I Am Giant has sent us an email which announce their tour in OZ & US.

If you wanna come party with them it’d great to have you there. The best thing is these shows are gonna be FREE.

Everyone that brings friend along gets a FREE CD sampler! And if you don’t live in the below cities but have a friends that do, get them along and they will send you out a few bonus MP3′s of your choice

OZ

- Sydney: Oxford Arts Factory. Wednesday, Aug 11th from 7:00 pm

- Melbourne: The Esplanade (Espy). Thursday, Aug 12th from 7:00 pm

US

- Los Angles: Viper Room. Tuesday, Aug 17th from 7:00 pm

- New York: The Mercury Lounge. Tuesday, Aug 24th from 6:00 pm

More detail available at www.iamgiant.com or log onto their Facebook

On 14th of May, the very first music masterpiece with the name “NHÌN – LOOK” could be hold by the hands of rockfans. You can purchase this album at the press conference or at any distribution agency of PhươngNamFilm.

“Nhìn – Look” album is a memorized product, with the limited in 2010 copies all over the world.

In the same day, 14th May, the band will conduct a mini- liveshow (within the Mayhem in May program which organized by RFC) at HIFI bar. TITANIUM sends warmly invitation to their friends, metalheads and who interested in their music to come and celebrate this moment with TITANIUM.

American Club was continuously chosen by CAMA for its international music festival – which included a spectacular line up of artists from many countries. The main stage was equipped with the professional system of sound and light of Fantasies. Specifically, Masaki Azuma, a Japanese director of sound, assumed responsibility for the sound of festival.

The festival occured succesfully with a big number of international and Vietnamese audiences. It started at 1:00p.m with successive performances of Jazz, DJ, Hiphop….. And from afternoon to night, the main stage absolutely reserved for rock bands.

In addition, there was a non-stop DJ tent, a wide variety of international food and drinks, and entertainment and games for adults and children alike.

Here are some great moment of CAMA festival caught by RockPassion’s photographers:

Up Dharma Down – the post rock/experimental band from the Phillipines. They rocked the festival with greatest hits from their albums “Fragmented” and “Bipolar”.

Armi Millare, vocal and key from Up Dharma Down

Recycle – a representative of Vietnamese rock band. Young and energetic, the guys keep seeking to add new and stronger elements to their original alternative sounds that definitely rock the crowd.

Recycle - Alternative band from Vietnam

Molice – a quartet from Japan, with elements of ‘70s punk energy, ‘80s new wave sensibility, and ‘90s college radio guitar all get mashed in there, topped with gutsy female vocals. Although they sang in Japanese, the audiences were enthusiastic and sang after them.

MOLICE - Incredile rock quartet from Japan

Rinko - One of the most impressive vocal in the festival

Dengue Fever took on the Cambodian rock sounds of the 60s which makes them one of rock’n’roll’s most unique success stories. They drew enthusiastic crowds in CAMA festival. On Sunday 16 May 2010, they will bring their own music to rockfans in Ho Chi Minh city at liveshow “Mayhem in May”.

Chhom Nimol - Cambodian vocal of The Dengue Fever

Ngu Cung (or Pentatonic) – a quintet from Hanoi hailed as one of the most technical and more original bands in Vietnam for their pick of progressive rock/metal. They inspired strongly both international and Vietnamese rockfans.

Ngu Cung - Always set fire on stage

Saxophone - Additional factor for Ngu Cung's new music

Queen Sea Big Shark from China was the last band performing in CAMA festival. They impressed the audiences with their own indie rock. And their performance also ended the festival.

Fuhan - The artist from future

The CAMA festival 2010 in Hanoi is really an imposing and memorable event. We look forward to the next CAMA festivals in Vietnam!

The CAMA Festival 2010 is produced in partnership with World Population Foundation (WPF) and, specifically, with Dance4life program. Dance4life is a dynamic international initiative, which actively involves young people and gives them a powerful voice in response to the spread of HIV and AIDS as well as the stigma and taboos that surround it. Dance4life uses dance, music and youth icons to attract young people and talk to them in their own language, encouraging them to learn more about HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights. All proceeds from CAMA Festival 2010 will go directly to support and further Dance4life’s activities in Vietnam.

The CAMA Festival will include a spectacular line up of artists from Vietnam, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and China. In addition, there will be a non-stop DJ tent, a wide variety of international food and drinks, and entertainment and games throughout the day for adults and children alike. On the main stage, the rock bands are: Dengue Fever (USA), Molice (Japan), Queen Sea Big Shark (China), Up Dharma Down (Philippines), Red Bantoo (Australia), Ngu Cung (Vietnam) and Recycle (Vietnam).

