"Hello friends....well....the past 6 months have been a very productive yet frustrating time due to several minor and sometimes MAJOR production delays....a great deal has transpired....I will do my best to fill you in: "Phase 2" of recording was completed as scheduled at the end of May! The recording sessions in Sweden of the guitars, drums and lead vocals went very well....It was an intense, creative time....I am extremely pleased with the final tracking results! The Choral recording in Germany went VERY well also....these are BY FAR the best sounding choir recordings we've had! That was the good news! ; ) Here's where the "little" problems start....Upon my return from Europe at the beginning of June, I'd planned to take a few weeks off to rest and spend some quality time with my family....all the recorded material from Sweden and Germany would be transferred to DVD's and mailed to me within a few weeks....I'd "conceivably" start up production again in late June....well....unfortunately, some technical issues delayed the process and I didn't end up getting all the recorded material until mid-July! Ok....ready to start working again, right? Wrong....MAJOR computer issues then delayed the production another 4 weeks....finally, after purchasing and setting up an entirely new operating system, all issues were resolved and I was able to begin working on the production again in Mid/Late August....After spending a few days combining the recorded material from Europe with all the recorded material from the US (VERY boring, technical work ; ) I then began the grueling process of FINAL editing of all recorded material! Upon completion of final editing in late September, I began what has become my LEAST favorite part of production....EDITING VOCALS! Anyone who has ever worked with me, knows that I'm "a bit" meticulous when it comes to recording vocals....I've been known to record an ABSURD amount of vocal takes per song, per phrase, per line and even per word on occasion! ; ) So....to make a long (probably boring story ; ) short....I've spent the past 10 weeks editing 100's upon 100's of vocal takes....I assure you...I'm not exaggerating....several HUNDREDS of vocal tracks....what was I thinking? ; ) This process has inevitably become "Phase 2 1/2" of recording production and has delayed "Phase 3" (recording Bass, Piano and spoken dialog) by a few months....based on my current progress, (about 1/2 complete) I hope to complete ALL vocal editing by the end of January....Prayers are welcome! ; ) For anyone interested...(this is NOT at all intended to be a "sob-story" ; ) the amount of work on the production of this final SM album has now FAR surpassed the the amount of work that went into LPI, II and III:I combined! It does sometimes feel as if I'm producing 10 SM albums at the same time and I'd be lying if I said that the work never becomes a bit overwhelming.... BUT, in the end.... focus perseveres, progress continues and Faith endures!In closing, I will offer all of you my deepest apologies for any "false hope" I may have given you for a potential Fall 2004 release date....I will not allow myself to "project" a release date again....what I can do is assure you that I will continue to work as "diligently" as possible and I will promise you again (as I have from the beginning) that this album WILL be well worth the wait!!!!!!! Your patience and support is GREATLY appreciated! TCGB...."

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Band profile:

Saviour Machine

It has been a long time. It has been in hiding. It has been in seclusion. Plotting against all of humanity. But now, from the depths of a mind insane, IT returns...

MORGUL's 5th album "All Dead Here" brings back the familiar sound of twisted dementia and horror. 'Old' listeners will immediately recognize the heavy onslaught and eerie atmosphere that is the music of MORGUL. 'New' listeners will be stunned by the band's willingness to explore different genres and moods within their music.

With tracks such as "Sanctus Perversum, "The Need to Kill" and "Hategrinder" the listener is left with little to be desired. Other tracks include "All Dead Here", "Willingly Shakcled", "Empty" and "The Mask of Sanity". All of which are tributes to the abhorrent and anthems of disgust. Out on Season of Mist April 2005.

www.season-of-mist.com

Band profile:

Morgul

On 1st December, the new look Diamond Head took to the stage at a low key, invitation only gig to show off new singer Nick Tart and rhythm guitarist Adrian Mills, and to air new material from their recently completed album.

www.diamond-head.net

According to BW&BK's Tokyo based source, NIGHTWISH will release a six track EP in Japan on February 23rd through Universal Music International to coincide with the band's Japanese co-headlining tour with ANGRA. The track list will be as follows: 'Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan', 'Symphony Of Destruction' (live - MEGADETH cover), 'Wish I Had An Angel', 'Creek Mary's Blood' (two orchestral versions) and an as-yet-unspecified song.

http://www.bravewords.com/

Band profile:

Nightwish

Greetings Doomsters:

Well, we are one step closer to finishing the upcoming release of "Alone". The drums are completed and the rhythm guitars and bass tracks are being recorded as I write this. If all goes as planned (ha: that never happens) I should be laying vocal tracks come January.

