The new AURORA BOREALIS CD "Time, Unveiled" is complete and will be released July 1, 2002 on Nightsky Productions in the USA. The recording features Tim Yeung (Ex-HATE ETERNAL) on drums. The CD will also be released early 2003 in Europe on Die Hard Music.
Here is the confirmed billing for this year’s WACKEN FESTIVAL on August 1 – 3 (in alphabetical order): ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, AMON AMARTH, ANGEL DUST, ANGRA, AVANLANCH, BLAZE, BLIND GUARDIAN, BLITZKRIEG, BORKNAGAR, BRUCE DICKINSON, CANDLEMASS (reunion), CANNIBAL CORPSE, CHILDREN OF BODOM, CRIMINAL, DEBRIS INC (members of TROUBLE), DESTRUCTION, DIMPLE MINDS, DOMINE, DORNENREICH, DORO, DREAM EVIL, DYING FETUS, EDGUY, EISREGEN, EVERGREY, EXODUS, FALCONER, FLESHCRAWL, GREEN CARNATION, HAGGARD, HEATHEN (reunion), HEAVENLY, HOLLENTHON, HYPOCRISY, IMMORTAL, IN EXTREMO, IRON SAVIOR, J B O, JUSTICE, KALMAH, KOTIPELTO, KREATOR, LOCK UP, MACABRE, METALUCIFER, MEZARKABUL, MOB RULES, MÖRK GRYNING, MY DYING BRIDE, NECROPHOBIC, NIGHTMARE, NOCTURNAL RITES, NUCLEAR ASSAULT (reunion), ONKEL TOM, PRETTY MAIDS, PRIMORDIAL, PUNGENT STENCH, RAVEN, REBELLION, RED AIM, ROSE TATTOO, ROTTWEILLER, SABBAT, SAVATAGE, SHAKRA, SINERGY, STORMWARRIOR, STORMWITCH, SUIDAKRA, THUNDERSTONE, TORFROCK, U D O, UNLEASHED, VANDEN PLAS, VICIOUS RUMORS, VISION DIVINE, VOMITORY, WARLORD (reunion), WIZARD and WOLF. Tickethotline: + 49 (0) 46 27 – 18 38 38. E-mail: headquarter@ics-woa.de All further details: www.wacken.com
MALEVOLENT CREATION‘s "Envenomed" album will be reissued with 3 bonus tracks: ‘Perish In Flames’ (DARK ANGEL cover song), ‘Epileptic Seizure’ (re-recorded from their 89 demo) and ‘Confirmed Kill’ (re-recorded from their 87 debut demo). These are the final recordings with original vocalist Brett Hoffmann on vocals. The band’s 8th full-length album titled "The Will To Kill" with new vocalist Kyle Symons (HATE PLOW) will be out October 2002. The band has also inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records from Germany who will be releasing "The Will To Kill" in Europe. http://malevolentcreation.cjb.net
Norway’s Black Metal act CELEBRATUM recorded their debut album "Mirrored Revelations" at Abyss Studio’s in Sweden with producer Tommy Tagtgren. The album will be out in August 2002. http://celebratum.cjb.net
Sweden’s Death / Thrasher ETERNAL LIES will release their debut CD "Spiritual Deception" in August 2002,
KULT OV AZAZEL‘s "Triumph Of Fire" will be re-released on 12" vinyl in July. It will be limited to 300 copies with the first 100 printed on clear vinyl. Kult Ov Azazel has been working with new drummer Goss "The Hammer" on writing the next full-length titled "Oculus Infernum." This is the first time in years the band has been functioning as a full unit and welcome Goss as a permanent member to the horde. www.kultovazazel.com
HOMO IRATUS will release a new MCD in August. "Knowledge… Their Enemy" features 2 videos, a new unreleased track from the upcoming 2nd full-length, a SEPULTURA cover with ethnic Greek instrumentation and 2 tracks from their debut CD "Human Consumes Human." www.homoiratus.com
Sweden’s IMMERSED IN BLOOD are soon to begin recording their debut for Arctic Music. www.immersedinblood.net
HATE PLOW vocalist Kyle Symons has joined MALEVOLENT CREATION full time and HATE PLOW (who also features guitarists Rob Barrett and Phil Fasciana from MALEVOLENT CREATION) will put the band on hold for a while until recording for the new MALEVOLENT CREATION album is finished this summer. The band will record their 3rd and most likely final album when time permits. http://hateplow.cjb.net
SIX FEET UNDER will be recording a live CD and DVD at the Lab in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 14th for an early 2003 release. According to frontman Chris Barnes, "this is gonna be professionally shot on film by Dave Roth, who directed ‘The Day The Dead Walked’, ‘Victim of the Paranoid’, and ‘Manipulation’ videos, and will be digitally recorded live by Chris Carroll [who’d worked with us on the "Maximum Violence", "Graveyard", and "True Carnage" CDs]. Songs from the show will also be featured on a live CD, which will coincide with the release of the video. This is gonna be 100% pro, so if you want to see your ugly fuckin’ face show up on our vid-make it to this show, if its the last thing you ever do!! Prepare yourself…"
