Kamis, 25 Februari 2010

MUSE


Muse adalah grup musik rock alternatif asal Inggris. Band ini dibentuk di Devon pada tahun 1994. Anggota band ini terdiri dari tiga orang, yaitu Matthew Bellamy (vokalis, gitaris, pianis), Dominic Howard (drummer), dan Chris Wolstenholme (bassis). Muse memiliki genre musik yang memadukan rock, rock progresif, musik klasik, dan elektronika. Muse juga dikenal dengan konser live yang memukau, bercirikan permainan yang energik dan efek visual yang mengagumkan.[1] Muse telah merilis empat album rekaman, dimulai dengan Showbiz pada tahun 1999, diikuti Origin of Symmetry di tahun 2001, Absolution di tahun 2003, Black Holes & Revelations di tahun 2006 dan album terbarunya The Resistance di tahun 2009. Sepanjang karirnya, Muse telah memenangkan berbagai penghargaan termasuk 5 MTV Europe Music Awards, 5 Q Awards, 4 NME Awards dan 2 Brit Awards.

Daftar isi

Sejarah

Pembentukan (1992-1997)

Pada tahun 1990-an awal, anggota-anggota Muse memiliki grup musik masing-masing di sekolah mereka. Pembentukan MUSE berawal ketika Matthew Bellamy yang berumur 14 tahun berhasil lulus audisi untuk masuk grup Dominic Howard. Ketika bassis mereka memutuskan untuk keluar, mereka meminta teman baik mereka, Chris Wolstenholme, untuk bergabung dan mempelajari gitar bass. Chris sempat menolak, tapi akhirnya memutuskan untuk bergabung. Band baru ini sempat banyak berganti nama, antara lain 'Gothic Plague', 'Carnage Mayhem', 'Fixed Penalty', dan 'Rocket Baby Dolls', sampai akhirnya menggunakan nama Muse yang dikenal sekarang. Urutan kronologis pergantian nama band ini tidak jelas, karena Muse memberikan informasi yang tidak konsisten pada wawancara-wawancara mereka.

Pada tahun 1994, masih dengan nama band 'Rocket Baby Dolls', mereka memenangkan kompetisi Battle of the Bands lokal.[2][3] Dan tak lama setelah ini, mereka mengganti nama menjadi Muse, berpindah dari Teignmouth dan mulai tampil di beberapa klub seperti Cavern di Exeter.[4]

E.P. dan Showbiz (1998-2000)

Setelah beberapa tahun membangun komunitas penggemar, Muse memainkan konser-konser pertama mereka di London dan Manchester. Band ini lalu bertemu dengan Dennis Smith, pemilik perusahaan rekaman Sawmills, yang bermarkas di Cornwall, Inggris.

Pertemuan ini akhirnya dilanjutkan dengan rekaman resmi pertama Muse, yaitu E.P. self-titled (berjudulkan nama band) yang menggunakan label Sawmills, Dangerous.[2] Lalu E.P. ke-2 mereka, Muscle Museum, meraih peringkat ke-3 pada tangga lagu indie dan mendapat perhatian dari jurnalis musik Inggris yang berpengaruh, Steve Lamacq, serta majalah musik mingguan Inggris, NME. Dennis Mills lalu membantu membangun perusahaan musik Taste Media, yang dibuat khusus untuk Muse (Muse menggunakan label ini untuk 3 album pertama mereka). Ini merupakan hal yang sangat menguntungkan untuk Muse karena mereka dapat mempertahankan keunikan musik mereka pada awal karir mereka.

Walaupun E.P. ke-2 mereka cukup sukses, banyak perusahaan rekaman Inggris tetap enggan mendukung Muse, dan banyak orang di industri musik menganggap musik Muse terlalu mirip dengan Radiohead sebagaimana halnya band-band baru asal Inggris lain saat itu. Namun, perusahaan Amerika Serikat Maverick Records mempromosikan Muse untuk tampil beberapa kali di Amerika Serikat hingga akhirnya mengontrak mereka pada tanggal 24 Desember 1998.[5] Sepulangnya dari Amerika, Taste Media mendapatkan kontrak untuk Muse di perusahaan-perusahaan rekaman di Eropa dan Australia. John Leckie, yang menjadi produser album untuk Radiohead, Stone Roses, "Weird Al" Yankovic dan The Verve, dijadikan produser album pertama Muse, Showbiz.[2][3]

Peluncuran album ini diikuti dengan penampilan pendukung pada tur band Foo Fighters dan Red Hot Chili Peppers di Amerika Serikat. Pada tahun 1999 dan 2000, Muse bermain pada beberapa festival musik di Eropa dan Australia, dan mengumpulkan banyak penggemar baru di Eropa Barat.

