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The CHTON track ‘Scavenger Of A Dead World’ can now be checked out at the band’s official Myspace-profile: www.myspace.com/chton. This track is one of three brand new songs on their new promo "Death Awaits" recorded at Godt Selskap Studio (Bloodthorn, Necrophagia, Keep of Kalessin etc.). This is the first recording featuring newly recruited CHTON drummer Vegar ‘Vyl’ Larsen (Keep of Kalessin). "Death Awaits" will not be for sale (only as a promo for labels), but one of the tracks will be used for an upcoming split 7" with fellow Trondheim Death Metallers BLOODTHORN. The other two will be re-recorded for the follow-up to "Chtonian Lifecode", the 2004 CHTON debut on Retribute Records. The band is currently without a label, but almost a full album of material is ready and they hope to release their 2nd album in the third quarter of 2006. "Death Awaits" tracklist: ‘Scavenger Of A Dead World’, ‘Contagion (The Disease)’ and ‘Dobermanifesto’. CHTON has also launched a brand new website. The band comments that "We’ll update the news here more often now, and we’ll slowly fill out some blanks we haven’t done yet (like more pictures, more info on previous gigs, more interviews etc.)! We’ve got some new downloads for y’all to check out, and we’re also working on another clip of drunken disorder and Death Metal dicipline from the recording of the Death Awaits promo." Two new video downloads are available: ‘Unholy Communion’: Music taken from "Chtonian Lifecode". The video is edited from footage shot when CHTON opened for Mayhem at Studentersamfundet in Trondheim on January 15, 2005. ‘Xhaos Xultus Xhton’: On- and offstage bootleg-footage of CHTON mischief. Shot by people in and around CHTON, some more drunk than others. For full bio, discography and other info, go to www.chton.com
SEVERE TORTURE are confirmed for this year’s "Maryland Deathfest". Set to take place May 27-28, 2006 at the Sonar in Baltimore, USA. Other already announced acts include Dismember, Vital Remains and Pungent Stench. A little closer to home and more imminent SEVERE TORTURE will join KRISIUN for the lowlands lap of the Brazilian outfits upcoming European expedition.
DEICIDE will begin recording new album "The Stench Of Redemption" at Morrisound Studios with Jim Morris in March. The record will be the first DEICIDE album to feature new guitarists Jack Owen (formerly of Cannibal Corpse) and Ralph Santolla (ex – Death / Iced Earth) who have been touring in the band since the departure of the brothers Hoffman in 2005. DEICIDE have now been confirmed to headline this year’s "Arizona Metal Devastation Fest" that takes place on April 7th and 8th at Bulldogs located in Glendale, Arizona. The band is currently scheduled to headline on Saturday April 8th. The Festival billing is still in the works and not yet finalized. Already confirmed in addition to DEICIDE are: Waco Jesus, Meatshits, Engorged, Splatterhouse, Fecal Corpse, Bung, Golers, Burn Victim, He Who Binds Himself, Job For a Cowboy, Black Hell, Shattered, XXX Maniak, Gorgasm, Vital Remains, Nausea, ETTS, Inducing Terror, Saphead, Crematorium, Mercitron and Sanity in Death. Tickets will be limited to 400 for the event. For more information please see the festival’s official website at: www.azmdfest.com
Currently on the final lap of a month long US tour, Poland’s DECAPITATED have just been confirmed to appear at this year’s "Fuck The Commerce" festival. "Fuck The Commerce" takes place between May 25-27 2006 at MZA (Mehrzweckhalle) in Luckau, Germany. DECAPITATED will play on May 26th. Already confirmed are Vital Remains, Prostitute Disfigurement, Driller Killer, Extreme Noise Terror, among many others, with more to be announced soon. For more information go to: www.fuck-the-commerce.com. DECAPITATED’s new album "Organic Hallucinosis" is released on both CD and Dual Disc formats on Earache on February 13th 2006.
On January 28 French Death Metallers BLOODY SIGN have entered Dissonant Studio (www.dissonantstudio.com) in Aoste / Italy with Luca Minieri (Illogicist) to record their next album "Explosion Of Elements". The album will feature 9 tracks and is about to be released via Ibex Moon Records (www.ibexmoonrecords.com) again later this year. The band is still looking for an exclusive European license. BLOODY SIGN is furthermore working on a spring tour with ESTUARY (www.tidesofestuary.com) which will cross France, Spain and Portugal (they will appear at the "Steel Warriors Festival" in Barroselas) at the end of April, beginning of May. They have also been invited to play the "Central Illinois Death Fest" in July 2006, so they’re now trying to organize a tour in the US as well. People that are interested to book the band are advised to get in touch with them through www.bloodysign.fr.st. Later this year a 7" EP with exclusive material will be released on the Swedish label Blood Harvest (www.bloodharvest.se).
