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2 июн 2009
SURVIVORS ZERO: \'Reclaim My Heritage\' Video Available
 "Reclaim My Heritage", the new video from SURVIVORS ZERO, the Finnish death metal band featuring current and former members of IMPALED NAZARENE, FINNTROLL, DEATHCHAIN and THE SCOURGER, can be viewed at this location.
The "Reclaim My Heritage" limited-edition CD-single, which will also include a cover version of the classic KREATOR song "People Of The Lie", will be released on June 6. It will be sold only in Finland but the digital version will be available worldwide.
SURVIVORS ZERO's debut album, "CMXIX", will be released on September 9 via Cobra Records. The CD was mixed at Black Lounge Studio in Avesta, Sweden while the mastering was handled by Pelle Henricsson at Tonteknik Recording in Umeå, Sweden.
SURVIVORS ZERO is:
Sami Jämsén (Studio Perkele) - Guitar
Tommi "Rotten" Virranta (ex-DEATHCHAIN) - Vocals
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Jani Luttinen (THE SCOURGER) - Guitar
Reima Kellokoski (IMPALED NAZARENE) - Drums  | 0 |  |
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2 июн 2009
ANETTE OLZON\'s Pre-NIGHTWISH Band ALYSON AVENUE Announces New Singer
 Anette Olzon's pre-NIGHTWISH band, the Swedish AOR act ALYSON AVENUE, has announced the addition of vocalist Arabella Vitanc to the group's ranks. According to the band, "Arabella's voice will not only do justice to the old ALYSON AVENUE material but she will also be key in the development of the new and upcoming songs we are currently busy working on."
The first ALYSON AVENUE demo track to feature Arabella, "Somewhere", is available for streaming and/or download at this location.
Two ALYSON AVENUE songs featuring Olzon are currently available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Free like the Wind" and "I Am (Your Pleasuremaker)" at this location.
Olzon made her recording debut with NIGHTWISH on the band's sixth album, "Dark Passion Play", which came out in September 2007.
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2 июн 2009
New TANK Tracks To Debut Online
 The legendary British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar and original TANK drummer Mark Brabbs alongside two new recruits, ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale — will unveil two new tracks on their MySpace page later today (Monday, June 1).
Writing in his Rock Radio guest blog, White says: "I just recorded vocals on a couple of new TANK songs, 'Great Expectations' and 'Phoenix Rising', that I wrote with Mick.
"The songs will get their first airing at Sweden Rock on June 6, where we're opening for HEAVEN & HELL, then we have shows at various festivals around Europe."
In a recent interview with The Rainbow Fanclub Legacy, White stated about his collaboration with TANK, "Mick and I write well together but I need to understand TANK. It is important for the fans who have loved this band to understand that if Algy [Ward, original frontman] wanted to still play, then I would not be here. If they want to hear TANK, then they will have to adjust to the departure of Mr. Ward the same way the guys in the band have to. It will still be big riffing guitars. I have wanted to do a metal album for ages, so here goes." | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
ULVER Performs Live For First Time In 15 Years
 Progressive Norwegian black metal band ULVER performed for the first time in 15 years yesterday (Saturday, May 30) at the Norwegian Festival of Literature at Maihaugsalen in Lillehammer, Norway.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Once among the pioneers of Norwegian black metal, now living legends of dark experimental music, ULVER is one of Norway's most acclaimed international artists. While remaining something of a secret treasure back home, a long series of strong releases, most recently the album "Shadows of the Sun" (2007), has earned them a unique status worldwide.
ULVER has, since its first album, been exclusively a studio band. This being their first live performance in 15 years, the concert at Lillehammer was a historic event.
The group previously stated about yesterday's concert: "Last year Mr. Stig Sæterbakken approached us with an offer to play live at the Norwegian Festival of Literature, and after long consideration we have decided to accept the invitation. We go to the job with great humility and horror."
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2 июн 2009
NIGHTRAGE: Another New Song Posted Online
 Multi-national thrashers NIGHTRAGE will release their fourth full-length album, "Wearing A Martyr's Crown", on June 22 (Europe) and August 4 (USA) via Lifeforce Records. The CD was tracked at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES).
According to a press release, "Wearing A Martyr's Crown" finds NIGHTRAGE more mature than ever, but present is also a distinct will for experimentation and fresh ideas — though always inside the boundaries of what made the NIGHTRAGE name from the beginning; sheer brutality, swirling and soaring melodies and acoustic guitar work to evoke scenes and emotions of the deepest melancholy. Delving into a multitude of musical and lyrical vistas, this fourth opus from the international melodic death metal martyrs deals with a multi-layered journey into the darkest depths of the human psyche, the futility of human behaviour and the most dimly lit corners of the untold arcane. Expect to have these eleven incantations burn your soul, yet leaving you wanting to come back for more."
