TotalBiscuit's view on SOPA, The GameStation's Street Fighter series, Heath Ledger skateboarding over Christian Bale, Mugging Rape Analogy, Top Technology trends of 2011, What mattered in 2011 for Social Media

I haven’t posted a news article in forever it seems, so I thought maybe I should start doing them again. As you can see I fixed up the blog to look a lot better so hopefully you can find things quicker now. I might try to add more to it, but so far, this is as fancy as my HTML gets. I’ve been doing posts over summer until now that haven’t been news articles like interviews and album reviews. Hopefully I can keep all three types of posts continuous without problems. Now for your not so news type stuff for today!

I thought I’d let today be a slacker day, since it is New Year’s and I also want to get a few reviews done today as well. So, today is going to be a bunch of videos and pictures! I hope you all have a fantastic New Year’s and regular postings will continue throughout 2012 as often as I can.

                                                                

                               

Spotlight: The Muppets (Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Jack Black)

So I went to see The Muppets last week and finally sat down and wrote a review, so here it is. I am seeing Sherlock tonight so, that review should also be up eventually. Anyway, enjoy this review! 

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Muppets_(2011)

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel - Bad Teacher, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Freeks and Geeks) and Mary (Amy Adams - Junebug, Enchanted, Doubt, The Fighter) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper - Adaptation, My House in Umbria, Seabiscuit, Capote) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10-million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit the Frog reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called The Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, "The Muppets" hits the big screen November 23, 2011.

I believe they couldn’t have brought The Muppets back in any greater way, other then original voices. Jason Segel did a good job writing this script, alongside Nicholas Stoller, and if you ask me he couldn’t have done any better. He successfully added the present time’s pop culture with the old school style of The Muppets, as well as adding a plot that was definitely the best way to bring them back. There is no better way then to try and say The Muppets are old and then prove that they may be an old popularity, but that they still have what it takes to stay part of the present. The cast was awesome and played their parts well, especially the cameos. Jack Black’s role was probably the best of all, along with Zach Galifianakis and Dave Ghrol. A few other cameos were Feist, Whopy Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Ken Jeong, and Sarah Silverman. The musical numbers in this weren’t as bad as I was expecting and had moments that got you laughing. The humour in this movie was well received and had me laughing the whole way through. I recommend seeing this movie if you are a fan of The Muppets.

Spotlight: J Edgar (Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Helen Gandy, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench, Stephen Root)

Its been a while since I’ve went to the movies and I decided not to write a review of Twilight. It was going to be a troll review in which I gave it a low rating and bashed it. I actually had a valid argument for my low rating but I’ve slacked off so long that I think it is too late to actually review it. I am going to start copying and citing each article I get summaries from. I will, however, add in some new, popular films each actor written has been in. So here we are a review for J Edgar, beginning read now!

(http://www.fandango.com/j.edgar_v531244/plotsummary)

Acclaimed actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception, Shutter Island, Blood Diamond) stars in Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood's richly detailed biopic exploring the life and career of controversial FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. For nearly 50 years, Hoover (DiCaprio) fought crime as one of the most powerful law enforcers in America. During Hoover's extended stint as Director of the FBI, however, his penchant for bending the law in the name of seeking justice and using the secrets of high profile leaders to gain personal leverage won him just as many supporters as detractors. Little did many other than his loyal colleague Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer – Mirror Mirror, The Social Network, Billy: The Early Years) and faithful secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts – Mother and Child, King Kong, 21 Grams) know, however, that Hoover himself was a man with many secrets to hide. Josh Lucas (Red Dog, Life as We Know It, Little Murder), Judi Dench (James Bond, Nine, Notes on a Scandal), and Stephen Root (Red State, Rango, Leathrheads, The Men Who Stare at Goats) co-star in film written by Oscar-winning scribe Dustin Lance Black (Big Love, Milk, Pedro).

