TESTAMENT/SADUS bassist Steve DiGiorgio

has posted the following message on his official web site:

“Since the last update things have seemed really grim. But the past few months have had a definite turn for the better. Life was really turned upside down last October when [SADUS drummer] Jon [Allen]'s 11-year-old daughter went in for a heart transplant, we were all worried, yet hopeful that she would recover and make improvements. Since the operation every follow-up test has come back 100% positive, there have been no signs of rejection. She's back to her normal life and even back to school — all ahead of schedule. We're all proud of her for kicking ass and getting healthy so quick. She also has mastered making the best hot wings ever!

“So naturally that means cautious relief for us and especially Jon, who's happy to be back at the drums with renewed vigor like a running bull. We Sadudes have been making marked progress with a bunch of new songs. We've had ideas filed away on tapes for a few years now although it felt like we had nothing to show for the long break since the last album. But once me and Darren broke out all the tapes and even added a few new song ideas to the list, all of a sudden we had enough songs for a new album. We have 10 new songs we're working on, and possibly a cover or three to add to that. We are so psyched to be this close to making the fifth SADUS album we are at it full time and expect to start recording drums in the studio in May. We'll probably break from the studio in June so I can join TESTAMENT for the European tour, and then me and Darren will resume sessions in July to finish recording. That's the plan at this point anyway.

“But before any of that, we have a mini-tour planned for April. We're still waiting for a couple of the shows to finalize before we post all the specific cities and venue info. But here's how the trip looks like at this point:

Mar. 27 – San Francisco – Avalon Ballroom
Apr. 02 – Greece, Thessiloniki – Mylos Xilourgio
Apr. 03 – Greece, Athens – An Club
Apr. 04 – Italy, Milan
Apr. 06 – Italy, Rome
Apr. 07 – Italy, Porto d'Ascoli – Brunch Pub
Apr. 09 – Norway, Oslo – Inferno Metal Festival
Apr. 10 – Sweden
Apr. 11 – Sweden (?)

“Please help spread the word. Looks like we're headlining every show, so local info needs to spread soon. We are planning on playing everything. I mean everything, stuff from all four albums plus a couple off the re-released 1986 demo and a new one or two from the new album list…! So I said it before, I'll say it again: Tell a friend! Tell an enemy! Get your ass to the show and enjoy some aggressive metal. We will be there!”

February 22. 2004