LUNAR AURORA‘s label changes are finally over now. The band has recently started up a label on their own (Cold Dimensions), so all upcoming LUNAR AURORA stuff will be released through that. The new album "Zyklus" will already see the light of day on November 10, 2004. Furthermore LUNAR AURORA’s 7th album will be recorded in March / April 2005. For further info check out www.lunaraurora.de or www.cold-dimensions.de
On Saturday, November the 20th, ANCIENT SPIRIT TERROR zine is celebrating their second UNHOLY METAL MAYHEM night at the "Zentrum" (Gleiwitzstr. 255) in Dortmund / Scharnhorst in Germany. Bands that are about to play this time are HORRID (Death Metal, Italy), MORRIGAN (Pagan Black Metal, Germany), ETERNITY (Black Metal, Germany) and IGNIS URANIUM (Black Metal, Germany). Doors will be open at 7:00pm, show starts at 8:00pm. Tickets will be 7,-€. All further info from Vasili at ancientspiritterror@yahoo.de
Some small changes took place in the line-up of this year’s DEPTH OF WINTER FESTIVAL. Two of the announced bands won’t be able to play: DIABOLICAL (because Hans is on tour with his other band IN BATTLE) and URKRAFT (because of some wrong promises of their label Cartel Media). But replacements have already been found in SANATORIUM from Slovakia and Germany’s DEADBORN (featuring ex-members of NECROPHAGIST). www.depth-of-winter.de.vu
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER are confirmed to play the Barfly in London, England on December 5th before they head out on tour through Europe with MARDUK, NAPALM DEATH, VADER and more.
According to the official HOLY MOSES website, the veteran Thrash Metal act out of Germany have signed to Armageddon Music. A new studio album is tentatively scheduled for release next spring / summer. The label will release the album worldwide. The band’s comeback album, "Disorder Of The Order", was released in 2002 through Century Media Records.
TANK vocalist / bassist Algy Ward’s health is now said to be "in great form". Algy has even talked about playing live shows. More news as it becomes available. As previously reported, Algy had been having problems with what had yet to be diagnosed as a tumor.
DEVILYN have begun the recording sessions for their new album, "11", to be released by Conquer Records by the end of 2004. The new album will feature eight or nine tracks of new "fast and aggressive" material. More info on the release as it becomes available.
ATOMKRAFT, the band of former MANTAS bassist and "Prime Evil" – era VENOM frontman Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan, will record a new album. It is going to be entitled "Head Smashed In (I Couldn’t Give a Fuck)" and will feature several guest appearances including guitarists Mike Sifringer (DESTRUCTION) and Gary Holt (EXODUS), who has just been confirmed to play on the title track for the album.
For those who are planning to see INCANTATION live on their European tour with KRISIUN, BEHEMOTH and RAGNARÖK: be there early because INCANTATION and RAGNARÖK are switching their positions each time. This means: half of the gigs INCANTATION will be OPENING ACT!
Here’s an offical press statement from EXCITER‘s Jacques Belanger regarding the band’s last European tour and the cancallation of their gig in Vosselaar, Belgium: "First of all, I would like to thank Black Abyss and Steel Attack. Touring with them was a blast. I would like to thank the support crew, Hendrik, Mario and Spray for the constant hard work and their professionalism. I would also like to thank the fans who attended every single show. They were fantastic, and we want to return to see them as soon as possible. On the other hand, we had to cancel the show in Vosselaar, Belgium, and I would like to apologize to the fans who planned to see us there. I got some bad news from an ear, nose and throat specialist in Germany. He explained that my vocal cords would need to be looked at and would require surgery as soon as I get back to Canada. Everybody can easily understand that my vocal cords cannot be replaced like any other instrument, so I cannot afford to take any further risk; that is why EXCITER was forced to cancel the last show of the European tour. All necessary things are being done at the moment, and I promise that I will provide updates as soon as they are available. Keep in touch, Jacques."
The KAAMOS demo "Curse Of Aeons" is going to be released as a gatefold 10" by Nuclear Winter Records. Limited to 666 copies it will come with a poster and sticker. It is to be released during November-December. For further details visit http://nuclearwinter.cjb.net.
BLOODY SIGN‘s first album "Vana Vigala Loits" is now out through Ibex Moon Records (www.ibexmoonrecords.com). The band will open up on three dates on the KRISIUN / BEHEMOTH / INCANTATION / RAGNAROK European tour: October 24 – Paris, La Locomotive (F), October 29 – Trier, Exil (GER) and October 31 – Osnabrück, N8 (GER). Drummer Ilmar will be playing the drums for INCANTATION on the whole European dates, because Kyle Severn won’t manage to play that tour.
