Blackmetal.com News Blog

Saturday, April 30th

Metal news (Weeks 16 & 17)





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* Now for TWO (2) Weeks worth of METAL News of interest below!!!


~ BOLT THROWER Launch Official Web Site, Prepare To Enter Studio ~
British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER have launched their official web site at www.boltthrower.com. Included on the site are song rarities, videos, an official forum and other features.

BOLT THROWER are currently in final rehearsals for their eighth, as-yet-untitled studio release. In mid-May, the band enter Andy Faulkner's Sable Rose studios, where they will spend the next three months recording the CD. The album will be released on Metal Blade Records around October/November.

BOLT THROWER recently announced the return of original vocalist Karl Willetts as a full-time member.  Willetts rejoined the group as the replacement for Dave Ingram, who left the band in August 2004 due to long-standing "health and personal problems."

BOLT THROWER's 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.
*(Thanks: Global Domination)
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~ CARNAL FORGE: 'CHILDREN OF BODOM Can Name Their Albums Whatever They Want' ~
Swedish thrashers CARNAL FORGE have issued a statement defending themselves against accusations that they have attacked CHILDREN OF BODOM's "originality" by questioning C.O.B.'s plans to use almost exactly the same title ("Are You Dead Yet?") for their upcoming CD as that of CARNAL FORGE's latest effort, 2004's "Aren't You Dead Yet?" Writing to their official web site, CARNAL FORGE said, "First of all, we would like to say that, where the fuck can you find that CARNAL FORGE has made any comment of CHILDREN OF BODOM being anything?

"All of you that want to be so original should check your facts before you make any comments at all. We have never seen this much people arguing about something this ridiculous.

"CHILDREN OF BODOM can name their albums whatever they want, we don't have time to even care. So to kill this discussion that CARNAL FORGE had said anything else than what's posted on our site …we say, check your facts."

CARNAL FORGE are currently working on the material for the follow-up to "Aren't You Dead Yet?", tentatively due in early 2006 via Century Media Records. The upcoming CD will be the group's first with singer Jens C. Mortensen (LEECH, REVOLVER, SLAPDASH), who replaced Jonas Kjellgren last year.
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~ TOM GABRIEL FISCHER: 'CELTIC FROST Must Reappear The Right Way' ~
CELTIC FROST
frontman Tom "Warrior" Gabriel Fischer has launched his official blog at http://apollyonsun.blogspot.com/ . The blog will include very personal insights from Tom, including news on the recording of the new CELTIC FROST album. A couple of Tom's recent entries read as follows:

"[February 16, 2005] It was almost ten years after our decision to terminate CELTIC FROST when we began meeting again to talk seriously about writing and recording a new album. The seed for a new album had been planted during the extensive work for the 1999/2000 re-issue project. The atypical occurrence was that we didn't do this because some record company, management or promoter had offered us money for it. Quite the opposite: over the years, we have received countless proposals to reform, some of them extremely lucrative. But we turned down every single one. There have been instances (even very recently) when certain parties offer us an insane amount of money to play even one single show, but we have always declined because we didn't want to see CELTIC FROST, a band whose most classic moments are those of innovation, aggressiveness and courage, reduced to an oldies-but-goodies show. There is no question, we love CELTIC FROST's older music, and we will perform plenty of it in concert. But we don't believe a band like CELTIC FROST should be sustained merely on the strength of past achievements.

"We actually began working together again because we simply felt like it. Because we actually do love CELTIC FROST. Because our life, our existence has been shaped by CELTIC FROST, by the band's music, by the people we met through our work with the band. Because it always felt like CELTIC FROST's mission had not yet been fulfilled, by far, due to so many obstacles the group encountered the first time around."

"[April 3, 2005] We have been hosting an American engineer for a few days here in Zurich, with whom we talked about co-producing the final recording sessions as well as the mixing of the new CELTIC FROST album. It is the first time that we stepped out and played the music for the entire album to somebody outside the band. Not even our manager has yet heard that much new CELTIC FROST.

