» News Archive February 2011

February 27, 2011

The vinyl re-edition of PANDEMONIUM‘s "Devilri" has officially been postponed to March 12, 2011. This will also have a more positive effect on the final version since all material that was sent in by the fans will be used and thus enrich the release. www.myspace.com/pandemonium_pl

THEVETAT is a new old school Death Metal band from New York. The line-up right now consists of Thomas Pioli (ex-CEREMONIUM, guitars), Craig Smilowski (ex-IMMOLATION / ex-GOREAPHOBIA, drums) and Mitch Coken (ex-ENGORGE, ex-DIABOLICUS, bass). A second guitarist and vocalist are still required. Any interested parties may contact Thomas for details at ceremonium@aol.com. In related news, the CEREMONIUM "Dreams We Have Written" discography album is now mastered, the layout has just been completed and will be released by Weird Truth Productions very soon. The band have created a myspace page to support its release www.myspace.com/ceremonium

MDD Records will release the new ABRASIVE CD "The Birth – Born In Sodom" on April 15, 2011. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘On My Face’, ‘Hate Us’, ‘Hungry’, ‘Porn Addicted’, ‘Unleash’, ‘The Other Side’, ‘Tales Of Lust’, ‘Wysiwyg’, ‘Still Standing (Pussyfied Pt. II)’, ‘Stimulate’ plus intro and outro. The cover will feature a painting by Bolek Budzyn (LOUDBLAST). More info at www.myspace.com/abrasiveger

Oulu, Finland based Death Metallers E-XPLOSIVES have just recorded their first two tracks of "relentless, punishing, hammering old school Death Metal assault," hoping to find a singer for the group. The band plans to record more music later in the year, this time in a professional studio. According to a press release, E-XPLOSIVES was formed during the summer of 2010 when "an unholy union of seasoned Death Metal warriors" was assembled by guitarists Risto "Crazy" Ruuth (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) and Jukka "Banjo" Valppu (ex-MYTHOS). Drummer Teemu "Blastbeat Menace" Hautaniemi (also ex-MYTHOS) was asked to join and brought bassist Sami "Coma" Kettunen (WARCEREMONY) along to the rehearsals. For more information visit www.e-xplosives.fi

February 26, 2011

Here’s an official statement of guitarist Juan Garcia about AGENT STEEL‘s cancellation at this year’s Keep It True festival: "We’d like to clarify false rumors in the press that state that Rick Mythiasin is the new singer of AGENT STEEL; that is not the case whatsoever; Rick filled in for John Cyriis for the inaugural 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise and did a tremendous job. When we reunited with original vocalist John Cyriis for Thrash Domination 2010 in Japan, our intention was that as long as things were moving in a positive working direction that we would forge ahead and perform reunion shows in 2011. As of now, we have reached the inevitable fork in the road; having worked unimaginably hard into making this recent reunion a solid reality, a difficult situation has turned much more complicated which has forced the cancellation of AGENT STEEL at the Keep It True Festival in Germany this upcoming April. As a symbol of dedication to the fans, the music, and the A S legacy alike, we are excited to announce that the organizer of this festival has invited the band members to still perform, but under a different moniker, and singer Rick Mythiasin has been officially invited as the vocalist to join us onstage, once again, devastate all that witness."

HEADHUNTER D.C. will enter the studio to record their new album "…In Unholy Mourning…" on February 28, 2011. The follow up to "God’s Spreading Cancer…" will be recorded at Studio 60 in Salvador, Bahia, where the band had already recorded the MORTEM cover song ‘Summoned To Hell’ for the tribute album on Heavier Records. "…In Unholy Mourning…" will feature 9 songs and one intro – the full tracklisting will soon be revealed. The band has not signed a deal for the release of the upcoming album yet (which they hope to see out later in the first half of 2011), although there are already some offers. Labels interested can get in touch through the band’s email puredeathcult@hotmail.com. The album will mark the debut appearance of new guitarist George Lessa. More info you may find on the band’s MySpace page www.myspace.com/headhunterdc

