German female-fronted gothic metallers FLOWING TEARS have issued the following update:
"We can announce a major update on the upcoming studio album: after some very creative months, we're almost done with the songwriting. There are 12 songs so far, not sure if all of them will find their way to the album or if some new ones might come up at last minute, but we're close to the end of the writing mode. Studios are already booked and the production will start in May. A release is scheduled for autumn.
"We don't want to reveal too much about the material yet, but I can tell you it sounds much more atmospheric than we used to sound on our last few albums. Some of the songs have that certain mood that reminds me of what we did on albums like 'Jade' or 'Joy Parade' while still having the power of the stuff from the 'Razorbliss' era. Way less synths this time and way more guitars. There's heavy stuff, there's trippy stuff — and there's some serious doomy stuff. Terribly pessimistic lyrics, by the way.
"There's no working title yet, but some of the songs that are finished so far are entitled 'Pain Has Taken Over', 'Words Before You Leave', 'Until The End' and 'For My Enemies'."
FLOWING TEARS released a live album, "Invanity - Live in Berlin", last October via Ascendance Records, a new label funded by Lee Barrett (founder of Candlelight Records; former member of EXTREME NOISE TERROR, currently in TO-MERA) and A&R'd by Sam Grant (writer, promoter, broadcaster, interviewer for Sonic Cathedral online).
FLOWING TEARS' latest studio album, "Razorbliss", was issued in Europe in March 2004 through Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Serpentine" was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (THE GATHERING, LACUNA COIL, SENTENCED, MOONSPELL) and was the band's first to feature vocalist Helen Vogt, who replaced Stefanie Duchêne in 2003.
Long anticipated and now officially confirmed: KROKUS is back in its classic formation. Marc Storace (vocals, 56), Fernando Von Arb (guitar, 53), Chris Von Rohr (bass, 56) and Freddy Steady (drums, 55) have reunited and are performing together again.
On August 2, KROKUS will play its only concert planned for 2008 in the band's native Switzerland at Stade De Suisse stadium in Bern. Afterwards, the group will begin work on its comeback album, tentatively due mid-2009.
The classic KROKUS lineup reunited for an appearance on November 18, 2007 on a TV show honoring the greatest Swiss songs of all time. The "Die grössten Schweizer Hits" program featured KROKUS performing a medley of the tracks "Tokyo Nights", "Bedside Radio" and "Heatstrokes".
Photographer Peter Beste has issued the following update:
"In the last two decades a bizarre and violent musical subculture called black metal has emerged in Norway. Its roots stem from a heady blend of horror films, extreme heavy metal music, Satanism, pagan mythology, and adolescent angst. In the early-mid 1990s, members of this extremist underground committed murder, burned down medieval wooden churches, and desecrated graveyards. What started as a juvenile frenzy came to symbolize the start of a war against Christianity, a return to the worship of the ancient Norse gods, and the complete rejection of mainstream society.
"I have spent the last seven years photographing in this insulated and secretive community.
"'True Norwegian Black Metal', a 208-page hardcover photography book, will be released via Vice Books in May 2008."
Swedish metallers SCAR SYMMETRY have posted behind-the-scenes footage of the recording sessions for their third CD, "Holographic Universe", due on June 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. Watch the six-minute clip below.
"Holographic Universe" track listing:
01. Morphogenesis (3:54)
02. Timewave Zero (5:13)
03. Quantumleaper (4:09)
04. Artificial Sun Projection (4:00)
05. The Missing Coordinates (4:37)
06. Ghost Prototype I (Measurement of Thought) (4:35)
07. Fear Catalyst (5:03)
08. Trapezoid (4:17)
09. Prism and Gate (3:46)
10. Holographic Universe (9:05)
11. The Three-Dimensional Shadow (3:57)
12. Ghost Prototype II (Deus Ex Machina) (6:03)
Metal Mind Productions will release a new live DVD by FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, entitled "Once in a Deathtime", in Europe on June 16. The disc will contain footage of the band's March 8, 2008 performance at Metalmania Festival in Katowice, Poland, including live renditions of such classic songs as "Doomsday for the Deceiver", "No Place for Disgrace", or "I Live You Die". The DVD will also feature an interview with Craig Neilsen (drums) and Ed Carlson (guitar), biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images and weblinks.
