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11/23/2004: "METAL NEWS (2 weeks worth!)"
* METAL NEWS! *
~ MAYHEM: Vocalist MANIAC Out, ATTILA Back In ~
Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM have parted ways with singer Maniac (real name Sven Erik Kristiansen) and replaced him with Attila Csihar (TORMENTOR, ABORYM). Csihar had previously worked with the group on their 1993 release, "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas".
"Although many rumors flourished over the past months, nothing was decided until now," reads a statement from the group's record label, Season of Mist. "The reason for this change in line-up lies in more private matters, but has also to do with Maniac's inability to tour."
The band commented in a statement: "Maniac was, and will always be a part of our legacy, and it has been an honour to work with him for the last 10 years. Respect!"
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~ DISSECTION Joined By MAYHEM Singer At Budapest Gig ~
Reactivated Swedish death metallers DISSECTION were joined by newly reappointed MAYHEM singer Attila Csihar (ex-TORMENTOR, ABORYM) for renditions of two old-school black metal hymns, "Elizabeth Bathory" (TORMENTOR) and "Freezing Moon" (MAYHEM), during the band's appearance at Kultiplex in Budapest, Hungary Wednesday night (Nov. 17). According to one eyewitness, "the packed house went absolutely crazy."
DISSECTION have just released their much-anticipated comeback single/EP, "Maha Kali", via Escapi Music/Screaming Ferret Wreckords. Armed with a fresh lineup, consisting of mainman Jon Nödtveidt (vocals and guitar), Set Teitan (guitar, ABORYM, BLOODLINE), Brice Leclercq (bass guitar, NIGHTRAGE) and Thomas Asklund (drums, DARK FUNERAL, INFERNAL, DAWN), DISSECTION describe the new CD as "a hymn to the wrathful black Hindu goddess of Mahapralaya, the great dissolution of cosmos, Jai Maha Kali!"
Nödtveidt recently told Finland's Sonera Plaza that the group's next full-length effort will surface in the fall of 2005. "We will continue touring all around the world (probably South America and so on) during the winter/spring 2005 and we will also be playing summer festivals all around Europe and so on. We have about 11 new songs that we are going to record in the spring so the next album [will likely come] out in the autumn."
DISSECTION filmed their headlining performance in Stockholm on Oct. 30, 2004 for an upcoming DVD, tentatively due next year. The as-yet-untitled disc will also feature a band documentary
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~ ARCH ENEMY Guitarist Checks In From The Road ~
ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott has posted the following message on the group's official web site:
"We've been out here on the road in the U.S. on this CRADLE OF FILTH / ARCH ENEMY / BLEEDING THROUGH / HIMSA package for a little over 2 weeks now and everything is going very well...great shows and good times! The tour is running very smoothly — and we are getting along great with everybody on the tour...so no dirt there! The shows have all been really cool — no bad ones so far...we are keeping our fingers crossed that it'll stay that way too, ha-ha... Seriously, we have a great crew team and the coolest bus driver, so we are basically just enjoying the ride and playing our brand of PURE FUCKING METAL!
"I have to say that we are very pleased to be back on the road here in the U.S. — it feels fucking great! We are grateful to the U.S. ARCH ENEMY fans for their patience and support...you guys and girls rule!
"The other day we were in New Orleans — a first for ARCH ENEMY there! We were looking forward to it and it was as good as we hoped it would be...there was some intense voodoo metal vibes floating around! :-)
"2 nights ago we played in Dallas TX, and we were hanging out with John Perez from Texas Doom gods SOLITUDE AETURNUS — he gave us copies of the reprint of the their debut album...so we are ready for any rainy gray days that might lie ahead of us now!
"Other stuff we've been playing on the bus is SIX FEET UNDER's AC/DC tribute CD — that's our pre-show warm up disc right now! I could not believe that thing the first time I heard it! SFU bass player Terry Butler came out to the Orlando show and hooked us up, cheers man!
"Last night we played Austin TX, and we had the craziest crowd so far on the tour — we need to come back to Austin and play a headline show sometime soon...that show was probably my favourite so far!
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~ KEEP OF KALESSIN Guitarist Comments On Singer ATTILA CHISAR's Return To MAYHEM ~
KEEP OF KALESSIN/SATYRICON guitarist Obsidian C. (a.k.a. Arnt "Sid" Grønbech) has commented on the recent announcement that KEEP OF KALESSIN's vocalist, Attila Chisar, has rejoined Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM as the full-time replacement for previous singer Maniac. Writing to the band's official web site, Obsidian said that he doesn't what effect this will have on KEEP OF KALESSIN yet, but that he understands that MAYHEM will be Attila's top priority.
"I have known this would happen for some time now and we're ready for whatever effect it will have on KEEP OF KALESSIN," Obsidian said.
