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DESTRUCTION have a new drummer, 31-year old Marc Reign (ex-GUNJAH, ORTH) from Berlin, Germany.
Century Media Records and World Management have resigned UNLEASHED to a new worldwide record deal. The band is currently recording tracks in their native Stockholm, Sweden, for an early 2002 release.
MÖRK GRYNING will release his third album, "Maelstrom Chaos", on November 25th.
CENTINEX guitarist Kenneth Wiklund has left the band due to loss of interest. This wasn’t a major surprise as the decision has been hanging in the air for quite some time already. Centinex will remain a four-piece until further notice and in contrary to some rumours has not yet found a new axeman to replace Wiklund.
A 2LP set of the Various Artists Tribute to IMPETIGO, "Wizards Of Gore", is out now. The set includes a special introduction from Kam Lee (ex-MASSACRE / DEATH). Acts appearing on the collection include: MURDER CORPORATION, BLOOD DUSTER, MORTICIAN, MACHETAZO, IMPALED, SANITYS DAWN, HAEMORRHAGE, DEEPRED VAMPIRIC MOTIVES, EXHUMED, VASTION, REPUGNANC, CBT, LYMPHATIC PHLEGM, BLOOD, ENGORGED, INTENSE HAMMER RAGE, WADGE, LAST DAYS OF HUMANITY, MORGUE, INGROWING, DECEASED, GORE BEYOND NECROPSY, MORBID SAVOURING, LIVIDITY, CSSO, DEMISOR and LORD GORE.
Jane Schuldiner, mother of DEATH / CONTROL DENIED frontman Chuck Schuldiner posted the following recently: "Dear fans and friends, I want to tell you that Chuck has been very ill for three weeks in the hospital with pneumonia, but is now on the road to recovery and will hopefully be home soon. While it was unexpected, when a person is undergoing chemotherapy, a low immune system keeps that person vulnerable to other illnesses. That is why I have not answered Chuck’s email for some time, I am there with him. I will keep you posted with how he is doing".
THYRFING are going to remix their new album, tentatively titled "The Fourth Outrage", during December. It is due out in April 2002.
MORTIIS have announced two UK shows in December, the 17th at Hop & Grape in Manchester and the 18th at Mean Fiddler in London.
IMPALED NAZARENE have released a vinyl LP version of their "Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace" album through Osmose.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA‘s "New Obscurantis Order" album is now available on vinyl LP format through Osmose.
VIKING CROWN‘s new album, "Banished Rhythmic Hate", is out now through Seasons Of Mist. Guesting on the album is PANTERA’s Phil Anselmo.
A Various Artist Tribute To MAYHEM is out now through Wounded Love / Avantgarde. Artists on the collection include IMMORTAL, EMPEROR, DARK FUNERAL, BEHEMOTH, VADER, GORGOROTH, LIMBONIC ART, CARPATHIAN FOREST, ABSU, GEHENNA, SETH and KEEP OF KALESSIN.
VESPERIAN SORROW‘s second album, "Psychotic Sculpture", is out soon.
Cornelius Jakhelln from SOLEFALD has published his first book named "Gebura Muse". The book is a collection of metaphysical poetry in Norwegian and includes a conversation with the devil as well. Book# ISBN 82-03-18467-7. In March / April the band will be back at the studio again to work on the follow up to "Pills Against Ageless Ills". For more info head to www.solefald.org
Century Media have signed German black metal act SUIDAKRA.
ANCIENT‘s upcoming tour in support of their new album, "Proxima Centauri", kicks off on November 26th in Prattein, Switzerland and wraps up on December 14th in Scharding, Austria. Also on the bill are STORMLORD and THYRANE.
GALLERY OF DARKNESS will release their 2nd MCD, containing four tracks of utterly brutal sickness, in November / December.
SIX FEET UNDER‘s "True Carnage" album will be released in Japan on November 25th with an exclusive bonus track.
IN FLAMES will display their brand of extreme metal on the second leg of SLIPKNOT’s U.S. tour. Also on the bill are 40 BELOW SUMMER. The dates kick off on November 20th at Brown county Arena in Green Bay, WI and wrap up on December 21st at 7 Flags Center in Des Moines, IA.
Due to manufacturing problems, the vinyl and picture disc releases of EMPEROR‘s "Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire And Demise" album has been delayed. The LP will now be released on November 22nd, with the picture disc being released on December 16th.
SKINLESS have amicably parted ways with drummer Bob Beaulac. Beaulac has been replaced with ex-MORTICIAN drummer George Torres.
DECAPITATED have completed the recording of "Nihility", the follow-up to their 1999 debut, "Winds Of Creation". The U.S. and European release is set for early 2002. The tracklisting: ‘Perfect Dehumanisation (The Answer)’, ‘Eternity Too Short’, ‘Mother War’, ‘Nihility (Anti-Human Manifesto)’, ‘Names’, ‘Spheres Of Madness’, ‘Babylon’s Pride’ and ‘Symmetry Of Zero’.
