Parts of our news section appear courtesy of www.BraveWords.com

ARES KINGDOM, the current home of former ORDER FROM CHAOS / VULPECULA guitarist Chuck Keller, will be entering the studio in June to begin recording their album. The last VULPECULA release "In Dusk Apparition" is supposed to be released on Invictus Productions by the end of the year. Keller has furthermore finished recording and mixing vocals and leads for the next BARBATOS album "Fury and Fear, Flesh and Bone." No label has been announced for the release of it yet.

Conquer Summer Festival 2004 will take place on Sunday July 4th in Gdynia, Poland at Club "Ucho" (capacity of 700 people). This year's line-up is as follows: ACHERON, DEVILYN, HELL-BORN, SUHRIM, SUPREME LORD, ABGOTT, INFERNAL LEGION, TEHACE and other supporting acts being sought.

VADER’s official website (www.vader.pl) has been updated with the following festival information: The band will play the Kaltenbach Open Air Festival (www.kaltenbach-openair.at) in Spital am Semmering, Austria on July 16th. Other acts on the bill include IMPALED NAZARENE, TANKARD, NAGLFAR, BEHEMOTH, PUNGENT STENCH, GOREROTTED, FLESHCRAWL and many others. Also, Vader will headline the Barther Metal Open Air Festival (www.barther-metal-openair.de) in Freilichtbühne / Bart, Germany on August 21st. Others on the bill include AGATHODAIMON, SUIDAKRA, DARK SUNS, NOCTE OBDUCTA, MINAS MORGUL and more.

Relapse Records recording artists NILE will see their new video for the song 'Execration Text', premier on this weekend's edition of Headbangers Ball. Headbangers Ball airs Saturdays from 10-12 PM EST on MTV2. Taken from NILE's "In Their Darkened Shrines" album, the 'Execration Text' video was directed and filmed by acclaimed director Darren Doane (DEFTONES, AFI, POISON THE WELL, KYUSS) and shot at Center Staging in Burbank, CA.

DEVILYN have inked a deal with Conquer Records. The band will release their fourth album through the label in late September. The new album will be recorded at Poland’s Hertz Studio in August. In live news, DEVILYN will be featured at the upcoming Conquer Summer Festival at Club Ucho in Gdynia, Poland. The band will then tour Europe with SUPREME LORD in September / October. More details as they become available.

MORBID ANGEL's Trey Azagthoth and Steve Tucker are confirmed to be guest hosts on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball, airing Saturday, June 12. With regular Headbanger's host Jamey Jasta on tour for the month, Azagthoth and Tucker will be taking over the greater part of the show - introducing videos including some of their own favorite picks and discussing MORBID ANGEL, and generally "bringing light to the closed minds of the masses".

According to a posting at their website, Norwegian black metallers TIDFALL "are now starting the process of writing new songs. No plans are made for the coming summer, just having a relaxing time and put all our efforts in making one hell of a sequel to Nucleus (2003). The last gig in Tromsø went fucking great, people from the northernmost part of Norway really know how to metalparty! Thanx for the support! Things might be a little slow on the site for some time. We're all starting holidays soon, but we'll try to get some new pics and some words out in between. So long and have one hell of a summer! Cheerz!"

According to a posting at ANAAL NATHRAKH’s official website (www.anaal-nathrakh.tk), the band are currently at Necrodeath Studios recording their second full length album. The release is expected through the band’s new label, Season Of Mist Records, in September. As previously reported, in response to the band’s recent signing to Season Of Mist for two albums, the group commented, “The label has been naive enough to sign the deal, and ANAAL NATHRAKH will shortly commence making them rue the day they were born.” Planned songs for the album include 'Revaluation Of All Values', 'To Err Is Human, To Dream - Futile' and 'Procreation Of The Wretched.’

The long-delayed FUNERAL PROCESSION "Wolfish Storms..." t-shirt is finally available by the end of this week. It is limited to 50 copies and will be available in size XL only with print on the front and on the back. For details contact Nightfog at http://nightfog.cjb.net or sowulo14@t-online.de. It is recommandable to act quickly, as half of the edition is already pre-ordered.

