Stone Axe II News

Tony Reed of Mos Generator and Stone Axe sent an email out today via the Stone Axe website about the next album.

“Hello all, it’s Tony here. Just wanted to say thank you for checking us out and please spread the word. I’ve been working on promo and publicity for the next album and i believe word of mouth is as important as magazine ads, banners and reviews. today we will (hopefully) be finishing the vocals for the last song for ‘stone axe II’ and then it’s on to mixing and artwork next week. We would like it to be out in march sometime….we’ll see.”

As long as there are no delays, these next month and a half to two months can’t get here quick enough. To go to the new official Stone Axe website and sign up for the newsletter, download free music or purchase merch, go HERE

Stone Axe

Asteroid and Dexter Jone’s Circus Orchestra Reviews

I just had a chance to listen to both the new Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra and Asteroid albums that were released recently.

The Dexter Jones retains their signature sound from past albums but this album adds singer/guitar player Matt Bethancourt from Josiah and Cherry Choke to the mix. Matt adds his signature sound and voice to the album. He doesn’t take lead on the vocals but mearly adds to the backgrounds. When I found out he joined the band I was estatic and couldn’t wait to hear it. Overall I’d give it four out of five stars. It didn’t blow me away but still grabbed me none the less.

On the same day as the new Dexter Jones album was released, Fuzzorama records also released fellow Swedish rock band Asteroid’s followup album. Their second album titled II, or two continues a bit where the first one left off. This time around it’s a bit heavier and darker but still stands out as an Asteroid album. The songs definately have that oomf that belongs to them. Sometimes a bit on the bluesy side, 70’s classic rock and I even detect a hint of a jazz side. A few of the songs reminded me of Dr. Smoke, the last song off their debut album.

A friend on Facebook said it may be his album of the year. Upon first listen it didn’t hit me as an album of the year. A second listen made me apprecite the album a bit more and I think I may be going back to listen to this a few more times. It may turn out to be one of those albums that you have to listen to a few times to really appreciate it. Kind of like the Skanska Mord album released recently by Small Stone. Right now I’ll give “II” a 3 out of 5 stars but I may update that in a day or two if this album grabs me lime I think it may.

Minor Updates

I know it’s been a while since the last update. A little bit of everything has hit from sickness to long odd hours at work. The site is not dead nor abandoned. Reviews are underway and will be posted soon. I’ll also be finalizing the release list as far as format and have it updated to reflect newer releases that have been announced/talked about since. Thank you for understanding.

New Fireball Ministry Coming Soon

L.A. rockers Firball Ministry announced the release of their self titles disc today through their management company

FIREBALL MINISTRY will return this Spring with their self-titled fourth album due out MARCH 16

Fireball Ministry

The tracklisting is as follows”

1) Hard Lines
2) Fallen Believers
3) Thought It Out
4) Followed By a Fall
5) Kick Back
6) Butcher, Faker, Policy Maker
7) End of Story
8 ) Common Enemy
9) Sleeping With Angels
10) In Their Own Right

All I can say it it’s about time. I’ve been waiting for something new from them for what seems like forever. The press release can be read in its entirety HERE

Small Stone Updates

Scott Hamilton, owner of indie label Small Stone Records has updated the main site with some news. First there were tow new signings to the label. Both Black Sleep of Kali and Cropduster have signed with the label and will be entering the studio to both put out their Small Stone debut. The Sasquatch and The Brought Low albums are nearly done and will be released shortly. Solace AD and Gozu will also have albums mixed and released sometime in the spring. Read the full article HERE.

Black Label Society New Album News

It seems that Zakk Wylde is at it again. This one comes from Metal Hammer:

“Online rumours seem to be suggesting that Zakk Wylde will begin to rev up the BLS machine once more and hit the studio for his first post-Ozzy album at the end of this month.”

The Article goes on to say a possible June release is possible. Read the whole article HERE

Grand Magus Album News

Swedish metalers Grand Magus have announced that they are entering the studio soon to record their next album. The following comes via Metal Underground:

“Hammer Of The North.” The album is expected to be released around the Spring/early Summer period through Roadrunner Records.”

The entire article can be read HERE

Red Fang Update

Portland rockers Red Fang were recently interviewed in the Portland Mercury about their new in progress album.

The as-of-yet-titled album was recorded at Type Foundry with Adam Selzer, Kevin Robinson (see more about him below) rolled tape on the vocals/overdubs, while Chris Funk produced the recordings.

Read the article HERE via The Exploding In Sound blog.

I had a chance to see Red Fang open for The Bakerton Group last year and I tell ya I loved them. I bought their EP from them and it’s stayed in a pretty regular rotation on the iPhone. My favorite song has to be Prehistoric Dog. I got a few good pictures of the band. Check on below.

Red Fang - Chicago, IL 2-18-2009

Misc New Release Updates

Here are a few updates I found lately.

The Dillinger Escape Plan are set to release their new album “Option Paralysis” on March 22nd, 2010.

Weedeater has issued the following statement about preparing to record a new album:

“Hey yous, happy new year and all that shit! Weedeater’s gonna go record with sensei Steve Albini again in Chicago this month and we’re fucking elated. We’re also going to play a few shows on the way there and back to showcase / road-test the new stuff.

Both found on the awesome blog metalunderground.com

The next two come from Metal Hammer.

A special limited-edition box-set of Fear Factory’s forthcoming album ‘Mechanize’ will be released that comes in the shape of a tool box.

High On Fire have revealed some bad-ass artwork for their forthcoming album, ‘Snakes For The Divine’.

Good times ahead.

Personally I’m looking forward to the High on Fire album. Their material is usually an asskicking good time. Look for the new one to drop Februrary 22nd. Cover art below.

High On Fire - Snakes For The Devine

Dexter Jones’ Circus Orchestra New Album Title

Swedish band Dexter Jones’ Circus Orchestra has a new album due out in a few shorts weeks. January 22nd, 2010 to be precise. The date has been confirmed by the band via their Myspace page. Oddly enough though they never did say what the title of the album would be. Upon snooping around the net for DJCO info I stumbled upon a european cd store, cdon.com, that was offering the new disc for presell.

The name of the album is called “If Light Can’t Save Us I Know Darkness Will.”  It has 11 tracks which are as follows:

1. If Bars Could Bend
2. I’m A Dog But You’re A Hound
3. The silence Is Far To Loud
4. The Monster By Your Side
5. It’s Not Safe
6. Little Man
7. Free Enterprise
8. Both Of Us
9. Left To Abide
10. Mentally Insane
11. Sad World

This information has been confirmed by Fuzzorama Records, the label that is issuing the album.

The Myspace announcement can be viewed HERE. Fuzzorama Website. The CDON.com listing HERE

Dexter Jones' Circus Orchestra New Album Cover?