Ellefson Coffee Co. Press Release:

Ellefson Coffee Co., the boutique Coffee brand of Grammy-winning Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, has announced additional details about the Grand Opening of their Brick-and-Mortar store in David’s hometown of Jackson, Minnesota, April 7th-9th. As previously announced, in addition to Ellefson himself, who will be in attendance all three days, the event will be co-hosted by special guest, comedian, and That Metal Show co-host, Don Jamieson, appearing on Saturday.

Additionally, the grand opening will feature special acoustic performances by Kik Tracee/Zen From Mars vocalist Stephen Shareaux, with Bang Tango/ZFM guitarist Drew Fortier, who will play several sets over the weekend of Kik Tracee and ZFM material. Also joining the festivities on Saturday is Bryn Arens, frontman of local Minneapolis legends Flipp, paranormal author and investigator Adrian Lee, who will lead Ellefson and co. on an exploration to Loon Lake Cemetery, the local Jackson burial ground that inspired the Megadeth classic “Mary Jane,” and local Jackson Stock Car driver, Luke Sathoff, who will have his Ellefson Coffee Co. sponsored car on display.

Also on display is the Museum of Deth, featuring permanently displayed artifacts and memorabilia from Ellefson’s personal collection, including highlights such as David’s Jackson High marching band uniform, as well as memorabilia from other artists including“> Machine Head, Max Cavalera, Coal Chamber, and fellow 2017 Grammy Nominees Korn.

In addition to serving a variety of custom blends of Ellefson Coffee Co. brands, including Roast in Peace, She Wolf, Kenya Thrash, and Urban Legend, ECC also serves as a retail outlet for Ellefson Coffee products and memorabilia, as well as a satellite retail outlet for titles and merchandise from Ellefson’s EMP Label Group. Additionally, the store will also act as an official retailer for Jackson Guitars and Sit Strings, as well as select items from Puck Hcky, Dean Guitars, and more!

Says Ellefson:

As the Grand Opening draws nearer, it’s amazing to see the excitement build and be able to announce some more killer things we have planned for the Grand Opening and beyond!! We have people traveling from all over the country to join us in this celebration of all things Coffee and Metal, and we’re going to show them all a great time!

ECC Marketing Director Thom Hazaert adds:

The Ellefson Coffee Co. store has turned out to be an amazing way for David to have a permanent face in his hometown, while being able to tie in EMP, Jackson, Dean, SIT, and everything else in our universe. With the huge sense of Megadeth history in Jackson, we are excited to be able to create a really unique and amazing fan (and Coffee) experience, that, as predicted, is turning out to not only be a highlight for the people of Jackson, but a destination for Megadeth fans from around the World.

You can pay ECC a visit at 404 Second St, Jackson, MN, 56143.

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The store will also serve as a Museum of Deth, featuring permanently displayed artifacts and memorabilia from Ellefson’s personal collection, as well as memorabilia from other artists. After teaming up with local Jackson Coffee shop Coffee Choices (one of Ellefson’s personal Jackson haunts) and owner Susan Reiter for their Urban Legend blend, David’s ECC (and EMP) partner, Thom Hazaert, suggested taking the partnership farther:

One day Susan and I had a conversation about the idea of sort of re-branding Coffee Choices into something more aligned with the ECC brand, and us coming in as partners. I pitched the idea to David, we had already discussed the idea of opening a brick-and-mortar outlet maybe in Phoenix, and we all loved the idea, being David’s hometown, and Susan’s amazing history in Jackson, and her experience running Coffee Choices.

Adds Ellefson:
I’ve been blessed to travel the world year after year as a musician but my roots have always stayed in Jackson, Minnesota. So, it’s a true honor for our coffee brand to have a retail shop on the main street USA I grew up on, and to serve the very community I was born and raised in. Aside from some great coffee and a fun Rock N’ Roll atmosphere, our store is a go-to destination for coffee that also tells my story of heavy metal and global music history. I look forward to seeing you there!

