Archive News Nov 28, 2001

SOULFLY are scheduled to perform at Salon 21 in Mexico City, Mexico on December 15th. Additional South American dates, including a possible Santiago, Chile gig on December 13th, will be announced shortly.

An MP3 file of the track “The Storm”, taken from KING DIAMOND's upcoming Abigail Part II: The Revenge CD, can be downloaded from this location.

According to VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel, second-guitar duties at the December 14th show at Slim's in San Francisco by the reunited Bay Area thrashers will be split between original axeman Troy Fua (who performed on the band's early demo recordings) and former F BOMB/current LAVABONE six-stringer Steve Schmidt. Fua will reportedly play some of the older material at the upcoming gig, while Schmidt will apparently handle the more “recent” songs (relatively speaking),such as the ones from the group's 1991 release Oppressing The Masses. Also featured on the bill at Slim's will be SKINLAB and KAOS.

V.O.D. guitarist Matt Baumbach recently conducted an interview with Lords Of Metal web 'zine, in which he commented further on the currently strained relationship between the band and their label TVT Records. According to Baumbach, “things are going horribly with TVT. At first they seemed to really dig the band, but now their sucking pretty hard on some moose cock. Its funny normally getting a label to spend money is the problem, but they gave us sh.tloads and then when they had to do the easy part, and just put the record on shelves, they couldn't do it. They f.cked up the shipping, marketing, tour support, radio play, and video play of the record, not to mention countless opportunities to tour with really good bands. Lazy is not the right word as inane is.”

FILTER mainman Richard Patrick and producers Rae Dileo and Ben Grosse are nearing the end of production on the upcoming FILTER release, entitled The Amalgamut, which is set to be issued in late spring through Reprise Records. According to the band's official web site, Grosse is coming to Abyssinian Sons Studios on December 3rd to finish up the final recordings, after which the above-mentioned trio is expected to travel to Los Angeles' The Mixroom Studios to begin the mixdown process, which is tentatively set to start in January.

According to MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine, he will be meeting with former MEGADETH axeman Chris Poland at the Enterprise Studios in Los Angeles, where Mustaine and producer Bill Kennedy are due to begin remixing the band's classic 1985 release, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!, “to share some memories and good old times.” Mustaine also invited fans to call him at the aforementioned studio if they “want to say hello”, but he warned that he “may not be able to talk, and you should just try back later. I won't be returning messages, so it is up to you to catch me when I am not doing anything.”

Guitarist Curran Murphy has officially left NEVERMORE to join ANNIHILATOR. The band's current line-up consists of Joe Comeau (vocals),Russ Bergquist (bass),Jeff Waters (guitar),Curran Murphy (guitar) and Randy Black (drums). According to www.bravewords.com, ANNIHILATOR's forthcoming album, Waking The Fury, is nearly complete, with the mixing/mastering due to be done around mid-December. The full track listing for the CD is as follows:

...

01. My Precious Lunatic Asylum

02. Nothing To Me

03. Ritual

04. Striker

05. The Blackest Day

06. Cold Blooded

07. Torn

08. Fire Power

09. Ultra-Motion

10. Prime-Time Killing

...

Waking the Fury is set to be issued in Japan and Europe in late March in Japan and Europe a North American release should take place shortly thereafter.

HATEBREED have laid down yet another cover, this time of QUICKSAND's “Omission”, as part of their ongoing recording sessions for their forthcoming album, Perseverance, which is currently being tracked at Longview Farms Studios in North Brookfield, Massachusetts with producer Matt Hyde (i.e. MONSTER MAGNET, SLAYER). It is not presently clear when, or if, this version will ever be made available to the record-buying public, but according to the band, “we made it severely heavy and it came out pretty cool”.

BLIND GUARDIAN's just-issued new single, 'And Then There Was Silence', has reached position #15 in the Greek Singles Chart.