"The engineer, perhaps best called Sparrow-Hawk (for a reason), is quite accomplished and has been involved in major projects over the past 12 moths. His expertise is unquestionable. And yet I felt uneasy almost from the first minute. His capabilities and accomplishments are what we would have killed for in the early days. And yet, this Friday, we had a discussion for hours in our rehearsal studio about how to proceed during the actual recording sessions. Although I did understand his reasoning very well and agreed with it from a technical and professional standpoint, his approach all seemed so far removed from what CELTIC FROST must be, from what our ideology and our sound is. From our explosions of directness and rawness.

"I was professional but very frank, and so was he, and the rest of the band largely sat there in stunned silence. I believed I was defending the very heart and soul of the approach which made classic FROST albums such as 'To Mega Therion', 'Morbid Tales' and 'Into the Pandemonium' possible in the first place. I also merely kept to what we had been discussing and developing within the band for many months now. And still, I was apparently quite isolated with my concerns.

"We played for Sparrow-Hawk on Saturday, and we all went out for dinner and drinks later on. But there was this feeling of distance and, very subtly, a lack of mutual understanding. Perhaps this will be a loss of a huge opportunity. But we have worked so incredibly hard on this album, and we have only this one shot at getting it right. There have been too many instances when we have relinquished too much control, and the results were always utterly destructive.

"After so many years, CELTIC FROST must reappear the right way. And there are so many other well versed engineers out there."
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~ DISIPLIN: 'We Hate All People Equally!' ~
Guitarist Drakul Azacain of the Norwegian extreme metallers DISIPLIN has issued the following statement regarding the recent lineup changes in the group's camp:

"Just before the release of 'Anti-Life' (January/February 2005), DISIPLIN went through some dramatic changes. I, Drakul Azacain (Savant M, General K, Drakul218 etc.) parted ways with the entire line-up of DISIPLIN. I wanted to take the next step in the evolution of DISIPLIN, and in order to improve the vessel DISIPLIN is (for the Anti-Cosmic and Satanic Current), certain actions had to be taken! If chaos, darkness shall once again rule in the so-called 'black' metal scene, then some bands have to take a stand! EVERY member must stand behind DISIPLIN's Satanic message! This message also, hopefully, banishes the ridiculous rumor that DISIPLIN is a NSBM (racially biased) band. We hate all people equally!

"Introducing the Bloodline of Cain:
Drakul Azacain - Guitars
Rune Andreassen - Vocals
Frode Ramsland - Guitars

"The entire line-up will be issued shortly! In addition, I wish to thank the former members of DISIPLIN for their work on the releases, concerts and rehearsals they participated on!"
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~ IMPALED NAZARENE: Live Album To Be Issued On Vinyl ~
Osmose Productions will be releasing a double 10" version of IMPALED NAZARENE's first-ever live album, entitled 'Death Comes In 26 Carefully Selected Pieces', according to a posting on the group's web site. "We will be working on the layout soon and this jewel will be out during summer 2005," the band write.

Osmose Productions has set a May 9 European release date for 'Death Comes In 26 Carefully Selected Pieces'. Recorded last December at Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland, 'DCI26CSP' features 26 songs from the band's catalogue, including songs from their 7" EPs.
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~ SINISTER: Back From The Dead ~
As first reported here on March 30, Dutch death metallers SINISTER have now officially reformed, according to a statement issued by Nuclear Blast Records. "Fact is that after numerous letters and e-mails of fans around the world we reconsidered to revive the band again", the group said in a statement, "but drastic measures were needed in order to keep true to ourselves and to our fans that supported the band from the beginning."

What this means is that SINISTER decided to alter the group's lineup in an unorthodox way: Aad Kloosterwaard, drummer and founder of the band, will be the new vocalist. "This role is not new to him, since he is already handling the mic some time with his other bands BLASTCORPS and INFINITED HATE," the group write. Additionally, bass player Alex Paul will switch to guitar while newcomer Paul Beltman (ex-JUDGEMENT DAY) shall be the new SINISTER drummer. A (session) bass player will be added when the band hits the road again.

Plans for a new album are currently underway, as Alex, Aad and Paul explain: "Our vengeance to those we hate start at the end of this year when we will record our new album in the Stage One studio in Germany. The new album will be released again through Nuclear Blast Records, our brothers in crime, to whom we have the deepest respect for believing in SINISTER for all these years. As for our fans who supported us throughout the years and hopefully will again in the future!"

