» News Archive April 2011
On July 05, 2011 Relapse Records will issue a collection of early MORTA SKULD demos, entitled "Through The Eyes Of Death: The Early Demos". The release combines the band’s two 1990 demos "Gory Departure" and "Prolong The Agony" on one disc. Both demos have been remastered by Chris Wisco at Belle City Sound.
EXHUMED have posted a brand new track, ‘As Hammer To Anvil’, taken from their forthcoming album "All Guts, No Glory", online via the band’s myspace page www.myspace.com/exhumed. The follow-up to 2003’s "Anatomy Is Destiny" will see its international release on July 11, 2011 on a variety of formats including CD, deluxe digital, a limited edition 2-disc set (that includes a second disc of exclusive bonus tracks), single LP vinyl, and limited edition buzzsaw shaped vinyl. Additional information on the deluxe and vinyl packages will be posted shortly. EXHUMED recorded "All Guts, No Glory" at Arcane Digital Recordings in Arizona with engineer Ryan Butler (MISERY INDEX) and at Trench Studios with John Haddad (ABYSMAL DAWN, INTRONAUT). The album was mixed and mastered at Mana Recording Studios by Brian Elliott (GRAVES OF VALOR). The complete track listing is as follows: ‘All Guts, No Glory’, ‘As Hammer To Anvil’, ‘Your Funeral, My Feast’, ‘Through Cadaver Eyes’, ‘Death Knell’, ‘Distorted And Twisted To Form’, ‘I Rot Within’, ‘Dis-assembly Line’, ‘Necrotized’, ‘Funereality’ and ‘So Let it Be Rotten…So Let it Be Done’.
The new LOCK UP album "Necropolis Transparent" will be released on July 01, 2011. Here’s the tracklist: ‘Brethren Of The Pentagram’, ‘Accelerated Mutation’, ‘The Embodiment Of Paradox And Chaos’, ‘Necropolis Transparent’, ‘Parasite Drama’, ‘Anvil Of Flesh’, ‘Rage Incarnate Reborn’, ‘Unseen Enemy’, ‘Stygian Reverberations’, ‘Life Of Devastation’, ‘Roar Of A Thousand Throats’, ‘Infiltrate And Destroy’, ‘Discharge The Fear’, ‘Vomiting Evil’, ‘Stigmatyr’ (bonus track), ‘Through The Eyes Of My Shadow Self’ and ‘Tartarus’ (instrumental).
HATE ETERNAL have recorded their fifth studio album "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" at frontman Erik Rutan’s own Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, FL with mastering handled by Alan Douches of West West Side. J.J. Hrubovcak has been added as the band’s bassist, alongside Erik Rutan on guitar and Jade Simonetto on drums. Commented Rutan: "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" is an album that we as a band worked so very hard on to achieve a record of mammoth dynamic proportions. Jade, J.J and I gave everything we had to make a Death Metal record that would incorporate a balance of speed, heaviness, melody, and pure power. Every song we labored over to have stand out with originality, individuality and unique creativity. We feel we accomplished everything we set out to do with this album and are very proud of the results; we hope you all will agree." The first single off of "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" – ‘Haunting Abound’ – can now be heard on the band’s myspace site www.myspace.com/haeteternal. Erik Rutan comments on the first single: "’Haunting Abound’ is a song that we feel carries the intensity and the vibe of traditional HATE ETERNAL, yet explores new territory with a certain heaviness that has never been presented before in a HATE ETERNAL song. Infusing more dynamics and expanding our sound whilst retaining the integrity and ferocity that fans expect from us. This is only a small taste of things to come upon listening to "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes"." The complete tracklisting of the album reads like this: ‘Rebirth’, ‘The Eternal Ruler’, ‘Thorns Of Acacia’, ‘Haunting Abound’, ‘The Art Of Redemption’, ‘Phoenix Amongst The Ashes’, ‘Deathveil’, ‘Hatesworn’, ‘Lake Ablaze’ and ‘The Fire Of Resurrection’. Artwork was once again handled by Paul Romano (Mastodon, Chiodos, The Acacia Strain, Godflesh, Earth Crisis) who has also created cover art for HATE ETERNAL’s "I, Monarch", "The Perilous Fight" (DVD) and "Fury & Flames". "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" will be released May 06 / May 09, 2011 on CD and LP via Metal Blade Records in Europe. More info at www.hateeternal.com.
