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October 12, 2008 |
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SLAYER Guitarist Talks About Upcoming DVD, New Album
- July 31, 2004
SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman spoke to RiftRock.com about the band's upcoming DVD, "Reign In Blood Live: Still Reigning", and their next studio album. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Riftrock.com: "The band is putting out yet another live DVD soon that features the album Reign In Blood played in it’s entirety with the original line up. What inspired you guys to film "Reign In Blood Live: Still Reigning"? When and how did the idea come about?"
Jeff Hanneman: "The DVD idea was just recent, but the idea to play Reigning Blood in its entirety, we've talked about that for years, because its only 28 minutes we thought it would be cool to just throw it in a set, but it really caught fire when Dave got back in the band so it was like "Dave's back in the band? We should do it" And since the record label and Rick Rubin were having some problems, he suggested we wait until next year, so we said fuck it lets record raining blood live with Dave Lombardo and put it on DVD."
Riftrock.com: "The band is said to be working on material for a new album, How many songs have you written so far for the album?"
Jeff Hanneman: "We've got at least 10 songs musically because we always write material first, I have a handful and Kerry does too, but we haven't gotten into writing lyrics yet . We have plenty of songs to record when we are done touring, the album should be out pretty quick."
Riftrock.com: "Has Dave Lombardo re-entering the fold had any influence on the new material?"
Jeff Hanneman: "Oh yeah, anytime you have a drummer like Dave that's an amazing drummer, he's always a big influence, he'll tell us where we should have a pause, where we should stop at parts."
Riftrock.com: "Will Kerry be handling all lyrics for this album as well?"
Jeff Hanneman: "Oh yeah, well, me Kerry and Tom write all the lyrics. We all have our phases where we get on a roll and we just conquer everything."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.riftrock.com
CRADLE OF FILTH - New Song Available For Download
- July 30, 2004
A new CRADLE OF FILTH song, "Gilded Cunt", which is from the band's forthcoming album, "Nymphetamine", is available for download here.
"Nymphetamine" is scheduled to be released on September 28 through Roadrunner Records.
News source: www.roadrunnerrecords.com
LORD BELIAL - New Album Coming In August
- July 30, 2004
Swedish black metallers LORD BELIAL will unleash their new album, "The Seal Of Belial", on August 30 through Regain Records. The album will also be released on limited edition vinyl, which will be set to 500 copies.
Here is the track listing:
1. Prolusio; Acies Sigillum (Intro)
2. Sons Of Belial
3. Chariot Of Fire
4. Abysmal Hate
5. Legio Inferi
6. Mark Of The Beast
7. Armageddon Revelation
8. Scythe Of Death
9. Postmodum (Outro)
News source: www.lordbelial.com
BRUJERIA Singer Interviewed By Mexico's "Telehit"
- July 30, 2004
The official Brazilian BRUJERIA web site has posted a video of BRUJERIA singer Juan Brujo being interviewed by the Mexican TV show "Telehit". Download the video (Zip file) here.
BRUJERIA will play two shows in São Paulo, Brazil at Hangar 110 on August 5 and 6. Opening acts on August 5 will be CRIMINAL, SUBTERA and ARE YOU GOD? and on August 6 - CRIMINAL, CONFRONTO and HUTT.
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
METAL BLADE RECORDS Opens Office In Japan!
- July 30, 2004
METAL BLADE RECORDS have posted this announcement on their official website:
"Metal Blade Records Inc. is very proud to announce that we have opened a new office in Japan to release, distribute, and promote current and upcoming Metal Blade releases. The office is currently open and being run by Howling Bull Ent. and we expect to have an official launch party in Japan in November 2004. Having an office in Japan will ensure that Metal Blade releases are not only properly promoted but make it easier for fans to find releases and even get bands out to tour.
"Congrats METAL BLADE RECORDS JAPAN!! I'm so happy to be a part of establishment of a Japan office of such a great epoch-making label. We'll try our best to supporting Metal Blade and filling the island with metalheads!!!" Geess – President of Howling Bull Ent.
"We are really excited about our new venture, Metal Blade Japan. We have always wanted to have our own company in Japan and the timing and people we are working with could not be better. After the great success of our operation in Europe, we look forward to bringing the same commitment to Japan.
We look forward to working with everyone in the Japanese market to make Metal Blade Japan a success." – Brian Slagel – Owner & CEO Metal Blade Records Inc."
First set of METAL BLADE releases for Japan:
AS I LAY DYING – Frail Words Collapse
CATTLE DECAPITATION – Humanure
ANCIENT – Night Visit
INCAPACITY – Ninth Order Extinct
STARWOOD – If It Ain’t Broke, Break It!
News source: www.metalblade.com
PEGAZUS Announce New Bassist And Anniversary Show
- July 30, 2004
PEGAZUS guitarist Johnny Stoj has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Hail Pegazus Warriors,
Wow! Time does fly!!! Yes, It has been awhile since the last band news update. So many things still going on and keeping us very busy in the background as usual. There is no news just yet on the forthcoming Pegazus DVD but hopefully we can have something to announce to you on this sometime soon.
However, we can now confirm the New Bassist for PEGAZUS, his name is Joe Fata. Joe is the ex-bass player/member of another cool Australian Metal band Black Majesty. He was also the Pegazus lighting guy for the past couple of years as well. We have known Joe as a friend for quite awhile now and after having a few fun jam sessions together over the past couple of months, he has really slotted into the band so well. The new band member profiles are now available online for all to see, so you can read up and check out info on the two newest members of Pegazus, drummer Ange Sotiro and bassist Joe Fata. Photo's of the new members and new lineup are in the process of being done very soon, so these will also be online in the coming weeks.
At the moment we are jamming away on a whole new setlist of songs which will also include some old classic Pegazus tunes, some songs that the band hasn't played in like 4 or even 8 years. This is very exciting for us to do and we hope that it will be very exciting for the fans too, especially once we hit the touring trail sometime next year. We are planning to have a huge setlist to rotate night after night, to keep it all fun, fresh and exciting for everyone!
PEGAZUS - 10th Anniversary Show
Saturday 11th September
We are right now preparing for the one and only show that PEGAZUS will play for the rest of this year. It is our 10th Anniversary Show and it is confirmed to take place on Saturday 11th September, 2004 at the Central Club, 293 Swan St, Richmond (Melbourne, Australia). We hope to also announce some special guests (ex-members) and features for this special night in the coming weeks. More on this forthcoming huge event very, very soon!
Oh yeah, on a closing note. It seems like some asshole has nothing better to do than to be leaving threatening, harassing and slanderous comments to fans and the band on our guestbook. Little do they know, but we do have their IP Address which is automatically logged into the guestbook's data files. This person is unfortunately located to be in Melbourne, Australia.
Talk to you soon.all the best and METAL FOREVER!!!
Johnny \m/"
News source: www.pegazus.net
JAG PANZER - New Album Cover Posted Online
- July 30, 2004
The cover artwork for JAG PANZER's forthcoming album, "Casting The Stones", has been posted on renowned artist Mattias Norén's official website. Check out the front and back covers: Front cover, Back cover.
"Casting The Stones" was recorded in part at Tampa's Morrisound Studios with producer Jim Morris, and is said to be "a more aggressive version" of the band's last studio effort, "Mechanized Warfare". "Casting The Stones" is scheduled to be released on October 19 through Century Media Records.
Here is the track listing:
01. Feast Or Famine
02. The Mission (1943)
03. Vigilant
04. Achilles
05. Temptest
06. Legion Immortal (Mp3)
07. Battered & Bruised (Mp3)
08. Cold
09. Starlight's Fury
10. The Harkening
11. Precipice
News source: www.progart.com / www.jagpanzer.com
PRO-PAIN Frontman Speaks To ElectricBasement.com
- July 30, 2004
PRO-PAIN frontman and band founder Gary Meskil spoke to ElectricBasement.com about their new album "Fistul Of Hate", touring plans and the difference between the European and U.S. scenes. Here are some excerpts fromthe interview:
ElectricBasement: "Describe how the new album all came together, any new processes or approaches?"
Gary Meskil: "The writing process was a little bit more of a collaborative effort than previous records, and a large amount of the recording was done in our new studio - Crimelab Audio - in Sarasota Florida. We wanted to achieve a state of the art recording for Fistful of Hate, and we also wanted to experiment a bit more with our style. I think we succeeded in those regards."
ElectricBasement: "Where do you find more enthusiasm, USA or Europe and why?"
Gary Meskil: "I've seen equal enthusiasm from both. However, the main difference is that Europe has a healthier live music scene in my opinion. Underground music is in good and professional hands in Europe, and I can't say that's true for the scene here in the States."
ElectricBasement: "Why do you think heavy music gets less exposure in America than in Europe?"
Gary Meskil: "I don't think heavy music gets less exposure in the States. It's just that the scene is dominated by a select few nu-metal bands who are signed by majors, and everything else is underground. I think Europe supports it's music scene more than the U.S., including underground bands with no money behind them. That's part of the reason there are many more "heavy" bands touring Europe than in the U.S."
ElectricBasement: "What does the rest of 2004 look like for Pro-Pain?"
Gary Meskil: "We will tour Europe again in September, and we hope to tour the US before years end. I expect we will be writing some new material as well, so stay tuned!!"
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.electricbasement.com
LAMB OF GOD - New Album Cover, Track Listing Revealed
- July 29, 2004
Richmond, VA metallers LAMB OF GOD have revealed the album cover artwork for their upcoming album, "Ashes Of The Wake", here. The album includes guest appearances by former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland as well as former TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick.
The first batch of "Ashes Of The Wake" will be released with a special bonus disc featuring the video for the track "Laid To Rest".
Here is the track listing for "Ashes Of The Wake":
01. Laid To Rest
02. Hourglass
03. Now You've Got Something To Die For
04. The Faded Line
05. Omerta
06. Blood Of The Scribe
07. One Gun
08. Break You
09. What I've Become
10. Ashes Of The Wake
11. Remorse Is For The Dead
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
SLAYER's Tom Araya Speaks To The Tucson Citizen
- July 29, 2004
SLAYER vocalist/bassist Tom Araya spoke to the Tucson Citizen about their show on July 11 in Augusta, Maine, which was recorded for an upcoming live DVD. The band played "Reign In Blood" in its entirety, however, was focused on just the final minute of "Raining Blood," the closing song on the 10-track record.
"It's kind of like little kids waiting for a new toy. 'Here it comes. Here it comes,' " singer Tom Araya says, laughing. "The effect we were trying to achieve only happens at the end of the album, the last minute ... . And when it happened, it was great."
For all those SLAYER fans who were unable to make it to Agusta to witness the original lineup of the band - drummer Dave Lombardo rejoined in 2003 - performing its influential speed metal treatise, fear not: The show was filmed, and it will be in the "Reign in Blood: Still Reigning" DVD, scheduled to be released on September 28.
"Reign in Blood" was SLAYER's third album and the first produced by Rick Rubin for his Def Jam label. Araya wants Rubin to produce SLAYER's next album, which he hopes will see the band in the studio by the end of the year.
