Nothing -- not even the Smithsonian -- can deny the power of heavy metal and its value to popular culture. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indians exhibition is recognizing Testament singer and Native American activist Chuck Billy now through Jan. 2. This particular exhibit that Billy is a part of is called 'Up Where We Belong: Native Americans in Popular Culture,' and it is located on the National Mall, second-floor level of the Sealaska Gallery.

'Up Where We Belong,' according to the Smithsonian, "tells [Native artists'] stories and histories and provides visitors the opportunity to hear music and discover artists with whom these exceptional musicians collaborated. Visitors will also learn of the musical greats who inspired these artists, as well as the growing number of contemporary performers who follow in their path."

Where does Billy factor in? The cancer survivor is featured in the 'Encore' segment of the exhibition, which features artists who represent the span of Native achievement in mainstream music over the past half century. Other musicians featured in this segment are saxophonist Jim Pepper and singer Debora Iyall, so not only is Billy in good company -- but so are Pepper and Iyall.

In a statement, Billy said, "I'm humbled and proud to be recognized as a Native American contribution to the arts and music."

Billy and Testament are currently ripping up the road on American Carnage alongside Megadeth and Slayer. The metal world certainly knows that Chuck Billy has made the metal world a better place and his fellow Native Americans should be proud of his body of work and his inclusion in such an important exhibit.

The volume was all the way up Friday night at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. That could only mean one thing: The 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival had invaded the mountain.
The high-octane heavy metal marathon entertained thousands of black-clad, tattooed metalheads starting in the late afternoon and carrying on well into the evening, with one volume-loving band after another taking to two stages.
Most came for the evening's big four - Halestorm, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold and headliner Disturbed. Presstime prevented a review of Disturbed's show, but the band no doubt had a lot to live up to, considering the over-the-top theatrics of its counterparts.
Following Halestorm's frenzied set, Stone Sour took the stage around 7:30 p.m.
Led by singer Corey Taylor, best known for his mask-wearing shenanigans in the screamo band Slipknot, Stone Sour brings the noise with aplomb, but also knows its way around a melody.
This was evident on the band's rendition of its 2006 radio hit, "Looking Through Glass," a song that starts soft and progressively builds to a soaring crescendo. Mr. Taylor's vocals were spot-on throughout the 40-minute set, and he proved himself quite the showman with his good-natured taunting of the audience.
Avenged Sevenfold, meanwhile, began its set with a furious flurry of pyro and foreboding imagery, including a haunted-house backdrop and, most notably, a dummy hanging by a noose over the middle of the stage.


The band's performance was, in a word, intense, with plenty of guitar licks from hell and vocalist M. Shadows' guttural yelps.
The band was at its strongest on the song, "So Far Away," which was a tribute to former drummer James Sullivan, who died of a drug overdose last year.
Earlier in the day, up-and-coming metal acts Candlelight Red, New Medicine, Hail the Villian, Airbourne and Hellyeah played the festival's second stage.
"I think Hellyeah played best to the crowd," said Steve Frymoyer, 22, who came up from Reading with his friends to see the show.
After eight hours of banging their heads to the Uproad Fest lineup, Mr. Frymoyer and his pals most assured- ly made the trip home with a little ringing in their eardrums.
But that's part of the fun of these shows, isn't it?

Metal Hammer Presents Ozzfest is a 132-page special issue magazine honouring Ozzy Osbourne and Ozzfest. It includes in-depth coverage of all acts performing at Ozzfest 2010 in the UK, a complete history of Ozzfest, and an exclusive interview with Ozzy Osbourne and analysis of Ozzy’s life and career. Order yours here now
Metal Hammer Presents Ozzfest also comes with 2 exclusive free gifts! Ozzy Mouse Mat and Ozzfest Pin Badge
PLEASE NOTE: 
This item is currently only available on the pre-order only. UK on-sale date is the 18th August 2010. If you place a pre-order we anticipate that you will receive your copy around the 18th August 2010, but unfortunately cannot guarantee a specific delivery date.
Ozzfest is the world famous and ground breaking travelling metal festival established in 1996 by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne. Among the iconic artists who have appeared at Ozzfest during its 14-year history are Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Slayer, Pantera, Marilyn Manson, Judas Priest and System Of A Down.
Ozzfest 2010 at London’s O2 Arena on September 18 features Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Murderdolls, Steel Panther, Skindred and other acts to be confirmed.

