Dark Embrace mainman Oscar Asunder has posted the following update regarding the band's current situation:

"The next November, the band will make 100 months rockin'. We've gone through good and bad times (sadly more bad times than good ones).

There are some good memories in the band. We've played some good concerts sharing stage with great bands such as Sepultura, Amon Amarth, Destruction, Watain, Agathodaimon and many others. We've recorded an album with Andy Classen in the Stage One Studio. Even we've got a nice video-clip. But all these things are just a few if you compare'em with all the effort and hard work there are behind Dark Embrace.

We've been fighting for a band with a tremendous difficulty to find permanent members. I've got a list with 32 ex-members (12 drummers, 4 keyboard players, 14 guitar players and 2 bass players). Most of you would think this band is some kind of dictatorship but it isn't. The reasons to leave this band are always more or less similar: girlfriends (!), lack of time for rehearsing, and afraid to go on tour or to record an album/demo. These three reasons are our enemies.

We've had the chance of making good tours with really big bands but everytime we wanted to go on tour, a band member left the band because suddenly he didn't want to go on tour or to play in such festival, etc... Every time something good comes, shit happens....

We've been looking for a label interested to release our album in a physical format (we had a digital edition with our label, but it will end in some days and the rights of the album are ours again). This album is not a master piece but I think it's an album which deserves to be listened by a good amount of metal fans, for sure they will enjoy it a lot.

It's strange but we sold out all our t-shirts and if you travel to some European metal festival, you will find someone dressing one of these t-shirts. We've got a lot of people interested in the band (you can take a look to our MySpace commentaries or to the big amount of friend requests we've got everyday). In spite of it, the album is not released yet (it was recorded in August 2005).

At this moment, it's a point where we have to ask ourselves what we want to do with the band. We're old enough to choose our life and how we want to spend our time.

We're working hard composing new songs, trying to find new members and trying to find a label to release our album. But it seems that all this work is in vain. So we've had to put a deadline.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dark Embrace

Testament have recruited guitarist Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth, King Diamond) to fill in for Alex Skolnick on their upcoming Mexican tour dates with Judas Priest.

Due to Alex's prior commitment to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the band sought out Glen Drover to fill in. The band rehearsed together all week and sounds sharper than ever!

Glen Drover says, "I am really looking forward to playing these four upcoming shows in Mexico with my buddies in Testament, along with Judas Priest. We are totally going to crush!"

Guitarist Alex Skolnick commented on his (temporary) replacement: "I regret that I'll be unable to perform at Testament's upcoming shows in Mexico this month. As many know, I've been touring with Trans-Siberian Orchestra since 2000, and it's been a blessing to be a part of both projects since reuniting with Testament in '05. I respect the Testament guys' decision to accept some gigs during this period, and I'm super happy to have Glen Drover filling in for me. I recommended him personally, respect his playing and know he'll do a great job. I apologize to any Testament fans for not being able to make it this time around but we have a lot of shows lined up in 2009 so far, all of which I'm on. Thanks for understanding, and I look forward to seeing everyone all over the world with Testament in 2009!"

Eric Peterson (guitarist) commented: "I've known Glen since he played with King Diamond, and if anyone can jump in, Glen can. Plus, Alex is happy with our choice."

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Testament

Texas-based mythological occult metal outfit Absu have announced the addition of bassist/co-vocalist Ezezu (ex-Panzram) to the group's ranks. This is the first time the band is experiencing a permanent quartet-type line up since the band's debut album "Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L".

Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor says of the latest addition, "We are very proud to welcome Ezezu as the newest member of Absu. He was the missing element we have been searching for and definitely fits in the group. We are delighted to convey our next chapter of mythological occult metal with him."

Absu has just completed the recording of their latest album, "Absu" to be released in the beginning of 2009 on Candlelight Records. The album was more or less engineered by the band, mixed by none other than J.T. Longoria at Nomad Recording Studio (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus, etc.) and will be mastered by Proscriptor at his studio Tarot Productions.

