Tuesday, November 30, 2010
'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows' At The Box Office: How High Will It Go?
'This has a very real shot at hitting $1 billion worldwide,' says Boxoffice.com editor Phil Contrino.
By Eric Ditzian
Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1"
Photo: Warner Bros.
After opening to $102.7 million in ticket sales the weekend before Thanksgiving 2005, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" swept through to the post-holiday weekend and picked up another $54.7 million — just a 47-percent drop from its opening numbers.
Five years later, in a return to a November release, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1" succeeded in notching the franchise's highest 10-day launch ever. But that hefty total (an estimated $220.4 million domestically) is less impressive considering the latest boy wizard flick is only the third-largest installment in terms of actual attendance, according to Box Office Mojo.
Still, it would be enormously impressive if "Deathly Hallows, Part 1" could sustain that 10-day head start and become the highest-grossing movie in the series. Unfortunately, many observers believe that just isn't going to happen.
"I don't think 'Deathly Hallows' will be the top-grossing 'Potter' film, or even the second biggest, despite the higher ticket prices," Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru said, noting the film's 61 percent drop from its opening weekend. "It's running 9 percent ahead of 'Goblet of Fire' over the same release span and its lead is shrinking."
At an $895 million worldwide total, "Goblet of Fire" stands as the fourth-highest-grossing film in the series, well behind "Sorcerer's Stone" with $974.7 million (#8 on the all-time list). "Deathly Hallows, Part 1" should have little trouble eclipsing that "Goblet of Fire" sum, and some box-office experts even suggest it could zip past "Sorcerer's Stone" to become the first franchise installment to break the $1 billion mark.
"This has a very real shot at hitting $1 billion worldwide since it already has more than $600 million in the bank," Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice.com, said. "I could see it breaking into the top five all-time worldwide earners."
While opinions differ on where "Deathly Hallows, Part 1" will end up, one thing is certain: Warner Bros. is awfully happy about the film's performance. And when you add in home video and merchandise sales, the financial picture gets even rosier. It'll be rosier still come next year when "Deathly Hallows, Part 2" arrives — quite possibly with an inflated 3-D ticket price.
" 'Part 2' will certainly out-gross 'Part 1' and has a chance of becoming the top-grossing 'Potter' in the eight-film series," Pandya said. "New fans aren't joining the party, but the base is large enough to keep the series going."
Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Britney Spears Tweets About 'Glee' Tribute Episode
'I loved it!' writes the pop star, who also thanked fans and shared her thoughts on the show's covers.
By James Dinh
Britney Spears and Heather Morris on the set of "Glee"
Photo: FOX
Britney Spears fans are a force to be reckoned with. Earlier this year, they campaigned for an episode of "Glee" to be dedicated solely to their favorite pop princess. And after much anticipation, on Tuesday night the students of McKinley High shimmied, crooned and danced their way in tribute to the entertainer. The singer took to Twitter to thank her fans for their efforts and shared her thoughts on the program, titled "Britney/Brittany," and its covers of her songs.
"I loved it! Thank you guys SO much for making this happen!" Britney tweeted. In particular, the star seemed to enjoy the renditions of her classic tunes, saying, "I love this version of Stronger. Artie did a great job," and "The GLEE version of Toxic is amazing!"
While some of the McKinley High students — including Cheerio cheerleader Brittany S. Pearce (played by Heather Morris) — went into anesthesia--induced dream sequences to channel their inner Britney, Spears herself emerged throughout the episode's hallucinogenic fantasies. Appearing as Madonna's character at the end of "Me Against the Music," a high-school teacher in "... Baby One More Time" and a fellow cheerleader, the singer remained a source of inspiration for the Gleekers.
Spears gave kudos to co-star Morris, saying, "Awww Heather Morris is sooo cute! Brittany S Pearce. Ha! She was so fun to work with and was really sweet in person."
The singer not only applauded Morris' friendliness, but also her rendition of "I'm a Slave 4 U." She wrote of the sultry production, "Slave: Oh ... My ... God ...! Those little boys are SO cute! I know how hard it is to dance with that snake! Nice job." The pop star also was surprised at how well the show re-created the music video set of her 2003 Madonna duet, "Me Against the Music," pointing out that it "looks just like the original," and adding, "Santana does a great Madonna impression."
