I Hate Records have just released a PROTECTOR compilation CD, entitled "Echoes From The Past" (limited edition, 1.000 copies), that includes the band’s 1986 demo, their first mini-LP "Misanthropy" (1987) and the LP "Golem" (1988). 68 minutes of old school Thrash Metal and a 24-page-booklet (with lots of photos, lyrics, biography). You can order yourself a copy for 140 SEK (Sweden) / 15 Euro (Europe) / 16 US-$ (rest of the world) from: http://ihaterecords.cjb.net/
Spencer Prewett from Victoria, Canada is the new drummer in Germany’s IMPURE. Spencer, whi is currently still living in Canada, will move to Germany in January / February 2004 after he completed all visa matters and organisational things. The band is looking forward to jam with him, to prepare the recordings for their third full length album, which hopefully will be released in the middle of 2004. For more information check out www.impure.de
CENTINEX (www.centinex.org) have announced that Ronnie Bergerståhl (JULIE LAUGHS NOMORE, AMARAN) has joined the band as their new full time drummer. Bassist Martin Schulman comments, "We are very proud to have him on board. He is an excellent skinsman and devoted to the scene so we are ready to strike, deadlier than ever".
Chief Spires and John Ehlers, former bassist / vocalist and guitarist, respectively, with NILE, have resurfaced in a new outfit called SHAITAN MAZAR. The new band’s four-song demo is available for download at their website (www.ShaitanMazar.com).
DISINTER are currently finishing up their new album for Morbid Records. "As We Burn" will include ten tracks and is set for release in January, 2004.
Morbid Records have inked new deals with Germany’s PROFANATION (new album "It’s Lunch Time Again" due out early 2004), and Bavarian cult grinders COCK AND BALL TORTURE.
SADUS recently posted the following sad news on their website www.sadus.tk: "I regret to inform you that we, Sadus, have to postpone the tour for December. The cancellation is the result of a very extremely fragile and urgent family situation. To be more specific – Jon Allen, our drummer has been dealing with the health of his 11 year old daughter. She has undergone a heart transplant recently. She is still and will be in the hospital for several months – where Jon will have to set up temporary residence with the rest of his family. Jon has been my best friend for over 20 years and our daughter’s are best friends. This horrifying situation is effecting us all immensely and the world seems to be upside down these days. I hope you can understand why we have to pull out of the shows. We realize that a lot of planning has gone into this and lot of work has been done. I am sorry for any inconveniences this far along in the planning. Hopefully when things get back to as close to normal as they can, we wish to start plans to play out again. Steve & Sadus."
Relapse Records recording artists NILE will see their new video for the song ‘Sarcophagus’ premier on this weekend’s edition of MTV2’s "Headbanger’s Ball". "Headbanger’s Ball" airs Saturdays from 10-12 PM EST on MTV2 in the US. The conceptual ‘Sarcophagus’ video, from NILE’s heralded "In Their Darkened Shrines" album, was directed and filmed by acclaimed director Darren Doane (Deftones, AFI, Poison the Well, Kyuss) and shot at Center Staging in Burbank, CA, in the US. NILE are currently in the midst of their massive "Art of Noise 2" Tour, which kicked off October 1st in Houston, TX, in the US. Support on the tour is being provided by Kreator, Vader, Amon Amarth and Goatwhore. The "Art of Noise 2" Tour follows NILE’s successful "Art of Noise" Tour that took place last January / February featuring NILE with guests Napalm Death and Strapping Young Lad. Following the "Art of Noise 2" tour, NILE will appear as one of the headliners at the first annual "MassConcerts Presents: New Jersey Metal and Hardcore Festival", scheduled to take place November 14th – 15th in Asbury Park, NJ, in the US. Updated NILE information and tour dates will be announced via the Relapse Records website: www.relapse.com, the NILE website: www.nile-catacombs.net.
Black Ace Records from the Netherlands have released limited vinyl editions of the IRON ANGEL and HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH demos. The IRON ANGEL release features the band’s debut demo (limited to 300 copies), while the HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH album has both classic tapes on offer and therefore is similar to the CD version which recently got released through Modern Invasion ("Hobbs’ Satan’s Crusade"). It comes as a gatefold vinyl, 500 copies. Further info at: www.blackacerecords.com, BlackAceRecords@tiscali.nl
SATAN will not play at "Keep It True 2004", because SKYCLAD are planning a tour around this time and therefore it ain’t possible for the SATAN members Steve Ramsey and Graeme English to play at the Keep It True festival.