Bazillion Points Books has revealed the final cover artwork for METALION: The Slayer Mag Diaries, a 744-page hardcover journey into Black Metal, Death Metal and beyond by Norway’s Jon Kristiansen. "The greatest Heavy Metal story ever told" will be available on June 06, 2011 and is available for preorder now with two bonus limited patches at this location. Part anthology, part memoir and years in the making, METALION includes over 600 reproduction pages from every issue of Slayer Mag, spanning from the early 1980s through 2010. In addition, author Jon Kristiansen recounts his life’s story, from alienated outsider to central figure in Norwegian Black Metal to world-weary Metal survivor. The book also features over 100 rare photographs, including two color sections and a portrait gallery of photographs taken by Kristiansen himself. The combination of archival material includes scores of interviews with the most revered figures in extreme Metal, including MAYHEM, EMPEROR, SLAYER, KREATOR, NIHILIST, CELTIC FROST, BATHORY, CATHEDRAL, ENTOMBED, MORBID, NAPALM DEATH, METALLICA, OPETH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SADISTIK EXECUTION, USURPER, NIFELHEIM, DARKTHRONE, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, EXODUS, DISSECTION, CANDLEMASS, CARCASS, SEPULTURA, GORGOROTH, DEATH, WATAIN, SADUS, SATYRICON, ENSLAVED, PENTAGRAM, JARBOE, IMMORTAL, POSSESSED, OVERKILL, ULVER, DARK ANGEL and countless others. "From the start, I made Slayer Mag as honestly and as well as I could," says Kristiansen. "I never knew any other way. I hope that I have produced something that will stand the test of time."

England’s very own HELLBASTARD are set to embark on their first tour of the UK / Eire since the very early 1990s. Support comes from the PANZERBASTARD and SUICIDE WATCH. You can check out the tourdates here. HELLBASTARD have released their newest album "The Need To Kill" and mini-album "Eco-War" on Selfmadegod Records back in 2009.

NILE’s Karl Sanders will be a part of the new NERVECELL album "Psychogenocide", contributing guest vocals to the song ‘Shunq (To The Despaired?King Of Darkness)’. This particular song is special to the band as it will mark the first extreme Metal track ever to include both Arabic lyrics mixed in with English lyrics. The word "Shunq" in Arabic has two meanings: to choke or to be hung by the neck. The song consists mainly of ideas and knowledge gathered from sources that speak about Lucifer and the demons that serve him. ‘Shunq (To The Despaired?King Of Darkness)’ speaks about the battle of humans and these demons in reality, in the end Satan himself brought forth to justice. The complete tracklist of the album is: ‘Anemic Assurgency’, ‘Upon An Epidemic Scheme’, ‘All Eyes On Them’, ‘Amok Doctrine’, ‘Psychogenocide’, ‘Imprint’, ‘????? ˆ Shunq (To The Despaired?King Of Darkness)’, ‘The Taste Of Betrayal’, ‘Driven By Nescience’ and ‘Nation’s Plague’. "Psychogenocide" is scheduled for release on Spellbind Records on March 31, 2011 in the Middle East and Lifeforce Records on April 29, 2011 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and on May 02, 2011 in the rest of Europe and the UK. The CD cover artwork was designed by Björn Goosses of Killustrations (ABORTED, SEVERE TORTURE, ZYKLON) and is a concept, which NERVECELL has been working on for quite a while. The band is said to be "extremely proud of how it has turned out" as it "perfectly matches the aggression and musical direction of the new album." The follow-up to NERVECELL’s 2008’s "Preaching Venom", "Psychogenocide" is scheduled to be mixed and mastered at Hertz Studios (BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED, VADER) in Bialystok, Poland by the Wieslawscy Bros. For all further info check out www.myspace.com/nervecell

HAVOK will be releasing their new full-length album "Time Is Up" on March 29, 2011 via Candlelight Records. The follow-up to their "Burn" album was mastered by James Murphy and features ten tracks. www.myspace.com/havok

February 25, 2011

OBSCURA has posted a second preview track, ‘Vortex Omnivium’, from their forthcoming album "Omnivium" online now at Metalinjection.net. The band had previously already posted the album opener ‘Septuagint’ via the band’s official myspace and facebook pages. "Omnivium", the follow-up to the band’s "Cosmogenesis" album, will see its international release on April 04, 2011 on CD, double LP and digitally. Two versions of the CD are available for pre-order now including the standard and limited deluxe version that comes in a digipak with extra bonus track, embroidered OBSCURA patch, guitar pick, and an album cover sticker. More information on the deluxe version can be found here. A deluxe digital edition is also available now via iTunes that includes a bonus track and digital booklet. The "Omnivium" artwork was designed and laid out by Orion Landau (DYING FETUS, HIGH ON FIRE, ORIGIN) and can be seen in detail at this location. Additionally, OBSCURA has announced their first tour in support of "Omnivium" will be a four-week European tour alongside HATE ETERNAL, BENEATH THE MASSACRE and more. This tour kicks-off in late April and includes a performance on the annual Neurotic Deathfest in Tilburg, Netherlands on April 30, 2011 and follows OBSCURA’s first hometown show in four years on March 06, 2011 in Landshut, Germany.

