The legendary extreme metal journal ITP. Extreme metal reviews, news, and insight on extreme metal music, culture and society. Extreme music for a brutal and extreme society..
Hails. -l- \m/
NO MALLCORE, NO METAL CORE, NO CORE, NO HIPSTERS.FREEDOM FOR UKRAINE
HUDSON VALLEY AREA ROCKS, METAL IS BACK IN THE HUDSON VALLEY AREA: More good news for New York music fans, specifically if you live in the Hudson Valley Area of New York. If you haven't noticed , the Hudson Valley region is hosting quite a few indie festivals. ATP (All Tomorrows Parties) festival is set for September in Orange County, New York ( 9/3-5, 2010 @ Kutsher's Country Club, Monticello, New York, USA-http://www.atpfestival.com/events.php) with an awesome lineup of punk, hardcore, experimental metal, including the mind bending SUNN O))). Bethel, New York turned the original site of Woodstock '69 into an open air site, Bethel Woods features awesome classic rock and jam band performers. The Chance Theater (Poughkeepsie, NY) is still kicking ass and taking names. The annual Mountain Jam Festival (Hunter, New York) draws thousands of jam band fans. A few days ago, ITP announced TMT METAL FEST (9/24/2010) at THE OCFS ARENA (Middletown, NY). Yes, the OCFS ARENA/STADIUM is what was formerly called "The Orange County Speedway" as back in the 90's, the OCFS hosted many metal shows including the mighty METALLICA. The OCFS ARENA, Middletown, NY (state of the art renovation) IS BACK and WILL BE HOSTING METAL SHOWS, again. So get ready Orange County New York, bring the mosh and the brutality. FROM OCFS ARENA MYSPACE: Orange County Fair Speedway Arena & Stadium is a classic state of the art facility that will be hosting some of the greatest Heavy Metal Acts from all around the World! After a 15 year hiatus OCFS Arena & Stadium is now back and we're going Old School! We will be taking requests from unsigned bands to be the direct support for the Nationals that will be headlining the shows that are to be booked once a month over the coming months. The Arena can accommodates up to 5000 fans & the Stadium accomidates about 35.000 people. This is a once legendary venue and OCFS is back to stay! We will bring back the glory days of Heavy Metal in America one show at a time! We are one of the only remaining venues in the USA that can hold this volume of fans at a club & festival based level. So if your into being a part of the Old School way of doing things then give us a hollar! We still are deciding on when the debut show will take place but be rest assured we will be working hard to get this ball rolling! TMT METAL FEST will be the first big show "European Style Heavy Metal Festival" coming to OCFS Arena & Stadium, the Main Stadium Mega Stages will be unleashed once again! TMT METAL FEST will be held September 24th thru the 26th 2010. So get your Tickets ASAP! This is one Festival you don't want to miss.... Contact us here for information on getting in on the monthly Arena shows. OCFS Arena Contact Info 845-343-4826 FROM RECORD ONLINE:
Every summer it seems more music festivals with major acts happen in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. It's possible the beauty of the land, combined with its proximity to New York City, is a festival promoter's dream.
Take the Mighty High Mountain Fest 2010 in Tuxedo Ridge and the Truck America Festival in Big Indian, for example. Both festivals are new to our neck of the woods this year.
A British event for 13 years, Truck America's inaugural U.S. showing (www.thisistruck.com) is Friday-Sunday at the Full Moon Resort. Festival founders Joe and Robin Bennett toured in the states and every summer had their U.S. friends attend their UK Truck Festival. It was at their friends' request that the festival came to the states.
“We've made a lot of friends in the Catskills from touring over the years and from recording at the Bearsville studio and the Clubhouse up in Rhinebeck,” Joe Bennett said. “Also, when we started our own festival, the Woodstock festival was one of our inspirations.”
From May 28-30, The Mighty High Mountain Fest (www.tuxedoridge.com) takes over the mountain at Tuxedo Ridge. Hudson Valley singer/songwriter Rob Cannillo, founder of the Rock the Mountain festival – also at Tuxedo Ridge – was approached by Mighty High's promoter about hosting there; Cannillo said the “natural beauty” and “proximity to New York City” were draws for Mighty High.
Many credit Radio Woodstock's and Warren Haynes' annual Mountain Jam (www.mountainjam.com) with getting the ball rolling in 2005. Following on their heels was All Tomorrow's Parties (www.atpfestival.com), a music festival founded in England in 1999 that expanded into the United States in 2002. In 2008, ATP ran its first East Coast festival at Kutshers Country Club near Monticello and is scheduled this year for Sept. 3-5.
Deborah Higgins, one of the festival's founders, said when looking for a spot to host the festival, ATP wasn't looking for a specific vibe but the “old world charm” of Kutshers was “perfect” for the laid-back festival.
“We visited it ... in 2007 and fell in love with the place,” Higgins said. “It is a great distance from New York in that it only takes a couple of hours to get to and it hearkens back to the time before cheap air travel when New Yorkers would escape the New York summer to the cool Catskill mountains.”
Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips, who chose the acts for the first ATP, said the environment at Kutsher's could be best described as communal living because the fans and bands were living with one another for the duration of the festival.
“I heard lots of people referencing ‘The Shining' and I'm not sure if all of the rooms had hot water because we opted to stay on our bus,” Coyne laughed. “But, if you asked five people, four out of five people would say they had an amazing time.”
stomcho@th-record.com
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-HAVE A BRUTAL AND METAL SUMMER-\m/ -l-
ITP EDITORS NOTE: :Marks Calender for 2014: Do the New York/New Jersey GIANTS (or even JETS) care to join me?
Good news for the New York Metro region football fanatics. The New York Giants and New York Jets have a new stadium, just a few yards away from the old (demolished) GIANTS STADIUM. However, in a shocking and awesome bid to attract New York metro winter tourism, East Rutherford New Jersey WON the bid for the 2014 SUPER BOWL. YES, New Jersey and the brand new MEADOWLANDS STADIUM will host the 2014 SUPER BOWL. Sounds weird, an outdoor SUPER BOWL in a state that is FREEZING cold in February? Usually Arizona, California, Florida, Texas or Hawaii host SUPER BOWLS,(and PRO BOWLS) as to NOT let cold or inclement weather effect play. I think the 2014 SUPER BOWL, is going to be, well interesting, ("the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field") as the old GIANTS STADIUM was a wind tunnel, as I feel sorry for any punters, and field goal kickers. I hope the GIANTS make the 2014 SUPER BOWL, or better yet, bring us another SUPER BOWL ring RIGHT NOW, as it would be great for either the JETS or my GIANTS to have home field advantage in the 2014 SUPER BOWL, if that means anything. Ahh, I can only DREAM. Expect, the 2 teams whom have the privilege of playing in the 2014 SUPER BOWL to be very COLD. However, New Yorkers, New Jersey and ALL North Eastern football fans are really stoked about hosting the 2014 SUPER BOWL. ITP is quite surprised, and never laughed soo hard. However, I'm definitely going to the 2014 SUPER BOWL, any SUPER BOWL is well worth freezing in the stands for. The brand new MEADOWLANDS STADIUM is now open as last Wednesday, New Jersey's very own BON JOVI opened the stadium on a four night stand in front of 55, 000 people.
FROM SI.COM:
The Super Bowl is coming to the New York City area.
At the NFL Spring Meeting in Irving, Texas, the league's owners awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. It will be the first Super Bowl played in an outdoor stadium in a cold-weather climate.
The New York/New Jersey area beat out two additional bids for the big game, one from Miami and the other from Tampa, Fla.
