The official release party for OZZY OSBOURNE's "Speak Of The Devil" DVD will be held on Friday, July 13 at Duff's Brooklyn in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The address is:
Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York
For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.
The "Speak Of The Devil" DVD will be released on July 17 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.
This show was filmed at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in California on June 12, 1982 as part of the delayed continuation of the "Diary Of A Madman" tour following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads a few months earlier. The audio has been digitally restored and remastered and is now available in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound for the first time. "Speak Of The Devil" includes the classics "Mr. Crowley", "Over The Mountain", "Crazy Train", "Flying High Again", "Iron Man", "Paranoid", "Goodbye To Romance" and many more.
The concert is a perfect snapshot of Ozzy Osbourne's live performances in the Eighties with dramatic staging and masses of energy with a setlist based around his first two solo albums and a few BLACK SABBATH classics. The lineup for this show features Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Don Airey (keyboards); Tommy Aldridge (drums); Brad Gillis (guitar) and Rudy Sarzo (bass).
Sarzo previously told AOL's Noisecreep about "Speak Of The Devil", "I've been looking forward to watching this since seeing the initial broadcast on Halloween in 1982. It was filmed in Southern California so it was a kind of hometown gig for all of us in the band because we all lived in the L.A. area. And of course, what makes it really special is that the person we are playing for, although he is not there in body, is truly present with us. You feel it. . . This particular show was really about capturing something unique. Rarely do you see a band doing a video where the main character or performer is not there. Randy Rhoads is missing — but we were all playing in the spirit of Randy. Every performance that happened after the crash was basically leading us all through the steps of grieving - every single one. And so by the time we were doing that last show, it was a celebration — purely a celebration of Randy Rhoads. By that night we had reached a truly special level and so to have it captured so professionally is very exciting for all of us. And remember, this was really the last tour that featured so much from 'Blizzard Of Ozz' and 'Diary Of A Madman', which Ozzy wrote with Randy. So all of the music that's featured is very special, too."
When asked if he had any special memories from that day, before the actual concert, Sarzo said, "Well, there used to be a Lion Country Safari right next to the venue. So before the show Ozzy did a photo shoot and I think he had an altercation with a monkey or something. I was not there — but I think any creature would be afraid of the guy who bit the head off of a bat. [laughs]"
"Speak Of The Devil" track listing:
01. Over The Mountain
02. Mr Crowley
03. Crazy Train
04. Revelation (Mother Earth)
05. Steal Away (The Night)
06. Suicide Solution
07. Guitar / Drum Solo
08. Goodbye To Romance
09. I Don't Know
10. Believer
11. Flying High Again
12. Iron Man
13. Children Of The Grave
14. Paranoid
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/speakduffs.jpg
The address is:
Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York
For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.
The "Speak Of The Devil" DVD will be released on July 17 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.
This show was filmed at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in California on June 12, 1982 as part of the delayed continuation of the "Diary Of A Madman" tour following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads a few months earlier. The audio has been digitally restored and remastered and is now available in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound for the first time. "Speak Of The Devil" includes the classics "Mr. Crowley", "Over The Mountain", "Crazy Train", "Flying High Again", "Iron Man", "Paranoid", "Goodbye To Romance" and many more.
The concert is a perfect snapshot of Ozzy Osbourne's live performances in the Eighties with dramatic staging and masses of energy with a setlist based around his first two solo albums and a few BLACK SABBATH classics. The lineup for this show features Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Don Airey (keyboards); Tommy Aldridge (drums); Brad Gillis (guitar) and Rudy Sarzo (bass).
Sarzo previously told AOL's Noisecreep about "Speak Of The Devil", "I've been looking forward to watching this since seeing the initial broadcast on Halloween in 1982. It was filmed in Southern California so it was a kind of hometown gig for all of us in the band because we all lived in the L.A. area. And of course, what makes it really special is that the person we are playing for, although he is not there in body, is truly present with us. You feel it. . . This particular show was really about capturing something unique. Rarely do you see a band doing a video where the main character or performer is not there. Randy Rhoads is missing — but we were all playing in the spirit of Randy. Every performance that happened after the crash was basically leading us all through the steps of grieving - every single one. And so by the time we were doing that last show, it was a celebration — purely a celebration of Randy Rhoads. By that night we had reached a truly special level and so to have it captured so professionally is very exciting for all of us. And remember, this was really the last tour that featured so much from 'Blizzard Of Ozz' and 'Diary Of A Madman', which Ozzy wrote with Randy. So all of the music that's featured is very special, too."
When asked if he had any special memories from that day, before the actual concert, Sarzo said, "Well, there used to be a Lion Country Safari right next to the venue. So before the show Ozzy did a photo shoot and I think he had an altercation with a monkey or something. I was not there — but I think any creature would be afraid of the guy who bit the head off of a bat. [laughs]"
"Speak Of The Devil" track listing:
01. Over The Mountain
02. Mr Crowley
03. Crazy Train
04. Revelation (Mother Earth)
05. Steal Away (The Night)
06. Suicide Solution
07. Guitar / Drum Solo
08. Goodbye To Romance
09. I Don't Know
10. Believer
11. Flying High Again
12. Iron Man
13. Children Of The Grave
14. Paranoid
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/speakduffs.jpg
Ozzy Osbourne and his wife/manager Sharon have offered their support to LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe as he fights a manslaughter charge in the Czech Republic.
In a post on her Twitter profile, Sharon ?wrote, "Please support former Ozzfest member Randy Blythe from LAMB OF GOD. ?Free Randy Blythe?." Ozzy later re-tweeted the message on his own account.
Blythe remains behind bars in a Czech prison after the Prague State Attorney's Office filed a complaint against the singer's release on bail.
On Monday (July 9), the attorney's office spokeswoman Štepánka Zenklová confirmed that the complaint was delivered to the Prague 8 district court this past Friday (July 6).
Zenklová told the Prague Daily Monitor that she could not specify the justification of the complaint. The Prague City Court will deal with it now.
The complaint was filed with a Prague district court that was in charge of the case. It is to pass the decision-making on the bail to the City Court.
The City Court can either meet the complaint and annul the bail or it can approve the release on bail, and then the Prague attorney would comment on it again, district court judge Petr Fassati said.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal group — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In a post on her Twitter profile, Sharon ?wrote, "Please support former Ozzfest member Randy Blythe from LAMB OF GOD. ?Free Randy Blythe?." Ozzy later re-tweeted the message on his own account.
Blythe remains behind bars in a Czech prison after the Prague State Attorney's Office filed a complaint against the singer's release on bail.
On Monday (July 9), the attorney's office spokeswoman Štepánka Zenklová confirmed that the complaint was delivered to the Prague 8 district court this past Friday (July 6).
Zenklová told the Prague Daily Monitor that she could not specify the justification of the complaint. The Prague City Court will deal with it now.
The complaint was filed with a Prague district court that was in charge of the case. It is to pass the decision-making on the bail to the City Court.
The City Court can either meet the complaint and annul the bail or it can approve the release on bail, and then the Prague attorney would comment on it again, district court judge Petr Fassati said.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal group — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The official video for AEROSMITH's new single, "Legendary Child", can be seen below. The clip was filmed with director Casey Patrick Tebo, who also is helming a new concert film titled "Aerosmith: Rock For The Rising Sun". According to Tebo's official web site, the movie, which will focus on AEROSMITH's relationship with the group's Japanese fans, will be released later this year or in 2013.
"Legendary Child" recently landed on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart at No. 32 and the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 2. On the former chart, the song was the group's first entry since 2006, when "Devil's Got a New Disguise" reached No. 15.
"Legendary Child" will appear on AEROSMITH's 15th studio album, titled "Music From Another Dimension", which will arrive on November 6 via Columbia Records. The track was also supposed to be included in the upcoming summer film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", but that movie was abruptly bumped from its June 29 release date to March 2013.
AEROSMITH premiered "Legendary Child"with a live performance during the season finale of "American Idol". It is a reworked version of a song originally written in 1991 during the sessions for the "Get A Grip" album.
"Music From Another Dimension" track listing:
01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while singer Steven Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
"Music From Another Dimension" is being helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".
"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry recently told Billboard.com. "This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."
"Legendary Child" recently landed on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart at No. 32 and the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 2. On the former chart, the song was the group's first entry since 2006, when "Devil's Got a New Disguise" reached No. 15.
"Legendary Child" will appear on AEROSMITH's 15th studio album, titled "Music From Another Dimension", which will arrive on November 6 via Columbia Records. The track was also supposed to be included in the upcoming summer film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", but that movie was abruptly bumped from its June 29 release date to March 2013.
AEROSMITH premiered "Legendary Child"with a live performance during the season finale of "American Idol". It is a reworked version of a song originally written in 1991 during the sessions for the "Get A Grip" album.
"Music From Another Dimension" track listing:
01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while singer Steven Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
"Music From Another Dimension" is being helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".
"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry recently told Billboard.com. "This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iXNwEaQoJU&feature=player_embedded
Eagle Rock Entertainment has announce the September 25 release of the Freddie Mercury DVD and Blu-ray, "The Great Pretender".
Created by the same team behind the widely acclaimed "Queen: Days Of Our Lives" BBC documentary, "The Great Pretender", in similar vein, presents a compelling insight into its subject matter, unearthing previously undiscovered or rarely seen footage and presented for the first time in High Definition.
Produced and directed by Rhys Thomas, life-long QUEEN fan and expert (to the extent that Rhys famously broke the "Mastermind" all-time record points score with a specialist subject of QUEEN), Rhys has this time turned his attention to the Freddie archive, going back as early as 1976 in search of vintage gems which reveal more than ever before the inside story of Freddie's life and career and the solo projects he worked on outside of QUEEN.
The extensive archive footage is drawn from rare interviews with Freddie, concerts, video shoots and personal material, much of it being seen for the first time, along with newly filmed contributions from fellow QUEEN members Brian May and Roger Taylor, QUEEN manager Jim Beach, soprano Montserrat Caballé, composers David Arnold and Mike Moran, lyricist Tim Rice, comedian and lifelong fan Matt Lucas and many more.
From it emerges a portrait of a man who was very different to his flamboyant onstage public persona.
Among the treasures to be anticipated, "The Great Pretender" includes for the first time ever Freddie and Rod Stewart singing their demo for "Take Another Piece Of My Heart", an unreleased song from 1984, a snippet of the unreleased Michael Jackson / Freddie Mercury collaboration "There Must Be More To Life Than This", and Freddie with the Royal Ballet 1979 — never seen in full before.
Rhys, whose extensive scouting for lost material turned up a copy of the band's first TV appearance among the belongings of late comedian Dick Emery, brings to the light Freddie's earliest filmed interview from 1976 unearthed in Australia and another unseen interview from 1976 filmed by NBC in the USA.
Rhys also found 10 cans of Freddie's 39th Black and White birthday party in Mrs. Henderson's nightclub in Munich in 1985. Originally filmed for the video for "Living On My Own", and promptly banned by Freddie's record company because of its cross-dressing theme, there's much to be enjoyed in watching Freddie and his friends go full out in their efforts to help Freddie celebrate his last birthday before turning 40.
On top of this, "The Great Pretender" has a feast of outtakes from the video shoots for "I Want To Break Free", "One Vision", "Days Of Our Lives", "I Want It All", "A Kind Of Magic", "Princes Of The Universe", "Living On My Own", "Born To Love You", "Great Pretender", "Made In Heaven" and "Who Wants To Live Forever".
As bonus features (that will not make up part of the version to be broadcast by the BBC), the program includes "Freddie Mercury Goes Solo" and an extended interview with Montserrat Caballé.
Coinciding with the release of "The Great Pretender" DVD will come the release of the new "Barcelona: Special Edition" album with Freddie and Montserrat's original album re-recorded with full 80 piece orchestra (a feature on the making of this album is included on both formats) and a new book, also entitled "The Great Pretender" with matching artwork, in September. The Savoy Hotel hosts the second "Freddie For A Day" charity event on September 3 in aid of The Mercury Phoenix Trust - Fighting Aids Worldwide and there is a special premiere of "The Great Pretender" film at BAFTA on September 6.
Freddie Mercury was one of the most charismatic, complex and fascinating characters in British rock music. A generous, caring, thoughtful man with a self-deprecating sense of humor and a genuine passion for music. Freddie Mercury touched the lives of millions through his career both with QUEEN and as a solo performer and this new program is sure to delight and inform his legions of fans as never before.
Created by the same team behind the widely acclaimed "Queen: Days Of Our Lives" BBC documentary, "The Great Pretender", in similar vein, presents a compelling insight into its subject matter, unearthing previously undiscovered or rarely seen footage and presented for the first time in High Definition.
Produced and directed by Rhys Thomas, life-long QUEEN fan and expert (to the extent that Rhys famously broke the "Mastermind" all-time record points score with a specialist subject of QUEEN), Rhys has this time turned his attention to the Freddie archive, going back as early as 1976 in search of vintage gems which reveal more than ever before the inside story of Freddie's life and career and the solo projects he worked on outside of QUEEN.
The extensive archive footage is drawn from rare interviews with Freddie, concerts, video shoots and personal material, much of it being seen for the first time, along with newly filmed contributions from fellow QUEEN members Brian May and Roger Taylor, QUEEN manager Jim Beach, soprano Montserrat Caballé, composers David Arnold and Mike Moran, lyricist Tim Rice, comedian and lifelong fan Matt Lucas and many more.
From it emerges a portrait of a man who was very different to his flamboyant onstage public persona.
Among the treasures to be anticipated, "The Great Pretender" includes for the first time ever Freddie and Rod Stewart singing their demo for "Take Another Piece Of My Heart", an unreleased song from 1984, a snippet of the unreleased Michael Jackson / Freddie Mercury collaboration "There Must Be More To Life Than This", and Freddie with the Royal Ballet 1979 — never seen in full before.
Rhys, whose extensive scouting for lost material turned up a copy of the band's first TV appearance among the belongings of late comedian Dick Emery, brings to the light Freddie's earliest filmed interview from 1976 unearthed in Australia and another unseen interview from 1976 filmed by NBC in the USA.
Rhys also found 10 cans of Freddie's 39th Black and White birthday party in Mrs. Henderson's nightclub in Munich in 1985. Originally filmed for the video for "Living On My Own", and promptly banned by Freddie's record company because of its cross-dressing theme, there's much to be enjoyed in watching Freddie and his friends go full out in their efforts to help Freddie celebrate his last birthday before turning 40.
On top of this, "The Great Pretender" has a feast of outtakes from the video shoots for "I Want To Break Free", "One Vision", "Days Of Our Lives", "I Want It All", "A Kind Of Magic", "Princes Of The Universe", "Living On My Own", "Born To Love You", "Great Pretender", "Made In Heaven" and "Who Wants To Live Forever".
As bonus features (that will not make up part of the version to be broadcast by the BBC), the program includes "Freddie Mercury Goes Solo" and an extended interview with Montserrat Caballé.
Coinciding with the release of "The Great Pretender" DVD will come the release of the new "Barcelona: Special Edition" album with Freddie and Montserrat's original album re-recorded with full 80 piece orchestra (a feature on the making of this album is included on both formats) and a new book, also entitled "The Great Pretender" with matching artwork, in September. The Savoy Hotel hosts the second "Freddie For A Day" charity event on September 3 in aid of The Mercury Phoenix Trust - Fighting Aids Worldwide and there is a special premiere of "The Great Pretender" film at BAFTA on September 6.
Freddie Mercury was one of the most charismatic, complex and fascinating characters in British rock music. A generous, caring, thoughtful man with a self-deprecating sense of humor and a genuine passion for music. Freddie Mercury touched the lives of millions through his career both with QUEEN and as a solo performer and this new program is sure to delight and inform his legions of fans as never before.
Legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and his own band DIO, would have celebrated his 70th birthday today (Tuesday, July 10) had he not passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.