Origin of Symmetry dan Hullabaloo Soundtrack (2001-2002)

Album ke-2 mereka, Origin of Symmetry, dengan John Leckie sebagai produser, berisikan musik yang lebih berat dan gelap, dengan suara bass yang dalam dan terdistorsi. Muse bereksperimen dengan alat-alat musik yang tidak biasa digunakan, seperti organ gereja, Mellotron, dan peralatan drum tambahan. Muse lebih banyak mengandalkan suara tinggi Bellamy, dengan alunan arpeggio gitar dan permainan piano yang terdengar jelas, yang terinspirasi dari gerakan Romantisme khususnya musikus Rusia Sergei Rachmaninoff dan Tchaikovsky. Beberapa lagu seperti "Space Dementia" memiliki unsur klasik yang lebih kental oleh musik Rachmaninoff. Bellamy juga menyatakan adanya pengaruh dari gitaris ternama Jimi Hendrix dan Tom Morello (gitaris Rage Against The Machine dan Audioslave) dalam melodi gitar pada beberapa lagu terakhir dalam album ini.[6] Terdapat pula daur ulang dari lagu "Feeling Good", yang aslinya dibuat oleh Anthony Newley dan Leslie Bricusse dan dipopulerkan oleh Nina Simone.

Origin of Symmetry memperoleh penilaian yang beragam dari berbagai kritikus musik. Dean Carlson dari Allmusic menilai permainan Muse terlalu menyerupai Radiohead, dan menganggap lagu-lagu mereka terlalu berlebihan dan sulit diterima."[7] Sebaliknya, Roger Morton dari NME memberikan nilai 9/10 untuk album ini, mengomentari sisi yang gelap dan berani dari Muse, bahkan menilai bahwa Bellamy lebih 'gila' dari Thom Yorke, vokalis Radiohead.[8] Album ini berpotensi untuk membuat Muse semakin terkenal di Amerika Serikat, tapi Maverick tidak setuju dengan gaya vokal Bellamy yang dianggap tidak cocok untuk penyiaran radio dan meminta MUSE untuk mengubah beberapa lagu mereka sebelum dirilis di Amerika Serikat. Muse menolak permintaan ini dan meninggalkan perusahaan rekaman Maverick, yang mengakibatkan tidak dirilisnya album Origin of Symmetry ini di Amerika (album ini akhirnya dirilis di daerah tersebut pada 20 September 2005, setelah Muse menjalin kontrak dengan Warner).

Penampilan Muse selama promosi album Origin of Symmetry berhasil menarik banyak pengemar dan membangun reputasi Muse sebagai band dengan penampilan live yang luar biasa. Reputasi ini membawa Muse untuk merilis Hullabaloo Soundtrack, DVD yang berisi penampilan mereka di Le Zenith di Paris,Perancis pada tahun 2001. Lalu secara bersamaan, mereka juga merilis album ganda yang berisi B-side dan rekaman dari penampilan di Le Zenith. Album ganda single A-side juga dirilis, dengan dua lagu baru yaitu "In Your World" dan "Dead Star", yang berbeda dengan gaya opera lagu-lagu lain pada Origin of Symmetry.

Pada edisi Februari 2006 majalah Q Magazine, album Origin of Symmetry berhasil menempati peringkat ke-74 pada daftar 100 album terbaik sepanjang masa menurut penggemar.

Personil band

Personil tambahan

Berikut personil tambahan yang sering muncul pada beberapa penampilan konser Muse:

  • Morgan Nicholls – keyboard, vokal pendamping, bass, ukulele (2004, 2006 - sekarang)
  • Dan "the Trumpet Man" Newell – terompet (2006 - sekarang)
Newell memainkan terompet pada dua penampilan live; "Knights of Cydonia" dan "City of Delusion".

Diskografi

Kover album Nama album Tanggal rilis
Museshowbizalbumcover.jpg Showbiz 9 September 1999
Museoriginofsymemtryalbumcover.jpg Origin of Symmetry 18 Juni 2001
Muse Hullabaloo CD.jpg Hullabaloo Soundtrack (CD/DVD live) 1 Juli 2002
Muse - Absolution Cover UK.jpg Absolution 29 September 2003
BHARCOVER.jpg Black Holes & Revelations 3 Juli 2006
Muse - Haarp -album cover-.jpg H.A.A.R.P (CD/DVD live) 14 Maret 2008
The Resistance 14 September 2009

Penghargaan

Tahun Penghargaan Kategori Wilayah Keterangan
2000 NME Awards Best New Artist United Kingdom
2001 Kerrang! Awards Best British Band United Kingdom
2002 Kerrang! Awards Best British Live Act United Kingdom
2004 Q Awards Innovation Award United Kingdom
Kerrang! Awards Best Album United Kingdom
Q Awards Best Live Act United Kingdom
MTV EMA Best Alternative Eropa
MTV EMA Best UK & Ireland Act Eropa
2005 BRIT Awards Best Live Act United Kingdom
NME Awards Best Live Act United Kingdom
mtvU Woodie Awards Best International Amerika Serikat
2006 Q Awards Best Live Act[9] United Kingdom
MTV EMA Best Alternative Eropa
Kerrang! Awards Best Live Act[10] United Kingdom
BT Digital Music Awards Best Rock Artist United Kingdom
UK Festival Awards Best Rock Act[11] United Kingdom Untuk Reading and Leeds Festivals 2006
UK Festival Awards Best Headline Act[11] United Kingdom Untuk Reading and Leeds Festivals 2006
Vodafone Live Music Awards Best Live Act[12] United Kingdom
2007 BRIT Awards Best Live Act[13] United Kingdom
NME Awards Best British Band[14] United Kingdom
BT Digital Music Awards Best Rock Artist[15] United Kingdom
Vodafone Live Music Awards Tour of the Year[16] United Kingdom
Q Awards Best Live Act[17] United Kingdom
MTV EMA Headliner[18] Eropa
MTV EMA Best UK & Ireland Act[18] Eropa
mtvU Woodie Awards Best Performing[19] Amerika Serikat
2008 Meteor Music Awards Best International Live Performance[20] Irlandia Untuk Oxegen 2007
NME Awards Best Live Band[21] United Kingdom
MTV Asia Awards Bring Da House Down[22] Asia Untuk Muse Asia Tour 2007

