Archive News Jul 25, 2001

According to buddyhead.com, FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl, former NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic, FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, L7's Donita Sparks, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Josh Homme and THE TRAVELING WILBURYS drummer Jim Keltner got together at Los Angeles' Conway Studios on Monday, July 16th to record several as-yet-undisclosed tunes that may or may not appear on the forthcoming Desert Sessions disc, which is due to emerge through Homme's Rekords Rekords label in conjunction with Southern Lord Recordings. More information on this as it becomes available.

DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno reportedly contributed lead vocals to one track for the forthcoming sophomore effort from METHODS OF MAYHEM (featuring former MOTLEY CRUE drummer Tommy Lee),which is expected to emerge in October through MCA Records. Chino's contributions were apparently tracked last Thursday at Lee's home studio with producer Scott Humphreys at the helm. In related news, DEFTONES have now resumed their tour with GODSMACK (after taking a break to allow Moreno's throat some rest),with the group's first show back having taken place on July 21st at the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. According to reports, the show's encore featured appearances from Max Cavalera of SOULFLY (on “Head Up”) and Rodleen (on “Knife Party”Rodleen's vocals can also be heard on the recorded version of this track via the group's last album, White Pony).

According to the official web site of I Am Recordings, producer Ross Robinson's label imprint through Virgin Records, GLASSJAW are due to enter the studio in November to record their sophomore Roadrunner Records effort, which will feature Robinson at the helm. The same web site also states that the UK's VEX RED, who are signed to I Am, are currently having their debut album for the label, Start With a Strong and Persistent Desire, mixed by Robinson and mega-producer Brendan O'Brien.

S.O.D. will be issuing yet another DVD, entitled Speak English or LIVE!, featuring a digital remaster of 1992's Live At Budokan home video, plus a recording of the group's performance at the 1999 Full Force Festival. The DVD is due to be released in September.

ANTHRAX/ARMORED SAINT vocalist John Bush will be a guest on KNAC.com on Friday, July 27th at 12:00 PM PDT. Bush will be discussing ARMORED SAINT's just-issued Nod to the Old School release, a two-CD set featuring two new tracks, the group's 1983's self-titled EP, several live cuts, and other rarities. In related news, ANTHRAX have announced further dates for their mini-headlining tour in between shows as the support act for JUDAS PRIEST this fall. The confirmed headlining gigs are as follows:

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Aug. 11 – San Francisco, CA @ Maritime Hall (Thrash

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Of The Titans)

Sept. 06 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock

Sept. 07 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

Sept. 08 - Old Bridge, NJ @ Birch Hill

Sept. 10 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ 3rd Street

Sept. 11 - Lincoln, NE @ Royal Grove

Sept. 12 - Ft. Collins, CO @ Starlight

Sept. 16 - Fresno, CA @ Chuy's

PAPA ROACH's Infest CD has been certified triple platinum for sales in excess of three million copies in the US. Also recently certified was SMASHING PUMPKINS' Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, which has passed the nine million mark in American sales. Meanwhile, POISON's 1991 live set, Swallow This Live, has just been certified gold for sales of over half a million in the US.

Sweden's ARCH ENEMY, featuring German vocalist Angela Gossow, will be performing at the Underworld (Camden) in London, UK on Thursday, August 16th. Support will come from AKERCOCKE.

KING DIAMOND are due to complete the recording process for their forthcoming studio album, Abigail II: The Revenge, in the beginning of August for a late 2001 release through Metal Blade Records. The album's cover artwork is presently being finalized by artist Travis Smith, whose previous work includes covers for such acts as NEVERMORE, ICED EARTH, SKINLAB and DRAGONLORD, among many others. Tentative song titles for the album include the following:

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01. The Storm

02. Mansion In Sorrow

03. Spirits

04. Slippery Stairs

05. Revenge Is Sweet

06. Dinner For Two

Brazil's SHAMAN, featuring former ANGRA members Andre Matos (vocals),Ricardo Confessori (drums) and Luis Mariutti (bass),are due to begin their debut album shortly with producer Sascha Paeth (i.e. KAMELOT) for an early 2002 release. The as-yet-untitled CD will reportedly be a concept album, and it will be recorded at various studios in Brazil and Germany. In related news, Matos' project with Paeth, VIRGOS, is due to release its long-awaited debut CD through SPV/Steamhammer Records in September, to be preceded by a record “playback” party at a club in Cologne, Germany on August 16th during the Popkomm convention.

