Story by Audio Ink Radio Staff

Exclusive: Metallica’s Kirk Hammett on bringing Orion Music + More to Detroit

Metallica are about to kick off year two of their multi-genre, two-day music festival, Orion Music + More, and this time around, the show is hitting Detroit’s Belle Isle. Last year, the metal band held their inaugural festival in Atlantic City, N.J. While things went well in 2013, they thought the scenery needed a change this time around.

“New Jersey was a good location, and Atlantic City was a good location,” Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett told Audio Ink Radio. “It was difficult for a lot of people to get to, and there were a lot of other different factors involved that made it more difficult for us to go back to Atlantic City.”

Hammett says Detroit was always a city that welcomed Metallica with open arms and ears, so it made sense to bring Orion to the Motor City. “Also, logistically, it enabled people to come from all sorts of different directions,” he added. “People from the Midwest will be able to see us, people from maybe Canada—it’s just a better access place overall.”

Hammett is also hoping Orion will help revive Detroit– a city in economic turmoil. “We realize that Detroit is a bit down in dumps right now economically, and we’re hoping these shows will help Detroit a little bit in that department,” Hammett said. “And because Detroit is in a slump economically, it was also easier for us to procure the site of the concert. So, it worked on a lot of different levels why we chose Detroit, and all of them were positive.”

This year’s Orion Music + More lineup features Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones,Bassnectar, the Joy Formidable, Death Grips, the Dirtbombs, Death, Battlecross, Foals, Tomahawk and many more. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the show Saturday, and Metallica will close out the festival on Sunday. For more on Orion, head to the event’s official website.

Story by Anne Erickson

Nine Inch Nails will release their new full-length album, ‘Hesitation Marks,’ on Sept. 3

Last week, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor dropped the surprising news that he spent the past year writing and recording a new Nine Inch Nails album. Now, Reznor and the gang have released a title and release date for the album, as well as a handful of 2013 North American tour dates.

The album, titled “Hesitation Marks,” drops on Sept. 3 via Columbia Records. Produced by Alan Moulder, the album is the follow-up to Nine Inch Nails’ 2008 release, “The Slip.” The album’s first single, “Come Back Haunted,” is already streaming via Soundcloud and available on iTunes. Take a listen to the track at the bottom of the post.

As for the tour, Nine Inch Nails will support “Hesitation Marks” with a fall trek called “Nine Inch Nails: Tension 2013. Reznor says to expect “the full-on NIN live experience realized as we never could before,” in a statement. The tour begins Sept. 28 in St. Paul, Minn., and wraps up Nov. 25 in Calgary, AB, for a whopping 30-plus tour dates. Tickets for the trek go on sale beginning Friday, June 13, through Live Nation. Fans who register at the band’s official website will score first access to tickets, before the tour goes on sale to the general public.

Nine Inch Nails 2013 North American Fall Tour Dates (so far):

9/28 — St. Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center
9/30 — Kansas City, Mo., Sprint Center
10/1 — St. Louis, Mo., Chaifetz Arena
10/3 — Montréal, QC, Centre Bell
10/4 — Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre
10/5 — Cleveland, Ohio, Wolstein Center
10/7 — Auburn Hills, Mich., The Palace of Auburn Hills
10/8 — Pittsburgh, Pa., Petersen Events Center
10/11 — Boston, Mass.,  TD Garden
10/14 — Brooklyn, N.Y., Barclays Center
10/15 — Newark, N.J., Prudential Center
10/18 — Washington, D.C., Verizon Center
10/19 — University Park, Pa., Bryce Jordan Center
10/21 — Raleigh, N.C., PNC Arena
10/22 — Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Arena
10/24 — Atlanta, Ga., Philips Arena
10/30 — Sunrise, Fla., BB&T Center
10/31 — Orlando, Fla., Amway Center
11/5 — San Antonio, Texas,  AT&T Center
11/8 — Los Angeles, Calif., Staples Center
11/9 — Phoenix, Ariz., US Airways Center
11/11 — El Paso, Texas, Don Haskins Center
11/13 — Broomfield, Colo., 1stBank Center
11/15 — Las Vegas, Nev., The Joint
11/16 — Las Vegas, Nev., The Joint
11/18 — Portland, Ore., Rose Garden Arena
11/19 — Spokane, Wash., Spokane Arena
11/21 — Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena
11/22 — Seattle, Wash., KeyArena
11/24 — Edmonton, AB, Rexall Place
11/25 — Calgary, AB, Scotiabank Saddledome

Stream Nine Inch Nails’ New Single, ‘Come Back Haunted’:

Story by Charles Ken

As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis posts bail in murder-for-hire case

Tim Lambesis, the frontman for San Diego-based metal band As I Lay Dying, has been released from a San Diego County jail on $2 million bail. Lambesis had been behind bars for three weeks under accusations of attempting to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife.

