With a host of metal talent already confirmed for next year’s BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR, we can now reveal the first set of headliners for the 10th anniversary event. The awesome pairing comes in the form of Finnish metal monsters CHILDREN OF BODOM and LA Cyber-Metallers FEAR FACTORY.
CHILDREN OF BODOM have defied all odds, breaking out of the so called “Euro-Metal” scene to become one of the biggest names in metal across the globe. 2008’s “Blooddrunk” album saw the band reach new heights, truly being embraced by the metal community, gracing magazine covers worldwide, including that of BLOODSTOCK media partner METAL HAMMER, and a sold-out tour of the UK with BOA 2010 partners CANNIBAL CORPSE. Famed for frontman ALEXI LAIHO’s impossibly fast shredding/soloing, as well as his guitar vs keyboard duels with keysman JANNE WARMEN, COB’s place as headliners of BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR - at their only UK show of 2010 - is testament to how far they’ve come, and is not to be missed. Alexi commented:
"I'm really glad we're playing Bloodstock next year – it's the only UK show for us in 2010, and the crowd over there has been awesome for us lately!"
Originating from Los Angeles, California, Industrial metallers FEAR FACTORY’s appearance at BLOODSTOCK 2010 is one we announce with a huge swell of pride. Coming very close to performing at last year’s event after announcing the reunion of guitarist DINO CAZARES and frontman BURTON C BELL, the band changed plans to concentrate on brand new studio album “Mechanize” which is set for a February 2010 release via Candlelight records. We’re delighted that Dino and Burton will be there this year, not least because completing the new line up will be human drum machine and skin-battering legend Gene Hoglan and his ex-Strapping Young Lad bandmate Byron Stroud. Their set of heavy yet groove-laden digitalised metal will be a treat for those in attendance, and we can't wait to hear classics like “Replica”, “Self Bias Resistor”, “Martyr” and “Edgecrusher” alongside new songs blasted out in the fields of Derbyshire.
LOOK OUT FOR A SPECIAL HEADLINER ANNOUNCEMENT ON FEB 1ST 2010!!!
The BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2010 will take place at Catton Hall, Derbyshire from 13th – 15th August.
Weekend tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com
BAND LINE UP SO FAR
OBITUARY : ROSS THE BOSS : RAGE : ANDROMEDA : BEHEMOTH : DEVIN TOWNSEND : DORO : LEAVES EYES : SUFFOCATION : DREAM EVIL : CANNIBAL CORPSE : KORPIKLAANI : GWAR : CHILDREN OF BODOM : FEAR FACTORY :
Derelict part with bass player
2010-01-09
Montreal based Derelict have announced they have parted ways with bassist Louis-Phillipe Roy and replaced him with bassist Joey Sciacchitano. The band released the following statement:
"A significant change has been slowly occurring in our camp over the last few months. After weighing his priorities, Louis-Philippe has decided to move on from being in Derelict and focus on his studies and other potential career paths," commented frontman Eric Burnet. "He was kind enough to play the last few months of shows we had booked at the time and did not leave us in any kind of trouble.
"His leaving comes as a blow to us, as his two-and-a-half year run with the band included our first shows outside Montreal, the writing and recording of Unspoken Words, our two first national tours, and our signing with Year Of The Sun Records. Needless to say, the man is our brother and he shall be missed. On the bright side, we are replacing one longtime comrade with another. Our new bass player is Joey Sciacchitano. Montreal concert-goers may know him as one of the driving forces behind Moshcore Productions, an organization that for many years put on multiple shows in Montreal, including large fund raising events for the Canadian Cancer Society that Derelict was part of on two occasions. Joey has already shown much focus and dedication on the bass and we can’t wait to hear the sweet lines he’s going to spin around our new riffs. Stay tuned for new promo shots and live photos with Joey in them!"