Pulverised Records have signed IMPIETY for their upcoming eighth full length album. "The best of IMPIETY has yet to come…" says vocalist / bassplayer Shyaithan, concerning the signing. "Writing the upcoming storm serves as a greater challenge to myself and all previous endeavors. One thing definitely to expect is that this new full-length album will hammer you 10 times harder than all previous revelations. Blood and Chaos shall dominate but Lightning Death it’s ultimate crowning glory…". More info at www.mightyimpiety.com
AZARATH, the second band of Behemoth’s drummer Inferno, has just finished working on their fifth album "Blasphemers’ Maledictions". The recording session took place in January and February at Hertz Studio (Vader, Behemoth, Lost Soul) where the Wieslawscy Bros were responsible for the production, mixing and mastering duties. The coverart was painted and designed by Zbigniew Bielak (Slayer, Absu, Watain, Destroyer666, Autopsy). "Blasphemers’ Maledictions" will be released worldwide by Witching Hour Productions on June 06, 2011. Here’s the final tracklist: ‘Arising The Black Flame’, ‘Supreme Reign Of Tiamat’, ‘Crushing Hammer Of The Antichrist’, ‘Firebreath Of Blasphemy And Scorn’, ‘Behold The Satan’s Sword’, ‘Under The Will Of The Lord’, ‘The Abjection’, ‘Deathstorms Raid The Earth’, ‘Lucifer’s Rising’, ‘Holy Possession’ and ‘Harvester Of Flames’. The song ‘Behold The Satan’s Sword’ can be checked out here.
French old school Death Metallers AFFLICTION GATE have revealed details concerning the release of their upcoming new MCD "Shattered Ante Mortem Illusions". It will contain 3 brand new songs (‘Memories Of Battlefield’, ‘Aftermath Curse’ and ‘Raven… Never Again’) and feature collaborations and guest appearances by Rick Rozz (ex-MANTAS / DEATH, ex-MASSACRE), Eric Daniels (former ASPHYX guitarist), Rogga Johansson (ex-EDGE OF SANITY, PAGANIZER…) and Dave Ingram (ex-BENEDICTION and ex-BOLT THROWER). The recording sessions will start in August and the MCD should be out by the end of the year through Metal Inquisition Records. AFFLICTION GATE will also start playing live again in September together with re-united French cult Death Metallers MERCYLESS. Dates in France and Europe will be announced soon. For more info, check out www.myspace.com/afflictiongate or www.metal-inquisition.de
Finnish Death Metallers CORPSESSED will release their debut EP "The Dagger And The Chalice" through Dark Descent Records on May 12, 2011. It features an eight-page booklet on extra thick matte finish paper complete with art from Alexander "Bad News" Brown. The vinyl edition is about to follow through Me Saco Un Ojo / Dark Descent Records during the summer of 2011. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Intro’, ‘Crypt Infester’, ‘Nameless Cult’, ‘Altar Of Worms’, ‘Massgrave’ and ‘The Dagger And The Chalice’. More info at www.myspace.com/corpsessed
Swedish Death Metallers SKINEATER have been signed by Pulverised Records. The band comprises of scene veterans Stefan Westerberg (ex-Carnal Forge, ex-In Thy Dreams), Håkan Stuvemark (ex-In Thy Dreams, ex-Wombbath), Thomas Ohlsson (Apostasy, ex-The Project Hate MCMXCIX) and Jörgen Ström (The Mary Major). SKINEATER will start recording their as of yet unamed full-length in the summer of 2011. All further information and more details at www.myspace.com/skineater
"Ascend To Chaos", the debut EP by Finnish GOREPHILIA, will be released on May 12, 2011 through Dark Descent Records. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Intro’, ‘Death, Chaos, Doom’, ‘Reaching The Divine End’, ‘Give Into Madness’, ‘Ascent To Chaos’ and ‘Tower Of Bones’. More info at www.gorephilia.com or www.myspace.com/gorephilia
