Norwegian metallers GRIFFIN have been confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. The list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows: AFTER FOREVER AMON AMARTH ANTHRAX ARCH ENEMY BAL-SAGOTH BRAINSTORM BÖHSE ONKELZ CANNIBAL CORPSE CATHEDRAL CHILDREN OF BODOM DEATH ...
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In a members-only Q&A with the DIO fan message board, bassist Jeff Pilson talked about his experience with the leadership dynamic in DOKKEN and DIO, two bands he was a part of for several years, "Well, DOKKEN is (at least when I was in the band) a leaderless democracy, which can be good ...
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Finland's EVEMASTER will enter the studio in late February to re-record their cult debut album, "Lacrimae Mundi" for a late summer release through Rising Realm Records. The reissue will include enhanced artwork and a bonus track, a cover of DIO's "We Rock". Drums on "Lacrimae Mundi" will be once again be handled by Jaska Raatikainen ...
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Jeff Pilson's (DOKKEN, MSG, DIO, WILD HORSES) WAR & PEACE have signed a deal with Z Records. The band's new album, "The Walls Have Eyes", is scheduled for release in April. "The Walls Have Eyes", which features a guest appearance by guitarist Alex Masi, contains the following track listing: 01. Calling 02. Reflections 03. No ...
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Former NIRVANA drummer/current FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl has responded to Zakk Wylde's infamous 2001 quote in which the OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist threatened to "kick [Grohl's] ass" because he wrote this cheese-dick song for OZZ that Zakk had to play on during the recording sessions for OSBOURNE's "Down To Earth" CD. In the November 2001 ...
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Former ANTHRAX singer Neil Turbin has announced the lineup for his new solo band, which is currently rehearsing for upcoming West Coast live dates. Joining Turbin in the new group are Izzy Diaz on drums, Steve Ornest on lead guitar, Dario Seixas on bass guitar, and Vernon Anderson on lead guitar. Check out a photo ...
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Ronnie James Dio has shot down the possibility of a RAINBOW reunion with him at the microphone. Back in April 2000 the singer confirmed to Classic Rock magazine that the idea had been discussed, with a British record company rep flying to guitarist Ritchie Blackmore's Connecticut base to discuss making what would have been the ...
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According to www.black-sabbath.com, the release date for the much-anticipated eight-disc BLACK SABBATH box set, "Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978)", has been pushed back to April 27. The final box art can be viewed at this location. Retailing for $99.98, "Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978)" will ...
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Brazilian hard rock magazine Whiplash has compiled an **updated** list of more than 140 hard rock/heavy metal stars' favorite albums of 2003 and has posted it online at this location (scroll down the page). Some albums from 2002 were allowed, and the artists were asked to list anywhere from one to ten releases, ...
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Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul of Thailand's The Nation reports that the five members of KORN are expected to blow the minds of Thai heavy rock disciples who have waited for a long time to see their heroes play live in Thailand. And they are counting: in just seven days – next Saturday (Feb. 7) – the much ...
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Metal Sludge has posted an updated list of total sales figures for a variety of their favorite artists, according to Nielsen SoundScan (13 more bands have been added since the original list was published). Although the SoundScan numbers are generally indicative of the bands' overall popularity, they are misleading in the ...
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KOTIPELTO, the Finnish band led by former STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto, has been confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. The list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows: AFTER FOREVER AMON AMARTH ANTHRAX BAL-SAGOTH BRAINSTORM BÖHSE ONKELZ CANNIBAL ...
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German hard rock singer Doro Pesch will reunite with her early band WARLOCK for a special reunion show at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. According to the festival's organizers, Doro will play a "best of" set, to be followed by a special performance with ...
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The new band featuring drummer Vinny Appice (ex-BLACK SABBATH, DIO), bassist Jimmy Bain (ex-DIO, RAINBOW) and guitarist Carlos Cavazo (ex-QUIET RIOT) are scheduled to do some writing with vocalist Chas West (BONHAM) this week, an informed source has told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. It is not presently clear if West will become a permanent member of this as-yet-unnamed ...
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According to Germany's Rock Hard magazine, bassist Jimmy Bain is rumored to have left DIO and hooked up with drummer Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO) and guitarist Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT) in a new, as-yet-singerless project. Cavazo was previously reported to be writing songs with former LYNCH MOB vocalist Oni Logan. No further information is ...
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Reunited San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL have been officially confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances ...
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CURLY FESTER, the Los Angeles-based "heavy blues" band featuring former DIO/WWIII guitarist Tracy G, will be performing at Platinum Live in Studio City, California on February 14. CURLY FESTER's lineup is completed by Micheal Adams (vocals), Jeremy Masana (bass), and Donnie Rodriguez (drums). Samples of the group's music (live practice session recordings) can be downloaded ...
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Holland's AFTER FOREVER and Finland's THUNDERSTONE have been officially confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances by "new ...
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A special "all-star" jam is scheduled to take place New Year's Eve at Paladino's in Tarzana, California featuring the following musicians: Chas West (BONHAM, LYNCH MOB) - vocals Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO) - bass Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO) - drums Alan Krigger (GIUFFRIA, HOUSE OF LORDS) - drums Mitch Perry (MSG, EDGAR WINTER) - ...
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Ex-JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim Owens has told the Cleveland Scene that he has no hard feelings towards his former bandmates over their decision to reunite with his predecessor, vocalist Rob Halford. "I discussed it about five months before [the split happened], saying, 'Listen, if you're going to get [Rob] Halford back, get him back, because ...
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Florida death metallers DEICIDE have been officially confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-8, 2004 in Wacken, Germany. According to an official newsletter from the festival's organizers, next year's event will be a celebration of the festival's 15th anniversary with special performances by "new hits, old ...
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The songwriting process for the new DIO record is coming along nicely, and if all goes as planned, the band should be ready to start recording sometime in January 2004, according to a post on the group's web site. In other news, DIO have been officially confirmed for the 2004 edition of Wacken Open Air ...
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WWIII frontman Mandy Lion recently spoke to Pitriff.com about his collaboration with ex-OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Jake E. Lee in WICKED ALLIANCE, a long-running project that that had recorded several acclaimed demos in the mid-'90s but never actually managed to complete a full-length album. When asked if Jake E. Lee's seeming "disappearance" from the rock scene ...
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Rhino Records have set a March 2, 2004 release date for the much-anticipated eight-disc BLACK SABBATH box set, "Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978)". Retailing for $99.98, "Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978)" will feature remastered versions of the band's albums with Ozzy Osbourne behind the mike, as well as a ...
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CURLY FESTER, the Los Angeles-based "heavy blues" band featuring former DIO/WWIII guitarist Tracy G, have lined up the following dates during November/December: Nov. 24 – Anaheim, CA @ The Doll Hut Dec. 13 – Covina, CA @ Rude Dog Dec. 18 - Ed Cota's Yearly Jam (private party) CURLY FESTER is rounded out by Micheal ...
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In an interview with Electricbasement.com, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist and journeyman musician Jens Johansson (MASTERMIND, ex-DIO, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) explained his thoughts on working with classic rock legend Ginger Baker (CREAM). "He's a very peculiar person," Jens said. "At the time, he was 55 years old and extremely grumpy and hostile. He was complaining heavily about everything. He ...
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In a recent interview posted on DEF LEPPARD's official web site, current DEF LEPPARD/former DIO guitarist Vivian Campbell talked about his disdain for hard rock. "The real irony of that is I actually don't like hard rock music," he said. "I know it's a strange thing to say, but I don't really care about my ...
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Long-running Seattle metallers METAL CHURCH have entered the studio to begin recording the follow-up to 1999's "Masterpeace", tentatively due in early 2004. The group's current lineup includes original members Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar) and Kirk Arrington (drums) alongside three new members, including vocalist Ronny Munroe, who had most recently spent time in the Seattle metal band ...
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DIO mastermind Ronnie James Dio recently spoke to ElectricBasement.com about the group's numerous changes in the guitarist department since the release of their last album, "Killing The Dragon". While the CD featured Doug Aldrich (now in WHITESNAKE), an announcement was made earlier this year that ex-RATT axeman Warren DeMartini would be touring with the band ...
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