Earache Records will re-release AT THE GATES‘ milestone "Slaughter Of The Soul" this summer. The reissue features 6 bonus tracks, new artwork, and new liner notes by At The Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg. The bonus tracks are: ‘Legion’ (Slaughterlord cover), ‘The Dying’ (from the oringial album sessions), ‘Unto Others’ (demo version), ‘Nausea’ (demo version), ‘Captor Of Sin’ (Slayer cover) and ‘Blister Verklighet’ (No Security cover, never released).
Here’s some news on the new BEZERKER album "Dissimulate", from the band directly: "For the past few months we have been confined in our studio in Melbourne, Australia to record our new album, "Dissimulate". These new works are definitely a natural progression from our debut album "The Berzerker". We have recorded 13 new tracks and our own intrepretation of Carcass’ ‘Corporal Jigsaw Quandary’. The production of "Dissimulate" sees a bigger sounding album, more powerful than our debut, "The Berzerker". The new material is much more varied. We have included many different variations of grind beats as well as more diverse vocal styles and rhythms, while retaining the low / high vocal trade off and machine gun vocals from the first album. One huge change for us from the first album is the fact that we have live drums! Our drummer did an amazing job of laying down the new tracks at the most incredible speeds. The kick and snare are still triggered with sounds similar to the first album, but with all the live feel that a real drummer can bring us. We have raised the bar with regard to the speeds previously used in music with this album. The world speed drumming record could well have been shattered… you will be astounded! We are all very happy with the new material as it complements our debut, "The Berzeker", so well. Lyrically, the band continues to show our disgust at humanity and the world. For fans of "The Berzerker", all the speed and brutality remains as strong as ever with the song writing taking on more of a group effort. We’re looking forward to getting back out on the road and touring across the globe. We have had the chance to play most of our new material to our Australian fans and the wait is almost over for the rest of the world. We look forward to seeing you all on the road. You have been warned…" www.theberzerker.com
DECEMBER has finished work on their first video, for the track ‘Host’ (off their Earache debut, "The Lament Configuration). The video was shot in and around December’s desert-like hometown of Reno, Nevada. www.december1.com
December WOLVES’ XXX video, "Porn Again Christian", is now available online in various formats at: www.earache.com/info/agreement.html Directed by Hollywood’s #1 rock n’ roll porno tycoon, Matt Zane, this is the video England’s Kerrang Magazine calls "The sickest video ever"!!! See for yourself! www.dehumanizetheworld.com, www.mattzane.com, www.zanevideo.com
Check the new issue of Revolver Magazine (July / Aug 02) for an exclusive interview with HATE ETERNAL, conducted by the High Priestess of Loud Rock, Amy Sciaretto. Catch HATE ETERNAL this summer on tour with Nile, Arch Enemy, and Origin, and look for HATE ETERNAL’s new album, "King Of All Kings", out on Earache this fall. www.hateeternal.com
Earache Records has signed the progressive Black / Death metal band LUNARIS. Hailing from Norway, Lunaris features members of Borknagar, Satyricon, 1349, and Spiral Architect. This is no "super group" or "side project" band though. Lunaris are a full-fledged, fully working band with the ambition and dedication it takes to become a genuine force in the metal scene. The band has already completed the work on their debut album, "The Infinite", and Earache plans to release the album in August. Lunaris recorded "The Infinite" with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect & Borknagar), guitarists Azarak (Spiral Architect & Satyricon) and M (backing vocals), bassist and vocalist Maztema (Spiral Architect), vocalist Balfori (ex-1349) and keyboardist Ray. However, Mickelson is now out of the band and Lunaris replaced him with Janos Di Croce. An advance track from "The Infinite" entitled ‘Of The One’ can be found here: www.elitistrecords.co.uk/lunaris2.mp3
