» News Archive March 2011

March 29, 2011

A new, limited edition 3-CD set from British Grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH is out now in Europe for the price of just one regular CD. This new set features NAPALM DEATH’s final three and formerly out of print Earache releases "Inside The Torn Apart", "Words From The Exit Wound" and "Breed To Breathe". The CDs come in individual jewel cases with the original, full booklets, and are all housed together in a slipcase sleeve. The 3-disc set features 30 tracks and a total running time of almost 2 hours. Also available now is another recently released 3-CD value set featuring "Diatribes", "Greed Killing" and "Bootlegged In Japan". NAPALM DEATH’s "Live At Rock City" is available now on iTunes as part of Earache’s INTO THE PIT live series, featuring 27 tracks from a classic NAPALM DEATH show in Nottingham, UK in 1989. Get the live album now exclusively on iTunes. For more NAPALM DEATH news and info go to www.myspace.com/napalmdeath.

BORKNAGAR have signed a 3 album deal with Century Media Records. The band is currently working on material for a new album, at this point roughly scheduled to be released in early 2012. Øystein G. Brun comments: "Well, sometimes life takes slightly unexpected yet great turns! Due to internal business affairs the deal with Indie Recordings was mutually terminated by both parties in January 2011. Since then we have been negotiating a possible re-signing with Century Media Records. While you are reading this, Jens F. Ryland and I are at the headquarters of CMR in Dortmund to ink a new deal with our old partners in crime. If feels very good to be back in the fold of the mighty Century family – there is simply no team – no label alike. Thanks to Jens Preuter (head A&R) we have worked out and landed a deal that we are 110% sure will serve the future endeavors of BORKNAGAR in the best possible and most potent way. We share so much history with CMR and we are now preparing to create more musical history for the future to come – together with our friends at the Century family!"

ABORTED will begin recording their seventh full length album from June onwards at Hansen Studios with producer Jacob Hansen (INVOCATOR, HATESPHERE, VOLBEAT). The album will be entitled "Global Flatline" and contain 12 tracks with additional bonus material featured on limited editions. The artwork will once again be handled by Justin Osbourne who has already worked with the band on their 2010 EP "Coronary Reconstruction". Since 2011 marks the ten year anniversary of ABORTED’s "Engineering The Dead" record, the band decided to re-record two tracks of the album as part of the bonus material for "Global Flatline". You can vote for your favorite "Engineering The Dead" songs on the band’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/abortedofficial. Vocalist Sven de Caluwé comments: "We are thrilled to be finally recording "Global Flatline" and have the material out there. It is exciting in many ways, one being that this might be one of the most important records in ABORTED’s career. We really took our time in composing the most heavy and uncompromising material the band has written to date. Some of the material is faster than ever, some of the material is slower than ever, some old school and some new school, inspired by all eras of ABORTED, yet still sounding unique on its own. Writing this record definitely took us back to the roots of why we started playing this kind of music in the first place, the passion and adrenaline you get from playing extreme Metal. Obviously it just isn’t a carbon copy of "Goremageddon" or "Engineering The Dead" or anything: there are plenty of new elements as well since we never believe in writing the same record. Those who checked out "Coronary Reconstruction" have had a small taste of what’s to come and we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed with "Global Flatline"! We are also very excited to be working again with Jacob Hansen, the man who produced "Goremageddon" and "The Haematobic" EP and it was always a pleasure to work with him then, so this should be a blast." More ABORTED at www.goremageddon.be

March 28, 2011

MARDUK just finished the recordings of 3 songs for an upcoming EP entitled "Iron Dawn", set to be released on the same day as the bands appearance at the Maryland Deathfest on May 27, 2011 (rest of the world May 30, 2011). Here’s the tracklist: ‘Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon’, ‘Wacht Am Rhein: Drumbeats Of Death’ and ‘Prochorovka: Blood And Sunflowers’. This EP will only be available for a certain time period as a digipak CD and 12" vinyl, limited to 500 copies worldwide. More details at www.marduk.nu

