Virginia-based doom/death metallers NECARE have inked a deal with Finland's Firebox Records. The group's debut CD, "Ruin", is scheduled for release in the next couple of months. According to an official press release, "Ruin" "touches on themes of spiritual apostasy and the abandonment of faith in the face of mortality.
Brazilian melodic metallers ANGRA have posted a bunch of new photos taken during the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2001's "Rebirth", tentatively due this summer through SPV Records. Check them out ' . As previously reported, the initial recording sessions for the CD are taking place at Mosh Studios in Sao Paulo, Brazil under the guidance of producer Dennis Ward (SILENT FORCE, PINK CREAM 69).
LAMB OF GOD will be filming a video for the track "As the Palaces Burn" February 5-7 in Los Angeles, California. Directing the clip will be Dan Rush, who has previously worked with the group on the "Ruin" video. A late February air date is expected. "As the Palaces Burn" is the title cut off the group's sophomore CD, which was released last May through Prosthetic Records. The band have since inked a major-label deal with Epic Records.
Greece's ROTTING CHRIST will enter the studio in May to record their new album, tentatively due in September through Century Media Records. A world tour will coincide with the release of the new CD. In other news, ROTTING CHRIST have parted ways with keyboardist George and will perform some of their upcoming tour dates as a four-piece. George's departure was amicable and re-emphasizes the band's desire to reconnect with their early '90s philosophy and sound, according to a statement on the group's web site.
BLAZE, the British band led by former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley, have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Blood and Belief", tentatively due in March through SPV Records. "Blood and Belief" track listing:
01. Alive 02. Ten Seconds 03. Blood and Belief 04. Life and Death 05. Tearing Yourself To Pieces 06. Hollow Head 07. Will To Win 08. Regret 09. The Path and The Way 10. Soundtrack Of My Life
For tour with WACO JESUS/ISACAARUM Morbid Records needs some help:
MON 15.3.2004 > FRA > ??? wanted to book it in Paris or this area THU 18.3.2004 > HOL or B or D > ??? FRI 19.3.2004 > HOL or D > ??? TUE 23.3.2004 > D > ??? THU 1.4.2004 > SLOVENIA ??? SUN 4.4.2004 > D > ??? somewhere in Germany on the way from Swiss to Berlin
If you can do something or give contacts of clubs and promotores then please write to: ' .
John Frolen, guitarist for the Sundsvall, Sweden-based death metallers IN BATTLE, has taken over the bass duties in the band. Session guitarist for the group going forward will be Daniel Dlimi (AEON, SOULDRAINER, STUM). As previously reported, IN BATTLE will issue their new album, "Welcome To The Battlefield", on August 4 through Cold/Metal Blade Records. The CD will be mixed at Mana studio in Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL/ex-MORBID ANGEL) and will contain 10 songs (plus one bonus track on the Japanese release).
Dutch extreme death/thrashers KATAFALK have posted a live video of the songs "Birthmark 666" and "Blind Envy" (recorded at Belgium's Frontfest) in MP4 format ' (file size: 52.5, Quicktime 6.5 required).
Finland's IMPERANON have finished recording their debut album at Sonic Pump Studios with engineer Nino Laurenne and producer Titus Hjelm and are currently mixing the effort at Finnvox studios with Mikko Karmila. "Everything went quite nicely despite our very limited studio time," the band write on their web site. "We had fun working with Nino & Titus. Mastering will take place 21st of January in Finnvox studios and then we'll be able to listen to the completely finished album for the first time!" In other news, IMPERANON guitarist Aleksi Sihvonen has "started his military service in Santahamina (in Finland we have conscription so every male has to serve for at least 6 months). Unfortunately his hair is gone, as you can see from the ' . He'll be back in July, when [drummer] Jaakko [Nylund] starts his service." IMPERANON's as-yet-untitled CD is tentatively due in May/June through Nuclear Blast Records.
Swedish death metallers PAGANIZER have re-signed with Xtreem Music for the release of their new album, tentatively due in June. "Eight new songs has been written and arranged for the upcoming fifth PAGANIZER album," the band write on their web site. "We'll be entering Soundlab Studio again in late March to record the stuff and we're hoping to bring you the best PAGANIZER material to date. The new stuff is faster and heavier than any previous material but still totally in the same vein as always: brutal Swedish death metal. Songtitles are as follows:
01. No Divine Rapture 02. Way Of The Rotting 03. Brutally Torn Sanity 04. Nailed Forever 05. On Your Knees 06. Devour Digest Defecate 07. Abscess In Black 08. The Plague That Hunts
A brand new CANNIBAL CORPSE track, titled "Cyanide Assassin", has been posted online in MP3 format ' . "Cyanide Assassin" comes off CANNIBAL CORPSE's forthcoming CD, "The Wretched Spawn", due on February 24 through Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Gore Obsessed", "The Wretched Spawn" was recorded at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, Texas with producer Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, JUDAS PRIEST).
Finland's STRATOVARIUS have announced the addition of a new singer and drummer to the group's ranks. New vocalist for STRATOVARIUS is called 'Miss K' (' ). She spent the last four years fronting a "melodic hard rock" band called AURORA K, with whom she performed a number of gigs in addition to recording a two-song single, titled "11th Hour". Drummer for the next album will be Anders Johansson, the brother of keyboardist Jens Johansson. The band will enter the studio, a secret place, in May to record 11th studio album, which has a working title 'PopKiller'. The album is due February 2005 followed up by massive World Tour.