Original HIRAX drummer John Tabares has rejoined the band alongside Lance Harrison on lead guitars. The band is in preproduction, writing songs for the upcoming new EP "Assassins Of War". To view the new HIRAX album cover and more information, go to www.hirax.org
Chicago’s USURPER have just been confirmed to appear at this year’s Inferno Metal Festival in Norway. Taking place, as always, in Oslo between the 13th 15th April 2006 at the Rockefeller Music Hall, USURPER join a list of heavyweights already announced including EMPEROR, CATHEDRAL, MARDUK, BOLT THROWER, DISMEMBER, CARPATHIAN FOREST and WITCHCRAFT. USURPER’s Jon Necromancer is already fired up: "Obviously, USURPER is incredibly psyched at the opportunity to play in Europe again, especially at a fest as killer as Inferno. The line-up looks incredible this year, and we are bringing a 75 minute set packed with new songs, as well as some "oldies" going back to the demo era that we haven’t played live in over 10 years! Scandinavia has always been supportive of us, especially in the early years, and we intend to do our best to repay the favor!" The whole event is now virtually sold out, although a few day tickets are still available. For info go to: www.infernofestival.net
CULT OF LUNA have completed work on their latest album entitled "Somewhere Along The Highway". Slated for an April 24th release date via Earache Records, the initial tracking took place over 7 days in a wooden octagon barn surrounded by "Blair Witch" scenery close to the bands hometown of Umeå in Northern Sweden. According to Magnus Lindberg the remote location coupled with the spotting of "Wicca witch women dancing in the woods" and the actual acoustics of the barn itself all contributed towards creating the perfect ambiance to lay down the basic tracks which were done primarily live, as a unit – a departure from previous Cult of Luna recording protocol. Further recording and mixing happened in Tonteknik studios where both the band’s 2004 album "Salvation" and its predecessor "The Beyond" (2003) were recorded. And the result promises to more raw and unpolished then the bands previous releases. "Somewhere Along The Highway" contains 7 tracks, namely: ‘Marching To The Heartbeats’, ‘Finland’, ‘Back To Chapel Town’, ‘And With Her Came The Birds’, ‘Thirtyfour’, ‘Dim’ and ‘Dark City, Dead Man’.
Siamese blasphemous warriors SURRENDER OF DIVINITY completed their recordings for the upcoming "Manifest Blasphemy: The Abortion Of The Immaculate Conception" album as well as the tracks for the split 7" with MORBOSIDAD. Both releases out this year through From Beyond Productions. Both CD and LP will have different and exclusive artwork. SURRENDER OF DIVINITY will perform live in Bangkok with cult veterans MAYHEM, on January 29th. Click here to see the flyer.
Isolationist misanthropic raw Black Metal act STRIBORG signed with Displeased. Expect their new effort "Embittered Darkness" this year.
MANEGARM has just recorded a new mini album. They are currently mixing it. Expect the release before this Summer. Manegarm will do a mini tour through Europe from the March 2nd to 11th together with SKYFORGER (LV) and GODDESS OF DESIRE (NL).
GOATSEMEN finished writing half of the upcoming full-length. In the meanwhile they are preparing for local gigs and live activities with side projects, such as a mini tour of SARAM with the mighty VULCANO.
LUNAR AURORA underwent some line-up changes lately. Whyrhd is no longer an active musical member of the band for he will focus on his Cold Dimensions label exclusively from now on. There was no bad blood or anything like that that lead to the split, so LUNAR AURORA will continue to be released through his company. The actual line-up is: Aran (guitars, voice), Sindar (bass, voice), Malphas (drums), Akhorahil (keyboards) and Skoarth (guitars).
Former Earache recording artists MORBID ANGEL have announced the "Masters of Chaos Tour 2006" which will span much of the major U.S. cities starting this coming April. Supporting MORBID ANGEL on this tour are Behemoth, Krisiun and Despised Icon. The band toured throughout Latin America two times to popular demand in 2005 along with Europe and it seems like it’s the U.S.’s turn now. Earache Records is now set to release a Dual Disc version of MORBID ANGEL’s masterpiece album "Altars Of Madness" on March 13th, 2006. The classic album will now contain a DVD side which will feature a legendary live concert of MORBID ANGEL in 1989 at Rock City in Nottingham. The video was shot during the bands first European appearance as part of the Grindcrusher tour.
