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October 12, 2008 |
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CATTLE DECAPITATION - "Humanure" Cover Gets Banned
- August 31, 2004
CATTLE DECAPITATION have posted this message on their official website:
"We've been given the option to change the album cover and we're doing it. We’ve received too many complaints that people are unable to find the album and that is something we wanted to defeat by signing with Metal Blade. We knew it had to incorporate the current original artwork somehow as well as to put across a message. We're going to go with the image that's on the back of the current layout. Its just a barren wasteland that(now in hindsight, cryptically) symbolizes the ill effect of censorship as well as the fallout left by the apocalypse known as humanity. Void of flavor and life. Exactly the way this world will be when it cures itself of this disease.
The positive things to come out of this? Now nobody will be able to complain that they can't find what we think is our best record to date as well as more focus on the music and the lyrics. The original cover has been released(though it will now be limited edition) so at least it exists somewhere and the vinyl version on Deep Six Records will still have the original cover. We're really not concerned with "grossing people out", our music deserves more than that and the lyrics do a fine job of that already.
We suggest that if you don't have Humanure already, get it. This change will take place as soon as the printers can belt out the new copies. After that the original version will be deleted. And it's by far our best release yet.
To any possible sceptics: It's death metal. If we were all about money and album sales we wouldn't have given our lives to this kind of music. Don't try. We’re on tour constantly busting our asses so the record needs to be in stores.
Who to blame? I wish it was as simple as "The PMRC." After Janet Jackson revealed her mammary glands(complete with surrounding tissue and piercing) on national TV, the FCC has tightened the noose on the entertainment industry, forcing chain stores and countless others to pay more attention to this kind of thing. Fear. Having ultra Christian/right-wing conservatives running our country doesn't help much either. Get out there and vote, people.
The double LP vinyl version of HUMANURE is now available on Deep Six Records with gatefold cover on "Pepto-Bismol Puke" colored vinyl. There was a defect in which the copies came with the first record in root beer color. There are 182 of these defects."
The original cover art by Wes Benscoter will always be available for viewing on the band's official website www.cattledecapitation.com.
News source: www.cattledecapitation.com
NAPALM DEATH Prepare To Record New Album
- August 31, 2004
NAPALM DEATH are currently in England preparing to record their forthcoming studio album. Commenting on why the band chose to record in Wales, vocalist Barney Greenway had this to say:
"The studio is called Foel Studios in the town of Foel, North Wales (PORCUPINE TREE, OZRIC TENTACLES), and is owned by the original bass player in Hawkwind. We decided to record here because it's pretty isolated out in the countryside, so there are minimal distractions. We feel that good use of studio time is pivotal and where as some bands might sit around taking things easy for periods, we really work intensively. In the studio, it's actually better to be slightly stressed and on edge for us because it's a good way to capture that kind of on the edge live vibe, which in turn gives us the extra thrust. Personally, I'm never happy with a verse of vocals if I think that I can squeeze a last drop of rawness out of my voice.
Sometimes I probably attack things too much, but intensity is the key for me. I like to think we've done enough trips to the studio now to know what we're doing, yet you can never be entirely prepared for the unexpected where, say, the desk might burst into flames or something. Russ Russell will be producing, as he's a very trustworthy man at the knobs for us now as well as being a mate. We're confident he'll do a great job on the new stuff, which is sounding spectacularly savage - a good mix of the very best bits from the last two albums."
NAPALM DEATH will be releasing their Century Media debut, "Leaders Not Followers: Part 2", on October 5. The follow-up to 1999's 5-track "Leaders Not Followers" EP, Part 2 contains 19 full-bodied tracks, covers from bands like ANIT-CIMEX, DiISCHARGE, HELLHAMMER, KREATOR, and more.
For more information on the album and to preview cover art, go here.
In addition, NAPALM DEATH recently announced dates for their fall U.S. tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE, VADER, KATAKLYSM, and GOATWHORE. To check out the tour dates, visit www.centurymedia.com.
News source: Century Media
TWISTED SISTER's "Still Hungry" Coming In October
- August 31, 2004
Eagle Rock Entertainment will release TWISTED SISTER's "Still Hungry" CD, a re-recorded and expanded version of the classic 1984 album "Stay Hungry", on October 5, 2004. "Still Hungry" adds seven new tracks to the original "Stay Hungry".
The re-recorded "Stay Hungry" tracks are "Stay Hungry", "We're Not Gonna Take It", "Burn In Hell", "Horror-Teria: a) Captain Howdy b) Street Justice", "I Wanna Rock", "The Price", "Don't Let Me Down", "The Beast", and "S.M.F.". The biggest singles of TWISTED SISTER's career, "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock", were fist-pumping smashes and important, ground-breaking music videos in the early days of MTV.
The seven bonus tracks are "Never Say Never", "Blastin' Fast & Loud", "Come Back", "Plastic Money", "You Know I Cry", "Rock N Roll Saviors" and "Heroes Are Hard To Find". These songs appear at the end of "Still Hungry". Four of them,"Come Back", "Plastic Money", "You Know I Cry" and "Rock N Roll Saviors",were newly recorded in 2004. The recording of "Never Say Never" and "Blastin' Fast & Loud" was completed in 2001 using the original drum tracks Pero laid down in 1984. "Heroes Are Hard to Find" was recorded in 1998.
With "Still Hungry", vocalist Dee Snider, lead guitarist Jay Jay French, lead guitarist Eddie Ojeda, bass guitarist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza and drummer A.J. Pero are adding an important new chapter to the TWISTED SISTER history book. The quintet's relentlessly rocking anthems and legendary live performances are essential components of hard rock's legacy.
"Still Hungry", which was produced by Mendoza, a longtime producer/engineer in addition to his bass guitar duties with TWISTED SISTER, finally gives the New York-based band a chance to make "Stay Hungry" the way it was first envisioned. "Stay Hungry" has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide, but it doesn't sound the way TWISTED SISTER wanted it to sound.
""Still Hungry" is "Stay Hungry" - The Way It Ought to Be. It has an ultra-heavy sound, which is the way we wanted "Stay Hungry" in the first place. But at that time rock records had a thin, very midrange kind of sound and so "Stay Hungry" was recorded very lightly. We battled Atlantic Records and producer Tom Werman about it, but we lost", French says.
"These rerecordings are faithful to the original arrangements but they sound much heavier. There are an additional seven tracks included - obscure songs from our club days but never officially recorded then. On two of these songs, "Never Say Never" and "Blastin' Fast & Loud", we used the original drum tracks that A.J. recorded. These songs were meant to be included on "Stay Hungry" but were never finished. "Heroes Are Hard To Find" was on the soundtrack of Dee's movie "Strangeland".
Six of the seven bonus tracks previously appeared, mostly in raw form, on archival TWISTED SISTER albums. Demos of "Come Back" and "Rock N Roll Saviors" were included on the 1999 Spitfire Records collection "Club Daze Volume I: The Studio Sessions". The completed 2001 studio recordings of "Never Say Never" and "Blastin' Fast & Loud" (with Pero's original 1984 drum tracks) kick off 2001's Spitfire release "Club Daze Volume II: Live In The Bars" which also features vintage live versions of "You Know I Cry," "Plastic Money" and "Come Back" (one of just a few songs to appear on both 'Club Daze' volumes).
"Even the cover art is now the way we wanted it. It shows us as five starving musicians in street clothes in a tenement sitting at a table to represent where we came from, and the ghostly looking image of us in our stage clothes behind that shot represents what we imagined we could achieve," says French.
"Still Hungry" finally gives TWISTED SISTER and its legions of fans worldwide the chance to experience uncompromised versions of these important songs. "Still Hungry" makes a great thing even better.
News source: Chipster Entertainment
JUDAS PRIEST - Audio Interview Posted Online
- August 31, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST made an appearance on the "Friday Night Rocks" show on New York's Q104.3 FM last month. The 55-minute interview is currently available for download in full audio: Part 1 (Mp3 - 8.9 MB), Part 2 (Mp3 - 10.9 MB).
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
IRON MAIDEN - "Early Years" DVD Confirmed
- August 31, 2004
IRON MAIDEN manager, Rod Smallwood of the Sanctuary Music Group, has issued this message on the band's official website:
"You guys are always on the ball, and yes the rumours are correct.
There will be a Maiden DVD out in the autumn. It will relate to the early days of the band, and we will be giving you full details once they are in place.
Needless to say it will be amazing - never has so much been packed into so little space!"
Some of the footage to surface on the as-of-yet untitled DVD is the "Live At The Rainbow" concert video, a newly filmed history of IRON MAIDEN, and the "Top Of The Pops" performances of "Women In Uniform" and "Sanctuary".
News source: www.ironmaiden.com
FEAR FACTORY/LAMB OF GOD/CHILDREN OF BODOM Tour Dates
- August 28, 2004
The first batch of dates for the upcoming FEAR FACTORY/LAMB OF GOD/CHILDREN OF BODOM U.S. tour have been announced:
Oct. 07 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Oct. 09 - Harpo's Concert Theatre - Detroit, MI
Oct. 10 - The Odeon - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 11 - Norva Theatre - Norfolk, VA
Oct. 13 - Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY
Oct. 15 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Oct. 19 - House Of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Oct. 21 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Oct. 23 - Granada Theatre - Lawrence, KS
Oct. 24 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Oct. 27 - Showbox - Seattle, WA
Oct. 28 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Nov. 06 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Nov. 08 - Pop's - Sauget, IL
Nov. 09 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Nov. 10 - The Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 11 - Al Rosa Villa - Columbus, OH
More dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
DIMMU BORGIR Singer Speaks To Metal-Exiles.com
- August 28, 2004
DIMMU BORGIR singer Shagrath spoke with Metal-Exiles.com about the band's Ozzfest appearance, the infamous radio "incident", and more. Here are a few excerpts from the interview:
Metal-Exiles.com: "You guys are currently on OZZFest, how is that going for you?"
Shagrath: "I think that is going well, it is a great production and we are playing with the big boys now. Great arrangements, stage, catering, showers, back stage rooms, just very professional. Also we only play for thirty minutes so we do not sweat. (laughter) At the same time we are a black metal band so it is very different for us, we are not like the other bands on the bill. We are playing for an audience that is not used to our music so it is strange we see the people in front of the stage sitting down listening to us wondering what the fuck is this."
Metal-Exiles.com: "You guys recently had an incident with a radio station. Can you elaborate on what happened?"
Shagrath: "Well, we went to this radio station and this guy basically kept on talking, asking us questions and answering them for us."
Metal-Exiles.com: "Like how?"
Shagrath: "He was kind of negative from the start, he asked a few questions and we barely had time to answer them before he moved on to the next question. Then he started talking about homosexuality and American politics. Then I was asked something else and I said stupid with some other words so he said we couldn't do this so we were told to leave. As we were walking out he was telling his audience to throw rocks at us while we are onstage playing."
Metal-Exiles.com: "What is next after OZZFest?"
