Archive News Jun 27, 2001

Contrary to the official statement posted by METAL CHURCH guitarist Kurdt Venaderhoof on the group's official web site (as reported here yesterday),the ongoing METAL CHURCH “dispute” involving Vanderhoof and vocalist David Wayne appears to be far less of a “united front” against the singer on the part of the band than the guitarist would have us believe. METAL CHURCH fans will be pleased to know that MC guitarist Craig Wells actually appears on Wayne's Metal Church solo effort (which is due to appear under the WAYNE moniker) alongside main guitarist/co-writer Jimi Bell, and according to Dave, "right now, Craig is committed to doing the [upcoming] festivals and tour [in support of the album] as long as the tour isn't too long. He was invited to write but he is building yachts for rich guys and he had a new baby a year ago, so his hands are full. With Craig, there's an open-door policy because he's a brother and I've known him for over 16 years. He has been very giving and generous in his willingness to be a part of it."

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With respect to the possibility of doing another album with METAL CHURCH, Dave has stated the following: "I will if it's a year from now but I think Kurdt… now he's suddenly all hot-to-trot. He's been calling [former MC vocalist] Mike Howe and just begging him to come out and do it — so let Mike Howe do it! I can't work with Vanderhoof's every 3 or 4-year schedule."

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Dave on his reasons for recording Metal Church and how it stacks up against METAL CHURCH's 1999 “comeback” effort Masterpeace: "I wanted to get back to the roots of METAL CHURCH, i.e. the first two albums because for the last 10 years I kept hearing people go, 'Man, I wish you guys would do something like your first 2 records!' So I listened, and I'm trying to do what I think the loyal audience of METAL CHURCH would like to hear. ... I think Masterpeace is a great record, and it stands on its own two feet, but it wasn't exactly what Kurdt and I were telling everybody it was. That being the third record of METAL CHURCH had he and I stayed in [the band]."

AGNOSTIC FRONT bassist Rob Kabula has left the band in order to spend more time at home with his children. An official statement from the band reads as follows: “We understand and value his reasons. Rob is our brother. We spend many years and memorable times together. We also would like to introduce the newest member to our Hardcore family, Mike Gallo. Mike has recorded our new CD with us and has played a few live shows already. Anyway you put it, We are still keeping it real...”

A recording of DEEP PURPLE's performance at the Sunrise Musical Theatre, Ft Lauderdale Florida, on June 5th will be released on DVD in February/March 2002. In other PURPLE-related news, guitarist Steve Morse can be heard on five tracks on the just-released album by Manuel Barrueco, called Nylon &amp Steel. The songs that Steve appears on are as follows: "Wolvesville (An Improvisation On Etude No.1 By Villa-Lobos)", "Cavatina", "Without Sunglasses", "Northern Lights" and "Up In The Air". Finally, DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover will be making appearance on an upcoming tribute album for the late Allen Woody, bass player in GOV'T MULE. Roger Glover will play on the track "Maybe I'm a Leo". The album will be released in September 2001.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist Mark Boals has reportedly been working on an upspecified project in Los Angeles with keyboardist Erik Norlander and bassist Tony Franklin prior to embarking on MALMSTEEN's current Asian tour. In related news, YNGWIE's shows in Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been cancelled due to unsafe travel conditions.

The UK's TRIBUTE TO NOTHING will release a new album, entitled 50,000 Watts Of Goodwill at the end of September.