Derelict’s new album “Unspoken Words” was released through Year of the Sun Records. The album was recorded in the metal mecca of Canada, Montreal, Quebec under the watchful eye of Cryptopsy guitarist Chris Donaldson (The Agonist, Cryptopsy). EXCLAIM Magazine proclaimed that the band "combines several realms of extreme music into a very tasty final result.”
Derelict recently released their video for the track “Machete” online which can be seen below.
DERELICT TOUR DATES: JANUARY
09 - Drummondville, QUE @ Salle Gaston-Mandeville
23 - Granby, QUE @ Le Rock Café
29 - Sherbrooke, QUE @ Bar Le Magog w/ Misguided Aggression
30 - Pointes-Aux-Trembles, QUE @ La Chapelle De La Réparation
FEBRUARY
13 - Cornwall, ONT Champion’s Roadhouse
Byfrost sign with Painkiller Records
2010-01-09
Netherlands based PAINKILLER RECORDS (a sub label of Apollon Entertainment UN Limited) has added Norwegian extreme metallers BYFROST to its roster, and will release the band’s debut full-length album “Black Earth” in the spring of 2010. A follow up to the self-released EP “Byfrostmetal”, track listing for “Black Earth” is as follows:
1. Horns to the Sky
2. Black Earth
3. Night of Damnation
4. Lord Victorious
5. Desire
6. Wings of the Angel of Death
7. Evil Arise
8. Skull of God
Bergen-based BYFROST started out in 2007 when Heavy Harms and R.I.P Meister decided to form a band that would create a sound from the of merging cold, dark riffs together with melodic ones. With HeavyHarms taking vocals, the two guitarists recruited a drummer and bass player and recorded and released the “Byfrostmetal” EP in 2008. Soon after, the four-piece became a three-piece with R.I.P Meister switching over to five-string bass, and HELLISH OUTCAST’s Alkolust taking over on drums.
With a permanent line up now in place, BYFROST went on to play live both locally and throughout Europe, and in 2009 began work on “Black Earth”. The album, which includes a guest appearance by ENSLAVED/AUDREY HORNE guitarist Arve Isdal on the track “Desire”, was recorded at the Conclave/Earshot Studios in Bergen, and produced by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) and Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR). Artwork is currently being prepared by Christian Sloan Hall who has worked with artists such as TESTAMENT, DIMMU BORGIR, SLAYER etc.
Trauma sign with Witching Hour
2010-01-09
After long time of awaiting new Trauma album, we have now more precise info to share with you – sixth studio album of the band entitled „Archetype Of Chaos” will be released in February 2010 via Witching Hour Productions.
Trauma finished recordings of its new masterpiece in November, meanwhile negotiating the contract with several labels. Finally in December, Trauma inked a deal with Witching Hour for the release of „Archetype Of Chaos” worldwide.
This is the final tracklist of „Archetype Of Chaos”:
1. Intro ( White Architect)
2. Cortex Deformation
3. A Dying World
4. War Machine
5. The Slime
6. The Truth Murder
7. Tabula Rasa
8. Portrait Of The Lies
9. Destruction Of The Demented World
Cover artwork was designer by Michał “ Xaay” Loranc, who is also responsible for new layout of official trauma website – www.trauma.art.pl
Current line-up:
Jarosław ‘Mister’ Misterkiewicz (guitars)
Arkadiusz ‘Mały’ Sinica (drums)
Artur ‘Chudy’ Chudewniak (vocals)
Dawid ‘Davidian’ Rutkowski (bass)
The recording of „Archetype Of Chos” started in famous Hertz Studio in January 2009, but final mixes and mastering was done in November. Special guests appearing on the album are Piotr Kopeć (Atrophia Red Sun, Naumachia) and Konrad Ross (Sothoth, Redemptor)
The album will be available in digipak format and as limited LP in February – and without any doubt shall exceed the expectations of even most picky death metal fans.
