Tuesday
December 13 2011 10th Anniversary Of Chuck's Passing, Day Of Remembrance
Thoughts on Chuck's Legacy on the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
by Matt Medeiros
It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since Chuck's untimely
passing.
When I sat down to write this, I was going to comment on Chuck's impact
on the global metal scene. About how the bands in the OSDM resurgence
are never more than two degrees of separation from the Death and Mantas
demos and "Scream Bloody Gore"; how the waves of technical
death metal bands are paying tribute to "Individual Thought Patterns"
and "Human".
I quickly realized that I am ill-equiped to comment on the current state
of global metal. There are other people, journalists and the like, who
have access to better research and fact-checking, and access to commentary
from notable personalities, who will write their tributes, if they haven't
already.
I'm just a fan of the music, and that's what I'll talk about.
The first time I heard Death, oddly enough, was on MTV. I saw the video
for "The Philosopher" on Headbanger's Ball in 1993. Sonically
I was confused, terrified and enthralled. I had never heard vocals like
that. The unorthodox rhythm patters of the music, the washy, hypnotic
lead tone, the slithering fretless bass. It was so alien. It made a
hell of an impression.
Back in those days, music wasn't an instant gratification commodity
that you could just grab off the web. It would be a couple years before
I got my hands on Chuck's entire discography. I got them all out of
order, with "Human" being the last in the set. The Death discography
is already confusing enough in order, but out of order it seemed even
more unlikely that all these amazing albums were crafted by the same
person. Every single album made an impression, and every one was different.
"Symbolic" is a very straightforward metal record. Aggressive,
but not in a brutal way, a work of graceful craftsmanship. There are
flourishes, but nothing distracting. A few couple show-offey parts,
but no moreso than a Megadeth record. Vocals are super-empassioned,
and lyrically it remains one of the most honest albums I've ever heard.
It remains one of my all-time favorite records.
"The Sound of Perseverance" starts as almost the antithesis
of its predecessor, overpowering the listener with technical chops.
Even so, tracks like "Bite the Pain" had the simple chug that
damages neck muscles. When I hear modern tech-death bands, this is almost
always the missing piece.
"Scream Bloody Gore" needs no explanation, but indulge me.
It is an all-out assault of crushing brutality. Ultra-heavy riffs, frenetic
drumming and face-shredding leads. Some of the most inhuman screams
ever conjured by a mortal. Total gore and violence. A classic from beginning
to end. Gentlemen, the bar has been set. Good luck.
"Individual Thought Patterns" and "Human" were labyrinthian
works of artistry, equal parts technical wizardry and aggressive, spasmodic
thrashing.
In every instance, Chuck was a metal version of Johnny Appleseed. He
would find fertile ground, plant seeds, and move on. "Individual
Thought Patterns" and "Human", like "Scream Bloody
Gore" and "Leprosy" before them, spawned waves of imitators.
Even as other bands pushed the genres in new and often exciting directions,
Chuck's work holds its own musically. It's relevant. It remains aspirational,
inspirational and timeless.
I will not focus on 'what might have been', had Chuck survived his battle
with cancer. I don't entertain it as a thought. In his 16 years creating
music, from the raw intensity of "Reign of Terror" demo, to
his final work with Control Denied, Chuck created timeless metal records
that appeal to the widest possible swath of the metal underground. Fans,
myself included, may pick and choose (some "only like them up until
"Leprosy"" or "didn't start liking them until "Human"")
but no one can deny that Chuck forged his own path with passion and
fervor. He was one of the most hard-working, skilled and soulful artists
in the history of metal.
Today someone somewhere in the world is hearing "Pull the Plug"
for the first time, and it is going to stick with them. Someone else
is discovering Gene Hoglan's drumming on "Symbolic".
On the 10th anniversary of his passing, choose your favorite track,
whether "Mutilation" or "Voice of the Soul", give
a moment of silence for a fallen metal brother, press play and let the
metal flow!
Matt Medeiros
EW's editor
December 2011
Memories of Chuck
by Eric Greif
Of course when folks think of Chuck Schuldiner they immediately see
images in their head of him standing on a stage with a BC Rich Stealth.
Or perhaps talking with his Florida accent in an interview on youtube.
Even more people will just think of the music that Chuck created.