Shagrath: "We are going home for a long long time. We are going to take time off for a few months, be with family and maybe we will start writing some new material. Nothing will happen for a while, it will be about two years time before we do anymore shows. We feel kind of burned out right now and feel like taking a break."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.metal-exiles.com
IRON MAIDEN Drummer Interviewed, Audio Available
- August 28, 2004
MaidenFans.com reports that IRON MAIDEN drummer Nick McBrain phoned in to the "Friday Night Rocks" show on New York's Q104.3 FM this past Friday, August 27, where he was interviewed by radio personality Eddie Trunk. During the interview, when asked about what is going on with the band at the moment, McBrain had this to say:
"We're gonna take the rest of the year off. We're planning on starting working late April. or the end of April.... first week of May. We're gonna prepare a tour much like we did last year, which was the 'Give Me Ed'tour, which is gonna be like going out and playing the summer festivals. So we'll do a mini-tour.... Hopefully in America we'll be able to come over here and play, like, maybe three or four weeks of festivals - who knows, it may be even longer, 'cause in the summertime there's lots going on - and then do some over in Europe. Then we'll take a little bit of time off at the end of the summer, and the general plan is - I'm not sure, timeframe-wise - but towards the end of next year, we'll write and record a new album.
Then, I guess that will place us in 2006. And then we'll do the whole thing again - summer festivals and then.... like we did on the last 'Give Me 'Ed' tour and then 'Dance Of Death'. And I think that's the general plan. There may be slight changes in there, but you never know."
The audio file of the entire 25-minute interview is currently available for download here (Mp3 - 17.8 MB).
News source: www.maidenfans.com
TRISTANIA Complete New Album, Sign With SPV
- August 28, 2004
Norway's TRISTANIA have posted this message on their official website:
"Hi!
Finally, I am happy to tell you that the new album is finished recorded, and the only thing we've got left to do is the mix. The album is scheduled for January 2005. It's entitled “Ashes”, and it will be released on SPV. We feel really good about it, and we can hardly wait for getting it out. It has been recorded in TopRoom Studio, and we have collaborated with Børge Finstad as co-producer on it. Below you can read a studio report that we wrote in June, just a few days after we had returned from our stay in the studio. Hope you'll enjoy it.
The artwork for the album close to finished, and soon we will put some of it on the site. The design is brilliantly done this time by Mr. Christian Ruud.
Now we are preparing for the European tour that we will do together with Therion and Trail of Tears in October-November (tourdates) .It will be great to go out on the road again, and present you some of the new material. A couple of weeks ago, we did our first show after a long break from touring while we have worked on the new album – on the M'era Luna festival in Hildesheim, Germany (setlist) . It was a good concert, and the audience also seemed to enjoy the 2 new songs we did. It was great for us to finally begin with the live part again. The upcoming tour will be quite long, I believe 30 shows in 31 days. We're looking forward to it!"
News source: www.tristania.com
CATAMENIA Heading To The Studio In November
- August 27, 2004
Finland's "nordic" black metallers CATAMENIA will enter the studio on November 1 in Finland to begin recording their new album. The sessions will run right through until December 10.
The as-of-yet untitled new album is scheduled to be released in February/March 2005.
News source: www.catamenia.net
MANTICORA - New Album Coming In October
- August 27, 2004
MANTICORA'S new album, entitled "8 Deadly Sins" (view cover), will be released in Europe on October 25 through Massacre Records. The album will also be released in Japan in the middle of October through King Records, in France in early November through NTS Records, and in the U.S. in early November through Nightmare Records.
Download a sample of the track "Creator Of Failure" from the new album here.
News source: www.manticora.dk
OMNIUM GATHERUM Sign With Nuclear Blast Records
- August 27, 2004
Finnish melodic death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have just signed with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's second full-length album, "Years In Waste", will be released through the label on November 9.
Here is the track listing:
01. The Fall Went Right Through Here
02. Misanthropic (Let The Crown Fall)
03. Bereavement
04. No Moon & No Queen
05. Gravesilence
06. It's A Long Night
07. The Nolan's Fati
08. Black Seas Cry
09. More Withering
10. Auguries Gone
News source: www.nuclearblast.de
SONATA ARCTICA - New Live Photos Posted Online
- August 27, 2004
New live photos of SONATA ARCTICA have been posted on the band's official website. Check out the photos from these two festivals: Summer Breeze and Tuska Open Air.
News source: www.sonataarctica.info
THUNDERSTONE In Writing Mode
- August 27, 2004
Finnish melodic metallians THUNDERSTONE are currently writing new songs for their new, as-of-yet untitled album, which is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2005. The band is reportedly working on three new songs at Sonic Pump Studios, and the actual recording sessions are tentatively scheduled for November/December.
News source: www.nuclearblast.de
GRAVEWORM Prepare To Record New Album
- August 27, 2004
Italian melodic black metal meisters GRAVEWORM will commence the recording of their new album, "N(u)tobia", at the end of September. The band will be working with producer Andy Classen in Stage One Studios in Borgentreich, Germany. The album is expected to be released in early 2005.
In other news, GRAVEWORM will be joining forces with KATAKLYSM, MYSTIC CIRCLE and INTO ETERNITY for the "No More Serenity" European tour beginning in early October.
News source: www.nuclearblast.de
PRIEST Meets SABBATH
- August 26, 2004
Ozzy Osbourne was forced to sit out BLACK SABBATH's Ozzfest performance Thursday night in Camden, NJ due to a case of bronchitis. His replacement was none other than JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. Commented Rob at the show: "Yesterday was my birthday and I feel as if today is too! I'm getting to sing for one of my favorite bands in the world."
Halford had previously joined SABBATH for two gigs in the opening slot for Ozzy on the "No More Tours" tour in November 1992 in Costa Mesa, CA., after Ronnie James Dio, SABBATH's singer at that time, refused to take the stage.
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
EVERGREY Issue Statement On Israeli Gig Cancellation
- August 26, 2004
EVERGREY vocalist/guitarist Tom Englund has posted this statement in response to an Israeli promoter's explanation for the cancellation of the band's appearance the second annual Metalist Festival in Tel-Aviv, Israel:
"To clear things up.
When the Metalist management contacted us about doing this festival we were VERY excited to be able to see Israel cause it is a country that we never had visited before, so when the oppurtunity came we jumped on it in a second.
I will now spill out ALL the facts comcerning this trip.
We agreed to play for 700 dollars (which is an amount we never ever play for normally) in order to please our fans in Israel and then the organisers would also pay for hotels and flight tickets.
We would travel from Gothenburg where we live on Wednesday to Tel Aviv.
We would stay there until Friday in order to get home in time for our Production rehearsal with the choir and string quartet that we have to do in order to make the DVD and this was THE only weekend we have free before the gig , all other weekendsand weekdays we are doing shows and/or promotional work for the new album.
So, everything was set and agreed on in CONTRACT (which if I need to can post here as proof as well).
This last Thursday we went on tour in Germany and STILL had not received the flight tickets/when we finally received the flight times for our outgoing trip it was booked from Stockholm??? which is about a 6 hour car drive from here instead of Gothenburg where we have like 10 minutes to the airport. So we told them that they had to rebook the tickets so that they wuld leave from Gothenburg instead.
This was impossible for them to do since they already had payed the tickets so then we told them that in that case they had to pay for a car driving us to Stockholm with all of our gear.
After a lot of discussion and being very close to cancelling they finally said that they would pay an extra 1000 dollar in order to get us there.
THIS HAPPENED THE SAME DAY AS WE HAD TO DRIVE TO STOCKHOLM !!!
This money were suppose to cover the car rent, a driver and also the flight tickets that we needed in order to get back to Gothenburg in time for our production rehearsal starting on Friday night. That money of course never covered even a 3rd of those costs B U T us in Evergrey decided we would do this gig ANYWAY, even though it meant A LOT of lost money for us personally, I will specify exactly how much in the end of this letter.
So then finally at 24.00hrs thursday night we jumped in the car with all of our gear and went to Stockholm Airport about 530 km away we arrived at 05.30 .
We went to get the tickets from the ticket office cause the only thing we received from Metalist Festival was a booking number for the tickets.
Our sound guy came back with the tickets saying that we would not be able to go since the returnflight was booked back on SUNDAY !!! this was not an option!
So, we tried to get other tickets but they were non-refundable and new tickets costed 9744 DOLLARS, impossible, and the festival would not want to pay that money either.
So that left us with the only choice that we had to call our management at 06.00 in the morning telling him the facts , he tried calling someone in Israel but they didn't answer so we had to cancel.
So we had to buy new flight tickets home since the car left already.
We immediately told Metalist Festival that they had to post a explanation that the error was THEIR error not OURS. We spoke to our distributor in Israel and he also would make sure that EVERYONE would understand that this is N O T !!! our fault at all.
Here is what money WE lost on this trip without even going !
Car rent/Gas: 584,65 dollars
Driver: 259,00 dollars
Soundguy : 300,00 dollars
Flight tickets : 909,00 dollars
Taxi from airport to our studio : 70,00 dollars
Overweight ( on the flight back ): 565 dollars.
Total Amount: 2187,65 Dollars
We are truly sorry for your disappointment and understand that you also put a lot of money into this and are extremely upset at the moment with it all right.
BUT for those of you who are doubting our story, won't believe our intentions, despite the obvious loss of a severe amount of money for us pesonally, and rather believe in the organisers, who still not have posted the facts, which they agreed on, that this was ALL their fault.
To all of you we just want to say that we are happy you shown your real faces and proved that you never ever were true Evergrey fans anyways.
With apologies.
Tom, Henrik, Michael, Rikard, and Jonas"
News source: www.evergrey.net
KATAKLYSM Reach Agreement With Warner Music
- August 26, 2004
Canadian death kings KATAKLYSM have reached an agreement with Linus Ent./Warner Music Canada regarding the re-release of the band's "Victims Of This Fallen World" (1998) and "Northern Hyperblast Live" (1999) albums — a "deal that will benefit both parties involved," according to a press release. "The band is happy that this got solved in a good way, its not something you see often in the music businness."
The U.S. release will contain the new version of "Victims Of This Fallen World" (newly re-recorded, remixed and remasterd) and "Northern HyperbLast" live DCD (2 in 1), Canada and Europe will get the original version of "Victims…"/"Northern Hyperblast Live" DCD (2 in 1), while both Europe and Canada will see the new version of "Victims Of This Fallen World" released separately sometime in 2005.
Here is the releases schedule:
USA: Candlelight USA/Caroline (October)
Canada: Linus Ent./Warner Music Canada (September)
Europe: Blackend/Phd (September)
News source: www.bravewords.com
VEHEMENCE - Update From The Band
- August 24, 2004
VEHEMENCE have issued this band update:
"The mini tour we just headlined went extremely well and we thank all the extremely talented bands that we played with for their support. The tour proved to us that we can now do our own headlining tours really at anytime. We now urge bands to contact our booking agency if they think they are suitable for touring or setting up various shows with Vehemence. Playing Mexico was a blast and wasn't really a culture shock, it was more like Hollywood meets Las Vegas in a way. The metal heads are hungry for extreme metal and it was our pleasure to perform for the audience. We will be back in Mexico soon, and thanks to the crew that took us down there.
The Houston off date Ozzfest show with Superjoint Ritual went very well, around 600 people attended and Vehemence ended up earning the respect from all the bands on the bill and from comments we have heard backstage. Look forward to our tour with Crematorium, All Shall Perish, and Animosity in September on the west coast. Also look forward to seeing us on month full U.S. tours with Mortician, Akercocke in Sept/Oct and Vital Remains in Oct/Nov. Please check our tours and shows page for more updates! The Thoughts From Which I Hide has officially sold out, so we will not be taking any more orders for it. We urge you to download the album from wherever possible, we have mp3's featured on our website. Thanks to all those that purchased this album from when it was released till its extinction and we might be re-releasing it in the near future."