Selasa, 28 Juli 2009

avenged sevenfold (a7x)


sejarah avenged sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold (juga dikenal sebagai A7X), adalah band beraliran metal core yang berasal dari Huntington Beach, California.

avenged-sevenfold

Terbentuknya Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold terbentuk pada tahun 1999 di Orange County, California. Album pertama mereka, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet direkam ketika mereka masih berumur 18 tahun. Album ini dirilis dengan label Good Life Recordings, tetapi setelah gitaris Synyster Gates masuk Avenged Sevenfold, album ini dirilis ulang dengan label Hopeless Records. Lagu “To End The Rapture” juga direkam ulang, kali ini ditambahkan dengan permainan gitar Synyster Gates.

City of Evil (2005-2007)

Tahun 2005, Amerika Serikat tengah jenuh dengan musik hip-hop dan pop yang merajalela, lalu Avenged Sevenfold merilis album mereka City of Evil tepatnya pada tanggal 8 Juni, 2005. Hits single Bat Country merupakan lagu metal/rock pertama yang merajai MTV TRL. Mereka mempopulerkan kembali solo gitar dengan duet gitaris Synyster Gates dan Zacky Vengeance yang benar-benar memanaskan area moshpit. Album tersebut mendapat sertifikat gold dan memenangkan predikat Best New Artist in a Video di MTV VMA 2006 untuk lagu Bat Country.

Avenged Sevenfold (2007-saat ini)

Tahun 2007, mereka kembali masuk studio untuk merekam lagu terbaru mereka untuk studio album ke-5 mereka. Awal Agustus 2007, mereka menjalani tur Asia Pasifik mereka, dan sempat mampir di Indonesia dan memainkan lagu mereka pertama kali di depan publik. Lagu yang berjudul Almost Easy tersebut mendapat sambutan hangat dari penggemar di seluruh dunia. Ketika itu band punk Jogjakarta Endang Soekamti didaulat menjadi band pembuka.

Tahun 2008 ini, mereka berpartisipasi sebagai headliners di tour Taste of Chaos bersama dengan Bullet for My Valentine, Atreyu, Blessthefall dan Idiot Pilot. Ketika tour, mereka merekam sebuah DVD yang mengandung 6 lagu baru mereka.

Tanggal 22 Oktober 2008, Avenged Sevenfold akan kembali manggung di Indonesia masih dengan event organizer yang sama yakni Java Musikindo dan kali ini band heavy metal Jibril didaulat menjadi band pembuka.

Anggota saat ini

  • M. Shadows – vokal
  • Synyster Gates – gitar melodi, piano, vokal
  • Zacky Vengeance – gitar ritmik, vokal
  • Johnny Christ – bass, vokal
  • The Rev – drum, perkusi, vokal, piano

Ciri khas

Mereka cenderung memainkan nuansa agresif pada vokal, gitar, dan drum (bass tetap statis). Dengan sentuhan yang dinamis, mau keras atau lambat, mereka tetap menggunakan harmonisasi yang luar biasa dan komposisi yang teratur. Sebut saja lagu-lagu yang sedikit melow, seperti Seize The Day dan Dear God, gitarnya tetap di drop Dm seperti halnya metal-metal kebanyakan. Kemudian, ciri khasnya selain komposisi dan drop, Syn memasukkan nuansa sweep picking (arpeggio) di hampir semua lagunya. Keindahan sweep picking yang dipadukan dengan kromatik, slide, dan teknik-teknik lainnya bisa kita dengar di lagu The Wicked End. Kemudian selain itu, tidak lupa juga sentuhan akustik yang membawa suasana seperti di Hawaii, bisa kita dengar di lagu Sidewinder. Tapi, satu lagi ciri khas yang tidak pernah lepas dari mereka, menduetkan gitar Syn dan Zacky, memakai double bass dengan tempo yang beberapa kali lipat beat-nya dari biasanya.

Mantan Anggota

  • Justin Sane – Bass
  • Dameon Ash – Bass
  • Matt Wendt – Bass

Rabu, 20 Mei 2009

bullet foR My valenTine


Also known as BFMV, Bullet, Jeff Killed John, 12 Pints of My Girlfriend's Blood
Origin Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom
Genre(s) Metalcore, heavy metal, thrash metal
Years active 1998 onward
Label(s) Columbia, Trustkill, Gun/Sony-BMG, Jive
Website bulletformyvalentine1.com
Members
Matt Tuck
Michael Paget
Jason James
Michael Thomas
Former members
Nick Crandle

Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, Wales, formed in 1998. The band started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana under the band name "Jeff Killed John". Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released. Two of these songs were later re-made for their debut album as Bullet for My Valentine. The song title "Eye Spy" was changed to "Hit the Floor" and "Nation to Nation" was changed to "Turn to Despair". There were lyric changes and changes in tempo, guitar, drums, bass, and overall sound for the songs as well. Financial difficulties marked a change in music direction and name for the band and so the band went through numerous name changes, until deciding on "Bullet for My Valentine".[1] In 2002 the band was offered a record deal by Roadrunner Records. That offer was not taken, and the band later secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG.[2]

