Former WARGOD / POST MORTEM / PHANTOM BLUE / MELDRUM guitarist Michelle Meldrum passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, California on Wednesday, May 21 as a result of a cystic growth on her brain that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead. She was 39 years old. Rest in peace Michelle.
The manager of former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum – who has spent the past few years as the leader of her own band called MELDRUM – has told Blabbermouth.net that Meldrum is currently in a coma in a Los Angeles hospital and hasn’t been officially declared dead yet despite earlier reports to the contrary. According to Dawn Robinson of Dark Moon Entertainment, Michelle is in critical condition and is undergoing a number of tests which her family is hoping will result in a miracle that will allow her to "pull through." An official update regarding her status is expected sometime within the next 24 hours. Michelle Meldrum started her career in music by forming the Thrash Metal band WARGOD with drummer Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD). She also used to be part of New Renaissance Records’ artists POST MORTEM for a short time.
Blabbermouth just posted the following news: Former CELTIC FROST frontman Tom Gabriel Fischer has announced the formation of his new band, TRIPTYKON. Check out the group’s logo at this location. The first audio sample, a track called ‘Cucifixus’, can be heard on TRIPTYKON’s official MySpace page. Commented Fischer: "TRIPTYKON will sound as close to CELTIC FROST as is humanly possible, and the album I am working on will feature all the material I envisioned for the successor to [CELTIC FROST’s] "Monotheist". I desire the album to be a darker, heavier, and slightly more experimental development of "Monotheist". ‘Cucifixus’ is but one of many compositions to that end. TRIPTYKON is not defined by just this one song, however, just like CELTIC FROST was not defined by ‘Totengott’ alone." Fischer announced his departure from CELTIC FROST last month, citing "the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious." "I have always seen the "Monotheist" album as a mere beginning, and a tame one at that," he explained. "My mind and spirit are full of energy, creativity, and ideas. CELTIC FROST had become the unreserved focus of my life for the second time. I was looking forward immeasurably to working on the next CELTIC FROST album. To me, it needed to be darker, heavier, and more experimental than "Monotheist". And yet, CELTIC FROST consisted of three individuals, and I was only one of them. In the end I had to concede to myself that there was no other option." Fischer added, "Artistically, I did not want to leave CELTIC FROST at all; I have never been happier with the music and creativity in the band. I saw "Monotheist" as only the first of hopefully several distinctive albums by this group. I thus plan on continuing exactly in the artistic vein of CELTIC FROST. I had very a distinct vision of what the next two CELTIC FROST albums might consist of, and I intend to eventually fulfill this vision and complete these albums with a new group. I would also like to continue touring and perform the music I have written in CELTIC FROST over the years for audiences all across the globe." It was reported earlier in the year that CELTIC FROST was putting together an album tentatively titled "Monotheist Companion" that will feature unreleased songs from 2006’s "Monotheist" sessions and rearrangements of tracks from the album. The disc is tentatively due in the summer.
Xtreem Music have signed Spanish old school Thrash Metal newcomers AGGRESSION. Their debut six track mini CD "Thrashing Your Brain" was recorded at AXtudios and gained them the attention from Xtreem Music who immediately offered them a 2-album deal. The band is influenced by bands like EXODUS, TESTAMENT, ONSLAUGHT, SLAYER, HIRAX and even ANTHRAX from their best works and currently writing new songs for their debut full-length album, scheduled for a late 2008 release. "Thrashing Your Brain" is available both directly from the band or through Xtreem Music’s mailorder. Three of the songs are available for listening at the band’s own website www.myspace.com/aggressionband
The release date for the new RESURRECTION album "Mistaken For Dead" is now June 27, 2008 in Europe via Massacre Records and unknown at this time in North America via Locomotive Records. Dan Seagrave did the cover art once again.
KATAPLEXIA have finished recording their third album "Supreme Authority" during March / April. It features session drummer Timo Hakkinen (from SOTAJUMALA), while the cover art was done by Greek artist George "Grin". You can check out one of the new songs, as well as the artwork at www.myspace.com/kataplexia. KATAPLEXIA will celebrate the release of "Supreme Authority" at the Deathfeast Festival, which takes place in Germany from June 12 – 14, 2008.
Dutch Thrashers DEAD HEAD are ready to enter the studio to record their much anticipated follow-up to 2005’s "Haatland". Returning to a more vicious rabid Thrash approach the new album "Depression Tank" (working title) is expected to be released right after this summer. In related news, DEAD HEAD’s 1999 "Kill Division" album will be reissued by Displeased Records around the same time, with bonus live material.
Peruvians ANAL VOMIT are currently trying to set up a European tour. Details will follow as soon as certainties are met. In the meanwhile, US specialist label Nuclear War Now! recently issued the latest ANAL VOMIT studio album "Depravation" on vinyl.
