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Dan Swano: new website
Multi-talented Swedish musician/producer Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE, MOONTOWER) will launch his new official web site (http://www.swano.com/) on January 1, 2004. The site, sponsored by The End Records, will focus on all of Dan's projects and will include a huge download section full of MP3s, videos, etc.
Machine Head confirmed for summer festivals
MACHINE HEAD have been confirmed for the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals, set to take place June 4-6, 2004 in Nürnberg and Nürburgring, Germany (respectively). The band are also slated to appear at the U.K.'s Download festival, which is tentatively scheduled for June 6-7 in Glasgow and Donington.
MACHINE HEAD are currently seeking a North American record deal following their split with the U.S. branch of Roadrunner Records. The band, who recently completed a European headlining tour, are expected to return to the road in early 2004. The group's fifth studio album, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", has been available in Europe since October.
MACHINE HEAD are currently seeking a North American record deal following their split with the U.S. branch of Roadrunner Records. The band, who recently completed a European headlining tour, are expected to return to the road in early 2004. The group's fifth studio album, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", has been available in Europe since October.
Band profile: | Machine Head |
Six Feet Under: Graveyard Classics 2
SIX FEET UNDER frontman Chris Barnes has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
"Just wanted to check in with all of our dedicated fans this holiday season and let you all know what to expect from SIX FEET UNDER in the New Year? Well, first off, I want to thank all the bands on our last U.S. roadtrip, Unnatural Born Killers Tour, especially my good friend Sherwood and SKINLESS ? my favorite band to tour with, for the simple fact ? they rule! ? on all levels. If it wasn't for their dedication to that tour, among other things, that tour may not have happened ? and also would like to apologize to everyone that may have been hoping to see us at a couple shows (i.e. Brooklyn, Palo Alto) on that tour that canceled out, we want you all to know that if there is a way we will be making those dates up in the near future ? missing those shows was unavoidable, and it pissed us off? We are currently planning another U.S. tour starting at the end of January 2004 for 3 or 4 weeks. We'll have dates and support acts up within the next couple days.
"Right after the U.S. tour well be heading over to Europe to play 2 weeks of dates with FLESHCRAWL and CRIMINAL ? tour dates are up ? more TBA soon. Lookin' forward to seein' all you freaks over in Europe. Hopefully we can thaw you out this winter!
"What else? Right after the holidays, I'll be heading into the studio to start editing a new video clip for the title track, 'Bringer Of Blood' from our latest release. Look for that real soon. We've also recently confirmed With Full Force 2004 as well as Summer Breeze and more fests in Europe this summer TBA soon!
"As for getting into the studio to record, the next thing on the list is 'Graveyard Classics 2'. We'll be in the studio recording in late April/early May for a fall release date.
"That's all about that, for now...just wanted to keep you all as informed as I can. I'd also like to thank everyone at Metal Blade Records U.S.A. and Europe for a great year once again and their continued support and belief in this band.
"I hope everyone will have a great Christmas and holiday season and a sick fuckin' New Year."
"Just wanted to check in with all of our dedicated fans this holiday season and let you all know what to expect from SIX FEET UNDER in the New Year? Well, first off, I want to thank all the bands on our last U.S. roadtrip, Unnatural Born Killers Tour, especially my good friend Sherwood and SKINLESS ? my favorite band to tour with, for the simple fact ? they rule! ? on all levels. If it wasn't for their dedication to that tour, among other things, that tour may not have happened ? and also would like to apologize to everyone that may have been hoping to see us at a couple shows (i.e. Brooklyn, Palo Alto) on that tour that canceled out, we want you all to know that if there is a way we will be making those dates up in the near future ? missing those shows was unavoidable, and it pissed us off? We are currently planning another U.S. tour starting at the end of January 2004 for 3 or 4 weeks. We'll have dates and support acts up within the next couple days.
"Right after the U.S. tour well be heading over to Europe to play 2 weeks of dates with FLESHCRAWL and CRIMINAL ? tour dates are up ? more TBA soon. Lookin' forward to seein' all you freaks over in Europe. Hopefully we can thaw you out this winter!
