Remembering Dimebag on His 39th Birthday

John Austin of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has issued the following report on 'Dimebag' Darrel Abbott's 39th birthday:

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott didn't live to see his 39th birthday. Now, the BIC flame of fandom is kept burning at the metal-guitar hero's hometown resting place.

Abbott, who attended Arlington High School and lived in Dalworthington Gardens, was gunned down Dec. 8 during an onstage attack in Columbus, Ohio.

Since then, visitors from around the world have come here to pay tribute at his grave. Abbott, with his brother, Vinnie Paul, created the ground-breaking group PANTERA before founding DAMAGEPLAN, their final band.

Today would have been Abbott's 39th birthday, and the tributes, including a planned motorcycle ride to the cemetery, continue.

"There was a report of a lady who flew all the way from Japan," to visit the grave, said Moore Memorial Gardens general manager Mike Wilfong. "At least daily there's going to be someone there."

Workers check the site daily and find everything from stuffed bears and beer cans to notes urging Abbott to "riff in peace."

One note, from "Tony and Adam," was left even before the Bermuda grass that covers the grave began growing. "We came all the way from Chicago. Just wanted to say thank you."

A brown bear had a photo of Abbott and a girl on a collar around its neck. Written on the photo: "Merry Christmas."

Abbott's body occupies an unmarked site next to his mother's grave in a family plot, but Wilfong said a "spectacular" memorial is in the works.

Meanwhile, fans are welcome to visit, provided they behave.

"I was very impressed at how respectful everyone has been," said Wilfong.

The site occupied by the body of the man believed by most to be President John F. Kennedy's killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, is arguably Tarrant County's best-known grave. Oswald's grave at Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park in Fort Worth, is a few miles west of the guitarist's resting place.

But there are no ghostly lip prints on Oswald's grave, no guitar picks, no dimes or rain-streaked photos of an admiring fan with the man.

There's no cross made of a broken drumstick, no shot glass.

"Dear Darrell," read one note. "We met a few times but hardly spoke. I looked up to you as a guitar god and as a person..."

Nor is there a rain-stained maroon Hallmark card on Oswald's grave with this message: "Thank you not just for what you did, which was wonderful, but for the way you did it."

A handwritten card read: "Thank you Dimebag for all the years you've brightened other peoples lives with your Texas-size beard!!

"Forever missed. Forever loved."

Read the full article at Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

7 Comments - Discuss

Disturbed VIdeo Premiere

Disturbed have posted their new video for the first song of their new album, "Ten Thousand Fists". The video is for the song, "Stricken" and can be viewed at the following: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-296483---Disturbed. The cover art for "Ten Thousand Fists" has also been released and can be viewed at the following: http://spawn.com/news/news6.aspx?id=12665.

6 Comments - Discuss

Alternate Hellfest Shows

Bands that were supposed to play Hellfest have gotten together for a few alternate shows. They bands and show locations are as follows:

Sat. Aug 20th - 12:30 pm @ The Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA)
Throwdown, Turmoil, Most Precious Blood, The Red Chord, Remembering Never, The Agony Scene, Scars of Tomorrow, and more
$13 - All Ages

Sun. Aug 21 - 5pm @ Obsessions (Randolph, NJ)
Silverstein, Stretch Arm Strong , Evergeen Terrace, Scary Kids Scaring Kids , Roses are Red, Kane Hodder & more tba.

Sun. Aug 21 @ The Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA)
Rise Against, From Autumn To Ashes, Comeback Kid, Emery, Bedlight For BlueEyes, and more.

0 Comments - Discuss

Interview

Interview with Edguy

On August 16th I interviewed Edguy at BBkings in New York City, NY. Due to time constraints, I had to interview the singer, Tobias Sammet, with two other interviewers. In addition, I missed most of Into Eternity, opening band’s, performance. I enjoyed doing the interview with Tobias, even if it was short and scattered. More...

Read more...  |  4 Comments - Discuss

Headline News

Former Vader Drummer "Doc" Dies

Former Vader drummer Krzysztof "Docent" Raczkowski (a.k.a. Doc) has passed away at age 35. No further details about his death are currently available.

In a March 2005 statement announcing Doc's departure from the group, Vader frontman Peter said, "Doc pretty hard tried to 'fight' against his weaknesses, which were troubles for all of us. Finaly he had not prevailed over that battle... All in all, he attempted. . . Vader today is not just a friendship anymore — it's our life with armies of man involved in music, releases and — first of all — fans waiting for shows or new albums... This is a high responsibility, not too many know about. If a person, even the most talented one, cannot stand it — [he] has to leave... That was Doc's decision as well."

