Florida's Heavy Metal Underground

ABOLISH sign to Stillborn Records

South Florida's Metal / Hardcore band ABOLISH sign to Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Records. The band has entered Connecticut's Dexter's Lab Studios with engineer Nick Bellmore (Hatebreed, The World We Knew, Phantoms, Death Threat) to record their first full-length album to be named "Beyond Redemption". The band commented "We are very excited to be working with Stillborn, a label that is so well respected and has released some of the staple records in the hardcore and metal genres. With our new record, we wrote songs with the heavy groove we wanted to hear. We hope everyone enjoys the record as much as much as we do. See you on tour."

Label owner and Hatebreed frontman Jasta added "I'm excited to be working with Abolish. Their sound is as hard as their work ethic!". Check out more about on the Abolish MySpace.

GLENN TIPTON podcast now posted

Legendary guitarist GLENN TIPTON of the Metal Gods JUDAS PRIEST phones in to discuss the band's upcoming tour celebrating 20 years of BRITISH STEEL. Glenn also talks about his guitar sounds, setup, the future of Judas Priest and the possibilities of another solo album.

CLICK HERE to check out the PodCast, or to read the translated interview in it's entirety! We're seriously excited about seeing the PRIEST in Florida once again!

IRON MAIDEN videos emerging online

In case you missed it, stay tuned to the FLmetal Twitter page for the latest updates as videos from the first ever IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM appear online. A huge METAL HAIL goes out to everyone who shot photos and video of the night, and to those who have been spreading the disease online! It's amazing the positive response, and sense of community that the Central Florida METAL scene enjoys, and to prove it, just take a look at this video of the GRAND FINALE as all the performers from the evening STORM THE STAGE for an enthusiastic version of "THE TROOPER"!!!

IRON MAIDEN photos emerging online

In what will surely go down in history as one of the greatest local shows of all time, the first ever IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM exceeded all expectations, and was a huge success! It was amazing having nearly 50 of Florida's best METAL musicians come together to jam on their favorite IRON MAIDEN CLASSICS.

Photos are now emerging on the FLmetal.com FACEBOOK PAGE. METAL HAILS to everyone who has contributed photos so far, and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who made this show one of the best nights ever!

MASSACRE page taken off-line?

Just one day after announcing that MASSACRE have once again re-formed and posted a new track on the bands new band's MySpace page, the song and the page was taken down? It seems that original drummer Bill Andrews and bassist Terry Butler took offense to KAM LEE continuing on under the MASSACRE name without them.

An excerpt from the band's MySpace page "recent rash decision was made in haste by Kam to finally quit the band, break all ties with it and it's former members, and left to ROT."

As an icon of Florida's old-school Death Metal scene, we can only hope that all parties can reconcile, and perhaps reform with the original members! Good luck in your future endeavors guys.

MASSACRE post new song online

Resurrected death-metal pioneers MASSACRE have sort-of reformed and are working on a forthcoming EP titled "Legends of Death" which will feature four reworked versions of classic MASSACRE songs re-recorded and "brought up to date" according to vocalist Kam Lee. Joining Kam is studio musician (BONE GNAWER, HATE AMMO, RIBSPREADER).

A new version of the song "Clangor of War" is available on the band's MySpace page.

"Musically this song was the first track Rick Rozz [guitar] wrote when he first joined MASSACRE, and it originally appeared on the bands demo #2. Many years later, the band NAPALM DEATH ended up doing a cover of this track for their 'Leaders Not Follows Part 2' album. And I should mention — a lot of fans still today ask me what the word 'clangor' means. Clangor is a word that means the sounds of metal clanging and clashing together. Like metal armor hitting together, or like swords clashing together in battle."

TRANQUILIZER no singer after all

Sorry to learn that the recent addition of new singer EL JEFE isn't going to work out for Orlando's southern rock/metal crusaders TRANQUILIZER. Our personal opinion is that this band is one of Central Florida's best, so if you're interested in singing for an awesome band, then hit them up for an audition.

Reunited SOLSTICE posts new song

South Florida's reunited SOLSTICE have posted another new song entitled "BLACK" on the band's MYSPACE PAGE. The song is scheduled for release later this year on the band's forthcoming album "TO DUST". Reportedly, the band plans on releasing the album through an online retailer until a label can be found to pick up the release.

Formed in 1990, the band recorded a demo and a full length album, but due to internal struggles, and members defecting to other bands (MALEVOLENT CREATION), they never got the project out of South Florida. We wish them all the best in this new adventure.

IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM on Blabbermouth

FLmetal would like to THANK the people at BLABBERMOUTH for posting an article about the upcoming IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM to be held Friday, May 29th at the HAVEN in Winter Park, FL. CLICK HERE to view the article, and post your comments!

So far this event is shaping up nicely and will include nearly 100 musicians in various configurations performing many of their favorite IRON MAIDEN classics. CLICK HERE to view the forum posts!