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album The Poison was released on October 3, 2005 in the United Kingdom and on Valentine's Day in America in 2006 to represent their band name "Bullet for My Valentine", the album was dedicated to long time friend Liam Roy Denning, and entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, and the Top Heatseekers chart at number 1, and has sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S. The band made appearances at the Download Festival, Kerrang! XXV, and a United States tour with Rob Zombie, which the band were ultimately kicked off due to vocalist Matthew Tuck's comments on the band's message board. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album Scream Aim Fire debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 53,000 copies.[3].

Contents

[hide]

History

As Jeff Killed John (1998–2002)

Jeff Killed John was the forerunner band for Bullet for My Valentine and was formed in 1998 by Matthew "Matt" Tuck (rhythm guitar and vocals), Michael "Padge" Paget (lead guitar) and Michael "Moose" Thomas (drums) while studying music at Bridgend College. Playing Nirvana and Metallica covers, the band released a two-track release in compact disc format in 2002 produced by Greg Haver, and was called You/Play With Me. It was financed through the Pynci scheme for new Welsh musicians and the release garnered the band radio airplay on live Radio 1's broadcast at Newport's T.J.'s.[4]

Jeff Killed John's members wanted to follow the nu metal trend set by bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit — playing what they thought would get them far and what record labels wanted to hear. Bassist Crandle left the band on the eve of entering the recording studio and was replaced by Jason "Jay" James. As nu metal had started to become less popular, the band gave it one final shot by changing their name to Bullet for My Valentine, a name which refers to the "loving lyrical content". A change in music direction was agreed on, and the band played what they wanted to rather than follow the influential bands at the time.

Record label signing (2002–2005)

For six-to-ten months, Bullet for My Valentine played at concerts to attract the interest of record labels. At a show in London, Roadrunner Records showed interest and offered the band a deal. The label was ultimately turned down, and the band signed a five year record deal with Sony BMG, and a United Kingdom licensing deal with Visible Noise. The choice to choose Sony as said by frontman Tuck was "We thought that a lot more doors would be open to us with the Sony deal".[5]

A self-titled EP was released on November 15, 2004 in the U.K., and November 30, 2004 in the United States. Produced by Colin Richardson and mixed by Andy Sneap, the EP featured five tracks and marked the band's first official release.[6] A second EP, titled Hand of Blood was released on August 22, 2005 through Trustkill Records, and was only available in the United States. The EP contained one extra track than the self-titled EP, "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Decibel Magazine contributor Daniel Lukes responded to the EP negatively stating "The worst part is that the music itself isn’t all that bad, for the genre. 'Cries In Vain' even threatens to kick some major butt before drowning in vocal sub-Incubusisms"; commenting the band should be embarrassed about the release.[7] Zeromag.com editor Josh Joyce complimented the band on "how technical they can get without confusing the kids".[8]

The Poison (2005–2006)

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released in the UK on October 3, 2005 and February 14, 2006 in the U.S. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 128,[9] attained a peak of number 3 on the Top Heatseekers, and number 11 on the Top Independent albums.[10] As of February 6, 2008, the album has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S.[11][12]

Critical response to the album was mixed. Stylus Magazine editor Dom Passantino commented the band's contribution to the world of music is "basically a slightly uglier, yet similarly polished take on their genre than Lostprophets", awarding a C- grade.[14] Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu stated Bullet for My Valentine "is fairly good at what it does and at least half of the songs are better than average", although commented that the album "follows with several 'hey, it's predictable, but pretty rocking' moments".[13] Decibel Magazine contributor Kirk Miller commented "There’s zero in the originality department here", although praised the band's synchronised song structures compared to other bands.[15]

Four singles were released from The Poison including "4 Words (To Choke Upon)", the band's first single,which was featured on EA Sports video game titles Madden 06 and NHL 06, followed by "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)". "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" peaked on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks at number 13 and number 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks. "Tears Don't Fall" peaked at number 24 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks.[16]

Bullet for My Valentine played at the Download Festival in Donington Park for three consecutive years, first appearing at the 2004 festival on the Barfly stage.[17] The following year with increased popularity, Bullet for My Valentine played on the larger Snickers stage,[18] and in 2006 the band were moved to near the top of the main stage bill, playing on Sunday night below Guns N' Roses and Funeral for a Friend.[19] Other tours the band embarked on included opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses for six weeks of the summer in 2006,[20] the Vans Warped Tour, Kerrang! tour, and Earthday Birthday on April 28, 2007. The band's performance at the Brixton Academy in London was filmed for the band's first DVD, The Poison: Live at Brixton.[21]

Paget and Tuck at Roskilde 2006.

