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Nearly two weeks after first revealing that he was suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, guitarist Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer) has confirmed that his test results for the virus have, indeed, come back positive.
Lambgoat reports that Holt broke the news in a since-deleted post on Instagram:
“So I finally received my test results back and positive it was. Lisa’s came back negative, and it’s been long enough since my symptoms that I am officially in the clear to do the only things I’m allowed, like buy my own groceries! I feel great, made it through the tougher moments, and my health feels 100 percent normal. Thanks to everyone who had wished us well. Now it’s time to start working on some new Exodus riffs while I’m still basically stuck in my house!”
After recently completing a European tour together, members of Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel, as well as their road crews, have all tested positive for COVID-19. In addition to Holt, these include Testament’s Chuck Billy and Death Angel’s Will Carroll, who is reportedly on a ventilator in a hospital ICU. According to Billy, Testament bassist Steve Di Giorgio has also showed symptoms of the illness, although his diagnosis has yet to be confirmed.
In any case, we’re glad to hear that Holt is feeling better now. Hopefully we get some good news about Will Carroll soon.
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Bill Rieflin, who drummed for Ministry, R.E.M., and most recently King Crimson, has passed away at the age of 59. While no cause of death has been reported, social media posts suggest he was battling cancer.
The news was reported by King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, who wrote on Facebook, “A call from Tracy Rieflin in Seattle … Tracy told Toyah and me that the day was grey, and as Bill flew away the clouds opened, and the skies were blue for about fifteen minutes. Fly well, Brother Bill! My life is immeasurably richer for knowing you.”
Rieflin got his start in the late ’70s and early ’80s in Seattle, playing with bands like The Telepaths and The Blackouts. Eventually a few members of The Blackouts, including Rieflin, were recruited by Al Jourgenson to join Ministry.
It was in the industrial scene that Rieflin made a name for himself, having played drums on classic Ministry albums The Land of Rape and Honey, The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste, and Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs. Rieflin also performed on a number of albums from industrial stalwarts KMFDM, as well as efforts from Revolting Cocks and Pigface, among others.
“Today we lost a wonderful artist, tremendous human being and an integral part of Ministry’s developments and success,” read a statement on Ministry’s social pages.
Rieflin also played with Swans and performed on one track on Nine Inch Nails’ The Fragile.
In 2003, Bill Rieflin joined R.E.M., playing drums with the band until their breakup in 2011. In addition to touring with R.E.M., he appeared on the albums Around the Sun, Accelerate, and Collapse Into Now.
At the time of his death, Rieflin was a current member of King Crimson, although he had stepped away from touring back in 2016.
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is among the artists who are mourning Rieflin, writing on Twitter, “So sorry to hear of Bill Rieflin passing away. A straight up person and excellent musician.”
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The rumour mill is churning with the buzz that Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph is teaming up with guitarist Kerry King for a new project also featuring guitarist Gary Holt and vocalist Phil Anselmo.
The rumours started with an Instagram update from Bostaph (found below) on his self-imposed quarantine. Overkill drummer Jason Bittner proceeded to ask if Bostaph projects down the pipeline, to which Bostaph replied "Something is brewing with a friend of mine that is very familiar to you. I'll give you three guesses."
Bittner's response: ""Kerry, Gary, and Anselmo. C'mon, everyone knows by now."
This was enough to get people talking even though Holt has made it clear in the press that Exodus is his priority following Slayer calling it quits. Adding to the buzz is King's statement in a recent Guitar World interview "Let’s just say… Dean didn’t sign me for nothing!" when asked if he has new music in the works.
Stay tuned for updates when Bostaph makes his project reveal this week.
Until then, treat this news as rumour only.
Last November, Dean Guitars announced the addition of Kerry King of Slayer to its artist roster.
In an interview with Guitar World, King talked about signing with Dean Guitars and the USA Kerry King V Limited Edition signature guitar.
“We really went out of our way to make something unique - and not so crazy that it would turn people off. I, for one, am very proud of it,” explains King.
During the chat, Kerry is asked what he'll be up to next, now that the final Slayer tour is in the books.
Asked if it is safe to say fans can expect to hear some new music from King and the new signature Dean guitar in the future, he responds, "Let’s just say… Dean didn’t sign me for nothing!"
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Paul Stanley paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during KISS's concert Wednesday night (March 4) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Before launching into the KISS classic "Do You Love Me", Stanley donned a jersey bearing the No. 24 Kobe wore during his illustrious Los Angeles Lakers career.
"We're in the house that Kobe built. None of us would be here if this place wasn't really like a memorial to somebody who was so much more than a basketball player, somebody who's been a role model," Stanley told the crowd in the arena where Bryant played for the Lakers for two decades. "And tonight, I think we dedicate this show not only to Kobe and his daughter Gigi, but to all the people who perished on that helicopter. So, let's reach back to something from 'Destroyer'. This song says, 'Do You Love Me'."
Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26. Bryant was 41.
On the day of Kobe's passing, Stanley tweeted: "WOW! Kobe. Such A Shock. My Condolences To His Wife And Children. Very, very sad. #KobeBryant"
Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in the 2007-2008 season and is fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He retired after the 2015-16 season, having spent his entire career with the Lakers. The franchise retired his No. 8 and No. 24 jersey numbers in December 2017.
Kobe and Gianna were buried February 7 in a private ceremony in Corona Del Mar.
