» News Archive May 2009
A 12" version of MIASMAL‘s self-titled demo should be available within 2 months through Detest Records (European and East-European territories) in co-operation with Nuclear War Now! Productions (US and rest of the world). For more info, check out www.detestrecords.com
HEADHUNTER D.C. is preparing to open the northeastern part of the Brazilian tour of US Heavy Metal legends OMEN (with Mexican Thrashers STRIKEMASTER as supporting act). The confirmed tour dates for June / July / August you’ll find in our tourdates section. The works on the long planned band’s 20 years commemorative double CD, which will be entitled "The Darkest Archives… From The Death Cult (1987-2007)" and which will be released by Peruvian Crypts Of Eternity Records, have finally started. It will feature rare and obscure recordings from the band’s personal archives since the early days. Planned to be out this year. The band is currently writing new material for their next album to be recorded in early 2010.
Because of recent events involving former members Terry Butler and Bill Andrews and because of seperate events involving former member Rick Rozz forming his own version of the band Kam Lee has officially announced denouncing any further involvment with the band MASSACRE, the band name, or its former associates and members. In an official statement he says: "I want to just say thank you to all of my fans for all the years of support – and for all the years of friendships I have found through the band. And though the band still seems to bring hardship and heartbreak even today… let it be known that my years as vocalist and frontman – and "voice" of MASSACRE – I served proud and with honor. I came into MASSACRE when it was still a ‘Thrash cover garage band’ back in 1985, shortly after leaving DEATH. I took the band MASSACRE, from playing cover songs and playing highschool parties, to new levels – by becoming the bands frontman, turning it into a Death Metal band – creating original material, recording demos, tape trading, to co-headlining shows with bands like MORBID ANGEL, and made it into a cult "legend". Until – in 1987 – Terry, Bill and Rick all willingly quit the band to join with Chuck in DEATH. In the year 1990 – it was I "Kam Lee" who stepped back up to the plate to re-form the band once more – to finally bring the world the infamous "From Beyond" album. In 1994 – when Rick once more re-created the band to do the "Promise" album – and he took the band from its Death Metal roots and turned it into a Goth / Metal band. I "Kam Lee" decided it was better to quit that incarnation of MASSACRE rather then remain in a band that I did not believe in musically. 12 long years later – in 2007 – when the band DENIAL FIEND (of which I was also a part of) needed to find a way to get a tour. It was proposed to me by the German promoters to re-form MASSACRE as a re-union tour – in order to get the band DENIAL FIEND worldwide exposure. And also a way for me to pay past due money in order for me to obtain my passport. It was I "Kam Lee" that these promoters asked to reform the band MASSCRE once more. It was my decision alone – that brought the band back from obscurity. And it was finally I "Kam Lee" that wanted to – finally bring the band to a ‘proper’ close – by creating a new final album for the year 2010. But because of continued jealousy – petty threats – and pure asinine stupidity – from former members, I am no longer able to do that for you the fans. And so – I now make this "official announcement" – I "Kam Lee" am no longer assoiciated with anything to do with the band MASSACRE from this point forwards. The 4 tracks re-recorded for the EP, those song being – ‘Aggressive Tyrant’, ‘Clangor Of War’, ‘Infestation Of Death’ and ‘Perpetual Domination’ all have been recorded – and are finished, but I will not release these as MASSACRE. I may – in time – release these as ‘myself’ – "KAM LEE" on a future release – as cover songs, but they will not appear as a MASSACRE release. For now – they sit in obscurity – as the band has done manytime in the past… awaiting to one day raise it ugly head. But – I say to all one final time… I "Kam Lee" will no longer EVER do MASSACRE again! Thank you all for the years of support – and I hope you will continue to follow and support me. Cheerz and Stay Creepy! Kam Lee."
Slava Giebel, the 20-year-old guitarist for the German Viking Metal band STRYDEGOR, was killed in a car accident the night of May 23. Rest in peace buddy.
