GWAR: COMMANDS YOU GO FUR FREE

Virginia, USA metal legends GWAR have teamed up with PETA commanding you go fur free. GWAR have also announced the bands annual "GWAR-B-Q", set to take place 8/18/2012 Hadad's Lake, Richmond, Virginia.

FROM GWAR:
Metal band GWAR's "Master of the Universe" Oderus Urungus has teamed up with PETA to unveil his new line of one-of-a-kind fur-free accessories and tells us why fur farms are so horrific.

Ring Dog Rescue and Slave Pit Inc are proud to present the sickest slaughter-fest of summer, set for  Sat. Aug. 18th at Hadad's Lake in Richmond, Va. 1140 Mill Rd RVA 23231 http://hadadslake.com   After months of paperwork, hoop-jumping, and making the appropriate sacrifices, today Slave Pit is pleased to announce that the GWAR-B-Q is 100% completely legal and confirmed, and set for Aug, 18th at Hadad's Lake, the location we had planned on using last year. As you may recall, last year's GWAR-B-Q was switched from Hadad's to the National Theater because of problems getting the correct permits. Even though the event was still completely awesome most people seemed to agree that generally speaking, GWAR-B-Q's should be held outdoors. "All the proper arrangements have been made in triplicate and the proper demonic sponsorships attained," said GWAR spokes-thing Oderus Urungus. "It's going to be a stinking hot, beer and beef-smeared metallic murderfest of unprecedented debauchery...the most splat-tac-cularGWAR-B-Q! This marks the third consecutive year for the growing festival, and like last year GWAR will headline the event. As Best Friends Day, the hugely popular Richmond music fest, is taking this summer off, the GWAR-B-Q is set to be the hugest heavy music event of the Richmond summer scene. Bands will be spread across two stages and feature such acts as The Casualties, GHOUL, Valient Thorr, Occultist, Lionize, Highness, Antietam 1862, MUTWAWA, and Black Naked Wings. There will also be Spew-O-Lympics, numerous food vendors, endless streams of golden nectar, pools to cool your fevered sun-burn, and much much more, including the return of the Sexecutioner to the GWAR stage for the first time in twelve years. Sexy has completed a lengthy sabbatical beneath the catacombs of Paris with his good friend, Prince Ray Pierre, better known as "Frenchy", the demon of France. His return to the rock stage provides the promise of attaining unprecedented levels of naughtiness. Added Oderus, "I can't tell you how ecstatic I am to once again be engaging in acts of necro-bestial delight with my old buddy, The Sexecutioner. Well actually, I can. I am ecstatic I am to once again be engaging in acts of necro-bestial delight with my old buddy, The Sexecutioner." Some of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit Richmond's Ring Dog Rescuehttp://www.ringdogrescue.org  More info on the GWAR-B-Q will be released in the coming weeks. In other GWAR news, not ones to rest on their laurels, your mutant overlords will be playing a few special shows this summer in addition to the GWAR-B-Q. This includes a performance at The Zombie Prom in New York City, two headlining shows and an appearance at the D-Tox Rockfest in Montebello, Quebec. GWAR Live 6/9: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza (Zombie Prom) 6/15: Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel 6/16: Montebello, QC @ Montebello Marina (D-TOX Rockfest) 6/17: London, ON @ London Concert Theater 8/18: Richmond, VA @ Hadad's Lake - GWAR-B-Q Make sure to keep up with Oderus' latest incoherent rants and raves on "The Mad Minute" with Full Metal Jackie. Listen to the latest installment and check out recent "Mad Minutes" athttp://www.fullmetaljackieradio.com  CHECK OUT GWAR ON THE WEB http://www.gwar.net  http://www.youtube.com/gwar   http://www.metalblade.tv/tv  http://www.facebook.com/gwar   http://www.myspace.com/gwarofficial  http://www.gwarjapan.net   ODERUS: http://twitter.com/therealoderus  BALSAC:   https://twitter.com/BalSacJoD

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

SIX FEET UNDER: First Week Chart Numbers Revealed!

Florida death metal legends SIX FEET UNDER's new release "Undead" has debuted on BILLBOARD's top 30   and HEATSEEKER's #5. 

