Members:
- Daryl Palumbo - Vocals
- Beck - Guitar
- Todd N. Weinstock - Guitar
- Manuel Carrero - Bass
- Larry Gorman - Drums

You may have noticed that over the past few months quiet changes have been made to the site. First we gave you new artist pages. Check out your favorite and you'll find widgets, videos, music, and much more. Plus they look great.

A few weeks back we also updated our Artists page. You'll see highlighted artists up top in blue. These change as artists are updated with news, video, and music. This is a great page to make your first port-of-call after the news section!

Today we've relaunched three other pages. Music and Video are all new. You can now embed all of our music and video posted to the site in your blog, web site, or MySpace/Facebook profiles. At the right of these pages you'll see charts driven by what YOU do on our site. You can also leave comments at all songs and videos, rate them, and favorite them in our new profile system (more on that in a sec).







 

The Releases page has gotten a huge makeover. Every album now has its own home page where you can see the available tracks, rate it, leave a review, or comment on others' reviews. Snazzy huh?

Finally, we just launched our new profile pages. If you're a subscriber to our email newsletters, you can log in, add your own picture, keep track of the latest updates on our site (and partner sites), follow your favorite videos and music, and tell us what bands you want to hear about.

Of course, many of these new features require that you be a member of the site to use them, so please join today!

We are, of course, in a beta phase and need your help to make the site work the best for YOU. If you see any problems or want to suggest changes to the new features, please send an email to webmaster@roadrunnerrecords.com with "NEW SITE REPORT" in the subject line. If you receive an error, please be as detailed as possible, including what page you were on, what browser you are using, and copy any error message you receive into the body of the email.

Please feel free to leave comments here below!

Cheers!

Jeremy Rosen

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Believe it or not, there were as many people who thought we were April Fooling about the launch of our new Bulletin Board as did the Avril Lavigne gag!

Yeah, yeah, we know a RR BB upgrade was long overdue, but what do y'all take us for? Never mind, don't answer, just get on over there and sign up already, will ya?

You may also have noticed we have an outrageous number of incredible contests (free iPod, free PSP, free V-Cast cellphone, etc.) going on in our Free Shit section, so if you feel lucky (well do ya...punk?) sign up now!

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We have a new page for you to bookmark alongside our main hub here at RoadRunnerRecords.com...

Our newly revamped and relaunched official home on MySpace - come take a look at www.myspace.com/roadrunnerrecords.

Once there, you can join our network of friends, make new ones to talk music and whatever else you please with, and enjoy everything from pictures, to banners, to videos and jukeboxes, to special promotions and prize giveways for all your favorite Roadrunner artists.

We're looking forward to seeing you there and welcome your feedback to help us make Roadrunner's MySpace page the best that it can be.

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This past Thursday (12/15), will go down as one of the greatest shows in Roadrunner's history. Many great artists got together and performed some classic Roadrunner tunes with once in a lifetime dream pairings.

If you missed it, our friends in METAL Injection got you covered. They captured the night in over 200 photos, including photos of members of SLIPKNOT (unmasked), KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MACHINE HEAD, TRIVIUM, DEICIDE, BIOHAZARD, HATEBREED, HIM and many more. The photos are available for viewing by CLICKING HERE.

Roadrunner United:The All-Star Sessions is in stores now

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We wanted to thank all those who joined us at this groundbreaking show - as well as our friends both in the U.S. and abroad who helped spread the word about it.

Happy Holidays from all at Roadrunner Records and here's what we banged our heads to Thursday night at the Nokia Theater, in NYC:

BIOHAZARD's "Punishment"
Evan Seinfeld / Billy Graziadei - vocals
Billy Graziadei - lead guitar
Dino Cazares / Andreas Kisser - rhythm guitar
Evan Seinfeld - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

MADBALL's "Set It Off"
Jamey Jasta - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

LIFE OF AGONY's "River Runs Red"
Keith Caputo - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

OBITUARY's "The End Complete"
Glen Benton - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

MERCYFUL FATE's "Curse of the Pharoahs"
Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals
Andreas Kisser / James Murphy - lead guitar
Jeff Waters - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

KING DIAMOND's "Abigail"
Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals
James Murphy - lead guitar
Jeff Waters - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums

ANNIHILATOR's "Alison Hell"
Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals
Jeff Waters - lead guitar
James Murphy - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums

DEICIDE's "Dead By Dawn"
Glen Benton - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Steve Asheim - drums

TRIVIUM's "Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr"
Robert Flynn / Matthew K Heafy - vocals
Cory Beaulieu - lead guitar
Matthew K Heafy - rhythm guitar
Paolo Gregoletto - bass
Travis Smith - drums

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's "My Last Seranade"
Jesse Leach / Howard Jones - vocals
Joel Stroetzel - lead guitar
Andreas Kisser - rhythm guitar
Mike D'Antonio - bass
Justin Foley - drums

TYPE O NEGATIVE's "Black No. 1"
Ville Valo - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Nadja Peulen - bass
Joey Jordison - drums
Rob Caggiano - keyboards

FEAR FACTORY's "Replica"
Matthew K Heafy - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Joey Jordison - drums
Rob Caggiano - keyboards

CHIMAIRA's "Pure Hatred"
Jamey Jasta - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

ROADRUNNER UNITED's "Tired And Lonely"
Keith Caputo - vocals
Matt Baumbach - lead guitar
Acey Slade - rhythm guitar
Nadja Puelen - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

STONE SOUR's "Bother"
Corey Taylor / Keith Caputo - vocals

ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The Rich Man"
Corey Taylor - vocals
Robert Flynn - lead guitar
Jordan Whelan - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Andols Herrick - drums

ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The Dagger"
Howard Jones / Robert Flynn - vocals
Andreas Kisser / Jeff Waters - lead guitar
Jordan Whelan - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Andols Herrick - drums

ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The End"
Matthew K Heafy - vocals
Logan Mader - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Nadja Puelen - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums
Rob Caggiano - keyboards

SOULFLY's "Eye For An Eye"
Brian Fair - vocals
Logan Mader - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums

SEPULTURA's "Refuse/Resist"
Robert Flynn - vocals
Andreas Kisser / Scott Ian - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums

SLIPKNOT's "Surfacing"
Robert Flynn - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums

MACHINE HEAD's "Davidian"
Robert Flynn / Matthew K Heafy - vocals
Andreas Kisser / Logan Mader - lead guitar
Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

SLIPKNOT's "Sic"
Corey Taylor - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Dino Cazares / Scott Ian - rhythm guitar
Paul Gray - bass
Joey Jordison - drums

SEPULTURA's "Roots Bloody Roots"
Robert Flynn - lead vocals
Roadrunner United Group and special guests - vocals
Andreas Kisser - lead guitar
Scott Ian - rhythm guitar
Adam Duce - bass
Joey Jordison - drums


Nice huh? If you were there, you know what a special celebration of heavy metal it turned out to be - thanks coming!

If you missed it - DOH!

But if it's any consolation, you can still experience the spirit (and share our hangovers!) from our 25th anniversary concert by entering to win iPods loaded with Roadrunner music, and autographed by Roadrunner United's four team captains.

Click here for details.


Other celebrities who were in the house for this amazing evening of Metal... Max Weinberg (E-Street Band, Conan O'Brien show band leader), David Draiman and John Moyer (Disturbed), Bo Bice (American Idol), Steve Padulla (Thursday), Tera Patrick (porn star), Johnny Kelly and Josh Silver (Type O Negative), Jennifer Arroyo (ex-Kittie), Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson (noted Metal producers), KC Armstrong (ex-Howard Stern Show), John Fattorusso (Five Year Stare, ex-StereoMud), members of Every Time I Die, Unearth and Shadows Fall...

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Roadrunner Records has put together a groundbreaking record to mark the label's 25th Anniversary. Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions is IN STORES NOW and it  is a master-class in hard rock/metal.

'Captains' Joey Jordison ( Slipknot ), Dino Cazares (ex- Fear Factory/Brujeria ), Robert Flynn ( Machine Head ) and Matthew Heafy ( Trivium ) play on the songs they have written and have also assembled a unique team of artists to appear on each track. I n cluding contributions from such metal luminaries as Corey Taylor, Paul Gray and Jim Root of Slipknot, Howard Jones and Mike D. from Killswitch Engage, Peter Steele and Josh Silver from Type O Negative, Dez Fafara of DevilDriver/Coal Chamber fame, Mark Hunter of Chimaira, King Diamond and members of Opeth, Machine Head, Fear Factory, Trivium, Sepultura, Soulfly, Deicide, Life of Agony and many, MANY more - this is an album in which the whole is even greater than the sum of it's parts.

