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The New Megadeth Album
Former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland recently spoke to Ricky Garcia of Jemfest Radio about his guest appearance on the new MEGADETH album, tentatively due later in the year through Sanctuary Records. The following are some of the highlights of that interview:
On how he came to be involved with the new MEGADETH album:
Chris Poland: "Dave gave me a call and asked me if I would be interested in coming down and doing the solos on his latest MEGADETH record, and I was more than happy to do it. So we drove down to Tempe, Arizona and went to Phase Four studios and I think I recorded nine solos ? eight of them were electric distortion ? heavy, heavy guitar ? and then one was a nylon-string, acoustic kind of solo section. But it was all really fun. They had the best gear there ? they had a 50-watt Plexi Marshall head with vintage speakers, there was like 50 different vintage guitar pedals to pick from. So I was very excited about the whole thing. And working with Dave, I swear, it was just like I had never left the band. We worked a certain way when I was in the band ? he described what he needed here and there. Some of the solos, he let me just do exactly what I wanted, which I had a lot of fun doing, other solos, he basically directed me ? like with his finger. While I was soloing, he would move his hand up and down the neck, and I would just follow his hand. It was like a Ouija board or something. I would just follow him and try to emulate where he was going with his hand. We've done solos like that before when I was with MEGADETH. It was like I had never left the band as far as our working situation in the studio. It was great working with him. We're both sober, so it's like, all that added baggage and baloney that was going on with us before wasn't there ? it was just the music ? and he's actually a really pretty funny guy."
On whether he had kept in contact with Dave Mustaine during his time away from the band:
Chris Poland: " on and off, between doing the remixes and the 'Behind the Music' stuff, we'd talk once in a while. It's not like we're gonna start the band up again, but it's great being friends with Dave. He's a good guy."
On whether Dave Mustaine is able to play guitar again in light of the hand injury that caused MEGADETH's split in early 2002:
Chris Poland: "Oh, he's gotten over that. He went for physical therapy, and his guitar playing is as good as it's ever been, if not better. Probably because he's been practicing trying to get it back and didn't realize where he left off and he's probably a better player than he's ever been right now."
Read more ››
On how he came to be involved with the new MEGADETH album:
Chris Poland: "Dave gave me a call and asked me if I would be interested in coming down and doing the solos on his latest MEGADETH record, and I was more than happy to do it. So we drove down to Tempe, Arizona and went to Phase Four studios and I think I recorded nine solos ? eight of them were electric distortion ? heavy, heavy guitar ? and then one was a nylon-string, acoustic kind of solo section. But it was all really fun. They had the best gear there ? they had a 50-watt Plexi Marshall head with vintage speakers, there was like 50 different vintage guitar pedals to pick from. So I was very excited about the whole thing. And working with Dave, I swear, it was just like I had never left the band. We worked a certain way when I was in the band ? he described what he needed here and there. Some of the solos, he let me just do exactly what I wanted, which I had a lot of fun doing, other solos, he basically directed me ? like with his finger. While I was soloing, he would move his hand up and down the neck, and I would just follow his hand. It was like a Ouija board or something. I would just follow him and try to emulate where he was going with his hand. We've done solos like that before when I was with MEGADETH. It was like I had never left the band as far as our working situation in the studio. It was great working with him. We're both sober, so it's like, all that added baggage and baloney that was going on with us before wasn't there ? it was just the music ? and he's actually a really pretty funny guy."
On whether he had kept in contact with Dave Mustaine during his time away from the band:
Chris Poland: " on and off, between doing the remixes and the 'Behind the Music' stuff, we'd talk once in a while. It's not like we're gonna start the band up again, but it's great being friends with Dave. He's a good guy."
On whether Dave Mustaine is able to play guitar again in light of the hand injury that caused MEGADETH's split in early 2002:
Chris Poland: "Oh, he's gotten over that. He went for physical therapy, and his guitar playing is as good as it's ever been, if not better. Probably because he's been practicing trying to get it back and didn't realize where he left off and he's probably a better player than he's ever been right now."