A limited edition CD-version of the compilation RESURRECTED IN FESTERING SLIME will be released in the upcoming months by Soulseller Records. Unlike the LP-version 2 additional (Swedish) bands have joined the list and will be featured in this version: MIASMAL (featuring members of CORRUPT) and TORMENTED (featuring ex-members of DARKIFIED, EDGE OF SANITY, MARDUK, PAN-THY-MON-IUM, among others) with one song each. Only 500 copies to be released! More information soon on www.soulsellerrecords.com.
Great Britain’s CRUCIAMENTUM just released their 2nd demo "Convocation Of Crawling Chaos". 4 songs on professional printed tape of morbid and crushing claustrophobic Death Metal, influenced by INCANTATION, ROTTREVORE, ABHORRENCE and IMMOLATION is what the band announces themselves. The tape sells for £4 UK, €6 Europe and $7 rest of the world (prices are including postage and packing). Further details on www.myspace.com/cruciamentumuk.
American new founded label Archasm Releasing offers their first release, the split 7"EP of FATHER BEFOULED / DECREPITAPH, for sale. It sells for $8 USA or $11 rest of the world. All copies come on dark blue / purple swirl vinyl in a double sided fold out with insert. Each copy includes a DECREPITAPH and FATHER BEFOULED sticker. Contact info@ archasmreleasing.com or archasmreleasing.com
On July 1st Xtreem Music will officially be re-releasing "Iniquitous", the one and only full length album by Pennsylvania’s Death Metal masters ROTTREVORE. The album was originally released in late 1993 by Drowned Productions (former Xtreem Music label) and only pressed in 1.000 copies before the label’s demise (and later name change to Repulse Records). Fans have constantly been paying between 80-150 Euros for one copy on eBay and there’s even a bootleg version of the album on 12"LP vinyl with a very shitty quality. "Iniquitous" is going to be properly re-issued on CD & 12"LP (green vinyl splattered in black) format and t-shirts will also be made. It will come with remastered sound, a new, revamped layout (including lyrics and extra band photos not featured on the original version) and 3 live bonus tracks from ’92. Mark Mastro, vocalist & guitarist of the band and responsible for the album’s cover art, provided the original version of the painting to ensure that the highest quality will be meet on every version (CD/LP/shirt). For more info check out www.xtreemmusic.com
The book "Swedish Death Metal" was sensational, but what about a book dealing with the Tampa Metal scene from 1980 to 199?, focusing mostly on Death Metal with names as NOCTURNUS, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, ATHEIST, OBITUARY, DEATH, MASSACRE, ICED EARTH, BRUTALITY, MONSTROSITY, DISINCARNATE, NASTY SAVAGE, HELLWITCH, SIX FEET UNTER and many others? This book will come true in a couple of months according to John Tucci – author of this more than 400 pages yet untitled monumental piece of work. Writing more than 2 and a half years on this project and driving all over Florida for interviews, the topics to expect are, among others, the history of the bands of the Tampa scene, the history of Metal in Tampa itself, the birth of the scene, the evolution of Metal from NWOBHM to Tampa Death Metal, Satanism and the occult, significance of blast beats, Morrisound and recording technology, guitar work, personal philosphies and anti Christianity, the "decline" of Death Metal, significance of horror and gore imagery, tape trading, and many funny and crazy stories of the bands. John is currently searching for a publisher and in the meantime sewing his work together. The current plan is to have everything ready to go to the printer by the end of summer 2009. We are eagerly waiting for it…
After 15 years of silence Polish Death Metal outfit ARMAGEDON are back with their 2nd album "Death Then Nothing". ARMAGEDON already released the demo "Dead Condemnation" in 1991 and their debut album "Invisible Circle" in 1993. For ordering details contact the band at info@armagedon.net.pl. Unfortunately no further information is available until now as their homepage www.armagedon.net.pl is only in Polish.
Floridas MONSTROSITY will head to Colombia for the third time, in mid August. The band plans to perform material covering all points of their nearly 20 year career. Ranging from the earliest "Imperial Doom" days when George Corpsegrinder was fronting the act all the way through to the current "Spiritual Apocalypse" disc which is available now on Conquest Music Inc. (US) / Metal Blade (Europe). For the exact dates, check out our tourdates section.
