Sascha Beselt, guitarist of Germany’s old school Deathers MANDATORY, informed us that they already got signed by Xtreem Music way back in September 2009 for two albums… So, they aren’t looking for a label anymore, as mentioned in our previous news from May 26. www.myspace.com/mandatory1989
Robby Settles, original drummer for BITCH, passed away on May 26 at approximately 7am due to complications from an almost year-long battle with leukemia. Rest in peace Robby!
ATHEIST will enter LedBelly recording studios in Atlanta, GA on July 5 to lay down the tracks for their long-awaited, yet untitled, fourth studio album. Engineering the recording session will be Matt Washburn, while Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER and many others) will handle the mixing. "I can’t believe we are about to record this album finally" vocalist Kelly Shaefer states. "We have been working our asses off for a year, and have taken great strides to make this the record we, as fans, would want to hear from ATHEIST. It’s ferocious, intelligent, and dead balls heavy as shit! When people hear this they’re going to say, ‘It’s ATHEIST!’" "We are also honored and totally stoked to have Jason be a part of this album with us" says drummer Steve Flynn. "He went to great lengths to make this happen for us, and we are grateful. We anticipate collectively taking extreme Metal to new places. Jason has quickly become one of the most sought-after engineers / producers in the industry, and we’re excited to be working with him. He truly understands the legacy of the Florida Death Metal scene, and the importance of this record. We’re confident that Jason will deliver an absolutely monster production. Additionally, we DO realize that the record has taken a long time to create. However, there are so many twists and turns in the average ATHEIST song, and we felt like it was very important to have enough killer material written so as to make it the most interesting record we have ever created. We wanted to make sure we took the next logical step in the evolution of our music. According to the critics out there, it’s a tall – almost impossible – order. However, we feel like we have done it." "Our late and great friend and foundational element of the ATHEIST sound, Roger Patterson, was always with us in spirit in the process of writing" adds Shaefer. "In fact, that frantic, technical Patterson spirit has come shining through once more in the form of Jonathan Thompson, our newest guitar player. ‘JT’ is a young-spirited multi-talented player – he also plays bass for Flynn’s band GNOSTIC. As long-time ATHEIST fans, JT and Chris Baker understand what ATHEIST is at its core and what the fans expect. Both have proven to be invaluable in bringing out that classic ATHEIST sound and have been instrumental the course of writing this long-awaited record." On a related note, the band states: "We do wish to sincerely apologize to the promoters, fans, and DEW-SCENTED for the cancelation of our appearance at this year’s Hellfest, and a handful of club dates surrounding it. We had to do it in order to get this album recorded. As soon as it’s done we will come see you all on tour for the next 18 months! We owe the continuing legacy and re-ignition of ATHEIST to everyone who has ever demanded more from their Metal, and a huge salute goes out from ATHEIST to all of the bands that carry the flag that we unceremoniously planted 22 years ago with "Piece Of Time". Thank you all for making it possible for us to make the most important piece of art we have individually and collectively ever made." ATHEIST’s forthcoming album is tentatively scheduled for a late 2010 release and will be followed by a world tour in 2011 and on.
Detest Records from Belgium announced some new releases yesterday: MORBUS CHRON – pre-album 7" (September 2010), STENCH OF DECAY – first full-length album on 12" (2011), SWALLOWED – first full-length album on 12" (2011), MIASMAL – first full-length album on 12" (2011) and KRYPTS – first full-length album on 12". Check out www.detestrecords.com to know more.