SINISTER re-signed with Nuclear Blast Records back in 2002 after a one-album stint with the now-defunct Hammerheart Records. The group's last studio album, "Savage or Grace", was released in 2003.
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~ WITCHCRAFT Discuss Upcoming Album ~
Fresh from their recent Terrorizer readers' poll triumph, Swedish retro-merchants WITCHCRAFT found themselves in the U.K. again recently for another well-received live outing. Terrorizer caught up with the band backstage to get the lowdown on their keenly anticipated sophomore album.

Terrorizer: Do you have a name for the new record yet?

Magnus [Pelander, guitar/vocals]: "No. We've got some suggestions. I'm not going to reveal anything (laughs). It'll be a surprise."

Terrorizer: How's it sounding so far?

John [Hoyles, guitar]: "We tried to get the same sound as the last record but more polished. The same '70s sound we captured. We recorded at New Rising [ORANGE GOBLIN, HANGNAIL]."

Magnus: "I'm very pleased; even though I haven't sat down at home and listened to it. When we recorded… I must say I'm excited. Like John said, it's the same old sound but a bit more polished and I think that is positive because it is good to hear once in a while what you really sing. It's going to be fun listening to it."

Ola [Henriksson, bass]: "Some songs are old-school doom, but some are more progressive."

John: "There’s a wider range, more progressive, more '60s. And some heavy songs as well. It's a bit of both, '60s and '70s record."

Magnus: "'80s and '90s as well. I shouldn't say that; it'll ruin our image. I'm thinking about THE OBSESSED and PENTAGRAM, that kind of '80s and '90s. PAGAN ALTAR, WITCHFINDER GENERAL."
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~ CANCER: New Album Details Revealed ~
Reformed U.K. death metallers CANCER have completed work on their new studio album, "Spirit In Flames", due on June 20 via Copro Records. The group's first full-length studio album (fifth overall) since 1995's "Black Faith" was recorded over a three-week period at Philia studios in Henley on Thames, England and is said to be "a very heavy album. . . the darkest [the band] have done thus far."

A launch party for the CD will take place at the London Deathfest on June 18, with a full European tour to follow.  CANCER released an EP, "Corporation$", last May through Copro. Included on the effort was the group's cover version of the CELTIC FROST classic "Dethroned Emperor".

CANCER's current lineup includes drummer Carl Stokes, vocalist/guitarist John Walker, bassist Adam Richardson, and guitarist Dave Leitch (PULVERISED). Leitch replaced Rob Engvikson last summer after Rob left the group to focus on his long-running ASATRU project (which has since been renamed DANELAW).
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~ BATHORY Tribute Album: Final Track Listing Revealed ~
Germany's Black Goat Productions have finalized the track listing for the upcoming BATHORY tribute album, "A Tribute from the Hordes to Bathory", tentatively due in June.

"A Tribute from the Hordes to Bathory" will feature 25 tracks and 24 bands from 12 countries. The cover will be designed by Italian Lady Rock and will show a horde of black goats running across the twilight. This black-and-white drawing will be printed on a gatefold cover. Inside the gatefold you will find liner notes from the compilation's producer explaining why she made this tribute CD, along with photos of Quorthon. The set will be released as a double LP on coloured vinyl — yellow and blue (representing the Swedish flag). It will contain a 24-page inlay booklet including a nine-page interview the compilation's producer conducted with Quorthon in May 2001 in Stockholm. Each page in the booklet will feature two bands, with photos, logos, contact information and a statement from each group, plus a thanks list. The LP will be limited to 1,000 copies on yellow/blue vinyl, handnumbered in blood.