Oldcchool Bay Area Thrashers POTENTIAL THREAT SF have signed with Old School Metal Records. The first record is scheduled to be released in the August / September time frame. "We are very excited to welcome POTENTIAL THREAT SF to our family. They have that old school crossover vibe, that we love", says Patrick Ramseier CEO of OSM Records.
Metal Mind Productions will be re-releasing the two THE ABYSS albums "The Other Side" and "Summon The Beast" as limited edition (1000 copies) digipak editions, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden discs on July 6, 2009 (in Europe) / August 11, 2009 (via MVD in the US).
The legendary Chilean Death / Thrash Metal band PENTAGRAM will reunite one last time in 2009 for a Chilean tour and several shows in Europe (for the exact dates, check out our tourdates section). The line-up will consist of the three original members Anton Reisenegger (guitar / vocals, also in CRIMINAL), Juan Pablo Uribe (guitar) and Eduardo Topelberg (drums). Replacing original bassist Alfredo Peña, who committed suicide in 1990, will be Juan Francisco Cueto (ex-CRIMINAL) for the Chilean dates and Daniel Biggin (CRIMINAL) for the European trek. The band is still accepting booking enquiries through its official MySpace page www.myspace.com/pentagramchileofficial
Scottish BONESAW wil take off soon with a couple of new releases. Their debut LP "Sawtopsy" will be released through Apehlion Productions in August 2009. A split MCD and 10" vinyl with BONE GNAWER should be out in October 2009 and another split, this time a 7"EP, with LOBOTOMIZED from Norway should be out on At War With False Noise Records end of 2009. Still to be confirmed is the release date of the reissue of BONESAW’s debut demo "Smack Zombie" on Largactyl Records. BONESAW are featured on the compilation "Resurrected In Festering Slime" with the song ‘Revolution Through Wargasm’. Visit www.myspace.com/bonesawuk.
Metal Mind Productions will be re-releasing SINISTER‘s "Cross The Styx" (+ 3 bonus tracks), "Diabolical Summoning" (+ 2 bonus tracks), "Hate" and the "Bastard Saints" EP (the latter two will be released on one CD, including 4 bonus tracks). All of the bonus tracks were recorded live at the Stodola Club in Warsaw, on August 24, 2006. The CDs will all be available in a new digipak edition, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on a golden disc. Each title is limited to 1000 copies. The release date is set up for July 6 in Europe and August 11 in the US (via MVD). For more information check out www.metalmind.com.pl.
The American / Swedish collaboration BONE GNAWER, which features Kam Lee (Massacre / ex-Denial Fiend), Rogga Johansson (Paganizer), Ronnie Bjornstorm (Ribspreader, Hate Ammo) and Morgan Lie (Naglfar) will release their debut album "Feast Of Flesh" through Pulverised Records in early June 2009. The tracklisting reads like this: ‘Feast Of Flesh’, ‘Sliced And Diced’, ‘Cannibal Cook-Out’, ‘Make Yo Die Slow’, ‘Hammer To The Skull’, ‘The Saw Is Family’, ‘Hatchet Face’, ‘Defleshed And Skinned’, ‘Anthropophagus Beast’ and ‘The Lucky Ones Die First’. Also helping out and lending guest vocals on this debut are Killjoy of Necrophagia (on ‘Defleshed And Skinned’), Stevo do Caixao of Impetigo (on ‘Feast Of Flesh’) and Dopi of Machetazo (on ‘Hammer To The Skull’). For more information and sound samples go to www.myspace.com/bonegnawerband
EXUMER have posted a tour-picture diary on their homepage and myspace sites, documenting their recent "5 Nights Of Fire" tour which took through 4 countries on 2 continents in April / May 2009. The band also revealed plans on how and when they will release their first new song in 22 years to the public. Lead vocalist Mem V. Stein comments on the band’s plans: "We felt very fortunate to have been able to perform at this year’s KIT 12 and it was a fantastic opportunity for the band to present ourselves in such a forum. The energy level from the fans was tremendous that day and luckily we filmed the show with our own 3 cameras. We will exclusively use footage from KIT 12 to release our new track ‘Waking The Fire’, as a video clip to the public in June." To view EXUMER’s picture diary and more information go to: www.myspace.com/exumerwakingthefire and www.exumer1985.com. For the latest EXUMER interview with details of their tour and the up-coming album, please visit: www.thrashneverdies.com
Russian Viking Metal veterans NOMANS LAND have successfully completed the recordings for their fourth album "Farnord", which was produced at Finnish Sevik Audio studios. The release date is August 29, 2009. First audio impressions can already be checked out at: www.myspace.com/nomanslandrus
Norwegian Viking Metal pioneers THUNDRA, featuring founding members of ENSLAVED and EINHERJER, have announced "Ignored By Fear" as the title for their new album. It is scheduled to be released on August 29, 2009. First videos and song teasers are available at www.myspace.com/thundra. NOMANS LAND and THUNDRA plan to promote their new albums in Germany and Europe with a shared tour in November 2009 also featuring OBSCURITY and KROMLEK. More news and dates to follow shortly.
