*Borknagar have unleashed a musical masterpiece of epic proportions with their new “Urd” (Century Media). As profound as Fate itself, “Urd” is named after the Norn who weaves the tapestry of the Past. The Norns are three sisters who reside under the great tree Yggdrassil and weave the lifelines of all of Mankind. (Verdande is the Norn of the present, and Skuld weaves the future).  

Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Borknagar are: founder/guitarist Oystein G. Brun, the “Golden Threesome” of vocalists Vintersorg, ICS Vortex, and Lazare (the latter two also handling Bass and Keyboard duties respectively), and lead guitarist Jens F. Ryland. David Kinkade kicked the skins on this album, but has since “mutually parted ways” with the band and is focusing all his energies on Soulfly.  

Although loosely labeled as Black Metal, this album pushes those boundaries and is clearly much more. It’s Avant-Garde. Massive. Emotional.  

The powerful “Age Of Creation” is Earth-moving; it evokes images of very mountains forming or volcanoes erupting. I absolutely love the guitars and vocals in the primordial “Epochalypse”. The ice-cold “Frostrite” shines like the Aurora Borealis. The beautiful “In A Deeper World” is more organic and melodic, giving the feeling of being at one with Nature.  

“Mount Regency” is as majestic as a towering snow-covered mountain range. The melodic bass intro sets the tone for the rest of the musicianship that follows in “My Friend of Misery” which tries to show someone who’s always looking on the bleak side that there is beauty and value to Life. “Roots” (no relation whatsoever to the infamous Sepultura song of the same name) has those that run as deep as those of a mighty oak anchored in the Earth.  

“The Beauty Of Dead Cities” is indeed that – it’s like finding ancient monuments that were once grand now lying abandoned among weeded overgrowth. The dark “The Earthling” manifests a grim reaper, a harvester of Life. “The Plains of Memories” is a gorgeous albeit bittersweet instrumental. The stark, cold “The Winter Eclipse” is absolutely captivating! 

For more information, check out:
www.borknagar.com
www.facebook.com/borknagarofficial
www.myspace.com/borknagar

I have an interview with Borknagar founder/guitarist, Øystein G. Brun down by The Moat!

The creative minds behind the cult classic Repo! The Genetic Opera – Terrance Zdunich and Darren Lynn Bousman -  have teamed back up for an intriguing new project that The Crowgrrl guarantees will quickly gain if not surpassing the same status! It’s called The Devil’s Carnival, and as the title suggests, it’s an edgy new musical series about a strange amusement park run by the Dark Lord himself! Lucifer and his singing cast of colorful carnies welcome lost souls trying their luck at gaining redemption.

Immerse yourself in the official trailer and stroll the midway to whet your appetite for more! It’s at www.TheDevilsCarnival.com 

Zdunich and Bousman have taken the movie on the road for some exclusive screening events, with different cast members joining them in every city. And these truly are Events – a total Experience - as The Crowgrrl witnessed at their stop at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland. The cast member joining them at this stop was the lovely and talented Briana Evigan who played the role of  Ms. Merrywood in the movie.  

The Baltimore event – like most others on the tour – was completely sold out. Not only that, but there were people sitting in the aisles! And a great time was had by all! Even outside before the crowd enveloping the block was allowed entrance, there were photo ops, excitement, and comraderie. Everyone was infected with excitement and anticipation. The choice of the Charles Theatre was perfect, since the block across the street had “window art” that although was not part of the event, lent itself to the experience anyway, especially with a mannequin of a deranged clown laughing down at the line waiting to enter the venue, adding to the atmosphere. Many passers-by were stopping folks in line asking what was going on, which many of us were more than happy to share, and generate more interest and anticipation.  

When everyone was in the theatre and the show was ready to begin, there was a Gothic burlesque show, a costume contest, a behind-the-scenes documentary about “Repo! The Genetic Opera”, and an introduction to the movie by Zdunich and Bousman. 

After the screening of “The Devil’s Carnival”, we were treated to a Question and Answer session  with the movie’s makers, and after that there was an autograph signing session.  

Now, as for the movie itself, it can only be described in one word. BRILLIANT! (Not in a Monty Python use of that word, but utterly amazing!) We follow the stories of three sinners sent to the Infernal Regions: a cleptomaniac, a naïve teenager, and a father desperately searching for his lost son. The three souls are dropped into the aforementioned carnival.  

