Metal News - August 2003

3	IGGY POP Explains How The STOOGES Got Back Together Iggy Pop recently spoke to Brian McCollum of Detroit Free Press about his decision to collaborate with fellow ex-STOOGES members Ron and Scott Asheton on four tracks ("Little Electric Chair", "Skull Rings", "Loser" and "Dead Rock Star") for his new album, "Skull Ring". "It took awhile sifting down, doing some soul-searching, having some conversations, for me to realize that the real nut of this thing is me and the brothers," Iggy said of the writing process for "Skull Ring". "Those are the only two people in the world that ever got behind my ass as a singer when I was nobody. Those guys backed me up. "We were the ones who founded something, and manifested that from imagination to reality. And I decided that was the way to go." Iggy called Ron Asheton and they soon made arrangements to get the Ashetons down to a Miami studio. The plan was to record two tunes for Iggy's new record. "We got to Miami Beach, and he came to the hotel, and we went to have dinner," said Ron Asheton. "I hadn't seen the guy in ages. I was nervous, and I could tell he was a little bit nervous. I knew he was kind of taking a chance. He knew we weren't totally incompetent. But I knew he was taking a chance." Over dinner and beer, the years disappeared. They caught up on old stories, updated each other on long-lost friends. "Once we got together," said Iggy, "it had a life."
5	DESPAIRATION To Release New Album In November German ambient/gothic metallers DESPAIRATION have finished recording their fourth full-length album, "Music For The Night", for a November release through Holland's DVS Records. The band will enter X-Ton-Studio next week to master the effort, which will contain 18 songs and around 80 minutes of playing time. A record-release party is planned for October 30 at Rockwerk in Hof, Germany, featuring appearances by LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, EWIGHEIM and an as-yet-undisclosed special guest. DESPAIRATION will be utilizing the services of REFUGE drummer Jens Reinhold during the show and all of their subsequent live appearances in support of the upcoming album. The complete track listing for the album is as follows: 01. Music For The Night 02. Drift 03. Phantastronaut 04. River Of Perdition 05. Underground Poetry 06. Madrigal 07. L'avion Ivre 08. Asteroid YB5 09. Firebird 10. Moondrawn Awakening 11. Proteus 12. Zeitgeist 13. April Mourning 14. Song Of The Nightingale 15. Nuit En Enfer 16. Colourado Mindtrip 17. Space Sound Park 18. Penelope With regards to the album's musical direction, the band write on their official web site, "After the preceding releases being a kind of unique, progressive gothic rock/metal, we announce even more innovation and surprises in the musical way this time. Also regarding the concept the we haven't been lazy and worked out 18 new songs which tell the story of a spiritual journey through one initial night and take influences from well-known authors like James Joyce, Arthur Rimbaud and William Blake."
7	SEVEN WITCHES To Enter Studio In September SEVEN WITCHES, the band featuring former SAVATAGE guitarist Jack Frost, ARMORED SAINT/FATES WARNING bassist Joey Vera, and HELSTAR singer James Rivera, will return to the studio in September to begin recording the follow-up to "Passage to the Other Side". Touring should begin in early 2004. In other news, Frost is busy at work on his upcoming solo effort, due out later this year on Noise/Sanctuary Records. The as-yet-untitled CD will feature Jack doing all the guitar work and some vocals. Guest musicians slated to appear on the CD are as follows: Drums: Gonzo (ARMORED SAINT, LIFE AFTER DEATH) Johnny Dee (DORO, BRITNY FOX) Bass: Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.) Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES, ENGINE) Billy Childs (BRITNY FOX) Vocals: Harry Hess (HAREM SCAREM) Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI, WARRIOR, AXEL RUDI PELL, PROJECT DRIVER) David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE) Bobby Lucas (EXHIBITION, OVERLORD, ex-SEVEN WITCHES) Joe Comeau (ex-ANNIHILATOR, ex-OVER KILL) Steve Braun (AZRA, ex-SILOAM) Frost, who recently signed a new endorsement deal with GMP guitars, also appears on the new ROB ROCK release "Eyes of Eternity".
9	CRADLE OF FILTH Singer Hopes That People Will Learn From The GREAT WHITE Concert Tragedy CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth recently spoke to Edge Magazine about the February 2003 Rhode Island concert tragedy that claimed the lives of 100 people. "I think [the Rhode Island nightclub fire] pretty much highlights that at some point or another in a show, something could go very wrong," he said. "It's a very rare, and unique experience, but it can happen, so I hope people who run these venues will start thinking about their audience and not the money that they are bringing in from these shows. Without your fans, you are nothing, and if they're coming to a show and something like that happens, they're not coming back to see you, whether it be because they died in a fire or just because you struck a nerve of fear that wasn't intended. I certainly don't want to sound crass and say that I'm glad something like the fire at that GREAT WHITE show happened, but I'm glad that now people are aware, venue owners specifically, that they have a responsibility to their patrons to make sure the show stays on the screen, if you will, and doesn't become a real-life catastrophe."
12	ATOMIZER: New Album Details Revealed Australian black/death/thrash ensemble ATOMIZER have finalized the track listing for their third studio album, "The Only Weapon Of Choice (13 Odes To Power, Decimation and Conquest)", due in Australia in late September. 13 tracks were recorded for the CD, which has a playing time of roughly 45 minutes. The album will be mixed over the next week by Astennu (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CARPE TENEBRUM) and will be mastered at Crystal Mastering studio before the month's end. The band have received a couple of offers from European CD labels since their departure from Drakkar Productions (France) and will be approaching several more with the completed album. It is hoped that a European CD release will be secured prior to the band's April 2004 tour, which should also see ATOMIZER taking in a few U.S. dates. The complete track listing for "The Only Weapon Of Choice – 13 Odes To Power, Decimation and Conquest" is as follows: 01. Power, Not Participation 02. And The Hunt Starts Again 03. When I Die, I Wanna Die Violently 04. The Campaign 05. The War That Never Ended 06. The Only Weapon Of Choice 07. Isolation 08. One Man's Failure 09. So Terrified, Yet So In Control 10. Join The Blackheart Reich 11. For Blackness Absolute 12. Sometimes They Hear The Bullet 13. The Fog Of War For more information, visit the band's official web site at www.atomizer.net
14	TRAIL OF TEARS To Record New Album In November Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS will enter the studio in November to begin recording their fourth album, tentatively due in early 2004 through Napalm Records. The group are currently writing material for the effort and will soon make a pre-production recording of all the songs, according to a post on the band's web site. In other news, TRAIL OF TEARS will shortly record a song for an upcoming DEAD CAN DANCE tribute album. Other participants in the tribute will include THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, ULVER, GREEN CARNATION, and DANNY CAVANAGH (ANATHEMA) TRAIL OF TEARS' third album, "A New Dimension of Might", was released last September through Napalm Records.
17	ZAKK WYLDE To Present Check To Benefit Victims Of Rhode Island Nightclub Fire OZZY OSBOURNE/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Zakk Wylde will stop by Daddy's Junky Music in Warwick, R.I., this afternoon to support victims of the fire at the Station nightclub that killed 100 people. Wylde, who had played at the Station and is friendly with Daddy's promotions director Candi Bramante (they first met at the Station), will present a $5,000 check to the Doc Fund, established in memory of Michael "The Doctor" Gonsalves, a DJ at WHJY who died in the fire.
20	ASSASSIN Are Ready To 'Go Fight Kill' ASSASSIN, the reunited German thrash act that released a couple of promising albums in the late '80s via the SPV label (1987's "The Upcoming Terror" and 1988's "Interstellar Experience"), have posted the following message to their official web site: "First of all the whole band wanna thank all the crazy headbangers who saw our recent shows in Duesseldorf and Wacken. "It was awesome for us to play in front of so loyal fans who ALL partied, slammed and of course banged during the whole show. We had so much fun! "We really wanna tell you guys the whole story from our point of view: "We love metal and it took a lot of guts to reform ASSASSIN again while spending lots of time and money in order to finally succeed the whole reunion. "Since 2001 we practice constantly and since over a year with the present line up we rehearsal four times a week. So far we are unsigned and all expenses (equipment, transport, rehearsal room, merchandise, etc.) we all pay by ourselves. Even the manager and the crew are working for [idealisric] point of reasons and so far earned no single €. "Of course the Wacken money will be reinvested into studio costs for a demo and the monthly payments for the rehearsal room. "We furthermore will continue our work with new songs for a third album and as well continue to support crazy events like the recent 'Death Parade' where we had a great session! (for free of course) and partied alongside the normal metal fans which we are ourselves anyway. "For a third album we do take our time cause, since we do not wanna hurry up with some cheap and cheesy riffs put together within a month or so. So far we have 5 new tracks and all are very thrashy ASSASSIN-style killer songs. We, the band as well as the fans who listened to them all love them and stand 100% behind them. Be aware!!!! We are ASSASSIN and go fight kill all fucking rip-offs. "We plan to sign in the next few month with a motivated and 100% supporting label. In November/December we plan to record the third CD which should then be released in spring 2004. "In May-June we hope that we can organize a tour and in summer 2004 we plan to take part in other open air festivals. "One more time a big thanx to all of you who were at the reunion shows, all ASSASSIN fans who could not join, our manager Rudy, our crew Frank, Hand, Saki, Stefan & Andreas as well as our girls who all worked hard under super stress! "Watch out & Achtung: ASSASSIN and the AGD is on the move to GO FIGHT KILL!!! "ASSASSIN Robert, Steifff, Dinko, Scholli & Achim"
21	DEAD KENNEDYS Invite JELLO BIAFRA To Perform At Anniversary Concert Seminal punk rock band DEAD KENNEDYS announced today that they are extending an offer to former lead singer Jello Biafra to rejoin the band at their 25th Anniversary concert at the Key Club in Los Angeles on August 19, 2003. "We are absolutely serious in asking Jello to rejoin the band on our anniversary," said DEAD KENNEDYS bassist Klaus Flouride. "This is not a prank or a publicity stunt. Last evening we sent word to Biafra and his representatives informing him of this offer. We wanted to make sure he was informed in advance, so he knows that we are serious in asking for him to participate. We'd love it, and I think the fans would love it, if we could just bury the hatchet." "This isn't about nostalgia," said DEAD KENNEDYS guitarist East Bay Ray. "There are serious problems in the world right now and DEAD KENNEDYS' message of questioning authority and thinking for yourself is more important than ever before. Maybe we could settle our differences and play together while we are all still able to do so." Opening for DEAD KENNEDYS at the 25th Anniversary celebration will be punk legends DR. KNOW. In addition, the band will take part in a DVD signing at Tower Records Sunset Strip (8601 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA) on Monday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. Original band members East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride and D.H. Peligro will be signing copies of their latest DVD, "In God We Trust, Inc. – The Lost Tapes", recently released by Music Video Distributors. The first 100 fans to purchase the DVD at the signing will also receive a complimentary ticket to the 25th Anniversary Key Club show the following night.
23	MARDUK Reunited With Former Vocalist At German Festival Sweden's MARDUK were reunited on stage with former vocalist Joakim Göthberg during their appearance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany on Saturday (August 9). Joakim performed a duet with current MARDUK frontman Legion on the track "The Black" in what marked Göthberg's first appearance with the band since February 1995. The surprise pairing was captured on video and will be a part of the bonus material on MARDUK's upcoming DVD, "Funeral Marches And Warsongs", tentatively due in mid-November. MARDUK's latest album, "World Funeral", was released in Europe in late February through the group's own Blooddawn Productions.
25	CAMP FREDDY To Perform At LOLLAPALOOZA In Los Angeles CAMP FREDDY, the Los Angeles-based "jam" band consisting of JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro, former THE CULT touring bassist Billy Morrison (on guitar), ex-GUNS N' ROSES/THE CULT drummer Matt Sorum, bassist Scott Ford, and vocalist Donovan Leitch (the son of 1960s U.K. folk-rock icon Donovan), will perform on the second stage at the Los Angeles stop of Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 16 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. As per usual, loads of special guests are expected to jam with the group at the event.
26	Bassist PAZ LENCHANTIN Rejoins A PERFECT CIRCLE At Chicago Gig Bassist Paz Lenchantin made a surprise appearance with her former A PERFECT CIRCLE bandmates during the group's headlining gig at Cabaret Metro in Chicago Sunday night (August 10). Lenchantin reportedly played violin during her brief appearance and hugged guitarist Billy Howerdel when she was done. Singer Maynard James Keenan then called her over to him, told her the band loved her and gave her a kiss, according to one attendee. As previously reported, Lenchantin recently exited ZWAN, the group fronted by former SMASHING PUMPKINS singer Billy Corgan. She plans to join fellow ZWAN member David Pajo's PAPA M project for a new album and tour, beginning Oct. 4 in Chicago. ZWAN's Reprise debut, "Mary, Star of the Sea", has sold 267,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. PAPA M's most recent album was 2001's "Whatever, Mortal". Pajo has also released three separate three-track PAPA M singles this year via Drag City.
26	TOMMY LEE Reels In The Women The New York Daily News reports that former MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee showed no signs he was back with Pamela Anderson during a visit to the Penthouse Executive Club last week, arriving with two women — neither of whom were Anderson or his ex-gal pal Mayte Garcia. Even the two women he arrived with weren't enough though, as Lee ended up beckoning some of the club's choice strippers to a private room. "He had seven or eight girls around him at all times," revealed a spy.
28	STRYPER: More Tour Dates Announced Legendary Christian rock band STRYPER have announced more dates for their first-ever reunion tour, the band's first nationwide performance junket in more than 12 years. The tour, which will coincide with the quartet's 20th anniversary, is slated to kick off October 3 in Springfield, Virginia. The tour will run across the United States, playing approximately 30 concerts in all. STRYPER 2003 Reunion Tour dates (more dates to be added): Oct. 03 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx Oct. 04 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Oct. 09 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock Oct. 10 - Cleveland (Lakewood), OH - Phantasy Theater Oct. 17 - Minneapolis, MN - New Union Oct. 18 - Sauget, IL (St. Louis) – Pop's Oct. 19 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave Oct. 21 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues Oct. 24 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater Oct. 26 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues* Oct. 28 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues* Oct. 29 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues Nov. 02 - Ft. Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater Nov. 15 - Raleigh, NC - The Lincoln Theatre** Nov. 16 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony *(w/ 7 HOURS LATER) **(w/ PARMALEE)
29	Review: No OZZY OSBOURNE At OZZFEST, But The Bands Play On Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times reports that Ozzfest organizers announced at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday (August 19) that Ozzy Osbourne was ill and wouldn't be performing at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. "Refunds were available, but most people stayed," he writes. "There were no further reports on Mr. Osbourne's condition, but no one who has watched him stammer and stumble through the second season of 'The Osbournes' would begrudge him a night off. "And so, even without its spiritual leader, the show went on — and on and on, for almost 12 hours. The festival was largely devoted to a quality that could be the name of a heavy-metal band: mediocrity. Most of the bands played nu metal as if it had never gone out of style, combining sullen vocals with chunky rhythms. "A few of these groups managed to make an impression: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE opened up its songs with brutal rhythmic sections that consisted mainly of silence. MOTOGRATER used extra percussionists (and buckets of body paint) to keep its raucous songs slightly off-balance. "Some tried something else altogether. The ludicrous British band CRADLE OF FILTH augmented its bombastic songs with a clear-voiced female backup singer and a pair of heavily costumed dancers on stilts. And the veteran Canadian band VOIVOD, featuring the former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted, played a strong set full of solid, midtempo songs. One fan showed Mr. Newsted his appreciation by sharing a cup of beer, although he probably would have enjoyed it more if it had been handed to him, instead of thrown."
29	KING DIAMOND Set Release Date For 'The Puppet Master' KING DIAMOND have set an October 21 release date through Metal Blade Records for their new album, "The Puppet Master". The CD will contain a bonus disc of King telling the story of "The Puppet Master" in full make-up. Massacre Records (King's European label) will also release "The Puppet Master" on regular vinyl and as a picture-disc LP. "The Puppet Master USA Tour 2003" w/ KING DIAMOND, ENTOMBED, HAVOCHATE: Oct. 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Keyclub Oct. 19 - San Diego, CA @ The Scene (Bang Your Head) Oct. 20 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Galaxy Oct. 22 - San Francisco, CA @ The Pound SF/Pier 96 Oct. 23 - Palo Alto, CA @ The Edge Oct. 25 - Seattle, WA @ The Fenix Oct. 28 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater Oct. 30 - Chicago, IL @ The Metro Oct. 31 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave Nov. 04 - Toronto, ONT @ Opera House Nov. 05 - Montreal, QUE @ Club Soda Nov. 06 - New Haven, CT @ Toads Place Nov. 07 - Brooklyn, NY @ L'Amour Nov. 08 - Farmingdale, NY @ Downtown Nov. 10 - Randolph, NJ @ Obsessions Nov. 11 - Allentown, PA @ Crocedile Cafe Nov. 13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Nov. 14 - West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx Nov. 15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Metropol Nov. 17 - Tampa, FL @ Twilight Nov. 18 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room Nov. 21 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre Nov. 22 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
29	PRIMAL FEAR Part Ways With Drummer, Announce Replacement German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have parted ways with drummer Klaus Sperling and have replaced him with ANNIHILATOR skinsman Randy Black. "Due to musical differences, PRIMAL FEAR and Klaus Sperling decided to part ways," reads an official statement announcing the split. "PRIMAL FEAR and Klaus Sperling are very sorry about this step, especially with regard to their true fans that surely would have wanted to keep the band as the winning team as they were! But there are internal decisions sometimes that an outer person will find hard to understand where band members just can't cope with an active state. Especially in music, where it comes to a creative process like composing and forming an unique vision together, inner tensions may grow and become a disturbing part of the art and make it unable to continue. At this point it is the better way to follow separate visions. PRIMAL FEAR and Klaus are parting ways in friendship and mutual understanding. We wish Klaus the best of luck and success for his upcoming musical plans and future! "The new drummer of the Metal Commando is ANNIHILATOR drummer Randy Black. We will start the recordings for our new album in late September, tentatively titled 'Primal Fear – In Metal', at the House Of Music studios. The songwriting is completed and we promise to keep our faith in metal and we will work hard to deliver the best album of our career. The new album will be released worldwide by Nuclear Blast and JVC (Asia/Japan) on Feb 23rd 2004 — the 'In Metal' worldtour starts on March 3rd in Europe with special guests BRAINSTORM!"
30	Federal Agency Fines GREAT WHITE, Club Owners For Safety Violations Jack Russell Touring Inc., the corporate entity that handles business affairs for GREAT WHITE, faces a $7,000 fine by the federal agency that regulates workplace safety for failing to protect employees from fire hazards, according to the Providence Journal. In addition, The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Derco LLC, the business that ran the Rhode Island club (The Station) where 100 people perished in February, $85,200 for one "willful" violation and six serious ones. OSHA charges the band stored unused pyrotechnics too close to those being fired, did not have a plan for the pyrotechnics' use, did not have the proper pyrotechnic operator licensing, and didn't separate the pyrotechnics from the audience by the minimum 15 feet. "I don't think it's appropriate," band attorney Ed McPherson said of the fine. "What GREAT WHITE, did in and of itself, wouldn't have done anything but for the polyurethane being sprayed on the ceiling and on the walls." McPherson said it is likely the band will appeal the fine, but an appeal is still being discussed. In other news, GREAT WHITE have announced additional dates as part of their "weekend warrior" concerts, in which they are playing a mix of clubs and large festivals every Thursday through Sunday until October. The tour, dubbed "Help Us - Help Our Own", has so far raised $25,000 for The Station Family Fund, a nonprofit organization benefiting victims and relatives of those injured or killed in the Station fire. "Help Us - Help Our Own" tour dates (more shows to be added): Aug. 22 - Russel, KS @ Plains Amphitheatre Aug. 23 - Kearney, NE @ Kearney Nebraska Fairgrounds Aug. 24 - Yankton, SD @ Club 52 Sep. 05 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx Sep. 06 - Middletown, OH @ CC Showcase Sep. 07 - Gibraltar, MI @ Big Al's Sports Bar Sep. 11 - Everett, WA @ The Broadway Sep. 12 - Portland, OR @ The Crystal Ballroom Sep. 13 - Tacoma, WA @ Temple Ballroom Sep. 14 - San Francisco, CA @ TBA Sep. 18 - Hewitt, MN @ Checkers Sep. 19 - Mahnomen, MN @ Shooting Star Casino Sep. 20 - Havre, MT @ Ice Dome Sep. 21 - Missoula, MT @ Elbow Room Sep. 25 - Scranton, PA @ Staircase
30	Upstate NY Officials Object To 'Gutter Language' At EVANESCENCE/COLD Concert Jessica Ryen of the Utica Observer-Dispatch reports that "an estimated 18,000 people attended the eighth annual K-Rockathon which has been housed at Vernon Downs [in Vernon, New York] for six of those years. [Saturday's] [Aug. 16] concert, which headlined EVANESCENCE, COLD and SALIVA, also featured six other bands. A tenth band, DEFAULT, was scheduled to perform, but could not get a flight out of the Toronto airport due to last week's power outage. "Reacting to Vernon Mayor William Osborne's statement that he would do everything in his power to stop the K-Rockathon from playing at Vernon Downs again, track director of marketing Mark Scalzo said Monday he was happy with the way things went at [the] concert. " 'We were very happy there were no problems, and speaking with officials such as the Thruway and local law enforcements, we were told by numerous people that things went smoothly, Scalzo said. "Osborne said Sunday he was not pleased with the 'gutter language repeated in song and by band leaders or hosts on stage.' "Modern Rock K-Rock program director Abbie Weber said such language is not unheard of at rock concerts. " 'If the only concern is the language — it was a rock concert,' she said. 'For a month and a half, the town knew a rock concert was coming through. You can't edit songs for a live show.' "Vernon Town Supervisor Myron Thurston said he would 'strongly encourage Vernon Downs to not have this type of concert again.' " 'That type of concert has to be contained in an indoor venue,' he said. 'People sitting in their homes a mile away shouldn't have to hear that.'
30	AEROSMITH Bassist Discusses Blues Album, Power Failure AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton recently spoke to Pittsburgh Live about the band's upcoming blues CD, tentatively due in February 2004. "We've recorded an album's worth of material, most of it blues covers," Hamilton said. "Not just blues, but also sort of mid-'60s soul and English blues-pop. There's a song by the band THEM called 'Please Don't Go'. If you listen to it, you can hear how it's just a perfect song for AEROSMITH. We've been playing it every night onstage. It's the kind of stuff we'd have played when we started. "We hear these recordings of bands that have perfected a groove and a feel and a jump and a swing and mixed it all together and made it really nasty," Hamilton added. "And to go in there and try to cop that, to grab that feel. ... Of course, once we record it, it becomes a hard rock song. That's something that happens by itself no matter how hard we try to get down and funky." Hamilton also commented on the massive power failure last week that canceled the band's Detroit show last Thursday (August 14). "I can't even think about it," said the bassist. "Every once in a while, something happens and you lose a gig. Feeling of all these people, and all the effort they made to get to the show -- just getting let down like that. ... If you talk about energy, and chi and spirit and all that, it's just huge ... carnage. "At least it didn't happen when everybody was sitting there in the stadium."
30	THE HELLACOPTERS: New Collection Of Rarities, DVD On The Way Sweden's THE HELLACOPTERS, who feature in their ranks former ENTOMBED drummer Nicke Andersson on guitar/vocals, are compiling another collection of their singles and rare recordings, titled "Cream Of The Crap! Vol. 2". The set will reportedly contain 22 tracks recorded between 1995 and 2000 and is tentatively due in January 2004. In addition, the band recently recorded cover versions of "Pack Of Lies" and "Eighteen" for upcoming tributes to THE NOMADS and ALICE COOPER, respectively. THE HELLACOPTERS' first-ever DVD, titled "Goodnight Cleveland", will be released through Escapi (escapi.com) on September 29. Region 1 (U.S.) will be released through Music Video Distributors (musicvideodistributors.com) on November 11. The 114-minute disc is "a fly-on-the-wall documentary following THE HELLACOPTERS on their 2002 tour of America," according to an official press release. "Informed by the techniques of cinema verité and direct cinema developed in the 1960's by master documentary filmmakers such as the Maysle brothers, the band is allowed the space to do what they do without intrusions of any kind from the filmmaker, allowing for glimpses into the magical and mundane moments of everyday life in a hard working action rock band abroad. 'The Hellacopters: Goodnight Cleveland' is a relaxed and open-handed portrait of a band on the road. Essential viewing for anyone pondering a career in the music business, or anyone merely curious." Bonus-material footage includes "Search & Destroy" (STOOGES) featuring Howlin' Pelle (THE HIVES), "I Got a Right" (STOOGES) featuring Nicke Borg (BACKYARD BABIES) & Odd (ROBOTS), vintage home-video clip of THE HELLACOPTERS' second-ever gig, BACKYARD BABIES/ex-THE HELLACOPTERS guitarist Dregen singing "Didn't Stop Us" (performed live only one time), plus an hour of outtakes from "Goodnight Cleveland". On the touring front, THE HELLACOPTERS will be teaming up with SEPULTURA and DEEP PURPLE for four Kaiser Music Festival Brazilian dates in September, to be followed by another trip to Australia. Confirmed dates are as follows: "Kaiser Music Festival" w/ SEPULTURA, DEEP PURPLE: Sep. 18 - Sao Paulo, BRA @ Joquey Club (cap: 10,000) Sep. 19 - Curitiba, BRA @ Pedreira (cap: 15,000) Sep. 20 - Porto Alegre, BRA @ Joquey Club (cap: 15,000) Sep. 21 - Belo Horizonte, BRA @ Mineirinho (cap: 15,000) Oct. 10 – Adelaide, AUS @ Loudmouth Oct. 11 – Sydney, AUS @ Livid Festival Oct. 12 – Melbourne, AUS @ Livid Festival Oct. 18 – Brisbane, AUS @ Livid Festival
31	Former JUDAS PRIEST Singer TIM OWENS Officially Joins ICED EARTH! Former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens has officially joined ICED EARTH as the band's new lead singer, according to a posting by ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer on the group's web site. Owens was previously said to have laid down vocals on the band's new album, "The Glorious Burden", but was not an official member of the group. "Well everyone, it is official," Schaffer writes. "Tim Owens is the new frontman and lead vocalist of ICED EARTH and I couldn't be happier! "There is no doubt that fate has played a big part in our lives in these last few months and I truly believe that this is the way it was meant to be. Everything happens for a reason!! "Tim did an outstanding job on [the new ICED EARTH album, 'The Glorious Burden']. In 5 very relaxed days he nailed the parts, and I mean NAILED them, and I don't think I've ever laughed as much and had as much fun in the studio before. He is definitely bringing new life into the band and the future looks very bright for us as a team. Tim knows who he is, what he stands for and is very dedicated, and he's funny as hell, all very important traits! "One of the greatest things about all of it is that 'The Glorious Burden' is a new beginning. I'm very, very excited to see what Tim and I can do together as a writing team. There is real chemistry between the two of us and I'm 100% confident that [ICED EARTH]'s best work is in our future. I feel like I'm 10 years younger and am having more fun than I've ever had before. I see us having a very long and fulfilling career together! "The art is done and the layouts are almost there and before you know it the best ICED EARTH album to date will be unleashed. In my opinion, nothing we've ever done comes close to 'The Glorious Burden'. It is by far the best album so far, in all ways, writing, performance and spirit. It is now the way it was meant to be! "On another bit of news my historical collectibles shop is now open. We are open Friday & Saturday 10:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm. It is truly one of the most unique places in the country. If you love history, art, miniatures, models, battlefield relics, etc.. you've got to come and see Spirit of '76 Collectibles. The web site is in the works and you can get a good look at the shop and a sample of our products at www.spirit-of-76.com. The site is being handled by Todd Brown and he's working on it pretty steadily so try to check back often. "Look for ICED EARTH on our 'Glorious World Tour' starting in early 2004. I'm so psyched I can hardly wait!! "The Revolution Is Closer Than Ever Before!! ICED EARTH's "The Glorious Burden" is due in the fall through SPV Records.
31	DEF LEPPARD To Play India In November DEF LEPPARD are set to perform in Mumbai and Bangalore, India before the end of the year, according to Mid-day.com. The band have visited the country before — although they have yet to play a large concert there. DEF LEPPARD are expected to perform in Mumbai and Bangalore in November, according to T Venkat Vardhan of DNA Networks, which is organizing the concerts. The band are touring behind their latest CD, "X", which has sold more than 230,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Several artists, including JOE SATRIANI and SANTANA, cancelled their plans to appear in India earlier in the year due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
31	NY Post: DEE SNIDER Pleads For Help In In-Law Slay TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider made a passionate plea for help to find the killer of his wife's brother yesterday, a day after the 34-year-old construction worker was gunned down in New York City. "We are hoping to get whoever did this. We have no idea why this would happen to him," Snider, 48, told The New York Post. "He was a great brother to my wife, a great brother-in-law and a great uncle to my kids." Cops say they still have no motive or suspect in the killing of Vincent Gargiulo, who was shot execution style with one bullet in the face shortly before 7 a.m. on West 30th Street as he walked to work at a Con Ed construction site. Gargiulo was the younger brother of Snider's wife of 27 years, Suzette, with whom the singer has four children. Yesterday, Snider turned up at Gargiulo's Sunnyside home with another brother-in-law, Bill Gargiulo, 38, to pick up the dead man's two Jack Russell dogs. He said he had last seen Vincent on Saturday at an engagement party for his son, Jesse, who is an MTV VJ. "It was a great day. He looked great, sounded great. We are pretty mortified," said Snider. Gargiulo had a record of nine arrests for burglary and drug possession on Long Island, according to the paper. Cops think he may have been involved in a scam in which gyms would open and take membership fees from new clients before closing suddenly, sources told The Post.