GLENDALE, AZ - December has been a quite a month for the multi-platinum rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers including a Grammy nomination for “Rock Album of the Year,” the announcement of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and now newly added dates for the North American leg of their I’m With You World Tour in January. Tickets for the March 2nd Glendale Jobing.com Arena show go on sale on Saturday, December 17th at 10am. The 2012 arena tour will be the band’s first full-scale tour of the U.S. since 2007 when they hit the road in support of 2006’s Stadium Arcadium. Joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be Janelle Monáe.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are currently touring Europe through mid-December in support of I’m With You, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock and Alternative album charts, as well as on the Top Internet Albums and iTunes Top Alternative Albums chart. The first single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” hit the top spot at Modern Rock radio, giving the band its 12th No. 1 at the format. A second single, “Monarchy of the Roses” is currently the No. 2 greatest gainer on Mediabase’s Alternative chart.
One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California,” “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.”
We are sorry to say Kings of Leon are canceling their entire US tour due to Caleb Followill suffering from vocal issues and exhaustion. The band is devastated, but in order to give their fans the shows they deserve, they need to take this break. Unfortunately, the US dates cannot be rescheduled due to the band’s international tour schedule. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Tickets purchased online or via phones will be automatically refunded.
This includes the Kings of Leon’s stop at the Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion (formerly the Cricket Wireless Pavilion) on September 6th.
The band will resume touring in Canada at the Rogers Center in Vancouver, BC, on September 28th. That show was originally schedule for September 14th.
Keith Urban announces his “Get Closer 2011 World Tour” today. Keith and band, along with a very special guest to be announced, are expected to make close to 60 stops across North America and can be seen in Glendale at Jobing.com Arena on October 7, 2011. Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 13 at 10a.m.
Critics have called Urban’s shows “one of the best reasons in the world to attend a live concert.” They’ve said that fans would be “hard-pressed to find a better country – or rock – show anywhere.” Urban’s catalogue of hits; “Better Life,” “Somebody Like You,” “Days Go By,” “You’ll Think Of Me,” “Sweet Thing” and his latest, “Put You In A Song,” combined with an all new production will give his fans a unique concert experience that has earned Urban a reputation as one of music’s best live performers.
The tour comes in support of his sixth studio CD Get Closer, which was released just this past week. Get Closer follows two previous consecutive Billboard country and pop #1 albums, as well as five previous CDs, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum. His last effort, 2009’s Defying Gravity, produced five Top 5 hits, including chart-toppers “Sweet Thing” and “Only You Can Love Me This Way,” bringing his total of #1 songs to eleven.
For more official Keith Urban touring news and ticket information go to keithurban.net and listen to your local country radio station.
Phoenix-George Lopez is bringing his “I Can Never Do Nuthin” tour to Comerica Theatre on Saturday, January 29th. The show will begin at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale now at livenation.com.
George Lopez is one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry today. He served as the co-creator, writer, producer and star of the television produced sitcom “GEORGE LOPEZ.” The show, executive produced by George, Bruce Helford (“The Drew Carey Show,” “Roseanne”) and actress Sandra Bullock, can be seen in syndication across the country. Lopez is currently the host of the late-night talk show LOPEZ TONIGHT on TBS. In 2010, Lopez appeared in three feature films; Valentine’s Day featuring an all star ensemble cast, The Spy Next Door with Jackie Chan and as the voice of Carlos in Marmaduke.
On February 24th, 2007 Lopez headlined his first HBO stand up special, “GEORGE LOPEZ: AMERICA’S MEXICAN”, which was broadcast live from Phoenix at Comerica Theatre (formerly Dodge Theatre). The special was released on DVD on July 3rd, 2007 and, in its first week of sales, was #1 in stand up comedy as well as #1 in all comedy titles.
Tickets are on sale now at livenation.com. Tickets arepriced at $75.00, $60.00, $50.00 and $40.00. Tickets are also available at the box office or charge by phone 800-745-3000. All tickets are subject to applicable service charges and fees. Dates and times are subject to change without notice. For Mature Audiences.
YANNI RETURNS TO JOBING.COM ARENA
SUNDAY, MAY 15TH, 2011
His concerts are legendary. His live shows have amazed millions on every continent in the world. Now, Yanni returns to the USA and Canada with a concert tour that will give fans what they have been waiting for. Yanni as you know him best, performing his instrumental hits from the shows that have become famous around the world. Fans will witness Yanni and his world class musicians as they take the stage to perform his greatest instrumental hits made famous in his shows from The Acropolis in Greece, The Taj Mahal in India, The Forbidden City in China and The Royal Albert Hall in England.
