Archive News Oct 09, 2001

Drummer Roy Mayorga has dismissed as “false” the reports of him rejoining SOULFLY in time for the recording of the group's third full-length CD, which is due in mid-2002 (as posted here last Friday). Directly contradicting statements made by SOULFLY manager Gloria Cavalera last week, Mayorga offered in an e-mail to BLABBERMOUTH.NET simply that “I'm still with MEDICATION, not SOULFLY. That's all you need to know. And I am doing the tour with MEDICATION in England. These are some serious rumors... It shook my band [MEDICATION] a bit, so I would appreciate it if you could print that these rumors are false.” MEDICATION, the Los Angeles-based band whose line-up is completed by former MACHINE HEAD / SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, ex-UGLY KID JOE / LIFE OF AGONY vocalist Whitfield Crane, ex-ADAYINTHELIFE guitarist Blunt, and ex-THE PIECE DOGS bassist Kyle Sanders, are due to send out advance copies of their upcoming five-song EP early next week. Mixed by Bill Kennedy (i.e. MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, MORBID ANGEL),the EP includes the following cuts:

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01. What It Is

02. Need to Never

03. Underwater

04. Something New

+ one other, as-yet-undisclosed track.

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MEDICATION are set to begin their UK tour on November 14th in Cambridge, with the last date currently scheduled to take place on November 27th in Newport.

NAPALM DEATH's former label Earache Records have responded to the recent criticism leveled at them by ND vocalist Mark “Barney” Greenway over the upcoming release of a new DVD. A spokesperson for the label has issued the following statement: 'Contrary to the band's claims, NAPALM DEATH were approached at the very beginning of this project with the idea of them co-operating to make the release even more fan-friendly. Initially the band consented and in fact agreed to be interviewed for the release liner notes and also expressed their wish to Earache that it might be pertinent to release it in time for the UK tour they had planned in November. However, despite repeated attempts to arrange the interviews, the band eventually declined to be involved.

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'NAPALM DEATH had every opportunity to supplement the DVD as they saw fit — unfortunately for their fans worldwide, they choose not be involved. If the band are so very unhappy at the prospect of being involved with the DVD then Earache will happily donate their royalties to a charity of their choice.'

Further adding to the recent rumors or vocalist Maniac leaving the MAYHEM fold, it appears that the frontman left the stage “early” during the second of two Finnish gigs the group performed last week, forcing bassist Necrobutcher (aka Jorn Stubberud) and guitarist Blasphemer (aka Rune Erickson) to handle the vocal duties for the remainder of the show. Unconfirmed reports suggest that MAYHEM will officially replace Maniac with Attila Csihar, vocalist for the legendary Hungarian band TORMENTOR, in the near future, but no official word has yet been issued on the matter. In other news, here are the confirmed dates for the No Mercy Festival 2002 tour, featuring MAYHEM, IMMORTAL, MALEVOLENT CREATION, HYPOCRISY, VADER and others:

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March 28 – Berlin, GER @ Columbiahalle

March 29 – Engelsdorf, GER @ Hellraiser

March 30 – Offenbach, GER @ Hafenbahn

March 31 – Antwerpen, BEL @ Hof ter Loo

April 01 – Tilburg, NETH @ 013

April 02 – Essen, GER @ Zeche Carl

April 03 – Pratelln, SWI @ Z7

April 04 – Milano, ITA @ Pala Aquatica

April 05 – Vienna, AUS @ Arena

April 06 – Wels, AUS @ Schlachthof

April 07 – Strasbourg, FRA @ La Laiterie

April 08 – Osnabruck, GER @ Hafenbahn

JUDAS PRIEST have announced the rescheduled dates for their headlining US tour, featuring ANTHRAX in the opening slot. The details are as follows:

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Jan. 18 - Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA

Jan. 19 – Warfield, San Francisco, CA

Jan. 20 - House Of Blues, Las Vegas, NV

Jan. 22 - Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque, NM

Jan. 23 - Paramount Theater, Denver, CO

Jan. 25 - Smirnoff Music Centre, Dallas, TX

Jan. 27 - Aeriel Theatre, Houston, TX

Jan. 29 - House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA

Jan. 30 - Edge 2000, Jacksonville, FL

Feb. 01 - Miami Arena, Miami, FL

Feb. 02 - Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg, FL

Feb. 03 - House Of Blues, Orlando, FL

Feb. 04 - Dekalb Atlanta Center, Atlanta, GA

Feb. 06 - Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI

Feb. 07 - Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL

Feb. 08 - Eagles Auditorium, Milwaukee, WI

Feb. 12 – Warehouse, Toronto, ONT

Feb. 14 – Orpheum, Boston, MA

Feb. 15 - Roseland, New York, NY

Feb. 16 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

Feb. 17 – Nation, Washington, D.C.

