CARPATHIAN FOREST frontman Nattefrost has inked a deal with Season Of Mist for the release of his new solo album, "Blood And Vomit". The album is due out through the label early in 2004.
After a long absence from the digital world, PENUMBRA now have a fully up to date and new website. Check it out at: www.penumbra-band.com.
COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN recently got signed by Season Of Mist. "Deciphering The Soul", the band’s debut for the label, was recorded at Mana Studio in Tampa, FL with engineer Shawn Ohtani (mixed and Mastered by Eric Rutan) and will be released on February 23, 2004. The band consists of Sean Baxter (bass, vocals), Kevin Quirion (guitars, vocals), Shawn Baxter (guitars) and Tim Yeung (session drums). The album features the following tracks: ‘Longing For Clarity’, ‘Acceptance In Silence’, ‘No Vision Of Prophecy’, ‘Scourge Of Thy Enemy’, ‘Distant Memories’, ‘Tempting Angelic Pride’, ‘Resurgence’, ‘Falling Through Decades’ and ‘Repitition Breeds Insanity’. Council Of The Fallen are currently looking for a drummer for touring. www.councilofthefallen.com, www.season-of-mist.com
On December 15, 2003 SOILWORK are releasing a new mini CD through Listenable Records, featuring old tracks and stuff that had been unreleased in Europe and USA, from their "Steelbath Suicide" and "Chainheart Machine" period. The tracklisting is as follows: ‘Burn’ (DEEP PURPLE cover), ‘Disingrated Skies’, ‘Shadow Child’ (first version), ‘Egypt’ (MERCYFUL FATE cover) and ‘The Aardvark Trail’ (live).
The first IMMOLATION DVD "Bringing Down The World Tour" will be released on January 27, 2004. It will feature one main show filmed in Amsterdam with 7 cameras in front of 3000 people, plus 3 bonus shows in Paris, Los Angeles and Tilburg, as well as interviews, backstage stuff etc.
Also out on January 27, 2004 will be the new SCARVE album "Irradiant", which got recorded at Bergstrand Studios (MESHUGGAH, SOILWORK, IN FLAMES).
THE LEGION‘s "Unseen To Creation" album will be released as a limited gatefold vinyl version with 2 exclusive bonus tracks on January 27, 2004.
You can check out the new EXMORTEM cover of the AUTOPSY classic ‘Critical Madness’ as an MP3 version at www.exmortem.com. The track will be part of the band’s upcoming "Pest Campaign" EP and will also be released on a 7" very soon. It was recorded the old school way on 16 tracks in an obscure studio in Guncity-Aarhus. To be released on Pestifer Records.
Moribund Records have inked deals with California’s XASTHUR (label debut in 2004), France’s MERRIMACK (demos collection "Desecration To The Horned" out soon), Portland’s WINTER OF APOCALYPSE (debut "Solitary Winter Night" out in 2004) and WHORE (debut album, "Unfinished Business", due in December).
DRAWN AND QUARTERED are planning a West Coast tour in support of their recently released "Extermination Revelry" album. The tour will also include Japan’s BARBATOS, SERPENS AEON and possibly RAVAGER (Osmose). Drawn And Quartered will hit the studio in early 2004 to record their third album.
SARGEIST are currently in Boneyard Studio working on their second album, "Disciples Of The Heinous Path". The band will also be releasing a split CD with STORM LEGION.
LEVIATHAN have started work on their new album, "The Tentacles Of Whorror", due out via Moribund on February 4th, 2004. Leviathan will also soon release split CDs with DRAUGAR and CREBAIN.
AZRAEL have completed their sophomore album, "Into Shadows Act II: Through Horned Shadows Glimpse". The album is due out in December through Moribund Records.
