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Heavenly - Line up changes
French metallers HEAVENLY have parted ways with guitarist Frédéric Leclercq, bassist Pierre-Emmanuel Pelisson and drummer Maxence Pilo. The split, which leaves vocalist Benjamin Sotto and guitarist Charley Corbiaux as the sole remaining members of the group, is being attributed to "musical and professional" differences.
According to a posting on the band's official web site, three new musicians (whose names will be revealed "soon") are already working with the band on the material for their next studio album, which they will record before the end of the year. Several live appearances in the fall are planned as well.
HEAVENLY's third album, "Dust To Dust", was released in January through Sanctuary/Noise Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Sign Of The Winner" was mixed by Sascha Paeth (ANGRA, RHAPSODY, KAMELOT) and was described by the group as "more heavy metal and more symphonic" than the band's previous efforts.
According to a posting on the band's official web site, three new musicians (whose names will be revealed "soon") are already working with the band on the material for their next studio album, which they will record before the end of the year. Several live appearances in the fall are planned as well.
HEAVENLY's third album, "Dust To Dust", was released in January through Sanctuary/Noise Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Sign Of The Winner" was mixed by Sascha Paeth (ANGRA, RHAPSODY, KAMELOT) and was described by the group as "more heavy metal and more symphonic" than the band's previous efforts.
| Band profile: | Heavenly |
Vindikation -debut album
VINDIKATION, the new band featuring former STEEL PROPHET members Jim Williams (guitar) and Karl Rosqvist (drums), vocalist Jason McCrarey (SANCTUS) and keyboardist Rob Rampley (WINDS DIED DOWN), have finished mixing their debut CD, "Chamber of Discontent" for a summer release. The recording contains 10 tracks with a running time of 45 minutes. Mastering for the CD is scheduled for the first week of May at Erik Norlander's studio.
VINDIKATION started in 2002 when Williams and Rosqvist started writing more and more progressive minded metal music. Soon after, Rampley, a co-worker of Jim at Line 6, was asked to lend his experience with industrial keyboards and FX/sampling to the project. After a long search for the right vocal fit, McCrarey was added to the mix, brining his many talents with extreme metal vocals.
VINDIKATION's music is described as "an interesting metal mix of progressive technical music, industrial keyboards, FX/samples, and brutal vocals. There is a very balanced combination of melodic, harmonic and technical aspects to the music."
For more information, visit the band's web site at this location: http://www.vindikation.com/
VINDIKATION started in 2002 when Williams and Rosqvist started writing more and more progressive minded metal music. Soon after, Rampley, a co-worker of Jim at Line 6, was asked to lend his experience with industrial keyboards and FX/sampling to the project. After a long search for the right vocal fit, McCrarey was added to the mix, brining his many talents with extreme metal vocals.
VINDIKATION's music is described as "an interesting metal mix of progressive technical music, industrial keyboards, FX/samples, and brutal vocals. There is a very balanced combination of melodic, harmonic and technical aspects to the music."
For more information, visit the band's web site at this location: http://www.vindikation.com/
Exciter - collection of classics
Canadian thrash pioneers EXCITER have set "New Testament - Coven of Re-Recorded Classics" as the title of their upcoming collection of reworked early songs, due June 7 through France's Osmose Productions. A North American release through The End Records is expected a short time later. The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Oblivion II
02. Violence & Force **
03. Stand Up and Fight *
04. Heavy Metal Maniac *
05. Pounding Metal **
06. Dark Command ++
07. Ritual Death ++
08. Long Live the Loud ***
09. Victims of Sacrifice ***
10. Brutal Warning +++
11. Rising of the Dead *
12. Black Witch *
13. Rain of Terror +
14. I Am the Beast ***
15. Burn at the Stake ++
16. Rule with An Iron Fist +++
* originally appears on "Heavy Metal Maniac" (1983)
** on "Violence and Force" (1984)
*** on "Long Live the Loud" (1985)
+ on "Kill after Kill" (1992)
++ on "The Dark Command" (1997)
+++ on "Blood of Tyrants" (2000)
Lineup on "New Testament - Coven of Re-Recorded Classics":
John Ricci - guitars and bass
Rik Charron - drums
Jacques Bélanger - vocals
In other news, EXCITER have announced the addition of bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen to the group's ranks. The band are currently writing material for a new full-length CD, which will be recorded within a year's time, according to a posting on their web site. Look for EXCITER to co-headline the Texas June Metalfest at Randy's Ballroom in San Antonio, Texas on June 12. A European tour is tentatively scheduled to take place between October 7 and October 17. Cities and dates will be announced soon.
