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19 дек 2008
PANTHEIST: Early Albums To Be Released On Vinyl
 U.K. atmospheric progressive doomsters PANTHEIST have now returned home after a hugely fruitful tour with SKEPTICISM and OPHIS which took them across mainland Europe, with the band gracing for the first time countries such as Slovakia, as well as new venues in familiar countries (for example, a church in Belgium).
Pictures and other artefacts from the "Exorcising the Funereal" tour have been added to PANTHEIST's official web site.
There are plans to re-release PANTHEIST's debut album, "O Solitude", which has been sold out for a while, in 2009 with completely new artwork. Furthermore, the band is in negotiations with Firebox Records to have all three of its albums released on vinyl over the next two to three years.
Although no specific dates have been booked yet, there are plans for PANTHEIST to play three gigs in Finland around the end of May.
PANTHEIST's third album, "Journey Through Lands Unknown", was released in October by Firedoom Music, an extreme doom metal specialist label of Firebox Records.
"Journey Through Lands Unknown" was recorded and mixed by Greg Chandler at Priory Studios, and mastered by Rik Dowding at Sonic Mastering.
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19 дек 2008
CANDLEMASS: New Album Samples Available
 Four audio snippets from the forthcoming, as-yet-untitled new album from Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS — "Hammer Of Doom", "If I Ever Die", "Demon Of The Deep" and "Funeral Dreams" — have been posted on the MySpace page of the European branch of Nuclear Blast Records. They will be available online until January 10.
CANDLEMASS bassist/songwriter Leif Edling recently stated about the album: "We've worked on [the CD] all autumn and it feels really good that it is completed. The sound is superfat, heavy as hell, and very organic/dynamic at the same time. Our friend Chris [Laney; RANDY PIPER, ZAN CLAN] has done a great job mixing it!! I personally think this album is the best one of the three we have released in the new millennium, easy!! It is bigger, better, louder and a bit more mature, I must say!! It is our 'Heaven And Hell', hehe. . . The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that we can't call it 'Hammer Of Doom', after one of the songs on it. A brand new stupid festival in Germany calls themselves that! Who spilled the beans??? Well, well… the album absolutely KILLS and we will surely come up with a suitable name for it."
Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS performing at the Sweden Rock Cruise, which was held October 9-10, can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "blackopalrough").
CANDLEMASS has been confirmed for next year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 14-16, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England.
"Lucifer Rising", the new EP from CANDLEMASS, in October entered the Greek International Repertoire Chart at position No. 31.
"Lucifer Rising" includes two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus re-recorded version of "Demon's Gate" live in the studio. As a bonus, you get an audio recording of most of last year's gig from Athens, Greece: "At The Gallows End", "Solitude", "Emperor Of The Void", "Devil Seed", "Under The Oak", "Mirror Mirror", "Of Stars And Smoke", "Black Dwarf" and "Samarithan".
CANDLEMASS' last CD, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records. | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
LUNATICA: New Album Details Revealed
 Swiss female-fronted symphonic rock/metal band LUNATICA will release its fourth album, "New Shores", on February 27, 2009 via Napalm Records. Michael Levine (Hans Zimmer's arranger; "Pirates of the Carribean", "The Rock") has provided his expertise on one track. In addition, Jimi Jamison (former SURVIVOR vocalist) and John Payne (ex-ASIA) reportedly guest on two songs.
The track listing is as follows:
01. New Shores
02. Two Dreamers
03. The Incredibles
04. The Chosen Ones
05. Into The Dissonance
06. The Day The Falcon Dies
07. Farewell My Love
08. Hearts Of A Lion
09. My Hardest Walk
10. Winds Of Heaven
11. How Did It Come To This
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19 дек 2008
THEOCRACY: Christmas Track Available For Free Download
 Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band THEOCRACY has written and recorded a Christmas track called "Rudolph Vs. Frosty". The song has been released for free to the public and is available for download at the group's web site.
THEOCRACY released its new album, "Mirror of Souls", in Europe on November 21 via Ulterium Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on December 9 through Nightmare Records. The Japanese version, which came out on November 25 through Soundholic, contains the exclusive bonus track "Wages of Sin".
"Mirror of Souls" was mastered by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and the booklet was designed by Felipe Machado Franco (ICED EARTH, AYREON, AT VANCE).
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19 дек 2008
SOULGRIND Signs With FEMME METAL RECORDS
 SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), has inked a deal with the new U.K.-based record label Femme Metal Records. The band's ninth album is tentatively due in late 2009.
SOULGRIND's latest CD, "Pakana", was released in February 2007 via Holy Records.
