WITCHERY Sign Worldwide Deal With Century Media Records; New Album Set For A Late March Release
12.12.2005

Sweden's WITCHERY have returned from the dead after a two year hiatus to sign a worldwide deal with Century Media Records and deliver their highly-anticipated fourth full-length offering Don't Fear The Reaper, which is set for a late March release.

Led by Jensen (The Haunted), Richard Corpse, Toxine and Mique, WITCHERY's spell was cast upon our earthly existence back in 1997. Before recording their debut album, Restless And Dead, Jensen recruited Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy, ex-Mercyful Fate) and got him on board for the unholy alliance. Subsequently, the band released the Witchburner EP (feat. cover songs by Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, W.A.S.P. and Accept). Their second full-length album, Dead, Hot And Ready, stirred up a strong buzz in the underground metal scene, helping the band tour the U.S. and Europe.

In 2001, the group delivered Symphony For The Devil, their first album staring drummer Martin Axenrot (Bloodbath, Opeth), which quickly solidified them as one of the genre's best. Jensen's touring commitments with The Haunted forced WITCHERY into hibernation for some time, but the band finally recorded their new masterpiece Don't Fear The Reaper at Berno Studios in the Fall of 2004. The album was mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Mnemic) and features the band's catchiest, yet most savage material to date.

Jensen (guitars) further describes his excitement over their new deal: "Finally, I'll say it again...finally, WITCHERY has signed a new deal. This time with Century Media. I'm really glad that we will be handled by the same team that has done such a great job for our other bands - The Haunted and Arch Enemy. Our new album, Don't Fear The Reaper, has been recorded, mixed and mastered since October 2004, so it feels really great to be able to say to all the WITCHERY fans I've met over the past years that the album will definitely be out early next year! A new website will be up and running soon too, so keep an eye out for that. There will be touring and major festivals appearances coming up next year, as well. See you all out there soon."

Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Witchery

Fan update - December 11.2005

The band feels it is about time to reveal some more details regarding the upcoming album.

It looks like it will be recorded in March, and they are happy to announce that it will be produced by Waldemar Sorychta.

For this last week they have been working together with him on the pre-production in their studio. The collaboration seems to work perfect, and they are now confident that he will be the perfect producer for them in order to achieve the best possible result.

As Waldemar Sorychta has produced some of their favorite metal albums (Ceremony of Opposites, Wolfheart, Wildhoney), they already knew that he was a brilliant producer. It was a huge relief to find that they also are working very well together. In the end, it was exactly what they were hoping for.

Tristania is confident that next year's album will be a great one. The songs that are ready are really strong, and with Waldemar's skills added , everyone involved are sure it will be a killer.
Tristania.

Source:	tristania.com
Band profile:	Tristania

Work on the long awaited sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is finally complete. Exact release date through Nuclear Blast is at the time of this writing unknown. Keep checking the "Latest" box for news on the release date.
The album title and full tracklisting is as follows:

The Chthonic Chronicles

1) The Sixth Adulation Of His Chthonic Majesty
2) Invocations Beyond The Outer-World Night
3) Six Score And Ten Oblations To A Malefic Avatar
4) The Obsidian Crown Unbound
5) The Fallen Kingdoms Of The Abyssal Plain
6) Shackled To The Trilithon Of Kutulu
7) The Hammer Of The Emperor
8) Unfettering The Hoary Sentinels Of Karnak
9) To Storm The Cyclopean Gates Of Byzantium
10) Arcana Antediluvia
11) Beneath The Crimson Vaults Of Cydonia
12) Return To Hatheg-Kla

Band profile:

Bal-Sagoth

After the band's vocalist Johanna DePierre left in July of this year, Amaran desperately tried to find a new singer. The band has given up the search now and posted the following statement on the official website.

"Dear all,

This year comes to an end and we are sad to say that Amaran does the same. Since Johanna left us in July we have really been struggling looking for a replacement. We have tried by contacts, friends, ads, headhunting, hostile kidnapping and threat without any success. Our bad luck always seems to keep up with us.
This issue has simply unplugged our tub of motivation, and we all decided to put Amaran six feet under. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in any way with us during these Amaran years. As a final word, we suggest you to keep your eyes open during the forthcoming year. A new year seems to be a good time to start up something new...

A final farewell from Amaran"

Source:	amaran.net
Band profile:	Amaran

Friday, December 23, 2005:

MERRY METAL XMAS!

Siebenbürgen would like to wish all of you a very black holiday!

Here is a little vile gift for you all to choke on!

Hope it is to your liking.....

http://www.siebenburgen.net/covers/black_christmas_2005.zip

DON'T FORGET TO SIN FOR GODS SAKE!

