| Rockin' News for June 2 ,2009 |
| Hello 'Bangers... lotsa Judas Priest-related Rockin' News to start the day - so, here goes!! |
Judas Priest Digs Deep For 'Evil' Live Album
Judas Priest has chosen 10 songs not previously released in live album form for
its next concert set -- A Touch of Evil: Live, which is due out July 14, in the
midst of the band's U.S. summer tour.
A Touch of Evil includes live renderings of longtime fan favorites such as
"Painkiller," "Dissident Aggressor, "Riding on the Wind," "Between the Hammer &
the Anvil" and "Eat Me Alive," as well as "Hellrider" from "Angel of
Retribution," the group's 2004 reunion album with frontman Rob Halford, and
two tracks -- "Death" and "Prophecy" -- from last year's rock opera
Nostradamus.
"I love those songs," Halford tells Billboard.com. "All of those songs just crush.
Because they've never been recorded live in this way, it's just something fresh
to put out. And when you listen to it and think this band has been around for
three decades, with a combined age of 250-something years... I mean, how cool
Judas Priest has chosen 10 songs not previously released in live album form for
its next concert set -- A Touch of Evil: Live, which is due out July 14, in the
midst of the band's U.S. summer tour.
A Touch of Evil includes live renderings of longtime fan favorites such as
"Painkiller," "Dissident Aggressor, "Riding on the Wind," "Between the Hammer &
the Anvil" and "Eat Me Alive," as well as "Hellrider" from "Angel of
Retribution," the group's 2004 reunion album with frontman Rob Halford, and
two tracks -- "Death" and "Prophecy" -- from last year's rock opera
Nostradamus.
"I love those songs," Halford tells Billboard.com. "All of those songs just crush.
Because they've never been recorded live in this way, it's just something fresh
to put out. And when you listen to it and think this band has been around for
three decades, with a combined age of 250-something years... I mean, how cool
Metal's quintissential live act for over 35 years, Judas Priest (Ian Hill, KK
Downing, Scott Travis, Rob Halford and Glenn Tipton) will offer up a live
set of "deeper cuts" with A Touch of Evil: Live.
Downing, Scott Travis, Rob Halford and Glenn Tipton) will offer up a live
set of "deeper cuts" with A Touch of Evil: Live.
is that? It's a very fierce record and just captures the band's attitude and feeling in a very strong, determined way.
"I mean, we could've put 'Living After Midnight' or 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' out -- again. But why? This is just something
great to give our fans."
The full track listing for "A Touch of Evil: Live" includes: "Hellrider," "Between the Hammer & the Anvil," "Riding on the Wind," "Death,"
"Beyond the Realms of Death," "Dissident Aggressor," "Eat Me Alive," "Prophecy" and "Painkiller."
Priest, meanwhile, is preparing for its summer tour, during which the band will play its 1980 album British Steel -- which includes "Living
After Midnight" -- in its entirety from front to back. "All of us around the world have our respective headphones on, ready to dive into
the deep end together," Halford says of preparations for the tour. "It's very bare-bones in terms of production, which in essence makes
it a lot easier to re-learn in rehearsals.
"We're all very excited about it. British Steel means a lot to everybody in Priest. I listened to it for the first time recently and I
thought, 'Man, this is gonna be so cool to play this stuff live.'"
The Priest tour, with Whitesnake opening, kicks off June 29 in Indianapolis and wraps up Aug. 23 in Gilford, N.H. Halford says the band
still plans to play "Nostradamus" in its entirety later this year or in 2010. (Courtesy of billboard.com, story by Gary Graff)
"I mean, we could've put 'Living After Midnight' or 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' out -- again. But why? This is just something
great to give our fans."
The full track listing for "A Touch of Evil: Live" includes: "Hellrider," "Between the Hammer & the Anvil," "Riding on the Wind," "Death,"
"Beyond the Realms of Death," "Dissident Aggressor," "Eat Me Alive," "Prophecy" and "Painkiller."