For the first time ever, the live show will also introduce some of the music from Yanni’s new album “Truth Of Touch”, which is the composer’s first album of original studio music in almost a decade.
This is Yanni returning to his roots with a live performance that will deliver old and new fans the very best of Yanni and his music. Come hear the music that touches the world.
Yanni returns Sunday May 15th, 2011 at 8 PM – Jobing.com Arena
Tickets go on sale December 17th at 10 AM at all Ticketmaster outlets or ticketmaster.com.
Phoenix, AZ (December 3, 2010) After months of speculation, NKOTB and BSB confirmed the rumors when they officially announced the NKOTBSB tour to the delight of their many fans. They gave viewers a sneak peak of the summer’s hottest ticket when they took the stage of the America Music Awards together in a powerhouse performance that had the audience on their feet.
The tour makes a stop in Phoenix at US Airways Center on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Tickets are on sale next Saturday December 11th at 12 Noon at livenation.com.
NKOTBSB first shocked and delighted fans when they took the stage together for a medley at the sold out NKOTB Radio City Music Hall show. The two groups wowed audiences again in their first joint televised performance at this year’s American Music Awards. “Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block give us boy band fever at the AMAs!” exclaimed Perez Hilton after watching the bands perform their medley mashup of their combined greatest hits live last night. “We embrace our inner tween! Loved This! Boy Band Dreams do come true!!!” he added.
“We can’t thank our fans enough for their continued support. The love that everyone has shown to us and to this project is incredible. We can feel the excitement and we won’t let the fans down. And with our new and elaborate stage design there won’t be one bad seat in the house,” said NKOTBSB in a joint statement. “We are truly blessed and are so appreciative to have you all along with us for the ride.”
With over 200 million albums sold between both bands, and smash hit after smash hit, these two pop sensations have dominated the music scene for over three decades. Aiming to please, these guys are giving concert goers and diehard fans everywhere the ultimate “night out” experience.
Tickets go on sale next Saturday, December 11th at 12 Noon at livenation.com.
Tickets are priced at $94.25, $74.25, $54.25 and $34.25 and will be available at livenation.com, the US Airways Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone call (800) 745-3000. All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information go to www.livenation.com.
(Phoenix – December 3) –The Moody Blues, one of the most enduring and beloved rock bands in music history, will be performing at Comerica Theatre on Thursday, May 12. The show will begin at 7:30 pm.
Since they first hit the rock scene with the release of their monumental debut album DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED, The Moody Blues have continued to produce music that bridges the gap between classical and pop-rock genres without ever wavering in their integrity and commitment. Featuring the altruistic inflections of guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward, bassist/vocalist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge, The Moody Blues’ sound has held its ground with exquisite harmonies over and over again, in a genre of music that is ever-changing.
The Moody Blues have sold in excess of 50 million albums worldwide and have been awarded an astonishing 14 platinum and gold discs. Their incredible roster of hits include: “Nights In White Satin,” “Ride My See Saw,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Question,” “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band),” “Your Wildest Dreams,” and “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” to name a few.
The band’s unique style of music consistently finds airplay on radio stations globally and continues to illuminate concert arenas around the world. From being immortalized on The Simpsonsto having their music featured in movies, television and in such national advertisement campaigns as the current TV ad for VISA featuring “Tuesday Afternoon,”The Moody Blues are embedded in not only music history but in pop culture.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 11th at 10am.
Tickets are priced at $65.00 and $45.00 with a limited number of Golden Circle tickets at A$100.00 will be available at livenation.com, the box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone call (800) 745-3000. There is also a special Four pack Offer available. All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information go to www.livenation.com.
Phoenix, AZ (December 3, 2010) Linkin Park has announced dates for their US tour, kicking off January 20th in Sunrise, Florida. The tour stops in Phoenix at US Airways Center on Monday, February 28th.
Tickets are on sale next Friday at 12 Noon at livenation.com
Prior to the 2011 US tour – which will be the band’s first since 2008 – they completed a highly-acclaimed, sold-out tour of Europe which garnered rave reviews. Touring in support of their recently released album, A Thousand Suns, which debuted on top of the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, Linkin Park’s live show is a celebration of sound and vision – a transformative multi-media experience that befits the power of the music. The press has been buzzing about the most recent shows in Europe. The UK’s Guardian says, “The stage is decked out with giant screens, but it’s low and reaches right into the arena, giving simultaneous impression of a spectacle and being ‘one with the fans, “ and London’s Evening Standard called the band’s 2 night sold-out stand at the O2 Arena, “exhilarating.”
