Archive News Nov 21, 2001

According to a report published in yesterday's edition of The New York Post, LIMP BIZKIT frontman Fred Durst “lied when he said he visited a dying Australian girl injured in a mosh pit at his concert. Durst told Access Hollywood he visited Jessica Michalik on her deathbed and kept in touch with her parents after she was trampled at last summer's Big Day Out Festival in Sydney. But a police officer in charge of investigating Michalik's death insists Durst never visited the hospital. Meanwhile, Durst claims crowd control at the lethal concert was 'completely inadequate'.'

V.O.D. guitarist Matt Baumbach has broken the group's silence about the recent reports of disagreements with the band's new label, TVT Records, over the company's lack of support for the band's critically-acclaimed From Bliss To Devastation CD (which is said to have sold less than 15,000 copies, according to Soundscan). In a statement posted at Beneath The Green, Baumbach offers that “we have been home since September 21 and have no plans at all to go on tour. The label really has not supported the record since we left for Europe and doesn't seem to be to interested now that we are home either. Things are in a real bad place right now and unfortunately we can't control them.' In other news, the side project of V.O.D. vocalist Tim Williams, the musical direction of which is being described as more on the “hardcore” side, has completed nine tracks so far, and the band's name and the identities of the remaining members of the group will be announced shortly.

HATEBREED have posted the following update on the progress of the recording sessions for their Stillborn/Republic/Universal Records debut, entitled Perseverance, which is currently being completed at Longview Farms Studios in North Brookfield, Massachusetts with producer Matt Hyde (i.e. SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET): “What's up everyone, we're sorry its been so long since an update. So many cool things have been happening, but we wanted to wait until most of it was totally confirmed before we started announcing stuff. First off, the recording process is almost complete and it is far beyond any of us could have ever imagined! It's just brutal. We have moved to another area of Longview Farms to finish the vocals and we'll be all done on Nov. 29th. Then we head to A&ampM Studios in LA to mix our album with sonic guru Randy Staub. After that we chill home for a bit and we head back out on tour starting Dec. 26th. Some dates should be up right now. We have a lot of our friends playing some select shows with us (CONVERGE, BANE, SHADOWS FALL, etc.) but the majority of the dates will be with POISON THE WELL &amp SWORN ENEMY. We are now looking at a March release for Perseverance on Stillborn/Universal.”

According to www.meteorcity.com, UNIDA have been officially dropped by American Recordings following the completion of the group's brand new album, which was originally due to be issued through the label in early 2002. As a result of this latest development, the band is likely to be forced into a lengthy legal battle (estimated to last 8-10 months) before they are able to get the rights to the album back and get it released through another company. What this ultimately means is that there will not be any new UNIDA product available until the end of 2002 or possibly even 2003. Fans of vocalist John Garcia who are anxiously awaiting newly-recorded output from the man can hear the former KYUSS frontman making a guest appearance on the upcoming ORANGE GOBLIN CD, which was produced by ex-KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder.

Here are some of the sales figures in the US for various metal/hard rock releases, as reported by Soundscan for the week ending November 11th, 2001 (number in parenthesis indicates the numbers of weeks the title has been on the sales chart):

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DISTURBED – Sickness: 1,971,032 (88)

SALIVA – Every Six Seconds: 528,970 (33)

GODSMACK – Awake: 1,803,334 (54)

TOOL – Lateralus: 1,581,311 (26)

PAPA ROACH – Infest: 3,101,193 (81)

40 BELOW SUMMER – Invit. To The Dance: 8,232 (3)

NICKELBACK – Silver Side Up: 1,133,548 (9)

LINKIN PARK – Hybrid Theory: 4,029,363 (55)

INCUBUS – Morning View: 464,212 (3)

SYSTEM OF A DOWN – Toxicity: 877,208 (10)

STAIND – Break The Cycle: 3,719,756 (25)

OZZY OSBOURNE – Down To Earth: 306,880 (4)

PUDDLE OF MUDD – Come Clean: 558,154 (11)

SLIPKNOT – Iowa: 565,308 (11)

SLIPKNOT – Slipknot: 1,348,626 (124)

DROWNING POOL – Sinner: 873,325 (23)

ADEMA – Adema: 204,247 (12)

METALLICA – Metallica: 12,898,463 (485)

MISFITS – Cuts From The Crypt: 6,903 (2)

SOIL – Scars: 40,275 (9)

MUDVAYNE – L.D. 50: 456,072 (45)

STATIC-X – Machine: 313,110 (25)

MACHINE HEAD – Supercharger: 26,167 (6)

PRIMER 55 – New Release: 53,191 (13)

STEREOMUD – Perfect Self: 108,985 (25)

SLAYER – God Hates Us All: 125,335 (9)

MARILYN MANSON has commented on the video for the group's version of “Tainted Love” (originally done by SOFT CELL) in the following message posted on the message board of the band's official web site: “I hope everyone was able to enjoy the seething sarcasm in the video and notice that it was just plain entertaining to those of us who made it. As I am between records, I really felt the music world needed something a little less serious right now. If you don't get it or like it, that's your call. The new record will take things to another level, and I can assure it won't be a comical one. I love [the fans] and I wanted this clip to cheer us all up with the mood we've all been in since 9/11.”

