Guitarist Michael Amott of Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Eternal Descent comic. The issue will be available for pre-order from April 2012.
Llexi Leon, creator of the multimedia concept Eternal Descent, recruits ESP artists for cameo appearances in the Eternal Descent comic, which is inspired by a host of iconic metal musicians. The initial launch issue was released on March 31, 2010 with subsequent issues released every few months, spotlighting GOD FORBID guitarist Doc Coyle in issue 2, Gus G. of FIREWIND and OZZY OSBOURNE in issue 3, Wayne Static of STATIC-X in issue 4 and Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel of ATREYU in issue 5.
In a recent interview with Molten magazine, Amott stated about his collaboration with Eternal Descent, "I never thought I'd get to do it [but] I'm excited!" Regarding what fans can expect from his character, Michael said, "[Eternal Descent] sent me a list of questions and asked whether [I] wanted to be the bad guy or the good guy and I said the bad guy, of course!"
Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away earlier this week (Wednesday, January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old. Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.
RIOT said in a statement: "To friends and fans of Mark Reale and RIOT, we are deeply saddened to confirm that Mark has lost his battle with a lifelong illness. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated by Mark's family, friends, and bandmates at this difficult time."
Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn's disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT's new album, "Immortal Soul", and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark's creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, the world's largest touring heavy music festival is back for its fifth year, The main stage will be our strongest ever with the headlining slot occupied by multi-platinum Iowa legends SLIPKNOT. Next up will be legendary thrash metal kings SLAYER and then a major special guest (rumored to be MOTÖRHEAD) will be playing in the third slot, the details of which will be announced on March 5. The main stage will also spotlight a ferocious mix of today's best artists in a rotation, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA.
In 2012 the tour has upgraded the production on the festival stage and this year the Jägermeister Stage will feature a special headline set by metal masters ANTHRAX supported by a rotation of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA, along with WHITECHAPEL, HIGH ON FIRE and the Jägermeister opener. Please note that bands may vary per market.
SLIPKNOT SLAYER
ANTHRAX
AS I LAY DYING
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
ASKING ALEXANDRIA
WHITECHAPEL HIGH ON FIRE
The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will make a 26-date trek across the U.S. beginning on June 30 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. Get Off Your Ass pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday, April 6. Tune in to www.rockstarmayhemfest.com for up-to-date ticketing information.
Jun. 30 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
Jul. 01 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
Jul. 03 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
Jul. 04 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
Jul. 06 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
Jul. 07 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
Jul. 08 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul. 10 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
Jul. 11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jul. 13 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
Jul. 14 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Jul. 15 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
Jul. 18 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul. 21 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 22 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 24 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Jul. 25 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
Jul. 28 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
Jul. 29 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
Jul. 31 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 01 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake PAC
Aug. 03 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
Aug. 04 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
Aug. 05 - Hartford, CT - The Comcast Theatre