According to the German offices of CHILDREN OF BODOM‘s label, Universal Music, the release of the band’s new EP "Trashed, Lost & Strungout" has been pushed back to October 25th due to technical problems producing the package. As previously reported, the EP will be released worldwide as a CD EP and a DVD EP. The CD version will be (or should be) sold for the price of a redular CD single.
ILLDISPOSED‘s new album, "1-800 Vindication", has just entered the Danish album chart at position # 85. This achievement marks the first time a Death Metal album has reached this position of the Danish charts.
SCARS OF CHAOS have inked a deal with Forever Underground. The band play fast, technical and complex symphonic Black Metal with top notch production and tight technical musicianship. The band are currently designing their new website, www.scarsofchaos.com. Currently there is only a promo picture of the band and contact email but the full site will be online shortly. You can listen to an advance MP3 from their upcoming album, "Daemonic Alchemy", in the MP3 section at www.foreverunderground.com.
UNHOLY GHOST, the band featuring PESSIMIST founder / guitarist Kelly McLauchlin and former DIABOLIC members Jerry Mortellaro (guitars) and Paul Ouellette (bass / vocals) welcomes new drummer David Breazeal to the band. David previously played in CAULDRON, a Tampa, FL area Metal band featuring guitarist Kelly McLauchlin as well as frontman Matt Barlow (who later joined ICED EARTH). He also recorded with Kelly and PESSIMIST for a tribute to POSSESSED in 2001 and later formed his own band TROKAR (http://trokar2001.tripod.com). UNHOLY GHOST is currently writing new material, song titles include ‘Venomous Habitation’ and ‘The Suffering Church’. Live show dates will be announced soon.
Finnish old school Thrashers JUMALATION are looking for a label to release their material on vinyl and CD. In case you’re into classic SLAYER, INFERNÄL MÄJESTY and the likes, make sure to check out their three demo songs in our mp3 section. All further info you’ll find at www.forcamacabra.com/jumalation/
PAGAN RITES have a new line-up with J.Voltage from the Devil Lee Rot band on guitar and Lenny Blade (ex-Hypnosia, Incinerator, Bullet, Devil Lee Rot) on bass. So, the gig information that we had posted yesterday (that their line-up for the show in Bitterfeld, Germany will feature NIFELHEIM members) was wrong.
GOREAPHOBIA are going to mix down their 4 new songs this coming weekend, to be released through Necroharmonic Productions in the not too distant future. The band will furthermore be playing a show with PERVERSERAPH and PROFANATICA on December 18 at the Connections club in north New Jersey.
According to the official CRYPTOPSY website the band has been forced to postpone their upcoming U.S. tour for undisclosed reasons. The tour, which was due to kick off on November 11th, has been pushed back to February / March 2005. Details regarding support bands and itinerary are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. This upcoming trek will be Cryptopsy’s first tour in the United States since 2002 and the first ever U.S. tour for the band’s lead vocalist Lord Worm.
According to IMMOLATION‘s official website (www.everlastingfire.com/immolation/), the band have titled their new album "Harnessing Ruin". The album is scheduled for a late January 2005 release through Listenable (Olympic Recordings in North America). The album will feature the following tracklisting: ‘Swarm Of Terror’, ‘Our Savior Sleeps’, ‘Challenge The Storm’, ‘Harnessing Ruin’, ‘Dead To Me’, ‘Son Of Iniquity’, ‘My Own Enemy’, ‘Crown The Liar’ and ‘At Mourning’s Twilight’. The album was recorded at Millbrook Sound Studios with Paul Orofino producing. A new video track for ‘Dead To Me’ is in the works, and the official website will also be relaunched soon. As previously reported, IMMOLATION were recently confirmed for the Maryland Death Fest III, taking place on May 28th and 29th, 2005 at Thunderdome in Baltimore, MD. Acts currently confirmed for the festival include: IMMOLATION, REGURGITATE, BIRFLESH, ABSCESS, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, BODIES LAY BROKEN, XXX MANIAK and KILL THE CLIENT. A total of 28 bands will be announced for the festival. More acts will be announced soon.