Bitter wishes
Siebenbürgen
Marcus, Nille, Richard, Anders, Erika

the cover songs are of:
1)Motley Crue - Red Hot
2)Accept - Princess Of The Dawn

Source:	siebenburgen.net
Band profile:	Siebenbürgen

Rotting Christ have announced two live shows in the city of Larissa, Greece which will be recorded and included in their first live release. The pioneers of the Greek metal scene will give two special two hour shows which will present songs from the whole of their catalog. These live shows held on February 3 and 4 at Blive Music House in Larissa, will be the only ones worldwide which will be recorded. With this live album Rotting Christ will celebrate their 18 years in the metal scene and fans from around the world are expected to attend.

Source:	metalzone.gr
Band profile:	Rotting Christ

The final line-up for next year's Maryland Deathfest, which will take place May 27th and 28th @ the Sonar in Baltimore, has been revealed:

Dismember - Sweden
Vital Remains - Rhode Island
Haemorrhage - Spain
Pungent Stench - Austria
Necrophagist - Germany
Demilich - Finland
Unholy Grave - Japan
Machetazo - Spain
Butcher Abc - Japan
Disfear - Sweden
Severe Torture - Netherlands
Anata - Sweden
Sanitys Dawn - Germany
Rompeprop - Netherlands
Cliteater - Netherlands
Skinless - New York
Gorgasm - Illinois
Embalmer - Ohio
Yacoepsae - Germany
Wtn - Singapore
Engorged - Oregon
Burnt By The Sun - New Jersey
Municipal Waste - Virginia
Cenotaph - Turkey
Mucupurulent - Germany
Total Fucking Destruction - Pesnnsylvania
Mesrine - Canada
Catheter - Colorado
Beneath The Massacre - Canada
Electro Quarterstaff - Canada
Quills - Maryland
Embryonic Cryptopathia - Massachusetts

Tickets will go on sale January 5th. More information on the festival can be found in the following link:
http://www.supremebrutality.com/

Side-Note: this fest seems to be a little less mainstream than the previous shows, but this time the bands are way more brutal and the main genre is Goregrind, be prepared for a really sickening experience, so the lucky ones who are able to assist, do not hesitate.

Source:

smnnews.com

15.12.2005

Hello everyone, it's good to be back. Check out some new pics of ours and download our new song "One Day To Live" following the MP3 link. Feel free to contact us sharing some of your thoughts or just leave a comment in our guestbook. Oh! Do NOT use the address info@onthornsilay.com to send us mail. It doesn't work anymore... You can use onthorns@gmail.com instead.

Take care,
OTIL

Source:	onthornsilay.com
Band profile:	On Thorns I Lay

Last Monday, December 20th, 2002, the Platinum Album ceremony has taken place at Hard Rock Cafe in Plaza de Colón (Madrid). It was given to the Heavy Folk Metal band Mägo De Oz for the massive and outrageous sales of their last album, Gaia II: La Voz Dormida.

Press, radio and television aside, some important people went to the act like Minister of Culture Mrs Carmen Calvo, who clearly spoke an open eulogy of Rock as a cultural expression and culture itself and showed Mägo De Oz as the most important Spanish Rock band in Spanish language in the last years. Furthermore, she did not only treat them as champions of our music but also as champions of freedom of speech and human values, which they show in their lyrics, congratulating them in the name of the Spanish Government. In addition, she claimed equality of opportunity and attention towards Rock, comparing this style with Classical, Pop and other music styles and calling it crystal clearly "The great Classical of the 20th century". We hope the spokesmen of the press and music labels who attended the act will take the hint about the Minister's words.

Finally, Mrs Calvo acknowledged herself as a metalhead and follower of Mägo De Oz's career and confessed herself worried about the awful consequences of actual piracy. Next, the band gave her a violin they all signed as a present, and Mr Claudio Prieto, well-known Classical composer and Mohamed's father, spoke some emotive words. Mr Carlos Tibu Vázquez, band manager, opened the act with a short introduction and closed it presenting some exclusive images of the new scenery the band will use in their next tour.

The band with the Minister of Culture, Mrs Carmen Calvo:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino01.jpg
The band giving the violin to the Minister:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino02.jpg
The whole band, posing for the media:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino03.jpg

Translation from http://www.magodeoz.com
Thanks to Taktsekte

Read more ››

Band profile:

Mägo De Oz

Well mark your calendars boys and girls, as Dream Theater history will once again be made on....

SATURDAY APRIL 1st 2006 "A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH DREAM THEATER" at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL in NEW YORK CITY.