The fourth album by Vikinger Metallers THUDVANGAR will be produced by the end of May. It will contain 13 tracks with more than 60 minutes of music. A limited digipak version including a DVD, which will feature a video clip, an interview and live recordings from this year’s Barther Metal Open Air 2009, will also be made available. The release is planned for winter 2009 / 2010. THRUDVANGAR will play a mini tour in September joined by their labelmates ANDRAS and MORTAL INTENTION. More at: www.myspace.com/thrudvangar
Austria’s BIFRÖST are currently working on their second studio album "Heidenmetal" with the active support of musician and producer Stefan Traunmüller. Release date will be in the Winter 2009 / 2010. More info: www.myspace.com/bifrst
Black Blood Records have signed Dresden’s Epic Black Metal Band SADO SATHANAS. Their new album "Opus Diaboli" will be released in the winter 2009 / 2010. More information at: www.sadosathanas.de
GOREAPHOBIA have announced plans to film their set at the "May Metal Massacre" which will take place on Saturday, May 16th at The Sterling Hotel in Allentown, PA. The footage will be used for a DVD release which will span the history of the band. Guitarist Alex Bouks added these comments: "We are recording footage for a DVD at The Sterling Hotel in Allentown, PA.The DVD will include songs from our new record "Mortal Repulsion" as well as the old classics. We plan on releasing the DVD later this year that will also include old footage of interviews with the band members." More details can be found at www.pametalshows.com or www.myspace.com/goreaphobia.
Neurotic Records have signed Dutch based blackened Death / Thrash FLESH MADE SIN. The band already released a full length album through Karmageddon Media entitled "Dawn Of The Stillborn" back in 2004. The new album "The Aftermath Of Amen", which was mastered by Jacob Hansen, will be released through Neurotic Records at the end of June. Twan van Geel (vocals / guitar) had the following to say about it: "Finally we found a more than soothing partner in crime. Neurotic Records will release our latest hellhound called "The Aftermath Of Amen". Since we’ve managed to capture a far heavier and darker approach within our musical derangements, teaming up with Neurotic Records lies fittingly well within our line of work. It’s time to pave the way for the allegory of blasphemy!" An mp3 of the song ‘Total Slave’ can be listened to here or at the band’s MySpace site www.myspace.com/fleshmadesin.