AMEN have replaced recently-departed axeman Paul Fig with THE BLACK HALO guitarist Rich Jones. In a statement posted at www.blackhalos.com, Jones admits to leaving the Canadian band with “mixed emotions”. “ I started this band with [vocalist] Billy [Hopeless] over 7 years ago and it has been a huge part of my life ever since,” the six-stringer stated. “I'll be leaving Vancouver in the coming months to move to Los Angeles where I will be playing guitar with AMEN. I'll let everyone know more details as we figure everything out but as things are right now it looks like December 22nd will be my final show with the HALOS. I've had a lot of great years with THE BLACK HALOS and I wish those guys nothing but the best, both personally and professionally. Ultimately though, it's become increasingly apparent to me over the last year that it's time to move on to new things. I'm really excited about playing with AMEN and I hope that everyone that I've gotten to know over the years will share in my enthusiasm. Over and out, Rich”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

...

Reality Check's production division, RC Media, has been tapped by legendary Bay Area Band TESTAMENT to participate in putting together a DVD for Japanese release, which is tying in with their re-recording of a slew of classic TESTAMENT tunes by the original line-up of the band. We'll be shooting brand-new interview segments and editing those in with performance clips and the like for the DVD. As yet, we don't have a title or release date, but we'll be sure to fill everyone in as soon as we do!

...

Previously, RC Media has done several projects for Bay Area signed and unsigned acts. We've shot and edited Videos, EPK'S, TV Commercials, full-length TV programs and the like for a variety of clients in various fields, not just the Entertainment Industry. RC Media has a studio and state-of-the-art Avid editing facility in Silicon Valley, and have a full crew available for any kind of project—large or small.

...

RC Media has had its work recognized for excellence by the NY Film Festival for a clip produced for the shadowy Bay Area group SUNZ OF ALIEN TECHNOLOGY, and also received a 'Joey' Award (The Joey Awards are held annually in San Jose, CA) this year for our video clip of Century Media recording artist SKINLAB, for the song 'Know Your Enemies'. This particular clip was seen worldwide, and was a sensation in Europe and down under in Australia. It also was requested over 5000 times on The Box here in the US! The clip was also included as a CD-Rom video on the band's most recent disc, Disembody: The New Flesh.

...

For more info on Reality Check Media, visit www.realitychecktv.com, or email [email protected].

ANGEL WITCH bassist Richie Wicks has been tapped as the new vocalist for TYGERS OF PAN TANG following the apparent departure of frontman Tony Liddell from the latter group's ranks. Wicks had sung in several British acts during the '90s, including SONS OF EDEN and VIOLENTLY FUNKY, before settling down as the bassist for ANGEL WITCH in 2000. According to Richie, he has no intentions of leaving the latter group to join TYGERS on a full-time basis, and he expects to issue a brand new studio album with ANGEL WITCH at some point during 2002.

Florida female-fronted act WYKKED WYTCH, featuring DIVINE EMPIRE/ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION bassist Jason Blachowicz, has secured the opening slot for the KREATOR, SODOM, and DESTRUCTION European tour, dubbed Hell Comes To Your Town, after HOLY MOSES were forced to pull out of the trek in order to concentrate on the writing and recording of their new studio album. The confirmed dates for the outing are as follows:

...