In May 2011 KRISIUN, will return to Stage-One Studios in Bühne, Germany, to begin the recording of their 8th full-length release. The album will be produced once again by their long time friend and producer Andy Classen, who previously worked with the band on the albums "Conquerors Of Armageddon" (1999), "AssasiNation" (2005) and "Southern Storm" (2008). The album is tentatively due in the fall 2011. Shortly after the recordings, KRISIUN will kick off their European Summer tour in Austria at the Metalfest on May 27, 2011. During the summer months, the band will be playing a number of open air festivals and club gigs all over Europe and will be appearing at some of the most renowned European Metal festivals like Hellfest (France), Deathfeast (Germany), GDL (Portugal), Metalfest (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary), Gahlen Moscht Festival (Germany) and more dates in Italy, Holla, Pola, Belgium. On the first part of their massive touring schedule the band will join forces with KATAKLYSM, and for the second part they will team up with. The band will be playing some of the new stuff off the new album, to give fans a taste of what’s about to come. More dates and news will soon be announced.

TRIPTYKON‘s Tom Gabriel Warrior has recently been announced to present an exhibition of his selected art as part of the Inferno Metal Festival in Lausanne, Switzerland starting on February 25, 2011. The exhibition for his "Death Mask Project" is entitled "Antecedent Death – The Aesthetics of Mortality", will take place at Lausanne’s "Uniquement Votre" (www.uniquementvotre.ch) and promises to be a very special way to enhance the festival’s atmosphere, while bands like ENSLAVED, ROTTING CHRIST, WATAIN, SHINING or NEGURA BUNGET will be performing live shows at "Les Docks" during the first Swiss edition of the Inferno Metal Festival. More information about the festival can be found here. TRIPTYKON’s video clip for the title track of their latest EP release, ‘Shatter’, is based on a concept devised by Tom Gabriel Warrior and directed and filmed by Philipp Hirsch of Film-M (www.film-m.de) and can be seen here.

February 24, 2011

Cyclone Empire has set April 15, 2011 as the release-date for "Death Infernal", the third full-length by Sweden’s DEMONICAL. The album will be released as a limited digipak CD, regular CD and limited LP. Once again the band recorded at Necromorbus Studios with vocalist Mr. Sverker Widgren behind the knobs. The album will feature eleven tracks, including a cover by Emperor. The full tracklisting reads like this: ‘The Arrival Of Armageddon’, ‘Return In Flesh’, ‘Black Inferno’, ‘Ravenous’, ‘March For Victory’, ‘Through Hellfire’, ‘All Will Perish (The Final Liberation)’, ‘Slain Warriors’, ‘Darkness Awaits’, ‘From Northern Shores’ and ‘Night Of The Graveless Souls’ (the latter two are bonus tracks on the digipak and vinyl versions). The track ‘March For Victory’ can be streamed as a "pre-video" and MP3 here. More DEMONICAL info at www.myspace.com/thedemonicalhorde

DECAPITATED are currently at Radio Gdansk Studio in Poland recording their Nuclear Blast debut and follow-up to 2006’s "Organic Hallucinosis". The band’s fifth studio album is being produced by Wacek Kieltyka and sound engineered by Malta Arkadiusz Malczewski. Drums have been recorded with Daniel Bergstrand (BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, DEFLESHED), who is also handling mixing duties.

Legendary British Occult Metal Act HELL will release the first single from their forthcoming album "Human Remains" (out on Nuclear Blast, May 13, 2011). Entitled "Save Us From Those Who Would Save Us", the track is the new album recording of the bands original single released in 1983. The single will contain the tracks ‘Save Us From Those Who Would Save Us’ and on the B-Side ‘On Earth As It Is In Hell’, for which the band recently shot a video with director Kristian Havard of Visual Concepts UK. The single will be released digitally and on picture vinyl, limited to 666 copies, on March 04, 2011. The band also launched a new website at www.hell-metal.com

The next acts for the NEUROTIC DEATHFEST line-up are BENIGHTED, BIRDFLESH, BLOOD RED THRONE and INCANTATION. Unfortunately General Surgery had to cancel their appearance, as they stepped off the planned tour with Macabre. BIRDFLESH is their replacement. This leaves us with one more very special act to be announced soon. www.neuroticdeathfest.com

