More Hate released in December: MHP 04-031 split CD BARBARITY/ KATALEPSY/ SMERSH/ POSTHUMOUS BLASPHEMER - the first part of CD-series, dedicated to grindcore/ goregrind/ brutal death metal, performing by CIs bands. Split includes 4 brutal brigades of CIS-underground! Kostroma-based (Russia) BARBARITY present 3 new in vein of necro old school death metal, and also as bonus track - cover NAPALM DEATH "Suffer the Children". Moscow group KATALEPSY plays original mix of grinding brutal death metal in vein of SUFFOCATION with some additions of psychodelic modern metal. SMERSH - speed anti-social grind core. And finally Belarussians POSTHUMOUS BLASPHEMER will bury you under the brutal death metal in vein of IMMOLATION, MORBID ANGEL.
The second part is in work. This part will include songs by ANAL NOSOROG (Moscow, Russia), MUTANT FACTOR (Moscow, Russia), PRECHYUDLIVYY ZARODYSH (Moscow, Russia).
Moscow black metal band ASHEN LIGHT finished the recordings of their new album, "Prachashcheniye Ognem". Early 2005 release through More Hate Productions is expected. Group will present the new effort in the middle January in R-club (Moscow, Russia).
Long-awaiting new album of modernized metal formation THERM. EYE. FLAME, "To Evolution?!", will be released in January 2005 through More Hate Productions.
In December through More Hate Productions will be relased: CD of Belarussian melodic death metal band ASGUARD, "Wicca", and also re-release of ASHEN LIGHT debut's, "Pesn' Velesa" ("Veles Song") with new design and previously unreleased tracks.
...NORD'N'COMMANDER for release "Hermeneutics" album. Band plays experimental, electronic blackened metal. CD will be released in February-March 2005.
...Kyiv-based band SEMARGL for release the debut effort "Attack on God". Group performs speed blasphemic black death metal. It was rcorded in famous Polish Hertz studios. CD will be released in February-March 2005.
...Ukrainian pagan black metal team NATURAL SPIRIT for release "Ruskolon'" album. CD will be released in March-April 2005.
Napalm Records has set a January 24, 2005 release date for the sophomore album from the Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN, entitled "Arcane Rain Fell". The follow-up to last year's "Where Lovers Mourn" was recorded at Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden and contains "more than 60 minutes of music," according to a posting on the group's web site. "The production turned out to be really magnificent and the song material is really strong, including the long awaited 16-minute epic 'Death, Come Near Me' (first time released on the 2002 demo 'Dark Oceans We Cry')," the posting adds. "No fan of dark and heavy doom/gothic metal should be disappointed. Prepare for a grand release of strong emotions, great drama and utter darkness." DRACONIAN manager and webmaster, Erik Arvidsson, has provided the lyrics for two songs and one was written by romantic poet John Clare. One was also penned by Ryan Henry (NECARE), who has provided all of the spoken verses for the release.
"Arcane Rain Fell" final track listing:
01. A Scenery of Loss 02. Daylight Misery 03. The Apostasy Canticle 04. Expostulation 05. Heaven Laid in Tears (Angel's Lament) 06. The Abhorrent Rays 07. The Everlasting Scar 08. Death, Come Near Me
Danny Dunford (a.k.a. Deege), one of the webmasters of the Zakk Wylde/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY fan site SDMFWorldwide.com, attended the concert in Columbus, Ohio last Wednesday which ended in the shooting death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and four others (including suspected gunman Nathan Gale). Dunford spoke to "The Classic Metal Show" Saturday night (Dec. 11) about the tragic events of that fateful night and offered what is being described as "the most complete account" of what transpired at the Alrosa Villa nightclub before and after Dimebag was shot.
GREEN CARNATION, the Norwegian band featuring Tchort (a.k.a. Terje Vik Schei, ex-EMPEROR, SATYRICON, EINHERJER), have posted the cover artwork for their fourth studio album, "The Quiet Offspring", '
"The Quiet Offspring" is scheduled for release in February 2005 via Season of Mist.
GREEN CARNATION recently parted ways with drummer Anders Kobro and replaced him with Tommy Jackson, a longtime fan and friend of the band.
Finland's NIGHTWISH have been confirmed as the support act for MÖTLEY CRÜE on June 10 at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway.
As previously reported, NIGHTWISH will be teaming up with ANGRA for a Japanese tour next March. A U.K. tour will take place in February. A North American headlining tour with SONATA ARCTICA will kick off April 18, 2005 in Minneapolis.