Dec. 26 – Ludwigsburg, GER @ Rockfabrik

Dec. 27 - Bochum, GER @ Zeche

Dec. 28 – Zaandam, NETH @ De Kade

Dec. 29 - Hamburg, GER @ Markthalle

Dec. 30 - Halle, GER @ Easy Schorre

Dec. 31 - Osnabrück, GER @ Hyde Park

Jan. 02 - Offenbach, GER @ Hafenbahn

Jan. 03 - Dorndorf, GER @ Kulturhaus

Jan. 04 - Glauchau, GER @ Alte Spinnerei

Jan. 05 - Berlin, GER @ Music Hall Berlin

Jan. 06 – Warschau, POL @ Proxima

Jan. 07 – Katowice, POL @ Mega Club

Jan. 09 - Nürnberg, GER @ Hirsch

Jan. 10 – Dornbirn, AUS @ Conrad Sohm

Jan. 11 – Salzburg, US @ Rockhaus

Jan. 12 – Wien, AUS @ Planet Music

Jan. 14 – Ravenna, ITA @ Rock Planet

Jan. 15 – Pratteln, SWI @ Z 7

Jan. 16 - Andernach, GER @ JUZ Live Club

Jan. 17 - Cottbus, GER @ Gladhouse

Jan. 18 - Lübeck, GER @ Holstentorhalle

Jan. 19 – Motala, SWE @ Folkets Park

Jan. 20 – Oslo, NOR @ Betong

Jan. 21 – Gothenburg, SWE @ Kåren

Jan. 22 – Stockholm, SWE @ Klubben

Jan. 24 – Helsinki, FIN @ Nosturi

Former ANTHRAX vocalist Neil Turbin has completed laying down vocals on a track called “Piece Of Me” for his upcoming solo album, entitled Threat Con Delta, which is due through Metal Mayhem Music in early 2002. “Piece Of Me” features the “ripping” guitar work of Vern Anderson (INVICTA),Lucky Luciano on bass and Dave Sanchez on drums. Other tracks set to appear on Threat Con Delta include:

...

01. Blue Screen of Death

02. Welcome to the Rat Race

03. Dog Eat Everything

04. Get Outta My Face

Olympic Records have signed New Jersey's DIM MAK, featuring former RIPPING CORPSE members Scott Ruth, Shaune Kelley and Brandon Thomas, along with bassist Dennis Carroll. DIM MAK's brand new album, entitled Intercepting Fist, was produced in Florida by current MORBID ANGEL/former RIPPING CORPSE axeman Erik Rutan, and will be issued on February 5th.

The enhanced CD/DVD release of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's June 17, 2001, performance of Concerto Suite with the New Japan Philharmonic will be issued through the Pony Canyon label in Japan on January 9th.

NEUROSIS are currently finishing the creation of their first full-length DVD for the album A Sun That Never Sets. Directed and produced by NEUROSIS' new visual artist Josh Graham, the DVD will contain video art pieces for the entire album as well as a special related TRIBES OF NEUROT piece. Many filmmakers and video artists in addition to Josh have contributed to the realization of this project including Atlanta film maker Chad Rullman of Supercollider Films. This video project brings the visual aspect of NEUROSIS to a whole new level. Using top of the line technology and a wealth of film making expertise, it brings the energy of the music and the lyrical concepts to life. This DVD will be released by Relapse Records/Release Entertainment sometime in the early part of 2002.

Longtime ANYONE drummer Nipples left the band last week due to “personal commitments and a decision to pursue new avenues” and has been replaced by Nipples' former drum tech Ransom. According to frontman Riz Story, “we are ecstatic with our new drummer Ransom. He is 23 years old and he is a f.cking animal, as you will soon see. He is from Huntington Beach and has been my roommate for two and a half years. Amazingly, he learned the entire ANYONE record in one rehearsal and the band is enjoying sounding better than ever. This guy's musical prowess is astounding as you will soon see at the UK shows - myself, Static and Ransom can't wait to get over there and play for you all. Nipples has left the band on his own accord and it was a very amicable split. He has left to dedicate himself to other pursuits. We wish him well and thank him for 6 years of good times and good trips!! See you all soon LOVE, STORY”

According to an unofficial Japanese MSG and UFO web site, this was the set list for MSG's current US tour debut in Chicago on Monday, November 26th:

...

01. Into The Arena

02. Arrdvark In A Car Smoking A Cigar

03. [A song from Dreams &amp Expressions]

04. Essence

05. Desert Song

06. Rock My Nights Way

07. Assault Attack

08. Armed And Ready

09. Cry For The Nations

10. Are You Ready To Rock

11. No Turning Back

12. Because I Can

13. My Time's Up

14. Fallen The Love

15. Feels Like A Good Thing

16. The Mess I've Made

17. Fat City

18. Doctor Doctor

Swedish “old-school” death metallers NOMINON have signed with Relapse Records and will be recording their sophomore effort in March with producer Tomas Skogsberg at Stockholm's Sunlight Studios. Described as “more technical and heavier” than their previous material, the upcoming NOMINON CD will mark the recording debut with the band of new drummer Perra Karlsson (ex-SUFFER),who recently replaced longtime skinsman Emil Dragutinovic.

DIESEL MACHINE vocalist A.J. Cavalier will be interviewed by the Atomic Chaser and The Rocker at www.rockandrollstation.com this Friday, November 30th at 10 PM.

....