Heavy Metal Power

I can’t even explain how magical Jerry’s drumming is. I really hope he’s OK and back to full rocking health soon.

Jerry Gaskill, the 54-year-old drummer and singer for the progressive hard rock band KING’S X, suffered a heart attack Saturday night (February 25). The musician was operated on and is said to be in stable condition.

KING’S X was scheduled to launch a three-week tour on March 28 in Austin. There is no word yet on whether those dates will be postponed or canceled.

UPDATES from Dug Pinnick

Jerry update! things are the same, sedated and on ventelator., but, he has developed another lung problem along with the pneumonia. So they are going to do a trakiatamy on him to make it easier for him to breath

Update! Jerry is still sedated and no change, the antibiotics are working on the pneumonia. Dr. says he’s not alarmed, these things will take time. He will recover. Thanks for your support, prayers, and love.
For everyone who asked where to send a card for Jerry…the address is: Riverview Hospital 1 River Plaza Red Bank NJ 07701 For patient Jerry Gaskill. Since he is in ICU flowers are not accepted.

I’m one of those old schoolers who thinks Overkill’s 1st album is the ultimate Overkill release, far better than anything they’ve ever done since then. But this song song is pretty cool despite its overt modern production, ultra compression and synthetic sounding drums. Listen to it before youtube takes it down (although it appears to be edited).

“Electric Rattlesnake” is from the upcoming album “The Electric Age”, due to be released on March 27th via eOne Music and March 30th in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records. The Electric Age was recorded and mixed at Gain Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by bassist D.D. Verni.

“The Electric Age” tracklist:
01. Come And Get It
02. Electric Rattlesnake
03. Wish You Were Dead
04. Drop The Hammer
05. Save Yourself
06. Black Daze
07. 21st Century Man
08. Old Wounds, New Scars
09. All Over But The Shouting
10. Good Night

Scifi thrashers Vektor are touring… YES!!

Vektor 2012 West Coast Tour Dates
Feb 08 The Launch Pad Albuquerque, NM
Feb 09 Blastomat w/ Speedwolf, Cling… Denver, CO
Feb 10 Tenacious Brothers Grand Junction, CO
Feb 11 Burt’s Tiki Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
Feb 12 The Shredder w/ Abigail Williams Boise, ID
Feb 13 East End Portland, OR
Feb 14 Funhouse Seattle, WA
Feb 15 Backspace w/ transient, Spell… Portland, OR
Feb 16 The Lazarus Pit (house) Eugene, OR
Feb 17 Alibi Arcata, CA
Feb 18 Rockit Room w/ Absu, Battlemast… San Francisco, CA
Feb 19 Echo w/ Exmortus, Witchaven Los Angeles, CA
Feb 20 Ruby Room w/ Witchaven San Diego, CA

Another hero gone. Mark Reale, band leader of Riot for so many years has died. It’s staggering to look back at the number of fantastic metal classics this guy has been not only part of, but the main songwriter of. This guy’s been putting out records for nearly 35 years!

I consider the following must own classics:

Rock City (1977)
Narita (1979)
Fire Down Under (1981)
Restless Breed (1982)
Born In America (1983)
Thundersteel (1988)
The Privilege of Power (1990)

Fire Down Under is so incredible! I listen to it all the time. But really I can’t say I’ve heard a bad Riot album. Sadly I have never seen them live. :-( RIP Mark, your musical legacy will live on.

Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away earlier today (Wednesday, January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn’s disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.

Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn’s disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn’s symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT’s new album, “Immortal Soul”, and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark’s creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.

Along with the rest of metal fans, I hope Tony gets through this OK and lives a great many more healthy and productive years. Best of luck Tony.

“With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan–the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

“This comes as Black Sabbath–Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)–are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

From Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s website:

What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

In 2010, about 628,415 people are living with lymphoma or are in remission (no sign of the disease). This number includes about 153,535 people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 474,880 people with NHL.

Hodgkin lymphoma has characteristics that distinguish it from other diseases classified as lymphoma, including the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large, cancerous cells found in Hodgkin lymphoma tissues, named for the scientists who first identified them. Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer.

NHL represents a diverse group of diseases distinguished by the characteristics of the cancer cells associated with each disease type. Most people with NHL have a B-cell type of NHL (about 85 percent). The others have a T-cell type or an NK-cell type of lymphoma. Some patients with fast-growing NHL can be cured. For patients with slow-growing NHL, treatment may keep the disease in check for many years.