R.I.P
Billy Powell, a longtime keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd who survived the band’s 1977 plane crash, died at his condo early on Jan. 28, according to police. He complained that he was having trouble breathing. 911 was called, but first responders were unsuccessful in their efforts to resuscitate him. Current Skynyrd singer Johnny Van Zant spent 22 years with Powell in the band and said the band took the news of his death very hard. “You know, they say they’ve got one hell of a band up in heaven. My brother Ronnie up in heaven is probably saying, ‘Billy, what took you so long?’ I’m sure they’re catching up on things in heaven.” No foul play is suspected. Powell was 56.
Releases
Helstar’s The King Of Hell is out now through Locomotive Records… Explode is the latest effort from DC4 featuring Armored Saint’s Jeff Duncan and Rowan Robertson (guitarist on Dio’s under-rated Lock Up The Wolves)… Two classic albums by thrash legends Testament, ‘97’s Demonic and ‘99’s The Gathering, will be reissued on gatefold double vinyl by Prosthetic Records on Feb. 3. Each will feature etched artwork on Side D and be limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. Additionally, 100 copies of Demonic will feature red vinyl, while 100 copies of The Gathering will have gold vinyl. Pre-orders can be placed at store.prostheticrecords.com… On Mar. 24, Leaves’ Eyes double-DVD and double-live CD, We Came With The Northern Winds – En Saga I Belgia, will be released in the US… Queensryche’s American Soldier is due this spring… Candlemass’ Death Magic Doom hits store shelves on Apr. 3… Keel has reformed and signed with Chavis Records. Expect to see a new CD by the summer to coincide with band’s appearance at the third annual installment of Rocklahoma…
Feel like going to Sweden?
If ever there was a music festival that needs to be seen, it’s the Sweden Rock Festival taking place June 3 – 6, with over 40 bands. Notables include Flogging Molly, Jon Oliva’s Pain, Kamelot, Demon, Voivod, Thor, Impellitteri, Heaven And Hell, In Flames, Europe, ZZ Top, Riot, HammerFall, Uriah Heep, Motorhead, Lita Ford, Marillion and Torch. More will be added in the coming months.
Major kudos
As if it was ever in doubt, Metallica was recently inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, as were Beck and Run DMC…To celebrate their 25th anniversary, SPV Records has scheduled a number of retail and reissue campaigns throughout ‘09. The new year will kick off with five download samplers, covering the themes Power Metal, Classic Rock Tracks Live, Thrash ´Em All, German Metal and Women In Rock. They’re now available at special prices from most any download store.
February sees the arrival of LP reissues of Accept’s Restless & Wild and Breaker; Hall Of The Mountain King, Streets, Power Of The Night and Gutter Ballet by Savatage, The Crucible Of Man (on double LP) by Iced Earth and Ghost Opera and The Black Halo by Kamelot. Throughout the year they’ll also reissue many classic titles from Axel Rudi Pell, Sodom and Destruction, among others. Congrats and many thanks to SPV and their staff for their loyal support of the HB [and for having all these great bands! — Editor].
Tours
Tesla plays the House Of Blues on Feb. 7… Cattle Decapitation descends on The Lounge On Elm Street Feb. 10… Cradle Of Filth and Satyricon are at the HOB on Feb. 17, with Jonny Lang there Feb. 28… Wednesday 13 is at The Door the same evening… Skeletonwitch stops by Club Dada on Mar. 18… Queensryche will be here in May… Saxon is currently booking a late summer US tour, with a possible Rocklahoma appearance thrown in for good measure.
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