INSISION have finished recording their debut album for Earache / Wicked World in Berno Studios, Sweden. "Beneath The Folds Of Flesh" is set for U.S. release in spring 2002. Produced by Berno Paulson and Johan Axelsson, the album has the following tracklisting: ‘World Impaled’, ‘Trapped Within’, ‘Sado God’, ‘Temple Of Flesh’, ‘Rewind Into Chaos’, ‘Impamiiz Graa’, ‘He’s My Fever’, ‘Before My Altar’ and ‘Ex Oblivion’.
LOCK UP have completed their new album, "Hate Breeds Suffering". The release features new vocalist Tomas Lindberg (THE CROWN) and returning members Nick Barker (DIMMU BORGIR), Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) and Jesse Pintado (Napalm Death). The suffering starts February 2002.
Originally scheduled for July in Soundsuite Studio, SETH will record their new album, "Divine X", in December at the Excess Studio in Netherland. Arkames will not take part to the recording of the vocal lines.
ROTTING CHRIST are back working on new songs for their next full-length.
According to Metal Update, French cult film director Olivier Assayas plans to use classic DARKTHRONE music in his forthcoming S&M movie.
LORD BELIAL has finished the recording of the new album, "Angelgrinder", due out through No Fashion in March 2002. The recording of the 40 minute, eight song album was done at Los Angered Recordings in Gothenburg, Sweden and was engineered by Andy LaRoque. Starting in April the band will tour Germany, Belgium and Holland with SATANIC SLAUGHTER. The dates will be published at www.lordbelial.com and at Satanic Slaughter’s webpage: http://hem.passagen.se/ztefdark/.
SINS OF OMISSION have released a new album, "Flesh On Your Bones", recorded at Studio Underground. Marten Hansen (ex-A CANOROUS QUINTET) has taken over on vocals and Mattias Ekblad (ex-MORTIFIER, MORK GRYNING) has joined to help Martin out with the killer leads. The tracklisting: ‘Intro’, ‘The Secret Agenda’, ‘Pound For Pound’, ‘(R)Evolution’, ‘Angel Killers’, ‘The Rape’, ‘Of Innocence’, ‘A Wicked Slaughterhouse Tale’, ‘The Grinder’, ‘Sinners Redemption’ and ‘Angel Of Death’ (SLAYER cover).
LUX OCCULTA will release their fourth full-length album, "The Mother And The Enemy", in Portugal on November 19th through Maquiavel Music. The album will be released in Europe on January 7th, 2002. The band will also begin a tour of Poland in November in support of KRISIUN. Other acts on the bill include VADER, BEHEMOTH, HATE, SCEPTIC, ESQARIAL and BELFEGOR.
EPHEL DUATH have completed recording their debut, "Rephormula". The U.S. release is set for early 2002.
Earache and Elitist Records have signed a four album deal with RAKOTH.
BURIAL PLACE is back with an EP-Tape titled "Damnation". It comes with professional layout, and contains two tracks plus intro and outro, for a running time of about 15 minutes.
A new book, "The Rock Detector – The A-Z Of Black Metal", is out now. The 400 page book features detailed biographies, line up listings, discographies and track listings of over 2000 bands including CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR, EMPEROR, MAYHEM, IMMORTAL, MARDUK and more. The book examines the Black Ambient scene, Viking Metal, Grindcore, Noisecore and even Christian Black Metal.
CRADLE OF FILTH will release their "Bitter Suites To Succubi" album on vinyl, complete with a gatefold sleeve.
According to Blabbermouth, Mirai from Japanese avantgarde metal outfit SIGH will be collaborating with PANTERA vocalist Philip Anselmo and NECROPHAGIA frontman Killjoy on a project by the name of ENOCH.
Due to personal problems AB:NORM drummer Gianni Cutrona won’t be able to play with the band for the next two years. That’s why AB:NORM is in need for a replacement. Interested people can get in touch with the band at: www.ab-norm.de or inside@ab-norm.de
On December 13, Iron Pegasus Records will release new EP’s by DESASTER ("Souls of Infernity") and SADISTIC INTENT ("Morbid Faith", which also includes the band’s incredible cover of POSSESSED’s ‘The Exorcist’ featuring Jeff Becerra himself as a guest singer!!!). A limited edition picture disc (500 copies) of SABBAT’s "Satanasworld" (incl. 1 bonus song) will hit the streets the same day. Further info: www.ironpegasus.com
IMMORTAL just finished the recordings of their Nuclear Blast debut "Sons Of Northern Darkness". The album will include the following tracks: ‘One By One’, ‘Sons Of Northern Darkness’, ‘Tyrants’, ‘Demonium’, ‘Within The Dark Mind’, ‘In My Kingdom Cold’, ‘Antarctica’ and the eight minutes long ‘Beyond The North Waves’. The release date is scheduled for February 2002, followed by a European tour in spring with labelmates HYPOCRISY.
