Pure Metal News: June 2008

To quickly find what you're looking for use the box below. Use ALT and S on your keyboard to continue searching on a particular keyword Compiled by John Stefanis AMON AMARTH video diary episode 4 online Click http://vids.myspace.com to check out the fourth episode of the entertaining AMON AMARTH video studio diary! This time around see Johan Hegg explaining his vocals. http://www.amonamarth.com WHITECHAPEL to release first single online + redesigned MySpace page with album art and track listing now up Tennessee's WHITECHAPEL has just finished a complete overhaul on their MySpace page to coincide with their upcoming release 'This Is Exile', available everywhere July 14th. In conjunction with the redesign WHITECHAPEL just released the first single (title track) off their upcoming Metal Blade debut, 'This Is Exile'. Fans are now also able to check out 'This Is Exile' album art and track listing, and all current tour dates including the band's spot on the very brutal Altamont Never Say Die! clubtour alongside label mates Unearth. ‘This is Exile' will be released the 11th of July (G/A/CH/I) / 14th of July (rest of Europe)! http.//www.myspace.com/whitechapelmetal THE OCEAN tour diary up on MetalKult.com Germany's THE OCEAN are currently out on their first ever North American tour and have been having a blast playing to American and Canadian crowds. THE OCEAN main man, Robin Staps, has been chronicling their experiences for MetalKult.com. Here's an excerpt from Robin's first update from the road: “As a European in America, you sometimes feel alienated. I have been here many times before and have actually lived in the States for a year, and still I don't get used to certain aspects of life here. No drinking in the streets! That's ridiculous... walking out of the venue with a beer in my hands, I had bouncers chase me every night since I got here, I just keep forgetting it cause it's so unreal for me. If anyone tried to make that a law in Germany there would be riots in the streets! In a city like Berlin you will see flocks of people just sitting out on the streets at night drinking and talking and partying until the early morning hours. In Madrid they call it botellones, meeting up with your friends in a park with a stereo or a guitar and a few bottles of red wine. It's a part of culture; it's unimaginable to do without. And despite all this, I don't get the impression that there are fewer alcoholics in America than in Spain or Germany.” Head to http://MetalKult.com to check out the entire first installment of Robin's diary, including photos and more of what life is like on the road for THE OCEAN! Meanwhile Metalzone.gr uploaded a video interview that was recorded on the day before the band´s show in Athens in May 2008. Click here and check out what Robin Staps has to say: http://metalzone.gr http://www.theoceancollective.com SIX FEET UNDER finished up vocal tracks for new studio album Frontman Chris Barnes from Tampa-based death metallers SIX FEET UNDER has issued the following update: "Finished up vocal tracks for the new SFU album yesterday at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami. Many thanks to my friend and engineer, Chris Carroll, for an awesome session, special thanks to Trevor Fletcher for the use of the studio. Also want to thank our assistant Alex Graupera for all the help. Now on to the mix..." SIX FEET UNDER's as-yet-untitled new album is expected before the end of the year. http://www.sfu420.com FUELED BY FIRE post new song on MySpace Californian Thrashgang FUELED BY FIRE have uploaded a rough mix of their brand new song "Atomic Attack" for your listening pleasure. Click http://www.myspace.com and enjoy a good dose of American Thrash Metal! http://myspace.com/fueledbyfire AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE release first single off debut album "Total Brutal" AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE just released the first single off their eagerly awaited debut "Total Brutal". The track "If it Bleeds, We Can Kill It" features the voice of Ahhnold as Dutch from the movie Predator screaming back and forth with the Predator himself! Click here to check it out: http://www.myspace.com “In the first verse Ahhnold is talking trash about how he's going to take Predator down, but in the second verse Predator comes back spittin' his evil game. This is the classic struggle of good and evil but with way bigger muscles and more brutal double bass. In fact, I think it's the breakdown about 1/2 way through the song that crushes Predator's evil once and for all” comments band member Tim Lambesis. One could not pick a better track for the first single off "Total Brutal". Mainly because Predator is one of the best movies ever made in the history of man and received a countless amount of awards at the 1987 Oscars (Best Actor Ever, Best Chest Explosion, Best Use of Chameleon-like Camouflage to Kill as Many People as You Can, Cast Most Likely To Go On To Be Governors, etc). Or at least we think it did. And if it didn't then it should have seeing as Ahhnold once again saved the world, this time from aliens who wanted nothing more than to peel the skin off our bodies and make trophies out of our skulls. Here's what front-man Ahhnold had to say about the band's first single: "Most bands put all of their good songs first. Instead I decided to release track 15 first to prove that this album is Total Brutal from start to finish. If you like this song, then get ready for 17 tracks of punishing brutality when the CD finally hits.... or when I hit you in the face for not buying it. Whichever happens first, at least we know things only get better from here." "Total Brutal" track listing: 1. Hello California 2. Get to the Choppa 3. Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers 4. All of the Songs Sound the Same 5. I am a Cybernetic Organism, Living Tissue Over (Metal) Endoskeleton 6. Come With Me if You Want to Live 7. What it's like to be a Singer at Band Practice 8. Who is Your Daddy, and What Does He Do? 9. You Have Just Been Erased 10. Broo-Tall Song Idea 11. Here is Subzero, Now Plain Zero 12. So Far, So Good, So Let's Talk About It 13. Screw You (Benny) 14. Why? 15. If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It 16. It's Not A Tumor 17. Not So Hidden Track "Total Brutal", available July, 25th (D/A/CH/I) / July, 28th (rest of Europe)! http://www.myspace.com/austriandeathmachine AMON AMARTH announce new songtitles AMON AMARTH have announced some new song titles of their yet untitled new album to be released in the fall. "Guardians Of Asgaard", "Live For The Kill" and "Tattered Banners And Bloody Flags". AMON AMARTH are still busy recording their new album at Fascination Street Studio with Jens Bogren at the helm. Some more info on the recordings and a studio diary can be found at http://www.metalblade.de http://www.amonamarth.com SHAI HULUD tour with Comeback Kid kicking off in a few days! Your Demise replacing Crime In Stereo Only a few more days to go until the SHAI HULUD tour in support of the mighty Comeback Kid kicks off! Crime In Stereo have cancelled their appearance on the tour however we are happy to let you know that we have found a great replacement in the UK's own YOUR DEMISE! They will take on the opening slot of the tour in place of Crime In Stereo. Here´s the complete dates: 20/06/08 - DE - Leipzig - Conne Island 21/06/08 - DE - Trier - Summer Blast 22/06/08 - FR - Clisson – Hellfest 23/06/08 - NL - Amersfort - De Kelder 24/06/08 - SE - Malmö – Debaser 25/06/08 - NO - Oslo - Club Maiden 26/06/08 - SE - Göteborg - West Coast Riot Fest COMEBACK KID only 27/06/08 - DE - Montabaur - Mach1 Fest COMEBACK KID only 28/06/08 - DE - Münster - Vainstream Fest 29/06/08 - BE - Dessel - Graspop Festival 30/06/08 - DE - Schweinfurt - Alter Stadtbahnhof 01/07/08 - DE - München – Feierwerk 02/07/08 - HU - Budapest - Petofi Csarnok 03/07/08 - AT - Wien – Arena 04/07/08 - IT - Klobenstein - Rock im Ring Fest 05/07/08 - IT - Ceccano - Etnika Eastpack Rock Fest 06/07/08 - IT - Mailand - Arena Concerti Idroscalo Fest 07/07/08 - FR - Sauvigny les Bois/Nevers - Salle Des Fetes 08/07/08 - UK - London - Carling Academy 09/07/08 - UK - Manchester - Academy 3 10/07/08 - UK - Sheffield – Corporation 11/07/08 - UK - Newport – TJs 12/07/08 - UK - Plymouth - The White Rabbit http://hulud.com THE ROTTED post another new song of upcoming album "Get Dead Or Die Trying" UK´s very own THE ROTTED (previously known as Gorerotted) have uploaded another new song of their upcoming album "Get Dead Or Die Trying". Please click here to check out the title track "Get Dead Or Die Trying": http://www.myspace.com The first song released off the upcoming album can be downloaded here: http://www.metalblade.de ! "Nothin' But A Nosebleed" it is! "Get Dead Or Die Trying" will be released the 27th of June (D/A/CH/I) / 30th of June (rest of Europe)! http://myspace.com/therotted PSYOPUS video tour diary available Metal Injection has just posted an exclusive video tour diary from the Rochester, New York-based tech grindcore/hardcore outfit PSYOPUS. The diary chronicles the band's nine-day May 2008 headlining tour starting in Rochester, NY and ending in Flint, MI — the last trek to feature vocalist Harrison Christie. Click here to check it out: http://www.metalinjection.net PSYOPUS recently announced the addition of vocalist Matt Dalberth (Burn Everything) to the group's ranks. The band is currently writing and rehearsing material for its as-yet-untitled new album, which will be recorded between July 20 and August 16 with engineer Doug White at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York. http://psyopus.com ONE-WAY MIRROR post another new song of upcoming debut album online! Limited first edition comes as Digipak with exclusive bonus track ONE-WAY MIRROR put the balls back into metal! Huge riffs, unforgettable melodies and rocking rhythms will appeal to all fans of modern heavy Rock and In Flames-addicts! ONE-WAY MIRROR have added another song of their upcoming debut album "One-Way Mirror" onto their MySpace-site. Click here and check out "Empty Spaces", the most melodic song of the album: http://www.myspace.com On the bands MySpace-site you can also check out "As You Are Now" and "Destination Device", both also taken from the upcoming debut album! Check out the e-card of ONE-WAY MIRROR, support the boys and spread the word – click here: http://www.one-waymirror.com The bands self-titled debut album will be released the 27th of June 2008 (D/A/CH/I) / 30th of June 2008 (rest of Europe). The limited first edition will be released as a Digipak including an exclusive bonustrack! http://one-waymirror.com FALCONER complete work on new album Swedish folk metallers FALCONER have completed work on their new album, entitled "Among Beggars And Thieves", at Andy La Rocque's (King Diamond) Sonic Train Studio in Varberg, Sweden. 