Archive News Jun 16, 2001

PITCHSHIFTER are continuing work on the material for their forthcoming studio album, which is tentatively due to be recorded later in the year and released in early 2002 through an as-yet-unspecified label. According to guitarist Jim Davies, 'we have 12 new tunes right now. We've mixed seven of them to demo standard so far and prospective labels are being played the choice cuts. As you would expect from us, they are all different but still containing the PITCHSHIFTER feel. The guitars are heavier than Deviant, as we've decided to drop back down another whole step to tune in 'C' (as on all the LPs up to the www.pitchshifter.com LP)'.

...

Vocalist JS Clayden commented: 'There is more programming on the tunes than Deviant but not as intensive as www.pitchshifter.com. I think we've reached a happy medium of the two. In many respects I think the www.pitchshifter.com LP was a little too far ahead of the curve for a lot of people to get it back then, and I think Deviant almost did the same thing by being so far from www.pitchshifter.com. The new tunes are just naturally becoming a culmination of all the best elements of the last two LPs, which in my opinion are the best two. Both of us are very excited about the tunes. There's a LOT of energy on this demo so far, and we can't wait to get into the big studio to record it. We're aiming at a September start and to be finished recording and mixing before Christmas.'

SKINLAB have finished tracking the drums for their forthcoming third full-length effort, tentatively titled tHEreVOLTINGROOM&gt&gtdISTURBING tHE aRT oF eXPRESSION&lt&lt, at San Francisco's Hyde Street Studios and have moved over to the Trident facility to complete guitar, bass and vocal tracks for the album, which is being produced by Steve Evetts (i.e. SEPULTURA, EARTH CRISIS) and Juan Ortega (i.e. 40 GRIT). tHEreVOLTINGROOM&gt&gtdISTURBING tHE aRT oF eXPRESSION&lt&lt is tentatively due for release through Century Media Records in October/November.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's forthcoming sophomore effort, Toxicity, is tentatively scheduled to be released on August 14th through American/Columbia Records.

MISFITS' Jerry Only and THE RAMONES' Marky Ramone made a spontaneous cameo during a taping of the People's Court, for the episode that aired yesterday, Friday, June 15th nationwide. Meanwhile, Metro Channel's Subway Q&ampA piece on Jerry and Marky is currently being edited for broadcast in late June or early July.

Veteran UK NWOBHM act ANGEL WITCH have issued an official statement regarding the recent departure of drummer Scott Higham, who reportedly left the group to join the up-and-coming UK metal band SHADOWKEEP (as first reported here two days ago). Here is the statement in its entirety:

...

'Scott Higham has severed all ties with ANGEL WITCH and is no longer with the band. The split is by mutual consent and comes at a time when the band are putting the finishing touches to the songs that will soon be recorded to become the eagerly awaited brand new ANGEL WITCH studio album.

...

'A few names have already been linked to the vacant stool but the remaining trio of Kevin Heybourne, Richie Wicks and Keith Herzberg are keeping lips firmly tightened as to who will eventually become the fourth name to grace the record. Similarly they refuse to be drawn into speaking about events that lead to the departure but do wish Scott well with any venture he may pursue in the future.

...

'Although auditions are set to begin in a few weeks time the door is not closed to the rest of the drumming fraternity. Anyone who thinks they have the ability and credentials to become the new ANGEL WITCH sticksman should contact the band immediately through the [band's official] web site at [email protected] or by calling 07759 037556. It should be noted that the person most likely to be recruited will be a hard hitter - metal to the core, possess the ability to command audiences the size of Wacken in excess of 40,000 screaming faces, have a CV that includes recorded material (preferably released and on CD format) that can be forwarded to the band prior to audition and be able to learn the current set list and new album material in ten minutes flat (negotiable!). Also the ability to rehearse in the South London area is essential. Time wasters will be sorry they tried.

...

'The band are hoping to tie up a lucrative management deal imminently which will move things forward at a remarkably faster pace so regard your applications as a probable career venture.'

BAD RELIGION have cancelled their previously scheduled European dates due to drummer Bobby Schayer's career-ending injury, which has resulted in the drummer having lost a very significant amount of motion in his shoulder, thus making it difficult for him to raise his arm above the level of his chest without excruciating pain. He cannot hit the cymbals, nor perform drum rolls with any degree of intensity — in short, his drum career is over. In spite of previous announcements indicating that former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES skinsman Brooks Wackerman would replace Schayer behind the kit, this now appears to not be the case, and BAD RELIGION are said to be busy auditioning and rehearsing for their new album, which will be released in October. The LP's release will coincide with the band's return to Europe, where the group plan on making up all the postponed shows that they had to suddenly, and unexpectedly, abandon.

According to Black Mark Records' official web site, BATHORY's much-anticipated Destroyer Of Worlds CD is tentatively scheduled to be released on September 24th. Meanwhile, August 27th will apparently see the release of another BATHORY album entitled Katalog, which will reportedly contain 'tracks from Destroyer…/favourite tracks'. Check out Black Mark's official web site (www.blackmark.net) for pictures of the album covers.