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Megadeth |
Windir Splits Up
Norwegian black metallers WINDIR have officially called it a day following the tragic death of the group's frontman Terje "Valfar" Bakken in January. The group's statement on the matter is as follows:
"The loss of our best friend and the founder of WINDIR have made these last months an extremely hard time. We have decided that WINDIR will not continue. Valfar created WINDIR, and we feel that WINDIR will not be WINDIR without him.
"After encouragement from Valfar's family, we have decided to release one last WINDIR CD. This will be a CD in honour of Valfar. It will be a 2-disc CD. The first CD will include new material, unreleased material, tribute songs from other bands and live tracks. The second CD will be a compilation of the great music made by Valfar. It will include tracks from the first demo 'Sognariket' to the last album 'Likferd'. Tabu Records will release the album in August/September 2004. We have decided that all income from this CD will go directly to Valfar's family.
"We also want to thank all friends, fans, bands, labels and magazines that have supported us in these difficult times. Information on future musical projects from WINDIR members will be announced later.
"The music of WINDIR is still alive!
"Hváll, Steingrim, Sture, Strom & Righ"
"The loss of our best friend and the founder of WINDIR have made these last months an extremely hard time. We have decided that WINDIR will not continue. Valfar created WINDIR, and we feel that WINDIR will not be WINDIR without him.
"After encouragement from Valfar's family, we have decided to release one last WINDIR CD. This will be a CD in honour of Valfar. It will be a 2-disc CD. The first CD will include new material, unreleased material, tribute songs from other bands and live tracks. The second CD will be a compilation of the great music made by Valfar. It will include tracks from the first demo 'Sognariket' to the last album 'Likferd'. Tabu Records will release the album in August/September 2004. We have decided that all income from this CD will go directly to Valfar's family.
"We also want to thank all friends, fans, bands, labels and magazines that have supported us in these difficult times. Information on future musical projects from WINDIR members will be announced later.
"The music of WINDIR is still alive!
"Hváll, Steingrim, Sture, Strom & Righ"
Stormlord - News About the New Album and New Mp3
Italian extreme metal act STORMLORD have posted a full-length MP3 of their new track "Under the Boards" at this location.
"Under the Boards" comes off the group's third album, "The Gorgon Cult", due in Italy on March 22 and in Europe/America in April through Scarlet Records.
The follow-up to 2001's "At The Gates Of Utopia" was recorded and mixed over a two-month period at The Outer Sound Studios in Rome with engineer Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE, NECRODEATH, DGM, THY MAJESTIE) and was mastered at the The Mastering Room in Sweden (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH, SOILWORK).
"The Gorgon Cult" track listing:
01. The Torchbearer
02. Dance Of Hecate
03. Wurdulak
04. Under The Boards (195, M.A.)
05. Oath Of The Legion
06. The Gorgon Cult
07. Memories Of Lemuria
08. Medusa's Coil
09. Moonchild (IRON MAIDEN cover)
10. Nightbreed
11. A Sleeping River (bonus track, Japan only)
The CD will also contain a special multimedia section featuring the following:
- 10 unreleased tracks in high-quality mp3 format for over 43 minutes of extra songs. The material is taken from four of the members' side projects (RUN WITH WOLVES, OUTBREAK, VALAR, .0+1)
- The "I Am Legend" video clip in high-quality movie format. The song is taken from the previous album, "At The Gates Of Utopia"
- Tons of live and studio pictures
- Full detailed biography and members profiles
- Discography
- Links
Cover art was handled by J.P. Fournier, the talented artist behind the covers of such acts as IMPALED NAZARENE, IMMORTAL, DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, YEARNING, MYSTIC CIRCLE, EDGUY, AVANTASIA, AXIS OF ADVANCE and IMPIETY.
According to the band, "The Gorgon Cult" is "the most obscure and extreme work of our career. Basically you'll find two different sides of STORMLORD in the new album: from a side, you can expect the typical STORMLORD fast and majestic songs, in their best expression ever! From another side, you'll travel to the darkest realm of the Gorgon with obscure, fast and atmospheric songs."
