Metal news

Iron Fire vocalist Martin Steene has posted the following studio update:

"We have been in the studio on and off for a couple of months now, and the new album is coming along great. Vocals are almost done now and guitar solos are being recorded every day at Kirk's place. This album will sure be our most dark and aggressive so far. I have been doing a lot of re-writing on lyrics in the recording process which I never do, to get it all to fit perfect with the darker feeling of the album. But don't fear, it all still sounds like Iron Fire just with a twist of darkness. Things are sounding better then ever at this point and cant wait for the mix, witch will take place at Jailhouse studio with good old Tommy Hansen in start October.

Eric Phillipe is once again working on the cover design and it's gonna be exiting to see what master piece he can come up with this time. The title of the album is not yet decided but it's not gonna be Thunderstorm part 2."

Here are some of the song titles so far:

The Beast From The blackness
Doom Riders
The Demon Master
Hail To Odin
March Of The Immortals

Iron Fire are still looking for a replacement for guitarist Johan Jacob who left earlier this year.

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Iron Fire

Jesu's latest EP "Why Are We Not Perfect?" can be streamed in its entirety on http://www.whyarewenotperfect.com.

The EP was released in the USA yesterday, 9 September via Hydra Head and has the following tracklisting:

01. Farewell
02. Blind And Faithless
03. Why Are We Not Perfect
04. Farewell [alternate version]
05. Why Are We Not Perfect [alternate version]

Source:	whyarewenotperfect.com
Band profile:	Jesu

Alabama Thunderpussy guitarist Erik Larson has posted the following statement regarding the band:

"It's been a very quiet 2008 from us here in ATP thus far. I know there has been speculation and uncertainty about exactly what the status of the band is, and our apologies go out to y'all for being MIA. Finally, I'm able to give you an update.

The beginning of 2008 brought yet more upheaval in the saga that is this band, when Kyle Thomas left the group to focus on his family and the impending Exhorder reunion. The remaining four of us had a band meeting and after serious discussion, decided to take a much deserved/needed few months hiatus to regroup and focus on home life and other individual projects. The "few months" seemed to flow into a bit longer as the summer progressed and we all dug deeper into our lives as individuals outside of ATP.

Well, we finally regrouped and after much deliberation and thoughtful discussion, we have decided to end the band. There are no hard feelings between us and no bullshit politics. It's pretty much just the end of an era. To quote George Harrison, all things must pass. And so after 12+ yrs of solid ATP mayhem, we call it a day. We can't thank all of you enough for the tireless and seemingly endless support and friendship we received from you over the years, it was really fucking amazing and appreciated more than you know. Each one of us are still very active and involved in creating music and art and we hope you will bless us with your continued support of our individual endeavors. So if you would, raise your drink of choice in our honor and toast to the future."

Source:	atprva.com
Band profile:	Alabama Thunderpussy

Bloodbath have issued the following update:

"The new Bloodbath minisite for latest album "The Fathomless Mastery" is now unleashed, to coincide with the October 6th (Europe) & October 28th (North America) release of this latest slab of brutality.

The minisite feature album information, downloads and much more. We also give you the chance to check out the world premiere of two complete audio tracks; "Slaughtering The Will To Live" (currently up on the minisite) and the unholy anthem "Mock The Cross" (currently streaming on Bloodbath's MySpace). The streamed song selections will possibly be changed weekly up 'til the release date, so keep checking back in."

Source:	bloodbath.biz
Band profile:	Bloodbath

Finnish black metallers Horna will release their seventh album, "Sanojesi Äärelle", on September 29th via Debemur Morti Productions. You can also see the artwork
of the new album, at this location.

On "Sanojesi Äärelle", "the abyssic ones have conceived a dual tribute to the energies that stimulate them - one side worshipping Satanic darkness, one praising Luciferian light," according to a press release.

