| Metal News - October 2003 |
| 4 | AC/DC concert sold out in just 4
minutes! AC/DC sold more than 4,000 tickets
for a one-off U.K. show in just four minutes, according to Sky News. |
| 6 | SILVERCHAIR Refute Break-Up Rumors Australia's SILVERCHAIR have issued a statement via their official web site countering a press report from the weekend which suggested they had broken up. The group's statement reads as follows: "A Sydney newspaper ran a story yesterday which has created all sorts of false rumors about SILVERCHAIR. Its sensationalised headline has given some people the impression that the band is not going to work together again. SILVERCHAIR and their management would just like to set the record straight. "The situation right now is exactly the same as it was after the band finished touring 'Neon Ballroom'. It is also exactly the same as the group announced when they finished their world tour a few months ago – i.e. they are simply taking a break for an indefinite period of time. "The band currently has no recording or touring plans but that certainly doesn't mean that they won't ever record or tour again. It just means that after a really intense few years, they're each spending some time on non-SILVERCHAIR activities for a change. This is extremely common for bands who have been together for a decade. "At the moment [frontman] Daniel [Johns] is making an album with PAULMAC, Chris [Joannou] is doing some producing and recording stuff on the Central Coast and Ben [Gillies] has just finished travelling and is possibly going to feature in an indie film over the coming year. They all remain very good friends and there is absolutely nothing standing in the way of them making music together again in the future. "It is possible that they will all continue to do more non-SILVERCHAIR things over the next year or so but once they all get inspired to make more music together then that's exactly what they will do." SILVERCHAIR will release a live CD and DVD box set, entitled "Live From Faraway Stables", on November 10 in Australia. The package will come with a color booklet plus loads of special features. The audio was remixed in 5.1 surround sound by "Freak Show" and "Neon Ballroom" producer Nick Launay. The complete track listing for "Live From Faraway Stables" is as follows: Disc 1: 01. Overture – Act 1 02. After All These Years 03. World Upon Your Shoulders 04. Tuna In The Brine 05. Luv Your Life 06. Paint Pastel Princess 07. Petrol & Chlorine 08. Across The Night 09. Ana's Song 10. Miss You Love 11. Steam Will Rise Disc 2: 01. Overture – Act 2 02. Emotion Sickness 03. Without You 04. Israel's Son 05. Black Tangled Heart 06. Do You Feel The Same 07. The Greatest View 08. The Door 09. Freak 10. Anthem For The Year 2000 11. One Way Mule 12. Asylum 13. The Lever |
| 8 | STEVE VAI To Release 2-DVD Set In
November Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai will issue a two-DVD set, entitled "Live at the Astoria London", on November 18 through Favored Nations. "Live at the Astoria London" is Vai's first-ever live performance DVD, and it clocks in at more than 2 1/2 hours. It was filmed at the Astoria in London, England, on December 6 and 7, 2001, while on tour promoting Vai's "Alive in an Ultra World" album. Vai's all-star band includes bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Virgil Donati, guitarist/keyboardist Tony MacAlpine and guitarist Dave Weiner. The complete track listing for "Live at the Astoria London" is as follows: 01. Shyboy 02. Giant Balls of Gold 03. Erotic Nightmares 04. Blood & Glory 05. Dave's Party Piece 06. Blue Powder 07. Crying Machine 08. The Animal 09. Bangkok 10. Tony's Solo 11. Bad Horsie 12. Chameleon 13. Down Deep Into the Pain 14. Fire 15. Little Wing 16. Whispering a Prayer 17. Incantation 18. Jibboom 19. For the Love of God 20. Liberty 21. The Attitude Song Says Vai, "When I go to a show, I'm hoping to see it all. Great musicianship, nice songs, some kind of theatrical entertainment value etc. Since these are the things I like to see when I go to a concert, these are the things that I like to have in my set. To me it's important to perform familiar things and some new things too. There are several songs on this DVD that are first-time performances such as 'Blue Powder'. I added the Jimi Hendrix songs because of my deep respect for him and the familiarity level of his stuff with the fans." Vai loved the challenge of preparing this different set with the band, especially the guitar interplay with Tony MacAlpine and Dave Weiner. "Most of my songs have some deep intricacies in them. Two- to four-guitar part harmony, written keyboard melodies and such, so it takes quite a lot of focus and attention to the construction of the performance of many of my tracks. The idea is to make it sound accessible and entertaining," he says. "Good thing the guys in the band are both tremendously talented and patient. "Much of my music has rhythm guitars and many harmonies so it's advantageous to have musicians that can play the stuff so we can reproduce it live. If I want things to thin out I just request it. It's always an advantage to have another great guitarist in the band and in this case it's especially nice because they are such cool guys too." A great deal of work went into the preparation of "Live at the Astoria London", and it all started with the two concerts themselves and the attention to detail. The excitement and energy generated by a live performance provide that special spark. Special DVD features include a 5.1 Surround Sound audio mix, backstage footage, interviews, a commentary track by Vai and band members, band member biographies and Vai's discography. "The audio commentary is interesting because I have basically the whole band with me and we are discussing the show, the songs and each guy gets to talk a bit about their solos, what they were thinking etc.," says Vai. "The backstage footage is just hilarious. We worked out a few skits and there are interviews with some of the crew." Vai will promote "Live at the Astoria London" this October and November with the latest G3 North American tour with Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen on board. Billy Sheehan, Tony MacAlpine, Dave Weiner and new drummer Jeremy Colson will be playing with Vai on this fall's run of G3 shows. Remaining G3 '03 tour dates: Oct. 14 - Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre Oct. 15 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre Oct. 16 - Portland, OR @ Portland Art Museum Oct. 17 - Concord, CA @ Chronicle Pavilion Oct. 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre Oct. 20 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium Oct. 21 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theatre Oct. 22 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre Oct. 23 - Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills Oct. 24 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater Oct. 25 - Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre Oct. 27 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium Oct. 28 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Millennium Center Oct. 29 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle Oct. 30 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Oct. 31 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Kravis Center for the Arts Nov. 01 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues Nov. 02 - Pensacola, FL @ Saenger Theatre Nov. 04 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre Nov. 05 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre Nov. 06 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall Nov. 07 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre Nov. 08 - Pittsburgh, PA @ A.J. Palumbo Center Nov. 10 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theater Nov. 11 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theater Nov. 12 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre |
| 11 | PAPA ROACH Drummer Loves All Of MIA
TYLER PAPA ROACH's drummer Dave Buckner, who tips the scales at a hefty 250 pounds (114 kg), recently spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald about his relationship with Mia Tyler (daughter of AEROSMITH frontman Steve Tyler), the a proud "plus-size" model who is showing teenagers that sexy does not need to mean skinny. "I love Mia because she's a real woman," Buckner said. "She's sexy and beautiful, and she's confident in her own body. There's nothing that's more attractive than that. I'm a big guy and she's a big girl, but we just have the best time together." Mia, who is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall and weighs about 183 pounds (83 kg), added, "Dave was with me when my mum died. She had been ill for quite a while. She had been diagnosed with cancer and the doctors gave her 18 months — and she lived exactly 18 months. She was only 50." She pointed to a tattoo of a Celtic cross entwined in a chain on her left arm. "My Mom had an identical one and I had this done when she died. If Dave and I can go through that, we can survive anything." The couple are due to marry next month and share a home in Sacramento, two hours north of San Francisco. Mia says the deciding factor in her wedding plans was her father's disappointment that her stepsister Liv Tyler eloped with British rocker Royston Langdon of the group SPACEHOG, in March. "I know Dad secretly wants to walk one of his daughters down the aisle. He's a big softie. He's done his rock'n'roll bit. He's been married to my stepmother Teresa for 22 years." Mia thrusted her ring finger forward. On it, tattooed, was a tiny blue and red star. "That's my engagement ring. Honey, show her yours," she asked Buckner, who dutifully flashed his matching tattoo. For wedding rings they are designing platinum skulls with diamond eyes. Mia plans to wear black at the wedding. |
| 13 | SCARVE: New Album To Be Released In
Limited-Edition Digipak France's SCARVE will release their third album, "Irradiant", in a special, limited-edition digipak version, featuring loads of bonus stuff, including the video for "Emulate The Soul". The follow-up to 2002's "Luminiferous" was recorded at Dug-Out Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producers Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Örjan Örnkloo (MISERY LOVES CO.) and features a guest appearance by DEFLESHED vocalist/bassist Gustaf Jorde. "We've received the final mastered version of 'Irradiant' and it SMOKES!" the band write on their web site. "Thomas Eberger at Cutting Room has succeeded in perfecting the wall of sound beyond belief. Furthermore, the amazing futuristic 3D artwork created by Dennis Sibeijn @ DamnEngine (who also handled the incredible graphics on ABORTED's latest offering) is nearing completion." "Irradiant" is slated for release in late January through Listenable Records. In other news, SCARVE guitarist Sylvain Coudret recorded one of his mind-altering guitar solos for instrumental rock act PLUG-IN's upcoming offering. Other guests set to appear on the album include guitar wizards Ron Thal (BUMBLEFOOT), Mattias 'IA' Eklundh (FREAK KITCHEN), Christophe Godin (GNÔ), Patrick Rondat (ELEGY), Andy Timmons (DANGER DANGER) and Cyril Achard. Expect a release in the coming months. SCARVE's next live appearance will take place on Saturday, October 18 at the Brise-Glace in Annecy, France. Also appearing on the bill will be LYZANXIA, EVERLOUD and OSIRION. A mini-tour featuring SCARVE and Parisian death-metallers DROWNING is being planned for between November 7 and 11. More information will be made available soon. |
| 16 | ALEX SKOLNICK To Sit Out TRANS-SIBERIAN
ORCHESTRA Tour Former TESTAMENT/SAVATAGE guitarist Alex Skolnick has announced his decision not to participate in this year's TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tour. The following is Alex's official statement on the matter: "It is with mixed emotions that I announce my decision to not participate in this year's TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tour. It has been an honor to be a part of the TSO show and the personel involved have been an absolute pleasure to work with. In fact, there have been many close friendships and working situations that would not have come about had it not been for TSO. In addition, I've met legions of new fans because of TSO, many of whom continue to express how important my involvement in the show is to them. I don't take this lightly for a moment and hate to disappoint anyone. I continue to value all that has resulted from my involvement with this special project known as TSO. "That said, I've had to make the very difficult decision of either doing the 2003 tour or focusing on my own music. Having done the TSO tour for the last three years in a row, I know firsthand that the nearly two months of straight touring is very intense and requires a focus and dedication that doesn't leave room for much else. Up until now, this hasn't been a problem, but at the present time, I feel a serious need to be connected to my own music on a deep level. As a result, I can't see going out on the road for the 2003 TSO tour. "I hope to do another ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO CD soon. In order to make this happen, I really need the rest of this year to focus on it. The key word really is 'focus.' I'd like to be able to say I could jump into TSO and come right back to my jazz improv without missing a beat but I just can't. It would be unfair to myself, to TSO and to the fans to do this during a period where I need to focus on something else. I've spoken to Paul O'Neil, Bob Kinkel and other TSO brass, all of whom are very understanding and supportive of my situation. Thankfully, I'm still considered part of the team and look forward to participating at a less intense level (back up guitarist, assisting w/rehearsals, etc...). And a return to the TSO tours of the future is certainly a possibility. I'm sure this year's tour is still going to be great and hope you all continue to check out the show. Thank you all for your support and understanding." Skolnick has also commented on the recently completed Guitarevolution tour, which featured ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO performing alongside Marty Friedman's solo band (ex-MEGADETH) and Chris Poland's (ex-MEGADETH, DAMN THE MACHINE) OHM project. Says Alex, "I can't tell you what a blast we had on this tour. Imagine Marty Friedman, myself and our musicians all on one vehicle. It was a traveling guitar circus. At times it felt like one huge band. There was a lot of 'lick trading' going on. Chris traveled separately but we were definitely all on the same team. "It was really nice to reach all these new people. Many showed up who had no idea what the trio was all about and everyone seemed to get it. It really feels like things are reaching a whole new level. It's so great to be on this journey of musical discovery and be able to take so many with us. "A highlight was Slim's in San Francisco. It's always great to come back to my old stomping grounds of the Bay Area, and it was great to have both Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT) and a hero of mine that I'd never met before, Dave Meniketti (Y&T) there digging the show. Another highlight was the last night in Sacramento where Chris and I joined Marty's band and played 'Deuce' by, who else, KISS. "Thanks to all that came out and showed support. On behalf of Marty, Chris and each of our bands, We can honestly say this tour was a success. While we can't make any promises, everyone involved wishes to see it extend into other regions of the U.S. (and hopefully beyond) next year and this is already being discussed." |
| 18 | BIOHAZARD: DVD, Possible Live Album On
The Way BIOHAZARD drummer Danny Schuler has posted the following update on the band's official web site: "Wazzup! Danny from BIOHAZARD here, just wanna post a new update and let everyone know what's going on with us. Right now we're getting to work on the DVD. Problem is, we have so much material it might have to stretch into SEVERAL DVDs! We've got stuff from when we first started in 1988 on up through today, hundreds of shows, interviews, personal tour videos, backstage footage, studio stuff, all the videos we've ever done, etc, etc, etc. That's about 15 years of footage to go through! Needless to say, we've got a lot of work ahead of us. Should be in stores early in 2004. "Also, we're getting to work on another BIOHAZARD CD for next year. We're gonna take our time on this one, it's gotta be the best ever! We're also talking about a live CD to coincide with the DVD release, who knows... "The 'Kill Or Be Killed' world tour was a lot of fun for us, we're still doing shows here and there, but mostly we're done touring for the year. We really wanna re-group and do a sick CD for all our people who care. I'm so sick of all the crap out there these days, time to do something innovative and different, take this shit to the next level! We'll give it a shot, anyways. Take care, send me some e-mail at DANBIOHAZ@aol.com Later... Danny/BIOHAZARD." |
| 20 | CROWBAR Change Album Title, Set
Tentative Track Listing New Orleans-based sludge-meisters CROWBAR have changed the working title of their forthcoming CD to "Life's Blood For The Downtrodden" from the previously announced "You Don't Need An Enemy To Have A War". The follow-up to 2001's "Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form" was recorded in Louisiana with producers Warren Riker (DOWN) and Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN). Brown is also handling the bass duties on the album, which marks a return to the group's recording lineup of drummer Craig Nunenmacher (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY). The tentative track listing for "Life's Blood For The Downtrodden" is as follows: 01. New Dawn 02. Slave No More 03. Angels Wings 04. Dead Sun 05. Strained 06. Holding Something 07. P.B.R. 08. Take All You've Known 09. Moon 10. The Violent Reaction "Life's Blood For The Downtrodden" is tentatively slated for release in February 2004. More information will be made available soon. |
| 22 | SPIRAL ARCHITECT: We Have Not Broken Up! Norwegian progressive metallers SPIRAL ARCHITECT have posted the following message on their official web site: "We have received lots of mail lately asking if we have broken up or are not going to release a new album. The answer to that is that we are very much alive and will definitely record a new album. However, we still haven't started rehearsing the new material so you'll probably have to wait some more years (you might say we're in no rush...). [Drummer] Asgeir [Mickelson] is building a studio next year and we will be demoing everything there — maybe even use it for the album. Another recurring question is about tabs. We don't have anything ready for you yet but it will be published one day (remember, we're in no rush...). Please know that the tabs available on the Internet made by others have LOTS of errors. "Other 'news' is that Asgeir has been busy during the summer recording drums for BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG, TOR HØILAND (ex-MANITOU, HEARTLESS guitarist) and LUNARIS (guest on one song). [Vocalist/keyboardist] Øyvind [Hægeland] is recording bass and vocals on the new LUNARIS album and TOR HØILAND's solo album in between rehearsing and gigging with ARCTURUS. [Bassist/programmer] Lars [K. Norberg] and [lead guitarist] Steinar [Gundersen] are busy headbanging for SATYRICON..." |
| 24 | NAPALM DEATH, NASUM, ANAL CUNT To Team
Up For Japanese Tour NAPALM DEATH, NASUM, ANAL CUNT and PIG DETROYER will be teaming up for the Extreme The Dojo VII tour of Japan in January. Confirmed dates are as follows: Jan. 09 - Club Quattro – Osaka, JAP Jan. 10 - Club Quattro – Nagoya, JAP Jan. 12 - Club Quattro - Tokyo, JAP In other NASUM-related news, the band's performance at Ungdomens Hus in Uppsala, Sweden on Monday (October 13) will be filmed by Swedish TV for a feature on the show "Studio Pop" later on this fall. Also appearing at the gig will be TRAGEDY (headliners) and DISPERFECT DAYS (support). Upcoming NASUM shows in Sweden: Oct. 13 – Uppsala, SWE @ Ungdomens Hus Nov. 07 – Visby, SWE @ Shindig/Effes Nov. 08 – Visby, SWE @ Roxy As previously reported, NASUM recently upgraded their lineup from a trio to a quartet. Replacing bassist Jesper Liveröd, who exited the band in order to pursue Kerry King-approved noise-mongers BURST, was Jon "Elle" Lindkvist (VICTIMS, SAYYADENA). Also joining the outfit was REGURGUTATE guitarist Urban Skytt. |