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Cynic - Release New EP In May
On next May 17th, progressive metallers Cynic will release a brand new EP entitled Re-Traced, including reinterpretations of four songs from the critically acclaimed Traced in Air album, as well as a previously unreleased song. Watch the video teaser below.
"Re-Traced is an experiment for us - an opportunity to turn four songs from Traced in Air inside out and to share something new", comments frontman Paul Masvidal. "In our exploration, we've created music that is part "sci-fi prog folk", part psychedelic rock, part minimalist restraint. These interpretations feel channeled from another galaxy. For the most part the tunes reference some of our favourite musical forms and in our own curious way (electronic/ambient, jazz/fusion, drum n' bass, experimental, shoegaze). There is no vocoder, no traditionally busy Cynic riffs that are some of our most signatures sounds, but the music retains its song structure, integral melodic sense, harmony and lyrical inspiration."
About the new song: "It is entitled "Wheels Within Wheels" and it is the most rock/metal tune on the EP. Mood-wise it has a melodic optimism that is a bit more transparent than in other Cynic songs, giving it a unique and emotive color. We are really pleased with the performances and energy of this track. Considering this song is perhaps the closest reference to a familiar Cynic sound, it still leaves behind many of the former trademarks and introduces a new shade of groove and dynamic. Progressive music has many faces, and that is always the name of the game for Cynic: re-inventing ourselves and pushing our own musical boundaries for ourselves and our fans."
Re-Traced cover art] tracklist:
01. The Space For This
02. King Of Those Who Know
03. Evolutionary Sleeper
04. Integral Birth
05. Wheels Within Wheels
Read more ››
"Re-Traced is an experiment for us - an opportunity to turn four songs from Traced in Air inside out and to share something new", comments frontman Paul Masvidal. "In our exploration, we've created music that is part "sci-fi prog folk", part psychedelic rock, part minimalist restraint. These interpretations feel channeled from another galaxy. For the most part the tunes reference some of our favourite musical forms and in our own curious way (electronic/ambient, jazz/fusion, drum n' bass, experimental, shoegaze). There is no vocoder, no traditionally busy Cynic riffs that are some of our most signatures sounds, but the music retains its song structure, integral melodic sense, harmony and lyrical inspiration."
About the new song: "It is entitled "Wheels Within Wheels" and it is the most rock/metal tune on the EP. Mood-wise it has a melodic optimism that is a bit more transparent than in other Cynic songs, giving it a unique and emotive color. We are really pleased with the performances and energy of this track. Considering this song is perhaps the closest reference to a familiar Cynic sound, it still leaves behind many of the former trademarks and introduces a new shade of groove and dynamic. Progressive music has many faces, and that is always the name of the game for Cynic: re-inventing ourselves and pushing our own musical boundaries for ourselves and our fans."
Re-Traced cover art] tracklist:
01. The Space For This
02. King Of Those Who Know
03. Evolutionary Sleeper
04. Integral Birth
05. Wheels Within Wheels
Read more ››
| Source: | season-of-mist.com |
| Band profile: | Cynic |
Falling Down Compilation II - To Be Released In March
Original news, posted on 17.10.2009
After the success of the first Falling Down compilation, Yann and Thibaut - two French students - are set to release the second compilation. Again, the record will be self-produced, totally independent and limited to 1000 copies in a format 2CD digipack or digisleeve. "Falling Down II" will be released early 2010. At the moment there are only two or three bands that will not have an unpublished track. All other bands will deliver a new, unpublished song for this compilation: this is really the main priority of the compilation.
So far, "Falling Down II" cover art] will contain songs of confirmed bands like: Jucifer, Gnaw Their Tongues, Ufomammut, Kongh, The Poisoned Glass, God Is An Astronaut, Ocoai, Impure Wilhelmina, Kingdom, Mumakil, Farflung, U.S. Christmas, Omega Massif, When Icarus Falls, Tesa, Grey Daturas, Kodiak, White Hills, Across Tundras, Icos, Taint, Солярис. The Poisoned Glass is a band specially created for this compilation, featuring Stuart Dahlquist (Sunn O))), Asva, Burning Witch, Goatsnake) et Edgy 59 (Burning Witch).
Also The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Ocean have been confirmed. The line-up for the compilation is now complete.
The first 3CD compilation cover art] featured bands like: Kylesa, Amenra, Knut, Pelican, Year Of No Light, Rosetta, Callisto, Overmars, Zatokrev, Dirge, My Own Private Alaska, etc.
All info at http://www.myspace.com/fallingdowncompilation.
UPDATE
After the first volume, Falling Down is coming back with a second compilation wich reunite 28 bands like The Ocean, Khelvin, Impure Wilhelmina and Mumakil. This compilation will be available on March as a 2 cd limited digipak edition. Only 1000 copies will be pressed. More info and preorders here.
