Metal Music News, Press Releases - Tony Choy leaves Atheist

Print Page | Close Window

Tony Choy leaves Atheist

Printed From: MetalMusicArchives.com
Category: Metal Music Lounges
Forum Name: Metal Music News, Press Releases
Forum Description: Submit press releases, news , new releases, metal music news and other interesting things happening in the world of metal music (featured in home and artist page)
URL: http://www.MetalMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=858
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 11:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.16 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Tony Choy leaves Atheist

Posted By: UMUR
Subject: Tony Choy leaves Atheist
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 3:44pm

"First we would like to extend sincere apologies to all Atheist fans around the world. We have been silent on the matter of a former member being dismissed for some time, but we were entirely focussed on recording our new album Jupiter. Therefore, we did not want to get sidetracked on an issue, which, quite honestly, was far less important to us than it might appear to some looking in from the outside. When we came together to write again, it was an obvious choice, for several reasons, to try and continue in what has been our touring line-up. We've had such a great time together on the road for the past four years. We're all great friends, and all of us were working peacefully towards the completion of the album. Therefore it hit us very unexpectedly when Tony called one day and informed us that he would not record with us. What's worse is that this happened only four weeks prior to our confirmed studio date. This left us in a very unfortunate position and without a choice. Although we are quite angry with him for this extremely late, and inconsiderate, change of heart, we have no desire to let this become personal or start some public feud. We simply want to be sure the facts are out there so we can get on with writing and playing music. While this might come as a surprise to some, we simply shrugged our shoulders and continued on, un-phased, for one simple reason: Tony was never instrumental to Atheist's sound in the first place. The true genius behind the technical bass lines of Unquestionable Presence was co-founding member Roger Patterson. It's not well known to today's fans that Roger actually wrote all the bass tracks just prior to his ultimately sad and tragic death and deserves the credit. Tony simply played what was written. However, the public perception has become distorted over the past two decades. It was the trio of Steve, Kelly and Roger who helped to bring Atheist alive - and continue to do so today - without Roger of course. Tony had no influence on the band's original sound. It was that one young, gifted kid, Roger Patterson, who inspired subsequent generations of bass players to delve into technical metal and bring their instrument to the forefront. Yet unfortunately Roger has not always received the credit due to him. With all due respect, most of the credit has been misplaced on Tony. It was actually following Roger's terrible accident that Tony joined us, after Doug Keyser from Watchtower declined our offer to join for personal reasons. It must be said that nobody can deny Tony did a good job of playing the parts written by another musician. We will never stop being thankful for Tony to step in and help us out at that most difficult time. He remains a great friend. Apart from that, however, Tony's contribution to the sound of Atheist consists only of his participation as a fifth contributing member in writing Elements. We leave it to Cynic and Pestilence to tell their own stories, if anybody feels the need to hear them. Those who are close to us know we do not like to discuss band business publically. We prefer to keep those things internal, as they have nothing to do with the music. Yet this story must be told for a variety of reasons - primarily to honour Roger! Thus, with this very brief glimpse into our history, we hope people understand why we handled things like we did and why we were able to react quickly when Tony left us in the lurch just before the recording of Jupiter. As with previous classic Atheist material, Tony had not contributed to the writing of Jupiter in any significant way, so we did not have to start over. Also, we had no intention to accept any further delay caused by Tony, especially since there was already an extremely talented young musician in our ranks: Jonathan Thompson (guitar). Not only did Jonathan do his intricate guitar lines flawlessly on Jupiter, but as a huge fan of Roger's work, he also wrote and performed the very impressive and original bass lines on this album as well. That is quite a story in itself. Tony may tour with Atheist, but for now it shall suffice that rather than settle for some random guy, we went with the best and kept it in the family. Now that our work on what we hope will soon become another classical technical metal masterpiece is nearly finished and the news of Tony Choy's removal has already reached the public, we feel the need to have our story heard instead of letting the false legend, rumour and speculation perpetuate and persist in replacing truth. Atheist are alive and well and Jupiter will prove us to be stronger than ever!"
http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heavymetal.dk%2Fnyheder_kommentar.php%3Fid%3D2594&src=sp - - - - Share - - - < =text/ ="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share">	brugerprofil.php?id=633 - DarkAngel76
Kilde: redir.php?id=2594 - www.metalstorm.ee

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Replies:

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 3:59pm

He sounds pretty ticked off with Tony. Is 4 weeks prior to entering the studio really all that late of notice?

Still looking forward to this release.

Posted By: micky
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 4:45pm

perhaps he found God.. *cymbal crash*

Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 4:47pm

That is pretty eerie Micky. That was one of the first thoughts that I had when I saw the thread title.

-------------

Posted By: micky
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 4:50pm

rushfan4 wrote:

That is pretty eerie Micky. That was one of the first thoughts that I had when I saw the thread title.

it was a 3-0 hanging slider over the heart of the plate LOL

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2010 at 8:43pm

Here's Tony Choy's remarks. I haven't read them yet.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144158 - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144158

Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2010 at 11:27pm

Man . . .
WHO's telling the truth? Or its just a way to see things from their own perspectives Ermm

(???)

But now I have "2" releases to look forward to Big smile

.

But when are "Gnostic" and "Agnostic" going to release albums??? (Not kidding, those are Athiests
side bands). Hmmm, was just looking at some history and can't find reference to a band "Agnostic",
so maybe I goofed (And NO I'm not thinking of Agnostic Front Tongue

).