Swedish Death Squad EVOCATION has finished a video for the song ‘Psychosis Warfare’, taken from their third album "Apocalyptic". The video was directed and produced by Iwona Kusion and Michal "Xaay" Loranc from 3KINGmedia. You can check it out here. More EVOCATION info at www.evocation.se or www.myspace.com/evocationswe

March 26, 2011

Homer, Alaska based THOUSAND YEAR WAR have been signed by Abyss Records. With a self-titled four song EP already available (which can by downloaded for free at www.thousandyearwar.com), the band is currently preparing the release of their debut full-length "Tyrants And Men". The first pressing of it will be available as a digipak, all album art and the band’s websites were designed by Luciferium War Graphics. Here’s the complete "Tyrants And Men" tracklist: ‘Defiance’, ‘The Sea’, ‘No Gods, No Masters’, ‘Thousand Year War’, ‘Open Casket’, ‘The Storm I Ride’, ‘Warriors Of Deceit’, ‘One Final Breath’, ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Tyrants And Men’. Presently, Thousand Year War is already working on material for a second full length album and finding session members and a booking agency for a possible tour this summer. For more info check out www.myspace.com/thousandyearwar

INCANTATION / ACHERON drummer Kyle Severn’s gore-filled horror film AFTERPARTY MASSACRE had its premiere yesterday at Horrorhound Weekend in Indianapolis, IN. AFTERPARTY MASSACRE was written and filmed by Kyle and Horrormerch.com’s Kristoff. The film features music and performances from INCANTATION and comes with a soundtrack showcasing many Death Metal acts, including CARDIAC ARREST, GRAVEHILL, FATALIST and many more. More details at www.horrorhoundweekend.com.

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have announced the first ever vinyl pressing of the ABSCESS debut album "Seminal Vampires And Maggot Men". It will be a deluxe edition, limited to 500 copies, pressed on urine colored vinyl with shit specks and packaged in a glorious full color gatefold sleeve. It will furthermore include a magnet, featuring the album art, a classic ABSCESS embroidered yellow logo patch as well as an 11×17 inch poster of unreleased artwork from the "Seminal…" sessions. You can reserve your copy for $25 including shipping at this location. The poster artwork can be checked out here. All further details at www.hpgd.comoj.com

March 25, 2011

On April 01, 2011 Cyclone Empire will re-releases the first 3 albums by New Jersey’s techno Thrashers HADES with partly previously unreleased bonustracks and revised and modified booklets incl. extensive liner notes and tons of never before seen pictures. The following bonus tracks will be featured: "Resisting Success": ‘Gloomy Sunday’, ‘The Leaders?’ (remix), ‘Nightstalker’ (rough mix), ‘Easy Way Out’ and ‘Sledgehammer Press’ (LePage version). "If At First You Don’t Succeed": ‘Decline & Fall Of The American Empire’, ‘Biocaust’, ‘Force Quit’, ‘Hoax’, ‘Responsible’ and ‘The Me That Might Have Been’. "Live On Location": ‘Diplomatic Immunity’, ‘M.E.S. (Technical Difficulties)’, ‘Deter My Nation’, ‘Not A Part Of Your Life’, ‘Gamblin’ With Your Life’ and ‘Beté Noir’ (all live in the studio). More info at www.cyclone-empire.com or www.myspace.com/hadesusa

In mid April 2011 Abyss Records will re-release FESTER‘s 1994 "Silence" on digi-CD. It will be completely remixed, remastered and repackaged and will feature all nine original tracks and a live version of the song ‘Persecution’ recorded in 1991. For all further info check out www.officialabyssrecords.com or www.myspace.com/festernorway.

March 23, 2011

Dark Descent Records has made the debut full-length from Swedish old school Death Metallers MIASMAL available for pre-order. The first 100 orders made through the Dark Descent Records webstore will receive a free woven MIASMAL logo patch. The official release date has been set for April 15, 2011. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Mesmerized’, ‘Equinox 432’, ‘Blissful Cannonades’, ‘We Will Live Forever’, ‘Mists’, ‘Toxic Breed’, ‘Death Mask’ and ‘Chronicles’. CD bonus tracks: ‘Creation Of Fire’, ‘Bionic Godhead Release’, ‘Abduction Of The Soul’, ‘Kallocain’, ‘Apocalypse Legion’ and ‘Anima Sola’.

