (Tix: events@hornsuprocks.com & Brutal Bitches at Big Cartel)

Come and witness what promises to be a cornucopia of creative mediums, surely to inspire and stimulate all of your darkest Metal senses. \m/

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