"Pakana", was recorded at D studio and is scheduled for a February 2007 release. "Pakana" is the follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records.
SOULGRIND's current lineup:
Azhemin (THY SERPENT) - Vocals
Ms W Lilith (ex-LULLACRY) - Vocals
Lord Heikkinen (TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE) – Guitar
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Agathon The Beast (GLOOMY GRIM) - Drums
TByte (TWILIGHT OPHERA) – Guitar
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19 дек 2008
GOD FORBID: New Album Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
 New Jersey metal titans GOD FORBID have unveiled the artwork and track listing for their new album, "Earthsblood".
Commented guitarist Doc Coyle: "The album layout and our spiffy new MySpace design were both done by our new partner in crime and artistic virtuoso Gustavo Sazes. Based out of Brazil, he hasn't done many American bands.
"For 'Earthsblood', we thought it would be great to go with someone who isn't one of the usual suspects for album design in modern metal. The cover turned out much better than we ever hoped. It fully captures the dark and organic, yet emotional atmosphere of the album. The detail and abstract imagery is haunting and beautiful. The color scheme is perfect. I assure you all that the rest of the layout is just as impressive as the cover. Hopefully it will give people incentive to want to buy the CD (as opposed to downloading) to be able to enjoy the artwork first hand. This is my favorite GOD FORBID album artwork to date!"
"Earthsblood" track listing:
01. The Discovery
02. The Rain
03. Empire of the Gun
04. War of Attrition
05. The New Clear
06. Shallow
07. Walk Alone
08. Bat the Angels
09. Earthsblood
10. Gaia (The Vultures)
"Earthsblood" is scheduled for release on February 24 in North America and February 16 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Eric Rachel (ATREYU) with Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY, THREAT SIGNAL) handling all vocal tracking. The mixing was handled by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH).
Regarding the album's title, guitarist Doc Coyle previously stated, "The title 'Earthsblood' came to me after watching the film 'There Will Be Blood'. What is the price of ambition? Is the blood of our bodies and the blood of the earth one and the same? With the current energy crisis, and its relation to many of the military conflicts worldwide, there has been a global, collective consciousness that has emerged in regards to the interdependence between humankind and the planet in which we inhabit. Coincidentally, the lyrics that Byron Davis and Dallas Coyle had written meshed with these revelations perfectly. This isn't a preachy, trendy, 'hip-to-be-green' album, nor is it a concept album. It's just an abstract observation." | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY: Album Track Listing Revealed
 Tampa, Florida-based grindcore act SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY has finished recording its Nuclear Blast debut, "The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry", with legendary guitarist-turned-producer James Murphy (DEATH, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY) at the helm. A March 2009 release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.
"The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry" track listing:
01. 10,000 Sermons, One Solution
02. The Realization That Mankind is Viral in Its Nature
03. Cattle
04. Agenda
05. Pity the Living, Envy the Dead
06. Despot
07. A Path
08. Automated Oration and the Abolition of Silence
09. One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy
10. Colossus
11. Retrograde and the Anointed
12. Of Worms, Jesus Christ, and Jackson County Missouri
13. The Tamagotchi Gesture
Check out the album artwork below.
S.W.W.A.A.T.S. features former members of BODIES IN THE GEARS OF THE APPARATUS and DEHUMANIZED. Drums on "The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry" were handled by Mike Heller of MALIGNANCY.
SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY recently announced the addition of drummer Pete Lamb, bassist Matt Simpson and samplist Jen Muse to the group's ranks. Former members Mike Petrak and Jesse Jolly decided to leave to pursue their other musical endeavors full-time.
To hear tracks from S.W.W.A.A.T.S.'s previous demo EP recording "Subhuman Empire", visit the band's MySpace page. | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
Former EVANESCENCE Guitarist To Release Solo Album
 Former EVANESCENCE guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody will release a solo album on March 3, 2009. The CD will feature a guest appearance by young Montana alternative rock/acoustic solo artist Hana Pestle, who is signed to Moody's label, FNR Records. Pestle's sound carries a unique blend of influences as diverse as RADIOHEAD, SARAH MCLACHLAN, and THE CRANBERRIES. Hana Pestle is now touring the Midwest, performing her songs "These Two Hands", "Just a Phase" and her own haunting rendition of "Hallelujah". She will appear tonight (Tuesday, December 16) at Juanita's in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will be joined by Moody.
