AFM Records - Newsletter October 2005 (News and Tour dates)

D.O. and SHAKRA celebrate the release of their new album!
Last weekend U.D.O.-legend Udo Dirkschneider and SHAKRA - frontman Mark Fox have been on the road through Germany to introduce their new albums "Mission No. X" and "Fall" all relevant radio stations and to celebrate them on several release parties in the evening. Around 3.000 people have been at these parties in Regensburg (QU), Nürnberg (Rockfabrik) and Bochum (Matrix). Next to the presentation of several new songs from the album the visitors also got to see the two brand new video clips of U.D.O. ("Mean Streets") and SHAKRA ("Chains Of Temptation"). A lot of sleep didn 't remain for Udo and Mark - therefore the interest of radio journalists and fans has been way too big.
So the release of the two albums may come now!

Destruction have their videoclip ready!

"The Alliance Of Hellhoundz", the current video of German Thrashers DESTRUCTION is ready now - and it came out hellish good. In the middle of the hellfire the band is giving everything. Around them you can see all of the song 's guest singers (e.g. DORO, Biff of SAXON, Shagrat of DIMMU BORGIR, Messiah of CANDLEMASS) burning on TV screens. All the special effects in the clip have been arranged by Schmier 's brother Marco. An excellent, outstanding clip!

AXXIS are speeding up - (not only) in the studio!

Step by step the new AXXIS-album "Paradise In Flames" (out on 20th January) is getting ready. Almost all of the songs are done so far and waiting for being mixed and mastered. Next to several AXXIS-typical hymns there will also be some songs, which Bernhard does together with the beautiful female singer Lakonia. They cause a greater variety on the new record, without changing the typical style of the band.
Anyway you need to take good care with "Paradise In Flames". The album will rock and promises to be an extremely heavy output.
The band itself is quite enthusiastic about it. So enthusiastic, that drummer Andre Hilgers couldn 't wait to get to the studio. Police got him while driving too fast, so he now has to pay an expensive ticket plus he will lose his driving licence for four weeks. If you get caught driving too fast on German motorways, unfortunately not even "Paradise In Flames" can help you anymore?

Destruction and Perzonal War soon on the road!
Only few weeks are left until the "Hellhoundz Of Doom And Thrash"-tour with Destruction and Perzonal War will take place. Here we go with the latest update:

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Source:

AFM Records

Valtari Music is a new label started by members of the Australian melodic death metal band - Kania.

We are going to be set up complete over the coming months, and also will act as a mail-order / distribution label, even licensing to overseas bands.

If you think you fit the profile and play in a band or know a band that is influenced / similar to bands like In Flames / Soilwork / Ensiferum / Insomnium / Naglfar , please contact us. If you wish to find out more information about us please e-mail the label at: info@valtarimusic.com and check out the website at: www.valtarimusic.com

Valtari Music is currently searching for artists to work with in the future, if you are interested forward your questions through to: info@valtarimusic.com

Source:

Valtari Music

AUTUMN TEARS (http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears). Laurie has already started the process of recording for their next album. She has completed one song thus far and is currently in the process of working on others. She feels this is Autumn Tears' strongest, most beautiful material as of yet and is very excited about it.

EPHEMERAL SUN (http://www.ephemeralsun.com/) will start the recording process for their next album in October. This album will contain their epic 40 minute song. Laurie is very excited to record this song because she feels that on this song, all the different musical influences of each band member melt perfectly together into something completely cohesive, massive and transcendental. On April 28th, 2006, Ephemeral Sun will perform at the Rites of Spring progressive rock festival (http://www.rostfest.com) in Phoenixville, PA.

NEST (http://nest.atolonen.cjb.net/) is coming very close to completing the instrumental section of their writing process. Laurie will be featured on this album displaying the more experimental and atmospheric sides of her vocal abilities. Make sure to check out their previous beautiful albums. Very tranquil and woodsy.