Massacre records is planning to release the new DARKSEED album "Ultimate Darkness" on the 24th of January. The CD was recorded in Helion Studio (Munich).
Tracklist: 1. Disbeliever 2. My Burden 3. Ultimate Darkness 4. Biting Cold 5. The Dark One 6. Save Me 7. Speak Silence 8. Next to Nothing 9. Follow Me 10. The Fall 11. Endless Night 12. Sleep Sleep Sweetheart
Bassist Jukka-Pekka Miettinen of the Finnish folk-influenced melodic death metal band ENSIFERUM has resigned from the band for "personal reasons," according to a posting on the group's official web site. "He doesn't have time for ENSIFERUM anymore," the posting adds.
"Miettinen will play in the two last gigs this year in X mass festival December 18, 2004 in Holland and December 19, 2004 in Belgium. A new bass player is found for ENSIFERUM. Bass will be played by Sami Hinkka."
Producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, SKINLAB, MASTERPLAN) is reportedly remixing NEVERMORE's "Enemies of Reality" album for re-release via the Century Media label in early 2005.
"Enemies Of Reality" (2003) was originally recorded in Seattle with producer Kelly Gray (QUEENSRYCHE, SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM, DOKKEN) and was widely criticized for its muddy, inferior production compared to that of its predecessor, 2000's "Dead Heart in a Dead World", which was produced by Sneap.
NEVERMORE are expected to enter the studio with Sneap in February 2005 to begin recording their follow-up to "Enemies Of Reality", tentatively due late summer/early fall via Century Media.
THE MIGHTY NIMBUS, the Minnesota-based group featuring former SIXTY WATT SHAMAN and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY members, have parted with singer Dan Soren due to family issues.
For their upcoming February tour with CROWBAR and ENTOMBED, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY guitarist Erik Larson will sing for the band. Larson played guitar on THE MIGHTY NIMBUS' debut record and was replaced by Alex Petrovich (MISTER BONES) for their appearance at the Emissions Of The Monolith Festival.
THE MIGHTY NIMBUS' debut is available in Europe and will be released in February 2005 in Canada and the United States via Candlelight Records.
Sweden's CENTINEX have set "World Declension" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in June via Cold Records (a subsidiary of Metal Blade). The group's follow-up to this year's "Decadence - Prophecies of Cosmic Chaos" will be recorded in March. No further details are currently available.
"Decadence - Prophecies of Cosmic Chaos" was recorded and mixed at Black Lounge Studios and contains nine tracks, including an instrumental piece written and performed by Peter Pettersson from Swedish goth/industrial act ARCANA. The artwork for the album was conceived by Per Gustafson (CULT OF LUNA), while the layout was, once again, handled by Timo "The Eyeless" Ketola.
Danish modern thrash metallers MNEMIC have been nominated for five awards at the Danish Metal Awards. The categories in which they were nominated are as follows:
* Album of the Year ("Audio Injected Soul") * Live Band of the Year * Music Video of the Year ("Deathbox") * Guitarist of the Year (Mircea Gabriel Eftmie) * Bassist of the Year (Tomas "Obeast" Koefoed)
To vote for MNEMIC, send an e-mail to the following address: awards2004@danishmetal.dk.
A complete list of the nominees can be found at ' .
Sweden's IN FLAMES are currently working on a DVD, entitled "A Night In Flames", featuring the band on their 2004 world tour. The last stop on the trek is the special IN FLAMES show in London (Carling Apollo Hammersmith) on December 27, whre the group will be joined by LACUNA COIL, CHIMAIRA and CALIBAN. The show will be filmed with several cameras and a seven-meter long crane. "The IN FLAMES material looks great and I'm very exited about finishing these concerts," director/producer Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Films said.
"A Night In Flames" is scheduled for release in June 2005.
THE PROJECT HATE, the Swedish band featuring Jörgen Sandström of ENTOMBED/GRAVE fame on lead vocals, are scheduled to enter the studio in early 2005 to begin recording their fourth studio album, tentatively due next summer via Threeman Recordings. An update on the songwriting sessions from guitarist Lord K (a.k.a. Kenth Philipson) follows:
"Some weeks ago we got informed that it looks like Threeman Recordings won't have the budget for us to enter the studio in February as planned, which is not a very good thing. We know they are working on it though and we still have hope for it to happen since we just completed the eighth and final song for the coming album and really look forward to put it all down on tape.
