May 15, 2012
METAL MIKE Unleashes "HELL NO!" Single From THE METALWORKER
“HELL NO!” a brand new song from HALFORD guitarist METAL MIKE has been available for streaming (courtesy of Guitar World). It is also available via our METAL JUKEBOX to the right.
The track above comes off as the first single from Mike’s new album The Metalworker, set to be released worldwide this Summer.
“Hell No!” features Mike’s anticipated collaboration with vocal siren Carlos Zema.
The official street date for “Hell No!” is May 22nd. The single will be officially available via iTunes, Amazon MP3, Rhapsody, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tradebit, My Space Music, Nokia and other major digital distributors. Click Image Below To Our Official Download With Amazon.
The Metalworker additionally features Kevin Talley (Daath, Chimaira, Hate Eternal, Six Feet Under) on drums and Mike LePond (Symphony X) on bass.
Produced by Metal Mike, The Metalworker has been mixed by Orlando Villasenor at Dead Room Studio in San Antonio, TX. Artwork was provided by Guilherme Sevens of Sevens Design Studio (Adagio, Painside).
“I am excited that The Metalworker is nearing the shore. I am extremely proud of it. I must confess that it is everything I wanted it to be not only as an artist, but also as a fan of heavy metal. I wanted to make the absolute best album that I could make with no compromises, no matter how long it took and I did that”, commented Mike.
May 14, 2012
We posted Mike's new blog Simple Truths Regarding Focus For Musicians in our Free Guitar Tips section right HERE
April 28, 2012
Metal Mike Throws A New Gauntlet Of Challenges For The June Issue of Guitar World Magazine
In his latest installment of the Metal For Life column, Mike delivers new killer exercises to get your left and right hands locked in and terrifying. Mike also discusses tone, intonation and what to look for when developing your speed.
April 26, 2012
April 20, 2012
Check out Mike's new blog Break Your Rhythm - And Build Confidence In Taking The Lead in our Free Guitar Tips Section. Mike shares great tips for rhythm guitarists looking to start experimenting in playing some leads. You can view it by clicking HERE
The column is also available via Mike's blog entry on www.GuitarWorld.com. Check it out HERE
In other news, congrats to New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly and East Coast Rocker newspapers for their inclusion in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Library & Archives. Metal Mike's several heavy metal articles including "The Grind Zone" and "Deadlines" are part of the inclusion and can be found in the Hall Of Fame archives, which include books, periodicals, business records, correspondence and photographs from noted rock musicians.
April 1, 2012
Metal Mike Brings Howl Of The Wicked For The May Issue of Guitar World
In the May issue of Guitar World Magazine, Metal Mike delivers a killer lesson based on bringing crushing rhythms based of single note patters. Not to be missed. Check the video below. Tablature is found in the magazine itself. Horns!
March 8, 2012
Metal Mike Delivers CLASSIC METAL ESSENTIALS Guitar Instructional Lick Pack
Guitar World and Agile Partners have just released a new Lick Of The Day Pack. In this new release packed with different stylistic features, you will also find Classic Metal Essentials, a tour the force of metal instruction which was written and performed by Metal Mike. Classic Metal Essentials offers awesome lessons touching up on the styles from several British and American metal acts. Just a few of the included techniques are thrash style power rhythms, sweep picking, palm muting, fast alternate picking and a lot more.
Here is what we are hearing back from players who are enjoying the lessons
The only problem is that I'm having too much fun trying to settle on practicing just one lesson! This is seriously great compilation of techniques from which to draw on. There is something here for everyone that is a fan of metal ... Brian Oravets
March 6, 2012
Metal Mike Brings The Metal To School Of Rock's Mayhem In The Mountains Camp
A great way to spend a week of your summer if you are a metal player aged 12-18.
Click on the banner below for more information
March 1, 2012
Check Out The April Issue Of Guitar World Magazine. In This Issue, Metal Mike's Metal For Life Column Dissects The Challenge Of Crafting A Rhythmically And Harmonically Challenging, Heavy Single Note Riff. Don't Miss It!
Click On The Cover Below To Check Out The Video With The Example
Additionally, Check Out Mike's 10 Ways To Boost Your Practice Sessions In The Free Guitar Tips Section & Mike's Answer To Paulo from Portugal About Guitar Set-up In The Ask Metal Mike Column.
Mike Also Joined Guitar World Magazine As An Online Blog Contributor
Check Out The 10 Tips To Boost Your Practice Session atwww.GuitarWorld.com
February 15, 2012
Metal Mike Reveals Song Titles For His Up-Coming Solo Record ‘The Metalworker’
Metal Mike has revealed the song titles for his anticipated solo record ‘The Metalworker’.
On Leather Wings
Don’t Shoot The Crown
Silence Of The Steel
Tonight We Ride
We Are The Cross
This Is War
M Is For Metal
Hell No
Weight Of The Heart
The Metalworker features several instrumental tracks along Mike’s collaboration with vocal siren Carlos Zema, known for his previous work with Texas underground heroes Outworld.