Guest musicians on the album include the following:

Ashmedi (Melechesh)
Blasphemer (ex-Mayhem/Ava Inferi)
Equitant (ex-Absu/Equitant)
David Harbour (ex-King Diamond/David Harbour)
Michael Harris (Darkology/Michael Harris)
Mindwalker (The Firstborn)
Nornagest (Enthroned)
Vorskaath (Zemial)

"Absu" cover] projected tracklisting:

01. Between The Absu Of Eridu & Erech
02. Night Fire Canonization
03. Amy
04. Nunbarshegunu
05. 13 Globes
06. ?Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits?
a) Diversified Signs Inscribed
b) Our Earth Of Black
c) Voor
07. Magic(k) Square Cipher
08. In The Name Of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee
09. Girra's Temple
10. Those Of The Void Will Re-Enter
11. Sceptre Command
12. Ye Uttuku Spells
13. Twix Yesterday, The Day & The Morrow

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Source:	thegauntlet.com
Band profile:	Absu

According to Blabbermouth, Rob Zombie has reportedly set "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" as the title of the much-anticipated White Zombie four-CD/one-DVD box set, which is due for release on November 25. According to Zombie, "All I can say is boy the early shit is whacked. I haven't heard some of these songs in over twenty years. I don't know what the hell we were thinking. Everything is included on this set. Over four-and-a-half hours of music plus tons of never-before-seen videos. Five discs in all."

"Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" tracklisting:

01. Gentleman Junkie
02. King Of Souls
03. Tales From the Scarecrowman
04. Cat's Eye Resurrection
05. Pig Heaven
06. Slaughter The Grey
07. Eighty-Eight/Fast Jungle
08. Gun Crazy
09. Kick
10. Memphis
11. Magdelene
12. True Crime
13. Ratmouth
14. Shack of Hate
15. Drowning the Colossus
16. Crow II
17. Die Zombie Die
18. Skin
19. Truck On Fire
20. Future Shock
21. Scumkill
22. Diamond Ass
23. Demonspeed
24. Disaster Blaster
25. Murderworld
26. Revenge
27. Acid Flesh
28. Power Hungry
29. Godslayer
30. God Of Thunder
31. Love Razor
32. Disaster Blaster 2
33. Welcome to Planet MF
34. Knuckle Duster
35. Thunder Kiss
36. Black Sunshine
37. Soul-Crusher
38. Cosmic Monster
39. Spiderbaby
40. I Am Legend
41. Knuckle Duster 2
42. Thrust
43. One Big Crunch
44. Grindhouse
45. Starface
46. Warp Asylum
47. I Am Hell
48. Children Of The Grave
49. Feed The Gods
50. Electric Head Pt. 1
51. Super Charger Heaven
52. Real Solution 9
53. Creature Of The Wheel
54. Electric Head Pt. 2
55. Grease Paint And Monkey Brains
56. I Zombie
57. More Human Than Human
58. El Phantasmo
59. Blur The Technicolor
60. Blood Milk Sky
61. The One
62. I'm Your Boogieman
63. Ratfinks, Suicide Tanks and Cannibal Girls

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	White Zombie

Doom Shall Rise festival will continue after a year off with the sixth edition. On April 17th and 18th 2009 the Chapel in Göppingen (near Stuttgart, Germany) will be the place to be for all things DOOM!

Confirmed so far:

Black Shape Of Nexus
Lord Vicar
Omega Massif
Pagan Altar
Reino Ermitaño
The Lamp Of Thoth
Tortured Spirit
Warning
Wino

More bands will follow.

Ticket presales will start on the 1st of January at 8 PM CET on the Doom Shall Rise website.

Read more ››

Band profile:	Warning
Event:	Doom Shall Rise VI

Wizard are ready for the next CD production. Here is some information about the new album "Thor".

The production will be done by Andy Horn. Achim Köhler will be arranging the sound. While the artwork is drawn by Anthony Clarkson, the photographer will be Jochen van Eden, who is known from his other work for the band.

The following songs will be featured on the new album, which doens't have any official release date yet:

Midgards Guardian
Asgard
Utgard (Part I & II)
The visitor
Stolen Hammer
Pounding in the night
What would you do?
Lightning
Serpents venom
Ressurection

Source:	legion-of-doom.de
Band profile:	Wizard

Novembers Doom have issued the following statement on their MySpace blog:

"Due to reasons both personal and musical, we regret to announce the departure of drummer Joe Nunez. Joe was an integral part of Novembers Doom for nearly ten years, and while his presence and camaraderie will be missed, unfortunately the time had come to part ways. We wish Joe all the best with whatever personal and musical endeavors he pursues in the future.

