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Opiate For The Masses Breaks Up

Los Angeles, California based metal group Opiate For The Masses has announced that they have decided to call it a day. A message from the band reads:

"Opiate For The Masses has broken up!

"The members have decided to go separate ways and are individually pursuing new projects.

"We thank you all for all the support you've showed over the years. We had a blast hanging with you all on tour and thank you for all the good times!

"Jimmy (Kaufman, guitar) is producing bands and scoring movies in his studio in Hollywood, CA. Ronny (Underwood, vocals) is back in his hometown of Phoenix, AZ. Seven (Antonopoulos, drums) is currently playing with the German metal bands LEAVES EYES and ATROCITY, as well as performing drum clinics around the world. Anna K. (bass) is writing music for a yet undisclosed new project."

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Rock Against Diabetes 2008 Rocks Vegas

"Rock Against Diabetes 2008" was held at Club Rox in Las Vegas, Nevada. The club was kind enough to provide R.A.D. with a venue for the two-day event. Many artists gave of themselves to support the cause, which will not be forgotten by all of us that struggle with diabetes on a daily basis.

I got the chance to talk with the event founder and organizer, Darrin Buchanan, and he explained how all of this came about. Two years ago, Darrin's foot died on him virtually over night. He underwent a number of tests and the result was diabetes and that part of his foot would need to be removed. Here is a 36 year old man with a wife and young daughter and he was facing the fight of his life. From that experience Rock Against Diabetes began. The first event was held is Canada and Darrin, in his wheelchair, was keeping the show flowing and the event was a success. A chain of events led to a second surgery to remove more of Darrin's leg from the knee down, and now Darrin would be walking again after 2 years with the help of a prosthetic leg. It was fantastic to see Darrin running around for two days along with his lovely wife Lindsey. They are my heroes! I am sure glad we are on the same team in this daily fight that we diabetics face each day. They give me strength and hope! More...

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Leaves' Eyes, Atrocity Announce New Drummer

The new member of LEAVES' EYES and ATROCITY is Los Angeles based drummer Seven Antonopolous (ex-Opiate For The Masses).

Seven: "I've been a big fan of the bands for a long time. I can't tell you how excited I am to play with such amazing people! I'm currently at Mastersound Studio in Germany tracking the drums for the new LEAVES' EYES record! These songs have a great epic vibe. I feel like I'm really expending as a musician!"

Seven will take part of the 2008 SABIAN "Show No Mercy" tour featuring also Ray Luzier (Korn), Chris Pennie (Coheed & Cambria). The dates are as follows:

SABIAN APX Show No Mercy drum clinic 2008 featuring Seven Antonopolous (Leaves' Eyes, Atrocity), Ray Luzier (Korn), Chris Pennie (Coheed & Cambria)

Nov 08 - Austin, TX @ PASIC
Nov 09 - Sacramento, CA @ Skip's Music, 916.484.7575
Nov 10 - Mesa, AZ @ Milano Music, 480.827.1111
Nov 11 - Palatine, IL @ Drum Pad, 847.934.8768
Nov 12 - Nashville, TN @ Fork's Drum Closet, 615.383.8343
Nov 13 - Spartanburg, SC @Paradiddles, 864.804.6172
Nov 14 - New York, NY @ Sam Ash, 516.932.6400

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Seven Antonopoulos Joins Rock Against Diabetes

Opiate For The Masses drummer Seven Antonopoulos has thrown his services into the hat to take part as one of the drummers in the amazing All Star Band that has been put together over the past few months by Guns N Roses guitarist Bumblefoot (Ron Thal). Seven was approached by the newest sponsors of Rock Against Diabetes - Las Vegas Dirtbag Apparel and Entertainment and was immediately up for the gig.

Seven AntonopoulosAntonopoulos will bring a savage assault on the drums, where a definite heavier edge will be brought to the All Star Band allowing for some very memorable moments to take place. Joining the All Star Band will be a myriad of exceptional muscians including Lez Warner (The Cult), Rafael Moreira (Pink, Paul Stanley, Magnetico), Nate Morton (Paul Stanley, Hannah Montana), Constantine Maroulis (American Idol), Francesco DiCosmo (Thin Lizzy) and more!

Dirtbag Music and Vegas Fuel are proud to announce KICKING K8 to the Rock Against Diabetes lineup as well as Illinois band DOGS DIVINE whom are currently on tour with LA Guns and Faster Pussycat.

The bands participating in the 2 day Rock Against Diabetes event are: Starving For Gravity, Kicking K8, Dogs Divine, Magnetico, Karneval (featuring Dario Lorina), Leatherwolf, L.A. Guns, Y&T, Bumblefoot of Guns N Roses and his All Star Band. The event will be hosted by Big Brother 8 winner the Notorious Evel Dick Donato and Penthouse Pet of the Year 2008, Erica Ellyson.