Chuck Schuldiner’s mom, Jane Schuldiner, kindly supplied us with the following news concerning the rumors about a possible "early demo collection" CD by DEATH: "I know people out have Chuck’s demos and are trading / selling them and I think if they do, then why not us? We have not yet because at one time Chuck had said to his sister that he did not want them released. At this point we have to rethink that position because of the medical costs that are astronomical, and the legal costs of fighting a record label in court for Chuck’s rights. It seems that certain people have owed a great deal of money to Chuck and have not paid, and now because he is no longer here are not planning to pay the debt owed to him. As a matter of fact, it was said that maybe he would die and they would not have to pay him. He was very hurt when he heard that and so were we, his family. So we will gladly fight for him, as we promised Chuck we would do. So I guess the answer is that we are still thinking about it. I know a lot of fans want us to, and the fans wishes were always important to Chuck, and now to us. We will reach a decision soon and let everybody know."
The murderer of Kettenhund Records founder ANDREAS LACHER was sentenced to 12 years yesterday morning (the first four years in jail and the rest in a psychatry). You will find a more detailed article about this case here (written in German though).
IMPIETY will record their 3rd album at Berno Studios, Sweden from July 1 to July 20 with producer Berno Paulsson. The Album is titled "Kaos Kommand 696" and will feature ten tracks. The cover art will exclusive be supplied by both JP Fournier and Desmond Sia respectively. The release date is tentatively set for October 2002.
Pete Helmkamp is now a member of REVENGE
MELECHESH will record their their album "Sphynx" for Osmose Productions in November and December at Andy LaRoque’s Los Angered Studios in Sweden.
THE CROWN and Tomas Lindberg have parted ways due to personal differences, any questions to this statement will be answered with "no comments".
French ANTAEUS will release their new album "De Principii Evangelikum" on September 23rd. The band will hit the road in November on tour with DEICIDE.
MONSTROSITY have just returned from Brazil and a three week tour of Mexico. On May 7, 2002 their album "Millennium" was reissued by Conquest Music and in September the band will head to Europe for the third time visiting at least eleven countries and playing 50 shows before returning to the States.
After their split-up with Metal Blade Records New York’s IMMOLATION have signed a new deal with Listenable Records for 3 albums. The band has already started the recordings of their new album, which will be entitled "Unholy Cult". Here are the titles: ‘Of Martyrs And Men’, ‘Sinful Nature’, ‘Unholy Cult’,’ Wolf Among The Flock’, ‘Reluctant Messiah’,’ A Kingdom Divided’,’ Rival The Eminen’t and ‘Bring Them Down.’ "Unholy Cult" is scheduled for a late October release. One Mp3 of a new track will be posted on the Listenable website www.listenable.net shortly. IMMOLATION will do a headlining tour in December with DERANGED, MYSTIC CIRCLE and Sweden’s INSISION, followed by the X mas festivals all over Europe with other bands like DYING FETUS, MACABRE, SIX FEET UNDER and more to be confirmed shortly.
DERANGED‘s fifth album ‘Plainfield Cemetary’ is currently being recorded at Berno studios (THE QUILL, VOMITORY, THE HAUNTED) and will be released in early September.
Listenable Records have signed MORS PRINCIPIUM EST, a young Finish melodic Heavy / Death Metal act. You will find an Mp3 of one their demo songs on the label’s website www.listenable.net. Their style is like a stunning mixture of Heavy Metal permeated with late CARCASS / CHILDREN OF BODOM overtones.
