Archive News Oct 25, 2001

Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM have finally broken their silence regarding the recent reports of vocalist Maniac's departure and rumors of a possible split. According to the band's official web site, “MAYHEM is NOT breaking up, nor is Maniac leaving.” Commented guitarist Blasphemer (aka Rune Erickson): 'Maniac felt tired and fed up with everything concerning MAYHEM. The [recent] tour made him change his mind!' The band will go on, with the line-up intact as it is now.

Due to reasons “beyond his and THE HAUNTED's control”, MERCYFUL FATE/KING DIAMOND axeman Mike Wead will not participate in THE HAUNTED US tour as a replacement for the recently-departed Anders Björler. In Wead's place, THE HAUNTED have now recruited THE CROWN guitarist Marcus Sunesson, who will join the former group for a four-week run that will also include appearances by WITCHERY, CATASTROPHIC (featuring former OBITUARY guitarist Trevor Peres) and MARTYR AD. The confirmed dates are as follows:

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Nov. 02 - Morgan, NJ - Club Krome

Nov. 03 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium

Nov. 04 - New London, CT - El-N-Gee Club

Nov. 05 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx

Nov. 06 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy's

Nov. 07 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom

Nov. 08 - Detroit, MI - I-Rock

Nov. 09 - Aurora, IL - Riley's Rock House

Nov. 10 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue

Nov. 11 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave

Nov. 13 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre

Nov. 15 - Seattle, WA - Graceland

Nov. 16 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Stubebakers

Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Meow Meow

Nov. 18 - San Francisco, CA - The Pound

Nov. 19 - Santa Ana , CA - Galaxy Theatre

Nov. 20 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour

Nov. 21 - Tempe, AZ - Boston's

Nov. 23 - Arlinton, TX - Dreamworld

Nov. 24 - Houston, TX - Cardi's

Nov. 26 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room

Nov. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero

Nov. 30 - Pittsburg, PA - Laga

Dec. 01 - New York, NY - Downtime

Dec. 02 - Montreal, QUE, Canada - Fou-Founes

Dec. 03 - Toronto, ONT, Canada - Kathedral

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As a result of this latest development, Sunesson will NOT be joining the rest of THE CROWN at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden during November while the band mix their forthcoming effort, entitled Crowned In Terror, for a March 2002 release.

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Meanwhile, as first reported here on October 16th, THE HAUNTED will shortly release a live album entitled Live Rounds In Tokyo as a companion to the re-release of the group's acclaimed THE HAUNTED Made Me Do It CD. Recorded at the band's performance at the Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo last year, Live Rounds In Tokyo is currently being mixed at the Danish studio of KONKHRA mainman Anders Lundemark, Starstruck, and will be “left raw, unpolished with absolutely no over-dubs or re-takes. What you hear is what you get when visiting a THE HAUNTED show”. A US release date for the double CD is expected on November 27th. A European release date will be announced shortly.

SEPULTURA will be playing four shows in Mexico in November/December. The dates are as follows:

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Nov. 29 - Mexico City, MEX @ Centro De Espect. El Rayo

Nov. 30 – Chihuahua, MEX @ Patio Colonial

Dec. 01 – Monterrey, MEX @ La Escena Discotheque

Dec. 02 – Guadalajara, MEX @ La Concha Acustica

OZZY OSBOURNE's Down To Earth CD will be debuting at #4 on next week's Billboard Pop Album chart, having shifted over 152,000 copies in its first week of release.

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According to AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton, the group shot a commercial for Dodge last week in which the aging rockers appear performing 'Under My Skin' and 'The Light Inside”. States Hamilton: “It's interesting having this giant corporate entity wanting to use deep rockers from the new album. We'll get our musical message out to the far and wide.” We're sure that the cash the band received for appearing in the commercial won't hurt either.

ARCH ENEMY vocalist Angela Gossow has shot back at recent reports of the band having held off the release of the group's acclaimed Wages Of Sin effort through Century Media Records in order to “make more money” by attempting to shop it to other labels. “Do you really think, you can make money playing extreme music? Do you think ARCH ENEMY makes money with not releasing albums right in time?”, Gossow raged on the message board of the group's official web site. “We didn't want this delay. Our favorite choice would be to add some extra stuff to the CD as a make-good for our European and American fans - we mentioned this several times - and to put it online. The question is, if CM will agree to this free download (which I also mentioned before in interviews)... the story goes on... You can never do it right. Makes me really tired. Angela PS: I would love to make some money - somedays. I need to pay my rent too, ya know. Everybody else gets money for his job. Many musicians have to return to their old jobs, giving up music, because they don't make money.”

