Author and veteran drummer Joel Gausten (PIGFACE, ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, EFFECTIONHATE) offered his two cents on the escalating feud between the MANOWAR camp and RONNIE JAMES DIO's widow, Wendy Dio:

"As you might have heard, the veteran metal act Manowar and their company, Magic Circle Music, will soon release a CD tribute album to the late Ronnie James Dio. Unsurprisingly, the album includes a track by Manowar (who turn in a respectable rendition of 'Heaven & Hell') and music by several Magic Circle acts. Additionally, the album artwork, created by the legendary Ken Kelly, is absolutely stellar. While Manowar may not be everyone’s taste, the band’s longevity and ongoing success in an increasingly difficult industry is undeniable and worthy of a sword raised in respect. Besides, how utterly cool is it that freakin’ Manowar is honoring Dio?

Unfortunately, I will not be purchasing this new 'tribute' album to Dio.

Ever since I watched people from the 'music industry' shamelessly network at my bass player’s memorial in Los Angeles back in 2005, I’ve maintained a personal hatred of anyone who makes a profit off a dead musician. As of this writing, the Magic Circle camp has not publicly specified if the profits from the sale of their Dio 'tribute' album will go to the newly-formed Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund or any other charity. A quick search of the net will reveal many opinions from the metal community on this matter. Personally, I cannot and will not support any Dio 'tribute' recordings sold for commercial gain. These people may have the right to release their 'tribute' recordings as commercial products, but I also have the right not to give them a penny.

If, at any time, Magic Circle/Manowar state that these profits will go to charity, I will recant my above statements and happily use all of my promotional capabilities to support them and their project. Until then, I’ll be giving the money I originally earmarked to buy the album to Wendy Dio’s fund instead.

On an unrelated note, those who follow Gausten Books may have heard of an upcoming compilation album produced to coincide with the anniversary of the death of someone featured in one of my projects. If you’re aware of this compilation and are wondering why I haven’t mentioned it here before, rest assured that my lack of promotion is intentional. As of this writing, I have not received satisfactory information from the label involved with this release regarding where the profits will go. Also, to the very best of my knowledge, this compilation is not being promoted by the label as any kind of benefit release whatsoever. As such, this particular project isn’t worthy of my time or support.

Let the vultures circle elsewhere. The rest of us have real work to do in this world."
-Joel Gausten

Gausten Books

June 21, 2010

“The less that you give, you’re a taker.” – Ronnie James Dio, Heaven & Hell

On March 1st Gausten released his latest book, From Satan to Sabbath: The Metal Interviews 2000-2009, which collects 16 conversations from the world of Hard Rock and Metal.

The 192-page From Satan To Sabbath includes the complete text of Joel Gausten’s out-of-print book The Sabbath Interviews, selections from Gausten’s books Prong: The Early Years and Pandemonium: Inside Killing Joke, cover art by Shannon Gardner-Gausten and previously unpublished, full-length interviews with past/present members of AEROSMITH, PLASMATICS, CELTIC FROST, OPETH, THIN LIZZY, BOLT THROWER, BENEDICTION, HADES, WATCHTOWER and NAPALM DEATH.

From Satan to Sabbath features in-depth interviews with:

Rick Dufay (AEROSMITH)

Bill Ward (BLACL SABBATH)

Eric Singer (KISS, BLACK SABBATH )

Bob Daisley (BLACK SABBATH / OZZY / RAINBOW)

Tommy Victor (PRONG / MINISTRY / DANZIG)

Ted Parsons (PRONG / KILLING JOKE / GODFLESH)

Troy Gregory (PRONG / KILLING JOKE / FLOTSAM & JETSAM)

Martin Atkins (KILLING JOKE / MINISTRY / NINE INCH NAILS)

Tom Gabriel Fischer (CELTIC FROST / HELLHAMMER / APOLLYON SUN)

Midge Ure (THIN LIZZY / ULTRAVOX)

Richie Stotts (PLASMATICS)

David Ingram (BOLT THROWER / BENEDICTION)

Nic Bullen (NAPALM DEATH / SCORN)

Dan Lorenzo (HADES / NON-FICTION / THE CURSED)

Alan Tecchio (HADES / NON-FICTION / WATCHTOWER)

Mikael Akerfeldt (OPETH)

From exploring Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward’s former life on the streets to revealing the real story behind guitarist Rick Dufay’s notorious stint in Aerosmith, From Satan to Sabbath cuts through the P.R. fluff and media propaganda and gets right to the flesh, blood and soul of the real world of Metal – straight from the mouths of those who live it.

Joel Gausten is an award-winning journalist and the author of six books, including Tales Of Horror: The History of The Misfits & The Undead and Words From The Third Side: Essays on Sex, Satan & Success. A drummer for nearly 25 years, he has worked with a vast array of artists including PIGFACE, ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, THE UNDEAD and EFFECTIONHATE. He got his start in the music business as a promoter for THE MISFITS.

The paperback edition of From Satan to Sabbath is available at this location. A special hardcover edition, limited to 50 copies, is available here.