SOAD To Rally In Front of House Speaker's Home

SYSTEM OF A DOWN have just announced that they — along with their fans, the Armenian National Committee of America, Axis of Justice and the Armenian Youth Federation — will visit the Batavia office of Rep. Dennis Hastert on Tuesday, September 27 at noon to ask Speaker Hastert to "do the right thing" and keep his commitment to hold a vote on the pending Armenian genocide legislation. If passed, the legislation will officially recognize Turkey's destruction of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. The band have invited their fans to join with them in this effort by attending the rally and have set up a system by which fans can directly email Speaker Hastert on the issue.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's four band members — Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan — are of Armenian descent and have made awareness of the genocide, and genocide around the world, a central message of the band. All have lost family members to the Armenian genocide.

On September 15, the House International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide, despite objections from both Turkey and the Bush administration. Despite his previous public support for the measure in 2000, Speaker Hastert has twice prevented the Armenian Genocide legislation from coming to a full vote in the House. Today the fate of this human rights issue rests in the Speaker's hands. He has two choices: either allow a vote on the Armenian genocide resolution, giving the 435 members of the U.S. House a chance to cast their ballots on this human rights measure or, delay, defer, and ultimately defeat the Armenian genocide resolution by refusing to bring the measure to a vote of the full U.S. House. The rally is in support of a fair and full vote in the House of Representatives, ending U.S. denial of this crime and opening the doors to justice — to the restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of genocide.

"Dennis, do the right thing," stated Serj Tankian. “I just visited my 97-year-old grandfather, my only link to the far past, and promised him that I would go and try to talk to Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, and make sure that he takes this opportunity to bring up the Armenian genocide resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives. This is a personal issue to me and SYSTEM."

The SYSTEM OF A DOWN/ANCA rally will take place at the offices of Rep. Dennis Hastert — 27 North River Street, Batavia, Illinois (about an hour from downtown Chicago). The rally is scheduled for 12 noon-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27. The Armenian community, activists, and the band’s fans from across the greater Chicago area are expected to attend the rally.

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xBishopx Sign with Ferret Music

xBishopx, featuring Remembering Never vocalist Mean Pete and formerly known as xDiary of a Corpsex, have reportedly signed with Ferret Music. No official word on the matter has been released. Regardless, this past weekend the band entered Southern Noise Studio (Kids Like Us, Torche) in Florida to begin recording their debut full-length. Titled "Suicide Party," the effort will hit stores in early-2006.

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Jagermeister Tour Regional Openers Announced

Most regional openers have been revealed for the forthcoming Jagermeister Music Tour, featuring DISTURBED and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. They are as follows:

November 4 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/ THE HEAVILS
November 5 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/ THE HEAVILS
November 7 - Kansas City, KS @ Uptown Theatre w/ OPIATE FOR THE MASSES
November 8 - Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant w/ OPIATE FOR THE MASSES
November 10 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's w/ OPIATE FOR THE MASSES
November 11 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's w/ OPIATE FOR THE MASSES
November 13 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall w/ GONE UNTIL TOMORROW
November 14 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
November 16 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues w/ WAITING 4 NEVER
November 17 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues w/ STEMM
November 18 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
November 21 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
November 22 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
November 24 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues w/ SOIL
November 25 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues w/ SOIL
November 26 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues w/ SOIL
November 29 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room w/ DOPE
November 30 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room w/ DOPE
December 2 - Boston, MA @ Avalon w/ DOPE
December 3 - Boston, MA @ Avalon w/ DOPE
December 5 - Portland, ME @ State Theatre w/ DRY KILL LOGIC
December 6 - Portland, ME @ State Theatre w/ DRY KILL LOGIC
December 8 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom w/ DRY KILL LOGIC
December 9 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom w/ DRY KILL LOGIC
December 11 - Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues w/ DRY KILL LOGIC
December 13 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre w/ DOPE
December 14 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre w/ DOPE
December 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory w/ DOPE
December 17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory w/ DOPE
December 19 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club w/ DOG FASHION DISCO
December 20 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club w/ DOG FASHION DISCO
December 22 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live w/ DOG FASHION DISCO