"Wearing A Martyr's Crown" track listing:
01. Shed The Blood (4:13)
02. Collision Of Fate (5:13)
03. A Grim Struggle (5:03)
04. Wearing A Martyr's Crown (4:30)
05. Among Wolves (4:29)
06. Abandon (4:30)
07. Futile Tears (5:18)
08. Wounded Angels (4:00)
09. Mocking Modesty (4:29)
10. Failure Of All Human Emotions (4:36)
11. Sting Of Remorse (5:21)
12. Holier Than Thou (METALLICA cover, Japanese bonus)
13. Failure Of All Human Emotions (demo version, on Japanese + European digipack)
The song "Wearing A Martyr's Crown" is now available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
Check out the cover artwork here. | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
AWAKE Adds Second Guitarist
 U.K. progressive metal band AWAKE has announced the addition of second guitarist Steven Coles (brother of other guitarist Andy Coles) to its ranks. The group now has two guitarists and is back as a six-piece.
AWAKE states, "We are still currently working on our follow-up album to [2007's] 'Illumination', which we aim to release later this year!"
AWAKE 2009 is:
Simon Shedwell - Lead Vocals
Andy Coles - Guitar
Steven Coles - Guitar
Chris Le Motte - Bass
Craig Burkitt - Keyboards
Alex Townsend - Drums
"Illumination" was produced by Tom S. Englund of EVERGREY at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Cd's stunning artwork was produced by Mattias Norén of Progart Media, who has worked with many bands, including ARENA, KAMELOT and EVERGREY. | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
MASTODON Launches \'Crack The Skye\' Tour Page
 Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have launched a "Crack The Skye" tour page featuring pictures, videos, setlist and fan commentary for each show on the band's current trek.
MASTODON last month released two versions of the band's new album, "Crack The Skye", on vinyl. The first is a standard high-quality vinyl issue with beautiful full-size album artwork. There is also a special deluxe edition mastered and pressed on two discs at 45 rpm for maximum audiophile fidelity housed in a gatefold sleeve available in a very limited edition, one-time-only pressing. This edition also includes the complete album on CD.
"Crack The Skye" sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart.
MASTODON's 2006 CD, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.
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2 июн 2009
CHICKENFOOT: More \'12 Days of the Foot\' Clips Posted Online
 CHICKENFOOT — the new rock supergroup comprised of drummer Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), bassist Michael Anthony (ex-VAN HALEN), guitarist Joe Satriani and vocalist Sammy Hagar (ex-VAN HALEN) — has posted several more clips where the members of the band share some background information on each song that appears on CHICKENFOOT's forthcoming self-titled debut album. The new clips, focusing on "Chickenfoot" tracks "Get It Up", "Down The Drain" and "My Kinda Girl", can be viewed here, here and here. | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
SETHERIAL Parts Ways With Bassist
 Swedish black metallers SETHERIAL have issued the following update:
"Due to mostly not being committed enough we’ve decided to end our collaboration with recent bassist, Funestus Inferis.
For the upcoming album, the bass will be handled by Kraath. A session bass player will later be recruited for upcoming live rituals.
The new official SETHERIAL lineup is:
Infaustus - Vocals
Kraath - Guitars and bass
Thurz - Guitars
Mysteriis - Battery
"Session bass players will be revealed later.
"The recording of the new album will start this week and we are also preparing to record a additional new track exclusively for a split EP with CORPUS CHRISTII.
"The new, yet-untitled SETHERIAL album will probably be released this winter through Regain Records."
SETHERIAL's fifth album, "Death Triumphant", was released in May 2006 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Endtime Divine" was recorded at the Abyss studio and is said to be "more technical than their previous albums but the aggression still remains." | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
OBITUARY: New Song Available For Streaming
 A new OBITUARY song entitled "List Of Dead" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the legendary Florida death metallers' new album, "Darkest Day", which is scheduled for release on June 30 via Candlelight Records. Vocalist John Tardy previousy said about the CD, "It came out really sick and I cannot wait for you guys to hear it... it is heavy!!"
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2 июн 2009
CARPATHIAN FOREST\'s VRANGSINN Previews Track From A WASTE OF TALENT Project
 A WASTE OF TALENT, one of the projects of producer and CARPATHIAN FOREST bass player Vrangsinn (also of NATTEFROST, SECHT), is streaming "Machines Kept Pumping Blood From Earth", a track from the band's next album, on MySpace. Entitled "The Last Remains of Humankind", the concept effort is set in a not-too-distant future where few humans remain alive. According to Vrangsinn, the album is "music to listen to while you wait for your own extinction."
Formed in 1996 by Skaperen (vocals/bass) and Vrangsinn (guitars/backing vocals), A WASTE OF TALENT released its first album, "Psycodelic Steamtrain", on Vrangsinn's own label, Misantrof AntiRecords, the "non"-record label where all the releases are available for free download. "The Last Remains of Humankind" will also be released on Misantrof sometime in 2010.