As the students walked Spears through memory lane, Lea Michele's cover of "... Baby One More Time" also had the singer reminiscing. "Watching Baby brings back so many memories! Feels like yesterday," she explained.
John Stamos also made a guest appearance in the episode, as the dentist who sends the Gleeks into Britney world. Spears made it clear that the 47-year-old actor looks as good as he did during his heyday. "John Stamos is still hot! He looks the same as he did on Full House," she tweeted.
As with many "Glee" fans, Britney found a pleasantly odd interest in Jane Lynch, who plays the aggressive cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, describing the actress as "hilarious and scary all rolled into one."
Spears wasn't the only one who enjoyed filming the tribute episode — the "Glee" castmembers recently dished on working with the star. Morris told Australian magazine TV Week that the singer was her childhood inspiration. "She was my idol from, like, age 12 to 16," she said. "I sang to her [songs] in my living room and danced to her — I learned all her moves. And I had my talent shows and I lip-synched to her. I just kept flashing back to growing up and being obsessed with her."
Naya Rivera, who plays Santana, also spoke highly of the pop icon. "I love Britney Spears. I mean, who doesn't? We all grew up with her," she proclaimed in a promo video for the show. "The first music purchase I ever made was '... Baby One More Time' on cassette. [It was like], 'Britney Spears is going to be in my mitts, what do I do?' [And I was like], 'Hi Britney!' And then she was like, 'Hey!' She was awesome and beautiful. She was, like, magical."
What did you think of the Britney-themed episode? Sound off in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsBrangelina Celebrates Pax Thien?s Birthday In Paris, France
Birthday Lurve goes out to Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt today in the wake of the young man’s 7th birthday this weekend. Almost the entire Brangelina bunch (sans the baby twins) enjoyed a hot air balloon ride by day and a riverboat birthday cruise by night for Pax on the Seine river in Paris, France yesterday. Here [...]
'Glee' Britney Spears Episode Slammed By Parents Television Council
Group describes show as 'an endorsement of narcotics abuse, public masturbation, and school-sanctioned burlesque.'
By James Dinh
Heather Morris in the "Britney/Brittany" episode of "Glee"
Photo: FOX
Last week's episode of "Glee" found Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) shouting, "It's a Britney Spears sex riot!" as she attempted to put a stop to the glee club's saucy rendition of "Toxic."
But she's not the only one who had an issue with the Spears takeover at William McKinley High School. The hit Fox show has come under fire as the Parents Television Council has deemed the "Britney/Brittany" episode the "Worst TV Show of the Week" due to the broadcast's "explicit sexual content."
A message posted on the organization's website decries the episode's "skimpy outfits" and "sultry grinds" during "I'm a Slave 4 U." And even though "Glee" castmembers show very little skin in the re-creation for the 2001 Madonna duet "Me Against the Music," the PTC said the interpretation included "plenty of girl-girl bumping and grinding."
According to the group, the tribute to the always-controversial Spears wasn't appropriate because the singer is far from a suitable role model.
"Glee earned its highest ratings ever with this Britney Spears tribute, drawing 13.3 million viewers," the message continued. "A scary thought considering that the mostly young teen/tween audience basically witnessed an endorsement of narcotics abuse, public masturbation, and school-sanctioned burlesque. But perhaps most troubling is the deification of a troubled pop star into a symbol of empowerment and self-esteem. Considering her stints in rehab, her very public breakdowns, and her questionable parenting skills, there is absolutely no way Spears should be considered a role model. The producers of the show can spare us the old song-and-dance about fallen celebs turning their lives around. What's next? Portraying Ike Turner as a reformed feminist?"
Spears knows controversy and criticism far too well. Since the beginning of her career, she's always raised eyebrows with everything from her sex-kitten public image to her sometimes-questionable parental judgment. While the pop star has played it relatively safe since her comeback, the singer did make headlines last year for her suggestive single "If U Seek Amy," the third offering from her album Circus.
Do you think the "Britney/Brittany" episode of "Glee" was inappropriate? Tell us in the comments below!
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Christina Aguilera And Cam Gigandet Talk Sexy 'Burlesque' Wardrobe
While Xtina squeezed into 'push-up bras, high heels and fishnet stockings,' Gigandet wore ...a cookie box?
