I have been attending the Purple Door music festival in Pennsylvania since before many of this year’s attendees were born. The event is now in its sixteenth year. And I clearly remember when the fest was last held at the Lebanon Valley Expo and Fairgrounds in 2000. The festival had outgrown the original venue at a local Christian high school, and moved the following year to a ski mountain where it remained until last year.

So when I arrived at the new/old location this year, I couldn’t help but to compare. For one, more stages have emerged over the years. The main stage has always offered a mix of various alternative and indie rock from the Christian scene. Additional stages have evolved over the years, with a myriad of music styles perhaps in part defined by the sponsor. Yet each year one stage is set aside for the heavier music. This year, bands like The Chariot and local-turned-national favorites Texas in July were included.

In 2000, as I recall, only one stage was inside and the indoor crowd was smaller than this year. With not as many outside locations available without the competition of sound, this year found two stages inside, which proved to be useful later in the day on Saturday as the weather went from sunny to cloudy to stormy. Project 86 was scheduled to perform on the main stage in the evening, but the decision was made to move inside after thunderstorms had rolled through. Underoath followed and would have closed the event, but Disciple encountered a longer travel time that day than expected and as a result was moved to a later time slot on the other indoor stage.  Ultimately, Disciple closed this year’s event.

It was actually a bit strange to see some of these bands inside, as my main experience with their show has been outside. But I remembered after all that most of the year shows do indeed take place inside. As I drove home on Saturday, hearing the report of a stage collapse due to a sudden storm at the Indiana State Fair, the news made me appreciate more when outdoor shows are cancelled or rescheduled due to weather events.

Back in 2000, my main exposure to new music in alt-rock Christian music was often at music festivals. Back then, I barely knew any tune coming from Project 86. This year I sang along to most of the songs. Times have changed; first with faster internet speeds, and now with much more opportunity on the web to listen to music. (Does anyone remember Myspace?) While less folks are listening to the radio, I am thankful for an online outlet from a radio station local to Columbus, Ohio that takes the trek to Purple Door each year – RadioU. In fact, I first became aware of RadioU when they sponsored the staff shirts in 2000. It was not until a few years later upon a faster internet connection (and now from an app on my phone) that RadioU became more of a staple in my life.

Though seeing a band live after only hearing the recordings can instantly transfer a person to become a fan. It was nice to finally see Mike Mains and the Branches live, as I have read many a Facebook status update about their shows. And it is always great to catch some of my favorites like Red and House of Heroes. This year seemed to include more local and regional bands as well.

The merch areas generally grow as each year goes by. Perhaps this is due to an increased amount of festival attendees.  And of course, each band requires space to sell their wares – more bands equal more space. While at the ski mountain in recent years, the merch area was in the ski lodge. Let me remind you that when people ski, there is no need for air-conditioning. Needless to say, I often did not stick around inside that building. This year was roomier, airier, and was still under-cover in what might be a place for live-stock at a county fair. (Some have doubts as to whether or not this was better than a ski lodge.)

The merch area is the typical place where one might be able to meet the bands, who often come to their booths for signings and to chat with friends and fans. But what really struck me was the amount of causes that filled the tables. Sure, some causes have made it into the festival circuit for a few years now. Yet I can say this year I gained more exposure to all sorts of new-to-me causes. This appears to be the trend for younger generations who respond by regularly supporting or simply buying a t-shirt or hoodie (or starting their own ministry). What used to be tables of stuff to buy has become more spending money to affect people locally, nationally, and around the world.

All the more reason to put Purple Door into my schedule for next year.

THE CHARIOT’s new vinyl LP version of their latest GOOD FIGHT MUSIC release, Long Live, hits stores today. The digital and physical CD versions of Long Live were originally released on November 22^nd, 2010. The vinyl includes a bonus track, ‘Music of a Grateful Heart’, previously available only on the limited edition 7-inch version. The track is available on iTunes and all digital outlets as a single track.

The new 180 gram weight vinyl LP comes with exclusive silk-screened, hand-numbered jackets. Hot Topic exclusively carries a white version of the vinyl with black marbling, numbered 1 through 1,000. The GOOD FIGHT store, the band (on tour), and your favorite local vinyl retailer currently carry black with white marbling, numbered 1,001 through 2000.