News source: Metal Blade
UNEARTH - Vocalist Issues Tour Report
- August 24, 2004
UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps has issued this tour update:
"We can't thank people enough for making the entire summer kick ass so far. The shows have been amazing, the bands have all fucking ruled and there has been plenty of dice rolling, golf cart mishaps and classic metal barbeque parties. We have under two weeks left on Ozzfest and we will soon be gearing up for our full US headlining tour starting September 23rd with Terror, The Black Dahlia Murder and Remembering Never. Dates for that tour will be available this week. See you all on the road soon."
News source: Metal Blade
GOD DETHRONED Recording New Album
- August 24, 2004
After a long period of silence, finally some news! God Dethroned is currently recording their upcoming album entitled "The Lair Of The White Worm" at Berno studios in Malmö, Sweden. The album is expected to be released in January 2005 through Metal Blade Records and is expected to feature a video clip from the title track, "The Lair Of The White Worm".
Here is the track listing (in no particular order):
1. The Lair Of The White Worm
2. Nihilism
3. Salt In Your Wounds
4. The Last Zip Of Spit
5. Loyal To The Crown Of God Dethroned
6. Rusty Nails
7. Sigma Enigma
8. Arch Enemy Spain
9. (yet untitled)
News source: Metal Blade
MARDUK - Basic Tracks For New Album Completed
- August 24, 2004
Swedish black metallers MARDUK have just completed laying down the recording of the drums, guitars and bass for their forthcoming album, tentatively scheduled for a November release. The band will soon be back in the studio to begin recording the vocals.
News source: www.bravewords.com
STRAPPING YOUNG LAD - Report From The Studio
- August 24, 2004
Canada's STRAPPING YOUNG LAD have just entered Armoury Studios in Vancouver to record the follow-up to their 2002 release, "SYL". Guitarist/vocalist Devin Townsend checks in with this studio update:
"Here's a heads up from the Dev, speaking on behalf of the STRAPPING camp. We recently put in a long touring year and we all went through many changes as a result. We took this year for everyone to get their shit together on a personal and business level and really analyzed what it was about, what SYL represents that makes it (to us) so powerful. We toured with MESHUGGAH last year, and everyone really connected. Gene Hoglan (DEATH, TESTAMENT) and I saw the musical connection established by those guys and really wanted to see if we could finally do the same. It seems the more shit you get over and out into the open in terms of a band relationship, the more you realize that the only job we have to do and do well is rock. And not in a 'group hug, lets all hold hands and pray' kind of way, but more to do with the fact that we spend a fuck of a lot of time together, not discussing something as trivial as maybe somebody's stinky feet.
Christian and Raymond (FEAR FACTORY) seemed to mirror this connection when we met up with them during the writing of their latest album, and it got Gene and I thinking...'Why don't we explore the freaks within' and try to make something really unique. And thus, after 7 months of preparation, we have finally started recording what we think of as being a new chapter in the SYL evolution. I personally was really discouraged by 'metal' lyrical themes. I relate to anger and anxiety, but I'm not really free-floating in terms of it anymore. Life gets pretty complicated with mortgages, relationships, age, death, family, children and money. These are now the things I find myself and the people in my age group more focused on now.
For a few years, I've had the idea of the ultimate metal band, and after 'SYL' (the album) laid the re-establishing framework coupled with the hectic touring season last year and our kick ass new DVD, we figured it was time to put it all together. We wanted to really be objective with our catalog and new material in terms of what was below par, or 'songs to illustrate an effect' when I think of SYL. I now want to think of us in terms of 'extreme music' as well as extreme metal. We are now in a position (if we kick ass...and we do) to become something really fucking neat.
Metal gets a bad rap. The reason a lot of us are involved in it is there are few ways artistically to convey this amount of tangible EXTREME emotion than heavy music. Its bluntness in terms of the conveying of raw emotion is the key I think to its appeal. We want STRAPPING to be appreciated by jazz dudes, classical dudes or whomever. We're musicians first who choose to play extreme metal / music because of its ability to really make an impact when it needs to. Times are fairly strange. STRAPPING is a forum for a whole bunch of friends and artists to come together and FUCK SHIT UP...with the best sounds, production, tunes, drums, vox, guitars, bass and keys we can possibly do. We don't want to please anybody, but we want to give people panic attacks and temporary mania (catharsis!!!).
We entered the Armoury Studios in Vancouver about a week back, and Gene played the best drums of his career. His drumming on this record is fully unique, and we have been filming a 'making of' the record for the digipak release.
Song titles (so far): 'Imperial', 'Skeksis', 'Shitstorm', 'Love?', 'Shine', 'Possesions', 'Landscape', 'Zen'. 'What's New, Pusscat? (trust us, it's cool... god help us to never make a video for it or we'll be fucked for the rest of our career...)
Stay tuned, syl muthurfuggers."
News source: www.bravewords.com
VADER - Full New Song Posted Online
- August 24, 2004
The full clip of the song "Dark Transmission" from VADER'S forthcoming album, "The Beast" (view cover), has been posted online here.
"The Beast" will be unleashed on September 20 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: www.vader.pl
SHADOWS FALL - New Album Preview Posted
- August 24, 2004
SHADOWS FALL's new album, "The War Within", is being promoted on an E-card, featuring an audio preview of the new tracks "What Drives The Weak" and "The Power Of I And I", online here.
"The War Within" is scheduled to be released on September 21 through Century Media Records.
News source: www.centurymedia.com
VADER Involved In Another Car Accident!
- August 22, 2004
Polish death kings VADER were involved in another bus crash while on tour in Germany. The posting on their official website reads:
"On the way to Falkenstein (Germany) near Leipzig VADER's new tour bus was involved in a car accident! The bus has been seriously smashed but fortunately its occupants managed to escape unharmed. The band was forced to spend a few hours at local police station and due to that the gig in Falkenstein has been cancelled. We would like to apologize all the fans and organizers for the abcence at the show. It really didn't depend on us! Now we are waiting for a new car because the police has kept the broken one and hope that everything will go smoothly. Hope to visit you in the near future!"
VADER's new album, "The Beast", will be released on September 20 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: www.vader.pl
FLESH MADE SIN Finish New Album
- August 22, 2004
Dutch metallers FLESH MADE SIN have finished the recording of their first full-length, "Dawn Of The Stillborn", tentatively scheduled to be released sometime in November.
Here is the track listing:
01. Crowned In Torment (Mp3 clip)
02. Dawn Of The Stillborn
03. Spiritual Death-Trip
04. The Cleansing (Mp3 clip)
05. Ritual For The Dead
06. Descending Life
07. Possess The Flesh (Mp3 clip)
08. Wastelands
News source: www.fleshmadesin.nl
BLOODSHOTEYE - New Video Posted Online
- August 21, 2004
Ontario-based metallers BLOODSHOTEYE have posted the video for the song "Hitlist" online here. The song is from the band's debut album "Without Any Remorse".
BLOODSHOTEYE will be opening up for CRYPTOPSY on the upcoming Canadian tour beginning in early September.
News source: www.zed.cbc.ca
EIDOLON Signs New Deal With Escapi
- August 21, 2004
Canadian metallers EIDOLON have signed a new deal with Escapi. Here is what drummer Shawn Drover had to say about the news:
"Today, I can finally announce that we are signing a new record/DVD deal with Escapi, which is something that has been in the works for several months now. Ole Bang ( King Diamond, Merciful Fate, Force Of Evil, ) has been working with us and taking care of the business end for us, so I have to thank him for that before I even get going here.
The record / dvd deal is a worldwide deal, so Finally our music will be released in proper fashion in America, which has always been a problem in the past for us,Escapi has top notch distribution as well, which is always a big help - the DVD end of it, should feature future live performances ( festivals, etc ) studio stuff,a performance video and things of this nature. All in all, we are extremely happy that Escapi is really going to bat for us!!!!!!
The recording of the new record will begin around the 1st week of October - I will be venturing to Gothenburg, Sweden to record my drum parts at Los Angered Recording ( owned by Andy Larocque ) Guitar and bass tracks will be recorded at Glen's recording studio ( Eclipse Recording ) in Toronto, while Nils will record his parts just outside of Oslo, Norway. At this point, we are shooting to have the new record in Escapi's hands by the end of April, if all goes according to plan.
As well, we will be recording "The Oath" by Merciful Fate, with Michael Denner playing his lead sections in the song!!!!!!! Allthough I cant 100% confirm this, it is looking pretty good at this point ( amazing what a cigarette can get you ) Speaking for myself, Michael Denner is 1 of my favorite guitar players of all time - his lead playing is so unique , it just kills me!!!!!! Having Andy Larocque play a few solo's on our last record was amazing enough - to have Michael Denner do this will be amazing!!!!!!
As for the music end of it, the record is 100% written now - I can assure you that this is the most diverse record we have made thus far!!!!!! This record is a bit more progressive, but in a very heavy-dark way. The music is very dynamic, heavy, melodic in parts and more speed oriented in others. With Nils K. Rue in the band, the musical boundries have been expanded. All of us are very, very excited about the new record, and our future with Escapi."
News source: www.eidolon-nightmareworld.com
SOULSCAR Announce New Album Release Date
- August 20, 2004
Vancouver-based metallers SOULSCAR have announced that their new album, "Victim Impact Statement" (view cover), will be released in October through Galy Records.
Here is the track listing:
01. Unmade (Mp3)
02. Death Anxiety
03. Cast Aside
04. Hell Bitch (Mp3)
05. Without A Shadow
06. Ultimatum
07. Regressor
08. Alive Awake
09. To The Pain
10. Victim Impact Statement
"Victim Impact Statement" was was produced by Andrew Staehling and SOULSCAR, engineered by Andrew Staehling and Mackenzie, and mixed by Andrew Staehling.
News source: www.soulscar.com
STRATOVARIUS Bassist Ties The Knot
- August 20, 2004
STRATOVARIUS bassist Jari Kainulainen recently married his girlfriend Heidi. Photos from the wedding and reception, which took place in the Finnish countryside, can be seen here.
News source: www.stratovarius.com
HAMMERFALL - New Album Coming In March 2005
- August 20, 2004
HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Here is, as promised, a report on the next HammerFall studio album. First off, the release is scheduled to March 7th, 2005. There will be a single and video out about a month earlier, as usual. For studio facilities this time, we have chosen the wonderful Lundgaard Studios in Denmark. We will do the entire production here, probably including mix. The date is soon upon us, as we will begin laying the drum tracks on September 4th. The album will contain nine or ten songs, with titles like: "The Templar Flame", "Hammer Of Justice" and "Fury Of The Wild". A complete listing of the titles will come in the future, as well as some thoughts on the musical direction. It is way, WAY too early to talk about that yet, I never know until the songs have had a while to grow on me and I get a feel for the overall material.
Allright, have fun with the new site, I will return next week with another update. Until then, friends, hail!
/Oscar"
Check out the new and improved official HAMMERFALL website here.