Priest, meanwhile, is preparing for its summer tour, during which the band will play its 1980 album British Steel -- which includes "Living
After Midnight" -- in its entirety from front to back. "All of us around the world have our respective headphones on, ready to dive into
the deep end together," Halford says of preparations for the tour. "It's very bare-bones in terms of production, which in essence makes
it a lot easier to re-learn in rehearsals.
"We're all very excited about it. British Steel means a lot to everybody in Priest. I listened to it for the first time recently and I
thought, 'Man, this is gonna be so cool to play this stuff live.'"
The Priest tour, with Whitesnake opening, kicks off June 29 in Indianapolis and wraps up Aug. 23 in Gilford, N.H. Halford says the band
still plans to play "Nostradamus" in its entirety later this year or in 2010. (Courtesy of billboard.com, story by Gary Graff)
| *** *** More Priest in the news *** *** |
Rob Halford launches Metal God Records
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are pleased to announce the launch of
Metal God Records – a new music label providing global physical and digital
distribution services for the world’s Rock and Metal performers.
"It’s been a long desire of mine to be a co-owner and participate in the
operation of a label focused on supporting the Rock and Metal communities,"
explains Rob Halford. "The infrastructure we have been assembling at Metal God
Entertainment now allows myself and other artists to benefit from Metal God
Records global physical and digital distribution networks, promotion and marketing
services, apparel products and a broad range of Artist & Repertoire services."
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are also pleased to announce several
new strategic relationships aligned with Metal God Records beginning with – ADA
Global / Warner Music Group for the world excluding Japan; which is under
license with Sony Music Japan; Canada operating under license with Conveyor /
Universal Music Canada and beginning July 2009 in the USA Metal God Records
is pleased to begin a new relationship with Fontana / Universal Music Group.
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are pleased to announce the launch of
Metal God Records – a new music label providing global physical and digital
distribution services for the world’s Rock and Metal performers.
"It’s been a long desire of mine to be a co-owner and participate in the
operation of a label focused on supporting the Rock and Metal communities,"
explains Rob Halford. "The infrastructure we have been assembling at Metal God
Entertainment now allows myself and other artists to benefit from Metal God
Records global physical and digital distribution networks, promotion and marketing
services, apparel products and a broad range of Artist & Repertoire services."
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are also pleased to announce several
new strategic relationships aligned with Metal God Records beginning with – ADA
Global / Warner Music Group for the world excluding Japan; which is under
license with Sony Music Japan; Canada operating under license with Conveyor /
Universal Music Canada and beginning July 2009 in the USA Metal God Records
is pleased to begin a new relationship with Fontana / Universal Music Group.
| *** *** One more Priest nugget in the news *** *** |
Metal God Records will debut Halford Crucible World Tour – Live In Anaheim DVD & Blu Ray Fall 2009. Rob Halford will be appearing in
Los Angeles, CA at the E-3 Electronic Entertainment Expo June 2 & 3. Rob Halford will also be appearing in San Diego, CA at the NARM
(The National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Convention June 7, 2009. Please visit: www.MetalGodRecords.com and www.
RobHalford.com for additional Halford news and release details.
(Courtesy of hardrockhideout.com; source: www.robhalford.com)
Los Angeles, CA at the E-3 Electronic Entertainment Expo June 2 & 3. Rob Halford will also be appearing in San Diego, CA at the NARM
(The National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Convention June 7, 2009. Please visit: www.MetalGodRecords.com and www.
RobHalford.com for additional Halford news and release details.
(Courtesy of hardrockhideout.com; source: www.robhalford.com)
Hell Bent On Fashion: Rob Halford Talks New Clothing Line
When Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford emerged onstage head-to-toe in glass, leather
and steel in the late 70's, he not only made a fashion statement but also created what
would become a style template for future metal heads – and fans – to follow. In other
words, if Deep Purple and Black Sabbath gave metal its sound, then Judas Priest gave it
its look.
As a legendary tastemaker, it's hardly shocking that Halford, the multi-Gold and
Platinum vocalist, songwriter and producer is launching the new, aptly-titled clothing
company Metal God Apparel. The collection features fitted t-shirts with intricate
patterns of skulls, crossbones and guitars and titles like "Studs & Spikes," "Resurrection"
and "Eternal Chaos." This is the rock 'n' roll-inspired collection that Ed Hardy wishes
that he had put out.