THE CHARIOT recently announced their inclusion in one of this year’s most impressive tours! The band will head out on September 15^th with Underoath, Comeback Kid, and This Is Hell on a month-long trek, ending in St. Petersburg, FL on October 20^th. The band will also perform a special headlining show in their home state on October 22^nd with several other popular artists. See below for all current tour dates, and stay tuned for some big shows being added to the routing soon.

W/ UNDEROATH, COMEBACK KID, & THIS IS HELL

9/15 Fayetteville, AR @ Rogue

9/17 Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater

9/19 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock

9/20 West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club

9/21 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

9/22 Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theater

9/23 Santa Clara, CA @ Avalon

9/24 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

9/26 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball

9/27 Vancouver, BC @ Venue

9/30 Edmonton, AB @ The Avenue Theatre

10/1 Calgary, AB @ The Gateway

10/2 Regina, SK @ Riddle Centre

10/3 Winniepeg, MB @ Garrick Centre

10/4 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club

10/6 Covington, KY @ Radio Down

10/7 London, ON @ London Music Hall

10/8 Montreal, QB @ Cabaret La Tulipe

10/10 Quebec City, QC @ Theatre Imperial

10/11 Manchester, NH @ Rocko’s

10/12 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

10/13 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

10/14 Norfolk, VA @ The Norva

10/15 West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx

10/17 Huntington, WV @ The Big Sandy Superstore

10/18 Chattanooga, TN @  The Warehouse

10/19 Jacksonville, FL @ Free Bird Cafe

10/20 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater

10/22 Savannah, GA @ New Life Church (No Underoath, headlining with GEDEON, WITH BLOOD COMES CLEANSING, SENT BY RAVENS, and more)

For more information on THE CHARIOT, please visit these sites:

http://www.thechariotjams.tumblr.com

http://www.facebook.com/thechariot

http://twitter.com/thechariotjams

http://www.myspace.com/thechariot

http://www.goodfightmusic.com/

Atlanta, GA’s THE CHARIOT is thrilled to announce their inclusion in one of this year’s most impressive tours! The band will head out on September 15^th with Underoath, Comeback Kid, and This Is Hell on a month-long trek, ending in St. Petersburg, FL on October 20^th. The band will also perform a special headlining show in their home state on October 22^nd with several other popular artists. See below for all current tour dates, and stay tuned for some big shows being added to the routing soon.

THE CHARIOT recently posted the new track ‘Music of a Grateful Heart’ on their official Facebook page. The track is cut from the new vinyl LP version of the band’s latest GOOD FIGHT MUSIC release, Long Live, set to release on August 2^nd. The digital and physical CD version of Long Live was originally released on November 22^nd, 2010 and is the band’s fourth full-length album to date.

The new 180 gram weight vinyl LP comes with exclusive silk-screened, hand-numbered jackets. Hot Topic will exclusively carry a white version of the vinyl with black spatters, numbered 1 through 1,000. The GOOD FIGHT store, the band (on tour), and your favorite local vinyl retailer will carry black with white spatters, numbered 1,001 through 2000. The vinyl will include a bonus track, ‘Music of a Grateful Heart’, previously available only on the limited edition 7-inch version. The track will also be available on iTunes and all digital outlets as a single track. Fans can pre-order the LP now by itself, or in a special bundle that includes a THE CHARIOT t-shirt.

THE CHARIOT is currently on the road with the SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR, also featuring Norma Jean, Sleeping Giant, War Of Ages, Close Your Eyes, Texas In July, I The Breather, The Great Commission, As Hell Retreats, and Sovereign Strength. See below for remaining dates on the SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR.