February 23, 2011

Sweden’s Death Metallers FERAL will release their debut full-length "Dragged To The Altar" through Ibex Moon Records on April 26, 2011. It is the follow up to their 2009 EP, "Welcome To The Graveyard". Footage of FERAL in the studio can be found at this location and the video for ‘Welcome To The Graveyard’ here. The tracklist of the album reads like this: ‘Once Inside The Tomb’, ‘Altar Of Necromancy’, ‘Judas’, ‘Welcome To The Graveyard’, ‘Howling’, ‘The Deathbog’, ‘Graverobber’, ‘The Curse Of The Casket’, ‘Behead The Crucifix’, ‘Malevolent Summoning’ and ‘Outro’. In support of the album FERAL will join DEMONICAL, ARROGANZ and GLORIA MORTI (on selected dates) for the "Death Infernal Tour" across the European countryside this May. Vocalist Hook had this to say about it: "We are thrilled to hit the road with one of our favorite bands from Sweden right now, there is no doubt that we will have a complete blast with DEMONICAL and the rest of the line-up. We are also looking forward to finally get a chance to promote our album "Dragged To The Altar" that will be released before the tour. Europe should best prepare itself, because in early May we will open the gates and let the Death Metal flow!" You’ll find the dates here. All further info at www.myspace.com/feralswe

The recording session of the fifth, as of yet untitled, AZARATH album took place in January and February at Hertz Studio (VADER, BEHEMOTH, LOST SOUL). The music was composed and arranged by Inferno and Bart, while Necrosodom wrote all the lyrics. Some song titles are ‘Behold The Satan’s Sword’, ‘Under The Will Of The Lord’, ‘Deathstorms Raid The Earth’ and ‘Lucifer’s Rising’. The album will be released on June 06, 2011 by Witching Hour Productions. Recently AZARATH underwent some personal changes: Necrosodom (guitar and vocals) was replaced Bruno and the bass duties are now handled by P. Before the release of the full length album Witching Hour will release an EP entitled "Holy Possession", which consists of the title track and a cover of DAMNATION’s ‘Rebel Souls’. It will be available as CD and 7" EP on April 10, 2011. The CD edition will be limited to 666 copies and the 7" EP to 333 copies (white vinyl with a metal sleeve, also containing a poster and badge). www.myspace.com/azarath666

Metal Swamp in co-operation with Tryzna Production will be releasing an EMPEROR tribute entitled "In Honour Of Icon E" later this year. The following bands will appear on it: TAAKE, HELHEIM, TROLL, HORNA, SETHERIAL, DEMONICAL, SALTUS, MESMERIZED, NECRODEATH, MIDNIGHT ODYSSEY, SILVA NIGRA, INFER, ANCESTRAL VOLKHVES and KARPATHIA. For more info or updates check out www.myspace.com/tryznaproduction or www.myspace.com/metalswamplabel

New Jersey based Death Metallers DISMA are currently in the studio recording their as of yet untitled debut full length album for a late spring release through Canada’s Profound Lore Records. The album will feature a total of 8 tracks (old and new songs), while the artwork will once again be handled by artist and Swedish old school Death Metaller Ola Larsson. Furthermore two DISMA 7" EPs will be coming out soon as well: "The Manifestation" on Necroharmonic Recordss (featuring a track that will not be on the album) and a split 7" with Finnish Death Metallers WINTERWOLF. Again, the artwork for both 7"es will be done by Ola Larsson. For more info head to www.myspace.com/dismadeathmetal

February 22, 2011

Tarot Productions will be releasing "Merauderz Of The Monolith – The Omega Chapter", the debut album by Dutch Black Thrashers TYRANTZ EMPIRE. The CD was mixed and mastered at Andy La Rocque’s Sonic Train studio in Varberg, Sweden. The band just issued the following statement: "Our objective is to combine the classic warrior-like sound of Black Metal (era 1992) riffing with merciless Thrash assaults based around 21st century technology. Our lyrics and themes are bound by our surrender to dark energies of anti-cosmic, LSD driven rituals combined with patterns of chaos. This Black / Thrash conjuration will burn your skin, rape your soul and should take you deep into the sinister evolved regions of the human psyche." For more information visit www.myspace.com/tyrantzempire

IMPIETY have just released a three-song mini CD entitled "Advent Of…" through Pulverised Records. It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Music City Studios in Montebelluna, Italy on January 2011, while the cover artwork was designed and done by Thai artist Lord Sickness and the album layout by Polish artist Lord Perversor. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Advent Of The Nuclear Baphomet’, ‘Ave Satanas’ and ‘Blood Ritual Defamation’. More IMPIETY info at www.myspace.com/impietyofficial

February 18, 2011

DEMONICAL will head out on the "Death Infernal" headlining tour across Europe during May. Support will come from Swedish Death Metallers FERAL and German Black / Death Metallers ARROGANZ. GLORIA MORTI (Death Metal from Finland) will join as special guests on the first nine shows. The exact dates you’ll find here.

