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Onslaught - Drummer Leaves The Band

Original Onslaught drummer Steve Grice is leaving the band.

Grice released the following statement to Blabbermouth: "With great reluctance and sadness, I must announce that I am no longer prepared to fulfill the role of drummer for Onslaught, the band that I helped found in 1983, and which I brought back together in 2005. This has been a very difficult and painful decision to make, and follows a series of events that, in my opinion, have seen the recurrence of old patterns of behavior that fuelled the band's original demise in 1991.

This culmination of occurrences came to a head when I learned through a third party that the band had booked a series of shows without my knowledge, and with the intention of using another drummer, during a period of time reserved for family commitments. Be very clear ? the temporary use of another drummer does not present me with a problem. My issue is with the fact that at no point did anyone from the band let me know that these decisions had been made.

Again in my opinion, there is a considerable gap between certain parties' view of Onslaught and the truth in terms of album sales and concert attendances. My reality, that of a father of two approaching 50, was simply incompatible with this alternate world view.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all those I have met in my professional and personal lives over the last six years. Your love and kindness has been appreciated more than you could ever know. I have no immediate plans to remain in the music industry ? my focus now returns to my marketing business and my family, who have been a constant source of support through the good times and the bad."

UPDATE

Onslaught have recruited Michael Hourihan (ex-Extreme Noise Terror, Desecration) to play the drums during their Scream For Violence Tour starting on March 31th in Hamburg, Germany.

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Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Onslaught
Posted: 25.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (2)


Exhorder - Bassist Passed Away

Bassist Frankie Sparcello of reactivated New Orleans groove metallers Exhorder has passed away yesterday (Tuesday, March 22nd). More information will be made available shortly.

Sparcello joined Exhorder prior to the recording sessions for the band's sophomore album, The Law, released in 1992. The group broke up a short time later and reformed with its original lineup a few years later (and repeated that process a couple of times). Sparcello rejoined Exhorder in 2009 and was scheduled to perform with the band at this year's Maryland Deathfest IX, set to take place May 26-29, 2011 at Sonar in Baltimore.

1640 for the tip!]

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Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Exhorder
Posted: 23.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (20)


Anaal Nathrakh - Another New Song Online

"Paragon Pariah", a brand-new track from UK extreme metallers Anaal Nathrakh, has been made available for streaming, exclusively at Decibel Magazine.

Another new track, called "Volenti Non Fit Iniuria", is still streaming at this location.

"Paragon Pariah" and "Volenti Non Fit Iniuria" come off the band's upcoming new album Passion, which will be released on May 17th through Candlelight Records.

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Source: decibelmagazine.com
Band profile: Anaal Nathrakh
Posted: 23.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (5)


Born Of Osiris - Entire New Album Streaming Online

The Discovery, the new album from US progressive deathcore act Born Of Osiris, is now available for streaming in its entirety at Facebook (you'll need to "like" the band, in case you didn't already, to listen to the stream).

The Discovery will be released today, March 22nd, through Sumerian Records.

The Discovery tracklist:

01. Follow The Signs
02. Singularity
03. Ascension
04. Devastate
05. Recreate
06. Two Worlds Of Design
07. A Solution
08. Shaping The Masterpiece
09. Dissimulation
10. Automatic Motion
11. The Omniscient (An Interlude)
12. Last Straw
13. Regenerate
14. XIV
15. Behold

In other news, "Recreate", the new video from Born Of Osiris, can now be watched below.

The clip was directed by Andrew Pulaski and contains footage from the band's performances during last year's Thrash And Burn Tour.


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Source: facebook.com
Posted: 22.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (3)


Saturnus - Update From The Band

Danish melodic doom metal band Saturnus have recently parted ways with Firebox Records and are currently seeking a new label home. The band has also added two new members, namely Henrik Glass on drums and Mattias Svensson as the band's new rhythm guitarist.

Vocalist Thomas A.G. Jensen commented as follows: "Saturnus has been through a major transition due to a necessary line-up change arising from different views on how things needed to be run. This put the brakes on the bands progression for so long that eventually something had to break or otherwise we would inevitably have split up. We love playing live whenever we can and right now we want to do it more than ever to follow on and raise our profile once again to echo the success of our last album, Veronica Decides To Die, and previous efforts.

The new line-up is just perfect. All the things I have been looking for in musicians has been delivered perfectly; the creativity, the lust for playing live, the understanding of the universe of Saturnus and the way to compose is just perfect. I could not wish for better.

Leaving Firebox Records was necessary for Saturnus and even with one contractual album left to be fulfilled, both parties amicably
decided to annul the contract we had and go our separate ways. So now the future lies open for Saturnus. We need a record label to fully get the ship back out to sea again, and believe me we are hungry like never before."

Between October 2010 and February 2011, Saturnus completed a four-song demo containing the tracks "The Litany Of Rain", "A Father's Providence", "Wind Torn" and "Between" (working title). The recording was mixed and mastered by Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Blind Guardian).

