19.09.2006: Infinity In Soul split from Endless Desperation Productions
Long-awaited split "Infinity In Soul" is finally released on Endless Desperation Productions. There are 4 doom-bands from different countries, including 2 from Russia. Press-release:
Russian label Endless Desperation presents its first release from "Infinity in soul" series. The disc lasts 78 minutes and contains 11 tracks of four different groups:
Lake Of Depression from Panama. They sound in the traditions of underground funeral doom, but the pecularity of that band is in the atmosphere typical for horror films soundtracks. Plus flamenco elements!
Crepuscularia. The Russian band from Domodedovo performs slow and raw doom/death with funeral elements. Their music is at the turn of early Anathema and Skepticism. Funeral parts remind something of Thergothon and Dusk.
Source of Deep Shadows from Poland. This band performs atmospheric funeral doom with vivid solo-guitar parts. For those, who likes Cemetery Of Scream, Funerary Dirge, Shape Of Despair.
Quasar. A new but already well-known band from Kurgan. The music of the band is above any stamps, but it can be described as cosmic atm. funeral doom.
The release is issued in 527 copies (500 of them are numbered by hand). Many compositions from this split won't be recorded and released again in the future.
18.09.2006: Open Grave Records signed with A.W.A.S.
Open Grave Records is please to announce the signing of German Death Metal artist A.W.A.S.. A.W.A.S. was founded in 1999 as Torment. After rehearsing and a first gig, Ruben Wedel left and Martin Epp stepped in behind the drums. But then A.W.A.S. had a break for about one year. But the war got started again in 2001.
A.W.A.S. did their first "real" show in Aarau (Swizerland) as support to Sacrificium. After that they decided to record their first offical demo "Time to Choose", which was released in January 2003.
During 2003 - 2005 they had two of their songs released on the German "Deathophobia" sampler. During that time they underwent other lineup changes. Stephan Dyck (2nd Guitarist) and Matrin Kuhn left the band. In came Eddy Littau on Bass.
The next step was to record their debut album "Hope". "Hope", was independtly released in early 2006. In a short time Open Grave Records took interest in the band and signed them on to give "Hope" a proper world wide release.
"Hope", will be released via Open Grave Records in early 2007. You can download the track, "Damned to Death" from the album "Hope" via the Open Grave Records website: www.opengraverecords.com
DEICIDE DEATH METAL DOCUMENTARY TO AIR ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL TONIGHT
Death metal legends DEICIDE are famed for their long-lasting reputation of blasphemous lyrics, controversial circumstances, and Glen Benton’s upside cross bearing forehead. The Discovery Channel followed DEICIDE around for three days last year in an effort to unearth the mysteries of death metal culture and the staples of its community. The Discovery Channel is known for its envelope pushing programming that dissects elements of life and culture to present educational, informative views that leave viewers with an insightful perspective. Continuing in that tradition, The Discovery Channel will present DEICIDE in Death Metal Music a program which documents death metal culture and provides insight into the lives and musical inspiration of DEICIDE.
DEICIDE SLAUGHTER THE COVER OF DECEMBER'S METAL MANICS
Continuing their rolling momentum, DEICIDE have landed on the cover of the December issue of metals' finest expose METAL MANIACS alongside former Earache artist and grindcore legends, TERRORIZER. The issue features an in-depth interview with front man Glen Benton and examines the rebirth of DEICIDE through "The Stench of Redemption". DEICIDE are embarking on a comprehensive North American album tour in support of "The Stench of Redemption" on October 14th and are slated to continue the momentum with a European tour kicking off in January 2007. Check out Glen Benton and company in December's issue of METAL MANIACS and watch out for DEICIDE, coming to a city near you to spread the stench of redemption!
ThyDoom
14.09.2006: The Berzerker gives you the chance to design the artwork for their upcoming album
Due to The Berzerker artist Ivan Kenny-Sumiga currently re locating he will be UNable to complete the album artwork by the deadline. This opens up a very unique opportunity for 1 individual. Instead of Luke going to the nearest design company he is giving the fans the chance to show what that can do and perhaps make a name for them selves WORLDWIDE. The art can be any style 2d or 3d. It just has to capture the brutality and class of the music...
The winning artist will have to chance to deal direct with the Luke and to design the album cover, inlay and art layout. The album has a world wide release and distribution with all the major magazines writing and reviewing the upcoming album. This is a one - off opportunity for someone to hopefully go on to have a career as an graphic artist.
Please submit all ideas to info@theberzeker.com (try to keen file sizes under 1 meg.)