For Immediate Release:

...

NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS AIDS CHUCK IN TIME OF NEED

...

Recognizing the need of someone who has been a friend, mentor and idol to so many, Nuclear Blast Records has donated the sum of $10,000 to Chuck Schuldiner and his family in their time of need. As has been well documented recently, Chuck Schuldiner — who some would call the single most influential man in underground metal -- once again had to seek medical treatment for a brain tumor, which he was diagnosed with over two years ago. In addition, The Century Family, Inc., of which Nuclear Blast is a part along with Century Media Records, Noise Records, Inside Out America and Olympic, has donated several items for the online auction organized by Hammerheart America and hosted by ebay and Allbeat.com. These items come from the respective labels' archives as well as from the personal collections of employees.

...

While these donations help ease the financial burden felt by the Schuldiner family, they will by no means cover the cost of Chuck's continuing treatments. Nuclear Blast would like to join our friends at Hammerheart America in encouraging everyone to send a donation to the Schuldiners. Information on the 'Charles Schuldiner Medical Fund' is as follows:

...

Washington Mutual Bank

500 East Alta Drive

Altamonte Springs, FL. 32701

...

Bank routing number: 321180748

Account number: 3513564696

According to KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy LaRocque, KING DIAMOND are nearly done recording the drum and rhythm guitar tracks to the group's forthcoming CD, Abigail II: The Revenge. Frontman King Diamond has recorded vocals to two songs so far, and guitarist Mike Wead is presently recording solos, while bassist Hal Patino is scheduled to start recording his tracks next week.

ROB ZOMBIE's as-yet-untitled second album — which will include a guest appearance by SLAYER guitarist Kerry King — is set for a mid-September release, with a US tour set to begin around Halloween. According to Zombie's official web site, the outing will be his 'largest stage show ever.' Rob has been previously quoted as saying that the Scott Humphrey-produced new album 'has a much more live, raw sound [than Hellbilly Deluxe]. It sounds a lot more fluid.'

COAL CHAMBER have completed recording the drums and bass for all the tracks that are set to appear on the group's forthcoming Dark Days CD, which is presently being tracked at Rumbo Recorders Studio in Canoga Park, California. Guitarist Meegs started laying down the guitar tracks today, June 16th, and vocalist Dez Fafara is scheduled to begin recording his vocals on Wednesday, June 20th. According to Fafara, 'this is really kind of a feeling album, so I want to track as we go.'

...

'It's really a non-stop album,' the vocalist is quoted as saying on the Roadrunner Records web site. 'Hearing it is to be like hearing us live. All are very anthem like songs.'

...

The band will reportedly be recording a total of 14 songs, of which only 11 or 12 will show up on the LP, while the rest will be put aside for use as future B-sides. Tentative song titles include:

...

01. One Step Forward (formerly 'Three Steps')

02. Drove

03. Alienate Me

04. Beckon

...

COAL CHAMBER are also rumored to be laying down a reworked version of the track 'Who Is God?', which was originally co-written and recorded by vocalist Dez Fafara and guitarist Meegs for the English artist OVERSEER (a recording that was produced by MOTLEY CRUE bassist Nikki Sixx).

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, featuring former DEEP PURPLE/RAINBOW guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and his 'companion' Candice Night, are set to issue a single for the track 'The Times They Are A Changin'' (an adaptation of the Bob Dylan classic) that will also contain another new track that's not included on the act's upcoming release, Fires At Midnight, as well as the video clip for 'The Times They Are A Changin''.

According to YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's official web site, reports from fans attending YNGWIE's premiere performance of Concerto Suite with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra indicate that the experience was 'nothing short of historic', with the guitarist apparently having received a lengthy standing ovation at the end of the two-hour program.

...

Here is the full set list for YNGWIE's Concerto Suite performance:

...

01. Black Star (orchestra only)

02. Evil Eye

03. Brothers

04. Trilogy Suite Op.5 — the first movement

05. Blitzkrieg

- intermission - (20 minutes)

06. Concerto Suite (Millennium) (full version)

Encore:

07. Far Beyond the Sun

Sweden's BLAZING SKIES will have their brand new studio album, Void Of Chaos, released through Plasmatica Records later in the year. Recorded at Bollnäs' Sound Creation Studios, the album will include the following tracks:

...

01. Whispers

02. Soulicide

03. Fallacies Of Pain

04. Into The Flaming Sun

05. Cast For Eaons

06. Of Ferment Slowly Decay

07. Void Of Chaos

08. Cold Stream Pace

09. The Broken Cord

Boston's GRIEF have decided to call it quits after almost 10 years of existence. Jeff Hayward (guitars),Terry Savastano (guitars) and Eric Harrison (bass) are reportedly in the process of putting together a new band, for which they are currently seeking a drummer and a vocalist.

Greek doom metallers VIOLET VORTEX — who are said to sound like a cross between ST. VITUS and CATHEDRAL — are scheduled to release their as-yet-untitled debut album on September 10th.

...