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The heralded and heavily anticipated return of the most gifted Thrash Metal giants thrusts into high gear in early 2003, when the original line up of New York’s NUCLEAR ASSAULT initiates a world tour throughout the New Year 2003 to support the upcoming "Alive Again" live album for Screaming Ferret Wreckords. Confirmed dates will take the band through the US during the Winter (with openers Origin and All That Remains) and in Europe through the Spring on the No Mercy / Easter Festivals 2003 package tour with stalwarts Testament, Death Angel, Marduk and Pro-Pain. The band’s line up, consisting of vocalist / guitarist John Connelly, bassist Danny Lilker, guitarist Anthony Bramante and drummer Glenn Evans made their presence known throughout 2002 on select performances and festival dates around the world in an effort to ‘test the waters’ – if the world was ready for their unique, dexterous yet uncompromising Metal. The result set the wheels in motion for the upcoming all-out assault! In August, Bramante bowed out due to the commitments of his job and was replaced by the more than capable Erik Burke. Lilker comments on the upcoming tour: "It’s gonna be great to finally tour again! People seem totally psyched that they will get to see us in the flesh again. We hope to see all diehard Metalheads banging and moshing in the front…" Formed in 1984 by Danny Lilker (who has also been a founding member of Anthrax, S.O.D., Brutal Truth, among others), NUCLEAR ASSAULT enjoyed a ten-year career that spawned 6 studio albums and EPs and a host of world tours. While emitting a dark sense of humor, the band’s catalogue acknowledged the gamut of social concerns, from political tyranny and environmental devastation to capitalistic excess and basic human apathy. Their 1989 opus "Handle With Care" garnered much critical-acclaim, while its singles ‘Critical Mass’ and ‘Trail Of Tears’ received generous MTV airplay. The forthcoming "Alive Again" live album represents NUCLEAR ASSAULT’s first release in over 9 years. Lilker explains: "We will soon be releasing our new live album, so people can see for themselves that we still have it! I know a lot of Thrash bands seem to be reuniting and some people are wondering ‘Can these guys in their late 30’s still hack it?’ The answer is undoubtedly yes!" Not content to keep the reunion to a mere commemorative or nostalgic event, NUCLEAR ASSAULT is also planning a new studio record for the near future! Danny Lilker offers a sneak preview of what can be expected: "We are in the process of writing new material, and I can tell you that it’s definitely in the style of the old stuff. Once again speaking for myself, I think the Metal scene NEEDS an injection of classic Thrash Metal ‘cos I’ve had enough of people thinking Linkin Park is Metal. We’ll have to show these youngsters how Metal is really played!" All further info at: www.nuclearassault.us
CHILDREN OF BODOM are confirmed to appear at the 17th annual South By Southwest Music Festival, set to be held March 12-16 in Austin, Texas. The band’s new album, "Hate Crew Deathroll" will feature two bonus tracks: ‘Silent Scream’ (SLAYER cover) and ‘Somebody Put Something In My Drink’ (RAMONES cover).
THE END RECORDS have secured distribution rights for Sweden’s Regain Records. Regain North America begins with the following releases in January: DEFLESHED’s "Royal Straight Flesh", KARMAKANIC’s "Entering The Spectra", OPUS ATLANTICA’s self titled album, REPTILIAN’s "Thunderblaze", TENEBRE’s "Electric Hellfre Kiss" and TIME REQUIEM’s self-titled debut. MARDUK’s "World Funeral" and the new album from SEHERIAL will follow.
The Japanese record label WORLD CHAOS PRODUCTIONS is looking for European and North American Black Metal and melodic Death Metal bands for distribution and possible recording contracts. Bands on their roster thus far include TERROR SQUAD, GRIMFORCE, ILLNATH and AGONY’S LAMENT and Japanese Thrashers KING’S EVIL. Contact World Chaos at worldkdm@syd.odn.ne.jp or wcp@syd.odn.ne.jp for more information. Material can be sent to World Chaos Productions, #406 New Light Bld., 2-25-6, Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 113-0033.
Cogumelo Records has released the new record from Brazilian Thrash act SIECRIST called "What’s Going On Your Mind".
CRADLE OF FILTH‘s forthcoming album, "Damnation And A Day" will be out in Japan on March 5th with an exclusive bonus track.
EINHERJER have posted three songs from "The Eternally Damned" demo. The tracks that can be found at www.einherjer.com are as follows: ‘The Eternally Damned’, Ware Her Venom’ and ‘Dead Knight’s Rite’.