This movie was quite the history lesson and I believe that Clint Eastwood and Dustin Lance Black made each point of Edgar Hoover’s life known, this included the possible homosexuality. Although they didn’t go into full detail about rumours and possible truths in Edgar’s sexuality, they did make it known to the audience by using subtle but obvious hints. Leonardo Decaprio was amazing in this movie, alongside Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts. The old make up and costume was a little old school but it worked alright. The movie is long and slow and I understand that these days people don’t want to sit and waste two hours on a drama driven history lesson. I enjoyed this movie and I believe it was educational and I felt good leaving the theatre with great knowledge in my head.

Peaceville Records launches new website + Holiday sale‏

The all-new Peaceville Records website is now live with a vastly expanded abyss of info, video clips, music tracks, limited releases and more from all of the top Peaceville acts. To celebrate this website launch, head over to: www.peaceville.com, to sign up and get a free 17-track download featuring the best of Peaceville past and present.

Free download track list:
Darkthrone – Lifeless
Autopsy – Horrific Obsession
My Dying Bride – The Thrash of Naked Limbs
Cradle of Filth – Lilith Immaculate (extended edition)
Barren Earth – Our Twilight (single version)
Aura Noir – Conqueror
Katatonia – The Longest Year
Opeth – Face of Melinda (Live)
Thorns – Existence
Behemoth – As Above so Below
Gallhammer – Rubbish CG202
Gehenna – Werewolf
Dodheimsgard – Ion Storm
Unholy – Lady Babylon
Paradise Lost – Eternal
Pentagram – Sign of the Wolf
At the Gates – The Swarm

Peaceville has also launched a Holiday sale, with a whole load of titles on CD and vinyl starting at under $5. Head to the Peaceville webstore at: http://www.burningshed.com/store/peaceville/collection/440 
to take advantage of the limited-time offers. Stay tuned for more information on Peaceville Records.

Testament frontman comments on second leg of co-headlining North American tour‏

Chuck Billy, vocalist of the iconic West Coast thrash metal act, Testament, has issued the following statement in anticipation of the band’s upcoming co-headlining North American run with Anthrax.
“We are super stoked to announce our participation for the second leg of this already awesome thrash attack with our good friends in Anthrax and Death Angel. This will mark the last tour for ‘The Formation Of Damnation’ record cycle, as we will be gearing towards putting the new record ‘Dark Roots Of Earth’ in the spring. If you missed us the last time, we hope to see you and celebrate with this amazing line up!”
After wrapping up an October/November run with the same line-up, the all-star thrash trio of Testament, Anthrax and Death Angel hit the road again for another round of dates beginning in January. Special VIP ticket packages will be available for all the upcoming shows. Stay tuned for more information!

Testament with Anthrax and Death Angel…
Jan. 22 – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
Jan. 23 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
Jan. 24 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Jan. 27 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
Jan. 28 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
Jan. 29 – Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
Jan. 30 – Ashville, NC @ Orange Peel
Feb. 02 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Feb. 03 – Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavillion
Feb. 06 – Allentown, PA @ Crockodile Rock
Feb. 07 – Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
Feb. 08 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theatre

Testament online…
http://www.testamentlegions.com
http://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions
http://www.youtube.com/testamentofficial
http://www.twitter.com/testamentlegion
http://www.twitter.com/testamentband

Testament is…
Chuck Billy – vocals
Eric Peterson – guitar
Alex Skolnick – guitar
Greg Christian – bass

Psycroptic reveals "The Inherited Repression" cover art‏

Aussie technical death metal outfit, Psycroptic, has revealed the cover art for the band’s fifth studio album, The Inherited Repression, which will hit stores on February 7th in North America and February 10th in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented Psycroptic guitarist, Joe Haley, “The Inherited Repression is far and away my favorite Psycroptic album thus far - all of us in the band think this. It’s the age-old cliché from bands when they talk about their current album as being the best of their career, blah, blah, but I have to say it because it’s true. We wouldn’t think there is a point of going on if we couldn’t outdo each album prior. We are certainly not playing music for anything else than the love of creating it and performing it.

“The Inherited Repression is quite different from anything we have done in terms of song writing and structure, and we spent a lot longer writing and demoing the songs before we recorded it, which you can tell. It’s a very dynamic album - the fast elements faster, the slow elements slower, and a lot of light and dark binding it together. It’s a very catchy album as well - you can tap your foot, bang your head or anything else you want. Basically it has a lot of groove on it from start to finish.”

