Death To All on European Summer Tour 2022 - Ft. Gene Hoglan, Steve Di Giorgio, Bobby Koelble, Max Phelps

This isn't "just" a tribute band - it is a authentic way to experience the songs performed by the musicians that originally crafted them back in the day - with the exception of Chuck Schuldiner of course who passed away way to early in 2001.

It's good to see some sort of live performance is coming back to life. I think these intimate shows performed at European venues will be a welcomed chance of enjoying some release of the pressure that has been build up in recent times. In addition you may also enjoy some breathtaking technical experience as some timing may feel impossible. 

Death To All's European Summer Tour 2022  kicks off on June 11th in Germany. See the show dates in the flyer. 

Tickets at https://reversedrecords.com/death-to-all

Also watch DEATH TO ALL Play DEATH’s “Overactive Imagination” – in tribute to Chuck Schuldiner. 1967-2001 to get a idea of how good this tribute band sounds in advance.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/Deathtoallofficial

Preview pages of James Hetfield biography surfaced

James Hetfield is for sure a outstanding personality in the world of metal. Before becoming known as one of the greatest metal guitarists in the world, Hetfield surpassed several barriers throughout his adolescence including his parents’ divorce, his mother’s untimely death and severe alcoholism.

It is for sure interesting to read how he went along with all the stuff that crossed his path. I always enjoy a look at the beginnings of people. It's exciting to read how they lived their lives, which decison lead to which consequence and how other stuff found their way into their lifes. Some info and story of that kind is about to come our way with the book "So Let It Be Written: The Biography of Metallica's James Hetfield". After months of speculation from fans and critics, preview pages of the introduction and chapter 1 are now available exclusively on CLRVYNT.

Update 2017-06-04: A excerpt of chapter six along with some pictures takes out of the release have been published online at the pages of Noisey. This part of the book talks about the creation of the second Metallica album "Ride The Lightning" and offers some nice insight into the making of.

The cover of "So Let It Be Written: The Biography of Metallica's James Hetfield", (c) by Lesser Gods, used with kind permission

In the first biography of a living Metallica member the author Mark Eglinton uses exclusive, firsthand interviews with a number of artists and celebrities who have crossed paths with Hetfield including members of Metallica, Chuck Billy (Testament), Charlie  Benante (Anthrax), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Rex Brown (Pantera), and more to construct the definitive account of Hetfield.

So Let It Be Written: The Biography of Metallica’s James Hetfield will hit shelves and online stores on April 11, 2017 via Lesser Gods. The publication can be pre-ordered via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indies.

Interview with coverartist Roberto Toderico (todericoart.com)

Here we go with a brand new interview in the series of talking to coveratists who should be afforable also to small bands out there in the Heavy Metal cosmos.

Introduction

Roberto Toderico

This time we had a word with Roberto Toderico, known as todericoart out there. Located in south Italy, Roberto mostly focusses on doing artworks for extreme metal bands. Amongst the most famous cover he did so far you'll find some works for bands like Sinister and Asphyx.

Contact Data

If you'd like to get in touch with Roberto Toderico please use one of these links.

Email Roberto Toderico
facebook.com/todericoart
www.todericoart.com

The Interview

Heavy Metal Underdogs: What were your first steps in painting / creating artwork? Did you already work on this in school?

Roberto Toderico: I started drawing as a child... Then my first "step" was classic vandalism at school: drawing logos, skulls and stuff on desks and walls... with markers, pens, knives, fire... i was pretty creative! eheheh Then quit art for more then 10 years cause of my job in graphic and advertising... but i was really un-happy with that job, i'm glad i stepped out of it!


Why have you specialised in extreme music? Is there something that you favor in this music direction compared to other styles in Heavy Metal?

I think it's not only about the music since i listen to all kinds of metal (not only the extreme), much probably it's my taste for horror and supernatural that pushed me to stay focused on extreme metal... But right in this period i'm working for various act in classic heavy metal (Tygers of Pan Tang for example) and even prog/aor projects, I enjoy testing my fantasy in various directions.

Looking at some of your works on Facebook you seem to prefer the more black-and-white painting technique. Do you prefer it or is it that the bands ask for it?

The so called "old school" art, those grim lineworks in black ink, are deeply radicated in Death Metal as much as in me: it's a raw form of art, very instinctual, very effective...
I don't have a preferred style but, if i have to create something the traditional way, then i totally stick to black inks!



Which painting techniques do you prefer overall?

Acrylic painting actually but hope to have enough time to test oil painting one day!

What does inspire you to paint? Are there different sources where you draw it from? How much input does come from the bands you work with?

With no doubt I am the classic metalhead of the 80's: i'm all into horror movies, comic books, videogames... and Metal does the rest! Many great artists of the 80's inspired me and even if i produce a lot on digital art, i feel like my approach is not "modern" at all...When discussing with bands about concepts i'm opened to all ideas: even the worse one can be developed in a good artwork using the right style and creative approach...

Many of your works show monsters or mutilated humans. Could you also imagine to work on real life stuff?

Sometimes I do work on real life stuff... but reality kinda bores me. I do real-life mostly for practicing.
I'm not really into gore horror even! my favourite kind is surreal art with dark-occult atmosphere... but if the bands ask for gore... they'll get it for sure!

You recently held a exposition at Faust Fest VI. How did you choose the artworks for the event? Can you already say when the next exposition will take place? Is there maybe also a way to meet you personally at a festival or something?


Well my art expos are really rare cause i spend most of the time producing art and when i have a break i prefer to stay in the moshpit... this is how i intend a vacation! :D
For the Faust Fest VI expo i've choose a series of traditional arts made on classic poster paper, i like the rough impact of gig posters, i totally love them!
The easiest way to meet me is to check my page on facebook and see all the gigs i'll try to attend douring the year: it worked pretty good at Party.San 2015 i love to have good time with people at gigs! Anyway, art expos are still in plan for the next year... so stay tuned! ;)

Can people buy prints of your work?

I'm working hard on it and soon will be possible, the best way to be updated on my projects is my facebook page www.facebook.com/todericoart  , i'm also working on a personal brand for merchandise and tons of more things, i love to keep myself busy 24/24 ! ;)

Contact Data

If you'd like to get in touch with Roberto Toderico please use one of the links below.

Email Roberto Toderico
facebook.com/todericoart
www.todericoart.com

Relapse Records handing out free Sampler with unreleased songs

Do you remember the good old Relapse Records Label? It's the legendary label that brought some classic records to you. One example I remember very well is one of the very first Amorphis albums, Tales from the throusand Lakes. The album really brought some progressive elements to the realm of Death Metal and it made me more aware than ever of this musical style in the Heavy Metal world that I mostly ignored before.

Happily the label is still around and active and provides us this fall with a fresh, annual label sampler that's been set up for free download. You can listen to the full 26-tracks big pack below. Besides already released stuff you'll also get to hear some tracks that give a first impression of upcoming releases of the label featuring Gruesome, Publicist UK, and Ecstatic Vision. If you want to download the songs just go to the Bandcamp site of the record label and do so.

James Murphy fighting cancer again- a call for help

James Murphy, the well known guitarist who played for bands such as Death and Testament is facing the fight against cancer again.

The tumor seems to have returned and he needs a medical treatment for six months which he cannot pay due to his illness which doesn't allow him to work properly.

Please help out in any way you can, e.g. with a donation. You can find more detailed info in the article linked below from the Decibel magazine along with the data needed to do a proper donation via Paypal.

Donate to James Murphy | Decibel Magazine