OLD MAN’S CHILD‘s forthcoming album, "In Defiance Of Existence", will be released on vinyl in Europe through Century Media on January 20.
MARDUK have posted MP3 clips of ‘To The Death’s Head True’ and the title track ‘World Funeral’ at their website, www.marduk.nu. "World Funeral" is due out in Europe on February 24th through Blooddawn Productions.
DIVINE RAPTURE is currently in mixdown mode for the album "The Burning Passion". In related news, the band are also featured on the MORBID ANGEL tribute, "Tyrants From The Abyss", performing ‘World Of Shit’.
Roadrunner Japan are reissuing the following classic titles on February 21st: MACHINE HEAD‘s "Burn My Eyes" (1994), WHIPLASH‘s "Insult To Injury" (1990), DEFIANCE‘s "Void Terra Firma" (1990), HEATHEN‘s "Victims Of Deception" (1991) and SADUS‘ "A Vision Of Misery" (1992).
Mark Adams (guitarist for DECEASED) has launched his official DECEASED website www.upthetombstones.com
Norway’s ENSLAVED just released the following press statement regarding their upcoming new album "Below The Lights": "The album speaks for itself, but again we are proud to say we have gone further down the road of exploration. And on the other hand it is darker and contains more references to the early days of ENSLAVED in the sense of more ambience and structure to the songs. The progressive and experimental elements are still there, more raffined and subtle that ever. You will also find pieces of traditional Northern music, this time more incorporated in the ENSLAVED core material. Melodic elements and complex harmonics is also a prominent feature on "Below The Lights". After returning from the UK in March 2002 we all realized that R. Kronheims days in the band had come to an end. Extremely unhealthy and unsociable habits combined with strong personalities and different musical tastes on both sides made it impossible to continue. But hey! That didn’t stop us, and with the added force of lead guitarist A. Isdal, we went on to make "Below The Lights". The quality of the arrangements and the level of musicianship should prove that the core of ENSLAVED more than survived the changes. The coverart is once again under the brush of Truls Espedahl (who also made the artwork for "Monumension"). This time the artwork will follow the music and lyrics even closer, and a surreal, dark and magnificent piece of art will meet you in the shops 03.03.03. After the finishing of the album, Dirge Rep decided to leave the band. The reason is quite simple; he is burned out according to himself. No point in arguing with that. Goodbye and thanx for the drumwork, brother-in-arms! We have a replacement for live and studio sessions in Freddy B., the drummer some of you might remember from the UK tour in March 2002 when Dirge sat at home with a broken foot! P.S.: Watch out for the live-DVD "Live Retaliation" to be released through MetalMind Productions. Order it or read about it at our webpage www.enslaved.no. Take note that www.enslavedunion.com will be removed and has been replaced by www.enslaved.no. See you on tour and remember to play "Below The Lights" at extreme volume levels. For even better results, try altered states of conciousness (knock yourself over the head, do yoga-jumping or stay awake for two weeks without food before you check out the album). If it doesn’t fuck you up, we’ll give you (fake monopoly) money back. Thanx for your attention and for bringing us this far and further!" – Ivar B. "Below The Lights" features the following tracks: ‘The Crossing’, ‘Havenless’, ‘A Darker Place’, ‘Queen Of Night’, ‘A Dead Stare’, ‘As Fire Swept Clean The Earth’ and ‘Ridicule Swarm’.
GORGASM have inked a deal with Unique Leader. The band is writing new material together with newly recruited bassplayer Brain Baxter (Regurgitation / Ablated Records) and the recording process is planned for April 2003. The album will be tentatively called "Masticate To Dominate".
DEEDS OF FLESH are back from their full US tour together with Cannibal Corpse, Macabre and Malevolent Creation. The tour went very well concerning all the positive reactions that are going around. Deeds Of Flesh will start recording the follow up studio album to "Mark Of The Legion" in January, so mid 2003 release is guaranteed.
Dutch downtuned Deathsters BRUTUS have recorded their debut full-length album "Slachtbeest" at Excess Studio, known for its recordings with Sinister, Houwitser, Disavowed, Pyaemia etc. One of the songs, called ‘Ontrouw’ features extreme guttural backing vocals of Erik Lindmark of Deeds Of Flesh. The artwork is still being created at this moment and the release is planned to go out somewhere in March / April.
EXCITER finally found a new vocalist (Rob Degroot) and a new bassist (Paul Champagne), completing the line-up with John Ricci and Rik Charron. The band is currently writing new material, heavy and aggressive in the EXCITER tradition. Intense rehearsals have started for live shows due to the fact the band has been receiving invites to play shows in USA and Europe.
