January 10, 2004
Mikael Sjöstrand, drummer of Swedish Thrash / Death Metallers HYPNOSIA, has died due to skin cancer on January 08, 2004. Rest In Peace buddy!
Mikael Sjöstrand, drummer of Swedish Thrash / Death Metallers HYPNOSIA, has died due to skin cancer on January 08, 2004. Rest In Peace buddy!
Danish extreme Death Metallers EXMORTEM will record the follow-up to 2002’s "Pestilence Empire" in May / June at The Antfarm Studio ( Aarhus ) with Tue Madsen behind the desk. No title has been set for the album yet, but a few "working" titles are: "Nihilistic Contentment", "Graveside Mourning Ritual" and "Parasite Paradise". The material is said to be "both harder and more twisted than on previous recordings and will show new sides of the Exmortem sound".
UNHOLY GHOST, who have just emerged from Diet Of Worms Studios (Tampa, FL) with producer Juan "Punchy" Gonzales, are excited to announce that their debut CD "Torrential Reign" is finally complete. The band is 100% stoked and fans should expect this to be a stellar release! Artwork for the CD is currently being completed and will be available soon. "Torrential Reign" is scheduled for an early 2004 release on Olympic Records / Century Media. Here’s the complete track listing: ‘The Calling Of Sin’, ‘Soul Disment’, ‘Eyes Of Lost’, ‘Decimated’, ‘Cross Contamination’, ‘Denouncication’, ‘Entrenched In Warfare’, ‘Torn Apart’, ‘Under Existence’, ‘Torrential Reign’ and ‘The Apparition’. All further info you may find at: www.unholyghost.com
CEPHALIC CARNAGE will be filming for their upcoming DVD, Live At Your Mom’s House, on Friday, January 23rd, 2004 at the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO. Support will come from NOISEAR and CONTROL ELEMENT.
According to their website, SKINLESS have completed work on their forthcoming DVD called "Skinflick". The band says that they’ll have "Many more details on this soon but we’re really excited. It has tons and tons of footage and more behind the scenes madness than you can possible imagine".
According to the website for the 2004 WALDROCK FESTIVAL (www.waldrock.nl), TESTAMENT, CRADLE OF FILTH and CANNIBAL CORPSE are the first acts to be confirmed to perform. The festival is scheduled to take place in Bergum, Holland on June 19th, 2004. More acts will be announced soon.
Norwegian apocalyptic Black Metal outfit V:28 has issued their debut, "NonAnthropogenic" through Vendlus / The End Records. The album is produced by Red Harvest sample / programming guru LRZ and features Enslaved bassist / vocalist Grutle Kjellson on two tracks (‘Dead Shining Star’ and ‘Purity’). V:28 have performed with Enslaved, Red Harvest and Cadaver Inc. and played at this year’s edition of the Hole In The Sky fest in Bergen, Norway.
GORGOROTH have confirmed two new shows in the upcoming months in Europe. Dates are: January 10th in Athens, Greece and February 1st in Krakow, Poland. As previously reported, the show in Krakow will filmed for a planned live DVD, which will hopefully include interviews and other bonus material. The DVD is planned to be released in 2005.
According to the official ABIGOR website (www.infernalhorde.com), the band’s former vocalist Silenius (Summoning) has joined ST. LUCIFER as the group’s new singer. The posting also reveals that the band may record some "first demo / promo-songs" during the winter months for an upcoming release this year. The band will also launch a new website sometime in the very near future.
The MARYLAND DEATH FEST, which takes place at the Thunderdome in Baltimore, MD on May 28th and 29th has announced the following bands: MACABRE, CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN, MORTAL DECAY, SQUASH BOWELS, DEAD INFECTION, ROTTEN SOUND, LAST DAYS OF HUMANITY, PIG DESTROYER, THE RED CHORD, VOMIT REMNANTS, INTERNAL SUFFERING, PROFANITY, MALIGNANCY, ION DISSONANCE, NEURAXIS, BRODEQUIN, MORTAL DECAY, MAN MUST DIE, FLESHTIZED, SWARM OF THE LOTUS and BIOLICH. For more information check out: www.marylanddeathfest.com.
VOMITORY drummer Tobias Gustafsson has posted a studio update on the band’s forthcoming new album, "Primal Massacre" (due out on April 19th) at the group’s official website: "The last week of recording went really smooth. We’re not really used to take things so easy during a recording session, so this was definitely a new experience to us – and a nice one indeed! All guitars, bass and vocals are now done and so far we, including Henrik (Larsson) the producer, are all very content with the result. The first thing that strikes me when I listen to the recording is that Erik’s (Rundqvist) voice has become even stronger and more brutal than on our previous albums! Fuck yeah! This is without any doubt his best vocal work to date and he could never have ended his vocal duties in Vomitory in a better way! "Primal Massacre" will contain ten songs and as usual, there are some songs that still are untitled, but here are some of the definite titles: ‘Autopsy Extravaganza’, ‘Stray Bullet Kill’, ‘Demons Divine’ and the title track. We’ll begin mixing the album at Berno Studio, in Malmö, Sweden, on January 5th with Henrik Larsson. More news when we’re done with the mixing!"