Band leader, Mister commented freshly singed contract: „We were looking very carefully for new business partner, cause we wanted to be sure that we chose the best possible option. We received several offers from European labels but we finally decided to pick Polish label. We were aware of Witching Hour actions and development and we are absolutely sure that our cooperation will be perfect and will bring measureable effects in long term”.
Witching Hour owner Bartek Krysiuk puts it in following words: „I’m glad to have Trauma in growing ‘family’ of Witching Hour bands. I have the opportunity to visit Hertz Studio often and listen to new albums in early phase of creation – that’s how it was this time and how new Trauma music enchanted me. Many people think that Trauma is one of the most underrated death metal bands. Having such amazing album as “Archetype Of Chaos” we’ll do our best to give them recognition they deserve!!!”
Master complete new album
2010-01-09
Death metal icons MASTER recently completed the recording of their upcoming Pulverised full-length The Human Machine. The mixing/mastering process is currently underway.
Said MASTER founder/frontman Paul Speckmann of the new long player: "I'm very happy with the way things have turned out; it'll be killer to finally have a CD released once again on a professional label such as Pulverised. Things look very good on the horizon with Brazilian and European tours coming soon. See you on the road my friends.”
Added Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin Chiang: “Paul sent me two blistering tracks from the upcoming new MASTER album last night and I was absolutely blown away by how much authentic brutality they still retain, coming from a band with an almost 30-year history. This is probably more oldschool and ferocious than their previous few efforts. It is exactly how fans of MASTER would imagine a new album to be; no one will be disappointed!"
MASTER are scheduled for a Brazilian tour later this month, followed by two back-to-back European tours in support of The Human Machine.
Den Saakaldte announce new drummer
2010-01-09
Norwegian black metallers DEN SAAKALDTE have recruited longtime Carpathian Forest drummer Anders Kobro to replace the departing Uruz. Kobro will join the band immediately and begin rehearsing for the band's upcoming live appearances and recording sessions.
Originally founded as a solo project by guitarist Sykelig in 2006, DEN SAAKALDTE’s lineup now includes Niklas Kvarforth (Shining, Skitliv) on vocals, Seidemann (1349, Pantheon I) on bass, Kvebek (Pantheon I, ex-1349) on guitars and Honey Lucius (DHG) on synths and effects. The band recently inked a deal with Pulverised Records for the release of their second full-length album, due later this year.
Hromovlad sign with Naga Productions
2010-01-09
It is our very pleasant duty to disclose information which has been conceived a few weeks ago. The new „dark“ horse on NAGA productions' roster
are Slovak HROMOVLAD.
The band is well-known by natural and very successful concerts and its
potential is still growing. Fans also very familiar with the previous two
records, and very quickly HROMOVLAD's folk / black metal popular.
We believe that together we produce the best HROMOVLAD's album and look
forward to what the year ahead in this respect will.
Embryonic Devourment to release new album
2010-01-09
California technical death/grind four-piece EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT will release their second full-length, Vivid Enterpretations Of The Void, in the early part of 2010 (label TBA). The follow-up to their Fear of Reality Exceeds Fantasy 2007 debut, Vivid Enterpretations Of The Void is based the Reptilian Agenda, a theory researched, written and spoken about extensively by British author/reporter/former pro football player David Icke for well over a decade. The disc is being recorded and engineered by Anomalous guitarist Nate Vennarucci and will be mixed and mastered by Vile's Colin Davis at Imperial Studios.
Elaborates vocalist/bassist Austin Spence of the new material: "We feel that the new material will be our best yet and will make the previous releases sound sloppy in comparison. We've really come along way as musicians. All the practicing, touring, recording, loading gear, pissing and shitting music all these grueling years are finally starting to pay off! We also have a second guitarist now -- Adam Weber of Mummification. He's a sick guitar player that will add a whole new element to the recording and overall sound of our band. We tried to make this one way more technical in the vein of Formulas Fatal To The Flesh- era Morbid Angel but with a more spastic, ever-changing approach. There are lots of surprises around each stretch of music."