A limited-edition version of the DVD will include will include an audio CD containing songs recorded at the Metalmania Festival.
More information will be made available soon.
Metal Mind Productions released a digipack edition of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's "Dreams Of Death" album in Europe on April 7. The CD was engineered by Tom Giatron and produced by FLOTSAM AND JETSAM and Tom Giatron at Genesis Studios in Phoenix. Travis Smith did the cover art. Metal Mind Productions also re-released FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's albums "When The Storm Comes Down" (1990), "Cuatro" (1992) and "Drift" (1995) on March 17 in Europe (to be issued in the U.S. on June 10 via MVD). Each remastered limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) was made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's classic debut, "Doomsday for the Deceiver", was reissued as a "Special Edition" by Metal Blade Records on October 31, 2006. The original album was produced by Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM and is the group's sole release to feature Newsted before he joined METALLICA as the replacement for Cliff Burton. More information is available at this location.
Poland's Metal Mind Productions will re-release the classic debut album from the legendary Dutch death/thrash metal act PESTILENCE, "Malleus Malficarum" (1988), on May 19 in Europe (July 8 in the USA via MVD). The limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
Guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli has set "Resurrection Macabre" as the title of the new album from the reactivated PESTILENCE, tentatively due in early 2009 via Holland's Mascot Records. Joining Mameli in the group's new recording lineup are Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick is currently working on new material which he has described as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal. The group's new album will tentatively be recorded this fall by Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR) and produced by Patrick himself.
The complete After Forever catalogue will be re-issued on Transmission Records, both in sound (CD, digital downloads) as image (DVD), with a lot of previously unreleased material.
Starting with their debut album Prison of Desire: The Album - The Sessions. For more information on ordering visit website: www.centertainment.nl.
The first album to be re-released is Prison of Desire which will feature no less than 20 bonus tracks, including a track never that never appeared on album before, previously unreleased demo’s, rarities and alternative takes, with a total playing time of 2½ hours. The release comes with a 28 pages booklet, in which former guitarist Mark Jansen, who is currently doing really well with Epica, reminisces the early days of After Forever and the recordings of Prison of Desire.
Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:
"Finland/Russia/Ukraine rocks...
"Another successful tour has come to an end. Thanks to everyone that attended the gigs to show their support and make this such a memorable trip for us.
"Finland was amazing, with a devoted and dedicated audience that didn't disappoint one bit. The highlight was the nearly-sold-out Tavastia show, which marked our first headline gig in Helsinki since 1996, when we played in the now legendary Lepakko club, supported by a young HIM. (!)
"Russia and Ukraine was everything we expected and more, and it's no exaggeration to state that the performance in Moscow deserves a spot in the Top 5 list of the best shows ever. We've been waiting for so many years to get over there, and other bands have spoken highly of the great reception they've gotten, but our sky-high expectations were surpassed.
"Finally, a huge thanks to everyone involved in the promotion/organization of these shows for their great professionalism and hospitality."
The MetalList webzine has posted video footage of DARK TRANQUILLITY performing the song "The Lesser Faith" live on April 24, 2008 at Tochka in Moscow, Russia. Watch the clip below. Photos from the concert can be found at this location.
DARK TRANQUILLITY will make its much-anticipated return to North America in May with what could well be hailed as one of the best guitar-shredder packages of the year. This tour, presented by ESP Guitars, Randall Amps, Guitar World and Revolver magazine, dubbed "Tyranny and Bloodshred 2008", kicks off on May 9 and features headliners ARCH ENEMY and the awesome, yet diverse talents of DIVINE HERESY and FIREWIND.
Upon completing this tour the band will continue on headlining a slew of additional dates with DIVINE HERESY and FIREWIND supporting. This tour completes their worldwide touring cycle for "Fiction", an album that revitalized the genre they helped create and further cemented their status as one of the genre's most influential bands.
Niklas Sundin (guitars) states: "We're very pleased to let our growing hordes of U.S. fans know that we'll once again return to your shores to serve you in metal. Starting in the beginning of May, we'll head out as main support for our long-time buddies in ARCH ENEMY. It'll be a powerful and diverse package that will satisfy everyone."