March 22, 2011

Chris Reifert (AUTOPSY, ABSCESS, DEATH, THE RAVENOUS) has contributed a foreword to the upcoming 744-page hardcover book METALION: THE SLAYER MAG DIARIES, by Jon Kristiansen. Reifert’s connection to the Norwegian Slayer Mag dates to the late 1980s, when he and Kristiansen regularly exchanged demo cassettes and handwritten letters through the mail between California and Norway. "Ask anyone who was around and into underground Metal way back when", begins Reifert, "and they will certainly mention Slayer Mag when discussing classic deathly literature… as you read it, I think you’ll enjoy being transported back in time to the early years of Death Metal." 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 book will be available June 06, 2011, wherever books are sold, and is available for preorder now with two bonus limited patches from www.bazillionpoints.com. More info at www.metalionbook.com

‘Iron Doctrine Of The Antichrist’, a new track taken from the upcoming "Path Of The Inverted Trinity" 7" EP (to be released by Hells Headbangers), has just been uploaded to the IMPIOUS BAPTISM website. J. is currently working on the layout and will send all production parts to the label in the coming weeks. To download the track click here. The 2nd pressing of the "Seventh Seal of Abominable Extermination" Demo MMX is currently sold out, but a third pressing is in the works and will be available shortly. In the meantime you may check out the band’s current distributors for availability. A few shirts with the demo design are still available through the IMPIOUS BAPTISM website. Check the news page for ordering information. Additional info at www.myspace.com/impiousbaptism.

March 18, 2011

In April the first full length album of MIASMAL from Sweden will be released on LP through Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records, while the CD version (including demo and 7" tracks) will be released through Dark Descent Records. A repress of the band’s 7" will also be released soon. In May / June this year, MIASMAL will tour the US. A track from the band’s first album is already available here. BONE SICKNESS from the US will open for them on some dates. BONE SICKNESS’ first 7" will be released through Detest Records within the next weeks.

STENCH OF DECAY and KRYPTS new 7" EPs will be available from Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records within the next hours. Both bands will also play live in Brussels on Friday 20 May.

The first demo tape of BEYOND will be released soon by Detest Records. The band hails from Germany and plays a raw mix of MORBID SAINT and DEATHSTRIKE.

In April, new 12" MLPs of NECROWRETCH and ATARAXY will be released by Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records.

Later this year, Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records will also release the debut full length albums by SWALLOWED, KRYPTS and STENCH OF DECAY as well as a 12" featuring DISMA‘s 2010 critically acclaimed demo plus two new tracks. For all further info check out www.detestrecords.com

Spanish Death Metallers GRAVEYARD will be releasing a brand new mini CD entitled "The Altar Of Sculpted Skulls" through Pulverised Records, which will include 4 new tracks and 2 re-recorded old songs. GRAVEYARD was formed in 2007 and had since released the "Into The Mausoleum" EP and the debut full-length album "One With The Dead". "The Altar Of Scultped Skulls" was produced by GRAVEYARD guitarist J. Bastard and recorded, mixed and mastered at Moontower Studios. The cover artwork was supplied by Horror / Gore illustrator Matt Carr of Putrid Gore Art, who had previously worked with bands such as Autopsy, Impetigo, Hooded Menace, etc. The complete tracklisting reads like this: ‘The Altar Of Sculpted Skulls’, ‘An Epitaph Written In Blood’, ‘Deathcrowned’, ‘Cult Of The Shadows’, ‘Howl Of The Black Death’ (originally featured on split 7") and ‘Ritual’ (originally featured on the debut EP "Into The Mausoleum"). An official release date will be announced soon. For all further info check out www.myspace.com/graveyardofdoom

March 17, 2011

MORGOTH have been confirmed to appear at several Open Air Festivals in Germany, at Hellfest in France and two warm-up club shows in May 2011. You’ll find the dates here. The band’s setlist will mainly consist of songs from the "Cursed" album as well as some cuts from the classic 1989 / 1990 EPs "Resurrection Absurd" and "The Eternal Fall". The 2011 line-up is as follows: Marc Grewe – vocals, Harry Busse – guitar, Sebastian Swart – guitar, Thilo Mellies – bass and Marc Reign – drums.