"Sanojesi Äärelle" tracklisting:

Disc I:

01. Muinaisten Alttarilta
02. Verilehto
03. Mustan Kirkkauden Sarastus
04. Katseet
05. Askeesi
06. Sanojesi Äärelle
07. Orjaroihu
08. Risti Ja Ruoska
09. Wikinger
10. Merkuriana

Disc II:

01. Liekki Ja Voima
02. Ruumisalttari
03. Musta Rukous
04. Baphometin Siunaus

Source:	debemur-morti.com
Band profile:	Horna

Elvenking have announced that, "Two Tragedy Poets (...And A Caravan Of Weird Figures)" will be the name of the new acoustic album. It will be released in digipack and jewel case editions and will be preceded by an online single.

The release date is November 14th for Europe, via AFM Records, while the dates for the other countries will be announced soon.

"Two Tragedy Poets (...And A Caravan Of Weird Figures)" [cover art] tracklisting:

01. The Caravan Of Weird Figures
02. Another Awful Hobs Tale
03. From Blood To Stone
04. Ask A Silly Question
05. She Lives At Dawn
06. The Winter Wake [acoustic version]
07. Heaven Is A Place On Earth
08. My Own Spider's Web
09. Not My Final Song
10. The Blackest Of My Hearts
11. The Wanderer [acoustic version] [digipack bonus track]
12. Miss Conception
13. My Little Moon
14. Skywards 2008 [Japanese bonus track]

Internet-only single tracklisting:

01. From Blood To Stone
02. The Perpetual Knot [acoustic version] [exclusive non-album track]
03. The Winter Wake [acoustic version]

Source:	elvenking.net
Band profile:	Elvenking

Guitarist Noah Carpenter of the New York-based death metallers Skinless has issued the following update:

"We've been laying low in 2008 after some pretty intense touring for the "Trample The Weak..." album. We're finally ready to start working on material for a new Skinless release in 2009. We're heading to Europe very soon for a short tour and we expect to be back there next spring for a more extensive invasion. Also in the battle plans for 2009 are North America/South America and beyond."

Skinless "European Deviation 2008" tour dates:

Sep. 19 - NRW Deathfest, AJZ Bahndamm, Wermelskirchen, Germany
Sep. 20 - Velokot, Oostende, Belgium
Sep. 21 - ZXZW FEST, Tilburg, Holland
Sep. 22 - Logo, Hamburg, Germany
Sep. 23 - Black Pes, Prague, Czech Republic
Sep. 24 - Escape, Vienna, Austria
Sep. 25 - Backstage, Munich, Germany
Sep. 26 - Sas Musi Club, Delemont, Switzerland
Sep. 27 - Cilinder Fest, Hoofddorp, Holland

Source:	google.be
Band profile:	Skinless

Swedish Power metallers Crystal Eyes have announced the following:

"We're finally done mixing the new Crystal Eyes record which will be titled "Chained". The recording lasted through the summer and Fredrik Nordström has once again set the ultimate sound at Studio Fredman. Think 1984, think Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Dio and Manowar and you'll get the picture.

The songs in the right order are:

01. Ride The Rainbow
02. The Fire Of Hades
03. The Devil Inside
04. Waves Of War
05. Dying In The Rain
06. Fighting
07. Shadow Rider
08. Lonely Ball Of Fate
09. Guardian *

* Featuring original singer Mikael Dahl on vocals

Stay tuned for a cover, new songs on MySpace and a release-date."

"Chained" is expected to be released before the end of the year via Metal Heaven.

Source:	crystaleyes.net
Band profile:	Crystal Eyes

Hungarian heavy metal band Ossian have made three new tracks available for streaming. You can listen to the songs on their official MySpace. These track are from the band's soon upcoming album, called "Küldetés" (Mission), which will be released on September 8th
via HAmmer Records Hungary. The album was recorded once again with the help of their longtime producer/friend Miklós Küronya at the studio P in Törökbálint.