Read more ››
01. Oblivion II
02. Violence & Force **
03. Stand Up and Fight *
04. Heavy Metal Maniac *
05. Pounding Metal **
06. Dark Command ++
07. Ritual Death ++
08. Long Live the Loud ***
09. Victims of Sacrifice ***
10. Brutal Warning +++
11. Rising of the Dead *
12. Black Witch *
13. Rain of Terror +
14. I Am the Beast ***
15. Burn at the Stake ++
16. Rule with An Iron Fist +++
* originally appears on "Heavy Metal Maniac" (1983)
** on "Violence and Force" (1984)
*** on "Long Live the Loud" (1985)
+ on "Kill after Kill" (1992)
++ on "The Dark Command" (1997)
+++ on "Blood of Tyrants" (2000)
Lineup on "New Testament - Coven of Re-Recorded Classics":
John Ricci - guitars and bass
Rik Charron - drums
Jacques Bélanger - vocals
In other news, EXCITER have announced the addition of bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen to the group's ranks. The band are currently writing material for a new full-length CD, which will be recorded within a year's time, according to a posting on their web site. Look for EXCITER to co-headline the Texas June Metalfest at Randy's Ballroom in San Antonio, Texas on June 12. A European tour is tentatively scheduled to take place between October 7 and October 17. Cities and dates will be announced soon.
Read more ››
Carpathian Forest - touring detalis
CARPATHIAN FOREST bassist Tchort has issued the following via the band's message board:
"Carpathian Forest is in the process of booking a full 30 date European headliner tour in October/November. Expect old as well as new material, including a full Carpathian Fucking Forest stage show with all the shit you love (or hate) about us.
Nekro DVD release this summer, Skjend Hans Lik EP release July 2004."
In regards to a visit to the US he states, "Actually, I think we will, but most likely we will visit the South America's first, but unlike in the past, we will now accept any decent offer of going to the US."
"Carpathian Forest is in the process of booking a full 30 date European headliner tour in October/November. Expect old as well as new material, including a full Carpathian Fucking Forest stage show with all the shit you love (or hate) about us.
Nekro DVD release this summer, Skjend Hans Lik EP release July 2004."
In regards to a visit to the US he states, "Actually, I think we will, but most likely we will visit the South America's first, but unlike in the past, we will now accept any decent offer of going to the US."
| Band profile: | Carpathian Forest |
Sweden Rock Festival: Two band changes!
There have been two band changes on the upcoming Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg.
Skid Row out, Y&T in:
We regretfully have to bring you the news that Skid Row has been forced to cancel. The fact that Snake decided to bring his wife to the altar and other arrangement oriented problems, forced the band to call it off, but we have now found a replacement well worth the name. OK, a favourite back by popular demand: Y&T!!
Cage out, Beseech in:
We can now present a replacement for Cage, that unfortunately had to cancel their performance because of arrangement oriented problems.
Replacements will be Swedish Gothic Metallers Beseech.
Observe that this will mean some changes on the Spendrups scene running order during Friday.
Skid Row out, Y&T in:
We regretfully have to bring you the news that Skid Row has been forced to cancel. The fact that Snake decided to bring his wife to the altar and other arrangement oriented problems, forced the band to call it off, but we have now found a replacement well worth the name. OK, a favourite back by popular demand: Y&T!!
Cage out, Beseech in:
We can now present a replacement for Cage, that unfortunately had to cancel their performance because of arrangement oriented problems.
Replacements will be Swedish Gothic Metallers Beseech.
Observe that this will mean some changes on the Spendrups scene running order during Friday.
Gorgoroth - news on Gaahl's trial
GORGOROTH vocalist Gaahl is facing jail time as he is being accused of beating a 41 year old man in what the victim called a ritual attack. Gaahl, 28, faced up to a nine-year sentence for threats and violence, but the prosecution asked for 18 months as the lurid trial headed to a close on Wednesday.
The Aftenposten English Web Desk adds the following to the story:
The victim, who has been on sick leave for the past two years after the alleged attack, accused the black metal singer of performing ritual violence that included tapping off his blood and drinking it, newspaper VG reports. Gaahl's mother testified during the trial and found the accusation of blood drinking particularly hard to believe.
"My son is a vegetarian and very fussy about food. He eats absolutely no innards. That is why I do not believe this at all," Gaahl's mother told the court.