SIX, the new Los Angeles-based act featuring former DROWN/FAMOUS vocalist Lauren, ex-MALFUNCTION mainman Alfunction and Bob K, are due to support CLUTCH at a dozen-or-so dates on the East Coast during August/September. The confirmed shows are as follows:

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Aug. 24 - Charlestown, SC @ the Music Farm

Aug. 25 - Atlantic Beach, NC @ Ziggy's By The Sea

Aug. 26 - Kill Devil Hills, NC @ The Pit

Aug. 28 - Spartenburg, SC @ Ground Zero

Aug. 29 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Ziggy's

Aug. 30 - Chattanooga, TN @ the Bay

Aug. 31 - Memphis, TN@ the New Daisy Theatre

Sept. 01 - Jonesboro, GA @ Breakers

Sept. 02 - Hilton Head, SC @ Monkey Business

According to a Century Media Records representative, Greece's ROTTING CHRIST have not yet booked studio time or picked a producer for the recording of their forthcoming album, contrary to the item that was posted here several days ago. The band are said to be in the middle of pre-production for the upcoming effort and are contemplating studio and producer possibilities, but have not yet made a decision as to whom they will be working with or where they will be recording the as-yet-untitled album, which is tentatively due to be issued through Century Media Records in early 2002.

BIOHAZARD have announced their touring plans for the remainder of the year. Following the group's appearance at the WSOU 15th Anniversary concert in mid-August, the band will head over to Japan to play the Beast Feast Festival and then fly out to Europe for the Tattoo The Planet tour and select headlining dates before coming back to the US for a full tour in October/November. Here is BIOHAZARD's current touring schedule:

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Aug. 19 - Newark, NJ @ WSOU 15th Anniversary

Aug 26 – Yokohama, JAP @ Beast Feast

Sept. 13 – Amsterdam, NETH @ Melk Weg

Sept. 15 – London, UK @ Wembley Arena

Sept. 16 – Bradford, UK @ Rios

Sept. 17 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

Sept. 18 – Dudley, UK @ JBs

Sept. 19 – Bristol, UK @ Bierkeller

Sept. 20 – Manchester, UK @ MDH

Sept. 22 – Boblingen, GER @ Sporthalle

Sept. 23 – Dusseldorf, GER @ Philipshalle

Sept. 25 – Dornbirn, AUST @ Conrad Sahm

Sept. 26 – Chemnitz, GER @ Eissporthalle

Sept. 27 – Prattein, SWI @ Z7 Koncertfabrik

Sept. 28 – Paris, FRA @ Palais Omnisports

Sept. 29 – Den Bosch, NETH @ Bratanthallen

Sept. 30 – Hamburg, GER @ Sporthalle

Oct. 02 - Den Atelier, LUX @ TBA

Oct. 3 – Lisbon, POR @ Paradise Garage

Oct. 4 – Oporto, POR @ Hard Club

Oct. 5 – Antwerp, BEL @ Hof Ter Lo

Oct. 6 – Berlin, GER @ Arena

Oct. 08 – Nov. 20 - US Tour

Finland's THE 69 EYES will perform at the following festivals during August/September:

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Aug. 10 - Carvicais Rock 2001, POR

Aug. 17 - Highfield Festivals, GER

Aug. 25 - Burgrock, GER

Sept. 01 - M'era Luna, GER

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THE 69 EYES are due to return to Johnny Lee Michaels' recording studio in September to begin work on the follow-up to the acclaimed Blessed Be…, which is due in early 2002.

Former COAL CHAMBER stand-in bassist Nadja Peulen has launched an official web site for her T-shirt company, Cruel Tees, at this location. According to the site, the company is currently finalizing the designs for their collection, and they expect to have shirts available for purchase online sometime during August.

Be My God, the excellent sophomore effort from Finland's LULLACRY, will be released in the US via Century Media Records on September 18th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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CELTIC FROST Guitarist Ron Marks Introduces New Band SUBSONIC

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Visionary. Challenging. Skillful. Entertaining. Thought-provoking. Words like that used to be descriptive of most popular music. Popular music has, largely, turned into a cesspool of vapid, calculated, bland and literally manufactured 'groups' and their corporate-boardroom direction on what their 'product' should sound like.

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Thankfully, some true musicians with a purpose — like SUBSONIC's Ron Marks — are fighting this trend through their very existence.

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SUBSONIC is the brainchild of Ron Marks, lead guitarist and co-songwriter in the critically acclaimed, underground progressive metal band CELTIC FROST. He joined the band for the Into the Pandemonium tour and the Vanity/Nemesis album. CELTIC FROST leader Tom Gabriel Fischer (aka Tom Gabriel Warrior) has referred to this era's line-up as the definitive version of the band. CELTIC FROST was wildly creative and, quite simply, ahead of its time. It's one of the most maddening cases in rock where a vastly talented band was ignored by the masses. At least some smart critics and rabid cult followers knew they were exposed to something special.

