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21 ÿíâ 2009
DRAGONFORCE: Early Albums To Be Reissued
 British extreme epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE will reissue the records that effectively launched their career: "Valley Of The Damned" (2003) and "Sonic Firestorm" (2004).
Both of these titles — re-released through Spinefarm Records UK on March 16 — will now come with bonus DVDs and expanded artwork, and are fully endorsed by the musicians themselves.
Among the hand-picked extra content is band and producer interviews, live and offstage footage from Japan, plus a behind-the-scenes insight into the recording process itself… and as with everything DRAGONFORCE related, extreme technical expertise and pure entertainment are forever hand in hand.
Both "Valley" and "Sonic Firestorm" will also be available on strictly limited-edition vinyl.
"Ultra Beatdown", the new album from DRAGONFORCE, sold 24,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart.
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21 ÿíâ 2009
CHARON Singer\'s HARMAJA Project To Release Self-Titled Debut
 HARMAJA, the new Finnish acoustic project featuring vocalist Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (CHARON, NORTHERN KINGS, ex-POISONBLACK), will release its self-titled debut on February 18 via Wiima Music, distributed by Playground Music Scandinavia. The group sings in Finnish and is said to be influenced by the likes of NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS and MORRISEY.
The track listing for the CD ( cover) is as follows:
01. Vajoan
02. Sydäntalvella
03. Sataa
04. Palavana
05. Kevät
06. Piiloistaan laulaa
07. Alla
08. Taivaan pirstaleet
09. Varjoina
HARMAJA is:
Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto - Vocals, Guitar
Rhodes Simo Vuorela - Guitar
Sami Lauttanen - Guitar
Matti "Joki-Matti" Tulinen - Bass
Paula Präktig - Piano, Vocals
Rhodes Riku Kovalainen - Drums
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21 ÿíâ 2009
AEROSMITH Issues Statement Regarding Venezuela Cancellation
 Legendary Boston rockers AEROSMITH have released a statement regarding the cancellation of their February 1 headlining show in Caracas, Venezuela at Estadio Olimpico as part of Solid Fest. According to the band, the concert was called off because lead guitarist Joe Perry has to "undergo emergency surgery on his knee caused by unforeseen complications from a previous surgery on the same knee."
In March 2008, Perry underwent total knee replacement surgery, an operation he put off for two years so that he could fulfill the band's live commitments and perform for fans.
AEROSMITH was looking forward to their performance in Venezuela — especially because it would have marked their first-ever show in the country — and they hope everyone at the festival has a great time. The band is also hoping to announce a future show in Venezuela and they want to thank fans for their understanding and support.
Says singer Steven Tyler: "Playing Venezuela was my idea of a perfect way to start the New Year. But having heard Joe had to revisit the hospital this month, the band are truly disappointed we can't be in Caracas, and we hope to see everyone there soon." | 0 | |
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21 ÿíâ 2009
THE BURNING: New Song Posted Online
 Hard-hitting Danish four-piece THE BURNING has posted a new song, "Carnivora", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's sophomore album, "Rewakening", which will be released on February 27 through Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Storm the Walls" was recorded and mixed at KohleKeller Studios with German producer Kristian Kohle Bonifer (BENIGHTED, CREMATORY, ABANDONED, AGATHODAIMON). The vocals was recorded by Jacob Bredahl (ex-HATESPHERE) at Smart N' Hard.
Commented THE BURNING vocalist Johnny Haven: "We have evolved a lot since the first album [came out] two years ago, and so have our songwriting skills. There are things we are able to do now that we simply couldn't do two years ago, and when your skill set improves, so do your songs. It was hard to find one song that showcased everything new about 'Rewakening', but you shouldn't make things harder than it has to be, and 'Carnivora' is a pretty straightforward thrash grenade that shows a little bit of everything."
The cover artwork for "Rewakening" can be viewed below. The image was created by Brazilian artist Mariano Villalba and is a combination of two pictures — "The Fury Of Rufus" and "Slave Angel".
"Rewakening" features a guest appearance by Bo Summer (ILLDISPOSED).
