The following message by Glen Drover was posted in the Eidolon's official website:

"Hello all!!

Here is an update to let you know where we stand with the progress of recording the new Eidolon album "The Parallel Otherworld"

All that is left now are 2 bass tracks, my solos and Nils vocals, which we will have in our hands in about 3 weeks time.

This will also be the first time that we mix and Master the album in my studio, with the help of my great Pro Tools teacher, Tony Crea. Learning all these different things in Pro Tools is so cool, as it really opens the doors to many more possibilities in recording. through the process of doing this new album, right up to the completion, i will have really good handle on what i need to do for all the different stages of recording in the future!

anyway, my next post will be when the album is 100% complete!

till then, take care."

Source:	eidolon-nightmareworld.com
Band profile:	Eidolon

German band Mystic Prophecy is currently recording their upcoming album. They posted a few photos on their official website: go here to see them.

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Source:	mysticprophecy.com
Band profile:	Mystic Prophecy

The UK doom band featuring Ian Arkley (Seventh Angel, ex-Ashen Mortality, ex-Paramaecium) inked a deal with Bombworks Records. The band will enter in the studio on early November to record their debut album, which "will feature 6 or 7 brand new LONG songs plus the 2 tracks from the recent 2-song EP as bonus tracks." The album is expected to be ready sometime in early 2006.

Source:

blackplanet0.freeserve.co.uk & bombw...

SPV USA will be releasing SEPULTURA's "Live in São Paulo" CD and DVD on November 8. Recorded on April 3, 2005 in front of a rabid hometown crowd — 90 percent of which was reportedly decked out in SEPULTURA gear — the band played a "best of" setlist with tracks that go as far back as 1985's "Bestial Devastation" all the way to 2003's "Roorback".

"Live in São Paulo" will be released on CD and DVD as two separate packages. The complete track listing is as follows:

CD 1:

01. Intro
02. Apes of God
03. Slave New World
04. Propaganda
05. Attitude
06. Choke
07. Inner Self / Beneath the Remains
08. Escape to the Void
09. Mindwar
10. Troops of Doom (guest: ex-SEPULTURA guitarist Jairo Guedz)
11. Necromancer (guests: Jairo Guedz, KRISIUN's Alex Kolesne)

CD 2:

01. Sepulnation
02. Refuse/Resist
03. Territory
04. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos (guests: Zé Gonzáles, B-Negao)
05. Bullet the Blue Sky
06. Reza (guest: R.D.P.'s João Gordo)
07. Biotech Is Godzila (guest: João Gordo)
08. Arise / Dead Embryonic Cells
09. Come Back Alive
10. Roots Bloody Roots

DVD 1 - Live show at Olimpia in São Paulo, Brazil on April 3, 2005 (approximately 79 minutes):

01. Intro
02. Apes of God
03. Slave New World
04. Propaganda
05. Attitude
06. Choke
07. Inner Self / Beneath The Remains
08. Escape to the Void
09. Mindwar
10. Troops of Doom (guest: ex-SEPULTURA guitarist Jairo Guedz)
11. Necromancer (guests: Jairo Guedz, KRISIUN's Alex Kolesne)
12. Sepulnation
13. Refuse/Resist
14. Territory
15. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos (guests: Zé Gonzáles, B-Negao)
16. Bullet the Blue Sky
17. Reza (guest: R.D.P.'s João Gordo)
18. Biotech Is Godzila (guest: R.D.P.'s João Gordo)
19. Arise / Dead Embrionic Cells
20. Come Back Alive
21. Roots Bloody Roots

Bonus material:

- Making Of (11 minutes)

- Band Biography (18 minutes)

DVD 2:

Documentary

Videoclips:

* Mind War

* Bullet the blue Sky

* Choke

Live Songs:

* Nomad

* Desperate Cry

- Slideshow

- Credits

SEPULTURA's 11th full-length album, tentatively entitled "Dante XXI", is being recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil for an early 2006 release via SPV Records. The group had previously used Trama Studios to record the "Revolusongs" EP, which contained cover versions of songs from such acts as MASSIVE ATTACK to HELLHAMMER to JANE'S ADDICTION, and was included in the limited-edition digipack version of 2003's "Roorback".

