Archive News Aug 23, 2001

The revamped SKID ROW, featuring new vocalist Johnny Solinger (formerly of SOLINGER),have nearly completed work on their upcoming CD, tentatively titled Thick Is The Skin, which is due to be released through an as-yet-undetermined label later in the year. Apparently, several songs have yet to be mixed and other packaging-related issues have to be ironed out while the band finalize their record contract negotiations for the forthcoming release, the group's first new CD since 1995's Subhuman Race. More information as it becomes available.

Here's HELLOWEEN's official press release regarding the departures of guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch (as first reported here in a worldwide exclusive two days ago):

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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HELLOWEEN LOOKING FOR NEW BLOOD

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Founder members Michael Weikath and Markus Grosskopf along with vocalist Andi Deris are currently interviewing guitarists and drummers in their hunt to replace Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch who are no longer with HELLOWEEN.

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A spokesman for the band says: 'It was mutually agreed that Roland and Uli would leave the band. You can cite the usual musical differences but actually it was more down to differences in priority. It was felt Roland and Uli were paying too much time and attention to their solo projects. After a very successful tour behind The Dark Ride album Michael, Markus and Andi felt quite rightly that the focus of HELLOWEEN members must be 100% on HELLOWEEN.

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'This lack of focus had been affecting the band creatively for some time so now the band will be able to get back on track. Roland and Uli have been with us for a long time so it's obviously very sad when this sort of thing has to happen but there was really no alternative. Everyone wishes them both the very best of luck with their new venture.'

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Says Michael Weikath: 'We expect to announce our new line-up soon. There is a lot of great talent out there and we are all excited about the future possibilities for HELLOWEEN. Once the new line-up is finalised, we will start writing for the new studio album for release later next next year. It will be a new era for HELLOWEEN which will inspire us to give all our fans the very best!!'

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HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath will be interviewed today, August 23rd, live on the HELLOWEEN Marathon, an 18-hour program (from 7 AM EST until 1 AM EST 1 PM CET until 7 AM CET) hosted by the official HELLOWEEN webmaster Tony. The interview will take place at midnight German time, which is 6 PM EST, 11 PM UK time, and 3 PM PST. Former guitarist Roland Grapow may also appear during the program earlier in the day, and if this happens, he will probably be on around 4 PM EST which is 10 PM German time, 1 PM Pacific Time and 9 PM UK time. The HELLOWEEN Radio Marathon Live can be accessed live over the internet via this location.

The statement (published in the New York Post on Monday and posted here two days ago) purported to have been posted by MARILYN MANSON on the message board of the singer's official web site over the weekend blasting authorities investigating charges of sexual assault against the frontman, and apparently laughing in the face of a possible two-year jail sentence, has been exposed as a hoax. A new statement, posted on MANSON's web site yesterday, indicates that: “Any claims that MARILYNMANSON made statements on any bulletin board, message board, or web sites regarding recent allegations are untrue.' The statement ends with a terse reminder that, “Statements made regarding the incidents will be made through MANSON's attorney.”

The RoadrunnerRoadRage US tour, featuring FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, CHIMAIRA and ILL NINO, is set to kick off on September 17th on the West Coast on October 27th, make a full circle cross country, and end on the West Coast come October 27th. Dates and venues are expected to be announced shortly. MACHINE HEAD are preparing to release their new Roadrunner album, Supercharger, on October 2nd.

SUPERJOINT RITUAL, featuring PANTERA's Philip Anselmo on vocals, C.O.C./EYEHATEGOD's Jimmy Bower on guitars, ex-DEAD HORSE/current DEMONSEEDS bassist Michael Haaga, and ex-STRESSBAL/current DEMONSEEDS drummer Joe Fazzio, will release their self-titled debut album via Baphomet / Housecore Records in late January/early February 2002.