ANAEL and MELCHESH are looking for a location between Berlin and Amsterdam to play on December 24, 2003. If anyone is interested to organize this gig for them, contact Seraphackh (ANAEL) at: anael666@freenet.de
EMINENCE, the Brazilian band that features former SEPULTURA guitarist Jairo Guedz on bass, have finalized the track ‘Listening’ for their new album, "Humanology" (17 songs), to be released through Switzerland’s label Timeless Productions. The follow-up to 1999’s "Chaotic System" has been recorded during August 2003 at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas with veteran producer Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEEN, YES, DAVID BOWIE, QUEENSRICHE, JUDAS PRIEST, PETER GABRIEL…). It will mark the band’s first release with new singer Wallace Parreiras (ex-SOULLESS).
EXCITER guitarist John Ricci contacted "Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles" recently regarding their forthcoming, as-yet-untitled, covers album that they are presently recording at L.S. Studios in Ottawa with producer Manfred Leidecker. Ricci says that 16 re-recorded tracks (ten classic, five current) from all eras of Exciter make up the album, due out through Osmose in January. The band are expected to be in the studio until the end of October. The band are recording the following tracks: ‘Oblivion II’ (new track), ‘Violence & Force’, ‘Stand Up And Fight’, ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’, ‘Pounding Metal’, ‘Dark Command’, ‘Ritual Death’, ‘Long Live The Loud’, ‘Victims Of Sacrifice’, ‘Brutal Warning’, ‘Rising Of The Dead’, ‘Black Witch (featuring Ricci’s 12-string classical guitar intro), ‘Rain Of Terror’, ‘I Am The Beast’, ‘Burn At The Stake’ and ‘Rule With An Iron Fist’. Ricci says that the record has "better production and is more pleasurable to listen to" than their early records. He says that the "songs have new life." Ricci is taking care of all the guitar and bass duties. The remaining current lineup includes singer Jacque Belanger and drummer Rick Charron. Exciter are currently reviewing 2004 festival offers from such overseas events as Wacken Open Air (Wacken, Germany), EuroRock (Neerpelt, Belgium) and Metal Daze (Pratteln, Switzerland).
Florida Death Metal legend MONSTROSITY have a new album out. "Rise To Power" has been released in the US on September, 23rd via Conquest Music. The line up for the album is Jason Avery (vocals), Tony Norman (guitars), Lee Harrison (drums), Sam Molina (guitars) and Mike Poggione (bass). The full track listing is as follows: ‘The Exordium’, ‘Awaiting Armageddon’, ‘Wave Of Annihilation’, ‘The Fall Of Eden’, ‘Chemical Reaction’, ‘A Casket For The Soul’, ‘Rise To Power’, ‘Visions Of Violence’, ‘From Wrath To Ruin’, ‘Abysmal Gods’ and ‘Shadow Of Obliteration’. You can check out an mp3 file of the opener at www.conquestmusic.com.
Raven Music has announced that Israels technical Death Metallers ETERNAL GRAY are currently recording at Sweden’s Abyss Studio with Steve Tucker (MORBID ANGEL) with a tentative early 2004 release planned. Filling in on drum duties will be Dirk Verbeuren from SCARVE and ABORTED. ‘Lost In Silence’, a demo from the upcoming album, can be download here: www.eternalgray.com/mp3/f/Locked%20In%20Silence.wma
KRISIUN‘s new album, "Works Of Carnage", is out now in Europe with a bonus track and video clip.
DEW-SCENTED is confirmed to play the New Jersey Metal Fest in November in support of their fifth studio album, "Impact".
BEHEMOTH‘s "Conjuration" release is available through Regain in Europe on limited edition picture LP (500 copies) and limited edition mini-LP (500 copies).
ARMAGEDDA‘s early material will be re-released via Agonia Records. The band is re-recording their first studio album, "The Final War Approaching", in early 2004, to be released on CD and limited edition LP.