In March, Crook’d Records will release "Psycho Psycho", the return album by Florida metallers, NASTY SAVAGE. It marks the first time in 14 years that this line-up (also responsible for 1989’s "Penetration Point") has worked together. The dozen tracks will include a remake of the classic demo track, ‘Savage Desire’. Frontman, Nasty Ronnie has always been as a professional wrestler and on the new disc, WWE superstar Chris Jericho (frontman for FOZZY, see the connection?) guests on a trio of songs, including ‘Anguish’ and the re-recorded ‘Savage Desire’. The tracklisting for "Psycho Psycho" is as follows: ‘Psycho Psycho’, ‘Hell Unleashed’, ‘Anguish’, ‘Human Factor’, ‘Terminus Maximus’, ‘Dementia 13’, ‘Step Up To The Plate’, ‘Return Of The Savage’, ‘Triumphal Entry’, ‘Betrayal System’, ‘Savage Desire’ and ‘Merciless Truths’.
INCANTATION have announced details of the Extreme Metal Festival 3 in Milan, Italy that they are headlining. Slated for Sunday, January 4, 2004, the festival will also feature: ZYKLON, SETH, FUNERUS, ENTHRONED, NORTHERN TOD, THE TOMBERS, plus guests. Incantation are in the process of working on their first DVD for Mutilation Records out of Brazil. The DVD will include a live performance from their November 22nd, 2003 show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It will also include vintage video footage that spans the band’s 13 years of existence along with other rare footage. There is no release date set for this DVD yet, but it expect it in mid-2004.
Unfortunately LUNAR AURORA had to cancel their appearance on our 10th Anniversary Festival that will take place on January 31, 2004 at the Wehrschloß in Bremen, Germany. Replacing them on the bill will be fellow Black Metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON. For all further info on the whole event check out our festival site www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/festival
ACHERON are back with their new album, "Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood", through Black Lotus Records. The album is available in a slipcase edition, limited to 1,000 copies. Being called the "darkest and most ferocious album of their career", the disc was recorded at Mars Recording Compound (MUSHROOMHEAD, EARTH CRISIS) and features members of INCANTATION, WOLFEN SOCIETY and BURNING INSIDE.
KEEP OF KALESSIN are releasing the "Reclaim" EP through Norway’s Voices Music on January 15th. Alongside Obsidian C. (guitar, bass, synth) the EP features SATYRICON drummer Frost and former MAYHEM / ABORYM vocalist Attila Chisar as guests. The release contains the following tracklisting (running time 27:05): ‘Traveller’, ‘IX’, ‘Come Damnation’, ‘Obliterator’ and ‘Reclaim’.
Nocturnal Arts acts VOID and AETERNUS are both working on new material, and will record new albums in 2004.
Earache have just signed Norway’s BLOOD RED THRONE to a worldwide multi-album deal.
The tickets for our 10th anniversary festival on January 31, 2004 have finally arrived. Contact nhashi@web.de for all further ordering info.
DRAWN AND QUARTERED are currently finishing songs for a split 7" with CARRIONED from Spain, to be released on Carcoma Corporea Records sometime in the near future. It will be available in splatter gore red. DRAWN AND QUARTERED’s side will feature Gabriel Byrne artwork and two new songs, inluding the tittle track ‘Slaughter The Disciples’. The band has furthermore already scheduled studio time in January to record tracks for their next album.
ANATA will officially release their Wicked World debut, "Under A Stone With No Inscription", in the US on February 24th, 2003. As previously reported, the album features the following tracklisting: ‘Shackled To Guilt’, ‘A Problem Yet To Be Solved’, ‘Entropy Within’, ‘Dance To The Song Of Apathy’, ‘Sewerages Of The Mind’, ‘Built On Sand’, ‘Under The Debris’, ‘The Drowning’, ‘Leaving The Spirit Behind’ and ‘Any Kind Of Magic Or Miracle’.
Germany’s melodic Death Metallers IMMORTAL RITES have signed a deal with Morbid Records for Europe. The album, "Art Of Devolution", which was just released in North America, will be released in Europe in March 2004.
Australia’s KUTABARE have their debut full-length CD "Finger Food Fetish For The Morbidly Abnormal" coming out in the next 2 weeks, with crazy artwork from the band’s drummer Pete Limbspasm. The band is already working on new songs which are said to be even heavier and more gore-filled than ever before. More info at: www.bloodharmonic.com
WTN from Singapore will finally have their debut album "Rotting In Pestilence" out in the early part of 2004. The artwork has been drawn by Nor Prego from Spain, who has done work for Machetazo and Fermento the past few years. WTN also has split EP’s in the works with bands, such as Frightmare, Splatterhouse, and also the split with Haemorrhage is still planned to come out. No release dates on any of these at this time.
