Stranger Aeons Magazine's News & Updates... |
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Seether Singer On Evanescence's Amy Lee: 'We Are Together'.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/29/2003 SEETHER singer and guitarist Shaun Morgan recently strolled down the red carpet at the American Music Awards with his girlfriend, EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee, in full view of the media. Morgan told Launch why they took that stroll. "It was intended to lay some rumors to rest that involved Amy and I, 'cause we've been together now for about six months, and we wanted to lay all the rumors to rest and say, 'Look, here we go, we are together.' It was never a secret, but I was involved in a divorce which had taken a long time to resolve, and it was just something that we had to wait before we could let everyone know about." Morgan says he hopes to have Amy and SEVENDUST frontman Lajon Witherspoon sing on the next SEETHER album, which is due out in the spring or summer of 2004. SEETHER will continue touring in the U.S. until December 21. After a holiday break, they'll do a two-week tour of their homeland, South Africa, then settle down to make their second album. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Stampin' Ground/North Side Kings Split CD Out Now.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/29/2003 Thorp Records (www.thorprecords.com) has released a split CD titled "Allied Forces" featuring England's STAMPIN' GROUND and Arizona's NORTH SIDE KINGS. The CD, which contains nothing but cover versions, includes songs originally recorded by such bands as SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, D.R.I., VIO-LENCE, CRO-MAGS, S.O.D., AGNOSTIC FRONT, JUDGE, and more. Also included is a previously unreleased NORTH SIDE KINGS track that never made it to their last record "A Family Affair", titled "Home of the Brave". In other news, NORTH SIDE KINGS have a brand-new song called "Lowlife" included on a new CD released by www.azpunk.com featuring some of the best hardcore/punk bands Arizona has to offer. The disc is available for a low price of $3. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Avulsed, Grog Confirmed For Portugal's Butchery At Christmas Time Festival.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/29/2003 This year's edition of the death metal festival "Butchery At Christmas Time" - set to be held on December 20 in Guarda, Portugal - will feature the following bands: AVULSED GROG GOLDENPYRE SCENT OF DEATH NECROSE AGONIZED THERIOMORPHIC RAW DECIMATING BRUTALITY This is the forth edition of this festival that is totally dedicated to the most extreme sounds in metal. For more information, click here. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Velvet Revolver: Vocal Tracks To Be Completed This Week.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/29/2003 VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland (ex-STONE TEMPLE PILOTS) will complete the vocal tracks for the band's much-anticipated debut album on Tuesday (December 2), after which the group will begin mixing the effort with Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, SEPULTURA, SLAYER) for a tentative March 2004 release through RCA Records. VELVET REVOLVER's debut CD is being recorded at a Los Angeles studio with producer Josh Abraham (STAIND, ORGY, POWERMAN 5000). -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Friday, November 28, 2003
Incubus Crow.... This may be a repeat? sorry if that is the case.. The PRP reports: The tentative track listing has been announced for Incubus' forthcoming new album "A Crow Left Of The Murder", it is as follows: 01 - "Zedeveel" 02 - "Agoraphobia" 03 - "Pistola" 04 - "Priceless" 05 - "Leech" 06 - "Here In My Room" 07 - "Smile Lines" 08 - "Beware Criminal" 09 - "Sick, Sad World" 10 - "Southern Girl" 11 - "A Crow Left Of The Murder" 12 - "Megalomanic" 13 - "Talk Shows On Mute" 14 - "Made For TV Movie" The album is planned to be released through Immortal/Epic on February 03rd and will be preceded by the first single "Megalomaniac", which will impact at radio on December 16th... -----SOURCE: antiMUSIC.com Starsailor To U.S..... Someone was just asking about this group, here is some news for you. Billboard reports: British rock act Starsailor has set a North American tour for next year, in support of its sophomore album "Silence Is Easy." The set, which debuted in September at No. 2 in the band's native U.K., is due for U.S. release on Jan. 27 via Capitol. The tour will kick off Jan. 15 in Detroit and hit 16 North American markets. The album features two tracks produced by legendary wall-of-sound innovator Phil Spector, his first production work in 23 years. The band became acquainted with the legally embattled Spector after his daughter attended a Starsailor show at Los Angeles' Troubadour, prior to the fatal shooting that led to his arrest. "Silence Is Easy" is the follow-up to the group's 2002 debut, "Love Is Here," which has sold 141,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Here are Starsailor's tour dates: Jan. 15: Detroit (St. Andrews Hall) Jan. 17: Toronto (Guvernment) Jan. 18: Montreal (Cabaret Music Hall) Jan. 20: Boston (Paradise) Jan. 22: New York (Irving Plaza) Jan. 23: Philadelphia (Theater of the Living Arts) Jan. 24: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club) Jan. 28: Chicago (Metro) Jan. 29: Minneapolis (Fine Line Music Cafe) Jan. 31: Boulder, Colo. (Fox Theater) Feb. 3: Vancouver (Commodore Ballroom) Feb. 4: Seattle (Crocodile Cafe) Feb. 5: Portland, Ore. (Berbati's Pan) Feb. 7: San Francisco (Slim's) Feb. 11: Los Angeles (El Rey Theater) Feb. 12: San Diego (Epicenter) -----SOURCE: antiMUSIC.com Helloween: U.S. Tour Announced.