The organizers of the German Keep It True Festival are proud to confirm another NWOBHM legend: CLOVEN HOOF (with singer Russ North) will play all their classics including ‘Gates Of Gehenna’, ‘Highlander’, etc. Now there is only one band missing on the billing. Stay tuned and hail to England! All further info you will find, as usual – here: www.keep-it-true.de
The URL for the OLD SCHOOL DEMO RESOURCE / DEMON666 has changed. You can find the website at the following address now: www.wrecking-crew.de/demon666
Polands Death Metal merchants DEVILYN finally starts working again. It took some time after the release of "The Past Against The Future" and "Artefact", and all the personal switches together with dismission of Novy. The search for the new members lasted long since it was a little hard to find the proper ones, but Bony (Luk), the guitar player and founder of Devilyn, doesn’t give in. He claims that all is on its best way now. They play regularly and the new players get along well together. Moreover, some stuff is ready, and they hope to present it soon. "We’ve already prepared some songs for the new album. At the end of October we’re planning to record a demo containing three pieces. After that we will promote it and look around for an editor. We don’t want to hurry in order not to make any mistakes like in the past such as the release of "Artefact" through Plastic Head, who did not care much about us. As for now, the title of the new volume is "11" and probably it will stay as it is. The lyrics are written by Ataman Tolovy, who is also the author of Devilyn’s official web site. I chose Tolovy because he’s my old friend who always had many uncommon conceptions" – the band’s leader say. If you want to know more – go to: www.devilyn.metal.pl
VOMITORY is due to record their fifth full-length album in December. The recording will take place at Studio Kuling, Örebro / Sweden together with producer Henrik Larsson. The yet untitled album will be released in March 2004. VOMITORY bassplayer / vocalist, Erik Rundqvist, announces his departure from the vocal duties in the band, continuing to play bass only. So therefore, VOMITORY is now looking for a new singer. Erik will still do the vocals on the new VOMITORY album and he will continue in the band as the bassplayer. If you feel you are the one for the job, please get in touch with the band, but if you’re not 100% serious, don’t waste their time: band@vomitory.net, www.vomitory.net
Shortly after Holy Martyr, the Keep It True organizers are proud to present Epic Metal Heroes IRONSWORD from Portugal with former MOONSPELL guy Tann on their billing. www.keep-it-true.de
After a highly successful "Blasphemy in Brazil" tour in 2001, INCANTATION is now returning, this time hitting more South American countries making it their most complete South American tour to date. The band looks forward to this tour and would like to thank all the deathbangers from South America for all their long time support, along with Tumba Records and Moria Records for making this tour possible. Incantation is also hard at work writing new compositions for their 6th full length album, yet to be titled. The band promises it to be heavy and aggressive with still keeping the signature Incantation sound. New photos from the massively successful Australian tour have been posted to the Incantation photo gallery. Once again Incantation would like to thank everyone that made the Blasphemy Down Under tour such an amazing experience. www.incantation.com
Italian Epic Metal Heroes HOLY MARTYR will be the opener for the KEEP IT TRUE 2004 festival. www.keep-it-true.de
J.D. Kimball, the former lead singer of OMEN, passed away on October, 3 after a three-year battle with cancer. OMEN guitarist Kenny Powell had these words to say about his former bandmate: "I am extremely proud of the work that J.D. and I did together, he was one of the true innovators of the early power metal style. His contributions on the early Omen records left a lasting impression on the metal music world and still influence fans and musicians alike 20 years later. It is with deep regret that I learned of his passing, he will be missed. Sincerely, Kenny Powell." For those of you that would like to send condolences to his family you can do so at this address: jd_condolences@lycos.com
Due to serious disagreements between VIU DRAKH / MANOS and the tour agency Dead Shot Promotion, the announced VIU DRAKH / MANOS tour in October this year had to be cancelled. Both bands feel very sorry about this and hope to do a tour on their own in early 2004 instead.
Two more bands have just been confirmed to join the band line-up of BANG YOUR HEAD 2004. First addition are Hardrock veterans U.F.O., who’ll play up in some high-class line-up consisting of Phil Mogg (vocals, guitar), Pete Way (bass), Paul Raymond (keyboards), Vinnie Moore (guitar) and Jason Bonham, son of late LED ZEPPELIN-drummer John Bonham. The second addition is the recently reunited WHITE LION along with singer Mike Tramp. More information at: www.bang-your-head.de
HATE ETERNAL‘s Erik Rutan is set to produce PREMONITION OF WAR’s next album, to be released through Victory Records. The former MORBID ANGEL guitarist will meet up with the band this month at Florida’s Mana Recording Studios.
INFERNAL WAR recently inked a deal with Agonia Records for the release of their debut album.
THE CROWN‘s "Possessed 13" album will be available in Europe from October 20th in a gatefold sleeve LP. This Metal Blade release will feature six bonus tracks.
DRAGONLORD have announced through their website (www.enterthedragonlord.com) that they have been forced to cancel their previously announced California shows with DEATH ANGEL. Originally scheduled to take place on October 24th (Cadillac Ranch, Concord) and October 28th (Cat Club, San Francisco), the shows have been canceled due to drummer Jon Allen’s personal family issues.
DARK FUNERAL (www.darkfuneral.se) have issued this statement through their website, "We’re currently in the studio working on a live album featuring material recorded during our recent South American tour. More info soon to come".
The ABC television show Dragnet will be airing their Daddy’s Little Girl episode this Saturday, October 4th at 10pm. Artwork from OLD MAN’S CHILD latest album, In Defiance Of Existence, and additional memorabilia from DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Galder’s side project has been incorporated into the show.
