January 30, 2011
Finnish Black Metal band SATANIC WARMASTER have been removed from the French Hellfest Festival (held in Clisson, France in July 2011) because of pressure from other artists performing at the festival. The band has made the following statement due to the decision of the Hellfest organizers: "It has been brought to my attention, that the organizers of the festival cannot hold on to our agreement to have SATANIC WARMASTER perform at the 2011 Hellfest. This was because of pressure put to the organizers by other artists booked on the festival. It is a disappointment (despite being totally expected) to see such mentality still present in the ‘individualist’ and ‘free-thinking’ Metal community that any musical act can still be boycotted because of false preconceptions and arbitrary political motivations of other, ‘bigger’ artists. It is also more than amusing to see that the censorship and boycott some of the French authorities tried to push on the festival earlier are now excercised by the festival organization itself. Obviously because I have never upheld any modern taboos or lived my life as an apologetic dabbler, it makes me also a target for politically motivated artists to keep us from playing because of their self-righteous reasons. Any artist can be put on a mock trial by taking words out of their context without thinking of the actual message, and SATANIC WARMASTER once again hangs crucified by hysterics driven by the love for a world and values I feel no oneness with. Everyone who has even slightest interest in this musical style knows what Black Metal is about, and in that light only a moralist or someone with a very extreme double standard can say that SATANIC WARMASTER is in some manner different from other artists of the genre. It makes me want to puke for making a statement like this, which is almost something that a politician would do, but to clear some things, it was mandatory to bite the bullet this time. Just to make sure everyone has their labels right, SATANIC WARMASTER’s ideology is Satanism and music style Black Metal. Whoever claims otherwise does so only because of personal feelings and/or resentment."
AURORA BOREALIS have published an 11 minute preview of their new album "Timeline: The Beginning And End Of Everything" at this location. It marks the recording debut of drummer Mark Green and was recorded at Nightsky Studios, produced by the band’s guitarist / vocalist Ron Vento. It will consist of nine tracks and two narratives. The album is a conceptual effort that starts from the beginning of all existence and continues through until the very end of universe and the eventual retraction and rebirth of it all. It comes with a 12 page full color booklet featuring artwork by Ron Miller (production designer for the movie "Dune"). There will only be one pressing so pre-orders are being taken now. "Timeline: The Beginning And End Of Everything" will be released in mid February and will only be available through the band by paypal nrthfromhere@aol.com or by sending check or money order to Ron Vento 3432 Rockefeller CT Waldorf MD 20602 USA. There will also be a free download at www.auroraborealis.org. Here’s the full tracklist: ‘Our Legacy’, ‘Crucible Of Creation’, ‘Formation’, ‘Stygian Depths’, ‘A Creature Called Human (Among Other Things)’, ‘The Evolution After Evolution’, ‘The Only Space Race That Matters’, ‘Beyond The Oort Cloud’, ‘Tearing Holes In The Fabric Of Time’, ‘Prelude To Cessation’ and ‘The Rebirth’.