"Küldetés" tracklisting:

01. Ébredés (Awakening) (intro)
02. A Számuzött visszatér (Outcast's Return)
03. A Véletlen (The Accident)
04. Új Aranykor /New Golden Age)
05. Asszony feketében (Woman In Black)
06. Mondd ki! (Fire Away!)
07. A koszikla (The Cliff)
08. Az ördögök mennyországa (Devils' Heaven)
09. Az Életvonal (Life Line)
10. A Küldetés (The Mission)
11. A Nagybetus Szavak (Words With Capitals)
12. Jó idoben, jó helyen (Good Time, Good Place)
13. Útközben (On The Way)

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ossian

Brazilian metallers Soulfly have announced some new tour dates in Russia in October, plus one show in Ukraine, which will take place at the end of September.

Here are the following dates of "Russian Conquer Tour 2008":

Sep. 29 - Sport Arena - Odessa, Ukraine
Oct. 01 - B1 Club - Moscow, Russia
Oct. 03 - Sport Arena Trud - Irkutsk, Siberia
Oct. 05 - Gavana Club - Krasnoyarsk, Siberia
Oct. 06 - Rock City - Novosibirsk, Siberia
Oct. 07 - XL Club - Omsk, Siberia

Soulfly's new album "Conquer" is the band's sixth effort, and was released on July 29, 2008.

Source:	soulflyweb.com
Band profile:	Soulfly
Event:	Russian Conquer Tour 2008

Amorphis have posted the following update:

"As announced earlier, Amorphis will embark on a North American tour in September. Esa Holopainen elaborates: "This is our first tour in this region with our latest album, "Silent Waters". Tickets are selling well so you can only be happy. We picked Samael, Leaves' Eyes and Virgin Black as support acts because we know the guys and this kind of musical combination offers something for everyone." The tour kicks off on ProgPower USA IX in Atlanta on September 26. All tour dates can be found here.

In November Amorphis will enter Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki to record a follow-up to their highly acclaimed "Eclipse" and "Silent Waters" albums. The band has received gold records for both albums in their native Finland. Esa reveals: "We have been working really hard on new material and the new record should be out sometime next spring. The new material will again be very epic."

Source:	amorphis.net
Band profile:	Amorphis

Original drummer of German thrashers Sodom, Chris "Witchhunter" Dudek, who left the band in 1992 has recently died on Sunday the 7th of September.
The message on the official Sodom site reads:

"Dear Friends,

I want to inform you that Chris Witchhunter died last Night. A few hours ago we received a message from Witchhunters Mom that Chris is dead. We are shocked and stunned this time but we want to tell all Sodom Fans that one of the founding Members of Sodom gone forever. At first we thought that this is not true but by the tears of Chris Mom? it´s true!

Please spread the message!



Best Wishes Tommy"

Read more ››

Source:	sodomized.info
Band profile:	Sodom

Massive Music Management have posted the following official statement, entitled "Vader would like to thank you all for 25 years of support!":

"We would like to thank to all the participants of our anniversary gig: bands, fans and staff. Thanx to you all we were able to celebrate the 25 anniversary of Vader in so special way. Big thanx to fans for such a numerous presence, bands for fantastic shows they all played in Warsaw, guests for their appearance on this show and our crew for nearly 24 hours of hard work! It was a very important show for us, the more so because it took place in such a difficult circumstances. We were forced to give up an idea of recording DVD due to some technical issues. For technical reasons we were also unable to build a special stage scenery prepared exclusively for this show. Sorry for very long queues for food and drink and the high price of our energy drink - these things were beyond our control. The show ended up turning out well and despite these shortcomings we believe it was a success. Once again- thank you all! All the blood, sweat and tears poured into Vader have been worth it!

At this point we would like to refer to the changes that have occurred in Vader. As you all probably already know, guitarist Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz and drummer Darek "Daray" Brzozowski are no longer in the band and this anniversary gig was their last show with Vader. We would say that mentally, they both were out of the band from a long time. They played with us more like a session guys, without any real commitment and dedication. We were thinking about making some changes since a year or something, now we are glad to have this opportunity to build a new band. At the moment we are looking for some new musicians. Probably next week we are going to present you our new line up.

