From arena tours to the biggest festivals in the world, MANOWAR slaughter their way through another world tour delivering what heavy metal fans crave! Pure Power!

Hell On Earth III features more than 90 minutes of ear-numbing performances private behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and pre post show rituals.

This package also features the program 'Live In Germany The Ringfest', the legendary one-hour show that dominated the city of Cologne during the PopKomm. 2002 filmed and recorded in front of 27,000 people. This performance has been completely re-edited from at least a dozen cameras and remixed in 5.1 digital surround sound.

But that's not all! For the first time ever the bands entire video collection is included.

Beginning with "Gloves Of Metal" to the latest "I Believe" plus several never before seen documentaries about the making of these videos.

Featuring more than 60 camera angles from performances in 17 countries and 35 cities, live footage from across the world, and the wildest, craziest and heaviest metal fans in the universe.

With the release of this double DVD MANOWAR have set the standard in heavy-metal video.

Get ready you're about to go to HELL for the third time in your life!

Source:	manowar.com
Band profile:	Manowar

DISSECTION guitarist/vocalist Jon Nödtvedt and drummer Bård "Faust" Eithun (ex-EMPEROR) have spent the past few weeks looking through the audition videos that have been sent to them from all over the world. In the beginning of next year, real auditions will be held for some of the musicians needed to complete the group's lineup. It is, however, not too late for interested musicians to send in their tapes.

All material should be sent to:

"audition"
DISSECTION
Mail Box 209
111 73 Stockholm
Sweden

In other news, plans exist for a DISSECTION documentary to be filmed over the course of the next year. Starting in the prison, it will follow the group through bandmember auditions, Jon's release from prison, the recording of the next album, and will include footage from their comeback tour in December 2004.

The tour will reportedly be "something out of the ordinary," with shows around two hours long and containing only old material ? more or less every song from the first two albums, "The Somberlain" and "Storm Of The Light's Bane".

Band profile:

Dissection

A bad try for Varg Vikernes....here the detailed cronology of the facts:

-Oct 26th-
The Norwegian media is reporting that BURZUM mastermind Varg "Greven" Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnack) failed to return after a short leave from his prison in Vestfold, Norway, where the black metal musician is serving a 21-year sentence for the August 1993 murder of MAYHEM guitarist Oystein Aarseth (a.k.a. Euronymous), the burning of three churches, and the resulting death of a fireman. Varg, 30, was supposed to return to the prison by midnight Saturday (October 25) after being granted a couple of days off, but failed to come back in time. The police have no information on his whereabouts.

-Oct 26th-
Varg Vikernes defense lawyer John Christian Elden has spoken to Norway's NRK about his client's failure to return to prison as scheduled after a short leave.

Refusing to comment on whether or not he's been in contact with Vikernes during the 24-hour period the inmate has been on the run, Elden offered this explanation for Vikernes' actions: "I believe it stems from frustrations that have been built up . has been serving his sentence in an exemplary fashion, he's put the sins of his youth behind him, and he's held hopes of re-entering society in a relatively normal manner. Then a couple of weeks ago, he saw a newspaper article in the local press where the media once again focused on the fact that a 'dangerous' person was being held and ."

-Oct 26th-
Varg Vikernes threatened a family with a pistol and hijacked their car in a failed bid to elude the Norwegian police during his 24 hours on the run, it was reported Monday.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (October 26), a family of three driving through the valley known as Numedal in Buskerud County reported being flagged down by a pedestrian. When they stopped to assist him, the pedestrian believed to be Vikernes allegedly threatened them with a handgun and forced them to surrender their car.

"They explained that they were held at gunpoint and were forced to leave the vehicle, and that the man took off in it," police spokesperson Knut Svalheim told wire service NTB.

-Oct 27th-
A day after he failed to return to prison as scheduled following a short leave, Varg Vikernes was captured by the Norwegian police on a highway outside the country's capital.

Vikernes was taken into custody at 12:45 a.m. Monday morning (October 27) after police in Oslo received information from police in Romerike that the fugitive was traveling in a car on the E6 road to Oslo.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Burzum

MARDUK (www.marduk.nu) will now release their new DVD, Funeral Marches And Warsongs, worldwide on January 19th, 2004.

As previously reported, the DVD will feature two new promo videos, as well as live material recorded in Paris on the European leg of the World Funeral tour.

Band profile:

Marduk

Dear people,

Big news this time. A new special semi-acoustic live album "Sleepy buildings" is coming and a tour next year. A lot is happening and changing, as it always does.
But the biggest change of all is that Hugo, our bass player, is leaving the Gathering. After a period of soulsearching, he came to the conclusion he wants to spend his time otherwise, taking on new challenges profession-wise and focus on his private life. He and his wife just had a beautiful baby girl.
This means he will end the year with us and do one last show which will be in 013 in Tilburg, Holland the 16th of November. Of course we wish him all good luck and happiness in the future.

