SCARVE set release date for new album through Listenable Records for their third album, "Irradiant". As previously reported, the CD will be issued in a special, limited-edition digipak version, featuring loads of bonus stuff, including the video for "Emulate The Soul". The follow-up to 2002's "Luminiferous" was recorded at Dug-Out Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producers Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Orjan Ornkloo (MISERY LOVES CO.) and features a guest appearance by DEFLESHED vocalist/bassist Gustaf Jorde. In other news, SCARVE have posted a bunch of photos taken at their most recent live appearance at the Brise-Glace in Annecy, France. Check them out at the link below: ' .
Swedish power metallers ETERNIA will release their new single, "Shadow Gate", in November/December. The single will include three new "heavy" ETERNIA tunes recorded at Eurosound in Umea, Sweden by Anders Zackrisson. Cover artwork was, once again, created by Jenny Pettersson. You can view the artwork ' .
Polish tech-death masters DECAPITATED have finalized the track listing for their third full-length album, "The Negatron", due in February 2004 through Wicked World/Earache Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Nihility" was recorded at Hertz Studio in Poland with engineers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski and is being described by bassist Martin as "very very strong," with a thick guitar sound. The complete track listing for the album is as follows: 01. The Fury 02. Three-Dimensional Defect 03. Sensual Sickness 04. Calling 05. The Negation 06. Long-Desired Dementia 07. The Empty Throne 08. Lying And Weak 09. Lunatic Of God (DEICIDE cover, bonus track)
DECAPITATED will play a one-off show in London in December and will follow it up with a proper U.K. tour in February.
Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have set March 8, 2004 as the release date through Nuclear Blast Records for their new album, "Serenity In Fire". The complete track listing for "Serenity in Fire" is as follows (in no particular order):
01. The Ambassador of Pain 02. As I Slither 03. The Resurrected 04. 10 Seconde from the End 05. The Tragedy I Preach 06. For All Our Sins 07. The Night They Returned 08. Blood on the Swans 09. Serenity in Fire 10. Under the Bleeding Sun
SHAITAN MAZAR, the new band featuring former NILE members Chief Spires (bass, vocals) and John Ehlers (guitar), have posted their entire four-song demo in MP3 format at their official web site.
The tracks available for download are as follows:
01. ' 02. ' 03. ' 04. '
SHAITAN MAZAR's musical style is being described by Spires as "ranging from the most extreme attack to metal, ambient, melodic passages. Our purpose is, basically, no limits." The band, who are completed by Jason Hohenstein (vocals), Robert Dirr (guitars) and Brett Goode (drums), are currently shopping the demo to interested labels with a view towards releasing their debut album in 2004.
Sweden's CENTINEX have announced the addition of drummer Ronnie Bergerstahl (JULIE LAUGHS NO MORE, AMARAN, MYNJUN) to the group's ranks. As previously reported, CENTINEX's new album, "Decadence - Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos", is due in early 2004 through Candlelight Records. The complete track listing for "Decadence - Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos" is as follows:
01. Arrival Of The Spectrum Obscure 02. Misanthropic Darkzone 03. Hollowsphere 04. Target: Dimension XII 05. Deathstar Unmasked 06. A Dynasty Of Obediance (instrumental) 07. Mechanical Future 08. Cold Deep Supremacy 09. New World Odyssey
Long-running death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE have set "The Wretched Spawn" as the title for their forthcoming album, due in February through Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Gore Obsessed" is currently being recorded at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, Texas with producer Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, JUDAS PRIEST). The complete track listing for "The Wretched Spawn" (in no particular order) is as follows:
01. Severed Head Stoning 02. Psychotic Precision 03. Decency Defied 04. Frantic Disembowelment 05. Rotted Body Landslide 06. Cyanide Assassin 07. Festering In The Crypt 08. Nothing Left To Mutilate 09. Blunt Force Castration 10. The Wretched Spawn 11. Slain 12. Bent Backwards And Broken 13. They Deserve To Die