These photographs show the powerful thunderstorm that struck Finland in the middle of a heavy metal festival. 

 

If festival-goers thought Glastonbury was plagued with bad whether then these images will make them think again.
Forty people were injured during the Sonisphere festival in the town of Pori as the thunderstorm and heavy rain fell from the sky.
One of the stages was damaged in the storm, also ruining several bands’ equipment, including Motley Crue’s.
Organisers released a statement saying: ‘A severe thunderstorm hit (the) Sonisphere Festival in Pori, Finland.
‘Strong freak wind gusts damaged the stages and knocked down tents and fences. 

Approximately 40 people were injured, two of them seriously.’
The festival saw 30,000 fans arrive to see performances by Iron Maiden, Iggy Pop and Alice Cooper but Motley Crue was forced to cancel their gig due to the stage damage.
A spokesman for the Met Office told the Daily Mail: ‘Storms of this intensity only occur with large towering cumulonimbus clouds, and looking at the pictures this was a particularly large storm, known as a super cell.’

See more pictures of the storm here:

Welcome...

Kuta was formerly a fishing and agricultural village located in the coastal region of Indian Ocean. The region has narrow land going along the beach and forming a linear pattern strengthened by Tukad Mati River. Since 1960s until these days, Kuta has been known as the busiest tourist resorts in Bali. Tourists come to have a fun in the small village belonging to Badung Regency. Recently, Kuta is increasingly identical to a resort with glamorous image of activities: surfing, shopping, sun bathing, or just enjoying the atmosphere of the world along with all existing tourism facilities. Even, Kuta is also known as a never-sleeping destination. Kuta actually plays an important role in the history of modern Bali, especially in terms of tourism. Kuta can be called at the forefront of creating the image of Bali as a location for world tourism. Similarly, Kuta has long been known as a place providing the fecund place for pluralism. Before looking further at Kuta as a tourism destination, in fact many places have made Kuta known by outsiders as an intriguing destination in relation to its development until today. They are Pasih Perahu Beach, Vihara Dharmanaya, Mads Lange Tomb and Monument of Bali Bomb. Even, the two last names are already widely known. According to the official historical book of the Kuta Municipality, Kuta has begun to be known since 1336 AD where Gadjah Mada and Majapahit troops landed on the southern coast. Later, this area became known as Tuban, like a name of small town on the coast of East Java. Since it was a good place for landing ship, in the long run the area became a small port. Local residents called the area of Segara Hamlet, Kuta with the name Pasih Perahu meaning beach of the boats. It is the historical evidence of Kuta that can not be separated from the existence of beach of the boats. Physical evidence indicating the place had been a harbor can be seen from the building at Pura Pesanggrahan temple at that location. At the front of the temple, there is a miniature of boat built in 2002, as a form of respect paid by local residents to their ancestors who landed at that place. Besides, it is also mentioned during the Dutch colonial era, Kuta has become one of trade centers in Bali. At that time, a Danish citizen named Mads Johansen Lange became the harbormaster of Kuta. Mr. Lange, thus Kuta residents called him, played an important role towards the development of Kuta for introducing it to the outside world, although inseparable from the position of Mr. Lange had a slightly relation to colonial government. Nature’s beauty, friendly people, unique culture and history have made Kuta like today becoming one of the famous tourist destinations in the world. With the famous sunset, sea and sloping beach covered by white sand, friendliness and warmth of the community accepting the presence of foreigners have made Kuta unmatched tourist destinations throughout Indonesia. Those facts make Kuta currently experience a very rapid development of tourism facilities because of the drive of tourist needs wishing to stay longer in Kuta. Even, some of them stay there and make Kuta as their second home. When more and more foreign tourists are staying in Kuta, food and beverages become their daily needs, so do not worry