TODESBONDEN (http://www.todesbonden.com) will be recording their first test track for their upcoming album "Ghost of the Crescent Moon" very soon. Although originally the plan for Todesbonden was mostly to have Laurie write all of the music, this next album is constructed with the participation of all the band members while still arranged by Laurie. She is very excited for this next album because she thinks that this new material is more lush, full, complicated, beautiful and thrilling than the EP (not to mention that this time it will have a real talented drummer).

On September 25th Todesbonden will appear at the Goth Stock festival (http://www.gothstock.com) in Hartford, CT where they will perform on the main stage. More Todesbonden shows are currently being scheduled. Please check their website periodically for more information. They now have T-shirts for sale as well!!!

Source:

Golden Veil

Nuclear Blast offers your band the chance to sign a record deal! In an unique contest you can win a contract with the leading Independent label for heavy music. The campaign is the first one of it´s kind in the history of NB.

If you are an fresh sounding Rock or Metal band, you already fulfill all requirements to participate. The duration of the contest is from the 01.08.05 to the 31.12.05. As consolation prizes you can win a download cooperation and a support slot for a Nuclear Blast band.
The contest is presented in collaboration with the following magazines:

Metal Hammer Germany
Metal Hammer Spain
Metal Hammer Italy
Rock Hard France
Inferno (Finland)
Scream (Norway)
Close Up (Sweden)

All you have to do is to send your Demo (with biography and band picture) to this address:

Nuclear Blast
Band Contest 2005
Oeschstraße 40
73072 Donzdorf
Germany

Or send your mp3s (max. 3 songs - also with biography and foto) to this address: bandcontest(at)nuclearblast.de

The contest closes the 31st of December! Winners will be announced afterwards.

You need more info? Read the COMPETITION RULES:

http://www.nuclearblast.de/bandcontest/rules.php

Source:

nuclearblast.de

Long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED have amicably parted ways with guitarist Ulf Cederlund. The band's official statement on the matter reads as follows: "We want to inform everyone that Uffe Cederlund is no longer in the band and that the split is definite and amicable. We wish him all the best!" ENTOMBED will continue as a four-piece and are currently finishing up the "Inferno" tour. The band will shortly start work on their new studio album, which is tentatively expected in in early 2006 via Threeman Recordings. Previously announced songtitles, "The Fiery Father", "I Need Hell", "Radarslave" and "Burn the Flag", had come from Uffe and are unlikely to be included on the upcoming album.

ENTOMBED's last studio CD, "Inferno", received its long-awaited U.S. release in August 2004 through Candlelight Records. The special U.S. edition of "Inferno" included a bonus disc, "Averno", featuring two previously unreleased songs from the "Inferno" sessions as well as the song "When Humanity's Gone" that was previously released on the "Inferno" vinyl. In addition, "Averno" includes the promo videos for "Retaliation" and "Albino Flogged In Black". The band's most recent release was "Unreal Estate", a special live recording of the band's now infamous sold-out performance at Stockholm's Royal Opera Hall on March 1, 2002.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Entombed

www.si-q.com presents - INNOVATION ROCKS

1. Portal/slogan

Are your fingers sore from practicing? What about your throat? Do you write songs, love your band, and are you generally mad about music? And is your music too cool to lock away in the rehearsal studio?

Then you've come to the right place?

INNOVATION ROCKS
The EU-wide band contest powered by www.si-q.com

2. Philosophy

Garages are the link between technology and music.

This must sound like a bold statement if you don't realize just how much has been invented in the humble garage - in the sphere of technology as well as music. The milestones in developing the home computer took place in a garage, for example, as did the songs that changed the course of music history, which also originated in converted garages used as rehearsal rooms.

So it comes as no surprise that a globally successful technology group that lives for innovation should also provide a platform for really promising young musical talent. Siemens, or more specifically the branding platform www.si-q.com, has long been involved in promoting all kinds of talent in the areas of sport, music and art, for example. Geared towards young people and with a total of almost one million hits so far this year, the internet platform www.si-q.com is also a very successful and frequently-visited platform for active internet users.