The NFL previously had a rule aimed at ensuring the Super Bowl was played in good weather, or in a climate-controlled dome. The league made an exception for New York/New Jersey this time, largely because it has a new $1.6 billion stadium to showcase, and it fits commissioner Roger Goodell's focus on trying to adopt a few new innovations for the league. The Super Bowl city's minimum temperature/roof requirement was set aside on a onetime basis only.
FROM STAR TELEGRAM:
RVING – The slam dunk wasn’t such a foregone conclusion after all.
The owners of the New York Giants and New York Jets were beginning to wonder Tuesday whether the one thing they could not control – the weather – would cost them Super Bowl XLVIII.
National Football League owners conducted four ballots at the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas before commissioner Roger Goodell announced that New York-New Jersey would host the 2014 game, which will be the first Super Bowl to be played in a cold-weather city whose stadium has no roof.
The Big Apple-Garden State bid won out over South Florida and Tampa, traditional warm-weather sites that have become a regular part of the Super Bowl rotation.
In part, the New York-New Jersey host committee can thank Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
“Jerry, very early on, was one of the strong voices supporting our bid,” said Steve Tisch, the Giants co-owner.
“I am, of course, thrilled for the fans of New York.,” said Jones, who gets to host his own Super Bowl next February. “Giants and Jets fans need to be recognized for what they do for the NFL.
“This is the best way to do it. I felt that when the Cowboys got the Super Bowl. It recognized what the Cowboys fans have done. I think that does it right there.”
But the fact that it took four ballots told Tisch and Jets owner Woody Johnson that, despite the entertainment and media riches that the NFL may enjoy by playing in New York, weather was a major stumbling block.
The average February high is 40 degrees, according to the Weather Channel.
“It was the 800-pound gorilla,” Tisch said. “And the other two presentations talked about their weather a lot. If we hadn’t gotten the bid, I think weather would have been at the top of the top five reasons. And maybe number two and three.”
Ultimately, Tisch said, the deciding factor may have been change.
Super Bowl XLV, which will be played in North Texas for the first time, and the 2014 Super Bowl at the new Meadowlands stadium, which opens with the 2010 season, both represent departures from the league’s routine.
The N.Y.-N.J. presentation was titled, “Then and Now”and focused on the future of the game.
“Every brand, whether it is in business, entertainment or sports, which is also entertainment, needs to be forward-thinking,” Tisch said.
Although there are 3 1/2 years before the 2014 Super Bowl, the New York-New Jersey host committee will be closely watching their counterparts in North Texas.
“We’ll be paying a lot of attention,” Tisch said. “We want people on our host committee to be here the week of the Super Bowl and take a look at what Jerry puts together.”
The vote came at the NFL’s spring meeting in Las Colinas. The NFL Network televised the proceedings, including a remote from Times Square, which looked like a second New Year’s Eve celebration.
The bid represents an alliance between teams that are rivals on the field and in the sports sections.
The Giants are one of the NFL’s founding franchises and were owned exclusively by the Mara family until Robert Tisch, founder of Loew’s Theaters, became a co-owner in 1991. John Mara, the son of Wellington Mara, who ran the Giants until his death in 2005, inherited his father’s half of the team. Robert Tisch also died in 2005, three weeks after Mara.
The Jets are an offspring of the old American Football League. They turned the football world upside-down behind Joe Namath back in Super Bowl III, beating the Baltimore Colts in perhaps the biggest upset in NFL history.
“At first, you had to pretend to be partners because we are competitive,” Johnson said. “But I have learned so much from these guys (Tisch and Mara). We couldn’t have done this without these two partners.”
The 2014 game will probably be the costliest ever Super Bowl because two states will be involved and security will be intense.
“This comes with tremendous responsibility and high expectations,” Tisch said. “Now we have to deliver.
FROM NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
IRVING, Tex. - The Jets and Giants struck gold by breaking with tradition and fulfilling the promise of their joint Super Bowl bid's official tagline: "Make Some History."
The New York/New Jersey region was awarded the 2014 Super Bowl at the NFL meetings Tuesday to become the first open-air, cold-weather site to host the sport's showcase event.
"It's a historic moment for the league," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "There are some unique aspects to this, and I think that appealed to our membership. I'm confident that what we get will turn out to be a great event."
Although the New York/New Jersey bid had transformed from longshot to lock in recent weeks, it took four rounds of secret-ballot voting among the league's 32 owners before the New Meadowlands Stadium prevailed with a simple majority over Tampa. South Florida was eliminated after the second round.
The celebration stretched from Texas to Times Square.
"To have the Super Bowl and to have that credibility in the league that we could do it together is a resounding victory for the fans of the two teams and the NFL," said Jets owner Woody Johnson.
From Goodell's subtle support for the idea in February to the NFL Network's live broadcast of the announcement that was splashed across monitors in Times Square, the outcome was a fait accompli.
Johnson and Giants co-owner John Mara repeatedly preached cautious optimism in the run-up to the vote even when it became clear that the New York/New Jersey proposal was the prohibitive favorite. The bid also was buoyed by support from the league's most influential owners.
"I felt like we were eventually going to win it," Mara said. "But until they tell you that, you never know."
The Super Bowl Advisory Committee's decision to lift the 50-degree weather requirement opened the door for the Jets and Giants to showcase their new $1.7 billion, 82,5000-seat stadium.
The 2014 bid committee spun its biggest perceived weakness into a focal point of the campaign, trumpeting some of the sport's greatest cold-weather contests in history. Weather, however, remained the biggest hurdle until the final votes were tallied.
"The only concern that any owner expressed to us was the weather," Mara said.
"One or two owners were concerned about setting a precedent for other cold-weather sites. Most of the people we spoke to were extremely supportive. Very few people said no. The worst anybody said to me is, 'We'll give it our consideration.' We got a lot of yeses."
The game will be played on Feb. 2, 9 or 16, depending on schedule of the 2013 season.
"I think everybody wants to give it a try and experience it," said Patriots president Jonathan Kraft. "They built a beautiful stadium, and it's a great city."
Although Goodell downplayed his role to help New York/New Jersey become the first outdoor cold-weather Super Bowl host, he admitted that he'd continue to challenge owners to think outside of the box.
"I feel very strongly that we cannot be complacent in what we do," Goodell said. "We have to continue to find ways to grow the game. Innovation is a big part of our initiative."
Giants treasurer Steve Tisch commended Goodell's penchant for "pushing the envelope," endorsing the idea of hosting a Super Bowl at a non-traditional venue and ultimately helping the Giants and Jets make history.
"We're going to deliver the promises we made," Tisch said.
FROM NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
New York football zealots cheered Tuesday night for a snowy Super Bowl.
Fired up after NFL owners threw caution to the elements and granted the 2014 championship game to the Meadowlands, local fans began dreaming of the ultimate matchup: Jets vs. Giants.
"I want to win the Super Bowl in New York City," Giants defensive standout Justin Tuck said moments after the announcement was made.
Darrelle Revis, the Jets' Pro Bowl defensive star, said he hopes Gang Green and Big Blue will square off for the Lombardi Trophy on the field both call home.
"The city of dreams meets the Super Bowl. It don't get any better than that," Revis said.
"Obviously, it will be cold, but that's what playing football is all about," Manning told Fox News.
Standing beneath the Jumbotron in the heart of Times Square, an ecstatic Mayor Bloomberg started spreading the word that "the world's biggest game is coming to the world's biggest stage."
High-fives and deafening cheers broke out and fans toasted with beers in surrounding bars.