And any Megadeth fan already knows Jackson well, even if they don’t know it, as the connections to this small Midwest town run deep in Megadeth lore. Loon Lake Cemetery, that spawned the legend of Mary Jane, immortalized on So Far, So Good, So What is a few miles down the street, while the Ellefson family farm that inspired Megadeth hit “Foreclosure of a Dream” is also a stone’s throw from where ECC is setting up shop.

Hazaert adds:

Not only will Ellefson Coffee Co. now have a permanent face in David’s hometown, but being able to tie in EMP, and everything else we do, and with the huge sense of Megadeth history in Jackson, we are excited to be able to create a really unique and amazing fan (and Coffee) experience, that we are sure will not only be a highlight for the people of Jackson, but a destination for Megadeth fans from around the World.

The first day of business officially as Ellefson Coffee Co. will be Monday, January 10th, with a grand opening coming later in the spring. You can pay ECC a visit at 404 Second St, Jackson, MN, 56143.

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Verbeuren has been playing with Megaeth for months already, performing his first show with the band at Rock on The Range festival in May. As such, it likely was not a surprise to the rest of his Soilwork outfit when the announcement was made.

In fact, Soilwork vocalist Bjorn “Speed” Strid has given his well-wishes:

In regards to the statement Megadeth released yesterday, confirming that Dirk will join them as their full-time drummer, I just want to take the time to wish Dirk good luck on this new venture and thank him for 12 great years together. Together we have created a beast of a band and have pushed the limits musically further than we ever could have imagined.

Verbeuren has also commented:

They say the biggest decisions in life are the hardest to make. This decision falls under that category. As a drummer I’ve always enjoyed the evolution of my path. The past 12 years with Soilwork have been incredible, a portion of my life I honor with pride. When I was approached to join Megadeth — a childhood dream come true and something I never anticipated — I was beyond excited to even consider the realm of possibility. But truth be told, I couldn’t have rightfully made this step without the support and blessing of my Soilwork family. For that I owe a huge thank you to Bjorn, Sven, David, Sylvain, and Markus. You have allowed me to see what lies ahead, and you’re my brothers in metal. Chris Adler, thank you for introducing me to Megadeth and for your encouragement and support. Dave, David, and Kiko, I’m thankful for your warm welcome and thrilled to perform and create badass music with you guys. To the fans, this is a new chapter for us; I hope we can enjoy this ride together!

And just because this is awesome and somehow related:

Rock Hard \m/

Perhaps our dismay came from the statement that they had neither planned nor synchronized their leaving. Perhaps we were wondering just how true the little metal joke of referring to the band as MegaDave was. Perhaps we were wondering what this new band would sound like and if it was worth leaving one of the biggest metal draws. And I think we were all hoping for sake of Drover and Broderick that the new project wouldn’t suck.

Well, just days after Broderick came forth with the statement that he would have stayed if he was given more creative freedom, we at Yell! Magazine had the chance to see Act of Defiance live and to interview both Drover and Broderick. And we can now confirm that AOD does not suck. Granted, they aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they absolutely shred.

Being that they are on the road promoting their first album, Birth and the Burial, we naturally had to ask some questions about that… such as how much of it was written while in Megadeth and how much of it was Dave-rejected material. As well, we talked about the band’s frontman, Henry Derek, who sounds amazing, by the way.

Check out the interview in the player above, and, by all means, tell us what you think of Act of Defiance… and no, the name has nothing to do with defying their tenure in Megadeth.

One last note: It was an absolute treat to hear AOD perform a Pantera cover!

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The album is available for pre-order now in various formats at metalblade.com.

Understandably, Friedman is just a guest musician on this project, but while the work is exemplary, it seems like a wast of the ax-man’s talents. We all know that he’s capable of so much more than what we’re given here.

Nonetheless, the album, clocking in at over 70 minutes, combines a blend of passion, melody, aggression, and complexity. The Art of Loss was produced by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pagan’s Mind, Pretty Maids, etc.), who worked with the band on 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day. The cover artwork was also created by long-time Redemption collaborator, Travis Smith (Opeth, Amorphis). Musically, The Art of Loss follows its predecessor (2011’s This Mortal Coil), but their newest work finds composition, musicianship and production taken up another notch, with an array of songs ranging from hard-hitting melodic metal to the 23-minute epic “At Day’s End”– plus, special guest appearances from Chris Broderick, John Bush, Marty Friedman, Simone Mularoni, and Chris Poland. See below for the official track-listing!