Below, journalist Josh Rotter questioned The Metal God about the Priest influence on the
look of Heavy Metal and the unique approach to rockin' style which Metal God Apparel is
exploring.
Josh Rotter: Rob, you're such a style icon. How did you first develop what would become
the metal "uniform"?
Rob Halford: A lot of it was out of experimentation. As I recall, the whole imagery came
out of a song called "Hell Bent for Leather." We had an idea of bringing a motorcycle on
stage and it made sense that if I ride a bike, I should wear a biker's jacket.
and steel in the late 70's, he not only made a fashion statement but also created what
would become a style template for future metal heads – and fans – to follow. In other
words, if Deep Purple and Black Sabbath gave metal its sound, then Judas Priest gave it
its look.
As a legendary tastemaker, it's hardly shocking that Halford, the multi-Gold and
Platinum vocalist, songwriter and producer is launching the new, aptly-titled clothing
company Metal God Apparel. The collection features fitted t-shirts with intricate
patterns of skulls, crossbones and guitars and titles like "Studs & Spikes," "Resurrection"
and "Eternal Chaos." This is the rock 'n' roll-inspired collection that Ed Hardy wishes
that he had put out.
Below, journalist Josh Rotter questioned The Metal God about the Priest influence on the
look of Heavy Metal and the unique approach to rockin' style which Metal God Apparel is
exploring.
Josh Rotter: Rob, you're such a style icon. How did you first develop what would become
the metal "uniform"?
Rob Halford: A lot of it was out of experimentation. As I recall, the whole imagery came
out of a song called "Hell Bent for Leather." We had an idea of bringing a motorcycle on
stage and it made sense that if I ride a bike, I should wear a biker's jacket.
It felt right. Elvis was doing it, and he was Mr. Rock 'n' Roll. It was a tough thing, a macho thing. And
we had things around at the time that I felt should be utilized, like our fashion designers at the time,
who took a jacket and vest and put studs on them all over the place.
The sound was there, loud, brash and aggressive, but the look was not yet in place. That's what's so
wonderful about the journey we've been on. Once we established a look, you just looked at yourself in the
mirror before going on stage to make sure your fly was zipped. We finally looked like the music sounds,
and everyone picked up on it and it became the look.
JR: Why did you decide to launch an apparel collection?
RH: In my golden years I'm looking to fulfill a lot of dreams and ambitions that I still have. One was to
be in the world of apparel. I have to confess that I'm not like 'The Real Housewives of Orange County.'
I'm not in Neiman Marcus every two seconds. But I love fashion. I think it's fun and important,
culturally, and I have my eye on that side of the world.
Being connected to rock 'n' roll life, I can see how you can go from the roots of cowboy boots and that
Ralph Lauren thing to some of the extremely flamboyant displays like the Elvis outfit last night on
'American Idol.' It's what we're all about.
we had things around at the time that I felt should be utilized, like our fashion designers at the time,
who took a jacket and vest and put studs on them all over the place.
The sound was there, loud, brash and aggressive, but the look was not yet in place. That's what's so
wonderful about the journey we've been on. Once we established a look, you just looked at yourself in the
mirror before going on stage to make sure your fly was zipped. We finally looked like the music sounds,
and everyone picked up on it and it became the look.
JR: Why did you decide to launch an apparel collection?
RH: In my golden years I'm looking to fulfill a lot of dreams and ambitions that I still have. One was to
be in the world of apparel. I have to confess that I'm not like 'The Real Housewives of Orange County.'
I'm not in Neiman Marcus every two seconds. But I love fashion. I think it's fun and important,
culturally, and I have my eye on that side of the world.
Being connected to rock 'n' roll life, I can see how you can go from the roots of cowboy boots and that
Ralph Lauren thing to some of the extremely flamboyant displays like the Elvis outfit last night on
'American Idol.' It's what we're all about.
Rob Halford sports the "Cerberus" t-shirt from
the Metal God Apparel clothing line.
the Metal God Apparel clothing line.
