ATHEIST: European Tour Report Part 1

Vocalist Kelly Shaefer of reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST has issued the following update:

"What a rash of fucking nightmares! In true ATHEIST fashion, we always seem to have these strange things happen to us whilst touring.

"The night before I was leaving for the Brutal Assault festival in Czech Republic, I started fucking shaking and sweating and my throat was killing me, like really bad, so I just sort of flew over and hoped for the best, but upon arriving at the fest, I really was fatigued, and feeling shitty — so much so that [Steven] Flynn [drums] went looking for a doctor so we could get me some antibiotics. He found one across from the hotel, and with the assistance of an interpreter, we managed to find out according to them I had a severe throat infection, but they referred to it as 'angina,' which has heart implications, etc., so we are freaking out because they are telling me you have to rest constantly, no singing, no drinking, nothing... so clearly, that was not going to be possible with a run of dates just getting started, not to mention a trip to Amsterdam. You are telling me I can't smoke out in Holland?! I say fuck that, but I did not drink for the whole tour 'till the very end of my antibiotics, which was in Finland.

"So it turns out in Europe, angina is basically strep throat, and there were no reasons to worry about heart issues.... Yikes! Close call!

"So while I was in a ton of pain, we got through the first two shows, and truthfully, it went better than if I had been drinking, I feel like my screams were stronger etc. Drinking just always happens with me at shows so to not drink was a great experiment for me, and it turned out to be a great wake-up call for me.

"Many thanks to all the people who came from around the world to the Brutal Assault festival; it was a really well-done event, except there was a mix-up about how long we were to play, so instead of us playing an extra 20 minutes, we were accidentally cut 20 minutes, so we apologize to the fans who expected a longer set — we expected to play longer as well. We will be back next year to make it up to you.

"Many great things happened on this night and we saw many friends old and new, including THE FACELESS and the SUFFOCATION guys. But probably the most important meeting of the trip was between myself and one Patrick Mameli from PESTILENCE.

"As many of you know, [Mameli and I] have not exactly been the best of friends since 1991. Many daggers have been thrown by the both of us, and at the end of the day, we were both right to be angry with one another. We had a very needed discussion about all of that shit backstage at the Brutal Assault fest, and Steve Flynn also had a 45-minute talk with him as well. We parted as friends, and that is a lot more positive then harboring anger for so many years. We are cool with PESTILENCE, and we all actually had a great time discussing the old days and the future of our bands playing together. Their guitar player Patrick also came to our show in Zandaam, which was very cool. so. The Technical X-tacy tour may soon enough happen!

"Also saw OPETH for the first time and I must eat my words on this band... I had not really understood why they were being handed the torch of greatness all of the time... but I now know why — it was masterful, and I can't say enough about the drummer. FUCK, he was amazing on this night!

"It was pure fucking torture to not be able to drink my bottle of Jager in the dressing room. LOL! It was just sitting there next to the Red Bull, saying, 'Bro, c'mon let's get together and fucking light it up,' but no could do. I needed to get healthy... and quick, 'cause this was going to be a journey I needed to get healthy for.

"The venue, by the way, was this incredible old Russian military base, I think, and it was very moody; great location!

"So, first show in the bag and off to Holland we go! I will try to have it up tomorrow.

"So many details so little time!"

ATHEIST's new live album, entitled "Unquestionable Presence: Live At Wacken", was released on July 21 via Relapse Records. The set, which was mixed by Matt Washburn at LedBelly Sound Studio in Canton, Georgia, features the band's complete performance at the 2006 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany along with a bonus disc featuring "essential ATHEIST tracks" hand-picked by the group. Also included is a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes and photos.