The new album marks a change in direction for the extreme metal band, as Vrangsinn explains: "The idea behind making this a concept album allows us to experiment with a more futuristic sound, which is something we have been interested in doing since we wrote 'Machines Kept Pumping Blood From Earth', as well as being able to explore the inevitable self destruction of humanity in the lyrics themselves," he says. "But at the same time, the fact that it is a one-off concept doesn't tie us down to any specific sound or genre forever."
Vrangsinn, who is currently in the studio producing the new NATTEFROST album, will also helm "The Last Remains of Humankind". | 0 | |
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2 июн 2009
DISMEMBER Comments On Upcoming DVD
 Long-running Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER will release a brand new DVD, entitled "Under Bloodred Skies", in June via Regain Records. The two-disc set will include footage of two separate concerts (one in the Netherlands and the other at last year's Party.San Open Air festival, which was held in Bad Berka, Germany) plus tons of backstage material and bonus features.
Commented the band: "We have been working hard as hell on this DVD for so long now and it feels great to finally have it released. We have been filming stuff on every tour (and almost every gig) since 2004, so we have had tons of material to choose from. To break that down to make it fit in a DVD format with interviews with all the band members has been a tough one indeed. But the final outcome will surely be worth all the effort and time we put down in this project. It will be a very honest look into the life of being in DISMEMBER, and it will include a lot of scenes that will make people laugh.
"You'll get to see how we work in the studio and how it is being on tour with its ups and downs. There will be some cool backstage footage and live material from the Masters Of Death tour we did with our good friends ENTOMBED, GRAVE and UNLEASHED, plus tons of other interesting stuff from all around the world. We also filmed last year's gig at the Party.San festival. We did a special set at that night; it was divided into two parts, where the first one contains lots of new material as well as some older classics. In the second part of the set we played the the whole first album from 1991, 'Like An Ever Flowing Stream', for the first time in the history of the band, everything very nicely accompanied by fiery pyrotechnics."
DISMEMBER played a 20th-anniversary show on November 22, 2008 at Debaser Medis in Stockholm, Sweden. The concert featured all the past and present members of DISMEMBER on stage performing songs from all of the band's albums in chronological order, starting off as a trio formation and moving on through DISMEMBER history until the present lineup.
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2 июн 2009
LAETHORA Completes Mixing New Album
 LAETHORA, the Swedish death/grind band featuring DARK TRANQUILLITY guitarist Niklas Sundin, has finished mixing its second album, "The Light In Which We All Burn", for a late summer release. The group says, "Despite the computer crashes, equipment failures and multiple bouts of sickness, we're extremely satisfied with the end result. All that remains now is for Peter in de Betou at Tailor Maid to work some of his mastering magic on the songs, and then our little baby is ready to be delivered unto the world."
LAETHORA last year posted demo versions of two new tracks — "Uproar" and "New Day" — on the band's MySpace page.
A video clip of the new song "Uproar" performed live can be viewed below.
LAETHORA's debut album, "March of the Parasite", was released in February 2007 via The End Records.
According to a press release, the band — which also features THE PROVENANCE members Joakim Rosen (guitar), Jonnie Tall (bass) and Joel Lindell (drums) — plays "aggressive music firmly rooted in the death/grind tradition, yet challenging and innovative." In an interview with MTV.com, Sundin described the "March of the Parasite" CD as "extreme and in-your-face, but organic rather than clinical-sounding." | 0 | |
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1 июн 2009
KATATONIA To Enter Studio Next Month
 Guitarist Anders Nyström of Sweden's KATATONIA has issued the following update:
"We've been very busy lately writing and completing the material for our eighth studio album and we're proud to announce that KATATONIA will enter the studio this summer, starting in a studio in the south of Sweden with drums courtesy of Daniel [Liljekvist] on June 10. We'll then continue on the remainder of the sessions in a studio here in Stockholm further through July and wrap it up in August.
"We'll keep the info short for now as we'll launch a studio diary to give you all the in-depth information and details on the album making including album/songtitles, audio teasers, album artwork and also our tour plans along the recording process. We can already confirm that initially 13 tracks will be recorded and a selection of 11-12 songs will make it onto the album. We got a few big surprises to reveal and we're confident this material is our most varied, diverse and possibly strongest shit all together on one and the same album. The release date is set for late October on Peaceville."
KATATONIA's last studio album, "The Great Cold Distance", was released in 2006 via Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Viva Emptiness" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in the outskirts of Örebro, Sweden and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm.
KATATONIA's live performance from 2006's Summer Breeze open-air festival in Germany was released as a double-disc live album/DVD, entitled "Live Consternation". The "super jewelcase" packaging features both the audio on CD and the show on DVD (including both 2.0 and 5.1 versions). The artwork was once again designed by Travis Smith and closes the visual concept for "The Great Cold Distance" phase.
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1 июн 2009
TARJA TURUNEN Checks In
 Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has issued the following update:
"My friends, the tour is happily over. But very soon, we will start next shows in Europe.