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/28/2003 Veteran German power metallers HELLOWEEN will be returning to the U.S for another short run of dates in late January. The details are as follows: Jan. 15 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom Jan. 16 - Farmingdale, NY @ Downtown Jan. 17 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium Jan. 18 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx Jan. 20 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade Jan. 22 - Houston, TX @ Engine Room Jan. 23 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit Jan. 24 - Dallas, TX @ The Door Jan. 26 - West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club Jan. 27 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Leftover MEAT LOAF.... Veteran rocker MEAT LOAF is expected to return to his tour soon, this after suffering an anxiety attack (at a London show) and getting heart surgery. Marilyn Manson Performs In London After Delay.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/28/2003 MARILYN MANSON performed at Alexandra Palace in London on Wednesday (November 26). The show, which featured openers PEACHES, was apparently delayed for close to an hour, causing a number of audience members to have to wait to enter the venue for a far longer period of time than originally expected. The following is the official statement issued by the concert promoters, Clear Channel, regarding the delay: "[Wednesday] night, the first concert to take place at Alexandra Palace for some years was held featuring MARILYN MANSON. As the promoters of the concert, Clear Channel and Straight were responsible for the staging of the event and very much regret that they encountered some logistical challenges, which led to a 45-minute delay in being able to open the doors. This delay in turn had a knock on effect throughout the evening, that meant a large number of customers had to queue for an unacceptably long time to enter the venue. "Having overcome the problems that resulted in the delay, the concert did go ahead and both PEACHES and MARILYN MANSON played full performances. "As the promoters of the concert, Clear Channel and Straight would like to stress that the delay was caused by issues involving staffing, licensing and health and safety issues and no delays were caused by either PEACHES' or MARILYN MANSON's stage set ups. "Clear Channel and Straight would like to apologise to all the customers that were inconvenienced and hope that it did not detract too much from what was a fantastic event." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. H.I.M. To Release U.K. Single In January.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/28/2003 Finnish goth-metallers H.I.M. will release their new single, "Funeral of Hearts", in the U.K. on January 12, 2004. The single, which comes off the group's "Love Metal" CD, will be available in three stunning formats. The full formats and track listing are as follows: Vol 1. - DVD Maxi Single 01. Funeral Of Hearts (Video) 02. Join Me (Video - Ice Version ) - Video Documentary footage - From "Making of Sacrament" 03. Lonely Road (Live - audio) 04. Funeral Of Hearts (acoustic Version - audio) 05. Funeral Of Hearts (Dr Dagon's Dub - audio) - Photogallery with "Sacrament" disrhythm remix audio complement - with selected fans pics included Vol. 2 - CD Single 01. The Funeral Of Hearts (Radio Edit) 02. Hand Of Doom (Live from Turku) Vol. 3 - 7" Vinyl (In Black Velvet Sleeve) A. The Funeral of Hearts (Radio Edit) B. Buried Alive By Love (Deliverance Version) -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. It's Official: Judas Priest To Headline Sweden Rock Festival.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/28/2003 JUDAS PRIEST have been officially confirmed to headline next year's installment of the Sweden Rock festival, set to be held June 10-12, 2004 in Sölvesborg, Sweden, BLABBERMOUTH.NET has exclusively learned. This is the first word of any live dates from the British heavy metal band since they announced their reunion with vocalist Rob Halford in July after more than 12 years apart. The following is a preliminary list of the acts that have been confirmed to appear at Sweden Rock Festival 2004: JUDAS PRIEST NIGHTWISH HEART ENTOMBED EXODUS BRAINSTORM CHILDREN OF BODOM ABRAMIS BRAMA APRIL WINE SLADE The first few confirmations for the festival are being announced this evening (Nov. 28) at the Sweden Rock 2004 kick-off party at Draken in Stockholm. DORO is headlining the kick-off concert, with additional performances expected from TEN 67, TEN JINN and SPEARFISH. Also appearing will be the "all-star" Swedish cover band MONSTERS OF METAL, featuring vocalist Mats Levén (KRUX, AT VANCE, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), guitarist Fredrik Ã...kesson (TALISMAN), bassist Johan Nieman (THERION) and drummer Sami Karppinen (ex-THERION). JUDAS PRIEST are in talks to take part in several European festivals next summer, including Holland's Waldrock and Italy's Gods of Metal, according to published reports. The band, who will celebrate their 30th anniversary next year, are believed to be on the verge of signing a new major-label deal with Sony Music following their split with the Atlantic label last year. Their forthcoming CD will be the group's first to feature Halford since 1990's RIAA gold-certified "Painkiller". JUDAS PRIEST's last two studio albums (neither one of which featured Halford), "Jugulator" (1997) and "Demolition" (2001), received mediocre reviews and disappointing sales - 110,000 and 50,000, respectively, according to Nielsen SoundScan. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Blood Of Tyrants Label Imprint Announced.