10.08 Locke on Rock

By Jillian Locke, Music Editor

Welcome to the month to end all months! The mighty winds of October are sweeping through, bringing throngs of ghouls, ghosties, and metal music that will keep you awake all night! We’ve got Rock and Shock for THREE WHOLE DAYS, plus a few more blacker than black shows that’ll be sure to make your skin crawl with diabolical delight, making you wish every month were as fiendish and full of glowing foliage as the mighty month of October! Cheers to All Hallows’ Eve and all the decadent delight that this mystical month has in store!

Let’s begin with a band that makes every day Halloween – the vampiric masters of the macabre and the occult, Cradle of Filth. COF was the first actual metal band I ever devoured; in fact, they were the first band that made me realize I had a penchant for describing the most evil of licks and the most lurid of black imagery. Ten years after they unleashed “Cruelty and the Beast,” a concept album based on the life and vicious crimes of Elizabeth Bathory, COF has another twisted fairy tale to offer ~ “Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder,” in which Dani Filth chose to focus on the demonic and homicidal escapades of the 15th century child murderer Gilles de Rais, who was first and foremost known for his service to Joan of Arc. “de Rais was a pious man who served as a bodyguard for Joan of Arc. When she was burned for heresy, he lost his connection to God through her…He eventually slid to the other end of things, and began communicating with demons and murdering children,” Dani explains. “The music has that same feel, that magic that was purveyed on ‘Cruelty.’ We were turning it into our own fairy tale. It’s all factual; we just twist it every now and then. We’re not glorifying it…we’ve just Cradle-fied it,” Dani adds, a grin almost audible through the phone. The release of the album is set for October 28th on Roadrunner Records and will also coincide with the book “Gospel of Filth: A Bible of Decadence and Darkness” that Dani has been working on with occult historian Gavin Baddeley for three and a half years. For a sneak peak at one of the freshest tracks off the album, get thee to myspace.com/cradleoffilth.

Rock and Shock will have its share of horror-enthusiasts and obsessors, especially amongst the bands. One band, however, is there purely to uproot The Palladium: Between the Buried and Me. “I’m really not that into horror movies…I get really scared,” confesses bassist Dan Briggs. Pretty surprising, considering the sheer size in sound and thundering blasts that BTBAM emits in every performance. Currently touring for 2007’s undeniable masterpiece “Colors,” BTBAM will be sharing the stage with The Black Dahlia Murder and headliners Children of Bodom Friday night, October 10th. “This is a very metal tour!” Not only that, but it’s a very metal tour that’s bringing the southern boys back to Worcester for the first time in 3 and a half years. “Worcester is our last date on this tour, and it’s the last hurrah for the ‘Colors’ tour,” says Briggs. Soak up the sights and sounds of the convention, then scurry over next door to catch a glimpse of the metal apocalypse. And check out these sites, particularly the latter, for the entire album accompanied by videos and interpretations.
myspace.com/betweentheburiedandmeband, betweentheburiedandme

Stuck in traffic on 495S on during rush hour on Friday, September 19^th, I had to call Opeth’s tour manager to let him know I was running late for my interview with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Akderfeldt. Fortunately, I showed up only 15 minutes late, and was greeted with a smile and a Guinness from said tour manager. My kind of interview! The 14 minutes I spent talking with Akerfeldt were actually soothing. He’s probably one of the most soft spoken, eloquent individuals I’ve ever met, especially about the work that went into the making of their 2008 Roadrunner release, Watershed. This album, it turns out, Akerfeldt actually enjoyed recording. “In the past, I put myself under a lot of pressure because I’ve never finished the songs. I ended up writing everything in the studio, and you know, you don’t know if it’s good. But this time around, everything was written. I demoed all the songs and sequenced them in the order I wanted them on the album. I went on walks and listened to them before we recorded. So I was sure the songs were good.” So what was different this time? “Discipline, actually,” Akderfeldt confesses. It’s something we needed… it really helped – it made it more fun. With that disciplined kind of schedule and recording, we felt somewhat of a bigger freedom, which sounds like a contradiction, but that’s what I felt. After we were finished the album it wasn’t like we had fought a war.”

