Leonard Cohen Dies At 82

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Legendary singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen has passed away at the age of 82.

The influential artist has had a career that spanned over five decades, with fifteen albums under his belt. His dark style led to a brand new uprising of similar artists in the sixties and seventies, only being surpassed by Bob Dylan in influence.

Cohen was born in September 1934 in Westmount, Quebec. He learned guitar in his teens and found his first ventures in poetry. After difficulty with selling books of his work, he went to New York to discovery to folk-rock scene, which he made his own. His career from then on is history. He released his latest album You Want It Darker last month. Cohen was best known for his songs such as 'Hallelujah'.

His death was announced on his Facebook page, with the following message:

“It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away.
We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries.
A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief.”

Rest in peace, Leonard Cohen. Thank you for sharing your art with the world..

Depeche Mode Announce Album + Tour Plans For 2017

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The forerunners of electronic rock Depeche Mode are getting geared up for a busy year in 2017. They announced a new album today, slated for release next year, as well as a tour in support of it.

The band's new album Spirit will be their fourteenth record, the follow-up to 2013's Delta Machine. There is no confirmed release date yet, but the band have claimed they are looking at a spring 2017 release.

Along with details of the album came a massive 32-date tour in support of the record, entitled the Global Spirit Tour. The tour starts up in May and will see the band performing throughout Europe until July. The proceeds of the tour will go to charity:water, an organization aimed at bringing safe, clean water to those around the globe who can't easily access it. The tour dates are as follows: 

  • May 5, 2016 - Stockholm, Sweden (Friends Arena)
  • May 7, 2016 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Ziggo Dome)
  • May 9, 2016 - Antwerp, Belgium (Sportpaleis)
  • May 12, 2016 - Nice, France (Stade Charles-Ehrmann)
  • May 14, 2016 - Ljubljana, Slovenia (Dvorana Stožice)
  • May 17, 2016 - Athens, Greece (Terra Vibe Park)
  • May 20, 2016 - Bratislava, Slovakia (Štadión Pasienky)
  • May 22, 2016 - Budapest, Hungary (Groupama Aréna)
  • May 24, 2016 - Prague, Czech Republic (Eden Aréna)
  • May 27, 2016 - Leipzig, Germany (Festwiese)
  • May 29, 2016 - Lille, France (Stade Pierre-Mauroy)
  • May 31, 2016 - Copenhagen, Denmark (Telia Parken)
  • June 3, 2016 - London, England (London Stadium)
  • June 5, 2016 - Cologne, Germany (RheinEnergieStadion)
  • June 9, 2016 - Munich, Germany (Olympiastadion)
  • June 11, 2016 - Hannover, Germany (HDI Arena)
  • June 18, 2016 - Zurich, Switzerland (Letzigrund Stadion)
  • June 20, 2016 - Frankfurt, Germany (Commerzbank-Arena)
  • June 22, 2016 - Berlin, Germany (Olympiastadion)
  • June 25, 2016 - Rome, Italy (Stadio Olimpico)
  • June 27, 2016 - Milan, Italy (Stadio San Siro)
  • June 29, 2016 - Bologna, Italy (Stadio Rentao Dall'Ara)
  • July 1, 2016 - Paris, France (Stade de France)
  • July 4, 2016 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany (Veltins-Arena)
  • July 6, 2016 - Bilbao, Spain (BBK Live Festival)
  • July 8, 2016 - Lisbon, Portugal (NOS Alive Festival)
  • July 13, 2016 - St. Petersburg, Russia (SKK)
  • July 15, 2016 - Moscow, Russia (Otkritie Arena)
  • July 17, 2016 - Minsk, Belarus (Minsk-Arena)
  • July 19, 2016 - Kiev, Ukraine (Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex)
  • July 21, 2016 - Warsaw, Poland (PGE Narodowy)
  • July 23, 2016 - Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Cluj Arena)

Before 2017 rolls around, the band will also be releasing a collection of their videography on November 11, entitled the Video Singles Collection. In a statement, the band said "It's been amazing to go back and relive all the experiences and memories these videos evoke after all these years. It's incredible to have all our videos finally together in one place, and we're hoping our fans enjoy this journey through time as much as we did." We'll keep you updated on the band's upcoming album and 2017 antics.

Is a New Tool Album Closer Than We Think?

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Fans waiting for Tool's long sought for follow up to 2006's 10,000 Days may see their long wait come to an end. A Reddit user who goes by 77ohio recently posted a a tracklist, complete with track names and lengths.

He claims Tool will be releasing a double album in October of 2016, titled Decem ("ten" in Latin). Decem will feature twelve tracks, all clocking in above twelve minutes - the shortest track on the alleged tracklist is 12:01 (see the full tracklist below). The album is said to now be in its mixing phases - a good a time as any to get the press ready. The Reddit user claims he has a reliable source (apparently working a position for some press), but cannot reveal what exactly the source is.

The full tracklist for Decem is as follows:

Side 1:

  1. Abscissa (13:47)
  2. The Awakening (12:03)
  3. Gematria (Act I) (14:33)
  4. Regresolution (13:56)
  5. Divinotus (12:45)
  6. Astral (Act II) (12:21)

Side 2:

  1. Descending (13:53)
  2. Decem (12:22)
  3. Lesous (Act III) (12:43)
  4. Principles Of March (12:01)
  5. Pascal's Wager (13:46)
  6. Zeta (Act IV) (14:27)

If this tracklist is real, seems like this album alone is long enough to keep us listening for the next one to come (who knows how long that one will take...). The tracklist has some interesting things going on - a four part piece, perhaps some sort of sonic odyssey? 'Descending' was performed as a short instrumental jam on Tool's recent tour, debuting at the Monster Mash festival in Tempe, Arizona on Halloween day last year.

Something to consider, though, is that this isn't the first time a tracklist has leaked before the album. Back before Lateralus, a fake tracklist with fake files were leaked online to throw off file sharers. A fake tracklist was also released leading up to 10,000 Days, as well. Maybe this is no different. We don't yet have a real source for this yet. Only time will tell.

There's no telling if this rumor is true or not, but as we get closer and closer to a new Tool album, we'll take anything we can get. What do you think about the rumors? Are you excited for new Tool music?

Of Mice & Men Release 'Pain' and New Album Details

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Post-hardcore rockers Of Mice & Men have returned with a brand new single and details of a new album! The band unveiled the unsettling video for 'Pain' earlier today, featuring the band performing alongside unsettling images of dancers.

With the release of a single, the band also announced the release of the fourth record, Cold World, due for release on September 9. The band has spent a good portion of the last year recording the record, which came with some struggle. Austin Carlile, the band's heavy vocalist, faced complications with the rare tissue disorder Marfan's syndrome, as well as electrocution injuries in the studio.

Cold World was produced by David Bendeth, who also worked with the band on their chart-topping 2014 effort Restoring Force, and will be released via Rise Records. The tracklist is as follows:

  1. Game Of War
  2. The Lie
  3. Real
  4. Like A Ghost
  5. Contagious
  6. -
  7. Pain
  8. The Hunger
  9. Relentless
  10. Down The Road
  11. +
  12. Away
  13. Transfigured

Fans can get a download of the single by preordering the album here, with multiple options of packages and formats available. The song will likely be a part of the band's set on their upcoming tour with Slipknot and Marilyn Manson, as well.