MEGADETH Splits With Manager, U.S. Booking Agent

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section nof the band's official web site:

"Gigantour 2006 is now officially in the books in the North American phase. It was a great success, but there were some casualties along the way. Some didn't really hurt the show or band, and in those cases, it really was a relief for the person being let go.

"However, I had to change managers, which really hurt because I loved my relationship with Kevin Gasser. What a great and classy guy. And whilst that had gone down, I also went back to my attorney Gary Gilbert, only to get an email right before going on stage that our U.S. agent resigned because he basically was of the opinion I am wrong.

"To Keith, I would like to send my gratitude and blessing for his lovely wife and child, just as I would Kevin Gasser.

"The tour was an amazing time for all of us when I wasnt wearing two hats, and I can't wait to start G3 with the right agent in the U.S. Russell from SYMPHONY X came out, as well as Mike Portnoy [DREAM THEATER], to say the least. There were many terrific and talented guests at this year's Gigantour.

"My international agent and I talked about Gigantour U.K./Euro of something like, NOT CONFIRMED, but just an idea of MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, and someone new like 3 INCHES OF BLOOD or someone really cool to open.

"We are in Japan and I am in great health and spirits, so be prepared for seven great MEGADETH concerts before the holidays start."

As previously reported, MEGADETH has tapped British producer Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, CRADLE OF FILTH) to mix its long-awaited new album, "United Abominations", tentatively due in March 2007 via Roadrunner Records.

Commented Sneap: "[I] did a test mix for 'Gears of War' [new MEGADETH song] just before I went out to Cleveland [to work on the new CHIMAIRA album] a couple of weeks ago. Had a good chat with Dave [Mustaine] the other day. He seems very cool, matter of fact, and we begin in L.A. November 6th, so should be great. [I'm] really looking forward to it."

"United Abominations" will include a cover of LED ZEPPELIN's "Out on the Tiles", which Mustaine has previously described as one of the CD's highlights. "It could be the best song," he said. "I think it rocks!"

Dave previously told MTV.com about the album's initial recording sessions (which were held at Sarm Studios, outside of London),"We rented [LED ZEPPELIN drummer] John Bonham's drum kit and recorded at a studio in [PINK FLOYD guitarist] David Gilmour's house, which was great."

"The kit is the only one that's available in the world to rent," drummer Shawn Drover added. "Dave surprised me with that, which was pretty incredible because I didn't even know it was possible to get Bonham's kit to rent for anybody. So I incorporated the bass drum and his floor tom and a snare on the kit that I use in the studio, and that was really inspiring. We played in the middle of nowhere and it was just a really cool vibe."

"United Abominations" was recorded under the watchful eye of mainman Dave Mustaine and co-producer Jeff Balding. The initial studio sessions were filmed by director Michael Sarna (ANTHRAX, OBITUARY) and are available at Megadeth.com to fan-club members. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "United Abominations" and "Washington Is Next".

MEGADETH's last CD, "The System Has Failed", has sold more than 180,000 copies since its September 2004 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group, who were most recently signed to Sanctuary Records, were joined by bassist James Lomenzo (ex-BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) in February following the departure of James MacDonough (ex-ICED EARTH).

(Thanks: Rattlehead HQ)