Beyond Twilight have parted ways with their singer Kelly "Sundown" Carpenter. The following statement was posted at the band's official website:

"Kelly Sundown Carpenter is no longer a member of Beyond Twilight. Kelly had 4 months to deliver vocal lines for the upcoming album, but did not deliver more than 30 of unusable vocals lines. Schedules and plans were pushed several times to adapt to Kelly's lack of ideas and problems. All in the Beyond Twilight camp have been more than patient with all his excuses. On the 7th of December Kelly finally got a warning. Through a period of 4 months he promised he would deliver next day, but nothing happened. His reasons were everything from personal problems, family problems, not having enough time, blaming Mike and Truls from Circus Maximus taking away his enthusiasm because Kelly felt second to them and to not having a clue of what to sing. Kelly then demanded money, else he wouldn't do the recordings. Although this is not the spirit of Beyond Twilight the band was forced to make an arrangement which was settled and Kelly was assured his wish of 500$. The 28th of December Kelly decided that the label should pay him the amount of 500$ before he left for the recordings, else he wouldn't do the recordings. Finn Zierler wrote to Kelly that the label of course was closed during Christmas and he was not even going to ask the label, but desperate to save the situation Finn offered to transfer the money to Kelly and asked Kelly to supply him with a Paypal account. Kelly did not do this, instead he started attacking the concept of the album, although he had not written any lyrics nor did he have a clue of what the concept is about. At last only one day before Kelly was supposed to fly to Europe he ended up accusing Finn for not paying him money to the account that Kelly never supplied and that he couldn't thrust Finn to give it to him and therefore he wanted to leave the band. King Kelly has decided not to cover the economical losses he has caused.
On behalf of everybody in the Beyond Twilight camp it's safe to say that we are all puzzled about Kelly, but we wish him the best for the future."

Source:	beyondtwilight.dk
Band profile:	Beyond Twilight

WITCHERY Sign Worldwide Deal With Century Media Records; New Album Set For A Late March Release
12.12.2005

Sweden's WITCHERY have returned from the dead after a two year hiatus to sign a worldwide deal with Century Media Records and deliver their highly-anticipated fourth full-length offering Don't Fear The Reaper, which is set for a late March release.

Led by Jensen (The Haunted), Richard Corpse, Toxine and Mique, WITCHERY's spell was cast upon our earthly existence back in 1997. Before recording their debut album, Restless And Dead, Jensen recruited Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy, ex-Mercyful Fate) and got him on board for the unholy alliance. Subsequently, the band released the Witchburner EP (feat. cover songs by Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, W.A.S.P. and Accept). Their second full-length album, Dead, Hot And Ready, stirred up a strong buzz in the underground metal scene, helping the band tour the U.S. and Europe.

In 2001, the group delivered Symphony For The Devil, their first album staring drummer Martin Axenrot (Bloodbath, Opeth), which quickly solidified them as one of the genre's best. Jensen's touring commitments with The Haunted forced WITCHERY into hibernation for some time, but the band finally recorded their new masterpiece Don't Fear The Reaper at Berno Studios in the Fall of 2004. The album was mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Mnemic) and features the band's catchiest, yet most savage material to date.

Jensen (guitars) further describes his excitement over their new deal: "Finally, I'll say it again...finally, WITCHERY has signed a new deal. This time with Century Media. I'm really glad that we will be handled by the same team that has done such a great job for our other bands - The Haunted and Arch Enemy. Our new album, Don't Fear The Reaper, has been recorded, mixed and mastered since October 2004, so it feels really great to be able to say to all the WITCHERY fans I've met over the past years that the album will definitely be out early next year! A new website will be up and running soon too, so keep an eye out for that. There will be touring and major festivals appearances coming up next year, as well. See you all out there soon."

Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Witchery

The final line-up for next year's Maryland Deathfest, which will take place May 27th and 28th @ the Sonar in Baltimore, has been revealed:

Dismember - Sweden
Vital Remains - Rhode Island
Haemorrhage - Spain
Pungent Stench - Austria
Necrophagist - Germany
Demilich - Finland
Unholy Grave - Japan
Machetazo - Spain
Butcher Abc - Japan
Disfear - Sweden
Severe Torture - Netherlands
Anata - Sweden
Sanitys Dawn - Germany
Rompeprop - Netherlands
Cliteater - Netherlands
Skinless - New York
Gorgasm - Illinois
Embalmer - Ohio
Yacoepsae - Germany
Wtn - Singapore
Engorged - Oregon
Burnt By The Sun - New Jersey
Municipal Waste - Virginia
Cenotaph - Turkey
Mucupurulent - Germany
Total Fucking Destruction - Pesnnsylvania
Mesrine - Canada
Catheter - Colorado
Beneath The Massacre - Canada
Electro Quarterstaff - Canada
Quills - Maryland
Embryonic Cryptopathia - Massachusetts

Tickets will go on sale January 5th. More information on the festival can be found in the following link:
http://www.supremebrutality.com/

Side-Note: this fest seems to be a little less mainstream than the previous shows, but this time the bands are way more brutal and the main genre is Goregrind, be prepared for a really sickening experience, so the lucky ones who are able to assist, do not hesitate.

Source:

smnnews.com

15.12.2005

Hello everyone, it's good to be back. Check out some new pics of ours and download our new song "One Day To Live" following the MP3 link. Feel free to contact us sharing some of your thoughts or just leave a comment in our guestbook. Oh! Do NOT use the address info@onthornsilay.com to send us mail. It doesn't work anymore... You can use onthorns@gmail.com instead.

Take care,
OTIL

Source:	onthornsilay.com
Band profile:	On Thorns I Lay

Last Monday, December 20th, 2002, the Platinum Album ceremony has taken place at Hard Rock Cafe in Plaza de Colón (Madrid). It was given to the Heavy Folk Metal band Mägo De Oz for the massive and outrageous sales of their last album, Gaia II: La Voz Dormida.

Press, radio and television aside, some important people went to the act like Minister of Culture Mrs Carmen Calvo, who clearly spoke an open eulogy of Rock as a cultural expression and culture itself and showed Mägo De Oz as the most important Spanish Rock band in Spanish language in the last years. Furthermore, she did not only treat them as champions of our music but also as champions of freedom of speech and human values, which they show in their lyrics, congratulating them in the name of the Spanish Government. In addition, she claimed equality of opportunity and attention towards Rock, comparing this style with Classical, Pop and other music styles and calling it crystal clearly "The great Classical of the 20th century". We hope the spokesmen of the press and music labels who attended the act will take the hint about the Minister's words.

Finally, Mrs Calvo acknowledged herself as a metalhead and follower of Mägo De Oz's career and confessed herself worried about the awful consequences of actual piracy. Next, the band gave her a violin they all signed as a present, and Mr Claudio Prieto, well-known Classical composer and Mohamed's father, spoke some emotive words. Mr Carlos Tibu Vázquez, band manager, opened the act with a short introduction and closed it presenting some exclusive images of the new scenery the band will use in their next tour.

The band with the Minister of Culture, Mrs Carmen Calvo:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino01.jpg
The band giving the violin to the Minister:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino02.jpg
The whole band, posing for the media:
http://mago.rockmusic.org/mo/datos/fotos/discoplatino03.jpg

Translation from http://www.magodeoz.com
Thanks to Taktsekte

Read more ››

Band profile:

Mägo De Oz

According to Massive Management, DECAPITATED have parted ways with both their bassist Martin and new vocalist Covan. More information will be posted as it's released.

We don't know the actual facts on this story, but we'll track this information down and soon we'll give it to you.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Decapitated

Relapse Records announced on their latest newsletter that the band Unearthly Trance started the recording of their third album and the debut with Relapse. The band entered at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago with engineer Sanford Parker.

The title of the album will be "The Trident", and there are already some song titles: "Decrepitude", "You Get What You Want", "The Air Exits, The Sea Accepts", "Permanent Ice", "Firebrand", "Scarlet" and "Where The Unbelievable Is Ordinary". The album is expected to be released during the spring of 2006.