Once again--keep the faith, for Solitude is back and shall reclaim the throne of Doom!

-D.o.D.-

http://www.eternalsolitude.com/

Band profile:

Solitude Aeturnus

Mark your calendars? the new album, Death After Life, plagues the Old World on the twenty-first of February, and terrorizes the United States of Amerikkka on the eighth of March. Check out the album cover in the music section.

Recently, Impaled returned from a pair of shows in the North West, and managed to escape the protesters who ravaged the clubs just by the skin of their teeth. The band will be returning to the Hollyweird area for the Century Media Christmas Party. Check it out in the shows section.

A new shirt design for everyone's favorite split CD of all time, Dementia Rex is finally underway. Featuring a redrawn cover image by horror artist extraordinaire Chas Balun along with art by Luisma of Haemorrhage, this comes just in time for Christmas. Be sure to ask Satan Claws to pick up this shirt for you so you can be the envy of all the kids, courtesy of Hangar 19.

www.impaled.info

It's official: Labyrinth have signed for Arise Records!

Do you remember last time we said: 'They're goin' really MAD' ?
Click here to know why...

So, waiting the new album, Labs & S:O:T Staff want to wish you all a Merry Xmas and a REALLY Happy New Year !!!
Keep you in the Maze...

GREAT NEWS DIRECTLY FROM LABYRINTH 'S MANAGER !!!

The name of the new Labyrinth's album will be 'Freeman' and it is finally ready, after the recording & mixing sessions at the Elnor Studio (Milan) and the mastering sessions in The House Of Audio Studios in Germany. This one is a big step in the new frontier of Labyrinth's sound: you shall judge it in March 2005, when 'Freeman' will be out!!!
It's very difficult to say in which direction the 2005 Lab's sound is gone, if we consider that in the 10 tracks of 'Freeman' we can find the most various things: from the band's most aggressive song ever 'Dive In Open Waters', to the mid tempos with killer riffs and harmonics melodies & seventies - or speedy - periods, to disquieting 'Malcom Gray', a song that will give a thrill to more than a people!
By the way - 'bout thrill - the album cover will be, this time, a picture realized by the famous Emmanuel Mathez, the same who realized the videoclip for the song 'L.Y.A.F.H'.
It's not enough: the Italian edition (initial limited pressing) will be an extra value as a live DVD recorded in Tokyo during the Banzai Tour (May 2004)!
You can understand this time the guys are goin' really MAD !!!
Really soon more pics, news and... some music!!! ^____-

www.labyrinthmusic.it

Band profile:

Labyrinth

Black Lotus is really proud to announce the signing of the legendary CRIMSON GLORY singer, Midnight, who returns after 16 years in absolute silence!
Words are not enough to describe his truly unique voice, which has marked the history of recorded music and placed him among the most influential
singers of the 1980's.

The years have passed, but Midnight refused to get involved in any musical projects after the amazing CRIMSON GLORY albums. and the silence breaks so he returns to the frontline with his first stunning solo work titled "SAKADA" to be released around April 2005. In his comeback (always shall be referred as the comeback of the century!), he is surrounded by new musicians (Phil Anderson/Hammer Dulcimer, Drums, Washboard, other percussion, Scott Gibson/ Electric Guitar, Bass, Mandolin) as well as old friends, like Ben Jackson (the rhythm guitarist of CRIMSON GLORY) and other special guests.

Prepare your souls for a unique journey across the desert at night on a camel that has no eyes. riding far away to a lonely paradise.. Midnight is here to stay...

www.black-lotus-recs.com

It is with deep sorrow that we have to announce the passing of our bandmate Daryl Pediford. He was a magical talent and for those of you who had the opportunity to see him light up the stage, you know how much he will be missed.
It was a blessing to be able to spend time with such a spirited soul. We treasure the time we had with him both personally and professionally.

Daryl Pediford was more than a fellow band member, more than a friend.