March 14, 2011

DIABOLICAL will go on tour the second half of March to support their new album "Ars Vitae". Most of the concerts will take place in Russia, and will be supported by DRAUGGARD. You’ll find the dates here. "Ars Vitae", DIABOLICAL’s first release since 2008’s "The Gallery Of Bleeding Art", is scheduled to be released in America on March 25, 2011 through Abyss Records. The album contains 17 tracks from different parts of the band’s career, including new tracks recorded in 2010. One track from the record, ‘Eye’, is available for download at www.diabolical.se and on the band’s official YouTube page. "It’s an honour having a dedicated label like Abyss releasing the album over there, we are looking forward to that", comments guitarist Carl Stjärnlöv. Here’s the complete "Ars Vitae" tracklist: ‘Ortus’, ‘Sightless 6’, ‘Infvitabile Fatvm’, ‘Eye’, ‘Rcs’ (live), ‘The Gallery Of Bleeding Art’ (live), ‘Ashes II’ (live), ‘The One Who Bleeds’ (live), ‘Under My Skin’ (live), ‘Extinction’ (live), ‘Vertigo’ (live), ‘Children Of The Mushroom Cloud’ (live), ‘Suicidal Glory’ (live), ‘Ashes’, ‘Guidance Of Sin’, ‘Deserts’ and ‘The Dreaming Dead’.

NOCTEM have been signed by Rising Records for the release of their new album. The band released the following official statement: "We can proudly say this is a new step to the next level for NOCTEM’s career. Mark Daghorn (label owner) is a great professional and it’s an honor to work with him on this new album for us." More info at www.risingrecords.org or www.myspace.com/noctemofficial

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poland’s PANDEMONIUM the band’s 1992 demo "Devilri" has just been re-released on vinyl, strictly limited to 500 copies. One half of the entire edition was pressed on black vinyl, and the other on white vinyl. The record is packaged in an untypical black-and-white envelope, solid, hand-numbered jacket and equipped with a special full-format twelve-pages booklet with lots of archival and unique material concerning Pandemonium from the early 90s. As a bonus, an exclusive digipak of the new "Promo 2010" is enclosed with all copies. It contains the unofficial versions of two new Pandemonium tracks (‘Black Forest’ and ‘God Delusion’) from the upcoming album "Misanthropy". Additionally, there’s a video on it, with excerpts from gigs of two of last year’s festivals and a concert video for ‘Frost’. For more information write to godz.ov.war@wp.pl

Texas based Thrashers TERRORIST have entered Oscurecerse Studio with producer Arturo Saldana to record their new full length "And Then Life Was Death…". Songtitles include ‘Sadistic Necrophile’, ‘Hellstorm’, ‘Lord Of Deceit’, ‘Assassins From Hell’, ‘Decim Ate The Inferior God’, ‘Onward Destroyer’, ‘Metal Till Death (I.M.W.D.)’, ‘Horror Rises From The Tomb’ and the title track. The album is expected to be released via an as of yet unspecified record label this summer 2011. Any serious labels interested in releasing it may contact morbidfeast666@yahoo.com

March 13, 2011

After 5 weeks of recording, the new LOUDBLAST album "Frozen Moments Between Life And Death" just got mixed by producer Peter Tägtgren at Abyss Studio in Sweden. It will be released on April 18, 2011 via XIII Bis Records. The tracklisting of the album reads like this: ‘Frozen Moments Between Life And Death’, ‘Neverending Blast’, ‘Emptiness Crushes My Soul’, ‘Cold Blooded Kind’, ‘Towards Oneness’, ‘Nosce Te Ipsum’, ‘The Bitter Seed’, ‘Hazardous Magic’ and ‘To Bury An Empire’. A video was already shot for the title ‘Emptiness Crushing My Soul’, starring former pornstar Nina Roberts. You can check out the making of the video at this location. Two LOUDBLAST tracks will soon be available on the new Guitar Pro 6 software: ‘No Tears To Share’ (from the "Cross The Threshold" EP) and ‘Emptiness Crushes My Soul’. The band will start touring in France from April 15, 2011 with opening act DESTINITY. You’ll find the dates here. They will furthermore hit the French Sonisphere stage alongside the Big Four on Saturday July 09, 2011.