Falling Down II cover art] tracklist:
Disc I
Across Tundras - Final Breath Over Venom Falls (Unpublished version)
Monachus (ex-Icos) - Februari (Unpublished)
White Hills - Heads on Fire (Unpublished)
OCOAI - La Main Electrique (Unpublished)
Farflung - R-Complex (Unpublished)
Impure Wilehlmina - Cold Fever (Unpublished)
Time to Burn - Elena Djinn (Unpublished)
Gnaw Their Tongues - We Breath Hate and Spit Fire from our Mouths (Unpublished)
The Poisoned Glass - Silent Vigil (Unpublished)
Kalvria - .N (Unpublished)
U.S.Christmas - Lazarus (Live)
Kingdom - Ruina.Where men go to die (Unpublished)
KALKH-IN(JOY) Erode - Xwck (Unpublished)
Disc II
Kongh - Thunders Collide (Unpublished, 2006)
Read more ››
After the success of the first Falling Down compilation, Yann and Thibaut - two French students - are set to release the second compilation. Again, the record will be self-produced, totally independent and limited to 1000 copies in a format 2CD digipack or digisleeve. "Falling Down II" will be released early 2010. At the moment there are only two or three bands that will not have an unpublished track. All other bands will deliver a new, unpublished song for this compilation: this is really the main priority of the compilation.
So far, "Falling Down II" cover art] will contain songs of confirmed bands like: Jucifer, Gnaw Their Tongues, Ufomammut, Kongh, The Poisoned Glass, God Is An Astronaut, Ocoai, Impure Wilhelmina, Kingdom, Mumakil, Farflung, U.S. Christmas, Omega Massif, When Icarus Falls, Tesa, Grey Daturas, Kodiak, White Hills, Across Tundras, Icos, Taint, Солярис. The Poisoned Glass is a band specially created for this compilation, featuring Stuart Dahlquist (Sunn O))), Asva, Burning Witch, Goatsnake) et Edgy 59 (Burning Witch).
Also The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Ocean have been confirmed. The line-up for the compilation is now complete.
The first 3CD compilation cover art] featured bands like: Kylesa, Amenra, Knut, Pelican, Year Of No Light, Rosetta, Callisto, Overmars, Zatokrev, Dirge, My Own Private Alaska, etc.
All info at http://www.myspace.com/fallingdowncompilation.
UPDATE
After the first volume, Falling Down is coming back with a second compilation wich reunite 28 bands like The Ocean, Khelvin, Impure Wilhelmina and Mumakil. This compilation will be available on March as a 2 cd limited digipak edition. Only 1000 copies will be pressed. More info and preorders here.
Falling Down II cover art] tracklist:
Disc I
Across Tundras - Final Breath Over Venom Falls (Unpublished version)
Monachus (ex-Icos) - Februari (Unpublished)
White Hills - Heads on Fire (Unpublished)
OCOAI - La Main Electrique (Unpublished)
Farflung - R-Complex (Unpublished)
Impure Wilehlmina - Cold Fever (Unpublished)
Time to Burn - Elena Djinn (Unpublished)
Gnaw Their Tongues - We Breath Hate and Spit Fire from our Mouths (Unpublished)
The Poisoned Glass - Silent Vigil (Unpublished)
Kalvria - .N (Unpublished)
U.S.Christmas - Lazarus (Live)
Kingdom - Ruina.Where men go to die (Unpublished)
KALKH-IN(JOY) Erode - Xwck (Unpublished)
Disc II
Kongh - Thunders Collide (Unpublished, 2006)
Read more ››
| Source: | myspace.com |
In Virtue - Recording New Album
In Virtue has once again entered the studio to lay their vision to tape in the form of a new full-length album entitled Embrace the Horror, a follow-up to last year's Delusions of Grandeur. The album will be a loose concept album about the end of the world and will contain about 12 songs. The band has already laid down the drum tracks at Prairie Sun Recording studios in Cotati, CA with engineer Jason D'Ottavio (Shrapnel Records) and will be recording the remaining tracks over the next several months.
Says guitarist and composer Trey Xavier: "This album has been a long time coming. We've been sitting on these songs for over a year and now we get to do it right. These are our fastest and heaviest songs to date, and I am confident that this album will be a treat for fans of all kinds of metal."
The album is due out sometime in mid- to late 2010, and the band is currently seeking a label to release it.
More information at http://www.myspace.com/invirtue.
Read more ››
Says guitarist and composer Trey Xavier: "This album has been a long time coming. We've been sitting on these songs for over a year and now we get to do it right. These are our fastest and heaviest songs to date, and I am confident that this album will be a treat for fans of all kinds of metal."
