White Noise: News on Megadeth, Nirvana, Killswitch Engage, Def Leppard and More
We doubt any of you watched the MTV Video Music Awards last night (unless you're girlfriend made you watch, in which case, dump that broad), because we sure as hell didn't. Given there isn't even a metal or hard rock video category, why would we? Still, we have to ask a question: Does anyone else consider the VMAs a complete contradiction in terms? Look, this writer can't even remember the last time he watched an actual video on MTV, and I'm not the only one. During this year's awards, even artists like Green Day were imploring the channel to play more videos, and not just glut its primetime lineup with fabricated reality shows. The VMAs used to be an epic event, where everyone was honored ... but within the last 10 years, they've become nothing more than a humorless platform for vapid, flash-in-the-pan pop stars. And you wouldn't mind, but the VMAs aren't aired just once ... but over and over and over again. Whatever. It's just weird that Slipknot weren't even nominated for 'Psychosocial.' Anyways, it's Monday, and we've got a wrap-up of all the metal news that happened over the weekend. Let's get it on!
+ During a recent interview, Megadeth's Dave Mustaine was asked about those rumors suggesting the band will hit the road with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, and doesn't rule it out as a possibility. "I'm not gonna rule anything out. And as much as I'm trying to tap-dance around in this, it's just gossip and rumors," says Mustaine. "I think that there's a couple of things that, if that was gonna happen, they would have to be ironed out, and there's a lot of stuff. I mean, besides the personal stuff, which is always gonna be there. It's just a matter of how we're progressing in our spiritual walk that we can deal with those things from the past and not perpetuate it going forward.
"I don't wanna keep breaking open those old wounds; I would rather that they stay healed. I've made my best attempts at passing around olive branches and I think that it's not gonna get any better unless there's something on the horizon for me just by continuing to be supportive of these other guys and look at who I am and be happy with that." In other news, Mustaine has taken to the band's Web site, and admits not everyone will like the band's new album 'Endgame,' "but you would have to be a complete cotton-headed brain donor to say that it sucks. Just the ability of my bandmates are something to behold and revere."
+ Tim 'Ripper' Owens was performing in Sweden Saturday night with his new project Hail! when someone in the audience bit his leg. "It is true," Owens told Blabbermouth. "He was singing and got so excited, he grabbed my leg and bit it. Then I kicked him and hit him in the head. He was a big fan, though, so I didn't let them kick him out and it was fine."
+ Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D'Antonio was asked to respond to Slayer guitarist Kerry King's latest comments that KsE are silly on stage. "They don't get it, and probably never will, that you can actually be in a metal band and have fun, and smile," says Mike D. "You can do things differently than other metal bands have ever done. We just like to have a good time. We just a party band, and I think that comes from punk-rock roots where anything goes. A lot of the old guys think it has to be straight-forward or nothing, and that's their loss, I guess."
+ Firewind guitarist Gus G. played his second concert with Ozzy Osbourne over the weekend, along with Ozzy's longtime drummer Mike Bordin, who has been busy lately with the Faith No More reunion run. Some might take this is a bad sign for Zakk Wylde. We know we do.
+ According to Courtney Love's attorney, there's a problem with 'Guitar Hero 5.' In the game, players can use an avatar of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain to get through the game. Love's lawyer says his client did give permission for the game makers to use Cobain's name and likeness, but she never agreed to allow the game's makers to depict Kurt as singing Bon Jovi songs. "Activision is exploiting Kurt's image in a manner anathema to the very essence of his music, spirit and essence," the lawyer says. "I, along with Ms. Cobain, hope those who love Kurt's music strongly voice their sentiments to Activision and demand his image not be debased by singing the songs of Bon Jovi."
+ Throwdown will release its new album, 'Deathless,' on Nov. 10. Mark your calendars.
+ Satan's Host will release their new album, 'Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection: 999,' on Oct. 26. The album is said to be very diverse, with "a wide array of dark melodies, which fill the demonic soul with a serenade unto the dark lord."
+ It looks like Def Leppard and Cheap Trick will be touring again later this year. So far, only three dates on that tour have been revealed: Oct. 22 in Reno, Nev.; Oct. 24 in Boise, Idaho; and Oct. 25 in Spokane, Wash.
+ Shadows Fall's new album 'Retribution' hits stores tomorrow, but you can hear the entire disc right now by clicking this link.
+ Dying Fetus and the Faceless will team up for a tour this fall with Vital Remains, Annotations of an Autopsy and Enfold Darkness. The trek kicks off on Nov. 27 in Manchester, N.H.
+ The Chariot, Oh, Sleeper, We Came As Romans and Dead and Divine will embark on a quick tour starting Oct. 12 in Crofton, Md. Dates are booked through Nov. 1 in Oklahoma City.