News source: www.hammerfall.net
ILLDISPOSED - New Song Available For Download
- August 20, 2004
A brand new ILLDISPOSED song, entitled "Dark", from the band's forthcoming release "1-800 Vindication", is available for download here.
"1-800 Vindication" is scheduled to be released in Europe on October 4th through Roadrunner Records. Check out the album cover here.
News source: www.illdisposed.dk / www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk
KAMELOT Take A Break, New Studio Photos Online
- August 20, 2004
KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood has posted this update on the band's official website:
"OK, we are taking a week break while the band Epica is working on guitars and vocals. We need a break! Khan will be back in Germany soon from the choir sessions. After that we will record the strings for the album, we have assembled the best players for this "Kamelot Orchestra". The drums are now finished, I will see if Casey can post some more tidbits on the final sessions."
Check out some more studio photos from the recording process here and click on "Studio Journal 2004".
News source: www.kamelot.com
U.D.O. To Co-Headline Summer Breeze Festival
- August 20, 2004
According to a posting on U.D.O.'s official website, the band will co-headline the main stage of the Summer Breeze 2004 Festival in Abtsgemünd Germany this coming weekend on August 21 at 8:50 PM CET, together with DANZIG. The organizers are expecting an estimated 15,000 fans to show up for the festival.
News source: www.udo-online.de
LACUNA COIL Vocalist Shows Her "Stuff"
- August 20, 2004
LACUNA COIL vocalist Cristina Scabbia will be featured in the September issue of Stuff magazine. A photo of Cristina from the photo shoot can be seen here.
Some words from the magazine feature:
"As the lead singer of the goth-metal band Lacuna Coil (Comalies), this Italian import is the sexiest chick to hit Ozzfest since that Marilyn Manson babe.
STUFF: When people hear that you’re the lead singer of a metal band, do they expect you to be tattooed and to bite the heads off of bats?
CRISTINA: Not really. They actually expect me to be the opposite—in high heels and supersexy, because I like to look like that in pictures.
STUFF: Do you get crazy male groupies?
CRISTINA: Some people write to me about my feet because of the sandals I wore in one photo session. People went crazy for my feet! But usually when men come up to me, they don't tick me off or say anything rude. They always kiss my hand or say, "Won't you marry me?" or "Can I have a hug?" They are really polite. I don’t want to know what they say behind my back.
STUFF: They're probably wondering how your bass player, Marco Coti Zelati, took you off the market 10 years ago.
CRISTINA: We met in the metal club where I used to bartend. I said to him, "You look good with short hair." He was completely drunk and he said, "You never saw me with long hair." That's what sealed the first meeting. He made me laugh.
STUFF: Do you ever party like, well, a rock star?
CRISTINA: There are parties where you get completely wasted, and the day after, you don't even remember what you did. In Dallas, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell drove us to their strip club in a limo as we drank whiskey. It was pretty rock star. And we had a crazy party night with P.O.D. at Pleasure Island in Disney World. There are, like, five or six clubs, and we visited all of them. You can imagine the way we came back home.
STUFF: Yeah, we were totally messed up after Mr. Toad's Wild Ride."
News source: www.stuffmagazine.com
DIO Bassist Posts Tour Diary
- August 19, 2004
DIO bassist Rudy Sarzo has posted a tour diary (including photos) online here.
Sarzo says the next stop will be South America, so stay tuned!
News source: rudy.g6tech.com
"Top 10 Most Ridiculous Black Metal Pics Of All Time"
- August 19, 2004
Ruthless Reviews scribe Mike From Hobart has compiled a list of the "Top Ten Most Ridiculous Black Metal Pics Of All Time", which includes such bands as IMMORTAL, DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, OLD MAN'S CHILD and SATYRICON.
Check out the list and pics here.
News source: www.ruthlessreviews.com
Earache Records Comment On MORBID ANGEL
- August 19, 2004
Earache Records have issued this statement regarding their recent split with MORBID ANGEL:
"After more than fifteen years of working together, Morbid Angel and Earache are parting ways. 15 years on one label is unprecedented in the music business, outside a handful of superstar acts, and Earache has been there from the start, helping Morbid Angel evolve from its early stages into the powerhouse it is today, and it's been an incredible ride.
They are without a doubt one of the most influential and innovative metal bands ever and their creative talent is matched by their hard work and dedication. We wish Morbid Angel all the best of luck with their future endeavors."
News source: www.earache.com
CANNIBAL CORPSE/NAPALM DEATH U.S. Tour Announced
- August 19, 2004
CANNIBAL CORPSE and NAPALM DEATH will be teaming up for a North American tour this coming fall. They will also be joined by KATAKLYSM, VADER and GOATWHORE. Here are the tour dates:
Oct. 29 - Engine - Room Houston, TX
Oct. 30 - The Back Room - Austin, TX
Oct. 31 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Nov. 02 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Nov. 03 - House of Blues - Los Angeles West Hollywood, CA
Nov. 04 - Canes Bar and Grill - San Diego, CA
Nov. 05 - House of Blues - Anaheim Anaheim, CA
Nov. 08 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Nov. 09 - Granada Theatre - Lawrence, KS
Nov. 10 - The Quest - Minneapolis, MN
Nov. 11 - The Rave Bar - Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 12 - Harpo's Concert Theatre - Detroit, MI
Nov. 13 - House of Blues - Chicago Chicago, IL
Nov. 14 - Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
Nov. 16 - The World - Pittsburgh, PA
Nov. 17 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 18 -The Downtown - Farmingdale, NY
Nov. 19 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Nov. 20 - Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
Nov. 22 - Masquerade - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
Nov. 23 - Masquerade - Tampa - Tampa, FL
Nov. 24 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
DIMMU BORGIR Kicked Of The Air On Radio Show
- August 19, 2004
Norwegian black metallers DIMMU BORGIR were promptly escorted from the premises after using profanity during a live radio interview Wednesday afternoon for the rock radio station WMMS-FM (100.7) in Cleveland, Ohio. The band was in town to promote their appearance on the main stage of Ozzfest at the Blossom Music Center in Cleveland on Thursday, August 19.
According to a press release, the incident in question occurred shortly after the start of the interview with WMMS midday host, Maxwell. While responding to a question from the DJ regarding JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Rob Halford's sexuality, DIMMU BORGIR vocalist Shagrath and guitarist Silenoz stated that the controversy surrounding Halford's homosexuality is "fucking bullshit" and that it was an honor to play on the same stage as JUDAS PRIEST. Maxwell then declared the interview over at that moment and cut to a commercial. During the commercial break, Maxwell and station management ordered the band to leave WMMS studios. After coming back from commercial, the DJ insulted DIMMU BORGIR on the air, urging Ozzfest attendees to throw rocks and other items at the stage during their set on the main stage Thursday.
The band claims that the boundaries of what they could say on the radio were not explained to them by station management before the interview, and that they had no idea what was considered unsuitable language for American radio. At this time, there is no indication that any action will be taken by WMMS's corporate parent, Clear Channel Communications.
News source: www.bravewords.com
MORBID ANGEL Split With Earache Records
- August 18, 2004
MORBID ANGEL have posted this message on their official website regarding their recent split with Earache Records:
"Morbid Angel and World Management would like to clear the air with the announcement that after more than 15 years and 9 albums and one EP the band and Earache Records have parted ways on future recordings. We will be exploring all interested labels as well as other options and and will make a decision on a new release for 2005 in the next few months. Currently we are still in the final phases of tour commitments for Heretic. We wish Earache continued success in selling our catalogue and have an obvious professional vested interest in this. We wish to thank all of the Earache employees past and present for their work on Morbid Angel’s releases. We are looking forward with excitement to the future."
News source: www.morbidangel.com
ANTHRAX Bassist Reports On European Tour
- August 18, 2004
ANTHRAX bassist Joey Vera has posted this message on his official website:
"Another Shmupdate:
"Hey all, I'm in the end stages of tour decompression and feeling like I should write an update. I've been home now for a week but it feels like only a few days. Weird 'cause when I was out on this last short leg of the tour (2 weeks) It felt like we were out for a month! Jet lag freaks my world.
We arrived at the airport in Prague and as the baggage carousel came to a halt, John Bush, Charlie Benante and I were there left without our suitcases. Not a great way to start a tour.
The second leg of the ANTHRAX tour was killer though. Eastern Euro block countries mania. Started in Prague, a killer festival with mostly Chech Republic bands, really cool — we headlined the main stage, huge crowd, great. Back to the hotel, John and I got our bags delivered from the airport. No bag for Charlie.
Off to Austria for 3 club shows. First time for the band playing the following cities although I'd been to all. Salzburg was in a club built right into the side of a small mountain. Packed, and a great show. Salzburg is a beautiful city. John Bush, Rob Caggiano and I went up to the castle in the middle of town, checked out the local catacombs and Mozart's violins. It was raining and the belfry was ringing. Very BLACK SABBATH. Still no sign of Charlie's bag.
Dornbirn was also packed and great but we thought Hobbits might come out and jump us as the gig was way out up in the mountains complete with a bubbling river next to the venue. We disturbed the wildlife for and hour and a half then moved on to Worgel which was also packed with 90% humidity and that always makes for a good metal concert. Charlie's bag: MIA
On our way to Poland we stopped for a day off in Berlin where the hotel posted warnings of an insect infestation. What? But we later felt relieved that there was a bigger population of spiders EVERYWHERE, and they were eating the insects from the adjacent river. It was pretty eerie actually, the spider webs covered the entire exterior of the hotel. I broke up the day by doing some sightseeing and going up in an tethered hot air balloon 500 feet up in the city center with ANTHRAX band photographer extraordinaire Andy 'Mel' Buchanan. Oh, and we went to see 'Super Size Me' and were totally disgusted. Great movie.
Next off to Warsaw, Poland — my first time there. The people there were incredibly nice especially the promoter who drove us to an in-store before the show. Not many bands go out there so the fans love it. The stage was fairly small but the club was about 1,000 and packed. Totally insane. Again really hot and sweaty. My strap smells really bad by now. After Warsaw off to Magdeburg, Germany for a last minute booking to fill a date. It wasn’t so packed and we are all tired by now but went out and rocked anyway. It turned out to be pretty good anyway. Funny. Peculiar, not Ha, Ha. But they found Charlie's bag and he's having them ship it home at this point. Fuckin airlines.
Next day was the Wacken Festival outside Hamburg, Germany. Because of our schedule we went on early for us band guy types, but we went out with afternoon anger and killed everyone, all 35 thousand of 'em. It went great. Afterwards had enough time for a quick bite then it was off to the airport to catch a plane to Hungary for the last show. Said goodbye to our friends Andy, Mark Johnson and Danny Gombert. Thanks!
Budapest is probably the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. It's divided by the Danube River which starts in the Black Sea and cuts all the way through southern Germany. In fact the city of Budapest is actually two cities divided by the Danube. One is called Buda, the other Pest. Get it? Buda-Pest. Kinda like the twin cities Minneapolis-St. Paul except it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as does Budapest. Okay, enough geography. We closed the festival which is literally located on an island on the Danube and it is the biggest festival in all of Europe, over 500 thousand people go to this thing each year. Or so I'm told. But it's cool for me to say I've played a gig on the Danube River. Alright, enough with the Danube! It was pretty crazy though, it took us almost 20 minutes of driving just to get to the stage once inside the festival site.