March 12, 2011

Pete Helmkamp has quit REVENGE. Here’s his official statement: "After several conversations with J. Read regarding the individual musical direction that he and I have each chosen, I have decided to quit REVENGE. The last ten years have been a great experience, and I wish James and Chris the best in their future endeavors." Nuclear War Now! will continue to work with REVENGE and release the new album on vinyl and CD in 2011.

March 10, 2011

Dark Descent Records has released a limited edition split 7" featuring Texas-based DECREPITAPH and the long-awaited return of The Netherlands’ ETERNAL SOLSTICE. The split, which is limited to 500 copies – 400 on black vinyl and 100 on bronze – features one new song from each band and is currently available for purchase at www.darkdescent.net. This is the first new recording from ETERNAL SOLSTICE in over 13 years. The band was active in the 90s, releasing three full-lengths, the last of which was released in 1997. DECREPITAPH just released their third full-length on Razorback Records titled "Profane Doctrines Unburied". Here’s the tracklist of the split 7": DECREPITAPH – ‘Paradise In Decompostion’ and ETERNAL SOLSTICE – ‘Brutal Awakening’.

MORBID ANGEL have set "Illud Divinum Insanus" as the title of their eagerly awaited forthcoming album, which has been scheduled for a June 06, 2011 release (one day later in North America). "Illud Divinum Insanus" will be MORBID ANGEL’s eighth studio album, and the first since frontman David Vincent rejoined the band. Prior to the release of the album, a single for the song ‘Nevermore’ will be out on May 16, 2011 as a vinyl 7" and digital download. The B side will be another song from the album, remixed by Combichrist. The band has already secured a series of headline shows and festival appearances. For the exact dates, click here.

HATE ETERNAL will be touring North America this summer in support of their new album for Metal Blade Records, which is currently in the final stages of being completed. The tour also features ORIGIN, VITAL REMAINS and ABYSMAL DAWN. Erik Rutan adds, "HATE ETERNAL is super excited to be touring North America this summer with a new album and a completely awesome Death Metal package. It has been a while since we have done a headliner tour in the US, so for us to co-headline with ORIGIN and add VITAL REMAINS and ABYSMAL DAWN to the bill, totally has us amped up and psyched like you can’t imagine! We eagerly and anxiously await our time until we can get out there and play material from old to new for the Death Metal masses. Looking forward to seeing you all at the shows, and we hope you’re hungry for over the top intense sonic destruction. This is a tour you do not want to miss!" You’ll find the complete tourdates here.

March 08, 2011

Tickets for this year’s METAL MAGIC FESTIVAL will be available tomorrow at www.billetten.dk. Spread the word and be quick – only 500 tickets made. Price: 450 KR (about 60 Euros) for 3 days. More info at www.myspace.com/metal_magic_festival or in our tourdates section.

On March 18, 2011 Negative Existence is re-releasing the 1997 debut album "Where The Snows Are Never Gone" by Northern Russia’s OLD WAINDS. Musically the band is being described as "Nordic Black Metal in the vein of MAYHEM, BURZUM, ENSLAVED, DARKTHRONE, BATHORY with an added touch of old school Death/Thrash." The complete tracklist of the album reads like this: ‘Unholy Nordland Fire’, ‘Winter Warriors’, ‘Gods Gazing From Beyond’, ‘Eternal Wanderer Of Winter Nights’, ‘Where The Snows Are Never Gone…’, ‘At The Gates Of Frosty Mountains’, ‘Guardians Of The Icy Kingdom’ and ‘Cold Mourning Of The Pale Moon’. For more info check out www.negative-existence.com

