Iron Thrones consists of Clemans, guitarist/producer Steve Henningsgard, drummer Peter Clark, and bassist Curtis Parker. Their sound is informed by bands such as Isis, Opeth and Cult of Luna. The band was initially known as Everest, but changed their name in 2008.

As the winners, Iron Thrones will receive a comprehensive tutorial in how to achieve success in the music industry. They’ll be mentored by Shadows Fall, record an EP produced by The Machine Shop’s Will Putney and Machine, have new merch and website designs and much more.

However, the No Label Needed Series is designed for everyone to benefit. Iron Thrones’ victory will be well-documented, with the promotional partners giving advice not just to the band, but to any reader of Metal Insider interested in learning from the best in the business.

“We’ve always been outspoken about our independence and DIY nature,” Iron Thrones guitarist Steve Henningsgard says. “We encourage all bands to take full control of their own careers, and to utilize all of the new technologies and tools available to them.”

Congratulations to Iron Thrones, but also to the other 19 finalists. All of them are great bands worth keeping an eye out for.

We’re in the middle of the release week for the new Aziz Ansari CD and DVD Intimate Moments For A Sensual Evening. To celebrate, the fine folks over at AOL Music and its sister site Spinner.com are hosting full album listening parties of the record. Head on over there, listen to the record and then tell a friend.

LISTEN: AOL Music | Spinner

BUY: Aziz Ansari | Intimate Moments For A Sensual Evening CD
BUY: Aziz Ansari | Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening DVD

Salvador Santana will release his new album, Keyboard City in early 2010. In an effort to prep the release of the album, we gave his website a bit of a face lift. The Syndicate’s online creative team built the site, helping put together a site that fell in line with Sal’s vision for Keyboard City.

Check out www.salvadorsantana.com and navigate yourself around the site which was just launched this week.

With Halloween just around the corner and Saw VI out in theaters that day, what better time to throw a metal party? That was the thinking behind the first annual Metal Insider CMJ Listening Party, which took place on Friday, October 23rd at New York’s The Studio at Webster Hall.

With dozens of metal radio DJs and music directors in town for the annual CMJ Music Marathon, the listening party served as an exclusive taste of World Painted Blood, the long-awaited new album from Slayer. In addition, the attendees also got a chance to look at “Playing With Dolls,” a disturbing series of vignettes featuring the music of World Painted Blood that will be featured on the deluxe edition of the album, which will be out on November 3rd. The party also featured a screening of Gallows short film, Grey Britain.

It wasn’t just radio that made it to the party. A number of labels, managers and booking agents made it out, along with bands like Acrassicauda, Anaka, and VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show co-host Don Jamieson. They were able to feast on alcohol courtesy of sponsors Hornitos Tequila and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Each guest was also welcome to have a one-of-a-kind MusicSkins Metal Insider skin for their Blackberry, iPhone or iPod (stay tuned for a chance to win one of your own!).

Some attendees were lucky enough to get a Saw VI shirt courtesy of Lions Gate Films, or books about Anvil and Robert “Freddy Kreuger” Englund courtesy of Simon & Schuster. An even more select group got to win a copy of the first 5 Saw movies. And what better way to celebrate listening to World Painted Blood than with your own tube of Slayer blood. Who’s in for next year?!

PHOTOS: Metal Insider Listening Party

On Thursday, October 22, The Syndicate threw a Comedy Central Records Secret Show at Comix NY along with co-presenters The Laugh Button.com. The hot ticket event packed in over 275 CMJ goers and comedy trendsetters for a ton of super late night laughs from up-and-coming Comedy Central Records comedians.

The line up was as follows:
Host: Shane Mauss
Big Jay Oakerson
MC Mr.Napkins
John Mulaney
Anthony Jeselnik
Joe DeRosa

Fellow comedians Eugene Mirman, Judah Friedlander and Jeffrey Ross were also in house to support this collection of new Comedy Central talent.

Complimentary beverages were sipped care of Hornitos Tequila, Brooklyn Brewery and Sonu Water were served through the night. Everyone in attendance was given a special gift bag filled with Comedy Central goodies and other fine treats. Big thanks to Comedy Central CDs and DVDs, Simon & Schuster, Raw Revolution, Screenlife Games and Layrite Pomade.

PHOTOS: Comedy Central Records Secret Show

Co-presenters, The Laugh Button also have a great write-up of the night along with other photos. Check it out here.

Keeping Metal Radio Relevant In The Digital Age
Venue: NYU, Kimmel Center, 9th Floor, Room 905-907
Address: 60 Washington Square South, New…
Time: 2:00PM to 3:15PM
About: As the digital age leads the forefront for all facets of media, radio is slowly beginning to adapt to its new surroundings and receiving mixed reactions from those who service music to those bringing it to the airwaves. Here we shed light on issues impacting metal radio and what the industry is doing to better serve the needs of both artists and the disc jockey.

Speaker/Artist(s): Moderator: Alisha Turell, Radio Promotions, Director, Online Media, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Jen Graham, Radio/Video Promotions, Metal Blade Records
Jose Mangin, On Air Format Manager, Sirius XM – Liquid Metal
Dan Rodriguez, Hard Rock Radio Manager, The Syndicate
Ken Susi, Guitarist, Unearth; Owner, System Recordings.

The Evolution of Metal
Venue: NYU, Kimmel Center, 9th Floor, Room 905-907
Address: 60 Washington Square South, New…
Time: 3:30PM to 4:45PM
About: A philosophical discussion on the genre. Where it came from, where it’s going, and how it affects business. Diverse label rosters and wide-casting tours now define the genre, so what constitutes metal today?

Speaker/Artist(s): Moderator: Kory Grow, Senior Editor, Revolver Magazine
Natalie Camillo, Senior Publicist, Adrenaline PR
Jackson Hart, Metal Director, KUMD
Anthony Russoniello, Marketing & Promotion, Trustkill Records
Amy Sciarretto, Director of Publicity, Roadrunner Records
Dave Vagasky, Radio & Video Promotions/Artist Management, Heavy Hitter Inc.

Wednesday night Metal Insider presented a listening party for Dethklok’s new album, Dethalbum II, coming out on Williams St.

About 200 fans showed up at Fontana’s Bar to preview the new album from the Metalocalypse band before it goes on sale next week. Fans also soaked in $1 lagers from Brooklyn Brewery while watching episodes of the Metalocalypse series on the large screens in the bar.

You can get the full rundown on the event over at MetalInsider.net.

Site takeovers on Metal Insider are currently available and affordable. Contact sales [at] metalinsider [dot] net for more information on opportunities like this as well as advertising on the Blast Beat Network.

The Syndicate is proud to announce the launch of its newsest website, www.MetalInsider.net. Metal Insider is where you will get all the news fit to print about the hard rock community. But it’s not just news and press releases.

Metal Insider goes beyond to give you an inside look into the business of metal, interviewing the movers, shakers, musicians, and flag wavers for the genre. The site also offers an informative (sometimes critical) behind-the-scenes look at the community.

Tell your friends about the site and visit it often. www.metalinsider.net

Oh and if you need any more DCFC updates, you can check out the band’s performance of the song “No Sunlight” on the Black Cab Sessions.

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MP3: Death Cab For Cutie :: “I Wanna Be Adored” live at Coachella via Speed Of Dark