Since his departure from EVANESCENCE in 2003, Moody has collaborated with some of the hottest stars in the music business; the established and the up-and-comers. His songwriting and producing credits include working with AVRIL LAVIGNE on her second release "Under My Skin", penning "Nobody’s Home", "This Time" with CELINE DION, "What About Now" from CHIS DAUGHTRY, and Moody co-wrote and produced the smash hit "Because of You" with David Hodges for KELLY CLARKSON.
The reason for Moody's new direction, FNR Records, is simple. He explains: "After going to such great lengths to protect the integrity of a project during the creative process, it seemed almost sinful to let the major label monster destroy it."
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19 дек 2008
Holland's ROADBURN Festival Sells Out In 45 Minutes
 Roadburn, Europe's preeminent festival for stoner, doom, psychedelia and other colored metal, sold out in just 45 minutes after the tickets went on sale last Saturday, December 13.
Walter of Roadburn comments: "We still can't believe that the 2009 festival sold out so quickly. It was utter mayhem when the tickets went on sale last Saturday. Many of the tickets were gone before the regular Roadburn attendees realized that sales had even started. Unfortunately, about 150 to 200 tickets are currently being sold through secondary ticket outlets for prices up to 350 euros. We feel very badly that Roadburn can't prevent this from happening, but it's not against the law to resell tickets in the Netherlands. Please be very aware that some of these scalpers may sell fake tickets."
Roadburn Festival 2009, including the inaugural European version of NEUROSIS' acclaimed Beyond The Pale festival, will be held April 23 through April 25 at the 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland. There's an additional afterburner event scheduled for Sunday, April 26.
The lineup for Roadburn 2009 includes SAINT VITUS, MOTORSPYCHO, AMON DUUL II, CATHEDRAL, BARONESS, OM, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE OUTSKIRTS OF INFINITY, WINO, THE YOUNG GODS, SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE, ROSE KEMP, MONO, ASVA, SHORA, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, along with NEUROSIS and many others. | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
DAVID COVERDALE Thinks LED ZEPPELIN Should Record New Album With Guest Vocalists
 According to The Pulse of Radio, David Coverdale says he told Jimmy Page to back off on trying to reunite LED ZEPPELIN for a world tour and record a band album with superstar guest vocalists. Coverdale, who teamed up with Page for the short-lived 1993 COVERDALE-PAGE album and tour, explained to Uncut, "My suggestion to him when I saw him in the summer was to do what Carlos Santana did with 'Supernatural'. Get a selection of people in, because there's no question John Paul Jones writes fucking kick-ass music. I said Joe Elliott and me would come in and do a track rather than the focus be on one person."
He went on to say, "Will people be willing to see three-quarters of the family with a guest — a cousin twice removed? I'm as curious as anyone to see how it works out... Change is good as long as you fucking deliver. I hope it comes together for him because, Jesus, he deserves it."
Coverdale says that his most cherished collaboration was his 1993 team-up with Page, which led him to rethink how he chooses guitarists. "When I worked with Jimmy Page, that was totally inspiring for me, and you can hear that on the COVERDALE-PAGE album," he said. "And that was a great parameter for me to look at. The only people I would be prepared to work with are ones who would, who I'd feel could drive me, inspire me to go for notes I've never gone for before."
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19 дек 2008
ILLNATH Parts Ways With Keyboardist, Seeks Replacement
 Danish symphonic black metallers ILLNATH have parted ways with longtime keyboardist Tyr and are currently seeking replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at email@illnath.dk.
ILLNATH's third album, "Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom", was recorded at Borsing Studios. The CD is expected to be released via Spain's Deathlight Records following the band's split with Worldchaos Production (which was supposed to put out the band's long-completed second full-length offering, "Second Skin of Harlequin").
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19 дек 2008
PINK CREAM 69: More DVD Details Revealed
 German/British melodic hard rock band PINK CREAM 69 will film its special 20th anniversary concert on January 24, 2009 at the Festhalle in Karlsruhe-Durlach, Germany for a forthcoming double-DVD package with the current working title of "The Past & The Present". The group's first DVD will also contain the entire "Size It Up! - Live In Japan 1992" concert (with former singer Andi Deris; previously only released on VHS tape), all of the band's promotional videos, backstage footage, and several bonus tracks from the band's recent festival appearances such as Masters Of Rock in the Czech Republic or Das Fest in Germany.
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19 дек 2008
DISBELIEF: 'Protected Hell' Artwork Unveiled
 The cover artwork for "Protected Hell", the new album from German death metallers DISBELIEF, can be viewed below.