What to my ear sounded like a more consistent flow of sound, Akerfeldt disagrees. “This one is probably the most diverse record in the sense that it’s more evident that some of the parts, uh, we’ve never done anything like that before – there’s a funk sounding riff on there…we’re experimenting a little bit. We just went for it. We’re not really afraid to be out of order.” Supported by the mighty High on Fire and Nachtmystium, The Palladium swarmed and swooned for the brutal, the raunchy, and the progressive…metal…death metal…well, you decide at www.myspace.com/opeth, www.opeth.com. Either way, it’s epic, ground-breaking, and a staple in the wide world of metal, and you know it.

September 30^th saw the release of Trivium’s fourth album, Shogun. Named after the supreme militia in ancient feudal Japan, Trivium feels their latest effort is the strongest to date. “This record is a different ball game. We’ve pushed the boundaries on the brutality and melody. We went outside the box this time,” bassist Paolo Gregoletto attests. This time around, Trivium set their sights on Nashville, where Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Stone Sour) helped them break through to new territory. “Nick’s amazing. He helped bring us to a new level. Going forward, this is what our sound will be matched to.” Drawing heavily from Matt Heafy’s Japanese heritage, Trivium is utilizing the powerful imagery on stage. “It’s a powerful title for the album, and the music just fit. It’s vivid, and it stands out. It draws people. We just started touring and people are really digging the imagery we have on stage,” says Gregoletto. Although Trivium won’t be touching down in MA, check out their other nearby tour dates and purchase Shogun at www.myspace.com/trivium, www.trivium.org.

I am officially pissed I missed the October 2^nd show that Amorphis label mates Samael and Black Virgin rocked at the Palladium! I did, however, get the chance to talk to Esa Holopainen, the founder and mastermind behind the Finnish progressive soundscape titans Amorphis. The band’s name, which means, according to their website, “no determinate form or shape,” pretty accurately describes the floating, soaring metallic-scapes created by a band that has evolved from their previous death metal roots to a more experimental approach. For Silent Waters, their 2007 Nuclear Blast release, Amorphis based the entire lyrical content on a single episode from Elias Lonnrot’s “Kalevala,” the Finnish National epic poem. “We wanted to resurrect the old stories in our music. We’re breathing new life into the music that we’re doing, and we’re always trying to find new stories,” Holopainen says. “The new album has more aggressive elements, more atmosphere, and is more emotional. We’re trying to create emotions and fears through the music. All the elements are there, but with more flair. It’s more of what we wanted to keep throughout the music.” Perhaps that new life is also a result of the energizing line-up changes they’ve made throughout the years. “With new members comes new music and new ideas.” Holopainen attributes most of that change to new recruit Santeri Kallio. “He’s a proper keyboard player and he brings so much quality to the music. He’s more aggressive with the keyboards.” It is apparent, as the saying goes, that change is good. The tour touched down last night in Worcester, and continues through the 18^th, landing in Houston, TX. www.myspace.com/amorphis, www.amorphis.net

On October 17^th, The Blackest of the Black Tour will be descending upon the Palladium, featuring headliners Danzig with Moonspell, Winds of Plague, Skeletonwitch, and black metal messiahs Dimmu Borgir. “Become your own congregation…” just about perfectly sums up the core essence of Norway’s biggest black metal band in the past 15 years, the most eloquent and evil sounding bringers of darkness. An excerpt from “Progenies of the Apocalypse,” from 2003’s Death Cult Armageddon, Dimmu Borgir has never strayed from their foundation; since 1993, the band that has brought Norwegian black metal to the mainstream have always held their message and their roots near and dear. Take, for instance, their 2007 Nuclear Blast release In Sorte Diaboli, which marks the first concept album in Dimmu Borgir’s 15 year history: “I wanted to do something different, lyrically,” says guitarist and one of the remaining two founding members (Shagrath being the other), Silenoz. “I didn’t have a specific idea. It just started writing itself. When Shagrath started to do the vocals, I realized it was quite personal material.”

