» News Archive July 2003
PLEURISY signed a worldwide recorddeal with SoulReaper Records (www.killermetal.com). The currently released new album "Dazed & Deranged" features new vocalist George Oosthoek (also Orphange). Musically it’s said to be "a combination of Edge of Sanity and Bolt Thrower and you’re not even half way…" Pleurisy’s debut album "Experience The Sacrilege" will be re-released by Baphomet Records (distro by RedStream Records). It will contain the videoclip from the song ‘Mission Transformed’ and new artwork, release planned for June 2003. For more info check www.pleurisy.nl
It looks like as if the upcoming ORDER FROM CHAOS record "Imperium: The Apocalyptic Visions" will even become a two CD (4 LP) set… We’ll keep you posted!
AMON AMARTH‘s website (www.amonamarth.com) reports that the band have scheduled gigs in Austria and Israel. The dates are: July 26 – Hafen – Innsbruck, Austria and August 14 – The Barby Club – Tel-Aviv, Israel. Check out the website to see the flyer for the Israel concert.
Former MALEVOLENT CREATION drummer Alex Marquez has resurfaced in Florida hardcore band ANGER.
Restrain Records / Perverted Taste Distribution will be issuing vinyl versions of VITAL REMAINS‘ "Dechristianize" (double-LP) and REGURGITATE‘s "Deviant" on July 31st.
CRADLE OF FILTH‘s website, www.cradleoffilth.com, has announced that the band’s signing sessions at the Jagermeister tent on the Ozzfest tour have been canceled. However, the band will still be signing albums at the FYE tent everyday from 5pm.
Candlelight are set to reissue three classic albums from Misanthropy Records, IN THE WOODS "Heart Of Our Time", "Omnio" and "Strange In Stereo" will all be re-released on September 23rd.
A new ORDER FROM CHAOS record in the works to be released by Merciless Records on CD and double LP later this year. It will be called "Imperium: The Apocalyptic Visions" and features the band’s second 1988 demo "Inhumanities," a particularly good rehearsal from Christmas 1988, and some live stuff. It will be about 75 minutes long. The band is not reforming though.
The Earache sublabel Wicked World recently signed DEATHWITCH to their roster. Having carved an ugly path with their previous releases "Triumphant Devastation" (1996), "Dawn Of Armageddon" (1997), "The Ultimate Death" (1998) and "Monumental Mutilations" (1999), the band is once again ready to bring their puked-up slop n’ roll to their ever appreciative audience in the form of "Violence Blasphemy Sodomy" later this year. Wicked World’s Dan Tobin has this to say about Deathwitch: "Deathwitch are all about confrontation – if you don’t like it, well, chances are they’re gonna carry on regardless. They don’t give a fuck what you think anyway. This is about playing Death Metal with fire in your guts, not about pretending to have a higher message to deliver, or even a defined purpose, its just great, primitive Death Metal about not giving a damn, its about fighting, its about death, its about disregarding morality and about doing what the fuck you wanna do whenever and wherever you wanna do it." "Violence Blasphemy Sodomy" was recorded in Fuck Recording and Magick Sound Studio with the line up of Terror (vocals, guitar and bass), Slade Doom (guitar) and Morbid Juttu (drums). An official release date will be issued soon.
ORPHANED LAND will finally start recording their new album "Mabool" (hebrew for "The Flood") in early August. It is the band’s first offical release in seven years (the last album was "El Nora Alila" on Holy Records).
Holland’s old school Deathmachine PENTACLE has worked very hard on new material and completed about 8 new songs in the meantime. According to the band, "new guitarist Alex has a very big input concerning the new material…" He has already co-written 2 new songs and one totally by himself. The new material is said to be "very in-your-face and to the bone… aggressive and very hard-hitting material. Maybe a bit more in the direction of a song like ‘Prophet Of Perdition’. Fast and furious, while some parts are slow and slicing one’s throat!" Among the new tracks there’s one instrumental as well. PENTACLE plan on writing up to 11 songs, so that there’s some bonus-material for a possible 7" or 10".