Razorback Records have secured the official rights to re-release two albums from IMPETIGO. Starting this summer, Razorback Records will be bringing you these all-time cult classic albums with exclusive live bonus tracks, liner notes from the band members, every single piece of artwork related to each release (art from vocalist Stevo, Chas Balun, etc.) and each album will finally be remastered. The "Ultimo Mondo Cannibale" CD will finally be released with the originally banned cover artwork that was only ever seen on the "Giallo" picture disc release. This art was always meant to be the true cover for "Ultimo Mondo Cannibale" but the printers that Wild Rags Records used in the early 90s refused to print it due to the graphic nature. It will also include the classic "Faceless" EP and all of the various artwork related to it inside the booklet. "Faceless" will also be remastered. The "Horror Of The Zombies" CD will include live bonus tracks from the legendary Rhode Island Death Fest and will also feature cover art by Stevo that was originally only seen on the picture disc version and a t-shirt from the early 90s.
THE BERZERKER will re-appear for rare UK-only dates, which will form their first shows ever unmasked. The touring line up consists of Luke ‘The Berzerker’ Kenny – vocals, Matt Wilcox (now in Akercocke) – guitar, Sam Bean – bass & vocals, Ed Lacey – recording guitarist from both "The Bezerker" and "World of Lies" albums and Dave Gray (from Akercocke) on drums. For the exact dates, check out our tour dates section.
HATE ETERNAL are scheduled to appear at this year’s Metal Therapy Festival held in France. The festival is now in its 3rd year and the 2006 edition will feature some serious Metal heavyweights along with some impressive newcomers. Currently appearing on the bill are: HATE ETERNAL, MOONSPELL, MAYHEM, HYPOCRISY, SOILWORK, AMORPHIS, GOJIRA, IMPARED NAZARENE, DAGOBA, SIKTH, THE OLD DEAD TREE, BLOCKHEADS, MANIMAL, THE ARRS and INHATRED. News for this year’s fest is coming in daily and can be found at www.metal-therapy-festival.com. The event is expected to exceed previous years expectations. This year’s event will take place at the Galaxie mega hall in Amneville, France. HATE ETERNAL is looking forward to heading overseas for some live dates this spring more than ever. With the disappointment of having to cancel the previous year’s European tour, they hope to make it up to their fans this time around. Look for more European dates in the near future
SUN DESCENDS are planning a tour in Germany, Holland etc. from May 13 – June 06, 2006. So far only May 13 and June 04 are booked, so if you can help them out with shows get in touch with the band through their website www.sundescends.com.
Swedens biggest cult act in recent days, NIFELHEIM, have agreed to share a 7" vinyl with Brazil’s legendary VULCANO, to be released via Sweden’s I Hate Records. The pressing will be in a limited edition of 1000 copies, 100 die-hard ones with yet to be determined special features and 900 regular copies. Both bands will be sporting new material for this release. Expect this cult item in the first half of 2006.
German HELLISH CROSSFIRE is the latest signing on I Hate and was formed in early 2002. The band is mainly influenced by German Thrash / Speed Metal in the vein of VIOLENT FORCE, LIVING DEATH, TORMENTOR / KREATOR as well as old SLAYER, POSSESSED, DARK ANGEL, IRON ANGEL, HELLHAMMER / CELTIC FROST, SARCOFAGO, VULCANO etc. After a well received rehearsal tape "Unholy Tyranny", recorded in the winter of 2003, the band entered a proper studio in January 2005 for the recording of what was supposed to become the MLP "Slaves Of The Burning Pentagram". However the release became repeatedly delayed due to unlucky circumstances and nothing happened until I Hate stepped in and offered the band a full-length LP deal in the beginning of 2006. Consequently the band will record two additional tracks to be added to the 30 minutes of "Slaves Of The Burning Pentagram". The release is planned for early summer of 2006.
