Saturday, October 30, 2010
Audrina Patridge?s mother Lynn Patridge drunken rant video
Lady Gaga Challenger 'Confident' She Could Win In A Sing-Off
'I had my fans writing to me and saying, 'Hey, I think you're better than Lady Gaga,' ' Alisa Apps says on MTV's 'The Seven.'
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Lady Gaga
Photo: Jemal Countess/ Getty Images
Upstart vocalist Alisa Apps has nabbed headlines by challenging megastar pop queen Lady Gaga to a $1 million singing contest. To some onlookers, the contest may have appeared to come out of nowhere, but Apps has explained that her dedicated fans urged her to take on Mother Monster. During an interview that aired Friday (October 15) on MTV's "The Seven," the singer detailed the origins of the vocal battle.
"I had my fans writing to me and saying, 'Hey, I think you're better than Lady Gaga and ... it'd be cool for you to challenge her somehow,' " Apps told "Seven" host Kevin.
The singer maintained that her goal isn't to make nice with Gaga and added that a little rivalry keeps everyone on their toes.
"It's not really about co-existing," Apps said. "I think that competition is a good thing. It makes things more fun and exciting."
Gaga's camp was mum when MTV News reached out for comment about the challenge a few days ago, and Apps revealed that she hasn't "heard anything yet from her camp but I'm excited to."
Although no word about the challenge has surfaced from the "Bad Romance" diva, Apps still seems ready to show off her skills in a singing smack-down.
"I'm confident that, yeah, I am a better singer than her," she said.
When Apps first proposed the $1 million contest, which would entail both singers belting out a series of songs for a panel of judges who would determine the victor, she said she felt it would be the ultimate clash of genuine musicianship versus slick music-industry marketing.
"I feel sorry for Lady Gaga — she's just a plastic doll generated by the music money marketing machine," Apps said a press release. "I stand for the voice of your heart. Be real with me. Come to my world and feel. I want to hear you and for you to hear me. This contest gives people a chance to choose which they prefer: plastic or real."
Are you Team Apps or Team Gaga? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss "The Seven" every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.
Related ArtistsFriday, October 29, 2010
Ryan Kwanten Will Tap Into His 'Dark Sides' To Play Charles Manson
'True Blood' actor will star in 'The Family' movie.
By Amy Wilkinson
Ryan Kwanten
Photo: MTV News
A charismatic cold-blooded killer is a far cry from the dim-witted yet endearing country bumpkin Ryan Kwanten portrays on the sexy HBO series "True Blood" — but the Australian actor is taking on the challenge.
Kwanten has signed on to play Charles Manson, one of America's most notorious criminals, in the movie "The Family." Kwanten announced the news during a press conference for his Western, "Red Hill," TheWrap.com first reported.
Written and directed by "The Machinist" scribe Scott Kosar, "The Family" follows Manson during the late 1960s, when he instructed his acolytes to commit several murders, including, most famously, the slaying of actress Sharon Tate in 1969. Manson has spent nearly four decades in prison.
When MTV News spoke with Kwanten this week, he admitted the role will be a massive undertaking. "It's going to be quite a challenge," he said. "[Manson] is undoubtedly a huge iconic figure and not necessarily for the best of deeds."
Though Kwanten is no stranger to bloodstained killing sprees — he is on "True Blood," after all — the actor said this latest role will require a bit of soul searching.
"It's going to be tapping into sort of dark sides of myself and obviously trying to find out as much as you can and then using what's going to be beneficial in making the film," he explained.
The movie will begin production in 2011 during Kwanten's next "True Blood" hiatus.
"The Family" won't be the first movie to immortalize — or demonize — Manson and his followers. In 1976, CBS aired a two-part television movie called "Helter Skelter," based on a book of the same name by prosecuting attorney Vincent Buliosi and Curt Gentry. A second TV movie based on the book was made in 2004, and the 2003 film "The Manson Family" also details the group's horrible misdeeds.
Can Ryan Kwanten pull off the role of Charles Manson? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal
Tessie Santiago Keri Hilson David Beckham Victoria Silvstedt
B.o.B, Ke$ha, More L.A. Gigs Kick-Start VMA Weekend
Jason Derülo, Sean Kingston will also perform prior to Sunday's big show.