San Francisco Thrash Metal legends DEATH ANGEL (www.deathangel.com) are confirmed to perform at Toronto’s 360 Club (326 Queen Street West) on Saturday, September 13th. The concert, presented by The 360 & The Blood Brothers, also features performances from CLOVEN BLADE and guests. Tickets are $15 advance / $18 @ Door and will be on sale soon at The 360, Rotate This, Soundscapes and Penguin Music.
According to Norway’s Scream Magazine, IMMORTAL have broken up. The magazine’s chief editor, Frode Øien reports having received the following e-mail from the band (translation): "After 13 years and 7 albums we have decided to stop working with IMMORTAL due to personal reasons. A great thanks to all our fans worldwide who helped us making IMMORTAL superb through all this time. Abbath, Demonaz, Horgh."
Following in the footsteps of NASUM, Relapse Records is proud to announce the signing of Swedish grindcore sensation GADGET to a worldwide recording deal. The quartet will showcase their high-energy sound on their forthcoming Relapse debut, set for release in early 2004. GADGET (Rikard Olsson (guitar), William Blackmon (guitar / vocals / drums), Emil Englund (vocals) and Fredrik Nygren (bass)), will record their as-yet-untitled album at Gothenburg, Sweden’s Phlat Planet Studios with Fredrik Reinedahl (BURST, DIMENSION ZERO, IN FLAMES). GADGET previously issued a split 7" with now-labelmates EXHUMED via Relapse in late 2001, and has made appearances on Relapse’s Swedish Assault compilation as well as on the Relapse label sampler Contaminated 5.0 with the track ‘Boredom Suits Me Fine’. Additional GADGET information will be made available via the Relapse Records website: www.relapse.com
The English blood merchants GOREROTTED have signed a contract with Metal Blade Records just a few days ago. "They first draw our attention when we saw them two years ago at the ‘Fuck The Commerce’ festival", says a spokesperson of the label. "They were the fuckin’ best band on the whole festival! GOREROTTEDs first album "Mutilated In Minutes" is a perfect lesson in brutal Gore / Grind / Death music! These guys not only have a cool image, their music is absolutely phenomenal! We are very pleased to have them on the label now." The band seems to be happy as well. Guitarist Fluffy comments: "We are really excited to be working with the same label that is behind the very bands that we grew up listening to. Fucking nice one!" Bassist Wilson elaborates: "Yeah man, we’re really looking forward to the coming years of blood, booze and boobs!" Their long awaited second album "Only Tools And Corpses" is in the final stages of decomposition and will be unleashed upon the world in November 2003. The album promises a nine song roller-coaster ride of intense brutality and a complete assault on the senses. You have been warned.
AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED will follow up their latest release "Altered States Of America" by issuing a split CD with JESU in early 2004. JESU is the new project of longtime GODFLESH mastermind Justin Broadrick (JESU also features former GODFLESH vets Ted Parsons and Paul Neville) and promises "10-minute songs that are very meditative, depressing suicidal experiences…". Look for AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED to deliver some ‘very different’ material as well.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE drummer / percussionist John Merryman has just finished his work with MR. BUNGLE’s Trey Spruance on upcoming studio releases from Secret Chiefs 3 and Estradasphere. Keep an eye / ear out.
MORTICIAN are currently searching for someone to fill their now-vacant live drum position as Roger Beaujard will be moving back to guitar beginning with the band’s May, 2003 U.S. Tour. Interested applicants should contact the band at roger@mortician.net
NASUM have added a second live guitarist with the addition of REGURGITATE axeman Urban Skytt. "Expect a much heavier sound" says the band.
US Black / Deathers CRUCIFIER would like to spread the following message throughout the blackened veins of the Underground Metal scene: "BEHOLD! JESUS CHRIST, NAIL HIM TO THE CROSS!! CRUCIFIER’s "Stronger Than Passing Time" debut full-length, due to release in Summer 2003. This release of utter Hell comes to you from Death To Mankind Records (Spain, www.deathtomankind.com) and The Crucifier Brotherhood, International will rip your soul to shreds. Write now and reserve your copy today!!! Burn In Hell!!!!!"
900 Metal fanatics showed up for SALEM and ARALLU at the Barbie Club in Tel Aviv on July 9th and were received an almost 3 hours long ‘Full Force IDF Metal Attack’. Arallu’s new promo CD is recorded and will be sent to selected labels / magazines soon. For updates check www.geocities.com/arallu666/.