In a posting on his official web site, legendary bassist Geezer Butler — who played with Ronnie in both BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL — wrote, "Today, July 10th, Ronnie should have been celebrating his 70th birthday, and probably would have been if he'd had his health checked regularly. I once asked him if he'd ever thought about retiring. He said he would make that decision on his 70th birthday. That is why today is so poignant.I think I know what his decision would have been."
Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.
In March 2011, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
His wife and manager, Wendy Dio, still oversees all projects and releases related to the career and music of her late husband.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.
His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.
Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".
He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
He has also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".
Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.
Rock and metal musicians around the world paid tribute to Dio in the weeks and months following his death. STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor shared his feelings with The Pulse Of Radio about the fallen metal icon. "When I got that news that he had passed away, man, it seriously — it broke my heart. It broke it in two. Because honestly, I just feel like there will never be another Ronnie James Dio. He had such a pure voice — and still singing his ass off. I just know he'll be missed, and I will miss him as well."
Ex-VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT bassist Michael Anthony also shared his memories of Dio with The Pulse Of Radio. "I don't know anybody that didn't grow up listening to his stuff," he said. "You know, VAN HALEN, we used to do from the first RAINBOW album, we did 'Man On The Silver Mountain'. I remember one time, the second VAN HALEN tour we were doing some festivals in Europe, and we actually played on the same show as Ronnie's band. Real powerful voice, you know, and definitely a driving force in hard rock music, that guy was."
Slash told The Pulse Of Radio that he felt the loss of Dio very keenly. "He's just somebody I was influenced by," he said. " I played all the RAINBOW stuff, I played the DIO stuff, the SABBATH stuff when I was in, you know, high school. I don't think that it's really set in what a, you know, huge figure in rock 'n' roll we lost, you know. Really major. Probably one of the most influential heavy metal singers of all time."
In a posting on his official web site, legendary bassist Geezer Butler — who played with Ronnie in both BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL — wrote, "Today, July 10th, Ronnie should have been celebrating his 70th birthday, and probably would have been if he'd had his health checked regularly. I once asked him if he'd ever thought about retiring. He said he would make that decision on his 70th birthday. That is why today is so poignant.I think I know what his decision would have been."
Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.
In March 2011, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
His wife and manager, Wendy Dio, still oversees all projects and releases related to the career and music of her late husband.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.
His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.
Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".
He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
He has also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".
Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.
Rock and metal musicians around the world paid tribute to Dio in the weeks and months following his death. STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor shared his feelings with The Pulse Of Radio about the fallen metal icon. "When I got that news that he had passed away, man, it seriously — it broke my heart. It broke it in two. Because honestly, I just feel like there will never be another Ronnie James Dio. He had such a pure voice — and still singing his ass off. I just know he'll be missed, and I will miss him as well."
Ex-VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT bassist Michael Anthony also shared his memories of Dio with The Pulse Of Radio. "I don't know anybody that didn't grow up listening to his stuff," he said. "You know, VAN HALEN, we used to do from the first RAINBOW album, we did 'Man On The Silver Mountain'. I remember one time, the second VAN HALEN tour we were doing some festivals in Europe, and we actually played on the same show as Ronnie's band. Real powerful voice, you know, and definitely a driving force in hard rock music, that guy was."
Slash told The Pulse Of Radio that he felt the loss of Dio very keenly. "He's just somebody I was influenced by," he said. " I played all the RAINBOW stuff, I played the DIO stuff, the SABBATH stuff when I was in, you know, high school. I don't think that it's really set in what a, you know, huge figure in rock 'n' roll we lost, you know. Really major. Probably one of the most influential heavy metal singers of all time."
According to Kicks On Fire, the new collaboration between METALLICA and Vans — one of the world's leaders in the shoe and apparel market — is slated for release next year, honoring the 30th anniversary of the band's first studio album, "Kill 'Em All". The "Kill 'Em All" pack will consist of both the Vans Slip On and Sk8 Hi, with each one dressed in the hand and hammer design used for the cover art. Done in red, white and black, the vibrant kicks will give anyone instant rock-star status.
Originally issued on July 25, 1983 through the independent label Megaforce Records, "Kill 'Em All" was recorded in two weeks on a miniscule budget in upstate New York. Although only 1,500 copies were initially pressed, the album was reissued by Elektra Records after the band signed to that label in 1984 and has since been certified triple platinum for sales of more than three million copies.
The original title of "Kill 'Em All" was "Metal Up Your Ass".
The album's opening cut, "Hit the Lights", was the first song that frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich wrote together after forming METALLICA. An early version of the track appeared on the 1982 compilation "Metal Massacre".
Lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was replaced by Kirk Hammett shortly before recording commenced, although Mustaine still has several writing credits on the disc and went on to form MEGADETH.
A number of songs from the album are still part of METALLICA's set list to this day, including "The Four Horsemen", "Seek and Destroy" and "No Remorse".
METALLICA has since gone on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world, selling tens of millions of copies of its eight studio albums, including 15 million alone of 1991's self-titled "black album." The band's ninth effort, "Death Magnetic", arrived in 2008.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/metvans1.jpg
Originally issued on July 25, 1983 through the independent label Megaforce Records, "Kill 'Em All" was recorded in two weeks on a miniscule budget in upstate New York. Although only 1,500 copies were initially pressed, the album was reissued by Elektra Records after the band signed to that label in 1984 and has since been certified triple platinum for sales of more than three million copies.
The original title of "Kill 'Em All" was "Metal Up Your Ass".
The album's opening cut, "Hit the Lights", was the first song that frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich wrote together after forming METALLICA. An early version of the track appeared on the 1982 compilation "Metal Massacre".
Lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was replaced by Kirk Hammett shortly before recording commenced, although Mustaine still has several writing credits on the disc and went on to form MEGADETH.
A number of songs from the album are still part of METALLICA's set list to this day, including "The Four Horsemen", "Seek and Destroy" and "No Remorse".
METALLICA has since gone on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world, selling tens of millions of copies of its eight studio albums, including 15 million alone of 1991's self-titled "black album." The band's ninth effort, "Death Magnetic", arrived in 2008.
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THIN LIZZY recently entered the studio to begin recording its first new album in nearly 30 years for a tentative 2013 release. It will be the group's first studio set since "Thunder And Lightning" in 1983, and its first to not include frontman Phil Lynott, who died in 1986.
THIN LIZZY's current lineup features Lynott-era LIZZY members Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (drums) and Darren Wharton (keyboards), as well as guitarist Damon Johnson, formerly of BROTHER CANE and Alice Cooper's band, former THE ALMIGHTY singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, and bassist Marco Mendoza.
In a brand new interview with Gibson.com, Johnson stated about THIN LIZZY's plans for a new studio album, "We all know it's going to be under the microscope. We know there will be pundits who criticize it. But pundits aren't necessarily fans. The fans have always wanted these amazing songs to continue to be performed live. And now we need new material to put extra life into this."
Regarding how the new material is sounding, Johnson said, "There's been a commitment from everyone to embrace the diversity of what THIN LIZZY is. Towards the original end, they made 'Thunder And Lightning'. That album was so heavy. A lot of the writing, it seemed Phil wanted to go down a heavy metal route for a while. That's not what the new album will be. There are some big fat riffs. Classic. I can assure you, we have the riffs. We have eight-to-10 songs written, we want to finish another 10."
On the topic of how Ricky Warwick is handling it all as THIN LIZZY's new frontman, Johnson said, "Ricky has been amazing. There is no easier target in this than Ricky — he knows that. But he has blown my mind with his writing. He's constantly writing, constantly reading, changing things to make lyrics better. I've done my own share of lyric writing, but I've never seen someone work so hard as Ricky. We can bring any piece of music to Ricky, and he comes up with a killer lyric. He deserves a huge amount of credit. He's not just 'a new frontman.' The guy is a class songwriter. And that's what Scott and Brian needed to make another THIN LIZZY record."
THIN LIZZY's current lineup features Lynott-era LIZZY members Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (drums) and Darren Wharton (keyboards), as well as guitarist Damon Johnson, formerly of BROTHER CANE and Alice Cooper's band, former THE ALMIGHTY singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, and bassist Marco Mendoza.
In a brand new interview with Gibson.com, Johnson stated about THIN LIZZY's plans for a new studio album, "We all know it's going to be under the microscope. We know there will be pundits who criticize it. But pundits aren't necessarily fans. The fans have always wanted these amazing songs to continue to be performed live. And now we need new material to put extra life into this."
Regarding how the new material is sounding, Johnson said, "There's been a commitment from everyone to embrace the diversity of what THIN LIZZY is. Towards the original end, they made 'Thunder And Lightning'. That album was so heavy. A lot of the writing, it seemed Phil wanted to go down a heavy metal route for a while. That's not what the new album will be. There are some big fat riffs. Classic. I can assure you, we have the riffs. We have eight-to-10 songs written, we want to finish another 10."
On the topic of how Ricky Warwick is handling it all as THIN LIZZY's new frontman, Johnson said, "Ricky has been amazing. There is no easier target in this than Ricky — he knows that. But he has blown my mind with his writing. He's constantly writing, constantly reading, changing things to make lyrics better. I've done my own share of lyric writing, but I've never seen someone work so hard as Ricky. We can bring any piece of music to Ricky, and he comes up with a killer lyric. He deserves a huge amount of credit. He's not just 'a new frontman.' The guy is a class songwriter. And that's what Scott and Brian needed to make another THIN LIZZY record."
On July 9, the Honorable Dennis Hupp, Circuit Court Judge for Warren County, Virginia, dismissed with prejudice Tareq Salahi's $50 million dollar lawsuit against the rock band JOURNEY and lead guitarist Neal Schon.
After having his initial complaint dismissed on April 13 for failure to state a claim, Salahi hired a new attorney and attempted to repackage what has been described by Schon's publicist as a "legally and factually deficient complaint." However, after a two-hour hearing, Salahi's amended complaint was, yet again, dismissed — this time with prejudice.
Spearheading the successful legal efforts of Schon and JOURNEY were Bruce Blanchard, Esq. and Stephen Cobb, Esq., shareholders in the litigation group at the Virginia law firm of Odin, Feldman, & Pittleman P.C.
Upon the dismissal of the amended complaint with prejudice, Blanchard remarked, "As we have said all along, this case did not have a basis in law or in fact and was not worthy of the Court's time." Cobb added, '[This] is more than a win for our clients, it is a victory for common sense."
Schon is currently prepping for the July 11-12 video shoot for the title track from his new solo album, "The Calling", which is due to be released later this month.
After having his initial complaint dismissed on April 13 for failure to state a claim, Salahi hired a new attorney and attempted to repackage what has been described by Schon's publicist as a "legally and factually deficient complaint." However, after a two-hour hearing, Salahi's amended complaint was, yet again, dismissed — this time with prejudice.
Spearheading the successful legal efforts of Schon and JOURNEY were Bruce Blanchard, Esq. and Stephen Cobb, Esq., shareholders in the litigation group at the Virginia law firm of Odin, Feldman, & Pittleman P.C.
Upon the dismissal of the amended complaint with prejudice, Blanchard remarked, "As we have said all along, this case did not have a basis in law or in fact and was not worthy of the Court's time." Cobb added, '[This] is more than a win for our clients, it is a victory for common sense."
Schon is currently prepping for the July 11-12 video shoot for the title track from his new solo album, "The Calling", which is due to be released later this month.
QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren announced on June 20 that they were parting ways with singer Geoff Tate and recruiting powerhouse vocalist Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY as his replacement. The new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup has already performed live, having played two shows in their home city of Seattle under the name RISING WEST.
In a recent interview with RollingStone.com, Tate revealed that he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates on June 12 in King County Superior Court in the state of Washington in order to "sort out who is what, and who owns what, and that stuff." Tate is also attempting to get a court injunction against Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield that would prevent them from using the name QUEENSRŸCHE for their new group.
On Monday, July 9, Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield filed a response to Tate's motion for preliminary injunction and included individual declarations from all of the defendants supporting their position that Tate's motion should be denied. As one would expect, these documents — copies of which have been obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET — contain startling details about the circumstances that led to the split between the singer and his one-time friends and longtime bandmates.
Several excerpts from Scott Rockenfield's declaration follow below.
"After [2005], Geoff and [his wife] Susan Tate began controlling the band's direction and Geoff Tate insisted on pushing only the music he was interested in pursuing. This meant that all of the material that Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I were submitting was not getting finished. As such, Geoff Tate was basically writing with his friends, many of which were not even professional musicians.
"I have hard drives of song material written by Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton and I that have dates and times on the files showing that in 2010 we had written dozens of hard rock songs that Geoff Tate even began singing on, but eventually was not interested in completing. He changed direction on us in late 2010 and only wanted to pursue a more pop-sounding CD, which meant he was only interested in a majority of songs being written by his friends, some of whom were homeless and living at his house.
"I have been the main composer, producer, engineer and technician for all the live backing tracks, computers, film screens and technology that is used during all QUEENSRŸCHE shows from the very beginning. This is a massive, labor intensive undertaking for each tour and has become a huge part of all the live shows for QUEENSRŸCHE through the years.
"Our stage manager and monitor tech Kelly Gray's claim that he and Geoff Tate do all the work is completely false. 'Q2K' (2000) was when we added Kelly to the band to play guitar. He was also hired as a producer/mixer for the CD. Producing and mixing a CD has many added requirements and Kelly Gray handled them well. However, his claims that he and Geoff Tate wrote the entire CD is completely and utterly false. Kelly Gray and I spent many weeks at my home studio writing a large amount of songs, and Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson did the same. Because of everyone's complete involvement, it was easily decided that we should just split all credits equally amongst the five members.
"Geoff Tate's ongoing assault and anger issues have become a serious detriment to the brand of QUEENSRŸCHE. In 2000, we had a band meeting regarding our next CD and at that meeting, he did not like some topics of discussion and stormed out of the meeting after throwing a chair across the room.
"In 2007, Geoff Tate was angered by something and approached me in the band's dressing room and proceeded to smash my laptop on the table and then hit me in the face while spitting on me and pushing me around the room for approximately 15 minutes.
"In mid-2011, the band held a meeting in the dressing room to discuss playing some of our older material such as 'Queen Of The Reich'. Geoff Tate got very upset and eventually screamed, 'I am NOT ever going to play those stupid songs!' He then stormed out of the room. We have not been allowed to perform those songs since.
"In late 2011, the band held another meeting in regards to performing 'Operation: Mindcrime' in its entirety for ShipRocked, a rock and roll-themed cruise scheduled for November 2011. The band was asking simple questions as to why we were being offered this and that. We wanted some more information about the offer. Geoff Tate got very upset and screamed at us, something to the effect of 'what's the problem and why can't you just do this?' and then stormed out of the dressing room.
"On April 14, 2012, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Geoff Tate violently attacked and assaulted Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and me on stage just prior to show time. Geoff Tate's claim that I said to him, 'I've fired your family and now I'm going to fire you' is a complete lie and many witnesses support this. All of this ongoing assault and violence from Geoff Tate has repeatedly been very bad for the band's continued business as it has made it very difficult for the band to continue making music and play shows up to the standards that are expected by us and our worldwide fan base.
"In the last couple months at the final QUEENSRŸCHE shows that were planned with Geoff Tate, he has made repeated comments on stage to our fans about how 'they suck' and about how 'this could be the end,' etc., etc. He has made multiple comments to the band members about making sure 'we stay away from him on stage or he will attack us again.' He has also made ongoing statements after the Brazil incident about how he 'wants us to stay away from him or else.' His actions resulting from this are very damaging to the band's brand name and has our fans very upset about his remarks, comments and personality.
