Archive News Aug 28, 2001

Here are the tentative dates for the forthcoming Roadrunner RoadRage tour, which is schedule to feature FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, CHIMAIRA and ILL NINO:

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Sept. 19 - Fargo, ND - Playmaker's Pavillion

Sept. 21 - Rockford, IL - Times Theater

Sept. 22 - Green Bay, WI - Ryan's Ballroom

Sept. 23 - Duluth, WI - North Shore Theater

Sept. 24 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues

Sept. 25 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's

Sept. 27 - Lafayette, IN - Riehle Brothers Pavillion

Sept. 28 - Toledo, OH - Hard Hat Concert Hall

Sept. 30 - Worcester, MA - Palladium

Oct. 02 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's

Oct. 03 - Kansas City, KS - The Beaumont

Oct. 04 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater

Oct. 07 - Phoenix, AZ - Boston's

Oct. 08 - Tuba City, AZ - TBA

Oct. 10 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater

Oct. 12 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange County Fairgrounds

Oct. 14 - Fresno, CA - TBA

Oct. 16 - Albuquerque, NM - TBA

Oct. 17 - Amarillo, TX - TBA

Oct. 19 - Dallas, TX - TBA

Oct. 20 - Houston, TX - Center Theater

Oct. 22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Chili Pepper

Oct. 23 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues

Oct. 24 - Jacksonville, FL - The Edge

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More dates will be announced shortly.

OZZY OSBOURNE shot a video for the first single, entitled 'Gets Me Through', from his upcoming Down To Earth CD, with director Jonas Akerlund (i.e. METALLICA, MADONNA, U2) in Los Angeles this past weekend. In other news, the previously rumored Black Christmas tour has now officially been confirmed, with OZZY and ROB ZOMBIE the only currently announced acts to be taking part in the November/December arena trek. MARILYN MANSON and DISTURBED are strongly rumored to be two of the other three acts that will be part of the package.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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SYSTEM THANKS FANS WITH FREE L.A. CONCERT

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SYSTEM OF A DOWN, whose hotly-anticipated album, Toxicity, will be released on American Recordings September 4, will say 'thank you' to their home-town fans with a free show to be held in the heart of Hollywood at 5:00PM on Labor Day, Monday, September 3.

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The stage will be set up in a parking lot across the street from Vynyl at 1650 Schrader Blvd., just south of Hollywood Blvd. Those wishing to attend will not need tickets, but are urged to get there EARLY. The free concert is being supported by L.A. radio powerhouse KROQ, who will be giving away special 'pit passes' to listeners on-air beginning this Monday, 27 August.

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There will be no opening act — just SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Fans can expect SYSTEM to perform brand new songs from Toxicity, including the track 'Chop Suey!' which has been the #1 most requested track at KROQ since it first went on the air four weeks ago.

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SYSTEM OF A DOWN will initially support the release of Toxicity with the six-week Pledge of Allegiance U.S. tour that they are co-headlining with SLIPKNOT. The tour kicks off in Chicago on September 14, and will play Los Angeles on September 29 at the Forum.

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Meet SYSTEM OF A DOWN! Get your copy of Toxicity signed by the band:

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Los Angeles :

Tuesday, September 4th

6 PM

Tower Sunset

8801 Sunset Blvd

West Hollywood, CA

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New York:

Friday, Sept. 7th

5pm

Tower Records

694 Broadway (4th &amp Broadway)

212-505-1500

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For NYC only - Free SOAD tix with purchase of Toxicity: If you buy a copy of Toxicity at the 4th and Broadway Tower Records on Sept 7th you will get a ticket to the SOLD OUT SYSTEM show at Irving Plaza that night! (Offer good while supplies last, 1 ticket per CD purchase, Limit 2 CDs per customer. See store for complete details)

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was reportedly spotted on Wednesday, August 15th at a Beverly Hills hotel, where he was said to be staying while undergoing treatment for alcoholism at a nearby rehabilitation center. When approached by a METALLICA fans who recognized him, the singer allegedly stated that his recovery from alcoholism is a “long hard road” and made t clear that he appreciated all the support and words of encouragement from the METALLICA fans around the world. It is presently unclear how long Hetfield's stay in rehab will go on or when we can expect to see METALLICA resume work on their upcoming studio album, which is due out at the end of 2002 at the earliest.

SEPULTURA have just returned to their hometown of São Paulo, Brazil after playing two “great shows” in Korea and Japan, including an appearance at the Beast Feast Festival alongside SLAYER and PANTERA, among others, and are about to film a video for the track “One Man Army”, off the Nation CD.

The remainder of M.O.D.'s previously announced headlining US tour has been cancelled due to unspecified “internal” problems.