Yishay Swearts of Raven Music label / distro has left NAIL WITHIN for personal reasons and will now focus on his new band Moonskin. Some songs are already written and a label search is on. The band will make its debut appearance on a future At The Gates tribute with a cover of ‘Raped By The Light Of Christ’. NAIL WITHIN are soon to announce their new vocalist and future plans, check www.nailwithin.com for upcoming news.
Norwegian band BORKNAGAR had to cancel their Summer-Breeze-appearance as they did not finish the recording of their new album in time. Latest additions to the SUMMER BREEZE-billing are AMORPHIS, THE CROWN, RAGE and NAGLFAR.
GOD DETHRONED have lined up the following summer dates: August 8 – Party-San Open Air Festival – Bad Berka, Germany, 23 – Summer Breeze Open Air – Abtsgmünd, Germany, 24 – Vienna Metal Fest – Vienna, Austria, 25 – E-Klub – Budapest, Hungary (with FINNTROLL) and September 9 – The Temple – Dublin, Ireland.
DARKANE have confirmed that they will perform in Tel-Aviv, Israel on September 25th. The show is in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of the Israeli label-distribution-booking agency Raven Music. In other Darkane news, drummer Peter Wildoer and guitarist Christofer Malmström have been busy writing new material for the band’s next album. Nearly half of the new disc has been written.
MÖRK GRYNING‘s new album, "Pieces Of Primal Expressionism", has reached #19 on Sweden’s charts. The album is out in the US on July 14th via The End.
DIABOLIC have reported on their website that they have finished tracking and are in the midst of mixing their forthcoming album, "Infinity Through Purification", due out through Olympic / Century Media this fall. The band have been working with Neil Kernon at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, TX. The band will head to Tampa, FL this week to master the album at Morrisound Studios. The band say that "There are already great things in the works as far as supporting the new album, so check back soon and often for updates on tours, shows and appearances. Prepare to be devastated by blasting satanic majesty!" It was reported earlier that Diabolic are describing "Infinity Through Purification" as "The most evolved and interesting record yet, with incredible dynamics, complex song structures, and tempos among the most brutal in the world."
MORBID ANGEL have revealed the title of their forthcoming record – their eighth album will be titled "Heretic" and will be released on September 23rd (September 22 in Europe). Dubbed with the working title of H2K3 from the start of the recording process, the album’s true title has remained shrouded in mystery but has been rumored to begin with the letter H, in keeping with the band’s tradition of titling their albums in alphabetical order beginning with 1989’s "Altars Of Madness", and continuing through 2000’s "Gateways To Annihilation".
Bay Area Thrashers VIO-LENCE‘s "Oppressing The Masses" album and "Torture Tactics" EP will be reissued together on October 7th through Megaforce Records. "Oppressing The Masses" was the band’s follow-up to the legendary 1988 debut "Eternal Nightmare". It was originally released in 1990. "Torture Tactics" followed a year later.
