Metal band plays at disgraced author’s book signing!
By Jeremy Azevedo
Do you remember the author, James Frey, who wrote “A Million Little Pieces”, a memoir that became an Oprah book club selection? And then it turns out that a lot of the stuff in the book was made up? Well it turns out that Frey is still working, despite being shamed on live television, has a new book out, and loves metal!
But this isn’t really about James Frey, really, although it was maybe supposed to be. See, Frey had it in his mind that having a rock band play at his book reading would make the whole show more entertaining, and perhaps even endear him to a younger crowd. As such, he hired heavy metal band “Black Tide” to play at his show, which was a free, all ages event… at Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood of all places.
Now I’m not trying to make broad generalizations here, but in my own personal experience, metal heads are not known to be the most literate of people. Especially teenage metal heads that live in or near Hollywood. It became apparent fairly early on that the majority of the “guests” in attendance were only there for a free metal show. Words cannot describe how awkward the question and answer period after Frey’s reading was, but I can tell you that his frustration with the crowd was clearly obvious. And the guy that went before him? He looked like he was going to jump out of the window, if there even was one.
Anyway, the moral of the story was that I had an interview with the band afterward, the results of which I have taken some minor liberties with in order to punch things up (In the style of James Frey, of course). Following is my account of that interview with Black Tide bassist Zakk Sandler, and guitarist Lexx Nunez.
In an obvious bid to silence those that would accuse Activision of resting on it’s laurels while Rock Band evolves the music game genre far beyond the scope of Guitar Hero, The developer has made a shocking announcement in this month’s issue of Game Informer.
Apparently, the next installment of Guitar Hero will not only feature the addition of drums and vocals, but will also feature a six piece drum kit and a new guitar peripheral with an as-yet-unannounced new feature. No word yet on whether or not these new instruments will be compatible with Rock Band or vice-versa. But judging by the fact that the Rock Band drum kit is only a four piece, I’d say the chances are slim. I’d also say that both Activision and Harmonix are getting just a little bit carried away with all the goddamn controllers. How many more do they really expect consumers to buy?
Additionally, Guitar Hero 4 will allow greater customization of band members, logos, and instruments in-game. Of course, due to legal entanglements with former sponsor, Gibson, this may not include actual real-world instrument models. The really big news, though, is that this installment will raise the stakes one step further by allowing users to actually record their own music. That’s right, honest to goodness digital video game bands will soon be peddling their wares on MySpace. Obviously, Playstation 2 Guitar Heroes can suck it when it comes to actually uploading their custom creation on the web.
The only bands that have even a tentative confirmation for the game are Van Halen, The Eagles Linkin Park, Sublime and contest winners The Answer. No idea what songs will be featured yet, so don’t ask. You’re welcome to guess though!
“Black Tide” is a group of old school metal heads, most of which are still in school, as their ages range from as old as 19 to as young as 15. Despite their age, these kid shred like the swarthiest, beardiest, 40 year old Dio cover band you’ve ever seen.
This is because the band was grown in test tubes by Interscope scientists, using the combined DNA of a tour bus full of Iron Maiden fans that crashed in 1983. The genetic protoplasm that would eventually become Black Tide was continually exposed to the 2CD “Monsters of Rock” collection (as seen on TV!) every waking moment of their incubation process (and also in the sleeping moments, too).
Black Tide kickin’ it in Hell, being all like “whatever!”
Behind the scenes of their totally metal new video
By Jeremy Azevedo
Despite the lot of them being under 20 years of age, Black Tide shreds like the 80s metal bands of yesteryear that many of us fondly remember headbanging to back in the day.
While most kids their age are playing guitar hero like a bunch of pansy ass nerds, these dudes are playing rapid-fire salvos of face melting thrash like it’s as easy as turning on a goddamn light switch. Although none of these kids are officially related, it is theorized that they were all secretly fathered by the soul and messenger of the Other Gods from Outside, the crawling chaos, Nyarlathotep. Who is also the half-brother of King Diamond, coincidently!
Anyway, we’ve got an exclusive behind the scenes clip from Black Tide’s video shoot for their first single, “Shockwave”. It reminds me a little of a mix between Twisted Sister’s video for “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, the Beastie Boys video for “Fight For Your Right To Party” and a little bit of “House Party” thrown in for good measure. Check it out!
The stars of Metalocalypse finally get their own album!
Metalocalypse: You should watch the show while you’re at it.
If there was even one metal band on the face of the earth that had both the talent and the sense of humor that fictional band Dethklok has, metal might still be the driving force in music that it once was. On their debut album, “The Dethalbum”, Dethklok prove that they can make shredding metal that rocks your face off while mercilessly mocking the genre at the same time.
Based on the Adult Swim cartoon, “Metalocalpse”, and written/performed for the most part (astonishingly) by one man, Brendon Small, The Dethalbum may be the best metal album of all time. The problem with really heavy metal has always been that they start off with really ridiculous subject matter, and then they express it without a shred of humor or self-reference. This album finally bridges the gap for people that like heavy music but find the substance rather corny.
Typical Dethklok fan.
Dethklok exists to lampoon the genre while also paying metal its due respect. There is no doubt that Brendon Small has done his homework, the music is so heavy and the subjects are so spot-on you almost wouldn’t know that this is kind of a comedy album if you didn’t know it was all music from a funny cartoon. (If you’ve twisted your fingers into pretzels playing “Thunderhorse” on Guitar Hero 2, then you know exactly what I’m talking about). The humor is just subtle enough not to ruin the enjoyment of rocking out to the music just for rocking out’s sake.
It speaks volumes for the quality of the album and for the show that it can garner huge ratings on Adult Swim while sharing airspace with mostly hip-hop flavored shows like The Boondocks. Even if you don’t think you have the stomach for loud and crazy deathmetal, or even if you don’t like weird cartoons and anything that has to do with them, I suggest that you put your perceptions aside and buy this album. If you don’t find yourself smiling and bobbing your head while listening to “Murmaider” and “Birthday Dethday”, it’s probably because your head already exploded from awesomeness.
