Sweden's Dark Tranquillity have revealed the track listing and artwork for their new album, "Character", due in Europe on January 24 and North America on January 25 via Century Media Records. The band recently released an EP, entitled "Lost to Apathy", as a teaser for the upcoming full-length. It includes four songs, a video-clip (for the title track) and a screensaver.

"Character" (view cover here ) track listing:

01. The New Build
02. Through Smudged Lenses
03. Out of Nothing
04. The Endless Feed
05. Lost to Apathy
06. Mind Matters
07. One Thought
08. Dry Run
09. Am I 1?
10. Senses Tied
11. My Negation

Speaking to Portugal's LOUD! magazine recently, Dark Tranquillity frontman Mikael Stanne said about the upcoming CD, "The album is very diverse. There are songs that are heavier, other ones that are much more complex and a couple of others that are really fast. Overall I feel it's more varied and also much angrier, the whole thing just fells different. We wanted to make an album that wasn't that easy? We don't want people to listen to one of our records today and think it sounds great, just to forget about it two weeks later. We tried to do something that sticks with the listener, which they can explore over a long period of time. I personally haven't got tired of it yet, so I think we managed to do it pretty well ? we didn't want to be too obvious with this one. It was actually kind of a conscious effort to do it this way? We love music with a progressive edge and we played around with these songs for months, worked every little detail to make it as interesting as possible to play."

Read more ››

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity

According to the official website of the band, Norther will enter Astia Studios in December to record a new, yet unnamed EP, the CD will include 5 songs.

http://www.norther.net/

Band profile:

Norther

According to a posting on the group's official web site, Italy's LACUNA COIL recently spent time in Milan in pre-production with producer Waldemar Sorychta (TIAMAT, GRIP INC., SAMAEL). The band will soon enter the studio to record the first three songs for their much-anticipated follow-up to 2002's "Comalies". A late 2005 release via Century Media Records is expected.

Source Blabbermouth

Band profile:

Lacuna Coil

Launch Radio Networks is reporting that BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi and occasional collaborator Glenn Hughes are recording a new album, which they hope to release in 2005. Iommi told Launch that the pair ? who recently released some recordings they made together in 1996 ? will resume working in December and finish early in the New Year. Sanctuary Records will release the album, and Iommi and Hughes hope to tour in support of it.

Kenny Aronoff ? whose credits include JOHN MELLENCAMP, JOHN FOGERTY, SMASHING PUMPKINS, MELISSA ETHERIDGE, and MICHELLE BRANCH, among others ? is playing drums for the project.

Hughes, a former member of TRAPEZE and DEEP PURPLE, sang on the 1986 album "Seventh Star", which began as an Iommi solo album but was billed, at the record company's insistence, as "BLACK SABBATH featuring Tony Iommi."

Iommi and Hughes recently issued "The 1996 DEP Sessions", featuring eight tracks recorded at DEP Studios in Birmingham, England, which is owned by the reggae band UB40.

Source:

Blabbermouth

FOZZY, the band featuring vocalist Chris Jericho (of WWE wrestling fame) and members of STUCK MOJO, will release their third album, "All That Remains", in Europe on January 18, 2005 via SPV Records.

"All That Remains" was produced by Rick Beato (SHINEDOWN, CHARLIE MARS, INGRAM HILL) and features guest performances by guitar legends Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), Marty Friedman (ex-MEGADETH), and Mark Tremonti (CREED, ALTER BRIDGE). Gold-record-selling rap artist BONE CRUSHER also makes a special guest appearance on the record.

"All That Remains" is the follow-up to 2002's "Happenstance", which was released through Megaforce Records.

Source:

Blabbermouth

From "The End Records" website:
A message from the band/Tomer: "It's been awhile since my last up-date and as always, there is a lot going on with Subterranean Masquerade.For starters you need to know that "Suspended Animation Dreams" is now a reality and is scheduled to be released via The End Records early next year.I can't even start to describe the joy in completing this mission; the album was a burden on me for quite some time and recording it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done.As for the music, I can honestly say that every song on the album has its own personality, every song is special, search what you looking for and you shall find it: Jazz Folk, Extreme Metal, Progressive, Alternative, Psychedelic, you name it? there is some really cool instrumentations and musicians on the album as well; Harmonica, Dulcimer, percussions, bells, grand piano, Hammond organ, choir, lots of guest appearances and spoken words passages, shredding guitar solos, Horns and so much more ?Like I said, something for everyone!
In addition, Neil Kernon did a hell of a job organizing this album and blessing it with a crystal clear sound quality and Travis Smith is preparing a perplexing cover art, his most unique and special work yet! Double the pleasure."

http://label.theendrecords.com/

"The webmaster of both Skaldic Art and Falkenbach is planning to make a very limited tribute album to Falkenbach by the fans. If you, a friend or band that you know ever recorded a cover version of Falkenbach, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
More information can be found on Cellulanus Semivivus, or send a mail to the webmaster.