The Art of Loss Track Listing:

1. The Art of Loss (featuring Simone Mularoni and Chris Poland)
2. Slouching Towards Bethlehem (featuring Simone Mularoni and Chris Poland)
3. Damaged (featuring Marty Friedman)
4. Hope Dies Last (featuring Chris Poland)
5. That Golden Light
6. Thirty Silver (featuring Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, and Chris Broderick)
7. The Center of the Fire (featuring Chris Poland)
8. Love Reign o’er Me (The Who cover; featuring John Bush and Chris Poland)
9. At Day’s End (featuring Chris Poland and Simone Mularoni)

Stay tuned for more Redemption news coming soon!

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Personally, I think it sounds damn amazing and very much aligned with where Dave Mustaine was going with The System Has Failed, United Abominations, and Endgame. Yup, the sound on “The Threat Is Real,” and on the previously released track from the forthcoming album (Dystopia), “Fatal Illusion,” is very different from what we were given on Thirteen and Super Collider, and that should make many fans very happy.

Although Mustaine’s voice sounds as though it’s aged considerably, he still sounds as impassioned and political as ever, and that’s the important thing, right? We all age, and none of us are immortal, so shove it where the sun don’t shine if you’re among those who complain about heavy metal vocalists and how they don’t sound the same as they used to.

Then there’s Lamb of God‘s Chris Adler doing duty behind the kit. He sounds great, but he’s not really doing anything beyond what previous Megadeth drummers have done. As the studio drummer on the album, he’s most likely doing as he’s been told.

Kiko Loureiro is also toeing the line with his playing as the band’s new guitarist, but he’s shredding with precise hunger. Maybe he wants to keep the gig.

Dystopia lands on January 22, 2016. Will you be picking it up?

Pre-order the album here.

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The video release syncs with the band’s European tour launch, which officially begins next week on November 17th, in Stuttgart, Germany, with co-headliners Children of Bodom and support artist Sylosis. But first, Megadeth will join Lamb of God as co-headliners with support from Children of Bodom and Sylosis on November 14th in Wembly, UK, and November 15th, in Birmingham, UK. See below for the breakdown of bands performing each date.

Lamb of God recently announced their upcoming January/February 2016 U.S. headline tour featuring direct support from very special guests Anthrax. Additional support bands will be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now.

Please see below for confirmed European and U.S. tour dates.

Lamb of God Tour Dates:

2015 European Tour Dates w/ Megadeth, Children of Bodom & Sylosis
11/14 Wembly, UK @ The SSE Arena
11/15 Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy

w/ Children of Bodom & Sylosis
11/17 Stuttgart, Germany @ LKA Longhorn
11/18 Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013
11/19 Oberhausen, Germany @ Turbinen Halle
11/20 Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlachthof
11/22 Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex
11/23 Lausanne, Switzerland @ Les Docks
11/24 Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz
11/25 Munich, Germany @ Kesselhaus
11/26 Vienna, Austria @ Planet.tt Bank Austria Halle Gasometer
11/28 Leipzig, Germany @ Haus Auensee
11/29 Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
11/30 Hamburg, Germany @ Docks
12/1 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Store Vega
12/3 Helsinki, Finland @ Icehall

2016 U.S. Tour Dates w/ Anthrax
1/15 Pittsburgh, PA@ Stage AE (Indoor)
1/16 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
1/17 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
1/19 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
1/22 Norfolk, VA @ Constant Convocation Center
1/23 New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
1/24 Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre
1/28 Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
1/29 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
1/30 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
1/31 Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room
2/2 Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
2/4 Houston, TX @ Revention Music Center
2/5 Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
2/6 Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Pavilion
2/8 Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
2/9 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
2/11 Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
2/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium

Rock Hard \m/

…contrary to all the scuttlebutt that’s going around, I wish those guys the best. But their recollections of the events that led up to it and happened after are considerably different from my recollection. But here’s the thing — a lot of people, they either love or hate me. If I tell anybody what happened it’s not gonna change the way they feel about me. But it’ll probably change the way they feel about them. And I don’t want to hurt anybody. All I can say, I think they’re both tremendous musicians and talented guys. – Dave Mustaine on the failed Rust in Peace-era reunion, via Rolling Stone

About an hour ago, Megadeth just confirmed a standing rumor via their official website, and with a nice little memory game full of clues, that Lamb of God‘s Chris Adler will be joining the legendary thrash metal band in the studio to lay down the drums. Whether or not Adler will hit the road with Megadeth once the album is released remains to be seen, although at this point it seems unlikely. At this point, all parties seem really excited and it seems that it will be more of a collaborative experience for Adler than just a job.

