Candlelight Records confirms October 4 as the American release date for the new studio album from Norway's 1349. Titled "Hellfire", it is the third studio album from the rapidly growing black metal band.

Recorded at Studio Studio in Nyhagen, Norway, Hellfire is already expected to be a highly regarded and fan sought recording early on in its initial release. And with a European tour already booked with US labelmates Gorgoroth (new album coming February 2006), could US fans finally witness this rising, molten beast?

Tracklisting is as follows:

1. I Am Abomination
2. Nathicana
3. Sculptor of Flesh
4. Celestial Deconstruction
5. To Rottendom
6. From the Deeps
7. Slaves to Slaughter
8. Hellfire

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	1349

Candlelight Records confirms November 29th as the American release date for the new studio album from Sweden's Dark Funeral. Titled "Attera Totus Sanctus", it is the fourth studio album from the widely respected black metal band.

Recorded at Dug Out Studios and produced by the renowned Daniel Bergstrand, "Attera Totus Sanctus" is surely Dark Funeral's most eagerly anticipated recording in their now decade-long career. Raw, fierce, and evil it will rightly reclaim the unholy band's title at the top of black metal's premiere elite. Early reviews already have journalists citing, DARK ark Funeral give the word "uncompromise" a whole new meaning. The record explodes with hate, anger, apocalypse and speed.

Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Angel Flesh Impaled
2. 666 Voices Inside
3. Attera Totus Sanctus
4. Atrum Regina
5. Godhate
6. Angel Invasion (Destroyed, Erased)
7. King Antichrist
8. Final Ritual

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Dark Funeral

Commemorating its 20th anniversary by touring with its original lineup for the first time in 13 years, Anthrax is exclusively playing its classics from 1985 to 1991, both on the Gigantour in early September (western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest) and with Judas Priest from September 24 through October 18 (across Canada as well as the East and Midwest of the U.S.) with additional Judas Priest and Anthrax headline dates to be added.

Those gems are also heard on the band's most comprehensive "best of" collection ever issued, its first two-CD retrospective, "Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991)", and its first video compilation, the DVD Anthrology: "No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) The Videos" (both on Island/UMe), and on separate live CD and DVD packages "Alive 2 (2005)" (on Sanctuary Records) which documents the group's momentous summer 2005 reunion tour. All four packages will be released September 20, 2005.

Tracklistings are as follows:

Alive 2 (2005):

Among The Living
Caught in a Mosh
A.I.R.
Antisocial
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
Deathrider
Medusa
In My World
Indians
Time
Be All End All
I Am The Law

Alive 2 (2005) THE DVD:

Among The Living
Caught in a Mosh
A.I.R.
Madhouse
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
Deathrider
Medusa
In My World
Indians
Time
I'm The Man
Be All End All
I Am The Law

No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) The Videos

Metal Thrashing Mad (Live in Germany)
Madhouse
Indians
Armed And Dangerous (Live in London)
Among The Living (Live in London)
Caught In A Mosh (Live in London)
I Am The Law
I'm The Man
Who Cares Wins
Belly Of The Beast
Got The Time
In My World
Bring Tha Noize With Public Enemy

Bonus

Madhouse (MTV Version)
I'm The Man (Live Montage

No Hit Wonders (1985 - 1991)

Disc 1

A.I.R.
Lone Justice
Madhouse
The Enemy
Armed And Dangerous
Medusa
Gung-Ho
Among The Living
Caught In A Mosh
I Am The Law
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
A Skeleton In The Closet
Indians
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
I'm The Man (Def Uncensored Radio Version)

Disc 2

Be All, End All
Make Me Laugh
Antisocial
Who Cares Wins
Now It's Dark
Finale
Time
Keep It In The Family
In My World
Intro To Reality
Belly Of The Beast
Got The Time
Discharge
Bring Tha Noize With Public Enemy
Antisocial (French version)

Read more ››

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Anthrax

The End Records, already known for its eclectic cutting-edge roster, has signed the legendary Voivod for the USA. Hailed as one of the most important groundbreakers in metal, Voivod's ever-evolving progressive mindset is a perfect fit for The End.
The band will enter the studio in the fall of 2005. Release date for the band's 11th studio album is not yet confirmed, but should appear sometime in early 2006.
Drummer Michel Langevin (aka Away) confirms that the band has completed the writing of the album, describing the material as "heavy" and "experimental". Regarding the new partnership, Voivod states: "We are very proud to join The End Records in their quest to promote modern heavy ! music. A perfect home for a band like Voivod.

Furthermore, In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Jason Newsted talked about the upcoming Voivod records via The End Records:
"It's the most complete demos I've ever been involved in," he says. " 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."
Like Metallica, 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 offers.

Taken from The End Records newsletter

Read more ››

Band profile:

Voivod

Former Vader drummer Krzysztof "Doc" Raczkowski has passed away. He was 35. The Polish death metallers had replaced Doc this past March by Daray (ex-VESANIA). Doc had been with Vader since their 1992 Earache Records debut, The Ultimate Incantation. Vader have dedicated their main webpage http://www.vader.pl with a picture of the late skinsman.