SKULL FUCKED PRODUCTIONS is looking for a German groovy Grind band to be featured on an upcoming 4 way split CD, which is scheduled to be released around September - December this year. The confirmed bands so far are UNFORMED (France), GASTRICK BURST (France) and CYNICAL BASTARD (Germany). For further info get in touch via the following addresses: http://skullfuckedprod.free.fr or skullfuckedprod@wanadoo.fr

Kerstin (Nord-Pol-Events) and DJ Lepski announced that they won't keep up the Metal-Night in Bremen, Germany. More important might be the fact that Nord-Pol-Events won't put up Metal concerts at the Wehrschloss in Bremen, either. Consequently, it doesn't look too good for a second VOICES festival over here. More information on Metal in Bremen is provided under: www.bremen-rockt.de

DeathFest 2004 is scheduled to take place at Ulu Club in London, England on June 19th. The complete line-up for the show includes: VADER, CANCER, DIAMANTHIAN, TORMENT, CADAVEROUS CONDITION, CADUCITY and CENTURIONS GHOST. The date will also feature two local acts that are yet to be announced. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

DISSECTION have issued the following message via their official website (www.dissection.nu): "Finally the wait is over! Dissection will once again perform live and spread the sonic anti-cosmic chaos over the world! The first show will take place at Klubben in Stockholm, Sweden on October 30, 2004. Tickets can be bought through Ticnet and some info can be found at Skrikhult Productions (http://www.skrikhult.se/)."

In addition to the previously announced "Choice Cuts" (best of album) from CARCASS, due on July 13th, Earache Records will be re-issuing three other classic Carcass albums. On July 27, "Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious" and "Heartwork" will hit stores followed on August 10 by "Swansong". The re-issues will not contain any bonus tracks. But all three albums are remastered with bonus videos and they come in slipcases with fold-out posters inside.

Norwegian Black Metal newcomers, Disiplin are currently working on the follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut album, whose mix of oldschool Black Metal and tinges of Thrash and Death Metal inspired more than the specialised media to take notice. The band, who recently invited bassist, Invictus to join the line up as a permanent member, will be entering Akkerhaugen Studios in August to record their new opus, "Quimbanda".

SATHANAS are working on new material for their next release. They have added two new members to their line-up, namely Wayne Dudley on guitar and ex-ACHERON drummer Jim Strauss. Labels should get in contact for a new promo at sathanaspaul@yahoo.com

Metal Devastation Records have officially re-released EMBALMED's "Unholy Torment" album on CD for the first time. The album was remastered and sells for $15 (ppd. everywhere). For wholesale prices contact: montenegro666@msn,com. The band's 7" EP "Prelude To Satan's War" on Legion Of Death Records is also still available for $9 (ppd.). A live / rehearsal cassette release will be out on Hellspike Productions soon.

ARCH ENEMY's Japanese label Toy's Factory will release a six track EP entitled "Dead Eyes See No Future" on June 9th to coincide with their upcoming Japanese tour. The track list is as follows: 'Dead Eyes See No Future' (from "Anthems Of Rebellion"), 'Burning Angel' (live), 'Heart Of Darkness' (live), 'Kill With Power' (MANOWAR cover), 'Symphony Of Destruction (MEGADETH cover) and 'Incarnated Solvent Abuse' (CARCASS cover). Both live tracks were recorded during the band's recent European tour.

Former PESTILENCE bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling, who played on the group's jazz / fusion - influenced fourth album, "Spheres" (1993), has launched his official web site at www.jeroenthesseling.com

RAZOR’s previously announced Toronto date on July 24th with ANVIL and EXCITER is actually part of the Gates Of Hell 2004 festival, scheduled to take place at FunHause. With a possible SACRIFICE reunion on deck for the festival, other acts scheduled to perform include WARMACHINE, ROTTING, NITEMARE, VISIONS OF THE NIGHT, WILL OF THE ANCIENTS and SOUL LESS DIVINE. More details to be announced soon.

Finnish melodic Death Metallers OMNINIUM GATHERING will begin to record their second album with the working title "FallGraveSilence", in June. The follow-up to their debut album, "Spirits And August Light", will be released in fall through Rage Of Achilles.