FROM SIX FEET UNDER:                                                                                                                                                           18 Nights Of Blood Tour To Commence Next Week

Undead, the latest installment of audio brutality from death metal deviants SIX FEET UNDER, entered the Billboard Heatseekers Chart at #5 upon its first week of release! In addition, Undead landed at at #30 on the Billboard Top Independent Album Chart, #22 on the Billboard Top Hard Music Albums Chart, #14 Billboard Top Current Albums Chart and #183 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

In Canada, the record ranked in at #34 on the Hard Music Chart, #199 on the Top 200 Current Albums Chart, #167 on the iTunes Top 200 Chart, #35 on the iTunes Rock Chart and #3 on the iTunes Metal Chart. Undead reaped additional praise in Germany entering the German Media Market/Saturn Album Charts at #56 and the German Media Control Trend Charts at #40.

Comments vocalist/death metal maverick Chris Barnes: “Thank you to all of our fans for embracing our new album Undead with such ravenous fervor! And to all at Metal Blade Records for their belief in the band all these years and all the hard work of everyone at the label! This marks the first time in SIX FEET UNDER’s career, as well as my own, that we have reached Billboard’s Top 200. It is proof positive that underground music and death metal is not dead and is still a force to be dealt with. A very special thanks to the decades of hate that spawned the focus that went into this album. Cheers! It's 4:20, motherfucker!”

Crowned “the best thing SFU have recorded since Maximum Violence,” by Decibel, “an album on which this new level of musicianship adds value without tarnishing SIX FEET UNDER’s legacy of brutality,” by Outburn and simply a “kickass SIX FEET UNDER record,” by Revolver, Undead was unleashed to North American ears via Metal Blade on May 22 and offers an updated lineup of Barnes alongside guitarist Rob Arnold (ex- Chimaira), longtime guitarist Steve Swanson (ex-Massacre), bassist Jeff Hughell (ex-Brain Drill, ex-Vile), and drummer Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Chimaira).


In conjunction with the record’s release, SIX FEET UNDER will embark on a near three-week run of live ceremonies next week. The 18 Nights Of Blood Tour will begin in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8. The band will be joined by newly recruited rhythm guitarist Ola Englund who takes the place of Rob Arnold. Support will be provided by Dying Fetus and Revocation.

SIX FEET UNDER 18 Nights Of Blood Tour 2012
w/ Dying Fetus, Revocation
6/08/2012 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
6/09/2012 Empire – Springfield, VA
6/10/2012 Palladium – Worcester, MA
6/11/2012 Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
6/12/2012 Alrosa Villa – Columbus, OH
6/13/2012 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
6/14/2012 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
6/15/2012 Harpo’s – Detroit, MI
6/16/2012 People’s Court – Des Moines, IA*
6/18/2012 The Gothic Theater – Denver, CO*
6/20/2012 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
6/21/2012 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
6/23/2012 The Metro – Oakland, CA
6/24/2012 The Whisky – Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2012 Rocky Point Cantina – Tempe, AZ
6/26/2012 House Of Rock – El Paso, TX
6/27/2012 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
6/29/2012 Crowbar – Tampa, FL*

* – No Dying Fetus

“Ugly riffs slip and slide amidst the primordial ooze summoned forth by Chris’ guttural incantations, and the drums flail in the background like some tentacle monstrosity from beyond; this is truly an unearthly noise and glorious in its heaving absurdity.” — Terrorizer Magazine

“Six Feet Under gives meat-and-potatoes death metal a nice kick in the behind.” – Blistering

“What makes Undead work is a balance between the tooth grinding intensity of its blasts and the bone-strewn muck of its down-tempo bits.” — MetalSucks

“…powerful, musical and yet distinctly death metal.” — PitRiff

“…one of the world’s biggest death metal acts is still a commanding force of sonic destruction.” — PureGrainAudio

“…if you’re into throat-grabbing riffs and groove-oriented extreme music…Undead is right up your alley.” — Metal Assault

http://www.sfu420.com/

http://www.facebook.com/sixfeetunder

http://twitter.com/sixfeetofficial

http://www.youtube.com/sixfeetunder

http://www.myspace.com/sixfeetunder

http://metalblade.com/sixfeetunder

Six Feet Under

www.sfu420.com

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

FUNERAL : ANDERS EEK SUFFERS HEART ATTACK ABSU: ABSU Forced To Cancel Chaos In Tejas Performance; Proscriptor Goes Under The Blade Just Hours After MDF Set

Norwegian funeral doom legends FUNERAL have sadly announced drummer ANDERS EEK has suffered a heart attack.

