DIMEBAG DARRELL Collectible Figure Expected This Fall

KnuckleBonz, Inc. announced today their plans to create a Dimebag Darrell sculpture for the Guitar Hero limited edition collectible figure series.

The Guitar Hero series is a collection of rock's most highly praised guitarists, sculpted in great detail and cast in poly-resin. The series is designed to be a tribute to acclaimed guitarists who have made their indelible mark on music history. All figures in the series are officially licensed.

"He's pure, raw energy! Even now… and we want to make sure Dime shines forever louder, even more than before. He gave us all so much!" says Rita Haney, longtime girlfriend of the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott. "It's important that Dime be remembered in a way that his fans will appreciate. We feel this sculpture is a fitting way to remember his talent, his character, and his accomplishments."

The Dimebag sculpture will display the legend with his "Dean from Hell" Dean guitar. Each figure is hand-painted/numbered and displays a certificate of authenticity on the base of the sculpture. The Dimebag Darrell figure is only offered in a limited edition quantity of 3333 worldwide.

The KnuckleBonz artistic team is striving to capture the artist's likeness and his spirit through the medium of sculpture. Since the beginning of the series, requests from collectors worldwide have poured in for a Dimebag Guitar Hero.

"We are incredibly honored to be working with the family to create a meaningful tribute to Dimebag," states Tony Simerman, President and Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. "Like most of Dime's fans, I was introduced to his playing on 'Cowboys from Hell'. It started there, but I still say the 'power groove' on 'Vulgar Display of Power' is the most perfect metal since the first six SABBATH albums."

"When we first discussed the project with the family, they were pleased to know that the KnuckleBonz crew had a production meeting in late November of last year and determined Darrell was the best choice to be the 4th figure in the Guitar Hero series," says Simerman. "It was simply a matter of finding the best way to approach Dime. As we now know, that was just two weeks before his death. We recognize that this project is both an honor and a big responsibility."

Scheduled for release in fall 2005, the Dimebag sculpture will be available for pre-order in April 2005. The sculpture is currently in pre-production using highly skilled artists to capture a remarkable likeness of the celebrated guitarist.

Pricing and Availability: The Dimebag Darrell Guitar Hero limited edition sculpture will sell for $99 and can be purchased via www.guitarhero.net. Pre-orders will be accepted in April 2005. See the company's website for further details on pre-ordering and shipping information. Customers can subscribe to our email list to get more product information and exact dates for pre-orders and product availability by emailing [email protected].