EXODUS' much-rumored New Year's Eve show at The Pound in San Francisco has been called off after the band reportedly determined that the idea of 400 potentially inebriated and otherwise under-the-influence EXODUS fans coming together under one roof for this special celebration was a potential disaster-in-the-making that would ultimately hamper the group's chances of getting booked in other venues around town and elsewhere, according to an unofficial statement attributed to The Pound's management. Meanwhile, EXODUS are still said to be playing at the Covered Wagon in San Francisco on December 8th (although this has yet to be officially confirmed) and at Bourbon Street in Concord on December 21st, according to booking agent Chris Lammori.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM drummer Craig Nielsen has addressed the group's future recording and touring plans following the recent departure of vocalist Eric A.K. in a posting on the message board on the group's official web site. According to Nielsen, “the band is looking forward to talking about [our future plans] when we get together for these upcoming shows [on the west coast]. What I can say is that the war has made record sales and show attendance MUCH weaker than in recent memory, for everyone across the board. Bands that used to draw at least 500-800 per show are seeing only 150-300 regularly. I talk to promoters every week as the defacto tour manager of this band, and they all tell the same sad story. The only bands doing any real business are the sh.tty ones like PUDDLE OF MUDD and their type that have songs on regular rotation on mass radio. For all the hype about old school metal making some sort of resurgence, if that were true before the war, then it has been stopped dead in its tracks. FLOTSAM has been offered 2 full European tours this summer and I think we will end up going if all this talk of nuclear annihilation dies down a bit. As for future recording, this is not up to us. We will always do records so long as we have a label and budget. We will see what the future holds very soon as far as that goes. But I think it's safe to say that we will continue to have one-off shows as long as there are clubs and people with an interest, as well as festivals. Believe it or not, this band has absolutely no problem booking good money gigs with eager promoters who love this band. Flots til Kevin Shortandfatone chokes on a mayonaise and cheese sandwich.”

NOTHINGFACE guitarist Tom Maxwell has posted the following update on the songwriting sessions for the group's upcoming fourth effort and the follow-up to last year's acclaimed Violence CD: “Hello everyone. I just thought I'd drop in to give you the 411 on the new stuff. It's f.cking heavy!!!! But we also have been writing some really diverse music as well. We have 7 songs so far, but the goal is to keep the music flowing so that we can have a good quantity of songs to pick and choose from. We really want to bury everything we did before. [Drummer Tommy] Sickles has added a new energy in the band and we're all refreshed with a never ending well of ideas and melodies. I can't wait to record these new songs for real and get the next record out. It's going to be as we like to be described..'Beautifully Brutal'. Anyway...you all take care and we'll hopefully see some of you on the 30th. laterz....T”

The self-titled debut album from Swedish stoner rockers GRAND MAGUS— featuring current SPIRITUAL BEGGARS vocalist Janne Christoffersson—has reportedly been voted Album of the Month by the writers of the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine. As previously reported, the CD will receive a US release in January.

SIX FEET UNDER's video for 'The Day The Dead Walked' has been turned down by both MTV and MTV2. The reason reportedly given by the channel was that 'both the music and imagery are too heavy for us right now.' However, Much Music Canada has reportedly accepted the clip and is planning on airing it shortly. In other news, SIX FEET UNDER bassist Terry Butler and guitarist Steve Swanson have signed an endorsement deal with Ibanez.

CATASTROPHIC drummer Rob Maresca has signed an endorsement deal with Axxis Percussion.

Current DOKKEN bassist Barry Sparks (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MSG, ULI ROTH) has posted the following update on the recording sessions for DOKKEN's upcoming CD, the group's first since the departures of bassist Jeff Pilson and guitarist Reb Beach: “Hello, hello! I am here in Redondo Beach at Total Access Studios. Just wrapped up the bass tracks for the new DOKKEN album. This album is really gonna be amazing, I know that for sure! The bass and drum tracks really give me a Bill Ward/Geezer, Heaven And Hell vibe! (luv it!) [Guitarist] John Norum [ex-EUROPE] is now trackin' some smokin' guitar!! Yeehaw! So....word is, the DOKKEN tour starts December 26th. I will post the dates as soon as I get them. 'Till then, remember this....'there's a time for feelin AS GOOD as we can....the time is now, there's no stoppin' us!' All the best to ya! See ya on the road with DOKKEN soon.”