BLACK SABBATH and DISTURBED will be joining forces for a string of post-Ozzfest arena shows during August. The confirmed and tentative dates so far are as follows:

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Aug. 14 - Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheatre

Aug. 15 - Scranton, PA @ Coors Light Amphitheatre

Aug. 17 - Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Arena

Aug. 18 - Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena

Aug. 21 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre

Aug. 23 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Performing Arts Center

Aug. 24 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post

Aug. 25 - Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheatre

ROOSTER is the name of a brand new Swedish project featuring guitarist Anders Fästader and bassist Micke Höglund from GREAT KING RAT, vocalist Matti Alfonzetti (ex-JAGGED EDGE, ex-SKINTRADE, ALFONZETTI) and drummer Jonas Östman (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). The quartet have just finished recording a demo, which was followed up by two club gigs at Pub Anchor in Stockholm last weekend. Samples of the demo can be heard via the group's official web site: http://home.swipnet.se/~w-22141/rooster/

Nashville's 12V NEGATIVE EARTH will be entering the studio in mid-July with producer (and CINDERELLA drummer) Fred Coury to record five or six new songs that are set to appear on a self-financed EP in late August or early September.

A press release from the PITCHSHIFTER camp:

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'Slim-wear' is the new T-shirt company fronted by PITCHSHIFTER's Clayden brothers bassist Mark and singer J.S. Slim designs do not feature the PITCHSHIFTER name or logos. They are just great designs that the boys feel are cool enough to bring to the public. Slim-wear allows the brothers to exercise their well known love of design and to have a little creative fun away from music.

A quote from the boys:

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"'Slim-wear' happened by accident really. We used to print our own T-shirt designs just for the band to wear on the road. The designs in most shops are so lame that you have to do your own thing to be different. People started to ask us all the time where they could get the shirts from because they loved the designs. Interest got so high that we thought 'what the hell' if people want them, why not give them to them? So we've decided to go public with the shirts.

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Right now we can't decide whether we like the 'Dark Lord-T' or the 'Maim-Kill-Destroy' shirt the best, it's a tough choice. Both designs are rocking. We see Slim-wear as something for the discerning freak, something different, something to get you noticed, loved by the neighbours (we are also available for children's parties . . . ha ha.)

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There will be more designs over time, we have other gems up our sleeves. Keep an eye on www.pitchshifter.com's merchandise pages for updates.

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Peace - Mark and J.S.Clayden"

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The current Slim-wear T-shirts can be seen in all their glory, and purchased online by going to: http://www.pitchshifter.com and clicking on the 'merchandise' link.

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For other enquiries you can email Slim-wear representatives direct on: [email protected]

SONATA ARCTICA's sophomore effort, Silence, has sold over 26,000 copies in Japan since its June 21st release, and has risen to the #16 position on the Pop Album chart (which includes domestic artists).

CLUTCH have cancelled all the dates on their previously scheduled Canadian tour. No reason was given for the cancellation.

Australia's PSI.KORE has announced Ben Walker as replacement for their departed guitarist Andrew Lilley.

Osmose Productions is re-releasing SADISTIK EXEKUTION's "classic" 1991 debut album The Magus. In related news, the band are toying around with the idea of ending their self-imposed hiatus by issuing another—and likely final—album, entitled Fukk, later this year.

BREACH OF TRUST have lined up a bunch of Canadian shows in support of the EMI re-release of the Canadian group's independently-issued Songs For Dying Nations CD (which came out yesterday, June 26th). The dates are as follows:

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June 29 - Winnipeg, MB - The Zoo

July 01 - Barrie, ON - Edgefest

July 05 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Apollo

July 07 - Regina, SK - Flatlands Music Festival

July 11 - Calgary, AB - Desperado's - (w/Headstones)

July 13 - Craven, SK - Rockin' The Valley

Dec 31 - Saskatoon, SK - Centennial Hall

A European tour featuring BEHEMOTH, ANCIENT RITES, and DIABOLIC is tentatively set to begin September 7th. Scheduled dates include a show in Italy with SLAYER, PANTERA, CRADLE OF FILTH and others at the Italian stop of the Tattoo The Planet Festival. More details will follow shortly. In related news, DIABOLIC have acquired guitarist Jerry Mortellaro. DIABOLIC's sophomore full-length effort, Subterraneal Magnitude, is scheduled for release in Europe on July 23rd through Hammerheart Records.