Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have inked a deal with Germany's AFM Records. Last Friday, the band and label met in Hamburg to discuss their future. The gothic metal act are currently working on their new album and have most of the material already completed. Musically, the band are promising a return to their early sound.

"If you want, you can consider this album as a kind of follow-up to 'Aegis'," drummer Hein Frode Hansen said of the new album's musical direction. "For us this was a very natural way right now."

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's as-yet-untitled new album will be the group's first to feature singer Nell (THE CREST), who replaced Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (currently in LEAVES' EYES) in early 2004. A March 24, 2006 release is expected.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Theatre Of Tragedy

Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott has posted the following message on the band's official website:

"Wow, that was 2 months that went by quickly - we had a blast this summer in the US! The Ozzfest dates were very successful for us and we enjoyed seeing our music connect with so many fans, new and old. Also our new album "Doomsday Machine" coming out while we were actually in the U.S.A (a first for us) was a highlight!

We'd like to thank all the great fans for coming out and seeing us play (more often than not at a not-so-metal time of day) and supporting us at our signing sessions at the FYE and Jägermeister tents - you are the true spirit of the metal scene.

Thank you to all the cool bands on Ozzfest - it was a pleasure sharing the 2nd stage with you - good luck to you all in the future! A metal salute to Jake at FYE (Ozzfest) for going out of his way to get my Black Sabbath box set signed - hopefully see you in November!

Right now we are back home in Sweden, we'll be starting rehearsals next week? With a new guitar player - a Swede this time! That's going to be really cool?I am excited about this new guy - he's a sick ripper! More on this very soon?

Of course, we want to thank our Greek friend Gus for coming in and doing this summer with Arch Enemy in the US! The boy did good!!! (I am personally going to miss my Greek language lessons?I was making great progress...really, honestly!).

Ahead of us lies a bunch of European dates (it's been awhile!) and Japan (always amazing) - we are super excited about this of course!
(Rumors have it that we'll also be making a trip to a continent Arch Enemy has not yet visited - this should be very close to being confirmed now?).

Ok. That's it. The next chapter of the Doomsday tale is soon upon us? We won't be breathing Swedish air for much longer.."

Band profile:

Arch Enemy

September 6th 2005 at: 18:48:00 hours

The release of 'the Score - an Epic Journey' has been delayed with one week, the new release date will be the 15th of September.

Source:	epica.nl source: transmissionrecords.nl
Band profile:	Epica

Holland's most deadly Death/Thrash formation Callenish Circle recently finished the recordings of their new (and meanwhile 5th) album.

The new album is titled and it was recorded at aRe U Recordings in Holland under supervision of producer Gail Liebling.

The final mix was done at the well-known Antfarm Studio in Denmark with Tue Madsen (a.o. The Haunted, Illdisposed & Mnemic).

Mastering duties were handled again by Peter Neuber at Mega Wimp Sound in Germany.

Last but not least the complete artwork was created by Danish art talent Mircea Gabriel Eftemie at Cadaverman Media.

Official statement from guitar player Ron on the new album:

'This time we decided to record, mix and master the album on different locations. We recorded the album over here in Holland with our long-time (live) sound-engineer Gail Liebling and the final mix was done in Denmark with Tue Madsen at his Antfarm Studio. Last but not least the mastering was done by Peter Neuber at Mega Wimp Sound and this turned out to be a perfect combination. The sound is absolutely killer ! Gail, who is also responsible for all digital / wacky sounds on 'My Passion // Your Pain', was also involved in the writing process now. Result is that the amount of digital sounds increased, also being more integrated in the music, which turned out great. I think we made a big step forward regarding production and song writing and we're very anxious to hear what the fans and press think of it.

What we think? groovy as hell, catchy as Justin Timberlake and heavy as f*ck !

You'll be surprised, that's for sure !

01. This Day You Regret
02. Ignorant
03. Behind Lines
04. Schwarzes Licht
05. Sweet Cyanide
06. Blind
07. Guess Again
08. Self-Inflicted
09. As You Speak
10. Pitch Black

The album will also be available in a luxury limited edition digi-pack CD / DVD set with different artwork.

Additional track list of the DVD:

· professionally recorded live show (7 songs - 40 minutes) at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands.
· studio report featuring the recordings in Holland, the mix in Denmark & an exclusive interview with producer Gail Liebling.
· festival report of the band's trip to the Brutal Assault Festival in Czech Republic (2005).
· festival report of the band's trip to the Piorno Rock Festival in Spain (2004).
· motion photo gallery.

