Van Halen takes a cue from Black Sabbath, announcing new album and tour
First British metal legends Black Sabbath got diehard '70s-rock freaks all hopped up with its announcement of a new album and massive tour, and now the United States' riff-riddled pride and joy, Van Halen, is answering back.
Last night during a V.I.P. performance at New York City's intimate Cafe Wha? (my invite must have been lost in the mail) the quartet announced that it would embark on a North American tour that includes a stop in Vancouver on May 7. (On a weird side-note, the Live Nation press release sent out today reads: "Kool & the Gang will join Van Halen for select tour dates." Am I drunk, or does that sound like a slight musical mismatch?)
The quartet--which currently includes guitarist Eddie Van Halen, his brother Alex on drums, his son Wolfgang on bass, and original vocalist David Lee Roth--also announced that its new album, A Different Kind of Truth, will be released by Interscope Records on February 7. It's the first studio album to feature Roth since 1984's 1984, and there's been quite a buzz about it in the rock press, in case you haven't noticed.
For those who were there at the time, the release of Van Halen's self-titled album in 1978 was a monumental moment in hard-rock history. Eddie Van Halen's flashy fretwork turned the guitar world on its ear, and Roth's raunchy vocals and wildman antics were embraced worldwide. Coincidentally, 1978 was also the year that Black Sabbath recorded its last studio album with Ozzy Osbourne, Never Say Die!, but now Sabbath has recruited Rick Rubin for the reunion disc, which is set for release this fall.
The Black Sabbath tour kicks off May 18 in Moscow, but Van Halen fans don't have to wait that long to see their heroes in action. The 45-date North American tour begins Feb. 18 in Louisville, Kentucky, and ends June 26 in New Orleans. In honour of Van Halen getting back on the road, here's a clip of a little kid rocking out on drums.
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Comments
6 Comments
cranky mom
Jan 6, 2012 at 3:38pm
we used to play the first Van Halen album over and over and over in our friends wood panelled basement. what a time to be 14! (yes you can do the math) Highschool may have sucked, but the shift in the music scene saved us all.
Devo, Talking Heads, the Ramones, the Clash, Elvis Costello, Blondie.
Steve Newton
Jan 6, 2012 at 4:03pm
the first Van Halen album always sounded better, acoustically, in wood-panelled basements. Especially through a pair of Pioneer HPM-100 speakers
Pat Crowe
Jan 6, 2012 at 10:02pm
I had a wood panelled basement. But ran Bose 901 series one through a hog Sansui reciever. Van Halen 1 was large, but not as latre as 2112 in my parents basement. Specially after some of that tied stick.
Still, my faves were the good old Floyd, Yes and Genesis.
Fuck you. That is all.
E.V.H.
Jan 8, 2012 at 4:16am
Van Halen takes cues from no-one!
marcus
Jan 8, 2012 at 6:23am
I believe the new Halen album/tour has been hinted at for at least half a year. VH already have their album in the can (out on Feb 7th) and tour dates booked (tix go on sale shortly). Anyone who knows anything about VH news is that the brothers Van Halen don't announce anything unless it is already a done deal and they don't take cues from anyone, least of all Ozzy. Sorry to poo on your theory that VH is copying BS. Looking forward to hearing the new Sabbath though.
Susan
Jan 8, 2012 at 5:59pm
Is there anyone out there who didn't have a wood panelled basement in the 70's?? :)
I checked out the Cafe Wha clips on youtube...yeah I know lousy audio and video....but really sitting on the fence for this show ( regardless off the opener..) Would love to see EVH play...but am not a big fan of the new single nor DLR's vocals.... I am looking forward to the Rick Rubin BSabbath collaboration after when he did for Johnny Cash...!