This is so sad…
Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley has had an absolutely horrible run of luck lately. The following was recently posted on his website and myspace page: “On July 6, my wife and manager Debbie collapsed at our home. She was rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered she had suffered a brain hemorrhage. She had three brain surgeries, with each a success. Then, on Sept. 23, she suffered a stroke in the hospital, was rushed back into intensive care and remained critically ill until she died on Sept. 27.” Join us in sending positive energy to Bayley in this difficult time. Messages of support can be sent to him at www.myspace.com/blazebayley.
Reactivated California death metal pioneers Possessed have cancelled their appearance at the Way Of Darkness III Festival, taking place October 2 – 4 in Bamberg, Germany. According to the group’s drummer, Emilio Marquez, sole remaining original member Jeff Becerra (vocals) — wheelchair bound for more than 18 years, ever since he was shot and paralyzed in a street robbery — is suffering from “a blood infection that developed from bed sores . . . His condition has become very serious. We’re all hoping for the best because Jeff’s health is top priority for his family and his band. He could be in the hospital for another two to four months.” To show online love, go to www.myspace.com/repossessed2112... David Lander, father / manager of Kittie’s Morgan and Mercedes Lander died of a heart attack in early Aug.
Releases…
With Death Magnetic, Metallica has set a new record – it’s the fifth consecutive Metallica album to debut on the Billboard charts at #1, selling 490,000 copies in the first week of release… Foo Fighters / Me First And The Gimme Gimmes guitar player Chris Shiflett, brother Scott and fellow Foo Fighters bandmates Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins appear on Jackson United’s sophomore release, Harmony and Dissonance. It’s said to be a collection of guitar-driven anthems reminiscent of punk’s glory days, ala The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers…
Megadeth’s Anthology: Set The World Afire double CD is now available…Yngwie Malmsteen’s Perpetual Flame drops via his own Rising Force Records on Oct. 14. The album features ex - Judas Priest / Iced Earth singer Tim “Ripper” Owens… In related news, Malmsteen will be inducted into Hollywood’s Rock Walk on Oct. 13… AC/DC’s Black Ice will be available through www.acdc.com and Wal-Mart on Oct. 21… Nocturnal Rites bassist Nils Eriksson and rhythm guitarist Fredrik Mannberg have reformed their old-school thrash band Guillotine and will release a new album called Blood Money on Oct. 27. Samples from which can be heard at www.myspace.com/guillotine2007... Reek Of Putrefaction, the seminal gory debut album from British grindcore/death metal legends Carcass, has been reissued and is available at www.earacheshop.com/store/carcass.html...
Evergrey’s brilliant new album Torn debuted at #4 on the Swedish charts… Edguy’s Tinnitus Sanctus is due via Nuclear Blast on Nov. 14… Starbreaker, which features ex-TNT singer Tony Harnell, will release Love’s Dying Wish on Nov. 18... Rush’s Snakes & Arrows Live 3-Disc DVD arrives Nov. 25… A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other is the title of a new book about Blind Melon and the life of deceased singer Shannon Hoon. It’s available through www.lulu.com for $19.99…
Tours…
Ticketmaster launched the “paperless ticket” for the first time in Europe when Metallica performed Death Magnetic live at The O2 in London on Sept. 15. Tickets didn’t exchange hands and fans didn’t have to wait at the box offices to pick up tickets. [And scalpers were shit out of luck.] Customers using a credit card or Visa debit card to purchase tickets were only required to arrive at the venue with their credit card and valid photo ID. Their cards were swiped and they were given a receipt and then granted entry to the event. Expect this procedure to be implemented in the US soon.
Yngwie Malmsteen plays the Granada Theater on Oct. 5, with Great White following suit on Oct. 8… Virgin Black plays the Ridglea Theater on Oct. 16… AC/DC’s Dec. 12 San Antonio show sold out in ten minutes, the fastest any event has sold out in that market’s history. (And I will be there! Woo hoo!) Congrats go out to local AC/DC tribute band Back In Black for landing the headlining slot on LiveNation’s House Of Blues US tribute tour…
The proposed Motorhead / Misfits / Airbourne tour we reported on last month has been cancelled. In related news, Airbourne singer Joel O’Keefe has been ordered by doctors to rest his throat due to strained vocal chords. (After seeing Airbourne live and witnessing how hard he sings, that’s completely understandable.)
See ya next month. Happy Fall!
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