TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2004 ROSTER NOW COMPLETE - FIRST VERSION OF RUNNING ORDER ONLINE

The line-up for Tuska 2004 festival taking place in Kaisaniemi Park, Helsinki during the 16.-18.7. is now ready.

The final foreign addition and a reason for celebration for black metal-enthusiasts, is the Dark Funeral -show going off on Friday the 16th.
This legendary Swedish black metal-act has just recently released a live-album and their show will most certainly be exciting, to say the least.

Another addition for Friday is the Finnish folk metal -group Ensiferum, whose new album entitled Iron was just released in Finland and will be
released throughout Europe in May. Ensiferum is currently touring in Europe.

There will be one more, yet to be named french act appearing at Tuska 2004; the winner from the band contest held at the Rotonde-festival at
the end of May.

The first version of the running order for the weekend can now be viewed on our website www.tuska-festival.fi. The programme for the official
Tuska-evening clubs is also ready. The first version of the evening club running order is also up on our website.

Tuska Open Air Metal Festival proudly presents the complete 2004 line-up:

DIO (USA)
In Flames (SWE)
Nightwish
Fear Factory (USA)
Death Angel (USA)
Kotiteollisuus
Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus
Suburban Tribe
Sonata Arctica
Soilwork (SWE)
Diablo
Dark Tranquillity (SWE)
Charon
Dark Funeral (SWE)
Dismember (SWE)
Mokoma
Ensiferum
Dew-Scented (GER)
Nasum (SWE)
Impaled Nazarene
Sinergy
Beseech (SWE)
Blake
Chaosbreed
Swallow The Sun
Drive
Trollheim's Grott
Machine Men
Kilpi
Twilightning
Turisas

Time-table is now available in html and pdf format at http://www.tuska-festival.fi (Aikataulu)

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GORGOROTH have issued the following update at their official website (www.gorgoroth.org):

"The trial against Gaahl will start on Tuesday 27th of April at 9:00 AM and will take place in Sunnfjord tingrett in Førde (Sal 1).

He is accused of performing satanic rituals and torture lasting for several hours on the "victim". As the local community already have prejudged him, it seems that trial won't be much fair. Gaahl risk a 9 years sentence if he gets condemned. The press are welcome to be there and cover the case..."

In other Gorgoroth news, drummer Kvitrafn has left the band for personal reasons. His replacement is Frost (1349, SATYRICON), who will join the band in the beginning of May when the band start an intensive rehearsal period with main focus on a new recording.

The band also posted the following regarding their recent split with label Nuclear Blast: "Gorgoroth are relieved to inform that their cooperation with the German label Nuclear Blast is now ended. They have already received a good offer from another label, but nothing is signed yet."

Band profile:

Gorgoroth

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers has posted two updates in "Peter's Corner" at www.inflames.com:

April 21, 2004 - Tilburg

Hey! As I write this I´m in Holland,Tilburg to be more precise,awaiting the show. Just finished off another episode of 24, season two, and man this is probably the best series I´ve ever seen, can´t stop watching... While enjoying some old YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, I´m gonna tell you something about the last few days.

The day before yesterday was an off day back in Gothenburg, which was really enjoyable and necessary. I did some shopping and then went back to my house for dinner and relaxation. At midnight we travelled to Hamurg, Germany, for a show at Markthalle, a.k.a. the sweatbox..

Great audience, sold out, which means 1100-1200 people. I felt a bit sorry for them though as the venue didn´t have any air-conditioning what so ever, and it was literally a sauna in there... But, I have to say that this was a wonderful way to continue the European tour, the people were amazing and so into it, and I loved every moment of it, even though I was a living swimming pool....

Waking up in Holland was great, having a massage, a shower and then out to town for lunch, while enjoying the Dutch culture... And as I turn off my computer now I´m on my way to get backstage and change into the outfit that will make me "strong" again...:) see ya Peter

April 22, 2004 - Cologne

Hey again, checking in form Cologne, Germany. Yesterday was amazing as well. People seem to be a bit more mellow in Holland, but over all they seemed to really appreciate us and the other bands, which was cool. Nothing bad against the Dutch people, cause I really like their country, but so far this was the least energetic crowd....

But we had fun as hell as usual, and I am only saying this so that next time u guys wil be even more on the edge:) Woke up at four pm today, finally starting to get into the tour schedule with the late nights and the late mornings too.. Some cities are just not very much to do in and then I really prefer sleeping in rather than just spending my day doing nothing.. Soon show time and I cant wait, tonight is sold out- which is more than 1500 , so it should be great .. talk to u soon. Cheers Peter

Band profile:

In Flames

Kataklysm will start filming live and behind the scenes footage for theire upcoming world tour in support of the new album 'Serenity In fire', the band will compile footage until the summer next year and will also record the making of their next studio album (which will be the band's self titled release). The DVD will also include all the band's video clips and exclusive interviews.

The band has starting collecting and searching for video footage as far back as their debut in the early 90's (anyone who has some killer old Kataklysm home videos please get in touch with management at info@braveconcerts.com)

The DVD will mark Kataklysm's 15th anniversary, so come meet the band in a city near you and show you devils horns to the world!

Kataklysm's "The Test of Time" DVD will be released in late 2005.

Band profile:

Kataklysm

Portugal's MOONSPELL are busy working on new songs at their home studio, according to a posting on their web site. "Even on a very early stage we can feel a strongly EPIC pulse on the newborn songs," the band write. "Also we are in the process of compiling and selecting the materials for the MOONSPELL upcoming DVD which is more a reality than ever. Without release date yet the DVD is shaping up and MOONSPELL is brainstorming with the production team to make this DVD a special, unique and original document of our career and representation in the hearts and minds of people that listen to what we have to say or to silence. News will be posted accordingly but the surprises will be only revealed upon its release."

In other news, MOONSPELL singer Fernando Ribeiro has contributed his vocals to recent recordings from two other Portuguese bands. Fernando is featured in two songs and has helped to arrange many other cuts on the new CD from longtime friends and Lusitanian pride THRAGEDIUM. Entitled "Isolationist", the CD can be freely downloaded from THRAGEDIUM's web site: www.thragedium.cjb.net.

Another band featuring Fernando's vocals is THE TEMPLE, who have just released their long-awaited new album, "Diesel Dog Sound". Fernando sings on "Devil's Lover", one of the many "great" songs that this "incredible" album contains, according to a posting on MOONSPELL's web site. The record will be presented live at Hard Rock Café Lisbon on May 11 and Fernando will be one of the guests performing live with the band. Show starts around 10:00 p.m. More information can be obtained at the group's web site: www.thetemple.com.pt.

Band profile:

Moonspell

Legendary Australian metal band MORTAL SIN will release a DVD of their first show back on the road (March 5, 2004 at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney). The release date is not confirmed, but the disc is expected to be ready by the time the band go on tour in June. The DVD will contain the group's complete set from the March 5 gig, an interview with the band about its history and some rare footage of the recording of their classic 1987 debut, "Mayhemic Destruction", and shows from 1987 through to 1997. "The production is awesome and the band are excited about the way the new songs are shaping up," commented singer Mat Maurer.

Projected DVD track listing:

01. Terminal Reward
02. Voyage of the Disturbed
03. Out of the Darkness (new)
04. My Nightmare (new)
05. H
06. Lebanon
07. Rise or Fall (new)
08. All About You (New)
09. I Am Immortal
10. The Infantry Corps
11. Mayhemic Destruction

MORTAL SIN — Maurer, Wayne Campbell (drums), Andy Eftichiou (bass), Joe Buttigieg (guitar, ex-ADDICTIVE) and Mick Sultana (guitar, ex-ADDICTIVE) — are scheduled to support the DVD release in June and July across Australia. The band are currently writing material for their new album, "Far From Extinction", tentatively due later in the year.

Band profile:

Mortal Sin

SIRENIA, the Norwegian band featuring former TRISTANIA guitarist/vocalist Morten Veland, are the latest band confirmed for this year's Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2004 in Abtsgmünd, Germany.

For more info on this festival, go to our 'Summer festivals' section: http;//www.metalstorm.ee/festivals/

Band profile:

Sirenia

Stockholm, Sweden-based brutal death metallers INSISION have finalized the track listing for their sophomore album, "Revealed and Worshipped", due late summer through Earache/Wicked World Records.

The follow-up to 2002's "Beneath the Folds Of Flesh" was recorded at Soundlab studios in Örebro, Sweden with producer Mieszko Talarczyk of NASUM fame.

"Revealed and Worshipped" track listing:

01. No Belief
02. The Foul Smell Of Humans
03. Imminent Vision
04. In the Gallows
05. The Cleansing
06. Revealed and Worshipped
07. The Unrest
08. Grotesque Plague Mass
09. We Did Not Come To Heal
10. Havoc
11. The Ideas Of Revolution

Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH have parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records, according to a post on their official web site.

"GORGOROTH are relieved to inform that their cooperation with the German label Nuclear Blast is now ended," reads the post. "They have already received a good offer from another label, but nothing is signed yet. Check back later for more news about this matter."