The album is due out sometime in mid- to late 2010, and the band is currently seeking a label to release it.
More information at http://www.myspace.com/invirtue.
Read more ››
| Source: | myspace.com |
Death Angel - New Album Due Later This Year
Hot on the heels of a busy and productive 2009, Bay Area thrash legends Death Angel have been holed up in their Oakland, California studio for the past few months writing songs for their next Nuclear Blast release, tentatively scheduled to drop in September. The band heads into Audio Hammer Studios in Sanford, Florida in March, with production genius Jason Suecof on the board, to start tracking the new record. Suecof is on the cutting edge of the current metal world having produced albums for the likes of Trivium, August Burns Red, The Black Dahlia Murder, All That Remains, White Chapel, Devildriver and many more.
Rob Cavestany, lead guitarist of Death Angel had this to say about plans for the new album: "Jason is one of my favorite producers churning out some of the sickest slabs of metal out there today. I am so stoked to have the chance to co-produce our next record with him. It's gonna be vicious! The band is on fire right now in the thick of pre-production and the new songs are crushing! We can't wait to start tracking!"
When asked about the hiring of Suecof, Death Angel vocalist, Mark Osegueda, added: "We are so excited about the opportunity to work with Jason on the upcoming album. The new material is the most aggressive and technical music we have written in years. So, we needed a producer that was capable of unleashing the tones that match and compliment the over-all vibe of the songs. With Jason's experience in producing some of the most brutal contemporary metal artists and albums of today I know we made the right choice! I think the collaboration between the two of us will prove to be venomous and infectious! It will be Death Angel's first album ever recorded outside of our home state of California. We will be heading out to Jason's very own Audio Hammer studios for total immersion into what, I can guarantee, will be the heaviest Death Angel album to date!"
The band plans to post regular updates following their progress in the studio on their MySpace page and on their brand new website, so keep an eye out for that.
Read more ››
Rob Cavestany, lead guitarist of Death Angel had this to say about plans for the new album: "Jason is one of my favorite producers churning out some of the sickest slabs of metal out there today. I am so stoked to have the chance to co-produce our next record with him. It's gonna be vicious! The band is on fire right now in the thick of pre-production and the new songs are crushing! We can't wait to start tracking!"
When asked about the hiring of Suecof, Death Angel vocalist, Mark Osegueda, added: "We are so excited about the opportunity to work with Jason on the upcoming album. The new material is the most aggressive and technical music we have written in years. So, we needed a producer that was capable of unleashing the tones that match and compliment the over-all vibe of the songs. With Jason's experience in producing some of the most brutal contemporary metal artists and albums of today I know we made the right choice! I think the collaboration between the two of us will prove to be venomous and infectious! It will be Death Angel's first album ever recorded outside of our home state of California. We will be heading out to Jason's very own Audio Hammer studios for total immersion into what, I can guarantee, will be the heaviest Death Angel album to date!"
The band plans to post regular updates following their progress in the studio on their MySpace page and on their brand new website, so keep an eye out for that.
Read more ››
| Source: | deathangel.com |
| Band profile: | Death Angel |
Fear Factory - US Fear Campaign Tour Dates
First dates have been confirmed for Fear Factory's previously announced US headling comeback tour in Spring, dubbed Fear Campaign Tour 2010. Taking the tour banner a little too literally, "support" will come from the following godawful acts: Winds Of Plague, Dirge Within, and Periphery. Yikes! For what it's worth, Divine Heresy is also said to play on select dates.
So far the following shows have been announced:
Mar. 22 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee
Mar. 23 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Mar. 24 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
Mar. 26 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
Mar. 27 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Mar. 28 - Houston, TX - The Channel
Mar. 30 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Mar. 31 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues
Apr. 01 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Apr. 02 - Knoxville, TN - Valarium
Apr. 03 - Little Rock, AR - The Village
Apr. 05 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
Apr. 06 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theatre & Club
Apr. 09 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Center (with Amon Amarth)
Apr. 11 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
More dates will be announced soon.
Read more ››
So far the following shows have been announced:
Mar. 22 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee
Mar. 23 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Mar. 24 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
Mar. 26 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
Mar. 27 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Mar. 28 - Houston, TX - The Channel
Mar. 30 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Mar. 31 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues
Apr. 01 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Apr. 02 - Knoxville, TN - Valarium
Apr. 03 - Little Rock, AR - The Village
Apr. 05 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
Apr. 06 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theatre & Club
Apr. 09 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Center (with Amon Amarth)
Apr. 11 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
More dates will be announced soon.