The first 7" by Sweden’s GRAVEHAMMER has just been released by Detest Records from Belgium. For more details check out www.detestrecords.com
The upcoming second issue of Chile’s COMPILATION OF DEATH ‘zine will once again feature reprints of the following classic interviews: THERION and SEPTICEMIA (Hammer of Damnation # 3), SADISTIC INTENT (Voices From The Darkside # 5), PESTILENCE (Blackthorn # 5), MORTA SKULD (Mutilated # 2), AUTOPSY (Metal Meltdown # 9), CADAVER and BOLT THROWER (Sadistic Noise # 2), HADEZ (Under Metal # 2) and MESTEMA (Under Metal # 1). You’ll furthermore get an extensive IMMOLATION special with an old and in-depth new interview, and new in-depth interviews with CARNAL DISSECTION, MALFEITOR, Perra Karlsson (ALTAR / SUFFER / NOMINON, etc.), Dave Rotten (Drowned Records / Repulse Records / Spain Is Different ‘zine / AVULSED, etc), IMPRECATION, DESULTORY, GOREAPHOBIA, INCANTATION, DEFILED, MERCILESS DEATH, Chris Aubert of RIPPING HEADACHES ‘zine, CIANIDE, BODY BAG, CEMETARY URN, NECROS CHRISTOS, PUTRID, AFFLICTION GATES, MACHETAZO, ENCOFFINATION, VERMINOUS, AXIS POWER, UNDERGANG, THRONEUM, STENCH OF DECAY, ASCENDED, a Spain scene report, review section, pictures, old and new flyers plus a giant IMMOLATION poster. Distributors, traders, bands, labels and zines can get in touch at one of the following email addresses: Gabriel Gatica: compilationofdeath@hotmail.com, Joseph Curwen: joseph_curwen@hotmail.com. People from Europe can contact Nathaniel Colas: nathanieldeathmetal@hotmail.com
Germany’s old school Death Metal heads in MANDATORY finally completed the production of their first full-length "Adrift Beyond". The band is still searching for a label to release it, nevertheless scheduled a release date for summer 2010. Keep your eyes open and check out www.myspace.com/mandatory1989 for updates.
DIABOLIC will release its first full-length album since 2003’s "Infinity Through Purification" on June 8, 2010 through Deathgasm Records. The album is entitled "Excisions Of Exorcisms", was produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (MORBID ANGEL, TERRORIZER, UNHOLY GHOST) and features cover art from Joe Petagno (MOTÖRHEAD, KRISIUN, ANGEL CORPSE, MARDUK). DIABOLIC’s current line-up includes founding members Aantar Coates (drums), Paul Ouellette (bass, vocals) and guitarists Kelly McLauchlin (UNHOLY GHOST, PESSIMIST) and Jeff Parrish (BLASTMASTERS). DIABOLIC is scheduled to appear at the 20th Anniversary edition of the Michigan Deathfest on August 20-21, 2010 alongside DECEASED, NATRON, GODHATE, GODLESS RISING and more. All further info at www.myspace.com/diabolic666
Maldives-based melodic Thrashers SERENITY DIES will release their "Hacksawcracy" EP on July 15, 2010. The EP features guest appearances from Rob Caggiano (Anthrax) and Mikko Salovaara (Kiuas) who perform guitar solos on ‘Psycho Ride’ and ‘Dystopian Law’ respectively. "Hacksawcracy" was produced / mixed by Anssi Kippo (Children of Bodom) alongside Grammy Award winning engineer Gavin Lurssen (Slumdog Millionaire, Across the Universe, Iron Man, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper). More info at www.myspace.com/serenitydies
Reactivated legendary Death Metallers DESULTORY has recently completed work their upcoming album, which will be entitled "Counting Our Scars". The band recorded, mixed and mastered the effort with Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Unanimated, Deströyer 666, etc) in Alvik, Sweden. Work is also currently underway for the new album’s cover artwork and layout, and more announcement on this will be made available soon. Among some of the song titles to be included (in no particular order) on "Counting Our Scars" are ‘In A Cage’, ‘Counting Our Scars’, ‘Ready To Bleed’, ‘This Broken Halo’, ‘Uneven Numbers’, etc. The band commented: "What gets inside always stays inside. This music once shaped us and the marks it left will forever keep itching. DESULTORY never died, it just went down deep below and beneath the surface it slowly kept growing. Throughout the years, there are many of you out there who never stopped waiting, asking the same question over and over. Now when we finally meet again, "Counting Our Scars" feels like liberation, the bleeding is over. This album is for all of us who never stopped waiting." More info at www.myspace.com/desultoryofficial
Polish Death Metallers ARMAGEDON have announced the European and US release dates of their already highly acclaimed "Death Than Nothing" album. The European release already dates back to May 17, 2010, in the US it’ll be out on August 11, 2010. For further details check out ARMAGEDON’s myspace page www.myspace.com/armagedonofficial