The tour’s set list combines the biggest hits of the band’s career, as well as material from the new album, which has been described as a psychedelic journey that explores the conflict between technology and humanity. Lead vocalist Chester Bennington says, “The new songs work really well alongside the older stuff. Plus, there’s a strong, powerful message to A Thousand Suns, and we’ve transferred that into the show. Our aim was that we’re not just putting on a live performance, but something that’s visually spectacular as well.”
Linkin Park was just voted ‘Best Live Act’ at the 2010 MTV European Music Awards. As a special “thank you” to concert goers, included as a bonus with the purchase of every ticket, fans will be able to download a live recording of the show they attended by texting a code from their mobile phones that will be displayed at the venue. Additionally, one dollar for each ticket purchased will go to Music For Relief, a charity founded by Linkin Park to provide relief to victims of natural disasters and to bring awareness to solutions to the global warming challenge.
As a bonus, with the purchase of every ticket, fans will be able to download a live recording of the show they attended by texting a code from their mobile phones that will be displayed at the venue.
Tickets Go On Sale Next Friday, December 10th at 12Noon. General admission floor tickets will be priced at $69.50 and reserved tickets are priced at $69.50 and $39.50. Tickets will be available at livenation.com, US Airways Center and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone call 800.745.3000. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges.
Just wanted to put a list of some great cover songs together for listening and viewing pleasure. This is by no means a ‘best of’ list. It’s just some great cover songs that you should check out and would probably enjoy. The music cover a wide range of styles and talents. So if you’re open to something new, give these tracks a listen.
Exodus – Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap) – Original by AC/DC – Playing AC/DC on guitar is an easy thing. However, a band being faithful to an AC/DC song is a completely different story. Exodus does such a great job of putting their own stamp on this track but is still faithful to the original.
Walking On The Moon – Sly & Robbie – Original by The Police – From the Compilation ‘Reggatta Mondatta: Reggae Tribute to Police’ which is an amazing Reggae compilation of Police songs by some of the top Reggae artists in the world.
Grateful Dead – Big River – Original by Johnny Cash – #1 on my list of the best Johnny Cash cover songs ever. Just a great version that has a backbone of country but yet is still a classic Dead song.
Nine Inch Nails w/Gary Newman – Cars – Original by Gary Newman – This is technically not a cover but I have yet to find a version of this song that ROCKS as hard as this version.
Iron Maiden – Cross-Eyed Mary – Original by Jethro Tull – Iron Maiden doesn’t do cover songs that often if at all. However, this B-Side from the ‘Piece of Mind’ sessions makes people wish they did do more covers. A very faithful version of the Jethro Tull classic.
Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days – Led Zeppelin – Great Band. Great cover.
Primus – Have a Cigar – Original by Pink Floyd – Les Claypool of Primus has a long standing love of all things Pink Floyd and it shows in this amazing cover.
Phish and Kid Rock – ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ and ‘We’re an American Band’ – Original by AC/DC and Grand Funk Railroad – I’m willing to bet that Kid Rock wishes he wrote this song as it’s made for him.
Phish and Wynonna Judd – Free Bird – Original by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Not a fan of Wynonna but she just KILLS it in this song.
Metallica – The Wait – Original by Killing Joke – If this song can’t get your blood flowing then you might be dead. I’ve never been able to drive under 90 MPH when this song is playing in my car.
Flaming Lips – Borderline – Original by Madonna – A Flaming Lips cover done only the way the Flaming lips could do it.
Pearl Jam – Whip It – Original by Devo – Boatloads of Awesome.