Bassist Jamie Hunting has reportedly left MOTLEY CRUE frontman Vince Neil's touring band after a huge blow-up” between Jamie and Vince in Reading, PA, on Saturday, August 25th, according to Metal Sludge. Although Hunting stuck around to play with the band on Sunday in New Jersey, he is reportedly being replaced by former OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Phil Soussan beginning with this Thursday's show in Colorado.

Former RATT singer Stephen Pearcy broke a few ribs when someone spilled a drink on the steps of his band's tour bus, causing the frontman to slip and fall. As a result, the band's scheduled performances for the foreseeable future appear to have been cancelled. There has not been any official word on the matter as yet.

HELLOWEEN fans that missed the exclusive interviews with mainman Michael Weikath and former axeman Roland Grapow that aired on Cleveland's WBWC 88.3 FM during the station's HELLOWEEN Radio Marathon Live this past Thursday, August 23rd can download both interviews in Real Audio format from here and here.

Long-defunct San Francisco Bay Area metal band MERCENARY, whose legend far exceeded the band's recorded legacy (the group had issued only one demo back in 1986 before splitting up) are planning to reunite for one show, which is scheduled to take place in San Francisco in early November. Here is an official statement on the matter issued by founding member Sven Soderlund (guitars): “A big 'what up' to all old school, and new school thrash metal fans worldwide. MERCENARY has decided to do a reunion show in early November (T.B.A.) at the C.W. Saloon (Lucifer's Hammer). After attending Thrash of the Titans festival in August, we felt compelled to reform and give you what we couldn't back in ྒ. Although, in its history MERCENARY only played twice, the demo ྒ tape everybody talked about and reviewed then over-shadowed popularity in our live shows and was one of the most sought-after demos circulating at the time. We negotiated with labels here and there but weren't satisfied with the results we were getting. Personnel problems soon followed and the band split its first line up in the Fall of ྒ. So, the band reformed with two future MORDRED members: Jim Sanguinetti (guitar) &amp Gannon Hall (drums),played two killer shows before breaking up once again in February ྒྷ. Founding members of MERCENARY, Sven Soderlund (vocals/guitar) and Slade Anderson (drums) have decided to let loose the paid assassin MERCENARY once again to punish your eardrums. Prepare for the onslaught! See you there and spread the word! Sven Soderlund, August 27th 2001”. Joining Sven and Slade in the new line-up will reportedly be former MY VICTIM/ULYSSES SIREN bassist JR Clegg and former HEATHEN/current VICIOUS RUMORS axeman Ira Black.

An interview with TECHNOCRACY, who feature in their ranks former VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel, which took place on Friday, August 24th on Billy Steel's Metal Zone via FM 107.7 The Bone can be heard in streaming Real Audio via this location.

Congratulations are in order for BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kursch and his wife, who became the proud parents of a “healthy little kid named Jonas” a few days ago, according to the group's official web site.

During former TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider's appearance at the Minnesota State Fair last weekend, Dee revealed that a strong chance exists that there will be a full-blown TWISTED SISTER reunion next year. The singer also stated that he is currently discussing the possibility of appearing in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Broadway this January.

BORKNAGAR's recently-completed fifth album, entitled Empiricism, was mastered by Ola Johansen at Masterhuset in Oslo, Norway on July 30th and August 6th for an October 22nd European release date. In related news, BORKNAGAR keyboardist Lars “Lazare” Nedland's “other” band, SOLEFALD, will finally release their long-completed new album, recorded a year ago and entitled Pills Against The Ageless Ills, through Century Media Records on September 24th.

H.I.M.'s just-issued third full-length album, entitled Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights, was unofficially certified gold in the group's native Finland within two days of the record's release (the CD was issued in Finland on Friday, August 24th, while the rest of continental Europe didn't get the album until yesterday, August 27th).

Houston's PURE RUBBISH, fresh off their successful Ozzfest stint, are back home writing material for their forthcoming debut album, Glamorous Youth, which is scheduled for an early winter 2002 release through Divine Recordings.

Swedish sleaze rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR will release the first single, entitled “Shame”, off their forthcoming studio album on September 17th. The full-length CD will follow on October 8th.

Austria's HOLLENTHON, featuring PUNGENT STENCH guitarist/vocalist Martin Schirenc, will embark on a tour of the European continent in late November. Further details will be posted as they become available. In the meantime, Martin will begin recording a cover song for a forthcoming LED ZEPPELIN tribute album. In related news, PUNGENT STENCH has just completed its comeback CD, entitled Masters of Moral — Servants of Sin, which is due to be released through Nuclear Blast Records on November 12th.

LEATHERWOLF has chosen Chris Adams as its new lead singer. A band new five-song demo has already been completed, and the band is currently writing more songs for an upcoming CD, to be released through an as-yet-undetermined label.

Man's Ruin Records, the record company that was responsible for releasing early and rare material by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and ENTOMBED, among others, has gone out of business. Formed by Frank Kozik in 1995, the label had issued countless underground classics since its inception, including records by KYUSS, FU MANCHU, IRON MONKEY, ORANGE GOBLIN and QOTSA frontman Josh Homme's Desert Sessions series.

