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Virgin Steele - Special acoustic show
VIRGIN STEELE singer David DeFeis and guitarist Edward Pursino performed a special set consisting of acoustic interpretations of the VIRGIN STEELE catalogue New Year's Eve at DeFeis' residence on Long Island, New York. A "review" of the show, which was described as "a very intimate, private showcase," has been posted online at this location: http://www.virgin-steele.com/ny.asp
| Band profile: | Virgin Steele |
The Haunted: Peter Dolving's statement
THE HAUNTED frontman Peter Dolving recently took time out to answer a few questions on the band's official forum. The following are some of his responses pertaining to the progress of the songwriting sessions for the group's new studio album and the band's future plans:
On the new material:
Peter Dolving: "The new songs? Jeez, that's hard. Expect less serial-killing themes, and a meaner attitude all over ? more 'song'-songs, less 'riff-o-mania'. I really don't know how to describe it ? more live-oriented?"
"These songs we've been working on now have been built in a very old-fashioned rock 'n' roll way of making songs ? comes up with something ? someone else picks up on it we jam, discuss, jam some more go home and think about the stuff, then go back and work it 'till it feels cool.
Peter Dolving: "The aim is to make us all puke ? and I mean that in a good way..."
On the next album's possible release date:
Peter Dolving: "I have no idea when it'll be released, I don't see it as my job to worry about that kind of stuff ? I write and sing."
On upcoming live performances:
Peter Dolving: "Live, as always we'll play old and new stuff. I won't even try to sing in Marco 's style - I can't sing like him, he's got more of a brutal growling approach. Me, I guess I'm more of the angst-ridden -screamer I always was."
On whether THE HAUNTED is his top priority at the moment:
Peter Dolving: "THE HAUNTED is indeed my No. 1 priority from now on. I will definitely continue releasing albums and tour with the PETER DOLVING BAND, but only in relation to what works with THE HAUNTED schedule."
Read more ››
On the new material:
Peter Dolving: "The new songs? Jeez, that's hard. Expect less serial-killing themes, and a meaner attitude all over ? more 'song'-songs, less 'riff-o-mania'. I really don't know how to describe it ? more live-oriented?"
"These songs we've been working on now have been built in a very old-fashioned rock 'n' roll way of making songs ? comes up with something ? someone else picks up on it we jam, discuss, jam some more go home and think about the stuff, then go back and work it 'till it feels cool.
Peter Dolving: "The aim is to make us all puke ? and I mean that in a good way..."
On the next album's possible release date:
Peter Dolving: "I have no idea when it'll be released, I don't see it as my job to worry about that kind of stuff ? I write and sing."
On upcoming live performances:
Peter Dolving: "Live, as always we'll play old and new stuff. I won't even try to sing in Marco 's style - I can't sing like him, he's got more of a brutal growling approach. Me, I guess I'm more of the angst-ridden -screamer I always was."
On whether THE HAUNTED is his top priority at the moment:
Peter Dolving: "THE HAUNTED is indeed my No. 1 priority from now on. I will definitely continue releasing albums and tour with the PETER DOLVING BAND, but only in relation to what works with THE HAUNTED schedule."
Read more ››
| Band profile: | The Haunted |
Ex- No Return singer's project
ZUUL FX, the French band featuring former NO RETURN singer Steeve "Zuul" Petit, have completed work on their debut three-song demo at Soul Sol studios in Paris with producer Francis Caste (DYSFUNCTIONAL BY CHOICE drummer).
The track listing for the demo is as follows:
01. Behind The Light
02. Devil Star
03. God Bless Them
The group's debut album, which is due next summer, will be recorded over a one-month period in April. Pre-production for the as-yet-untitled CD is scheduled to take place in March at Studio 440.
The track listing for the demo is as follows:
01. Behind The Light
02. Devil Star
03. God Bless Them
The group's debut album, which is due next summer, will be recorded over a one-month period in April. Pre-production for the as-yet-untitled CD is scheduled to take place in March at Studio 440.
| Band profile: | No Return |
Kamelot - Mexican dates cancelled
KAMELOT's previously announced dates in Monterrey and Guadalajara have been cancelled by their Mexican promoter, Ekosysmusik. No reason was given for the cancellation. The group's EpicaFest date in Mexico City will go ahead as planned on February 14, with five support bands also on the bill, including Californian metallers CAGE.
As previously reported, KAMELOT are currently writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Epica", tentatively due this summer through SPV Records. Among the songtitles set to appear on the CD are "March of Mephisto", "Nothing Ever Dies" and "Serenade".