According to the charges the 41-year-old was hit and kicked several times in the face and head and needed stitches to close cuts in his head. His nose was broken and he suffered major dental damage. Gaahl, who has several prior convictions including one for assault and battery, claimed that he acted in self-defense. The defendant was allowed to testify about his private life in a closed session at Sunnfjord court.
The Gorgoroth web site noted that the local community had 'pre-judged' their vocalist, and did not expect a fair trial.
Read more ››
The Aftenposten English Web Desk adds the following to the story:
The victim, who has been on sick leave for the past two years after the alleged attack, accused the black metal singer of performing ritual violence that included tapping off his blood and drinking it, newspaper VG reports. Gaahl's mother testified during the trial and found the accusation of blood drinking particularly hard to believe.
"My son is a vegetarian and very fussy about food. He eats absolutely no innards. That is why I do not believe this at all," Gaahl's mother told the court.
According to the charges the 41-year-old was hit and kicked several times in the face and head and needed stitches to close cuts in his head. His nose was broken and he suffered major dental damage. Gaahl, who has several prior convictions including one for assault and battery, claimed that he acted in self-defense. The defendant was allowed to testify about his private life in a closed session at Sunnfjord court.
The Gorgoroth web site noted that the local community had 'pre-judged' their vocalist, and did not expect a fair trial.
Read more ››
| Band profile: | Gorgoroth |
Evergrey 'Unleashed' performance on air this week
A recording of EVERGREY's April 18 performance at Lava Room Recording Studios in Cleveland, Ohio as part of "The Metal Show"'s (92.3 FM WXTM) "Unleashed" live metal series will be available on the Internet for fans to listen to this week. The performance will air in its entirety on Saturday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. EST exclusively at www.themetalshow.com. There is no charge to listen to the audio streams of this performance.
| Band profile: | Evergrey |
Soulfly - Polish show available for download
Polish SOULFLY fan site www.soulfly2004.prv.pl has uploaded an audio recording of the group's entire March 13, 2004 headlining appearance in Katowice, Poland. Download it here: http://www.kuba.sup.pl/kamil/probka.htm
SOULFLY's fourth full-length album, "Prophecy" was released on March 30 through Roadrunner Records. The album was produced by mainman Max Cavalera at The Saltmine Studio Oasis in Mesa, Arizona and was mixed by Terry Date (DEFTONES, PANTERA) at Studio X in Seattle, Washington.
SOULFLY's fourth full-length album, "Prophecy" was released on March 30 through Roadrunner Records. The album was produced by mainman Max Cavalera at The Saltmine Studio Oasis in Mesa, Arizona and was mixed by Terry Date (DEFTONES, PANTERA) at Studio X in Seattle, Washington.
Death Angel - Re-release details
Maximum Metal (www.maximummetal.com) recently spoke with Rob Cavestany Of DEATH ANGEL about the new CD "The Art of Dying" which will hit the stores on April 27, 2004 (Europe, South America) and May 4, 2004 (United States, Australia).
Rob says the band will tour, but no U.S. dates have been set up as of yet. It was also noted that Ryko will release more Death Angel material in the future and that a new video has been completed:
"It will be the 'Kill As One' demo and 'The Ultra Violence' and some additional artwork added as well. Some old pics and flyers with it as well. At the same time will be the reissue of 'Frolic Through The Park' with three unreleased older songs on that plus additional art to that. Then there will be an eleven song CD of Death Angel material that was never released, then all three will be available in a box-set with a DVD of videos of that era, with older rare footage of shows and us messing around and stuff."
We just did a video for "Thicker Than Blood" and sent that over to Nuclear Blast to do whatever they need to do to get that on the air. Nuclear Blast is in contact with MTV2 to get it on there."
Rob even commented on bands like The Darkness bringing back the 80s:
"...they are bringing back the poser shit that I was never into back then. There is no old substance musically to me. If you are bringing back Van Halen you better bring back some riffs, some big Van Halen guitar boy."
Rob says the band will tour, but no U.S. dates have been set up as of yet. It was also noted that Ryko will release more Death Angel material in the future and that a new video has been completed:
"It will be the 'Kill As One' demo and 'The Ultra Violence' and some additional artwork added as well. Some old pics and flyers with it as well. At the same time will be the reissue of 'Frolic Through The Park' with three unreleased older songs on that plus additional art to that. Then there will be an eleven song CD of Death Angel material that was never released, then all three will be available in a box-set with a DVD of videos of that era, with older rare footage of shows and us messing around and stuff."
