DIVINE EMPIRE's BLACHOWICZ: Drummer TIMLIN Is A 'Drama Queen With A History Of Mental Issues'

DIVINE EMPIRE bassist/vocalist Jason Blachowicz (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) has issued a statement responding to accusations made in a recent BLABBERMOUTH.NET article by drummer Duane Timlin regarding Blachowicz's contributions to the group's songwriting and his current standing in the newly revamped band [see previous BLABBERMOUTH.NET articles: Story#1, Story#2, Story#3]. Jason's statement reads as follows:

"The recent message sent to Blabbermouth about DIVINE EMPIRE by recently replaced drummer Duane Timlin is false. Everyone who supports Jason Blachowicz and his DIVINE EMPIRE are already well aware of this. Duane's immature little lies are being done out of spite for being kicked out of the band, and he will continue to post lies and say anything in order to try and degrade Jason the best he can. Unfortunately, Duane's posts are only making him look more and more like an ass the more he does this.

"Here's the truth from Jason: Yeah I went to jail, alright — that's the only true part of Duane's lies and accusation. I was released just in time to do my tracks and vocals just to find when I entered the studio that Duane's drum tracks were so horrible and sloppy that producer Jeremy Staska had to delay things in the studio and erase 90 percent of his drums, only to replace and edit them with the magic of ProTools. Duane flew back to Texas and was more concerned with doing drugs and being with his 21-year-old girlfriend who supports him financially instead of redoing his drum tracks correctly. That's right, everyone — that's not him playing drums on the new album, 'Method of Execution'! Blinded by his arrogance, Duane doesn't even realize he's not the drummer he thinks he is. The phenomenal work done by Jeremy was very frustrating with five months of drum editing and he now refuses to work with Duane in the future.

"Duane is a 'drama queen' with a history of mental issues and is living in 'fantasy land' with nothing better to do than post lies on computer sites about me and my band. The only thing he's achieving by these posts is getting attention, I guess. We all know who gets the support here, just look at the last two Blabbermouth posts — Duane's three comments to my twenty!

"After this, I'm done with his childish games and drama — I'm more concerened with focusing on tightening up the new line-up!

"As for J.P.'s [Soars, guitar] parting from the band, he is continuing his career in the Florida blues scene, his heart is more into 'blues' music, he has decided to retire from playing 'metal' and I wish him the best of luck!

"As for Chief (ex-NILE),more lies! Duane attempted to contact the guy and his calls were never even returned! And yes, DIVINE EMPIRE have officiallly cancelled the recently mentioned tours and are currently working with the new line-up, updates on their progress will be posted soon.

"The only backing Duane has is the part of his mind that is living in 'fantasy land' and does'nt even know how to hold a job, let alone run a 'business!' And the only official news from him is the fact that all the bands who have tried to work with him have had nothing but problems and negative issues dealing with him, so 'be warned!'

"We shall rise again! DIVINE EMPIRE will return very soon! Support S.F.D.M.!"