Former Iron Maiden Singer Attacked Onstage

Just two days after the murder of Damageplan's Dimebag Darrel and three others during a concert in Ohio, it appears that another metal musician may have been attacked onstage.
Former Iron Maiden lead vocalist Paul Di'Anno was reportedly attacked by a crazed fan during his appearance Friday at the Heavy Metal Monsters melodic metal festival in Tel Aviv, Israel.

TotalRock.com reports that the fan jumped onstage during Di'Anno's performance and "lashed out" at the singer. Di'Anno reportedly only suffered minor injuries and was able to complete his set.

At press time antiMUSIC was unable to obtain an official confirmation of this incident. The second day of the festival (Dec 11, 2004) is expected to proceed as planned.

Paul Di'Anno was the lead singer of Iron Maiden from 1977 until late 1981 when he was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Di'Anno appeared on the group's first two major label studio releases 1979's Iron Maiden and 1980's Killers as well as the 1981 live EP Maiden Japan and the group's self released "Soundhouse Tapes".

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Anselmo On Dimebag: "The Best Of The Best"

Philip Anselmo's (Superjoint Ritual, Down, ex-Pantera) friend "J" has posted the following message on the official Down forum in regards to the tragic death of Damageplan/ex-Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott:

"I don't have a big official statement. I do have a lot of inside knowledge on the Pantera feud from Philip's side and tonight he gave me the green light to let everyone else in on what I know. He trusts me to do this, and I take 100 percent responsibility for anything that is inaccurate, but I'm confident you all know I'm not going to touch on this subject unless it's from the heart. He didn't even give me any specifics except for the final part of this post... he just wants me to tell people what I know to be true. More...

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Dimebag Darrell's Death Called "Metal 9-11"

Steven Hyden of Appleton, Wisconsin's The Post-Crescent reports:

His name might not be known outside heavy metal circles, but fans revered "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott for his innovative guitar playing with the band Pantera and a friendly spirit that belied his tragic death.

"I've been listening to him play since 1991," said Chris Gaertig, singer for the Cecil-based band Mongo Seven. "(Pantera) was the biggest metal influence on us as far as music goes."

Area fans are reeling from Wednesday's nightclub shooting in Ohio that left the 38-year-old Abbott and three other men dead.

Appleton radio station "Razor" WZOR-FM 94.7 took calls from grieving listeners Thursday and produced a one-hour on-air tribute featuring clips from an interview Abbott did at the station in January. By Friday, calls still were pouring in from people wanting to hear Abbott's music and mourn with other fans.

"Panterawas Generation X's and Y's Black Sabbath," WZOR program director Roxanne Steele said. "Pantera is not just a band. They were a lifestyle."

Read the full article at The Post-Crescent.

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VInnie Paul, Damageplan Issue Statements

More details have emerged on exactly what happened Wednesday night. After being refused entry to the venue (he didn't have a ticket), Gale jumped an eight foot high fence and ran in the back door, heading straight for the stage. Security went after him immediately and were apparently right on his tail when he started shooting.

In addition to Dimebag, Gale's other victims have been identified as 29-year-old club employee Erin Halk, 40-year-old Damageplan security guard Jeff Thompson and 23-year old Nathan Bray, who was a member of the audience. Chris Paluska and John Brooks, both employees of the band, were wounded and taken to a nearby hospital.

The band issued the following statement in response to Thompson's death: "Jeffrey 'Mayhem' Thompson was not just a true part of the Damageplan family, but part of the whole Dallas music scene. He was friend to all, with a great personality. He bent over backward to help us all with his trademark phrases like 'What can I do for you sir?' and 'Coming up!' He also stated his willingness to protect us, saying 'I'd take a bullet for ya,' and unfortunately did in defense of our lives. He truly lived and died for his friends and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to save ours. For this we will never forget. You will be missed big man. — The Damageplan Family"

Finally, Dimebag's brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul has come forth with a statement of his own, expressing his love for his late brother: "With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, DIME will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! DIME gave it all everyday to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him... Thanks to all of you for reaching out to us in this time of our immeasurable loss. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DIME!!!!!! —Vinnie Paul"

Read the full article at Chart Attack.

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Dean Guitars To Proceed With 'Dimebag' Model

Dean Guitars plans to proceed with production of a special "signature edition" electric guitar named and designed for "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, the heavy-metal musician who was shot to death inside a Columbus, Ohio nightclub late Wednesday night.

The Tampa Bay area-based manufacturer signed a new endorsement agreement with the former Pantera lead guitarist last month and has pre-sold 150 copies of its special "lightning bolt" model made famous by Abbott in concerts and music videos, said Elliott Rubinson, CEO of Armadillo Enterprises Inc., Dean's parent company.

The signature Dimebag Darrell guitar was scheduled to be introduced at a trade show next month, and Rubinson said he is hopeful that Abbott's estate will allow that production to continue under the contract he signed prior to his death. Armadillo has owned the Dean brand since 1995.
"It's a huge, sore disappointment to us," Rubinson said Friday about Abbott, one of Dean's leading musical promoters. "We're not going to drop the endorsement deal. His family needs the support now."

Rubinson described Abbott, 38, as an energetic musician and "walking cartoon character" who liked to joke around and give nicknames to acquaintances. He didn't disclose the value of the endorsement contract Dean signed with Abbott, except to say it is "one of the most lucrative given to a guitar player."

Abbott, who played Dean guitars dating back to its previous production in the early 1980s, reached the height of his heavy metal popularity during the mid-1990s with Pantera, whose albums received nominations for Grammy awards in 1995 and 2001. His new band Damageplan, which he appeared with during Wednesday's concert, released its first album in February. Dean's Web site has posted a memorial tribute to Abbott and had to be shut down temporarily after receiving "thousands" of visits following the musician's death. "I knew he was popular but I had no idea," Rubinson said.

Armadillo is in the process of relocating its Dean Guitars factory from Roosevelt Boulevard in Clearwater to a 110,000-square-foot industrial building along West Waters Avenue in Tampa. The company bought the building from Tropical Sportswear International Corp. for $4.9 million in November.

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Lowdown Bassist Quits

Lowdown's bass player Pål Jakobsen has decided to quit the band. The band is currently looking for a replacement.

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El Caco Recording Second album

El Caco have been busy working on their new album in their own Sound Riot Studio lately. They have finished recording guitar, bass and drums and have now returned to DugOut Productions in Sweden and producer maestro Daniel Bergstrand. Bergstrand produced and mixed El Caco's brilliant 2003 release "Solid Rest" and have also worked with bands like Meshuggah, In Flames and Soilwork. El Caco will record all the vocal tracks at DugOut and Bergstrand will also mix the album.

The European release date for El Caco's yet nameless new album is 18th April 2005.

Upcoming El Caco gigs:

DEC 28 2004 Lillestrøm, Norway- Martins
JAN 19 2005 Tromsø, Norway- Kaos

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Special Headbangers Ball Tomorrow, Dimebag Tribute

According to Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) tomorrow night, or literally later on tonight at this hour, will be a special show. On 94.1 WYSP, a rock radio station here in Philadelphia, PA he stated that it was shot the other day and Dave was the host and he took calls from numerous band members, including Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed and Scott Ian of Anthrax. They also did the usual and played videos as well, so it'll be a tribute to Dimebag Darrell and it will air tonight at 10 p.m. (EST) on MTV2. So everyone tune in and help to pay tribute to a music legend!

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