The studio date for the second DISINCARNATE album will be delayed due to James Murphy’s ongoing recovery from recent brain surgery.
RAZOR are working on their new album, "Anger Management", to be released in late 2002. Tracks to appear on the album include: ‘Anger Management’, ‘Served’, ‘Search My Sweat’, ‘Only Losers’, ‘Mr. Anti’ and ‘My Undertaker’. In related news, Hypnotic Records plan to re-release all of RAZOR’s albums on CD. They will feature full liner notes and some new artwork. The first to be reissued are: "Open Hostility", "Shotgun Justice" and "Violent Restitution".
CENTINEX will release their Candlelight debut, "Diabolical Desolation", in March. The band are arranging for a U.S. tour next spring.
BOLT THROWER‘s "Honour-Valour-Pride" album will be available on double LP format from November 19th.
IMMEMORIAL have inked a deal with Conquer Records to release their new album, "Monologue", in November.
LOWBROW have released their second album, "Sex, Violence, Death". The supergroup features Allen West (ex-SIX FEET UNDER) and former NASTY SAVAGE members Ben Meyer, Curtis Beeson and Richard Bateman. The album was recorded at Tampa’s Morrisound Studios.
UNLEASHED have resigned to Century Media. The band are currently recording in Sweden for an early 2002 release.
THE CROWN guitarist Marcus Sunesson is filling in for Mike Wead on THE HAUNTED’s current U.S. tour.
WARHAMMER have inked a three album deal with Nuclear Blast.
INTERNAL BLEEDING‘s new album, "Hatefuel", will include songs dealing with the September 11th terrorist attack. The album is scheduled to be recorded early next year for a mid-200 release through Olympic.
SIRIUS are working on their new album, to be recorded in January / February. The album marks a "HUGE" change in sound for the band. The band’s Carlos describes the new material as being "more in the style of bands like STATIC-X, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD or even hints of SLIPKNOT or ROB ZOMBIE – all this mixed with huge electro-industrial components experimentation."
SUMMONING release their new album, "Let Mortal Heroes Sing Yo", on November 5th through Napalm.
SIEGFRIED release a new album, "Drachenherz", on November 12th through Napalm.
Early next year ZYKLON will start working on new material (and a few remixes) for a mini-album. A full-length album will be released later in 2002.
SOURCE OF TIDE will release a new album in mid-February through Candlelight.
AGALLOCH will enter the studio next month to record their second album. The band hopes to be finished with the recording and mixing sometime in December.
Dark Horizon artists FOG have signed with World War III Records for the release of their debut CD, Through The Eyes Of Night Winged They Come, which was originally released in April. The LP version of the album will be out soon through Dark Horizon. The band are currently working on their next album. They will enter the studio in late November/December.
Dark Horizon in conjunction with Realms Of Darkness will release a split CD featuring NEBRON, HORDES OF THE LUNAR ECLIPSE and ALLFATHER.
RITUAL have released their new album, "Panta Rhei". The 13 song album includes a bonus track, a cover of MASTER’S HAMMER’s ‘Black Halo’. For info on obtaining this release go to: www.ritual.d2.cz
NAGLFAR are currently busy recording their next full-length album, "Sheol", and hope to release it in the spring of 2002.
OLD MAN’S CHILD will begin recording their new album on April 15th at Fredman Studios in Gothenberg, Sweden. DIMMU BORGIR drummer Nick Barker will play drums and Galder will take care of all other instruments.
APRIL ETHEREAL will join NILE and BEHEMOTH on their upcoming UK tour which kicks off on November 30th in Milton Keynes and wraps on December 10th in Bristol.
BORKNAGAR‘s new album, "Empiricism", due out on January 22nd, has the following tracklisting: ‘The Genuine Pulse’, ‘Gods Of My World’, ‘The Black Canvas’, ‘Matter & Motion’, ‘Soul Sphere’, ‘Inherit The Earth’, ‘The Stellar Dome’, ‘Four Element Synchronicity’, ‘Liberated’ and ‘The View Of Everlast’.
BATHORY‘s "Destroyer Of Worlds" album is available on limited edition picture disc LP.
Earache Records has signed USURPER. Says Usurper vocalist General Diabolical Slaughter: "Signing with Earache is a great opportunity. It is the obvious next step in the progression of Usurper. We’re excited and are looking forward to entering the studio to deliver our strongest record to date. And as always, Metal Forever!" While the band finishes work on its Earache debut, Earache will reissue the band’s "Visions From The Gods" and "Necronemesis".
AETERNUS has released their new album "Ascension Of Terror" this month. The band will do a few promotional shows in the Benelux in January, after which a longer tour as support to BENEDICTION is possibly scheduled for March 2002.
ALAS‘s mastermind Erik Rutan is busy with production jobs (a.o. INTERNECINE) and is looking into the plan of playing live in 2002. Maybe some festivals will be witnessing ALAS in 2002.