* "A Tribute from the Hordes to Bathory" track listing:

SAURON (Netherlands) – "The Rite of Darkness"
TWILIGHT ZONE (Italy) - "Gods of Thunder"
DEATHCHURCH (Japan) - "Chariots of Fire"
AMPUTATION (Germany) - "Sacrifice"
LEPROSITY (Brazil) - "Satan My Master"
FEARBRINGER (Italy) - "Call from the Grave"
PRIMORDIAL (Ireland) - "Total Destruction"
ULCISIA CASTRA (Hungary) - "Holocaust"
DIAMATREGON (France) - "Pax Vobiscum"
PUTRESCENT (Germany) - "Baptized in Fire"
ICE KRATORNAS (Philippines) - "Possessed"
SERPENTERIUM (Puerto Rico) - "The Lake"
LORD (France) - "The Return..."
UNHOLY WAR (France) - "Hades"
KATHARKH (Germany) - "One Eyed Old Man"
DECAYED (Portugal) - "You Don't Move Me"
BATHORLORD (Germany) - "Bleeding"
WILLOW WISP (USA) - "The Golden Walls of..."
SKOLL (Italy) - "Home of Once Brave"
NOCTURNAL (Germany) – "Enter the eternal Fire"
BATHORLORD (Germany) - "Man of Iron 2"
MY DARKEST HATE (Germany) - "Born for Burning"
THE TRUE ENDLESS (Italy) - "Woman of Dark Desires"
VORKUTA (Hungary) - "Sadist"
MEPHISTO (Italy) - "Raise the Dead"
For more information, visit www.blackgoatproductions.de .

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~ NAGLFAR To Release 'Pariah' In July ~
Swedish black metal titans NAGLFAR's new beast, "Pariah", will be unleashed in the U.S. July 12 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sheol", "Pariah" is described in a Century Media press release as "a flawless work of iniquitous hell-spawned art filled with raging guitar riffs, bludgeoning drums, demonic vocals, that combine with haunting melodies to capture hell's eternal depravity. Battle axemen guitarists Andreas Nilsson and Marcus Norman return with their triumphantly vicious six-stringed assault, while drummer Mattias Grahn relentlessly drives the band's frenetic attack. Assuming vocal duties is founding member and bassist Kristoffer Olivius replacing Jens Rydén, who left for job-related reasons. Returning to Ballerina Studios in hometown Umeå, Sweden, where their two previous releases, 'Sheol' and 'Diabolical', were recorded, NAGLFAR have again imprisoned a monstrous leviathan. Ralph Manfreda (PUNGENT STENCH, BELPHEGOR) provides impious artwork that turns the aural assault into visual onslaught." New band photos and "Pariah"'s cover art can be viewed here.

Currently touring Europe with FINNTROLL and AMORAL, NAGLFAR will also be appearing this summer at Germany's eminent Wacken Open Air and Finland’s Tuska metal festival.
*[ blabbermouth.net ]
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~ SAURON To Team Up With FLUISTERWOUD For Split 7" Single ~
Dutch black metallers SAURON will be teaming up with FLUISTERWOUD for an upcoming split seven-inch single, tentatively due later in the year. SAURON will contribute one new track and a live version of "Prey to Destruction", while FLUISTERWOUD will offer two new songs, "Laat Alle Hoop Varen" and "Gitzwart En Wolvenfaam". The split single will be released in a very limited edition of 187 pieces.

SAURON's second full-length album, "For A Dead Race", was released late last year via Neurotic Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Universe Of Filth", "For A Dead Race" was recorded at Double Noise Studio and is said to be "more mature, more diverse and most of all more angry" than its predecessor.
*[ blabbermouth.net ]
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~ AETERNUS Part Ways With Guitarist ~
Norwegian Blackened Death Metal'ers AETERNUS have parted ways with guitarist Stian. No reason was given for his departure.

AETERNUS recently spent time at Grieghallen Studios in Norway recording their new album, "Hexaeon", for a late spring release via Nocturnal Art Productions. The follow-up to 2003's "A Darker Monument" was once again produced by Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin, who has previously worked with ENSLAVED and MÖRK GRYNING, among others.
*[ blabbermouth.net ]
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~ LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE Part Ways With Guitarist, Announce Replacement ~
German doom/gothic metallers LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE parted ways with rhythm guitarist Christian Freitsmiedl after the completion of their recent German tour with THE 69 EYES. Replacing Christian in the band's lineup is Tony Berger. Tony will make his live debut with the group this week in Austria and will take part in the upcoming summer festivals.

LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE will enter the studio in September to record their seventh album, tentatively due in early 2006 via Napalm Records. The band's most recent CD, "Ave End", was released last June.
*[ blabbermouth.net ]
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~ BATTLELORE Complete Work On New CD ~
Finnish "fantasy metal" band BATTLELORE have completed work on their third album, "Third Age of the Sun", tentatively due in June via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sword's Song" was recorded at SoundSuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes (TRISTANIA, MORGUL, TURISAS). Mastering duties were handled at Finnvox studios in Helsinki.