February 17, 2011

ROTTEN SOUND has debuted the video for ‘Hollow’, taken from their forthcoming album "Cursed", online now at the Decibel Magazine blog. It was directed by Casper Haugegaard for Jawbreaker Productions. ROTTEN SOUND has previously posted the live video for ‘Self’, also taken from "Cursed", online at this location. The ‘Self’ video was filmed by Rami Kallio at ROTTEN SOUND’s show at Vastavirta in Tampere, Finland. The video uses the album version of ‘Self’ that features guest vocals from VICTIMS’ Johan Eriksoon. "Cursed" will see its worldwide (excluding Finland) release on March 15th via Relapse Records on CD, LP and digitally. The CD is available for pre-order now at this location and a deluxe digital version that includes two bonus tracks and digital booklet is available for pre-order at iTunes. "Cursed", the follow-up to 2008’s "Cycles", was recorded at Nordic Audio Labs. Lyrically, the 16-track album is themed around the six curses of mankind. Additionally ROTTEN SOUND announced a headlining European tour in support of "Cursed" in April. This month-long tour will include TRAP THEM, GAZA, THE KANDIDATE and HAUST.

February 16, 2011

SLAYER have recruited Gary Holt from EXODUS, to fill in temporarily for Jeff Hanneman who is currently recovering from a surgery. Holt will join Tom Araya, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo on their five-date Australian Soundwave Festival tour that begins February 26. Hanneman underwent emergency surgery on his right arm late last month after contracting a serious infection, possibly caused by a spider bite. He is now recuperating at home and is expected to make a full recovery. He will return to the SLAYER line-up as soon as he has fully recovered. While Hanneman’s doctors were not able to definitively identify the infection’s origin, they diagnosed necrotizing fasciitis, an infection caused by bacteria. According to WebMD, necrotizing fasciitis can destroy skin, fat, and the tissue covering the muscles. The disease sometimes is called "flesh-eating" bacteria. "Jeff is our brother, we’ve all been friends and together as a band for almost 30 years", said Araya, "so we just want him to completely recover as soon as possible." "After everything that happened last year", King added, "we all agreed that we just can’t let our fans down again", referring to Araya’s severe back and neck pain that prompted his January 2010 surgery, unfortunately leading to the band’s postponement or cancellation of numerous shows in 2009 and 2010. "Jeff is totally on board with this decision, so we will tour as planned. At this point, we can’t pinpoint exactly what day he’ll be back, but he’ll be back as soon as he possibly can. And we can’t wait for Jeff to get better and get his ass back on the road."

Spain’s AVULSED are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. During the first half of the year a total of 18 songs (taken from all their albums) will be re-recorded for a CD entitled "Fleshcube". Instead of just doing a compilation with the original recordings, the band decided to re-record all these songs with the current line-up, the current guitar sound (way heavier than before), their current drummer (who has empowered the playing of the songs) and in general, the usual modifications that each song suffers after being played for years and years. A special limited edition will be released, most probably a box containing a double CD, exclusive shirt, stickers, photos and other goodies, limited to the first ones to come, but it’s still undecided how it’ll be. AVULSED will also be presenting "Fleshcube" live after its release, planned sometime after the summer. They are furthermore working on new tunes for their 6th full length album tentatively to be recorded in 2012 with the working title of "Ritual Zombi". In late 2010, AVULSED furthermore recorded a cover of BLACK SABBATH’s ‘Neon Knights’ for an upcoming double CD in tribute to Ronnie James Dio, including some of the most relevant Spanish Metal bands. AVULSED is the only Death Metal band on this compilation. For more details and new merchandise check out www.avulsed.com.

February 15, 2011

GOD DETHRONED have decided to split-up. Here’s an official statement from Henri: "2011 is GOD DETHRONED’s final year in existance. We could have spent another year in a tourbus because the amount of offers was endless, but I just don’t feel like touring anymore. People told me to take a break for a year or maybe two, but as I’m an "all, or nothing at all" type of person, I decided to call it quits. Not immediately, but in December of this year we will definitely play our last show. That’s gonna be at the Eindhoven Metal Meeting in Holland. I’m very proud of what we achieved with the band, but the time has come for new challenges. I would like to thank all of our fans for their support for all these years."