Swedish cult old school Black Metal maniacs EIDOMANTUM will unleash two brand new tracks that show a new side of the band in that they are decidedly more Heavy Metal in their approach than earlier material. Imagine a mixture between MASTERS HAMMER around "The Ritual", ARIA and MERCYFUL FATE. Compared to their earlier NIFELHEIM type material ‘Fear The Master’ and ‘Black Aura’ are supposed to have a more epic sound, while still being just as pitch Black as their latest 2003 demo "Old Blood". The vinyl edition will be limited to 502 copies and is supposed to be out on on March 13.
Finnish true Doomsters FALL OF THE IDOLS are about to finnish the recording of their debut album due out on I Hate in late spring / early summer. The album will consist of some re-recorded songs taken from the bands earlier demos as well as some brand new material exclusive to the album. The artwork will be crafted by none other than Magister Albert of REVEREND BIZARRE. For more info check out www.falloftheidols.com
THE GATES OF SLUMBER will be recording their second album "Suffer No Guilt" at the end of February / early March with the final mixing taking place at the end of March. The recording will be done at the same studio that was used for the "Like A Plague Upon The Land" MCD (out on Hellride Music), Prana Recordings and Multimedia and will be mastered by Steve Austin (TODAY IS THE DAY). Ken Kelly, famous fantasy illustrator / painter that also has cover artworks for giants such as RAINBOW, MANOWAR and KISS on his list is the artist behind the cover artwork. Expect a June release of "Suffer No Guilt". All further info at www.thegatesofslumber.com
CENTURIONS GHOST have published the following statement regarding the follow up to "A Sign Of Things To Come": "Work on the new album is already well underway, 4 songs are completed and in the live set and another 5 or 6 are currently being worked on. So far things are sounding awesome, current song titles include: ‘In Defiance’, ‘The End’, ‘Only The Strong Will Survive’, ‘Walking Through Walls’, ‘Let Sleeping Corpses Die’ and ‘Bedbound In The House Of Doom’." CENTURIONS GHOST will be playing their first gig of the new year on the 8th of February at The Rhythm Factory, Whitechapel, London and are already working on gigs for the coming year. See our tour dates section for further details.
Sweden’s premier vintage Rockers BURNING SAVIOURS are rehearsing new material for a vinyl 7" to be released on Lee Dorrians (CATHEDRAL) Rise Above Records. The songs for the 7" will be recorded on February 7-8. Preparations are also being made for the recording of their second album "Hundus" due for a spring / early summer release on I Hate Records. The new material, which will be recorded during two weeks at end of March / beginning of April, is said to be much more worked through than the debut and supposed not to disappoint any fan of the debut. T-shirts and even girlies with a fresh, new motive displaying the bands new logo and a band photo in two colors on black cloth are also available from the bands own site www.burningsaviours.com
Due to popular demand I Hate and PROTECTOR have decided to re-release the "Echoes From The Past" CD featuring Protector’s classic ’86 two track demo, ’87’s "Misanthropy" MLP and ’88’s "Golem* LP on one CD. The new edition will come in a digipak limited to 666 copies with virtually unchanged layout and exactly the same track list as on the first pressing. www.listen.to/protector
ISOLE has just finished the recording of two new tracks in their own, newly set up, Apocalypse studio. The songs for the vinyl 7" are called ‘The Beyond’ and ‘Beyond The Black II’, and display the two extremes of ISOLE. ‘The Beyond’ is a relatively up-tempo scorcher of a song while ‘Beyond The Black II’ is a really slow piece of mournful Epic Doom. Despite borrowing its title from the debut album track ‘Beyond The Black II’ doesn’t have much in common with its name sake, being much slower and with only some parts recognizable from its name predecessor. ISOLE will be recording their second album in their own studio as well and are currently recording rehearsal versions of album songs. Expect a summer release of this album.
I Hate Records is about to re-release "Viaticum", an 11-track full-length by Spain’s Doom Metallers GREAT COVEN, that originally was only released on CD-R in 2004. Musically the material is said to combine "CANDLEMASS / NEMESIS and CELTIC FROST in an unholy union." The band is no more these days, but has been re-incarnated as the sludgy / doomy EIGHT HANDS OF KALI with a new singer. The "Viaticum" track list reads as follows: ‘Born Old And Tired’, ‘Reign Of Thorns’, ‘Satan’s Whore’s’, ‘King Of Winds’, ‘Sabbath’s Witching Hour’, ‘Perpetual Light’, ‘Great Coven’, ‘Funeral Of Souls’, ‘Mourning Of A Newborn’, ‘Viaticum’ and ‘Veil Of Tears’.