[Previous entry: "DYOXEN, VERBAL ABUSE +MORE!"] [Next entry: "BLACKDEATH, ETERNITY, ANWYL, ABIGAIL, CELESTIA +MORE"]
01/11/2005: "METAL NEWS (from the first week of January 2005)"
METAL NEWS of interest from last week!
~ DIMMU BORGIR's HESTNAES To Sing For ARCTURUS At London Gig ~
Several sources are reporting that Simen Hestnaes (a.k.a. ICS Vortex, DIMMU BORGIR, ex-BORKNAGAR, LAMENTED SOULS) will be singing for ARCTURUS at the Inferno Festival kick-off event at the Underworld in London on January 27. It is not presently clear if Hestnaes' involvement with ARCTURUS will continue beyond this gig. Hestnaes had previously performed vocals on three tracks and written the lyrics for one song on ARCTURUS' 1997 album, "La Masquerade Infernale".
~ ARCTURUS Part Ways With Singer ~
Vocalist Øystein Hægeland has left ARCTURUS, according to a posting on the group's official web site. No reason was given for his departure. *(Thanks: Lars Lolk / Antenna)
- - - - - -
~ CHTON To Open For MAYHEM In Norway ~
CHTON, the Norwegian death metal band featuring Kenneth of KEEP OF KALESSIN and Torstein of MANES, will open for MAYHEM on January 15 at Studentersamfundet in Trondheim, Norway. Also set to appear are MINAS TIRITH and THE APPARATUS. Harald of BLOODTHORN will replace Kenneth on bass during CHTON's performance since it is "impossible for Kenneth to play this gig with us," the band write on their web site.
CHTON's debut album, "Chtonian Lifecode", was recorded, mixed and mastered at Godt Selskap Studio between April and June 2004 and was released last August through Retribute Records. The album includes guest vocals by Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, ex-TORMENTOR) and Frediablo (NECROPHAGIA, GRIMFIST).
- - - - - -
~ LORD BELIAL: In Writing Mode ~
Sweden's LORD BELIAL are currently writing material for their new, as-yet-untitled album, which is set to be released later this year on Regain Records. The CD's musical direction will be "a natural developed continuation of [last year's] 'The Seal of Belial'," according to a posting on the group's web site.
The recording sessions for the upcoming album will once again take place at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Los Angered Recording studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- - - - - -
~ GORGOROTH To Headline Finland's SIRKKELIROCK METAL WEEKEND ~
Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH will headline the Sirkkelirock Metal Weekend on Friday, January 7 at the Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are SOULGRIND, CARPATHIAN FOREST, BEHEXEN and HORNA.
GORGOROTH entered Grieghallen studio on Wednesday (Jan. 5) to begin recording their new album, entitled "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam". The CD will contain eight tracks and is tentatively expected late spring/early summer through an as-yet-undisclosed label.
- - - - - -
~ MORTAL SIN To Be Inducted Into Australian Metal 'Hall Of Fame' ~
Australia's Kerrang! magazine is holding its first ever Australian Heavy Metal Awards on February 4 in conjunction with the country's premier metal festival, Metal from the Brain.
The ceremony, which is expected to become an annual fixture in the Australian metal calendar, celebrating the best the local scene has to offer, will feature the induction of MORTAL SIN into the "Hall of Fame". MORTAL SIN will also perform a special live set on the night. Vocalist Mat Maurer says they will be performing several new songs from the upcoming release "Far from Extinction" for the first time, as well as a medley that includes "Blood Death Hatred", "Women in Leather", "Into the Fire", "Liar" and "Mortal Slaughter" — songs from "Mayhemic Destruction" that were last played in the set back in 1988.
The band, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary since they began in 1985, are looking forward to a big year which should see the band back in Europe.
On January 15, MORTAL SIN begin recording demos for the album with engineer Greg Clarke and will also record their first-ever video clip for release to music networks.
- - - - - -
~ DISMEMBER Sign With REGAIN RECORDS ~
Long-running Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER have inked a new record deal with Regain Records. The band, who were previously signed to Karmageddon Media (formerly Hammerheart Records) and Nuclear Blast, are expected to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Where Ironcrosses Grow" later in the year.
As previously reported, DISMEMBER are among the acts competing for the "Best Hard Rock" honor at the Swedish "Grammis" awards, which are set to be held February 7, 2005 at China Teatern in Stockholm. DISMEMBER are also among the bands battling it out for a Manifest award in the "Best Hard Rock/Punk" category.
The Manifest Awards are held by SOM (Svenska Oberoende Musikproducenter) (Swedish Independent Musicproducers), an organization that consists of over 100 record labels. This year's awards ceremony will take place on February 1 at Nalen in Stockholm
- - - - - -
~ THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Announce New Album Title ~
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDE have set "Miasma" as the title of their new album, tentatively due next summer via Metal Blade Records.