Also, we need to wear clothes, so there's a natural interest to explore that. I've always had fun with costume changes with Judas Priest and
my solo work and I wanted to see what would happen with this new venture. It's just another project with my company; I got my record
company up and running, a clothing line about to launch, with even more things on the back burner as we speak. Life is great… I love life… I
just wanted to see how much I can get out of it really. And it's a good feeling to have that contact, musically, with people.
JR: How much of the design process are you responsible for?
RH: I have to give all the praise to Mark Sasso. He's quite well known within the illustration side of the world for doing comic books and his
own self-expressions. I've been with Mark since the solo activities began. He knows me and knows what I do and tries to reflect something
that I do in the designs.
He's in New York, and he sends pieces to me outside of Birmingham, England or Phoenix, AZ, where I keep homes, and I say, 'What if we try
this and what if we try that?' He has incredible ideas. He just keeps ideas coming, which is important in the fashion world; and I say,
'That's cool or I'm not so sure about that.' I don't have talent to sit and doodle with a pen and paper, but I like to feel that I'm no
different than most celebrities in their ventures. I'm happy with what we've produced so far.
JR: OK, after checking out the collection online, I have to say that while I liked many of the t-shirts, the one that stood out to me was the
"Pray For Rock & Roll" t-shirt. What's the inspiration behind that catchphrase?
my solo work and I wanted to see what would happen with this new venture. It's just another project with my company; I got my record
company up and running, a clothing line about to launch, with even more things on the back burner as we speak. Life is great… I love life… I
just wanted to see how much I can get out of it really. And it's a good feeling to have that contact, musically, with people.
JR: How much of the design process are you responsible for?
RH: I have to give all the praise to Mark Sasso. He's quite well known within the illustration side of the world for doing comic books and his
own self-expressions. I've been with Mark since the solo activities began. He knows me and knows what I do and tries to reflect something
that I do in the designs.
He's in New York, and he sends pieces to me outside of Birmingham, England or Phoenix, AZ, where I keep homes, and I say, 'What if we try
this and what if we try that?' He has incredible ideas. He just keeps ideas coming, which is important in the fashion world; and I say,
'That's cool or I'm not so sure about that.' I don't have talent to sit and doodle with a pen and paper, but I like to feel that I'm no
different than most celebrities in their ventures. I'm happy with what we've produced so far.
JR: OK, after checking out the collection online, I have to say that while I liked many of the t-shirts, the one that stood out to me was the
"Pray For Rock & Roll" t-shirt. What's the inspiration behind that catchphrase?
Image, quality and innovation go hand in hand with
the Metal God Apparel catalog. "(We're using) new
and advanced techniques," says Halford.
the Metal God Apparel catalog. "(We're using) new
and advanced techniques," says Halford.
RH: When I saw that, my eyes lit up. It's so cool. Out of everything, it just pops out. But tell me
what it means to you.
JR: I saw it as rock 'n' roll has really suffered in the last two decades (but especially in the last
10 years since so much music is now entirely produced on computers.) It's been muddled with
electro, and there are no new rock stars anymore in an age where albums are released
independently online (without big label pushes), and kids seem more concerned with their 'Rock Band'
scores than with actually starting real bands with real instruments.
RH: That's great. That's such a great thought process. It just inspired me to write a song called,
'Pray For Rock & Roll'; the image of the skeletal figure with the guitar in prayer position... it's a
very strong statement, very evocative.
The roots came from Little Richard bashing on the piano. Then came the electric guitar, but the
same principles still occurred. There's emotion attached to that statement. That particular design
may become a Che Guevara type of thing, the way that images keep recurring in that viral attitude.
It's all about, in essence, whether it's a four-piece band, with drums, guitar, bass and a singer...
that's a rock 'n' roll band. I get excited when bands like Kings of Leon have that essence. The
singer is so sexy and has an amazing voice. It's encouraging when I see basic elements of rock 'n'
roll making a statement in today's world.
what it means to you.
JR: I saw it as rock 'n' roll has really suffered in the last two decades (but especially in the last
10 years since so much music is now entirely produced on computers.) It's been muddled with
electro, and there are no new rock stars anymore in an age where albums are released
independently online (without big label pushes), and kids seem more concerned with their 'Rock Band'
scores than with actually starting real bands with real instruments.