Amazon.com is currently listing an October 28, 2008 release date for the new METALLICA album. It should be noted, however, that this information has not yet been corroborated by the band or the group's record label, Warner Bros. Music.
METALLICA has set up a web site at MissionMetallica.com that says it will offer fans a chance to "experience the new album before it's done."
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told RollingStone.com that the band intends to explore "everything" in terms of selling its music once its current recording contract expires. But although the group's upcoming ninth studio album is its last with Warner Bros., Ulrich said they would be hesitant to follow in the footsteps of U2 and MADONNA and sign a comprehensive "360 deal" with Live Nation. Ulrich explained, "We've never sold ourselves that way. No disrespect. We want to be as free a player as possible. We've been observing RADIOHEAD and Trent Reznor and in 27 years or however long it takes for the next record, we'll be looking forward to everything in terms of possibilities with the Internet."
Ulrich told The Pulse of Radio something similar when asked what the band will do once its contract is finished. "There's a bunch of possibilities out there," he said. "It's great to be able to have the choices, and it's great when you don't need the record company to sign the checks, you know what I mean? Then it sort of becomes a whole different thing. The landscape continues to change, you know, so we'll see."
Ulrich talked with Rolling Stone on April 19, as the band did an autograph session at an independent record store in northern California to celebrate Record Store Day. Ulrich called the group's participation a "no-brainer," adding, "The record store has been such a huge part of our lives. When I was 12, 14 years old in Denmark, the record store was the Holy Grail and the guy who worked there was my hero."
The band has scheduled a slew of European festival dates for May, June, July and August in addition to two U.S. shows, on May 16 at a radio festival in Tucson, Arizona and mid-June at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.
Finnish cello quartet APOCALYPTICA took part in a short performance and interview on April 21, 2008 at the studios of X96 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Watch the interview and performance footage below.
According to The Pulse of Radio, APOCALYPTICA has enlisted FUEL frontman Toryn Green to handle lead vocals on the remainder of the quartet's current North American tour, which began on April 11 and continues through mid-May. The group initially enlisted vocalist Johnny Andrews, who co-wrote the band's current single, "I'm Not Jesus", to sing on the trek, but Andrews has been replaced after just a handful of shows. In addition to "I'm Not Jesus", Andrews also co-wrote another track called "S.O.S. (Anything But Love)". Both tunes are from APOCALYPTICA's new album, "Worlds Collide", which arrived in stores in the U.S. on April 15.
The studio version of "I'm Not Jesus", which features STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT vocalist Corey Taylor, is a Top 10 hit at rock radio.
Other guests on "Worlds Collide" include THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia, drummer Dave Lombardo from SLAYER and vocalist Till Lindemann of RAMMSTEIN.
DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has collaborated with former SPOCK'S BEARD frontman Neal Morse and guitarist Paul Gilbert (ex-MR. BIG, RACER X) on a cover of THE OSMONDS' "Crazy Horses". The track, which will appear on Morse's forthcoming solo album, features Portnoy on drums and lead vocals.
Released in 1972, "Crazy Horses" was reportedly written about air pollution (with "crazy horses" representing automobiles) and was originally banned in South Africa because "horses" is a slang term for heroin there.
Long-running UK rock legends TANK previously covered "Crazy Horses" on their classic 1982 "Power of the Hunter" album.
J. Bennett of Decibel magazine (web site) recently conducted an interview with Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ex-SEPULTURA). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:
Decibel: Were you upset that [SEPULTURA] kept the band name after you left?
Max: No, but it's not the same, you know? And it's not just me who feels that way — it's a lot of the fans, too. I just felt betrayed, you know? When something is yours and it's taken away from you… it's just betrayal. But it was really hard because my brother [former SEPULTURA and current CAVALERA CONSPIRACY drummer Igor Cavalera] was in the band, too. Musically, I got over it really quickly because I got so busy with SOULFLY that I didn't have time to be bitter.
Decibel: Now SEPULTURA exists without you or Igor. How fuckin' weird is that?
Max: They might be touring under the name, but me and Igor are carrying the whole spirit under the name [CAVALERA] CONSPIRACY. So the name SEPULTURA might be out there, but there's nothing inside. What I'm doing with Igor is the closest thing to a reunion, but it's better because we're playing new songs. I couldn't really ask for more.