"What else? Right after the holidays, I'll be heading into the studio to start editing a new video clip for the title track, 'Bringer Of Blood' from our latest release. Look for that real soon. We've also recently confirmed With Full Force 2004 as well as Summer Breeze and more fests in Europe this summer TBA soon!
"As for getting into the studio to record, the next thing on the list is 'Graveyard Classics 2'. We'll be in the studio recording in late April/early May for a fall release date.
"That's all about that, for now...just wanted to keep you all as informed as I can. I'd also like to thank everyone at Metal Blade Records U.S.A. and Europe for a great year once again and their continued support and belief in this band.
"I hope everyone will have a great Christmas and holiday season and a sick fuckin' New Year."
Band profile: | Six Feet Under |
Ozzy voted rock star of 2003
Injured singer Ozzy Osbourne has been voted rock star of the year in a poll of music fans, according to BBC News.
Osbourne, who is recovering from a quad bike crash and recently secured his first U.K. No. 1 single, won the accolade from Virgin Radio listeners.
Justin Hawkins, frontman with THE DARKNESS, came a close second in the poll of 3,000 fans.
U2's singer Bono was voted into third place, ahead of Robbie Williams and COLDPLAY's Chris Marti.
"Ozzy Osbourne is the kind of rock legend we would all secretly love as a dad," said Ben Jones, the presenter of Virgin's "Most Wanted" show.
"He's in a massive rock band and has lived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the full ? the kind of fatherly advice you get from Ozzy Osbourne comes from experience.
"And Justin Hawkins from THE DARKNESS has spent the year jumping around in a catsuit when he's not flying around in his space-ship ? it's definitely been his year."
Other rock stars to make it in to the top ten included two Sixties legends ? ROLLING STONES guitarist Keith Richards at No. 6 and THE BEATLES' Sir Paul McCartney at No. 7.
WHITE STRIPES' singer Jack White and Pete Docherty of new British band THE LIBERTINES also made it into the top ten.
Osbourne, who is recovering from a quad bike crash and recently secured his first U.K. No. 1 single, won the accolade from Virgin Radio listeners.
Justin Hawkins, frontman with THE DARKNESS, came a close second in the poll of 3,000 fans.
U2's singer Bono was voted into third place, ahead of Robbie Williams and COLDPLAY's Chris Marti.
"Ozzy Osbourne is the kind of rock legend we would all secretly love as a dad," said Ben Jones, the presenter of Virgin's "Most Wanted" show.
"He's in a massive rock band and has lived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the full ? the kind of fatherly advice you get from Ozzy Osbourne comes from experience.
"And Justin Hawkins from THE DARKNESS has spent the year jumping around in a catsuit when he's not flying around in his space-ship ? it's definitely been his year."
Other rock stars to make it in to the top ten included two Sixties legends ? ROLLING STONES guitarist Keith Richards at No. 6 and THE BEATLES' Sir Paul McCartney at No. 7.
WHITE STRIPES' singer Jack White and Pete Docherty of new British band THE LIBERTINES also made it into the top ten.
Band profile: | Ozzy Osbourne |
Finntroll, New EP in March
Finland's FINNTROLL will be releasing an EP, titled "Trollhammaren", in March containing one song off their forthcoming album plus four bonus tracks recorded in the same session. As previously reported, the upcoming full-length CD, "Nattfödd" (Swedish for "Nightborn"), will be issued in April. The follow-up to "Visor Om Slutet" was recorded at Sundicoop Studio in Savonlinna, Finland and features 10 songs. The band will also be making their debut video to coincide with the release of the full-length CD.
Band profile: | Finntroll |
Impaled Nazarene - European tour cancelled
IMPALED NAZARENE's previously announced European tour with THE LEGION has been cancelled. "The reason is that IMPALED NAZARENE are going on a European tour in May and the booking agency wanted to move the tour from February/March to a future date which wasn't possible for IMPALED NAZARENE," according to a post on THE LEGION's web site.