W/ SCREAM THE PRAYER

7/22 McAllen, TX @ Las Palmas Racepark w/ The All Stars Tour

7/23 San Antonio, TX @ The Backstage Live w/ The All Stars Tour

7/24 Dallas, TX @ The Palladium w/ The All Stars Tour

7/25 Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom

7/26 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre

7/27 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

7/28 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

7/30 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock

7/31 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse

W/ UNDEROATH, COMEBACK KID, & THIS IS HELL

9/15 Fayetteville, AR @ Rogue

9/17 Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater

9/20 West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club

9/22 Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theater

9/23 Santa Clara, CA @ Avalon

9/24 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

9/26 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball

9/27 Vancouver, BC @ Venue

9/30 Edmonton, AB @ The Avenue Theatre

10/1 Calgary, AB @ The Gateway

10/2 Regina, SK @ Riddle Centre

10/3 Winniepeg, MB @ Garrick Centre

10/4 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club

10/6 Covington, KY @ Radio Down

10/7 London, ON @ London Music Hall

10/8 Montreal, QB @ Cabaret La Tulipe

10/10 Quebec City, QC @ Theatre Imperial

10/11 Manchester, NH @ Rocko’s

10/12 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

10/13 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

10/14 Norfolk, VA @ The Norva

10/15 West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx

10/17 Huntington, WV @ The Big Sandy Superstore

10/18 Chattanooga, TN @  The Warehouse

10/19 Jacksonville, FL @ Free Bird Cafe

10/20 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater

10/22 Savannah, GA @ New Life Church (No Underoath, headlining with GEDEON, WITH BLOOD COMES CLEANSING, SENT BY RAVENS, and more)

For more information on THE CHARIOT, please visit these sites:

http://www.thechariotjams.tumblr.com

http://www.facebook.com/thechariot

http://twitter.com/thechariotjams

http://www.myspace.com/thechariot

http://www.goodfightmusic.com/

Carrollhood-the side project featuring Nate Young (Anberlin), Tim McTague (Underoath) and Reed Murray (Marksmen) – have released their first song today.  The track “Remission” is available for free on their website.  In a blogpost, McTague says:

“Carrolhood is a project between 3 friends, Tim McTague, Nathan Young, and Reed Murray.  It’s about sharing music in hopes to inspire art as much as we can.”

See article.

TOG features original Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach and current KsE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.
The touring lineup for this run includes Matt Bachand, guitarist extraordinaire of Shadows Fall, who will serve as the  bassist. Killswitch Engage guitarist Joel Stroetzel and drummer Dan Gluszak constitute the rest of the touring lineup. Clearly, it remains all in the family for Times of Grace.

Dates are below  – please get in touch for tickets, interviews, etc, re: Times of Grace.

Thanks.

XX
Amy

7/07 Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey

7/08 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

7/10 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater

7/11 Portland, ME @ State Theater

7/12 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights

7/13 Baltimore, MD @ Bourbon Street Ballroom

7/15 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five

7/16 Sauget, IL @ Pops

7/17 Tulsa, OK @ Brady Village  (Headline Show)

7/18 Little Rock, AR @ Riverfront Pavilion

7/20 Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theater

7/21 Toledo, OH @ Headliners

7/22 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater

7/23 Toronto, ONT @ Downsview Park

7/24 Montreal, QUE A@ Paterre Parc Jean Drapeau  (Heavy MTL)

7/26 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection

7/27 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

7/28 Cedar Falls, IA @ Wheelhouse

7/29 Lawrence, KS @ Granada

7/30 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium

8/01 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep

8/2 Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s  Sports Cafe (Headline Show)

8/03 San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live

8/4 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio (Headline Show)

8/05 Whitehouse, TX @ The Warehouse

8/06 Tupelo, MS @ Ballard Park/Minerva Music Fest

07 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues

8/09 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

8/10 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

8/11 Richmond, VA @ The National

8/12 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall

8/13 Flint, MI @ Birch Run Expo Centre

Aaron Gillespie
Anthem Song

Sometimes change isn’t a good thing. Upon the announcement that Aaron Gillespie was leaving Underoath to pursue other musical and ministry endeavors, many fans worried that this was the case for Gillespie. Anthem Song, his first full-length solo album, proves otherwise.

His recent traveling ministry and the release of Anthem Song are a testament to the call Gillespie felt by his faith. From beginning to end, Anthem Song is more than a worship album–to those interested, it feels empowering and inspirational.

The album opener, “All Things,” is among the many slower, more personal songs on the album. With an upbeat feel, it serves as foreshadowing for the motivation of each subsequent song. Driven by uptempo vocals, piano and drums, “Hosanna” leads into “Washed Away” beautifully. Clearly not in the vein of The Almost or Underoath, songs like “Washed Away,” “Earnestly I Seek Thee” and “I Am Your Cup,” cry out for something greater while showcasing Gillespie’s compelling, sometimes raw vocals. Keeping in tune, “We Were Made For You” is a profession of love and belief; though “I Will Worship You” rings a bit slower and softer, it carries a steady drumbeat laced neatly behind an almost unrefined cry of powerful vocals. True to it’s name, “Anthem Song” is a catchy, chorus-driven song sure to resonate with all listeners. Equally matched is the positive message supplied by “You Are My Everything.” In the meantime, “You Are Jesus” and “Your Song Goes On Forever” carry a more laid back feel.

