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Philadelphia’s Black Metallers BLASPHEMOUS have parted ways with their longtime bassist, Decrepit. Vocalist RK has issued the following statement regarding the situation: "We have decided to part ways with bassist Decrepit. He’s been part of BLASPHEMOUS for most of our existence, covering two different stints with us. It always is tough to make a change, but sometimes it has to be done. We wish him luck in his future projects. Right now all live activity will be on hold until we find a replacement. We hope to see you all again soon. BLASPHEMOUS is looking for a new bass player. We have a couple releases out, including our newest release "Bearer Of The Darkest Plagues". We are looking for a dedicated bass player. We currently practice in Lindenwold, NJ (right outside of Philadelphia). Must have equipment and transportation. Someone who is a quick learner. The ability to write is a plus too. We are looking for someone thats over 18, preferrably from the PA / NJ / DE area. Be able to practice at least once a week. Be available for shows in and out of the Philly area. No drug addicts. No rock star egos, this is underground Metal, not Hot Topic Metal, so if you’re looking for fame and fortune you are looking in the wrong direction. Contact blasphemousmetal@hotmail.com if you are interested."
Relapse Records has announce a partnership with Perseverance Holdings Ltd. and the Schuldiner family to reissue the catalog of DEATH, CONTROL DENIED and MANTAS. Chuck Schuldiner’s DEATH, one of the most important and influential metal bands of all-time, will see the first official digital releases of it’s legendary albums "Scream Bloody Gore", "Leprosy", "Spiritual Healing", "Human", "Individual Thought Patterns" and "The Sound Of Perseverance" today at this location. These digital releases will come two days before Chuck Schuldiner would have celebrated his 43rd birthday. Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001 after fighting a long, recurring battle with brain cancer. Relapse will also reissue an expanded version of the classic debut album, "The Fragile Art Of Existence", from Schuldiner’s progressive Heavy Metal band CONTROL DENIED in late 2010 as well as the first-ever collection by his pre-DEATH project MANTAS. The expanded version of "The Fragile Art Of Existence" will include bonus tracks, extra band photography, expanded art and packaging and more. Details on both releases are forthcoming. Long-range plans include the completion and official release of the final CONTROL DENIED album "When Man And Machine Collide". Recorded over 10 years ago at Morrisound Studios with producer Jim Morris, the album was tracked by Schuldiner but left incomplete upon Chuck’s passing. A range of officially-licensed DEATH, CONTROL DENIED and MANTAS merchandise has also been issued here. Many classic album art designs will follow in the coming months, making some highly sought-after designs available officially for the first time in years. Stay tuned to EmptyWords.org, the official DEATH / CONTROL DENIED / Chuck Schuldiner website, and www.relapse.com for more information. Guitar World Magazine has released a special DEATH guitar transcription issue, available exclusively at this location. The book contains eight complete guitar and bass tabs for the following DEATH songs: ‘Pull The Plug’, ‘Zombie Ritual’, ‘Together As One’, ‘Spiritual Healing’, ‘Flesh And The Power It Holds’, ‘Crystal Mountain’, ‘The Philosopher’ and ‘Scavenger Of Human Sorrow’. All songs were transcribed by Guitar World’s ace transcription team and are note-for-note accurate. The book also features the complete life and times of Chuck Schuldiner, including interview with those who knew him best.
Blood Harvest Records have just released the European CD version of "Chaos Echoes", the third album of French dark Death Metallers BLOODY SIGN. The digipak version will be released soon on Ibex Moon Records for the American market, as well as the Gatefold LP version on Blood Harvest Records. www.myspace.com/bloodysign
Here’s the current bill for the Belgian Metal / Hardcore festival VLAMROCK (it stands for Very Loud Alternative Music): PRIMORDIAL, THE ACCÜSED, FIRST BLOOD, DIABLO BLVD, CONFRONTO, AFTER ALL, NO TURNING BACK, GORATH, THE SETUP, BATTALION, EXIT TEN, THE BLACK TARTAN CLAN, WAELCYRGE, HAVOC, SARDONIS, VIGGEN, POISON MY BLOOD, BLOODTRIAL, SEMPITERNA, KRIGAVAR and TORTURERAMA. The festival takes place on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in As, Belgium. For more info, check out www.vlamrock.be or contact Denny Drossaert: + 32 (0) 485 / 06.34.40, email: d_drossaert@yahoo.com.
Ibex Moon Records will release a special collector’s vinyl edition of ASPHYX‘s "The Rack" album. It will only be available from Ibex Moon Records and Abyss Records mailorder. The first 25 copies sold through either www.ibexmoonrecords.com or www.officialabyssrecords.com will be autographed by band members Martin Van Drunen and Bob Bagchus. It is limited to 666 copies on blue vinyl and includes new liner notes with commentary by journalists, fans, fellow musicians, and the band members themselves. The album also comes with an 18" x 24" ASPHYX poster. "The Rack" will ship on June 8, 2010.
