- ProgPower Europe 2005
After the successful edition of ProgPower Europe last October, we have decided to continue with the festival next year. The dates for the 2005-edition are set for Saturday October 1 and Sunday October 2, 2005, with a pre-party on Friday September 30, 2005. These dates are subject to change, but the chance it will change is not that big.
Anyway, bands that want to play the festival in 2005 are free to send a full promo package to the following address:
PROGPOWER EUROPE 2005
c/o band submission
Vergelt 5a
5991 PJ BAARLO (L)
The Netherlands
We have now updated our website with some reactions and reviews of the 2004-edition, check it out. http://www.progpower.nl/. - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Announces New Studio Album for 2005
GALACTIC Drummer Stanton Moore Contributes to Record
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, the Grammy-nominated heavy rockers from North Carolina, will release an aggressive new studio album through Sanctuary Records in early 2005, to be followed by a worldwide tour.
Tentatively titled En los Brazos del Dios (In the Arms of God), the upcoming album is among the band’s heaviest in years. “We all have a certain affinity for real music, including truly heavy stuff,” says founding guitarist Woody Weatherman.
The band’s current direction reflects their long tradition of evolution. “We started writing songs, and they somewhat had the vibe of Blind, Deliverance and our earlier material,” says vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan. “We started thinking from that perspective, and it evolved into a heavy, classic sound but with a modern wisdom to it. We really got back to our roots with this one, listening to old records that we all grew up on and headbanging at Woody’s farmhouse. It was a good time putting it together.”
The result, Keenan says, is a “bombastic, epic record, staying clear of the 3-minute formula. It’s not a nostalgic record by any means; it’s big and ugly and heavy. Thematically, there’s a lot of disgust on the record, directed inwardly and towards society in general, reflecting these times we all live in. A lot of people will be able to relate.”
Tentative song titles include “En los Brazos del Dios,” “Never Turns to More,” “Stone Breaker” and “World on Fire.” Producing the album is COC’s longtime collaborator and knob-twisting, speaker-blowing genius, John Custer. Besides working on four of the band’s previous albums, Custer also produced COC bassist Mike Dean’s track on Dave Grohl’s Probot project and COC’s contribution to Nativity In Black, the Sabbath tribute compilation.
Playing drums is New Orleans’ Stanton Moore, skinsman for the renowned jazz-funk combo Galactic. Over the past year, COC found themselves writing intense material and needed a drummer who could not only handle it but take it to another level. Keenan, who had since moved back to his hometown of New Orleans, called his old friend Moore to ask him if he knew any drummers up for the task. Moore laughed. “Yeah, me,” he said.
Within four days, COC was in New Orleans undertaking a musical adventure without a map. This is the type of creative situation in which the band thrives and distinguishes itself as an original force in heavy music. Though COC’s onslaught represented a departure for Stanton, he was more than up for the challenge. “His performance was totally original and category-crushing,” Weatherman says. “He stepped right into it full-throttle.”
“He’s one of the most progressive drummers I know,” Keenan says of Moore. “In the heavy metal world nobody really knows who he is, but after they hear this they will. He’s an accomplished jazz drummer playing manic heavy music — I’ve never heard anything like it.”
The result of the collaboration is a dozen or so pieces that continue COC’s history of refusing to spoon-feed the masses a bunch of formulaic, commercial f*&#ing horse$#!%.
COC 2005 – Aggression is a state of mind.
www.corrosionofconformity.net - CHEVELLE STRIKES GOLD AS LEAD SINGLE HITS #1NEW ALBUM THIS TYPE OF
THINKING (COULD DO US IN)
RECEIVES RIAA CERTIFICATION
LEAD SINGLE "VITAMIN R (LEADING US ALONG)" BLASTS TO NO. 1 ON BILLBOARD ROCK CHART
Just six weeks after its release, hot new Chevelle album THIS TYPE OF THINKING (COULD DO US IN) has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. The album's success is being fueled by smash hit single "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)," which shot all the way to #1 on the Billboard rock chart. The track's provocative video is currently in rotation on MTV and Fuse.
THIS TYPE OF THINKING (COULD DO US IN), which debuted on Billboard's Top 200 Chart at No. 8 and on the Top Hard Music Albums Chart at No. 1, is the follow-up to Chevelle's platinum-plus-selling 2002 release, WONDER WHAT'S NEXT, which featured three chart-topping singles ("The Red," "Send The Pain Below" and "Closure").
The brothers Loeffler (vocalist Pete, bassist Joe and drummer Sam), who recently appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and were spotlighted on CNN, are currently tearing up stages in support of the album on a speaker-shredding bill featuring headliners Korn and openers Breaking Benjamin. - DRIVEN BELOW has recorded thier first demo with Braxton Henry of 379 Productions. The demo has two songs, "Skull Kracker" and "End of it all". The MP3's are posted at drivenbelow.com and streaming at myspace.com/drivenbelow. We will be passing out demos at future shows.
- PAINMUSEUM To Tape Commemorative DVD at CD Release Party
Band Announces METAL MIKE Beer Drinking Contest
PAINMUSEUM the new band from former Halford duo of Metal Mike Chlasciak (Testament) and Bobby Jarzombek (Iced Earth) will celebrate the release of their debut album "Metal For Life" at the CUP COMPLEX, 1140 E. Elizabeth Ave, Linden, NJ 07036. The Party taking place this Saturday, November 20th, will be taped for a commemorative DVD that will be released in the up-coming future.
"Well, whenever we do a show or anything public, there's always something that happens that I shout: I wish we had a camera on! Well, this time we will. We partnered with a great, dedicated company called Evil Eye Sight (evileyesight.com) and we will gather fan commentaries and interviews, backstage destruction, and anything else that the crew will be brave enough to capture. We will also be holding several contests in the beer drinking olympics category. I'll be challenging anyone in the audience who wants to take a shot at beating me time wise in drinking a shot-gun type beer. The winner, if any or at least runner up will be posted at our website, get their drunken mug seen on the DVD and who knows probably walk out with some free shit" ....enthused Metal Mike.
For the brief performance that night, PAINMUSEUM will be utilizing bass services of Mike LePond (Symphony X). The night is presented by WDHA 105.5 "Metal Mania" w. Matt Murray, Thatssometal.com, Metalforever.com and The Aquarian Weekly - NOIZE LEVEL PROVES TO BE CRITICAL ONCE AGAIN FOR UK GLAM TITANS TIGERTAILZ
(Cardiff, Wales, UK - 16 November 2004) Three quarters of the British band that took the world by storm in the early 90's with their powerhouse albums 'Bezerk' (nearly a quarter of a million copies sold worldwide) and 'Banzai' (released through Sony Music) have decided to give it another go with all new material and an endless array of possibilities for the future.
Lead vocalist, Kim Hooker, lead guitarist, Jay Pepper and bassist Pepsi Tate, along with new drummer Mic Hourihan (formerly with UK metal band Desecration) had all been kicking around the idea of maybe contacting one another and seeing if anything could materialize from a fresh start. Finally, the time felt right, the appropriate calls were made and before you knew it, they were back in action. "We don't need the money so the reunion isn't about anything like that," relates Jay Pepper. "We have all been writing for some time and the songs were coming out so great that we just felt we had to do another album."