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. It Came From The North
02. Cloven Hoof
03. Carnivora
04. Eight Legged Omen
05. Repentance (Burned On The Stake)
06. Father They Call Me The Heretic
07. He Who Whispers In The Back Of Us All
08. Evangelical Cannibal
09. Unspeakable
10. Live The Goat (feat. Bo Summer)
11. Rewakening
12. My Apostacy
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21 ÿíâ 2009
GILLAN Has 'No Interest' In DEEP PURPLE Mk III, Says GLENN HUGHES Is 'Copying STEVIE WONDER'
 In an interview in the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine, DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan reveals he has "no interest" in the Mk III lineup of the band — and he doesn't particularly rate Mk IV either.
Gillan said: "I've never listened to any of PURPLE Mk III's records. What are they called? 'Burn' and... 'Strongbow' (Strongbow is English cider — Ed.), is it?"
"I've got no interest in them," he continued. "It's like seeing your girlfriend with another guy."
Gillan added: "As for Mk IV [when American guitarist, the late Tommy Bolin, replaced Ritchie Blackmore), I listened to their 'Come Taste The Band' album [1975] and that wasn't really PURPLE in my book.
"I've got no problems with the performances, I just don't think it's DEEP PURPLE at all.
"Glenn Hughes is one of the most naturally talented musicians but he's still copying Steve Wonder to this day, so I can't call him a bona fide member of DEEP PURPLE."
"The Mk III and IV lineups were full of talent, but you know you can spend £100 million on football players and you won't necessarily get a good team."
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21 ÿíâ 2009
ADAGIO: \'Fear Circus\' Video Available
 "Fear Circus", the new video from French neo-classical metallers ADAGIO, can be viewed here. The song comes off the band's new album, "Archangels In Black", due on February 2 via Listenable Records. The cover artwork, which was created by Guilherme Sevens, is also available here.
According to a press release, "without being a concept album, 'Archangels In Black' evokes the band’s convictions about a certain Nightside philosophy and a very personal approach of life and death." Guitarist Stéphan Forté says, "Darkness is a concept with many branches, often misunderstood from outside, but elemental for some kind."
The CD was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden with Björn Engelmann (RAMMSTEIN, MESHUGGAH). According to Stéphan Forté, "Björn did an amazing job. The result is heavy as fuck and makes the songs even more powerful!!! We're a 110% happy with the result."
"Archangels In Black" is the first CD to feature ADAGIO's latest addition, Finnish singer Christian Palin.
Palin is a member of the Swedish/Finnish combo ESSENCE OF SORROW and RANDOM EYES.
"Archangels In Black" track listing:
01. Vamphyri
02. The Astral Pathway
03. Fear Circus
04. Undead
05. Archangels In Black
06. The Fifth Ankh
07. Codex Oscura
08. Twilight At Dawn
09. Getsu Senshi | 0 | |
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21 ÿíâ 2009
EMBREACH Announces New Drummer
 Drummer Jarno "Jake" Vanhanen (TACERE) has rejoined the Finnish melodic death metal band EMBREACH. The group comments: "We originally parted ways with Jake some 2.5 years ago or so, mainly due to problems with overlapping schedules and other practicalities. However, the fun we had playing together never ended, and during the last two years we have played together frequently, with Jake having an extremely important role in arranging and recording [EMBREACH's four-song EP] 'Deafening Silence', for example.
"We're all extremely happy about how things turned out in the end, and everybody in the band is really looking forward to writing new material and playing gigs full blast with Jake."
"Deafening Silence" ( cover) was recorded and mixed by Janne Saksa at Sound Supreme Studios in July 2008 and was mastered at Finnvox by Minerva Pappi. It is available for free download as a .ZIP file at this location.
EMBREACH was recently chosen to be the opening band for SLAYER, TRIVIUM, MASTODON and AMON AMARTH on the Finnish leg (Tampere and Helsinki) of the "The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III" European tour.
EMBREACH is:
Jari Aarniala - guitars
Toni Enqvist - guitars
Sami Honkonen - vocals
Jaakko Mäkilä - bass
Jarno "Jake" Vanhanen - drums | 0 | |
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21 ÿíâ 2009
OTEP Frontwoman To PRESIDENT BUSH: \'I Will Drink A Toast To Your Departure\'
 OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya has written the following open letter to President George W. Bush:
"Resident Bush: you vile bag of pig vomit.
"In less than 24 hours and you are out of our lives. Forever.
"You, the dogshit on our communal shoe, have been an unbelievable embarrassment to this nation. And as the minutes tick by, we scrape the last remnants of you from our soul, er sole.
