That Time Revolver Went the Way of the Buffalo

Korn's new record hits the shelves on Dec 6th, but is already polarizing metal fans, maybe better stated rock fans. With pieces of the album being released and lambasted by anyone who has any sense of self respect, it was an utter surprise that Revolver Magazine has not only put it in their top 20 records of the year, but named it the best album of 2011.

All things considered The Path of Totality is not the worst album of the year (I reserve that for Lulu), and they are embarking on territory that is not unfamiliar. Venturing into the dubstep realm is not a departure from their mixtures of the past, working with electronica artists and carving a small home out of the charred remains of the Nu Metal take over from the late 90s.

It is simply astounding though how this relic of the doldrums of 90s metal can garner the accolades of the 'premiere' hard rock magazine Revolver with an album that has not even been heard yet by most people. There is no doubt that it will sell, chart, and earn some praise, but with releases from Mastodon, Anthrax, Machine Head, Weedeater and so many more amazing bands allowing this to be the 'best' defies logic.

Yet the fact that this will ruffle the feathers of so many with an opinion, this may be a smart move just to make sure people are talking and buying magazines, however, my subscription is now cancelled.

Limp Bizkit Are Back on Top

In the time before time there was a band that was really popular with all those guys who like to mosh in sandals and can only hug if they have their shirts off, that band of bros was Limp Bizkit. In a stark realization that they were not going to have a career in reality TV back in 2002, someone in 2011 decided it would be a swell idea to get the band back together and release a new album Gold Cobra which promises to smash all previous recordings from the LB into a mysterious dimension of time and space.

Now to further shred the entire universe the Epicenter festival has put together a line up that is the most exciting thing since my last prostate exam. Featuring such sphincter blasting talent as Buckcherry, P.O.D., Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd and Staind, I almost threw up in excitement when it was all topped off with Limp Bizkit's first American live show in 2011. I think the scariest thing is that it will probably sell out with tickets starting at $20 and I will spontaneously combust.

Metallica Working on Project with Lou Reed

Legendary rocker Lou Reed and Metallica appear to be making some kind of album together. Kirk Hammett in an interview a few months back hinted that there was going to be a project that wasn't totally a Metallica record and now we know what that project is shaping up to be, well at least in the personnel department.

From Metallica.com:

A few months ago our own Kirk Hammett hinted at a new Metallica project that's "not really 100 percent a Metallica record." While Kirk may have jumped the gun a little (and has since been properly punished with a series of push-ups!), we are more than proud to announce that we have just completed recording a full length album that is a collaboration with none other than the legendary Lou Reed.

Ever since we had the pleasure of performing with Lou at the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009, we have been kicking around the idea of making a record together. Some of you astute Bay Area residents may have picked up news of recent Lou Reed sightings in the greater San Francisco area and we have indeed been working at our home studio at HQ on and off over the last few months. In what would be lightning speed for a Metallica related project, we recorded ten songs during this time and while at this moment we're not exactly sure when you'll hear it, we're beyond excited to share with you that the recording sessions wrapped up last week.

A true innovator and easily one of the most influential songwriters, musicians, and performers in rock music history, Lou's work with the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist has such an enduring quality that he has long been revered and respected by us and many of our peers. We can't wait for you to listen to the finished record, so as we like to hear ourselves say around here, keep watching this spot for updates . . . we'll be back with more details as they come together.

The Metallica crew played with the legendary singer at the 25th anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show back in 2009, which seemed a little insane then, and now we will simply have to wait and see how this project turns out. We have all heard what happens when they experiment with their sound, but I think Lou Reed is one hell of a songwriter so it promises to be interesing. Watch the performance from RRHOF below.