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Helloween - Confirmed For Wacken
Veteran German power metallers HELLOWEEN have been officially confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany.
According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances by "new hits, old hits, reunions, newcomers and top acts."
The list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows:
AFTER FOREVER
AMON AMARTH
ANTHRAX
BAL-SAGOTH
BRAINSTORM
BÖHSE ONKELZ
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CATHEDRAL
CHILDREN OF BODOM
DEATH ANGEL
DEICIDE
DESTRUCTION
DIO
EKTOMORF
GRAVE DIGGER
HELLOWEEN
HYPOCRISY
MAYHEM
MOTÖRHEAD
NEVERMORE
SAXON
SCHANDMAUL
THUNDERSTONE
ZODIAC MINDWARP
More confirmations will be announced soon.
According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances by "new hits, old hits, reunions, newcomers and top acts."
The list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows:
AFTER FOREVER
AMON AMARTH
ANTHRAX
BAL-SAGOTH
BRAINSTORM
BÖHSE ONKELZ
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CATHEDRAL
CHILDREN OF BODOM
DEATH ANGEL
DEICIDE
DESTRUCTION
DIO
EKTOMORF
GRAVE DIGGER
HELLOWEEN
HYPOCRISY
MAYHEM
MOTÖRHEAD
NEVERMORE
SAXON
SCHANDMAUL
THUNDERSTONE
ZODIAC MINDWARP
More confirmations will be announced soon.
| Band profile: | Helloween |
Opeth - Martin Lopez not so good
OPETH was forced to cancel their Edmonton show yesterday due to their drummer, Martin Lopez, reportedly being sick and still in Sweden. According to someone who spoke to the band (they ended up doing an autograph signing instead), Martin is currently seeing a Psychologist in Sweden after a recent Panic Attack, in which he has recently had problems with. OPETH has found a replacement drummer, and is using the time to rehearse the songs with him. It is also 'unlikely' that the band will play a rescheduled Edmonton show on Thursday, but it is possible. The calgary show may or may not be played tonight, as there's no word on their official site.
| Band profile: | Opeth |
Century Media is now owner of Now or Never records
The following is the press release on the Century Media Records website:
"The Century Family is proud to announce it's joining forces with New Jersey-based label Now Or Never Records. This exciting collaboration will result in the Century Family, and its affiliated imprints, handling the manufacturing, marketing, and retail distribution of current and upcoming Now Or Never releases. This includes highly anticipated releases from DIECAST, DEVILINSIDE and THE POSTMAN SYNDROME.
Now Or Never has made a name for itself as more than just a typical hardcore label, but as a diverse operation showcasing a wide spectrum of aggressive styles, featuring acts like DIECAST, THE DILLENGER ESCAPE PLAN, BRAND NEW SIN, DEVILINSIDE, WORTHLESS UNITED, ALL ELSE FAILED and THE POSTMAN SYNDROME. Its artists have landed impressive tours that include SLAYER, MOTORHEAD, HATEBREED and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, among others, while being backed by a team of dedicated, energetic music lovers with quality distribution to aid in their already imminent impact on the music world. Now Or Never and the Century Family's emphasis continues to focus on building up their artists in a "classic" artist development sense, a valued ethic that has been lacking throughout much of the music industry. It's this ideal that has garnered much success with both labels' diverse rosters and lasting relationships with their bands."
"The Century Family is proud to announce it's joining forces with New Jersey-based label Now Or Never Records. This exciting collaboration will result in the Century Family, and its affiliated imprints, handling the manufacturing, marketing, and retail distribution of current and upcoming Now Or Never releases. This includes highly anticipated releases from DIECAST, DEVILINSIDE and THE POSTMAN SYNDROME.
Now Or Never has made a name for itself as more than just a typical hardcore label, but as a diverse operation showcasing a wide spectrum of aggressive styles, featuring acts like DIECAST, THE DILLENGER ESCAPE PLAN, BRAND NEW SIN, DEVILINSIDE, WORTHLESS UNITED, ALL ELSE FAILED and THE POSTMAN SYNDROME. Its artists have landed impressive tours that include SLAYER, MOTORHEAD, HATEBREED and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, among others, while being backed by a team of dedicated, energetic music lovers with quality distribution to aid in their already imminent impact on the music world. Now Or Never and the Century Family's emphasis continues to focus on building up their artists in a "classic" artist development sense, a valued ethic that has been lacking throughout much of the music industry. It's this ideal that has garnered much success with both labels' diverse rosters and lasting relationships with their bands."