When I think of Chuck, especially at the two times of the year when
we all stop to cherish a thought of him - his birthday May 13 and the
day of his death December 13 - my brain is brought to more personal
memories: running around a restaurant with our shorts pulled down to
our ankles screaming like little kids; having contests on who could
eat the more spicy chicken wings, sometimes to the point of vomiting;
driving around in my car talking on the CB Radio to truckers whilst
pretending to be young girls; yelling at each other on the phone in
fits of negative brotherly emotion; or flying around the world with
him on promotional trips, amazed at the complexities of foreign toilets.
To me it isn't just Chuck the genius creator of death metal - it is
Chuck my business associate, contemporary and friend. We shared meals
and we shared shampoo. We laughed very hard and we screamed very loudly.
I was lucky enough to have some years on this planet as a close person
in Chuck's world - a part of his inner circle and family. Being his
manager was a challenging but fulfilling role, and I was made for it.
We both greatly believed in fate and taking paths presented to us in
life. In that respect, although he was taken from us at such a young
age, nobody could accuse him of not living for every second. Chuck was
a lover of life and a practitioner of carpe diem. He could be silly
and he could be strong. He got angry like a madman or was generous like
a saint. He could be unglued and stressed-out about something in his
personal life, and then go off and write a song like "Overactive
Imagination". He could be a jerk, a gentleman and a genius simultaneously.
There is no doubt that his passing was a brutal one. When I just went
through my own Dad's brutal death it reminded me, of course, of Chuck's
ten years ago - fighting something as sinister as pontine glioma, which
probably sat inside his head like a very slow time bomb waiting to claim
him. It wasn't necessary that he suffer the way he did - nobody deserves
this, least of all someone as nice as Chuck and with so many gifts he
has given the world. For it is those gifts that I have the great fortune
of continuing, with his family, to give the world: from DEATH's Scream
Bloody Gore to The Sound of Perseverance, and on to The Fragile Art
of Existence by his beloved Control Denied. These form a legacy that
will last for generations.
I admit that, for me, the main day of celebrating Chuck's life is his
birthday. This December 13, being the tenth year since his death, will
be ultra somber. Ten whole fucking years since the tragedy. I'll of
course read some of the wonderful tributes that are sure to be written,
maybe have a tear or two, and then get on with the business of preserving
his legacy. That involves concentrating on Chuck the Living, not Chuck
the Dead. That isn't to take away from any of the numerous offerings
of sympathy that are sure to be directed towards his family and me -
it is only to state that, in my world, Chuck is around all the time,
in spirit, as if still about to walk in the room and tell me a joke
or yell in my ear. In a wider sense, he is very much alive as long as
folks listen to his killer tunes, remember his smile and tell others
about the genre he was responsible for creating from his Mom's garage.
As we like to say, keep that metal flowing...
ERIC GREIF
President of Perseverance Holdings Ltd. and former manager of DEATH
December 2011
Ps: I’ve attached three new shirts we’re doing with Relapse
– the
first is in commemoration of the Vivus! double live
album (which includes remastered audio for Live in LA & Live in
Eindhoven) – the back says, in Latin, ‘a friend of mine
lives forever – his music will never die’; the
second is a new Chuck shirt, the profits of which are all
going to our chosen charity, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (www.sweetrelief.org);
and
the third has the mock marble DEATH logo we originally created
for Vivus! and it says ‘Let the Metal Flow’ on
the back.
Happy Holidays
EW
Monday
December 12 2011 Norwegian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Norwegian tribute to Chuck will take place in Trondheim, on December
16th. Six local bands will be playing their versions of DEATH classics.
More info here. Thanks Jan Roger.
Tuesday
December 6 2011 Brazilian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Brazilian tribute, called "The Sound Of Perseverance - A Scream
Against Cancer - A Decade Without Chuck", will take place on December
11th. More info here. Thanks Bruno.
Friday
November 25 2011 Hungarian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Chuck Tribute Show is to be held at Blue Hell, in Budapest, on December
16th. More info here. Thanks Peter.
Wednesday
November 23 2011 DEATH: ‘Vivus!’ Live Collection To See Release In
February
The next chapter in Relapse's DEATH reissue campaign is Vivus!, a deluxe
2CD collection compiling two separate DEATH concerts. Each recorded
in 1998, Disc One features the band at the height of their prowess tearing
the roof off of the infamous Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles while Disc
Two is a brilliant recording of the band on the festival stage at Dynamo
Open Air. The complete tracklisting for both discs can be found below.
