Archive | Rumors and Gossip
In an era where band breakups and reunions are on six-month cycles, the last thing I need clogging my inbox is another lead that nothing’s changed for System of a Down. Frontman Serj Tankian addressed the rumors, claiming nothing has changed since their “indefinite hiatus” announcement:
“We always have offers to play, from festivals and stuff, but we have not decided to do anything as of yet. We’re in touch. We talk. We call it an indefinite hiatus, and that’s how we still look at it. Nothing’s really changed.”
The rumors started with bassist Shavo Odadjian’s misinterpreted tweets earlier this month.
Tankian will release a live CD/DVD set, Elect The Dead Symphony, on March 9 and is currently recording his next solo album, tentatively titled Music Without Borders.
System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian addressed yesterday’s rumor of a System Of A Down reunion. Rumors he started. Once again from Twitter, where character limits make it the best place to make official statements:
About my “are u guys ready for System?”. I’m not sayin we are back but, if so? U guys ready? SoRry for gettin u guys amped. I’m just seeing
So there you have it. No reunion (yet). Shavo was just curious/really wanted to annoy his fanbase.
System Of A Down’s hiatus may soon be coming to an end, at least according to hints dropped on bassist Shavo Odajian’s Twitter account. On a tweet last night, Odajian asked:
“Are you guys ready for System???”
Adding even more speculation, System Of A Down’s official Twitter account referenced Shavo’s post (note: the post on the official SOAD Twitter has since been removed).
Nothing has been confirmed about the band’s return, which has been on hiatus since 2006. Also, vocalist Serj Tankian has already revealed plans for recording a sophomore solo album.
However, at least three members are collaborating: Odadjian shared the stage with guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan for the first time in years during his Halloween bash in Hollywood. The three also joined the Deftones on stage at a benefit show for bassist Chi Cheng on November 20, where they performed the songs “Toxicity” and “Aerials”.
Could there be truth to the speculation? Either way, maybe we shouldn’t get our hopes up. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time Twitter postings might have misled about reunions.
See a video clip below of Malakian, Odadjian and Dolmayan performing the song “Suite Pee” at their Halloween reunion.
UPDATE: Zakk’s wife and co-manager, Barbaranne Wylde, has confirmed the signing to E1.
UPDATE 2: E1 has confirmed the signing. See the full press release after the jump.
It’s being rumored that legendary guitarist-slash-unintentional humorist Zakk Wylde has signed Black Label Society to E1 Records. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, Wylde has previously announced that a new album is on track for a June release.
This would be an extension of E1’s recent metal spending spree, as the label has signed or released records from high-profile metal acts In Flames, Hatebreed, Otep, Throwdown, Overkill, Satyricon and High On Fire in the last 18 months or so. Signing these acts are likely safe bets for E1, as they have a strong built-in fanbase and don’t need the development work required for new acts. When talking about hardcore fan bases, no one can argue that BLS’ following is one of the most loyal.
We will keep you updated about the signing as more is confirmed.
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While we’re waiting to hear back from various publicists, the internets are atwitter (literally!) with some tidbits regarding a few bands. While the Megadeth/Suicide Silence tour ended last night in Las Vegas, it did so without Suicide Silence on the last two dates. The band’s Twitter account confirmed that they didn’t play Reno or Vegas shows, but doesn’t say why. However, another Twitter post from drummer Alex Lopez, since removed, states “”Dave Mustaine kicked us off the Megadeth tour cuz he wanted to take our laminates for a little incident weeks ago, so we told him to fuck off.” And bassist Dan Kenny posted “I would love a fist fight with Dave Mustaine… I hear he is quite good at MMA; I would triangle him in a second!”
Meanwhile, it appears that Trivium might have parted ways with drummer Travis Smith. Smith had sat out their most recent tour for “personal business,” with former drum tech Nick Augusto filling in. We’ll keep you updated if and when we receive word from the label.
UPDATE: The lineup was announced on 1/20.
We’re big fans of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman has done a great job of curating it in its first two years, bringing together established acts and newer ones while fostering a fun atmosphere for the bands playing it as well. While the lineup for next year’s incarnation has yet to be announced, some bands are starting to hint around that they might be playing it in 2010, including Korn and Hatebreed.
Korn drummer Ray Luzier let slip to Unwired TV that they might be headlining next year’s festival, while Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta recently told SkullsNBones.com that the band would “be on a big summer tour” that they couldn’t officially announce yet. Theprp.com suggests that Rob Zombie will also be involved.
If this shakes out with those three headliners, it sounds kinda like an Ozzfest lineup from ten years ago. Not that that’s a bad thing. Everyone knows that, like Ozzfest, the appetizers are as exciting, if not more exciting than the main course. Zombie, Korn and Hatebreed are bands that will get your older brother to go to Mayhem Fest, and I’m sure that when the whole schedule is announced, there will be a few bands that everyone will psyched to see. At least 2/3rds of those bands will be fun to watch, and if it makes for fuller arenas and a healthier metal scene, everyone wins.
This rumor was so hot, we didn’t even hear it. But apparently Metal Hammer reported over the weekend that a new Fragile-esque Nine Inch Nails album was about to be released as NIN raps up its final tour. And then they retracted. Journalism!
Darkest Hour completed their five-album deal with Victory Records with this year’s The Eternal Return, and a tipster tells us they will be looking to sign with a new label (shocking!).
The last time we heard from Ozzy regarding his search for a new guitar player, he mentioned a mysterious “guy from Greece,” while we all assumed John 5 was the frontrunner.
Said Greek may have now been identified, as Blabbermouth is reporting on a rumor (and they are very adamant about classifying it as such) that Gus G of Firewind (who I am not sure if I am supposed to be familiar with or not) has been given the Blizzcon gig that Zakk Wylde keeps insisting is still his.
So as far as we know, Ozzy is still holding on to his final “backstage pass of love” and hasn’t asked anyone if they will stay in his house and continue to rock his world. We’ll keep you up to speed as we wait on confirmation.
Meanwhile, MetalSucks is trying their damnedest to figure out how this will play out.
Blabbermouth (via The Pulse Of Radio) is reporting that although Korn has yet to announce a new recording contract, vocalist Jonathan Davis has reportedly signed his own solo deal with Warner Music Group:
The Pulse of Radio reports: Although KORN itself has not announced a new recording contract, singer Jonathan Davis has apparently signed a solo deal with the Warner Music Group. Davis makes a guest appearance on the new album from ex-FAITH NO MORE frontman Chuck Mosley, and he’s listed as appearing “courtesy of Warner Bros. Records.” A management spokesperson confirmed the deal to HardDrive Radio.
Davis has been working on his debut solo album for months, with plans to release it in late 2009 or early 2010. Davis told The Pulse Of Radio that he wants the album to be “very world music-y and dark, heavy, Peter Gabriel-esque type music.” Oh boy.
Posted by Dan Rodriguez on Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 11:37 am
Rumors and Gossip