According to www.blabbermouth.net former TIAMAT touring keyboardist P.A. Danielsson was killed in a single-car accident in Italy last Friday (Nov. 26). He was 35 years old. In addition to touring with TIAMAT, Danielsson helped write the early LION’S SHARE songs ‘Sins Of A Father’ and ‘Scarecrow’, and played on several LION’S SHARE demos around 1993. Danielsson had also recorded with VENI DOMINE in the early ’90s. Rest in peace!
German Black Metallers FUNERAL PROCESSION have finally returned from the studio and finished the recordings of their new EP "Legion Cymru", which will be released as a 7" (on Nightfog Productions), MCD (on Millennial Visions) and MC with several bonustracks (on Intolerant Rekords). 7" and MCD are scheduled for a late 2004 / early 2005 release (the MC should follow shortly after in the first quarter of 2005). The band has recorded the following six tracks: ‘Of A World Hidden By Nocturnity’, ‘For A Journey (Pt. II)’ and ‘Warriors Of Fullmoon (Legion)’ (which will all appear on the 7"), ‘Longing For Apocalypse’, ‘Christ Fire (VON)’ and ‘Lost In The Cursed Forest Of Olde…’ (an exclusive recording for the upcoming Millennial Visions CD-R compilation "Albania Is The Future"). All songs were recorded and mixed by Dirk (Hagal) and Satyrus Sancti in April, September – November 2004 in Kargewelten Studio Hamburg and Laubhaus Studio Beentsteek. The coverartwork has been done exclusively by G. Bakker-Bents. The "Albania Is The Future" compilation is dedicated to the old spirit of the Black / Death Metal underground. Other bands participating here will be Hagal, Fornost, Erhabenheit and couple of other international bands. Since the American label that released the "Visions… – A Tribute To Burzum" compilation never stood to the words given, the band has decided to give that song a re-release on the forthcoming BURZUM tribute through the German label Perverted Taste. Other bands appearing on the new tribute album will be: Kältetod, Frozen Shadows and Forefather. The last copies of the limited t-shirt that Nightfog released earlier this year are still available. For pictures of the shirt please check out the Nightfog Productions website http://nightfog.cjb.net. Final copies of the "Solar Eclipse" demo (released in October 2002) are also still available. And if that was not enough, Count Gothmog has worked together with Alboin from German band Eismalsott, who luckily abandoned their contract with a certain German label, on a cover of Bathory’s ‘The Woodwoman’ (originally on "Blood On Ice") to be featured on the upcoming tribute album by the Swedish label Total Holocaust Records. Other bands participating here will be Funeral Winds, Moontower or Macabre Omen. Since this is a collaboration, the cover will be released under the name of THE LONESOME PROCESSION. There are rumours that FUNERAL PROCESSION will perform on January 22, 2005 in Leer, Germany. While there are plans that the band will return to the stage in 2005, this date is definitely untrue. The current FUNERAL PROCESSION line-up reads as follows: Count Gothmog – bass and vocals, Duke Hellfire – guitars, Ole – drums and Satyrus Sancti – synths and programming. For more info, check out: www.funeralprocession.net
Area Death Productions will release a DEATH tribute album "Unforgotten Past – In Memory Of Chuck Schuldiner" on December 13, 2004, featuring 14 bands from all over the world. Here’s the complete tracklist: PERDITISM – ‘Legion Of Doom’, INSISION – ‘Zombie Ritual’, BACKYARD MORTUARY – ‘Mutilation’, HYONBLUD – ‘Scream Bloody Gore’, TWO PAIN ORGANIZED – ‘Overactive Imagination’, PIRATES OF SPIRIT – ‘Trapped In A Corner’, HYPONIC – ‘The Philosopher’, MASSMURDER – ‘Misanthrope’, GORY BLISTER – ‘1000 Eyes’, SUFFOCATED – ‘Without Judgement’, IRREDEMPTION – ‘Crystal Mountain’, DUNGORTHEB – ‘Misanthrope’, RITUAL DAY – ‘Spirit Crusher’ and MOONSKIN – ‘Embraced By Words’ (special memorial song). In related news, the label has announced the signing of the two Chinese Metal bands HYONBLUD (brutal Death Metal) and HERESY (fast Black Metal). Both of them will release new full-lengths in early 2005. For more info check out http://adp.areadeath.net