Upcoming KAMELOT shows:
Feb. 14 - Mexico City, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 28 - Granada, SPA @ Piorno Rock Festival
As previously reported, KAMELOT are currently writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Epica", tentatively due this summer through SPV Records. Among the songtitles set to appear on the CD are "March of Mephisto", "Nothing Ever Dies" and "Serenade".
Upcoming KAMELOT shows:
Feb. 14 - Mexico City, MEX @ TBA
Feb. 28 - Granada, SPA @ Piorno Rock Festival
| Band profile: | Kamelot |
Aeternus to enter the studio in June
Norwegian metallers AETERNUS will enter Grieghallen Studios in June to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in late 2004 through Nocturnal Art Productions. The follow-up to last year's "A Darker Monument" will once again be produced by Pytten, who has previously worked with ENSLAVED and MÖRK GRYNING, among others.
Says AETERNUS mainman Ares: "We got more or less 4 songs so far, though they are all not 100% done...working on them nearly every day. Like I've said in several interviews, it's interesting now to work on new material as we are putting weight on leaving the death metal elements behind now...though the brutality and extreme atmosphere remains. Only it's shape and face are changed to put it that way...we're experimenting quite a bit actually. Some paths we wander leads back to some elder roots too...
"A lot of the music on next album might also make you feel: 'Eh? Is this AETERNUS?'...as we are trying to explore a bit these days. Allowing us to give you more/different and interesting metal to listen to. Though we are still dedicated to darkened music/metal and don't think we'll be turning AETERNUS into some cheap crap or whatever as we SHALL and WILL always create darkened music for extreme minds! Make no mistake about that!"
Says AETERNUS mainman Ares: "We got more or less 4 songs so far, though they are all not 100% done...working on them nearly every day. Like I've said in several interviews, it's interesting now to work on new material as we are putting weight on leaving the death metal elements behind now...though the brutality and extreme atmosphere remains. Only it's shape and face are changed to put it that way...we're experimenting quite a bit actually. Some paths we wander leads back to some elder roots too...
"A lot of the music on next album might also make you feel: 'Eh? Is this AETERNUS?'...as we are trying to explore a bit these days. Allowing us to give you more/different and interesting metal to listen to. Though we are still dedicated to darkened music/metal and don't think we'll be turning AETERNUS into some cheap crap or whatever as we SHALL and WILL always create darkened music for extreme minds! Make no mistake about that!"
| Band profile: | Aeternus |
Ensiferum - New album delayed
ENSIFERUM's new Album, "Iron", has been delayed until April 5th, 2004. The album is in it's mastering stage now, while the band is not pleased with the postponing of the album.
In related news, FINNTROLL site admin/keyboardist TrollhorN has commented on the upcoming European tour dates with ENSIFERUM and THE WAKE:
"These are NOT CONFIRMED IN ANY WAY. I have no idea why the Hell Metalyse have announced half-official information on their website, but from Spinefarm´s side we´ve been asked to keep our mouths shut about these gigs yet. Propably within three months one quarter has been cancelled and there are more places announced, so NOTHING IS SURE YET. This is ONLY a hint what is supposed to be coming.
And about ENSIFERUM, nothing is certain yet. I know that they have held a band- meeting about the matter yesterday, so keep on following www.ensiferum.com (The official site) to get your updates.
Although I can tell you a couple of things, which will upset some and make some people cheer: I don´t think there will be a gig in Sweden within that tour (because it´s so hard to travel there by bus) , but at least we (the Finntrolls) have been trying to get a gig into Switzerland, because we had such a great audience there. But we´ll see. It´s only December, and the tour starts in April. ANYTHING can happen, boys and girls. Anything."
In related news, FINNTROLL site admin/keyboardist TrollhorN has commented on the upcoming European tour dates with ENSIFERUM and THE WAKE:
"These are NOT CONFIRMED IN ANY WAY. I have no idea why the Hell Metalyse have announced half-official information on their website, but from Spinefarm´s side we´ve been asked to keep our mouths shut about these gigs yet. Propably within three months one quarter has been cancelled and there are more places announced, so NOTHING IS SURE YET. This is ONLY a hint what is supposed to be coming.
And about ENSIFERUM, nothing is certain yet. I know that they have held a band- meeting about the matter yesterday, so keep on following www.ensiferum.com (The official site) to get your updates.
Although I can tell you a couple of things, which will upset some and make some people cheer: I don´t think there will be a gig in Sweden within that tour (because it´s so hard to travel there by bus) , but at least we (the Finntrolls) have been trying to get a gig into Switzerland, because we had such a great audience there. But we´ll see. It´s only December, and the tour starts in April. ANYTHING can happen, boys and girls. Anything."
| Band profile: | Ensiferum |
Vomitory - Studio Diary
Swedish metallers VOMITORY have updated with their second studio diary from drummer Tobias Gustafsson:
"The last week of recording went really smooth. We're not really used to take things so easy during a recording session, so this was definitely a new experience to us - and a nice one indeed!
All guitars, bass and vocals are now done and so far we, including Henrik the producer, are all very content with the result. The first thing that strikes me when I listen to the recording is that Erik's voice has become even stronger and more brutal than on our previous albums! Fuck yeah! This is without any doubts his best vocal work to date and he could never have ended his vocal duties in Vomitory in a better way!
"Primal Massacre" will contain ten songs and as usual, there are some songs that still are untitled, but here are some of the definite titles "Autopsy Extravaganza", "Stray Bullet Kill", "Demons Divine" and the titletrack - "Primal Massacre".
On Friday the 19th, Lord K Philipsson from The Project Hate paid us a visit in the studio to chat, drink beer, listen to the album and take some pictures. click here to see the pictures - posted and commented by Lord K. And while you're there, don't foget to join the official Vomitory forum!
We left the studio on Saturday, December 20th - a bit hungover from yesterday but we were happy to get to rest our ears during the holidays. We'll begin mixing the album in Berno Studio, Malmö/Sweden, on January 5th together with Henrik Larsson.
More news when we're done with the mixing!"
"The last week of recording went really smooth. We're not really used to take things so easy during a recording session, so this was definitely a new experience to us - and a nice one indeed!
All guitars, bass and vocals are now done and so far we, including Henrik the producer, are all very content with the result. The first thing that strikes me when I listen to the recording is that Erik's voice has become even stronger and more brutal than on our previous albums! Fuck yeah! This is without any doubts his best vocal work to date and he could never have ended his vocal duties in Vomitory in a better way!
"Primal Massacre" will contain ten songs and as usual, there are some songs that still are untitled, but here are some of the definite titles "Autopsy Extravaganza", "Stray Bullet Kill", "Demons Divine" and the titletrack - "Primal Massacre".
On Friday the 19th, Lord K Philipsson from The Project Hate paid us a visit in the studio to chat, drink beer, listen to the album and take some pictures. click here to see the pictures - posted and commented by Lord K. And while you're there, don't foget to join the official Vomitory forum!
We left the studio on Saturday, December 20th - a bit hungover from yesterday but we were happy to get to rest our ears during the holidays. We'll begin mixing the album in Berno Studio, Malmö/Sweden, on January 5th together with Henrik Larsson.
More news when we're done with the mixing!"
| Band profile: | Vomitory |
Kreator: Last Show of the Tour And the New Album
Posted by Mille on the official hompage, 2003-12-17:
Kreator has returned from an amazing Show in Bukarest/ Romania on December 13th , in front of more then 2000 fans !!!!
Mille sent in the following statement this morning :
" Dear friends. Just came back from Romania, very cool show, fantasitic audience ! This was definately the last show of the Violent Revolution tour and I want to thank all of you for making 2003 another great year in the history of the band !
In January we will start the rehearsals for the new record, Andy Sneap and his studio in Notingham/UK is booked for May.
The new stuff sounds like a mix between Violent Revolution and Pleasure to Kill! Up to now, I have written 9 songs, some are allready aranged and ready to go, others are still fragments. There´ll be a couple of tunes that are longer than 7 minutes and have wicked parts an tempo changes, next to 4 minute songs full of hate and brutallity ! I am very exited about the new shit and can not wait to record it! After all the touring we´ve done for the last album, the band has grown to a strong unit, where each individual member is ready to give 200 % to bring you, what you deserve: the best and most violent Kreator record of all time !
A european tour through selected venues is scheduled for the end of 2004, also a return to the US is in the making. We´re working on a huge production for this, with tons of lights and sound and a setlist that will kill!!! Have a nice new years eve party and do not let the industry drag you into their commercial christmas terror !
Mille Petrozza "
Kreator has returned from an amazing Show in Bukarest/ Romania on December 13th , in front of more then 2000 fans !!!!
Mille sent in the following statement this morning :
" Dear friends. Just came back from Romania, very cool show, fantasitic audience ! This was definately the last show of the Violent Revolution tour and I want to thank all of you for making 2003 another great year in the history of the band !
