Another Death Shocks the Metal World: RIP Paul Gray

Damn. I came out of graduation to hear that Ronnie James Dio passed away and then as I ended my road trip back from Texas I saw that Slipknot bassist Paul Gray died close to home, in Urbandale, Iowa, yesterday.

This is sad news, whether you like Slipknot or not, and I'm sure this is a rough time for both the members of the band, family and all of the friends the group has made while on the road.

Here's to you Paul Gray. May you also rest in peace alongside James "The Rev" Sullivan, Peter Steele, Ronnie James Dio in Heaven ... or Hell (depending on your preference).

UPDATE: Just caught the end of Slipknot's press conference. The whole band (and Gray's wife) were there and seemed very torn up over the bassist's death. Pretty intense stuff and crazy to see all these guys in a room without masks on such a somber occasion.

Rob Zombie Brings Hellbilly Deluxe 2 Tour to Des Moines!

Looks like Rob Zombie is coming to the Val-Air Ballroom in Des Moines, IA, on November 21. This tour is called Hellbilly Deluxe II, maybe that means Zombie is going back to his industrial metal ways?

Either way, he always puts on a good show, even if he seems to get out of breath easily while singing his songs. I'm looking forward to it.

UPDATE: Megadeth and Warbringer to come to Davenport in December (see concert dates to right). Wha??? We'll see. (NOW CONFIRMED)

UPDATE 2: Rob Zombie will be calling his new album Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool. It will be out on November 10.

Rock Is Not Going Wild in Northwood, Iowa.

I briefly mentioned the Rock Gone Wild festival on the blog a few months back, mainly because it had some solid acts, including Saxon (who rarely tour the US), Twisted Sister and Armored Saint.

However, now I am writing about it again to say that the concert (which WAS a little over priced) is now canceled due to a last minute statement from Diamond Jo Casino which said that they could no longer hold the festival.

Maybe it will be rescheduled, but the event has already moved locations once, so who knows if management will want to take the time and money to move it again.

Click on the image below for a list of bands that would have been playing if Rock Gone Wild actually took place.

UPDATE: Slipknot's planned festival on September 9, 2009, in Des Moines, Iowa? Yeah, that's canceled too. What is going on here?!

Extreme Concert Info: Lamb of God, GWAR, Dethklok and Mastodon are coming to Des Moines!

Not all together mind you, but they will be here in pairs in October.

First off, Lamb of God, GWAR, and Job For a Cowboy will play at the Val Air Ballroom on Friday, October 9! I am most excited about GWAR because they have been known to put on amazing live shows. Check out a preview of the madness below.



Don't forget about AC/DC hitting the Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, October 10.



As if that wasn't good enough, Dethklok and Mastodon will be at Val Air on Wednesday, October 14.



Looks like Iowa is starting to get some good music after all! Lets up this starts a trend.