If you are a fan of METAL - be it black, death, thrash, trad, 'core or whatever the hell you want to call it - pick this album up because it is truly a testament to 25 years of the best metal has to offer all on one CD. Also includes an hour long bonus DVD on the making of the album.

Click here to preview music from the album, in stores now.

YOU COULD WIN A ROADRUNNER LOADED APPLE IPOD
How well do you know your Roadrunner history? In celebration of this landmark release, we are holding a Roadrunner Trivia Contest, and the top 4 winners of the contest will recieve brand-new Apple iPods with engraved signatures of all 4 captains, as well as the entire Roadrunner discography loaded onto it! So, what are you waiting for, start playing today.

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Today we give you more music from the upcoming Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions release, one of the songs from captain Joey Jordison, a death metal track titled "Annihilation By The Hands Of God." The line-up for the track is as follows:

Glen Benton (DEICIDE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY)- solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

"I had the idea of using Glen Benton on the song before even writing anything," tells Roadrunner United captain Joey Jordison. "However, instead of writing a typical death metal song, I wanted to do something a little more structured, even hooky, while still maintaining death metal and blast beat aspects."

The result, a technical piece of death metal filled with the individual personalities of members from the bands Deicide, Chimaira, Malevolent Creation, Death, and Sadus...and of course, Slipknot, as Joey himself had written the song prior to the members from the above bands coming to town to record.

"Steve (bass) comes out of left field, he's one of a kind. Rob (guitar) contributed greatly to a black metal tone of the song with his guitar parts over the blast beat sections, and Matt (guitar) with his picking style. Each guy had their own staple on how their parts of the song should go, all of which helped with the overall feel of the song," Joey praises.

When asked for a favorite part of the song, Joey has no comment. "I write songs as a whole, with sections that move from one part to another and all make sense together in some way." That being said, he does say to check out the searing breakdown, crunch section, right before the last pre-chorus.

As for the lyrics, they were all written by Glen himself, so you should have an idea of the lyrical content. If you have trouble following the words for now (lyrics will be posted online upon release of the CD), do know you get four "Satan's" in a row during the bridge of the song.

"I couldn't be happier with it," Jordison tells of how "Annihilation By The Hands Of God" turned out. "Probably the favorite song I did...though, hard to pick as each of the four are so different from one another." With that in mind, check out "Annihilation By The Hands Of God," now in our MUSIC section, and come October 11th (release date for Roadrunner United) you'll be hearing all songs to have come from captain Jordison, and decide first-hand which is your favorite.

Enjoy.

Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions coming October 11th

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It's our 25th Anniversary here at Roadrunner Records, and to celebrate, the Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions release is coming, and here are more details on the tracks...in fact, the track listing along with the players on each song. As follows:

4 team captains, 56 artists, 45 bands


01. The Dagger

Howard Jones (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, vocals
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn
Lyrics written by Howard Jones and Robert Flynn

02. The Enemy

Mark Hunter (CHIMAIRA) - vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, acoustic guitar
Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION)- drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga
Lyrics written by Mark Hunter

03. Annihilation by the Hands of God

Glen Benton (DEICIDE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY)- solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

Music written by Joey Jordison and Rob Barrett
Lyrics written by Glen Benton

04. In the Fire

King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE)- vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)- lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Cory Beaulieu (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by King Diamond

05. The End

Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - vocals, lead guitar
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Nadja Peulen (ex-COAL CHAMBER) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums
Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY) - melodic guitar harmonics
Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY) - keyboards, programming

Music written by Dino Cazares
Lyrics written by Matthew K. Heafy

06. Tired 'N Lonely

Keith Caputo (LIFE OF AGONY) - vocals, piano
Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - rhythm guitar
Tommy Niemeyer (GRUNTRUCK) - rhythm guitar
Acey Slade (MURDERDOLLS, TRASHLIGHT VISION) - rhythm guitar
James Root (SLIPKNOT) - solo, harmony guitar
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass

Music written by Joey Jordison
Lyrics written by Keith Caputo

07. Independent (Voice of the Voiceless)

Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, 3-part guitar harmonies, keyboards
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn and Phil Demmel
Lyrics written by Max Cavalera