Listenable Records are distributing ETERNAL GRAY‘s debut album "Kindless". The band was formed by ex members of BETRAYER. "Kindless" was recorded by Tommy Tägtgren, in Abyss studios Sweden, with the help of Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) and Schmier (DESTRUCTION). Both are also doing backing vocals. The album is available for 14Euros ppd. ($15 outside Europe) from www.listenable.net. Check out the band’s website at www.eternalgray.com
ABORTED‘s new album will be entitled "The Saw And The Carnage Done" and should be recorded in November, scheduled for a February 2003 release. The band furthermore recorded their live-set at the IMMORTAL / HYPOCRISY show in Lille (F) last month. 3 songs from that session will be taken for an upcoming split live 10" vinyl with EXHUMED, coming out on Listenable in Autumn. Expect this to be extremely limited.
Due to the fact that both releases not exactly fit into the musical boundaries of our magazine, but still might appeal to some of you dark minded souls, checking in here more often, we at least decided to give the new DANZIG and THE 69 EYES records a short mention here. While Glenn and the gang finally delivered a very promising new full-length by the name of "777 – I Luciferi" (Spitfire Records) again, that – despite some remaining modern overtones – turned out a lot more basic and "Lucifuge" / "Danzig" orientated again, Finland’s THE 69 EYES didn’t manage to live up to the high expectations, based on their strong last album and disappointed me quite a bit. "Paris Kills" (Roadrunner Records) is a lot more mellow and poppy sounding than their highly successful predecessors "Blessed Be" and "Wasting The Dawn". Finnish Gothic music not necessarily has to sound this lame as the new SENTENCED record impressively proved.
MINDGRINDER from Norway have been signed by Sound Riot Productions. The band features Mr.Cosmocrator (ZYKLON, SOURCE OF TIDE). The debut album is planned to be recorded in Akkerhaugen Lydstudios and mastered at Strype studios (DIMMU BORGIR, MAYHEM, EMPEROR, IMMORTAL) and will feature some special guests of famous musicians from Norway plus a video. The release is planned for early 2003.
IN FLAMES have finished recording their forthcoming as-yet-untitled album. The band are aiming for an August or September release and an exact date will be announced as soon as it’s official. Says the band, "It’s the best IF record to date, and we all hope you will enjoy it as much as the previous releases. Next stop: Rock The Nations in Austria, Summer Rocks in Hungary and Rockwave in Greece. And then we will hit US another time, with Slayer and Soulfly. The tour details will be added soon. See ya! Anders, Björn, Daniel, Jesper and Peter."
THE HAUNTED have made an agreement with Fredman studios in Gothenburg for the recording of their third full-length album. Recording will take place over five weeks, beginning on August 26th. The band currently have eight songs written and three more in the works.
IMPALED will release their new album, "Mondo Medicale", on July 2nd. Following this release will be a 4-track EP, "Medical Waste", that will include a couple of cover songs. The band have a newly updated website at: www.impaled.info.
ENGORGED‘s self-titled debut full-length will be released on June 4th. The album was mastered by DREAMS OF DAMNATION guitarist Jim Durkin. Check out www.engorged.net for more on the band.
MAZE OF TORMENT have completed work on their upcoming album, "Unmarked Graves", due out this summer through Necropolis. The record was produced by Tommy Tagtgren at Abyss Studios.
INSISION will be featured in the June 29th Hard Music Special Issue of Billboard Magazine. The band will be included in an article discussing the Scandinavian metal scene.
Two classic Earache tracks from GODFLESH and THE HAUNTED are featured on the soundtrack to EZ-Pass Vacation, the new skateboard video from 5-Boro, a New York City-based skate company.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE have completed their forthcoming record, titled "Lucid Interval". It was recorded at Colorado’s Hellion Studios with producer Dave Otero. The final tracklisting: ‘Scolopendra Cingulata’, ‘Fortuitous Oddity’, ‘Anthro Emesis’, ‘The Isle Of California’, ‘Pseudo’, ‘Friend Of Mine’, ‘Rebellion’, ‘Zuno Gyakusatsu’, ‘Black Metal Sabbath’, ‘Cannabism’, ‘Lucid Interval’, ‘Misguided’, ‘Redundant’ and ‘Arsonist Savior’. The album is due out this summer through Relapse.