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/28/2003 Early 2004 will see the formation of a new exclusively metal label, Blood of Tyrants, formed as an imprint of seminal Indianapolis-based punk/hardcore label Happy Couples Never Last Records. "I have just passed up too many killer releases that I desperately wanted to do but didn't think that they were logical or appropriate for the current roster of HCNL artists," says HCNL Records owner Clark Giles. "I have always wanted to find a way to support the underground metal scene here in the Circle City and abroad but have been hard-pressed to find an appropriate way of doing it while preserving the authenticity of two 'related' but in the end 'different' scenes. An imprint label dedicated solely to the classic authentic genres of the metal scene whether it be doom metal or grind-core was the only logical conclusion to preserve the integrity of what I am trying to do. This is a METAL label in the purest sense. No metalcore, no pretty $200 haircuts. A true 100% metal ONLY imprint." While Happy Couples has traditionally focused on everything from mathematical indie-rock to blasting hardcore thrash, all things "metal" will now be released under the Blood of Tyrants moniker. The label is starting with a bang already pushing an aggressive release schedule for 2004. * THE GATES OF SLUMBER "The Awakening" CD/LP - Pure old-school doom metal in the vein of ST. VITUS and CELTIC FROST. Following an appearance on the Shroud of Woe comp, "Tune Down, Doom Out" comp (Church of Doom), and "At the Mountains of Madness II" (Miskatonic Records) THE GATES OF SLUMBER finally drop their debut full-length record. The vinyl version of this record sports an embossed cover and an extra track. * HARAKIRI "Twilight of the Idols" LP - vinyl version of this now classic slab of American death metal. Colored vinyl, featuring one extra bonus track not found on the CD or anywhere else for that matter. * THE HIDDEN HAND/WOOLY MAMMOTH split LP (split with McCarthyism Records, CD version on Meteor City Records) - Wino (ex-ST. VITUS, THE OBSESSED) does it again with his new opus. Okay, okay, so we haven't technically heard it yet so we can't tell you much about it. But does any band with Wino ever fail to bring the rock? * DEMIRICOUS full-length CD - The melody of the New Wave of Swedish metal tempered with the harsh brutality of classic American death metal. These guys have bowling over metal crowds all over the Midwest with their amazing live show. Their debut full-length will be sure to become a force to be reckoned with in the coming year. A web site is currently in the works with plans for an early spring launch. In the meantime, questions can be addressed to Jason McCash at: bloodoftyrants@hcnl.com. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Vader Frontman To Record Promo CD With Side-Project.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/27/2003 PANZER X, the solo project of VADER vocalist/guitarist Peter, are tentatively scheduled to enter Studio X in Olsztyn, Poland in December to record a four-song demo, titled "Steel First". The promotional CD, which will engineered by Szymon Czech and produced by Peter himself, will contain three original tracks plus a cover song from a "well-known European band." Wojtek Blasiak, the artist who recently did some graphics work for MOONSPELL, will take care of the "Steel Fist" artwork and layout. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Thursday, November 27, 2003
Vanilla 'Fudge-D' On MSNBC.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/27/2003 On the MSNBC show "Scarborough Country" this past Monday - from The Intrepid in New York City - the host, former congressman Joe Scarborough, had as his guest the members of legendary '60s rock band VANILLA FUDGE. Prior to the interview, the spot was promoted as "Rock band supports the war." In the standard pre-interview, FUDGE leader Carmine Appice made it very clear, that they "supported the troops." The FUDGE had in fact this summer recorded their own interpretation of "The Star Spangled Banner", which was an immediate hit on most classic-oriented radio stations across the country. Says Appice, "It's a song that's certainly taken on an added significance since our troops were sent overseas. We, for a lack of a better term, FUDGE-d it, but it's as patriotic as ever!" When the actual interview went live - with host Scarborough in Florida on a remote - Appice and keyboardist Bill Pascali and guitarist Teddy Rondinelli went to great pains to accurately underscore what they were and what they felt. "There was no question as to what they wanted the band to say ... but they didn't say it ... they didn't cave," says a source on the set. "There were a few awkward moments, but they got their point across." The FUDGE release a live DVD next month, which they recorded with The 52-piece San Fernando Symphony Orchestra. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Dio To Enter Studio In January.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/27/2003 The songwriting process for the new DIO record is coming along nicely, and if all goes as planned, the band should be ready to start recording sometime in January 2004, according to a post on the group's web site. In other news, DIO have been officially confirmed confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances by "new hits, old hits, reunions, newcomers and top acts." The list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows: AMON AMARTH ANTHRAX BAL-SAGOTH BRAINSTORM BÖHSE ONKELZ CANNIBAL CORPSE CATHEDRAL CHILDREN OF BODOM DESTRUCTION DIO EKTOMORF GRAVE DIGGER HYPOCRISY MAYHEM NEVERMORE SAXON SCHANDMAUL ZODIAC MINDWARP More confirmations will be announced soon. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Dez Fafara: 'I Had To Get Away From Coal Chamber'.