FROM FUNERAL:
 "We're sorry to inform you that Anders suffered from a heart attack today. Luckily, he's still alive and kicking, and from the circumstances, he's doing well. Playing in Funeral is apparently a dangerous thing to do! More info to come."

Tragedy already struck Funeral twice, with the death of Einar Fredriksen in 2003 and Christian Loos in 2006. Fortunately, this time it wasn't fatal.

In other news,  ABSU have cancelled out of the bands scheduled appearance at CHOAS IN TEJAS, set to take place 5/31- 6/3/2012 at RED 7, Austin, Texas . ABSU drummer/vocalist "Proscriptor" was just discharged from the hospital (after MARYLAND DEATH FEST 2012, Baltimore, MARYLAND) after multiple surgeries regarding a knee infection.

FROM EARSLPIT PR:
Mythological occult metal artisans ABSU regretfully announce the cancellation of their set at this weekend’s Chaos In Tejas festivities, where they were confirmed to headline the show at Red 7 this Saturday with support from Terrorism, Loss, Morbosidad, Ares Kingdom and Black Witchery.
Immediately following their bludgeoning performance at the opening night of this year’s sweltering installment of Maryland Deathfest this past Thursday night, ABSU drummer/vocalist Proscriptor had to rush back to Texas due to a knee infection. Following two instantaneous surgeries, Proscriptor will be in good health and back to 110% efficiency by the mid portion of June, but not in time to perform as scheduled on Saturday night.
This cancellation is disheartening to the band for the moment, as they were fully planning on leveling all in earshot at the performance this weekend; however, this procedure will now ensure that the band will be fully operational for the previously mentioned forthcoming ABSU live assaults throughout North and South America, which are being confirmed now to be announced in the weeks just ahead. Stay tuned to be inundated with new information on said events.

http://absu.us
https://www.facebook.com/officialabsu
http://absu.bandcamp.com
http:/www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/CandlelightRecordsUSA

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

EVOKEN: UNLEASH COVER ART FOR "ATRA MORS"

New Jersey, USA  metal legends EVOKEN have posted the cover art for the bands anticipated new release entitled  "ATRA MORS" due to be unleashed 7/31/2012 on PROFOUND LORE RECORDS.


FROM EVOKEN: Album cover for the new album "Atra Mors" to be released July 31 via Profound Lore Records. Artwork and layout by Robert Hoyem of At the Ends of Earth Designs. (www.attheends.com) We are also proud to be the official 100th release for Profound Lore, we are completely honored. — with Shawn Vaz.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

SKELETONWITCH: ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2012 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Athens, Ohio based thrashers SKELETONWITCH have announced a summer 2012 North American tour with BARNBURNER..







FROM SKELETONWITCH:7/13- York, PA @ The Depot #

7/15- Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground #
7/16- Portland, ME @ Genos #
7/17- Trois Rivieres, QC @ Rock Cafe Le Stage #
7/18- Quebec City, QC @ Agitee #
7/19- Montreal, QC @ Il Motore #
7/20- Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks #
7/21- Toronto, ON @ Hardluck #
7/22- Toledo, OH @ Frankies #
7/23- Madison, WI @ High Noon #
7/24- Thunder Bay, ON @ Crocks #
7/25- Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo #
7/26- Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos #
7/27- Calgary, AB @ Broken City #
7/28- Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop #
7/30- Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret #
7/31- Spokane, WA @ The Hop #
8/1- Billings, MT @ Manny's #
8/2- Fargo, ND @ Nestor Tavern #
8/3- La Crosse, WI @ The Warehouse #
8/4- Joliet, IL @ Mojoes #

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

HAMMER OF DOOM FEST 11/9 and 10th, 2012, Würzburg at the Posthalle, DE: CONFIRM DEMON

Promoters for the HAMMER OF DOOM FEST set to take place 11/9 and 10/2012  Würzburg at the Posthall, Germany have confirmed DEMON, ROSS THE BOSS and PENTAGRAM. 

FROM HAMMER OF DOOM PROMOTERS:We are happy to announce, that British legends DEMON will coheadline the Epic Friday of HAMMER OF DOOM VII festival on November 9th. 2012 in Würzburg at the Posthalle..the billing for the friday looks like this right now:

ROSS THE BOSS (USA)
(Special Epic Show)
DEMON (UK)
WRATHBLADE (GRE)

One band still to be confirmed for the friday.