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Source: bravewords.com
Band profile: Saturnus
Posted: 22.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (9)


Pagan's Mind - Ink Deal With SPV/Steamhammer

Norwegian melodic power metallers Pagan's Mind have inked a deal with SPV/Steamhammer for the release of their fifth studio album, Heavenly Ecstasy.

Heavenly Ecstasy will be released on May 20th in Germany, on May 23rd in the rest of Europe and in June on North American territory.

One of the new tracks, called "Intermission", was already made available for streaming over at this location.

Guitarist and producer Jørn Viggo Lofstad says: "After considering offers from various labels, we decided to be a part of the new SPV family. Signing with such a respected label gave us the spark to come up with what we think is the most cohesive album we have done, and probably our best offering so far. We can't wait to get back in action and present these songs to you all."

SPV/Steamhammer A&R Olly Hahn replies: "I'm very happy that Pagan's Mind decided to join the SPV family. The band always delivered some of the best and most exciting metal music and with the new album they even put up a dash more!"

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Source: spv.de
Band profile: Pagan's Mind
Posted: 22.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (5)


The Cleansing - New Album Cover Art Revealed

Feeding The Inevitable, the new album from Danish death metallers The Cleansing, will be released later this spring through Deepsend Records.

The album was mixed at CB studios in Denmark with producer Christian Bonde, and mastered by Bjørn Engelmann (Behemoth, Bloodbath) at the Cutting Room in Sweden. The cover artwork was created by Remy C. from Headsplit Design.

Feeding The Inevitable tracklist:

01. The Promethean Promise
02. Third Eye Starring
03. Your Flesh, Your Curse
04. A Cheating Progression
05. Hour Of Decadence
06. Processed For Contamination
07. Law Of Reciprocity
08. Two Days
09. Crossroads

41942 for the tip!]

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Source: myspace.com
Posted: 20.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (1)


Exhumed - New Album Details

Gore-metal originators Exhumed have completed work on their brand new full-length album All Guts, No Glory, due in July through Relapse Records.

All Guts, No Glory, the follow-up to 2003's Anatomy Is Destiny, was recorded at Arcane Digital Recordings in Arizona with engineer Ryan Butler (Misery Index) and at Trench Studios with John Haddad (Abysmal Dawn, Intronaut). All Guts, No Glory was mixed and mastered at Mana Recording Studios by Brian Elliott (Graves Of Valor) and has been set for a July 5th North American release date via Relapse Records.

The album will also be available on deluxe, saw-blade shaped vinyl and as a limited edition 2-disc set. Additional release information will be posted shortly.

All Guts, No Glory tracklist:

01. All Guts, No Glory
02. As Hammer To Anvil
03. Your Funeral, My Feast
04. Through Cadaver Eyes
05. Death Knell
06. Distorted And Twisted To Form
07. I Rot Within
08. Dis-assembly Line
09. Necrotized
10. Funereality
11. So Let it Be Rotten... So Let it Be Done

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Source: shop.relapse.com
Band profile: Exhumed
Posted: 17.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (1)


TesseracT - New Video Online

"Nascent", the new video from up-and-coming UK progressive metallers TesseracT, can now be watched below. The clip was directed by Tim Fox of cultlovesyou.

"Nascent" comes off the band's upcoming debut album One, which will be released on March 22nd through Century Media Records.

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Source: tesseractband.co.uk
Band profile: TesseracT
Posted: 17.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (7)


Týr - New Album Title Revealed

Viking metal band Týr have set The Lay Of Thrym as the title for the band's sixth full-length album, to be released on May 27 through Napalm Records.

A webisode featuring solo excerpts by Terji Skibenæs and other studio footage can be watched below.


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Source: facebook.com
Band profile: Týr
Posted: 17.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (8)


God Is An Astronaut - Update From The Band

God Is An Astronaut have issued the following band update:

First up, Michael Fenton will be taking care of drumming duties on our European April tour and beyond, Lloyd Hanney will be taking a break from music due to personal commitments.

Some good news for the USA, planning is underway for our 3rd US tour, looks like it will take place in August, either way the next ground tour will be in the US, we should have news by May.

Unfortunately the Northern European tour for May will not be taking place and is postponed, we are not sure when it will be rescheduled but not anytime soon. The reason for this is that certain promoters in certain countries didn't see fit to offer us any concerts or concerts with a fair deal. We are very disappointed to say the least and really wanted to bring our Age of the Fifth Sun tour to France, Scandinavia and the Baltic countries but for the moment this is beyond our control.

Also the entire back catalogue is being remixed, remastered and repackaged and should be ready for our 10 year anniversary in 2012. We will have much more news on this in the coming months but we will make each album available as soon as its completed. A new album is also in the works but the release date will be early 2013.