Despite rumors to the contrary—largely fueled by former RATT vocalist Stephen Pearcy's impromptu onstage appearance with RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer on a rendition of RATT's “Round And Round” at LA's Viper Room Monday night—Pearcy's representatives have issued a statement denying that such a reunion will be taking place. According to the press release, “RATT's former lead vocalist Stephen Pearcy was at LA's Viper Room Monday night while on break from his current tour to check out cover band METAL SHOP. He was asked by the band to join them for a cover of 'Round and Round' which he graciously accepted. What invitation he did not accept, was that of former bandmate and drummer Bobby Blotzer to join him also for the jam. Without prior knowledge to Stephen, Bobby also joined the band on stage. Some web sites have suggested a possible reunion as an outcome of Monday night's performance. Stephen's manager William Sharak of Sharak Worldwide Entertainment, Inc. stated, 'There is no reunion and the lawsuit regarding legal usage of the band name RATT are still proceeding forward. What happened at the show was something that Stephen had no knowledge of or wanted to participate in.' Stephen Pearcy is currently on tour and will be releasing SOCIAL INTERCOURSE (Triple-X Records) early next year.”

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's forthcoming studio album, entitled Songs For The Deaf, which is currently being recorded in Los Angeles with producer Eric Valentine (i.e. SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY, SMASH MOUTH) is the best CD FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl has ever played drums on, according to Grohl's recent interview published in Kerrang! magazine. Describing the album as '10 times harder' than any of QUEENS' previous efforts, the former NIRVANA skinsman stated that 'It's my favorite album that I've ever played drums on. I was a huge KYUSS fan. When Blues For The Red Sun came out, I'd listen to it two or three times a day. When I jammed with [QOTSA bassist] Nick [Oliveri] and [guitarist/vocalist] Josh [Homme], it almost sounded like I was back in 1992 playing on a KYUSS record. It was f.cking amazing. They let me go off on this album like never before.'

MASTERS OF REALITY mainman Chris Goss will be Nigel Roberts' guest on EXSTREAM Radio, where he will offer for a preview of the group's new LP, entitled Deep In The Hole. The show will air Sunday, October 28th between 2-4 PM EST, 7-9 GMT. For more info, go to this location.

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In other news, the dates for the MASTERS OF REALITY/Mark Lanegan shows in UK have now been set. The details are as follows:

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Nov. 30 - Glasgow, UK @ The Garage

Dec. 01 – Manchester, UK @ University

Dec. 02 - London, UK @ Astoria

Dec. 03 - Wolverhampton, UK @ Wulfrun Hall

CATASTROPHIC, the new band of former OBITUARY axeman Trevor Peres, is in talks to support MALEVOLENT CREATION at 15 shows prior to the former band's appearance at the No Mercy European festivals in March. In addition to the band's upcoming participation in THE HAUNTED's US headlining tour, CATASTROPHIC will perform the following headlining gigs:

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Dec. 07 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance

Dec. 09 - Springfield, MA - Fat Kat Music Hall

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The finalized dates for the No Mercy Festivals, which will also include performances from IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY, VADER, MALEVOLENT CREATION, WARHAMMER, DESTROYER 666 and OBSCENITY, are as follows:

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March 28 - Berlin, GER @ Columbiahalle

March 29 - Engelsdorf, GER @ Hellraiser

March 30 - Offenbach, GER @ Hafenbahn

March 31 - Antwerp, BEL @ Hof Ter Loo

April 01 - Tilburg, NETH @ 013

April 02 - Essen, GER @ Zeche Carl

April 03 - Pratellin, SWI @ Z7

April 04 - Milan, ITA @ Pala Aquatica

April 05 - Vienna, AUS @ Arena

April 06 - Wels, AUS @ Schlachthof

April 07 - Strasbourg, FRA @ La Laiterie

April 08 - Osnabruck, GER @ Hyde Park

Contrary to previous reports, the upcoming DVD releases of DEF LEPPARD's Historia/In The Round In Your Face and Visualize/Video Archive will NOT feature running commentaries from the band members for logistic reasons, according to the group's official web site at www.defleppard.com. Instead, each disc will have interviews with the band and a discography. The 'missing' promo videos for “Slang”, “Work It Out”, “All I Want Is Everything”, “Promises” and “Goodbye” will most likely be included as bonus materials on the Historia/In The Round In Your Face release, but could end up on the other release due to spacing restrictions.

Critically acclaimed death metal powerhouse NILE will embark on a headlining tour of the UK, their second in less than a year, beginning December 1st in Sheffield. The tour will run for two weeks, with support provided by BEHEMOTH and AKERCOCKE. Immediately following the UK tour, NILE will take part in Metalysee's X-mass 2001 Festivals, touring Europe through December 22nd. Also appearing on the X-mas Festival bill will be CANNIBALCORPSE, KREATOR, MARDUK, KRISIUN and DARK FUNERAL.

