One more...

So I thought I'd try to make this the first place to post the most recent news. But obviously a couple sources beat me to it. Namely Century Media's web site. It's like they knew it before it happened. I tell ya, word travels fast, even when you don't want it to. The reason I wanted to wait was the jinx factor, had to be sure it was going to happen first. Most of you already know I have a degree of superstition and I don't like to let stuff out before it's tangible. As in this case, before it's official. So as most of you have already found out...it's true. I will be recording the bass for the new Iced Earth record. Back in October I was talking with Jon Shaffer and Jim Morris (Morrisound Studio; producer) about possibly hooking up. After a few phone conversations, we both agreed that there was no sense in agreeing to join a band where I haven't heard any of the new material and like-wise for them to hire me without ever have really seen my playing in this context. So I flew out to Indiana and hung with Shaffer for a few days. We listened to the new songs he had ready on his computer and tried out a few different ideas on bass. I think I convinced him that I could bring something to the tunes and I was definitely convinced that the new songs were killer. We talked about the album, touring, metal and got a little business out of the way.

I'm really looking forward to getting the new stuff done and hooking up with my new side-kick, Richard Christy again. I know we're starting the preproduction in about 2 or 3 weeks, and then shortly after right in the studio. I know Shaffer said he was hoping to get the album out in April. It's going to be released under the title "Horror Show". Lyrically it deals with monsters, such as the Warewolf, Dracula, Dr.Jeckl & Mr.Hide, Hollow Man and that type of thing. The music, what little I've heard is classic Iced Earth, but a touch more of aggressiveness. I'm not so sure if they're trying to go back to a sound more familliar to the past albums, but just to add that modern edge to what the band has done sucessfully for years now.

This should in no way affect the on going steps of the recordings with projects I've been involved with for some time now. The new Control Denied songs are done being written, and in fact we will be doing the preproduction, and the actual recording in the next few weeks. Awesome stuff...Chuck is back, back with a vengeance indeed. And the Spastic Ink is going ahead as planned. I will be receiving the working tapes for the first couple songs soon. Ron's been dealing with a lot aside from writing those complex tunes. Getting a drummer to nail the rest of the tunes is definitely on my Christmas list. But we will be working on it song by song over the next weeks thru the new year. And finally, should just throw this in: Don't forget about the LA metalfest. I found out that we (Testament) are going on really late Friday night, I think even last on the main stage. Hope to see you get crazy for that. Sacramento is still on, but I think Chico is off. As of now we're scheduled to play a benifit in SF on Dec 9th. Is that it? Phew...hope I mentioned everything. Oh...Me and Darren are working on Sadus songs inbetween my commitments. There will be a new Sadus album next year. When, can't say. But I do know that we are planning on it. There, you heard it here. Maybe not first, but there it is, true as can be.
Plus tard. SD