Chicago doomsters NOVEMBERS DOOM have parted ways with bass player Mike LeGros. Mike played bass with the band for the past two years, and contributed to the recording of the upcoming CD, "The Pale Haunt Departure". "It was brought to our attention that he was not comfortable in the band due to creative differences, and the dedication to his instrument we required suffered because of this," the group said in a statement. "Very simply, it was time for a change, on both sides. Mike is an amazing person, and we are forever grateful for everything he did for NOVEMBERS DOOM during his time with us. We wish him nothing but the best with DISINTER, NACHTMYSTIUM, and any other project he aligns himself with!
"We are in the process of filling the vacant bass position, and this will not hinder us from touring, and promoting 'The Pale Haunt Departure' in 2005. Any interested parties should email: info@novembersdoom.com."
"The Pale Haunt Departure" was mixed by Swedish producer/musician Dan Swanö (BLOODBATH, EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE) and is being mastered by James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, TESTAMENT). An early 2005 release through The End Records is expected.
OBITUARY singer John Tardy has posted the following message on the group's official web site:
"Donald [Tardy, drums], Al [West, guitar] and I finished another song the other day. We are real close to having the music done, just a few more songs, and we will be getting into the studio. Hopefully by January.
"I went down last night and hung out with the CANNIBAL [CORPSE] and NAPALM [DEATH] guys. I haven't seen either one of them for a while so it was good to get to see them. Unfortunately NAPALM's bus broke down and they didn't make it in time for the show but a least I did get to have a few cool ones with them."
OBITUARY are expected to enter the studio in early 2005 to begin recording their first collection of new songs since 1997's "Back From the Dead", tentatively due next summer through Roadrunner Records.
Sweden's HAMMERFALL have set "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" as the title of their new album, due on March 7, 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The follow-up to 2002's "Crimson Thunder" was produced and mixed by Charlie Bauernfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HELLOWEEN) and will be preceded by the "Blood Bound" single on January 31. A video for "Blood Bound" was recently shot in Gothenburg, Sweden.
01. Secrets 02. Blood Bound 03. Fury of the Wild 04. Hammer of Justice 05. Never, Ever 06. Born to Rule 07. The Templar Flame 08. Imperial 09. Take the Black 10. Knights of the 21st Century
MY DYING BRIDE are busying themselves preparing for their next full-length DVD release, planned for spring 2005. They are working with David Palser again to produce a new video clip exclusively for this release. The track is "The Blue Lotus" and "it is going to be a stunning work," according to a posting on the group's web site. "A great new photo shoot by Lady Morgana has also been completed, which shows the band like you have never seen them before. Expect to be amazed. The previously available DVD, 'For Darkest Eyes', has been repackaged and will be available at a special price from March. If that wasn't enough, we're also expecting the writing of a new studio album for 2006 release."
ORDER OF THE EBON HAND, the Greek band featuring Akis of SEPTIC FLESH fame, have inked a deal with Season of Mist. The group, who play "true black metal, with a dramatic and theatrical edge," will release their new album, "XV: The Devil", on January 24, 2005.
After much internal wrangling, Sweden's KATATONIA have decided not to release their first full stand-alone DVD just yet, according to the group's record label, Peaceville Records. However, the show that they filmed in Poland will still feature as a DVD, but it will now form one of three discs in an exclusive limited-edition triple box set which will be available early in the new year. Two CDs will span the whole of their career to date and feature one exclusive track, while the third disc will contain the whole Krakow show in 5.1 surround sound. The band are also about to embark on the recording of their seventh studio album which is expected to be released next fall.
SEPULTURA will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first show (which took place on December 4,1984 in their former hometown of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) by performing the MOTÖRHEAD track "Orgasmatron" with Lemmy and the rest of the gang at their scheduled joint appearance in Magdeburg, Germany Saturday night (Dec. 4).
As previously reported, SEPULTURA intend to shoot a show in Brazil for a planned DVD. This will also feature behind-the-scenes footage shot by frontman Derrick Green over the past several years since he joined the band. SEPULTURA will write and record new songs to go with Green's film.
Swedish thrash titans THE HAUNTED will be the featured guests on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball this Saturday, Dec. 4th. The group are currently wrapping up the Devastation Across The Nation Tour alongside Damageplan and Shadows Fall; look for them to make their U.S. return in the spring. Their new video “All Against All” was shot by acclaimed director Roger Johansson (In Flames, Soilwork), expect a new video for the track “99” to surface early next year.
