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SODOM have announced that they will be issuing a new double-DVD at the end of May, with a new album to follow in September. Both will be released by SPV. About the DVD, leader Tom Angelripper (bass / vocals) says that the concert portion will contain 23 songs and there will be a lengthy retrospective.
Norwegian Black Metallers SATYRICON‘s official website (www.satyricon.no) has been updated with the following message from vocalist Satyr: "I just returned from a week long stay at a cabin far up in the mountains with my good friend Snorre from THORNS. We set up recording equipment and worked very focused with our new albums. I’m co-producing the new THORNS album and I also put a great deal of work into the new Satyricon record during our stay. The material is coming along really great and I hope to enter the studio with (drummer) Frost late summer. We will play our first London show in 2 years at the Fabric on March 3rd. More info about that later this week."
IMMOLATION‘s new album "Harnessing Ruin" will be released in the US through Olympic Recordings / Century Media on March 22nd. The US edition will include an enhanced video of the title track, as well as a "brutal" bonus sampler that will encompass the heavier acts on both the Olympic and Century Media roster. Expect a full US tour to follow around the time of the Maryland Death fest, happening May 28th and 29th. The official Immolation website (www.everlastingfire.com/immolation) currently has the band’s new video for ‘Harnessing Ruin’ available. "Harnessing Ruin" is due out through Listenable in February in Europe in a deluxe limited edition digipak, jewel case CD and limited edition hand numbered vinyl LP. Also, Immolation’s DVD, "Bringing Down The World", will be issued in North America in Spring 2005 in NTSC format. Harnessing Ruin will feature the following tracklisting: ‘Swarm Of Terror’, ‘Our Savior Sleeps’, ‘Challenge The Storm’, ‘Harnessing Ruin’, ‘Dead To Me’, ‘Son Of Iniquity’, ‘My Own Enemy’, ‘Crown The Liar’ and ‘At Mourning’s Twilight’. The album was recorded at Millbrook Sound Studios with Paul Orofino producing. Immolation were recently confirmed for the Maryland Death Fest III, taking place on May 28th and 29th, 2005 at Thunderdome in Baltimore, MD. Acts currently confirmed for the festival include: IMMOLATION, REGURGITATE, BIRFLESH, ABSCESS, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, BODIES LAY BROKEN, XXX MANIAK and KILL THE CLIENT.
SUN DESCENDS signed a combined record deal for Brazil and Puerto Rico with Marquee Records and Khaosmaster Productions. The band’s first release will be called "Tide & Law… The EPs", which is a re-release of SUN DESCENDS’ first two EPs on one CD, with never been released bonus material from Mem’s early years with EXUMER. SUN DESCENDS and both labels are planning on further releases from Mem’s other projects and the full-length SUN DESCENDS album. Check out www.sundescends.com for more details or mail Mem at: Mem@sundescends.com
MORBID ANGEL have posted a new publicity photo of the band featuring returned vocalist / bassist David Vincent, guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer Pete Sandoval. You can check it out here. In other news, Relapse Recording artists NECROPHAGIST has been selected as one of the opening acts on the upcoming Morbid Angel "Masters Of Chaos" Tour in Europe. Check out our tourdates section for exact dates.
According to MÖRK GRYNING‘s official website (www.mork-gryning.com) Jonas Berndt, a.k.a. Goth, is leaving Mörk Gryning. Goth: "Mörk Gryning is no more. Yesterday I called everyone in the band and told them I’m leaving. I know many people will be disappointed because of this decision I’ve made, but I’m afraid it was something I had to do. Black or Death Metal simply doesn’t attract me in the way it used to do. I’ve always loved what we have done but I have lost the spark you so dearly need when you’re in a band like this. Thanks to all old and new fans who has supported us during the years. We have decided to publish the material we have been working on the latest months, and you can download the songs below." The following tracks are available for download: ‘The Aurora’, ‘All Discarded’, ‘Disguise My Parting’ and ‘Pure’.
The following message has been posted at DESTRUCTION‘s official website (www.destruction.de): "We would like to bring the speculations and rumours about a label chance of Destruction to an end! After four terrific and successful years with Nuclear Blast, the decision to work with a new label wasn’t easy at all. We would like to thank Markus Staiger and his team for the great friendship and the fantastic work! They had a big participation of the positive progress of our reunion! AFM Records is the new partner of our trust! The contracts will get signed within the next days! The new album will be released via AFM / Soulfood here in Central Europe and through other distribution partners of the label worldwide, a little later this summer! The pre-production is running at full blast. Because of the intense worldwide touring, it feels that the band never sounded tighter and more motivated than at this present moment! Watch out for the new riff monster that will write Thrash Metal history! And that’s a fuckin’ promise!"
CENTINEX have updated their official website (www.centinex.org) with the following message: "We need your help. Get Centinex to play at the Swedish Hultsfreds Festival 2005. Click on this link, vote for three bands – one of them Centinex of course – and press "önska". Thanx a lot for your support." As previously reported, Centinex have announced that their next album will be titled "World Declension". The album, the band’s follow up to "Decadence – Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos", will be recorded in March, 2005 for a June release through Cold Records. More info on the release as it becomes available.
