To update the previous post about the just announced Ozzy Osbourne/Halford tour, ticket information for the Minneapolis show at the Target Center on December 12 was just released. General tickets go on sale this Saturday, September 18 at 10:00 am CDT ($27.50–77.50), along with the combined Meet & Greet/Possessed Party packages. You can also purchase the Meet & Greet and Possessed Party packages separately beginning this morning, Monday, September 13 at 10:00 am CDT.
Showing posts with label Halford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halford. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
First OZZY OSBOURNE and HALFORD North American Dates Announced; Minneapolis Included
I'm back from Europe, so I'll be able to get some album reviews posted that I had hoped to post before my trip. The biggest concert announcement in a while is the first North American dates for Ozzy Osbourne in support of his Scream album, including a date at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday, December 12. This is his first tour here with new guitarist Gus G who, if you saw him when his band Firewind opened for Epica at Station 4 in St. Paul a couple years ago, can shred like a monster. Contrary to other reports, general ticket sales for most of these shows begins on Saturday, September 18 (where information is currently available). There will also be various VIP ticket packages that go on sale as early as this Monday, September 13. Included in these initial dates is a show at the Target Center in Minneapolis; more dates will be announced soon. The support band for all shows will be Halford, whose new IV - Made Of Metal album will be released in North America on September 28. October 5 will see the release of the Tour Edition of Scream, which will include seven bonus tracks, including unreleased and live songs.
November 12 - Victoria, BC, Save-On Foods Memorial Centre*
November 14 - Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena*
November 16 - Calgary, AB, Pengrowth Saddledome*
November 18 - Edmonton, MB, Rexall Place*
November 20 - Winnipeg, MB, MTS Centre*
November 23 - Montreal, QC, Bell Centre***
November 25 - Ottawa, ON, Scotiabank Place***
November 27 - Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre**
December 1 - New York, NY, Madison Square Garden Arena*
December 3 - East Rutherford, NJ, Izod Center*
December 5 - Cleveland, OH, Quicken Loans Arena***
December 12 - Minneapolis, MN, Target Center***
*Tickets on sale Saturday, September 18, 10:00 am local time
**Tickets on sale Friday, September 17, 10:00 am local time
***No ticket information at this time
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Halford Album Review
Halford – Halford 3 – Winter Songs
Since it’s holiday time, I’m going to break with tradition here and feature an album despite no plans to promote it here in the Twin Cities. Rob Halford has resurrected his Halford band for an unexpected Christmas-themed album that succeeds in delivering a serious album suitable for any fan of Judas Priest. Winter Songs features five original songs and five Christmas standards. My favorite aspect of the Christmas standards is that these aren’t tongue-in-cheek joke versions. Halford treats these with respect (not reverence, like Trans-Siberian Orchestra) while arranging them into enjoyable, rocking songs. “We Three Kings” gallops along with a classic heavy metal rhythm, and “Oh Come O Come Emanuel” sounds like it meant to have guitar solos all over the place. “What Child Is This?” and “Oh Holy Night” are treated to a more traditional, grand interpretation, while “Come All Ye Faithful” is a bit subdued to wind the album down. The original song “Get Into The Spirit” opens the album with a speed metal intensity that reminds of Virgin Steele with its unrelenting, driving rhythm. “Winter Song” is the clear highlight of the album, a sad ballad about experiencing the emptiness of a lost love during the holiday season. It’s hard not to be touched by this song, and it’s probably the greatest ballad Rob has written. The remaining three originals are enjoyable, but frankly don’t hold up as well as the other seven tracks. Everything Rob Halford touches oozes with quality, and one listen to Winter Songs tells you that this isn’t a quick, slap-dash affair in the quest for a quick buck. The band performing this album is outstanding, including Roy Z. and “Metal” Mike Chlasciak on guitars and Bobby Jarzombek on drums. If you enjoy Christmas music this time of year and aren’t sickened by the thought of Halford performing a diversionary release, you should thoroughly enjoy Winter Songs. This has turned out to be one of the most pleasantly surprising releases of the year.
Metal God, 2009
8/10
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