"You have lied, cheated, and bullied your way to the bottom of the pile. Enjoy the stench, you vile bag of pig vomit.
"The economy is sinking, we have lost millions of jobs (though you stayed very rich), over 4000 American soliders died for your lie, we've lost our moral standing, we've lost the respect of the world. Until now. You are history.
"And you say you have no regrets. You smug, pug ugly bastard. I will drink a toast to your departure and laugh like a lunatic knowing you leave as u came in: an absolute, unrelenting FAILURE.
"Eat shit. Coward."
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21 ÿíâ 2009
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20 ÿíâ 2009
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20 ÿíâ 2009
MOURNING BELOVETH
 It’s been a relatively busy few months for us. Following the cancellation of the tour in March and the album release in May we laid low until October due to family reasons I am sure plenty of you are aware of.
October came and we fulfilled a long time commitment to play Lithuania. Over 500 payers that created one of the best and friendliest atmospheres we have ever experienced and an almost flawless performance from us made it a memorable weekend and not a drunken Irish man in sight. Two weeks later we were in Belgium in a town best described as the “Athy of Belgium” and despite the PA blowing up twice, the soundman 4 hours late and Tim ripping a snare skin during the first song, all during bouts of power failures we still played well enough for the small crowd to enjoy an hour of doom…some fans who travelled a long way enjoying it too much it seemed J.
And then it was our return to Greece for another memorable weekend and a good gig by all accounts, except our own but it didn’t stop the 150 payers from enjoying us and the other bands that night. A big shout out to Thanos and crew for everything they did for us for leading us round the sights, which consisted f Texas bar until 7 each morning.
December saw us return to Cork for Winterfest, our first gig in 6 years and despite late nights and flu bites we played well and the Cork crowd enjoyed it. Hopefully it won’t be as long next time.
So on to 2009 and the end of the month sees us support our friends Primordial in the Button factory, which should be a memorable night if the last time we played with them in Whelan’s is anything to go by. Get there early coz we seem to be going on stage at 8pm, at least we won’t have time to get drunk beforehand…
April will see us play our first ever shows in Moscow, Latvia and Estonia and we are really looking forward to it, discussions are ongoing at the moment to maybe do a proper 2 week tour around this so keep an eye to the website for regular updates
On the release front Dust came out finally on vinyl through Sentinel last month and it was a proud day for us. Thanks to Brian for helping us in this and it won’t stop there, plans are afoot to release The Sullen Sulcus on vinyl next year.
We also recorded a Mourning Beloveth version of Nick Caves “The Weeping Song” in templebar studios in December. Recorded in just one night we feel we put our own doomed stamp to proceedings and it has been something a few of us in the band have wanted to do for some time. We will release this as a split 10” with Wreck of the Hesperus through Sentinel in the unforeseen future.
And finally to finish off 2008 nicely for us we have received Album of the Year on Friedhof Online magazine. Onwards and down we go
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20 ÿíâ 2009
SECRETS OF THE MOON Completing Songwriting Process For New Album
 German progressive black metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON are completing the songwriting process for their new album, entitled "Privilegium". Around 80 minutes worth of music will be recorded for the effort, including the following tracks:
* Privilegium
* Black Halo
* Marionettes
* A Million Suns
* For They Know Not
* Queen Among Rats
* Shepherd
* I Maldoror
* Sulphur Pulse
SECRETS OF THE MOON will also lay down a cover version of a song from "a well-known band."
SECRETS OF THE MOON last year announced the addition of guitarist K.S.A. to the group's ranks. According to the band, "His skills and his exigent nature just feel right for the band and he already contributed some extremely good ideas to what will become the new album."
SECRETS OF THE MOON parted ways with guitarist A.D. in July 2008.
A.D., who had significant input in the songwriting for the band's latest album, "Antithesis" (2006), explained his decision: "Due to my all-dominant negativity, I cannot extract a single good aspect from representing my music live on stage any more. Thus the time on the road has been horrible for me. After I hit rock bottom the last time, I decided to stop it all."
SECRETS OF THE MOON belongs to the most prestigious group of bands in the German black metal underground, with their first demo release dating back to 1995. The band was formed out of the ashes of one of the very first black metal outfits stemming from German scene, MARTYRIUM.