By Brianne Riviello, with reporting by Kara Warner
Cam Gigandet
Photo: MTV News
Fresh off Christina Aguilera's saucy song-and-dance number at the American Music Awards on Sunday, many are sweating out the release of her new film, "Burlesque," which hits theaters Wednesday.
"Burlesque" follows a small-town girl (Aguilera) who journeys to the city looking for her big break but instead finds herself in the sensual world of burlesque. Aguilera makes her feature debut alongside the legendary Cher and a beautiful and talented supporting cast that includes Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci, Julianne Hough and Eric Dane.
We recently caught up with the stars of the film, who giggled as they recalled their unique wardrobe racks for the suggestive-yet-sweet musical.
Gigandet joked that, unlike the women in the film who were clad in elaborate bustiers and stockings, his wardrobe included "cookie boxes and pajamas." (In one very memorable scene, Gigandet parades around with nothing but a Famous Amos box covering his nether regions.) Aguilera lamented that he got off easy: "You didn't have to do any push-up bras, any high heels, any fishnet stockings."
Aguilera did reveal a few makeup secrets, however, and reported that Gigandet donned eyeliner for his part as Jack, the love interest to Aguilera's Ali. Gigandet took it all in stride. "It was fun to be something different," he said. "Yes, it was. I gotta say, it made my job easier to kind of, you know, step into a different character, into a different world."
On a side note, Gigandet also commented on how the legion of fans from his stint in the "Twilight" series has followed him, as compared to other roles — particularly as martial-arts champion Ryan McCarthy in 2008's "Never Back Down."
"It varies, where I am," he said, regarding whether he's still bombarded by Twilighters wherever he goes. "I mean, you know, when I was in New Orleans and Louisiana a few months ago, it was 'Never Back Down' that caught everyone's attention. I know, I love it. But there's 'Twilight' fans all over the world."
Aguilera noted that, once "Burlesque" hits theaters, it will be Gigandet's character Jack who will get all the buzz from fans. "Of course," Gigandet laughed. "Then I'll be 'Famous Amos cookies' for the rest of my life."
Check out everything we've got on "Burlesque."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsLady Gaga Says Born This Way Is Nearly Finished, 'Almost Perfect'
'It won't be much longer, it's almost perfect. But I (we) don't want almost,' Gaga tweets about forthcoming album.
By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
By now, you are probably aware that Lady Gaga's upcoming Born This Way album is "incredible," "shocking," "bold and beautiful," "utter liberation," and, of course, "crazy amazing."
But what you might not have known is that it is finally, totally, completely finished. Almost.
That's according to Gaga herself, who took to her Twitter account on Wednesday to announce that she's nearly wrapped production on Born, and that her little monsters' long wait is just about over. Unless she's not satisfied with every last detail, of course.
"Endless melodies, hooks [and] poetry sledge-hammering my skull," she tweeted. "It won't be much longer, it's almost perfect. But I (we) don't want almost."
Of course, there's still no release date (tentative or otherwise) for Born This Way, though Gaga has been playing songs from the album — like "You And I" and "Living on the Radio" — since the summer, and has discussed the project at length during her Monster Ball performances. In September, at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, she announced the title of the album after winning Video of the Year.
Those who have heard Born This Way can't seem to stop gushing over it. On Tuesday, MTV News caught up with Gaga's label boss, Akon, who said the album "is definitely ... a notch up" from her previous work, and that she's "taking things to the next level."
Gaga's manager, Troy Carter, said that he's just starting to play music from Born for Interscope Records, and that the songs on the album are "incredible." He also hinted that the album would be "coming soon."
Related Photos Related ArtistsBritney Spears To Hit Studio With Max Martin, Dr. Luke This Week
'I'm pretty sure it's a smash,' Spears' manager tweets about song for her upcoming album.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
For those wondering what the deal is with Britney Spears' next album, her manager, Adam Leber, tweeted an update about the princess of pop's musical endeavors as she works on the follow-up to 2008's Circus.
"Brit is recording a big big BIG new song on Friday with #MaxMartin & @TheDrLuke. I'm pretty sure it's a smash!" he wrote. Leber recently said that the album would sound "progressive" and that ''it'll be a departure from what you've heard" in the past.