God Is An Astronaut - European Tour Dates:

April 06 - Bronson, Ravenna, Italy
April 07 - Apartmento Hoffman, Treviso, Italy
April 08 - Kino ?i?ka, Ljubljana, Slovenia
April 09 - Flex, Vienna, Austria
April 10 - Durer Kert, Budapest, Hungary
April 12 - Club Control, Bucharest, Romania
April 14 - Summer Theatre, Chernovtsy, Ukraine
April 16 - Kasarne Kulturpark, Kosice, Slovakia
April 18 - Progresja, Warsaw, Poland
April 19 - Firlej, Wrocław, Poland
April 20 - Tbc, Praha, Czech Republic
April 21 - Friction Festival, Berlin, Germany
April 22 - Dunk Festival, Zottegem, Belgium

41942 for the scoop!]

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Source: myspace.com
Posted: 17.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (2)


The Moon And The Nightspirit - To Self-Release New Album

Hungarian pagan/gothic metal outfit The Moon And The Nightspirit will release their new album Mohalepte under their own name later this month.

Mohalepte marks the beginning of a new era in the life of The Moon And The Nightspirit: "In the beginning of 2011 we decided to leave our former label Equilibrium Music in order to walk our own path. We departed as friends. We are very grateful for their great work on our previous albums. We couldn't make it this far without them."

Four album samples are available for streaming at this location.

Mohalepte tracklist:

01. Öregerdő
02. Felleg Útján
03. Holdvarázsolt
04. Kéregbölcső
05. Idebenn
06. Zöldparázs
07. Mohalepte
08. Tücskök Az Avarban

41942 for the scoop!]

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Source: themoonandthenightspirit.com
Posted: 17.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (0)


Ritual Of Rebirth - New Album Available For Free Download

Of Tides And Desert, the new album from Italian melodic death metal band Ritual Of Rebirth, is now available for streaming in its entirety/free download over at this location (press "Scarica" for download (email sign-up required) or "Ascolta" for the stream).

The band's 2008 debut album, Ethical Disillusion, is also available for free download/streaming at this location.

Of Tides And Desert tracklist:

01. Of Tides And Desert
02. Skep.tic
03. All Is Blank
04. Leeches
05. Sick Shylock
06. Zebra Stripes
07. Hell To Pay
08. The Blind Watchmaker


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Source: jamendo.com
Posted: 15.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (2)


Hammerfall - New Album Details

Hammerfall will release their new upcoming album, Infected, on May 20th through Nuclear Blast Records.

Laying down the foundation themselves in their own studio in Sweden, the band then traveled to Nashville, TN, to finish it up with acclaimed producer James Michael (Mötley Crüe, Scorpions, Meat Loaf). He also mixed the album, giving it a decisive updated edge without losing anything of the essence of the band.

"James helped us create something that was new and exciting while still in the line of our heritage", Oscar Dronjak, guitar player and founder of the band, explains.

"Never before have we sounded this fresh and up to date without losing the essence of what HammerFall is all about: Pure "Infected" Heavy Metal!", comments vocalist and frontman Joacim Cans.

"You will experience us like you've never done before! We've got a lot of fresh influences shining through in the music, but everything you love about HammerFall will still be there", says Oscar. "This is HammerFall in 2011, the legend has been reborn!".

The first single will be One More Time, to be released on April 6th, digital only. A video will be shot by Patrick Ullaeus, who is also responsible for the cover artwork of Infected.

Infected tracklist:

01. Patient Zero
02. Bang Your Head
03. One More Time
04. The Outlaw
05. Send Me A Sign
06. Dia De Los Muertos
07. I Refuse
08. 666 - The Enemy Within
09. Immortalized
10. Let's Get It On
11. Redemption

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Source: facebook.com
Band profile: HammerFall
Posted: 15.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (29)


King Diamond - Completes Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Livia Zita has issued the following update on the health status of her husband, the legendary Kim Bendix Petersen - who underwent open-heart triple-bypass surgery last November:

"Some of you have been asking for an update on King Diamond's health, so I thought I'll write what's been going on.

King has just finished his Cardiac Rehabilitation program this past Friday, and graduated with flying colors. Thanks to the wonderful people at the rehab center, his exercise regimen helpe him gain a lot of muscle, and start on the road of building up good endurance. We will start regular exercises now to get the endurance up to nice levels.

The examinations by his heart surgeon and cardiologist revealed that his health is steadily improving, and they all expect him to feel better than ever, 15 years younger than he really is. I am immensely proud of what he has achieved in these short 3 months, stopped smoking entirely, changed diet and doing regular exercise among other things.

I cannot say anything certain about when he will be back working on King Diamond related things, but he is looking forward to finishing the DVD's eventually, and he is most certainly not stopping music.

I hope this information was helpful, I can honestly say that his progress has been nothing short of amazing. He is the strongest person I know. He would also like to extend his huge gratitude to all of you, for your absolutely amazing support. It has really meant a lot to him.

Enjoy his cardiac rehabilitation 'graduation' picture below."


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Source: ultimatemetal.com
Band profile: King Diamond
Posted: 14.03.2011 by Thryce | Comments (21)