"If not Rubin, someone like Rubin, who will work like Rubin. In other words, who will be a part of the process," Araya says, adding that Rubin is very hands-on and acts, necessarily, like a "referee" for Slayer. Rubin was somewhat involved in the band's 2002 album, "God Hates Us All," in terms of financing and suggesting who should do the final mix.
Read the entire report/interview here.
News source: www.tucsoncitizen.com
SONATA ARCTICA - New Single Cover Artwork Posted
- July 29, 2004
Finnish power metallers SONATA ARCTICA have revealed the cover artwork for their new upcoming single, "Don't Say A Word", here. The single will be released in August.
"Don't Say A Word" comes off the band's fourth studio album, "Reckoning Night", which is scheduled to be released in Japan on October 6 and in Europe on October 11 through Nuclear Blast Records.
News source: www.sonataarctica.info
EDGUY - New Tobias Sammet Interview Online
- July 29, 2004
EDGUY vocalist Tobias Sammet spoke to Harmon Caldwell (official site webmaster) in an interview posted on the band's official website. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Harmon: "First of all, how did the Down Under and Japanese tours go?"
Tobias Sammet: "Oh, it went pretty well. I almost broke my hand in Japan on stage, had a bad cold but I am used to that. Jens had a stiff back and couldn't move some of his fingers due to a squeezed nerve. In Australia it was raining all the time, stormy weather and dead cold. In Japan it was really hot and there was a humidity of - I assume - 120%. Kids in the streets wore snorkel masks and diving suits. Awesome! Ah, and not to forget about those heavy turbulences during the flight back home from Japan and those ugly stewardesses. Bottom line: It was great, haha!"
Harmon: "So how did the Hellfire Club album perform?"
Tobias Sammet: "Good, I assume. Sorry: Very good! Nuclear Blast did a terrific job and a great promotion, even though there were some problems with our German distributor Warner, that was in a process of change at the release time. But whatsoever, we could rely on our fans. What is the best promotion, if the fans don't wanna have the album. So down the line: first we gotta thank our fans, and then our label, haha. The album was in the charts all over the world, the EP King Of Fools was in the charts for weeks and even the post-album-single "Lavatory Love Machine" charted in some countries in Europe. The tour is going great, so we can't complain. On the other hand, I enjoy that all and I am very very thankful, but I try not to think about success too much.
First of all we wanna concentrate on our work, celebrating ourselves is really stupid, only if you overdo it and make a parody of it. Then it gets funny, that can really drive some technicians in our crew mad. By the way, herewith the diva says hi to our crew members AC and Piesel, hahaha."
Harmon: "So, have you begun working on new material yet?"
Tobias Sammet: "We are currently working on that. Of course it will be the best album in music history and the present working title is Maserati Madness. Anyway, the first material sounds much more epic, serious and less stupid than what the working title makes you conclude, and I really don't think that that we would serioulsy pick such a stupid title. Maybe we'd rather call it Opel Sanity or something like that, haha. I am totally happy how good the firstideas sound. But it's gonna take a little until we can prove that, cause prior to the recording we wanna finish the Hellfire-Tour first. Rumors say that there are a few countries we haven't been on that tour yet. Well, maybe "few" doesn't really hit the point. Must be around 130 I guess. So ladies and gentlemen: We kindly ask for your patience!"
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.edguy.nu
Earthshaker Festival - More Photos Posted Online
- July 29, 2004
More live photos of bands performing at the Earthshaker Festival in Germany this past weekend have been posted online here.
Among the bands that appeared were DESTRUCTION, U.D.O., IN FLAMES, HELLOWEEN and PRIMAL FEAR.
News source: www.earthshaker-fest.com / www.bravewords.com
INTO ETERNITY - Two Members Out Of The Band
- July 29, 2004
Drummer Jim Austin and singer Chris Krall were forced to leave Canadian metallers INTO ETERNITY because of "financial reasons", according to this posting made by Jim Austin on the band's official website:
"Hello everyone,
This message is just to let everyone know that Chris and I are out of the band due to financial reasons. We simply have no money and need to work. Into Eternity needs to tour and we cannot afford to go right now. I have had an excellent 7 years with the band and wish them all the best and hope to see this band have huge success and the recognition it deserves. I would like to personally thank you all for the support you have given this band - it has been truly appreciated!
Jim"
With regards to the band's current status, guitarist Rob Doherty said, "This band is at the point where it needs to tour, period. We won't get into what we tried to do to make this happen for all but rather what we are doing. We are touring... The band will be just fine!! We haven't worked this hard to just quit. Things are going well, Chris and Jim will be missed by all of us, but the reality is we have to tour! To pass up a trip to Europe and tour so many cool countries with some great bands is something we can't afford not to do. Tim has taken over the vox like before, and it sounds killer!! This fuckin guy can sing!! We are working hard on the follow up to 'Buried In Oblivion' as we speak, and it's coming along really good. All our obligations and touring plans will be met head on with a full-steam metal assault!!!"
News source: www.intoeternity.com / www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
NIGHTWISH - New Live Shots Online
- July 29, 2004
Finland's NIGHTWISH have posted four new slideshows of some of their recent shows in the past few months. Check them out: Tuska Festival, Ruisrock Festival, Kitee Jäähalli and Sauna Open Air.
News source: www.nightwish.com
INTO ETERNITY Tap Touring Drummer
- July 28, 2004
Canada's INTO ETERNITY have announced that Pit Magazine's own Adam Sagan has been tapped to tour with the band taking over the drum throne. After the position was vacated by long time member Jim Austin, a worldwide call was made for a replacement and it was answered by Madison, Wisconsin's Adam Sagan, one of the band’s most adamant supporters and assistant editor of Pit Magazine. "I have been aware of the band for years," says Adam, "and had missed seeing them live on three different occasions. When I received "Buried In Oblivion" [the band's 2004 Century Media release] earlier this year I was blown away. This is music that I have always wanted to hear, classically influenced progressive death metal. Most impressive is that the band actually performs live the intricate vocal harmonies they record. I am really honored to be a part of the band and look forward to playing ProgPower and touring with one of my favorite bands, KATAKLYSM."
"We are really excited to be working with Adam, he's an awesome drummer with great double bass. He catches on really quick and fits perfectly with the band," says guitarist Tim Roth. "We are working really hard to get him up here full-time." Adam has been playing drums for 13 years, and has been playing with his own band Halcyon for 4 years. Halcyon broke up in January 2004 after releasing a self-titled EP in 2003. INTO ETERNITY have upcoming performances at Atlanta's prestigious ProgPower USA V in September, and a full European tour with KATAKLYSM, GRAVEWORM, and MYSTIC CIRCLE in October.
News source: Century Media
WINTER SOLSTICE Sign With Metal Blade Records
- July 28, 2004
Virginia based metalcore act WINTOR SOLSTICE have just signed with Metal Blade Records. Starting in 2001 WINTOER SOLSTICE has secured an underground following by playing with bands such as NORMA JEAN, AS I LAY DYING, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, LIVING SACRIFICE, SILVERSTEIN, and BURY YOUR DEAD just to name a few. The bands most recent EP was recorded at Cloud City Studios (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WALLS OF JERICHO) by Mike Hasty of WALLS OF JERICHO in January 2004. The band will head back to Cloud City Studios in Detroit, MI in October to start recording their debut full-length release that will be out on Metal Blade Records in the winter of 2005.
Drummer Duke Cuneo had this to say: "We are very excited to be with Metal Blade. It's exactly where we wanted to be. We are glad to be a part of a label with such great bands on their roster."
Metal Blade Records Inc. owner Brian Slagel commented: "It's great to have the Winter Solstice guys as part of the Metal Blade family. They are a very hard working and talented group that have an amazing live performance and work ethic that can take them all the way."
The band's current lineup is:
Matt Tarpey - Vocals
Duke Cuneo - Drums
JT Turner - Guitar
Roger Turner - Guitar
Nathan Smith - Bass
News source: Metal Blade
BLOODBATH - New Album Cover Posted Online
- July 28, 2004
BLOODBATH have posted the cover artwork for their upcoming new album, "Nightmares Made Flesh", here.
BLOODBATH features Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN), Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, DAN SWANÖ, UNICORN, EDGE OF SANITY, INFESTDEAD, ODYSSEY, PAN-THY-MONIUM), Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (KATATONIA, DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, BEWITCHED) and Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA, OCTOBER TIDE). "Nightmares Made Flesh" is scheduled to be released in Europe on September 27 through Century Media Records.
News source: www.bloodbath.biz
DIO - Live Shots From Spain Posted Online
- July 28, 2004
Several photos of DIO's live performance in Barcelona, Spain on July 25 have been posted on the Spanish metal site, Piece Of Metal. Check out the photos here.
DIO's new album, "Master Of The Moon", is scheduled to be released in Europe on August 30 through SPV Records and the following day in the U.S. (August 31) through Sanctuary Records.
News source: www.pieceofmetal.com
JUDAS PRIEST Set Record Straight On Management
- July 28, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST have posted this message on their official website:
"We just want to put the record straight!!
Despite some people being misled by inference that Judas Priest are being managed by Sanctuary Management - this is definitely not the case! Sanctuary have absolutely nothing at all to do with the Band in any way - the Band's Manager is still Bill Curbishley and everything relating to Judas Priest should be directed to Bill Curbishley and Jayne Andrews - nothing has changed!! Any enquiries regarding Judas Priest should be directed to Trinifold Management in London - tel: + 44 207 419 4300/ fax: +44 207 419 4325 or via email to the main address: trinuk@globalnet.co.uk."
News source: www.judaspriest.com
CATTLE DECAPITATION - Tour Update
- July 28, 2004
CATTLE DECAPITATION singer Travis Ryan has issued this band update:
"Cattle Decapitation's new album HUMANURE IS RELEASED! check it out,it's our best one yet. Don't bother with Best Buy or Musicland, though. They refuse to carry the CD because of the cover. It's also banned in Europe and now in these chain stores in our own country!!! You should have no problem finding it in your local independent music store, online and through other chain stores.
Well, the tour started off kind of odd. I broke my hand on the first day of tour just hours before the Chain Reaction show in Anaheim,CA. 4 carpals were annihilated and a possible fracture of the scaffoid bone, an extremely hard to heal bone. I now have an annoying cast on my right arm. We're still doing the tour!!! We're in Alberquerque, NM tonight playing with Cannibal Corpse and our friends in Black Dahlia and Severed Savior. We'll see you guys soon. Come out and check out the shows...you see them in the shows section at www.cattledecapitation.com."
News source: Metal Blade
FATES WARNING - Update From Ray Alder
- July 28, 2004
FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder has provided this update regarding the band's new album "FWX":
"We went into this record being as creative as possible, and we worked really hard. We were facing some big changes that made the writing and recording a long, arduous process. The result is a record that is a lot heavier than past records. It's also more technical than any other record we've done."
Here is the track listing for the album:
01. Left Here
02. Simple Human
03. River Wide Ocean Deep
04. Another Perfect Day
05. Heal Me
06. Sequence # 7
07. Crawl
08. A Handful Of Doubt
09. Stranger (With A Familiar Face)
10. Wish
"FWX" is scheduled to be released on October 5 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: Metal Blade
JUDAS PRIEST - New K.K. Downing Interview Online
- July 28, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing spoke with BayInsider.com about the band reuniting with Rob Halford, Ozzfest and other topics. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
BayInsider: "So how's the Ozzfest Tour going so far?"