Vivid Enterpretations Of The Void Tracklisting:
“Militarized Reptoids”
“Gravitational Oblivion”
“Vivid Enterpretations Of The Void”
“We Are Chitauri”
“Eye Of The Horomatangi”
“Cleansing The Infinite”
“Darkened Fluids”
“Perception Of The Multidimensional”
EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT will tour in support of Vivid Enterpretations... this spring and with any luck, be pillaging a town near you. The routing thus far:
4/10/2010 The Pizza Factory - Modesto, CA *
4/13/2010 The Compound - Albuquerque, NM *
4/14/2010 Zen Meister Bar - El Paso, TX *
4/15/2010 Rock Bottom - San Antonio, TX *
4/16/2010 Walters - Houston, TX *
4/17/2010 The Stafford - Bryan, TX *
4/18/2010 The Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK *
4/19/2010 The Riot Room - Kansas City, MO *
4/20/2010 Union Station - Colorado Springs, CO *
4/21/2010 Burts Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT *
4/22/2010 The Red Room - Boise, ID *
4/23/2010 Docs 82nd Club - Portland, OR *
7/16/2010 Las Vegas Death Fest Las Vegas, NV
7/17/2010 Las Vegas Death Fest Las Vegas, NV
7/24/2010 Central Illinois Metal Fest @ The Canopy Club Central Illinois, IL
Triptykon sign with Century Media
2009-12-21
Triptykon, the group formed by former Hellhammer/Celtic Frost singer, guitarist, and main songwriter Tom Gabriel Warrior, is proud to announce that the groups' own label, Prowling Death Records Ltd., has entered into a licensing agreement with renowned metal giant Century Media Records.
Under the agreement, Century Media Records will release Triptykon's massive debut album, Eparistera Daimones, in Europe and North America on March 22, 2010.
Eparistera Daimones was produced by Tom Gabriel Warrior and Triptykon guitarist V. Santura and recorded in V. Santura's own Woodshed Studio in southern Germany, in the course of the second half of 2009. Like Celtic Frost's universally praised Monotheist album, Eparistera Daimones was mastered by Walter Schmid at Oakland Recording in Winterthur, Switzerland. Eparistera Daimones is said to be heavier than Monotheist, dark, daring, and very diverse.
Tom Gabriel Warrior: I am very pleased about continuing my long-standing and very constructive affiliation with Century Media Records. After the demise of Celtic Frost, I was looking for continuity in every other aspect of my life, and the cooperation between Prowling Death Records Ltd. and Century Media Records has in the past already provided an outstanding platform for releases by Hellhammer (the Demon Entrails demo reissue album, 2008) and Celtic Frost (Monotheist, 2006).
Eparistera Daimones will feature the following nine songs, at a playing time of some 70 minutes:
1. Goetia
2. Abyss Within My Soul
3. In Shrouds Decayed
4. Shrine
5. A Thousand Lies
6. Descendant
7. Myopic Empire
8. My Pain
9. The Prolonging
A further three new Triptykon songs have also been recorded, and they, too, will be released in the course of 2010
The album will be further distinguished by stunning artwork from two highly acclaimed international artists, who, together with the group themselves, thus form their own artistic triptych.
Triptykon consists of V. Santura (guitar, vocals), Norman Lonhard (drums, percussion), Vanja Slajh (bass), and Tom Gabriel Warrior (voice, guitars). The group has unambiguously stated that it pursues the continuation and further development of the path Warrior began in Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. The group’s onstage debut is scheduled to take place as part of the distinguished Roadburn Festival, on April 16, 2010.
The 69 Eyes present new video
2009-12-21
Finnish goth n´ roll legends THE 69 EYES recently finished a very successful tour throughout their home country and will be hitting the road in rest of Europe as well in January 2010. See dates below.
After releasing the first video of the latest album "Back In Blood" back in August this year, the second one for "Dead N Gone" can now be seen below.