* Further information:

Date: Saturday 8 May 2010

Time: 2:00p.m – 11:00p.m

Place: American Club – 19/21 Hai Ba Trung street – Hanoi

Ticket price:

-          Advance tickets: 200,000 VND

-          At the door: 300,000 VND

-          Students with valid ID: 100,000 VND (at the door only)

A limited number of advance tickets will go on sale from 25/04 at the following locations:
-     Boo Skate Shops: 38 Lê Đại Hạnh / 84 Hàng Điếu
-     Al Fresco’s: 23L Hai Bà Trưng / 108K1 Láng Hạ / 98 Xuân Diệu / A37 Phố Hoàng          Ngân / 19 Nhà Thờ
-     Highway4: 3 Hàng Tre / 54 Mai Hắc Đế / 575 Kim Mã
-     The House of Sơn Tinh: 31 Xuân Diệu
-     Puku: 60 Hàng Trống

For more details about this Festival, please log on : www.camafestival.com

A track from the album, “Sea Of Fate”, is available for free download at this location.

Rhapsody Of Fire previously issued the following statement regarding its new deal with Nuclear Blast and upcoming CD: “We are finally proud to announce to the world that Rhapsody Of Fire are stronger than ever and finally ready for their glorious comeback!”

Rhapsody Of Fire

“In the last months, we worked very hard and now all we can say is that a great new album, a real masterpiece of power/speed/symphonic metal, is finally ready!”

“This is not just a new album for us, but pure emotion carved in music. Lyrically, it’s based on the third chapter of “The Dark Secret Saga” and the long journey of five bravehearts to the frozen northern lands at the unexplored borders of the known world in order to find a way to stop the demonknight’s prophecy. This album and its music will underline the feelings, hopes and fear of the main characters in this new epic adventure. All the drama of this new part of the saga will be as always enchanted by the soundtrack oriented orchestral arrangements and the majesty of opera choirs, real trademark of Rhapsody Of Fire‘s music, but surely this album will sound more powerful, speed- and guitar-oriented than in the recent past, in order to underline the dark and romantic rage of the lyrics too. Every song will have its own character, as you will be able to fly with the angels of the crystal realms through the cold skies of the north on the notes of hit songs like ‘Sea Of Fate’ (song written for the first time together by Luca Turilli, Alex Staropoli and Fabio Lione), ‘Raging Starfire’ or ‘The Frozen Tears Of Angels’, and at the same time you will have a taste of the angels’ holy rage listening to ‘Reign Of Terror’, real gem of this new production. The energy of more extreme metal applied to positive lyrics hymning to the victory of hope, truth and respect over the inner demons lying in the depths of our conscience for a unique contrast never heard before and that made us really excited while composing this song.”

“This new CD will include a great-looking cover artwork, created this time by a new and incredibly talented artist able to turn the drama of our fantasy world into a serious, cinematic and realistic representation, and a complete booklet including all the details of the saga’s new chapter.”

"Frozen Tears Of Angels" artwork

“We are looking forward to inviting you to the unexplored snowy and icy majestic landscapes of the north, that mystical dark frozen world where even the tears of our beloved angels can’t be anything else but frozen!”

Album’s tracklisting:

1. “Dark Frozen World”

2. “Sea of Fate”

3. “Crystal Moonlight”

4. “Reign of Terror”

5. “Danza di fuoco e ghiaccio” (Dance of Fire and Ice)

6. “Raging Starfire”

7. “Lost in Cold Dreams”

8. “On the Way to Ainor”

9. “The Frozen Tears of Angels”

10. “Labyrinth of Madness” (digipack bonus track)

11. “Sea of Fate (orchestral version)” (digipack bonus track)

(From Blabbermouth.net)

Avenged Sevenfold have issued the following update:

“I want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began. Jimmy helped leave this world an amazing gift and now it’s our job to make sure to deliver that gift to our fans. We asked Jimmy’s all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that’s what Jim would have wanted. It’s comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev’s abilities. Even though it will never be the same without our brother by our side, his essence lives in our hearts and through the music he helped create. He was a legend before any of the success or any of that bullshit and we are fucking excited to lay this down for our fans, and especially for Jimmy.”

Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan

For more information on Sullivan and the band go to this location.

