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Posted by Livestrong on 25.05.2010 at08:29:

  Paul Gray was found dead in hotelroom

In April 2010 it was announced that SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH.

As previously reported, Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room early Monday morning (May 24). He was 38.

Commented HAIL! manager Mark Abbattista: "I spoke to Paul over the weekend, and we had a great conversation. He was so upbeat and excited as we discussed all our final gear and travel details, went through our new setlist and joked about the most fun way to 'unmask' him onstage.

"We were so looking forward to playing with Paul on our upcoming tour and this is a complete tragedy.

"We are all in a state of shock and our heartfelt condolences go out to [Paul's wife] Brenna, his family, SLIPKNOT, their management and all his friends. This is a horrible loss and a very sad day."

HAIL! is scheduled to kick off a three-week tour of Europe and Asia this Saturday, May 30 at the prestigious Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal.

An official statement concerning the status of the dates is expected to be released tomorrow.

Back in April, Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!"

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Posted by Livestrong on 25.05.2010 at08:35:

  RE: Paul Gray was found dead in hotelroom

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100524/NEWS/100524023/Police-Slipknot-bassist-found-dead-at-Urbandale-hotel

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Posted by metalandi on 25.05.2010 at11:29:

 

That sucks, even though i'm not into slipknot. It's already the 4th "famous" metal person dying this year...peter steele, the avenged sevenfold drummer, dio, and now him. R.I.P.

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Posted by Requiem on 25.05.2010 at12:40:

 

Unbelieveable! R.I.P!

i don´t think slipknot will play again.

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Posted by Dinx on 29.06.2010 at15:26:

 

by now it is already official that it was an overdose. Of course slipknot will play again, the band is a money machine. Corey taylor already said that he isnt concerned at all with his death (it may sound kind of hard), because he has such a good time with stone sour right now, and the tour is going on for 1,5 year, there is a good vibe and no time for tears.

so.. well the other bandmates should look for another bass player, and Im pretty sure that he will get the number 9 ;D

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Posted by Livestrong on 30.06.2010 at14:40:

 

I'm looking forward to the new Stone Sour album, the review in Metal Hammer was quite interesting