Iced Earth - European chart positions
In addition to entering The Billboard 200 chart at No. 145 with their new album, "The Glorious Burden", ICED EARTH have debuted at No. 15 on the German charts, No. 24 in Austria, No. 30 in Finland, No. 80 in France and No. 77 in Switzerland.
ICED EARTH are gearing up for a full-scale North American tour beginning April 18, with support coming from CHILDREN OF BODOM. A European trek with PRIMAL FEAR and THUNDERSTONE will kick off on March 18 in Tilburg, Holland.
ICED EARTH are gearing up for a full-scale North American tour beginning April 18, with support coming from CHILDREN OF BODOM. A European trek with PRIMAL FEAR and THUNDERSTONE will kick off on March 18 in Tilburg, Holland.
| Band profile: | Iced Earth |
Trail Of Tears to enter the studio in March
Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS will enter Dub Studio on March 1 with producer Endre Kirkesola (GREEN CARNATION, BLOOD RED THRONE) to begin recording their fourth, as-yet-untitled album. The band expect to spend 8-10 weeks recording the follow-up to 2002's "A New Dimension of Might", tentatively due this summer through Napalm Records.
As previously reported, TRAIL OF TEARS recently recorded a version of DEAD CAN DANCE's "The Arcane" for the upcoming DEAD CAN DANCE double-CD tribute album, "The Lotuseaters". The set, which will be released through Greece's Black Lotus Records, will include additional appearances by such acts as THE GATHERING, ULVER, GREEN CARNATION, SEPTIC FLESH, HELENA IREN MICHAELSEN (IMPERIA, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS) and ANTIMATTER.
As previously reported, TRAIL OF TEARS recently recorded a version of DEAD CAN DANCE's "The Arcane" for the upcoming DEAD CAN DANCE double-CD tribute album, "The Lotuseaters". The set, which will be released through Greece's Black Lotus Records, will include additional appearances by such acts as THE GATHERING, ULVER, GREEN CARNATION, SEPTIC FLESH, HELENA IREN MICHAELSEN (IMPERIA, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS) and ANTIMATTER.
In Flames: Release Date
Sweden's IN FLAMES have re-signed with Nuclear Blast Records for the North American territory after their previous contract with the label had expired and have set an April 6 North American release date for their new album, "Soundtrack To Your Escape". The album will arrive in Europe one week earlier (March 29).
As previously reported, the follow-up to 2002's "Reroute To Remain" was recorded at a rented house/converted studio in Denmark with producers Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Örjan Örnkloo (ex-MISERY LOVES CO.) and was mixed at Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium. Mastering duties were handled at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.
As previously reported, the follow-up to 2002's "Reroute To Remain" was recorded at a rented house/converted studio in Denmark with producers Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Örjan Örnkloo (ex-MISERY LOVES CO.) and was mixed at Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium. Mastering duties were handled at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.
| Band profile: | In Flames |
Anthrax Contest!!!
ANTHRAX have launched a contest to allow 25 "lucky winners" (each winner gets to bring one guest) to see "metal history get made" on Monday, January 26 as the band record a collection of Joey Belladonna/Neil Turbin-era songs sung by current vocalist John Bush, dubbed "Metallum Maximum Aeturnum". The recording sessions will take place at Avatar Studios in New York City.
Contest Rules:
01. Winners must be in the NYC-Connecticut-Massachusetts-Philly-Jersey area and able to be in NYC on 01/26/04.
02. All winners chosen at random.
03. All winners get to bring one guest with them of their choosing.
04. ANTHRAX reserves the right to accept or deny any admission.
05. Exact time and location will be issued to all winners via e-mail.
06. Send an e-mail to winners@anthrax.com to enter. Put your name and location in the body of the e-mail.
Contest Rules:
01. Winners must be in the NYC-Connecticut-Massachusetts-Philly-Jersey area and able to be in NYC on 01/26/04.
02. All winners chosen at random.
03. All winners get to bring one guest with them of their choosing.
04. ANTHRAX reserves the right to accept or deny any admission.
05. Exact time and location will be issued to all winners via e-mail.
06. Send an e-mail to winners@anthrax.com to enter. Put your name and location in the body of the e-mail.
| Band profile: | Anthrax |
Tim Owens Declarations about Rob Halford
Former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens recently spoke to Cleveland's "The Classic Metal Show" about Rob Halford's decision to announce his homosexuality on MTV the very same day in 1998 that PRIEST were performing their first show with Owens as the singer.