PENTAGRAM (USA) confirmed as headliner for HAMMER OF DOOM 7 on November 10th 2012 in Würzburg at the Posthalle. This will be an exclusive German show!! We got such a huge positive response after the last Pentagram show at HOD and so many people asking to redo them so we did it. More bands to announce very soon!!


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-DOOM OON-\m/ -l-

ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT AND DEATH ANGEL: FALL 2012 DATES ANNOUNCED!

ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT, and DEATH ANGEL are having the time of thier lives on tour and have just announced another run of North American dates set for the fall of 2012.

FROM ANTHRAX:
9/14 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
9/15 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
9/16 Kennewick, WA @ Toyota Center
9/17 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
9/20 Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theater
9/21 Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
9/22 Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Event Centre
9/24 Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon Event Center
9/25 Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
9/29 Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
9/30 Quebec City, QC @ Capitole du Quebec
10/2 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
10/3 Portland, ME @ State Theater
10/5 Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre

MORE DATES TBA


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

METAL HUMOR: How To Tell The Difference Between Metal Genres

METAL HUMOR. Found this and it made us smile :)

How To Tell The Difference Between Metal Genres

* POWER METAL
The protagonist arrives riding a white unicorn, escapes from the dragon, saves the princess and makes love to her in an enchanted forest.

* THRASH METAL
The protagonist arrives, fights the dragon, saves the princess and fucks her.

* HEAVY METAL
The protagonist arrives on a Harley, kills the dragon, drinks a few beers and fucks the princess.

* FOLK METAL
The protagonist arrives with some friends playing accordions, violins, flutes and many more weird instruments, the dragon falls asleep (because of all the dancing). Then all leave…….. without the princess.

* VIKING METAL
The protagonist arrives in a ship, kills the dragon with his mighty axe, skins the dragon and eats it, rapes the princess to death, steals her belongings and burns the castle before leaving.

* DEATH METAL
The protagonist arrives, kills the dragon, fucks the princess and kills her, then leaves.

* BLACK METAL
The protagonist IS the dragon, dwells in the heart of the night with in a castle full of hellhounds and eternal flames. He kills the sassy knight, fucks the noble steed and sacrifices the princess to Satan.

* GORE METAL
The protagonist arrives, kills the dragon and spreads his guts in front of the castle, fucks the princess and kills her. Then he fucks the dead body again, slashes her belly and eats her guts. Then he fucks the carcass for the third time, burns the corpse and fucks it for the last time.

* DOOM METAL
The protagonist arrives, sees the size of the dragon and thinks he could never beat him, then he gets depressed and commits suicide. The dragon eats his body and the princess as dessert. That’s the end of the sad story.

* PROGRESSIVE METAL
The protagonist arrives with a guitar and plays a solo of 26 minutes. The dragon kills himself out of boredom. The protagonist arrives to the princess’ bedroom, plays another solo with all the techniques and tunes he learned in the last year of the conservatory. The princess escapes looking for the ‘HEAVY METAL’ protagonist.

* GLAM METAL
The protagonist arrives, the dragon laughs at the guy’s appearance and lets him enter. He steals the princess’ make up and tries to paint the castle in a beautiful pink colour.

* NU METAL
The protagonist arrives in a run down Honda Civic and attempts to fight the dragon but he burns to death when his moronic baggy clothes catch fire.

* GRINDCORE
The protagonist arrives, screams something completely undecipherable for about two minutes and then leaves…

* Gothic Metal
The princess in a velvet costume starts singing soprano. The protagonist completes the duet when he shows up, they sing while the dragon plays the flute. Suddenly the dragon swallows up the pipe and accidentally scorches the beauty and the protagonist, and then he suffocates to death. All their souls are damned in hell for eternity.

* Industrial Metal
The protagonist arrives wearing greasy overcoat, makes an obscene gestures towards dragon, and gets escorted out of fairy tale land by security guards.

* Speed Metal
Suddenly there is a short solo, the dragon is confused; someone’s screaming weird stuff; the princess realizes she’s been deflowered; the dragon and the princess are still looking for the one who caused this.