K.K. Downing: "It really is fantastic to be on the Ozzfest because it's a guaranteed success if you know what I mean. The crowds have been massive to say the least, and I think I'm right in saying that the shows are all pretty much sold out. And it's really efficiently run, the whole thing. It's quite amazing."
BayInsider: "I had an interview with Rob Halford when he was touring with his solo band back in May of 2003, just prior to the announcement that Priest was getting back together. At the time, he suggested that the reunion could happen but wasn't that imminent and then the next month the word came out. I was curious, given the persistent rumors that were coming out for a few years, how long did reconciliation take from initial talks to when you made the announcement?"
K.K. Downing: "Well, from our point of view we had to listen to those rumors that were totally unfounded for a long time! And then suddenly, for a very short space of time -- and it was very short really -- they were actually true. But we didn't know what was happening until we met up to start discussing business matters, mainly the Metalogy box set which is out now, and a few other things. And basically it was Rob indicating that he'd wrapped up his other commitments and was available to do some work. It was just getting the timing right.
We'd just done two albums and two world tours with Ripper Owens and so everything just kind of came together. We'd be traveling the world and we'd always get a massive amount of people wanting to know if Halford was coming back. And it seemed to be intensifying rather than diminishing, the demand from the fans.
So we thought even though we're making great records and sounding great and Ripper's a brilliant singer -- there's no two ways about that -- it just seems the people want the original. And as I've said before, it's a historical fact that that's what people want. And I think they've got a point really, when they've gone out and dedicated themselves to a band for so many years: bought the albums and bought the t-shirts and stayed loyal. Then they want that original line-up back and feel they're entitled to it."
BayInsider: "The period after Rob's departure and the recording of Jugulator was pretty lengthy. I know from what I've read that it was partly because of how long it took to find a replacement, but did it end up being the proper time for the band to take an extended break? Or was it really just the search to find the right man to fill Rob's shoes?"
K.K. Downing: "It was a matter of finding the right man. We really wanted to find someone who hadn't belonged to another successful band, you know?"
BayInsider: "You wanted to avoid the classic rotating heavy metal singer syndrome?"
K.K. Downing: "Exactly. We could have done that. There were a lot of good singers who would have been willing to join the band, but then it would have been the amalgamation of two bands and we always wanted it to remain uniquely Judas Priest. But, as I said before, in the end people just wanted the Priest. I'm a firm believer that every band with any sort of status, just like they have the musicians and the sound of the band, they also have the voice of the band. And Halford is the voice of Judas Priest as far as everybody is concerned."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.bayinsider.com / www.ktvu.com
VADER Returns From The Balkans
- July 28, 2004
Polish death metallers VADER have returned from the Balkans with this update:
"VADER is going back from their tour through the Balkans, consisted of 10 gigs. The band played in Budapest and Hodmezovasarhely (Hungary), Bukarest (Romania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Belgrad (Serbia), Skopje (Macedonia) and Osijek (Croatia). Over 4500 people at Balkan gigs, over 9000 at the whole tour! VADER would like to thank to all maniacs for the great response and devotion on battlefield, for real madness and faith in the band. The organizers- for fantastic organization, pure professionalism and great respect for us. It was worth to go through thousands of kilometers in the sun, struggle with problems on borders for all these unforgettable moments. Soon we will meet again, we are positive about that!"
News source: Metal Blade
ICED EARTH Compilation To Be Released In August
- July 27, 2004
Century Media has announced that the first-ever ICED EARTH greatest hits collection, entitled "The Blessed And The Damned", will be released on August 10. The double CD compilation contains 23 tracks featuring over two hours of remastered material spanning the band’s Century Media career. Russian fantasy artist Leo Hao (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth) has created an original piece of art allowing either angels or demons to gloriously grace the cover. The Blessed And The Damned contains a 20-page deluxe booklet that includes lyrics and extensive biographical liner notes by former Century Media publicist Loana dP Valencia.
Detailed herein is an introduction to where Jon Shaffer and ICED EARTH are today by taking a look back at where they have been: Jon's early days beginning with BLACK SABBATH and KISS records at age four, his decision to dedicate his life to music, his first guitar, his move to Tampa, Florida at age 16, the first incarnation of ICED EARTH and how they overcame obstacles, failures and successes. Each album is discussed in detail including what at the time was happening to the band and includes commentary from mastermind Jon Schaffer.
"A musician's autobiography is his music – everything else is only a footnote... Throughout the course of nine albums and one EP, Jon Schaffer has offered us – his fans – interpretations of the truths in his own life. In this compilation, each song leads you through his understanding of his [Jon Schaffer's] struggles, disappointments, joys and his triumphs." - Loana dP Valencia taken from "The Blessed And The Damned" booklet.
Here is the track listing:
Disc 1:
01. Burning Times (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
02. Wolf (Horror Show)
03. The Hunter (Alive In Athens / The Dark Saga)
04. Curse The Sky (Iced Earth)
05. Melancholy (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
06. Stormrider (Night Of The Stormrider)
07. Burnt Offerings (Burnt Offerings)
08. Travel In Stygian (Alive In Athens / Night Of The Stormrider)
09. Dark Saga (The Dark Saga)
10. Written On The Walls (Iced Earth)
11. Damien (Horror Show)
Disc 2:
01. Angels Holocaust (Days Of Purgatory / Night Of The Stormrider)
02. Desert Rain (Days Of Purgatory / Night Of The Stormrider)
03. Last December (Burnt Offerings)
04. Watching Over Me (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
05. Pure Evil (Alive In Athens / Night Of The Stormrider)
06. The Path I Choose (Night Of The Stormrider)
07. I Died For You (The Dark Saga)
08. Disciples Of The Lie (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
09. When The Night Falls (Days Of Purgatory / Iced Earth)
10. Jack (Horror Show)
11. Iced Earth (Iced Earth)
12. Violate (Alive In Athens / The Dark Saga)
News source: Century Media
SAXON - New Band Photo Posted Online
- July 27, 2004
A brand new photo of SAXON'S current lineup has been posted online here.
SAXON will be releasing their new album, "Lionheart", on September 20 through SPV Records.
News source: www.saxon747.com
PRIMAL FEAR - New Live Photos Posted Online
- July 27, 2004
German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have posted this message on their official website:
"We're back from a great Open Air weekend . Thanks to the promoters, staff and of course the fans at the Earthshaker Festival and the Deep Impact Festival. The Gallery is updated with new pictures. It was great to meet a lot of friends backstage and in the audience! We already talked about our next album production and we can tell at the moment, that we have a lot of ideas, visions and the band is in a great shape & mood. Our fanclub has a new raffle started. It's about the official fanclub shirt - if you want to send them an option and win a great prize - check the German fanclub page!
Check out the new photos from the Open Air weekend here.
News source: www.primalfear.de
AMON AMARTH - New Album Will Have New Mix On Finished Product
- July 27, 2004
Metal Blade Records have announced that the upcoming AMON AMARTH album, "Fate Of Norms", will get a new mix for the finished product. The mix on the promo CD is good, but not good enough for this high quality album. The new mix is a bit fatter and has more dynamics.
"Fate Of Norns" is scheduled to be released on September 6 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: www.bravewords.com
SCORPIONS - New Live Photos Posted Online
- July 27, 2004
The SCORPIONS and DREAM MAKER performed live in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday July 21. Check out the photos from the live show here.
News source: www.azheavymetal.com
MEGADETH - Win Chat With Dave Mustaine
- July 27, 2004
To celebrate the release of their re-mastered catalog July 27, MEGADETH is launching a contest for 25 lucky winners to gain entrance to an exclusive chat room with Dave Mustaine. Sponsored by EMI, Abrasive Rock, and Fan2Fan the contest allows MEGADETH fans to submit their thoughts on why these albums are so meaningful and memorable. On August 13, the fans with the best answers will be sent the information for a secret chat room where Dave Mustaine will answer all their questions.
The re-releases include seven albums from the pioneering metal band, along with a new, never-before-heard version of a MEGADETH-related side project. "I have finally gotten to go back and make everything that I was hearing in my head available to the fans, so that they can experience the songs the way that I feel they truly are in my soul," says Mustaine about his massive project on Capitol Records. "Some of the songs just didn't turn out the way that I wanted them to when they were first made, due to money restrictions, technology limitations and so on. I believe now that there is nothing standing in the way of what I felt when I wrote these songs and how you will be able to hear them."
This chat will give the winning fans a chance to learn more about Mustaine's motivation for the re-masters as well as all the work that went into preparing them for release. Fans will also be able to hear more on the band's new material, which is scheduled to be released on September 14 through Sanctuary Records.
For more information, go here.
News source: www.abrasiverock.com
NIGHTWISH's "Once" To Receive Major Label Release In The U.S.
- July 27, 2004
NIGHTWISH are in final negotiations with an as-of-yet undisclosed major label for the North American release of the band's new album, "Once". A U.S. release date for the CD has not yet been announced.
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
HELIX Issues Update
- July 26, 2004
Canadian rockers HELIX have issued this update on their official website:
"The new anniversary "CD NEVER TRUST ANYONE OVER 30" is available on the Merchandise section of the website and the history DVD "30 Years of Helix: NO REST FOR THE WICKED" will be available shortly. "NEVER TRUST ANYONE OVER 30" is a collection of songs from our independent CDs plus 3 new tracks. "30 YEARS OF HELIX: NO REST FOR THE WICKED" is the band's history video which contains footage from my own Super 8, video, still shots, etc. E.M.I. will also be releasing their own anniversary CD entitled "30 Years of Helix" and a DVD of the 30th Anniversary Concert filmed at The Sanderson Centre in Brantford. This DVD is to be tentatively released October 1st. From what I could see on the monitors as it was going down it's going to look fantastic.
Isn't it great that Helix (which only 5 years ago everyone seemed to have written off) is this year releasing 3 new CDs and 2 new DVDs?! Go figure!
ALICE COOPER SHOW - WINDSOR, ONTARIO
Wednesday night's gig at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor was sold out. Helix rocked out and by the end of our set we had the first 5 rows of the theatre on their feet. Alice was, as usual, great. Thanks to everyone who came down to the show and to those who emailed us after the gig.
ALICE COOPER / FOGHAT / EDGAR WINTER - HARRIS PARK, LONDON, ONTARIO
We hit the stage Friday afternoon to over 5,000 fans and rocked out under a hot afternoon sun. Got to meet the Cooper band, Foghat, and Edgar Winter. Next week I'm on holidays, so it was a great way to end off.
