Could it bollocks.
Having bombarded my friends Facebook news feeds in recent times I had nearly reached exhaustion by the time the Czech legal system caught up with the real world and decided to release Lamb of God's Randy Blythe after dithering for nearly five weeks.
Despite paying the bail twice, the prosecution were maintaining Blythde was a flight risk and would disappear if released. Despite assurances by LoGs management that the singer of a niche touring metal band was unlikely to drop off the planet (especially when they had fleeced him for two years worth of wages) this seemed to fly for a while, hence the protracted stay.
In between criticising the US Government for failing to inform him of the impending charges Blythe released the incredibly mature statement:
Greetings.
This is D. Randall Blythe, checking in from my beloved hometown of Richmond, VA, United States of America. I was recently released on bail from Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, after over a month of incarceration. Now that I am out for the moment, I would like to say a few things.
1. While in prison, I had minimal knowledge of how my case was viewed anywhere but the Czech Republic. I was told by my attorney that I had a lot support from peers in the music industry, my hometown, fans, and of course my family. I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf. From legends in my music community, to fans across the world, and even people who were previously unaware of my existence but sympathized with my plight- I am truly humbled. I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I would especially like to thank the people of Richmond, VA, for standing by me. In the 48 hours I have been home, many people I have never met before have stopped me on the street, waved and smiled as I passed by, or said hello in a restaurant. All have said "We are glad you are home, Randy". You all make me proud and grateful that I call Richmond home.
2. I would like state that I suffered no abuse, from either authorities or inmates, during my incarceration in Pankrác. I received no special treatment, and was in general population with everyone else- make no mistake, it was prison, not some celebrity rehab tv show. But I was treated fairly by the guards and kindly by my fellow inmates. People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war torn regions. I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.
3. If it is deemed necessary for me to do so, I WILL return to Prague to stand trial. While I maintain my innocence 100%, and will do so steadfastly, I will NOT hide in the United States, safe from extradition and possible prosecution. As I write this, the family of a fan of my band suffers through the indescribably tragic loss of their child. They have to deal with constantly varying media reports about the circumstances surrounding his death. I am charged with maliciously causing severe bodily harm to this young man, resulting in his death. While I consider the charge leveled against me ludicrous and without qualification, my opinion makes no difference in this matter. The charge exists, and for the family of this young man, questions remain. The worst possible pain remains. It is fairly common knowledge amongst fans of my band that I once lost a child as well. I, unfortunately, am intimately familiar with what their pain is like. Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer. I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtably need to facilitate healing. I feel VERY STRONGLY that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned. This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you all peace.
I look forward to LoG regaining their momentum...
Dave Mustaine has been making a massive ass of himself again.
Despite resurgence in Megadeth's popularity over the last couple of years the now seemingly right wing, Christian, sober Mustaine has become increasingly vocal on all manner of things but music.
Unlike when MTV got him to report on the Democratic Party Conference, Dave has now taken to spouting the kind of bollocks that saw him driven out of Ireland under police guard for 'inadvertently' expressing sympathy for the IRA telling people they were selling t-shirts outside 'for the cause'.
Now the man has a right to speak, but even in America Megadeth's fanbase, one would imagine, are primarily young Democrats or certainly middle of the road no matter how they are dissatisfied with America's most famous West Ham fan so to keep digging this hole seems decidedly unhinged for the guy who got kicked out from Metallica for being a bigger drunken asshole than the rest of them.
Exciting times are ahead for fans of Northern England, Hardcore influenced, progressive post Metallers Earthtone9. Having successfully recorded and released the excellent For Cause & Consequence EP through the pioneering Pledge Music project, news broke earlier this year that the band were going back to the web to raise the cash for a full album.
Bringing you up to current day I am pleased to announce that recording is well underway with (and counting) 110% of the target figure achieved.
As a huge fan of the band I am frankly pissing my pants in anticipation and hope this album launch will bring about an extended touring session from my favourite UK act since Iron Maiden.
The band will be playing two shows in September supporting the mighty (and also reactivated) Vision Of Disorder.
The fact I cannot get to either the London or the Manchester gig would be a downer, if it wasn't for the knowledge that two of my dearest and most missed bands were release (what I hope will be) killer albums soon.
Talking of Iron Maiden though, if you were fearing that despite touring the Maiden England set around the globe (no doubt ahead of next years Blue Ray/DVD release), on the back of the mammoth selling Final Frontier album and tour, that they might run out of cash soon news broke this week that EMI were releasing all their first eight classic albums on picture disc vinyl.
That's right between October this year and February next year, all the classic master tape versions of those albums get the picture disc, gatefold twelve inch treatment.
As what has been described as a blatant cash to cash in on the collectors market, this eight album bonanza will be costing aficionados a pretty hefty penny.
I placed my deposit for the lot this morning.
They are soooo pretty.
What else can I tell you?
I have recently been promised an advanced copy of Oakland's finest post metal/folk/hardcore/everything crew Neurosis' new album Honor Through Decay for The Sleeping Shaman which I have to say is a great honour (sic) and genuinely exciting.
I shall post a link when it's done (October ish).
And finally next month sees the release of the first instalment of the Down ep run(Down IV Part I – The Purple EP), so I guess the end of the year is going to end with a musical headrush of epic proportion.
Which is good because the middle dragged like fuck.
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