Bullet for My Valentine were removed as a supporting act on a 2006 tour with Rob Zombie after 17 shows. Tuck posted a message on the band's official message board, stating the band were not being treated well on the tour in response to fans who complained about t-shirt prices and sound quality.[22] Zombie made the band price match his merchandise ($40 a shirt), and were only allowed two pieces. Because the band was unable to use a dressing room, could not perform a sound check, Tuck referred to the headliner as "money-grabbing fucks" and "does not want to be associated with that old man". Tuck commented "Basically, we are nothing to him, but screw it — if this is what it takes to get a name over here, then it's gotta be done".[23] A few hours later, Tuck posted a message apologizing for his comments claiming they were "out of line and totally exaggerated". However, the band were kicked off the tour the following day for the comments. Vocalist of fellow support act Lacuna Coil, Andrea Ferro, attributed the behaviour to inexperience; "Probably they got some different kind of success in the U.K. in the beginning and they think that they paid their dues, but I believe that they still have to pay their dues, like everybody".[24]

During June 2007, Tuck suffered from laryngitis which led to a number of shows being postponed until early January. A tonsillectomy was scheduled in mid July, although it was brought forward at the last minute at the advice of Tuck's doctor. Advised a minimum recovery period of four weeks, the band were forced to cancel several shows. This included supporting Metallica for three dates on their Sick of the Studio '07 tour on June 29 in Bilbao, Spain, July 5 in Vienna, Austria, and July 8 at the recently completed Wembley Stadium in London. Machine Head replaced the band as supporting act.[25] Although unable to speak, Tuck wrote that as soon as doctors cleared him he would be in the studio working on the band's next album.[26]

Scream Aim Fire (2007–2008)

Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, entitled Scream Aim Fire, was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios with production duties handled by Colin Richardson.[27] The album was released on January 28, 2008 and January 29, 2008 in the US.[28] Tuck commented; "The biggest difference is probably the tempo and the aggression. It's a lot more up tempo, a lot more aggressive".[29] The album hit number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of about 53,000.[3] The band has finished touring North America and Australia for the 2008 Taste of Chaos tour with the bands Atreyu, True Metal Conspiracy (TMC), Idiot Pilot, Blessthefall and Avenged Sevenfold. They also performed at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park and the Download Festival in June 2008. They also played the Reading & Leeds festivals in August 2008. .

It was announced on April 14, 2008 that the band would cut short their Canada tour in order to fly back home in support of bassist Jason 'Jay' James whose daughter has been hospitalized.[30]

They were on tour as part of the No Fear Music Tour across North America with Bleeding Through, Cancer Bats and Black Tide.

In November and December, the band will tour Europe with main support Lacuna Coil, with Bleeding Through and Black Tide also supporting.[31] During the November 15th gig of the Scream Aim Fire tour, at the Alexandra Palace, London, the band announced the gig was being filmed for their next live DVD, supporting Scream Aim Fire.

It's also been announced that they will be performing at Big Day Out in Australia and New Zealand early 2009 in January and February. The album's title track "Scream Aim Fire" is featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour, and the song Waking the Demon is available as downloadable content in Rock Band 2.

Road to Nowhere (2008–2009)

A new EP entitled "Road to Nowhere" was released December 9, including 3 new tracks and 1 rare track (Ashes of the Innocent). The same tracks were also released on the Deluxe Edition of "Scream Aim Fire" On January 28, 2009, Bullet for My Valentine announced on their website that they would be performing on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, alongside Killswitch Engage, Trivium, All That Remains, as well as others. On the 28th of March 2009, Bullet for My Valentine headlined a concert at the Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust. Also playing were Fightstar and In Case of Fire (replacing The Blackout who had to cancel due to illness). The show was recorded for a DVD.

Bullet for My Valentine have also announced that they will be playing at Sonisphere, a new festival to 2009 headlined by Linkin Park and Metallica.

New album (2009 onward)

Matt Tuck spoke to Metal Hammer about their forthcoming album, for which the band are currently writing: Tuck said that there are about four or five songs that are all but finished: “Usually we write and record 14 tracks that I then have to write vocal lines for, but this time I’m trying to write the vocals as I write the music.” As for lyrical themes, he talks about one song in particular: “There’s one song that’s about not being able to have what you want. Being in the band it doesn’t happen much.” He continues candidly. “when it comes to girls you can have the pick of the bunch, but you always want what you can’t have, y’know... but it’s this one chick man... so it’s a song about obsession.” [32]

Bullet for My Valentine recently re-released ‘Scream Aim Fire’ with four bonus tracks that were recorded and ‘canned’ before the band decided to write more songs. In the podcast Matt discusses why they were put aside, and how they are in fact some of the best songs they wrote at the time: “It’s a shame they’ll never shine like some other tracks, because they’re just bonus tracks. It doesn’t take a genius to spot the difference between my voice on the ‘Poison’ and ‘Scream…’, something was up. So I re-recorded the songs after my voice got better.” Adding: “I know I could have sung that album much better.” The quotes come from Metal Hammer's podcast, March 16 2009. The upcoming cd will have a new yet still keeping it metal feel of rock and roll.[32]

Demos for the upcoming album are currently being recorded in Wales with producer Don Gilmore.[citation needed]