"Well, you've got to remember that was at the time when Rob was doing the TWO thing," Tim explained. "You know, if anyone ever saw the video, would have had to come out and admit he was gay, you know. So I figured that it was something that he had to do for himself. You know, who really cares? Every show that PRIEST did on that tour, there were flyers passed out for the TWO band. It was a publicity thing that he was doing, and I believe that it was the timing even with that, because he could have came out a year before or whatever. I'm glad he did, and I think almost everybody is. Who cares? You know, I might care if it was somebody else, but for some reason it hasn't bothered me ever. He's the ultimate singer and the Metal God. But it was a publicity thing, and everybody does it. It backfired, and so be it." Elaborating further on the interviewer's observation that Halford's announcement came on the same day as Owens' first live appearance with PRIEST, Tim said, "Yeah, yeah. Yeah, he comes out to New York while we're there. He was even in the same hotel we were in. It was an odd thing. Maybe I'm gonna drop a bombshell on PRIEST one of these days, and I'll strategically plan it too! (laughing). I'm going to wait until they're in town and I'm going to stay in the same hotel and then release it, just to see what happens! It probably won't work. (laughing)"
"Well, you've got to remember that was at the time when Rob was doing the TWO thing," Tim explained. "You know, if anyone ever saw the video, would have had to come out and admit he was gay, you know. So I figured that it was something that he had to do for himself. You know, who really cares? Every show that PRIEST did on that tour, there were flyers passed out for the TWO band. It was a publicity thing that he was doing, and I believe that it was the timing even with that, because he could have came out a year before or whatever. I'm glad he did, and I think almost everybody is. Who cares? You know, I might care if it was somebody else, but for some reason it hasn't bothered me ever. He's the ultimate singer and the Metal God. But it was a publicity thing, and everybody does it. It backfired, and so be it." Elaborating further on the interviewer's observation that Halford's announcement came on the same day as Owens' first live appearance with PRIEST, Tim said, "Yeah, yeah. Yeah, he comes out to New York while we're there. He was even in the same hotel we were in. It was an odd thing. Maybe I'm gonna drop a bombshell on PRIEST one of these days, and I'll strategically plan it too! (laughing). I'm going to wait until they're in town and I'm going to stay in the same hotel and then release it, just to see what happens! It probably won't work. (laughing)"
| Band profile: | Judas Priest |
Two freaky albums in the works...
Some news from Freak Kitchen's website...
"We are currently writing new music for the sixth Freak Kitchen album, which we plan to release sometime during the second half of this year."
IA is working hard on the follow-up to Freak Guitar, also to be released in 2004. Stay tuned for more news.
"We are currently writing new music for the sixth Freak Kitchen album, which we plan to release sometime during the second half of this year."
IA is working hard on the follow-up to Freak Guitar, also to be released in 2004. Stay tuned for more news.
| Band profile: | Freak Kitchen |
Mastersound Entertainment: last news...
ATROCITY "Cold Black Days" Videoclip!
After a three days videoshot ATROCITY have finished their work for the new videoclip "Cold Black Days" which will be also the new single of the band (instore march 15th). The story of the clip is based on the new concept of the "Atlantis" album of ATROCITY. In the next days the cut of the music video will be done at MVP studios. ORKUS Magazine and METAL HEART will have special features of the making of the the "Cold Black Days" videoclip.
LEAVES EYES' Good News!
Good news from LEAVES' EYES: Thursday 18.12., in the early morning, only a couple of hours after having recorded the vocals for the last track on the upcoming LEAVES' EYES album "Lovelorn", Liv Kristine gave birth to a healthy son in Ludwigsburg/Germany! This was, for sure, perfect timing! Both Liv and Leon Alexander are doing very well, and daddy Alex is proud of his son, the new "Metal God": obviously, the little one has got a strong voice! LEAVES' EYES are just about to finish the production of the debut album, moreover, a video clip for the upcoming single will be made early February.
After a three days videoshot ATROCITY have finished their work for the new videoclip "Cold Black Days" which will be also the new single of the band (instore march 15th). The story of the clip is based on the new concept of the "Atlantis" album of ATROCITY. In the next days the cut of the music video will be done at MVP studios. ORKUS Magazine and METAL HEART will have special features of the making of the the "Cold Black Days" videoclip.