EXUMER will be recording and mixing their first album release in 24 years, in Dortmund / Germany over the summer. The band has recruited Waldemar Sorychta to produce what will be the third EXUMER album to date. The band will enter the studio in early June and remain there throughout July to complete the recording / mixing process. EXUMER commissioned Baptiste Treton, a French born artist who resides in Vietnam, to illustrate the new album’s artwork. Vocalist Mem V. Stein comments: "We basically took off from playing live for this entire year in order to concentrate solely on writing, recording and mixing this record. Waldemar was the most logical choice for us in regards to producing this very important album. We heard what he had done with the last SODOM album and we all agreed that he is capable of preserving the spirit of a 1980s Thrash band but still make them sound relevant today. That is exactly what we envision for EXUMER. We became quite confident that we will achieve this objective after meeting Waldemar earlier this year and trust his intuition as a producer, songwriter and musician, as well as his ability to push EXUMER’s envelope when it is necessary." EXUMER began negotiating with several labels to release their upcoming CD and will announce the album’s title once a deal is closed. More information: www.myspace.com/exumerwakingthefire
Italy’s techno Deathers KENOS have parted ways with singer Alex Giudice. His replacement is Michele Spallieri (Grivers, Symmetric Disorder). More info at www.myspace.com/kenosband
This is already old news, as TORTURE DIVISION, the best Death Metal band (for free), returned on March 28, 2011 with their newest demo called "Through The Eyes Of A Dead" available for free download at www.torturedivision.net. Offering 3 songs of brutal Death Metal with perfect sound mixed by the hands of Dan Swanö the band keeps on sticking to their philosophy. Make sure to check out the band page and download this demo and their old stuff and support them with clicking the "Donate"-button in case you like the stuff you got, as only Death is for free and donations come in more than irregular so far…
STRYCHNOS‘ "Undead Unsouls Unbound" CD was recently re-released through German F.D.A. Records. See a review of it in the review section here. A new release with all of their old material will come out soon as 12" vinyl through the German Kneel Before The Masters Throne Records. Keep your eyes open for those releases and check out www.myspace.com/strychnosterror
PLASMATION is a newly founded Mexican Death Metal group with Isaias Huerta from NECROCCULTUS on vocals. According to Isaias words the band is playing in the vein of Scandinavian bands as TOXAEMIA, CREMATORY, DEMIGOD, DARKTHRONE, THERION, GRAVE and BOLT THROWER as non-Scandinavian influence. A demo will be out soon. Further news here anytime soon… Besides Isaias’ involvement in NECROCCULTUS and PLASMATION he is handling the vocals on the upcoming 2nd album of DENIAL, too. A label is yet to confirm, but rumors saying that it will be Cyclone Empire Records to release it.
NECROSCOPE METAL ZINE # 24 is out now, featuring interviews with INSULTERS, NOCTURNAL HELL / ABORIORTH, INFERNUS SERPEST, DIABOLICAL DEMON DIRECTOR, HEAVING EARTH, SARTEGOS, COBRA, BLASPHEMOUS NOISE TORMENT, MINOTAUR, MORBID FUNERAL, RECRUCIFY, BURIAL INVOCATION and DESTRUKTOR, as well as more than 200 reviews and a "Pearls from Abyss" article. 164 pages ( written in English) in total. On sale for 5 Euro / 8$ / 15 PLN (trades are welcome too) from Adam Stasiak, ul. Zakopianska 42/3, 80-139 Gdansk, Poland. More info at necroscope1@wp.pl
Kam Lee has posted the following news on his official facebook site recently: "For now Rogga and I have decided to set BONE GNAWER aside. Although I am disappionted in this news myself, I also understand the decision made regarding this. I do have hopes that maybe one day in the future we may be able to return to doing another BONE GNAWER album, however for now we reluctantly have let this project go. Thanks to all the fans who have supported BG these past few years & hope to find you supporting our other projects."