According to SPEEDEALER singer/guitarist Jeff Hirshberg, the band has laid down 17 tracks during the current recording sessions at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California with producer Jason Newsted (ex-METALLICA) and engineer Brian Dobbs, “although I doubt if all will make the grade”, stated Hirshberg. “Those that do not will most likely be released as B-sides/E.P.'s/7'/bonus tracks/etc. Working with Jason has been an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Only two weeks into the recording process and already the knowledge we have accumulated from his endless studio hours has been enlightening...and at times maddening. Maddening in a productive way.” Tentatively entitled Second Sight, SPEEDEALER's upcoming CD is due in early 2002.

Despite having originally been rumored to be in negotiations with with SLIPKNOT's record label imprint Maggot Records (via London/Sire),California's DEPSWA appear to have signed a recording contract with Geffen Records. According to reports, SLIPKNOT vocalist Corey Taylor, who is friends with the band, is expected to make an appearance on the group's debut album, which is due out sometime in 2002.

SEVENDUST is set to shoot a video for their new single, 'Praise', on Wednesday October 10th in Orlando, Florida, and they are looking for volunteers to be in the crowd for the performance-based clip. Volunteers will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis and fans will be required to be in the venue for up to eight hours. The details are as follows: Wednesday, October 10th, starting at 4:00 PM at The Club (formerly known as Firestone),578 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. SEVENDUST's third full-length release, entitled Animosity, is due out through TVT Records on November 13th.

Sweden's ENTOMBED have cancelled their show in Southend, UK after the original venue for the gig, Chinnery's “has temporarily had to be closed down due to flooding and being unsafe, and in turn because the public liability insurance is invalid until the venue is made safe again. Consequently, the promoter tried to find an alternative venue in Southend to stage the show, unfortunately he has not been successful. Therefore, he is left with no choice but to cancel the show. The promoter is obviously devastated about the situation, not only because of the ENTOMBED/CATHEDRAL/2 TON PREDATOR show but also because Chinnery's is his regular venue: he's not only had to cancel all the live shows he had booked, but also his regular club nights. The closure is costing him a fortune, but obviously the situation is totally out of his control.'

IRON MAIDEN's official biography, Run To The Hills, written by Classic Rock editor Mick Wall, has been brought up to date. The original version was completed just prior to events in 1999, which saw the return of vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith back to the band. Now the book has been reprinted and includes new chapters and pictures which cover the return and subsequent success the band have enjoyed since.

Because of the recent tragedy, QUEENSRŸCHE has tentatively postponed their Japanese leg of the tour until 2002.

After a recent trip up to San Francisco's legendary Fillmore where they “brought the house down” alongside headliners STATIC-X, L.A. heavyweights DIESEL MACHINE are gearing up for a double dose of destruction closer to home in support of their acclaimed debut disc, Torture Test. The band, led by HALFORD guitarist Patrick Lachman, will be appearing at the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood opening up for CROWBAR, Friday, October 12th, followed by a headline show at Pleasures, 3570 Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena, CA, Saturday October 13th. For more info visit www.dieselmachine.net.

Former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and drummer Flegias have formed a brand new project entitled simply CADAVERIA. According to an official statement from the group, “in April 2001 there have been some artistic and personal incomprehensions inside [OPERA IX] that froze the feeling among the members, annihilating every possibility to continue to create music together. The artistic development of the band was definitely compromised, ideologies inside the group were narrow-minded. For these reasons Cadaveria and Flegias decided to say goodbye to the band and to discharge elsewhere their desire of true music. While the rest of band preferred to keep the event secret, Cadaveria and Flegias started working on a new musical project and now, after some months of incubation, they are proud to announce the world a new band was founded.” Comprised of Cadaveria (vocals),Frank Booth (guitar),Killer Bob (bass),Baron Harkonnen (keyboards),and Marçelo Santos (drums),CADAVERIA is now working on compositions and is looking for a label.