In October the band will appear on tour in Scandinavia with Grave and Zonaria. In January 2009 Vader will hit the road again, sharing the stage with Deicide and Samael. Just before this tour, in December we are going to start a pre-production process of our new full length album "Necropolis". The recording session is scheduled for March. The album will be mixed by one of the best producers in a music industry! In May 2009 the band will release a new EP. The new album will be out in September. In meantime we are going to appear on many summer festivals. Don't be affraid, Vader don't lose the power and quality. On the contrary we feel it will be much stronger than ever before. Stay Vader'ized, be prepared for a new line up and the upcoming killing album "Necropolis"!"

Read more ››

Source:	vader.pl
Band profile:	Vader

The Norwegian Viking metal legends Einherjer have been announced to reunite at Ragnarök Festival which is to take place on 17th-18th April 2009 in Lichtenfels, Germany. Furthermore Alkonost and FEJD have been added to the billing. Below the entire statement of the festival:

"For about four years you didn't hear anything from Einherjer, one of the most important bands in viking metal, which split up in 2004. We're proud to announce their comeback will be next year at Ragnarök Festival, which is a great chance for many metalheads to see their idols again or maybe for the first time. We hope that yet another great chapter will be added to the band's awesome history in April 2009 at Lichtenfels and hopefully many other shows will follow.

Apart from that we got two more talented bands to confirm. Alkonost will show us, together with also playing Arkona, that Russia is a country full of very nice, unfortunately outside Eastern Europe mostly fameless bands. Alkonost is nearly 15 years old, but never played in Germany before. They mix pagan, black and doom metal with distinctive Russian folklore.

FEJD's music is a little bit more calm, but very enjoyable. Since 2001 they do Scandinavian folk with Swedish lyrics and a lot of enthusiasm. Ragnarök will be their first show outside of Sweden ever and their very first show at a festival, too. If you love music like the "Urminnes Hävd" EP from Månegarm, you'll love them as well.

With already 15 bands confirmed, advance booking starts today. Tickets cost 35 EUR each and can be bought at the shop on the festival's homepage. Shipment starts at the first week of October. Unfortunately we were forced to increase the price of the tickets a little bit due to the city of Lichtenfels imposing very acerb obligations to us. Tickets will also be available at the Ragnarök's Aaskereia Tour in October. Furthermore we still have festival shirts and girlies of the Ragnarök V Festival at our shop for 10 EUR (original price was 15 EUR), as well as restricted drinking horns for 20 EUR.

Further information is available at our homepage [url]www.ragnaroek-festival.com[/url] "

The whole festival lineup reads as follows, with at least one more headliner to be announced:

Read more ››

Source:	ragnaroek-festival.com
Band profile:	Einherjer
Event:	Ragnarök Festival 6

Vocalist Jon Howard from Canadian metal band Threat Signal has posted the following statement:

"So I think its time I should let you know whats going on with the new album. We've been working really hard for almost a year writing and doing pre production for the new album. And I couldnt be more stoked on the songs! If you thought "Under Reprisal" was killer, you need to check this shit out. The album is 95% writen, and we will be hitting the studio in Nov to start recording the real thing. So with that said, we'll be looking at a release date early next year.
I'll have a lot more details for you soon...

You can also catch us in the East Cost on these dates playing new songs from the record"

Threat Signal tour dates:

Sep. 20 - Casbah - Hamilton, ONT
Sep. 22 - Mr. McGills - Utica, NY
Sep. 23 - Knitting Factory - New York, NY
Sep. 24 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA
Sep. 25 - Club Diablo - Buffalo, NY
Sep. 26 - The Jigsaw - Parma, OH
Sep. 27 - Madame Walker Theater - Metal Fest II - Indianapolis, IN

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Threat Signal