There will be tons of live auctions, raffles and giveaways, autograph sessions and more during the 2 days.

Tickets are still available at rockagainstdiabetes.org as well as at the door until they sell out.

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Opiate For The Masses Drops Off Filter Tour

Century Media Records artists OPIATE FOR THE MASSES have issued the following message:

"Due to current commitments we will no longer be continuing the tour with FILTER in July."

"We are sorry for those who had planned to come out and support the band and we encourage you to still go and see Filter as they are a great band."

"Current plans are in process to make sure that we come back to each market missed this fall."

"Thank you all for the support and we will see you very soon… OFTM."

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New Opiate For The Masses Video Premieres Online

Opiate For The Masses' video for the hit track "Burn You Down" debuts today, June 24, exclusively on Woozyfly.com.

The band’s much anticipated full-length album, "Manifesto" (their debut with Century Media), recorded by two Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producers: Ulrich Wild (Slipknot, Deftones) and John Travis (Kid Rock, Buckcherry), is set for a July 8, 2008 release.

Catch the band on tour now with FILTER and 10 YEARS. A new tour will also be announced soon.

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Opiate For The Masses Misses A Some Tour Dates

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES regrets missing out on performing for fans in Oklahoma City, OK and Harrison, AR on this run with FILTER and 10 YEARS. Drummer, Seven Antonopoulos is sidelined in a Dallas, TX hospital with severe complications from a dental issue he has been dealing with. Nothing less would have kept the band from the road. OPIATE is due to rejoin the tour on Monday in Nashville, TN.

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Opiate For The Masses Releases Single, More Dates

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES' "Burn You Down" single impacted Active Rock radio this week. You can check out "Burn You Down" on the band's MySpace page.

In related band news, more dates have been added to the FILTER / 10 YEARS tour that OPIATE FOR THE MASSES started today. Two LA shows and a Phoenix show (current and former hometowns of band members) have been added to the run:

7/7 Denver, CO (Bluebird Theater)
7/8 Salt Lake City, UT (Avalon Theater)
7/10 Albuquerque, NM (Sunshine Theater)
7/11 Phoenix, AZ (Tempe Marketplace)
7/12 Los Angeles, CA (The Roxy)

The band’s much anticipated full-length album and Century Media Records debut, "Manifesto," was recorded by two Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producers: Ulrich Wild (Slipknot, Deftones) and John Travis (Kid Rock, Buckcherry). "Manifesto" is set for a July 8, 2008 release.

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Opiate For The Masses Previews New Video Online

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES unleashed a trailer of the video for their single “Burn You Down” today on their MySpace page. This high energy track is the first single from the group’s much anticipated new album, MANIFESTO, which is set for a July 8th release.

The band, along with acclaimed director David Brodsky (GWAR, Helmet) shot the video for “Burn You Down” in Los Angeles. This 30-second trailer gives you a taste of what is to come.

The band kicks off a tour with FILTER beginning tomorrow, May 20, in Atlanta, Georgia. This will be their first time out on the road in a while “OPIATE has taken a break from the road for long enough,” says vocalist Ron Underwood. “We have an awesome new album, new lineup, and new outlook and we're really excited that the inaugural tour in support of MANIFESTO is with FILTER.” Underwood has been a FILTER fan for years… “Seeing the video for "Hey Man, Nice Shot" as a kid made me want to punch though a plate glass window, steal a guitar, and form my own band. This is gonna be an awesome summer!” More...

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Opiate for the Masses Posts New Song Online

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES have posted the new track “21st Century Time Bomb” on their MySpace page. This track is off the group’s new album, “Manifesto,” which is scheduled for a July 8th release.

Upon speaking about the song’s origin, vocalist, Ron Underwood states “The track ‘21st Century Time Bomb’ was one of the first songs that Jim (guitars) and I worked on for Manifesto. The title is actually a direct quote from a Metal Edge article- [they called Opiate ‘A 21st Century Time Bomb’ in a review]. So we took that and ran with it; used it as a template for the song itself. The music had to be mechanical and militant, but brash like a guillotine; the soundtrack of a revolutionary uprising. The lyrics had to be the voice of the underdog lit to pop in the face of oppression. Who can't relate to that? Also, to stay on course with the theme, we recorded the song at 120 beats per minute so that the back beat synchronizes with the second hand of a clock (for the time bomb effect) and it happens to be a good, fast-marching tempo. I think it's the perfect opener for our new album.” More...

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