Quebec death metallers CRYPTOPSY will be in Japan this week to present shows in the cities of Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo. Back in Montreal in the middle of October, the band will start to work on new material and will be back on the road next spring for the second leg of the Pain Cometh tour.

Sweden's THE HELLACOPTERS, featuring former ENTOMBED drummer Nicke Andersson (now going by the name Nick Royale) on guitar/vocals, are working on getting their latest studio effort, High Visibility, released in the US, and according to Royale, will be embarking on a US tour in support of the album in March. In other news, a Japan-only CD, entitled Geek Streak, is due to be released shortly, featuring a High Visibility outtake entitled 'Geek Streak', and compiled B-sides off the latest Euro singles. “The first volume of the HELLACOPTERS singles compilations will also see the light of day sooner than later,” stated Nick. “It has 18 songs and is entitled Cream Of The Crap and will be released thru Universal [Records].”

Stockholm, Sweden's MELDRUM, featuring former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, have announced several headlining dates for November. The details are as follows:

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Nov. 09 - Stockholm, SWE @ Pub Anchor

Nov. 10 - Stockholm, SWE @ Pub Anchor

Nov. 23 - Motala, SWE @ Brygerriet

Nov. 24 - Motala, SWE @ Bryggeriet

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In other news, Michelle is currently in Los Angeles doing promotion, and working in the studio with engineer/producer Tom Fletcher, who is mixing three new MELDRUM tracks. On a related note, THE IRON MAIDENS, L.A.'s all-girl tribute to IRON MAIDEN that features in its ranks PHANTOM BLUE drummer Linda McDonald and guitarist Josephine, will be performing live on Friday, October 19th at Hogue Barmichael's in Newport Beach, California.

Quote of the day belongs to MOTLEY CRUE bassist Nikki Sixx, who had the following to say on the Metal Sludge web site in response to MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's claim that MOTLEY CRUE cut ANTHRAX's pay completely and cut MEGADETH's down by $5,000 instead of sending home one of the extra trucks of “bullsh.t and dancers” on last year's ill-fated Maximum Rock'n'Roll tour: “Dave has a way of distorting things to make himself seem so wise and on top of it. To be honest, if he was so on top of it, why was his band only drawing 500 people a night on the Max tour?? We were the headliners, so why would we send home production so we could cheat our fans out of a less-than-over-the-top show?? ANTHRAX wasn't cut in pay, they were cut from the tour... between them and MEGADETH, they weren't drawing flies (except when Dave opened his mouth and tried to be witty with his onstage banter). I have much respect for all the guys, but Dave doesn't want to face the fact that it wasn't their show. I was the one who fought for both bands on the tour. I was told from the get-go the package wasn't as strong as the headliner. Also, Dave didn't seem so eager to send the background singers home when he was trying to f.ck them though, did he??”

Canada's KITTIE shot the clip for 'What I Always Wanted', the first single off the group's upcoming Oracle CD, in Toronto this past Friday with director Thomas Mignone (SLIPKNOT, MUDVAYNE). Filmed as a three-piece, following the recent departure of guitarist Fallon Bowman, the video will tentatively begin airing in late October.

Finland's CHILDREN OF BODOM will be co-headlining the Mystic Festival on October 13th at Wisla's Hall in Cracow, Poland. According to the group's official web site, Mystic Festival is the biggest metal fest in Poland, and this year promoters are expecting to get 3,000 people. The other co-headliner is MAYHEM and support bands include ZYKLON, SINISTER, SOURCE OF TIDE, BEHEMOTH and others.

According to The New York Post, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was recently seen “flicking his legendary tongue at the unimpressed waitresses at Sky Bar in L.A., before leaving with longtime companion Shannon Tweed.”

Former IMPELLITERRI vocalist ROB ROCK will be appearing with his solo band at the Lost and Found nightclub in Longwood, Florida on Saturday, November 3rd.