News from Morbid Records (Germany).The cold, contemplative days have arrived, still we have a couple of interesting releases, which will hopefully make you leave your cozy place near the fireplace. December 8th will be the day on which our sick Spaniards HAEMORRHAGE present their new DVD "Visions from the Morgue". This masterpiece (visually as well as in terms of sound quality !) offers you 3 videoclips, professional live recordings from the "With Full Force"- Festival 2002 performance, live shows in Holland and the Czech Republic dating back to the years 1996 through 1999. A booklet containing new gorestories from von "Dr. Obnoxius" & Co." written by Luisma will also be included. Don?t let this cool item pass you by !!! After the great success of this year?s MORBIDE FESTSPIELE we decided to release recordings from the festival on VHS video format. Release is schedules for January 2004. You can expect superb live recordings of Bonestorm, Harmony Dies, Eminenz, Blood, Manos, Ingrowing, Hellblazer, Birdflesh, Desecration, Prostitute Disfigurement, Neuraxis & Exhumed. Chicago`s Deathmonsters DISINTER are currently putting the finishing touches to their new album. It will be entitled "As we burn" and it has 10 deadly thunderstorms of quality US Death Metal in store for you. Release is also scheduled for January 2004. New with Morbid Reords are Splatter-Death Metallers PROFANATION from Gorlitz / Germany. Their second mu-sick-al baby is called "Its lunch time again" and will see the light of day early next year. We are happy to announce the inclusion of Bavarian cultgrinders COCK AND BALL TORTURE to the Morbid ranks. The production of their third, still untitled offering is planned for early 2004 and we hope to spread it among the masses next summer. We have more interesting signings coming up, stay tuned for more information any time soon. Many Morbid bands will be on tour for you next year. A three-week tour of extreme US Grinders WACO JESUS with ISACAARUM is in the planning stages. LIVIDITY have been in plan for next year?s Fuck The Commerce Festival and HAEMORRHAGE plan to perform at the next Party-San-Festival.
In support of new album "In Labyrinth Of Time" Belarus-based group APOCRYPHAL will give some concerts. November 1 - Chernigiv, Ukraine November 29 - Rechitsa, Belarus December 1 - Chernigiv, Ukraine
Check Rep. label Napalmed presents various artists compact disc (2003 CD 010) ANOMALOUS SILENCER no.6 - noise, industrial, experimental, ... CD compilation.37 international artists, 80 minutes, CD-text, 16-page multicolor booklet w/complete artists' info You can order your copy for US$ or Euro 8,- (inc. p+p).Radek Kopel, Lipova 1123, 434 01 Most, Czech republic napalmed@volny.cz; napalweb.host.sk
News from DAWN OF DEFIANCE: "Dear fans The recording of the long awaited D.O.D. debut album it's still on the way, two new songs are still being recorded and lot of shit is still being re-recorded. I wished I could go faster, but since I am just alone with every aspect of this and since I do other shit besides music, I can't put out on music all the time I would desire. The album will be finished for the age of late February / March 2004, initially distributed by two recording companies in South America and later in some points of USA an Europe. As always I want to thank you all for all the constant support I receive for the Dawn Of Defiance's project" Diego Sendra
Yaroslavl-based (Russia) group MIND ECLIPSE currently works on their new third full-length album. Already is booked Navaho Hut Records studio in Moscow, Russia, which band will enter on December, 18 to recorder with producer Arkadiy Navaho 9 brand new tracks in style of extremal black/death metal. Among the songs, which will be on album are: Gospel In Blood; A Way Across The Horizon; Of God, Satan And Other Artifacts Of Human Ignorance; Formula Of God; Murder Is A Priveledge Of Highest Ones; Titanium Cromlech. Work-title is Utopia: Formula Of God. According to MIND ECLIPSE bassist Xarfax, on new album sound will be more death metal, speed of the songs will be incredible, tracks will have more complex structure. Demo-versions of two new songs, recorded during band's live performance are posted on their official website: ' '
Upcoming MIND ECLIPSE gigs (Russia):
October 31 - Moscow, “Relax” club, “Halloween party” November 1 - Elektrostal Middle November - Tver November 25 - Yaroslavl, “Partixal” club, “Evil Prevail - 3” fest December 6 - Moscow, “Relax” club, “Musica fest V”
Worldwide premiere of new album of Finnish black/thrash/deathers TWILIGHT OPERA "The End Of Halcyon Age" delayed. Now it's due early 2004. For Russia, Ukraine and Baltian states this album was released earlier this spring through CD-Maximum. Tracklist: 01. ChaosWorm 02. Trapped in Husk of AWhite Crow 03. Bow Before My Dark 04. The End of Halcyon Age 05. Pseudogods 06. Leperthrone 07. Gothic Prelude of Capricious Equanimity 08. Cruciferous Lunacy 09. Paragon of Pregnant Night
Official news from AR - darkwave project from Ukraine. "AR is writing. I would like to invite Thee to visit ' and check ' in order to upload three tracks - "The Gates Are Open", "The Winds That Blow From The Black Sea" and "The Black Mirror of The Silent Lake" from my album "The Eternal Circle Of Life" in the vein of esoteric sympho darkwave with elements of pagan folk. If you are interested, check English and updated Russian versions of my section at NEW official website of Ukrainian Dark Syndicate: ' Current state of things provokes me to think about cancelling my contract with Falcata Galia Recordings (USA/Macedonia) (after more than two-year irresponsible inaction of the label) and looking for a new SERIOUS underground label."
