Monthly Archives: February 2012
Gigantour 2012 made its way to Southern California on February 24, 2012. The Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City was monster rockin’ with Lacuna Coil, Volbeat opening for MOTORHEAD and the headliner MEGADETH.
Lucuna Coil from Italy got it going with a great set highlighted by lead singer Cristina Scabbia’s awesome voice. Next on the bill was Volbeat a band that has combined Rock n Roll with some good speed metal riffs. They sounded really good and looked like they were having a great time on stage. I was really impressed and looking forward to picking up some Volbeat music.
What can I say about MOTORHEAD? I mean its LEMMY! with his black ensemble and Marlboro Red Pack cigarette voice. They played a kick ass 45 minute set to a packed house that included ‘Damaged Case’ and ‘Ace of Spades.’
Main event MEGADETH opened their set with ‘Trust’ followed by ‘Foreclosure of a Dream.’ I dont know if it was me or the sound at the Gibson, but for some reason the volume was very low (not good at a Metal show) and I could not hear Dave Mustaine’s voice most of the night 
It even seemed like Dave was a little out of it… he was walking around the stage really slow, almost like he was in pain or had a few cocktails before the show.
Overall the entire concert was a great time and I would like to thank Mark Abramson at Roadrunner Carise Yatter, hired gun media Steve Karas, SKH Music and Angelia at MSOPR for making this happen for METAL SHOP Rocks. Here are a few photos of the show…….Enjoy Ralph
METAL SHOP Rocks was once again in attendance for the announcement of the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California. This will be the fourth year of the award show and it will take place on April 11, 2012 at Club Nokia.
The Golden Gods will be broadcast live for the first time on X Box Live and will also be streaming live on Revolver Magazine’s Facebook page. Marilyn Manson, Slash, Black Veil Brides, Evanescence and Sixx AM featuring Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx will be preforming live and Gene Simmons of Kiss will receive this year’s Golden God Award.
Today’s press conference also announced that the Grammy museum will have The History of Heavy Metal Exhibit and Wendy Dio, wife of the late, great Ronnie James Dio presented the museum with the original handwritten lyrics of Holy Diver. Let’s just hope they get it right. We all know what the Grammy Awards have done to metal music in the past (Jethro Tull).
Special guest list for today was:
- Alice Cooper
- Zakk Wylde (Ozzy and BLS)
- Vinny Paul ( Pantera)
- Vinny Appice (Dio and H&H)
- James Micheal (SIXX AM)
- Chris Jericho (Fozzy)
- Wendy Dio
- Mike Portnoy (Ex Dream Theater)
Looking forward to the actual award show in April… in the meantime Click Here for the nominees an cast your vote. Below are a few photos of the presser. Special thanks to Joe at Rogers and Cowan for making this happen! Enjoy. -Ralph.
This past Wednesday I had the privilege to witness one of Americas greatest and most talented rock bands ever… Van Halen!! 
You had to be someone or a lucky radio station winner to get invited to this one time only special event “friends and family and free loaders” is what it was called at the Forum. I am a rocker/metal chick and I was in heaven! The event started at 7:30 with Kool and the Gang. Not bad if you like that kind of music. Intermission took a while, enough time to get a beer and walk amongst the likes of Slash, Duff McKagan, and John 5 who where some of the few rockers out enjoying the scene.
The lights then dimmed and out stepped legendary rockers Van Halen and Wolfgang! I was second row standing and my jaw dropped when I saw them. I fell in love with Van Halen at age seven when I saw the video “Hot For Teacher” which they ended up playing halfway into their set! Other songs that got me going were “Running With The Devil”, “Panama” and “Jump”. They played a lot of their new stuff which was super cool and the crowd seemed to like it. So did all the children in the crowd surprisingly enough. All ages in the crowd were rocking out! “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” and “Tattoo” back to back, that right there was memorable.
David Lee Roth is still crazy as ever with the wardrobe! It was definitely fun to watch his get ups. Eddie Van Halen killed it on the guitar with his solos! “Eruption” just had to make it in the setlist or it wouldn’t be Van Halen. It was my first time seeing Wolfgang and I have to admit he rocks it on the bass. He was very professional and sounded great! A cutie too! HA!
The show ended with one encore and then the magic was over ’till June when they hit the stage at Staples in L.A. for a sold out show. I think I just might make it out there again! Why not right?!
Rock ON!
Raquel Figlo
The first new Van Halen album in 28 years ‘A Different Kind of Truth‘ (Interscope) is out today (Feb. 7, 2012). Wait, what’s that? The last new VH album was actually ‘Balance’ released in 1995? Well, yes that is correct. However, if you consider the original Van Halen with David Lee Roth in the band, the only Van Halen, then this is their first album in 28 years.
METAL SHOP Rocks received an advanced copy of ‘Truth’ for review. You may have heard that most of the songs are re-workings of old unreleased tracks and that may annoy you. Just the idea of that may not feel right considering how long it has been since Roth fronted the band. However, while listening we couldn’t help feeling nostalgic and this record sounds more like listening to a conclusion of the first Van Halen album (1977).
Looking at the big picture… if most of these songs are unreleased tracks and most of us have never heard them, and early Van Halen is really the best Van Halen, a new album (almost 30 years later) from one of the best bands in rock history, probably shouldn’t reinvent the wheel. Most of us long for the hunger of the old days combined with the sensibilty of today and considering that, this album works.
If you are a fan of the first few Van Halen albums, most likely you will love the new effort for what is is, a kick ass rock album. Thanks to Rob at Umusic for the early listen.
Track list: 
- Tattoo
- She’s The Woman
- You and Your Blues
- China Town
- Blood and Fire
- Bullethead
- As Is
- Honey Baby Sweetie Doll
- The Trouble With Never
- Outta Space
- Stay Frosty
- Big River
- Beats Workin
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