THE RAVENOUS, featuring NECROPHAGIA vocalist Killjoy, S.O.D./ex-BRUTAL TRUTH bassist Danny Lilker, and ABSCESS/ex-AUTOPSY/DEATH drummer Chris Reifert, will release their sophomore album in early 2002.

As reported here a couple of days ago, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted is set to produce the second album from Texas' agro-rockers SPEEDEALER. Tentatively titled Second Sight, the album goes into production at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California on September 17th, with a release expected early in 2002.

NOTHINGFACE and SKINLAB will join forces for a US trek beginning on October 1st. The outing is expected to run through early November. Expected openers include DRY KILL LOGIC and DIECAST. In other news, SKINLAB are set to release their highly-anticipated new album, entitled tHEreVOLTINGROOM&gt&gtdISTURBING tHE aRT oF eXPRESSION&lt&lt, in February. The CD, which was recently mixed by producer Steve Evetts at Trax East Studios in New Jersey, will include the following track listing:

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01. Come Get It

02. Slave The Way

03. Purify

04. Isolation

05. Jesus Sells

06. Take As Needed

07. Never Give In

08. One Of Us

09. Anthem For A Fallen Star

10. Elijah

The popular UK metal web site Metal-Is, launched in April 2000 with the backing of the Sanctuary Music Group (the entertainment conglomerate behind Sanctuary Records and Sanctuary Management),will reportedly cease to exist in its current form at the end of September, with the site due to be taken “in-house” at Sanctuary and developed into a completely different entity that will “no longer be the Metal-Is we all know and love”, according to a letter that was sent to the Metal-Is freelance writers by Metal-Is editor Valerie Potter two weeks ago. The letter goes on to say that this latest development “is no reflection on the site's content or popularity the volume of traffic has been considerable and the figures have been rising consistently all year. It is purely due to a change in the company's policy towards new media.”

Congratulations are in order for DEFTONES guitarist Stepehen Carpenter, who just became the final member of the DEFTONES to get married.

England's MY DYING BRIDE have starting mixing the follow-up to Light at the End of the World, entitled The Dreadful Hours, the sound on which is being described as 'much much darker and more foreboding' than that of its predecessor by guitarist Andrew Craighan, according to a Digitalmetal report posted on the site yesterday. Recorded at Academy Studios with Mags at the production helm, The Dreadful Hours is due to emerge through Peaceville Records sometime this October.

RING OF FIRE, the new band of former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist Mark Boals, will embark on a Japanese tour in January 2002. The group's debut album is due to be released in Europe/North America during October/November. In other news, Boals is presently working on a brand new solo CD, which is tentatively scheduled to be released next spring.

Look for MESHUGGAH's next studio effort, tentatively titled Turbulence, in the spring of 2002.

San Francisco Bay Area's TECHNOCRACY, featuring former VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel, will be appearing on Billy Steel's Metal Zone, FM 107.7 The Bone this Friday, August 24th, where they will chat and play selections from their just-issued self-titled debut album for their own Mighty Spec Records. You can listen to the show in the Internet at this location. The full track listing for Technocracy is as follows:

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01. Prognosis

02. Education

03. Naiad

04. Replacements

05. Attk

06. Truth

07. Lobotomy

08. How We Die

09. I Survive

10. Not Of This Earth

11. Cancer

DARK TRANQUILLITY keyboardist Martin Brändström will be playing session keyboards for LUCYFIRE (the critically-acclaimed “goth rock” side project of TIAMAT mainman Johan Edlund) at their first-ever ever live show, which is set to take place at the Mera Luna Festival in Hannover, Germany, on September 1st.

DEADSY, who feature in their ranks guitarist/vocalist Elijah Blue Allman (the son of actress Cher),will be opening for STATIC-X and THE APEX THEORY at these dates:

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Aug. 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp (no APEX THEORY)

Aug. 31 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues

Sept. 01 - Hollywood, CA @ Palace Theatre

Sept. 02 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues

Sept. 05- Scottsdale, AZ @ Cajun House

Sept. 06- Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater

Sept. 07 - Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Live

Sept. 09 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amph.