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/27/2003 Former COAL CHAMBER/current DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Farafa recently spoke to Revolver magazine about the breakup of his previous band and his decision to go in a heavier, more aggressive direction with his new outfit. "COAL CHAMBER were a democracy where everybody ran the business together, and it just didn't work," he said. "They didn't want to go heavier and more balls out, and I did. My heart started turning black because I was doing something I wasn't happy with. In DEVILDRIVER, I call the shots and everyone listens. These guys are real hard workers, too. If you tell them to be at rehearsal at seven o'clock they're there at quarter to seven. "People in [COAL CHAMBER] used to stay up partying for days on end and then make decisions that didn't make any sense at all. My thing has always been wine and weed, and then you've got the absolute opposite of that, and that's what I had to be around constantly on a daily basis for seven years. It was a bad situation and I had to get the fuck away." When asked about his recent "war of words" with SEVENDUST drummer Morgan Rose (husband of ex-COAL CHAMBER bassist Rayna Foss-Rose) and SEVENDUST's song "Enemy" which was written about Fafara, Dez said, "The beef Rayna is grinding is from 1999, and they couldn't have picked a better time to bring it up than when SEVENDUST's album was coming out. There's nothing better in the news than a really radio-friendly band going after an ultrabrutal heavy-metal band. I talked to Rayna a couple of days ago and she told me she and Morgan had found Jesus. I don't think they're acting too Christ-like right now." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Philip Anselmo Slams Damageplan: 'They're Not Doing Anything Different'.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/27/2003 Ex-PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo has slammed his former bandmates for "not doing anything different" with their new band DAMAGEPLAN and has one again reiterated the fact that he has no desire of ever returning to his previous group. Speaking to AbsolutMetal about his current band SUPERJOINT RITUAL, Anselmo said, "I want SUPERJOINT RITUAL to be every-fuckin'-thing that people maybe missed in PANTERA. Because I knew that, you know, PANTERA, not to talk about 'um, because I'm not going to, but if it weren't fuckin' for me, in that fuckin' band...what I fuckin' taught those motherfuckers. You know, you'll see on their new shit [DAMAGEPLAN], the singer [Patrick Lachman] is gonna come out and imitate me, the best he possibly can. He's gonna have to end up singing songs that I wrote when I was fuckin' 20 years old, and they're gonna sound like [guitarist] Diamond Darrell and [drummer] Vinnie Paul's killer sound, you know, they're not doing anything different. Whereas with SUPERJOINT, yeah, we're doing something fuckin' different. I'm not saying it's never been done before, but what I'm saying is, is it's definitely a genre of music that changed my life forever. This is where I've wanted to be for so long, musically, you know, 'cause we've been writing SUPERJOINT shit for oh god, since '93, and you know, long time coming, man. I mean to fuckin' be with them, with this fuckin' band for damn sure." When asked if the previously announced DOWN acoustic album and DVD will ever come out, Anselmo said, "As long as we're entrapped with Elektra Records, which we seem to be, I'm not doing another fucking thing for Elektra Records unless they...they'd have to promise me...a lot of money, real fuckin' quick, and a lot of promotion. And their gonna have to do better than promises, I want it fuckin' so to the fuckin' T, contracted to where they don't have the upper hand on the band. As they have in the past...I ain't doing nothing for Elektra Records 'cause they ain't done nothin' for me but fuckin' waste my time. Aside from the other band which I ain't ever doin' nothin' with again...and I don't want to talk about it." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Rammstein: Dvd Release Dates Announced.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have announced the release dates for their forthcoming DVD, "Lichtspielhaus" (German for "Cinema" or "Movie House"). The details are as follows: Dec. 01, 2003 Germany, Austria, Switzerland Dec. 03, 2003 Sweden Dec. 08, 2003 UK, Holland, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Iceland, Hungary Dec. 09, 2003 France, Spain Dec. 15, 2003 Australia Jan. 13, 2004 USA, Canada The complete track listing for the DVD is as follows: RAMMSTEIN "Lichtspielhaus": Videos: 01. Du Riechst So Gut 02. Seemann 03. Rammstein 04. Engel 05. Du Hast 06. Du Riechst So Gut 98 07. Stripped 08. Sonne 09. Links 2 3 4 10. Ich Will 11. Mutter 12. Feuer Frei! In Concert - Highlights: 01. 1996 "100 Jahre Rammstein" Arena Berlin 02. 1997 Philipshalle Düsseldorf 03. 1998 "Rock am Ring" Festival 04. 1998 "Live aus Berlin" Wuhlheide 05. 2001 "Big Day Out" Festival Sydney 06. 2001 Velodrom Berlin Making Of The Videos: 01. Du Hast 02. Du Riechst So Gut 98 03. Sonne 04. Links 2-3-4 05. Ich Will Making Of - subtitles available In the following languages: German English French Spanish Japanese TV-Trailer Incl. Interviews: 01. Achtung Blitzkrieg! 02. Du Hast 03. Links 2-3-4 04. Mutter Total running time: approx. 210 minutes As previously reported, RAMMSTEIN entered the studio earlier in the month to begin recording their new album, tentatively due late spring/early summer through Republic/Universal Records. Production duties are once again being handled by Jacob Hellner, who worked with the group on 2001's "Mutter". No further information is available at this time. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Korn's 'Mirror' Debuts At No. 19 On Billboard Chart.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 KORN's "Take A Look In The Mirror" has sold 96,074 copies in the U.S. in its first, shortened week on the streets, landing the album at No. 19 on next week's The Billboard 200 chart, according to the figures released by Nielsen SoundScan. "Take a Look in the Mirror", originally due in stores on Nov. 25, had its release date bumped up to Nov. 21 after the group learned that the set had been leaked to the Internet by an "unknown source," according to a press release. The band decided to move up the release date in part because the quality of the version leaked to the Internet was sub par, according to the statement. KORN's last album, "Untouchables", moved 434,000 copies back in June 2002, while their fourth full-length effort, "Issues", shifted 583,785 units in November 1999. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Reign Of Terror's Joe Stump: Possible Live Album, Instrumental CD On The Way.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 Guitarist Joe Stump (REIGN OF TERROR, OBSESSION) has posted the following message on his web site: "The REIGN OF TERROR European Tour was a ton of fun and the shows went very well. We're hoping to go back sometime early next year (April). We recorded one of the shows and are also recording the Nov. 29th show in Rochester N.Y. and might use a combination of both shows for a live album. The live album would feature tracks from 'Sacred Ground', 'Conquer and Divide', several instrumental tracks, a live guitar solo, a few tunes from [singer] Mike [Vescera]'s past groups (LOUDNESS and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), also some old RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE tracks. We will post more on that with a full track listing when a release date is confirmed. Also I'll be recording my 7th instrumental album during Dec. and Jan. to be released early next year. I promise it will be my finest recorded guitar work to date. It's been awhile since I've done a full on studio instrumental record and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I'll also be doing a third instructional DVD, the second one to be released through JoeStump.com. This one will be an advanced Neo-classical DVD covering difficult excerpts from some of my more demanding tracks, Classical pedal point and arpeggio sequences as well as some blazing right hand alternate and economy picking material. I'll also be doing a clinic tour in Dec. going to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of China. So there will be plenty of new Joe Stump products available early next year." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. 'Aerosmith Day' Named In New Hampshire.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 Shir Haberman of the Portsmouth Herald reports that New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson signed a proclamation Monday naming Nov. 24, 2003 as "AEROSMITH Day." The group, led by vocalist Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, was the first act to play at the Verizon Wireless Arena when it opened in November 2001, and was in New Hampshire to play that venue again Monday night. It was that occasion, along with the band's deep connections to the Granite State, that prompted Benson to issue the proclamation. "New Hampshire is proud that the roots of this legendary group of men can be tracked back to our state, and we are happy to have them back in New Hampshire at the Verizon Wireless Arena, where they played the inaugural concert," the governor said However, not everyone in state government is as taken with the group as the governor is. "Who's AEROSMITH?" Ruth Griffin asked. "I wouldn't know them if I fell over them." The executive councilor from Portsmouth said it was too bad the governor didn't come to Portsmouth and name a day in honor of the Jumbo Peanut Circus. She also didn't see any humor in deciding to take the time to name a day for a rock band on the same day the steering committees running President Bush's 2004 campaign were deciding strategies. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Axxis Drummer Missing.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 Richard Michalski (photo), drummer for the German metal band AXXIS, has reportedly been missing for the past year and "the band, friends and colleagues are searching for him with the help of the police, but there is no sign of life at the moment," according to a statement released by the band's record company, AFM Records. "The band [haven't recruited a replacement] drummer so far, because they admire Richard as a person and as a musician and they hope that there will be a sign of life from him [soon]." AXXIS' new studio album, "Time Machine", features a guest appearance by PINK CREAM 69 drummer Kosta Zafiriou and is currently being mixed at House Of Audio Studios in Karlsruhe, Germany with engineer Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69). A January 26, 2004 release through AFM Records is expected. The tentative track listing for "Time Machine" is as follows: 01. Mystery Of Time 02. Angel Of Death 03. Time Machine 04. Wind In The Night 05. Lost In The Darkness 06. The Demons Are Calling... 07. Wings Of Freedom 08. Dance In The Starlight 09. Battle Of Power 10. Gimme Your Blood 11. Don't Drag Me Down 12. Circus Of Love (bonus) 13. River Of Love (bonus) AXXIS will embark on a co-headlining European tour with PINK CREAM 69 beginning in early March. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Morrah Complete Work On Debut EP.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 Russian death metallers MORRAH have completed work on their debut EP, "Experiment In Blood". The five-song effort (including the intro) was recorded at Fantom Pain Studio in St. Petersburg, Russia with producer Igor Anokhin and was mixed at Astia Studio in Lapenranta, Finland by Anssi Kippo. The complete track listing for "Experiment In Blood" is as follows: 01. Intro 02. Insomnia 03. Experiment In Blood 04. Butcher 05. Living Dead Community MORRAH will present their new material for the firs time at the anniversary celebration performance at the Red club in St. Petersburg on December 14. Also set to appear are STALWART (progressive thrash), WOLFSANGEL (very heavy folk metal), and HORNED NECROCANNIBALS (death metal). (Thanks: www.rock.ru) -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. 'Bush Supporter' Gene Simmons Visits The White House, Fails To Meet The President.