GORGOROTH have posted the following update at their official website: "Gorgoroth’s plans to go in studio have been delayed. Anticipated plans for studio time and recording schedules conflicted with an already booked timetable at Grieghallen Studios. The band will however lay down drum tracks for Gorgoroth’s eagerly awaited and upcoming album, "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" at Lydriket Studios, on January 14th in it’s stead. Check back for further updates as the album’s development progresses forward."
German Black Metal band ZARATHUSTRA will enter Swedish Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Funeral Mist) from 26th of February until 7th of March to record their follower of "Perpetual Black Force" (CD / LP). "Contempt" will be released as a mini-album to shorten the time until their 3rd album (Winter ’05). Await "Contempt" strictly limited and hand-numbered on CD (1000) and LP (500, including one bonus track). "Contempt" should see the day of light in April / May. More news at www.zarathustra-online.net
Italy’s NECRODEATH are set to deliver a "best of" album, entitled "20 Years Of Noise (1985 – 2005)", through Scarlet Records. The CD, also to be released in a limited digipak version, will feature as bonus material a BLACK SABBATH cover and the legendary demo "The Shining Pentagram". All tracks on the release will be remastered, including the songs featured on "The Shining Pentagram". "20 Years Of Noise" will be released in late March, 2005. Necrodeath are also working on new material for their next studio album. The band’s line-up features vocalist Flegias (CADAVERIA), guitarist Claudio, guitarist Andy (ANDRASTA), bassist John (CADAVERIA, DYNABYTE, RAZA DE ODIO) and drummer Peso (RAZA DE ODIO).
ARCTURUS have posted the following message at their official website (www.adastraenter.com): "Arcturus are, yet again, without a permanent singer as Øyvind left has the band." More details as they become available. Arcturus will play the 2005 Inferno Metal Festival, scheduled to take place March 24th – 26th at the Rockefeller and John Dee venues in Oslo, Norway. The Inferno Metal Festival’s full line-up will be presented at the Inferno London event on January 27th at Underworld in Camden (London), England. Acts performing at that event include Arcturus, RED HARVEST, GRIMFIST, MADDER MORTEM and ENSLAVED.
KAAMOS have revealed through their website (www.kaamos.nu) that Candlelight / PHD will release their new album, "Lucifer Rising", on February 28th. The album artwork can be seen here. "Lucifer Rising" will include the following tracks: ‘Black Revelation’, ‘Gnosticon’, ‘Inaugurating Evil’, ‘Theriomorphic Pandaemonium’, ‘Dark Void’, ‘Lucifer Rising’, ‘Sacrament In Red’, ‘Mysterious Reversion’, ‘Khthonic’ and ‘Outro’.
Swedish Black Metallers LORD BELIAL have posted the following update at their website (www.lordbelial.com): "Lord Belial is writing new material for their next, yet untitled, album which is set to be released later this year on Regain Records. The musical direction is meant to be a natural developed continuation of "The Seal of Belial". Los Angered Recording Studios will be used for the album, though no date has been set."
Norway’s GORGOROTH are scheduled to headline the Sirkkelirock Metal Weekend on Friday, January 7th at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland. Other acts set to perform at the festival include CARPATHIAN FOREST, SOULGRIND, BEHEXEN and HORNA.
Sweden’s DISMEMBER have inked a deal with Regain Records. The label has confirmed that the band will begin recording their Regain debut sometime in 2005. More details as they become available. Dismember have been nominated in the Hard Rock / Punk category for their "Where Iron Crosses Grow" album for the 2005 Manifest Awards. Other nominees include: C.AARME for "C.Aarme", THE HAUNTED for "rEVOLVEr", KOMA for "Tsunami" and TOTALT JAVLA MORKER for "Maniskans Ringa Varde". The awards will be handed out on February 1st at Nalen in Stockholm, Sweden.
Chicago Death Metallers GORGASM have posted the following message at their official website (www.gorgasm.net): "Gorgasm is looking for a new drummer! We have festival dates lined up as early as May and more on the way. Serious responses only! If interested, please contact us gorgasmusic@yahoo.com or send a video / dvd and / or CD to: GORGASM c/o Paul Garcia, 4740 N. Lavergne # 3, Chicago, IL 60630, USA. We would like someone permanent or temporary, preferably permanent. All applicants must be ready, willing, and able to travel overseas and tour several times a year!"
Recently reformed Dutch Metallers GOREFEST are the latest act confirmed for the 2005 edition of the Wacken Open Air Festival which is scheduled to take place August 4th – 6th, 2005 in Wacken, Germany. Acts currently confirmed for the festival now include: ACCEPT, CORVUS CORAX, EDGUY, EISREGEN, ENDSTILLE, ENSIFERUM, FINNTROLL, GOREFEST, ILLDISPOSED, MARDUK, MERCENARY, NIGHTWISH, OBITUARY, OVERKILL, AXEL RUDI PELL, POTENTIA ANIMI, SAMAEL, SINNER, SUFFOCATION, TURISAS. More acts will be confirmed soon.