Decibel: Have you talked to [SEPULTURA guitarist] Andreas [Kisser] or [bassist] Paulo [Xisto Pinto Junior] since you left SEPULTURA?
Max: No, I haven't talked to either of them. You know, people even though the whole thing with Igor was made up. People in Europe would say, "Oh, you guys hang out at family reunions — you just tell the press that you don't talk." But no, man — I'm not making this shit up. I didn't talk to Igor for a long fucking time, and I still haven't talked to the other guys. It's kinda weird, but because of the way things have worked out with Igor, there's a possibility that we might do some shows together with those guys. I'm very open about saying I'd love to do a reunion — even with the guys from the early incarnation of SEPULTURA, from the 10 years of what I like to call "death metal boot camp" that we did in Brazil before we even came to the States. Those were great years — we played like shit and we knew nothing, but those were fundamental years for me and Igor. That incarnation of SEPULTURA was very important, and I think a lot of people forget that. Without those years, there never would have been a "Chaos A.D." or "Roots". That was the foundation; that was the beginning. So if we ever do a reunion, I'd really like to invite those guys to show people something a little deeper than the classic lineup.
Max: Not much, man. People haven't really asked. It's my opinion, man, you know? I don't like NICKELBACK either. But opinions are like assholes and a lot of people don't really like my ass.
Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS are currently recording a new EP, "Lucfer Rising", for a tentative Septeber release via Nuclear Blast Records. It will include two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus a whole bunch of live tracks from the previous tour. A new album will be recorded in the fall for a spring 2009 release.
In other news, the following CANDLEMASS and CANDLEMASS-related albums are being re-released in 2008 on Snapper/Peaceville:
* "Chapter VI" (1992): March 31
* "Dactylis Glomerata" (1998) + ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA 2: May 26
* "From the 13th Sun" (1999) (w/ bonus tracks "Oil", "Nimis", "Rock 'n' Roll"): June 23
* "Live" (1990) (w/ bonus audio disc recorded at Dynamo Open Air 1988): August 11
CANDLEMASS' latest album, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The group's guitarist, Mats "Mappe" Björkman, was recently sentenced to two years in prison for grand theft. The musician was convicted of stealing CDs worth approximately $490,000 from the distribution warehouse of Entertainment Network Scandinavia AB, where he and an accomplice shipped the CDs to Stockholm retail outlets. He has since appealed the sentence.
Björkman's conviction is not expected to affect his participation in the group's upcoming U.S. tour, which is scheduled to kick off mid-May.
Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA are currently in the studio working on their new album, which is based on the Anthony Burgess novel "A Clockwork Orange" (later turned into the classic film by Stanley Kubrick).
Known for its creativity and ideas, the band has teamed up with MySpace for an extremely innovative fan contest, "Be A Part Of The Next Sepultura Record."
Beginning on April 21, the MySpace international sites in the following countries will be actively participating in the contest: USA, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Japan, Mexico, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil.
From April 21 to May 11, MySpace and SEPULTURA are inviting fans to submit a sentence or "catch phrase" relating to "A Clockwork Orange". On May 23, SEPULTURA and MySpace will announce the winning sentence! And on May 30 the band will write and record a song based on the winning phrase in 24 hours! And yes, this song will be on the upcoming album, which is tentatively set for a late fall release worldwide.
SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser has recorded video messages that will be broadcast starting Monday on MySpace, announcing and explaining the contest in various languages (Spanish, English, Portugese, Italian and even Swedish!).
Watch video footage of SEPULTURA rehearsing a song for the forthcoming album below.
Kisser recently completed work on his solo debut, entitled "Hubris I & II". A two-disc set, it is tentatively scheduled for release later in the year via Holland's Mascot Records. The CD was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.
Kisser previously stated about his upcoming solo album, "I'm very pleased with the result so far and I'm excited to hear it all done. It was a long process, a learning process and a great experience. It's a musical journey trough the influences I had for last 15 years of my life and at the same time it's very different from everything I did so far."
EDGUY singer Tobias Sammet has issued the following update on his AVANTASIA solo project:
"I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your great support. 'The Scarecrow' is an album that means a lot to me and it was quite a commercial risk to just follow my heart instead of doing exactly what people expected. But if I take a look at the chart positions and sales — it went into the album charts in 16 countries, hitting the Top10 in four countries — it seems like you appreciate my honesty! Thank you!
