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Dark Tranquillity - new album details

Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY have set "Character" as the title of their new full-length album, due on January 24 in Europe and January 25 in North America. An EP, entitled "Lost To Apathy", will precede the album on November 15. Both releases will surface through Century Media Records, who recently signed the band to a brand-new three-album deal.

Commented Leif Jensen of Century Media's European A&R department: "DARK TRANQUILLITY are the originators and innovators of the melodic death metal style and a total favourite band for Century Media's staff, so we are all extremely proud about the professional and very successful co-operation we managed to have with the band so far! And this is only the beginning because the band has signed a new worldwide contract with Century Media and we are looking forward to break new ground for them with their outstanding next album 'Character'. This one won't leave you unimpressed...watch out!"

The band added: "We are exceptionally satisfied to announce that we've chosen to continue our cooperation with Century Media for another three albums. After lengthy negotiations with several prolific labels, the dotted line was finally signed and we have full confidence that we've made the right choice and that there are some excellent years ahead ? both for us and for Century Media. As some of you know, the new CD is already recorded and mixed, and the response for the live previews of the song 'One Thought' has been truly great throughout the summer festivals, so we're eagerly anticipating the release of the album."

DARK TRANQUILLITY will be supporting thrash metal icons KREATOR all over Europe on the lengthy "Enemy Of God" tour beginning on February 2. Two additional support acts will be announced soon. Prior to the KREATOR tour, DARK TRANQUILLITY will play a special Metal Hammer-sponsored U.K. one-off gig with labelmates ARCH ENEMY and THE HAUNTED on December 17 at the Forum in London.

Source: blabbermouth.net
Band profile: Dark Tranquillity
Posted: 12.10.2004 by Unknown user | Comments (0)


Ayreon - "Actual Fantasy: Revisited"

A studio report came online earlier today on the official website www.ayreon.com

Arjen is currently putting the finishing touches on the Actual Fantasy 2004 edition named Actual Fantasy:  Revisited. It features, among other things, a CD of the 2004 recording and a bonus DVD with a 5.1 surround sound remix of the 2004 recording.  At the end of September Ed Warby recorded drums for this edition, and recently Peter Vink recorded bass guitars. Time to catch up with Arjen on how the process of revitalizing the 1996 recording has been so far.

After mixing "Star Child" in dolby pro-logic and "Day Eleven: Love" in 5.1, Arjen couldn't wait to mix an entire album 5.1. The first real opportunity came up when InsideOut began planning their release of the old Ayreon albums. He figured it would be great to give the least selling and seriously overlooked 2nd Ayreon album Actual Fantasy some new attention.

For years Arjen had wondered what Actual Fantasy would sound like with real drums, instead of the drum computer. And when Arjen began working with drummer extra-ordinaire Ed Warby on Ayreon and Star One recordings, the idea grew: wouldn't it be great to record the album with real drums? It was a daunting task that kept Arjen from considering it seriously. However, in order to make a 5.1 mix work for the album he had to re-record a number of elements that were lost, and remaking the album by recording real drums became a serious option.

"After I was finished with 'The Human Equation', I took some time to think it over. I knew it would be a lot of work and would cost a lot of time, effort and money. How could I know it would be worth it? But then I talked it over with Ed, I knew I just had to do this. Of course at the time back in 1996 it was my intention to make the album completely electronic to match the themes of the songs, but what a waste when you have someone like Ed who can really make the album come alive with his drums. In fact Ed himself recently told me that when he heard Actual Fantasy for the first time (we hadn's met yet back then) he told people he should have drummed it instead of a computer!"

"The recording process is completely different from recording a new album. Even though I could replay the guitar and the bass parts, all vocals and most of the keyboards were set in stone. Ed Warby had less room to move and the margin of error was very small, but on the other hand he could now interact with the vocals and solos that were already recorded. As we all know by now Ed is such a skilled drummer and as expected he did a great job. He found enough room to be creative and innovative. I can't begin to describe how great it was to hear the album coming together in a new style in the recording studio."