ThyDoom
10.09.2006: BLINDED COLONY CHECKS IN FROM THE STUDIO
Swedish melodic death metal band Blinded Colony are currently putting the finishing touches on their upcoming album, "Bedtime Prayers" which is to be released November 10 in Europe and November 14 Worldwide. Vocalist Johan Schuter writes from SoundPalace Studios:
"Hey! This is Johan Schuster writing from the house next to the studio. Finally my throat feels a lot better, and any day now I will do the last scream of the record. I had a 7 days break from recording since my voice got really hoarse, and that really paid off well. Got really scared when I heard of a friend that had the same symptoms and had to use surgery to have a cyst removed from his vocal chords. In worst case, if I had continued screaming, I might have had to rest my voice for months, which means no gigs. So better safe than sorry.
"Now all the songs have come together and sound really, really good. I can't fucking wait to let all you people listen to it. The response you guys gave us when we had the pre-production of "Heart" online for 36 hours was incredible! If you liked that, then the rest of the songs won't dissapoint you! For those of you who didn't like "Heart" we got some really heavy tunes on the album too. We're not that cheesy all the time hahaha! For all of you who lives in Germany, our neighbours with sooo cheap beer, we've got gigs confirmed in December with Ektomorf. That will really kick some major ass!
"In November your ears will bleed but your mouth will smile! Don't miss our album, Bedtime Prayers!"
Blinded Colony will take part in several upcoming gigs:
October 13 Gothenburg, Sweden Venue: Belsepub (W/ Sonic Syndicate) December 14 Muenchen (Munich), Germany Venue: Metropolis (W/Ektomorf) December 15 Adelsheim, Germany Venue: Live Factory (W/ Ektomorf)
Pivotal Rockordings also plans host a special listening party for the American fans in Chicago. More details on the listening party will be announced as the release date approaches.
ThyDoom
06.09.2006: Mayhem banned
Regarding the last events that happened with MAYHEM?s recent shows, singer Attila Csihar decided to react. Here is his whole speech:
A Fascist-Religious Government in Europe hides behind its Democratic Façade!
Some time ago, MAYHEM was set to play in POLAND. And we were very excited to deliver a great show to our Polish fans! The Polish government didn't warn us of any requirements, rules or guidelines in advance. So, thinking that all the details were taken care of, we set out with all our equipment and our entire stage set. One day before the show however we were informed that the Polish government had banned us from playing the country! And without any official statement or explanation!
When we looked into the situation, we saw that many Polish newspapers claimed that this action was merely based in politics as it was close to the next Polish elections. It seems that politics and religion are very strongly interlocked in the country. Could this be a new form of religious dictatorship and inquisition?
Needless to say, this caused a huge existential and financial loss for the band and our promoters. Not to mention a huge theft to the hundreds of fans who had bought tickets in advance.
How much longer do we have to suffer from these false, distorted, sick, politically religious regimes and dictatorships? How can a simple metal band be deemed a serious danger for the government and its citizens? It shows the weakness in Poland "democracy".
I grew up in an ex-communist country just like Poland. And I remember how the official history had "changed" from one day to the next. I remember the chaos and confusion this caused in the school system and realized this during my final high school exams in 1988.
This world is totally fucked up and hypnotised! And we are all suffering from a lifetime of lies! I know that my Polish friends can understand and relate to what I am saying. I recently heard from the Hungarian metal band Sear Bliss that their show in Poland was raided by armed police-commandos in ski-masks only moments before show time!
Someone must take a stand. Our only weapons are musical instruments yet they reply to us with machine guns! I am not afraid of priests and politics! How far will this go? Where has the freedom of speech, art and religion gone? Maybe it is in the ass of their pope? I would like to tell the Minister of Poland and his government to kiss all of our asses and fuck off!
Attila
Undead Vocalist of MAYHEM.
ThyDoom
31.08.2006: The new Darzamat's videoclip
In the cooperation with the film association GTW from Gliwice, Darzamat has just been finishing the work over the videoclip to the song entitled "The Burning Times". The videoclip has been coming into being in order to promote the latest band's album on the American market. The record "Transkarpatia", which is already well-known for the Polish fans, appeared in America on the 29th of August thanks to the MVD company from Oaks, Pennsylvania (mvdb2b.com). The production as well as the clipsetting were confided to Beniamin Szwed. He's additionally supported with the two cameramen, namely: Pawe³ Miko¶ and Tomasz M±czka.
- "The Burning Times" deals with the times of The Inquisition , the fanatic witch-hunts as well as with the war that the Church was declaring to everything and everyone who stood out of the one and the only appropriate vision that the Church presented. "When the text was coming into being I didn't realize that it will gain a totally new meaning" - comments Nera.
