News

Aerosmith Announce New Album Details, Streaming New Song, "Legendary Child"

Josh Hart — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:50:16 +0000

Legendary rockers Aerosmith performed earlier this evening on the season finale of American Idol, debuting a brand new track from their upcoming new album — which has been christened Music from Another Dimension — called "Legendary Child." The track is now available for streaming, and you can check it out below.

"Legendary Child" — a reworked outtake from the sessions for 1991's Get a Grip — will appear in the upcoming film G.I. JOE: Retaliation, which is set to hit theaters June 29.

Meanwhile, the band have set an August 28 released date for Music from Another Dimension, which is already available for pre-order via iTunes here .

Aerosmith will be embarking on their "Global Warming" tour with Cheap Trick this summer.

Music From Another Dimension

01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain

Review: Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators Live at New York City's Irving Plaza

Josh Hart — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:16:26 +0000

You've seen it before. The famous guitarist goes solo and hires a bunch of goons to stand behind him while he stands awkwardly in the foreground, trying to be both guitarist and frontman while the singer croons timidly, relegated to the side of the stage.

And then there's Slash.

While his name gets the top billing on the marquee, make no mistake; what you'll get if you venture out to see Slash on his current "solo" tour is a full band experience: Myles Kennedy front-and-center belting out each and every note, Slash occupying stage left in that omnipresent way only he can and a backing band — the Conspirators — full of capable musicians intent on putting on a great rock show.

("Everything I touch I turn into a fucking band," Slash told Rolling Stone some months back. "I still have my name on the marquee and everything, but I’m just not a dictator, I don’t want to rule anything. I like to hear what other people’s ideas are and so on and so forth.")

Slash and Co. took the stage just after 10 p.m. at New York City's Irving Plaza last night, launching into the one-two punch of "Mean Bone" from the second Slash's Snakepit album and "Dirty Little Thing" from Velvet Revolver's debut effort, Contraband. The band paused long enough for Kennedy to ask the crowd how they were doing before ripping right into Guns N' Roses' sleazy ode to cheap wine, "Nightrain."

It wasn't until the fourth number that the first song from Slash's latest album, Apocalyptic Love, appeared in the form of "One Last Thrill," a rager that begins with a Myles Kennedy wail and a Stones-on-steroids-style lead line from Slash and doesn't let up from there, with Kennedy unleashing a rapid-fire string of lyrics that barely let up throughout the song.

Slash's new tunes — which accounted for a fourth of the 20-song set — sat nicely against the the eclectic batch of songs from his eponymous debut solo album, which made up the largest portion of the set. It's a testament to Kennedy's prowess as a vocalist to be able to tackle songs originally sung by everyone from Scott Weiland and Axl Rose to Andrew Stockdale and Ian Astbury.

Photo: Rivka Einy

And he didn't play vocal chameleon, either. His high vocal range — while not as versatile as that of Axl Rose — is a natural fit for the Guns N' Roses back catalog, and he was able to breathe a whole new life into songs like "Speed Parade" and "Just Like Anything" from Slash's Snakepit, not to mention a raucous performance of the Velvet Revolver favorite, "Slither."

In the wake of the drama surround the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it would have been easy for fans to once again get caught up in the hopes and illusions of a Guns N' Roses reunion, but it was pretty clear that everyone in attendance last night was there to back Slash in whatever avenue his career would take.

When the band returned for their encore, a sweaty, newly shirtless Slash — who had addressed the crowd on and off all night — finally mentioned that this particular show was doubling as his record-release party. Indeed Apocalyptic Love was only hours old as the band launched into "Die By the Sword," and judging by the crowd reaction to new songs like "Standing in the Sun" and the title track, not to mention the already sing-along-friendly single "You're a Lie," it'll do just fine as the next chapter in a storied career.

As Slash lazily strummed a few chords before leading the band in "Paradise City," it was hard not to think about how nice it is that some things just don't change. That's not to say Slash hasn't evolved as an artist, and certainly his supporting cast is different, but hearing him play those notes, top hat in place and a slight grin belying the stoic expression on his face, all feels right with the world.

The power of Slash as a performer doesn't stem from his over-the-top rock star persona, but rather the allure of the shy kid who hides behind his sunglasses and hair and just wants to play rock and roll, venturing only reluctantly into the glaring lights of the stage. While he's without a doubt a can't-miss live act, you get the impression that Slash would be just as happy in his bedroom playing to no one at all, and that's what makes him one of the special ones.

Slash's new album, Apocalyptic Love, is out now. Pick it up on iTunes here. For the full scoop on his new album, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more, pick up the July 2012 issue of Guitar World, now available in our online store.

