A brand new IMAGIKA demo track, titled ' , has been posted online. "Last Battalion" features the talents of the San Francisco power/thrash metal group's new vocalist Norman Skinner (MACHINE CALLED MAN, TRAMOTANE) who replaced longtime singer David Michael last month. IMAGIKA's fourth album is due in early 2004 through an as-yet-undisclosed label. The band, who were previously signed to Germany's Massacre Records, released their last CD, "And So It Burns", in October 2000.
H.I.M.'s video for the song "Buried Alive By Love" has been posted online at the G.U.N./ Supersonic Records web site. Check it out: ' ' The clip was shot over the Dec. 15-18, 2002 weekend with Bam Margera of "Jackass" fame in the director's chair. Juliette Lewis was the female person in the video, which was filmed at the spectacular Los Angeles Theatre in downtown L.A. H.I.M. will release their first-ever live album, tentatively titled "Live Metal", on November 17. The album, which will be issued in a special package that will also include a DVD, was filmed/recorded last spring when the group played seven consecutive shows at Semifinal club in their hometown of Helsinki. In addition, BMG will be releasing a "Greatest Hits" album sometime next year. A new H.I.M. studio album (some of the material for which has already been completed by mainman Ville Valo) will not surface before 2005.
Stockholm, Sweden's MELDRUM, the band featuring former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, have been confirmed as one of the support acts on DANZIG's upcoming European mini-tour. The trek, which is scheduled to kick off in late November, will include a one-off U.K. appearance in London on November 22 under the "Blackest Of The Black" banner. MELDRUM have spent the last few months writing and recording material to be included on the as-yet-untitled follow-up to their debut album, "Loaded Mental Cannon", due in early 2004. Among the 20 or so tracks demoed during the sessions are "Insomniac", "Purge", "Never Ending", "Bite The Pillow", "Creme De La Creme", "Desensitized", and "Down Your Throat". In addition, the band have recorded a version of MOTORHEAD's "The Chase Is Better Than The Catch" for inclusion on an upcoming MOTORHEAD tribute album. Other acts set to appear on the CD include ENTOMBED ("One Track Mind"), HAVANA BLACK ("We Are The Road Crew"), SATOR ("Over The Top"), NOMADS ("Motorhead"), and THE HELLACOPTERS ("Speedfreak").
German black metallers AGATHODAIMON will shortly begin pre-production on their fourth album, "Darkened Days", tentatively due in May 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records. The band, who were recently joined by bassist Darin "Eddie" Smith, will once again record the next album at Kohlekeller Studio with producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner (CREMATORY). The first edition of the album will likely include a bonus CD featuring material from the group's early demos, "Carpe Noctem" and "Near Dark", as well as rare and unreleased tracks. Style-wise, the new songs will reportedly be a continuation of 2001's "Chapter III". Commented guitarist Sathonys: "Due to the line-up changes in the past months, our sound surely will experience some changes. But it's important for us to continue our progression as well as to keep our identity and the feeling of the music itself. Those who know our band already will know that every new album will feature new elements without losing our style and musical path. At the moment it seems that the new album will have an even darker approach than 'Chapter III'."
MENTAL DEMISE together with Corezone organize on 9th of October in Kiev, Ukraine concert with legendary Austrian band PUNGENT STENCH. It can be hapen, that MENTAL DEMISE will be official support of the band at concerts in Belarus, Ukraine and Russsia. "I can't be to say in which cities will we play, but I think in nearest future more will be known." tells band's participant Bolt
Norway's EINHERJER have shot a video for the track "Ironbound". "The editing should be finished in a week or so," reads a post on the band's web site. "Ironbound" comes off the group's recently released album, "Blot", available through Tabu Recordings. The follow-up to 2000's "Norwegian Native Art" was mixed at Top Room Studio with Borge Finstad (ARCTURUS, MAYHEM, BORKNAGAR) and is said to be the longest EINHERJER album to date.
Sweden's IN FLAMES have entered a rented house/converted studio in Denmark to record the follow-up to 2002's "Reroute To Remain", tentatively due in early 2004. The CD, which is being produced by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Orjan Ornkloo (ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), will surface through Nuclear Blast Records in Europe, with whom the group have two albums remaining under the terms of their present contract
Austrian death/black metal act BELPHEGOR have signed a deal with Napalm Records for the release of their fourth full-length album, "Lucifer Incestus", tentatively due in late November. The follow-up to 2000's "Necrodaemon Terrorsathan" was recorded at Mastersound studios In Stuttgart/Fellbach, Germany with producer Alex Krull (ATROCITY) and will be released in three different formats: limited-edition digipack with bonus CD-Rom video clip ("Lucifer Incestus"), the regular CD version, and the limited vinyl edition with a gatefold sleeve. The complete track listing for "Lucifer Incestus" is as follows: 01. Inflamate Christianos (intro) 02. The Goatchrist 03. Diaboli Virtues In Lumbar Est 04. Demonic Staccato Erection 05. Lucifuge / Paradise Regained 06. Fukk The Blood Of Christ 07. The Sin-Hellfucked 08. Swarm Of Rats 09. Lucifer Incestus
Veteran German thrashers TANKARD are preparing to enter Stage One studio in Buhne, Germany with producer Andy Classen to begin recording their new album, "Beast of Bourbon". Among the tracks set to appear on the CD are "Fistful Of Love", "Under Friendly Fire", "Genetic Overkill" and "Die With A Beer In Your Hand". The follow-up to last year's "B-Day" is due in March 2004 through AFM Records.
