ATHEIST Frontman: Late Bassist ROGER PATTERSON 'Was A Bad Motherf*cker'

February 9, 2006

Guitarist/vocalist Kelly Shaefer of the seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST has issued the following statement:

"Roger Patterson was a bad motherfucker! On this the 15th anniversary of the death of ATHEIST's bass player Roger Patterson, we wish to ask you all to throw your horns in the air one long time for him, and maybe spin 'An Incarnation's Dream' from 'Unquestionable Presence' in his honor. He was truly one of metal's best musicians ever! We miss him just as much today as we ever have. Myself (Kelly) and Steve Flynn [ATHEIST drummer] went to visit his grave in Palmetto, Florida (Skyway Memorial Park) last week, smoked a fatty and hung out with him. He would be absolutely blown away by the respect that you have all created and shown for him 15 years later!

"Here's to you Roger — you are missed (horns fully extended)."

To discuss Roger Patterson, visit the all-new forum on the official ATHEISTweb site.

As previously reported, ATHEIST have been confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place July 14-15 at the Catton Hall in Walton On Trent, Derbyshire, U.K.

Shaefer has reassembled what is widely considered the band's classic recording lineup (Shaefer, guitarist Rand Burkey, bassist Tony Choy, and drummer Steven Flynn) for several exclusive festival performances, including Italy's Evolution Festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air.

ATHEIST has recently had its wildly-influential catalog (1988's "Piece of Time", 1993's "Elements", and the 1991's legendary "Unquestionable Presence") reissued internationally via Relapse Records. Additionally, "Unquestionable Presence" was recently featured in Decibel magazine as part of its ongoing Hall of Fame feature. The Hall of Fame feature highlights influential and pivotal releases in metal history, and "Unquestionable Presence" joins of ranks of previously profiled classics such as SLAYER's "Reign In Blood", SEPULTURA's "Roots", and AT THE GATES' "Slaughter of the Soul", among others.

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