Dr. Luke retweeted Leber's message, as well as this update for all the Britney fans out there: "Please continue to wait 4 Britney's new song!!!!" Luke worked with Spears on her "Circus" track for her last album.
As for Martin, he and Spears have a long history of making music together, having worked on "3," "... Baby One More Time" and "If U Seek Amy."
"She's such an icon, I don't want to let anyone down," Dr. Luke recently shared about working with Britney, who is expected to release music sometime in early 2011. "But most importantly, I want to make good music ... I'm excited to be co-executive producing with Max Martin, the person who kind of invented Britney, and to make good music. And she's such an amazing vehicle to getting that music out to a lot of people in every country."
Spears has also hit the studio with producer Danja, who worked on her song "Gimme More." He explained, "I'm definitely gonna do my part and try to make it hard-hitting, up-tempo, high-energy. That's what I think we need and that's what I'm gonna shoot for."
Related Photos Related ArtistsLeslie Nielsen Dead At 84
'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun' star passed away on Sunday.
By Gil Kaufman
Leslie Nielsen
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Leslie Nielsen has died.
Surely, you can't be serious. Yes, the comedy great and "Airplane!" star passed away on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 84 after being treated for pneumonia. And don't call me Shirley.
(For photos of the late funnyman throughout his career, click here.)
It was lines like the above, delivered in Nielsen's patented deadpan, that gave the dramatic stage and screen actor an unlikely comedic revival later in life.
After beginning his career in the 1950s as a matinee idol, taking on the roles of dashing heroes in films such as the sci-fi classic "Forbidden Planet" and the stalwart captain in 1972's "The Poseidon Adventure," the Canadian-born actor switched gears in 1980 and took a chance with a slapstick disaster-movie spoof that would forever change his life.
Nielsen was at first reluctant to take on the role of the clueless Dr. Alan Rumack, but the white-haired, hilariously dopey MD became the comedic find of a lifetime, as the actor managed to steal the show in a movie packed with dozens of classic one-liners thanks to his impeccable timing and serious delivery.
It was an unlikely, but ultimately lucrative left turn in a long career that spanned more than 100 movies and 1,500 television appearances.
Born Leslie William Nielsen in Regina, Saskatchewan, on February 11, 1926, Nielsen signed up with the Royal Canadian Air Force before turning 18 and trained as an aerial gunner during World War II, but never saw action. He tried his hand at radio and studied acting, landing his television debut in 1950 as part of the "Actor's Studio" TV series. He spent the next several years bouncing around different TV shows, including "Lights Out" and "Tales of Tomorrow," and working in a Broadway play before landing his film debut in 1956 in "Ransom!"
Even as his movie career blossomed, Nielsen kept returning to TV to play earnest heroes in shows like "Rawhide" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." He continued bouncing back and forth between the big and small screens throughout the 1960s and '70s, appearing in hit shows like "M*A*S*H" and "Barnaby Jones" while taking small roles in little-seen films such as "Project: Kill" and "Day of the Animals."
By the late 1970s, he was on the "Fantasy Island" and "The Love Boat" celebrity-cameo circuit when producers/directors/writers Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker came knocking with "Airplane!" The slapstick film was not only a box-office success, but it recast Nielsen in a whole new light that the actor clearly relished. Following "Airplane!" he again stuck with the Zuckers for their six-episode 1982 "Police Squad!" TV series, in which he again spoofed a popular genre he had once played it straight in, police procedurals, giving the world the bumbling detective Frank Drebin.
He spent the rest of the 1980s mostly doing comedic cameos in films and spot appearances on series such as "227" and "Highway to Heaven." Mining the "Police Squad!" vein once more, he hit paydirt again in 1988 with the movie spoof "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" in which he revived the Drebin character. A series of sequels followed in 1991 and 1994, but Nielsen would never again capture the comedic imagination as he did at his second career peak.
By the 2000s he was mostly seen in cameos in the "Scary Movie" franchise — including a spot in the upcoming fifth installment — and other spoofs such as "2001: A Space Travesty."
What's your favorite Leslie Nielsen line? Share it in the comments!
