Fearwire

New Jersey-based “mathcore” act THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN has set “One Of Us Is The Killer” as the title of its fifth full-length album, due in May through the band’s own Party Smasher Inc., in partnership with Sumerian Records in North America. Party Smasher’s partnership with BMG covers the rest of the world, including licensing deals with Grind House for Japan and Remote Control in Australia.

“One Of Us Is The Killer” was recorded in Southern California with longtime producer Steve Evetts (GLASSJAW, THE CURE, SUICIDE SILENCE), with additional production at guitarist/co-founder Ben Weinman’s studio. Mastering will be handled by Tom Baker (DEFTONES, NINE INCH NAILS, BEASTIE BOYS).

The album represents a new holistic pinnacle of the band’s constantly evolving and engaging dynamics.

Read more

David Farrier of New Zealand’s 3 News conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya during this year’s Soundwave festival in Australia. You can watch the report at this location.

Speaking about how the band’s live performances have changed since SLAYER’s inception more than 30 years ago, Araya said: “The only difference with me now is I can’t headbang anymore as I have a plate. I can’t do that which is a bum-out. That’s something I enjoy doing, and now I can’t. It’s an internal struggle, you know what I mean? [But] I can still go out there and scream my ass off, and play a mean bass and smile a lot.”

Asked how SLAYER became so happy, Araya said: “Because everyone is having a good time and smiling, and I start smiling. I can’t help but laugh. I mean, it’s SLAYER, you want, ‘Arrrgh.’ I don’t see that — I see smiles as they are getting hit in the head.”

Read more

Apple Valley, California’s TO HUMANS, the new alternative rock project featuring drummer Jeremy Lombardo (son of SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo), has released a brand new self-titled EP. The five-track effort is available for purchase now via their official Bandcamp page. TO HUMANS also features lyricist/vocalist/guitarist Danny Toranzo and bassist Ace Anderson.

Jeremy Lombardo states: “When we perform, we’re definitely not your average indie rock band. We definitely all have a connection to each other when we perform live. There’s a certain spirit that we all feel and we try our hardest to impress and share that emotion and spirit that we feel with our audiences.”

Read more

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo is sitting out the band’s current Australian tour due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group, while guitarist Jeff Hanneman is still recovering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease which he is believed to have gotten from a spider bite. Filling in for them are Jon Dette (TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) and Gary Holt (EXODUS), respectively.

In a new posting on his Facebook page, Lombardo writes: “I have always known that my fans were awesome! But never has it been more clear to me than in the past two weeks how passionate, supportive and sincere you really are. Thank you for all your kind responses and I hope to see you all very soon.”

Read more

Heavy music presenter Christina Rowatt of Soundwave TV conducted an interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King on Sunday (February 24) at the Sydney stop of this year’s Soundwave festival in Australia. You can now watch the chat in two parts below.

On how stand-in drummer Jon Dette is doing on the Soundwave festival tour:

Kerry: “It’s amazing that yesterday was the fifth time we played — period. It was just devastating; it was awesome. He’s doing really good, because if we didn’t say anything and nobody was paying attention, you wouldn’t know. So that means he’s doing a great job… It’s amazing. He was completely out of playing for awhile, he told me. And then to just be at the level of playing that he is, it’s really awesome.”

“Last Tuesday. I [first] hit [Dette] up [about playing with us at Soundwave]. And in the thought process, I’m thinking big picture. I”m like, ‘How are we gonna get a visa for whoever goes with us?’ I went, ‘Alright, Jon’s with ANTHRAX. Jon knows our stuff. If he couldn’t do it, I don’t think I could have taught it to anybody in time. So we rehearsed three times and the first show was Brisbane.”

Read more

Heavy music presenter Christina Rowatt of Soundwave TV conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya earlier today (Saturday, February 23) at the Brisbane stop of this year’s Soundwave festival in Australia. You can now watch the chat below.

On the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band’s new album:

Tom: “They’re actually working on new stuff. And I’m hoping… well, now. We’re gonna continue working on stuff. [laughs] No comment! [laughs]”

Read more

SLAYER has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding the band’s decision to replace drummer Dave Lombardo for the upcoming Australian tour:

“SLAYER confirms that Jon Dette will drum for the band on its Australian tour that starts this Saturday, February 23 in Brisbane. As regards Dave Lombardo’s Facebook post, SLAYER does not agree with Mr. Lombardo’s substance or the timeline of the events, except to acknowledge that Mr. Lombardo came to the band less than a week before their scheduled departure for Australia to present an entirely new set of terms for his engagement that were contrary to those that had been previously agreed upon. The band was unable to reach an agreement on these new demands in the short amount of time available prior to leaving for Australia. There is more to the account than what Mr. Lombardo has offered, but out of respect to him, SLAYER will not be commenting further. SLAYER is grateful to its Australian fans for their understanding of this unfortunate last-minute change, and very much looks forward to seeing them at these shows.”

Lombardo released a statement last night indicating that he was being replaced for SLAYER’s Australian dates after he requested access to detailed information and the necessary backup documents regarding how the band’s tour income was being distributed. According to the drummer, 90% of SLAYER’s tour revenue is “being deducted as expenses, including the professional fees paid to management, costing the band millions of dollars and leaving 10% or less to split amongst the four of us.”

Read more

Several metal musicians have weighed in on SLAYER’s decision to replace drummer Dave Lombardo (pictured below) for the upcoming Australian tour following a disagreement over internal financial issues. According to the drummer, 90% of SLAYER’s tour revenue is “being deducted as expenses, including the professional fees paid to management, costing the band millions of dollars and leaving 10% or less to split amongst the four of us.”

Russ Strahan (HOUNDS OF HASSELVANDER, PENTAGRAM, LAND OF DOOM): “I have a deep respect for SLAYER and their music. This is one of the original thrash metal bands and a band that so many have been influenced by. Like most, I am shocked by the current situation but I have to say, being a musician who has been in several bands and has toured, there are things that go deeper than people outside the band realize.

Read more

According to Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah, SLAYER has tapped drummer Jon Dette (pictured below) to sit to sit behind the kit for the California thrash band’s appearances on this year’s festival tour, which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, February 23 in Brisbane, Australia.

Asked by a fan via Twitter if SLAYER was pulling out Soundwave after drummer Dave Lombardo revealed that he was not going to be joining his bandmates on this year’s trek, Maddah said, “No. Dette is already here and knows SLAYER songs well.”

Dette joined SLAYER in 1996 when Paul Bostaph left to work on his side project, THE TRUTH ABOUT SEAFOOD. Dette performed with SLAYER at the 1996 Ozzfest to promote the band’s covers album, “Undisputed Attitude”.

Prior to joining SLAYER, Dette appeared on TESTAMENT’s “Live At The Fillmore” album, which came out in 1995.

Read more

from: Bloody-disgusting.com

Yesterday, we reported that The Acacia Strain were forced to drop off their current tour with Veil Of Maya due to a serious van accident. It was said that crew and band members needed to go to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. However, that was all that we heard.