Vivus! is set for a February 28th North American release date, March
2nd in the Benelux / Germany, and March 5th in the UK and rest of Europe.
Vivus! follows the recent Relapse Records re-issues of Individual Though
Patterns, The Sound of Perseverance and Human. Like those reissues,
this collection will contain extensive liner notes from DEATH insiders
and never-before-seen photos of the band. Pre-order options, a new line
of exclusive DEATH merch and additional release information can be found
at this location.
Vivus! Tracklisting:
Disc 1 - Live In L.A. – 1998
1. The Philosopher
2. Spirit Crusher
3. Trapped In A Corner
4. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
5. Crystal Mountain
6. Flesh And The Power It Holds
7. Zero Tolerance
8. Zombie Ritual
9. Suicide Machine
10. Together As One
11. Empty Words
12. Symbolic
13. Pull The Plug
Disc 2 - Live In Eindhoven – 1998
1. The Philosopher
2. Trapped in a Corner
3. Crystal Mountain
4. Suicide Machine
5. Together As One
6. Zero Tolerance
7. Lack Of Comprehension
8. Flesh and the Power It Holds
9. Flattening of Emotions
10. Spirit Crusher
11. Pull the Plug
DEATH Track Features On Sick Drummer's Brutal Beatings Volume
VI; Free Download Available
Sick Drummer has released their Brutal Beatings Volume VI compilation,
and states: "We could not be any more excited about it! Who would
have guessed that we would be putting out a compilation in 2011 featuring
'Overactive Imagination' from the legendary band DEATH! We would like
to thank all the bands for appearing and all associated labels for their
efforts."
The compilation is available for free download on the Sick Drummer website
here.
Tuesday
November 8 2011 Israeli Tribute To Chuck Announced
Another tribute to Chuck will take place in Israel, on December 15th.
More info on EW's benefit page. Thanks
Rotem.
Monday
November 7 2011 Macedonian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Macedonian tribute to Chuck will take place in Skopje on December
17th. More info here.
Tuesday
October 25 2011 Bulgarian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Bulgarian tribute to Chuck will take place in Sofia on December 17th.
More info here.
Sunday
September 18 2011 DEATH - Individual Thought Patterns Re-Issue To See Release
In October; Remixed Individual Thought Patterns Track Posted Online;
Former DEATH, CONTROL DENIED Members To Perform At The Sound Of Existence
Tribute To CHUCK SCHULDINER; Spanish Tributes To Chuck Announced
A remixed, re-mastered version of DEATH’s 'The Philosopher', taken
from the forthcoming re-issue of Individual Thought Patterns, has been
posted online now via the official Death Facebook
page.
As previously reported, Death’s legendary 1993 album, Individual
Thought Patterns will see it’s official re-issue on October 25th
in North America, October 28th in the Benelux / Germany, and October
31st in the UK and rest of Europe. The follow-up album to Human, Individual
Thought Patterns has been remixed by Alan Douches and re-packaged to
include a second and third bonus disc worth of previously unreleased
demos and a full live set recorded in Germany during a 1993 European
tour. Also included on the third bonus disc exclusive to this re-issue
are rare riff tracks from the Chuck Schuldiner archives.
The tracklisting is as follows:
Disc 1: (classic re-mastered ITP album)
01. Overactive Imagination
02. In Human Form
03. Jealousy
04. Trapped In A Corner
05. Nothing Is Everything
06. Mentally Blind
07. Individual Thought Patterns
08. Destiny
09. Out Of Touch
10. The Philosopher
Disc 2: (Live In Germany - April 13, 1993)
01. Leprosy
02. Suicide Machine
03. Living Monstrosity
04. Overactive Imagination
05. Flattening Of Emotions
06. Within The Mind
07. In Human Form
08. Lack Of Comprehension
09. Trapped In A Corner
10. Zombie Ritual
11. The Exorcist ("Individual
Thought Patterns" studio outtake)
01.
Overactive Imagination
02. In Human Form
03. The Philosopher
04. Trapped In A Corner
05. Individual Thought Patterns
06. Jealousy
07. Nothing Is Everything
08. Destiny
09. Mentally Blind
10. Out Of Touch
11.
In Human Form (Chuck's Riff Tape - 1992)
12. The Philosopher (Chuck's Riff Tape - 1992)
13. Trapped in a Corner
( Chuck's Riff Tape - 1992)
Pre-order options and additional release information can be found here.