The track-list for The Inherited Repression is…
1. Carriers of the Plague
2. Forward to Submission
3. Euphorinasia
4. The Throne of Kings
5. Unmasking the Traitors
6. Become the Cult
7. From Scribe to Ashes
8. Deprivation
9. The Sleepers Have Awoken

The Inherited Repression was produced, engineered and mixed by Haley, while Alan Douches will handle mastering duties.

“We had the luxury of recording in my home studio without deadlines, so we spent a long time on getting it how we wanted. We can’t wait for people to hear it, and get out and play the songs live!”

Stay tuned for more information on Psycroptic and The Inherited Repression.

Psycroptic is…
Jason Peppiatt - Vocals
Cameron Grant - Bass
Joe Haley - Guitars
Dave Haley - Drums

Psycroptic online…
http://www.psycroptic.com
http://www.facebook.com/psycroptic
http://www.twitter.com/psycroptic
http://www.youtube.com/user/psycroptic
http://www.myspace.com/psycroptic

Death Angel guitarist comments on upcoming Anthrax/Testament co-headlining tour‏

Rob Cavestany, guitarist of the veteran West Coast thrash metal act, Death Angel, has issued the following statement in anticipation of the band’s upcoming US run with Anthrax and Testament.

“We are beyond ecstatic that Death Angel has been invited to join our friends Anthrax and Testament once again for the second leg of this tour! More shows, more fun, more THRASH! The first leg was amazing and we expect no less on this next run. This line up is the best we've ever been part of as far as touring the States goes. Every band brings their "A" game each night, no doubt! Plus, we usually do our own headline shows on days off from the main tour, so very much looking forward to performing our long set to our fans across the country as well. What a fantastic way to kick off 2012! We have an extremely busy year planned and it's certain to begin with a BLAST! See you on the road, at the bar and in the pit!”

After wrapping up an October/November run with the same line-up, the all-star thrash trio of Testament, Anthrax and Death Angel hit the road again for another round of dates beginning in January.
Stay tuned for more information!

Death Angel with Anthrax and Testament…
Jan. 22 – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
Jan. 23 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
Jan. 24 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
Jan. 27 – Egyptian Room – Indianapolis, IN
Jan. 28 – Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN
Jan. 29 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
Jan. 30 – Orange Peel – Ashville, NC
Feb. 02 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
Feb. 03 – The LC Pavillion – Columbus, OH
Feb. 06 – Crockodile Rock – Allentown, PA
Feb. 07 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD
Feb. 08 – Best Buy Theatre – New York, NY

Death Angel online…
http://www.deathangel.us
http://www.youtube.com/user/deathangelofficial
http://www.facebook.com/deathangel
http://www.twitter.com/deathangel
http://tinyurl.com/DeathANBUSA
http://tinyurl.com/NBEUDeathA
http://www.myspace.com/deathangel

Death Angel is…
Mark Osegueda – vocals
Rob Cavestany – guitar
Ted Aguilar – guitar
Will Carroll – drums
Damien Sisson – bass

Epica announces title of fifth full-length record, "Requiem for the Indifferent"‏

Dutch symphonic metal act, Epica, has revealed the title of its fifth studio album, Requiem for the Indifferent, which will hit stores in North America on March 13th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band, “This title refers to the end of an era. Mankind can no longer stick their head in the sand for the things that are happening around us. We are facing many challenges. There is an enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and a huge financial crisis, which is getting out of control. More than ever we will need each other to overcome these problems. As we are all connected; the universe, earth, nature, animals and human beings, this period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don't want to, or simply won't see it. A REQUIEM FOR THE INDIFFERENT but also a possibility for a new beginning with great new chances!”

Keep an eye on the official Epica website: www.epica.nl and Facebook: www.facebook.com/epica for regular updates on Requiem for the Indifferent.

