For the past two months, Eluveitie and Wintersun teamed up for what might have been the ultimate folk and symphonic metal co-headlining tour of 2012. With additional help from pagan metal heavyweights Varg, the tour made a stop at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on December 20. The tour has since come to and end. Luckily for us, though, photographer Derek Soto from Sinestra Studios was on hand to document the entire night. So check out a bunch of his photos from the night in the gallery after the jump. Read more »
It’s been over a week since Ministry and Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia passed away. And the metal community continues to mourn the loss of a truly talented guitarist, including a few of Scaccia’s well-known friends.
Earlier this morning, Rigor Mortis singer Bruce Corbitt shared a statement from Philip Anselmo. The Pantera/Down frontman (whose relationship with Scaccia went back to Pantera and Rigor Mortis’ early days, as Anselmo recently recalled during our interview with him) had the following to share:
“I have traveled the world playing music, and I’ve been fortunate to play, with extremely talented guitarists, and to have seen living legends right in front of my eyes. But when it came down to extremities, I’ve known since 1987 who the fastest, most precise player on this planet was, and that was the one and only Mike Scaccia. The playing field is now even.
I can’t put into words what it meant for me to be accepted into the Rigor Mortis horde back when I was the new guy in town, and playing in a rival band back in the late 80’s. But we were kindred spirits, and Mike Scaccia’s kindness helped that bonding process which I still cherish today. Underneath Mike’s soft-spoken, quiet demeanor, there lived a monster of mythical size, unbridled passion, and a practitioner of inhuman feats that will never be replicated. We called his picking hand ‘The Hummingbird’ because of its blinding speed and accuracy. But now, ‘The Hummingbird’ has flown.
Let his body of work speak for itself, as a legacy of success not many can achieve. When Mike played, you knew it was him, and with that, he left a mark in music that can’t be touched. The DFW area has lost our era’s two greatest guitarists in Mike Scaccia and Dimebag Darrell Abbott, and that is a terrible blow. But their accomplishments will be considered sacred ground for aeons. When I think of my fallen comrade Dime, I think of him as a star in the cosmos. I will think of Mike in the same way, in honor of his legacy and friendship.
Celebrate this great man’s life. With all my love, sincerely
-Philip H. Anselmo”
This past weekend, GWAR frontman Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus) also commented on the passing of Scaccia. Brockie, who previously played in GWAR with Rigor Mortis bassist Casey Orr, had the following to say:
“The metal and music world in general lost a true legend this past week after the unexpected death of Ministry and Rigor Mortis guitar player Mike Scaccia. Mike collapsed during a Rigor Mortis gig in Dallas and never regained consciousness. We are stunned by this terrible, gut-wrenching event that unfortunately we are all-too-familiar with, having lost our brother, Cory Smoot a little over a year ago. Our hearts go out to Mike’s family and friends.
Mike was a friend of ours and practically a brother to our long-time bass player, Casey Orr. He had tried to get Mike to play for GWAR a couple of times and Mike was always smart enough to turn him down. I completely understand why someone wouldn’t want to subject themselves to what we go through, but still I always wondered what GWAR would have sounded like with Mike. But then we found Cory…then lost Cory…ain’t life a fucking bitch.
If there is one thing I have realized in this last year it’s that the life we are given is incredibly precious and can be snatched away from us at any moment. You have to savor every drop and get every molecule of sweetness you can…and you have to protect and cherish all of your loved ones with every bit of strength your heart can muster. An easy task? No. But in order to give life meaning it is one we must essay, endure, and triumph over.
I don’t think many would argue that Mike’s trademark guitar sound jump-started Ministry and forged some of the most memorable sounds that legendary band ever created. The hugeness of Ministry made many miss Mike’s ground-breaking work with Rigor Mortis, one of the seminal thrash-metal acts to ever spurn the face of this bloody clod we call Earth. He was, quite simply, a guitar God. The GWAR family grieves deeply with the many friends, fans, and family that Mike left behind.”
