NIGHTWISH Part Ways With Vocalist Anette Olzon Following The Singers Hospitalization - Official Statement Available!

According to Classic Rock, NIGHTWISH's Anette Olzon was forced to sit out the band's show in Denver, Colorado, this past weekend.

Her place was taken by support band Kamelot's backing singers Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist). Olzon explains: "I got very ill and thought it was a kidney stone. I got worse in the evening and started vomiting heavily. The hospital said I should cancel the show and come straight to the ER. I was there all night and they did blood tests, ultrasounds on my kidneys and finally a CT scan. The tests didn't show why I was so ill, but probably the stomach pain has a connection with me having the flu, or just stress.

"They did find something else, though, and for that I'm grateful – if I didn't do the scan, I wouldn't know there's a big cyst in my liver and I need to go check it out at home."

Writing on her official blog, Olzon voiced her displeasure over the fact that NIGHTWISH played a concert without her, stating, "I was never asked if it was OK they used Elize and Alissa in the show [Friday] night. I don't think it's a good decision they made and I'm sorry for those of you who came to see the whole band but got something else. But I was very ill and this decision wasn't mine."

She continued in a separate posting, "This is just music. Like life, sometimes we get ill and shows do get canceled. Rihanna wouldn't ask Britney Spears to sing for her if she was ill."

She concluded, "To think a show is more important than the humans in the band is, for me, so totally not in this world."

Today, the band has released the following statement regarding the future of the band:

"Another chapter of the NIGHTWISH story has ended today. NIGHTWISH and Anette Olzon have decided to part company, in mutual understanding, for the good of all parties involved.

"In recent times it has become increasingly obvious that the direction and the needs of the band were in conflict, and this has led to a division from which we cannot recover.

"NIGHTWISH has no intention of cancelling any upcoming shows, and as a result we have decided to bring in a substitute vocalist starting in Seattle 1.10.2012. Her name is Floor Jansen from the Netherlands (ex-AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP), and she has graciously stepped in to help us complete the ”Imaginaerum” world tour.

"We are all strongly committed to this journey, this vehicle of spirit, and we are sure that this will lead to a brighter future for everyone.

"We forever remain excited about the adventures to come, and we are extremely proud of the two beautiful albums and the wonderful shows we shared together."

- NIGHTWISH & Anette Olzon

We wish Anette a speedy recovery and NIGHTWISH the best of luck on their NEW venture!

Related links:
Nightwish

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Reveal Details For 'Alive Or Just Breathing' 10th Anniversary Tour!

'Alive or Just Breathing' was released on May 21, 2002 via Roadrunner Records, and it is the second studio album by New England Metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE! 'Alive or Just Breathing' was the bands debut album on Roadrunner and was recorded from October 2001 to February 2002. Produced by the bands guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (who is also a drummer), the record was among the first of the Metalcore genre, which combined elements of Heavy Metal and Hardcore. 'Alive or Just Breathing' is viewed as a defining moment for the genre and was well praised upon its release by fans and critics. The lyrics, which were all written by vocalist Jesse Leach, were aimed to bring a positive message through the music.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have just announced a U.S. tour with SHADOWS FALL and ACARO. And yes, the band will be performing 'Alive Or Just Breathing' in its entirety as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their groundbreaking album. Add this to the face that vocalist Jesse Leach is back in full force, and this promises to be one of the best tours of the year! Here are the tour dates that have been confirmed thus far:

- 11/24: San Bernardino, CA at NOS Event Center (California Metalfest VI)
- 11/25: San Francisco, CA at Slims
- 11/27: Seattle, WA at Studio Seven
- 11/28: Portland, OR at Hawthorne
- 11/30: Boulder, CO at Fox Theater
- 12/01: Kansas City, KS at Beaumont Club
- 12/02: Dallas, TX at Trees
- 12/04: Tampa, FL at State Theater
- 12/05: Pensacola, FL at Vinyl
- 12/07: Asheville, NC at Orange Peel
- 12/08: Atlanta, GA at Masquerade
- 12/10: Chicago, IL at Bottom Lounge
- 12/11: Columbus, OH at Alrosa Villa
- 12/12: Toronto, ON at Opera House
- 12/14: Buffalo, NY at Town Ballroom
- 12/16: Lancaster, PA at Chameleon Club
- 12/17: Brooklyn, NY at Willamsburg Music Hall
- 12/18: Burlington, VT at Higher Ground
- 12/19: Northampton, MA at Pearl Street
- 12/20: Portland, ME at State Theater



Related links:
Killswitch Engage
Shadows Fall
Acaro

DOWN: Philip Anselmo Pays Tribute To LED ZEPPELIN's John Bonham In New York City - Video Available!

DOWN is about to wrap up their short U.S. tour with SAINT VITUS, WARBEAST and HAARP; the last show of the tour takes place tomorrow (October 2) in Charlotte, NC at the Tremont Music Hall. For the select few that had the chance to catch this unique sonic assault of doom driven music, it is evident that Philip Anselmo hand picked three bands that fit DOWN's dynamic sound like a boxing glove.