With twelve songs on tap for their new album, 'Bezerk 2.0', the band isn't straying from what made them a cult favourite a decade ago - sticking to their hard rock roots, catchy melodies and massive choruses. The track listing for the new album will be: Bezerk, Make Me Bleed (v 2.0), Get Real, TVOD, Do It Up, Falling Down, Dirty Needlez (v 2.0), One Beat Of Your Heart, I Believe (v 2.0), Sugar Fever, Annie's Gone and For Hates Sake.
Additionally, Tigertailz has acquired the rights to their back cataloge from BMG Music and will be re-issuing their landmark album, 'Bezerk' and 'Banzai' early in 2005. The band are currently speaking with several record companies both in The United States and in Europe in regards to both the re-issues and the new material.
The band is represented by Dave Tedder at US management firm Head First Entertainment.
For more information, please visit the band's official website at http://www.tigertailz.co.uk/ - ANTHRAX GIVES THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Sanctuary Records release to hit stores November 23rd
Throughout their infamous 20 year career, the mighty ANTHRAX has always prided themselves on being a band of the people, for the people and by the people. This being said and with 2004 being an election year, ANTHRAX have taken that ideal one step further with their upcoming release, THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS, an all out assault on their history with each song being voted on by their fans via the Internet.
Recorded “live” in the studio over the course of two days, THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS stands out, as guitarist Scott Ian puts it, “As a raw, balls out, and in your face representation of how brutal this band is, was, and will always be.”
Covering their history from 1984 – 1990, THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS is made up of fourteen classic ANTHRAX songs the fans demanded by way of the thousands of votes from all over the world received on the band’s official website, anthrax.com. Based on those votes, the band entered Avatar studios in NYC one cold and snowy weekend last winter and took a trip back in time to revisit songs from their formative releases Fistful Of Metal(1984), Spreading The Disease(1985), Among The Living(1987), State Of Euphoria(1988), and Persistence Of Time(1990).
“It was just the five of us in a room ripping. It was intense,” Ian continues, “like when we first wrote these songs and started playing them for the first time. Except now the songs have evolved after years of playing them live to where I wish they were when we first recorded them. Like good whisky, they’ve aged wonderfully. There’s so much energy on this record. Busting the tracks out live in two days was definitely the way to do it. What’s crazy is when I listen to it it’s like I’m listening to it from outside the band because it’s made up of all these old songs that we haven’t played much over the years and I really only know the studio versions so when I hear John singing them, it’s like I get to here it from your point of view if that makes any sense. And let me tell ya, John and Rob are killing on this.”
“Our fans have been so loyal over the years that we wanted to give them something special,” explains drummer Charlie Benante, “so we came up with the idea of letting them pick the songs for this album. Not to take away from our past, but ever since John has been in the band, people are always coming up to us and saying ‘I wish you would re-record this’ or ‘I would love to hear John sing that,’ so we did it and it came out great.”
A point that lead singer John Bush expounds upon, “When I joined Anthrax 12 years ago we wrote and recorded Sound Of White Noise. Although, at that time, we felt we were going to play a lot of those tunes live, there was still a giant catalog of older songs for me to learn. From that time until now I’ve embraced those older songs like they were children of my own. Taking nothing away from the original versions, because they definitely stand tall on their own, it felt like a good idea to give the fans the choice if they wanted to hear new versions of these songs and which songs they wanted to hear the most. This is not an attempt to relive the past, just an attempt to kick 'em out with the 21st century line-up of Anthrax.”
And kick ‘em out they do. Well known songs like “Caught In A Mosh,” “Madhouse,” and “Indians,” get the update as well as lesser know songs such as “Panic,” “Gung Ho,” and “Deathrider,” with the latter getting the biggest over-haul. Charlie Benante explains: “While we didn’t want to deviate too much from the original recordings, we didn’t want to be strapped to them either. There are a few changes here and there with “Deathrider” being the one that stands out the most. On our first album, Fistful Of Metal, that song is a blast from the beginning to the end, one speed, that’s it. On the new version it's still fast, but we pull-up a bit in the verses going to half-time, which makes it heavier and flow better. No one will be disappointed…Trust me.”
Complete tracklisting includes:
1. Deathrider
2. Metal Thrashing Mad
3. Caught In A Mosh
4. A.I.R.
5. Among The Living
6. Keep It In The Family
7. Indians
8. Madhouse
9. Panic
10. I Am The Law
11. Belly Of The Beast
12. N.F.L.
13. Be All End All
14. Gung-Ho
All the artwork for THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS was done by Shepard Fairey, the subterranean legend best known for his Andre The Giant inspired OBEY graphics. “We wanted something different this time out,” says Benante who serves not only as drummer and songwriter but as the resident art director as well. “Our last two releases we used famed painter Alex Ross who did two unbelievable covers for us (2003’s critically acclaimed We’ve Come For You All and their live DVD/CD Music Of Mass Destruction which was released earlier this year.), and we wanted to go in a slightly different direction. The cover is very ‘flat,’ in a good way, and the colors are striking. It will work great as the cover, in posters, t-shirts, whatever, it's just a cool image.”
ANTHRAX hopes that THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS serves as a history lesson and a starting off point for the whole new generation of fans who were turned onto the band over the course of the last couple of years, something that was quite evident during their never-ending 2003-04 MUSIC OF MASS DESTRUCTION World Tour. On that tour, which took them to virtually every continent on the planet including shows in Russia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, the members of ANTHRAX were noticing that their crowds were being made up of kids who were not old enough to be around when the previously mentioned Among The Living was released some years ago. “Its weird,” says Benante, “when I talk to our fans I find myself amazed that we have made such an impact for all these years. When we first started we were kids with nothing to do who just wanted to play. The fact that we have been around for a generation and continue to play to thousands of kids all around the world 9 months out of the year, I would have never have believed it. I think this album brings it back full circle.”
www.anthrax.com - CANDLELIGHT COMPLETES US LICENSE WITH
APPEASE ME. FIRST RELEASES DUE APRIL
Philadelphia: Candlelight Records today announces its newly agreed cooperation with France's Appease Me Records. Under the agreement, Candlelight will see to the stateside release of all new recordings from the growing extreme metal label. The first planned releases include the debut's from Monolithe and Spektr.
Appease Me is owned and operated by members of the band Blut Aus Nord. The band signed to Candlelight Records and released their first album through the label in early 2004. The Work Which Transforms God is for most US audiences their introduction to the highly-regarded extreme metal band. Band leader/vocalist Vindsal says, "It's a great evolution for us. Candlelight's experience in all the domains - artistic development, production, distribution, promotion, etc - will be very precious for us. We want to present an ellitist vision of extreme music with Appease Me being a label of artistic explorators. All the bands signed are unique in their style and we'll always work in this way. Extreme quality not quantity."