08. Dawn of a Golden Age

Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars
Sean Malone (ex-CYNIC) - bass
Mike Smith (SUFFOCATION) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Dani Filth

09. The Rich Man

Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, keyboards
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn
Lyrics written by Corey Taylor

10. No Way Out

Daryl Palumbo (GLASSJAW, HEAD AUTOMATICA) - vocals
Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - guitar, bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass
Junkie XL - programming, synths

Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic
Lyrics written by Daryl Palumbo

11. Baptized in the Redemption

Dez Fafara (DEVILDRIVER, ex-COAL CHAMBER) - vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, wah wah guitar
Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga
Lyrics written by Dez Fafara

12. Roads

Mikael Ã…kerfeldt (OPETH) - vocals
Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, backing vocals

Music written by Josh Silver
Lyrics written by Mikael Ã…kerfeldt

13. Blood & Flames

Jesse David Leach (SEEMLESS, ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, vocals
Josh Rand (STONE SOUR) - rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Jesse David Leach

14. Enemy of the State

Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - vocals, keyboards
Steve Holt (36 CRAZYFISTS) - rhythm, acoustic and slide guitar
Dave Pybus (CRADLE OF FILTH) - bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums
Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, samples

Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic
Lyrics written by Peter Steele

15. I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero)

Michale Graves (ex-MISFITS) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Michale Graves

16. Army of the Sun

Tim Williams (BLOODSIMPLE, ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn and Dave McClain
Lyrics written by Tim Williams

17. No Mas Control

Cristian Machado (ILL NINO)- vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Souren "Mike" Sarkisyan (SPINESHANK) - harmony guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - harmony solo
Marcelo Dias (ex-SOULFLY) - bass
Dave McClain (MACHINE HEAD, ex-SACRED REICH) - drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and John Sankey
Lyrics written by Cristian Machado

18. Constitution Down

Kyle Thomas (ex-EXHORDER, FLOODGATE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar, trade-off solo
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) - intro solo
Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) - trade-off solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

Music written by Joey Jordison
Lyrics written by Kyle Thomas

Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions in stores October 11th

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We've been talking about it all week, and now it's here, the first track from the upcoming Roadrunner United The All Star Sessions release (coming October 11). The song "The Dagger" (unmastered) is now available for download in our MUSIC section.

Go ahead and download, and rather than us tell you about the track and more on the release, read the words below from the writer of "The Dagger" (and Captain of the team that recorded the song), Machine Head's Robert Flynn:

"Hey Fuckers!

"Greetings from Derka Derkastan! And as we say there, "Fuck...derk, derk, allah...sherpa, sherpa...Muhamed jihad" (Yes, I've been watching WAY too much "Team America"). Just got back from doing a bit of press for the Roadrunner United album. RR flew me down to LA for a couple of days, and then to London, England to do some international press. As I'm sure most of you have read or heard by now, Roadrunner have decided to take on the seemingly ridiculous challenge of gathering, organizing and managing 60 musicians for a giant collaborative metal all-star effort.

"Brainchild of Senior VP of A&R (and longtime Machine Head champion) Monte Conner, these all-star sessions would follow a few basic "rules". Roadrunner would choose four "Captains", each Captain would write 4 songs, then assemble a "band" for each song comprised of other RR artists, past and/or present, currently on or off the label. Each Captain would record the 4 songs they had written with their chosen group, and then choose four different singers, one for each song.

"When Monte originally left me a voicemail about this, I thought to myself, "Oooo-kaay...Monte's back on the crack again". I figured if I simply didn't return the call, it would all just disappear into the ridiculously complex crack-pipe haze that it had emerged from. But lo and behold, that guy managed to pester and prompt nearly 60 of us self-absorbed fuckers to be a part of this, and god damn if he didn't make shit happen. Hails and salutations to Monte Conner!

