DRAGONFORCE Guitarist, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Bassist To Guest On 'The Classic Metal Show'

Guitarist Herman Li of British extreme epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY/CYCLE OF PAIN bassist John "J.D." DeServio will be the featured guests on this weekend's (May 9) edition of "The Classic Metal Show".

"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard every Saturday night between 9:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net.

DRAGONFORCE's debut LP, "Valley Of The Damned", will be reissued this spring via Spinefarm Records. This wonderfully explosive nine-tracker — set for U.K. release on May 24 — proved that the band's signature style (expansive material, soaring vocals, guitar pyrotechnics) was very much in place from day one, with songs such as "Black Fire", "Disciples Of Babylon" and the title track itself showing a band both ambitious and accomplished beyond its years.

In order to make this 2009 reissue something special, all of the material has been both remixed and remastered (by guitarist Herman Li and regular producer Karl Groom),a bonus DVD has been added and the artwork generally brought up to date. The DVD is especially interesting as it contains a number of different elements, including a live version of "Valley Of The Damned" filmed/recorded in Osaka, Japan, on the band's first-ever visit to that country. Add to this a selection of footage captured and commented on by the guys themselves, and you have an overall package that provides both the musical goods plus an insight into what goes on behind the scenes — which, in the world of DRAGONFORCE, seems to consist of near-constant insults and banter, healthy amounts of "drinking" plus the inappropriate consumption of corned beef!

The self-titled debut album from CYCLE OF PAIN — the brainchild of John "J.D." DeServio — was released on April 21 via Reform Records/Rock Ridge Music. The CD features guest appearances by Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE),Ray Luzier (KORN),Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL),Sen Dog (CYPRESS HILL),Russ-T Cobb, Hugo Ferreira (TANTRIC),Marcus Ratzenboeck (TANTRIC),Clip Payne (P-FUNK),Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY) and Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X).

Accompanying DeServio in CYCLE OF PAIN is vocalist/rhythm guitarist Gregg Locascio, lead guitarist Joe Taylor (who plays with Doro Pesch) and drummer Rich Monica. In fact, DeServio, Locascio and Taylor were in a band together when they were only 15 years old. "We grew up together," says DeServio. "It's family, just like BLS."

Taylor sees the band as a modern twist on the bands that originated metal. "I think we're a band that is much needed in the scene today," Taylor comments. "CYCLE OF PAIN is basically what all of us are missing when we go to a show."

CYCLE OF PAIN began its tour the day of the album's release (April 21),opening for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY.

"We're part of a family tree that started with BLACK SABBATH," adds J.D. "From there came Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, then eventually Ozzy with Zakk. Zakk started the whole BLACK LABEL thing, which I became a part of, and we've now reached the point where I have my own project in the same line of such huge names as Osbourne and Iommi, Rhoads and Wylde. It's a good place to be in."