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On May 20th Peaceville Records will be releasing the following five albums on heavy black vinyl: OPETH – "Still Life" (double album / gatefold sleeve), ANATHEMA – "Alternative 4", DARKTHRONE – "A Blaze In The Northern Sky", "Under A Funeral Moon" and "Transylvanian Hunger".
The ANATHEMA DVD "Visions Of A Dying Embrace" (which contains all promo videos and a live in Poland performance), originally scheduled for a March release, has now been put back to April 22nd – the same day will see the release of MY DYING BRIDE’s DVD "For Darkest Eyes" (it also contains all their promo videos and a live in Poland performance plus extra live fan footage). Also out on April 22nd will be the band’s live album "Voice Of The Wretched" (which was filmed in 2001 at the "013" club in Holland).
AKERCOCKE are strongly rumoured to be included in the Wacken line up this year.
Unique Leader Records will release a VOMITORY / DIABOLIC split CD which consists of DIABOLIC’s "City Of The Dead" demo from ’97 (plus two unreleased bonus tracks) and VOMITORY’s "1989-1999" release (which previously only came out on picture LP). It contains two old VOMITORY tracks written back in ’91 and ’92 (re-recorded), one track from their "Revelation Nausea" album (recorded before the Metal Blade release), and covers by SODOM and NAPALM DEATH. This split CD will come with a very cool cover art-work, big booklet, lots of photos, lyrics and a short story from both bands.
ARCH ENEMY‘s "Wages Of Sin" is out in Germany on vinyl with a bonus track.
DIMENSION ZERO‘s new album, "Silent Night Fever" is available in Europe on vinyl.
According to DRAGONLORD‘s official discussion board, Steve DiGiorgio left the band and Derrik Ramirez is officially their new bassist.
MYRKSKOG are in the studio recording their second album. Drums have been completed, with guitar and vocals now in the works.
NIGHT IN GALES have parted ways with Massacre Records. The band’s new album, "Necrodynamic", will be released soon in North America through Skyscraper Music.
DYING FETUS guitarist Bruce Greig has left the band.
CRADLE OF FILTH have just confirmed that they will be playing a secret warm-up show just before their appearance at Ozzfest UK 2002. Full details will be announced on April 2nd. Meanwhile, the Cradle Of Fear film has been passed uncut by the UK censors, and will be released on DVD on April 8th. In other news, the band will release a new compilation through Music For Nations called "Lovecraft & Witchhearts" in mid-May.
FINNTROLL are currently on their way to Moscow for a gig with IMPALED NAZARENE. Vocalist Katla wasn’t able to make the trip due to complications involving a tumor on his vocal chords – he’s replaced by Tapio Vilska (SETHIAN, ex-DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED, ex-NATTVINDENS GRAT, ex-WIZZARD).
BEHEMOTH‘s Nergal has issued the following update on the bands forthcoming new album, "The new album title is "Zos Kia Cultus (Here And Beyond)". We plan to record it in June and July in the same studio and with the same engineer we worked with last time. We’ve already composed main themes for eight new songs. The new sound is really massive and heavy. Some new song titles: ‘Horns Of Baphomet’, ‘As Above So Below’, ‘Conjuration Of Sleep Daemons’ and ‘No Sympathy For Fools’." Behemoth are scheduled to perform live at Germany’s With Full Force Festival on July 5th – 7th.
ABADDON INCARNATE will support DESECRATION on their upcoming tour. Dates kick off on April 17th at Inferno in Prague, Czech Republic and wrap up on June 2nd at Giros in Belfast, Ireland.
MOURNING BELOVETH will enter the studio on April 22nd to record their new album, "My Sullen Sulcus". The band are aiming for a fall release.
SEAR BLISS have nearly finished recording their new album, due out later this year through Red Stream.
URGRUND‘s "The Graven Sign" will be out through Baphomet on March 22nd.
FOREST OF IMPALED‘s new album, "Forward The Spears", will be out soon on Red Stream. The band now includes only two original members, guitarists Adrian and Marek. The band line-up also features Duane Timlin (drums) and Markus Kolar (bass). They will soon announce their new vocalist.