* Christian Metal
The protagonist rides in on his way home from Church and sings a mushy power ballad to the dragon about how much Jesus loves him and that the dragon should turn to Him. The Dragon is immediately converted, and when the princess wants to ‘thank’ the protagonist he replies, “Sorry, but I don’t believe in having sex before marriage.”

* SYMPHONIC METAL
The protagonist enters the lair of the dragon with a full choir and orchestra, and the princess sings notes so high-pitched that she makes the dragon go deaf. The dragon tries to burn them all to death, but all of the members of the choir sing so loudly and unified, that it creates a protective bubble, which only grows in strength from the lead guitarist’s solo later in the song, and the flames bounce back and the dragon ends up killing itself while everyone escapes.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

KATATONIA: Album title/track list/artwork/release dates revealed

Swedish progressive metal warriors KATATONIA have unleashed the tracklisting, art work and release date for the bands anticipated new release entitled "Dead End Kings".

FROM KATATONIA: Katatonia, the Swedish purveyors of dark rock/metal, have announced that their ninth studio album, due to be released on Peaceville Records on August 27th (EU) and August 28th (US), will be titled ‘Dead End Kings’. A continuation of 2009’s inspired & acclaimed ‘Night is the New Day’, as well as a leap forward into the unknown, ‘Dead End Kings’ sees the quintet conjure yet another milestone in audial melancholy & angst.

Amongst their most poignant & ambitious material to date, ‘Dead End Kings’ was recorded at Ghost Ward Studios & The City Of Glass. The album was produced by founding duo Anders Nyström & Jonas Renkse themselves, & mixed by David Castillo, known for his prior work with the band, as well as Opeth & Bloodbath.

‘Dead End Kings’ sees the recording debut of guitarist Per Eriksson for Katatonia, as well as recent bassist Niklas Sandin. Additionally, Katatonia is joined once again by Frank Default & his invaluable expertise on sampling & atmospherics, plus a special guest appearance by Norwegian vocalist Silje Wergeland of Dutch legends The Gathering/ex-Octavia Sperati.

Jonas (vocals) comments on the album title:

“Dead End Kings is about the corridors of our mind from where there is no return. Be a king or queen in your own right in these hallways, even at the dead end. Carry your burden with pride. That's what we are doing, twenty years and counting. Kings, because we believe in what we are creating, in our own disturbing faith”.

Anders (Guitars) comments on the end result:

“This album has doors revolving into many different genres of music but remain disguised within the Katatonia trademark. We have walked the fine line between attempting not to repeat ourselves but also not to distance us away from what people know and love. We're now ready to hand over the evidence and whatever the direction this has taken is now for you to decide. We're confident the creativity and passion on this album is something that will be echoing even beyond the dead end”.

Artwork is once more supplied by long-time visual collaborator Travis Smith.

Tracklisting for ‘Dead End Kings’ (not in final running order):

• THE PARTING
• HYPNONE
• UNDO YOU
• THE RACING HEART
• BUILDINGS
• LEECH
• THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS NOT HERE (featuring Silje Wergeland)
• FIRST PRAYER
• AMBITIONS
• LETHEAN
• DEAD LETTERS

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.012 UPDATE: What part of NO don't people understand the N or the O

ITP V.012 UPDATE: We at ITP V.012 are militant and straight edge and don't like drug addicts or anyone making threats towards the straight edge community nor towards innocent metal heads or the gay community.  ITP's author reserves the right to not accept friend requests regarding wingnuts or disreputable people and we WILL put away any drug addicts or wing nuts making random threats toward innocent people and bullying metal heads. You're fucking done. We know what you're doing, Harris (sexual harassment, pervert, alcohol/drug addiction) , Paul, you guys are in world of SHIT, we caught them lying. URGENT will be called.

Anyone whom puts ITP V.012's author in the middle of anyone elses drama, will be sued (for slander defamation of character) and/or criminalized.

ITP V.012 UNCOVORED will posted tonight.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

VREID: DISCREDIT FALSE TOUR RUMORS

Norwegian black and rollers VREID have sent this statement discrediting false tour rumors.


FROM VREID:
Alive & well, despite of false tour rumors!!!

