Archive News Sep 05, 2001
September 5, 2001SLIPKNOT's Iowa has sold a total of 254,000 copies in its first week of release in the US, entering next week's Billboard Top 200 Pop Album chart at #3, behind AALIYAH's self-titled effort and MARY J. BLIGE's No More Drama CD. Although this is clearly a hugely impressive chart showing, it is a disappointment to all those industry insiders that were widely predicting a #1 debut for the masked act, especially in light of early reports that indicated first week sales would edge closer to the 400,000 figure.
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Despite this relative disappointment, Iowa is clearly doing the business in virtually all parts of the globe, with various chart positions suggesting that SLIPKNOT's brand of ultra-brutal metal is truly a worldwide phenomenon. Here are Iowa's known chart showings so far:
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UK: #1 (first week sales: 52,000)
Australia: #2
Finland: #3
Germany: #4
Japan: #4
France: #7
Austria: #8
Sweden: #10
Switzerland: #13
Holland: #15
Norway: #15
Denmark: #19
Belgium: #21
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Although as yet unconfirmed, sources close to Roadrunner Records indicate that a #1 showing on the Canadian Album chart is virtually assured.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has posted the following message on the message board of the band's official web site at www.metallica.com:
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“Hey man,
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“Bad f.cken news. I've got my derelict of a computer rigged up again and can actually somewhat navigate my way thru' it (with a tiny bit of help from…). So I thought I'd try and post. Here goes……
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“It wuz supercool to see all ya all at the [Metallibash 2001 fan gathering] the other nite in SF. Quite a shindig. It was really fun to see 'CREEPIN' DEATH'. I think they f.cken rock. Dig the wigs, baby. Cool jams, too, on the 'TALLICA trax that we all slaughtered. Man, it's been awhile since I jammed on some of those songs. Some pretty wacky arrangements we used to come up with. Kinda hard to remember. But it was really cool to see you guys and hang with some familiar faces. It's been way too long. Man, do I miss it. Thanks to Susan Gottfried for putting it together. Let's have some more.
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“It's a bit of a quiet time on most other fronts, so I'm not gonna babble on for too long, just let the rumors run rampant. But there should be some happenings happening soon, so I'll keep ya 'posted'.
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“C-ya in bit,
Love Lars.”
According to SLAYER guitarist Kerry King, the track “Dead Girl Superstar” off ROB ZOMBIE's forthcoming The Sinister Urge CD, on which King makes a guest appearance, was not the song that he originally recorded his guest lead for. “I recorded a song on his album and then for whatever reason they decided not to use that particular song, so they took the lead from the recording and put it on another song,” King stated during an Australian webchat a few days ago. “Wonders of modern recording!”
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During the same chat. King reaffirmed his recent statement that MACHINE HEAD has gone “sappy” since the release of the group's debut album, Burn My Eyes (a King favorite, apparently). When asked if he still stood by his statement that MACHINE HEAD “had gone soft”, he responded, “Yeah, undoubtedly!” SLAYER and MACHINE HEAD have just completed a host of Australian and Asian gigs together, during which the two bands reportedly renewed the bond they originally established back in 1994 during their first combined outing in Europe and the US. Commented King: “Since the last time we toured with [MACHINE HEAD], which was like in '94 or '95, [MH bassist] Adam [Duce] has turned into a drunk like Jeff and I! So Jeff, Adam, Paul and I hang out all the time.”
METALIUM/ex-KINGDOM COME drummer Mark Cross is strongly rumored to have joined HELLOWEEN as a replacement for the recently departed Uli Kusch, who is presently playing in a new band with ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist Roland Grapow. At the time of his alleged departure from METALIUM, Cross had been working with the band on their upcoming third full-length CD, tentatively titled Chapter III, which is scheduled for an early 2002 release through Locomotive Music. No official statement has yet been issued by either camp.
A “pre-mix” version of the track “Slave The Way” from SKINLAB's forthcoming tHEreVOLTINGROOM>> dISTURBING tHE aRT oF eXPRESSION<< CD, is available for download from this location.
According to the most recent online posting by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine, the group's upcoming headlining shows in Anaheim, New York and San Francisco have all sold out. Mustaine also revealed that talks are currently underway for the band to take a “special trip down to Buenos Aires [Argentina] to do two shows that are unrelated to any of the festivals that are coming up in the winter of 2001 or spring of 2002.”