BATTLELORE recently announced the departure of bassist/founding member Miika Kokkola due to "personal reasons." Replacing him in the group's lineup is Timo Honkanen, who has already toured with the group as Kokkola's temporary replacement on their "Atlantis Lovelorn" tour with ATROCITY and LEAVES' EYES late last year. In addition, the band have announced that vocalist Tomi Mykkänen, who also performed with the group on the aforementioned tour, has been named a full-time member of BATTLELORE and has contributed vocals to their third album.
*[ blabbermouth.net ]
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~ SADUS Begin Recording New Album ~
Veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers SADUS have entered Trident Studios in Pacheco, California to record their fifth, as-yet-untitled album for a late summer release via Mascot Records. The band are currently working at Trident with producer Børge Finstad (MAYHEM, BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG, EXTOL), engineer Juan Urteaga and manager Rob Lewis. The follow-up to 1997's "Elements of Anger" will be mixed at Finstad's own Toproom studios in Norway.

SADUS bassist Steve DiGiorgio, well known in the scene for his work with DEATH, TESTAMENT, AUTOPSY, VINTERSORG and many others, has confirmed plans for a SADUS DVD, the release of which will coincide with the upcoming CD.

"We have big plans for the album, a lot of songs and maybe a couple of covers, cool packaging and intense art," DiGiorgio explained. "Also a DVD to go along with the release, including footage from the making of the new songs, studio shots, personal and candid moments, and hopefully enough live footage from recent and shows past to cover a long couple of decades."

SADUS recently took part in the NW Deathfest in Seattle and are scheduled to perform at the Minneapolis Mayhem 2 festival, set to take place on May 6-7 at Star Central in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. *(Thanks: Massimo "chainsawmax" Usai)
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~ Man Who Wore SLAYER Shirt When He Killed Family Is Convicted Of Murder ~
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a 26-year-old man who wore a SLAYER shirt when he killed four members of a south Whittier, CA family was found guilty Tuesday of murder after forensic evidence tied him to the crime scene.

According to the paper, SLAYER is a heavy metal band "known for lyrics about violence and death." Nearly a decade ago, three San Luis Obispo youths pleaded guilty to killing a 15-year-old girl, saying SLAYER's songs incited them to commit the crime. The girl's parents sued the band, but a judge threw out the lawsuit in 2001, ruling that the band's music is protected by the 1st Amendment.

The motive behind the latest massacre may never be known, prosecutors said. But shortly before Alfonso Ignacio Morales committed the crime, a daughter in the family had spurned his romantic overtures, and Morales returned to their house with a knife, they said.

Victims Miguel Ruiz; his wife, Maritza Trejo; their 8-year-old daughter, Jasmine; and Ruiz's grandmother, Ana Martinez, were known as part of a quiet, hard-working family. Their house was ransacked and the throats of Ruiz and Martinez were slit. Trejo was stabbed at least 30 times. Jasmine was sexually assaulted and drowned in a bathtub.

"There was blood in almost every room in the house," Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Alva Lin said.

Read more at the Los Angeles Times' website at: http://www.latimes.com/services/site/premium/access-registered.intercept .

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~ ORDER OF THE EBON HAND Confirmed For Greece's ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL ~
ORDER OF THE EBON HAND
, the Greek band featuring Akis of SEPTIC FLESH fame, have been confirmed for the Rockwave Festival on July 8. The band will support SLAYER, ACCEPT, CANDLEMASS and DISMEMBER. ORDER OF THE EBON HAND will be the only Greek act to appear on the "extreme" day of this three-day (July 8-10) festival.  ORDER OF THE EBON HAND's latest album, "XV: The Devil", was released in January via Season of Mist.
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~ Former PENANCE Vocalist Seeks Musicians For New 'Doom' Band ~
Former PENANCE vocalist Brian "Butch" Balich is currently seeking musicians to form a new band. "Doom is what I love and that is what I am looking to continue to do," the singer writes in a press release. "[I] would like to find folks that would like to create music that combines heavy doom riffs with twin guitars (a la MAIDEN, THIN LIZZY, TROUBLE) as well as think progressively about song structures, moods etc..... I'm in Pittsburgh. Anyone interested can contact me via e-mail at eyetalian@hotmail.com">eyetalian@hotmail.com or through my Myspace page."
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~ MASSEMORD To Release New Album In May ~
Norwegian black metal band MASSEMORD will release their fourth album, "12 Years of Mass Murders", on May 21 in Europe via Germany's Perish In Light Records. The 12-year anniversary CD will contain new recordings as well as "Rare and Evil", an old self-produced mini-CD.

