Corey Taylor: "There's this myth out there that Joey wrote everything..."

Corey Taylor (Vocalist of Slipknot/Stone Sour) recently discussed the impact that Joey Jordison leaving the band will probably have on the new album and about rumors circulating on the web about Jordison writing all of Slipknot's material. In an interview with rockrevoltmagazine.com, Taylor stated: "Honestly, it depends on who we get (as Joey's replacement). It all comes to someone who can play the old stuff but also brings a certain creativity to it". He carried on stating "We need to stop worrying about what is gonna happen later".

Corey Taylor: "We're giving 110%".

He also talked about the rumours circulating around the web in which people claim that Jordison wrote all of Slipknot's material. Corey had this to say: "I know there's this myth out there that Joey (Jordison) wrote everything. But that's not at all true". He carries on, stating that "We all write and we all bring something to the table. Between me, Jim (Root, Guitar), Mick (Thomson, Guitar), Clown (Shawn Crahan, Percussion) and everybody else, I think we're gonna be able to put something really, really cool together". He continues, acknowledging that there will be a dynamic change but states that "We're gonna go for it 110%".

Joey Jordison: "I DID NOT QUIT SLIPKNOT".

When inquired about any ideas for a new drummer, Corey said "A few people. As soon as we know, the fans will know. And that's how we're keeping it". Just before Christmas last year, Slipknot announced that Jordison had left Slipknot, however, Jordison soon rebutted the notion that he 'quit' and that he was "shocked" by the news as much as all his fans were. He told his fans that he "DID NOT QUIT SLIPKNOT" and that band has been his life for the "last 18 years". No comments whether Jordison was sacked or if he left has been released due to legal reasons. Slipknot are currently working on new material, ready for a 2014 release.

Courtesy of http://www.metalhammer.co.uk

Review: Periphery - Clear EP

Periphery are Prog-Metal masters, that there is no denying. With two great full-lengths under their belt (and an excellent E.P), Periphery have grown to be a band to look out for. With that in mind, there has been a lot of high expectations for their newest E.P. And it delivers on many levels. It's a difficult thing to describe when you listen to Periphery. Awesome? Amazing? Mindblowing? Well, they're all three of them. Mixing Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal together is a tough and daring thing to do and is something few bands before have ever attempted. For those who have, they never turn out all to good. However, Periphery have mastered the daring blend with expert perfection. This is a band who knows exactly what they are doing, how to do it and how to get it across to other people. It's inspiring and the band deserve the credit they get for what they do. Everything is done with expert precision and the talented musicianship is hard to ignore. Even if you don't like the band, you can not deny their talent.

Because this is Periphery, you know what to expect but not how it's going to sound. They're a band that is able to surprise with their growing musicianship and natural talent that is showcased upon every single release. 'Clear' starts off with a beautiful instrumental ('Overture') that is calm and melodic. It is soothing to hear and you wait for the kick-in. That arrives with 'The Summer Jam'. To describe this song you need to imagine catchy Punk Rock bands such as Bowling For Soup and The Offspring yet the riffing and drumming is heavier, more technical and a little on the verge of insane. It's odd to hear but yet it's catchy and downright terrific. It works to the very last millisecond. The talent is clear (no pun intended), showing how they can easily blend all styles of music into one and not make it seem forced, boring or repetitive, a marvel even by today's music standards. 

The E.P delves deeper into downright mesmerizing with tracks 'Feed The Ground', 'Zero', 'The Parade Of Ashes' and 'Extraneous'. What makes every track so different yet still amazing is how different they all are from each other. Each track (with the exception of 'Overture') is written by a different member of the band, which adds more diversity and helps make sure that each track is unique. The different time signatures, riffs, song structures are something of a marvel, executed perfectly. The E.P ranges from upbeat Rock to heavy-as-hell Metalcore, and that is within one song. That is what makes this band so different from the rest. The diversity within each song is beyond anything any ordinary human mind could ever think of. And it works perfectly, forever keeping you engaged and constantly blowing your mind. It's sure to make your head spin and dazzle you as much as it may confuse you. 

The feeling you get from such a band is hard to describe. It's something that you NEED to hear yourself. Only then can you understand how brilliant this E.P is. The instruments are utterly fantastic, with standard Rock beats and guitars being turned up to eleven and increasingly being spiced up to make sure it has your utmost attention. You get a terrific mix of progressive Rock beats to Djent-styled riffing and hard-hitting breakdowns. It's a marvellous treat that works well together. Another thing to mention is the terrific guitar solo in 'The Parade Of Ashes'. If there is one thing on this album that will make you feel the most emotion, it is that solo. Yes, there are other solos but none are as good and well executed as that one. It has to be one of the greatest solo's in a long while, with only few bands being able to craft solo's as good as that. 

