Wow. I mean WOW.

Read this.

This is just mind blowing to me.

P.S. I've been out sick for the last several days, hence no updates, but I had to pop in and mention this story. That's just amazing to me.

Posted by Joe Siegler at 5:34 PM

Dio's Holy Diver to be Reissued - FINALLY!

In something that I know a lot of people have been waiting for, the first (and a lot of people would argue the best) Dio album, Holy Diver, is to be reissued on September 30th. Check out this news story from melodicrock.com.

HOLY DIVER' SET TO BE RE-ISSUED SEPTEMBER 30: It has now been confirmed that Dio's 1983 landmark album, Holy Diver, will be re-released in upgraded form on September 30th 2005. A joint project between Universal Music & Rock Candy Records, this new version of a recognised rock classic has been comprehensively remastered for maximum impact, and will also come complete with extensive sleeve notes, expanded original artwork (including hand-written lyrics) plus a brand new audio interview with singer Ronnie James Dio himself. Distribution is via Universal Music. In the course of the interview, Ronnie talks in detail about the formation of Dio the band, and the background to the Holy Diver debut - the first time he'd released a record under his own name, and the first time (having parted company with both Rainbow & Black Sabbath) he was truly in charge of his own destiny. Dio start an 11-date UK tour on October 9 2005, the intention being to play the 'Holy Diver' album in full in the course of what promises to be a memorable night of truly timeless music.

I was following Sabbath when this album came out. My first Black Sabbath album was Mob Rules, so when Vinny & Ronnie split Sabbath to form Dio, I was quite interested in what they'd put out. Holy Diver to a lot of people is the album that Sabbath should have made after Mob Rules. I love Born Again, it's a great album, but at the time, I think Holy Diver was more well received. As well it should be, Holy Diver is an absolute classic. I'm glad to see that it's getting an upgrade. Provided of course Ronnie doesn't replace Jimmy Bain & Vinny Appice with Rudy Sarzo & Simon Wright (hello Mr. Osbourne), I think the reissue will be well received as well.

Posted by Joe Siegler at 9:45 AM

Tony Martin's "Scream" Delayed till 2006

Noticed an update on Tony Martin's Website today regarding the state of affairs with him. The short of it is that his album has been delayed into early 2006 now. Here's the relevant text:

Mostly the industry is working on Novembers releases right now, the problem with that is it's the season of silly songs!! The market gets pretty hooked on Christmas stuff like compilations etc and that might just take the edge off my album. The most likely event will be to release the album at the end of January/February next year.

If you visit Tony's site, you can read about other things like cancelled concert tour dates, and other things of that nature, all of which appear to have snowballed into the delay of the album.

Posted by Joe Siegler at 2:04 PM

Sabbath bows out of Columbus OH gig, too

Oz's sickness continues to derail Black Sabbath. I was just made aware that Black Sabbath will not be playing the Columbus OH Ozzfest gig. That makes three in a row now, so one has to think, is this the last cancelled gig? I don't have any information about that, but my gut feeling says there will be more. Check with your local venue for further information.

Likewise I was also informed that Tony & Geezer are NOT doing their FYE tent signing appearance today. As they haven't done it on the other cancelled gigs either, I have to imagine that any future cancelled gigs will also keep the record signing from happening.

No idea yet when Sabbath will resume playing at this time.

Posted by Joe Siegler at 12:59 PM