WURDULAK and GORELORD are currently recording in a Norwegian studio for the "Creature Feature Series (Part 2)", to be released this spring through Red Stream.
ABAZAGORATH‘s first release since 1998 will be "The Spirit Of Hate For Mankind", to be released on Blood Fire Death Records / Red Stream. The two track EP will include a poster.
KHOLD‘s new album, "Phantom", is out through Moonfog on April 15th. A joint release party for Khold and RED HARVEST will take place on April 20th at John DEE in Oslo, Norway. In addition to the bands, DARKTHRONE’s Fenriz will DJ throughout the night. Doors open at 9pm.
Earache have reissued two USURPER albums, "Visions From The Gods" and "Necronemesis", both containing unreleased bonus material and new packaging.
In January 2002 the creative core of Chilean extreme metallers CRIMINAL, Anton Reisenegger (guitar, vocals) and Rodrigo Contreras (lead guitar), decided to relocate to England. Since the rest of the band were not willing to make this move, new members had to be recruited. It is now official that Zac O’Neil (drums), Rob Eaglestone (bass) and Mark Royce (keyboards / samples) have joined the CRIMINAL organization. Rob (a.k.a. Robin Graves) was the last remaining original member in CRADLE OF FILTH before leaving the band in April 2001. Zac could last be heard on the EXTREME NOISE TERROR album "Being And Nothing", to which he contributed most of the writing. He was also active in FAILED HUMANITY and as a touring drummer with CHRISTIAN DEATH. Mark had been recording and touring with ENTWINED and PRIMARY SLAVE. CRIMINAL have been at the forefront of South American Metal since the mid 90s. Their third and latest album "Cancer" (2001, Metal Blade) received excellent reviews from the European press, securing them a slot at the Wacken Open Air 2002, as well as appearances on several other major festivals this summer. "It’s really cool to have Zac, Mark and Rob in the band", comments Anton. "Their musicianship is just amazing, and adding digitally generated noise to the CRIMINAL sound will definetely take it to the next dimension. It is like a fresh start for us, and we feel ready to take on Europe now!" Rob had the following to say: "After ten years of being associated with CRADLE OF FILTH, I decided that I needed a change of band chemistry plus some time to regain my enthusiasm towards music generally. I’m really looking forward to promoting CRIMINAL’s fresh approach to what some people would call Old School, but what others might revere as something challenging amidst an ocean of new Metal wank." The new line-up is currently busy writing material for a new album, tentatively scheduled for autumn 2002.
Bassplayer Iscariah has left Norway’s IMMORTAL. Here’s his official press statement: "Well, so this day came to an end despite its long and joyful hours. The statement I doubted would be written for a long time is here, and if you asked me directly why, I would not be able to give you a direct answer… because there is no definite reason why. I have basically followed my instincts and my gut feeling and come to the conclusion that I am leaving Immortal. This band has basically been my life for 3 years, and it feels like some strange divorce is being processed. The band is getting bigger and with that follows complete dedication to the force. If not, you are bound to fall on your ass. To prevent this event, I quit. It is of my beliefs that if you have a single doubt, then leave. Do not try to shape the band to your benefit. I am not retiring. I just want to do what feels right for ME. At this point I am still involved in several other bands, which I am willing to push far. Also a new cult act, which I now have joined, should be announced shortly elsewhere. However, none of the acts has anything to do with my departure. A new bass player has been recruited for Immortal, and he will be attending to the upcoming European tour and beyond. We are very optimistic about his skills and dedication, so I am sure he will be permanent. The band itself will announce within the coming days who he is. I hail my brothers of this cult and I wish them the best of luck for the coming future events. Also not to forget, I want to raise my glass to all you maniacs out there who supports this cult! All hail Immortal! On behalf of myself, Iscariah"