The story behind the album begins as a young man’s quest for God, but ends up as something else entirely. “I think there are plenty of people that can relate on some level; symbolically, it’s very representative of some people’s upbringing and transformations.” Taking place some time during the Middle Ages, the young man’s journey goes from seeking something that feels wholly unnatural and opposed to the very core of his nature, driving him to the point of sleeplessness and starvation, but then ultimate epiphany. “I really liken it to getting rid of the clothes that don’t fit you anymore, or that you don’t like anymore, to finding the ones you really feel comfortable in,” Silenoz explains. “He embraces the idea and who he is, and accepts the darkness.” This sentiment is clear in “The Chosen Legacy” with the lyrics “I was born in opposition/A contender to creation.” Produced by Fredrik Nordstrom and Patrick J. Sten at Studio Fredman, the theme is symphonically supported by Dimmu Borgir’s Wagnerian influence and signature blend of musical annihilation spliced with the most stirring melodic black metal Norway has to offer, from the death march-esque tunings of “The Serpentine Offering” to the Metallica-reminiscient percussive assault of “The Chosen Legacy” to the completely instrumental musings of “The Fallen Arises.” In Sorte Diaboli is most likely the most mature, most calculated, and most reflective piece of work the Viking sextet has produced to date. Also note, all of the song titles start with the word “The,” suggesting chapters from a story, which is the true manifestation of this album.

For the record, Silenoz is a ridiculously grounded individual. The comfort level I experienced while talking to him led us to sharing our past experiences about attending Sunday school, and feelings of being ostracized and ridiculed for not sharing the same beliefs of those around us. When I asked him whether he considered Dimmu Borgir a Satanist or a Pagan band, he quickly responded. “I don’t like to label or categorize. I always see things from an individualistic point of view. You can’t get around the laws of nature. We’re animals, whether controlled or focused, we’re still animals and we embrace that fact. You just have to get comfortable with the darkness within you.” He also stated that, “I’m not a Satanist, I’m a guitarist.” I think that’s one of the best self-descriptions anyone has ever given me.

Silenoz is also the only member who can claim a hand in the 10/2008 DVD release The Invaluable Darkness, which is being released as a three-disc collection in the U.S. and a two disc-version in Europe. Shot during the 2007 Invaluable Darkness tour, the DVD features footage from Oslo, Berlin, and London shows. “I’m really happy with the end product,” Silenoz says. He co-produced, edited, and recorded the behind-the-scenes footage. If you watch the behind-the-scenes segment all the way through, you’ll notice touring drummer Tony Laureano is featured saying, “Dude, you gotta edit this man!”… EIGHT times! You may even notice that their snores even have Norwegian accents! The U.S. version also contains the unedited clips from the “Video Gallery,” which was apparently “too brutal for mail orders in Europe,” according to Silenoz. Interesting, considering it’s usually the other way around. There’s hope for us Yanks yet!

Check out all that is Dimmu Borgir at www.myspace.com/dimmuborgir and www.dimmu-borgir.com, and I’ll see you at Blackest of the Black, where you are sure to experience the forces of evil as they lift you up from the depths, showing you the light in the invaluable darkness!

“It’s been a long, bumpy road,” says Slim, guitarist of Boston heavy-hitting, party-harder poster boys, Bury Your Dead. “72 band members, 342 car accidents, you know, what you would expect.” For instance, their newest addition, Chris Towning, who had been filling in for former guitarist, Eric Ellis, has now officially joined the BYD ranks. “He’s awesome – really good kid. He really loved what we did. He fits.” And ironically enough, on 9/24, just a few weeks after I talked to Slim, the boys rolled their van while touring in Canada. Escaping with a few broken bones, cuts, and bruises, Bury Your Dead will still be playing the Palladium on 10/25, sans Slim, who busted up his right leg pretty well, having just undergone surgery for lacerations. “My dudes are going to do the tour and I will just be going. I have a few months until I can get back to it,” Slim says. Vocalist Myke Terry sustained a broken hand, while bassist Aaron Patrick (Bubble) suffered a broken arm. This incident also echoes another sentiment Slim expressed – the motto for his musical/professional/party-on journey, “What Would Motley Crue Do?” “I listened to Motley Crue growing up,” Slim reflects. “They’re the coolest band ever, just ridiculous. They’ve literally died and come back to life. It’s unbelievable. It really is true, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Now, BYD have been granted another chance to prove that, as they (literally) pick up the pieces of their van, their equipment, and themselves, and continue their tour with In this Moment, Another Black Day, and Five Finger Death Punch. www.myspace.com/buryyourdead, www.weareburyyourdead.com