Reformed Dutch Death Metal outfit ASPHYX (Martin van Drunen – vocals, Wannes Gubbels – bass / vocals, Paul Baayens – guitar and Bob Bagchus – drums) will release a new 7" EP, "Death The Brutal Way", via Iron Pegasus Records. The single will include the brand new title track plus a cover of CELTIC FROST’s ‘Os Abysmi Vel Daath’ from the "Monotheist" album. Both tracks were recorded in January 2008 at Harrow Studios.
For the past 21 years DARKTHRONE have been leaders of the Black Metal scene. To coincide with this anniversary, Peaceville Records are releasing the 3CD set, "Frostland Tapes" on May 26th 2008. This is a fascinating trip into the earliest years of the band and the first official release ever to contain all 4 of Darkthrone’s demos in one place. "Frostland Tapes" also includes a rare live recording from Denmark in 1990 (one of only a handful of live appearances that Darkthrone has ever made) and, perhaps most significantly, the previously unreleased version of the infamous 1991 "Goatlord" rehearsal session. These songs were intended to feature on the proposed second album, before the band changed direction and the tapes were confined to the vaults. Vocals were subsequently added in the mid-nineties, but they are presented here as the recording sounded in 1991 – instrumental genius, showing the complexity and intricacy of a band with a great future ahead of them. The set comes in a rigid digibook featuring an interview with the band, chronicling their early days, ambitions and inspirations.
"Undergrounding", the new album by Swedish Death Metal act STARTERHEADS (featuring Conny Pettersson from Anata on drums) will be released on June 3 via Indark Music. www.starterhead.com
Here’s an official press statement from John of ALLFADER: "Since the release of "At Least We Will Die Together" in 2006 we had a period where our guitarist Per was very indifferent and not motivated to continue with the band. We didn’t fire him because I go back with him quite a few years and was hoping his feelings would change. They did not, at least not fast enough. So eventually I took over his guitar duties. That’s why things have been a bit slow over here. There’s no bad blood, no scandals. We’ve all moved on. At first I was apprehensive about playing guitar while singing, but it has worked out incredibly well. Also, I feel I’m more in touch with the material when we write, and the writing process itself has been smoother than ever. We also did more shows in 2007 than the years 2001-2006 combined. So what are we up to at the moment? Well, we’re currently recording our next album. The drums are done, and right now we’re focusing on guitars. We’re recording eight songs for the album with a total playing time around 50 minutes. The songs sound huge and they have a bit of a different vibe (to us, at least). We’re focusing on groove, dynamics and solid arrangements. Heavier, less technical guitars but some awesome drumming. I’m psyched to hear the songs come alive and I can’t wait for our fans to hear this! If we meet the necessary deadlines the album will be released by Osmose sometime in the fall. More info will come soon. That’s it for now, gotta go back to recording guitars…"
On June 15, Displeased Records will reissue DYING FETUS‘ "Killing On Adrenaline" (with upgraded layout, to-the-point remastering and a bonus DVD containing 100+ minutes live gig material from 2000) and Prostitute Disfigurement’s debut full-length "Deeds Of Derangement" (with cleared up cover artwork and all lyrics included).
Germany’s Cyclone Empire Records will finally release "Under The Spell Of The Pentagram", a CD+DVD set featuring all known recordings from Chile’s cult Death / Thrashers PENTAGRAM in mid May. The DVD part will feature live-performances.
"Eryx", the new album by Finnish Black / Deathers GLORIA MORTI, will be released by Cyclone Empire on May 9th along with 2 exclusive bonustracks.
Sepulchral Voice Records (www.sepulchralvoice.de) repressed NECROS CHRISTOS‘s previously out of print "Triune Impurity Rites" on CD. Additionally, the LP version of the album has been finally made available including the album on dual black gold vinyl, foldout cover, 12 page booklet, silver print, a poster and stickers.
Soulseller Records is working on a compilation album called RESURRECTED IN FESTERING SLIME due to be released around August / September 2008. This collection treasure will be edited in limited edition vinyl and features songs from BOMBS OF HADES (featuring ex-members of GOD MACABRE, UTUMNO, ABHOTH and TRIBULATION), FACEBREAKER (featuring ex-members of EDGE OF SANITY, PAN.THY.MONIUM and DARKIFIED), EVISCERATED, MAIM, DARKCREED, FERAL, MR.DEATH (featuring ex-members of TREBLINKA, TIAMAT and EXPULSION), CHRONIC TORMENT, UNSPOKEN, CRUCIFYRE (featuring ex-members of AFFLICTED, CREMATORY, MORBID and CONCRETE SLEEP), STENCH, BONESAW and RAPE PILLAGE AND BURN (featuring ex-members of DISMEMBER and MURDER SQUAD and members of DIVINE EVE).