In other news, MASSEMORD have announced the return of vocalist Der Henker to the group's lineup. Der Henker will sing on the group's fifth studio album that is tentatively scheduled for release next Christmas. Also joining the group is Barren, who will be sharing guitar duties with LHW.

MASSEMORD's third album, a split release with Norway's SVARTSKOGG, was released last year through The Oath Productions.

In other MASSEMORD-related news, LHW has signed a deal with Oak Knoll Records for his L.H.WARMACHINE solo project, which will release its debut CD, "Shapeless Abyssal Void", in late June. SVARTSKOGG, LHW's side project, has completed the recording sessions for the "Helvete666" CD and are looking for a label to release it. Meanwhile, Der Henker has created his own band and will probably release a split CD with the Dutch black metal band KROCHT.
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~ BILLY SHEEHAN, ROXY PETRUCCI Guest On Former MADAM X Guitarist's Solo Debut ~
Former MADAM X guitarist Maxine Petrucci has just released her first solo CD. Entitled "Titania", the disc features an appearance by Maxine's sister Roxy Petrucci (MADAM X, VIXEN), along with special guest bass players Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH, NIACIN, STEVE VAI), Mike Pisculli and Maxine's brother Paul Petrucci (MOTOR CITY ROCKERS). Check out audio samples from the album at MaxAttacks.com .
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~ 'Throat Problem' Forces KING DIAMOND's Philadelphia Cancellation ~
KING DIAMOND
have cancelled their show at The Trocadero in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday night (April 18) after the group's frontman/namesake came down with a "throat problem," according to the venue's box office. The remaining acts on the tour — NILE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and BEHEMOTH — have not been affected by the cancellation and are still scheduled to play tonight's concert. KING DIAMOND is expected to play a make-up show at the venue sometime in May.
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~ PANZERCHRIST Announce New Keyboardist ~
Danish extreme metallers PANZERCHRIST have announced the addition of keyboardist Dea Lillelund (also in FAIRYTALE ABUSE) to the group's ranks.

As previously reported, PANZERCHRIST have parted ways with drummer Reno Kiilerich (DIMMU BORGIR, EXMORTEM, VILE). Replacing Reno behind the kit is Michael Pedersen (ex-EXMORTEM).

PANZERCHRIST recently signed a new deal with Neurotic Records. "Work on the new album is going really well," the band write on their web site. "The new material will be heavier and more brutal."

PANZERCHRIST's fourth album, "Room Service", was released in September 2003 through Mighty Music. The follow-up to 2001's "Soul Collector" was recorded at Antfarm Studio (EXMORTEM, MNEMIC, RAUNCHY) with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, KONKHRA) and features 11 songs, including a "blasting" version of METAL CHURCH's eponymously-titled anthem.
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antinome666 on 04.30.05 @ 01:19 AM PST [link]


Friday, April 29th

HELLVETO, BLAKAGIR, FROST NEW ARRIVALS





blackmetal on 04.29.05 @ 09:27 PM PST [link]


Thursday, April 28th

Walpurgishnacht Satanic New Year Celebration: a Review


Karla La Vey's First Satanic Church presents "Walpurgisnacht" a New Year's Celebration ($6)
Featuring: HAIL SATAN (Mercyful Fate Tribute), BROCAS HELM, and more...
Tuesday night, 26th of April, at 12 Galaxies Club, San Francisco

