WHY THE 'METAL' GUNMAN CRACKED

New York Post ^ | 12/10/04 | TODD VENEZIA

[kattracks]

AN OHIO heavy-metal concert turned into a bloodbath when a crazed man jumped on stage, fatally shot the former guitarist of the legendary rock band Pantera and killed three others before being shot dead by a quick-thinking cop, police said yesterday.

The apparent target of the Wednesday-night massacre in Columbus, Ohio, was shaggy-haired guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, 38, playing with his new band, Damageplan, which he formed last year after leaving the Grammy-nominated Pantera.

[snip]

Fans said the shooter, Nathan Gale, 24, a tall, heavy-set offensive lineman for a semi-pro football team, seemed to be an angry Pantera fan who blamed Abbott for the band's demise.

"My friend heard him yelling, 'Darrell, Darrell! You're the reason Pantera broke up. You ruined my life,' " Brian Windzigl, 22, told The Washington Post. "I saw him pull out a gun and shoot him in the face. It was point blank."

Gale then killed Jeff Thompson, 40, a bodyguard for the band, and Erin Halk, 29, a club employee who loaded band equipment. Gale then fired into the crowd, killing fan Nathan Bray, 23.

[Bonaparte]

"...playing with his new band, Damageplan..."

I guess the plan didn't work out.

[sully777]

Also found here http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1298398/posts

[LibertarianInExile]

If a trend is starting, Eddie Van Halen better watch his ass.

[AmericaUnited]

So why all the long faces Heavy Metal dudes??? More death and destruction, the stuff you guys sing about all day long.

[kb2614]

I always liked Pantera's remake of Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan". Otherwise I never go into Pantera.

[Dont Mention the War]

Note to self: Never, under any circumstances, break up Pantera.

[Ready4Freddy]

Different article.

[Hank Rearden]

"...playing with his new band, Damageplan..."

I'm thinking these zeroes didn't plan for quite so much damage.

Never heard of any of them before today. Won't remember any of them after tonight.

[dk/coro]

I have to ask myself why I am not too excited about this incident.

Could it be that the "entertainment industry" had coarsened itself to the point that we are eventually numbed to this sort of genre-related violence?

Just deserts? Or just business as usual in a world gone mad?

Thank God I am in my late 70's. To he** with these scum-bags. Give me Jane Froman, Eddie Duchin, and Jo Stafford and I will take my rant to bed. G'night. *S*

[weegee]

Rock and Roll PING! email Weegee to get on/off this list (or grab it yourself to PING the rest)

[Poodlebrain]

"Could it be that the "entertainment industry" had coarsened itself to the point that we are eventually numbed to this sort of genre-related violence?"

This is the first incident of its kind involving the genre of Heavy Metal. Certainly, you aren't suggesting that the entertainer invited the killings of himself and the others? I thought this forum was based on the principles of individual responsibility and accountability. Am I missing something here with this blame the victim attitude?

[GreenOgre]

What was this guy thinking? Pantera was not a Rap band?

[Bonaparte]

Blunt Force Trauma
[Damageplan]

I never saw whatever it was
That came and hit me from behind
Then I awoke enraged and confused
How could I have been so blind

Life's escaping, don't pretend
Judgement comes, but who knows when

So when you least expect
That's when it takes effect
A tragic twist to alter fate
Instinct is to deny
Logic does not apply
In time we learn, but it's to late

Blunt force trauma to the head

Blazing through life at the speed of sound
Don't stop to look at the signs
Suddenly everthing crashes around you
When we forget, life reminds

Clock is running, falling sand
Time is slipping through your hands

So when you least expect
That's when it takes effect
A tragic twist to alter fate
Instinct is to deny
Logic does not apply
In time we learn, but it's to late

Blunt force trauma to the head
It's too late
Blunt force trauma

So when you least expect
That's when it takes effect
A tragic twist to alter fate
Instinct is to deny
Logic does not apply
In time we learn, but it's to late

[thoughtomator]

How ironic.

[stands2reason]

Murder is so funny......

[reaganaut]

I am actually suprised Phil Anselmo didn't make a comment today, considering his comments in the Metal Mag that was posted on the Pantera site last week.

Although Hank Williams III (in Phil's new band) did make a comment basically saying that the "war of words" was just talk and nobody should have taken it seriously.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

amen

[Bellflower]

I haven't heard much about the officer who sounds like he was a hero. How was it that he was there with his gun? Was he on duty and in the area and received the call or just there off duty?