With the release of their upcoming new 7" "Humade Me Flesh" on April 8, Germany’s PROFANITY will include a CD-R version of the same material. This CD-R will only be available along with the 7" (strictly limited to 200 hand numbered copies) for 5Euro (instead of 4Euro for the 7" alone). The band decided to do that because of the fact that many fans obviously don’t own a record player (anymore). For all further details contact: tom@profanity.de
If you’re following the extreme underground movement a little bit longer already, you will most certainly be aware of DOOM and ELECTRO HIPPIES, two bands from the UK, that started out around the same time as NAPALM DEATH, CARCASS, BOLT THROWER and the likes. With their Punk / Crust / (old) Hardcore attitude they not necessarily fit into our musical concept (apart from their extremity), but have been influential enough to still get a mention here. DOOM were in fact the first band to get signed by Peaceville Records, while ELECTRO HIPPIES’ original line-up still featured Jeff Walker on vocals, who went on to CARCASS after the band had recorded / released a demo and a 12" single. Most recently Peaceville Records have released digi-pack CD’s of both bands that feature a lot of their classic recordings. "Total Doom" by DOOM comes up with 37 tracks, taken from their "War Crimes – Inhuman Beings" album from 1988, the 1989 "Bury The Debt – Not The Dead" split-album with Swedish NO SECURITY and the "Police Bastard" EP. The ELECTRO HIPPIES disk is entitled "The Only Good Punk" and features 40 songs in total. In particular that is their 1987 debut "The Only Good Punk… Is A Dead One", the "Electro Hippies – Live" album from 1989 and their contributions to the Peaceville compilations "A Vile Peace" and "Hiatus". So, if you’re also into the early Crust / Hardcore / Punk kinda stuff you definitely should give these two releases your attention. Further info: www.peaceville.com
HORRID, Italy’s most Swedish sounding Death Metal act, will release an anthology CD entitled "Evil’s Birth 1989-2002" in May. It contains the band’s "Blasphemic Creatures" MCD, their second demo "You Are Mine", three unreleased live songs (‘Obscurity’, ‘Mephistophelian Chaos’ and ‘The Period Of Deep Thought’) and ‘Winds Of Procreation’ (Live) from their 7".
On March 28 AMON AMARTH will make an appearance on TV3 in Sweden. The TV-show is called "Baren" (The Bar) and is a so called "Docu-Soap". This show is broadcasted nationwide, and has been one of the more popular "Docu-soaps" in Sweden the last couple of years. Sins of Omission, who are joining Amon Amarth on their European tour, will play this show as well.
"Diabolical Desolation", the new album by Sweden’s CENTINEX is out now in Europe, except in Sweden due to distribution problems. But things have been cleared up in the meantime so the album should be available over there as well within the near future. The U.S release-date has been postponed to April 30th. In ralted news, the band has ended their collaboration with First Contact Agency, so if you’re interested in booking Centinex you should get in touch with them directly. www.centinex.org
After months of delays, SATYRICON will begin mixing their new album this week in Denmark with Jeff "Critter" Newell (MINISTRY, GUNS N¹ ROSES) and Satyr at the helm.
IMPIOUS have replaced drummer Ulf Johansson with Mikael Norén.
Displeased Records will release MENTAL HORROR‘s "Proclaiming Vengeance" album on March 25th.
The Art Of Sickness European tour featuring CRYPTOPSY, HAEMORRHAGE, PROFANITY and SPAWN kicks off on April 12th at Die Scheune in Lachheim / Markt Taschendorf, Germany. The dates wrap up on May 5th at K17 in Berlin, Germany
AMON AMARTH are in the middle of writing new material for their upcoming album, set to be recorded in August at Berno Studios in Malmoe, Sweden. The album is yet to be named but tracks to appear on the release include ‘Bloodshed’, ‘.. And Soon The World Will Cease To Be’ and ‘Vs. The World’. The band are currently planning a European tour…
CANNIBAL CORPSE came in at #11 on the Billboard Independent Music Chart, for the first week of release of "Gore Obsessed". The band will embark on their first US tour in support of the album headlining the Spring Neck Break 2K2, which kicks off on March 29th. Cannibal Corpse will also be doing an in-store signing in San Diego CA at Blue Meanie Records. The in-store will take place between 3 – 4pm on April 23rd. "Gore Obsessed" entered the German Top 100 at #71.
