Once an underground phenomenon, the Canadian quartet STRAPPING YOUNG LAD are now on the verge of a major genre-defying breakthrough with Alien, their highly anticipated fourth studio album. This offering is quickly going to redefine the meaning of extreme. Follow the link (http://mp4.centurymedia.com/audio/syl_shitstorm.mp3) to download the mind-blowing track "Shitstorm" from Alien, the group's most maniacal and outlandish offering yet. Take some time to sit down, clear your mind and prepare yourself for devastation.

Beginning Feb. 8th the first segment of "The Making of Alien" will be online and a new installment will be posted each Tuesday leading up to the album's release on March 22nd.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD documented their entire recording process, and the first four parts will provide an in-depth look into Armoury Studios (Kiss, Van Halen) where mastermind Devin Townsend (vocals, guitars) describes how the album was assembled.

Also, for the first time, fans can witness how Gene Hoglan (ex-Death, ex-Testament), Byron Stroud (now also in Fear Factory) and Jed Simon lay their tracks down. The final three parts of this series will focus on the more technical aspects (gear, settings, samples, etc.) of the recording.

The follow-up to the group's critically acclaimed 2003 release, SYL, is frontman Devin Townsend's personal cathartic outlet to unleash all of his angst, and it proves to be a very positive therapeutic experience for both him and his fans. The group also has extensive touring plans already in the works and expect an announcement to be made soon.

http://www.centurymedia.com/

Band profile:

Strapping Young Lad

From the website of the band:
"We are happy to announce that the mixing process with the amazing Dan Swano is now complete. Dan worked many long days and nights to make sure we were 100% happy with the final product, offering several versions of each song. We could not be more pleased with this entire process. Dan is one of the hardest working people in metal, and he treated Novembers Doom as if it were one of his own projects. We have a great deal of respect for him, and our eternal gratitude for making this as perfect as it is. Swano fans won't be disappointed either, as there is a guest appearance on the CD from him.

The recordings will now be shipped to James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Testament) for mastering. With some of the great CD's we've heard James do, this should be an absolutely amazing sounding CD, and we're looking forward to everyone hearing it!

Artwork, a newly designed website, and some possible samples will all be revealed in the very near future!"

http://www.novembersdoom.com/

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT are currently offering another live "bootleg" in DVD format for sale in the "Merch" section of the group's official web site. "Testament - Live at the Omni 1988" was filmed at the Omni in Oakland, CA on December 30, 1988.

"Testament - Live at the Omni 1988" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Into the Pit
02. The Preacher
03. Alone In the Dark
04. The New Order
05. First Strike Is Deadly
06. Disciples of the Watch
07. C.O.T.L.O.D.
08. Burnt Offerings
09. Do or Die
10. Day of Reckoning
11. Eerie Inhabitants
12. Trial by Fire

The video is available for $18.00 in the U.S. or $23 overseas (+ $5.00 shipping & handling). For more information, go here: http://www.testamentlegions.com/merch2.htm

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Testament

Some news from Century Media - Shadows Fall, Children of Bodom, The Haunted, Arch Enemy, Lacuna Coil, God Forbid, Diecast:

SHADOWS FALL - www.shadowsfallrocks.com

In its first week of release, the new SHADOWS FALL album, The War Within , SoundScanned an impressive 39,251 copies, debuting at #20 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. The disc also checked in at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Independent Labels Chart and #2 on the Nielsen SoundScan Hard Music Chart (behind Chevelle). This is the highest first-week SoundScan and Billboard chart debut of any Century Family artist to date. SHADOWS FALL's first week numbers also surpass those of Atreyu, Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God, a further notable testament of the band's genre status. The group is featured on the cover of Revolver's November issue, which is currently on stands.

This accomplishment comes after almost a decade of relentless touring, four studio albums and an undying work ethic. After touring the world with the likes of Hatebreed, Kittie, Mushroomhead, Children of Bodom and The Dillinger Escape Plan, the band were invited to take part in Ozzfest 2003. They were heralded as the breakout band of the year and consistently sold more records every week than any other sidestage band. This led to being the only band invited for a two-year stint at Japan's Beast Feast, the 4th annual Take Action Tour (alongside Avenged Sevenfold and Poison The Well) and then co-headlining the first annual MTV2 Headbanger's Ball Tour with Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God. Videos for the tracks "Thoughts Without Words," "Destroyer of Senses" and "The Idiot Box" were greatly embraced by U.S. television programs Headbanger's Ball on MTV2 and Uranium on Fuse; two shows where the band appeared as guests several times. All of this exposure enabled SHADOWS FALL to watch both their fanbase and record sales explode. Their previous album, The Art of Balance, went on to SoundScan over 100,000 copies in the U.S. becoming the first album in Century Media history to reach this illustrious milestone.

