The projet from Burning Point singer "Ghost Machinery" has completed the debut album called "Haunting Remains" that will be released at 11/08/2004 through Sound Riot Records.

To hear some samples of this new album go here:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/1/ghostmachinerymusic.htm

Band profile:

Ghost Machinery

The following message was sent by Michael Håkansson to the official site of the band:

"Greetings Clan members,
On the 9th of October we will record our first Live DVD here in Gothenburg. We will for sure make this is a night to remember. It will be the most glorious thing in Evergrey history and we feel that we want to have all of you there to help us make this night perfect. So all of you people from outside of Sweden who want to attend at this special night, send an email to me with the subject DVD and you will be put on a special guestlist for the show.
Stay Grey and we'll see you on October 9th!!!"

Source:	evergrey.net
Band profile:	Evergrey

The grindcore band has finished the works on "Shift" that will be release in october, 2004. Nasum will include two new members in this release, they are: bassist Jon Lindqvist and guitarist Urban Skytt.

The band describes the album as: "a very fast and aggressive album with some of the fastest parts ever recorded by NASUM, but as usual, there is room for groove and nuances. In other words: classic NASUM grindcore."

After the release the band plans a tour of four weeks over Europe.

Band profile:

Nasum

According to KissKollector.com, the very first KISSWorld store is scheduled to open in Australia next month. During the recent Australian tour, the four KISS members spent a few hours to sign the very first items to be sold at KISSWorld. Store representatives will travel to the USA soon to meet with all current and former band members, to bring back a container full of "really cool" stuff for the opening of the store in September. The bricks of the store have been laid, the windows are in and very soon they will commence fitting out the store from floor to ceiling with some amazing KISS merchandise. There are several KISSWorld exclusive products being manufactured right now that won't be available anywhere else.

The fit out of the store is enormous; there will be everything from guitars to shirts and other clothing, to museum pieces through to an amazing array of hand-signed and personal items that need to be displayed. The process will take up all of this month. The opening date for September will be announced as soon as possible, along with the exact location of KISSWorld. The store itself is over 10,000 square feet in size and obviously KISS will be the centre of attention in our store, but there will also be some bands' memorabilia and even some sporting heroes and film stars.

For more information, visit www.kissworld.net.

Band profile:

KISS

Art rock pioneers QUEENSR?CHE will perform the classic album "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety on the upcoming fall 2004/winter 2005 tour, which is being presented by VH1 Classic. A "greatest hits" set will open each show, and at the end of the night there will be a preview of the upcoming Sanctuary Records release "Operation: Mindcrime II", the working title of the long-awaited, eagerly desired sequel to the groundbreaking concept album. Audiences will be blown away by the Surround Sound audio setup on the tour.

Vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarist Michael Wilton, guitarist Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield will open each show with a "greatest hits" set ending with the smash "Silent Lucidity". Local orchestra string sections will perform with the band in select cities. Michael Igor Delassandra, formerly an official composer for the Vatican, will accompany QUEENSR?CHE and perform on keyboards.

"The band is so excited to be performing 'Operation: Mindcrime' in its entirety again after not having done this in 15 years," says Tate. "We are presenting it in a whole new way that finally does justice the intricacies of the story and the personalities of the characters."

"Operation: Mindcrime" will be recreated in full with enhanced production. Live actors will embody the fascinating characters of this chilling tale ? interacting both on stage and off. Vocalist Pamela Moore, who toured with QUEENSR?CHE recently, will be back to provide the vocals of the album's pivotal character, "Sister Mary". New video footage will be incorporated as well. QUEENSR?CHE also performed "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety in 1990-91, but this time around new and expanded video footage will be used. Fans who saw the show in 1990-91 will enjoy a more vivid experience this time.

One of the most exciting parts of each concert will certainly be the finale ? the preview of "Operation: Mindcrime II". Fans have wanted a sequel ever since "Operation: Mindcrime" exploded and earned the band critical acclaim and commercial success. In particular, fans have always asked one burning question in relation to the "Operation: Mindcrime" plot: "Who killed Sister Mary?" The new album, scheduled for release in 2005, will address that question.