- "It's sad but true" - adds Flauros. - " Such situations took place ages ago, yet, they do appear nowadays as well. What one can call the battue on the metal scene is among others calling off the metal concerts in Poland, thing done by the politicians, civil servants and the religious fanatics in our country. "The Burning Times" is very dusky and uncompromising. We believe that with the help of this piece we'll be able to pass on the words that are on the lips of many Poles. American people will undoubtedly read the piece in a different manner than we'll."
The videoclip is to be ready in the middle of September and one will be able to watch it on the band's official website as well as on the musical portals on the internet. There's a chance that the clip will appear on TV.
What's ahead of the band as soon as at the beginning of December is the prestigious tour X-Mass Festivals, where the band will play next to such bands as Six Feet Under, Gorefest and Krisiun. One can get to know more about the concerts at: www.metallysee.com
ROTTING CHRIST are working full speed, despite the burning Greek sun, on their upcoming studio album. The band is soon to hit the studio. Their full-length album will be the most atmospheric and fastest release to date.
Once released, ROTTING CHRIST will hit the road to tour the globe.
ThyDoom
10.08.2006: MAYHEM in commotion
MAYHEM's appearance at the recently held Gates of Metal festival (Hultsfred, Sweden) created quite some commotion in the press. Firstly due to the band's striking live show and secondly to the attack launched by Animal Rights Sweden who condemned the use of animal parts on stage.
In Sweden it is only allowed to use animal by-products in an artistic context with the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. The permit needs to be obtained up forehand.
Articles appeared in Swedish Aftonbladet and Norwegian VG among others. Pictures can also be found on these sites :
MAYHEM is currently concentrating on the upcoming live dates and the preparations for their new studio album and do not wish to comment on the event at this time. Questions can be asked during the promotion for "Ordo Ab Chao".
ThyDoom
06.08.2006: BLIND GUARDIAN's Meet & Greet and Soccer Goal Target Practice contests
Congratulations to the winners of BLIND GUARDIAN's Meet & Greet and Soccer Goal Target Practice contests held at the Earthshaker Festival held in Rieden, Germany the weekend of July 21st & 22nd. Attendees of the festival were treated to three new songs from the upcoming September release, A Twist In The Myth, played over the P.A. system introduced by Hansi himself while his bandmates kicked soccer balls into the enthusiastic audience.
BLEED THE SKY's last show on the "Summer Of Sin" tour with Dope will be on August 13th in Rockford, Illinois. Despite the band's favorite tour coming to an end, spirits remain high due to an unexpected surprise. States vocalist Noah Robinson:
"We booked five gigs on the way home from Illinois, and Wayne [Miller, guitarist who was recently hospitalized] will be driving out to Tempe, Arizona to play our last show. He'll be renting a car and driving out himself. He's 100% better and is back to being a complete maniac!"
BLEED THE SKY's final five shows supporting Paradigm In Entropy are as follows:
8/14 Static Bar - Topeka, KS 8/15 PJ's - Manhattan, KS 8/16 Hubba's Pub - Aurora, CO 8/17 Gators - Farmington, NM 8/18 The Real Bar - Tempe, AZ
Nuclear Blast Records is proud to announce the signing of Austria's BELPHEGOR. Lead vocalist/guitarist Helmuth has this to say about the match made in hell:
"For over eleven months we've been working on Pestapokalypse VI. We continued to develop and refine the songs over and over again. Never before have we spent so much time in the rehearsal room, and never before have we put so much energy in our new material. The producer Andy Classen provided us with a massive wall of sound at Stage One Studios. And - yeah - it's cool to see that Nuclear Blast boasts distribution and [promotional] potential we never got to experience in our past. Pestapokalypse VI is our masterpiece so far! Hell awaits!!!"
Featuring artwork by Seth (Decapitated, Rotting Christ), the tracklisting for the band's Pestapokalypse VI album of supreme death/black metal art - scheduled for North American release on October 31st - is as follows:
I. "Belphegor - Hell's Ambassador" II. "Seyn Todt In Schwartz" III. "Angel Of Retribution" IV. "Chants For The Devil 1553" V. "Pest Teufel Apokalypse" VI. "The Ancient Enemy" VII. "Bluhtsturm Erotika" VIII. "Sanctus Perversum" IX. "Das Pesthaus / Miasma Epilog"
05.08.2006: SAMAEL finished the pre-production of their new album
They spent a week checking new songs with Europe most wanted producer Waldemar Sorychta. They are currently in studio recording bass and guitars; sessions started in July and will go on throughout August. In the meantime, some pictures galleries have been added and you can also discuss your expectations over the follow-up to "Reign of Light" in a new section of our forum.
'Christ Illusion' will be in stores this Tuesday, but you can listen to the whole damn thing exclusively on Myspace this weekend. Head over to myspace.com/slayer to check it out.
