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page 2 THE INFORMER DECEMBER 2009

Biography: Dimebag Darrell pg. 4

Top 10 Death Metal Debut Albums pg. 5

Kill Your TV. pg. 6 Business Spotlight: pg. 8 Decimator Diecuts

Show Review: Helloweekend: Night 2 pg. 10

Biography: Chuck Schuldiner pg. 12

This Month in Music History pg. 13

TBA Blackmore’s Night - TBATBA Persuader - TBATBA Valkyrja - TBATBA Dreamscape - EverlightTBA Gloria Morti - TBATBA Scorngrain - TBATBA Resurrected - FierceTBA Icarus Witch - TBATBA Toxik - TBA [DVD]TBA Myrath - Desert CallTBA Danzig - TBATBA Oblique Rain - October DawnTBA Nemesea - TBATBA Détente - DeclineTBA Iced Earth - Festivals Of The Wicked [DVD]TBA Lake Of Tears - TBATBA Nirnaeth - Splendour Of The AbyssTBA Freedom Call - Legend Of The ShadowkingTBA Gorguts - TBATBA The Absence - Enemy UnboundTBA Icewind - TBATBA Noumena - TBATBA Solution.45 - TBATBA Toxik - TBATBA A Sorrowful Dream - TBATBA Avsky - ScornTBA Deicide - TBATBA Ministry - Adios... Putas Madres [DVD]TBA Abandoned - TBATBA Krux - TBATBA Wulfgar - Midgardian MetalTBA Symphorce - TBATBA Twelfth Gate - TBATBA Vile - TBATBA Sinate - TBATBA Epidemia - Эльфийской Рукописи [DVD]TBA Detonation - TBATBA By Night - TBATBA Throes Of Dawn - TBATBA Carpathian Forest - TBA [DVD]TBA Vanden Plas - TBATBA Tribuzy - TBATBA Squash Bowels - GrindvirusTBA Gaia Epicus - Dark SecretsTBA Phazm - TBATBA Skew Siskin - TBATBA Ragnarok - Collectors Of The KingTBA Subterranean Masquerade - In Pastille ColorsTBA Melechesh - TBATBA Thy Majestie - TBA [DVD]TBA Unexpect - TBATBA Atargatis - TBATBA Agent Steel - TBATBA Iron Mask - Shadow Of The Red BaronTBA Forbidden - TBATBA Anterior - TBATBA Desultory - TBATBA Eventide - TBATBA Laethora - The Light In Which We All BurnTBA Embryonic Devourment - Vivid Enterpretations Of The VoidTBA Urban Tales - The EndTBA Souldrainer - TBATBA Poema Arcanus - Timeline SymmetryTBA Faster Pussycat - Front Row For The Donkey Show [Live]TBA Kingcrow - PhlegethonTBA The Vision Bleak - TBATBA Eternal Reign - The Dawn Of ReckoningTBA SIG:AR:TYR - GodsagaTBA Eternal Gray - Your Gods, My EnemiesTBA Agrypnie - 16[485]TBA Crionics - N.O.I.R. [EP]TBA Virus IV - TBATBA Fall Of Empyrean - TBATBA Devin Townsend - DeconstructionTBA Woods Of Ypres - Woods IV: The Green AlbumTBA Kalevala - The Cuckoo’s ChildrenTBA The Fall Of Every Season - AmendsTBA Devin Townsend - GhostTBA Alcest - Les Discrets / Alcest [Split] [EP]TBA Mortiis - The Great DeceiverTBA Revolting - The Terror ThresholdTBA Fuelblooded - Off The Face Of The EarthTBA Anal Cunt - Wearing Out Our WelcomeTBA Steel Assassin - In Hellfire Forged

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Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved. No part of The Informer, in print or electronic form, may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Information about events, products or services provided is not necessarily complete. The publisher is not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions. Blah Blah Blah.

DECEMBER 2009 THE INFORMER page 15

TBA Ghost Machinery - Out For BloodTBA Hanoi Rocks - TBA [DVD]TBA Lost Dreams - Wage Of DisgraceTBA Death Breath - TBATBA Nominon - Omen [EP]TBA Sepsism - Distorting The Mortal VisageTBA Finntroll - TBATBA Six Feet Under - Graveyard Classics IIITBA Ahoora - TBATBA Homo Iratus - TBA [EP]TBA Grand Magus - TBATBA De Profundis - A Bleak ReflectionTBA Sideburn - The Demons DanceTBA Fortid - Völuspá Part III: Fall Of The AgesTBA Kaledon - TBA [DVD]TBA Changer - DarklingTBA Civilization One - TBATBA Royal Hunt - TBATBA Crest Of Darkness - TBATBA Abgott - TBATBA Kerion - The OriginsTBA Jacob’s Dream - Beneath The ShadowsTBA Obliteration - TBATBA Death Angel - Sonic German Beatdown [DVD]TBA Frameshift - Loading OakfieldTBA Ecthalion - TBATBA Severe Torture - TBATBA Arena - The Tinder BoxTBA Aeternus - TBATBA Manowar - Hammer Of The GodsTBA Katagory V - TBATBA SpellBlast - BattlecryTBA Kimaera - Solitary ImpactTBA Carach Angren - Death Came Through A Phantom ShipTBA Decayed - Shadowland [EP]TBA Enemy Of The Sun - TBATBA Europe - Almost Unplugged [DVD]TBA Tank - SturmpanzerTBA Thine Eyes Bleed - TBATBA Sahg - TBATBA Defeated Sanity - Chapters Of RepugnanceTBA Herod - Curse Of The King [EP]TBA Gothic Knights - TBATBA Akroma - Seth [EP]TBA Cellador - For All Or NothingTBA Heathen - The Evolution Of ChaosTBA Ozzy Osbourne - TBATBA Dragonlord - TBATBA Wuthering Heights - SaltTBA Panzerchrist - Regiment RagnarokTBA Crowbar - TBATBA Angel Dust - TBATBA Tad Morose - TBATBA Necrophagist - TBATBA The Kovenant - Aria GalacticaTBA Demonoid - TBATBA Natron - Rot Among UsTBA The Wounded - Hail To The KingTBA Atheist - TBATBA Die Krupps - TBATBA Oath To Vanquish - The Ruinous Fate Of The BlindTBA Suicidal Angels - Live Domination [DVD]TBA Deathbound - Non Compos Mentis (working Title)TBA Engel - TBATBA Vader - TBA [EP]TBA Morian - Ashen EmpireTBA Carpathian Forest - Universal EvilTBA Angmar - Zurück In Die UnterweltTBA Penumbra - TBATBA Elis - CatharsisTBA Evereve - E-MissionTBA The Order - RockwolfTBA Hatebreed - Live In Dallas [Live]TBA Sandalinas - CirclesTBA Crimson Glory - Metatron, Lucifer And The Divine ChaosTBA Serenity - TBATBA Alarum - Natural CausesTBA Morifade - Empire Of SoulsTBA Magic Kingdom - Symphony Of WarTBA Darkwell - TBATBA Virgin Black - Requiem - PianissimoTBA In-Quest - Made Out Of Negative MatterTBA Farmakon - SyanTBA Deftones - ErosTBA Sanctity - TBA

TBA Ashes You Leave - Songs Of The LostTBA Morbid Angel - TBATBA Sabaton - Live At The Front [DVD]TBA Goddess Of Desire - The Power Of Metal Compels YouTBA Behemoth - TBA [DVD]TBA Lyzanxia - TBATBA Deep Purple - TBATBA Aeturnus Dominion - Annihilation ProcessTBA Obsidian - TBATBA Fragile Vastness - TBATBA Silent Voices - TBATBA Within Temptation - TBATBA Mistweaver - Tales From The GraveTBA Mortician - TBA [DVD]TBA Absentation - Claves InferniTBA Anata - TBATBA Civilization One - Calling The GodsTBA Visceral Bleeding - TBATBA Circle Of Dead Children - Psalm Of The Grand DestroyerTBA Defender - TBATBA Nanowar Of Steel - Metropolis Pt. 3: The LegacyTBA Chaosphere - Anthems To AgonyTBA Destruction - TBA [DVD]TBA Sinergy - Sins Of The PastTBA Wolverine - Communication LostTBA Varathron - Stygian Forces Of ScornTBA Destruktor - NailedTBA Darkthrone - TBATBA Finntroll - TBA [DVD]TBA Trouble - The Dark Riff [Working Title]TBA Obituary - Live Xecution In Bad Barka 2008 [Working Title] [DVD]TBA Raintime - TBATBA Thorns - TBATBA Crystalic - TBATBA The Dillinger Escape Plan - TBA [DVD]TBA Down - TBATBA Summoning - TBATBA Dream Evil - In The NightTBA DeepTrip - TBATBA Forgotten Tomb - Under Saturn Retrograde (working title)TBA Forgotten Tales - TBATBA Griffen - TBATBA Macbeth - TBATBA Gorath - MXCIITBA Grimfist - A New Breed Of BrutalityTBA Ywolf - Dark Gothic OrchestralTBA Apostasy - TBATBA Scarab - Blinding The MassesTBA Goat The Head - TBATBA Wintersun - TimeTBA Eisregen - Bühnenblut - Live In Leipzig [Live]TBA Sacrifice - Live Reanimation [DVD]TBA Orange Goblin - TBATBA Flotsam & Jetsam - The ColdTBA Illnath - Three Nights In The Sewers Of SodomTBA Charon - TBATBA Negator - Misanthropic ManifestTBA Avantasia - TBATBA The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option ParalysisTBA Demonic Resurrection - The Return To DarknessTBA Riverside - TBA [DVD]TBA Isis - Live 5 [Live]TBA Ondskapt - Arisen From The AshesTBA Odroerir - Götterlieder IITBA Stormwarrior - If It’s Not In Your Bloode... You Will Never Understande! [DVD]TBA Megadeth - Blood In The Water: Live In San Diego [DVD]

TBA Mezzerschmitt - TBATBA Olympos Mons - TBATBA Ashes You Leave - Songs Of The LostTBA Elis - Catharsis01.12 Divinity - The Singularity01.12 Temple Of Baal - Lightslaying Rituals01.12 Sinister - Prophecies Denied01.12 Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 1 Re-Release01.12 Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 2 Re-Release09.12 Disarmonia Mundi - The Isolation Game16.12 Helloween - Unarmed - Best Of - 25th Anniversary 18.12 Coronatus - Fabula Magna18.12 Tankard - Open All Night - Reloaded [DVD]22.12 Mudvayne - Mudvayne24.12 Profanus Nathrakh - Godless Alliance31.12 Anthrax - Worship Music31.12 Reverend Bizarre - Magick With Tears [Compilation]

Here are some upcoming North American Heavy Metal CD release dates. Dates subject to change, the information is supplied by record companies and artists and may not be complete.

We want to promote local acts so if you have an upcoming release, let us know!

A Note From The Editor:

TOP 20 METAL & HARD ROCK (FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 19, 2009)

1 GREATEST HITSFOO FIGHTERS2 WORLD PAINTED BLOODSLAYER3 NIGHT CASTLETRANS-SIBERIAN ORCH.4 LIFE STARTS NOWTHREE DAYS GRACE5 BACKTRACKSAC/DC6 FULL CIRCLECREED7 MEMENTO MORIFLYLEAF8 DARK HORSENICKELBACK9 IIIBILLY TALENT10 BACKSPACERPEARL JAM11 COSMIC EGGWOLFMOTHER12 BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUEALICE IN CHAINS13 DESPERATE MEASURESHOLLYWOOD UNDEAD14 LIEBE IST FUR ALLE DARAMMSTEIN15 APPEAL TO REASONRISE AGAINST16 MOTHERSHIPLED ZEPPELIN17 GREATEST HITSQUEEN18 SCARS AND SOUVENIRSTHEORY OF A DEADMAN19 DEAR AGONYBREAKING BENJAMIN20 GREATEST HITSGUNS N’ROSES

The top selling albums in Canada compiled from a national sample of retail store and mass merchants’ reports collected, compiled, and provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

Gratitude. Thank’s goes out to all of you who have kept this

monster alive. Without the support from the advertisers, contributors and especially you, the readers, THE INFORMER would not exist.