"KEEP OF KALESSIN has 6-7 songs ready for the next album and alot of material that just needs rehearsing and arranging," he continued. "Since I will do a new U.S. tour with SATYRICON in December, we're aiming for a studio session with KALESSIN in March with release in early summer, depending on how busy I will be with SATYRICON in January and February. The entire line-up for the next album will be revealed at a later time."
As previously reported, KEEP OF KALESSIN recently parted ways with drummer Frost (a.k.a. Kjetil Haraldstad, SATYRICON) due to the long distance between him and Obsidian. Replacing him in the group's lineup is the band's old drummer Vyl.
KEEP OF KALESSIN's most recent mini-album, "Reclaim", was released last December through FaceFront Records. The group's first release since 1999's "Agnen: A Journey through the Dark" (Avantgarde), "Reclaim" has been described as a new milestone in Norwegian black metal by the Norwegian press.
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~ BOLT THROWER: Vocalist KARL WILLETTS Rejoins The Fold ~
British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER have announced the return of original vocalist Karl Willetts as a full-time member. Willetts rejoins the group as the replacement for Dave Ingram, who left the band in August due to long-standing "health and personal problems."
Commented Karl: "It's fantastic to be a part of the mighty BOLT THROWER again. It feels great to be back with the guys, I can't wait to get my teeth into the new songs and get back on the road again. I've got some unfinished business to tend to...!"
The now complete line-up of BOLT THROWER — Willetts, Gavin Ward, Barry Thomson, Jo Bench and Martin Kearns — will spend the next few weeks finishing off the new material before going into the studio to record their eighth album. The upcoming CD will be the follow up to 2001's "Honour, Valour, Pride", which was the only BOLT THROWER release to feature Ingram on vocals.
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~ VICIOUS ART (ex-DARK FUNERAL, PROJECT HATE, ENTOMBED, GRAVE): Live Photos Posted Online ~
VICIOUS ART, the new Swedish death/thrash band featuring former DARK FUNERAL members Matias Mäkelä and Robert Lundin, along with Jörgen Sandström (THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE) on bass, made their live debut on November 12 at Tantogården in Stockholm, Sweden. Also appearing on the bill were MÖRK GRYNING and NINNUAM.
VICIOUS ART's debut album, "Fire Falls and the Waiting Waters", is now available in Europe via Threeman Recordings). A U.S. release via Candlelight Records USA) is expected on March 8.
VICIOUS ART lineup:
Matias Mäkelä - Guitar
Tobbe Sillman - Guitar
Robert Lundin - Drums
Jocke Widtfeldt - Vocals
Jörgen Sandström - Bass, Backing vocals
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~ KREATOR: 'Enemy Of God' Bonus DVD Detailed ~
A limited-edition version of KREATOR's new album, "Enemy of God", will come with a bonus DVD containing a "making of" documentary and video clips. The CD is scheduled for release in Europe and South America on January 10 and North America on January 11 via SPV Records.
The follow-up to 2001's "Violent Revolution" was recorded and mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE), and was previously described by KREATOR mainman Mille Petrozza as "pure brutal thrash! Tons of fast shit, sick solos, aggro riffing... I am really psyched about the new shit. Can't wait to hear what [the fans] think about it..." ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott makes a guest appearance on lead guitar on the track "Murder Fantasies".
"Enemy of God" track-list:
01. Enemy of God
02. Impossible Brutality
03. Suicide Terrorist
04. World Anarchy
05. Dystopia
06. Voices of the Dead
07. Murder Fantasies
08. When Death Takes Its Dominion
09. One Evil Comes - A Million Follow
10. Dying Race Apocalypse
11. Under a Total Blackened Sky
12. The Ancient Plague
13. Impossible Brutality (video clip)
Bonus DVD (limited edition only):
- "Making of" studio report
- Video clip and EPK for "Impossible Brutality"
- Two live songs: "Violent Revolution" and "Phobia"
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~ KREATOR: New Song Posted Online ~
A brand new KREATOR track, entitled "Impossible Brutality", has been posted online at www.spv.de (Real Media).
"Impossible Brutality" comes off the German thrashers' new album, "Enemy of God", due in Europe and South America on January 10 and North America on January 11 via SPV Records. A limited-edition version of the CD will come with a bonus DVD containing a "making of" documentary and video clips.
The follow-up to 2001's "Violent Revolution" was recorded and mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE), and was previously described by KREATOR mainman Mille Petrozza as "pure brutal thrash! Tons of fast shit, sick solos, aggro riffing... I am really psyched about the new shit. Can't wait to hear what [the fans] think about it..." ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott makes a guest appearance on lead guitar on the track "Murder Fantasies".