Through and through, Anthem Song should have fans rejoicing at the willingness of a talented, young musician to step outside the box and be willing to share his beliefs and passions instead of sticking to the comfortable route.
[Tooth & Nail] Anna Hartenbach

Copyright © 2011 HM Magazine. All rights reserved.

What path leads a fourteen-year-old drummer from being told that his skills aren’t very good (and his playing too loud) to being voted HM’s 2008 Favorite Drummer while with metalcore band Underoath to fronting successful alternative rock band The Almost … to a definite (and still loud) call to worship? Apparently, that path goes through Africa.

Aaron Gillespie was that teen when he joined fellow church member guitarist Luke Morton in Underoath. As he later blogged, “I just knew I was young and had an incredible opportunity to play as fast as I could, which was super fun.”

After some eight releases, two Grammy nominations and line-up changes that left him as the only remaining original member, Aaron left Underoath in 2010. The internet was alive with rumors about the breakup but both Aaron and the band said it was a prayerful group decision.

“There is no bad blood, there is no anger, I was in that band for eleven years, I love every person with my whole heart, I love the music we made together, the shows we played and the good times we had,” Aaron blogged at the time.  “People change, times change, and sometimes change just comes hunting for you.”

Now he admits, “God had been calling me to do it for years, but I was having too much fun.” He says it was absolutely the right decision for him to close that phase of his life. Although he says he misses certain things about Underoath, metal and those fans, he says he’s found peace walking where God wants him.

Before leaving Underoath, he had already formed The Almost as a side project and released 2007’s Southern Weather. He played every instrument, except for a few bass parts. Now, he limits himself to lead vocals, rhythm guitar and keyboards.

While The Almost is still a part of his life, Aaron is currently touring to promote his first solo effort Anthem Song. Label Tooth & Nail Records calls it “an honestly ragged, often rocking praise and worship set.”

It was during a 2010 Compassion International mission to Uganda that Aaron experienced the epiphany that lead to leaving Underoath and putting together this latest project, Anthem Song.

“I guess I had this thought the trip would change me. Yet five or six days in – you see all you thought you’d see – but I didn’t feel this big shift,” he explains. “Then we went to this church service. You could feel the spirit of God down the road. I mean, 2,000 Ugandans praising God like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

Deeply touched, he asked God, “Why don’t we have that here (in America)? And I felt God telling me, ‘Because you worship me circumstantially, based on what you have.’”

Aaron noted the Africans, who are so poor and needy, worship God just because He exists. God reminded him, ‘I made you to worship me.’

He says, “Before I was on the road, I was leading worship at church, you know at 15 or 16, so I always wanted to do a worship album. But I got caught up with everything that was going on and I kinda wasted my influence.”

After so many years of touring with Underoath, Aaron says it had become more about what was in it for him.

This worship tour, Aaron says is different. “I’ve never gone out with just one thing in mind – That’s to make Jesus famous. That’s what this is about,” he says. “It’s been crazy. In the last three to four weeks we’ve seen 900 people come to Jesus.”

He adds, “The Bible says ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matthew 6:33) We quote it, we believe it; but we never buy into it and do it.” He notes that hypocrisy is sometimes one of the problems unbelievers have with Christians.

As well, Aaron feels there are some Christian, who listen to bands like Underoath and The Almost, who aren’t comfortable in a traditional worship service. Often, they simply don’t see worship as ‘cool’.

Aaron does. He spoke while preparing for an outdoor acoustic set in Corpus Christi, Texas. He says this tour is an economical one, playing mostly colleges and churches and doing some of the driving himself. “We’re not going out entitled,” he says.

As winding as Aaron’s path in life has been, don’t worry that it’s too easy. In March, while driving all night between tour dates, he posted this down-to-earth Twitter at 7:55 am: “Ran out of gas, walked to gas, battery Dead. Rode in back of cop car to buy jumper cables”.

“That was the worst!” he laughs. “I hadn’t driven a van in a long time, plus being so tired, I forgot they do things like run outta gas!”

At least the worship tank is full.

