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Chronicling the last five years in the preparation of Down’s new album ‘III – Over the Under’ Phil Anselmo will be updating the official Down website over the coming month with all the highs and lows until the release of the album. It is Phil’s personal communication with Down’s loyal fan base. You can see the first instalment below:

“It is clear that I have not personally addressed the people. Fans of the music I've created with other bands old and new, and more importantly the new Down venture. Nor have I made any statements via Internet, radio, 'music' magazines, 'music' television, etc. I apologize, in all humbleness to the loyal, but today is the now, and I choose to communicate on my own terms. In my own words.

“Here is the story of Down – 'Over the Under':

“The end of 04' into 05' were two of the worst years for myself, everyone I know, or ever have, in the history of our young lives. A time of mourning of the highest gravity, I cannot put it into any form of explanation here, nor will I attempt to. (R.I.P. Darrell, in the true spirit of the most lofty love).

“Rex [Brown, bass] and I remained in constant contact. We had our separate therapists, in separate states, however, most importantly, we had one another for extended, real, therapy, then, and now.

“Later, in June (05'), after months of grief, that seemed like decades, I had just been cleared for neurosurgery. I was ecstatic.

“I was asked to jam with Eyehategod (unforgettable!) in New York at CBGB. The day before we did the gig, I was turned on to an incredible band named Witchcraft (first LP)/(respect and love to all of you!!) I was at Paul Booth's 'Last Rites' tattoo shop with EHG (much love brother!/thanks Sarah). The music blew me, and everyone else in the room away. Something else was out there. Being played pure and real. Jimmy Bower and I made eye contact, and telepathy ran its course between us. The first person I thought of was Pepper Keenan [Down guitarist]…

“I hadn't seen him in two years. It was my obligation, and need, to reach out. I did the gig, got on a plane back to New Orleans, took a cab straight to Pep's house, and beat on his door at a well past 10:00 p.m. with the Witchcraft CD in tow. He opened the door, surprised and glad to see me. We sat and caught up for a while, then listened to the CD from the beginning 'till the last note. I noticed he would glance at me, and I at him acknowledging the classic and clever turnarounds and subtle hooks. I felt the telepathy. After the listening session, I told him of my 'awakening,' my upcoming medical agenda, and that I was 'returned.' I called a cab, and when it arrived, we hugged one another, and looked each other in the eye, and I saw his trepidation. I felt it. I had A LOT to prove. And my actions would have to speak volumes, to everyone close to me, who had to walk away, but I had planted a seed. The seed.

“I got home, and over the next few days, and made some imperative phone calls. I called Jim, whom I knew would be ecstatic that Pepper and I had finally made contact, and all went well. I was also very proud to be with Jim. He and I had been through so much together, and to have him as a part of my life, and ours (any and everybody!!!), is an honor. The only drummer for Down. Jim is also one of the most underrated drummers today.

“More importantly, Jim was in.

“I called Rex, and once again, telepathy, was obviously in epidemic proportion between us all. He was ready, waiting for the word. His own gears were already in motion, through association with an old, dear friend of ours, that I had lost touch with for over a decade.

“Rex was in.

“Now, when it comes to Kirk [Windstein, guitar], I have known him the longest. For 27 years it has been a seamless relationship. We know each other so well. There has never been a lie between us. There cannot be and never will. To play in a band together has always been a dream of ours, fulfilled, sporadically, throughout recordings and brief touring. As a person alone, he is as irreplaceable as he is unique. Loved by myself, and all who happen to cross his path in life. He is also irreplaceable as a musician, and a member of Down. I called Kirk with the news, and I already knew what his reply would be,

“Kirk was in.

“I called Ross Karpelman (keyboards).

“Ross was in.

“All that was left to do was to have the time to let the seed planted into everyone's psyche begin to take root…

“Eventually, we would all sit together, and talk this thing out. The telephone rapport became more frequent between all of us. We were ready to jam….Before we realized it, the next few weeks flew by into late August….

Installment II coming soon.

SOURCE: BLABBERMOUTH

While performing in Norway, a fan filmed the awesome Satyricon track ‘The Pentagram Burns’. You can watch the clip at YouTube. ‘Now, Diabolical’ is Satyricon’s latest album and is number 2 in the Norwegian chart!

SOURCE: BLABBERMOUTH

Roadrunner Records Germany recently interviewed Divine Heresy’s Dino Cazares (ex- Fear Factory) and Tony Cummings, you can watch the clip at this location.

The official live debut of Divine Heresy was photographed and you can view the pictures at this location. The commercial for their album ‘Bleed the Fifth’ can be viewed at YouTube.

SOURCE: BLABBERMOUTH

Those Megadeth boys like to keep us informed of all the goings on in the world of Megadeth, and drummer Shawn Drover is no exception! Check out his update below under the forums section of the official Megadeth website:

“So I see now that we have confirmed Perth and Adelaide (Australia) as well as Jakarta, Indonesia to our Pacific Rim leg of the 'United Abominations' tour, which, for me personally, is very cool as I have yet to perform in these areas yet (hopefully, with time permitting, do a little exploring on my own as well). It's always fun for me to go somewhere new, so this tour leg poses to be a good one (well, they all are, really).