This issue is dedicated to the Metal-Heads of the Northern Interior; because if it wasn’t for you,

the scene wouldn’t even exist.Enjoy the fourth issue of THE INFORMER

and keep the e-mails coming in; I want to hear your input!

Mark Pye

page 14 THE INFORMER DECEMBER 2009 DECEMBER 2009 THE INFORMER page 3

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l December 1•1977: Bradford Phillip Delson of Linkin Park is bornl December 3•1948: Ozzy Osbourne/John Michael Osbourne is born•1963: Joe Lally of Fugazi is born•1969: Bill Steer of Napalm Death/Carcass is bornl December 4•1993: Frank Zappa dies (52) American composer, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, he wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral, and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. One of the most accomplished composers of the rock era, with terrific musical knowledge and an outrageous sense of humor. (prostate cancer)l December 6•1956: Randy Rhoads of Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne is bornl December 8•1943: Jim Morrison is born•1962: Marty Friedman of Megadeth is born•1973: Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour is born•2004: Dimebag Darrell/Darrell Abbott dies (25) American guitarist. Best known as a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, he also performed in the country music band Rebel Meets Rebel. He frequently appeared in guitar magazines and in readers’ polls, where he was often included in the top ten metal guitarist spots. In addition, he wrote a Guitar World magazine column, which has been compiled in the book Riffer Madness. (killed when a man stormed the stage during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus. Nathan Gale, aged 25, began firing at the band and crowd, killing 5 people)•1980: John Lennon dies (40) English rock musician, singer, writer, songwriter, artist, actor and peace activist who gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles. Lennon along with Paul McCartney formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and “wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history”. In his solo career, he wrote and recorded many songs such as “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. He also revealed his rebellious nature and wit on television, in films such as A Hard Day’s Night, in books such as In His Own Write, and in press conferences and interviews. (shot five times by 25 year old Mark Chapman outside the Dakota building, New York, U.S. where John and his wife Yoko lived)l December 11•1958: Nikki Sixx/Franklin Carlton Serafino Feranna of Mötley Crüe is born•1981: Zacky Vengeance /Zachary James Baker of Avenged Sevenfold is born•1998: James Lynn Strait dies (30) US singer; best known as founder member, lead vocalist and lyricist of the metal/punk band Snot. The band recorded one album before his death “Get

this month in music history

Some” in 1997. When the band performed on the 1998 Ozzfest tour, he was arrested in Mansfield, Massachusetts, for indecent exposure after emerging nude from the oversized toilet prop used by Limp Bizkit in their performances. Lynn also appeared as a guest on Tura Satana’s song ‘Down’, a duet with friend Tairrie B on Manhole/Tura Satana’s first album. In 2000, Snot released the album, Strait Up, as a tribute to Lynn, the album features appearances by the lead vocalists of a number of major rock groups (killed when a truck struck his Ford Tempo on the 101 Freeway near Santa Barbara at approximately 1 p.m)l December 12•1972: Hank Williams III is bornl December 13•1972: Mark Morton of Lamb of God is born•2001: Charles Michael “Chuck” Schuldiner dies (33) American musician and genre innovator. He is best known for being the founder, singer, lead guitar player and main songwriter of Death, which he founded in 1983 as Mantas, and was one of the first bands of the death metal genre. He played an important role in the development of death metal with his band Death, which later evolved into more of a progressive metal sound. Originally inspired by the likes of inspired by Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol, and was particularly interested in the metal movement known as NWOBHM, Kerrang! magazine stated that “Chuck Schuldiner was one of the most significant figures in the history of metal” (cancer)l December 18•1972: Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory is bornl December 20•1945: Peter ‘Catman’ Criss/George Peter Criscuola of Kiss is born•1974: Die of La Sadie’s/Dir en grey is bornl December 21•1940: Frank Zappa is bornl December 23•1964: Eddie Vedder/Edward Louis Severson III of Pearl Jam/Temple of the Dog is born•1956: Dave Murray of Iron Maiden/Urchin is bornl December 23•1945: Lemmy/Ian Fraser Kilmister of Hawkwind/Motorhead is bornl December 25•1972: Josh Freese of Vandals/Devo/Viva Death/A Perfect Circle/Nine Inch Nails is bornl December 26•1963: Lars Ulrich of Metallica is born•1967: J. /Jay Noel Yuenger of White Zombie is bornl December 27•1961: Youth/Martin Glover Youth of Killing Joke is bornl December 29•1967: Chris Barnes of Cannibal Corpse/Six Feet Under is bornl December 31•1963: Scott “Not” Ian/Scott Ian Rosenfeld of Anthrax is born

births and deaths

Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as “Diamond Darrell”, “Dimebag Darrell”, or simply “Dime” was an American guitarist. Best known as a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, he also performed in the country music band Rebel Meets Rebel.

Abbott frequently appeared in guitar magazines and in readers’ polls, and wrote a long-running Guitar World magazine column, which was compiled into the book, Riffer Madness. He was praised for his tone and was included in “The 50 Greatest Tones of All Time” by Guitar Player magazine. Remembered for his amiable nature and rapport with fans, Abbot was described by Allmusic as “one of the most influential stylists in modern metal.” On December 8, 2004, Abbott was shot and killed onstage during a Damageplan performance at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio.

Early years:Darrell was born to Carolyn and Jerry Abbott, a country musician and producer. He took up guitar when he was 12, winning a series of local guitar competitions, where in one he was awarded his first Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father had bought him a cherryburst finish Dean ML standard the morning before the competition, so he only had a few hours of playing time on it. These and another contest prize, his first Randall amplifier, are the two staples of his style and sound.

Pantera and Damageplan:Abbott formed Pantera in 1981 with his brother Vinnie Paul on drums. The band began in a glam metal style, but by the late ‘80s showed a greater influence from thrash metal acts such as Slayer, Megadeth, and Metallica, as well as traditional metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Venom, and Judas Priest. Pantera subsequently became a key formulator of the post-thrash subgenre of “groove” metal. It would not be until nine years after forming that Pantera saw its first piece of commercial success in its 1990 major label debut, Cowboys from Hell. Pantera’s “groove” style came to fruition in its breakthrough album Vulgar Display of Power, released on February 25, 1992, which saw the replacement of the power metal falsetto vocals with a hardcore-influenced shouted delivery and heavier guitar sound. In 1994, Abbott dropped the nickname “Dia-mond Darrell” and assumed the nickname “Dimebag Darrell”. Pantera began to suffer from mounting tensions between band members in the mid-1990s, largely due to vocalist Phil Anselmo’s rampant drug abuse; in 2003, the group broke up. Anselmo left the band for other projects, such as Superjoint Ritual and Down.

After a year, brothers Vinnie and “Dimebag” formed Damageplan, a heavy metal band which also used the Pantera-style groove metal sound. The Abbott brothers recruited former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals, and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released its debut album New Found Power in the United States on February 10, 2004, which debuted at number 38 on the Billboard 200, selling 44,676 copies in its first week. When writing music for the new group, “Dimebag” said that “we wanted to stretch out and expand our capabilities to their fullest.”

Abbott was also an avid consumer of alcoholic beverages, as exemplified by his invention of a cocktail. The drink consists of one shot of “Crown Royal” whiskey, and generally with or accepted without an additional shot of Seagrams 7 whiskey, with a ‘dash’ of just enough Coca-Cola to darken the whiskey’s color known as the “Black Tooth Grin”.

Other projects:Shortly before singer Phil Anselmo joined Pantera, Abbott was invited to join Dave Mustaine’s thrash band Megadeth. Abbott was willing to join, but on the condition that Mustaine also hired his brother Vinnie on drums. As Mustaine had already hired drummer Nick Menza, Abbott stayed with Pantera. In 1992 Pantera teamed up with Rob Halford (of Judas Priest) for a track called ‘Light Comes Out of Black’. Abbott played all the guitar parts, Rex Brown played bass, Vinnie Paul played drums, Rob Halford sang lead vocals while Philip Anselmo sang backing vocals. This song was released on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack on July 28, 1992. In 1996 Abbott contributed the Ace Frehley song ‘Fractured Mirror’ to the Ace tribute album Spacewalk: A Salute To Ace Frehley. Then in 1997 a new Ace Frehley tribute album called Return Of The Comet: A Tribute To Ace Frehley was released. The two Abbott brothers covered Ace’s song ‘Snowblind’ on track 7. On and off between 1996 and the formation of Damageplan, the Abbott brothers and Pantera bassist Rex Brown teamed up with country singer David Allan Coe for a project called Rebel Meets Rebel in 2000. The album was released May 2, 2006 on Vinnie’s “Big Vin Records” label.

Abbott played guest guitar solos on several Anthrax songs from their John Bush era: “King Size” & “Riding Shotgun” from Stomp 442, “Inside Out” & “Born Again Idiot” from Volume 8: The Threat Is Real, “Strap It On” and “Cadillac Rock Box” (with a voice intro from Dimebag as well) from We’ve Come for You All. In a recent interview Anthrax bassist Frank Bello said “Darrell was basically the sixth member of Anthrax”. Abbott also performed a solo on the titular track from King Diamond’s Voodoo album. A sample from a guitar solo by Abbott was used in the Nickelback song “Side of a Bullet” and also played guitar on Nickelback’s cover of Elton John’s Saturday Night’s Alright for

Fighting along with Kid Rock. In 1999, Pantera recorded a theme tune for their favourite ice hockey team, The Dallas Stars, called ‘Puck-Off’. The song was eventually released in 2003 on the album ‘Dallas Stars: Greatest Hits’. In 2000 Abbott played the guitar solo on Believer for the new Randy Rhoads Tribute album (not the Ozzy Osbourne album). Vocals were by Sebastian Bach, Rhythm Guitars were by Kane Roberts, Drums were by Michael Cartellone and the Bass was by Mike Bringardello. This was the only track that Abbott contributed to on this album.

Shortly before Abbott’s death, he went into the studio with a band named Premenishen to do a guest solo on a track titled “Eyes of the South.” He was also confirmed as one of the original guitar player choices for Liquid Tension Experiment by Mike Portnoy. Abbott’s musical roots were in Country Western music; he supported the local music scene in Dal-las and would sometimes record with local musicians. He played in a country band called Rebel Meets Rebel with country performer David Allan Coe. Three of Abbott’s solos from Pantera songs ranked among Guitar World magazine’s top 100 of all-time: “Walk” (#57), “Cemetery Gates” (#35), and “Floods” (#15). In December 2006 a rare track of one of his collaborations was discovered. Abbott sat in on a recording session with local Dallas musician “Throbbin Donnie” Rodd and recorded “Country Western Transvestite Whore”. It features Dimebag on lead guitar and lead vocals. Abbott and his brother Vinnie Paul along with Rex (during the Pantera Era) and Bob Zilla (Damageplan Era) performed at their New Years party every year under the name “Gasoline”, which was originally and previously a project involving Dimebag and Vinnie plus Thurber T. Min-gus of Pumpjack. Stroker of Pumpjack also played with Gasoline on several occasions. Dimebag, Vinnie and Rex also recorded a cover of the ZZ Top song “Heard It on the X” under the band name “Tres Diablos” for ECW wrestling’s “Extreme Music” soundtrack.