LEVIATHAN have announced that the recording of their second, yet untitled, album is postponed because the band feel that they need more time to work on their material. Meawhile their debut album "Far Beyond The Light" was re-released.
FORGOTTEN TOMB are currently at Abyss Studios recording the second album "Springtime Depression". Seven new tracks are being recorded, some titles are ‘Subway Apathy’, ‘Todes’, ‘Desolated Funeral’ and ‘Daylight Obsession’. According to Morbid this album will follow the footsteps of its proceedor, though reveal abit more wicked, tormenting sides of the band. Drums are handled by ex shining drummer Wedebrand.
BLOODLINE, a rather new Swedish / Norwegian / Italian band, have been signed by Selbstmord Services. Their coming debut album, "Werewolf Training" will be recorded in March, set for an early summer release.
Swedish ZAVORASH raised from their ashes a few months ago will record their debut album this summer in Abyss Studio. Meanwhile Selbstmord Services will release a special mini-album including their second demo "In Odium Veritas" and a brand new track to give you a taste of whats to come.
The JOYLESS album "Wisdom And Arrogance" will be re-issued next month with improved artwork.
RIGOR MORTIS are going into the studio next week to digitally remaster their first record. They plan on having it available (again) in a couple of months.
REQUIEM have just finished the recording sessions for their new full-length album "Formed At Birth", which will be released in February / March 2003 through Revenge Productions. You can order the album online at www.revengeproductions.com. For more info about REQUIEM or the new release "Formed At Birth", click www.requiem-net.com.
The new RESURRECTED album "Blood Spilled" will be released on February 24, 2003.
A couple of days ago Rob Urbinati got together with his former SACRIFICE bandmates Gus Pynn and Scott Watts and jammed some old SACRIFICE stuff… In an email we received from Rob, he stated that "… it was fun, even though we all had trouble remembering the stuff…"
IMMORTAL, VADER, CHILDREN OF BODOM and TAAKE are confirmed for the forthcoming Inferno Festival, which takes place at Rockefeller Music Hall / John Dee in Oslo, Norway on April 17-19, 2003.
INCANTATION are set to embark on a seven-date Australian tour in June 2003.
SUIDAKRA are looking to record their next album in April at Stage One Studio in Bühne, Germany with producer Andy Classen.
THY PRIMORDIAL are scheduled to enter Abyss studios with producer Tommy Tägtgren next summer to record their sixth album.
THORNSPAWN are currently working on their next album, "Sanctified By Satan’s Blood", which is supposed to be recorded at Morrisound Studios in Florida. The following tracks are already written: ‘Sanctified By Satan’s Blood’, ‘Occult Black Death’ and ‘God Of Unholy Battalions’. The band’s debut album "Blood Of The Holy, Taint Thy Steel" will be re-released through Osmose with new coverart by underground artist Ereshkigal in black mat digi-pack and the "Empress From The Realms Of Blasphemy" EP as bonus tracks.
The Polish label Still Dead Productions is back from the dead after all. In the beginning of 2003 they will finally release the long awaited EQUINOX CD, which had been recorded at Morrisound Studios with producer Jim Morris. Also in the works are releases by CONTORTED (feat. ex – DIABOLIC and BRUTALITY members), PATHS OF POSSESSION (feat. ex – MORBID ANGEL axeman Richard Brunelle), EVISCIUM (feat. Mark Mastro, ex – ROTTREVORE) and the new BRUTALITY album.
DARKANE has been confirmed for next year’s March Metal Meltdown V, set to take place March 7-8 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
CHILDREN OF BODOM‘s European tour in support of "Hate Crew Deathroll", begins on April 19th in Stockholm, Sweden at Lilla Arenan and runs until May 19 in Osnabrück, Germany at Hyde Park.
THE CROWN recently confirmed the upcoming live dates: February 20th – Thunder Road – Pavia, Italy, 21st – Midian – Vicenza, Italy and 22nd – Pri Rdeci Ostrigi – Skofja Loka, Slovenia.
ARCH ENEMY have rescheduled their Scandinavian dates that were cancelled in November. The new dates are: January 25 – Club Rockers – Vasteras, SWE, 26 – Debaser – Stockholm, SWE, 28 – John Dee website – Oslo, NOR, 29 – Musikens Hus – Gothenburg, SWE, 30 – Diezel – Halmstad, SWE and 31 – Tivoli – Helsingborg, SWE.
SATYRICON‘s Black Lava Down Europe 2003 Tour will run from February 14th at Zeche Carl in Essen, Denmark to March 23rd at Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany.