By Kara Warner
B.o.B
Photo: MTV News
Although the MTV Video Music Awards aren't until Sunday, a slew of VMA-themed concerts featuring Ke$ha, B.o.B and others will take over Los Angeles in the days leading up to the big show.
Sean Kingston kicks things off Thursday night (September 9) with the Verizon Club Night Concert Event at Hollywood's Playhouse, where Jermaine Dupri will also be spinning. On Friday night, Jason Derülo and Never Shout Never will take the Music Box stage at a concert sponsored by Taco Bell and Feed the Beat.
On Saturday night, "Rock Band 3" and FreeCreditScore.com will present the 2010 MTV VMA Concert to Benefit Lifebeat — The Music Industry Fights AIDS, featuring VMA nominees Ke$ha and B.o.B. The "Tik Tok" singer said she is honored to play a show benefiting such an important cause. "It's really awesome that MTV can bring together incredible musicians over VMA weekend, not only to entertain, but to make a difference," she said. "The world of celebrity is a funny game, although it's a great feeling to have the opportunity to use my fame for a good cause helping those in need."
B.o.B is equally excited to perform for a good cause: "The road to the VMAs has been a wild one. I'm glad to be taking time the night before the big show to support a great organization. Lifebeat's message of HIV prevention is an important one for young people, and I am honored to join them in the fight."
Tickets for the Ke$ha and B.o.B event, with all proceeds going to Lifebeat, are available at Lifebeat.org.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsDoes Lady Gaga Guest Star On Rihanna's Loud?
Image of forthcoming album's back cover allegedly leaks online, contains collaboration called "Broken Heels."
By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga
Photo: Chris Gordon/ WireImage
Separately, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have tallied more #1s on the Billboard Pop Songs chart than any other artists, so you can probably imagine what would happen if they were ever to team up on a track.
Well, forget about the imagine part. From the looks of things, RiRi and Gaga are joining forces on Rihanna's upcoming album Loud.
This is according to what appears to be the official track listing for Loud, which was revealed in a scan of its back cover that began making the rounds Wednesday (October 13).
That track listing contains a song called "Broken Heels," on which Gaga is featured. Other cameos on the album include Rihanna's almost-tourmate Nicki Minaj (on a track called "Raining Men"), will.i.am ("Bubble Pop") and — confirming earlier reports — Drake, who guests on "What's My Name?"
It's all very exciting. But is any of it actually real? Well, it bears noting that all of the tracks mentioned in Just Jared's early review of the album ("S&M," "Cheers," "Man Down," "California King (Bed)," "Fading Away" and "Raining Men") do show up on the back cover in question ... but it also bears noting that the ballad "Straight Up Beautiful," which Rihanna herself mentioned just last week, does not.
Fans will have to wait until November 16, when Loud hits stores, to find out for sure. At press time, a spokesperson for Rihanna had not responded to MTV News' request for comment on the Gaga collaboration.
Are you excited about the possibility of Rihanna collaborating with Lady Gaga? Let us know in the comments!
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Justin Bieber Fans Rave Over 'Classic' 3-D Trailer
'It feels like it's more of a documentary,' one fan says after preview of 'Never Say Never' clip at concert in L.A.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias
Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount
Some lucky Justin Bieber fans got the first glimpse of what to expect from his 3-D movie when he premiered the trailer for "Never Say Never" during his My World Tour stop in Los Angeles on Monday night. And the verdict from the fans MTV News spoke with can be summed up in one word: amazing.
"He said, 'Hey L.A., we have a special surprise for you. Something no one else has seen yet and you're only seeing it here tonight,' " Nicole Reddin recalled after the Staples Center concert. "And everyone was super excited. It feels like it's more of a documentary. It's a little bit more real than the things you see. It's a lot more [that] you get to know him and that's what we want to see."
Priestly Cleveland gave the trailer a glowing review. "It's the trailer for his movie, which is actually coming out Valentine's Day weekend. ... I loved it," she said. "My favorite part of the trailer was definitely when he was younger and singing and playing the guitar. I loved it ... it was cute, classic."
Added Juliana En, "It shows a bunch of baby pictures of him while he's growing up and pictures of him backstage just, like, doing random stuff."
The preview had special meaning for another longtime Belieber. "I remember when I used to watch Justin Bieber on YouTube before he got famous and I was totally a fan," Rachel Kelly said. "So this is really exciting."