Bloomberg immediately downplayed the gripes of wimps who would rather see the big game played in a balmier winter site.
"If it snows, it snows," the mayor said. "This isn't volleyball; it's football, for God's sakes."
Weather Channel meteorologists said the early game-day forecast calls for a high of 39 degrees and a chance of snow.
"I hope it snows," said Jets fan Tyrone Jackson, 44, of Brooklyn. "That's the best time to play football."
Lorelie Gliatta, 48, of the Bronx, said the colder the better. "It's not a wussy sport," said Gliatta. "Whatever it is, you know it's going to be sold out."
We'll squeeze in another edition of ITP UNCOVERED before we return back to our regularly scheduled programing ( ITP: REVIEWS, NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND, DAMNED IN BLACK and HUMANITY IS DOOMED features up next.).
ITP UNCOVERED PART 8 features two drum covers of the classic Polish death metal veterans VADER's tune "Wings" from the CD entitled Litany and also a drum cover of VADER's "Warlords" from the VADER release entitled "Impressions in Blood". . VADER's original drummer, the late "DOC" DARAY was a monster on the skins, a blastbeat master.
The first drum cover of VADER's "Wings" is performed by YOU TUBE USER mounier666.
The second cover of VADER's "Wings" is performed by YOU TUBE USER SUPERTAX. The third drum cover of VADER's "WARLORDS" is performed by YOU TUBE USER Valhalawaitsme.
VADER DRUM COVER 1 "WINGS(Supertax2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARZbaPEqqzQ&feature=related
ITP EDITORS NOTE: A freind a mine once had a screen name entitled "One Per Coffin", as I found that SN morbidly, humorous as you can only fit one in a coffin. ITP author is still on the fence about a new feature with the aforementioned title, as to respect the dead, celebrate the life of the deceased and their accomplishments. IF ITP author adds "ONE PER COFFIN" as a new ITP feature, it is ONLY out of respect for the deceased and not to encourage, or endorse any self destructive behavior and we're not judging the circumstances of any musician, artist or entertainers death. (Photo above: Debbie Abono with Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett from METALLICA (photo credit: Harald Oimoen) RIP to you all. HUMANITY IS DOOMED, DAMNED IN BLACK, and NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND coming up next. FROM COLOSSEUM MYSPACE:
Juhani Palomäki’s musical career, including the composition of eight full-length
albums for Yearning and Colosseum, has ended as he was found deceased on
Saturday May 15th 2010. His final composition, Colosseum’s recently recorded
third album, Chapter 3: Parasomnia, shall be released as planned, in order to honour
Juhani’s memory.
This also marks the end of Colosseum as a band, but Juhani’s musical genius and
artistic integrity shall nevertheless forever live on, both on his records and in our
hearts. We have lost a brilliant musician and a true friend, who will be greatly missed
not only by us, but by his loved ones and countless people all around the world who
have been touched by his art.
Farewell, Juhani. May you rest in peace. FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Juhani Palomäki, the main musical force behind the Finnish bands YEARNING and COLOSSEUM, was found dead on Saturday, May 15. He was 32 years old. His final work — COLOSSEUM's recently recorded third album, "Chapter 3: Parasomnia" — will be released as a way to honor his memory. This will mark the end of COLOSSEUM as a band, but Juhani's musical genius and artistic integrity will live on.
Commented the surviving members of COLOSSEUM: "We have lost a brilliant musician and a true friend, who will be greatly missed not only by us, but by his loved ones and countless people all around the world who have been touched by his art."
In 1994, the Finnish atmospheric doom metal outfitFLEGETON (pre-YEARNING) was established by vocalist/guitarist Juhani Palomäki and drummer Toni Kristian. In 2006, Palomäki founded the funeral doom act COLOSSEUM, which has released two albums thus far.
COLOSSEUM's third CD, "Chapter 3: Parasomnia", will feature five lengthy epics and will be made available in the fall through Firebox Records. FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: RIP DEBBIE ABONO first manager of METALLICA, EXODUS, TESTAMENT: WOMEN IN METAL RULE! Debbie Abono, a well-respected and much-loved manager and promotional machine behind some of San Francisco Bay Area's strongest metal bands (POSSESSED, FORBIDDEN, EXODUS, VIO-LENCE, SKINLAB), passed away yesterday (Sunday, May 16) at approximately 9:59 a.m. PST after a battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.
Commented EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt: "I have to say what a heartbreaking moment it is for me to have learned that Debbie is no longer with us. She was extremely instrumental to EXODUS, both in our early years and again during our reunion with [late EXODUS vocalist] Paul [Baloff] in '97. We could not have done a lot of the things we did without her help and generosity. The tour with VENOM and SLAYER would not have been possible, as well as our first U.S. tour without her help. She is, and always will be, a true Bay Area metal legend, and no one has done more for that young upstart thrash scene than she. She will be greatly missed — by EXODUS, as well as so many, many other bands she had worked tirelessly for. Words don't really do justice to what she has meant to us.
"All the love and support to her family at their time of need from us and the entire Bay Area metal scene. We all love you, Debbie."
Stated FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero: "[Sunday was] a very, very sad day for all of FORBIDDEN past and present. We lost our first manager, mentor and mother to us all in Debbie Abono.
"I have many stories to share once I gather myself off of the floor. Most of them are pretty funny, too.
"We had great times together and she showed FORBIDDEN the ropes.
"I was lucky enough to get a message to her in her last days. She knew how much she meant to FORBIDDEN and to me. I did get many chances to visit her over the last few years, too. I am very grateful for that.
"We are forever indebted to Debbie for all she did and most importantly the love and wisdom she instilled in us.
"FORBIDDEN is dedicating our new record to Debbie in her honor. So from all of us, this one is for you!
"Rest in Peace, Debbie. You beautiful soul!"
Maria Ferrero (pictured below with Debbie) of Adrenaline P.R. told BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "[Debbie] lived an incredible, brave, courageous, beautiful, giving life right to the end. She touched more people than we can count and more people that even know her. We also gave her an immeasurable amount of pleasure and happiness.
"I feel none of us would be here if it weren't for Deb — from METALLICA to GREEN DAY to POSSESSED to VIO-LENCE, OBITUARY, FORBIDDEN, MACHINE HEAD, etc. She believed in us when no one else did and when Debbie Abono told me, 'Maria, you're amazing' after about the 50th time, I started to believe, 'Maybe I am amazing, I better now BE amazing!'
"I know I'm not alone."
According to David Konow, author of the "Bang Your Head: The Rise And Fall Of Heavy Metal", Debbie Abono was in her mid-fifties when she began to manage a band named POSSESSED. Abono started taking her daughters to MOTÖRHEAD shows, where the members of POSSESSED first asked her to manage the band. "There's nothing to it," they told her. "All you gotta do is get us shows." Abono agreed and even allowed them to practice at her house.
POSSESSED's association with Debbie Abono would be a "first" for both sides: Abono would be the band's first manager, and POSSESSED were Abono's first managed band. Abono had no previous connection to heavy metal music other than as a concert designated driver for her daughters, one of whom was a girlfriend of guitarist Larry LaLonde. Due to generation gap, Abono also had limited awareness of the sometimes blasphemous themes of heavy metal, and was allegedly offended upon reading the lyric sheet of "Seven Churches". Nevertheless, she agreed to manage and represent POSSESSED as long as bassist/vocalist Jeff Becerra and LaLonde finished high school commitments. Although the group's relationship amongst themselves and their first manager would reach points of discord and eventual termination, Abono would go on to manage additional bands in the Bay Area metal scene like EXODUS, VIO-LENCE and FORBIDDEN EVIL (pre-FORBIDDEN), as well as death metal bands like Chicago's BROKEN HOPE and Florida's CYNIC and OBITUARY.
"Yesterday, May 16th, 2010 was by far one of the saddest days for me and a whole lot of other people around the world. We lost Debbie Abono, one of the most beautiful people the world will ever know but heaven has definitely gained an ANGEL!!!!
"I was 21 when I met Debbie and moved out to the Bay Area from New York with $400.00 and a duffel bag to join I4NI along with Bobby Gustafson [OVERKILL] and Tom Hunting [EXODUS]. I was just a kid and so green and clueless when I got there but Debbie took me in and introduced me to everybody in the Bay Area and made me feel like I had been there my entire life. I used to sit with her and just listen to ALL of her stories about POSSESSED, VIO-LENCE, EXODUS... You name it, I heard the stories and the way she told them you can just hear it in her voice how much she loved everyone she worked with.
"We were all her kids, without a doubt.
"I remember being a 13-year-old kid and always reading the inside covers of all my albums and always seeing her name right at the top of the thank-you lists and always wondered who she was and what was so special about her. Well, a few years later I found out exactly why her name was on top — simply because she is, was and always will be the BEST!!!!
"She taught me so much about the music industry and what to look out for and was always there to give me advice if I needed it.
"I am so proud to have been able to have known Debbie these past 16 years of my life and cherish every moment I got to spend with her. I'll never forget her telling me I was her adopted son and just yelling at me if I got out of line… 'FATTORUSOOOOOOO'... The way she would say it will ring in my head forever.
"Thank you, Debbie, for being my second Mom and introducing me to so many amazing people who have become lifelong friends and family. I will never forget you and I love you!!!!" EX BROKEN HOPE GUITARIST:
"I was bummed to hear about Debbie Abono — manager extraordinaire — passing away.
"I imagine Debbie is managing Ronnie James Dio right now, up in heaven, until Wendy Dio can make up there to take charge.
"I met Debbie Abono when I was a teenager. I had already knew about her early work managing POSSESSED, and when FORBIDDEN and EXODUS came through my town (Waukegan, Illinois), I got to meet her and pick her brain about everything metal and how cool it was that she managed such awesome bands.
"In the early '90s, I was on my first North American tour with BROKEN HOPE and we were set to play Berkeley, California. Our bassist — Shaun Glass [now with DIRGE WITHIN; formerly of SOIL] — was an old friend of Debbie's, so he contacted her when we got to the Bay Area and she came out to visit us. Debbie told us we all looked like we needed hugs and something to eat.
"Let me tell you, after 50 dates in a cargo van with no A/C or rear seats, we needed big hugs and mental help!
"That day, Debbie took us out for a nice dinner and told us she'd like to guide us when out next album came out. On our third album — 'Repulsive Conception' — Debbie stepped in and managed BROKEN HOPE for that entire period. Debbie coordinated our tour solicitations and guarantees, she worked out our tour support, she sometimes paid for our hotel rooms, she bought Shaun a bass head when his gear died, she even set up her own toll-free phone number so we could call her from any pay phone free of charge! On top of all this, she gave me hard-as-nails career advice and she never, ever charged BROKEN HOPE one cent or her work — she only wanted to help us out. FROM MACHINEHEAD: "Yesterday was a very sad day for metal.
"I am devastated at the passing of Debbie Abono and words aren't coming very clear for me right now.
"Debbie was like a second mom to me, and having never lost a family member yet, this is very difficult.
"Debbie managed VIO-LENCE [Flynn's pre-MACHINE HEAD band], and toured with us in a van as manager, tour manager, mom, friend, and facilitator. Phil [Demmel; current MACHINE HEAD and former VIO-LENCE guitarist] and I were her roommates at crummy Motel 6's across America.
"Thinking back on it now, touring with a bunch of snot-nosed thrash metal-ers for two months at a time in a van, playing crummy clubs, isn't the usual course most 55-year-old ladies take in their lives, but she was no ordinary 55-year-old lady. She was fiery, feisty, charming, funny, and could look a person over in about two seconds and find something to joke about / roast them about should they wanted to test her.
"She was one of the biggest forces behind the thrash and early-death-metal movements than I think most people will ever realize.
"I dated her daughter Gina, and I lived at her house in Pinole on and off in my late teens, and even after Gina and I broke up, she gave me an incredible amount of belief and advice once MACHINE HEAD started.
"My wife Genevra and I used to go out to dinner with her fairly regularly, especially before kids, and she was there the next day after my boys were born. She always came to our parties.
"She was so proud of what we accomplished. Most importantly, she believed in me, even right up until the end.
"The last time we spoke, she told me how much she loved me, and that 'my money is on Robb Flynn.'
"Fuck. What the fuck. I'm crying.
"Rest in peace, Debbie." R.I.P. to ALL: Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-
Promoters have announced the lineup for the 2010 TMT METAL FEST. The TMT METAL FEST will bring the metal and mosh to the OCFS ARENA( formerly the Orange County Fair Speedway-Middletown, Hudson Valley Area, New York) 9/24/2010. EDITORS NOTE: I don't think all of these bands have confirmed their appearances as the TMT Fest is having troubles finding a venue, hopefully the TMT FEST have found a home in the Hudson Valley Area. FROM TMT PROMOTERS: THIS IS THE ONLY EUROPEAN HEAVY METAL STYLE FESTIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES. COME SEE WHAT ALL THE EUROPEAN FOLKS ARE RAVING ABOUT, THEY SAY THERE'S ARE THE BEST! LETS SHOW THEM HOW AMERICANS IMPROVE ON AN ALREADY GREAT IDEA! We will also be doing Radio promotion across the region to get as many people to these events as possible. TMT aims to change the way a festival is Promoted, We intend to redefine PROMOTION! TOTAL METAL TELEVISION is one of the up and coming Heavy Metal Internet TV shows on the planet, we will use this medium to feature all the bands involved with this event. We will be developing TV commercials to promote the TMT event on traditional television. TMT has gained a huge audience around the world over the past couple of years, I think our numbers speak for itself. TMT intends to make this event as big or bigger than WACKEN or the OPEN AIR FEST in Europe. With your help we can bring back the GLORY DAYS of HEAVY METAL MUSIC in The Good Ole USA. We here at TMT hope you share our vision. If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask. Here's what you get when you play at TMT Metal Fest.
1. We will be providing a full back line, including 2/3 that you can setup to your liking (DOUBLE KICKS), also included are MARSHALL & MESA BOOGIE/AMPEG SVT/HARTKE amps. So all you need to bring is your personal gear/Guitars/Bass/effects! If you want to bring your own gear thats cool too! 2. We will provide a full lighting Rig & PA for Two Main Stages, 3. We'll be providing catering for all the bands 2 MEALS A DAY FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT.... The bands get FREE BEER!" Must be 21"& V.I.P TENT/AREA for all the Bands. 4. There will be a pre-show staging area "Artist Village area" for every band. The Bands Get to stay at the festival Site for free in a area designated exclusively for the bands. 5. ALL BANDS KEEP 100%OF ALL THEIR MERCH SALES & We will be providing the Merch Tent Area. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Email, tmtmetalfest@yahoo.com or contact us here.
VIP Pass Package" Includes All Access Backstage Pass, Free Beer, Full Catered Buffet & Special VIP Seating & Camping for Only $200 a Day. Tickets will be $80 in advance for a 3 day Festival Pass , Including Camping! Tickets will be $130 for a 3 day Festival Pass , Including Camping! The Day of the show. So Get Your Tickets in Advance!
Headliners are SCUM OF THE EARTH, GREENE JELLY, VICIOUS RUMORS, DEATHRIDERS, PHANTOM X, BRIAN"THE HEAD"WELCH, DIECAST, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, JOE STUMP, FOREVER IN TERROR & We're getting ready to lock in SUFFOCATION & MALEVOLENT CREATION! We also have some regional Heavy Hitters that we're sure you all know & Love, STEMM, CAUSTIC METHOD, ST DREDD, ARMOR COLUMN & BONEJAR! With special Guest M.C. METAL SANAZ! The Roster is filling up & these guys all Kick Ass!
TMT FROM OCFS ARENA AND STADIUM: Orange County Fair Speedway Arena & Stadium is a classic state of the art facility that will be hosting some of the greatest Heavy Metal Acts from all around the World! After a 15 year hiatus OCFS Arena & Stadium is now back and we're going Old School! We will be taking requests from unsigned bands to be the direct support for the Nationals that will be headlining the shows that are to be booked once a month over the coming months. The Arena can accommodates up to 5000 fans & the Stadium accomidates about 35.000 people. This is a once legendary venue and OCFS is back to stay! We will bring back the glory days of Heavy Metal in America one show at a time! We are one of the only remaining venues in the USA that can hold this volume of fans at a club & festival based level. So if your into being a part of the Old School way of doing things then give us a hollar! We still are deciding on when the debut show will take place but be rest assured we will be working hard to get this ball rolling! TMT METAL FEST will be the first big show "European Style Heavy Metal Festival" coming to OCFS Arena & Stadium, the Main Stadium Mega Stages will be unleashed once again! TMT METAL FEST will be held September 24th thru the 26th 2010. So get your Tickets ASAP! This is one Festival you don't want to miss.... Contact us here for information on getting in on the monthly Arena shows. OCFS Arena Contact Info 845-343-4826 Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-
SLIPKNOT bassist PAUL GRAY died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl, a medical examiner gas stated. SLIPKNOT unleashed "All Hope Is Gone", (2008) via ROADRUNNER RECORDS. FROM SEPULTURA: "RIP Paul Gray, we're shocked and very sad, this is another tragic loss for our metal community."
FROM COLIN RICHARDSON (PRODUCER): "From Colin Richardson and all at Real, we send our deepest, most heart-broken condolences to Paul Gray's family, SLIPKNOT and their entire team. We, as so many, are in total shock over this terrible tragedy. Our love and respect for SLIPKNOT and their team goes back many years now and Colin has always been completely honoured to work with such brilliant artists. He is a true fan to the core and sends his love and condolences to everyone in SLIPKNOT and their camp. We all do, just as so many around the world will be doing the same over this tragic loss." Richardson mixed SLIPKNOT's "All Hope Is Gone" and "9.0: Live" albums as well as the "Voliminal: Inside The Nine" and "Disasterpieces" DVDs. FROM HATEBREED: Beattie: "It came as a surprise today to hear that Paul Gray passed this morning. He was a great guy and an amazing bass player. I consider it an honor to have gotten to know him. His contribution to the music world was enormous and will live on forever. R.I.P." Jasta: "Paul was a stand-up guy and a great musician. He and SLIPKNOT changed the face of rock music as we know it. Just about every metal band member from 1999 onward owes him a salute. "My condolences to his band, family and fans. "We'll miss you dearly, Paul. We are eternally grateful to you." FROM SHADOWS FALL: "I'm so crushed to hear about the passing of Paul Gray. I had the pleasure of first getting to know him on a press trip to New York City before our tour with SLIPKNOT and LAMB OF GOD in 2005 and then sharing stages and good times with him and the boys around the world. "He was a great musician, an underrated songwriter and a truly warm soul underneath the evil mask he rocked onstage. This is a huge loss to the metal world. He will be missed deeply." FROM NONPOINT: "I am deeply saddened to hear and read about the death of Paul Gray. "NONPOINT had the pleasure of touring with SLIPKNOT during the 2001 Ozzfest, and what we saw from Paul and the rest of SLIPKNOT was a band that gave their all live and put their bodies on the line. "To all in SLIPKNOT and Paul's family, NONPOINT send all our love, condolences and prayers out to you. You will be missed by all your friends and fans around the world. "Rest in peace, my metal brother." FROM HAIL MANAGER Mark Abbattista: As previously reported, Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room early Monday morning (May 24). He was 38. Commented HAIL! manager Mark Abbattista: "I spoke to Paul over the weekend, and we had a great conversation. He was so upbeat and excited as we discussed all our final gear and travel details, went through our new setlist and joked about the most fun way to 'unmask' him onstage. "We were so looking forward to playing with Paul on our upcoming tour and this is a complete tragedy. "We are all in a state of shock and our heartfelt condolences go out to [Paul's wife] Brenna, his family, SLIPKNOT, their management and all his friends. This is a horrible loss and a very sad day." HAIL! is scheduled to kick off a three-week tour of Europe and Asia this Saturday, May 30 at the prestigious Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal. An official statement concerning the status of the dates is expected to be released tomorrow. Back in April, Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!" FROM DAVID ELLEFSON (MEGADETH/HAIL): "I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing [on Monday, May 25]. I considered him an incredible songwriter, inventive bassist, but more importantly a kind and warm friend. "As a fellow musician, I was excited that he would be playing in HAIL! this coming month as I knew it would be a fun experience for him. I'm sad that the European audiences will not get to see him play those shows. "I extend my condolences to his family, to SLIPKNOT and their management, as well as his many friends and fans who loved him around the world. He was another one of the 'good ones' in our business... a wonderful man who will be missed by us all." FROM HELL YEAH: "We are completely shocked and very upset after hearing about the loss of Paul Gray. He was a great friend and a craftsman of one of the most compelling metal bands in history. Our thoughts are with his family, his bandmates and his countless fans and friends around the world. He will be deeply missed." FROM SATYRICON: "Today we mourn the passing of our friend Paul. The down to earth, friendly, unpretentious metal head that we loved. Our hearts go out to Slipknot, his family and his friends. May Paul have found his peace." FROM MARK MORTON (LAMB OF GOD): "We're all in shock at the news of our friend Paul's passing. He was an immense talent, and this is such an incredible loss. Paul had a HUGE heart and lived and died for music he made. I will miss him and the world will, too." FROM STONE SOUR: "We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Paul Gray. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and his brothers in SLIPKNOT. Paul was a true talent and just a great person to be around. We join the millions around the world expressing our intense grief over this loss. We'll miss you, Paul." FROM MACHINEHEAD: "We are extremely saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing. SLIPKNOT are longtime labelmates, peers, friends, tour mates, and metal brothers. Paul was a great songwriter, bass player, and a genuinely nice person. Our paths have crossed many times since we all first met at Indigo Ranch Studios in 1998. He will be missed by all of us and our hearts go out to our brothers in SLIPKNOT and Paul's family." FROM TIM "RIPPER" OWENS: "I would like to send my condolences to [Gray's] family. "I played three or four times on stage with Paul and crossed paths a few other times throughout the years. He was always a great guy to be around and a great talent! I was looking forward to doing this HAIL! run with Paul on bass. Once again, let's pray for his family and keep them in our thoughts in their time of need." FROM BWBK.COM WRITER DAVID PERRI: I can't claim to have known Paul Gray in any significant way. The paths of our lives converged for a very brief period, a mere half-hour on July 14, 2008 as Slipknot was promoting its latest record, All Hope Is Gone. Paul and I didn't even meet in person, but even just over the telephone line one thing was so clear from the get-go: Paul Gray was a genuine guy. Gray could have been an asshole. He was, after all, part of a Grammy Award winning band that has sold millions of records world-wide and toured with the most known and beloved groups on the planet. But Gray was no asshole. He was an affable, genuine, down-to-earth guy whose near-constant use of the word "dude" made me smile throughout our entire 30 minutes. Gray wasn't just being nice for nice's sake. Our interview cut out several times as a result of Gray's new iPhone going through the glitches that usually greet the introduction of new technology. But each time his phone disconnected, he'd call me right back and apologize profusely that our conversation had been cut short. After more than a decade in the music journalism game, I can tell you without a doubt how rare an occurrence that really is. Gray, through that gesture of calling back several times on a July day almost two years ago, proved that he cared. Gray was a bonafide rock star - one of the founding members of Slipknot - but on the phone he was an unpretentious, warm guy passionately talking music to me, a stranger. After our interview, I hoped to meet Gray in person one day to tell him how cool he was. I wanted to tell him that I had interviewed individuals with out-of-control egos and equally out-of-control attitudes who had achieved far, far less than Gray had. Gray's friendly and kind disposition were an exception and a rarity in this crazy business we call music. On July 14, 2008, Gray's interview with BW&BK ended in the following way, as excerpted from #112 (Slipknot cover). It's sad to think that such a jovial guy is now gone. FROM LACUNA COIL: According to Bob Suehs of Rock N Roll Experience, Italian rock/metal act LACUNA COIL dedicated the song "Heaven's A Lie" to late SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray during last night's (Monday, May 24) concert at Recher Theater in Towson, Maryland. Suehs writes in his review of the show, "The most touching moment of the night was when [LACUNA COIL female vocalist] Cristina [Scabbia] spoke to the crowd for a few minutes and she said, 'Another musician died and that's why we'd love to dedicate this next song to Paul Gray and I want you guys to sing as loud as you can so your voice can go up and up and up and with him.' Scabbia is the longtime girlfriend of SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root. FROM OTEP SHAMAYA (OTEP): "One of my earliest memories of Paul was our first tour of Ozzfest together — watching him mow down a 10-foot-high fence in a 'borrowed' golf cart and that famous deviant, yet innocent grin of his as he scampered back to his bus. And then I witnessed his wonderful insanity on stage. "It is painful to write about Paul in the past tense. But he was, as the inscription on Jim Morrison's headstone reads 'kata ton daimona eautou,' true to his own spirit. "Part mystic, part madman, Paul was a savagely beautiful human being, an incredible writer, musician, and performer, and an amazing friend. "For those of us he touched through friendship or by his incredible music, there is some anger and outrage at this loss, the senselessness of it, but most of all, it is the heavy drapes of sadness that devours us. "Another candle fades into the night; another shadow ascends into the light. "Rest in power, my friend. Shake the walls of paradise for us." FROM SHARON OSBOURNE: "It's so sad that we've lost yet another young wonderful musician, Paul Gray, #2 of SLIPKNOT. My love goes out to his family, fans and friends." FROM IN FLAMES: "When we found out about Paul's death, we were shocked. We had the privilege of getting to know him as early as 2000 and he was always a stand-up guy. He will be missed dearly! "Our thoughts go out to Paul's family, friends and fellow band members. "Rest in peace, Paul." FROM BILL WARD (BLACK SABBATH DRUMMER): "My wife and I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Paul Gray's family and friends. Our condolences also extend to each member of SLIPKNOT. We wish everyone who knew Paul love, tolerance and eventual peace of mind. "Paul played in an incredible band. He was an incredible bass player. His death is another big loss for metal music, but his spirit and his love will forever ascend and teach. "Thanks for the music, Paul." FROM NATHAN JAMES BIGGS (SONIC SYNDICATE): "It's not the easiest fucking thing in the world to talk about, is it?" he said. "I mean, here's me still sitting around crying about the death of 'Dimebag' Darrell [PANTERA] that I still can't seem to get over... Pete Steele from TYPE O NEGATIVE and Ronnie James fucking Dio and... yeah, Paul Gray from SLIPKNOT now in the same fucking month. I mean, how bad is that? It really hurts, doesn't it? Things like this, they take a little while to sink in. I bet in a few weeks' time or something, it's really gonna hit home and occur to me that Paul Gray died. "SLIPKNOT were a huge part of my childhood, me growing up. 'Iowa' had a huge impact on what I listened to, and what I still listen to today. It was a defining album, and I think any metalhead my age will answer exactly the same thing, so rest in peace, Paul Gray. And the other greats who have left us recently, hearts and souls of SONIC SYNDICATE go out to them and their families, but more importantly, the legions and legions of their fans, our hearts are with them. What else is there to say? Everybody, just keep doing it for the live music scene and their memory. Respect." FROM SCOTT IAN (ANTHRAX): "Paul Gray was always super-fun to be around. He was always smiling and he was always all about the music." "He and I were the main rhythm player and bass player for that band (*Roadrunner United All Stars). I got to spend a lot of time with him just jamming, which is what we both loved to do. We'd just get such a kick out of learning riffs. It was always all about the music. He just seemed like he was really that dude who just loved to play his instrument. I'm really gonna miss him." FROM BUCKCHERRY: "Everyone knows I'm a huge SLIPKNOT fan, and although I didn't know Paul Gray personally, I am very sad about this news. "Every great band starts with a great rhythm section. Paul and Joey [Jordison] are like a rapid-fire machine gun to the chest, and I felt Paul's passion and intensity every time he stepped on stage. "SLIPKNOT is not just a band, they're a gang — and that's why I believed, just like millions of others, that Paul was a huge part of that, and he will be very missed." FROM WEDNESDAY 13: "I write this with great sadness that such a great human being has left us. "Paul Gray was not a close friend of mine, but we were friends. In fact, he is one of the first people I met in this crazy fucked up business, but I will say that he treated me like he knew me his whole life. One of the most genuine people you could ever ask to meet. "I remember once back years ago, I hadn't seen him in a year or more — no phone calls, text — and outta the blue he texted me.... 'Hey, you wanna come hang out and go to the Grammys with me? We got nominated and I wanted to hang with ya.' "That's the kinda guy I will remember Paul Gray as, just an all-around good person. "To my brother Joey [Jordison, SLIPKNOT drummer and MURDERDOLLS guitarist], and all my friends within the SLIPKNOTfamily, my thoughts are with you all." FROM CJ PIERCE (DROWNING POOL): "Paul was, actually, the first person in SLIPKNOT that Dave Williams [late DROWNING POOL singer], me, Mike [Luce, drums], and Stevie [Benton, bass] ever met. "When we were recording the first DROWNING POOL CD, 'Sinner', in L.A. back in January/February of 2001, we would go out to the Rainbow after recording to have a few drinks and hang out. We ran into Paul a few times while SLIPKNOT was recording their second CD, 'Iowa', became friends and the next thing you know we're all on Ozzfest six months later rockin' out together. "We know what it's like to lose a brother and a family member. "Our hearts and our prayers go out to SLIPKNOT and Paul's family. You will always be remembered. "In memory of the ones we've lost, life will never be the same without you." FROM TIM LAMBESIS (AS I LAY DYING) : He was one of the more mellow guys in the band but any time we saw him he was one of the kindest guys, whose band spent a month on the road with Slipknot. "After touring with somebody for a month, you usually think that they'll have at least one aspect of their personality that'll get on your nerves and start to bother you. But he didn't have one. Any time we saw him he was always smiling." FROM ROADRUNNER RECORDS: “I would personally like to thank every single kid who has supported this band. Without them there would be no band. We wouldn''t be able to do any of this. They''ve made our dreams come true and we won''t let them down. We work 200 percent every time we play. We pride ourselves on working hard to make it worth it for the fans. So nothing but love and respect to everybody who comes to the shows, buys the CDs, and gives the band a chance.” – Paul Gray, nyrock.com, January 2000 Roadrunner Records extends our deepest condolences to the bandmates, family, friends and fans of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, who tragically passed away on May 24th. Paul was a well-loved and respected member of the Roadrunner family. While the hard rock community endures a massive loss with his passing, Paul’s musical legacy will endure. Paul will be forever remembered for the intense energy he put forth on stage and the passion that he committed on record. He will be sorely missed. To remember Paul Gray is to look back on all that Slipknot have accomplished, for as Clown stated in Tuesday’s live press conference, “Paul Gray was the essence of the band.” Join us as we listen to Slipknot in Paul’s honor, and through our shock and sadness of this difficult time, remember the passionate musician and sweet, fun-loving man who greeted everyone with a smile. Amy Sciarretto, Director of Publicity, RR US: “Every time I ever saw Paul Gray, he always seemed to be smiling or laughing about something. He did a lot of interviews for me when I was doing radio for them and he also did a bulk of them for me when I became their publicist. I remember the Ozzfest date in August 2004 in the Pittsburgh market. I went out to cover dozens of interviews for Slipknot headlining the side stage and I remember bringing a parade of interviews, one-by-one, into this air-conditioned trailer set up behind the stage, and he knocked out every single one with a smile and consummate professionalism. He did everything that was asked of him and with a smile, making a very stressful day of interviews a smooth, seamless one. That doesn''t happen very often, but it did that day, and I always remember him being gracious. His memory will live in my heart forever. I send all my love and support to my friends in Slipknot as they go, this is a loss that guts you from the inside out.” Sam Westwood, Head of Online PR & Street Promotion, RR UK: “2003 saw me join Roadrunner and so I worked on all the subsequent Slipknot releases. I first met Paul when the band came in to London for promo for Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses, meeting the guys initially as they filed into Virgin Megastore for a signing, and introducing them to the Slipknot Street Team. Later that night, they played an intimate ‘secret show’ at London’s Astoria and after the show, I had some drinks with Paul and some of the others. That night I discovered Paul was a great guy who was sweet and funny and full of fun. The last time I saw Paul was just a few months ago back in the States and he greeted me with big grin and a hug. The thought that he’s gone is just too surreal for words. As a fan of Slipknot I am shocked and saddened at the loss of a member of a band whose music truly touches my soul; at the loss of a man I admired. Having worked at Roadrunner for almost 7 years now, I mourn the loss of a really awesome guy I had shared some fun times with and who is part of some killer memories. I am distraught at the grief I see in colleagues who worked more closely with Paul and regarded him as a friend, and shudder to think of how his lovely wife, family, band-mates, management and friends are feeling. It’s all just too tragic, devastating and so so sad. My thoughts are with them all and I send my sincerest sympathies to them. Goodnight Paul. Rest In Peace.” Mark Abramson, VP of Promotions, RR US: “You can’t really address Paul the man without addressing Slipknot the band. The nine-man-brotherhood that is Slipknot has always been, through thick and thin, ups and downs, exactly that – a brotherhood. And they were always about fans first and to hell with politics and bureaucracies. I remember early on in the debut record being so thrilled to be a part of this obviously earth-shifting band. I was both excited by them but also scared by all that it seemed they were. They seemed like they were going to be so difficult to deal with but they proved to be awesome people -- they just had a strong self-realization of who they were and weren’t going to be swayed. I loved and respected them from day one. Over the years I got to know them more, I didn’t know Paul that well at first; he seemed so quiet to me, and with nine guys in the band I really gravitated towards those that I clicked with at the beginning – Corey and Joey and Jim. It was Paul who reached out to me first, not me to him, and it struck me immediately what a nice guy he seemed to be. Over the years I learned just how really true that was – he was a great guy – through and through. The “big name” guys may get a lot of the credit but Paul was also one of the most key guys in Slipknot from day one. It’s hitting me more as it settles in and it’s just not right! Paul – what can I say, I enjoyed our time together, I respected you tremendously. When we went #1 with “Dead Memories” I was so happy for you when management made sure to point out that it was your song, and I loved making that call to you to say congrats! You will be deeply missed. Much love and respect.” Kathie Merritt, Sr. Director of Digital /Physical Sales , RR US: “Paul Gray had a love for his band that brought out the “maggot” in everyone, even we older jaded industry types. He loved being in this band and wore that like a badge of honor. I am so much more a fan of Slipknot than an active participant in their personal world, but as a fan my heart breaks for the loss of such a nice person, who greeted every fan with a smile and deep appreciation. He was one of the good guys- and his passing makes me sad." FROM BRENNA GRAY (WIFE OF PAUL GRAY): "I would like to start off first and for most saying thank you to each and every one of you for the kind words, condolences, cards and flowers. "Paul loved his fans so much, and anyone who had met him knew he was the kindest, sweetest, most genuine person in the world. Not many people were truly as nice as he was; he would do anything for his fans and felt bad if he didn't get to autograph all his fans things or take a picture with them because he was being rushed. His intentions were to always make people happy and smile. "All of you have touched Paul in a way that he always would talk about how wonderful his fans are. "He tried to write back to all the messages he got on here the best that he could. "Please feel free to share your stories on here of encounters you had with Paul or at a SLIPKNOT show and please feel free to share your pictures too. Just because he is not here physically, he will always be with us in our hearts and you all have the power to keep him very much alive by sharing such stories, etc. "I would love to share all of your fond memories with our daughter, October. "He was very much excited to be a father and for her arrival. "Also I want to thank all of you for respecting our privacy. "I am not here to answer any questions; I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the amazing outpour of support and respect of my husband during this difficult time." Paul Dedrick Gray, was born on April 8, 1972 in Hollywood, California and died at the age of 38, on Monday, May 24, 2010 in Urbandale, Iowa. Paul was easy-going, charismatic, enjoyed his music, cars, his fans, Starbucks and spending time with his family and friends. He loved his puppies, and, of course, smoking his Marlboro Reds. He is survived by his wife, Brenna Marie Gray; his daughter, October Dedrick Gray; mother Nancy Gray-Miller and her husband, James; brothers Damon "Tony" Gray and his wife, Melissa; and William "Jay" Matthews and his wife, Lillian; nieces Ashley and Hanna Gray; mother-in-law Erin Alpaugh and sister-in-law Ashley Alpaugh; and his eight brothers in SLIPKNOT. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Anthony Gray, and his grandmother, Hellen B. Westby. Private funeral services were held Friday, May 28, 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul Dedrick Gray Family Trust Hudson, Maloney, Shindler & Anderson, P.C., 5015 Grand Ridge Dr.Suite, # 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265, Tel: (515) 223-4567, Fax: (515) 223-8887 Trustees are Paul's wife, Brenna, and his brother, Tony.
SLIPKNOT PRESS CONFERENCE: Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-RIP PAUL GRAY-\m/ -l-
Follow @ITPV020Tweet to @ITPV020
8f43f88ff8eaf1143aa91e6921dcf2e5
ITP RATING SYSTEM FOR EXTREME METAL CD REVIEWS:
A feature entitled ITP BLAST BACK REVIEWS: A RE RATE of reviews (that year) to see if I over or under rated certain releases. Just the rating, and there's no guarantee that all ratings will change. All ITP REVIEWS are on a BELL CURVE in comparison to previous (band/artist) releases and whatever else is released that year in said genre.
ITP EXTREME METAL RELEASE REVIEW RATING SYSTEM:
***** (5 stars)=Awesome, a classic, timeless, unholy
**** 1/2 (4 and half stars)=amazing, perhaps this bands best
**** (4 stars)=very good, well worth the purchase
*** 1/2 (3 1/2 stars)=Good, standard fare, for fans and not new converts
*** (3 stars)=Good, but flawed, no progression here
** 1/2 (2 1/2 stars)=Bordering on mediocrity, band is overrated
** (two stars)=somewhere between mediocre and SUKETH
* 1/2 (1 1/2 stars)= SUKETH (this release SUCKS)
* (one star)=Awful, this CD can only be used as a beer coaster or a Frisbee.
? (No stars)=this band and release blow goats.
ITP STATES (DISCLAIMER): PLEASE no rap fans or bands, no emo, punk, hardcore, metal core or nu metal retards, NO politicians. This journal is protected under first amendment rights, if you're offended, please leave, chances are, we are offended by YOU. This is NOT a personal diary, this is an extreme metal journal, about and for extreme metal heads whom are not ignorant to the reality of society. The opinions expressed on this journal do NOT reflect the scene, industry, genre, town, local and regional promoters, venues, clubs or government, landlords, management, housemates ect. No religious wingnuts...Don't blame us as we're straight edge. This journal is anti establishment, but please no national socialists or political propaganda. No, I'm NOT your booking agent, promoter, manager, public relations assistant. However, if you're a good extreme metal label or webzine, hire me as your PR assistant/writer. BTW, we're straight edge, and we don't like drug addicts. All sources are attributed, there are NO illegal downloads here. Please support music and not rumors. ITP recommends that readers are 18 and up, we are not responsible for raising your kids.
I don't like people whom don't respect the metal genres, or ME following me on or offline, stalking or menacing me, any obsessions, or neighbors looking to fight, or make a delusional conspiracy theory out of nothing, so I will take legal action to define a boundary with posers and bullies. These bullies are NOT allowed at our or any metal shows.
NEW POLICY REGARDING ITP V.018 VS. SYNDICATES: RSS FEED BY PERMISSION ONLY. FEEDS/syndicates are a pain to manage, and can be claimed and controlled by someone other than the blogs primary author. ITP V.015 new policy does NOT allow FEEDS without permission and consent from ITP's author.Consent means sign up for said syndicate, chances are, ITP V.013 was taken without CONSENT, and not without express written consent.
ITP does NOT endorse sexism, fascism, racism homophobia nor porn NONE of that, and ITP is NOT responsible for any statements or actions via readers, artists or bands, separating the artists and musicians from ITP V.018's author.
All videos and music featured on ITP come straight from the labels and bands official YOU TUBE, VIMEO, SOUNDCLOUD and BANDCAMP accounts (I hope they go viral), under fair use, all rights reserved to the artists and labels, courtesy of the bands and labels.
ITP V.20/21's author writes alone, and always has. ITP V.020/21s TEXT is CREATIVE COMMONS (and copy written) as ITP V.020/21 is a media partner for the music/metal industry and under fair use promoting music.
ITP REVIEWS are independent of record labels and others, record labels nor anyone can not censor ITP reviews, making a distinction between Public Relations, advertising as reviews are independent via ITP and have to be independent of record labels..
Censorship regarding issues of denial will NOT be tolerated from anyone nor individuals, sites, as they will be legally liable for slander and defamation of character in a lawsuit.
ITP is NOT associated with DEATH (Although I'm a fan) ITP V.020 is NOT a DEATH fan site, as ITP V.021 is a extreme metal news portal/blog for and about extreme metal.
ITP RESERVES SOME RIGHTS AS IN "FAIR USE" IN THE CONTEXT OF MUSIC, METAL and ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTION AND REVIEWS.
SOME RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE Protect Yourself
BTW, ITP was EDITED in FULL (the entire journal in 2013 (Years ago-ITP looks and reads different huh?.
BTW, ITP TEXT is CREATIVE COMMONS and you might look silly as I have bit of black list in the music industry and beyond.
A couple of issues I would like to address:
ITP DOES NOT like PSYCHOTIC people following ITP, you're under arrest, I will sue you.
ITP does not promote local and regional artists/bands and music venues whom have screwed me over, don't reciprocate or bands, labels, venues I don't like.
It is NOT ITP's responsibility for promoting your venue, club or crap band or show, DIY and promote your self, If I don't promote you or your band are awful, the music is awful.
ITP only promotes what SHE likes, go play in your own sandbox.
I don't promote local or regional bands or/and venues just because they are local, nor do I ignore bands and venues from out of state and out of the U.S. .
ITP does not promote main stream music nor mall core..Only extreme metal..
There are a couple of labels that are blacklisted, one that is national socialist.
A few bands are blacklisted from ITP, and one or two venues.
Obviously is someone gets in fight over ITP there will be consequences, NOT YOURS, ITP owns her own copy right.
ITP is not a request journal, it is an extreme metal source for extreme metal news, no hipsters, ITP is my journal.
ITP, while a media partner for most labels,does not write for nor work for record labels and is independent of record labels. ITP is not owned by a record label.
BTW, regarding monetize for adverts, ITP does not normally do adverts and has not committed to monetize, although I'll look into it, depending on timing and circumstances.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal and welcome to ITP \m/
-l-
***To experience ITP at it's fullest capabilities you'll need a good browser (MOZILLA FIREFOX or SAFARI) and a fast MODEM/CONNECTION (CABLE or WI FI) to enjoy the videos and a good set of HEADPHONES or/and speakers to enjoy the SOUND and brutality. If you subscribe to ITP don't forget to come straight to this blog for updates, videos, REVIEWS, pics for ITP's multimedia extreme metal experience.
To enjoy ITP, you MUST have a BANDCAMP, YOU TUBE or/and SPOTIFY account to headbang.
BTW, I almost forgot to mention, ITP is visible via BLOGSPOT, target FACEBOOK. So add ITP is under said bloggers given name on FACEBOOK. Not all ITP V.018 posts show up on the main feed nor get passed my timeline (isn't that the truth on FB, only 15% of posts end up in the main feed passed your timeline). Just switch your setting to "SEE FIRST" under ITP editors given name, and you'll see ITP V..024 BLOGSPOT posts.
..Or/and join ITP syndicates.
ITP EST and BRUTALIZING THE WORLD SINCE 2004 first on AOL (ya probably noticed ITP V.08, V.09, and V.010 ect. since 2008, ITP ON BLOGSPOT since 2008.):
ITP V.024 REVIEWS: 2024-:
7/7/2024--MY DYING BRIDE: "A MORTAL BINDING"
ITP EXTREME METAL NEWS FEATURES:
NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND (DEATH,GRIND, THRASH METAL NEWS), HUMANITY IS DOOMED (FUNERAL DOOM, DEATH/DOOM, SLUDGE, BLACKENED DOOM, AVANT), BLACK METAL NEWS (DEPRESSIVE, WAR, BLACKENED THRASH, AMBIENT)
SPRING 2024 (T.B.A.)
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-
Subscribe in a readercookieassistant.comcookieassistant.com
Posts
![[Valid RSS]](http://www.blogger.com/valid-rss-rogers.png "Validate my RSS feed")