DISBELIEF will enter MX studio in Buchen, Germany in January 2009 with producer Michael Mainx to begin recording "Protected Hell" for an April 17, 2009 release via Massacre Records. The LP will be available as a limited-edition digipack and regular jewel case CD. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nemesis Rising", "The Hell Goes On", "Room 309", "A Place To Hide" and "The Dark Soundscapes". | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
BURZUM's Catalog Available On iTunes For First Time
 Next to gangst rap, the music that probably inspired the most controversy in Western Europe in the '90s and 2000s was black metal — and one of black metal's most controversial and notorious figures has been Norwegian singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Varg Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnackh), who was given a 21-year prison sentence for the 1993 murder of MAYHEM guitartist Oystein Aarseth (a.k.a. Euronymous), and for arson attacks on Christian churches. But all the shocking headlines that have surrounded Vikernes haven't hurt the CD sales of his BURZUM project — if anything, all the negative publicity has inspired morbid curiosity in some people who aren't necessarily big black metal fans and made them want to hear what his music sounds like.
For the first time, BURZUM's catalog is now officially available on iTunes.
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19 дек 2008
CANNIBAL CORPSE: New Album Samples Available
 Audio samples of all the tracks that appear on "Evisceration Plague", the forthcoming album from Tampa, Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, are available on Amazon.com.
"Evisceration Plague" is scheduled for release on February 3, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Kill" was produced by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) at his Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Commented bassist Alex Webster: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album 'Kill', but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further. Now that we can hear the finished product, I would say we've been able to achieve this goal, and I think our fans will agree. 'Evisceration Plague' has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power. We can't wait until you all get a chance to hear the album in early 2009, because we think you'll be as happy with it as we are."
"Evisceration Plague" track listing:
01. Priests of Sodom
02. Scalding Hail
03. To Decompose
04. A Cauldron of Hate
05. Beheading and Burning
06. Evidence in the Furnace
07. Carnivorous Swarm
08. Evisceration Plague
09. Shatter Their Bones
10. Carrion Sculpted Entity
11. Unnatural
12. Skewered From Ear to Eye
"Evisceration Plague" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus track and bonus DVD, jewelcase CD and on limited splatter vinyl.
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19 дек 2008
INTO ETERNITY: \'Time Immemorial\' Video Available
 "Time Immemorial", the new video from Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY, can be viewed here. The track appears on the group's concept album, "The Incurable Tragedy", which sold 1,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The clip, which features vocalist Stu Block in a prominent role, was filmed in Montreal in August, just before the group embarked on the Summer Slaughter Canada tour. That trek was followed by a run alongside the legendary ICED EARTH, which capped off a year that also saw the band tour with SYMPHONY X, AT THE GATES and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, among others.
Commented Block: "It was really cool and, to be frank, kinda creepy doing some silent acting in the video. I've done some acting in high school and some extra work in Vancouver, so I was sorta familiar with what to do. So, hey, Rob Zombie, I'm ready man; throw me in yer next slasher flick!
"It was a long day for everyone — 14 hours, I think. I don't think we knew what to expect from the video because the focus was more on the acting sequences as opposed to band performance, which was kind of weird for us. Everyone involved with the video were really laid back and cool, and the other actors and actresses were really awesome and helped me out if I had any questions. (They are the pros, after all!)
"We filmed the video in Montreal at a haunted house that had been turned into a nightclub/restaurant, so it was a treat both for us to be filming a video in Canada and for me being a horror movie buff, as I was definitely in my element. I was hoping for a ghost sighting or for people to start disappearing periodically, but well, that never happened.
"We were really pressed for time near the end of the shoot due to the fact we had to pick up our tour manager from the airport since we were going to start a new tour, but what a way to start a tour! I think all in all we are happy the video is finally finished, and we hope our fans enjoy it!" | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
DESPISED ICON: Video From 'Montreal Assault' DVD Posted Online
 Montreal extreme metallers DESPISED ICON will release their first DVD, "Montreal Assault Live", on January 27 via Century Media. The disc features a "stellar" multi-camera shoot from the band's sold-out hometown show, alongside a new hour-long documentary and all of the band's promotional video clips.
A live version of the track "The Sun Will Never Charm Us" taken from the forthcoming DVD is available for vieweing below.
Commented vocalist Alex Erian: "The live mix sounds so massive. It was done by none other than our former guitarist Yannick St-Amand. You can even listen to it in 5.1 Surround. Our buddy Felix also created some of his sickest artwork yet.
"The shooting and editing of the show went awesome. David Brodsky (IN THIS MOMENT, UNEARTH) and his team captured tons of adrenaline-packed moments.