In December ARTHEMESIA will start the pre-production for their upcoming "ShamaNatahS" album. The band will record demo-versions of the songs ‘Patheme’, ‘The Order Of The Opposite Force’, ‘ShamaNatahS’ and ‘Transcendental Mindflow – Into The Cosmos Unknown’. According to bandleader Valtias the band can announce a new drummer soon: "We are very optimistic about the drummer-situation, it’s about 90% sure we will get one of the best Finnish drummers to record this album. We will announce his name very soon". www.arthemesia.blackmetal.fi
The cover artwork for the upcoming CRUACHAN album ("Pagan") will be painted by John Howe, the leading JRR Tolkien illustrator and the conceptual artist from The Lord of the Rings movies. A brand-new sound sample of the "Pagan" album can be downloaded on the band’s website www.cruachan.cjb.net
DIMENSION F3H recently said farewell to Mr. Thunderforce (drums) and session bass player Mr. Krokmo. In an official statement Dimension F3h mastermind Morfeus explains: "Since both could not spend enough time on Dimension F3h the decision was made to end the co-operation. No hard feelings from any of us. We have already recruited a new bass session member in the person of Mr. Moe and a drummer is on the testing stage at the moment". www.dimensionf3h.com
Vocalist Johan Liiva decided to leave his other band Non Exist to concentrate on HEARSE. www.hearse.se
MORIFADE is confirmed to play at the upcoming 2000 Decibel Festival. The festival will take place in Bengtsfors, Sweden on the 21st and 22nd of May 2004. www.morifade.com
NECROPHOBIC will perform live with Naglfar as support at Norrlands Operan in Umea, Sweden on the 13th of December. A new album is to be recorded in 2004. www.necrophobic.net
PRIMORDIAL will perform live at Rosetta Bar in Belfast, N. Ireland on the 27th of December. www.primordialweb.tk
Official statement by George Zacharopoulos (band manager Septic Flesh): "It is my sad duty to inform you that SEPTIC FLESH has officially split up. After serious thinking the band decided that, due to various circumstances, they can no longer operate as a collective unit. Therefore a journey of 13 years came to an end. The band send their regards to all their fans and followers of the dreamlord, who remained loyal to the band all these years and sustained the nightmare of Septic Flesh alive. We will never forget you. The Deamons will be watching you!" www.septicflesh.com
SOULREAPER will perform live at the Nocturnal Club in Gothenburg, Sweden on the 13th of December. www.soulreaper.tk
THYRFING guitarist Henrik Svegsjö has taken off for a 6 month trip to New Zealand. Due to this (among other things) no further live-gigs will be done until the summer of 2004. In the meanwhile, the rest of the band will put on their thinking-hats and try to create the most fundamental parts of what will be the fifth Thyrfing album. The first bricks have been laid and they promise us that they will present an album in the usual Thyrfing-tradition. www.thyrfing.com
The new CENTINEX album "Decadence – Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos" will be released in March 2004 through Candlelight. Exact dates tba soon. The limited vinyl version will surface through Hells Headbangers in May.
In the beginning of 2004 Blazing Productions will release "A Legend of Power", the full length of Danish old school Black Metallers DEMON REALM. More information will be announced as soon as they are available, on the following two sites: www.blazing.ws and www.demonrealm.dk
The release of the upcoming RESURRECTED DVD "Stillborn Penetration" had to be postponed to January 2004 due to the fact that all pressing plants are booked tight for the upcoming Christmas business. The DVD will contain two full length shows (this year’s "Party-San Open Air" and the "NRW Deathfest 2003"), a picture gallery and some backstage footage. The coverart was done by David Kempf. In the meantime the band has already started writing new material for the follow up to "Blood Spilled" and nearly finished two new tracks by now. All further info you may get from: www.resurrected.net
PROFANITY are currently working on new songs for their third full length CD "HateRed Hell Within". There’s still three songs to write, but if everything goes as planned they will enter the studio next spring to record. Labels that are interested in releasing the album should get in touch with the band at tom@profanity.de. Further info you will find at: www.profanity.de
ANTHRAX have been confirmed to play the Bang Your Head Festival 2004. More infos under: www.bang-your-head.de/
The already announced ORDER FROM CHAOS compilation "Imperium: The Apocalyptic Visions" will be split into two separate releases by Merciless Records. The first volume with the "Inhumanities" demo, live tracks from 1994 and a December 1988 rehearsal is slated for a March / April 2004 release. Volume II will contain "Demo I", B-sides from other demos, rare A and B sides from the band’s singles and more, and will be released later in the year.
The new ARMAGEDDA album "Only True believers…" will be released on limited 666 LP via From Beyond Productions.
BARBATOS is planning both a USA / West Coat and European tour with cult Metal outfit NME in the first months of 2004.
After years of near inavailability Displeased Records closed a deal with Norwegian BORKNAGAR for a decent reissue of the band’s self-titled debut album. It will be released on December 28th on CD (with renewed booklet layout) and vinyl.
After having tried out several new drummers, it seems CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN will proceed with ex-Sadis Euphoria drummer Mike Bartek. Things are going good, but the band is still not closing the door for anyone who may want to come give it a try. Besides this, CODC started a side project called Sleepwalker, extreme heavy music, with already several songs written.
BUTCHER ABC, the side project of Japan’s C.S.S.O. will have their first release (mini album) out in November 2003.
Displeased Records bought the rights of DEVOURMENT‘s "1.3.8." and will, together with ex-vocalist Ruben Rosas, present this CD in 2004 with improved layout.
ENTHRAL is already busy composing new tracks for their next effort. The new material is said to be along the lines of "Subterranean Movement".
Obsessed by Black and Doom, Satanism and Voodoo, US dark monks GOATLORD recorded three cult demos in the late eighties / early nineties before disappearing into obscurity. Now these recordings have resurfaced on a 2-CD set and (500) limited 3-LP via From Beyond Productions.
After lots of delays, From Beyond Productions will finally present GORETRADE‘s first full length album, which was recorded in NYC. The result is said to be along the lines of Devourment and early Fleshgrind.