Holland’s PENTACLE have a new domain for their website now. The new URL is www.pentacle.nl. Three exclusive sound samples of their upcoming new album on Iron Pegasus Records can be found at the following direct links: www.pentacle.nl/samples/sample-nr-1.mp3, www.pentacle.nl/samples/sample-nr-3.mp3 and www.pentacle.nl/samples/sample-nr-6.mp3
Shortly before Santa Claus falls drunken down your chimney you’ll get a chance to witness an excellent package of extreme Metal at ARNHEM METAL MEETING in the Netherlands. The whole event takes place on Saturday, December 04, 2004 at Musis Sacrum close to the city centre of Arnhem, bands playing will be: SAMAEL, ENTOMBED, SUFFOCATION, UNLEASHED, IMPALED NAZARENE, PRIMORDIAL, GOREROTTED, DESASTER, 1349, GOD DETHRONED, INHUME and HEIDEVOLK. The bands start torturing your ears at 16:00 and will be playing on two seperate stages to avoid overlappings. Presale price is 27,50 € plus fee for advance order tickets and 35 € door price. Ticket orders from Germany / Austria / Swiss can be done via www.metaltix.de, further infos on running order, venue etc. can be found at www.arnhemmetalmeeting.nl.
Here’s a statement by Spencer from Metal War Productions concerning the PENTACLE / BLOOD STORM 10": "Our apologies go out to all who have been waiting for the PENTACLE / BLOOD STORM split 10", but we regret to inform you that it will not be happening. It has come to our attention that 2 members of BLOOD STORM have been airing personal issues in an attempt to damage our name. We had the best wishes for them and their future endeavors but no record label in their right mind, no matter how big or small, would put out a release and back a band who does not back the label. This release has been plagued with delays from the beginning and finally, everything was in place and we were ready to do the release anyway as a gesture of civil diplomacy, despite the slander that was going on about us. We’ve since then had to rethink our viewpoint (as any label would in the same situation) and we cannot go forward with this release. However, we will not dwell on past problems or stubbornly hold detrimental grudges. So once again we apologize to everyone who has waited so patiently (and impatiently) for this release. Maybe when the gossip gets old and tired, or when people realize that things happen for the best, and bitterness and malice-driven actions do not solve anything or achieve any constructive goals. They just perpetuate the problems, prolonging the achievement of positive accomplishments. This decision was not meant to cause any backlash against them, or to fuel any controversy or gossip. It is just a decision based on what’s best for Metal War, both personally and professionally. Many thanks go the mighty PENTACLE for understanding our position, and to continue our commitment to them, we are in negotiations with them planning a special 7" release including a poster and possibly some other extras as well."
The new bass player in RESURRECTED is Ben Bays , the little brother of the band’s former bass player and friend Stefan Bays . After updating Ben on the RESURRECTED material the band will start playing live again in January 2005 (for the first confirmed dates check out our tourdates section).
BOLT THROWER have found a replacement for recently departed singer Dave Ingram. The band are very happy to announce that original vocalist Karl Willetts has rejoined them as a full-time member. Says Karl, "It’s fantastic to be a part of the mighty Bolt Thrower again. It feels great to be back with the guys, I can’t wait to get my teeth into the new songs and get back on the road again. I’ve got some unfinished business to attend to…!" The now complete line-up of Bolt Thrower will spend the next few weeks finishing off the new material and plan to go into the studio in the new year.
