Metal News

[Ravenpride]

AEROSMITH - Joey Kramer von Richter am Grammy-Auftritt gehindert

AERSOSMITH-Schlagzeuger Joey Kramers Versuch, sich rechtzeitig zum Grammy-Auftritt am 26. Januar wieder in die Band zu klagen, wurde nun von Richter Mark Gildea (Landesgericht von Plymouth County, Massachusetts) vereitelt.

Gildea gab zu Protokoll: "Angesichts dessen, dass Kramer seit sechs Monaten nicht mehr mit der Band zusammen gespielt hat und es an verfügbarer Zeit für Proben vor den kommenden (Grammy-) Performances mangelt, hat Kramer keinen alternativen Handlungsweg gefunden, der die Geschäftsinteressen der Band schützt. Daher wird hiermit angeordnet, dass die Forderung des Klägers nach Unterlassungsanspruch abgelehnt wird."

Kramer (Foto 2.v.r.) war, obwohl AEROSMITH nicht mit ihm auftreten wollen, nach Los Angeles gereist, um vor der Grammy-Verleihung mit den Hardrockern zu proben. Von der Reaktion seiner Bandkollegen zeigt sich der Drummer enttäuscht: "Als ich zur Probe kam, wurde ich von zwei Sicherheitsleuten in Empfang genommen, die mir den Eintritt verwehrten." Über die Entscheidung des Richters lässt der Schlagzeuger verlauten: "Auch wenn ich vom Rechtsspruch des Richters extrem enttäuscht bin, respektiere ich ihn."

[Ravenpride]

ABSU Calls It Quits

Black metallers ABSU have split up.

Longtime drummer and vocalist Russ Givens, who goes by the stage name Proscriptor McGovern, broke the news of the band's breakup in a social media post earlier today.

He wrote: "After meager deliberation and zero remorse, I have decided to dissolve ABSU after three decades of existence. Collectively and universally speaking, this decision is finite due to insoluble circumstances, which has led to this ultimate result. No amount of time, exertion, formula or fashion can alter my verdict.

"Refusing to further comment on the subject, I leave thee with the following enchantment:


"{Vii} For there are bitter waters of Chaos held immobile under (the) ground – And the Sovereigns, who personify them, reign over Opacities and Beyond.

"[II] Beseech these All-Begetters in darkness, outside the circles of time. In Chaos’ sleight of hand, the Deep will respond.”

"{Vi} Never Blow Out The Eastern Candle —

"Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens)"

Back in 2018, Melissa Moore, better known as ABSU guitarist Vis Crom, said that she was no longer in the band, blaming her bandmates' reaction to her coming out as transgender for her exit. She said at the time: "The most fucked up transphobia from my bandmates is what happened. The band is broken up and I am still at a loss on how to handle it. It is ONLY because I am trans."

ABSU came to prominence with the release of its 1993 debut, "Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.", but it was with 2001's "Tara" that the band truly arrived. The album reached top lists of countless magazines worldwide. Years, however, would pass before any new material would be recorded. In late 2007, the band finally announced its re-awakening. The band would take nearly sixteen months writing/recording its sixth album, "Absu", which was released early 2009. The second installment of what was meant to be a trilogy, "Abzu", arrived in 2011.

[Ravenpride]

VIO-LENCE Recruits Former OVERKILL Guitarist BOBBY GUSTAFSON

Reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers VIO-LENCE have parted ways with guitarist Ray Vegas. His temporary replacement for VIO-LENCE shows starting in late February will be former OVERKILL guitarist Bobby Gustafson.

Says the band: "VIO-LENCE would like to thank Ray Vegas for all his hard work and contributions to this band. It's been an incredible year bringing VIO back to life and Ray was an integral part in our success. We wish him all the best.

"The band will perform in Puerto Rico this weekend as a four-piece and Bobby will start later in February when the band goes to Japan, Australia [and] New Zealand. All shows will be honored as scheduled."

VIO-LENCE released three studio albums between 1988 and 1993. The group reunited soon after guitarist Phil Demmel left MACHINE HEAD in late 2018.


VIO-LENCE performed its first comeback concert in April 2019 at the Oakland Metro in Oakland, California and spent the last year playing select shows in the U.S. and Europe.

The band's current touring lineup consists of Demmel, Gustafson, vocalist Sean Killian, drummer Perry Strickland and bassist Deen Dell.

Although MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn was part of VIO-LENCE's classic incarnation and played on the band's debut album, "Eternal Nightmare", he wasn't contacted about doing the comeback shows.

Demmel told Australia's Heavy magazine about VIO-LENCE's comeback: "This whole thing kind of started slow, right after I quit MACHINE HEAD and did a little bridge thing with SLAYER [filling in for Gary Holt]. Sean reached out about doing a couple of shows, and I was pretty floored, because he wasn't looking too good the last time I saw him. [Editor's note: Killian received a liver transplant in 2018.]… My only concern was Sean, and how he was physically. I think that all the other things could be put into place, but there's no VIO-LENCE without Sean Killian. [It was about] making sure that he was going to be good, and be able to pull it off. I didn't want to go out there and just kind of prop him up and have him just be going through some — not midlife crisis, but some sort of thing that he just wanted to do. I wanted it to be quality, because we've always put on a pretty quality product whenever we got together and jammed."

Asked about the prospect of new VIO-LENCE music, Phil said: "We're just kind of enjoying getting through the shows and playing with each other. We're going to be getting to a part where we're traveling together, so we're still kind of feeling each other out in that sense. New music? Sean's itching to write some new music. I'm not itching as hard. I've got a lot on my plate. VIO-LENCE is definitely a priority, but that's just a step I haven't... It's hard, because you have this comeback, and then you play the songs, and you want to be good. I don't want to put out something that isn't as good as 'Eternal Nightmare' or some of the songs from 'Oppressing [The Masses]'. I want to have something that's quality. I want to be with these guys long enough to know that that can happen, because I don't want to put out something shitty. I don't want to taint the feeling that people would have, because I know the live show's there, but I don't know that the creative part, that aspect of it, is there yet. Until I'm sure of that, I just kind of want to enjoy what we're doing now. [We're] just really trying to be kind of delicate with it. All the fun we're having, I don't want to fuck it up."

Vio-lence is announcing former Overkill guitar player Bobby Gustafson as fill-in for upcoming shows. The band will perform in Puerto Rico this weekend as a 4 piece and Bobby will start later in February when the band goes to Japan/Australia/New Zealand. All shows will be honored as scheduled.

[Ravenpride]

It is with sadness I have been forced to part ways with Abbath. It has been a challenging but exhilarating/exciting time and I am proud of my contribution to the Outstrider album, the concerts, the videos for Harvest Pyre and Hecate and the visuals and promotion of the band in general. For me, being a part of Abbath was a dream come true and I can say with my hand on my heart I have been loyal to the team and to Abbath himself. Everyone can see this from the Argentina concert where I stood on the stage until the bitter end. I have not always agreed with certain other people in the Abbath camp and I have given my opinion honestly without anger or negative intent.

Unfortunately not everyone can take this.

I am disappointed that none of my former colleagues have contacted me in this process except for the five minute phone call from Abbath's manager in which I was told I would no longer be needed.
I was told not to contact anyone in the band. The explanation for this had no substance and just made more questions and confusion for me.
Up until then I had been preparing for the European tour as I had been told to do. I had to cancel other plans, and get time off work for the tour which I spent much time preparing for.

I am truly grateful for all the support from the fans, media, everyone at Season of Mist and collaborators of Abbath!

Thank you so much! It means everything to me in this difficult time.

I also wish only the best for Abbath whom I will always admire as an artist and thank him for the opportunity he has given me. Now I shall focus on my next step. Several very interesting new projects are in the works. I promise you have not heard the last of me.

Ciao!

Mia

[Ravenpride]

Acclaimed French Heavy Metal Cover Artist Accused Of Disemboweling His 80-Year-Old Father

According to the French newspapers Le Parisien and Le Dauphiné Libéré, acclaimed heavy metal cover artist Jean-Pascal "JP" Fournier was arrested on Thursday for allegedly killing his 80-year-old father, Jean-Paul Fournier, by disemboweling him and shooting an arrow in his head.

The police apparently discovered Jean-Paul's body on Wednesday after being alerted by relatives. The victim's wife, an elderly and sick woman, was upstairs when the police arrived.

One day after allegedly committing the murder, Jean-Pascal reportedly tried to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge into the Isère river in the town of Saint-Martin-d'Hères in the suburbs of Grenoble. The police were called, and the the 47-year-old suspect, who was not injured, was immediately taken by investigators to the Grenoble police station where he was placed in police custody.

One of the victim's neighbors, Jacques, voiced his shock at the deadly outburst of violence, saying that the murderous act was "beyond comprehension." The neighbor described Jean-Paul as "quiet" and "very kind." As for Jean-Pascal, whom the neighbor saw from time to time, Jacques said: 'He did not look mean. He must have gone crazy. Why? I do not know."

According to his web site, Jean-Pascal Fournier began to draw and paint before he was able to walk, and he has worked on more than 200 album covers — including AVANTASIA's "The Metal Opera", DRAGONFORCE's "Valley Of The Damned" and EDGUY's "The Savage Poetry" — over the course of his nearly two-and-half-decade career. He has also designed the logos of several well-known metal acts.

[Ravenpride]

Interview mit Markus Riedler von Napalm Records

Dass nach Century Media auch noch Nuclear Blast in einem Großkonzern aufgegangen sind, lässt erkennen: Independent-Labels sterben aus. Einer, der dem zumindest für die nächsten zehn Jahre noch die Stirn bieten will, ist Markus Riedler, Gründer von NAPALM RECORDS und damit einflussreichster Österreicher im Metal. In Teil 7 unseres Label-Specials erklärt Riedler, wie er im obersteirischen Eisenerz einen weltweit agierenden Konzern geschaffen hat, wie er die Zukunft der Musikindustrie einschätzt und was ein Newcomer mitbringen muss, um ihn zu überzeugen.

https://www.metal1.info/interviews/napa ... rVsJupMNEg

[Ravenpride]

-ATTENTION!-

A message from Ro:

“After careful consideration, I have decided to stand down as lead guitarist in Deströyer 666 for personal reasons.

I wish KK, Felipe and Kev all the best in moving forward, tempering the fires of creation and continuing to bring the spirit of defiance and wildness to all corners of the world.

My time in the band has been a life-changing experience and a true honour. Long Live The Wolf Pack!

I extend my gratitude to Perra Karlsson, Matt Razor and all the fellow maniacs I’ve shared the stage with and friendships made on the road. You know who you are. Keep the fire burning!

Ultra Metallic Hails to Rosa and Mel for their undying support all these years.

A special mention to: Nocturnal Graves, Dead Congregation, Inconcessus Lux Lucis and our crew: Roman, Tomasz, Radu and Intu for a truly killer final tour.

And last, but certainly not least: Nico for his consistent professionalism. A real asset to The Wolf Pack!”

RC

------

We KK/F/K wish him great fortune in all future endavours as after 7 years of hard work roadkilling, he remains a true brother and a comrade before any of you housepets out there start speculating.
Solid work on the new Deströyer 666 full-lenght album continues incessantly with great progress and more news about this and other concerns coming whenever there's something to say. In the meantime get up your ass and do some exercise, healthy, read some books, listen to vinyl and stay off the radar whenever possible.

-Deströyer 666-

[Ravenpride]

Heavy-Metal-Festival in Wacken fällt 2020 aus

Liebe Metalheads,
mit der gestrigen Entscheidung der Bundesregierung sind Großveranstaltungen in Deutschland aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie bis zum 31. August 2020 untersagt. Damit stehen wir vor einer Situation, die wir in 30 Jahren noch nicht erlebt haben: Wir müssen euch schweren Herzens mitteilen, dass es in diesem Jahr kein Wacken Open Air geben wird.

Unser gesamtes Team hat auch in den letzten Monaten intensiv an dem Festival gearbeitet. Umso mehr sind wir alle enttäuscht, dass wir in diesem Jahr kein Wacken Open Air mit euch feiern dürfen. Diese Nachricht trifft uns tief und muss auch von uns erst einmal verarbeitet werden.

Eines möchten wir euch aber bereits an dieser Stelle wissen lassen: In dieser für die gesamte Welt schwierigen Lage tragen wir die Entscheidung der Bundesregierung mit. Eure Gesundheit und Sicherheit stehen für uns immer an erster Stelle. In der aktuellen Situation sehen wir uns als Veranstalter in einer noch weiter reichenden Verantwortung und folgen den notwendigen Anweisungen der Experten.

Hinsichtlich des Wacken Open Air 2021 und den Optionen bezüglich eurer gekauften Tickets melden wir uns schnellstmöglich bei euch, bitten aber um etwas Geduld. Wir danken euch für euer Vertrauen in dieser für uns allen beispiellosen Lage.

Bleibt gesund – In Metal We Trust!

Euer W:O:A-Team

[Ravenpride]

MORBID ANGEL's TREY AZAGTHOTH Reportedly Told Cops 'I'm A Professional Drinker' As He Was Arrested For Drunk Driving

According to The Smoking Gun, MORBID ANGEL guitarist Trey Azagthoth told cops "I'm a professional drinker" after he was pulled over for speeding earlier this year.

The now-55-year-old musician, whose real name is George Emmanuel, was stopped by a sheriff's deputy at approximately 11:09 p.m. on January 1 for driving "at a high rate of speed in a 35 mph zone." After being collared, Emmanuel — who had "watery and glassy" eyes — performed poorly on a series of field sobriety tests. Additionally, his blood alcohol content was measured at .218 and .211 — nearly three times the .08 legal limit.

After being read his rights, Emmanuel "admitted to consuming 1-2 shots of whiskey prior to driving," according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Smoking Gun. The guitarist also reportedly told cops: "I'm a professional drinker."

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Emmanuel was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge and was released from Pinellas County Jail on January 2 at 9:21 a.m. on his own recognizance.

Police booking photo (above left) courtesy of Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

[Ravenpride]

Goodbye, NERVOSA!

Everything has a beginning and an end, life is made of beginning and the end, it is the natural cycle of things. Some of these endings are pretty challenging and that's definitely the hardest of my life - the hardest decision of my life.
I thought I would be in this band that is my passion, but I decided that today ends my journey inside NERVOSA.

It's all right and I will always look at my tattoo on my fist and the past with great pride of what I built and I was part of, and above all, so happy to have touched each of their hearts with my art.

Forever I will carry with me that wonderful feeling, the desire to dominate the world, the feeling of writing the first lyrics, to release the first clip and recordings of the band, to do our first shows, of the happiness to go up on the first time out of the country, outside of my continent, to know each of the almost 60 countries that I have had the privilege to know over this period. Even of the people we passed and won, I will always remember and keep each one, because they made us grow and learn so much. Anyway, I couldn't feel more accomplished from having contributed to the front line for almost a decade to become one of the most solid and known bands of the national metal, it was a hard and intense work, but it was worth every minute The best of the world.
So thank you, Nervosa and thank you to each of you for all this time, without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for helping to fulfill each of the biggest dreams of the 14-year-old Femetal headbanger that I dreamed of having a metal band.

Anyway, I finish this cycle that I did the best I could do, with a lot of passion, dedication and honesty.

Making it clear that the decision is personal and it has nothing to do with the fatigue of tours, record label, nothing! My passion for the fans, for music and the road still lives intact inside me and I will continue to be in the metal with my new project (which has nothing to do with this decision).
As my choice hurts and it's still going to hurt, I'm going to walk away here for a few days. In the meantime, I just ask you to be kind in this delicate moment for me. In the most, much love to all and again, thank you

[Ravenpride]

"So, I'm no longer a part of Nervosa. First of all, I would like to say that I'm extremely glad for everything I got to experience with this band, for the amazing places I've seen on tours, for everything I learned in the past years, for the opportunities that it gave me, but mainly, I'm extremely thankful for all YOUR support since I joined this band. I got to know many of you in person around the world, and there is nothing more precious to me than your support, I can't put into words how glad I am.

Overall, it's time for me to move on. I believe that for everything we (people) work with, we need to put our hearts into it and do our best, and when the excitement is not the same anymore, for whatever reason it may be, I don't think it would be honest to keep doing it anymore, it wouldn't be honest with me, and neither with you, that has been following my trajectory. It's not like I just decided that I wouldn't like to be part of it anymore, of course I have personal reasons and this is a tough decision, but these reasons will remain personal.

I know many many of you are gonna be sad, but overall and with time, I hope you understand it. I wanna make clear that I will absolutely not quit playing or anything like that, I've been playing for over 10 years now and it's not in my life plans to stop, but I will move on, start a new project where I can put my heart, soul and ideals into it. I also wanna make clear that my new projects (the ones I started and the ones I will start) didn't affect in this decision or in the way I have been feeling about it. Everything is gonna be fine, every one of us will follow a different path that can make us happier. I wish the best luck for Nervosa, and I will always be glad for the good moments we had, all I've learned and how much it was part of my history.
That's all for now."

[Ravenpride]

NERVOSA will never die!

Despite all the rumours NERVOSA will continue!

Fernanda and Luana are no longer part of Nervosa, they decided to leave the band.

There are many reasons and each one of us has their own but since 2 years Nervosa has not been the same and we were all trying to keep the band alive, each of us doing their best, without exceptions.

We want to give the best to our fans and that is simply not possible anymore!

NERVOSA would like to thank everybody that were a part of the band for the dedication and wishes the best of luck!

Please stay tuned, the new members and many other news will be announced soon!

Thanks for all the support!

[Ravenpride]

Vocalist Sy Keeler has announced his departure from the band veteran British thrash metal band ONSLAUGHT.

ONSLAUGHT said in a statement: "Due to the nature of the modern-day music industry, some things simply aren't sustainable year after year and Sy has now taken a different full-time career path.

"We would like to wish Sy and his family all the very best on this new journey through life and give him huge thanks for his immense vocal performances in the band over the years. We've shared so many great experiences, made some very cool records and played some really amazing shows across the globe.

"Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and for us as a band, what doesn't kill us will once again make us stronger."

ONSLAUGHT is currently finalizing work on their as-yet-untitled new album. More information will be made available soon.

Back in August 2018, ONSLAUGHT debuted a new song, "A Perfect Day To Die", at the Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.

The band's last LP, "VI", was released in September 2013 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2011's "Sounds Of Violence" was mixed by Thomas "Plec" Johansson (TIAMAT, SCAR SYMMETRY) at Panic Room studios in Skara, Sweden.

[Ravenpride]

ONSLAUGHT Announces New Vocalist

U.K. thrashers ONSLAUGHT have announced the addition of vocalist Dave Garnett to the group's ranks.

Garnett has already performed with ONSLAUGHT, having filled in for previous singer Sy Keeler at the House Of Metal festival in Umeå, Sweden in late February (see video below).

ONSLAUGHT guitarist Nige Rockett comments: "Obviously it was a huge blow for us losing Sy, but in Dave Garnett, we have found an incredible talent who has a great deal of experience both on the stage and in the studio.

"The new ONSLAUGHT album is without question our most raw and aggressive record to date. There's a lot of our early influences shining through, and Dave has more than risen to the challenge in delivering some pure hrash metal vocals."

Garnett adds: "Naturally, like everyone, I was gutted to hear about the departure of Sy Keeler. ONSLAUGHT's music and Sy's vocal style has been an influence of mine for many years, so it was a great honor for me to be asked by the band to fill these very BIG shoes.

"As the new voice of ONSLAUGHT, I want to honour Sy for his amazing performances over the years, while at the same time bringing a new sound and energy to the band.

"With a new album set for release and so many live shows / festivals in the works, I will be extremely excited to step out on to the stage with great anticipation and give the fans what they deserve."

[Ravenpride]