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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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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