Read more ››
| Source: | myspace.com |
| Band profile: | Fear Factory |
| Event: | Fear Campaign Tour |
Hatesphere - Vocalist Quits The Band
Vocalist Jonathan "Joller" Albrechtsen has left Danish metallers Hatesphere. Jonathan will be temporarily replaced by Morten "Kruger" Madsen of the Danish Metal band Mevadio.
Despite Jonathan´s exit, Hatesphere have no intention of quitting, and they will hit the American shores as planned on 24th February to tour one month with their friends in The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura and Augury.
Here's what bassist Mixen Lindberg had to add on behalf of the band: "Today is one of those strange days where two equally strong feelings are tossing my insides around in a ponderous fist fight. One is gloomy and leaving me with a sensation that we're stuck knee-deep in a twitch. The other one is relieved, proud and stronger than ever. Today we part ways with Joller. Having a hard time combining full-time work, 2 bands and a general lack of excitement on his part, Joller came to the conclusion that his time in HateSphere was up. We debated for a couple of days there, but saw it fitting that we let him go because you can't be in this band if your heart is not in place. So, as sad as it may be, we're happy to send him on his way so we can all on move on towards bigger and better things, fully focused.
Now, we've endured hardship before so I am not worried one bit. Also, the energy in the band is at an all-time high, especially since Mike joined us last year, and at this point, we're already in contact with several possible singers (with some really interesting people in the mix might I add!). Try-out's will commence immediately upon arrival from our forthcoming US tour, and shortly after that we will hit the studio to record something new and fresh."
Read more ››
Despite Jonathan´s exit, Hatesphere have no intention of quitting, and they will hit the American shores as planned on 24th February to tour one month with their friends in The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura and Augury.
Here's what bassist Mixen Lindberg had to add on behalf of the band: "Today is one of those strange days where two equally strong feelings are tossing my insides around in a ponderous fist fight. One is gloomy and leaving me with a sensation that we're stuck knee-deep in a twitch. The other one is relieved, proud and stronger than ever. Today we part ways with Joller. Having a hard time combining full-time work, 2 bands and a general lack of excitement on his part, Joller came to the conclusion that his time in HateSphere was up. We debated for a couple of days there, but saw it fitting that we let him go because you can't be in this band if your heart is not in place. So, as sad as it may be, we're happy to send him on his way so we can all on move on towards bigger and better things, fully focused.
Now, we've endured hardship before so I am not worried one bit. Also, the energy in the band is at an all-time high, especially since Mike joined us last year, and at this point, we're already in contact with several possible singers (with some really interesting people in the mix might I add!). Try-out's will commence immediately upon arrival from our forthcoming US tour, and shortly after that we will hit the studio to record something new and fresh."
Read more ››
| Source: | blogs.myspace.com |
| Band profile: | Hatesphere |
Greatest Metal Video Ever... So Far
I'm pretty sure most of you mastered the basics of reading, so this title speaks for itself really. Here's a video so ridiculously awesome - or awesomely ridiculous, that's up to you - we decided to create a whole new feature just for similar special occasions.
The point of this new feature is to find the greatest metal video in the history of awesome. The more hilarious/eccentric/ludicrous the video the better...
Current heavyweight champion defending his belt is White Wizzard - Over The Top.
As the song title subtly gave away, this is nothing but pure over the top traditional metal madness. White Wizzard are bringing true heavy metal to the wild wild west... but how! You really need to see this to believe it. This video/piece of art/cause of recurring nightmares is as epic as they come. A pinnacle of cheese. Wrong on so many different levels. But you know what, in a strange way, I totally dig this particular travesty.
Interesting piece of trivia: the clip is directed by Dave Vorhes. The same guy who shot the other over the top White Wizzard gem "High Speed GTO" , which won the "Best Music Video" trophy at the 2008 Action on Film Festival. Ahh.
White Wizzard's debut Over the Top was released on February 8th in Europe and will be available in N. America on March 9th.
White Wizzard - Over The Top
In celebration of this new feature and to set the mood right - and because I have absolutely no friggin' idea what else to do with the following video - here's a little bonus for ya. By watching it, you'll understand why Vision is easily my new favorite all-girl metal band. These chicks know how to rock!
Vision - Bury You Alive
a private message to Thryce with your suggestions for next time's edition (coming soon). Videos preferably as recent as possible!]
Read more ››
The point of this new feature is to find the greatest metal video in the history of awesome. The more hilarious/eccentric/ludicrous the video the better...
Current heavyweight champion defending his belt is White Wizzard - Over The Top.
As the song title subtly gave away, this is nothing but pure over the top traditional metal madness. White Wizzard are bringing true heavy metal to the wild wild west... but how! You really need to see this to believe it. This video/piece of art/cause of recurring nightmares is as epic as they come. A pinnacle of cheese. Wrong on so many different levels. But you know what, in a strange way, I totally dig this particular travesty.