The album additionally features Kevin Talley (Daath, Chimaira, Hate Eternal) on drums and Mike LePond (Symphony X) on bass.
“I am psyched that The Metalworker is nearing its release. It is a focused, no apologies heavy metal record that features plowing riffs, soaring vocals and wicked double bass for days. Both Kevin and Mike killed it and I’m also very happy to have Carlos on vocals. I’m telling you this guy is a serious powerhouse vocal talent”, commented Mike.
Produced by Metal Mike, The Metalworker has been mixed by Orlando Villasenor at Dead Room Studio in San Antonio, TX. Cover art has been provided by DarkMouth Design (Hatebreed, Leaves Eyes, Six Feet Under).
February 2, 2012
Metal Mike Delivers ‘Death To False Metal’ Column For Guitar World
In the March edition of Guitar World’s "Metal For Life” column, Metal Mike shows you a smattering of metal riffs in the style of thrash titans Metallica, Testament and Pantera.
The column is called Death To False Metal: A Look At Mega-Licks In The Styles Of Metallica, Testament & Pantera.
The March issue of Guitar World is hitting the newsstands now.
"I've designed these riffs to help you build both your pick-and fret-hand technique in regard to executing pure metal ideas like these with power and precision," said Metal Mike.
You can preview Death To False Metal column video below by clicking the Guitar World March 2012 cover
February 1, 2012
Metal Mike Is The Featured Artist On The "Sounds Of Berklee" iTunes podcast
"Sounds Of Berklee", the official podcast of the renowned Berklee College Of Music, tracks and spotlights careers of noted Berklee College of Music alumni.
Commented Mike, "I am psyched to be featured on the iTunes podcast from Berklee.
"I attended Berklee College Of Music between 1990 and 1994. It is an awesome surprise to be a part of it, to be honest — especially since I was just a crazy metalhead blowing up the amps while studying there. Most other students were a bit more 'proper' by playing jazz. I certainly was a sight with my old Chastain, Macalpine and OVERKILL T-shirts roaming the halls. I was more interested in learning Steve Vai's 'For The Love Of God' than working with the 'Real Book.' While everyone was practicing their jazz licks, I would sneak out to a local Boston rock club Axis and just immerse myself in the scene of national metal acts touring through. I think fondly of the time I have spent there."
The featured song in the podcast is "The One You Love To Hate" from HALFORD's "Resurrection" album. The track additionally features IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson.
Said Mike, "I remember recording my parts for that song in California and when both Rob [Halford] and Bruce walked into the studio's control room. Both of them just stood behind me and listened to me working. Talking about nerve-wracking, man. It was just a huge thrill to be involved. That entire album just contains incredible energy."
Click on the image below to hear the podcast
January 26, 2012
NAMM 2012
Great time at NAMM 2012. Check out the photos in the Gallery under NAMM 2012. I had a great time with fellow Jackson and D'addario wailers Dave Ellefson & Chris Broadrick from Megadeth and Scott Ian from Anthrax. Enjoy the pics!
October 2011
Halford Releasing "Live At Saitama Super Arena" DVD/Blu-Ray and "Original Soundtrack" Live Album
Metal Mike Releasing "This River Shall Burn" eBook
Metal God Records and Rob Halford have announced a new 5.1, multi-camera, HD live-concert film, "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena", debuting worldwide October 10 and October 11, 2011. HALFORD's first high-definition, 5.1 Surround Sound audio production, the "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" Blu-ray release features exclusive footage with Rob Halford commentary.
In addition - Metal God Records will further release "Halford - Live At Saitama Super Arena - Original Soundtrack" live album featuring all tracks from the DVD/Blu ray performance.
In June, Metal Mike has released 'This River Shall Burn' - an introspective, dark, tormented, but often beautiful collection of lyrics and ideas set into an eBook format. 'Return To The Arms Of My Bleeding Garden', 'The Poison Embraces', 'I Am The Earth' and 'Stale Water's Up My Neck' are some of the eBook's included titles. "This River Shall Burn" is available now through Apple iBookstore (for iPad), Amazon (for Kindle), Barnes & Noble (for Nook) and Reader Store (for SonyReader).
Asked about title, Mike commented, "This River Shall Burn refers to going from one place to another. You look back after you have come to the other side and say, you know this was enough; the river I just crossed is going up in flames because I am never going back there again. You lock your fists and you move forward. Just like the war tactic – you burn the bridge behind you so you have two options when you face the enemy – you win or die."
Mike further commented on the book's origins, "This book has started to take shape sometime in 1996. It had other working names. I worked on it and then left it alone for a few years. Recently, I was inspired to read through it and live with the ideas for a few weeks. I wanted to see if it still resonates. And, the ideas were very still very good, I thought, and so I worked on it looking to complete it and you know, somewhat finally close that chapter. I took the stuff that did not blow me away out and added some new ideas in. This is not a typical un-used song lyric collection. Nothing in this book rhymes, but the words rather flow naturally in their own rhythm.
"This project has been a pure labor of love for me. I consider it a success just to have it completed and available. I hope that some brave hearts out there will also enjoy it.