Velingor (TUMULUS), vocalist of Russian black/death band MIND ECLIPSE decided to left the group. Now group is searching for the new vocalist. If it's interesting for you, you can write to xarfax@mail.ru. Velingor will lay down vocal parts for the new upcoming MIND ECLIPSE album and take part in some nearest concerts.
Russian art progressive folk metal group TUMULUS joined original drummer Ottar. Kurbat, who previosly played drums, became guitarist and Zus (guitar-player) left the band. TUMULUS bassist and mainman Velingor left other band MIND ECLIPSE. Velingor also produce the recordings of debut album of Yaroslavl-based (Russia) power/gothic metal group "STORM" at "Chek Sound" studio.
Sweden's SOILWORK will be releasing a mini-CD next month through their original label Listenable Records. The five-song effort will include previously unreleased (in the U.S. and Europe) material from their "Steelbath Suicide" and "Chainheart Machine" periods. The track listing for the CD is as follows: 1. Burn (DEEP PURPLE cover) 2. Disentigrated Skies 3. Shadow Child (original version) 4. Egypt (MERCYFUL FATE cover) 5. The Aardvark Trail (live)
MINISTRY are set to begin recording their new album on November 1. As a result, they will not be able to attend the Chicago Heros Awards ceremony next month honoring the group with a "Lifetime Achievement Award". Because MINISTRY cannot attend the event, the Chicago Heros Awards have decided to present the award to MINISTRY next year instead. MINISTRY's follow-up to this year's "Animositisomina" is due next spring/summer through Sanctuary Records.
Swedish death metallers VOMITORY will enter Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden in December with producer Henrik Larsson to record their fifth full-length album. A March 2004 release through Metal Blade Records is expected. In other news, VOMITORY are currently seeking a new vocalist as a result of bassist/growler Erik Rundqvist's decision to focus solely on his bass-playing duties. Erik will still lay down the vocals on the forthcoming VOMITORY album and will continue to play bass for the group. Interested parties can contact the band at band@vomitory.net. "But if you're not 100% serious, don't waste our time!" the band write on their web site.
Sweden's ARCH ENEMY have announced brand-new tour dates in the U.K. leading up to the Christmas K! Fest. Special guests at the gigs will be U.K. Satanic black/death metal band AKERCOCKE. The dates are as follows: Dec. 16 - Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts Dec. 17 - Leeds, UK @ Cockpit Dec. 18 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy II Dec. 21 - London, UK @ Mean Fiddler
Veteran German metallers PARADOX have announced plans to record a new studio album in early 2004. The as-yet-untitled effort will feature the same lineup as 2000's "Collision Course" (including current RHAPOSODY/occasional BLIND GUARDIAN fill-in drummer Alex Holzwarth), and will surface in late 2004 through Germany's AFM Records.
Swiss melodic metallers EMERALD have competed work on their third full-length album, "Forces Of Doom", at Mohrmann Studios in Bochum, Germany with producers Detlef Mohrmann and Axel Thubeauville. Included on the CD is a guest appearance by MAJESTY guitarist Tarek Maghary, who played a solo on the title cut, "Forces Of Doom". A January/February 2004 release through Germany's Crazy Life Music/Shark Records is expected. The complete track listing for "Forces Of Doom" is as follows: 01. Enter The Emerald Castle 02. Tears Of A Warrior 03. Until Freedom Returns 04. Blood Of Our Kings 05. Forever06. Something In The Dark 07. Also Wild 08. On The Wings Of The Night 09. Forces Of Doom 10. Song Of Hope 11. Birth Of A Legend
More Hate are pround to present new band. Label signed a deal with Tver-based (Russia) pagan metal capella PAGAN REIGN for re-releasing their "Otbleski Slavy I Vozrozhdenie Bylogo Velichiya" album and exclusive distribution of this CD worldwide by More Hate Productions company. Release will be out later this year with new artwork. Next few monthes will out some new albums: THERM. EYE. FLAME "Solar Nebula" modernized black metal and BARBARITY "The Wish to Bleed" brutal grinding death metal (ex-MORTIFER drummer band).