"Under the Boards" comes off the group's third album, "The Gorgon Cult", due in Italy on March 22 and in Europe/America in April through Scarlet Records.
The follow-up to 2001's "At The Gates Of Utopia" was recorded and mixed over a two-month period at The Outer Sound Studios in Rome with engineer Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE, NECRODEATH, DGM, THY MAJESTIE) and was mastered at the The Mastering Room in Sweden (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH, SOILWORK).
"The Gorgon Cult" track listing:
01. The Torchbearer
02. Dance Of Hecate
03. Wurdulak
04. Under The Boards (195, M.A.)
05. Oath Of The Legion
06. The Gorgon Cult
07. Memories Of Lemuria
08. Medusa's Coil
09. Moonchild (IRON MAIDEN cover)
10. Nightbreed
11. A Sleeping River (bonus track, Japan only)
The CD will also contain a special multimedia section featuring the following:
- 10 unreleased tracks in high-quality mp3 format for over 43 minutes of extra songs. The material is taken from four of the members' side projects (RUN WITH WOLVES, OUTBREAK, VALAR, .0+1)
- The "I Am Legend" video clip in high-quality movie format. The song is taken from the previous album, "At The Gates Of Utopia"
- Tons of live and studio pictures
- Full detailed biography and members profiles
- Discography
- Links
Cover art was handled by J.P. Fournier, the talented artist behind the covers of such acts as IMPALED NAZARENE, IMMORTAL, DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, YEARNING, MYSTIC CIRCLE, EDGUY, AVANTASIA, AXIS OF ADVANCE and IMPIETY.
According to the band, "The Gorgon Cult" is "the most obscure and extreme work of our career. Basically you'll find two different sides of STORMLORD in the new album: from a side, you can expect the typical STORMLORD fast and majestic songs, in their best expression ever! From another side, you'll travel to the darkest realm of the Gorgon with obscure, fast and atmospheric songs."
The Crown - Split Up!
Drummer Janne Saarenpää has posted the following sad news:
"We give up.
Today, the 7th of March 2004, we, the dudes of The Crown, have decided to call it quits. I'm sure every member in the band can still come up with 10 reasons for continuing and 10 reasons for giving up, but after some heavy consideration we have decided to finally find out what life is like without playing in The Crown.
It's been a blast writing/performing together all these years, taking this band to levels that we never even knew of. Also getting to know other people in other bands on the road has been amazing. Seeing new places and getting to see and hear new, great bands has totally blown us away - we sure had our share of fun!
Too many tours gone bad due to not at all professional tour arrangements is maybe the main reason for giving up. (We do indeed have stories about tour managers/agencies and the business in general, the best ones would surely make a best selling book...). Coming home from tours with empty pockets, equipment falling apart and having a pile of bills on the doorstep is simply "horns down". Paying the bills with tour memories and floor scores is just not possible. We do love standing on stage but we don't know much about the business part, and that's a bad combination. Trust me on that one.
The timing for giving up now is both good and bad:
Bad because Possessed 13 is an incredible album that deserves some decent touring, but I guess all professional booking agencies have their hands full as it is.
Good because we decided to not sign a new deal with Metal Blade, and now that we finally have Crowned in Terror (Crowned Unholy!!!) sounding like it was supposed to, the timing is superb.
We made six killer albums, we did stuff our way, and we sure as hell paid our dues. Or as we say to conclude usual setbacks: "We came, we saw and we fucked up!"
So we want to thank our fans for the support: you people made it last for 14 years! Thanks to Metal Blade, thanks to all bands that we've shared the stage with. Our apologies to the festivals that had us booked for the summer of 2004. And last but not least: thanks to our girlfriends for putting up with us through the rehearsals, gigs, studio sessions and tours!
- Janne and The Crown"
"We give up.
Today, the 7th of March 2004, we, the dudes of The Crown, have decided to call it quits. I'm sure every member in the band can still come up with 10 reasons for continuing and 10 reasons for giving up, but after some heavy consideration we have decided to finally find out what life is like without playing in The Crown.
