» News Archive May 2002
MINDGRINDER from Norway have been signed by Sound Riot Productions. The band features Mr.Cosmocrator (ZYKLON, SOURCE OF TIDE). The debut album is planned to be recorded in Akkerhaugen Lydstudios and mastered at Strype studios (DIMMU BORGIR, MAYHEM, EMPEROR, IMMORTAL) and will feature some special guests of famous musicians from Norway plus a video. The release is planned for early 2003.
IN FLAMES have finished recording their forthcoming as-yet-untitled album. The band are aiming for an August or September release and an exact date will be announced as soon as it’s official. Says the band, "It’s the best IF record to date, and we all hope you will enjoy it as much as the previous releases. Next stop: Rock The Nations in Austria, Summer Rocks in Hungary and Rockwave in Greece. And then we will hit US another time, with Slayer and Soulfly. The tour details will be added soon. See ya! Anders, Björn, Daniel, Jesper and Peter."
THE HAUNTED have made an agreement with Fredman studios in Gothenburg for the recording of their third full length album. Recording will take place over five weeks, beginning on August 26th. The band currently have eight songs written and three more in the works.
IMPALED will release their new album, "Mondo Medicale", on July 2nd. Following this release will be a 4-track EP, "Medical Waste", that will include a couple of cover songs. The band have a newly updated website at: www.impaled.info.
ENGORGED‘s self-titled debut full-length will be released on June 4th. The album was mastered by DREAMS OF DAMNATION guitarist Jim Durkin. Check out www.engorged.net for more on the band.
MAZE OF TORMENT have completed work on their upcoming album, "Unmarked Graves", due out this summer through Necropolis. The record was produced by Tommy Tagtgren at Abyss Studios.
INSISION will be featured in the June 29th Hard Music Special Issue of Billboard Magazine. The band will be included in an article discussing the Scandinavian metal scene.
Two classic Earache tracks from GODFLESH and THE HAUNTED are featured on the soundtrack to EZ-Pass Vacation, the new skateboard video from 5-Boro, a New York City-based skate company.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE have completed their forthcoming record, titled "Lucid Interval". It was recorded at Colorado’s Hellion Studios with producer Dave Otero. The final tracklisting: ‘Scolopendra Cingulata’, ‘Fortuitous Oddity’, ‘Anthro Emesis’, ‘The Isle Of California’, ‘Pseudo’, ‘Friend Of Mine’, ‘Rebellion’, ‘Zuno Gyakusatsu’, ‘Black Metal Sabbath’, ‘Cannabism’, ‘Lucid Interval’, ‘Misguided’, ‘Redundant’ and ‘Arsonist Savior’. The album is due out this summer through Relapse.
A benefit show for the injured members of SOILENT GREEN will take place on July 13th at Burnt Ramen Studios in Richmond, California. Acts performing include: DYSTOPIA, EXHUMED, IMPALED, WATCH THEM DIE and SEVERED SAVIOR. Doors for the all-ages event open at 8pm. For more venue and show info contact: jtbaker666@juno.com
IMPIETY will record their third album, "Kaos Kommand 696", at Berno Studios in Sweden from July 1st to 20th with producer Berno Paulsson. The album will feature 10 tracks and cover art by JP Fournier and Desmond Sia. A tentative October release has been set. On June 1st the band will perform with SODOM and SURRENDER OF DIVINITY in Bangkok, Thailand.
Back from their Spring Neckbreak 2K2 tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE and DARK FUNERAL, INCANTATION have finished mastering their "Blasphemy" album for Necropolis. The set will be released on June 18th.
DARKANE have completed work on their new album, "Expanding Senses". Due out on August 18th, the album has the following tracklisting: ‘Innocence Gone’, ‘Solitary Confinement’, ‘Fatal Impact’, ‘Imaginary Entity’, ‘Violence From Within’, ‘The Fear Of One’s Self’, ‘Chaos Vs Order’, ‘Parasites Of The Unexplained’, ‘Submission’ and ‘Growing Hate’ (Japanese bonus track).
LOCKUP, featuring vocalist Tomas Lindberg (THE CROWN), bassist Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH), guitarist Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH), and drummer Nick Barker (DIMMU BORGIR) are confirmed to play three shows in Japan with WILL HAVEN and CONVERGE: June 27th in Osaka at Club Quatro, the 28th in Nagoya at Club Quatro and the 30th in Tokyo.
ORIGIN are preparing for the June 11th release of their sophomore album, "Informis, Infinitas, Inhumanitas", and a summer tour supporting NILE, ARCH ENEMY and HATE ETERNAL.