The following statement was issued by ACHERON‘s Vincent Crowley: "Metal Hellions, after a 22 year run, I am finally putting ACHERON to an end. It has been an interesting journey, but it is indeed over now. I know I have broken up the band in the past, but there is no turning back this time. This musical entity has run its course and I didn’t want to tarnish what ACHERON represented. Some people didn’t agree with my decision, but I feel I know what is right to do. ACHERON never set out to be the most technical, fastest or heaviest band out there. That was not what I strived to achieve. Those who resonated to our music knew the feeling and spirit it had behind it. And this music was not created for the masses, it was an art form to be embraced by other kindred souls who shared the same likes and interests. That is why the fans have always been very special to me. Their dedication and support fueled the Hellfires! In the end I never really cared what the media thought of us, but I did want the fans to always get 100% ACHERON. I’m glad we were able to put out our last album "The Final Conflict: Last Days Of God". I am very proud of the work we all did on it and was very pleased with the positive response we got from it. How ironic to have such a title. Very fitting, indeed! I’d like thank all the fans for showing their support throughout the years and keeping the Satanic beast alive for so long. I hail all you Metal Maniacs! I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of you throughout the years and the pleasure has been mine. I would also like to give special thanks to all the great musicians I have been able to work with the last twenty plus years. Without their contributions I couldn’t have continued to release albums and played shows. "Rites Of The Black Mass" was recorded in 1990 and it is now 2010. My 20 year pact with ACHERON has been fulfilled. But be assured, I will always be a thorn in the side of all that is Holy! (Ha, Ha) Originally we were going to play shows until the end of the year, doing the "Rites Of The Black Mass" set. Unfortunately, the line-up I had planned to use for the shows didn’t work out, so all those shows have been cancelled, including the C.I.M. Fest and Michigan Death Fest. I apologize to the fans and the promoters, but there is nothing I can do about it. So as of now, ACHERON will no longer be recording or playing shows. It has officially been laid to rest. Presently, I am slowly working on putting together a new project called CRIMSON HEROIN. And who knows what else I will get into? So you haven’t heard the last of me! (Sorry Media. lol) But I am taking my time and not rushing anything. For now I need a little solitude and escape from the populous. I hope you all keep an eye out for future musical assaults from me. Cheers! In Blood and Blasphemy – Vincent Crowley, ACHERON (R.I.P.)"
After years of rumors about their second coming, guitarist Drack aka Deviant and drummer Malkira of the French Black Metal pioneers OSCULUM INFAME have officially announced the band’s rebirth with "Manifesto From The Dark Age", the re-release of their demos on LP and CD through Ordo Decimus Peccatum. A new OSCULUM INFAME EP entitled "Quwm" is also available through Battleskr’s Productions. The band’s current line-up consists of Deviant, Malkira, I. Luciferi (from REVERENCE) and Dispater. Concerning certain circulating rumors the band has issued the following statement: "OSCULUM INFAME has nothing to do with mere human political ideas and draw its hate far away in darkness and chaos… We are at war against the mass, we’re coming in total hate and we fuck them all."
Pulverised Records have signed Japan’s Death Metallers GxSxD (which stands for God Send Death). The band commented: "Finally we have found our home!! We are very excited to work with Pulverised Records since we’ve been recognizing them as one of best label. We’ll prove what we can do. Expect our Pulverised release." Watch GxSxD performing ‘The Abyss’ live at Image, Okayama in Japan, taken off their 2008 split album "Fighting On The Edge" at this location. For all further info check out GxSxD’s official myspace site www.myspace.com/gxsxd
The MCD of Australia’s old school Thrashers HELLBRINGER (formerly FORGERY) will be released on vinyl through Iron Pegasus Records sometime in August. www.myspace.com/hellbringeraus