ANCIENT RITES will embark on a full European tour during December supported by MYSTIC CIRCLE and ABORTUS. Possibly live-recordings will be made on this tour for an official live-CD / DVD for early 2002. Meanwhile they are invited for a big festival in Spain, taking place in March 2002. Of course Jan and Gunther are also busy with their side-project DANSE MACABRE.
AVRIGUS has annouced no concrete plans yet for a new album.
BLOOD RED THRONE, the band around Tchort (ex-almost every Norwegian band!) and Dod (Satyricon) might tour early 2002.
CRUACHAN‘s "Folk-Lore" is being released in January 2002. It looks as if they will support Dropkick Murphy’s on some shows in the Netherlands and the band wants to tour Europe in Spring 2002 as well. The album is produced by the legendary Shane MacGowan (of the notorious The Pogues).
DISMEMBER is rehearsing for their first album on Hammerheart which is supposed to be recorded in the winter time.
DIMENSION F3H has done all the pre-production for their album. Morfeus (LIMBONIC ART’s mastermind) describes the music as a much more easy version of his main band, so expect futuristic / modern Metal with mystic touches and an industrial sound.
Fans of Swedish Death Metal in the Rock’n Roll way should watch out for DEMONS OF DIRT. The band will release a 3-song single-CD in December, followed by their debut album in February.
EXMORTEM just finished touring together with MANGLED.
HYPNOSIA is working on songs for their second album.
INTERNECINE is laying the final touches on their debut-album "The Book Of The Lambs…", which is produced by Erik Rutan in Florida. Due to legal reasons the recording line-up remains secret at the moment, but it’s said that "there is a wild bunch of top musicians gathered in that studio…"
IMPIOUS signed with Hammerheart Records after two albums on Black Sun Records. But don’t expect a new album before Summer 2002.
INFERNAL will not yet record their full-length due to line-up problems.
Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH, CONTROL DENIED) has been swamped in medical bills due to expensive operations in order to cure a specific kind of brain tumor. Chuck is being helped out by the Metal music community worldwide. An auction on Ebay featuring cool items from Metal Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD) and many more is taking place now. Metal Mike, who considers Chuck one of Metal’s Greats, has donated a Guyatone Metal Monster distortion pedal that includes a 9V power supply and is signed by Mike. He also donated a Metal Mike Chlasciak Guitar Pick Pack, a set of few personal guitar picks including ones used by Mike in Halford and many more.
NIGHT IN GALES‘s "Necrodynamic" album will be released in North America through Skyscraper. The release will exclusively include the "Syphlike" EP.
The sophomore effort from LOCK UP, featuring DIMMU BORGIR drummer Nick Barker, NAPALM DEATH guitarist Jesse Pintado, Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury, and THE CROWN / ex-AT THE GATES vocalist Tomas Lindberg, will be called "Hate Breeds Suffering" and is due out through Nuclear Blast Records early next year.
Despite earlier rumours, it’s now confirmed that CENTINEX will not tour Europe with
EXTREME NOISE TERROR and CADAVER INC. during November and December. As the bands new album won’t be out until January all touring activities have been postponed to the winter/spring 2002. Meanwhile, check out the Centinex’ updated website at: www.centinex.org
NILE are preparing material for their next album. The band will embark on their second headlining tour of the UK in December. They will also appear on this December’s X-Mass Fests in Europe with CANNIBAL CORPSE, KREATOR, MARDUK, KRISIUN, DARK FUNERAL and VOMITORY.
SKINLESS have amicably parted ways with drummer Bob Beaulac. Beaulac has been replaced with ex-MORTICIAN drummer George Torres. A limited edition picture disc version of the band’s "Foreshadowing Our Demise" release is now available on Morbid Records.
Due to the recent terrorist attacks on America, MALEVOLENT CREATION has been forced to cancel / postpone their U.S. tour that was supposed to run through November and December. They are currently writing material for their eighth album, which most likely will be titled "The Will To Kill", due to be recorded in January. The band will begin a European tour with VADER and CATASTROPHIC in February, and will then join the No Mercy Festivals in March which also feature IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY, Vader and others.
Mike Wead will not participate on THE HAUNTED U.S. tour, due to reasons beyond his or the band’s control. New replacement for the tour is THE CROWN guitarist Marcus Sunesson.
Not only have the German thrash gods been confirmed for Wacken 2002, but they have added the recently reunited HOLY MOSES to the thrash triple bill tour, featuring DESTRUCTION, SODOM and KREATOR.
DIM-MAK has been picked up by Olympic Recordings. Their sophomore effort, "Intercepting Fist", features ex-members of RIPPING CORPSE and will hit the streets in January.
OLD MAN’S CHILD / DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Galder has posted that the forthcoming OLD MAN’S CHILD album will be recorded next March at Gothenburg’s Studio Fredman. Nick Barker is confirmed to be playing the drums on the record. As for the remaining musicians, Galder says that he will cover any holes.