KREATOR will be teaming up with Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY for the "Enemy of God Tour 2005" beginning in February 2005. Also appearing on the bill will be Hungarian hardcore/thrash metallers EKTOMORF and Danish thrashers HATESPHERE. *(Thanks to: Cain Gills)
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~ EXHUMED Announce New Drummer, Schedule DVD Shoot ~
Californian gore-metallers EXHUMED have announced the addition of Canadian drummer Matt Connell (ex-FUCK THE FACTS, EXPERIMENT IN TERROR ) to the group's ranks.
"EXHUMED would like to extend a 'fuck yeah!' to Connell, who replaces founding member Col Jones (who left the band in 2003, shortly after the recording of 'Anatomy is Destiny')," the group write on their web site.
Commented Connell: "I'm totally stoked! It's awesome to be part of a band I have always held in such high regard. I look forward to helping the guys unleash some good ol' gore fuckin' metal upon the masses."
The other Matt in the band, sole remaining original member Matt Harvey, welcomed Connell aboard. "Mike (Beams, guitar and vocals) and I are both excited to be finally solidifying a permanent line-up, and the other Matt is going to be a killer addition to the band. While the Canadian jokes will undoubtedly fly fast and furious in the tour van, no one will be joking when they hear some seriously intense one-foot blasts from this guy! I personally guarantee that it will be a total autopsy holocaust doss of maddening mega-grinding!"
Connell will make his recording debut with EXHUMED this December when the band are scheduled to record an album of covers, to be titled "Regurgitated Requiems: Garbage Daze Re-Regurgitated". The album is slated to feature covers from SIEGE, MASTER, METALLICA, HEXX, EPIDEMIC, UNSEEN TERROR, AMEBIX, SADUS, SAMHAIN, G.B.H., THE CURE, and others to be announced soon.
Since the departure of Col Jones, who provided percussion for the band from 1991-2003, EXHUMED has enlisted the services of Danny Walker (of UPHILL BATTLE and CINEMA STRANGE) and death metal hired gun John Longstreth (currently touring with DYING FETUS) on various tours throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia, and Iceland.
In other news, EXHUMED will film their February 11-12, 2005 shows at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA for an upcoming DVD. The first night will be with DECEASED (their first West Coast show ever!) and CRETIN (this will be the first show of Col from EXHUMED's new band) and the second night will be with PHOBIA and CRETIN. The band plan to play different sets each night to get the most comprehensive track listing for the video as possible, so expect all the "hit singles" as well as some rarely heard gems from througout the band's discography and other surprises throughout the night. Any requests for seldom or never-before-played live songs can be sent to matt@exhumed.us
"We hope to see a lot of slaughtercultists and necromaniacs there and we guarantee that it will be a night to remember for all in attendance!" the band write in a statement.
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~ SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HYPOCRISY To Team Up For North American Tour ~
SOILWORK will be heading out on a North American tour with DARK TRANQUILLITY and HYPOCRISY beginning in April 2005. So far, only one date has been confirmed: April 29 at the Jaxx in Springfield, VA.
As previously reported, the limited-edition European/U.S. version of SOILWORK's upcoming album, "Stabbing the Drama", will include a bonus track, entitled "Wherever Thorns May Grow". The Japanese edition will feature "Wherever Thorns May Grow" and an additional bonus cut by the name of "Killed by Ignition".
The follow-up to 2003's "Figure Number Five" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro and Dug-Out Productions in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, STUCK MOJO). A February 28, 2005 release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.
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~ E-FORCE: Live Video Posted Online ~
A live video of E-FORCE performing the track "Satanic Rituals" at this year's Raismes Fest has been posted online at this location:
http://www.recordfinder.com/eforce/mp3/E-Force_-_Satanic_Rituals.mpg *(.mpg, 44.4 MB).
As previously reported, E-FORCE will be teaming up with CARPATHIAN FOREST, TSJUDER and WYKKED WYTCH for a European tour beginning in early February.
E-FORCE is the new band fronted by former VOIVOD bassist/vocalist Eric Forrest. The group's current lineup is rounded out by Dennis Rousell (guitar), Krof (drums) and Jerome Point (lead guitar). The band's debut album, "Evil Forces", was released in October 2003 via France's Season Of Mist. It was recorded at Wild Studio in St-Zenon, Quebec, Canada with producer Pierre Rémillard (CRYPTOPSY, KATAKLYSM, GORGUTS, KRISIUN)
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~ GORGOROTH, PANTHEON I, FRAMFERD Confirmed For Norway's HAMMERSLAG FESTIVALEN ~
GORGOROTH, PANTHEON I, FRAMFERD and LUCID FEAR have been confirmed for Hammerslag Festivalen, a new Norwegian black metal festival set to take place on the longest night of the year, on December 18, 2004, at an old church in Tønsberg, Norway.