Style and influences

Bullet for My Valentine's music has been described by critics as melodic metalcore,[33][34] metalcore,[35][36][37][38] heavy metal,[39][40] and even thrash metal.[41][42] The band has cited being influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Stuck Mojo, Slayer, Judas Priest and Megadeth.[43] These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies."[44] Reviewing The Poison, Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net described the band's sound as "predictable" and the album as a "made-for-MTV breakout hit," comparing the harmonies to Swedish metal band In Flames. However, Alisoglu praised songs such as "Tears Don't Fall" for incorporating "twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo."[13] When asked of their views on their looks, members of the band have stated they would not change their sound or image for a commercial approach. Tuck commented that, "Without sounding harsh, we're more interested in what our music sounds like than what our fucking hair looks like."[45] Kirk Miller of Decibel magazine praised the band for the effort in synchronised song structures.[15]

Awards

Bullet for My Valentine have received three awards from Kerrang!, 'Best UK single' for their track Tears Don't Fall in 2006, and 'Best British Newcomer' in 2005 and also 'Best British Band' in 2008. As a result the band headlined Kerrang!'s 25 year anniversary tour of the U.K.[46] The band recorded a cover song for the magazine, Metallica's "Creeping Death", which is featured on the magazine's Higher Voltage compilation disk.[47] Another Metallica cover, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", was featured on Metallica" Remastered.[48]

The band won the Welsh Music Award for "Best Newcomer" in 2004,[49] and according to The Sun, were 'booed' when receiving the 2006 Metal Hammer Golden God Award award for 'Best British Band'.[50] Bullet for My Valentine has received coverage in music magazines including being featured on the covers of Metal Hammer, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Kerrang, and stories in Revolver, Outburn, Penthouse, Rock Sound, NME, Hit Parader, Guitar One, Drummer Magazine and Alternative Press.[46]

linkin PaRK


Also known as Xero (1996–1998)[1]
Hybrid Theory (1998–1999)[1]
Origin Agoura Hills, California, USA
Genre(s) Nu metal, rapcore, alternative rock
Years active 1996 onward
Label(s) Warner Bros., Machine Shop
Associated acts Dead by Sunrise, Fort Minor, Jay-Z
Website www.linkinpark.com
Members
Chester Bennington
Rob Bourdon
Brad Delson
Dave Farrell
Joe Hahn
Mike Shinoda
Former members
Mark Wakefield
Kyle Christener
Scott Koziol

Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Since its formation in 1996, the band has sold more than 50 million albums[2] and won two Grammy Awards.[3][4] It achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005.[5] Its following studio album, Meteora, continued the band's success, topping the Billboard 200’s album charts in 2003, and was followed by extensive touring and charity work around the world.[6] In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth greatest band of the music video era.[7]

Having adapted the nu metal and rapcore genres to a radio-friendly yet densely-layered style in Hybrid Theory and Meteora,[8][9][10] the band explored other genres in their next studio album, Minutes to Midnight.[11][12] The album topped the Billboard charts and had the third best debut week of any album that year.[13][14] They have also collaborated with several other artists, most notably with rapper Jay-Z in their mashup album Collision Course, and many others on Reanimation.[9]

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Band history

Early years (1996–1999)

Originally consisting of three high school friends, Linkin Park’s foundation was anchored by Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon.[1] After graduating from high school, the California natives began to take their musical interests more seriously, recruiting Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, and Mark Wakefield to perform in their band, Xero. Though limited in resources, the band began recording and producing songs within Shinoda’s make-shift bedroom studio in 1996.[1][15] Tensions and frustration within the band grew after they failed to land a record deal.[1] The lack of success and stalemate in progress prompted Wakefield, at that time the band's vocalist, to leave the band in search for other projects.[1][15] Farrell also left to tour with Tasty Snax and other bands.[16][17]

After spending a considerable time searching for Wakefield's replacement, Xero recruited Arizona vocalist Chester Bennington. Jeff Blue, the vice president of Zomba Music, had referred him to the band in March 1999.[18] Bennington, formerly of Grey Daze, became a standout among applicants because of his unique singing style. The band changed its name from Xero to Hybrid Theory.[16] The newborn vocal chemistry between Shinoda and Bennington helped revive the band, inciting them to work on new material.[1] The band’s renaissance culminated with a change in name; from Hybrid Theory, the band changed its name to Linkin Park, a play on and homage to Santa Monica’s Lincoln Park.[1] However, despite these changes, the band still struggled to sign a record deal. After facing numerous rejections from several major record labels, Linkin Park turned to Jeff Blue for additional help. After failing to catch Warner Bros. Records on three previous reviews, Jeff Blue, now the vice president of Warner Bros. Records, helped the band sign a deal with the company in 1999. The band released its breakthrough album, Hybrid Theory, the following year.[18]

Hybrid Theory (2000–2002)

Linkin Park released Hybrid Theory on October 24, 2000.[19][20] The album, which represented half a decade’s worth of the band’s work, was edited by music producer Don Gilmore.[1] Hybrid Theory was well received by music fans; the band sold more than 4.8 million records during its debut year, earning it the status of best-selling album of 2001, while singles such as "Crawling" and "One Step Closer" established themselves as staples among alternative rock radio play lists during the year.[16] Additionally, other singles from the album were featured in movies such as Dracula 2000, Little Nicky, and Valentine.[16] Hybrid Theory was also nominated for three Grammy Awards, including best new artist, best rock album, and best hard rock performance (for "Crawling").[21] MTV awarded the band their Best Rock Video and Best Direction awards for "In the End".[1] Through the winning of the Grammy for best hard rock performance, Hybrid Theory’s overall success had catapulted the band into the mainstream's attention.