"The new album is now halfway written, and completely destroys anything we've done prior," vocalist Trevor Strnad writes. "We are very proud of the new songs, and are sure that our fans will not be disappointed. The direction of the new shit is noticeably heavier and far more intricate than our previous work. The album will be recorded in a dark scary basement of Richmond, VA, beginning March 10th with Andreas Magnusson (of SCARLET fame) at the helm. The album will then be mixed in April with the infamous Eric Rachel at Trax East studios, NJ. If all goes as planned 'Miasma' will be available in the early summer months. We'll be out with KING DIAMOND and NILE before the disc drops, kicking off another year of perpetual touring by your favorite road warriors.
- - - - - -
~ LECHEROUS NOCTURNE To Enter Studio In Late April/Early May ~
LECHEROUS NOCTURNE, the Greenville, SC-based extreme metal band featuring NILE guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade on drums, are finishing up the writing of their next CD. The album, which will include eight new tracks and two songs off the group's previously released EP, will be recorded at Sound Lab studios in Colombia, SC beginning in late April/early May. "LECHEROUS won't be playing any shows until the CD is finished and/or when Dallas gets of tour with NILE and has some down time," the band write in a press release. "After the recording is pressed, we will be shopping it for label support."
LECHEROUS NOCTURNE recently announced the addition of bassist Joe Payne (ex-LUST OF DECAY) to the group's ranks. Rounding out the group's lineup are Kreishloff (guitars), Chris Lollis (guitars) and Hohenstein (vocals). More information is available at LecherousNocturne.com .
- - - - - -
~ TERROR 2000 To Release New Album In June ~
TERROR 2000, the Swedish thrash metal band featuring Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK), Klas Ideberg (DARKANE), Nick Sword (EL MAGO), Erik Thyselius (CONSTRUCDEAD) and Dan Svensson (HATELIGHT), will enter the studio in March to record their third album, tentatively due in June via Italy's Scarlet Records.
The follow-up to 2002's "Faster Disaster" will contain "the most neck-breakin', fast and aggressive" material ever recorded by the band, according to a press release.
TERROR 2000 released their first-ever live album, titled "Slaughter In Japan-Live 2003", in December 2003. The 10-song album was recorded during the band's first-ever Japanese tour in support of DESTRUCTION. The tour, dubbed "Thrash Disaster", consisted of two shows at Shibuya Club Quattro in Tokyo.
- - - - - -
~ NAGLFAR Sign With CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS ~
Swedish death/black metallers NAGLFAR have signed a worldwide record deal with Century Media Records. Their new album, tentatively titled "Pariah", is currently being recorded at Ballerina Studios in the band's hometown of Umea. A spring release is expected.
Although the track listing has not yet been finalized, "Pariah" will contain such tracks as "A Swarm Of Plagues", "Revelations Carved In Flesh", "And The World Shall Be Your Grave", "Suffering To The Conquered", "Carnal Scorn & Spiritual Malice" and "The Perpetual Horrors".
In other news, NAGLFAR have undergone a lineup change. As singer Jens Rydén has to focus on his studies in the next two years, bass player Kristoffer Olivius will take care of vocal duties. To meet the requirements of a vocalist and front man, Kris will pass on his bass to Morgan Lie, a friend of the band, who will join the group for their upcoming tour with FINNTROLL. *(Thanks: Fredrik Kreem / SwedishMetal.net )
- - - - - -
~ ATROCITY Announce New Drummer ~
Long-running German metallers ATROCITY have announced the addition of drummer Moritz Neuner (GRAVEWORM, DARKWELL, ABIGOR) to the group's ranks. The production of the new LEAVES' EYES record (featuring the ATROCITY musicians) has just started and the first drum takes are already done, according to a posting on the ATROCITY web site. In addition, ATROCITY have commenced work on material for their next studio album.
ATROCITY's latest album, "Atlantis", was released in April 2004 through Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Mastersound Studio in Fellbach, Germany under the production guidance of the group's frontman (and Mastersound owner) Alexander Krull.
- - - - - -
~ Reunited HELLWITCH Schedule Live Performance ~
Legendary death/thrash metal band HELLWITCH have scheduled a live performance with INCANTATION and MORTICIAN on Saturday, January 15 at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale. Also appearing on the bill are THE CHASM, ARSIS, FUNERIS and MATRIARCH. HELLWITCH's current lineup includes original member Pat Ranieri (guitar, vocals), longtime bassist Craig Shattuck, recently returned JP on rhythm guitar and Joe Schnessel (drums; who started playing in the band in 1989 and recorded their "Syzgial Miscreancy" LP and "Terrasymmetry" EP).
