Hot on the heels of their valentines run of dates, the relentless & formidable BLEEDING THROUGH are heading back for another bite of the UK. The O.C. faves have been hard at work on their new album, set for release on Trustkill/Roadrunner in September, so expect to hear some new tunes being showcased! Look for kids swinging from the ceiling at the following: 26 June – London Underworld 27 June – Nottingham Rock City 28 June – Glasgow King Tuts 29 June – Manchester Jilly’s Rockworld 30 June – Newport TJs Returning with them will be the aggressive battery that is ZAO. Treating the UK to a mere 2 shows last year, Zao return in support of the apocalyptic Ferret/Roadrunner album ‘The Funeral Of God’. Zao combine elements of Bay Area thrash metal, precision tuned Carcass-like speed metal and the hard-fought credibility of hardcore with a dark vision that recalls Nick Cave, Danzig or Johnny Cash, and the (perhaps even dubious) lilt of British pop music and the more avante-garde outer reaches of rock n’ roll. Bring earplugs, and a safety helmet.

We would like to thank SashaS at DEO2 for this interview with Bleeding Through’s Marta A female life in a rock key Bleeding Through’s Marta: mini-portrait of a keyboardess Bleeding Through’s album ‘This is Love, This is Murderous’ recently had a Euro re-release with extras – three live tracks and two video-clips. Of the bonus material, ‘Rise’ may present the band best because it is fast, furious, intricate, loud, complex, huge, overwhelmingí¢ä‰åŒ_ Not that the rest of the tracks are less punchy and deliver sonic KO’s time after time. The Orange County outfit’s twin guitars attack, courtesy of Brian Leppke and Scott Danough, propelled by lightening drum-work of Derek Youngsma and spine-tingling bass of Ryan Wombacher, enriched with atmo-keyboarding by Marta and topped by the deeply doomsdayish intonation of singer Brandan Schieppati, is a musical offering practically capable of depilation. The band will also have a track on the soundtrack to ‘The Cave’, alongside Killswitch Engage, Open Hand, Lacuna Coil and It Dies Today. [The film is due to open mid-August in the USA.] The dark, willow figure of Marta is full of joie-de-vivre and she talks openly, eagerly but thoughtfully. We start with a confession and, as it turns out, we end up with another one. í¢ä‰åñI didn’t write the last album although a lot of people may not know thisí¢ä‰åŒ_ I didn’t do any writing, or recording, but I’m on the picture. What happened is that I didn’t join the bandí¢ä‰åŒ_ The keyboardess before me had been talking about leaving for a long time but was persuaded to stay until the album was finished.í¢ä‰åŒ í¢ä‰åñThat was her final part in the band and I came along just after finishing recordings. I’m in the pictures but I’m playing somebody else’s pieces. Live, I’ve added some parts, filled in few gaps, there is a bit more of me in it although I didn’t change anything basically.í¢ä‰åŒ Pre-devinyl state Settle-born Marta would be in college, if she hadn’t join the band, studying ballet and psychology great groundwork for the Metal world she swapped her one-plus years of studies for. Having tried her luck with a few bands but of jazz and Dixieland orientation [her CV is getting heavier and heavier – Ed Chief], she finds herself a professional musician at the age of 20. Entertaining the worldí¢ä‰åŒ_ í¢ä‰åñI conducted a choir whilst I was at school, played organ in a church, taught piano lessons, I did everything but being in a band. It’s not like I didn’t want to be in a band and have always listened to a lot of music, but I was doing a lot of other things just to kill time.í¢ä‰åŒ í¢ä‰åñI was a big fan of Bleeding Through before I joined and what attracted me to them was the way they used to add keyboards to the much heavier stuff. But, the band that changed me, inspired me and really opened my eyes is AFI. They push into new direction every day and I’d like us to do that as a band. I love that band and they are our friends.í¢ä‰åŒ It must be ego-boosting to be a rock-chic does it get unbearable at times? í¢ä‰åñIt’s not that bad and I’ve always been around boys but I think it was a bit strange at the beginning when I was pretty much the only girl on the tour. There would occasionally be a girl-roadie but I’ve never tried to make an issue about it. I think it really matters, maybe to the fans but it is not admiration I’m after, based on my gender.í¢ä‰åŒ How often do boys – or girls for that matter, we don’t like to discriminate – try to chat you up? í¢ä‰åñNot that often because I think most are intimidated by me being in a band but there are passesí¢ä‰åŒ_ From the boys, mainly, and I wouldn’t mind if there were more! But then, I was in a relationship for a long time, as well.í¢ä‰åŒ The mass lust Bleeding Through’s imagery is loaded with tales of betrayal, resistance, rejection, absolution, deception, redemption and sensuality. There are many elements on their menu, be it straight or hardcore Metal, punk or Goth, thrash or fusionismí¢ä‰åŒ_ ‘This Is Love’ has consolidated the band’s sound that was hinted on the ‘Portrait Of The Goddess’, in 2002. [The band’s debut ‘Dust To Ashes’ appeared in 2001.] Six individuals, three sharing a house, one goal still, a night can be a forlorn place. Fame may be even a lonelier business for a woman because men appear not very good at waiting in the wings? í¢ä‰åñYeah, I think you are right about men being bad at waiting and there are a lot of men on tour who have girlfriends at home and there is no problem. There is also that idea of people lusting after a woman, a few or a hundred, that brings instability to a relationship. I just broke up with a boy, last week, after few years together.í¢ä‰åŒ How much does such heartbreak influence playing? í¢ä‰åñSuch events affect playing greatly and this time I’m playing with more sadness it can turn into angry playing and I’d be more aggressiveí¢ä‰åŒ_ I hope it will peter out and not inform my writing and playing on the new album. I share house with my singer and bassist, so we can work on our music whenever we want to. But, due to touring we’ve not been able to do much. We’ve done some writing, we’ve got five new songs that are ready for the new album.í¢ä‰åŒ When can we expect it to be released? í¢ä‰åñAs soon as we are back from Europe, we’ll have a month of songwriting and then go into the studio and have the new album ready for September, the same time we issued the current album.í¢ä‰åŒ Bleeding Through’s live work suggest they have potential to move the parameters of heavy music in yet another invigorating/interesting/intriguing annexe to the Metal Parthenon. SashaS CLICK HERE to link to the original article