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Band profile: Ayreon
Posted: 12.10.2004 by Ivor | Comments (0)


Mystic Prophecy - Release Party & Acoustic Show

Mystic Prophecy will celebrate the release of their new album "Never-Ending" (due on October 25th) with a big party plus acoustic gig in Athens, Greece. The event shall take place on October 23rd in Athens' Texas Club.

www.nuclearblast.de

Band profile: Mystic Prophecy
Posted: 12.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


Edguy - second gig in Fulda

"s their gig at the Kreuz in Fulda, Germany, on November 27th is completely sold out already, Edguy will play a second show at the same location on November 28th. Tickets are available at 0049 (0) 661 240230. If you want to see both concerts, you don't have to worry about possible monotony, as Eduy will use two different setlists!"

Source: nuclearblast.de
Band profile: Edguy
Posted: 12.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


The Clan Destined - Demo on the way

The band performing Martin Walkyier (ex-Sabbat, ex-Skyclad) and Iscariah (Necrophagia, ex-Immortal) between others, put an update on their website:

Recordings are taking place as we speak on various locations around the UK with top of the notch producers. So far drums, guitars and bass are done. The band will reveal more information about this in the coming days together with photos, video-clips and sneak previews. Info on this debut along with release date, which will only be released in a strictly limited edition through this website, will also follow shortly. Stay tuned for more...

Also the band previously post the name and track list of the demo:

The demo we're about to record will be entitled "In The Big Ending?" and will feature the following six songs; "Swinging Like Judas", "More Than War", "I Am Because We Are!", "We're Wolves", "A Beautiful Start To The End Of The World", plus a cover-version of a Julian Cope track called "T.C. Lethbridge".

www.theclandestined.com

Band profile: Skyclad
Posted: 12.10.2004 by Music4TheSpirit | Comments (0)


Tygers of Pan Tang - Broke up with vocalist

The UK band have broke up with their vocalist Richie Wicks. The band haven't announce a new singer, but they would announce it soon, because their are currently working on a new album due to be out on 2005.

www.rafabasa.com
Posted: 10.10.2004 by Music4TheSpirit | Comments (0)


Dying Fetus - dismissed vocalist

On October 2, Dying Fetus dismissed vocalist Vince Matthews from the band. This action was taken due to a number of musical, professional, and personal reasons that we feel do not need elaboration at this time. However, Vince remains a long-time friend of several Dying Fetus members and we wish him the best of luck in the future. This change will not affect any of our present tour plans. We intend to continue with our current four-piece lineup, and we will handle the vocals accordingly (something we have done many times, as our Canadian fans already know).

www.dyingfetus.com

Band profile: Dying Fetus
Posted: 08.10.2004 by Music4TheSpirit | Comments (0)


Apocalyptica - feat. Paavo Ylönen & Ville Valo

From the homepage of the band:
"Finish cello-rockers "Apocalyptica" have returned to the studio to record the first single of their forthcoming album (due early February 2005). The song, entitled "Bittersweet", is a dark ballad, that features fellow-countrymen Lauri Ylönen from "The Rasmus" and Ville Valo from "HIM" on vocals. The single, written by "Apocalyptica", Lauri and Ville together, will be released internationally on 29 November.
Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso will appear alongside Lauri and Ville in the video for "Bittersweet", shot in the band's hometown Helsinki and directed by renowned finish director Antti Jokinen.
Where in the beginning the classically-trained cellists established themselves with interpretations of Metallica, Slayer, and Sepultura classics, the band have developed their own writing skills for many years and matured while doing so. The new album will - just like its predecessors "Cult" and "Reflections" - again contain originally Apocalyptica-penned songs".

http://www.apocalyptica.com/

Band profile: Apocalyptica
Posted: 08.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


Obituary - new photos in studio

From a message posted on "Roadrunner Records UK" by John Tardy:

"These are photos of us in the studio. We went into the studio for a couple of reasons. One: To try out RedRoom Recoring Studio in Ybor City, FL to see what kind of sound we get. Two: To try out Donald's new Yamaha drum set and variety of Yamaha snare drums. Three: To try out a variety of Sabian cymbals. Four: To get a feel of the new material. We worked with Mark Prator who was involved in many other Obituary recordings through the years."