Red Gets Dove Award
Hard rock band RED garnered its fourth career GMA Dove Award in the category of Rock Recorded Song for “Start Again” from its GRAMMY nominated Innocence & Instinct project. This is RED’s third win in the field of Rock Recorded Song, which this year included additional nominees Satellites and Sirens, Disciple, tobyMac, and Switchfoot. The band has won previously in this category for “Breathe Into Me” (2007) and “Lost” (2009). Innocence & Instinct, released Feb. 10, 2009, has been a powerhouse album for the band. RED’s sophomore project, the record garnered first-week sales of nearly 40,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, which made it the No.15 best-selling album on Billboard’s Top 200 chart that week. It also reached the No. 5 spot on iTunes Overall Albums chart. To date, Innocence & Instinct has scanned more than 260,000 units. This marks the album’s second Dove Award win after talking the Rock Album Of The Year title at last year’s ceremony. Nashville-based rock outfit RED, made up of Michael Barnes (vocals), Anthony Armstrong (guitar) Randy Armstrong (bass) and Joe Rickard (drums), has logged an impressive 1,300 + live shows since releasing its debut album End Of Silence in 2006. Since the emergence of the band’s GRAMMY nominated debut, which has scanned more than 400,000 units to date, RED has delivered two Top 10 Active Rock singles, three Top 10 Mainstream Rock singles and ten consecutive No. 1 hits at Christian radio. In addition, the band has maintained a near-constant presence on the road, performing alongside notable rock names such as Hinder, 3 Doors Down, Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Godsmack, Sevendust, Drowing Pool, Flyleaf, Seether, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Staind, Third Day, Switchfoot, Skillet and others. Rave reviews for the band’s live shows and albums have been featured in top media outlets including USA Today and Billboard.
Most recently, RED’s Until We Have Faces (Feb. 1, 2011) was the highest debut in the country with the No. 2 spot on the coveted Billboard Top 200 its first week out. Additionally, the project claimed the No. 1 spots on the following Nielsen SoundScan charts: Current Hard Music, Current Rock Music, Current Alternative, Christian Rock, Current Contemporary Christian Album and Record Label Independent charts.

Times Of Grace Join Underoath On Illuminato(u)r
Open your mind and your eyes, hard rock fans! You are about to be illuminated this summer, thanks to the “Illuminato(u)r,” a brand new road trek featuring some of the best and, well, brightest bands in the scene! Underoath will headline “Illuminato(u)r,” with support provided by a stellar lineup that includes Times of Grace, Stray From the Path and Letlive. Multi Grammy nominated, globally successful and acclaimed heavy rock group Underoath was transformed by the arrival of new drummer Daniel Davison. Underoath – Tim McTague (guitars), Spencer Chamberlain (vocals), Grant Brandell (bass), Chris Dudley (keyboards) and James Smith (guitars) — recently released the album Ø (Disambiguation) that emphatically surpasses, in terms of craftsmanship and cohesion, its predecessors, which combined have sold well over 1 million copies.
Times of Grace is a new project featuring Killswitch Engage guitarist (and super producer) Adam Dutkiewicz, who reteams with original KsE vocalist Jesse Leach. Their debut, The Hymn of a Broken Man, finds the duo capitalizing on their past chemistry and creating something entirely new and exciting. Outburn called the album “unequivocally one of the finest records you’ll hear this year….a truly stunning achievement,” handing it a 10 out of 10 rating! Underoath guitarist Tim McTague said, “We are super excited to be touring with Times of Grace, Stray From the Path and Letlive. This is one of the better musical packages we have put together in a long time and think across the board it will be a great experience.” Times of Grace vocalist Jesse Leach also commented, “I have always admired what Underoath does. I am quite pleased to have the honor to share the stage with a band that has pushed boundaries and maintained integrity all of these years. I believe on and off stage this will be a tour to remember. It’s a great mix of music and spirit not to be missed.” The tour winds through the country for a little over a month, kicking off on July 5th in Raleigh, North Carolina and wraps on August 12th in Columbus, Ohio.
Tour Dates:
7/5 – Raleigh, NC
7/6 – Allentown, PA
7/7 – Farmingdale, NY
7/8 – Sayreville, NJ
7/10 – Hartford, CT
7/11 – Portland, ME
7/12 – Clifton Park, NY
7/13 – Baltimore, MD
7/15 – Louisville, KY
7/16 – Sauget, IL
7/18 – Little Rock, AR
7/20 – Bloomington, IL
7/21 – Toledo, OH
7/22 – Syracuse, NY
7/26 – Grand Rapids, MI
7/27 – Milwaukee, WI
7/28 – Cedar Falls, IA
7/29 – Lawrence, KS
7/30 – Omaha, NE
8/1 – Colorado Springs, CO
8/3 – San Antonio, TX
8/5 – Whitehouse, TX
8/7 – New Orleans, LA
8/9 – Nashville, TN
8/10 – Asheville, NC
8/11 – Richmond, VA
8/12 – Columbus, OH