"There is no time really to relax since I have to keep on rehearsing for them. I will go to make a visit at my vocal coach who is most probably going to 'kill' me again. Just kidding; she is just magnificent help and amazingly kind lady.
"Mexican show was great and it was nice to see the reaction of the audience when they heard the new songs in our set list. I spoke with many fans and they felt that the show was a lot better than my first visit in Mexico.
"As always, I learn new things about myself and from my music through my musical journey and it is very rewarding to hear good feedback from my supporters.
"Thank you Mexico! As I said during the show, I hope to see you next time with my new album.
"It was also wonderful to make for the first time a show in Venezuela and to see that I have an audience there! I got to meet many fans in the singing session I did in Caracas and the feeling was really overwhelming.
"The local promoter got very emotional to see how people were reacting towards me and told me that he had never seen anything like that before. The devotion of the fans was unexpected for him and for some local media. Not for me ;)
"The final challenge was to make four shows in Buenos Aires. Everything went fine and I was very happy to be able to finish the tour with these shows here. Especially the last two shows in La Trastienda were great, because the audience was seated and they could follow every little details of our show. For me it was nice to see their expressions closer and to feel their love.
"I would like to do similar kind of concerts in other countries, but promoters haven't realized yet that my fans would like it too.
"I am sure the band was happy with the tour. Every one of them already flew to different destinations and in couple of weeks we'll find each other in Budapest where we'll start rehearsing for the summer shows. Can't wait to get there!
"Next week I will face another challenge when I am performing with [Argentine] band RATA BLANCA in Luna Park stadium [in Buenos Aires]. I have to learn few of their songs, which means I am going to sing in Spanish again!!!!! Let's see how that goes. I am expecting to have a great time with RATA on stage. Was very nice to receive their invitation."
Tarja Turunen has set "What Lies Beneath" as the working title of her new solo CD, tentatively due before the end of the year. She says, "With [2007's] 'My Winter Storm', I chose the name of the album in the early stages and that helped me to create the concept for the album. With the new album, I decided to do it the same way, so I searched for an inspiring title and all the songs are one way or another related to it."
Regarding the songwriting process for the new CD, Turunen said, "In the last months I've been writing a lot of music for my new album. Songwriting is always an amazing learning experience, and it has been a pleasure to discuss music with different people.
"The album process is still going on and I have more songs that are in the working. It is sounding very promising. The songs are absolutely more mature, wild, and emotional and they sound more me, if I can say so.
"The biggest difference in preparing this new album is that I will be taking the time that I need until the songs are in a shape that I am happy with. No matter how long it takes. I want it to be perfect for me. No hurry; no pressure."
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1 июн 2009
GRAVE Frontman Releases Three Songs From GREY HEAVENS Project
 Guitarist/vocalist Ola Lindgren of Swedish death metal veterans GRAVE has posted three songs from his solo project called GREY HEAVENS. The tracks "Primitvs", "Abandoned Quest" and "Grey Heavens" are available for streaming at this location. Ola says, Finally, I got everything together and mixed. The drums for this promo are programmed, everything else is played/screamed and recorded/mixed by me during the past months."
Lindgren previously stated about GREY HEAVENS, "For many years I have had plans to do a project to explore different sides of extreme music with ideas that simply would not fit in my main band.
"This is a more dark and experimental side of my musicality and shows a different approach to metal than just the straightforward death metal that has been my main inspiration and which has resulted in the eight GRAVE albums in the past 21 years."
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1 июн 2009
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP: Band Lineup For U.S. Tour Announced
 MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP's lineup for the band's forthcoming North American tour will consist of the following musicians:
Michael Schenker - Guitar
Gary Barden - Vocals
Wayne Findlay - Guitar
Pete Holmes - Drums
Rev Jones - Bass
Special guest Elliott Rubinson (CACTUS) will fill in on bass for two selected shows to be announced.
The dates are as follows:
Jun. 06 - Las Vegas, NV - Santa Fe Station
Jun. 09 - W. Hollywood, CA - Key Club
Jun. 10 - Modesto, CA - Fat Cat
Jun. 11 - Santa Clara, CA - Avalon
Jun. 12 - Agoura Hills, CA - Canyon Club
Jun. 13 - Yucaipa, CA - Angels Roadhouse
Jun. 14 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B
Jun. 16 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
Jun. 18 - Dallas, TX - Pontiac Garage
Jun. 19 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
Jun. 20 - San Antonio, TX - Camargo Park
Jun. 21 - Austin, TX - Aces
Jun. 24 - New York, NY - Blender Theater At Gramercy
Jun. 25 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Jun. 26 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Jun. 27 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's Concert Theatre
Jun. 29 - Chicago, IL - House OF Blues
Jun. 30 - Sauget, IL - Pops
Jul. 03 - Concord, CA - Vinnie’s
Jul. 04 - Fairfax, CA - 19 Broadway
Jul. 08 - Seattle, WA - Studio 7
Jul. 10 - Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton
Jul. 11 - Santa Ana, CA - Galaxy Theater
Jul. 13 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
Jul. 14 - Victoria, BC - Element
Jul. 16 - Exeter, CA - Orange Blossom Junction
Jul. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
Michael Schenker has confirmed via his official web site that his "visa situation has been sorted out" and that the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP U.S. tour is "on as planned!"