March 07, 2011

INCANTATION have recently been added to the line-up for this year’s NEUROTIC DEATHFEST, which runs April 29 – 30, 2011 in Tilburg, Netherlands. Drummer Kyle Severn gave the following statement: "On behalf of myself and INCANTATION, we would like to announce that we have just been added to the greatest indoor European Death Metal fest line-up that we have ever seen. Yes, I’m talking about this year’s Neurotic Deathfest in Holland. INCANTATION is honored to share the stage again with the almighty AUTOPSY, as well as the return of AT THE GATES, and other metal legends like OBITUARY and new Metallers of the 2K-era HAIL OF BULLETS. We plan to play a very obscure set in honor of this amazing line-up and for our very supportive fans, old school and new alike. With a well rounded fest line-up bound together with leather and spikes, you will not want to miss this INCANTATION setlist, which is already a making in the Metal history. We are riding the Metal storm out with the same line-up as we had this time last year when we successfully spread blasphemy across Europe during our headlining tour for the highly respected 7” EP "ScapeGoat" with Alex Bouks (GOREAPHOBIA, MASTER) guitars, Chuck Sherwood (BLOOD STORM) bass, John McEntee on guitar and vokills and myself skinsmans Kyle Severn on the drums…. Kyle666." Keep checking in at www.neuroticdeathfest.com for more information and updates.

March 05, 2011

Ukrainian Doom / Death act APOSTATE have added two new members to their line-up: guitarist Andrij Hudyma and second vocalist Vadym Ozhygin (also of Ukrainian Thrashers DISARM). The band released "Trapped In A Sleep" late last year on Black Art Records. You can hear the full album stream at this location. APOSTATE is currently searching for a new label that can offer them a higher level of international exposure, including broader distribution for their next album. Please get in touch at apostate@i.ua. All further info at www.myspace.com/apostateua

March 02, 2011

MASTER‘s 2011 U.S. tour, which was scheduled to begin March 1st in Frederick, MD has not begun as planned. Upon arrival, the drummer and guitarist, both Czech nationals, were turned away at the U.S. border. No official statement from MASTER has been released to the public at this time.

"Trivmvirat", the follow-up MCD to 2009’s full length "Conquering The Black Horde" by Mexico’s WARFIELD, includes three new non-album tracks, three bonus live cuts and a bonus rehearsal cut. It will be released on March 25, 2011 through Chaos Records. Track listing: ‘The Initiate’, ‘Divinity’, ‘Trinity’, ‘Vomit On The Cross’ (live), ‘Satanic Legislation’ (live), ‘Wolf Chakal’ (live) and ‘Pestilencia’ (rehearsal). More info at www.myspace.com/warfield666

INFESTUS‘ forthcoming third album "E x | I s t" was mastered at Necromorbus Studio and features 7 tracks. The front cover drawing was executed by French artist Eric Lacombe. Tracklisting is as follows: ‘Akoasma’, ‘Down Spiral Depersonification’, ‘Darkness Blazing In The Flame Of Fire’, ‘Torn Observer’, ‘Mirror Mind Reality’, ‘Der Blick Hinaus’ and ‘Descend Direction Void’. The album will be available on CD on May 16 (May 17 in North America) and can already be pre-ordered via the label’s webshop at www.eitrin.com. Customers who avail of the pre-order option will qualify for free postage worldwide. More band info at www.infestus.com. In related news, Eric Lacombe is exhibiting his work in Paris from March 03 until March 19, 2011 at the Galerie Lazarew. Entrance is free.

San Diego’s brutal Death Metallers PATHOLOGY have announced their first European tour opening for OBITUARY and GRAVE this Spring. "The new line-up is getting along great and we’re killing it on stage, so I’m very happy with things currently", explains drummer Dave Astor. "2011 is looking like a great year for Pathology. We’re very thrilled to be touring with Obituary and Grave in Europe. Both bands are a big influence and a cornerstone of Death Metal. We couldn’t have picked a better roster for our first time in Europe. We’re very excited." The tourdates you’ll find here, all further Pathology info at www.myspace.com/pathologydm

SEPTICFLESH will perform a headliner show at the Chaulnes Metal Fest in France on April 23, 2011. This show will be very special as all original members of the band will be on stage. That means that Sotiris Anunnaki V. (guitars / melodic vocals) will play in France for the first time in 12 years. The man’s live appearances are very rare due to obligations in Greece and this will be one of the few exceptions to the rule. Sotiris comments: "At last, after 12 long years of absence from the stages of France, I have the great pleasure to announce that I will soon come back, for a special SEPTICFLESH headlining show on Chaulnes Metal Fest. So join me and the other SEPTICFLESH members, on Saturday, April 23rd for a Mass of Death where we will perform the new psalms, but also some favourite old material that was handpicked by our fans specifically for this occasion!" The band’s new album "The Great Mass" is scheduled for an April 18, 2011 release.