- Is Van Halen (as in the David Lee Roth version) going to tour next year? (Spin)
- Missed the O.A.R. show at the Celebrity Theater last month? You can download a legal copy of the show direct from the band (Yes, they played ‘Our Town’). (O.A.R.’s Website)
- Looking for some great live local R&B/Blues/Jazz around town? Check out Phxsoul.com’s list of places around town to check out! (phxsoul.com)
- If you didn’t catch the Uproar Festival when it came through town last month, one of the best bands on the bill was Airborne. Here they talk about the comparisons between their music and AC/DC (Roadrunner Records)
- You may have missed the Austin City Limits Festival last week but Spinner has a list of free MP3′s of festival bands you can download right now! (Spinner)
- Flo Rida announced that his new album, ‘Only 1 Flo (Pt. 1)’, will drop on November 30th. You can check out the first single off his new album Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) right now on his Facebook Page. (Official Flo Rida Facebook Page)
- The makers of the new Tron Film, Tron Legacy, just released the first sample from Daft Punk’s Motion Picture soundtrack along with a brand new trailer. (Official Tron Facebook Page)
Phoenix, AZ (October 7, 2010) – Live Nation is proud to announce a five-year sponsorship agreement with Comerica that includes the naming rights for the downtown Phoenix theatre previously named Dodge Theatre. The building will now be called Comerica Theatre. The first show at the newly named venue is Jerry Seinfeld, this Saturday, October 9th. Seinfeld was the first comedian to ever play the Dodge Theatre, he is now the first ever to play Comerica. The venue will play host to an array of performers in coming months including the Vince Vaughn & Kevin James Comedy Roadshow, Kenny Rogers, Lady Antebellum, Celtic Thunder, Moscow Ballet, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa, Black Label Society, Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan and Yo Gabba Gabba to name a few.
“I would like to acknowledge the executive team at this outstanding theatre. All of us at Comerica are proud of what they have been able to accomplish and appreciate their commitment to providing quality entertainment for residents and visitors,” said Meredith Russell, Arizona Regional President. “We are thrilled to lend the ‘Comerica’ name to this impressive theatre and are especially pleased to support a venue that features world class performances from Live Nation. From theatrical productions to concerts, this theatre clearly enriches the cultural landscape of Phoenix.”
“We’re proud that the Theatre will have the Comerica name,” said Maureen Ford, Live Nation’s president of Venue Network Sales. “As one of our naming rights clients, we look forward to working with them as part of the Live Nation Venue Network to create programs that will enable them to reach, engage and connect with passionate fans and make Comerica Theatre one of the most frequented venues in Phoenix.”
The Theatre, which is operated by Live Nation, first opened in April of 2002. It is a state of the art theatre located in the heart of downtown Phoenix with proscenium seating that gives the flexibility for events ranging from 1,500 capacity up to 5,000 capacity.
Over the past few weeks there’s been some great concert news coming out that many of you may not have seen. We just wanted to provide you with an update on some great shows coming to town.
Here’s the tour promo to give you a small taste of what to expect:
The Vince Vaughn and Kevin James Comedy Roadshow – November 17th – Dodge Theater – You probably already know who the two actors are in the photo above. However, why would you want to go see them at the dodge. Well, they’re bringing a night of comedy and some special guests to the Dodge Theater. The comedians scheduled to appear on the tour are Richie Minervini, Owen Benjamin and Steve Byrne.
Here’s a sample of what happened the last time Vince Vaughn took his comedy road show on the road:
Zappa Plays Zappa – December 6th – Dodge Theater – From the Live Nation Press release intended to be a direct quote from Dweezil Zappa “Has it really been 70 years? In honor of my dad’s 70th birthday which would have been December 21st 2010, we are celebrating with a special Dweezil/Zappa Plays Zappa musical tour in the fall 2010. One day is not enough so we are extending the birthday festivities from November through December.
Not only we will be performing with him once again via the technological wonderment of enhanced video during live performance but we will also be performing the works from one of his most well known albums. That’s right, Apostrophe, played in its album running order. It’s always been one of my favorites and it’s certainly a fan favorite as well.
Also we will be adding more new material that has not yet performed by us as a band on any previous tour. More textures, more tunes, more aural excitement! Come help us celebrate starting in November.”
TEMPE-Day two of the Arizona Fall Frenzy takes a different route than the lineup for day one. The lineup features some of the heavy hitters of alternative music dating as far back as the 1980′s.
To purchase tickets for Day 2 of the Arizona Fall Frenzy, click the image below:
Weezer headlines Day 2 of the Arizona Fall Frenzy and judging by the clips of the shows they have already played on this tour, this will be a memorable set (Live samples from their current tour are below). Weezer is touring behind their brand new album ‘Hurley’ (as in Jorge Garcia who played Hurley on the ABC show ‘Lost’) which was released on September 14th behind a huge YouTube marketing tie-in. The band loaned themselves to some of the top YouTube video producers and gave them 30 minutes to tape something that included the band. The results can be found on the Weezer YouTube page.
Sublime with Rome is the paring of original Sublime members Bud Gaugh (drums) and Eric Wilson (Bass) along with singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez. Even though they will be playing a Sublime heavy set, the band isn’t looking to re-capture the Sublime magic but build upon the old in a brand new direction.