As previously reported, CEMETARY 1213, the Swedish band led by former SUNDOWN mainman Mathias Lodmalm, will be releasing their “farewell” online EP titled 1213 Eternal later this year. It will apparently be available as a free download towards the end of November and will wrap up CEMETARY's 10+ “years of service in the name of tragedy”, according to Lodmalm. “A lot of thought has gone into the farewell release,” added the frontman. “The main reason for saying goodbye was that there was nothing left for me to give in this area. How do one set about to put together one final release,.. I think my scalp took a beating on this one. With very little hair left, I realized that it was pointless in trying to get some new tracks together it would just be a lie forced on by myself for all the wrong reasons. Anyway, you wanted CEMETARY and you'll get it. As this is a 'fan' only thing, I'll give the 'fans' what they want. You'll find the original CEMETARY demos digitally remastered, and these feature a bunch of early unreleased tracks. Also there's some other tracks that were left out here and there, as well as alternative versions and demos and maybe, maybe a live track or two if I can find a good source. Funny thing is that I don't even have all the stuff myself and I have to hunt down ex members and personnel for this stuff and I truly hope that I will round it up this year. I think that 1213 Eternal will be a good going-away present for the devoted fan. Then add on a very cool competition to boot and a little written piece on the origin of the band by yours truly, we're going out with a bang, and best of all, it's free.”

SAXON have announced the dates for their upcoming Scandinavian tour. The details are as follows:

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Nov. 22 - Rock-In House, Kolding DEN

Nov. 24 – Tobakken, Esbjerg, DEN

Nov. 25 – KB, Malmo, SWE

Nov. 26 – Tradgarn, Gothenberg, SWE

Nov. 27 – Klubben, Stockholm, SWE

Former RAINBOW and current YNGWIE MALMSTEEN singer Doogie White has posted the following statement regarding the group's recent South American tour, including the controversial Porto Alegre show where the band was booed for playing “The Start-Spangled Banner”: 'This has been a brilliant tour and Yngwie has been a pleasure to work with, as have Mick, Patrik and Derek. I am in Sao Paulo having just flown in from Curitiba, a very beautiful and friendly city. The night before we played in Porto Alegre, another fine city, and a gig I played before with Ritchie [Blackmore]. Some sad things have been said about the gig the other night, some true and some not. I am not going to fuel the fire by saying anything other than I had a blast and understand it was more of a football thing than it was to do with politics. Speaking to people who were in the audience, after the show, they told me that as many people were booing the booers as there were fans who booed the SSB. That's too many BOOS, sorry.

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'Last night in Curitiba was the best the band has played so far. We are only a few gigs old and South America got, in my opinion, some wonderfully special gigs. It's a shame that it has to end now as we are just getting better and better but Yngwie has been on the road with this album for a year. My hope is that we can get together and do an album sometime in the future. It has been a pleasure to sing for some great audiences here in South America, and I want to thank the good people of Monterrey, Mexico City, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Sao Paulo for being loud and RAWKIN. Well I'm sure SP will RAWK.'

Swedish power metallers TAD MOROSE have completed work on their latest release, entitled Matters Of The Dark, which was recorded at Studio Sound Creation with producer Per Ryborg in June. Release is expected to be sometime in early 2002 through Century Media Records.

Switzerland's melodic metallers EMERALD are looking for a new drummer. Stefan Neuhaus will leave the band because he wants to spend more time with his family. Interested drummers please send your material or info to: EMERALD, c/o Michael Vaucher, Alfons-Aebystr. 41, CH-3186 Duedingen, Switzerland, or e-mail [email protected].

Former SOLITUDE AETURNUS bassist Lyle Steadham's new band GHOULTOWN (in which he plays bass and sings) will have their “Killer In Texas” video included as a bonus on the upcoming American Nightmare movie DVD release, courtesy of Highland Myst Films. American Nightmare is set for release at the end of the year.

IGNITE recently spent time at The Record Studios in Orange, California recording cover versions of two Oi songs, 'Maradona' from THE BUSINESS and 'Jinx' from PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES, that are going to be coming out on the I Scream Records' Oi Compilation.

THE FORSAKEN have parted ways with bassist Michael Hakansson. A replacement will be announced shortly. In other news, THE FORSAKEN are scheduled to enter the Abyss Studios with producer Tommy Tägtgren on December 1st to record their second full-length CD, which is due out in early 2002.

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