Epica online…
http://www.epica.nl
http://smoonstyle.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/epica
http://www.facebook.com/epica
http://www.youtube.com/epica
http://www.twitter.com/_epica

Epica is…
Simone Simons – vocals
Mark Jansen – guitar
Isaac Delahaye – guitar
Yves Huts – bass
Coen Janssen – synthesizer, piano
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums

Eluveitie reveals "Helvetios" cover art and track list‏

Swiss new wave folk metal superstar, Eluveitie, has revealed the cover art and the track list for the band’s upcoming album, Helvetios, which is scheduled to hit stores in North America on February 28th via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track list for Helvetios is…
1. Prologue
2. Helvetios
3. Luxtos
4. Home
5. Santonian Shores
6. Scorched Earth
7. Meet The Enemy
8. Neverland
9. A Rose For Epona
10. Havoc
11. The Uprising
12. Hope
13. The Siege
14. Alesia
15. Tullianum
16. Uxellodunon
17. Epilogue

Eluveitie will unleash its fourth studio album in the midst of the North American portion of the band’s “Helvetios World Tour.” Eluveitie will take the stage in the US and Canada this winter as direct support to the mighty, Children of Bodom, on COB’s “15th Anniversary” tour. Stay tuned for more information on Eluveitie and Helvetios.

Eluveitie with Children of Bodom, Revocation and Threat Signal…

Jan. 21 – Circo Volador – Mexico City, MX – MEXICO (W/ MOONSORROW + MY DYING BRIDE)
Jan. 27 – Plaza Live – Orlando, FL (ELUVEITIE HEADLINING)
Jan. 28 – Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
Jan. 29 – Reverb – Reading, PA
Jan. 30 – Waterstreet Music Hall – Rochester, NY
Jan. 31 – Harpo’s – Detroit, MI
Feb. 01 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Feb. 02 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL (NO CHILDREN OF BODOM)
Feb. 03 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
Feb. 04 – Pop’s – Sauget, IL
Feb. 06 – Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
Feb. 07 – Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO
Feb. 09 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 10 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Feb. 11 – The Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
Feb. 13 – Yost Theatre – Santa Ana, CA
Feb. 14 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
Feb. 15 – The Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
Feb. 16 – Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
Feb. 18 – Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
Feb. 19 – The Pavilion – Lubbock, TX
Feb. 21 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
Feb. 22 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
Feb. 24 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
Feb. 25 – Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
Feb. 26 – Sound Academy – Toronto, ON – CANADA
Feb. 27 – Metropolis – Montreal, QC – CANADA
Feb. 28 – Maverick’s – Ottawa, ON – CANADA (ELUVEITIE HEADLINING w/ LOCALS)
Feb. 29 – Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC – CANADA
Mar. 01 – Webster Theatre – Hartford, CT
Mar. 02 – Paramount Theater – Huntington, NY
Mar. 03 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
Mar. 04 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Eluveitie online…

http://www.eluveitie.ch
http://www.facebook.com/eluveitie
http://www.twitter.com/eluveitie
http://www.youtube.com/user/eluveitieofficial
https://plus.google.com/104670840870351847217/posts
http://www.myspace.com/eluveitie

Eluveitie is…

Kay Brem – bass
Chrigel Glanzmann – vocals, mandola, whistles, pipes, gaita, acoustic guitar, bodhrán
Ivo Henzi – rhythm guitar
Patrick Kistler – bagpipes, whistles
Simeon Koch – lead guitar, vocals
Anna Murphy – hurdy gurdy, vocals
Merlin Sutter – drums
Meri Tadic – violin, vocals

All Shall Perish "My Retaliation" available on Rock Band Network‏

“My Retaliation,” the latest addition to the Rock Band Network from West Coast extreme heavy metal act, All Shall Perish, is now available for download on Xbox 360 at: http://www.rockband.com/songs/UGC_5007804.

Be sure to head to: http://media.nuclearblast.de/bands/Splash/RockBand/index.html to see all the other killer Nuclear Blast Records bands available for download through the Rock Band Network.

“My Retaliation” can be found on All Shall Perish’s fourth full-length record, This is Where it Ends, which released in July. The latest music video from This is Where it Ends for the track, “Royalty Into Exile,” can be seen online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySAqn1GuXnE. Stay tuned for more information on All Shall Perish and This is Where it Ends.