We just did a video for "Thicker Than Blood" and sent that over to Nuclear Blast to do whatever they need to do to get that on the air. Nuclear Blast is in contact with MTV2 to get it on there."
Rob even commented on bands like The Darkness bringing back the 80s:
"...they are bringing back the poser shit that I was never into back then. There is no old substance musically to me. If you are bringing back Van Halen you better bring back some riffs, some big Van Halen guitar boy."
| Band profile: | Death Angel |
Dream Theater film Japanese show for DVD release
Here is the setlist from DREAM THEATER's show in Budokan, Japan on April 26th which was filmed for a DVD release:
band history video (intro tape)
As I Am
This Dying Soul
Beyond This Life
Hollow Years
War Inside My Head/
The Test That Stumped Them All
Endless Sacrifice
Instrumedley
Trial Of Tears
~~~intermission~~~
New Millennium
piano solo
Only A Matter Of Time
Goodnight Kiss/
Solitary Shell
Stream of Consciousness
Disappear
Pull Me Under
~~~encore~~~
In The Name Of God
band history video (intro tape)
As I Am
This Dying Soul
Beyond This Life
Hollow Years
War Inside My Head/
The Test That Stumped Them All
Endless Sacrifice
Instrumedley
Trial Of Tears
~~~intermission~~~
New Millennium
piano solo
Only A Matter Of Time
Goodnight Kiss/
Solitary Shell
Stream of Consciousness
Disappear
Pull Me Under
~~~encore~~~
In The Name Of God
| Band profile: | Dream Theater |
Destruction - US DVD release date delayed
The North American release date of DESTRUCTION's "Live Discharge - 20 Years Of Total Destruction" DVD has been pushed back to May 18. No reason was given for the delay.
As previously reported, the DVD features four and a half hours of live, backstage and historical footage and the Japan-only CD release "Alive Devastation". The collectors' digipack will be limited to 666 copies. Preview clips of two tracks are currently available online: "Live Without Sense" (recorded at the Z7 Club in Pratteln, Switzerland, .MPG, Windows Media), "Machinery Of Lies" (.MPG, Windows Media).
As previously reported, the DVD features four and a half hours of live, backstage and historical footage and the Japan-only CD release "Alive Devastation". The collectors' digipack will be limited to 666 copies. Preview clips of two tracks are currently available online: "Live Without Sense" (recorded at the Z7 Club in Pratteln, Switzerland, .MPG, Windows Media), "Machinery Of Lies" (.MPG, Windows Media).
| Band profile: | Destruction |
Dan Swano - Updates for Nightingale and Bloodbath
Multi-talented Swedish musician/producer Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, UNICORN, EDGE OF SANITY, INFESTDEAD, ODYSSEY, PAN-THY-MONIUM) has posted the following message on his discussion forum:
"What's happening???
"It's been a while since I updated you on the current development of the records I am about to make with my friends in NIGHTINGALE, BLOODBATH and SECOND SKY. So here we go.
"I am currently preparing the NIGHTINGALE pre-productions for mix and as soon as my brother finishes his guitar solos and a few synthesizer tracks, we're all set for destruction. Then I will send this to the engineer at Studio Underground and we'll use it to listen and learn from our own (mis)takes or just rock-out to. The material is extremely varied everything from metal (Brother Nouga goes chugga-chugga in 'A Raincheck For My Demise') to the fusion/grunge (!!!) of 'Worlds Apart'. My fave this far is the doom-laden 'Stalingrad' which can take the happiness out of any living creature...There's something for every taste...and since my music taste is the weirdest ever, I love them all!! The cover is in preparation, I have received some promising suggestions from the guy that did the 'Shadowman' and 'Shadowland Serenade' picture from the AA booklet, Mr. Guyla or Hungary fame. Nothing is 100% yet, but I have got a good feeling that he's the man to visualize the lyrics to 'Invisible'.
"With BLOODBATH things are looking cool. We enter the studio Kuling the 4th of May and have booked the place for 14 days. I will not be able to spend too much time there since I am working at the music store most of the times. So will record my parts at home and also lock up Mr. Tägtgren in my own vocal booth to sing on the tracks that I have written. My tracks are pretty standard Swanö-death songs with no bigger surprises, apart from being very good, of course. The titles are 'Stillborn Savior', 'Eaten', 'Brave New Hell' and 'The Ascension'. The album will be called 'Nightmares Made Flesh' and Century Media will release it during the autumn....The drums for SECOND SKY will be record in a little cottage out in the countryside just outside Örebro. I have always dreamt of doing an 'in-house' recording and it feels suitable to do it now when the stakes are higher than ever...This album will not be ready for release until the end of 2005. So there will be more updates on this one in the future."
