Archive: Headline News
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Pestilence Denied Entry Into The United States
Pestilence will not headline today, May 24th, at the Maryland DeathFest due to their detainment at the US border. Band leader Patrick Mameli and guitarist Patrick Uterwyck were kept in custody for several hours and sent back to the Netherlands late yesterday.
Upon entering the US and stopping at customs they discovered their paper work, which was sent to them, for their travels was not properly completed for the required working visas. Originally they were told all was in order and to proceed on the trip to the US. They spent a total of 44 hours in flights and detainment.
“We are extremely sad and disappointed not being able to perform on the MDF. Not having received the proper information on our visa application, we were under the impression that what we received from the securing visas and working permits office was the actual working permits,” explains band leader Patrick Mameli. “We were kept under custody by the border security police for 4 hours trying to do everything in our power to let us pass, but all our efforts failed. They sent us home on the next plane. Hopefully we will be given another chance to perform for you, our fans!”
Rezin's Jon Blank Dies Of Drug Overdose
Jon Blank reportedly passed this past Saturday night. Jon was well-known in Maryland and beyond for his time plowing riffs with his band REZIN, and was the bassist on Scott "Wino" Weinrich's critically-praised solo album "Punctuated Equilibrium."
An official statement from Jon's sister, Andrea, reads as follows: More...
The Embodiment Calls It Quits
Dutch metallers The Embodiment have issued the following statement about calling it a day:
"After almost 15 years of growing from nothing to what we are now, we decided yesterday that we are going to pull the plug on The Embodiment. Due to personal and musical changes, we are currently not able to continue with what we do. Maybe in the future we might meet again in some other possible way. Thanks to everyone who supported us in the past and now. We won't forget you."
Rigor Mortis Guitarist To Undergo Neck Surgery
Texas death metallers Rigor Mortis have issued the following statement about guitarist Mike Scaccia undergoing emergency neck surgery:
"Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia will have emergency neck surgery this Monday morning at 6AM. Scaccia has been having problems with severe pains in his arms in recent years. It appeared it was always from medical conditions such as tendonitis from the many years of playing the intense and fast style of music that he plays. But a few days after his performance in Germany at “Keep It True 12” last weekend, Scaccia noticed his left arm went totally numb. So he went in to see his chiropractor, who noticed something seriously wrong in Scaccia’s neck. So he sent him for an immediate MRI. The results showed that Scaccia has a Cervical Herniated Disc in his lower neck and they told him that he could easily become paralyzed without immediate surgery.
"All of us in Rigor Mortis are hopeful that Mike will have a successful surgery and that he will be back playing his guitar very soon. The doctors have assured Mike that this surgery will make him a 10-times better guitar player. We will give an update sometime next week on how Mike is recovering. If you want to wish Mike luck with his surgery, he will be checking our Rigor Mortis Myspace page when he can. So feel free to leave him a message here."
Alexi Laiho Breaks Arm On Tour
Children of Bodom's official fansite Scythes of Bodom has issued the following statement about Alexi Laiho breaking his arm:
"Oops!... I did it again
"In the middle of Children Of Bodom's current North American tour with Lamb of God, Alexi's well-known tendency to break bones has struck again. In his latest twitter update, K-Man reports that the Wildchild has broken his arm after falling from his top bunk. Apparently Alexi is still able to perform but he's having to take strong painkillers and to wear a sling when he's not playing. Rock 'n' roll or what! Let's hope the break heals quickly."
To/Die/For Calls It Quits
Vocalist Jape of Finnish metallers To/Die/For has issued the following announcement about the band calling it a day:
"My nerves, stress level and Life came to the point that i really need to get some rest, and say goodbye for these Stressful and still nice days with TDF Since 2005 we have been through so many shitty things. We have been unlucky to meet so many shitty promoters etc. FUCK YOU ALL (this is for all of those so called promoters who ruined some of our tours,and are also one of TDF..s killers.) Also i have to thank some promoters, like AYU from Mexico! and of course we met other great and friendly promoters too around the world!but...a few asshole really can kill you!?
"Italy visit a couple of years ago, and U.S tour 2007 really sucked a huge part of my/our energy and motivation. It was a miracle that i continued after U.S tour until these days! Now, one booking agency tried to handle our first South-American tour and also things with this did not work.Local promoters here and there did not pay their part for the main promoters in time etc. They just could not handle things which had to be clear. I am so sad and pissed off this tour did not happen...AGAIN! We are so sorry for our fans there.
"There was only 9 shows totally confirmed for almost five weeks? And many more not that “handled” things. They seemed to be working very hard for us, but still...Again i felt like “we have been through this shit before” Also all these line-up changes always stressed me a lot and made me sad, but still everyone who played with me in TDF were great persons! Every line-up change killed a little part of me...well exept one!
"With our latest line-up we tried to write new songs, and we had some “raw”songs, but there was One big problem! No one seemed to like same kind of songs. Latest album came out in 2006 and after that we had only one new song? And we are not satisfied with it eather. Somethings must be wrong i think!? More...
Fear Factory Members Reunite For New Project
Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell and former Fear Factory/current Divine Heresy guitarist Dino Cazares have announced that they will be forming a new project along with thrash metal drumming legend Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Forbbiden, Testament, Dethklok Strapping Yound Lad amongst others) with Fear Factory bass player Byron Stroud rumoured to be part of the lineup too. The band currently has no name but one is expected to be revealed soon.
Rose Tattoo Guitarist Diagnosed With Liver Cancer
The management for Australian hard rock legends Rose Tattoo has announced that guitarist/founding member Mick Cocks has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver. A statement from manager Steve White reads, "Mick has asked that I release this information to avoid the rumour mill taking control of information. The situation is that Mick has been diagnosed with liver cancer and is now under the advice of the very best doctors in Sydney. Treatment plans are underway and Mick is in good spirits and ready for a fight."
We wish Mick all the best for a quick recovery.
Angelcorpse Calls It Quits
U.S. based death metal band Angelcorpse has decided to call it a day. The following short message regarding the break up was left on the band's MySpace page:
"Due to musical differences amongst its members, it has been decided with much consideration to end Angelcorpse."
Susperia Vocalist Has Successful Heart Surgery
Susperia has issued the following update about their vocalist undergoing open heart surgery:
"Despite further complications SUSPERIA singer Athera (Pal Mathiesen) successfully underwent open heart surgery on Monday 16th March 2009 at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Originally scheduled to have a triple by pass operation, surgeons discovered further problems which resulted in the vocalist also having a main artery - which previously ran to his lungs - connected directly to his heart. Athera will remain in hospital to recuperate and has been advised by doctors that full recovery will take between three and five months.
"Still in some agony from his ordeal and in reflective mood, Athera said: "Wow - Well what happened there!! It looks like this time my name wasn't on the guest list at the pearly gates or the other place down below. I got through the surgery and I'm now back in the regional hospital after five days at the specialist heart clinic. Here in my hospital bed I'm contemplating the enormity of what happened - the what if's and the what might have been. I'm in agony but the strong medication helps. It was a heavy operation having my body parts re-arranged - If a musician ever needed a "TUNE UP" I hope this was it. There are some tough times ahead but I will get there in the end." More...
Susperia Vocalist To Undergo Open Heart Surgery
SUSPERIA vocalist Athera (Pal Mathieson) remains under close observation at Akershus Universitetssykehus Hospital in Lørenskog, Norway following his heart attack last week. The singer has been diagnosed with a previously undetected genetic disorder that will require the replacement of three narrowed arteries and three heart valves. He will undergo a triple heart by-pass operation through open heart surgery today, on Monday, March 16th 2009. Meanwhile the singer is being kept on heavy doses of medication to keep his blood thin and his heart rate down.
Though in a serious, but stable condition, a highly spirited and medicated Athera speaking from his hospital bed sent the following message:
"Hey everyone out there in the metal universe - friends and strangers. Thanks for all your messages of support. I'm lying here in the hospital reading them all and it's really nice to see that so many of you have taken the time to send them. It's overwhelming. I've had a big shock and it's not something I would want anyone to experience. You know, I always wanted to hit the headlines - but not in this way! Looks like the SUSPERIA curse has hit again, a new album and tour on the way and one of us complicates it all. But damn it, we will never let anything stop us - ever! Even if death itself comes knocking and believe me it did. I am undergoing open heart surgery this Monday to replace some broken valves and veins, and then this metal heart will beat once again. The Doc(tor) says I'll be back stronger than ever. I will have to spend a long time in the hospital, but it's not that bad. You should see the nurses taking care of me. Could be worse. Looking forward to getting back up and on the road again. Sorry for the shows that I'm not going to be able to do. I will make it up to you guys. You all make me stronger, I am truly grateful."
Future plans for SUSPERIA remain mixed. However the band has confirmed the postponement of Norwegian dates, which were set for April 09. Their UK tour in May with Breed 77 will go ahead at the insistence of Athera himself. He has urged the band not to let their UK fans down and to look at finding a replacement vocalist.
The release of SUSPERIA's next studio album is still set for early summer as planned, through the band's new label Candlelight Records. Full details will be announced shortly.
Susperia Vocalist Athera Suffers A Heart Attack
Athera (Pal Mathieson) - vocalist with Norwegian band SUSPERIA was rushed into Akershus Universitetssykehus Hospital in Lørenskog, Norway on the morning of March 9th suffering from acute stomach pains and heavy bleeding. Initial tests revealed that the singer had suffered a heart attack caused by a damaged blood vessel. Athera is currently in the intensive care unit under close observation, while further tests are carried out. He is expected to remain hospitalized for the foreseeable future. At this moment future plans including touring commitments remain unchanged, until a full diagnosis of his condition has been confirmed.
Athera recently completed vocals on Susperia's fifth studio album, which is due for an early summer release through the band's new label Candlelight Records.
The band worked continuously throughout 2008 on the album which Athera described as "going back to the early days with the melancholic riffing and dark emotional vocals and coming all the way through to today, with a perfect blend of everything Susperia has been and become".
Varg Vikernes To Be Released From Prison
After his four applications for parole were denied, Varg Vikernes (Count Grishnackh) formerly of Burzum was finally told he will be released from prison after 16 years incarcerated.
Vikerenes was serving a 23-year sentence for the murder of Oystein Aarseth (aka Euronymous), guitarist of Mayhem and owner of Deathlike Silence Productions record label that Burzum was signed to. Varg was also convicted for setting fire to three churches.
Varg says that he is "...ready for society..." and has been for many years. He told Dagbladet newspaper, "I have learned from my mistakes and become older. Now I just want to be together with my family...I have barely seen my [18-month old] son since he came into the world. Even though I hear his voice on the phone almost every day, it is very tough to not be present while he is growing up." Varg regularly left the prison for the past couple of years to visit his mother, wife, 16-year-old daughter and young son in Tromso, Norway, the town where the prison is located.
While some, like the Justice Ministry, fear that he will not be able to adjust to life on the outside, Vikerenes said, "I look forward [to] the day that I could work on my farm, create music, write books and be with my family around the clock---and live a normal life." When asked by VG newspaper about if a "normal life" involves communication with Neo-Nazi groups he formerly endorsed, Vikernes said he "...[hasn't] been in contact with them for a long time."
Varg may have been paroled earlier, but was denied the second time he applied because the Justice Ministry claimed he escaped prison in 2003.
Varg will join his family in Bo, Norway, where he recently purchased a farm. Once he has been released, he is required to check in with the authorities every two weeks, and then after some time, every month.
Infernus Wins Gorgoroth Trademark Case
A decision has been reached in the case regarding who is entitled to use the band name Gorgoroth between guitarist Infernus and previous members Gaahl and King Ov Hell.
Oslo City District Court has today (Tuesday, March 10th) delivered a verdict on the main question in the Gorgoroth trademark case, which took place at the end of January 2009.
The court has decided that King Ov Hell's trademark registration #243365 of the band name Gorgoroth is NOT valid and shall therefore be deleted. More...
Grief Calls It A Day
Boston's sludge/doom metal act Grief has announced that they will be parting ways. A message from the band reads as follows:
"I’m sorry to announce that Grief is no longer playing. We have disbanded or whatever. The last show we played was the Wien Arena in Vienna Austria (I think I spelled those things right) our reasons for disbanding are our reasons. We have chosen not to get into it but it may or may not include the following reasons:
"- Jeff has finally become Rip Van Winkle and will be asleep for the next 50 years.
"- Ray has finally eaten so much that he can not fit out of the door to his house and is unable to leave home. More...
Faith No More Reunion Announced
Billboard is reporting that Faith No More have officially announced plans to reunite for a string of live shows. Excerpts from the article are below:
Faith No More has announced its first live performances since splitting up in 1998. The band will play a series of European festival dates this summer, according to a statement from frontman Mike Patton's publicist.
No North American Faith No More dates are scheduled at this time. As previously reported, only Patton and frequent collaborator Rahzel will perform at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April, despite speculation about a Faith No More appearance.
Neither the lineup for the revived Faith No More nor the specific festival dates have been announced. Patton's spokesperson Monica Seide said no further details on the band are yet available.
Read the full article at Billboard.
Sentenced Guitarist Miika Tenkula Found Dead
Blabbermouth.net reports: Miika Tenkula, former lead guitarist and main songwriter of the acclaimed Finnish band SENTENCED, was found dead at his home earlier today (Thursday, February 19). He was 34 years old.
Nalle Österman (GANDALF, LULLACRY, CHAOSBREED) tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "It's true, confirmed personally by [former SENTENCED] drummer Vesa Ranta.
"The fact remains that Miika had a serious drinking problem for many years which escalated after SENTENCED was buried. They don't call it King Alcohol for nothing...
"The metal scene in Finland mourns now for one of the most talented metal guitarists to ever emerge from [the country]."
The official cause of Miika's death has not yet been released.
Read the full article at Blabbermouth.
Former Zimmers Hole Guitarist Passes Away
Zimmers Hole guitarist Jed Simon has posted the following blog on the band's MySpace page regarding the death of former guitarist Chris Stanley:
"Friends,
"I don't know where or how to start...other than to say we are all deeply saddened at the loss of one of our own, Chris Stanley.
"Chris is a Zimmers Hole alumni, he played guitar for us during the 'Legion Of Flames' era, and more zany moments occurred when he was around than I care to try and remember.
"He has had a long battle with the many complications, and the day-to-day life battles with Cystic Fibrosis, Pneumonia (many times), a double lung transplant and the myriad of issues that arise with that. He has battled back so many times, and it just crushes our hearts that he couldn't pull through this time.
"Here are some words from me...I know the other guys will agree with me on all this stuff. They may want to write their own thoughts in the coming days.
"With unbelievable sadness, we've lost another soldier.
"Chris Stanley, fuck...as I type this it all seems too unreal to me, but I know better. It's going to hurt even more, soon.
"Chris has been a friend to me for over 20 years. He's been a friend, a mentor, and a peer. He was one talented motherfucker, that's for sure. Add to that, funny--that guy could get a crowd onto a frenzy of laughter...a certain moment from the Dynamo festival and Chris acting a little too retarded comes to mind.
Add to that, whipcrackin' smart...he KNEW shit.
"What he has left is a legacy of music, laughter, artwork and special effects, movie props, funny pictures, not funny pictures, nuns running scared everywhere, and more stuff than I could ever get into here. But it's all in my head, and it will all never be forgotten. I MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY CHRIS.
"To Scarlet, his wife, and to all of his family, my condolences...I know how much he meant to me, I can't begin to imagine how much he meant to you. All my love.
"My trusty old Gibson flying V has your flames on it...they will always be there bro...and every time I look at that guitar (as I am right now), or pick it up and hammer the fuck out of it, you are with me Chris.
"With Horns Higher than I've ever Held them, I love ya man. We all fuckin love ya man. Wherever you go from here brother, I know that you will raise the bar, and a few eyebrows...heavenly or otherwise."
Subzero Calling It Quits
New York hardcore band Subzero has called it quits after roughly twenty years together. Frontman Lou Di Bella had the following to say:
"After a long 20 year run of smashing stages with Subzero we've decided to lay the band to rest. We had a fuckin blast and live with no regrets. Just wanted to say thank you to all the diehards who stood by us from the very beginning and to all the new supporters we've picked up along the way. All the good words of encouragement, showing up at our shows, reppin' our gear and crankin our music! It's a big part of what kept us alive for this long and we thank you for that. All the best to you guys and thank you once again! It's been real. Much respect.
"We will be playing a few more shows through out different regions of NY and out of state before we end it. Our first is at Popeyes Pub in Westchester, NY with Jasta on February 27th and then in Brooklyn at Europa with The Casualties and The Krays for the A Clockwork Orange Fest. That's the last time you'll be hearing The Suffering Of Man/Necropolis set. Then we'll be going out with a bang at the Superbowl of Hardcore aka Black N Blue Blowl at Studio B in Brooklyn on May 30th. There we will be reforming as the original band doing a strictly old school set. All the demo and Happiness Without Peace classics. You don't want to miss any of these shows! Thanks for the good times and the memories! COURAGE! STRENGTH! PRIDE! LIONHEARTED!"
A more extensive farewell from Di Bella can be found here
Metallica Wins Two Grammy Awards
Metallica's latest album, "Death Magnetic," picked up four Grammy nominations, has official won "Best Recording Package." "My Apocalypse" also won for "Best Metal Performance."
Additionally, Rick Rubin won the Producer of the Year Grammy. In addition to working with Metallica on "Death Magnetic," Rick produced Neil Diamond, Dancing For The Death Of An Imaginary Enemy, Jakob Dylan, and Weezer.
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