The Sound Of Existence, a tribute to late DEATH/CONTROL DENIED mastermind
Chuck Schuldiner, will be held on Sunday, December 18th, from 3 - 8
PM at Latino Rock Café in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Scheduled to perform at the event are Tim Aymar (PHARAOH, Control Denied,
PSYCHO SCREAM, TRIPLE-X, VICIOUS CYCLE) and Shannon Hamm (METALSTORM,
Death, Control Denied, BEYOND UNKNOWN), along with members of local
progressive metal band BLACK GALLERY.
Also scheduled to perform are ADVENT OF BEDLAM and PSEUDOSTRATIFIED
EPITHELIUM. Further details at this
location.
And finally: Two Basque tributes to Chuck will take place in Zarautz
and Bilbao on December 9th + 10th. Venues t.b.a. More info here.
Thanks Dani.
Sunday
July 31 2011 Mexican Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Mexican tribute to Chuck will take place in Chihuahua, August 19th.
More info here. Thanks Leonel.
Thursday
July 28 2011 Message From Chuck's Mom
Hello everyone,
A message to let you all know that I have your emails, which I am saving,
but I am making a huge move to another state to be near my sisters and
brothers and won't be available. We are all older now and it's so much
nicer to grow old together!
When I get a house and get settled, only a few weeks I hope, then I
will continue taking orders and updating you on what is left. Meanwhile,
please do not send anything to E Amelia Street, or to the PO box, I
will not be here to accept and it will cause confusion. Only the orders
already received will be filled.
I will be in touch on the EmptyWords site soon.
Warm regards,
Jane Schuldiner
Sunday
July 10 2011 Chuck's Mom Offers Very Last Personal Death Merchandise For
The Time Being
Hello fans,
There has been a lot of request for shirts, especially more Philosopher.
And I found a few more of those. I am moving out of state the end of
July so want to have them sold well before then. I will order more and
continue when I get settled there.
1) Philosopher shirts, 3 medium and 1 large.
2) One medium and one large black shirt with picture of Chuck playing
guitar on front.
3) Two large Leprosy shirts, black with Death logo on back and album
picture on front.
4) I have 2 of the original Control Denied shirts Chuck had designed
and had made himself, both medium, black with Control Denied logo only
on the front. He was going to offer this design himself, but as we know
that was not to be. I found these in his closet in 2002, I am saving
one for myself and offering the other two.
5) One gray Let The Metal Flow on back in red, Death logo in front in
red, size large.
6) I have one hoodie - Death logo and Perseverance album cover on the
back in red, and a small Death logo on the left front, size large.
7) One hoodie with the Death logo on the front in black and silver.
8) One medium black shirt with Death Logo on the front and the the words
The Sound Of Perseverance across the back.
I also found some vinyl records, email me if interested.
All shirts are 15$ and the hoodies are 25$ all in US funds. Western
Union or a US money order are good ways to pay. Contact me for postage
costs at njbschuldiner@yahoo.com.
Please send orders me at my home address, not the PO box number.
Thank you,
Jane Schuldiner
646 E Amelia Street
Orlando, Florida
32803
Tuesday
June 21 2011 CONTROL DENIED: Breaking The Broken Video Revealed
The video for CONTROL DENIED's “Breaking the Broken” was
directed by Doug Cook and produced by DEATH manager Eric Greif for Perseverance
Holdings Ltd., the company that oversees the works of Chuck Schuldiner.
“Breaking the Broken” comes from CONTROL DENIED’s
debut album The Fragile Art of Existence which recently received the
deluxe re-issue treatment, courtesy of Relapse Records, including a
limited edition 3-disc set that includes 2 discs of previously unreleased
bonus material. The agreed concept behind the video is easily summed
up: it is about overcoming adversity and persevering, with some symbolism
that will not be lost on diehard fans. It is an emotional journey, and
it will be continued...
Sunday
June 12 2011 DEATH - Unreleased Human Rehearsal Track Streaming Online At
BraveWords.com
BraveWords.com is exclusively streaming a classic DEATH track from the
upcoming 20th anniversary reissue of Human; rehearsal footage of 'Together
As One' from 1990!