Interesting piece of trivia: the clip is directed by Dave Vorhes. The same guy who shot the other over the top White Wizzard gem "High Speed GTO" , which won the "Best Music Video" trophy at the 2008 Action on Film Festival. Ahh.
White Wizzard's debut Over the Top was released on February 8th in Europe and will be available in N. America on March 9th.
White Wizzard - Over The Top
In celebration of this new feature and to set the mood right - and because I have absolutely no friggin' idea what else to do with the following video - here's a little bonus for ya. By watching it, you'll understand why Vision is easily my new favorite all-girl metal band. These chicks know how to rock!
Vision - Bury You Alive
a private message to Thryce with your suggestions for next time's edition (coming soon). Videos preferably as recent as possible!]
Read more ››
| Source: | metalstorm.eu |
Finnish Metal Awards - And The Winners Are...
Extremely cold and windy Helsinki was taken over by metalheads last weekend as the annual Helsinki Metal Meeting took place for the sixth time. The show took place at the Nosturi club where Finntroll celebrated the release of their new album on Thursday 18 Febr. On Friday and Saturday, the venue was the Cable Factory where the crowds were entertained by the likes of Sonata Arctica, Apocalyptica, Amorphis and Satyricon.
The Finnish Metal Awards were awarded for the best of Finnish metal of 2009. The Awards were voted by the public. Here are the winners:
Band of the year: Insomnium
Record of the year: Insomnium - Across The Dark
Vocalist of the year: Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis)
Musician of the year: Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
Cover art of the year: Amorphis - Skyforger (Travis Smith)
Newcomer of the year: FM2000
Demo band of the year: Ghoul Patrol
Read more ››
The Finnish Metal Awards were awarded for the best of Finnish metal of 2009. The Awards were voted by the public. Here are the winners:
Band of the year: Insomnium
Record of the year: Insomnium - Across The Dark
Vocalist of the year: Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis)
Musician of the year: Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
Cover art of the year: Amorphis - Skyforger (Travis Smith)
Newcomer of the year: FM2000
Demo band of the year: Ghoul Patrol
Read more ››
| Source: | fme.fi |
| Event: | Finnish Metal Meeting |
Tears Of Martyr - Entire Album Streaming Online
Spanish symphonic gothic metal act Tears Of Martyr have made their entire debut album Entrance available for streaming again. The album, which was already released in April last year under own name, can be streamed at this location.
Entrance cover art] tracklist:
01. Entrance
02. Realm Of Pain
03. The Book Of Blood
04. Evil Domini
05. Dark Tears (Don't You Shed Those)
06. Shadows In The Path
07. Prelude To Violence
08. Violence In Red (A Violin's Story)
09. A New Design
10. The Renascence
11. Chasing The Sun
12. Ballad For A Tortured Soul
Read more ››
Entrance cover art] tracklist:
01. Entrance
02. Realm Of Pain
03. The Book Of Blood
04. Evil Domini
05. Dark Tears (Don't You Shed Those)
06. Shadows In The Path
07. Prelude To Violence
08. Violence In Red (A Violin's Story)
09. A New Design
10. The Renascence
11. Chasing The Sun
12. Ballad For A Tortured Soul
Read more ››
| Source: | myspace.com |
Celesty - Vocalist Quits The Band, Replacement Announced
Original news, posted on 31.12.2009
Symphonic power metal band Celesty is sorry to announce that vocalist Antti Railio has decided to pursue a different path from the band.
The remaining members of Celesty would like to take this moment to wish Antti success in his vocal career but they are ready to take the next step for the future of the band. With this said Celesty is moving on and already in the throes of creating new and more powerful, innovative music for their next CD. While they are busy creating they are also in search of just the right singer to bring a new edge to their music. To pursue their newest project, Celesty will be holding auditions for a new singer soon.
Vocalist Antti Railio explains his departure: "I have already for a long time felt my place in Celesty to be merely an exit station in a long-overdue relationship that I just didn't know how to let go. I have not felt in a long time the joy and the passion that one should feel towards his or her own music... Thus I know want to concentrate to my own life and make music, as I, myself, see fit and without any outside/inside stress.
My strong opinion is that the music you do should come within your heart. With your own words, purely respecting one self, and the listener. That's why I'll now concentrate fully on my long-lasted dream, and accomplishing it with full concentration. My new band Iron Age Remains will see the dawn of light in January/February 2010!"
UPDATE (thanks to Bad English)
Celesty have tapped Tony Turunen (yes, the brother of famed ex-Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen) as their new lead vocalist.
"This feels awesome!" Tony admits. "This is a new and interesting challenge for me. I'm eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for me and the band."
