Escuela Grind has been in the news a lot lately for both on and off stage exploits. Current second guitarist Thomas Sifuentes recently shared some posts to social media that the next two shows from the band will be his very last. In his posts he cited “safety concerns” as the main reason that he is leaving. Ultimately he says it is amicable. Escuela Grind continues to tour in support of their recent EP DDEEAATTHHMMEETTAALL (MNRK Heavy). Read our review here.
After almost 39 years in the band Vio-Lence Co-founder and guitarist Phil Demmel is permanently leaving the band after one final show on February 11th. In a post to social media and transcribed by Metal Injection, Demmel, explains that this recent development has nothing to do with him joining Kerry King’s new band, and more about the direction he has been heading in for a while, as he and vocalist Sean Killian are “not on the same page, and never have been!” Perry Strickland left the band in 2023. As Injection also reported, Demmel played with every incarnation of Vio-Lence across their career between 1985 and 2024, but he also stepped back from the band in 2023 as the band began touring without him and Demmel only playing occasional festivals like Milwaukee Metal Fest and a hometown show in Oakland. At that Oakland show last summer, Phil gave several lengthy thank yous and tributes to current and former members, that felt to those in attendance, like a goodbye moment from him. Demmel has also filled in for Lamb of God on tour in recent years and Slayer in 2018. Vio-lence has confirmed spring tour dates booked for the USA. Continue reading
Metalcore leaders Bring Me The Horizon has announced via social media that long-time keyboardist Jordan Fish and the band have parted ways. Jordan joined the band in 2012 and first recorded with the band on their classic release Sepiternal. Fish provided keyboards, synthesizer, programming, samples, percussion, backing vocals on several more full-lengths and EPs and live albums, including the upcoming release Next Gen. The band commented:
In a new post to social media Jay Weinberg confirmed he was fired by Slipknot and he was left heartbroken and blinded by the firing. The band announced on November 5th that Jay was leaving the band with no reasons, and then pulled down all the social media posts, but left the website posting alone. Weinberg had been their drummer since 2014 and is the son of Max Weinberg, of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, and also formerly the leader of the house band on Conan O’Brien’s talk show. Jay was said to be a massive Slipknot and Joey Jordison fan, whom he replaced. Prior to Slipknot, Jay was an acclaimed drumming prodigy who played briefly in Madball and later Against Me! Last week was the 9th anniversary of Weinberg’s recorded debut album with the band, Chapter 5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner Records). Weinberg was also announced today as the Modern Drummer – “Drummer of the Year” – beating out Lars Ulrich, Art Cruz, Brooks Wackerman, and Dirk Verbeuren.
Longtime GWAR guitar player Brent Purgason, a.k.a. Pustulus Maximus has quit the band after 11 years. He announced this on a post to his Instagram account last night (November 6th, 2023). Announcing it was time to move in a new direction although, he will remain connected to the band “behind the scenes.” Brent created the character of Pustulus specifically for GWAR, as a relation of Flattus Maximus, whose character was retired from GWAR after the death of Corey Smoot https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Cory_Smoot/8343 in 2011. Purgason played on five releases including three full-length albums – Battle Maximus, Blood of Gods, and 2022’s New Dark Ages (all Metal Blade). In addition to GWAR Brent is known for his own bands US Bastards, Against the Grain, Asphalt Graves, and a stint in Cannabis Corpse.
UPDATED: Slipknot has now removed the social media posts announcing Jay Weinberg’s departure of the band. The website post with the same announcement.
Slipknot announced that long-time drummer Jay Weinberg, their drummer since 2014, has departed the band. The band released the following statement via social media on Sunday November 5th:
James Smith, guitarist and long-time member of Underoath, was been apparently dismissed from the band, just days before the band kicked off their new tour, according to a report from Lambgoat. James shared news of his exit from the band after 20 years on social media earlier today. Smith expressed his sadness and disappointment but also gave thanks to the fans who have supported the band throughout the years. James was apparently “informed” he was out of the band, and not vice-versa. So this was not a mutual decision. Now the remaining members of Underoath have commented the split, but no news of a replacement, just yet. The band recently signed to MNRK Heavy and dropped a new single “Let Go!” The band is currently finishing the last few dates of their spring tour with Periphery and Loathe.
James Smith, guitarist and long-time member of Underoath, has been apparently dismissed from the band. James shared news of his exit from the band after 20 years on social media earlier today. Smith expressed his sadness and disappointment but also gave thanks to the fans who have supported the band throughout the years. James was apparently “informed” he was out of the band, and not vice-versa. So this was not a mutual decision. The current members of Underoath have not commented on or mentioned a replacement yet. The band recently signed to MNRK Heavy and dropped a new single “Let Go!” The band is currently finishing the last few dates of their spring tour with Periphery and Loathe.
Vio-Lence performed at the World Famous Whiskey-A-Go-Go this past weekend, their first show with drummer Adrian Aguilar (Exmortus). This comes less than three weeks after co-founder Perry Strickland quit the band. The band recently announced that guitarist Phil Demmel will be unable to make the group’s shows in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand in early March and will be temporarily replaced by Miles Dimitri Baker (Voidbringer, Interloper, Ex-Rings Of Saturn). In a new post to Instagram, Phil Demmel gave a “state of the Vio-lence address”, including telling vocalist Sean Killian he wanted to “shut down the band” following the recent departures, and that he may have limited to no involvement touring with the group in the future. Strickland is the second member to depart the band recently following Bobby Gufstason (ex-Overkill) a few months ago. Continue reading
News from the camp of Orange County rockers Joyous Wolf: singer Nick Reese has opted to leave the band. The remaining band members announced that the split was due to creative differences and, the band is seeking a new vocalist to complete their new album. In addition, the band is searching for a new label, having been signed to Roadrunner Records since 2018, and they are also working on other things and business relationships behind the scenes. Joyous Wolf has been one of the coolest bands we have ever covered, with major tours, music festivals, and more.