All Shall Perish is…
Eddie Hermida - Vocals
Ben Orum - Rhythm Guitar
Mike Tiner - Bass
Francesco Artusato - Lead Guitar
Adam Pierce - Drums

All Shall Perish online…
www.allshallperish.com
www.facebook.com/allshallperish
www.youtube.com/allshallperish
www.twitter.com/allshallperish

Purchase This is Where it Ends online…
Nuclear Blast USA - http://bit.ly/aspnbusa
Nuclear Blast EUROPE - http://bit.ly/aspnbeu
VIP Merch - http://bit.ly/aspvipm
Hot Topic (CD+DVD) - http://bit.ly/asphtopic
Newbury Comics (w/ Autographed Booklet) - http://bit.ly/aspnewc
http://amzn.to/tiwieasp (Jewel) / http://amzn.to/tiwiedi (Digipak)
iTunes - http://bit.ly/asptiwie

Testament Comment On Departure Of Drummer, Paul Bostaph‏

Chuck Billy, vocalist for Bay Area thrash legend, TESTAMENT, throws down the following update on drummer Paul Bostaph’s departure from the band: “I, Eric, Alex, and Greg want to congratulate our brother, forever, Paul Bostaph on his new band, BlackGates. And while ‘The Hands of Mayhem’ will be sorely missed from our band, we wish him the ultimate success in everything that he does in his future.”

TESTAMENT is now actively seeking the heaviest drummer on the planet.

Details will be announced soon. Testament's new album, The Dark Roots of Earth, will be unleashed upon the world this spring, 2012!

Visit TESTAMENT online at:

www.TESTAMENTLEGIONS.com
Facebook.com/TESTAMENTLEGIONS
Twitter.com/TESTAMENTBAND

Sylosis Guitarist Breaks Wrist, Out For Remainder Of US Tour

UK thrash metal export, Sylosis, has issued an update via the band’s official Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/sylosis, revealing that guitarist, Alex Bailey, has suffered a broken wrist and will be out of action for the remainder of the band’s current North American tour with As I Lay Dying. Touring guitarist, Brandon Ellis, will fill in for Bailey for the rest of the run.

“To update our American fans on what's been happening over the past couple of days. On Tuesday Bailey had an unfortunate accident where he sustained a broken arm which has meant he is unable to continue playing on this tour. We have however found a replacement guitarist to cover the rest of the AILD tour dates. For those fans who have seen us at both New York headline date and support for AILD you will have noticed we played as a 3 piece.

“We'd like to thank the guys in Mutiny Within - Brandon Jacobs, Andrew Jacobs and Chris Clancy, also Kyle Odell of Vanisher & Tommy Vext for being very supportive and helping us work this situation out!”
“A Decade of Destruction,” Sylosis’s first ever US tour, kicked off yesterday in Huntington, NY.
Stay tuned for more information on Sylosis.

SYLOSIS w/ As I Lay Dying, Of Mice & Men, Ghost Inside, and Iwrestledabearonce...
12/01 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
12/02 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
12/03 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
12/04 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
12/06 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
12/07 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
12/08 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
12/09 - Dallas, TX @ The Door
12/10 - San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
12/11 - Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Pavilion
12/13 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
12/14 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Venue Of Scottsdale
12/16 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
12/17 - Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues

Sylosis online…
http://www.sylosis.com
http://www.myspace.com/sylosis
http://www.nuclearblast.de/sylosis
http://www.twitter.com/sylosis
http://www.youtube.com/user/sylosistv
http://www.last.fm/music/Sylosis

Suffocation To Headline Manitoba Metalfest 2012‏

Long Island’s veteran death metal act, Suffocation, has been announced as a headlining act for the 11th annual Manitoba Metalfest, set to take place at The Zoo on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th. Suffocation will close out the festivities on Saturday night, while Into Eternity will headline Friday’s show.

Stay tuned for more information on Suffocation and the band’s 2012 full-length release (Nuclear Blast Records).

Suffocation online…
http://www.suffocation.us/
http://www.facebook.com/suffocation
http://www.twitter.com/suffocationband
http://www.youtube.com/suffocation

Suffocation is…
Frank Mullen - Vocals
Terrance Hobbs - Guitars
Guy Marchais - Guitars
Derek Boyer - Bass
Mike Smith - Drums