Archive for December, 2004

Black Sabbath to record new album?

Published
by
JR
on December 14, 2004
in Music
. 0 Comments

Black Sabbath

Producer Rick Rubin (Slayer, Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System Of A Down) recently told Sunday Herald Associate Editor Alan Taylor that he was in Worcestershire, U.K. to work on a new Black Sabbath album. No further information is currently available.

As previously reported, Black Sabbath guitarist Tomy Iommi is currently working with ex-Deep Purple vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes on material for a new studio album, tentatively due next year on Sanctuary Records. Joining Iommi and Hughes during the recording sessions for the upcoming CD is ex-John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff.

With regards to the possibility of a new Black Sabbath album, Iommi recently told Rolling Stone magazine, “I’d like to think that we’ll be doing another album. With Black Sabbath, things just happen. We weren’t supposed to be doing the last Ozzfest, but we did.”

In other Sabbath related news, BBC News is reporting that a 12-string Fender guitar and gold and silver Black Sabbath discs have been stolen in a burglary at the home of Ozzy Osbourne’s manager Patrick Meehan.

They were taken in a break-in at outbuildings in Troy Lane, Edenbridge, Kent, Kent Police have revealed.

A gold and a silver disc since advertised on Internet auction site eBay were recovered from an address in Welling, police said on Thursday.

“Master of Reality”, “Paranoid” and “Volume 4″ are among those still missing.

The burglary took place some time between November 20 and December 4, police said.

The discs recovered were advertised on eBay at the beginning of December and had been bought in good faith from a boot fair in Essex.

Black Sabbath singer Ozzy grappled with a burglar who escaped with jewellery worth £2m from his own Buckinghamshire mansion in November.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said there was no reason to link the two break-ins.

Officers are appealing for help in tracing the guitar and remaining gold and silver discs.

Dimebag Darrell Dead

Published
by
JR
on December 9, 2004
in KillFuckDie, Music and The Real World
. 0 Comments

Dimebag Darrell Dead

An enraged fan has walked onstage in a crowded US nightclub during a heavy metal concert and opened fire on the band and the audience, killing five people - including at least one band member - before being shot dead by police.

Members of Damageplan had just begun their first song at the metal music venue Alrosa Villa when the man opened fire, initially targeting guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, a former member of Pantera, one of the world’s biggest metal bands, then his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul, another former Pantera member.

“I was up close to the stage on the side where Dimebag was playing,” wrote one fan on the band’s website. “Then I saw the guy jump out of the crowd onto the stage. He was yelling something about how ‘You broke up Pantera, you ruined my life. What about Phil?’ ” - referring to Phil Anselmo, the Pantera singer who did not join Damageplan. ” ‘He needs heroin money.’

“Then I saw the gun and he shot DBD (Dimebag) right in the head. When DBD went down he kept shooting. Then he turned around for (other band members) Bob Zilla, then Vinnie.

“The whole time I thought it was part of the show. I had blood on me I was so close. I’m still freakin’ out here…

“The cops showed up and then people started sayin’ that DBD was killed…

There’s some blood on my ticket stub, so I’m going to sell it on eBay or keep it or something. I know DBD is in heaven (or ripping some mad riffs in hell).”

The other dead have not been named.

RIP Darrell. A very sad day…

Tributes:
Vinnie Paul of Pantera/Damageplan
With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, Dime will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! Dime gave it all every day to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him…Thanks to all of you for reaching out to us in this time of our immeasurable loss. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DIME!!!!!!

Ozzy Osbourne
Dimebag was a dear friend of mine. I’m absolutely beside myself with grief. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would do this. Pantera toured with me many, many times. I’ll always remember the signed guitar that he gave me at my 50th birthday party. My heart goes out to Dime’s family, his fans and the other innocent victims who were killed in this senseless tragedy. It’s just terribly, terribly sad.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
“I was absolutely shocked by the news. Dimebag was such a really nice genuine bloke and a great player. He was always very respectful towards me and it was lovely to have him on tour with us. He will be sadly missed.”

Scott Ian of Anthrax
He was larger than life. He used to call me “the action figure” because of how I move around onstage, and I used to tell him he stepped right out of a comic book. He was just so full of energy and such a strong presence. [As a musician], he had everything — just his originality, the riffs he wrote, his tone and what he did with his guitar. He didn’t sound like anybody before him, and nobody could come close to duplicating what he did. That’s the best thing you could say about any musician . . . I’m still kind of stunned. It’s hard for me to believe that this is how his life ended. I don’t know if I’m ready to accept the fact that I’m not gonna go to see him play live and have him obnoxiously shoving drinks down my throat.

Paul Stanley of KISS
I’m stunned. The taking of Dimebag Darrell’s life in this horrific murder is a senseless tragedy for his fans and unfathomable loss for his family. I send my deepest condolences to Vinnie and the rest of his family. My thoughts are also with the families of all the other victims of this heinous act.

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth
I knew him by wanting to play with him. We had Pantera open for Megadeth in the U.S. and in Europe. When you get to the level of guitar playing that I’m at and that he was at, the air is pretty thin up there . . . Darrell was a really gentle spirit and pretty easygoing guy. Society is looking at this and saying, “This is heavy metal.” That’s not heavy metal, that’s a random act.

Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne
He was beyond beautiful. When he’d walk in the room, he’d light it up. Fuck the guitar playing — he’s right up there with Eddie and Randy and Hendrix. All he wanted to do was make everyone happy. He was the ray of sunshine. Dime will never die ever — he’s in my veins. He’s sitting at God’s tavern, having a cold one with Randy Rhoads and Hendrix. Dime was an original.

Corey Taylor of Slipknot
I’ve lost a really good friend on my 31st birthday. Dimebag was the kind of guy you could hang out with for 2 seconds and feel like you knew him your whole life. He made you laugh, made you drink, but most of all made you feel special. I’m really really going to miss him, but the one thing we will always have is his music.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly
Music has lost one of the greatest players and a friend and brother in metal. We toured together many times as a matter of fact and Darrell “Dime” and his brother came to our show in Texas. Today I feel empty, like there’s nothing we can do to bring him back. All I can do is pray that Darrell is in a better place.

Jonathan Davis of Korn
In the Eighties, honestly, I was more into dance music, New Romantic music like Depeche Mode. Vulgar Display of Power totally opened my eyes to a more traditional kind of metal. That made me go, “I want to be in a band like this. This is the shit.” I really became a huge fan of Pantera, especially with what Darrell did. I’ll never forget that trademark fucking flying “V” guitar of his and his crazy, dyed fucking goatee and insane, undeniable riffs that he wrote that have been copied I don’t know how many fucking times. He was one of the last great, traditional metal guitarists of our day. He was just a legend. It seems like all the great guitar players get taken early.

I remember when Fieldy took me my first Pantera concert, back in ‘92, ‘93. We both started breaking out crying because it was so fucking insane, so intense. You just get goose bumps, how badass that shit is . . . I feel numb that that shit can even happen. The metal community is such a tight community, everyone is just feeling it. I feel so fucking bad for his brother because those two were inseparable. I could tell Darrell was so full of fucking life and such a cool guy — he was just the life of the party. He knew how to live life to its fullest, took everything in excess and just made life bigger than it is. The guy was so fucking cool.

Paul Grey of Slipknot
He will truly be missed. Dime was one of the first people to show Slipknot respect as a band and that meant so much because we all looked up to him. I remember all the good times I was able to spend with him over the years from tearing it up at the Ritz Carlton playing our version of WWF wrestling with Joey (Jordison) and Bobby Tongs to getting drunk with the outlaw at noon. He was there for me when I was going through struggles and problems in my life, always willing to listen and give me good advice. He was a good friend and I will miss him greatly. My condolences go out to Vinnie, Rita and the entire Abbott Family.

Ted Nugent
It was horrible. Darrell was a big fan of mine. He expressed that every time we ever saw each other. It’s tragic on two dynamic levels. Once again, innocence is destroyed, and it’s Americans destroying other Americans. This conduct runs wild in this country … It’s not the Taliban doing it. It’s Americans.

Lars Ulrich of Metallica
This is unbelievable. To sit here and talk about Darrell in the past tense seems so wrong, so unfair, so unjust, I don’t even know what to say. My heart goes out to Vinnie, to their families, to the other band members, and to the families and friends of the other people that were killed or injured, in this fucking senseless act of selfishness and stupidity.

In 1985 I was fortunate enough to meet both Darrell and his brother in Dallas on tour. The first thing me and my friend did as soon as that tour was over, was to head straight back to Dallas and hang out with Darrell and Vinnie for a long time, cuz they were the coolest muther fuckers that we had met after criss-crossing the states for three months. That was the beginning of a friendship that was anchored in love, respect, fun, outrageousness, music, booze, sweat, late nights, early mornings, hangovers, headaches, pounding eardrums, sore bodies… the list goes on.

There’s a tendency in these fucked up moments to use the word “I” a lot and focus on one’s own feelings of pity and shock… so instead let it just be known that thru these eyes Darrell was incredibly warm, open, fun, nutty, forthcoming, talented, embracing, unpretentious, accommodating and he always had a very attractive innocence about him that obviously made him never threatening and always welcoming.

Darrell and his brother were the cornerstone of musical adventures that were always groundbreaking, pushing boundaries, challenging to themselves and to their fans, respected by their peers and always true musicians’ musicians, and today the rock world is worse off because of this untimely and senseless waste.

Much love and respect and thanks for letting me be a small part of your life and I know you are already having fun and throwing it down with Bon Scott, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Jimi, Cliff B., and the rest of the musicians and troublemakers that you are hanging with so prematurely.

  • MTV.com: Dimebag Darrell, Three Others Killed In Bizarre Ohio Concert Shooting
  • Rolling Stone: Dimebag Darrell Killed
  • Gunman Sought Out DIMEBAG, Shot Him Five Or Six Times At Close Range
  • At Least 5 Dead, 2 Wounded In Nightclub Shooting
  • Five Killed, Two Hurt in Nightclub Shooting
  • Dallas Hockey Team Mourns Passing Of Dimebag Darrell
  • Rolling Stone: Shooter Was Ex-Marine

    • Korn’s Serial Killer Fascination

    Published
    by
    JR
    on December 5, 2004
    in Geek, KillFuckDie, Music and Occult
    . 74 Comments

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    It’s not like anyone’s ever accused Korn frontman Jonathan Davis of being lighthearted and well adjusted. After all, the guy took a job in high school at his local morgue and has been venting onstage about mental and physical abuse for the past decade. Over the past few years however, Davis had been planning on opening a serial killer museum.

    pic above: Jonathan Davis with John Wayne Gacy’s “Pogo” costume

    For years, Davis has been buying mass murderer art and other items, and has amassed a series of works owned or created by America’s most twisted and nefarious individuals.

    Jonathan Davis poses in front of Ted Bundy’s infamous VW. Yes, the same VW that Bundy used to pick up women in the ’70s. (Debbie Harry claims she was one of them, but the facts suggest the Blondie frontwoman was mistaken.) The 33-year-old Davis doesn’t see anything strange about this.

    “The car was auctioned off by the police,” he says. “They always sell stuff off after a long time has passed between the crimes.”

    Davis says he bought the car with the aim to open a museum dedicated to serial killers, but the project has been shelved and the car is taking up space in his Los Angeles garage.

    “I’m just gonna keep it,” he says. “I’d never drive it.”

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination

    “I really caught the bug of collecting serial killer artifacts and we have a whole gangster section with autopsy bullets of famous gangsters that were killed; like a whole bunch of stuff, so…I think my pride and joy is my Gacy suit and the Bundy Bug.”

    But the project never got off the ground. Davis has been sued by a former business associate for breach of contract after announcing plans for a museum of American serial killers.

    Arthur Rosenblatt, a collector of criminal artifacts, sued Davis, a former mortuary science student, and his associates, for approximately $4 million in a 12-count lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday (22 June 2004), relating to a failed attempt to open a museum.

    In the suit, Rosenblatt says Davis approached him in June 2001 about his collection of “Americana”.

    Rosenblatt told Davis of his plan to open a museum of artifacts related to the criminal justice system and Davis said he wanted to participate, offering $250,000 to fund the museum, which Rosenblatt suggested be named the MUSEUM OF JUSTICE + ODDITORIUM or MOJO MUSEUM, according to court papers.

    In the lawsuit, Rosenblatt claims Davis and other partners never provided any money and that his life was threatened on various occasions.

    Rosenblatt, now living in New York, says he’s considering pursuing criminal charges against Davis.

    According to the suit, between 2001 and 2003, Rosenblatt left his job, relocated to Los Angeles and loaned Davis Bundy’s car and other artwork worth $20,000.

    Starting around April 2002, Davis appeared on MTV and on radio referring to the museum as a “serial killer museum” and using other terminology that was contrary to the deal between Davis and Rosenblatt, say court documents.

    Others became involved, including David Engle, a friend of Davis, who offered $350,000 in exchange for a percentage of museum profits, but never provided the money, the suit says.

    By March 2003, Davis suggested funding the museum via a TV or film production and then in April 2003, he brought in other financiers who suggested a stage show with bikini-clad women, the suit said.

    Rosenblatt expressed no desire to change the show in that way and claims Davis refused to return the car and artifacts. The suit says Davis displayed Rosenblatt’s artwork at Ozzfest, where he performed, and then subsequently offered to return the car to Rosenblatt only if he promised not to sue.

    At Ozzfest 2003, a black trailer located near the second stage held a display of artifacts from Korn singer Jonathan Davis’ personal collection, including a life-size replica of movie demon Pinhead; cyber-erotic paintings by H.R. Giger; Nirvana’s final set list from Munich, Germany 1993; and artifacts tied to serial killers Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, Richard Ramirez and Ted Bundy.

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    A frame containing a Ted Bundy legal document (signed twice by Bundy) and a photo of him.

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    The 1928 confession letter from cannibal Albert Fish, who killed over 100 children and wrote letters to some of the families of the victims containing gruesome details of the murders

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    The “Pogo” clown suit worn by John Wayne Gacy when he entertained kids at his local children’s hospital (he later killed at least 33 people between the ages of 9 and 27)

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    The “Patches” clown suit worn by John Wayne Gacy.

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    John Wayne Gacy painting: A Gacy painting representing his transformation into Pogo

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    John Wayne Gacy painting: A Gacy painting of himself and a friend standing in a cemetery

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    Jonathan Davis looks over his Richard Ramirez (The Nightstalker) artwork

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    Drawings by Richard Ramirez, the “Night Stalker,” who committed at least 13 murders between 1984 and 1985 and considered himself a disciple of Satan

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    Drawings by Richard Ramirez, the “Night Stalker,” who committed at least 13 murders between 1984 and 1985 and considered himself a disciple of Satan

    Korn's Serial Killer Fascination
    Part of the Ozzfest display

    Henry’s Film Corner Debut

    Published
    by
    JR
    on December 5, 2004
    in Television
    . 0 Comments

    Henry Rollins

    ‘Henry’s Film Corner’ will finally get its debut this Saturday on the Independent Film Channel. The new show features outspoken Rollins discussing films as well as any other potential topics. The show’s premiere episode will play host to a group of porn stars as they examine the 1997 film “Boogie Nights.” Also look for horror-meister Rob Zombie to guest on a future episode. In the meantime, check out the Suicidegirls website for a great new interview with Hank.

    Hey Ho Let’s Go! The Ramones Raw

    Published
    by
    JR
    on December 2, 2004
    in DVD and Music
    . 0 Comments

    Hey Ho Let's Go! The Ramones Raw

    Building upon the history of 60s garage rock and early rock’n'roll, the Ramones aggressive, simplistic sound played a key role in defining the sound of 70s punk.

    Wearing their trademark black leather biker jackets, matching bowl-cut haircuts and all sporting the surname “Ramone”, the Ramones’ appearance represented the opposite of the non-challenging rock of the mid-70s. The band’s music was equally the antithesis of the schlock of timid music.

    With Dee Dee’s throbbing bass carrying the simple repeated melodies and Johnny’s searing buzz-saw guitar providing a layer of musical haze aggravating bass melodies, the Ramones pushed the wild energy of rock’n’roll to its limits. A heavy emphasis on rhythm guitar and extremely short guitar solos emphasized the band’s amateurish sound. Explosive beats coupled with eighth- and sixteenth-note cymbal rhythms provided by Tommy, then Marky, fleshed out the band’s sound.

    Your’s truly first saw the band on their Australian tour in late 1989 at the Palace in St.Kilda Melbourne. To say it was a classic gig is a severe understatement. I remember standing at the back of the hall just before the band hit the stage. When the first note of mayhem pounded through the PA system, I swear to God the entire room physically moved up and down in synchchronicity with the band’s cacophony of brilliance! What a show!

    The pioneering band released their first officially authorized DVD, ‘Ramones Raw’ September 28 via Image Entertainment. (Australian release was today - December 2). From their humble beginnings in NYC’s East Village at CBGB’s to their 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Ramones have stood the test of time with their immortal brand of music which continues to influence generations around the world. Fans in the U.K. had the chance to see ‘Ramones Raw’ on the big screen at this year’s Raindance Film Festival in London - the U.K’s largest independent film festival!

    Produced, directed and edited by Ramones aficionado John Cafiero, ‘Ramones Raw’ combines vintage concert footage–shot on film in 1980 and archived for over 20 years- backstage hi-jinks and rare TV appearances fused with an array of home video from Marky’s extensive video library.

    The Ramones
    Pic: The definitive Ramones: Joey, Marky, Dee Dee & Johnny

    For over 18 years, Marky Ramone kept a kind of video diary of the band’s travels around the world. Utilizing a handheld camcorder and capturing moments both monumental (the Berlin Wall, post-topple) and standard rocker ridiculous (the near riot they cause in places like Brazil) Marky wanted a memento of his time with punk’s pioneers, and Ramones: Raw is a scrapbook collection of such souvenirs, culled from over 200 tapes the drummer compiled. More a random collection of events and environments than a straight ahead narrative (it does try to follow the band’s post-mid 80’s career arc) this quasi-documentary meshed with a home movie clip compilation wants to give us the feel and the face of the seminal band as hard working road act. And it doesn’t skimp on the songs. Along with stellar live versions of “Blitzkrieg Bop” “I Just Wanna Have Something to Do” “Pinhead”and many others, the band can be seen in a fan created video (for the song “Touring” as well as in several TV appearances.

    The DVD encompasses an eclectic mix of celebrity appearances including guitarist Robby Krieger of the Doors performing the classic “Take It As It Comes” live with the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium in October 1992, described by Johnny Ramone as “one of the highlights of my career.” Fun cameos and TV clips include moments with Lemmy Kilmister, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, Howard Stern, Bono and U2, Drew Barrymore and Carly Simon, to name a few.

    Compiled and presented in a unique style, the DVD gives Pinheads and Ramoniacs everywhere an exclusive fly-on-the-wall perspective that’s the next best thing to being in the band. The DVD package includes an eight-page booklet inside and an exclusive back-cover caricature of the RAMONES by artist Tony Squindo (Metallica, Misfits), with art direction by John Cafiero. A special limited edition will be released that also includes simulated black leather texture packaging with a red foil seal.