Birmingham, Alabama's VIRGOS (formerly VIRGOS MERLOT) will be playing at Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, September 1st. Opening the show will be VON RA, BLUE RUIN, RELEESE, and PRESENCE.

Former HOLE/SMASHING PUMPKINS bassist Melissa auf Der Maur (also known as Dave Grohl's girlfriend) will reportedly open her own photo exhibition in New York on September 5th. Melissa will be displaying an installation comprising photographs taken from television, ranging from abstract images to more provocative, social commentary-style pictures. The exhibition is scheduled to take place at The Secret Gallery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York City.

THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX, the side project of ENTOMBED bassist Jorgen Sandstrom, have filmed the group's live appearance at the release party for their just-issued When We Are Done...Your Flesh Will Be Ours, which took place on on August 11th at Contan in Örebro, Sweden.

French melodic metallers HEAVENLY will release their second album, entitled Sign Of The Winner, on September 3rd. The CD was recorded at the Danish Jailhouse Studio with producer Tommy Hansen, who handled the production duties on last year's Coming From The Sky debut. HEAVENLY will play a free “showcase” gig at Club Dunois in Paris around October 7th, after which they will embark on a full European tour with EDGUY.

DISTURBED, DROWNING POOL, ADEMA, STEREOMUD and SYSTEMATIC are teaming up for the Music As A Weapon tour, which is scheduled to begin on September 22nd in Denver, Colorado. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

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Sept. 22 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

Sept. 24 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Will Rogers Theatre

Sept. 25 - Little Rock, AR @ Riverfest Amphitheatre

Sept. 27 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amph.

Sept. 28 - Dallas, TX @ Bronco Bowl

Sept. 29 - San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Garden Amphitheater

Sept. 30 - Austin, TX @ Auditorium Shores

Oct. 02 - Lubbock, TX @ West Texas Canyon Amphitheater

Oct. 03 - Albuquerque, NM @ Albuquerque Conv. Center

Oct. 05 - Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium

Oct. 09 - Kansas City, KS @ Memorial Hall

Oct. 10 - Lincoln, NE @ Pershing Auditorium

Oct. 12 - Valley Center, KS @ Kansas Coliseum

Oct. 25 - Estero, FL @ TECO Arena

Oct. 26 - Miami, FL @ Bayfront Park

Oct. 27 - Tampa, FL @ WXTB-FM Radio Show

Oct. 28 - Orlando, FL @ WJRR-FM Radio Show

Oct. 30 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

Swiss melodic metallers CRYSTAL BALL will enter Area 51 Studios in Celle, Germany in December to begin recording their third album—the group's first for Nuclear Blast Records—with producer Tommy Newton. A late spring 2002 release is expected.

CEREMONY is set to release a 10' limited run vinyl, entitled Days Before The Death, via the Dublin-based Invitus Productions label in December. In other news, guitarist Greg Reed's other band DISASTRONAUT will be issuing an album entitled Giku Iku through Japan's Hyper Rich label in Japan in late October. A Japanese tour is set for December.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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It is with great pleasure that Century Media Records officially announces the signing of SCAR CULTURE and the upcoming release of their debut album, Inscribe, on October 2.

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The band began to develop their sound in 1997, releasing a demo and performing alongside BRUTAL TRUTH, SOILENT GREEN and HYPOCRISY, among others. Upon hearing the demo, AntiMTV.com provided a good description of the band and the sonic fury that will be unleashed through Inscribe: 'the technical skill of death metal, the brutality of grindcore and the groove of hardcore.'

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Billy Milano, the notorious frontman for thrash legends S.O.D. and M.O.D., saw SCAR CULTURE for the first time and could muster but two profoundly descriptive words: 'F.cking brutal.'

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Already aware of the fierce reputation the band had built under the name SCRAPE (before losing the rights to this name),this assessment of brutality was shared by Century Media and led the label to sign the New York-based quartet.

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'I knew I wanted to sign SCAR CULTURE from the first time I heard them,' explains Steve Joh, SCAR CULTURE's A&ampR rep. 'They're an extremely hard-working band who put on a devastating live show — combine these traits with the strength of this album and you've got a force to be reckoned with in the metal and hardcore scenes.'

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Inscribe was recorded by Milano at his Blue Meenie studios in Hoboken, New Jersey (recording home of AGNOSTIC FRONT, VISION OF DISORDER, VOIVOD, SICK OF IT ALL, S.O.D., etc.) and features thirteen tracks, including 'S.Y.D.', a cover of FAITH NO MORE's 1989 classic, 'Surprise! You're Dead!'.

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SCAR CULTURE is:

Pheroze Karai - vocals

John Conley - guitar

Frank Cannino - bass

Duke Borisov - drums/percussion

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Official SCAR CULTURE Web site: www.scarculture.com

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