Band profile:

Queensrÿche

"Wow! I can't believe that this site is actually working! First off, thank you for your patience. If you have been waiting for me sorry it took a little while. I have been learning as I go along and, even though I have had fun, it has been a lot of work. I would like to thank Paul Poyntz and Trevor Peres for all their help. You guys rule! Trevor designed our other Official Web Site: slowlywerot.net. Don't ask why we have two websites we just do because we want to. Keep on checking in with us because I have a lot of plans for this site and it will keep changing and updating with the more I learn about Web Design.

Secondly, it feels really good to be back writing new music and playing some shows here and there. We are playing only a few shows right now until the new CD is done. We hope to be recording it near the end of the year and hope for a release sometime early 2005! The shows we are playing are really fun for us because we are playing a lot of old songs we normally don't play live as well as some other stuff. Hopefully we will see you on the road so you can see what I mean.

I am not one to go on for too long, but I just want to say thank you to all of you for the support over the years and we hope to see you out on the road.. Please keep in touch at fans@obituary.cc. We try to answer as many emails as we can but occasionally the mailbox gets filled up. If this happens please try again some other time and we will do our best to keep up because we would really like to hear from you.

Thank you"

John Tardy

Band profile:

Obituary

Good news from Nuclear Blast web page: Niemann brothers along with Christofer Johnsson on vocals finally released on July 26th their new project called DEMONOID - "Riders Of The Apocalypse".

"In fact, DEMONOID is nothing else but a project that features THERION members Christofer Johnsson and Kristian Niemann, Johan Niemann and former SOILWORK current CHIMAIRA drummer Rickard Evensand. Influenced by Old School Death and Thrash, the band plays solid, aggressive and pushing metal - a feast for every headbanger who's into brutal and violent sounds!
So don't expect bombastic THERION-like metal but a true Death massacre!
(...)
The musical concept of DEMONOID is not symphonic metal like THERION, in fact the band strived to go back in time and create a fresh and challenging combination of basically old school Death and violent Thrash Metal elements, also mingled with a touch of modern Black Metal. Both Kristian and Johan have gotten into the more brutal forms of metal quite lately and some of their references are CRADLE OF FILTH and DIMMU BORGIR, while Christofer - having been the growler of THERION in earlier days - has extended knowledge of the thrash and death scene from late 80's and early 90's. Thus bands like SLAYER and BATHORY as well as all the Old School Death Metal bands from those the early times rank among his main references. Those facts create a very interesting combination, featuring Kristian's more than excellent guitar work, Christofer's by far best vocal performances up to now, Richard's technical drumming and Johan's pounding bass lines.

Most of the music was written by Kristian and Johan, some minor help came from Christofer. As the captain of this ship, Kristian has been the main person responsible with arranging the songs and also doing most of the recordings in THERION's very own "Modern Art" studio.

The lyrical concept was created by Christofer: A story which is partly fantasy and partly based on theological and historical elements. It circles around the biblical characters, "The Riders Of The Apocalypse"".

On Nuclear Blast site you could also listen to an audio clip online.
More info here.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Demonoid

During yesterday's concert on Gates of Metal festival in Hultsfred, Sweden, Mr. Tolkki and Mr. Kotipelto appear to have buried the battleaxe.

Timo and Timo were actually talking to each other, and no hard feelings between the two were shown.
And the fact that Tolkki even played (and preformed it for the first time with Koti) "Beauty has Come" from Kotipelto's first solo effort, for a totally unwitting Kotipelto, doesn't make the odds any worse.

So is this the beginning of a new era with Kotipelto behind the mic in Stratovarius, or is it just a "show" for all of us that have a chance to see them live for the last time?

However, it's at least seems a little brighter in the Strato camp.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

After 8 month of songwriting Masterplan is ready to record the second album.