Candlelight's Edward Christie says, "Appease Me is a unique label. Their artists, including Blut Aus Nord, create music that is both challenging and special. Candlelight appreciates these qualities and hopes to bring their sounds to a wider audience." - MOTORHEAD STORMS EUROPE
LEMMY GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FROM ALL HIS PHYSICIANS
In September of 2004, the world of metal was shocked when the news was unveiled that Lemmy, Motorhead's veteran front man, had sustained an injury to his foot severe enough to cause the band to cancel their much anticipated tour of the United States. Lemmy had managed to get an infection on his foot from an injury sustained on an earlier show. Ignoring doctors' orders, Lemmy forged ahead and finished the highly successful string of European festival dates. "Motorhead fans are the best fans in the world and they deserve everything I have to give," Lemmy waxed, "and I am going to do whatever I can to play the shows. F**k the doctors!" The band went on to play to thousands of fans, bring classics and new songs alike to the hungry metal heads!
The shows were a success, but the infection in Lemmy's foot grew to the point that some serious medical decisions had to be made. On the eve of the band's much anticipated US tour, doctors advised Lemmy that the infection was so severe that they suggested amputating a part of his foot to stem the spread. Lemmy told the doctors where they could stick their diagnosis and decided to head back to his native home of England and consult his physicians there. They suggested that the best course of action would be to address the infection with a regimen of antibiotics. The cure worked and less than two weeks later Lemmy was out of the hospital, in one piece and as fit as a fiddle, fitted with steel strings. It wasn't long before Lemmy was back to his old self, checking out his favorite London strip club String Fellows with a girl on each arm and plenty of Jack & Coke to make the evening complete.
Given a clean bill of health from all of his physicians, Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee decided to go ahead with their European tour plans. Motorhead kicks off the sold-out tour on November 4th in Dublin, Ireland. Dates continue throughout Europe and Scandinavia until the tour wraps up in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 19th.
As for the US tour? Plans are under way for Motorhead to take their spectacular road show to the US in March of 2005 to support their newest record 'Inferno.'
www.imotorhead.com - CANDLELIGHT PRESENTS PREMIER US LABEL TOUR
ENTOMBED/CROWBAR/PROPAIN/THE MIGHTY NIMBUS
Philadelphia: Candlelight Records, in cooperation with Metal Maniacs and Revolver Magazines, proudly announces its first label tour for the United States. Set to kick off February 7 at BB Kings in New York, the tour will feature Stockholm's Entombed, New Orleans' Crowbar with Florida-based Pro-Pain and Minnesota's The Mighty Nimbus.
Entombed, earlier this year seeing the proper stateside release of their latest album Inferno/Averno, return after a long hiatus from the US stage. Guitarist Alex Hellid says, "This is the tour we've been waiting for! Who will survive and what will be left of them?" During the tour, Candlelight will release the highly requested and anticipated Unreal Estate album.
Crowbar, with their latest album titled Lifesblood for the Downtrodden set for release February 8, also return to the live circuit after over a three year absence. Vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein says, "We couldn't be any happier with this tour lineup. I think it's safe to say that we've got all the bases covered on this one with four killer bands; all bringing something differnet to the stage. Prepare for maximum aural assault."
Continuing to push the success of their latest album, Fistful of Hate, Pro-Pain return to the US stage after a four year gap. Headbangers Ball recently added the band's latest video for the album track "Can You Feel It" and the channel is currently discussing having the band in studio sometime early December. Vocalist/bassist Gary Meskil says, "this will be our first US tour since 2000 and so we are very much looking forward to it. We hope to see you all at the gigs."
The Mighty Nimbus, featuring members of Alabama Thunderpussy and Sixty Watt Shaman will make their debut in the tour's opening slot. The Minnesota-based band's self-titled debut will see US release February 8. "This tour brings the old to the new, Death'N' Roll to Sludge," says drummer Andy Campbell. "We are so stoked to be apart of such a heavy-ass tour." Guitarist Minnesota Pete Campbell adds, "it is truly a honor to be involved with this tour. The Mighty Nimbus has alot to prove this year and this is the perfect tour and bands to do it with."
Headquartered in London, Candlelight Records launched US operations in 2001 and has since enjoyed an expanding stateside success story. The label is home to Emperor's entire recording legacy, early releases from Opeth, plus a growing roster that features both upcoming and premiere artists including Zyklon, 1349, Susperia, Enslaved, and Blut Aus Nord, amongst others. The label's US partners include Threeman Recordings, Nocturnal Art Productions, Karmageddon Media, Tabu Records and recently the label added England's Rise Above and France's Appease Me as stateside partners. - CANDLELIGHT COMPLETES US LICENSE WITH
RISE ABOVE. FIRST RELEASE DUE IN APRIL
Philadelphia: Candlelight Records today announces its newly agreed cooperation with England's Rise Above Records. Under the agreement, Candlelight will see to the stateside release of all new recordings from the popular doom rock label. The first planned release is the fourth album from Canada's Sheavy in early April.
Rise Above Records was formed in 1989 by Cathedral/ex-Napalm Death vocalist Lee Dorrian. Since then, the label has released over 50 records from such notable bands as Orange Goblin, Electric Wizard, Grand Magus, Witchcraft, and more. Lee Dorrian says of the cooperation, "We are extremely excited about being part of the Candlelight family. The growth the company has achieved in the US over the last few years has really impressed us, purely from an observer's point of view, and when the opportunity came to do a deal we jumped at it. We look forward to further strengthening the cause of doom metal and its status across the Atlantic."
"We are proud and eager to work with Rise Above," says Candlelight's Edward Christie. "Lee has consistently found quality bands that have a unique sound to offer that we feel matches with our philosophy perfectly. Our US operation has enjoyed a very healthy growth pattern in 2004 and we look forward to an equally successful 2005 with Rise Above representing a part of that success."
- DIMEBAGE DARRELL (DAMAGEPLAN, ex-PANTERA) Murdered!
Report: Gunman Sought Out DIMEBAG, Shot Him Five Or Six Times At Close Range - Dec. 9, 2004
Cincinnati's WCPO-TV has issued the following update on the shooting that occurred at the DAMAGEPLAN concert in Columbus, Ohio:
A man opened fire in a crowded nightclub during a rock concert Wednesday night, killing at least four people and wounding at least two others before he was shot to death by police, authorities said.
A man walked on stage during the show at the Alrosa Villa and opened fire on band members, killing four people and wounding at least two others, said Columbus police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull, adding that more people could have been shot and left the scene before authorities arrived.
Mull said a police officer shot and killed the gunman. It wasn't immediately clear whether the officer was already at the show or had responded to an emergency call.
Columbus resident Chris Couch, 22, said the shooting occurred about 30 seconds after the show's headliner, DAMAGEPLAN, had begun playing.
Couch, who was standing about 30 feet away from the stage, noticed a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and hockey jersey walk up to the stage, followed by a bouncer and another club employee.
The man in the jersey climbed onto the stage, started yelling and shot the guitarist five or six times at close range, Couch said.