RH: That's great. That's such a great thought process. It just inspired me to write a song called,
'Pray For Rock & Roll'; the image of the skeletal figure with the guitar in prayer position... it's a
very strong statement, very evocative.
The roots came from Little Richard bashing on the piano. Then came the electric guitar, but the
same principles still occurred. There's emotion attached to that statement. That particular design
may become a Che Guevara type of thing, the way that images keep recurring in that viral attitude.
It's all about, in essence, whether it's a four-piece band, with drums, guitar, bass and a singer...
that's a rock 'n' roll band. I get excited when bands like Kings of Leon have that essence. The
singer is so sexy and has an amazing voice. It's encouraging when I see basic elements of rock 'n'
roll making a statement in today's world.
I'm 57, and I've been through really interesting periods, from vinyl through twittering, and these things affect rock 'n' roll and life in
general. But the true essence of rock 'n' roll will always be there.
JR: I read that your t-shirt collection uses the latest in fashion technology. Talk to me about that.
RH: It's a process of making t-shirts. There are some new techniques that have been created on how to take the material itself and make it
distressed and the way you apply the designs, the applique process. We're trying to be in that world, to utilize new and advanced techniques.
Our t-shirts also have a raised 3D effect, but have gone further than iron ons. You can do extraordinary things in manufacturing and apparel
these days.
JR: So will you stop at t-shirts or expand the collection to include other apparel?
RH: I don't know where this will go... pants, shoes, boxers and jocks?
JR: What has been the reaction so far to the clothing collection?
RH: I've shown designs and samples to my guy friends, and they're always saying, 'I'll take six of them, I'll take four of those.' It
definitely fits the niche for that type of look. So far the reaction has been encouraging, so I'm fingers crossed that when we hit the official
launch, it will be successful.
JR: I know you have a tour with Whitesnake coming to the U.S. this summer. What else are you up to these days?
RH: I'm keeping busy as ever. I've done so much work in the last four years. Ozzfest was a huge success and that was to celebrate the
reunion record, the conceptual Nostradamus. We're still supporting that Priest-wise, and gearing up for the second leg of the American tour.
We're also kind of celebrating, getting the party started early for one of our most famous releases, British Steel with "Breaking the Law"
and "Living After Midnight." 30 years has past since the release of that much-loved album. So we'll be promoting that.
The world is also full of solo activities like this apparel project, for which I've just dove into the deep end.
(Courtesy of planetout.com; visit metalgodapparel.com for the latest threads info)
general. But the true essence of rock 'n' roll will always be there.
JR: I read that your t-shirt collection uses the latest in fashion technology. Talk to me about that.
RH: It's a process of making t-shirts. There are some new techniques that have been created on how to take the material itself and make it
distressed and the way you apply the designs, the applique process. We're trying to be in that world, to utilize new and advanced techniques.
Our t-shirts also have a raised 3D effect, but have gone further than iron ons. You can do extraordinary things in manufacturing and apparel
these days.
JR: So will you stop at t-shirts or expand the collection to include other apparel?
RH: I don't know where this will go... pants, shoes, boxers and jocks?
JR: What has been the reaction so far to the clothing collection?
RH: I've shown designs and samples to my guy friends, and they're always saying, 'I'll take six of them, I'll take four of those.' It
definitely fits the niche for that type of look. So far the reaction has been encouraging, so I'm fingers crossed that when we hit the official
launch, it will be successful.
JR: I know you have a tour with Whitesnake coming to the U.S. this summer. What else are you up to these days?
RH: I'm keeping busy as ever. I've done so much work in the last four years. Ozzfest was a huge success and that was to celebrate the
reunion record, the conceptual Nostradamus. We're still supporting that Priest-wise, and gearing up for the second leg of the American tour.
We're also kind of celebrating, getting the party started early for one of our most famous releases, British Steel with "Breaking the Law"
and "Living After Midnight." 30 years has past since the release of that much-loved album. So we'll be promoting that.
The world is also full of solo activities like this apparel project, for which I've just dove into the deep end.
(Courtesy of planetout.com; visit metalgodapparel.com for the latest threads info)
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