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Vader

After Dragonforce cancelled their performance, the Raismesfest is proud to announce that Symphorce and Machine Men will take their place on Saturday 10th of September.

Unfortunately, the Japanese band Loudness might cancel their tour in France and so their appearance at Raismesfest. If this was to happen, a new band of the same caliber would replace them.

Raismesfest will take place in Raismes, North of France, near Belgium, on September 10th and 11th, for a very cheap price! (?30 for 2 days and camping!).

For more information:
http://www.metalstorm.ee/festivals/festival.php?festival=raismes
http://www.raismesfest.com

Band profile:

Machine Men

Relapse Records recording artists Nile will see their latest video make its MTV2 premiere on this week's edition of 'Headbangers Ball'. This Show airs Saturdays from 10-12 PM on MTV2.

The video, for the song "Sacrifice Unto Sebek" was shot on location in Atlanta, GA by Director Chad Rullman (Neurosis, Mastodon, Soilent Green) for Supercollider Films and features Nile (guitarist / vocalist Karl Sanders, guitarist / vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade and drummer George Kollias) performing inside an eerie Egyptian burial chamber, replete with design motifs of ancient Egyptian culture. Exclusive stills from the video can be viewed at this location: http://relapse.com/preview/nilevideo.jpg

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Nile

Music Video Distributors and Euroralph are pleased to announce the home viewing release of Voivod's "D-V-O-D-1" for worldwide distribution on DVD, except for Canada, on October 25th.

"D-V-O-D-1", the first DVD from Voivod, covers the original line-up period (1983-1991). Included are all the 80s videos, plus rare live and studio performances of classic Voivod songs. From the start, their goal was to sound completely unique and incorporate odd musical tempos and futuristic story lines into their songs. They influenced and inspired other thrash and metal bands with their one-of-a-kind styles of performing and writing.

Videos

Voivod (1984)
Ripping Headaches (1986)
Ravenous Medicine (1987)
Tribal Convictions (1988)
Psychic Vacuum (1988)
Astronomy Domine (1989)

Live

- Montreal Spectrum 10-12-86: Blower
- Montreal Spectrum 8-20-88: Tribal Convictions, Ravenous Medicine
- Montreal Musiqueplus 1989: The Unknown Knows, Inner Combustion/Missing Sequences/Nothing Face
- Montreal Backstreet 5-24-91: Inner Combustion, Freedoom

Footage

- Video Shoot for Ravenous Medicine 24-03-87:
- Video Shoot for Psychic Vacuum 25-09-88
- Recording Nothing Face @ Victor Studios 14-05-89

Extras

Artwork, Photos, Iron Gang Demos, Morgoth Invasion December 1984, and Montreal Spectrum September 1987

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Voivod

World renowned Dutch rock band The Gathering is set to release their double-DVD "A Sound Relief" in the US/Canada on October 25th via The End Records. The DVD will be made available in Europe through the band's own label, Psychonaut Records, in mid-October.

The two-disc set features a wide array of items for fans of the band to enjoy. Disc I includes the live concert the band recorded on May 23rd, 2005 at the famous Paradiso in Amsterdam. The live recording was recorded in DTS 5.1, a truly remarkable sound quality, which enhances the already emotional and powerful flow of the band's musical delivery.

Disc II features great bonus extras like their own tour impressions caught on video, video interviews and a TV special about 15 year career of The Gathering. The bonus disc also showcases a collection of beautiful 3-D animation clips, which were especially designed for the band by promising Dutch and Polish 3-D artists Michel de Klein and Marcin Pazera.

Also of note, The End Records mail-order will be offering a very limited package for the DVD release. It will include the double-DVD, a shirt and poster style photo from the show signed by the band.

Tracklisting for the DVD is as follows:

Disc I

Live concert at Paradiso, Amsterdam, May 23rd 2005:

1. The big sleep
2. Broken glass
3. Rescue me
4. Alone
5. Travel
6. Red is a Slow Colour
7. A life all mine
8. Golden grounds
9. Amity
10. In Motion II
11. Marooned
12. Souvenirs
13. Like fountains
14. Herbal movement

Disc II

Tour Impression 2004

Bonus features:

Dutch TV special '15 year The Gathering'
Italian video-interview

Animation Music Clips:

Marooned
The Big Sleep
Alone
Broken Glass
A life all Mine
Red is a Slow Colour

Read more ››

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	The Gathering

Susperia, the extreme melodic metal band from Norway have announced the official release date for their highly anticipated EP, 'Devil May Care'. The special edition CD will be released in Europe on September 26th through TABU Recordings.

The EP features a mix of original and cover songs that have been drawn from various recording sessions. Tracks appearing on the release are the 'Unlimited' album track 'Devil May Care', new song 'Venting The Anger' and three covers, which the band has been performing occasionally at live shows. 'Lack Of Comprehension' originally recorded by DEATH, 'Wild Child' originally recorded by WASP and the much sought after version of 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' - a worldwide hit for fellow Norwegians A-HA. As an added bonus the release contains the promo videos for 'Chemistry' and 'Devil May Care' as well as screensavers, wallpapers and booklet picture gallery. The EP was completed at StrandStudio in Oslo, Norway. Production duties were once again handled by the band and engineered by Marius Strand.