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20 ÿíâ 2009
DREAMLAND: New Album Title Announced
 Swedish metal band DREAMLAND has set "Exit 49" as the title of its new album, due later in the year via Dockyard 1 Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Warning", "Rescue Me", "Two Worlds", "Nordic Rage", "Touch of Evil" and "Song For You".
The follow-up to 2007's "Eye For An Eye", "Exit 49" will mark the debut of new drummer Alexx and guitarist Nils Olsson. According to the band, drums, bass and guitars have already been laid down and singer Joacim "Jake E" Lundberg is currently recording his vocals at Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.
DREAMLAND's last CD, "Eye for an Eye", was recorded at Joacim Cans' (HAMMERFALL) Moonshine Studio and Andy La Rocque's old studio, Los Angered Recording, where the album was also mixed.
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20 ÿíâ 2009
1349: New Album Title Revealed
 Norwegian black metallers 1349 have set "Revelations Of The Black Flame" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in the spring. As with both "Hellfire" (2005) and "Beyond the Apocalypse" (2004), the new CD was recorded at StudioStudio Nyhagen in Bøverbru, Norway, and is being co-mixed by none other than Tom Gabriel Fischer of CELTIC FROST.
1349 released its third studio album, "Hellfire", in the U.S. in October 2005 via Candlelight Records. The CD was supported by a North American tour with CELTIC FROST.
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20 ÿíâ 2009
IMPELLITTERI: \'Wicked Maiden\' European Release Date Announced
 IMPELLITTERI's long-awaited new album, "Wicked Maiden", will be released in Europe on April 24 via Metal Heaven Records. The CD's title track is available for streaming on the band's official MySpace page. | 0 | |
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20 ÿíâ 2009
KINGDOM COME: \'Magnified\' Details Revealed
 German hard rockers KINGDOM COME will release their new album, "Magnified", on February 27 via Planet Music.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Living Dynamite
02. No Murderer I Kiss
03. 24 Hours
04. So Unreal
05. When I Was
06. Over You
07. Sweet Killing
08. Unwritten Language
09. Hey Mama
10. The Machine Inside
11. Feeding The Flame
Check out the CD artwork here.
KINGDOM COME is:
Lenny Wolf - Lead Vocals
Eric Foerster - Guitar
Frank Binke - Bass
Hendrik Thiesbrummel - Drums
KINGDOM COME's last studio CD, "Ain't Crying for the Moon", was released in Europe on October 20, 2006 via Frontiers Records.
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20 ÿíâ 2009
CYNIC, TEXTURES Members Join Forces In EXIVIOUS
 Fusion metal — a relatively new and unexplored genre in the world of metal. Holland's EXIVIOUS marks a first to truly marry jazz fusion with metal into a coherent new style. Featuring members of legendary U.S. prog band CYNIC and Dutch metallers TEXTURES, EXIVIOUS isn't an over-the-top math metal band and certainly isn't a loungy jazz combo either. But expect everything in between!
With a jazz fusion backbone, EXIVIOUS uses freaky metal riffs to decorate their organic eruption of free improvisations and complex rhythms. Guitarist Tymon comments: "We finally managed to transform a vision I had a long time ago into nine intense and fiery songs. There's an immense amount of information in there that will definitely take more than one spin in your CD player to comprehend!"
The band will release its debut album independently to preserve 100% creative freedom. This is not only evident in their music but also in the artwork. Their self-titled CD will appear in a limited 1,000 numbered copies, each single copy bundled with its own unique artwork.
An mp3 stream of the song "Waves Of Thought" is available on the EXIVIOUS web site.
EXIVIOUS is:
Tymon (CYNIC) - Guitar
Michel Nienhuis (ex-SENGAIA) - Guitar
Robin Zielhorst (CYNIC, ex-BLUE MAN GROUP) - Bass
Stef Broks (TEXTURES) - Drums
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20 ÿíâ 2009
EXODUS Utilizing Services Of Drummer NICK BARKER For European Tour
 British extreme metal drumming legend Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, TESTAMENT, DIMMU BORGIR, BRUJERIA, ATROCITY) will fill in for EXODUS' Tom Hunting during the San Francisco Bay Area metallers upcoming European tour.