Former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy will be partaking in a night of “HANOI Revisited” at Santalahden Sauna/Tullikamarin Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland on September 14th.

Quote of the day belongs to METALLICA's lawyer Jill Pietrini, who had the following justification for the band's recent lawsuit filed against MHT Luxury Alloys of Torrance, California, which two years ago introduced a shiny, edgy wheel called the Metallica (no longer in production): 'We've already expanded into the automotive industry by selling METALLICA tire wheel covers. Part of our natural expansion [includes selling wheels], and they [MHT] are trying to usurp the market, which isn't right.'

SINERGY frontwoman Kimberly Goss has posted the following studio update in the message board section of the group's official web site:

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“Well it's just me, [guitarists] Alexi and Roope left here in the studio. Almost all the rhythm guitars are finished for every song. I've sang lead vocals for 3 and a half songs so far (no harmonies yet). Tomorrow will be a singing day only, so I hope to have at least 5 songs with lead vocals done then. This weekend the guys will start with guitar solos!

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“We've had more fans stopping by the studio this week (that's always nice!). Today a local radio station stopped by as well for a studio report/ interview. On the final days of this session there will be reporters from Germany, France, Italy and Spain also doing studio reports. I'll let you know which magazines exactly when I find out so you can pick up that issue!

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“We spend all our free time playing playstation 2 games, and watching the same few movies they have here OVER and Over again (Gladiator, Leon a.k.a. The Professional, The Perfect Storm, Planet of The Apes Trilogy and Analyze This).

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'That's all until next week!”

Sweden's SOILWORK have confirmed via their official web site that STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mainman Devin Townsend will co-produce the group's next studio album with Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. According to the band, “Devin will be in the studio from day one 'till the very end. We're SO happy about this, and we're very much looking forward to work with him!!! Expect nothing else than an insane piece of musical art…We are now currently rehearsing new material, and it seems as if we are taking A Predator's Portrait to a 'higher level'.”

Texas' SOLITUDE AETURNUS are tentatively scheduled to release their brand new, as-yet-untitled studio album in February 2002. Meanwhile, if you live in Texas, you can catch the group performing live at the Tattoo Bar in Fort Worth on September 22nd and at the Stoner Hands Of Doom Festival in Dallas on October 7th.

The reunited THE DICTATORS have completed work on their long-awaited new studio album, titled DFFD, which is scheduled to be issued through the group's own label in early September.

Sweden's TRANSPORT LEAGUE have once again lost their bassplayer. The newly-recruited Christian Jansson (ex-PAGANDOM) had to leave the act “due to lack of time for the band. He wanted to spend more time with his family, and we fully understand that”, the rest of the group stated via their official web site. Parties interested in auditioning for the spot can send an e-mail to: [email protected] Or send a CD/tape to: Transport League, Box 195, 43324 Partille, Sweden.

The anticipated DVD release date for YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's “virtuosic performance” of all original and newly composed classical music with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is November 2001. This week, conversations have continued with the Chinese Government concerning YNGWIE touring for three weeks with the Chinese National Orchestra later this year in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and more. Talks are continuing with several quality programming networks around the world to broadcast the performance on National TV in those areas.

FIVE FIFTEEN is the name of a new Finnish “supergroup” who have just issued their fifth studio album, entitled Death Of A Clown, through Record Heaven Music in Sweden. Described as “classic hard rock in the veins of ZEPPELIN, with a touch of THE WHO, BOWIE and ABBA, the LP features a guest appearance on two tracks by H.I.M. singer Ville Valo.

Here are DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie's thoughts on the MULLMUZZLER “solo project experience” (the group recently completed work on its second CD, entitled MullMuzzler 2):

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'Without going into the process step by step, I would very briefly like to express my experience with this latest MULLMUZZLER endeavor.

