Melechesh have a new drummer. Quoting founding member Ashmedi: ”We are very glad to announce the addition of Xul to the Melechesh Djinn union; Xul is a tremendously talented drummer with outstanding technical ability.” Melechesh has been working on new material with Xul for the last year, prior to this he performed with the band at various gigs and festivals where he proved his drumming capabilities by offering flawless and exceptional performances. On this XUL commented: “I am honored to finally be part of this cult. Playing with Melechesh is an enriching experience both on a musical and on an ideological level.” Finally, Xul is noted for drumming for Thanatos, Abode of the Blessed and with the now disbanded Black Metal act Liar of Golgotha. For more info, check out www.melechesh.com

FEARER, Germany's masters of brutal US style Death Metal, are still searching for a new drummer. If you think you can handle the job, feel free to contact the band at info@fearer.de

Bremen's Thrash Metal Band ANTAGONIST have started recording the successor of their MCD "New Zombie Dead" (2002). The working title is "Demons" and it will include nine songs, each one reflecting the band's trademarks. Some unexpected material can also be discovered on the new album. The release is planned for the beginning of 2006 and it will prove that the band is still going strong even though they have been around for the long period of 15 years. With respect to the new album ANTAGONIST have decided to offer free downloads of their existing albums "Mosaik", "Perfect Human Comprehension" and "New Zombie Dead" on their website. Check it out under www.antagonist.info.

After several years of silence Texas' Death Metal veterans SEVERANCE will finally return with a brandnew album soon. It's gonna be called "Suffering In Humanity" and features nine brandnew songs as well as a cover of 'Fatal Predictions' by Chile's cult Death / Thrashers PENTAGRAM. The recordings of the album were done, once again, at Sound Playground with Ernie B. at the knobs and the final mastering was completed a few days ago, so that the disc is now ready to be shopped to labels. SEVERANCE anno 2005 consists of Ralph Gutierrez (guitars), Joe Dan de la Rosa (guitars), Abel Barrera (bass), Mike Mena (vocals) and Jaime Perez (drums). Here's the complete tracklist of "Suffering In Humanity": 'Rejuvena-Dead', 'Consumed', 'Displaced', 'The Cleansing', 'Meaningless', 'Suffering' (interlude), 'Detri-Mental', 'Reborn Again', 'La Promesa', 'Fatal Predictions' (PENTAGRAM cover), 'Hatred Within' and 'Inhumanity' (outro). For more info check out the band's website at www.severancemetal.com

Contributors wanted! VOICES FROM THE DARKSIDE is once again looking for reliable people (preferable from Germany) who can help us out with reviews, as we constantly get so much stuff that it's getting more and more difficult to keep track in this department. So, if you have the necessary time, dedication and knowledge, get in touch with us for all further details here. If you're running a magazine / zine on your own (or already contribute to one) outside of Germany, you're more than welcome as well.

Anger as Art, the brain child of Steve Gaines (AbaTtoir, Bloodlust, Pagan War Machine, Dreams of Damnation and Tactics) have been signed by Old School Metal Records. The band's line up also includes William Rustrum (of Hangar 18 and Raven Mad), Javier Marrufo (New Eden) on bass and Mars Castro (Demolition, Coffin Texts) on drums. This is what Steve has to say of this new partnership: "We are thrilled to announce that we have signed with a label that believes in this music as much as we do. Not just for commercial viability but also with respect for the art (yes, pun intended) that Metal music encompasses. We look forward to getting in the trenches with our family at OSM, and working to make Anger As Art the yardstick by which Thrash Metal can be measured. Maybe even America's last Thrash Metal band. The future certainly looks promising. We welcome the challenges, and the work ahead. OSM is a relatively new label, staffed by some of the underground Metal Community's brightest stars. Their knowledge of this music is second to none matched only by their drive to succeed. We are excited to be welcomed into the OSM family, as we welcome OSM into ours." For more information, check out the label's website at www.osmrecords.net.

An obscure label recently released a collection of Regurgitation demos. As some of you may know, REVENANT's Hank Veggian played bass in the group from 1986 - 1987. After Hank's departure, members of the band went on to form O.L.D. (Earache Records). The CD also contains unreleased tracks, cover songs and the Regurgitation track featured on "Speed Metal Hell Volume 3" (New Renaissance Records). 

Germany's Death / Grinders DEPRESSION have released a limited edition (1.000 copies worldwide) double digipack CD, entitled "Das Relikt - Erinnerungen". It contains the band's complete "Erinnerungen" demo tape from 1995 (for the first time available on CD) as well as 22 brandnew songs and two bonus tracks (the DEFECATION cover 'Underestimation' and 'Depressionen Part II' ). The release comes with a 28 pages booklet featuring all lyrics, tons of rare fotos, liner notes from every member, a band history and more. Available for 10,- Euro (wholesale price plus postage) from www.depression-grind.de

ANIMA DAMNATA's "Tormenting Pale Flesh Of The Syphilic Holy Whore" MCD will be available at the end of this year. It comes with 12 pages color booklet and over 20 minutes of live video footage as a bonus. A limited vinyl version of "Agonizing Journey Through The Burning Universe And Transcendental Ritual Of Transfiguration" is about to follow in January / February 2006. It'll feature two bonus cover-songs (ACHERON and BLASPHEMY) and a poster. For more info head to www.animadamnata.com