SLAYER ON HEADBANGER'S BALL - TOMORROW
Tune in tomorrow night the 5th as Slayer visits MTV2's Headbanger's Ball at 10pm. After that, you can catch the UnHoly Alliance Tour Special at 11:30 pm. Don't miss it!
Available September 5th will be reissues of Nevermore’s first three releases: the self-titled first release, sophomore release The Politics Of Ecstasy, and the In Memory EP. All the reissues have been remastered, include additional liner notes by vocalist Warrel Dane and BW&BK’s honored metal scribe Martin Popoff, and revised layout and artwork. The Nevermore album includes 5 bonus tracks, and a video enhancement for “What Tomorrow Knows”. The Politics Of Ecstasy features a bonus track and a video enhancement for “Next In Line.” The In Memory EP includes 5 bonus tracks, now 10 songs total. Fans and newcomers will be enthralled by the colorful commentary and the new tracks prior to this unheard.
Seattle’s Nevermore continue to tour, currently performing in Europe at several of the major summer festivals, the band isn’t neglecting their U.S. fans. Pacific Coast residents will have two recently announced opportunities this summer to catch the band live. The first is Aug. 25th at Seattle’s Studio Seven. Nevermore will be filming the show and including the footage in the band’s 2007 DVD. Hollywood’s Knitting Factory will be the site of the band’s Aug. 27th headlining performance at the one-day PowerProgWest Festival. More information about the festival can be found by clicking here.
Check out Guitar World’s October 2006 issue with Nevermore’s This Godless Endeavor listed in the “The Greatest 100 Guitar Albums Of All Time!” Also catch a “Betcha Can’t Play This” article therein with the band’s touring guitar player, Jag Panzer’s Chris Broderick.
Join Napalm Death’s 2006 Smear Campaign. The title of the band’s new album, Smear Campaign, is a vehement reminder that the band is at once musically viral, and socially proactive. Set for North American release September 19th, the album is “fucking vicious” (Decibel Magazine). North Americans get ready to mosh as the band will be touring throughout September and early October with Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, Exodus, Despised Icon and First Blood. Some dates have been announced, however more will be added shortly. Keep checking here for up to date show listings as they are confirmed.
The release date for Danish band Mercenary’s new album, The Hours That Remain, August 22, is quickly approaching. Already called “one of the most exhilarating musical experiences of 2006,” (UNRESTRAINED!) the album is sure to please. North American fans get ready to see Mercenary, long with labelmates Savage Circus, perform at Atlanta’s September 15th & 16th ProgPower USA VII and also at ProgPower Europe.
Swedish death metal legends Grave have recently been announced as part of the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend IV - Back For More. This year the festival is being held in Montreal, Canada on October 13th and 14th, 2006 at Le Medley. Having released their new album, As Rapture Comes, on July 25 in North America via Century Media Records, Grave will perform on October 14th (the Night Of Extreme Metal). Recorded in Studio Soulless in Stockholm, Sweden and mixed by Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) in The Abyss Studio, the band says As Rapture Comes contains "the most brutal songs and sound that we have ever created." The band will tour the East Coast with Dismember, Vital Remains, Demiricous, and Withered this fall before their festival performance, click here for dates. Find more information on the festival and read the stellar review of As Rapture Comes at www.BraveWords.com.
Officially announced last week, Canada’s Into Eternity will be part of Megadeth’s Gigantour 2006 (labelmates Arch Enemy are also part of the tour). While the majority of the dates have been announced, more are being confirmed, click here to stay up-to-date. The Gigantour website is also hosting the premiere of the first track from the new album entitled “Severe Emotional Distress.” Already called “a landmark triumph” by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, the band’s new release, The Scattering Of Ashes, is set for North American release Oct. 3rd.
Recently announced was the July 26th Japanese release of the group's new album, Monotheist, through JVC. The Japanese version contains the bonus track "Incantation Against You“, Frost’s first pure acapella recording (available as a vinyl-only bonus track for the rest of the world). The band’s longtime female studio vocalist Simone Vollenweider backed only by a male choir recorded “Incantation Against You”. Inspired by Mesopotamian ritual writings of banishment and the “Maklu” text in the Necronomicon, the song was written by Martin Eric Ain and Simone Vollenweider.
Do to demand Monotheist will be repressed on vinyl. The first version, pressed on black wax, sold-out immediately and the second pressing, on transparent/clear vinyl, again limited to 1000 copies worldwide, promises to sell out quickly!
Catch Celtic Frost onstage this summer performing at many of the European Summer Festivals. An extensive North American tour is slated to kick-off in September, for complete tour dates click here.