DARKTHRONE have written five new songs for their forthcoming album that will be recorded in October. Fenriz is currently working on the two more tracks that will complete the release. Rehearsals will begin in August. An MP3 file from the rehearsal will be posted at www.darkthrone.no in September.
VITAL REMAINS have finished recording their new album, "Dechristianize", at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, FL. The set includes eight tracks and clocks in at 60 minutes. Vocals were done by Glen Benton, with guitars by Tony Lazaro and Dave Suzuki. Dave also did bass and drums as well as all the leads and harmonies. The album is set for release in September through Olympic in the US and Century Media in Europe.
MONUMENTUM‘s new album, "Ad Nauseam", will now be released through Moonfog partner Tormod Opedal’s Tatra label. The reason is that the album is more on the avantgarde/electronica end of the spectrum. For info go to: www.monumentum.it.
ABLAZE MY SORROW have finished recording their upcoming 11 track album, "Anger, Hate And Fury", due for release this spring / summer through No Fashion. It was recorded at Studio Recordia and includes artwork from Niklas Sundin. In related news, the official Ablaze My Sorrow Suisite is finally online. Check it out at: www.ablaze-my-sorrow.com.
LORD BELIAL‘s fourth album, "Angelgrinder", is out now. New photos from the Angelgrinder Tour are available at: www.lordbelial.com/
WOLFEN SOCIETY‘s debut MCD is out now through House Of Death in North America. The US version features a different band photo from the European version and a few other differences in the CD layout.
A ROTTING CHRIST compilation album, "Mystical Meeting", will be released in Europe on May 27th.
The first edition of MACTÄTUS‘ "Suicide" album comes in an exclusive package through Napalm.
MENTAL HORROR‘s "Proclaiming Vengeance" album will be released officially in Brazil in the next couple of months through a deal with Encore Records.
A limited edition of TOTAL WAR‘s "We Are Total War" album will be available in Brazil through Mutilation Records.
The VOMITOR "Neutron Hammer" 7" (out on Invictus Productions – www.unconquerable.net) is already sold out. All pre-orders that have not yet been shipped are in the process of being sent out. Due to circumstances beyond the label’s control, the patches have been delayed but will be ready soon.
The GOSPEL OF THE HORNS album is scheduled for a late summer release. It’s currently at the re-mixing and mastering stage and should be ready for press soon. The proposed tour with IN AETERNUM and BESTIAL MOCKERY has been cancelled due to bad timing and GOSPEL OF THE HORNS will now be coming to Europe early next year to promote the album. Invictus Productions, P.O. Box 7171, Dublin 6, Ireland. For information on releases only please contact: invictusproductions@eircom.net, For distribution /CD stalls, trades etc. please contact: necrohammer@eircom.net, Promotion exclusively handled by Agonia Promotion: noxfil@poczta.onet.pl
The self titled MCD from Canada’s ALLFATHER will be released by Invictus Productions on 10" vinyl later this year. The band’s style is raw, aggressive and militant Black / Death Metal. The band have been making a name for themselves in the underground over the past few years and have played a co headlining festival in Canada with the gods of war themselves, BLASPHEMY.
The planned DESTROYER 666 EP will come at the year’s end. The theme is a celebration of the life of the famous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.
The second EAR TERROR FESTIVAL is gonna take place on November 1st and 2nd, 2002. Interested demo bands are invited to get in touch for opening slots. Contact: mike@anasarca.de
ALASTOR will record a new CD ("Barbarian Alastor") in July which should be out in Autumn 2002.
AMON in the line-up of Dr. Fe (vox) and Larva Krupica (guit) are still searching for members to complete their line-up and record new material sometime in Autumn 2002.
COUNTESS had another collapse of line-up (terminating all planned liveshows in June) and again Orlok is on his own. Currently he’s putting together material for a new CD called "Tales Of Blasphemy And Desacration".
GRAND BELIAL’S KEY are awaiting the unlimited re-release of "Castrate The Redeemer" which will hopefully occur in the course of June.
GRAVEWURM finally released their second CD "Dark Souls Of Hell" on May 24th and will enter the studio again in August to record a yet untitled 3rd CD with the help of session members.
HERETIC were unhappy with the first version and decided to re-record "Devilworshipper" to achieve an even more rotten and bestial sound.
MEGIDDO are still mixing "The Atavism Of Evil" planned for a July 2002 release. At the same time the unlimited version of "The Devil And The Whore" should be available.