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Paul Gilbert Launches Interactive Online Rock Guitar School Today

Damian Fanelli — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:55:05 +0000

Today, guitarist Paul Gilbert and ArtistWorks launched Rock Guitar School with Paul Gilbert. The online school enables students of all ages and ability levels to watch, question and learn with Gilbert.

Students, who need to subscribe to the service, can view Gilbert’s lessons and submit video questions/performances directly to him (via webcams or smart phones) for critiques and guidance. Gilbert will review and respond to each student with a personalized video.

“I know there are people out there who are hungry to learn the guitar, or just want to improve, or get back to playing,” says Gilbert, the Mr. Big, Racer X and G3 guitarist. “But there are so many things that can keep you from it – lack of time, money or even access to great teachers – my Rock Guitar School really eliminates all of those barriers and lets me have a real conversation with people who are passionate about playing guitar.”

Students will study in a guided, self-paced environment that allows them to drive the learning process according to their schedule and access instructor guidance and feedback at their own pace. Multiple camera angles allow students to see lessons from alternate viewpoints so they can analyze techniques from different vantage points. Students can slow down and loop lessons to allow them to focus on every detail.

Check out The Rock Guitar School with Paul Gilbert at paulgilbertguitar.com. Subscription fees are $90 for three months, $150 for six months and $240 for 12 months.

Keep an eye out for an interview with Gilbert on GuitarWorld.com!

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June 2012 Guitar World Out Now: Slipknot Hit the Road, Summer Tour Spectacular, John 5, Guide to Gigging, Pantera and More

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:48:46 +0000

The new June 2012 issue of Guitar World is available now at the new-and-improved Guitar World Online Store.

On the cover this month? Slipknot!

Making their first U.S. appearance since the death of Paul Gray, Slipknot are the most anticipated band on this summer’s Mayhem Festival tour. Guitar World catches up with Mick Thomson and Jim Root. The issue also includes a double-sided Jim Root poster!

And speaking of summer tours, check out the issue's 2012 Summer Tour Spectacular, which tells you everything you need to know about tours by Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, The Devil Wears Prada, We Came as Romans and a host of other rockers, who discuss the pleasures and perils of summer touring. We check in with the Mayhem Festival, the U.S. Torture Tour and more.

Other features include:

John 5: The virtuoso talks about his latest solo album, God Told Me To, and countless side projects, including a recent collaboration with David Lee Roth.

The GW Guide to Gigging: From preparation and load-in to soundcheck and showtime — here’s everything you need to know to make each performance a monster success.

The Making of Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power: Vinnie Paul, Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown talk about the making of the album on which they — and guitarist Dimebag Darrell — took Pantera’s music to its greatest heights 20 years ago. PLUS: Five modern metalists speak out about the Pantera classic.

Brothers of the Road: The making of Eat a Peach, Duane Allman's last recording with the Allman Brothers Band.

... and reviews of the DV Mark Triple 6 amp, the Jackson Chris Broderick Soloist guitar, the Orange OPC Musician's Personal Computer (and practice amp), the Zoom RB Recorder Sample Interface Controller, the Mullinax "Oh, Salvation" P-90 Pickup Set and the Morley Buffer Boost ...

... and columns by Glenn Proudfoot, Metal Mike, Keith Wyatt, Dale Turner and Andy Aledort ...

... and tabs of Pantera's "By Demons Be Driven," Slipknot's "Wait and Bleed," Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown" and The Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville."

The June issue is available now at the Guitar World Online Store.

Photo: Ari Michelson

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Poll: The Greatest Guitarist of All Time, Round 1 — John Petrucci Vs. Tosin Abasi

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:43:19 +0000

Welcome to our first-ever Greatest Guitarist poll, where 128 guitarists go head to head, round by round, in a bracketed format, all to crown your choice for the Greatest Guitarist of All Time.

We filled 124 of 128 slots with the names of a host of incredible guitarists (dead and living) — players chosen for their technical ability as well as their importance and creativity, not to mention how influential they've been. We asked you to vote in the final four names, which you did. Now the 128 slots are filled, and we're deep into Round 1.

You might come across one or two interesting style matchups in this poll, which may lead some of you to wonder, "How do you compare a shred guitarist to a blues guitarist?" Aside from how good a player is at his or her given style, here are some things to take into consideration:

• Influence: Who inspired more kids to beg their parents for a guitar for Christmas? Who inspired a wave of copycats?
• Chops/Versatility: Is the guitarist in question a one-trick pony or a master of many styles?
• Body of Work: Who had the more consistent career? Who has played on more classic albums?
• Creativity: Who pioneered new techniques? Who sounds the most radically different from what came before them?