Family Force 5 On Road With New EP
Family Force 5 embark on TOURtantula with special guests Stereo Skyline, Swimming with Dolphins and Since Forever. Band releases limited edition EP titled ‘lll’ (pronounced ‘three’) only available on their online store and on the Tourantula tour.
‘III’ Track Listing:
1) Dang Girl
2) Wobble
3) You Got It
To get up close and more personal then usual with the band fans are invited to attend ARACHNOCOUSTICA, a pre-show event that includes an acoustic set by Family Force 5, a meet-n-greet with the band and an autographed VIP laminate. Later on in the evening the band will plug-in and give the crowd a taste of what they can expect from FF5’s upcoming summer CD release, this tour will be the first time the new tracks will be premiered in front of an audience. Later this summer see the band on Van’s Warped Tour 11 from July 20 – August 14. New CD out summer 2011.

Dynasty Releases New Song
Dynasty has released a new song from their upcoming Strike First debut Truer Living with a Youthful Vengeance. Go have a listen to “Way of the Wolf” here and then get entered to win a pair of custom Dynasty Nikes by pre ordering the new album. The band will be releasing Truer Living…, mixed and mastered by Paul Miner (H2O, Terror, Ignite), on May 24. Dynasty will be out promoting the new album with Call To Preserve on CTP’s farewell tour this summer, dates TBA.

Alice Cooper Gets “Golden God” Award
The 3rd annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS presented by Epiphone– America’s only hard-rock and heavy-metal award show–announced this year’s winners recently at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. Highlights from the REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS will be broadcast on VH1 Classic on Saturday, May 28. Revolver will release a special Golden Gods issue of the magazine on May 24. The full list of winners and presenters for the 3rd ANNUAL REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS is as follows:
1) Hunted: The Demon’s Forge® Golden God Award: Alice Cooper (presented by Rob Zombie)
2) Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award: Mötley Crüe (presented by Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour.)
3) Honorary Headbanger Award: William Shatner (presented by Scott Ian of Anthrax and The Damned Things and comedian Brian Posehn)
4) Epiphone® Best Guitarists Award: Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Robb Flynn of Machine Head and Wayne Static of Static X)
5) Drum Workshop® Best Drummer Award: Mike Portnoy for his work with Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Vinnie Paul of Pantera/HellYeah)
6) Best New Band Award: Black Veil Brides (presented by
7) Duff McKagan of Loaded/Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses)
Most Metal Athlete Award: Skateboarder Mike Vallely (presented by Chino Moreno of Deftones)
9) Rockstar Energy® Best Vocalist Award: M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless and Sebastian Bach)
10) Samson/Zoom® Best Live Band Award: Rammstein (presented by Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Mike Portnoy)
11) Eagle Rock® Comeback of the Year Award: Murderdolls (presented by David Coverdale of Whitesnake)
12) Affliction® Album of the Year Award: Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains)

Hope For The Dying Release Debut
Hope for the Dying has released their Facedown debut Dissimulation which is striking a chord with reviewers everywhere. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this album yet, please do! Their ability to transcend the genre is impressive… – lmpmagazine Dramatic, intense guitar-driven metal. The arrangement of symphonic elements throughout the album are dramatic, moving and emotionally charged. – thenewreview.net The entire album flows perfectly from beginning to end. Dissimulation is one of the best metal albums to come around in a while. – jesusfreakhideout.com If you haven’t heard of Hope for the Dying, then you should. – indievisionmusic.com Do not overlook this Facedown gem. This is new, this is different. – hopecore.com Dissimulation is available now from Facedown Records.

The Beckoning Release Videoclip
A homemade videoclip for the song “Withered” by the Christian Gothic Metal band THE BECKONING.The song and video are meant as a tribute to the persecuted Church worldwide. e.This is my band that I have with my wife.We are grateful for the opportunity to use the blessed gift of music to honor our Lord Jesus Christ and pay tribute to our brethren suffering for the sake of The Gospel. God bless!

