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Prompted by the recent events in SE Asia, BJÖRK decided to release a collection of cover versions and mixes of her song ‘Army Of Me’ with all of the proceeds to go to UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund). The final chosen tracks range from Canadian band INTERZONE’s brutal extreme Metal, to the soothing country sounds from ‘The Messengers Of God’, with an electro-clash number in the middle from Spain. In related news, INTERZONE’s Rob Urbinati is currently playing guitar (no vocals) in a SABBATH type band called WAR AMP together with ex JAWW and SOULSTORM members.
Former POSSESSED and current SIDE EFFECT vocalist Jeff Becerra send in the following tragic news to us today: "Hello, I am writing you all with some bad news. Today I recieved news that SIDE EFFECT guitarist Kenneth Bertoncini passed away. This came to me as a total suprise and he is sadly mourned. "Kenny" was one of the nicest, kindest, most considerate people that I have ever had the honor of knowing. Kenny was always upbeat and a happy person who brought much sunshine and happiness to all he touched. Kenny was one of my best friends. Rest in peace my friend. Rest in peace dear Kenny. Stronger Together, Jeff B. Becerra Sr."
EPICEDIUM have finally completed their line-up again with a second guitar player named Ana, who has joined the band about a month ago and will play at their next gig on March 19, 2005 at the Live Arena in Münster-Breitefeld near Dieburg. www.epicedium.de
SONIC REIGN‘s new album "Raw, Dark, Pure" will be released via the band’s own label Sovereignty Productions, which is a pure modern Black Metal label. Furthermore the band has their our studio (Sonic Room) prepared and ready for the recordings of "Raw, Dark, Pure". All further info at: www.sonicroom.de
IMPALED NAZARENE will be celebrating their 15th band anniversary with the release of their first official live album "Death Comes In 26 Carefully Selected Pieces". It was recorded last December at Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland and mixed at Sonic Pump studio by the band’s own soundman, Tapio Pennanen. Mika Jussila took care of the mastering at Finnvox studio. Here’s the final tracklisting: ‘Intro’, ‘The Horny And The Horned’, ‘Armageddon Death Squad’, ‘Goat Perversion’, ‘1999: Karmageddon Warriors’, ‘Motorpenis’, ‘Kohta Ei Naura Enää Jeesuskaan’, ‘The Endless War’, ‘Sadhu Satana’, ‘Ghettoblaster’, ‘Coraxo’, ‘Soul Rape’, ‘Sadistic 666’ / ‘Under A Golden Shower’, ‘Zero Tolerance’, ‘The Maggot Crusher’, ‘Let’s Fucking Die’, ‘Tribulation Hell’, ‘We’re Satan’s Generation’, ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’, ‘Goat Seeds Of Doom’, ‘Condemned To Hell’, ‘Intro S.F.P.’, ‘Sadogoat’, ‘Vitutuksen Multihuipennus’, ‘The Lost Art Of Goat Sacrificing’ and ‘Total War – Winter War’. "Death Comes In 26 Carefully Selected Pieces" will be out on Osmose Productions in late May 2005.
The NWOBHM legend AVENGER has re-formed and will be touring in Europe this July. The only confirmed gig in Germany so far is at the Headbanger’s Open Air warm up show on July 07, 2005 in Elmshorn. The line-up for this tour is: Ian Swift (Satan / Avenger / Atomkraft), Mick Moore (Blitzkrieg / Avenger), Gary Young (Blitzkrieg / Avenger) and Glen S. Howes (Blitzkrieg / Tygers of Pan tang). More gigs to be confirmed within the next few weeks.