Danish Death Metallers EXMORTEM have signed a new deal with Wicked World / Earache Records. The group’s fifth album, "Nihilistic Contentment", was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus , Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, HATESPHERE, MNEMIC) and is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2005. Ten songs were recorded and mixed during the four-week session, including ‘Parasite Paradise’, ‘Flesh Havoc’, ‘Black Walls Of Misery’, ‘The Human Rape Symphony’, ‘Division Of Genocide Pleasure’, ‘Bitter Discipline’, ‘Fix Of Negativity’, ‘Graveside Mourning Ritual’ and ‘Symbols Of Inhumanity’. EXMORTEM guitarist Martin " Sigtyr " Thim had this to say about the band’s new union: "We are very proud to announce that we have signed with one of the world’s leading labels in extreme music!! With a crew that have worked to be on the forefront of the scene for 15 years or more, we feel confident that we have found the best home for EXMORTEM. We will do our best to make this a success and the new album should be the first step in that direction!" EXMORTEM were previously signed to France ‘s Osmose Productions and Holland ‘s Hammerheart Records. More news on this and a new website will be up during next week. www.Exmortem.com
Confirmed for the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL from the 13th – 15th of May 2005 are: CHILDREN OF BODOM, AMON AMARTH, MASTERPLAN, THE HAUNTED, ENSIFERUM and HEAVEN SHALL BURN. More bands plus the headliners to be confirmed. Location will be the beautiful "Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen", Germany. www.rockhard.de
RESURRECTED bassplayer Stefan Bays had to leave the band for personal reasons. Temporarely Carsten takes over all bass guitar duties now, but the band is of course looking for a new capable bassplayer for future cooperation. So if you think you are the right person for the job don’t hesitate to contact them at the following email address: blood@resurrected.net. In related news, RESURRECTED have a new contact address now. You can reach them at: RESURRECTED, Dorfstr. 7a, 47239 Duisburg, Germany, Phone: + 49 (0) 2151 / 513 74 07, Fax: + 49 (0) 2151 / 513 74 08, Mobile : 0163 / 57 44 697
Dutch old school Death Metal maniacs PENTACLE recorded their upcoming new full length in late September. In the session a NECROVORE cover track was included, to be used on the NECROVORE tribute LP exclusively.
OFFICIUM TRISTE re-recorded one of their earlier tracks, ‘Mountains Of depressiveness’, which got recently released on the "Slowmomusic Vol. 1" compilation, limited to 500 copies.
Deathstrike Records, owned by NOCTURNAL guitar player Evil Avenger, licensed the upcoming NOCTURNAL full length "Arrival Of The Carnivore" on LP from From Beyond Productions. Copies will be made available from December 2004, from both Deathstrike Records and Displeased Records.
From Beyond Productions will issue a limited split 7" with MORBOSIDAD and SURRENDER OF DIVINITY in early 2005 with all exclusive material.
KRIEG and From Beyond Productions agreed on a limited LP version of the recent "Patrick Bateman" recordings, with live bonus material, originally meant to be included on the now cancelled split LP with HORNA.
The new full length of GORETRADE will be called "Percetion Of Hate". With a renewed line-up the band will start recording in the coming months, in Colombia where the band currently resides.
The ANAL VOMIT album cover artwork will be provided by artist Juanjo Castellano (known for his work for INCANTATION and ABSCESS a.o.).
AMMIT will enter the Alfastudios in Chile on October 24th, to record their new full length, "Hammer Of Darkness".
The new horror videoclip for the song ‘Under The Boards’ from STORMLORD‘s album "The Gorgon Cult" is available for download at www.stormlord.net/video2004.html. The video has been directed by Brigida Costa (the same director of the ‘I Am Legend’ videoclip), starring David Bracci from the Sergio Stivaletti team (Dario Argento and more) for the amazing special FX, Giuseppe Oppedisano ("The English Patient", "Cari Fottutissimi Amici", "Demonium" and more…) as the insane psycho killer and Irene Turati (previously seen on Pupi Avati’s set and in "Gangs Of New York"). Once again the videoclip is filled with gore and splatter atmosphere, in the vein of legends like Lucio Fulci and John Carpenter. The story is about a psycho surgeon serial killer who comes out at night to stalk his victims to trap them in his clinic of horror.
AMOK VEDAR‘s new album will be released this winter. The last two copies of the "Wurzelgeister" DLP are available at their online-shop now. For further info, check out www.amokvedar.de
According to a recent update at THE CHASM‘s website, all upcoming live attacks with MORTICIAN, bass duties will be courtesy of Ivan Galdamez of Chicago’s WHORRID. As previously reported, the band’s upcoming album, "The Spell Of Retribution", has a new street date of November 16th. The band have been informed that the vinyl edition will be released on a single disc, no gatefold and the first 250 copies ("Death & Retribution" Edition) will include a limited edition poster.
Holland’s PENTACLE have posted the following update at their official website (www.metalprovider.com/pentacle) from vocalist / bassist Wannes: "We’ve done it! After a very intense week of recording we made it home. And proud we are! The result is better than we had expected it to be. In about two weeks we’re going to mix the album, but this rough mix sounds already very promising. The songs are full of aggression and power. The essence of the material truly comes to life now. No shitty tapes anymore… this is the real thing!" The new PENTACLE album will be entitled "Under The Black Cross" and is going to be released via Iron Pegasus Records.