Speaking of tours, check out Ill Nino’s PHOTO GALLERY for some recent live pics from the show in Texas this past Friday night December 12th.

More times than not, seems the good folks at www.hitthepit.com are the first to come in with album reviews. The tale of Red Tape’s Radioactivist is no exception. That being said, check out the first review of this upcoming 2004 release, as detailed by www.hitthepit.com: Red Tape is a high powered four-some that is poised to claim 2004 as the year to make their abrasive voice be heard. The band has a sound that falls somewhere in-between Black Flag, Amen, Snapcase, and Minor Threat. But what separates Red Tape from these other acts is their knack for writing a catchy chorus. Big and melodic, some of the chorus’s on ‘Radioactivist’ could be universally accepted, but is commercial radio smart enough to stand up and listen? Without a doubt “Stalingrad” is the strongest effort of the record. Plucky guitars accompany a singy chorus that you will more then likely hear on a number of movie soundtracks over the next few years. The effort screams to have fun, and as a whole begs for the listener to rock out with their cocks out. It is a rambunctious release of energy that rips! Well done! “Droppin’ Bombs On Your Moms” is an old school Minor Threat type track that hits hard. Gang vocals work hard to hammer their message home, all the while a raw release of energy fuels the track to a point where you may need to be concerned about your speakers blowing out. From nowhere you are blind-sided by a melodic vocals that come across rather depressed. But somehow it all works perfectly! “Reactor” has got to be a radio release! Once again, a stand out chorus gives the track a special feel. Rock hasn’t sounded this real on the radio dial in a long while. Feedback is the norm, and imperfections lead the way on a refreshing release. In my opinion the mainstream needs a shot in the arm. There seems to be a nice trend developing around rock bands that harken back to their forefathers musically. Bands like The Bronx and Red Tape could be the cure for a rather stale commercial scene. But I guess that depends on you the consumer! My suggestion, pick up bands like this instead of your run of the mill Linkin Park and Puddle of Mudd…..bands like this are far more real…and rock a hell of a lot harder and LOUDER!!!!!!! Pit Scale: 8, what is “Droppin’ Bombs On Your Moms” referring too? Suggested Tracks: “Stalingrad”, “Droppin’ Bombs On Your Moms” Track Listing: 1) a3ke4bCr 2) Damage Control 3) High Voltage 4) Stalingrad 5) Radioactivist 6) Divebomb 7) Droppin’ Bombs On Your Moms 8) Reactor 9) Strike Tonight 10) El Salvador 11) Social Meltdown 12) Golden 13) The Waltz 14) Shoot! Move! Communicate 15) Bl’ast! The System

Hot on the heels of Corey Taylor’s birthday last week, today is the 29th birthday of the one and only Acey Slade, of the Murderdolls. Whatever he’s up to, sure it’ll be a riot. Have a great one Acey!

The final part of your questions to Machine Head’s Dave McClain… Q. Would you like to work with Sacred Reich members again in a future reunion of the band? Roger That would never happen because Phil Rind has retired completely from music. Q. I saw the show at the Astoria on 27/11. What technique do you use for your bass drumming? Heel up or heel down? When you play the real fast bass drums it looked as though your legs were not moving so I though maybe you use your feet and push towards the bass drums? Anyhow keep up the good work, you are one of the best drummers out there mate, the new live show was absolutely amazing! Any tips on your style of drumming would be cool. Ciaran Thanks! I play heel up. I’ve been learning how to play double stroke rolls on the kicks. That’s what I’m doing on the really fast double bass on Imperium. I also work on my speed a lot with single hits, it’s kind of playing your feet like your hands. Try not to use your whole leg, try just using your ankle to move your foot. I’m up to about 830 bpm!