HADES ALMIGHTY have posted their new video, for the track ‘Submission Equals Suicide’, online here. In related news, Hades Almighty will support DEICIDE at their upcoming date at Garage in Bergen, Norway on November 23rd. Also, Hades Almighty will headline the first day of the Elements Of Metal Festival in Sandefjord, Norway, taking place December 3rd and 4th. RED HARVEST headline the second day. For more info, check out the festivals website: www.anemesis.com/eominfo.htm
CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster has posted the following update on the band’s official web site regarding the status of singer George Fisher: "Hey everyone, we just wanted to update you guys on the situation with George. He has an inflamed lung that has been making breathing very difficult and painful for him. He had to miss the Pittsburgh show because of this. We want to say thanks to Maurizio from KATAKLYSM for singing ‘Stripped, Raped And Strangled’ with us, and also say thanks to the Pittsburgh fans who contributed some growling throughout the show. We thought we might have a similar situation at the next show in Philadelphia, but George was able to perform despite his illness. He is still having some breathing difficulty, but he is improving. He also thinks he’ll be able to finish the remaining shows without any problems, as the medicine the doctors perscribed for him is reducing the inflammation. Anyway, this is not a permanent problem, just a passing illness. George should be just fine soon. George and the rest of us want to say a big thank you to all of the fans who have expressed concern and support on this matter, it means a lot to us."
According to a press release, the writing and preliminary recording of the sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is proceeding, with the final completion date tentatively scheduled for early next year. The running time of the sixth album will be in excess of 70 minutes. A detailed press release concerning the opus will be unveiled exclusively at the official Bal-Sagoth website (www.Bal-sagoth.co.uk) to coincide with the completion of recording, and will include the disclosure of the album title and the individual track titles. The release is scheduled during the first quarter of 2005, with an exact date to be finalized imminently.
On December 11, 2004 Brazil’s INCRUST will finally be back on stage again, when the band is gonna play a gig in their hometown Salvador (their first show in two years!). Their debut CD "Baptized in Unholy Gore", which was mastered by Roger Beaujard (Mortician) at Morticians’ Studio in the US, is still not out yet, but will hopefully see the light of day in December on Ibex Moon Records when label owner John McEntee is back from his tour with INCANTATION. Cris Moyen already finished the coverart for it (you can check it out here). In case you’re not familiar with INCRUST yet, these guys play old school Death Metal in the vein of SADISTIC INTENT, IMMOLATION, INCANTATION and early DEATH. For more info check out their website at http://incrust666.vila.bol.com.br.
Due to the fact that Metal Provider decided not to host any Metal pages any longer, the PENTACLE website is temporarely to be found here: http://members.chello.nl/m-verhoeven. As soon as a new permanent address is available, we’ll let you know.
Within the next couple of months Spain’s XTREEM MUSIC will be releasing a bunch of underground classics on the label’s "Xtreem Cult Series" subdivision. After the great FUNEBRE re-issue of "Children Of The Scorn" (which is already out) there’s gonna be ABHORER’s "Unholy Blasphemer" (their "Zygotical Sabbatory Unabapt" album from 1996, plus demo and 7" material), DISGRACE’s "Grey Misery" album (plus 7" and demo), DEMIGOD’s "Slumber Of Sullen Eyes" album (plus demo and possibly more), a REVENANT demo / EP collection, both CEREMONIUM albums and 7" on one CD, the KILLING ADDICTION album (plus demo, 7" and split tape material) and MORPHEUS DESCENDS album (plus 7" and live tracks). More to be announced shortly. www.xtreemmusic.com
INFERNAL MAJESTY and HIRAX are both confirmed to begin their European tour February, 2005. The tour is now being booked through Metallysee and dates will be announced shortly.
Norway’s AETERNUS (www.aeternus-darkermonument.tk) have revealed the names of the tracks that are set to appear on their forthcoming album for Nocturnal Art Productions. Due out in early 2005, the album, entitled "Hexaeon", is expected to include the following tracks: ‘The Darkest Of Minds’, ‘GodHead Charlatan’, ‘The 9th Revolution’, ‘In The 3rd Dwells Oblivion’, ‘Hexaeon’, ‘Punished’, ‘Ageless Void’, ‘Christbait’ and ‘What I Crave’.