We are however pleased to announce that we have already secured a new drummer to fill the vacant drum throne. Returning to the band is Sasha Horn, who last recorded with Novembers Doom on the sophomore release, "Of Sculptured Ivy And Stone Flowers." Sasha's drumming style fits into the new material perfectly, and with this addition, comes a new dynamic and a step forward in musical progression.

The writing process for our seventh release is well under way, and we will enter the studio in early 2009, for a summer release. The musical direction is a return to the darker feeling of "The Pale Haunt Departure" while maintaining the aggression from "The Novella Reservoir" with many new surprises to keep things interesting. The cover art is complete, and we'll unveil it as well as the CD title soon enough."

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Novembers Doom

As announced, Lamb Of God are supporting Metallica on some N. American dates. However, a few days ago, Metallica have posted the following report about their tour: "As you may have heard, the owners of the Los Angeles Forum have a little issue with our friends from Lamb Of God, so unfortunately they will not be joining us for the two shows at The Forum on December 17 and 18. That's the bad news... the good news is that our bros in Machine Head are rushing back to the States from Europe to step in on those two nights. And of course no show would be complete without The Sword kicking things off, so they'll be there too."

In 2005, Lamb Of God were famously banned from playing The Forum venue, owned by The Faithful Central Bible Church, because church leaders were offended by the group's previous name "Burn The Priest"... and it seems they still are!

In an April 2005 interview with U-Daily Bulletin, Lamb Of God guitarist Willie Adler stated about the Forum ban: "It is a bit of a letdown, especially since, if they (the church) had done any kind of proper research about us, they would have found that we are no way evil or satanic. It was just a name, that's all. They really had no idea who we are, and I kind of laughed at their closed-mindedness. And taking the good with the bad, by raising such a fuss, they probably turned a lot more people on to us because of it. (...) The really funny thing is, Obituary us Slipknot-headlined show on April 9, 2005 at the Forum], and their music is probably far more evil than their namesake would imply."

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in a February 2005 interview, Marc Little, chief operating officer for The Faithful Central Bible Church's business dealings, stated about the church's decision to cancel the Lamb Of God concert: "This is a building that is owned by a church, and we are sensitive to our congregation and to our obvious religious beliefs. At the same time, we have to balance that with being a business. This is a band that was formerly known as Burn The Priest, so it's a fair assumption that some of the stuff they are singing may be antithetical to our beliefs."

Read more ››

Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Lamb Of God

Waylander have posted the following message on their Myspace page:

"First of all, we are pleased to announce the return of Gareth Murdock on Guitars. We are back to a 6-piece once again and his first show back with us will be in Swansea in October.

We will be embarking on a 3-night UK Tour in a few weeks time with Annwn, Siluria and Ravenage. The venues and dates are as follows:

23rd October - The Milkwood Jam, Swansea (Wales)
24th October - The Porter Butt, Bath (England)
25th October - The Unicorn, London (England) FREE GIG

Also before the end of the year we will be appearing in France for the first time on the 20th December at the Cernunnos Pagan Fest 3 flyer] in the La Loco Club in Paris. Other bands to appear on the bill will be Obtest, Melechesh and many more.

A month later on the 24th January we are returning to Germany for the Winternoise Festival in the N8 Club in Osnabrück. Other bands to appear on the bill are Moonsorrow, Thyrfing, The Vision Bleak and many more.

Keep tuned as there will be more gig and festival dates appearing in the upcoming weeks."

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Waylander

Novembers Doom have posted the following explanation regarding their cancellation of the North American tour with Rotting Christ:

"It is with much regret that we must announce our departure from the Rotting Christ tour in January, 2009. A serious medical issue arose with a member of the band, making us unable to tour during that time. While this unfortunately prevents us from participating in the tour, thankfully it has come to light now rather than at the last minute, leaving 3 months time for the promoter to find a suitable replacement for us. We wish the very best for Rotting Christ, and Epicurean, and hope their tour has great success!

Our apologies to our fans who were looking forward to seeing us. This is our greatest regret, and we assure you, we'll do our best to play for you later in 2009."

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Novembers Doom
Event:	Rotting Christ: Lucifer Over America Tour

Red Harvest have posted the following update:

"Time to break the silence and let you know what has been going on and also tell you a bit about what we are up to.

Good news first: We needed a break this spring, but we are back with charged batteries now. We are working hard on our new album (been doing it for some time already), and we have a great flow. The atmosphere within the band is very good and we have already loads of fucked up stuff rehearsed and recorded. Hopefully we are able to keep this speed and get our new album out during spring next year, maybe earlier. We have great plans for it!