The doors opened at 8 pm, but being the over-workaholics that we have inadvertantly become, we show up at 10:30; and the show is going full-swing with some quasi-Death/Grind band with a screechy vocalist on stage. I'm not sure who they were; maybe THE MASS, or SPIDER COMPASS; all I know is that they are local dudes from Oakland. One of the guitar-players is wearing an EMPEROR shirt; the band is really "technical", either that or severly unfocused and too eclectic to a fault. They lose a lot of the audience when the singer plays saxophone(?!?!), but a lot of people up front in the crowd seems to dig them... Their set seems to go on and on, and the tedium is compounded by the fact that the vocalist has no stage presence. I give them a 'B+' for effort, though. Just when we thought that they were going to play another song, the band starts breaking down their gear and striking the set... Whew! Now we settle down waiting for BROCAS HELM to start setting up... But, wait... Oh, no-- HAIL SATAN, the MERCYFUL FATE Tribute band starts setting up! WTF?!? We have to sit through them again??? They were okay the first time (a couple of years ago), but to see them again (for about the fourth or fifth time, too!) is... is... simply masochistic!

At the same time HAIL SATAN is sound-checking and getting ready to play, a keyboard is being set up in front of the stage, and a theremin on the other side, too. Then a bunch of hooded people in black robes, holding candles makes their way in a solemn procession towards the stage, while the keyboardist begins to play some creepy funereal music. The procession is led by Karla LaVey, looking resplendent in her form-fitting knee-length red latex dress that is fully laced up from top to bottom along the back. Then another young and slender blonde woman disrobes and serves as the semi-nude altar. The rest of the 'congregation' climb up on stage and Karla proceeds to read from _The Satanic Bible_ (the same passage also heard on the "Satanic Mass" CD originally recited by her father, Anton); her voice is steady and strong. The audience responds to the calling of infernal names, "Belial! Leviathan! Asmodeus! Loki! SET!..." etc., and numerous "Hail Satan!"s proliferate throughout the proceedings. Then just as suddenly, the reverie winds down to an unexpected end, and the realization that HAIL SATAN is about to start playing hits you like cold water to the face on a winter morning...

Well, HAIL SATAN are actually pretty good... The band are totally ripping on stage, but the KING DIAMOND lookalike is not hitting the high-notes and is off-key a LOT... The band features some great musicians; they play all the hits, "Melissa", "Black Funeral", "Come to the Sabbat", etc., but the set actually goes over-time cutting into BROCAS HELM's slot (with permission from the generous Mr. Schumacher)... The set ends with a rousing audience singalong of "Come to the Sabbat"... And the crowd quickly disperses. An audience previously consisting of about 60 (it was a Tuesday night after all) semi-conscious barflys, diehard Metal-heads, and Satanic supporters, dwindles down to less than two-dozen faithful (people who obviously don't have to get up early on Wednesay morning).

Then the moment that we (the hardy few that are still around) have been waiting for: BROCAS HELM take the stage and start pounding out some True Heavy Metal anthems to rescue us from boredom! They start of with a brutal version of "Into Battle" from their 1982 album-- utterly killer! It's a non-stop roller-coaster ride through a blistering set of classics like "Black Death" and "Skullfucker", mixed with new tracks from the latest "Defender of the Crown" CD. This totally unsung band is one of the greatest live combos in the history of Metal-- excellent musicianship, great charismatic stage presence, killer songs, great set arrangement, etc. Some songs have short, but substantial drum or bass (or drum with bass) solo's like the best arena concerts-- bassist Schumacher is the Metal answer to Jaco Pastorius (reminding me of the time I saw Jaco [r.i.p.] perform his bass-solo tribute to Jimi Hendrix, in the middle of a WEATHER REPORT concert in Berkeley)... The guitar-god vocalist is jack-of-all-trades and our man of the hour on stage. The conviction and passion of the performance by the BROCAS HELM guys must be seen live and in person to be believed... They are simply amazing. It was an impressive set of guitar pyrotechnics, thundering drums, heavy Doom subsonic bass galore! They played for an hour, but could've gone on for more...

Speaking to the members of BROCAS HELM after their (too brief) set, I was amazed to learn that they have enough material to play a THREE HOUR(!) set. It is no surprise to hear that they draw huge, sold-out crowds in Europe, and regularly tour Scotland, Germany, Italy, etc. BROCAS HELM's albums must be legendary in Europe. Original versions of their LP vinyls regularly fetch upwards of a hundred bucks each with maniac collectors. Their next gig will be in May, Friday the 13th; with HIRAX, as part of KUSF Rampage Radio's "Thrash of the Quintana" night at The Pound. Don't miss it-- be there!