LEAVES EYES' Good News!
Good news from LEAVES' EYES: Thursday 18.12., in the early morning, only a couple of hours after having recorded the vocals for the last track on the upcoming LEAVES' EYES album "Lovelorn", Liv Kristine gave birth to a healthy son in Ludwigsburg/Germany! This was, for sure, perfect timing! Both Liv and Leon Alexander are doing very well, and daddy Alex is proud of his son, the new "Metal God": obviously, the little one has got a strong voice! LEAVES' EYES are just about to finish the production of the debut album, moreover, a video clip for the upcoming single will be made early February.
Dark Tranquillity - Early albums reissued
Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY have posted the following message on their official web site:
"Some good news for those of you having problems getting hold of our earlier releases:
"Both 'The Gallery' (1995) and 'The Mind's I' (1997) will be re-released in special remastered deluxe editions, featuring brand new booklet layouts as well as a massive dose of hard-to-find bonus material.
"During the years, we've been all too aware of the lack of availability of our earlier material in the US, and we've heard from a lot of people about how hard and frustrating it is to have to track down expensive import versions of the older albums in order to get the D.T. collections complete.
"We got so much positive response from old and new fans when Century Media licensed the 'Skydancer' (1993) album for the US territory a couple of years ago, so it feels great to finally have 'The Gallery' and 'The Mind's I' enjoying proper stateside distribution as well.
"The European versions of the deluxe editions will be released by Osmose Productions. More details regarding the exact contents of the CD's and their release dates will be posted in the near future."
"Some good news for those of you having problems getting hold of our earlier releases:
"Both 'The Gallery' (1995) and 'The Mind's I' (1997) will be re-released in special remastered deluxe editions, featuring brand new booklet layouts as well as a massive dose of hard-to-find bonus material.
"During the years, we've been all too aware of the lack of availability of our earlier material in the US, and we've heard from a lot of people about how hard and frustrating it is to have to track down expensive import versions of the older albums in order to get the D.T. collections complete.
"We got so much positive response from old and new fans when Century Media licensed the 'Skydancer' (1993) album for the US territory a couple of years ago, so it feels great to finally have 'The Gallery' and 'The Mind's I' enjoying proper stateside distribution as well.
"The European versions of the deluxe editions will be released by Osmose Productions. More details regarding the exact contents of the CD's and their release dates will be posted in the near future."
| Band profile: | Dark Tranquillity |
Timo Tolkki: "My Life has Been Threatened"
A brand-new interview with STRATOVARIUS members Timo Tolkki (guitars), Jari Kainulainen (bass), and the group's latest addition, vocalist "Miss K" (a.k.a. Katriina Wiiala), has been posted online at the band's official web site. The following are a few select excerpts from that interview:
Question: The new line up was announced on Thursday (Jan 15). It's all over the media and quite surprising for many people it seems. How do you feel about the reaction?
Timo Tolkki: "It is quite surprising. I have received about 20 emails, where my life has been threatened directly. Be them real or not, it surely doesn't feel nice. I am sure the amount of hatred doesn't feel nice for Miss K neither, who has just joined STRATOVARIUS."
Miss K: "Well, I don't care about those. It's my career that I am thinking about here. I see this whole thing from an entertainer's point of view. I am an entertainer.
"I was asked by Timo Tolkki to join this band after we had met many times, talked about life, music and all. We have made lots of demos together and the new songs sound really really promising. It was me who contacted him however, when I heard that Timo Kotipelto left the band. I saw my chance and I took it and here I am!! To stay, like it or not!!"
Timo Tolkki: "What makes me wonder is the amount of hate that this line-up change has generated among the fans. It seems I will be crucified, no matter what I do. I personally feel that I have given STRATOVARIUS fans a lot of music along the years, organized lots of tours and done thousands of interviews. I think I have given them a lot! And still they say I don't respect them and that I should respect them more? I say that respect is a mutual thing. All the outbursts from my side have only been reactions to very violent and arrogant reactions from people who call themselves 'STRATOVARIUS fans'. And now when people see a bit of blood (it's real blood by the way), they freak out."
Q: How are the new STRATOVARIUS songs?
Miss K: "We have been singing some old songs that Tolkki has selected carefully. I can sing all the songs though, with my range it is no problem for me to sing 'Father Time' and songs like that. The new songs I haven't tried so much, because Tolkki has this new psychological producing style where he doesn't really tell the band in advance how the songs are. We just get some guitar riffs and that's all. I guess they are doing some recordings already."