Sunday
June 5 2011 Extreme Metal Television Covers Chuck Schuldiner Birthday Bash;
Interviews With Former DEATH Manager Eric Greif, CYNIC, INTO ETERNITY
From BraveWords: A Chuck Schuldiner Birthday Bash was held on
Friday, May 13th at The Distillery in Calgary, Alberta to celebrate
what would have been DEATH/CONTROL DENIED legend's 44th birthday. Extreme
Metal Television covered the event and spoke with Eric Greif, Esq. (President
of Perseverance Holdings Ltd. which runs everything related to Chuck
Schuldiner's intellectual property) and some of the bands that took
part in the event including CYNIC, INTO ETERNITY, DIVINITY, REVEREND
KILL, DEATH TOLL RISING, HAMMERDRONE and MEGAWATT MAYHEM.
Sunday
May 29 2011 Philippine Tributes To Chuck Announced
Two tributes to Chuck will take place in the Philippines on July 16
& July 30. There will be 2x13 bands participating, playing one Death
or Control Denied song each. A third show with all 26 bands together
is planned for December 17th. More info here,
thanks James.
Tuesday
May 24 2011 DEATH: Re-Mastered Human Track Posted Online
A re-mastered version of DEATH’s “Lack Of Comprehension”,
taken from the forthcoming re-issue of Human, has been posted online
now via the official DEATH Facebook
page.
Monday
May 23 2011 Human Deluxe 3CD Tracklisting Revealed
The complete track listing of songs included in the three-disc set can
be found below. This special re-issue package is available June 21st
via Relapse.com
exclusively with pre-orders being accepted now.
Disc 1: (classic re-mastered Human album)
1. Flattening Of Emotions
2. Suicide Machine
3. Together As One
4. Secret Face
5. Lack Of Comprehension
6. See Through Dreams
7. Cosmic Sea
8. Vacant Planets
9. God Of Thunder (Bonus Track)
Disc 2:
10. Flattening Of Emotions (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
11. Suicide Machine (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
12. Together As One (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
13. Secret Face (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
14. Secret Face - Part 2 (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
15. Lack Of Comprehension (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
16. "Felt Good" - Studio Snippet
17. See Through Dreams (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
18. See Through Dreams - Part 2 (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
19. Vacant Planets (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
20. Cosmic Sea (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
21. Cosmic Sea Part 2 (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
22. God Of Thunder (Basic Instrumental Studio Tracks)
23. Flattening Of Emotions (Human Demos)
24. Lack Of Comprehension (Human Demos)
25. Suicide Machine (Human Demos)
26. Together As One (Human Demos)
27. See Through Dreams (Human Demos)
28. Secret Face (Instrumental-Human Demos)
29. Vacant Planets (Instrumental-Human Demos)
Disc 3:
30. See Through Dreams w/ Paul and Sean ( Rehearsal January, 1991)
31. See Through Dreams (Take 2) w/ Paul and Sean (Rehearsal January,
1991)
32. Secret Face - w/o Paul - 1/2 song (Rehearsal January, 1991)
33. Secret Face (Take 2) - w/o Paul (Rehearsal January, 1991)
34. Secret Face - Riffs (Rehearsal January, 1991)
35. Flattening Of Emotions - Riffs (Rehearsal January, 1991)
36. Lack Of Comprehension - Riffs (Rehearsal January, 1991)
37. Lack Of Comprehension (Take 2) - Riffs (Rehearsal January, 1991)
38. Cosmic Sea - Riffs w/ Drum Machine (Rehearsal January, 1991)
39. See Through Dreams (Rehearsal August, 1990)
40. Suicide Machine (Rehearsal August, 1990)
41. Together As One (Rehearsal August, 1990)
42. Suicide Machine (Drum & Bass Tracks)
43. Together As One (Drum & Bass Tracks)
44. Secret Face (Drum & Bass Tracks)
45. Lack Of Comprehension (Drum & Bass Tracks)
46. Vacant Planets (Drum & Bass Tracks)
47. Flattening Of Emotions (Drum & Bass Tracks) (only available
through download)
48. See Through Dreams (Drum & Bass Tracks) (only available through
download)
49. Cosmic Sea (Drum & Bass Tracks) (only available through download)
"DEATH, the heavy metal institution founded, realized, and helmed
by legendary guitarist Chuck Schuldiner, released its legendary fourth
studio album Human (’91) to massive worldwide critical acclaim.
The album’s complex and progressive music and introspective lyrics
marked a massive stylistic change away from the more primitive early
material for the group, and Human went on to become one of the most
influential metal records in the history of the genre.
Now remixed under the watchful eye of longtime DEATH producer Jim Morris,
Human 2011 represents the fully-realized version of this epic album.