Amen

Semivivus"

For more info, check out the following:
http://www.geocities.com/falkenbachband/
http://www.geocities.com/semivivus

"It is with great pleasure that we announce the coming of the new age of strappingyounglad.com. Fully redesigned for your viewing pleasure. Delve inside each and every section where you will find never before seen pictures and words of wisdom from SYL. 'pathetic humans!...prepare to write down the recipe !!!'"

http://www.strappingyounglad.com/
http://www.hevydevy.com/

Band profile:

Strapping Young Lad

Taken from Chris Caffery website:

"The first US Single EP from the "Faces"/"God Damn War" CD is now available. The 8 song Digi-EP includes 2 bonus Christmas tracks ("What Child Is This?" and "Christmas Is"), 3 tracks from the "Faces" CD ("Music Man," "Abandoned," and "Pisses Me Off"), 1 track from the "God Damn War" CD ("Amazing Grace"), and 2 additional bonus tracks ("Forever We'll Be" and a radio edit version of "Pisses Me Off")".

Source:	chriscaffery.com
Band profile:	Chris Caffery

A message from this excellent progressive band from Norway, posted on their website by Jacob:

"One down, a few more to go
So last night we played at Ås. Sort of a hard place to find, but we got there eventually, and we had a really nice time playing there. A very friendly vibe from the audience, and a relaxed vibe on stage as well. So thanks to Alf Haakon and to the people who showed up. By the way, we saw some cameras flashing. If anyone has some pics from Galleri Texas they want to send us, feel free! I don't believe anyone associated with the band took pictures that night. Next up are the gigs in Kristiansand and Trondheim, but we still don't have the confirmed dates, so stand by. You may already have heard that Lars' other band, Wobbler, has been confirmed for NEARfest 2005. Congrats to the band. And to anyone considering going to NEARfest - do it for Wobbler. They are worth it".

http://www.whitewillow.net/

From official website www.anathema.ws

'Were You There' DVD finally to be released on the 15th of November!!!

We are pleased to announce that our DVD will be finally coming out! The date is set for the 15th of November! Sorry about the wait... it was out of our control. We finished it ages ago but now it's finally coming out.

The DVD will contain a full live show recorded on the recent 'A Natural Disaster' tour. An acoustic concert performed with a string quartet from the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Plus extra features. The artwork and menu designs have again been designed by the very able Mr. Travis Smith.

The tracklisting is as follows:
1. Intro: Childhood Dreams
2. Balance
3. Closer
4. Pressure
5. Release
6. Forgoten Hopes
7. Destiny Is Dead
8. Are You There?
9. One Last Goodbye
10. Pulled Under At 2000 Metres A Second
11. Parisienne Moonlight
12. A Natural Disaster
13. Judgement
14. Panic
15. Temporary Peace
16. Flying
17. One Last Goodbye (Acoustic, W/Liverpool Phil String Quart)
18. Temporary Peace (Acoustic, W/Liverpool Phil String Quart)
19. Flying (Acoustic, W/Liverpool Phil String Quart)
20. Pressure (Promo Video Clip)
21. Release (Live In London, Nov 2002)
22. A Natural Disaster (Live In Hamburg)

Read more ››

Band profile:

Anathema

Sweden's Soilwork have confirmed via their official web site that the limited-edition European/U.S. version of their upcoming album, "Stabbing the Drama", will include a bonus track, entitled "Wherever Thorns May Grow". The Japanese edition will feature "Wherever Thorns May Grow" and an additional bonus cut by the name of "Killed by Ignition".

The follow-up to 2003's "Figure Number Five" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro and Dug-Out Productions in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, Stuck Mojo). A February 28, 2005 release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

With regards to the new material, Soilwork vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid recently said, "In my ears it sounds like a mixture between 'Natural Born Chaos' (2002) and our latest effort, 'Figure Number Five' with a slight and interesting development."

"Stabbing the Drama" final track listing:

01. Stabbing The Drama
02. One With The Flies
03. Weapon Of Vanity
04. The Crestfallen
05. Nerve
06. Stalemate
07. Distance
08. Observation Slave
09. Fate In Motion
10. Blind Eye Halo
11. If Possible

Bonus:
12. Wherever Thorns May Grow (ltd. edition U.S/Europe + bonus for Japan)
13. Killed by Ignition (bonus for Japan only)

Regarding the artwork for the new CD, the band write on their web site, "We have selected the cover for the album and it looks pretty different from what we've had in the past but really looks killer!!"

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Soilwork

The kings of doom are back!!
Just when you thought it was over the corpse lives again and is resurrected
healthier, better and gloomier than ever.
Messiah, Leif, Jan, Lars and Mappe. The classic line-up refuse to die!!

We understand this is very confusing for you, since the band disbanded just 6 months ago. But hey - why bother about stupid details when you will have a brand new Candlemass album in your hand before next summer. The boys will enter the famous Stockholm Polar Studios nov 26, mix in january and bless us with an album in may sometime. Perfect for Candlemass 20 year anniversary!

According to what Leif said before, the band couldn't agree on how to proceed after the reunion, so they decided it was best to put the beast of doom to sleep. It is always the best thing when five people want the same thing. And indeed, it looks like they've overcome the individual problems for a united effort to do something great.