According to a rather cryptic posting on the official CELTIC FROST web site at www.celticfrost.com, “very soon an exclusive announcement will be posted on [the official web site] as soon as it appears that all relevant technical and logistical details have been decided upon regarding the current CF reformation. (Yes, I know some of you might be thinking, 'Well, we've heard that one before...!' Trust me, that is not the case this time.).”

According to BIOHAZARD drummer Danny Schuler, the band is “now planning a US tour [for the beginning of 2002] that is gonna be so FAT, but I can't tell you who it's with yet 'cause it's not firmed up, but as soon as we can, we're gonna make a huge tour announcement for all the people who are waiting for BIOHAZARD in the USA. Trust me, you want to be there, it will be dope...”

GOD FORBID have confirmed their participation in a North American tour with GWAR and SOILENT GREEN. The five-week tour will begin on January 16th and will take the New Jersey-based quintet all across North America before concluding on March 2nd.

Doug Harper, a record store owner situated near the residence of former TESTAMENT/DEATH/OBITUARY guitarist James Murphy (who is presently fighting a benign brain tumor) has started auctioning autographed copies of James Murphy's two solo CDs, 1996's Convergence and 1999's Feeding The Machine (both originally issued through Shrapnel Records) on eBay, with the proceeds going to James' recovery fund. According to Doug, “James is doing great and he looks better every time I see him. His hands are getting stronger and he has millions of ideas in his head for new material. I've started the auctions slowly, because the word is getting out slowly.” To check out the first of Harper's auctions, go to this location.

FATES WARNING/ENGINE frontman Ray Alder will be featured on the upcoming REDEMPTION project, put together by Alder's longtime friend, Nick Van Dyk, also the co-author of he track “Taste” from the self-titled ENGINE debut. In addition to Alder, who appears on two tracks, the forthcoming album features drummers Jason Rollo (SYMPHONY X) and Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING, WARLORD),vocalist Rick Mythiasin (STEEL PROPHET, TARAXACUM),guitarist Bernie Versailles (ENGINE, ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI),and Van Dyk on guitars, keyboards, and bass. As previously reported, ENGINE, featuring Alder, Versailles, bassist Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING),and drummer Pete Parada (FACE TO FACE),will start recording their highly-anticipated sophomore CD on December 12th at an as-yet-undisclosed Los Angeles studio for an early 2002 release through Metal Blade Records.

SLIPKNOT have lined up the following in-store appearances during their upcoming UK tour, which is scheduled to take place in February (all in-stores kick off at 12 PM):

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Feb. 14 - Virgin Megastore, Glasgow

Feb. 19 - Virgin Megastore, Cardiff

Feb. 20 - Virgin Megastore, Birmingham

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In related news, THE REJECTS, a long-running project featuring vocalist Dizzy Reject, SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison, and STATIC-X guitarist Tripp Eisen, are currently wrapping up vocals for their upcoming debut album, which will be issued through an as-yet-undetermined label in early 2002. The band have also recruited an as-yet-undisclosed new bassist who “completely f.cking kicks ass, and we are so glad to have found him,” according to vocalist Dizzy. “He sings great, writes awesome and is just itching to f.cking kill you all.” THE REJECTS, who are due to change their name before the release of the aforementioned debut CD, have posted a bunch of photos taken during the current recording sessions at this location.

Germany's U.D.O., led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, are currently in the studio recording their upcoming CD, entitled Man And Machine. According to a statement posted at the group's official web site, “we just have vocals and guitar solo's to do then we will start the mixing process. Right now, the European release date for this CD is March 25th, 2002.”

The upcoming album from AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen—which will be recorded with a cast of different singers, namely Damien Wilson, formerly with THRESHOLD, Floor Jansen of Dutch gothic metal band AFTER FOREVER, SYMPHONY X vocalist Russell Allen, and Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, MOONTOWER)—will be called Space Metal and will likely be released under the name STAR ONE.

DAYLIGHT DIES have signed a worldwide recording deal with Relapse Records. The band will showcase their more traditionally-rooted melodic metal on its forthcoming full-length CD, entitled No Reply, which is due in late spring. According to an official press release from Relapse, “DAYLIGHT DIES blend rapturous guitar riffs with pleasant but funereal guitar leads, hair-raising vocals and an adventurous musical vision. Drummer Jesse Haff comments: 'DAYLIGHT DIES are proud to officially announce our signing with Relapse Records. Our debut full-length album, entitled No Reply, will be recorded very shortly. No Reply will contain 8 dark and desperate deeply textured songs, and will run over an hour in length.”