Dozens of singers applied for the position, but in the end the decision was easy and unambiguous. "He's not only a great singer, but also a talented lead vocalist with a very powerful stage presence. Plus he's a great guy!" summarizes drummer and composer Jere Luokkamäki.
Celesty's search for a new vocalist began in December. Even if the band was sure who they wanted, the new vocalist had to wait for the confirmation until February.
"A good friend of mine mentioned that Celesty was looking for a new lead vocalist. Since I had listened a lot to their latest album Vendetta, I decided to apply for the position." Tony explains. "Of course I hoped they'd choose me, but I was still surprised when the band invited me to meet them in a studio. Eventually I recorded vocals for three songs in January. After some time, which actually felt reeeaaally long, the band welcomed me to be their new singer."
Read more ››
Symphonic power metal band Celesty is sorry to announce that vocalist Antti Railio has decided to pursue a different path from the band.
The remaining members of Celesty would like to take this moment to wish Antti success in his vocal career but they are ready to take the next step for the future of the band. With this said Celesty is moving on and already in the throes of creating new and more powerful, innovative music for their next CD. While they are busy creating they are also in search of just the right singer to bring a new edge to their music. To pursue their newest project, Celesty will be holding auditions for a new singer soon.
Vocalist Antti Railio explains his departure: "I have already for a long time felt my place in Celesty to be merely an exit station in a long-overdue relationship that I just didn't know how to let go. I have not felt in a long time the joy and the passion that one should feel towards his or her own music... Thus I know want to concentrate to my own life and make music, as I, myself, see fit and without any outside/inside stress.
My strong opinion is that the music you do should come within your heart. With your own words, purely respecting one self, and the listener. That's why I'll now concentrate fully on my long-lasted dream, and accomplishing it with full concentration. My new band Iron Age Remains will see the dawn of light in January/February 2010!"
UPDATE (thanks to Bad English)
Celesty have tapped Tony Turunen (yes, the brother of famed ex-Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen) as their new lead vocalist.
"This feels awesome!" Tony admits. "This is a new and interesting challenge for me. I'm eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for me and the band."
Dozens of singers applied for the position, but in the end the decision was easy and unambiguous. "He's not only a great singer, but also a talented lead vocalist with a very powerful stage presence. Plus he's a great guy!" summarizes drummer and composer Jere Luokkamäki.
Celesty's search for a new vocalist began in December. Even if the band was sure who they wanted, the new vocalist had to wait for the confirmation until February.
"A good friend of mine mentioned that Celesty was looking for a new lead vocalist. Since I had listened a lot to their latest album Vendetta, I decided to apply for the position." Tony explains. "Of course I hoped they'd choose me, but I was still surprised when the band invited me to meet them in a studio. Eventually I recorded vocals for three songs in January. After some time, which actually felt reeeaaally long, the band welcomed me to be their new singer."
Read more ››
| Source: | celesty.net |
| Band profile: | Celesty |
Keep Of Kalessin - Now Available On Stamps
Just when you thought you had heard it all in the Black metal scene... Keep Of Kalessin now have their own set of stamps available at their merch booth. Oh yes they have.
As you all vividly remember, Keep Of Kalessin participated on Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2010, the nationals for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show took place on February 6 in Oslo, and Keep Of Kalessin came out third. Footage can be watched here.
As one of the artists competing in that Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian Royal Mail has made stamps with Keep Of Kalessin's mug shot on them. This normally only happens when you're part of the royal family or a historic figure of some sort. The band and the other Melodi Grand Prix finalists were presented with the stamps at a small get-together in the home of Melodi Grand Prix host Per Sundnes the day before the final.
According to the band this is "a big surprise and a huge step for metal in Norway". Which means it's time to dig up and dust off your grandfather's stamp collection, kids; collecting stamps is totally tr00.
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As you all vividly remember, Keep Of Kalessin participated on Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2010, the nationals for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show took place on February 6 in Oslo, and Keep Of Kalessin came out third. Footage can be watched here.
As one of the artists competing in that Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian Royal Mail has made stamps with Keep Of Kalessin's mug shot on them. This normally only happens when you're part of the royal family or a historic figure of some sort. The band and the other Melodi Grand Prix finalists were presented with the stamps at a small get-together in the home of Melodi Grand Prix host Per Sundnes the day before the final.
According to the band this is "a big surprise and a huge step for metal in Norway". Which means it's time to dig up and dust off your grandfather's stamp collection, kids; collecting stamps is totally tr00.
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| Source: | nuclearblast.de |
| Band profile: | Keep Of Kalessin |
Stormzone - Sophomore Album Out Soon
Official press release
Formed in 2005 in Belfast by vocalist John "Harv" Harbinson, Stormzone recorded their debut album soon after and secured a deal with UK Rock label Escape Music who released Caught In The Act in 2007 (also released by Avalon/Marquee in Japan in the same year). The album was a superb hard rock record was also essentially a "studio" band album with Harv and friends playing all instruments. The cover artwork for Caught In The Act was painted by famous fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Rodney has also contributed the artwork for the new Stormzone album Death Dealer.