GANDER NEWFOUNDLAND GIG
On Saturday August 7th we will be returning to Newfoundland for one show in the city of Gander. Word spread quickly after our St. John’s show a month earlier on how the new line-up kicks some serious butt-the main consideration in hiring us. The concert is being thrown by the Search and Rescue Team and they are expecting a couple of thousand people at the show. The show is being promoted by KROC"
News source: www.planethelix.com
BRUJERIA Goes Hollywood
- July 26, 2004
Blabbermouth.net has received this message from BRUJERIA guitarist Dino Cazares (a.k.a. Asesino):
"BRUJERIA are extremely proud to announce that we had two successful back-to-back sold-out shows at the Key Club in Hollywood on July 14th and 15th. 1,600 people attended over the two days. This was the first time ever that the band had officially performed in Los Angeles in its 14-year history. All past attempts were plagued with religious protests and weary promoters who feared to book the band do to BRUJERIA's reputation and politically incorrect stance, both musically and lyrically. We also had a very successful show at the Ventura Theater [Saturday] night [July 24]. BRUJERIA would like to say 'gracias' to all the bands and fans that came out to support the BRUJERIA revolucion!!!!!! Next stop Brazil for two shows in Sao Paulo, along with a special guest appearance on MTV Brazil, where the band will perform live. Also a show in Buenos Aires Argentina is also confirmed. More details to follow."
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
STORMLORD Shooting New Video
- July 26, 2004
Italian extreme metallers STORMLORD have posted this message on their official website:
"After the great success of the "I Am Legend" video we knew it wasn't over... Now we're about to return with a brand new clip of the song "Under The Boards (195, M.A.), included in the new "The Gorgon Cult" album and bound to be unleashed on the net and tv's on september/october 2004. We begun the shoots just today, and here're some pics taken from the set.
After the zombies of "I Am Legend" we gathered together with the director Brigida Costa to discuss about the new opus: we wanted to her to give us the most weird, disturbing and sick videoclip ever, and she did more than we were expecting (never dare Brigida...).
The story will speak about a psycho/medical serial killer who come out at night to stalk his victims and then trap them in his clinic of horror... the video will be much more similar to a short movie than to a "normal" videoclip; we wan't reveal too much yet, we're eager to shock your minds in September, just expect the most bloody and dark metal video EVER!
As usual the cast will be starring David Bracci from the Sergio Stivaletti team (Dario Argento and more) for the Special fx but also Giuseppe Oppedisano ("The English Patient", "Cari Fottutissimi Amici", "Demonium" and more...) as the insane psycho killer.
The video vill be avaliable for free download on this site, so stay tuned for more news to come."
You can check out some pictures from the shoot here.
News source: www.stormlord.net
DECAPITATED Announce New Tour
- July 26, 2004
DECAPITATED have posted this news on their official website:
"After many negotiations and arrangements the first European tournee of bands from Empire Records/ Massive Management catalogue almost finalized! It will be presented by Massive Management and German Crash Concerts Agency under the name "The Ultimate Domination Tour 2005". The tour schedule will consist of 14-16 dates in countries like Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Poland. Bands like DECAPITATED, HATE, DIES IRAE and one more act from Poland will hit the road on February 2005. More details will follow soon."
News source: www.decapitated.net
JUDAS PRIEST Singer Speaks About Ozzfest, New Album
- July 26, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford spoke to Metal-Exiles.com about the band's upcoming new studio album and their future plans. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Metal-Exiles.com: "About the reunion, if there were not a Metalogy box set, would there have been a Judas Priest reunion?"
Rob Halford: "That's a very good question as the whole reunion pivoted around the meeting that we took at my house for the box set. I would like to think that the whole Metalogy box set experience played a major part in it. The last question that was asked is "Are we going to reunite", are we going to do it. In an underplayed British way, we all looked around and nodded at each other as if to say "I will do it if you do it". Five minutes later I was sitting in my kitchen thinking that soon the world will know about the reunion. As you know it was a piece on CNN, it was such an important moment in the music that it was covered on a major news outlet."
Metal-Exiles.com: "What is the progress on the new CD?"
Rob Halford: "It is almost completed, after OZZFest we are going back in and doing a little overdubbing and all of the mixing has to be done."
Metal-Exiles.com: "What is the direction that the CD is going in."
Rob Halford: "It is difficult to put into words but the people that are eagerly awaiting it will not be disappointed. It has the speed and ferocity of songs like Painkiller and Freewheel Burning, the passion and the drama of songs like The Sentinel and Sinner and nice slow ballad pieces plus a few new twists because the band always has its ear to the ground of the current scene."
Metal-Exiles.com: "Well, to me Priest were innovators; you never followed the herd, especially with Painkiller."
Rob Halford: "Yes, Painkiller was a remarkable release."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.metal-exiles.com
CRADLE OF FILTH - Final Studio Report Part 10
- July 26, 2004
CRADLE OF FILTH bassist Dave Pybus has posted this final studio report on the band's official website:
"Hell-O again. This, part ten of the Nymphetamine studio report, will be the last one, as the new record is all but finished. Bar a remix of one track and mastering at Sterling sound studios in New York next week, it's finished! As you can now see the full track listing and song decriptions is all in place on the website and parts of the artwork will be appearing there soon.
A 6 track unmastered CD with the lastest song version's was recently sent out to the press so Dani and myself could start the interviews this week in Cologne, Germany. The reaction there was very, very positive and we now go onto other countries next week and the USA in early August. It's great that other people can finally start getting into the new record. All the journolist's we very eager to hear the full album right away. The title track featuring Liv Kristine was not on the 6 track promo CD so you can understand their anxiousness.
Back home we are also currently working on recording 2 new tracks and 3 cover versions for a Nymphetamine special edition CD which is likely to be released in early 2005. This is not 100% confirmed as we are still all very busy, but thats the general plan anyway.
We also played our last festival shows of 2004 in Sweden and Finland last weekend, ending the 'Damnation' phase of our touring. Met some great people and friends and saw some great bands there too. We flew into Oslo, Norway, which was my first ever time there. Never seen so many trees! It was great. The shows went good as well and a few funny stories came back with us (as usual). See the couple of pics I got to see a few backstage antics. Thanx to The 69 Eyes for being so cool (and drunk)! As you can see on the website, tour dates in South America have appeared. We are all very excited by this trip as it's out first time in most of these countries and hope the fans are happy we are finally getting to them after all these years of asking for us to play. See you real soon!!! Following that will be a full tour of North America and the Europe before Xmas. Can't wait. I wanna say thanks to our fans and road crew for a great summer... cheers guys!"
News source: www.cradleoffilth.com
RAGE Guitarist Victor Smolski Recovering
- July 26, 2004
RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Hallo. First I would like to say thanks a lot to all, who visited me in hospital during my illness. Also all the inquiries of friends and fans, who were worried about my health, helped me, to get better quicker. My blind gut was bursted and infected other organs. After 2 operations (one during dangerous situation to life) and loss of 15 kg weight in 2 weeks, I often thought about the fate of Jason Becker, what a horror thought...
After 1 1/2 months in hospital it's a great feeling, being home again. Now I do sports every day to get fit again. Next week I already fly to Korea again to play a concert together with Black Hole at the International Busan Rock Festival, where also Steve Vai & Band is one of the participating bands.
Best regards
Victor Smolski"
News source: www.rage-on.de
KAMELOT Put Finishing Touches On New Album
- July 25, 2004
KAMELOT's official website is reporting that Thomas Youngblood and Roy Khan will be heading back to Germany to put the finishing touches to the follow up to "Epica". Vocal sessions and guitar sessions will be done as well as some recordings of the guest appearances. The title for the new album will be revealed very soon as well.
News source: www.kamelot.com
OMNIUM GATHERUM Complete New Album
- July 25, 2004
Finland's OMNIUM GATHERUM have posted this message on their official website:
"The recording and mixing of the new OG album is now completed, big salutes and many "Ky`yyl" celebration screams to Nino Laurenne and Teemu Aalto who produced and engineered the album at Sonic Pump Studio, killer`n`kick ass stuff coming indeed!!
And here`s what mr. producer have to say about this: " Fuckkiing great shit!"
Next we are heading to Finnvox studio to master the album and then it`s...READY an` Willing!"
The new album, entitled "Fall Grave Silence", is tentatively scheduled for release this coming October/November through Rage Of Achilles Records.
News source: www.omniumgatherum.cjb.net
Former HALFORD Guitarist Speaks About TESTAMENT Tour
- July 25, 2004
Guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak has posted this message on his official website:
"Greetings Metal Horde!!
"Goddamn — what a ride !! As many of you know, I was out with the mighty TESTAMENT defending the faith all over Europe for the month of June. What a kick-ass and amazing experience. The rehearsals for the tour started around mid-May, and after 2 warm-up shows in California we entered our European crusade. Well, almost ... we conveniently did a quick stop before the tour in Amsterdam ... and, you can all fill-in the blanks here, as I do not really remember much. I think the hangovers are still haunting me today.
In short, I'd like to thank all of you who showed up at our numerous shows across 15 different countries or so ... your warm, crazy support really, really made all the hard work worth it. Playing with all-new musicians in a new band was also a killer experience .... and it is a pleasure for me to say that I feel I made some very good friends. Thanks to Chuck, Eric, Paul, & 2 Steves for their professionalism and no-bullshit attitude. You guys ARE Fucking Metal and the MOST TRUE Rock and Roll muthers!!
TESTAMENT is readying a new album for you all, so keep believing and we will see you all very, very soon.
During the Graspop Festival in Belgium, I also had a chance to catch up with "The Metal God". We had a good chat and laughed quite a bit, as usual. I'll probably catch up with Rob once again at some Ozzfest dates and drink some more PRIEST beer. At Bang Your Head Festival in Germany, I caught up with my close friend Bobby who killed everyone with ICED EARTH. That band sounded too good I must tell you. Ripper also proved once again what happens when you allow him to show his true self .... what a brilliant talent!! This tour was one of the funnest, no-bullshit, no-politics, coolest tours I have ever been a part of.
PAINMUSEUM is still going. We touched up the mastering and final label discussions are in place, so finally the album will see the light of day. There are some MP3 from the upcoming album at painmuseum.com.
You can also hear my cameo on the new Dream Evil album "The Book Of Heavy Metal" (Century Media).
We have also majorly cut down on the official distributors for Metal Mike Albums/ Product. The remaining survivors that we strongly recommend are:
Century Media Records: (800) 25-4600 www.centurymedia.com
Guitar Nine Records: www.guitarnine.com
In the end, thank you all for your true Metal hearts and a big FUCK OFF to all who deserve one !! Metal Mike
PS. We have uncovered a big box of CASSETTE verions of my first solo album Isolation Chamber "Grind Textural Abstractions". Ultra heavy, instrumental album. Not many people want cassettes these days, but if you do ... we are getting rid of these now and forever. $4 covers the Cassette/ Shipping and Handling within US/ Canada. $5 for the World. If you want 2 cassettes, just add $2. (ie: send us $6)
Make checks payable to C.M.M. Entertainment, LLC and mail to:
C.M.M. Entertainment, LLC, Att: GTA Cassettes
P.O. Box 7331,
No. Arlington, NJ 07031-7331
USA.
We ship immediately and the offer is good until August 30th."
News source: www.painmuseum.com
BRUJERIA Singer Arrested In Mexico
- July 24, 2004
BRUJERIA singer Juan Brujo was arrested for possession of an illegal weapon (machete) and illegal drugs following the band's performance in Tijuana, Mexico on Saturday, July 17. BRUJERIA guitarist Dino Cazares (a.k.a. Asesino) sent this message to Blabbermouth.net regarding the incident:
"The venue [in Tijuana] hired police officers as security for the concert because of the reputation that BRUJERIA has. Just before we were about to hit the stage, the police stopped Brujo for his machete that he takes on stage, they pulled him aside and questioned him, asking him what it's for and why he was wearing the Mexican flag bandana on his face. They said he was desecrating the flag, which is a major offense in Mexico. They continued to search him and found a substantial amount of a controlled substance (marijuana). Asesino [a.k.a. Dino] tried to democratically intervene with the police but all he got was 'Shut the fuck up and get the fuck out of here.' Asesino went and got the promoter to try and come and reason with the police.
