About The Heavy Metal Foundry

Focusing on acts from 1965 right through the 80's, the Foundry features a vast pantheon of bands that gave form and definition to that sound we all lovingly call Heavy fuckin' Metal.

We intend to promote awareness of forgotten artists and reigning legends by reviewing classics of the genre thereby tracing the origins of Heavy Metal.

\Stay Heavy/

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Black Sabbath Reunion + New Album Announced





OZZY OSBOURNE, TONY IOMMI, GEEZER BUTLER AND BILL WARD UNVEIL PLANS ON 11/11/11 AT A LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE WHISKY A GO-GO, WHERE THE BAND PERFORMED THEIR FIRST LOS ANGELES DATE EXACTLY 41 YEARS AGO

After much speculation, the original four members of BLACK SABBATH--OZZY OSBOURNE (vocals),TONY IOMMI (guitar), GEEZER BUTLER (bass) and BILL WARD (drums)--have reunited to record their first new studio album in 33(?) years with producer Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year) and to embark on a massive world tour in 2012.


OSBOURNE, IOMMI, BUTLER and WARD as well as Rubin all gathered today on 11/11/11 to announce the news at a Los Angeles press conference at the legendary club, the Whisky A Go-Go, the site of the groundbreaking and influential band’s first L.A. concert exactly 41 years ago (Nov 11, 1970). The event was hosted by the revered musical and spoken word artist Henry Rollins who has said that “Any band worth their weight in napalm wishes they had written ‘War Pigs.’”


Selling over 70 million albums together, the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have signed a new record deal worldwide with Vertigo and Vertigo/ Universal Republic in the U.S.,the band’s original label. BLACK SABBATH is now in the studio recording the as-yet-untitled new album for release in the fall of 2012 (exact date TBA). It will mark their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die!


Next summer, BLACK SABBATH will headline the mammoth multi-day UK Download Festival in theU.K. on June 10. The new album will then be supported with a worldwide headline arena tour (dates TBA).

Quote from Tony Iommi during the press conference - "Why now? "It was now or never, really. We have some great music to play." -Tony."  

The official statement from Tony Iommi on Black Sabbath Reunion :


Well, after all the rumours and having to keep plans quiet for so long, I can finally stop dodging questions.  The truth is it has only come together properly in the last few days!
Look forward to seeing you all in 2012.
All the best, 
Tony

Friday, November 11, 2011

Black Sabbath Reunion Confirmed

This is the sign seen outside the Whisky a Go Go not too long ago, where they are supposed to be giving their press conference in about two hours from now.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Death Magnetic (2008)


Phoenixes are mysterious creatures. Legend has it that the mythical bird used to, at the end of its life time, consume itself in flames and take birth again from the very same ashes.

In many ways Metallica’s last few years mirror the life of a phoenix. After S&M it was as if nothing could go wrong. Seven studio albums, a live one, millions of records sold, stability in the band and a rapidly growing fan base – the phoenix was flying high in the sky.

Then came the first signs of the end. The rift between front-man Hetfield and bassist Newstead widened with the latter eventually quitting the band. Lars decided that he’d take the short-cut to being the most hated person in the music industry and got himself embroiled in a law suit against Napster – the free music sharing system thus alienating a huge number of fans. To top it all Hetfield’s drinking problem snowballed to such an extent that he had to join rehab thereby throwing the band’s future into darkness.

The all consuming fire then culminated with their next album – St.Anger. This album was Metallica’s marmite – you either hate it or you love it. But both consenters and dissenters agreed on one truth-Metallica had combusted to ashes in a blaze.

A new producer, a new bassist and a new mindset – the rebirth of the Metallica-Phoenix began. Every phoenix needs a song and Metallica’s was called Death Magnetic. It is only apt that they chose to sing about one of the few constants in everybody’s life – death and this forms the Sun in the Death Magnetic-Solar system with each song revolving around this central idea.

