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The release of SLAYER‘s "War At The Warfield" DVD has been pushed back to July 29th.
SKINLESS‘ website, www.4skinless.com, reports that the band will team up with DYING FETUS, MISERY INDEX and DIVINE EMPIRE for a US tour scheduled to run from July 19th to August 23rd.
On August 22nd in Melbourne, CRYPTOPSY will headline the first international metal festival to be held in Australia called "Destruction Of Oz". Also on the bill are DORO, SODOM and MARDUK among others.
SATYRICON have announced through their website, www.satyricon.no, that they will headline the "Hole In The Sky" Festival in Bergen, Norway on September 30th.
Wisconsin based Horror Death Metal act PHANTASM, who featured Matt Grassberger of DR.SHRINKER on bass for a short period of time, have an official website now. You can check it out here: http://people.freenet.de/phantasm. The band released two classic demos in 1990 ("Lycanthropy") and 1992 ("The Abominable", re-released on CD with the additional track ‘Gut Suckers’ in 1995) but unfortunately broke up at the end of 1995 for personal differences. Original vocalist / drummer Tony Brandt recently re-issued both demos on CD. They sell for $10 each plus $2 postage (US) / $3 (world). He also has limited quantities of the "Gut Suckers" 7" in green vinyl available. They sell for $3 plus $2 postage (US) / $3 (world). Contact: tlvbrandt@hotmail.com
MORBID ANGEL have entered D.O.W. (Diet Of Worms) Studios in Seffner, Florida, to record their next album. In the studio are guitarist Trey Azagthoth, drummer Pete Sandoval, and bassist / vocalist Steve Tucker, along with co-producer Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez who has worked as Morbid Angel’s live front-of-house sound engineer for the past eight years. Tentatively dubbed "H2K3", Morbid Angel’s next album is as-yet-untitled but is rumored to begin with the letter, "H", in keeping with the alphabetical order of all the band’s preceding albums — beginning with their 1989 Earache debut, "Altars Of Madness", and continuing through their last release, 2000’s "Gateways To Annihilation". "H2K3" is slated for a September 2003 worldwide release on Earache Records.
DEICIDE are currently in Tampa, writing and rehearsing material for their forthcoming, as-yet-untitled Earache debut. According to Deicide drummer Steve Asheim, the new material will be "the heaviest, fastest shit Deicide has ever released. Fans should have a box of depends ready ’cause they’ll all be shitting all over themselves when they hear it." Deicide plans to hit the studio mid-summer for release in October on Earache.
After a couple of years of wrangling between NAPALM DEATH and Earache, peace finally reigns and Napalm and Earache have co-ordinated a "Best of & Rarities" 2 CD set for release on 7 July 2003 in UK / Europe. The title of the comp, selected by Barney is "Noise For Music’s Sake". Disc 1 of the set contains the best tracks culled from Napalm’s 10 album career with Earache. Disc 2 is made up of very rare tracks, including long lost recordings from the early line-up with Lee Dorrian and Bill Steer. Shane Embury has supplied stunningly rare and never released tracks from early ND gigs at the Mermaid pub in 1986 from the early Bullen / Broadrick / Harrris era. Liner notes for the set incorporating many unseen pics and exclusive interviews with the band members is being co-ordinated by Shane Embury. See confirmed track listing on the Earache site here www.earacherecords.org/catalog/mosh266.html
The brand new album "The Painter’s Palette" from Italian avantgarde metallic-neo-jazz maestros EPHEL DUATH is out in the UK / Europe. The album is conceptually inspired from the connection between sounds and colours, "The Painter’s Palette’s" artwork is published strictly in black and white. The intention of it is to give colour through their sounds or to play the sound of colours. With titles such as ‘The Passage (Pearl Grey)’ and ‘Ruins (Deep Blue And Violet)’ every song is depicted by a different chromatic shade, so the listener’s mind becomes a painting with infinite possibilities of sounds and colours, musical tonalities and contrasting hues. The album has already received amazing reveiws – with the full KKKKK in Kerrang from the esteemed journalist Jonathan Selzer. A video clip for ‘The Passage’ is available for viewing at www.earache.com. Read an exclusive interview with singer Davide Tiso here www.earacherecords.org/news_stories/ephel_duath.html#interview
An in-depth interview with CARCASS‘ ex-members is set to be exclusively revealed at www.earache.com at 17.00 UK time on Friday 30 May. Be sure to log onto the site to catch the first interview with this legendary band in 5 years, the first time they have spoken since they split. Some interesting news will be revealed.
