Archive News Mar 07, 2001 - update 1

Reunited NWOBHM legends JAGUAR are about to start work on a brand new studio album. Meanwhile, the band's label Neat Records are going to re-release JAGUAR's 1984 LP This Time on CD, in a package that will include no less than ten bonus tracks, among them the Jimmy Miller remixes of 'This Time' and 'Tear the Shackles Down' (originally intended for two single releases that never happened),live versions of This Time songs and possibly some tracks from a post-This Time-era demo.

Belgian gory death metallers ABORTED are putting the finishing touches to their Engineering the Dead debut album prior to flying over to the US to take part in the Ohio Death Fest on April 27th and 28th in Lorain, Ohio. According to vocalist Sven, 'This is gonna kill everything we've done so far. We're really looking forward to introducing our new material to our fans in the U.S.' Engineering The Dead is tentatively due for release in May.

Long-running French thrash metallers NO RETURN have issued a brand new album, Self-Mutilation, through Kodiak Records, featuring a musical direction that is being described as 'classic US-style thrash, as popularized by bands like TESTAMENT, SLAYER, early SEPULTURA and, more recently, DARKANE'. For more info, go to the band's official web site: www.noreturn-web.com

Belgium's ANCIENT RITES recently completed work on Dim Carcosa, the group's fourth full-length effort and the follow-up to 1998's Fatherland. The 11-song CD was recorded and mixed at Spacelab Studios in Germany, and it is scheduled for release on May 21st through Mascot Records.

The wife of KISS frontman Paul Stanley has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Pamela Bowen Stanley is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 6-year-old son, Evan Shane. She also is asking for spousal support. The couple married on July 26, 1992, and separated earlier this year, according to the divorce petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week. The couple's assets will be divided later, according to the court papers.

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In other KISS news, the actual 46-page contract between KISS and Peter Criss dated January 5, 1996 was recently offered to the highest bidder on Ebay. An authentic document, with actual signatures, this contract allegedly revealed the full details of Peter rejoining KISS for their original reunion tour, including specific information on how much Peter was paid for his services, if he shared in any profits, or if he was just an employee, and other juicy details that most hardcore KISS fans have been dying to know.

Forbes magazine has listed METALLICA in the 18th place on their yearly 'most powerful celibrities' with 'star power', a list generated based on income, how much the brand name is worth, publicity and more. The only other rock band to make it above METALLICA on the list were THE BEATLES, who came in at number three.

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In other METALLICA news, guitarist Kirk Hammett was voted 'Most Valuable Player' in the April issue of Guitar World and came in second in the 'Best Metal Guitarist' category. PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell won the latter category, while the SLIPKNOT team of Mick Thompson and Jim Root came in at number five.

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Finally, the Associated Press recently reported that the threat of a lawsuit from the METALLICA persuaded a furniture maker to change the name of his business, Metallika. Kim Hodges apparently got a certified letter from METALLICA's lawyer asking him to change the name of his business. Hodges said that he will not fight the band in court and that he is somewhat amused that METALLICA, a group he likes, would even bother to threaten a 'piddling' furniture company. Jill Pietrini, an attorney for the band, said: 'When we find out about things like this, we actively protect the band's trademark rights. It's not like we're trying to protect a name commonly used, like United. It's a unique name.'

SUNNA were reportedly forced to cancel their show at the Little Civic in Wolverhampton, UK a couple of weeks back when frontman Jon Harris lost his during the first song of the band's set. 'When they finally came on stage, Jon tried to sing and nothing happened,' a reader for the UK magazine Metal Hammer reported. 'So he stepped back for a minute and then tried again. He made a real odd noise and then completely smashed his guitar up and then walked off!' SUNNA have promised to re-schedule the show for a later date.

MOTORHEAD will be embarking on a UK tour in May in order to make up the dates that were cancelled when frontman Lemmy was forced to quit the group's European tour early at the end of last year due to 'exhaustion'. The full UK itinerary is as follows:

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May 17 - Newport, UK - Newport Centre

May 18 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowlands

May 19 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City

May 21 - Manchester, UK - Apollo Manchester

May 22 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall

May 23 - London, UK - The Forum

May 25 - London, UK - The Forum

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Since returning home to Los Angeles, Lemmy has been helping out on a solo album by SKUNK ANANSIE guitarist Ace and has recorded a track called 'The Games' for WWF wrestler Triple H. The bassist/vocalist, guitarist Phil Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee will soon commence work on the follow-up to last year's We Are Motörhead, due out in early 2002.

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