I thought I'd bump this old post with a couple of updates courtesy of Andrew at
www.melodicrock.com who asks the question that alot of "fans" would like to know...
From: 8/30/2011
JUST WHERE IS VAN HALEN'S NEW ALBUM AND WHEN WILL ANY PRESS COMMENCE?:
Just where is the Van Halen album at and when might fans get any indication that the new record is finally coming? That's the question constantly being asked by the band's frustrated fanbase. Time is running out for a 2011 release announcement, given that I personally am already working on November releases with some labels, with most locking in their plans for the last quarter already.
When one looks at the efforts underway in the Chickenfoot camp, it's easy to see who has the better grasp of media in the 21st century. Sammy Hagar and co are already all over Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and their own websites with video teasers, personal appearances and interviews. But still nothing from Van Halen, who commenced recording of the album back in 2010 with producer Ross Hogarth, apart from David Lee Roth telling us to coming to "Get Ready" (hopefully not to get ready for more disappearing tour dates, as happened in Australia).
I don't have much news today, but the latest from one of my sources suggests the continued "mixing" process, which is reported to have been going on for some time now, could involve additional vocals being recorded by David Lee Roth for inclusion on the album. The mixing process often includes the addition of extra parts and replacement of others. My source stated: "As for the album being shelved goes, it's not true. However, I will say that the delay lies within the vocals. That seems to be the main roadblock. Eddie is just not satisfied with the vocals that have been recorded and re-recorded which has caused a lot of frustration with both the Van Halen and Roth Camps alike. It's also my understanding that Shanks involvement ended up being very minimal compared to what the press made it out to be."
While this is just one source and won't ever be commented on by anyone officially...it does make sense, in explaining why at the start of September 2011 we still haven't heard one note of the new music.
I've heard further comments about US tour dates for the first 3 months of 2012, so it seems planning for the tour remains on track. There is a rumored January date for Van Halen in Indonesia, but that is anything but confirmed at this stage. Stay tuned as always...
From: 9/5/2011
VAN HALEN - ALBUM DONE, BUT FULL EUROPEAN TOUR LESS LIKELY:
In the interests of keeping starving Van Halen fans up to date with every little update possible, I offer today's humble update. Not much, but something at least while I sort out a few other things I have heard, but cannot yet confirm.
Following my last update when it was mentioned EVH was not happy with all DLR vocals, I can now update that whatever those issues were, have been sorted and the album is finally done...mixed and completed.
So that is great news of course. But with it comes no further information as to when we might finally get to see a release date announced or hear anything from it. I hear management is shopping for a deal (no word if anyone outside VH actually has a copy or has heard anything - I think not at this stage), but labels are being approached in search of a deal....and a BIG deal from what I was told!
I'm told there is still hope to get the album released this side of Christmas, but that is certainly not for certain.
Prior talk of an exclusive WalMart deal for the album is diminishing - I'm told the preference is one label for a worldwide deal.
Now that's the good news. The same source that delivered this album news also told me that plans for the band touring Europe are less definite. There is an offer for the band to headline Download Festival in the UK next year, but other dates in Europe are still being looked at before they can commit to Download. And I'm told not to expect a full tour of Europe. The priority it seems will remain on US tour dates.
Stay tuned as always...
From: 9/19/2011
VAN HALEN LOOK AT COLUMBIA RECORDS FOR NEW HOME:
As widely discussed all weekend long, record industry website gave mention to some interesting Van Halen news late Friday. From
www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news08690m01 came this: "After spending its entire 35-year career at WB, Van Halen, with David Lee Roth back in the fold, recently completed work on its first album for new label Columbia, coming early next year… "
At this stage, that's all there is. I was told a little while back the band was in talks with Sony and it appears a deal has been reached. I will have a follow up on this with any extra details available in a day or two. For now the only extra info my source had was to state that as they were aware, the papers had not yet been signed. I did ask the band's LA publicist to comment, to which I got the reply "no comment".
Stay tuned!
ZING!!!
