Metal Contraband News For November 28th, 2023:
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Killing Joke has sadly announced the passing of longtime guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker, on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Prague of a stroke. Geordie was born in Chester le Street, Newcastle on December 18th, 1958, and began his career in the late ’70s with seminal post-punk act Killing Joke with whom he would go on to write and record on 15 studio albums, earning worldwide critical acclaim and a ferocious fanbase. Frontman Jaz says, “I spoke to Geordie last week. He began our hour-long conversation with ‘there he is,’ and apart from a flu, he was in fine spirits and looking forward to the future with optimism. We reincarnated before and we will reincarnate again. I never left his side in 44 years. Tears”. Bassist Youth says, “He is now flying high with The Valkyries, on his way to the halls of Valhalla. He defined a generation or three with his genius. We are all honoured to have served with him and shared his vision of what the band could be”. Drummer Paul Ferguson says, “We are devastated by the news of our brother’s sudden passing. Our collective look forwards have come to naught and the maestro strummed his last glorious chords. I was honoured to play in the band with him, a rare talent and wit who suffered no fools. Rest In Peace Geords”. Our condolences to Geordie’s family, friends, and fans.
King Diamond’s 1985 classic No Presents for Christmas is getting a reissue for this Christmas via Metal Blade Records, with new cover art and a special vinyl edition. King Diamond says of the release, “We are very happy to make No Presents for Christmas available on vinyl again, and with a brand new cover! Livia worked on the glass mansion on the cover – it’s a mansion she designed that I just loved and said we must use this for something! The cover came out exactly how we wanted it to, and it looks like something you would find in the Christmas albums aisle alongside Frank Sinatra. It has the Christmas feeling, but with something dark and sinister when you examine it more closely. I look like a ghost – the ghost of trying to destroy Christmas! This is the first King Diamond song that was ever released and was originally performed live back in December of 1985, it’s very special to us and we hope you enjoy No Presents for Christmas as much as we do!” Find more at: https://www.metalblade.com/kingdiamond/.
Blind Guardian has just announced a North American tour for the spring, with support from special guests Night Demon. Blind Guardian will be touring in support of their latest release, The God Machine, kicking off on April 18th in Maryland and running through May 17th, wrapping up in Milwaukee. Vocalist Hansi Kürsch says, “We heard your calls! We are more than just thrilled to finally announce that highly anticipated North American run of shows. Let me tell you that the band will be on fire and that we are very grateful to have a fantastic opening band such as Night Demon on our side to bring the full Metal blast to your town. I recommend not to miss this chance, we will perform Beyond Imagination. You don’t want to see it, you have to see it! The God Machine is in sole and full magic mode”. For all the dates and details, head to: https://www.blind-guardian.com/.
Sylosis has unveiled a live video for a track off their latest album, A Sign Of Things To Come, with “Pariahs”, and you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/eJFW-Kb0LUE?feature=shared. The video was filmed at Sylosis’ recent show in London in support of labelmates Malevolence. Josh Middleton says, “The London show was an amazing night for us. We’ve been waiting so long to play these new songs live and they’ve been going down so well- we’re performing the best we ever have! Pariahs is a live favourite for all of us”. For more on the band, visit: https://www.sylosis-band.com/.
The Halo Effect are preparing to follow up on their international chart-topping debut, Days Of The Lost, and this week, they’ve unleashed a new music video for a track off their debut, “The Defiant One”. Mikael Stanne says, “‘The Defiant One’ was recorded during the Days of the Lost sessions and has been one of the songs we have played live last year. So in order to hold you over before we present you with what we have written and recorded for the next album here is ‘The Defiant One’. The video was shot at Pustervik, Gothenburg during our sold out tour of Sweden and it captures us in our hometown among some of our closest friends. Enjoy!” Check it out here: https://youtu.be/4vi-zx30YjE?feature=shared and find more on the band at: https://www.facebook.com/thehaloeffectse.