Commented singer Jyrki 69: "Dead N' Gone is the album's dark pop song. Dark because it's a break-up song and this was the guide line also for the video and its storyline. As we were writing the song I had the Madden brothers (from Good Charlotte) in mind for the backing vocals in the chorus, since we've been friends for a couple of years and it's been in talks to do something like this together one day. Benji Madden came to the studio while we were recording in L.A. and sang all these amazing harmonies on one beautiful Sunday afternoon. As he's part of the song as well, it's natural to have him in the video too - cameos are always cool!
As The 69 Eyes started their US tour from San Francisco, I came in to an idea that why not to have the beautiful SF as a background for the video!? I don't remember any video actually filmed in San Francisco! Since making videos with Bam Margera and his team is always so much fun, it was also very natural to have him on board again - this time we just moved the long weekend party activities to Haight Ashbury! The 69 Eyes are the SF vampires here, hippies watch out!
Dark, beautiful song, beautiful city, beautiful couple - this is The 69 Eyes as romantic yet gloomy as you can get!"
Jyrki69/The 69 Eyes
The new amazing THE 69 EYES video was again directed by Bam Margera:
"I couldnt be more happy with this new vid, usually I direct but this time I was in it as well. With a friend of mine from SF who looks like Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox but better. With the mixture of her georgeous looks and beauty shots all around SF it was an all win situation! Benji Madden made a cameo as well, which gives it the final touch of a kick ass video!" Bam Margera
Tourdates:
THE 69 EYES
+ Mandragora Scream
13.01. S Stockholm - Debaser
15.01. S Gothenburg - Sticky Fingers
16.01. DK Copenhagen - The Rock
17.01. D Hamburg - Markthalle
19.01. D Berlin - Postbahnhof
20.01. PL Warsaw - Progresja
21.01. PL Wroclaw - Firlej
23.01. SK Bratislava - Randal
24.01. HR Zagreb - Boobaloo
27.01. I Rome - Init Club
28.01. I Bologna - Sottotetto
29.01. I Roncade - New Age
30.01. CH Prattlen - Z7
01.02. D Munich - Backstage
02.02. D Stuttgart - Longhorn
03.02. D Frankfurt - Batschkapp
05.02. D Dresden - Strasse E
06.02. D Cologne - Live Music Hall
07.02. D Bochum - Zeche
08.02. D Hannover - Musikzentrum
01.03. E Madrid - Caracol
02.03. E Barcelona - Samandra 1
04.03. F Paris - Casino
06.03. B Vosselar - Biebob
07.03. NL Arnhem - Luxor Live
08.03. L Esch /Alzette - Rockhal
09.03. UK London - Islington Academy
10.03. UK Manchester - Acedemy 3
11.03. UK Glasgow - King Tuts
12.03. UK Nottingham - Rock City
23.04. GR Athens - Gagarin
24.04 GR Thessaloniki - Principal
Myrath sign with Nightmare Records
2009-12-21
Nightmare Records inks deal with Tunisian progressive metal band MYRATH for January 26th, 2010 release of the bands third album, titled "Desert Call" for the world except Europe, where it's being released on XIII Bis Records.
MYRATH (english meaning "LEGACY") is a Metal band from Tunisia, a small county well known for its resort areas on the Mediterranean coast but certainly not for its metal bands, yet in just few years what started out as a teenager cover band formed in early 2001 by guitarist and main song writer Malek Ben Arbia (who was just 13 years old at the time), Ben having later graduating from the prestigious French International guitar music academy "M.A.I.) became a well known and respected band by the international prog-power international community when they released their debut album "Hope’’
It all started In March 24th 2006 when the band opened for ROBERT PLANT and ADAGIO in Carthage Amphitheater (Tunisia) in front of nearly 7000 Rock/metal fans. Adagio keyboards player Kevin Codfert who watched Myrath performance And later listened to Myrath first self produced album ‘’double face ‘’ (released in March 2005 in Tunisia only) detected the great potential of the band as well as promising composing skills.