Currently, the band has been writing new material….even on the road.
“We’re gonna continue working on material as we’re on the road,” drummer Bud Gaugh said in an interview with Billboard magazine earlier this year. “It’s not without question to have a studio in one of the buses while we’re on tour. We do a lot of our best creativity on stage, so we’ll be trying out new stuff for the fans, even before we go into the studio.”
Photo Credit: C. Taylor Crothers; Band Members (Left – Right): Ler LaLonde, Jay Lane, Les Claypool
According to the Band’s Bio: “Primus unusual approach to music and the diversity of their sound has made them difficult to define. The band has been called everything from thrash funk, to progressive metal, to alternative rock. Bass player and lead singer Les Claypool has called his band psychedelic polka. Original members Les Claypool and Larry ‘Ler’ LaLonde have been producing records and performing live together since the late eighties. This year, Primus welcomes back to the stage one of their original drummers Jay Lane, who has not played with the band since 1989. Their irreverent approach to music and their willingness to play music outside of the norm has garnered them a large, eclectic fan base. Primus plays music with an edge that is unique and like nothing else.”
Recently, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh said “Thirty years ago, people said that we (Devo) were cynical, that we had a bad attitude.” That statement was based on Devo’s founding in Akron, Ohio in 1973. The band first got started on the basis that humans have ceased to progress and actually begun to de-evolve. Devo built a reputation for being subversive through their musical experiments that have become classics like ‘Whip it’.
It was that foundation that made Devo one of the most influential bands of the 80′s and 90′s. Even Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain said “Of all the bands who came from the underground and actually made it in the mainstream, Devo is the most challenging and subversive of all.”
Fast forward to 2010.
Devo’s new album ‘Something for Everybody’ builds on the foundation that made them a household name but worked with multiple artists that understood what Devo was all about. As Mothersbaugh stated “…let them bring what they needed to make Devo be what it should be after waking up from suspended animation for 20 years.”
The product of this collaboration is what you’re going to see on September 18th.
Get it? If you don’t, check them out during their Arizona Fall Frenzy Set.
The Houston, Texas based Blue October (Justin Furstenfeld on lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Jeremy Furstenfeld on drums, Ryan Delahoussaye on violin/viola/mandolin/piano/backing vocals, C.B. Hudson on lead guitar/backing vocals, and Matt Noveskey on bass guitar/backing vocals) isn’t really touring to promote a new album but they are gearing up to begin the recording process for the follow up to their 2009 album ‘Approaching Normal’. Currently, their tour is called ‘Pick Up the Phone’ to promote mental health awareness and the following organizations 1-800-Suicide, To Write Love on Her Arms and PostSecret.
“I want to raise awareness about issues that might drive someone to suicide. That’s something that should be addressed very publicly and very seriously,” Blue October lead singer Justin Furstenfeld stated in an April interview with the Washington Examiner. “I don’t care about how many albums I sell. I care about this cause.”
According to the Band’s Facebook Page, ” ‘Approaching Normal’, produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones, etc), is the follow-up to the band’s platinum selling breakthrough album, Foiled. Released in 2006, the first single, “Hate Me,” a song that offers a stepping stone from regret to hope, became the surprise modern rock anthem of the year spending 16 weeks in the Top 10 with five weeks at #2. The crossover success of the follow-up single, “Into the Ocean,” propelled the album sales well into the million plus territory in North America alone.”
Here’s a Public Service Announcement about Blue October’s Tour and the Cause they’re promoting:
Rolling Stone Magazine called The Dirty Heads (Matt Ochoa on Drums, Dustin Bushnell on Vocals/Guitar, Jon Olazabal on Percussion, Jared Watson on Vocals, and David Foral on Bass) one of ‘the best new bands of 2010′. Hailing from Huntington Beach, California The Dirty Heads brings a taste of the Sunny California party vibe live on stage. Vocalist Jared Watson sums up the The Dirty Heads vibe in this manner ““We want to be positive and entertain,” he says. “We just want to make you feel good.”