"We are really happy and proud of the new material!"

The new CD will contain about 11 songs. This time all bandmembers appeared as songwriters. Songwriting took place in Hamburg, Aachen, Los Angeles, Slovakia and Norway.

Roy Z. was helping as a good friend and for a couple of songs he was an "inspirator / arranger". Once again Andy Sneap and Masterplan are producing the new Album together in the "Crazy Cat" Studio in Hamburg. The mixing will be done at "Finnvox Studios" in Helsinki by Mikko Karmila. Mastering by Mika Jussila.

The album is scheduled to be released in the end of January 2005 through AFM Records and Marquee (for Japan and South East Asia).

Band profile:

Masterplan

Taken from the official site:

"Hallo. First I would like to say thanks a lot to all, who visited me in hospital during my illness. Also all the inquiries of friends and fans, who were worried about my health, helped me, to get better quicker. My blind gut was bursted and infected other organs. After 2 operations (one during dangerous situation to life) and loss of 15 kg weight in 2 weeks, I often thought about the fate of Jason Becker, what a horror thought...

After 1 1/2 months in hospital it's a great feeling, being home again. Now I do sports every day to get fit again. Next week I already fly to Korea again to play a concert together with Black Hole at the International Busan Rock Festival, where also Steve Vai & Band is one of the participating bands.

Best regards"

Victor Smolski, Rage's guitarist.

New Production company:
From now on DRAGON Productions, a daughter company of A.S.S. Concert & Promotion GmbH, will look for the booking of RAGE concerts. They are already planning a 20th anniversary tour for November 2004, where RAGE will promote the upcoming 20th anniversary DVD (expected release date: 25.10.04).

More information: www.rage-on.de

Band profile:

Rage

Swedish progressive power metal band PLATITUDE have parted ways with drummer Marcus Höher. "This was an entirely professional decision, we parted ways because of musical differences," the group write on their web site. "We want to thank Marcus for the time spent, and the impact on the band and our music. We wish him all the best of luck in the future!" Replacing Marcus in PLATITUDE is Andreas Brobjer, who is also collaborating with Swedish keyboard wizard Richard Andersson on his SPACE ODYSSEY project.

PLATITUDE's sophomore album, "Nine", was released in April through Italy's Scarlet Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Secrets Of Life" was recorded at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS) and features cover artwork by Mattias Norén.

Band profile:

Platitude

SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya has told the Tacoma News Tribune that nine to 10 polished instrumental tracks have been finished for the band's next studio album, with another two that still need work. "The lyrical parts haven't been completed yet. Those might change the attitude or the mood of the songs."

With regards to the new material's musical direction, Araya said, "It sounds like SLAYER."

Recording for the new CD was put on hold while legendary producer Rick Rubin began negotiating a new deal with Universal Music Group. Rubin has worked with SLAYER since he produced the band's 1986 thrash classic "Reign in Blood", and his status could greatly affect the level of support the UMG subsidiary, American Recordings, gives any new album.

"The minute (Rubin) gets that situated we'll continue the process of finishing the music," Araya said. Meanwhile, the band's DVD, "Reign in Blood Live: Still Reigning", is slated for release Sept. 28.

Band profile:

Slayer

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have posted the following message on their web site:

"We will be headlining Saturday the 7th of August doing a special set where we will perform DARKTHRONE songs with their singer the last 30 minutes of our show. Anyone who knows their black metal is aware of DARKTHRONE's policy of not playing live. They've decided to do this special event and asked us to be a part of it and that is of course a great honour. We're also glad that this historical event has the approval of Fenriz and Zephyrous. Bonds between SATYRICON and DARKTHRONE have always been extremely tight and this is a great way of showing it. The thought of kicking into our opening song 'Walk The Path Of Sorrow' in front of 30-40.000 people makes the wait almost unbearable. Some of you have have been sending concerned e-mails asking what the festival means by using the phrasing 'last show forever' about our performance. We don't know WHAT THEY FUCK they are talking about and rest assured... SATYRICON is alive and kicking as ever before!

