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Ilium - Vocalist Quits

Australian Power Metal band Ilium have announced the departure of vocalist "Lord" Tim Grose on their MySpace page:

"As the release for "Vespertilion" draws near (should be next Dec 07), we now find ourselves needing to make an announcement. Lord Tim, who has worked with us since our first EP and sung lead vocals on our last two albums, will not be continuing with Ilium on future projects. We had all hoped that he would be able to sing on the next Ilium (originally he was only going to be helping us out on "Permian Dusk" and "Vespertilion", for which we're very grateful and overawed by his amazing performances on those) and it was going to be a case of trying to fit Ilium into his increasingly packed schedule. As fans of "Lord and Dungeon" ourselves we certainly did not want to make an impact on the time Tim could allocate to them and with several other personal projects in the pipeline it is only natural that he had neither the time or energy to commit to someone else's

We will be searching for a new vocalist, at this stage it will be for recording purposes only, but who knows. We do wish to say however that this decision was made simply as Adam and I are the driving force behind Ilium and it became increasingly apparent that it was simply not feasible for either party to continue an arrangement which had already outlasted the initial agreed period.

We are very grateful for Tim for the experience of working with him and we're excited both for future Ilium and Lord releases. We hope that you will continue to support Tim in his endeavours as we will, and that you will enjoy his incredible performance on our upcoming album '"Vespertilion"".

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Ilium
Posted: 26.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (3)


Defender - To Record New Album

Rusty Cage Records, the label for Netherlands-based metallers Defender, has issued the following update:

"20 years after releasing their debut "City Ad Mortis", Defender will start recording their first full length CD. They will start recording in Holland's Legacy Studios the second week of December. The album will be released summer 2008."

Source: rustycagerecords.com
Band profile: Defender
Posted: 26.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (13)


Moonspell - Working On New Album

Moonspell are working on the yet untitled follow up to the largely acclaimed "Memorial", and they are pre-producing it in Portugal with Waldemar Sorychta (Wolfheart, Irreligious, Sin, Memorial) this November from the 16th to the 30th.
Studio is booked now for January 2008 at Antfarm in Denmark with Tue Madsen who worked with the band on the re-recordings of the EP and the demos. "Under Satanae" collected ravishing response and review everywhere and it even charted in their home country (number #12) where they played an one off show in Lisbon Coliseum whose setlist was comprised of all titles of this release to 3500 surrendered fans.

On related news, Fernando Ribeiro, Moonspell singer has just finished translating "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson to Portuguese, it's the first time it's printed in his native language. He commented on it: "Hard work but a pleasant time inside Robert's Neville boarded house and mind" The major motion picture with Will Smith is coming out on 12/14/07, two weeks later in Portugal and the book is coming out on the 5th of the same month. Check the trailer at YouTube.com.

All the shows this year have been postponed in order to allow the band some time to work on their new opus. Some words from the band: "It's still hard to say which direction it will proceed but so far there are great, great songs, full of mystical power and crushing atmospheres. A few classical Metal elements have been added to the songs, Black Metal and Gothic are also influences that are very important and we just want to take "Memorial" a step up but without loosing the enthusiasm of discovering and applying new elements to our music. The lyrical content is very fierce, spiritual and mostly pagan in the way it will be an really connected with the Earth and with the fact she is indeed a woman..."

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Source: moonspell.com
Band profile: Moonspell
Posted: 26.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (12)


Evoken - New Keyboard Player

Guitarist Nick Orlando from US Funeral Doom band Evoken has updated their MySpace page with the following blog:

"Greetings, everybody....Hope your Thanksgiving was good and the gravy was flowing fast & free!!! Anyway, on to the important news.....

First and foremost, we would like to introduce & welcome our new keyboard player into the fold, Don Zaros. He is a very talented musician with a lot of knowledge regarding this type of music...which is exactly what we were looking for. Evoken has started practicing again as a full band (finally) after a lengthy layoff and initial rehearsals have been very promising.

Secondly, the new Evoken album has arrived, so we will be able to take care of all orders from here on out. Apologies to all those who've emailed me the last 1-2 weeks and were turned away, I just didn't want to start taking pre-orders and have something else go wrong (knowing the luck this band usually has). Now they are in my hands, so all is well.

I will update the merchandise page, as that is were all the rest of the info is anyway

Ok, you may now resume your Triptophane stupors !!!!! Dark Regards"

Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Evoken
Posted: 25.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (6)


Naildown - Part Ways With Keyboard Player

Finnish Melodic Death Metallers Naildown have posted the following statement on their website:

"As some of you have might witnessed on our last two gigs, we pulled those shows without Jarmo so it's time to tell the truth for everybody about the situation; Naildown has parted ways with keyboard player Jarmo Puikkonen. No big drama here, just a "little" different views of what being in a band actually requires.

