'That Metal Show' announces first guests

Rush, Dream Theater fans ought to be excited

By Peter Lindblad

'That Metal Show' returns Feb. 21 with
hosts Jim Florentine, Eddie Trunk
and Don Jamieson

The waiting is over. "That Metal Show" returns Feb. 21 on VH1 Classic, and, drum roll please, who will be the first guest? Why it's none other than today's Tom Sawyer Rush's Geddy Lee!

It'll be his second appearance on the acclaimed hard rock/heavy metal program, hosted by Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine. Lee will be there ostensibly to promote this summer's highly anticipated Rush R40 Live 40th Anniversary Tour, a 34-city run through North America.

"Back when 'TMS' was first born Geddy & Alex were nice enough to fly to New York and be a guest in our very first season. I've always had a great relationship with the Rush guys and it meant so much to me they were willing to support something that I was doing that at that point hardly anyone had seen or heard of," said host/co-producer Eddie Trunk. "Amazingly, almost seven years have passed and we're now about to debut our 14th season of 'That Metal Show' and I couldn't be more honored to welcome back Geddy to the set to celebrate 40-plus years of Rush and the return of 'TMS'!"

There's another little surprise in store for viewers of the season premiere, as Dream Theater's seven-string virtuoso John Petrucci will make his inaugural appearance on the debut episode. Dream Theater is currently working on a new album, expected to be released later this year.

All the TMS favorite segments are back, including "Metal Modem," "TMS Top 5," "Rank" and "Take It Or Leave It," as well as "Stump The Trunk" and Ms. Box Of Junk, Jennifer.

Fans can watch previous episodes and other exclusive bonus clips at ThatMetalShow.VH1.com and the new VH1 app.

TMS debuted on VH1 Classic in November 2008. Check out That Metal Show's Facebook page for more information at https://www.facebook.com/thatmetalshow

New Dream Theater DVD hits No. 1

Dream Theater - Live at Luna Park 2013

Being nominated for a Grammy is nice. Having the No. 1 DVD in the country is a pretty big deal also.

Dream Theater's "Live at Luna Park" has landed in the top spot on the Soundscan Music DVD chart. Not too long ago, the progressive-metal giants debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's "Hard Rock Albums" chart for their latest self-titled album on Roadrunner Records.

Released Nov. 5 in various forms by Eagle Rock Entertainment, "Live at Luna Park"  is available as a double DVD version, a digital video offering and a packed-to-the-gills deluxe edition that boasts a 60-page hardback phonebook, Blu-ray, two DVDs and three CDs.

While on the final leg of their "A Dramatic Turn of Events" world tour in July 2011, Dream Theater's breathtaking and powerful performance at Luna Park Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was filmed for this overstuffed release. 

Along with the 160-minute main show, there is a bonanza of bonus material, including a trailer for the cinematic release, a documentary, a "behind the scenes" feature and an animated intro played on the big screen just prior to Dream Theater's entrance at Luna Park. 

Classic Dream Theater pieces such as "The Silent Man," "Pull Me Under," "The Test That Stumped Them All," "The Spirit Carries On," "Metropolis Pt. 1" and "On the Backs of Angels" are all here. Dream Theater earned a Grammy nod in 2012 for "On the Backs of Angels" door Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.

Dream Theater formed in 1985 as Majesty, with John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy joining forces as founders. 

The trio stayed together for a good long while through a slew of lineup changes, adding James LaBrie and Jordan Rudess along the way. Portnoy departed in September 2010 and has since been replaced by Mike Mangini.

For a sneak peek at "Live at Luna Park," visit  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDY0hjky7i0.