About redharvestplanet.com.: This site was run by our good friend and supporter Colin. Unfortunately he realized he did not have the time to maintain it and update it anymore, and decided to shut it down. Sad but true. Thanx for all help and support Colin! From now on http://www.myspace.com/redharvestplanet is the place to check for news/updates and stuff.

Merch: It is true, we have a deal about merchandise with Razamataz. But since we have not played many gigs/tours/festivals the last months, they haven't made any hoods/T-shirts and stuff. This leads to my next point...

Gigs/tours/festivals: Frankly spoken we have not gotten many any serious offers lately. If the offers are so cheap we can not afford to bring our sound guy, our light guy and our visualizer, we are not playing. Simple as that. We are not greedy! We do not mind that we (the five guys in the band) are not earning any money. But we reserve the right to be able to pay our crew and give our fans what they have paid to see and hear. I know that this sounds harsh, but this is the way it has to be.

Thanx to all of you supporting us and writing us during these "off-months". Will keep you posted with news, pictures, clips and stuff more often from now on."

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Red Harvest

Due to a recent addition to his family, Dimmu Borgir guitarist Galder will not be able to join the upcoming North American trek on Danzig's "Blackest Of The Black Tour.

States Dimmu Borgir guitarist Silenoz: "We have some new, temporary personnel on this tour. We needed an experienced live guitarist and found him in an old friend of mine and Galder: Cyrus of Susperia. We're happy he can step in and don't plan on giving him a hard time on the road."

Drumming duties on the "Blackest Of The Black Tour" will be handled by Daray (ex-Vader). According to Silenoz, "fans can perhaps expect a few surprises when it comes to the set list."

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dimmu Borgir
Event:	Blackest Of The Black Tour

25-09-2008

Last weekend we recorded the drums for our upcomming fourth studio album.

Production of the new album will be, like with the My new time album, supervised by Arno Krabman, Jochem Jacobs and Bouke Visser of the Graveland Studio and the SplitSecondSound studio, respectively.

We are already very excited about the drum recordings and can't wait to record the bass, guitars, synths and vocals.

More news about the recordings, the contents of the new album and the release of the album will follow soon!

Source:	autumn-band.com
Band profile:	Autumn

Celesty have finished the recordings of their fourth studio album. The mixing of the album will begin in November/December after the renovation of the studio is finished. Meanwhile the band is furiously rehearsing the new material for their upcoming live shows.

"The recordings were completed without any major problems and we're happy to announce the new album will sound extremely massive and bombastic! The mixing process will be a serious challenge for Samu Oittinen of Fantom Studio since the songs have so many tracks - in fact, we're getting close to the Finnish record of amount of tracks on an album!", says Jere Luokkamäki, the drummer of Celesty.

The new album will feature eleven tracks and over sixty minutes of music.

Track listing:

01. Intro
02. Euphoric Dream
03. Greed
04. Like Warriors
05. Autumn Leaves
06. Feared By Dawn
07. Lord (Of This Kingdom)
08. New Sin
09. Dark Emotions
10. Fading Away
11. Legacy Of Hate Pt. 3
1 - Candlelight
2 - Shadow Land
3 - Chaos And Destruction (instrumental)
4 - Feelings

The longplayer will also feature guest musicians such as Stephan Lill (Vanden Plas) and Elias Viljanen (Sonata Arctica). Furthermore, one will encounter familiar backing vocalists plus Suvi-Tuuli Dietrich (Escape), the lady with a magical voice, is contributing female vocals.

The cover art is almost finished and the name of the album will be revealed later. The new website is currently under construction and it will be opened before the end of this year.

"This is without doubt our best album! We're eagerly waiting to get it released, and after the release we're touring Finland the whole spring.", explains Luokkamäki.

Some of the shows have already been confirmed and the complete set of tourdates will follow on Celesty's website in the near future

Read more ››

Source:	celesty.net
Band profile:	Celesty

Sirenia have issued the following short update:

"The new album is now completed, we just received the finished mastered product from Antfarm Studios. And we have to admit we are mighty proud of the result. Expect a release in February next year, we will keep you updated on the release-dates etc. Next thing coming up now is photosessions with photographer Emile M. E. Ashley, while the cover artwork will be done by Jan Yrlund. Stay tuned!"

Source:	mortenveland.com
Band profile:	Sirenia