Read more ››
Question: The new line up was announced on Thursday (Jan 15). It's all over the media and quite surprising for many people it seems. How do you feel about the reaction?
Timo Tolkki: "It is quite surprising. I have received about 20 emails, where my life has been threatened directly. Be them real or not, it surely doesn't feel nice. I am sure the amount of hatred doesn't feel nice for Miss K neither, who has just joined STRATOVARIUS."
Miss K: "Well, I don't care about those. It's my career that I am thinking about here. I see this whole thing from an entertainer's point of view. I am an entertainer.
"I was asked by Timo Tolkki to join this band after we had met many times, talked about life, music and all. We have made lots of demos together and the new songs sound really really promising. It was me who contacted him however, when I heard that Timo Kotipelto left the band. I saw my chance and I took it and here I am!! To stay, like it or not!!"
Timo Tolkki: "What makes me wonder is the amount of hate that this line-up change has generated among the fans. It seems I will be crucified, no matter what I do. I personally feel that I have given STRATOVARIUS fans a lot of music along the years, organized lots of tours and done thousands of interviews. I think I have given them a lot! And still they say I don't respect them and that I should respect them more? I say that respect is a mutual thing. All the outbursts from my side have only been reactions to very violent and arrogant reactions from people who call themselves 'STRATOVARIUS fans'. And now when people see a bit of blood (it's real blood by the way), they freak out."
Q: How are the new STRATOVARIUS songs?
Miss K: "We have been singing some old songs that Tolkki has selected carefully. I can sing all the songs though, with my range it is no problem for me to sing 'Father Time' and songs like that. The new songs I haven't tried so much, because Tolkki has this new psychological producing style where he doesn't really tell the band in advance how the songs are. We just get some guitar riffs and that's all. I guess they are doing some recordings already."
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Stratovarius |
Old Man's Child - Nominated For Spellemansprisen
The notorious Black Metallers OLD MAN'S CHILD with their album "In Defiance Of Existence" are amongst the nominees for this year's Metal-Grammy "Spellemansprisen" (http://www.spellemann.no) in Norway. As they are one of the veterans of the Norwegian Melodic Black Metal scene with now five influential albums plus a MCD under their belts, the band around Mastermind Galder (guitar/vocals) surely deserves this honor.
Along with their fellow evildoers of Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved, OLD MAN'S CHILD are now eagerly awaiting the official ceremony, which takes place on February 28th 2004 in the "Chateau Neuf"/Oslo.
Along with their fellow evildoers of Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved, OLD MAN'S CHILD are now eagerly awaiting the official ceremony, which takes place on February 28th 2004 in the "Chateau Neuf"/Oslo.
| Band profile: | Old Man's Child |
Marduk release the tracklist of the new DVD
Swedish black metallers MARDUK have announced the complete track listing for their much-anticipated DVD, "Funeral Marches And Warsongs", due on January 19.
The long-delayed disc includes, among other features, a live show recorded in Paris on the European leg of the "World Funeral" tour as well as footage of the band's reunion with former vocalist Joakim Göthberg during their appearance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany in August 2003.
"Funeral Marches And Warsongs" track listing:
Live at La Loco in Paris, France, Paris - April 9, 2003:
01. Blackcrowned
02. With Satan and Victorious Weapons
03. Azrael
04. Wolves
05. World Funeral
06. Hearse
07. Bleached Bones
08. Of Hells Fire
09. Darkness It Shall Be
10. Fistfucking Gods Planet
Live in Katowice, Poland - April 5, 2003:
01. Blackcrowned
02. With Satan and Victorious Weapons
03. Azrael
04. Wolves
05. World Funeral
06. Hearse
07. Bleached Bones
08. Of Hells Fire
09. Darkness It Shall Be
10. Fistfucking Gods Planet
Live at Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany - August 7, 2003:
01. Jesus Christ Sodomized
02. Baptism by Fire
03. The Black
04. Still Fucking Dead
Video clips:
01. Hearse (recorded April 2003)
02. World Funeral (recorded April 2003)
The long-delayed disc includes, among other features, a live show recorded in Paris on the European leg of the "World Funeral" tour as well as footage of the band's reunion with former vocalist Joakim Göthberg during their appearance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany in August 2003.
