The demo "Vihavald" of the young Estonian melodic/symphonic/industrial black metal band Vari can now be downloaded for free at this link. The demo was released a little less than a year ago and sold out quite fast. Now the band has decided to make it available on the web and thus increase their fanbase.

read three reviews for the album here.

the band's homepage: http://www.metal.ee/vari

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On the 23rd September 2005, as a result of a fire at the Grenouer make shift rehearsal studio, the band lost all their instruments and equipment. As the band was simply subletting this space in the Vereteno factory in St. Petersburg they cannot expect any financial compensation from the factory owners, let alone an apology. The fire started as a consequence of an unqualified welder (twat!!!) who was carrying some work in the nearby area. At the moment the factory management is doing everything possible to cover these facts up and create a new version of events in order to avoid hefty penalties. You can see all the pictures taken at the scene after the fire on the official Grenouer forum at:

http://forums.disenteria.ru/index.php's=&act=ST&f=34&t=6970&st=50
http://forums.disenteria.ru/index.php's=&act=ST&f=34&t=6970&st=75
http://forums.disenteria.ru/index.php's=&act=ST&f=34&t=6970&st=100&#entry490030

All of the bands equipment either perished in the fire or became totally unusable due water damage from the firemen's attempts to put the fire out. This unfortunate event took place right at the peak of Grenouer's preparation for the recording of their fifth full length album when the dates for the recording sessions had already been booked at the ASTIA studio in Finland.

IND (Vocals): "This situation is quite dramatic because the fire has been a set back to many of our plans, however we're not going to give up! On the contrary, we must get through this and at the very least partially realise our plans. Of course we're gonna start by getting new instruments, amps and all other necessary devices and if someone feels like giving us a helping hand they can always get in touch with us by email, however, our enemies will now have reason to celebrate. As a result of this incident, I believe that the subject of fire and destruction will now find a place in our writing.
Anyway, it's too early to write Grenouer off yet!!!"

You're all welcome to support the band. Even a little message help a lot in such situation...

Source:

Grenouer

Dockyard 1 - October Newsletter (News & Tour Dates)

News:
SAVAGE CIRCUS dream of coming to your manor
It's not about your manor but about the next good club and stage: Currently SAVAGE CIRCUS are negotiating with different agencies about touring possibilities. Piet, Thomen, Jens and Emil are eager to show you the impact of "Dreamland Manor" live. Stay tuned and check www.dockyard1.com for coming tourdates!

We hope that now everybody got their copy after all the print hazzles are sorted out. Thomen and Piet are still impressed by the overwhelming reactions and say "thank you" to everybody who stayed on the path and bought the cd during the last three weeks.

We welcome LAKE OF TEARS!
Welcome home Lake Of Tears. The whole team at Dockyard 1 is proud to welcome Lake Of Tears to the label. The Swedish Gothic Rock heroes will deliver their 7th full length album in Spring 2006. See them live at the "34.000 ton of Metal cruise" in Sweden on Sep 30 or check out their homepage for free MP3s, videos and more.

AFTER ALL to support Candlemass and Destruction
Our Belgian band AFTER ALL is already anxiously looking forward - AFTER ALL are going on the HELLHOUNDZ OF DOOM AND THRASH tour with Candlemass and Destruction in November and they are ready to heat up the audiences from Switzerland to Finland, guided and friendly supported by Dragon Productions. Check their page for tourdate changes!

IN QUEST take the harvest together with Nile
Advanced technical Death Metal from Belgium meets - advanced technical death metal from one of the bands who paved their way, Nile. Our mathematics masterminds join the devoted egyptologists on their second leg of the tour starting from 21st of september that will guide them from southern Europe to Sweden.

PERSUADER add bonus to "The Hunter"
To some of you this band might only be known as the winner of the 2003 Young Metal Gods Award or two of the boys in SAVAGE CIRCUS. But five years ago they recorded their stunning debut "The Hunter" which made those who listened wanna sign the band immediately. Of all possible partners a very small label ended up being the lucky one, released the debut in France with a few copies - and dissolved in bancrupcy. Now you can finally see the light of this rough diamond. To make it even more valuable without polishing away the energy, we added the songs "Escape" and "Cursed" from the even earlier "Visions and dreams" demo as a bonus.

Read more ››

Source:

Dockyard 1

AFM Records - Newsletter October 2005 (News and Tour dates)

D.O. and SHAKRA celebrate the release of their new album!
Last weekend U.D.O.-legend Udo Dirkschneider and SHAKRA - frontman Mark Fox have been on the road through Germany to introduce their new albums "Mission No. X" and "Fall" all relevant radio stations and to celebrate them on several release parties in the evening. Around 3.000 people have been at these parties in Regensburg (QU), Nürnberg (Rockfabrik) and Bochum (Matrix). Next to the presentation of several new songs from the album the visitors also got to see the two brand new video clips of U.D.O. ("Mean Streets") and SHAKRA ("Chains Of Temptation"). A lot of sleep didn 't remain for Udo and Mark - therefore the interest of radio journalists and fans has been way too big.
So the release of the two albums may come now!

Destruction have their videoclip ready!