"On January 27, you'll be able to relive the live action, the stage dives, the circle pits, the kicking and the screaming that made this 'Montreal Assault' hometown show a night to remember. The DVD also includes a new hour-long documentary by Reconstructed Media that retraces the band's career, showing never-before-seen footage of us living on the road, hanging out, partying, recording, playing shows back in the day and more." | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
AD INFERNA: New Album Update
 French metal/gothic band AD INFERNA, which features SETH mainman/vocalist Arkames, has issued the following update:
"We are fully recording the [new] album. The keyboad tracks and the drums are completed. The bass is underway and the vocals (Asphodel and Arkames) are for the days or weeks ahead. Everything will be achieved in February because Xort (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) has scheduled to work mixing and mastering the eight tracks at the Drudenhaus Studio and the MasterLab.
"The photo session of the opus took place last Sunday (December 14) in Bordeaux, skilfully led by Gwen and Ellie in makeup. Three models were present to sustain the substance to the official photos... more news on this subject soon.
"The release date of the album is delayed but meantime, we're preparing a track exclusively for you and MySpace: very soon!
"Finally, we expect to sign with a label to officially announce its name! Many good things then."
AD INFERNA's debut album, "L'Empire des Sens", was released in 2002 via Silverdust Records.
AD INFERNA is:
V.Orias.A – Guitar, Bass
As-Mody – Keyboards, Bass
N.Aboriim - Drums
Arkames - Vocals | 0 | |
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19 дек 2008
PROFANE OMEN: \'Inherit The Void\' Track Listing Revealed
 Finnish metal band PROFANE OMEN has completed work on its sophomore full-length album, "Inherit The Void", for a March 2009 release through Playground Music Scandinavia. The group once again recorded the effort with producer Ville Sorvali of MOONSORROW and Aleksanteri Kuosa.
"Inherit The Void" track listing:
01. Seconds (intro)
02. Base
03. Information
04. Superpowertrip
05. I Have Seen
06. Left To Disintegrate
07. In The Middle I Breathe
08. Right To Retaliate
09. Generation Doom (Count Me Out)
10. Dealers Of Guilt
11. Dodge
A studio diary documenting the recording sessions can be found at this location.
Commented the band: "So. It is done. 'Inherit The Void' is recorded and mixed and we as a band and human beings have given everything we had in us. This album simply is the best piece of work we have been able to pull off so far.
"If you are willing to lay down and listen to this album in peace for the first time, I promise it will be a small 'trip.' The songs are all linked to each other, by the texts, but also by the feeling in the music. Using the words 'theme album' would sound a bit too much pseudo-artistic crap, so let's say that this album is a description of our time and the lives we live. It is made of somewhat incoherent thoughts interpreted and five dudes totally playing together.
"Oh, and don't you be expecting some over-compressed-everything-as-loud-as-possible concrete. We wanted this album to also breathe and have some real dynamics on it. The sound is somehow close to an old-school vinyl sound, with soft, but rich upper frequencies and a big bottom that still doesn't eat all the dynamics from the sound. Hope you will enjoy it this way, at least we do.
"That's all for now, we are still thinking about our options concerning the mastering, but there's still some time until March. This album is hopefully going to give something to at least least some of you."
PROFANE OMEN vocalist Jules Näveri, who is also a member of ENEMY OF THE SUN, recently helped out fellow Finns AMORAL for one gig after their vocalist left the group.
Based in Lahti, Finland, PROFANE OMEN was formed in 1999 and released its debut album, "Beaten into Submission", in 2006. An EP, "Disconnected", followed in 2007.
PROFANE OMEN is:
Jules Näveri (ENEMY OF THE SUN) - Vocals
Antti Kokkonen (Andy J. Bonfire) - Guitar
Williami Kurki - Guitar
Tuomas Saarenketo - Bass
Samuli Mikkonen - Drums
PROFANE OMEN's promotional video for the song "Rewind" can be viewed here. | 0 | |
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18 дек 2008
ABLAZE IN HATRED Completes Work On New Album; Audio Sample Available
 Finnish atmospheric and melodic death/doom metal band ABLAZE IN HATRED has completed work on its second album, "The Quietude Plains", at Noisecamp Studios with producer Kari Nieminen. The follow-up to 2006's "Deceptive Awareness" will be released in February 2009 through Firedoom Music.