SHADOWS FALL's stunning new offering was produced once again by Zeuss (Hatebreed) at Planet Z Studios and features 10 tracks of sonic devastation. The first pressing of the disc is limited to 150,000 embossed Digipak copies and is packaged with a bonus DVD, featuring a video for "Stepping Outside the Circle" from The Art of Balance , two live videos, guitar lessons with Matt Bachand and Jon Donais, a drum lesson with Jason Bittner and a Century Media sampler.

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The new LAMB OF GOD album "Ashes of the Wake" will be released on Tuesday, August 31, 2004.

The Epic Debut "Ashes of the Wake," is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2003 independent release on Prosthetic Records, "As The Palaces Burn" which Revolver Magazine calls "Album of the Year" and Rolling Stone praised "a meticulously crafted metal assault."

Produced by Machine, the new Album" Ashes Of The Wake" includes guest appearances by Megadeth's Chris Poland and Testament's Alex Skolnick.

As this goes to press all basic tracks have been laid down -Drummer Chris Adler tells us: "The tracking sessions have been very intense and the vibe in the studio is exciting to say the least. My drum tracks were done in Jersey in May and Randy is done as of today. It's been a giant sonic puzzle and as Willie, Mark, John and Randy have layered onto the basic drum mix - you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It's like feeling the ground as a train approaches, you can tell how massive it is - and its coming fast. It's surreal at times - I think everyone involved knows we have a monster on our hands."

Band profile:

Lamb Of God

ANNIHILATOR leader Jeff Waters has commented on the recently revealed news that MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and the Canuck guitar legend are speaking about the possibilities of working together. Regarding the news that was announced earlier today at BraveWords.com, Waters says that "YES we are talking alot!"

Waters also sheds more light on his contact with Mustaine in 1989, when present Megadeth guitarist Jeff Young is fired and the band begins their search for a replacement which ends up being MARTY FRIEDMAN. It was during a North American tour with TESTAMENT that Waters had contact with Mustaine. The guitarist fills in the blanks: "Chuck (Billy - Testament singer) stormed into my hotel room and told me Dave was on the phone. We spoke. I was in shock. Tell me YOU wouldn't remember talking to a legend! He wanted side B of 'Peace Sells...But Who's Buying' learnt and then mentioned that he might want to rerecord my song 'Crystal Ann' (from 1989's Alice In Hell) on his next CD etc...

Look at it this way, Mustaine is a metal legend. I am a budding legend. He rules and I rock. If it is meant to be, then it will be. But know this, all yee metal fans, WHAT AN HONOR TO EVEN SPEAK WITH A MUSICIAN OF HIS CALIBRE! I hope things work out for him and Megadeth, regardless of my involvement. Still, how could I not ponder the magic that he and I would create if we were both to sit down someday and write together. As for myself and Annihilator, well I am here: 10 studio CDs, the latest, All For You, is selling better than ALL Annihilator CDs since the mid-nineties. New video just coming out for title track. USA deal done so there will be a USA domestic release soon. Just returned from a triumphant tour with JUDAS PRIEST in Europe last month; asked to "possibly" do their world tour next year. Planning fall/spring HEADLINE touring as we speak. Not too shabby for a kid from Ottawa, Canada eh?"

Band profile:

Megadeth

Guitarist Ralph Santolla has officially left ICED EARTH and joined SEBASTIAN BACH's solo band. "There are several reasons for this decision, and for the moment I will keep them to myself," Santolla writes in a statement sent to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "The other guys know my reasons, and hopefully this won't turn into a public pissing match. On the other hand, if it does, at least execution by musketry has gone out of style. I made some great friends, played some great, albeit difficult (!) metal tunes, and learned a lot from the experience. Whatever anyone else says about Jon , he IS a phenomenal rhythm guitarist.

"On a different note, I am the new lead guitarist for Sebastian Bach. We start playing July 22nd, and I can't wait. We'll do a new album later this year, so look for that, and I hope to see some of the cool people I met on tour with at some of these gigs. I am also in talks with Steve DiGiorgio , Gene Hoglan , and Tom Englund from EVERGREY about making an epic, orchestral metal album called 'ex Cathedra'. More on this later."

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Band profile:

Iced Earth

Legendary U.K. record label Music For Nations ? current home of OPETH and ANATHEMA and past home of METALLICA, CRADLE OF FILTH, TESTAMENT and countless other metal bands ? has officially closed its doors. The company's catalog ? which has previously included titles from artists as varied as LOST HORIZON and FRANK ZAPPA ? will be folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).

