Mastodon Selected as Zune's April Ignition Artist

Grammy-nominated metal band Mastodon have been named Microsoft's Zune Ignition artist for the month of April. As part of the Ignition program, Mastodon will release a series of exclusive features on Zune Marketplace, Zune.net, MSN and Xbox LIVE surrounding the release of their latest album Crack The Skye. The exclusive features include an album download with exclusive track "Divinations (Live)"starting March 31, an editorial track-by-track "Breakdown" of the album by the band (available April 7), a playlist created by the band (April 14), free track "Divinations (album version)"on April 21, and a free video on April 28. In addition, Xbox and MSN have a "Crack The Skye" webisode available for streaming.

Download the exclusive Mastadon media here.

Crack The Skye, which was released March 24 2009 on Reprise Records, is Mastodon's fourth studio album, and has already received critical acclaim. The album entered the Billboard Top 200 Charts at #11 and sold 41, 395 copies in its first week.

Mastodon are Bill Kelliher (guitars), Brann Dailor (drums, vocals, percussion), Brent Hinds(lead guitar, vocals, and banjo) and Troy Sanders (bass, vocals, and bass synth). The band formed in Atlanta in 2000 and has been recording and touring since. Mastodonis currently on tour throughout the US, and will begin a European tour in June.

Check out Mastodon's profile on the Zune Social here. To download the Zune software, visit http://www.zune.net/

Devil Side Festival Bands Announced; Are One Day Events the Way to Go?

A few hours ago I got a press release announcing the Devil Side Festival at Landschaftspark in Duisburg-Nord, Germany. The one-day festival is June 28 and will feature these bands:

All Shall Perish
Anthrax
Bloodhound Gang
The Bones
The Carburetors
CRO-MAGS
Discipline
Disco Ensemble
Elvis Jackson
Five Finger Death Punch
Hammerhead
Millencolin
Misfits
Motorhead (headliner)
Peter Pan Speedrock
Soulfly

Personally, I think this is a great one day Metal lineup. The more I think about it - perhaps one day fests are the way to go. On the Glammer side of things, both the M3 Fest (Baltimore, Maryland) and the Desert Invasion (Phoenix, Arizona) have great lineups. M3 features:

Twisted Sister
Ratt
Extreme
Kix
Slaughter
Dokken
Y&T
Gilby Clarke
Jani Lane
Keel
Jetboy
L.A. Guns
XYZ
SLAMM

The Desert Invasion features:

Dee Snider (host)
Night Ranger
Skid Row
L.A. Guns
Trixter
Kix
Bulletboys
Firehouse
Bang Tango

The way  the economy and tour routings are going this year, it seems that more and more promoters are cashing in on one and two day events that give fans the festival experience without the expense of a week-long vacation.

At any rate, I won't be at any of these three events because I went ahead and signed up for more traditional, multi-day fests. Still, if I had an infinite amount of cash, you'd better believe I'd be at M3 - no question.

Happy Easter and In Case You Missed This...

It's Easter Sunday and the Glam Mistress is away from the computer for much of the day. In case you missed these music stories in the past week, click the links and catch up.

Rocklahoma announced a few more bands for the 2009 lineup, including Stryper as a headliner.

American Idol contestant Adam Lambert proved why he's the best of the 2009 competition - again.

Carlos Santana thinks President Obama should legalize pot already.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil opened to rave reviews and even catches the attention of National Public Radio.

That Metal Show co-hosts talk about their favorite bands.

So Pete Evick Works with Paramore...

I had no idea Pete Evick worked with Paramore. Turns out, the Bret Michaels Band guitarist just received his first gold record award for his work with Paramore. No, Pete didn't play guitar with the modern rockers - he helped with his studio prowess.

Turns out Pete helped with the editing on Paramore's album The Final Riot!

From the official press release:

"The guitarist for the Bret Michaels Band and leader of his namesake band was brought in by producer Jeff Juliano to digitally edit the modern rock heroes live album. "The album had been mixed down but they were on a tight deadline to deliver it to their label so Jeff suggested they send it to me to see what I could do with it, knowing that I understand editing software for use in live recordings better than most," says Evick. "I also work at a pretty rapid pace and could meet their deadline so I worked on it a few days, sent it back and all was good. It was an honour to work a young band
like Paramore who aren't only talented, they really have their act together."

Paramore certainly are famous these days. Perhaps Pete can lead his studio abilities to Poison, giving the Pennsylvania natives a much needed nudge toward the studio?

Here's a little Paramore for your Saturday - give them a chance, you might like them!

Finish This Sentence: Without Iron Maiden, Life Would...

Seriously. Do it. Finish this sentence: Without Iron Maiden, life would...

I say "Without Iron Maiden, life would largely be devoid of any quality modern Metal bands." Why? Because bands I love like Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot and Bullet for My Valentine all point to Iron Maiden as major influences. I listen to all three bands every single day. In fact, I do not think it would be humanly possible for me to make it through eight hours in a corporate cubicle without Slipknot. Seriously.

So, your turn. You finish the sentence. Here's some live Maiden to get you going. Thank Glam it's Friday!

ROCKLAHOMA ANNOUNCES STRYPER, THIN LIZZY, SKID ROW, WARRANT AND NIGHT RANGER

PRYOR, OK—Rocklahoma, the premier eighties rock festival in the United States announced additional bands to its third annual event.

Rocklahoma held in Pryor, Oklahoma and called by many throughout the world as the “Woodstock of Eighties Rock Music” has announced additional bands for the main stage for the four days. Added to the history making festival includes Stryper headlining Friday Night along with fan favorites Night Ranger and Warrant. Added to Saturday, is the legendary Thin Lizzy. Sunday Night’s addition includes eighties favorite Skid Row.

Stryper featuring three original members, lead vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox, along with bassist Tracy Ferrie.

Michael Sweet of Stryper had this to say, "Rocklahoma is an event that I've heard about from peers and friends and they have always said that Stryper would be a perfect fit for this festival. Oklahoma holds a special place in my heart since my family lived in Moore, Oklahoma. I have a lot of family in Oklahoma. We're excited to finally be able to perform at Rocklahoma and look forward to an amazing night!"

Recently added to Saturday’s lineup at Rocklahoma is Thin Lizzy, a seventies favorite whose hits went well into the eighties and include “Jail Break” and “The Boys are Back in Town.” Vocalist John Sykes “We have heard a lot about Rocklahoma and are really excited to be playing this year’s festival. The set will be jam packed with Lizzy Classics, so see you there!”

The lineup on each of the three days is as follows:

Thursday: Anthrax, Saxon, Overkill, Metal Church and Leatherwolf.

Friday: Stryper, Night Ranger, Warrant, Danger Danger, Helix and Hurricane Alice

Saturday: Thin Lizzy, KIX, KEEL, Gypsy Pistoleros, plus two to be announced.

Sunday: Twisted Sister, Skid Row, Great White, Nelson, Bonfire and Vixen

Rocklahoma features attendance from all over the world, already selling tickets throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and throughout North America including every state in the United States!

The Third Annual Rocklahoma will have over ninety bands on four stages, including favorites from previous Rocklahoma festivals, Beautiful Creatures, LA Guns featuring Tracii Gun, Britney Fox, Bang Tango, Lillian Axe and Faster Pussycat.

Both Playboy and Rolling Stone in 2008 called Rocklahoma one of the top festivals that should not be missed.

Catch The Fever Festival Grounds is located four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma and has 6,200 assigned and numbered seats, as well as general admission on the lawn for over 50,000 people. The grounds also feature over 4,000 campsites, on-site parking, bathroom facilities and a convenience store. Rocklahoma also has a Picture Alley that allows anyone in attendance to approach the stage during any performance and take photographs of a favorite artist at close range.

Rocklahoma offers a one-day and four-day general admission passes, along with V.I.P. Passes that includes all the food and drink, including Free Miller Lite for all four days. Rocklahoma offers a layaway program on all ticket plans that enables fans to reserve their ticket at the current price.

The public can also order tickets online at http://www.feverfest.com, charge by phone at 1-866-310-2288, or any of the 3,200 O’Reilly Auto Part Stores across the United States.

First Time a Favorite

How did you feel the first time you ever heard the band that would inevitably become your favorite? Was it love at first listen, or did it take a little time? Did the obsession grow immediately, or was the immersion slow, building with each new album purchased and concert experienced?

I think it's easy to become complacent after awhile. Sometimes we forget just how important a favorite anything is to us; be it a band, meal or vacation spot. We tend to take these favorites for granted as they become part of our being - but do others know these secrets?

For instance, I'm not really sure my husband truly understands why I never - ever - want to meet or interview Aerosmith. For a longtime, that was my biggest career goal: interview Aerosmith. Now, I'd rather just keep a distance. I want to remember them as a true first love: a favorite band obsession. In my mind, I think it's better for everyone involved if they remain as special to me now and in the future as they were to me when I was just 15, sitting on my bedroom floor while reading Metal Edge. Having a real life experience with this band would completely and utterly change all my memories - and I can't risk that.

We might find new bands, foods or vacation spots we adore - but there will always be a space for the single favorite. It's a special feeling that is hard to quantify with words, but I'm pretty sure every band is looking to stir that emotion among the masses. It's the special few that actually make it happen.