On Thursday, June 3rd, IN FLAMES will play an exclusive concert at the Underground - a club offering space for about 300 people - in Cologne, Germany. The gig will be filmed and broadcasted at a later date on the German TV show, Rockpalast, on the WDR network. On the following weekend (June 4th - 6th), In Flames will play Germany's two largest open air festivals, the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park.

ENSLAVED have inked a deal with Tabu Recordings. The band are currently confirming their upcoming recording schedule at Grieghallen Studios and the mix will be done in Duper Studios by Sir Duperman. The production team will consist of Jorgen Traen, Eirik Hundvin and Enslaved.

Death Metal bastards KAAMOS will release their new album, "Lucifer Rising", in September through Candlelight / PHD. The track list is as follows: 'Black Revelation', 'Gnosticon', 'Inaugurating Evil', 'Theriomorphic Pandaemonium', 'Dark Void', 'Lucifer Rising', 'Sacrament In Red', 'Mysterious Reversion', 'Khthonic' and 'Outro'. For more information on the band, go to this location www.kaamos.nu.

Here's an official statement from Sweden's ARMAGEDDA concerning the band's future: "We do not perform Black Metal anymore, we do not want to be associated with the Black Metal scene of today nor yesterday. How people see our tunes from the outside doesn't matter, we are what we are and not what you think. We are not a Black Metal band anymore and we will never be again. Black Metal has been infected with unserious people who abuse its (un)holy essence and that is not what we stand for. Therefor we will get as far away from this shit as possible. All is said, enough! Consider this to be 100 % official - A. & Graav anno serpenti 2004."

Danish Death Metallers EXMORTEM will enter Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark on May 17 with producer Tue Madsen to record their fifth album, due later in the year. A total of nine songs will be recorded and mixed during the four-week session, including 'Parasite Paradise', 'Symbols Of Inhumanity', 'Flesh Havoc', 'The Human Rape Symphony' and 'Fix Of Negativity'.

RAZOR has confirmed that they will be performing a show in Toronto with ANVIL and EXCITER on July 24th at the FunHause in Toronto. A possible SACRIFICE reunion may also occur. Date and venue information will be revealed soon.

According to SMN, German Death Metallers NECROPHAGIST has officially signed a wordwide deal with Relapse Records. The band's new album, "Epitaph", will hit stores August 3rd in North America, and everywhere else early September. The band is currently working on a re-mix of their record "Onset Of Putrefaction" which will be reissued through Willowtip Records this August.

A representative of Century Media Records has confirmed that the label has indeed signed NAPALM DEATH. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The band have yet to announce this, but it is expected that the first release under the new deal will be an all-covers album, "Leaders Not Followers Volume 2". A street date remains to be scheduled.

ARCH ENEMY have officially apologized for dropping off the Weapons Of Mass Destruction tour that features MACHINE HEAD and GOD FORBID. Here's the posting at the band's website: "As previously reported Arch Enemy have dropped off the current Machine Head US tour. To the fans that were expecting to see Arch Enemy perform at these shows, the band offers their deepest apologies. To all the people involved in putting the tour together, the band regrets that they couldn’t make it work out. To Machine Head and the other performing bands, Arch Enemy would like to apologise and wish them a successful tour"

The following IMMOLATION update has been issued via the group’s official website (www.everlastingfire.com): “N.Y. masters of hateful Death are not getting let down by the delay of the release for their upcoming DVD and are currently writing a collection of the band's most intense songs ever for their upcoming album to be issued in October 2004. Immolation will record in July with producer Paul Oforino in New York. A brand new official website will be launched within the next months".

Former Immolation / Goreaphobia drummer Craig Smilowski was rehearsing with John Litchko ("Shaitan") of Perverseraph this past weekend. As of yet it is still uncertain what this new band will be called.

PSYKRA will be participating in the "Local Heroes Contest" on May 08, 2004 in Ilsenburg at the Klima club.