"Never Say Never" won't hit theaters until February, but the singer's fans plan to keep busy until the flick's release date.
"I can't wait to see it," Cleveland told us. "In the meantime, I'm just gonna keep going on YouTube."
What do you think of the "Never Say Never" trailer? Tell us in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsThursday, October 28, 2010
Extreme Musicians Tell Child Where Babies Come From
Michael Jackson's Mom Sues Concert Promoter AEG Live
Lawsuit allegedly filed by pop star's mother claims AEG Live neglected his medical care, according to an online report.
By Kara Warner
Michael Jackson
Photo: Getty Images
The litigation that has surrounded the tragedy of Michael Jackson's untimely death continues. Katherine Jackson, on behalf of and along with Michael Jackson's children, has filed suit against AEG Live, the promoter for the late superstar's 50-date concert residency. Jackson's mother charges the company breached its contractual agreement to provide medical care for her son and argues they were negligent in hiring controversial doctorConrad Murray.
According to TMZ, Katherine's filing claims AEG's contract with Michael "created a legal duty for AEG to act reasonably toward the physical well-being of Michael Jackson." The website also points out that the lawsuit lists Katherine Jackson as a Guardian ad Litem, or legal representative, for Michael's three children, which Katherine is not. Jackson's mother is in fact only the trio's guardian.
The gossip site suggests that the mistake, along with the fact that Katherine's reps know nothing about the lawsuit, suggests she is not actively involved in this case.
In other MJ-related lawsuit news, Conrad Murray's attorneys asked a federal judge on Wednesday (September 15) to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the singer's father, Joe Jackson, because he is not a beneficiary of the late singer's estate. The Associated Press reported that Murray's lawyers equated Joe's lawsuit to a "press-release that is intended to prejudice and inflame the jury pool and the public." The motion will reportedly be considered by a federal judge during a hearing scheduled for Oct. 18.
Joe Jackson sued Murray on June 25, the one-year anniversary of his son's death in 2009 at age 50. His lawsuit claimed the doctor withheld vital information about Jackson's medical history — including a list of all the drugs he had administered to his patient — from paramedics who responded to a 911 call, as well as to doctors at UCLA Medical Center who attempted to revive the singer. At the autopsy for Jackson, the complaint also alleges that Murray "said nothing" about having administered the surgical anesthetic propofol, which the coroner concluded caused Jackson's death. The lawsuit seeks more than $75,000 in damages.
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VMA 2010 Exposed
MTV News gives you unprecedented access to the Video Music Awards.
Photo: Sohyung Kang/ MTV News
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Nicki Minaj's 'Right Thru Me' Video Premieres
In new clip, MC sports stripped-down, casual attire.
By Hillary Crosley
Nicki Minaj
Photo: MTV News
You can take the girl out of Queens, but you can't take the Queens out of the girl. Nicki Minaj premiered her stripped-down video for "Right Thru Me" on MTV Wednesday (October 27), and it is quite a departure from her boisterous "Check It Out" video that debuted Tuesday. Instead of blond hair and futuristic outfits, Nicki looks like she's about to walk down Jamaica Avenue in 50 Cent's hometown.
The opening frame of "Right Thru Me" shows Nicki arguing in a kitchen with a man that seems to be her boyfriend. The two argue about whether he's "disrespecting her" by talking behind her back, and he threatens to leave after the MC breaks a glass in frustration. Then Nicki, sporting black wavy hair and pink fingernails, cuddles her gent, apologizes for overreacting and asks him to stay. "You have to trust me," he whispers to her.
The clip then bounces between shots of the couple talking tenderly and Nicki preventing the gentlemen from driving away by refusing to leave the driver's seat of his car.
"You make me laugh/ You make me hoarse from yelling at you and getting at you," she rhymes. "Why are you speaking when no one asked you?"
In between the scenes, video director Diane Martel inserted frames of Nicki behind a full-length window covered with steam as she sings the chorus. Ultimately, the clip is one of the first opportunities for the femcee's fans to get a glimpse of what she looks like in casual attire, which matches the aesthetic of the song.
Like the steam-covered door after she wipes away the condensation, Nicki's "Right Thru Me" allows fans to see her clearly and without any pretense.
What do you think of the "Right Thru Me" video? Tell us in the comments below!
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Charlie Sheen Hotel Photos ? Shocking Damage!