The re-release of MAYHEMIC TRUTH's "In Memoriam" CD (originally on Iron Pegasus Records) is finally out through I Hate Records now. It is enhanced with the complete “Promotape 94”, previously not released in its entirety on the CD, which results in a total of 14 tracks and a playing time of approximately 64 minutes now. Here's the complete track list: 'Intro', 'Lady Morgaine', 'When Thousand Candles Cry', 'Morrigan', 'Carrion Of War', 'Fire And Ice', 'Conspiracy Of The Golden Angels', 'Bluot Era Hathu', 'Cythraw', 'Hymn Of The Crow', 'And Only The Flames Remember To Long Forgotten Cries', 'God In Ruins (Your Blood Is Like An Ocean)', 'Our Gateway Is An Rainbow' and 'The Child Of Mayhem'. For all further info go to: www.morrigan.org

THE GATES OF SLUMBER and FALL OF THE IDOLS have both been signed by Sweden's I Hate Records. THE GATES OF SLUMBER started out in 1998 as a backlash against the stoner rock trend prevalent at the time and their mixture of SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM and prime era CELTIC FROST has either crushed or converted unbelievers ever since. Their second album is due for an early June 2006 release. FALL OF THE IDOLS were founded in the north of Finland in 2000 and have up till now released five demos, one self-titled MCD and were featured on the "Final Chapter’s A Dark World" sampler. Their style could be described as solid Doom Metal with elements of CANDLEMASS and COUNT RAVEN and a certain THE DOORS vibe, due to singer Jyrki’s way of using the late Jim Morrison singing style in certain passages. Expect their album release in the spring of 2006. For more info go to www.thegatesofslumber.com or www.falloftheidols.com

Proscriptor and Melechesh will not be working together on recording the upcoming Melechesh album. This was a mutual decision that had to be taken due to the geographic circumstances and overlapping time schedules. Proscriptor has been a member of Melechesh since 1999 and has recorded two albums with them: "Djinn" and "Sphynx". Both the Melechesh members and Proscriptor had to take this decision; however, this does not affect their comradeship and possibilities for future cooperation. Melechesh founder Ashmedi commented on this as follows: “We have nothing but high regards for Proscriptor. He is one of the very few true artists that I know of, a dear friend and we appreciate his talent. But this cross Atlantic distance was becoming quite impractical and limited the creative inputs of both of us. I feel confident that we will cooperate musically again in one way or another, but it was simply impossible to do so for the upcoming Melechesh album. Should time permit though, Proscriptor may provide guest vocals on the upcoming (4th) Melechesh album. One thing is for sure: he certainly deserves the medal of honor.” Osmose Productions / The End Records recently released a double digipack ABSU anthology compilation CD "Mythological Occult Metal 1991-2001". News on the upcoming Melechesh album will follow. www.melechesh.com, www.osmoseproductions.com

The following message was posted on the website of Switzerland's Chainsaw Murder Records. "Kurt Struebing, guitarist for Seattle, Washington's NME, died in a car accident on Wednesday, March 9. Zurich Chainsaw Massacre Records has been working closely with Kurt to re-release NME's 1985's "Unholy Death" album. Plans for this special CD re-release have been on hold until we all have had a chance to absorb Kurt's death. Our thoughts are with his wife, son, family and all of his friends. He was a unique person who will be sorely missed. RIP, my friend."

The release party for INCRUST's debut full length "Baptized In Unholy Gore" will take place in Salvador on November 12, 2005. The band announced that a couple of new songs, like 'Let The Christians' Slaughter Begin' as well as tracks off their upcoming EP on Ibex Moon Records will already be included in the setlist. INCRUST also appear on the "Osculum Obscenum" compilation together Levifer, Bestial Holocaust, Sanctifier and more. For more info check out their new website at www.incrust66.cjb.net

SURRENDER OF DIVINITY are currently in the studio in Bangkok recording their debut full length.

MANEGARM did a release party on October 8th of their brandnew album "Vredens Tid". You can download some clips here, here and here.

To suppress the rumours about INFINITED HATE, the band announced that there has never been any idea to quit at all. The band found the rumours ridiculous and do not understand where they were coming from. The band is currently writing material for their third album. The drumming will again be done by Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK, ABORTED).

GOAT SEMEN completed writing and rehearsing several new tracks for the upcoming full length on From Beyond Productions. Recording will take place early next year.

ARCANA will play live at the Triganda Festival in the Amsterdam RAI on Saturday, November 19th.

ANAL VOMIT and From Beyond Productions agreed on a limited picture disc version of the "Demoniac Flagellation" album. With altered layout it will be made available early next year in a limited 666 edition. Shirts of the band should be made available around that time as well.

AGATHOCLES is currently in the studio recording their upcoming album "Mincer". Expect the release to hit the streets early 2006.

IMPALED NAZARENE has decided to name their 9th studio album "Pro Patria Finlandia". The band will head for Sonic Pump Studio with producer Tapio Pennanen in mid November. 'Cancer', 'For Those Who Have Fallen', 'Kut', 'Contempt' and 'Hate-Despise-Arrogance' are among the cuts to be featured on the album. Osmose Productions will release "Pro Patria Finlandia" on March 28, 2006. Impaled Nazarene will head for a Latin American tour in late January 2006. Three shows in Mexico have already been confirmed, more to follow.

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

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