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, are in the final phase of the recording sessions for their new album, tentatively due in February 2004 through AFM Records. The CD, which is being recorded at Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden with producer Jens Moberg (KATATONIA, LAMBRETTA, CRYSTAL BLUE), will likely be titled "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"). DIONYSUS' debut album, "Sign Of Truth" (2002), was recorded at Rhon Studios in Fulda, Germany with producer Tobias Sammet (EDGUY) and was mixed at Area 51 studios by Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, VICTORY).
Swedish "dark death metal" act RUNEMAGICK will enter the studio in mid-November to begin recording their new album, "On Funeral Wings", tentatively due in the spring through Aftermath Music. The recordings for the album will take place at various locations with equipment from the band's own Magick Sound Studio, while the mix will be done at Magick Sound in January. According to the band's web site, the new material is "much in the vein of the latest album 'Darkness Death Doom', with some new ideas and dimensions." Among the tracks set to appear on "On Funeral Wings" are the following: 01. Monolithic Death 02. Rise of the 2nd Moon 03. On Funeral Wings 04. Dragon of Doom 05. Hyperion 06. Ocean Demon 07. The Doomsday Scythe
Swedish "gothic metal" act BESEECH set finalized the track listing for their fourth full-length album, "Drama", due in early 2004 through Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Souls Highway" was recorded at Studio Mega and was mastered at Cutting Room. The group's first effort since the departure of longtime guitarist Klas Bohlin will include an enhanced portion featuring rare bonus material. The complete track listing for "Drama" is as follows: 01. Drama 02. Higher Level 03. Voices 04. Forever Falling 05. Bitch 06. Addicted 07. Come On In 08. Friend Emptiness
MESHUGGAH vocalist Jens Kidman has recorded a guest appearance on MUSHROOMHEAD's forthcoming CD, "XIII", due on October 14 through Universal Records. Kidman reportedly shares lead vocal duties with MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason Mann in the track "The Dream Is Over". As previously reported, MESHUGGAH have started writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Nothing", tentatively due in late 2004/early 2005
Finland's NIGHTWISH have begun the final preparations for the recording of their new album, tentatively due in June 2004 through Spinefarm Records. "[The] band will lock themselves at the studio where they'll spend about a month practicing and arranging the songs for the new album," according to post on the group's web site. The band will once again use their own studio (Caverock) in Kitee to record the drums, bass and keyboards/synths, while the vocals and guitars will be recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox facility. 13 new songs and one cover version will be recorded during the sessions, which are expected to be completed by the end of March
KATAKLYSM will enter Studio Victor in Montreal in November to begin recording their new album, "Serenity In Fire", for a February 16, 2004 release through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, MALEVOLENT CREATION) and will be mixed at Wildsound studio in St-Zenon, Quebec. 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
Swedish black metallers LORD BELIAL have announced the addition of guitarist Hjalmar Nielsen to the group's ranks. Nielsen replaces Niclas "Pepa" Andersson, who left the band in early July for reasons that have yet to be disclosed. Niclas' decision to exit the group came several weeks after the departure of drummer Michael Backelin, who has since been replaced by RUNEMAGICK/ex-RELEVANT FEW skinsman Daniel Moilanen (half-brother of former SHOTGUN MESSIAH guitarist Harry K. Cody). LORD BELIAL recently entered Los Angered Recording in Angered (Gothenburg), Sweden to begin recording their new album, tentatively titled "The Seal Of Belial". The self-produced effort is being engineered by Nicklas Rudolfsson and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), and will be mixed by Andy. A late 2003/early 2004 release through Regain Records is expected.
A second MP3 clip from the forthcoming STRATOVARIUS album, "Elements Pt. 2", has been posted online at the group's official web site. The track "I'm Still Alive" is track No. 3 on the upcoming CD, due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album, which will once again feature artwork by Derek Riggs, will contain the following songs: 1. Alpha & Omega 2. ' 3. ' 4. Season Of Faith's Perfection 5. Awaken The Giant 6. Know The Difference 7. Luminous 8. Dreamweaver 9. Liberty 10. Ride Like The Wind (Japanese bonus)
You can view the artwork for "Elements Part 2" ' .
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL are currently in the studio working on a live album featuring material recorded during their recent South American tour. Live album will include a total of 15 tracks.
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A brand new IMAGIKA demo track, titled ' , has been posted online.
