ANGELS OF BABYLON is the answer to your heavy metal supergroup prayers. This new amalgamation of epic sound features former MANOWAR drummer Rhino, Arizona based power-metal vocalist David Fefolt, guitarist Ethan Brosh and MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. Their debut album Kingdom of Evil was released in Europe by Metal Heaven Records in January of 2010, and in Japan with Hydrant Music in May of 2010. Read more

So today we arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and with RIKETS on the “System of Freaks Tour” it’s BBQ chicken on the menu.

As soon as our trailer deck hit the bricks, I spotted a friend of ours “BOOMER” sporting her circa 2006 Rikets tour t-shirt and a fire Juggling first timer in tow. I walked up to Boomer and asked…where’s the grocery store cause were gonna BBQ some damn chicken son! She proceeded to offer quickly “get in our car and lets go find some meat!” A quick run around the freeway system in Tulsa’s spider web of freeway exits and entrance’s and we stumbled upon a grocery known as “Reaser’s”. Chicken FOUND people.

Why chicken today? well for one, its very affordable for a band on tour,and two you can get a lot and feed a army. Problem solved.

A quick jump back to the marquee and today’s menu has appeared in raw form to a mouth open “weber” gold edition grill son!

Visit the full blog.

Chicago, IL – (May 18, 2010)

EKOTREN’s debut album, “Light The Fire”, was released by in February 2008. The CD’s lead single, “Light The Fire”, spent 32 weeks as one of the most requested songs on Sirius Satellite Radio, Hard Attack’s Devil’s Dozen, peaking at No. 3. The band has been on the road relentlessly since the release of the album and has shared the stage with the likes of Staind, Chevelle, Nonpoint, Flyleaf, Saliva, Ill Nino,  Diecast,  Bobaflex, Straight Line Stitch and others…

Keith Finnell (guitar) added the following statement “We are really excited to be working with Burnhill Union, and can’t wait to hit the studio in July to finish the album!”

BURNHILL UNION RECORDS, a Hard Rock/Metal label started earlier this year by partners Kym Affinito, Randy Kertz and Shaun Glass(ex-SOIL/current DIRGE WITHIN guitarist), the label current roster consist of AM Conspiracy and Rikets,   2010 will see further expansion for the label and great growth for artists already signed. 

For more information visit http://www.burnhillunion.com

EKOTREN’s Remaining Tour Dates:

May 19 2010 8:00P  The Mad Hatter Covington, Kentucky, US 

May 20 2010 8:00P  The Machine Shop w/Sick Puppies Flint, Michigan, US 

May 21 2010 8:00P  Underground Sandusky, Ohio, US 

May 22 2010 8:00P  Whammy Bar Peoria, Illinois

May 23 2010 8:00P  Phoenix Lounge Harrisburg, South Dako, US 

May 25 2010 8:00P  The Nestor Tavern Fargo, North Dako, US 

May 26 2010 8:00P  Knickerbockers Lincoln, Nebraska, US 

May 27 2010 8:00P  Blue Goat Salina, Kansas, US 

May 28 2010 8:00P  Otherside Event Center Tulsa, Oklahoma, US 

May 29 2010 8:00P  Outland Ballroom Springfield, Missouri, US 

Jun 1 2010 8:00P  The War Legion Underground Amarillo, Texas, US 

Jun 3 2010 8:00P  Big Fish Pub Tempe, Arizona, US 

Jun 4 2010 8:00P  Ramona Mainstage Ramona, California, US 

Jun 5 2010 10:00A  ROCKIN ROOTS 2010 Bakersfield, CA 

Jun 6 2010 8:00P  Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, Nevada, US 

Jun 8 2010 8:00P  Lizard Lounge Wichita, Kansas , US 

Jun 9 2010 8:00P  Bricktown Live Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US 

Jun 12 2010 8:00P  Backwoods Bar and Grill Fort Myers, Fl

Announcing new dates with “MARY MAGDALAN” (System of Freaks tour hosted by Metal Sanaz).

June 4th – amarillo texas – @ War Legion
June 11th – Shawnee Kansas – @ AfterShock
June 16th – Chicago illinois – @ Reggies
June 19th – Detroit Michigan – @ Blondie’s
June 4th – Houston texas – @ BFE Rock Club

RIKETS has shared the stage with well-known rockers Korn, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Flyleaf, and Fear Factory to name a few. The band’s members include Scott (vocals), Provo (guitar), Nick (guitar), Michael (bass), and Timmy (drums).

Order at Amazon.com and iTunes

All American Death Cult opens with the unbelievably warped, yet fitting “It’s Only Gonna Get Worse.” With clips of “Charlie” Manson and the like, this minute long intro gives the listener a little taste of the massively destructive headtrip they are about to embark on. The album’s first video and single is for the super chug-fest known as “Program The Dead.” If you are a fan of bottom-heavy grooves, fat guitar chunk, and mind-numbing electronics all lined with sick and twisted vocals, then this is the band for you. Combine the muscle of bands like Skinlab, Bloodsimple and American Head Charge with the demented elements of Nine Inch Nails and wha-la…Rikets is born. Vocalist Scott Rose comes off as one big massive ball of energetic hate, sadness and aggression. He infuses the talent of guys like Steev Esquivel (Skinlab), Tim Williams (Vision Of Disorder/Bloodsimple) and Dez Fafara (Devildriver) with his own distinct style for one lethal combination.

Read the full review at The New Review.net

Behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot can be viewed below.

“Program The Dead” comes off RIKETS‘ sophomore effort, “All American Death Cult”, which will be released on April 20 via Burnhill Union Records.

The band is comprised of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Scott Rose, guitarist and producer Provo, drummer Timmy Braun, Michael Reams on bass, and Nick Quijano (formerly of AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE) on second guitar.

Rose and company uprooted the original “All American Death Cult” recording session from where they began in Dallas, Texas and relocated them to Ben Schigel’s (SWITCHED) Strongsville, Ohio studio. “Ben has been there since day ONE,” says Rose. ” He’s a motivator, a mentor, a vocal trainer and a great creative mind.

Read the full article at Blabbermouth.net

ROCKERS WHO TATTOO: AM CONSPIRACY’S JASON “GONG” JONES TALKS ABOUT SINKING THE INK

March 05, 2010

Headbangers best know Jason “Gong” Jones as the former singer of Drowning Pool and the current frontman of AM Conspiracy, the Florida-based hard-rock outfit that recently dropped its self-titled full-length debut (Burnhill Union). What fans might not know is that the mohawked vocalist is also a skilled tattoo artist (check out some of his work in the slideshow below). And in celebration of Revolver’s new tattoo issue on newsstands now, we thought we’d talk to Jones about his visual art.
REVOLVER How long have you been tattooing?
JASON “GONG” JONES 15 years.

How and why did you start?
I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember. I was dating this girl that was a piercer for a while and I guess just being around that scene was what really got me into tattooing.

Where you tattoo?
I work at Horseshoes & Handgrnades, 1012 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida.www.grenadestattoo.com

What piece are you the most proud of?
The Sailor Jerry pinup girl face. I know it’s not the most technically difficult piece – and I’ve seen it done quite few times by other artists – but I just like the way it came out.

How would you describe your style?
In life, I feel like I’m a cartoon of myself, so I guess my art reflects that…so maybe “cartoon realism?”

What’s the most annoying client you’ve ever dealt with?
I had a lady shit herself while I was tattooing her lower back. That was pretty fucking annoying… Luckily I was almost done.

Photo of Jones by Jose Figueroa-Baez.