INTERNAL SUFFERING‘s drummer has recently left the band due to personal issues. A replacement was soon found in Fabio, the band’s very first drummer (founder of Colombian band Carnal and nowadays also in Infernal Hate). Two weeks ago guitarist Leandro broke his arm. Still, Internal Suffering aims to be fully prepaired when they enter Mana Studios (with Erik Rutan) to record the follow up to last year’s "Chaotic Matrix".
From the ashes of now defunct outfit Murder Corporation arose KILLAMAN. With the same musical and lyrical intentions this brutal Swedish force keeps on pounding away groovy hard-hitting aggressive (Death / Thrash) Metal with hints of Crust and Punk. Their debut full length was recently recorded, mixed and mastered at the famous Berno Studios, and is set for a November 28th release. The band features members of Deranged and Reclusion.
While KRIEG‘s Imperial is finishing the vocal part for his side of the upcoming (December 28th) limited 666 split 10"EP, the Azaghal members already handed over the finished tracks for the release. Expect grim and dark raw Black Metal recordings from both acts. The artwork was supplied by GoatSemen main man Neyra.
A limited vinyl version of MACABRE‘s latest album is now available through Displeased Records.
Paul Speckmann is currently finishing his autobiography, to be published sometime next year.
Expect soon a special re-issue of NECROPHAGIA‘s 1987 cult album "Season Of The Dead" with coloured vinyl, poster and other goodies.
NUCLEAR DEATH are among the most extreme Metal acts that infested the underground with their hideous chaotic releases in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After their much praised second full length the band started recording what was to become their third full length, yet due to mysterious circumstances the recordings were never released. Up ’til recently, when US based label Extremist re-issued these fantastic raw recordings, together with rare EP tracks done in 1993. Both recording sessions will now also be released by From Beyond Productions on limited vinyl, with alternative artwork (done by Lori / vo-kills!) in January 2004.
OFFICIUM TRISTE is trying out their newly built own studio with some compilation tracks recordings, with a new full length to be recorded in early 2004. The band claims to shift towards a more early "Shape Of Despair" sound and songstructures.
THE RAVENOUS‘ latest album "Blood Delerium" will be issued as a limited LP via Displeased Records on November 10th, with all sick artwork on inlay included.
Previously released as a limited cassette via Thailand’s Witchhammer Productions, the SABBAT / ABIGAIL split release will be made available late January 2004 as a special layed out limited LP through From Beyond Productions.
SEPSISM is currently trying out a new bass player. New songs are being written as well, plus their totally unavailable debut "Purulent Decomposition" will be reissued via From Beyond Productions on November 28th.
Recorded at THRONEUM‘s "Bestial Antihuman Evil" session, four tracks will exclusively end up at the "The Last Morgue" 7" on From Beyond Productions, scheduled for a January 2004 release. Watch out for other new releases of the band to be available soon via Agonia Records and Apocalyptor Productions.
A limited vinyl version of ZYKLON‘s latest killer full length is made available on vinyl via Displeased Records.
GOD AMONG INSECTS are a new Death Metal group composed of ENTOMBED bassist Jorgen Sandstrom (vocals), THE PROJECT HATE guitarist Lord K, SANCTIFICATION bassist Tomas Elofsson and VOMITORY drummer Tobias Gustafsson. The band plan to release their debut album in 2004. More details to follow.
Two more bands have just been confirmed for BANG YOUR HEAD 2004, taking place at the Messegelände of Balingen, Germany, on the 25th and 26th of June. First addition are Finnish shooting stars CHILDREN OF BODOM, while Seattle-based "Intellectual metal"-veterans QUEENSRYCHE will be the other act to join the ranks of the BYH 2004-bands lineup. By now, the list of acts currently scheduled to perform at BANG YOUR HEAD 2004 is as follows: QUEENSRYCHE, WHITE LION, CHILDREN OF BODOM, U.F.O., GOTTHARD, PRIMAL FEAR, MAGNUM, DEATH ANGEL, LILLIAN AXE, ANGEL, BLAZE, OMEN, CAGE, MAJESTY, SHOK PARIS, BALLISTIC and RUFFIANS. Four more bands (including headlining acts) to follow. Tickets for the festival are availaible at the ticket-hotline (+49-7457-91393) and pretty soon via homepage www.bang-your-head.de/ as well. Details about ordering may be found there as well. Prices will be 55, -Euro (plus shipping) at presales. Tickets are limited to a number of 22000. By this the organisators want to ensure that the special and relaxed atmosphere of the event won’t suffer.
New Jersey’s sick Death Metal weirdos MASS PSYCHOSIS, who released two excellent albums a couple of years back ("Face" in 1995 and "Necroporno" in ’97) have finally decided to return to the scene. The band already recorded a very promising, yet rough sounding demo of a brandnew track entitled ‘In Rapture’, which made Poland’s Still Dead Productions (re-)sign them right away. A new album is about to be released in the next year.