OMISION from Tijuana B.C. Mexico will finally release their debut full length "In The Shadow Of The Cross" on March 25, 2011. The band has been around since 1993, founded by Heriberto Perez (rhythm guitar / vocals), and was already going through several line-up changes. Since 2000 they have released 3 CDR demos ("Pile-Up In The Morgue" – 2006, "Utopia Of Chaos" – 2007 and "Pray" – 2009) and shared the stages with bands like Incantation, Demilich, Usurper, Rigor Mortis, Coffin Texts, Hacavitz, Avenger of Blood, Estuary and others. During 2010 OMISION reached a record release agreement with Sydney, Australia based Asphyxiate Recordings, to produce and release their first full length album and in July 2010 they entered M&L Studio in Tijuana Baja California, México to finally begin tracking it. But a sudden turn in events lead Asphyxiate to close its doors. Now OMISION have found their home with México based Chaos Records. Here’s the complete tracklisting: ‘In The Shadow Of The Cross’, ‘Your God’, ‘Won’t Be Saved’, ‘Assault In The Vatican’, ‘Beyond The Burning Gates’, ‘Pray’, ‘No Idols’, ‘Fallen Angels’, ‘Seeking The Holy Throne’, ‘The Downfall’ and ‘For Those Far Away’. The cover artwork was created by Arthur Axegrinder (ZOMBIEFICATION). All further info you may find at www.myspace.com/omisionmx

March 01, 2011

Relapse Records have signed Japan’s COFFINS. The band is currently writing for their fourth full-length and Relapse debut with plans to record later this year. COFFINS will embark on their first-ever European tour this April alongside SOURVEIN and AGUIRRE as part of the "Doom Over Europe" tour. This tour will conclude with a performance as part of the sold-out Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands. You’ll find the dates here. More info at www.coffins.jp

VOMITORY have revealed the tracklisting for their long-anticipated eighth studio album "Opus Mortis VIII". It was produced, engineered and mixed by Rikard Löfgren in his own Leon music studios. Comments VOMITORY drummer Tobias Gustafsson: "Opus Mortis VIII" is our eighth album (no shit!) – our eighth Opus of Death. And I dare to say that this is one of the strongest albums we’ve done, and it most certainly has the most powerful production we’ve ever had on any album, hands down. For the third time, we worked with Rikard Löfgren in his Leon Music Studios. We raised the bar quite a few notches in the studio – both production-wise and performance-wise, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. We are not breaking new Death Metal ground with this album – that was never VOMITORY’s mission – but "Opus Mortis VIII" offers diversity and dynamics that you haven’t quite heard from VOMITORY before. Still, this is a very intense and aggressive album in the true VOMITORY tradition – all the essential signature details are there. Once you hear the opening track, ‘Regorge In The Morgue’, you will need no further proof of that!" "Opus Mortis VIII" will be released on April 23/26, 2011 via Metal Blade Records in Europe. The limited first edition will be a digipak featuring four exclusive bonus tracks. Those tracks are re-recorded versions of songs taken off the first two VOMITORY albums. The complete tracklisting: ‘Regorge In The Morgue’, ‘Bloodstained’, ‘They Will Burn’, ‘The Dead Awaken’, ‘Hate In A Time Of War’, ‘Torturous Ingenious’, ‘Forever Damned’, ‘Shrouded In Darkness’, ‘Combat Psychosis’ and ‘Requiem For The Fallen’. Bonus tracks: ‘Nervegasclouds 2011’, ‘Raped In Their Own Blood 2011’, ‘Redemption 2011’ and ‘The Voyage 2011’. In other news VOMITORY will play a short tour through Finland in March. For the dates click here.

