PROFANITY‘s online voting (where you could select the band’s next covertune) is over now. 5000 people participated in it and have chosen OBITUARY’s ‘Slowly We Rot’. In early September the band will head for Tel Aviv, Israel to play a headliner show at the Maccabi Music Factory club and next year PROFANITY will finally play the Maryland Deathfest in the US. The songwriting for their next album "HateRed Hell Within" is almost finished by now, so they will start looking for a new label, to release the album, soon. All further info at: www.profanity.de
Here’s an official press statement, straight from the desk of SELBSTMORD SERVICES: "Selbstmord Services have been accused of being a rip-off label because of the turbulences we’ve had within the company. Well, this is certainly not the case as Selbstmord Services exist merely to spread propaganda., And does propaganda get around when not providing people with it? Not really, so rethink! Secondly, because of this, people believe that CRAFT and FORGOTTEN TOMB have left us in search for other labels. This is also not true! FORGOTTEN TOMB was, due to many factors all seriously involved individuals know of, a necessity for us to leave behind, and we did this by selling the rights for their second album to Adipocere Records of France. Concerning CRAFT, a personal agreement between the band and the label which was made when signing the contract had to separate the two of us from each other after the release of their second album and of course the re-issue of their first. Selbstmord Services fully supports the decision of CRAFT and hope they’ll bless our world with many years of unpleasant existence, Hail!"
The NATTEFROST album, "Blood And Vomit" won’t be released before November and the already infamous KROHM debut album, "A World Through Dead Eyes" not before December.
Selbstmord Services will release BLOODLINE‘s debut album "Werewolf Training" on the 11th of September. Make sure to reserve your copy of the limited vinyl edition which will be released a few weeks later containing a free poster and one obscure postcard! BLOODLINE will also support SHINING on their "Razors Across Europe" tour. For more information, check out our tourdates section.
ZAVORASH are currently in the studio recording their new album with the working-title "Nihilistic Ascension And Spiritual Death". Their debut release "In Odium Veritas" is also going to be issued next month featuring a summary of the bands career this far. Make sure to visit their new web-site to learn more of self-realisation and death at: www.zavorash.tk
ONDSKAPT‘s full-length album "Draco Sit Mihi Dux" has finally been released through Selbstmord Services. An exclusive vinyl edition is to be issued by The Ajna Offensive later this year. The band’s mini album, "Slave Under His Immortal Will", which was issued as a limited edition 10" vinyl release last year, was supposedly to be released in its CD version at this present time as well. However, the entire product was misprinted and the label had to send off new films to their new printer to be able to release this monument once and for all. All previous mistakes in the past and up till now have been caused by a factory located in the Czech Republic, nameed GZ Digital Media. Selbstmord Services have now officially changed factory and are now printing all coming items via Sony Industries, so the past problems should be cleared up by this.
Quebec-based technical Deathsters QUO VADIS continue work on their third album. The recording of the guitar, bass and vocal tracks will be complete by the end of September. The band have also confirmed the following shows: August 29th in Ottawa, August 30th in Amos, November 8th in Trois-Rivieres for the Trois-Rivieres Metal Festival with MARTYR, November 9th in St-Jerome and November 15th in Montreal with SYMPHONY X. Head to www.quovadis.qc.ca for more info.
TIDFALL have a new website, www.tidfall.net, to go along with their new studio album, "Nucleus". As well concentrating on the production of "Nucleus", the band also paid attention to the visuals and hired famous Scandinavian designers Jens Karlsson and Vegar Bakken to design the album art and the new website, respectively. "Nucleus" is released on August 4th.
Scottish Death Metallers PATHOGEN, who have toured with VADER and DECAPITATED, have inked a deal with Brutalized Records (www.brutalizedrecords.com). Downloads from the band are currently available at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/575/pathogen_uk.html
OBSCENE EULOGY have completed recording their new album. The forthcoming release again features vocals from Mika Luttinen, with NECROPHAGIA’s Killjoy guesting on one track. A late September / early October release is expected.
ABORTED (www.goremageddon.be) release their third full-length album, "Goremageddon", on August 12th in the US through Olympic.
Finnish Death Metallers SCENT OF FLESH will begin recording their second album, "Valor In Hatred", in September at Music Bros studios. The 40+ minute album is due out at the end of 2003.
The DESTRUCTION OF OZ FESTIVAL, scheduled to take place in Australia with SODOM, CRYPTOPSY, MARDUK and others, has been canceled due to poor ticket sales. For an explanation from the event organizer go to: www.destructionofozfestival.com
EQUIMANTHORN, the distinctive Sumerian and ambient group led by Equitant (ABSU, EQUITANT) and Proscriptor (Absu, MELECHESH) have reformed along with Mark Riddick and Michael Riddick (THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK), David Harbour (KING DIAMOND, CHASTAIN). The band’s third album, "Second Sephira Cella", is currently under construction and will feature a host of special guest appearances.