September 29, 2003 since Jesus Christ's born on English firm Rage Of Achilles Records (http://www.rageofachilles.com/) is out long sophomore album of blasphemic black metal project DER GERWELT, titled "Human Breed". ALbum was recorded with new line-up, featured participants of TALES OF DARKNORD (Alex Duke) and ROSSOMAHAAR (Lazar). Music of DER GERWELT changed a little, sound became more heavy and have elements of death and dark metal. Plus live work of session drummer! In Russia album released through More Hate Productions the same day of the official release date and is already in stores.
German power metallers EDGUY have signed a long-term deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The group's first release for the label - an as-yet-untitled EP - will surface in early 2004, to be followed by the band's new full-length studio effort, "Hellfire Club" in March. Singer Tobias Sammet describes the album as the group's "most diverse and majestic" offering so far. The follow-up to 2001's "Mandrake", which includes a collaboration with the German film orchestra Babelsberg (SCORPIONS), was produced by EDGUY and Norman Meiritz, with additional assistance from Sascha Paeth (RHAPSODY, ANGRA), who was responsible for the mighty drum sound on the album. The final mix took place at the famous Finnvox Studios (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS) in Helsinki, Finland.
Danish death thrashers URKRAFT have set "Eternal Cosmic Slaughter" as the title for their debut album, tentatively due in the spring through Germany's Voice Of Life Records. The band, whose music has been described as an "uncompromising mix of pure death metal, melodies, harsh vocals and enough power to open the gates of hell," will enter Antfarm Studio (EXMORTEM, MNEMIC, RAUNCHY) in January 2004 with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, KONKHRA) to record the album, which will contain nine "aggressive, thrashy death metal tracks."
France's HEAVENLY have set "Dust To Dust" as the title for their third album, due on January 12 through Sanctuary/Noise Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Sign Of The Winner", which is being described by the band as "more heavy metal and more symphonic" than the group's previous efforts, is currently being mixed by Sascha Paeth (ANGRA, RHAPSODY, KAMELOT). The complete track listing for "Dust To Dust" is as follows: Chapter I 01. Ashes To Ashes... 02. Evil 03. Lust For Life 04. Victory (Creatures Of The Night) Chapter II 05. Illusion Part I 06. Illusion Part II (the call of the wild) 07. The Ritual 08. Keepers Of The Earth 09. Miracle Chapter III 10. Fight For Deliverance 11. Hands Of Darkness 12. Kingdom Come
GRIMFIST, the Norwegian band featuring ex-IMMORTAL drummer Horgh, are the final act to have been announced for the "Blackest Of The Black" show at London, England's The Forum on November 22. Other bands appearing on the bill are headliners DANZIG, MARDUK, ZYKLON, ORANGE GOBLIN and MELDRUM.