Launched in 1983 by Martin Hooker, Music For Nations established itself as a European leader in the rock and metal world, with early signings like METALLICA (who had three gold albums while on MFN), SLAYER and MEGADETH paving the way. As Music For Nations grew, the company expanded its operation to include not just licensed acts from the USA, but its own signings.

As a tease for their upcoming epic metal album Symphony Of Enchanted Lands Part 2 - The Dark Secret, due out this September through SPV, RHAPSODY will release an EP entitled The Dark Secret this summer. Guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli claim to have invented a new kind of metal with the album, dubbing it Film Score Metal.

The massive production, led by Turilli and Staropoli, was done in several studios throughout Europe, in England, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Germany. Supported by appearances by more than a dozen international guest soloists and the entire Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra from the Czech Republic, a 50 piece choir, and actor Christopher Lee, Turilli and Staropoli believe they've reached a new milestone in the realms of symphomic metal.

"It is a dream come true. We couldn't believe it when our management informed us that our hero Mr. Lee agreed to be part of our new CD," says Turilli. "We are extremely thankful and honoured that this outstanding legend of film and theatre has chosen to work with us."

"Mr.Lee indeed brought reality to our vision and dreams," adds Staropoli. "It was pure magic and his narrations is just magnificent and truly majestic."

Among other well known narrators and London actors, Lee will guide the listeners in the role of a king through The dark Secret saga. The following is a portion Lee's narrative:

"It was a good time for all creatures of the earth, but fate decreed that the dark prophecy of a demon knight could bring a tragic end to this peace scarring their lives forever. Shortly before his defeat in the last of the primordial wars between the heavens and hells the evil son of the Hell God Kron, known as Nekron, withdrew to his lair in the underworld. There, sensing his impending death, he inscribed a testament of pure evil in seven black books. One by one six of these books were discovered through out the ages, however the seventh, last and most terrible of all contained the secret of his resurrection. He commanded seven immortal demons to carry out his dark plan. But they were turned into stone by the angels of the crystal realms. And so his dreams slept with them until a time came when the forces of evil would usurp the earth. Nekron would rule in the unholy name of cosmic chaos. And this time he would reign supreme!"

The EP contains four non-album tracks, such as the raw and heavy 'Thunder's Mighty Roar', the english version of 'Guardians Of Destiny', and a remix of the song 'Non Ho Sonno', originally composed by the band GOBLIN for a movie by the famous Italian director Dario Argento. The limited edition includes a DVD that will contain exclusive interviews, behind the scenes material and a special video done by an Italian fan based on the Emerald Sword Saga, as well as a 5.1 surround sound mix of the track 'Unholy Warcry'.

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Band profile:

Rhapsody

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will be utilizing the services of bassist James Lomenzo (PRIDE & GLORY, DAVID LEE ROTH, WHITE LION) during their main-stage appearance at this year's Ozzfest, according to BlackLabelSociety.net. Since BLACK SABBATH have been announced as the headliners of this year's festival, OZZY OSBOURNE's solo band ? which features BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman Zakk Wylde on guitar ? will no longer be performing at the event.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will be touring in support of their latest release, "Hangover Music Vol. VI", which was released last month through Spitfire Records. The CD is mostly acoustic- and piano-based, much like Zakk's 1996 solo album "Book Of Shadows". Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS, OZZY OSBOURNE), Lomenzo and J.D. all share bass duties on the album while drummer John Tempesta (ROB ZOMBIE, TESTAMENT, EXODUS) makes a guest appearance on one track.

"Hangover Music Vol. VI" marks BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's final album for Spitfire Records under the terms of the group's present agreement with the label.

Source:	roadrun.com
Band profile:	Black Label Society

Canadian thrash pioneers EXCITER have set "New Testament - Coven of Re-Recorded Classics" as the title of their upcoming collection of reworked early songs, due June 7 through France's Osmose Productions. A North American release through The End Records is expected a short time later. The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Oblivion II
02. Violence & Force **
03. Stand Up and Fight *
04. Heavy Metal Maniac *
05. Pounding Metal **
06. Dark Command ++
07. Ritual Death ++
08. Long Live the Loud ***
09. Victims of Sacrifice ***
10. Brutal Warning +++
11. Rising of the Dead *
12. Black Witch *
13. Rain of Terror +
14. I Am the Beast ***
15. Burn at the Stake ++
16. Rule with An Iron Fist +++

* originally appears on "Heavy Metal Maniac" (1983)
** on "Violence and Force" (1984)
*** on "Long Live the Loud" (1985)
+ on "Kill after Kill" (1992)
++ on "The Dark Command" (1997)
+++ on "Blood of Tyrants" (2000)

Lineup on "New Testament - Coven of Re-Recorded Classics":

John Ricci - guitars and bass
Rik Charron - drums
Jacques Bélanger - vocals

In other news, EXCITER have announced the addition of bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen to the group's ranks. The band are currently writing material for a new full-length CD, which will be recorded within a year's time, according to a posting on their web site. Look for EXCITER to co-headline the Texas June Metalfest at Randy's Ballroom in San Antonio, Texas on June 12. A European tour is tentatively scheduled to take place between October 7 and October 17. Cities and dates will be announced soon.