if the local habits will change, too. It can be seen in the household goods, clothing and even a lifestyle! There is no longer a dark corner and every single place has been illuminated, accompanied by the sound of frenetic music and much more make Kuta as the never-sleeping city. Likewise, this condition makes Kuta as a multi-ethnic city inhabited by many people from different parts of the world. Is this also an image of an unlimited global lifestyle? Though shaken by bomb blast in October 2002, Kuta is still promising where tourists from different parts of the world continuously want to visit this legendary tourism resort in the southern Bali. Even, Kuta will be a window to the world for Bali. With such a great potency owned by Kuta makes Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort, an Oasis in the Heart of Kuta enriching the venues required by tourists coming to Kuta. Spreading 250 meters long, right in the heart of Kuta and overlooking the Indian Ocean, Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort is the latest majestic project to be done in the most famous tourism area of Bali. The project consists of Sheraton Bali Kuta, a 5 stars hotel with 200 rooms scheduled to open in 2012, existing Harris Resort Kuta which opened in 2004, the additional hotel facilities, and a lifestyle center that is scheduled to open in October 2011 with the so-called beachwalk. Architecture of the resort was truly inspired by the shape of rice terraces and created by Enviro Tec from Singapore; looking like a hanging garden in the middle of Kuta beach where all walls of the building will be covered by creeping plants. Greeneries leading to the second floor where the hotel lobby can be seen will surround the entrance of Sheraton Bali Kuta, giving a soothing sensation from the crowded Kuta. Lobby area is located on the third floor showcasing a breathtaking panoramic ocean view. The hotel will provide various facilities such as all-day coffee shop, specialty restaurants, bar, spa, gym, ballroom and meeting facilities. However, the most distinctive facility will be beachwalk, a luxurious lifestyle center with contemporary Balinese architecture and exquisite garden design, ponds and fountains against a backdrop of panoramic Kuta Beach view. Surrounded by more than 5,000 hotel rooms and featuring 120 stores and eateries of international retail brands in combination with the best brands of Bali, beachwalk is intended to serve as a lifestyle center not only to the hotel guests but also to any visitors which integrates perfectly with the crowds and joyfulness of Kuta area. To anticipate the traffic and parking issues in the area, Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort has prepared two entrances, through Jalan Pantai Kuta and Jalan Poppies 2. The resort is also equipped with the largest parking facility on the island accommodating up to 800 vehicles and motorbikes. Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort will work closely with local government to re-arrange public pedestrian, plant greeneries and create water fountains and ponds in the area. It can be said that Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort will not only be the best lifestyle compound on the island but also in giving a unique touch to Kuta’s appearance. For leasing inquiry, please contact Enny Setiady – GM Marketing, beachwalk @ Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta - Bali 80361, T: +62 361 765 777, F: +62 361 759 111, E:

Get all the information about the holiday to Bali, accommodation (villa or hotel in Bali), voucher cheap hotels, tours or car rental, cheap holiday packages, and other information you need during a holiday in Bali.
Bali, one of the top destinations to visit, never bored. In addition to its beautiful natural panorama, Bali is also famous for its unique culture and custom which can not be found in other tourist destinations.
But until now there is still a lot of potential tourists who have difficulties to get various information about the holiday to Bali. The limited information media creates the impression as if the information about the holiday to Bali can be obtained only after coming to Bali.

ranging from information on both villa and hotel accommodation in Bali, cheap hotel reservation voucher, a variety of vacation packages in Bali, tour, car rental, up to the needs of the other tours you want during a vacation in Bali.