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Thine Eyes Bleed To Miss a Week of IEMF

Canadian black/death metallers THINE EYES BLEED have posted the following message on their official website:

"Well.... we are a few weeks into the IEMF tour.. All the bands are cool as fuck and we have been having a goodtime, i must say that it's a pleasure to watch GOD DETHRONED and NIGHTRAGE night after night... we have made alot of new friends and ran into alot of old friends that have helped us on our way... this tour has been a true test for the bands and especially for us, crazy long drives, sketchy promoters, little money, breakdowns, etc... We have broken down 3 times so far on this tour, right now we are stuck in a small town called Miami in Oklahoma until at least tuesday with a blown engine.... but... i guess it's all a part of the adventure!!! we will meet back with the tour Sept 30th (if all goes well) in Detroit and will continue on through!! our deepest apologies to any fans in Florida, Atlanta, NC, and Virginia that came out in hopes to see us, we will make it next time around we promise!!"

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Planes Mistaken For Stars Sign To Abacus

Denver's Planes Mistaken For Stars have officially signed with Abacus Recordings. Formed in 1997, the group has previously released material with No Idea Records and Deep Elm Records. The group's next album will be available on June 6, 2006. Here's a statement from PMFS frontman Gared O'Donnell regarding the deal:

"Abacus are good eggs and if anyone has a problem with any of this start your own band or eat shit; either way try and have fun with it. Our future's so bright we gotta wear shades. See you in June."

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Roadrunner To Do Anniversary Show

Roadrunner Records are planning a special 25th anniversary show in New York on December 15. The band will feature drummer Joey Jordison (Slipknot), guitarists Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory), plus bassist Adam Duce (Machine Head). There will be a number of guests joining them during the evening.

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The Mistake Are Active Again

Following another spell of inactivity, California hardcore band The Mistake are apparently back in action. The band has been playing shows (the line-up is currently Javier, Mark, Dave, and Chris) again and released a split 7" with Carry The Casket in April. Meanwhile, The Mistake will finally record their Indecision Records debut late this year with Paul Miner (of Death By Stereo).

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More Cradle Of Filth DVD Details Revealed

Cradle Of Filth are set to release "Peace Through Superior Firepower", their debut DVD for Roadrunner Records on October 31st (November 1st in North America).

Compiled by the band's frontman, Dani Filth and guitarist Paul Allender, the DVD features the band's theatrical show, shot in Paris at the Elysee Montmartre on April 2nd this year. Also included is an hour of documentary style "behind the scenes" footage with the band spanning the last 3 years of the band's existence. It includes extensive band interviews and an insight into life on the road, shot on their recent tours.

Special extras include six of the band's sumptuous promotional videos - "Her Ghost In The Fog", "The Promise of Fever", "Babalon A.D.", "Mannequin", "No Time To Cry" and "Nymphetamine", featuring guest vocalist, Liv Kristine. Also included is a photo gallery and a hidden 'easter egg' piece for fans to hunt out.

The tracklisting for the DVD is as follows:
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Machine Head Post Second "Elegies" DVD Teaser

Machine Head have posted the second of four weekly video teasers for their upcoming DVD, "Elegies", featuring clips from the vignettes featured within the concert movie.

Head here to get your exclusive sneak peek. Check back every Monday for a new teaser video until the worldwide DVD release on October 11th.
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Megadeth Planning Something Special On DVD

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"Well, I am almost completely decompressed from the tour and have been very busy whilst at home. Besides my big buddy Lance Dean coming out here and helping me set up my studio in my home, and Richard Heyer helping me empty out my storage locker, I made a very interesting drive up the coast to meet with my manager and the good folks at BMI.

