Iced Earth..... NEW SINGER announced!

photo courtesy of icedearth.com

After a shocking revelation last month that their lead singer will be departing after this summer's tour, Iced Earth just announced a new frontman... STU BLOCK (from Into Eternity).  Matt Barlow, current lead vocals, recently announced his retirement from Iced Earth, citing schedule conflicts and family obligation commitments.  Barlow, who returned to Iced Earth as lead singer in late 2007, previously replaced Tim "Ripper" Owens (who incidentaly, replaced Barlow before him).

Iced Earth's band line-up has always been a carousel.  But their sound, theme and lyrics/story has always been conjured by one man... Jon Shaffer (lead guitarist).  He is the only consistent member of the band since its inception in 1984.

For a detailed list of band members, go here (courtesy of wikipedia).

With Barlow's departure, Stu Block will have to fill his mighty boots.  But Block has always been a talented vocalist, and his vocal range is amazing.  If you've ever heard any Into Eternity album, you know he can go from power-metal high screams, to death-metal low growls.  Dude is talented.

I can't wait for Iced Earth to come back to DC, with Stu on the mic.  And their next album is going to be awesome now that they have Block on their side.

Rock On!
\m/
DCVince

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Alice Cooper, RnR Hall of Fame...& a Boa Constrictor?

photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

You heard it right.... Alice Cooper was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night, March 14, 2011.  The ceremony was held in New York city's Waldorf Astoria hotel.

And in good old "Rock Show" fashion, Cooper shows up in a bloody white shirt with a snake on his shoulders \m/!  A more comprehensive article on this can be found here, courtesy of Rolling Stones magazine.

Rock On!
\m/
DCVince

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Paul Di'Anno.... Going to Jail???!!!

photo courtesy of metalmusicarchives.com

Yup.... it looks like the former front man of Iron Maiden is heading to jail for benefits fraud.  Di'Anno, whose real name is Paul Andrews, was the lead singer of Iron Maiden, from '78 - '81, until he was fired due to "drug use" (allegations Di'Anno has always denied).

According to Daily Mail UK,

He was told he would serve at least four and a half months of the sentence behind bars before being released on conditional bail.

Andrews claimed he suffered severe nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.... (He) was caught when Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators spotted a YouTube video of him jumping around on stage during a live show in 2006

He admitted the eight counts of benefit fraud at Salisbury Crown Court on February 11 

Once a metal rock star.. ALWAYS a rock star!!!

To one of the faces and voice that catapulted the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal)... ROCK ON! 

\m/

DCVince

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R.I.P. Mike Starr

Mike Starr, 1966-2011

 photo courtesy of MTV.com

Mike Starr, former bassist and one of the original members of Alice in Chains, passed away March 8, 2011. He was found dead in Salt Lake City, Utah, after police responded to a call of a possible death at a residence.

The cause of death was not immediately available.  Starr was 44.

Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell (guitar) and Sean Kinney (drums) have released the following statement:

"Jerry and Sean are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy - and the privacy of Mike's family - during this difficult time. Their thoughts & prayers are with the Starr family."

Mike has been battling drug addiction for a very long time, even during his stint with Alice in Chains.  The bassist was even featured in a reality show, "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in 2010.

R.I.P. Mike Starr... we, AIC fans, are seeing this as a mini Alice in Chains reunion with Staley.... so have tons of shots and beers for us!  Wherever you guys are, I know you are both at peace.

Sad day in music industry today....
\m/
DCVince

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AEROSMITH.... Back together! :)

 photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Unless you've been under a rock or from another planet this past year, you've probably heard of Aerosmith taking a "break" from each other.  Needless to say, between injuries during concerts, shifting priorities and creative differences, the "hiatus" seems inevitable for bands that have been around this long.  I've always been amazed on how bands such as Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Rush, and all these guys lasted for over 30+ years.  So for Tyler and Perry to call a "break", it seemed very normal in the music industry.  Hell, even Led Zeppelin couldn't keep it together!

Perry tweeted, "Steven and I text all of the time. He's my brother in arms, just like Brad, Joe, and Tom. Everything else is a rumor."