Celebrating the very last show of their 20th Anniversary Tour 2005/2006, this very special Grand Finale will be recorded and filmed for an upcoming 20th Anniversary DVD & CD release.

Tickets will go on sale for the general public via Ticketmaster on Thursday, December 22nd, 2005.

Source:	Dream Theater newsletter
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Hello. We've finished the recordings of our brand new EP about a week ago. I have to say that even though it has been a hellish and really disordered few weeks in Astia we came up for five brisk hard rocking songs! The mixing should start today at Finnvox. The name will be "Bedlam", you'll understand when you'll hear it... Anyways, we'll show you the cover art and pictures from the studio later when they are ready. Cheers and have a good Christmas!

Source:	twilightning.net
Band profile:	Twilightning

Hreidmarr quits Anorexia Nervosa, here is the translation of his statement :

To make it simple: I have decided to part ways with the band.

Leaving Anorexia Nervosa was definitely not the easiest thing to do as we've shared so much during our time together as this band had become a vivid part of my daily life. For seven years, the band has been giving me so many opportunities on a musical and human level and has heavily contributed to become the person I'm today.

Still, I honestly thought I had reached the end of a personal era with the album 'Redemption Process' and I now feel the need to take a different path. I'm also absolutely proud of what I have been able to achieve with the rest of the band members who will always remain my best friends and I wish them the very best for the future.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA is already looking for a new singer and the ones who are interested and motivated can send a demo to =]

- Anorexia Nervosa, BP 1064, 87051 Limoges Cedex France.

Or send an email (don't send MP3 please) to get some more infomations @: editions.hurlantes@wanadoo.fr

Source:	Listenable Records
Band profile:	Anorexia Nervosa

Black Lotus Records is proud to announce the signing of Mark Zonder's new band TempleWithin. After departing from FATES WARNING, along with the talents of Wayne Findlay (MSG) and Gregory Analla (Seventh Sign and Tribe of Gypsies) the legendary drummer of WARLORD, has formed a brilliant modern heavy rock act. "I am very proud of my work for the past 14 years with Fates Warning?" Mark said in a recent interview, and continues: "however, this is something very different, the new TempleWithin album will speak for itself and have its own identity."

Indeed, the demo tracks reveal a powerful band of strong musicianship with tasteful melodic songs. We just can't wait to listen to the final outcome! The album (untitled still) is currently in the works with Joe Marlett (Bruce Dickinson, Korn, Steve Vai, Revolver, Brian May and others), taking care of the engineering and the final mix. A release date is set for May 2006.

http://www.markzonder.com/templewithin.html

The first band in Finland to be called as a DOOM act is SPIRITUS MORTIS. Formed in late summer of 1987 their unique sound can be heard from the very early demos: growling bass, massive guitars and viciously thundering drums. Cult following was gained by reviews of demos and furious gigs? Their self-titled debut album was released in January 2004 on the now defunct Rage Of Achilles label and fell like a dark day with icy rain onto the doom metal community?

Now SPIRITUS MORTIS have joined the ranks of Black Lotus and their second offering entitled "Fallen" will doom this world in February 2006. Vocalist Vesa Lampi comments: "After 18 years of existence Spiritus Mortis is still alive and kicking. Charging like a herd of overweight rhinos. And now filled up with Ouzo! We are really looking forward to this co-operation with BLR, so let's spread some SM disease! "

http://www.spiritusmortis.com

THUNDRA was formed as a project of Harald (ex-Enslaved), Stein (ex-Einherjer) and Nils (synth) in 1998. Their first album "Blood of your soul" was released in 2001 on Spinefarm records to a general applause. After leaving Spinefarm and a 3-track demo the band start working really hard on a new album. The result is "Worshiped By Chaos", a work totally different than the debut, much darker, more complex, more extreme with a killer sound courtesy of their own Black Dimension Studio. THUNDRA have just inked a deal with Black Lotus Records for the worldwide release of this killer masterpiece set for February 2006. Expect a high quality extreme album from Norway's best-hidden secret!

Read more ››

Source:

Black Lotus Records

It's now official - Necrophagist from Germany will tour the provinces of Ontario and Quebec from June 1st to 10th in 2006. Promoting the tour is Maurice Richard from Rockatak Productions, the man behind the recent Decapitated December outing. According to Richard, the band will make a stop in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City during their Canadian trek. More details including a complete itinerary plus the names of the supporting acts will follow.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Necrophagist

According to Massive Management, DECAPITATED have parted ways with both their bassist Martin and new vocalist Covan. More information will be posted as it's released.

We don't know the actual facts on this story, but we'll track this information down and soon we'll give it to you.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Decapitated