We have have got lots of mails and questions asking why we did not show up on the European tour of Paradise Lost. The answer is simple. We did never join that tour, and was never supposed to. This is all due to rumors and poor work by those marketing these shows. We had a fantastic UK tour with Paradise Lost in April, which we enjoyed very much. After that tour we went back to Norway and started working on our new album as planned. We are alive and well, and having a blast working on new material. Concerning touring: We will return to Europe in the autumn. We have established a great line up, and look forward to announce a tour for you next week.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

KATATONIA: ANDERS NYSTROM (GUITARIST) SICK, KATATONIA WILL PLAY RUSSIAN TOUR WITHOUT NYSTROM

Swedish atmospheric doom metal warriors KATATONIA have sent this statement as guitarist ANDERS NYSTROM is sick and won't be able to play the bands previously scheduled RUSSIAN dates. KATATONIA are due to unleash a new offering and a  full North American tour in the fall.


FROM JONAS RENSKE:
Got stuck in Munich on our way to Russia. Tomorrow will be a weird day for sure, gigging as a four piece. But it's only rock 'n' roll, and it's fun.


FROM KATATONIA:
We are currently on our way to Russia, but we have some bad news. Unfortunately Anders is very sick and unable to travel with us, so we send our regards and wish him a speedy recovery. The show must go on and we didn't want our fans to miss out so we have decided to carry on and play the concerts without him. We look forward to seeing you all over the next couple of days.

May 27	Arctica Club	Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
	May 28	Milk Club	Moscow, Russia
	Jun 08	Sweden Rock Festival	Norje, Sweden
	Jul 08	Night of Prog Festival

Sankt Goarshausen, Germany

	Jul 15	Seven Festival	Wegorzewo, Poland
	Jul 21	Costa de Fuego	Benicassim, Spain
	Aug 18	Summer Breeze Open Air

Dinkelsbühl, Germany

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

LEVON HELM: BIRTHDAY RAMBLE 5/26/2012 THE BARN, WOODSTOCK, NY

 
                                                                                                                            The LEVON HELM estate is throwing a birthday ramble for the late drummer of legendary rock pioneers THE BAND 5/26/2012 @ THE BARN, WOODSTOCK, NY with many special guests. Today, 5/26/2012 would have been LEVON HELM's 72nd birthday.. LEVON HELM passed away from complications of throat cancer 4/19/2012.

FROM THE LEVON HELM ESTATE:

Barbara O'Brien

Happy Birthday, Levon! I know you're with us. We love you.

May 26, 2012

Today would have been Levon’s 72nd Birthday. We all felt the need to be together today, to honor his life and to celebrate his birthday with music. We wanted to share the celebration with his extended family by hosting our first show since his passing in April. 

The show will be very organic and will be very different from a Ramble. The music and being with friends, family and fans will be part of the healing process. This is how Levon would’ve wanted it. He wouldn’t want those four walls to be silent.

Members of The Levon Helm Band will play – in various configurations – throughout the night and will be joined by local musician/friends who asked to be part of it. The audience will also be filled with friends and neighbors who have so passionately supported us throughout the years.

The ‘barn’ will definitely resonate with love tonight.

Happy Birthday, Levon. We love you and we miss you, but we feel that you are with us.

FROM YNN.COM: 

WOODSTOCK, N.Y. - They say, "the show must go on." And Saturday night in Woodstock -
it did.

"It was his dream to continue this. It's all our dreams to continue it," said Levon Helm Band member Larry Campbell.

The Midnight Rambles made famous by music legend Levon Helm rock-on. The first concert since Levon's death in April plays to a sold out crowd of hundreds. The "Ramble" of course taking place inside the barn known as Levon Helm Studios.

"There's going to be tears tonight I know that. But we want to celebrate the man's life, not mourn the fact that he's gone," said Mike Selk of White Plains.

"More than keeping his memory alive, it keeps his spirit alive, because he had such a generous spirit,"said Sarah Pirozek of Brooklyn.

Those who knew him well say this special event is sure to aid in the healing process.

"He never wanted a minute to go by without music resonating from these walls. So. I know we've got his blessing," said Levon Helm Studios Manager Barbara O'Brien.

If he were still alive, Saturday would've been Levon Helm's 72nd birthday.

"Obviously, it's the first time being at a Ramble without Levon being here. It's a sad occasion, but at the same time a happy occasion that the family is putting this back together. Levon will live on forever," said John Benedek of New York City.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVON HELM, YOU 
ARE MISSED, BRO