Now preparing for the festival summer with AVANTASIA seems so surreal. AVANTASIA has never been on stage before and all of the sudden we are headlining the biggest festivals in the world, just been confirmed for the Sziget festival in Hungary on the 13th of August, playing amongst legendary bands such as R.E.M., DIE ÄRZTE, IRON MAIDEN and the SEX PISTOLS. Amazing!
"The AVANTASIA line up will be Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), André Matos (ex-ANGRA), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann, Bob Catley (MAGNUM — not all shows), Sascha Paeth, Miro, Robert Hunecke, Claudy Yang and Frank Lindenthal who is gonna replace Eric Singer who'll be playing with KISS. Despite all rumors Michael Kiske will not be there, as he didn't wanna do it and I respect that! We'll put on a huge epic show anyway. Nobody has done something like that before and I swear, nobody will ever forget the event, neither you nor us!!!"
"The Scarecrow" was "officially one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January," according to a press release.
"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.
"The Scarecrow" features guest appearances by the following artists:
Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals)
Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)
"We Are the Nightmare", the new video from the Virginia-based technical death metal outfit ARSIS, can be viewed here. A second (animated) version of the clip is currently in the works and will see the light of day in the next few weeks. The song is the title track of the group's new labum, which was released on April 15 through Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Zeuss (AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE) at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts and was mastered by Alan Douches (KATAKLYSM, UNEARTH, SHADOWS FALL).
"We Are The Nightmare" was released with a bonus 45-minute DVD that includes the band's time in the studio, off-stage antics, and some general goofing around. Guitarist/lead vocalist James Malone states: "I can honestly say that this was the best recording experience that I have had in my years with ARSIS. Not only was Zeuss great to work with, but Ryan (Knight, guitarist), Darren (Cesca, drummer), and Noah (Martin, bassist) all did an outstanding job. We all worked together to create what I feel is the most accomplished ARSIS album to date. I can still listen to the songs, and that's a good sign."
German thrashers ABANDONED have issued the following update:
"First the bad news: Konrad 'Konny' Cartini, the original ABANDO-drummer, will lay down his drumsticks immediately due to sexual differences! Gone are the times of spontaneous stand-up comedy and delicate drumming that enriched each single live gig and our records... The reason for all this: Konny's gonna be a daddy for the second time! Seems like it's time for him to take care of his kids before they end up like him, haha! We'll miss you, brother!
"But ABANDONED wouldn't be ABANDONED if we had no equivalent successor for the no longer vacant position (which indeed is the good news)!
"We are proud to announce that Sven Vormann, drummer par excellence who played in DESTRUCTION and JESUS CHRYSLER SUPERSKUNK in the past, has just joined the ABANDONED family!!!
"Welcome aboard, brother!
"We're looking forward to the first shows introducing the ABANDONED Mk. II lineup on Headbangers Open Air and many others to thrash your fuckin' socks off and to record our next album in true ABANDONED fashion by the end of the year... yeah!"
ABANDONED's sophomore album, "Thrash You!", was released in June 2007 via Dockyard 1.
"Thrash You!" is the follow-up to "Thrash Notes", which was recorded late 2005 at Hammer Music Studio (formerly Karo Studio) in Brackel, Germany and was released in 2006 via Dockyard 1.
France's NRV-TV recently conducted an interview with MY DYING BRIDE guitarist Hamish Glencross. Watch the chat at this location.
As previously reported, Peaceville Records has set an April 28 release date for MY DYING BRIDE's "An Ode to Woe", a two-disc live CD/DVD in digibook packaging.
The show — which was originally streamed on the online concert channel Fabchannel.com — was filmed at the world-famous Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland, in April 2007. The legendary venue (previous performers include NICK CAVE, THE ROLLING STONES, NIRVANA and the SEX PISTOLS) provides the perfect setting for this special gig.
The band, including newest members Dan Mullins (drums) and bassist Lena Abé, alongside original members Aaron Stainthorpe and Andrew Craighan (the lineup completed by Hamish Glencross on guitars and Sarah Stanton on keyboards), storm through renditions of favorites from as far back as their 1992 debut "As the Flower Withers", right through to latest studio album, "A Line of Deathless Kings", and not forgetting the inclusion of timeless MDB classics like "The Cry of Mankind".