13 songs were mixed during the sessions, including two bonus tracks for the limited first edition Digipak that will also include the video-clip the band shot for “Carnival Of Disgust”! "Among Beggars And Thieves" track listing: 01. Field Of Sorrow 02. Man Of The Hour 03. A Beggar Hero 04. Vargaskall 05. Carnival Of Disgust 06. Mountain Men 07. Viddernas Man 08. Pale Light Of Silver Moon 09. Boiling Led 10. Dark Ages (bonus) 11. Skula Skorpa, Skalk 12. Dreams And Pyres 13. Vi Sålde Våra Hemman (bonus) FALCONER shot a video for the song "Carnival Of Disgust" at the medieval Vadstena castle on a windy and cold April day. The clip will begin airing later this summer to coincide with the new album's release. FALCONER guitarist Stefan Weinerhall previously stated about "Among Beggars And Thieves": "The lyrics will all be about Swedish medieval life and episodes. Not a concept album really but still something in that direction. What I decided early on was that it wouldn't become "Northwind Pt. 2". "Northwind" is as good as it can be, therefore we'll make things a tad different this time." "Among Beggars And Thieves" will be released the 22nd of August (D/A/CH/I) / the 25th of August (rest of Europe)! http://falconermusic.com No new BOLT THROWER album in 2008, two club shows announced UK extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER have issued the following update: "We've spent the last year trying to write songs for a new album, planning to go into the studio this summer. Unfortunately, after a lot of thought, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the recording indefinitely. We know everybody says that their new album is better than their last, but with us we really believed that. From day one we made it clear that we'd stop recording when we felt we'd written the ultimate BOLT THROWER album; we just never knew when that would be. We kind of took for granted that each release would get better and better. But we have realized now that our last release, 'Those Once Loyal', turned out to be that album, and basically the new stuff we have written just doesn't match up to it. We have a lot of pride in our back catalogue, and we refuse to turn into one of the many bands (like the ones we grew up listening to) who end up releasing crap, and we're also not prepared to compromise by instead releasing an album of cover versions or a 'best-of' album. Sorry to disappoint those of you looking forward to hearing new BOLT THROWER songs, but we always said that we would never release anything we weren't happy with or that, in our view, didn't at least match up to our previous work. For those of you living in Holland, Germany and Belgium, you will get the chance to see BOLT THROWER live soon, as there are a few select shows lined up. The confirmed shows are: August 7th - Atak in Enschede, Netherlands. This is our second home, and we've played at Atak on every tour for the last 18 years. Sadly, the club will be closing down this month and they will be moving to a new building in the autumn. So we were chuffed when they contacted us and offered to re-open for one night, so we can say farewell to this cult club and be the last band to ever play there. We decided that the tickets will be free and we will be informing you soon on the lineup and how to get tickets. August 8th - Party.San Festival in Bad Berka, Germany. As headliner we will play a longer set than usual, so expect to hear a lot of songs we haven't played for a while. August 9th - Hof ter Lo in Antwerp, Belgium. For this show we will be joined by the best and upcoming bands from the Benelux. The confirmed support bands are: GOD DETHRONED, BORN FROM PAIN, THE SETUP and ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK. Tickets are 11 Euros." http://boltthrower.com THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER video interview from Rock Am Ring festival available Being one of the most extreme metal bands ever to play the infamous Rock Am Ring festival in Germany, THE BLACK DAHILA MURDER were also interviewed by Rebel TV. Click here to watch the clip: http://www.youtube.com http://myspace.com/blackdahliamurder AMON AMARTH video diary episode 5 online “After 5 weeks of being locked away at Fascination Street Studios, we are proud to say that we have recorded yet another outstanding album. All that's left to do is some mixing and soon the album will be ready to be heard by metal fans everywhere.” Meanwhile episode number five of the entertaining video studio diary of AMON AMARTH is available. Click here and see Johan Söderberg showing us some solo work and sound set-ups: http://myspacetv.com http://www.amonamarth.com WHITECHAPEL premier video clip via MySpace Metal Tennessee's WHITECHAPEL recently shot a video for the title track off "This is Exile" with director David Brodsky (All That Remains, Hate Eternal, The Black Dahlia Murder, Soilent Green), which will receive its worldwide premier via MySpace Metal on Wednesday June 18. Click here to check it out: http://www.myspace.com "This is Exile" marks the band's Metal Blade debut and will be available in D/A/CH/I July 11th, in the rest of Europe on July 14th! http://whitechapelmetal.com Massachusetts Metal Giants UNEARTH commence work on new album Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH have begun work the follow-up to 2006's "III: In the Eyes of Fire", tentatively due in October via Metal Blade Records. The bulk of the CD's instrumental tracks are being recorded at Massachusetts' System Recording Studios with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage guitarist), while the album's drum tracks are being laid to tape by drummer Derek Kerswill (Kingdom Of Sorrow, Seemless) at Zing Studios. The as-yet-untitled record is said to feature the band's "most dynamic material to date," combining strong tension and release, abundant guitar solos and a bulldozing power-groove. "HEAVY METAL SHRED MAYHEM! NOW WITH 50% MORE GUITAR SOLOS!! If the new UNEARTH songs were laundry detergent then this is what it would say on the box," according to Buz. "Fortunately for all you metal maniacs, it's not laundry soap but a mind-blowing journey consisting of epic mosh and shred, so we had to call in the one man who could wrangle such a massive beast - Adam Dutkiewicz. We are very excited to be working with him again and between 40 oz. chugging and doing burn-outs in Ken's '82 Corvette, we are recording what will definitely be the best album of our career. A "teaser" look at us working in the studio can be accessed via our MySpace page. Additional looks at the recording of the album, including fly-on-the-wall video footage, riffs and excerpts of new music will be made available in the coming weeks.” On August 1, UNEARTH will make a special main-stage appearance at the 2008 Wacken Open Air festival. Wacken is the largest exclusively metal music festival in the world and will see UNEARTH share the stage with Iron Maiden, Carcass, At The Gates and more… http://myspace.com/unearth THE ROTTED added to Topshop/Topman's instore playlist THE ROTTED have been surprised to find that the track "A Brief Moment Of Regret" from their forthcoming album "Get Dead Or Die Trying" has been added to highstreet clothes store giants Topshop/Topman's instore playlist. The track sits alongside work from other artists such as Goldfrapp, Supergrass, Elvis Costello and Kate Bush. Says frontman Ben McCrow: "This is a very trippy, mellow track with some very subtle, clear vocals, it is on the album as a mood inducing track. The title represents moments of clarity we have occasionally, and is sandwiched between songs about drug induced chaos, it offers a relaxed state of euphoria before the listener is thrown back into the venom that is the rest of the album. Such is the way of things in our everyday lives." "Get Dead Or Die Trying" will be released the 27th of June (D/A/CH/I) / 30th of June (rest of Europe)! http://myspace.com/therotted JOB FOR A COWBOY's Jonny Davy featured on Headbangers Ball Podcast JOB FOR A COWBOY singer Jonny Davy was exclusively interviewed for the MTV Headbangers Ball Podcast. Click here to downlad the in-depth interview including some information about the next album: http://headbangersblog.mtv.com http://jfacmetal.com CATTLE DECAPITATION in the studio in August San Diego extreme metallers CATTLE DECAPITATION have issued the following update: “We'd like to announce that we'll be returning to the studio in August with Billy Anderson once again at the helm! We'll also be incorporating the abilities of Zach Ohren for the recording of the drums! The album's title is being withheld until we decide to warn the public, but so far here are a few choice song titles of which we'll be playing at all the shows this week "Tooth Enamel & Concrete", "Regret & the Grave", "We Are Horrible People" & "The Body Farm". Once again Wes Benscoter will be handling the art and we've already done a truly disturbing photo shoot that yielded a bounty of gore and the brutality of human existence for use in the layout which will be done by our graphic guru, Cain!” http://cattledecapitation.com Exclusive clips off CANNIBAL CORPSE's 3-disc-DVD "Centuries of Torment - The First 20 Years" now up Legendary Death Metal band CANNIBAL CORPSE has been busy working on the follow-up to 2006's victorious release "Kill". The new album isn't expected until the fall or winter of 08/09 so until then fans will be able to get their Cannibal fix with the bands first-ever career retrospective 3-disc DVD, "Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years". Starting today a handful of select sites will be running clips taken from the upcoming DVD, each clip exclusive to that site. Make sure to head over to each site to get a taste of what's to come in the release of "Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years". 12 different exclusive clips available in the following locations: Revolver Magazine: http://RevolverMag.com Fangoria Magazine: http://www.fangoria.com Decibel Magazine: http://www.thedeciblog.com http://AudioFrequency.net http://www.myspace.com http://www.cannibalcorpse.net & http://www.myspace.com http://www.metalblade.com & http://www.myspace.com http://www.metalmaniacs.com & http://www.myspace.com http://www.bravewords.com http://www.thegauntlet.com http://www.metalsucks.net http://headbangersblog.mtv.com CANNIBAL CORPSE themselves have posted a teaser for the DVD – check it out here: http://vids.myspace.com "Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years" contains live and rare footage, interviews with members past and present, and loads of bonus material (see track listing below). Documentary and bonus footage directed and produced by Denise Korycki. DVD 1: Cannibal Corpse History 3 Hour Definitive History of Cannibal Corpse as told by the band and the people who were there along the way. 1987-1995 Intro Demo Eaten Back to Life Butchered at Birth Tomb of the Mutilated The Bleeding 1995 - Present Vile Gallery of Suicide Bloodthirst Gore Obsessed and The Wretched Spawn Kill DVD 2: Cannibal Corpse Performances With Full Force 2007 1. Unleashing the Bloodthirsty 2. Murder Worship 3. Disposal of the Body Toronto 2006 4. The Time To Kill Is Now 5. Disfigured 6. Death Walking Terror 7. Covered With Sores 8. Born In a Casket 9. I Cum Blood 10. Decency Defied 11. Make Them Suffer 12. Dormant Bodies Bursting 13. Five Nails Through The Neck 14. Devoured By Vermin 15. Hammer Smashed Face 16. Stripped, R*ped, And Strangled Party San 2005 17. Puncture Wound Massacre 18. Sentenced To Burn 19. Fu*ked With A Knife 20. Psychotic Precision 21. Pulverized 22. Pounded Into Dust 23. The Wretched Spawn New York 2000 24. The Spine Splitter 25. Dead Human Collection Jacksonville, FL 1996 26. Mummified In Barbed Wire Nashville, TN 1994 27. Entrails Ripped From A Virgin's C*nt 28. Pulverized Buffalo, NY 1989 29. Shredded Humans 30. Rotting Head Music Videos 31. Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead Directed by David Roth 32. Devoured By Vermin Directed by David Roth 33. Sentenced To Burn Directed by David Roth 34. Decency Defied Directed by Austin Rhodes 35. Make Them Suffer Directed by Dan Dobi 36. Death Walking Terror Directed by Dan Dobi 37. Stripped, R*ped, And Strangled 2007 With Trevor from The Black Dahlia Murder DVD 3: Bonus Chunks Compelled To Illustrate Every Ban Broken Covered With Ink Maniacal Merch Relentless Touring Word Infested Sickening Metalocalypse Diverse Offerings Staring Through the Eyes of the Band Kill Crane "Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years" was directed and produced by Denise Korycki and has a running time of 7 hours and 20 minutes. "Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years" will be released on the 11th of July 2008 (D/A/CH/I), 15th of July 2008 (rest of Europe). http://www.cannibalcorpse.net AMON AMARTH comic series part 1 online In support of the upcoming yet untitled AMON AMARTH album Metal Blade Records has commissioned well-known artist Lucio Parrillo ( http://www.lucioparrillo.com ) to draw up an eight page AMON AMARTH comic. The story of the comic is based upon the twilight of the thundergod and includes everything a fine bloodshed is supposed to have. The comic strip is included for free in several metal magazines all over Europe in four, two or one issues. Click http://www.metalblade.de for full listing of the magazines! Meanwhile the first two pages of the comic have been revealed online. Click here to check them out: http://www.metalblade.de The new AMON AMARTH album is expected for release in the fall! http://www.amonamarth.com Preview THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's "Everything Went Black" Video exclusively on HeadbangersBlog.com! THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER win "Best Underground Band" award at Metal Hammer UK's Golden Gods Make sure to head over to http://headbangersblog.mtv.com to check out the brand new video from THE BLACK DAHILA MURDER for the track “Everything Went Black” off the band's latest release “Nocturnal”. The video was directed by David Brodsky of MyGoodEye and is based off of George A. Romero's 1982 classic horror film Creepshow. Here's what vocalist Trevor Strnad has to say about the