The European release for is scheduled on the 14th of November 2005 through Metal Blade Records.

Read more ››

Source:	Callenish Circle
Band profile:	Callenish Circle

29.08
"This is The War" available online!!!
Finally!!! A brand new video-clip "This Is The War" (war mix) is available online! The video promotes VADER's upcoming MCD "The Art Of War", out on the 14th of November through band's new record label Regain Records. The video has been created by Arkadiusz Jurcan and edited at Selani Studio. Both "war" and "studio" versions of the clip will be available on "The Art Of War" in best resolution as extra bonus tracks!
"This Is The War" (war mix) you can download from our video section. Enjoy!

1.09
New layout...
You might have noticed a new layout of www.vader.pl and some small changes in the structure of the site but that's not a new site really. The new, completely refreshed website will come with the next studio album.

1.09
Watch the video online!
From now you can also watch "This Is The War" video-clip online under that link. Just click and enjoy!

Read more ››

Source:	vader.pl
Band profile:	Vader

This is the list of the ucpoming releases of the label:

OUT NOW:
- After All - The Vermin Breed
Fifth album by this famous Belgian Thrash Metal band.

- Vanishing Point - Embrace The Silence
Third album from Australia's Power and Progressive Heroes (hopeful kings ...)

- Death Before Disco - Party Bullet
Innovative, fresh, catchy, rocking, melodic, aggressive and amazing. A great debut.

- In-Quest - The Comatose Quandaries
5th album from the Belgium band. Mindblowing, innovative and fucking heavy. Feat. Michael of Mnemic on guest vocals.

- As We Fight - Black Nails and Bloody Wrists
Amazing full length by this Scandinavian powerhouse! Emotional, passionate, hard and METAL.

- Integrity - Sliver In The Hands Of Time
Cleveland's metallic hardcore legends. 21 tracks of 7"s and rare recordings. 32 page full colour booklet.

- Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
The brainchild of EX-BLIND GUARDIAN drummer THOMEN STAUCH. A perfect marriage of catchy melodies and straight forward speed-attacks.
September 19, 2005:

- Dyecrest - This Is My World
Finnish Young Metal Gods contest winner Dyecrect are back with their new album in Autumn. "Boy boy boy, these guys know how to write refrains", Rock Hard Germany.

- Angel Crew - One Life One Sentence
2nd album from this all-star formation, with members of BackFire!, Deviate, Length of Time and

- Arkangel! You wanna know why this band is so hyped up??? Listen and weep !

October 24, 2005:
- Persuader - The Hunter
Their debut album "The Hunter" was hailed throughout the underground and Persuader was named "newcomer of the year" by several zines in 2000. The record started making waves, but had only just been released in France when Loud ´n Proud went bankrupt, making the album virtually impossible to find. We are now able to present the legendary first album of the Young Metal Gods contest winners from Sweden, incl. some bonus tracks.

November 21, 2005:
- A Traitor Like Judas - Nightmare Inc.
Germany's young hardcore band. Their Dockyard 1 debut and awaited follow-up to 2004's "Ten Angry Men"; one of the top 5 European hardcore releases of 2004. A modern masterpiece of metal hardcore; Brutally fast, technically brilliant and entirely and wholeheartedly pure kick-ass.

- Dreamland - Future's Calling
This new young Swedish band, discovered and produced by Andy La Roque (King Diamond) and Joacim Cans of Hammerfall fame, is fronted by a young kid called Joacim Lundberg, who has also just become the official new lead singer of DREAM EVIL. Dreamland will deliver their debut of melodic heavy metal with a touch of the eighties - including Joacim Cans on backing vocals.

Read more ››

Source:

Dockyard1

Ivory Tower - It (2005?)

"IT" is an epic-concept album with 17 tracks/spoken parts and 66 minutes music.

The Story:
This story is about a man. One of many. Split in his personality.
Influencing and missing affection within young years supported the building up of anger, hate and maliciousness.
The own indifference and lacking self-responsibility also offered the breeding ground for the evil. Without noticing it his steady behaviour became influenced by arrogance, aggression and egoism.
Friends and acquaintances turn away and in the end his beloved girlfriend leaves him, too. Caught in this cage of evil he slowly becomes aware of his lifetime.
And so he attempts to change himself and make up for the mistakes he´s made. But his enemy is bigger than he thought.
Because the dark side in us cannot be so simply changed... and the dark side has a name..............
.................IT

Source:	ivorytower.de
Band profile:	Ivory Tower

Canadian death metallers Kataklysm have posted the following message on their official website:

"Hello everyone!