The 13 tracks of bleak despair create the unparalleled atmosphere which MY DYING BRIDE has always excelled at.
"An Ode to Woe" (cover artwork) track listing (disc one CD; disc two DVD):
01. To Remain Tombless
02. My Hope, The Destroyer
03. For You
04. The Blue Lotus
05. Like Gods Of The Sun
06. Catherine Blake
07. The Cry Of Mankind
08. The Whore, The Cook & the Mother
09. Thy Raven Wings
10. The Snow In My Hand
11. She Is The Dark
12. The Dreadful Hours
13. The Forever People * (on DVD only)
Audio samples of three songs from "Revelation VI", the new album from Swedish melodic black metallers SIEBENBÜRGEN, are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Grimheim", "The Soulless" and "In Sanctum" at this location.
"Revelation VI" (cover artwork) is scheduled for release on May 30 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Studio 301 in Stockholm and Sonic Train in Varberg and is the group's first to feature guitarist Joakim Ohlsson and vocalist Lisa Bohwalli Simonsson. Singer Marcus Ehlin previously stated, "Our first decision was to exclude the female parts in our music, but after hearing Lisa's voice, we changed our minds."
"Revelation VI" track listing:
01. Awaken
02. Rebirth Of The Nameless
03. Infernaliia
04. Revelation VI
05. Grimheim
06. After The Wolf (Do Dead Men Follow)
07. S.I.N.
08. The Oaken Throne
09. The Soulless
10. Enter Omega (digipack bonus track)
11. In Sanctum
12. Fire Leaps High
13. At The End Of Twilight
SIEBENBÜRGEN split up in February 2006, explaining at the time that "after 12 years, we sadly don't have the energy and inspiration to take the band any further and it would be wrong to us and to our fans to continue without the passion that SIEBENBÜRGEN deserve."
SIEBENBÜRGEN's fifth album, "Darker Designs & Images", was released in 2005 via Napalm Records.
German melodic metallers EDGUY are preparing to enter the studio to begin recording the follow-up to 2006's "Rocket Ride".
Commented frontman Tobias Sammet: "People think that we are quite fast but that's not the truth. I completed the AVANTASIA album last autumn, the AVANTASIA songwriting itself was completed even way back in 2006. All the new ideas I've had since then could be taken for EDGUY. In fact, this is a long time to refresh your creativity and gather new stuff. The material sounds very fresh, it embraces all the different trademarks of EDGUY, I think it is a logical continuation of 'Rocket Ride' and 'Hellfire Club'. Maybe it doesn't come across as goofy as 'Rocket Ride', but I am sure if we have fun in the studio we'll have enough possibilities to ruin the day for notoriously bitter people, haha. Yet it's more bombastic and heavier, not too fast 'cause I really don't like pure speed metal that much anymore. I like 'Lavatory Love Machine', 'The Piper Never Dies', 'Mandrake' and 'Sacrifice'. There's three fast tracks, but they are all good, not 'just fast!' We'll enter the studio next week and work whenever producer Sascha Paeth and me come back from the AVANTASIA weekends."
EDGUY's latest album, "Rocket Ride", entered the German national album chart at position No. 8 upon its release in late January 2006. The CD also came in at No. 8 in Sweden, No. 25 in Finland, No. 32 in Hungary, No. 48 in Japan, No. 50 in Switzerland, No. 50 in Austria, No. 79 in Norway and No. 81 in Italy.
Drummer Pelle Åkerlind of the Swedish power metal band MORGANA LEFAY has released the following statement:
"There seems to be rumours about our death every now and then... It would be nice if the people that 'know' that we are dead would be kind enough to inform us about it because we certainly didn't know...
"IF we EVER decide to put an end to MORGANA LEFAY, WE will let you know! Note the capital IF and EVER...
"There are NO such plans at this time. MORGANA LEFAY will live for all eternity and spread like a virus..."
MORGANA LEFAY's video for the song "Delusions" can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's latest album, "Aberrations of the Mind", which came out in March 2007 via Black Mark. The clip was directed by NOCTURNAL RITES' drummer Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films.