After a few minutes of negotiations between the promoter and the police, a financial compromise was agreed to only allow Brujo to perform the show but still to be arrested immediately after the band's performance and taken to jail, where he spent three days negotiating his release. Finally, yet another financial compromise of thousands of dollars was agreed [upon] and all charges were dropped and he was released from jail in time for rehearsals with BRUJERIA for their upcoming show at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, July 24."
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
RHAPSODY Members On Canada's Musique Plus
- July 24, 2004
BW&BK is reporting that RHAPSODY singer Fabio Lione and keyboardist Alex Staropoli will appear on Musique Plus this coming Monday, July 26 at 3PM. The Italian power metallers are in town promoting their forthcoming album, "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands Part 2: The Dark Secret", which is scheduled to be released in September through SPV.
News source: www.bravewords.com
THE HAUNTED Reveal New Album Track Listing
- July 23, 2004
Sweden's THE HAUNTED have revealed the track listing for their upcoming album "rEVOLVEr", which will be released on October 18 through Century Media Records.
Here is the track listing:
01. No Compromise
02. 99
03. Abysmal
04. Sabotage
05. All Against All
06. Sweet Relief
07. Burnt To A Shell
08. Who Will Decide
09. Nothing Right
10. Liquid Burns
11. My Shadow
News source: www.the-haunted.com
ICED EARTH - Post-Tour Update
- July 23, 2004
ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Greetings...
I hope you're all doing well!
First off, I want to thank you all for another successful tour. Your passion and loyalty towards the band never ceases to amaze me. I look back over the last 15 years of Iced Earth touring around the world, and though there have been many changes, the one thing that's always been consistent is the spirit of our fan base. It's truly an amazing thing and I feel fortunate for that special relationship. Iced Earth has never been about an individual, but a way of life. A lot of people don't get that, but the fans do, and that's what's made it a success from the beginning. So again, I thank you all........
I also want to take this opportunity to tell you all that Bobby Jarzombek will be with Iced Earth as well as Demons & Wizards as long as he wants to be here. He is truly a world class drummer, the best I've ever played with by the way, and I'm honored to have him on the team. Bobby has an instructional video coming out soon that is mind-blowing; check it out if you get a chance, you won't be disappointed.
As some of you may know, I've been dealing with lower back pain for a few years now. I had surgery back in November that turned out to be a waste of time and most likely a misdiagnosis due to the fact that the pain has reached an all new level. In fact, towards the end of the tour there were a few nights that I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the set. I feel I owe the fans at the Graspop festival in Belgium an apology because I was certainly not myself at that show, and for that I am sorry.
When we arrived at Frankfurt airport the day before, I wasn't sure if I was even going to be able to do the 2 festivals. I was having trouble walking and standing for any length of time, it was very intense and nothing I could do was giving me any relief. Thankfully, the physical therapist that did the first 4 weeks of the U.S. tour is a German friend, and was able to meet me in Frankfurt that night and work on my back. Between his help and a few bottles of Jagermesiter I was able to get through both shows. Those who know me know that drinking before or during a performance is not a practice that I'm accustomed to, but it did ease the pain a bit. I feel sure I was at 20% of my normal capacity at Graspop and maybe 50% at Bang Your Head, and all the while suffering immensely.
Anyway, I'm in the process of taking several serious medical tests to see if we can get to the bottom of the problem and fix it for good. As of right now my health has to be the first priority, so any plans for touring are on hold for the moment.
Also, very soon we will be auctioning off my 2000 Harley Davidson Night Train. Neil will have pictures of it up soon and my friends at Guitarworks here in Greenwood, Indiana will be handling the sale through their EBay site. The bike is sitting in their showroom right now. This is a bike that I customized myself and due to my back problems it's been sitting in my living room because I was in denial about parting with it.
Anyway, the time has come to face the reality that touring bikes with windshields are my destiny as a biker.
This bike was also photographed in certain versions of the Horror Show CD, albeit with a different paint job. It's absolutely cherry and has only 1995 miles. The engine isn't even broken in yet! The reason behind auctioning it off instead of selling it the normal way is that we want to give a percentage of the proceeds to a charity that will help our troops whose families are struggling financially here at home. If you're at all interested in bidding on this one of a kind Harley with its unique history keep posted for details in the next few days. Once Neil gets the links up you can read more about the bike and what's included with it.
Well, I've saved the best news for last. I'm going to be a father!! Wendi and I are very happy and looking to the future like never before. This is by far the biggest and most important thing to happen to us and will be more fulfilling than anything thus far, I'm sure.
Again I want to thank you for your support and loyalty through the years.
Take care and best wishes to you all!!
Jon"
News source: www.icedearth.com
CENTINEX - New Video Available Online
- July 23, 2004
CENTINEX have posted their new video for "Arrival Of the Spectrum Obscure" online here (AVI - 38.7 MB).
"Arrival Of The Spectrum Obscure" comes off CENTINEX's most recent album, "Decadence - Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos", which was released this past March through Candlelight Records.
News source: www.centinex.org
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER - Update From Trevor
- July 23, 2004
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER vocalist Trevor Strnad has issued this update:
"Things have been going well for the BDM camp. We just completed the Canadian leg of the tour with Cannibal Corpse and it was a great success. Much alcohol was consumed. Props to Neuraxis, Despised Icon, Lapidate, Three Inches of Blood and Gene Hoglan for showing us a good time."
News source: Metal Blade
CANNIBAL CORPSE Tour Update
- July 23, 2004
CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster has provided this update on the band's North American tour:
"Greetings!
We have just returned from a brutal tour of Canada, and we are going to play at the Lofi club in Salt Lake City tonight. The tour of Canada was awesome, we had a great time. This was the first time we have done this many shows in a row in Canada, and everything went really well. All of the shows were great as expected, and it was killer to play in places we had never been before, like Victoria, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Regina. Even the smaller cities up there have great death metal scenes. More bands should go up there and tour.
One thing that surprised us a little was how hot it is up there, at least in the venues during the shows! We all left behind gallons of sweat on the stages of the clubs we played up there. Calgary was particularly hot, and there was very little air in the club. Somehow the fans stayed brutal for the entire show (maybe it's that killer Canadian beer!) and their energy helped keep us going. All of the Canadian shows were packed with real death metal maniacs, and we want to say a huge thank you to all of them for coming to the shows and kicking ass! Hopefully we will be able to do more extensive tours of Canada in the future.
Now we are continuing on through the US, to play some cities we haven't hit yet on this tour. We look forward to brutal shows in these cities as well. After that we'll be heading to Europe for the Wacken festival, and a few other fests as well. Thanks again to all of the fans who've come out to the shows on the Wretched Spawn tour, we've got a lot more shows coming up so we'll see the rest of you soon!
Alex"
News source: Metal Blade
GOREROTTED - New Video On The Way
- July 23, 2004
GOREROTTED have finished shooting a video clip for the title track of their genuine second album "Only Tools And Corpses"!
Says singer Goreskin: "We hooked up with director Adam Powel because we were really impressed with his other work, in particular his Milk Productions skateboard stunt video 'Ill-Nation'. We shot the whole 'Only Tools And Corpses' video, including the fucking creepy zombies entirely on location in Adam's disused farm buildings. Basically it's homage to classic horror films like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Evil Dead'. In fact this video's everything a GOREROTTED video should be - zombies coming out of freezers, chainsaws, apathetic looking undead freaks brandishing hammers and 6 total cocks rocking out in an asbestos hanger. If that ain't metal as fuck, I don't know what is!"
News source: Metal Blade
BEYOND THE EMBRACE - Update From Oscar
- July 23, 2004
BEYOND THE EMBRACE guitarist Oscar Gouveia has issued this band update:
"Beyond the Embrace will not be performing at the Mayhem Convention At the Palladium in Worcester, MA this Saturday July 24th. Jeff "Metal in the Blood" Saude broke his leg during our set at last Saturday's Rock Fest. In true metal fashion he finished the set without missing a note, but was rushed to the hospital right afterwards. Unfortunately, this leaves Jeff out of commission for 1 month causing us to miss the Mayhem Convention. I'm sure everyone can understand. Get well soon, Jeff!"
News source: Metal Blade
Metal Rules Records Sign Sweden's VIPERINE
- July 22, 2004
Metal Rules Records has revealed the details of the inaugural signing of their first band.
After the recent announcement of the formation of Metal Rules Records, the label is today pleased to reveal that they have signed the Swedish heavy metal band VIPERINE for an international deal.
VIPERINE, founded in 2002 features ex-members of Lion Music recording artists WINTERLONG. The VIPERINE line-up consists of Hussni Mörsare (vocals), Payre Kankanranta (guitar), Erik Tornberg (bass), and Matt Buffalo (drums). Their debut CD of classic, bone crushing heavy power metal is entitled "The Predator Awakens". Album cover art was done by the renowned Kris Verwimp (THYRFING, ABSU, OLD MAN'S CHILD etc)." You can view the cover artwork here.
The 11 track CD, produced and recorded in Sweden, will be available for world wide sale and distribution next week. The track listing for the CD is as follows:
1. Like A Viper
2. Obsession
3. No Longer Kinsmen
4. Heartblood
5. Fire, Wind And Rain
6. Pure Evil
7. Principles
8. Payback
9. Reptiles
10. Hunter's Prelude
11. I Am The Hunter
VIPERINE guitar shredder, Payre, had the following to say regarding hooking up with Metal Rules Records. "It's fucking badass to get this shit together with Metal-Rules. No corporate fuckers involved, only true metal fanatics doin' it the hard way. The METAL way! No bullshit, no fuck ups, just loyalty to our mutual cause...Spreading kickass music!"
Metal Rules Records founder, EvilG, is excited to be working with VIPERINE. "After compiling the bands for our VOLUME I release, VIPERINE was one of my favorites on there. When VIPERINE guitarist Payre spoke to me about having Metal Rules release their debut album, we thought this would make for an excellent launch pad for Metal Rules Records. VIPERINE sum up just about everything I like about heavy metal – aggression, melody, and memorable songs. I'd be surprised if fans of heavy/power metal didn't love this band as they are not another faceless clone but already have their own sound."
The international release date for VIPERINE’s "The Predator Awakens" will be Monday, July 27th, 2004. To pre-order the CD, go here. This limited pressing is sure to become a metal favorite.
For more information on Metal Rules Records, you can send an e-mail to metalhead@metal-rules.com, or visit mrr.metal-rules.com.
News source: www.metal-rules.com
SUFFOCATION To Co-Host Headbanger's Ball
- July 22, 2004
SUFFOCATION will co-host this weekend's edition of MTV2's Headbangers Ball. The band will make an appearance in the studio on Saturday, July 24, where they will be interviewed by the show's host, HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta. Headbanger's Ball airs on Saturdays from 10 - 12PM (EST) on MTV2.
