The Finnish symphonic extreme band is working on their new yet-untitled album that's planned to be released on october of this year.

The Norwegian gothic band is going to release a new album at late 2004 called "Free Fall into Fear". These are the songs of the new album (random order):
The Architect of my Downfall, Joyless Trance of Winter, Drink Away the Demons, Point Zero, Dry Well of Life, The Face of Jealousy, Carrier of the Scars of Life, Watch You Fall, Frail Expectation, Cold Hand of Retribution.

I have lots to report this time, so lets get to it!!! Guitar player Dee Harrington is now back in the band and we are very excited about it!! This summer we're going to re-record Warriors Of The Son in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of it's release In 1984. This will give us a chance to do some recording in our new studio before we put out the next full length project, next year. It will be limited to 1000 copies, and I know some of you cringe at the thought of limited production runs, but the market is saturated with Saint reissues. Of course Dee will be playing as well as Jerry Johnson and Josh Kramer, but on drums we're going to have Tim Lamberson play this time, please don't confuse him with the drum tracks on The Perfect Life, that wasn't him. I'm sure you will be (if you happen to buy this project) very impressed with Tim's ability to pound, I am. Two songs that weren't put on the EP will also be included on this project. The new tracks are The Reaper and Destroyers. Keep praying for us and hit those radio stations up!!! We need a full fledged SAINT revival.

Richard Lynch, Saint

Swedish power metallers Hammerfall entered Lundgaard Studios in Denmark with producer Charlie Bauernfeind (Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Rage) on Saturday (Sep. 4, thats today) to begin recording their new album, probably done on March 7, 2005 through Nuclear Blast Records. A single will be released on January 31. Songtitles set to appear on the follow-up to 2002's "Crimson Thunder" include "The Templar Flame", "Born to Rule" and "Fury of the Wild".

"After finishing the songwriting and rehearsing the material over the last week, I can honestly say I'm very, very excited!" guitarist Oscar Dronjak writes on the group's web site. "The feelings I get from the songs so far are heavy, metal, and HAMMERFALL. ;-) Seriously, I think everyone will recognize the band in the new songs, but I do think some of them tend to be a bit heavier than we have done before. You will see (hear...) eventually, as will we."

Band profile:

HammerFall

As you probably noticed, new album "Love's Burial Ground" suffered some delays with the final release-date, but it will be finally available next week!!

The band is currently assembling material for the mighty "Live Manipulation" DVD. The DVD will include a professionally shooted live-show + other 3/4 amateurish (yet good-sounding) gigs, as well as some other bonus material (backstage, interviews, pics gallery, rehearsals, studio-reports, etc.). Expect this monumental curse to be unleashed upon feeble mankind in the beginning of 2005!!

The band is working on the re-release of "Obscura Arcana Mortis" too. The remastering of the MCD as well as the recording of the "Obscura Arcana Mortis MMIV" track will be done around October. This new version will see the presence of a special-guest recording some extra-vocals...

We know it could sound really bizarre, but the band has been asked by a french underground label to take part in a Black Metal Motorhead-tribute LP!! The band is currently deciding what song will be covered. It seems that many other bands are already confirmed for this tribute, so expect a damn fucked up Black n' Roll release, as well as the most bizarre FT recording ever!!

http://www.forgottentomb.com

Band profile:

Forgotten Tomb

Slayer were forced to cancel their show in Myrtle Beach, SC Wednesday night (September 1) after the band's frontman, Tom Araya, was allegedly rushed to a hospital as a result of suffering a bad allergic reaction. There has been no official update with regards to Tom's condition.

Band profile:

Slayer

The band is in the process of writting songs for the yet-untitled album that is programmed to be released on next Spring. At the moment the band is making some demo songs.