Us, the remaining Naildowners feel sorry that things were gettting into this point but there was no other way, this decision was best for everybody. However, this have NO effect on our live performances. We will continue without a keyboard player as long as we find the right person for the job. And if we don't find anyone by the next album's session, that's not a problem either since we are fully capable to handle keyboard tracks in studio by our own. So, we are gonna consider carefully before making anyone an official member of the band. Later.."

Source: naildownrock.com
Band profile: Naildown
Posted: 25.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (5)


Decrepit Birth - New Songs Online

Two new songs from US Brutal Death Metal act Decrepit Birth, called "A Gathering Of Imaginations" and "Dimensions Intertwine" has been made available for streaming online at the band's official MySpace page. The track comes off Decrepit Birth's highly anticipated forthcoming new full-length "Diminishing Between Worlds". The album will be released on January 29th via Unique Leader Records.

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Decrepit Birth
Posted: 25.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (1)


Spring Madness MetalFest II - First Bands Announced

Vocalist/guitarist Gio Smet from Belgian Heavy Metal band Gitaron has informed us that the second edition of the Spring Madness Festival will take place on 17 May 2008. The cosy Belgian Metal festival will once again be held at Café Lindenhof at Beveren-Waas, Belgium.

The festival bill is shaping up as follows: Belgian Heavy Metal veterans Double Diamond are headlining the festival, while Gitaron will be the co-headliner of the day. Also the hardrockers of Red Ocean will be present. For more information about these bands go to http://www.myspace.com/doublediamondmetal, http://www.gitaron.be/songs.html and http://www.myspace.com/redoceanband.

An official festival website is expected to be online soon. Until then, you can visit the Gitaron website at this location for more information and updates about the festival.

Metal Storm would like to wish the Spring Madness Metalfest-crew good luck with the second edition of their festival!

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Source: gitaron.be
Event: Spring Madness Metalfest II
Posted: 25.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (0)


Earache Records - Thrashing Like A Maniac Compilation

Earache Records announces the release of an explosive collection of tracks from the growing legion of New-School Thrash & Crossover bands, set to appear instores in UK and Europe on 21 January 2008 & February 5th in USA.

The compilation entitled "Thrashing Like A Maniac" brings together the very best of the new crop of bands who are revelling in re-awakening the long lost genre, and building on the work of the past thrash masters. It will surely please old and new fans of the genre alike, if razor-sharp riffs, blistering drum speeds and shredding guitar solos are what you crave.

To find out more about the release , head over to http://www.myspace.com/thrashinglikeamaniac.

For many of the acts this collection brings together their very first recordings. Bands include Earache's Evile and Bonded By Blood, plus the debut of recent Earache signees, Irish Thrashers Gama Bomb, as well as the leaders of the current thrash-pack - Municipal Waste. Hand-picked tracks from Dekapitator, Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, Toxic Holocaust, SSS, Mutant, Brasil's Violator, Merciless Death, UK's Deadfall, Lazarus, Send More Paramedics and Sweden's Decadence also appear.

"Thrashing Like A Maniac" comes at a time where thrash is once again making its mark on the world of heavy metal. Featuring bands drawing on old school thrash's no-frills aggression and injecting a healthy dosage of energy and fun back into the scene.

"Thrashing Like A Maniac" is released on CD and Vinyl LP, both formats also come with a bonus FREE 24 page Xeroxed B/W zine entitled Speed Merchants which contains exclusive interviews with all the bands featured.

The tracklisting is as follows:

01. Bonded By Blood - Immortal Life
02. Evile - Thrasher
03. Municipal Waste - The Art Of Partying
04. Dekapitator - Deathstrike Command
05. Fueled By Fire - Massive Execution
06. Decadence - Corrosion
07. Warbringer - Total War
08. SSS - Overload
09. Gama Bomb - Zombi Brew
10. Merciless Death - Exumer
11. Deadfall - Resistance Is Futile
12. Lazarus - Last Breath
13. Toxic Holocaust - War Is Hell
14. Mutant - Psycho Therapy
15. Violator - Atomic Nightmare
16. Send More Paramedics - Twilight Of The Flies

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Source: earachenews.blogspot.com
Posted: 19.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (3)


Open Grave Records - Free Download Weekend

Open Grave Records has announced their first ever free download weekend From November 23rd - November 25th, 10 different albums on the Open Grave Records roster will be up for free download.

Albums currently selected for FREE download include:
Necrodemon - Ice Fields of Hyperion
Exterminance - Vomiting the Trinity
Primitive Graven Image - Traversing the Awesome Night
Sapremia - Hollow
Frost Like Ashes - Tophet
A.W.A.S. - Hope
Demon Dog Sperm - Hopeless
Grind Minded - 9mm Facial (officially a Filthy Records release)
No Souls Lost - Eulogy of Genocide (officially self released)

Open Grave Records' president, James Mattern is quoted saying, "We are excited about trying something that is still unheard of in the recording business, however it's time for a label to step forward and give music fans what they have been asking for."