Now four albums into the band’s stellar career, THE HAUNTED have returned with their most savage assault yet, proving that there truly is no compromise. Their new disc, rEVOLVEr, featuring the long anticipated return of original vocalist Peter Dolving, is also the group’s most dynamic offering to date. The innovators of Swedish thrash metal have returned, and they are ready to lay waste to anything that stands in their way.
“Who needs Slayer when you have THE HAUNTED.”
-Decibel
“THE HAUNTED might be the most devastating combo in recent years to revive thrash metal’s menacing specter.”
In an as yet unpublicized move, it appears that Germany's Sanctuary/Noise Records has all but abandoned their artists, with several longtime staffers also leaving the once prominent metal label. Sources say that 20+ bands have either been dropped, or let out of their contract. The only non-casualty seems to be Kai Hansen's GAMMA RAY. Otherwise, the label has apparently had a change of direction, seeking to sign older, established acts, rather than breaking newer ones - a most certain death blow for scene longevity.
In an ironic bit of related news, several of the departed former Sanctuary employees have banded together to start their own label, backed by IRON SAVIOR founder/guitarist Piet Sielck, who was instrumental in the formation of HELLOWEEN, along with Hansen.
This is ARCANA as you have never heard them before. With melodies from the orient, feelings of the hot arabic landscape and beautiful sounds of instruments like the Duduk and the Hammered Dulcimer, ARCANA has on this release moved abit further from the original sound that we have heard through out the years. Along with the fabulous art of Agnieszka Szuba, this album is a release you can't miss.
The first edition will be in 500 copies, each numbered by hand.
Pre-orders are to be taken soon!
Le Serpent Rouge - Tracklist
1.In Search of The Divine 2.Le Serpent Rouge 3.Cathar 4.Under the Sun 5.Amber 6.Seductive Flame 7.Serpents Dance 8.The Passage 9.The Nemesis
On December 11th, ARCANA will perform at the "Old house" in St. Petersburg (if all goes as planned). It is the "Radio Inferno Festival" that will take place the weekend of the 10th and 11th. “We really look forward to meet all the people in Russia, and to see the beautiful city that we have read so much about. Anyone with any suggestions on vegetarian foodrestaurants are free to mail us:)” More info will follow...
Earache is proud to announce the completion of a union with Finland's Callisto, in a deal which will see Earache issue the band's superb last album 'True Nature Unfolds' in all territories outside of the band's homeland.
Having developed a breathtaking capacity to produce highly atmospheric and emotional music with real depth, 'True Nature Unfolds' has already gained widespread acceptance from those who appreciate crushing mood music.
Callisto are celebrating news of their new home by embarking on a series of dates around Europe in the run-up to Christmas, as follows;
CALLISTO EUROPEAN TOUR
03.12.04 LinkÆping, Sweden @ Skylten 04.12.04 Herning, Denmark @ Imperiet 05.12.04 Berlin, Germany @ Wild At Heart 06.12.04 Groningen, Holland @ de Kar 07.12.04 Saarlouis, Germany @ Juz 09.12.04 Lyon, France @ Le Clos Fleuri 10.12.04 Luzern, Switzerland @ Squat 11.12.04 Ansbach, Germany @ 13 Eins 12.12.04 Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang 14.12.04 Belchatow, Poland @ Piwnica 16.12.04 Riga, Latvia @ Club Depo 17.12.04 Liepaja, Latvia @ Fontaine s Palace 18.12.04 Rakvere, Estonia @ Green Christmas 06.01.05 Tampere @ Yo-talo 07.01.05 Turku @ TVO 08.01.05 Helsinki @ Tavastia, Sirkkelirock 28.01.05 Helsinki @ Finnish Metal Expo 19.02.05 Lappeenranta @ Monari
Expect an early 2005 release date for 'True Nature Unfolds' and UK shows around the same time.
Swedish neo-classical military industrial duo PUISSANCE have inked a deal with Vicious Recordings. The group, who were previously signed to the Regain label, are scheduled to release a new album next summer. No further details are currently available.
Finnish/Swedish grinding death metal act DEATHBOUND, featuring members of ...AND OCEANS, THE DUSKFALL and ROTTEN SOUND, have changed the projected title of their second album to "Doomsday Comfort" from the previously announced "Syringe - Death And Addictions".