In an April 2005 interview with AbrasiveRock.com, Vader guitarist Mauser elaborated on Doc's "weaknesses," stating, "He had a problem with alcohol and this is the problem. Maybe in the future, if he will be alright, he may be back in the band. Maybe someday. We will see what happens."

This news has been confirmed by Vader's official website, Vader.pl.

25 Comments - Discuss

Therion Vancouver Venue Changed

The Therion show in Vancouver, BC on Aug. 31 has been moved from the Commodore Ballroom to The Red Room. All Commodore tickets will be honoured at the door at the new location.

0 Comments - Discuss

Zao To Release 2-Disc DVD

Zao has released some information about their upcoming DVD. The 2-disc set, titled "The Lesser Lights of Heaven," will span the band's entire career and is due out in October. It was directed by longtime friend and manager Ryan Downey, a music journalist and former writer/producer for MTV and reporter for MSNBC. The set will include a two-hour documentary with interviews with the present lineup, ex-members, friends, label staff and peers in other bands talking about the history and influence of the band.

The second disc will also include two full live sets, one from their recent appearance on the Strhess Tour with Bleeding Through and the other on the band's own Praise The War Machine tour - as well as a dozen songs shot over the years at various points in the band's history.

Following the release and the tour with Unearth, the band will return to Greensburg in order to prepare a new album for Ferret, due out in 2006.

2 Comments - Discuss

Avenged Sevenfold Cancel European Tour

Avenged Sevenfold has posted the following message on their website regarding the cancelled European tour this fall:

As you may have heard, we have been forced to cancel our September European tour. Things have been insane for us lately and with City of Evil exploding stateside, our commitments here in the US have made it impossible for us to head overseas right now.

To apologize, we’ll be flying into London for a special one-time show on September 27th at the Astoria. This will be the world premier of our brand new, headlining stage show that’s going to absolutely blow you away. This is the same show we’re bringing to the States, but we’re gonna debut it for you guys in London. All tickets for the Brixton Academy show will be valid for the new Astoria date. Again, we apologize for canceling, and we can't wait to see you on the 27th.

8 Comments - Discuss

Jacknife Announce New Bassist

Chris Patterson formerly of Bloodties will be taking over bass duties for Jacknife. Jacknife vocalist, Joe Ortiz, comments: "He is a great addition to the band an awesome person and we are glad to have him, so make sure you are at our CD release party for our full length album "MOMENT OF RECKONING" Sept. 3rd @ the Curtain Club in Deep Ellum to welcome him in the right way. We'll see you all at the show."

0 Comments - Discuss

More COB, Amon Amarth, Trivium Tour Dates Revealed

Children of Bodom, Trivium and Amon Amarth will be teaming up for a North American tour beginning in early November. The following dates have been confirmed so far:

Nov. 09 Quebec City, QC - Théâtre Capitole
Nov. 10 Montreal, QC - Le Medley
Nov. 11 Toronto, ON - The Opera House
Nov. 12 Detroit, MI - Harpo's
Nov. 13 Chicago, IL - House of Blues
Nov. 16 Minneapolis, MN - Quest Club
Nov. 18 Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
Nov. 21 Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Nov. 23 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
Nov. 27 West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
Dec. 09 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero

17 Comments - Discuss

Dry Kill Logic Announce Fall Tour Dates

After Gigantour ends, Dry Kill Logic will be headlinging the "New Level of Aggression II" tour, which will run through the US from September 12th to October 25 with Alston and 5 Bolt Main.

Tour dates announced so far:

Sept 13 Boise, ID - The Bouquet
Sept 15 Salt Lake City, UT - Club Vegas
Sept 16 Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Sept 18 Cedar Falls, ID - The Reverb
Sept 20 Saint Paul, MN - Station 4
Sept 23 Dallas, TX - Galaxy Club
Sept 25 Austin, TX - Red Eyed Fly
Sept 27 Houston, TX - The Engine Room
Sept 28 Baton Rouge, LA - Clicks

This will be DKL's final tour supporting "The Dead and Dreaming." The band plans to hit the studio and work on their next record after. Singer Cliff Rigano describes: "We've been writing for the next record, and the new music is really coming together. Jason and Phil write some great riffs, and I can't wait to begin writing and recording the next record. We've confirmed longtime producers Scrap 60 (Bleeding Through, Cradle of Filth) to produce the new album, and are looking at an April/May 06 release date through Psychodrama/Repossession Records. Album title, song titles, artwork etc are all TBA, but as more info becomes available rest assured we'll hit you up!" More...

Read more...  |  4 Comments - Discuss