You can check out full results via our regularly updated bracket here.

Round 1 — Today's Match

Today, two of the brightest stars in modern prog collide, as up-and-comer Tosin Abasi of Animals As Leaders tries to topple one of the reigning kings of progressive metal, Dream Theater's John Petrucci.

Tuesday's matchup saw Robert Johnson (73.06%) defeat Hubert Sumlin (26.94%). View the full bracket.

Pearl Jam to Co-Headline Jay Z's Made In America Festival

Josh Hart — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:59:03 +0000

Pearl Jam have been announced as one of the headlining acts for the Budweiser Made in America Festival, which is set to take place in Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 1 and 2.

The festival is being organized by rapper/entrepreneur Jay Z, who promised an eclectic lineup when he first announced plans for the festival some weeks ago.

"Whenever I enter into a project, I try to hit on some touch points. The first thing is: Is it great?" Jay Z said in a press conference last week. "The second one is: Is it gonna push the culture forward?"

Pearl Jam broke the news of their involvement early, posting the following message to their Facebook page earlier this week, "Pearl Jam will officially be joining the lineup for the first ever Made In America Festival on Labor Day Weekend."

Other acts set to perform include Skrillex, Odd Future, Passion Pit, Dirty Projectors, D'Angelo and more.

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Firewind Contest: Win ESP Gus G Signature Guitar, Blackstar Amp, Elixir Strings and Autographed 'Few Against Many' CD

Guitar World Staff — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:01:30 +0000

Elixir Strings, ESP Guitars and Blackstar Amplification are celebrating the release of Firewind's new album, Few Against Many, by giving away some of Gus' favorite gear!

The sweepstakes will take place online between May 22 and July 22. Sign up on Elixir Strings' Facebook page to enter.

Consumers can enter to win a Grand Prize including an ESP/LTD GUS-600NT Signature Series guitar, Blackstar HT-1 Combo amp and a one-year supply of Gus' favorite electric strings, Elixir Strings featuring NANOWEB Coating. Plus a Gus G. autographed Few Against Many CD.

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, there will be ten lucky Second Prize winners who will win a one-year supply of Elixir Strings and an autographed Few Against Many CD.

“We’re happy to be working with our highly respected promotional partners in offering this Gus G. sweepstakes,” says Joe Fallon, Elixir Strings strategic marketing associate. “It’s our way of saying thanks to Gus G. and Firewind for inspiring guitarists, everywhere.”

For additional details on the promotion, visit Elixir Strings' Facebook page.

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Six Feet Under Announce Addition of New Guitarist

Josh Hart — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:28:10 +0000

Death metal icons Six Feet Under have announced that guitarist Rob Arnold has officially retired from touring, and that he will be replaced by Swedish guitarist Ola Englund for the band's upcoming tour dates.

"Ola is an amazing guitarist and was chosen for his superlative technique and style of playing," said vocalist Chris Barnes. "We believe he will be the perfect complement to Steve Swanson, and the devastating rhythm section that is Talley/Hughell. Steve, Kevin, Jeff and myself are so looking forward to Ola's entrance into the band upon the release of Undead and the commencement of our first tour next month with Dying Fetus and Revocation. We can’t wait for you to witness the new killing machine that is Six Feet Under!"

Barnes did make clear though that Arnold is still a vital part of Six Feet Under, saying, "Ola takes over duties for our good friend and death metal warrior Rob Arnold who will be retiring from touring but will remain a central writing partner and fellow collaborator on future SFU releases. We are all sad to not have Rob on the road with us, but are confidant and 110% psyched that Ola is now within the ranks of the Undead and will be ready to lay waste to every stop along the way."

On his new position in the ranks of one of modern death metal's most celebrated acts, Englund said, "When I got the call from Chris, it felt unreal; first thing that popped up in my head was, ‘why the hell did he want me — the total gear nerd from Sweden — to join his awesome band? To be able to share the stage with one of the biggest icons in death metal and the other killer musicians in SFU is a complete honor and a dream come true for me. I couldn't be happier about the situation."

Six Feet Under's latest studio album, Undead, is out today via Metal Blade Records.

Rare Photo of The Beatles Walking "Backwards" on Abbey Road Sells for $25,000

Damian Fanelli — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:20:20 +0000

A rare photo by Iain Macmillan showing The Beatles walking in the wrong direction across London's Abbey Road sold for £16,000 -- about $25,000 US -- at auction today, May 22, at Bloomsbury Auction House in London.

