Butt Metal?

Steel Panther (formerly Metal Skool) have a full length album slated for a June 9 release. The mock-metal-masters have just released a video for it's first single, "Death To All But Metal." The song which had been previously released has gotten an update and features vocal work courtesy of of Corey Taylor (available on an alternate version only) and some new lyrical jabs at 50 Cent and Kanye West. As you can imagine, the track is pure-fucking-gold. The video is some hellish combination of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" and Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock," complete with all the 80's metal essentials. Exploitation of large-breasted women? Check. Hot teachers? Check. Laser eyed and demon voiced metal student? Check. Stickin-it-to-the-man? Check. Big hair? Check. Bigger solos? Check. It is the summation of all things hair metal done in a tongue-in-cheek nature that's sure to make you giggle, offensive lyrics aside.

Our favorite vikings have a new video..

ep⋅ic
   /ˈɛpɪk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ep-ik] Show IPA
–adjective Also, ep⋅i⋅cal.
1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.
5. Amon Amarth's new video for "Gaurdians of Asgaard."

Guardians Of Asgaard ft. LG Petrov

Where my folk metal nerds at?

Swiss folk metallers Eluveitie have evidently taken up the flag for the "New Wave of Folk Metal," or so boasts their website. Their latest album Slania released through Nuclear Blast is certainly noteworthy. Despite obviously channeling the Gothenburg sound cultivated by acts like In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and At The Gates, Eluveitie still manage to brandish a fair amount of originality with their use of traditional celtic instruments (bodhran, mandola, tin whistles, uillean pipes, etc.). I can't even give them that much slack for emulating In Flames, because who isn't doing that these days? Eluveitie's unique blend of Celtic folk and melodic death works like magic, take a listen.

Mastodon's latest is out of this world..

Mastodon's latest effort, Crack The Skye may leave many metal fans scratching their heads instead of banging them. What the band is describing as their defining album is quite a departure from earlier albums like Remission and Leviathan, which packed more of a heavy metal punch. While still offering fans some hearty headbanging fare, Crack The Skye is an egress for the more melodic and progressive for the Atlanta-based quartet. It revels in the mysterious and indulges in virtuosic musicianship, taking the listener on an intoxicating journey from beginning to end.

The first track "Oblivion" sets the tone for the album with its hooky guitar melodies and high-as-a-kite chorus, beautiful and dark. "Oblivion" also features prominently the vocal talents of drummer Brann Dailor, who has to date kept to his impeccable drum work. Next is the album's first single, "Divinations," which offers a frantic fast-paced verse and one ripping guitar solo from Brent Hinds. "Divinations" demonstrates how the band have found the perfect balance between the bellowing roar of bassist Troy Sanders and the shrieking sonics of axe-man Brent Hinds. The two compliment each other nicely and create some solid dynamics throughout Skye. "Quintessence" showcases the drum wizardry of Dailor and the ghostly vocal work of Hinds, and manages to be both airy and heavy in all the right places.

The four-part epic "The Czar" opens with a droning chant and some nice up-front bass before turning heads when the tune crescendos into a riff that is, dare I say it, poppy? You may just find yourself at the mercy of Mastodon when you catch yourself wanting to bust a move. From here the 'Don deliver a fair amount of heavy guitar riffery perfect balanced with celestial bliss. "Ghost of Karelia" is an otherworldly masterpiece that perfectly blends the eerie and straight-ahead heavy, and is certainly an album highlight. Neurosis' own Scott Kelly makes his third vocal cameo with Mastodon on the album's title track, which is arguably the best song on the album. It packs plenty of punch with its chug-laden verses and features some of Sanders' best vocal performance to date.

Unlike its predecessors, Crack The Skye lacks mention of the infamous Elephant Man, but it does close with the 13 minute opus, "The Last Baron." It starts off at a slow pace with haunting guitars before cascading into an awesome jam for virtually the rest of the tune. Here the Masto-gang throw modesty to the wind opting for pomp, pushing themselves to the brink of their abilities with blistering drum work and fiery soloing. The only other song in the bands repertoire to hit the 13 minute mark is "Hearts Alive," off Leviathan. By comparison, "Baron" showcases a Mastodon at their peak, pushing the envelope with their musical abilities and experimentation. This is Mastodon in all their musical splendor, a wise choice for the final track of Skye.

When one thinks of drug-fueled prog-rock the slang term "trippy" might come to mind, and while certainly applicable to this album, it doesn't do it the justice it deserves. Given the concept of the album, out of body travel through and space (see Hind's coma-inducing scruff with System of a Down bassist Shavo), grandiose seems more fitting, as the band push themselves to the brink with their musical experimentation and development on Skye, bringing an otherworldly mood to each song in a unique way. Press play on your iPod and its easy to be whisked away through time and space. If you're looking for a balls-to-the-wall metal album you may left a little unfulfilled, but if you're looking for something to lose yourself in over and over again, this is the album for you. With each successive release, these Atlanta rockers have managed to defy categorization, carving out their own niche in the heavy metal landscape, and it is precisely their uniqueness that sets them apart from countless other rock and metal bands out there today.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Check out this video from Irish legends Thin Lizzy.

Bring on the Slaughter!

Although actual dates for this year's installment of the Summer Slaughter tour have yet to be unveiled, the lineup for Summer Slaughter 2009 is as solid as it gets, check it out. Can't wait to hit this up!

From the cool springs of Finland..

According to Blabbermouth.net..

"Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers Nightwish have chosen the smooth spring water Veen as the band's official drink. To celebrate this excellent choice, Veen has launched a competition on its web site giving fans a chance to win tickets to a Nightwish gig of their choice."

L-O-L.

Trying to hide my erection for..

..Mastodon. A few weeks ago I mentioned on my radio show The Global Goulash (shameless plug: every Friday 4-6 PM EST on wecb.emerson.edu) that Mastodon axe-man Brent Hinds was ranting on (in questionable sobriety) about how he was to be a cavemen trapped in ice in an upcoming Masto-video. As it turns out, Hinds was speaking the truth. The Atlanta foursome have shot a video for their new single "Divinations" off Crack the Skye, which hits shelves this month. Once it does I'll be posting a full review.

In the meantime, check out this video preview here, looks like one of the coolest videos ever already.

"Divinations" Trailer


Mastodon have also just announced a new North American tour with support from Kylesa and Intronaut.

Blabbermouth.net reports..

According to Billboard.com, Atlanta-based progressive metal band Mastodon will perform its new album, "Crack the Skye", in its entirety on the group's upcoming tour.

The complete album performance is something new for the group, says bassist Bill Kelliher, but "there's something about ["Crack The Skye"] where it would be weird to leave a song out. We'll incorporate a whole stage show, which will hopefully make it even more exciting for kids to come see and more visually stimulating." The band is also hoping to make a short movie from all the songs, which Kelliher hopes will be Mastodon's version of "The Wall".

Ra-Ra-Rasputin!

Seems every where I turn this week Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is there.

Last night I watched the first Hellboy flick and Rasputin was a character in the movie, hellbent on bringing destruction to earth via tentacle wielding elder gods and interdimensional portal opening.

Mastodon chronicle the life of Rasputin with "The Czar," off their upcoming album Crack the Skye, due for a mid-March release.

Additionally, I've been on one hell of a Turisas kick lately, and they've got a pretty awesome "disco-metal" single called Rasputin, which is a cover track off Boney M's Nightflight to Venus album. Boney M were a popular west-Germany based disco group formed in 1975. Turisas will be joining Moonspell and headliners Cradle of Filth for an upcoming European tour.

Check out Boney M's version and then Turisas' of "Rasputin"