Couch said the gunman also shot a bouncer who pulled him off the musician.
At that point, Couch and a friend headed for the exit along with a tide of hundreds of fans.
It appeared the gunman purposely sought out the guitarist, whom Couch identified as a performer who went by the name "Dimebag Darrell."
Authorities didn't immediately provide the identities of the victims.
"It was definitely a grudge. It was against something," Couch said.
Amanda Stankus, 19, who attended the show with Couch, said she initially thought the shooting was part of the show.
"I just saw the guitarist fall down, and we decided to get out of there," said Stankus, of Columbus.
Stankus said she didn't see any metal detectors or uniformed police officers at the venue and that she wasn't searched or frisked on her way in. blabbermouth.net - Report: 911 Calls Poured In After Shooting At DAMAGEPLAN Concert -
Dec. 9, 2004
The Associated Press is reporting that a series of 911 calls after a nightclub shooting that killed five people described a man with a gun on stage and, at one point, with the weapon to someone's head.
The gunfire erupted during a performance by the heavy metal band DAMAGEPLAN. The dead include guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and the gunman, who was shot by police.
The first call was reported at 10:18 p.m. Wednesday, and police said officers arrived at 10:21 p.m. Several callers reported a heavyset white man wearing a Columbus Blue Jackets jersey was shooting inside the Alrosa Villa club.
"I heard quite a few gunshots and I think somebody in the band definitely has been shot," one male caller said.
Another said, "This is the Alrosa. We have a shooting inside. Somebody came in with a gun and started shooting people."
A few seconds later a woman called, saying, "There's gunfire, people are running out of the building, we need help as soon as possible."
A moment later a man called and said: "He's on stage right now. He's got a gun." A moment later, the man said, "He just shot again," and then, "He's got a gun to somebody's head."
A woman caller told police someone was shooting the band on the stage. "They're screaming, 'Call 911,'" she said.
A sound like a gunshot is heard, the woman swears and says, "They're still shooting. The person is still loose with gun." A moment later she said, "They were just in the middle of a song and shots rang out." blabbermouth.net - Report: Loud Music Made It Impossible To Hear Last Words Of DARRELL's
Killer - Dec. 9, 2004
Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. is reporting that loud music made it hard to hear the last words of a man who jumped on stage and killed DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Dimebag Darrell and three other people at a concert Wednesday night before being shot and killed by a police officer, Ohio police said.
A police official said witnesses heard someone accuse Darrell of breaking up his former band, PANTERA. Police are not sure if the speaker was the gunman or a fan.
Witnesses said the man jumped an eight-foot security fence and was being followed through the crowd by security before the shooting. The man who opened fire on band members of DAMAGEPLAN also wounded two other people.
Police said a police officer shot and killed the gunman, identified as Nathan Gale, 25, a man with a minor arrest record in his hometown of Marysville, Ohio. He was pulled over for driving on a suspended license last month.
"He's playing the guitar and (the gunman) just went right up to him," witness Jim Climer said. "He started blowing his brains out, basically. Dimebag was still playing. He didn't know what was going on, and that's when he hit the ground."
Police spokeswoman Sherry Mercurio identified the gunman as Gale. She said there was no information on a motive or if he had any connection to the band.
"(The gunman) came on stage, from the back, like he knew what he was doing and went straight to Dimebag Darrell immediately," an unidentified witness said. blabbermouth.net - Dallas Hockey Team Mourns Passing Of DIMEBAG DARRELL
The Associated Press is reporting that the Dallas Stars on Thursday mourned the death of rocker "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, who with his brother was part of the group that performed the club's official theme song during its 1999 Stanley Cup run.
Abbott, a heavy metal guitarist with DAMAGEPLAN, and three other people were killed before a police officer shot him to death late Wednesday. Abbott and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, were original members of the Grammy-nominated PANTERA.
The Abbotts had strong ties to the Stars and performed the team's signature tune in its most memorable season.
"They weren't just hockey fans, they were friends of the entire team. Dime will be missed very much," said former Stars defenseman Craig Ludwig.
Assistant general manager Guy Carbonneau, also a part of the 1999 team, called the Abbotts "special friends."
"I was horrified to hear the news of last night's events and it never ceases to amaze me how hurtful and violent people can be," Carbonneau said Thursday.
Club president Jim Lites said the organization extends its sympathies to Abbott's family and holds thoughts and prayers for all the attack victims.
"We know the Abbotts as passionate hockey fans and consider them good friends of the Dallas Stars," Lites said. blabbermouth.net - Club Owner: Little Could Have Been Done To Prevent DIMEBAG's Murder
Mark S. Krzos of Southern Florida's The News-Press reports:
While PANTERA's local fans called Dimebag Darrell's death one of metal's greatest losses — perhaps the most significant death in the genre since OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Randy Rhoads died in a plane crash in 1982 — some nightclub managers and owners maintain it's an isolated incident.
"There's almost nothing you can do to stop something like that," says Ricochet owner Keith Stengel. "The guy sounds like he was really sick."
Gaye Levine, the former manager of the Fort Myers rock club Neptunes, says the shooting that forced the closure of her club earlier this year also couldn't be stopped.
"All metal detectors are is a deterrent," she says. "On the night of our shooting, the man left the club, went out to his car, grabbed a gun and then came back, pointed it the guy at the front door and said, 'I'm goin’ in.' When you have a gun pointed at you, what else can you do?"
Doug Baker, major of operations for the Fort Myers Police Department, said in instances where intent to injure is so strong, there’s little anyone can do to stop them.
"Look at 9/11," he says. "If someone is so bent on committing a violent act — if their will is so strong, it'll be difficult for anyone to stop them. The only thing anyone can do is provide enough security to try and ensure the safety of their customers."
Ricochet, which has since become the area's premier club venue for national touring acts, employs the use of metal detectors at some shows.
"We use it if we think there could be a problem," says Stengel, who also requires male patrons to have their shirts tucked in. "We do that so we can see if they're carrying anything."
Stengel also says four bouncers guard the stage for every concert, no matter what type of musical genre.
Levine hopes that Wednesday's incident doesn’t become a battle cry against rock 'n' roll.
"I can see it now ... People here are going to say, 'See, it's not just hip-hop,'" she says. "This is going to be a knee-jerk reaction to a single incident by a deranged person." blabbermouth.net - Former JUDAS PRIEST Singer TIM OWENS: DIMEBAG Always Gave Me Respect
Former JUDAS PRIEST and current ICED EARTH singer Tim "Ripper" Owens has sent BLABBERMOUTH.NET the following message regarding the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell:
"Hey, wanted to say that Dime was a great guy and amazing guitarist! He will really be missed! He made me laugh when he would see me backstage and sing out 'Ripper' in a high note with some melody he had made up! He and his brother always gave me respect. I knew how much of a fan he was of JUDAS PRIEST and Rob [Halford], so the respect meant a lot! And all the rumors about him and I working together where the best rumors I'd ever heard about me! I always wanted to work with Darrell and was always waiting for that phone call! Dimebag, we love ya bro and you will be missed!" blabbermouth.net - Report: DIMEBAG's Killer Had Quick Temper, Served In Marines
Some people who knew Nathan "Nate" Gale (photo) said Thursday that the heavy metal music fan had a quick temper, NBC 4 has reported.
Gale, 25, was the man who police said shot and killed four people inside the Alrosa Village nightclub Wednesday night.
A Columbus police officer who was called to the scene shot and killed Gale as he was holding a hostage, authorities said.
Gale was a 1998 Marysville High School graduate and lived in an apartment in downtown Marysville, NBC 4's Holly Hollingsworth reported.
He served in the United States Marine Corps from February 2002 through November 2003, but did not serve his full term, Hollingsworth reported. The USMC would not give the circumstances of his discharge, Hollingsworth reported.
While some in the community said Gale had a quick temper, others said he was a good-natured person.
Mikayla Weitzenecker, who works at Maggie's Restaurant in Marysville, said Gale was in the restaurant this week and said he loved children.
"He always played with the little ones when he was in here," Weitzenecker said. "He was just a real gentle guy. He seemed like a big old teddy bear to me. I never would have thought what made him do that." blabbermouth.net - Rest Of DAMAGEPLAN Unhurt In Incident, Ex-PANTERA Singer 'Devastated'
By DIMEBAG's Death
None of the other DAMAGEPLAN bandmembers were hurt in the Columbus, Ohio shooting incident that resulted in the death of the group's guitarist, Dimebag Darrell, a source close to the band has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Meanwhile, several people that have had conversations with Dimebag's former PANTERA bandmate, singer Philip Anselmo (currently in SUPERJOINT RITUAL), early this morning are reporting that the frontman is "devastated" by the news of Dimebag's death.
Although several web sites have reported that the alleged gunman, 25-year-old Nathan Gale of nearby Marysville, Ohio, hopped onstage, and allegedly made a comment about PANTERA's breakup before firing at close range into Darrell's body, Columbus police have not been able to confirm this.
Amateur video was taken from inside the Alrosa Villa nightclub and investigators were examining the tape to see if they could determine the events that led to the shootings.
There were no Columbus police officers inside the club due to a policy that prohibits officers from working inside liquor establishments. Alrosa Villa management was in charge of the building's security. blabbermouth.net - DAVE MUSTAINE On DIMEBAG DARRELL: 'You Will Be Missed'
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following statement regarding the death of DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Dimebag Darrell:
"There is nothing unique or clever to this post, and what I want to say has no doubt already been said throughout the metal community, by countless others whom were more closer to Darrell than me by now.
"However, knowing he was murdered tonight, I wish to thank and remember Darrell for his amazing life and the gift that he shared with me and so many other fortunates.
"I pray for Darrell's family and friends; specifically for their healing, their peace, and their understanding of this tragedy in this time of need.
"I send my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Abbott family, to Darrell's friends, and to the fantastic PANTERA and DAMAGEPLAN fans around the world.
"We must never forget his life, and his gifts, his genius, his terrific personallity, and the legacy he left behind to remember him by.
"Darrell, I will see you in heaven and I, like so many more, love you brother.
"You will be missed." blabbermouth.net - Published Reports Offer Conflicting Accounts Of VINNIE PAUL's Condition
Contradicting some of the other published eyewitness accounts, Fort Worth Star Telegram is reporting that DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul was also shot in the incident Wednesday night when a gunman ran onstage at a Columbus, Ohio, nightclub and killed Paul's brother, DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Dimebag Darrell.
A woman who answered the phone at Dimebag Darrell's home in Dalworthington Gardens late Wednesday said the family was waiting for official confirmation of the brothers' conditions, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
A witness told The Associated Press that the gunman sought out Dimebag Darrell, 38, and shot him five or six times at close range. The gunman also shot a bouncer who pulled him off the musician, the AP reported.
Gary Stinnett, who got to know Dimebag Darrell while working at radio station 93.3 The Bone in 2002 and 2003, said he heard about the shooting when one of the band's road crew members called his brother from the club.
"He said the police were keeping everyone backstage and that they were still trying to figure out who else was shot," said Stinnett, who now manages a band. "He said some guy just jumped on the stage and [started] shooting at the band and that Darrell was killed."
Stinnett said he had just seen DAMAGEPLAN perform Nov. 4 at the Ridglea Theater. He said Darrell Abbott's death is going to devastate rock music lovers in Texas.
"Every local band in Dallas-Fort Worth looked up to those guys," Stinnett said. "He was huge." blabbermouth.net - DAMAGEPLAN Shooting Update: VINNIE PAUL Uninjured; Metal Musicians
Mourn DIMEBAG's Passing
Scoop of the Columbus, Ohio radio station The Blitz 99.7 FM has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul was uninjured in the shooting incident at a Columbus nightclub which resulted in the death of Paul's brother, Dimebag Darrell. According to Scoop, who attended the concert and briefly saw Vinnie following the incident, Paul was in a complete state of shock and expressed his desire to be with his brother right after the shooting occurred.
A friend of Scoop's, Kevin Minerd, who also attended the concert, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that the gunman entered the stage from the left side and walked over to the right side where Dimebag was standing before grabbing the guitarist and pumping several bullets into him. Additional shots were fired, although it's presently unclear which other member of DAMAGEPLAN, if any, was killed in the incident.
"A Columbus police officer, when he arrived, engaged the shooter, and the shooter is also dead, and if the officer hadn't acted when he did and how he did, we'd probably be looking at more dead, because this guy was actively shooting," Sergeant Brent Mull, public information officer, told MTV News.
"We have 200-plus patrons that we have sequestered inside three city buses," Sergeant Mull explained. "We are interviewing them one by one. The ones that were inside and witnessed this, ran for their lives and were in fear for their lives. They are victims too, and we want to take care of them."
As news of Dimebag's (born Darrell Lance Abbott in Dallas, Texas on August 20, 1966) bizarre and tragic demise rippled through the metal community, the news was met with shock and sadness.
"I'm speechless," friend and ROB ZOMBIE/OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson told MTV. "This is totally unreal. Dimebag is a fucking legend and this is total bullshit."
"This is insane and this is beyond travesty," KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman, and former DAMAGEPLAN tour partner, Howard Jones said. "This is beyond anything I've ever heard. This shouldn't happen in or outside of the rock and metal community. He will be missed and mourned as a person, as a musician, and as a friend."
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian, whose band has toured with PANTERA and has featured Dimebag guest appearances on their albums, stated in a posting on ANTHRAX's web site, "I am devastated as I'm sure we all are. All I can convey at this moment are my condolences to Rita and Vinnie and the whole family. My heart is with you."
MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx offered the following: "Dime, I will never forget all the times you made us laugh. I'm so happy we got to spend the day together in London recently… We should all live our lives as full as you have. I will miss you, as will all of us... This is a sad day."
Rich Ward (FOZZY, STUCK MOJO): "Darrell was as nice as they come. During the times that I spent with him, I wondered why he played in such a heavy band. Not that he didn't have the ability to school all of us that dared to share a stage with him, but because he seemed like such a gentle and kind man. He had a great sense of humor and was someone that everyone in the room gravitated toward. He never carried himself like the big rock star that he really was, instead he came across humble and appreciative. I consider it a privilege to have known him, as he was one of the 'real' guys in the business and as Zakk [Wylde] would say, 'one of the boys'!"
Shaun Glass (SOIL): "Today I am saddened to say I lost my friend and hero it sickens me that someone would take away a person that brought so much joy to so many people. Love ya, Double D."
SEPULTURA: "Dimebag was an excellent musician and a good friend, a fucking great partner in memorable tours. We'll miss him very much. Our condolences to the Abbott family."
MACHINE HEAD: "MACHINE HEAD are devastated by the horrific news. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Abbott family, DAMAGEPLAN and former members of PANTERA. Our thoughts are with you all."
Jon Dette (ex-SLAYER, TESTAMENT): "My brother just called to tell me that Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage tonight. Words cannot express the sadness I'm feeling right now and my condolences go out to Vinnie Paul and the Abbott family for their loss. This is a huge tragedy for the music world."
Orange County, California-based sextet BLEED THE SKY (recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records): "It's a sad day in heavy metal, Dimebag Darrell formerly of PANTERA, was shot and killed while performing with DAMAGEPLAN in Ohio. We would more than likely not be a band if it wasn't for him, and can't possibly imagine the pain that his brother and his family must be in. RIP, brother, heavy music will never be the same without you."
TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy: "There's nothing that hasn't already been said or felt about this recent tragedy regarding Dimebag Darrell. All I can say is that Dimebag was one of the most influential musicians in our time. Legends aren't something we can pick and choose and they aren't here in vast numbers — Dime was a man who helped inspire countless numbers of players, fans, and people in general, a legend who really made the world seem that much better. Everyone I know who has met Dime says he was really nothing short of one of the nicest people they'd ever met, that he was a humble fun-loving metal head. But now Dimebag Darrell: a son, a brother, an idol, a musician, a fellow man... has been taken from us. It's a terrifying feeling that now at concerts, our very release from the everyday world we each seek out to escape from, our heroes are being murdered. My heart goes out to the Abbott family: Dimebag Darrell Abbott was a man of legendary and heroic status, but before all that Darrell was and always will be a brother and a son; we all mourn today." blabbermouth.net - The masters of heavy Chicago old school death metal, CIANIDE, will return! Next Summer FBP will release a fine collection of all done demos, plus several extra, unreleased material! The new studio album, 'Hell's rebirth', will be made available via FBP from late March 2005. Their heaviest material ever!
- GOAT SEMEN (Peru): South American terrorist black metal destruction ! Sheer Sarcófago & Hadez worship! The band will enter the studio soon, for a late 2005 release.
- AMMIT is now in the process of mixing and mastering the newly recorded full length, 'Hammer of darkness'. The material promises to be more bestial and raw than the 2004 studio session, which ended up on the 'Mass suicide/Steel inferno' album earlier this year.
- Russian militant purists BLACKDEATH and Finnish harsh extremists HORNA will share a limited 7", to be released in 2005 on FBP.
- INFINITED HATE found a permanent drummer in Dirk Verbeuren, who put himself on the map with his amazing work for the likes of ABORTED, SCARVE and SOILWORK.
- The RESUSCITATOR new full length 'A warrior's death', is currently being remastered, for a decent early 2005 release.
- FBP licensed the killer debut full length 'The goat of the black possession' of Colombian fierce black warriors UTUK XUL, to be issued onto CD with renewed artwork, in early 2005. Think BLOODSTORM, NECROVORE and THORNSPAWN.
- Behold, the Diabolical Return of DISSECTION
Legendary Scandinavian Act Explores the Realms of Musical Darkness with Maha Kali
for Escapi Music/Screaming Ferret Wreckords
In the annals of exquisite Scandinavian dark metal music, few have been graced with the title ‘legend’. Entry into the ranks of such honor requires a strict doctrine of vision, passion, and above all, an unyielding compulsion for conceiving extraordinary and extreme, bleak musical landscapes. Such artists befitting of the renown include names that echo into eternity: Mayhem, Emperor, Darkthrone, and Sweden’s DISSECTION. Escapi Music/Screaming Ferret Wreckords is pleased to announce the return of DISSECTION with the release of Maha Kali.
Through a mere 2 studio albums, The Somberlain and Storm of the Light’s Bane (the latter being released in 1995), DISSECTION’s unique blend of blackened intensity with melodic integrity launched the band to the forefront of the budding “Black Metal Scene” as well as being heralded as an originator of the much-imitated “Gothenburg sound”. Led by vocalist/guitarist/visionary Jon Nödtveidt, the band was primed for metal greatness, as a true explorer of genuine musical darkness. However, due to internal conflict and “legal complications”, DISSECTION was forced to disband in 1997, with demo compilations and unreleased recordings to further fuel the band’s legendary acclaim.
Now, in 2004, like a devastating volcanic blast, the phoenix that is DISSECTION has arisen to further its sinister expedition. Armed with a fresh lineup, consisting of Nödtveidt, guitarist Set Teitan (Aborym, Bloodline), bassist Brice Leclercq (Nightrage) and percussionist Thomas Asklund (Dark Funeral, Infernal, Dawn), DISSECTION’s mission is a self-proclaimed “Anti-Cosmic Metal of Death”, fueled by the band’s trademark powerful and melodic sound.
The debut proclamation comes via the single/EP Maha Kali through Escapi Music/Screaming Ferret Wreckords, and is described by the band as “a hymn to the wrathful black Hindu goddess of Mahapralaya, the great dissolution of cosmos, Jai Maha Kali!” An audio sample of the apocalyptic track is available here:
http://www.dissection.nu/sounds/mahakali/mahakali_sample.mp3
DISSECTION is making its resurrection known on a widespread European tour through the deadened coldness of Autumn, which kicked off in Stockholm on October 30th. A full studio album is in the works for early 2005, as is a documentary/concert DVD (filmed at the Stockholm performance).
Chaos shall reign in 2005 with the merciless inferno that is DISSECTION!
www.dissection.nu - VICIOUS CIRCLE's "The Art of Agony" is about to be released!!!
"The Art of Agony" is set for a November 29th, 2004 release on Neoblast Records worldwide!!
This highly anticipated album was recorded, engineered, mixed, and produced by Dan Korneff of Lamb of God, Ill Nino, 40 Below Summer, MOD, and Candiria fame just to name a few.
UE Nastasi of Yngwie Malmsteen, Clutch, Cradle of Filth, and Biohazard fame (plus many more) mastered the album.
www.neoblast.com
www.viciouscircle.tv - The new SUHRIM album " the C*** Collector " planned to
be release on 25 october will be postponed, due to the some problems
with the manufacturing company. Right now we're working for to release
the album as soon as possible.
http://suhrim.deathmetal.be - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Announces New Studio Album for 2005
GALACTIC Drummer Stanton Moore Contributes to Record
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, the Grammy-nominated heavy rockers from North Carolina, will release an aggressive new studio album through Sanctuary Records in early 2005, to be followed by a worldwide tour.
Tentatively titled En los Brazos del Dios (In the Arms of God), the upcoming album is among the band’s heaviest in years. “We all have a certain affinity for real music, including truly heavy stuff,” says founding guitarist Woody Weatherman.
The band’s current direction reflects their long tradition of evolution. “We started writing songs, and they somewhat had the vibe of Blind, Deliverance and our earlier material,” says vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan. “We started thinking from that perspective, and it evolved into a heavy, classic sound but with a modern wisdom to it. We really got back to our roots with this one, listening to old records that we all grew up on and headbanging at Woody’s farmhouse. It was a good time putting it together.”
The result, Keenan says, is a “bombastic, epic record, staying clear of the 3-minute formula. It’s not a nostalgic record by any means; it’s big and ugly and heavy. Thematically, there’s a lot of disgust on the record, directed inwardly and towards society in general, reflecting these times we all live in. A lot of people will be able to relate.”
Tentative song titles include “En los Brazos del Dios,” “Never Turns to More,” “Stone Breaker” and “World on Fire.” Producing the album is COC’s longtime collaborator and knob-twisting, speaker-blowing genius, John Custer. Besides working on four of the band’s previous albums, Custer also produced COC bassist Mike Dean’s track on Dave Grohl’s Probot project and COC’s contribution to Nativity In Black, the Sabbath tribute compilation.
Playing drums is New Orleans’ Stanton Moore, skinsman for the renowned jazz-funk combo Galactic. Over the past year, COC found themselves writing intense material and needed a drummer who could not only handle it but take it to another level. Keenan, who had since moved back to his hometown of New Orleans, called his old friend Moore to ask him if he knew any drummers up for the task. Moore laughed. “Yeah, me,” he said.
Within four days, COC was in New Orleans undertaking a musical adventure without a map. This is the type of creative situation in which the band thrives and distinguishes itself as an original force in heavy music. Though COC’s onslaught represented a departure for Stanton, he was more than up for the challenge. “His performance was totally original and category-crushing,” Weatherman says. “He stepped right into it full-throttle.”
“He’s one of the most progressive drummers I know,” Keenan says of Moore. “In the heavy metal world nobody really knows who he is, but after they hear this they will. He’s an accomplished jazz drummer playing manic heavy music — I’ve never heard anything like it.”
The result of the collaboration is a dozen or so pieces that continue COC’s history of refusing to spoon-feed the masses a bunch of formulaic, commercial f*&#ing horse$#!%.
COC 2005 – Aggression is a state of mind.
www.corrosionofconformity.net
- SIX FEET UNDER update from Chris Barnes! - It's time for a Six Feet
Under update...well, well…First off we just returned last night
from 2 shows in the Caribbean with Hatebreed. The first show in Puerto
Rico was pure mayhem, about 2500 people, it definitely was a spectacle,
thanx to all that made that show happen and special thanx to Ankla,
you fuckin rule! Also thanx to Hatebreed, you guys are our bros…
we had a killer time in Trinidad tearin' it up. Those motherfuckers
sure know how to party --even though you can be arrested for using foul
language on stage and wearing camouflage, it was definitely challenging.
I tried my hardest not to curse during the set -snuck a few motherfuckers
in between songs, not on purpose. I blame the Trinidadian shwag! Anyway
it was a killer show despite the rules and regulations all of the death
metal fans are cool as hell there and 3000 proved their devotion to
SFU and to Hatebreed-so thank you so much everyone.
Backtracking a bit to the end of September - I want to thank Internal Bleeding for a killer US tour that month. I've been so busy lately I didn't have time to thank all the US fans for a killer run of dates. thanx. After the US tour in September we immediately went into Morrisound here in Tampa to write and record our new CD. Not gonna release the name just yet but I will tell you it is a concept album based around the theory, myth, reality, of the Grim Reaper. That's all I will divulge at this time. This CD is definitely pissed off and aggressive and as all previous SFU CD's entirely different from the last thing we put out. Expect the unexpected-SFU haters, expect the usual, closing your mind and continuing to live in the dark-where you belong… dead."
late-barnes
http://sfu420.com - WINTER SOLSTICE studio report from Duke: "We are finally in the
studio recording our Metal Blade debut, The Fall of Rome. Andreas Magnusson
of Scarlet is producing the album, and he has us sounding better than
ever. We really cannot wait to hit the road in January, and get this
record out. We would also like to announce that guitar player Roger
Turner has left the band.He is getting married and will be a grownup
soon. We will definitely miss Roger, but we still have his identical
twin JT playing guitar. Roger is being replaced by Caleb Goins, formerly
of the amazing Everything Falls Together from Lynchburg, VA. Those guys
are awesome friends and we really appreciate them letting us have Caleb."
www.wintersolstice.net
Metal Maniacs - ANCIENT update from the band: "The band wishes to express their
disappointment in having to cut the concert short in front of the great
crowd of the Tattoo the Mind Festival in Amneville France, 31/10/2004,
due to severe technical problems with the sound system. Until next time!
Supreme Chaos Records (Germany) will, in March next year, release a CD containing the original Eerily Howling Winds demo tapes from '93 together with other unreleased demob tapes from the beginning of the band's career. The release will be entitled Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes. More info will follow. The band's management is currently working on booking the official tours for NIGHT VISIT. The band has been scheduled for a tour in Russia and the surrounding areas, taking place in November. The band plan on touring Europe/USA/South America and Japan in 2005. Keep an eye out on the tour dates section for updates.
Ancient drummer GROM has completed the recordings of the new Hortus Ainmae album The Blow Of Furious Winds which turned out great and should see the light in January 2005 still through Black Lotus Records.
www.ancientband.com
Metal Maniacs - ZAO LAUNCHES FIRST EVER OFFICIAL WEBSITE - Video Makes MTV2 Premiere;
Band Announce New Tour
ZAO have launched their first official, full-blown website in their nearly decade long career. The brainchild of ZAO, Sons Of Nero design and Ferret Music, ZAOonline.com has launched just one week after the video for "The Rising End" debuted on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.
"I can't believe we finally have a comprehensive website of our own," beamed longtime guitarist Scott Mellinger. "The sites that our fans have made over the years have been great and it's nice to finally have something 'official' to put our name behind to complement them."
The brand new ZAOonline.com, features more than just news, links and contact information. It's filled with arresting imagery befitting the band's creative aesthetics and the new ZAO site boasts comprehensive band and personal biography information, a full discography (including detailed liner notes and reviews, and soon, stories behind each albums' creation). And in the coming weeks it will also include a full historical timeline dating back to the first incarnation of the band's inception in the mid-'90s through The Funeral Of God [2004].
The site also features the video for "The Rising End," which was directed by Chris Sims, whose credits include Bleeding Through, Poison The Well, Eighteen Visions and Lamb Of God.