According to a press release, "Aberrations of the Mind" contains "a new level of aggression while still maintaining the traditional MORGANA LEFAY sound." The album also features the debut of the band's new skinbasher, Pelle Åkerlind (BLOODBOUND, LEDNOTE).
The cover artwork for "Hell", the new album from British black metal pioneers VENOM, can be found at this location. Due in Europe on May 26 via Sanctuary (May 27 in the U.S.), the CD is "packed with 13 brand new malevolent tracks from the masters of black metal," according to a posting on the band's web site.
"Hell" track listing:
01. Straight To Hell
02. The Power And The Glory
03. Hand Of God
04. Fall From Grace
05. Hell
06. Evil Perfection
07. Stab U In The Back
08. Armageddon
09. Kill The Music
10. Evilution Devilution
11. Blood Sky
12. USA For Satan
13. Dirge / The Awakening
Streaming audio samples of eight songs from "Hell" are available at this location.
VENOM will perform at the Hellfest (June 20-22) in Clisson, France. More shows will be announced soon.
A brand new VENOM band photo can be viewed at this location.
VENOM last year parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has been drafted in to replace Mykvs.
Progressive-metal giants DREAM THEATER have recorded a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "To Tame a Land" for a forthcoming MAIDEN tribute album that is being released via Britain's Kerrang! magazine. No further details are currently available.
Megaherz can surely be labelled as one of the bands who helped to shape the ''Neue Deutsche Haerte'' genre, made popular by acts as Rammstein and Oomph!
12 years after their debut the band is now ready to return with their sixth album at 25 july 2008. With a new singer, LEX, and a new drummer, BamBam, founding members X-Ti on guitars and Wenz on bass, the band will appeal again to people from the gothic and metal crowd alike.The new album will be released by the label ZYX-Music. They not only shared the success with the first 3 albums including the bestseller ''Kopfschuss''. It’s time to revive the glory days for our true fans and win new ones along the way.
SOILWORK frontman Björn "Speed" Strid and drummer Dirk Verbeuren were interviewed by Johnny Orlando, Jr. in Chicago during the band's recently completed Scum Of The Earth tour alongside THROWDOWN and THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD. The guys talk about tour exhaustion, their favorite shapes and the possibility of releasing an electronic dance album.
Watch the six-minute chat below.
SOILWORK recently parted ways with guitarist Ola Frenning due to Ola's "resistance to the demands of the road." David Andersson filled in on the band's tour with THROWDOWN. The group will then tour Australia, Japan and Southeast Asia before returning to Europe for festivals and a headlining U.S. tour in the fall.
SOILWORK sold 5,000 copies of its new album, "Sworn to a Great Divide", in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 148 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Guitarist Jarmo Puolakanaho of the reactivated Finnish melodic extreme metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW has issued the following update:
"It's already April. Weird how fast time flies. It's fourteen years since ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW was officially formed when recording 'The Seven Goddesses of Frost' promo/demo tape. Even though a lot of things have happened us during these fourteen years, the core of the band — the songwriting process — is and feels the same.
"The songwriting process for our sixth album is doing well and we're expecting the album to come out in the first quarter of the year 2009. Stay tuned for more news!"
ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW's fifth album, "Before the Bleeding Sun", was released in Finland in April 2006 via Spinefarm Records.
"Before the Bleeding Sun" was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi and at Note-On Studios in Kuopio and marks the group's first release to feature lead guitarist Risto Ruuth (also in SCYRON) and Tolsa.
Poland's Metal Mind Productions will re-release ANNIHILATOR's "In Command" — a live album covering the Canadian metal band's 1989-1990 period, considered by many fans to be ANNIHILATOR's strongest years — on May 19 in Europe (July 8 in the USA via MVD). The limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
ANNIHILATOR released its latest album, "Metal", in North America on January 15 via SPV. The CD's ten new tracks were recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini and Dave Padden (longtime vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist). The album features sensational performances by some of metal's finest players and ANNIHILATOR's good friends, like Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Danko Jones, Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY), Corey Beaulieu (TRIVIUM), William Adler (LAMB OF GOD), Jeff Loomis, Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES), Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED), Jacob Lynam (LYNAM) and more.