It's been a blast writing/performing together all these years, taking this band to levels that we never even knew of. Also getting to know other people in other bands on the road has been amazing. Seeing new places and getting to see and hear new, great bands has totally blown us away - we sure had our share of fun!
Too many tours gone bad due to not at all professional tour arrangements is maybe the main reason for giving up. (We do indeed have stories about tour managers/agencies and the business in general, the best ones would surely make a best selling book...). Coming home from tours with empty pockets, equipment falling apart and having a pile of bills on the doorstep is simply "horns down". Paying the bills with tour memories and floor scores is just not possible. We do love standing on stage but we don't know much about the business part, and that's a bad combination. Trust me on that one.
The timing for giving up now is both good and bad:
Bad because Possessed 13 is an incredible album that deserves some decent touring, but I guess all professional booking agencies have their hands full as it is.
Good because we decided to not sign a new deal with Metal Blade, and now that we finally have Crowned in Terror (Crowned Unholy!!!) sounding like it was supposed to, the timing is superb.
We made six killer albums, we did stuff our way, and we sure as hell paid our dues. Or as we say to conclude usual setbacks: "We came, we saw and we fucked up!"
So we want to thank our fans for the support: you people made it last for 14 years! Thanks to Metal Blade, thanks to all bands that we've shared the stage with. Our apologies to the festivals that had us booked for the summer of 2004. And last but not least: thanks to our girlfriends for putting up with us through the rehearsals, gigs, studio sessions and tours!
- Janne and The Crown"
| Band profile: | The Crown |
In Flames - wooden box for the new album!
IN FLAMES' forthcoming album, Soundtrack To Your Escape, is being released in a wooden box through Nuclear Blast mail order only. Limited to 1000 pieces, the solid, heavy wood box includes two audio bonus tracks and a CDR with three live video bonus tracks only available in this box, an extra booklet (20 cm x 20 cm), matches and a numbered certificate. The weight is 2 kg and measurements are: 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm.
As previously reported, the first edition of Soundtrack To Your Escape is being issued as a digipak with exclusive artwork and one bonus track and as a limited edition picture LP.
All formats are due out on March 29th.
As previously reported, the first edition of Soundtrack To Your Escape is being issued as a digipak with exclusive artwork and one bonus track and as a limited edition picture LP.
All formats are due out on March 29th.
| Band profile: | In Flames |
Iron Maiden release special souvenir EP
In recognition of their highly successful tour and critically acclaimed No 1 international album, IRON MAIDEN thank their fans by releasing a very special CD on 29th March 2004.
'NO MORE LIES' the 7 minute epic from the 'Dance Of Death' album will open the specially formatted and unique Collectors EP CD. Packaged in a silver and red printed box with free Woven Jacquard IRON MAIDEN wristband and 12 page colour booklet the EP celebrates what has been a remarkable year since the band completed recording 'Dance Of Death'. Iron Maiden hit the road in May 2003 and have subsequently played to 1.5 million people in 28 countries across 4 continents along the way. From headlining every major rock festival in Europe to selling out football stadium dates of their own, the band have continued to show they continue to be one of Britain's greatest rock exports.
The EP features special mixes of 'Journeyman' and 'Paschendale' plus a live video of the band's performance of 'No More Lies' from the sold out recent Dance Of Death World Tour. The length of the EP (over 30 minutes of music) and packaging contents will exclude the release from any charts. However, as manager Rod Smallwood explained, 'This release is as a special thank you to all our fans in celebration of an amazing year. The album dominated the international album charts* (debuting at Billboard's International chart at No 1) so we have nothing to prove, except that great music gets recognition from the public, despite the prejudice of mainstay Radio and TV."