Now remixed, remastered, repackaged and featuring over an hour of newly
unearthed and previously unreleased early demo tracks, Human 2011 is
the definitive edition of this true metal classic."
Wednesday
May 11 2011 Interviews With Richard Christy & Perry Grayson To Celebrate
Chuck's 44th Birthday The Day After Tomorrow
For May 13th, 2011, Chuck's 44th birthday, we have an interview
with Richard from Sick Drummer Magazine, and a radio interview with
guitarist, journalist, and EW's contributor Perry Grayson. You can download
the interview from Freethought Radio here.
As previously reported, the "Chuck
Schuldiner Birthday Bash" will take place in Canada next friday.
Let's celebrate the 44th birthday of Chuck with a night of DEATH &
metal music, with all profits going to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
Eric Greif: "Open your wallets now, folks, because I'm-a askin'.
PLEASE buy a $7 ticket, whether you're going or not - SWEET RELIEF MUSICIANS
FUND is an important US charity that aids musicians ill with no health
insurance coverage".
And last but not least: the official DEATH fan club, The
Metal Crusade, is finally getting off the ground. The launch will
be one of these days. Enjoy and stay tuned! More soon!
Friday
May 6 2011 DEATH’s Legendary Human Album To Be Re-Issued
DEATH’s legendary fourth album Human will mark its 20th anniversary
with an official re-issue on June 21st in North America (June 27th internationally)
via Relapse Records.
Human has been entirely re-mixed by longtime DEATH producer Jim Morris
and re-mastered by Alan Douches (MASTODON, CONVERGE, THE MISFITS). This
special 20th anniversary edition of the album will come complete with
expanded packaging featuring liner notes from Morris as well as former
DEATH / current CYNIC guitarist Paul Masvidal and over an hour of newly
unearthed, previously unreleased early demo tracks.
Human will be available on 2- and 3- disc sets as well as digitally.
CD pre-orders are being accepted now at this
location, digitally via iTunes,
and additional release information will be posted shortly.
Additionally, original footage of DEATH during the May 1991 mixing sessions
of Human has been posted online now at this
location. This footage was filmed 20 years ago to the day at Morrisound
studios in Tampa, FL.
Monday
April 25 2011 Long Video Interview With Eric Greif Available
Chuck's former manager and current legal representative did a 15 part
interview (4 hours) for the YouTube channel DEATH
in HD. Eric Greif: "It was Beth who first alerted me to
this very nice English guy, James Copper - then Relapse noticed him
- and finally I made contact. I think there is quite a bit of useful
DEATH information in this series". Thanks James. Enjoy!
Thursday
April 14 2011 Limited DEATH Merchandise From The Vault
Chuck's mom has some shirts to sell. You can find them here.
Sunday
March 27 2011 Chuck Schuldiner Birthday Bash In Canada
Come to the CHUCK SCHULDINER BIRTHDAY BASH May 13th at The Distillery
in Calgary and celebrate Chucky's 44th! All profits to the Sweet Relief
Musicians Fund [EG]. More info on the event can be found here
[EW].
Tuesday
March 15 2011 Brazilian Tribute To Chuck Announced
A Brazilian tribute to Chuck will take place on Saturday, April 9th.
Check out EW's benefit page for more
info. Thanks Messias.
Thursday
March 10 2011
DEATH: An Oral History Sourced From Decibel Magazine Posted Online
As promised part 2 is online, enjoy!
Wednesday
March 9 2011 DEATH: An Oral History Sourced From Decibel
Magazine Posted Online
"So sit back, close your eyes if you want, and just enjoy
the video..." Thanks James. Part 2 will be online soon.
Tuesday
February 15 2011 The Sound Of Perseverance Demo Track Streaming Online At BraveWords
The Sound Of Perseverance bonus track 'A Moment of Clarity' (1997 Demos),
featuring bass legend Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT), is currently
streaming online at BraveWords.com. [launch
the KnuckleTracks Online Audio Player]
Friday
February 11 2011 The Sound Of Perseverance 3-Disc Re-Issue Streaming Online For
A Limited Time
The re-mastered re-issue of DEATH’s seventh and final album The
Sound of Perseverance is streaming online now at the official DEATH
Facebook page. The
audio for the deluxe 3-disc set will be streaming in its entirety at
that location until the re-issue’s North American street date
of February 15th.