"What's happening???
"It's been a while since I updated you on the current development of the records I am about to make with my friends in NIGHTINGALE, BLOODBATH and SECOND SKY. So here we go.
"I am currently preparing the NIGHTINGALE pre-productions for mix and as soon as my brother finishes his guitar solos and a few synthesizer tracks, we're all set for destruction. Then I will send this to the engineer at Studio Underground and we'll use it to listen and learn from our own (mis)takes or just rock-out to. The material is extremely varied everything from metal (Brother Nouga goes chugga-chugga in 'A Raincheck For My Demise') to the fusion/grunge (!!!) of 'Worlds Apart'. My fave this far is the doom-laden 'Stalingrad' which can take the happiness out of any living creature...There's something for every taste...and since my music taste is the weirdest ever, I love them all!! The cover is in preparation, I have received some promising suggestions from the guy that did the 'Shadowman' and 'Shadowland Serenade' picture from the AA booklet, Mr. Guyla or Hungary fame. Nothing is 100% yet, but I have got a good feeling that he's the man to visualize the lyrics to 'Invisible'.
"With BLOODBATH things are looking cool. We enter the studio Kuling the 4th of May and have booked the place for 14 days. I will not be able to spend too much time there since I am working at the music store most of the times. So will record my parts at home and also lock up Mr. Tägtgren in my own vocal booth to sing on the tracks that I have written. My tracks are pretty standard Swanö-death songs with no bigger surprises, apart from being very good, of course. The titles are 'Stillborn Savior', 'Eaten', 'Brave New Hell' and 'The Ascension'. The album will be called 'Nightmares Made Flesh' and Century Media will release it during the autumn....The drums for SECOND SKY will be record in a little cottage out in the countryside just outside Örebro. I have always dreamt of doing an 'in-house' recording and it feels suitable to do it now when the stakes are higher than ever...This album will not be ready for release until the end of 2005. So there will be more updates on this one in the future."
Rammstein - New single to come this summer
German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have set a June 14 release date for their new single, entitled "Mein Teil". "Mein Teil" comes off the group's long-awaited follow-up to 2001's "Mutter", tentatively due this summer.
The recording sessions for the new RAMMSTEIN album took place in Spain while additional recordings were made in a session with strings and a choir in Berlin. Production duties on the upcoming CD are being handled by Jacob Hellner, who worked with the group on "Mutter". No further information is currently available.
The recording sessions for the new RAMMSTEIN album took place in Spain while additional recordings were made in a session with strings and a choir in Berlin. Production duties on the upcoming CD are being handled by Jacob Hellner, who worked with the group on "Mutter". No further information is currently available.
| Band profile: | Rammstein |
For My Pain... to release new single in June
FOR MY PAIN?, the Finnish "gothic metal" band featuring Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH) on keyboards, Altti Veteläinen (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on bass, Lauri Tuohimaa (EMBRAZE) on guitar, Olli-Pekka Törrö (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on guitar, Juha Kylmänen (REFLEXION) on vocals, and Petri Sankala (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on drums, have set a June 16 release date through Spinefarm Records for their new single, "Killing Romance". The CD, which was recorded at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland, will contain two brand-new original songs plus an as-yet-undisclosed cover which the band promise "will be quite surprising in many ways."
"Killing Romance" (view cover here) track listing:
01. Killing Romance
02.
03. Too Sad to Live
Read more ››
"Killing Romance" (view cover here) track listing:
01. Killing Romance
02.
03. Too Sad to Live
Read more ››
Angel Dust: Statement from Assy
From the Official Homepage:
"As anounced Angel Dust are already busy with the Songwriting for the new CD. Also nothing will change at the Line Up (Dirk, Assy, Steven) for this time. A new guitarist and a new bass player are employed therefore at the earliest for the recordings. Therefore there will not be any shows probably until then.
At this place still once a lot of thanks to all that supported us until today and believed in us in spite of the whole trouble in the last months (Sorry !!!)"
"As anounced Angel Dust are already busy with the Songwriting for the new CD. Also nothing will change at the Line Up (Dirk, Assy, Steven) for this time. A new guitarist and a new bass player are employed therefore at the earliest for the recordings. Therefore there will not be any shows probably until then.
At this place still once a lot of thanks to all that supported us until today and believed in us in spite of the whole trouble in the last months (Sorry !!!)"
| Band profile: | Angel Dust |