Ambitious bands who want to get a foot in the door of the music industry have never had it so tough - so www.si-q.com is now offering a real opportunity. INNOVATION ROCKS will provide up-and-coming artists from European Union member states with the chance to present themselves first of all to a wide, forward-looking and innovative public, as well as an international jury of music industry professionals. For the winner, a real step-up into the wide world of the music industry is up for grabs in the form of a complete album production. And the winners will be in an excellent position, given that the album will be produced without any obligations to the music industry - so they will remain independent and can decide exactly where they want to go next.

The presentation on www.si-q.com will give 20 selected bands the opportunity to promote themselves for a full eight weeks to 86,000 registered users worldwide and 150,000 visitors each month. So whatever happens, all entrants will be heard by a jury of music industry professionals - and 20 of them are guaranteed to grab the attention of music fans across Europe.

3. Facts

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Source:

Inside Out

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

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.

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Source:

Dockyard1

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

The touring schedule for the autumn/winter is now starting to unfold. To begin with, we're happy to announce that we'll support fellow Swedes ARCH ENEMY on their European tour, together with TRIVIUM. These are the currently confirmed dates; it's great to see that there's a whopping five dates in the UK, a country that hasn't seen so much D.T. action in the past.

Sep. 26 - Manchester, UK @ Academy II
Sep. 27 - Cardiff, UK @ Coal Exchange
Sep. 28 - Wolverhampton, UK @ Wolfrun Hall
Sep. 29 - Glasgow, UK @ QMU
Sep. 30 - London, UK @ Forum
Oct. 02 - Paris, FRA @ Bataclan
Oct. 03 - Haarlem, NET @ Patronat
Oct. 04 - Köln, GER @ Live Music Hall
Oct. 05 - Eindhoven, NET @ Effenaar
Oct. 06 - Stuttgart, GER Longhorn
Oct. 08 - Ternat, BEL @ Ternat Rock Festival
Oct. 10 - Hamburg, GER @ Markthalle
Oct. 11 - Berlin, GER @ Columbia Club

Furthermore, there are plans for a headline tour throughout Europe by the end of the year as well as a return to the U.S. as soon as possible. As soon as something is confirmed, you'll read about it on http://www.darktranquillity.com

Source:	darktranquillity.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity

As widely expected, veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS have now officially announced the addition of guitarist Lee Altus (HEATHEN, ex-DIE KRUPPS) to the group's ranks.

"Lee has been a great friend of mine for many years and is also one of the greatest guitarist I've had the pleasure of knowing," EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt said in a statement. "He was not only the best guy for this job, he was the only one. No one else was ever considered. His leads are totally ripping on the new album and I am looking very much forward to working with him on new music soon. He is a rhythm crusher as well as a shred machine so things are going to be heavy as hell!

EXODUS recently parted ways with guitarist Rick Hunolt due to Rick's desire to concentrate on his family life.

As previously reported, EXODUS have set "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" as the title of their upcoming album, due on October 5 via Nuclear Blast Records. Recorded at Trident studios in Pacheco, California and mixed by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY), the follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" is the band's first to feature Altus, ex-SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph and new singer Rob Dukes.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Exodus

PEACEVILLE RECORDS ANNOUNCE TWO NEW BANDS FOR THE LABEL:

We are delighted to welcome two new bands to the fold.

Please give it up for our first new signings; Italy's awesome
Novembre.

Novembre, "Our journey through nothingness and slumber has come to an end. NOVEMBRE finally get signed to the legendary Peaceville Records. A label that, with the bands they produced and the albums released, has traced a deep and indissoluble mark in our songwriting spine. Definitely the label we should have always been signed to.

MATERIA is our fifth and best album. No discussions about that. Furthermore, we never had the chance to get such a huge and professional sound before. We've been trapped in the pleasant Antarctic town of Helsinki, at Finnvox Studios, freezing our bones to death in order to release this magnum opus. We're sure some of that abysmal cold remained imprinted somewhere in the tracks."

Materia will be released on Peaceville in November.

Next up we welcome Norway's Madder Mortem.

