January 20, 2003
MORBID ANGEL are currently writing tracks for their next album. The band hope to release the new set in September through Earache and follow it up with a World tour. The band are expected to announce the names of their new bassist / vocalist and second guitarist shortly.
VITAL REMAINS forthcoming record, "Dechristianize", is out in the spring and features the vocals of DEICIDE’s Glenn Benton.
MASTIC SCUM will tour Europe with MASTER in March. The Scars Over Europe tour runs from March 7th to 23rd. For full info go to: www.bruchstein-tours.de
VADER have posted MP3’s for rare demo tracks ‘Decapitated Saints’ and ‘Vicious Circle’ at their website, www.vader.pl
Although nearly a year off, organizers of the X-MASS FEST 2003 European Tour have announced that NILE, MISERY INDEX, HYPOCRISY, VADER, DISBELIEF and DEW-SCENTED are all confirmed to take part in the tour. The dates will run from December 7th – 21st, 2003. Info on dates and venues will be made available as they are announced.
CHILDREN OF BODOM‘s new album, "Hate Crew Deathroll", has entered Finland’s album chart at #1. The album is out in Japan through Universal on February 5th, in Sweden through Universal’s Stockholm Records on March 10th and in Germany through Universal’s Motor Music on March 17th.
VEHEMENCE are replacing ORIGIN on all the NUCLEAR ASSAULT / ALL THAT REMAINS dates in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Vehemence are nearing the completion of a new demo for 2003, featuring songs that were recorded at the Conservatory in Tempe, AZ. The demo tracks include: ‘Kill For God’, ‘Kill For God’ (acoustic version), ‘You Don’t Have To Be Afraid Anymore’, ‘We Are All Dying’ and ‘Darkness Is Comfort’.
CALLENISH CIRCLE are officially off the No Mercy Easter Festivals. They were dropped off the tour from Metallysee Agency because "there are too many bands on the bill and the distances between the venues are too far." The release date of their new album, "My Passion // Your Pain", is May 5th through Metal Blade.
IN FLAMES are nominated in two categories (best album and best group) for Rockbjörnen (Sweden’s biggest newspaper Aftonbladets’ people choice awards. No Metal band has been nominated for the award since Europe in 1986.
SOILWORK and CHILDREN OF BODOM are scheduled to hit the road in Europe on April 18th. Dates begin on April 18 in Stockholm, Sweden and run until May 19th in Osnabrück, Germany.
Columbia’s SAPROFFAGO has signed with Brutalized Records. The band’s debut full length CD, "Beasty Horrible Thoughts", will be out this Spring.
World Management have revealed on their website that KREATOR will return to North America this year for some live dates. Producer Andy Sneap has mixed the band’s forthcoming live album, "Live Kreation (Revisioned Glory)", due out soon through SPV. The release will come with a 36 page booklet including pictures from Kreator’s last tour, as well as artwork from Andreas Marshall.
Germany’s WITH FULL FORCE FESTIVAL takes place July 4th – 6th at the Roitzschjora Airport in Lobnitz. Confirmed acts performing at the festival include NAPALM DEATH, DESTRUCTION, SIX FEET UNDER, RYKER’S and MESSIAH.
CRYPTOPSY have begun the writing process for their next studio record, tentatively due late 2003. To tide fans over, they will release a live record, appropriately titled "None So Live", this spring. Recorded at the Medley in Montreal last June, "None So Live", is the first official release to feature new vocalist Martin Lecroix.
EXODUS are looking for a replacement for the recently ousted frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza. Those interested can send their demos to the following address: EXODUS, 10026 San Pablo, El Cerrito, CA 94530, USA.
CORPORATION 187 will support ARCH ENEMY on their upcoming Scandinavian tour that begins on January 26th in Stockholm and runs to Helsingborg.
KHOLD will join SATYRICON on the road as opening act on the upcoming Black Lava Down Europe 2003. In other news, the readers of Panorama voted ‘Fuel For Hatred’ Video Of The Year and the same song as runnerup Song Of The Year.
The first annual BARBARIAN WRATH / WITCHES BREW FESTIVAL is on Saturday, January 25 at Hagalaz Club in Annaberg (near Buchholz, Germany). Acts on the bill feature: ANAEL, HATEFUL AGONY, MORRIGAN and THARGOS.
SAMAEL have inked a deal World Management (home of MORBID ANGEL, NILE, UNLEASHED).
FINNTROLL will begin recording an acoustic EP on February 11th. Details are yet to be announced but rumors are flying that the EP will feature the band’s original vocalist Katla.