Related PhotosChris Brown, Bow Wow Rock Free Thanksgiving Concert In Atlanta
Stars perform at event which hooked up locals with a turkey giveaway and carnival.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by James "FLX" Smith
Chris Brown
Photo: MTV News
With another Thanksgiving upon us, celebrities are in the giving spirit. On Tuesday night, Chris Brown and Bow Wow kicked off some pre-Turkey Day festivities with a free concert for their Atlanta-area fans.
Decked out in a slate-gray suit and white kicks, Breezy rocked tracks like his Graffiti joint "I Can Transform Ya," flanked by similarly dapper backup dancers as he turned out his signature athletic choreography.
The "Deuces" singer said he was down to gift concertgoers with a high-octane performance just in time for the holidays.
"It was fun, I had a great time," Brown told MTV News. "I love giving back to the fans and everybody who got to come out who really don't get a chance to come out and go to concerts and things like that."
Also at the event, which was organized by beatsmith Polow Da Don and featured a carnival and turkey giveaway, was Breezy's homey and fellow hitmaker Bow Wow. The Cash Money MC said he didn't need any convincing to rock the crowd alongside his "Shortie Like Mine" collaborator — especially if it meant bringing some holiday cheer to deserving fans.
"It was only right that I came out, supported the homey," Bow said. "He called me, wanted me to come out, perform the record, shut it down, and I told him it was nothing. And on top of that, it was for a positive cause."
Coming down the pike from Breezy is the follow-up to Graffiti, which features the single "Yeah 3X." The singer updated fans about the project in September.
"I'm putting out singles a lot right now, so everything's coming together. But I definitely am gonna to say this and plug it quick: The name of my album is Fame, so make sure you check it out," he said during a stop at an Austin, Texas, radio station.
What are your Thanksgiving plans? Let us know in the comments!
Related ArtistsAdam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover
Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman
Adam Lambert performs "Whole Lotta Love" on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: R. Mickshaw/Getty Images/ Fox
Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off Led Zeppelin's 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."
That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.
The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album Led Zeppelin II. Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.
For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.
Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Justin Bieber Explains Michael Jackson AMA Shout-Out
'Michael's not your dad or anything,' singer laughs, clarifying statement that 'without Michael Jackson, none of us would be here.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash
Justin Bieber at the 2010 AMAs
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Justin Bieber had a great night at Sunday's American Music Awards. Not only did he perform his inspirational new track, "Pray," at the big show, but he also walked away with four awards, including Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Album for My World 2.0, Artist of the Year and T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist.
But Bieber's shout-out to Michael Jackson left some viewers confused: Taking the stage to collect one of his trophies, he said, "Without Michael Jackson, none of us would be here." When MTV News caught up with the superstar later in the night, he laughed off the somewhat misleading comment.
"You know, I said, 'Without Michael we wouldn't have been here,' but we would be here, but music wouldn't be the same," he explained. "I want to clarify that you'd still be born. Michael's not your dad or anything. You'd still be here. He's not your father."
Bieber may be here without Michael Jackson, but he says that he really wouldn't be here without his fans. "I think that my fans have been such a supporting factor that, I mean, I couldn't be doing this without them, so this has just been amazing," he explained. "I owe it all to my fans, my family, my friends."
Bieber says that his dad is equally impressed by what the 16-year-old has accomplished. "He was just telling me how proud he was. I'm Canadian, so he was like, it's like when he sees a hockey team score a goal and he jumps out of his seat," he said. "He's like, 'Yes! That's my boy.' So it was great."
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSunday, November 28, 2010
'King's Speech' Star Colin Firth Talks Awards-Season Love And 'Dumb Luck'
2010 best actor nominee looks poised for another Oscar nod.
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Colin Firth in "The King's Speech"
Photo: The Weinstein Company
For the second year in a row, Colin Firth finds himself at the center of awards-season chatter. And after losing out on a best actor Oscar for "A Single Man," the 50-year-old actor has again established himself as one of the frontrunners in that category, thanks to his turn as the stammer-afflicted King George VI on the verge of Britain's entry into World War II in "The King's Speech."
It seems Firth is an actor at the top of his game, but to hear him tell it, it's as much a matter of good fortune as it is great talent.
"It's just dumb luck," he told MTV News at the Toronto film festival in September. "That's all: Just getting a crack at it. Sometimes you just take roles to stay in the game or pay bills and hope the good ones are going to come along.