Leif: - I had a bunch of pretty cool songs, talked to Mappe quite a lot during the summer and we both agreed it would be stupid not to do anything with it. At Mappes wedding in august we all went up on a small stage and performed Samarithan and Solitude with pink guitars plus a really shitty sound. We were all absolutely drunk and we had suits and everything on us, but it was great fun!! I think it was that occasion that made us reconsider.
Shortly after I started to roughly demo some new tracks. I think I like did five tracks in a couple of weeks with a friend helping out.
Then we had a meeting and decided to resurrect Candlemass, book the studio, and send out a three song demo to the record companies a.s.a.p.
So we recorded "Black Dwarf" and "Spellbreaker" and put "Witches" from the previous demo on it and I think the demo is on the way to the labels right now actually.
Yes, we have two weeks in Polar booked without a deal, ha-ha!! But I'm not worried. I'm sure some smart label guy realize that a new Candlemass album can outsell most of the usual crap that is released today.
We are a unique band with a unique sound and next summer will belong to Candlemass!!

Source:	candlemass.net
Band profile:	Candlemass

THE HAUNTED guitarist Anders Björler and vocalist Peter Dolving recently spoke to Belgium's Concreteweb.be webzine about illegal music downloading. Asked about the fact that their latest CD, "rEVOLVEr", was available for download on the Internet well before its official release date, Anders said, "In fact, we can't really stop the Internet scene. For that, you have to stop sending out promos, and then you don't get any generalized feedback anymore, and that would make it too complicated. I think, everything that comes out one month prior to release, that's OK, but it would be really devastating for the band if it was already available six months or a year in advance. If then the album comes out, it's already old news. But within a month, that's OK for me. I consider the Internet as a big radio station. You download songs and listen to them. It's a way of promotion. And if you like it, then you buy it or you go to shows or buy T-shirts."

Peter added: "I think one of the reasons that there is that really strong debate about it, is that it really affects one part of the business a lot, and that is the major record companies and the major publishers because they are the ones who lose money on a large scale. If you're an artist like, for instance, Elton John, then you lose money. Paul McCartney is pissed off because he owns about 25,000 copyrights of songs. I think we'll have to accept the fact that it's there, that people want to be able to share music on a softer, easier kind of scale. Then again, there's always the thing with copyright. If you think about it, it points up to the fact that it's really obscure that you can buy a copyright. The idea of copyright is that whoever wrote the song should have the possibility through his lifetime and his family's lifetime, to have certain advantages from what he or she created. I think that's fair, if you look at it from a songwriter's perspective. Sooner or later, there will be some mark or script attached to each song. But the thing is, it really is overhyped, the whole debate whether it's right or wrong. The only ones who are really affected, it's not bands like us or punk bands, because our fans, they'll buy the record anyway. They'll download the album and go then to the record store and buy the album for the artwork etc. etc. The ones who are really hurt are the larger record companies, because that are people who're not really into music, they'll pick one MADONNA song, one from BRITNEY SPEARS and put it in their big bag of goodies and they don't give a shit, because the next month, it's a completely new bag of goodies. So they just go download-crazy, with Kazaa and their computer all full of music. They're all fucked up. Not normal people. OK, now I'm going over the edge, but that's basically what's happening. So I don't think it affects the more specialised kinds of music, no."

Band profile:

The Haunted

PANDEMIA - www.pandemia-deathmetal.com
In three weeks the Czech death metal gods will start recording their third album, which is going to be named "Riven" and its release is expected for January 2005. About next year's plans, their new South American tour is already confirmed. It will begin on February 4th and it's expected to finish on April 3rd, after more than 50 shows all around the continent! The whole date-list will be announce in the near future.
Pandemia's new full length will be licenced by Hurling Metal in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia and through Hybrid Music in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. During the following weeks we will confirm the labels that will work "Riven" in Chile and Brazil.

REQUIEM AETERNAM - www.requiem-aeternam.com
The Uruguayan band that now is relocated in New York City is just waiting for the release of their long time awaited second album "Philosopher", which will come out on December 1st through ICorp in the US and Canada, and then on the 15th by Rawforce Productions in South America, except in Argentina where it will be issued via Orion Entertainment.
RA's "Philosopher" features Alex Hernández (Immolation) as new drummer, and was recorded and mixed at New Jersey's Big Blue Meenie studios and then mastered at Bionic Mastering... places that had been used for well known artist like Iggy Pop, Foo Fighters and Overkill among others.
This is one of the first reviews the new album has gotten: "...it is relatively impossible to predict what will follow after that riff or refrain, and unless you listened to the album for five-six times, you can't be sure you know the music well..." Ad Arma Webzine.

THORNAFIRE - www.thornafire.cl
The promotional demo recorded this year, "Sin and Flesh Devotion", got the attention of some labels... but Incantation's leader John McEntee's Ibex Moon Records is the one that picked up these brutal Chileans. The debut album "Exacerbated Gnostic Manifestation" is expected to be recorded in December for being released early next year.
"Here we got a band, that simply kick's ass..." Diabolous Webzine.

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