TECHNOCRACY, the San Francisco Bay Area metal band that features in its ranks former VIO-LENCE axeman Phil Demmel, have made available for download their version of the METALLICA classic “Ride The Lightning”, which was recently recorded for an upcoming METALLICA tribute album. To download the song, click here.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian has issued the following statement regarding the riot that ensued following the cancellation of the group's scheduled free show in Los Angeles, California on Monday, September 3rd:
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“What happened?
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“3,000-4,000 people were expected to attend this free KROQ show featuring SYSTEM and 10,000 showed up. The venue and security were not prepared adequately for such a show of heads. Barricades came down early before the band was scheduled to play. The streets were overwhelmed with bodies outside of the venue, and got closed off. The police got weary of the situation and along with the Fire Marshal called off the show before the band was scheduled to take the stage at 5:00 PM. The band was ready to play the show and even ceded to cutting their set list short, despite looming threats of arrests of band members and danger to their lives.
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“THE POLICE WOULD NOT HAVE IT! SYSTEM OF A DOWN NEVER CANCELLED THE SHOW!
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“There were so many people there that only a part of them could even actually view the stage. It was FEARed that had the band set foot on stage, people would push, shove, and possibly trample others to get a visual fix on the band. At that point, the barricades had all come down, and the band could not safely make it to the stage.
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“The police may have FEARed that had the band announced that the show was being cancelled by LAPD, that it would have lead to anger and hostility against their presence. HOWEVER, NOBODY GOT ON STAGE AND ANNOUNCED WHAT WAS GOING ON. This left everyone to assume everything and anything, and some people out of frustration started to loot, fight, etc.
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“My belief is that violence in all forms is a low-level human energy output, and undermines our existence as beings of light.
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“MOST SYSTEM FANS WERE APPALLED BY ALL THESE ACTIVITIES AND IMMEDIATELY FLED THE SCENE. The fleeing of this mass of people may have in turn caused FEAR in the police, seeing groups of people running, etc.
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“Let's not underestimate the amount of fear created by the visible police presence, not in casual police uniform, but in riot gear and horses, reminding some of ancient feudal tactics. It is this CIRCLE OF FEAR that prevailed yesterday in Hollywood, much to the band's regret.
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“What was missing was an invitation to peace....a deer dance perhaps, as in the DNC protests a year before, where Native Americans from Arizona delivered a welcoming dance to deer during their respective season. The eloquent movements and delivery of methodical action on stage derailed the overwhelming aggressive visuals of riot police, and created the only thing that could have saved the day-the smile of a young child watching the event.
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“That did not happen yesterday....
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“We believe that all of this could and should have been avoided had the band been allowed on stage. We also believe that there is lack of understanding and communication dealing with such events between promoters and the LAPD. We strongly suggest the creation of a communications forum and an officer training program between the LAPD and KROQ, as well as other promoters/radio stations.
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“Someone told me that because of this, free shows will not be allowed in Hollywood, at outside venues. That's one more blow to our freedom to convene, and SYSTEM OF A DOWN is completely opposed to this.
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“Today, we were told that our Tower Records Toxicity record release signing was cancelled in FEAR of more drama.
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“FEAR is the worst reason to make any decisions in life. People came to the show to have a good time, in peace. Someone needed to give them the respect that they deserved to let them know what was going on, especially since they would not allow the band themselves to do so. It is my firm belief that the problem of undefined and unknown fear among people is a direct result of the insecurities harbored in any densely populated Metropolis, and defines the times that we live in.
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“Without judging it, I have decided not to be a party to the CIRCLE OF FEAR, and I hope that you will all join me in doing so.
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“All of us are radiant beings with physical temporary shells that seem to define us more than it should. When you listen to music and you are uplifted, the place you go is not physical........
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“Serj”
VENOM have reportedly been busy writing material for their next studio album, which is expected to be issued sometime during 2002. Around 20 new tracks are said to have been completed for the as-yet-untitled effort, aproximately 13 of which are due to make the final cut. Although no official dates have yet been announced, VENOM are planning a trip to the US during 2002 for some live shows in support of the upcoming CD. More information as it becomes available.
U.D.O.'s upcoming Live From Russia CD, which was recorded during the group's Russian tour this past May, will now be released on October 15th.
German thrashers DESTRUCTION will be headlining the Westfalenfestival in Dortmund, Big Island, Germany, on October 7th.
Darkness And Hope, the latest studio effort from Portugal's MOONSPELL, has entered the Finnish charts at #21 and the German charts at #33.
