E.S. Day's Blog
Posted by E.S. Day
SLAYER and MARILYN MANSON have announced that they will co-headline a North American major-market summer tour beginning on July 25 on the East Coast. Plans are for the tour to play some twenty-five cities and wrap up early September on the West Coast. A full, confirmed schedule will be announced shortly. MANSON and SLAYER will each play full sets, and two support bands, yet to be determined, will open all shows.
Just prior to the American trek, both MANSON and SLAYER will be on tour throughout Europe, sharing the stage at three European festivals — the U.K.'s Download Festival at Donington (June 9), Greenfield Festival in Switzerland (June 15), and Sweden's Metaltown Festival (June 30).
MARILYN MANSON just wrapped up work on his upcoming June release to be titled, "Eat Me, Drink Me", which Rolling Stone magazine describes as "epic." Voted "Best Band in the World" by Kerrang! magazine, the army of noise behind Manson's bitterness is at once raw and massive when witnessing him live— "rousing the crowd with focuses ardor," states the New York Times.
Celebrating their 26th year together, the always-uncompromising SLAYER was just named "Best Live Band" in SPIN's 2006 Readers Poll, and picked up their first Grammy Award last month for "Best Metal Performance." Their latest album, "Christ Illusion" — which debuted at #5 on Billboard's album chart — takes on the U.S. government about the war in Iraq, prompting one newspaper to speculate, "If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, he undoubtedly would be listening to SLAYER."
Posted by E.S. Day
“Come join us,” said OZZY and SHARON OSBOURNE February 6 at the Los Angeles press conference to unveil the bombshell: this year’s 12th annual OZZFEST will be known as “FreeFest.” OZZY and SHARON’s statement–with tour producer LIVE NATION–was an invitation for other artists to join OZZY by performing for free, thus making the tickets to the summer’s premiere touring concert festival entirely free for fans.
This bold invitation to perform in front of tens of thousands of frenzied rock kids has already been accepted by such artists as Lamb of God, Hatebreed and cutting-edge Finnish act Lordi, who will lead the charge with OZZY in this historic move that redefines a concert industry marred by rising ticket prices. Lamb of God and Lordi will perform on the main stage with OZZY, while Hatebreed will headline OZZFEST’s reliably down and dirty second stage with Mondo Generator, Ankla, Circus Diablo, Nile and The Showdown. These are only the first artists who have stepped forward to be part of this ground-breaking touring extravaganza, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks for the main and second stages.
The 24-city earth-pounding OZZFEST will now launch July 12 in Seattle, WA at the White River Amphitheatre. The tour was originally announced to start July 7 in Southern California but had to be moved to accommodate the extension of OZZY’s European tour. OZZFEST will also hit Seattle, WA, George, WA, Sacramento, CA, Mountain View, CA, Devore, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Tinley Park, IL, East Troy, WI, Indianapolis, IN, Holmdel, NJ, Hartford, CT, Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Charlotte, NC and West Palm Beach, FL.
As OZZFEST’s founder and namesake, OZZY will make his triumphant return to the headlining position on this year’s mainstage after surprising fans last year by performing on the second stage at a handful of dates. Audiences can expect the Prince of Darkness to unveil new songs from his forthcoming studio album (release date TBA), OZZY’s first disc of new material since 2001.
To gain entry into this year’s OZZFEST, fans will go to www.ozzfest.com or www.livenation.com to find links that will direct them to special sponsor sites where tickets can be secured. Select sponsors will have a unique opportunity to engage fans one-on-one utilizing one of music’s best known brands. Tickets will be available for download on June 12. Stay tuned to www.ozzfest.com and www.livenation.com in the coming weeks for more ticketing information.
By E.S. Day
Posted by E.S. Day
The complete itinerary has been announced for this year’s Ozzfest, which is scheduled to kick off July 12 in Seattle, WA. It is as follows:
Jul. 12 - White River Amphitheatre, Seattle, WA
Jul. 14 - Gorge, George, WA
Jul. 17 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Sacramento, CA
Jul. 19 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Jul. 21 - Hyundai Pavilion, Devore, CA
Jul. 24 - Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Jul. 26 - Journal Pavilion, Albuquerque, NM
Jul. 28 - Coors Amphitheatre, Denver, CO
Jul. 30 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Kansas City, MO
Aug. 02 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, San Antonio, TX
Aug. 04 - Smirnoff Music Center, Dallas, TX
Aug. 06 - UMB Bank Pavilion, St. Louis, MO
Aug. 08 - Germain Amphitheatre, Columbus, OH
Aug. 10 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Aug. 12 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Aug. 14 - Verizon Wireless Music Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 16 - PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
Aug. 18 - New England Dodge Music Theatre, Hartford, CT
Aug. 20 - Tweeter Center, Boston, MA
Aug. 22 - Tweeter Center, Philadelphia, PA
Aug. 24 - Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
Aug. 26 - DTE Energy Music Theatre, Detroit, MI
Aug. 28 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC
Aug. 30 - Sound Advice Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL
Posted by E.S. Day
Breaking News: Chris Cornell confirms split with Audioslave
(SOURCE: E.S. Day/Interscope)
He’s looking California, feeling Minnesota…but lives in Paris.