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Source:	metal-realm.com
Band profile:	Sepultura

Re-united thrash metal band Defiance posted the following message on their official website:

"Pre-Production Demo Underway:

Defiance has just completed a pre-production demo!

We are very stoked about the new songs that we have written and put onto disk! Defiance is now hard at work to complete the four song EP that we have been envisioning for the last six months.

Stay tuned! New Defiance is on the way!!!"

Source:	defiance1.com
Band profile:	Defiance

The Ultimate Venom Box Set, MMV

Available November 8th Through Sanctuary Records

Many bands have seemingly made a deal with the devil to mark their place in the annals of heavy metal history, but Venom was perhaps the first to outwardly flaunt such a pact and easily among the most influential. With their 1981 debut album "Welcome To Hell" and the ominous chant of, "Evil?In league with Satan!," Venom declared war on the status quo, spit in the face of the very notion of common decency, and set the pace for what was to come in the world of extreme music. The British trio of alcohol-fueled, evil-minded wild men created a legacy unlike any other, coining the phrase "black metal" and influencing such juggernauts as Slayer and Metallica. Indeed, the very image of Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon, as well as the pentagrams and inverted crosses that adorned their album covers, helped bring an image and an attitude to heavy metal that is still poignant to this day. MMV is a long overdue, four disc testament to the legacy of Venom.

MMV is a trek into the past, featuring demos, outtakes, rarities, a radio interview and alternative versions of songs. Such impactful Venom classics as "Black Metal", "In League With Satan", "Live Like An Angel (Die Like A Devil)", "Welcome To Hell", "Bloodlust" and "Acid Queen" are all represented in fully re-mastered form. Also included is a full disc of material from the Assault album series. Re-mastered and assembled by Cronos himself, the four disc collection comes packaged in a 6"x12" box, emblazoned with Venom's distinct logo and baphomet design. The box set includes a 60 page booklet and collector's poster. MMV's release comes at a very appropriate time: 2005 marks the 25th anniversary of Venom's storied career. Any metal enthusiast should make room in their collection for this audio-history of a band that changed the face of metal forever.

For more information, visit:

Source:	sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
Band profile:	Venom

The band posted the following message on their official website:

"Things are coming together now and the songs are already now sounding great.
Last week the finishing touch on the bass were laid down by Magnus Westgaard (Nell's brother), our "rent-a-brilliant bassplayer". He went through the songs like knife through butter. One of the best sounding bass rig we've ever heard.

We started by recording the synths last week as well. This time we actually recorded the songs live, instead of programming lots of stuff. It sounds and feels much better with all the songs. On some songs we even got the chance to record some real grand-piano. Last Friday the boys (Lorentz, Rico, Børge & Vegard) went into Fagerborg Studio in Oslo to record on a Steinway & sons C4 grand piano.
Not used to the heavyweight keys Lorentz hammered his way through hell and back to get it right. After the molestation of the grand piano we all went back to the studio happy as hell. It sounds Fantastic!!! We're going to put up some video clips of it. Just hang around this space for more info.

As most of the songs has strings as a major part of the sound, we brought in Sareeta from Ram-Zet (whom we befriended on the "Assembly" tour 2002) to play some violin for us. She just received a new electrical violin which she used for these recordings. A pure evil specimen, with the beautiful name Thea. You can see it in the picture section.

Right now Frank and Vegard are in the studio electrifying the songs with a wall of guitar sound!. Just to make sure the sound is going to be killer, we amped them up with Engl, Mesa Boogies and Marshalls to play their Gibson Gothic guitars through. IT SOUNDS HEAVY AS F**K!"

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Source:	theatreoftragedy.com
Band profile:	Theatre Of Tragedy

Incantation frontman John McEntee has posted the following message on the band's official website:

"We have just returned from Europe and the Harvest Festival's with Nile, Unleashed, Pungent Stench, Behemoth and Belphegor. The Festival tour was a great success, the shows were some of the best we have ever done in Europe. All the bands and crew did a fantastic job every night, it was a great experience for us. We want to thank Metallysee, World management, Listenable and everyone else involved that made the tour a great experience. Also many hails go out to all the metal heads that came out and showed their support every night!!!"