1. That Was Just Your Life begins with the new born phoenix’s heartbeat. Coiling around heart are clean guitar riffs followed slowly by the bass and Lars’ cymbals. Slowly setting into a new rhythm, Hetfield takes over, with his (new) aged but powerful voice, ably supported by Trujillo and Lars. As the trio slowly set into a fast and heavy chorus, Hammett drops in with his wah and trademark electric solo. The song starts gathering momentum and ends with an explosive finish.
2
. The End of the Line is the second song of the album. Much more direct when compared to its predecessor, this song immediately sets into a basic fast-paced riff (Hetfield, Lars and Trujillo combining) which persists throughout the song. Hetfield enters early and in many ways it seems like an extension of the previous song. After about 4 minutes is where the song gains its identity. A fast solo and some furious drumming later the song comes down to a slow rhythm. At the end of which both Hetfield and Lars pick up the pace- as if competing with each other in a 100 m dash before the song finally ends with Hetfield screaming out the chorus line.
3.
Broken, Beat and Scarred is up next. The third and my favourite song of the album. The brilliance of this song lies in its pacing. It resembles a smooth sigmoid curve with the introduction representing a slow trench. As is a characteristic of the album, the basic riff is introduced here with Hetfield really twisting his fingers around the strings. And as the chorus begins, the song picks up pace with the chorus line representing the fast and loud peak. Around 4 minutes is where the song changes abruptly. A new riff, new drumming pattern and faster rhythms pave the way for Hammett to blow open the roofs with his solo and James following up with a new riff signalling the climax. At this point the chorus goes into a new dimension with interference of the trenches and peaks – almost like a microcosm of the entire song- to end on a high.
4.
Coming in at number four, The Day that Never Comes is a throwback to the old times - the song opens with a slow, melancholic tune by Hetfield with Lars joining in gradually. The song continues at an amiable pace until the 4 minute mark. This is the part where the song gets interesting- a gradual pick up in pace which contains the final vocals of the song. After 5 mins is where you actually see the resurrection of Metallica. What follows is a 2 and a half minute mesh of frenetic guitars, fast drumming, Hammett’s solos and not to mention Trujillo’s excellent bass.
5.
Mythology has it that the song of a phoenix is hauntingly beautiful. Coming to think of it, that is the best way to describe All Nightmare Long also. Metallica have always had a fascination towards H.P. Lovecraft as is evident from songs such as The Call of the Ktulhu and The Thing that Should Not Be. With James singing about macabre beasts and creatures from the darker parts of one’s imagination in his gnarling voice and twisting his fingers around a spine-tingling riff ably supported by the heavy bass of Trujillo and the ever-dependable Lars- this song basically screams of Lovecraft. Hammett uses his wah admirably in generating solos which leave one with the chills.
6.
Metallica are generally known for their vivid but abstract lyrics as can be heard in their popular songs of the 90s such as Ronnie , Until it sleeps etc. Coming in at 6, Cyanide continues the tradition. The relatively slower riffs and the considerably relaxed pace of this song are probably what will catch your attention initially, but the real stand-out quality about this song is the lyrics. With lines such as
“ Say, is that rain or are they tears?
That stained your concrete face for years..”
and
“An air of freshly broken ground
A concrete angel lit right down
Upon the grave which swallows fast ..”
which blend with the curvy and twisty rhythms. This song is an excellent vocal treat where the riffs fit like a dress on a particularly gifted woman catching every curve and turn on her body precisely and enhancing them.

At seven we have a sequel. This song drags us into one of Metallica’s fortes – human emotion and particularly - regret. If Unforgiven I was about an old man, Unforgiven II about a lost lover, Unforgiven III is about a sailor. The song describes the painful story of a sailor’s temptation, his weakness and his overwhelming guilt. Starting off with a piano sequence, moving into a clean guitar riff and then the gradually increasing guitar distortion the music seems to directly reflect on the various emotions of the sailor from ambition to temptation to regret.
8.
"To me, the thing that is worse than death is betrayal. You see, I could conceive death, but I could not conceive betrayal."
— Malcolm X
Transcendence is something which seems to fascinate Metallica. The Judas Kiss takes a slight break from the literal meaning of the album and dwells in the metaphorical shadow. This song seems to be made to celebrate the death of the small part of humanity during betrayal, to celebrate the death of trust, to celebrate the yin without which there would be no yang. The mood is quickly set by start-stop guitar plays which seem to collide, coalesce and amalgamate to finally give rise to an evil riff and chorus. Another key feature that does not escape notice is how much James’ voice has changed over the years. This song particularly accentuates the fact. Similar to the other songs Hammett’s wah embellished solos leave an indelible mark on the listeners.
9.
Number nine and a long lost memory returns. This is something we’re hearing after nearly a decade – a Metallica instrumental. Suicide and Redemption is part of a lineage which includes legendary songs such as Call of the Ktulhu, Orion etc. and just like its predecessors it doesn’t fail to disappoint. If the latter two start with clean guitar riffs, Suicide & Redemption starts with a heavy bass line and a lot of distortion for the nearly the first 4 mins. After that is when a clean guitar piece slips in followed by Hammett’s solos. However the stand-out for me in this song is Lars. If the guitars take you through the meandering path from suicide to redemption, it’s the drums which act as the compass. Alternating between slow and fast, complex to simple and throwing in some delightful double-beats too, this song is all Lars for me.
1
Finally at 10, Metallica end the album on a high with My Apocalypse - a high fuelled by raw anger and undiluted energy . A riff that rushes past you at break-neck speed, drumming which is right on its tail, vivid and searing lyrics- these are what characterizes this song.

Overview :
‘Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.’ Victor Hugo
That is exactly what Metallica have done - returned to their roots. They gained their identity with thrash metal and it is only right that they regain their identity with the same thrash. Yes, it is not the pristine thrash of the 80s but the same elements are there – fast riffs, Hammett’s solos, the instrumental , strong bass lines and the energetic drumming. If anything, it has evolved. An evolution which has strengthened the faith of the fans, regained the trust of old ones and bought the attention of the new fans. Metallica are back- and how.

Genre : Thrash Metal, Groove Metal

Track Listing :

All lyrics written by James Hetfield, all music composed by Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo.

"That Was Just Your Life" – 7:08
"The End of the Line" – 7:53
"Broken, Beat & Scarred" – 6:25
"The Day That Never Comes" – 7:57
"All Nightmare Long" – 7:57
"Cyanide" – 6:40
"The Unforgiven III" – 7:47
"The Judas Kiss" – 8:03
"Suicide & Redemption" (Instrumental) – 10:00
"My Apocalypse" – 5:06
Total Album time :- 74:48

Total Album Time : 74:48

Personnel :
  • James Hetfield – vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar

  • Kirk Hammett – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals

  • Robert Trujillo – bass, backing vocals

  • Lars Ulrich – drums


Additional musicians
  • David Campbell - orchestration on "The Unforgiven III"


Release Date : September 12, 2008

Recorded : April 2007–May 2008 at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California; Shangri La Studios, Malibu, California; HQ, San Rafael, California

Supporting Tour : World Magnetic Tour

Metallica World Magnetic Tour Poster

Trivia :



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Black Sabbath's Original Lineup Reunite


The original lineup of Black Sabbath - Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne have reunited and have begun rehearsing for a tour and possibly a new album. There has been no confirmation from any of the band members though.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

MAIDEN ANNOUNCE 'AT LEAST ONE MORE ALBUM'



Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson has announced that the legendary band will make atleast one more album.

In an interview with Daily Star , Dickinson revealed that the album will be a follow-up to last year's "Final Frontier" and also added, "Things have been going a bit more prog-rock on our recent albums and the fans seem to love that."

Maiden are currently performing in London at the O2 arena with support from powermetal band Dragonforce and Trivium.



Friday, June 10, 2011

Kairos (2011)



      Sepultura are back with their twelfth studio album - Kairos (Greek for the most opportune moment), which seems to be a concept albums of sorts. Musically they take the back-to-basics approach, returning to their straightforward, crushing and unrelenting Thrash of Beneath the Remains. Sure Kairos manages to bludgeon everything in it's path and what not, but does so sort of weakly. What I must concede is that it's definitely a step in the right direction, it still has the Sepultura DNA in it.

    Thematically the album is based on the concept of "Kairos" or the most opportune moment and deals with time and transcendentalism. Four of the tracks, each lasting for about thirty seconds or so are dates and the significance of each of those dates is as follows - 2011 is  Gregorian calendar year we live in, 1433 is current year in the Islamic calendar, 5772  being the current year of the Hebrew calendar and finally 4648 having the same significance in the Chinese calendar.   