"The Alliance Of Hellhoundz", the current video of German Thrashers DESTRUCTION is ready now - and it came out hellish good. In the middle of the hellfire the band is giving everything. Around them you can see all of the song 's guest singers (e.g. DORO, Biff of SAXON, Shagrat of DIMMU BORGIR, Messiah of CANDLEMASS) burning on TV screens. All the special effects in the clip have been arranged by Schmier 's brother Marco. An excellent, outstanding clip!

AXXIS are speeding up - (not only) in the studio!

Step by step the new AXXIS-album "Paradise In Flames" (out on 20th January) is getting ready. Almost all of the songs are done so far and waiting for being mixed and mastered. Next to several AXXIS-typical hymns there will also be some songs, which Bernhard does together with the beautiful female singer Lakonia. They cause a greater variety on the new record, without changing the typical style of the band.
Anyway you need to take good care with "Paradise In Flames". The album will rock and promises to be an extremely heavy output.
The band itself is quite enthusiastic about it. So enthusiastic, that drummer Andre Hilgers couldn 't wait to get to the studio. Police got him while driving too fast, so he now has to pay an expensive ticket plus he will lose his driving licence for four weeks. If you get caught driving too fast on German motorways, unfortunately not even "Paradise In Flames" can help you anymore?

Destruction and Perzonal War soon on the road!
Only few weeks are left until the "Hellhoundz Of Doom And Thrash"-tour with Destruction and Perzonal War will take place. Here we go with the latest update:

Read more ››

Source:

AFM Records

As posted in their record company's news section:

FALKENBACH returns to NAPALM RECS with another milestone in Viking Metal! Heralding the Fireblade is in its post production stages and will be released on 25 Nov. as a limited digipack edition including bonus track, and as a regular jewel case version.

Source:	napalmrecords.com
Band profile:	Falkenbach

Disgorge is getting ready to start recording their 4th album that will be entitled "Gore Blessed To The Worms" and will contain 8 songs. This will be the very first recording of the band without Antimo, but we must say to all our fans that there's nothing to worry about!! The new stuff will be our sickest and most brutal ever!!

The artwork cover is going to be done by Phlegeton who already did covers for bands like AVULSED, WORMED, VIDRES A LA SANG, REVENANT, FUNEBRE, etc and it's expected to be the one of the most brutal covers on earth!!

Source:	disgorge-mex.com
Band profile:	Disgorge (MEX)

Posted 14.09.2005 - New bonus-album in progress...

Draconian is about to record a bonus album this fall. Note that it's NOT the follow up to "Arcane Rain Fell". The album will feature three new songs, two or three demo songs in new versions and three covers. As for the new songs; we can promise heavy and truly tearful songs in dark gothic splendor. Prepare to weep!

The working title is "The Burning Halo" and the album will be released through Napalm Records at the end of the year.

Source:	draconian.se
Band profile:	Draconian

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

Norway's GREEN CARNATION are gearing up for their North American live debut with their exclusive headlining show at Day of The Equinox in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 14.

GREEN CARNATION ? who released their well-received fourth album, "The Quiet Offspring", on The End Records this year ? plan to make the October 14 appearance a special event for their fans, showcasing material from their current album and older material.

Says GREEN CARNATION singer Kjetil Nordhus, "After a long wait, our North American debut is getting close. This will be a special event because, along with current material we will play, we also plan to play a good portion of 'Light of Day, Day of Darkness' (2001's critically acclaimed single-track album) for our live set. We are specifically bringing over our sound guy for this because it important for us to get the right sound that we need in order to share the different moods of that complex album with the audience. The entire band is really looking forward to coming over there and we feel that this might be one of the band's most important gigs for a long time. We're more eager than nervous, so that must be a good sign."

Also of note, GREEN CARNATION plans to release an exclusive edition all-acoustic EP at the event, titled "The Burden Is Mine? Alone", the first release through the band's own production company Sublife Productions and Profound Lore Records.

"The acoustic EP consists of four songs, two not to be released on our forthcoming full-length (the band's 15th anniversary acoustic album, 'Acoustic Verses'). In good GREEN CARNATION tradition we are again stretching our limits of the band and the EP sounds very different from anything we have done in the past. But the one thing that is still very important is our approach. The fact that we are doing it our own way, which in that case, makes this a regular GREEN CARNATION album if that makes any sense at all."

"The Burden Is Mine?Alone" track listing is as follows:

01. Burden Is Mine? Alone
02. Transparent Me
03. Sweet Leaf
04. Six Ribbons (JON ENGLISH cover)

Taken from www.blabblermouth.net

Read more ››

Band profile:

Green Carnation

Now you can pre-order DVD editions of Stream Of Passion's debut album 'Embrace The Storm' signed by the master Arjen Lucassen himself until October 15th.

Carefully read the information provided on the ordering page and follow from there on.
http://www.ayreon.com/streamofpassion/store

Source:	streamofpassion.com
Band profile:	Stream Of Passion

The guys were in the studio to record their voices for an upcoming episode of The Simpsons!

The show will air sometime in May 06, so you have plenty of time to set those recorders. When we have more info, we will be sure to let you know.

Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica

Swedish death metallers Bloodbath have posted the following message on their official website:

"Bloodbath is looking for a new singer that will equal or outdo the two former singers, yes you read that right, so (hint hint), some of you might wanna stop reading here already. Anyways, we're certain a new death metal god is lurking out there as even Mike Åkerfeldt (Opeth)and Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) started out somewhere, being unknown and raw talent. We got a number of very strict rules and high demands and if you dont qualify all of these, then please dont bother applying, thank you very much.

RULES FOR APPLYING

1. Your vocals must be brutal but clear with essential articulation (we'll be judging harshly).

2. The mp3 of your vocals you want us to listen to can be whatever you like, but you MUST also be ready to perform a Bloodbath song upon our request.

3. All various kinds of earlier experience is taken into consideration, but not a demand.

4. The level of ambition, passion and hunger for performing this kind of metal must be at 100%.

5. Keep in mind we're looking for a new frontman, someone able to work a large audience with charisma and skill. Hesitations? Then please step aside.

6. You must be able and willing to commit to touring.

7. Your age is 20+ years old.

We can not guarantee a reply, but will consider and check all mails. Bare in mind, at the same time this audition is running, we're also actively searching among a few well known and not well known names on our own, so the outcome is pending.

Do not contact us before reading the rules.
Do NOT e-mail us mp3s. You must send a link to an mp3 hosted on your server.

To Apply, email blood@bloodbath.biz with the subject "BLOODBATH vocalist application".

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Bloodbath

Two bands have dropped off next year's Maryland Death Fest, scheduled to take place May 27th and 28th 2006 at The Sonar in Baltimore, MD. Those bands are Fistfuck and Frightmare. The following explanation has been posted on the Maryland Death Fest website:

"A band member in Fistfuck had a personal matter come up and won't be able to travel to the US next May. It is not the bands fault, nor is it ours. The band has stated they will play shows in the US as soon as it is possible again.

Also, although Frightmare was the first band we confirmed for MDF IV, they have canceled. Now they don't want to make their appearance exclusive to MDF and that's the only explanation we can provide you. As frustrating as this for us, that's all we're going to say. "

The following five bands have been added, in addition to replacing Frightmare And Fistfuck:

Cliteater (Netherlands)
Rompeprop (Netherlands)
Burnt By The Sun (New Jersey)
Mucupurulent (Germany)
Embalmer (Ohio)

They join the following list of previously confirmed bands:

Demilich (Finland)
Necrophagist (Germany)
Machetazo (Spain)
Butcher Abc (Japan)
Sanity's Dawn (Germany)
Gorgasm (Illinois)
Municipal Waste (Virginia)
Yacoepsae (Germany)
Engorged (Oregon)
Cenotaph (Turkey)
Beneath The Massacre (Canada)
Electro Quarterstaff (Canada)
Total Fucking Destruction (Pennsylvania)

Valtari Music is a new label started by members of the Australian melodic death metal band - Kania.

We are going to be set up complete over the coming months, and also will act as a mail-order / distribution label, even licensing to overseas bands.

If you think you fit the profile and play in a band or know a band that is influenced / similar to bands like In Flames / Soilwork / Ensiferum / Insomnium / Naglfar , please contact us. If you wish to find out more information about us please e-mail the label at: info@valtarimusic.com and check out the website at: www.valtarimusic.com

Valtari Music is currently searching for artists to work with in the future, if you are interested forward your questions through to: info@valtarimusic.com

Source:

Valtari Music

AUTUMN TEARS (http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears). Laurie has already started the process of recording for their next album. She has completed one song thus far and is currently in the process of working on others. She feels this is Autumn Tears' strongest, most beautiful material as of yet and is very excited about it.

EPHEMERAL SUN (http://www.ephemeralsun.com/) will start the recording process for their next album in October. This album will contain their epic 40 minute song. Laurie is very excited to record this song because she feels that on this song, all the different musical influences of each band member melt perfectly together into something completely cohesive, massive and transcendental. On April 28th, 2006, Ephemeral Sun will perform at the Rites of Spring progressive rock festival (http://www.rostfest.com) in Phoenixville, PA.

NEST (http://nest.atolonen.cjb.net/) is coming very close to completing the instrumental section of their writing process. Laurie will be featured on this album displaying the more experimental and atmospheric sides of her vocal abilities. Make sure to check out their previous beautiful albums. Very tranquil and woodsy.

TODESBONDEN (http://www.todesbonden.com) will be recording their first test track for their upcoming album "Ghost of the Crescent Moon" very soon. Although originally the plan for Todesbonden was mostly to have Laurie write all of the music, this next album is constructed with the participation of all the band members while still arranged by Laurie. She is very excited for this next album because she thinks that this new material is more lush, full, complicated, beautiful and thrilling than the EP (not to mention that this time it will have a real talented drummer).

On September 25th Todesbonden will appear at the Goth Stock festival (http://www.gothstock.com) in Hartford, CT where they will perform on the main stage. More Todesbonden shows are currently being scheduled. Please check their website periodically for more information. They now have T-shirts for sale as well!!!

Source:

Golden Veil