Epilogue: 12 Galaxies is a great 2-level club in the heart of the Mission (on Mission Street, between 21st and 22nd.); great sight-lines, especially up on the second level, and excellent sound-system. Check out www.12galaxies.com ... It was great to see and speak with some cool folks who we haven't seen in ages-- JM "Nordac" from BLACK GOAT in attendance; Tina from LOST GOAT looking as foxxy as ever; Ron "Metallica" Quintana passing out copies of his new zine and spreading the word about the Rampage Radio gig; Metal Bob and his patches; etc. (even Gary Holt from EXODUS was there)... THANKS to beautiful Karla LaVey for a stimulating and satisfying evening; her boundless enthusiasm and fresh spirit is infectious and a wonder to behold. More power to her, and "Hail Satan!" (04/26/05)
antinome666 on 04.28.05 @ 12:53 AM PST [link]


Monday, April 25th

KREIG & NACHTMYSTIUM NEW KILLER CDs IN STOCK NOW


NEW RELEASES NOW AVAILABLE:




blackmetal on 04.25.05 @ 07:19 PM PST [link]


Thursday, April 21st

TUDOR and BONE AWL - New From Nuclear War Now! Productions


2 NEW KILLER RELEASES FROM NUCLEAR WAR NOW! Productions:





blackmetal on 04.21.05 @ 03:09 AM PST [link]


Tuesday, April 12th

DARKTHRONE, EXCITER, FIREWIND, NOCTURNAL RITES, BLOOD RED THRONE +MORE





  • DARKTHRONE "Soulside Journey (Limited import)" PIC DISC VINYL LP
  • WRECKING CREW "1987 - 1991" CD
  • BLOOD RED THRONE "Altered Genesis" CD
  • DISMEMBER "Wher Ironcrosses Grow" CD
  • NOCTURNAL RITES "Lost In Time" DOUBLE CD
  • FIREWIND "Forged By Fire" CD
  • EXCITER "Unveiling The Wicked (Remastered Reissue)" CD
  • IMMOLATION "Harnessing Ruin (+Bonus sampler disc with Video Trax!)" DOUBLE CD
  • NIGHTWISH "Once (LTD. 'Platinum' import!) +2 Bonus Trx & video-clip!" DIGIPAK CD
  • SOILWORK "Stabbing the Drama +Bonus Trk. (Ltd. Ed. import!)" DIGIPAK CD


blackmetal on 04.12.05 @ 07:14 PM PST [link]


IMMORTAL BURZUM MARDUK +MORE Restocks!


KILLER RESTOCKS NOW AVAILABLE:



blackmetal on 04.12.05 @ 07:12 PM PST [link]


Thursday, April 7th

Clandestine Blaze & Ildjard VINYL LPs + Creamface & More!


New Releases Now In Stock from Northern Heritage, Finland




  • CLANDESTINE BLAZE "Defenders of Faith" VINYL LP
  • ILDJARN "93" VINYL LP
  • ILDJARN (Thou Shalt Suffer) "1992-1995 (+ Bonus Trx. & Poster!)" DOUBLE-LP VINYLS
  • CREAMFACE "Tied Down & Fucked Hard" CD
  • CREAMFACE / MISOGYNIST PUSSYSLASHER "(split)" CD
  • TEMPLE OF TIERMES (Unholy) "Delirium Sadomaso (LTD.# 300)" CD

    blackmetal on 04.07.05 @ 12:02 AM PST [link]


  • Tuesday, April 5th

    Diamanthian, Caludron Black Ram, +MORE


    New & In Stock Now:



  • DIAMANTHIAN (UK) "Infinite Descent" CD
  • CAULDRON BLACk RAM "Skullduggery" CD


    Killer Releases Back In Stock:




  • WHIPLASH "Power & Pain/Ticket to Mayhem" CD
  • HEATHEN HOOF "Promo 2004" CASSETTE
  • MATRICIDE (Sweden) "Black Mass Gathering" CD

    blackmetal on 04.05.05 @ 11:22 PM PST [link]




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