TORONTO – Every time he sits in front of journalists, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine knows the first question is always going to be, 'What do you think about Metallica?'
Ditched just before the rockers started to hit the big time in the early '80s, the 48-year-old has endured a battle of the bands that has spanned decades and provides much of the grist for his new book, Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir.
"Without my songs and my solos, without my energy," he says, "I don't know that Metallica ever would have become the band that it was."
A bold statement, but Mustaine insists there's no bad blood with the band.
"It's the journalists who've kept this going," he says in an interview at his Canadian publisher's head office. "The hatchet was buried a long time ago. People know not to bring up Metallica stuff with me because it was all just s--- talking."
Still, the story of how Mustaine helped start one of the world's biggest rock bands only to be fired for overindulging in drugs and alcohol is one he needed to set straight.
"There's a lot of stuff that's been told a hundred times or more," he says. "The only thing I tried to say was, 'Hey, it's true. The stuff [Metallica] said I did, well, I really did it.' And I tried not to talk about what they did.
"Whatever caused them to fire me, I probably deserved."
What helped him stick around long enough to launch Megadeth was his honesty and intricate guitar licks. But after hearing James Hetfield's killer pipes on a nightly basis, he wasn't convinced he could actually front his own band.
"You can't change the voice of a band without serious problems," he says, naming, AC/DC and Van Halen as the only two that have successfully swapped lead singers. But he wasn't going to let some glam rocker lead him into battle with his ex-bandmates.
"The first time I sang, I felt like I had put a nail through my eyeball. Fortunately for us, I didn't realize how long lasting the repercussions were going to be for me becoming a frontman."
Left "dead f---ing broke" after his ouster, Mustaine was livid when Metallica's debut, "Kill 'Em All," was released in the summer of 1983, and four of his songs were included.
"I was out for blood," he writes. "I wanted to kick Metallica's ass."
And it was that perceived slap in the face that pushed him to form Megadeth, who rocketed up the charts following 1985's "Killing Is My Business…And Business is Good."
But just like his time in Metallica, Mustaine continued to abuse drugs and alcohol, threatening his career and his heavy metal legacy.
Throughout the 346-page book, he candidly takes readers inside his troubled childhood, repeated visits to rehab and an almost career-ending ailment before becoming a born-again Christian in 2002.
"There's some stuff in there I wish wasn't, but it's really necessary to paint the picture so people can see that I'm a survivor."
He's watched musicians come and go – in its various incarnations Megadeth has had close to two dozen members in almost 25 years – and his marriage almost went up in smoke.
It's when a compressed nerve in his left arm almost ruined his ability to play the guitar in the early 2000s that he turned his life around.
Mustaine credits religion and his newly sober lifestyle with helping Megadeth stay relevant to a new generation of metal fans. But he sometimes thinks '80s rockers might have an unfair advantage.
"When it comes down to doing solos, new guys don't do them because they aren't any good. There is a whole generation of nu-metal guitarists who don't play solos because they don't know how to.
"There's nothing new that's made me go 'Wow,' like the first AC/DC record I ever heard. I know that people felt that way when they first heard Metallica and Megadeth. We changed the world. People listened to us and said, 'Who's this band? Who's that on guitar?'"
Along with Slayer and Anthrax, Metallica and Megadeth performed at the Big Four metal concerts in Europe last month and Mustaine has high hopes the tour will come to North America.
Proof, he says, that there's no more bad blood.
"Now that the concerts have happened and a DVD is coming out, if people have to constantly be asking me if there's still a feud, there's something fundamentally wrong with them.
"What more do you need? A love child? We're friends. [Metallica drummer] Lars [Urlich] and I sat next to each other at a dinner in Poland last month. Of course there's the relationship that people see in the press, but the press also said aliens have visited the White House.
"How much of that s--- do people really believe?"
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On the Net:
Megadeth.com