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons went on a two-hour tour of the White House last Friday (Nov. 21), according to the Washington Post. However, the 54-year-old, who is described as a "Bush supporter," didn't get to meet the president, according to the paper. After his White House drop-in, Simmons reportedly went straight to one of his favorite hangouts: Camelot nightclub. And after two hours of partying, Gene - never one to disappoint and not live up to his reputation - left with two buxom blondes on his arm. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Dream Theater Singer Records Guest Appearance For New Ayreon CD.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/26/2003 DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie recently traveled to Electric Castle studios in Holland to lay down his vocals on the new AYREON CD, "The Human Equation", tentatively due in May 2004 through an as-yet-undetermined label. As previously reported, other vocalists set to appear on the album include Mikael Ã...kerfeldt (OPETH), Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), Devon Graves (a.k.a. Buddy Lackey, DEAD SOUL TRIBE, ex-PSYCHOTIC WALTZ), Magnus Ekwall (THE QUILL), Heather Findlay (MOSTLY AUTUMN), Eric Clayton (SAVIOUR MACHINE) and Mike Baker (SHADOW GALLERY). As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Charon Guitarist Quits.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 Finnish goth-metallers CHARON have parted ways with guitarist Jasse Von Hast. The following is Hast's official statement on the matter: "After long consideration, I have decided to change my priorities around and end this chapter of my life. The band CHARON has nothing more to give me musically and my interest in playing in the group has completely disappeared. During the last year, I became totally bored with all band-related activities and have decided to focus all my efforts on my day-job. However, I will continue writing music on my own in the future. Whether or not this stuff ends up being released later on, only time will tell... "Thanks to all the fans for all the support throughout all these years." CHARON's fourth full-length album, "The Dying Daylights", was released in September through Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to last year's "Downhearted" was recorded at BRR Studios in the group's hometown of Raahe and was mixed at Helsinki's Finnvox Studios. The album includes a guest appearance on backing vocals by NIGHTWISH/ex-SINERGY bassist Marco Hietala and Jenny Heinonen. (Thanks: Timo Isoaho / Sonera Plaza Kaista) -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Former Nile Bassist/Vocalist Chief Spires: 'I Don't Like Karl Sanders'.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 Former NILE bassist/vocalist Chief Spires has spoken out for the first time about his departure from the group and his decision to form SHAITAN MAZAR with fellow ex-NILE member John Ehlers (guitar). Speaking to Poland's Masterful Magazine, Spires explained his reasons for leaving NILE. "Well the official press release was something like 'Spires leaves the band due to creative differences, and career direction'," he said. "The truth is there was much more to it than that, but I won't go into this too deep. Speaking in terms of the music, I didn't like the fact that Karl [Sanders, guitar/vocals] was turning NILE into a band based on 'how fast can we go?' I felt we started to lose much of the creativity when this came into play, not to mention that this is the main reason we lost Pete Hammoura [drums/vocals]. Karl and I had a lot of issues, but to keep it short, I just don't like him." When asked if he still keeps in touch with his former bandmates, Spires said, "Occasionally I speak to Tony Laureano [drums]. I have known Jon [Vesano, bass/vocals] since the days of DEMONIC CHRIST and DARK MOON, and have a lot of respect for him. I think he is a great replacement for me and I he knows I wish him well. Tony is my bro, it was always Tony and I hanging out during the time we shared in NILE. When Tony comes up to Greenville to rehearse with NILE, we try to hook and have some drinks. Tony was actually going to help with the drum tracks of SHAITAN MAZAR until we found Brett. I wouldn't mind running into Dallas [Toler-Wade, guitar/vocals] again. I still have tremendous respect for Dallas and his playing ability. As far as Karl goes, no we don't meet in pubs for beers. I don't think that would be a good idea." With regards to his decision to form SHAITAN MAZAR, Spires said, "John Ehlers and I had discussed a few years after he left NILE about one day playing together, and sharing the stage again. I knew that even if I stayed with NILE for the duration of the band, I would one day want to create a band like SHAITAN MAZAR. But, after leaving NILE this was the perfect opportunity to begin the long stages of forming a new band from the ground up. I truly loved what I did in NILE. I was never tired of death metal. I still have great respect for the music, all the friends and fans I gained while playing with NILE. At the same time, I am a musician who loves to write, play, and sing many different styles of music. I enjoyed working with John when he was in NILE, so it was only natural to create this band with John. John had been co-writing with a longtime friend Robert Dirr [guitar] even when he was a member of NILE. When I found out these guys were still playing together it was a perfect situation for forming SHAITAN MAZAR. I then made a call to a friend I had known for years in the metal circuit Jason Hohenstein [vocals]. Jason is by far the most intense, and one of the most talented vocalist I've ever worked with. I knew that he would be dedicated and have what it takes to build a fan base. He has a great clean voice, and one of the strongest death voices I've ever heard. The toughest thing was finding a drummer. After a very long search, Jason was introduced to Brett Goode one evening at a local metal pub. Brett listened to the songs and decided to come give it a shot." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Ozzy Osbourne, Daughter Kelly To Perform 'Changes' On German TV Show.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 Ozzy Osbourne and daughter Kelly will perform their rendition of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Changes" on the German TV show "Wetten dass..." (hosted by Thomas Gottschalk) on December 6 . The song, the original version of which appeared on BLACK SABBATH's 1972 album, "Black Sabbath, Vol. 4", is included on the reissued edition of Kelly Osbourne's 2002 debut, "Shut Up" (re-titled "Changes"), which was made available through Sanctuary Records in September. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Crematory: Album Recording Sessions Halted.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 German melodic gothic metal band CREMATORY, who split up in 2001 after a successful, decade-long career, have been forced to postpone the release date of their much-anticipated comeback album, "Revolution", after keyboardist Katrin Goger gave birth to her daughter two weeks prior to the expected due date. As a result, the band have halted the recording sessions for the new album and the CD's previously announced release date (March 1, 2004) will not be kept, according to an official press release. However, since more than half of the album is already finished, CREMATORY have decided to release a single in advance on the originally scheduled album - a little consolation for the fans. The CD will contain the single- and album-version of "Greed", a cover version of METALLICA's "One" and a ballad named "Farewell Letter" as well as the video clip for "Greed", which was wrapped only a few days before Katrin's daughter Janina was born. "Greed" will be released on March 1 worldwide through Nuclear Blast Records. The full-length album, "Revolution", will follow later in 2004. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Trent Reznor Talks About New Nine Inch Nails CD.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 The forthcoming issue of Alternative Press featuring a list of next year's most anticipated albums contains a short paragraph on the upcoming NINE INCH NAILS album, which will reportedly carry the title "bleedthrough". In the article, NINE INCH NAILS mastermind Trent Reznor is quoted as saying that the follow-up to 1999's "The Fragile" "explores loss and possible discovery of self, along with alternate layers of reality and perception set inside a nightmare you can't seem to wake up from, with lots of feedback." Reznor has reportedly enlisted Atticus Ross (12 ROUNDS, TAPEWORM), Jerome Dillon, Leo Herrera, mix engineer Rich Costey and Rick Rubin (SYSTEM OF A DOWN, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, AUDIOSLAVE) to help mold "bleedthrough", which will feature new songs such as "The Line Begins To Blur", "Every Day Is Exactly The Same" and "My Dead Friend". This time out, Reznor is introducing high-tech to low-life. "Computers, among other things, are ruining music these days," he said. "I hate the Pro Tooled sound of perfection and everything being 'fixed.' This record is most definitely 'un-fixed.'" And when it comes to touring behind the release, Reznor is planning on reinventing the wheel. "It won't be the last tour over again. That person isn't here anymore." "bleedthrough" is tentatively due in early 2004 through Nothing/Interscope Records. (Thanks: The NIN Hotline) -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Aerosmith To Perform At Super Bowl Pre-Show.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 AEROSMITH will make their second Super Bowl appearance in four years just before kickoff at Super Bowl XXXVIII (38) on February 1 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, according to Launch Radio Networks. The band haven't yet decided what songs they'll play, but at least one will likely come from their upcoming "Honkin' On Bobo" blues-oriented album that should be out in the spring. AEROSMITH last did the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXV (35) on January 28, 2001, in Tampa, Florida. They sang "Jaded" and "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", after which they were joined by BRITNEY SPEARS, *NSYNC, MARY J. BLIGE, and NELLY for "Walk This Way". In other news, AEROSMITH have partnered with the World Hunger Year (WHY) organization to help feed people around the country. The band are asking fans attending their current tour to bring two cans of food, which will be distributed to local groups working with hungry people in their area. Lead singer Steven Tyler said, "In a country as rich as ours, the fact that there are so many people living in poverty and children are going hungry every day tells me that our spiritual bank account is way too low. It's just unacceptable. Through the years, our fans have always been willing to help make a difference, so we're asking them again to do what we always do when we are on the road in the holiday season - help us feed those people in need and our spiritual bank account all at the same time." Lead guitarist Joe Perry added, "Anything you can do is greatly appreciated. We live in a great country where nobody should go to bed hungry." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Drowning Pool Bassist Denies Sw1tched Singer Was Asked To Join.