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~ NIGHTRAGE To Master New Album Next Week ~
NIGHTRAGE, the Swedish melodic death metal band featuring singer Tomas Lindberg (THE GREAT DECEIVER, LOCKUP, DISFEAR, AT THE GATES, THE CROWN), and guitarists Marios Iliopoulos (EXHUMATION) and Gus G. (DREAM EVIL, MYSTIC PROPHECY, FIREWIND), have finished mixing their sophomore album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Patrik J. Sten. "We will master it next week at Tailor Maid Production in Stockholm with Peter in de Betou handling the job," the band write on their web site. "13 tracks are recorded and we are planning to have 12 tracks for the European release and one bonus for Japan." Songtitles set to appear on the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2003's "Sweet Vengeance", include "Jubilant Cry", "Silent Solitude", "Gallant Deeds", "Poems" and "Frozen". A January 2005 release through Century Media Records is expected. The band also recently added a new drummer and bassist in the shape of Fotis Benardo (ex-SEPTIC FLESH) and Henric Karlsson, respectively.
In other news, NIGHTRAGE have been confirmed for the Hammered At Xmas one-off gig at the Forum in London on December 17. Also set to appear are ARCH ENEMY, THE HAUNTED and DARK TRANQUILLITY.
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~ CANDLELIGHT RECORDS Signs U.S. Licensing Deal With France's APPEASE ME RECORDS ~
Candlelight Records has announced its newly agreed cooperation with France's Appease Me Records. Under the agreement, Candlelight will handle the stateside release of all new recordings from the growing extreme metal label. The first planned releases include the debuts from MONOLITHE and SPEKTR.
Appease Me is owned and operated by members of the band BLUT AUS NORD. The band signed to Candlelight Records and released their first album through the label in early 2004. "The Work Which Transforms God" is for most U.S. audiences their introduction to the highly-regarded extreme metal band. Band leader/vocalist Vindsal says, "It's a great evolution for us. Candlelight's experience in all the domains — artistic development, production, distribution, promotion, etc — will be very precious for us. We want to present an ellitist vision of extreme music with Appease Me being a label of artistic explorators. All the bands signed are unique in their style and we'll always work in this way. Extreme quality not quantity."
Candlelight's Edward Christie says, "Appease Me is a unique label. Their artists, including BLUT AUS NORD, create music that is both challenging and special. Candlelight appreciates these qualities and hopes to bring their sounds to a wider audience.
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~ Norwegian Court Upholds Fines For Sex Stunt On Stage ~
The couple who had sex on stage during a Norwegian concert this summer were ordered to pay their fines by a court in Kristiansand Tuesday (Nov. 16), according to Nettavisen. They had claimed their sex stunt was a political statement, and said they will appeal.
The court has sentenced Tommy Hol Ellingsen, 28, and Petra Leona Johansson, 22, to pay the fine of NOK 10,000 (approximately $1,570) each for having intercourse on stage during the Quart music festival this summer, reported the Norwegian television channel NRK. The couple's performance lasted for only ten minutes during the CUMSHOTS concert, but was enough to shock the world. They claim they wanted generate attention for the rain forest.
Kristopher Schau, front figure of the CUMSHOTS, and one other band member have paid their fines of NOK 10,000 (USD 1,570) each. The remaining band members pleaded not guilty, but the court has sentenced them to pay the same amount for allowing the stunt.
"I can't honestly understand why you refuse guilt," said Ingrid Thorsen, public prosecutor and police prosecutor when the case opened Tuesday of last week. "Did you not see that a fuck could overshadow your cause?
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~ VADER: 2005 Touring Plans Revealed ~
Polish death metallers VADER have posted the following message on their official web site:
"[The] band's participation in the X-Mass Festivals 2004 will close this year touring season. VADER will hit the road along with bands like MARDUK, NAPALM DEATH and others. The tour starts on the 5th of December in Paris and ends on the 19th of December in Antwerp (Belgium). After the aformentioned trip the band will take well-deserved rest until March, to charge their batteries before pretty intense touring plans scheduled for the rest of 2005. Some of those plans have been recently confirmed and for instance in March the band will play a tour through Great Britain. U.S. tour along with bands like KREATOR and DEATH ANGEL starts on the 1st of April. Probably on May/June band's postponed tour through Japan and Indonesia will finally come into effect and maybe there will be also a chance to set up some RPA dates. In the second half of 2005, VADER will play a pretty short tour through Poland and later on September/October the guys are going to raze some other European countries to the ground. Right after the European tour the band will headline another U.S. tour so as you can see, Panzer Division VADER will be extremely busy until December. There are also some plans to fix up a few additional dates in Scandinavia, The Balkans and some of the Eastern European countries. In the end of 2005 the band is going to write some new songs for a successor of 'The Beast', scheduled for release in early 2006."
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