Myrath recorded in December 2006 their debut album “Hope” in a low cost studio in Tunis-Tunisia, with the valuable assistance and guidence of Kevin Codfert (Adagio) as engineer and producer. This album was a turning point in Myrath carrier as the band was signed by the French label Brennus -Music who released "Hope" worldwide in September 2007
"Hope" was a turning point for the band being signed and released on French label Brennus music who released it worldwide in September of 2007, it was praised by the media in numerous album reviews, by well known webzines and magazines (Such as Rock Hard) and was even voted third best album of the year by two major US webzines. As well as album of the week by several major metal radios such as THE MOOVE (France). " Hope" also paved the way for the band to be able to play on well known festivals METAL ROCK FESTIVAL (Norway) and PROGPOWER-EU (Netherlands)
Desert Call will be available via Nightmare Records website pre-orders will be taken and shipped the week before the street date.
"Desert Call" Tracklist
01. Forever And A Day
02. Tempests Of Sorrows
03. Desert Call
04. Madness
05. Silent Cries
06. Memories
07. Ironic Destiny
08. No Turning Back
09. Empty World
10. Shockwave
11. Hard Times (Exclusive Bonus Track)
Whiplash to play benefit concert
2009-12-17
On December 19, 2009, legendary New Jersey thrashers WHIPLASH will play a benefit concert for Morgan Harrington, the 20-year-old student from Virginia Tech who was last seen on October 17th near the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia following a Metallica concert. The event is being held at The Canal Club [http://www.thecanalclub.com] in Richmond, Virginia and aims to raise awareness of Morgan's disappearance and support the Harrington family's ongoing search to find her. All proceeds will go to: http://findmorgan.com. Other bands on the bill include Dangerous New Machine, At War and The Chaos Agent.
Ace Frehley to release DVD
2009-12-17
Hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed "Anomaly" album, Space Ace is about to release his first-ever official DVD on January 15th!
Go behind the make up and see the real ACE FREHLEY as he unmasks his guitar playing style and a behind the scenes look at his life. "Behind the Player" also includes rare live performances as well as in depth guitar lessons by Ace on the KISS classics "Cold Gin" and "Shock Me" and the new song "Pain in the Neck". Ace will lead you through the proper way to play these classics as well as the origins and inspirations of the songs. Discover the reasons why Ace was crowned "one of the most influential guitarists in rock history".
Watch the Spaceman perform with special guest musicians Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES), John 5 (MARILYN MANSON, ROB ZOMBIE), George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), Chris Wyse (THE CULT), Tommy Clufetos (ROB ZOMBIE), Scotty Coogan (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION).
Completing this ultimate black diamond are rare live footage, rare KISS photos and a documentary about Ace.
Rotting Christ reveal album details
2009-12-17
The release of ROTTING CHRIST's new album "AEALO" is just two months ahead! Here are the artwork and tracklisting of the veteran Greek metallers' eleventh offering:
1. Aealo
2. Eon Aenaos
3. Demonon Vrosis
4. Noctis Era
5. dub-sag-ta-ke
6. Fire Death and Fear
7. Nekron Iahes...
8. ...Pir Threontai
9. Thou Art Lord
10. Santa Muerte
11. Orders from the Dead
Whitechapel enter studio
2009-12-17
Just home from touring with Trivium and Chimaira and closing out an extremely busy and successful year, Tennessee's WHITECHAPEL are now set to head into the studio December 27th to January 31st with infamous metal producer Jason Suecof (Trivium, All That Remains, The Black Dahlia Murder, Chimaira, DevilDriver and many more). WHITECHAPEL are set to record the follow up to the band's crushing Metal Blade debut, This is Exile, at Jason's Orlando, FL based Audiohammer Studios. Be sure to stay tuned to WHITECHAPEL's and Metal Blade's sites as more information regarding guest vocalists, studio updates, and video updates will be posted throughout the band's recording process.