SINNER, the veteran German metal oufit led by Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR), has completed work on recording its new album, "Crash & Burn", for a September 19 release via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at the House Of Music Studios, with Sinner and guitarist/vocalist Henny Wolter handling the production duties and Dennis Ward taking care of the engineering. It will be mixed by Achim Köhler at his Indiscreet Audio studio.
Commented Mat Sinner: "Well, it was a very intensive session we've did and everybody in the band did a fantastic job. We had a lot of fun in the studio and rocked until every limit. Finally, we've created a really rock 'n' roll album. Some years ago the fans would name the style heavy rock, but in the end… who cares. We used very vintage old amps and guitars to create this album and get the vibe we're looking out for! Thanks to Dennis and everybody at the House Of Music for supporting us in great way on our journey. We've recorded a bunch of 13 tracks finally and a lot of music. At the moment, we don't want to talk about the song titles or the final running order. We will just wait until Phase 2 and Achim Köhler's mix will work out and then give you another update with more facts and which song will be the first single/videoclip."
Check out pictures from the recording sessions at this location.
Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Heart Of Darkness", "Crash & Burn", "Connection", "Break The Silence", "Revolution", "Like A Rock", "Unbreakable", "One Night Only" and "The Dog"."
A nine-minute audio interview with AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson which aired yesterday (Tuesday, April 22) on Washigton D.C.'s DC 101 radio station can be heard below. During the chat Johnson revealed that AC/DC has finished recording its new studio effort and is now mixing the album — which was described by the singer as "absolutely excellent" — with plans to release it in late 2008. Brian added that guitarist Angus and Malcolm Young were still at the studio in Vancouver, Canada to supervise the mix with producers Brendan O'Brien and Mike Fraser. Johnson also said in the interview that the band will tour in support of the disc.
According to Reuters, the new album will be AC/DC's first for Sony BMG's Epic Records label, which reissued the band's back catalog a few years ago.
O'Brien is also known for his work with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, PEARL JAM, AUDIOSLAVE and VELVET REVOLVER, among others.
VH1 Classic host Eddie Trunk recently revealed on his New York radio show that AC/DC was rumored to be planning a "farewell" tour for later in the year.
In other news, "Totally Baked", a "stoner comedy" on which Brian Johnson is listed as an executive producer, debuted on DVD on Tuesday. Johnson also wrote three new songs for the movie's soundtrack.
Regain Records has announced the signing of UNANIMATED, the reunited Swedish melodic death metal band featuring former members of ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER. The group is currently remastering its first two albums — 1993's "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" (Pavement Records) and 1995's "Ancient God of Evil" (No Fashion Records) — for re-release in June with bonus tracks.
UNANIMATED is planning to enter the studio this summer to begin recording a new album. Bassist Richard Cabeza previously stated, "We are getting the final pieces together and we are all on the same page on what needs to be done. More and more music is written. Peter [Stjärnvind, drums] sent me two new songs today and Jojje [guitarist Johan Bolin] is writing again like he hasn't in years, and talking to Mike [vocalist Micke Jansson]... He is working on lyrics... It feels good! It's like it's 1994 again. Hehehe! We are very excited and ambitious to start the recording process for the new album."
UNANIMATED has been confirmed for the Party.San Open Air festival will take place August 7-9, 2008 in Bad Berka, Germany. Joining the group on stage for this special event will be Erik Wallin (MERCILESS) on second guitar.
UNANIMATED was founded in 1989 in Stockholm and disbanded in 1996. Largely inspired by DISMEMBER, the group created two melodic death metal albums — the aforementioned "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" and "Ancient God of Evil". The band also contributed to the 1996 SLAYER tribute "Slaytanic Slaughter II" with its cover of "Dead Skin Mask". In 2007, the group reformed.
UNANIMATED current lineup:
Micke Jansson (CELESTIAL PAIN) - Vocals
Johan "UFO" Bolin - Guitar
Richard Cabeza (DISMEMBER, DAMNATION, MURDER SQUAD, BORN OF FIRE, GENERAL SURGERY, DARK FUNERAL, CARBONIZED) - Bass
Peter Stjärnvind (MERCILESS, REGURGITATE, DAMNATION, ENTOMBED, FACE DOWN, BORN OF FIRE, MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, NIFELHEIM) - Drums
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