In other THE LEGION-related news, the group recently went into Art Decay studio to record two exclusive bonus tracks for the limited-edition gatefold-sleeve version of their debut album, "Unseen To Creation": a reworked version of an old original song plus a cover of TESTAMENT's "Curse Of The Legions Of Death". A late February 2004 release is expected.
THE LEGION's next live gig will take place on January 31, 2004 at Kulturhuset in Jönköping, Sweden. Also scheduled to appear are INSISION and NOMINON.
In other THE LEGION-related news, the group recently went into Art Decay studio to record two exclusive bonus tracks for the limited-edition gatefold-sleeve version of their debut album, "Unseen To Creation": a reworked version of an old original song plus a cover of TESTAMENT's "Curse Of The Legions Of Death". A late February 2004 release is expected.
THE LEGION's next live gig will take place on January 31, 2004 at Kulturhuset in Jönköping, Sweden. Also scheduled to appear are INSISION and NOMINON.
Band profile: | Impaled Nazarene |
Sodom confirmed for Gods Of Metal Festival
SODOM are the latest act confirmed for the Gods of Metal Festival, scheduled to take place June 5-6 at l'Arena Parco Nord in Bologna, Italy. ALICE COOPER will top the bill on Sunday, June 6, while JUDAS PRIEST will headline the event on Saturday, June 5 ? the same day that Finland's STRATOVARIUS are scheduled to appear in what is being billed as their only Italian appearance of 2004. Other bands confirmed for the festival include TWISTED SISTER, TESTAMENT, SYMPHONY X, NEVERMORE, W.A.S.P., and MOTÖRHEAD.
Band profile: | Sodom |
Extol confirmed for Bobfest 2004
EXTOL (progressive thrash/death masters from Norway), HARMONY (melodic metal from Sweden), ORATORIO (melodic metal wonder from Finland), KEKAL (black metal from Indonesia) and SHADOWS OF PARAGON (fresh black metal from Sweden) are the first five bands confirmed for Bobfest 2004 (Europe's biggest Christian metal festival), which is scheduled to take place held March 5-7, 2004 at Ryttargårdskyrkan in Linköping, Sweden.
Seminar speakers will be metal Pastor Bob Beeman from Sanctuary, USA and Ole Halvard Sveen from Subchurch, Norway. The concerts will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at Cupolen, Folkets Park, Linköping. There will also be a gallery where people will show their artistic talents.
Festival tickets cost 270 SEK for Swedish visitors (if paid before February 15) or 300 SEK if paid later or at the door. For non-Swedish visitors, the price is only 200 SEK (approx. 22 EUR) for the whole weekend. Accomodation is also available nearby for an additional fee of 50 SEK (approx. 5.50 EUR) per night.
For those that want to attend the gigs only, the tickets cost 100 SEK for Friday and 120 SEK for Saturday or 200 SEK for both days.
For more information about this festival, visit www.bobfest.org or mail info@bobfest.org or press@bobfest.org.
Seminar speakers will be metal Pastor Bob Beeman from Sanctuary, USA and Ole Halvard Sveen from Subchurch, Norway. The concerts will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at Cupolen, Folkets Park, Linköping. There will also be a gallery where people will show their artistic talents.
Festival tickets cost 270 SEK for Swedish visitors (if paid before February 15) or 300 SEK if paid later or at the door. For non-Swedish visitors, the price is only 200 SEK (approx. 22 EUR) for the whole weekend. Accomodation is also available nearby for an additional fee of 50 SEK (approx. 5.50 EUR) per night.
For those that want to attend the gigs only, the tickets cost 100 SEK for Friday and 120 SEK for Saturday or 200 SEK for both days.
For more information about this festival, visit www.bobfest.org or mail info@bobfest.org or press@bobfest.org.
Band profile: | Extol |
Pain's Fourth Album Delayed
PAIN mainman Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
"Hello everybody!
"As most of you know, I've been out with my other band HYPOCRISY from Sept.-Dec. and had no time to finish up the new PAIN CD, so I will start after the New Year and change label so I can get a worldwide release. I'm so fuckin' tired of not getting it out everywhere! And I can't go on tour cause I have no back-up from the label outside of Sweden, so when the label have stopped fuckin' around and I have sign with the new record company I will be back with a new album and world tour to support it. You will be the first to know.
"Hope you understand."
Among the tracks tentatively set to appear on the follow-up to 2002's "Nothing Remains The Same" are the following:
01. Tear It Up
02. Don't Count Me Out
03. The Table Has Turned
04. Stay Away
05. Misery
06. The Third Wave
As previously reported, PAIN had postponed plans to record a full-length album of covers after Tägtgren completed 18 new original numbers that he deemed to be "musically stronger" than the material ear-marked for the proposed collection of cover versions.
"Hello everybody!
"As most of you know, I've been out with my other band HYPOCRISY from Sept.-Dec. and had no time to finish up the new PAIN CD, so I will start after the New Year and change label so I can get a worldwide release. I'm so fuckin' tired of not getting it out everywhere! And I can't go on tour cause I have no back-up from the label outside of Sweden, so when the label have stopped fuckin' around and I have sign with the new record company I will be back with a new album and world tour to support it. You will be the first to know.
"Hope you understand."
Among the tracks tentatively set to appear on the follow-up to 2002's "Nothing Remains The Same" are the following:
01. Tear It Up
02. Don't Count Me Out
03. The Table Has Turned
04. Stay Away
05. Misery
06. The Third Wave
As previously reported, PAIN had postponed plans to record a full-length album of covers after Tägtgren completed 18 new original numbers that he deemed to be "musically stronger" than the material ear-marked for the proposed collection of cover versions.
Band profile: | Pain |
Rhandy Rhoads inducted into Rockwalk Of Fame
Former OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Randy Rhoads will be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk of Fame on Thursday, March 18, 2004. The induction will be held in front of Guitar Center Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, California. The exact time will for the induction will be announced at a later date.
Randy Rhoads died tragically in a plane crash on March 19, 1982, one day after performing his final show with OZZY OSBOURNE at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 25 years old.
Although Randy only recorded two studio albums with Ozzy (1980's "Blizzard of Ozz" and 1981's "Diary of a Madman"), the impact he had on a generation of young guitar players worldwide was truly remarkable. Ozzy Osbourne himself has been haunted by Rhoads' memory. "He was a saint," said the singer who was responsible for discovering him. "He was an angel, and too good for this world. His death's always on my mind."
Randy Rhoads died tragically in a plane crash on March 19, 1982, one day after performing his final show with OZZY OSBOURNE at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 25 years old.
Although Randy only recorded two studio albums with Ozzy (1980's "Blizzard of Ozz" and 1981's "Diary of a Madman"), the impact he had on a generation of young guitar players worldwide was truly remarkable. Ozzy Osbourne himself has been haunted by Rhoads' memory. "He was a saint," said the singer who was responsible for discovering him. "He was an angel, and too good for this world. His death's always on my mind."
Band profile: | Ozzy Osbourne |
Katatonia - Live DVD
KATATONIA are currently editing their first DVD, due sometime next year. A Polish Cracow gig from April 2003 will be the main attraction of the disc, but there will also be more exclusive bonus footage to go along with it. In addition, one or two of the unreleased tracks from the "Viva Emptiness" sessions will also show up on the DVD.
KATATONIA will be embarking on a Scandinavian tour with AMARAN beginning in early February. Support at the dates will come from BEFORE THE DAWN.
KATATONIA will be embarking on a Scandinavian tour with AMARAN beginning in early February. Support at the dates will come from BEFORE THE DAWN.
Band profile: | Katatonia |
GR, Hammerfall, Primal Fear's members to jam
GAMMA RAY's Kai Hansen, HAMMERFALL's Joacim Cans, PRIMAL FEAR's Tom Naumann and GODIVA's Mitch Koonz are among the musicians tentatively scheduled to partake in an "all-star" jam at the 20th anniversary party for the Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg (Germany). The jam, which is slated to take place this Sunday, December 28, will reportedly include selections from HELLOWEEN and HAMMERFALL, among others.