- - - - - -
~ GREEN CARNATION: Preparing For Upcoming Tour ~
GREEN CARNATION , the Norwegian band featuring Tchort (a.k.a. Terje Vik Schei, ex-EMPEROR, SATYRICON, EINHERJER), are currently "in a period of intense rehearsal of a new live set to be performed at festivals, gigs and tours in 2005," according to a posting on the group's web site. "The majority of work has been done on the songs from 'The Quiet Offspring', soon to be released worldwide."
Vocalist Kjetil Nordhus is delighted with the live potential of the new material: "The songs] have got great energy about them, and if we manage to give them even more rehearsal, I think they will sound very cool."
GREEN CARNATION will release their fourth studio album, "The Quiet Offspring", next month via Season of Mist.
"The Quiet Offspring" was recorded at Sound Suite studio in Marseille, France and was produced by Terje Refsnes. The cover artwork was created by Niklas Sundin of Cabin Fever Media (IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILLITY). GREEN CARNATION recently parted ways with drummer Anders Kobro and replaced him with Tommy Jackson, a longtime fan and friend of the band.
- - - - - -
~ KULT OV AZAZEL Part Ways With Guitarist, Announce Replacement ~
Floridian black metallers KULT OV AZAZEL have posted the following message on their official web site:
"In one month we will enter Mana Studio in Tampa, FL to start recording the next album 'The World, The Flesh & The Devil'. Due to personal obligations, Nocturath [guitar, backing vocals] has decided to leave the band but will continue to work closely with us in the future doing covers/layouts as he has done in the past. His replacement is VJS from the hordes DEMONCY and INCURSUS, whose first official appearances will be on the split releases with VROLOK and HORN OF VALERE. As for the splits, the recording for both is complete. The only hold up right now is the art/layout for the 10" split with HORN OF VALERE and the enhanced video content for the split CD with VROLOK. The video portion will be completed within the next few days at which time everything will be turned over to Arctic Music for immediate release. No available information at the time about the release of the 10" through Abort The World Records."
- - - - - -
~ BEHEMOTH Frontman: We Are One Of The Most Hard-Working Bands On The Planet ~
Polish black metallers BEHEMOTH have just returned from their first-ever South American tour and within a few days, will kick off a U.K. trek, to be followed by a North American tour.
Commented frontman Nergal: "To be honest, we didn't feel that much energy for a long time. Maybe it's the new lineup, maybe a new, killer album, maybe new contracts...maybe part of each. But the shows we deliver these days are one of the best we played ever and that is the fact! We feel like we got something to say with 'Demigod' and we will push hard and will not give up! I don't wanna say that this album is our 'be or not to be' but yes, it's opening new doors and I'd like to believe it's some kind of pay-off to all the hard work and dedication. One thing is obvious, there is so much confidence in the band nowadays and we are on the right track to prove it!"
Regarding their touring plans, Nergal said, "We are not gonna stop. On the 13th we are kicking off in Brighton and do the first headlining tour in Great Britain. I know it's very difficult market but 'Demigod' have a great press there and I really wanna give it a try. Right after the show we play in London we get ourselves on the plane to Atlanta to join SUFFOCATION and do one-month long tour in U.S. I can't wait to do it. We will be there right on time as 'Demigod' has its street date on the January 25th. It's gonna be amazing... New songs, new line up...it all works sooo perfect these days...I wanna show it to the American audience."
Asked to look back on last year and comment on what the year 2004 has meant for BEHEMOTH, Nergal aggressively spat out, "I hate this kind of categories. What is 2004? For me there is no difference, no meaning really... I have worked hard for last 12 months and I'm gonna work even harder for the next 12 months. The funny thing is all that 'best for 2005' wishes we got from all pseudo friends, backstabbers... People who used to hurt or disturb us in this way or another. Keep these wishes for yourself. We need no hypocrisy here, no Santa Clauses, no Christmas, no New Year's wishes...we are FAR beyond all that catholic bullshit. BEHEMOTH is what it is. One of the most hard-working bands on the planet and we will win our happiness and tranquility with OUR determination and consequence."
In other news, BEHEMOTH have scheduled dates for their long-awaited Polish tour organized in cooperation with their longtime Polish partners Michael and Mystic Productions.
"I'm sooo happy bout playing in all those places again," said Nergal. "We wanna give you quality and killer set so...that is the reason why it took so long to complete this tour and decide about the lineup.
"It's great to have our friends from FRONTSIDE on the bill. Their new album is one of recent highlights... and PANDEMONIUM. Man, it's thrilling ... I used to be their fan in early '80s...it feels like this tour is gonna be nothing but amazing event! See ya all soon brothers!!!"
- - - - - -