Commented EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt: "On February 18, we're off to Europe for a co-headlining tour with our good old friends in OVERKILL, capped off with our return to Greece (finally!). For this OVERKILL tour, we will be without the services of [drummer] Mr. Tom Hunting, as he had a well-planned-in-advance, paid-for, and non-refundable vacation to México that has been in the works since last April-May. He will take many pictures of paradise for all to see! So while he will be sipping a drink on a sunny beach, we will be in a stinky, beer-and-piss-soaked club. Exactly where I want to be!
"So on this European tour, I would like to welcome our good friend Mr. Nick Barker, who will be holding down the drum throne! Nick is one of the baddest dudes to ever hit things with sticks, so we’re happy as hell he agreed to join this lunatic parade for a short while! There will be many bottles of Old Number [Seagram's] 7 vanishing down our guts for sure!
"Have no fear, Tom will be back — a bit more tanned I'm sure — and then we will be off and running with KREATOR for two months in the U.S. and Canada. See you all soon."
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20 ÿíâ 2009
SERJ TANKIAN To Perform With AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
 SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian has issued the following update:
"I am writing this to you from my residence in New Zealand. I felt it was appropriate to write this from here because I have HUGE news for ALL of my fans (especially for those of you in Australia and New Zealand).
"As many of you know, I am playing Big Day Out [festival in Australia/New Zealand] this year, plus some solo shows with special shows with very special guests FANTOMAS. But the reason I am writing this letter is to tell you that I am doing a once-in-a-lifetime show with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.
"On Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Auckland Town Hall I will be collaborating with Auckland's most loved orchestra. I will be playing songs from [Serj's solo debut] 'Elect The Dead' and some unreleased extras. All the songs will be reinterpreted to fit with the orchestra, as the F.C.C. [Serj's solo band] will not be playing this show with me. It's just the orchestra and I; the arrangements for the orchestra were made by respected New Zealand composer John Psathas.
"I'm elated to have the opportunity to arrange my songs from 'Elect the Dead' for a full orchestra with the APO. The arrangements will be quite different than those on the record including bonus tracks never played live, and John Psathas will be helping me outfit my string arrangements for the full orchestra. We'll also be taping the performance for a worldwide DVD release later in the year. Yes, for real, we will be putting this out on DVD.
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20 ÿíâ 2009
IRON FIRE: 'To The Grave' Audio Samples Available
 Audio samples of all 12 tracks that appear on "To The Grave" ( cover), the new album from Danish metallers IRON FIRE, are available at this location.
"To The Grave" will be released in the U.S. on January 27 via Napalm Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Beast From The Blackness
02. Kill For Metal
03. The Demon Master
04. Cover The Sun
05. To The Grave
06. March Of The Immortals
07. The Kingdom
08. Frozen In Time
09. Hail To Odin
10. Doom Riders
11. Ghost Of Vengeance
12. The Battlefield
13. Blacksmith of Thunder (bonus track)
"To The Grave" album credits:
Vocals and bass recorded at Hellfire Studio
Guitars and Keyboards recorded at Pathfinder Studio
Drums recorded at Ear Plug Studio by: Pede
Keyboards by: Danny Pedersen
Released by: Napalm Records
Produced and mixed by Tommy Hansen
Artwork and layout by: Eric Philippe at www.redhead-or-dead.com
IRON FIRE is:
Martin Steene: Vocals
Kirk Backarach: Guitars
Martin Lund: Bass
Fritz Wagner: Drums
IRON FIRE recently announced the addition of guitarist Marc Masters (FORCENTURY) to the group's ranks.
IRON FIRE released its fourth album, "Blade of Triumph", in June 2007 via Napalm Records. The CD is the follow-up to "Revenge", which was released in March 2006 via Napalm.
IRON FIRE issued two full-length albums through the Sanctuary/Noise label prior to signing with Napalm: 2000's "Thunderstorm" and 2001's "On the Edge". | 0 | |
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20 ÿíâ 2009
The Origin Of The Blastbeat
Alexis Petridis of The Guardian reports that James Hoare, deputy editor of Terrorizer magazine is agitating to have January 29 declared International Blastbeat Celebration Day. The idea started out as a joke on Good Bad Music for Bad, Bad Times, a remarkable blog written by Erich Keller, a European literature student and former frontman of acclaimed Swiss grindcore band FEAR OF GOD.