SUFFOCATIONs new video for "Surgery Of Impalement", which comes off their new album "Souls To Deny", was filmed at Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary and features the band performing in various locations in and around the prison's locale. Eastern State Penitentiary is known previously for having held notorious gangster Al Capone and was featured in the 1995 motion picture "Twelve Monkeys".
You can view some images from the video shoot here.
News source: www.bravewords.com
SLAYER- Tom Araya Interview Posted Online
- July 22, 2004
In a recent interview with the Denver Westword, SLAYER frontman Tom Araya talked about his band, his voice, God, prison letters, world music and exploiting Satan for fun and profit. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Westword: "Do you ever think that all the Satanic overkill is redundant and kind of dopey?"
Tom Araya: "No. You know why? You just listen to Show No Mercy or Hell Awaits. And for the time and place, those records are amazing. Nowadays, production-wise, it's so under par. But for what it was at the time, those are amazing records to me. I guess we could go in and redo it. But why ruin it?"
Westword: "It must take a lot to sing that way, too -- shredding the hell out of your voice night after night."
Tom Araya: "I'm not a very disciplined singer or musician. I've somehow learned the technique of how not to blow up my voice. I've only lost it once in the entire time that this band's been together -- knock on wood."
Westword: "What's the biggest misconception people have about Slayer?"
Tom Araya: "The obvious one: the Satan stuff. I'm not here to fault anybody. And I hate to say this, but Christ came and taught us about love. About doing unto others. That was his preach: Accept each other for who we are. Live peacefully, and love one another. Period."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.westword.com
ARCH ENEMY - New Live Video Posted Online
- July 21, 2004
The French ARCH ENEMY fan club, The Dark Anemy Fan Club, have posted a video of the band performing "Dead Eyes See No Future" on their recent Japanese tour. Check it out here (Mpeg - 85 MB).
News source: archenemy.cybernet.be
JUDAS PRIEST Announce Release Date For New Album
- July 21, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST Management Co-ordinator Jayne Andrews has posted this message on the band's official website:
"The Ozzfest shows have been absolutely fantastic - the reaction to Judas Priest has blown us all away!! I've just got back from a few days in the U.S. with the guys - we had a great time - very, very busy what with specials on MTV, VH1, Eddie Trunk, etc and lots of press and radio interviews including the UK magazine Kerrang! - Oh! of course - and some incredible shows!!!!
The Band and I had meetings with our new label Epic (Sony) when we were in New York - their support and enthusiasm was great - we really look forward to working with them all - We have now confirmed a release date for the new album - it will be released on 28th December, 2004!!!
A World Tour will be following starting early in 2005. More news as we finalise it!!"
News source: www.judaspriest.com
GOATWHORE Signs With Metal Blade Records
- July 21, 2004
Metal Blade Records Inc. has officially signed the New Orleans based black metal band GOATWHORE. GOATWHORE is known all over the underground scene for pushing the boundaries of black metal taking it to a more extreme level without all the theatrics the genre has become famous for. They focus on the raw brutality of the music itself creating a horrific soundscape that will bring you to your knees. Be prepared for plenty of touring and then a new album on Metal Blade Records in mid 2005.
Metal Blade Records Inc. CEO and owner, Brian Slagel, had this to say:
"We are very excited to welcome Goatwhore to the Metal Blade Family. They are already a great band, with a great career and we plan on taking them to the next level."
GOATWHORE vocalist Ben Falgoust and guitarist Sammy Duet made these statements:
Ben Falgoust:
"It is an honor to be signed to Metal Blade Records. They have been around quite sometime now and have always been pioneers at releasing new extreme metal/hardcore at a well-noted level. If you go back to the earlier years they were the label that kick started Slayer into what they are now. Not too mention numerous other metal acts. Metal Blade Records have also ventured off into other terrains with earlier releases such as DRI, Cryptic Slaughter, Beyond Possession, and Corrosion of Conformity. These standards opened up a wide array of styles within metal and hardcore to be accepted by a wider audience in the extreme music scene. Creating a crossover effect among punk, metal, hardcore, and thrash metal. Now we see bands such as As I Lay Dying, Unearth, and The Red Chord sharing label standards with Vader, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, Cannibal Corpse, and now Goatwhore.
This idea still in tact: still keeping the trend of having an extreme label covering a wide spectrum of choices within the extreme music scene. Not an easy task for a style of music that always has its ups and downs and mood shifts like a pregnant woman with ice cream. Metal Blade has brought us some of the best releases of Death Metal, Hardcore, Thrash Metal, and Metalcore. As time progresses the styles will change and grow and Metal Blade will make sure they are a part of the change and will continue to bring us lethal extreme music. This is why all of us in Goatwhore are very pleased to be doing our next release with Metal Blade Records. Look out for the new Goatwhore release in 2005. Until then, come out to a show or two and show some support."
Sammy Duet:
"I am really excited to be signing with such a legendary record label...I look forward to what the future holds for us."
Upcoming GOATWHORE shows:
07/23 New Orleans, LA Dixie Taverne (EarBleed Fest 2K4)
07/24 Little Rock, AR Downtown Music & Records (w/ Dixie Witch)
07/25 Dallas, TX Club Indigo [Deep Ellum] (w/ The Black Dahlia Murder, Deadman Circus, and Demonseed)
07/26 San Antonio, TX The Sanctuary (w/ Cannibal Corpse and The Black Dahlia Murder)
07/27 Oklahoma City, OK Bricktown Live (w/ The Black Dahlia Murder)
Dates with Cattle Decapitation, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Watch Them Die
07/28 Denver, CO Climax Lounge
07/29 Lawrence, KS The Bottleneck
07/30 Milwaukee, WI Modjeska Theater (Milwaukee Metal Fest)
07/31 Des Moines, IA Hairy Mary's
08/01 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room @ Quest Club
08/02 Omaha, NEB Ranch Bowl
08/03 Detroit, MI The Shelter at St. Andrew's
08/04 Toledo, OH Masonic Auditorium
08/05 Reading, PA The Silo
08/06 Irvington, NJ Cricket Club
08/07 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
08/08 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre / Underground
08/09 Farmingdale, NY Downtown
08/10 Richmond, VA Nanci Raygun
08/11 Baltimore, MD Thunderdome
08/13 Portland, ME The Asylum
08/14 Worcester, MA The Palladium
08/16 Hagerstown, MD Wilson Ruritan
08/17 Nashville, TN The 5 Spot
Deicide Tour with Cattle Decapitation and Diabolic
09/16 Jacksonville, FL Thee Imperial
09/17 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
09/18 Fayetteville, NC Jesters Pub
09/19 Baltimore, MD Thunderdome
09/20 New York, NY B.B. King's Blues Club
09/21 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero / Balcony Bar
09/22 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre
09/23 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Fun House/Theatre
09/24 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
09/25 East Dubuque, IL Arena
09/26 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room @ Quest Club
09/27 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
09/29 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
10/01 Seattle, WA Graceland
10/02 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
10/03 San Francisco, CA The Pound at Pier 96
10/04 San Diego, CA 4th & B
10/05 West Hollywood, CA House Of Blues
10/06 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Theatre
10/07 Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues
10/08 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
10/09 Oklahoma City, OK Bricktown Live
10/10 San Antonio, TX The Sanctuary
10/11 Corpus Christi, TX El Palacio Ballroom
10/12 Houston, TX Fat Cat's (formerly Mary Jane's)
Dates with Cattle Decapitation
10/13 Columbia, MO Mojo's
10/14 Memphis, TN Hi Tone
10/15 Springfield, MO The Rockwell
10/16 Wichita, KS Double Vision
10/21 Baltimore, MD The Sidebar
10/22 Wilkes-Barre, PA Cafe Metropolis
Dates with Napalm Death and Vader
10/23 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
10/24 New York, NY B.B. King's Blues Club
10/26 Fayetteville, NC Jester's Pub
10/28 New Orleans, LA The Howlin' Wolf
News source: Metal Blade Records
NIGHTWISH Is #1 In Europe
- July 19, 2004
NIGHTWISH's new album, "Once", has gone to the top on Billboard's list of best-seller singles and albums in Europe. Check out an image of the list here.
News source: www.nightwish.com
DESTRUCTION - "Live Discharge" Special U.S. Edition Now Available
- July 19, 2004
DESTRUCTION have posted this message on their official website:
"Sorry for the delay, now finaly available at NB/Century Media mailorder:
Starting Monday 28th of June you could pre-order the super limited edition version of "Metal Discharge" 20 years of Total Destruction Limited to 666 hand numbered copies, and housed in a deluxe digi box. Includes the live bonus CD "Alive Devastation" Be sure to order your copy directly at this phone number 1-800-250-4600 or by e-mail at orders@centurymedia.com or www.centurymedia.com remember, it is MAIL ORDER ONLY!!!"
News source: www.destruction.de
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN In Writing Mode
- July 19, 2004
According to a posting on YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's official website, the Swedish guitar virtuoso is in writing mode for the next album. Here is the posting from his official website:
"What's Yngwie up to now?" That's the most frequently asked question this past month, and the answer is this: He's mostly working on the songs for his next rock album, and occasionally switching gears to do more work on his eargerly awaited next all-classical opus.
Everyone needed a good long break after two kick-ass tours (G3 and USA Attack Tour), and Yngwie is spending his time playing tennis, hanging out with his family, and creating music."
News source: www.yngwie.org
METAL CHURCH - New Live Shots Posted Online
- July 19, 2004
METAL CHURCH have posted some new live shots of two of their recent performances where the band was joined by original bassist Duke Erickson at the Tacoma WA show on July 9th and veteran METAL CHURCH guitarist John Marshall on June 24th inSanta Rosa CA. Check out the photos here.
News source: www.metalchurch.com
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS In The Studio
- July 19, 2004
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS guitarist Michael Amott has posted this message on the band's official website:
"As usual, recording here at studio Fredman is wild and strange experience. Mr. Fredrik Nordstrom is crazier than ever!
In the 4 days we have been here, we have put down all the basic tracks (we are recording drums, guitars, bass and keyboards live on to 2" tape) and it is sounding really warm, big and heavy! Our producer, Fredrik Nordstrom, has got a phenomenal sound out of Ludwig Witt's brand new custom built (by himself!) kit… and of course Ludwig is beating the living shit out of the drums (the 28" bass drum sounds HUGE) and cymbals as usual - it sounds very killer so far!! It's a really different way of recording…no pro-tools and/or triggering of drums. This is the old school way…like Sabbath, Purple, Heep etc used to do things back when heavy metal was born…it's fun and very satisfying! Today we are going through all the bass tracks and checking if there are improvements to be made there. Monday will be a keyboard day - time to lay down the Hammond, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes stuff, that's always a fun part of the recording, Per IS the keyboard wiz!
We'll keep dropping by here with some more reports later.....
Michael Amott"
News source: www.spiritualbeggars.com
JUDAS PRIEST - Entertainment Tonight Segment Posted Online
- July 18, 2004
Entertainment Tonight's behind-the-scenes segment on JUDAS PRIEST from Wednesday, July 14, has been posted online here (Mpeg - 20 MB).