According to the U-T San Diego, Lambesis was freed Vista Detention Facility yesterday (May 30), and although he’s temporarily out of jail, he’ll have to wear a GPS tracking mechanism at all times and comply with stern travel restrictions. He’s also prohibited from having any contact with his estranged wife and the couple’s three adopted kids. The move comes after a judge last week reduced the singer’s bail from $3 million to $2 million. Lambesis is expected to be back in court July 10 for a preliminary hearing.

Lambesis was taken into custody on May 7. Prosecutors assert that he offered to pay $1,000 to an undercover detective pretending to be a hit man. The singer’s lawyer, Thomas Warwick, has claimed that Lambesis’ use of steroids had a role in changing his behavior. He has pleaded not guilty to solicitation for murder. As I Lay Dying, as expected, have canceled their entire 2013 tour roster.

Photo: Tim Lambesis via Audio Ink Radio.

Story by Cat Badra

Find the full slate of tour dates for the 2013 Rock Allegiance Tour

The folks behind the annual Rock Allegiance Tour recently unveiled the 2013 lineup, which includes Volbeat, HIM, All That Remains and Airbourne. Now, the crew has announced North American tour dates for the tour, which runs in the late summer and early fall.

Rock Allegiance will set off on Aug. 23 at The Myth in St. Paul, Minn., and visit Sacramento, Calif.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Bloomington, Ill.; and beyond before wrapping up Sept. 26 in Philadelphia, Pa.

“The fans have made our North American visits thus far this year great fun and truly memorable,” Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen said in an official statement. “We are looking forward to headlining Monster Energy’s Rock Allegiance festival tour this summer, and sharing the stage with HIM, All That Remains and Airbourne.”

Tickets for most of the 2013 Rock Allegiance tour dates are available now. For more information, visit the tour’s official website.

Rock Allegiance Tour 2013 Dates:

8/23 — The Myth — St. Paul, Minn.
8/24 — WIIL Rock Fest — Twin Lakes, Wis.
8/25 — US Bank Arena — Cincinnati, Ohio
8/28 — Freedom Hill — Sterling Heights, Mich.
8/29 — US Cellular Coliseum — Bloomington, Ill.
8/31 — Convention Center Arena — Tulsa, Okla.
9/3 — Maverick Centre — West Lake City, Utah
9/4 — The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel + Casino — Las Vegas, Nev.
9/8 — Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Center — Abbotsford, BC
9/9 — Big 4 Building — Calgary, AB
9/10 — Rexall Place — Edmonton, AB
9/15 — Aftershock Music Festival — Sacramento, Calif.
9/18 — Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie — Grand Prairie, Texas
9/19 — Bayou Music Center — Houston, Texas
9/22 — Tabernacle — Atlanta, Ga.
9/26 — Skyline Stagge at The Mann — Philadelphia, Pa.
9/27 — Tsongas Arena — Lowell, Mass.
9/28 — Brooklyn Waterfront — Brooklyn, N.Y.

Story by Cat Badra

Watch Metallica’s video trailer for their upcoming 3D movie, ‘Through the Never’

The metal men of Metallica are on target to premiere their new 3D film, “Through the Never,” at IMAX theaters across North America beginning Sept. 27. Now, fans won’t have to wait any longer for a sneak peek of the film, as Metallica have unleashed the official trailer for “Through the Never.”

The short clip offers footage of Metallica performing their popular track “Master of Puppets,” off the 1986 album by the same name. The trailer also features “In Treatment” actor Dane DeHaan playing the role of a member of Metallica’s stage crew, getting into some major drama. Watch the trailer below.

“For four guys in a rock band of average height, to get a chance to unleash their 3D film on IMAX screens the size of buildings across the country is a mind-blowing thought,” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement. “There is no better way to experience film and when you throw in the spectacle of music and sound this should amount to an unprecedented, unique and truly next level experience.”

Following the premiere of “Through the Never” at IMAX theaters, the film will hit general theaters beginning Oct. 4.

Watch Metallica’s ‘Through the Never’ Trailer:

Story by Charles Ken

As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis experienced a personality shift after taking steroids, his lawyer claims

As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis was back in the Vista Superior Court Friday (May 17) for a bail hearing regarding his alleged murder-for-hire plot of his estranged wife, and more information emerged from Lambesis’ counsel.

According to U-T San Diego, during the hearing, Lambesis’ attorney, Thomas Warwick, stated that the musician had started bodybuilding, eating healthier and eventually taking nutritional supplements as a paid spokesman for the vitamins. Along the way, he also began taking steroids, which his attorney asserted were the reason for his actions in initiating the murder-for-hire scheme.

“His thought processes were devastatingly affected by his steroid use,” Warwick said, according to U-T San Diego. “It has been a terrible tragedy. He was a very caring, gentle man [before taking steroids] and we need to get him back.” He continued that Lambesis “was not the same person. He was irritable and lost God.” Furthermore, a forensic psychiatrist on the side of the defense asserted that the singer experienced “roid rage” as a result of using the steroids.

