Question of the Day: Should I attend the Metal Masters tour when it comes to my town?

Are you fucking crazy? OF COURSE you should!

Here's a brief rundown.

Judas Priest

Good news. Nostradamus tracks are kept to a minimum. They played a great mix of hits and some deep tracks. Each member of the band was in peak metal condition. Special notice to drummer Scott Travis for tearing "Painkiller" the fuck up. Obviously, Priest ruled the night.

Heaven & Hell

If you can believe it, they were even better this time around than on last year's tour. Dio was amazing, as usual. Geezer is still a badass, and Tony Iommi still appears to be God. I wish Bill Ward were involved with H&H, but Vinnie Appice was quite good on the drums. "Heaven & Hell" was extended and quite amazing. Not everyone on this tour appears to be getting "Neon Knights", but we did, and it was outfuckingstanding.

Motorhead

Do I really need to say anything more than Motorhead? I didn't think so.

Testament

As much attention as this so-called Thrash Revival is getting with bands like Warbringer and Municipal Waste, I feel the strongest thrash records of the past year or so have been from the OGs....Dark Angel, Exodus, and the almighty Testament. Do NOT make the mistake of showing up any later than 5:30 so you can catch their terrific set.

The Metal Masters Are Here!

Big day for the Chicago metal scene today. The Metal Masters Tour descends on our city (well, Tinley Park technically). I mean, Lemmy, Dio AND Halford (with a tasty Testament appetizer to boot)...in one day? Too much? We'll see. Let's start getting ready to be mastered (in order of appearance):

Testament



Motorhead



Heaven & Hell



Judas Priest



Bonus:

Comforting Realization of the Day

by Wayne Graham

In between now and August 19th, no matter how bad things get, I will have the following comforting realization.

Not too terribly long from now, this will happen mere yards from my face.



Then this.



Then this.



And, then, THIS



Did YOU get YOUR ticket for Metal Masters?

Big Judas Priest News Day

by Wayne Graham

If you're a Judas Priest fan, you've--ahem---got another thing comin'. Three things, actually.

First, Wired Magazine reports that Priest's classic 1982 album Screaming for Vengeance will be the first entire album available for download for the popular-but-not-quite-as-popular-as-Guitar-Hero game Rock Band. The download will be available tomorrow for XBox 360, and Thursday for Playstation 3. The full-album download will cost $15, but you can download individual tracks for $2 each.

Secondly, the title track for Priest's upcoming album Nostradamus is now available for streaming. The two-disc concept album will be out on June 17 from Epic Records. Take a listen right here.

And finally, the official announcement has been made....and, yes, it's on. Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead, and Testament are hittin' the road this summer. Tour dates below.

August
6 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
7 - Nissan Pavilion - Bristow, VA
9 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
10 - Nikon at Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY
13 - Molson Amphitheatre - Toronto, ON
15 - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
16 - Post Gazette Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
18 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Detroit, MI
19 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Chicago, IL
22 - Superpages.com Amphitheatre - Dallas, TX
23 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Houston, TX
24 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - San Antonio, TX
27 - Journal Pavilion - Albuquerque, NM
28 - Cricket Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ
30 - Glen Helen Pavilion - San Bernardino, CA
31 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA

September
1 - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV

Chuck Billy Confirms Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead, Testament tour!

by Wayne Graham

Some good news on a Monday morning....

Headbanger's Blog reports this morning that towards the end of Testament's set last night at B.B. King's in Midtown, New York, singer Chuck Billy announced on stage that there will be a Judas Priest/Heaven & Hell/Motorhead/Testament tour later this year.

Last week, Pollstar.com jumped the gun a bit and then promptly removed the first eight dates and venues for the tour. So, nothing confirmed with these, but I'd be surprised if the following aren't officially announced pretty soon.

Aug. 07 - Bristow, VA @ Nissan Pavilion At Stone Ridge
Aug. 09 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 10 - Wantagh, NY @ Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
Aug. 13 - Toronto, ON @ The Molson Amphitheatre
Aug. 15 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
Aug. 16 - Burgettstown, PA @ Post-Gazette Pavilion
Aug. 18 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 19 - Tinley Park, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

From Testament's The Legacy album, here's "Over the Wall."

Rumor of the Week - Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead to Tour Later This Year?

by Wayne Graham

According to a story posted this weekend on Blabbermouth, the rumor mill is white hot with reports of a possible trek later this year featuring Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, and Motorhead. As far as we can tell, Blabbermouth seems to have started this rumor themselves, but many Blabberbashers (who all claim to have "reliable sources") are pointing towards the buzz being correct.

A few months ago, there was chatter about a possible Judas Priest/Scorpions tour, but there's no mention of the Scorps being involved on this bill. (Though Testament is strongly believed to be a possible 4th act for the JP/H&H/MH outing)

We'll let you know if we hear anything else. Grain of salt and high hopes til then.