We drove through what seemed thousands of tent camps and flea markets and food stands and amusement park rides and port-a-potties and slow walking zombies and more flea markets. Oh, and corn on the cobb stands. It was nuts. We headlined the main stage there in front of 40 thousand people (I guess the other 460,000 people had something better to do) and it was a great way to end our run. It was a killer show and a great run, needles to say I had a blast, again.
Arrived at LAX and guess what? That's right, the baggage carousel stops and no sign of bass guitars for your author. Apparently the baggage system back at London Heathrow has their employees fumbling towards inadequacy while leaving us customers with a bit of the old in - out. 4 days later I got my basses still wet with sweat from the festival. Fuckin airlines.
Back home now and back to work here. I'm finishing up some recording with John Bush for ANTHRAX's upcoming record of a bunch of old songs from the pre-John Bush era but with John singing them. We’ve been recording here at my studio and we have about another week of work before we’re done. Scott Ian came in last week to do his background vocal parts so now we’re just finishing up this week with John. I think they are hoping to get this out sometime this fall. Check the bands website www.anthrax.com for details and some cool photos from the tour.
Still waiting for some things to pan out for the fall but for now I'm enjoying my time home and am in no hurry to rush back to the airport. Fuckin airlines. Besides my tomatoes are feeling awfully neglected. Oh, the small things in life...
Until next time, Metal.
Joey."
News source: www.joeyvera.com
DIO - New Album Pushed Back One Week
- August 18, 2004
The release date for DIO's new album, "Master Of The Moon", has been pushed back to September 7, according to Sanctuary Records.
The album will be released in Canada on September 14.
News source: www.bravewords.com
VADER - "The Beast" Sample Posted Online
- August 18, 2004
A brand new song sample, entitled "Dark Transmission", from VADER's upcoming album, "The Beast", has been posted online here.
"The Beast" is scheduled to be released on September 20 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: www.vader.pl / www.empire-records.com.pl
CARNAL FORGE Comment On Singer Change
- August 18, 2004
Members of Sweden's CARNAL FORGE have issued statements regarding the recent departure of long-time singer Jonas Kjellgren and replacement Jens C. Mortensen. Here is what they each had to say:
Jonas Kjellgren: "I quit the band because I want to focus on my guitar playing and my studio. That’s the reason I quit the band. I love the guys in Carnal Forge and I wish them all the best in the future!!! It has been 7 years of pure joy. I have only good memories from those years. When I was asked to join the band in –97, I thought I was going to play the guitar, but no I was handed a microphone. At the first rehearsal they played Sweetbride and The otherside.... Oh man I was totally blown away, they were so godamn fast and tight, I knew I wanted to be in this band even if I didn’t play guitar! I think Carnal Forge is the best death-thrashmetal-act in the world, and they will continue to get better for every album they release. OK! Thanks to all maniacs out there! And thanks Carnal Forge for everything!!!"
Jens C. Mortensen: "Um... what? Comment? Well wtf can I say?
As for me joining and why. I've known the guys for quite a while and I've worked with 'em in the past so I guess I was the "natural" choice for replacing Jonas on such a very short notice. And I do mean short, I heard through the grapevine that Jonas had left on Friday, got the call on Monday and we just had our first rehearsal Wednesday.
As for comments on Jonas leaving the outfit. I wish him the very best of luck and hope that he'll find whatever it is he's looking for.
As for the future of Carnal Forge I can only say that I'm certain that given some time to grow accustomed to each other ugly faces and strange smells, we'll prove all those in doubt of a vitalized CF Dead-Fucking-Wrong...
now... pretty please, with sugar on top, leave me the fuck alone, I got shitloads of lyrics to learn.
Länge Leve Tengil!"
News source: www.carnalforge.com
SHADOWS FALL Announce New Tour
- August 18, 2004
The Massachusetts-based thrash metal quintet SHADOWS FALL will soon embark on a headlining tour with ALL THAT REMAINS, CANDIRIA and FULL BLOWN CHAOS. The trek, dubbed The War Within tour, is set to begin September 16th running through October 2nd in support of the band's highly anticipated new album. This tour comes off the heels of SHADOWS FALL's extremely successful headlining stint on the Strhess Tour, and will be the last time this year the band will play these types of intimate venues. The group will also play a special one off show supporting Judas Priest at the Mohegan Sun Arena in CT on 8/29. Tickets to all shows are now onsale here.
SHADOWS FALL stunning new offering, "The War Within", was produced once again by Zeuss (HATEBREED) at Planet Z Studios and features 10 tracks of sonic devastation. The group also just completed a video for the track "The Power of I and I" directed by Dale Resteghini (FEAR FACTORY, HATEBREED) and look for it to make its debut shortly. This is the band's fourth full-length release and is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed "The Art of Balance". The new effort, set for a September 21st release, is their most unrelenting, yet dynamic offering to date, further proving why they are the undisputed leaders of their genre.
"On this album, SHADOWS FALL ride the lightning to greatness."
--Revolver
"SHADOWS FALL have created their most fully realized and tuneful record to date."
--Stuff Magazine
Upcoming SHADOWS FALL tour dates:
w/ JUDAS PRIEST:
Aug. 29 Mohegan Sun Arena – Hartford, CT
w/ ALL THAT REMAINS, CANDIRIA, FULL BLOWN CHAOS:
Sept. 16 - The Bombshelter - Manchester, NH
Sept. 17 - Empress Ballroom - Danbury, CT
Sept. 18 - The World - Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 19 - Jaxx - West Springfield, VA
Sept. 22 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
Sept. 24 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
Sept. 25 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 26 - Locobazooka - Fitchburg, MA w/Shinedown, Saliva, Kittie, Crossfade, Dropbox
Sept. 28 – Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Sept. 29 - The Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
Sept. 30 - St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI
Oct. 01 - The Club@ Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
Oct. 02 - Saratoga Winners - Lathem, NY
Be sure to check out "The Power Of I And I" from the forthcoming album, "The War Within", here.
News source: www.centurymedia.com
CHILDREN OF BODOM Announce Part In U.S. Tour
- August 17, 2004
According to CHILDREN OF BODOM's official website, the band have confirmed that they will be joining the LAMB OF GOD/FEAR FACTORY North American tour this coming October. This will mark the band's third overseas appearance in support of their latest album, "Hate Crew Deathroll". More details and tour dates will be made available soon. Stay tuned!
News source: www.cobhc.com
BLOODBATH - New Song Available For Download
- August 17, 2004
BLOODBATH have posted a brand new song, entitled "Outnumbering The Day", on their official website here (Mp3 - 3 MB).
"Outnumbering The Day" is from the band's upcoming album, "Nightmares Made Flesh", which is scheduled to be released on September 27 through Century Media Records.
News source: www.bloodbath.biz
USURPER - Update From The Studio
- August 17, 2004
Chicago-based death/thrash metal kings USURPER have posted this update on their official website:
"Week 1 of the studio is over. The drums are tracked, and everything is sounding massive. We are recording and mixing at a new studio this time, it is a studio in Chicago called Rax Trax www.raxtrax.com). The vibe of the place is very comfortable, and the equipment is top notch. We are having a great time, and Neil is getting used to us again. The days have been long, 8 - 12 hours a day, and there has been a lot of beer, smoke, sweat and Hot Shots Golf 3 between sessions, (Dan Tyrantor is a true tyrant usurper of the video golf world!)
Next week I will lay down all the rhythm tracks, then we will start the bass, vocals, leads, acoustics, and finally finish up the week with some mixing. Yes we are cranking this out fast, and putting in some long hours, but the end result will be worth it. Back is the drum insanity of 'Threshold of The Usurper', and the guitar tone will match that as well. I think the overall impact of the songs will be like Threshold type chaos combined with Necronemesis type precision. The production will sound like the instrument tones of Threshold/Diabolosis combined with the attack of Twilight Dominion. The cover art is once again being done by Craig 'Wicked Hand' Simpson, and we should have a section of that posted in a couple weeks or so. Thanx to all of our metal brothers (and sisters) who have stuck with us through all the years and all the line-up bullshit, we won't let you down!
-Rick & Usurper"
News source: www.usurper.us
NIGHTRAGE - Band Update
- August 17, 2004
Sweden's NIGHTRAGE have posted this band update on their official website:
"Recording updates: We have just finished recording Drums and Rhythm guitars and now we are working on the leads. So far everything is coming out great.
Some other super good news is that we have a new bass player. He is a Swedish guy and his name is Henric Karlsson!! New photos will be posted up soon.
Also Nightrage has a new stable drummer in the band his name is Fotis Benardo, he is from Greece/Athens, and he played for the Sumerian Daemons tour with Septic Flesh. Marios also got endorsed by ESP Guitars and Ernie ball strings."
The new NIGHTRAGE forum has been posted online as well. Check it out here.
News source: www.nightrage.com
FOZZY Guitarist Departs
- August 17, 2004
FOZZY guitarist Ryan "The Kidd" Mallam has officially departed from the band, according to this posting from the band's official website:
"We're sad to announce that Ryan "The Kidd" Mallam has officially let the band know that he will be leaving the band to pursue a full time position as a university swimming coach. The touring duties required by the band, especially in light of the forthcoming release, would not be compatible with his chosen occupation. He will be sorely missed and we wish him the best in his career.
In regards to his replacement the band will soon be accepting submissions from interested players who meet the unique requirements of the band and its live performance schedule. The details of the position will be made available here in the very near future.
Again, we're very sorry to lose such a fantastic player (as you'll hear on the new disc!) and a cool guy. There will always be just one Kidd!"
News source: www.fozzyrock.com
PARAGON - Wacken Performance Filmed For Possible DVD
- August 17, 2004
PARAGON bassist Jan Bünning has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Sorry for not having any news earlier but we are very busy at present.
At first of course we want to thank all the people that attended our Wacken Show. We couldn´t believe how many people watched our show at this early time. Our guess is about 10.000. The show was professional filmed and after our studio recordings we will see if the recordings are good enough to put them on DVD (e.g. I had a few technical problems on stage...). At least we could use them as bonus DVD which will be included in the limited edtions of our next CD REVENGE which will come out spring 2005 on Remedy Records.
REVENGE is also the reason it lasted some time with the news as we are already recording since last wednesday. As it was posted wrong on some pages - we ONLY recorde drums at Karo Studios and will do the rest at Piet Sielcks new POwerhouse Studios in Hamburg were I started to record bass yesterday.
You will find an exclusive studio report of each recording day at www.maximummetal.com.
Jan / PARAGON"
News source: www.paragon-legions.com
METAL BLADE RECORDS Signs YOB!
- August 16, 2004
Metal Blade Records have signed doomsters YOB! Hailing from the ever-gray skies of Eugene, Oregon comes YOB, a band destined to make their mark in the DOOM metal scene worldwide. Formed in 1996 by founding member Mike Scheidt YOB started creating and destroying ideas that would become the foundation for one of DOOM metal's most shining hopefuls.
YOB is prepared to release their new record "The Illusion Of Motion" through Metal Blade Records on October 19 2004. "The Illusion Of Motion" will permanently secure YOB as one of the heaviest, most original DOOM metal bands of any era past or present.
