Tim Armstrong
Skinhead Rob
A new supergroup is in the works, according to Skinhead Rob, which features himself with Nausea members John John Jesse (New Found Glory), Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour, Amebix) and Vic Venom (Regan Youth), and Tim Armstrong (Rancid).
Via Twitter, Skinhead Rob stated:
“New band in the works. John John Jesse, Roy Mayorga, Vic Venom, Tim Armstrong, and me. #ZERST�-REN”
No word on Zerst Ren is the band’s name, the album title or the Germanic word for “To Destroy.”
Nausea
The 2015 Bonzo Bash NAMM Jam! will be happening at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on Thursday, January 22, 2015, with an all star cast set to perform.
With Bonzo Bash creator Brian Tichy newly endorsed by Ludwig-Musser Drums and Percussion, the legendary Ludwig is revealed as the main sponsor of the highly anticipated 2015 Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm! Led Zeppelin’s John Henry “Bonzo” Bonham is consistently regarded as the #1 drummer in rock. Bonham played Ludwig drums his whole career and his name is synonymous with Ludwig.
Having Ludwig sponsor Bonzo Bash gives an added authenticity to the celebration! Tichy/ Sutton Productions is very excited to have the two entities come together, all in the name of John Bonham!
The following artists have been confirmed to participate in this year’s Bonzo Bash:
DRUMMERS:
Steven Adler (Guns n’ Roses / Adler)
Athena (Femme Fatale / Ex-Wives of Rock)
Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / John Fogerty / Smashing Pumpkins)
Charlie Benante Fan Page (Anthrax)
Jimmy D’Anda (Lynch Mob / Lies, Deceit & Treachery)
Bevan Davies (Wayne Static / Danzig / Jerry Cantrell)
Cortney DeAugustine (Frank Hannon Band / Ronnie Montrose / Michael Lee Firkins)
Joe Franco (Good Rats / Twisted Sister)
John Hummel (Lady Gaga)
Brandon Kachel (Barbarian Overlords)
Corky Laing (Mountain / Bonzo Bash Legend Award Recipient)
Thomas Lang (Asia / John Wetton / Paul Gilbert)
Dave Lombardo (Slayer / Philm)
Khurt Maier (Salty Dog)
Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour)
Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction)
Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs / Dream Theater)
Gregg Potter (The Buddy Rich Band)
Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow / Black Sabbath)
Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper)
Matt Starr (Ace Frehley / Mr. Big)
Todd Sucherman (Styx)
Jason Sutter (Marilyn Manson / Foreigner / Chris Cornell)
Mike Terrana (Rage / Yngwie Malmsteen / Tony Macalpine)
Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol)
Franklin Vanderbilt (Lenny Kravitz / Stevie Wonder / Chaka Khan)
Les Warner (The Cult / Bow Wow Wow)
Simon Wright (AC/DC / DIO / Queensryche)
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Burning Rain (Doug Alrich / Keith St. John / Sean McNabb / Matt Starr)
Host: Dean Delray (Rock n’ Roll Comedian)
Ali Handal (Neil Young / Paul Williams)
Robert Mason (Warrant)
Jeff Ocheltree (John Bonhams’s drum tech)
Mike Orlando – Fan Page (Adrenaline Mob)
Mitch Perry (MSG / Edgar Winter)
Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses / The Dead Daisies / Hookers & Blow)
Phil X (The Drills / Bon Jovi)
The Moby Dicks: Michael Devin (Whitesnake), Stephen LeBlanc (Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Exp.), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol), Chas West (Bonham), Brent Woods Music (Vince Neil / Sebastian Bach)
Belgium is synonymous with a lot of great things; beer, chocolate, the European Parliament (maybe) but it is not a country known for having stellar metal credentials. No wonder Channel Zero are local heroes. Having been around off and on for almost 25 years, they’re a big deal in their native land but haven’t quite had a same impact abroad.
Made up of Franky De Smet Van Damme on vocals, Tino DeMartino on bass and Mike Doling (Soulfly/Snot) on guitars, Kill All Kings (Metal Blade) is the Belgian outfit’s sixth album and first since the untimely passing of drummer Phil Baheux last year. Taking to the stool in his place is Soulfly/Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga. Produced by former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader, the band mix the thick dirty riffs of Black Label Society with the kind of soaring vocals you find on Alter Bridge albums.
Although often labelled a thrash band, there’s little in the way of machine gun drumming or all-out shredding. ‘Duisternis’ has a later-day Slayer feel and there’s the odd crushing moment with the likes of ‘Digital Warfare’ , but the on whole it’s the radio-friendly metal that stands out.
When he wants to really cut loose, Van Damme’s vocals take centre stage, the huge choruses of ‘Electric Cocaine’, ‘Crimson Collidor’ and the anthemic ‘Brother’s Keeper’ really show off the impressive range and power he has. Doling’s guitar work also deserves special mention; his blinding Zakk Wylde-esque solos really grab the attention. It’s just a shame that there’s often too much of the bog standard growling over shredding and not enough of Van Damme and Doling doing what they’re good at.
For every stand-out track, there’s a very plainly average one. Opener ‘Dark Passenger,’ and closing track ‘Heart Stop’ couldn’t be more different; the former potters along without ever getting interesting while the latter starts as a creeping melodic number that builds to an epic finale.
If you like meaty riffs and soaring vocals, there’s enough on Kill All Kings that will satisfy your itch – it is a solid enough album that’s good for drinking and head banging to. But if you’re after an album with real depth and without any filler, look elsewhere.
6.5/10
DAN SWINHOE