Also during the weekend of the 25^th, Providence, RI is hosting what is sure to be the sickest fusion festival of the year – October 24^th-26^th, Rock the Ink, brought to you by Daniel Hartwell, producer/promoter, and godfather of Locobazooka, will bring together two lifestyle realms that naturally go hand-in-hand: tattoos and metal. The titan of conventions will be taking place at the Dunkin Donuts Center and Rhode Island Convention Center. “It’s turning out to be the biggest, best, wildest festival we’ve ever been involved with. The event combines the tattoo and metal lifestyle scene. It’s the largest event of its kind in the U.S,” says Hartwell, who is more than schooled in bringing the freshest, most bad-ass entertainment to the metal masses. With the help of Paul Zukoski from Tattoo the Earth, artist manager Paul Geary (The Scorpions, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Smashing Pumpkins), and Sully Erna from Godsmack, Hartwell is pulling together an incredible roster of artists and musicians for three days of metal and ink debauchery.

Featured artists include Ami James from Miami Ink, Alex Grey (best known for his work with artists like Nirvana, Tool, and the Beastie Boys), and a slew of other local and not-so-local artists. But, as anyone who is familiar with Locobazooka knows, Hartwell is ALL about the local spotlight. “I always involve local bands and give them exposure as much as possible; these festivals really springboard their careers. Bands travel from all over the world to come to these festivals – I got 2-3000 submissions from bands all over the world to play Rock the Ink.” For instance, Worcester-boys Beware the Ides will be playing Friday night, supporting local all-stars, Killswitch Engage. Saturday night, local up-and-comers Prospect Hill will be supporting Godsmack, and Sunday brings NH local Gary Hoey to the stage to support Bret Michaels. According to Hartwell, each night has a musical theme. “Friday night, for instance, will feature real metal, like Shadows Fall, All that Remains, and KSE. Saturday will be the hard rock bands like Godsmack and Sevendust, and Sunday is more of an eclectic mix, with Badfish, Rehab, and State Radio.” So save those pennies and come prepared to experience the simultaneous pain and bliss that tattoos and metal are all about!

Check out the full line-up, spanning four stages and 50 bands, plus all the artists, vendors, and contests that will make this convention the most bad-ass gathering next to Rock and Shock at www.rocktheink.net and www.myspace.com/rocktheink, and for band submissions, email Hartwell at rocktheink@gmail.com.

Since I’ve been car-less all summer, I’ve become a bombin’ biker (on my 10 speed/mountain bike hybrid), which is how I get everywhere now…except for the shows that I can bribe my friends to take me to. Sadly, no-one came to my rescue for Beneath the Massacre, Suffocation, and Carcass at The Palladium on the 5th. Blacktail and Disappearer shredded without me at Ralph’s on the 6th. Also, I missed Helloween and Gamma Ray on the 20th, and Whitechapel and Through The Eyes of the Dead on the 23rd. F’ing Boo!

Need more reasons to get out in Worcester this month? How about the Death by Decibels tour on the 1st, featuring Kataklysm, Dying Fetus, and Eluveitie. Amorphis storms in on the 2nd (see my interview with guitarist mastermind Esa Holopainen), the Blackest of the Black tour featuring Skeletonwitch, Dimmu Borgir, and Danzig takes over on the 17th, and Bury Your Dead with Five Finger Death Punch owns the 25th. Get the skinny from Slim plus my interview with Opeth from backstage at their 9/19 show! The hits just keep on comin’! Be well, party better, and live this month to the fullest!!!