We went on a quest to find a suitable replacement for Hugo. Luckily we did not have to search very far. We found a female bass player named Marjolein from Oss, Holland, the place where most of us come from and started our Gathering career. She studies at the Dutch 'Rock academy', She's a nice and funny girl and a natural talent indeed. We welcome her to our band.
You will get a chance to meet her when we will tour around Europe after the release of "Sleepy buildings" end of January 2004.

Band profile:

The Gathering

We are really sorry to announce the departure of Pasi Hiltula. He wanted to concentrate on his own projects. We are looking for replacement but at the same time considering to leave the position unfilled and leave the space for guitars. Let's see what the future has to offer for us. It was great to work with Pasi. He really is one of the best keyboard players we have ever known and heard. With swamp we thank and bow!

Band profile:

Kalmah

Threshold have now finished mixing the audio for their forthcoming Critical Energy DVD and double CD. Karl and Richard also recorded an additional commentary track for the DVD. The track list for the release is as follows:

1. Phenomenon
2. Oceanbound
3. Choices
4. Angels
5. Falling Away
6. Virtual Isolation
7. Innocent
8. Long way home
9. Fragmentation 10. Clear
11. Life Flow (acoustic version)
12. Narcissus (hybrid version)
13. Sunseeker
14. The Latent Gene
15. Light And Space
16. Sunrise On Mars (encore)
17. Paradox (encore)
18. Sanity's End (encore)

Band profile:

Threshold

Finnish power metallers STRATOVARIUS will be leaving their current label Nuclear Blast Records after the release of their next album, "Elements Pt. 2", which is due later this month.

In an interview with Russian Darkside E-Zine (http://www.darkside.ru) conducted on October 20, keyboardist Jens Johansson said the band is considering various options, but the return to their previous label Noise Records is the most likely of them. According to Johansson, STRATOVARIUS never had any serious problems with Noise, and the only reason they changed to Nuclear Blast was money. It was not clear from Johansson's words which label will be releasing the band's live DVD, which is scheduled for spring next year.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

SLAYER have announced the complete track listing for their long-awaited "Soundtrack To The Apocalypse" box set, due on November 25 through American Recordings/Ume.

"Soundtrack To The Apocalypse" includes tracks spanning every SLAYER album since 1986, soundtrack cuts, Japan-only tracks, more than a dozen rarities, and a DVD of live performances spanning 20 years, all digitally remastered. The deluxe edition adds a full-length concert CD from SLAYER's 2002 "God Hates Us All" tour stop in Anaheim, California, presented in a "blood pack" sleeve (with faux blood and floating skulls). The tour was the band's first with original drummer Dave Lombardo since 1992. The deluxe edition also includes a wall banner and replica backstage laminate. Both editions have an extensive, 60-page booklet spotlighting a history based on interviews with each member and long-time producer Rick Rubin.

Disc 1:

01. Angel Of Death
02. Criminally Insane (Remix)
03. Postmortem
04. Raining Blood
05. Aggressive Perfector
06. South Of Heaven
07. Silent Scream
08. Live Undead
09. Mandatory Suicide
10. Spill The Blood
11. War Ensemble
12. Dead Skin Mask
13. Hallowed Point
14. Born Of Fire
15. Seasons In The Abyss
16. Hell Awaits
17. The Antichrist
18. Chemical Warfare

Disc 2:

01. Sex. Murder. Art.
02. Dittohead
03. Divine Intervention
04. Serenity In Murder
05. 213
06. Can't Stand You
07. D.D.A.M.M.
08. Gemini
09. Bitter Peace
10. Death's Hand
11. Stain Of Mind
12. Disciple
13. God Send Death
14. New Faith
15. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
16. Disorder (Feat. Ice-T)
17. Memories Of Tomorrow
18. Human Disease
19. Unguarded Instinct
20. Wicked
21. Addict
22. Scarstruck

Disc 3:

01. Ice Titan (Live in California 3/83)
02. The Antichrist (Rehearsal In Tom's Garage 12/82)
03. Fight Till Death (Rehearsal In Tom's Garage 12/82)
04. Necrophiliac (Live In California, 9/85)
05. Piece By Piece (Studio Rough Mix/Outtake)
06. Raining Blood (Live In Canada 11/86)
07. Angel Of Death (Live In Canada 11/86)
08. Raining Blood (Jeff Hanneman Home Recordings)
09. South Of Heaven (Jeff Hannemann Home Recordings)
10. Seasons In The Abyss (Live In Michigan, 6/91)
11. Mandatory Suicide (Live In Michigan, 6/91)
12. Mind Control (Live in Brazil, 1994)
13. No Remorse (I Wanna Die) (Feat. ATARI TEENAGE RIOT)
14. Dittohead (Live In California, 5/98)
15. Sex. Murder. Art. (Live In California, 5/98)
16. Bloodline (Live In Sweden, 2002)
17. Payback (Live In Sweden, 2002)

Read more ››

Band profile:

Slayer

OPETH have set "Lamentations - Live At Shepherds Bush Empire" as the title for their forthcoming live DVD, due on November 24 through Music For Nations.

As previously reported, the disc, which was recorded September 25 in London, will contain both the mellow and heavy set with a running time of approximately an hour each, as well as a unique 65-minute documentary about the band with in-depth focus on the recording of "Deliverance" and "Damnation". "Lamentations?", which was mixed by "Deliverance" mixer and co-producer Andy Sneap, will also include exclusive interviews with the band and producer. A two-CD live album will also be issued in the coming months.

Band profile:

Opeth

Sweden's DARKANE have postponed the recording sessions for their fourth album until after their upcoming European tour with DEATH ANGEL. The delay is due to the fact that the group's guitarist Klas Ideberg recently underwent surgery for a slipped disc in his back and also because the band want to spend extra time building their recording studio, according to a post on their web site. A late spring release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

The following is Ideberg's latest posting on the band's web site:

"Well, hi there everybody! The invalid is back from the dead. The past 3 months has been like hell for me and I haven't been able to walk at all the past 2 months. But now I'm back on my feet again, thanks to the surgery and the morphine, hahaha. I want to thank everybody who has sent me good and bracing words in the guestbook and by mail. This has really made my recovery a fast one. You have definitely encouraged me to do the forthcoming European tour. I will not be able to thrash around like I usually do on stage, so I hope you will have patience for that. I really don't want to miss meeting all you great people out there. Not a chance in life. So, see you all very soon and thanks again. You rule! I love you all!"

As previously reported, DARKANE will teaming up with DEATH ANGEL, DISBELIEF, MNEMIC and MYSTIC PROPHECY for a European tour beginning on November 3 in Paris, France.

Band profile:

Darkane

CANNIBAL CORPSE have confirmed the title of their forthcoming album as The Wretched Spawn. The album is due out through Metal Blade in late February. The Wretched Spawn was recorded at Sonic Ranch, located just outside of El Paso, TX with producer Neil Kernon.

The album features the following tracklisting (not in order): 'Severed Head Stoning', 'Psychotic Precision', 'Decency Defiled', Frantic Disembowelment', 'Rotten Body Landslide', 'Cyanide Assassin', 'Festering In The Crypt', 'Nothing Left To Mutilate', 'Blunt Force Castration', 'The Wretched Spawn', 'Slain', 'Bent Backwards And Broken' and 'They Deseve To Die'.

Kernon had the following to say about the end result: "It's always fun to work with Cannibal, and I think this album is turning out way more brutal than their last one (Gore Obsessed)."

Bassist Alex Webster commented: "We definitely feel that we managed to surpass the heaviness of Gore Obssessed. We've outdone it for sure."

Band profile:

Cannibal Corpse

NILE will see their new video - for the song 'Sarcophagus' - premier on this weekend's editionof MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. Headbanger's Ball airs Saturdays from 10-12 PM EST on MTV2.

The conceptual video, from the band's In Their Darkened Shrines album, was directed and filmed by director Darren Doane (POISON THE WELL, DEFTONES) and shot at Center Staging in Burbank, CA.

Band profile:

Nile

Beginning on November 15th, Zakk will be in the studio with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY through the first week in December recording an "all covers" CD which will also feature two brand new songs. The CD will feature about 10 covers and is likely to include versions of songs by RAY CHARLES and the ROLLING STONES. An early spring 2004 release is expected.

Band profile:

Black Label Society

We just received the following news from Gorgoroth:

"Gaahl is heading to court the 20. October.
He is accused for unordinary vile use of violence. Gaahl risks a 6 years sentence if he gets condemned, the outcome of the court trial
will be announced in a couple of weeks."
Other news:
"If things will turn out better with the local promoters, Gorgoroth will hopefully play on the metal festival in Tel Aviv the 7th of March 2004, be sure to check their website www.gorgoroth.tk for confirmation. Gorgoroth are also working on possibilities of touring in USA and Mexico etc, check back on this issue too."

Band profile:

Gorgoroth