San Francisco's WURKT, who recently completed work on their 143 Records debut with producer Josh Abraham (i.e. ORGY, TheSTART, COAL CHAMBER),have lined up a couple of home state shows during September. The dates are as follows:
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Sept. 07 – Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
Sept. 08 – Chico, CA @ The Brickworks
Sept. 15 – Cambell, CA @ Gaslighter
Sept. 28 – Stockton, CA @ American Legion Hall
Shock performance rockers GENITORTURERS are due to release a DVD entitled The Society Of Genitorture on October 2nd. Broken down into three acts—Circus Satanica, The Interrogation and The Sacrifice—the DVD will reportedly contain plenty of “tasteless sexual antics” (hence the collection's “restricted viewing” status to those 18 and older) accompanied by several of the band's otherwise enjoyable musical anthems, among them 'Terrorvision', 'One Who Feeds', 'Squealer', '4 Walls Of Black', 'Razor Cuts', 'Asphyxiate' and 'Crucified'.
Sweden's THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, who are fronted by former REFUSED screamer Dennis Lyxzen, are making the first single off their upcoming A New Morning Changing Weather CD, entitled 'Capitalism Stole My Virginity', available for download via this location. A New Morning Changing Weather is due in stores in Europe through Burning Heart Records on October 15th. The US release date is set for October 23rd via the Epitaph label.
L.A. heavyweights DIESEL MACHINE, who feature in their ranks HALFORD guitarist Pat Lachman, will be filming a video clip for the title track to their recently issued Torture Test CD on Monday, September 10th at the Whiskey A Go-Go in West Hollywood, California. The shoot is scheduled to start at 10 PM.
Sweden's DARKANE are in the process of writing the material for their upcoming third studio album, which is tentatively scheduled to be recorded in January for a late spring 2002 release.
The UK act JANUS STARK, featuring THE PRODIGY guitarist Gizz (ex-THE ENGLISH DOGS),have acquired a new drummer by the name of Alex Cummins.
The reunited Los Angeles hard rockers HELLION, fronted by Ann Boleyn, are currently preparing for their first-ever trip to Japan. Although the group's new line-up was recently completed, HELLION will not be announcing the new members' identities until the band has had ample time to rehearse together.
Stockholm, Sweden's MELDRUM, featuring former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, will issue their debut CD, entitled Loaded Mental Cannon, through Record Heaven Music on October 29th.
Veteran Australian rockers ROSE TATTOO have confirmed plans to issue a new studio album in 2002. A European tour will follow the album's release.
Former TESTAMENT/SAVATAGE guitarist Alex Skolnick can be seen performing at Izzy Bar in New York City (166 1st Ave., corner of 10th St.) throughout the months of September and October. Alex will be performing solo and with a different group each week. The dates are as follows:
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Sep. 05 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL PATROL
Sep. 12 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL TRIO
Sept. 14 - JOE DENINZON AND STRATOSPHEERIUS
Sep. 19 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL PATROL
Sep. 26 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL TRIO
Oct. 03 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL PATROL
Oct. 10 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL TRIO
Oct. 17 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL PATROL
Oct. 24 - ALEX SKOLNICK & SKOL TRIO
France's BLOCKADE will finish the recording, mixing and mastering of their first full-length CD, entitled Vague, in late November with producers Daniel Bergstrand (i.e. STUCK MOJO, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, MESHUGGAH) and Orjan Ornkloo (i.e. MISERY LOVES CO.). The mastering will take place at the Cutting Room Studio (PARADISE LOST, CLAWFINGER, HELLACOPTERS, MISERY LOVES CO.) in Stockholm. A European tour is tentatively scheduled to take place in early 2002.
Upcoming FOZZY (featuring ex-members of STUCK MOJO and WWF wrestler Chris Jericho) live dates:
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Sept. 21 – Ybor City, FL @ The Masquerade
               (w/SICK SPEED)
Oct. 19 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Nov. 09 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Ziggy's
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A possibility exists that renowned producer and former SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap will join FOZZY on stage at the Ybor City show as the group's fourth guitarist, as he recently did in Tennessee. Rumors of Sneap reviving his performing career and rejoining his former bandmates in RETURN TO THE SABBAT are entirely false, however.
Swedish sleaze rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR will release their brand new studio album, entitled Thank You For Letting Us Be Ourselves, on October 22nd.
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) have postponed their previously announced Japanese tour, which was scheduled to take place in December. The new dates have yet to be announced.
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