Vocalist/guitarist Mike Scheidt comments: "We are very excited about our new record The Illusion Of Motion. It has the extremes that our fans expect of YOB, only more. Our slow riffs are much slower and crushing and our faster tunes are more jagged and chaotic. Our melodic parts are more atmospheric and our discordant riffs are angular and throttling. The Illusion Of Motion has YOB's shortest tune ever clocking in a just over 6 minutes and our longest tune clocking in at over 26 minutes. And the vocal extremes that are displayed on our earlier records are even more over the top. Plus this is our first recording with our new(ish) drummer extraordinaire Travis Foster who has been crushing skulls with us for almost two years now. It is by far our best record yet in songwriting as well as production and we are very happy to release it with Metal Blade Records."
The band further comments: ""YOB is exceedingly happy to announce our new relationship with Metal Blade Records. We (like any metalhead/hardcore punks fans) were practically introduced to The HEAVY and EXTREME by Metal Blade Records in the 80's. The early records by SLAYER, VOIVOD, DRI, HIRAX, CANDLEMASS, CIRITH UNGOL, TROUBLE, FATES WARNING, SODOM, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER, and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY permanently changed our lives. Those recordings and Metal Blade helped pave the way for bands like us to even exist. To become part of that history as YOB is incredibly satisfying."
Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel had this to say: "We are very excited to welcome YOB to the Metal Blade Family. Their unique brand of music is a great addition. They are hard working and we look forward to many years of awesome music from them!"
Expect the band to play a number of shows on the west coast throughout the rest of 2004, which will include a west coast tour that will take the band down to San Francisco to play at The Days of Darkness festival on Friday September 3rd. After that the band will embark on a full US tour in the spring of 2005.
For more information on the band, visit www.yobdoom.com.
News source: Metal Blade
ARCH ENEMY - Angela Reports On Wacken
- August 16, 2004
ARCH ENEMY vocalist Angela Gossow has posted this report on the band's recent performance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in Germany:
"Cheers,
Just wanna drop a few words about Wacken, cuz it was absolutely fantastic for us! A big HELLO and THANK YOU goes out to all the people who have been waiting patiently for us to perform there: We finally made it to this crazy festival! And yes, it was worth the long van-ride down from Sweden! We not only had a fantastic, wild crowd when we played, we were also amazed and shocked by the amount of fans hanging out at the signing tent! Sorry to all those who couldn’t get their stuff signed, but we only had 45 minutes and had to leave on time – the next band was already there waiting for their turn..
We had a packed promo schedule that day, meeting and greeting a hell lot of cool people! I did a metal quiz with the great lady of rock, Mrs. Doro Pesch, met the guys from Hobbs Angel Of Death (cult!), chatted and laughed with Sabina Classen and talked to various members of Destruction, Marduk, Warlock, Hypocrisy, etc.. It takes me about one week to handle all the impressions I got during this lovely sunny Friday at Wacken!
A special message to our German friends and fans: Ich habe mich zum ersten Mal wirklich wohl und entspannt dabei gefühlt, zuhause – in Deutschland – zu spielen. Als ich auf diese riesige Bühne in Wacken trat, hatte ich ohne Ende Lampenfieber. Dann sah ich eure Fäuste in der Luft, hörte euer Schreien, und wusste, hier sind wir willkommen. Die restlichen 40 Minuten hatte ich einfach nur noch Spass und war glücklich. Ich denke, dass ist rübergekommen, genauso, wie ich gefühlt habe, wie gut und positiv ihr drauf wart. Danke für eure Freundschaft und euren Glauben and uns!!! Wir kommen wieder – so schnell wie möglich!
Love,
Angela"
News source: www.archenemy.net
BEHEMOTH Finish Mixing New Album, Downloads Available
- August 16, 2004
Polish black metallians BEHEMOTH have finished mixing their upcoming new album, entitled "Demigod", at Dug-Out studios in Uppsala, Sweden with Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH). Here is the posting from the band's official website:
"We are extremely proud to present you two of the new songs from Behemoth's newest record "Demigod". Nergal has just finished mixing the album in Sweden's DUG OUT with Daniel Bergstrand and mastering has been done in Stocholm's Cutting Room Studios. "Demigod" sounds just incredible, and music wise, it brings so much fresh air and a lot of new ideas that have never been explored by them before into Behemoth's sound."
Mainman Nergal commented on the new album:
"Working with Daniel was just awesome. Things went pretty smooth and we completed all the mixes within two weeks. It seems like this move was essential for us...the sound has never been so intense and fresh. Bergstrand brought a lot of new ideas into our music and I'm more than sure that "Demigod" gained new dimension. It was so much vital and necessary to have someone else involved in the production process than ourselves. It's great to work with somebody who has great experience and knows how to deal with the band like ours. I mean...this guy has worked with one of the biggest extreme metal bands around like Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad or In Flames. I think it speaks for itself...
It's the new beginning for us. "Demigod" with all its might and splendor rises above anything we've done before...Don't get me wrong. I love our previous works, but with this record it feels like we've been locked in a dark room all this time, and now we came out and saw the light...I believe we achieved the best song writing and best production we could. Having such a great and supporting labels behind our back let us release new creativity and make something we haven't done before. In my opinion "Demigod" is a way more extreme record than "ZOS KIA CULTUS" but on the other hand it contains more classic influences...more eerie harmonies and catchiness. It's still difficult for me to get a right distance to this album as I've been working on it for last few months with no break and no rest. It still surprises me where all this enthusiasm comes from after all the energy I spent on this record ha ha..."
The band's webmaster also had this to say:
"The new Behemoth Album.Extreme intensity, brutality and diversity - these three thoughts came up to my mind when I've listened to 'Demigod' for the first time. After some more listening I personally think, that the new material is far more progressive when comparing to 'Zos Kia Cvltvs', than 'Zos.' when comparing to 'Thelema.6'. In fact, I think, that Nergal and Behemoth gave us Album that couldn't be compared to anything that the Band had recorded before. This is not 'Zos.Vol 2' , but something completely new, a material, that - in my opinion - marks a new direction of Behemoth's further progression. Demigod sounds perfectly, but this is some other kind of perfection; the vocals kill, but it is some other kind of murder; the tracks are fucking fast, brutal and diverse - but they couldn't be directly compared to anything, that Behemoth had recorded before. Wait for the new Behemoth's Opus - you surely won't be disappointed!"
Here is the track listing for "Demigod":
01. Sculpting The Throne Ov Seth
02. Demigod
03. Conquer All (Mp3 clip - 1.4 MB)
04. The Nephilim Rising
05. Towards Babylon
06. Before Aeons Came
07. Mysterium Coniunctionis (Hermanubis)
08. XUL
09. Slaves Shall Serve (Mp3 clip - 1.3 MB)
10. The Reign Ov Shemsu-Hor
"Demigod" is tentatively scheduled to be released this fall in Europe through Regain Records, in Poland through Mystic, in Israel through Raven Music, and in Russia through Irond. The album will be released in the U.S. in early 2005.
News source: www.behemoth.metalkings.com
FREEDOM CALL Commence Recording New Album
- August 16, 2004
German power metallers FREEDOM CALL have commenced the recording of their new album, tentatively scheduled to be released in early 2005 through SPV Records. No additional details are available at this time.
News source: www.freedom-call.net
SUPREME MAJESTY Announce New Drummer
- August 16, 2004
Sweden's SUPREME MAJESTY have posted this announcement on their official website:
"SUPREME MAJESTY announces that as of beginning of August, drummer Jocke Unger has left the band. Jocke has other engagements he wants to focus on, among these full-time drumming in the Thrash Metal band SGT. CARNAGE. The band wishes him the best of luck in the future!
Replacing Jocke behind the drum-set is the well experienced and talented drummer Johan Rydberg. Known from bands like SANZIA and IN BLACK, he is a replacer well worthy of taking the drum seat after Jocke.
This also means that Johan will play drums on the upcoming third full-length album from Supreme Majesty that will be recorded during the autumn. Stay tuned!"
News source: www.supreme-majesty.com
MELIAH RAGE To Release First Album In 10 Years
- August 16, 2004
Boston's reformed metal heroes MELIAH RAGE are primed to make 2004 truly a landmark year for the band. Recently having their music featured on an episode of FOX TV's hit series The Shield, MELIAH RAGE is following the success with a brand new studio album, their first in over a decade. The nine-track sledgehammer of sonic vengeance, "Barely Human", is slated for release on Screaming Ferret Wreckords in coordination with Escapi Music and Navarre Distribution on August 24. A major North American tour will soon follow.
Guitarist Anthony Nichols, guitarist Jim Koury and bass guitarist Jesse Johnson, all original members, are joined by new vocalist Paul Souza and drummer Barry Spillberg (formerly of WARGASM) on "Barely Human". Original vocalist Mike Munro decided not to take part in the MELIAH RAGE reunion in order to focus on family.
Here is the track listing for "Barely Human" (in no particular order):
Hate Machine (Mp3 - 4.2 MB)
Invincible
Barely Human
Ungodly
Wrong Place, Right Time
Rigid
Bloodbath
Hell Song
Motor Psycho
"Barely Human" was produced by Joe Moody and Nichols. Moody also recorded and mixed the album at Danger Multitrack in Providence, RI. All songs were written by Nichols and Souza except "The Wrong Place" which was written by Nichols, Souza and Clark Lush and "Ungodly" which was written by Nichols, Souza and Spillberg. Nichols completed all musical arrangements and Souza wrote all lyrics for the album. Bob Mayo, formerly of WARGASM and a one-time MELIAH RAGE member, contributes special bass tracks on "Invincible."
News source: www.screamingferret.com
JUDAS PRIEST Bassist Interviewed By KNAC.com
- August 14, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke with KNAC.com about reuniting with Rob Halford, the band's forthcoming new album, and this year's Ozzfest. Here are a few excerpts from the interview:
KNAC.COM: "Does it seem ridiculous to you that the thirteen year separation ever took place if all it took to get you guys back together was a cd cover and a family celebration?"
Ian Hill: "I don’t know. We knew that getting back together was always going to happen someplace. It was just inevitable. We were all doing things on our own, and we were all truckin’ along. In the end, people just wanted to hear Judas Priest with Rob Halford. I think Ripper always realized that, and in the end, I think it did him a perverse favor. As long as he was in this band and playing all these older songs, Ripper was always just going to be filling someone else’s shoes regardless of how good he was, and he was darn good. He is just a phenomenal vocalist and a great guy, and I’m convinced that he has a bright future ahead of him. Now he can go off and make it in his own right, with his own band, with his own lyrics, and do it himself rather than hitching a ride on the back of us."
KNAC.COM: "Is being in Judas Priest more like being married or being in a family?"
Ian Hill: "It’s like a family, and when Rob returned it was like a prodigal had come back. It was just like a brother had come home from service overseas or something like that. It was just like that, and we are all very fond of one another. When he did come back, the emotions did show. There were a few bear hugs and things like that—girly stuff. It was very heartfelt and sincere though. It was great to have him back. The negativity pales in comparison to the positives."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.knac.com
ANAAL NATHRAKH Finalize Track Listing For New Album
- August 14, 2004
British black metallers ANAAL NATHRAKH have finalized the track listing for the upcoming new album, "Domine Non Es Dignus", which is scheduled to be released in early November through Season Of Mist Records.