News source: www.robhalford.com
NIGHTWISH - U.K. Tour Photos Available
- July 18, 2004
NIGHTWISH performed in the U.K. this past Friday, July 16 at the London Astoria. Check out the live photos and a review of the show here.
News source: www.rockersdigest.com
OZZFEST 2004 Destroys New York - Photos Posted
- July 17, 2004
Ozzfest 2004 made its way through Wantagh, New York this past Wednesday, July 14 where such bands as JUDAS PRIEST, SLAYER, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and DIMMU BORGIR performed at the Jones Beach Amphitheater. Check out the pictures here.
A detailed review of the concert is available at MTV here.
News source: www.filmmagic.com / www.mtv.com
MEGADETH - Unfinished New Album Cover Posted
- July 17, 2004
An unfinished mock-up album cover of the new MEGADETH album, "The System Has Failed", has been posted online here. The cover artwork is being done by Tempe, Arizona-based artist Mike Learn, who is doing the art on sheet metal. The work is being created on a 64" x 36" piece of 16-gauge steel. Check out Mike Learn's work on the project, as it is being created, here.
MEGADETH's tenth studio album, "The System Has Failed", is scheduled to be released on September 14 through Sanctuary Records. The album was recorded at Phase Four studios in Tempe, Arizona and features frontman Dave Mustaine along with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmy Sloas, as well as former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland laying down additional lead guitar work.
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
SHADOWS FALL - New Song Posted Online
- July 16, 2004
The brand new SHADOWS FALL track, "The Power Of I & I", has been posted online here in Mp3 format (6.5 MB).
"The Power Of I & I" is the first single from the band's eagerly awaited new album, "The War Within", scheduled to be released on September 21 through Century Media Records.
Here is the track listing for "The War Within":
01. The Light The Blinds
02. Enlightened By The Cold
03. Act Of Contrition
04. What Drives The Weak
05. Stillness
06. Inspiration On Demand
07. The Power Of I & I
08. Ghosts Of Past Failure
09. Eternity Is Within
10. Those Who Can Not Speak
SHADOWS FALL will kick-off a North American tour, entitled the "Strhess Tour", with AS I LAY DYING, HIMSA and REMEMBERING NEVER beginning today (July 16) in Montreal, Quebec and will run straight through until August 19, wrapping up in Syracuse, NY.
News source: Century Media
CRADLE OF FILTH Reveal "Nymphetamine" Track Listing
- July 16, 2004
Britain's CRADLE OF FILTH have revealed the complete track listing for their forthcoming new album, "Nymphetamine" (view cover), which will be released in late September through Roadrunner Records.
Here is the complete track listing:
01. Satyriasis (Intro)
02. Gilded Cunt
03. Nemesis
04. Gabrielle
05. Absinthe With Faust
06. Nymphetamine (Overdose)
07. Painting Flowers White Never Suited My Palette (Instrumental)
08. Medusa And Hemlock
09. Coffin Fodder
10. English Fire
11. Filthy Little Secret
12. Swanson For A Raven
13. Mother Of Abominations
News source: www.cradleoffilth.com
DRAGONLAND Complete New Album
- July 16, 2004
Sweden's DRAGONLAND have finished recording and mixing their new album, "Starfall".
Guitarist Olof Mörck had these words to say:
"This time has obviously been spent mixing, editing and some small recording, and today is the last day of mixing, in fact it's the last day in this studio! I spent most of the day packing and cleaning up after us, and it feels kind of strange to leave what has been my home for one and a half month. Tomorrow we'll do the mastering, and then I will enjoy a well deserved vacation.
Anyhow, we more or less have the final record in our hands now, and of course it's the best we've don so far, haha. Seriously, we couldn't be more happy with what we have accomplished this time, and we truly feel that our passion working with this record will reflect in the final result.
In another department, some guesting that was supposed to be done simply were not, but that doesn't mean we don't have really cool guests on this album:
Tom S Englund (Backing vocals here and there, some lead vocal parts on The Shores of our Land and Calling my name). He also featured on guitar solos on Calling my name and Rusty Nail.
Henrik Danhage on guitar solo on The Shores of our Land, and extremely cool one at that
Johanna Andersson on all female vocals, on the songs The Shores of our land, The book of Shadows Part 1 & 2 and Dream Seeker.
Arnold Lindberg (Co-producer and engineer on this album) on vocals, again on The Shores of Our Land, he's both an extremely talented sound technician, an awesome drummer, and a very cool singer, he's been doing engineering for us while working with Europe in between."
"Starfall" is tentatively scheduled to be released October through Century Media Records.
News source: www.dragonland.se
U.D.O. - North American Tour Planned, "Thunderball" To Be Released In Brazil
- July 16, 2004
U.D.O. is reportedly talking to US promoters to bring the band over to the United States this coming winter, according to the official U.D.O. website.
The band's new album, "Thunderball", will be released in Brazil on August 20 through Louder/Paradox, and will hit stores in North America soon.
News source: www.udo-online.de
KAMELOT In Recording Mode
- July 16, 2004
KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo has entered the studio this week, kicking off the recording for the next album, according to the band's official website. You can check out the studio updates here, which will be posted over the coming weeks.
In addition, guitarist Thomas Youngblood posted this message:
"Hello All!
Sorry I have not been around to post anything lately, we have been very, very busy with the new album. Its going great and better than I expected. I am usually very critical at this point but the songs, the artwork, the story, everything is falling into place just right. Tomorrow I will go to see Casey in the studio in Tampa, a few miles from my home in Florida. We will go over the drums parts and take some photos for the site. As some of you know Casey is also a great engineer, he has his own studio and this makes things much easier for us. The sound is very fat and heavy. I will return to Germany in a few weeks for the final guitars, vocals and choir parts. Overall the production has a heavier sound along with the darker subject matter of the lyrics. I am loving it TBH. OK, keep up the good Karma amongst all of us. We need it in these troubled times!
Cheers - Thomas"
News source: www.kamelot.com
ANGRA - New Album Completed
- July 16, 2004
ANGRA singer Edu Falaschi and guitarist Rafael Bittencourt have posted this message on the band's official website:
"Hey, everybody!
We've just woken up and have great news to tell you: the new album is READY! So now we can finally talk about it with more certainty.
First of all, the songs are awesome! Really, really good! The production is perfect too, the sound of instruments is even heavier and clearer than in our previous albums. The band sounds more powerful and tighter as well.
This is a very complex record, truly sophisticated. It's not just another metal album, it's much more than that. The richness of the songs can be felt in the concept, the versatility, the spontaneity, the technic, the feeling and the emotions that flow throughout the whole record. It's easy to figure out our emotions in the tracks. It's a special thing, totally unconventional.
The story is about the saga of a crusader knight that ends up disputing the expansionist ideals of the Catholic Church in the eleventh century. He is known as The Shadow Hunter. His way of thinking changes step by step until he gets to the point of beginning a new reforming order. There's a lot of things happening in his life and each song is a chapter of the story. It's amazing to follow the lyrics as you listen to the songs. Each situation is totally different from the other.
Overall, this album is a bit longer than the others Angra has made so far. We tried to do something new and didn't think twice about the possibility of experimenting. After all, we always focus in the artistic side and in what has been Angra's most striking mark since day one: ORIGINALITY!
Today is July 14th and we are leaving for Japan. We'll meet Kiko there (he's going from Brazil) and the three of us are gonna promote the album. We're doing a couple of acoustic gigs, plus interviews, photo sessions and so on. However, we look forward to coming back to Brazil and showing to the fans what we achieved in the new album, Angra's very best in our opinion.
Thank you very much for your patience, support and wait!
Edu and Rafael."
News source: www.angra.net
CRADLE OF FILTH - New Album Cover Revealed
- July 15, 2004
The cover artwork for CRADLE OF FILTH's forthcoming album, "Nymphetamine", has been posted online here.
"Nymphetamine" is scheduled to be released in late September through Roadrunner Records.
News source: www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk
KALEDON - David Folchitto Returns
- July 15, 2004
Italy's KALEDON have reported that drummer David Folchitto, who left the band in January due to personal reasons, has now returned to rejoin the band. David will be participating in both live and in the studio duties as a permanent member.
STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael performed all the drum tracks on KALEDON's forthcoming album, entitled "The Way Of The Light", which is scheduled to be released in January 2005 through SteelBorn Records.
News source: www.kaledon.com
TWISTED SISTER Concert Gets Shut Down
- July 15, 2004
Mike Hoover of the York Daily Record has issued this report regarding a TWISTED SISTER concert that was shut down:
"Plans to hold a downtown York rock concert featuring the heavy metal glam band Twisted Sister were shut down by city officials who said there was no way to assemble the needed police protection on short notice.
York Mayor John Brenner said he pulled the plug on a concert planned for July 3 after event organizers gave city officials three days notice of a proposal to close the first block of West Market Street.
Brenner said Wednesday that given the short notice and a July Fourth holiday weekend, there was no way the city had police to handle the crowds attending the concert outside of the Hardware Bar.
"They wanted to use police services we did not have," Brenner said.
Several music Web sites were promoting Twisted Sister's planned appearance at York's Downtown Street festival July 3. A notice later appeared on the band's Web site saying it was forced to cancel the show after the City of York refused to issue a permit for an outdoor show because of security concerns.
Locally, the Hardware Bar was promoting the appearance of Twisted Sister at its downtown York location.
Reached Wednesday, Hardware Bar owner Ron Kamionka refused to discuss the cancellation of the Twisted Sister concert, saying the only association he had with the band was owning a few of the group's albums.
"I don't remember. A lot goes on during a week," Kamionka said.
Brenner said that Twisted Sister fans should not be upset with city hall for denying the big-hair, 1980s band a permit.
"You can blame the owner and the promoter," Brenner said.
The city has a special-event permit process, which takes time, said Police Commissioner Mark Whitman.
Whitman said the bottom line was the city simply did not have the manpower available over a holiday weekend.
"There was no chance at getting additional people to work," he said.
Brenner said that if the city approves such an event, the band and promoters will get a bill for police services.
Phil Carson, the band's manager, did not return calls for comment."
News source: ydr.com
Former MEGADETH Bassist Sues Dave Mustaine
- July 15, 2004
Former MEGADETH bassist Dave Ellefson is suing MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine for $18.5 million. Here is the report from the New York Daily News:
"Megadeth is locked in a megafeud.
Two members of the defunct thrash group banged heads in a lawsuit filed yesterday over whether frontman David Mustaine stiffed a bandmate out of big bucks.
Bassist David Ellefson is suing Mustaine for $18.5 million in Manhattan Federal Court, alleging the singer shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002.
Ellefson also accuses Mustaine of locking him out of merchandise and publishing royalties.
"This is a classic case of a minority stockholder whose rights were abused," said Ellefson's attorney, Randall Jacobs.
The band, which turned out earsplitting anthems such as "Killing Is My Business . . . and Business Is Good," dissolved when Mustaine suffered an arm injury that kept him from playing guitar.
In court papers, Ellefson said Mustaine - a veteran of at least 17 drug rehab stints - suffered the injury when he passed out in detox and fell asleep on his arm.
The suit charges that Mustaine resented Ellefson, a former drug addict, for having kicked his own habit. It also accuses Mustaine of dissing the bassist's playing skill.