To coincide with 'No More Lies, The Dance Of Death Souvenir E.P' EMI Records release the 'Dance Of Death' album on DVDA with 5.1 surround sound specially mixed by producer Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris. For the Audio buffs the DVDA portion contains the album in full crystal clear Hi-definition 24-bit/96 Khz glory while fans who own DVD 5.1 home cinema set ups will be able to enjoy the album in Surround-sound in Dolby Digital or DTS. Listening to the album in this format takes it to a whole new experience level especially with tracks such as 'Paschendale' taking on epic proportions.
Also included on the DVDA as a bonus are two full length videos of the singles 'Wildest Dreams' and 'Rainmaker', both directed by Howard Greenhalgh and which can also be viewed accompanied by full 5.1 audio.
The band have just finished their 'Dance Of Death World Tour', which included nine exceptionally successful British Arena shows to ecstatic fans and critics, finishing with a sold out show at Earl's Court, and playing to over 90,000 fans in the UK alone.
Read more ››
'NO MORE LIES' the 7 minute epic from the 'Dance Of Death' album will open the specially formatted and unique Collectors EP CD. Packaged in a silver and red printed box with free Woven Jacquard IRON MAIDEN wristband and 12 page colour booklet the EP celebrates what has been a remarkable year since the band completed recording 'Dance Of Death'. Iron Maiden hit the road in May 2003 and have subsequently played to 1.5 million people in 28 countries across 4 continents along the way. From headlining every major rock festival in Europe to selling out football stadium dates of their own, the band have continued to show they continue to be one of Britain's greatest rock exports.
The EP features special mixes of 'Journeyman' and 'Paschendale' plus a live video of the band's performance of 'No More Lies' from the sold out recent Dance Of Death World Tour. The length of the EP (over 30 minutes of music) and packaging contents will exclude the release from any charts. However, as manager Rod Smallwood explained, 'This release is as a special thank you to all our fans in celebration of an amazing year. The album dominated the international album charts* (debuting at Billboard's International chart at No 1) so we have nothing to prove, except that great music gets recognition from the public, despite the prejudice of mainstay Radio and TV."
To coincide with 'No More Lies, The Dance Of Death Souvenir E.P' EMI Records release the 'Dance Of Death' album on DVDA with 5.1 surround sound specially mixed by producer Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris. For the Audio buffs the DVDA portion contains the album in full crystal clear Hi-definition 24-bit/96 Khz glory while fans who own DVD 5.1 home cinema set ups will be able to enjoy the album in Surround-sound in Dolby Digital or DTS. Listening to the album in this format takes it to a whole new experience level especially with tracks such as 'Paschendale' taking on epic proportions.
Also included on the DVDA as a bonus are two full length videos of the singles 'Wildest Dreams' and 'Rainmaker', both directed by Howard Greenhalgh and which can also be viewed accompanied by full 5.1 audio.
The band have just finished their 'Dance Of Death World Tour', which included nine exceptionally successful British Arena shows to ecstatic fans and critics, finishing with a sold out show at Earl's Court, and playing to over 90,000 fans in the UK alone.
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Iron Maiden |
Annihilator - news on the forthcoming album
Long-running Canadian thrashers ANNIHILATOR have set a May 24 European release date through Germany's AFM Records for their new album, "All For You". A five-song EP, entitled "The One", will surface on April 26, and will include two bonus video clips.
As previously reported, "All For You" (view cover here) marks the recording debut with the group of new singer Dave Padden, who replaced previous vocalist Joe Comeau last June. The album also features a return appearance by drummer Mike Mangini (EXTREME, STEVE VAI) following the departure of Randy Black (PRIMAL FEAR) in early October.
"All For You" track listing (not final sequence):
01. All For You
02. Weapon X
03. The Nightmare Factory
04. The One
05. Demon Dance
06. Rage Absolute
07. Both Of Me
08. Bled
09. Dr. Psycho
10. Holding On
11. The Sound Of Horror
Commented mainman Jeff Waters in a recent online posting: " is probably the most brutal ANNIHILATOR song EVER written. I honestly would compare it to 'Battery' by METALLICA ? and I would NEVER ever try to compare something I did with a classic tune like that unless I could back I up. Dave, Mike and I can!