USURPER will hold a listening party for their "Twilight Dominion" album at 9pm on January 11th, 2003 at Delilah’s in Chicago. For directions go to www.mapquest.com. For more details check out www.usurper.us or contact mgmt@usurper.us
HELL-BORN have released their new album, "The Call Of Megiddo", through Conquer Records. The tracklisting: ‘Hell-Born’, ‘Legion Is Our Name’, ‘We Bring The Reaper’, ‘Scepter Of The Tomblord’, ‘The Call Of Megiddo’, ‘With The Gleam Of The Eyes Of Undead’, ‘Down Below He Dwells’ and ‘Evil Dawning’.
SAMAEL will tour Europe next year. The Redemption 2003 Tour, also featuring CATHEDRAL and WITHOUT FACE, will run from January 28th to March 4th.
Black Mark Records will celebrate BATHORY‘s 20th Anniversay with the re-release of the band’s catalog on vinyl LPs. Each title will be remastered and will come with enhanced layout and full color lyric sheet. The following titles will be available: "Bathory", "The Return…", "Under The Sign Of The Black Mark", "Blood Fire Death", "Hammerheart" and "Twilight Of The Gods".
The recording of the new DENATA album will take place in early January at Studio Hell Smell (Linköping / Sweden) with Mique (Seance) as technician. It will feature 13 tracks of brutal Thrash, incl. a cover of Celtic Frost’s ‘Morbid Tales’. The album is scheduled to be released via Arctic Music Group during March / April 2003. In related news a deal with the English company Razamataz ( www.razamataz.co.uk) has just been signed who will do the official merchandise for the band. Finally a Thrash Metal lexicon by Rockdetector / Cherry Red Records has been released and Denata is featured on their following compilation. All further details you may find at the following address: www.cherryred.co.uk/books/thrashmetal.htm
Texas based RIGOR MORTIS, who released three classic Thrash Metal albums back in the late 80s / early 90s ("Rigor Mortis", "Freaks" and "Vs. The Earth") are about to reform. Bassplayer Casey Orr, who used to be a member of GWAR the last couple of years, told us the following: "Mike Scaccia, Harden Harrison and I are putting Rigor Mortis back together! It’s been 20 years since we first got together and 13 years since we last played RM songs together but we’ve started rehearsing and plan on recording and touring next year at some point… Also www.rigormortis.com should be up and running soon and I will post lots of info, etc. there."
MELECHESH are currently at Andy La Rocque’s Los Angered Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden recording their 3rd album for Osmose Productions titled "Sphynx". Some song titles that will be featured on the album are: ‘Incendium Between Mirage and Time’, ‘Of Mercury And Mercury’, ‘Apkallu Counsel’ and ‘Secrets Of Sumerian Sphynxology’. By the end of December, the band will master the album at Bauwhaus Studios in Amsterdam, Holland by Attie Bauw. His mastering work is best known for such acts as Judas Priest, Rush, Scorpions, Halford, Fight and notorious others. Ron Woodall, who has worked for George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, has illustrated the cover art as well (graphic designer of Star Wars, Dragonheart, Jurassic Park etc.). For more information, please visit the site at: www.melechesh.com
A North American tour featuring INTO ETERNITY, KATAKLYSM, DYING FETUS and HATE ETERNAL will take place in February and March 2003. Confirmed dates include February 14th at Zeppelin’s in New Orleans, LA and March 22nd at Brass Mug in Tampa, FL.
CHILDREN OF BODOM will be on the road in Finland in support of their forthcoming CD, "Hate Crew Deathroll", due out on January 7th. Dates begin on March 21in Turku and end April 5th in Helsinki.
NILE have pulled out of their scheduled appearence at Beast Feast 2002 at Makuhari Messe Event Hall in Tokyo, Japan, with no reason given for the cancellation.
OPETH‘s upcoming 2003 UK Deliverance tour runs from March 10th at Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, UK to March 19th at Whelans’s in Dublin, Ireland. Another tour in support of the band’s forthcoming "Damnation" album will follow and is expected to take place in unusual venues.
THE HAUNTED‘s forthcoming DVD, "Caught On Tape", will be out in North America on March 11. The DVD features two full live shows and other exclusive material.
THE CROWN will be performing three shows in Finland – Helsinki, Tampere and Jyväskylä – in late January (22nd through 24th).
EMPEROR‘s "Scattered Ashes – A Decade", is a new compilation out through Candlelight.
DETENTE‘s "Recognize No Authority", originally released in 1986 by Metal Blade and featuring the late vocalist Dawn Crosby, has been reissued in Europe.