VOIVOD and DEATH DEALER will reunite for only one night for an historical event in Jonquière, Canada on July 4, 2009. After 25 years of distilling the spirit and the sound of the Jonquière Heavy Metal style throughout the world, the two bands will make this event a ‘return from the past’ with this symbolic and historic show. "This will be a fantastic reunion show with friends that night and the complete realisation of a show we expected to do in 1983 but never done…" said André Larouche, the lead vocalist and founder of DEATH DEALER. His band will officially open the evening at 19:30 playing ’till 21:00 and will then give the scene to VOIVOD closing the show at 23:00. The two bands are now preparing this memorial event in a way that fans will remember forever. More info at www.myspace.com/deathdealermemorialfourth
Konqueror Records has signed Italy’s old school Death Metallers ERODED. The band is said to be inspired by NIHILIST, AUTOPSY, CARNAGE and the DEMIGOD debut full length. A re-release of both their demos "Banner Of The Unrest Exile" and "Test The Grace Infliction" CD will be unleashed very soon. The coverart will be done by Adam Zaars (TRIBULATION). A release date will be announced shortly. For more info, check out www.myspace.com/konquerorrecords and www.myspace.com/eroded
Here’s an official statement from NEGURA BUNGET: "This has to be one of the most difficult messages to be written. We are sorry to announce that Hupogrammos and Sol Faur have ended their journey along NEGURA BUNGET. Our paths are now apart. We wish them all the best on their new endeavors (their new project will be announced at a later time). Meanwhile, a new NEGURA BUNGET line-up is assembled, which will continue the path started almost 15 years ago. Rest assure, we are keen to prove there is more to be said by this band, and we will work to fulfill our spiritual endeavor relentlessly. All NEGURA BUNGET scheduled plans (concerts, festivals, contracts with Aural Music / Code666 Records and Prophecy Productions / Lupus Lounge) will be completed in the new formula. New website and myspace page are developed and will soon be online." – Negru, of behalf of NEGURA BUNGET. The new official NEGURA BUNGET line-up is: Corb – guitars / vocals, Spin – guitars, Gadinet – bass, Inia Dinia – keyboards, Ageru Pamanatului – vocals / pipes / percussions / xylophone and Negru – drums / percussions. A word from Hupogrammos and Sol Faur: "We would like to thank everybody who supported and believed in NEGURA BUNGET and invite you to follow our further musical activities."
After the stunning success of their reunion shows in 2007 and a quickly sold-out 7" EP release in 2008, premier Dutch Death Metal act ASPHYX renewed its partnership with its long-time label Century Media Records and on June 22, 2009 the highly anticipated new studio album "Death…The Brutal Way" will be released in Europe. In the line-up consisting of Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass / vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar) and Bob Bagchus (drums), these old school Metal icons recorded "Death…The Brutal Way" at Sonic Assault Studio with Frank Klein Douwel. Afterwards, the album was mixed and mastered by the none less legendary Dan Swanö (Bloodbath, Edge Of Sanity etc.), who previously successfully worked on mixing the debut album by Hail Of Bullets, the band featuring ASPHYX vocalist Martin van Drunen and guitarist Paul. Transferring the band’s classic trademarks of doomy, macabre Death Metal into the year 2009, "Death…The Brutal Way" is easily the heaviest ASPHYX album to date and the first to feature the titanic roar of Martin van Drunen since 1992’s classic "The Last One On Earth". Drummer Bob Bagchus comments as follows: "We, ASPHYX, are proud to present that we just have refreshed the deal with our longtime label partner Century Media Records. We were one of their very first Death Metal signings in early 90s and we are very happy to see our new album, "Death… The Brutal Way", being released by this very label. We, ASPHYX, are very excited about our new record since it’s exactly, again, what we want to do as a band. It’s dark, it’s very heavy, it’s extremely krushing and, most importantly, it comes from our souls. Songs like ‘Asphyx II (They Died As They Marched)’ or ‘Bloodswamp’ are probably amongst the heaviest Death Metal monsters ever. Also we are looking forward to the album release show in Essen. It will be great to play monsters like ‘Black Hole Storm’, ‘Cape Horn’ and ‘Asphyx II (They Died As They Marched)’ and many more live on stage." Next to upcoming appearances at high-profile festivals like Deathfeast and With Full Force, ASPHYX have lined-up an exclusive album release club-show for "Death…The Brutal Way" on Saturday, July 4 at Turock in Essen, Germany. Support for this special event will come from fellow Metallers Desaster and Necros Christos. More details at www.turock.de. A demo version of the track ‘Death…The Brutal Way’ (which appeared on last year’s sold-out 7" released via Iron Pegasus) can be heard at the band’s official and newly re-designed MySpace page: www.myspace.com/officialasphyx. More details and online previews of the album will be available in the next days. Watch out!