Charlie Sheen went on an alcohol-fueled riot this past weekend, while in New York, on a trip with ex-wife Denise Richards.
Charlie was there [...]
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Britney Spears - 2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
- Director: Wayne Isham
- Album: Blackout
Rebecca Gayheart William H. Macy Talisa Soto Kelly Rutherford
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Usher's VMA-Nominated 'OMG' Inspired By '80s Sci-Fi Character
Director Anthony Mandler wanted to let R&B superstar take viewers 'on a journey, not a ride.'
By Jayson Rodriguez
Usher in "OMG"
For a video as forward-thinking as Usher's "OMG" -- with its laser beams and light flashes -- director Anthony Mandler actually looked back for inspiration.
"The original idea was kind of Max Headroom," Mandler told MTV News, citing the animated science-fiction character from '80s British TV. "That's where it came from — the TV flickering on and there's this character. We just wanted to bring it up to date."
"Max Headroom was always in his room," he continued, "this unidentifiable room, '80s shapes. I used that for inspiration."
The formula worked: "OMG" is among the Best Male Video nominees for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The clip is up against Drake's "Find Your Love," Jason Derülo's "In My Head," Eminem's "Not Afraid" and B.o.B's "Airplanes." Mandler is a multiple nominee, having also helmed Drake's video.
"OMG" is the first time Usher and Mandler — who has worked with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna — collaborated on a project.
Usher said he knew the video would be a challenge and wanted to make sure the director was up to the task.
"When I first shot the song to him, I was like, 'Are you sure you're gonna be able to catch this one?' And he said, 'I got it,' " Usher explained.
"We wanted to bring Will.I.Am (the song's producer) into my world," he continued. "Obviously, the international sound and look and feel has already been set, but we wanted to do something theatrical, fun and energetic to show us working off of each other and playing off of each other as artists, but the cinematography would be artistic and incredible."
Mandler described the visuals as "Hitchcock-ian." Though the style of the shot was important to the director, he had a simpler goal in mind: to capture Usher in his element. He said the key to the clip was simply letting Usher's talent take over.
"The concept was to create a world where we put Usher in a space where he does what I think he does better than anyone else in the world, which is perform at a level and magnitude of a superstar and take us, the viewer, whether audible or visually, on a journey, not a ride," the director said. "And, in that, I wanted to create an unpredictability, so one set leads to another and another, and you never know what's gonna happen. Along the way, Usher becomes our guide. We're so focused on him, we don't notice the change. The thing is unfolding little by little, and you can't quite see far enough ahead to know what's gonna come next."
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
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'Batman 3' Will Be Called 'The Dark Knight Rises'
Director Christopher Nolan adds that Riddler will not appear in third 'Batman' film.
By Josh Wigler
Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight"
Photo: Warner Bros.
In 2012, the Dark Knight will rise.
At long last, Christopher Nolan third "Batman" film. And as was the case with "The Dark Knight," the very mention of Batman himself is nowhere to be found. Instead, the critically acclaimed director of "Memento" and "Inception" will call his next film "The Dark Knight Rises."
Nolan confirmed the title in an interview with The Los Angeles Times, adding that the developing comic book adaptation will not have a role for the Riddler. The famous Batman rogue has long been considered a leading candidate to be the villain in "The Dark Knight Rises," with actors including Joseph Gordon-Levitt rumored for the part. But Nolan ended the debate with one rather definitive statement: "It won't be the Riddler."
In addition to confirming the title and removing one possible villain from the pool, Nolan stated that Warner Bros. executives have agreed with the director's desire to avoid 3-D for the third "Batman" film. Instead, "The Dark Knight Rises" will employ "high-definition approaches and IMAX cameras to strike out on a different cinematic path than the stereoscopic technology that, for better or worse, has become the dominant conversation in the blockbuster sector."
The pieces are certainly falling into place for "The Dark Knight Rises." Not only has Nolan announced the film's new title, he's also started the hunt for new actors. Earlier this month, his "Inception" collaborator Tom Hardy landed an unidentified lead role, with many assuming that he's taking on a villainous part. With his secret identity preserved, only one thing is certain about Hardy's character: He's not the Riddler.
"We'll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we'll be introducing some new ones," the director said.
"The Dark Knight Rises" is scheduled to hit theaters on July 20, 2012. Shooting begins in April in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Les News, 102610
MTV Officially Cancels ?The City?