Guitarist and founding member Alex Wade comments:
"We're really excited to announce that we will be hitting the studio in January with a producer who needs no introduction, Jason Suecof. Suecof has produced some of the most brutal metal albums to date and we are excited for him to get his hands on our new material to make it the heaviest music we've created thus far.
Also, Dusty Peterson has been signed on to handle the artwork duties. His dark, yet meticulously detailed style of hand drawn artwork is sure to bring out a truly vivid and brutal masterpiece. We really wanted our artwork for the record to speak as loudly for us as the music we are creating, thus, Dusty was picked for his unbelievably realistic and detailed hand drawn style. In this day and age where downloading a CD is as easy as typing the cd's name into a search bar, we wanted to make the artwork something creative and special for the fans who actually purchase the CD. Almost like owning a piece of art.
As for the title and track listing, you'll just have to wait for that as the CD comes closer to completion."
This is Exile was unleashed on July 8th, 2008, and debuted at #118 on the Billboard top 200 charts, #2 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, and #14 on Billboard's Top Independent albums. An accomplishment that is impressive for veteran artists, much less a relatively brand new metal act.
Whitechapel is:
Phil Bozeman - Vocals
Ben Savage - Guitar/Leads
Alex Wade - Guitar
Zach Householder - Guitar
Gabe Crisp - Bass
Kevin Lane - Drums
Hatesphere cancel European tour
2009-12-17
Danish metallers Hatesphere have issued the following update:
Things happen fast in this world - and after having suffered from severe back problems for a long time, Dennis finally had to throw in the towel. So the US tour not only marks the first time for us over there - it also marks the first tour with our new drummer, Mike Park, whom many of you already know from his work with fellow Danish metallers, Mercenary. Mike was already out with us on our three dates in late November, and we are super excited to be able to officially present him to the world as a full blown member of the band!
European tour cancellation
We've been forced to cancel our upcoming European tour with Hypocrisy, because of logistics, several personal circumstances and our change of drummer. We're incredibly sorry for bailing on all our friends out there. Please know that we tried numerous alternative plans, but simply weren't able to pull it off in the end. We have full confidence though, that you'll recognize our dilemma, and will still be there when we return later in 2010. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Danish Metal Awards – nominations
Last but not least, we have been nominated in no less than four categoriesat the Danish Metal Awards taking place on January 16th. in Copenhagen,Denmark. Check back for updates on the possible, glorious outcome.
Keep of Kalessin compete for Eurovision
2009-12-16
Norwegian extreme metal veterans KEEP OF KALESSIN officially announced to be competing in the national Eurovision Song Contest called „Melodi Grand Prix".
The band will perform a song called "The Dragontower" which was originally written for the new album but had to be shortened from 5:20 mins. to 3:00 mins. The original version will of course appear on the upcoming KEEP OF KALESSIN album.
Commented mainman Obsidian C.: "We're exited to have been picked out from about 1000 norwegian contributors to MGP 2010. The feedback on the song is amazing so far and we hope that we can have a chance to be the first ever extreme metal band in the norwegian MGP finale."
KEEP OF KALESSIN will compete in the first of 3 initial finals that will air on NRK1 in Norway on January 8, 2010. Viewers will be able to vote via SMS for their favourite artist. The top 2 artists chosen via SMS will directly go to the national finale held at the Spektrum, Oslo on February 6, 2010. The artists on position 3 and 4 will get a new chance in a new TV show called „The Last Chance" where also the top 2 will go the finale.
There is a number of 21 participating artists and 8 finalists. The winner of the final in February will be the one to represent Norway at the international Eurovision Song Contest 2010.
Unfortunately, the voting in Norway can only be done by Norwegian cell phones. Foreign fans can watch the show live at the www.nrk.no webcast.