band's latest video: “Just in time for the big Summer Slaughter tour, it is our pleasure to present our seventh music video, “Everything Went Black”! After the last two videos were comprised of live/goofing around footage, we wanted to do something different this time around. The Creepshow theme was an idea of Brian's, and I think it was the perfect way to represent what we're all about… classic horror elements, and ridiculous amounts of fun. The video was directed by Dave Brodsky, who was selected for his prior involvement with The Red Chord, and we are very stoked with the outcome. He did a really great job with recreating the campy comic book vibe of the old Creepshow series. For any of you new jacks that aren't familiar with Creepshow, you better get your asses in gear and check it out! I must commend Dave for tolerating my most horrible acting skills (“Dude, you smiled in EVERY part!”) and John K for being the best actor this horror business has ever seen. Stay morbid and we'll see you soon!” In other news THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER have won the award for the Best Underground band at the prestigious Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London, England. Click http://de.youtube.com to view fan-filmed footage of the presentation of the award (by the one and only Oderus Urungus!). http://myspace.com/blackdahliamurder LIZZY BORDEN - Sweden Rock video postcard posted LIZZY BORDEN has posted a video postcard of the bands performance at this years Sweden Rock festival. The 1:37 second clip futures an in store appearance/meet and greet, a photo shoot with Sweden's own Micke Johansson, As well as Lizzy Borden Live on stage performing at the festival. Click here to check it out: http://www.lizzyborden.com “It was something very special for us to be apart of this years Sweden Rock. It was an honor and a privilege to play this great festival in front of such wildly enthusiastic Swedish fans. We want to thank everyone at the festival for making everything perfect for us to be able to put on the kind of show that only LIZZY BORDEN can. We all felt a great connection between the young fans as well as the ones who have followed our career from the beginning; it was a show we will never forget. We hope to see all our new friends on our upcoming Appointment With Death tour of Europe, See you soon, Lizzy” http://www.lizzyborden.com CELLADOR announce new guitar player “Summer has arrived, and as mentioned to our auditionees we set the start of the season as the deadline for announcing a new guitarist. Before we announce it we want to thank the hundreds of you who messaged us about the spot, and even more to the several dozen of you who ACTUALLY MADE THE EFFORT to learn and record the demo songs we asked you to record for us. We had some phenomenal (and even decently well known) players come forth with serious shred skill. Thanks a bunch! We salute you all as new friends and brothers! And with that we are happy to announce YORD into the band as CELLADOR's 2nd guitarist. We feel YORD is a perfect fit in CELLADOR because he quickly showed to have all the elements we needed in a band member. Not only does he have an energetic playing style, but also a strong work ethic, selfless attitude, and above all an honest nature. The guy takes guitar like its a full time job, 8 hours a day SHRED SHRED SHRED all day, jam by night. On top of that we found him to be local to us as well, which bottom line is always an advantage for someone auditioning. Despite only having about 12 days to learn our whole set, Yord learned all our songs and filled in for our last show back in May, which we set up as basically a test show for whomever we were most considering. MISSION SUCCEEDED YORD We look forward to reaching that next level and materializing our new vision with YORD at our side! With his addition our new material is looking stronger than ever!” http://cellador.com Metal Blade Records signs BISON Metal Blade Records is very pleased to announce the signing of Vancouver Canada's BISON, a band just as heavy as the beast they are named after. When BISON took its first step amps were scorched and drums were smashed. Born of the ashes of seminal Vancouver skate-thrash band S.T.R.E.E.T.S., BISON are every headbanger's dream. Their riffs are colossal and flow like a mighty river into a sea of fuzzed out shredding. Their message is punk rock angst and revolution, with the occasional nod to white wizards, the king of swine and a mythical beast called the "Stokasaurus". Their debut album "Earthbound" captured their massive live sound on tape, garnering international recognition and a deal with Metal Blade Records. BISON is currently recording their Metal Blade debut "Quiet Earth" with Jesse Gander (3 Inches of Blood, Subhumans, Mass Grave, S.T.R.E.E.T.S.) at The Hive Studios in Burnaby, BC and are currently slated for a fall 2008 release. Here's what BISON has to say about their new deal with Metal Blade: "We are pleased that our newly forged alliance with the dark lords of the blade has come to fruition. We shall slay with honor and wasted servitude. Using the awesome power of the riff, we shall lay waste, in solidarity with the legions of the righteous soldiers of metal. Now as one, we look to the future to conquer for generations to come." “BISON has all the ingredients we look for in a successful band; strong work ethic, great live band, good support team and a sound straight out of a BISON stampeded, thundering and brutal” Metal Blade Records BISON is: James Farwell – Guitar/Vocals Dan And – Guitar/Vocals Masa Anzai – Bass Brad Mackinnon – Drums “The name is Bison, and they are heavy as fu*k…” – Thrasher Magazine “...there's no doubting that this Canadian quartet live up to the hefty billing their choice of moniker suggests” – Metal Hammer “One listen to Earthbound tells you that the group is serious about what its doing, two listens make you forget about hair metal, and by the third listen, even the foppiest of indie-pop fans will remember why amps go up to 10.” – The Georgia Straight http://myspace.com/bisoneastvan AMON AMARTH episode 6 of studio diary online See what happens when a band is about to leave the studio in the latest video episode of the infamous AMON AMARTH studio diary. Click here: http://myspacetv.com Seeing is believing… This episode also includes a sneak peak of the new album! http://www.amonamarth.com THIS ENDING upload live clip Swedish Death Metal band THIS ENDING has uploaded a liveclip of the song "Pitch Black" recorded on the 14th of March this year in Stockholm, Sweden. The bands line-up includes Fredrik Andersson of Amon Amarth fame. Click here to view the clip: http://vids.myspace.com THIS ENDING are still busy recording their new album ‘Dead Harvest' at Offbeat Studio with Linus Nirbrant at the controls. The album will contain ten tracks and is slated for release in late 2008. Songs to be included on forthcoming album include "Dead Harvest", "Parasites", "Tools Of Demise" und "Deathtrade"! http://thisending.com THE ROTTED entire new album available for streaming for another four days "Get Dead Or Die Trying", the new album from UK's THE ROTTED (formerly Gorerotted), is available for streaming in its entirety at Terrorizer.com. Click here to check the album out: http://www.terrorizer.com Streaming is available until June, 30. In other news THE ROTTED have launched a new Facebook page. Add them here: http://www.facebook.com "Get Dead Or Die Trying" was produced by Russ Russell (The Wildhearts, Dimmu Borgir, The Exploited, Space Ritual, Napalm Death) and assisted by James Dunkley (Blaze Bailey, Crass, Fields Of The Nephilim). "Get Dead Or Die Trying" will be released the 27th of June (D/A/CH/I) / 30th of June (rest of Europe)! http://myspace.com/therotted Americans go crazy about the new THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER videoclip! Download clip at www.metalblade.de The new THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER videoclip for "Everything Went Black" is already a classic clip in the history of music videos. The music fans go crazy and bomb MTV with requests about broadcasting it again! You can now download the clip from www.metalblade.de. Click here to get to the media site of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER at metalblade.de: http://www.metalblade.de http://myspace.com/blackdahliamurder LIZZY BORDEN Frontman Promises "Special Set" For Bang Your Head festival Long-running California metallers LIZZY BORDEN will perform at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany on Saturday, June 28. Commented the band's frontman/namesake: "It's been nine years since we played the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Germany. We've got a special set planned for the festival encompassing songs from each LIZZY BORDEN release, as well as a few songs that we have not had in the set for years. It's going to be a special show for us to come back to Germany with our brand of American metal, and yes, oh yes, there will be blood!" http://www.lizzyborden.com INTO THE MOAT busy recording new album ”Hey kiddies. Your dreams are being answered haha. We are currently in Mana studios in St. Petersburg, FL with Erik Rutan recording our second full length for Metal Blade records. The record is entitled 'The Campaign' and will be 8 new songs, to clock in at just over 40 minutes. At this point I am entirely done recording drums, and Kit is just about to start guitars. We should be done by around July 6th, so check the site for new tunes. Yeah we've been saying that for a while, but this time it ain't no joke. Thank you to everyone for keeping us in mind through these last 3 years since we last made a record. I hope you haven't lost faith in us, this record is gonna be killer.” Matthew http://intothemoat.com THE ARCANE ORDER to perform live at the Danish Metal Awards Denmarks best thrash band THE ARCANE ORDER is playing live at the prestigious Danish Metal Awards on the 15th of November at Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark. The show will be headlined by the reactivated British extreme metal pioneers Carcass. Other bands playing include Svartsot, Dawn Of Demis and A Kid In The Hereafter Grinding Light. For more information on the Danish Metal Awards 2008 click here: http://dmea.dk http://thearcaneorder.net AMON AMARTH announce "Bloodshed Over Bochum" shows 4 Evenings - 4 Shows - 4 Albums - BLOODSHED OVER BOCHUM! AMON AMARTH will be reconquering the past by the end of 2008 and play their entire first four albums on four nights in a row in the Zeche in Bochum, Germany. 28.12.2008 ONCE SENT FROM THE GOLDEN HALL 29.12.2008 THE AVENGER 30.12.2008 THE CRUSHER 31.12.2008 VERSUS THE WORLD Apart from playing the four albums in their entirety each night there will be a best of mix from "Fate Of Norns", "With Oden On Our Side" and of course the new upcoming album! Additionally all attending fans will have the chance for a meet and greet with the band, to obtain special merchandise sold at each show and to celebrate a big New Years Eve Party on the 31st of December! ”We've had plans of doing a smaller club show tour for quite some time now where we'd mainly play older songs, but that has been very hard to pull off. So when this idea was brought to us of re-visiting the 4 first full length albums at Bochum in Germany we were all up for it. This will be a once in a life time chance for us to play and our fans to experience all the old songs that we don´t have room for in the setlist anymore, but are still too good to not play! Of course we'll also play songs from the new upcoming album, as well as "With Oden On Our Side" and "Fate Of Norns". Since these shows will be unique we thought we?'d might as well record the shows too! We're thrilled over this event and look forward to the shows. It will be some hard work and preparation playing around 50 -60 different songs in 4 days. Some songs we haven't played for a very, very long time and some we've never played live at all. But challenges are something that encourages us! See you all there!” ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW: http://www.continental-concerts.de http://www.amonamarth.com TESTAMENT - Exclusive look at the new video Full Metal Jackie of Metal Edge TV was on location in Burbank, California when TESTAMENT hooked up with video director/producer Thomas Mignone (MEGADETH, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, SLIPKNOT) to shoot the video for More Than Meets The Eye, a track from the band's latest Billboard-charting album, The Formation Of Damnation. View the interview at: www.metaledge.tv/ Photos from the More Than Meets The Eye video shoot can be viewed on www.myspace.com/testamentlegions. Currently playing the festival circuit in Europe, TESTAMENT will play eight shows with JUDAS PRIEST in late July before kicking off the Metal Masters Tour on August 6th in Camden, New Jersey with Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, and Motörhead ARSIS - New drummer announced Lead guitarist/vocalist James Malone of Virginia based Death Metal outfit ARSIS offers this band update: Although we had a great run over the past year and a half with drummer Darren Cesca (whose work is featured on the band's latest album, We Are The Nightmare), we have decided to stop working with him in ARSIS. The reasoning behind this decision is simply differences in personalities and an overall difference in direction. Darren is an amazing musician and we harbor no ill feelings towards him. We wish him all the best. We are most excited to announce that Alex Tomlin, a long time friend of ours and an outstanding drummer, will be replacing Darren. His first shows with us will be on the In Thrash We Trust-tour starting this Wednesday. www.myspace.com/arsis In Flames Signing at Rock Am Ring IN FLAMES will be holding a signing session at this year's Rock Am Ring! The signing will take place at the Metal Hammer booth from 14:45 – 15:30 See you there! SCAR SYMMETRY - Album trailer, part II The second trailer of their forthcoming album Holographic Universe by Swedish Modern Metal masters SCAR SYMMETRY has been made available online. Just click HERE to view the video featuring drummer Henrik Ohlsson & guitarist Per Nilsson talking about their newest effort. Also an eCard has been launched to get a preview of what the fans can expect on June 20th when the “Holographic Universe” is set to be unleashed! Click HERE! COMMUNIC - Rehearsal video of Through The Labyrinth Of Years available! A video of Norwegian Progressive Metallers COMMUNIC that shows them playing the song Through The Labyrinth Of Years from their new album Payment Of Existence in their rehearsal room has just been made available on the internet. Watch it HERE! KEEP OF KALESSIN - Ascendant video to premiere on MySpace The video for the song Ascendant from the new album Kolossus by Norwegian Extreme Metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN will premiere on MySpace Germany on June 13th! Mark your calendars! THRESHOLD - Headlining the Metal Inferno Festival British Prog Metallers THRESHOLD will headline the 5th edition of the Metal Inferno festival which takes place in Lenzburg, Switzerland on November, 1st. Furthermore, THRESHOLD have the following shows confirmed as they continue with their Live Reckoning tour: 19/07/08 Minnuendo Fest, Peralta, Spain [festival headline] 26/07/08 Rockin' Field Festival, Milan, Italy 27/07/08 Lagoa Burning Live, Lagoa, Portugal 31/08/08 No Budget Festival, Larissa, Greece [festival headline] 26/09/08 Summer's End Festival, Lydney, England [festival headline] 05/10/08 ProgPower Europe Festival, Baarlo, Holland [festival headline] 01/11/08 Metal Inferno, Lenzburg, Switzerland [festival headline] 17/01/09 Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Holland 18/01/09 Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany KATAKLYSM - Have entered the German charts With an album chock full of hyperblasts, shredding Death Metal anthems and superb guitar leads, Canada`s finest - namely KATAKLYSM - continue their victorious march with their latest album Prevail! Frontbeast Maurizio Iacono and his bandmates have just entered the German album charts at a sensational position 38! Other European chart entries are as follows: Austria: # 44 Switzerland: # 83 AGNOSTIC FRONT - Warriors tour edition ! Kicking off their European summer tour at the upcoming With Full Force Festival, NYHC legends AGNOSTIC FRONT will release a special tour edition of their latest hardcore bomb Warriors. The tour edition package due July 4th will include the whole album as well as a bonus DVD in a noble slipcase featuring the following content: Unreleased audio bonus track: - Break The Chains Video clips: - Addiction - For My Family Live clips of the Persistance Tour 2007: - Addiction - For My Family - Crucified - Gotta Go For all those who already own a copy of Warriors there's the possibility to buy the additional DVD for a lower price at the Nuclear Blast online shop/mailorder! SONIC SYNDICATE - New album title revealed Swedish shooting stars SONIC SYNDICATE have revealed the title of their new record, the follow-up to their highly acclaimed predecessor Only Inhuman, which was out in May 2007 and hit the German album charts on # 64 and the Swedish charts on # 22! The new album will be called Love And Other Disasters and is gonna be released on September 19th! Check out the artwork HERE. Tracklist: Digi CD + 2 Bonus Tracks + DVD 01. Encaged 02. Hellgate : Worcester 03. Jack Of Diamonds 04. My Escape 05. Fallout 06. Power Shift 07. Contradiction 08. Damage Control 09. Red Eyed Friend 10. Affliction BONUS TRACKS: 11. Ruin 12. Dead Planet They just finished a very successful tour with labelmates Nightwish in America, are about to play Europeans biggest festivals this summer and right after the release, the band´s gonna hit the road together with IN FLAMES and GOJIRA. Check out the tourdates below! On the upcoming Rock Am Ring Festival, the band will be doing two signing sessions! On Sunday at 1.00 PM, TITUS Skate Mailorder welcomes the band at the TITUS booth, and at 2.10 PM the band will do a signing at METAL HAMMER booth. Do not miss out! Upcoming tourdates: 05.06. SWE Norje - Sweden Rock Festival 06.06. GER Nürnberg - Rock im Park Festival 08.06. GER Nürburgring - Rock am Ring Festival 14.06. AUT Nickelsdorf - Novarock Festival 27.06. SWE Göteborg - Metaltown Festival 28.06. GER Saarwellingen - Rockwell Festival 20.07. SWE Göteborg - Trädgarn 25.07. SWE Gävle - Oleary´s 26.07. SWE Pitea - Pitea Dansar Festival 14.08. GER Dinkelsbühl - SummerBreeze Festival MESHUGGAH - Metal's top drummer MESHUGGAH's Tomas Haake has been named the #1 drummer in the Metal-category in Modern Drummer magazine's 2008 Readers' Poll. The Readers' Poll results appear in the July 2008 issue of the magazine. 2008 Modern Drummer magazine readers' poll results in the "Metal" category: 01. Tomas Haake (MESHUGGAH) 02. Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) 03. Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD) 04. Derek Roddy (ex-HATE ETERNAL) 05. Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) ONE MAN ARMY - Album details revealed! We´re entering the studio once again and as always we give you the chance to follow the progress very closely. This time the studio diary has moved to www.revolution-music.dk/blog/onemanarmy Join us there and have some fun. Tracklisting for Grim Tales is: (In no particular order) 1. Misfit With A Machinegun 2. Saint Lucifer 3. Cursed By The Knife 4. A Date With Suicide 5. Dominator Of The Flesh 6. Death makes it all go away 7. Bonebreaker Propaganda 8. Make Them Die Slowly 9. The Frisco Reaper 10.Bastards Of Monstrosity GOTTHARD - Showing the rhythm for the European Soccer Championship Shortly before the European Soccer Championship kicks off this Saturday in Basel, Switzerland, GOTTHARD have been motivating the Swiss team once again. In Swiss Lugano the band visited the national team and spent an evening with them singing together the Lift U Up- Swiss team version. The song is running as the official fan song for Switzerland during the 2008 championship. Good luck to Switzerland!The download single Lift U Up - Swiss Team Version, that has been remixed by no other than German star producer Mousse T. is available from today, Friday, June 6th on. Download it right HERE at the Nuclear Blast musicshop, get it NOW! DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER - First new songs available! The first two songs from the upcoming album by DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, Licht are now available via Myspace. Under www.myspace.com/reitermania you can check out the two streams! BENEDICTION - Killing Music final details revealed Long-running UK Death Metal heroes BENEDICTION have revealed the final details for the new album Killing Music – the eagerly-awaited follow up to Organized Chaos from 2001. The album will be released on August, 22nd. There will be also a limited edition including two bonus tracks as well as a DVD. Here´s the final tracklist: 01. Intro 02. The Grey Man 03. Controlopolis (Rats In The Mask) 04. Killing Music 05. They Must Die Screaming 06. Dripping With Disgust 07. Wrath And Regret 08. As Her Skin Weeps 09. Cold, Deathless, Unrepentant 10. Immaculate Façade 11. Burying The Hatchet 12. Beg, You Dogs 13. Betrayer (bonus track)* 14. They Bleed (bonus track)* 15. Seeing Through My Eyes (BROKEN BONES cover song) 16. Largactyl (AMEBIX cover song) *only available on the limited edition! Commenting bass player Frank Healy: "Sound wise we aimed for something nice and rough. We got a bit sick of all these 'polished' sounding albums". Killing Music was produced by ANAAL NATHRAKH mastermind Mike Kenney and features many guest appearances, e.g. Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER), Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST), Billy Gould (ex-FAITH NO MORE), The Fog (FROST), Markus Staiger (NUCLEAR BLAST Records owner) and Thorsten Zahn from METAL HAMMER Germany. The cover artwork has been done by Smoking Beagle Designs (www.myspace.com/smokingdesign) HACKNEYED - New MySpace page/address! German Death Metal youngsters HACKNEYED have just launched their new MySpace page at www.myspace.com/hackneyed! Of course, they did it with a completely re-done layout, brand new videos, pictures, info and a stream of the band hymn „Gut Candy“! Drop by, leave them a comment and recommend them to your friends! COMMUNIC - Hit the German charts! Norwegian Power Prog heroes COMMUNIC just cracked the German Media Control charts at position # 94 with their highly anticipated new album „Payment Of Existence“! Congratulations to Oddleif, Tor-Atle & Erik! HACKNEYED - Third "Death Prevails" album trailer online! German death metal youngsters HACKNEYED just launched the third part of the „Death Prevails“ album trailer series! This time guitarist Devin (being the youngest member of the band with his 14 years!) speaks out to the metal community! Check it out by surfing to www.hackneyed.de! HACKNEYED's debut album „Death Prevails“ will be out on July 25th! The next album trailer will be made available on June 25th! SCAR SYMMETRY - Third "Holographic Universe" album trailer online! Swedish modern metal masters SCAR SYMMETRY just launched the third episode of their "Holographic Universe" album trailer series! Check out the clip & watch Jonas & Kenneth high-five again by clicking HERE! KATAKLYSM - New video, you have the choice! To give everyone more freedom of choice, the band would like to know what video YOU, the fan, would like to strain your necks to next! A voting poll has been launched exclusively at (http://www.polldaddy.com/p/674621/) and will be active until the morning of June, 24th. Once that date hits, all votes will be counted for and a surprise announcement will be made shortly after by the band. Stay tuned (at www.myspace.com/kataklysm) for the details. If you still don't have the new album "Prevail" you may view/listen to sound samples (and purchase the album) HERE! SCAR SYMMETRY - Exclusive pre-listening on MySpace! The fans of Swedish modern metal heroes SCAR SYMMETRY get have the chance to stream their new masterpiece „Holographic Universe“ in its entirety on MySpace from today on! Just check out their MySpace and get blown away: www.myspace.com/scarsymmetry! "Holographic Universe" will be released on June 20th! TESTAMENT - Schedules London Signing Session! Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT will take part in a signing signing session for their new CD, "The Formation of Damnation", at the Zavvi store (formerly Virgin Megastore) on Oxford Street in London, England on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. Currently playing the festival circuit in Europe, TESTAMENT will play eight shows with JUDAS PRIEST in late July before kicking off the Metal Masters Tour on August 6 in Camden, New Jersey with JUDAS PRIEST, HEAVEN AND HELL and MOTÖRHEAD. An e-card for "The Formation of Damnation" can be accessed at THIS location. KEEP OF KALESSIN - Video premiere today! The new KEEP OF KALESSIN video clip of the song „Ascendant“ off their new epic extreme metal masterpiece „Kolossus“ premieres on MySpace today! Check out www.myspace.com or www.myspace.com/keepofkalessin to unleash visual hell! SONIC SYNDICATE - Joins GIBSON family! SONIC SYNDICATE welcomes a new member to the family. Robin and Gibson guitars have joined forces as the band prepares for the release of their new album and a tour of Europe supporting IN FLAMES this fall. The new album called "Love And Other Disasters" will be out on September 19th! Select IN FLAMES tour tickets are on sale now in the tour section with more dates to be released on Monday. IN FLAMES - New tourdates announced Some new dates have been added to the IN FLAMES headliner tour over Europe! The new SONIC SYNDICATE album will be released right upfront the tour, on September 19th. It will be called Love And Other Disasters. IN FLAMES w/ SONIC SYNDICATE, GOJIRA 27.09. SCO Glasgow - Barrowlands 28.09. UK Birmingham - Academy 29.09. UK Manchester - Academy 01.10. UK London - Astoria 03.10. LUX Luxembourg - Dan Atelier 04.10. GER Cologne - Paladium 05.10. GER Wiesbaden - Schlachthof 08.10. FR Paris - Zenith 09.10. NL Tilburg - O13 10.10. FR Nancy - L´escale 11.10. FR Lyon - Tranbordeur 13.10. ES Barcelona - Razzamatazz 1 14.10. ES Granada - La Copera 15.10. ES Madrid - La Riviera 16.10. ES Bilbao - Rock Star Live 18.10. CH Fribourg - Fri-son 19.10. GER Munich - Zenith 20.10. AUT Vienna - Gasometer 22.10. CH Zurich - Volkshaus 24.10. GER Dresden - Alter Schlachthof 25.10. GER Berlin - Columbiahalle SUBWAY TO SALLY - On the road again German Folk Rock/Metal masters SVBWAY TO SALLY will return to (literally!) set the stages on fire in October and December 2008! After some more successful festival shows in July and August the „Bastard“ will be back on the road. Festivals 2008 04.07.2008 Tollwood Festival, München 05.07.2008 Blackfield Festival, Gelsenkirchen 06.07.2008 With Full Force, Leipzig 08.07.2008 Metal Camp, Tolmin (SLO) 12.07.2008 Bunter Hering, Frankfurt/ Oder 13.07.2008 Bospop (NL) 15.08.2008 Summerbreeze, Dinkelsbühl 16.08.2008 Osnabrück Festival 23.08.2008 Feuertal Festival, Wuppertal 30.08.2008 Summers End, Andernach 12.09.2008 Ferropolis Festival, Ferropolis / Gräfenhainchen 13.09.2008 Northeim 20.09.2008 Selb BASTARD Tour 2008 07.10.2008 Capitol, Hannover 08.10.2008 Schlachthof, Wiesbaden 09.10.2008 Stadthalle, Haslach i.K. (bei Offenburg) 11.10.2008 Allkarthalle, Kaufbeuren 12.10.2008 Garage, Saarbrücken 18.12.2008 Halle 400, Kiel 19.12.2008 Kulturhaus, Salzwedel 20.12.2008 Hessenhalle 4, Gießen 26.12.2008 Pier 2, Bremen 27.12.2008 Ruhrkongresszentreum, Bochum 28.12.2008 Alter Schlachthof, Dresden 29.12.2008 Pressenwerk, Bad Salzungen 30.12.2008 Lindenpark, Potsdam NIGHTWISH - Platinum award for End Of An Era Finnish superstars NIGHTWISH have been honoured with a platinum award for their End Of An Era DVD, which has sold more than 50.000 units in Germany so far. This DVD contains the very last show with former singer Tarja Turunen and was released 2006. The award was presented to the band at this year´s Rock Am Ring festival, where the band played a fantastic show on the main stage in front of more than 80.000 people. Their last effort, Dark Passion Play, was awarded with gold for more than 100.000 sold units one week after its release in Germany in September 2007. After an US Tour together with label mates SONIC SYNDICATE, the band is about to headline some of European´s biggest festival before going back to the US with SONATA ARCTICA! Picture, from left to right: Jukka Nevalainen, Tuomas Holopainen, Marko Hietala, Emppu Vuorinen, Florian Fink (Nuclear Blast) NUCLEAR BLAST - Success at Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards IN FLAMES have won the prestigious Metal Hammer UK "Golden Gods" award for being the best international band. DIMMU BORGIR have won the award for best video, and TESTAMENT for the best album. The yearly Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards took place in London at the O2 Arena where IN FLAMES and TESTAMENT also performed live. Best Video sponsored by MTV Two: Dimmu Borgir 'The Serpentine Offering' Best Album sponsored by Skull Candy: Testament 'The Formation Of Damnation' Revolver Best International Band sponsored by Spinefarm: In Flames Read more about the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards HERE! GOTTHARD - Myspace contest for Reloaded release You can ´t be any closer to GOTTHARD than this guitar – exclusively on Myspace ´s start page, www.myspace.com , GOTTHARD give away a signed Vintage guitar from June, 20th on!: fitting to the current European Soccer Championship and the official Swiss fansong Lift U Up – Swiss Team Version GOTTHARD rock in the colour ´s of a football: in black and white. This give away guitar is a noble black Vintage – the model that GOTTHARD love to play on stage. The fansong is available as a bonus part of the Lipservice Reloaded-release on June 20th. Here is the full tracklist: CD: 01. All We Are 02. Dream On 03. Lift U Up 04. Everything I Want 05. Cupid Arrow 06. I Wonder 07. I'm Alive 08. I've Seen An Angel Cry 09. Stay For The Night 10. Anytime Anywhere 11. Said & Done 12. The Other Side Of Me 13. Nothing Left At All 14. And Then Goodbye Bonus Tracks: 15. I Can't Stop 16. Lift U Up (remixed by Mousse T. - Radio Version) 17. Lift U Up (remixed by Mousse T. – Swiss Team Version) 18. Lift U Up (live at Hallenstadion Zürich) 19. Lift U Up (Swiss Team Warm-up Version) 20. Where Is Love When It's Gone + enhanced part: - Lift U Up (live at Hallenstadion Zürich – video) GOTTHARD on tour with DEEP PURPLE: 26.7. 2008 Köln, Tanzbrunnen 31.10.2008 Leipzig, Leipzig Arena 01.11.2008 Hannover, AWD Hall 02.11.2008 Kassel, Eissporthalle 04.11.2008 Erfurt, Messehalle 06.11.2008 Kiel, Sparkassen Arena 07.11.2008 Frankfurt, Festhalle 08.11.2008 Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle 10.11.2008 Magdeburg, Bördelandhalle 11.11.2008 Berlin, Max-Schmeling-Halle 13.11.2008 Oberhausen, König-Pilsener-Arena 14.11.2008 Karlsruhe, Europahalle 15.11.2008 München, Olympiahalle TESTAMENT - Successful signing at Zavvi, UK Bay Area legend TESTAMENT, who are currently touring through Europe playing festival shows as well as headliner shows, did a very successful signing session at ZAVVI in London. The band signed tons of pictures, CDs and many other stuff the fans brought along. MELECHESH - Searching for new bass player Sumerian thrashing Black Metal pioneers MELECHESH are now seeking to audition a new bass player to join the band as an active member. The band is looking for a serious and reliable bass player, who can positively contribute to the band. This person should be prepared for future touring and recordings with MELECHESH and is able to do backing vocals on stage. Comment by founding member Ashmedi, Interest in the MELECHESH themes is paramount and the candidate must understand our mindset in striving to define an own style in Extreme Metal both on a musical and a spiritual level Since 2006 Al'Hazred has not been an active member in the band and hasn't been playing live with the band since 2004. We would like to thank him for the years he was contributing with MELECHESH and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. We recruited session bass player Kawn who is still to this date our live bass player and will continue to be until we find a permanent member, so this does not affect our scheduled future live appearances” Send in your information (such as: photos, info on your musical background, audio and/or video samples...) to melechesh@melechesh.com! Since the band rehearses in the Netherlands they recommend that the bass player needs to be from the area in and around the Benelux but will not rule out anyone from other places! In other news, MELECHESH will headline this year's Hell's Pleasure Festival in Poessneck, Germany taking place on July 18th – 19th! SCAR SYMMETRY - Album/video trailer part IV online! Swedish Metal heroes SCAR SYMMETRY have just launched the fourth and last part of their trailer series for their upcoming Modern Metal storm Holographic Universe! This time, the trailer shows some interesting scenes from the shooting of the video for the first single of the album – Artificial Sun Projection! Click here to watch the trailer. The clip itself will be broadcasted on a tube near you quite soon! Holographic Universe will be unleashed on June 20th! PSYCROPTIC - Sign with Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast have signed the Tasmanian Technical Death Metal band devils PSYCROPTIC. US A&R Gerardo Martinez about the signing: We are beyond excited to be working with one of the BEST Technical Death Metal bands in the world right now. We feel the band will reach the status they deserve in a short period of time. Also the band is euphoric about the cooperation: To say that all of us are excited to be working with Nuclear Blast is quite an understatement! We're over the moon! Nuclear Blast has always been the pinnacle of labels within the Metal realm, and to be signed with them is a huge honour for us...and to be the first Tasmanian band to ever be on the label is a pretty cool bonus as well. The artist roster is nothing short of amazing, and for us to be added to it...well, we couldn't be happier! www.psycroptic.com HACKNEYED - On the road HACKNEYED are going on tour soon. Don ´t miss the dates: 28.06. GER Dischingen - Rock am Härtsfeldsee 05.07. IT Bolzano, Pedraces - Badia Rocks 14.08. GER Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze Open Air 23.08. GER Usedom - Headbangers Weekend 29.08. GER Losheim - Rock Area Festival 11.10. GER Stuttgart - Club Zentral 25.10. GER Giebelstadt - Bringer Of Death Fest 06.12. GER Osnabrück - N8 20.12. GER Essen - Weststadthalle 04.04. GER Adelsheim - Deathomania Fest 18.04. GER Paderborn - Metal Inferno Festival 02.05. GER Abtsgmünd - Was Soll Death? Festival 20.05. GER Jüterbog - Fu*k The Commerce SOILWORK - On tour SOILWORK are playing several festivals all over Europe this summer. Don ´t miss them! 28.06. SWE Gothenburg - Metaltown Festival 29.06. BE Hasselt - Graspop Festival 03.07. SER Belgrade - Castle Festival 04.07. SWE Arvika - Arvika Festival 05.07. SWE Sundsvall - Gatu Fest 07.07. SLO Tolmin - Metalcamp Festival 08.07. HUN Pecs - Rock Marathon 12.07. NOR Oslo - Kvinesdal Rock 18.07. GER Dieburg - Traffic Jam 19.07. SWE Bollnas - Rockweekend 25.07. SWE Helsingborg - Helsingborger Festivalen 01.08. GER Wacken - Wacken Open Air 02.08. SWE Karlsskoga - Putte i Parken 03.08. FI Helsinki - Ankkarock Festival 14.08. GER Dinkelsbühl - Summerbreeze Open Air 15.08. CZ Prague - Brutal Assault 16.08. UK Derbyshire - Bloodstock Festival SUBWAY TO SALLY - Schlachthof! live DVD/CD and re-releases of older albums German Folk Rock/Metal masters SUBWAY TO SALLY have just announced the release of their new live DVD/CD Schlachthof!. The extensive DVD and CD package will document the band ´s highly acclaimed gig in Dresden, venue Alter Schlachthof, on December 28th, 2007 while playing the first leg of their Bastard tour. Expect an awesome show full of energy, Rock, pyros and, of course, a lot of emotion. The double feature will be available as a limited DVD digi plus CD, limited CD digi plus DVD as well as on blue ray disc. Schlachthof! is set to be unleashed on September 5th. Keep your eyes peeled – tracklist, cover artwork and further details to be revealed soon. Furthermore the two highly successful albums Herzblut (2001) and Engelskrieger (2003) will be re-issued together in a noble, embossed double digipack with re-done cover art. The package will also be released on September 5th. HACKNEYED - Fourth Death Prevails album trailer online German Death Metal youngsters HACKNEYED have just launched the fourth part of their Death Prevails album trailer ´s series. This time drummer Tim speaks out to the Metal community about the recordings and the time in the studio. Check it out by surfing to www.hackneyed.de. HACKNEYED's debut album Death Prevails will be out on July 25th! The next album trailer will be made available on July 9th! ALL SHALL PERISH - Album title and release date announced Oakland ´s Extreme Metal outfit ALL SHALL PERISH just announced title and release date of their new album. The band just finished recordings, mixing and mastering of their new baby and baptized it to the name “Awaken The Dreamers”. Be sure to be prepared for this new powerhouse of an album! Awaken The Dreamers will be released on September 5th via Nuclear Blast Records. Furthermore, the band ´s already classic debut album Hate.Malice.Revenge will be re-issued as part of the Nuclear Blast Reloaded series on September 5th. SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY - New Line Up announced SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY would like to announce the addition of drummer Pete Lamb, bassist Matt Simpson and samplist Jen Muse to their full-time lineup. Mike Petrak and Jesse Jolly have decided to pursue their other musical endeavors full time. Guitarist Ian Sturgill comments: We greatly appreciate the hard work that Mike and Jesse have done for S.W.W.A.A.T.S. over the past year. S.W.W.A.A.T.S. is now at the point where we will need full time soldiers with no other commitments. Our touring schedule is going to be brutal, and we needed 100% of everyone's time. Pete, Matt and Jen have busted ass to show us that they're in this for the win, have killer chops, and we're very much looking forward to kicking your brains in through your ear holes together. Welcome to the force! Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) has completed drum tracking w/producer James Murphy for the full-length debut LP, The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry. Guitar and Bass tracking is set to begin in the beginning of July. The first installment of the S.W.W.A.A.T.S. studio videography should be available next week via www.nuclearblast.de and youtube.com/SWWAATSTube. DEW-SCENTED - Rock the Quiz! Our boys of DEW-SCENTED have gone where no Thrash Metal act has gone before: to a German TV quiz show! Frontman Leif Jensen had fun: "We also ended up being part of a quiz show with the whole band on national TV here in Germany. We were “special” guests with the full band at the RTL daily quiz show “Einer gegen Hundert” (Translates to “1 vs. 100”) (http://www.rtl.de/tv/tv_963090.php) and had a fun ride trying to answer tons of questions the right way ;-) Our appearance(s) as special audience-candidates (No, we aren't performing music there, we are “Metalhead-Guests”…) will be broadcasted between Monday June 30th and Tuesday July 8th on RTL at 5 PM. Check it out if you are from Germany or have access to this channel!" SO don´t forget to tune in and also don´t miss the band on their festivals shows! FR 18.07. (AT) Kaltenbach – Kaltenbach Open Air FR 15.08. (HU) Budapest – Sziget Festival FR 29.08. (DE) Wörrstadt – Neuborn Open Air Festival SA 30.08. (DE) Losheim – Rock Area Festival SONIC SYNDICATE - In Paris with MTV! Swedish youngsters SONIC SYNDICATE have gone to Paris after their successful shows at Rock Im Park/Rock Am Ring in early June, to record an official EPK for MTV. The EPK will be done in the near future and the new video for "Jack Of Diamonds" is about to be finished, directed by Patric Ulleaus of Revolver. Patrick also shot the last two videos of the band´s last years´s record "Only Inhuman". Whatelse got caught on tape from MTV, can be seen right HERE! Check out the funny stuff from the Eiffeltower, bars and much more… Another clip will be launched next Friday, July 4th! MTV Finland, Sweden and Norway will broadcast a special news item with SONIC SYNDICATE on June 30, so if you are able to watch, don´t miss it! EDGUY - New album "Tinnitus Sanctus" out in November! As previously reported a few weeks ago EDGUY have entered the Gate Studios in Wolfsburg to record the follow-up of their chart breaker album "Rocket Ride". The new album will be produced by Sascha Paeth and is scheduled to be released in November 2008. The album will be entitled "Tinnitus Sanctus" and Tobias Sammet has got the following news in store: "The title just refers to the wall of sound that will bulldoze you. Let's be modest: We have ten extraordinary songs and this new album is gonna be our ticket to the hall of fame alongside with LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH and AC/DC. There won't be a hit-single this time, not even a flop-single, haha; not only because most songs are too long for a single, but also because for a single we had to produce way more stuff, lose money and need a time frame to release it. The album would come later then and that would suck. For the record: Musically, we don't go back to the roots. It's not the "Legacy of Mandrake part 2" and it's not a little brother of Rocket Ride either. It's a new album and we've set off to new horizons once more! The stuff sounds really broad, very anthemic, heavy and ballsy. We've kept our trademarks and still there are a lot of elements that are different to anything we've done before. I know what some fans may think, because if my favourite bands would have come up with statements like that I would have been scared to death, but in our case I am sure this could be the album we'll be measured by in the future." TESTAMENT - Appearing in Playboy magazine! TESTAMENT are appearing in US Playboy magazine. Check out the LINK! This is sexy though no ones really naked! ANATHEMA minisite online now With 'Hindsight', the forthcoming semi-acoustic album of Anathema classics, due in August on Peaceville sister label K-SCOPE, the new minisite is online now, containing information on the release, plus audio samples, downloads & more. CLICK HERE. BLOODBATH - New album coming October Flying the flag for quality Swedish death metal, Bloodbath's next eagerly awaited chapter will be a new studio album titled 'The Fathomless Mastery', with an October 6th release date. With the same line-up as the stunning 'Unblessing the Purity' MCD release earlier this year, & with the live CD/DVD 'The Wacken Carnage' only recently unleashed, this album is sure to quench the (blood)thirst of metal fans everywhere. TERROR - TERROR - post "Let Me Sink" live clip @ YouTube; get "The Damned, The Shamed" NOW Your favourite Hardcore-pitbulls TERROR have just wrapped up their European tour with label mates Ignite as well as Strung Out, Death Before Dishonor and have posted a stunning live clip from their show in Leipzig (Germany) on April 20th, 2008. So check out “Let Me Sink” live, which is a song from the band's crushing new album “The Damned, The Shamed” (OUT NOW!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQjDXq43sc4 “The Damned, The Shamed” was produced by the renowned Zeuss (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall) and is available on CD (incl. Special O-card packaging) as well as LP for all vinyl addicts! More info on TERROR can be obtained at: http://www.terrorhc.com/ http://www.myspace.com/terror SUICIDE SILENCE - TO HEADLINE SUMMER SLAUGHTER UK TOUR Californian extreme metal wunderkinds SUICIDE SILENCE have announced that after the phenomenal response they received on the sold out Parkway Drive tour in May they will be heading back over to the UK to headline the inaugural Summer Slaughter UK tour in August & September, with the diverse yet extreme bill be completed by As Blood Runs Black (USA, Mediaskare), Abigail Williams (USA, Candlelight Records) , Born Of Osiris (USA Sumerian Records), Annotations Of An Autopsy (UK, Seige Of Amida Records) and The Berzerker (AUS, Earache Records) making this tour the extreme tour of 2008. Suicide Silence vocalist Mitch Lucker comments on their UK return- “We cannot wait to return to the UK & headline the Summer Slaughter tour overseas. The Parkway Drive tour was amazing & the fans were some of the best & craziest we've ever encountered. The Summer Slaughter lineup is a great one, so don't miss out! We'll be hanging out before & after the shows as always, so be sure and say hello. See you in late August, early September!” The Summer Slaughter tour is already established in the US and the tour's creator Ash Avildsen from booking agent TKO is extremely excited to be bringing the tour over to the UK - “We started the Summer Slaughter Tour in 2007 w/ Necrophagist and Decapitated to give true fans of extreme music the best club festival line-up possible for the cheapest price possible. For North America we try to bring as much anticipated talent from overseas as we can while still including the best domestic bands available. This will be the first year for Summer Slaughter UK and we are trying to have the same overseas excitement we do here in the states, this time bringing American bands to the UK. While the inaugural line-up for the UK is more focused on younger extreme bands than the US or Canadian line-ups, we still feel it is showcasing a lot of different styles in the extreme metal world and are excited to launch Summer Slaughter UK in and anticipate it will become a yearly force to be reckoned with. We have four US bands (2 making their overseas debut), one UK band and one Australian band, we proudly present to you Summer Slaughter UK 2008!” With the release of their album - ‘The Cleansing' - Suicide Silence have created what can only be described as one of the most devastating and overall brutal debut albums that's come along in some time, melding the most destructive elements of death, grind and hardcore with plenty of thuggish breakdowns and technical riffing that never compromises on sheer blunt force trauma, this is tailor made to go totally apeshit too. ‘The Cleansing' when released in the US in September 07 debuted at number 94 in the Billboard chart making it the highest new entry for a debut album for any Century Media artist. The band are now gearing up to tour the US again during the summer on what has to be one of the most anticipated tours – the ‘Rockstar Engery Mayhem' tour where they'll be playing alongside Slipknot, Machine Head and Disturbed – for the full line up, tour dates and the bands videos check out www.myspace.com/suicidesilence Summer Slaughter UK 29th Aug – Liverpool Barfly (www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 0844 8472424) 30th Aug – Glasgow - The Garage (www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 08444 771000) 31st Aug – Wrexham – Central Station (www.seetickets.com) 2nd Sept – Sheffield – The Corporation (www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 0114 276 0262) 3rd Sept – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms (www.alt-tickets.co.uk cc line 08713 100 000) 4th Sept – Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall (www.seetickets.com) 5th Sept – Oxford - The Zodiac (www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 08444 77 2000) 6th Sept – London – Islington Academy(www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 08444 77 2000) 7th Sept – Brighton Concorde 2 (www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 01273 673311) (all tickets at all venues £12.50 in advance) KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI - Signs to Century Media Records Century Media Records and Finnish symphonic fantasy/folk metallers Kivimetsän Druidi have signed a worldwide record deal. Kivimetsän Druidi, who played a massive European tour supporting fellow Finnish folkmetalheads Korpiklaani last October and November, have entered Noice Camp studio in Turku in order to record their forthcoming debut album due to be released at the end of October 2008. “Kivimetsän Druidi members are extremely pleased with the deal with Century Media Records whose impressive catalogue speaks for itself. It is great to be a part of the Century Media family with such awesome bands like Turisas, Strapping Young Lad, Lacuna Coil and Arch Enemy.” During the summer Kivimetsän Druidi will play only a handful of festival gigs as they are busy recording their forthcoming album, but when the autumn comes they will tour extensively both in Finland and abroad. http://www.myspace.com/kivimetsandruidi http://www.kivimetsandruidi.com LACUNA COIL - Want YOU to be part of their DVD Italian Goth Metal Icons LACUNA COIL have launched a very special contest on Youtube asking their fans to contribute to their upcoming DVD. 3 favourite clips will be featured on the DVD which is scheduled for release later this year. From the band: “As most of you know we're at home right now writing songs for our new album. However, we're also working on something else very special as well – and we want YOU to be a part of it…. We're putting together a special DVD that will be all about the “Karmacode” album and all of the tours that we have done over the past 2 years. And of course all of the fun and good times that we had with all of you while we were out there promoting “Karmacode”! We know we have some of the best fans in the world and feel we have to celebrate you by giving you a feature on the DVD. We have created this youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil, so you can send us stuff that you have filmed that relates to either LACUNA COIL or “Karmacode”. This can be anything like for example: - Any of our live performances. - We would love to see videos from the American Stone Sour or Rob Zombie tours. - You meeting us and hanging out with us. - Home made videos for songs from “Karmacode”. - Videos of “Karmacode” related artwork. - “Karmacode” karaoke sessions with your crazy friends. Just make sure you keep the following things in mind: - Please read through the terms and conditions in the column on the left of our youtube-channel http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil,. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! - Your footage must feature in its headline: Lacuna Coil official DVD competition - Only use footage that you shot yourself. So no borrowing images or music from other people or bands. We know this is very tempting, but we want your own creativity and footage with our music. If a clip features other people's work we cannot use it. - Please make sure we can contact you if your feature gets picked for the DVD, because we will need a “high resolution” version that is suitable for DVD and we need to officially clear the usage with you. - Please send in your material before June 30th, this is the drop dead deadline. Sending us your clips is easy: Just upload your clip to your Youtube account, then add it to our channel by making it a video-comment our short introductory clip. Obviously, others will comment on your clip and the most popular ones end up on the DVD. So, make sure you tell your friends about this! We are looking forward to seeing your clips and looking back on some of the precious moments we shared with you. Thank you everyone! This will be fun!” (LACUNA COIL, June 2008) http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil http://www.lacunacoil.it http://www.myspace.com/lacunacoil ABORTED - Post studio report online; full album stream @ MySpace NOW If you want to have further insights into ABORTED's hard work on their stunning new album “Strychnine.213”, which will be released via Century Media Records this month (see below for the specific release date in your territory), watch a brand-new studio report at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eNOucVkU0w To listen to this diverse and dynamic lesson in murderous brutality, head over to http://www.myspace.com/abortedmetal, where you can exclusively stream the entire album until the end of this week! “Strychnine.213” sees the band combining their undeniable live energy with a powerhouse production from Eric Rachel (The Red Chord, The Black Dahlia Murder, God Forbid etc.) and a “fu*k you' rock'n roll” approach to the overly edited, sterile sounding death metal records of today allowing ABORTED to retain their vicious roots while evolving in terms of melody, musical virtuosity and vigor. “Strychnine.213” reinforces the notion that ABORTED have doubtlessly developed into extreme metal's most promising new breed and the album will be available on the following release dates in a special O-card packaging with alternate cover artwork and a blistering cover of “Slaughtered” (originally by PANTERA) as bonus track. OUT MONDAY, June 23, 2008. http://www.goremageddon.be POISONBLACK - New album "A Dead Heavy Day" out in September; Studio report part I online NOW Sensational Finnish goth metal masters POISONBLACK featuring former Sentenced-vocalist Ville Laihiala are back with a vengeance! Their brand-new album “A Dead Heavy Day” will be released via Century Media Records in August/September 2008 (see below for the exact release date in your territory) and you can now watch part one of a studio report allowing further insights into very Finnish recording sessions @ YouTube, just follow this link: “Dead Heavy Sessions – Part I” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XZdvnqZt34 On their highly anticipated third effort “A Dead Heavy Day”, Laihiala once again threw himself into the abyss of his mind and soul to create gloomy, literally dead heavy songs that are as personal and heart-felt as possible, he adds: “As usual it took a year of adventures in life and relationships to put my innermost feelings into the shape of songs. Everything is straight from inside of my head. Compositions and lyrics are supposed to support each other as good as possible to express my innermost emotions.” POISONBLACK recorded “A Dead Heavy Day” at Soundmix Studio in their hometown Oulu with Kari Vähäkuopus, which put them in the right mindset for what the band refers to as an easy and quite relaxed recording experience. Still, make no mistake! Musically the band strived for a dirtier and more rocking sound than before. Hence, special credits go out to Aksu Hanttu (Entwine), who mixed the album at Grooveland Studio in Lahti, for understanding what sonic texture POISONBLACK were looking for. Guitarist Janne Markus sounds confident and happy about the final result: “He totally got that we wanted: a heavier, yet transparent sound.” The single “Bear The Cross” will only be released in Finland on August 13, 2008. It doesn't only feature two brand-new album songs, but also an exclusive semi-acoustic live track the band performed on Oulu's Radio Mega. “Bear The Cross” is likely to continue the success of POISONBLACK's last single “Rush”, which entered the Finnish single charts on #5. The song had been taken from the band's 2006 album “Lust Stained Despair” which achieved a phenomenal position #2 in the Finnish album charts. Furthermore, new POISONBLACK tourdates will be announced soon, so stay tuned for that and prepare yourself for “A Dead Heavy Day” released in the UK on Monday, 1st September, 2008. For a brand-new POISONBLACK track and further info visit: http://www.myspace.com/officialpoisonblack http://www.poisonblack.com LACUNA COIL - Supporting Bullet For My Valentine on UK tour Italy's Goth Metal Icons LACUNA COIL have been confirmed to be main support for Bullet For My Valentine in November. Cristina Scabbia on the upcoming tour: “My dearest friends! As you all know we are stuck in our practice room, fully focused, working on the new Lacuna Coil album and also preparing our first DVD that will be out later this year... The new songs are turning out KILLER and we really can't wait to play them live for you before the actual album release! Enough said, we'll be touring again soon to do that! This November we'll be kicking ass on European roads with Bullet For My Valentine, so YOU KNOW you HAVE to be there, ‘cause it's gonna be THE tour of the year and it's gonna be fun to be on the road again with the 4 crazy Welsh boys and to see some beautiful countries we haven't visited for a while. Check some of the dates on our Lacuna Coil Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/lacunacoil ), also check how to BE PART OF OUR UPCOMING DVD (http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil ) as well!!!!! Be sure you get your ticket RIGHT NOW ‘cause I WANT SO SEE ALL OF YOU very badly and rock the European venues with you!! Rock on, and hear you soon for updates! Hornz up!" LACUNA COIL supporting Bullet For My Valentine: 09.11.2008 (SCO) Edinburgh – Corn Exchange 11.11.2008 (UK) Plymouth - Pavillions 12.11.2008 (UK) Birmingham - Academy 15.11.2008 (UK) London – Alexandra Palace 16.11.2008 (UK) Manchester - Apollo Also, make sure you visit LACUNA COIL's Youtube profile: http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil The band has launched a very special contest on Youtube asking their fans to contribute to their upcoming DVD. Three favourite clips will be featured on the DVD which is scheduled for release later this year. http://www.lacunacoil.it http://www.myspace.com/lacunacoil BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART - Releases "Pedal to the Metal" on Aug. 18th + UK tour dates confirmed Brimming with the balls-out rock n' roll excess made famous by Motley Crue but possessing the shredtastic spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen, Canada's BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART are ready to put the cock in cock rock on their European headliner tour with I Am Ghost, Devil's Gift and Fei Comodo (UK only) running from October ‘til early December with arena rawk anthems so catchy and infectious they'll be your new guilty pleasure. With the band's highly anticipated debut album “Pedal To The Metal” set for release all across Europe on August 18th, 2008, these guys are well prepared to make a kick-start scene to the international music scene! BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART, I Am Ghost, Devil's Gift and Fei Comodo 04.12.2008 (UK) Cardiff - Barfly 05.12.2008 (UK) London - University Of London 06.12.2008 (UK) Poole - Mr C's 07.12.2008 (UK) Wrexham - Central Station 08.12.2008 (UK) Liverpool - Barfly 09.12.2008 (UK) Glasgow - Cathouse 10.12.2008 (UK) Birmingham - Barfly 11.12.2008 (UK) Nottingham - Rock City 12.12.2008 (UK) York - Fibbers 13.12.2008 (UK) Brighton - Concorde 2 If you haven't checked them out already or failed to witness their onstage antics during BLESSED's European tour with Bring Me The Horizon, Architects and Maroon in early ‘08, pay a visit to http://www.myspace.com/blessedbyabrokenheart and rest assured that you will quickly succumb to the band's irresistible, feel-good ‘80s charm. “Pedal To The Metal” was produced by GGGarth (Nickelback, Rise Against) and boasts the best licks recorded since Michelle Pfeiffer played Catwoman in 1992's “Batman Returns”. Prior to hitting Europe, the band will also embark on the “Scream The Prayer” US tour w/ Sleeping Giant, Impending Doom, My Children My Bride, War of Ages, Before Their Eyes etc., visit http://www.myspace.com/blessedbyabrokenheart to view the exact dates. Bassist Tyler already looks forward to bringing some live action to the US & Europe and guarantees a hell of a show: “Expect smoke, lasers, fanny packs, hot chicks, teased hair and the kinds of things you'll be embarrassed to remember the morning after. We wrote killer songs about the art of getting down, dangerous females, school being out and other cool stuff so we'll be whipping out new material from our upcoming Century Media debut, “Pedal To The Metal”, throughout the tours. We hope to see all y'all at our shows. Don't be shy to come talk to us cuz we love all our fans and we care about what you have to say.” BBABH's sound is best described as a modern-day mash-up of Motley Crue and Journey, and guitarist Shred Sean is destined to become one of the most talked about players in the genre with his bombastic shredding techniques. BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART have created a universal soundscape for the masses that knows no limitations. Everyone can relate to these tracks and it is now up to you to let go, give in to your desires and have nothin' but a good time. Visit: http://www.myspace.com/blessedbyabrokenheart DESPISED ICON - Confirmed for UK mini tour with Cephalic Carnage in August 2008 & more Extreme metal fans take heed! The mighty Canadian deathcore destruction squad DESPISED ICON has been confirmed for a small UK tour run in August with Cephalic Carnage, see below for the exact dates & get ready for brutal slam pit domination! Furthermore, the band will embark on the Altamont Never Say Die! Tour 2008 in November featuring such prolific acts as Parkway Drive, Unearth, Architects, Protest The Hero & more, so be there! For proper preparation the band's latest album “The Ills Of Modern Man”, which was released on Century Media Records in May 2007 is highly recommended, so get it now! DESPISED ICON CEPHALIC CARNAGE 17.08.2008 UK, Hull @ The Welly Club, Horror Fest 18.08.2008 UK, Cardiff @ Clwb ifwr bach 19.08.2008 UK, London @ The Borderline Altamont Never Say Die! Tour 2008 Parkway Drive Unearth Despised Icon Architects Protest The Hero Whitechapel Carnifex 10.11.2008 UK, Yeovil - Westland 11.11.2008 UK, Manchester - Academy 2 12.11.2008 UK, Glasgow - The Arches 13.11.2008 UK, Sheffield - Corporation 14.11.2008 UK, Peterborough - Cresset 15.11.2008 UK, London – Forum RISE ABOVE NEWSLETTER MOSS VINYL UPDATE - Apoloiges to those of you who pre-ordered Sub Templum on vinyl. We were expecting it in today but have now been informed that it will DEFINITELY be with us next Weds 18th June. We will start shipping these out straight away. RISE ABOVE WEBSITE OVERHAUL Yes, the RA site is undergoing a complete overhaul courtesy of Design Void. We have had to take down the forums but they will be back & better shortly. In fact the whole site will be a vast