During this time, Linkin Park received many invitations to perform on many high-profile tours and concerts including Ozzfest, Family Values Tour and KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas.[16][22] The band also formed its own tour, Projekt Revolution, which featured other notable artists such as, Cypress Hill, Adema, and Snoop Dogg.[18] Within a year’s stretch, Linkin Park had performed at over 320 concerts.[1] The experiences and performances of the precocious band were documented in its first DVD, Frat Party at the Pankake Festival, which debuted in November 2001. Now reunited with former bassist Dave Farrell, the band began work on a remix album, dubbed Reanimation, which would include works from Hybrid Theory and Hybrid Theory EP.[16] Reanimation debuted on July 30, 2002, featuring the likes of Black Thought, Jonathan Davis, Aaron Lewis, and many others.[23] Reanimation claimed the second spot on the Billboard 200, and sold nearly 270,000 copies during its debut week.[24]

Meteora (2002–2004)

Following the success of Hybrid Theory and Reanimation, Linkin Park spent a significant amount of time touring around the United States. The band members began to work on new material amidst its saturated schedule, spending a sliver of their free time in their tour bus' studio.[25] The band officially announced the production of a new studio album in December 2002, revealing its new work was inspired by the rocky region of Meteora in Greece, where numerous monasteries have been built on top of the rocks.[26] Meteora featured a mixture of the band's previous nu metal and rapcore styles with newer innovative effects, including the induction of a shakuhachi (a Japanese flute made of bamboo) and other instruments.[1] Linkin Park's second album debuted on March 25, 2003 and instantly earned worldwide recognition,[1] going to #1 in the US and UK, and #2 in Australia.[15]

Meteora sold more than 800,000 copies during its first week, and it ranked as the best selling album on the Billboard charts at the time.[27] Music videos for some of the album's singles, including "Somewhere I Belong", "Breaking the Habit", "Faint", and "Numb", received significant radio attention.[28] By October 2003, Meteora sold nearly three million copies.[29] The album's success allowed Linkin Park to form another Projekt Revolution, which featured other bands and artists including, Mudvayne, Blindside, and Xzibit.[1] Additionally, Metallica invited Linkin Park to play at the Summer Sanitarium Tour 2003, which included well-known acts such as Limp Bizkit, Mudvayne and Deftones.[30] The band released an album and DVD, entitled Live in Texas, which consisted of audio and video tracks of some of the band's performances in Texas during the tour.[1] In early 2004, Linkin Park started a world tour titled the Meteora World Tour, supporting bands on the tour include Hoobastank, P.O.D. and Story of the Year.

Meteora earned the band multiple awards and honors. The band won MTV's awards for Best Rock Video ("Somewhere I Belong") and the Viewer's Choice Award ("Breaking the Habit").[31] Linkin Park also received significant recognition during the 2004 Radio Music Awards, winning the Artist of the Year and Song of the Year ("Numb") awards.[31] Although Meteora was not nearly as successful as Hybrid Theory, it was the third best selling album in America during 2003.[16] The band spent the first few months of 2004 touring around the world, first with the third Projekt Revolution tour, and later several European concerts.[16]

Side projects (2004–2006)

Bennington appears on the band's behalf at MTV Asia Aid

Following Meteora's success, the band postponed working on a new studio album for the next few years. Instead, Linkin Park continued to tour and work on many side projects. Bennington appeared on DJ Lethal’s "State of the Art" and other work with Dead by Sunrise, while Shinoda did work with Depeche Mode.[16] In 2004, the band began to work with Jay-Z to produce another remix album, entitled Collision Course. The album, which featured intermixed lyrics and background tracks from both artists' previous albums, debuted in November 2004. Shinoda also formed a new band, Fort Minor, as a side project. With the aid of Jay-Z, Fort Minor released its debut album, The Rising Tied, to critical acclaim.[32][33] At the same time, the band's relationship with Warner Bros. Records was deteriorating rapidly on account of several trust and financial issues.[34] After months of feuding, the band finally negotiated a deal in December 2005.[35]

Linkin Park also participated in numerous charitable events. Linkin Park helped raise money to benefit victims of Hurricane Charley in 2004 and later hurricane Katrina in 2005.[16] The band donated $75,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation in March 2004.[36] They also helped relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami victims by staging several charity concerts and setting up an additional fund called "Music for Relief".[37] Most notably, however, the band participated at Live 8, a series of charitable benefit concerts set up to raise global awareness.[38] Alongside Jay-Z, the band performed on Live 8's stage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a global audience.[38] The band would later be reunited with Jay-Z at the Grammy Award Ceremony 2006, during which they performed "Numb/Encore", en route to winning a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.[39] They would later go on to play at the 2006 Summer Sonic music festival, which was hosted by Metallica, in Japan.[40]

Minutes to Midnight (2006–2008)

Linkin Park in Prague, 2007

Linkin Park returned to the recording studios in 2006 to work on new material. To produce the album, the band chose producer Rick Rubin. Despite initially stating the album would debut sometime in 2006, the album was delayed until 2007.[11] The band had recorded thirty to fifty songs in August 2006, when Shinoda stated the album was halfway completed.[41] Bennington later added that the new album would stray away from its previous nu metal sound.[42] Warner Bros. Records officially announced that the band’s third studio album, entitled Minutes to Midnight, would be released on May 15, 2007 in the United States.[43] After spending fourteen months working on the album, the band members opted to further refine their album by removing five of the original seventeen tracks. The album’s title, a reference to the Doomsday Clock, foreshadowed the band's new lyrical themes.[44] Minutes to Midnight sold over 600,000 copies in its first week, making it one of the most successful debut week albums in recent years. The album also took the top spot on the Billboard Charts.[14]