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT have been signed by Neurotic Records. The band, who previously released their second full-length album "Deeds Of Derangement" on German based label Morbid Records, already recorded their sophomore album at Studio Excess (Sinister, Pyaemia, Disavowed, a.o.) and is entitled "Left In Grisly Fashion". Some of the songtitles are: ‘Bluedrum Torso’, ‘Victims Of The Absurd’ and ‘Shotgun Horror’. The band have altered their line-up by changing drummers and adding a second guitarplayer once again. Vocals duties were tracked in Robbe K’s (Disavowed / Arsebreed) mobile recording studio and therefore some guest vocal appearances of Robbe K (Disavowed, Arsebreed) and Joey (Pyaemia, Arsebreed) couldn’t be left behind. "Left In Grisly Fashion" will contain 10 tracks of pure Death Metal mayhem, and is expected to surface near the end of June. More info: www.neurotic-records.com
This year’s DYNAMO OPEN AIR in the Netherlands will feature a couple of eighties-reunions. ANTHRAX celebrate their 25th anniversary at Dynamo by appearing with their classic Among The Living line-up (Joe Belladonna, Scott Ian, Dan Spitz, Frank Bello and Charlie Benante). TESTAMENT and LAAZ ROCKIT will also appear in their classic line-ups for the occasion. TESTAMENT will play with Chuck Billy (vocals), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Eric Peterson (guitar), Greg Christian (bass) and Louie Clemente (drums). LAAZ ROCKIT will consist of Mike Coons (vocals), Aaron Jellum (guitar), Phil Kettner (guitar), Willy Lange (bass) and Victor Agnello (drums). Dutch Death Metallers GOREFEST are also playing their first reunion show at Dynamo. Other bands on the bill include OBITUARY, JON OLIVA’S PAIN, EVERGREY, MASTERPLAN, MERCENARY, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and TRIVIUM. The eighteenth edition of Dynamo Open Air takes place on May 7 in the city of Hellendoorn, in the very east of Holland. Tickets cost 45 euros in advance and 50 euros on the day. For more information please visit the Dynamo website: www.dynamo.nl
IN AETERNUM have just recorded their new album "Dawn Of A New Aeon" for Agonia Records. The recording took place at Abyss Studios with Tommy Tägtgren at the end of December. Nicklas Rudolfsson from Magick Sound Studios mastered the album and Mike Wead from King Diamond / Mercyful Fate is doing a guest solo on the track ‘Pactum Diaboli’. The artwork was done by Joe Petagno and can be viewed at this location www.inaeternum.com. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Crusade’, ‘A New Dawn’, ‘Poison The Holy’, ‘Pactum Diaboli’, ‘Devil In Me’, ‘Seven Storms Of Doom’, ‘Unholy Sons Awakened’, ‘Ultimate Extermination’, ‘No Salvation’ and ‘Spawned By The Fires Below’. Sound clips will be available soon. IN AETERNUM will also be hitting the road with BELPHEGOR and ARKHON INFAUSTUS during April (see our tourdates section for the exact dates).
DESTRUCTION are currently hard at work on new material for their AFM Records debut. HYPOCRISY frontman Peter Tägtgren will produce and mix the album, which is scheduled to be released August 15th. It is being described by the label as "an absolute Thrash grenade".
HOLY MOSES are currently in the process of mixing their new album, "Strength Power Will Passion". The band expects to have audio samples available for download on a day to day basis starting the middle of March.
According to a posting on their official website, Tampa-based Death Metallers UNHOLY GHOST have enlisted former DEICIDE guitarist Eric Hoffman. "UNHOLY GHOST are currently in pre-production for their second release attentively titled "Blasphemy Of The Grand Devine", the site adds. "Eric is an amazing guitarist and we are all very excited to be working with him!" Hoffman replaces the departed Kelly McLauchlin who left to concentrate on his other band PESSIMIST and other musical interests.
Norweigan Black Metallers GORGOROTH have posted the following update on the band’s official website: "(This week) GORGOROTH was examined in Bergen Tingrett (Norwegian court) in regard to last year’s controversial show in Krakow, Poland. Now it’s up to the Polish authorities to clarify this matter and eventually return the mastertapes so that the Black Mass in Krakow DVD can be released." As previously reported, prosecutors in Poland launched an investigation following GORGOROTH’s February 1st, 2004 show. The Norwegian act are suspected of having sent a hateful and offensive message with their performance.
According to a posting at the official KULT OV AZAZEL website (www.kultovazazel.com) the band have completed work on their new album, "The World, The Flesh & The Devil", due for release in May. The album will feature the following tracklisting: ‘The World Is Full Of Violence’, ‘As Temples Burn’, ‘An Eternity With Satan’, ‘Compelled To Die’, ‘The Glorification Of Evil’, ‘Trampling The Cross’, ‘Blood, Death & Damnation’, ‘The Calling Forth’ and ‘Bloodstained Path To Victory’.
Sweden’s RAISE HELL have posted the following message at their official website (www.raise-hell.net): "The studio is booked in April for the recording of our new album. It will be recorded at Sheepvalley Productions in Stockholm. We are almost finished with writing the songs and from what we can hear so far it’s gonna be a killer album!"