"The song 'All For You' will 'probably' be the single as it is one of those darn tootin' tunes that you will hear once and NOT be able to forget the chorus!"
With regards to the songwriting process for the new album, Waters said, "I demoed 18 songs . Weeded out the weakest ones and then got Dave/Mike to do their stuff over the 11 I picked. It was 12, but one was noticeably weak ? could made it on any other CD, but not this one."
Read more ››
As previously reported, "All For You" (view cover here) marks the recording debut with the group of new singer Dave Padden, who replaced previous vocalist Joe Comeau last June. The album also features a return appearance by drummer Mike Mangini (EXTREME, STEVE VAI) following the departure of Randy Black (PRIMAL FEAR) in early October.
"All For You" track listing (not final sequence):
01. All For You
02. Weapon X
03. The Nightmare Factory
04. The One
05. Demon Dance
06. Rage Absolute
07. Both Of Me
08. Bled
09. Dr. Psycho
10. Holding On
11. The Sound Of Horror
Commented mainman Jeff Waters in a recent online posting: " is probably the most brutal ANNIHILATOR song EVER written. I honestly would compare it to 'Battery' by METALLICA ? and I would NEVER ever try to compare something I did with a classic tune like that unless I could back I up. Dave, Mike and I can!
"The song 'All For You' will 'probably' be the single as it is one of those darn tootin' tunes that you will hear once and NOT be able to forget the chorus!"
With regards to the songwriting process for the new album, Waters said, "I demoed 18 songs . Weeded out the weakest ones and then got Dave/Mike to do their stuff over the 11 I picked. It was 12, but one was noticeably weak ? could made it on any other CD, but not this one."
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Annihilator |
TOLKKI 'Shocked' And 'Depressed'
STRATOVARIUS webmaster Fred Derf has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
" Timo Tolkki sent me an e-mail in which he stated that he is too shocked and depressed to publish any statement about the attack.
"His wife and daughter have been deeply shocked about the stabbing . Timo wrote that he will probably issue a statement about the future of STRATOVARIUS next week."
Photo of the stabbing wound:
http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/GetImages/GetImages_GetImage_jpg/0,3174,45646,00.jpg
Read more ››
" Timo Tolkki sent me an e-mail in which he stated that he is too shocked and depressed to publish any statement about the attack.
"His wife and daughter have been deeply shocked about the stabbing . Timo wrote that he will probably issue a statement about the future of STRATOVARIUS next week."
Photo of the stabbing wound:
http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/GetImages/GetImages_GetImage_jpg/0,3174,45646,00.jpg
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Stratovarius |
ANTHRAX Part Ways With Bassist FRANK BELLO
ANTHRAX manager Tim Dralle has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that bassist Frank Bello is no longer a member of ANTHRAX. The group's official statement on the matter is as follows: "Due to internal reasons, Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING) will be temporarily handling bass playing duties for ANTHRAX on their upcoming tours of Japan and Australia." More information will be made available soon.
From Blabbermouth.net
From Blabbermouth.net
| Band profile: | Anthrax |
NIGHTWISH Set Release Date For 'Once'
NIGHTWISH have set a June 7 Finnish release date through Spinefarm Records for their brand-new album, "Once". A single containing the album track "Nemo" is due on April 19.
In other news, the "Once" album cut "Creek Mary's Blood" will feature an appearance by Lakota tribe's Indian John Two-Hawks. John (johntwohawks.com), a NAMMY-nominated master Native American flute player and musician, will reportedly play the flute, sing and contribute a poem to the recording.
"NIGHTWISH sent me their 'Century Child' album and I found out that it's great album. It's not your 'typical' heavy metal and I'm into the lyrics as well," John Two-Hawks told Finland's Sonera Plaza.
"Then I got the rough mix of 'Creek Mary's Blood' and I was very, very impressed! It's a very spectacle-kind of song and I'm sure that Tuomas Holopainen has taken some influences from the 'Dances With Wolves' soundtrack.