FUNERUS will be playing some European festivals this summer. Here’s an official statements from bassist Jill McEntee on the festivals and the recording of the new album follow: "We are very happy to announce that FUNERUS will be playing some European festivals this summer. The band will be playing the Kaltenbach Open Air on July 15th in Steiermark, Austria, and July 16th at Obscene Extreme 2010, Trutnov, Czech Republic. We will bring the sewage! In other FUNERUS news, recording has been going well for our sophomore album. The new release will be titled "Reduced To Sludge". Anyone who was into "Festering Earth" will definitely like this follow up slab of sewage death! Hope to see a lot of you on the road in 2010!" www.myspace.com/funerus
Guitarist Daniel "Død" Olaisen of Norway’s BLOOD RED THRONE has posted the following update regarding the band’s current activities and line-up: "Cheers everybody. Some of you have noticed that Tchort has been away for a while and still are due to work and family commitments. Meanwhile, we’ve recruited Ivan Gujic from NEONGOD (www.myspace.com/neongodnorway) as his replacement for our upcoming live shows this year! Also, Anders decided to leave the band in February and after several auditions we’re proud to announce the young, but very talented Emil Wiksten from Sweden as our new killer drummer. Check out one of his videos here. I’ve also written 3 new tracks for our upcoming album and this time we’ll get back to the Altered Genesis style with fast and brutal shit and of course some groove as well!"
Long-running California Metallers AGENT STEEL have issued the following update: "As some of you may or may not have already heard the news that AGENT STEEL has parted ways with vocalist Bruce Hall. We as a band would like to acknowledge the accomplishments together with Bruce and the three solid Metal offerings; "Omega Conspiracy", "Order Of The Illuminati" and "Alienigma". Together we had the fortune of touring and sharing the stage in some amazing places and visited some breathtaking countries. Bruce dedicated over a decade to AGENT STEEL and for this he should be recognized, and we part on good terms. We as a band still have the fire and passion to deliver the Metal goods to fans from the past, present and future. We had been writing new material for the next chapter of AGENT STEEL and after the news got out that we separated from Bruce, we were contacted by original singer, John Cyriis. Call it destiny; call it what you will, but now the communicative channel is open between AGENT STEEL and vocalist Cyriis; we are in talks about an imminent AGENT STEEL reunion tour possibly involving Summer / Fall 2010 appearances and an extensive ‘2011’ Metal blitz. Honestly, we do not know how long this reunion will last; however this could be the long-awaited destiny of AGENT STEEL originally interrupted, so long as everything moves forward in an evolving good working climate. Our objective regarding this AGENT STEEL reunion is attached with the intentions of providing the opportunity to not only the dedicated fans, but also to a whole new generation of Metal fans the chance to see AGENT STEEL live on stage with Cyriis; the original voice on the classic "Skeptics Apocalypse", "Unstoppable Force" and "Mad Locust Rising" releases. The legacy continues… stay tuned." More info and updates on www.myspace.com/agentsteel
Per Valla, maincomposer and guitarist of the extreme metalband ELITE, has just released his first soloalbum "4. September" as VREDEHAMMER. The first 200 copies come as a digipak with different layout. More info at www.myspace.com/vredehammer
ASPHYX have recorded two tracks at Sonic Assault studio for an upcoming split 7" with Finnish Doom / Deathers HOODED MENACE. A new track entitled ‘We Doom You To Death’ plus ‘Bestial Vomit’, which is a cover of MAJESTY (U.S.), that originally appeared on their 1988 demo. The EP will be released via Doomentia Records. www.doomentia.com
MIASMAL‘s first 7" EP has just been released on Detest Records (www.detestrecords.com) and Me Saco Un Ojo Records (www.mesacounojo.com). One of the tracks (‘Creation Of Fire’) can be checked out on the band’s myspace site www.myspace.com/miasmalband
DAWN OF CRUCIFIXION‘s first demo tape is available now. For further details ceck out the band’s myspace site www.myspace.com/dawnofcrucifixion
Crypts of Eternity Productions from Peru will finally release the long awaited 20th anniversary HEADHUNTER D.C. double CD "The Darkest Archives… From The Death Cult (1987-2007)" on May 15, 2010. It features promo / demo, live, rehearsal and other hidden recordings from the band’s personal archives, including some of their very first songs ever written, but never published before. The cover artwork, done by Chilean artist Daniel Self Desecrator, can be checked out here. The band is also planning a triple LP box set release of this material, to be released later this year / early next year. For more information check out the band’s myspace site www.myspace.com/headhunterdc
Germany’s old school Death Metal squad LIFELESS will re-release their "Beyond The Threshold Of Death" CD through Ibex Moon Records on June 08, 2010. The album features brandnew coverartwork and DISMEMBER’s ‘Casket Garden’ as a bonus track. For all further info and sound samples check out www.myspace.com/lifelessdeathmetal
On June 08, 2010 Ibex Moon Records will also release "Haven For The Insane", the third full-length album from Illinois’ CARDIAC ARREST. More info at www.myspace.com/deathrot
STRIDENT from Beer-Sheva (south of Israel) just released the first ever full-length Thrash Metal album made by an Israeli band. It is entitled "On The Aim" and was mastered by Maor Appelbaum, an ex-Israeli who nowadays lives in the US and masters albums of such big names as Rob Halford, David Ellefson, SIGH, MASTER etc. The CD is available directly from the band (www.myspace.com/stridentthrashmetal or Strident.thrash@gmail.com) but it will also officially be distributed by Israhellbanger Records (www.israhellbanger.com). The band has also released the first ever Israeli Thrash Metal video clip for the song ‘To Beer Or Not To Beer’, which you can check out here.
SANGUIS IMPEREM / NOCTURNAL BLOOD‘s "Imperial Impurity" split LP is out now on Nuclear War Now! Productions. There’s a limited number of white colored vinyl available at www.nwnprod.com. Check out www.myspace.com/sanguisimperem for further details.