TESTAMENT TO SUPPORT PRIEST AND MEGADETH

A news story in Metal Hammer issue 188, on sale December 17 states that Testament will be playing a special UK show in March. Contrary to this report, this show will not now be happening, but please keep watching this space for dates later on in the year when it is hoped it can be re-scheduled . In the meantime, if you want to see the masterminds behind last year’s metal masterpiece The Formation Of Damnation, you can catch them adding their tremendous spirit to 2009’s Priest Feast tour supporting the almighty Megadeth and Judas Priest on the following dates. See you down the pit!

February
Friday 13 Sheffield Arena
Saturday 14 Birmingham LG Arena
Monday 16 Glasgow SECC Hall 4
Tuesday 17 Manchester Apollo
Friday 20 Cardiff International Arena
Saturday 21 Wembley Arena

Tickets are priced at £37.50 (subject to booking fee) and are available www.livenation.co.uk

Billboard is reporting that despite heavy rumours of a new Rage Against The Machine album, the band has no plans for one at this time.

“”There are no plans for that,” the legendary guitarist told Billboard. “We’ve had a wonderful year and a half of playing shows, and I don’t see any reason to not play more shows. The thing is there’s only so many hours in the musical day, and mine are very occupied right now.”

We hung out with Spencer Chamberlain, Tim McTague and Aaron Gillespie from Christian metal band Underoath and chatted about Spencer’s battle with addiction, how religion (doesn’t) effect their rock’n'roll credibility and how they’ve remained grounded despite being a high profile metal band. 

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Following their success on the recent Unholy Alliance Chapter III tour, Swedish Viking-Metal heroes AMON AMARTH will headline a special, one off, METAL HAMMER sponsored bill at The Forum, London on March 9th 2009. (more…)

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THE CHRONICLES OF ISRAFEL

WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE? Like Coheed And Cambria, with Steve Vai battling Travis and Claudio on guitar; like Jane’s Addiction or Early Killing Joke covering Tool (or vice versa). Massive kooky narrative alternative metal with weird vocal effects, pianos and amazing guitar-work. Like War Of The Worlds played by The Fall Of Troy.

WHO’S IN THE BAND: Dominic Cifarelli (guitars, bass, vocals, keys), Vincent Cifarelli (keys), Americo Antonucci (vocals), Joey Bastone (drums), Joey Ranallo (bass).

WHERE ARE THEY FROM? Montreal, Canada.

THE STORY SO FAR: Dominic Cifarelli’s rise to fame started as guitarist of Montreal metal band Pulse Ultra, whose 2002 debut album ‘Headspace’ earned them a slot on Ozzfest. Pulse Ultra split in 2004 and Dominic went solo, finally finishing the album, ‘The Chronicles of Israfel’, in 2007. COI is an unadulterated musical story-telling vision that draws on violent Japanese anime to create a fantastic world of amazing music and often disturbing imagery.

CURRENT RELEASE: The album ‘The Chronicles of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I’ is out now on Bridge Of Hands Entertainment.

WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/thechroniclesofisrafel

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