Soulfly’s new studio album is currently set for an early Spring 2004 release. The name of it? “Prophecy”. The tracklisting for ‘Prophecy’ looks likely to be: 1. Prophecy 2. Living Sacrifice 3. Execution Style 4. Defeat U 5. Mars 6. I Believe 7. Moses 8. Born Again Anarchist 9. Porrada 10. In The Meantime 11. Soulfly IV 12. Wings Produced by Max, and mixed by Terry Date at Studio X in Seattle, Washington, the album was recorded, engineered and edited by John Gray. All recording was done at The Saltmine Studio Oasis, Mesa, Arizona. As for who plays what, the current lineup of Soulfly (and their contribution to this record) is as follows: Max Cavalera – voz, 4-stringz, berimbau, soul, sitar Marc Rizzo – guitarz, flamenco guitarz Bobby Burns – bazz on all tracks except where noted David Ellefson – bazz on “Prophecy,” “Defeat U,” “Mars,” “I Believe” (outro only) and “In The Meantime” Joe Nunez – drumz, percussion Additional music from the following: Percussion peformed by Meia Noite. Kaval, gemshorn, zurla, gajde, dvojnice, sheepskin bagpipes and flutes on “Execution Style,” “Born Again Anarchist” and “Soulfly IV” performed by Ljubomir Dimtrijevic. Additional lead vocals on “Defeat U” by Danny Marianino. Lead vocals on “Wings” and backing vocals on “I Believe” by Asha Rabouin. more to come…

The latest from the world of Killswitch Engage… Remember when we said that Killswitch Engage was hitting the studio on Dec 8 to start the recording of their new album? We lied… Yes, yes we did. New date. KsE will start the recording of their next album this coming Saturday, December 13th. Bassist Mike D’Antonio relays the following on what to expect: “(Killswitch Engage) begins recording on our 3rd LP (2nd for RR) on December 13th. We expect to record 12-14 songs with our pal and band mate Adam D. The yet untitled, new LP should be finished late January and mixed by Mr. Andy Sneap in jolly olde England come mid-February. Although we were rushing to have this baby out by April, with record preparation, advertising and all the other crap, it is looking more like a May release. As far as the music for the new record goes…over all, the songs are a bit longer, MORE metal than AOJB, and the choruses feel more epic in proportion. Not to mention, we have 2 new players on this record (Howard Jones – Vocals and Justin Foley – Drums) who are used to dishing out the brutality (BHBS). All in all, this one is shaping up to be a monster. Stay tuned for more updates from the studio soon.”

Sometime in the coming month, Ill Nino will be shooting a video for “This Time’s For Real” off their latest release, Confession. Completed video should be in house come sometime in mid-May.

No, the title of this update has nothing to do with the classic 1984 Iron Maiden release Powerslave, but with the classic raw power that will be coming your way in 2004 via Red Tape. More to the point, it has to do with the website POWERSLAVE.com. At that link, you can read a review of the band’s Nov 29 show at Jim Dandy’s in Prunedale, California. Check it out…is it the rhyme of the ancient mariner?

Roadrage 2003 is done. A whale of a time was had. Mike of Spineshank sent over a little handwritten note to thanks on behalf of all the Roadragers… which you can see HERE.

Looking to get tickets for the Chimaira/Every Time I Die dates in February? Look no further, for here are links or phone numbers to contact for each and every show. 02/02/2004 Zodiac – Oxford BUY TIX
03/02/2004 Engine Rooms – Cardiff BUY TIX
04/02/2004 Lemon Grove – Exeter BUY TIX
05/02/2004 Wedgewood Rooms – Portsmouth BUY TIX
06/02/2004 Mean Fiddler – London BUY TIX
07/02/2004 Academy 2 – Birmingham BUY TIX
08/02/2004 Hop and Grape – Manchester BUY TIX
09/02/2004 Rock City – Nottingham BUY TIX 1 / BUY TIX 2
10/02/2004 King Tut’s – Glasgow BUY TIX
11/02/2004 Corporation – Sheffield 0114 252 7602
12/02/2004 Joseph Wells – Leeds 0113 203 1861
13/02/2004 Sound Haus – Colchester 0161 275 2959
14/02/2004 University – Liverpool BUY TIX
15/02/2004 Temple Bar Music Centre – Dublin BUY TIX 1 / BUY TIX 2
16/02/2004 Limelight – Belfast BUY TIX 1 / BUY TIX 2
17/02/2004 Northumbria University – Newcastle BUY TIX
18/02/2004 The Venue – Edinburgh 0131 226 7010 / 0870 220 1116
19/02/2004 Sound Haus – Northampton BUY TIX