As many of you know, the contest for the artwork is done. Kataklysm and our record label Nuclear Blast have looked at every single one (hundreds!) over the last 4 weeks and couldnt really come up with a decision together, so we decided to let you guys decide our next album's artwork!... We brought it down to the last 5 artworks that hit a nerve with us the most.

This is how it will work; NUCLEAR BLAST will have the 5 finalists' designs on their website at www.nuclearblast.de and all you have to do is click on the contest link and vote!!! The voting will run for 1 week and will end on September 9. We will then announce the winner shortly afterwards.

All the runner ups will not leave empty handed, as Kataklysm will give all 5 finalists a pair of guest list passes to any Kataklysm concert, any time any place!!

The winner will have his or her artwork on the next Kataklysm album "In the Arms of Devastation", on merchanside and posters, and will also have the whole line of products which the art will be displayed on. And of course, the good part - the winner will also receive 500$!... You didn't think we would take advantage of anyone did you? Now at least, we know all the artworks sent was from the heart, not for the cash.

So go and vote!

Cheers!"

See the artwork choices and cast your vote at
http://www.nuclearblast.de/katavoting.php

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Kataklysm

We're sorry to announce that due to several reasons beyond our control, we're not able to do the previously announced Arch enemy/Trivium tour in Sep/Oct. We were looking forward to the trip and examined all possible solutions, but at the end of the day we have no option but to cancel our participation. Apologies to the people that got their hopes up as well as to the Arch enemy camp.

Source:	darktranquillity.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity

Legendary Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER have parted ways with bassist Johan Bergebäck. Johan "left band due to lack of the time DISMEMBER requires nowadays," the group write on their web site. "The band is looking for a new bassist, situated in the Stockholm area and those who are interested can send an e-mail to dismemberbooking@hotmail.com with some info about themselves."

As previously reported, DISMEMBER entered Sami Studio in Stockholm last month to begin recording their seventh album. The recording sessions will end later this month, with a planned mid-January 2006 release date through Regain Records. Drummer Fred Estby is once again producing the follow-up to 2004's "Where Ironcrosses Grow". New songtitles include "The God That Never Was", "Feel the Darkness" and "Through the Unbroken Black".

Taken from www.dismember.se

Band profile:

Dismember

Gamma Ray to unleash latest endeavor, Majestic,

October 11, 2005 through Sanctuary Records

Gamma Ray is set to release their latest effort Majestic on October 11, 2005 through Sanctuary Records. The line-up for Majestic includes Kai Hansen (vocals, guitars), Dirk Schlächter (bass), Henjo Richter (guitar, keyboards) and Daniel Zimmerman (drums), who have been together for the last several releases after a number of line-up changes in the early stages of the band's career. Majestic will be the band's first release since 2003's Skeletons in the Closet.

As with previous Gamma Ray releases, Hansen serves as the lead composer, but for this effort both Richter and Zimmerman also contributed tracks, lending a dash of diversity to the signature Gamma Ray sound. The band recorded the album at their own Hansen Studios in Hamburg, with Hansen and Schlächter on the controls. They brought Mika Jussila (Stratovarius, Masterplan, Edguy, among others) aboard to master the album and create a dynamic, well-rounded sound for the finished product.

Majestic Track Listing:
1) My Temple
2) Fight
3) Strange World
4) Hell Is Thy Home
5) Blood Religion
6) Condemned to Hell
7) Spiritual Dictator
8) Majesty
9) How Long
10) Revelation

The band is working on plans for a 2006 North American tour.

Read more ››

Source:	sanctuaryrecords.com
Band profile:	Gamma Ray

Guitarist Allen West has announced his departure from Obituary West's exit from the group comes on the eve of Obituary's U.S. tour with Napalm Death and Allen feels that the fans deserve no surprises when they don't see the band that they were expecting. Allen will concentrate fully on Lowbrow, whose revamped lineup consists of founding members West, Curtis Beeson (Nasty savage) and Richard Hornberger, along with new bassist Jon Fronza. Lowbrow will continue without former members Ben Meyer (Nasty Savage, Acheron) and Richard Bateman (Agent Steel, Nasty Savage).

LOWBROW are currently preparing material for a new recording to follow 2001's "Sex. Violence.Death". More information will be made available soon.