Meanwhile, SMNNews.com is reporting that GORGOROTH's webmaster has revealed via a posting in the forums of Norway's Scream magazine that the band's drummer, Kvitrafn, has quit the band and has been replaced by none other than Frost (SATYRICON, 1349, KEEP OF KALLESIN).

GORGOROTH drew international attention in early February after they were accused of "offending religious feelings" during a concert in Poland. The band were also suspected of breaching the Polish law on protection of animals by displaying the severed and impaled heads of sheep as part of their stage act.

Band profile:

Gorgoroth

Lords Of Metal (www.lordsofmetal.nl) report that TESTAMENT have split with guitarist Steve Smyth. The band are now in search of a replacement to fill in on their upcoming European tour dates.

Word has it that Smyth has left the band to join NEVERMORE permanently. He has been playing with Nevermore in a session/touring guitarist capacity for the last couple of years.

Reports say that guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, ex-HALFORD) could be Smyth's replacement in Testament.

More details on this situation as they become available.

Band profile:

Testament

Swedish power metallers ISENGARD have announced the addition of bassist Ted Lundin to the group's ranks. Lundin replaces Janne "Goat" Tillman, who is said to have left the band in January for "family reasons."

ISENGARD are currently writing material for their fourth full-length album, tentatively due later in the year.

Norwegian black metallers TSJUDER have inked a deal with France's Season of Mist. The group, who issued two albums through Drakkar Productions, will enter the studio in July to record their third CD, entitled "Desert Northern Hell". A fall release is expected.

TSJUDER's second album, "Demonic Possession", was issued in 2002.

MOTÖRHEAD have reportedly set "Inferno" as the title of their new album, due in North America on June 22 through the Sanctuary subsidiary Metal-Is Records (the album will arrive in Europe on June 21 via SPV/Steamhammer Records). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Terminal Show" (featuring a guest appearance by Steve Vai), "Smiling Like a Killer", "In the Name of Tragedy", "In the Black", "Year of The Wolf", "Life's a Bitch", "Keys to the Kingdom", "Suicide" and "Whorehouse Blues". The cover for the CD is once again being provided by esteemed cover artist Joe Petagno. No further information is currently available.

Band profile:

Motörhead

HATE ETERNAL guitarist Erik Rutan has posted the following message on the group's web site:

"Hello, my evil friends. Rutan here. I apologize for the lack of updates on our site but we've been touring forever. We finished the ARCH ENEMY tour, the HATEBREED tour, and then the DEICIDE/KRISIUN tour and our headliner in Europe with DYING FETUS, DEEDS OF FLESH and PREJUDICE. We did 8 full tours for this album and it was all an incredible success. We, HATE ETERNAL, personally want to thank all the listeners, fans and friends of this band that have helped us become what we are today and for showing your incredible support for us, through our accident and the rough times and all the good times. You guys keep us inspired. Leading on to what's going on with us right now, we are currently working on new material for our 3rd album, which we will record in the late summer, hopefully with a winter 2004 release or early next year. All I can say is that fans of HATE ETERNAL and fans of my old material with MORBID ANGEL will be so very pleased, for this album has all those elements and more! The material is very diverse in an evil and heavy, dark way. Still intense, still fast, still heavy, still lots of twisted melodies but I think this album is going to make some waves. We've never been more focused than we are right now and I wanted to let everyone know what is up with HATE ETERNAL. Keep looking on our site for more info. We will be making changes in the site very soon and once again thank you for your patience and your support. You guys rule."

Florida's Death Metal maniacs MALEVOLENT CREATION have completed their ninth studio album named "Warkult". Stated to be the band's most diverse and punishing record to date, "Warcult" was recorded at Liquid Ghost Recording Studio in Boca Raton, FL, by Phil Plaskon, produced and mixed by producer Jean Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM) and mastered by Bernard Belley in Montreal, Canada.

The album also marks the return of long time drummer Dave Culross back in the line up.

"Warkult" shall be released on June 28th across Europe, in the USA and other territories about a month later.

Tracklist "Warkult":

01) Dead March
02) Preemtive Strike
03) Supremacy Through Annihilation
04) Murder Reigns
05) Captured
06) Merciless
07) Section 8
08) On Grounds Of Battle
09) Tyrannic Oppression
10) Ravaged By Conflict
11) Shock And Awe
12) Jack The Ripper * (bonus track) Cover song from Australian cult thrash gods Hobbs Angel Of Death.

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Band profile:

Malevolent Creation