SIX FEET UNDER have issued the following update regarding the band’s line-up: "We would like to announce and welcome the addition of guitarist Rob Arnold (Chimaira) to the SIX FEET UNDER family! Just wanted to give you a SIX FEET UNDER band update and let you all know that we would like to announce our good friend Rob Arnold will be joining SFU as 2nd rhythm guitarist for upcoming touring duties, as well as collaborating on the new CD." Chris Barnes comments: "I couldn’t be happier about the new songs and line-up! Rob and myself have been collaborating on new songs along with the bands new drummer, Kevin Talley for the past few months. We are all feeling really excited about the bands future, and the raw intensity of the songs that we have created together so far. This is the heaviest most exciting material that I’ve worked on since "The Bleeding", and im stoked that Rob will be helping out creating this cd with us! We’ve all known each other for a while and we’re really looking forward to continue writing the new CD and future tours. We are committed to taking SIX FEET UNDER to the next level of brutality!!!" Rob Arnold comments: "It’s been an amazing honor and opportunity to have been called upon by one of my biggest idols, Chris Barnes!! SIX FEET UNDER and the Barnes era Cannibal stuff had enormous effects on me as a young musician, and still do to this day. In 1996, I was a kid in the front row screaming my head off to ‘Lycanthropy’ and ‘Torn To The Bone’…and now here I am, being asked to play the songs on stage with the band! Dreams do come true!!! And the stuff we’ve been writing absolutely rips! Watch out!!"

AMORPHIS will release their new album "The Beginning Of Times" on May 25, 2011. In April, the band will offer a first glimpse of the new material by releasing the single "You I Need". The album comprises 12 songs with a total length of 54 minutes. In addition, the first edition digipak will include the bonus track ‘Heart’s Song’. "The Beginning Of Times" was produced by the band; vocals were recorded under the guidance of Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT) in his home studio in Kuopio. Like its predecessors, the album was mixed by Mikko Karmila. The cover artwork shows Travis Smith’s interpretation of the mythological birth of the world from a goldeneye’s egg. The central character of the new songs is the iconic hero of Finnish mythology, Väinämöinen, whose tale has been masterfully retold by lyricist Pekka Kainulainen. In June, AMORPHIS will embark on the extensive "The Beginning Of Times" tour, which is scheduled to continue through 2012. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Battle For Light’, ‘Mermaid’, ‘My Enemy’, ‘You I Need’, ‘Song Of The Sage’, ‘Three Words’, ‘Reformation’, ‘Soothsayer’, ‘On A Stranded Shore’, ‘Escape’, ‘Crack In A Stone’, ‘Beginning Of Time’ and ‘Heart’s Song’ (digipak bonus).

Chaos Records recently released two vinyl editions of ZOMBIEFICATION‘s debut album "Midnight Stench", incl. the exclusive bonus track ‘Blood & Disgorge’. It is available in limited edition (200 copies) 350 gram vinyl with gatefold jacket and 180 gram silver vinyl. The regular LP edition is available in 350 gram black vinyl with gatefold jacket. All further details at www.chaos-records.com. Band info at www.myspace.com/zombiefication666

The following statement was issued by EPITOMITE PRODUCTIONS founder, Von Young (LIVIDITY): "Hi all, after a lot of thought I have decided to shut down Epitomite. I am gonna start selling everything off. If you are interested let me know. As far as releases go they will be sold at $1 without cases and $2 with cases. The list of what is available is here, with a the amount of what is roughly left in stock. Shipping will need to be added after the amount to purchase is chosen. I will be also selling off the distro and it is available online at the site. All distro CDs will be only $3 and will be shipped with cases in the states and without outside of US / CAN unless requested otherwise. It will take a while to move all of this so I do not expect to be done soon. I will still do trades without a problem so whatever you may need let me know. Everything is first come / first served and I will not be able to hold things at this time – sorry paypal payments can be made at epitomite@yahoo.com. Thanx for the support and keep it sick. It has been a pleasure working with you all."