Texas Death Metal freaks might have already stumbled over the name EXULCERATE since it is the malignant spawn rising from the ashes of Brutal Death Metal outfit PUTRILAGE (album "Devouring The Gutted", 1999). Although those guys have signed to United Guttural Records lately their two song Demo "Samples Of Sickness" is still available a s free download including booklet at www.exulcerate.net. A great idea fans of sick Death Metal should support at instant!

The recording of the second KAAMOS full-length album has been completed and will be entitled "Lucifer Rising" A total of 10 tracks were recorded and are expected to be out after the summer through Candlelight / PHD.

According to the official CANNIBAL CORPSE website (www.cannibalcorpse.net) longtime guitarist Jack Owen decided to leave the band. Here's his official statement: "After 15 years with Cannibal Corpse, I've decided to leave the group. My heart just wasn't in it anymore, and it was reflected in my appearance on stage. Times change, and I just don't enjoy the music as much as I used to, and the only thing keeping me in the band was steady work, and the pay. These things makes it unfair to myself, my band members, and especially the fans. I'd like to thank all the members of Cannibal Corpse, past and present, for sharing in the conquest of an entire genre of music. I wish the band continued success... I would especially like to thank the fans for being there for 15 years. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. Your dedication to Death Metal is unbelievable. I am going to continue in music, of course, with Adrift. I'd like to thank them for their patience and understanding, and support of my decision. We will meet again, I'm sure... Cheers, Jack Owen." CANNIBAL CORPSE are currently working with a replacement. All scheduled concerts will still take place.

HIRAX have just been signed by Mausoleum Records. The label will be releasing their brandnew CD, "The New Age of Terror" on May 15th 2004.

According to a recent press release, HOUWITSER have canceled all upcoming gigs and are currently looking for a new drummer due to to Aad Kloosterwaard's (ex-SINISTER) recent announcement that his main focus will be INFINITED HATE which also features fellow Sinister members Rachel Kloosterwaard (vocals) and Ron van de Polder (guitars). Aad will stay with Houwitser as second vocalist. Interested drummers can email Houwitser bassist Theo Van Eekelen at houwitser@hotmail.com  
or theo@houwitser.com.

Galy Records has signed Anhkrehg. The band will release a new album in August entitled "Against You All", which was produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist / producer Jean-Fancois Dagenais. Anhkrehg will embark on a Canadian tour starting August 2nd.

According to a posting on their website, the North American release of DESTRUCTION's "Live Discharge - 20 Years Of Total Destruction" DVD has been postponed to May 18th through Nuclear Blast. The DVD features four and a half hours of live, backstage and historical footage and the Japan only CD release "Alive Devastation". The collectors digipack will be limited to 666 copies.

BLOODBATH have announced via their official website that their forthcoming second full length album, the follow up to 2002’s "Resurrection Through Carnage", will be titled "Nightmares Made Flesh". The album will feature the following 12 tracks: ‘Outnumbering The Day’, ‘Year Of The Cadaver Race’, ‘Draped In Disease’, ‘Cancer Of The Soul’, ‘The Ascension’, ‘Eaten’, ‘Brave New Hell’, ‘Stillborn Saviour’, ‘Feeding The Undead’, ‘Bastard Son Of God’, ‘Soul Evisceration’ and ‘Blood Vortex’. "Nightmares Made Flesh" will be released this fall via Century Media.

Mortuary I.O.D. will be performing at the Wâldrock Festival in Burgum, the Netherlands, on June 19th this year. The complete billing reads like this: Exodus, Testament, Finntroll, Within Temptation, Transport League, Cannibal Corpse, Monster Magnet, Slapshot, Hate Breed, Fear Factory, My Dying Bride, Death
Angel, Twisted Sister and Cradle Of Filth. www.waldrock.nl. In related news Mortuary I.O.D.'s long-awaited MCD "Damnation" is about to be mixed and mastered and ready to be released. The track 'The Bonehunt' features former PESTILENCE / ASPHYX vocalist Martin van Drunen on guest vocals. The band is still searching for a label to release it. In May Mortuary I.O.D. will be playing a mini-tour with Death Metallers Belphegor from Austria. For all further info check out: www.mortuary-iod.nl

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