'Breaking Dawn' Officially Taps Michael Sheen To Return As Aro
British star will reprise his role as the Volturi vampire for the 'Twilight' conclusion.
By Eric Ditzian
Michael Sheen as Aro in "New Moon"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
In case anyone was unsure, it's now official: Michael Sheen is returning to the Twi-verse as the Volturi vampire Aro in "Breaking Dawn."
The 41-year-old Brit has signed on the dotted line, according to a Variety report. Sheen first appeared as Aro in 2009's "New Moon," but his character did not play a part in this year's "Eclipse."
Though there was no official word until now that Sheen would reprise the role, it was widely assumed that he would revisit the part. Even last year, however, Sheen was noncommittal about it.
"Who knows? Nothing has been spoken about yet," the actor told MTV News in September 2009.
That was then. Now Sheen's back in the mix. Filming on the two parts of "Breaking Dawn" is about to get under way in Louisiana, with Bill Condon in the director's chair. Part 1 will arrive in theaters in November 2011 and Part 2 will open in November 2012.
The ranks of the "Twilight" vampires has grown as of late. Maggie Grace, MyAnna Buring, Mia Maestro, Casey LaBow and Christian Camargo have all signed on to play members of the Denali coven. Lee Pace leads the crew of American Nomads, while Noel Fisher is the biggest name among the Romanian coven. Mackenzie Foy, meanwhile, will play Renesmee, the daughter of Robert Pattinson's Edward and Kristen Stewart's Bella.
"To be honest, [the script is] never very striking, only because I know it," Stewart told us recently about "Breaking Dawn." "You read it until you get to the last page just hoping that it doesn't let you down, going, 'OK, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's what I got too, mm-hmm, that's what I got.' It's really good. It's like, I don't know, it's very solid."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Britney Spears - Gimme More
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Sarfaty
- Album: Blackout
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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Denise Richards Goes Promoting After Sheen Fiasco
Stepping out for a media appointment, Denise Richards was spotted at Sirius Radio in New York City this morning (October 26).
The ?Wild Things? actress looked fabulous as she arrived to do an interview with the infamous shock jock Howard Stern on his uber-popular show.
Denise?s morning duties came after a tumultuous night dealing with her ex-husband/babydaddy Charlie Sheen's drunken naked antics.
Richards, who was staying at the same hotel as Charlie, reportedly accompanied Sheen to the hospital after the cops were called to his room.
Apparently, the ?Hot Shots? actor went into a nude booze-fueled rage after he suspected a mystery woman stole his wallet. Charlie trashed his Plaza Hotel room and made enough ruckus to get the police called on him.
Keith Richards Cut Pirates 4 Cameo?
Kanye West's Movie 'Runaway' To Debut On MTV, MTV 2 And MTV.com Saturday Night
Monday, October 25, 2010
Is Madge Planning To Adopt Again?!
Sources close to Madonna are reporting that the Material Girl is planning a trip over to Malawi before the holidays, and that although she's not sure she's ready to expand her family quite yet, she has been in touch with an orphanage - because little Mercy wants a younger sibling!
The insider says:
"Madonna likes [...]
Dexter
You know when you're hanging around, at the bank or in line somewhere... do you ever find yourself worrying about Dexter Morgan?
I'm just so worried he's going to get caught.
Brooklyn Shows His Tattoo, Victoria Shows Her Love & David Beckham Shows His Undies
Pauly ?Pauly D? Delvecchio Pays A Visit To Walt Disney World
Jay-Z, Beyonce, Usher Support Alicia Keys At AIDS Charity Ball
Jay, Janelle Monae, Swizz Beatz were among performers at Keys' 8th annual Keep a Child Alive event.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Hillary Crosley
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
Alicia Keys has proven to be as selfless in real life as she is in song.
The singer held her 8th annual Keep a Child Alive Black Ball event in New York on Thursday night. The fundraiser brought out Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Usher, Jay Sean, Janelle Monae, Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston and more.
Jay-Z and Keys' husband, Swizz Beatz, performed "On to the Next One," and Jay later performed "Empire State of Mind." Monae also hit the stage, as did Keys and Sade, who performed a duet, "Love Is Stronger Than Pride."
"It's my heart and soul," Keys told MTV News about the organization she co-founded. "Since the beginning, we've been very driven to do incredible work. I'm proud to show what four to five women who are very dedicated can do."