In June 2010, CORONER eventually decided to reunite and play at the next year’s installments of Hellfest Summer Open Air and Maryland Death Fest. The band was asked if they were planning to write a new album. Guitarist Tommy Vetterli replied, "you know, making a new album is kind of difficult… well, you never know. Maybe after four or five shows we’ll get into it and say, ‘Hey! Let’s do an album!’ Nobody knows what’s going to happen. We don’t have a master plan."

February 11, 2011

United Guttural Records will release VOLTURYON‘s second full length album "Coordinated Mutilation" on February 25, 2011. The album was recorded at Black Lounge and Abyss Studio by Jonas Kjellgren (Carnal Forge, Scar Symmetry, Centinex). The artwork comes from Polish artist Lukasz Jaszak who is known for his previous works, which include the Lords of Chaos book cover and album covers from artists like Blood Red Throne and Witchmaster. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Bloodsoaked Solution’, ‘Savage Gluttony’, ‘Eight Corner Of Slaughter’, ‘Euphoria Through Execution’, ‘Ravaged’, ‘Coordinated Mutilation’, ‘Abide Under Eminence’, ‘Sadistic Molestation’, ‘Sanguinolency’ and ‘Intense Convulsions’. Samples can be heard at www.myspace.com/volturyon. To celebrate the album release VOLTURYON will be hosting a release party in their hometown of Falun at Club Hellmer. The event will be limited to 80 pre-sold tickets that include entrance to the party, a copy of the new album and food. There will also be a lottery held with several prizes, including a chance to win a ticket to a local festival Rockstad Falun (www.rockstadfalun.se). For tickets and more info regarding pre-sales please visit www.volturyon.net or email the band booking@volturyon.net. Supporting VOLTURYON at the gig will be fellow Swedes IKHON (www.myspace.com/ikhonmusic).

The latest additions to the billing of the PARTY.SAN OPEN AIR FESTIVAL 2011 include DEW-SCENTED, ABSU, PUTERAEON, ABORTED, WITCHBURNER, SKELETONWITCH, DECAPITATED, DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT and URGEHAL. www.party-san.de

February 10, 2011

"777 – Sect(s)", BLUT AUS NORD‘s follow-up of "Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue With The Stars" album from 2009 will be released via Debemur Morti Productions on April 18, 2011. www.blutausnord.com

February 09, 2011

Australia’s Black / Thrashers ASSAULTER have just completed their second full length "Boundless", the follow-up to 2008’s "Salvation Like Destruction". Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Entrance’, ‘Outshine’, ‘Into Submission’, ‘Slave To King’, ‘The Perpetual War’, ‘Exalt The Master’, ‘Dying Day’ and ‘The Great Subterfuge’. The album will be released as a digipak CD on Alan Nemtheanga’s Poison Tongue Records through Metal Blade Records on March 11, 2011 in Europe. More info at www.myspace.com/burningfront, www.foadrecords.it

February 06, 2011

MASTER will be on a U.S. headlining tour next month, starting on March 01 in Fredrick, Maryland and coming to a close on April 03 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band will be joined by Los Angeles Black Metallers Lightning Swords Of Death and Ohio Thrashers Mobile Deathcamp. Paul Speckmann commented the tour like this: "Looking forward to bringing MASTER Metal back to the USA and sharing a few new tracks from "The Human Machine" as well as playing the classics once again for you! MASTER guitarist Alex Nejezchleba and Peter Bajci from the Czech Republic will be joining me on the American trek. MASTER your own Destiny." MASTER released their tenth studio album, "The Human Machine", last May via Singapore’s Pulverised Records.

February 05, 2011

Around 1984 / 1985 an Italian Black / Thrash band called GHOSTRIDER released some demos and split-up shortly after. Out of their ashes NECRODEATH was born… Now, beginning of 2011, GHOSTRIDER have returned to the scene. 11 new studio songs, including revisited versions of their 1984 classics ‘The Exorcist’, ‘Curse Of Valle Christi’, ‘Doomed To Serve The Devil’, ‘Victims Of Necromancy’, as well as some brand new tracks and a cover of ONSLAUGHT’s classic ‘Power From Hell’ were recorded for their debut full length album "The Return Of The Ghost" which was just released through F.O.A.D. Records. Musically GHOSTRIDER is supposed to be for fans of VENOM, HELLHAMMER, early BATHORY, early SODOM, early KREATOR or early NECRODEATH. A promotional video can be watched here. For all further information go to February 06, 2011MASTER will be on a U.S. headlining tour next month, starting on March 01 in Fredrick, Maryland and coming to a close on April 03 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band will be joined by Los Angeles Black Metallers Lightning Swords Of Death and Ohio Thrashers Mobile Deathcamp. Paul Speckmann commented the tour like this: "Looking forward to bringing MASTER Metal back to the USA and sharing a few new tracks from "The Human Machine" as well as playing the classics once again for you! MASTER guitarist Alex Nejezchleba and Peter Bajci from the Czech Republic will be joining me on the American trek. MASTER your own Destiny." MASTER released their tenth studio album, "The Human Machine", last May via Singapore’s Pulverised Records.

