American metallers Mastodon are currently embroiled in a controversy regarding an allegedly racist t-shirt that coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday. The t-shirt depicts a white male pilgrim pointing a gun at a female Native American and is pictured below. Some deemed it racist. The band defended the artwork explaining that they aren't racist and simply pointed out the atrocities linked to Thanksgiving.

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Source:	pitchfork.com
Band profile:	Mastodon

"Consequence", a brand new single from UK atmospheric black metal trio Fen is now available for streaming below. Check it out and let us know what you think. "Consequence" is the first single off the band's new upcoming album entitled Dustwalker, which is set for release on January 21st through Code666 Records.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fen

UK atmospheric black metal act Fen has announced details about their upcoming third full-length album. The seven-track album Dustwalker is set for release on January 21st through Code666 Records, and will be appear in both CD format and as a limited edition Clambox featuring a bonus track and pendant with the band's distinctive logo. The artwork for the album was handled by Fen's bass player Grungyn.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fen

British atmospheric black metallers Fen have finished work on their third full-length album and have also renewed their contract with Code666 Records/Aural Music for the release of three more albums.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fen

British atmospheric post-black metallers Fen have been working on the follow-up to 2011's Epoch. The band has recently unveiled a live-in-the-studio version of the new track "Consequence", which can be heard below. The track was recorded in the final rehearsals before recording started for their upcoming third album, provisionally titled Dustwalker. The album is expected to be out later in the year on Code666 Records and the band will be posting regular updates of the recording sessions for the new release.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fen

Rusty Cage Records, the label for Netherlands-based metallers Defender, has issued the following update:

"20 years after releasing their debut "City Ad Mortis", Defender will start recording their first full length CD. They will start recording in Holland's Legacy Studios the second week of December. The album will be released summer 2008."

Source:	rustycagerecords.com
Band profile:	Defender

Napalm Death have recently made their cover of The Offenders' classic 'Face Down In The Dirt' availabla at their MySpace page to honour the recent passing of former bassist Mikey "Offender" Donaldson.

Mikey Donaldson was the bass player for Austin punk band The Offenders from 1978 to 1986.

'Face Down In The Dirt' was taken from Napalm Death's 2004 album "Leaders Not Followers: Part 2".

To read the related Napalm Death blog, click here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Napalm Death

Ex-JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim Owens recently spoke to Electric Basement about the experience of singing for the veteran British heavy metal band and his decision to join ICED EARTH as the replacement for Matt Barlow. Asked about ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer's reputation as someone who can be extremely difficult to work with, Owens said, "I think part of the reason is that many people don't understand that Jon didn't fire everybody . A lot of the older members left on their own or realized they wanted to do something else. Jon has worked so hard and made that band. He's built it from the ground up ? obviously Matt has been a big part of it as well ? but Jon has handled most of the business from merchandising to song writing. He has been the major driving force in every aspect, and some people didn't want to get involved. I think that maybe Jon may not have even wanted that at the time either, but that was the first thing we talked about was that he said that he actually wanted somebody to help. He said that he actually wanted help on the business end, and he wanted help from others making decisions. In the end though, Jon knows what Jon wants. He's a very determined person, and he definitely knows what he wants. If you don't want that same thing or you don't agree with it, you could very well be hitting the highway. Jon just works really hard, and you should expect to be paid in relation to how much work you put into it whether it's the next record or whatever. . . He's a good guy. I mean, he may be a little hard headed, but he has his beliefs, and that's part of what's good about him. I think that's why he's built this thing up to be as big as it is."

With regards to a possible solo album, Tim said, "I've got some friends that I'm working with, and I've written all the guitar parts and everything. We've been practicing some of the stuff together to try to get a feel for it. Then, it's off to the studio to make some demos and shop them around to some labels. Depending on how long I tour with ICED EARTH next year, I'd like to get the album out by 2004."

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Band profile:

Iced Earth