FUSE (formerly MuchMusic USA)’s Metal show, "Uranium", is devoted to coverage of last weekend’s New England Metal and Hardcore Fest during the month of June. Each new episode in June features interview footage with one band from the fest, and kicking it all off on Monday, June 2, is an episode featuring THE HAUNTED. Tune in at 7 pm eastern time to see exclusive footage, both onstage and backstage chatting it up with Uranium host, Juliya. www.fuse.tv
Reunited Texan Thrashers RIGOR MORTIS have re-launched their official web site at www.rigormortis.com. The group’s bassist / vocalist Casey Orr, who has spent the past few weeks playing with the reunited SPEEDEALER, has posted the following update on the band’s activities: "A lot has been happening since this site went down for reconstructive surgery, so I’ll cut to the chase. Guitarist Mike (Scaccia), drummer Harden (Harrison), and I got together in January 2003 and started jamming together and discussing the possibility of putting RIGOR MORTIS back together. Before that could happen, Mike was called back into active duty with MINISTRY for some extensive touring. Meanwhile Harden’s band, SPEEDEALER, has reactivated and is working on a new album to be produced by Jeff Pincus of BUTTHOLE SURFERS fame. I will be playing bass for SPEEDEALER on the new record and through a June / July East Coast tour. At that point, SPEEDEALER should have a permanent bassist in place, and I will be back full time playing with THE BURDEN BROTHERS. Also, my punk band, THE HELLIONS, will be reuniting to play a show June 2nd with BLACK FLAG. You can find a listing of all our activities on each respective webpage. As for RIGOR MORTIS, we hope to find time to work on some new material and eventually put out a new record sometime before Hell freezes over! In the meantime we have the re-issue of the first record available and new shirts coming soon. I hope you enjoy the site and keep checking back for updates, etc."
After their split with Barbarian Wrath MORRIGAN signed a new deal with Supreme Chaos Records. The band will enter Maranis Studio in January 2004 to record their 3rd CD / LP "Celts", which will be released in Feb. / March 2004. www.morrigan.org
EXODUS will begin recording their new album, "Tempo Of The Damned", at the end of May with producer Andy Sneap. The release will include two of the groups older songs, ‘Death Row’ and ‘Impaler’.
SLAYER have scheduled a July 8th performance at London’s Astoria. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Also, CMH / Vitamin Records will release the tribute album "The Evil You Dread: String Quartet Tribute To Slayer" on June 10th.
According to OPETH‘s official website, www.opeth.com, the band will perform two tracks from their "Damnation" album during a morning show appearance on Sweden’s Channel 4 (TV4) on May 28th.
HATE ETERNAL will be back in the UK / Ireland for a string of dates with DYING FETUS, DEEDS OF FLESH and SEVERE TORTURE in September. Confirmed shows include: September 4 – Underworld – London, UK, 5 – Rio’s – Bradford, UK, 6 – Music Club – Dublin, Ireland, 7 – Pitz – Milton Keynes, UK and 8 – Soundhouse – Colcester, UK.
WHILE HEAVEN WEPT have inked a deal with Rage Of Achilles Records and will release their "… Of Empires Forlorn" album through the label in September. A 2004 European tour will support the release.
Rage Of Achilles has also signed Finland’s FALL OF THE LEAFE. The band will enter the studio in September to record their fourth album (first for ROA). A new single will be released in early 2004, with the new album to follow shortly thereafter.
DER GERWELT from Russia have also just signed with Rage Of Achilles. Their debut album is due out in late Summer 2003.
It’s been very quiet around California’s Death Metal masters INFAMY ever since their "Rape, Grind & Pillage" promo from 2001, but the band is luckily still alive and kickin’! Their actual formation includes a musician from fellow Death Metal merchants COFFIN TEXTS and a new album is almost composed. The band is currently searching for a label to release it. More infos: coffintexts2112@hotmail.com
Australia’s ENCABULOS have changed their name to CRUCIFIRE. A demo will be out in a few weeks. More infos later. www.encabulos.ca.Tc
THE KILL and BIRDFLESH have nearly completed their recordings for a 7" EP, planned for a release later this year. They are searching for a label to release it. Contact: thekill@iprimus.com.au
James Murphy is working on another DISINCARNATE album. Dave Culross (ex – SUFFOCATION, MALEVOLENT CREATION, HATEPLOW) will probably play the drums on this one.
SUICIDE SHIFT is a new project, including Steve DiGiorgio, SADUS guitarist Darren Travis and TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy. James Murphy has also jammed with them and might be a part of it. Nothing is recorded yet, as the guys’ main bands are busy, so you’ll have to wait.
The French brutal Death Metallers FATE are working on their next CD that will be different than "No Sense", yet remain extreme. 70% of the album is composed. Galy Records will re-release the last three recordings of the band on a CD: the "Va Te Faire Enculer" demo, the "No Sense" CD and their tracks of the "Gore Zoo" 4 ways split CD with SUPPOSITORY, TEKKEN and SERGENT SLAUGHTER. www.lecommando.com/
The METAL BASH is a new festival in Neu Wulmstorf (near Hamburg, Germany). Confirmed bands are: TWISTED TOWER DIRE, TORMENT, STORMWARRIOR, SOLEMNITY, PARAGON, MEPHISTOPHELES, HOLY MOSES, GUN BARREL, GODDESS OF DESIRE, DARK AGE and CROSSFIRE (somewhere between NEVERMORE and old MEGADETH). Tickets are € 15,- plus pp, etc. For more infos check www.remedyrecords.de and click the Metal Bash logo.