Next year Century Media will celebrate one of the first bands signed to the label with a luxurious best of MORGOTH album. The double CD set "1987 – 1997 The Best Of Morgoth" will be released on January 24th, 2005. CD1 will contain 15 songs from all their official releases. CD2 starts with the 6-song "Pits Of Utumno" demo (never released before on CD), three rare tracks and a multimedia enhancement featuring all four promo videos and two rare live tracks from 1993. On top you’ll get a 20-page booklet with a detailed history from vocalist Marc Grewe, all lyrics from CD1 and lots of photos, backstage passes, flyers and more. The tracklisting: CD1 – ‘Selected Killing’, ‘Lies Of Distrust’, ‘Travel’ (all taken from the "Resurrection Absurd" EP, 1989), ‘Burnt Identity’, ‘White Gallery’, ‘Pits Of Utumno’ (all taken from the "Eternal Fall" EP, 1990), ‘Body Count’, ‘Isolated’, ‘Sold Baptism’ (all taken from the album "Cursed", 1991), ‘Resistance’, ‘Under The Surface’, ‘Drowning Sun’ (all taken from the album "Odium", 1993), ‘This Fantastic Decade’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘Last Laugh’ (all taken from the album "Feel Sorry For The Fanatic", 1996). CD2 – ‘From Dusk To Dawn’, ‘Being Boiled’, ‘Eternal Sanctity’, ‘Pits Of Utumno’, ‘The Beyond’, ‘Dance Their Dance’ (all taken from the "Pits Of Utumno" demo, 1988), ‘Golden Age’ (unreleased demo version, 1992), ‘TV War’ (early version with different lyrics of ‘A New Start’, 1994) and ‘Indifferent’ (rare track from the "Feel Sorry…" recording session, 1996). Bonus video enhancement on CD2 – ‘Isolated’ (live at the Rock Hard Festival in Lichtenfels, Germany 1991), ‘Cursed & Sold Baptism’, ‘Under The Surface’, ‘Last Laugh’, ‘Body Count’ (live In Chemnitz, June 18, 1993) and ‘Resistance’ (live In Chemnitz, June 18, 1993).
NAPALM DEATH have posted the following message at their official website (www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com): "Another show down, went pretty well I think, though the bus breaking down on us this past week has tired us a little. Oh well better get ready for Harpos in Detroit tomorrow. Its a Friday so hopefully its gonna be a good one. Oh yeah don’t know if I mentioned this before but we got Jello Biafra to sing on one of our tracks finally… the song ‘The Great And The Good’, this one kind of stands out from the others in some way… let’s see what you guys think when it comes out next year… bye for now."
CRYPTOPSY is focusing on a new album and the production of 2 DVDs; October 9th’s concert in Montreal and Flo Mounier’s Instructional drum video. Both will be available next year.
According to a report posted at Earache’s official website, despite their unforeseen return to Florida just two shows into their European tour, everyone in the DEICIDE camp is determined to get back to Europe as soon as possible to avoid disappointing fans. The band will recommence their European tour on 21st November at Club Monster in Gavle, Sweden, and will continue to play the tour as originally advertised up until December 8th. German and Dutch shows will now take place between December 15th and 22nd, with French and Spanish shows being rescheduled between December 9th and the 14th. All shows will feature Jack Owen (ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE) and Dave Suzuki (VITAL REMAINS) standing in on guitar duties for the Hoffman brothers. Despite the best efforts of the band and their booking agent, the Finnish leg of the tour has been impossible to reschedule, these dates will now take place in 2005 when DEICIDE are hoping to come back to Europe.
Artist Joachim Luetke’s official site (www.Luetke.com) has posted his artwork for the upcoming KREATOR album, "Enemy Of God", here. Kreator’s website (www.Kreator-terrorzone.de) has also been updated with the same designs. As previously reported, "Enemy Of God" is due to be released in North America on January 11, six days later in Europe, and early editions will include a DVD "Making Of" bonus. The tracklisting for "Enemy Of God" is as follows: ‘Enemy Of God’, ‘Impossible Brutality’, ‘Suicide Terrorist’, ‘World Anarchy’, ‘Dystopia’, ‘Voices Of The Dead’, ‘Murder Fantasies’ (which includes a guest appearance by ARCH ENEMY guitarist, Mike Amott), ‘When Death Takes Its Dominion’, ‘One Evil Comes – A Million Follow’, ‘Dying Race Apocalypse’, ‘Under A Total Blackened Sky’ and ‘The Ancient Plague’.
Danish Deathsters EXMORTEM will be supporting Polish Death Metal veterans BEHEMOTH in the UK in early 2005. Check out our tourdates section for all details.