"I was never in a world of perfect choice, and now I feel like I've had a couple of real plums landing in my hand," he added.
It was at fall film festivals in Toronto and Telluride, Colorado, as critics first began to catch screenings of "King's Speech," that it became clear we'd still be talking about Firth's performance come awards season. He's been faithfully making the publicity rounds ever since, and as he told us when we chatted earlier this month in New York, he's not bored with the experience.
"Funnily enough, I find it easier than many things," he said. "There are so many angles you can approach it from, to do with the way people are reacting to it to the surprises we've had along the way to nuances about the actual history itself. I think this has a lot of mileage in it.
"It's been very gratifying for audiences to have howls of laughter and be open to crying," he continued. "To see that happening in the same film is a triumphant feeling. When you're in Telluride, you can put it down to altitude — one glass of wine amounts to 10. So we had to test it at sea level as well to see if people enjoyed it, and they did."
Did you see Firth's performance as King George VI? Give us your review in the comments below.
James Franco Causes Frenzy At Inside The Actors Studio
This is a first!
Tickets to the taping of Inside the Actors Studio with James Franco was in such high demand, show producers had to reject 250 "industry professionals" who were trying to get free tickets to the show. Tickets to the show had sold out almost immediately.
Sources at the show said this was a [...]
Tickets to the taping of Inside the Actors Studio with James Franco was in such high demand, show producers had to reject 250 "industry professionals" who were trying to get free tickets to the show. Tickets to the show had sold out almost immediately.
Sources at the show said this was a [...]
Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love
- Artist: Led Zeppelin
- Label: Swan Song
- Album: The Song Remains the Same
First Look: Michael Jackson, ?Hold My Hand?
A couple weeks ago we got our first listen of Michael Jackson‘s new single Hold My Hand (an unfinished duet she recorded with Akon before his death in 2009) and today we get our first look at the music video for that song in photos taken from the set of the video set. TMZ reports [...]
Britney Spears - Do Somethin'
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: BMG International
- Director: Bille Woodruff/Mona Lisa
- Album: My Prerogative
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File
'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris
Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast
On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.
"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."
Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.
"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."
Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.
"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."
While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.
"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."
Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.
"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."
The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.
The rest of the week's metal news:
Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...
What the world really needs is another Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...
The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...
The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...
Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...
According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."
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Michael Jackson's Parents, Children Open Up On 'Oprah'
When asked what she missed most about her father, Paris responded, 'Everything.'
By Gil Kaufman
Katherine Jackson and Oprah Winfrey on Monday's "Oprah Winfrey Show"
Photo: Harpo Productions
In her first major interview since her son Michael Jackson's death last year, Katherine Jackson opened up to Oprah Winfrey on Monday (November 8) during a tearful talk in which she discussed the day her son died, the devastating impact of his 2005 child-molestation trial and the legacy Jackson left for his three young children.
"I don't think I will ever be healed," Katherine said when asked if she believes that time will make things easier. "It will get better, but some days it's like it just happened. ... It hurts. It really hurts."
During the hour-long special, Katherine said her youngest son was "misunderstood" and she had trouble talking about Michael, often tearing up when remembering him.
Michael died June 25, 2009, of a heart attack caused by an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, and Katherine said she learned of her son's death from his personal doctor, Conrad Murray, after arriving at the hospital. "He came out, and he was talking, and it took him so long." Frustrated, Katherine asked, "Did he make it?" and Murray said, " 'No, he's gone.' That's all I remember," she said, tearing up once more at the memory. She called it the worst day of her life.
Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death, and prosecutors allege that his actions at the mansion Jackson was renting in Los Angeles were grossly negligent and directly caused Jackson's death. Murray has pleaded not guilty.
Though family patriarch Joseph Jackson has discussed his feelings about Murray, Katherine has kept relatively mum on the subject, until now. "Why didn't he take care of my child? Why did he give that [propofol] to him?" she asked. "It's very dangerous; why did he do it? ... I can't accuse him of murder. I don't know if it was accidentally done or it was intentionally done. I don't want to get into that, but I have my thoughts."