Ryan Lipynsky commented: "The production is over the top as far as heaviness. The tone is still as oppressive but the songs develop at a more quickly and Darrens drumming takes a lead role more than ever. Some songs have more vocal melody than before and other songs sound like His Hero Is Gone doing Darkthrone covers!! We also drew upon our catalog of unrecorded songs and have revamped some excellent old tunes."

Source:

- Relapse Records Newsletter -

Due to legal paperwork the recordings of the upcoming Solitude Aeturnus album entitled "Alone" have to be delayed (at least) until mid January, this "assuming all goes well".

John Perez commented: "Our apologies to everyone yet once again for another delay in getting this recording for "Alone" started. We are more than ready but we have to deal with some red-tape legal paperwork before we can start. It's not something we have control over unfortunately. Before we can get the necessary money to start recording we must first have these blasted forms/paperwork filled out for Massacre. Without going into every sordid and boring detail, let's just say that something went wrong with the necessary forms and we have to go through the process again, which takes about 4 weeks to complete."

In other hand a demo version of "Sightless" is posted online and can be found at:

http://www.eternalsolitude.com/pages/excerpts/sa_sightless_demo.mp3

Source:	eternalsolitude.com
Band profile:	Solitude Aeturnus

Our hounour and respect to all those who have supported the band over the last few years. Finally a new site to clarify the rumours, statiate the curious and enthrall the devout. First off, Id like to thank and send Hails to our new webmaster L.Kaos.

Since 2004 D666 has a new bass player. Almost human Matt, (part) man behind London based Razor of Occam

We can announce that D666 will probably tour next April. We are hoping to organize a European tour along with REVENGE.

Im also working on getting D666 to Sth America. So I urge all the Sth American maniacs to send your death threats to Mutliation Records.

D666 has given permission to Hells HeadBangers label to release, later this year, the Pic. Disc version of "Cold Steel...for an Iron Age" It will come with a new revised cover, and will also come with a jacket/sleeve featuring different artwork again. This is off course important for the band. As the unsolicited artwork from the previously released CD/LP S.O.M version still ranks as one of the worst attempts at record cover design ever attempted.

This new version will feature an extra track form the "Cold Steel..." session entitled "The Dragon" and will also feature alternate versions of "The Calling" and "The Fall of Shadows".

We are currently working on an LP, featuring all D666 7" tracks. As well as 2 unreleased tracks which were originally recorded Oct.2003 as 7" to commerate that years aussie tour. Alas, I remained unsatisfied with the vocals, and the songs sat around forgotten till recently. We hope this will be of benefit for those still tormenting (me) for copies of the 7"s.
May be released Jan 2006.

KK / D666

Source:	destroyer666.net
Band profile:	Deströyer 666

From "The Cage", the Official Worldwide Arena Community:

"Today (9 December) it is exactly 10 years since Arena played their first gig. Time to celebrate! So on this day, the first official, extensive Arena biography is published on the Cage Page.

The biography, entitled The Salt And The Sand, has been written by Jan-Jaap de Haan, together with Erik Beers, and is based on new, extensive interviews with Clive, Mick, Rob, John M and John J. who were all kind enough to co-operate and share their views on 10 years of Arena history.

It will only be available online on the Cage Page, in PDF-format, for free".

Source:	the-cage.org
Band profile:	Arena

Guitarist Peter Wichers decided to part ways with the band, here is an statement by him explaining his decision:

"Dear All!

I have decided to part ways with Soilwork.

This has been one of my hardest decisions to make, and Soilwork has not only been my band but my second family and very good friends for almost 10 years.

I'm just worn out from all the touring and I have reached a point in my life where touring is just not possible for me anymore.

I need a break from the touring so that I can actually begin to build a more solid ground to stand on for the future.

I have on this journey met so many amazing people, made so many new friends, played in front of thousands of people, and I got to travel to places I have always dreamt of visiting.

Soilwork has reached a level I never thought was possible, and I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing band experience and working alongside with such amazing people like I have.

I know that in order for Soilwork to reach a new level there has to be even more touring done and I feel as if it's only fair that someone else therefore fills my spot now instead of later.

