Ah, Eluveitie… my favorite fiddling, fluting, hurdy gurdying heavy metal motherfuckers around. Hot off the heels of 2009’s acoustic album “Invocation I: The Arcane Dominion”, Eluveitie is ready to drop another hot discload of folksy metal on our eager and wanting faces. The band’s 5th album, “Everything Remains (As It Never Was)” will be released February 15th, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, and included on that album will be a little rocker called “Thousandfold”. And wudyaknow… they have a music video for it!! And it’s here on this page!!! So fucking watch it already!!!!

Fledgling guitar virtuoso Antoine Dufour and his pal, fiddler extraordinaire Tommy Gauthier, may have become webfamous from their amusing (and pretty freaking impressive) “Four Hands Guitar” YouTube video, but these guys are certainly no joke when it comes to jamming on their own tunes. Best showcasing both of these artists’ immense talents is a track from Antoine’s 2006 album, ‘Development’ entitled “Spiritual Groove”. Sure, this may not be metal, but I’ll be goddamned if it isn’t fucking awesome.

To see the 2 man 1 guitar rendition of Jerry Reed’s “Jerry’s Breakdown” that brought these guys into the netnerd spotlight back in 2007 (and which has since reached nearly 9 million views), continue on with the post…

If you’re not familiar with the fantastic acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, you should be kicked square in the teeth. These fiery Mexicans know how to crank out the jams! They may not be “metal” in the usual sense of the word, but they sure know how to take a classic heavy song like Metallica’s “Orion” and create one kick ass cover tune. More kickassingly, as rumored on several metal blogs across the net, Rodrigo y Gabriela’s Oct 17th performance had a very special guest… Rob Trujillo, bassist for Metallica, who joined the band onstage for a very special performance of that very tune! Check out the video below for some groovy guitar goodness:

More Rodrigo y Gabriela y Trujillo Videos: Metal Insider
Rodrigo y Gabriela – “Ixtapa” (live): YouTube

Well, as I’m sure no one has noticed, it’s been a long damn time since I’ve posted anything on this here site of mine. For some reason I just haven’t felt all that inclined to write about much. Sure, I’ve seen some damn good flicks over the past few months, and yes, I’ve had a few adventures… hell, I guess you could say I’ve been a lazy, lazy fuck. So… well… sorry I guess. Now, back to business.

Over the past few months I’ve really been getting into a little-known hard rockin’ outfit by the name of Volbeat. These Danish s.o.b.s know what’s up when it comes to some oldschool hard-rock-and-freaking-roll! With obvious influences from classic rock ‘n roll bands of old, it’s a tad hard to categorize their sound… I’ve heard them referred to as Elvis-Metal, and with some songs I could justify that comparison. But don’t be fooled. Volbeat can be some heavy, heavy mufuckas. You just have to look past a few somewhat ridiculous lyrics and some English mispronunciations on their singers part (personally, I give him a break considering English isn’t his first language). “Keep it on my baby sukupa dupa lupa dup pop”? Okay man, I’ll let it slide, just make sure you blow my face off with some rocking tunes to accompany that mouthful of nonsense.

And with that I present exhibit A: “A Moment Forever” from their second album ‘Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil’:

Sure, like most bands, Volbeat likes to mix it up a bit. They have slow songs, fast songs, heavy songs, soft songs… but without a doubt, they all have one things in common: they’re all really fucking good. So do your earholes a favor and check these guys out already.

On one quick final note: I experienced a truly jubilant morning a few weeks back when I found out that, beyond all of my expectations, these guys were added as the openers for the Metallica show I’m hitting up this November. Will I be getting to the venue early to check these guys out? You damn well better believe it.

Official Website: www.volbeat.dk
Official MySpace: www.myspace.com/volbeat

HOLY HELL. According to several sources, including Metal Hammer Magazine and Blabbermouth.net, Fear Factory fans are in for one hell of a headbanging gift come this Summer. Band mainmen Burton C. Bell (vocals) and Dino Cazarez (guitar) have finally put aside their petty differences and joined forces in Fear Factory once again! Joining them to form the strongest FF lineup imaginable is bassist Byron Stroud and drumming god Gene Hoglan. Gene – fucking – Hoglan. I swear, the simple addition of Gene can increase the ballscrushingly-awesomenessitude of any band tenfold. Words can barely express how amazing I think this all sounds (and my creation of several new words in the previous sentence only strengthen this argument).

Fear Factory: Deluxe Edition plans to play several shows this Summer, though no word on what those shows may be just yet. My guess is a few festivals overseas or in the U.S. if we’re lucky (though chances of that are low since the U.S. is sadly lacking in the metalfests our European headbanging brethen enjoy every year). The band also plans to record a new album in the near future. I, for one, can’t wait to hear what these guys can come up with. I’ve liked their last 2 albums without Dino, so I’m interested to hear if he can bring the band to a new whole level… or if we’ll be punished with another Digimortal. Please… oh god please… NO.

For a quick and to-the-point reminder of Fear Factory’s glory days, enjoy the video below…

THERE! IS! NO! LOOOOOOVE!

Eluveitie – Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion

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Not quite up to par with many of the other acoustic instrumental tracks off their two previous albums, at times Eluveitie’s newest is still an excellent, mellow listen for days you’re wanting something unique, interesting… and very celtic-sounding. Though it is odd not hearing usual vocalist, Christian “Chrigel” Glanzmann, belting through every verse, Hurdy Gurdist Anna Murphy’s vocal performance throughout the album is exceptional and much more fitting to this lighter selection of music.
Recommended Tracks: Brictom, The Cauldron of Renascence, Omnos

Devin Townsend Project – Ki

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A look at the very low key side of formally skullet-clad Devin Townsend, this is an eclectic collection of some of the best-written and catchy Townsend material to date. The first in a 4-part collection, Townsend described Ki as being an appetizer for what is to come with the remaining releases… if this album is any indication, we’re in for quite an amazing main course.
Recommended Tracks: Coast, Heaven Send, Lady Helen

Heaven & Hell – The Devil You Know

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Ronnie James Dio and the Black Sabbath boys bring oldschool heavy metal back to life in this amazing, groove-laden behemoth of a metal album. Tony Iommi is at his best and even after 40 years of rocking our faces off, the 66 year-old Ronnie James Dio proves he still has some of best pipes in heavy metal. This album is huge, heavy, and easily lives up to they hype. Highly recommended for Black Sabbath fans, Dio fans, and hell, every other self-respecting metalhead.
Recommended Tracks: Eating the Cannibals, Bible Black, Rock and Roll Angel