Incantation recorded a live show in Paris for possible future bonus material. They will also start working on a new album to be recorded in Spring 2006.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Incantation

Following message was posted in band's website by vocalist Hansi Kürsch:

Hello my friends,

although time keeps on ticking quickly, things go very well in the Guardian camp. To be more precise: we are still on schedule and even though everyone is totally busy and concentrated the atmosphere is very lifely and still relaxed to a certain extend:-) The material for the single will be accomplished at the end of November. To make that happen this particular stuff will get most of our attention for the next 4 weeks. Everyone is already involved in the recording process and we are really excited about the album ΄s progression. It is too early to say when we will be finished exactly, but I would say a worldwide release in the first half of 2006 is very realistic. Things look (sound - as well) very promising. At the moment we are also getting deeper into details such as album title, cover, etc... So, we are about to scratch the most important phase of the recording session and we do not intend to leave you out ... Please, let us work on it a little longer, so we can fix things technically. You will be provided with footage, that is for sure.

Cheers,
Hansi

Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

As seen on the official website:

Freedom Call future (written by Daniel - 09/30/2005)
Hi everybody out there,

as you all might know by now- Ilker has left Freedom Call too. You can read his statement under the rubric "News" . We respect his descision and wish him all the best for the future.
Freedom Call will definitely go on. The interest in FC is very high and we got some interesting offers.
The first auditions will be on October 25/26th.

We will inform you about latest news!
Cheerz Daniel

Official statement from Ilker (written by Ilker Ersin - 09/15/2005)
Hi Freedom Callers.

I'm sorry that I have to tell you now that I am no longer Freedom Call's bass player.

I very much enjoyed the past years with the band, and especially the time with you, but it is time for me to follow a different path now - as some of you noticed, I'm currently getting my own band going.

As Cede already said, the last years were pure Rock'n'Roll, and not just an adventure holiday!

My exit has nothing to do with Cede leaving the band, it is a purely personal decision.

Believe me, it was hard for me to inform Daniel, Chris and Nils about my decision just now, but I have to listen to my heart and act accordingly.

As Freedom Call don't have any concerts planned right now, and Daniel is on the road with Gamma Ray, there should be plenty of time for the band to find adequate replacements for me and Cede (as long as they don't have longer hair than we do :-) ).

From counless talks with the others, I know that they respect - and above all understand - my decisision, and we part in friendship.

I wish Freedom Call all the best for the future, CHEEEEEERRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ilker

Read more ››

Source:	freedom-call.net (Thanks lyzardos!)
Band profile:	Freedom Call

Israeli metal outfit ORPHANED LAND have issued an update following their trip to the ProgPower festival in Atlanta, Georgia, where they shared stage with such renowned acts like ANGRA, CONCEPTION, PINK CREAM 69, STRATOVARIUS, SYMPHORCE, THERION and others.

Considering that the festival was sold out in three days, it is not surprising that ORPHANED LAND vocalist Kobi Farhi's feedback on the band's recent touring season is very positive:

"Hello all orphans in Germany and Italy!! We just came back from ProgPower USA where we played two shows. It was our debut show in the USA and we played an unplugged set at the pre-party (we all wore white outfits) and the day after we plugged our guitars and made some oriental Middle-Eastern NOISE! After 43 shows in 22 countries, after we destroyed Summer Breze and ProgPower festivals we are ready to bring you the first European HEADLINER shows!!!"

Band profile:

Orphaned Land

Long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED have amicably parted ways with guitarist Ulf Cederlund. The band's official statement on the matter reads as follows: "We want to inform everyone that Uffe Cederlund is no longer in the band and that the split is definite and amicable. We wish him all the best!" ENTOMBED will continue as a four-piece and are currently finishing up the "Inferno" tour. The band will shortly start work on their new studio album, which is tentatively expected in in early 2006 via Threeman Recordings. Previously announced songtitles, "The Fiery Father", "I Need Hell", "Radarslave" and "Burn the Flag", had come from Uffe and are unlikely to be included on the upcoming album.