Thursday
February 3 2011 DEATH: Human 20th Anniversary Remix Complete
Producer/engineer Jim Morris from Morrisound Recording Studios in Tampa,
Florida has just finished remixing the legendary 1991 album from DEATH
called Human.
"An awesome experience for me," Morris comments. "We
were contacted by Chuck Schuldiner's intellectual property lawyer Eric
Greif, the former manager of DEATH. Human will be reissued in 2011 internationally
in a partnership between Relapse Records and Perseverance Holdings Ltd.
The reissue will mark the 20th anniversary of the original release of
Human on Relativity/Sony and will include loads of extras, including
DEATH's cover of 'God of Thunder' by KISS." [more]
Eric Greif says: "The former DEATH guys Paul Masvidal, Sean
Reinert and Steve DiGiorgio are all 'ecstatic' about the prospect of
a heavier mix, where all the instruments can be heard and modern technology
utilized. Jim said he took into account everything he & Chuck agreed
upon during the making of Symbolic and Perseverance
as his guide for what he believed Chuck would want from such a remix.
I myself am thrilled."
Human was Death's best selling album in the US moving over 100,000 units
and hitting the Billboard Heatseekers Chart at #34, unprecedented for
its time.
Tuesday
February 1 2011 DEATH: Decibel Magazine Cover Story Available Now
The US based Decibel Magazine has devoted 12-pages and one striking
cover to an all-encompassing oral history on DEATH and its founder Chuck
Schuldiner in the magazine’s latest issue. This exclusive feature
includes in-depth interviews with members of the Schuldiner family,
support musicians from all of the DEATH recordings, and industry insiders
who saw the band develop into its now legendary status. This highly-collectable
issue of Decibel (March 2011, #077) is on newsstands now or can be purchased
at this
location.
Wednesday
January 20 2011 Costa Rican Tribute To Control Denied Announced
A tribute to Control Denied will take place in San Pedro, Costa Rica,
on March 5. Grecco will be playing 'The Fragile Art' live, together
with special guest Tim Aymar. [more]
Wednesday
January 19 2011 More Details Revealed For The Sound Of Perseverance Deluxe 3-Disc
Reissue; Re-Mastered Demo Track Posted Online; Chuck Schuldiner Tribute
Guitar Giveaway
A re-mastered demo version of “Story To Tell“ taken from
the TSOP re-issue has been posted online at this location.
“Story To Tell“ appears on the second disc of the re-issue
that features all previously unreleased demo material. The complete
track listing for the re-issue is as follows:
Disc 1: (classic re-mastered TSOP album)
1. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
2. Bite The Pain
3. Spirit Crusher
4. Story To Tell
5. Flesh And The Power It Holds
6. Voice Of The Soul
7. To Forgive Is To Suffer
8. A Moment Of Clarity
9. Painkiller
Disc 2:
1. Spirit Crusher - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
2. Flesh And The Power It Holds - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
3. Voice Of The Soul - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
4. Bite The Pain - 1998 Demos
5. A Moment Of Clarity - 1998 Demos
6. Story To Tell - 1998 Demos
7. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow - 1998 Demos
8. Bite The Pain - 1997 Demos
9. Story To Tell - 1997 Demos
10. A Moment Of Clarity - 1997 Demos
Disc 3:
1. Bite The Pain - 1996 Demos
2. Story To Tell - 1996 Demos
3. A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos
4. Bite The Pain w/ Paul Payne on Vocals - 1996 Demos
5. A Moment Of Clarity w/ Paul Payne On Vocals - 1996 Demos
6. A Moment Of Clarity w/ Chuck on Vocals - 1996 Demos
7.
Story To Tell w/ Chuck on Vocals - 1996 Demos
8.
Bite The Pain w/ Shannon Hamm on Vocals - 1996 Demos
9.
A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
10.
Bite The Pain - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
11.
Story To Tell - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
12.
Voice Of The Soul - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
13.
A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
Additionally (as previously reported on EW), Guitar World Magazine is
currently hosting a contest in conjunction with the re-issue of The
Sound Perseverance offering a BC Rich Chuck Schuldiner Tribute Stealth
guitar. One of the most recognized of Chuck’s guitars, this sleek
neck through body, pitch-black Stealth also features jumbo frets, beveled
top style, and Dimarzio X2N pickups. The contest is open to U.S. residents
and ends on February 15th. Complete contest rules and information can
be found here.