Scaccia suffered a heart attack brought on by heart disease while onstage performing with Rigor Mortis. A public memorial service was held in Mansfield, Texas yesterday (December 30). While a benefit show is in the works, an online fundraiser has been launched to help support Scaccia’s family.
How easy is it to use Capital One’s new mobile app? Just ask Dragonforce. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman star in a commercial promoting the retail bank’s new mobile app service. Does watching the Dragonforce guitarists shred in space make you want to use Capital One for online banking? Probably not, unless Slayer influenced you to buy a Google Chromebook, or if hearing “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” inspired you to buy Samsung’s smart phone. Watch Li and Totman’s appearance in Capital One’s latest commercial above.
Mark Hunter recently revealed to us that Chimaira was ready to enter the studio this coming February to record a new album. So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Chimaira premiered a new song during their annual Christmas show last Saturday night (December 29) in Cleveland, OH.
Also not surprising is that fan filmed footage of Chimaira performing the new song, titled “I Despise,” has already made its way online. The video’s audio quality is pretty decent and gives us a good taste of what to expect from the group’s follow up to The Age Of Hell, and first album with its new lineup and following numerous setbacks. Coincidentally, Chimaira also posted a teaser trailer for the as-yet-untitled album (tentatively due out in summer 2013 via eOne Music) just a few hours before the Christmas show.
Watch Chimaira perform “I Despise” above, as well as the teaser trailer for the new album after the jump. Read more »
Randy Gane, keyboardist of Geoff Tate’s version of Queensryche, reportedly suffered a heart attack this past Wednesday (December 26). At the moment, the keyboardist’s condition is unknown. Gane is 53 years old.
Tate confirmed the unfortunate news via the following Facebook post made late last night:
“Please send your prayers and positive thoughts to my good friend and keyboard player; Randy Gane who is currently recovering from suffering a heart attack last night”
We all know what lead to there being two versions of Queensryche. However, before all the drama took place, Gane had already been touring and recording with Queensryche (having appeared on 2009’s American Soldier and 2011 Dedicated To Chaos) as well as well with Tate’s solo project. Gane also co-founded prog metal band Myth in the 80′s with Tate and current Queensryche guitarist Kelly Gray.
Tate’s version of Queensryche is planning to perform Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety on the road this coming April. However, it is unclear whether Gane will be able to tour in light of his recent health scare (as well as who will replace guitarist Glen Drover).
Kvelertak gave us another reason to look forward to 2013 when they not only confirmed that their new album Meir is due out in March, but when they also revealed the track listing. And though we have to wait a few more months for its release, Kvelertak has already been treating fans to a new song live. And now we have professionally filmed footage of the Norwegian black metal/punk group performing “Spring Fra Livet.”
Granted, Kvelertak has been performing this particular song for over a year now. However, the band performed “Spring Fra Livet” on Norwegian music program Lydverket last month. And to say the least, the pro-shot footage of their performance gives us much better audio quality of the new song. While we’ll wait to give our final verdict until we hear the version they recorded in Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou’s Godcity studios, the live version of “Spring Fra Livet” sounds pretty awesome.
Watch Kvelertake performing “Spring Fra Livet” on NRK’s Lydverket in the video above. Meir is due out in March, but we’ll have to wait and see who Kvelertak will release their sophomore album through (they signed to Sony Music Scandinavia overseas, but what about North America?).
[by way of The PRP]
A public memorial service for Ministry/Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia will be held on December 30 in Mansfield, Texas. Meanwhile, an online fundraiser has been launched to help support Scaccia’s family.
Last week, it was announced that Anthrax, Exodus, Municipal Waste and Holy Grail were taking part in the third annual Metal Alliance Tour. And now dates have been announced for the ultimate metal Spring trek, which Metal Insider is proud to be co-sponsoring.