ENTOMBED's last studio CD, "Inferno", received its long-awaited U.S. release in August 2004 through Candlelight Records. The special U.S. edition of "Inferno" included a bonus disc, "Averno", featuring two previously unreleased songs from the "Inferno" sessions as well as the song "When Humanity's Gone" that was previously released on the "Inferno" vinyl. In addition, "Averno" includes the promo videos for "Retaliation" and "Albino Flogged In Black". The band's most recent release was "Unreal Estate", a special live recording of the band's now infamous sold-out performance at Stockholm's Royal Opera Hall on March 1, 2002.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Entombed

September 2nd, 2005

EUROPEAN CANCELATION
It is with much sadness, and genuine regret, that we, NOVEMBERS DOOM, must announce a cancelation for our upcoming European performances this October. While making our final arrangements for travel, we have encountered many logistic and legal setbacks, including (but not limited to) crossing European borders with the proper paperwork and permits in time to allow us entry to perform the scheduled dates. Other business related issues have come to our attention as well, making this trip difficult, and not as cost effective as originally planned. We felt it was ideal to make the decision now, and work towards a proper tour in 2006, than cancel this trip at the last moment, and disappoint anyone that would come to see us perform. We regret not being able to appear at the ProgPower Festival in the Netherlands on October 1st, The Dutch Day of Doom IV on October 2nd, and the several shows booked in the UK for that week. We strongly apologize to the organizers of these shows, as well to the fans, and we do promise you, we are doing everything in our means to reschedule these dates, and perform in Europe for you in 2006.

Novembers Doom will however complete our obligations to perform at the Day of the Equinox festival in Toronto Canada, on October 14th, 2005.

We appreciate all your understanding, and continued support, and to those who will be disappointed in this, we promise to make it up to you very soon.

NOVEMBERS DOOM

Source:	novembersdoom.com
Band profile:	Novembers Doom

Riverside would like to inform you that the worldwide premiere of "Second Life Syndrome" has been scheduled for the 31st of October 2005. The album will be released on Inside Out label worldwide and on Mystic Production in Poland. Both releases will have the same graphic layout designed by Travis Smith. Also, they hope you'll be pleased to hear that there are going to be 9 tracks on "SLS" and not 8, as announced before:

Riverside "Second Life Syndrome"

1. After
2. Volte-Face
3. Conceiving You
4. Second Life Syndrome
5. Artificial Smile
6. I Turned You Down
7. Reality Dream III
8. Dance With The Shadow
9. Before

They have also planned a few gigs for the autumn:
24-25.09.2005 PROGRESISTE CONVENTION - Spirit Of 66, Verviers, Belgium
13.10.2005 Bluescafe, Apeldoorn, Holland
14.10.2005 P60, Amstelveen, Holland
15.10.2005 PROG NOSE FESTIVAL
19.11.2005 ECLIPSED FESTIVAL - Aschaffenburger Colos-Saal, Germany

Source:

riverside.art.pl

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights Release Date - Sep 26th 2005.

Mighty Doom icons CATHEDRAL from Coventry, England for sure are one of the most unique and unpredictable acts around. These legendary merchants of slow-motion sound could care less about redundant genre restrictions and have so far incorporated everything from Doom, Psych, Folk up to Funk in their works. With their eighth album ?The Garden Of Unearthly Delights" CATHEDRAL have achieved much more than simply living up to that reputation - the guys created timeless songs that couldn't be farther away from standardisation, stagnation and convention.

Produced by Warren Ryker (DOWN, CROWBAR), ?The Garden Of Unearthly Delights" is probably the most varied effort of the band so far. While a song like 'North Berwick Witch Trials' will bring back memories of such immortal riffs'n'groove as in 'Hopkins' or 'Ride', 'Tree Of Life And Death' simply tears everything to pieces with its ultra-heavy guitar sound and fierce vocals courtesy of Lee Dorrian. The centerpiece of it all certainly is the 27-minute-long mammoth epos 'The Garden' that almost bursts with such a wealth of ideas and changes in atmosphere that other bands probably couldn't come up with on a whole album. Using every stylistic device from female vocals up to violins and embedding it all in that typical CATHEDRAL brand of Doom, ?The Garden Of Unearthly Delights" is a treat for every fan of the band, old and new alike.

(Taken from Nuclear Blast Press Release).

Cathedral upcoming dates.

Friday 2nd September

Barfly

260 Clyde Street,

Glasgow

Ticket hotline remains 0870 333 1123

Over 14's

Doors 7pm

Support from Man Of The Hour?

Saturday 3rd September

Bloodstock Festival

The assembly rooms, Derby.

Tickets & Info - http://www.bloodstock.uk.com

More dates & extensive tour schedule to be annonced soon.

Source:	cathedralcoven.com
Band profile:	Cathedral