It was not until later in 2007 that the full Stormzone line-up was formed, essentially to tour in promotion of the debut album with all the musicians being from Belfast. Most had previously played in local bands except drummer Davy Bates. He was the sticks-man for legendary Belfast band Sweet Savage (immortalized when Metallica covered their "Killing Time" opus as the B side of The Unforgiven).
Stormzone attracted many friends with the debut album including admiration from legendary producer/DJ Neal Kay who saw in the band the same early signs of stardom shown by another group he discovered, Iron Maiden! With the band playing live constantly they inevitably hardened up their sound so the new recordings came out much more aggressive than the first album but still kept the quality, melody and harmony of before. Co-produced by Neal Kay the new album was finished towards the end of 2009.
The recordings were sent by Davy Bates to Jess Cox the M.D. of Metal Nation Ltd. (Jess is the original Tygers Of Pan Tang vocalist and previous owner of Neat Records who also recorded the Killing Time Sweet Savage album ten years earlier). He was so impressed he offered to manage the band immediately and shortly afterwards licensed the new album to SPV/Steamhammer in Germany.
The new album Death Dealer will be released in Europe on April 26th, 2010 (in Germany April 23rd, 2010).
Death Dealer cover art] tracklist:
01. Death Dealer
02. Secret Gateway
03. The Memory Never Dies
04. Immortals
05. The Legend Carries On
06. Labyrinth
07. Wasted Lives
08. Stand Up And Fight
09. The Chosen One
10. World Of Sorrow
11. The Greatest Sacrifice
12. Final Journey
Samples are online at http://www.myspace.com/stormzoneuk.
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Formed in 2005 in Belfast by vocalist John "Harv" Harbinson, Stormzone recorded their debut album soon after and secured a deal with UK Rock label Escape Music who released Caught In The Act in 2007 (also released by Avalon/Marquee in Japan in the same year). The album was a superb hard rock record was also essentially a "studio" band album with Harv and friends playing all instruments. The cover artwork for Caught In The Act was painted by famous fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Rodney has also contributed the artwork for the new Stormzone album Death Dealer.
It was not until later in 2007 that the full Stormzone line-up was formed, essentially to tour in promotion of the debut album with all the musicians being from Belfast. Most had previously played in local bands except drummer Davy Bates. He was the sticks-man for legendary Belfast band Sweet Savage (immortalized when Metallica covered their "Killing Time" opus as the B side of The Unforgiven).
Stormzone attracted many friends with the debut album including admiration from legendary producer/DJ Neal Kay who saw in the band the same early signs of stardom shown by another group he discovered, Iron Maiden! With the band playing live constantly they inevitably hardened up their sound so the new recordings came out much more aggressive than the first album but still kept the quality, melody and harmony of before. Co-produced by Neal Kay the new album was finished towards the end of 2009.
The recordings were sent by Davy Bates to Jess Cox the M.D. of Metal Nation Ltd. (Jess is the original Tygers Of Pan Tang vocalist and previous owner of Neat Records who also recorded the Killing Time Sweet Savage album ten years earlier). He was so impressed he offered to manage the band immediately and shortly afterwards licensed the new album to SPV/Steamhammer in Germany.
The new album Death Dealer will be released in Europe on April 26th, 2010 (in Germany April 23rd, 2010).
Death Dealer cover art] tracklist:
01. Death Dealer
02. Secret Gateway
03. The Memory Never Dies
04. Immortals
05. The Legend Carries On
06. Labyrinth
07. Wasted Lives
08. Stand Up And Fight
09. The Chosen One
10. World Of Sorrow
11. The Greatest Sacrifice
12. Final Journey
Samples are online at http://www.myspace.com/stormzoneuk.
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| Source: | myspace.com |
Generichrist - Land Record Deal, Working On New Material
Tampa, Florida thrash/death metal band Generichrist have joined forces with extreme metal label Xmusickchina/AreaDeath Productions to release their new, special limited edition album entitled Minddumpster to the world later this month. The album will also feature the artwork of Florida underground artist Mark Cooper who has handled the artwork for Generichrist through the years on the band's past releases.
Minddumpster cover art] tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Hexx
03. My Lovely Whore
04. Mindumpster
05. Clothes Hanger Abortion
06. Sonic Casket
AreaDeath Productions has put out releases by such acts as Necrophagia, Nunslaughter, Thanatos, Rotting Corpse, Skitzo and Deceased to name just a few. The Minddumpster album features a revamped line-up led by the founder and frontman Tony Anderson (Skintomb).