The 5th SUMMER BREEZE FESTIVAL will take place in Abtsgmünd, Germany, just like last year. There will be 50 bands on 2 stages. The date is 21st – 23rd of August 2003. The camping area will be opening on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and the festival is going to start on Thursday at 02:00 p.m. Recently confirmed is MESHUGGAH. For more information go to: www.summer-breeze.de
Germany’s FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING have been signed by Metal Blade for 5 albums. Their first full-length album "Skywards" will be released later this year. For further info, check out the band’s website at: www.fragmentsofunbecoming.com/
In 2003 UNIQUE LEADER will be adding a number of re-releases to their catalogue. All re-releases concern long time out of print collectors items. Confirmed re-releases so far are: Deeds Of Flesh – "Gradually Melted" (first MCD, available now), Disgorge – "Cranial Impalement" (first MCD, available now), Gorgasm – "Bleeding Profusely" (first full-length, available summer / fall 2003), Mortal Decay – "Sickening Erotic Fanaticism" (first full-length, available summer / fall 2003).
MORTAL DECAY have been confirmed for this year’s Milwaukee Metalfest and will play on Friday night July 25th. They are also setting up a small tour on the east coast before the fest.
DISGORGE is booked to play the Central Illinois Deathfest in August. Check the tours section on www.uniqueleader-europe.com for more information. In the meantime the band is writing new material for the follow up of the "Consume The Forsaken" album.
Unique Leader have signed PSYCROPTIC from Australia. An mp3 is up now to check out from their upcoming release "The Scepter Of The Ancients". Psycroptic will be touring with Incantation in Australia June. Tour dates are up now on www.uniqueleader-europe.com
GORGASM have signed with Unique Leader. Their next full-length album "Masticate To Dominate" will be recorded from May 2nd-13th for a late summer / fall 2003 release. The band has added Paul Garcia on bass duties and is confirmed to play on the Bloodletting North America #4 tour later this year.
DECREPIT BIRTH have finished the recording for "… And Time Begins". An Advanced mp3 is up at www.uniqueleader-europe.com now. Dan Seagrave who is known for his work with Morbid Angel, Suffocation a.o. has done the cover art. Watch out for a summer release in Europe.
BRUTUS have finished the recordings of their debut album "Slachtbeest" some time ago. Watch out for a summer release and possible live appearances all over Europe. An advance mp3 is now up on www.uniqueleader-europe.com
DEEDS OF FLESH 6th album "Reduced To Ashes" is set to be released worldwide on June 24th 2003. After the release of the album the band will hit the road for 6 weeks straight in Europe along with the likes of Hate Eternal, Dying Fetus and Severe Torture.
Guitarist James Murphy is working on a DEATH tribute album to assist with his medical expenses. Chuck Schuldiner’s family has given their blessing for the project.
QUO VADIS have announced that their new full time vocalist is Stephane Pare. The band have a date booked at Ottawa, ON’s Bumpers Roadhouse on June 7.
Limited colored vinyl versions of DARKTHRONE‘s "Ravishing Grimness" (in blue) and "Plaguewielder" (in red) are available. Only 500 copies each are available.
VITAL REMAINS from Providence, Rhode Island / US have revamped their lineup in 2001 with original member Tony Lazaro on guitars, Dave Suzuki on bass, drums and lead guitars and Deicide mastermind Glen Benton taking on the vocal duties. They are prepared to finally unleash "Dechristianize" on July 21, 2003 in Europe. This 9-track epic, recorded at Morrisound Studios (Morbid Angel, Six Feet Under), combines melody with evil atmosphere and a traditional metal feel, with no shortage of satanic verses. The track-listing reads like this: ‘Let The Killing Begin’, ‘Dechristianize’, ‘ Infidel’, ‘Devoured Elysium’, ‘Savior To None… Failure For All’, ‘Unleashed Hell’, ‘Rush Of Deliverance’, ‘At War With God’ and ‘Entwined By Vengeance’. The cover art was done by Jaromir "Deather" Bezruc. All further info at: www.vitalremains.cjb.net
Due to illness in the band THRONEAEON has been forced to cancel the European tour. Here’s a statement from Tony Freed (guitar + vocals): "I’m sorry folks, but we have to cancel all the shows on the tour because of this fucking disease. It’s a high risk of infection and I don’t want anyone of you that hasn’t had it to get it. Our drummer might be next up to get it so that’s why we can’t make the last days either. We are restricted to do it! I’m very dissapointed at this because I really longed for it and I have worked for it so much. I’m pissed off, that’s all I can say! But I promise that I’ll do my fucking best to make it up to you, the band and myself. We’ll be back! – Tony." www.godhate.com, www.throneaeon.com, www.mp3.com/throneaeon