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'We have been waiting for our opportunity to return to English soil,' said NILE guitarist / vocalist Karl Sanders. 'We are grateful for the support that our UK fans have shown us and intend on rewarding them with utterly brutal metal shows. Even though many U.S. bands are reluctant to tour overseas in these troubled times, the members of NILE are steadfast in our commitment to bring metal to the people. We are also anxious to take part in the upcoming festival shows - not only to share the stages of Europe with the legendary KREATOR, MARDUK, DARK FUNERAL, and the almighty CANNIBAL CORPSE — but also to be reunited with our metal brothers KRISIUN.'

Sweden's THYRFING have completed work on the follow-up to last year's Urkraft CD, tentatively entitled The Fourth Outrage. Recorded and mixed at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala with producer Daniel Bergstrand (i.e. MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARKANE, STUCK MOJO),The Fourth Outrage will contain nine songs, the music for which is being described as “the most dark and twisted side of THYRFING ever.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN has replaced former vocalist Dimitri Minakakis with newcomer Greg Puciato. This Baltimore, Maryland native earned the coveted position over dozens of other hopefuls on the strength and variation of his vocal ability as well as his impressive rehearsals with DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.

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'We received over one hundred submissions but Greg's clearly stood out over the rest. He is just like us in many ways. He is interested in using music to vent and as a way of expression to the fullest. He has the fire and determination that we feel has gotten us to the point at which we are at and which will eventually take us to the next level.' said guitarist Benjamin Weinman.

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The band recently debuted with Puciato at a CMJ show on October 11 at New York City's Downtime, where DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN met an enthusiastic and positive response.

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Puciato explained how he became involved in the submission process and how he felt he was the perfect person for the vocalist slot: 'I heard DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN was accepting tapes and I immediately knew that I was the guy. They were playing the music that I have always heard in my head but never actually on a CD. I've always liked the fact that they don't put limitations on their songwriting and that they have the musical talent and ability to play anything they can visualize. When the opportunity presented itself, I was just focused on getting where I needed to be. I knew I was right for them, but the work was in showing them that.'

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DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will proceed with their plans to collaborate with ex-FAITH NO MORE vocalist Mike Patton on an EP while they continue to write new material for a full-length with Puciato.

German doomsters MIRROR OF DECEPTION will join forces with former Nuclear Blast recording artists END OF GREEN for the following dates on the Doom's Diner tour:

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Oct. 26 - Weil der Stadt, GER @ Kloster

Oct. 27 - Mainz, GER @ Haus der Jugend

Oct. 29 - Recklinghausen, GER @ Mysteria

Oct. 30 - Hamburg, GER @ Headbanger's Ballroom

Oct. 31 - Neukirch/ Dresden, GER @ Jugendhaus

Nov. 01 - Spremberg, GER @ Erebos

Nov. 02 - Zschopau, GER @ Highpoint

Nov. 03 - Erlangen, GER @ Omega

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In other news, MIRROR OF DECEPTION are currently looking for a new label through which they will release the follow-up to their highly-acclaimed Mirrorsoil debut album. Meanwhile, you can download the group's cover version of the SAINT VITUS' 'One Mind' via the band's official web site at: www.mirrorofdeception.com

Switzerland's GOTTHARD have just entered the studio to record two new songs, “Looking At You” and “Ruby Tuesday”, for inclusion on an upcoming ballad compilation entitled One Life, One Soul, which will be out in January 2002. The same month will also see the band embarking on a European tour with the ice-revue “Art On Ice”. And no, we're not kidding.

DANIEL LIONEYE, which features H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo on drums, will release their latest album, entitled The King of Rock'n'Roll, on November 26th in Germany. In other news, the support band for the remaining concerts of H.I.M.'s European tour will be OOMPH! from Germany. Also on the H.I.M. front, the professional skateboarder—and one of H.I.M.'s biggest fans—Bam Margera will release a limited edition H.I.M. skateboard deck through his sponsor Element skateboards this month.

JANUS STARK, featuring PRODIGY/ex-ENGLISH DOGS guitarist Gizz, will support FEAR FACTORY at these additional UK dates:]

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Nov. 01 – Dublin, IRE @ Ambassador Theatre

Nov. 03 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy

Nov. 04 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowlands

Nov. 05 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University

Nov. 06 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

Nov. 08 – London, UK @ Astoria

Nov. 09 – London, UK @ Astoria

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JANUS STARK will also be peforming a headlining show on Sunday, November 11th at The Monarch in London. Support will come from SUGARCOMA.

