Dry Kill Logic Confirmed For Gigantour

DRY KILL LOGIC have been confirmed as the first band on the second stage of this summer's Gigantour, a six-week festival trek co-headlined by MEGADETH and DREAM THEATER. Other main-stage acts include FEAR FACTORY, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and NEVERMORE. Additional artists for the second stage will be announced during the coming weeks. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

Aug. 23 - Wantagh, NY @ Tommy Hilfiger At Jones Beach Theater
Aug. 24 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

Gigantour follows MEGADETH's sold-out 2004 "Blackmail The Universe" tour in support of 2004's "The System Has Failed" — MEGADETH's tenth studio album — which debuted on the charts at #18 and was critically hailed as a brilliant return to form. Bandmates Glen Drover (guitar), James MacDonough (bass) and Shawn Drover (drums) will once again join mainman Dave Mustaine on the road.

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CKY Frontman To Mustaine: 'Stop Creating Drama'

CKY guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller has slammed MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine for threatening to cancel any shows where "full-on Satanic" bands are also scheduled to appear. In a statement sent to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Miller wrote, "reading that ROTTING CHRIST has to cancel shows because of Dave Mustaine's recent and absurdly sudden Christianity is one of the most obviously ridiculous dramatic newslines in music. This from the guy that wrote 'Wake Up Dead'.

"Dave, I love MEGADETH, but JOIN REALITY. METALLICA was more succesful...so what?! Get over it. And now all of a sudden Christ is your savior... How weak. Take some credit for your own accomplishments.

"Remember in the '80s when the parents of your fans insisted that YOU were Satanic? You have turned into them. Stop creating drama. Your music is suffering and the fans have noticed. You've given ROTTING CHRIST the 'HOOK IN MOUTH'!!!!!!! Don't ruin your legacy for the longtime supporters."

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Megadeth Threatens to Cancel Greek Tour

Megadeth has announced tour dates in Greece for June 17th and 18th in Athens and Thessaloniki, but the band has threatened to cancel these dates due to Rotting Christ being on the bill. A member of the Megadeth forum's, nicknamed "April 3rd" posted:

April3rd: "Well, Megadeth will be playing Greece this summer. Both Athens and Thessaloniki. Although it is not yet on the Killing Road the company that organizes the concert announced that the support act for the gig in Athens will be the Greek black metal band Rotting Christ. We all know Dave's beliefs and his opinion about black metal. Rotting Christ, as you can easily understand, don't actually go to church every Sunday, instead they had taken part in the 'Fuck Christ Tour' along with Mayhem and other Satanic bands a few years ago. Hey, Dave, do you mind them opening for you?"

Dave Mustaine: "Well, if they are on it, I certainly don't want to kick them off. We will just have to pass and play Greece another time or place. I have informed my management and they know what I feel."

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Mustaine "Narrows Down List" Of Gigantour Bands

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following Gigantour update in the "Forums" sections of the band's official web site:

OK, now here is some dirt on the first and second stage: I wanted to have the first stage be powerful and the second stage be a glimpse into the future bands that are either influenced, fans, or friends of mine and Megadeth. I did say that I had 'this band' or 'that band' in my sights, but I have seriously narrowed down the list.

I am still interested in Dry Kill Logic, Overkill, Dead New Day, Re:Ignition, Life Of Agony, Children Of Bodom, The Agony Scene, Diecast, Symphony X, Otep, and believe it or not, Anthrax and Testament. There are a lot more bands still trying to get onboard, but I think I will just have to make a list for next year.

My dilemma is this; the West Coast run will not have The Dillinger Escape Plan on for the first several shows. I am still deciding to either fill that slot or just go on as a four band show for the main stage. I would love to have Anthrax or Overkill on the main stage with us all, but I don't want to offend Anthrax by offering them that slot unless they really want to take it, and I don't know if Overkill are available yet.

After that, there will be more shows at the end of the tour where Dream Theater will have finished and I need to fill that slot (If I do) at that time.

This tour will run from mid-July to mid-September and will also include Texas, Georgia, and Florida this time, as well as another stint across Canada at the end of the tour.

We have been made offers to go to Mexico City and Monterey, Mexico on the Gigantour run; and Santiago, Chile; and Sao Paolo, Brazil in October on our own. I will not go down to South America without playing Argentina or Columbia too, so don't worry. We just have to work out the details.