Israels Grind / Metalcore band HAND MADE GOD will enter CCR studios in Belgium on the 14th of December in order to record their debut album. On the December 12, 2003 the band will play a show in Weerts (NL) with the Belgian acts Leng Tch’e and Maggots. More shows will be confirmed soon. You can check out an mp3 here: www.metalist.co.il/mp3/Hand_made_god_No_Escape.mp3
Next week Australia’s Modern Invasion Records will be re-releasing the classic self-titled HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH debut on CD for it has become a real hard to find collectors item over the years. The album originally came out on Steamhammer Records / SPV in 1988 and was produced by Harris Johns (KREATOR, SODOM, VOIVOD etc.). It features the following ten tracks: ‘House Of Death’, ‘Satans Crusade’, ‘Lucifer’s Domain’, ‘Marie Antoinette’, ‘Jack The Ripper’, ‘Crucifixion’, ‘Brotherhood’, ‘The Journey’, ‘Bubonic Plague’ and ‘Cold Steel’. The re-issue will have all lyrics and rare new photos. For further details check out: www.moderninvasionmusic.com
The French Death Metal horde BLOODY SIGN has recorded their first CD "Vana Vigala Loïts" in Estonia this summer and just mixed it in France in S. Buriez’ studio LB Lab. The band is currently awaiting the mastering and is looking for a label that can press and promote it. More info you may get at their brandnew website: www.bloodysign.fr.st
Norway’s CHTON and Scotland’s MAN MUST DIE have been signed by Retribute Records (www.retributerecords.com). CHTON’s debut full length currently under the working title of "Chtonian Lifecode" will be recorded at Godt Selskap studio (home of the latest releases from Necrophagia and Wurdulak) to be released in Spring 2004 and is supposed to be "essential listening for anyone who enjoys the likes of Immolation, Deicide, Mayhem and Morbid Angel…" Further info on the band you will get here: www.chton.com. MAN MUST DIE’s debut is planned for an early 2004 release followed by an appearance at next year’s Maryland Death Fest. The band incorporates influences from Cryptopsy, Suffocation and Kataklysm among others. Check out www.manmustdie.com for more details about them.
Florida’s EQUINOX have a brandnew website running now. You can check out the impressive result at: www.equinoxmetal.com
DEATH BY DAWN will be playing a show in Steinfurt ("Talentschuppen") on October 10, 2003 with a special guest appearance of Martin van Drunen!
Veteran German Thrashers TANKARD are preparing to enter Stage One studio in Bühne, Germany with producer Andy Classen to begin recording their new album, "Beast Of Bourbon". Among the tracks set to appear on the CD are ‘Fistful Of Love’, ‘Under Friendly Fire’, ‘Genetic Overkill’ and ‘Die With A Beer In Your Hand’. The follow-up to last year’s "B-Day" is due in March 2004 through AFM Records.
The latest addition to the BANG YOUR HEAD 2004 FESTIVAL line-up is BALLISTIC, the new traditional Metal outfit of former WARDOG and TENSION musician Tom Gattis, who have just released their highly acclaimed debut. Visitors of 1998’s BANG YOUR HEAD might remember Gattis. To everybody’s surprise, no one else but Bruce Dickinson joined the huge frontman of late WARDOG on stage to give him a bit of vocal support.
The UK’s FOREFATHER have inked a deal with Karmageddon Media (formerly Hammerheart). The band are currently recording their fourth album, "Ours Is The Kingdom", due out through the label in early 2004. Before the new album comes out, Karmageddon will reissue Forefather’s other three albums, "Deep Into Time", "The Fighting Man" and "Engla Tocyme". Each reissue will come with bonus tracks and remastered sound.
Candlelight Records are reissuing OPETH‘s "Orchid", "Morning Rise" and "My Arms, Your Hearse" albums on October 20th in very limited edition logo embossed tins. This edition is limited to a run of 2,000. Advance orders can be placed at: www.plastichead.com
SANATENA will release their debut album, "Exhaustion", through Great White North Records in the first quarter of 2004. The group plays an accomplished form of Melodic Death Metal with few elements of doom and gothic metal thrown in. Be on the look out for some promotional mp3 files available at www.gwnrecords.com shortly.
Primitive Recordings and Mortician Records has signed a deal with Crash Music for worldwide distribution of their releases. The deal will include distribution in the following countries: US, Germany, Austria, UK, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Greece and The Netherlands. The first bands to benefit from this will be BLACK MASS, HEAD TRAUMA, SEVERED HEAD and FINAL BLOODBATH.