She said she'd never heard of propofol before and had no idea Michael was taking prescription drugs to help him sleep. She knew he had taken drugs to treat his burns from an accident during the filming of a 1984 Pepsi commercial and that he had become addicted to those drugs and that his siblings had attempted an intervention at one point. "I spoke to him about [drugs] once, when I had heard it, and he denied it," she said. "I was telling him I didn't want to one day hear that he had overdosed because it would break my heart, it would kill me too. He kept saying he wasn't, saying, 'My own mother don't believe me.' "
In addition to the burns, Katherine said MJ's addiction was fueled by his devastating 2005 child-molestation trial, in which he was acquitted of all charges but not before his career, and public image, were irreparably damaged.
"All his life, he had to go through stuff like this, and they were just lying on him," she said, asserting that she never once questioned his innocence in the matter. "I never thought [he could be guilty of molesting a child], because I know he wouldn't. He loved children, and he was around children all the time ... 'I'd rather slit my own wrists than to hurt a child' — he would always say that."
After the trial, she said, Jackson didn't trust anyone. And now, Katherine is raising his three children — Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket — and she admitted that she didn't approve of the way her son kept their faces shrouded during his life. After a cloistered existence, Katherine said the children are adjusting "very well" to their new life, which includes going to regular schools, playing and camping with their cousins and going out in public.
Along with some cousins, the kids came to visit near the end of the show, with Blanket proving to have inherited his dad's shy nature. Prince Michael said, in addition to loving video games, he wants to produce movies and direct, while a self-assured Paris said she'd like to be an actress after years of improv practice with her dad. Paris said Michael tried to hide his worldwide fame from them but she realized the veils and disguises were to protect them from prying eyes.
While Paris revealed that he was a strict dad (and an excellent cook, whose specialty was French toast), Blanket interjected, "He could get away with anything." When asked what she missed the most about her father, Paris responded, "Everything."
After an initial nose job, Michael began getting a series of surgeries, Katherine said, including ones that made his nose look like a "toothpick." Mostly, though, she said he treated his skin to erase the marks of a condition that made it splotchy.
"He didn't want to start looking 'like a spotted cow,' he said," Katherine recalled of Jackson's skin surgeries to treat his vitiligo. "I don't know what in the world he did to change that, but he did." Her comments appeared to contradict something Jackson himself told Winfrey several years ago when he claimed to have only had two surgeries. "He had more than two; he was just embarrassed," Katherine said.
In a surprise, Katherine was joined by husband Joseph later in the interview, with both refuting rumors that they are estranged or divorced. After years of similar denials, Joe once again asserted that he had never beat Michael. "I don't think he was afraid of me," he said. "I never beat him like the media tried to say. That never happened." Winfrey reminded him that Michael had said in a 1993 interview with her that Joseph had beaten his son, and then he asked her to specify between "beat or whipped."
Joe replied that he was proud that Michael was raised in such a way that he was a beloved, successful singer and not a drug or violence casualty like so many peers from Gary, Indiana. "You might as well admit it: That's the way black people raised their children," Katherine answered. "He used a strap."
Seemingly admitting it, Joseph again said he was proud none of his nine children ever landed in jail, suggesting that his hard hand kept them on the straight-and-narrow. "I don't [regret the beatings]," he said. "It kept them out of jail, and I raised them right and they were good kids."
What did you think of Oprah's interview with the Jackson family? Let us know in the comments.
Related Photos Related ArtistsNew Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant
Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'
By Chris Harris
Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images
On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.
Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."
It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.
Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.
"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."
He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."
Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.
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Britney Spears Inspires Another 'Glee'-Cap Musical
Heather Morris' moves and John Stamos' grin have us breaking into song.
By Jim Cantiello
Britney Spears and Heather Morris on the set of "Glee"
Photo: FOX
From the Heather Morris-starring scene-for-scene video re-creations to the sight of Lea Michele as a sexy schoolgirl to the debut of John Stamos, this week's Britney Spears-themed episode of "Glee" has everyone talking. But it has us singing. Without further ado, here are the lyrics to this week's "Glee"-cap!
Britney
You took over this week's "Glee."
Oh, baby you can hit me
One or two more times.
But when you act,
It's all sorts of crazy wack,
It's so good to have you back,
Even though you look 39.
A full hour of hits that are yours,
But then Lea performed Paramore.