You can now add Audioslave to the accumulating list of bands that include Soundgarden and Temple of The Dog as (Grunge demi-god turned prissy Parisian) Chris Cornell announces he is leaving the Adult Contempo/Metal quartet.
He appeared at a press conference today, to promote his new album – “Carry On” his first for Interscope imprint Suretone, scheduled to hit retail on May 1, 2007. Already busy with the success of his latest venture with the main title “You Know My Name” for the new 007 flick Casino Royale. Manning the boards on the production frontline is veteran (Sniper and Grammy-winning-producer) Steve Lillywhite; known for his work with U2 and The Rolling Stones.
Cornell’s band –jumping agility has cost him some time in space, after the Temple Of The Dog project, which saw us digesting a Pearl Jam sandwich that’s been spread with some Soundgarden, chewed up and spat upon the grave of fellow crooner Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone. A tribute?, yes - but maybe monies from the project could have been used to set up a Memorial fund or to a addiction foundation, as it was heroin that brought Wood to his grave.
In regards to his latest departure, Cornell was quoted as saying: “Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors." (….as Rage Against The Machine – E.S. Day).
This might explain in part the sudden re-appearance of the nose-diving Zack De la Rocha to fly out of his Tibetan cave to pay some bills with a new & improved Rage Against The Machine in time for Coachella 2007. Let’s face it folks; Metal & Rap still rule…but Rock & Hip-Hop are… dead.
By the way, according to his label, we’ll be treated to a cover version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” . Go ahead Chris, “Carry On” down the charts.
Posted by E.S. Day
With all the hoopla surrounding The Police reunion for which people have been waiting 21 years ( to which I just witnessed an atrocious version of Roxanne,) another arresting development has arisen: Slayer wins their first ever Grammy.
Ironically, it would be 21 years until their first Grammy nomination, for “Disciple” from the album “God Hates Us All”
They did not win. It went to Tool.
This wouldn’t be the first time a “Non-Metal” band has won the famed phonograph trophy , lest we forget Jethro Tull beating out Metallica in the first ever Metal Category to be given the nod via the Academy.
Grammy winners generally stimulate album sales (after a Grammy win), but busy working members of the CD –buying public(any left?) too busy to watch video, track charts or wait for the radio ads to end before they can jot dot that title… think about this:
The album in question; aptly titled “Christ Illusion”(American Recordings), has already been pulled from both Wal-Mart’s CD racks and ditto(head) for K-mart , for it’s harsh religious depictions. Will this hurt sales by opening up the “Eyes of The Insane” ?or blinding the legions of faithful Slayer die-hard’s from1983 til present.
According to Bravewords.com,
Slayer is currently headlining a North American tour and did not attend the Grammy presentation, but vocalist/bassist Tom Araya had this to say about the win from his hotel room in Columbus, OH: " Jeff (Hanneman, guitarist) and I put a lot into 'Eyes Of The Insane' so we're thrilled that the Grammy voters took the time to listen to it, and then vote for it. We're out here on the road and we're all really, really happy."
Below are tonight’s nominees for hard rock as well (Yes I agree, the list does NOT make sense. But hey, that’s the music biz folks!)
(Oh, by the way, once again...the revolution was NOT televised by CBS. - E.S.Day)
Best Metal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Redneck
Lamb Of God
Track from: Sacrament
[Epic]
* Colony Of Birchmen
Mastodon
Track from: Blood Mountain
[Reprise/Relapse Records]
* Lies, Lies, Lies
Ministry
Track from: Rio Grande Blood
[13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records]
* Eyes Of The Insane
Slayer
Track from: Christ Illusion
[American]
* 30/30-150
Stone Sour
[Roadrunner Records]
Best Hard Rock Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Crazy B****
Buckcherry
[Eleven Seven Music]
* Every Day Is Exactly The Same
Nine Inch Nails
Track from: With Teeth
[nothing/Interscope Records]
* Lonely Day
System Of A Down
Track from: Hypnotize
[American/Columbia]
* Vicarious
Tool
Track from: 10,000 Days
[Volcano/Zomba Label Group]
* Woman
Wolfmother
Track from: Wolfmother
[Modular/Interscope Records]