Death:On December 8, 2004, while performing with Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Colum-bus, Ohio, Abbott was shot onstage by Nathan Gale. Abbott was shot five times, includ-ing once in the head, killing him instantly. Damageplan’s drum technician, John “Kat” Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were injured. Gale fired a total of fifteen shots, taking the time to reload once and remaining silent throughout the shooting. To avoid being injured or killed himself, Abbott’s brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul, was taken to the bar/kitchen on the other side of the club. Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, the band’s head of security, was also killed in the incident while engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Gale. Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk was killed after charging Gale after running out of bullets, expecting Gale to reload more slowly than he actually did. Audience member Nathan Bray was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem.Brooks scuffled with Gale onstage but was overpowered and taken hostage in a headlock position. Brooks was shot several times (once in the right hand, his right leg, and his right side) while attempting to get the gun away from Gale. Five police officers came in the front entrance, led by Officer Rick Crum, and moved toward the stage. Officer James D. Niggemeyer came in through the back door, behind the stage. Gale only saw the officers in front of the stage; he never saw Officer Niggemeyer. Niggemeyer armed with a 12 gauge Remington 870 shotgun approached Gale from the opposite side of the stage, to avoid hitting the hostage Niggemeyer fired a single shot striking Gale in the face. Gale was found to have 35 rounds of ammunition remaining. Nurse and audience member Mindy Reece, 28, went to the aid of Abbott. She and another fan administered CPR until paramedics arrived, but were unable to revive him.

In May 2005, Officer Niggemeyer testified before the Franklin County grand jury, which is routine procedure in Franklin County after a police shooting. The grand jury did not indict Niggemeyer, finding that his actions were justified. Niggemeyer received a com-mendation from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for his outstanding police work in time of crisis as well as the National Rifle Association award as 2005 Law En-forcement Officer of the Year. The five other officers that were first on the scene received Ohio distinguished law enforcement medals for their efforts. In 2006 James Niggemeyer penned the foreword to a book written about the event A Vulgar Display of Power: Cour-age and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa.

Early theories of motive suggested that Gale may have turned to violence in response to the breakup of Pantera, or the public dispute between Abbott and Pantera singer Phil Anselmo, but these were later ruled out by investigators. Another theory was that Gale believed Abbott had stolen a song Gale wrote. In the A Vulgar Display Of Power book, several of Gale’s personal writings, given to the author by Gale’s mother, suggest that the gunman was not angry about Pantera’s breakup or about a belief that Pantera had “stolen songs”; instead, the documents suggest that Gale’s paranoid schizophrenia caused delu-sions that the band could read his mind, and that they were “stealing” his thoughts and laughing at him.

Abbott’s grave is located at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. He is buried alongside his mother. He was buried with Eddie Van Halen’s Charvel Hybrid VH2 - a black and yellow Frankenstrat guitar, also known as “Bumblebee,” that was pictured with Van Halen on the cover of the album Van Halen II - because Dimebag had asked for one in 2004, shortly before he was shot. He was buried in a KISS Kasket.

Source: Wikipedia


Suffocation – 'Effigy of the Forgotten' (1991)From the very first cymbal chokes to the ferocious guitar leads that close the album, 'Effigy of the Forgotten' is one of the most breathlessly relentless metal albums you'll hear anywhere. Suffocation already had a respectable following in the tape trading community but no one was prepared for the Long Island, NY outfit to deliver a debut this utterly punishing. Every facet of the band's approach worked and the players all stepped up to the plate with career making performances. You'd be hard-pressed to find a debut album more essential than 'Effigy of the Forgotten.'

Entombed – 'Left Hand Path' (1990)These days, you can't walk into a metal show and not hear the influence Swedish death metal has had in the last 20 years. But in 1990, a teenaged gang of misfits from Stockholm, calling themselves Entombed, came out with an album that would stun the underground community and change everything forever. For the time of its release, 'Left Hand Path' was radical and stubbornly abrasive in its aural presentation. The raw energy of crusty punk bands like Amebix and Discharge coursed through their material and where most of their peers aimed for airtight precision, Entombed went for feel. Though the band would go on to make several great albums in their career, none have equaled the savage brilliance that is 'Left Hand Path.'

Immolation – 'Dawn of Possession' (1991)Have you ever been to Yonkers, NY? It's just like any other town hugging the northeastern coast but their pizza is out of the world great! Immolation is the last thing you would expect to come out of this Bronx suburb. Their arcane and dissonant take on death metal has always had a European bent to it. On 'Dawn of Possession' the quartet proved they had the musical chops to not only pull of their endless array of complex arrangements but also, and more importantly, weave together one of the most intriguing set of songs the genre has ever produced. The tracks on this debut all brim with intense fury but there's a haunting eeriness in the atmospherics Immolation created. This is where they stood out from the pack. Their odd counter melodies and unorthodox soloing on 'Dawn of Possession' was so ahead of its time that we're all still playing catch up.

Death – 'Scream Bloody Gore' (1987)If there was ever a voice perfectly suited for this kind of stuff, Chuck Schuldiner had it. The brainchild behind the fittingly named Death, the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter's performances on albums like 'Leprosy' and 'Human' helped shape the vocal approach most of the bands in death metal would go on to use in the last 2 decades. But it was on 'Scream Bloody Gore' where most underground metal addicts first heard Schuldiner's anguished howls. His singing was downright horrific in tone and design but the 10 songs he wrote for the bench mark recording are no less ghastly. Schuldiner would take Death into far more progressive areas (musically and lyrically) in the later part of their career but 'Scream Bloody Gore' easily deserves a spot on this list.

Incantation – 'Onward to Golgotha' (1992)During death metal's first gold rush in the early 1990s, many of the bands getting record deals probably didn't deserve them. In retrospect, a lot of the albums that came out during that spell aren't even worth reinvestigating. Yet some of the groups whose music did warrant the public's attention never got their day in court. Incantation's labyrinthine arrangements, left-of-center guitar parts, and tormented vocals should have elevated them to the top tier of the death metal elite but they remain as underground as they were when they first appeared on tape trading lists almost 20 years ago. The down-tuned guitars on 'Onward to Golgotha' channeled the icy spirit of Celtic Frost and married it with the unbridled speed and might of modern (for the time) death metal.

Cannibal Corpse – 'Eaten Back to Life' (1990)'Eaten Back to Life' was probably the first album that introduced death metal to many of the people reading this right now. It was the perfect record to turn thrash metal devotees onto death metal's harsher vocals and faster tempos. One of the album's most special gifts is how wildly catchy it is. The guys in Cannibal Corpse came of age during the time bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Mercyful Fate were on every metalhead's playlist and the fully realized songwriting on 'Eaten Back to Life' shows that. Cannibal Corpse might have gotten more technical in the following years but this remains their most memorable moment.

Autopsy – 'Severed Survival' (1989)There was something absolutely funereal about Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler's guitars on 'Severed Survival.' Autopsy's introduction to most of the metal scene, the album would go on to become the "band's band" for acts as varied as Entombed and Crowbar. Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler's guitars and Chris Reifert's vocals sound like they were recorded in a garage on a 4 track but instead of crippling the project; it becomes another strongpoint coating the songs in a murky gloom. We're not sure the primitive recording sound is an outcome of a limited budget or former Metal Church guitarist James Marshall's production skills but we wouldn't want it any other way.

Darkthrone – 'Soulside Journey' (1991)Albums like 'Transylvanian Hunger' and 'A Blaze in the Northern Sky' were catalysts for the black metal boom of the 1990s but their early work is quintessential European death metal. 'Soulside Journey' is a complex clash of adventurous arrangements, ghoulish vocals, and some of the most ornate and breathtaking guitar parts ever recorded in the genre. The band's influences are felt all over the album. Though their black metal years have yielded classic results, with 'Soulside Journey' Darkthrone proved that they could have had an illustrious career in death metal.

Obituary – 'Slowly We Rot' (1989)The vocals on 'Slowly We Rot,' Obituary's debut album, are so extreme that they don't even utilize actual lyrics; John Tardy's fevered delivery had no need or room for them. Critics have always dismissed death metal because of the incomprehensible singing and the Florida band responded with one big collective middle finger. Their next album, 'Cause of Death,' was even stronger but in terms of debut albums, 'Slowly We Rot' deserves to be in this company.

Deicide – 'Deicide' (1990)Even though they were born out of the fertile Tampa, FL scene, Deicide have never really aligned themselves with any other bands. Lead by bassist/vocalist/instigator Glen Benton, the quartet have always had a rebel aura around them. Even in the admittedly loutish world of death metal, Deicide stand out for their unwillingness to fit in. 1990's 'Deicide' put the band on the lips of every underground metal fan from Sacramento to Seoul. Benton uses a few different vocal approaches and styles throughout the album and often in the span of the same song. Steve Asheim never gets the credit his world-class drumming deserves and his playing on songs like "Dead by Dawn" and "Blaspherion" prove that. His blast beats are right up there with guys like Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel) and Dave Witte (Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste) and his creative fills bob and weave around Benton's choppy vocal cadences. 'Deicide' was so unflinchingly heavy we're still playing catch up to it all these years later.

source: www.noisecreep.com

O.K., I know I said we would showcase the top 10 best Metal album covers, but there are just too many deadly covers to choose from.Therefore we decided to go with the top 10 Death Metal debut albums instead. Without further ado...

People who have been following the death metal scene since its early days know how hard the climb to the mainstream has been. In the late 80s and 90s most rock journalists dismissed the sound's gruff vocals and over-the-top lyrics but these days bands like Morbid Angel and Amon Amarth get showered with praise around every corner. However you feel about death metal, it's clearly here to stay.

Top 10 Death Metal Debut Albums (according to noisecreep.com)

Charles Michael “Chuck” Schuldiner was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and musical genre innovator.

Schuldiner was the singer, songwriter, rhythm and lead guitarist of the band Death, which he founded in 1983, initially under the name Mantas. He is often referred to as “The Father of Death Metal”, and his obituary in the January 5, 2002 issue of UK’s Kerrang! magazine stated that “Chuck Schuldiner was one of the most significant figures in the history of metal.” Schuldiner himself was modest about his part in the history of death metal, noting “I don’t think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff. I’m just a guy from a band, and I think Death is a metal band.”

Early life:Chuck Schuldiner was born on May 13, 1967 on Long Island, New York to a Jewish father of Austrian descent and a mother from the American South, a convert to Judaism; both his parents were teachers. In 1968, his family moved to Florida. Chuck was the youngest of three children. He had an older brother named Frank and an older sister named Bethann.

Schuldiner started playing guitar at the age of 9. His 16 year old brother had just been killed in an accident and his parents bought him a guitar, thinking it would help with his grief. He took classical lessons for less than a year in which his teacher taught him “Mary had a Little Lamb”, which he didn’t like very much, and almost stopped completely, until his parents saw an electric guitar at a yard sale and bought it for him. The young Schuldiner immediately took to the instrument. After getting amps, he never stopped playing, writing and teaching himself. Schuldiner was known to spend the weekend in the garage or his room playing his guitar, but was limited to three hours on weekdays when school was in session. Schuldiner first played in public in his early teens.

Schuldiner was originally inspired by Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol, among others. He was particularly interested in the metal movement known as NWOBHM - New Wave of British Heavy Metal - and cited bands of that genre among his favorites. He frequently cited French band Sortilège as his personal favorite metal group. Slayer, Possessed, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Metallica were later influences he would apply more to his own band. Later in his career, Schuldiner frequently cited progressive metal bands such as Watchtower and Queensrÿche as influences. Official Schuldiner website, Empty Words, quotes Chuck’s mother making the claim that he enjoyed all forms of music except country and rap. He also apparently particularly enjoyed jazz and classical music in addition to metal and British alternative acts such as Lush.

Schuldiner performed well in school, however, he became bored with education and eventually dropped out. He later regretted this decision.

Schuldiner was not afraid to take on controversial lyrical subjects such as the anti-drug sentiments of “Living Monstrosity” and abortion in “Altering the Future”.

Musical career:Schuldiner formed Death as Mantas in 1983. Original members were Schuldiner (guitar), Rick Rozz (guitar) and Kam Lee (drums and vocals). In January 1986, Schuldiner moved to Toronto and temporarily joined the Canadian band Slaughter. However, he quickly returned to continue the formation of Death.

Death underwent many lineup changes, however with Chris Reifert he eventually released his first Death album, titled Scream Bloody Gore, in 1987. He continued with 1988’s Leprosy with the line-up of former Mantas guitarist Rick Rozz and rhythm section Terry Butler on bass and Bill Andrews on drums, and 1990s Spiritual Healing, where guitarist James Murphy had replaced the fired Rozz.After Spiritual Healing, Schuldiner stopped working with full time band members and instead worked only with studio and live venue musicians due to bad relationships with Death’s previous rhythm section and guitarists. This earned Schuldiner something of a ‘perfectionist’ reputation in the metal community. Schuldiner had also fired his manager Eric Greif but settled and re-hired him before the recording of his next, influential release.

Death’s breakthrough album, Human saw the band evolving to a more technical and progressive style, in which Schuldiner displayed his guitar skills more than ever. He continued in this style (and continued the success of the band) with 1993’s Individual Thought Patterns, 1995’s Symbolic, and finally The Sound of Perseverance in 1998.Schuldiner played guitar in the project Voodoocult on the album Jesus Killing Machine in 1994. He folded Death after this to form a new band called Control Denied, and released The Fragile Art of Existence in 1999. Schuldiner was also asked to be one of the many guest vocalists on Dave Grohl’s 2001 Probot project by Grohl himself. Grohl even cam-paigned to raise funds to help Schuldiner pay medical bills for the brain cancer that would eventually take his life. Schuldiner succumbed to the disease before any collaboration could happen. Grohl, in tears, in an interview over Schuldiner’s death, said that “Chuck died for making the right decisions in life. That’s just... that’s just not fair.”

Battle with cancer:In May 1999, Schuldiner experienced pain in his upper neck, which he initially thought was a pinched nerve. He consulted with a chiropractor followed by a massage therapist/acupuncturist who recommended an MRI Exam. He was correct about the pinched nerve; unfortunately, it was being caused by a tumor. On his birthday, May 13, 1999, Schuldiner was diagnosed with pontine glioma, a type of brain cancer that invades the brain stem, and immediately underwent radiation therapy.

In October 1999, Schuldiner’s family announced that the tumor had necrotized and that he was on the way to recovery. In January 2000, Schuldiner underwent surgery to remove what remained of his tumor. The operation was a success, however, the Schuldiner family was struggling financially. The total costs of the operations would come to $70,000, a price the Schuldiner family could not afford. Many fundraisers, auctions, and benefit con-certs took place to help cover the costs. The money began to come in as the metal com-munity, in total shock, realized that Schuldiner’s life was in danger. The metal community and the Schuldiner family showed deep concern because Schuldiner could lose his life due to lack of funds. The doctors who removed his tumor called the original diagnosis of pontine glioma a misdiagnosis.

Schuldiner continued to work on his music, continuing his work with Control Denied. About two years after his original diagnosis, in May 2001, the cancer returned and Schuldiner fell ill again. He was originally denied surgery (which he needed immedi-ately) due to lack of funds. A press release called for support from everyone, including fellow artists. Jane Schuldiner urged all who read the statements about Schuldiner and his illness to go out and get insurance, stating her frustration in the American system. Schuldiner had gotten medical insurance after his first surgery, but the insurer had refused to pay because the tumor existed before he had gotten the insurance. Many artists, includ-ing Kid Rock, Korn and Red Hot Chili Peppers, got together in Summer 2001 to auction off personal items with the funds assisting Schuldiner’s medical expenses. This was covered by MTV. Matt Heafy, vocalist and guitarist for Trivium has also stated that the band had played a benefit show for Schuldiner while he was in the hospital in their days as a local band. Schuldiner received a chemotherapy drug called vincristine to help with his therapy. Like most drugs used in the treatment of cancer, the side effects were harsh and weakened Chuck greatly. In late October/early November, Schuldiner became ill with pneumonia.

He died on December 13, 2001, at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. He was buried in Tampa, Florida on December 18, 2001 and MTV reported that famed musicians including Mike Patton, Dimebag Darrell (who was killed almost 3 years later), Glen Benton, Ville Valo, Trey Azagthoth and Max Cavalera, along with all of the former and active members of Death, attended his funeral.

Beliefs:Chuck once described himself as “a lover of life”, “friendship”, and “animals.” “I would like to live forever, if it was possible”, he once said in an interview. He commonly spoke out against artists who were “out of control”, garnering negative attention to the death metal scene. Chuck openly condemned and disavowed stereotypes of metal musicians as being harmful to animals, people, or being “anti-life”.

When asked about his opinions regarding an afterlife, Chuck responded “I don’t know”, but elaborated that he believed “this is hell”, and that demons are in people, as they “cre-ate evil.” Although his parents are both Jewish, Schuldiner did not go through any formal religious training. In the documentary, “666 At Calling Death”, he was asked whether Satanism was a part of his music. He replied, “Not at all. I really don’t want to involve any type of religious theme in our music. I think that’s more of a personal thing. Yeah, I’m not a Satanist and I definitely don’t put that into our music. No purpose. I was really young when the band first started out. I was never really into writing Satanic lyrics at all, personally. We did write gore lyrics, but it was more like kind of tongue-in-cheek, horror-movie type level. Nothing like encouraging people to go out and hurt themselves or anything stupid like that. It’s pure fantasy-movie type, scary stuff. And then, I just really got into writing about reality, which is what we all have to deal with.”

Schuldiner designed the Death logo and its various incarnations during the length of his career. In 1991, before the release of Human, he cleaned up the logo taking out more intricate details and the “T” in the logo was swapped from an inverted Cross to a more regular looking “T”, one reason being to quash any implication of religion.Chuck was also openly against hard drugs; he is quoted as saying, “I’ve tripped several times. That’s all because I don’t like the hard drugs. And my only drugs are alcohol and grass.”

Source: Wikipedia


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for all your live audio,studio, promotion, &merchandising needs!

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JWHO SKU DIDDLY PRODUCTIONS

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MP

Here's a mission for you. Kill your TV. There's tons of ways to kill it. Each one more fun than the last. You can throw it out a tenth story window. You could hit it with a hammer. You could hollow it out and do puppet shows with it. Whatever you do, make sure that TV you've been glued to for most of your life is DEAD AND GONE.

Here's some simple math I've put together from my own person viewing habits. In my younger years I would watch TV from when I got home from school till about 7 or 8. That's 4 hours of TV a day. For some it's less, for others it's more. Doesn't sound like much, only 16 percent of your day. But take sleeping out of the equation and it turns into 25 percent.

25 percent of your life is being washed away by the boob tube. Kind of a scary thought. It's why I got rid of mine. About 4 years ago I did that math and decided to quit TV cold turkey. Was one of the strangest and yet most liberating decisions of my life. For 4 years I've lived with not a single TV show. No Opera or Jon Stewart. No CNN, no MTV, no reality shows. No TV whatsoever.

At first it was insanely tough. I literally had urges to turn on my TV... Over time though I started to feel a lot better. Life felt more fulfilling. It sounds corny but my brain actually stopped melting. (The brain ooze dripping from my ears over the years stopped.) Not to mention the amount of money I saved. If you take a simple 30 dollar cable plan (usually they cost far more) and multiply it by 4 years at 12 months a year you get C$1440. I've saved C$1440!

So what about awkward social circumstances? What do you say when someone brings up last nights episode of The Colbert Report? It's strange, that never happens. I know it may surprise you. But these days there's far more to talk about. I worked in the radio industry for a while, which is all about staying in the know on everything that happens, and not once did

anyone bring up what happened on TV the night before.

Alternatives. So here's your nicotine patch. Firstly, you can buy the DVD's of your favorite shows. No commercials, lots of extras and watch it on your time. No longer controlled by the TV networks scheduling decisions. Next, if you want to watch your shows as soon as they come out, say hello to online TV watching. You get the episode about a day after it's been played, free of charge, no commercials and on your time. Don't ask me if it's legal though.

TV takes up far too much of your time. It does very little to help your brain and it costs quite a lot of money. Kill it. Kill it before it's too late. I don't care how you do it, but if you don't the costs will be dire.

My next mission? Kill your facebook and e-mail. This is going to be fun...

Style, Wit and Results. Kole is a creative writer with a unique view of the world.

www.creativechemist.com

By: Kole McRae

Kill Your TV.


I love Halloween. It’s not a holiday it’s more like a social event dedicated to the macabre. I mean when else can a guy dress up as a zombie doctor and enjoy some of the best metal the interior of B.C. has to offer along with two amazing bands from Montreal. What I am referring to is the second night of the third annual instalment of Helloweekend. Officially the line up went: Red Octo-ber from Montreal, Born in Ruin from Prince George, Blood Drunk from Kamloops, and Hailing from the “English speaking part of Quebec” Endast. I couldn’t get the smile off my face thinking about this line up as I wandered down to Prince Georges’ now infamous Pizza Ricos with my ticket in hand.

Unfortunately I ended up missing Red October’s performance. I fell asleep on my living room floor recovering from the night before where I saw them play in Quesnel with Blood drunk, Endast, and Gyibaaw. They are what I would describe as radio friendly rock, similar to Ten Second Epic. Because they ended up on a metal tour they played a bit heavier of a set and definitely held their own. I had the opportunity to speak with Red October’s lead guitarist and singer Chady the night before. He explained that they had a few open dates and wanted to play Halloween night. I though it was cool that they were willing to jump head first into a metal show.

After a quick break down and set up of music gear it was time for Prince Georges own Born in Ruin, an amazing hardcore band. They played an incredibly intense set full of the proper amounts of break downs and opportunities to mosh. I can’t say enough about the guitar work. And the vocals were good and brutal. This was apparently their first Halloween show and I was glad to be there for it. If there is one local band I would recommend seeing it would be these guys.

After a not so quick break down and set up it was time for Blood Drunk. Hailing from Kamloops they are a grindcore/death metal band with a female singer. Now I know what you guys are thinking “a female singer?”. Well I got to be honest with you this chick can belt it out as well as any dude I saw sing that night. Their set included samples from movies used as interludes between songs and the guitar and drum playing was heavy, fast, and flawless. I was completely blown away by their performance. This is one band you just have to see for yourself to see what I mean.

By the last set the beers where going down too easily and since my ears were soon to be graced with the bad ass sounds of Endast I knew I had to keep it together. I’ve seen these guys play about a half dozen times and they never disappoint. They have got to be one of the hardest working bands in Canada and they bring that level of dedication to the stage every time. The easiest way to describe their sound is metalcore but their style does deviate from this genre a bit. During the show I noticed they have become much heavier; maybe it has something to do with the jagermiester sponsorship they landed a little while ago.

The next morning I woke up on the promoters couch surrounded by all these dirty metal heads passed out all around me. I had a bit of an opportunity to reflect on my crazy ass night and still couldn’t get that smile off my face. The bands and promoter did a phenomenal job and I can honestly say that this was probably one of the best shows I had seen in awhile. I can only keep my fingers crossed that there is a fourth Helloweekend and that it kicks as much ass as this one did.

L.D. Porter

show review


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I love Halloween. It’s not a holiday it’s more like a social event dedicated to the macabre. I mean when else can a guy dress up as a zombie doctor and enjoy some of the best metal the interior of B.C. has to offer along with two amazing bands from Montreal. What I am referring to is the second night of the third annual instalment of Helloweekend. Officially the line up went: Red Octo-ber from Montreal, Born in Ruin from Prince George, Blood Drunk from Kamloops, and Hailing from the “English speaking part of Quebec” Endast. I couldn’t get the smile off my face thinking about this line up as I wandered down to Prince Georges’ now infamous Pizza Ricos with my ticket in hand.

Unfortunately I ended up missing Red October’s performance. I fell asleep on my living room floor recovering from the night before where I saw them play in Quesnel with Blood drunk, Endast, and Gyibaaw. They are what I would describe as radio friendly rock, similar to Ten Second Epic. Because they ended up on a metal tour they played a bit heavier of a set and definitely held their own. I had the opportunity to speak with Red October’s lead guitarist and singer Chady the night before. He explained that they had a few open dates and wanted to play Halloween night. I though it was cool that they were willing to jump head first into a metal show.

After a quick break down and set up of music gear it was time for Prince Georges own Born in Ruin, an amazing hardcore band. They played an incredibly intense set full of the proper amounts of break downs and opportunities to mosh. I can’t say enough about the guitar work. And the vocals were good and brutal. This was apparently their first Halloween show and I was glad to be there for it. If there is one local band I would recommend seeing it would be these guys.

After a not so quick break down and set up it was time for Blood Drunk. Hailing from Kamloops they are a grindcore/death metal band with a female singer. Now I know what you guys are thinking “a female singer?”. Well I got to be honest with you this chick can belt it out as well as any dude I saw sing that night. Their set included samples from movies used as interludes between songs and the guitar and drum playing was heavy, fast, and flawless. I was completely blown away by their performance. This is one band you just have to see for yourself to see what I mean.

By the last set the beers where going down too easily and since my ears were soon to be graced with the bad ass sounds of Endast I knew I had to keep it together. I’ve seen these guys play about a half dozen times and they never disappoint. They have got to be one of the hardest working bands in Canada and they bring that level of dedication to the stage every time. The easiest way to describe their sound is metalcore but their style does deviate from this genre a bit. During the show I noticed they have become much heavier; maybe it has something to do with the jagermiester sponsorship they landed a little while ago.

The next morning I woke up on the promoters couch surrounded by all these dirty metal heads passed out all around me. I had a bit of an opportunity to reflect on my crazy ass night and still couldn’t get that smile off my face. The bands and promoter did a phenomenal job and I can honestly say that this was probably one of the best shows I had seen in awhile. I can only keep my fingers crossed that there is a fourth Helloweekend and that it kicks as much ass as this one did.

L.D. Porter

show review


www.jwhoskudiddly.com

for all your live audio,studio, promotion, &merchandising needs!

CELL: 250-570-2573EMAIL: [email protected]

JWHO SKU DIDDLY PRODUCTIONS

presents:

studios

and

MP

Here's a mission for you. Kill your TV. There's tons of ways to kill it. Each one more fun than the last. You can throw it out a tenth story window. You could hit it with a hammer. You could hollow it out and do puppet shows with it. Whatever you do, make sure that TV you've been glued to for most of your life is DEAD AND GONE.

Here's some simple math I've put together from my own person viewing habits. In my younger years I would watch TV from when I got home from school till about 7 or 8. That's 4 hours of TV a day. For some it's less, for others it's more. Doesn't sound like much, only 16 percent of your day. But take sleeping out of the equation and it turns into 25 percent.

25 percent of your life is being washed away by the boob tube. Kind of a scary thought. It's why I got rid of mine. About 4 years ago I did that math and decided to quit TV cold turkey. Was one of the strangest and yet most liberating decisions of my life. For 4 years I've lived with not a single TV show. No Opera or Jon Stewart. No CNN, no MTV, no reality shows. No TV whatsoever.

At first it was insanely tough. I literally had urges to turn on my TV... Over time though I started to feel a lot better. Life felt more fulfilling. It sounds corny but my brain actually stopped melting. (The brain ooze dripping from my ears over the years stopped.) Not to mention the amount of money I saved. If you take a simple 30 dollar cable plan (usually they cost far more) and multiply it by 4 years at 12 months a year you get C$1440. I've saved C$1440!

So what about awkward social circumstances? What do you say when someone brings up last nights episode of The Colbert Report? It's strange, that never happens. I know it may surprise you. But these days there's far more to talk about. I worked in the radio industry for a while, which is all about staying in the know on everything that happens, and not once did

anyone bring up what happened on TV the night before.

Alternatives. So here's your nicotine patch. Firstly, you can buy the DVD's of your favorite shows. No commercials, lots of extras and watch it on your time. No longer controlled by the TV networks scheduling decisions. Next, if you want to watch your shows as soon as they come out, say hello to online TV watching. You get the episode about a day after it's been played, free of charge, no commercials and on your time. Don't ask me if it's legal though.

TV takes up far too much of your time. It does very little to help your brain and it costs quite a lot of money. Kill it. Kill it before it's too late. I don't care how you do it, but if you don't the costs will be dire.

My next mission? Kill your facebook and e-mail. This is going to be fun...

Style, Wit and Results. Kole is a creative writer with a unique view of the world.

www.creativechemist.com

By: Kole McRae

Kill Your TV.


Suffocation – 'Effigy of the Forgotten' (1991)From the very first cymbal chokes to the ferocious guitar leads that close the album, 'Effigy of the Forgotten' is one of the most breathlessly relentless metal albums you'll hear anywhere. Suffocation already had a respectable following in the tape trading community but no one was prepared for the Long Island, NY outfit to deliver a debut this utterly punishing. Every facet of the band's approach worked and the players all stepped up to the plate with career making performances. You'd be hard-pressed to find a debut album more essential than 'Effigy of the Forgotten.'

Entombed – 'Left Hand Path' (1990)These days, you can't walk into a metal show and not hear the influence Swedish death metal has had in the last 20 years. But in 1990, a teenaged gang of misfits from Stockholm, calling themselves Entombed, came out with an album that would stun the underground community and change everything forever. For the time of its release, 'Left Hand Path' was radical and stubbornly abrasive in its aural presentation. The raw energy of crusty punk bands like Amebix and Discharge coursed through their material and where most of their peers aimed for airtight precision, Entombed went for feel. Though the band would go on to make several great albums in their career, none have equaled the savage brilliance that is 'Left Hand Path.'

Immolation – 'Dawn of Possession' (1991)Have you ever been to Yonkers, NY? It's just like any other town hugging the northeastern coast but their pizza is out of the world great! Immolation is the last thing you would expect to come out of this Bronx suburb. Their arcane and dissonant take on death metal has always had a European bent to it. On 'Dawn of Possession' the quartet proved they had the musical chops to not only pull of their endless array of complex arrangements but also, and more importantly, weave together one of the most intriguing set of songs the genre has ever produced. The tracks on this debut all brim with intense fury but there's a haunting eeriness in the atmospherics Immolation created. This is where they stood out from the pack. Their odd counter melodies and unorthodox soloing on 'Dawn of Possession' was so ahead of its time that we're all still playing catch up.

Death – 'Scream Bloody Gore' (1987)If there was ever a voice perfectly suited for this kind of stuff, Chuck Schuldiner had it. The brainchild behind the fittingly named Death, the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter's performances on albums like 'Leprosy' and 'Human' helped shape the vocal approach most of the bands in death metal would go on to use in the last 2 decades. But it was on 'Scream Bloody Gore' where most underground metal addicts first heard Schuldiner's anguished howls. His singing was downright horrific in tone and design but the 10 songs he wrote for the bench mark recording are no less ghastly. Schuldiner would take Death into far more progressive areas (musically and lyrically) in the later part of their career but 'Scream Bloody Gore' easily deserves a spot on this list.

Incantation – 'Onward to Golgotha' (1992)During death metal's first gold rush in the early 1990s, many of the bands getting record deals probably didn't deserve them. In retrospect, a lot of the albums that came out during that spell aren't even worth reinvestigating. Yet some of the groups whose music did warrant the public's attention never got their day in court. Incantation's labyrinthine arrangements, left-of-center guitar parts, and tormented vocals should have elevated them to the top tier of the death metal elite but they remain as underground as they were when they first appeared on tape trading lists almost 20 years ago. The down-tuned guitars on 'Onward to Golgotha' channeled the icy spirit of Celtic Frost and married it with the unbridled speed and might of modern (for the time) death metal.

Cannibal Corpse – 'Eaten Back to Life' (1990)'Eaten Back to Life' was probably the first album that introduced death metal to many of the people reading this right now. It was the perfect record to turn thrash metal devotees onto death metal's harsher vocals and faster tempos. One of the album's most special gifts is how wildly catchy it is. The guys in Cannibal Corpse came of age during the time bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Mercyful Fate were on every metalhead's playlist and the fully realized songwriting on 'Eaten Back to Life' shows that. Cannibal Corpse might have gotten more technical in the following years but this remains their most memorable moment.

Autopsy – 'Severed Survival' (1989)There was something absolutely funereal about Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler's guitars on 'Severed Survival.' Autopsy's introduction to most of the metal scene, the album would go on to become the "band's band" for acts as varied as Entombed and Crowbar. Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler's guitars and Chris Reifert's vocals sound like they were recorded in a garage on a 4 track but instead of crippling the project; it becomes another strongpoint coating the songs in a murky gloom. We're not sure the primitive recording sound is an outcome of a limited budget or former Metal Church guitarist James Marshall's production skills but we wouldn't want it any other way.

Darkthrone – 'Soulside Journey' (1991)Albums like 'Transylvanian Hunger' and 'A Blaze in the Northern Sky' were catalysts for the black metal boom of the 1990s but their early work is quintessential European death metal. 'Soulside Journey' is a complex clash of adventurous arrangements, ghoulish vocals, and some of the most ornate and breathtaking guitar parts ever recorded in the genre. The band's influences are felt all over the album. Though their black metal years have yielded classic results, with 'Soulside Journey' Darkthrone proved that they could have had an illustrious career in death metal.

Obituary – 'Slowly We Rot' (1989)The vocals on 'Slowly We Rot,' Obituary's debut album, are so extreme that they don't even utilize actual lyrics; John Tardy's fevered delivery had no need or room for them. Critics have always dismissed death metal because of the incomprehensible singing and the Florida band responded with one big collective middle finger. Their next album, 'Cause of Death,' was even stronger but in terms of debut albums, 'Slowly We Rot' deserves to be in this company.

Deicide – 'Deicide' (1990)Even though they were born out of the fertile Tampa, FL scene, Deicide have never really aligned themselves with any other bands. Lead by bassist/vocalist/instigator Glen Benton, the quartet have always had a rebel aura around them. Even in the admittedly loutish world of death metal, Deicide stand out for their unwillingness to fit in. 1990's 'Deicide' put the band on the lips of every underground metal fan from Sacramento to Seoul. Benton uses a few different vocal approaches and styles throughout the album and often in the span of the same song. Steve Asheim never gets the credit his world-class drumming deserves and his playing on songs like "Dead by Dawn" and "Blaspherion" prove that. His blast beats are right up there with guys like Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel) and Dave Witte (Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste) and his creative fills bob and weave around Benton's choppy vocal cadences. 'Deicide' was so unflinchingly heavy we're still playing catch up to it all these years later.

source: www.noisecreep.com

O.K., I know I said we would showcase the top 10 best Metal album covers, but there are just too many deadly covers to choose from.Therefore we decided to go with the top 10 Death Metal debut albums instead. Without further ado...

People who have been following the death metal scene since its early days know how hard the climb to the mainstream has been. In the late 80s and 90s most rock journalists dismissed the sound's gruff vocals and over-the-top lyrics but these days bands like Morbid Angel and Amon Amarth get showered with praise around every corner. However you feel about death metal, it's clearly here to stay.

Top 10 Death Metal Debut Albums (according to noisecreep.com)

Charles Michael “Chuck” Schuldiner was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and musical genre innovator.

Schuldiner was the singer, songwriter, rhythm and lead guitarist of the band Death, which he founded in 1983, initially under the name Mantas. He is often referred to as “The Father of Death Metal”, and his obituary in the January 5, 2002 issue of UK’s Kerrang! magazine stated that “Chuck Schuldiner was one of the most significant figures in the history of metal.” Schuldiner himself was modest about his part in the history of death metal, noting “I don’t think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff. I’m just a guy from a band, and I think Death is a metal band.”

Early life:Chuck Schuldiner was born on May 13, 1967 on Long Island, New York to a Jewish father of Austrian descent and a mother from the American South, a convert to Judaism; both his parents were teachers. In 1968, his family moved to Florida. Chuck was the youngest of three children. He had an older brother named Frank and an older sister named Bethann.

Schuldiner started playing guitar at the age of 9. His 16 year old brother had just been killed in an accident and his parents bought him a guitar, thinking it would help with his grief. He took classical lessons for less than a year in which his teacher taught him “Mary had a Little Lamb”, which he didn’t like very much, and almost stopped completely, until his parents saw an electric guitar at a yard sale and bought it for him. The young Schuldiner immediately took to the instrument. After getting amps, he never stopped playing, writing and teaching himself. Schuldiner was known to spend the weekend in the garage or his room playing his guitar, but was limited to three hours on weekdays when school was in session. Schuldiner first played in public in his early teens.

Schuldiner was originally inspired by Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol, among others. He was particularly interested in the metal movement known as NWOBHM - New Wave of British Heavy Metal - and cited bands of that genre among his favorites. He frequently cited French band Sortilège as his personal favorite metal group. Slayer, Possessed, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Metallica were later influences he would apply more to his own band. Later in his career, Schuldiner frequently cited progressive metal bands such as Watchtower and Queensrÿche as influences. Official Schuldiner website, Empty Words, quotes Chuck’s mother making the claim that he enjoyed all forms of music except country and rap. He also apparently particularly enjoyed jazz and classical music in addition to metal and British alternative acts such as Lush.

Schuldiner performed well in school, however, he became bored with education and eventually dropped out. He later regretted this decision.

Schuldiner was not afraid to take on controversial lyrical subjects such as the anti-drug sentiments of “Living Monstrosity” and abortion in “Altering the Future”.

Musical career:Schuldiner formed Death as Mantas in 1983. Original members were Schuldiner (guitar), Rick Rozz (guitar) and Kam Lee (drums and vocals). In January 1986, Schuldiner moved to Toronto and temporarily joined the Canadian band Slaughter. However, he quickly returned to continue the formation of Death.

Death underwent many lineup changes, however with Chris Reifert he eventually released his first Death album, titled Scream Bloody Gore, in 1987. He continued with 1988’s Leprosy with the line-up of former Mantas guitarist Rick Rozz and rhythm section Terry Butler on bass and Bill Andrews on drums, and 1990s Spiritual Healing, where guitarist James Murphy had replaced the fired Rozz.After Spiritual Healing, Schuldiner stopped working with full time band members and instead worked only with studio and live venue musicians due to bad relationships with Death’s previous rhythm section and guitarists. This earned Schuldiner something of a ‘perfectionist’ reputation in the metal community. Schuldiner had also fired his manager Eric Greif but settled and re-hired him before the recording of his next, influential release.

Death’s breakthrough album, Human saw the band evolving to a more technical and progressive style, in which Schuldiner displayed his guitar skills more than ever. He continued in this style (and continued the success of the band) with 1993’s Individual Thought Patterns, 1995’s Symbolic, and finally The Sound of Perseverance in 1998.Schuldiner played guitar in the project Voodoocult on the album Jesus Killing Machine in 1994. He folded Death after this to form a new band called Control Denied, and released The Fragile Art of Existence in 1999. Schuldiner was also asked to be one of the many guest vocalists on Dave Grohl’s 2001 Probot project by Grohl himself. Grohl even cam-paigned to raise funds to help Schuldiner pay medical bills for the brain cancer that would eventually take his life. Schuldiner succumbed to the disease before any collaboration could happen. Grohl, in tears, in an interview over Schuldiner’s death, said that “Chuck died for making the right decisions in life. That’s just... that’s just not fair.”

Battle with cancer:In May 1999, Schuldiner experienced pain in his upper neck, which he initially thought was a pinched nerve. He consulted with a chiropractor followed by a massage therapist/acupuncturist who recommended an MRI Exam. He was correct about the pinched nerve; unfortunately, it was being caused by a tumor. On his birthday, May 13, 1999, Schuldiner was diagnosed with pontine glioma, a type of brain cancer that invades the brain stem, and immediately underwent radiation therapy.

In October 1999, Schuldiner’s family announced that the tumor had necrotized and that he was on the way to recovery. In January 2000, Schuldiner underwent surgery to remove what remained of his tumor. The operation was a success, however, the Schuldiner family was struggling financially. The total costs of the operations would come to $70,000, a price the Schuldiner family could not afford. Many fundraisers, auctions, and benefit con-certs took place to help cover the costs. The money began to come in as the metal com-munity, in total shock, realized that Schuldiner’s life was in danger. The metal community and the Schuldiner family showed deep concern because Schuldiner could lose his life due to lack of funds. The doctors who removed his tumor called the original diagnosis of pontine glioma a misdiagnosis.

Schuldiner continued to work on his music, continuing his work with Control Denied. About two years after his original diagnosis, in May 2001, the cancer returned and Schuldiner fell ill again. He was originally denied surgery (which he needed immedi-ately) due to lack of funds. A press release called for support from everyone, including fellow artists. Jane Schuldiner urged all who read the statements about Schuldiner and his illness to go out and get insurance, stating her frustration in the American system. Schuldiner had gotten medical insurance after his first surgery, but the insurer had refused to pay because the tumor existed before he had gotten the insurance. Many artists, includ-ing Kid Rock, Korn and Red Hot Chili Peppers, got together in Summer 2001 to auction off personal items with the funds assisting Schuldiner’s medical expenses. This was covered by MTV. Matt Heafy, vocalist and guitarist for Trivium has also stated that the band had played a benefit show for Schuldiner while he was in the hospital in their days as a local band. Schuldiner received a chemotherapy drug called vincristine to help with his therapy. Like most drugs used in the treatment of cancer, the side effects were harsh and weakened Chuck greatly. In late October/early November, Schuldiner became ill with pneumonia.

He died on December 13, 2001, at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. He was buried in Tampa, Florida on December 18, 2001 and MTV reported that famed musicians including Mike Patton, Dimebag Darrell (who was killed almost 3 years later), Glen Benton, Ville Valo, Trey Azagthoth and Max Cavalera, along with all of the former and active members of Death, attended his funeral.

Beliefs:Chuck once described himself as “a lover of life”, “friendship”, and “animals.” “I would like to live forever, if it was possible”, he once said in an interview. He commonly spoke out against artists who were “out of control”, garnering negative attention to the death metal scene. Chuck openly condemned and disavowed stereotypes of metal musicians as being harmful to animals, people, or being “anti-life”.

When asked about his opinions regarding an afterlife, Chuck responded “I don’t know”, but elaborated that he believed “this is hell”, and that demons are in people, as they “cre-ate evil.” Although his parents are both Jewish, Schuldiner did not go through any formal religious training. In the documentary, “666 At Calling Death”, he was asked whether Satanism was a part of his music. He replied, “Not at all. I really don’t want to involve any type of religious theme in our music. I think that’s more of a personal thing. Yeah, I’m not a Satanist and I definitely don’t put that into our music. No purpose. I was really young when the band first started out. I was never really into writing Satanic lyrics at all, personally. We did write gore lyrics, but it was more like kind of tongue-in-cheek, horror-movie type level. Nothing like encouraging people to go out and hurt themselves or anything stupid like that. It’s pure fantasy-movie type, scary stuff. And then, I just really got into writing about reality, which is what we all have to deal with.”

Schuldiner designed the Death logo and its various incarnations during the length of his career. In 1991, before the release of Human, he cleaned up the logo taking out more intricate details and the “T” in the logo was swapped from an inverted Cross to a more regular looking “T”, one reason being to quash any implication of religion.Chuck was also openly against hard drugs; he is quoted as saying, “I’ve tripped several times. That’s all because I don’t like the hard drugs. And my only drugs are alcohol and grass.”

Source: Wikipedia


l December 1•1977: Bradford Phillip Delson of Linkin Park is bornl December 3•1948: Ozzy Osbourne/John Michael Osbourne is born•1963: Joe Lally of Fugazi is born•1969: Bill Steer of Napalm Death/Carcass is bornl December 4•1993: Frank Zappa dies (52) American composer, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, he wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral, and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. One of the most accomplished composers of the rock era, with terrific musical knowledge and an outrageous sense of humor. (prostate cancer)l December 6•1956: Randy Rhoads of Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne is bornl December 8•1943: Jim Morrison is born•1962: Marty Friedman of Megadeth is born•1973: Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour is born•2004: Dimebag Darrell/Darrell Abbott dies (25) American guitarist. Best known as a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, he also performed in the country music band Rebel Meets Rebel. He frequently appeared in guitar magazines and in readers’ polls, where he was often included in the top ten metal guitarist spots. In addition, he wrote a Guitar World magazine column, which has been compiled in the book Riffer Madness. (killed when a man stormed the stage during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus. Nathan Gale, aged 25, began firing at the band and crowd, killing 5 people)•1980: John Lennon dies (40) English rock musician, singer, writer, songwriter, artist, actor and peace activist who gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles. Lennon along with Paul McCartney formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and “wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history”. In his solo career, he wrote and recorded many songs such as “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. He also revealed his rebellious nature and wit on television, in films such as A Hard Day’s Night, in books such as In His Own Write, and in press conferences and interviews. (shot five times by 25 year old Mark Chapman outside the Dakota building, New York, U.S. where John and his wife Yoko lived)l December 11•1958: Nikki Sixx/Franklin Carlton Serafino Feranna of Mötley Crüe is born•1981: Zacky Vengeance /Zachary James Baker of Avenged Sevenfold is born•1998: James Lynn Strait dies (30) US singer; best known as founder member, lead vocalist and lyricist of the metal/punk band Snot. The band recorded one album before his death “Get

this month in music history

Some” in 1997. When the band performed on the 1998 Ozzfest tour, he was arrested in Mansfield, Massachusetts, for indecent exposure after emerging nude from the oversized toilet prop used by Limp Bizkit in their performances. Lynn also appeared as a guest on Tura Satana’s song ‘Down’, a duet with friend Tairrie B on Manhole/Tura Satana’s first album. In 2000, Snot released the album, Strait Up, as a tribute to Lynn, the album features appearances by the lead vocalists of a number of major rock groups (killed when a truck struck his Ford Tempo on the 101 Freeway near Santa Barbara at approximately 1 p.m)l December 12•1972: Hank Williams III is bornl December 13•1972: Mark Morton of Lamb of God is born•2001: Charles Michael “Chuck” Schuldiner dies (33) American musician and genre innovator. He is best known for being the founder, singer, lead guitar player and main songwriter of Death, which he founded in 1983 as Mantas, and was one of the first bands of the death metal genre. He played an important role in the development of death metal with his band Death, which later evolved into more of a progressive metal sound. Originally inspired by the likes of inspired by Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol, and was particularly interested in the metal movement known as NWOBHM, Kerrang! magazine stated that “Chuck Schuldiner was one of the most significant figures in the history of metal” (cancer)l December 18•1972: Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory is bornl December 20•1945: Peter ‘Catman’ Criss/George Peter Criscuola of Kiss is born•1974: Die of La Sadie’s/Dir en grey is bornl December 21•1940: Frank Zappa is bornl December 23•1964: Eddie Vedder/Edward Louis Severson III of Pearl Jam/Temple of the Dog is born•1956: Dave Murray of Iron Maiden/Urchin is bornl December 23•1945: Lemmy/Ian Fraser Kilmister of Hawkwind/Motorhead is bornl December 25•1972: Josh Freese of Vandals/Devo/Viva Death/A Perfect Circle/Nine Inch Nails is bornl December 26•1963: Lars Ulrich of Metallica is born•1967: J. /Jay Noel Yuenger of White Zombie is bornl December 27•1961: Youth/Martin Glover Youth of Killing Joke is bornl December 29•1967: Chris Barnes of Cannibal Corpse/Six Feet Under is bornl December 31•1963: Scott “Not” Ian/Scott Ian Rosenfeld of Anthrax is born

births and deaths

Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as “Diamond Darrell”, “Dimebag Darrell”, or simply “Dime” was an American guitarist. Best known as a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, he also performed in the country music band Rebel Meets Rebel.

Abbott frequently appeared in guitar magazines and in readers’ polls, and wrote a long-running Guitar World magazine column, which was compiled into the book, Riffer Madness. He was praised for his tone and was included in “The 50 Greatest Tones of All Time” by Guitar Player magazine. Remembered for his amiable nature and rapport with fans, Abbot was described by Allmusic as “one of the most influential stylists in modern metal.” On December 8, 2004, Abbott was shot and killed onstage during a Damageplan performance at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio.

Early years:Darrell was born to Carolyn and Jerry Abbott, a country musician and producer. He took up guitar when he was 12, winning a series of local guitar competitions, where in one he was awarded his first Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father had bought him a cherryburst finish Dean ML standard the morning before the competition, so he only had a few hours of playing time on it. These and another contest prize, his first Randall amplifier, are the two staples of his style and sound.

Pantera and Damageplan:Abbott formed Pantera in 1981 with his brother Vinnie Paul on drums. The band began in a glam metal style, but by the late ‘80s showed a greater influence from thrash metal acts such as Slayer, Megadeth, and Metallica, as well as traditional metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Venom, and Judas Priest. Pantera subsequently became a key formulator of the post-thrash subgenre of “groove” metal. It would not be until nine years after forming that Pantera saw its first piece of commercial success in its 1990 major label debut, Cowboys from Hell. Pantera’s “groove” style came to fruition in its breakthrough album Vulgar Display of Power, released on February 25, 1992, which saw the replacement of the power metal falsetto vocals with a hardcore-influenced shouted delivery and heavier guitar sound. In 1994, Abbott dropped the nickname “Dia-mond Darrell” and assumed the nickname “Dimebag Darrell”. Pantera began to suffer from mounting tensions between band members in the mid-1990s, largely due to vocalist Phil Anselmo’s rampant drug abuse; in 2003, the group broke up. Anselmo left the band for other projects, such as Superjoint Ritual and Down.

After a year, brothers Vinnie and “Dimebag” formed Damageplan, a heavy metal band which also used the Pantera-style groove metal sound. The Abbott brothers recruited former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals, and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released its debut album New Found Power in the United States on February 10, 2004, which debuted at number 38 on the Billboard 200, selling 44,676 copies in its first week. When writing music for the new group, “Dimebag” said that “we wanted to stretch out and expand our capabilities to their fullest.”

Abbott was also an avid consumer of alcoholic beverages, as exemplified by his invention of a cocktail. The drink consists of one shot of “Crown Royal” whiskey, and generally with or accepted without an additional shot of Seagrams 7 whiskey, with a ‘dash’ of just enough Coca-Cola to darken the whiskey’s color known as the “Black Tooth Grin”.

Other projects:Shortly before singer Phil Anselmo joined Pantera, Abbott was invited to join Dave Mustaine’s thrash band Megadeth. Abbott was willing to join, but on the condition that Mustaine also hired his brother Vinnie on drums. As Mustaine had already hired drummer Nick Menza, Abbott stayed with Pantera. In 1992 Pantera teamed up with Rob Halford (of Judas Priest) for a track called ‘Light Comes Out of Black’. Abbott played all the guitar parts, Rex Brown played bass, Vinnie Paul played drums, Rob Halford sang lead vocals while Philip Anselmo sang backing vocals. This song was released on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack on July 28, 1992. In 1996 Abbott contributed the Ace Frehley song ‘Fractured Mirror’ to the Ace tribute album Spacewalk: A Salute To Ace Frehley. Then in 1997 a new Ace Frehley tribute album called Return Of The Comet: A Tribute To Ace Frehley was released. The two Abbott brothers covered Ace’s song ‘Snowblind’ on track 7. On and off between 1996 and the formation of Damageplan, the Abbott brothers and Pantera bassist Rex Brown teamed up with country singer David Allan Coe for a project called Rebel Meets Rebel in 2000. The album was released May 2, 2006 on Vinnie’s “Big Vin Records” label.

Abbott played guest guitar solos on several Anthrax songs from their John Bush era: “King Size” & “Riding Shotgun” from Stomp 442, “Inside Out” & “Born Again Idiot” from Volume 8: The Threat Is Real, “Strap It On” and “Cadillac Rock Box” (with a voice intro from Dimebag as well) from We’ve Come for You All. In a recent interview Anthrax bassist Frank Bello said “Darrell was basically the sixth member of Anthrax”. Abbott also performed a solo on the titular track from King Diamond’s Voodoo album. A sample from a guitar solo by Abbott was used in the Nickelback song “Side of a Bullet” and also played guitar on Nickelback’s cover of Elton John’s Saturday Night’s Alright for

Fighting along with Kid Rock. In 1999, Pantera recorded a theme tune for their favourite ice hockey team, The Dallas Stars, called ‘Puck-Off’. The song was eventually released in 2003 on the album ‘Dallas Stars: Greatest Hits’. In 2000 Abbott played the guitar solo on Believer for the new Randy Rhoads Tribute album (not the Ozzy Osbourne album). Vocals were by Sebastian Bach, Rhythm Guitars were by Kane Roberts, Drums were by Michael Cartellone and the Bass was by Mike Bringardello. This was the only track that Abbott contributed to on this album.

Shortly before Abbott’s death, he went into the studio with a band named Premenishen to do a guest solo on a track titled “Eyes of the South.” He was also confirmed as one of the original guitar player choices for Liquid Tension Experiment by Mike Portnoy. Abbott’s musical roots were in Country Western music; he supported the local music scene in Dal-las and would sometimes record with local musicians. He played in a country band called Rebel Meets Rebel with country performer David Allan Coe. Three of Abbott’s solos from Pantera songs ranked among Guitar World magazine’s top 100 of all-time: “Walk” (#57), “Cemetery Gates” (#35), and “Floods” (#15). In December 2006 a rare track of one of his collaborations was discovered. Abbott sat in on a recording session with local Dallas musician “Throbbin Donnie” Rodd and recorded “Country Western Transvestite Whore”. It features Dimebag on lead guitar and lead vocals. Abbott and his brother Vinnie Paul along with Rex (during the Pantera Era) and Bob Zilla (Damageplan Era) performed at their New Years party every year under the name “Gasoline”, which was originally and previously a project involving Dimebag and Vinnie plus Thurber T. Min-gus of Pumpjack. Stroker of Pumpjack also played with Gasoline on several occasions. Dimebag, Vinnie and Rex also recorded a cover of the ZZ Top song “Heard It on the X” under the band name “Tres Diablos” for ECW wrestling’s “Extreme Music” soundtrack.

Death:On December 8, 2004, while performing with Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Colum-bus, Ohio, Abbott was shot onstage by Nathan Gale. Abbott was shot five times, includ-ing once in the head, killing him instantly. Damageplan’s drum technician, John “Kat” Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were injured. Gale fired a total of fifteen shots, taking the time to reload once and remaining silent throughout the shooting. To avoid being injured or killed himself, Abbott’s brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul, was taken to the bar/kitchen on the other side of the club. Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, the band’s head of security, was also killed in the incident while engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Gale. Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk was killed after charging Gale after running out of bullets, expecting Gale to reload more slowly than he actually did. Audience member Nathan Bray was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem.Brooks scuffled with Gale onstage but was overpowered and taken hostage in a headlock position. Brooks was shot several times (once in the right hand, his right leg, and his right side) while attempting to get the gun away from Gale. Five police officers came in the front entrance, led by Officer Rick Crum, and moved toward the stage. Officer James D. Niggemeyer came in through the back door, behind the stage. Gale only saw the officers in front of the stage; he never saw Officer Niggemeyer. Niggemeyer armed with a 12 gauge Remington 870 shotgun approached Gale from the opposite side of the stage, to avoid hitting the hostage Niggemeyer fired a single shot striking Gale in the face. Gale was found to have 35 rounds of ammunition remaining. Nurse and audience member Mindy Reece, 28, went to the aid of Abbott. She and another fan administered CPR until paramedics arrived, but were unable to revive him.

In May 2005, Officer Niggemeyer testified before the Franklin County grand jury, which is routine procedure in Franklin County after a police shooting. The grand jury did not indict Niggemeyer, finding that his actions were justified. Niggemeyer received a com-mendation from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for his outstanding police work in time of crisis as well as the National Rifle Association award as 2005 Law En-forcement Officer of the Year. The five other officers that were first on the scene received Ohio distinguished law enforcement medals for their efforts. In 2006 James Niggemeyer penned the foreword to a book written about the event A Vulgar Display of Power: Cour-age and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa.

Early theories of motive suggested that Gale may have turned to violence in response to the breakup of Pantera, or the public dispute between Abbott and Pantera singer Phil Anselmo, but these were later ruled out by investigators. Another theory was that Gale believed Abbott had stolen a song Gale wrote. In the A Vulgar Display Of Power book, several of Gale’s personal writings, given to the author by Gale’s mother, suggest that the gunman was not angry about Pantera’s breakup or about a belief that Pantera had “stolen songs”; instead, the documents suggest that Gale’s paranoid schizophrenia caused delu-sions that the band could read his mind, and that they were “stealing” his thoughts and laughing at him.

Abbott’s grave is located at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. He is buried alongside his mother. He was buried with Eddie Van Halen’s Charvel Hybrid VH2 - a black and yellow Frankenstrat guitar, also known as “Bumblebee,” that was pictured with Van Halen on the cover of the album Van Halen II - because Dimebag had asked for one in 2004, shortly before he was shot. He was buried in a KISS Kasket.

Source: Wikipedia


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page 2 THE INFORMER DECEMBER 2009

Biography: Dimebag Darrell pg. 4

Top 10 Death Metal Debut Albums pg. 5

Kill Your TV. pg. 6 Business Spotlight: pg. 8 Decimator Diecuts

Show Review: Helloweekend: Night 2 pg. 10

Biography: Chuck Schuldiner pg. 12

This Month in Music History pg. 13

TBA Blackmore’s Night - TBATBA Persuader - TBATBA Valkyrja - TBATBA Dreamscape - EverlightTBA Gloria Morti - TBATBA Scorngrain - TBATBA Resurrected - FierceTBA Icarus Witch - TBATBA Toxik - TBA [DVD]TBA Myrath - Desert CallTBA Danzig - TBATBA Oblique Rain - October DawnTBA Nemesea - TBATBA Détente - DeclineTBA Iced Earth - Festivals Of The Wicked [DVD]TBA Lake Of Tears - TBATBA Nirnaeth - Splendour Of The AbyssTBA Freedom Call - Legend Of The ShadowkingTBA Gorguts - TBATBA The Absence - Enemy UnboundTBA Icewind - TBATBA Noumena - TBATBA Solution.45 - TBATBA Toxik - TBATBA A Sorrowful Dream - TBATBA Avsky - ScornTBA Deicide - TBATBA Ministry - Adios... Putas Madres [DVD]TBA Abandoned - TBATBA Krux - TBATBA Wulfgar - Midgardian MetalTBA Symphorce - TBATBA Twelfth Gate - TBATBA Vile - TBATBA Sinate - TBATBA Epidemia - Эльфийской Рукописи [DVD]TBA Detonation - TBATBA By Night - TBATBA Throes Of Dawn - TBATBA Carpathian Forest - TBA [DVD]TBA Vanden Plas - TBATBA Tribuzy - TBATBA Squash Bowels - GrindvirusTBA Gaia Epicus - Dark SecretsTBA Phazm - TBATBA Skew Siskin - TBATBA Ragnarok - Collectors Of The KingTBA Subterranean Masquerade - In Pastille ColorsTBA Melechesh - TBATBA Thy Majestie - TBA [DVD]TBA Unexpect - TBATBA Atargatis - TBATBA Agent Steel - TBATBA Iron Mask - Shadow Of The Red BaronTBA Forbidden - TBATBA Anterior - TBATBA Desultory - TBATBA Eventide - TBATBA Laethora - The Light In Which We All BurnTBA Embryonic Devourment - Vivid Enterpretations Of The VoidTBA Urban Tales - The EndTBA Souldrainer - TBATBA Poema Arcanus - Timeline SymmetryTBA Faster Pussycat - Front Row For The Donkey Show [Live]TBA Kingcrow - PhlegethonTBA The Vision Bleak - TBATBA Eternal Reign - The Dawn Of ReckoningTBA SIG:AR:TYR - GodsagaTBA Eternal Gray - Your Gods, My EnemiesTBA Agrypnie - 16[485]TBA Crionics - N.O.I.R. [EP]TBA Virus IV - TBATBA Fall Of Empyrean - TBATBA Devin Townsend - DeconstructionTBA Woods Of Ypres - Woods IV: The Green AlbumTBA Kalevala - The Cuckoo’s ChildrenTBA The Fall Of Every Season - AmendsTBA Devin Townsend - GhostTBA Alcest - Les Discrets / Alcest [Split] [EP]TBA Mortiis - The Great DeceiverTBA Revolting - The Terror ThresholdTBA Fuelblooded - Off The Face Of The EarthTBA Anal Cunt - Wearing Out Our WelcomeTBA Steel Assassin - In Hellfire Forged

THE INFORMER is here to inform the northern interior of B.C. about the metal scene and events that are happening locally. 500 copies are distibuted for FREE on a monthly basis to over four communities.

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Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved. No part of The Informer, in print or electronic form, may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Information about events, products or services provided is not necessarily complete. The publisher is not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions. Blah Blah Blah.

DECEMBER 2009 THE INFORMER page 15

TBA Ghost Machinery - Out For BloodTBA Hanoi Rocks - TBA [DVD]TBA Lost Dreams - Wage Of DisgraceTBA Death Breath - TBATBA Nominon - Omen [EP]TBA Sepsism - Distorting The Mortal VisageTBA Finntroll - TBATBA Six Feet Under - Graveyard Classics IIITBA Ahoora - TBATBA Homo Iratus - TBA [EP]TBA Grand Magus - TBATBA De Profundis - A Bleak ReflectionTBA Sideburn - The Demons DanceTBA Fortid - Völuspá Part III: Fall Of The AgesTBA Kaledon - TBA [DVD]TBA Changer - DarklingTBA Civilization One - TBATBA Royal Hunt - TBATBA Crest Of Darkness - TBATBA Abgott - TBATBA Kerion - The OriginsTBA Jacob’s Dream - Beneath The ShadowsTBA Obliteration - TBATBA Death Angel - Sonic German Beatdown [DVD]TBA Frameshift - Loading OakfieldTBA Ecthalion - TBATBA Severe Torture - TBATBA Arena - The Tinder BoxTBA Aeternus - TBATBA Manowar - Hammer Of The GodsTBA Katagory V - TBATBA SpellBlast - BattlecryTBA Kimaera - Solitary ImpactTBA Carach Angren - Death Came Through A Phantom ShipTBA Decayed - Shadowland [EP]TBA Enemy Of The Sun - TBATBA Europe - Almost Unplugged [DVD]TBA Tank - SturmpanzerTBA Thine Eyes Bleed - TBATBA Sahg - TBATBA Defeated Sanity - Chapters Of RepugnanceTBA Herod - Curse Of The King [EP]TBA Gothic Knights - TBATBA Akroma - Seth [EP]TBA Cellador - For All Or NothingTBA Heathen - The Evolution Of ChaosTBA Ozzy Osbourne - TBATBA Dragonlord - TBATBA Wuthering Heights - SaltTBA Panzerchrist - Regiment RagnarokTBA Crowbar - TBATBA Angel Dust - TBATBA Tad Morose - TBATBA Necrophagist - TBATBA The Kovenant - Aria GalacticaTBA Demonoid - TBATBA Natron - Rot Among UsTBA The Wounded - Hail To The KingTBA Atheist - TBATBA Die Krupps - TBATBA Oath To Vanquish - The Ruinous Fate Of The BlindTBA Suicidal Angels - Live Domination [DVD]TBA Deathbound - Non Compos Mentis (working Title)TBA Engel - TBATBA Vader - TBA [EP]TBA Morian - Ashen EmpireTBA Carpathian Forest - Universal EvilTBA Angmar - Zurück In Die UnterweltTBA Penumbra - TBATBA Elis - CatharsisTBA Evereve - E-MissionTBA The Order - RockwolfTBA Hatebreed - Live In Dallas [Live]TBA Sandalinas - CirclesTBA Crimson Glory - Metatron, Lucifer And The Divine ChaosTBA Serenity - TBATBA Alarum - Natural CausesTBA Morifade - Empire Of SoulsTBA Magic Kingdom - Symphony Of WarTBA Darkwell - TBATBA Virgin Black - Requiem - PianissimoTBA In-Quest - Made Out Of Negative MatterTBA Farmakon - SyanTBA Deftones - ErosTBA Sanctity - TBA

TBA Ashes You Leave - Songs Of The LostTBA Morbid Angel - TBATBA Sabaton - Live At The Front [DVD]TBA Goddess Of Desire - The Power Of Metal Compels YouTBA Behemoth - TBA [DVD]TBA Lyzanxia - TBATBA Deep Purple - TBATBA Aeturnus Dominion - Annihilation ProcessTBA Obsidian - TBATBA Fragile Vastness - TBATBA Silent Voices - TBATBA Within Temptation - TBATBA Mistweaver - Tales From The GraveTBA Mortician - TBA [DVD]TBA Absentation - Claves InferniTBA Anata - TBATBA Civilization One - Calling The GodsTBA Visceral Bleeding - TBATBA Circle Of Dead Children - Psalm Of The Grand DestroyerTBA Defender - TBATBA Nanowar Of Steel - Metropolis Pt. 3: The LegacyTBA Chaosphere - Anthems To AgonyTBA Destruction - TBA [DVD]TBA Sinergy - Sins Of The PastTBA Wolverine - Communication LostTBA Varathron - Stygian Forces Of ScornTBA Destruktor - NailedTBA Darkthrone - TBATBA Finntroll - TBA [DVD]TBA Trouble - The Dark Riff [Working Title]TBA Obituary - Live Xecution In Bad Barka 2008 [Working Title] [DVD]TBA Raintime - TBATBA Thorns - TBATBA Crystalic - TBATBA The Dillinger Escape Plan - TBA [DVD]TBA Down - TBATBA Summoning - TBATBA Dream Evil - In The NightTBA DeepTrip - TBATBA Forgotten Tomb - Under Saturn Retrograde (working title)TBA Forgotten Tales - TBATBA Griffen - TBATBA Macbeth - TBATBA Gorath - MXCIITBA Grimfist - A New Breed Of BrutalityTBA Ywolf - Dark Gothic OrchestralTBA Apostasy - TBATBA Scarab - Blinding The MassesTBA Goat The Head - TBATBA Wintersun - TimeTBA Eisregen - Bühnenblut - Live In Leipzig [Live]TBA Sacrifice - Live Reanimation [DVD]TBA Orange Goblin - TBATBA Flotsam & Jetsam - The ColdTBA Illnath - Three Nights In The Sewers Of SodomTBA Charon - TBATBA Negator - Misanthropic ManifestTBA Avantasia - TBATBA The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option ParalysisTBA Demonic Resurrection - The Return To DarknessTBA Riverside - TBA [DVD]TBA Isis - Live 5 [Live]TBA Ondskapt - Arisen From The AshesTBA Odroerir - Götterlieder IITBA Stormwarrior - If It’s Not In Your Bloode... You Will Never Understande! [DVD]TBA Megadeth - Blood In The Water: Live In San Diego [DVD]

TBA Mezzerschmitt - TBATBA Olympos Mons - TBATBA Ashes You Leave - Songs Of The LostTBA Elis - Catharsis01.12 Divinity - The Singularity01.12 Temple Of Baal - Lightslaying Rituals01.12 Sinister - Prophecies Denied01.12 Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 1 Re-Release01.12 Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 2 Re-Release09.12 Disarmonia Mundi - The Isolation Game16.12 Helloween - Unarmed - Best Of - 25th Anniversary 18.12 Coronatus - Fabula Magna18.12 Tankard - Open All Night - Reloaded [DVD]22.12 Mudvayne - Mudvayne24.12 Profanus Nathrakh - Godless Alliance31.12 Anthrax - Worship Music31.12 Reverend Bizarre - Magick With Tears [Compilation]

Here are some upcoming North American Heavy Metal CD release dates. Dates subject to change, the information is supplied by record companies and artists and may not be complete.

We want to promote local acts so if you have an upcoming release, let us know!

A Note From The Editor:

TOP 20 METAL & HARD ROCK (FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 19, 2009)

1 GREATEST HITSFOO FIGHTERS2 WORLD PAINTED BLOODSLAYER3 NIGHT CASTLETRANS-SIBERIAN ORCH.4 LIFE STARTS NOWTHREE DAYS GRACE5 BACKTRACKSAC/DC6 FULL CIRCLECREED7 MEMENTO MORIFLYLEAF8 DARK HORSENICKELBACK9 IIIBILLY TALENT10 BACKSPACERPEARL JAM11 COSMIC EGGWOLFMOTHER12 BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUEALICE IN CHAINS13 DESPERATE MEASURESHOLLYWOOD UNDEAD14 LIEBE IST FUR ALLE DARAMMSTEIN15 APPEAL TO REASONRISE AGAINST16 MOTHERSHIPLED ZEPPELIN17 GREATEST HITSQUEEN18 SCARS AND SOUVENIRSTHEORY OF A DEADMAN19 DEAR AGONYBREAKING BENJAMIN20 GREATEST HITSGUNS N’ROSES

The top selling albums in Canada compiled from a national sample of retail store and mass merchants’ reports collected, compiled, and provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

Gratitude. Thank’s goes out to all of you who have kept this

monster alive. Without the support from the advertisers, contributors and especially you, the readers, THE INFORMER would not exist.

This issue is dedicated to the Metal-Heads of the Northern Interior; because if it wasn’t for you,

the scene wouldn’t even exist.Enjoy the fourth issue of THE INFORMER

and keep the e-mails coming in; I want to hear your input!

Mark Pye

FREE

THE INFORMER PROMOTES RECYCLING, SO PASS THIS ALONG AFTER READING.













Often copied, never duplicated.

The Informer #4

Documents

tbatba toxik tbatba

tbatba nirnaeth splendour

shadowkingtba gorguts

night tbatba throes

tba crionics

putas madres dvdtba

wicked dvdtba lake of

woods iv