February 04, 2011

Peaceville Records will re-release some classic albums in early 2011, including GEHENNA‘s "WW" (+ 3 bonus tracks) on February 28, DARKTHRONE‘s "Total Death" (plus bonus track and extra commentary disc) on March 14, DODHEIMSGARD (DHG)‘s "666 International" and the split album THORNS V EMPEROR (+ bonus tracks) on March 21 as well as BEHEMOTH‘s "Demigod" album as a CD / DVD with deluxe packaging on March 28.

On April 29 & 30, 2011 the NEUROTIC DEATHFEST will once again take place at Tilburg’s 013 club. Earlier on the organisation already confirmed heavyweights such as AT THE GATES, AUTOPSY, ATHEIST, EXHUMED, HATE ETERNAL, MISERY INDEX and DECAPITATED. This time another seven names are confirmed, including OBITUARY, MASTER and AEON. Other newly confirmed bands are AEON, BENEATH, CEREBRAL BORE, SOUTHWICKED and VISCERA TRAIL. There will be a total of 42 bands set to appear, meaning there are still 9 bands to be announced, which will happen very soon. Keep checking www.neuroticdeathfest.com and www.013.nl for program updates as well as other updates.

This March, Dark Descent Records will release an LP featuring newly recorded ADVERSARIAL material along with the original "Thralls" demo material (released by Blood Harvest in 2008). This LP / CD will be titled "Prophetic Plain Of Abyssal Revelation" and will contain the three "Thralls" demo tracks in their original recorded state, two unreleased tracks and two cover songs. The two cover tracks are INCANTATION’s ‘A Once Holy Throne’ and ARCHGOAT’s ‘The Light Devouring Darkness’, which can be heard by visiting this location. The full tracklisting reads like this: ‘Scourge Of A World Ablaze’, ‘A Hatred Tempered And Trialed’, ‘Thralls’, ‘Prophetic Plain Of Abyssal Revelation’, ‘Impending Eternal Blackness’, The Light Devouring Darkness’ (ARCHGOAT cover) and ‘A Once Holy Throne’ (INCANTATION cover). More info at www.myspace.com/adversarialmusic

Holland’s PENTACLE and LA, California’s SADISTIC INTENT will both record brand new material for an upcoming split release on Iron Pegasus Records, to be released sometime in 2011.

February 03, 2011

Finnish old school Thrashers BLOODRIDE are going to release their debut album titled "Crowned In Hell" through Violent Journey Records on March 23, 2011. The album was recorded and mixed at D-Studios by Tonmi Lillman and the cover art was done by Jan "Örkki" Yrlund from Darkgrove Design. Tapio Wilska (SURVIVORS ZERO, ex – FINTROLL) lended his voice to couple of tracks. More info and sound samples at www.myspace.com/bloodride666

February 02, 2011

The fourth full length album, "The Van Murders", by Sweden’s old school Death Metal machine RIBSPREADER will be released on April 25, 2011 through Vic Records. Band leader Rogga expressed it as: "Dirty simple old school Death Metal, no frills and lots of chills." RIBSPREADER is one of Rogga Johansson longest lasting bands and "The Van Murders" is a concept album about two killers named The Cleaner and Mr Filth. The cover art was done by Turkka Rantanen (THE GROTESQUERY, DEMILECH, DEMIURG) and the album was mixed / mastered by Patrick Bruss (IMPETIGO, DETERIOROT) at the Filth Chamber in Denver, Colorado, USA, who also performed lead guitars on this album. One of the new songs, ‘Cadaver Disposal’, can already be checked out at RIBSPREADER’s official MySpace page www.myspace.com/ribspreaderofficial.