Florida sensation ANDREWWK, whose backing band includes former OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy, was kept under observation in hospital suffering from concussion following an incident at the end of his London show, according to NME. ANDREW reportedly collided with an over-eager stage-diver, who head-butted WK two songs before the end of his set.

Former IMPELLITERRI vocalist Rob Rock will be joining KAMELOT and VANDEN PLAS in concert at the Green Parrot in Largo Florida on Sunday November 4th. Other Rob Rock appearances include a show at Lost &amp Found in Longwood, Florida on November 3rd and another one at Dante's in Orlando, Florida on November 23rd.

Danish rockers D.A.D. will be embarking on a headlining tour of Denmark during February/March. The dates are as follows:

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Feb. 21 – Roskilde, DEN @ Roskilde-Hallerne

Feb. 22 - Viborg, DEN @ Tinghallen

Feb. 23 - Esbjerg, DEN @ Stadionhallen

Feb. 28 - Ringsted, DEN @ Ringsted Kongrescenter

Mar. 01 - Horsens, DEN @ Parkhallen

Mar. 07 - Herning, DEN @ Herning Kongrescenter

Mar. 08 - Odense, DEN @ Odense Idrætshal

Mar. 09 - Århus, DEN @ Arenaen

Mar. 14 - Silkeborg, DEN @ Silkeborghallerne

Mar. 15 - Randers, DEN @ Randers Hallen

Mar. 16 - Aalborg, DEN @ Aalborg Kongres og Kultur Center

Mar. 22 - Slagelse, DEN @ Antvorskovhallen

Mar. 23 - København, DEN @ Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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TIAMAT FRONTMAN EXPLORES DIFFERENT MUSICAL AND STUDIO APPROACHES WITH DEBUT RELEASE FROM LUCYFIRE

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HAMBURG, Germany - Johan Edlund has shed the dark and morose tones of the band he is famous for, TIAMAT, to bring forth a of more straight-forward rock 'n' roll with hints of TIAMAT's somber sound, under the band moniker of LUCYFIRE and the title This Dollar Saved My Lifeat Whitehorse.

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It would be safe to say that Edlund began the basis of This Dollar Saved My Lifeat Whitehorse with the typical excesses and clichés of rock music in mind - wine, women, and song. Still, fans of TIAMAT should not be put off by LUCYFIRE's good nature. There are many similarities, like “The Pain Song”, which can easily be compared to present-day TIAMAT.

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“Sure, 'The Pain Song' could have been a TIAMAT song, as well as 'Brighter Than the Sun' could have been a LUCYFIRE song,” Edlund said. “I guess I will record the best 10-12 songs I've got at the moment, whether it's a TIAMAT or a LUCYFIRE album.”

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Edlund's reasons for the creation of LUCYFIRE were less for a change in style than for an outlet for his creative output during TIAMAT downtime and a chance to explore different ways of writing and recording.

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“I should probably say that I wanted to do something different music-wise but that wasn't the main reason,” he said. “I never cared for trying to push my songs into a certain genre anyway. I wanted to see another side of the music business, a new record company, etc. I felt that I've been doing this for so long and still I've just seen one side of it. I also thought that it's too complicated to make a TIAMAT record nowadays. It takes a lot of planning and there's usually a couple of years in between every record. I thought I had the time and the songs to do something on the side while my manager is negotiating a new TIAMAT budget.”

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This Dollar Saved My Life at Whitehorse was written solely by Edlund and recorded with the help of session musicians. “The biggest difference was the way of working,” said Edlund. “Using studio musicians and giving away a lot of the control to the producer. I dared to do this just because I do it the other way with TIAMAT, always taking part in the production side things. I wanted to get surprised during the making of Whitehorse and therefore it was necessary for me not to be in the studio every day but rather let the producer and musicians go on their own. I was simply just the songwriter and vocalist this time.”

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Furthering LUCYFIRE's light-hearted approach, the album's long-winded title is a quote once said by Uncle Scrooge, the uncle of the world's most famous duck, Donald Duck. An extremely rich duck, Uncle Scrooge always kept his first dollar in a glass ball in his safe as a reminder of his hard-earned success. “To quote Uncle Scrooge seemed to be the right thing to do to show that all this 'thousand million dollars take me higher,' etc. shouldn't be taken too serious,” Edlund said.

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The frontman has put together a band for live performances, including a recent festival appearance. “We had a lot of fun and it made all of us wish for a worldwide tour. The material works very good live and we're willing to do it the hard way, playing very small clubs, sleeping in vans, etc.” Nothing is booked for North America at the moment, but the group has hopes to make it over at some point.

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This Dollar Saved My Life at Whitehorse is out on SPV Records.

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