A benefit show for the injured members of SOILENT GREEN will take place on July 13th at Burnt Ramen Studios in Richmond, California. Acts performing include: DYSTOPIA, EXHUMED, IMPALED, WATCH THEM DIE and SEVERED SAVIOR. Doors for the all-ages event open at 8pm. For more venue and show info contact: jtbaker666@juno.com
IMPIETY will record their third album, "Kaos Kommand 696", at Berno Studios in Sweden from July 1st to 20th with producer Berno Paulsson. The album will feature 10 tracks and cover art by JP Fournier and Desmond Sia. A tentative October release has been set. On June 1st the band will perform with SODOM and SURRENDER OF DIVINITY in Bangkok, Thailand.
Back from their Spring Neckbreak 2K2 tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE and DARK FUNERAL, INCANTATION have finished mastering their "Blasphemy" album for Necropolis. The set will be released on June 18th.
DARKANE have completed work on their new album, "Expanding Senses". Due out on August 18th, the album has the following tracklisting: ‘Innocence Gone’, ‘Solitary Confinement’, ‘Fatal Impact’, ‘Imaginary Entity’, ‘Violence From Within’, ‘The Fear Of One’s Self’, ‘Chaos Vs Order’, ‘Parasites Of The Unexplained’, ‘Submission’ and ‘Growing Hate’ (Japanese bonus track).
LOCKUP, featuring vocalist Tomas Lindberg (THE CROWN), bassist Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH), guitarist Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH), and drummer Nick Barker (DIMMU BORGIR) are confirmed to play three shows in Japan with WILL HAVEN and CONVERGE: June 27th in Osaka at Club Quatro, the 28th in Nagoya at Club Quatro and the 30th in Tokyo.
ORIGIN are preparing for the June 11th release of their sophomore album, "Informis, Infinitas, Inhumanitas", and a summer tour supporting NILE, ARCH ENEMY and HATE ETERNAL.
DARKTHRONE have written five new songs for their forthcoming album that will be recorded in October. Fenriz is currently working on the two more tracks that will complete the release. Rehearsals will begin in August. An MP3 file from the rehearsal will be posted at www.darkthrone.no in September.
VITAL REMAINS have finished recording their new album, "Dechristianize", at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, FL. The set includes eight tracks and clocks in at 60 minutes. Vocals were done by Glen Benton, with guitars by Tony Lazaro and Dave Suzuki. Dave also did bass and drums as well as all the leads and harmonies. The album is set for release in September through Olympic in the US and Century Media in Europe.
MONUMENTUM‘s new album, "Ad Nauseam", will now be released through Moonfog partner Tormod Opedal’s Tatra label. The reason is that the album is more on the avantgarde/electronica end of the spectrum. For info go to: www.monumentum.it.
ABLAZE MY SORROW have finished recording their upcoming 11 track album, "Anger, Hate And Fury", due for release this spring / summer through No Fashion. It was recorded at Studio Recordia and includes artwork from Niklas Sundin. In related news, the official Ablaze My Sorrow Suisite is finally online. Check it out at: www.ablaze-my-sorrow.com.
LORD BELIAL‘s fourth album, "Angelgrinder", is out now. New photos from the Angelgrinder Tour are available at: www.lordbelial.com/
WOLFEN SOCIETY‘s debut MCD is out now through House Of Death in North America. The US version features a different band photo from the European version and a few other differences in the CD layout.
A ROTTING CHRIST compilation album, "Mystical Meeting", will be released in Europe on May 27th.
The first edition of MACTÄTUS‘ "Suicide" album comes in an exclusive package through Napalm.
MENTAL HORROR‘s "Proclaiming Vengeance" album will be released officially in Brazil in the next couple of months through a deal with Encore Records.
A limited edition of TOTAL WAR‘s "We Are Total War" album will be available in Brazil through Mutilation Records.
The VOMITOR "Neutron Hammer" 7" (out on Invictus Productions – www.unconquerable.net) is already sold out. All pre-orders that have not yet been shipped are in the process of being sent out. Due to circumstances beyond the label’s control, the patches have been delayed but will be ready soon.