For the pictures, follow this link:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/obituary/photo.aspx

Band profile: Obituary
Posted: 06.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


Dismal Euphony keyboardist dies

Elin Overskott former keyboardist (1994-1998) for the Norwegian melodic black metal band DISMAL EUPHONY, died of a heroin overdose early last month. Overskott, whose lifeless body was found on September 6, 2004 in the eastern part of the Norwegian town of Stavanger, had reportedly been "clean" for over two years prior to her death. She was 24 years old.
Posted: 05.10.2004 by Undercraft | Comments (0)


Century Media - Band updates

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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Posted: 05.10.2004 by wrathchild | Comments (0)


Sirenia - guitar player left the band

From the official website of the Norvegian band:
"Kristian (Gundersen) has decided to part ways with Sirenia in order to concentrate on his other projects. We would like to wish him all the best for the future and extend our gratitude for almost 4 years of rock n' roll cooperation. Goth bless you Kris! Currently the band is auditioning new guitarplayers".

http://www.sirenia.no/

Band profile: Sirenia
Posted: 05.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


Chroma Key - new album in November

Chroma Key: Graveyard Mountain Home
Release date: November 9, 2004
Running Time: 53min 23sec

Tracklist for this album:
01. YYY
02. Give Up
03. White Robe
04. Mother's Radio
05. Graveyard Mountain Home
06. Salvation
07. Before You Started
08. Human Love
09. Come In, Over
10. Pure Laughter
11. Andrew Was Drowning His Stepfather
12. Sad Sad Movie
13. True and Lost
14. Again Today

Produced and Mixed by Kevin Moore
Recorded in Istanbul, Turkey, September 2003 - September 2004

Kevin Moore - vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming
Utku Ünal - drums
Theron Patterson: programming #4 #8 #14, bass guitar
Bige Akdeniz - additional vocals and lyrics #9 and #13
Bob Nekrasov - monologue #8
Erdem Helvacioðlu - additional guitar on #3

http://www.chromakey.com/

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Posted: 04.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)


Bang Your Head - Some infos on the Line Up 2005...

Former SKID ROW-vocalist confirmed to play at BANG YOUR HEAD!!! 10th anniversary festival

The band-lineup of next year's installment of BANG YOUR HEAD!!! is gaining shape: former SKID ROW-vocalist Sebastian Bach was confirmed to play at the event set to take place in Germany at the Messegelände of Balingen on the 24th and 25th of June. Bach played this year's BANG YOUR HEAD as well: He was hired as substitute for WHITE LION as the reunion of the latter failed last minute. Bach turned out to the huge surprise act of the festival ans delivered an frenetically acclaimed live set with an high-energy performance of many SKID ROW-classics.

BANG YOUR HEAD!!! 2005 will be the 10th BANG YOUR HEAD!!! in a row and is therefore themed "The Best of ten Years". The celebrate this anniversary, the festival's organizers invited the most popular acts of all former events, among them prominent names like TWISTED SISTER and MOTÖRHEAD. Alongside 22 acts that have rocked the festival's stage before, another well-known very special guest will be invited.

The list of artists set to perform at the BANG YOUR HEAD!!!-festival 2005 at Balingen, Germany, 24th/25th of June:

TWISTED SISTER
MOTÖRHEAD
DIO
SAXON
DORO
SEBASTIAN BACH
GAMMA RAY
NEVERMORE
KROKUS

AXEL RUDI PELL
DESTRUCTION
AMON AMARTH
TANKARD
JAG PANZER
NASTY SAVAGE
VICIOUS RUMORS
DEMON

+ 5 more huce acts
+ 1 very special guest

All further details about the BANG YOUR HEAD!!! may be found at the BYH!!!-homepage at http://www.bang-your-head.de.

Tickets are availaible at ticket-hotline (+49-74 57-9 13 93) and via homepage http://www.bang-your-head.de/ . Prices are 59, - Euro (plus shipping) at presales. Tickets are limited to a number of 20000. By this it the organisators want to ensure that the special and relaxed atmosphere of the event won't suffer.
Posted: 04.10.2004 by Jeff | Comments (0)


Dark Tranquility - new EP in November

The new EP, entitled "LOST TO APATHY" will be released on November 15 via Century media.

The tracks are the following:
- Lost to apathy
- Derivation TNB
- The endless feed (chaos seed remix)
- Undo control (live)
- Lost to apathy (video clip)
- D.T. screensaver

"This single serves to wet your appetites for the upcoming 7th full length offering, set for worldwide release in the near future".

http://www.darktranquillity.com/

Band profile: Dark Tranquillity
Posted: 04.10.2004 by janhuss | Comments (0)