MSG's North American trek was originally scheduled to take place in March/April but was postponed due to a delay in receiving the necessary paperwork required for Schenker to enter the U.S.
Audio samples of all 12 tracks that appear on SCHENKER BARDEN ACOUSTIC PROJECT's first album, "Gipsy Lady", are available for streaming on Play.com.
"Gipsy Lady" was released on May 19 via Inakustik.
The track listing is as follows:
01. Lost
02. Dance Lady Gipsy
03. All Of My Life
04. Fight For Freedom
05. El Grande
06. Starting Over
07. Can't Live On Life Alone
08. Another Melody
09. Travelled So Far
10. Hungry
11. Night Of The Stare
12. The Journey
Almost one year after his phenomenal comeback album "In The Midst Of Beauty" and follow-up tour, guitarist Michael Schenker has collaborated with singer Gary Barden to give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact. And with Michael Voss, Schenker has an experienced producer, a second guitarist as well as a background vocalist on board, who delivers an outstanding performance. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team. Using a flamenco guitar with castanets in "Dance Lady Gipsy" conjures up a hot-blooded gypsy dancing before your eyes, while the fiddle and flutes in "Fight For Freedom" transport you to beautiful Ireland.
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31 май 2009
AVA INFERI Seeking Keyboardist
 AVA INFERI, the Portugal-based band whose lineup includes Norwegian guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), has issued the following update:
"We are now searching for a piano/keyboard player to fullfill and broaden our soundscape, both live and on record. As many of our earlier songs have piano parts as well, we thought it was time to bring this element out to its fullest.
"Criteria: You must be a creative and hardworking musician with your own gear, have availability for touring at any time and also to rehearse several days a week.
Live experience is also positive. So if you think you have what it takes and you are based in reasonable distance to Almada, drop us a mail at ava.inferi@yahoo.com."
AVA INFERI will release its third album, "Blood Of Bacchus", on May 25 via via France's Season Of Mist.
The final track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Truce
02. Last Sign Of Summer
03. Colours Of The Dark
04. Black Wings
05. Appeler Les Loups
06. Be Damned
07. Tempestade
08. Blood Of Bacchus
09. Memoirs
The album features guest appearances by Kristoffer Rygg (ULVER), Live Kostöl (PANTHEON I), Fredrik Söderlind (PUISSENCE) and the "amazing piano talent" Arne Martinussen.
The band says, "Be prepared for approximately 54 minutes of pure and honest inspiration."
AVA INFERI recently completed the Hellhounds Fest 2009 European tour, also featuring TIAMAT and THE 69 EYES.
AVA INFERI in 2007 released the video for the opening track of the group's second full-length album, "The Silhouette". The "A Dança das Ondas" clip was masterminded and directed by Rui Veiga who has previously worked with Robert Trujillo (METALLICA), among others. | 0 | |
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31 май 2009
JOB FOR A COWBOY: New Song Available For Streaming
 Glendale, Arizona extreme metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY have posted a brand new song, "Unfurling a Darkened Gospel", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the band's highly anticipated sophomore album, "Ruination", which is scheduled for release on July 7 via Metal Blade Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2007's "Genesis" was tracked and mixed at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM).
The cover artwork for "Ruination" has been unveiled and is available for viewing below. The striking, quasi-conceptual piece was designed by Brent Elliott White and takes its inspiration from JOB FOR A COWBOY frontman Jonny Davy's album lyrics and concepts.
"The ideas involved with the new album branch off from our last record, 'Genesis', but are more politically based," states Davy. Topics addressed by the album’s schema revolve around modern-day worldwide dilemmas and controversial issues including "propaganda in the mainstream media and television, humanitarian rights of Northern Korea, the modern genocidal government of Nubia, the use of torture in American military tactics, overruling by world governments and police states/martial law."
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31 май 2009
SKINLAB: New Album Delayed
 Bassist/vocalist Steev Esquivel of of veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB has issued the following update:
"Thought I'd come drop some news for everyone to chew on while we create this monster of an album. Right now things are coming along great!
"After signing with Stand And Deliver Records, we decided to take a break from the recording process to finish writing a few more songs we hadn't completely finished writing. Which, in turn, has given us more time to work out parts on the other nine songs that we had already started recording before signing our deal.
"Sooooo, now that the ink has dried and we have found ourselves with a proper budget to record the album the way it should be, we have decided to get Paul [Hopkins] back in the studio with his fresh new ddrum kit and smash the songs out again, basically starting from scratch with a new level of aggression and comfort knowing that he has more than two days to track 13 songs... Having said that, recording has officially started... AGAIN!!
