New Damageplan Recordings May Surface

01/19/2005 1:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
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New recordings from Damageplan, whose guitarist, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, was shot and killed onstage last month, may see the light of day, according to Billboard.com. Damageplan manager Paul Bassman said, "There were recordings the band laid down prior to Dimebag's death that are near completion.

Vinnie Paul (Damageplan drummer and Abbott's brother) has said there will be a follow-up album down the road, as Dime would have wanted his music to be heard."

Damageplan's sole release so far was their debut album, New Found Power, which arrived in stores last February.

Bassman, giving his first interview since Abbott's death, added, "The outpouring of kind thoughts, sadness and condolences have meant so much to all of us. On behalf of all the families impacted by this horrible tragedy, let me share a public acknowledgement of our gratitude."

The 38-year-old Abbott, formerly the guitarist for Pantera, was murdered on December 8 at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio. His killer, a disturbed 25-year-old fan named Nathan Gale, shot three others to death before being slain by a police officer. One of the victims was Damageplan's security chief, Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson.

Bassman admitted that he found it "puzzling" how Gale got onstage without being stopped: "All clubs should be prepared for whatever presents itself to protect any artist they have contracted to perform on their stage. In this particular case it may or may not have helped, but it certainly would not have hurt. Hopefully, a tragedy such as this will never be repeated."

A benefit for the Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund will be held on February 23 at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom, featuring Disturbed, Anthrax, Drowning Pool and Soil. The show will help cover bereavement costs for the Thompson family and medical expenses for Damageplan crew members John "Kat" Brooks and Chris Paluska, who were injured in the attack.

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