MORRIGAN sold out the numbered version of "Enter The Sea Of Flames" in one week. Unnumbered versions of "Enter…" as well as of the first CD "Plague Waste And Death" are available for wholesale / trade as you are reading this. MORRIGAN will play a tour with BLASPHEMY in July. Dates are: July 10 – Belgium, July 11 – Paris (F), July 12 – Barcelona (SPA), July 13 – Luzern (SWI), July 14 – Vienna (A), July 15 – Nürnberg (GER).
NUNSLAUGHTER are preparing the recording of their long awaited new CD "Goat" and will record a second yet untitled part of "Radio Damnation" in Autumn 2002. Even before that an unlimited version of the long sold out first part is planned.
SARGATANAS are planning to record a new yet untitled CD in August 2002.
SITHLORD still have not finished "The Return To Godless Times" due to an involvement of mainman Saundies in ATOMIZER. He recently returned from touring. The CD is supposed to be ready and out before the Summer.
STINY PLAMENU are awaiting the release of their second CD "Rany Cernym Kovem" in September 2002. New material is in the making.
TEARSTAINED is being worked on. Not recorded yet, the 3rd album will be called "Final Thoughts" and will include 8 new songs and 2 hidden coversongs. "There Is No Hope" is still available as a numbered version. Their label Barbarian Wrath is still trying to get ahold of copies of their first CD "Monumental In Its Sorrow".
WIND OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS just released "Black Sun Shall Rise" through Moribund Records and are in the final stages of mixing "Feasting On Christ".
HATEFUL AGONY from Munich are currently recording their second CD and expect to finish it in July, planned for a September release.
SCYTHE will be out in June 2002. The CD is in print as we type this.
HATEWORK will record in June and THARGOS are recording right now and should be done by June so both might be out before the Summer.
WHIPLASH bassist Tony Bono died this past weekend of an apparent heart attack at the age of 38. Rest in peace brother.
After a little delay the INSISION / INVERACITY split-CD should finally be available soon as it’s currently in the pressing stage.
In June both REQUIEM and NUN SLAUGHTER are going to record their new albums for Revenge Productions. Release dates are yet to be confirmed.
The LUDWIGSHAFEN DEATHFEST has been moved to December 7th, 2002. Confirmed bands so far are DISAVOWED, PROFANITY, GUTTED (HUN), DESPONDENCY and LEGACY. More info coming soon on the festival website: www.death-fest.here.de
CALLENISH CIRCLE got a spot at the billing of Ozzfest (June 01, 2002 in Nijmegen – Holland). The band plays the Dutch Stage from 16:45 – 17:30, so everybody into "real" extreme Metal be there. For more info on the festival check the official website: www.ozzfest.nl
Underground Records still have some copies left of "Subconscious Lobotomy", the CENTINEX debut debut album from 1992. If you want a copy of this CD then send 25 US $ (incl. airmail) to: Underground Records, P.O. Box 56, 280 22 Wittsjö, Sweden, E-mail: info@hurricanekennels.com The band is currently talking to a few labels about releasing a vinyl version of their latest album "Diabolical Desolation". They are still open for more offers so if you think you can do something for them then get in touch asap at the following email address: centinex@hotmail.com Dreamtide Music are furthermore working hard on the small east-European crusade featuring Centinex, Diabolical (Swe), Vesperian Sorrow (US) and Obtest (Lith). If you are interested in this package then contact Dreamtide Music for more info & details: www.dreamtidemusic.cjb.net
AVULSED is arranging the last details for the 10 songs that will be included on their 3rd album that will definitely be entitled "Yearning For The Grotesque". It will be released by Avantgarde Music in November 2002. The album will be recorded again at the Spacelab Studios in Germany, where the band already registered their highly acclaimed "Stabwound Orgasm" album. Some of the songs that will be included are ‘Sick Sick Sex’, ‘I Feel Good… Eating Human Flesh’, ‘Daddy Stew’ and ‘Devourer Of The Dead’. The album will again include one song sung in Spanish and the band will continue on in the same style as on their previous opus – true Death Metal with a heavy, brutal and aggressive sound, not exempt of the characteristic melodies that the band has always masterly mixed with their innate brutality and the always guttural vocals of Dave Rotten. "Yearning For The Grotesque" will be mastered in Berlin by Peter "Pluto" Neuber at the Mega Wimp Sound Studios and the complete album artwork will be designed by the German artist Bjoern from www.killustrations.com, who is also known for being the vocalist of NIGHT IN GALES. AVULSED has also plans of doing a couple of shows in Germany and Holland during the recording period, although no dates have been confirmed yet. As for the possibe participation of AVULSED at W:O:A 2002, Dave Rotten said: "Not even us or our record label ever got any kind of reply from the organizers since we did the first contacts back in January, so it’s still a mistery why we can’t play. If we would at least receive a negative reply, we would understand… perhaps there are other kind of questions and economical interests where our underground mentality still hasn’t reached…" If you want to have an exclusive listen of a brand new song that will be included in the new AVULSED album, just enter www.avulsed.com and download a mp3 song recorded live on May 18, 2002.