Band profile: | Gamma Ray |
Nocturnal Rites
Swedish melodic metallers NOCTURNAL RITES have reportedly set "New World Messiah" as the title of their follow-up to 2002's "Shadowland", tentatively due in early 2004 through Century Media Records. Working songtitles include "Against the World", "The Icon" and the projected title track. The group's bassist Nils Eriksson had previously described the new material as "pretty much like we've always done... maybe just a tad better."
Band profile: | Nocturnal Rites |
Kamelot: Songwriting sessions
KAMELOT mastermind Thomas Youngblood has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
"Hello Kamelotians!!!
"We are very pleased to tell you all that the writing sessions are going even better than expected. We have now completed 8 new songs and cannot get the melodies out of our heads. A good sign for everyone) We just finished 'March of Mephisto', this should be our heaviest song ever and a live classic. Also, we finished a beautiful ballad that will mostly be piano and a small string ensemble. A first for us as well. So we are always working on new twists to the KAMELOT style we hope you all love. Our beloved producer Sascha Paeth will come to Florida after the New Year to begin preproduction and then the fun starts!"
As previously reported, KAMELOT's forthcoming album will be their first for SPV Records, with whom they signed a worldwide deal last spring. An early 2004 release is expected. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nothing Ever Dies" and "Serenade".
Upcoming KAMELOT shows:
Feb. 13 - Monterrey, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 14 - Mexico City, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 15 - Guadalajara, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 28 - Granada, SPA @ Piorno Rock Festival
"Hello Kamelotians!!!
"We are very pleased to tell you all that the writing sessions are going even better than expected. We have now completed 8 new songs and cannot get the melodies out of our heads. A good sign for everyone) We just finished 'March of Mephisto', this should be our heaviest song ever and a live classic. Also, we finished a beautiful ballad that will mostly be piano and a small string ensemble. A first for us as well. So we are always working on new twists to the KAMELOT style we hope you all love. Our beloved producer Sascha Paeth will come to Florida after the New Year to begin preproduction and then the fun starts!"
As previously reported, KAMELOT's forthcoming album will be their first for SPV Records, with whom they signed a worldwide deal last spring. An early 2004 release is expected. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nothing Ever Dies" and "Serenade".
Upcoming KAMELOT shows:
Feb. 13 - Monterrey, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 14 - Mexico City, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 15 - Guadalajara, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 28 - Granada, SPA @ Piorno Rock Festival
Band profile: | Kamelot |
The Kovenant
Norway's THE KOVENANT are in the process of editing video footage from their appearance at the Inferno Festival for use in two clips ("Star By Star" and "Mirror's Paradise") that are expected to be included on their upcoming DVD and various Nuclear Blast Records DVD compilations.
In other news, THE KOVENANT bassist/singer Lex Icon is going to participate with bass and vocals on the second album from Norwegian "dark masters" CROWHEAD. Lex is also working on a new TROLL album.
As previously reported, THE KOVENANT entered the studio earlier this month to record a demo of some of the songs planned for inclusion on the group's follow-up to this year's "S.E.T.I." (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence), tentatively due in late 2004.
The forthcoming CD, which is tentatively titled "The Dreaming Spires", will be THE KOVENANT's last for Germany's Nuclear Blast Records. One new songtitle has thus far been revealed: "Radiation King".
THE KOVENANT recently added two new members to the group's lineup: RAM-ZET drummer Küth and APOPTYGMA BERZERK keyboardist Geir Bratland.
In other news, THE KOVENANT bassist/singer Lex Icon is going to participate with bass and vocals on the second album from Norwegian "dark masters" CROWHEAD. Lex is also working on a new TROLL album.
As previously reported, THE KOVENANT entered the studio earlier this month to record a demo of some of the songs planned for inclusion on the group's follow-up to this year's "S.E.T.I." (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence), tentatively due in late 2004.
The forthcoming CD, which is tentatively titled "The Dreaming Spires", will be THE KOVENANT's last for Germany's Nuclear Blast Records. One new songtitle has thus far been revealed: "Radiation King".
THE KOVENANT recently added two new members to the group's lineup: RAM-ZET drummer Küth and APOPTYGMA BERZERK keyboardist Geir Bratland.
Band profile: | The Kovenant |