January 17, 2001
Usually we wouldn’t feature any METALLICA related news, but this was so fresh and spectacular (well, in a way…) that we simply had to share it with you straight away: STATEMENT FROM THE MEMBERS OF METALLICA – Metallica regrets to announce that after 14 years as Metallica’s bass player, Jason Newsted has chosen to leave the band. Jason Newsted: "Due to private and personal reasons, and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love, I must step away from the band. This is the most difficult decision of my life, made in the best interest of my family, myself, and the continued growth of Metallica. I extend my love, thanks, and best wishes to my brothers: James, Lars, and Kirk and the rest of the Metallica family, friends, and fans whom have made these years so unforgettable." Newsted joined Metallica from Flotsam And Jetsam in the fall of 1986 after the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton. He participated in the recording of 6 Metallica albums (…And Justice For All, Metallica, Load, Re-Load, Garage Inc., and S&M) which have sold over 55 million copies world-wide to date. In addition, he played on numerous world-wide tours to millions of fans representing over 1000 gigs in all. While with Metallica, the band won countless awards including 5 Grammy Awards and 2 MTV Video Music Awards. James Hetfield: "Playing with someone who has such unbridled passion for music will forever be a huge inspiration. On stage every night, he was a driving force to us all, fans and band alike. His connection will never be broken." Lars Ulrich: "We part ways with Jason with more love, more mutual respect, and more understanding of each other than at any other point in the past. James, Kirk and I look forward to embracing the next chapter of Metallica with both a huge amount of appreciation for the last 14 years with Jason and the excitement of rising to the challenges that lay ahead to make Metallica shine brighter than ever." In the spring, Metallica will begin writing and recording a new studio album with release sometime in late 2001 or early 2002. Kirk Hammett: "Jason is our brother. He will be missed."
ANASARCA‘s second album, "Moribund" will finally be released in January/February.
Swedish SOLAR DAWN will release a MCD, entitled "Frost-Work", in January/February. In February the band enters The Abyss Studio to record the debut album, Equinoctium. Solar Dawn featues members from Unmoored and Jocke Petterson (Dawn, Thy Primordial etc.) will play session drums on the debut album.
The release of ENTER MY SILENCE‘s debutalbum, "Remotecontrolled Scythe", has been postponed to March. The band is said to appeal directly to fans of modern melodic (death) metal. Niklas Sundin of Dark Tranquility is responsible for the coverartwork.
Maltas Death/Grinder BEHEADED released a new MCD entitled Resurgence Of Oblivion in November 2000. The band is focusing on extremely brutal, groovy and violent death/grind in the US vein. The forthcoming second full lengh album will be recorded during the summer and is to be released by Mighty Music in November.
PANZERCHRIST‘s new album Soul Collector (one of the best selling titles on Mighty Music ever) was never officially released in Germany due to the fact that the distributor found the album to be too right-wing oriented. Once again the band and Mighty Music would like to underline that Panzerchrist is NOT a right-wing oriented band!!!
The well established US Death Metal band FLESHTIZED will release their new album Here Among Thorns in May. According to their label Mighty Music you can expect "tight, in-your-face grinding death metal that leaves nothing behind for Morbid Angel and Immolation!" The album will include a superb cover of Morbid Angel’s Rapure. Jacob Hansen (Illdisposed, Without Grief, Autumn Leaves etc.) will be responsible for the mix.
American Thrash veterans CRONIC DISORDER will release their second album Torture Test through Mighty Music in May. The band is playing heavy, aggressive thrash/death in the vein of new Testament and Incubus/Opprobrium!
Latest signing to Mighty Music is Brazilian NEPHASTH. This band is managed by Massive Mangement (Vader, Dies Irae, Decapitated etc.) and their debut album Immortal Unholy Triumph is planned to be released in May. Nephasth are playing ultra tight death metal and might be the next big thing from Brazil.
GUIDANCE OF SIN and Mighty Music have decided to part way with eachother. Guidance Of Sin is currently looking for a new deal.
Danish Death Metal legends INIQUITY will enter the Aabenraa Studio together with Jacob Hansen during summer to record their long awaited third full length album. The new album is expected to be faster, dirtier and more brutal.
SACRIFICIAL from Denmark is planning to enter the Berno Studio (The Haunted, Vomitory, Deranged etc.) in the end of 2001. According to the band the new style is less complex, more simple, catchy – and in your face, but still thrashing deathrash.
Danish Death/Industrial outfit PARKINSON is still preparing their forthcoming debut album Lebensraum.
Danish CORPSE VOMIT is still concentrading on drinking and smoking dope… a reeking split-7"ep is planned for 2001.