Hyland’s Debut Hits
One of Tooth & Nail Records’ most promising new signings, Hyland, is released their label debut on May 3rd. Their debut, Weights & Measures, was showcased with multiple hometown release shows in Minneapolis, MN. Following their release, Hyland hit the road on the Mother May I tour with Abandon Kansas and Wavorly starting May 13th through June 4th. Check out their Facebook for dates and details in a city near you. On Memorial Day weekend, Hyland will join the pop-sensation Plain White T’s for the JOURNEY’s Backyard BBQ – May 28th. The JOURNEY’S Backyard BBQ is a free event for all ages, and is held in five major cities across the nation May-June. More details and schedule here.

Sojourn Music Release “The Water and the Blood”
It is significant that Sojourn has released their new indie Christian album, The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts two days after Easter. Their seventh recording is timed perfectly to appreciate, reflect, and find more meaning in the sacred holiday. The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts takes you through hymns that have a distinct Roots/Americana feel to them while communicating a universal message to their audience. Musicians with backgrounds in jazz, country, pop, and punk rock came together for a common cause while seeking to serve the Church with meaningful contemporary music. Since launching in 2000, Sojourn Music has recorded 7 albums of original music, including the critically-acclaimed album Before the Throne. Sojourn’s music is very powerful. The members of the band come from a church with three campuses in Louisville, with 2500+ people gathering on Sundays for worship. The musicianship on The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is exceptional, which gives their message more of a universal touch point for those that have not been exposed to their unique brand of Christian artistry. Every word is felt on the recording because the vocals are on par with the music, making for a touching blend of spirit compelled with the belief that a positive message simply cannot be ignored. The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is available on CD, Digital format and vinyl LP. “We’re excited to release this new collection of hymns. It’s music that comes from a real sense of community and faith, connecting emerging generations from the 300-year-old work of the father of the English hymn. We can’t wait to introduce you to Isaac Watts,” states Michael Cosper, Pastor of Worship and Arts for Sojourn Community Church.

MCMB Members Start Clothing Company
Robert Bloomfield and Matthew Hasting of the band MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE are proud to announce the launch of their very own clothing company, VICIOUS WORLD. “We were very picky about the designs we wanted,” comments Matthew Hasting. “We want to make people think. Question everything around you. The world we live in is full of corruption. Whether you want to be or not, we are all apart of this vicious world.” VICIOUS WORLD started with both founders wanting another avenue of creative expression and also being upset with how shirts never fitted them correctly. As a result, you have perfectly fitted garments with killer designs and slogans such as “It’s A Vicious World After All,” and “’Til Death Do We Art.” Creating a new and refreshing design that caters to youth culture is something that both Robert Bloomfield and Matthew Hasting aspire to. VICIOUS WORLD will be manufacturing a limited edition line of new shirts and the full line can be viewed here.
For more information on VICIOUS WORLD, please visit these sites:
theviciousworld.com
facebook.com/theviciousworld