In related news Generichrist have also confirmed that they will be doing a split with thrash/death metal band Esodic from the country of Jordan in May. This split will be put out by West Virginia-based label Death Star Records and will feature four tracks from each band.
For more information about the band visit http://www.myspace.com/generichrist.
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Minddumpster cover art] tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Hexx
03. My Lovely Whore
04. Mindumpster
05. Clothes Hanger Abortion
06. Sonic Casket
AreaDeath Productions has put out releases by such acts as Necrophagia, Nunslaughter, Thanatos, Rotting Corpse, Skitzo and Deceased to name just a few. The Minddumpster album features a revamped line-up led by the founder and frontman Tony Anderson (Skintomb).
In related news Generichrist have also confirmed that they will be doing a split with thrash/death metal band Esodic from the country of Jordan in May. This split will be put out by West Virginia-based label Death Star Records and will feature four tracks from each band.
For more information about the band visit http://www.myspace.com/generichrist.
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| Source: | myspace.com |
Against The Plagues - Ink Deal With Vic Records
Against The Plagues, the Swedish/Polish/North-American extreme-metal act (featuring members of Lost Horizon/Luciferion/Forest Of Impaled/Vex/Malevolent Creation) have recently signed with Dutch label, Vic Records. The new, official album Decoding the Mainframe will be released in March 2010.
Against the Plagues' co-founder Varyen Chylinsky states: "I am very excited to announce and confirm that we have signed with Vic Records. As a result of this cooperation, we have decided to release our official album, Decoding the Mainframe. This release will contain all 8 songs from our self-released CD Architecture of Oppression; however, these are completely new versions of the songs! All songs are re-mastered and mixed by one of the best producers in the metal world - Dan Swano (Edge Of Sanity, Aeon, Dissection, Katatonia, Marduk).
There is no doubt that the production is absolutely amazing! We decided to improve the sound with slightly-modified arrangements of the songs, along with mixing and mastering... For now, I would say - this is our first "official" product that sounds as a high quality world class album should sound! Of course we've added several new things to make this release a bit, more special. We've improved album cover and the whole, CD layout; plus we have added more new pictures of the band along with a few-other new, bonuses...
This new album will be arriving in stores this coming March. We have collaborated on a piece of work that we are all very proud of. With the help of Vic Records and Dan Swano, we have created a phenomenal album as it was orginally intended to be. To our fans along the way - we once-again thank you for the continued support; we hope you enjoy Decoding the Mainframe and look forward to your feedback. We are also confident that new listeners will appreciate the merit of our tireless efforts."
Read more ››
Against the Plagues' co-founder Varyen Chylinsky states: "I am very excited to announce and confirm that we have signed with Vic Records. As a result of this cooperation, we have decided to release our official album, Decoding the Mainframe. This release will contain all 8 songs from our self-released CD Architecture of Oppression; however, these are completely new versions of the songs! All songs are re-mastered and mixed by one of the best producers in the metal world - Dan Swano (Edge Of Sanity, Aeon, Dissection, Katatonia, Marduk).
There is no doubt that the production is absolutely amazing! We decided to improve the sound with slightly-modified arrangements of the songs, along with mixing and mastering... For now, I would say - this is our first "official" product that sounds as a high quality world class album should sound! Of course we've added several new things to make this release a bit, more special. We've improved album cover and the whole, CD layout; plus we have added more new pictures of the band along with a few-other new, bonuses...
This new album will be arriving in stores this coming March. We have collaborated on a piece of work that we are all very proud of. With the help of Vic Records and Dan Swano, we have created a phenomenal album as it was orginally intended to be. To our fans along the way - we once-again thank you for the continued support; we hope you enjoy Decoding the Mainframe and look forward to your feedback. We are also confident that new listeners will appreciate the merit of our tireless efforts."
Read more ››
| Source: | againsttheplagues.com |
| Band profile: | Against The Plagues |
After All - Line-Up Changes
Belgium's loudest After All have parted ways with long-running vocalist Piet Focroul and bassist Erwin Casier. After All extend thanks and appreciation to both Piet and Erwin for the many years they gave it all for the band. The thrash attack continues with vocalist Sammy Peleman (September Syn) and bassist Frederik Vanmassenhove (ex-Aborted). "Welcome to the madness!"
In other news, After All confirmed their presence as direct support on Fear Factory's upcoming tour dates in Belgium (Feb. 21) and The Netherlands (Feb. 22).
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In other news, After All confirmed their presence as direct support on Fear Factory's upcoming tour dates in Belgium (Feb. 21) and The Netherlands (Feb. 22).
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| Source: | myspace.com |
| Band profile: | After All |