He was our brother

http://www.trans-siberian.com

Artemis Records is proud to announce the signing of Black Label Society, featuring legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde, to an exclusive worldwide licensing, multi-album contract. An album of all-new material, MAFIA, is slated for a March 8th, 2005 release. In 1987 at the tender age of 19, an unknown Zakk Wylde was hand-picked by Ozzy Osbourne to be his lead guitarist. In addition to his responsibilities as Ozzy's main axe slinger, Wylde was responsible for co-writing many of Osbourne's best-selling multi-platinum albums. In 1998, Wylde formed his own band, Black Label Society, while still maintaining his role as Osbourne's lead guitarist. In Black Label Society, Wylde serves as sole songwriter, lead vocalist and of course, lead guitar player. To date, Black Label Society has released six albums and has sold in excess of one million units worldwide.

http://www.artemisrecords.com/

Band profile:

Black Label Society

A complete song and two clips have been added to downlaod. here you have, new songs:

The Valley ( complete, unmastered ))

The Tree Of Life ( clip, unmastered )

Northlander ( clip, unmastered)

"We have finished recordings and we have finished mixing the album. The Master has been sent to France for mastering. Roope Latvala ( Sinergy, Children Of Bodom ) came and laid down the leads,then we did some finishing touches for balance and voila, new bastard son has been born:) After eight weeks in the studio.

Soulgrind thanx D - studio and especially Jarno H. for patience and for doing such marvellous job on recording. He is the most up coming studio technician at the moment here in Finland, for sure. Cheers, well done The cover art is almost done also and it should be send to France within a week or so. The cover shall be a painting done by Filip Wärnström, Sweden. The "green one". Ok, see ya next time..."

Lord

http://www.soulgrind.tk/

We just came back from the Astia-studio! Unfortunately we didn´t manage to finish the recordings in time. We have still some guitars and vocals to do. And because we want to make the best fuckin´ album possible, we will continue in the beginning of the next year. At the moment there´s no studio time available, so we have to re-schedule rest of the shit, you know.. So, Good news is that the album definitely rocks like hell but we want to make it HOTTER THAN HELL!!! Bad news is that we are not able to release it in time. We WILL let you know about the new release dates as soon as it´s possible. THANX FOR PATIENCE GUYS AND GALS, I promise we won´t let you down!

Take care & rock on!

- Sami

www.lullacry.com

Band profile:

Lullacry

The Tygers Of Pan Tang are pleased to announce their new vocalist: Jacopo Meille. Jack has previously sung in Itallian band Mantra of which he is still very much a part. "...We are over the moon to have found such a great vocalist. This is something we should have done 3 years ago, gone for a totally professional singer. He fits more into the Jon Deverill way of doing things and that suits me just fine.We already have 3 new tunes done with Jack which just came out of an end of rehearsal jam which we are really happy with.We will be going into the studio with John Mitchell (Arena) to record the new CD and I cannot wait...", said Robb.

http://www.tygersofpantang.co.uk/

Legendary Norwegian black metal band DARKTHRONE, nominated last Wednesday in the "Metal" category for the highly coveted Norwegian Alarm Awards, have now been removed from the list of nominees.

DARKTHRONE, one of five candidates in the metal category for their album "Sardonic Wrath", communicated their dissatisfaction at being nominated in an article published in Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten the day after the selected names were released to the public. "We play real and honest black metal," drummer Fenriz commented in the article. "And we have no interest in being part of the glitter and showbiz side of the music industry."

Alarm Awards chief, Svein Bjørge, was surprised by the band's reaction but hasted to find a solution that culminated in the band's elimination from the category altogether.

On hearing the news that their wish had been granted, Fenriz commented, "I just wanted to say my piece about the whole Alarm nomination thing last week and whether they kept us in or not would have been no skin off my nose."

"I have everything AGAINST awards for black metal," Nocturno Culto added. "What a fucking circus this has become."

"I am not against awards in general," Fenriz concluded. "I just thought it was not for us."

"Sardonic Wrath" is out now on Moonfog with promotion and distribution through The End Records in North America.

blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

Darkthrone

The new album, Angel Of Retribution, will be released:

28TH FEBRUARY 2005 - UK & EUROPE
1ST MARCH 2005 USA

http://www.judaspriest.com

Band profile:

Judas Priest