During Friday’s hearing, Lambesis’ bail was lowered from $3 million to $2 million, but far from the $250,000 bail proposed by Lambesis’ lawyer. Warwick stated that the musician would not be able to make the $2 million bail. Last week, Lambesis pleaded not guilty to the charge of solicitation of murder.

Story by Cat Badra

Metallica fans will have to wait about two years for a new album

Metallica bass player Robert Trujillo recently opened up about prospects for the metal band’s follow-up to 2008’s “Death Magnetic,” saying that the guys are on target to create “something special” with their new album. Now, drummer Lars Ulrich says that while fans are excited about the thought of hearing new Metallica tunes soon, they’ll have to wait about two years for the band’s next full-length.

“We’re in the early stages of writing, and all I can say is there are some good things lurking,” he told Revolver about the upcoming release. “We’ve got to put them into song shape and get our asses in the studio. I hope we can do that by the end of the year, maybe early next year. 2014 is a bit optimistic for the album to come out, so ’15 is more realistic.”

In the meantime, fans will be able to catch Metallica live in the flesh at the band’s second annual Orion Music + More festival, set to take place June 8-9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. Metallica will headline both nights of the festival, with additional performances coming from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones, Rise Against, Silversun Pickups, Infectious Grooves, Dropkick Murphys, the Joy Formidable, Fu Manchu, the Bronx and more. For more details on Orion Music + More, head to the festival’s official website.

Story by Anne Erickson

As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis pleads not guilty to solicitation of murder

As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis on Thursday (May 9) told the court he was not guilty of a solicitation of murder charge in association with his alleged murder-for-hire plot, reports the NBC 7 San Diego. The singer, 32, was charged in a Vista, Calif., court, two days following his arrest for purportedly trying to hire an undercover detective to murder his estranged wife.

Authorities reportedly learned of the frontman’s objective last Thursday (May 2) and opened an investigation. At this week’s hearings, prosecutors stated that Lambesis handed the detective an envelope holding $1,000, as well as photos of his wife and details on how to get into her home. The prosecutors also alleged that he gave the detective specific dates to commit the act when he would be with the couple’s three adopted kids, so he would have an alibi.

The singer’s wife, Meggan Lambesis, filed for divorce last September after 8 years of marriage. Prosecutors claim that last month, Lambesis sent his wife an email stating that he had been having an affair and that he no longer loved her, among other claims.

Lambesis is being held on $3 million bail. If the singer is able to make bail, he won’t be allowed to have contact with his wife or the couple’s children. He faces an upwards of nine years behind bars if convicted.

Photo: Tim Lambesis via Audio Ink Radio.

Story by Anne Erickson

As I Lay Dying band members release new statement regarding singer Tim Lambesis’ arrest in an alleged murder-for-hire plot

As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis was arrested earlier this week for his involvement with an alleged murder-for-hire plot, and now, Lambesis’ band mates have released a statement regarding the incident.

As reported Tuesday (May 7), Lambesis was arrested in Oceanside, Calif., and taken into custody after he apparently attempted to hire an undercover detective to kill his wife Meggan, who filed for divorce from Lambesis last fall. The metal singer was booked into the Vista Jail on suspicion of solicitation of murder.

In the group statement, which is posted on the group’s Facebook page and official website, band mates Nick Hipa, Jordan Mancino, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert state that there are many unanswered questions right now, and they thank fans for their support. Here’s the message:

To our fans,

As we post this, the legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do. There are many unanswered questions, and the situation will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. We’ll keep you informed as best we can.

Our thoughts right now are with Tim, his family, and with everyone else affected by this terrible situation – and with our fans, whom we love and draw strength from.

Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your support of As I Lay Dying.

- Jordan, Nick, Phil, and Josh

Lambesis is expected to be arraigned today (May 9).

Photo: Tim Lambesis via Audio Ink Radio.

Story by Audio Ink Radio staff

As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis accused of solicitation of murder

Shocking news in the metal world today, as FOX 5 San Diego and Reuters are both reporting that singer Tim Lambesis, 32, of San Diego metal band As I Lay Dying was arrested for allegedly soliciting an undercover detective to murder his estranged wife.

According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Lambesis was taken into custody on Tuesday (May 7) around 2 p.m. He was charged with solicitation of another to commit murder of his wife, who lives in Encinitas.

Police started investigating Lambesis in the instance on Thursday (May 2), when they got information that he allegedly was trying to get someone to commit the murder. That’s the same day the musician apparently contacted an undercover detective with a plot to kill his wife, deputies are reporting.

He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of solicitation of murder.

As I Lay Dying have released six studio albums over the past 12 years and played some of the biggest metal festivals in the world, including Ozzfest and Mayhem Festival. The band was on target to start a U.S. tour this month.

Photo: Tim Lambesis via Audio Ink Radio.