Ready Steady Jedi caught up with guitarist Jakob Batten from Ill Disposed for a quick head to head. CLICK HERE to read the interview.

Wednesday 13 Transylvania 90210 – Songs of Death, Dying And The Dead is almost here, but for the meantime here is something to get your fangs into!! CLICK HERE to read metal-exiles interview with Wednesday 13.

Chimaira hit the studio to record the yet-to-be-titled follow up to The Impossibility Of Reason on February 7th, and as of today the recording is about 98% complete. So after 6 weeks – and apparently only 4 sunny days whilst recording in the band’s hometown of Strongsville, OH – all that is left to do is “a couple vocals here and there, and Rob adding a few more solos,” tells frontman Mark Hunter from the studio. With the final completion of all the 13 songs that Chimaira has recorded imminent, Mark Hunter has granted us this exclusive interview and we made sure the questions counted. Read on: Roadrunner: We heard that Strongsville, OH is the original home of the wing nut, is this true? Mark Hunter: Of the wing nut? No man, home of the Mustangs. Roadrunner: Ever sneak into the pool at the Holiday Inn Select CLEVELAND-STRONGSVILLE? Mark Hunter: Yes. I have, actually. Dead serious. Roadrunner: Which member of N.W.A. do you feel most akin to? Mark Hunter: I would say Dr Dre…just because he is one of those control freaks in the studio, at least I’d imagine. He’s the HNIC, so am I. Roadrunner: Where is the best place for a young man to meet a nice young lady in Strongsville? Mark Hunter: Probably the High School, definitely the High School. Jim often combs the High School parking lots blasting N.W.A. thinking it’s modern, thinking people will think he is in touch with the youth. Roadrunner: What is a Rib Burn-off? Mark Hunter: Basically, in our town we have a town center…it’s a big open field, and every summer every restaurant that serves ribs gathers at this town center to makes ribs…there are judges, and there is a winner. Actually, true story – before the band I managed a rib joint named Geppepto’s, they were notorious for winning each year. Roadrunner: And will you be going to the Strongsville “Rib Burn-off” on June 23rd? Mark Hunter: hahaha…unfortunately, we’ll be in Europe. But, was there last year, and the year before that. Have tried getting a gig playing it! We thank Mark for his time, and wish Chimaira the best at getting a gig at next year’s Strongsville Rib Burn-off…let it be known that Styx and Kansas have played the Cleveland Rib Burn-off in years past (aka the holy Mecca of Rib Burn-offs). More Chimaira news, and tales from Rib Burn-offs past to follow.

Raise your gauntlet and get ready to watch the debut 3 Inches Of Blood video, for “Deadly Sinners”. Make your way on over to our VIDEO section and check it out. REMEMBER: 3 Inches Of Blood will be coming over for the ROADRAGE tour, along with TRIVIUM & STILL REMAINS. UNLEASH THE QUICHE 3 Inches Of Blood – Advance And Vanquish IN STORES NOW!!

Soulfly’s ‘The Song Remains Insane’ DVD will now be released on April 4th following the the withdrawal of the original defective version. Purchasers should check that they are buying the DVD in a plastic case with a catalogue number of RR 09708 to ensure that they are getting the correct version.