Although Obituary have yet to comment on West's departure, singer John Tardy posted the following message on the band's official message board in response to a fan who complained about West being too "wasted" during the group's appearance at the Hole In The Sky festival in Norway this past weekend (August 28th).

"First, I would like to apologize for Allen and that is all I can do. We (Obituary) did what we could and just could not control Allen that day...he was a mess! You were at the show and could see that we tried our best and Allen was just too drunk to play a good show. You hear stories like this all the time (with all bands) and just like me you have to wonder why someone just can't be professional with what they are doing! We have all the time in the world to party as much as we want after the show and you would think you could show up ready to play and give your fans 100%! In this case Allen failed us! We are not happy and have talked with him about this and I am not sure what we are going to do! He has to make up his mind as to what he wants to do! Once again I can only apologize and and tell you that where the rest of the band gives it 100% everyshow no matter what and one weak link (Allen) can bring all that down! I also realize that his perfomance is a reflection on the whole band and that is what hurts the most when I look at how hard the rest of the band works to be the very best that we can! We can only hope that Allen gets his priorities straight!"

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Obituary

In November 2005 Italian Film Score Metal icons RHAPSODY are poised to release their first live album ever ! The recordings will be based on performances made during leg one of MANOWAR's 'Demons, Dragons and Warriors World Tour' where RHAPSODY appeared as the special guests in spring 2005.

This recently completed first leg of the tour was highly acclaimed for its striped down and performance oriented arrangements, which allowed the band to prove that the music is the message. No track list has been released yet but RHAPSODY's record label Magic Circle Music announced the songs played during the shows included old favorites and tracks from their latest release Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret. More to follow.

With their last year's, sixth album "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II – The Dark Secret“ on Magic Circle Music RHAPSODY continued to pioneer their new style of cinematic metal aptly called Film Score Metal. RHAPSODY has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

Source:	mightyrhapsody.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Riverside would like to inform you that the worldwide premiere of "Second Life Syndrome" has been scheduled for the 31st of October 2005. The album will be released on Inside Out label worldwide and on Mystic Production in Poland. Both releases will have the same graphic layout designed by Travis Smith. Also, they hope you'll be pleased to hear that there are going to be 9 tracks on "SLS" and not 8, as announced before:

Riverside "Second Life Syndrome"

1. After
2. Volte-Face
3. Conceiving You
4. Second Life Syndrome
5. Artificial Smile
6. I Turned You Down
7. Reality Dream III
8. Dance With The Shadow
9. Before

They have also planned a few gigs for the autumn:
24-25.09.2005 PROGRESISTE CONVENTION - Spirit Of 66, Verviers, Belgium
13.10.2005 Bluescafe, Apeldoorn, Holland
14.10.2005 P60, Amstelveen, Holland
15.10.2005 PROG NOSE FESTIVAL
19.11.2005 ECLIPSED FESTIVAL - Aschaffenburger Colos-Saal, Germany

Source:

riverside.art.pl

VOIVOD guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour passed away Friday night (August 26) at approximately 11:45 p.m. due to complications from advanced colon cancer ? so advanced that the disease had spread to his liver. D'Amour slipped into a coma Thursday night and died less than 24 hours later in the palliative care unit of a Montreal hospital, surrounded by family and friends. He was 45 years old.

Quebec City newspaper Le Soleil reported yesterday that D'Amour ? who was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier in the summer ? first entered the hospital for a routine operation, but several complications led his doctors to suspect more problems. Then the grim verdict was revealed: the cancer, already too advanced, was inoperable.

Only two months ago, D'Amour was in the studio working on the 14th album from the Canadian thrash-metal pioneers VOIVOD. More than two dozen tracks are believed to have been demoed for the CD, for which the group recently inked a deal with The End Records. However, the band were forced to put studio work on hold while bassist Jason Newsted (ex-METALLICA) was treated for tendonitis.

In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Newsted spoke about the material slated to appear on the group's next CD. "It's the most complete demos I've ever been involved in," he said. " Snake has already chosen his effects ? exact timing of milliseconds for delay. We've had a long time to develop the demos, so there's about 23 or 25 songs that are absolutely listenable right now."

Newsted was a huge fan of VOIVOD before he was invited to join and he remains a great admirer to this day. "They created something a long, long time ago that may have been emulated many, many times since ? but nobody can do it like the original," he offered.

Prior to his hospitalization, D'Amour laid down guitar tracks for a reunion CD from the legendary AUT'CHOSE, a '70s band from Montreal. That album is expected to surface next summer.

Read more ››

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Voivod