     The album sounds very dark, raw and stripped down. The seething anger pulsating in riff after riff is evident from the very first track. Furious drumming, thundering basslines, guttural vocals, violent riffage and stabbing solos all enforce the downright brutality of the album, it seems like the album will explode at any point, but rather unfortunately never does, which is something you really expect given Roy Z is producing the album of one of the most energetic and bombastic bands. Green's pagan chants/yelps on quite a few tracks seem like a kickback to the Sepultura of yore, but if you're expecting the primal slogans and tribal beats from back in the day then forget it, it is but a thing of the past. Kisser after a long time feels unchained and unshackled and its there to show in virtually every solo. All the songs sound very similar which makes the album very monotonous to listen to. 

    Kairos begins its onslaught with Spectrum, some very traditional Thrash/Death that takes it's roots from Chaos A.D. As with most songs in this album, Kisser's solos are the saving grace, beyond which the song doesn't have too much to offer.

    Spectrum is followed by the title track, one of the better tracks on this album. It has that very evil, Slayer-vibe to it that will instantly hook the listener in. No nonsense Thrash, bestial vocals and a battering rhythm section, what the fuck else can you ask for? 

    Continuing in the vein of Kairos is Relentless an enraged, wrathful, nut-wrenching track championed by the aggressive basslines of Paolo Jr. 

    The fourth track 2011 is the conceptual part of the album, with random noises and sounds being played. The same goes for 1433 and 5722.

    At position five is the cover of Ministry's Just One Fix. Works very well surprisingly, impressive cover the way it works it's way around the Industrial elements.

    In at six and seven are Dialog and Mask, the fillers. Nothing particularly interesting barring a couple of bridge sections.

    Seethe, the ninth track, feels a lot like an old school Death Metal song. Exceptional stuff really, feels wasted on this album.

   Born Strong is a blistering, relentless violent Thrash attack that packs a lot of shitload of aggression and power. Amongst the gems of the album.

    Embrace the Storm is a welcome break from all the speed and fury of the previous tracks. Some mid-tempo Thrash with technical leanings and a masterful solo elevate it. The vocals however don't work on this track.

   No One Will Stand is yet again filler material, but the Andreas Kisser's middle-eastern-tinged soloing works wonders on the songs. Goes back and forth from straightforward Death to raw Thrash. Kisser does a stellar job on his part.

   Structure Violence (Azzes) the penultimate track (in the deluxe edition, or the last track otherwise) is a throwback to the Groove Metal days, with tribal drumming, Brazilian chants and the works. Slow, chugging riffs and rhythm surprisingly do well in an album that fields some fast and fiery tracks.

Overview : Kairos is not the top notch stuff that we have come to expect but a sub-par Sepultura, a slowly redeeming one nonetheless. This certainly isn't the best that Sepultura can offer though the return to roots principle is gladly welcomed. Although credit must be given to the band for continuing to experiment with their sound as opposed to producing watered down Metal to appease and bring back to the fold the "It-isn't-Sepultura-without-the-Cavaleras" bunch. 

Genre : Thrash Metal, Death Metal

Track Listing : 

Title
Writer(s)
Length
1."Spectrum" 
Sepultura
4:03
2."Kairos"
Sepultura
3:37
3."Relentless"
Sepultura
3:36
4."2011"
Sepultura
0:30
5."Just One Fix (Ministry Cover)"
Sepultura
3:33
6."Dialog"
Sepultura
4:57
7."Mask"
Sepultura
4:31
8."1433"

9."Seethe"

10."Born Strong"

11."Embrace the Storm"

12."5772"

13."No One Will Stand"

14. "Structure Violence (Azzes)"

15. "4648"
Sepultura

Sepultura

Sepultura

Sepultura

Sepultura

Sepultura

Sepultura


Sepultura
0:31

2:27

4:40

3:32

0:29

3:17

5:39


0:29

Total Album Time : 45:51

Personnel/Contributors : 
  • Derrick Green  - Lead Vocals
  • Andreas Kisser - Lead Guitars
  • Paula Jr. - Bass
  • Jean Dolabella - Drums
  • Roy Z - Production
  • Eric Sayers - Cover Art
Release Date : 24 June 2011

Recorded : December 2010 - March 2011, Trama Studios, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Supporting Tour : Kairos World Tour


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