Burst Appendix Felled Slipknot’s Jordison

Slipknot’s mysterious tour cancellation/hospital scare this week was due to a burst appendix for drummer Joey Jordison. He’ll be fine. Which is good, because I’ve had enough metal band drama this summer.

Alice In Chains On Jimmy Kimmel

Alice In Chains will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, September 29.

Fu Manchu Album Details

Fu Manchu will release their new album, Signs Of Infinite Power, on October 20 via Century Media Records.

Pirate Bay Deal Is Shay-Dee, Possibly On The Rocks (Again)?

This Pirate Bay sale (and subsequent legalization) is really starting to annoy me. Rumors of the deal falling apart leaked out last month, claiming financial struggles and infighting at would-be purchaser Global Gaming Factory. Then yesterday saw an announcement that the deal was done. Now Torrent Freak reports that a key partner in the restructuring of the new Pirate Bay is also calling shenanigans:

Peerialism, the company set to provide the revolutionary P2P technology behind the new Pirate Bay, has announced that it is doubtful that it will do any business with Global Gaming Factory. GGF are supposed to buy Peerialism, but CEO Johan Ljungberg said that’s doubtful since the company has no money.

In addition to having little to no money to buy The Pirate Bay for 60 million kronor ($7.8m), GGF also has to find 100 million Swedish kronor to buy Peerialism, the company under agreement to provide the core technology behind the project.

However, Peerialism CEO Johan Ljungberg said today that he thinks there will be no business done between the two companies.

“The [shareholders] meeting gave us no direct answer at all, but based on declarations by GGF before and after the meeting, and the reporting that has taken place in recent days, we conclude that GGF will not succeed in obtaining any financing,” Ljungberg told di.se.

The agreement between Peerialism and GGF states that the full purchase price must be paid by September 30, which Ljungberg says is unlikely. I’ve said this before, but whodathunk a purchase of The fucking Pirate Bay would be mired in vague business practices? Despite insistence that the deal is done (done, done, done – swearsies), it seems that this whole thing could fall apart at any minute. At least I’ve had the fun of typing all these kooky European names.

Korn Plans Four Digital EPs Via Subscription Service

Korn has announced its next release will come in the form of four digital EPs rather than a formal album. Some non-metal bands like Radiohead and the Bouncing Souls have toyed with the idea of foregoing albums for periodic EPs/singles, and I applaud the idea. It encourages immediacy, lowers the price point and engages fans.

But Korn is doing it the, well, Korn way. The four EPs will be spread out over a 12-month span, and you need to subscribe to a $6.95 per month plan to get the music. Again: 12 month subscription, four releases. And they’re not proper new songs. Per Revivl:

I start doing some research and find out that the material on these EP’s are unreleased tracks and a demo version of a new song which appear on their “real” release.

That’s all I needed to see to know that this is more of a fan club then anything else. Yes they are giving away 4 digital EP’s but it’s not your main release. You still have a major label to push your main album. I can’t say that I’ve ever thought about it before, but unless you are willing to put your best stuff on the line with none of the traditional hand rails to guide you through the process, then it’s not breaking any new ground. I will say in Korn’s defense that they aren’t pushing it like they are the next NIN’s or anything like that but when you read the headline it certainly looks like they are trying something different.

So what if this was their main release? What if they really did separate the main record into 4 EP’s spread out a 12 month span. Well at $6.95 a month, the fans would be paying a much higher price if they stayed in the entire year but if the band could offer more value then it does become a bit more interesting. I love the idea of continuity but I really think you would have to offer a version that could be purchased or given away in combination. However if you did that then it becomes a fan club again. Would users be willing to pay more (like a subscription) but also receive more stuff like tickets, merchandise, etc but without any other alternative to get the album? Legal alternative that is! Yeah that could be a problem.

We’re hoping to get more details on this soon, but for now, it seems kinda sketchy.

Danzig Announces Festival Appearance

Danzig is set to perform at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest on November 8th at Waterloo Park in Austin, TX. D.R.I., Gorilla Biscuits and Coalesce are among the other acts slated to perform at the two day event.

Alice In Chains Performs Acoustic Gig In Seattle

Alice In Chains performed a surprise acoustic set last night (August 26th) at a listening party for their new album, Black Gives Way To Blue, in Seattle, WA.

3 Inches Of Blood Announce Tour Dates

3 Inches Of Blood has announced October tour dates.

Deicide, Jungle Rot, Desolation Dates

Deicide will be hitting the road with Jungle Rot and Desolation this October. More details here.

Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo, Blackguard Dates

Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo and Blackguard are set to tour North America together this fall/winter, with Swashbuckle joining on certain dates. More details here.