"Doomsday Comfort" was recorded at Soundlab Studios in Örebro, Sweden and is due in early 2005 via Dynamic Arts Records. Songtitles set to appear on the follow-up to "To Cure the Sane With Insanity" include "A Hell As Nice As This", "Shake Their Hands", "Extinct" and "Remake the Reneved".
DEATHBOUND, who were recently rejoined by ROTTEN SOUND guitarist Q (who played drums on "To Cure the Sane With Insanity"), will film a video for the song "Extinct" from the upcoming CD on December 11 in Helsinki. Directing the clip will be Juha "LordNeck" Niska, who has previously done videos for such Finnish bands as MOKOMA, ZACHARIUS CARLS GROUP and LAMBS.
AGE OF SILENCE, the band featuring SOLEFALD's Lazare and MAYHEM's Hellhammer, will be talking about their debut album, "Acceleration", on the radio show "Metal Reigns" on Friday, December 10. Broadcast times are as follows: 3 p.m. PST / 6 p.m. EST/ 11 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time/ Midnight: Central European Time. To tune in from the web, go directly to ' . Also, check out the ' web site. To go directly to an audio review of "Acceleration", click ' .
"Acceleration" was released in September via The End Records. The CD was recorded in part at Norway's Toproom studio and was mixed at The Factory in Canada by producer Andy Winter and mixing engineer Sheldon Zaharko (MARILYN MANSON). The "Acceleration" artwork was conceived by Travis Smith. Download an MP3 of the track "The Concept of Haste" at ' .
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More Hate released in December:
Finland's NIGHTWISH have been confirmed as the support act for MÖTLEY CRÜE on June 10 at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway.
Sweden's CENTINEX have set "World Declension" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in June via Cold Records (a subsidiary of Metal Blade). The group's follow-up to this year's "Decadence - Prophecies of Cosmic Chaos" will be recorded in March. No further details are currently available.
Sweden's IN FLAMES are currently working on a DVD, entitled "A Night In Flames", featuring the band on their 2004 world tour. The last stop on the trek is the special IN FLAMES show in London (Carling Apollo Hammersmith) on December 27, whre the group will be joined by LACUNA COIL, CHIMAIRA and CALIBAN. The show will be filmed with several cameras and a seven-meter long crane. "The IN FLAMES material looks great and I'm very exited about finishing these concerts," director/producer Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Films said. 
Chicago doomsters NOVEMBERS DOOM have parted ways with bass player Mike LeGros. Mike played bass with the band for the past two years, and contributed to the recording of the upcoming CD, "The Pale Haunt Departure". "It was brought to our attention that he was not comfortable in the band due to creative differences, and the dedication to his instrument we required suffered because of this," the group said in a statement. "Very simply, it was time for a change, on both sides. Mike is an amazing person, and we are forever grateful for everything he did for NOVEMBERS DOOM during his time with us. We wish him nothing but the best with DISINTER, NACHTMYSTIUM, and any other project he aligns himself with!
Sweden's HAMMERFALL have set "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" as the title of their new album, due on March 7, 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records. 
MY DYING BRIDE are busying themselves preparing for their next full-length DVD release, planned for spring 2005. They are working with David Palser again to produce a new video clip exclusively for this release. The track is "The Blue Lotus" and "it is going to be a stunning work," according to a posting on the group's web site. "A great new photo shoot by Lady Morgana has also been completed, which shows the band like you have never seen them before. Expect to be amazed. The previously available DVD, 'For Darkest Eyes', has been repackaged and will be available at a special price from March. If that wasn't enough, we're also expecting the writing of a new studio album for 2006 release."
After much internal wrangling, Sweden's KATATONIA have decided not to release their first full stand-alone DVD just yet, according to the group's record label, Peaceville Records. However, the show that they filmed in Poland will still feature as a DVD, but it will now form one of three discs in an exclusive limited-edition triple box set which will be available early in the new year. Two CDs will span the whole of their career to date and feature one exclusive track, while the third disc will contain the whole Krakow show in 5.1 surround sound. The band are also about to embark on the recording of their seventh studio album which is expected to be released next fall.
Swedish thrash titans THE HAUNTED will be the featured guests on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball this Saturday, Dec. 4th. The group are currently wrapping up the Devastation Across The Nation Tour alongside Damageplan and Shadows Fall; look for them to make their U.S. return in the spring. Their new video “All Against All” was shot by acclaimed director Roger Johansson (In Flames, Soilwork), expect a new video for the track “99” to surface early next year.