Peter Furler To Release Solo Album
With multiple GRAMMY nominations and Dove awards, “Songwriter of the Year” nods and musical talent that has driven the sales of five RIAA Certified Gold records, over seven million albums sold and 25 No. 1 songs, Peter Furler returns to music after ending his long tenure in 2009 as the lead singer of newsboys, the band he founded in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia. Refreshed and reawakened to the joy of music, Furler steps out with his first solo album, ON FIRE, releasing June 21 on Sparrow Records. After amicably leading newsboys through its transition to the current lineup, Furler stepped away from non-stop touring, sold much of what he owned – cars, home, his shares in Inpop Records, a label he’d co-founded in 1999 that launched the careers of such notables as Newworldson, Mat Kearney and Shane & Shane, among others, etc. – moved to the Gulf of Florida and took time to reflect, express himself through visual art, surf and play music just for pure enjoyment. “I didn’t have a clue what I was doing next,” Furler reflects. “I’d been doing 100-plus shows a year, writing, then finishing a record for more than a decade. It was good, but it was a merry-go-round that was never going to stop. “Artistically and creatively, I began to see that God didn’t make the horse to win at the races, but for his pleasure – to watch it run,” continues Furler. “I had a definite yearning to get back to nature, to express myself creatively, to do something just for the joy of it.” Although initially not planning to release any of the new music created during this time, the result of this redefining period led to the most joyful and uplifting music of Furler’s career. “The songs never really stopped. They kept coming,” Furler says. “I’d take a long walk, and a song would come into my head… There is a fire shut up in my bones that I have not been able to hold in since I was a child. For me, I find its release through melody and testimony.” Furler’s music has always been about making a difference and leaving the listener encouraged, and with these new songs comes a sense of confidence like he has never experience before as a singer. Music fans are already catching a glimpse of the rejuvenated Furler as his first radio single from ON FIRE, “Reach,” is already a Billboard hit single that continues to rapidly gather national airplay. “We all need to be reminded that God is personal,” Furler says as “Reach” struck a very personal chord with him. “The One who created the heaven, the One who is everywhere and all knowing yearns deeply for us… He cares for us individually, where we are.” Writing, producing, recording and singing such international classics as “He Reigns,” “Shine,” “Something Beautiful” and “It is You,” Furler is one of Australia’s biggest exports of any musical genre. With a raw honesty and ability to turn a rock show into a deep worship experience, Furler is a favorite on the touring circuit. He has collectively performed to over 15,000 Muslims in Morocco, for the Pope during World Youth Day, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at a 9/11 service for U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon, at a New Age festival on the shores of Galilee in Israel, and rocked the punters at an outback pub in Australia. As one of the most successful, award-winning artists today continues his musical journey, more information on the new album and upcoming tour plans will be revealed soon.

©2011 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved

More news from last week:

still fresh (as far as you know)

Open your mind and your eyes, hard rock fans! You are about to be illuminated this summer, thanks to the “Illuminato(u)r,” a brand new road trek featuring some of the best and, well, brightest bands in the scene! Underoath will headline “Illuminato(u)r,” with support provided by a stellar lineup that includes Times of Grace, Stray From the Path and Letlive. The lineup was announced yesterday on www.underoath777.com, along with the premiere of the band’s new video for the song “Paper Lung.” Excitement and buzz about the tour has already been ramped up and is steadily building online and beyond.

Multi Grammy nominated, globally successful and acclaimed heavy rock group Underoath was transformed by the arrival of new drummer Daniel Davison. Underoath – Tim McTague (guitars), Spencer Chamberlain (vocals), Grant Brandell (bass), Chris Dudley (keyboards) and James Smith (guitars) — recently released the album Ø (Disambiguation) that emphatically surpasses, in terms of craftsmanship and cohesion, its predecessors, which combined have sold well over 1 million copies.

Times of Grace is a new project featuring Killswitch Engage guitarist (and super producer) Adam Dutkiewicz, who reteams with original KsE vocalist Jesse Leach. Their debut, The Hymn of a Broken Man, finds the duo capitalizing on their past chemistry and creating something entirely new and exciting.  Outburn called the album “unequivocally one of the finest records you’ll hear this year….a truly stunning achievement,” handing it a 10 out of 10 rating!

Underoath guitarist Tim McTague said, “We are super excited to be touring with Times of Grace, Stray From the Path and Letlive. This is one of the better musical packages we have put together in a long time and think across the board it will be a great experience.”

Times of Grace vocalist Jesse Leach also commented, “I have always admired what Underoath does. I am quite pleased to have the honor to share the stage with a band that has pushed boundaries and maintained integrity all of these years. I believe on and off stage this will be a tour to remember. It’s a great mix of music and spirit not to be missed.”

The tour winds through the country for a little over a month, kicking off on July 5^th in Raleigh, North Carolina and wraps on August 12^th in Columbus, Ohio.

Learn more about the tour by going here and follow the before, during and after happenings on Twitter with @illuminatour.

Tour dates are as follows:

7/05 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre

7/06 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

7/07 Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey

7/08 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

7/10 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater

7/11 Portland, ME @ State Theater

7/12 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights

7/13 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

7/15 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five

7/16 Sauget, IL @ Pops

7/18 Little Rock, AR @ Riverfront Pavilion

7/20 Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theater

7/21 Toledo, OH @ Headliners

7/22 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater

7/26 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection

7/27 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

7/28 Cedar Falls, IA @ Wheelhouse

7/29 Lawrence, KS @ Granada

7/30 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium

8/01 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep

8/03 San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live

8/05 Whitehouse, TX @ The Warehouse

8/07 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues

8/09 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

8/10 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

8/11 Richmond, VA @ The National

8/12 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall