Archive News Aug 20, 2001

Sweden's high-tech thrashers MESHUGGAH have been confirmed as the support band for TOOL's upcoming headlining US tour, beginning with the September 6th show in St. Paul, Minnesota. Here are the announced dates for the trek:

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Sept. 06 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center

Sept. 07 - Madison, WI @ Alliant Energy Center

Sept. 08 - Noblesville, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center

Sept. 09 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena

Sept. 11 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena

Sept. 12 - Dayton, OH @ Ervin J. Nutter Center

Sept. 14 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center

Sept. 15 - Cleveland, OH @ CSU Convocation Center

Sept. 16 - Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace Of Auburn Hills

Sept. 18 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre

Sept. 19 - Montreal, QC @ Molson Centre

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It is presently unclear if MESHUGGAH will be joining TOOL for the remainder of the latter band's headlining tour, which includes dates in Boston, Portland (Maine) and Wilkes-Barre, among others.

Although FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl's representatives have reportedly been negotiating with various labels about the release of the debut album of PROBOT—Grohl's “metal” side project—for quite some time now, rumors indicate that the album may eventually surface through Grohl's own Roswell imprint through RCARecords, with “red tape” having reportedly been lifted so as to allow this to happen. It is believed, however, that Grohl himself wants the CD to be issued through a more specialist “metal” label, which, in light of the record's musical content, would insure that the album would receive maximum exposure in the market that is most likely embrace it. At the moment, no concrete information is yet available on a possible release date, but it is considered highly unlikely that the album will surface before early 2002, with only eight of the album's cuts having been mixed in their preliminary form so far. Here are the known song titles that are set to appear on the upcoming CD:

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01. Dictatorsaurus (feat. SnakeVOIVOD)

02. Centuries Of Sin (feat. CronosVENOM)

03. Access Babylon (feat. Mike DeanC.O.C.)

04. Sweet Dreams (feat. King DiamondMERCYFUL FATE / KING DIAMOND)

05. Ice Cold Man (feat. Lee DorrianCATHEDRAL)

06. My Tortured Soul (feat. Eric WagnerTROUBLE)

07. Big Sky (feat. Tom Warrior ex-CELTIC FROST)

08. Emerald Lies (feat. Wino ex-THE OBSESSED)

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In related news, look for the September 25th release of the self-titled album from TENACIOUS D, featuring a guest appearance by Dave Grohl.

ARCH ENEMY have officially cancelled their upcoming Asian tour as a result of vocalist Angela Gossow having developed nodules on her vocal cords. Here is the official statement from ARCH ENEMY guitarist Mike Amott: “We have been forced to cancel all shows in South East Asia due to Angela being diagnosed with having nodules on her vocal cords She is not allowed to sing live or rehearse for approx 2 months. If she did sing she could permanently damage her voice forever. We are very disappointed, and we are really sorry that we have to let our fans down like this. But we hope you will all understand that this is something we have to do for the long-term career of the band. The shows in Korea and Japan (and London, England) will be re-scheduled and happen at al later date — hopefully that ¡s not too far away! We will let you know how things work out with Angela and everything in a few days.”

SOILWORK are currently in Sweden working on the follow-up to A Predator's Portrait, which will once again be recorded at Studio Fredman but this time with Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) producing and mixing. An early 2002 release is expected.

Former (?) ANTHRAX guitarist Paul Crook will be performing guitar clinics for DigiTech, promoting a new amp modeling processor called 'Genetx'. Touring reportedly starts in late September.

A brand new HALFORD video for the track “Made In Hell”, off the group's highly-acclaimed Resurrection opus, debuted on VH-1's Rock Show this past Friday, August 17th.

Belgian black metal act ANCIENT RITES has made available for purchase an “unofficial” video CDR, entitled Scenes of Splendour, containing more than 50 minutes of .mpeg files which can be played on a PC, through their official web site. A small-priced fan release “for the Ancient Horde following only”, the CDR was reportedly “completely arranged in cooperation with the band members themselves”, and is something that has been in the works for over 18 months.

BIOHAZARD will be making a “walk-on” appearance this Tuesday, August 21st on The Daily Beat, a rock music TV show on Metro TV NYC. FREE Audience tickets are available for anyone that would like to attend the show. The program airs live from 5 to 6 PM and the audience must be at the studio by 4:15 PM (4:30 the latest). The studio is located at 34th St and 8th Ave in Manhattan. A spot must be reserved on a guest list before the day of the show. Space is limited, so please call 1-877-674-METRO or send an e-mail to [email protected] for further information.

Former SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman Billy Corgan has issued a statement refuting previously published reports that had him lined up to collaborate with the DEFTONES onstage at an upcoming breast cancer charity show. Here is Corgan's statement on the matter in its entirety: 'I want to clear up any confusion about the reports that I am appearing at the upcoming breast cancer awareness benefit in Los Angeles. A little over a month ago, I was asked if I would be interested in participating in the benefit. I support events such as this, and expressed interest in possibly performing, schedule permitting, but could not confirm at that time. Somehow, that fact was overlooked and, unfortunately, it has been wrongly reported that I am confirmed at this event. Also, the idea of collaboration with the DEFTONES was never discussed. I love the DEFTONES, and I think it would be great to play with them, but had not heard anything about this idea until it was reported in the press. I am still interested in being a part of this very worthwhile benefit, but can not yet confirm. We'll make an official announcement if and when the time comes.'

Germany's FREEDOM CALL have replaced guitarist Sascha Gerstner (who left the group to focus on working on his own musical career) with 22-year-old ex-SYMPHORCE axeman Cedric Dupont. The band's revamped line-up is currently writing material for their next studio album, which is tentatively scheduled to be recorded in January for a late summer 2002 release. So far eight songs have been written for the effort, with plans calling for the upcoming album to include an as-yet-untitled “ballad”. In the meantime, FREEDOM CALL will be performing live on Sunday, October 7th at LKA/Longhorn in Stuttgart, Germany with GAMMA RAY and PRIMAL FEAR).

Former IRON MAIDEN and current BLAZE frontman Blaze Bayley joined a group of local musicians in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, August 5th on a rendition of KISS' “Rock And Roll All Nite”, performed as part of a special KISS party thrown by the Brazilian KISS site KISSPsycho (www.kisspsycho.com.br) in celebration of the band's immense musical legacy. To hear Blaze contributing backing vocals to “Rock And Roll All Nite” in streaming Real Audio, click here. Photographic evidence of the event is available at this location.

F-BOMB, the San Francisco Bay Area act that most recently featured in its ranks former EXODUS vocalist Steve Souza (who is said to have just left the band),will be performing with LD/50 (featuring former FORBIDDEN/TESTAMENT guitarist Glen Alvelais and GEEZER/DR. BEWKENHEIMER vocalist Clark Brown),on Saturday, September 22nd at Bourbon St. Bar &amp Grill in Concord, California.

The following “questionable” item was posted on the stonerrock.com message board:

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“In November, DOWN fans around the world will be able to watch the band write and record their new record. This will be done via a live Internet webcast 24 hours a day for a month. For a fee, fans will be able to sign up and watch DOWN write and record their long-awaited 2nd album. Also to be made into a movie at a later date. Contact www.NOLA-Down.com for further details.”

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A similar item was posted on the Supersite Ritual Unofficial Phil Anselmo web site, but without a reference to the above URL (www.NOLA-down.com),which—further investigation reveals—was never registered and is currently still up for grabs.

MOTORHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee will be flying to Los Angeles around mid-September to begin the final phase of the creation of MOTORHEAD's latest disc. They already completed writing several tracks earlier in the year and will continue work in Los Angeles throughout the balance of September and most of October. In other news, MOTORHEAD will be playing at least three shows in September/October in the Southern California area, including a San Francisco gig on September 30th. After the album is finished, the band will play a few shows in South Africa and a couple in Greece.

CATHEDRAL's Lee Dorrian speaks out on his side project THE TEETH OF LION RULE THE DIVINE: “THE TEETH OF LION RULE THE DIVINE project consists of [me], Lee Dorrian (CATHEDRAL, NAPALM DEATH) on vocals, Greg Anderson (GOATSNAKE/SUNN0))) ),Justin Greaves (IRON MONKEY, VARUKERS, HARD TO SWALLOW, ARMOUR OF GOD) drums &amp Stephen O'Malley (BURNING WITCH, SUNN0))) &amp KHANATE) on guitar. Basically Greg &amp Steve were in the England for a vacation last Xmas time, and we thought it was too good an opportunity not to have a jam. We went to Thumb Studios in Nottingham on New Year's day, and whilst everyone was celebrating, we were suffering hard from Xmas hangover and general burnout. This helped take us lower into the depths of doom than we have probably ever explored. We came up with the music in the studio, and recorded the material as we went along in a period of two days. [I] went back to Thumb in early July to record the vocals. The tapes have now been sent to the States, to join Billy Anderson in San Francisco for the mix. Three songs were recorded with a running time of 53:34 mins. The titles are 'The Smiler', 'New Pants &amp Shirt' (KILLDOZER cover) &amp 'He Who Accepts All That Is Offerred'. I guess the main influences of the band would be Earth, SWANS, Gore &amp Winter. The album will be released (probably early next year now) on Rise Above Records in Europe/Japan, and Southern Lord in the States.”

Sweden's MARDUK have announced the dates for their forthcoming World Funeral US and European tours, which are scheduled to take place at the end of the year. Exact venue details will be posted shortly.

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Part 1 — North America / Canada

Oct. 04 - St. Louis MO

Oct. 06 - Chicago IL

Oct. 07 - Minneapolis MN

Oct. 09 - Winninpeg CAN

Oct. 10 - Regina CAN

Oct. 11 - Calgary CAN

Oct. 12 - Edmonton CAN

Oct. 13 - Vancouver CAN

Oct. 14 - Seattle WA

Oct. 16 - San Francisco CA

Oct. 17 - Los Angeles CA

Oct. 18 - Orange County / San Diego CA

Oct. 19 - Albquerque NM

Oct. 20 - Pheonix AZ

Oct. 21 - El Paso TX

Oct. 23 - Austin TX

Oct. 24 - Houston TX

Oct. 26 - Ft.Lauderdale FL

Oct. 27 - Tampa FL

Oct. 28 - Jacksonville / Tallahasee FL

Oct. 30 - Washington DC

Oct. 31 - TBA

Nov. 01 - New Jersey

Nov. 02 - NYC

Nov. 03 - Worcester MA

Nov. 04 - Montreal CAN

Nov. 05 - Toronto CAN

Nov. 06 - Cleveland OH

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Part 2 — Europe

Nov. 11 - Thessaloniki, Greece

Dec. 01 - Athens, Woodstock club, Greece

Dec. 04 - Paris, La locomotive, France

Dec. 05 - London, The dome, England

Dec. 06 - T.B.A, England

Dec. 07 - Bradford, Rio, England

Dec. 08 - Rennes, Làntipode, France

Dec. 09 - Hengelo, Metropol, Holland

Dec. 11 - Osnabruck, Hyde Park, Germany

Dec. 12 - Essen, Zeche Carl, Germany

Dec. 13 - Offenbach, Hafenbahn, Germany

Dec. 14 - Strasbourg, La Laiterie, France

Dec. 15 - Antwerpen, Hof Ter Loo, Belgium

Dec. 16 - Tilburg, 013, Holland

Dec. 17 - Berlin, Columbiahalle, Germany

Dec. 18 - Munchen, Metropolis, Germany

Dec. 19 - Pratteln, Z7, Switzerland

Dec. 20 - Milano, Rainbow, Italy

Dec. 21 - Vienna, Arena, Austria

Dec. 22 - Zwickau, Alarm, Germany

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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Whilst the Conservatives are using text messaging to vote for a new leader, PITCHSHIFTER have come up with a far more useful manifesto. For the first time, UK PITCHSHIFTER fans can vote for the set list they want to hear via text message.

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PITCHSHIFTER play Brixton Academy as part of the Extreme Fest on August 26th. The band want you to vote for the set list you want them to play on the day. Simply read through the four set lists below: A, B, C and D and choose your favorite. Then text the letter A, B, C or D to the following number: 07816 025 143.

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Each message costs the price of a standard text.

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The set list which receives the most votes by midnight of August 25th will be played at Brixton Academy.

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If (after you have sent your vote) you receive a text message that contains the words: 'CONGRATULATIONS DEVIANT', you have won £50, PITCHSHIFTER t/shirts and signed posters.

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A

Wafer Thin, Scene This, Genius, Dead Battery, Hidden Agenda, Triad, Microwaved, Fucked, Keep It Clean, Un-Uk, Please Sir, W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.

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B

Virus, Genius, W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G., Microwaved, Diable, Un-Uk, Scene This, Forget The Facts, Dead Battery, Fucked, Hidden Agenda, Civilised.

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C

What's In It For Me, Kerosine, Triad, Condescension, Chump Change, Scene This, W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G., Microwaved, Subject To Status, Keep It Clean, Please Sir, Un-Uk

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D

Hidden Agenda, Disposable, Civilised, Forget The Facts, As Seen On Tv, I Don't Like It, Microwaved, Genius, Un-Uk, Keep It Clean, Dead Battery, Triad.

The US release of WESTWORLD's sophomore effort, entitled Skin, has been delayed as a result of distribution problems, which has caused the release date to be pushed back to October 9th. It appears that the band and their label, Dreamscape Records, were not happy with their distributor, so Dave Tedder at Dreamcape made a new deal with Mark Puma and Mayhem Records and ADA distribution (who distributed the group's debut for Spitfire Records). In other news, WESTWORLD will be playing another gig at Don Hill's in New York City on September 19th as part of the anniversary party for Steve Blush's 'Rock Candy' nights that have been going on at Don Hill's for several years. WESTWORLD's Live...In The Flesh live CD is being released in Japan on Tuesday, August 21st.

VICIOUS RUMORS have just been confirmed as the opening act on the upcoming SAVATAGE/SYMPHONY X European tour, which is scheduled to begin on October 5th.

ENTOMBED reportedly performed two news songs—“Chief Rebel Angel” and “I For An Eye”—during their short set at the Kungsträdgården Fest in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, August 17th.

“Sympho-metal” Danish combo ROYAL HUNT have parted ways with SPV/Steamhammer Records in Europe and have signed a new deal with Frontiers Records. ROYAL HUNT's brand new release, entitled The Mission, will be issued on September 19th. The group's sixth studio album, The Mission is a concept CD based on the SciFi novel Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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BEAST FEAST'S 'EXTREME BEAST' PRE-SHOW SOLD OUT!

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TOKYO - All tickets have been sold out for Extreme Beast, a four-band pre-show event for Beast Feast, featuring SOILENT GREEN, SHADOWS FALL, CALIBAN, and CANDIRIA at Tokyo's Shibuya Cyclone on Friday, August 24.

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Those who were not able to secure tickets for Extreme Beast will also have the opportunity to catch all four bands at the Beast Feast, held August 25 and 26 at Yokohama Stadium in the neighboring city of Yokohama. 'The idea of Extreme Beast is to offer a chance for fans to see some of the most extreme bands from Beast Feast in a more intimate setting,' said promoter Geess Kosugi. 'It will also get the audience pumped up for what's to come the next two days.'

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Beast Feast features SLAYER, SEPULTURA, STATIC-X, V.O.D., UNITED, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, RAGING SPEEDHORN, DEVIATE, SHADOWS FALL, CANDIRIA, CALIBAN, YELLOW MACHINEGUN, SUNS OWL, MINOR LEAGUE, and JIGOKUGURUMA on Saturday. PANTERA, MACHINE HEAD, ONE MINUTE SILENCE, BIOHAZARD, KITTIE, COCOBAT, MORBID ANGEL, SUCK DOWN, BAT CAVE, PULLING TEETH, SOILENT GREEN, SKINLESS, UP HOLD, UZUMAKI, and DIABLO will play on Sunday. Doors open at 10 a.m. each day and music begins at noon. Admission is JP9,800 Yen (1 day) and JP18,000 (2 days). To reserve tickets, visit the official Beast Feast website at www.beastfeast.net. The web site is in both English and Japanese.

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In the midst of all the madness, another serving of metal will be offered up in Yokohama as Beast Feast takes over two local venues, Yokohama Arena Sound Hall and Yokohama Bells (about a five minute walk from each other),for all-night live music beginning at midnight and stretching to the wee hours of Sunday morning. Beast Feast Nightmare will be centered around local 20 Japanese bands, with performances also from non-Japanese bands like Korea's DIABLO, America's SKINLESS, and Belgium's DEVIATE. The entrance fee is JP1,800 in advance and JP2,500 day of show. One ticket allows repeated entrance to both venues.

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Beast Feast will feature three stages operating in intervals to ensure constant live music. It will also have stalls featuring apparel, tattoo studios, music instrument makers, and record labels. Beast Feast is the largest festival of its kind to take place in Asia, and attendance is expected to reach 30,000.

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The festival will offer a Mosh Pit Area - a rarity at Japanese shows due to Japanese fire codes requiring that 'standing room only' shows furnish grids to cordon off and contain limited numbers of people to each area.

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'We furnished the front block as the Mosh Pit Area so one can enter there and mosh whenever one wants to, but the Mosh Pit Area is limited in capacity,' said Kosugi. 'Japanese people are not quite as reserved as a lot of people may think. Music lovers are everywhere, and they go crazy just like in any other country. It's just that these restrictions at venues are suppressing the kids.'

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A Beast Feast commemorative 2-CD set, Beast Feast Admission, featuring tracks from the artists performing at Beast Feast is available through Howling Bull Records (www.howling-bull.co.jp). 'In addition to the memories, we wanted to give fans something to tangible to remember Beast Feast,' Kosugi said. 'Japan has never experienced bands like this at a show of this magnitude.'

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Prior to the Beast Feast, Universal Records will host a special listening party for the new SLAYER album, God Hates Us All, at an undisclosed location in Tokyo on August 21. All the members of SLAYER will be present. Invitations to the party have been granted strictly by application over the Internet.

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Unfortunately, ARCH ENEMY's appearance at Beast Feast has been cancelled, due to frontwoman Angela Gossow's sudden illness. All other bands and performing days are subject to change.

Indonesia's KEKAL has worked out a licensing deal with Holland's Fear Dark Records for the European release of the group's The Painful Experience CD. In North America, the album will be handled by Clenchedfist Records. The latter label has also just issued a tribute album to LIVING SACRIFICE, including KEKAL's version of 'Mind Distant'. For more info about this tribute album, contact [email protected]

Sweden's THE HIVES will be issuing a new three-track single on September 3rd, featuring the song 'Main Offender' (taken from the album Veni Vidi Vicious),plus two previously unreleased tracks, 'Lost &amp Found' (a cover of THE SAINTS) and 'Howlin' Pelle Talks To The Kids'. Along with the single, a brand new animated video for 'Main Offender' will be released. In other news, THE HIVES are due to support THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY on an upcoming US tour, which is tentatively scheduled to start in early November and last four weeks. To coincide with the tour, San Francisco's Gearhead Records will release THE HIVES' debut album, entitled Barely Legal, in North America on vinyl and CD. Also around the time of the tour, EastcCast-based Big Wheel Recreation Records will release THE HIVES' latest single, 'Main Offender'. A three-track affair, featuring the title track and the above-mentioned brand new song called 'Howlin Pelle Talks To The Kids', plus a cover of THESAINTS' 'Lost &amp Found'. The single will be a CD-Rom-enhanced record featuring all THE HIVES videos ever shot, including those for “Main Offender”, “Hate To Say I Told You So”, “Die All Right” and “A-K-A IDIOT”.

Sweden's RAISED FIST has expanded their line-up by adding a second guitarist, 21-year-old Daniel Holmgren. Daniel, who has been playing in various local bands (most recently in a project together with Thomas Hallbom from BREACH),will make his live debut with the band at a show in Luleå on August 25th. The group's as-yet-untitled third album is due out in March of next year.

BREACH is currently in the studio with producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt (i.e. FIRESIDE) recording a brand new album under the working title Alarma.

Finland's SUNRIDE have replaced bassist Janne Savolainen with returning four-stringer Janne Julin. In other news, look out for SUNRIDE's appearance on the compilation CD, entitled Finnish Rock 'N' Roll Collection, issued by Japan's Myrmecoleo Records, to which SUNRIDE contribute two songs, 'Jetride-A-Like' (previously unreleased track from the The Great Infiltration sessions) and an as-yet-unspecified album song.

Finland's WARMEN, featuring members of CHILDREN OF BODOM, TUNNELVISION and WISARD, have completed work on their second album, which is due for release at the end of the year.

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