TRIVIUM DEBUTS ON THE UNITED KINGDOM’s NATIONAL ALBUM/ROCK CHARTS Here’s a very special message from TRIVIUM to the Fans in the UK. ———— ———— Just got word from 1/2 way ’round the world – ASCENDANCY debuts #113 on the UK’s National Album Charts and #8 on the UK’s National Rock Charts. All the more reason we are excited about bringing the Road Rage Tour to the UK and the rest of Europe – that’s great news. Speaking of Road Rage – we’ve been having a blast on this tour with with 3 Inches of Blood, Still Remains & The Agony Scene – the bands are very cool – everyone’s getting along just fine – the fans have been AMAZING. We had a great time in Texas this past weekend – the SXSW festival was alot of fun to play. Lot’s of great fan art coming into the site – thanks for sending them – we really like it – lots of very creative people out there. Time to get to Oklahoma City – talk to you later – be well… Stay Metal m/-_-m/ Travis, Paolo, Corey & Matt

ROADRUNNER “ALL- STARS” ALBUM, A CELEBRATION OF LABEL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY New York, NY – Roadrunner Records is in the process of putting together a groundbreaking record to mark the label’s 25th Anniversary. Tentatively titled “Roadrunner All-Stars”, the full length release, a ‘master-class’ in hard rock, will contain original tracks that are collaborations between past and present Roadrunner stars. Four central musicians will be chosen to produce and write all the songs. Those chosen thus far are Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory/Brujeria) and Robert Flynn (Machine Head). The fourth writer/producer is yet to be named. These four musicians will not only play on the songs they have written but also assemble a unique team of artists to appear on each track. In order to cover as wide a spectrum as possible, no musician will play for more than one writer/producer and each song will feature a different vocalist. Musicians who have already recorded for this project are Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory/Brujeria), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Paul Gray (Slipknot), Roy Mayorga (ex-Soulfly), Logan Mader (ex-Machine Head), Marcelo Dias (ex-Soulfly), Dave McClain (Machine Head), Nadja Peulen (ex-Coal Chamber) and Mike Sarkisyan (Spineshank). Some other musicians not yet confirmed but expected to participate are: Max Cavalera (Soulfly/ex-Sepultura), King Diamond (King Diamond/ex-Mercyful Fate), Mark Hunter (Chimaira), Keith Caputo (Life Of Agony), Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw), Andols Herrick (ex-Chimaira), Trevor Peres (Obituary), James Murphy (ex-Obituary/Disincarnate), Mick Thomson (Slipknot), Kyle Thomas (ex-Exhorder), Matt DeVries (Chimaira), Matt Baumbach (ex-Vision Of Disorder), Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory/Front Line Assembly), members of Killswitch Engage and many more. “I am really excited about having the opportunity to be a part of this landmark event,” says writer/producer Robert Flynn. “I just got Andols (ex-Chimaira) locked in as the drummer, and Mick from Slipknot on guitar, so I’m f***ing stoked! Congrats to RR for lasting 25 years, we’ll drink a beer, or four, in their honor!” Writer/Producer Dino Cazares adds “It was a great honor to get to play with some of my friends in other Roadrunner bands. I’m excited for everyone to hear the songs I’ve written.” Andreas Kisser of Sepultura adds, “I think it was a great idea to do this album, especially for the opportunity to play with great musicians that I know so well but didn’t have the chance to do something with. It was amazing to play with Dino, Roy and Paul. We got along very well and the songs are brutal – really heavy, bringing back some old memories and feelings. I hope to do this live sometime. I hope everybody will enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.” “I’m really looking forward to the upcoming RR All-Stars record. Mainly for the chance to work with musicians whom I’ve respected for years and have been heavily inluenced by. Expect a unique record of collaborations of artists through the 25 years of RR,” concludes Joey Jordison of Slipknot. The project is being overseen by longtime Roadrunner A&R man Monte Conner. Mixing duties will be handled by legendary hard rock producer, Colin Richardson. The album is tentatively scheduled for release in the Fall of 2005.

WEDNESDAY 13 – I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE VIDEO – Something for the weekend sir? – Yes Please, how about a b-movie style music video with rotting corpses? – No problem sir CLICK HERE to go the download section of the site and download WEDNESDAY 13 – I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE VIDEO. The video is taken from their debut album Transylvania 90210: songs of death, dying and the dead OUT 11th APRIL. The band will also do being a UK tour surrounding the release which is guaranteed to KICK-ASS!!! CLICK HERE for tour dates. Also don’t forget to enter our golden ticket competition on the site. A winner and friend will get to see roadrunner gigs through out April for free, including WEDNESDAY 13 at the Islington Carling Academy.