Madder Mortem, "It feels great to finally have settled in our new home in the fabulous town of Peaceville. We have all been great admirers of some of the long-time residents of this eerie homestead, such as My Dying Bride and Katatonia.
Some of the bands have had quite an influence on us, like early
My Dying Bride, Darkthrone, Paradise Lost and Anathema.

It's an honour for us to include the Peaceville label on our art and we're thrilled to work with this legendary company. This marks a new era in the Madder Mortem history, and we're 150% determined to make it the most glorious one!"

Madder Mortem have already recorded their first album for Peaceville; entitled Desiderata the album was recorded in Norway's Space Valley Studio last year. Hopefully Desiderata will be released later this year.

Source:

Peaceville Records

Another very special guest has been added to the Nightwish's October-show
at the Hartwall-Arena in Helsinki. John Two-Hawks, a Native American
hailing from Arkansas USA, will appear on the stage to perform the song
Creek Mary's Blood with Nightwish.

John Two-Hawks is a multi-instrumentalist who is devoted to spreading the
culture and mentality of Native Americans. He has published six solo-
albums and although he is constantly touring the US, Two-Hawks is very
rarely seen on European soil.

Creek Mary's Blood was composed by Tuomas Holopainen and the song was
featured on Nightwish's platinum-selling Once-album. On Creek Mary's
Blood John Two-Hawks plays the flute and reads a poem translated to his
native-language. The song has never before been performed by its original
recording line-up.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Monday 25th of July at 9:00 through
Lippupalvelu and Menolippu.

The concert is presented in cooperation with Radio City, whose metal
program Rautakanki will offer special features and contests regarding
this event, as well as SUE-Magazine, the biggest music magazine in Finland.

---------------

Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, Hartwall Arena, Helsinki 21.10.2005. Doors
Open 18:30, Show Starts 20:00. No age Restrictions.
Tickets on sale on 25.7.2005 through Lippupalvelu and Menolippu.
www.lippupalvelu.fi, www.menolippu.fi.
Ticket Price: 42/35 Euro.

Source:	Stuba Nikula
Band profile:	Nightwish

BLACK LOTUS RECORDS JOIN FORCES WITH A LEGEND!!!

On July 8th 2005 Eddie Ojeda (guitarist and one of the main forces behind the classic metal band TWISTED SISTER) signed a record deal with BLACK LOTUS RECORDS for two albums. His first solo album, which is set for Autumn 2005 in Europe and for Winter 2006 in the U.S.A. is entitled ?Axes to Axes?!!

One day after the signing and during TWISTED SISTER's headlining at Rockwave festival, Dee Snider also made it official in front of 10.000 SMF maniacs!

?Axes to Axes? will be a real gem to the treasure of heavy metal. Apart from Eddie's electrifying song writing, a number of guests are enriching the album and easily putting it among the top 10 albums of the year: Ronnie James Dio, Dee Snider, Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, Yngwie Malmsteen), Joe Franco (Twisted Sister, Vinnie Moor, Jack Bruce) Chris McCarvill plus another 2-3 surprise guests!

A classic metal all-star team that will take the scene by storm! Beware of the ?fingers?!!

http://www.eddieojeda.com/

Source:

Black Lotus Records

Burglary and fire of the Melancholia Records' (house of Orakle, Numenor...) recording studios.

During the night, some fellows infiltrated the studios of the label, where the last album of ORAKLE had recently been recorded. A fire broke out, which ravaged the place. Everything that had not been stolen has burnt or has been thrown away by the firemen. 3 years of hard work have vanished in some hours that night. The future of the label is unsure. Every support will be welcome.

If you appreciate our artists, our work, our integrity and if you like metal, you can help us:

- by sending us donations with Paypal: contact@melancholia-records.com

- by ordering CDs, MCDs, DVDs and T-shirts on Priceminister: www.priceminister.com/boutique/melancholia

- or just by buying our CDs in your usual local store or online store (Adipocère, Holy Records...)

Feel free to support the label. Even a support message is welcome...

Good luck to all the team of Melancholia Records.