In January we will start the rehearsals for the new record, Andy Sneap and his studio in Notingham/UK is booked for May.
The new stuff sounds like a mix between Violent Revolution and Pleasure to Kill! Up to now, I have written 9 songs, some are allready aranged and ready to go, others are still fragments. There´ll be a couple of tunes that are longer than 7 minutes and have wicked parts an tempo changes, next to 4 minute songs full of hate and brutallity ! I am very exited about the new shit and can not wait to record it! After all the touring we´ve done for the last album, the band has grown to a strong unit, where each individual member is ready to give 200 % to bring you, what you deserve: the best and most violent Kreator record of all time !
A european tour through selected venues is scheduled for the end of 2004, also a return to the US is in the making. We´re working on a huge production for this, with tons of lights and sound and a setlist that will kill!!! Have a nice new years eve party and do not let the industry drag you into their commercial christmas terror !
Mille Petrozza "
| Band profile: | Kreator |
Michael Amott checks in from Arch Enemy
Greetings to all of Arch Enemy's friends out there!
2003 has been a fantastic and eventful year - we started it off in January with working on our "Anthems Of Rebellion" album in the studio (in the U.K with Andy Sneap) and when we'd completed the album we played live all over the place in support of it. We have tons of cool memories from the road, too many to mention really?but some obvious highlights include the Slayer/Hatebreed US tour and our headline slot at the Korean "International Busan Rock Festival" and also our last show of 2003, a headline show @ the "Mean Fiddler" in London - a packed house that was ready for the metal!
Check out the live clip of "We Will Rise" from the 21st of December 2003 @ the "Mean Fiddler", London !!!!
http://www.archenemy.tv/pictures/reports/ArchEnemy_WeWillRise_London.mpg
We are convinced that 2004 will rock even harder, and things are looking good for the band?first thing coming up touring wise is a bunch of dates in Canada, USA & Japan, opening up for the NWOBHM Gods - Iron Maiden!
It doesn't really get any better than that, at least not in our world! :-)
See you on the road...
Happy New Year!
Michael & Arch Enemy
2003 has been a fantastic and eventful year - we started it off in January with working on our "Anthems Of Rebellion" album in the studio (in the U.K with Andy Sneap) and when we'd completed the album we played live all over the place in support of it. We have tons of cool memories from the road, too many to mention really?but some obvious highlights include the Slayer/Hatebreed US tour and our headline slot at the Korean "International Busan Rock Festival" and also our last show of 2003, a headline show @ the "Mean Fiddler" in London - a packed house that was ready for the metal!
Check out the live clip of "We Will Rise" from the 21st of December 2003 @ the "Mean Fiddler", London !!!!
http://www.archenemy.tv/pictures/reports/ArchEnemy_WeWillRise_London.mpg
We are convinced that 2004 will rock even harder, and things are looking good for the band?first thing coming up touring wise is a bunch of dates in Canada, USA & Japan, opening up for the NWOBHM Gods - Iron Maiden!
It doesn't really get any better than that, at least not in our world! :-)
See you on the road...
Happy New Year!
Michael & Arch Enemy
| Band profile: | Arch Enemy |
Bal-Sagoth: report from writing sessions
UK black/death metallers BAL-SAGOTH have written the following message on their official website:
"The writing of the long awaited sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is continuing, and the new material is sounding truly phenomenal. Fans of everything BAL-SAGOTH have crafted, from the debut album to the most recent opus, will truly find the forthcoming sixth album a wondrous and enthralling voyage into the darksome realms of sinister avant-garde black/death metal! Barbaric, baroque, bombastic... BAL-SAGOTH! Recording is expected to begin during the depths of winter, with a release through Nuclear Blast during the second quarter of 2004."
"The writing of the long awaited sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is continuing, and the new material is sounding truly phenomenal. Fans of everything BAL-SAGOTH have crafted, from the debut album to the most recent opus, will truly find the forthcoming sixth album a wondrous and enthralling voyage into the darksome realms of sinister avant-garde black/death metal! Barbaric, baroque, bombastic... BAL-SAGOTH! Recording is expected to begin during the depths of winter, with a release through Nuclear Blast during the second quarter of 2004."
| Band profile: | Bal-Sagoth |
COB - New EP
Finland's finest, CHILDREN OF BODOM, are expected to release an EP with a brace of new tunes, and a number of cover songs to boot. The EP is expected to be recorded in March, but it's unclear as to when it will surface on store shelves.
| Band profile: | Children Of Bodom |
Lamb Of God - New Fansite Online
For those who don't know, there's a new great fansite online for LAMB OF GOD over at http://lamb-of-god.co.uk/. Includes hundreds upon hundreds of pictures, all of their promotional videos, live videos, reviews, interviews, tour dates, tabs, lyrics, and everything you'd want to see about the band. Check them out!