[Jim speaks: What the f--- was that about?]
Oh, Britney, take these kids on tour.
[Jim speaks: Seriously, Heather Morris did Britney better than Britney ever did Britney.
Clip: Santana says, "Leave Britney alone!"
Jim: Sorry!]
[To the tune of "... Baby One More Time"]
Oh, Stamos, Stamos,
How was I supposed to know
That you and "Glee" are besties?
Oh, Stamos, Stamos,
You're not singing "Kokomo."
No love for Uncle Jesse.
Mating with crazy eyes,
They're dating,
Schuester's fading,
Student's masturbating,
Oh, that's gross!
John Stamos has a dentist chair.
He gives "Glee" kids
So much sweet air.
When they go under,
They lose their mind.
Drugs are sublime!
Then it becomes Britney time!
[To the tune of "Everytime"]
Videos redone
Are so much fun,
But baby
Everytime "Glee" tributes
The plot falls by the wayside.
They just want you to buy
lots more soundtracks, baby.
"Glee" is structured like a porn.
They talk and then perform.
Scenes are shoehorned
Who needs story, baby?!
[Jim takes a hit of nitrous oxide, collapses.]
Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists'Cowboys & Aliens' Director Jon Favreau Offers Trailer Play-By-Play
Favreau sits down with MTV News to talk about opening scene, villainous Harrison Ford and a 'mistake' fans found in the sneak peek.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Jon Favreau
Photo: MTV News
"Iron Man" director Jon Favreau sure knows how to cut a trailer. Going back to his sneak peek for the first "Iron Man" — which brought down the house at that year's San Diego Comic-Con — to the debut of the highly anticipated "Cowboys & Aliens" trailer last week, Favreau seems to be an expert at getting fans into a frenzy.
Due in large part to the response from the trailer, and our own excitement for Favreau's upcoming flick, MTV News caught up with the man himself at his editing bay in Santa Monica, California, for a play-by-play look at his titillating teaser.
"This is new for me," Favreau said of commenting on his trailer. "I'm already doing a commentary track on a [trailer]. I'm in the middle of [editing] my director's cut."
Beginning with the first shot — in which a rough-and-tumble Daniel Craig wakes with a start to discover a mysterious metal band on his arm — Favreau addressed the challenge of melding two genres: Western and sci-fi.
"When you're doing a mash-up of two genres, if you play with either of them tongue-in-cheek, the combo is not going to be what's special," he said. "It allowed us to play Western pretty dead straight."
Also, that opening shot will likely be the film's opening sequence too. "It's the first shot — I'm in my director's cut, but right now, this is essentially how the movie starts," Favreau revealed, adding that the credit for that opening goes to executive producer Steven Spielberg. "The writers told me when Spielberg was developing the script, this was one of his big ideas, this [opening] image."
Another arresting image in the teaser is iconic actor Harrison Ford looking not-so-Harrison-Ford-like but rather grizzly and villainous. Favreau explained that he wants fans to see another side of their favorite actor, with shades of Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
"When Harrison comes into the movie, how do you separate him from everything he's done? How do you present him in a way that I, as a fan, would want to see him?" Favreau said of the challenge in having Ford portray a seemingly villainous character. "He was always this bastard with a big heart; that's the archetype I like for him.
"Everybody's got kind of a rough edge," Favreau added. "This is a genre film."
One more aspect to touch on, via hundreds of comments on the Internet, is a certain shot in which fans claimed that they could see a wire pulling an actor into the air; Favreau said that was no accident.
"When you see more about the way the aliens work, there is a device that they abduct people with that that is a practical element of," he explained. "It's not a mistake — we didn't miss the paint-out — but thanks to the people playing at home. If you could catch that, I'm very proud."
Favreau ended his first trailer play-by-play with a good-natured "thank you" to all the fans.
"We're working hard. Thanks to all of you for putting wind in our sails," he said. "I'm glad you liked what we put out there."
Check out everything we've got on "Cowboys & Aliens."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosFriday, November 26, 2010
Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File
'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris
Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast
On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.
"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."
Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.
"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."
Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.
"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."
While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.
"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."
Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.
"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."
The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.
The rest of the week's metal news:
Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...
What the world really needs is another Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...
The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...
The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...
Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...
According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."
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