Norwegian power metallers MEMORIZED DREAMS will enter Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim, Norway on October 31 with producer Stein Bratland to begin recording their debut album, "Theater Of Life". The CD, which will feature a guest appearance by singer Olaf Hayer (DIONYSUS, LUCA TURILLI, LORD BYRON) in the title track, will be mastered by Tommy Newton at Area 51 Studios in Germany. An early 2004 release through Sound Riot Records is expected. Download MP3 clips of two pre-production/demo tracks: ' '
DARK FUNERAL guitarist Lord Ahriman has posted the following update on the band's official web site: "It has been quite some time since DARK FUNERAL has released any official news. We might have been quiet but we sure haven't been inactive! After a successful gig at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany the first weekend of August, we headed down to South America for a tour through Brazil, Chile and Columbia. We have recently returned home and let me tell you, we are still high off the tremendously overwhelming response we got from all you crazy maniacs over there! Before we flew over for the tour, we had been told that the South American metal crowd was very energetic and dedicated, but we couldn't even have dreamed of getting such a massive response as we got. You guys fucking rule! These shows will indeed stay in our memory forever. "We would like to apologize to the fans in Antofagasta (Chile). We know there were many of you who were expecting us there and we're really sorry that we never made it to you. We were really looking forward to playing there. We never got any explanation to why it was cancelled. We were only told it was cancelled and that there was nothing we could do about it. DARK FUNERAL would like to thank all of you crazy fuckers who came out to the shows, you were all amazing! A special debt of gratitude goes out to all of the local promoters and last but not least a special HAIL goes out to Carlos Aguilar & Alejandro of Blackshadows Tattoo, who hooked us up with some new ink while playing Chile. "And now for a surprise - during the tour we had recorded a couple of the shows with plans to release it as a live album! We have been in the studio the past week with our live sound engineer Erik Lidbom, sifting through all the recorded material. There is so much good stuff we might even release two live albums! We are preparing now to start mixing the first one, which will include the following tracks: 1. The Arrival Of Satan's Empire 2. An Apprentice Of Satan 3. The Dawn No More Rises 4. Thy Legions Come 5. Hail Murder 6. Goddess Of Sodomy 7. The Secrets Of The Black Arts 8. Vobiscum Satanas 9. Shadows Over Transylvania 10. Open The Gates 11. Ineffable Kings Of Darkness 12. Thus I Have Spoken 14. My Dark Desires 15. Armageddon Finally Comes
"We hope to get this killer release out to the fans as soon as possible. If all goes as plan, a second live album will be released shortly after. More info on that to come... "DARK FUNERAL has officially left the label MNW/No Fashion Records. It's yet not decided with what label we will work with on this live album(s). Once we're done with the mix we'll ship it out to various labels to shop for a distribution deal. Stay tuned for more info on this also. "DARK FUNERAL are currently looking for high-resolution photos (300 DPI or higher) taken during our South American tour. We will need them for the CD booklet of the forthcoming live album(s). If you have some, please let us know via e-mail. We will then instruct you how to send us a CD-R with complete info on where they are taken and your personal information. Send inquiries to: ' "DARK FUNERAL has also been in the early stages of writing material for a new album. More news on this and our new guitarist, Chaq Mol, will follow in the months to come. "Hail Metal. Hail Satan! Lord Ahriman, DARK FUNERAL"
.: .: .: .: .: .: .: .: .: .: 
SCARVE set release date for new album through Listenable Records for their third album, "Irradiant". As previously reported, the CD will be issued in a special, limited-edition digipak version, featuring loads of bonus stuff, including the video for "Emulate The Soul". 
Swedish power metallers ETERNIA will release their new single, "Shadow Gate", in November/December. The single will include three new "heavy" ETERNIA tunes recorded at Eurosound in Umea, Sweden by Anders Zackrisson. Cover artwork was, once again, created by Jenny Pettersson. You can view the artwork ' .
Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have set March 8, 2004 as the release date through Nuclear Blast Records for their new album, "Serenity In Fire". 
SHAITAN MAZAR, the new band featuring former NILE members Chief Spires (bass, vocals) and John Ehlers (guitar), have posted their entire four-song demo in MP3 format at their official web site.
Sweden's CENTINEX have announced the addition of drummer Ronnie Bergerstahl (JULIE LAUGHS NO MORE, AMARAN, MYNJUN) to the group's ranks.
Long-running death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE have set "The Wretched Spawn" as the title for their forthcoming album, due in February through Metal Blade Records. 
In support of new album "In Labyrinth Of Time" Belarus-based group APOCRYPHAL will give some concerts.
Check Rep. label Napalmed presents various artists compact disc (2003 CD 010) ANOMALOUS SILENCER no.6 - noise, industrial, experimental, ... CD compilation.37 international artists, 80 minutes, CD-text, 16-page multicolor booklet w/complete artists' info You can order your copy for US$ or Euro 8,- (inc. p+p).Radek Kopel, Lipova 1123, 434 01 Most, Czech republic napalmed@volny.cz; napalweb.host.sk
News from DAWN OF DEFIANCE:
Yaroslavl-based (Russia) group MIND ECLIPSE currently works on their new third full-length album. 
Worldwide premiere of new album of Finnish black/thrash/deathers TWILIGHT OPERA "The End Of Halcyon Age" delayed. Now it's due early 2004. For Russia, Ukraine and Baltian states this album was released earlier this spring through CD-Maximum.