The tour kicks off on March 23 at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas and wraps up on April 20 at Irving Plaza in New York City. General admission tickets go on sale starting January 11. However, VIP tickets that include access to a meet & greet before the show, a VIP laminate, a 11 x 17 tour poster, a Metal Alliance beer koozie, a bottle of High River Sauce’s Hellacious Hot Sauce, and an issue of Revolver Magazine can be ordered now via SoundRink.com. VIP tickets are limited to 50 per market.
As we mentioned before, Anthrax will be performing their classic album Among The Living in its entirety on the tour. And as if it wasn’t exciting enough to see them on the same bill as Exodus, Municipal Waste and Holy Grail, additional bands will be announced in the near future. Check out a complete rundown of dates announced so far after the jump, and keep an eye out on Metal Alliance’s website for more information. Read more »
As you may recall, Clutch invited a handful of journalists, radio programmers and label peeps to watch them perform six songs off their new album, Earth Rocker, at the Machine Shop in Belleville, NJ this past October. The group previously released a video teaser of the secret listening party, giving those not in attendance a small taste of new music. And as promised, Clutch gave fans one hell of an early gift on Christmas Eve: video of them performing the title track off of Earth Rocker.
And no surprise, the song sounds fan-fucking-tastic! Watch Clutch performing the new track for yourself in the video above. Earth Rocker is due out in March 2013 via WeatherMaker Music.
The metal community was shocked this past weekend by the sudden death of Mike Scaccia. Initially, it was reported that the guitarist had suffered a seizure caused by strobe lights while performing with Rigor Mortis this past Saturday night (December 22). However, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office, Scaccia’s death onstage was actually caused by a heart attack brought on by heart disease.
Scaccia’s Rigor Mortis bandmate Bruce Corbitt confirmed the update via the following post on Facebook:
“Please everyone… I know there has been so many rumors and reasons that Mike passed away. This stuff about strobe lights is totally false. I wanted to wait for the official cause of death to be released. But I already knew when it happened. Here is the official word… RIP Mike Scaccia. SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH Due to: ATHEROSCLEROTIC AND HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE”
Corbitt has been paying tribute to his fallen bandmate by sharing numerous anecdotes and vintage photos via his personal Facebook account. The singer also revealed plans to launch an online fundraiser and hold a tribute show in support of Scaccia’s family. Ministry mainman Al Jourgensen also shared his thoughts on the death of his longtime friend and collaborator via the following statement:
“I just lost my lil’ brother and my best friend. The 13th Planet compound is devastated, completely in shock and shattered. Mikey was not only the best guitar player in the history of music, but he was a close, close, close part of our family — and I just lost a huge chunk of my heart today. Our lives are forever changed. Life without Mikey is like orange juice without pulp — kind of bland. I have no words to express what this guy meant to me, my family, my career… everything!
Get to know his lead parts — for they are in the pantheon of music! Unfortunately, most of you didn’t get to know Mikey’s soul — which is in the pantheon of humanity. He is my hero, my friend and my idol. Mikey was always beside me — my right-hand man — through thick and thin, the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.
Rest in peace my brother, my friend, my heart. Please pray for Mike Scaccia and Jenny, his wife and their children, and his family.”
Officials reportedly ruled Scaccia’s passing as a natural death. Scaccia was 47 years old. He is survived by his wife by Jenny Rowen Scaccia, their two children Gianna and Ryder, and his older daughters Sarah and Taarna.
For the past two months, Eluveitie and Wintersun teamed up for what might have been the ultimate folk and symphonic metal co-headlining tour of 2012. With additional help from pagan metal heavyweights Varg, the tour made a stop at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on December 20. The tour has since come to and end. Luckily for us, though, photographer Derek Soto from Sinestra Studios was on hand to document the entire night. So check out a bunch of his photos from the night in the gallery after the jump. Read more »
Posted by Zach Shaw on Mon, Dec 31, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Photos