Indonesian “brutal death metallers” BLOODY GORE recruited a new vocalist by the name of Donny (ex-DELIRIUM TREMENS) and are presently working on the material for their upcoming full-length release, which they plan to record in December. BLOODY GORE is still seeking a US and European deal. All interested parties can contact the group at: Bloody Gore: PO BOX 6660, JKT 13000, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected]. The group's web site can be viewed at this location.

Norway's AETERNUS will perform live at their record release party for the band's upcoming Ascension of Terror opus at Garage Club in Bergen, Norway on December 22nd. Support will come from Bergen's SULPHUR.

FIREBIRD, led by former CARCASS/NAPALM DEATH guitarist Bill Steer, is currently on a European tour with a line-up that features BLIND DOG bassist Tobias Nilsson and THE QUILL drummer George Atlagic after CATHEDRAL bassist Leo Smee and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS drummer Ludwig Witt were forced to pull out of the gig due to recording/touring commitments with their main bands. According to a posting by Nilsson at www.meteorcity.com, 'Michael Amott (of SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) gave me a call a couple of weeks ago telling me he had this friend who needed a bass player for a tour in England. Then Bill Steer (FIREBIRD) called in the middle of the night saying he had talked to Mike. To make a long story short, here I am in England! I didn't tell anyone earlier than now because I didn't really know if Bill had other bass players to choose from, so I wasn't sure I was the one until I was sitting on the plane almost. I am however just a stand-in for the original bass player and am only doing this tour.” Witt, for his part, has posted the following message at FIREBIRD's official web site: 'I'm sorry to say that I won't play on the upcoming FIREBIRD tour, because I'm going to be in the studio mixing the new [SPIRITUAL] BEGGARS album. It's very important to me that I'd do everything in my power to make the new album as good as possible it can be. I also wish that I could do the tour with Bill but I can't be at two places at the same time.'

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman Scott Weiland was arrested just before 2 AM Monday morning in Las Vegas on domestic violence charges, according to the incident report filed at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The singer was released from custody on Monday after posting $3,000 bail, and performed with his band that evening. According to the report, '[Mary] Weiland states she and her husband of one and a half years, Scott Weiland, had a verbal argument over prescription medication that had been prescribed by a Dr. Cary Logan. In an attempt to stop Scott from leaving the room, Mary sat in front of the door. Scott became physical when he physically removed Mary from the front of the door. He did this by forcefully grabbing her arms and moving her to the right side of the door. He then pushed Mary against the wall several times. Scott then left the room. As the result of the altercation, Mary has some bruising on her left bicep, as well as her right bicep.'

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The incident occurred at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS were staying and eventually performed Monday night. During the performance, Weiland allegedly neglected to mention the arrest, but reportedly told the crowd, 'I may be a failure at love, but I've written a few good tunes in my life,' as quoted by ABC News Radio.

CYBERNAUTS, featuring DEF LEPPARD vocalist Joe Elliott and guitarist Phil Collen, have issued a statement announcing that the group's double live CD, which has been available exclusively on the web since June, will be deleted next year.

Here is how the metal/hard rock genre has fared in the German Media Control (Top 100) charts for the week ending November 19th (as reported by Rock Hard magazine):

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11. LENNY KRAVITZ - Lenny

12. LINKIN PARK - Hybrid Theory

17. FARIN URLAUB - Endlich Urlaub

23. BUSH - Golden State

27. RAMMSTEIN - Mutter

30. H.I.M. - Deep Shadows And Brilliant...

35. NICKELBACK - Silver Side Up

42. SUM 41 - All Killer No Filler

46. BÖHSE ONKELZ - 20 Jahre - Live in Frankfurt

48. INCUBUS - Mourning View

51. ALIEN ANT FARM - ANThology

54. LIMP BIZKIT - Chocolate Starfish...

57. OZZY OSBOURNE - Down To Earth

70. GARBAGE - Beautifulgarbage

77. BLINK-182 - Take Off Your Pants And Jacket

85. THE MISSION - Aura

89. STAIND - Break The Cycle

99. SYSTEM OF A DOWN – Toxicity

Former DIO/WORLD WAR III guitarist Tracy G will be partaking in an online chat at http://www.rocknrollstation.com this Friday night, November 23rd, at 10 PM.

According to the BLAZE Fans web site, the forthcoming sophomore outing from BLAZE (featuring former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley),entitled Tenth Dimension, is scheduled to receive a European release on January 21st through SPV/Steamhammer Records. A concept album, Tenth Dimension will also be issued in a special limited edition, featuring several bonus tracks, including some of the live tracks that were recorded at the group's live appearance in Dudley on November 16th.

NONPOINT will be performing live, in-studio on the hour-long The Daily Beat Show, on the Metro Channel in New York City on Monday, November 26th between 4:15 PM and 6:00 PM. To attend, write to [email protected], and be sure to leave your full name, the best way to reach you, and the total number of people who would like to attend.

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