Please stay tuned so that I can give you more of the official news real soon.

Meanwhile, the first two dates have been announced for Gigantour. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

08/23 - Wantagh, NY @ Tommy Hilfiger At Jones Beach Theater
08/24 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

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Megadeth To Play India Before Year's End

HindustanTimes.com is reporting that MEGADETH, STEVE VAI and BILLY SHEEHAN are among the musicians that are scheduled to perform in India before the end of the year. "The artists have confirmed their tours around the end of the year and Delhi will certainly be part of the plan for some of these stars. Plans are also underway for rock god Eric Clapton's show early next year," says Cyrus Gorimar, proprietor of Opium, the event management firm that is organizing the concerts.

Joe Satriani is scheduled to play in Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore on May 13, 15 and 17 respectively. He’ll be accompanied by acknowledged musicians like Jeff Campetelli on drums, Matt Bissonette on bass and Galen Henson on rhythm guitar.

"We are all very excited, as this is our first time in India. So be there," Satriani told HT City.

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Mustaine: Gigantour Bands To Be Announced Shortly

MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the band's official message forum:

"Droogies!

On Thursday I went up to LA to meet with my management for some important decisions about this summer.

First up was a friendly visit to ESP Guitars and Allen Steelgrave. We talked about the summer in both tours of Euro/UK and the US Gigantour, and how much fun we had doing meet and greets at music stores and that we would like to do some again while out on the road. I also suggested that Glen and I do some guitar clinics, although I have no idea what a clinic is. ESP is also considering being one of the sponsors for Gigantour and we have a really kewl idea that we are working on and will reveal soon.

Next was a meeting with Kevin Flaherty and Stacey Freeman of EMI about the Greatest Hits record "Back to the Start" and the DVD for the bonus package. I am satisfied with the package and have given my approval on everything involved and we are now headed for an official summer release. There are some really rad surprises on this, like I mentioned before, and I hope you like them! More...

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Mustaine Considers New Additions To Gigantour

Lead shredder and singer Dave Mustaine of Megadeth is considering several new additions for an upcoming North American tour; including Diecast, Dry Kill Logic, Otep, Overkill, Pain of Salvation, Taproot, and Symphony X.

Megadeth's "Gigantour" is set to begin in late July with Dream Theatre, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan and Nevermore. Dillinger Escape Plan will join the tour late, according to Mustaine's forum announcement, and the slot is as-of-yet still open. "There are still many more bands to review, and now I am waiting for their music to be sent."

The band also reports a possible Australia visit. Mustaine said, "It may not be with any of the current line-up of other bands, but at least we are starting the preliminary footwork."

A website for the tour -- named after a 1960's cartoon "Gigantor" -- will be launched next month. This six-week trek will likely be the band's final tour under the Megadeth name.

The thrash metal band were founded in 1983 by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine.

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Devin Townsend Band To Enter Studio In August

Canadian madman Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad) has booked off half of August and all of September to record the new Devin Townsend Band album. It is tentatively called "Sychestra" (changed from from the previously announced "Human"). The Devin Townsend Band DVD will likely be released as a bonus disc with the album and not independently. Like in 2003, Devin thinks that the two records will artistically complement as well as contradict one another.

In related news, Strapping Young Ladbassist Byron Stroud will be back with Fear Factory for the Gigantour in the USA, featuring Megadeth, Dream Theater, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Nevermore. Meanwhile, Will Campagna has returned as Strapping Young Lad's keyboard player and will be joining them on the upcoming Sounds of the Underground tour beginning in late June. This tour is different in that it starts in the morning and the bands are separated into three tiers, rotating order within each tier for each performance. SYL are in Tier 2 and are scheduled to play somewhere between 3 and 6 p.m. each date. Somewhere between Tier 2 and 3, there will be a special "half-time show" performance by GWAR.

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Nevermore Complete Recordings For New Album

Century Media report that NEVERMORE recently completed the recording process for their new album, This Godless Endeavor, at Backstage Studios in England with legendary producer Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH). The new offering is currently set for a summer release. This will mark the group’s first recording with guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-TESTAMENT).

Nevermore will embark on massive six-week summer festival tour, dubbed the Gigantour, alongside MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN in late July.

