Welcome to the Machine

Metalheads planning a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth — that's Disneyland, not Slayer's original practice space — might want to reconsider, because Mickey, Goofy and the gang don't really want you there. According to veteran Oakland thrash band Machine Head's Web site, last week Walt Disney Properties forced Houston-based promoter Live Nation to scrap the kickoff of the Black Tyranny Tour — also featuring Arch Enemy, Throwdown and Sanctity — less than 48 hours before the show. Scheduled for the Anaheim House of Blues, located in Disneyland's 160-acre Orange County theme park and resort, the show was moved 70 miles northeast to Pomona after "intense pressure and vague threats of liability from the [Disney] Corporation left the promoter with no choice but to remove the show from the venue." Disney also asked Live Nation to cancel several other metal shows at House of Blues, Machine Head contends, due to the bands' violent imagery, inflammatory lyrics and, best of all, "undesirable fans."

The Mouse House has a history of being persnickety about who it lets into the Magic Kingdom. Goths face similar scrutiny during their annual, very unofficial Bats Day visit, which traditionally ends with a giant group photo in front of the Haunted Mansion. "From our previous trips, we found out that Disney will not allow capes or fishnet stockings, on guys, to be worn into the park," writes Cory Doctorow on his blogwww.boingboing.net. "Disney does not want the regular visitors mistaking any of us as one of their characters or cast members." That sounds a lot more fun than that stupid teacup ride, but if nothing else, Machine Head — whose most recent LP The Blackening took Best Album at this year's Kerrang! Awards — has a nice ripe new target for songs like "Aesthetics of Hate" and "Clenching the Fist of Dissent."