Another high point of this album is the vocals. They range from excellent Rock vocals to intense and jaw-dropping screams and growls. Spencer's range is downright incredible. This guy can reach high notes that are epic in measure and full of power. He doesn't sound like some little girl shouting down a microphone (ahem, Kellin Quinn) but instead charges his vocals to full power and gives the performance of a lifetime. Few vocalists can go from creating devastating growls and screams to suddenly singing with power and passion the way that Spencer can. In fact, I think it's been a long while since I've heard any vocals as incredible and sharp as his. This guy has a voice which only a master craftsman himself could have. It is... just monumental.

I genuinely have no idea how to sum this up. I've tried my hardest to explain the sound and the feelings conveyed throughout this album however I still can't give it justice enough. This is something you should, no NEED, to experience yourself. Even as a Periphery fan, you haven't heard anything like this before. This is a band that is consistent and only ever getting better as the time passes by. I'd love to say that this is their peak but at the same time, I hope it isn't because I know that these guys have probably only just begun to amaze us. This has been one heck of a difficult review to write but that may be just because this is one heck of an album. Before I finish up, I thought I should show you what I mean by the different styles incorporated by showing you who wrote each song. Seriously, there's no wonder why this is as great, as diversified and as addictive as this. So, here's the track-listing and who wrote what song on this album:

1. Overture
2. The Summer Jam (Written by guitarist Jake Bowen)
3. Feed The Ground (Written by drummer Matt Halpern)
4. Zero (Written by guitarist Misha Mansoor)
5. The Parade Of Ashes (Written by vocalist Spencer Sotelo)
6. Extraneous (Written by bassist Adam 'Nolly' Getgood, whom also produced the E.P)
7. Pale Aura (Written by guitarist Mark Holcomb)

Yep, each member wrote a song each. That's something downright incredible, no wonder this thing is so damn good. Oh wait, before I finish up (again), I want you look out for the hints of 'Overture' that appear throughout the rest of the E.P. You may not notice it at first but trust me, it's there. Again, something that is small yet amazing, making it feel like every song kind of continues or relates to the previous track. No THAT is musicianship ladies and gentleman. I bid you farewell and URGE you to listen to this. You shall not be disappointed.

10/10

- Asa

More Bands Announced For Download UK 2014

Yet another batch of bands have been added to the UK's most notorious Rock and Metal festival. Amongst the new batch of bands added are Killswitch Engage, American Head Charge, Skindred, Emmure, Upon A Burning Body, The Pretty Reckless and Crazy Town (no, we are not joking). These bands will be joining the varied rooster that includes Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, Bowling For Soup, The Offspring, Aerosmith, Avenged Sevenfold, Thy Art Is Murder, Suicide Silence, While She Sleeps, Status Quo, Trivium and Dying Fetus (seriously, we swear this is a real line-up).  

Download 2014 takes place June 13-15 at Castle Donnington, England. For more information and tickets, visit: http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets

Ghost B.C Announce 'Tour Year Zero 2014' North American Tour

Modern Satanic Metallers Ghost have announced a North American tour. The tour, named 'Tour Year Zero 2014', will begin in April and end in May. No support acts have been announced as of yet. The dates are as follows:

17/4 - Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON

18/4 - Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

19/4 - The Vic, Chicago, IL

20/4 - The Pageant, St Louis, MO

22/4 - Granda Theatre, Lawrence, KS

23/4 - Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO

25/4 - House Of Blues, Las Vegas, NV

26/4 - House Of Blues, San Diego, CA

28/4 - The Observatory, Santa Ana, California

1/5 - Emo's Austin, Austin, TX

2/5 - House Of Blues, Austin, TX

3/5 - House Of Blues, Dallas, TX

4/5 - Civic Theatre, New Orleans, LA

6/5 - Beacham Theatre, Orlando, FL

7/5 - Revolution, Fort Lauderdale, FL

9/5 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA

10/5 - Track 29, Chattanooga, TN

11/5 - Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC

12/5 - Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

14/5 - The Fillmoore, Silver Spring, MD

15/5 - Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA

16/5 - The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY

17/5 - Best Buy Theatre, New York, NY

Tickets go on sale to the public January 31st with pre-sale tickets being sold January 30th at 10AM local venue time.