The organization benefits children and families who have been affected by AIDS but can't afford to purchase medicine; the event reportedly helped raise $2.4 million.
This year, Keep a Child Alive introduced the "Buy Life" T-shirt. The shirt features a large barcode on the garment; donors can buy the shirt and scan the code with their smart phones to make a donation to the charity. Every time the code is scanned by a phone, a donation goes through. Ryan Seacrest, Kim Kardashian and Katie Holmes are among the celebrity spokespeople appearing in ads for the shirt.
"It's like a dream to me to be among these people singing and performing, and opening people's eyes to what Keep a Child Alive can do," Keys said.
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Justin Bieber Hits Variety's Power of Youth Event
Stepping out to be honored for his good deeds, Justin Bieber turned up at Variety's 4th Annual Power of Youth event in Hollywood, CA on Sunday (October 24).
Dressed in a seasonally appropriate orange and black outfit, the "Baby" singer was in high spirits as he posed for pictures at the Paramount Studios venue.
Tweeting about the day's outing, Bieber wrote, "getting ready to attend Power of Youth with @PencilsOfPromis here in LA. We can all make a difference"
A short while later, the 16-year-old pop sensation added, "heard there are a lot of kids at this event who havent had it easy. I know what that is like so i got some surprises"
As for the annual event, Variety's Power of Youth is "an initiative that celebrates top young talent and their involvement with philanthropic and humanitarian causes, and encourages their fans around the world to get involved and give back too."
Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray's Trial Set For January
Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Toby Canham/ Getty Images
More than a year after Michael Jackson's death, the pop icon's former personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was in court Monday (August 23) where a judge finally set a preliminary date of January 4, 2011, in the cardiologist's involuntary-manslaughter trial.
TMZ reported that Murray's legal team won a request to get a fluid sample from Jackson as part of their defense strategy questioning the accuracy of levels of the surgical anesthetic propofol found in Jackson's body. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office determined that Jackson, 50, died as a result of acute propofol intoxication.
Murray has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and has admitted to giving Jackson propofol, a strong anesthetic usually used during surgery but allegedly employed by chronic insomniac Jackson as a sleep aid. Murray's lawyers have said the physician did not administer any drugs that "should have" caused Jackson's death. The investigation into his death was equally lengthy, lasting more than eight months, after which Los Angeles prosecutors charged that Murray gave the King of Pop a lethal combination of propofol and other painkillers and sedatives in the hours before the singer was found dead in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009. Murray faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
After hearing from both sides in the case at the January court date, the judge, Michael Pastor, will determine if there is enough evidence to mount a full trial.
Jackson's mother and father, Katherine and Joseph, were in court on Monday, according to Radar Online, sitting in the front row as Judge Pastor set the preliminary hearing date. Pastor granted a protective order covering all evidence in the criminal case, meaning it cannot be released to anyone other than the lawyers, paralegals and investigators in the case.
Murray's defense team reportedly asked for access to three fluids collected by the coroner's office, including ones taken from syringes and an IV tube to re-examine test results. Pastor ruled that the coroner's office must preserve the samples, and if defense attorneys and prosecutors cannot agree on the request, he will schedule a hearing on the matter.
After court let out, a group of Jackson supporters gathered and sang an impromptu verse that featured the lines, "Conrad Murray is a cold man," while holding up signs that read "Justice for Michael Jackson" and "Love Unites Us, Peace Drives Us, Judgment Day 4 All."
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Kanye West Explains Michael Jackson 'Runaway' Scene
MC says he used King of Pop's likeness to represent cult mentality.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Photo: Def Jam
In a production wrought with powerful imagery, the Michael Jackson procession scene in Kanye West's film debut, "Runaway," is among the most impactful and intriguing.
Around seven minutes into the movie, which centers on the ill-fated romance between West's character, Griffin, and a phoenix played by Selita Ebanks, fireworks herald a parade of a crimson-clad marching band flanked by a mob of followers sporting pointed hoods reminiscent of the garb worn by the Ku Klux Klan. The band surrounds a larger-than-life illuminated bust of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, while Griffin and the phoenix excitedly look on.
When West sat down with MTV News' Sway for a live Q&A session that followed the film's premiere Saturday (October 23) on MTV, he explained that he juxtaposed Jackson's likeness with the hooded marchers to make a comment about the potent pull of cult mentality.