-------------
"If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden

For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com

Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2010 at 11:43pm

Well . . .

Apparently this is out Clap

Sort of got the Phil Anselmo thing going with the Vocals but I really like the
Music!

For those who dont know Athiest Big smile

-------------
"If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden

For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 1:58am

I�ve written a review of the Gnostic album if anyone is interested: http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/engineering-the-rule--review.aspx?id=216714 - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/engineering-the-rule--review.aspx?id=216714

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 12:17pm

That statement was extremely disrespectful. They shouldn't forget that he wrote and recorded all of the bass parts for Elements which are amazing... They sound pissed and jealous that he's leaving, obviously, but their reaction is still very immature.

I wish both Atheist and Tony the best. Tony is a great bassist but far from the best in metal, IMO. I'm curious to see who will replace him.

-------------
tinyurl.com/yarrfj4">

tinyurl.com/yav4tcg - The Void - Music Blog

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 1:35pm

Well the bass lines on the forthcoming album "Jupiter" were played by guitarist Jonathan Thompson, but I agree that it will be interesting to see who will tour with them. Hopefully they will tour???

And I agree about Atheist being disrespectful in the above statement. They could just have written that they were disappointed that Tony wasn�t into the music anymore.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 4:11pm

Is a shame. Damn shame. All around.

Hate to go on a tangent but I hear atheist is working on a new album!?
Can only imagine what it will be like after a 17year gap

-------------
Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal!

Listen to doom metal, worship Satan

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 1:35am

As far as I understand the album is already recorded.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2010 at 5:16pm

An additional statement by Steve Flynn:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144635 - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144635

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 1:51am

Did Steve make it better or worse with that statement? He seems like the sort of dude that speaks too much before thinking.

I�ll be looking forward to the new album though.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 8:48am

Yeah, Steve tries to defend a wordy statement with one that may be wordier. LOL

This statement does come off a bit better than the first one, but I still don't know why they keep going out of their way to say that Tony didn't help create Atheist's sound. It's pretty much stating the obvious for those who are more than causally acquainted with their work.

Posted By: Time Signature
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 11:23am

I'm sure Atheist's new album will kick ass. I'm sure Synchronicity's new album will kick ass. That's what matters to me.

-------------

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 4:07pm

Track listing was revealed for the new album:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144690 - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144690

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2010 at 2:33pm

The artwork of "Jupiter" has been unveiled:

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2010 at 3:17pm

Looks great

On a side note that�s a pretty good quality pic. If you�re gonna add the album, you should use that pic.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2010 at 3:48pm

Pretty great artwork, as we're used to from Atheist! Clap

-------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime

Posted By: Time Signature
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 5:49am

That's f*cking awsome!!! It's different from the more colorful cover art of the 1990s, but it retains the abstract feel. It's great!

-------------

Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 11:25pm

Stooge wrote:

The artwork of "Jupiter" has been unveiled:

OH - MY - GOD !!! Clap

Okay, I'm an Artist/Illustrator and I do Logos and Album Cover Graphics as well, so forgive that I GUSH...
That is an EXCELLENT cover for the NEW Athiest . . . wow.

I do hope the music represents the same quality of music, man . . . what a year for Progressive Metal:
Athiest, Watchtower, Thordendals Special Defects, Anacrusis, Star One, J�rn and Russell,
James LaBrie and new Thrash from Forbidden. . . all I need is Spiral Architect and call me done!
(and possible new stuff from Twisted Into Form, Powermad, Realm, Confessor and Sabbat (uk)! Hell,
lets get Wrathchild America back together while we're at it!) Big smile

.

-------------
"If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden

For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com

Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 11:51pm

MAVIIIVAM wrote:

Stooge wrote:

The artwork of "Jupiter" has been unveiled:

OH - MY - GOD !!! Clap

WTF, I wans't even aware of any of this (with the exception of Star one). I think I may be living under a rock or something . . . . Shocked

-------------

Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2010 at 3:39am

The artwork is epic.
I am even more excited, and I didnt think that was possible!

-------------
Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal!

Listen to doom metal, worship Satan

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 8:56am

More Atheist junk, and by junk I mean a 45 second teaser of Jupiter (so not actually junk):

http://searchndestroy.net/2010/09/02/atheist-fragmento-de-nuevo-tema-solo-en-sd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+searchndestroy%2Fquer+%28Search+%26+Destroy - http://searchndestroy.net/2010/09/02/atheist-fragmento-de-nuevo-tema-solo-en-sd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+searchndestroy%2Fquer+%28Search+%26+Destroy

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 9:06am

Wow they definitely returned to the more brutal sound of unquestionable presence. Sounds VERY interesting.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 12:32pm

UMUR wrote:

Wow they definitely returned to the more brutal sound of unquestionable presence. Sounds VERY interesting.

Yes, but the production seems rough on the edges . . . . Cry

We are in 2010, for God's sake!

-------------

Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 1:14pm

Hmm...I found it powerful.

-------------
http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE!
https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM

Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 1:33pm

UMUR wrote:

Hmm...I found it powerful.

I agree. I wouldn't judge the production of the album based on that little snippet. It definitely sounds promising, that's for sure. Rawks

Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2010 at 1:57pm

I didn't said the music was any bad. . . . Actually, I can only expect the best. Who makes an album in 40 days and still manage to deliver such a masterpiece like Elements? Not many can.

-------------

Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2010 at 5:04am

. . . That little clip made me wet myself Pinch

.

and it was nitroglycerine :fire:

.

-------------
"If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden

For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com