Warrel Dane (vocals) further describes his thoughts on the new album and upcoming tour: “We have completed the recording process for This Godless Endeavor and Andy Sneap will finish mixing and mastering the record this week. It was a great experience working with Sneap again and he has really outdone himself on this record. We are also really psyched up for Gigantour. It's great to part of a tour that is focused on musicianship instead of current trends. This summer is going to be great.”

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Megadeth's Mustaine Checks In On Gigantour

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

"I thought I would start to inform you of what you can expect from the Gigantour Festival this summer.

"First off the set times on the main stage will be approximately 90 minutes for MEGADETH and DREAM THEATER each, 45 minutes for FEAR FACTORY, and 30 minutes each for DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and NEVERMORE.

"We are hoping to have a second stage of talent and as of now there is a list of fourty bands that want to be part of this wonderful summer excursion. Each one of those bands would play approximately 20 minutes, excluding the headlining band for the second stage, which would be around 30 minutes.

"We are going to play in many cities that we may have missed last trek, and so far the dates total 32, but that may grow depending on the demand from you, the fans, and from the promoters who believe. More...

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Mustaine Hand-Picks Bands For Gigantour

It's called Gigantour, and it's the brainchild of MEGADETH frontman/guitarist Dave Mustaine.

Set to launch in late July, Gigantour is a six-week festival trek co-headlined by MEGADETH and DREAM THEATER, who'll be accompanied by other main-stage acts FEAR FACTORY, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and NEVERMORE. Artists for the second stage will be announced in the coming weeks.

Gigantour follows MEGADETH's sold-out 2004 "Blackmail The Universe" tour in support of 2004's "The System Has Failed" — MEGADETH's tenth studio album — which debuted on the charts at #18 and was critically hailed as a brilliant return to form. Bandmates Glen Drover (guitar), James MacDonough (bass) and Shawn Drover (drums) will once again join Mustaine on the road.

Gigantour — whose moniker was inspired by the classic 1960s cartoon "Gigantor" — will criss-cross North America, with stops in amphitheatres and arenas in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver and Minneapolis, among others. The tour is implementing the "fan-friendly" ticket price of approximately $35 each. Mustaine notes: "I think people may want an affordable alternative to the choices out there — along the lines of a pure music festival — like Monsters of Rock or Clash of the Titans."

Mustaine handpicked the bands for Gigantour, with a focus on musicianship. "There are few very successful tours out each summer and in order to be significant, I knew the first Gigantour had to make an impact with top bands like DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and NEVERMORE." Mustaine wanted to "put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high energy environment."

Mustaine comments on the other bands he's chosen for the Gigantour main stage. "I think that the variety of playing styles and the credibility of the different players is really exciting. I'm looking forward to spending time with DREAM THEATER — including my friend Mike Portnoy — while on the road. I think DREAM THEATER is unbelievably talented. I can't wait to see what their set list is going to be for this festival."

Mike Portnoy from DREAM THEATER comments on the band's perspective on the tour: "I think we probably bring some diversity to the bill, because we're kind of like chameleons — we can fit into a lot of different situations. We've done shows in the past with IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER and PANTERA, and then we've also done shows with ELTON JOHN, YES and DEEP PURPLE. I think our fan base is very diverse like that too." Portnoy sees Gigantour as a "kind of a meeting of musicians and metal-heads." He adds: "I've been listening to MEGADETH since day one and always admired them and Dave as an artist — he constantly stuck to his guns and stuck by the music he believes in. MEGADETH are one of the pioneers of the genre." Gigantour marks the first U.S. leg of DREAM THEATER dates in support of their forthcoming release "Octavarium", due out June 7 on Atlantic Records.

Mustaine first toured with FEAR FACTORY in 1994. "I think FEAR FACTORY and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are really going to add something different to the tour and bring some new people in." He continues, "The frontman of NEVERMORE [Warrel Dane] used to be in a band called SANCTUARY and I produced their first record."

Mustaine is excited to hit the road and has a positive outlook for Gigantour. "I look forward to watching this develop over the years and seeing how we can turn this into something that's going to stand the test of time. And if this works, and it really works, maybe we'll take it elsewhere."

Stay tuned for tour dates, venues and information about the second-stage bands to be announced soon.

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Megadeth Sales Figures For Entire Catalog

The following are the latest sales figures for MEGADETH's back catalog, as reported by Nielsen SoundScan:

"Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!" (1985) (out of print): 197,386
"Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!" (2002 re-release): 46,874
"Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?": 600,095
"So Far...So Good...So What!": 382,246
"Rust In Peace": 767,451
"Countdown to Extinction": 2,250,865
"Youthanasia": 928,637
"Hidden Treasures" (out of print): 286,031
"Cryptic Writings": 781,412
"Risk": 318,853
"Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years" (out of print): 199,802
"The World Needs A Hero": 216,771
"Behind the Music" (DVD): 11,800
"Rude Awakening": 71,704
"Rude Awakening" (DVD): 52,405
"Still, Alive...And Well?": 24,873
"The System Has Failed": 149,807
MD.45 (Dave Mustaine side-project) - "The Craving": 35,594

***Note: The above figures do not include sales prior to the start of the SoundScan era (May 25, 1991)

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Dave Mustaine Clears Up Megadeth Rumors

Dave Mustaine from Megadeth had this to say about the band's Greatest Hits album:

I wanted to clear up recurring questions about the Greatest Hits record.

1) It is supposed to come out this summer, in June, they say.

2) It will have 17 songs on it.

3) There will be a special edition of it with bonuses.

4) The songs are based on being EMI Publishing songs NOT Capitol or Sanctuary songs. This Greatest Hits record is being made by EMI; not Capitol.

5) The songs are songs YOU voted for.

6) 'Kill the King' and 'Dread and the Fugitive Mind' were on 'Capitol Punishment' and since 'Capitol Punishment' is out of print. I (with a capital frigging 'I') wanted 'Kill the King' on there. That was MY vote! 'Dread' may appear on a Sanctuary record, but it belongs to Capitol too.

7) 'Mechanix' is not 'The Four Horsemen'; 'The Four Horsemen' is 'Mechanix'. Get over it. Buy a calendar, learn to count, have a coke and a smile, and ST*U

8) 'Kick the Chair' was not possible for business reasons that you just don’t need to know. Saying, 'this is no good because 'Kick the Chair' is not on it,' is quite revealing of one's ignorance.

9) Since this is finished, we are now focusing on the DVD.

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Metal Musicians Pay Tribute To Anthrax

Metal musicians congratulate Anthrax on their 20th anniversary:

Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: "Anthrax is a band that I have always respected, that has always mattered and was very important to the American metal scene. As part of the 'big four' they were responsible for an enormous amount of the credit for helping establish American metal bands as serious contenders in the world of metal."

Metallica's Kirk Hammett: "Anthrax's music matters. In the pantheon of modern metal, ANTHRAX are certainly a cornerstone, and if one listens, one can hear their influence on any number of up and coming bands of the new generation."

Deftones' Abe Cunningham: "Anthrax plays a huge role in Stef and me meeting and starting to jam together; we met through a mutual friend who gave me my first copy of 'Among the Living'. Deftones started in 1988, but before that it was just the two of us in his mom's hot ass garage with the dryer on and the washing machine overflowing trying to make it through 'Indians' and 'Caught In A Mosh'. I would like to thank you guys for the inspiration, your precision, your tones, your dedication and for having the nut sacks to try shit that no one would. Happy 20th Anniversary!!! All the best."

Judas Priest's Rob Halford: "Everyone in Judas Priest congratulates our good friends from Anthrax for passing their 20th-year metal milestone. We have always been fans of the band and had the pleasure to do many shows together. Anthrax are true pioneers with their unique style, sound and heavy brand of metal. They have always and will continue to inspire and influence those around them within the metal world." More...

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Megadeth's Mustaine Previews Upcoming Tours

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine posted the following message in the forum of the band's official web site: "I am sad to say that I have cut my right hand open and won't be able to tour for a few months. Just kidding! Actually, I was putting air in my tires yesterday and the air hose had a piece of sheet metal sticking out of it, and I really have slashed my right hand little finger. It bled all the way to the airport, while I was running interference for John Leeder on his chopper, and was taking Z to the airport. I have stealth radar on my Merc and when we caravan with friends I usually go out in front so we can book it at 80ish mph."

"Anyway, here is the dish . . . when I went to see my agent Keith Sarkisian at William Morris Agency on Thursday, I had three things to talk about: the last and upcoming tour, my acting career, and my kids. I will start in reverse. More...

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Mustaine Says Megadeth Will Not Play Ozzfest 2005

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has shot down rumors that the band might have secured a slot on the main stage at this year's Ozzfest alongside BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN and the "Among the Living" lineup of ANTHRAX.

The band, who completed a U.S. headlining tour last December, are expected to top a package of several "name" acts this summer. More information will be made available soon. More...

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More Acts Confirmed For Download Festival

More acts have been confirmed for Download Festival takes place from 10th, 11th & 12th June, at Donington Park, Leicestershire.

All of these new bands are to play the Snickers Stage, with In Flames and Lamb of God playing on the Saturday, and with Motorhead, Mastodon, Chimaira, and Bullet For My Valentine all playing on the Sunday.

They join the bands previously confirmed: Feeder, Garbage, Dinosaur Jr, Megadeth, Biffy Clyro, JJ72, Billy Idol, The Used, My Chemical Romance (all Friday), Black Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, HIM (all Saturday - an Ozzfest day), and System of a Down, Slipknot, and Slayer.

Three-day tickets are on sale now, priced at £105, with camping costing an extra £22.50 (and with parking thrown in). Those not camping will (if required) need to buy an extra ticket to park their car, costing £5 if bought at the same time as festival tickets, or costing £10 on the day.

Click here to buy tickets.

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Watch Megadeth's 'Of Mice & Men' Video Online

Megadeth are out with the video to their new single 'Of Mice & Men'. You can watch it online at Yahoo! Music.

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Megadeth Finish Off European Tour

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine has posted this message on the band's official website:

Well, the UK/European tour ends tonight and what a great tour it has been. I have met so many of you and been able to put names to faces (with your help) and I certainly enjoyed myself. Nice meeting our System Lord, Pedro.

As you may know, we are going to be back this summer in June to play some more UK/Euro festivals, but those are few and far between. In the meantime, we are going to Japan and Australia, and have been approached to play Indonesia again, as well as Iceland for a first time. We are still deciding what we want versus what we need to do.

I am thrilled at the turn out of oldschool fans, and I want to make mention of all the new faces that were brought along by you faithful Droogs. Thank you for bringing them to see us for the first time.

When the tour returns to the United States and Canada you will see we have gotten much closer on stage because of all the time we've spent together. I feel since this is one of the best tours the boys have been on, or so they say, that this big ole Grist Mill Wheel has ground us down, and refined us to be considerably tighter from our last meeting.

We have added a ton of songs that, depending on my voice (or lack thereof), we can move around. Songs like, "Killing Road," "Reckoning Day," "Train of Consequences," to name a few are some of the songs we switched out from the first leg to where we are now.

Glen wanted to see if anyone was into us adding "My Last Words" to the set for Japan and thereafter?!?!

Lastly, I hope yer all well and have considered my last post. It was a bit heavy, I confess, but it needed to be said. Some of you disagreed and thought it was an attack on the previous guys playing, which it was not. And frankly my beloved Droogies, I have been wrong in the past; I know I will be again, if I wasn't this time.

Regardless, I want to take this time to thank you all for being a part of this site when I am up, when I am down, and when I am getting a lil bit crazy My hectic life is starting to wind down and I will talk more about it next week when I get home to keep you as close to my heart as I've always tried to keep you.

Thanks for loving me, warts and all. I guess I could just be another fake musician that posts exactly what you wanna hear, but then that would mean I am not Dave Mustaine anymore. And I know I don't want that.

PS - I didn't skip Chuck, I just plain forgot him . . . my bad."

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Dave Mustaine Refused Sex Demands Of Ex-Pistol

ContactMusic.com is reporting that MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine was horrified when former SEX PISTOLS guitarist Steve Jones demanded sexual favours in return for his performance on the band's cover of "Anarchy In the U.K.".

Jones originally demanded $100 and some "suction" (slang term for fellatio) to play at the recording session for 1988 album "So Far, So Good... So What!"

But Mustaine decided to pay him more money so he could arrange his own pleasures.

He says, "I think the best part about that song was the fact that we did have an original, living, breathing, Sex Pistol come in and play on it. He came in and he wanted $100 and some 'suction' and I said, 'Dude, it's gonna cost you more than $100 to get 'suction' out of us!'

"So we gave him a phone book and $1,000 and told him to get it himself."

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