"The hood, what it does represent to me ... in relation to the Michael Jackson thing is not the KKK but the concept of cult, because it's multiple people with this hood on," West explained. "It's me taking [the phoenix] to my world and saying, 'Let me show you what my world is about.' "
West said he invoked the image of the late icon, whose expansive cultural reach was unparalleled, to demonstrate the energy of the pop realm.
"The greatest, biggest pop-cultural figure of all time, arguably bigger than Jesus Christ, is Michael Jackson. You have the band in front of him, marching ... and you have the cult around it," West said, before explaining the scene that precedes the procession, of a young boy in mid-sprint brandishing a flaming baton.
"If you saw the kid in the beginning, he's running and running at top speed holding his torch, and his torch represents his thoughts and ideals. At the end, after he's been cultivated, he has the hood on now and he's walking extremely slow. That's basically how people think," West said. "It's the way society has set people up to be able to control them, slave mentalities."
Yeezy added that coaxing people into social conformity is an effective form of control — assuming the followers don't decide to break away on their own trails.
"[By] just creating this mentality by cultivating the ideals ... you could just make people just stand in their own mental jails," he said. "What happens when someone isn't in a mental jail?"
What do you think of Kanye's explanation of the Michael Jackson "Runaway" scene? Sound off in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsMatt Damon and Wife Welcome Baby Stella!
Bringing another female into the family, Matt Damon and his wife Luciana are the proud parents of a newborn baby girl.
The "Invictus" actor proudly accompanied his lovely lady to the hospital as she gave birth to daughter Stella Zavala Damon on Wednesday in New York.
Announcing the news, Damon's rep said, "Mom and baby are both healthy. The whole family is thrilled."
Stella joins three older sisters, as Matt and Luciana are already parents to Isabella, 4, and Gia, 2, as well as Luciana's daughter Alexia from a previous marriage.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Katy Perry And Russell Brand's Pre-Wedding PDA: A Timeline
Even before they were hitched, the superstars showed their love in kooky, cute and creative ways.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Photo: George Pimentel/ Getty Images
Katy Perry and Russell Brand took the ultimate step in their whirlwind romance on Saturday (October 23): they got hitched in a grand ceremony in India. The couple headed back to the place where Brand popped the question early this year after dating for several months. Since then, in true Brand and Perry style, the duo packed in a spate of memorable moments as they prepared to hit the altar. Here's a look back at some of the couple's interesting public displays of affection as they headed toward superstar matrimony.
Before the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, Brand hyped up his fiancé's upcoming performance of "California Gurls," referring to the pop princess' latest offering as "her new, brilliant single."
Later in June, the couple showed off their unique shared sense of humor when Brand dubbed Perry a "flatulence factory" during an interview. Perry fired back on Twitter, saying that Brand "light[s] up the sheets with [his] stanky arse."
Perry arrived at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in September with decals of her hubby-to-be pressed on her nails. The manicure was a fitting tribute as the duo sparked their romance at the awards show the year before.
A month before the nuptials Brand got into a scuffle with paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport when he felt the paps were trying to snap an up-skirt shot of his lady love. Perry later defended her man's photog scrap, tweeting, "If you cross the line & try an put a lens up my dress, my fiancé will do his job & protect me. #standbyyourman #don'tf---withtheBrands."
The paparazzi snafu didn't stop Perry from hitting Las Vegas for a bachelorette bash a few days later thrown by celebrity bestie Rihanna. The affair included stops at a Cirque Du Soleil show and poolside antics.
A week before the big day, Brand said his ideal wedding would be set in "Victorian London," but conceded that getting married in a bygone era wouldn't be possible. The comic also denied rumors that he and Perry were already hitched but added, "Marriage takes place in the heart, so in that sense, we are already married."
Earlier this week, the pop-culture couple touched down in Jaipur for their wedding celebrations. Members of Perry and Brand's families were spotted around the city and on Tuesday the singer punched out what would be her last tweet as a single lady: "TWIT BREAK: Greatest gift u can give us is respect & [love] during this private X. No use wasting ur X w/ STOLEN or FALSE info. Thnk u for this."
On Saturday, the pair officially became husband and wife in a ceremony surrounded by friends and family.
Share your well-wishes for the newlyweds in the comments!
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