"Tuomas told me what he wants me to play and I agreed with him. I still asked him if I can play some more if I get some good ideas, and Tuomas agreed," John said.
Also on the NIGHTWISH-related front, all 3,700 tickets to the group's record-release show in Kitee, Finland on May 22 were sold out within a day. Among the people purchasing tickets to the gig were residents of the following countries: Finland, Germany, Monaco, Sweden, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Norway, U.K., Italy, France, Austria, Spain, Hungary, Argentina, Poland and USA.
NIGHTWISH will launch their world tour in support of "Once", dubbed "Once Upon A Tour 2004-2005", this summer. The trek is expected to last until the autumn of 2005.
Read more ››
In other news, the "Once" album cut "Creek Mary's Blood" will feature an appearance by Lakota tribe's Indian John Two-Hawks. John (johntwohawks.com), a NAMMY-nominated master Native American flute player and musician, will reportedly play the flute, sing and contribute a poem to the recording.
"NIGHTWISH sent me their 'Century Child' album and I found out that it's great album. It's not your 'typical' heavy metal and I'm into the lyrics as well," John Two-Hawks told Finland's Sonera Plaza.
"Then I got the rough mix of 'Creek Mary's Blood' and I was very, very impressed! It's a very spectacle-kind of song and I'm sure that Tuomas Holopainen has taken some influences from the 'Dances With Wolves' soundtrack.
"Tuomas told me what he wants me to play and I agreed with him. I still asked him if I can play some more if I get some good ideas, and Tuomas agreed," John said.
Also on the NIGHTWISH-related front, all 3,700 tickets to the group's record-release show in Kitee, Finland on May 22 were sold out within a day. Among the people purchasing tickets to the gig were residents of the following countries: Finland, Germany, Monaco, Sweden, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Norway, U.K., Italy, France, Austria, Spain, Hungary, Argentina, Poland and USA.
NIGHTWISH will launch their world tour in support of "Once", dubbed "Once Upon A Tour 2004-2005", this summer. The trek is expected to last until the autumn of 2005.
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Nightwish |
Khold - release dates of the new album
Norway's KHOLD have set an April 20 U.S. and April 5 for Europe release date through Candlelight Records for their third full-length album, "Morke Gravers Kammer".
Recorded in Norway and completed following the band's 2003 European tour with SATYRICON, "Morke Gravers Kammer" (The Gravediggers Dark Chamber) is an eclectic collection of fast and mid-tempo tracks that features the Oslo-based band's simple yet commanding take on the extreme style. The album features artwork by illustrious Norwegian photographer Marcel Leliënhof. He further directed the band's first video for album track "Dod".
Drummer/founder Sarke says, "the songs on this album are strong and the KHOLD trademark is there all the way. We have our own take on black metal. We offer something different within the genre and that can only be positive."
"Morke Gravers Kammer" track listing:
01. Atselgraver
02. Dod Niflheimr
03. Hevnerske
04. Med Nebb og Klor
05. Morke Gravers Kammer
06. Opera Seria Sjeleskjender
07. Vardoger
08. Kamp
Recorded in Norway and completed following the band's 2003 European tour with SATYRICON, "Morke Gravers Kammer" (The Gravediggers Dark Chamber) is an eclectic collection of fast and mid-tempo tracks that features the Oslo-based band's simple yet commanding take on the extreme style. The album features artwork by illustrious Norwegian photographer Marcel Leliënhof. He further directed the band's first video for album track "Dod".
Drummer/founder Sarke says, "the songs on this album are strong and the KHOLD trademark is there all the way. We have our own take on black metal. We offer something different within the genre and that can only be positive."
"Morke Gravers Kammer" track listing:
01. Atselgraver
02. Dod Niflheimr
03. Hevnerske
04. Med Nebb og Klor
05. Morke Gravers Kammer
06. Opera Seria Sjeleskjender
07. Vardoger
08. Kamp
Death - News On Control Denied Album!