H.I.M.'s video for the song "Buried Alive By Love" has been posted online at the G.U.N./ Supersonic Records web site. Check it out: 
Stockholm, Sweden's MELDRUM, the band featuring former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, have been confirmed as one of the support acts on DANZIG's upcoming European mini-tour. The trek, which is scheduled to kick off in late November, will include a one-off U.K. appearance in London on November 22 under the "Blackest Of The Black" banner. 
German black metallers AGATHODAIMON will shortly begin pre-production on their fourth album, "Darkened Days", tentatively due in May 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records. The band, who were recently joined by bassist Darin "Eddie" Smith, will once again record the next album at Kohlekeller Studio with producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner (CREMATORY). 
MENTAL DEMISE together with Corezone organize on 9th of October in Kiev, Ukraine concert with legendary Austrian band PUNGENT STENCH. It can be hapen, that MENTAL DEMISE will be official support of the band at concerts in Belarus, Ukraine and Russsia. "I can't be to say in which cities will we play, but I think in nearest future more will be known." tells band's participant Bolt
Norway's EINHERJER have shot a video for the track "Ironbound". "The editing should be finished in a week or so," reads a post on the band's web site. "Ironbound" comes off the group's recently released album, "Blot", available through Tabu Recordings. 
Sweden's IN FLAMES have entered a rented house/converted studio in Denmark to record the follow-up to 2002's "Reroute To Remain", tentatively due in early 2004. The CD, which is being produced by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Orjan Ornkloo (ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), will surface through Nuclear Blast Records in Europe, with whom the group have two albums remaining under the terms of their present contract
Austrian death/black metal act BELPHEGOR have signed a deal with Napalm Records for the release of their fourth full-length album, "Lucifer Incestus", tentatively due in late November. 
Veteran German thrashers TANKARD are preparing to enter Stage One studio in Buhne, Germany with producer Andy Classen to begin recording their new album, "Beast of Bourbon". Among the tracks set to appear on the CD are "Fistful Of Love", "Under Friendly Fire", "Genetic Overkill" and "Die With A Beer In Your Hand". The follow-up to last year's "B-Day" is due in March 2004 through AFM Records.
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, are in the final phase of the recording sessions for their new album, tentatively due in February 2004 through AFM Records. The CD, which is being recorded at Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden with producer Jens Moberg (KATATONIA, LAMBRETTA, CRYSTAL BLUE), will likely be titled "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"). DIONYSUS' debut album, "Sign Of Truth" (2002), was recorded at Rhon Studios in Fulda, Germany with producer Tobias Sammet (EDGUY) and was mixed at Area 51 studios by Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, VICTORY).
Swedish "dark death metal" act RUNEMAGICK will enter the studio in mid-November to begin recording their new album, "On Funeral Wings", tentatively due in the spring through Aftermath Music. 
Swedish "gothic metal" act BESEECH set finalized the track listing for their fourth full-length album, "Drama", due in early 2004 through Napalm Records. 
MESHUGGAH vocalist Jens Kidman has recorded a guest appearance on MUSHROOMHEAD's forthcoming CD, "XIII", due on October 14 through Universal Records. Kidman reportedly shares lead vocal duties with MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason Mann in the track "The Dream Is Over". As previously reported, MESHUGGAH have started writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Nothing", tentatively due in late 2004/early 2005
Finland's NIGHTWISH have begun the final preparations for the recording of their new album, tentatively due in June 2004 through Spinefarm Records. "[The] band will lock themselves at the studio where they'll spend about a month practicing and arranging the songs for the new album," according to post on the group's web site. The band will once again use their own studio (Caverock) in Kitee to record the drums, bass and keyboards/synths, while the vocals and guitars will be recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox facility. 13 new songs and one cover version will be recorded during the sessions, which are expected to be completed by the end of March
KATAKLYSM will enter Studio Victor in Montreal in November to begin recording their new album, "Serenity In Fire", for a February 16, 2004 release through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, MALEVOLENT CREATION) and will be mixed at Wildsound studio in St-Zenon, Quebec. The complete track listing for "Serenity in Fire" is as follows (in no particular order):
Swedish black metallers LORD BELIAL have announced the addition of guitarist Hjalmar Nielsen to the group's ranks. Nielsen replaces Niclas "Pepa" Andersson, who left the band in early July for reasons that have yet to be disclosed. Niclas' decision to exit the group came several weeks after the departure of drummer Michael Backelin, who has since been replaced by RUNEMAGICK/ex-RELEVANT FEW skinsman Daniel Moilanen (half-brother of former SHOTGUN MESSIAH guitarist Harry K. Cody). LORD BELIAL recently entered Los Angered Recording in Angered (Gothenburg), Sweden to begin recording their new album, tentatively titled "The Seal Of Belial". The self-produced effort is being engineered by Nicklas Rudolfsson and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), and will be mixed by Andy. A late 2003/early 2004 release through Regain Records is expected.
A second MP3 clip from the forthcoming STRATOVARIUS album, "Elements Pt. 2", has been posted online at the group's official web site. The track "I'm Still Alive" is track No. 3 on the upcoming CD, due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. 
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL are currently in the studio working on a live album featuring material recorded during their recent South American tour. Live album will include a total of 15 tracks.