"A blastbeat is a kind of very, very rapid repeat hitting of the drums, usually in excess of 180bpms, so it sounds kind of like an apocalyptic typing pool," explains Hoare. "Most people associate it with NAPALM DEATH and EXTREME NOISE TERROR, because there was that period when John Peel was playing them a lot in the late '80s and NAPALM DEATH's drummer Mick Harris came up with the name, but blastbeats crop up in some of the strangest places. The BEASTIE BOYS used one on one of their early punk records, 'Pollywog Stew'." He thinks for a moment. "It's difficult to say what its appeal is, really. I think it's just because it's extreme."
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20 ÿíâ 2009
EPICA Joined By GOD DETHRONED Guitarist
 Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA have announced the addition of guitarist Isaac Delahaye to the group's ranks.
Commented the band: "Isaac is no stranger to the band since he already replaced Ad [Sluijter, recently departed EPICA guitarist] once at a gig in France back in 2003. He also worked with Coen [Janssen; synthesizer, piano], Yves [Huts; bass] and Ariën [Van Weesenbeek; drums] on PROJECT SIC in 2006, but the most of you will know him from his work with GOD DETHRONED in which he also worked with Ariën. Isaac is an enormously talented and skilled musician and we think he is the ideal person to fill up Ad's spot and to make EPICA's lineup strong and complete again."
Isaac stated: "It's an honour to join my friends in EPICA and an offer I simply couldn't refuse. I've been following the band closely from the beginning, and it was great to see them growing into a leading band within the scene. I want to express my gratitude to the whole EPICA crew (including Ad) for the confidence they put in me, and I'm totally ready to rock out on stage and to help creating some great music in the future."
Guitarist Ad Sluijter last month announced his departure from EPICA. He explained, "The more successful you become as a band, the harder it gets to keep [focusing] on the most important thing of it all, and that is the music itself. Because of the busy tour schedule and the lack of time to work on new material as a result, I found myself more and more in a situation where I felt like I had to compose instead of wanting to compose. I don't consider myself a great songwriter. I really need to spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into it before I am anywhere near to being satisfied with the result. And being the perfectionist that I am, it was just getting more and more frustrating not having the time to do so and therefore not being able to achieve the best possible result. Because of this, I simply lost the fun I usually had when composing, and this was for me a clear sign that I had to change something."
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19 ÿíâ 2009
HAMMERFALL: 'Any Means Necessary' Video Available
 "Any Means Necessary", the new video from Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Belgrade, Serbia with director Ivan Colic of i-Code, who previously worked with the band on the "Natural High" clip. "This time we worked solely in front of a green screen, standing on a dirt covered floor which really gave our eyes some major problems every time the fan was turned on," singer Joacim Cans explained. "It is extremely boring working in front of... nothing and trying to act like there's a lot of shit happening around you. Especially since I had to pretend watching the re-building of a city. The general idea is that the band is standing in some sort of a ghost town and with a 'The morning after the great disaster' feeling. Meanwhile, we are performing the song, trying to look cool, things starts to run backwards and the city slowly builds up to what it was before the explosion... and... BOOOM!!!... and we're back to square one again. Get it? Well, I didn't!"
HAMMERFALL performed "Any Means Necessary" on January 17 during the "P3 Guld" live awards ceremony broadcast from the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. The event was aired live on both Swedish national TV and radio.
Footage of HAMMERFALL's performance can be viewed below.
"Any Means Necessary" is the first single off the band's eighth full-length album, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", due on February 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden and includes an instrumental written by the group's latest addition, guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), as well as a song entitled "One of a Kind", which was composed as a collaboration between HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak and IN FLAMES axeman Jesper Strömblad (who was a member of HAMMERFALL in the band's earliest incarnation). The cover artwork was created by Sam Didier, while Thomas Ewerhard was responsible for the CD layout.
"No Sacrifice, No Victory" track listing:
01. Any Means Necessary
02. Life Is Now
03. Punish And Enslave
04. Legion
05. Between Two Worlds
06. Hallowed Be My Name
07. Something For The Ages
08. No Sacrifice, No Victory
09. Bring The Hammer Down
10. One Of A Kind
11. My Sharona (THE KNACK cover)
Pontus Norgren joined HAMMERFALL as the replacement for Stefan Elmgren, who left the band in April 2008 to focus on his new career as a pilot.