BLOOD STORM is currently seeking a new full time independant extreme Metal drummer. Must be 100% dedicated and willing to do tours national and international and capable of playing double bass kicks fast. Some of the BLOOD STORM drumming influences are: CELTIC FROST, BATHORY, WHIPLASH, CRUMSUCKERS, RAZOR, EXCITER, CRO MAGS and bands that fit that style of playing. The audition will consist of being able to play at least 2 songs off each BLOOD STORM album. If interested then please contact BLOOD STORM by either calling, E-mail or write to: Blood Storm, P.O. box 20334 Philadelphia, PA. 19137, USA, (215) 533-6023, E-mail: bloodstorm_mezzadurus@hotmail.com, www.metalwar.com/bloodstorm.htm BLOOD STORM is only interested in an intense, uncompromising, aggressive and devoted drummer.
Jeff Becerra gave Dark Realm Records his endorsement to release the long overdue POSSESSED tribute. So far some of the bands that are basically confirmed are: Absu, Cannibal Corpse, Sinister, Angelcorpse, Pentacle, Mystifier, God Dethroned, Houwitser, Damnation and Sadistic Intent with Jeff Becerra. A few more bands should be added soon.
After a huge delay the SADISTIC INTENT 7" of ‘The Exorcist’ / ‘Morbid Faith’ on Iron Pegasus Records is finally available now. Contact Costa for ordering info at: iron-pegasus@t-online.de
Out next on Red Stream is HIDDEN‘s debut, "Spectral Magnitude." It is a progressive and dismal astral Metal style locking in on Death, Doom, and Black Metal along with blasting speed styles. To be matched by a supercluster of scientific theory lyrics and artwork. The album’s conception presents the projection of time as eternity in the cosmos. Space scenes & design by JP Fournier. Band information and origin withheld.
FOREST OF IMPALED‘s second album for Red Stream will be called "Forward The Spears".
NECROPHAGIA‘s "Season Of The Dead" will be re-released on picture LP with a special Jenna Jameson design on the B side. This classic album is also scheduled for a digibook and digipak re-release with complete re-mastering, for the future.
GORELORD / WURDULAK – "Creature Feature Part 2" is totally recorded and soon ready for release. This time there are 2 exclusive tracks from each sick group.
KISANTH‘s "Forseen Storms Of The Apocalypse" finally sees its release through Baphomet. Raw and vile Black Metal desecration for those that seek the truth.
BLOOD STAINED DUSK‘s "Dirge Of Death’s Silence" will be re-released on Baphomet (through Red Stream) very shortly. The initial pressing of this damned Black Metal record is totally sold out.
HATE FOREST‘s "Scythia" CD will be reissued in digipak with 1 bonus track on Noble Wolves Records (which is a label manufactured by Red Stream).
ABAZAGORATH‘s "The Spirit Of Hate For Mankind" 7" EP should be out any day now.
SEAR BLISS has completely recorded and mastered their next opus "Forsaken Symphony". This raw CD is a dedication to all that is hateful yet triumphant within this band’s form of Black Metal. Multitudes of trombones and tubas combine nicely with the obscure and cryptic Black Metal chaos.
DARK FORTRESS has entered Grieghallen studio (Burzum, etc) to record "Profane Genocidal Creations".
‘Cold Steel For An Iron Age’, the latest album of DESTROYER 666 will be released via Displeased Records as a limited LP version with improved artwork compared to the CD version.
INTERNAL SUFFERING from Colombia have finished the recordings and mastering of their new album "Chaotic Matrix" for Displeased Records. Expect some brutal blasting tornado Death / Grind in the vein of Devourment, Disgorge (US) and early Cryptopsy. Release-date: June 26th 2002. Listen to a track from the new album on www.mp3.com/internalsuffering. With great success INTERNAL SUFFERING supported Cannibal Corpse on a mini tour through Colombia earlier this month. At the moment, the band is finishing the North American Extermination tour II 2002 with over 20 US dates. They played on Ohio Deathfest where they were voted second best band of the evening (3rd best band of the whole festival.).