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'Putting the songs together and coming up with ideas largely came from once again my collaboration with the man himself, Matt Guillory. I can't say enough about this incredibly talented young man. Matt is very mature musically and socially. He is aware of his surroundings and in touch with his feelings. I think this is what lends itself to how he can create such passionate, expressive, and powerful songs/material. Matt usually gets the ball rolling with a riff or song idea and then we together shape, add or subtract from this until we feel we've completed the thought, with all sections and vocal melody.

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'The musical chemistry between us is incredible. It has been that way I believe since we first started working together. With this second disc, it has blossomed and matured immensely. We were able to really craft our ideas, constantly trying new approaches until we undoubtedly knew we had arrived.

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'Matt and I have said on many occasions that we will continue writing music together for a long time, far into the future. Not necessarily under the moniker MULLMUZZLER but nonetheless as a writing team. Maybe something as simple as Guillory/LaBrie project..... wait a minute what the Fu...... LaBrie/Guillory… ahhhh that's better, now my ego can breathe again.

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'I believe Matt and I have created songs much stronger, more cohesive as songs and direction. There is much more emphasis on emotion, expression and soul. I think that is what makes this disc so rich from every angle. Sorry if I sound like I'm tooting the horn for Matt but I believe credit should be given where due and this is long overdue.

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'Two tracks were written with Gary Wehrkamp and Carl Cadden-James. These guys are so cool. I loved going down to Bethlehem, PA and working the songs into I think two fantastic tracks. I love Gary's style, he is very classic rock with balls and sophistication, often referred to as ZEPPELINesque. I love the sheer energy and freedom that comes with singing these songs. Carl, like on a couple of K.I.T.Y songs, penned the lyrics for these two songs. I told Carl of a fictional idea or story and wanted him to tell it the best he could in his own words. After telling him how I would be affected by such a shallow, selfish, sick act of betrayal from an individual towards two people. I wanted him to tell it from his perspective. He definitely nailed the emotions we would all feel from all sides.

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'One track, the opening track, was written with Trent. What can I say about this guy. He is an enigma. Talented beyond belief and one of the nicest people I have ever met.

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'I asked Trent that we write and deliver a very progressive, but at the same time a magnetically groove driven piece, that would just keep you wanting more. He once again delivered and surpassed my expectations. Lots of fun recording this piece for everyone, plenty of focus.

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'Lastly and not least. The players. Without the abilities these people have, the songs would not have been conveyed with all the magic that I truly feel was captured. I can't thank all of you enough. It is still to this day the most incredible feeling of wonder and achievement to listen to the music or album when completed. To think it started with the feeling then the thought (or vice/versa) maintaining a balance between mind and heart is a very difficult task. Too much one way and you've gone too cerebral and lost the soul, too much the other way and you have sap and not enough brilliance. If I am sounding pretentious and pompous, I can assure you this is not my intentions. I am being very truthful with all of you the way music has and still does affect me. I enjoyed shedding a little light on the making and experiences of MullMuzzler 2.

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'Take care everyone and once again I really hope you all enjoy Mully 2. Thanks for your endless support.'

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“Cheers, James.”

The Kerrang! 2001 Awards nominees were announced at the Kerrang! Club yesterday morning by AMEN frontman Casey Chaos. An unprecedented number of votes were collected this year because for the first time ever Kerrang! readers were allowed to vote online at www.kerrang.com.

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The full list of nominees is as follows:

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Best International Newcomer:

ALIEN ANT FARM

LINKIN PARK

NEW FOUND GLORY

PAPA ROACH

STAIND

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Best International Live Act:

DEFTONES

GREEN DAY

MARILYN MANSON

PAPA ROACH

SLIPKNOT

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Best Single:

“Rollin'” - LIMP BIZKIT

“Heaven Is A Halfpipe” - OPM

“Last Resort” - PAPA ROACH

“The Gush” - RAGING SPEEDHORN

“Hash Pipe” - WEEZER

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Best British Live Act:

FEEDER

MUSE

ONE MINUTE SILENCE

RAGING SPEEDHORN

STEREOPHONICS

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Best Video:

“Breakout” - FOO FIGHTERS

“Crawling” - LINKIN PARK

“Last Resort” - PAPA ROACH

“Sonne” - RAMMSTEIN

“Teenage Dirtbag” - WHEATUS

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Best Album:

Take Off Your Pants And Jacket – BLINK 182

Hybrid Theory - LINKIN PARK

Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death) - MARILYN MANSON

Origin Of Symmetry - MUSE

Lateralus - TOOL

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Best British Band:

ASH

CRADLE OF FILTH

FEEDER

MUSE

STEREOPHONICS

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Best Band In The World:

GREEN DAY

LIMP BIZKIT

LINKIN PARK

MARILYN MANSON

SLIPKNOT

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Best New British Band:

ANTI-PRODUCT

DEFENESTRATION

GRAND THEFT AUDIO

LOSTPROPHETS

SUNNA

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Spirit Of Independence:

…AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD

ATARI TEENAGE RIOT

THE DONNAS

LESS THAN JAKE

NEBULA

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The remaining two awards, Classic Songwriter and the Kerrang! Hall Of Fame, are decided on merit.

THE WILDHEARTS bass player Danny McCormack's rejoined the band for their performance at The Bulldog Bash in Long Marston on August 10th after having undergone treatment at home in South Shields for his battle with heroin addiction. THE WILDHEARTS are due to play an acoustic show at London's Barfly on September 2nd as part of Kerrang!'s 14 Days Of Rock.

Finland's LULLACRY have lined up the following gigs in their home country:

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Aug. 25 – Helsinki, FIN @ Nosturi (w/CHARON and GODSPLAGUE)

Aug. 31 - Turku, FIN @ S-Osis

Sept. 06 - Helsinki, FIN @ Radio City

Sept. 07 - Tampere, FIN @ Pakkahuone (showtime 21:00) (w/NIGHTWISH + TO/DIE/FOR)

Sept. 07 – Helsinki, FIN @ Tavastia (showtime 01:30) (w/ THE BLACK LEAGUE, CHARON and ENSIFERUM)

Oct. 26 – Oulu, FIN @ Woodoo Night Club

Oct. 27 – Nivala, FIN @ Tuiskula

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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Following the departure of co-vocalist Olly Eldershaw — during the recording of their debut album — AUTONOMY are pleased to announce an immediate replacement singer has joined the ranks of the Daventry wrecking crew.

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Los Angeles native 'Soup' Carpenter, who was born in Hollywood in 1976, is the full time new singer, lending a highly melodic edge to the band, and complementing Jay Spencer's high-speed rapping perfectly.

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AUTONOMY guitarist Matt Cosentino explains why a USA based singer came to join the band:

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'Soup was introduced to us by our producer, Dave Dominguez, who is based in LA himself, and originally suggested we considered Soup guesting on our album. On hearing some of Soup's own demo stuff we were blown away and are delighted with the vocals he has since added to those of Jay and Olly on some of the album tracks, giving them just that 'different edge' we'd been looking for. Having already contributed to the album and proven his worth, Soup was the natural replacement for Olly.”

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Soup is no stranger to the business. His previous band HOLLISTON STOPS made TV appearances on That 70's Show and 3rd Rock From The Sun, but to date arguably his biggest claim to fame (apart from his truly amazing vocal range, his ability to play anything that makes a noise ... and of course his contribution to the AUTONOMY album!!) — is that during his college days in Sacramento, Soup was room mates with none other than DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno — whom he still keeps in touch with.

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The AUTONOMY album has now been completed, with production duties handled by Dave Dominguez (famed for his engineering work on the recent STAIND and PAPA ROACH albums) and will be released on Earache Records on November 5th 2001. Entitled, simply, Autonomy - the UK can expect more than mere fireworks that day!!

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Currently a UK tour with new Visible Noise signings NUMBER ONE SON is in the planning stages for the first 3 weeks of November.

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