"Paul re-entered Trident Studios at the end of April and tracked all of his drums over again, with new shit and a new frame of mind, which ultimately helped out tons as he completely crushed his other tracks with pure confidence and fury!!
"Snake [a.k.a. Steve Green] and Glenny [a.k.a. Glen Telford] have been hard at work tracking guitars this last few weeks. Snake has also been engineering [the new SKINLAB album] 'The Scars Between Us'; this is a first for SKINLAB, but it's turning out great! He's been swamped in all the tracking making sure everything this is perfect... Gotta give props out to Snake for his pure dedcation and petience in making sure this album is absolutly crushing.
"Patience is definitely the key to making a great album and so far most of our time has been spent on detail and making sure tunings are perfect, to be on track... well, kinda.
"Since recording started, we were busting ass to make our deadline of May 10 to finish everything, but we've decided that this album is much too important to rush just to get it out a few weeks earlier, so we have decided to push the release date back. No offcial date yet... just be ready for a complete bruiser of an album before the end of the summer!!
"Tours are being set up as we speak. To kick things off, we are super-stoked to announce that we will be heading down to South America with ILL NINO and SKIN CULTURE on the Project Independence tour in June. This is SKINLAB's first time playing in South America, we're coming ready to fuck some shit up! It's been a long wait for our fans in South America we'll be sure to give them a show to remember!
"After the Project Independence Tour is over, we will be heading back to States to play the Rockstar Mayhem Festival on July 10 in Sacramento, California at the Sleeptrain Amphitheater; we will be playing on the Jägermeister Mobile Stage. After that, we will be heading out on a full U.S run this fall."
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31 май 2009
THE 69 EYES Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS
 Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of Finnish goth metallers THE 69 EYES.
Comented the label, "The EYES have reached the top of an entire genre by now and can surely be seen as the inventors of vampire-inspired music also as they made it so successfully popular throughout the 1990s up till now."
Added THE 69 EYES vocalist Jyrki 69: "The situation for THE 69 EYES was great because so many labels showed interest in working with us. We were very happy how Nuclear Blast worked our 'Goth'n'Roll' box set and it is overwhelming to start this next chapter for THE 69 EYES by releasing our new studio album through Nuclear Blast! They're the mightiest metal label there is and we're proud to deliver them such a powerful album. Together we definitely will ROCK THE METAL!!!"
The upcoming ninth studio album from THE 69 EYES is scheduled for release on August 28. The CD, which was tracked with the Grammy-winning producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET, FU MANCHU), features a guest appearance by MONSTER MAGNET's Ed Mundell. The recording process took place both in Helsinki and Los Angeles.
Commented THE 69 EYES drummer Jussi 69 (born Jussi Heikki Tapio Vuori): "We used SLAYER's 'God Hates Us All' for long to wake us up before the shows on tour back then, I guess that's where the name Matt Hyde came into our mind."
THE 69 EYES recently completed a European tour as part of the Hellhounds Fest 2009, also featuring TIAMAT and AVA INFERI.
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31 май 2009
German Metal Label SPV Declared Insolvent
 Wolfgang Spahr of Billboard.biz reports: SPV Schallplatten Produktion und Vertrieb GmbH in Hanover has declared itself insolvent.
The managing partner, Manfred Schütz, decided to submit an application to commence insolvency proceedings on May 25 — roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In response to this, on May 27, the District Court of Hanover appointed the attorney Manuel Sack as the provisional insolvency administrator. "Normal business will continue even after the application for insolvency," said Schütz.
According to Schütz, together with attorney Manuel Sack, the management of SPV GmbH will not only carry on business operations, but also continue working in the areas of production and distribution in the usual way.
SPV was founded by Manfred Schütz in 1984. The company is considered to be one of the leading international heavy metal labels and includes groups such as TYPE O NEGATIVE, SEPULTURA, SAXON, HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY, MOONSPELL, KREATOR, ICED EARTH and MOTÖRHEAD as well as non-metal acts such as JOHN LEE HOOKER.
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31 май 2009
VOIVOD: Two New Songs Available For Streaming
 Two new songs from Quebec metal innovators VOIVOD — "Earthache" and "Global Warning" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Both tracks will appear on VOIVOD's final album featuring the group's late guitarist, Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, which is scheduled for release in the U.S. on Tuesday, June 23 via Relapse Records. The CD, which will be issued in Europe via Nuclear Blast, contains the last thirteen songs written by Piggy and again features bassist Jason "Jasonic" Newsted (ex-METALLICA). Jason played bass on all the songs and mixed the album, which will be released as a deluxe, digipack CD and will also be issued on vinyl as a double LP.
"Infini" was built from the final songs created by the band with D'Amour. All his original demo guitar tracks appear as they were recorded — with no re-amping and no overdubs; just Piggy as he played the tracks he envisioned in his small bachelor apartment, the amp in the bathroom, capturing his performance with the laptop given to him by Jason.