According to the official BLOODBATH website, the band will be filming their appearance at this year’s Wacken Open Air for a future DVD release, saying it "might not only be the first, but also the last gig" for the band. When the DVD will be released and through which label has yet to be confirmed. HYPOCRISY frontman Peter Tägtgren, who sang on the new BLOODBATH album "Nightmares Made Flesh", is unable to appear at the show due to conflicting schedules. Original singer Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH) will be fronting the band for the show.
New Jersey’s MASS PSYCHOSIS have re-formed! Here’s the official press statement by the band: "Founding member Doug Grandon, original frontman Tom May and original bassist John Zebro have joined their considerable talents once again with drummer Vic Belarista, a veteran of the "Necroporno" album sessions. The band are now poised to unleash upon the world more of the brutal, blinding, and technically astounding music that they have been known for since the ’90s. After much hard work that garnered many fans stateside in their earlier days, Mass Psychosis released "Face", followed by the critically acclaimed "Necroporno". Both recordings earned them a solid fan base in Metal-hungry Europe as well. Loyal fans on both continents who have been clamoring for more musical wizardry from Grandon, May, Zebro and Belarista are about to have their fondest wishes fulfilled,as the band is currently in the studio recording tracks for a brand new release. The versatility of May’s vocals and the fret-board prowess and songwriting ability of Grandon have never been more sharply honed. The combination of unorthodox bassist Zebro and drummer Belarista just adds insult to injury. Mass Psychosis is back – prepare for obliteration!" You can check out a new promo pic here. A website will be up next week. We’ll keep you posted! You can contact the band via email through this address: masspsychosis@verizonmail.com
UNHOLY GHOST founding member / lead guitarist Kelly McLauchlin has announced he is leaving the band, in order to continue on with PESSIMIST and other musical interests. Kelly has been an integral part of UNHOLY GHOST since its beginning in 2003, and the band wishes him future success with PESSIMIST. Check out www.pessimist.com for more info. UNHOLY GHOST will announce a replacement guitarist soon.
BURDEN OF GRIEF finally found a new drummer. His name is Sebastian "Rob" Robrecht. He will replace long-time drummer Carsten Schmerer, who will leave the band due to lack of time. Together with Rob the band just started the songwriting for their forthcoming album. In related news, Magick Records (a division of the L.A. based Cleopatra Label Group) has just licensed BURDEN OF GRIEF’s still current album "Fields Of Salvation" for the US-market. It will be release in the US with one bonus-track (a live-version of ‘Reborn’). For further info check out: www.burdenofgrief.de
Here’s a couple of first hand information from PENTACLE‘s Wannes concerning the progress of the new album and upcoming EP: "Although for you it may seem nothing is happening in the Pentacle – crypts, for us it is an extremely busy period. Evening after evening I am busy doing the layout for the new album. The layout of the CD was supposed to be taken care of in Germany and should have been ready by now, but due lack of time, I was asked to do it myself. This put a lot of pressure on my shoulders to manage to get everything ready on time, but it seems we’re going to make it! The layout is very cool and I’m really happy with the result thus far. It has become a professional product, including many cool photos of the band in the studio and in the rehearsal room. I want to thank Frederique Sengers for helping me out on this one. Without her professional attitude it wouldn’t have been possible to achieve such a big result on such a short notice. You did a great job!!! Unfortunate, the front cover is still not finished yet. Due to different reasons, Manuel hasn’t been able to finish his upcoming masterpiece yet, so we have to wait for that. I hope he’ll manage it asap, as I have no doubt it’ll become something very special! When everything works out as we want to, Metal War Productions is going to release an EP with 2 new songs. Those songs were recorded during the sessions of "Under The Black Cross" and are called ‘A Hellish Descent’ and ‘Blast Them From The Sky!’. We are going to use the artwork and title for the aborted 10" with Blood Storm. So, for those who haven’t read / heard it yet, the EP is going to be called "Archaic Undead Fury". The contract hasn’t been signed yet, but I’m positive about the outcome. The EP should be accompanied by a poster featuring the artwork of the 7". This piece of art was made by Manuel Tinnemans as well. The layout for this EP is almost ready. From this point many thanks to Tony Glebbeek for his dedicated work! So keep your fingers crossed!!!!" www.pentacle.nl