"Lemme clear up the studio bit and the selling of extra gear. I had two storage lockers of all the leftover gear I had once I retired and paid off all the creditors of MEGADETH back in 2002. I did not want anyone, at all, to lose a penny that they had been owed by MEGS, and there were a few people, so I sold off a lot of gear to pay them. Very bad looking on the outside, but you know me by now that I am a man of my word. Any of the gear that was left over that belonged to the previous members was either returned, or in the same way I just mentioned, sold to pay debtors. Also, I tried to help the ex-guys by sending them a lil scratch on the side if it was possible if they wanted the MEGADETH store to sell it.

"There is still a lot of stuff that I have accumulated over the years, and I doubt I need now, so in good spirit I wanted to let young bands that would like to get some stuff from me 'cheep' or for you collectors our there to pick up.

"As far as what kind of a new record to expect, well, don't! I still haven't made up my mind yet. And even though Gigantour 2 is being organized, that doesn't mean I will play on it, or that MEGADETH will. I would like to, mind you .

"Also, this last tour had a few hiccups with stress, timing, lack of coordination/cooperation, personnel changes, but nothing at all was caused by the talent that I was graciously accompanied by. I guess the most difficult thing was the platinum tickets. This is the first time we did this and probably the last because of the disorganization, and the complaints. However, there were many satisfied Droogies and She-Wolves and to you I say, 'thanks!'

"I have been in touch with the boys since I have been home and we are going to try to do something very special for the live DVD that we are making from Argentina, and I know the fans won't disappoint ya, I just hope I don't. We are going to try to play a song down there that I wrote specifically for Argentina, and do a lil word play on another song so that it works down there. I only wish that the entire world of MEGA-fans could be there this one night to celebrate this moment with us together.

"I plan on taking my fantastico crew to dinner at the best steak house in the planet, a place called 'Happenings' in Buenos Aires, but other than that, I am going to be spending as much time as humanly possible with the Droogs, filming and speaking very poor Spanglish.

"Lastly, I have gotten lists of bands from the boys that they like, and am comparing them with my notes, as well as doing research to see if they are available and if they would be a strong supporter for Gigantour 2. I am aware that all of these things start off slow, unless you have over a dozen bands, (which is too much for what I am trying to do) and so I thank everyone that came out for the maiden voyage. I intend on starting around the end of May and going through July. And in case MEGADETH plays again, and the possibility comes that we are offered a festival overseas during that time, we would just have to 'squeeeeeze it in.'

"It's great to see all of you in here mingling, making friends, settling arguments like the amazing Droogies that you are and not being dorks like a lot of communities are suffering from, but we know that we are very inviting and very kewl here. You simply are the best fans in the world and you make all of the new fans feel so welcome that it makes me wanna act like a new fan just to see if I am missing something.

"To all of the people, journos, photogs, radio, tv-video, and promo people that made 'The System Has Failed' such a fun record to tour, I will be indebted to you for the rest of my days. And we all know how important our webmaster and SLs are; you are the tip-top best!

"Love and bruises to you all!!!"

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Avenged Sevenfold To Be On BBC's #1 Radio Show

AVENGED SEVENFOLD will be making an appearance this Tuesday, September 27 on BBC Radio 1's "The Lock Up" between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. GMT. The band will be playing an exclusive session consisting of tracks from their latest album, "City of Evil", and being interviewed by Mike Davies. You will be able to listen to the show live, or on demand for a whole week after it has aired at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD's "City of Evil" (Warner Bros.) has sold 152,000 copies in the United States since its June 7 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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Seether Pays Tribute To Late Pantera Guitarist

South African hard rockers SEETHER reportedly performed a cover of PANTERA's "Walk" during their concert at San Francisco's Civic Auditorium Sunday night (Sept. 25) as a tribute to fallen PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The San Francisco show was the second night of SEETHER's North American tour as the support act for AUDIOSLAVE. It is not presently clear if SEETHER's cover of "Walk" will be performed at every stop on SEETHER's current tour.

SEETHER's latest album, "Karma and Effect", has sold 398,000 copies in the United States since its late May release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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