I have decided to continue with my second passion in life, which is Music Production & Recording, and in order to achieve this goal I need to put all my time and energy into this.

Soilwork and I will remain great friends and I wish them all the success in the future.

I also wish to extend a gigantic "THANK YOU" to all the Fans, The Label, Friends & Bands and Magazines for the great support and encouragement.

I can also say that this is not the end for me in music, but the beginning of something new!

Sincerely
Peter Wichers"

To read statements by Dirk Verbeuren (drummer) and Speed (singer) go to the news section of the Soilwork official website.

Read more ››

Source:	soilwork.org
Band profile:	Soilwork

Lifeforce Records has announced the signature of Danish "Futuristic Hybrid Metal" act Raunchy (www.raunchy.dk). The release date for the new album of the band, "... Death Pop Romance" has been set on February 17th 2006 in Germany and February 20th 2006 in the rest of Europe. This album was recorded in the Summer of 2005 by Jacob Hansen (Mercenary, Fear My Thoughts, Communic) and mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios (Hatesphere, The Haunted, Mnemic).

Source:

lifeforcerecords.com

Queensryche returned to the studio this summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988's acclaimed concept album "Operation: Mindcrime". Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard's album chart for more than a year and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records helps unravel the mysteries of the original with "Operation: Mindcrime II". The album is available March 14 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

"Operation: Mindcrime II" contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet ? singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate; guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone; bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield.

Tate says the current political and social climate inspired him to revisit the storyline. "I left the original open-ended with the intent to come back with a sequel to finish the story up," he says. "Considering where we are today and how little things have changed, it was too ironic not to continue the story."

"Operation: Mindcrime's" intriguing and complex plot revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes Nikki, the story's main character, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki's lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger "Who Killed Sister Mary?"

Set 20 years after the original, "Operation: Mindcrime II" explores Nikki's fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary's killer. "I tried to put myself in Nikki's shoes and imagine what it would be like for him to come back to society after spending 20 years in jail stewing about what happened to him," Tate says. "I became fascinated with the concept of revenge and what that would do to a person like Nikki. The story is ultimately about how Nikki wrestles with his conflicted emotions. On one side, his base instincts are pushing him to kill those who wronged him. On the other side, his conscience ? represented by the spirit of Sister Mary ? urges him to learn from his past mistakes and find salvation."

Earlier this year Queensryche launched a sold-out tour featuring the original "Operation: Mindcrime" performed in its entirety with actors on stage portraying the characters alongside the band. Tate says the band plans to launch a tour in 2006 that will feature a stage performance of both "Mindcrime"s in their entirety. "The actors on stage with us add a new dimension to the music," he says. "It's different than your typical rock show, but the audiences really got into the 'Mindcrime I' tour. It's exciting to have the opportunity to combine both albums into one show. It's going to be epic."

Read more ››

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Queensrÿche

Waterclime is a new "traditional progressive and symphonic rock filtered through a Nordic mind with Scandinavian folk tones and at times a jazzy ambient atmosphere" project by Vintersorg, and his debut album entitled "The Astral Factor" is set to be released on 20th of January 2006. To see the cover art click here.

The tracklist is the following:

1. Mountains
2. Floating
3. The Astral Factor
4. Diamond Moon
5. Painting Without Colours
6. Midnight Flyer
7. Scarytale
8. Timewind.

Vintersorg plays all the instruments and vocals on the album. Matthias Marklund (lead guitar on "The Astral Factor" and "Painting Without Colour") and Magnus Lindgren (on "Mountains") are guests on the album. for more info visit: http://www.lionmusic.com/waterclime.htm

Read more ››

Source:	lionmusic.com
Band profile:	Vintersorg

The Italian band Node posted a update on its website, in which announced that their upcoming album "As God Kills" is ready. The album is currently being mastered at Goran Finnberg's Mastering Room Studio. The release date and the tracklist of the album will be announced on the near future.

Also the band published a site at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nodeband

Node will be playing a couple of dates on December:

17 Dec So Rock Day Winter - Sondrio

25 Dec Gate 52 - Ferlina Di Bussolengo - Verona

Source:

node.it