Here is the track listing:
01. I Wish I Could Vomit Blood On You... ...People
02. The Oblivion Gene
03. Do Not Speak
04. Procreation Of The Wretched
05. To Err Is Human, To Dream - Futile
06. Revaluation Of All Values
07. The Final Destruction Of Dignity
08. Swallow The World
09. This Cannot Be The End
10. Rage, Rage Against The Dying Of The Light
News source: www.anaal-nathrakh.tk
MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine Speaks To Guitar World
- August 14, 2004
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine spoke with Guitar World for the magazine's October 2004 issue. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Guitar World: "Prior to Marty's joining the band, you had been looking at having Dimebag Darrell fill the guitar slot."
Dave Mustaine: "That's true. That was around 1989. I had just hired Nick and PANTERA were still playing around Texas. I asked Darrell if he was interested and he says to me (assumes southern accent), 'Yeah, man, but my brother's gotta come, too.' And I said, 'What is he, a roadie?' I told him I already had a drummer, and he said, 'Ah, then fuck it. Good luck, brother!'"
Guitar World: "For a short time in the very early stages of the band, you had SLAYER's Kerry King filling the lead guitar role."
Dave Mustaine: "That was before we did the first record. He was just helping us out. He was never a member of the band."
Guitar World: "What was your opinion of his playing?"
Dave Mustaine: "Well, before I started showing him my guitar style, he was pretty good. Afterward, he was really good! I showed him a lot of different tricks that he had never seen before. I think I helped him more than he's willing to acknowledge, but as you probably know, Kerry now hates my guts. I don't know why. I don't dislike the guy. But Kerry has a problem, because he hates everybody."
Guitar World: "For the new record, you initially tried to get the "Rust In Peace"-era lineup back together."
Dave Mustaine: "I gave it a shot. Actually, I recently hired back Nick Menza, but Marty seems pretty happy doing his own thing. And I tried talking with Ellefson, but he wanted too much money. He didn't write or play a lick on this new record, and he wanted more money than he's ever been paid before. And I'm thinking to myself, 'Wait a minute, you're not in a band now, right? Here you have an opportunity to walk into a completed project and live happily ever after, and you want my publishing? Sorry.' So it ended up not happening."
Guitar World: "In MEGADETH's almost 20 years of recording, this is the first record you've done without Dave Ellefson — although I recall you discussed replacing him in 1997, around the time of "Cryptic Writings"."
Dave Mustaine: "The band wasn't grooving the way it had been in the past. Nick had told us that he had a tumor in his leg and that it was cancerous. Of course we were all freaked out, because we love Nick, but then we found out that he was lying. There was a lot of stuff going on then that should remain personal, but basically, I told Marty that we had to get rid of Nick because he had been lying to us. And Marty said, 'Dude, while we're at it, we need to get a bass player that just shits bass parts.'"
Guitar World: "He had an issue with Dave's playing?"
Dave Mustaine: "Yeah. In the studio it was kinda hard with Ellefson. He had a real problem playing in time."
Guitar World: "Were there any personality clashes?"
Dave Mustaine: "(laughs) You gotta have a personality to have a clash! Dave is a guy who… I think the reason he kept his job was because he was so politically correct all the time. Because if he stood up for himself even once, he probably would have been fired."
News source: www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net
UNEARTH - Update From The Band
- August 13, 2004
UNEARTH singer Trevor Phipps has issued this band update:
"Things have been crazy busy on the road, so we are sorry for the lack of updates. First off Ozzfest has been amazing every day and so have the off dates with Lamb of God, Atreyu and Every Time I Die. We couldn't have asked for a better summer of shows, fun and good company.
We want to officially announce our fall headlining tour with Black Dahlia Murder, Terror and Remembering Never. The tour will run from September 23rd through October 29th and will hit most major cities in the US. More details will be available in the coming weeks.
After our headlining tour we will embark on the East Pak Resistance tour, which is a European jaunt with Sick of It All, 7 Seconds, Walls of Jericho and Ramahla November 4th through the 28th. It has been a couple years since we have done a full European tour and we are looking forward to our return.
We can't thank all of you enough for going out and picking up the record. We have sold over 34,200 copies of The Oncoming Storm in just five weeks.
We also want to thank the college radio stations all across the country for making us the Number One record on the CMJ Loud Music Charts for three weeks running.
Thanks to everyone who has made the release of The Oncoming Storm a great experience for us. We hope you all can enjoy the record as much as we do. Till next time..."
News source: Metal Blade
VADER - The Beast Will Rise!
- August 13, 2004
On September 21st The Beast will rise. Right, we are talking about the new album from almighty VADER!
"The Beast" was recorded at Radio Gdansk Studio with producer Piotr Lukaszewski ("Reign Forever World", "Revelations", "Blood") and was mixed while the band were away on the first part of their European tour. Jacek Wisniewski was responsible for the album artwork and other graphics. The mastering session took place on July 1.
Here is the track listing:
01. Intro
02. Out Of The Deep
03. Dark Transmission
04. Firebringer
05. The Sea Came In At Last
06. I Shall Prevail
07. The Zone
08. Insomnia
09. Apopheniac
10. Choices
And for all you hardcore Vader fans, the European version of "The Beast" will be released as a limited first edition that will contain a bonus-DVD! The bonus DVD includes a report from the studio, a video clip recorded during the session, and some fragments of one of the most important gigs in 2003! Be prepared!
News source: Metal Blade
IMPIOUS Complete Recordings
- August 13, 2004
Swedish Death/Thrash maniacs IMPIOUS have finished recordings for their upcoming neck breaker "Hellucinate". Produced by Valle Adzic and mixed by Chris Silver and Valle Adzic at Studio Mega, IMPIOUS managed to get a hell of a sound! Their furious Death/Thrash attacks have never sounded that powerful, tight and to the point as on this album!
Here is the track listing:
1. Inject
2. Wicked Saints
3. Infernique
4. Hellucinations
5. Show Me Your God!
6. Death Wish Scar
7. Toxic Paranoia
8. Needles Nervosa
9. Bloodspill Revelation
10. Suicide Park
"Hellucinate" is scheduled to be released on October 5 through Metal Blade Records.
News source: Metal Blade
GOREROTTED Announce Line-up Change
- August 13, 2004
GOREROTTED have parted ways with Mr Gore. They will continue as a five piece until a sutible replacement is found. Remaining vocalist Goreskin and Bass player Wilson will handle the high vocals between them for all upcoming festival shows and club gigs. GOREROTTED recently performed at the Kaltenbach Open-Air festival in Austria as a five piece when Mr Gore was forced to stay in the UK because of family problems. Anyone who witness this show will tell you GOREROTTED still fucking destroy as a live band!!!
Vocalist Goreskin had this to say:
"It's like the end of an era losing Mr Gore, he's been in Gorerotted from the start and was the utter cunt that roped me into singing with him in the first place. Still, he needs to go, it's time to move on and look to the future. Anyway there's still a bunch of ladies in London he hasn't done yet, so at least he'll be able to put his full energy into banging broads again. It's quite nice really, just like releasing a caged animal back into the wild".
News source: Metal Blade
BLOOD RED THRONE Begin Recording New Album
- August 13, 2004
Earache Records has posted this news on their official website:
"Norwegian Death Metallers BLOOD RED THRONE have finally started work on the new album titled 'Altered Geneis' after a series of drummers failed to deliver the quality the band were looking for. With original drummer Espen Antonsen fired early on in the original recording, the band had to endure two more failed attempts to get the recording off the ground before finally finding the guy for the job in the form of Bernt A Moen.
Guitarist Tchort comments on the stop/start nature of the project thus far;
"After a turbulent, and in many ways a classical BRT episode, the recording process is now heading forward again. With one drummer put out of 'his misery' and several others biting the dust, the band laid down the drum tracks with the help of Bernt A Moen and are now halfway through recording the guitar tracks.
We had set a high standard for this album, and anyone who couldn't meet that standard, would simply have to go. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't clean and it certainly wasn't going to be about lowering the quality of performance - it was the fucking BRT curse striking again!!"
"Altered Genesis" is scheduled to be released in early 2005.
News source: www.earache.com
FACE DOWN Sign With Black Lodge Records
- August 12, 2004
Sweden's FACE DOWN have signed with Black Lodge Records. Here is the official press release:
"After five years of silence, Face Down (Sweden) have returned to turn loose their retribution upon the unsuspecting Swedish scene.
"Yes, we are back to put Stockholm on the metal map once again! We have reunited this band for one single purpose... To make a superb heavy weight metal album. (So it´s not for the money, we can assure you that.)"
To accomplish this monumental undertaking, the following personnel was enlisted:
- Two time Grammy-awarded Marco Aro on vocals, freshly departed from "The Haunted" he is eager to take on the challenge.
- On guitar there's Joacim Carlsson from grindcore merchants General Surgery, bringing in his renowned riffing skills. You can rest assured he will not quit until the job is done.
- Bass pounder and original band founder Joakim (Harju) Hedestedt left his band Construcdead to commence on this extraordinary quest, committing himself to the fullest.
- On drums, Erik Thyselius (Construcdead, Terror 2000) will beat the living daylights out of you, as he didn't hesitate for a second to accept this hazardous task.
Signing immediately to Swedish based label Black Lodge Records, you can expect an album to be released some time in 2005.
News source: Black Lodge Records
MAZE OF TORMENT Sign With Black Lodge Records
- August 12, 2004
Black Lodge Records have announced the signing of legendary death/thrashers MAZE OF TORMENT to a worldwide long-term deal. The label will release the band's brand new album, entitled "Hammers Of Mayhem", at the end of 2004/early 2005.
"Hammers Of Mayhem" is MAZE OF TORMENT's fifth studio album, and is produced by the band itself along with Tommy Tägtgren (who has already worked together with the band on previous releases) at the famous Abyss Studio.
News source: Black Lodge Records
ANVIL - "Back To Basics" North American Release Date
- August 12, 2004
Screaming Ferret Wreckords have announced that ANVIL's latest album, "Back To Basics", will see a North American release through the label on August 24. The album was produced by renowned Canadian metal mastermind Pierre Rémillard (who had produced 2 previous ANVIL albums, as well as 4 from CRYPTOPSY, and titles from GORGUTS, QUO VADIS, and KATAKLYSM) is described by frontman/guitarist Steven "Lips" Kudlow as "a great pounding feel, like ACCEPT meets OZZY's Bark At the Moon." The initial run of "Back To Basics" will also feature a bonus live DVD Live At Wacken 1998, featuring such frenzied standards as "Five Knuckle Shuffle", "Smoking Green", “Old School", "Winged Assassins", "Forged In Fire", "March of the Crabs", "Metal On Metal", "666", and "Mothra".
In addition, the label will soon be releasing a number of classic ANVIL albums - discs that defined and secured the band’s status in the true heavy metal elite. Titles include three currently out-of-print releases: 1987's "Strength Of Steel" (which featured such classics as "Concrete Jungle", "Straight Between The Eyes", and "Mad Dog", the song that yielded a quite humorous video that received recurrent airplay on MTV's original Headbangers Ball program), 1988's "Pound For Pound" (featuring "Blood On The Ice" and "Toe Jam"), 1989's Past & Present Live (a brilliant live set capturing such seminal ANVIL anthems as "Forged In Fire", "Metal on Metal", "March Of The Crabs", and "Mothra").