KULT OV AZAZEL will soon release a live CD that will include two new studio tracks. The band are also working on material for their next full-length album, due out in summer 2002. They will perform at the Sacrifice Of The Nazarene Child festival in San Antonio, TX on December 1st with THORNSPAWN, KRIEG, BLACK WITCHERY, BLOODSTORM and others.
In October MISTELTEIN is going on the road as support to GOD DETHRONED and NIGHT IN GALES. Due to other obligations Mishrack will not be able to go on this tour. A replacement has been found and he is Ahldrathan from ISHTAR.
code666 have released DIABOLICUM‘s "The Killing Spree 1.5." This strictly limited edition digipak, only 666 copies, includes four unreleased songs, two rare demos from ’96 and the full uncensored video for ‘The Defcon’. The disc comes out in a Nuke-Fetish digipak with a booklet. The label was forced to find another pressing plant to produce this album. Because of the extreme content of the artwork, the usual factory refused to print it.
DORNENREICH will soon enter the studio to begin recording their next album, "Hexenwind".
Quebec’s SOUL OF DARKNESS will soon release their debut EP, "Cry Of The Inner Pain".
THYRFING have finished recording their new album, tentatively titled "The Fourth Outrage". It was recorded and mixed at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala with producer Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARKANE, STUCK MOJO). The album includes nine songs, described as, "the most dark and twisted side of Thyrfing ever".
Black Metallers RUDRA have released their second album, "The Aryan Crusade", through Trishul Records.
EMPEROR‘s "Prometheus – The Discipline Of Fire & Demise" album has entered the Norwegian charts at #48.
DARKNESS ETERNAL will release their second album, "Satanchrist", in mid / late November.
Norway’s CELEBRATUM have inked a deal with Arctic Music. The band is currently preparing to enter Abyss Studios with producer Tommy Tagtgren in November to record their debut CD for the label. Release dates for both U.S. and Europe will be in early 2002. To hear Celebratum or for band contact go to their website: http://celebratum.cjb.net
Lithuania’s ANUBI have signed to code666.
OF TREES AND ORCHIDS have changed their name into INGURGITATING OBLIVION in order to have a more appropriate and representative name for what they are musically standing for: dark, brutal and malignant Death Metal. They will release their third output, the MCD "Unpardonable Forgetfulness", sometime in November / December 2001 through the German label Necrotican Records. Around the same time GALLERY OF DARKNESS are going to release their second CD as well which will contain 4 songs of utterly brutal sickness.
HATE ETERNAL will be celebrating this Halloween by headlining an exclusive South American show in Chile at Teatro Providencia on October 31st.
VOMITORY will enter Berno Studio in Malmo, Sweden on November 5th to record their fourth album, "Blood Rapture".
ATHEIST are currently working on a new record and a live compilation album. Head to www.atheist-music.com for more info.
SYMBYOSIS‘ new song, ‘Voyager’, is available for download in the sounds section of symbyosis@symbyosis.com
According to their website, KREATOR "are currently working on a very detailed video show to visualize certain aspects in their music for the next tour." "Violent Revolution" hit the #38 position in Germany recently.
HIRAX have hired Jim Durkin, founding member and lead guitarist of DARK ANGEL. The bands line-up is completed by guitarist James Joseph Hubler, bassist Mike Brickman, drummer Dan Belliner and founding frontman Katon W. DePena. They are currently rehearsing new songs and gearing up for their U.S. tour, set to begin in January 2002. European tour dates will be announced later. The bands new album, "Barrage Of Noise", is being distributed world wide through www.DeepSixRecords or www.HIRAX.org. Century Media are now distributing all Hirax titles in Europe through PlasticHead Distribution and in Japan through CR Japan.
SODOM‘s newie, "M-16", will be released in Germany with limited edition camouflage packaging with two bonus tracks from their old demos.
CHILDREN OF BODOM will be heading to South America and Mexico from November 17th-27th hitting Colombia, Brazil and Chile.
KONKHRA are scheduled to enter Starstruck Studios soon to begin recording their fifth album, tentatively titled "Third World War". The band is currently unsigned.
An MP3 of the new FLESHCRAWL album, "Soulskiner", is ready for download at: www.metalblade.de/newsound.html. The album will be released the December 3rd, 2001.
DEW-SCENTED have completed their new album, "Inwards" (I still wonder how many more album titles with an "i" they will manage to come up with in the future – Frank), set for release in Europe on January 14th. The tracklisting: ‘Bitter Conflict’, ‘Unconditional’, ‘Life Ending Path’, ‘Inwards’, ‘Blueprints Of Hate’, ‘Locked In Motion’, ‘Degeneration’, ‘Terminal Mindstrip’, ‘Feeling Not’ and ‘Reprisal’. The band have also recorded a cover of SLAYER’s ‘War Ensemble’, to possibly be used for a bonus track.
The Essential German Thrash tour, featuring KREATOR, SODOM and DESTRUCTION, kicks off on December 26th at Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The dates conclude on January 25th in Tampere, Finland.