DEFORMITY from Belgium finished recording their second full length, "Superior" at Excess studios, Rotterdam. Mastering took place at the famous Electric Studios in Brussels. The album is set to be released on June 26th 2002. DEFORMITY started out years ago as an H 8000 Hardcore act, soon to transform into a demonic hateful brutal Deathcore infested entity, with oppressing extreme music and lyrics. Don’t miss them on their release party, set on May 22nd at ‘de Frontline’ in Gent, where the new CD will be available one month before the official release date.
In late June 2002 "Smells Like Team Spirit IV" will be available, with new and unreleased tracks by new Displeased Records acts. The cover art will be delivered by Kris Verwimp (of Marduk and Absu fame).
Insane Goregrind Deathmongers REINFECTION from Poland will very shortly record a limited 7" for From Beyond Productions, containing some new ultra brutal material, even more harsh and extreme than their debut album. "Good Efficient Butchery" will be released in late Summer 2002.
R. Kronheim is no longer a member of ENSLAVED. Here’s the official statement concerning the event: "Upon returning from their UK tour in March 02, all four members agreed that the situation within the band needed serious evaluation. As a result, all four members agreed that R. Kronheim should leave. It is important to stress the fact that R. Kronheim was part of the vote in favor of his own departure. No particular reason for this can or needs to be pointed out, as everything else this sudden and surprising action came as an end to a chain of more or less significant events. True to ENSLAVED’s own agenda and philosophy, remaining members of the collective Dirge Rep, Grutle Kjellson and I. Bjoernson chose to see it as a necessary change rather than a loss. And changes give birth to new ideas and new worlds. Speaking of change, ENSLAVED has also acquired two new session-members for live-playing: lead-guitarist Arve and keyboardist / effector Oyvind. In other words: forwards, onwards and upwards as always and never". ENSLAVED furthermore has changed management from Hard Rock Entertainment to IRIS Artistery due to nothing in particular. Email IRIS Aristery for booking etc.: IRIS@enslavedunion.com. The band has already booked Grieghallen again for the next studio album. For now September 2002 is set aside, but a time expansion might occur. The release date of the album will be given shortly. Once again ENSLAVED will work closely with graphic artist Truls Espedahl (who did the frontcover for "Monumension"). Only this time he will be involved in the entire art direction, not only the front. Song titles already revealed: ‘Queen Of Night’ and ‘Horns’.
NILE have completed their forthcoming record, entitled "In Their Darkened Shrines". It was recorded in South Carolina’s Soundlab Studios, with production from the band’s Karl Sanders and long-time NILE producer Bob Moore. The final track listing is: ‘The Blessed Dead’, ‘Execration Text’, ‘Sarcophagus’, ‘Kheftiu Asar Butchiu’, ‘Unas Slayer Of the Gods’, ‘Churning The Maelstrom’, ‘I Whisper In The Ear Of The Dead’, ‘Wind Of Horus’ and ‘In Their Darkened Shrines (I – Hall Of Saurian Entombment, II – Invocation To Seditious Heresy, III – Destruction Of The Temple Of The Enemies Of Ra, IV – Ruins)’. The album will be released by Relapse Records in Europe on September 2nd. Additionally, NILE has announced a US headlining tour, their first in support of "In Their Darkened Shrines". The tour will be presented by Revolver Magazine and will commence on July 6th, in Atlanta, GA, running through mid-August. Support on the tour will be provided by ARCH ENEMY, HATE ETERNAL and ORIGIN.
EXCITER is looking for a new singer as Jacques Belanger left the band for good. Any interested singer can contact the band at: 4exciter@rogers.com
Since the co-operation with Hammerheart Recs hasn’t been satisfactory THRONEAEON decided not to work with the label any longer. They’ve been negotiating with a couple of interested labels and will soon be able to announce through which label the next full-length album will be released.
The upcoming MORBID ANGEL tribute album through Hellspawn Records is expected by the end of May. Featuring artists such as Vader, Krisiun, Luciferion, Behemoth, Throneaeon etc.
10th anniversary of DARKEN ART PRODUCTIONS. Responsible for logos as Obscenity, Disastrous Murmur, Desultory, Damnatory, Dew-Scented, Paranoia Syndrome Rec., Requiem (CH), Revenge Prod., Embalming Theatre, Cropment, Voices from the darkside, Sabaism, Aeternum, Ulcerous Phlegm and a hundred more. S P E C I A L O F F E R: Don’t you like anymore your logo? First 10 Bands asking for a new logo will get it FOR F R E E!!! So don’t hesitate to write to the following address: sabaism@hotmail.com