Work on the EP started in January, but was immediately beset by a series of problems, resulting in various delays to its release. The first complication came when vocalist Athera lost his voice during the recording. Further setbacks followed including technical hitches and missing artwork, before everything was finally complete and in the can.

Minor problems aside, 2005 has seen SUSPERIA continue to build on the success of the acclaimed 'Unlimited' album - regarded by many as one of the best rock / metal releases of 2004. Their efforts were recognised with a nomination in the "Metal" category at Norway's prestigious Alarm awards. On the live front Susperia were invited to be the main support on the 2005 'Reunion European Tour' of bay area thrash legends Testament. The time in between has been spent on writing new material for the next album, which will be due in 2006.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Susperia

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

Release date pushed back

Due to a number of unforseen circumstances, the release date for the Stream Of Passion debut album 'Embrace The Storm' has been pushed back to October 24th, 2005.

Bonus DVD

The new album will be available in a regular edition and in a special edition including a bonus DVD. Find out more about the contents of this DVD in the discography section on the band's official site: http://www.streamofpassion.com

Full MP3

Last but not least, you can download a full MP3 of the Stream Of Passion track 'Deceiver' taken from their forthcoming album from their official site.

Source:	streamofpassion.com
Band profile:	Stream Of Passion

Cradle Of Filth's frontman Dani Filth posted following message in their website about upcoming album, line-up changes and more..

"Latest News...

Greetings fans, friends, fiends and boys and ghouls of all persuasions.

Things have been going exceptionally well in the Cradle Of Filth camp of late, with the American airing of 'Viva La Bam' being shown for public consumption at the beginning of the month; (we're pursuing the European showing date even as this is being written... )

And, more importantly we have over sixty per cent of the new album under our belts; including the following laments... 'I Am The Thorn', 'Lovesick For Mina', 'The Byronic Man', 'Cemetery And Sundown', 'Libertina Grimm', 'The Flora Of Nightfall, The Fauna Of War' and 'Dirge Inferno' to name but a few. There will also be a band instrumental on this new musical opus, which, although remaining untitled as yet, will be a first for the band in its eleven year career. The initial start date for recording the album is scheduled for October 10th.

On the DVD front, a cover representation will be posted shortly with the title of 'Peace Through Superior Firepower' and pending the documentary of backstage shenanigans, being completed over the next few weeks, by Dani and guitarist Paul Allender, a release date of late October/early November is to be expected.

Book-wise; 'The Gospel Of Filth -The Midian Bible' is coming on very nicely with the chapter about 'Serial Murderers' currently being expounded upon. Next month's arrival of the 'Member's Only' chamber on the website entitled, 'The Order Of The Dragon', will see excerpts from this unholy tome being revealed unto the unwary with the countdown to the release of the book's special edition (which features an extra chapter by Dani Filth and is signed by both authors alike in a gilded leather-bound cover... ); sometime early next year.

Incidentally, this 'Members Only' chamber will not only include up-to-the-minute information, but will also feature live band chats, video messaging, special promotional items, tickets for exclusive one-off shows, downloads, competitions to win band property and interaction with band decisions in the form of consensus and polls (i.e in deciding titles, themes, new products and songs etc, etc...) to name but a few. More on this as it arrives.

Last but not least, some other strange occurrences have been happening to the band line-up since last I put severed wrist to paper; in the form of a further departure, a turnaround and a come-back! It has been known to the select few that this band is a sum of it's parts and sometimes more than just a band, sometimes more a lifestyle, so it is not often surprising that, (as magazines and other creative workplaces do all the time), people unfortunately come and go; yet the entity that is the band remains the same. The plan has always been to deliver on the musical front for at least another five to ten years, regardless of what and whom are in the line-up.

Read more ››

Source:	cradleoffilth.com
Band profile:	Cradle Of Filth

Seminal avant-garde metal pioneers Celtic Frost announce the completion of their new studio album, tentatively titled "Dark Matter Manifest", their first in 13 years and the culmination of some three and a half years of songwriting and recording work. Although the album was largely produced by the band themselves and financed by their own production company, Celtic Frost enlisted Hypocrisy/Pain mastermind Peter Tägtgren to co-produce with them the final recording and mixing sessions at Horus Sound Studio in Hanover, Germany, in August/September 2005. Negotiations with a variety of labels are currently underway, and the album is scheduled for a release in early 2006.

Having declined innumerable reunion show propositions over the years, Celtic Frost once again deemed it essential to manifest themselves creatively with a new album before embarking on the live circuit next year.

Original Celtic Frost members Tom Gabriel Fischer (voice and guitars) and Martin Eric Ain (bass) are joined by Erol Unala (guitar) and Franco Sesa (drums). The band are now managed by Antje Lange for The A Label in Berlin, Germany (info@thealabel.com). For real-time exclusive information and rare visual glimpses, see Celtic Frost's official website at http://www.celticfrost.com and Tom Gabriel Fischer's blog at http://apollyonsun.blogspot.com.

Source:	celticfrost.com
Band profile:	Celtic Frost

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