Portnoy has issued the following statement:

“Even under normal circumstances, I would’ve been happy to help the guys out in any way I could as I think Avenged Sevenfold are a great band…but under these incredibly sad and tragic circumstances, I must say I am truly honored to have been asked to play with them…and I didn’t even have to think twice about saying yes.

These guys are a true family and it is an incredibly emotional experience to be here with them for the first time without their lost brother. But they have welcomed me into the family with open arms and there’s a real excitement to make the record they had set out to make…

Mike Portnoy

I am treating my participation on this album with the utmost respect for Jimmy’s memory and am remaining as true as possible to the drum parts that he wrote for the songs and the record he wanted to make.

I want their fans to realize that I’m not trying to step into or fill The Rev’s shoes…I’m just merely lacing em up for him!”

(From Bravewords.com)

Police have been searching for Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, 20, since she went missing from a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia, on October 17.

According to findmorgan.com (a website founded by her family and friends to share info on her case), Harrington’s parents offered $US100,000 for the safe return of their daughter or for information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for her disappearance.

An appeal issued on Metallica's website

Meanwhile, Metallica also added an additional $US50,000 to the reward, bringing it to $US150,000 for Morgan’s safe return or information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Morgan’s disappearance. An appeal was posted on metallica.com along with photos of Harrington, under the headline: “One Of Our Fans Is Missing” with descriptions of her physical traits: “blonde hair, blue eyes, a black Pantera t-shirt, black skirt and boots, not carrying ID or a cell phone”, and “was separated from her friends shortly before 9pm at the venue.” The band also asked fans to check if Harrington can be seen in their photos and video footage from the concert.

Morgan's brother's thank-you message to the band

However, the band has recently issued the following statement regarding the news that human remains discovered on January 26 on a southern Albermarle County, Virginia are confirmed to be those of missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington.

“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the discovery of Morgan Dana Harrington’s body. Our most sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Morgan Dana Harrington… Sadly, Morgan’s body was found yesterday ending her family’s three-month vigil hoping and praying for her safe return.Mere words cannot express the anguish and grief that we know her parents Dan and Gil are feeling, and our thoughts are with them. If you have any information at all about Morgan’s death, please contact the Virginia State Police.”

(Source: Collected)

He had played in a number of bands in Japan and the US before joining Saigon Rock. During his time in Vietnam, Ray also worked as a teacher and a sound/light technician.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tam – a close friend of Ray’s – he unexpectedly broke down while playing sports and couldn’t manage to get up on his feet again. Ray’s funeral ceremony is now being held at Vinh Nghiem pagoda.

Bassist Ray Bauer Tu on Military 7 stage - R.I.P

Some additional information from his friends reveal that the late rocker still kept his American citizenship while settling in Vietnam and has just got married to a local woman 4 months ago.

Our hearts go out to you and your beloveds. So long, Ray!

With over 40 releases to his name, Stringfellow has forged a reputation as one notable alternative rock/power-pop icon – an adaptable and prolific guitarist, who has played thousands of live shows in some 40 countries across six continents over the last 20 years, including headline slots from Glastonbury to Rio, both solo, as frontman of iconic Seattle rockers The Posies, and as a member of legendary acts such as R.E.M. and Big Star.

Show promo poster

Starting out with the formation of The Posies in the vibrant Seattle scene of the late 80s, Ken has since gone on to win popular and critical acclaim for his three solo studio albums, alongside live and studio performances with artists like Snow Patrol, Neil Young, Patti Smith, Mudhoney, Wilco, French singer Cali, The Afghan Whigs, Death Cab for Cutie, Lagwagon… and also, for his latest project named The Disciplines. From collaborations with Senegalese pop band WaFlash, Ecuadorian electronic duo Can Can, or Latvian art rockers Brainstorm, the diversity of Stringfellow’s work spans styles and crosses borders of every kind.

The Posies, whose songs "Love Comes" and "I Guess You're Right" feature as music samples for Windows Vista

Ken's new project - The Disciplines

Hot on the heels of dates in Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines on his current Southeast Asian tour, Ken will be bringing his unique talents to HCMC and Hanoi, joining forces with local promoters C.A.M.A. and the Saigon Sound System for two intimate solo performances at HCMC’s CAGE and Hanoi Cinematheque (supported by local songsmith Joshua Lee) on January 28 and 30.

HCMC

Time: 21:00 Jan 28 2010

Venue: CAGE Bar, 3A Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, HCMC

Cost: 150,000 Vnd (on the door only)

Hanoi:

Time: 20:00 Jan 30 2010

Venue: Hanoi Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung St., Hanoi

Cost: 100,000 Vnd (on the door only)