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30 май 2009
DEEP PURPLE: \'History, Hits & Highlights \'68-\'76\' 2DVD Set Due In June
 DEEP PURPLE are easily one of the most influential and dynamic British rock bands of the 20th century. On June 2, eager fans will have the opportunity to experience highlights from the early days of this legendary band, when Eagle Rock Entertainment releases "History, Hits, & Highlights", a special 2DVD set that hits stores June 2 (pre-book date May 13, MSRP $24.98).
A vivid compilation of rare and unreleased material, live performances, archival interviews and studio/television footage, "History, Hits & Highlights" chronicles the years 1968-1976 when the band survived four line-up changes and produced such classic albums as "In Rock", "Fireball", "Burn", and "Machine Head". It was at this time that essential tracks like "Hush", "Speed King", "Black Night", and, of course, "Smoke On The Water", were produced. These solid rock staples, plus many more, are prominently displayed on this set. As a bonus, a photo gallery is included on the second disc.
Hot on the heels of front man Ian Gillan's new CD, "One Eye To Morocco" (March 31, Eagle Rock), this 2DVD set is a revealing look at the band. It also follows a grand tradition of great DEEP PURPLE releases from Eagle Rock, such as "Around The World Live" 5DVD set (June 2008), and "They All Came Down To Montreux" DVD (June 2007).
Disc 1:
History - 20-minute history of DEEP PURPLE from 1968 to 1976
Hits - full performances:
Mark One Lineup (March 1968 - July 1969)
Ritchie Blackmore (guitar)
Rod Evans (vocals)
Jon Lord (keyboards)
Ian Paice (drums)
Nick Simper (bass)
01. Help
02. Hush
03. Wring That Neck
Mark Two Lineup (July 1969 - June 1973)
Ritchie Blackmore (guitar)
Ian Gillan (vocals)
Roger Glover (bass)
Jon Lord (keyboards)
Ian Paice (drums)
04. Hallelujah
05. Mandrake Root
06. Speed King
07. Black Night
08. Child In Time
09. Lazy
10. Strange Kind Of Woman
11. Fireball Writing Session
12. Fireball
13. Demon's Eyes
14. No No No
15. Into The Fire
16. Never Before
17. Highway Star
18. Smoke On The Water
Mark Three Lineup (July 1973-1975)
Ritchie Blackmore (guitar)
David Coverdale (vocals)
Glenn Hughes (bass/vocals)
Jon Lord (keyboards)
Ian Paice (drums)
19. Burn
20. Mistreated
Mark Four Lineup (June 1975-March 1976)
Tommy Bolin (guitar)
David Coverdale (vocals)
Glenn Hughes (bass/vocals)
Jon Lord (keyboards)
Ian Paice (drums)
21. Love Child
22. You Keep On Moving
Disc 2:
Highlights - bonus performances and interviews
Mark One Lineup
01. And The Address (Playboy TV)
Mark Two Lineup
02. Wring That Neck (Bilzen Jazz Festival 1969)
04. Wring That Neck ("Pop Deux" Paris Concert 1970)
03. Mandrake Root ("Pop Deux" Paris Concert 1970)
05. Black Night (Promo Clip)
06. No No No (Take 1 - Rockpalast Rehearsal Session)
07. No No No (Take 2 - Rockpalast Rehearsal Session)
Mark Three Lineup
08. Jt. Nuit (French TV 1974)
09. Leeds Polytechnic Student Project 1974 - featuring "Burn"/"Space Truckin'"
Mark Four Lineup
10. New Zealand TV Documentary (November 1975)
11. Smoke On The Water (New Zealand TV)
12. Tony Edwards (DEEP PURPLE's manager) - French TV Interview 1976
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30 май 2009
FINNTROLL Hard At Work On New Material
 Finnish folk metal band FINNTROLL is currently working on material for the follow-up to 2007's "Ur Jordens Djup". Keyboardist Henri "Trollhorn" Sorvali states, "It seems we are going to have nine songs on the album, and it will last about 39 minutes. But notice the punctuation on the word 'seems.' Everything can change, as this is FINNTROLL we're talking about."
He continues, "I personally think this will be our best album ever. Overall I can sense there's a lot 'punk' on it, lots of weirdness, a load of *riffs* instead of chord progressions, quite a bit of folkish parts and a lurking, evil atmosphere. In the terms of 'heaviness,' it's propably the heaviest album we've done, at least judging from the song material.
"I could pretty much safely say this sounds like a meaner and more wicked version of 'Ur Jordens Djup' with an occasional hint of the first album. For the dissappoitment for those who were waiting for songs sounding like 'Trollhammaren' or 'Jaktens Tid', I have to say that you propably should pick up the new KORPIKLAANI instead."
FINNTROLL is currently unsigned, having parted ways with Spinefarm and Century Media following the release of "Ur Jordens Djup". Sorvali states, "We're still negotiating with a couple of labels, and it will propably take a month to announce the new home. Right now nothing is certain, so I can't even hint that there's a 90% possibility we go somewhere."