"I received an email contact from Mike Kadrie at Zoetifex Studios back on December 7, 2010. His company was very interested in making QUEENSRŸCHE's iconic concept album 'Operation: Mindcrime' into an animated feature film. He and I exchanged a few emails regarding this, and being that they were excited about proceeding, I ended up passing along his contact info to Susan Tate. Susan and Geoff Tate had many exchanges with them during the course of 2011. During that time, the company was trying to raise enough investment funds to secure the rights option for a two-year deal to then pursue the BIG monies from investors to make the entire full-length feature, which was to include some A-list talents and voices. However, they were not able to raise such funds during 2011. During the process in 2011, Mike Kadrie continued to correspond with me and Susan and Geoff Tate. However, during this process, Susan and Geoff Tate had told Mike to NOT continue conversations with me or the other band members which Mike Kadrie was able to convey to me in his emails.
"Early in 2012, I received an email from Mike Kadrie stating that they had secured the rights option to the film which was authorized and done only through Geoff Tate, and that Geoff Tate had signed the agreement for the rights to them without any knowledge given to the other band members. The deal also contained an advance of monies to secure this options right, which were sent to the band's accountant/attorney, Neil Sussman, to be held in escrow. After receiving this information from Mike Kadrie and Zoetifex Studios about securing the rights option, I informed Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson and asked if they knew anything about this deal. Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson had never been told about any film deals, and they were very upset about Geoff Tate presuming that he alone had the right to sign over any deals regarding any QUEENSRŸCHE intellectual properties. The band members then contacted our attorney Neil Sussman who proceeded to tell them that, YES, Geoff Tate did sign over a deal for the options rights to 'Operation: Mindcrime', the movie. When the band members asked Neil Sussman how he could allow such a deal to be done without their collective input, he responded by saying something to the effect that 'Geoff told me he owned the rights, and so I just believed him and told him to sign the deal.' This made Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I FURIOUS.
"On March 7, 2012, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I immediately signed and sent a certified document to Neil Sussman and Geoff Tate stating that this contract and deal was not authorized and that we request that all contracts relating to this deal be 'suspended' and that Neil Sussman was 'NOT ALLOWED TO DISPERSE ANY MONIES BEING HELD IN ESCROW.'
"On March 8, 2012, Neil Sussman confirmed that he had received this certified mailing and that since there was a conflict of interest regarding this movie deal, that he would not continue to work on any such related matters, and that he would not disperse any monies being held in escrow.
"On April 14, 2012, in Brazil, the band held a meeting in our dressing room at Geoff Tate's request. During this meeting we asked Geoff Tate about this 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie deal. He responded by saying that he knew nothing about any 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie deal. When asked further questions, Geoff Tate responded by saying that, 'Yes, I signed a deal for the story rights and that was a deal for me.' The band members absolutely disagree with him and that anything related to QUEENSRŸCHE music, recordings, CDs, DVDs, videos, story lines, logos, and trademarks are absolutely considered intellectual properties owned by QUEENSRŸCHE, and that NO ONE band member has any rights to sign contracts or accept offers on behalf of QUEENSRŸCHE properties.
"On Saturday, April 14, 2012, at approximately 11:05 p.m., we (the band) had just arrived on the stage behind the curtain approximately 10 minutes before our show was to commence in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 2000+ concertgoers in attendance. I was getting up onto my drum riser when fellow band member Geoff Tate walked in front of my drums and spit into my face while proceeding to yell obscenities at me. Geoff Tate then pushed my drums down onto the drum riser causing the first delays for the show. Geoff Tate then walked around the stage left behind Michael Wilton's guitar speakers and confronted Michael Wilton face to face. He proceeded to yell obscenities at him before striking him with his fist on the right upper side of Michael Wilton's face. I came off my drum riser to Michael Wilton's aid and told Geoff Tate to back off. Geoff Tate continued to yell obscenities and spit at both Michael Wilton and me, and then at that time proceeded to strike me in the face twice. I backed away and asked for security to assist the situation. Geoff Tate continued yelling obscenities and spitting at the band members while chasing us around the stage. The local stage security and our own crew came to assist in trying to subdue Geoff Tate. Geoff Tate continued to resist and kept chasing the band members around the stage, all the while screaming obscenities, spitting at them and threatening them. Our tour manager, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare, came to subdue Geoff Tate and move him to his position on the stage left. After a few minutes of Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare trying to calm Geoff Tate down, Geoff Tate then came back across the stage at the band members. He continued to spit and yell obscenities and was trying to get close to them to continue his assault. Local security created a barrier between me, Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton to keep Geoff Tate from approaching. This behavior continued for about 20 to 25 minutes while we were forced to delay the show. Michael Wilton was handed an ice pack to hold to his face to try and keep any swelling to a minimum. After the situation was under control, the other band members and the band's crew had to fix the damage caused to their equipment during this assault before the show could proceed as scheduled.
"Just minutes prior to the show commencing, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare was told by Geoff Tate that he was going to attack Eddie Jackson next and that he was going to 'mess' with me all during the show. The entire incident lasted about 25 minutes. During the show, Geoff Tate continued to spit on the band members and their equipment, which was clearly seen by the fans in attendance and caused a very uncomfortable situation for the band to perform at the level the fans expected and paid for.
"During the show, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare advised us to exit the stage and go directly into our transportation to get away from Geoff Tate and his possible continued assault. There was concern that Geoff Tate would try and assault us on stage during our final bows to the crowd. We arrived at our hotel safely soon thereafter and were told to stay in our rooms until later the next day to avoid any further confrontations. Local authorities in discussion with our stage manager, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare, agreed to have Geoff Tate booked on another plane flight different from our original flights to also further avoid confrontations. Geoff Tate's new flight cost over $2,500. Later in the night when Geoff Tate departed the venue with Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare to go back to the hotel, Geoff Tate proceeded to tell Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare to tell me to 'keep the f**k away from him.'
"Geoff Tate's continued lack of interest in original QUEENSRŸCHE music or playing the older QUEENSRŸCHE music is resulting in damage to the brand of QUEENSRŸCHE. His recent and ongoing threats and assaults continued to place a great amount of stress on the remaining band members and their crew. Geoff Tate was no longer allowed to travel with the band, stay in the same hotels, participate in any band interviews, and had to be escorted at the venues with security. This was a very damaging form of business and had left the band with no choice but to move on without him."
In a recent interview with RollingStone.com, Tate revealed that he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates on June 12 in King County Superior Court in the state of Washington in order to "sort out who is what, and who owns what, and that stuff." Tate is also attempting to get a court injunction against Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield that would prevent them from using the name QUEENSRŸCHE for their new group.
On Monday, July 9, Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield filed a response to Tate's motion for preliminary injunction and included individual declarations from all of the defendants supporting their position that Tate's motion should be denied. As one would expect, these documents — copies of which have been obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET — contain startling details about the circumstances that led to the split between the singer and his one-time friends and longtime bandmates.
Several excerpts from Scott Rockenfield's declaration follow below.
"After [2005], Geoff and [his wife] Susan Tate began controlling the band's direction and Geoff Tate insisted on pushing only the music he was interested in pursuing. This meant that all of the material that Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I were submitting was not getting finished. As such, Geoff Tate was basically writing with his friends, many of which were not even professional musicians.
"I have hard drives of song material written by Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton and I that have dates and times on the files showing that in 2010 we had written dozens of hard rock songs that Geoff Tate even began singing on, but eventually was not interested in completing. He changed direction on us in late 2010 and only wanted to pursue a more pop-sounding CD, which meant he was only interested in a majority of songs being written by his friends, some of whom were homeless and living at his house.
"I have been the main composer, producer, engineer and technician for all the live backing tracks, computers, film screens and technology that is used during all QUEENSRŸCHE shows from the very beginning. This is a massive, labor intensive undertaking for each tour and has become a huge part of all the live shows for QUEENSRŸCHE through the years.
"Our stage manager and monitor tech Kelly Gray's claim that he and Geoff Tate do all the work is completely false. 'Q2K' (2000) was when we added Kelly to the band to play guitar. He was also hired as a producer/mixer for the CD. Producing and mixing a CD has many added requirements and Kelly Gray handled them well. However, his claims that he and Geoff Tate wrote the entire CD is completely and utterly false. Kelly Gray and I spent many weeks at my home studio writing a large amount of songs, and Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson did the same. Because of everyone's complete involvement, it was easily decided that we should just split all credits equally amongst the five members.
"Geoff Tate's ongoing assault and anger issues have become a serious detriment to the brand of QUEENSRŸCHE. In 2000, we had a band meeting regarding our next CD and at that meeting, he did not like some topics of discussion and stormed out of the meeting after throwing a chair across the room.
"In 2007, Geoff Tate was angered by something and approached me in the band's dressing room and proceeded to smash my laptop on the table and then hit me in the face while spitting on me and pushing me around the room for approximately 15 minutes.
"In mid-2011, the band held a meeting in the dressing room to discuss playing some of our older material such as 'Queen Of The Reich'. Geoff Tate got very upset and eventually screamed, 'I am NOT ever going to play those stupid songs!' He then stormed out of the room. We have not been allowed to perform those songs since.
"In late 2011, the band held another meeting in regards to performing 'Operation: Mindcrime' in its entirety for ShipRocked, a rock and roll-themed cruise scheduled for November 2011. The band was asking simple questions as to why we were being offered this and that. We wanted some more information about the offer. Geoff Tate got very upset and screamed at us, something to the effect of 'what's the problem and why can't you just do this?' and then stormed out of the dressing room.
"On April 14, 2012, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Geoff Tate violently attacked and assaulted Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and me on stage just prior to show time. Geoff Tate's claim that I said to him, 'I've fired your family and now I'm going to fire you' is a complete lie and many witnesses support this. All of this ongoing assault and violence from Geoff Tate has repeatedly been very bad for the band's continued business as it has made it very difficult for the band to continue making music and play shows up to the standards that are expected by us and our worldwide fan base.
"In the last couple months at the final QUEENSRŸCHE shows that were planned with Geoff Tate, he has made repeated comments on stage to our fans about how 'they suck' and about how 'this could be the end,' etc., etc. He has made multiple comments to the band members about making sure 'we stay away from him on stage or he will attack us again.' He has also made ongoing statements after the Brazil incident about how he 'wants us to stay away from him or else.' His actions resulting from this are very damaging to the band's brand name and has our fans very upset about his remarks, comments and personality.
"I received an email contact from Mike Kadrie at Zoetifex Studios back on December 7, 2010. His company was very interested in making QUEENSRŸCHE's iconic concept album 'Operation: Mindcrime' into an animated feature film. He and I exchanged a few emails regarding this, and being that they were excited about proceeding, I ended up passing along his contact info to Susan Tate. Susan and Geoff Tate had many exchanges with them during the course of 2011. During that time, the company was trying to raise enough investment funds to secure the rights option for a two-year deal to then pursue the BIG monies from investors to make the entire full-length feature, which was to include some A-list talents and voices. However, they were not able to raise such funds during 2011. During the process in 2011, Mike Kadrie continued to correspond with me and Susan and Geoff Tate. However, during this process, Susan and Geoff Tate had told Mike to NOT continue conversations with me or the other band members which Mike Kadrie was able to convey to me in his emails.
"Early in 2012, I received an email from Mike Kadrie stating that they had secured the rights option to the film which was authorized and done only through Geoff Tate, and that Geoff Tate had signed the agreement for the rights to them without any knowledge given to the other band members. The deal also contained an advance of monies to secure this options right, which were sent to the band's accountant/attorney, Neil Sussman, to be held in escrow. After receiving this information from Mike Kadrie and Zoetifex Studios about securing the rights option, I informed Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson and asked if they knew anything about this deal. Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson had never been told about any film deals, and they were very upset about Geoff Tate presuming that he alone had the right to sign over any deals regarding any QUEENSRŸCHE intellectual properties. The band members then contacted our attorney Neil Sussman who proceeded to tell them that, YES, Geoff Tate did sign over a deal for the options rights to 'Operation: Mindcrime', the movie. When the band members asked Neil Sussman how he could allow such a deal to be done without their collective input, he responded by saying something to the effect that 'Geoff told me he owned the rights, and so I just believed him and told him to sign the deal.' This made Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I FURIOUS.
"On March 7, 2012, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I immediately signed and sent a certified document to Neil Sussman and Geoff Tate stating that this contract and deal was not authorized and that we request that all contracts relating to this deal be 'suspended' and that Neil Sussman was 'NOT ALLOWED TO DISPERSE ANY MONIES BEING HELD IN ESCROW.'
"On March 8, 2012, Neil Sussman confirmed that he had received this certified mailing and that since there was a conflict of interest regarding this movie deal, that he would not continue to work on any such related matters, and that he would not disperse any monies being held in escrow.
"On April 14, 2012, in Brazil, the band held a meeting in our dressing room at Geoff Tate's request. During this meeting we asked Geoff Tate about this 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie deal. He responded by saying that he knew nothing about any 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie deal. When asked further questions, Geoff Tate responded by saying that, 'Yes, I signed a deal for the story rights and that was a deal for me.' The band members absolutely disagree with him and that anything related to QUEENSRŸCHE music, recordings, CDs, DVDs, videos, story lines, logos, and trademarks are absolutely considered intellectual properties owned by QUEENSRŸCHE, and that NO ONE band member has any rights to sign contracts or accept offers on behalf of QUEENSRŸCHE properties.
"On Saturday, April 14, 2012, at approximately 11:05 p.m., we (the band) had just arrived on the stage behind the curtain approximately 10 minutes before our show was to commence in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 2000+ concertgoers in attendance. I was getting up onto my drum riser when fellow band member Geoff Tate walked in front of my drums and spit into my face while proceeding to yell obscenities at me. Geoff Tate then pushed my drums down onto the drum riser causing the first delays for the show. Geoff Tate then walked around the stage left behind Michael Wilton's guitar speakers and confronted Michael Wilton face to face. He proceeded to yell obscenities at him before striking him with his fist on the right upper side of Michael Wilton's face. I came off my drum riser to Michael Wilton's aid and told Geoff Tate to back off. Geoff Tate continued to yell obscenities and spit at both Michael Wilton and me, and then at that time proceeded to strike me in the face twice. I backed away and asked for security to assist the situation. Geoff Tate continued yelling obscenities and spitting at the band members while chasing us around the stage. The local stage security and our own crew came to assist in trying to subdue Geoff Tate. Geoff Tate continued to resist and kept chasing the band members around the stage, all the while screaming obscenities, spitting at them and threatening them. Our tour manager, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare, came to subdue Geoff Tate and move him to his position on the stage left. After a few minutes of Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare trying to calm Geoff Tate down, Geoff Tate then came back across the stage at the band members. He continued to spit and yell obscenities and was trying to get close to them to continue his assault. Local security created a barrier between me, Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton to keep Geoff Tate from approaching. This behavior continued for about 20 to 25 minutes while we were forced to delay the show. Michael Wilton was handed an ice pack to hold to his face to try and keep any swelling to a minimum. After the situation was under control, the other band members and the band's crew had to fix the damage caused to their equipment during this assault before the show could proceed as scheduled.
"Just minutes prior to the show commencing, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare was told by Geoff Tate that he was going to attack Eddie Jackson next and that he was going to 'mess' with me all during the show. The entire incident lasted about 25 minutes. During the show, Geoff Tate continued to spit on the band members and their equipment, which was clearly seen by the fans in attendance and caused a very uncomfortable situation for the band to perform at the level the fans expected and paid for.
"During the show, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare advised us to exit the stage and go directly into our transportation to get away from Geoff Tate and his possible continued assault. There was concern that Geoff Tate would try and assault us on stage during our final bows to the crowd. We arrived at our hotel safely soon thereafter and were told to stay in our rooms until later the next day to avoid any further confrontations. Local authorities in discussion with our stage manager, Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare, agreed to have Geoff Tate booked on another plane flight different from our original flights to also further avoid confrontations. Geoff Tate's new flight cost over $2,500. Later in the night when Geoff Tate departed the venue with Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare to go back to the hotel, Geoff Tate proceeded to tell Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare to tell me to 'keep the f**k away from him.'
"Geoff Tate's continued lack of interest in original QUEENSRŸCHE music or playing the older QUEENSRŸCHE music is resulting in damage to the brand of QUEENSRŸCHE. His recent and ongoing threats and assaults continued to place a great amount of stress on the remaining band members and their crew. Geoff Tate was no longer allowed to travel with the band, stay in the same hotels, participate in any band interviews, and had to be escorted at the venues with security. This was a very damaging form of business and had left the band with no choice but to move on without him."
QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren announced on June 20 that they were parting ways with singer Geoff Tate and recruiting powerhouse vocalist Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY as his replacement. The new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup has already performed live, having played two shows in their home city of Seattle under the name RISING WEST.
In a recent interview with RollingStone.com, Tate revealed that he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates on June 12 in King County Superior Court in the state of Washington in order to "sort out who is what, and who owns what, and that stuff." Tate is also attempting to get a court injunction against Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield that would prevent them from using the name QUEENSRŸCHE for their new group.
On Monday, July 9, Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield filed a response to Tate's motion for preliminary injunction and included declarations from all of the defendants supporting their position that Tate's motion should be denied. As one would expect, these documents — copies of which have been obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET — contain startling details about the circumstances that led to the split between the singer and his one-time friends and longtime bandmates.
Several excerpts from Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield's response to Tate's complaint follow below.
"Plaintiff Geoff Tate, along with his wife, have brought suit against his former bandmates, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, and the corporations they do business against, claiming that he is being oppressed. He now comes before this Court asking for a preliminary injunction stopping a majority of the band and shareholders from operating as the band they have been known as for 30 years. Not only is there no oppression, and all decisions were done for legitimate business reasons, but the facts will show that the only person engaging in oppression is Mr. Tate.
"Plaintiff Geoff Tate has systematically, in concert with his wife whom he installed as manager, taken more power unto himself within the band and its companies, shutting out the majority with a policy of ultimatums and brinksmanship, while engaging in naked self dealing. When his bandmates, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton finally said enough is enough and tried to move on to outside management, Mr. Tate reacted with a violent physical assault, leaving them no choice but to obtain a new singer. Mr. Tate has now followed with a combined legal and public relations assault in breach of his duties to the very corporations he claims his bandmates are harming. As such, the only oppressor here is Mr. Tate, and his ultimate claims, along with this motion for preliminary relief, fail.
"During this period of the late 1990s into the early 2000s, Susan Tate, Geoff Tate's wife, began her ascent to the ultimate management of the band. Susan Tate first began running the fan club and merchandising portions of the QUEENSRŸCHE operation. She then was instrumental in the firing of then current manager, Ray Daniels, and having him replaced with Lars Sorenson, to whom she then served as assistant. Then, in 2005, she took over management duties completely and Lars Sorenson was let go. This is quite an accomplishment since Susan Tate's only prior management experience was managing her previous husband's unsigned local band.
"Once Susan Tate was installed as manager, the Tates proceeded to take full control of the band. Geoff Tate began working with outside writers and regularly rejecting music offered by the band. Geoff and Susan Tate asserted full control over the budgeting and production process, not only cutting Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton out of the creative process, but eliminating songwriting royalties and manipulating all advances so as to coerce their cooperation. This was combined with constant threats from Geoff Tate to leave the band if his bandmates did not go along with his dictates. In an attempt to maintain what was left of the original membership and get what advance and other monies were available, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton went along with Geoff and Susan Tate's creative and business control of QUEENSRŸCHE. This is ironic as Geoff Tate has stated publicly on several occasions about his bandmates' integral role in the sound and overall makeup of QUEENSRŸCHE.
"The results of the Tates' stewardship of QUEENSRŸCHE have been disastrous. Under Tate leadership, QUEENSRŸCHE has produced three albums to wildly declining sales. 'Operation: Mindcrime II' has sold only 150,000 copies to date, compared to 500,000 for the original 'Operation: Mindcrime' in the first year alone, moving on to over a million a few years later. It also received only mediocre reviews. The next album, 'American Soldier', sold only 60,000 copies, less than half again. And last year's 'Dedicated To Chaos', sold an abysmal 20,000 copies. In addition, Geoff Tate has shown an almost messianic dedication to these ill-received songs and musical direction. He openly loathes the metal sound that made the band famous, even saying so to the press. Geoff Tate even refuses to perform the bulk of the songs from the first five, and most popular, albums, considering them 'stupid,' his refusal coming in the face of overwhelming fan demand.
"Although QUEENSRŸCHE has continued as a viable entity, the decline of recent years is evident in album sales and overall revenue. As a result, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, who own 75% of the stock in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and are three of four directors, decided in 2012 to take a more active role in the direction of the band entities.
"First, they looked into using outside professionals to run the fan club and merchandise as opposed to an in-house operation run by Susan Tate and Geoff's stepdaughter Miranda Tate. This was met with fierce resistance and even abuse of the outside firm being considered by Geoff and Susan Tate. Next the issue of outside professional management was suggested by Michael Wilton. This was met with even stronger resistance, with Geoff Tate dismissing the idea out of hand.
"During this time, the other bandmembers learned through Scott Rockenfield that Geoff Tate had negotiated a development deal for a movie based on QUEENSRŸCHE's popularconcept album, 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Scott Rockenfield received an e-mail from a mutual acquaintance who was part of the deal who explained how Geoff Tate was about to engage in a lucrative agreement. When Scott Rockenfield informed Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton of this, they investigated with the QUEENSRŸCHE corporate attorney and confirmed that a six-figure advance was indeed being held by him until execution of documents by Geoff Tate, at which time the money would be paid to Geoff Tate alone. This is despite ownership of 'Operation: Mindcrime' and associated intellectual property by the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and former member Chris DeGarmo.
"Due to this litigation, the other bandmates (Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton) have now come into possession of the agreement executed by Geoff Tate for this movie option. Amazingly, and with no grant of authority from the band, Geoff Tate claimed full ownership in the 'Operation: Mindcrime' 'story,' procuring for himself a $150,000 fee, 20% of all royalties, and $10,000 upfront for an option, all payable to him alone, and with 20% for soundtrack and merchandise revenue to be split amongst him and the band.
"Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton were not to be deterred and set a directors meeting to discuss changes. Not only did Geoff Tate refuse to attend, he responded through legal counsel, demanding that Susan Tate and his attorney be present, that the meeting be rescheduled, and claiming that meeting notice via e-mail was inadequate. This was surprising to the other bandmates as all meetings had been set by e-mail or text for years, and even more shocking that Geoff Tate was speaking through an attorney about a meeting of their band of 30+ years. Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton had their properly called meeting anyway, and being a quorum and a majority, voted to remove Susan Tate as manager, move on to a professional outside merchandise company, and other related business. The next day, all band members flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a previously scheduled performance. Several hours before the concert, Geoff Tate called for a meeting wherein he asked for confirmation of actions taken at the April 12, 2012 meeting. Geoff Tate also raised the issue of the 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie project advance, complaining bitterly that the other band members were holding up 'his money.' Following the meeting, the other bandmembers did not see Geoff Tate until on stage just before the beginning of their performance. Geoff Tate then viciously engaged in an unprovoked attack on Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, and was only kept from Eddie Jackson due to the intervention of crew and security. These attacks were totally unprovoked and unjustified. This delayed the start of the performance over 20 minutes, and Geoff Tate continued to spit at, curse, and taunt his bandmates throughout the performance. The other bandmembers left immediately after the performance, avoiding Geoff Tate, who was flown home on a hastily booked separate flight. Following the Sao Paulo incident, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton knew of two contracted performances. The decision was made to attempt to be professional and carry out these obligations, and see if it was still possible for them to work with Geoff Tate. Unfortunately, Geoff Tate never apologized for his actions, continued to make threats, and engaged in erratic and bizarre behavior, even telling the audience they 'sucked' at the last performance. As a result, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton decided they had no choice but to move on. Although as a clear majority and quorum they had the ability to make this difficult decision for the good of the band on their own, they attempted to reach out and negotiate a settlement. This was flatly rejected by Geoff Tate. Thus, in a duly noticed meeting on June 2, 2012, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton voted to replace Geoff Tate with a new lead singer, and to expel and/or otherwise negotiate just compensation for his ownership interest. Negotiations failed, leading to the suit at bar.
"Following Geoff Tate's removal as lead singer, QUEENSRŸCHE performed under the moniker 'RISING WEST' for two sold-out shows and rave critical and fan reviews. On the strength of those shows, the new QUEENSRŸCHE has been signed by Frontline/AGPS Management, the largest and most powerful music management company in the world and a subsidiary of Live Nation. Within the first week, the new management was able to obtain three bookings at equal or better compensation than the old QUEENSRŸCHE. With the new QUEENSRŸCHE's dedication to the original five gold- and platinum-selling albums, and new material in the same vein, the demand has been tremendous. Conservatively, the new QUEENSRŸCHE could book over $4 million in gross tour revenue alone between now and the trial date in this matter, with commensurate surges in merchandise and back catalog sales.
"Geoff Tate, on the other hand, has taken to the press to denigrate his bandmates and their abilities, as well as tar them with labels of ineptitude and greed. Further, although Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Michael Wilton are the rightful current controllers of the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and their assets, Geoff, Susan and Miranda Tate have locked them out of the official QUEENSRŸCHE Facebook account and band website, causing harm not only to the reputation of the band, but blocking revenue through sales on the QUEENRYCHE website.
"Geoff Tate's Motion for Preliminary Injunction is based on the presumption that he will ultimately be awarded the name 'QUEENSRŸCHE.' The only way this can occur is if the court grants a judicial dissolution of the QUEENSRŸCHE companies.
"For the reasons discussed below, Geoff Tate cannot reach this high and extraordinary burden. Not only were Eddie Jackson's, Scott Rockenfield's and Michael Wilton's actions nonoppressive, justified, and legitimate business actions, but the extreme remedy of dissolution is not warranted. The only purpose of dissolution would be to make the name 'QUEENSRŸCHE' able to be awarded to Geoff Tate, effectively giving a minority member and only 25% owner full and total control of the corporation's most valuable asset, with no precedent for such an action.
"Geoff Tate claims he had a reasonable expectation to remain in QUEENSRŸCHE forever, and, thus, is being oppressed by his bandmates' actions. However, such a belief is belied by the entity documents themselves. First, there is the Partnership Agreement, which is the only document that contemplates band membership and predates the creation of all the QUEENSRŸCHE entities. Far from this document being designed around an idea of permanent membership, it expressly has an expulsion clause allowing 75% of the partners to expel a member, and buyout procedures following such an expulsion. Even if this partnership agreement were deemed to have no legal effect, it still is illustrative of the reasonable expectations the members of the band had.
"Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton readily admit that Geoff Tate has shares in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and is entitled to compensation. They even admit that if that amount of compensation cannot be negotiated, it may be for the Court to decide the proper amount. Thus any 'oppression' claimed by Geoff Tate results not from the disposition of his shares (since he is also asking the Court to establish a value for the shares so everyone is fairly compensated), it only comes from his removal as lead singer, which is in effect a termination of employment, an activity squarely within the authority of the directors to control.
"There are an abundance of legitimate reasons for the decision to replace Geoff Tate. The musical direction he has taken the band has led to a precipitous drop in album sales. Geoff Tate refuses to perform the bulk of the songs which made the band popular, nor produce music in that style. He surreptitiously attempted to obtain vast monies for an 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie for himself alone in an act of self dealing. Geoff Tate refused to take on new and professional management and operation of the merchandise and fan club, preferring his family serve in those roles and draw the salary from it. And, most important of all, when Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton tried to assert control and begin to reverse some of these bad business decisions, Geoff Tate engaged in a vicious, unprovoked physical assault for which he has shown no remorse until this proceeding. Geoff Tate then engaged in increasingly erratic behavior, threatening his bandmates and even lashing out at the audience. Not only was his removal a result of legitimate business concerns, but of outright business necessity!
"As discussed above, the only way Geoff Tate can be awarded the name QUEENSRŸCHE is through the harsh and extreme remedy of judicial dissolution of the QUEENSRŸCHE entities. Employment of such a drastic remedy is not only unwarranted due to the lack of oppression and legitimate business considerations discussed above, but it would not be fair and equitable, as such a remedy lies in equity.
"Geoff Tate's central claim for why he should get the name QUEENSRŸCHE is that it is the only 'equitable outcome' because 'he is the band.' As set forth in the declarations from Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, QUEENSRŸCHE has always been a collaborative effort amongst its members, especially during its extremely successful first period. This has only changed during the last few unsuccessful albums, and due only to Geoff Tate's authoritarian ways. Moreover, Geoff Tate's odd reliance on songwriting royalties fails to recognize several other considerations. In fact, under Geoff Tate's logic, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were not really THE BEATLES, as the vast majority of the songs were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Geoff Tate is not even a founding member of the band, having come in after all the EP material that launched QUEENSRŸCHE was written. He has only ever written lyrics and no music, and not even all the lyrics at that. In addition, over the last three albums, Geoff Tate, in concert with wife and manager Susan, has conspired to lock out Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton from the creative process. Thus, any recent uptick in songwriting credits has been a result of the last three albums, which were marked by rapidly declining sales and fan response. And, the bulk of the band entities' revenue has come from touring and the ancillary merchandise and back catalog sales in recent years. Additionally, Geoff Tate, through his physical assault, outrageous, naked self-dealing on the 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie, and other activities detrimental to the corporation and brand, has unclean hands and cannot ask for equitable relief. Plus, his defaming of his fellow bandmates and denigrating of the band in RollingStone.com, and wrongful lockout of Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Michael Wilton from the QUEENSRŸCHE Facebook account and band websites, is in direct breach of his duties to the corporations themselves.
"On the other hand, the remaining members have a strong claim to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. As the original founding members of the band and a clear majority, they have the strongest claim. Moreover, Geoff Tate himself has acknowledged publicly the importance of QUEENSRŸCHE's popularity coming from its 'sound,' and how that sound originates with the musicians Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. As Geoff Tate has never written any music for any QUEENSRŸCHE songs, this stands to reason. And . . . it is this sound, coupled by a willingness to return to it as it was in the first five albums, both in new and old material, which will let QUEENSRŸCHE succeed well beyond its current performance, something that cannot happen with Geoff Tate's refusal to embrace QUEENSRŸCHE's past.
"No preliminary injunction should be issued. Geoff Tate is not likely to succeed on the merits. He has not been oppressed, because his expectation to remain as QUEENSRŸCHE's lead singer forever is not reasonable. Geoff Tate's removal as lead singer was due to legitimate business considerations, including his takeover of the creative process to bad results, rejection of the popular parts of the music catalog, and his physical assault of his bandmates and subsequent erratic behavior. Judicial dissolution is an extreme remedy only undertaken in rare circumstances, and without judicial dissolution, Geoff Tate cannot be awarded the name QUEENSRŸCHE. And award of the name must be done through equity, and doing so would be the opposite. An injunction would not properly balance the harms among the band members, third parties, or the public. And, the bond for any injunction must be in the millions to adequately protect the potential loss.
"Geoff Tate needs to be compensated for his shares in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities, no one denies this. He also has a right to ask the Court to determine a fair amount if that cannot be done through negotiation. But, he does not have a right to take QUEENSRŸCHE's name for himself, nor to harm the brand, band and corporations for months by denying its use while this case is fully adjudicated on the merits. Therefore, Plaintiff's motion should be DENIED."
In a recent interview with RollingStone.com, Tate revealed that he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates on June 12 in King County Superior Court in the state of Washington in order to "sort out who is what, and who owns what, and that stuff." Tate is also attempting to get a court injunction against Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield that would prevent them from using the name QUEENSRŸCHE for their new group.
On Monday, July 9, Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield filed a response to Tate's motion for preliminary injunction and included declarations from all of the defendants supporting their position that Tate's motion should be denied. As one would expect, these documents — copies of which have been obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET — contain startling details about the circumstances that led to the split between the singer and his one-time friends and longtime bandmates.
Several excerpts from Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield's response to Tate's complaint follow below.
"Plaintiff Geoff Tate, along with his wife, have brought suit against his former bandmates, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, and the corporations they do business against, claiming that he is being oppressed. He now comes before this Court asking for a preliminary injunction stopping a majority of the band and shareholders from operating as the band they have been known as for 30 years. Not only is there no oppression, and all decisions were done for legitimate business reasons, but the facts will show that the only person engaging in oppression is Mr. Tate.
"Plaintiff Geoff Tate has systematically, in concert with his wife whom he installed as manager, taken more power unto himself within the band and its companies, shutting out the majority with a policy of ultimatums and brinksmanship, while engaging in naked self dealing. When his bandmates, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton finally said enough is enough and tried to move on to outside management, Mr. Tate reacted with a violent physical assault, leaving them no choice but to obtain a new singer. Mr. Tate has now followed with a combined legal and public relations assault in breach of his duties to the very corporations he claims his bandmates are harming. As such, the only oppressor here is Mr. Tate, and his ultimate claims, along with this motion for preliminary relief, fail.
"During this period of the late 1990s into the early 2000s, Susan Tate, Geoff Tate's wife, began her ascent to the ultimate management of the band. Susan Tate first began running the fan club and merchandising portions of the QUEENSRŸCHE operation. She then was instrumental in the firing of then current manager, Ray Daniels, and having him replaced with Lars Sorenson, to whom she then served as assistant. Then, in 2005, she took over management duties completely and Lars Sorenson was let go. This is quite an accomplishment since Susan Tate's only prior management experience was managing her previous husband's unsigned local band.
"Once Susan Tate was installed as manager, the Tates proceeded to take full control of the band. Geoff Tate began working with outside writers and regularly rejecting music offered by the band. Geoff and Susan Tate asserted full control over the budgeting and production process, not only cutting Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton out of the creative process, but eliminating songwriting royalties and manipulating all advances so as to coerce their cooperation. This was combined with constant threats from Geoff Tate to leave the band if his bandmates did not go along with his dictates. In an attempt to maintain what was left of the original membership and get what advance and other monies were available, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton went along with Geoff and Susan Tate's creative and business control of QUEENSRŸCHE. This is ironic as Geoff Tate has stated publicly on several occasions about his bandmates' integral role in the sound and overall makeup of QUEENSRŸCHE.
"The results of the Tates' stewardship of QUEENSRŸCHE have been disastrous. Under Tate leadership, QUEENSRŸCHE has produced three albums to wildly declining sales. 'Operation: Mindcrime II' has sold only 150,000 copies to date, compared to 500,000 for the original 'Operation: Mindcrime' in the first year alone, moving on to over a million a few years later. It also received only mediocre reviews. The next album, 'American Soldier', sold only 60,000 copies, less than half again. And last year's 'Dedicated To Chaos', sold an abysmal 20,000 copies. In addition, Geoff Tate has shown an almost messianic dedication to these ill-received songs and musical direction. He openly loathes the metal sound that made the band famous, even saying so to the press. Geoff Tate even refuses to perform the bulk of the songs from the first five, and most popular, albums, considering them 'stupid,' his refusal coming in the face of overwhelming fan demand.
"Although QUEENSRŸCHE has continued as a viable entity, the decline of recent years is evident in album sales and overall revenue. As a result, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, who own 75% of the stock in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and are three of four directors, decided in 2012 to take a more active role in the direction of the band entities.
"First, they looked into using outside professionals to run the fan club and merchandise as opposed to an in-house operation run by Susan Tate and Geoff's stepdaughter Miranda Tate. This was met with fierce resistance and even abuse of the outside firm being considered by Geoff and Susan Tate. Next the issue of outside professional management was suggested by Michael Wilton. This was met with even stronger resistance, with Geoff Tate dismissing the idea out of hand.
"During this time, the other bandmembers learned through Scott Rockenfield that Geoff Tate had negotiated a development deal for a movie based on QUEENSRŸCHE's popularconcept album, 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Scott Rockenfield received an e-mail from a mutual acquaintance who was part of the deal who explained how Geoff Tate was about to engage in a lucrative agreement. When Scott Rockenfield informed Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton of this, they investigated with the QUEENSRŸCHE corporate attorney and confirmed that a six-figure advance was indeed being held by him until execution of documents by Geoff Tate, at which time the money would be paid to Geoff Tate alone. This is despite ownership of 'Operation: Mindcrime' and associated intellectual property by the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and former member Chris DeGarmo.
"Due to this litigation, the other bandmates (Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton) have now come into possession of the agreement executed by Geoff Tate for this movie option. Amazingly, and with no grant of authority from the band, Geoff Tate claimed full ownership in the 'Operation: Mindcrime' 'story,' procuring for himself a $150,000 fee, 20% of all royalties, and $10,000 upfront for an option, all payable to him alone, and with 20% for soundtrack and merchandise revenue to be split amongst him and the band.
"Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton were not to be deterred and set a directors meeting to discuss changes. Not only did Geoff Tate refuse to attend, he responded through legal counsel, demanding that Susan Tate and his attorney be present, that the meeting be rescheduled, and claiming that meeting notice via e-mail was inadequate. This was surprising to the other bandmates as all meetings had been set by e-mail or text for years, and even more shocking that Geoff Tate was speaking through an attorney about a meeting of their band of 30+ years. Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton had their properly called meeting anyway, and being a quorum and a majority, voted to remove Susan Tate as manager, move on to a professional outside merchandise company, and other related business. The next day, all band members flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a previously scheduled performance. Several hours before the concert, Geoff Tate called for a meeting wherein he asked for confirmation of actions taken at the April 12, 2012 meeting. Geoff Tate also raised the issue of the 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie project advance, complaining bitterly that the other band members were holding up 'his money.' Following the meeting, the other bandmembers did not see Geoff Tate until on stage just before the beginning of their performance. Geoff Tate then viciously engaged in an unprovoked attack on Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, and was only kept from Eddie Jackson due to the intervention of crew and security. These attacks were totally unprovoked and unjustified. This delayed the start of the performance over 20 minutes, and Geoff Tate continued to spit at, curse, and taunt his bandmates throughout the performance. The other bandmembers left immediately after the performance, avoiding Geoff Tate, who was flown home on a hastily booked separate flight. Following the Sao Paulo incident, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton knew of two contracted performances. The decision was made to attempt to be professional and carry out these obligations, and see if it was still possible for them to work with Geoff Tate. Unfortunately, Geoff Tate never apologized for his actions, continued to make threats, and engaged in erratic and bizarre behavior, even telling the audience they 'sucked' at the last performance. As a result, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton decided they had no choice but to move on. Although as a clear majority and quorum they had the ability to make this difficult decision for the good of the band on their own, they attempted to reach out and negotiate a settlement. This was flatly rejected by Geoff Tate. Thus, in a duly noticed meeting on June 2, 2012, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton voted to replace Geoff Tate with a new lead singer, and to expel and/or otherwise negotiate just compensation for his ownership interest. Negotiations failed, leading to the suit at bar.
"Following Geoff Tate's removal as lead singer, QUEENSRŸCHE performed under the moniker 'RISING WEST' for two sold-out shows and rave critical and fan reviews. On the strength of those shows, the new QUEENSRŸCHE has been signed by Frontline/AGPS Management, the largest and most powerful music management company in the world and a subsidiary of Live Nation. Within the first week, the new management was able to obtain three bookings at equal or better compensation than the old QUEENSRŸCHE. With the new QUEENSRŸCHE's dedication to the original five gold- and platinum-selling albums, and new material in the same vein, the demand has been tremendous. Conservatively, the new QUEENSRŸCHE could book over $4 million in gross tour revenue alone between now and the trial date in this matter, with commensurate surges in merchandise and back catalog sales.
"Geoff Tate, on the other hand, has taken to the press to denigrate his bandmates and their abilities, as well as tar them with labels of ineptitude and greed. Further, although Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Michael Wilton are the rightful current controllers of the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and their assets, Geoff, Susan and Miranda Tate have locked them out of the official QUEENSRŸCHE Facebook account and band website, causing harm not only to the reputation of the band, but blocking revenue through sales on the QUEENRYCHE website.
"Geoff Tate's Motion for Preliminary Injunction is based on the presumption that he will ultimately be awarded the name 'QUEENSRŸCHE.' The only way this can occur is if the court grants a judicial dissolution of the QUEENSRŸCHE companies.
"For the reasons discussed below, Geoff Tate cannot reach this high and extraordinary burden. Not only were Eddie Jackson's, Scott Rockenfield's and Michael Wilton's actions nonoppressive, justified, and legitimate business actions, but the extreme remedy of dissolution is not warranted. The only purpose of dissolution would be to make the name 'QUEENSRŸCHE' able to be awarded to Geoff Tate, effectively giving a minority member and only 25% owner full and total control of the corporation's most valuable asset, with no precedent for such an action.
"Geoff Tate claims he had a reasonable expectation to remain in QUEENSRŸCHE forever, and, thus, is being oppressed by his bandmates' actions. However, such a belief is belied by the entity documents themselves. First, there is the Partnership Agreement, which is the only document that contemplates band membership and predates the creation of all the QUEENSRŸCHE entities. Far from this document being designed around an idea of permanent membership, it expressly has an expulsion clause allowing 75% of the partners to expel a member, and buyout procedures following such an expulsion. Even if this partnership agreement were deemed to have no legal effect, it still is illustrative of the reasonable expectations the members of the band had.
"Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton readily admit that Geoff Tate has shares in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities and is entitled to compensation. They even admit that if that amount of compensation cannot be negotiated, it may be for the Court to decide the proper amount. Thus any 'oppression' claimed by Geoff Tate results not from the disposition of his shares (since he is also asking the Court to establish a value for the shares so everyone is fairly compensated), it only comes from his removal as lead singer, which is in effect a termination of employment, an activity squarely within the authority of the directors to control.
"There are an abundance of legitimate reasons for the decision to replace Geoff Tate. The musical direction he has taken the band has led to a precipitous drop in album sales. Geoff Tate refuses to perform the bulk of the songs which made the band popular, nor produce music in that style. He surreptitiously attempted to obtain vast monies for an 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie for himself alone in an act of self dealing. Geoff Tate refused to take on new and professional management and operation of the merchandise and fan club, preferring his family serve in those roles and draw the salary from it. And, most important of all, when Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton tried to assert control and begin to reverse some of these bad business decisions, Geoff Tate engaged in a vicious, unprovoked physical assault for which he has shown no remorse until this proceeding. Geoff Tate then engaged in increasingly erratic behavior, threatening his bandmates and even lashing out at the audience. Not only was his removal a result of legitimate business concerns, but of outright business necessity!
"As discussed above, the only way Geoff Tate can be awarded the name QUEENSRŸCHE is through the harsh and extreme remedy of judicial dissolution of the QUEENSRŸCHE entities. Employment of such a drastic remedy is not only unwarranted due to the lack of oppression and legitimate business considerations discussed above, but it would not be fair and equitable, as such a remedy lies in equity.
"Geoff Tate's central claim for why he should get the name QUEENSRŸCHE is that it is the only 'equitable outcome' because 'he is the band.' As set forth in the declarations from Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, QUEENSRŸCHE has always been a collaborative effort amongst its members, especially during its extremely successful first period. This has only changed during the last few unsuccessful albums, and due only to Geoff Tate's authoritarian ways. Moreover, Geoff Tate's odd reliance on songwriting royalties fails to recognize several other considerations. In fact, under Geoff Tate's logic, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were not really THE BEATLES, as the vast majority of the songs were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Geoff Tate is not even a founding member of the band, having come in after all the EP material that launched QUEENSRŸCHE was written. He has only ever written lyrics and no music, and not even all the lyrics at that. In addition, over the last three albums, Geoff Tate, in concert with wife and manager Susan, has conspired to lock out Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton from the creative process. Thus, any recent uptick in songwriting credits has been a result of the last three albums, which were marked by rapidly declining sales and fan response. And, the bulk of the band entities' revenue has come from touring and the ancillary merchandise and back catalog sales in recent years. Additionally, Geoff Tate, through his physical assault, outrageous, naked self-dealing on the 'Operation: Mindcrime' movie, and other activities detrimental to the corporation and brand, has unclean hands and cannot ask for equitable relief. Plus, his defaming of his fellow bandmates and denigrating of the band in RollingStone.com, and wrongful lockout of Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Michael Wilton from the QUEENSRŸCHE Facebook account and band websites, is in direct breach of his duties to the corporations themselves.
"On the other hand, the remaining members have a strong claim to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. As the original founding members of the band and a clear majority, they have the strongest claim. Moreover, Geoff Tate himself has acknowledged publicly the importance of QUEENSRŸCHE's popularity coming from its 'sound,' and how that sound originates with the musicians Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. As Geoff Tate has never written any music for any QUEENSRŸCHE songs, this stands to reason. And . . . it is this sound, coupled by a willingness to return to it as it was in the first five albums, both in new and old material, which will let QUEENSRŸCHE succeed well beyond its current performance, something that cannot happen with Geoff Tate's refusal to embrace QUEENSRŸCHE's past.
"No preliminary injunction should be issued. Geoff Tate is not likely to succeed on the merits. He has not been oppressed, because his expectation to remain as QUEENSRŸCHE's lead singer forever is not reasonable. Geoff Tate's removal as lead singer was due to legitimate business considerations, including his takeover of the creative process to bad results, rejection of the popular parts of the music catalog, and his physical assault of his bandmates and subsequent erratic behavior. Judicial dissolution is an extreme remedy only undertaken in rare circumstances, and without judicial dissolution, Geoff Tate cannot be awarded the name QUEENSRŸCHE. And award of the name must be done through equity, and doing so would be the opposite. An injunction would not properly balance the harms among the band members, third parties, or the public. And, the bond for any injunction must be in the millions to adequately protect the potential loss.
"Geoff Tate needs to be compensated for his shares in the QUEENSRŸCHE entities, no one denies this. He also has a right to ask the Court to determine a fair amount if that cannot be done through negotiation. But, he does not have a right to take QUEENSRŸCHE's name for himself, nor to harm the brand, band and corporations for months by denying its use while this case is fully adjudicated on the merits. Therefore, Plaintiff's motion should be DENIED."
Earlier this year, Rhino unveiled the 20th-anniversary edition of PANTERA's "Vulgar Display Of Power", which featured the debut of the incendiary lost track "Piss". Following up on "Vulgar"'s success, Rhino continues to honor PANTERA's legacy as one of metal's most influential bands by offering the Texas quartet's final three releases on 180-gram vinyl.
Presented in gatefold jackets, "The Great Southern Trendkill", "Official Live: 101 Proof" and "Reinventing The Steel" will be available July 24 from retail outlets, including Pantera.com and Rhino.com. The first two albums are double LPs and available for a suggested price of $24.98 each, while "Steel" will be issued as a single LP for $17.98.
This vinyl release of "Trendkill" is different from an earlier version that was issued as a single LP without the track "Suicide Note Pt. I". To include the song for this new release and ensure ultimate sound quality, Rhino expanded the album to a double LP.
Recorded over four years (1996-2000), these two studio albums and live collection represent the final three releases from PANTERA — singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.
The follow-up to the classic "Far Beyond Driven", "The Great Southern Trendkill" is the group's fourth platinum album, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard chart. It yielded three singles, "Drag The Waters", "Suicide Note Pt. I" and "Floods", the latter an epic track that features one of Dimebag's defining guitar solos.
The following year, the band returned with its first live album, the gold-certified "Official Live: 101 Proof". Recorded during the tour for "Trendkill", the collection captures the group at the peak of its live prowess as it grinds and grooves through many of its greatest songs, like "Walk", "Cowboys From Hell" and "Cemetery Gates", as well as "Dom/Hollow", which combines the tracks "Domination" and "Hollow". Along with the live recordings, the release also includes two studio recordings, "Where You Come From" and "I Can't Hide".
The group's final studio album, "Reinventing The Steel" was certified gold, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Along with the singles "Revolution Is My Name" and "I'll Cast A Shadow", the album's other standout tracks include "Death Rattle" and "Goddamn Electric", which features a guest guitar solo by SLAYER's Kerry King.
"The Great Southern Trendkill" track listing:
Side One
01. The Great Southern Trendkill
02. War Nerve
03. Drag The Waters
Side Two
01. 10's
02. 13 Steps To Nowhere
03. Suicide Note Pt. I
04. Suicide Note Pt. II
Side Three
01. Living Through Me (Hell's Wrath)
02. Floods
Side Four
01. The Underground In America
02. (Reprise) Sandblasted Skin
"Official Live: 101 Proof" track listing:
Side One
01. New Level
02. Walk
03. Becoming
04. 5 Minutes Alone
Side Two
01. Sandblasted Skin
02. Suicide Note Pt. 2
03. War Nerve
04. This Love
Side Three
01. Dom/Hollow
02. I'm Broken
03. Cowboys From Hell
04. Cemetery Gates
Side Four
01. Strength Beyond Strength
02. Hostile
03. Where You Come From *
04. I Can't Hide *
"Reinventing The Steel" track listing:
Side One
01. Hellbound
02. Goddamn Electric
03. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit
04. You've Got To Belong To It
05. Revolution Is My Name
Side Two
01. Death Rattle
02. We'll Grind That Axe For A Long Time
03. Uplift
04. It Makes Them Disappear
05. I'll Cast A Shadow
* Studio Recording May '97
Presented in gatefold jackets, "The Great Southern Trendkill", "Official Live: 101 Proof" and "Reinventing The Steel" will be available July 24 from retail outlets, including Pantera.com and Rhino.com. The first two albums are double LPs and available for a suggested price of $24.98 each, while "Steel" will be issued as a single LP for $17.98.
This vinyl release of "Trendkill" is different from an earlier version that was issued as a single LP without the track "Suicide Note Pt. I". To include the song for this new release and ensure ultimate sound quality, Rhino expanded the album to a double LP.
Recorded over four years (1996-2000), these two studio albums and live collection represent the final three releases from PANTERA — singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.
The follow-up to the classic "Far Beyond Driven", "The Great Southern Trendkill" is the group's fourth platinum album, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard chart. It yielded three singles, "Drag The Waters", "Suicide Note Pt. I" and "Floods", the latter an epic track that features one of Dimebag's defining guitar solos.
The following year, the band returned with its first live album, the gold-certified "Official Live: 101 Proof". Recorded during the tour for "Trendkill", the collection captures the group at the peak of its live prowess as it grinds and grooves through many of its greatest songs, like "Walk", "Cowboys From Hell" and "Cemetery Gates", as well as "Dom/Hollow", which combines the tracks "Domination" and "Hollow". Along with the live recordings, the release also includes two studio recordings, "Where You Come From" and "I Can't Hide".
The group's final studio album, "Reinventing The Steel" was certified gold, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Along with the singles "Revolution Is My Name" and "I'll Cast A Shadow", the album's other standout tracks include "Death Rattle" and "Goddamn Electric", which features a guest guitar solo by SLAYER's Kerry King.
"The Great Southern Trendkill" track listing:
Side One
01. The Great Southern Trendkill
02. War Nerve
03. Drag The Waters
Side Two
01. 10's
02. 13 Steps To Nowhere
03. Suicide Note Pt. I
04. Suicide Note Pt. II
Side Three
01. Living Through Me (Hell's Wrath)
02. Floods
Side Four
01. The Underground In America
02. (Reprise) Sandblasted Skin
"Official Live: 101 Proof" track listing:
Side One
01. New Level
02. Walk
03. Becoming
04. 5 Minutes Alone
Side Two
01. Sandblasted Skin
02. Suicide Note Pt. 2
03. War Nerve
04. This Love
Side Three
01. Dom/Hollow
02. I'm Broken
03. Cowboys From Hell
04. Cemetery Gates
Side Four
01. Strength Beyond Strength
02. Hostile
03. Where You Come From *
04. I Can't Hide *
"Reinventing The Steel" track listing:
Side One
01. Hellbound
02. Goddamn Electric
03. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit
04. You've Got To Belong To It
05. Revolution Is My Name
Side Two
01. Death Rattle
02. We'll Grind That Axe For A Long Time
03. Uplift
04. It Makes Them Disappear
05. I'll Cast A Shadow
* Studio Recording May '97
John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently conducted an interview with SKID ROW singer Johnny Solinger. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Snake [SKID ROW guitarist Dave 'Snake" Sabo] told us in our last interview that there was a lot of new material you were sifting through and I think you played one the other week, a song called "Let's Go", is that correct?
Johnny: Yes, that's a new one, and I'll tell you, John, this new material is some of the best stuff we've done, definitely some of the best since I've been in the band. I consider a song like "Ghost" a truly great song that really should have been a big hit single, but that song came out on my first album with the band, "Thickskin", and nobody gave a shit at that time, which I understand. At this point, I'm on my third album and I've been around for over a decade. This next album and these songs are going to put us right back where we need to be because it's been a while since "Revolutions Per Minute" came out. The new album's got a lot of the energy and vibe of "Slave To The Grind" and the lyrics and riffs are just technical and crazy and everyone is just really juiced up about it and that excitement is translating itself onto the tape.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Snake had said he was in no hurry to get it out and that the songs all had to be there but the way you're talking it's moving along nicely. Do you think we'll see it around this time next year?
Johnny: Snake's really right in saying that to you. I mean, we all talked about that and we could rush it out just to put it out, but we just don't wanna do that. We've definitely got the songs, but we don't wanna just push it out there like that. If it's not great and things aren't lined up, then we're gonna wait. We are in negotiations with a pretty cool label and we're talking about all kinds of different ways of doing it. It's a different era and the whole record company business has changed so there's been talk about putting out a couple of EPs or doing it this way or that. Snake is very cautious about that, and I understand that, but we're setting on about 12 or so demos that rule, to be honest with you.
Legendary Rock Interviews: You mentioned talking with a label. Are you also waiting to see what materializes as far as producers or is that something you're willing to go on your own with?
Johnny: The way technology is, and the way these tapes are sounding with Rachel's [Bolan, bass] studio and equipment, it's tough to say. I think once the ink is in place on this deal we will have a better idea of whether we wanna go with a name producer or try and go at it ourselves. I don't have a problem either way as long as they don't try to change the sound or the songs too much because they are so headed in the right direction. We could easily do this one ourselves, but I guess it all depends on how the business end of it shakes out.
Legendary Rock Interviews: [Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach] made a lot of headlines a month or so ago when he said that he knew for a fact that there was only one person who was against a SKID ROW reunion. I knew from Snake telling me point blank that it was he who was dead set against it but I was also kind of confused because just a few months earlier Sebastian himself was telling me he wasn't interested and was more than happy with his solo career. How difficult does it make things for the band when [Bach] floats things like that out on Twitter or whatever?
Johnny: You know, John, I've never said anything bad publicly about the guy, because I don't care, it's my band to sing in now and has been for thirteen years. First of all, when he comes out and says stuff like that it's all crap. It is, just like "four out of five dentists approve" is crap. He's been wanting back in the band since I joined but there's not much he can say about it and not much I care to say about it. His statement that four out of the five guys are wanting a reunion with him was just his way of getting a little attention, and we don't really care either way about it because it's not going to happen. I'm not saying that to be bad to the dude, because I've never been that kind of guy to slag him or anything he does. In fact, I totally understand the old SKID ROW fans that abandoned us when I joined; that's fine, I get it. I totally love the fans that stayed on and enjoyed me with the band, of course (laughs) and I totally love the old SKID ROW fans that have come back into the fold. I just appreciate all of the fans, old and new, because they're all SKID ROW fans. It's all about the songs and the creativity and I love that about this band and their fans because they get it.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Paul Stanley once said something to the effect of, "there's a reason why your ex is your ex" and that seems to be the case in a lot of bands as well…
Johnny: The thing that blows my mind about all these guys is that they're all still friends. I mean, we play shows with other bands where the guys in the band can't even stand to be in the same room at the same time and it shows when they're onstage. My guys, to their credit, are all very cool. They hang together, they talk to each other and are genuinely close which isn't always as common as you'd think and is really something that makes it a pleasure to be in this band. There's not a druggie in the band, there's not an asshole in the band, all these different personal issues that can get in the way of making music are not an issue for us anymore, which is why it's so funny when those reunion rumors pop up, because it's just not gonna happen. All the true-blue fans know that by now, though.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Snake [SKID ROW guitarist Dave 'Snake" Sabo] told us in our last interview that there was a lot of new material you were sifting through and I think you played one the other week, a song called "Let's Go", is that correct?
Johnny: Yes, that's a new one, and I'll tell you, John, this new material is some of the best stuff we've done, definitely some of the best since I've been in the band. I consider a song like "Ghost" a truly great song that really should have been a big hit single, but that song came out on my first album with the band, "Thickskin", and nobody gave a shit at that time, which I understand. At this point, I'm on my third album and I've been around for over a decade. This next album and these songs are going to put us right back where we need to be because it's been a while since "Revolutions Per Minute" came out. The new album's got a lot of the energy and vibe of "Slave To The Grind" and the lyrics and riffs are just technical and crazy and everyone is just really juiced up about it and that excitement is translating itself onto the tape.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Snake had said he was in no hurry to get it out and that the songs all had to be there but the way you're talking it's moving along nicely. Do you think we'll see it around this time next year?
Johnny: Snake's really right in saying that to you. I mean, we all talked about that and we could rush it out just to put it out, but we just don't wanna do that. We've definitely got the songs, but we don't wanna just push it out there like that. If it's not great and things aren't lined up, then we're gonna wait. We are in negotiations with a pretty cool label and we're talking about all kinds of different ways of doing it. It's a different era and the whole record company business has changed so there's been talk about putting out a couple of EPs or doing it this way or that. Snake is very cautious about that, and I understand that, but we're setting on about 12 or so demos that rule, to be honest with you.
Legendary Rock Interviews: You mentioned talking with a label. Are you also waiting to see what materializes as far as producers or is that something you're willing to go on your own with?
Johnny: The way technology is, and the way these tapes are sounding with Rachel's [Bolan, bass] studio and equipment, it's tough to say. I think once the ink is in place on this deal we will have a better idea of whether we wanna go with a name producer or try and go at it ourselves. I don't have a problem either way as long as they don't try to change the sound or the songs too much because they are so headed in the right direction. We could easily do this one ourselves, but I guess it all depends on how the business end of it shakes out.
Legendary Rock Interviews: [Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach] made a lot of headlines a month or so ago when he said that he knew for a fact that there was only one person who was against a SKID ROW reunion. I knew from Snake telling me point blank that it was he who was dead set against it but I was also kind of confused because just a few months earlier Sebastian himself was telling me he wasn't interested and was more than happy with his solo career. How difficult does it make things for the band when [Bach] floats things like that out on Twitter or whatever?
Johnny: You know, John, I've never said anything bad publicly about the guy, because I don't care, it's my band to sing in now and has been for thirteen years. First of all, when he comes out and says stuff like that it's all crap. It is, just like "four out of five dentists approve" is crap. He's been wanting back in the band since I joined but there's not much he can say about it and not much I care to say about it. His statement that four out of the five guys are wanting a reunion with him was just his way of getting a little attention, and we don't really care either way about it because it's not going to happen. I'm not saying that to be bad to the dude, because I've never been that kind of guy to slag him or anything he does. In fact, I totally understand the old SKID ROW fans that abandoned us when I joined; that's fine, I get it. I totally love the fans that stayed on and enjoyed me with the band, of course (laughs) and I totally love the old SKID ROW fans that have come back into the fold. I just appreciate all of the fans, old and new, because they're all SKID ROW fans. It's all about the songs and the creativity and I love that about this band and their fans because they get it.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Paul Stanley once said something to the effect of, "there's a reason why your ex is your ex" and that seems to be the case in a lot of bands as well…
Johnny: The thing that blows my mind about all these guys is that they're all still friends. I mean, we play shows with other bands where the guys in the band can't even stand to be in the same room at the same time and it shows when they're onstage. My guys, to their credit, are all very cool. They hang together, they talk to each other and are genuinely close which isn't always as common as you'd think and is really something that makes it a pleasure to be in this band. There's not a druggie in the band, there's not an asshole in the band, all these different personal issues that can get in the way of making music are not an issue for us anymore, which is why it's so funny when those reunion rumors pop up, because it's just not gonna happen. All the true-blue fans know that by now, though.
Mr. Lordi of Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI will have his third art exhibiton at Simerock in Rovaniemi, Finland from July 13 until August 11. The exhibition is titled "Vistoja Kuvia" and it celebrates both LORDI's and Simerock Festival's 10-year anniversary. The exhibition offers a glimpse of nature, but more than that, stories behind the music and album art. In this exhbition Mr. Lordi showcases artworks from his previous art exhbitions.
The opening will be held on Friday, July 13 at 18.00, with Mr. Lordi in attendance.
Mr. Lordi designs LORDI's visual elements, which are an essential part of the band's artistic presence. He has expanded his artistic expression beyond this world.
LORDI will enter WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee in September with renowned producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, RAVEN, MEGADETH) to begin recording its new album for an early 2013 release.
The opening will be held on Friday, July 13 at 18.00, with Mr. Lordi in attendance.
Mr. Lordi designs LORDI's visual elements, which are an essential part of the band's artistic presence. He has expanded his artistic expression beyond this world.
LORDI will enter WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee in September with renowned producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, RAVEN, MEGADETH) to begin recording its new album for an early 2013 release.
Swiss metallers SYBREED will release their fourth album, "God Is An Automaton", on September 24 in Europe and October 2 in North America via Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2010's "The Pulse Of Awakening" was recorded at Downtone Studio in Geneva and was once again mixed in Los Angeles by Rhys Fulber, who has previously worked with FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, FEAR FACTORY and PARADISE LOST, among others. The artwork was created by Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH) and can be seen below.
Commented Seth Siro Anton: "My works are distorting dream mirrors of the body and soul. Human nature attracted often to specific art forms which are essentially attracted by the reflected dream world. On SYBREED new artwork, I tried to decode-externalize the architect of the blackest light, an automated God, an ironic priest which is fighting between two different levels of reality. An ironic synthesis combination of modern classicism. It was a great challenge and pleasure trying to visualize their new masterpiece."
SYBREED last year recorded a new song called "Challenger", which was released for download exclusively on iTunes. The track was enhanced with three "ass-kicking" remixes from BAK XIII, Voicians and Drop.
The "Challenger" EP was a standalone release, meant to serve as a sneak preview of the "catchy" kind of material SYBREED was working on for its next CD.
"The Pulse Of Awakening" was released in North America in July 2010 via Listenable Records.
Commented Seth Siro Anton: "My works are distorting dream mirrors of the body and soul. Human nature attracted often to specific art forms which are essentially attracted by the reflected dream world. On SYBREED new artwork, I tried to decode-externalize the architect of the blackest light, an automated God, an ironic priest which is fighting between two different levels of reality. An ironic synthesis combination of modern classicism. It was a great challenge and pleasure trying to visualize their new masterpiece."
SYBREED last year recorded a new song called "Challenger", which was released for download exclusively on iTunes. The track was enhanced with three "ass-kicking" remixes from BAK XIII, Voicians and Drop.
The "Challenger" EP was a standalone release, meant to serve as a sneak preview of the "catchy" kind of material SYBREED was working on for its next CD.
"The Pulse Of Awakening" was released in North America in July 2010 via Listenable Records.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/sybreeedgodcd.jpg
EXCEL, the long-defunct punk/metal fusion band from Venice, California, is planning to reunite for select live shows. Greg Saenz, who played drums for EXCEL from 1986 until 1992, tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "EXCEL are getting back together as a result of EXCEL bassist Shaun Ross and myself jamming with Alex Barreto (CHAIN OF STRENGTH) on guitar in Rialto, California We are going to continue rehearsals in Los Angeles with vocalist Dan Clements, and we are brainstorming a full-on assault of Southern California and hopefully beyond."
Formed in 1983 under the name CHAOTIC NOISE, the band changed its name to EXCEL in 1985. EXCEL released two albums — "Split Image" (1987) and "The Joke's On You" (1989) — before guitarist Adam Siegel joined INFECTIOUS GROOVES in 1990. In 1992, Siegel and Saenz left EXCEL to form the power trio MY HEAD. After five years of silence, EXCEL returned to record its third and final album, "Seeking Refuge" (1995), and then broke up for good.
In 2003, former members of EXCEL considered legal action against METALLICA over the song "Enter Sandman", which they claimed borrowed heavily from the EXCEL track "Tapping Into The Emotional Void". ("Tapping" was originally included on EXCEL's "The Joke's On You" LP, which surfaced in 1989 — two years prior to the release of METALLICA's self-titled CD.)
Formed in 1983 under the name CHAOTIC NOISE, the band changed its name to EXCEL in 1985. EXCEL released two albums — "Split Image" (1987) and "The Joke's On You" (1989) — before guitarist Adam Siegel joined INFECTIOUS GROOVES in 1990. In 1992, Siegel and Saenz left EXCEL to form the power trio MY HEAD. After five years of silence, EXCEL returned to record its third and final album, "Seeking Refuge" (1995), and then broke up for good.
In 2003, former members of EXCEL considered legal action against METALLICA over the song "Enter Sandman", which they claimed borrowed heavily from the EXCEL track "Tapping Into The Emotional Void". ("Tapping" was originally included on EXCEL's "The Joke's On You" LP, which surfaced in 1989 — two years prior to the release of METALLICA's self-titled CD.)
Former DIVINE HERESY/SNOT and current VEXT singer Tommy "Vext" Cummings is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Paige Montgomery of idobi radio, Tommy said (hear audio below), "I've known Randy probably for, like, eight or nine years now, and he's just such an amazing guy. Even with me, or any frontman in metal, our job is to go out there and we basically display a part of ourselves that is ugly and intense and intimidating. And Randy, like many other frontmen, he's an extremely intelligent, kind, compassionate and softspoken person. The sad thing is that sombody had to lose their life at a concert, and that's a bummer, but trying to hold an innocent man accountable for something that… I saw three different clips, footage of this kid, who was clearly inebriated, jumping on the stage, jumping off the stage of his own volition, and then security and Randy escorting him off the stage where it looked like the giant security guard had pushed him off. And then afterwards, the guy trying to get on stage again and then just passing out, and he looks clearly introxicated. And I think the real fault… I also security and I've done bodyguard work — that's what I do when I'm not touring — and from a general manager's standpoint, not just being an artist, it's security's responsibility to make sure the band is safe and the fans, first and foremost."
He added, "We're living in a post-Dimebag Darrell where, honestly, that day changed everything. And we lost one of the greatest guitar players in the history of American rock and roll, not just metal, because the security guard failed to keep the band safe from the fans. And unfortunately, if I was in that situation and I was on stage and some guy jumped on the stage, I'd throw him off, too. I have done it. I've played in Europe and I've played with DIVINE HERESY where there was no security and I was basically… Kids were crowdsurfing and I picked them up and I dropped them back in the crowd. Thank God nobody got hurt. You know, the adrenalin is pumping, the fans are going off, it's a certain style of music in a certain environment, and people have to be wary and careful about themselves."
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Paige Montgomery of idobi radio, Tommy said (hear audio below), "I've known Randy probably for, like, eight or nine years now, and he's just such an amazing guy. Even with me, or any frontman in metal, our job is to go out there and we basically display a part of ourselves that is ugly and intense and intimidating. And Randy, like many other frontmen, he's an extremely intelligent, kind, compassionate and softspoken person. The sad thing is that sombody had to lose their life at a concert, and that's a bummer, but trying to hold an innocent man accountable for something that… I saw three different clips, footage of this kid, who was clearly inebriated, jumping on the stage, jumping off the stage of his own volition, and then security and Randy escorting him off the stage where it looked like the giant security guard had pushed him off. And then afterwards, the guy trying to get on stage again and then just passing out, and he looks clearly introxicated. And I think the real fault… I also security and I've done bodyguard work — that's what I do when I'm not touring — and from a general manager's standpoint, not just being an artist, it's security's responsibility to make sure the band is safe and the fans, first and foremost."
He added, "We're living in a post-Dimebag Darrell where, honestly, that day changed everything. And we lost one of the greatest guitar players in the history of American rock and roll, not just metal, because the security guard failed to keep the band safe from the fans. And unfortunately, if I was in that situation and I was on stage and some guy jumped on the stage, I'd throw him off, too. I have done it. I've played in Europe and I've played with DIVINE HERESY where there was no security and I was basically… Kids were crowdsurfing and I picked them up and I dropped them back in the crowd. Thank God nobody got hurt. You know, the adrenalin is pumping, the fans are going off, it's a certain style of music in a certain environment, and people have to be wary and careful about themselves."
I AM WAR, the new Orange County, California-based act featuring Alex Varkatzas (vocals; ATREYU) and Brandan Schieppati (guitar, vocals; BLEEDING THROUGH), will release its debut album, "Outlive You All", on August 28 via Razor & Tie. The CD was produced by Mick Kenney (ANAAL NATHRAKH).
"Outlive You All" track listing:
01. Don't Worship Assholes
02. Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party
03. The Poisoning
04. Plug Me In
05. Bat Out of Hell
06. Hunting Me
07. Chipped Shoulders And Heart Attacks
08. Don't Know Anything
09. A Nightmare
10. Lead By Liars
11. My Love Affair With Disaster
12. Nihilistic Motivation
13. Feel The Same
I AM WAR released a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single featuring the songs "Bat Out Of Hell" (off their forthcoming album) and "Call Me Slugger" (vinyl exclusive). A limited number of the vinyl has been pressed in both white and hot pink, with 225 only available of each color.
The song "Bat Out Of Hell" is now available for streaming at AltPress.com.
Varkatzas previously stated that I AM WAR's album would be "filled with super-aggressive, heavy, energetic metallic, raw, punky hardcore. The kind of music that boils your blood and inspires you to get up and move."
"Outlive You All" track listing:
01. Don't Worship Assholes
02. Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party
03. The Poisoning
04. Plug Me In
05. Bat Out of Hell
06. Hunting Me
07. Chipped Shoulders And Heart Attacks
08. Don't Know Anything
09. A Nightmare
10. Lead By Liars
11. My Love Affair With Disaster
12. Nihilistic Motivation
13. Feel The Same
I AM WAR released a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single featuring the songs "Bat Out Of Hell" (off their forthcoming album) and "Call Me Slugger" (vinyl exclusive). A limited number of the vinyl has been pressed in both white and hot pink, with 225 only available of each color.
The song "Bat Out Of Hell" is now available for streaming at AltPress.com.
Varkatzas previously stated that I AM WAR's album would be "filled with super-aggressive, heavy, energetic metallic, raw, punky hardcore. The kind of music that boils your blood and inspires you to get up and move."
Former ATHEIST bassist Travis Morgan, who toured with the band last year and played at such festivals as Hellfest, Inferno and 70000 Tons Of Metal, has released a four track EP from his one-man band SUNKEN COLONY entitled "Animus".
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Imminent
02. Rite of Passage
03. Animus
04. Dormant Misery (GORGUTS cover)
Regarding "Animus", Travis said, "In many ways, this album is a struggle. It is a parallel story about a struggle, following characters on either side of the fourth wall. Every instrument struggles to present its piece of the story in the most efficient way. And seeing the story to completion was a struggle, taking three years to construct and record a mere four songs."
He continued, "I came very close to not releasing this album at all. Having never written and released any serious body of original music in my life, I decided to make an honest attempt. However, knowing my limited knowledge and skill level (I didn't play guitar, program drums, or know much of anything about audio recording at the start of this album's creation), I tried to see it as a 'practice record' — and at times, it shows. Between the lack of a professional quality mix, some questionable songwriting choices, the unhealthily perfectionist approach to recording, and the fact that the album is based around a concept on a video game I more or less came up with when I was 15 — there is more than one thing about this album that I disagree with in hindsight. But to have such hindsight means I must have learned a thing or two, which is indeed the case. And thus, we've come full circle..."
For more information, visit the SUNKEN COLONY Bandcamp page.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Imminent
02. Rite of Passage
03. Animus
04. Dormant Misery (GORGUTS cover)
Regarding "Animus", Travis said, "In many ways, this album is a struggle. It is a parallel story about a struggle, following characters on either side of the fourth wall. Every instrument struggles to present its piece of the story in the most efficient way. And seeing the story to completion was a struggle, taking three years to construct and record a mere four songs."
He continued, "I came very close to not releasing this album at all. Having never written and released any serious body of original music in my life, I decided to make an honest attempt. However, knowing my limited knowledge and skill level (I didn't play guitar, program drums, or know much of anything about audio recording at the start of this album's creation), I tried to see it as a 'practice record' — and at times, it shows. Between the lack of a professional quality mix, some questionable songwriting choices, the unhealthily perfectionist approach to recording, and the fact that the album is based around a concept on a video game I more or less came up with when I was 15 — there is more than one thing about this album that I disagree with in hindsight. But to have such hindsight means I must have learned a thing or two, which is indeed the case. And thus, we've come full circle..."
For more information, visit the SUNKEN COLONY Bandcamp page.
Norwegian progressive extreme metallers ENSLAVED have set "RIITIIR" as the title of their twelfth studio album, due in Europe on September 28 and in North America on October 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.
From the woods in Sweden, ENSLAVED guitarist/songwriter/founding member Ivar Bjørnson shares the following: "The album is, as mentioned, entitled 'RIITIIR' — a self-made 'Norse-ified' version of the words 'Rites' / 'Rituals.' RIITIIR = 'The Rites of Man,' to put it in a formulaic and easy way.
"There is no story with a timeline; again we've built structures that lay above the independent lyrics that we feel more comfortable with letting the reader explore, interpret, or simply discard themselves. It is entirely up to them. Meanwhile, we are extremely excited to see what visual artist Truls Espedal has come up with this time. The collaboration between him, myself, and Grutle [Kjellson, vocalist and bassist] was closer, more understanding and powerful this time than ever before in our more than decade-long cooperation. The album concept and our feelings connected to it hit home instantly with Truls, in the same way that his initial ideas resonated intensely with us from the second he shared them with us.
"We will, of course, discuss some key concepts and potential interpretations in deeper song-by-song analysis — but let's cross that rainbow when we get there."
Longtime friend and collaborator Truls Espedal shares the following about his creative process for "RIITIIR"'s album artwork, his seventh cover for ENSLAVED: "This process has become a tradition; a tradition that works very well for me, with a lot of artistic freedom. First, an e-mail or text from the band asking if I'm ready, and then a phone conversation with Grutle and Ivar a week prior to us having a meeting. On the phone they give me an album title, some insight into the theme and their ideas, then a brief talk about different visual symbols/elements, which will be incorporated. A week later, I'm on a plane to meet them. We spend a day where we discuss the visual ideas I've come up with, eat good food, drink and listen to some of the new music. Before I leave, we have agreed about the sketches made during the day. Back home, now with a deadline, I get to work and don't talk to them before the artwork is finished.
"ENSLAVED's music is constantly evolving and expanding, and we early on decided that the artwork should reflect this. From my first collaboration with the band on [2001's] 'Monumension' and forward, we have slowly merged different aspects into the work; what we wanted to do now was to further expand and change things up a bit, without losing the connection to earlier work. It still has a strong sense of symbolism, symmetrical compositions and references to Norse art. But there is an even bigger emphasis on realism on 'RIITIIR', which hopefully adds atmosphere to the finished work.
"This was the first time I had the whole album to listen to from the get-go. So for more or less 90 percent of all the hours spent in my studio, 'RIITIIR' was on constant repeat on the stereo and I truly believe that had a major impact on both the process and the finished result. The music influenced both the whole dynamics in the studio as well as choices made in color palette and atmosphere; it more or less dictated the mood of the paintings.
"Another difference this time was that I switched from acrylic paint to oil painting. So the front and back cover will be my first official ones in oils. This change gave me a challenge when it came to the deadline because of the drying rate and so on, but it felt right for the visual ideas we had decided on.
"The collaboration with Ivar and Grutle feels even more organic and natural than ever. Even though it is something that is a few years in-between, it always seems like we are on the same page. There are a lot of the thoughts and ideas in their work that I feel can be found in my own private paintings."
ENSLAVED's last two CDs — "Vertebrae" (2008) and "Axioma Ethica Odini" (2010) — were released via Indie Recordings in Europe and Nuclear Blast in North America.
ENSLAVED last year released "The Sleeping Gods" via Scion A/V as a free downloadable five-song EP. Following up on 2010's near-universally praised "Axioma Ethica Odini", the EP found the quintet once again expanding the boundaries of what metal can be, deftly incorporating influences from across the musical spectrum. Mainly recorded in Solslottet Studio in Bergen, and partly in the band's own home studio, the effort finds the group sounding leaner and more confident than ever, part and parcel of maintaining a presence at the foreground of the international metal movement for 20 years.
From the woods in Sweden, ENSLAVED guitarist/songwriter/founding member Ivar Bjørnson shares the following: "The album is, as mentioned, entitled 'RIITIIR' — a self-made 'Norse-ified' version of the words 'Rites' / 'Rituals.' RIITIIR = 'The Rites of Man,' to put it in a formulaic and easy way.
"There is no story with a timeline; again we've built structures that lay above the independent lyrics that we feel more comfortable with letting the reader explore, interpret, or simply discard themselves. It is entirely up to them. Meanwhile, we are extremely excited to see what visual artist Truls Espedal has come up with this time. The collaboration between him, myself, and Grutle [Kjellson, vocalist and bassist] was closer, more understanding and powerful this time than ever before in our more than decade-long cooperation. The album concept and our feelings connected to it hit home instantly with Truls, in the same way that his initial ideas resonated intensely with us from the second he shared them with us.
"We will, of course, discuss some key concepts and potential interpretations in deeper song-by-song analysis — but let's cross that rainbow when we get there."
Longtime friend and collaborator Truls Espedal shares the following about his creative process for "RIITIIR"'s album artwork, his seventh cover for ENSLAVED: "This process has become a tradition; a tradition that works very well for me, with a lot of artistic freedom. First, an e-mail or text from the band asking if I'm ready, and then a phone conversation with Grutle and Ivar a week prior to us having a meeting. On the phone they give me an album title, some insight into the theme and their ideas, then a brief talk about different visual symbols/elements, which will be incorporated. A week later, I'm on a plane to meet them. We spend a day where we discuss the visual ideas I've come up with, eat good food, drink and listen to some of the new music. Before I leave, we have agreed about the sketches made during the day. Back home, now with a deadline, I get to work and don't talk to them before the artwork is finished.
"ENSLAVED's music is constantly evolving and expanding, and we early on decided that the artwork should reflect this. From my first collaboration with the band on [2001's] 'Monumension' and forward, we have slowly merged different aspects into the work; what we wanted to do now was to further expand and change things up a bit, without losing the connection to earlier work. It still has a strong sense of symbolism, symmetrical compositions and references to Norse art. But there is an even bigger emphasis on realism on 'RIITIIR', which hopefully adds atmosphere to the finished work.
"This was the first time I had the whole album to listen to from the get-go. So for more or less 90 percent of all the hours spent in my studio, 'RIITIIR' was on constant repeat on the stereo and I truly believe that had a major impact on both the process and the finished result. The music influenced both the whole dynamics in the studio as well as choices made in color palette and atmosphere; it more or less dictated the mood of the paintings.
"Another difference this time was that I switched from acrylic paint to oil painting. So the front and back cover will be my first official ones in oils. This change gave me a challenge when it came to the deadline because of the drying rate and so on, but it felt right for the visual ideas we had decided on.
"The collaboration with Ivar and Grutle feels even more organic and natural than ever. Even though it is something that is a few years in-between, it always seems like we are on the same page. There are a lot of the thoughts and ideas in their work that I feel can be found in my own private paintings."
ENSLAVED's last two CDs — "Vertebrae" (2008) and "Axioma Ethica Odini" (2010) — were released via Indie Recordings in Europe and Nuclear Blast in North America.
ENSLAVED last year released "The Sleeping Gods" via Scion A/V as a free downloadable five-song EP. Following up on 2010's near-universally praised "Axioma Ethica Odini", the EP found the quintet once again expanding the boundaries of what metal can be, deftly incorporating influences from across the musical spectrum. Mainly recorded in Solslottet Studio in Bergen, and partly in the band's own home studio, the effort finds the group sounding leaner and more confident than ever, part and parcel of maintaining a presence at the foreground of the international metal movement for 20 years.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/enslavedrii.jpg
FOZZY — the band featuring WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and STUCK MOJO mastermind Rich "The Duke" Ward — will release its new album, "Sin And Bones", on August 14 (one day earlier internationally) via the group's new label, Century Media Records. The cover artwork for the CD can be seen below.
"Sandpaper", the lead single from "Sin And Bones", is available for streaming below. The trac, which features a guest appearance by AVENGED SEVENFOLD lead singer M. Shadows, will be released via iTunes on July 17.
"Sin And Bones" track listing:
01. Spider In My Mouth
02. Sandpaper
03. Blood Happens
04. Inside My Head
05. Sin And Bones
06. A Passed Life
07. She's My Addiction
08. Shine Forever
09. Dark Passenger
10. Storm The Beaches
Fan-filmed video footage of FOZZY performing "Sandpaper" at the pre-awards show boat party that cruised up the Thames to the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards on June 11 at Indigo2 in London, England can be seen below.
Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Jericho stated about how the new album title came about, "It's actually pretty funny. It's such a deep title and it can mean a lot of things. But how it really came about was Rich was texting me, saying, 'Man, I've gotta eat something on this tour. I'm all skin and bones.' And 'skin and bones,' he missed the [letter] 'k' and it came out [as] 'sin and bones.' And I showed it to him. I go, 'Dude, what do you think of this as an album title?' And he was like, 'Yeah, it's perfect.'"
In an interview with Sophie K of Total Rock at this year's Download festival, which was held June 8-10 at Donington Park in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, Jericho said about FOZZY's new CD, "Every artist says this, but it's definitely the best thing we've ever done. It kind of takes the FOZZY concept of what we do best, which is very heavy with very melodic choruses and a lot of harmonies. We're just super-proud of it. We worked on it for the last eight months."
He added, "We said we wanna make this like our 'black' album where all the songs kind of fit the same vibe. They're kind of darker lyrically, darker songs, but still catchy and hooky. So I'm really proud of the lyrics that I wrote for this. When I write lyrics, I give them to Rich Ward, and he takes them and writes riffs and songs based around what he feels the tone of the songs are. And I guess the lyrics I wrote are very dark, because it's a very dark record."
When asked if the "darker" vibe of the new album is reflection of personal things that might have gone on in his life, Jericho said, "I don't think so. I've just always been more attuned to that. Like, I write by songtitles. I read somewhere something about somebody woke up with a spider in their mouth. And I was like, 'Spider In My Mouth'. That's like the best title I could ever think of. So I wrote a bunch of lyrics that kind of fit that vibe. So a songtitle will lead… The first single is called 'Sandpaper'. And it's not about a piece of paper that you rub on your face that chafes you, it's just about an abrasive type of a feeling that you might have toward somebody. So it's just stuff like that. But we still sing it with a smile on our faces."
Speaking about some of the individual songs that make up the new FOZZY album, Jericho said, "We've been playing 'Sandpaper' live, and right off the bat people are bobbing their heads. So people can get into it right away, which is cool. I mean, there are so many great songs. There's another song called 'She's My Addiction', which is kind of a more [THE ROLLING] STONES-y, GUNS N' ROSES-type thing, but also very dark. Phil Campbell played a solo for it, from MOTÖRHEAD; he's been a very good friend of the band. There's a song called 'Inside My Head'. There's an 11-minute song about D-Day called 'Storm The Beaches'. 'Blood Happens'… that's a heavy one."
Elaborating further on how the "Spider In My Mouth" songtitle came about, Jericho said, "I read it in a Stephen King book. It said, 'He couldn't have been more disgusted if he woke up with a spider in his mouth. And I was like, 'Ahhh… Dude, how heavy is that?' And I wrote it down in my little songtitles book and about a year or two later, I went back and I looked through and it was like, 'Boom, I could do something with that.' So…"
Ward previously stated about the forthcoming CD, "Although every band says 'this is the best thing we've ever done,' I can honestly say that this new album is going to blow everyone away. It's the epitome of who FOZZY is as a band and will expand upon the ultra-heavy yet super melodic and hooky territory that we've refined for the last 12 years. I have a strong feeling that this will be known as our definitive masterpiece for years to come."
FOZZY last year parted ways with bassist Sean Delson and replaced him with Paul DiLeo (ADRENALINE MOB).
"Sandpaper", the lead single from "Sin And Bones", is available for streaming below. The trac, which features a guest appearance by AVENGED SEVENFOLD lead singer M. Shadows, will be released via iTunes on July 17.
"Sin And Bones" track listing:
01. Spider In My Mouth
02. Sandpaper
03. Blood Happens
04. Inside My Head
05. Sin And Bones
06. A Passed Life
07. She's My Addiction
08. Shine Forever
09. Dark Passenger
10. Storm The Beaches
Fan-filmed video footage of FOZZY performing "Sandpaper" at the pre-awards show boat party that cruised up the Thames to the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards on June 11 at Indigo2 in London, England can be seen below.
Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Jericho stated about how the new album title came about, "It's actually pretty funny. It's such a deep title and it can mean a lot of things. But how it really came about was Rich was texting me, saying, 'Man, I've gotta eat something on this tour. I'm all skin and bones.' And 'skin and bones,' he missed the [letter] 'k' and it came out [as] 'sin and bones.' And I showed it to him. I go, 'Dude, what do you think of this as an album title?' And he was like, 'Yeah, it's perfect.'"
In an interview with Sophie K of Total Rock at this year's Download festival, which was held June 8-10 at Donington Park in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, Jericho said about FOZZY's new CD, "Every artist says this, but it's definitely the best thing we've ever done. It kind of takes the FOZZY concept of what we do best, which is very heavy with very melodic choruses and a lot of harmonies. We're just super-proud of it. We worked on it for the last eight months."
He added, "We said we wanna make this like our 'black' album where all the songs kind of fit the same vibe. They're kind of darker lyrically, darker songs, but still catchy and hooky. So I'm really proud of the lyrics that I wrote for this. When I write lyrics, I give them to Rich Ward, and he takes them and writes riffs and songs based around what he feels the tone of the songs are. And I guess the lyrics I wrote are very dark, because it's a very dark record."
When asked if the "darker" vibe of the new album is reflection of personal things that might have gone on in his life, Jericho said, "I don't think so. I've just always been more attuned to that. Like, I write by songtitles. I read somewhere something about somebody woke up with a spider in their mouth. And I was like, 'Spider In My Mouth'. That's like the best title I could ever think of. So I wrote a bunch of lyrics that kind of fit that vibe. So a songtitle will lead… The first single is called 'Sandpaper'. And it's not about a piece of paper that you rub on your face that chafes you, it's just about an abrasive type of a feeling that you might have toward somebody. So it's just stuff like that. But we still sing it with a smile on our faces."
Speaking about some of the individual songs that make up the new FOZZY album, Jericho said, "We've been playing 'Sandpaper' live, and right off the bat people are bobbing their heads. So people can get into it right away, which is cool. I mean, there are so many great songs. There's another song called 'She's My Addiction', which is kind of a more [THE ROLLING] STONES-y, GUNS N' ROSES-type thing, but also very dark. Phil Campbell played a solo for it, from MOTÖRHEAD; he's been a very good friend of the band. There's a song called 'Inside My Head'. There's an 11-minute song about D-Day called 'Storm The Beaches'. 'Blood Happens'… that's a heavy one."
Elaborating further on how the "Spider In My Mouth" songtitle came about, Jericho said, "I read it in a Stephen King book. It said, 'He couldn't have been more disgusted if he woke up with a spider in his mouth. And I was like, 'Ahhh… Dude, how heavy is that?' And I wrote it down in my little songtitles book and about a year or two later, I went back and I looked through and it was like, 'Boom, I could do something with that.' So…"
Ward previously stated about the forthcoming CD, "Although every band says 'this is the best thing we've ever done,' I can honestly say that this new album is going to blow everyone away. It's the epitome of who FOZZY is as a band and will expand upon the ultra-heavy yet super melodic and hooky territory that we've refined for the last 12 years. I have a strong feeling that this will be known as our definitive masterpiece for years to come."
FOZZY last year parted ways with bassist Sean Delson and replaced him with Paul DiLeo (ADRENALINE MOB).
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/fozzysinbones.jpg
Greek Satanic blackened thrash outfit SATAN'S WRATH has inked a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band's debut album, "Galloping Blasphemy", will be released on September 25 in North America (one day earlier in Europe). According to a press release, the CD contains "nine tracks of unholy terror."
Formed in 2011 by multi-instrumentalist Tas Danazoglou (vocals, drums and bass) and Stamos K (guitar), SATAN'S WRATH deal in a style of heavy metal music which harks back to the times when the death, black and thrash genres were all considered one in the same, and only leather, spikes and bullets were real!
Tas Danazoglou comments on the deal with Metal Blade: "I bought 'Show No Mercy' by SLAYER when it was first released and have dreamt of the day when my own unholy necro-noise would be unleashed upon the earth via the same channels. Literally, this is my nightmare come true."
Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records, which celebrates its 30-year anniversary this year, states: "When I first heard SATAN'S WRATH, it transported me back three decades to the early days of the label when I loved bands like SLAYER (who released their first three titles, between 1983 and 1985, on Metal Blade) and POSSESSED (whose first commercial release was the track 'Swing Of The Axe', which opened the Metal Blade compilation 'Metal Massacre XI' in 1985). What will always impress me about the heavy metal genre is its ability to borrow from the past and boldly wear its influences on its sleeve, while still sounding fresh and relevant to the time it was created. SATAN'S WRATH are one of those bands, and will be right at home alongside the other acts on the Metal Blade roster — past, present and future."
Formed in 2011 by multi-instrumentalist Tas Danazoglou (vocals, drums and bass) and Stamos K (guitar), SATAN'S WRATH deal in a style of heavy metal music which harks back to the times when the death, black and thrash genres were all considered one in the same, and only leather, spikes and bullets were real!
Tas Danazoglou comments on the deal with Metal Blade: "I bought 'Show No Mercy' by SLAYER when it was first released and have dreamt of the day when my own unholy necro-noise would be unleashed upon the earth via the same channels. Literally, this is my nightmare come true."
Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records, which celebrates its 30-year anniversary this year, states: "When I first heard SATAN'S WRATH, it transported me back three decades to the early days of the label when I loved bands like SLAYER (who released their first three titles, between 1983 and 1985, on Metal Blade) and POSSESSED (whose first commercial release was the track 'Swing Of The Axe', which opened the Metal Blade compilation 'Metal Massacre XI' in 1985). What will always impress me about the heavy metal genre is its ability to borrow from the past and boldly wear its influences on its sleeve, while still sounding fresh and relevant to the time it was created. SATAN'S WRATH are one of those bands, and will be right at home alongside the other acts on the Metal Blade roster — past, present and future."
Season Of Mist has announced the signing of Chile's cult act UNDERCROFT. Led by bassist/vocalist Alvaro Lillo (also of WATAIN fame), the band emerged from the obscurity of the South American underground as early as 1993 with the release of two legendary demos. Five albums and nearly 20 years later, UNDERCROFT will unleash its stunning sixth full-length album, entitled "Ruins Of Gomorrah", on September 21 (October 9 in North America) through Season Of Mist's Underground Activists division. The CD was produced by Daniel Bergstrand, who has previously worked with IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARKANE and MESHUGGAH, among others.
"UNDERCROFT is proud to join the of Season Of Mist roster," the band comments. "It is time to continue stronger, with trustfulness and satisfaction to join Season Of Mist, knowing that things will be much serious and better handled than ever before, with the conviction of experience and restless work that became our curse over this earth through all this years. The Chilean mercenaries will rise chants of death upon this soil once again and our sixth manifest of war and maledictions is named 'Ruins Of Gomorrah'. Cheers, Season Of Mist! Thanx for your support!"
"UNDERCROFT is proud to join the of Season Of Mist roster," the band comments. "It is time to continue stronger, with trustfulness and satisfaction to join Season Of Mist, knowing that things will be much serious and better handled than ever before, with the conviction of experience and restless work that became our curse over this earth through all this years. The Chilean mercenaries will rise chants of death upon this soil once again and our sixth manifest of war and maledictions is named 'Ruins Of Gomorrah'. Cheers, Season Of Mist! Thanx for your support!"
GORGUTS, SEPTICFLESH and KRISIUN are among the confirmed bands for the 12th edition of the Trois-Rivières Metalfest, set to take place October 12-13 at the Batisse Industrielle in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
GORGUTS
SEPTICFLESH
BARF
KRISIUN
EX DEO
MELECHESH
UNEXPECT
ANONYMUS
INQUISITION
SYMBOLIC
For more information, go to www.3rmf.com.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
GORGUTS
SEPTICFLESH
BARF
KRISIUN
EX DEO
MELECHESH
UNEXPECT
ANONYMUS
INQUISITION
SYMBOLIC
For more information, go to www.3rmf.com.
19 years since their last appearance on stage, the "Screams Of Anguish" lineup of Florida-based death metallers BRUTALITY — consisting of Scott Reigel, Jeff Acres, Don Gates and Jay Fernandez, as well as our new addition Earl "Maddog" Zambella on drums — will reunite for an October 13 performance at the Brass Mug in Tampa. This is the annual Metal Meowlisha show (the charity operated by OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy and his wife Heather) where all procedes go to benefit our friendly felines.
Commented BRUTALITY: "It's an honor to have this show as our comeback event and we look forward to everyones support for such a great cause. We as well will have merchandise to auction off for the benefit. Please show your support by coming out and having a great time. This is guaranteed to be a night for all to remember."
Poland's Metal Mind Productions re-released three albums from BRUTALITY — "Screams Of Anguish", "When The Sky Turns Black" and "In Mourning" — in May 2008. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) contains one bonus track and will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
BRUTALITY was formed in 1986 by Acres. The band released four demos and two seven-inch EPs before getting signed to Nuclear Blast Records in 1992. The group recorded three albums for the label before disbanding in 1996.
Commented BRUTALITY: "It's an honor to have this show as our comeback event and we look forward to everyones support for such a great cause. We as well will have merchandise to auction off for the benefit. Please show your support by coming out and having a great time. This is guaranteed to be a night for all to remember."
Poland's Metal Mind Productions re-released three albums from BRUTALITY — "Screams Of Anguish", "When The Sky Turns Black" and "In Mourning" — in May 2008. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) contains one bonus track and will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
BRUTALITY was formed in 1986 by Acres. The band released four demos and two seven-inch EPs before getting signed to Nuclear Blast Records in 1992. The group recorded three albums for the label before disbanding in 1996.
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