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Lords Of Metal (www.lordsofmetal.nl) report that TESTAMENT have split with guitarist Steve Smyth. The band are now in search of a replacement to fill in on their upcoming European tour dates.

Word has it that Smyth has left the band to join NEVERMORE permanently. He has been playing with Nevermore in a session/touring guitarist capacity for the last couple of years.

Reports say that guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, ex-HALFORD) could be Smyth's replacement in Testament.

More details on this situation as they become available.

Band profile:

Testament

*The following names have been added to our increasingly impressive bill :*

SLIPKNOT, ICED EARTH, DIMMU BORGIR, MORBID ANGEL,

HYPOCRISY, PLEYMO, ILL NINO, CHIMAIRA, SEVEN WITCHES, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, EPICA

The programme for the various days is now as follows :

Friday 25 June : a.o. ANATHEMA, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, EPICA, EXODUS, HYPOCRISY, ICED EARTH, IN EXTREMO and WHITE LION.

Saturday 26 June : a.o. AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALICE COOPER, ANTHRAX, BACKFIRE, BLOOD FOR BLOOD, CRADLE OF FILTH, DISIPLINE, EVERGREY, MORBID ANGEL, MOTÖRHEAD, MY DYING BRIDE, , PLEYMO, SLAPSHOT, SLIPKNOT and QUEENSRYCHE.

Sunday 27 June : a.o. CHIMAIRA, CHILDREN OF BODOM, DEATH ANGEL, DIMMU BORGIR, DYING FETUS, , HATEBREED, ILL NINO, JUDAS PRIEST, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, LIFE OF AGONY, SAXON, SEVEN WITCHES, TESTAMENT and THERION

*BIG GRASPOP CLASH*

Year after year, scores of metalheads wonder why hardly any homegrown bands make it onto the otherwise excellent Graspop bill

Yes, well, we can't get around the fact that there are legions of international acts out there and most of them have been around the block a few times more than our Belgian bands. For a minute there, it looked as if no Belgian bands at all were going to grace this year's three-day festival, but of course we couldn't let that happen. We joined forces with Rock Tribune to look for a satisfactory solution. After all, who do you choose when every Belgian band feels called to? Then we thought: why not organise a genuine BATLLE OF BANDS and guess what? The people behind the Graspop festival also liked the idea. The place to be is Biebob, Vosselaar (or what did you expect?). A prestigious event calls for a prestigious location, so Belgium's permier metal temple was the logical choice.
This is the plan: on 22 May, five Belgian bands will thrash it out on stage in the crunching final of the Big Graspop Clash. The winner obviously gets to play Graspop, that goes without saying, but there's more... Thanks to musical instrument shop KEY MUSIC, the band that comes out on top will also win A BACKLINE WORTH NO LESS THAN ? 3,000 (!!). And still we at Rock Tribune felt it wasn't enough. A track by the winning band or artist will be included on the CD that will accompany the July/August issue of our magazine.
So what do you do if you have your own band? Go for it, of course!! Get a move on and send a CD with your material to

ROCK TRIBUNE GRASPOP CONCOURS -
GROTE STEENWEG ZUID 11 - 9052 GENT

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A second live bootleg video is currently available in the Merch section of TESTAMENT's website (at this location: http://www.testamentlegions.com/index2.htm

The tape features the original Testament lineup (vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarist Alex Skolnick, guitarist Eric Peterson, bassist Greg Christian and drummer Louie Clemente) live at the Santa Monica Civic, Santa Monica, CA on December 16, 1989. It includes after show backstage footage as well.

Band profile:

Testament

UFO, DRAGONFORCE, INTO ETERNITY, STORMLORD and DARK LUNACY are the latest acts confirmed for the 2004 edition of the Gods of Metal festival, set to take place June 5-6 at Arena Parco Nord in Bologna, Italy.

The updated running order for the festival is as follows:

Saturday, June 5:

JUDAS PRIEST
STRATOVARIUS
UFO
NEVERMORE
SYMPHONY X
ANATHEMA
RAGE
T.B.A.
INTO ETERNITY
DARK LUNACY

Sunday, June 6:

ALICE COOPER
TESTAMENT
MOTORHEAD
TWISTED SISTER
W.A.S.P.
T.B.A.
SODOM
NAGLFAR
STORMLORD
DRAGONFORCE