"Team Flynn was comprised of 5 main musicians: Andols Herrick (ex-Chimaira) on drums, Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory) on bass, Jordan Wheland (Still Remains) aka "The Pick Slide King" on rhythm guitar, Jeff Waters (Annihilator) on face-peeling shredder solos, and myself on rhythm guitar, keyboard and vocals. I wrote the music for 2 songs myself, "The Dagger" and "Rich Man", Dave McClain co-wrote the song "Army Of The Sun" with me, and Phil Demmel contributed a riff for "Independent". I produced and arranged all of the tracks at the same location used for the recording of Through The Ashes Of Empires (Sharkbite Studios) along with the honorable Sir Markus O'Keatonus on Lead Pro Tools. We rehearsed and recorded the songs in a week and a half, and I want to give a special shout-out to Andols for being the burger worshipping, drum-part-writing-out, saving the day super-slayer! He WROTE all of his drum parts out in drum-ese (drum-erican, drum-ish, drum-adian) and ate burgers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day for 3 days...FUCK YEAH!!

"When it came to the songs, I began writing them based around who I would like to sing them and then catering it to the singer. There was no guarantee that I would get the singers I wanted, as they could obviously go with any of the other Captains for whatever reason. But, being the humble fella that I am, I figured I'd go for the biggest and best singers on the label... why not huh? All that they could do was say no. I started envisioning Max from Soulfly/Sepultura on an old school Chaos A.D.-style thrash track, I imagined Corey from Slipknot on a long, slow, eerie, Sabbath-heavy track, I imagined Howard from Killswitch on a More Things Change-style track, and I imagined Tim Williams of VOD/Bloodsimple fame (and one of my favorite singers of all time) on a melodic but heavy, Muse-style track. Well, lo and behold, I got all four singers I wanted, and I haven't the slightest fuckin' clue how I managed to pull that off.

"Max, Corey and Tim recorded their parts near their hometowns of Phoenix, Des Moines, and New York respectively, while Howard asked me to produce his vocals here in Oakland. Mr. Jones flew out to Sharkbite for a couple of days, and we bounced ideas around while grubbing on bomb-ass vegetarian-chicken fried rice from Golden Lotus and ass-kickin' pollo adobado burritos from Cancun Taqueria. I had written a vocal melody and some lyrics for a melodic part that he loved, and as we were banging ideas back and forth, he asked if I'd sing on the track with him. At first I was like, "Nah, this is all you dude!", and he was like, "No man, I really want you to sing on this with me", but I was still like, "I don't know man", then he was like, "Dude, I really want you to sing on this with me", and ya know...Howard is a very large man, who just happens to be built like a brick fucking shithouse...so, I enthusiastically said "OK!" and we rocked the fuck out. I ended up singing some of his lyrics on the pre-chorus, we both sang the melodic hook, did some screech trade-offs, and basically kicked that fucker's ass! So much so, that at one point, we joked that this duet was the frickin' "Ebony and Ivory" of Metal. For me, it was probably the toughest song to part with musically, since it could have easily been a Machine Head song, but Mr. Jones fucking KILLED IT, so if it had to go, at least it went in supreme style. Amazing singer, really good dude, killer vibe.

"I gotta say, all of their contributions were phenomenal. Max's voice sounds hard as fuck, Tim's vocals are incredible and so damned original, and Corey Taylor just sounds fucking PISSED - very politically charged, and his voice has that mesmerizing quality that takes me back to something like "Bother" from Stone Sour, before kicking into that satanic vocal heaviness, like something off of the first Slipknot album. I LOVE this song!

"The coolest thing about this is that, as amazing as everything had turned out going into the music stage of it all, I think it's the singers who really brought the final touch to the table and made these songs come alive. I feel like I gave them some good songs, and these guys made them great songs. Even though it felt like I was cheating on my band the whole time, I'm really stoked with the results, and want to thank my guys for patiently allowing me to take part in this very unique project. Having heard many of the other tracks from the other Captains, this record is going to be fuckin' awesome for a metal fan."

Cheers, Fuckers!

-Flynn

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We are but two days away from hearing the first music off the upcoming Roadrunner United The All Star Sessions release. This first track titled "The Dagger" comes from captain Robert Flynn, and will be mastered tomorrow. As for the team Robert assembled for this track?

On vocals is Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage). On bass is Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory). Rhythm guitar duties were handled by captain Flynn and Jordan Whelan (Still Remains, currently on tour - check TOUR section for details). Drums are being handled by none other than Andols Herrick (ex-Chimaira), and on the lead guitar, Jeff Waters (Annihilator).

More to come...music online this Friday...

Roadrunner United The All Star Sessions in store October 11th

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