improvement in every way. Thanks for your patience with this. GRAND MAGUS' WILL PAYS OFF Gracing the cover of this months Zero Tolerance Magazine (http://www.ztmag.com) and gaining album of the month in both of Germany's biggest Metal Magazines Metal Hammer & Rock Hard, the latest album from Grand Magus, "iron Will', is currently gaining terrific momentum around the world. It's an absolute monster of a truly Classic Sounding Metal album, undoubtedly destined to be a strong contender for the Best Metal Album of 2008. Awesome artwork is designed by the legendary Arik Roper. Special limited vinyl versions are now on sale at the Rise Above store. Each contains a glossy A2 Sized poster of the album art. Limited edition CD slipcase also on sale now. Don't miss the band at this years Bloodstock festival. More dates to follow soon. http://www.myspace.com/grandmagusrocks MOSS - BLEAKEST DOOM ON SALE NOW MOSS continue to plough even further into the depths of Nadir with their latest installment of gut wrenching Black Doom. HEAVY is just too light a word to describe new album Sub Templum. Die Hard vinyl versions of the album have now sold out, however, we still have a few clear & black vinyl versions left. They are going fast though. Limited edition Digi is also now on sale! http://www.myspace.com/cthonicrites DIAGONAL This incredible Progressive Prog band from Brighton have just put the finishing touches to their debut full length album with producer Liam Watson at the infamous Toerag Studioa in London. The epic self-titled album is scheduled for a September release. In the mean time, as a teaser, there are are few copies of the Heavy Language 7" still available from the Rise Above store. Catch them live; June 17 White Heat @ Madame Jo Jo's London July 12 2000 Trees Festival, Cheltenham 13 Lounge On The Farm, Canterbury August 8 Tapestry Festival, Margam Park September 6 St Andrews Church, Brighton http://www.myspace.com/diagonalband CAPRICORNS BEAR THEIR BONES The much anticipated second album from Capricorns is finally ready for release & what a killer it is too. 'River, Bear Your Bones' sees the band take a much more varied with a looser and more stripped down sound. This only adds to the overall intensity and marks the debut appearance of Conflict drummer Nathan. The album is slated for an August release. http://www.myspace.com/capricornsoflondon ASTRA sign to Rise Above We are absolutely delighted to announce the signing of San Diego Prog Psych MONSTERS, Astra. Such a killer band for you to hear. The band are currently recording their debut album for Rise Above. More news as we have it. In the mean time, check out their music and video on their Myspace page; http://www.myspace.com/astrasound SIGNED IN BLOOD Yes, we are very pleased to announce the sigining of killer Female Fronted Canadian Doom Rock band, Blood Ceremony. Their mix of 70s inspired Dark Folk and Sabbathy Occult/Horror Imagery is something very special indeed. Their forthcoming self-titled album has just been mixed by the legendary Billy Anderson (Sleep, High On Fire,Cathedral, Neurosis etc). A special Die Hard vinyl version will be available with free live 7" & poster etc. More details soon. http://www.myspace.com/bloodceremony Serpent Cult HEAVY duty metal. The heaviest band of this years entire Roadburn Festival? We certainly think so. Their self-titled debut album for Rise Above was recently recorded in the UK at The Priory with Greg from Esoteric. The un-mixed version sounds sick enough as it is. To give it some extra weight ( like it really needs it!) the session is currently currently being mixed by the maser of heaviness - Billy Anderson. This monster will be unleashed in September. Catch them live; July 26 Nevelfest open air Merksem (B) September 7 Ashes To Ashes Fest - 013 Tilburg (NL) November 22 Days Of Doom Fest - FZW Dortmund (D) More extensive touring plans are scheduled around the release of the album. http://www.myspace.com/serpentcult ELECTRIC WIZARD - HOLE IN THE SKY GIG(!) + FORTHCOMING SPLIT WITH REVEREND BIZARRE Electric Wizard play Hole In The Festival in Bergen on Fri 29th August. Also, due to the cancellation of their appearance at this years Roadburn Festival the band are booked to play a one off performance in Tilburg at 013 on September 12th. Other great news is the forthcoming long awaited Split 12" with Finnish Doom Metal legends, Reverend Bizarre. This will be the Rev Bizarre's swansong release and what a great way to go. Both tracks are exclusive to this vinyl only release. The Wizard track is a brand new number entitled The house on the borderland, recently recorded song, whilst Reverend Bizarre have created a Mega Doomed version of Beherit classic The Gate Of Nanna. http://www.myspace.com/electricwizarddorsetdoom ANNIVERSARY GIG Continuing on from the awesome Rise Above 20th anniversary celebrations at this years Roadburn festival, we will be putting together a special London showcase later in the year. It will be an awesome night. More info once the lineup is confirmed. TAINT After a triumphant performance at this years Roadburn festival Taint return to the stage with a prestigious support slot on the forthcoming Clutch tour once more. July 26 Cussed Fest, Brudnell Social Club Leeds August 16 Nottingham, Rescue Roms w/ Clutch 17 Sheffield, Corporation w/ Clutch 18 Zodiac w/ Clutch Oxford w/Clutch 19 Burgerweeshuis w/ Clutch Deventer NL 20 TBA w/ Neurosis Dortmund D 21 013 Tilburg 22 Carlo Levi Liege 23 Negasonic Aalst 28 Barfly w/ Clutch Brighton 29 Barfly w/ Clutch Birmingham 30 Islington Academy w/ Clutch London October 4 Meltdown Fest, Barfly w/ Hellbastard + more Birmingham www.taint.co.uk Witchcraft announced for Ozzfest & Lollapalooza! Great news for Witchcraft who have been announced for this years Ozzfest & Lollapalooza festivals. More dates to be confirmed for later in the year. June 12 JHultsfredsfestivalen Hultsfred 27 Hard Rock Laager Festival Estonia 28 Metaltown Gothenburg July 31 Ravari Room Columbus, Ohio August 1 Magick Stick Detroit, Michigan 2 Lollapalooza Chicago, Illinois 3 Triple Rock Minneapolis, Minnesota 4 Jackpot Saloon Lawrence, Kansas 5 The Waiting Room Omaha, Nebraska 6 Marquis Theatre Denver, Colorado 8 The Conservatory Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 9 Ozzfest Dallas, Texas http://www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe Gentleman's Pistols open more fire June 21 Manchester Central Skatepark Manchester 22 Satan's Hollow Manchester July 11 2000trees Festival Cheltenham, South 12 Stoned From The Underground Festival Erfurt 20 Joesphs Well Leeds 26 Cussedfest - Brudenell Social Club Leeds August 2 The Underworld London http://www.myspace.com/firebirdpage FIREBIRD Bill & the guys are currently recording thefollow up to the 06 classic, How Wings. The album is scheduled for an October/November release. In the meantime, catch Bill on stage at various European festivals with the recently reunited Carcass. More info on the album as we have it. http://www.myspace.com/firebirdpage Litmus are a winner. 2008 Indy Music Award Winners Litmus are currently laying down track for their forthcoming third album. July 6 Barfly London 19 Burg Herzberg Festival Nr Breitenbach August 1 Mantra - The Fiddler's Elbow, 1 Malden Lane, Kentish Town, Monthly Stoner-Prog-Psy-Rock Night London September 20 The Twist Colchester, East November 7 The Standard Music Venue London 15 New Roscoe Leeds http://www.myspace.com/litmusspacerock Winters June 6 Mantra-Stoner/Pysche/Doom Night@Fiddlers Elbow London September 19 Stoner Hands Of Doom Festival,Germany-19/20th Sept 08(TBC) Germany http://www.myspace.com/winterstheband Obituary "Set to release new EP" Vocalist John Tardy of the Florida-based death metal veterans OBITUARY has issued the following update: "What a great weekend! We have been working really hard on this new EP [entitled 'Left to Die'] and Saturday night we finished it. I am totally psyched about this and can't wait to get it to you. "I am not sure about the release date yet, but I'll post it as soon as I know. Once again, Mark Prator and RedRoom Recorders really helped us out to get this done. Markie, you rule...thanks for everything!!! "Most of you probably know that we built our own studio for the recording of the 'Xecutioner's Return' CD. We tracked this new EP in our studio and are really happy with the sounds we are getting. Because of our limited, but growing, ProTools HD experience, we lean heavily on Mark for his guidence and help. We then take all those tracks to RedRoom where we put it all together. This process of being able to record right here in our own studio whenever we want has been an unbelievable asset to our writing and recording abilities! "This EP will contain four songs: two new ones, that are heavy as balls. A new 2008 studio recording of 'Slowly We Rot'. 'Slowly' is one of the first songs we ever wrote and of all our songs it gets played every show! It is interesting to hear this song re-recorded almost 23 later. Unbelievable! You have to hear it. 'Dethroned Emperior' is a song by CELTIC FROST that we sometimes play live or just while jammming in the studio. Because we enjoy it so much we recorded it for this EP as well. "I feel like we just got home from the first leg of our European festival tour and now we leave again Wednesday to start the second leg: Austria, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and Italy... coming up!!!! I hope you come out and see us!" OBITUARY's latest album, "Xecutioner's Return", was released last summer via Candlelight Records. The CD was mixed at RedRoom Recorders and was mastered in June at Morrisound Studios in Tampa. The band once again worked with artist Andreas Marschall, who has previously created the art for "The End Complete" and the group's last record, "Frozen in Time". Catch the band at the following festivals June 20 - (AU) Mining am Inn, Summer Nights Festival 21 - (ES) Zaragossa, Monsters Of Rock 22 - (FR) Clisson/Nantes, HellFest 27 - (BE) Dessel, Graspop Festival 28 - (DE) Balingen, Bang Your Head 29 - (IT) Bologna, GOM (Gods of Metal) July 25 - (LI) Vilnius, Forum Palace 26 - (NL) Lichtenvoorde, Zwarte Cross Festival 27 - (PT) Estombar Lagoa, Lagoa Burning Live Fest August 01 - (FI) Helsinki, Nosturi club 02 - (DE) Wacken, Wacken Festival 08 - (DK) Cobenhagen, Amager Bio 09 - (DE) Bad Berka, Party-San-Festival Destruction – New Album Details. Bloodstock Appearance It's official! Destruction's new album “D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.” is going to be a corker. Last week in Stuttgart, the band revealed the track titles and the artwork for what will constitute their 25th Anniversary record. “D.e.v.o.l.u.t.i.o.n.” was recorded with Jacob Hansen last month and features guest solos from Gary Holt (Exodus), Vinnie Moore and Jeff Waters (Annihilator) amongst others. Track Listing; 1. Devolution 2. Elevator To Hell 3. Vicious Circle – The 7 Deadly Sins 4. Offenders Of The Throne 5. Last Desperate Scream 6. Urge (The Greed Of Gain) 7. The Violation Of Morality 8. Inner Indulgence 9. Odyssey Of Frustration 10. No One Shall Survive Eden's Curse – New EP Release Date and New Album Details Metal Mayhem Music takes great pride this month in presenting the brand new recording from multinational international recording artists Eden's Curse – “Seven Deadly Sins – The Acoustic Sessions”. Produced and mixed by Paul Logue and mastered by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69 / Angra / House Of Lords), the EP features seven acoustic renditions of tracks from the well received debut album, “Eden's Curse”. Track Listing: Judgement Day, Eyes Of The World, Stronger Than The Flame, What Are You Waiting For, Don't Bring Me Down, Heaven Touch Me, The Bruce / Fallen King. For sound samples visit: http://www.myspace.com/edenscurse Wrapped up in the usual killer artwork of Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy/Jorn/Asia), the E.P. was released by Metal Mayhem Music in the United States and around the world on June 10 but is also available on Digital Download with a special autographed collector's edition available via selected retail outlets. Eden's Curse themselves are also currently in the recording studio working on the follow up to their well-received debut. With production duties once again handled by Dennis Ward, the band continues their worldwide assault via AFM Records (Europe) Metal Mayhem Music (North America) and Spiritual Beast (Japan). Frontman Michael Eden comments "It's from the greasy spirit that is Eden's Curse as always! The truly loud and pro