Archive News May 15, 2001

According to TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson, METALLICA's Kirk Hammett is being approached about making an appearance with the reunited EXODUS at the upcoming Thrash Of The Titans benefit concert for vocalist Chuck Billy, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Kirk's appearance with EXODUS would mark the first time he's shared the stage with the group since early 1983, when he left EXODUS to join METALLICA. As previously reported, LEGACY (pre-TESTAMENT),EXODUS, VIO-LENCE, LAAZ ROCKIT, FORBIDDEN EVIL (pre-FORBIDDEN) and HEATHEN have all verbally agreed to reunite for the show — tentatively scheduled to take place in July at a large-capacity venue in San Francisco or one of the surrounding cities — which may include additional live performances by SKINLAB and SADUS, among others.

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Eric Peterson in presently in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand completing work on the debut album from his side project DRAGONLORD, in which he plays guitar and sings lead.

In other METALLICA news, NME.com reports that drummer Lars Ulrich has written to Icelandic band SIGUR ROS to thank them for inspiring his work on METALLICA's new album after going to see them at a gig in San Francisco.

Ulrich reportedly wrote the band a note saying: 'Thank you, thank you, thank you! We are in the studio right now struggling to make some sort of album. I'm going to go back after this completely inspired.' METALLICA began work on their new album at a secret studio location in San Francisco with producer Bob Rock on April 23rd.

JUDAS PRIEST's forthcoming single — the group's first off the much-anticipated Demolition opus — will be released through SPV/Steamhammer Records on May 28th, and it will contain two new songs, plus the video for the song 'Burn In Hell' from the Jugulator album.

SAXON have firmed up the track listing for their forthcoming Killing Ground CD, which will be released through Cultural Minority/Steamhammer/SPVRecords in September. Song titles set to appear on the album are as follows:

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01. Prelude To War (intro)

02. Killing Ground

03. Court Of The Crimson King

04. Coming Home

05. Till Hell Freezes Over

06. Dragon's Lair

07. You Don't Know What You've Got

08. Deeds Of Glory

09. Running For The Border

10. Shadows On The Wall

11. Rock Is Our Life

KREATOR have launched their official web site at: www.kreator-terrorzone.de. In other KREATOR news, here is the full track listing to the group's upcoming Violent Revolution CD, which is being billed as 'the band's first-ever concept album':

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01. The Patriarch

02. Reconquering The Throne

03. Bittersweet Revenge

04. Of The Same Blood (Unity)

05. Ghetto War

06. Servant In Heaven

07. King In Hell

08. Mind On Fire

09. Replicas Of Life

10. Slave Machinery

11. System Decay

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As previously reported, KREATOR will be premiering the new material at a free Open Air concert on August 31st in the group's home town of Essen.

COAL CHAMBER's upcoming third full-length CD will reportedly be titled Dark Days. No announcement has yet been made regarding a possible recording date or producer for the CD, which is now not expected to be released before early 2002.

Norway's ZYKLON, featuring EMPEROR guitarist Samoth, will be performing live at the Quart Festival, Norway's biggest summer music festival, on July 5th in Kristiansand.

BIOHAZARD are said to have amicably parted ways with guitarist Leo Curley following the recording of the group's Uncivilization opus, which is now scheduled for a September release through SPV/SteamhammerRecords in Europe and Sanctuary Records in the US. A replacement has already been found in the shape of a longtime friend of the band's whose identity has not yet been revealed.

Due to the worsening condition of IRON SAVIOR guitarist Piet Sielck, who is suffering from a serious throat infection that arose two weeks ago in shape of a cold, IRON SAVIOR have been forced to cancel their scheduled 'homecoming' show at Hamburg's Markthalle this Thursday, May 17th.

420 MONKS, featuring ex-STUCK MOJO frontman Bonz and former members of CONFRONTATION CAMP, FOLLOW FOR NOW, CHUM and ERACISM, will be performing at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia on May 23rd.

Due to remixing delays, SLIPKNOT have pushed back the release of their long-awaited Iowa CD to August 7th.

The 'preliminary' artwork for ICED EARTH's forthcoming Horror Show release can be viewed at this location.

QUEENSRYCHE vocalist Geoff Tate was at VH-1 studios yesterday, May 14th, as a contestant on VH-1's Rock &amp Roll Jeopardy, playing for his favorite charity. The show was being taped yesterday afternoon, and will air within the next few weeks. More details as they become available.

On Thursday, May 17, Mad Maz will be airing an interview with the DEFTONES on TotalRock. The show goes out between 6-9 PM (UK time). You may access TotalRock broadcasts on Sky Digital (channel 885),or at www.totalrock.com

V.O.D. (VISION OF DISORDER) will go live on the Internet with an upcoming performance from St. Petersburg, Florida on June 6th at 9 PM. Log onto www.dcn.com to check the band playing new material from their forthcoming release, From Bliss to Devastation, which is due out June 26th through TVT Records.

Chicago's SOIL, featuring former BROKEN HOPE/SINDROME bassist Shaun Glass, have lined up producer Johnny K (i.e. DISTURBED, MACHINE HEAD, NO ONE) to helm the recording of the group's J Records debut (SOIL's second full-length overall),which will be recorded during May/June and released at the end of the summer.

STAIND have been forced to postpone their Philadelphia and Providence shows, originally scheduled for May 15th and 16th, respectively, due to frontman Aaron Lewis' upper respiratory infection.