“I have just been made aware from my friends at Vic Firth, that my new custom MEGADETH/Shawn Drover graphic drumsticks are ready for this U.S. tour leg and beyond. I am toying with the idea of labeling each pair I use (date, city used, etc.) and puting them on our eBay site in the not-so-distant future. When you do see them, you will see just what I am talking about. More on that soon…

“As you have been kept well informed here on this website, we have a lot of cool things on the MEGA-horizon — some of it you have been made aware of, some of it you have not when things do become solidified, of course it will become public information right here, and remember, if you dont read it here first, it's usually a load of dross.”

Their US tour will head off on the 4th September taking in 24 U.S. cities ending on 6th October. ‘United Abominations’ is the current release from Megadeth and is available to buy online at this location.

Mainman Dave Mustaine has also issued an update, which you can view below:

“I have been trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to record a podcast and it is not sounding too good. I think the studio has made me too picky. Anyway, I will be sending this MegaFanClub-only [MEGADETH's official fan club] podcast of answers to '10 Questions' and some small updates regularly.

“I was thinking of asking Justis [Dave's son] to ask me the questions, but his new quest to play in the Superbowl has drawn him away from music; and he is pretty good too so it is sad.

“Maybe I will ask Electra [Dave's daughter], but she is currently starting filming a television show with wrestling legend Bill Goldberg's lovely and talented wife Wanda Goldberg about taking care of animals and I am sure there will be more to post once the show officially launches its press campaign. I am sure I will get it done, and in the mean time today when I was going over the questions, I noticed how excited some of you were in the questions. Well, I am excited to answer your questions and give you updates on all-things-MEGA.

“I am sorry but the '10 Questions' are only going to be for MegaFanClub members, and members should send in only one question; multiple questions or two-part questions may not be delivered through to make it into my hands on the road. But there will be samples of it here to give you a peek at what they will sound like.

“I just approved some really great new items for your MEGADETH merchandise collection, and we are halfway done with the talent lineup for Gigantour in the States next year. “We have a contest coming up surrounding the guitar I will be using in the [upcoming MEGADETH] video [for 'Never Walk Alone…A Call To Arms']. And we are considering letting the fan club members know where the location of the shoot is.”

SOURCE: BLABBERMOUTH

Soulfly performed this August at Hungary’s Sziget Festival, before mammoth frontman Max Cavalera took to the stage his was interviewed by Hungary’s “Kett

A three-part video interview with DOWN members Pepper Keenan (guitar; also in CORROSION OF CONFORMITY) and Rex Brown (bass; ex-PANTERA) conducted by Australia's Undercover News has been posted at this location.

DOWN has just completed an Australian tour as the support act for HEAVEN AND HELL.

The band will embark on a North American headlining tour beginning late September.

DOWN will release its third album, “III – Over the Under”, on September 25 through ILG/Warner Music Group. Producer Warren Riker (CROWBAR, SUBLIME) helmed the effort, for which the band composed more than 18 tracks.

Source: Blabbermouth

August 17th, Triviumworld.com members will be able to partake in a scheduled LIVE online chat with Trivium.

The chat will be held at 6:30pm CST (11:30pm GMT) this Friday, and will run approximately thirty minutes to an hour.

Anyone that is a member of Triviumworld.com is able to join in on the chat and ask any questions you wish, or just have a good conversation with them.

If you're not a member of Triviumworld.com you can join today and gain this and many other benefits that are added daily. Click here to visit triviumworld.com now!

Source: Blabbermouth

Guitarist Travis Miguel demonstrates life on the road for Atreyu in the video below.

With their new album 'Lead Sails, Paper Anchor' slated for a August 27th release date, see just how glamorous life on the road is for Atreyu?

Watch the video

Sourced from Blabbermouth

Roadrunner Records has issued a series of behind-the-scenes video clips from DREAM THEATER's current “Systematic Chaos” tour. Go to this location to check out the following clips:

* Phoenix Before Show
* Dallas Backstage
* Ant Placement
* Kansas City After Show
* Signing Autographs
* Petrucci Warming Up
* Denver Backstage
* Smell The Glove???

DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie was interviewed by Andrew Haug of Triple J's “Full Metal Racket” (based in Australia) on Tuesday, August 7. Download the 21-minute interview in MP3 format at this location (8.5 MB).

Roadrunner Records U.K. has released DREAM THEATER's latest album, “Systematic Chaos”, on limited double vinyl.

DREAM THEATER's video for the song “Constant Motion” has been posted on YouTube. The track comes off “Systematic Chaos”, which has sold 78,000 copies in the United States since its June 5 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

A 15-minute audio interview with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, conducted by Norway's Metal Express Radio in England the day before the band's appearance at the Download festival, has been posted online at this location.

Source: Blabbermouth