"Funeral Marches And Warsongs" track listing:
Live at La Loco in Paris, France, Paris - April 9, 2003:
01. Blackcrowned
02. With Satan and Victorious Weapons
03. Azrael
04. Wolves
05. World Funeral
06. Hearse
07. Bleached Bones
08. Of Hells Fire
09. Darkness It Shall Be
10. Fistfucking Gods Planet
Live in Katowice, Poland - April 5, 2003:
01. Blackcrowned
02. With Satan and Victorious Weapons
03. Azrael
04. Wolves
05. World Funeral
06. Hearse
07. Bleached Bones
08. Of Hells Fire
09. Darkness It Shall Be
10. Fistfucking Gods Planet
Live at Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany - August 7, 2003:
01. Jesus Christ Sodomized
02. Baptism by Fire
03. The Black
04. Still Fucking Dead
Video clips:
01. Hearse (recorded April 2003)
02. World Funeral (recorded April 2003)
| Band profile: | Marduk |
Ex-JUDAS PRIEST Drummer Denies Sex Charges
Ananova (www.ananova.com) has issued the following update in the case of former JUDAS PRIEST drummer Dave Holland, who has been accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old youth with special needs who visited his home for lessons.
The article at Ananova states: An ex-drummer with Judas Priest sexually assaulted a teenage boy while the special needs youngster was visiting his house for drum lessons, a court was told.
David Holland faces one charge of attempted rape and five counts of indecent assault on the teenager, who had special needs.
All of the alleged offences are said to have taken place between June and December 2002.
Holland's co-accused, Spiros Laouitaris, 22, faces four separate indecent assault charges on the same teenager. Holland, 55, of The Green, Stoke Bruerne, Northants, and Laouitaris, of Bourne Crescent, Kings Heath, Northampton, deny all the charges.
Opening the prosecution case at Northampton Crown Court, Maria Savvides told the jury the accusations came to light in December 2002 when the teenager, who is now 18 but cannot be named for legal reasons, told his parents in a letter of his abuse while staying at Holland's house for drum lessons.
Miss Savvides said the boy's parents had encouraged the drum lessons in order to improve their son's self-esteem. Because of the growing relationship between teacher and pupil, they had allowed their son to stay over at his home on a number of occasions.
The teenager gave a video statement to police in which he outlined the assaults and the attempted rape during the seven months he visited Holland's house. He also alleged that Laouitaris joined in assaults and forced him to perform assaults during the same period.
The trial, before Judge Charles Wide QC, heard the teenager had suffered problems at school from an early age and took part in a number of activities to improve his learning difficulties.
Miss Savvides said: "The complainant is a young lad who from an early age had experienced problems and learning difficulties. His parents were at great pains to find activities that would help him with his own self esteem. Drum lessons was something he could do and that he was happy with."
Holland joined Judas Priest in 1979 and played with them for the next 10 years in their heyday.
The article at Ananova states: An ex-drummer with Judas Priest sexually assaulted a teenage boy while the special needs youngster was visiting his house for drum lessons, a court was told.
David Holland faces one charge of attempted rape and five counts of indecent assault on the teenager, who had special needs.
All of the alleged offences are said to have taken place between June and December 2002.
Holland's co-accused, Spiros Laouitaris, 22, faces four separate indecent assault charges on the same teenager. Holland, 55, of The Green, Stoke Bruerne, Northants, and Laouitaris, of Bourne Crescent, Kings Heath, Northampton, deny all the charges.
Opening the prosecution case at Northampton Crown Court, Maria Savvides told the jury the accusations came to light in December 2002 when the teenager, who is now 18 but cannot be named for legal reasons, told his parents in a letter of his abuse while staying at Holland's house for drum lessons.
Miss Savvides said the boy's parents had encouraged the drum lessons in order to improve their son's self-esteem. Because of the growing relationship between teacher and pupil, they had allowed their son to stay over at his home on a number of occasions.
The teenager gave a video statement to police in which he outlined the assaults and the attempted rape during the seven months he visited Holland's house. He also alleged that Laouitaris joined in assaults and forced him to perform assaults during the same period.
The trial, before Judge Charles Wide QC, heard the teenager had suffered problems at school from an early age and took part in a number of activities to improve his learning difficulties.
Miss Savvides said: "The complainant is a young lad who from an early age had experienced problems and learning difficulties. His parents were at great pains to find activities that would help him with his own self esteem. Drum lessons was something he could do and that he was happy with."
Holland joined Judas Priest in 1979 and played with them for the next 10 years in their heyday.
| Band profile: | Judas Priest |