After you solve the puzzle on Megadeth’s website, you get the official announcement, which we’ve included below.

I think it’s an amazing move to invite one of modern metal’s finest to play with such an esteemed and legendary band. What are your thoughts? Would you like to see Adler join Megadeth on tour or in a more permanent sense?

Megadeth’s Official Statement:

[sic]
CHRIS ADLER of LAMB OF GOD Joins DAVE MUSTAINE in the Studio for New MEGADETH Album

Dave Mustaine, the creative driving force behind original American metal and hard rock crossover giants MEGADETH, and Chris Adler, drummer for the leaders of modern American heavy metal LAMB OF GOD, will join original bassist David Ellefson in the creation of MEGADETH’s anticipated forthcoming album. Adler will be appearing as a guest on the album and contributing his thundering, hard-hitting, and technically precise style and skill, adding new blood and drive into the mix while staying true to MEGADETH’s roots.

Dave Mustaine comments, “Chris is a tremendous talent, and an amazing person. He is going to bring a new level of excitement and energy to MEGADETH that the fans are going to lose their minds over. I have nothing but respect for my previous drummers, but this is going to absolutely KILL! Back in 1989, MEGADETH originally worked as a three piece – guitar, bass and drums – when we laid down the framework to our GRAMMY® nominated platinum album ‘Rust In Peace.’ I want to thank the other members of LOG for allowing this opportunity to take place for all of us in the metal community.”

David Ellefson adds, “Chris has been an endearing friend to us in MEGADETH for many years now, and he truly appreciates our music and its legacy. His drumming has forged such an innovative and ferocious path for metal music and I’m very proud that he is anchoring our rhythm section with us on this new album. I can clearly see a new dawn of ‘utmost heaviness’ unfolding in MEGADETH’s next chapter.”

Chris Adler offers, “MEGADETH was the game changer for me. Growing up, there was no other band that meant as much to my musical interest and direction. There is no doubt I would not be doing what I have been doing for the past three decades had I not stumbled across ‘Killing Is My Business’ and the bible of all metal, ‘Peace Sells’ in my formative years.”

“About 10 years ago, LAMB OF GOD toured with MEGADETH and I was able to share that story with Dave and David, and we have kept in touch ever since,” adds Adler. “When Dave called me a while ago and asked if I was interested in making a thrash metal album with him, I felt like I must’ve been on a hidden camera show. “I was trying to play it cool, but I was speechless other than YES! Once I called my wife and my band guys to let everyone know, I had some time to really think about it and how I can best fit into this situation. I’m coming into this on fire. There is an incredible amount of respect, but the goal here is to make the very best thrash album we can – not just throw names in the CD booklet or be a yes man. Together, I believe we can do something very special! Get ready for a very exciting chapter in the MEGADETH legacy.”

The new album is the follow up to MEGADETH’s 2013 release, Super Collider. Super Collider hit No. 6 on The Billboard 200 and No. 3 on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts consecutively. To date, MEGADETH has sold more than 38 million albums worldwide and has scored five Top 10 albums, two Top 5 releases.

Rock Hard \m/

Well since Adler is playing on megadeth new album.
Do I get to play on Lamb of God new album ?
Im down for it ….
Chris you rock ! one of my favorite drummers.
good luck bro …..

At this point there’s no telling if Menza is joking or not about Lamb of God‘s Chris Adler playing on the next Megadeth album, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. However, related rumors say that Adler would only be the studio drummer for the album, not the touring drummer.

At any rate, would you be happy with Adler behind the kit on a Megadeth album?

Rock Hard \m/