Mustaine's attorney, Gary Gilbert, was traveling yesterday and unavailable for comment.
According to court papers, the battle of the band spread to the Internet in May, when Mustaine posted on Megadeth.com that Ellefson was trying to extort him.
"Did Ellefson ever once get in a fistfight with someone to protect me? No, but I did for him," Mustaine wrote. "Did he ever loan my parents money? No, but I did for him."
Most of the material on the Web site - including biographies of the band members and Mustaine's postings - has been taken offline.
But a page featuring fans' Megadeth tattoos can still be viewed."
News source: www.nydailynews.com
SAXON Reveals New Album Artwork
- July 15, 2004
Long-running British metallers SAXON have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming new album, "Lionheart", on their official website. Check it out here.
"Lionheart" is scheduled to be released on September 20.
News source: www.saxon747.com
W.A.S.P. - Blackie Lawless Has Some Words For Parents
- July 15, 2004
W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless recently spoke with the Las Vegas Mercury about his music being slammed in the 1980's and how parents don't want to take any responsibility for their children.
"As the story goes, Tipper was walking down the hall in her house and her 12-year-old son had Fuck Like a Beast playing on his stereo, and she lost her mind," Lawless says. "I don't know if that's true, but that's the story I've been told."
"You don't have to be Nostradamus to see what's going on with young people these days," he says. "Parents just don't get involved with their kids as much as they used to. Are you going to tell me that these parents at Columbine didn't know that anything was going on with their kids? Hey, my mother knew what I was doing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But parents now, they don't want to take any responsibility for their children. They bring something into this world, and then when something goes wrong, they want to blame everybody else for it."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.lasvegasmercury.com
PARAGON Enter Studio This Weekend
- July 14, 2004
PARAGON bassist Jan Bunning has posted this message on the band's official website:
"I first want to thank all the Metalheads from the USA which wrote into our guestbook. We really would love to play in the USA but first we still have no professional distributor in the US and second the last time we tried to arrange something there was no booker who really seemed to be reliable. Anyway - we still working on playing overseas as well as on finding a distribution so please give us some more time!
The coming weekend we are going to enter the studio to record our tribute songs for the Remedy Records Saxon & Running Wild Tribute albums. From Saxon we will cover "20.000 Feet" from Running Wild we will NOT cover "Masquerade" but "Iron Heads" which was on the famous Deth Metal Sampler and was one of the first songs Running Wild ever recorded. We altered both songs the "Paragon-Way" and we are sure they will both turn out great. This time we will not go into the Powerhouse Studio but the "Eike-Studio" of Eike Freese who also sings 6 plays guitar for Dark Age. We will also make some rerecordings of old "Chalice Of Steel" songs we will use for the rerelease of our second album "Final Command". "Final Command" will be rereleased later this year on Remedy Records as CD and Picture LP.
OK - enough news for now. Bang Your Head!
Jan / PARAGON"
News source: www.paragon-legions.com
LACUNA COIL's "Comalies" Hits The 100,000 Mark
- July 14, 2004
Thanks to its best-selling week yet, "Comalies", the third album from the Italian sextet LACUNA COIL, has officially passed the 100,000 SoundScan mark in the United States. This is a landmark achievement for both the band – which is performing on Ozzfest’s second stage throughout the summer – and their label, the Los Angeles-based independent Century Media Records. Moreover, LACUNA COIL is now believed to be the top-selling Italian rock artist of all time, while "Comalies" has shattered all Century Media worldwide sales totals to date, surpassing such landmark releases as TIAMAT's "Wildhoney" and ICED EARTH's "Something Wicked This Way Comes".
"We are happy to be the first Italian band on Ozzfest, and we're even happier to know that Comalies has done so well," says the group's front woman, Cristina Scabbia. "American fans have truly opened their arms to us, and we can’t wait to perform for them throughout the summer."
"It’s made us proud to watch LACUNA COIL grow over the years," says Century Media President/General Manager Marco Barbieri. "Success couldn’t happen to a nicer, more deserving band. We knew that once people listened to the group and heard their story, they'd immediately grasp the appeal and see that LACUNA COIL is undoubtedly a career artist whose best is yet to come."
LACUNA COIL's American breakthrough was the result of relentless touring, organic radio success, heavy video airplay and a sound that has been acclaimed by Billboard, Entertainment Weekly and virtually every rock publication of note. Throughout 2003, the band toured with such well-known artists as OPETH, DANZIG, TYPE O NEGATIVE and ANTHRAX. Immediately prior to Ozzfest, the group completed a two-month North American theater tour with P.O.D., BLINDSIDE and HAZEN STREET.
On the radio front, the smash hit "Heaven's A Lie" and current single "Swamped" – both R&R Active Rock Top 50 success stories – were warmly embraced by nearly 100 commercial stations across the country, including such tastemakers as WAAF-FM (Boston). Last fall, WAAF invited LACUNA COIL to play acoustically live on the air; the performance can be heard on a special double-disc edition of "Comalies" released earlier this summer that also features newly recorded acoustic renditions of four fan favorites, the radio edits of "Swamped" and "Heaven's A Lie" and the stunning music videos for the tracks, both directed by Patric Ullaeus (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR).
Earlier this year, the "Heaven’s A Lie" video scored the #1 spot on Fuse TV's viewer-vote "Oven Fresh" program, besting such famed acts as Britney Spears, Pink and Maroon 5, while the MTV2 Headbanger's Ball world premiere of "Swamped" was accompanied by a live, televised acoustic performance, the first since the seminal program relaunched last year.
In addition to Ozzfest, LACUNA COIL – recently voted "the next big thing" by readers of Metal Edge magazine (who also named Scabbia "female performer of the year") – will be playing "off-fest" shows throughout the summer. The group will also deliver in-store acoustic performances at select Borders Music locations in August. That same month, the soundtrack for the forthcoming Sony Pictures film Resident Evil: Apocalypse – which includes "Swamped" – will be released. Meanwhile, Scabbia will be spotlighted in the following month’s issue of Stuff magazine.
The flagship label of the Century Family, Century Media Records was founded in 1988. Its American branch opened three years later. With nine offices around the globe, the label employs more than 150 people worldwide. Featuring a rich catalog of such influential acts as ICED EARTH, OPETH and STUCK MOJO, the label’s leading artists today also include SHADOWS FALL, GOD FORBID and NEVERMORE. Distributed domestically by Caroline, Century Media’s American branch has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. In fact, Comalies’ achievement marks the second time this month that one of the label's releases has crossed the 100,000 threshold; the other was SHADOWS FALL's 2002 recording, "The Art of Balance". That group’s new album, "The War Within", will surface this September.
News source: Century Media
DIO - New Album Artwork Revealed
- July 14, 2004
The cover artwork for DIO's forthcoming new album, "Master Of The Moon", has been posted on the official BLACK SABBATH website. Check it out here.
News source: www.black-sabbath.com
ARCH NEMESIS - New Record Deal/Lineup Changes
- July 14, 2004
Norway's ARCH NEMESIS have posted this message on their official website:
Allright folks, it's about fu***ng time we updated this site and told you what’s going on. First of, Motvind has decided to leave the band to concentrate fully on his job as axe-man in the mighty Dimension F3h, we are sorry to see him leave as he together with Nesmoht was the founder of the band back in 98' but we wish him all the best in the future, he will still be a part of the Elements Of Metal crew for the future festivals though. On a happier note, Arch Nemesis has just signed a new record-deal with the Norwegian label FaceFront and are happy to join many of the friends we have learned to know trough the years of metal, great Norwegian acts like Griffin, Guardians Of Time, Highland Glory, Backstreet Girls, Trivial Act and Pagan`s Mind are all bands that are or have been a part of FaceFront and we feel honoured to be included in such great company.
We are also happy to announce that after weeks of "begging" we finally persuaded Jaz to return to the band, but due to the fact that he will become a father in August he has made it clear that his family obligations will always be first priority, still, we are glad to have him back.
So, a new deal is signed and that usually means a record is to be released don’t it? You bet it does, we are just a few weeks away from completing our second album "Of Mind and Fantasy", all that remains is some vocal-tracks, then a few days of mixing and mastering, release will be sometime during this fall if all goes well. At the moment we are also searching for a new rehearsal-place, hopefully that will be in place in a few weeks.
As soon as that is fixed we will hold auditions looking for one or two new rhythm guitarists so if you feel the call, keep checking this site for dates, you may also send a mail to Nesmoht if you want some info on what kind of persons we are looking for.
-Nesmoht-"
News source: www.anemesis.com
CRYPTOPSY - First Two Albums Available On Vinyl
- July 14, 2004
CRYPTOPSY's first two albums, "Blasphemy Made Flesh" (1994) and "None So Vile" (1995), have been released on vinyl in a 2 LP package (limited to 1,000 copies worldwide).
For more information, go to www.emeticrecords.com.
News source: www.emeticrecords.com
METAL CHURCH - New Album Samples Posted Online
- July 13, 2004
West Coast-based heavy metal legends METAL CHURCH have posted samples of each song from their brand new forthcoming album, "The Weight Of The World", on their official website. Check them out here.
The current METAL CHURCH lineup is:
Ronny Munroe (ex- ROTTWEILLER) - Vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof - Guitars
Jay Reynolds (ex-MALICE) - Guitars
Steve Unger - Bass
Kirk Arrington - Drums
News source: www.metalchurch.com
JUDAS PRIEST On Entertainment Tonight - Tomorrow Night!
- July 13, 2004
Entertainment Tonight caught up with JUDAS PRIEST this past weekend at the Ozzfest 2004 tour kick-off in Hartford, CT. ET will air a behind-the-scenes feature, which led to the band's debut U.S. performance with legendary vocalist Rob Halford, this Wednesday, July 14.
Check out the Official Entertainment Tonight Website and your local listings for times and stations when the show airs in your area.
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
RONNIE JAMES DIO - New Album Is "Heavier Than Hell"
- July 13, 2004
Ronnie James Dio recently spoke to ElectricBasement.com about the new DIO album, entitled "Master Of The Moon", and the possibility of him collaborating with Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore again. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
ElectricBasement.com: "The last couple albums, Magica and Killing the Dragon, provided a bit of a resurgence for you. Killing the Dragon even charted. With that, was there any added pressure to the process of creating Master of the Moon?"
Ronnie James Dio: "You know there wasn't because things at this end of the rock business had such a downturn for such a long while, any brightness around the corner seems like a full blown sun instead of a little shard of light from a flashlight. So, because of Magica, as you intimated...[it] was the album that restarted us a bit. Because we had chosen the right way to do it I think. Because we did an album people expected with those kind of Dio songs people remembered and liked us for. Killing The Dragon was really an extension of that one [but in] a lot more brief, rock 'n' roll kind of vein but still another piece of the puzzle. My original plans were to do Magica 2 and 3 at this particular point in time, but kind of looked back at it and thought maybe this was not the right time for it. Maybe we're better off doing another album that contains songs instead of a concept, so we embarked upon this one."
ElectricBasement.com: "Recently in Guitar World, Tony Iommi was interviewed. He actually said some pretty complimentary things about your time in Sabbath and what the ou | |