Screaming Ferret Wreckords is also releasing a number of titles that never received a proper U.S. release, including 1991's "Worth The Weight", 1996's "Plugged In Permanent", 1997's "Absolutely No Alternative", 1998's "Speed Of Sound", 2001's "Plenty Of Power", 2002's "Still Going Strong", and the special 1999 "Anthology Of Anvil", the perfect introductory piece to the manic, semi-insane world of ANVIL.
All titles will be re-mastered and will contain bonus tracks.
News source: www.screamingferret.com
JUDAS PRIEST - No New Shows Until 2005
- August 12, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST Management Co-ordinator Jayne Andrews has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Quite a few of you have been asking whether Judas Priest will be doing any shows after they finish on the Ozzfest on 4th September, 2004. Please note we won't be doing anymore shows this year - the guys will be finishing off the album so we can deliver it in time for 28th December, 2004 release! We are working on a World Tour starting early in 2005 (this will include the U.K.!!) and will announce the dates as soon as we finalise them.
Jayne Andrews
Management Co-ordinator for JUDAS PRIEST"
News source: www.judaspriest.com
CARNAL FORGE Announce New Singer
- August 12, 2004
CARNAL FORGE have announced the arrival of their new singer Jens C. Mortensen (LEECH, SLAPDASH, ex-REVOLVER) to the camp. Mortensen is the replacement for Jonas Kjellgren, who left CARNAL FORGE in early August after seven years with the band and five albums. No explanation was given for his departure.
News source: www.carnalforge.com
NIGHTWISH Comment On Cancelled Tour Dates
- August 12, 2004
NIGHTWISH have posted this statement on their official website regarding the recent cancelled dates of their North American tour:
"Many fans have asked us why the shows in Canada had to be cancelled due to U.S. visa problems. The band's manager Ewo Rytkönen explains:
"The band COULD have done the shows in Canada, because we would not need Visas/Working Permits to Canada, since the band do have a second set of passports.
However, since these second passports are NOT valid to enter to USA, even as a tourist, because they lack certain barcodes etc. which the US customs officials require in order to enter the country.
So, after doing these two shows in Canada, the band would have had to fly BACK to Finland and wait for the Visas from the US Embassy (they require that each & every person must come over to the Embassy to pick up his/her Visa/Passport.
So doing the tour this way would have meant that about three or four shows in the US would have been cancelled, not to forget that we would have had to buy an extra set of international flights for 17 persons, which would have been very expensive, since these flights would have been booked in the last minute.
So all in all, as disappointing it was to the Canadian fans and the band too, we just had to cancel the first three shows of the tour instead of flying overseas TWO times, losing even more money, maybe even losing the US Visas too (if we would have not gotten the suitable return flights back from Montreal in time) and not to cancel those four shows in the US, which would have made our routing as a nightmare.
In a situation like this there is no easy solution, you just have to take the one with the smallest damage, and this time it was the Canadian NW fans who had to suffer because of this, for which we all are truly, truly sorry about.
We are trying to reschedule the Canadian shows for the latter part of 2004, maybe even adding a second one to Montreal. Stay tuned."
News source: www.nightwish.com
Former QUIET RIOT Drummer Interviewed
- August 12, 2004
Former QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali spoke with ClassicRockRevisited.com about what he is up to currently and the possibility of a QUIET RIOT reunion in the future. Here are a couple excerpts from the interview:
ClassicRockRevisited: "Honesty time: Will there be a Quiet Riot reunion? If so, who will be invited back and who won't be?"
Frankie Banali: "That's the gazillion dollar question in some circles. I think it's safe to say that in their own words there are no warm and fuzzy feelings between Kevin and Rudy, they are as different as can be. And the issue with the use of the name without the four individuals that were the "Metal Health" era Quiet Riot collectively participating would make a reunion at this juncture next to impossible. But, in a business where the unusual is not so unusual, only time and circumstance will dictate what may or may not be......"
Classic Rock Revisited: "From what I understand it seemed inevitable that Quiet Riot was going to end. Hell, you may have read the interviews I did with Kevin DuBrow and Rudy Sarzo. Kevin admitted he was drunk and hated showing up 'cos of the inner band turmoil and Rudy says is was time to move on from a bad situation. Still, I have heard that Quiet Riot existed because of Frankie Banali. It has been told me time and time again that you were the man behind the scenes keeping the band together. How hard was it for you to let go of something you loved so much?"
Frankie Banali: "The band asked me seven years ago to handle the business affairs for the band. So all the mechanics that make it possible for a band to function were my responsibility. I worked daily with the agency that booked the band and I approved dates, did routing, advanced the shows, dealt with the designing and ordering of merchandise, I dealt with promoters, club owners, backline companies, merchandisers, bus companies, you name it. The understanding we had in the band was that I would take care of the business and would keep them advised of every aspect of the business on a daily basis and all they had to do was show up, play and get paid. When even that simple requirement became a burden, the end was just a matter of time.
"I have a "live and let live" type of personality for the most part. I was able to stay focused on the business even though for the last three or four years of the band it was internally spiraling out of control. It came as no surprise to me when it finally imploded in late September of 2003. It was inevitable and I had built in as many business safety valves as possible within what had become a very malignant situation on many levels. Once I realized that certain ingredients no longer worked and certain actions made it impossible to consider Quiet Riot a viable vehicle for all concerned, I took a hard look at the situation, spoke with the particulars involved both in and outside of the band, and it ended. Not because I wanted it to, but because it had.
I personally would have the band continue, but collectively it was clearly an impossibility. I still love Quiet Riot, it just no longer exists, but now nearly a year later I'm still having to deal with the dissolution of the band as a company on everyone's behalf."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.classicrockrevisited.com
W.A.S.P. Cancel Two More Shows!
- August 11, 2004
W.A.S.P. have cancelled two more shows on their North American tour. The first cancelled date was their August 10 show at Barrymore’s Music Hall in Ottawa, Ontario. According to a posting on W.A.S.P.'s official fan forum, no official reason has been given for the cancellation, but according to the bar owners it had to do with "the barriers in front of the stage." The tour manager reportedly claimed the barriers weren't sufficient enough to insure the band's safety and thus decided W.A.S.P. would not play.
The second cancelled date is the August 11 show at Club Infinity in Buffalo (Clarence), New York. Another posting on the band's official forum regarding the cancellation reads:
"Since I was going to be driving 2 1/2 hours to see WASP, I figured that (in light of the recent cancellations) calling ahead to make sure it was still on was a good idea. They informed me that the opening bands were still going to play, but "WASP's singer is on the way to the hospital for food poisoning, he said that they are going to try to play if they can, but we won't know until after the openers go on." So I figure I'll take the gamble and run out there anyways...as I get done filling up my gas tank (this is prolly an hour after I made my original phone call) I get a hunch and call the venue again...this time they informed me that WASP has cancelled and again that Blackie was on his way to the hospital, only instead of just food poisoning the girl tells me that "...an ulcer...um...a stomach virus...err...food poisoning...something is wrong with his stomach."
News source: www.bravewords.com / www.waspnation.com
KAMELOT - New Album 90% Done
- August 11, 2004
KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood has posted this message on the band's official website:
"Hello All!
Well after nearly 24 hours of travelling I am finally home in Florida. The weather in Germany could not have been better for me, hot and sunny. We are not finished completely however but we are now 90% done with the new album. We will meet this week with cover artist Derek Gores to discuss the new cover. Expect the usual fantastic work from Derek with some new ideas as well. I want to say thanks to all the great people in the Wolfsburg area, from the Hotel we stayed at to the families of the studio staff that made us feel at home. Also hello to the EPICA band members who were also at Gate Studios working on their new release.
Cheers!!
Thomas and Kamelot"
News source: www.kamelot.com
JUDAS PRIEST - Guitarist Glenn Tipton Speaks!
- August 10, 2004
JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton spoke with to Michael Melchor of 411mania.com about the band's career and what fans can expect to see in the future. Here are a few excerpts from the interview:
Michael Melchor: "How does it feel to be back with the original lineup?"
Glenn Tipton: "It's been just great; almost like we’ve never been apart. Once we started to write & rehearse, it felt natural; more fantastic than ever. It's been wonderful having everyone back together."
Michael Melchor: "How did the band originally form?"
Glenn Tipton: "Well, the other guitar player [KK Dowling] & and the bass player [Ian Hill] were in a band before leaving and forming Judas Priest. Rob joined on shortly after they got together and then I came on before their first album was released. We’ve had drummers come and go, unfortunately, but our current drummer [Scott Travis] has been with the band for 14 years."
Michael Melchor: "Is the new album still being written and recorded? And what other plans do you have for the future?"
Glenn Tipton: "Everything has been written and recorded for the new album. We have some overdubs and some other mixing to do but other than that it’s all done. We started writing it last September after we got back together and now everything's almost finished.
The album comes out in December and a smaller version of the live DVD from Barcelona will be released in conjunction. We're still putting together plans for the full DVD release. We haven't really decided on everything with that yet but we'll have done in due time and probably have it out early next year."
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.411mania.com
NIGHTWISH Cancel Three North American Dates
- August 10, 2004
NIGHTWISH have had to cancel the first three shows of their upcoming North American tour after failing to secure their visas in time for the tour's kick-off date on August 16. The cancelled dates are:
Aug. 16 - Toronto, ON
Aug. 17 - Montreal, QUE
Aug. 19 - Philadelphia, PA
"Our US Visa applications were filed early enough at the end of March 2004, so the U.S. Immigration Office is the one responsible for not being able to handle these applications within this 4, 5 months of time. There was never anything we could have done but wish for some co-operation from their side. The result is as seen.
We are very sorry for this and we understand that many of you are pissed. So are we. Big time. Naturally we will do everything we can to make this up and as soon as possible.
"The rest of the U.S. shows will happen as scheduled."
News source: www.bravewords.com
CRADLE OF FILTH Singer Interviewed
- August 10, 2004
CRADLE OF FILTH singer Dani Filth spoke with AllThingsMetal.net about the band's switch from Sony to Roadrunner for their upcoming album, "Nymphetamine", lyrics, videos and a lot more.
Read the entire interview here.
News source: www.allthingsmetal.net
DIO - New Album Delayed
- August 10, 2004
Sanctuary Records has pushed back the North American release date of DIO's album, "Master Of The Moon" (view cover), to September 14, instead of the previously announced August 31 date. No reason was given for the delay.
"Master Of The Moon" track listing:
01. One More For The Road
02. Master Of The Moon
03. The End Of The World
04. Shivers
05. The Man Who Would Be King
06. The Eyes
07. Living The Lie
08. I Am
09. Death By Love
10. In Dreams
News source: www.bravewords.com
DIMMU BORGIR's Las Vegas Show Filmed
- August 10, 2004
DIMMU BORGIR's performance at the Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas on July 30 was filmed by acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus (LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES). Check out the photos from the shoot: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photos 4.
News source: www.revolver.se
Thrash Metal Documentary Trailer Posted
- August 10, 2004
A four minute trailer for "Get Thrashed", the upcoming documentary profiling the thrash metal scene of the early 80's, has been posted online here (Windows Media - 8 MB).
News source: www.getthrashed.com
SATYRICON Issue W:O:A Report
- August 9, 2004
Norwegian black metallers SATYRICO | |