GRUESOME STUFF RELISH has had a great year, playing many shows in Europe, and has an upcoming show with Haemorrhage as well. They will begin work on their 2nd full-length CD for Razorback in January 2004, for hopefully a February release. The band also has their split mini-LP / mini-CD with Engorged coming out on Last House On The Right Records any day now, and their new split mini-CD with Splatterhouse is out now on No Escape Records.
SPLATTERHOUSE‘s debut recording, a split CD with labelmates Gruesome Stuff Relish is out now. The band will begin working on their debut full-length CD for Razorback Records in the early part of 2004 and will also be doing a split 7" ep with Birdflesh, due to be released on The Spew Records from Italy. There should also be a Splatterhouse website coming soon as well.
ENGORGED have returned home to Razorback Records and their brand new album, tentatively titled "Where Monsters Dwell…" will feature 8 brand new songs of thrashing horror death / grind. Some new songs include ‘Slaughterhouse’, ‘Architeuthis’, ‘Werewolf Militia’ and ‘Return Of The Living Dead’. The band will start recording in the early part of 2004, and the album is planned to be released in the Summer. T-shirts will be made to celebrate this release, so look for more info on that next year. The album will feature all new artwork from Dennis Dread. Engorged also has planned split releases coming with Fondlecorpse and Ghoul! Their website should be updated soon as well. www.engorged.net
MACHETAZO are currently preparing ideas and material for the 3rd full-length CD on Razorback Records, which is going to be a concept album about the amazing Blind Dead films of the 70’s. Where "Trono De Huesos" was about anger, this new one will be about fear. Artwork will be drawn by Nor Prego, and the album should be released in the Summer of 2004. Machetazo has just recently recorded 3 new songs for a split 7" ep with General Surgery that will be coming out on Escorbuto Records from Sweden. Look for this release in January 2004. The band also has plans to record material for a split LP with Mausoleum in 2004. www.machetazo.net
LORD GORE is getting ready to start recording the material for many new releases planned for 2004. Their 2nd CD for Razorback Records is planned to be titled "Dead In The Flesh". Look for the album cover and layout to be one of the most insane ever done. The band also has split releases coming with Blood Duster, and also a split mini-CD with Biolich on No Escape Records. www.lordgore.net
FONDLECORPSE are currently hard at work on their debut full-length album which will be titled "Creaturegore" and will be a tribute to all things small, gross, mean, and ugly. The band is also working on getting a new full-length 7" ep out, titled "Limbless" which will be self-released and features artwork from Jake of Tales From Uranus comics. They are also working on a split with Engorged that will be a tribute to all the wonderful trash culture of the 80s. The band still has T-shirts and copies of their split 7" with Inkblack available, check out their web site: www.fondlecorpse.nl
After finally having their debut album released after over 10 years, BLOOD FREAK have finally returned to celebrate the joys of horror films on DVD, drive-in movie theatres, and true grindgore death metal. The band is currently working on their new album, titled "Live Fast, Die Young… And Leave A Flesh-Eating Corpse!", which will once again feature art from the splatter master Chas Balun. The album will have 30 brand new songs and even better production and sound. Some new titles include: ‘Butchermobile’, ‘The Slaughter Special’, ‘Goretits’ and ‘Splatter Of The Highest Order’.
GORE BEYOND NECROPSY and Razorback Records join forces in 2004 to unleash a brand new CD. The new release, titled "Rock ‘n Noise, Grind ‘n Roll", will be released sometime in late 2004 and include completely insane artwork from Woo-Young (vocalist of Realized). In the meantime, contact the band to obtain a copy of their brand new 3-way split LP with Arsedestroyer and Nikudorei. Also, the band has a brand new 7" ep on HG Fact Records from Japan that was just released. www.gorebeyondnecropsy.com
GHOUL will return in 2004 with a very special split CD with Engorged. The band will record 4 brand new songs for this release. The split CD might be titled "Chamber Of Chills". Also, the band still hopes to record material for a split 7" ep with Machetazo on Last House On The Right Records.
Razorback Records will celebrate 5 years of gore with a special compilation CD, that will include tracks from past Razorback releases, as well as bonus material and other exclusive surprises. Liner notes will be written by long time nemesis, Digestor of Ghoul, and will also feature awesome artwork from Jake of Tales From Uranus. This will be a low-priced CD and will also be given away free with orders.
To celebrate NIFELHEIM‘s 13th year of existence Sweden’s I Hate Records will release a limited edition (1.000 copies) vinyl LP of the band at the end of December. It’ll be called "13 Years" and features unreleased versions of songs, cover tunes and live-stuff.