THE SARCOPHAGUS have signed with Osmose Productions to release a vinyl 7"EP "Hate Cult"’ including 2 songs with Niklas Kvarforth on vocals. The release date will be anounced soon. News and more details on www.myspace.com/thesarcophagus
The new SHINING album "VI./ Klagopsalmer" will be released on June 15, 2009 as CD and gatefold double LP, limited colored LP and picture disc LP.
IMPALED NAZARENE‘s long time delayed, "Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz" and "Ugra Karma" will be re-issued as gatefold double 10” EPs limited to 700 copies each. The release date is set up for June 15, 2009. Side 3 and 4 on both album are complete with remastered live bonus tracks from the same period as the original recording sessions.
Netherland’s MELECHESH will play in Dubai on May 02, 2009 with the support of Jordanian oriental Dark Metal band BILOCATE and Lebanese extreme Metal band KAOTEON. The band commented this as follows: "We are very pleased to play in the middle east we constantly get fan mail and hear about how strong and great the scene is over there, this will mark our first middle eastern show with the exception of the gigs we did in "Holy Land", we feel this event has significance to us." More info at: www.sandstormfestival.com
This week MASTER’S HAMMER‘s vinyl box set will be available again through Osmose Productions in 4 different formats: golden vinyl with a purple and gold print cover, regular black vinyl with black and gold print cover, red vinyl with black and gold print cover and black vinyl with gold print cover and a huge Master’s Hammer flag.
Kneel Before The Master’s Throne have just re-released PENTACLE‘s 1998 album "Rides The Moonstorm" as a digipak containing a 16 pages booklet. The die hard edition comes with an awesome quality patch featuring the "Rides…" artwork (available from the label only). www.mastersthrone.de
Italian label Iron Tyrant Records has re-released MORTAL FUNGUS 7 songs debut "Back To The Lombrosary". You can visit Iron Tyrant webstore here. More info at the label’s official website: www.irontyrant.net
Issue 3 of CRYPTS OF ETERNITY fanzine is about to be released around end of May 2009. Featured interviews will be with names as BLASPHERIAN, DROWNED, FUNEBRARUM, GODLESS, GODLESS RISING, GOREAPHOBIA, GRAVEYARD, HATESPAWN, IGNIVOMOUS, IMPETUOUS RAGE, INCRUST, NECROVATION, UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN and VOIDS OF VOMIT. Besides that there’ll be countless reviews and a gig report of POSSESSED / SADISTIC INTENT / HEADHUNTER D.C. featured, too. Further information are available through lucasinhell@msn.com.
Belgium’s Detest Records are about to release the second demo tape of Finnland’s STENCH OF DECAY – "Where Death And Decay Reign" on May 9. According to the label the band plays "true Finnish Metal of Death in the vein of PURTENANCE, CARTILAGE, CONVULSE and the mighty DEMIGOD". Copies will be available at the KAAMOS gig in Berlin on May 9. An exclusive free promo tape will also be spread during the show. More info are to be found on www.detestrecords.com
The vinyl version of UNGOD‘s new MLP is out now. It comes as a limited edition of 500 copies (100 green vinyl and 400 black vinyl). The tracklist reads as follows: ‘Intro’, ‘(Dark) Tomb Of Ungod’, ‘Leathercunt’, ‘Dawn Of The Black Apocalypse’, ‘Heretical Hatespiting Supremacy’ and ‘Outro’. ‘Dawn Of The Black Apocalypse’ features guest vocals by Martin Missy (PROTECTOR), Hurricane (ZARATHUSTRA / HELLPIKE fanzine / Kneel Before The Master’s Throne Records) and Patrick "Traumatic" Kremer (ex-NEMA / ex-WITCHBURNER / Iron Bonehead Productions). The songs ‘(Dark) Tomb Of Ungod’ and ‘Dawn Of The Black Apocalypse’ will also appear as bonus tracks on the digipak re-release of the band’s 1993 debut album "Circle Of The Seven Infernal Pacts" (together with plenty of other bonusstuff) this summer. You can listen to the song ‘Heretical Hatespiting Supremacy’ at UNGOD’s myspace site www.myspace.com/ungodstomb. For ordering details check out www.mastersthrone.de