Thursday
January 6 2011 Enter the Guitar World Contest to win a B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner
Tribute Stealth
The Chuck Schuldiner Tribute Stealth was designed to proudly represent
Chuck's legacy and idelible mark on the death metal genre. Chuck played
several B.C. Rich models throughout his short but meaningful career,
but the most recognized had to be his black single pickup, neck through
Stealth. Now's your chance to win one, enter the contest here,
all entries must be submitted by February 15. (Unfortunately this contest
is for United States residents only/EG).
Tuesday
January 4 2011 DEATH: 'The Sound of Perseverance' Additional Re-Issue Details
Posted
DEATH's seventh and final album The Sound Of Perseverance will see its
official re-issue on February 15th in North America (February 21 internationally)
via Relapse Records and is available for pre-order now at this
location. The first in a series of official Death re-issues slated
for 2011, The Sound Of Perseverance has been remastered from the original
studio tapes and expanded to include a second disc of previously unreleased
demo material. The re-issue will also include enhanced artwork (viewable
below) and liner notes from the original cover artist Travis Smith as
well as liner notes from Death guitarist Shannon Hamm and never-before-seen
photographs from The Sound Of Perseverance era.
A special deluxe version of the 'The Sound of Perseverance' re-issue
is also available pre-order at this
location. The deluxe version includes a third bonus disc of unreleased
material and will only be available via Relapse Mailorder and digitally
via iTunes.
To coincide with the re-issue, Relapse Mailorder will also be offering
a The Sound Of Perseverance t-shirt and zip-up hooded sweatshirt featuring
the enhanced album artwork. Images of the new Death merchandise can
be seen here.
The first taste of the re-mastered The Sound Of Perseverance can be
heard now on the free Relapse Records digital label sampler. The sampler
features the re-mastered version of 'Scavenger Of Human Sorrow' and
can be downloaded at this
location.
Relapse Records
Sunday
January 2 2011 Revamped Cover Art For The Sound Of Perseverance Revealed; Chuck
Schuldiner Biography In The Works
A very HAPPY 2011 to all DEATH & CONTROL DENIED fans around the
world! This is going to be an exciting and dramatic year for all of
us preserving Chuck's legacy - not just of course the fact that in December
it will be a full decade since Chuck died, but due to all of the cool
things happening that keep his music & memory very much alive. The
Schuldiners & I, in partnership with Relapse Records - and with
the full cooperation & support of all the former band members &
associates - have been painstakingly dealing with every small detail
to ensure that the DEATH & CONTROL DENIED names live on for the
diehards as well as with a new generation just discovering the groundbreaking
music.
You already know some of what is happening: Producer Jim Morris is already
working with the CONTROL DENIED guys on the much anticipated completion
of When Man & Machine Collide (yes, this is now the fixed,
proper title), which will eventually be out on Relapse. Keep checking
EmptyWords for progress reports; Relapse production manager Drew Juergens
& I continue to map out the reissues, gathering together rarities
& extras to make each release historical - one of the DEATH reissues
will even be a complete album remix by Jim Morris (more news on that
in EmptyWords as it becomes available)!
The official DEATH fan club The Metal Crusade will soon be re-launched.
There will be a Chuck Schuldiner biography by trailblazing metallic
globetrotter Ian Christe. And the first DEATH reissue is The Sound
of Perseverance in mindboggling 2CD standard (available internationally)
& 3CD deluxe (available through Relapse mail order only) versions,
scheduled for release in February - but the big news is that the cover
has been revamped by original artist Travis Smith... and I am here giving
the official debut of the new cover at EmptyWords for all to see!
All of this would surely meet Chuck's approval. However, the most important
thing is to make the fans happy - and that is our motivation, as it
was Chuck's. Keep the metal flowing & I hope to meet a lot of you
in this New Year,
Eric Greif
Saturday,
New Year's Day 2011 Old Interview With Chuck's Manager Available
Welcome to the new year, EmptyWords' 13th!
"With his long blond hair and All-American looks, it might
be tempting to typecast Eric Greif as a laid-back surfer or a recently
matriculated collegian."
If you want to read the interview with Chuck's former manager and current
legal representative, you can check it out here.
As said: it's an oldie from the Milwaukee Sentinel, November 1991. To
read the very end of that interview, titled: "Greif Thrives On
Death Metal", go to page 35 on that page instead of when it says
page 22 (the actual page of the original newspaper). Thanks Perry. Enjoy!
More soon!