Arsis to shoot new video
2009-12-16
Virginia based technical melodic death metallers ARSIS just announced the shooting of the first video for their upcoming album „Starve For The Devil"
Commented the band: „This month we willing be fiming a video for "Forced To Rock." The video will be produced and directed by metal video impresarios My Good Eye productions (you may be familiar with their work with such bands as The Red Chord, Goatwhore, The Black Dahlia Murder etc.). The filming will take place in New York; the video for the last album was shot in West Virginia and I really don't feel like being chased by dogs or falling through any floors this time. Our goal with this video and new album is to remind metal fans (and possibly ourselves) why we have metal and music in general is our lives. While we wanted to make a serious artistic statement we also just wanted to have fun. In the name of Satan, we are forced to rock!" - James Malone / ARSIS
„Starve For The Devil" is scheduled to be released on February 5, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records!
Fear Factory film new video
2009-12-16
FEAR FACTORY begin filming the video for the song “Fear Campaign" from their anticipated new album, Mechanize today. Directed by the team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci (Meshuggah, God Forbid) with producer Ryan Kohler, the video is being filmed in and around the band’s original base of Los Angeles. It is expected for completion mid-January with broadcast and Internet premieres already in progress.
Director Ian McFarland comments, “what excites us about this song is the building and releasing of energy. We are planning to present a visual overload of images that will keep the viewer glued to the screen. The hope is to dissect the word 'fear' and to make a piece of art that will not only capture the power of the song and but the true intensity of FEAR FACTORY.”
In discussing the song’s lyrical concept, vocalist Burton C. Bell reveals, “it was not necessary to camouflage the insanity of the world of today within a science fiction setting like we've done in the past. The world today has become the world that writers predicted long ago. The controlling authorities are constantly, and successfully, utilizing fear tactics to control the masses. Fear is control.”
Due in stores February 9, Mechanize is already receiving early acclaim. Bravewords.com recently said, “all the intrinsic qualities of FEAR FACTORY are firmly in place yet have been reinvigorated and supercharged. Combining just the right elements of their own past, present and future, FEAR FACTORY have achieved instant excitement and an immediate adrenaline boost. Prepare to be blown away.”
FEAR FACTORY recently launched a series of new official web and social networking sites that fans should visit for official and regularly updated news. The sites will be the first to carry details of the band’s upcoming tour activities in support of Mechanize.
Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer reveal new project
2009-12-16
Iced Earth band leader and main songwriter Jon Schaffer have issued the following updates on his current and future activities:
"Hello friends,
For the last several months I have been working on a new project/solo album called Sons of Liberty. I am excited to unveil this and talk about the motivations behind it this Friday on the Alex Jones show.
I will be in the studio with Alex on Friday December 18th at 2pm CST. The show is broadcast from 11am to 3pm CST to over 80 stations nation wide.
To find a station near you, go to http://www.gcnlive.com/affiliates.php or stream it LIVE for free from Infowars.com.
Just click on http://www.infowars.com/listen.html and you will be able to follow the broadcast.
Prison Planet members can watch the interview from PrisonPlanet.TV
On a newly created website that will go live Friday, December 18th, you will be able to download and listen to this new album for free. You will also be able to purchase a high-resolution version. The web address is www.sons-of-liberty.net
My desire is for Sons of Liberty to become part of a much larger movement that is happening around the world. This new website will be a think-tank containing lots of interesting web-links, book and movie recommendations, and much more. This will be an ongoing process, so check back often.
I am very proud to be invited to Alex Jones’ show and I feel this is the perfect place for me to reveal the first Sons of Liberty album entitled “Brush-fires of the Mind.”
This is about the message and not the messenger. This is a project that I encourage you to copy and share with your friends.
I care very much about what is happening in our world, we’ve been steamrolling down this road for a long time, so I assure you this is not a politically biased message. I’m hoping to set a few brush-fires in the minds of the listeners with this one. So please, check it out, do the research and get involved!
Looking forward to getting your responses on this new chapter in my life!