BOLT THROWER‘s new album, "Honour – Valour – Pride", is out on November 19th through Metal Blade. The tracklisting: ‘Contact Wait Out’, ‘Inside The Wire’, ‘Honour’, ‘Suspect Hostile’, ‘7th Offensive’, ‘Valour’, ‘K-Machine’, ‘A Hollow Truce’ and ‘Pride’.
IN FLAMES‘ Peter Iwers has revealed that their scheduled tour with SLIPKNOT has been postponed until next year due to the U.S.’s current War Against Terrorism.
BRUJERIA has cut their ties with former label Roadrunner Records, thus releasing their debut CD, "Mextremist", on their own label, Kool Arrow Records. The CD is a compilation of the earlier Brujeria 7" material, along with rare tracks and brand new songs.
The new CANNIBAL CORPSE album "Gore Obsessed" will be mastered this week (week ending October 19th). It will be released on Metal Blade Records in February 2002.
The first set of dates for THE HAUNTED‘s upcoming U.S. tour, which also features WITCHERY, CATASTROPHIC and MARTY A.D., have been announced. The dates kick off on November 2nd at Krome in New Jersey and wrap up on November 24th at Cardi’s in Houston, Texas. More dates will be announced soon. Also, The Haunted are mixing a live recording of their shows in Japan for a live disc that will be included with the reissue of their "The Haunted Made Me Do It" album, due shortly.
French thrashers NO RETURN entered CCR studio in Belgium on October 22nd, to begin recording the follow-up to "Self Mutilation". The eleven songs scheduled for the yet untitled release include: ‘Biomecanoid’, ‘Machinery’, ‘Disillusioned By Human Err’, ‘Disease’ and ‘Synthetic’. In related news, a video for ‘Secret Waste’, honoring DEATH founder, Chuck Schuldiner, can be found at the band’s website, www.noreturn-web.com
ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW will release their new album worldwide on January 28th, 2002
LUCIFERION are working on their second album, due out early next year on Listenable. The band features LOST HORIZON guitarist Wojtek Lisicki on guitar and vocals.
MTV will be using tracks from THE HAUNTED‘s latest album, "The Haunted Made Me Do It", on the 5th Annual MTV Sports and Music Festival, scheduled to air on MTV on November 18th, at 5pm (EST).
DECAPITATED have completed the recording of "Nihility". The U.S. release is set for early 2002.
INSISION have finished recording their debut album for Earache / Wicked World in Berno Studios, Sweden. The album will be released in the U.S. this spring.
The release date for CARNAL FORGE‘s new album "Please… Die!" has been set for January 22.
CRYPTOPSY have started to work on new material and will be back on the road next spring for the second leg of the "Pain Cometh" Tour.
HOLLENTHON are working out details to begin touring Europe in early 2002.
Between touring and other responsibilities, VINTERSORG continue to work on their upcoming DVD, "The Contrast Excursion". The DVD should run approximately 90 minutes and will include interviews, rehearsals and other rare footage, as well as live material.
Sweden’s SIEBENBURGEN will release a new album, "Plagued Be Thy Angel", in February 2002. "As always, the actual recording process has been haunted by the most fierce fuck-up demons that have ever challenged us. Some of them so vicious that I can’t even talk about them," exclaims Marcus Ehlin. The album was recorded at Six String Studio, with the exception of one track, which was recorded at DeadBitchStudio.
MACTATUS continue work on their forthcoming release, "Suicide". The band will enter Abyss Studio in January 2002. "It’s a concept album about death, with a focus on suicide and murder," explains Gaut, who also reveals it may very well turn out to be "some kind of concept album." The band is also closely working with a violinist and a guest vocalist. However, whether or not these sessions make it unto the final cut remains to be seen.
MARDUK have rescheduled their recently canceled North American dates for January.
MISTELTEIN will hit the road in October in support of GOD DETHRONED and NIGHT IN GALES. Due to other obligations Mishrack will not be able to go on this tour and will be replaced by ISHTAR’s Ahldrathan.
DARK FUNERAL‘s "Diabolis Interium" album will be released in North America through Necropolis on November 6th. The band are currently working out dates for their own European tour, scheduled to begin in early 2002. It will be followed by a tour of the U.S. and South America.
LORD BELIAL are currently at Los Angered Studios recording the follow up to their "Unholy Crusade" release. It will be called "Angelgrinder", not "Angel Crusher" as was previously reported at some outlets. The album will be released in March 2002 on CD and LP through No Fashion.
ROSSOMAHAAR have inked a deal with Germany’s Last Episode for the release of their next album. The label may also reissue the bands "Imperium Tenebrarum" album in the future.
Spikefarm just released a split-CD containing THYRANE‘s classic demo, "Black Harmony" and four songs from THE DEAD BEGINNERS.
FINNTROLL will enter Astia Studios in Lappeenranta in May to record their new full-length. During the sessions the band will also record an acoustic mini-album.
KALMAH will begin recording new material in November, aiming for a March 2002 release.