We received these news from Germany’s most interesting underground Classic Metal festival, namely the KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL: "Hi friends, many of you are waiting for the replacement of DAMIEN THORNE. Two weeks before the festival it is almost impossible to get a replacement of the standard of a cult act. So we made the decision, that we will extend the playing time of OMEN and BROCAS HELM by ten minutes each!! Also we want to give an underground newcomer band a great chance to play at KEEP IT TRUE. At the Bang Your Head festival we got the demo of the Greek band BLOODSTAINED and after many times of listening we were really blown away. BLOODSTAINED really sound like old school JAG PANZER with a singer that is very similar to the Tyrant. We are sure, that BLOODSTAINED will fill your heads with US Metal made in Greece. We hope, that you will also be happy about the longer playing time of OMEN and BROCAS HELM. Also we want to say sorry again for the cancellations of DAMIEN THORNE and IRON CROSS, but we could not avoid that." The KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL takes place on July 19, 2003 in Lauda-Koenigshofen, Germany at the Tauberfranken Halle. The festival line-up reads as follows: OMEN, BROCAS HELM, MAJESTY, SOLEMNITY, KILLERS (FR), DOOMSWORD, KILLER (BEL), MALEDICTION, ETERNAL REIGN, SOLITAIRE, GUNFIRE, BLOODSTAINED. All further info you may find here: www.keep-it-true.de
OCCULT just left Stage-One-Studios in Germany where they recorded their 5th album "Elegy For The Weak" produced and engineered by Andy Classen. The album will be out in September on Painkiller Records, featuring the following tracks: ‘Disturbing The Dead’, ‘Nuclear Torment’, ‘Nocturnal Predator’, ‘Feel The Blade’, ‘Expire’, ‘Warbeast’, ‘Obsessed By The Grave’, ‘Slaughtering The Pigs’, ‘Reapers Call’, ‘Slut Of Sodom’ and ‘Until The Battle’ (extra bonus track on lim. 2000 digipak). Two of the songs can be found on the following website: www.xs4all.nl/~lowlife/. An OCCULT DVD will be released in October through Lowlifemedia Productions, covering the complete band story from 1990 until 2003. For further info go to: www.occult.nu
Here’s an official press statement from MALEVOLENT CREATION concerning the cancellation of their tour in Brazil: "Greetings to our fans in Brazil, it is unfortunate but necessary that I have to write this letter. We, meaning the whole band, are very disappointed that the tour of Brazil was cancelled. However, I wanted to write this letter to clear up some rumors that have circulated there that are untrue. It is true that Tony Laureno was thought to play this tour until last month when he found out he had to do shows with Nile. We went on a search all over the US to find a drummer who could do the tour and have the skills to play the songs with intensity and speed…. the way they should be heard. We then asked Gus Rios who had toured with Malevolent in Europe in 2002 but he had prior commitments. We told him how sick these shows were going to be and 2 1/2 weeks ago he was able to change his work schedule and said he could do the tour. As soon as we were home and situated from the Hate Plow tour in Europe, we rehearsed over 20 songs with him the first night of practice. So the rumors of not having a drummer for this tour were and are untrue. The problem is that we were told that our visas would be taken care of by the promoter of the tour while we were on tour in Europe with Hate Plow and they were not. Now I do not have all the details so I cannot blame the problem on the promoter or the embassy either here or in Brazil, but I know we were packed with our luggage and equipment waiting to leave from July 1st – July 3rd but with each morning being told we were denied our visas for different reasons so we were not the cause of the tour being cancelled. Now… we are in discussions to get every show rescheduled as soon as possible. I do not want to say a date yet as nothing is solid but we are hoping that after we return from Europe to do some festivals July 30 thru August 9 we will have the visa situation taken care of can come down there and see how many of you have THE WILL TO KILL!!!!!!!! Once again I want to say how disappointed we are not being able to play Brazil and to meet all of our great fans this time but this situation was not our fault and we accept no blame… Kyle Symons, Malevolent Creation."
THE CHASM has exclusively been signed to Earache Records / Wicked World for the release of their upcoming seventh album. The plan at the moment is to record the new album in early 2004, but as a lot of things can happen in the rest of the year, any update or change will be posted here as soon as it becomes available. The band already started to audition a few possible bass players to complete the line-up again. As soon as the right person has been found THE CHASM will start to hit the stage once again.
VADER are going to release a new mini-CD entitled "Blood" through Metal Blade Records on the 20th of October (European release date). It will include a few cuts from the "Revelations" recordings: ‘As The Fallen Rise’ (taken from Japanese version of "Revelations"), ‘Angel Of Death’ (Japanese version of the album and EP – released in Poland exclusively), ‘When Darkness Calls’ (Polish EP version), ‘Son Of Fire’ (European digipak version) and ‘Traveler’ (Polish digipak version). The mini-CD will also contain the two new songs ‘We Wait’ and ‘Shape-shifting’ – VADER are going to record these songs mid-July at Red Studio with Piotr Lukaszewski as engineer ("Reign Forever World", "Revelations").
After their latest gig in Israel VADER parted ways with Simon (bass) due to some personal differences. Novy (well known for his participation in bands like BEHEMOTH and DEVILYN) has joined the band as his replacement. VADER will play their first show with the new line up on 19th of July in the Czech Republic.