"Death Meditations", the third full length album by Swedish Black / Death Metallers TORCHBEARER will also be released by Vic Records on April 25, 2011. The bad was formed by Christian Älvestam (ex – Scar Symmetry) in 2003 and released two albums so far (on Metal Blade and Regain Records). "Death Meditations" was produced by Plec Johansson (WATAIN, SCAR SYMMETRY, SOLUTION .45, MISERATION), the album’s artwork was done by Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, IMMOLATION, MALEVOLENT CREATION). Here’s a statement from Christian Älvestam: "For me "Death Meditations" represents everything that is TORCHBEARER – Speed! Power! Melody! Aggression! All wrapped up in a striking production and marked by the philosophy of Hagakure! To me "Death Meditations" is the ultimate TORCHBEARER experience – so far!" "Death Meditations" is a concept album based on the philosophy of Hagakure – the way of the samurai. It’s not about samurai warriors though. It’s about the thoughts and ideas portrayed in the book Hagakure. A true philosophy of life. ‘Coffin-Shaped Heart’ – a brand new song, from the album can be heard exclusively at the band’s Facebook page.

Serbian blackened Death Metallers BANE have announced that they will be joining SVART CROWN for the ‘Black The Balkans’ European tour this March in support of their full-length debut "Chaos, Darkness, Emptiness". The tour includes two dates with Bulgarian Black Metal outfit DIMHOLT. The band will be announcing a new line-up in the near future. You find the dates here. "Chaos, Darkness, Emptiness" will be released on digi-CD this month via Abyss Records. Guest appearances include Jb of Svart Crown, Deimoz of The Revenge Project and Nocturnal of Shadowdream. The Abyss Records version will also feature a cover of DARK FUNERAL’s ‘The Dawn No More Rises’. www.myspace.com/baneband

US Black Metallers SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY have made the 11+ minute song ‘To Glisten In All The Colors Of Distress’ available for streaming at this location. It is taken from their upcoming new album "Dark Meditations In Monastic Seclusion", to be released on February 12, 2011. The band’s musical influences include King Crimson, Death In June, Emperor, Darkthrone, Kate Bush, Immolation, Agalloch, Dawn, Neurosis, Morbid Angel and many others. More info at www.myspace.com/shroudofdespondency

February 01, 2011

INCANTATION have been announced for The Underground Unleashed 2011 Festival, which is set to take place September 30 – October 02, 2011 in Darjeeling, India. INCANTATION founder / guitarist / vocalist, John McEntee had the following to say about the fest: "The rest of INCANTATION and I are all excited beyond words about playing this year’s Underground Unleashed Festival. This will be the band’s first trip to India so we’re really looking forward to bringing our brutality to the hordes of fans over there. Heads will bang and skulls will split when Incantation invades India!!" McEntee’s label, Ibex Moon Records, will be an official sponsor of the festival. In other INCANTATION news, McEntee recently hooked up with guitarist Alex Bouks (GOREAPHOBIA) and bassist Chuck Sherwood to plant the seeds for what will become the band’s highly-anticipated next album. Drummer Kyle Severn will join the fray in the coming weeks to contribute to the writing process. Though in its earliest stages, the new material promises to be the heaviest and sickest of the band’s storied career. More info at www.incantation.com

Bassist Terry Butler (SIX FEET UNDER, OBITUARY, DEATH, MASSACRE) has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.net: "I would just like to put it out there that Greg Gall (drums) and I have parted ways with SIX FEET UNDER. As many of you know, I have been helping OBITUARY out on bass over the past year and now will be officially joining them as a permanent band member. Being in SIX FEET UNDER for 16 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of our dedicated fans and have made many friends along the way. I hope to see you out there! I wish nothing but the best for Chris Barnes (vocals) and Steve Swanson (guitar) in their future with SIX FEET UNDER." SIX FEET UNDER’s "Wake The Night! Live In Germany" DVD was released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and will be released today, February 01, in North America via Metal Blade Records. The set consists footage of the band’s August 8, 2009 performance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9. To make the purchase even more attractive, the initial European pressing includes the digipak version of the latest SIX FEET UNDER covers album, "Graveyard Classics III". The DVD is being released on mid-price and the bonus CD does not cost a penny extra! This release and the attached price strategy is a big thank you from Barnes and his gang to all their loyal fans.

Swedish old school Death Metallers MIASMAL have revealed the artwork for their self-titled full-length debut. The album will be released on CD by Dark Descent Records and given the vinyl treatment by Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo. The CD version will contain eight brand new tracks as well as six bonus tunes taken from the band’s sold-out demo recording and 7" EP. MIASMAL is currently wrapping things up in the studio and are planning for an April 2011 release. In other MIASMAL news, the band is currently gearing up for their first US tour, set to kick off this May. Appearances at Maryland Death Fest and Chaos In Tejas (which runs June 02 – June 05 in Austin, TX) are already confirmed. More tour dates coming soon. www.myspace.com/miasmalband