NYC: Capital of Underground Music

On Wednesday February 24th I headed to Santos Party House in the Chinatown section of Manhattan, for a lethal dose of Heavy Metal and Hard Core. What I expected to be a mellow night, turned into a night which proofed to me why I decided to start Horns Up Rocks! It's not just about the music, it's about people from different cultures coming together, indulging ourselves into some Heavy Music while having a good time and throwing the Horns Up.

When I got there at 7:30, there where already some hungry fans waiting for the live music to begin. The first part of the night featured 3 bands: The Judas Syndrome from NYC, Circle of Contempt from Finland and Your Demise from the UK.

The Judas Syndrome kicked off the night with a brutal display of well polished Trash Metal, combined with elements of NY Hard Core. Horns Up Rocks caught up with their singer Phil Vibez after their phenomenal set. He told us that they just finished recording their debut album, which will be released sometime in May (Full interview will be posted soon).

The Circle of Contempt where not as lethal as I thought they would be, but they still put on a pretty good show. Finishing the first part of the night was Your Demise, they played a very intimate set with all their members jamming out right on the dance floor. We had a chance to catch up with Jose Mangin from Sirius XM's Liquid Metal and he told us that he showed up just to catch Your Demise on stage, which he had interviewed On Air the previous day on Liquid Metal. Needless to say, Your Demise is a band to watch.

Part 1 of the night was a complete success, with over 50 people rocking out even though the show took place on a Wednesday night at 8:30. As Phil Vibez from The Judas Syndrome said: "It doesn't really matter what time it is, not in Metal!"

Read more, here is Part 2 of the night.

Here are some related links:

www.myspace.com/thejudassyndrome
www.myspace.com/circleofcontempt
www.myspace.com/yourdemise
www.sirius.com/liquidmetal
www.santospartyhouse.com

By:JoSchuftan (www.twitter.com/joschuftan)

PANTERA: 10 Years of Domination (Greatest Hits)

Pantera where without a shade of doubt, the Kings of Heavy Metal. Throughout their career their mission was to dominate the world through uncompromised, original and heavy loud bad ass music. They raised the bar real high for other bands to attempt to cross. I don't think there will ever be a band that has the soul, the integrity and the attitude that Pantera had. What Phil Anselmo, Dimebag Darrell, Rex Brown and Vinny Paul did, is untouchable. And thanks to them, Heavy music is as big and important as it is today. There is not one band within the Heavy music world that wasn't influenced by the rabid Pantera.

This week it was announced that Pantera will be releasing a new "Greatest Hits" record. This is obviously exciting for all Metaleros worldwide, the only problem for many fans is that the record will only be released through WalMart. As we know WalMart is seen by many as the most evil company in the world, due to their exploitation schemes. Since they only sell "un-explicit" content, only "clean" tracks where chosen for this release. Many fans are angry, which is understandable, because they don't want the same thing that happened to AC/DC, to happen to Pantera. AC/DC's music and merchandise where exploited thanks to WalMart.

On the other hand, I do believe that in order to keep the scene going strong it's necessary to keep expanding the horizons of the various genres within Heavy music. Also, the artists have to be able to provide for themselves and their loved ones. Additionaly, "10 Years of Domination" contains all the Pantera classics. Pantera as usual, did not compromise the quality of the record. If you are a true fan you will buy the record regardless of who or where they are selling it.

Honestly, the only way fans will be happy is if Pantera releases the box set that they have been talking about for so long. Only then will the fans get what they are starving for.

Here is the track list:

1) Cowboys From Hell
2) Psycho Holiday
3) Cemetery Gates
4) Mouth For War
5) Walk
6) This Love
7) 5 Minutes Alone
8) I'm Broken
9) Drag the Waters
10) Revolution is my Name

By:JoSchuftan (www.twitter.com/joschuftan)

PANTERA: Reinvented by Metal Hammer

This past December 8th marked 5 years since the legendary Pantera guitarist: Dimebag Darrell Abott, was shot and killed at the "Alrosa Village" in Columbus Ohio. During those 5 years his legacy has been celebrated by fans worldwide and has influenced thousands of musicians. I mean, even Madonna played the intro to a "New Level" during a performance last year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Yes, Madonna!



Dimebag wrote some of the most technical, balls out guitar riffs and solos during his outstanding career. Together with the other Pantera members, he reinvented Heavy Metal music. In order to commemorate his life many media outlets worldwide put together celebratory content for fans to be reminded, that Dimebag lives forever through his musical arsenal!

Metal Hammer magazine decided to create a cover story with Pantera's lead singer and front-man Phil Anselmo, in honor of Dimebag and their 200th issue. Anselmo told various stories about Dimebag and how Pantera was able to break all barriers thanks to Dimebag's leading philosophy of hard work and dedication. "He could turn shit into gold", Anselmo said during the interview. Anselmo who now is in Down, was definitely melancholic when talking about Dime's death and the demise of Pantera. He clearly says that nothing he has done outside of Pantera will ever be as good as Pantera. I don't think anyone can question that.

Additionally, Metal Hammer put together a covers album. While I know Pantera might be the hardest band to cover, I feel that overall the bands did a phenomenal job. My only complain is that a few songs did not do justice to what Pantera's music and power represents. However, it still is a great way to pay respect to a great artist and to give new artists a chance to get exposed to thousands of fans.

CATCH THE DIMEBAG DARRELL tribute this Wednesday March 3rd, for a showcase of all this covers and more! Only on Sirius XM's Liquid Metal!

www.sirius.com/liquidmetal

Here is the track listing, along with the Horns Up rating:

1) SUICIDE NOTE, PT. 1 (ZAKK WYLDE): 7 Horns
2) FUCKING HOSTILE (MACHINE HEAD): 8 Horns
3) I’M BROKEN (MALEFICE): 10 Horns
4) WALK (AVENGED SEVENFOLD): 7 Horns
5) CEMETERY GATES (EVILE): 5 Horns
6) A NEW LEVEL (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH): 6 Horns
7) MOUTH FOR WAR (BIOHAZARD): 7 Horns
8) STRENGTH BEYOND STRENGTH (SYLOSIS): 7 Horns
9) SLAUGHTERED (CHIMAIRA):8 Horns
10)SANDBLASTED SKIN (UNEARTH):8 Horns
11)BECOMING (THROWDOWN): 7 Horns
12)THIS LOVE (KIUAS): 2 Horns
13)RISE (THIS IS HELL): 7 Horns

By:JoSchuftan (www.twitter.com/joschuftan)