The photo shows the band -- from left, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison -- walking from right to left across the famous zebra crossing near Abbey Road Studio, where the band recorded the bulk of their EMI catalog, including their 1969 album, Abbey Road.

It's also worth noting that McCartney is wearing sandals (He's barefoot on the album cover), and the cigarette he's holding on the official version is nowhere to be found.

The photo was expected to sell for around £9,000 ($14,000). The bidding began at £6,000 ($9,500), but things got out of hand, and bidders pushed it to £16,000 in less than a minute.

For more about Bloomsbury Auctions, visit bloomsburyauctions.com. For more about The Beatles, visit thebeatles.com.

Photo: Iain Macmillan/Bloomsbury Auctions

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Exclusive: Felix Martin Premieres "The Triangle Song" Live Video

Josh Hart — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:32:30 +0000

Ahead of the release of his brand-new live album, Live in Boston, we're excited to bring you the exclusive premiere of a new live video from Venezuelan guitarist Felix Martin. Watch a live performance of "The Triangle Tune" below.

Martin — a Berklee graduate — plays a 14-string guitar he invented himself, which features two left-handed 7-string guitars on one neck.

Wanna know how it's done? Check out the live video below, and then scroll down to read a description from Felix on his unique approach to the guitar.

Live In Boston is available as a physical release today and is out June 5 via Prosthetic Records as a digital release. You can pre-order the album now at this location.

And for all of you scratching your heads out there right now, Felix was nice enough to send along a quick description of how to play this track.

"This song is divided into three parts. There are two reasons why I called this song 'The Triangle Tune.' One is because of the main chord on Part I. It is basically a minor 7 chord with every tension on it, having a triangular chord shape on each neck/hand. I call this chord the 'Triangle Chord,' and it’s played as lead distorted tone instead of clean/arpeggiated on this song.

"First Neck/Right Hand: R, 5th, 3rd (Triangle Shape) and an extra finger for the 13th. Second Neck/Left Hand: 9th, 11th, 7th(Triangle Shape) and an extra finger for the 11th.

"The second reason it’s because the method that I’m using on Part II. Here I’m using three chords only (D-7#11, A-7#11,G-7#11) but I’m featuring three inversions of each one of them, making some sort of 'Triangle Cycle.' This is played using standard guitar technique.

"Part I (0:00) this is probably one of the most difficult sections that I ever played on the 14-string guitar. It features very fast leads and complex runs, very often using odd meters like 15/16 and 5/8. It is also hard to keep the resistance through the whole Part, because it doesn’t have many breaks and it features 16th and 32nd notes only.

"Part II (2:03) For this part, I wanted the song to breath a lot, making it softer, prettier, jazzier and having some sort of complexity at the same time. It keeps growing the intensity through each section until the solo improvisation at 03:39.

"Part III (5:55) This part is based on a repeating theme from Part I, having constant changes on the rhythm."

Felix will be hitting the road this summer in Europe, and you can check out his full tour itinerary below:

Tour Dates:

May 24 – FNAC Vasco da Gama – Lisboa, PORTUGAL
May 24 - Molhobico – Évora, Portugal
May 25 - FNAC Viseu - Viseu
May 25 – ACERT – Tondela, PORTUGAL
May 26 – Jazz Ao Norte – Porto, PORTUGAL
May 27 - FNAC Colombo – Lisboa, PORTUGAL
May 31 – Excalibur Metal – Madrid, SPAIN
June 02 – The Lounge Bar – Torrevieja, SPAIN
June 05 – Le Baiser Salé – Paris, FRANCE
June 08 – JO Bar - Bassano Del Grappa, ITALY
June 09 - Terminal – Padova, ITALY
June 10 – Black Mirror Studio – Udine, ITALY
June 13 – Vadvirag – Budapest, HUNGARY
June 15 – Fair Café – Schortens, GERMANY
June 16 – Die Palette – Stuttgart, GERMANY
June 18 - Skuret - Oslo, NORWAY
June 20 – Piec Art – Krakow, POLAND
June 23 – Jazz Time – Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
June 24 - Immerhin - Wurzburg, GERMANY
June 26 – Gyngen – Arhus, DENMARK
June 28 – Mukkes – Leeuwarden, HOLLAND
June 29 – De Pit – Terneuzen, HOLLAND
July 04 – The Dublin Castle – London, UK
July 06 – Live Music – Faro, PORTUGAL
July 06 – Bafo de Baco – Loule, PORTUGAL
July 07 – FNAC Algarve – Guia, PORTUGAL
July 07 – Assoc. Músicos de Faro – Faro, PORTUGAL

Exclusive: Order of Nine Streaming New Album, 'Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror'

Josh Hart — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:57:22 +0000

Today, we're bringing you the exclusive premiere of the new album from Pennsylvania-based thrashers, Order of Nine. You can stream Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror — which is being called their most "technically proficient and versatile" album to date — via the SoundCloud player below.

Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror is out today on Nightmare Records, and you can pick it up here.

Video: The gTar, a Fully Digital, iPhone-Powered Guitar, Hits Kickstarter

Damian Fanelli — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:05:41 +0000

A startup company called Incident has launched a new product -- the gTar -- on Kickstarter, a crowd funding website for creative projects.

The gTar is a totally digital guitar with a built-in iPhone dock that uses sensors to relay what you're playing to an iPhone app that works with the gTar.

The instument has strings and a fretboard layout, so users can feel -- or at least look -- like they're playing a traditional guitar.

The gTar, which uses LED lights to show you how to play songs that are preloaded in the app, is being marketed as a learning tool, so it's not supposed to replace your main guitar.

When it was launched, gTar had 34 days to reach its funding goal of $100,000. As of this writing (May 22), it has surpassed $141,000. Supporters of the project have to pledge a minimum of $350 to guarantee they'll get a gTar of their own when it ships in September. It will probably retail for $450.

To check out the gTar on Kickstarter, and for more photos and information, head here. Be sure to check out the video below.

Oktober Guitars Introduces Wraith Electric Guitar

Damian Fanelli — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:40:40 +0000

Oktober Guitars has announced the release of its new Wraith electric guitar.

The Oktober Wraith is available worldwide and can be ordered directly from Oktober Guitars' website.

The guitar features a solid mahogany neck and body, Oktober Blockhead pickups and and a 24¾-scale length and 12-inch radius ebony fretboard inlayed with mother of pearl diamonds.

Standard options include:

• Solid mahogany neck and body
• Set neck construction
• Premium bound ebony fretboard with mother of pearl diamond inlays
• 24 fret neck
• 24 ¾” scale
• Floyd Rose Special tremolo (non-recessed)
• Oktober Blockhead pickups BH1 (bridge) and BH2 (neck)
• Form-fitting Oktober hard shell case
• Jet Black finish

List price: $1,099.00 US
Factory direct: $599.99 US

For more information visit oktoberguitars.com.

Dean Markley USA Announces Nikki Sixx Helix HD SS Bass Strings

Damian Fanelli — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:19:49 +0000

Dean Markley USA has teamed up with Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx to create Nikki Sixx Helix HD SS Bass Strings.

The strings, which are made of a stainless-steel alloy, feature the same custom gauges Sixx uses -- and Dean Markley's new Helix patent-pending hyper-elliptical windings.

As Sixx puts it, “Dean Markley puts the bite back in the bass sound.”

From Dean Markley:

"With over a year of research and development, the Helix string uses a precise elliptical shape for the winding wire. The shape then had to be paired with the correct winding process. The hyper-elliptical winding process results in an increased number of wraps along the length of the string.

"This increases the mass of the string without changing its diameter or material. More mass makes a fuller tone; more windings give a smoother feel as well as a brighter, more resonant tone. Additional benefits of the hyper-elliptical windings are a relaxed feel and less unwanted noise. The strings are designed to last much longer without sacrificing tone and performance."

The custom gauges are:

First String: .050 / Second String: .070 / Third String: .090 / Fourth String: .110

MSRP: $49.50 US

For more information, visit DeanMarkley.com.

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Tony Iommi Comments on Black Sabbath's Birmingham Show

Josh Hart — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:16:12 +0000

This past Saturday, May 19, Black Sabbath made their triumphant return at a hometown show in Birmingham, England. The show would also serve as a warmup gig for their upcoming headlining slot at Download festival.

Iommi, who has been undergoing treatment for lymphoma, was admittedly nervous before the show, writing afterwards:

"I was extremely nervous beforehand about playing a long set, not knowing whether I'd be able to last. It turned out to be no problem whatsoever because Ozzy, Geezer and Tommy were nailing everything; no chance to feel tired! I'm really pleased with how it turned out, fantastic crowd and I want to say thank you to all of them for giving me such an amazing reception. On our way again at last! Finally, a special thanks to Tommy; we invited him to play and he was brilliant."

The Tommy in question is Tommy Clufetos, the drummer in Ozzy Osbourne's solo band. Tommy served a last-minute replacement when original drummer Bill Ward could not come to contract terms with the remainder of the band.

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