Ukrainian Doom / Death act APOSTATE, who released the critically acclaimed "Trapped In A Sleep" on Black Art Records, are seeking a new record label for their next release. The band is also seeking booking agencies for purposes of worldwide touring. Please get in touch at apostate@i.ua if you are a label interested in releasing the next album, licensing "Trapped In A Sleep" for new territories or a booking agent interested in working with the band. You can also hear the full album stream at www.myspace.com/apostateua
The following was issued by California’s GRAVEHILL in regards to their forthcoming album, "When All Roads Lead To Hell", and the band’s new label situation: "GRAVEHILL has spent the past several months in seclusion finishing our new album "When All Roads Lead To Hell". We had several songs already written before we undertook the "Campaign Tour" last summer. When we invited Hellfiend (aka Matt Harvey of EXHUMED) to join the band full time, we spent the time necessary to either "re-evaluate" or completely ditch what we had. Thankfully most of the music was used and with Hellfiend’s input we felt we had eight songs worthy of recording. We entered Trench Studios in March 2011 with John Haddad and laid down all drums, guitars, bass and vocals… most of the tracking was pretty effortless and relaxed, we either had an idea of what we wanted or we’re just really good at convincing each other we knew what we were doing? The most common question asked regarding this record is "How does it compare to "Rites Of The Pentagram"? All bands always respond with "This is the best record we’ve ever done, the last album pales in comparison and blah blah blah…" The best way to respond to that is simply "Ryan Butler!" When we left Trench Studios making the " Rites Of The Pentagram" record we were happy with the result, obviously some things could have been better or even worse if you think about it? But the songwriting and overall rawness of the band did shine through! However by 86’ing Zyklon-A out of the band last summer and bringing in Hellfiend just offered a wealth of alternatives, one of them being the new EXHUMED record "All Guts, No Glory"! Ryan Butler of Arcane Digital did all the guitar, bass and vocal tracking for that record. Hearing the wall of guitars really made an easy decision to provide the WARLTH record to Ryan to mix and master. We also laid down four guitar rhythm tracks unlike the two we used on " Rites Of The Pentagram"! The end result is this heavy as fuck, pissed off, intense, faster and dare I say "mature" record? Considering all the trials and tribulations we had with " Rites Of The Pentagram" as well as a less than stellar line-up; up to this point anyway, "When All Roads Lead To Hell" might as well be our first record! We are that proud of this record, love it or hate it, we have made the best fucking Death Metal record we ever wanted to hear! When it came to deciding on who would be releasing this album we had an easy decision with Dark Descent Records. Matt Calvert came highly recommended and after a few short discussions we made accordance for a May 20th CD release; right in time for our appearance at the Maryland Death Fest!" Drummer Thorgrimm had this to say about Dark Descent Records: "We are very lucky to find one of the hardest working labels out there right now! They may be a small upstart label but Matt’s work ethic and care in his bands and his label is impeccable! We are very confident that this release will reach far beyond our previous work and are very glad that Dark Descent is leading the way! HAIL HELL!" GRAVEHILL are also very happy to announce that "When All Roads Lead To Hell" will also see a 12" vinyl release with Chaos Records! Our friend Victor Hernandez Gil made us an offer we couldn’t refuse, and seeing this release on vinyl is very important to GRAVEHILL! Look for its release in early July 2011! Vocalist Mike Abominator made the following comments about Chaos Records: "We needed a connection that could help us outside the U.S. So the plan was to build a strong team of death that could help us spread our plague worldwide. Victor and Chaos Records were our first choice to attack down in Mexico. We have the utmost respect for the Mexican Metal fans and look forward to infecting even more down there! It was a great surprise that Victor also had connections set up in Europe as well, so we killed 2 posers with one stone so to speak! Europa will also be infected now! Hail Victor and Chaos Records for being a part of our Horde of Death!" "When All Roads Lead To Hell" will be out on May 20th (with the vinyl treatment coming in July). Here’s the complete racklisting: ‘Intro’, ‘Unholy Executioner’, ‘Devil Worshiper’, ‘Extinction’, ‘When All Roads Lead To Hell’, ‘Suffer No Man To Live’, ‘Pray For War’, ‘Consvmed By Rats’ and ‘7:06’. All further info at www.myspace.com/gravehill666
EVOCATION teams up with ARCH ENEMY as main support for three Tour dates from May 31 to June 02, 2011 in Slovakia and Poland. These Tour dates follow straight after EVOCATION’s upcoming European Tour as support for AMON AMARTH. Commented by EVOCATION’s Marko Palmén: "We are proud to announce the addition of three more shows in Slovakia and Poland as main support for ARCH ENEMY. It’s been 18 months since we were out on our last European Tour together with CANNIBAL CORPSE. All I can say is that we are really looking forward to taking our latest release "Apocalyptic" out on the road where it belongs! Can’t wait to meet all of you friends we met on the last Tour in October 2009. See you all very soon!" You can check out the tourdates here.