Pennsylvania's LIQUID GANG have split up in the wake of the disappointing sales performance of their Lava/AtlanticRecords debut Sunshine. The band had reportedly completed a demo of new material prior to parting ways, although it's now unlikely that these tracks will ever see the light of day.

Vancouver's ZIMMER'S HOLE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Jed Simon and bassist Byron Stroud of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, have finished mixing their Legions Of Flames CD, which was produced by SYL mainman Devin Townsend and will be issued through HevyDevy Records shortly. Containing 20 tracks, Legion Of Flames will include cover artwork by Clint Nielson, who was also responsible for SYL's No Sleep 'Till Bedtime and the PHYSICIST album covers. Song titles set to appear on the CD include:

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01. The Hole is the Law

02. Re-Anaconda (feat. Rob Urbinati ex-SACRIFICE)

03. 1000 Miles of Cock

04. Sodomanaz

05. Death to the Dodgers of Soap

06. Satan Is A Gay Porno Star

07. Well of Misfortune

Sweden's DEBASE have signed with Denmark's Kick Music Records for the release of their upcoming CD entitled Domination. A summer release is planned for the CD, but interested parties will be able to purchase copies at a pre-release party that the band is throwing on June 1st at the Möllevångstorget Festival in Malmoe, Sweden.

DARK FUNERAL's In The Sign... and INFERNAL's self-titled MCD have been combined for a special two-for-one CD that has just been made available through Hammerheart Records.

Danish death metal outfit EXMORTEM will be holding a release party for their upcoming CD, Berzerker Legions, in Voxhall, Århus, Denmark, where they'll be performing with Polish death metal veterans VADER.

ALAS, featuring MORBID ANGEL guitarist Erik Rutan and ex-THERION vocalist Martina Hornbacher-Astner, will be releasing their debut CD, Absolute Purity, in Europe on July 16th and June 19th in the US through Hammerheart Records.

KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will be formally inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame at a ceremony on May 20 at 11:30 AM at the Grand Concourse and 161st St. in the New York borough. The honor is given by the Bronx Historical Society to recognize Bronx natives who've made a mark on the world and is commemorated by a plaque. The event is open to the public. 'I am overwhelmed to be inducted into the Bronx Walk Of Fame, not only for my personal achievements but also to be honored with such a prestigious group of Bronxites,' commented Frehley. Joining Frehley will be new inductees U.S. Secretary Of State Colin Powell, actress Diahann Carroll, stage and screen actor Burt Young, New York Mets baseball great Ed Kranepool, legendary filmmaker, the late Stanley Kubrick, award winning Ragtime author E.L. Doctorow, Latin salsero Johnny Pacheco, hip hop artist Kris Parker (KRS-One) and Lyn Brown and Jim Ryan, co-hosts of Fox's Good Day New York. Past inductees include popular TV show host Regis Philbin, actress Rita Moreno, actor Hal Linden, comedian Robert Klein, and noted TV producer/director Garry Marshall.

As had been rumored for weeks, Florida's NEUROTICA, featuring former ATHEIST frontman Kelly Shaefer, have been signed to the WWF's new record label, Smackdown Records. NEUROTICA is reportedly laying down a few new tunes to be added to some already recorded songs that will be remixed for its debut for the label, to be issued later in the year.

Finland's OMNIUM GATHERUM have completed work on a brand new demo, a five-tracker entitled Wastrel. For more info, visit the band's official web site.

Guitarist Steve Vai will be joined by drummer Virgil Donati and bassist Billy Sheehan in his touring band for the upcoming G3 trek, which will also include performances by DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci and Joe Satriani.

Japan's SIGH will have their brand new CD, Imaginary Sonicscape, released in Europe on July 23rd, in the US on July 24th and in Japan on July 25th.

Holland's WITHIN TEMPTATION will be releasing a special version of the new 'Ice Queen' single on May 28th, featuring three different versions of the title track (the 'normal' single version, a previously unreleased demo version and a live version). The single will also contain three other unreleased songs and demo tracks. This special expanded version (six tracks in total) will only be available for one month, after which a two-track single will be released.

Finland's WISARD have changed their name to CRAYDAWN. The new band will make its live debut at this year's Nummirock Festival, which is taking place on June 22nd.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell will be perfoming with his side project CLOCK this Wednesday, May 16th, at Molly Malone's, 575 S.Fairfax in Los Angeles, at 9.00 PM. For more information, please call the venue at (323) 935-1577, or the promoter, Intrinsic Entertainment at (818) 783-2386. Before any false rumors get started, it should be noted that CLOCK is just a side project for Vivian and he has no intention whatsoever of leaving DEF LEPPARD.

Germany's PRIMAL FEAR will be performing at this year's Milwaukee Metalfest, on Saturday, August 11th, in what will be their second-ever US gig. In other news, the group's recently-cancelled Greek shows have been rescheduled for October.

Texas' SOLITUDE AETURNUS will be playing at the Tattoo Bar in Fort Worth Texas, on June 7th. They will also be making an appearance at the Houston Bang Your Head 2001 Festival on June 23rd at The Engine Room in Houston Texas.

Former 3RD AND THE MORTAL frontwoman Kari Rueslåtten resurfaced in early April of this year when she reportedly took part in the church play Sangen Etter Maria, which was performed at The Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. The play was based on the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, inspired by the gospel according to Maria Magdalene. KariRueslåtten is said to have sung the track 'Maria Magdalene'. Following her departure from THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL, Kari released two solo CDs through Sony Records Norway, but has since parted ways with the label.

Hamburg based rockers CHALICE will be opening select shows for DORO during May.

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