GOREAPHOBIA‘s original members from the first demo Alex Bouks, Henny Piotrowski and Craig Smilowski are together again for the first time since 1990. Their rather Black Metal-ish sounding frontman "No One" went on to other projects. Ever since they have been working on new material, which will be in the vein of the first demo – "… short, fast, to the point and catchy" . The band even decided to scrap all of the songs from their "Return To The Shadowlands" 2001 promo to restart with brandnew material. We’ll keep you posted.
Dark Realm Records has obtained North and South American rights to re-release "Violence And Blasphemy" from Polish Death / Black Metallers WITCHMASTER. The album is scheduled for an April 2002 release. During the same month Dark Realm Records will reissue PENTACLE’s "Ancient Death" CD with an added bonus track for this exclusive North American release. sadisticintent.net/realmreleases.html They also have copies of the "Reaching The Veil Of Death" MCD from America’s Death Metal artist THE CHASM available for trade now.
Here’s another update on the happenings in the SADISTIC INTENT camp: "For the past few months Bernie Versailles (studio / engineer) has been occupied recording not just one, but two full-length records with his own groups (Agent Steel / Engine). Therefore, SADISTIC INTENT has not been in the studio since October, 2001. Regardless, it is imperative for the band that Dark Realm Records must continue and it certainly has been busy in that aspect… Nevertheless, the fact is Bernie also has other projects so unfortunately we expect more delays (hopefully not as long as this last one!), but he has agreed to get back on task with SADISTIC INTENT by late March and make it a priority. The session has already been through so many set backs that we anticipate things can only get better! Relatively speaking, there is not a lot of re-tracking left so if all goes as planned, the recording should be done by the summer. After that, it will be up to Necropolis Records to schedule a release date. On the subject of recordings, SADISTIC INTENT has decided to release the cover of ‘The Exorcist’ by the legendary Death Metal gods Possessed, featuring Jeff Becerra on vocals!!! It is a complete honor for SADISTIC INTENT to have collaborated with such an important and pioneering artist of the Death / Black Metal scene! To simply put it (for those who know Metal history!), the voice behind albums such as "Seven Churches" and "Beyond The Gates"!!! The song has been recorded for a couple years now and finally it shall be released by the cult German label, Iron Pegasus Records! It will be a limited edition picture disc 7" EP, also featuring the re-recorded classic (originally written in 1988!) SADISTIC INTENT song entitled ‘Morbid Faith’! This is an exclusive version and not the same one featured on the "Thrashing Holocaust" compilation by Necropolis Records. Further information on "The Exorcist / Morbid Faith" as it comes along… As far as the Web Lair updates, some new photo’s have been added to the Off Stage Photo Galleries. Some of them include members of Possessed, Slayer, Destruction, Morbid Angel, Immortal, Dissection, Enslaved, In Aeternum and several others! More photo’s will be added in the near future. In other news, SADISTIC INTENT just recently returned from a couple of shows in New Jersey and New York with Destroyer666, Nun Slaughter, Bloodstorm & others! We would like to thank all of those who helped make these events possible and last but not least, to the diehards who were present at The Destruction Festivals! The next appearance will be in Los Angeles at The Hell Fest 2002. This is the first L.A. show in well over a year for SADISTIC INTENT! It also marks the end of an era for the band with it’s current line-up. After being a member of the group for over a decade, Vince Cervera has decided to "move on". It was a mutual understanding and now we would like to take this moment to wish him luck. As far as the future of SADISTIC INTENT, we already have a promising guitar player in mind and will begin rehearsing shortly after The Hell Fest. Once again, another obstacle but it will not stop us! Embracing the unholy spirit, it shall only make us stronger…"
After they parted ways with Hammerheart Records, Danish extreme Death Metal lunatics EXMORTEM have just been signed by Osmose Productions. The band is looking forward to record their new album during the summer.