"The Quietude Plains" track listing:
01. A Walk Through The Silence
02. Perfection Of Waves
03. The Wandering Path
04. Beyond The Trails Of Torment
05. The Quietude Plains
06. My Dearest End
07. Therefore I Suffer
The song "The Wandering Path" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
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18 дек 2008
TIMO TOLKKI's REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE Signs With SCARLET RECORDS
 REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, the new band led by former STRATOVARIUS mastermind Timo Tolkki, has inked a worldwide deal with Scarlet Records.
Tolkki and his bandmates have spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches to their new album entitled "Age Of Aquarius". Recorded over three months in Finland, it is by far the darkest, heaviest and most symphonic album that Tolkki has ever been involved in.
Finding a close connection with his new bandmembers Gus Monsanto and Bruno Agra, the trio locked itself in a cabin in Finland for a month and composed 10 new songs. It is the first time during Tolkki's career that he shared the whole songwriting process with other bandmembers.
"I just felt this incredibly fresh vibe with these guys and the songs were just flowing, he said. "It was so natural process that it almost felt like the songs were already composed and we just let them be born. It was possible because in Gus and Bruno I finally have found the kindred spirits I have been looking for so long. The results were something that none of us were expecting and yet at the same time, we felt that this record is exactly the way it is supposed to be."
"Age Of Aquarius" will be released on March 25, 2009 in Southeast Asia via JVC and on March 9, 2009 in the rest of the world. The band also filmed a promotional video in Helsinki for the album's title track.
"Age Of Aquarius" track listing:
01. The Age of Aquarius
02. So She Wears Black
03. Ixion's Wheel
04. Kyrie Eleison
05. Revolution Has Begun
06. Sins of My Beloved
07. Behind the Mask
08. Ghost of Fallen Grace
09. Children of the Future
10. The Heart of All
Tours are currently been booked to promote "Age Of Aquarius" worldwide beginning in South America in early April. Scarlet Records will also release Timo Tolkki's third solo album, the ethereal classical rock opera "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island", worldwide on January 23, 2009.
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18 дек 2008
EVIL MASQUERADE: Four New Songs Posted Online
 Denmark-based symphonic metal band EVIL MASQUERADE has posted four songs from its forthcoming fourth album, "Fade To Black", on the group's MySpace page. Due on January 26, 2009 via Escape Music, the follow-up to 2006's "Third Act" was mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (JORN, HELLOWEEN) at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark and features a guest appearance by former RAINBOW keyboardist Tony Carey.
"Fade To Black" recording lineup:
Henrik Flyman - Guitar
Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND) - Vocals
Daniel Flores (MIND'S EYE) - Drums
Johan Niemann (THERION, DEMONOID) - Bass
Tony Carey (RAINBOW) – Keyboards
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Lights Out
02. In a Dungeon Close to Hell
03. The Darkness Within
04. Hollow Soul
05. Different Shades of Black
06. Powertools
07. The Ultimate Game
08. Desire and Pain
09. Diamond Dust
10. I Believe In Sin
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18 дек 2008
SAXON: 'Live To Rock' Video Available
 "Live To Rock", the new video from British heavy metal legends SAXON, can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by Aestheticom's Bill Schacht, who has previously directed music videos for DIO, KING DIAMOND, AMON AMARTH, FATAL SMILE, LIBERTY X/REV RUN, ZAKK WYLDE and SISTER SIN, among others.
SAXON's new studio album, "Into The Labyrinth", will be out on January 12, 2009 (Germany: January 9; USA: January 13). February 2009 will see the band embark on another major tour with ICED EARTH, only one month after the album release.
"Into The Labyrinth" was recorded at the Twilight Hall in Krefeld, Germany, under the direction of Charlie Bauerfeind. SAXON laid down 13 new songs at BLIND GUARDIAN's studio, starting with monumental opener "Battalions Of Steel" through "Demon Sweeney Todd" and "Valley Of The Kings", which both cover historic events, to the final slide guitar blues track "Coming Home" (fans are already familiar with the electric version of this track from SAXON's "Killing Ground" album).
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18 дек 2008
Report: Headbanging Could Cause Brain Injury
 According to Australia's ABC News, two University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers concluded in a study published in the British Medical Journal this week that headbanging to a typical heavy metal tempo could cause mild traumatic brain injury or concussion, and neck injury, particularly as the tempo of the music and angle of movement increased.
"Clearly it's a serious issue," says Associate Professor Andrew McIntosh, co-author and professor of biomechanics at UNSW.
"If you observe people after concerts they clearly look dazed, confused and incoherent, so something must be going on and we wanted to look into it."
After careful observation of the behaviour of heavy metal concert-goers, McIntosh and honours student Declan Patton constructed a theoretical headbanging model to better understand the mechanics of the practice.