F.D.A. Records have signed Swedish BLOOD MORTIZED for their upcoming full length album entitled "The Key To A Black Heart". BLOOD MORTIZED says the following on the upcoming album: "The new material is more diverse, displaying a perfect mix of fast songs and heavy as fuck material. Expect unpolished, filthy, dirty, pounding and grinding Swedish Death fucking Metal deluxe! We feel that we have found a perfect liaison with F.D.A. Records and they are the perfect vessel to spread the disease which "The Key To A Black Heart" is destined to be." Fans of old school Death Metal can expect a limited edition digipak release and a jewel case version of the the CD. The album is slated to be released in late autumn 2011 and will be recorded at Underworld Recording, Eskilstuna, Sweden. More details such as track listing, artwork etc. will follow soon. www.myspace.com/bloodmortized
Unfortunately GORGUTS have canceled their Festivalsummer tour in 2011. Here’s the official statement that the band sent to the Party.San Festival guys: "This is Luc Lemay from GORGUTS. First, I would like to apologize for this cancellation to your event and for any problems this could encouter in the process of setting up your festival. This decision was not easy to take. After many meetings and good faith to make this situation constructive for the band I came up choosing the option of not participating to any festival this Summer. The whole idea about GORGUTS doing a European Summer festivals tour was born last year with having in mind the release of our new record for the beginning of the Summer. But believe me, we were expecting our record deal to be negociated and agreed on before Christmas or at the beginning of 2011. But as I’m writting this letter, I was not able to sign the contract yet with our record company. As you know, these procedures can take proportions that we don’t expect and then compromising all the activities around the band. So by not having a record coming out this Summer, with no strong promotion from a label to push our new record, I’ve decided to wait until these parts of the puzzle get solved before hitting the road again with my new band. Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate the fact that each of you were interested in GORGUTS for your festival but it will be all for the better when the new record will be release. I’m hoping to work with you in the future. Sincerely yours Luc Lemay."
After the release of the STENCH OF DECAY and KRYPTS 7" EPs two weeks ago, Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records have just released the first full length of MIASMAL from Sweden on vinyl. The CD version has just been released through Dark Descent Records. Detest Records next releases: BONE SICKNESS (USA) first 7" EP, BEYOND (Germany) first demo tape, NECROWRETCH (France) 12" MLP and ATARAXY (Spain) 12" MLP. More info: www.detestrecords.com
Chaos Records have signed Swedish Death squad BLOOD MORTIZED for their upcoming EP "Bestial". The EP was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by drummer Mattias Borgh at Underworld Recording, Sweden. Featuring artwork from Thomas Kynst and Daniel Devilish the four track EP is scheduled for a June / July 2011 release on both CD and vinyl format. The tracklisting reads like this: ‘Bestial’, ‘Of Dust And Doom’, ‘Shadows Of The Quarter Sun’ and ‘Rekviem’. BLOOD MORTIZED was founded in late 2007 and released their debut album on Vrykoblast Productions in 2009. The band consists of the following veterans from the Swedish Death Metal scene: Mattias Parkkila – vocals (ex-STIGMATA, ex-E.G.Y.P.T, ex-EXCRETION and session vocals for EXCRUCIATE; current side-projects are BIRCH MOUNTAIN and MALFEITOR), Anders Biazzi – guitars / bass (ex-PATHOLOG and SCUM, which later transformed into AMON AMATH), Gustav Myrin – guitar (ex-PATHOLOG, APES IQ), Mattias Borgh – drums (ex-EMBRYO, ex-CRYPT OF KERBEROS, ARCANA, SONIC VENUE and CALIPHORA). "We are very pleased to work with Chaos Records on this release", comments drummer Mattias Borgh, "they are the perfect label for this EP and we can’t wait for the underground monsters around the globe to be able to get their filthy hands on the equally filthy "Bestial" EP!" More info at www.myspace.com/bloodmortized
Dark Descent Records have announced the signing of American Death Metal act FATHER BEFOULED for the release of their third album on CD and LP formats. The band has released two critically acclaimed full length albums (2008’s "Obscrus Nex Cultus" and 2010’s "Morbid Destitution Of Covenant") as well as several EPs and splits. To further celebrate the signing, look for the brand new split 7" with Chile’s DEMONIC RAGE which should be out in May, featuring the song ‘Abolition Of The Seraphic Vestige’. The band will enter the studio in August of 2011 to record "Revulsion Of Seraphic Grace" and hopes to shoot for a release late in the year. Here’s a statement from frontman and original member Justin Stubbs: "Dark Descent is the face of real, underground, hard-working Death Metal. We were looking for a deal for this next album following our split with Relapse, and Dark Descent stepped up and laid out exactly what we wanted. We could not be happier. Matt and Dark Descent are in the fray to provide us with the support we need to produce a killer album. Expect nothing less than what we are known for, which is serpentine, suffocating Death Metal. We are picking up precisely where "Morbid Destitution Of Covenant" left off. We got our legs under us on that one, expect "Revulsion Of Seraphic Grace" to be the defining album of our career." The band plans to play a few select shows to coincide with the release late in the year, so stay tuned at www.fatherbefouled.com or www.myspace.com/fatherbefouled
Abyss Records have signed Swedish Death Metallers FETUS STENCH. A full-length is expected in early 2012. The band was formed in 2011 by Andreas Björnson of Slaughterous on guitar and vocals, along with Emil Wiksten from Blood Red Throne on drums, Kristian Karlsson from The Law / Inferior on bass and Christoffer Ilberg of ACDS on guitars. The first recordings were released in February 2011 by the band themselves as a demo. It is currently streaming on their official Facebook or Myspace pages. More info at www.myspace.com/fetusstench
Following their performance at the opening day of this year’s Neurotic Death Fest (April 29, 2011), INCANTATION will head to Poland this spring for their first headlining tour of the country. The tour runs from May 01 – May 08, 2011 and will also feature Polish Black Metallers Christ Agony. Incantation founder / frontman John McEntee issued the following statement: "With great honor we are proud to announce that we are doing our first headlining tour of Poland. Our first time playing Poland was back in 2007 as part of the Blitzkrieg 4 Tour 2007 with the killer line-up of Vader, Krisiun, Rotting Christ and my other band FUNERUS. This will be the first time we can play our full sent for all of our long time diehard Polish supporters, something we have been looking forward to for many years. Poland has always been good to us. From the band’s inception back in 1989 we have always had massive support for the Polish underground, but have had lots of problems making it over there to preform for one reason or another. Finally over 20 years after the formation of the band we will do our first headlining tour. It will be great to see our old school friend along with many new fans alike. The tour will be with the legendary Polish band Christ Agony. This is one of Poland’s greatest and most well-respected bands. Anyone that knows anything about the Polish underground Black Death Metal scene will agree. It will be great to play along side them every night! We look forward to seeing all you sick Polish Incantation supporters. We have a great set list that we are working on for the tour and we can’t wait to spill our guts out for you guys every night. Also, some of the Polish shows will be recorded (video and audio) and if the recordings quality comes out good we hope to use them for a live record and DVD sometime late this year. With all this great Polish news I also want to say that we are also playing the Neurotic Death Fest this year and it is a absolute honor to be apart of this amazing fest. We want to thanks the promoter for including us on this awesome fest. Along side some of my personal favorite bands! We look forward to seeing all our Dutch supporters there, it will be a kick ass time."
San Antonio’s HOD will play a series of live dates with MARDUK, AURA NOIR, BLACK ANVIL, PANZERFAUST and many more in parts of the US and Canada. New material is expected to see the light of day in the coming months. HOD guitarist Carl "Lord Necron" Snyder comments on the upcoming tour and new album: "The name of the new album has been chosen – "Book Of The Worm". We shall unleash this album sometime later this year. We have worked on the music for this album for quite some time. We hope to announce the producer soon for this album, we just need to nail the down who we want to mix it. Expect an announcement soon. Also we will be hitting the road this summer with MARDUK, AURA NOIR, BLACK ANVIL and PANZERFAUST. This is one brutal line-up. We will also play the Goregrowler’s Ball this year; hitting the stage with SUFFOCATION, EXHUMED, ABORTED, GRAVEHILL, CARDIAC ARREST and many more. We have a busy end of the year ahead of us. So we hope to see the legions of Metalheads out there this year. We will be announcing soon even more live dates too. Just need to confirm them. We will keep you posted. One last thing, coming up this Saturday, April 16, we will take the stage with legends EXHORDER and RIGOR MORTIS. We really look forward to sharing the stage with these guys. It’s an overdose of Metal! We hope to see all you Texas bastards out in Austin for this show. Who knows when a line-up like this will happen again." You’ll find all dates here. More info and updates at www.myspace.com/hodtheband
Sweden’s DEMONICAL have just released the first video from their upcoming new album "Death Infernal". Here’s an official statement from the band: "We are thrilled to hereby present ‘Ravenous’, the first and brand new video from our upcoming "Death Infernal" album. Directed by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and filmed in Stockholm, the clip captures and brings forth the true essence and force of DEMONICAL. Check out the madness and enjoy the ride into the deepest abyss of Swedish Death Metal Darkness!"
ABSU are currently working on "Abzu", the follow up to the band’s 2009 self-titled album. The album is being tracked at Nomad Recording Studio in Carrollton, Texas and mixed by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus). Drummer / vocalist / lyricist Proscriptor confirms: "The entire rhythm section has been successfully tracked and all that remains are mellotron passages and vocal lines. Before attempting the final mix, we plan to transfer the rhythm section onto two-inch tape to thaw out its digital timbre. With this record, we are appending dirtier elements of psychedelia and fusion. Lyrically, it will descend deeper into Enki’s lower world as well the Enochian Magic(k) System. I can tell you this album will definitely not be a ‘natural progression’ from previous releases, but a feat of metaphysical conquest and murkiness." "Abzu" is the second of a three-part series that features ABSU’s signature sound in maniacal fashion. Planned for release later this year, it will tap the expertise of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Watain, Destroyer 666) and Costin Chioreanu (Ava Inferi, Grave, Demonical) to assemble the album’s packaging. "In the past, we have utilized the talents of Belgium artist Kris Verwimp", says Proscriptor, "but now we’re aesthetically detouring into more mystifying, Thelemic realms: musically and lyrically." Here’s the complete track listing: ‘Ontologically, It Became Time & Space’, ‘Circles Of The Oath’, ‘Abraxas Connexus’, ‘Skrying In The Spirit Vision’, ‘Earth Ripper’, ‘A Song For Ea’ including ‘E-A’, ‘A Myriad Of Portals’, ‘3Rd Tablet’, ‘Warren Of Imhullu’, ‘The Waters – The Denizens’ and ‘E-A (Reprise)’. More info at www.myspace.com/absu
VADER entered Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with Wojtek Wieslawski and are recording their new album "Welcome To The Morbid Reich". Fans attending VADER concerts and summer festivals will have a chance to listen to one or two new tracks from the new album. Additionally, the band is resurrecting the use of their old logo. States Jaroszewicz: "We started our session showing up in the studio on March 14th, at 9 p.m. after a few hours’ drive on our perfect Polish roads with a trailer full of gear – I really recommend it! This day we only managed to do the load-in and hit the sack – as we were dead on our feet. The real session started the next day with setting up the drums, changing the skins, placing microphones and tuning the drums. Then… we were adjusting the sound looking for ‘this is it’ in each element of the set. It lasted for the whole day and a half but it was definitely worth it. The sound of the drums just kicks asses! For the next few days the schedule of work was practically the same – breakfast, setting the recording plan for the day, preparing a pilot for the drums, recording, monitoring plus corrections if needed, recording, supper and going to bed… For 7 days, we recorded 9 new songs, 2 covers and a re-make of veeeeeery old VADER track. The results of our work will be available probably in August. For now, look forward to the studio reports and the pictures from the further recording of "Welcome To The Morbid Reich". Quite recently I’ve also become the official endorser of Paiste’s cymbals. These are definitely the best sounding cymbals on the market and they were my wildest dream since I started to play the drums. I’m proud that now I can join the Paiste family. Of course you will hear them on the newest VADER album."
CARDIAC ARREST guitarist Tom Knizner will join Los Angeles-based Death Metal horde GRAVEHILL for the band’s performance at this year’s San Diego Metal Swap Meet. An official statement from the band reads as follows: "GRAVEHILL has a unique addition to our ranks for the San Diego Metal Swap Meet gig on April 23rd. Due to a scheduling conflict, Hellfiend is unable to attend since he will be gallivanting across Europe with EXHUMED! So without further ado we invited Tommy "Deathstrike" Knizner of CARDIAC ARREST to commit decibel homicide with us… GRAVEHILL is honored to have him aboard for this one of a kind event, we are looking forward to destroying The Ruby Room with Tommy Deathstrike! Hell Metal Holocaust!!!" GRAVEHILL vocalist Mike Abominator further commented: "The only other asshole that was brutal enough to kill with us for a fill in gig was Tom Knizner. We have become great friends with this Chicago Metal maniac over the last few years, and he fits the criteria of a GRAVEHILL member – completely crazy and really doesn’t give a flying fuck about anything else than playing Death noise Heavy Metal at decibels that make posers piss and shit themselves! Plus he is noon beers deep by noon and he can still play better than all of these fancy fucks, so we look forward to Tommy Deathstrike’s rancid riffs of terror for this special show in San Diego!" GRAVEHILL recently finished recording their highly-anticipated new album, entitled "When All Roads Lead To Hell". For more details or updates check out www.myspace.com/gravehill666
According to a post on ex-MANOWAR drummer Scott Columbus’ official Facebook page by his girlfriend Nancy, he passed away on April 4th at the age of 54. The message reads as follows: "For all you to know, this is Scott Columbus’s girlfriend of over 3 1/3 years… and I cannot get the words out, but he died today. Please send your thoughts and prayers. I can’t believe he is gone. He was the absolute love of my life." Former MANOWAR guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman has issued the following message on his own Facebook page: "Scott Columbus R.I.P my brother. I’m gonna miss you!" MANOWAR issued a statement on their Facebook page that reads: "With great sorrow we announce the passing of our brother Scott Columbus. A rare talent, equally a rare individual, a father, a friend and a brother of Metal. All of the great moments we spent together are burnished in our hearts and memories forever. We know he is in a good place and at peace. He will never be forgotten. Your family and brothers, Joey, Eric, Karl, Donnie and all at Magic Circle Music." Columbus was with MANOWAR from 1983 until 1990, but left the band when his son fell ill. He returned to the fold for the "Louder Than Hell" album in 1996 and remained with the band until the summer of 2008.
NOCTEM‘s new album is entitled "Oblivion". The second part from the trilogy that started with "Divinity" is supposed to be "the hardest, fastest and darkest opus from the band until the date". The album has been produced by Daniel Cardoso (Angelus Apatrida, Ava Inferi, Anneke Van Giersbergen) and recorded in the Ultrasound Studios 2 in Portugal. The cover has been created by Marcelo Vasco, a Brazilian designer who already worked with NOCTEM on the "Divinity" cover and who has also worked with bands like Dimmu Borgir, Dark Funeral, Satyricon, Belphegor, Gorgoroth and many more. Here’s the complete tracklist of the album: ‘Popol Vuh’, ‘The Arrival Of The False Gods’, ‘Universal Disorder’, ‘Abnegation And Brutality’, ‘Invictus’, ‘Sons Of Hun-Vucub’, ‘Seeking The Ruin Of Souls’, ‘Unredemption’, ‘Q’uma’rka’aa’, ‘A Borning Winged Snake’ and ‘Oblivion’. "Oblivion" is going to be released worldwide through Rising Records on April 25, 2011 (Spain, signed limited tour edition) and June 13, 2011 (rest of the world). The band will start promoting the album on their Spanish tour at the end of April. For more info: www.noctemofficial.com and www.myspace.com/noctemofficial.
KING DIAMOND‘s wife Livia has recently published a note about KING’s health after his triple-bypass surgery: "King has just finished his Cardiac Rehabilitation program Friday, March 11th, and graduated with flying colors. Thanks to the wonderful people at the rehab center, his exercise regimen helpe him gain a lot of muscle, and start on the road of building up good endurance. We will start regular exercises now to get the endurance up to nice levels. The examinations by his heart surgeon and cardiologist revealed that his health is steadily improving, and they all expect him to feel better than ever, 15 years younger than he really is." She also said, that she’s "immensely proud of what he has achieved in these short 3 months" and that "he is looking forward to finishing the DVDs eventually, and he is most certainly not stopping music", even though she can’t "say anything certain about when he will be back working on King Diamond related things". Livia also wanted the fans to know the following: "He would also like to extend his huge gratitude to all of you, for your absolutely amazing support. It has really meant a lot to him.
ROTTEN SOUND kick-off their ‘Cursed To Tour’ headlining European tour today, April 1st, in Germany. This month-long tour, in support of their brand new album "Cursed", will also include TRAP THEM, GAZA, THE KANDIDATE and HAUST. Following this tour, ROTTEN SOUND will head to Japan for the Kabuto Metal Fest alongside MORBID ANGEL and THE HAUNTED. ROTTEN SOUND has debuted the video for the "Cursed" track ‘Hollow’ online at the Decibel Magazine blog. It was directed by Casper Haugegaard for Jawbreaker Productions. To go along with the video, the band recently took part in a veggie-burger eating contest at Tattooed Mom’s in Philadelphia, PA. Decibel Magazine was on hand to capture the event, which can be viewed now here.
Polish PANDEMONIUM have been signed by Pagan Records. The band is currently working on material for their new album called "Misanthropy". The recording session will begin in late April, with a release scheduled for autumn 2011. ‘Black Forest’, a new song that will appear on the album in a new version, is available at www.myspace.com/pandemonium_pl and www.paganrecords.com.pl. On March 12, 2011 Godz Ov War Productions / Hellshop published a vinyl re-edition of the band’s cult demo "Devilri". On May 02, 2011 PANDEMONIUM will play a show in at Warsaw’s Progresja club in Poland, together with INCANTATION and CHRIST AGONY and on June 04, 2011 they will appear at the Silesian Massacre Fest Vol. 3 at the Mega Club in Katowice, Poland with ENTOMBED, KRISIUN, KATAKLYSM, DODHEIMSGARD, URGEHAL, KAMPFAR, BELPHEGOR, VREID and many others. For all further information check out www.pandemonium.metal.pl