MEADS OF ASPHODEL have finished recording their forthcoming album, "Exhuming The Grave Of Yeshua". The guys are putting the finishing touches to the album which is scheduled for an October release through Supernal Music.
DRUDKH‘s debut album, "Forgotten Legends" was scheduled for a June release. However, due to a number of production delays the album will now be released in August. Meanwhile, a second album from the band, "Autumn Aurora", was recorded earlier this year and will be released later.
After years of silence, BLACK FUNERAL will release their new album, "Belial Arisen", on September 15th.
HAEMORRHAGE are hard at work putting the finishing touches to their DVD entitled, "Visions From The Morgue". Included are two video clips, live footage from the 2002 With Full Force Festival, the band’s history and some special features. The release is scheduled for winter 2003 / 2004 through Morbid Records.
The new DISINTER album, "Designed By The Devil, Powered By The Dead", is scheduled for a winter release through Morbid Records. The double CD features a bonus disc of the entire record reworked with symphonic remix and cello.
BEWITCHED plan to reissue their "Hibernum In Perpetuum" album with bonus demo material and a video shot at a gig where the band opened for DIMMU BORGIR.
In cooperation with Conquer Records, DAMNATION is releasing "Resurrection Of Azarath", a compilation featuring: "Rebel Souls" (1996), "Coronation" (1998), an unreleased promo from 1998 featuring two covers (KING DIAMOND’s ‘Mansion In Darkness’ and MORBID ANGEL’s ‘Bleed For The Devil’).
THE CROWN have finished the recordings for their brandnew album "Possessed 13" at Studio Fredman. It will be released in Europe as a limited edition double CD digipak first (no confirmation about the rest of the world yet), with different (but related) artwork. Here’s the final tracklist. Disc 1: ‘No Tomorrow’, ‘Face Of Destruction / Deep Hit Of Death’, ‘Deliverance’, ‘Cold Is The Grave’, ‘Dream Bloody Hell’ (instrumental), ‘Morningstar Rising’, ‘Are You Morbid?’, ‘Bow To None’, ‘Kill Em All’, ‘Natashead Overdrive’, ‘Zombiefied’, ‘Dawn Of Emptiness’ and ‘In Memoriam’ (instrumental). Disc 2: ‘Last Rite’ (the band’s very first "pro" recording from ’92), the whole "Forever Heaven Gone" demo ’93 (‘Seventh Gate’, ‘Deadspawn’, ‘Diachronic Damnation’, ‘The Lord Of The Rings’, ‘Beyond Where Darkness Dwells’, ‘Forever Heaven Gone’), the whole "Forget The Light" demo ’94 (‘Soulicide Demon-Might’, ‘Godless’, ‘Neverending Dream’, ‘Candles’), ‘Burnin’ Leather’ (a Bathory cover) and ‘Rebel Angel’ (demo version). All demosongs got remastered for this release. The album’s supposed to hit the stores on October 20th 2003.
It looks like as if the upcoming ORDER FROM CHAOS record "Imperium: The Apocalyptic Visions" will even become a two CD (4 LP) set… We’ll keep you posted!
AMON AMARTH‘s website (www.amonamarth.com) reports that the band have scheduled gigs in Austria and Israel. The dates are: July 26 – Hafen – Innsbruck, Austria and August 14 – The Barby Club – Tel-Aviv, Israel. Check out the website to see the flyer for the Israel concert.
Former MALEVOLENT CREATION drummer Alex Marquez has resurfaced in Florida hardcore band ANGER.
Restrain Records / Perverted Taste Distribution will be issuing vinyl versions of VITAL REMAINS‘ "Dechristianize" (double-LP) and REGURGITATE‘s "Deviant" on July 31st.
CRADLE OF FILTH‘s website, www.cradleoffilth.com, has announced that the band’s signing sessions at the Jagermeister tent on the Ozzfest tour have been canceled. However, the band will still be signing albums at the FYE tent everyday from 5pm.
Candlelight are set to reissue three classic albums from Misanthropy Records, IN THE WOODS "Heart Of Our Time", "Omnio" and "Strange In Stereo" will all be re-released on September 23rd.
A new ORDER FROM CHAOS record in the works to be released by Merciless Records on CD and double LP later this year. It will be called "Imperium: The Apocalyptic Visions" and features the band’s second 1988 demo "Inhumanities," a particularly good rehearsal from Christmas 1988, and some live stuff. It will be about 75 minutes long. The band is not reforming though.