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The Pennsylvania-based Marks has independently released two SUBSONIC CDs, Subsonic and Mind Bomb. All songs are performed, arranged and composed (excluding cover versions) by Marks. He also contributed guitar work on Fischer's APOLLYON SUN album Sub.

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Work is under way on the third SUBSONIC CD, tentatively titled Super Vel. Marks is also forming a live band in order to begin performing in the Northeast United States starting in 2001.

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Musically, SUBSONIC defies easy description. It's an eclectic mixture of styles and influences such as heavy metal, industrial and techno, and it's respectful of all of them.

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'This project's musical diversity is an asset, not a liability,' says Marks.

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Perhaps one can make a very broad comparison to Frank Zappa, but in no way, shape or form does Marks affix the generalization to himself.

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'Many people who've heard SUBSONIC have said to me, 'You know, this reminds me a lot of a heavy Zappa.' I'm certainly no Frank Zappa. He was a genius. But after taking a step back and viewing things more objectively, I guess there's some truth to that analogy. SUBSONIC explores a broad range of musical flavors. Lyrically, songs I write can be satirical examinations of society or personal experiences. You know, life stuff. But I also like making music for its own sake. Music that sounds good to me. 'Hey, listen to this. This is a song about itself.' So, in those ways, I guess you could say there's a similarity. If anything, SUBSONIC is more like the next version of what Zappa represented both musically and socially. Music is about decorating the clock,' Marks says.

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Starting in the summer of 2001, should you happen to run into SUBSONIC's master craftsman, you may address him as 'Assistant Professor Marks'! He was invited by Dr. Alan Hunchuk, professor of sociology at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, to help teach a class. Marks will offer his insights into rock 'n' roll's worldwide cultural impact. Hunchuk, who earned a doctorate at the University of Notre Dame, is a fan of Fischer's acclaimed 2000 book Are You Morbid? Into the Pandemonium of CELTIC FROST.

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Marks is seeking management and record company support for SUBSONIC. For more information, call 724-962-1699 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Don't forget to visit the official SUBSONIC web site, which is connected to

CELTIC FROST's web site at www.celticfrost.com/subsonic

Former TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider and his band SMF band have had their two previously-announced Florida shows pushed back until September. The new dates are as follows:

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Sept. 14 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Metal Factory

Sept. 15 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing

Florida NEUROTICA, who feature in their ranks former ATHEIST frontman Kelly Shaefer, have had their third, self-titled CD mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound Studios in New York City this week. The group are scheduled to shoot a video for the first single off their Smackdown Records debut, entitled “All My Friends Crush You”, in about two weeks. More information on the planned video shoot can be obtained at www.coffeestain.com. In related news, NEUROTICA fans should watch for the upcoming BUBBA SPARXXX video 'Ugly', which is due to premier on MTV on August 6th. SPARXXX is a brand new Interscope Records artist who, like NEUROTICA, is a represented by Eleventh Hour Management, and the aforementioned video will reportedly include cameo appearances by NEUROTICA's Shaefer as well as Bizarre from D-12, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliot and Timbaland, along with the entire Eleventh Hour family.

Canada's NICKELBACK will be shooting the video for the first single off their upcoming Silver Side Up CD, entitled 'How You Remind Me', over a two-day period with directors The Brothers Strausse (LINKIN PARK/ POWERMAN 5000).

ROXX GANG guitarist Stacey Blades has been forced to leave the Florida-based band as a result of his “worsening medical condition”. Stacey is reportedly moving back to Toronto to undergo surgery and be with his family during the recovery period. ROXX GANG will continue as a four piece while auditioning for a second guitarist. Interested guitarists should send a demo and current photo to:

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Steele Management

7002 124th Terrace North

Largo, FL 33773

727-524-3006

Holland's XYSTUS will be recording a pre-production demo for their forthcoming CD in early October, with the album tentatively scheduled to be recorded in March 2002 for a summer 2002 release. The five songs that will be recorded for the pre-production demo are as follows:

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01. Into The Void

02. The Everlasting Burden

03. The Luring Red

04. A Waste Of Compassion

05. Lost In Misery Part 1

Germany's DARKSEED are currently in the studio recording a new CD, entitled Astral Adventure, which will be released through an as-yet-undetermined label at the end of the year. DARKSEED recently parted ways with Soundland Records.

SUPERZERO, the New England-based act featuring Markus Cherone (the brother of former VAN HALEN/EXTREME vocalist Gary Cherone) on guitar, will be opening for former VAN HALEN/EXTREME vocalist Gary Cherone's new band TRIBE OF JUDAH on Tuesday, July 31st at Lilli's in Somerville, MA.

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