" No movement on the Frost case. We've will be auditioning drummers in August. So far we've had no luck as some drummers we have contacted have schedules that doesn't allow them to tour with us or they turn out not to be good enough. We're hoping to return in Sep/Oct/Nov. So be patient, darkness always prevails"

Read more ››

Band profile:

Satyricon

SLAYER fan site Slayer Saves has posted a review of the group's July 11 show in Augusta, Maine, which was filmed for an upcoming live DVD, entitled "Reign in Blood Live: Still Reigning". As previously reported, the disc will feature a full performance of the 1986 album "Reign in Blood" by all original members of the veteran thrash metal outfit. The DVD, due on September 28, will have an approximate 75-minute running time and will retail for $14.98. An excerpt from the Slayer Saves review follows:

"The band took a short encore pause from 'Angel of Death' to 'Piece by Piece', same as they did on the Jager tour. Blood rained from the lighting rig upon the beginning of 'Raining Blood' soaking Tom and bloodying Kerry (Jeff avoided the bulk of the blood). The only adverse result of the blood was it killed the sound of Dave's cymbals for the end of the song when once again it poured blood soaking everything including the drums. The effect was quite striking and the crowd was blown away. A blood soaked Tom addressed the cheering crowd with a sneering smile and the words 'We'll see you in HELL.' Comments from people leaving the venue were positive and I think the show was received extremely well. The blood effect was amazing and worth every penny alone."

Set list from the shoot:

01. Disciple
02. War Ensemble
03. Hallowed Point
04. Necrophiliac
05. Spill the Blood
06. Fight Till Death
07. Payback
08. Dead Skin Mask
09. Mandatory Suicide
10. Hell Awaits
11. South of Heaven
12. Angel of Death
13. Piece by Piece
14. Necrophobic
15. Altar of Sacrifice
16. Jesus Saves
17. Criminally Insane
18. Reborn
19. Epidemic
20. Postmortem
21. Raining Blood

Band profile:

Slayer

From the Official Homepage!

"We're proud to welcome new bassist Rudy Sarzo to the Dio family. Rudy is known for his work in Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Ozzy Osbourne, and most recently toured with Yngwie Malmsteen. Rudy joins the band in time for Dio's European tour, which begins July 16th in Moscow.

The tour dates are as follows:

Fri 7/16 Moscow, Russia Luzhniki Hall
Sat 7/17 St. Petersburg, Russia Jubileny Arena
Sun 7/18 Helsinki, Finland Tuska Metalfest
Tue 7/20 Gothenburg, Sweden Tradgarden
Wed 7/21 KarlsKRONA, Sweden Kino
Fri 7/23 Madrid, Spain Macumba
Sat 7/24 Pamplona, Spain Sala Gares
Sun 7/25 Barcelona, Spain Razzmatazz
Tue 7/27 Valencia, Spain Sala Republicca
Wed 7/28 TBA
Thu 7/29 Zaragoza, Spain Sala Oasis
Sat 7/31 Vigo, Spain Venue tbc
Tue 8/2 Worgl, Austria Komma
Wed 8/4 Karlsruhe, Germany Substage
Thu 8/5 Nurnberg, Germany Hirsch
Fri 8/6 Hamburg, Germany Wacken Festival
Sat 8/7 Rijssen, Holland Lucky
Mon 8/9 Manchester, England Academy
Tue 8/10 Glasgow, Scotland Barrowlands
Thu 8/12 Birmingham, England Academy
Fri 8/13 Folkstone, England Lees Cliff Hall
Sat 8/14 London, England Astoria
Sun 8/15 Nottingham, England Rock City

Thanks to Jeff Pilson for stepping in to handle bass duties on the new record, for which recording is now underway, with a July release date on Sanctuary Records in the United States and SPV in Europe."

Band profile:

Dio