As DOWN celebrates the release of the "Purple EP", the European fans of the band better be preparing their ear drums for the return of the band to the old continent.

This past Friday, September 28, DOWN brought their amazing live concert to New York City's Best Buy Theater. At the very end of their set, Philip Anselmo paid tribute to LED ZEPPELIN's John Bonham (whose death anniversary took place last week). Here is video evidence of this kickass moment:



Last week, DOWN is premiered a music video for their NEW song "Witchtripper". Watch it HERE!

U.S. Tour Dates (*) with Saint Vitus, Warbeast and HAARP (Remaining Tour Dates):

10/02: Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall

European Tour Dates (*):

10/19: Manchester, UK – O2 Academy
10/20: Birmingham, UK – HMV Institute
10/21: London, UK – Roundhouse
10/23: Antwerp, Belgium – Trix Hall
10/24: Paris, France – Bataclan
10/25: Holland, Amsterdam – Melkweg
10/27: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – Den Atelier

*: More tour dates to be added

Tickets and more information HERE!

DOWN 'EP ONE' track listing:

1) 'Levitation'

2) 'Witchtripper'
3) 'Open Coffins'
4) 'The Curse Is A Lie'
5) 'This Work Is Timeless'

6) 'The Misfortune Teller'

Where to order online:

Down IV Part I the Purple Ep on cd available at amazon.com. Click here.

Down IV Part I the Purple Ep on cd available at bestbuy.com. Click here.

Down IV Part I the Purple Ep and bundles on sale at down-nola.com. Click here.

Starting Sept 18, the full album and individual songs in mp3 format will be available from Amazon.com for download. Click here.

Down IV Part I the Purple Ep is available for pre-order from iTunes. Click here.

Video by: Zulie Alvarez (www.zuliephotographierocks.com/)

Related links:

DOWN

MACHINE FU&*ING HEAD To Release NEW Batch Of LIVE Recordings - Full Details Available!

As previously reported, Bay Area Metallers MACHINE HEAD were honored with the "Best International Band" award at the 2012 Metal Hammer Awards in Berlin, Germany! As we all know, the best way to experience the almighty Machine Head is in the live setting. The Northern California band has established itself as one of the best live acts in the Hard Rock and Metal world, bringing venues and crowds to their knees with flawless onstage execution of their songs. Few, if any, of their peers can deliver the type of sweat-soaked, utterly deafening and fully punishing live sets that the band turns in night after night with near-religious fervor in their native U.S. and across the globe.

That's why the band, who routinely shake the bedrock and foundation of venues, had to put its live fury on tape…again.

The band will release 'Machine Fucking Head Live' on November 13. It's Machine Head's second live effort; 'Hellalive' was released in 2003. Nine years have passed and Machine Head still slay and administer a "Bay Area Beatdown" in the live realm.

The band, affectionately known as "Machine Fucking Head" to their fans, who are in turn affectionately known as "Head Cases" and often sing louder than the band at shows, has effectively captured its live firepower.

'Machine Fucking Head Live' was recorded at various tour stops across the globe last year. It includes songs from the band's expansive catalog, including pit-stirring crowd favorites such as "Imperium," "Aesthetics of Hate," "Locust" "Ten Ton Hammer," "This Is The End" and of course, "Halo."

"The Head Cases have been so intense on this tour cycle that we had to start capturing the shows, especially with technology making it so much easier to record," said frontman Robb Flynn. "We culled some of the best nights where the band and crowd were on fire and made a bad ass, nearly two-hour, double live album, which is a great documentation of where the band is at 18 years deep."

Machine Head continue to support their latest masterwork, 2011's 'Unto the Locust'. The single "Darkness Within" is shipping to Rock radio in early October and the band will embark on a "must see" fall tour with Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder in October (details below).

'Machine Fucking Head Live' Track Listing:

1. I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)
2. Be Still and Know
3. Imperium
4. Beautiful Mourning
5. The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears
6. Locust
7. This Is the End
8. Aesthetics of Hate
9. Old
10. Darkness Within
11. Bulldozer
12. Ten Ton Hammer
13. Who We Are
14. Halo
15. Davidian

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

GUNS N' ROSES: Axl Rose To Appear On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

 
This just in: the controversial GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose will be appearing on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Wednesday, October 24. This will be the first time in over 20 years that Rose takes part of a sit-down, live television broadcast interview in more than 20 years! While Rose appeared on VH1 Classic's THAT METAL SHOW last November, THAT METAL SHOW is a pre-recorded show (for which he showed up hours late).

The appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (IF he shows up) is another in a series of firsts for the celebrated GUNS N' ROSES frontman, who will spend this fall at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a 12-night run of shows. The historic "Appetite For Democracy" residency will run October 31 through November 24.

If would like to participate in Rose's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" can visit www.jimmykimmellive.com for ticket information.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs weeknights at 12 AM PT/11 PM CT on ABC.

Related links:
GUNS N' ROSES
Jimmy Kimmel Live