Jane Schuldiner, mother of late DEATH/CONTROL DENIED frontman Chuck Schuldiner, has issued another statement in response to continuing reports that the now-defunct Hammerheart Records (currently operating under the name Karmageddon Media) will be releasing the unfinished sophomore album from CONTROL DENIED this spring.
As previously reported, Chuck, who passed away in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor, began work on the album (tentatively titled "When Machine and Man Collide") in 2001 but never managed to complete the effort before his health quickly deteriorated in the months leading up to his tragic death. The remaining members of the group ? bassist Steve DiGiorgio, vocalist Tim Aymar, guitarist Shannon Hamm, and drummer Richard Christy ? subsequently announced their desire to complete the CD and release it in Chuck's memory, but legal hassles between Schuldiner's family and Hammerheart Records (to whom Chuck was signed at the time of his death) put the entire project on hold.
The following is Jane Schuldiner's statement regarding Hammerheart Records' plans to release the incomplete recordings without the family's consent:
"Hello fans/friends, I have read of plans to release, unauthorized, Chuck's raw music on CD. In response to that news let me say that any demo of Chuck's released by Karmageddon will be put on EmptyWords (www.emptywords.org) by the Schuldiner family to download for free."
As previously reported, Chuck, who passed away in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor, began work on the album (tentatively titled "When Machine and Man Collide") in 2001 but never managed to complete the effort before his health quickly deteriorated in the months leading up to his tragic death. The remaining members of the group ? bassist Steve DiGiorgio, vocalist Tim Aymar, guitarist Shannon Hamm, and drummer Richard Christy ? subsequently announced their desire to complete the CD and release it in Chuck's memory, but legal hassles between Schuldiner's family and Hammerheart Records (to whom Chuck was signed at the time of his death) put the entire project on hold.
The following is Jane Schuldiner's statement regarding Hammerheart Records' plans to release the incomplete recordings without the family's consent:
"Hello fans/friends, I have read of plans to release, unauthorized, Chuck's raw music on CD. In response to that news let me say that any demo of Chuck's released by Karmageddon will be put on EmptyWords (www.emptywords.org) by the Schuldiner family to download for free."
| Band profile: | Death |
Dreamtale working on new album
The third album is coming up. The guys are entering Fantom-studios at the end of March 2004 to preproduce their 3rd full-lenght album. Stay tuned for more updates during this spring.
| Band profile: | Dreamtale |
Destruction DVD trailer Online!
Veteran German thrashers DESTRUCTION have posted a trailer for their upcoming live DVD, "Live Discharge - 20 Years Of Total Destruction", due on March 8. Check it out here: http://www.destruction.de/index.php's_id=7&lang=en
As previously reported, the DVD will come with a bonus CD featuring the "Alive Devastation" Japan-only release from 2003.
DESTRUCTION will hold a DVD-release party on March 12 at the House of Rock "Atlantis" in Herboldsheim (near Freiburg), Germany. The group will play a full "best of 20 years" live set, including all the classic and new band anthems, according to a posting on DESTRUCTION's web site. Also scheduled are various competitions, a DVD preview, a signing session and "a lot of booze!"
Taken from Blabblermouth.net
As previously reported, the DVD will come with a bonus CD featuring the "Alive Devastation" Japan-only release from 2003.
DESTRUCTION will hold a DVD-release party on March 12 at the House of Rock "Atlantis" in Herboldsheim (near Freiburg), Germany. The group will play a full "best of 20 years" live set, including all the classic and new band anthems, according to a posting on DESTRUCTION's web site. Also scheduled are various competitions, a DVD preview, a signing session and "a lot of booze!"
Taken from Blabblermouth.net
| Band profile: | Destruction |
Video Footage From 'Devil's Ground' Party Posted
ThatsSoMetal.com, a web site based in the New Jersey/New York area, has posted video footage from their PRIMAL FEAR "Devil's Ground" CD release party held on February 21. Pictures from the party, a review of the new CD, and an interview with PRIMAL FEAR bass player Mat Sinner can also be found on the site. Check it out here: http://www.thatssometal.com
| Band profile: | Primal Fear |