They also spoke to a focus group of local musicians to identify ten popular songs to headbang to.
"These songs had an average tempo of 146 beats per minute, and at this tempo we predict that head banging can cause headaches and dizziness if the range of movement of the head and neck is greater than 75°," the researchers wrote.
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18 дек 2008
DAGON: New Album Due In The Spring
 Bombworks Records has joined forces once again with ocean metallers DAGON to release the band's second full-length album. The new CD will feature a re-recording of fan favorite "Feeding Frenzy" as well as a slate of killer new tracks. It will be recorded in Michigan at Random Awesome! studio for a tentative spring 2009 release.
Rising from the ashes of Michigan band BESTIARY, DAGON puts its own spin on the metal genre by combining old-school thrash, Scandinavian death, and good ol' '80s rock and roll. After its independently released EP "Secrets of the Deep", DAGON released its debut full-length, "Paranormal Ichthyology", on Bombworks Records in March 2007.
According to a press release, DAGON's music features several helpings of dueling guitar leads, thundering bass, catchy melodic lines, and a dual-vocalist approach (utilizing deep death growls ala CRYPTOPSY and black metal shrieks), as well as a serious infatuation with all things related to the ocean. Influences include SUFFOCATION, DARK TRANQUILITY, IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER and HYPOCRISY. | 0 | |
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18 дек 2008
Former THE GATHERING Singer Hits The Road With MOONSPELL; Video Available
 Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen joined Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL to perform the song "Scorpion Flower" at three consecutive shows on the band's tour with CRADLE OF FILTH: December 1 in London, December 2 in Paris and December 3 in Tilburg.
Fan-filmed video footage of all three performances can be viewed here, here and here.
The recorded version of "Scorpion Flower", which appears on MOONSPELL's new album, "Night Eternal", also features Anneke. All other female choirs were performed by the Crystal Mountain Singers, composed of Carmen Simões (AVA INFERI), Sophia Vieira (CINEMUERTE) and Patrícia Andrade (ex-VOLSTAD, now in THE VANITY CHAIR). Niclas Etelävuori of AMORPHIS played bass on the album, which features artwork by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, SEPTIC FLESH). Band photography was handled by Edgar Keats.
The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).
Two editions of the record were made available: A limited double digipack with different artwork, one bonus track ("Age of Mothers"), a different version of the song "Scorpion Flower", the full album as well as a bonus DVD containing all video clips from "Memorial" plus "Finisterra" "making-of" footage and three live clips from last year's performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany; plus the jewel case edition.
MOONSPELL's video for the track "Scorpion Flower" is one of two (along with "Night Eternal") off the group's new album, "Night Eternal", which were shot by Ivan Colic (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SYMPHONY X, HAMMERFALL) in Belgrade, Serbia. Colic previously worked with the group on the "Memorial" video for "Finisterra".
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18 дек 2008
Drummer JOSH FREESE: Why I Am Leaving NINE INCH NAILS
 Drummer Josh Freese has released the following statement regarding his decision to exit NINE INCH NAILS' current lineup at the end of its current North American tour:
"So, I've been wanting to write something for a while now explaining why I am leaving NINE INCH NAILS at the end of the year. Not that it's THAT big of a deal or important compared to other real shit going on out there in the world, but I figured I'd take a minute out to explain anyhow. I know a few people are aware that I'm having my third child in January and basically... that about SUMS IT UP!
"I've just been gone too damn much lately and if I hadn't spent so much time on the road in recent years (between NIN, A PERFECT CIRCLE, DEVO, STING, THE VANDALS) coupled with having three kids (come January) then I'd still be out on the road in the new year. It's just that the rate that NIN has been touring (and will continue to tour in 2009) is something that I can't keep up with right now. My kids need their Dad around and I want to be around for them. I am definitely not retiring or 'done touring' by any means though. I just need to be home a bit more next year. I am not leaving because I got a better offer from another band or because I don't enjoy it... It's one of my favorite situations I've ever been involved with and I already miss it (though we still have five more shows to play).
"If you saw a NIN show in the past three years then you'll know that to say I LIKE playing up there is an understatement and that I give it my all every night. It's much more than a 'job' or a 'gig' for me. I'm a big believer in Trent [Reznor, NIN mainman] and his music and feel fortunate and privileged to have had the chance to work alongside of him and be a part of what he does for the past three years. It is something I am truly proud of and he makes most the other ones out there feel pretty small-time. I have faith in the notion that we'll work together again at some point, in some fashion. But for now I need to go teach my 7-year-old boy how to ride a bike.... Nothing can really compare to that (except maybe an all-night hotel coke session with some hookers)."
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18 дек 2008
PAIN OF SALVATION Bassist Quits
 Bassist Simon Andersson has left the Swedish progressive metal band PAIN OF SALVATION. He writes in a statement, "I've been a part of this band for almost two years and I'm honoured I was the chosen one. Getting to know these wonderful musicians is even more of an honour… but I've reached the point where I just have to stop and walk my own way. Exhaustion, yearning and frustration are the three main issues.
"Exhaustion: having a 'normal day job,' being a rockstar and having a lot of other (heavy) personal stuff became too much. I wanted everything so bad I ended up being sick with no energy whatsoever.
"Yearning: being on tour means waiting. Waiting and waiting… I asked myself one day: is the life back home, the people I love, worth risking just being somewhere in the world waiting? My answer is no.
"Frustration: I wanna focus on my own music when i have the time for it. Don't wanna be a wheel in motion in someone else's machinery… I have way too much inspiration and there is no space for this in PAIN OF SALVATION. Lack of dedication? No. Lack of creative outbursts within the band? Yes.
"I can't give PAIN OF SALVATION 100% at this point, and the guys deserve better… the best thing to do is to go separate ways. We made this decision together and we part as friends. I wish them the best of luck!"
PAIN OF SALVATION's latest album, "Scarsick", was released in January 2007 via Inside Out. | 0 | |
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18 дек 2008
SEAR BLISS Trombone Player To Guest On New SIGH Album
 Zoltán Pál, the trombone player for the Hungarian black metal band SEAR BLISS, will appear as a guest musician on Japanese experimental black metallers SIGH's next album.
Commented Pál: "When SIGH announced that they were looking for brass players for their upcoming album, I decided to send them an e-mail. I liked their latest record, 'Hangman's Hymn', so I wanted to take part in their next album. The head of SIGH, Mirai, replied my mail within a few minutes. I was very pleased that he knew SEAR BLISS and was aware of what we do. He sent me the score for the songs, and a few weeks later I recorded them in my hometown. I can assure everyone who liked SIGH's music that they managed to take a step even further. It's going to be a masterpiece."
SIGH's eighth album, entitled "Scenes from Hell", will be released in 2009 via The End Records.
SEAR BLISS is currently working on its upcoming DVD which was recorded at the band's 15th-anniversary gig in Budapest at the end of November. The disc will be released in 2009 via Vic Records.
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18 дек 2008
EPICA Guitarist AD SLUIJTER Quits
 Guitarist Ad Sluijter has announced his departure from the Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band EPICA. His statement on the matter reads as follows:
"It is with some sadness that I have to announce that after more than 6.5 years, I have decided to part ways with EPICA.
"Since the start of EPICA in 2002 I have always striven to commit myself 100% to the group's music and success and I am very proud of all that we have accomplished in this relatively short period of time. A definite highlight for me is the release of our latest album 'The Divine Conspiracy' and the great tours that followed.
"Unfortunately, all of this success also had its downside. 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.
"After much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the only change I needed to make was to leave the group. This isn't a decision I wanted to make, but one I needed to make.
"I am very thankful for my time in EPICA and I am very proud of everything that we have accomplished. I would like to thank the band, the crew, the record company, the bands we've toured with and of course all the fans that made this all possible! I wish the remaining band members all the best and I hope they will continue to make great music for many more years to come!
"So what are my plans for the near future? From a commercial point of view, it would be a good idea to state that I've formed a new band already, that I've finished half the material of a new CD already and that we hope to release it anytime soon, but I will honestly tell you that I haven't. I don't think I will form a new band either. I just want to start working on new songs again without having to worry about deadlines and stuff. Forming a new band at this point just wouldn't fit that picture. I can imagine recording and releasing songs as a project, but we'll see when the time is there.
"During the last few years I have been asked as a session musician for studio and live situations on a regular basis, but due to lack of time I unfortunately had to decline most of them. So I am looking forward to doing some more session work as well.
"I've always been very interested in the recording aspect of music as well and already did some work as a recording engineer too, but again, the lack of time prevented me to do some more. So I'm excited to continue in this direction a bit more as well."
The remaining members of EPICA comment:
"Ad is a founding member of EPICA and has been of great value to the band. We would like to use this opportunity to thank Ad for his everlasting devotion for EPICA! We will never forget all the great moments we have shared together and wish Ad the very best for the future!!! We hope to be able to announce Ad's successor soon and keep you updated on that!"
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Pantheist