Look for dates to be announced for January's "Praise The War Machine Tour," which will feature ZAO playing a full headlining set and boasts support from The Agony Scene and Twelve Tribes.
ZAO's lineup includes Mellinger, longtime singer Daniel Weyandt (who has appeared on all of the band's albums since 1997's Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest), longtime guitarist Russ Cogdell and the rhythm section of Shawn Koschik (bass) and Stephen Peck (drums). Metal Maniacs - SHADOWS FALL Vocalist Diagnosed With Laryngitis; Refuses To Cancel
Shows
Lead singer, Brian Fair, of SHADOWS FALL was recently diagnosed with not only strep throat, but also laryngitis. However, he refuses to cancel any performances because of it. Fair states, "I have never cancelled a show due to poor health and don't plan on it now. The support of our fans means the world to us and I would never do anything to let them down. Besides, if Curt Shilling can lead the Red Sox to a World Series victory with a sewn up ankle then I can tough it out and bring the metal." Metal Maniacs - DARK MOOR will release their new album entitled "Beyond The Sea"
in Febrary 2005. Derek Gores (Kamelot) will paint the cover artwork.
"Beyond The Sea" tracklisting:
1. Before the Duel
2. Miracles
3. Houdini's The Great Escapade
4. Through the Gates of the Silver Key (interlude)
5. The Silver Key
6. Green Eyes
7. Going On
8. Beyond the Sea
9. Iulius Caesar (interlude)
10.Alea Jacta - DREAMAKER are just finishing the recording of their second album. The new recording will be mastered at Morrisound Studios (Iced Eath, Death, C.Corpse).
- SAINT announces the release of the much anticipated WARRIORS OF THE
SON 20th Anniversary Edition, which includes 2 previously un-released
songs, "The Reaper" and "Killers and the Destroyers".
The New album features all original Saint members, Josh Kramer, Richard
Lynch, Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson and Tim Lamberson . Warriors of
the Son is now even better than ever with a few audio enhancements that
were not available in 1984, not to mention that Josh is at the top of
his game vocally. This is MUST HAVE for any Saint fan.
Also available for the first time ever is the "Saint Basement Tapes" on CD. The Saint Basement Tapes are a collection of unreleased songs recorded from 1983-1989. Many pieces of history in these recordings including vintage versions of "The Reaper" and "Killers and The Destroyers", the 2 previously unreleased songs now on the new Warriors of the Son 20th Anniversary Edition. This is a CDR in a slim line Jewel case recorded at Armor Records. Only 100 of these have been pressed. This is a true collectors dream.
To celebrate the release of the new album, SAINT has redeveloped their official website, www.saintsite.com, thanks to the help of Greg Hays. Greg has worked with many bands over the years and most notably know for his role as the developer at Stryper.com, WhitecrossMusic.com as well as the owner of GirderMusic.com. Visit the NEW Saint website today. WWW.SAINTSITE.COM
Saints record label, Armor Records, has joined forces with www.GirderMusic.com to sell the CD which is now available on www.SaintSite.com as well as GirderMusic.com. Girder Music is the official online store for SaintSite.com, MessiahProphet.com, DanielBand.com, WhitecrossMusic.com and many others. www.GirderMusic.com carries many hard to find titles, as well as exclusives only available at www.GirderMusic.com including limited edition autographed copies of Saints 2004 release, "In The Battle", Sin Dizzy "He's Not Dead" Autographed by Oz Fox and others.
Visit the Saint official website, www.SaintSite.com to order CDs, listen to sample tracks and more. You can also purchase Saints new album "In the Battle", "The Collection" (4 CDs on a 2 Disc set) and much more.
Visit - http://www.saintsite.com - VREID US RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED
Philadelphia: Candlelight Records confirms January 25 as the US release date for Kraft, the debut album from Norway's VREID. Formed earlier this year, the band features the surviving members of Windir, disbanded due to the unexpected death of singer/founder Valfar.
In Kraft VREID, Norwegian for "wrath," have composed an impressive first offering that is sure to find acclaim far and wide. Holland’s Vampire Magazine claimed, “an absolute fantastic album,” noting the recording’s diversity and sheer creativity; heavy, dark, aggressive and absolutely dominating Norwegian extreme/black metal. Recorded at Studio 1184 and mixed at Subsonic Society Studios (Dismember, Susperia, Red Harvest, Darkthrone), it will immediately appeal to fans of Enslaved, Emperor, Arcturus, Darkthrone and Immortal.
Windir, founded by Valfar in 1994, leave behind four incredible recordings, all recorded for Head Not Found Records. The band graced stages at Inferno, Quart and Hole in the Sky European Festivals plus an appearance (and now only US show) at Milwaukee’s Metal Fest. The band was set to record their fifth album and first to receive worldwide release via Candlelight/Tabu Records before Valfar’s death. With VREID, bassist Halle, drummer Steingrim, vocalist/guitarist Shure and guitarist Esa, paint a new future for their musical concepts and visions. And success is sure to follow.
Track listing for Kraft: Wrath of Mine, Raped by Light, Helvete, Unholy Water, Eldast, Utan A Gro, Evig Pine, Empty, Songen At Fangen
visit the band's official website at www.vreid.no - CALLENISH CIRCLE 2CD RETROSPECT
SET FOR US RELEASE
Philadelphia: Candlelight Records confirms January 25 as the US release date for Forbidden Empathy, a 2cd retrospect from Holland's Callenish Circle. Featuring 29 songs that chronicle the five-piece’s complete and previously unavailable early recordings, the special-priced release is a must have for stateside fans of the melodic metal band.
Callenish Circle recorded their first and only demo, titled Lovelorn, in 1995. Produced by Han Swagerman (The Gathering), it swiftly sold-out its limited 1000 pressing. The band’s full-length debut, Drift of Empathy, would follow in 1996 and successfully thereafter the band's Escape EP and 1998's impressive Graceful Yet Forbidding. All, however, failing to reach via proper channels, stateside fans curious about the dutch band. Commenting on the stateside release singer Patrick Savelkoul says, "definitely in the US these recordings were extremely hard to find, so we are very excited that our fans in the US will be able to buy all our previous material in one single buy for the price of a regular CD."
Formed in 1992, Callenish Circle have released four full length albums and have performed at numerous high profile festival performances - including Wacken Open Air, Summer Breeze, European Ozzfest. The band are currently writing for their fifth album, expected sometime late 2005.
Track listing for Forbidden Empathy: (disc 1): No Reason, Forgotten, Inner Battle (intro), Beyond, Broken, Oppressed Natives, Silent Tears, Passionate Dance (intro), Caught by Deceit, Shadows of the Past, Alone (outro), Silent Tears, Epacse, Broken, Mirror of Serenity; (disc 2) Inner Sense, Mental Affection, Slough of Despond, Solitude, Last Words, The Dreamers Path, Disguised Ignorance, Where the Moon Meets the Sea, Scars, Slough of Despond, Disguised Ignorance, Lovelorn, Shadows, The Dreamers Path.
visit the band's official website at www.callenish-circle.com
Metal Maniacs