But each of their individual stories and circumstances are reflected through Aesop’s Fables (or like) stories. The kleptomaniac is immersed in “The Dog And Its Reflection”. The teenager trusting an attractive male is reflected in “The Scorpion And The Frog”. The third vignette, “The Devil His Due” I don’t remember and can’t find reference of as Aesop’s, but it could’ve been.  

The Crowgrrl can’t elaborate on the part I loved best – the profound ending! I won’t ruin it for readers; all I can say is hang on to your seats! 

Also without giving too much away, I will say there is an illustrious cast, including the aforementioned Zdunich and Evigan, and also Emilie Autumn, Nivek Ogre, J. LaRose, Shawn Crahan, Sean Patrick Flanery, Bill Moseley, and many more.  

I can’t wait until this wonderful movie is released on DVD. It’s definitely going to be included in The Crowgrrl’s personal library!!!

The Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash will be at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza on Wednesday, May 19^, 2012 on what would have been the Rock/Punk icon’s 59^th Birthday.  Organized by Joey’s brother, Mickey Leigh, the event’s net proceeds will go to benefit the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research.  

Tickets are available at http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/404523. Hurry over there, because the 2012 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is sure to be a sold-out event! 

This year’s Masters of Ceremony will be Steven Van Zandt, Steve Craig, Matt Pinfield and Pete Ashner.  Headliners this time around are Hank III and Morningwood.  The now traditional end-of-show celebration known as The Joey Ramone Birthday Bashers this year features  Richie Ramone, Hank III, Walter Lure, Cheetah Chrome, JP Thunderbolt, Ed Stasium, Jean Beauvoir, George Tabb, Ivan Julian, Al Maddy, Walt Stack, Dave Merrill, Mickey Leigh & others.  Rounding out the night’s festivities are The Sic F*cks, The Independents, Spanking Charlene (winners of Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records contest) and Heap.   

Some Joey Ramone Birthday Bash traditions will still be in place much to fans’ delight, including Sean O'Sullivan's Punk Pipers performing "I Wanna Be Sedated" on bagpipes, and steel drum translations of classic Ramones songs by Tracy Thornton.  

None can deny the influence that Joey Ramone had on music - not only Punk which he was a co-originator of, but also many forms of Metal. Countless musicians count him as a major influence.

Joey was born with a life-threatening tumor on his spine, and even though doctors removed it, he had complications from that throughout his life. He had severe OCD, and was at one point institutionalized for it - and deemed unable to work and was on Disability. He had leukemia, which is ultimately what took him from this plane of existence. But despite all that, he went on to become an icon! A major musical influence, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, and he even has a street named after him in his native NYC.

On another note, his brother Mickey Leigh will release Joey's second solo album, "Ya Know", in May as well. 

Go to www.joeyramone.com for more information.

*”Heartstrings & Heresies” is the self-released debut album by Sons Of The Radio, and if this is anything to judge by, this is definitely a band to watch as the future approaches. Aptly named, the band is influenced by and pays homage to AOR and Alternative Radio soundscapes. Their music is as timeless as it is Rockin’!  

Hailing from Laurel, MD, Sons Of The Radio are: vocalist Gomez, guitarist and vocalist Mike Sullivan, drummer Jimmy Herberson, and bassist Tom Kravulski. The band is known best for their live shows in the Mid Atlantic region, and it’s only a matter of time before they conquer the world. Find out more at www.sonsoftheradio.com.  

Sons Of The Radio’s signature sound is built on rock solid drum/bass foundations, soaring guitars, and crystal clear vocals. The album is downright catchy throughout, and impossible to sit still through.  

“Just Press Go” is a schizophrenic song – a Frankenstein’s monster of moods from fast-paced catchy interspersed with more mellow feels, but in a way that totally works. It’s Alive! Alive! The first single from the album, “Get It In” is a sultry encounter with a temptress.  

The electricity-charged “Til Tonight” builds with excitement. The dark, manic “Center So Vile” faces inner demons. “Suspicious” is my personal favorite, slightly dangerous and filled with intrigue.  

“On The Road” just plain Rocks Out! The bass-driven intro  brings us into the feral “Tomorrow’s Wolves” – another stand-out gem.