All of the free digital downloads will come with a coupon for purchasing the actual compact disc version of the album, as well donate links will be set up for each release where you can donate if you chose to.

Go to this location for more details.

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Source: opengraverecords.com
Posted: 19.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (14)


Danish Metal Awards - And The Winners Are...

The Danish Metal Awards 2007 were held yesterday night (Saturday, November 17) at Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark. The winners in each category are:

Metal Album Of The Year: Volbeat - Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil
Metal Debut Album Of The Year: Pitchblack - Redesigned To Dislike
Metal Production Of The Year: Mnemic - Passenger
Metal Cover Of The Year: Anubis Gate - Andromeda Unchained
Metal Video Of The Year: The Psyke Project - "I Get Paralyzed"
International Metal Album Of The Year: Machine Head - The Blackening
Metal Live Band Of The Year: Dawn Of Demise
Metal Talent Of The Year: Invisius - Edge of Hostility

At the award show Soilwork, Hatesphere, Volbeat, Mnemic and Evil Masquerade played abbreviated sets. Horned Almighty and Pilgrimz played at the DMeA after-party.

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Source: antenna.nu
Posted: 18.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (21)


Vicious Rumors - Vocalist Leaves Again But Band Is Not Breaking Up

US Power Metallers Vicious Rumors have posted the following press release on their official website:

"Vicious Rumors would like to thank all the fans and friends who supported the band over the last year on the World War Tour. We had a great time with everyone at all the shows in the USA, Europe & Japan. As the Warball tour ends the band is now in pre production for a new studio CD to be released next year.

Even tho the band has gone through many changes over the years VR has maintained a solid force in US power metal over the last 25 years. VR has already written several new songs for the new CD to follow up "Warball". Due to artistic differences singer James Rivera is no longer in VR. James was let go after the European tour in Sept '07. Recently James Rivera has issued a statement saying VR was Broken up after his departure with a list of other personal problems. We understand that Helstar is his true love and passion and wish them all the best.

VR moves forward to next year with a new CD and a new lineup. After 25 years, 12 Cd's & countless tours in no way has Vicious Rumors split up. You cant kill rock n roll..

Look for VR on tour with a new CD in 2008."

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Source: viciousrumors.com
Band profile: Vicious Rumors
Posted: 18.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (1)


Vehemence - New Song Online

You can check out a brand new song from, the apparently reunited, Vehemence entitled "There Are So Many Reasons To Give Up On Religion" online over at their official MySpace page.

The US Technical Death Metal outfit called it quits in October 2005. Read that news statement again at this location. Though, the band reunited in February of 2006 for a few farewell gigs, but has now split up. And apparently seems to be active again.

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Vehemence
Posted: 17.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (1)


Dismember - New Album Ready

Official Regain Records press release:

"Stockholm-based death detal masters Dismember announced the tracklist of their upcoming new album. The album will be released in march 2008 without any special name."

Album tracklisting:
01. Death Conquers All
02. Europa Burns
03. Under A Bloodred Sky
04. The Hills Have Eyes
05. Legion
06. Tide Of Blood
07. Combat Fatigue
08. No Honor In Death
09. To End It All
10. Dark Depths
11. Black Sun

Source: regainrecords.com
Band profile: Dismember
Posted: 14.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (14)


Amon Amarth - To Tour USA Without Decapitated

Amon Amarth have posted the following message regarding their "Wrath Of The Norseman North American Tour 2007" with Himsa and Sonic Syndicate:

"There will be a series of meet and greets on our North American tour. The meet and greet will be half an hour long beginning from when doors open. We are looking forward to meeting our fans in person and we'll try to make them happen at every show. Unfortunately due to time restraints, we will be unable to have a meet and greet on the dates where there will be in store signing sessions.

Because of the recent tragic events, Decapitated will not be able to be part of the North American tour. We are deeply sadden by the events and are disappointed that our metal brethren will not be able to share the stage with us.

We've tried to find a replacement for Decapitated but it has been impossible. We've deicided to play a longer set and throw in some songs that we either never played live before or haven't played live in a very long time. And we think we have a set list that will please both old and new fans!

We are really looking forward to hitting the roads in North America and finally do a full 90 min set. We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to catch the show!"

Scheduled in-store signing so far:
12/14 @ Scrape Records, Vancouver, BC 5 PM to 6 PM

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Source: amonamarth.com
Band profile: Amon Amarth
Event: Amon Amarth
Posted: 13.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (8)


Blut Aus Nord - Studio Update

Candlelight Records have issued the following short update:

"The band is currently recording the second Thematic Emanations Of Archetypal Multiplicity EP entitled "Lighteater".

After this recording Blut Aus Nord will start to work on the second part of Memoria Vetusta "Dialogue With the Stars".

For more info check out the new website here: http://www.blutausnord.com"

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Source: candlelightrecords.co.uk
Band profile: Blut Aus Nord
Posted: 09.11.2007 by Thryce | Comments (1)