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19 ÿíâ 2009
EKTOMORF To Release New Album In March
 Hungarian hardcore/thrash metallers EKTOMORF will release their new album, "What Doesn't Kill Me…" on March 20 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MOONSPELL, THE HAUNTED). "You can expect a very strong and punchy new EKTOMORF album," guitarist/vocalist Zoltán Farkas previously said.
A short message from the band, including a clip of the new song "It's Up To You" (for which EKTOMORF recently shot a video), can be viewed here.
The band's last album, entitled "Outcast", was released in October 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen and features a cover of the PRODIGY classic "Fuel My Fire".
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19 ÿíâ 2009
LAMB OF GOD To Release \'Set To Fail\' Digital Single
 Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD will release a digital-only single, "Set To Fail", in the U.K. on February 2. The cover artwork for the single can be viewed here.
A track-by-track "preview" of LAMB OF GOD's fifth album, "Wrath", is available on the Metal Hammer web site.
"Wrath" will be released in North America via Epic. The CD will be issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.
"Wrath" was produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire. | 0 | |
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19 ÿíâ 2009
SIRENIA Mastermind On New Album, Singer
 Dimitris Kontogeorgakos of Metal-Temple.com recently conducted an interview with SIRENIA mastermind Morten Veland. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal-Temple.com: So, can you say that the [new SIRENIA] album ["The 13th Floor"] sounds the way it did when it was in your mind?
Morten Veland: You know, an album always turns to be different that it was when you had it in your mind. OK, you are working on a certain directions but things change during the working process. I had the luck to work again in the studio with people that want to get the same results from SIRENIA like I do. We learn each other through the entire process, and yes, I can say that it is close to what I had in my mind.
Metal-Temple.com: I am asking this because I have been wandering, when can an artist be certain that a new album is ready to be recorded? When can he say "OK, I am done"?
Morten Veland: It is true that you can never be sure that you are done; there will always be something more or new that you can do. Personally, I work very much on the pre-production and there comes a certain time point where everything sounds perfect to my mind. All the arrangements and music details are there. So when I get to this point I actually know that if I was to add more details and songs then the album would be too much and over-produced. So, yes I believe there is a certain limit where you feel that you don't want to cross before everything gets out of control.
Metal-Temple.com: Where does the new album stand musically? Can you say that it is closer to a specific SIRENIA album?
Morten Veland: I think that it is close to every SIRENIA album. Usually, I want to take a step further with every new album and musically develop. But with "The 13th Floor" although I did the same thing I wanted to take step towards the past. So, the fans can find elements from all the SIRENIA albums like "At Sixes And Sevens" or our second one, "An Elixir For Existence", among some new stuff that we added. I believe that it is a broad album that represents SIRENIA musically through the entire career; what we used to do and what we are doing now.
Metal-Temple.com: What about the new singer, Ailyn; how did you choose her?
Morten Veland: It was a long process to find a new singer and it actually took a half of a year.
Metal-Temple.com: (interrupting) Did you have any standards in your mind of how you wanted the new singer to be?
Morten Veland: You have always certain things that are very important to you and of course the band. The most important thing was the singing style that should fit the band and the music of course. Another thing that is also important is the personal side of everything; the chemistry between the members of the band. Because when you work in a band and go on tour for a long time these things really matter. And another thing that came up during the process was that we decided that the new singer should be from Europe because it would quite difficult to have big distances in between us. Last but not least is the image of the singer that is something you need in this kind of music.
Metal-Temple.com: What changes did Ailyn bring to the sound of SIRENIA?
Morten Veland: She has a wide vocal range; she gets both high and low pitches. So, for me as a composer it's very good because I have more 'free' hands. I can try things that I couldn't in the past. It is great to have this voice in the band.
Metal-Temple.com: Did you compose the music while Ailyn was in the band?
Morten Veland: The music was more or less ready before even we started looking for a singer. But this is the way I write music for SIRENIA; I find it kind of complicated to write music while working with another musician. It is necessary for me to get in a special state of mind and have peace around me. You can get really distracted when you have to interact with other people (laughs). I can write more personal stuff in this way.
"The Path To Decay", the new video from SIRENIA, will receive its online premiere on January 5, 2009 via MySpace. The clip was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company.
