Recently in Music Category

A couple of years ago Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Vinnie Appice reformed the group that was once known as Black Sabbath and started releasing stuff under the name Heaven and Hell. It's only appropriate since while Dio was the lead singer for Sabbath during the early eighties and then again for a brief time in the nineties, classic Black Sabbath isn't Sabbath without Ozzy.

That doesn't mean I don't like this lineup. On the contrary, I love it and they have released a new album. TODAY! It's entitled The Devil You Know and you can click on the album cover to purchase it at Amazon.



Up until recently I've been purchasing all of my music via iTunes but the biggest problem with that has been that 90% of the stuff I would buy from them is completely unusable for me on my Blackberry Storm. That has been changing recently since they are ditching DRM but in the meantime Amazon MP3 has been making quite a few improvements. One is that the Amazon MP3 downloader automatically adds my purchases to my iTunes playlists (or WMP if that's your flavor of choice) AND it's cheaper to shop at Amazon. For instance, The Devil You Know is 9.99 from iTunes but only 9.90 from Amazon. 9 cents may not seem like a lot of money but I can tell you as a small business manager that the way you make (and save) money is by watching the pennies you spend. Pretty soon it adds up and considering bewteen my wife and I we buy probably five albums a month that adds up over the course of the year.

So on to the album. I bought the single, Bible Black, a couple of weeks ago and it's OK. Nothing great but it's pretty rocking. I am about halfway through listening to the album and just finished syncing it to my Blackberry so I can go work in the yard. So far it's somewhat reminiscent of Dehumanizer but maybe a little harder. Once I've listened to it a couple more times I'll be able to post a full review here.

 

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• Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath w/ Ronnie James Dio) Finalizes Track Listing For Forthcoming Album (idiomag.com)

Apple is raising some of the prices on it's music service soon, staggering prices up to $1.29, which is a little under a 30% increase. That's a pretty big chunk of change when you think about it.



Up until recently iTunes was the only music service I had used (aside from buying tracks at individual artist sites) but recently I tried Amazon's MP3 site and I was pleasantly surprised.. Amazon sells their songs for .99 and there is no DRM on the music that they sell AND their web interface let me download a small program that would add any music I purchase from their site straight into my iTunes library with ease.

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• iTunes Music: Now Up To 30 Percent More Expensive (tsurch.com)
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Judas Priest posted this press release over at their web site yesterday:

JUDAS PRIEST ROAR BACK WITH AN INSTANT EPIC, 'NOSTRADAMUS' ON MULTIPLE CLASSIC FORMATS & A WORLD TOUR

Think 'Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,' and some of rock's all-time classic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will be releasing their sprawling double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.

Long in the works, 'Nostradamus' takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th Century French prophet. Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.

"As in any concept piece, the lifeline needs to be of a solid source, taking the music over many levels of interest and perception," points out singer Rob Halford. "Nostradamus' contains new frontiers explored and defined. The sense of adventure and the journey we undertook bringing the man's life alive with metal was a real labour of love."

As with all new Priest releases, the group - singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis - will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of 'Nostradamus.' Priest will be performing at the 2008 Download Festival - on a bill also featuring Kiss - which will serve as a 'homecoming' of sorts for the group, as they performed at the first-ever 'Monsters of Rock Festival' at Donington Park in 1980.

Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal's most successful bands, issuing such all-time classic albums as 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' and 1990's 'Painkiller,' and such arena-rocking anthems as "Breaking the Law," "Living After Midnight," and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." However, Priest's influence goes far beyond their music - they were the first metal band to embrace the 'leather biker look,' a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford's powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been 'studied' by countless metal bands in Priest's wake.

"The 'Nostradamus' album - above all others - is perhaps the one I'm most proud of," says Tipton. "Whilst in essence and character still very much Judas Priest, it has afforded the opportunity to explore areas of classical and operatic dimensions that the band normally wouldn't. As a guitarist and writer it has inspired me to greater heights and opened new doors to intrigue and passion. From start to finish, it will take you through a magical experience filled with light, shade, drama, melody and emotion that reflects this unique man and his life."

"For me, 'Nostradamus' has been a musical journey without comparison," adds Downing. "The intrigue and mystery that surrounds this revered man has expanded my perception of heavy metal to the highest plateau and enabled me to reach the outer limits of my imagination and transport unique feelings and emotions to the instrument that allows me to express myself."

In addition to the regular jewel case double CD version of the album, collectors will undoubtedly be interested in hunting down a copy of a Deluxe Double CD housed in a 48 page hardbound book package. But that's not all - a Super Deluxe Box-set version will also be available with triple vinyl, the double CD, an expanded booklet & a poster.

Most bands of this high stature would be happy to play it safe. But not Judas Priest, who continue to take chances and break new ground. No other rock band could have pulled off such a grand statement, and Judas Priest have raised the bar once more with 'Nostradamus.'

As to why they chose to make a concept album about Nostradamus, Tipton explains: "We didn't - he chose us. We feel it was meant to be!"

To get a taste of what awaits for you within 'Nostradamus,' go to livenation.com/judaspriest Monday, April 21st to download exclusive free mp3 of the album's title track, as well as view the world premiere of the album cover art (shown above)

'NOSTRADAMUS' TRACK LISTING:

Dawn of Creation
PROPHECY

Awakening
REVELATIONS

The Four Horsemen
WAR

Sands of Time
PESTILENCE AND PLAGUE

DEATH

Peace
CONQUEST

LOST LOVE

PERSECUTION

Solitude
EXILED

ALONE

Shadows In the Flame
VISIONS

Hope
NEW BEGINNINGS

Calm Before The Storm
NOSTRADAMUS

FUTURE OF MANKIND