HADES ALMIGHTY have just signed a record deal with Dark Essence Records. They will re-release (2001’s) "The Pulse Of Decay" in mid April, and the album will include a DVD-section and some bonus material including the video for ‘Submission Equals Suicide’ and a cover of MANOWAR’s ‘Each Dawn I Die’. Also there will be new layout on the album. A tour is also planned after the release.
Swedish TERROR 2000 have joined forces once again and will record their new album in March 2005. Bjorn Speed Strid (SOILWORK), Klas Ideberg (DARKANE), Nick Sword (EL MAGO), Erik Thyselius (CONSTRUCDEAD) and Dan Svensson (HATELIGHT) are still writing new songs announced as "the most neck-breakin’, fast and aggressive recorded by the band!" No title for the new album is yet confirmed but the release date is planned for June 2005 through Scarlet Records.
Last summer NAIL WITHIN vocalist Yishai teamed up with Maor from the avantgarde Gothic Doom act SLEEPLESS to form a new band named MOONSKIN. Maor previously also used to be part of the industrial act VULTURES and some solo dark ambient / experimental projects (SCREENING and VECTORSCOPE). They were joined by drummer Matan Shmueli (from the Death Metal act ARMILOS) and guitarist Raffi Mor (of DISTORTED). In August 2004 MOONSKIN welcomed female opera singer Byana Kliyner, who has experience in classical opera singing and touring with the opera "Carmina Burana" in Europe. Keyboard guitar player Tal Glepsky from the progressive rock band RAIN completes the line-up. Musically the band’s material is supposed to be "melodic Dark Metal, full emotionally oriented, atmospheric and sad". MOONSKIN will record sketches for a debut album later this year and afterwards negotiate with several well established European producers for the production of their debut album, to be recorded this year. The band has already contributed a track (‘Raped By The Light Of Christ’) to the AT THE GATES tribute released by Drowned Scream Records / Goi Music. For more info check out www.moonskin.net
MALEVOLENT CREATION will return to Europe in 2005. They will be playing France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Iceland in March and the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic in April. Interested promoters should contact First Contact Agency at ae@firstcontactagency.com while some dates are still open. For further info check out www.malevolentcreation.cjb.net
PANDEMIA‘s third full-length "Riven" is recorded and mixed and scheduled to be released within Latin America in January through Hurling Metal (in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay) and Hybrid Music (in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela). Rawforce Productions will put it out in Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Central America. Check out www.deathrowproductions.com for South American tour dates in 2005.
REQUIEM AETERNAM (www.requiem-aeternam.com) have played their debut gig on December 21 at NYC’s CBGB club. It was the first show with the new line-up (Jose Romero – guitars and vocals, Maciej Kupiszewski – bass and ex – IMMOLATION member Alex Hernandez – drums. The show was filmed and is going to be used for the ‘Wisdom’ video clip. Rawforce Productions has postponed the "Philosopher" South American release to January 15th, due to printing delays.
THORNAFIRE‘s debut album is currently being finished in Santiago’s Sade Studios with the band’s new drummer Juan Pablo Donoso producing. "Exacerbated Gnostic Manifestation" will be released by Ibex Moon Records in February / March. A tour of Chile and some shows in Brazil are planned for next autumn / winter. More info at: www.thornafire.cl
AURORA BOREALIS have started working on their fifth CD. Tony Laureano (Nile, Dimmu Borgir, Angel Corpse) will be drumming as well as collaborating on writing of the new material. Tony already played on the very first Aurora Borealis CD in 1996. The band will start recording on January 31, 2005 at Nightsky Studios. Interested labels etc. should contact Ron Vento at aurora4dth@aol.com
Legendary Black Metal band, DARKTHRONE, nominated in the Metal category for the highly coveted Norwegian Alarm Awards last Wednesday, has now been removed from the list of nominees. Darkthrone, one of five candidates in the Metal category for their outstanding album, "Sardonic Wrath", communicated their dissatisfaction at being nominated in an article published in Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten the day after the selected names were released to the public. "We play real and honest Black Metal", drummer Fenriz commented in the article. "And we have no interest in being part of the glitter and showbiz side of the music industry." Alarm Awards’ chief, Svein Bjørge was surprised by the band’s reaction but hasted to find a solution that culminated in the band’s elimination from the category altogether. On hearing the news that their wish had been granted, Fenriz commented – "I just wanted to say my piece about the whole Alarm nomination thing last week and whether they kept us in or not would have been no skin off my nose." "I have everything AGAINST awards for Black Metal", Nocturno Culto added. "What a fucking circus this has become." "I am not against awards in general", Fenriz concluded. "I just thought it was not for us."
FUNERAL PROCESSION are looking for a new session-drummer. He should musically be skilled and ideologically stable, especially for upcoming live shows, but also for new recordings (both scheduled for late winter / early spring 2005). Ole, who had been playing with them since 2002, decided to leave FUNERAL PROCESSION as he was no longer able to cope with the band timewise because of his studies and his main priority Hagal. www.funeralprocession.net