Band profile:

Thunderstone

Joey DeMaio issued a statement today from Munich, Germany confirming that Manowar has left Nuclear Blast Records.

http://www.manowar.com/

Band profile:

Manowar

Dismember has from now on recruited Johan Bergebäck as their new bassplayer. Rickard Cabeza nowadays lives in Dallas, Texas which makes it too hard for him to be an active part of the band. We wish him all the best! Johan Bergebäck has been the session bassplayer for the last year supporting the latest release "Where Ironcrosses Grow". Johan has the right attitude and fits in the band both musically and personally. The swedish death metal slaying of the world continues this fall with gigs in Europe and South America!

http://www.dismember.se/

Band profile:

Dismember

A Greek heavy metal record label is born, Sonic Age Records. The label is formed by the people behind the label Cult Metal Classics.

Created in 2001, Cult Metal Classics was launched "mostly as a reissue label, trying to bring back to light some forgotten diamonds of heavy metal music," according to a press release. "The name of the label was related to re-releases, so due to the fact that we wanted to host some new bands too, a decision was made to start a label whose name and profile matched much better with a label that will be dedicated to new releases! The decision was made mainly after the big success of the JACK STARR'S GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME 'Under a Savage Sky' and also Greece's premier power metal band BLOODSTAINED 'Greetings from Hell' releases."

"We have already negotiated deals with great bands like Overlorde (U.S.A.), Valkija (Italy), Bloodstained (Greece), Made Of Iron (Germany), Euroforce (Greece / Germany) and more. Expect a new wave of fantastic releases that will be available pretty soon!"

Cult Metal Classics will continue to exist as a branch of Sonic Age Records and will focus on limited re-issues on vinyl and CD.

The French doom-metal band Despond has made some new changes, they have once again changed to a one-man band and also signed with Century Media America. The following is taken from their official website :

*DESPOND has become a one-man band once again. Thanks to JuanJo, Fred, Jo and Viriyah for their help during the 2002-2003 period... Good luck to all with your own bands.

*DESPOND has signed with Century Media America for an exclusive distribution in US, Canada, Mexico and South America.

Source : http://despond.free.fr/index2.htm

We regret to inform fans that we have had to cancel the following
three shows: 4th September - Velo Rock Festival - Ostend, Belgium; 11th September - Raismes Festival - Raismes, France; 12th September - La Locomotive - Paris, France.
This is due to late changes in the band line up resulting in insufficient time to prepare for these shows. A further statement will be released shortly along with dates for the remainder of
the year. Sorry for any inconvenience. Neil Marklew - Manager.

Band profile:

Blaze Bayley

The band who was recenly without singer, found the new member who was selected by the demos that the band received. He's Gus Monsanto and is from Brazil. The first performance for him will be on 11/09/2004 in Toulouse and on 18/09/2004 in progpower festival in Atlanta, and some other concerts over europe.

After that shows, the band will be concentrating on composition a new album.

Band profile:

Adagio

The italian band was in studio in July making the recording for the new album, and should be in studio again in September. The band is not worried for the time: "we are confident to be able to mix the album by the end of September, so there will be the chance for Dragonheart Records to release the album before the end of the year."

The yet untitled album will have some of these song titles: The Burn - Princess Of The Wolves - Bitter Crop - Hot Lead, Cold Steel - Field Of Heroes - Bloody Mary - Best Place For A Knife - Windchaser - Triumph Of The Darksword - Lure Of The Temptress - Monkeys In Sunday Best - Puzzle2

They will keep their sound but will have some new elements as "some very fast parts, some folk-like insers, some orchestration here and there and very probably the participation of a female voice".

Band profile:

Mesmerize

Sadly the singer has to leave beacuse of health problems, here are a few worlds from the band:
"Dave has been suffering with health and personal problems for a while now and he has decided that it would be best if he left the band to concentrate on his recovery. We would like to thank him for the 6 years he dedicated to the band and we wish him all the very best for the future."

The band has planned to enter the studio, but this will be delayed until they found a replacement.

Band profile:

Bolt Thrower