The GOSPEL OF THE HORNS album is scheduled for a late summer release. It’s currently at the re-mixing and mastering stage and should be ready for press soon. The proposed tour with IN AETERNUM and BESTIAL MOCKERY has been cancelled due to bad timing and GOSPEL OF THE HORNS will now be coming to Europe early next year to promote the album. Invictus Productions, P.O. Box 7171, Dublin 6, Ireland. For information on releases only please contact: invictusproductions@eircom.net, For distribution /CD stalls, trades etc. please contact: necrohammer@eircom.net, Promotion exclusively handled by Agonia Promotion: noxfil@poczta.onet.pl
The self titled MCD from Canada’s ALLFATHER will be released by Invictus Productions on 10" vinyl later this year. The band’s style is raw, aggressive and militant Black / Death Metal. The band have been making a name for themselves in the underground over the past few years and have played a co headlining festival in Canada with the gods of war themselves, BLASPHEMY.
The planned DESTROYER 666 EP will come at the year’s end. The theme is a celebration of the life of the famous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.
The second EAR TERROR FESTIVAL is gonna take place on November 1st and 2nd, 2002. Interested demo bands are invited to get in touch for opening slots. Contact: mike@anasarca.de
ALASTOR will record a new CD ("Barbarian Alastor") in July which should be out in Autumn 2002.
AMON in the line-up of Dr. Fe (vox) and Larva Krupica (guit) are still searching for members to complete their line-up and record new material sometime in Autumn 2002.
COUNTESS had another collapse of line-up (terminating all planned liveshows in June) and again Orlok is on his own. Currently he’s putting together material for a new CD called "Tales Of Blasphemy And Desacration".
GRAND BELIAL’S KEY are awaiting the unlimited re-release of "Castrate The Redeemer" which will hopefully occur in the course of June.
GRAVEWURM finally released their second CD "Dark Souls Of Hell" on May 24th and will enter the studio again in August to record a yet untitled 3rd CD with the help of session members.
HERETIC were unhappy with the first version and decided to re-record "Devilworshipper" to achieve an even more rotten and bestial sound.
MEGIDDO are still mixing "The Atavism Of Evil" planned for a July 2002 release. At the same time the unlimited version of "The Devil And The Whore" should be available.
MORRIGAN sold out the numbered version of "Enter The Sea Of Flames" in one week. Unnumbered versions of "Enter…" as well as of the first CD "Plague Waste And Death" are available for wholesale / trade as you are reading this. MORRIGAN will play a tour with BLASPHEMY in July. Dates are: July 10 – Belgium, July 11 – Paris (F), July 12 – Barcelona (SPA), July 13 – Luzern (SWI), July 14 – Vienna (A), July 15 – Nürnberg (GER).
NUNSLAUGHTER are preparing the recording of their long awaited new CD "Goat" and will record a second yet untitled part of "Radio Damnation" in Autumn 2002. Even before that an unlimited version of the long sold out first part is planned.
SARGATANAS are planning to record a new yet untitled CD in August 2002.
SITHLORD still have not finished "The Return To Godless Times" due to an involvement of mainman Saundies in ATOMIZER. He recently returned from touring. The CD is supposed to be ready and out before the Summer.
STINY PLAMENU are awaiting the release of their second CD "Rany Cernym Kovem" in September 2002. New material is in the making.
TEARSTAINED is being worked on. Not recorded yet, the 3rd album will be called "Final Thoughts" and will include 8 new songs and 2 hidden coversongs. "There Is No Hope" is still available as a numbered version. Their label Barbarian Wrath is still trying to get ahold of copies of their first CD "Monumental In Its Sorrow".
WIND OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS just released "Black Sun Shall Rise" through Moribund Records and are in the final stages of mixing "Feasting On Christ".
HATEFUL AGONY from Munich are currently recording their second CD and expect to finish it in July, planned for a September release.
SCYTHE will be out in June 2002. The CD is in print as we type this.
HATEWORK will record in June and THARGOS are recording right now and should be done by June so both might be out before the Summer.