Chris Adler also posted the following short message on their official forums:
"Quick note to thank every one of you for helping 2003 turn out to be quite an inspiring year for LAMB OF GOD.
Together we've made history - in our art, our hearts and passion and our combined efforts to make tomorrows music a little bit heavier. We owe you our sincere thanks.
Raise 'em up, swig 'em back and get ready for 2004, the year of the LAMB .
Happy New Year" ,
Chris Adler
Chris Adler also posted the following short message on their official forums:
"Quick note to thank every one of you for helping 2003 turn out to be quite an inspiring year for LAMB OF GOD.
Together we've made history - in our art, our hearts and passion and our combined efforts to make tomorrows music a little bit heavier. We owe you our sincere thanks.
Raise 'em up, swig 'em back and get ready for 2004, the year of the LAMB .
Happy New Year" ,
Chris Adler
| Band profile: | Lamb Of God |
Opeth - Martin Lopez in a much better state
It is rumored that OPETH will play the rescheduled Jordan/Amman gig on March 12th, 2004. Confirmation will come soon. The band writes the following about drummer Martin Lopez:
"Martin Lopez is now in a much better state. As expected, the doctor's ordered a few weeks of relaxation due to overload of stress!"
OPETH will head out on a headlining US tour in late January with DEVILDRIVER and MOONSPELL as support.
"Martin Lopez is now in a much better state. As expected, the doctor's ordered a few weeks of relaxation due to overload of stress!"
OPETH will head out on a headlining US tour in late January with DEVILDRIVER and MOONSPELL as support.
| Band profile: | Opeth |
Ensiferum confirmed for Summer Breeze festival
ENSIFERUM, DISILLUSION, HONIGDIEB, SLEEPINGODSLIE and BUSTA HOOSTA are the latest confirmations for the Summer Breeze Festival which takes place August 19-21st in Abstgmund, Germany. Other bands confirmed for the fest are:
SIX FEET UNDER, THE DUSKFALL, VOMITORY, SODOM, TANKARD, MNEMIC, LAKE OF TEARS, GOREROTTED, FLESHCRAWL, PRIMORDIAL, U.D.O., HATESPHERE, CRIMINAL, BRAINSTORM, PARAGON, SCHANDMAUL, PSYCHOPUNCH, GODDESS OF DESIRE, MENHIR, XANDRIA, DEAD SOUL TRIBE, SALTATIO MORTIS, FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING, DIE HAPPY
SIX FEET UNDER, THE DUSKFALL, VOMITORY, SODOM, TANKARD, MNEMIC, LAKE OF TEARS, GOREROTTED, FLESHCRAWL, PRIMORDIAL, U.D.O., HATESPHERE, CRIMINAL, BRAINSTORM, PARAGON, SCHANDMAUL, PSYCHOPUNCH, GODDESS OF DESIRE, MENHIR, XANDRIA, DEAD SOUL TRIBE, SALTATIO MORTIS, FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING, DIE HAPPY
| Band profile: | Ensiferum |
Amon Amarth to enter the studio in May
Swedish viking/death metallers AMON AMARTH have written the following message on their official website:
"Again we are back home from touring and again we would like to thank all bands and crew featuring on the european x-mas festivals. The tour was really successful and that is all thanks to you fans that showed up on the shows to support the tour. We couldn't ask for a better way to end this year of versus the world touring. A big thanks as well goes out to all of you others that been supporting the band during this year! It has been a hectic year and also a very rewarding one. Now we are going to rest for a week or so and then start to work on our next album.We are scheduled to enter berno studio in mid may. Be well and don't forget that beer gives you immortality, poetry-knowlegde and wisdom."
"Again we are back home from touring and again we would like to thank all bands and crew featuring on the european x-mas festivals. The tour was really successful and that is all thanks to you fans that showed up on the shows to support the tour. We couldn't ask for a better way to end this year of versus the world touring. A big thanks as well goes out to all of you others that been supporting the band during this year! It has been a hectic year and also a very rewarding one. Now we are going to rest for a week or so and then start to work on our next album.We are scheduled to enter berno studio in mid may. Be well and don't forget that beer gives you immortality, poetry-knowlegde and wisdom."
| Band profile: | Amon Amarth |