TRANQUILIZER announces new singer

Orlando's southern rock/metal powerhouse TRANQUILIZER have announced their imminent return with new vocalist Jeff "El Jefe" Ward (Durahell, DeformNation). The band has already entered SUEDE SHOE STUDIOS in Lake Mary, FL to record a couple of new tracks that we expect will be posted on their myspace soon.

The band will make their debut with their new lineup at the upcoming IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM, Friday May 29th at the The HAVEN, Winter Park

UNSAID & GORILLAFIGHT win EDBD slots!

We'd like to take a moment to congratulate Orlando's own UNSAID and GORILLAFIGHT for both winning spots on the coveted "Native Noise Stage" for this year's EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY concert being put together by Orlando's Rock Station WJRR.

UNSAID were voted "Best Band in Orlando" through an online voting competition. GORILLAFIGHT won the final open slot Thursday night at the AKA Lounge in the "Last Band Standing" competition where they packed the place with Metalheads in support.

The concert will be held this Saturday, April 25th at the Citrus Bowl, and features some heavy favorites such as STATIC-X, ALL THAT REMAINS and Hed (p.e.). We wish the best of luck, so if you want to see these two amazing bands, then now you know where to be! Watch them stomp a mud-hole into the unsuspecting radio rockers!

JON OLIVIA'S PAIN to webcast show

Tampa area legends JON OLIVIA'S PAIN have announced that their upcoming performance at Bourbon Street Nightclub May 15th will be webcast via Synclive — visit the website to register in order to watch the broadcast.

The band is reportedly planning a two-hour show with a setlist covering material from all four of the groups releases as well as a heavy dose of classics from SAVATAGE

A video clip of the band performing "Firefly" from Oct. 10, 2008 in Springfield, VA can be viewed below.

TARDY BROTHERS release debut album

OBITUARY founding members and real life brothers John & Donald Tardy have a new projects called TARDY BROTHERS inviting their musical friends to collaborate and explore new musical avenues. For instance John steps out from behind the drum kit to record many of the rhythm guitar tracks.

The band's debut album is titled "BLOODLINE" features guitarist Ralph Santolla (Obituary), Jerry Tidwell (Xecutioner), as well as others.

Said John Tardy "This is something Donald and I have talked about and planned for many years and we just never had the time to do it. With the addition of our new studio, it has finally given us the abilitity to get this music recorded. It is not going to affect anything that Obituary is doing nor is it supposed to sound like Obituary."

SEVEN KINGDOMS entering the studio

Orlando power metal-lers SEVEN KINGDOMS are making plans to enter Tampa's legendary Morrisound Studios in late July to record their sophomore album. The album will debut the band's new singer Sabrina Valentine and is scheduled to include guest appearances by Wade Black (Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf) and Glen Alvelais (Forbidden, Testament).

Guitarist Camden Cruz comments "We can't wait for you guys to hear the new stuff. The new album has a more focused SEVEN KINGDOMS sound this time around. I know some of you guys are worried that we will be going softer since we have a chick singer, but let me assure you there will be plenty of epic triumphant-ness on this one as well."

The band plans to hit the road in September / October for a small Southeast tour as well as a full East Coast Trek in the future. For more, visit the band's MySpace.

IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM in the works

Planning has begun for the first ever IRON MAIDEN ALL-STAR JAM to take place at the Haven in Winter Park, FL Friday, May 29th!!! We encourage all musicians who live in the Central Florida area to visit the FORUM to sign up to perform your favorite Iron Maiden songs! Space and time is limited, so you'd better hurry if you're planning on participating.

OBITUARY planning FL Death Metal Tour

Tampa's legendary Death Metal pioneers OBITUARY recently completed work on the the band's 10th album set for release via Candelight Records sometime in late May / early June. Vocalist John Tardy states, "It came out really sick and I cannot wait for you guys to hear it... it is heavy!"

In support of the new record, guitarist Trevor Peres tells METAL HAMMER that an all Floridan Death Metal package tour is currently being planned for the United States late in the year, with a possibility of going worldwide. Peres reveals, "We've been talking about putting a death metal package together with OBITUARY, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE and SIX FEET UNDER". ""Nothing's happened yet," he continued. "But we've been talking about trying to do that. It would be a States thing at first but we could go globally, do a Florida death metal tour in Asia, Europe... anywhere that's interested."

That's certainly one tour we truly DIE to see!

TRIVIUM announces headlining dates down under

As reported by BLABBERMOUTH, Orlando's own TRIVIUM are teaming up with fellow Floridians BLACK TIDE and HEAVEN SHALL BURN for a headlining Australian tour in May. Congratulations to our METAL brothers and we wish them continued success!

Since it's late September release, TRIVIUM's latest album "Shogun" has sold approximately 70,000 units in the United States.