IT’S OFFICIAL: CARCASS TO REUNITE FOR WACKEN OPEN AIR FESTIVAL
Well well well, I guess it wasn’t too soon to get excited for a Carcass reunion: just when I thought it was the slowest, shittiest news day ever comes the announcement that the band will reunite for next summer’s Wacken Open Air Festival, which take place from July 31 – August 2 in Wacken, Germany. Children of Bodom, Kreator, Sonata Arctica and headliners Iron Maiden have all also been announced for the bill, making this the Super Euro Metal Fest to beat in ’08.
A statement from bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker reads:
“Well, they said it would never happen. In fact I said it would never happen. Then I noticed no one pays attention to what I say anyway and I sounded like an idiot…
“Summer 2008 will be the twentieth anniversary since the release of Carcass’ first studio album. It will be fourteen years since we last played live.
“We’ve decided to exhume the old corpse next summer at Wacken. The timing is purely coincidental — it’s been a long journey to get to this point where myself, [guitarists] Bill Steer and Mike Amott have enough common desire again to make it possible. We’re finally conceding to the demand that seems to be at an all time high and doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. Any past reasons we may have had for not wanting to do it, or thinking it was impossible, have simply dissipated in the face of overwhelming interest in us performing THOSE riffs for a generation of believers who never had the opportunity back in the day. We could say we’re doing it for ‘the kids’ — but fuck that ! We’re doing it ‘cos it will be fun again to play the classic Carcass tunes!!
“Of course, it would seem inappropriate for us to contemplate to do this without Ken Owen, but I assure you he’ll be there, and we’ll push some sticks in his hands and make him play, plus we’ll have a killer drummer to sit in and play HIS parts.
“Myself, Jeff Walker on bass and vocals, ‘the semi-legendary’ Bill Steer and [current Arch Enemy axe slinger] Mike Amott on lead guitar and [Arch Enemy drummer] Daniel Erlandsson, filling in for Ken on drums look forwards to mutilating your hearing.
“And if we don’t do it? Who else will overshadow the Led Zepplin reunion?
“Ha!
“Prepare to rot and roll.”
Let me say right now, in no uncertain terms, that this news makes my panties moist. So moist, in fact, that I’m gonna include Carcass’ video for “Incarnated Solvent Abuse.” Blabbermouth included the video for “Heartwork” with their story, but we’re heavier than they are, so you guys get “I.S.A.” instead.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/i0C5gUQhvV0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Now let’s hope for a full tour or at least some other festival appearances so we don’t all have to make the trek to Germany.
-AR