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 DROWNING POOL bassist Stevie Benton has accused SW1TCHED frontman Ben Schigel of "making shit up" by claiming that he was asked to join Benton's band as the replacement for Jason "Gong" Jones, who has been unofficially working with the Dallas-based metallers for much of the past year. In an interview with the Cleveland Scene published last week, Schigel said that he had been helping DROWNING POOL during the pre-production stage prior to the recording of their second album when the full-time gig was offered - and eventually turned down. "They were getting along a little better with the dude they had, and I was like 'I'm just gonna do my own thing,'" Schigel explained. In a posting to DROWNING POOL's web site, Benton dismissed Schigel's account as false, stating, "Don't believe everything you read. If the dude was offered the gig, I'm pretty sure I would have known about it beforehand. A phone call from a friend who read the news on the net was the first I heard of it. People have started making shit up now. That's okay though. These rumors are kinda fun. I promise you'll have real news soon." DROWNING POOL have yet to officially announce the replacement for singer Dave Williams, who was found dead on the band's tour bus on August 14, 2002 while they were touring as part of the U.S. Ozzfest. An inquest into the singer's death concluded that Williams died from cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease for which he was never diagnosed. No traces of drugs were found in the vocalist's system, finally dispelling widespread speculation about the cause of his death. -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. Control Denied: Unfinished Album To See Light Of Day.... By: Blabbermouth.Net Posted on: 11/25/2003 Holland's HAmmerheart Records have announced plans to release the unfinished sophomore album from CONTROL DENIED over the objections of Jane Schuldiner, mother of late CONTROL DENIED/DEATH frontman Chuck Schuldiner. Chuck, who passed away in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor, began work on the album (tentatively titled "When Machine and Man Collide") in 2001 but never managed to complete the effort before his health quickly deteriorated in the months leading up to his tragic death. The remaining members of the group - bassist Steve DiGiorgio, vocalist Tim Aymar, guitarist Shannon Hamm, and drummer Richard Christy - subsequently announced their desire to complete the CD and release it in Chuck's memory, but legal hassles between Schuldiner's family and Hammerheart Records (to whom Chuck was signed at the time of his death) put the entire project on hold. The following is an official press release from Guido Heijnens, Hammerheart Records' co-founder, announcing the company's plans to release the CONTROL DENIED album in its unfinished form: "As of today we are announcing a release on CD by Chuck Schuldiner's CONTROL DENIED. "It will feature incomplete, unfinished recordings which were meant for the new album, which unfortunately was never finished, at least up until the moment of this press-statement. "We have requested to get the master tapes on these recordings, but Chuck's family do not wish to communicate or talk with us anymore, let alone send us the master tapes (which are 75% finished) that should have been with us long ago. "Probably there will be a lot of talk and discussions appearing, which we can understand obviously, but a fact is that we signed a contract with Chuck that he was very happy about, paid the full advance in 2000, have been asking for a solution during 2002 and 2003, but in all honesty we never really got a reply. "The only honest and valid reason why the 'real' album by CONTROL DENIED is still not released is very simple: the legal heritors of Chuck (= his family) refuse to do anything concerning this release, if they will claim differently it is time for them to prove us wrong, we have been waiting for 18 months. I think they should stop fooling around with the record-label and the fans, the time to act in honesty is now or never!!! We are not lying, not cheating and in no way disrespectful, if someone disagrees he will need to prove us wrong, it is in the hands of Chuck's family. "Possible release date is: spring 2004. "Now let us see on a few topics guided by Jane Schuldiner's statement (from September 7th 2003) on the website EMPTY WORDS, because I have many questions on this. (check: www.emptywords.org/NEWS.htm), the quotes are direct from Jane Schuldiner. " - 'Since I was attacked by Guido through his attorneys...' "This is very strange, which attorney attacked the Schuldiners before September??? Not ours. " - 'I am surprised he would make false comments of his own.' "Which ones ??? Details please, support music, not rumours!!! " - 'Chuck's sister and I received... record those messages.' "I indeed had the chance to speak with Jane a lot of times (during the first half of 2002), and it were nice conversations, with Bethan I only spoke three times, with a total time of 30 minutes I think. The third conversation Bethan took the phone and said I should never call again. Until today I still do not know why??? Can anyone tell me??? " - 'After saying the same thing... what that position is and why.' "In all honesty I do not know what their position is on Chuck's work. They never explained this to me, so what is the position of the Schuldiner family and what does Chuck's will actually say? " - 'There is no need for any more contact with Guido, that is why we each have attorneys.' "We were asking for months for a legal contact on these matters, and we never until November 17th received anything ever from an attorney related to the Schuldiners. After announcing to spread this press-release we received a letter from their attorney within days. Need I say more ? " - 'We wanted as much... last promises to Chuck to fulfill.' "What are those promises, no one ever told me what Chuck said in his testament or his will ??? Easy to claim you are fulfilling Chuck's last promises, but no one knows what these look like, right? And releasing the album a.s.a.p must be a joke, since the family received the master tapes from Jim Morris [at Morrisound Studios in tampa] already in December 2001 and since then they have not even called the studio once, nor did any of the other musicians involved ever got an invitation to finish the album. "Six quotes that I would like to see answered in a justified/honest way, not claiming something without any proof, making us look like the unwilling party in this conflict." -----As reported by Blabbermouth.Net. |