FINNTROLL's fifth album, "Ur Jordens Djup", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 91. The CD, which was recorded by Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, is the group's first release with Mathias Lillmåns following the departure of Tapio Wilska (SETHIAN, ex-WIZZARD, former session vocalist for NIGHTWISH) in January 2006.
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30 май 2009
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29 май 2009
DISMEMBER To Release \'Under Bloodred Skies\' DVD In June
 Long-running Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER will release a brand new DVD, entitled "Under Bloodred Skies", in June via Regain Records. The two-disc set will include footage of two separate concerts (one in the Netherlands and the other at last year's Party.San Open Air festival, which was held in Bad Berka, Germany) plus tons of backstage material and bonus features. More information will be made available soon.
DISMEMBER played a 20th-anniversary show on November 22, 2008 at Debaser Medis in Stockholm, Sweden. The concert featured all the past and present members of DISMEMBER on stage performing songs from all of the band's albums in chronological order, starting off as a trio formation and moving on through DISMEMBER history until the present lineup.
Musicians that were scheduled to appear at the concert:
Fred Estby (drums)
David Blomqvist (guitar)
Robert Sennebäck (vocals, bass, guitar)
Matti Kärki (vocals)
Richard Cabeza ((bass)
Magnus Sahlgren (guitar)
Sharlee D'Angelo (bass)
Martin Persson (guitar)
Johan Bergebäck (bass)
Tobias Cristiansson (bass)
Thomas Daun (drums)
Watch fan-filmed video footage from the concert below.
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29 май 2009
NIGHTMARE Signs With AFM RECORDS
 Germany's AFM Records. The band is currently recording its seventh album, "Insurrection", at Peek studio in France with Patrick Liotard and at U3multimedia and Indiscreet Studios in Stuttgart, Germany with Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The follow-up to 2007's "Genetic Disorder" will contain nine tracks, including a two-part concept song. Part II of the track, entitled "Cosa Nostra..." , will be featured as a bonus cut for Japan and limited editions along with one other song. A September 11 release is expected.
The "Insurrection" cover art was created by Swedish artist Pär Olofsson who previously worked on "Genetic Disorder". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Insurrection", "Three Mile Island", "The Gospel Of Judas", "Decameron", "Angels Of Glass" and "Legions Of The Rising Sun".
Special guest vocalist on the album is Fabrice Emmanuelsson from ELLIPSIS.
Vocalist Jo Amore states: “We have come to the album of the maturity, with strong emphasis on heavy guitar riffs in the vein of ARCH ENEMY, ICED EARTH but with the NIGHTMARE heavy metal touch, but at the same time, it's more melodic when it comes to the vocals... We can't wait to play these songs live. We are recording this time in four different studios: drums an arrangements at Savern Studio in France, vocals and bass at Peek studio in France and guitars at u3multimedia studio in Stuttgart (Germany) and mixing at Indiscreet Audio Studio in Ostfildern, Germany."
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, NIGHTMARE will perform a special headlining show on October 31, 2009 at Salle Edmond Vigne in Fontaine, France with special guests ELLIPSIS, AMON SETHIS and RISE OF DOOM. The concert will be professionally filmed for future DVD release.
NIGHTMARE 2009 is:
Jo Amore - Vocals
Franck Milleliri - Guitar
JC Jess - Guitar
Yves Campion - Bass
David Amore - Drums
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29 май 2009
OBITUARY/Ex-DEICIDE Guitarist Releases New Solo Tracks
 Guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, DEICIDE, SEBASTIAN BACH, ICED EARTH, DEATH) has posted demo versions of his tracks "Aida's Song" and "Witchery" on his MySpace page. Both songs are expected on Santolla's next guitar album. More information will be made available soon.
Santolla, 38, has played in many bands in the past, including EYEWITNESS, DEATH (he never recorded any of their albums, but toured with them in 1993 and appeared in "The Philosopher" video), MILLENIUM, ICED EARTH, and the SEBASTIAN BACH band.
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29 май 2009
U.D.O.: \'Infected\' Single Audio Samples Available
 U.D.O., the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, is currently in the studio recording the follow-up to 2007's "Mastercutor", tentatively titled "Dominator". An August 21 release via AFM Records is expected. A limited-edition single, "Infected", will precede the full-length CD on June 26. The single will be released as a limited edition of 2,222 pieces worldwide and will include the title track, two non-album cuts, a remix and a live song. On the same day U.D.O. will play at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany as a co-headliner. A listening/signing session will also take place at the festival.
"Infected" track listing:
01. Infected (album track)
02. Systematic Madness (non-album track)
03. Bodyworld (non-album track)
04. Platchet Soldat (remix)
05. Poezd Po Rossii (live in Moscow 2008)
Check out audio samples at this location.
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Survivors Zero