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19 ÿíâ 2009
NOVEMBERS DOOM To Enter Studio
 Chicago's NOVEMBERS DOOM will enter Belle City Sound studio in Racine, Wisconsin tomorrow (Friday, January 16) to begin recording the band's seventh full-length CD, "Into Night's Requiem Infernal". The album will be recorded by Chris Djuricic (NOVEMBERS DOOM bassist) and mixed by Dan Swanö at Unisound in Örebro, Sweden.
Commented the band: "We're using the same recording/mixing formula we've used on 'The Pale Haunt Departure' and 'The Novella Reservoir'. In our opinion, the combination of Djuricic and Swanö creates the perfect sound for us, and we've received nothing but stellar reviews of sound quality from this combination in the past.
"Every band hypes their new material, and says it's the best they've done, and the hardest and the heaviest... You can judge that for yourself in time. What we can say is that this is the first time going into a recording the entire band feels confident and believes the material will please fans of the band, as well as turn many new heads in our direction. It's dark, aggressive, and melodic, and compliments the last three releases."
During the recording sessions, the band will keep a daily journal, including photos, videos, and comments.
"Into Night's Requiem Infernal" track listing:
01. Into Night's Requiem Infernal
02. Eulogy for the Living Lost
03. Empathy's Greed
04. The Fifth Day of March
05. Lazarus Regret
06. I Hurt Those I Adore
07. The Harlots Lie
08. When Desperation Fills the Void
Check out the cover artwork below.
NOVEMBERS DOOM is:
Paul Kuhr - Vocals
Larry Roberts - Guitar
Vito Marchese - Guitar
Chris Djuricic - Bass
Sasha Horn - Drums
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19 ÿíâ 2009
CANDLEMASS Mainman EDLING: This Is The Best Album We Have Done Since 'Nightfall'
 Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS will release their new album, "Death Magic Doom", on March 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented bassist/main songwriter Leif Edling: "I'm happy to announce that the new album is mixed, mastered…done! It contains eight killer tracks and the name of it is 'Death Magic Doom'! The songs are about immortality, depressions, demons, vampires, funerals and the almighty devil that we all know very well, hehe. I love the way we perform here. Rob's [Lowe] singing and Lasse's [Lars Johansson, guitar] soloing are nothing but amazing!! The production is also outstanding! The name 'Death Magic Doom' captures it perfectly! Great name! Love it! Of course, we have the moaning militia on the [official CANDLEMASS] forum, but besides that everybody seem to like the name. AND it is very suitable for an album of this magnitude AND it also describes what CANDLEMASS is about; Heavy, hard, epic, colossal metal!!! I would say that 'Death Magic Doom' is the best album we have done since 'Nightfall' [1987]!! In all, [the LP contains] nearly 50 minutes of bone-crushing and mind-blowing doom metal!!"
"Death Magic Doom" track listing:
01. If I Ever Die
02. Hammer Of Doom
03. The Bleeding Baroness
04. Demon Of The Deep
05. House Of 1000 Voices
06. Dead Angel
07. Clouds Of Dementia
08. My Funeral Dreams
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19 ÿíâ 2009
GRAVISPHERE Shopping New Three-Song Promo
 GRAVISPHERE, the new project featuring Andreas Hedlund (VINTERSORG, BORKGNAGAR, FISSION, OTYG, HAVAYOTH) and Andreas Stenlund (TME), has issued the following update:
"We have pre-recorded several new songs and have put together a promo with three of them, called 'Teleporting the Universe', 'Solarity' and 'Patricle Ministary'. This will be presented to some labels and sent out to any labels interested in GRAVISPHERE!
"Both me [Stenlund] and Mr. V are really satisfied with the result so far! And, we are grateful for all the good response we have gotten to [previously released song] 'Teleporting the Universe'!
"2009 will be a great year for GRAVISPHERE!"
The GRAVISPHEREtrack "Teleporting the Universe" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
GRAVISPHERE's sound is described as "experimental, symphonic black/electro metal."
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19 ÿíâ 2009
DEVILDRIVER Begins Recording New Album
 Santa Barbara, California's DEVILDRIVER, the group fronted by former COAL CHAMBER singer Dez Fafara, has entered Edge of the Earth studios in Los Angeles to begin recording the band's as-yet untitled fourth album with producer Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY).
DEVILDRIVER recently re-signed with Roadrunner Records after previously issuing three full-length albums through the label. In addition, the band has secured a new management company in the shape of Davis Entertainment Group.
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DragonForce