The Band has a free download of ‘I Got No Time’ so you can get a feel for who they are before their performance:
According to the Band’s website: “With a blend of old-school punk, world beat and modern pop influences, Chicago-based AM Taxi (Adam Krier on vocals/guitar, Bassist Jason Schultejann, Drummer/Vocalist Chris Smith, Guitarist/Vocalist John Schmitt, and Keyboard/Backup vocalist Luke Schmitt) combines experience with exuberance on their Virgin Records debut, We Don’t Stand A Chance. The band was formed almost two years ago—with the encouragement of Sublime producer Miguel Happoldt—by longtime Windy City bandmates and pals, singer/songwriter Adam Krier, drummer Chris Smith and bassist Jason Schultejann. The trio began writing and recording and produced their first EP, Runaway Songs. Shortly after, they were joined by brothers John and Luke Schmitt on guitar and keyboards. AM Taxi began establishing a rep as a dynamic live outfit with headlining performances at local clubs like the Metro and soon after recorded their second EP, The Good, The Bad and The Fed Up.”
This past week I was given an advanced copy of the new Stone Sour album, ‘Audio Secrecy’. Once I started playing the album on my iPod, I couldn’t put it down.
When I play albums for the first time, I listen to them at least 10 times (I’m on my approximately 30th listen of ‘Audio Secrecy’ at the moment). With each listen, I focus on every single part of the album as I am a musician and I love to see how bands put together each individual component of a given album.
Stone Sour’s lineup consists of vocalist Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Shawn Economaki on bass, guitarists James Root (Slipknot) and Josh Rand, and Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, Sepultura) on drums.
After all the iPod listening, the one component of ‘Audio Secrecy’ that, to me, is ‘the backbone’ of the entire album is Corey Taylor’s singing.
For years, rock fans may have known Corey Taylor as the voice of Slipknot. The Slipknot version of Corey Taylor is a voice of anger, passion and unfiltered rage that has helped define Slipknot as a master of heavy metal and thrash for over a decade. The band’s songs are a masterful example of what happens when tact is not applied to their music and lyrics. However, they have yet to break into the upper echelons of the rock elite around the world.
Here’s an example of Slipknot in action:
With the release of Slipknot’s ‘Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)’ the band displayed that they were teetering on the verge of rock superstardom with one of the most well crafted albums in metal history. Slipknot’s next album, ‘All Hope is Gone’, found the band taking a step sideways with their music instead of taking the next step forward. They continued with another solid album in ‘All Hope is Gone’ but nothing that would be considered ‘the album’ that would launch them into the company of rock or metal’s elite bands.
Enter Stone Sour’s ‘Audio Secrecy’.
Here fans are presented with a different side of Corey Taylor’s voice. On ‘Audio Secrecy’, Taylor sings in a more refined, direct, channeled and tactful manner while losing none of the passion and hints of anger in his voice that has defined Slipknot’s career.
In ‘Audio Secrecy’, Stone Sour has crafted an album that has the potential to launch the band into the mainstream of rock and to a larger audience. From the opening tracks (‘Mission Statement’, ‘Digital’, and ‘Say You’ll Haunt me’), Stone Sour sets a blistering tone and pace of what’s to come for the rest of the album. Even when Stone Sour ventures into the ballads or slower songs like ‘Dying’, ‘Miracles’ or ‘Hesitate’, the band still maintains their hard ‘foot to ass’ edge on the album without venturing into sissy territory. This is a standard for rock albums that has been lost over the years.
Here’s a live version of ‘Mission Statement’ from the 2010 Download Festival (UK):
‘Audio Secrecy’ has many solid tracks that have the potential of being rock classics such as ‘Pieces’ (which is my favorite of all the 14 great tracks to choose from). This album was crafted to reach the most amount of people possible. This includes the most important demographic that defines if a band can reach the rock mainstream or not….acceptance by women. If there is one album that Corey Taylor’s voice can help launch into the mainstream of rock, ‘Audio Secrecy’ is it.
Stone Sour’s ‘Audio Secrecy’ is one of the rare gems that stand out in the vast sea of terminally putrid pop and rock albums today. From start to finish, ‘Audio Secrecy’ is a lesson in how rock albums should be made. In this age of pop artists focusing on creating individual tracks for iTunes, Stone Sour has created a pretty damned impressive album of music.
For you rock fans who have been waiting for a solid album to drop your hard earned money on, ‘Audio Secrecy’ is it. ‘Audio Secrecy’ has the staying power of an album that, with proper promotion (key term here), can be eventually become a rock classic for years to come.
One of these days, the two different versions of Corey Taylor (the Slipknot Corey Taylor and the Stone Sour Corey Taylor) are going to meet in a recording studio. What will result is destined to be a landmark and legendary album.
Stone Sour will be appearing during day three of the Arizona Fall Frenzy as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival on September 19th.
