Ihsahn in the UK - August 2010
Influential Norwegian Black Metal specialist, Ihsahn treated UK fans to a rare performance at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, using two Series One 200 half stacks. Blackstar travelled down to London to check it out. Ihsahn, founder of the band Emperor, switched to Blackstar in April 2010.
Third Eye Blind on the Series One trail - May 2010
Third Eye Blind performed two sell out shows in London as part of their UK tour to support the forthcoming new album URSA Major, which hits stores August 18th. The band were more than impressed with what Blackstar had lined up for them, a backline of Series One 100s, Artisan 30s and the brand new HT Club 40, and will be using a full Blackstar backline on the US Bamboozle festival dates and in Japan.
Pixie Lott performs with Blackstar - May 2010
Blackstar are proud to support the guitar talents of Lewis Allen. At the top of his game and high in demand, Lewis has been touring non-stop this year with the likes of Pixie Lott, Peter Andre and JLS!
Mixing it up with both the Series One 45 and 100 Lewis finds his sound nothing short of ‘killer’. You can catch Lewis performing with Pixie at a host of festivals and venues this summer. Don’t miss it!
Ihsahn switches to Series One - April 2010
We are proud to announce the collaboration between Blackstar and one of Norway’s most prominent talents – Ihsahn, founder of highly influential black metal band Emperor. Ihsahn started Emperor at only thirteen and at 17 he recorded and performed ‘In The Nightside Eclipse’. This album has been voted one of the top metal albums many times over. The Series One 200 gives Ihsahn all the ‘clarity and punch’ he needs and in his words: ‘The Series One 200 does it all!’
Zebrahead trial the Series One - April 2010
Zebrahead popped into to the Blackstar HQ last week as they were passing through to play Northampton’s Roadmender, Matty and Greg were so impressed with the Series One 200 heads they trialled them live the same night and took them for the rest of the tour, the S1 200 is an amp that gives Zebrahead the balls they need and as Matty puts it “totally bitchin”
Alberta Cross on tour with Artisan 30 - April 2010
Hard working Alberta cross have relentlessly toured on support of stunning debut album, “the broken side of time’. March saw the band play all the UK's major arena's and academy’s along with the Dave Matthews band before heading stateside for an extensive tour with the Black Rebel Motor cycle Club. Lead guitarist Sam Kearney is using the Artisan 30 because “Blackstar has the power and consistent tone that allows me to cut through the mix night after night. It's built like a tank and screams like a jet engine!”
Iggy into Rock ‘n’ Roll hall of Fame - April 2010
This year’s rock and roll hall of fame awards saw American pop punk super group Green Day induct the legendary Iggy pop and the Stooges. Green Day also joined Iggy to close the show with a performance of ‘I wanna be your dog’, with Blackstar endorsee James Williamson leading the way with his Artisan 30's the ceremony took place at the Waldorf hotel New York. The full video of I wanna be your dog can be seen here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPymzatl2xg
Blackstar rock Hammerfest 2010 - March 2010
Hammerfest once again invaded Pontins holiday village in Prestatyn North Wales, bringing a weekend of drinking and pure metal madness. Blackstar were in full attendance boasting a huge backline of Series One heads and cabs, which towered across all three stages. The festival was a roaring sucess with some great perfomances from Californians Devil Driver and Five Finger Death Punch with an energetic finale from the UK's very own Skindred. We look forward to doing it all again in December at Hard Rock Hell!
Architects of their own success - March 2010
Fresh off the Sound Waves Festival in Australia, the Brighton based metal band Architects are straight back into the swing of things touring up and down the UK with A Day to Remember. Guitarist Tom Searle can be heard using the incredible Series One 100 head. In Tom’s words, ‘The Blackstar Series One 100 is a great amp, it gives me a heavy as hell crunch sound as well as a great warm clean sound. Plus the MIDI feature means I don’t have to tap dance every time I want to change channel and effects!’ The Architects are definitely not to be missed so catch them while you still can!
Stereophonics on sell-out tour with Blackstar - March 2010
Blackstar met up with Stereophonics’ guitarist and Blackstar endorsee Adam Zindani at the NIA Birmingham, during the bands sell-out UK arena tour, in support of their new album Keep Calm and Carry On. The band played all their classic hits and left no one disappointed. Adam’s sound is crafted from two Artisan 30s and gives him a ‘tone to die for’. If you didn’t catch the guys this time around, don’t worry as they have a jam packed summer with the V Festival, T in the Park and Oxygen Festival!
Jorge Escobedo from Sober - February 2010
Described as the best Spanish rock band by Universal Music Spain, Sober have a career that spans more than 10 years, achieving great success with the release of their fourth studio album Paradÿsso,
which reached gold and platinum.
After almost six years apart Sober announced their return on January 1st 2010 with a tour across Europe and South America.
You can catch Sober at the o2 Academy on June 10th with lead Guitarist Jorge Escobedo using “the best amp he’s ever played” The Series one 200!!!
Oli Brown hits the road with HT Stage 60 - January 2010
Classic Rock magazine named Oli Brown as one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today. Although young in years Oli has already shared the stage with greats such as Buddy Guy, Walter Trout and Joe Bonamassa. Taking his HT Stage 60 Combo and matching HTV 2x12 cabinet wherever his travels take him Oli says, ‘The Blackstar HT Stage 60 gives me the tone that I have been looking for. It gives me just what I need to be able to express my feelings through the guitar to the audience.’ Be sure to catch the Oli Brown Band at a venue near you soon.
My Passion take Blackstar on Kerrang Tour - Feburary 2010
Dressed to impress, the 4-piece electro rockers My Passion kicked off 2010 with an explosive start on the Kerrang! Relentless Energy tour. Guitarist John Be invaded the stage with his brand new HT Stage 100 heads. If you missed them on the K! Tour, be sure to catch them on tour with Kill Hannah in May. As John Be puts it, ‘I Love the HT Stage 100 amps. Perfect for My Passion’s bone shattering riffs!’
One Lost Prophet and two Artisan 30s - February 2010
Blackstar caught up with one of the finest Welsh rock exports, the Lost Prophets, at the Birmingham 02 Academy. They are currently touring their fourth studio album The Betrayed which hit number one in the UK album chart. Guitarist and founding member Mike Lewis boasts two Artisan 30 combos and a HT-DUAL in his rig and “Quote” Just about to wrap up in the UK and head to Japan and Australia the Lost Prophets should not be missed!
Backyard Blackstar - February 2010
Celebrating their 21st birthday this year Swedish rock giants the Backyard Babies are at the top of their game, having their single ‘Minus Celsius’ featured on Guitar Hero 3 World Tour, the release of their greatest hits album titled ‘Them XX’ and a full tour in support of its release!
Babies’ front man Nicke Borg graces the stage each night with not one but two Blackstar Series One 100 heads and matching cab. As Nick puts
it “I need to be able to go from 0 -100 in seconds. That’s why I drive a Chrysler 300C and play Blackstar Series One 100.”
Gus G. Picks Series One -January 2010
Blackstar amplification are pleased to announce the signing of Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G. Gus has an extremely impressive band resume including, Nightrage, Arch Enemy and Dream Evil. Gus is currently playing with Ozzy Osbourne and is set to tour for 18 months starting in 2010. The touring rig is going to be the biggest Blackstar presence to hit a stage yet with six Series One S1-200 heads and 12 Series One 4x12 cabs! What else would you expect on an Ozzy tour?’ Gus comments:
“This is the new amp that will take over the Metal world! Amazing tone, incredible gain and top notch quality! The Blackstar Series One 200 is my new addiction!”
Gus will be at the Blackstar NAMM booth #3592 on Saturday 16th January at 16.00.
Silenoz Speaks! - November 2009
Set to unleash a new album in 2010, Dimmu Borgir will also unleash the darker side of Blackstar, with founder member Silenoz using the Series One 200.
Silenoz describes the 200 Watt head as ‘ground breaking and the very definition of guitar sound’.
The Norwegian black metallers are aiming for their most epic album yet, with a full orchestra, choir and those sweet Blackstar tones.....stay tuned!
Rock like Silenoz from Dimmu Borgir - November 2009
From now through November 30, 2009, you can enter to win the "Rock Like Silenoz" sweepstakes. The prize? None other than Silenoz's exact rig, with the ESP LTD Okkultist guitar and a Blackstar Series One 200W head and a 4x12 Blackstar cabinet. Only one lucky winner will be chosen at random for this incredible grand prize. Will it be you? Read the rules and regulations below*, fill in the entry form, and best of luck!
*No purchase necessary. Offer open to US residents only. See complete rules and regulations for all information.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER
Opeth pick Series One for their world tour - October 2009
Swedish heavy metal giants Opeth are currently on a mammoth world tour. Dates include the UK’s famous Wembley Arena, venues throughout Europe, stopping for a one off show in Israel before heading to Japan, Australia and finishing in Greece. Blackstar are proud to announce guitarist Fredrik Akesson is using a full Series One 200 rig, which includes two heads and four cabs. Fredrik comments, ‘I’d tried lots of high gain amps, but the Series One was the best by far. It was an easy choice to move over to Blackstar’. Keyboardist Per Wiberg is also fully on board with Blackstar. In Per’s own words, ‘it’s an old school set up, keyboards straight into the amps, with the amps mic’d. It’s just like a guitar set up’. Catch the band at a venue near you!
Blackstar are proud to support The Donots - September 2009
German Punk Royalty the Donots, are a band with an amazing pedigree. With three top 20 Albums, 2 Top 10 Albums in Japan and over a 1000 live shows which include sharing the stage with Linkin Park, Green Day, Blink 182 amongst others. They have also made soundtrack contributions to some of the world’s bestselling video games including Need for Speed and Guitar Hero.
Blackstar is the number one choice in amps for guitarist Alex Siedenbiedel, who states, ‘the Artisan 30 is a true gem, delivering exactly what you need, right when you need it’. You can hear Alex in action with his Blackstar on the bands recent release, To Hell with Love. Also, expect to hear a lot more from the Donots including a feature in Kerrang magazine UK.
Blackstar on tour! - September 2009
The Blackstar German distributor, Sound Service will be touring a Series One workshop across Germany, Austria and Switzerland throughout October. Top female guitarist Andrea Odendhahl will be demo'ing her Series One rig.
To find a store near you check out http://www.sound-service.eu
Gaslight Anthem using Artisan 30s - September 2009
The hottest band on the block, Gaslight Anthem, used 3x Artisan 30s and an Artisan 15 at the Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend. The band shot to notoriety after ‘the Boss’, Bruce Springsteen, joined them on stage at the Glastonbury Festival to perform hit single 'The 59 Sound'. Sales of the album increased by 200% after the performance. The band have also just picked up the Kerrang 'Best International Newcomers’ award. Congratulations guys and thanks for choosing Blackstar!
Click here to see The Gaslight Anthem Playing The '59 Sound Live"
Razorlight on tour with Artisan - January 2009
With the release of superb new album Slipway Fires under their belt Razorlight have embarked on a world tour set to last 18 months. The band is in fantastic form and guitarist Björn Ågren has equipped himself with an arsenal of Blackstar backline including two Artisan 30 combos with Artisan 212 cabinets and an Artisan 100 head. The tone is outstanding! Don’t just take our word for it, catch the band on tour by visiting www.razorlight.co.uk.
Steve Cradock recruits Blackstar - July 2008
Blackstar are proud to announce Steve Cradock is using the Artisan 30 combos on tour with Paul Weller. The distinctive guitarist was among the first players Blackstar approached and Steve warmed to the amps beautiful tone straight away. Widely regarded as one of the most talented British guitarists, Cradock has taken a backline of two A30 combos and two Artisan 2x12 combos on Weller’s tour. The amps have also been seen on the band’s television appearances including, Later with Jools Holland and The Jonathon Ross Show. The tour continues in Japan, Australia and the USA.
Blackstar do Donington! - June 2008
It was a weekend of Heavy Metal at the UK Download festival, held at Donington Park. The line up including legends such as Judas Priest, Kiss and Saxon as well as The Lost Prophets, Biffy Clyro and Jimmy Eat World. In the midst of the festivities was a backstage warm up tent where the Blackstar team showed off the Artisan and HT Pedal line to artists. Ian Love from Rival Schools found exactly what he was looking for in the HT-BOOST pedal while the Rose Tattoo crew picked up extra cabinets to fill the stage with a wall of Blackstar! Other highlights included Dan P Carter from the Radio One show stopping by for a photo shoot by the amps and Haunts using two Artisan 30s during their set. Blackstar done Donington!
Rose Tattoo on tour - May 2008
Australian blues rockers Rose Tattoo are gearing up for a busy summer, which includes touring with UK Metal legends Iron Maiden and playing a host of rock festivals throughout Europe. Guitarist Dai Pritchard is a Blackstar user choosing Artisan 100 heads and cabinets combined with an HT-DUAL as his weapons of assault. For all the latest on Dai please visit his website www.daipritchard.com.
I Was A Cub Scout on tour in April - April 2008
Nottingham, England based I Was A Cub Scout embark on a UK tour with Get Cape Fly Cape in April. The two-man synthpop band consists of William Bowerman on drums and Todd Marriott on guitar and synths. Todd is using an Artisan 15 and Artisan 30 with an HT-DRIVE in front. Since forming in 2006, the band has gained popularity through increased airplay on BBC Radio 1 and MTV 2. Please visit the I Was A Cub Scout website for tour dates.
Big Jim Sullivan live at the Musik Messe - March 2008
The legendary Big Jim Sullivan was a guest at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. Big Jim did two clinics on the Friday and Saturday of the show using an Artisan 30 and HT-DRIVE pedal. The clarity of the amp complemented Big Jim’s fantastic playing technique. Credits for Big Jim are too long to list. Please check out his website for further details. Thanks to all at Peerless guitars.
Haunts touring with Blackstar - March 2008
Haunts embark on their UK tour in March. NME comments, ‘Haunts make music that recognizes the romance in tragedy and sees the glamour in failure, while their raucous live shows leave you in no doubt that you’ve witnessed the real deal.’ ‘...one of the most captivating things you’ll see this year.’ Guitarists Banks and Alex are both using Artisan 30 combos and HT Pedals. Blackstar highly recommends you catch the band at a town or city near you. Check out www.hauntslondon.com for all the tour dates.
Funeral For A Friend on Tour With Blackstar! -December 2007
Wales' finest rock quintet, Funeral For A Friend completed their sold out UK tour at the end of 2007. Blackstar caught the band in rehearsals for the tour and delivered two Artisan 30 combos and some 4x12 Blackstar cabinets. The decision was instant, out with the old combos and in with the Artisans for all the clean sounds. The award winning Artisans sounded awesome in Darran and Kris’s rigs and are now a permanent fixture in the band's backline.
Pat Travers Powered By Blackstar -January 2008
The legendary guitar maestro, Pat Travers, is among the latest artists to fly the Blackstar flag. On a recent US and UK tour, Pat used the Artisan 100 head while his guitar partner Kirk McKim used an Artisan 30 combo through a Blackstar 4x12 cabinet. Pat also plugged into an Artisan 30 at the prestigious Hilton Lobby after show party at the NAMM Show in LA. Pat’s reaction? ‘That’s the best amplifier I’ve ever plugged into! At last I can hear my eight thousand dollar guitar!’ Click on the link to the Blackstar MySpace page to see footage from the tour.
Photo Credit: Brookdale lodge photo by VIX PHOTOGRAPHY
A Blackstar of what you fancy -August 2007
A sunny August afternoon saw The Quireboys use a full Blackstar backline as they supported Status Quo at the Bedford in the Park Festival. Guitarists Paul Guerin, Guy Griffen and bass player Jimi Crutchley were so impressed with the Artisan amplifiers they were requested for this high profile show. Paul used an Artisan 100 through a Artisan 4 x12 with a HT- Dual pedal while Guy used the Artisan 30 combo through a Artisan 4 x12 and HT-Drive pedal, Jimi also stuck a HT-Boost pedal through his bass rig to add that big valve boom!. Paul commented after the show, "The Artisan sounds like a valve amp should sound, the clarity, warmth and above all the TONE is outstanding, this amp isn’t hiding behind a wall of fizz, it’s pure valve tone all the way".
Blackstar Hold Steady -July 2007
Blackstar Amplification were invited to the 10th Anniversary party of ‘Uncut’ magazine, held at the impressive IPC Media building in Southwark, London. As part of the celebrations The Hold Steady performed a 30 minute set. The gig was due to take place on the 11th floor roof top, but the English summer rain put an end to that
idea and the show was ushered in doors.
Vocalist and Guitarist Craig Finn from The Hold Steady used the ARTISAN 30 Watt combo during the set and the amp cut through like a dream. Craig commented, “that sounds great.”
The band was then rushed into a nearby splitter to take them to the Shepherds Bush Empire where they were headlining that night.
Thanks to all at Cato Music.
Photo credit: Terry Beasley
HT-DUAL is The Answer! -June 2007
The Answer’s guitar maestro Paul Mahon was looking for something to cut through and give his solos more drive, so the Blackstar team met up with Paul before the band’s warm-up show for Hyde Park. After trying a selection of our all-valve HT pedals the HT-DUAL proved perfect for Paul’s requirements. When we arrived for the show later that night the pedal had already found its way onto Paul’s pedal board and was then used the next day when the band supported Aerosmith at Hyde Park.
Thanks to The Answer and all the crew.
Photo credit: Dan Griffiths
FFAF Tell Blackstar Tales -March 2007
The Blackstar team met up with Welsh quintet, Funeral For A Friend at RAK studios in London earlier this year. The band were immediately impressed with the sturdy
stomp boxes of our all-valve HT Range and the pedals found their way onto the bands superb new album, ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’.
Famed producer Gil Norton was working on the album and was blown away by the pedals, especially the ISF control, and took a set as a vital recording tool.
(see Artist quotes). When we met up with the band on tour a few months later we were pleased to see the pedals being used live by guitarist Darran Smith and
bassist Gareth Jones (check out the Artist Quotes page). Darran also became the first player to perform live with the ARTISAN 30 combo
at the Cambridge Corn Exchange gig in May.
Thanks to Funeral For A Friend and all crew and management. ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’ is out now!
Blackstar are the bomb at Band Blitz -September 2007
Always keen to promote up and coming talent, Blackstar Amplification supported the Buckinghamshire Battle of the Bands competition throughout the summer. The Competition comprised of 5 heats with the winning band going through to a grand final. The quality of the bands was extremely high with Milton Keynes based ‘Aurora Shadow’ edging the top slot. All the bands were winners in our eyes. The guitarist from each band was awarded the prize of a HT Pedal that best suited their style. Please check out our myspace page to read comments from the bands involved.
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