Spikefarm will release MOONSORROW‘s third album, "Voimasta Ja Kunniasta – Of Strength And Honour", in January.
RAM-ZET have finished recording their new album, "Escape". They will begin mixing in November with Mikko Karmila at Finnvox Studios. Escape will be released in February, 2002.
SILENTIUM‘s drummer, Janne Ojala will be joining GLOOMY GRIM on their European tour. He’ll be sitting behind the battery from October 18th to 28th.
THRONE OF CHAOS enter Studio Fredman in January to record the follow-up to their debut, "Menace And Prayer".
THYRANE will begin touring Europe in November with ANCIENT and STORMLORD.
BORKNAGAR‘s "Empiricism" album will be available in a digi-pack and LP formats from October 22nd through Century Media Germany.
MORTIIS‘ new album, "The Smell Of Rain", will be available on double LP from October 22nd through SPV.
SIGH will contribute a track to an upcoming John Coltrane tribute on Germany’s Mainstream Records that will be released in the spring of 2002. They hope to record the track by the end of November. Sigh will also be an upcoming split 7" with NECROPHAGIA – look for the release in early 2002.
MOTÖRHEAD‘s "Bastards" album has been re-released with a bonus track through Steamhammer.
Three classic HOLY MOSES albums, "Terminal Terror", "Too Drunk To Fuck" and "World Chaos" have been reissued through Virgin Germany (can somebody please re-issue "Finished With The Dogs" after all?! – Frank)
Flordia’s ATHEIST have reformed recently to do another record! The album is supposed to be released later this year. The re-issues of their classic albums "Piece Of Time", "Unquestionable Presence" and "Elements" will be out through Seasons Of Mist Records from France next February, March and April. There’s also a brandnew ATHEIST website on the net now. Go to: www.atheist-music.com/
HATEPLOW are slowly putting material together for their follow up to last year’s "The Only Law Is Survival". Arctic Music will be issuing a double CD set containing both of the band’s releases ("Everybody Dies" and "The Only Law Is Survival") with live bonus tracks from their US tour with S.O.D. in 2000. The release date will be in early 2002.
DIABOLICUM‘s "The Killing Spree 1.5" album is now available on strictly limited edition digipak CD through code666. The disc includes four new unreleased songs, two remastered rare demos from ’96 and full uncensored video, ‘The Defcon’, which was banned from the album "The Dark Blood Rising" by the big distributors. The CD comes in a Nuke-Fetish digipak with a booklet. The label was forced to find another pressing plant to produce this album because of the extreme content of the artwork. The usual factory refused to print it.
BORKNAGAR‘s new album, "Empiricism", the first with their new line-up, has the following tracklisting: ‘The Genuine Pulse’, ‘Gods Of My World’, ‘The Black Canvas’, ‘Matter & Motion’, ‘Soul Sphere’, ‘Inherit The Earth’, ‘The Stellar Dome’, ‘Four Element Synchronicity’, ‘Liberated’and ‘The View Of Everlast’.
THE CROWN‘s upcoming album, "Crowned In Terror", has been pushed back to March 11th in Europe and March 12th in North America
A reliable source has confirmed rumors that Maniac will be leaving MAYHEM. Further details are not available at this time, but word has it that there’s a possibility that Attila (TORMENTOR, ABORYM), who was the vocalist on "De Mysteriis…", could possibly rejoin the band.
DIMMU BORGIR will return to North America in February. Nuclear Blast says that "details are pending, but it looks like this will be an awesome tour package".
KULT OF AZAZEL have found a permanent drummer. A live CD will be released shortly, which will contain 2 new studio tracks. New material is being written now for their second full-length which will be released in summer 2002. They will also be playing the "Sacrifice Of The Nazarene Child" Fest in San Antonio, TX on December 1st with THORNSPAWN, KRIEG, BLACK WITCHERY, BLOODSTORM and others.
Due to the arm injury of the guitar player, Stefan, who has to undergo rehabilitation, ANOREXIA NERVOSA have canceled their European tour with ARKHON INFAUSTUS and ENTHRONED.
SATYRICON are currently deep in the recording of their new album, due out early next year.
Sound Riot Records have released NIGHTSIDE‘s new album, "The End Of Christianity". The disc was recorded at Tico-Tico studios and includes a 16 page booklet. Also new on the label is the new SATAN’S BLOOD release, "Christians To Ashes, Angels To Dust".
MAYHEM have canceled their upcoming No Mercy Festival dates with IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY, VADER and others.
ABORTUS are set to release their new digipak-CD, "Process Of Elimination", through code666. The band will kick off their first European tour on December 1st.
Rome’s VOID OF SILENCE are currently recording their first album for code666, "Criteria ov 666". The album will be released on digipak CD in February 2002. Check out the band’s website at www.dauphins.com/void
ENID have inked a deal with code666. The band are currently in Mirrors Studio in Innsbruck, Austria recording their first album for the label, "Seelenspiegel", due for release in February 2002. The band have a website at: www.enid.ht.st
Italy’s MALDOROR have signed a four year deal with code666. Their first album in the new deal will be released in 2002.