The album's first single, "What I've Done" was released on April 2, and premiered on MTV and Fuse within the same week.[45] The single was acclaimed by listeners, becoming the top-ranked song on the Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.[46] The song is also used in soundtrack for the 2007 action film, Transformers. Later in the year, the band won the "Favorite Alternative Artist" in the American Music Awards.[47] The band also saw success with singles such as "Bleed It Out", "Shadow of the Day", "Given Up", and "Leave Out All the Rest", which were released throughout 2007 and early 2008. The band also collaborated with Busta Rhymes on his single "We Made It", which was released on April 29.[48]

Linkin Park's touring and live shows have, among other things, included a performance at Live Earth Japan on July 7, 2007.[49] and headlining Download Festival in Donington Park, England and Edgefest in Downsview Park, Toronto, Canada. The band completed touring on its fourth Projekt Revolution tour before taking up an Arena tour around the United Kingdom, visiting Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester, before finishing on a double night at the O2 arena in London. Bennington stated that Linkin Park plans to release a follow-up album to Minutes to Midnight.[50] However, he stated the band will first embark on a United States tour to gather inspiration for the album.[50] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bennington said that the band had already begun writing new material for the album, and Shinoda too stated that the album could well be released in late 2009. Mike Shinoda also announced a live CD/DVD entitled "Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes", which is a live video recording from the Projekt Revolution gig at the Milton Keynes Bowl the 29th June 2008, which was officially released on the 24th November, 2008.[51] Their song "What I've Done" was featured on the 2008 game Guitar Hero World Tour.

Future direction (2008–present)

In October 2008 Shinoda revealed on his blog that he, Farrell and Hahn had begun working on two song ideas at Hahn's home, with studio recording to begin in earnest soon.[52] In 2008, Bennington announced that Linkin Park's fourth studio release will be a concept album.[53] The band has not released many specific details about the album.[1] In an interview with MTV in November 2008, Bennington stated, "It sounds a little daunting to me, so, I think my confidence level will drop, but when it was presented to us by this friend of ours, we liked the idea. It was an inspiring idea, and it was something we could relate a lot of the things we like to write about to".[2] He also added that the band planned to begin recording in December for a six-week session. The album was expected in mid 2009, but in late March, Mike Shinoda wrote on his blog saying "We're hoping to have Chester's Dead By Sunrise album out this fall, and the new LP album out early next year."[54]

In December 2008, Digidesign gave the band the opportunity to preview the new Pro Tools 8 software. The experiment resulted in an instrumental song performed by Shinoda and Bourdon.[55] The song, entitled "Lockjaw", was made available to the band's fan club as a free download.

In April 2009, Mike Shinoda revealed on his blog that Linkin Park will be working on the score for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with successful film composer Hans Zimmer.[56] On May 7th, it was further confirmed that the song recorded for the film is titled "New Divide," and was released as a single on May 18th.[57][58] A clip from the song can be heard 14 seconds into the new trailer.

Musical style

Both Hybrid Theory and Meteora combined the nu metal[59][60][61][62][63] and rap rock[64][63] sound with influences and elements from hip-hop, alternative rock,[65] and electronica, utilizing programming and synthesizers. William Ruhlmann from Allmusic regarded it as "a Johnny-come-lately to an already overdone musical style,"[66] whereas Rolling Stone called "Breaking the Habit" "risky, beautiful art".[67]

In Minutes to Midnight the band experimented with their established sound and drew influences from a wider and more varied range of genres and styles, a process Los Angeles Times compares to a stage in U2's work.[68] In it, only two of the songs feature rapping, and the majority of the album can be considered alternative rock,[69][70] rather than nu metal or rap rock. It also is their first studio album to feature guitar solos.

In concert the band has covered songs by artists as varied as The Cure, Deftones, Guns N' Roses, and Nine Inch Nails.[citation needed]

Linkin Park's use of two separate vocalists has become a large part of their music. Chester Bennington is most known for using screaming vocals common in various forms of metal and hardcore, while also using more melodic singing, and was placed 46th in Hit Paraders list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists".[71]

Mike Shinoda is the group's MC and does all of the rapping. Mike has also done all of the backing vocals live, and in their latest album, Minutes to Midnight, he sings lead vocals on "In Between", "Hands Held High", and the B-side "No Roads Left". Shinoda has also been placed in Hit Parader's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" at number 72.[71]

Discography

Studio albums

Remix albums

EPs/demos

  • Xero (1996) - demo tape
  • Hybrid Theory EP (1999)
  • In the End: Live & Rare (2002)
  • Live from SoHo (2008)
  • Songs from the Underground (2008)

Videography

Band members

MTV Thailand interviews Mike Shinoda in 2006
Current
Former
  • Mark Wakefield – vocals (1996–1998)
Session
  • Kyle Christener – bass guitar (1998–1999)
  • Scott Koziol – bass guitar (1999–2001)

Awards