Official news from AR - darkwave project from Ukraine.
Velingor (TUMULUS), vocalist of Russian black/death band MIND ECLIPSE decided to left the group. Now group is searching for the new vocalist. If it's interesting for you, you can write to xarfax@mail.ru. 
Russian art progressive folk metal group TUMULUS joined original drummer Ottar. Kurbat, who previosly played drums, became guitarist and Zus (guitar-player) left the band. 
Sweden's SOILWORK will be releasing a mini-CD next month through their original label Listenable Records. The five-song effort will include previously unreleased (in the U.S. and Europe) material from their "Steelbath Suicide" and "Chainheart Machine" periods. 
MINISTRY are set to begin recording their new album on November 1. As a result, they will not be able to attend the Chicago Heros Awards ceremony next month honoring the group with a "Lifetime Achievement Award". Because MINISTRY cannot attend the event, the Chicago Heros Awards have decided to present the award to MINISTRY next year instead. 
Swedish death metallers VOMITORY will enter Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden in December with producer Henrik Larsson to record their fifth full-length album. A March 2004 release through Metal Blade Records is expected. 
Sweden's ARCH ENEMY have announced brand-new tour dates in the U.K. leading up to the Christmas K! Fest. Special guests at the gigs will be U.K. Satanic black/death metal band AKERCOCKE. 
Veteran German metallers PARADOX have announced plans to record a new studio album in early 2004. The as-yet-untitled effort will feature the same lineup as 2000's "Collision Course" (including current RHAPOSODY/occasional BLIND GUARDIAN fill-in drummer Alex Holzwarth), and will surface in late 2004 through Germany's AFM Records.
Swiss melodic metallers EMERALD have competed work on their third full-length album, "Forces Of Doom", at Mohrmann Studios in Bochum, Germany with producers Detlef Mohrmann and Axel Thubeauville. Included on the CD is a guest appearance by MAJESTY guitarist Tarek Maghary, who played a solo on the title cut, "Forces Of Doom". A January/February 2004 release through Germany's Crazy Life Music/Shark Records is expected. 
September 29, 2003 since Jesus Christ's born on English firm Rage Of Achilles Records (http://www.rageofachilles.com/) is out long sophomore album of blasphemic black metal project DER GERWELT, titled "Human Breed". ALbum was recorded with new line-up, featured participants of TALES OF DARKNORD (Alex Duke) and ROSSOMAHAAR (Lazar). Music of DER GERWELT changed a little, sound became more heavy and have elements of death and dark metal. Plus live work of session drummer! 
German power metallers EDGUY have signed a long-term deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The group's first release for the label - an as-yet-untitled EP - will surface in early 2004, to be followed by the band's new full-length studio effort, "Hellfire Club" in March. Singer Tobias Sammet describes the album as the group's "most diverse and majestic" offering so far. The follow-up to 2001's "Mandrake", which includes a collaboration with the German film orchestra Babelsberg (SCORPIONS), was produced by EDGUY and Norman Meiritz, with additional assistance from Sascha Paeth (RHAPSODY, ANGRA), who was responsible for the mighty drum sound on the album. The final mix took place at the famous Finnvox Studios (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS) in Helsinki, Finland.
Danish death thrashers URKRAFT have set "Eternal Cosmic Slaughter" as the title for their debut album, tentatively due in the spring through Germany's Voice Of Life Records. The band, whose music has been described as an "uncompromising mix of pure death metal, melodies, harsh vocals and enough power to open the gates of hell," will enter Antfarm Studio (EXMORTEM, MNEMIC, RAUNCHY) in January 2004 with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, KONKHRA) to record the album, which will contain nine "aggressive, thrashy death metal tracks."
GRIMFIST, the Norwegian band featuring ex-IMMORTAL drummer Horgh, are the final act to have been announced for the "Blackest Of The Black" show at London, England's The Forum on November 22. Other bands appearing on the bill are headliners DANZIG, MARDUK, ZYKLON, ORANGE GOBLIN and MELDRUM.
Norwegian power metallers MEMORIZED DREAMS will enter Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim, Norway on October 31 with producer Stein Bratland to begin recording their debut album, "Theater Of Life". 
DARK FUNERAL guitarist Lord Ahriman has posted the following update on the band's official web site: