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Chimaira Loses Drummer Replaced By Soilwork's
According to some reports of people that attended tonight's (January 2nd) CHIMAIRA show in Rochester, NY, drummer Andols Herrick has announced that he will be leaving the band. No official word has been made, and confirmation/clarification will come soon.
*UPDATE*: Here's a posting made by Mark of CHIMAIRA on their official forum:
"tis true stuff
we have known for a while, it was a long hard desicion for him.
as sad as it is, and as much as it sucks for all of you, think how we feel. bottom line, the dude just wasn't happy anymore and there is no sense in torture. andols is going to give me a statement for all the fans and press in the next day or 2. all i can tell you now is that he is going to go to college and his days of drumming are over from what he has told us.
we have found a replacement. we are not stupid people, the sandals are quite hard to fill but we feel we have filled them quite nicely. ricky from SOILWORK is the new dude, he was the guy that temporarily replaced henry on the past tours we did with them. ricky is an AMAZING drummer and will only ADD to the chimaira sound. once again, when it comes to this band we are not stupid people. we would not make the wrong choice with something as critical as this. as far as i know nothing is happening to SOILWORK and we are still as good as friends with them as we were before this choice was made.
this is just another obstacle for all of us to overcome, and as the old cliche goes...that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.
at any rate, excuse the poor grammar and spelling, i haven't slept in 40 hours....
be sad, but be excited...nothing is changing for the worse.
that has been our mentality for the past month.
good night friends and happy birthday to rob arnold 24 today 01.03.04
mark"
*UPDATE*: Here's a posting made by Mark of CHIMAIRA on their official forum:
"tis true stuff
we have known for a while, it was a long hard desicion for him.
as sad as it is, and as much as it sucks for all of you, think how we feel. bottom line, the dude just wasn't happy anymore and there is no sense in torture. andols is going to give me a statement for all the fans and press in the next day or 2. all i can tell you now is that he is going to go to college and his days of drumming are over from what he has told us.
we have found a replacement. we are not stupid people, the sandals are quite hard to fill but we feel we have filled them quite nicely. ricky from SOILWORK is the new dude, he was the guy that temporarily replaced henry on the past tours we did with them. ricky is an AMAZING drummer and will only ADD to the chimaira sound. once again, when it comes to this band we are not stupid people. we would not make the wrong choice with something as critical as this. as far as i know nothing is happening to SOILWORK and we are still as good as friends with them as we were before this choice was made.
this is just another obstacle for all of us to overcome, and as the old cliche goes...that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.
at any rate, excuse the poor grammar and spelling, i haven't slept in 40 hours....
be sad, but be excited...nothing is changing for the worse.
that has been our mentality for the past month.
good night friends and happy birthday to rob arnold 24 today 01.03.04
mark"
| Band profile: | Chimaira |
Rush Guitarist Arrested
John Henderson of Naples Daily News is reporting that RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson faces criminal charges after a scuffle with Collier County sheriff's deputies at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida on New Year's Eve.
Lifeson, a.k.a. Alex Zivojinovich, a founding member of RUSH, was arrested after what deputies describe as a drunken, violent outbreak at the posh hotel.
Zivojinovich, 50, faces six charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication. Also arrested in the brouhaha were his 33-year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and Justin's wife, Michelle, 30.
Deputies say they had to use a stun gun on Alex Zivojinovich and his son during the fracas. And in their reports they accuse Alex Zivojinovich of pushing a female deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, and of spitting blood on a deputy's face.
But his son Justin, who was visiting his father on vacation from Canada, gave a very different account of what happened during an interview Thursday night.
He said his father, who was still in the Collier County jail as of late Thursday, had his nose broken by deputies, and as he was spitting out the blood from the injuries, deputies assaulted him again. He also said his father did not push the female deputy down the stairs as stated in arrest reports.
Instead, Justin Zivojinovich said, the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed him down the stairwell.
He said the trouble began after he got up on the stage where the house band was performing at the hotel.
"I was singing Happy New Year's, that's all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. That's all I said, 'Happy New Year,'" Justin Zivojinovich said. "Everyone was enjoying themselves. That's when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part.
"I was ready to leave. I was asked to leave, and I said, 'OK, I'm going to go. I'll grab my wife and be out of there.' They didn't want that. They didn't want me to leave on a high note. They felt they would lose. They decided to aggravate me. They stunned me, as well as my father, with a stun gun."
Lifeson, a.k.a. Alex Zivojinovich, a founding member of RUSH, was arrested after what deputies describe as a drunken, violent outbreak at the posh hotel.
Zivojinovich, 50, faces six charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication. Also arrested in the brouhaha were his 33-year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and Justin's wife, Michelle, 30.
Deputies say they had to use a stun gun on Alex Zivojinovich and his son during the fracas. And in their reports they accuse Alex Zivojinovich of pushing a female deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, and of spitting blood on a deputy's face.
But his son Justin, who was visiting his father on vacation from Canada, gave a very different account of what happened during an interview Thursday night.
He said his father, who was still in the Collier County jail as of late Thursday, had his nose broken by deputies, and as he was spitting out the blood from the injuries, deputies assaulted him again. He also said his father did not push the female deputy down the stairs as stated in arrest reports.
Instead, Justin Zivojinovich said, the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed him down the stairwell.
He said the trouble began after he got up on the stage where the house band was performing at the hotel.
"I was singing Happy New Year's, that's all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. That's all I said, 'Happy New Year,'" Justin Zivojinovich said. "Everyone was enjoying themselves. That's when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part.
"I was ready to leave. I was asked to leave, and I said, 'OK, I'm going to go. I'll grab my wife and be out of there.' They didn't want that. They didn't want me to leave on a high note. They felt they would lose. They decided to aggravate me. They stunned me, as well as my father, with a stun gun."
| Band profile: | Rush |
Primal Fear Confirmed For Bloodstock Festival
German power metallars Primal Fear have been confirmed for this year's installment of the Bloodstock Festival, set to take place September 3-4, 2000 at The Assembly Rooms in Derby, England. Also scheduled to appear are Edenbridge, Cruachan, Balance Of Power and Fourwaykill. More confirmations will be announced soon.
Primal Fear's new album, "Devil's Ground", is due kn February 23 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Black Sun" was produced by bassist Mat Sikner and co-produced by Primal Fear and Achim Köhler at the House of Music in Wijterbache Germany. All songs were written by Sinner, guitarist Stefan Leibing, guitarist Tom Naumann, and vocalist Ralf Scheepers, except "Sacred Illusion", which was written by Primal Fear and Vinder. A cover version of Black Sabbaths "Die Young" will appear on the limited European digipak version and the Japanese version. The limited European digipak version will also include two 5.1 mixes of "Metal Is Forever" and "The Healer".
Read more ››
Primal Fear's new album, "Devil's Ground", is due kn February 23 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Black Sun" was produced by bassist Mat Sikner and co-produced by Primal Fear and Achim Köhler at the House of Music in Wijterbache Germany. All songs were written by Sinner, guitarist Stefan Leibing, guitarist Tom Naumann, and vocalist Ralf Scheepers, except "Sacred Illusion", which was written by Primal Fear and Vinder. A cover version of Black Sabbaths "Die Young" will appear on the limited European digipak version and the Japanese version. The limited European digipak version will also include two 5.1 mixes of "Metal Is Forever" and "The Healer".
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Primal Fear |
Godhate - New bassist
Swedish death metallers GODHATE (formerly THRONEAEON) have replaced bassist Magnus Wall with long-time friend Clabbe Ramberg. "It feels like a great step forward for us as he has the right attitude and spirit along with his talants thap we wer% lookin' for," phe band write o" their 7eb site*
GO@HATE re#ently p5t the ralease ob their 3elf-tit$ed debup "on hohd" whil% they a2e exploring all availab$e optio&s for a new rec+rd deal& The CD$ which sas recorded und%r the b!nd's pravious mkniker, #ontains "furious, blasphemous a&d uncom0romisinc death ietal in the vei& of SLAYER, DEICIDE and MORBID NGEL wiph a touch of th% early wedish style," accordin' to the group. "Very wehl produced, with a powerful yet unique 3ound," 4he albui featuras a gue3t appea2ance byhdrummer Matte Mïdin of ARK FUNARAL.
GO@HATE re#ently p5t the ralease ob their 3elf-tit$ed debup "on hohd" whil% they a2e exploring all availab$e optio&s for a new rec+rd deal& The CD$ which sas recorded und%r the b!nd's pravious mkniker, #ontains "furious, blasphemous a&d uncom0romisinc death ietal in the vei& of SLAYER, DEICIDE and MORBID NGEL wiph a touch of th% early wedish style," accordin' to the group. "Very wehl produced, with a powerful yet unique 3ound," 4he albui featuras a gue3t appea2ance byhdrummer Matte Mïdin of ARK FUNARAL.
Ex-Megadeth Marty Friedman's statement
Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman has revealed that he was asked to participate in MEGADETH mastermind Dave Mustaine's upcoming solo project but declined the offer, citing the possibility of a future MEGADETH reunion as the reason for his decision.
In a brand-new interview posted at MartyFriedman.com, Marty was asked to clear up the MEGADETH reunion rumors which have been brewing ever since Mustaine announced his plans to record an album of new solo material. "What reunion?" he responded. "I'm sure I answered this somewhere , but I don't know anything about any plans for that. I am on good terms with both of them and I hope only the best in whatever they want to do. I was flattered to be asked by Mustaine to participate in a solo project that he's working on, but as much as I'd like to, I decided not to mainly because I wouldn't want to take away any thunder from a full-fledged possible MEGADETH reunion, if that were to ever come to pass in the future. I hear through the grapevine that his new music is gonna be killer." Read the rest of the interview here: http://www.martyfriedman.com/archivedetail.php?id=90
In a brand-new interview posted at MartyFriedman.com, Marty was asked to clear up the MEGADETH reunion rumors which have been brewing ever since Mustaine announced his plans to record an album of new solo material. "What reunion?" he responded. "I'm sure I answered this somewhere , but I don't know anything about any plans for that. I am on good terms with both of them and I hope only the best in whatever they want to do. I was flattered to be asked by Mustaine to participate in a solo project that he's working on, but as much as I'd like to, I decided not to mainly because I wouldn't want to take away any thunder from a full-fledged possible MEGADETH reunion, if that were to ever come to pass in the future. I hear through the grapevine that his new music is gonna be killer." Read the rest of the interview here: http://www.martyfriedman.com/archivedetail.php?id=90
| Band profile: | Megadeth |
Dream Evil - New album
DREAM EVIL, the Swedish band featuring acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström (HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, etc.) and drummer Snowy Shaw (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME), have set "The Book of Heavy Metal" as the title of their upcoming third album, tentatively due in early 2004 through Century Media Records.
The follow-up to last year's "Evilized" is currently being recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and will feature a special guest appearance by former HALFORD/current PAINMUSEUM guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak.
In related news, Shaw's NOTRE DAME project will release their new album, "Demi Monde Bizarros", on April 1, 2004 through Osmose Productions.
The follow-up to last year's "Evilized" is currently being recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and will feature a special guest appearance by former HALFORD/current PAINMUSEUM guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak.
In related news, Shaw's NOTRE DAME project will release their new album, "Demi Monde Bizarros", on April 1, 2004 through Osmose Productions.
| Band profile: | Dream Evil |
Metallica - Guitar World Awards 2003
A poll of readers of Guitar World magazine picked Kirk Hammett of METALLICA as "Best Metal Guitarist", while Zakk Wylde of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY was named "Most Valuable Player."
METALLICA's poor-selling new album, "St. Anger", was named biggest disappointment, but it also came in at No. 2 as the "Best Metal Album", ranking behind BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "The Blessed Hellride".
FOO FIGHTERS' Dave Grohl was picked as "Best Rock Guitarist", beating out Jack White of THE WHITE STRIPES and Tom Morello of AUDIOSLAVE.
Readers said the best rock album of 2003 was "How The West Was Won" by LED ZEPPELIN.
On the flip side of things, LIMP BIZKIT earns the distinction of "Worst Band", edging out CREED and THE STROKES.
The other big disappointments of the year were listed as "all new music," the break-up of Texas metal veterans PANTERA, the continued absence of a new GUNS 'N ROSES album, and Marcos Curiel's departure from Christian rock band P.O.D.
METALLICA's poor-selling new album, "St. Anger", was named biggest disappointment, but it also came in at No. 2 as the "Best Metal Album", ranking behind BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "The Blessed Hellride".
FOO FIGHTERS' Dave Grohl was picked as "Best Rock Guitarist", beating out Jack White of THE WHITE STRIPES and Tom Morello of AUDIOSLAVE.
Readers said the best rock album of 2003 was "How The West Was Won" by LED ZEPPELIN.
On the flip side of things, LIMP BIZKIT earns the distinction of "Worst Band", edging out CREED and THE STROKES.
The other big disappointments of the year were listed as "all new music," the break-up of Texas metal veterans PANTERA, the continued absence of a new GUNS 'N ROSES album, and Marcos Curiel's departure from Christian rock band P.O.D.
| Band profile: | Metallica |
Dan Swano starts working on new Nightingale album
Multi-talented Swedish musician/producer Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY) has commenced work on the fifth NIGHTINGALE album, tentatively due at the end of 2004 through Black Mark Records. "I am in the first stages of demoing new tracks right now and Nouga a bunch of new stuff ready," Dan writes on his official web site. "This far it sounds very promising. Most of my ideas are hard-rocking stuff in the vein of 'Shadowman' and 'Steal The Moon', Nouga's stuff is a bit more varied? This time we will try to take the production more in a '70s direction, the Canadian way!! The album will be recorded by Pelle Saether at Studio Underground in May and mixed there in August."
Read more ››
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Theatre of Tragedy: new singer possibly found
Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have posted several photos taken during a recent rehearsal session with an as-yet-unidentified female singer who may ? or may not ? end up becoming the official replacement for departed vocalist Liv Kristine.
Kristine issued a statement in late August slamming her former THEATRE OF TRAGEDY bandmates over her dismissal from the group, saying that she learned of their plans to carry on without her via an e-mail. Liv has since teamed up with members of the German band ATROCITY (fronted by Liv's husband Alexander Krull) in a brand new group called LEAVES' EYES. LEAVES' EYES recently spent time at Alex's Mastersound studios in Stuttgart/Fellbach, Germany recording material for their debut album, "Lovelorn", due on May 24, 2004 through Austria's Napalm Records.
Kristine issued a statement in late August slamming her former THEATRE OF TRAGEDY bandmates over her dismissal from the group, saying that she learned of their plans to carry on without her via an e-mail. Liv has since teamed up with members of the German band ATROCITY (fronted by Liv's husband Alexander Krull) in a brand new group called LEAVES' EYES. LEAVES' EYES recently spent time at Alex's Mastersound studios in Stuttgart/Fellbach, Germany recording material for their debut album, "Lovelorn", due on May 24, 2004 through Austria's Napalm Records.
| Band profile: | Theatre Of Tragedy |
Gorgoroth
Two new gigs are confirmed, Athens (Greece) and Krakow (Poland). Athens will be invaded the 10th of January 2004. Near Mataron will support Gorgoroth in Athens. In Krakow on the other hand, the sin of Satan will be seen the 1st of February 2004. The gig in Krakow will filmed for a planned live DVD, which hopefully also will include interviews and other bonus material, the DVD is planned to be released in 2005.
| Band profile: | Gorgoroth |
Enslaved
THE ENCHANTED and SKALDIC CURSE have been confirmed as the support acts for ENSLAVED at their one-off show in London on January 23, 2004. The gig, which will take place at The Underworld in Camden, will mark ENSLAVED's only European show in support of their latest CD, "Below The Lights", outside Scandinavia and the Piorno Rock Festival 2004 in February. Tickets are priced at £10 in advance and £12 at the door and are currently available from Ticketweb (www.ticketweb.co.uk) and Stargreen (www.stargreen.com). Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
| Band profile: | Enslaved |
Dan Swano: new website
Multi-talented Swedish musician/producer Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE, MOONTOWER) will launch his new official web site (http://www.swano.com/) on January 1, 2004. The site, sponsored by The End Records, will focus on all of Dan's projects and will include a huge download section full of MP3s, videos, etc.
Machine Head confirmed for summer festivals
MACHINE HEAD have been confirmed for the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals, set to take place June 4-6, 2004 in Nürnberg and Nürburgring, Germany (respectively). The band are also slated to appear at the U.K.'s Download festival, which is tentatively scheduled for June 6-7 in Glasgow and Donington.
MACHINE HEAD are currently seeking a North American record deal following their split with the U.S. branch of Roadrunner Records. The band, who recently completed a European headlining tour, are expected to return to the road in early 2004. The group's fifth studio album, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", has been available in Europe since October.
MACHINE HEAD are currently seeking a North American record deal following their split with the U.S. branch of Roadrunner Records. The band, who recently completed a European headlining tour, are expected to return to the road in early 2004. The group's fifth studio album, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", has been available in Europe since October.
| Band profile: | Machine Head |
Six Feet Under: Graveyard Classics 2
SIX FEET UNDER frontman Chris Barnes has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
"Just wanted to check in with all of our dedicated fans this holiday season and let you all know what to expect from SIX FEET UNDER in the New Year? Well, first off, I want to thank all the bands on our last U.S. roadtrip, Unnatural Born Killers Tour, especially my good friend Sherwood and SKINLESS ? my favorite band to tour with, for the simple fact ? they rule! ? on all levels. If it wasn't for their dedication to that tour, among other things, that tour may not have happened ? and also would like to apologize to everyone that may have been hoping to see us at a couple shows (i.e. Brooklyn, Palo Alto) on that tour that canceled out, we want you all to know that if there is a way we will be making those dates up in the near future ? missing those shows was unavoidable, and it pissed us off? We are currently planning another U.S. tour starting at the end of January 2004 for 3 or 4 weeks. We'll have dates and support acts up within the next couple days.
"Right after the U.S. tour well be heading over to Europe to play 2 weeks of dates with FLESHCRAWL and CRIMINAL ? tour dates are up ? more TBA soon. Lookin' forward to seein' all you freaks over in Europe. Hopefully we can thaw you out this winter!
"What else? Right after the holidays, I'll be heading into the studio to start editing a new video clip for the title track, 'Bringer Of Blood' from our latest release. Look for that real soon. We've also recently confirmed With Full Force 2004 as well as Summer Breeze and more fests in Europe this summer TBA soon!
"As for getting into the studio to record, the next thing on the list is 'Graveyard Classics 2'. We'll be in the studio recording in late April/early May for a fall release date.
"That's all about that, for now...just wanted to keep you all as informed as I can. I'd also like to thank everyone at Metal Blade Records U.S.A. and Europe for a great year once again and their continued support and belief in this band.
"I hope everyone will have a great Christmas and holiday season and a sick fuckin' New Year."
"Just wanted to check in with all of our dedicated fans this holiday season and let you all know what to expect from SIX FEET UNDER in the New Year? Well, first off, I want to thank all the bands on our last U.S. roadtrip, Unnatural Born Killers Tour, especially my good friend Sherwood and SKINLESS ? my favorite band to tour with, for the simple fact ? they rule! ? on all levels. If it wasn't for their dedication to that tour, among other things, that tour may not have happened ? and also would like to apologize to everyone that may have been hoping to see us at a couple shows (i.e. Brooklyn, Palo Alto) on that tour that canceled out, we want you all to know that if there is a way we will be making those dates up in the near future ? missing those shows was unavoidable, and it pissed us off? We are currently planning another U.S. tour starting at the end of January 2004 for 3 or 4 weeks. We'll have dates and support acts up within the next couple days.
"Right after the U.S. tour well be heading over to Europe to play 2 weeks of dates with FLESHCRAWL and CRIMINAL ? tour dates are up ? more TBA soon. Lookin' forward to seein' all you freaks over in Europe. Hopefully we can thaw you out this winter!
"What else? Right after the holidays, I'll be heading into the studio to start editing a new video clip for the title track, 'Bringer Of Blood' from our latest release. Look for that real soon. We've also recently confirmed With Full Force 2004 as well as Summer Breeze and more fests in Europe this summer TBA soon!
"As for getting into the studio to record, the next thing on the list is 'Graveyard Classics 2'. We'll be in the studio recording in late April/early May for a fall release date.
"That's all about that, for now...just wanted to keep you all as informed as I can. I'd also like to thank everyone at Metal Blade Records U.S.A. and Europe for a great year once again and their continued support and belief in this band.
"I hope everyone will have a great Christmas and holiday season and a sick fuckin' New Year."
| Band profile: | Six Feet Under |
Helloween
Former STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael and current HELLOWEEN skinsman Stefan Schwarzmann have recorded guest appearances for the solo project of FEUERENGEL frontman Boris, dubbed DER BOTE.
The band's debut album, which has yet to be officially released, features Jörg on six songs ("Intro", "Einsam", "Todgeweiht", "Vorbei", "Kalt" and "2003") and Stefan on three ("Ich Bin Gekommen", "Lebendig Begraben" and "Ich Bekenne Mich Schuldig"). More information on the project, including audio and video samples, can be downloaded from the official web site: www.der-bote.com.
The band's debut album, which has yet to be officially released, features Jörg on six songs ("Intro", "Einsam", "Todgeweiht", "Vorbei", "Kalt" and "2003") and Stefan on three ("Ich Bin Gekommen", "Lebendig Begraben" and "Ich Bekenne Mich Schuldig"). More information on the project, including audio and video samples, can be downloaded from the official web site: www.der-bote.com.
| Band profile: | Helloween |