Sweden’s SATANS PENGUINS have released their new album, "Birds Of Darkness". The 43 minute album comes packaged in a 16 page full colour booklet.
Candlelight have confirmed ZYKLON‘s participation on MORBID ANGEL’s upcoming first U.S. tour, now called Extreme Music For Extreme People. "Zyklon are very happy to get the opportunity to take part in the Extreme Music For Extreme People tour," says guitarist Samoth. "We’re excited to meet the reaction from the U.S. metalheads. We’ll be coming with a new line-up and will be stronger than before." The tour kicks off in Houston on November 20th and ends in Springfield, Virginia on December 14th.
Cadaveria and Flegias communicate their separation from Opera IX. In April 2001 there have been some artistic and personal incomprehensions inside the band, that froze the feeling among the members, annihilating every possibility to continue to create music together. The artistic development of the band was definitely compromised, ideologies inside the group were narrow-minded. For these reasons Cadaveria and Flegias decided to say goodbye to the band and to discharge elsewhere their desire of true music. While the rest of band preferred to keep the event secret, Cadaveria and Flegias started working on a new musical project and now, after some months of incubation, they are proud to announce the world a new band was founded. The band is called CADAVERIA and features Cadaveria (v), Frank Booth (g), Killer Bob (b), Baron Harkonnen (k), Marçelo Santos (d). The band is now working on compositions and is looking for a label. Check it on www.cadaveria.com
ARCH ENEMY are considering rerecording their debut, "Black Earth".
CENTURIAN‘s new 11 track album, "Liber Zar Zax", is out now.
DRAGONLORD will headline a benefit show for guitarist James Murphy at the Pound in San Francisco on November 17th. The former TESTAMENT / OBITUARY guitarist has been diagnosed with an undisclosed type of brain tumor.
THE CROWN‘s forthcoming album, "Crowned In Terror", will be released in Europe on February 11th. The album was mixed at Studio Fredman by the band and Fredrik Nordstrom. The tracklisting: ‘Crowned In Terror’, ‘Under The Whip’, ‘Drugged Unholy’, ‘World Below’, ‘Out For Blood’, ‘The Speed Of Darkness’, ‘I Am Hell’, ‘Satanist’, ‘Death Is The Hunter’ and ‘Death Metal Holocaust’.
ABORTED have completed their tour with KATAKLYSM and CATASTROPHIC. The band will see two new tracks released on a 4-way split CD in late November / early December through Bones Brigade. Other acts on the disc are: MISERY INDEX, BRODEQUIN and DROWNING.
DARK TRANQUILLITY‘s Anders Jivarp injured his wrist recently, forcing the band to replace him with LEFAY’s drummer Robin Engstrom for a gig in Istanbul.
NILE are working on material for the follow-up to "Black Seeds Of Vengeance", expected to be recorded early next year for a summer release. Tracks to appear on the release include: ‘The Blessed Dead’, ‘Execration Text’, ‘Kheftiu Asar Butchiu’, ‘Sarcophagus’, ‘In Their Nighted Shrines’ and ‘Invocation To Sedetious Heresy’.
Germany’s DEW-SCENTED have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast. Their new album, "Inwards", will be out through the lable in early 2002.
Norwegian extreme Metal act FORLORN are currently working on the material for their fourth release. Still on Napalm, a lot has changed since "Opus III" was released. A new line-up was formed shortly after, and the band has progressed from the well-known Viking themes to incorporating a more futuristic, yet brutal approach. Forlorn has entered yet another dimension, from a studio-only band, now emerging as a live band playing gigs with Mayhem, Tristania and Gehenna. Forlorn will record the upcoming CD in February 2002, and will tour Mexico to kick off the CD’s release around midyear. E-mail s.winter@broadpark.no for more info.
CHILDREN OF BODOM will join the Tattoo The Planet tour for one show, in Milan, Italy, with SLAYER, CRADLE OF FILTH and MOONSPELL, on October 17th.
Jim Durkin (DARK ANGEL) has joined HIRAX. The band will be in the studio in December and are planning for a big year of touring in 2002.
ANCIENT have cancelled their November 27th show in Tuttlingen. Meanwhile, the band have booked a show at the Berlin-Razzle Dazzle on December 4th.
AGATHODAIMON‘s "Chapter III" album will be released on November 5th. Selected songs from the release can be heard at: www.agathodaimon.de/poll2.htm
AMON AMARTH‘s upcoming tour has been postponed due to difficulties with MARDUK getting through customs. The tour will now take place in January and February.
THE BLACK LEAGUE are ready to release their second full-length album, "Utopia A.D." The mixing is fininshed and the album art has received it’s final touches. 60 second excerpts from the album will be posted at the band’s official homepage.
TIDFALL release their new album, "Instinct Gate", on November ‘9th. Advanced listening can be done at: www.nuclearblast.de/events/Tidfall_listening.htm