The Earache sublabel Wicked World recently signed DEATHWITCH to their roster. Having carved an ugly path with their previous releases "Triumphant Devastation" (1996), "Dawn Of Armageddon" (1997), "The Ultimate Death" (1998) and "Monumental Mutilations" (1999), the band is once again ready to bring their puked-up slop n’ roll to their ever appreciative audience in the form of "Violence Blasphemy Sodomy" later this year. Wicked World’s Dan Tobin has this to say about Deathwitch: "Deathwitch are all about confrontation – if you don’t like it, well, chances are they’re gonna carry on regardless. They don’t give a fuck what you think anyway. This is about playing Death Metal with fire in your guts, not about pretending to have a higher message to deliver, or even a defined purpose, its just great, primitive Death Metal about not giving a damn, its about fighting, its about death, its about disregarding morality and about doing what the fuck you wanna do whenever and wherever you wanna do it." "Violence Blasphemy Sodomy" was recorded in Fuck Recording and Magick Sound Studio with the line up of Terror (vocals, guitar and bass), Slade Doom (guitar) and Morbid Juttu (drums). An official release date will be issued soon.
ORPHANED LAND will finally start recording their new album "Mabool" (hebrew for "The Flood") in early August. It is the band’s first offical release in seven years (the last album was "El Nora Alila" on Holy Records).
Holland’s old school Deathmachine PENTACLE has worked very hard on new material and completed about 8 new songs in the meantime. According to the band, "new guitarist Alex has a very big input concerning the new material…" He has already co-written 2 new songs and one totally by himself. The new material is said to be "very in-your-face and to the bone… aggressive and very hard-hitting material. Maybe a bit more in the direction of a song like ‘Prophet Of Perdition’. Fast and furious, while some parts are slow and slicing one’s throat!" Among the new tracks there’s one instrumental as well. PENTACLE plan on writing up to 11 songs, so that there’s some bonus-material for a possible 7" or 10".
San Francisco Thrash Metal legends DEATH ANGEL (www.deathangel.com) are confirmed to perform at Toronto’s 360 Club (326 Queen Street West) on Saturday, September 13th. The concert, presented by The 360 & The Blood Brothers, also features performances from CLOVEN BLADE and guests. Tickets are $15 advance / $18 @ Door and will be on sale soon at The 360, Rotate This, Soundscapes and Penguin Music.
According to Norway’s Scream Magazine, IMMORTAL have broken up. The magazine’s chief editor, Frode Øien reports having received the following e-mail from the band (translation): "After 13 years and 7 albums we have decided to stop working with IMMORTAL due to personal reasons. A great thanks to all our fans worldwide who helped us making IMMORTAL superb through all this time. Abbath, Demonaz, Horgh."
Following in the footsteps of NASUM, Relapse Records is proud to announce the signing of Swedish grindcore sensation GADGET to a worldwide recording deal. The quartet will showcase their high-energy sound on their forthcoming Relapse debut, set for release in early 2004. GADGET (Rikard Olsson (guitar), William Blackmon (guitar / vocals / drums), Emil Englund (vocals) and Fredrik Nygren (bass)), will record their as-yet-untitled album at Gothenburg, Sweden’s Phlat Planet Studios with Fredrik Reinedahl (BURST, DIMENSION ZERO, IN FLAMES). GADGET previously issued a split 7" with now-labelmates EXHUMED via Relapse in late 2001, and has made appearances on Relapse’s Swedish Assault compilation as well as on the Relapse label sampler Contaminated 5.0 with the track ‘Boredom Suits Me Fine’. Additional GADGET information will be made available via the Relapse Records website: www.relapse.com
The English blood merchants GOREROTTED have signed a contract with Metal Blade Records just a few days ago. "They first draw our attention when we saw them two years ago at the ‘Fuck The Commerce’ festival", says a spokesperson of the label. "They were the fuckin’ best band on the whole festival! GOREROTTEDs first album "Mutilated In Minutes" is a perfect lesson in brutal Gore / Grind / Death music! These guys not only have a cool image, their music is absolutely phenomenal! We are very pleased to have them on the label now." The band seems to be happy as well. Guitarist Fluffy comments: "We are really excited to be working with the same label that is behind the very bands that we grew up listening to. Fucking nice one!" Bassist Wilson elaborates: "Yeah man, we’re really looking forward to the coming years of blood, booze and boobs!" Their long awaited second album "Only Tools And Corpses" is in the final stages of decomposition and will be unleashed upon the world in November 2003. The album promises a nine song roller-coaster ride of intense brutality and a complete assault on the senses. You have been warned.
AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED will follow up their latest release "Altered States Of America" by issuing a split CD with JESU in early 2004. JESU is the new project of longtime GODFLESH mastermind Justin Broadrick (JESU also features former GODFLESH vets Ted Parsons and Paul Neville) and promises "10-minute songs that are very meditative, depressing suicidal experiences…". Look for AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED to deliver some ‘very different’ material as well.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE drummer / percussionist John Merryman has just finished his work with MR. BUNGLE’s Trey Spruance on upcoming studio releases from Secret Chiefs 3 and Estradasphere. Keep an eye / ear out.
MORTICIAN are currently searching for someone to fill their now-vacant live drum position as Roger Beaujard will be moving back to guitar beginning with the band’s May, 2003 U.S. Tour. Interested applicants should contact the band at roger@mortician.net
NASUM have added a second live guitarist with the addition of REGURGITATE axeman Urban Skytt. "Expect a much heavier sound" says the band.