And, on Twitter today, Tyler tweeted this:

"AeroFreaks rejoice.. Joe and I sent smoke signals, shot the shit and chewed the fat for the last year, but just smoked the peace pipe for an hour today. On our way to rockin' your fkin worlds this summer by locking ourselves away somewhere w/guitars and drums.."

photos courtesy of twitter.com & blabbermouth.net

So what does that mean?... that after a year of a supposedly band breakup, we get this awesome news that they have never actually separated ways, and that they will be writing new materials this summer!!!! HOLY FTW!

I do have one tiny request for the gang:
.... OLD SCHOOL AEROSMITH PLEASE! THANKS!


Rock On, DC!
\m/
DCVince

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Legendary Genesis Frontman..... Retiring!

photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Phil Collins, one of the most recognized face the music industry and drummer/lead singer of the legendary band Genesis, not to mention a noteworthy solo career, said, in a recent interview with FHM magazine, that he will be retiring from music altogether.  In the interview, he contributed hearing problems, a dislocated vertebra and nerve damage in his hands, all brought on by a lifetime spent hunched behind a drum kit as reasons for his decision.

"I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think: 'I can't be in the same business as this'," the former Genesis frontman says in an interview with FHM magazine.  "I don't really belong to that world and I don't think anyone's going to miss me. I'm much happier just to write myself out of the script entirely...I'll go on a mysterious biking holiday and never return. That would be a great way to end the story, wouldn't it?" Collins followed.

"I'm not worried about not being able to play the drums again, I'm more worried about being able to cut a loaf of bread safely or building things for my kids," he says.

Doctors have advised him that his hands, at this point, are not strong enough to play the drums. It will take at least a year of rehab to even begin to think about getting back on the drum kit.  And because of all of this, coupled with the drummer's desire to spend time with his kids, he said, regarding playing music "...I don't think I'll ever be able to do that again."

Come on, Phil!!!!  How about one last concert, with the Genesis boys?  Preferably here in DC!

Nevertheless, the man is a living legend, so no matter what he decides to do with the rest of his life, the music industry should be proud to include Phil Collins in its history.  Good luck on your second life, Phil.. we'll miss ya!

Rock On, DC!
\m/
DCVince

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Sonisphere in Poland... The BIG FOUR

photo courtesy of blabbermouth.net

photo courtesy of blabbermouth.net

METALLICA
MEGADETH
ANTRHAX
SLAYER

it only took 25 years...\m/

WOW!.. I wish I was there.... Will try to do the next best thing.. they are airing a live feed at select theaters this coming Tuesday June 22. I'll probably be going to the one in Germantown MD.

Rock On, DC!
\m/
DCVince

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Ronnie James Dio Memorial Service

On May 30, 2010, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty in Glendale California, Ronnie James Dio was laid to rest. But not without thousands and thousands of fans paying tribute to one of the Metal Gods! Various rockstar legends attended the service including Geoff Tate of Queensryche, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple and Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot.

They provided a solemn tribute to one of the greatest metal artists of all time. With a sea of fans surrounding the park (with large jumbotrons), it must've felt like one of Dio's concerts. And that's probably how he would've wanted it. Not in a silent funeral home.. but to rock out and give it all to the fans!

You will be missed, RJD....

video courtesy of metalassaultLA

Geoff Tate's rendition of Hallelujah says it all... RIP DIO!

Rock On, DC!
\m/
DCVince

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R.I.P. Paul Gray

photo courtesy of wikipedia

Rest In Peace #2

Paul Gray, Slipknot's bassist and one of three original band members, passed away yesterday (May 24) at the young age of 38.

Rock on.. even in the afterlife..
\m/
DCVince

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Death of a Legend and the Music Industry

photo courtesy of ronniejamesdio.com

About a month ago, twenty-eight days to be exact, Keith Elam (a.k.a. Guru from Gangstarr) passed away from surgery complications caused by his battle with cancer. Then, to my surprise this morning, I heard news about another artist who also lost his battle with the same disease: Ronnie James Dio... Heaven and Hell, Holy Diver, Devil's Horns...a Heavy Metal Rock Legend.

When Michael Jackson passed away last spring, I was extremely devastated. Then, that following December, The Rev from the metal band, Avenged Sevenfold, died suddenly at a very young age of twenty-eight. I didn't take The Rev's passing very well. Let's just say that to this day, I am still mourning his death. When one of your heroes die, sometimes, the only way to hang on to them is through whatever legacy they've left behind. In this case, its through their music. However, knowing that they wont be able to create new music that can inspire a new generation, that's a hard pill to swallow.

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