Dutch black metallers SAURON will enter Double Noise Studio in April to begin recording their second full-length album, tentatively due in late 2004 through Neurotic Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Universe Of Filth", which saw light of day through Dark Horizon Records, will be "more mature, more diverse and most of all more angry" than its predecessor, according to the group.
Danish metallers WITHERING SURFACE have completed work on their fourth album, "Force The Pace", with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, RAUNCHY) at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark. A late spring release through an as-yet-undetermined label is expected. "Force The Pace" track listing (in no particular order):
01. Gears 02. Inhale The Hyperpulse 03. State Of Emergency 04. This View 05. Urban Glasses 06. Hold The Line 07. Exit Sculpture 08. Anything Goes 09. Machinery 10. Force The Pace
Swedish death metallers VOMITORY have completed work on their fifth album, "Primal Massacre", due on April 19 through Metal Blade Records. "Primal Massacre" final track listing:
01. Primal Massacre 02. Gore Apocalypse 03. Stray Bullet Kill 04. Epidemic (Created To Kill) 05. Demons Divine 06. Autopsy Extravaganza 07. Retaliation 08. Condemned By Pride 09. Cursed Revelations 10. Chainsaw Surgery
Arlington Heights, Illinois-based death metallers ENFORSAKEN have pushed back the U.S. release date of their sophomore album, "The Forever Endeavor", to March 23 through Century Media/Olympic Records. The album will be available internationally one day earlier. "The Forever Endeavor" was mastered at the end of last year by James Murphy (DISINCARNATE, DEATH, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY), who also contributed a guitar solo to the song "All For Nothing". All cover and layout art was completed by DARK TRANQUILLITY guitarist Niklas Sundin for Cabin Fever Media.
Finnish goth-metallers ENTWINE have set "DiEversity" as the title of their new album, due in Finland on March 1 through Spinefarm Records (Century Media in the rest of Europe and the U.S.). The follow-up to 2002's "Time Of Despair" was recorded at Astia Studios in Lappeenranta, Finland with producer Anssi Kippo (CHILDREN OF BODOM, SINERGY, NORTHER) and was mixed at Finnvox studios in Helsinki with Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS).
Former IMMORTAL/current GRIMFIST drummer Horgh has officially joined HYPOCRISY. Horgh replaces longtime HYPOCRISY skinsman Lars Szoke, who reportedly left the band because of his unwillingness to tour for long periods of time. "Lars still wants to play drums," HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tagtgren explained, "but not with the hectic schedule HYPOCRISY has had the last months, and still is going to have for most of 2004. "I can't wait to go on tour with this new lineup!" Peter stated about the group's latest addition. "I think it will be so cool to have Horgh's blast beats in our songs!"
NEW BLACK, the new Los Angeles-based band led by former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, have a total of 13 tracks under their belt, according to a posting on Logan's official web site.
Track titles include:
01. Save Me 02. Something to Be Desired 03. Slip Away 04. Feed the Fire 05. See Thru 06. Broken Wings 07. Not Like You 08. Wounded 09. After All 10. These Times 11. Frustration 12. Deva 13. No Sympathy
Italian metallers CONSPIRACY A.D. have posted their recently completed video for the track "Bloody Revenge" at ' (.zip file, approx. 10 MB). "Bloody Revenge" comes off the group's forthcoming debut full-length album, "Humanity = Destruction ...The End Is Near", tentatively due in early February through Crash Music Inc.
MISERY INDEX, the Baltimore, Maryland-based band featuring Jason Netherton (bass/vocals, ex-DYING FETUS), Sparky Voyles (guitar, ex-DYING FETUS, M.O.D.), Matt Byers (drums) and Bruce Greig (guitar, ex-DYING FETUS, NEXT STEP UP), will be filming a video for the track "The Great Depression" on January 31 at the Ottobar in Baltimore, according to a posting on the group's web site. "The Great Depression" (' ) comes off the band's debut album, "Retaliate", which was released in August through Nuclear Blast Records.
CONSTRUCDEAD will release their sophomore album, "Violadead", on March 22 through Sound Pollution Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Repent" was recorded and mixed at Helsingborg's Queenstreet Recording with producer Richard Larsson and features a guest appearance by SOILWORK vocalist Bjorn "Speed" Strid and ex-SOILWORK drummer Henry Ranta in the track "Bitter End". The track listing for "Violadead" (view cover ' ) is as follows:
01. Pinhook 02. Rise 03. Bricks 04. Hate 05. Wounded 06. Cancer 07. The Saviour 08. Disbelief 09. New Skin 10. Re-Arrange 11. Turn 12. Bitter End 13. Evil As I (demo version, Japanese bonus track)
A limited-edition digipack version of the album will feature as a special bonus a demo recording of the track "Inhuman Condition".
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's (RHAPSODY) solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, have revealed the details of their sophomore album, "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"), due on January 19 through AFM Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Sign Of Truth" was recorded at Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden with producer Jens Moberg (KATATONIA, LAMBRETTA, CRYSTAL BLUE) and was mastered at Polar Studios in Stockholm. The complete track listing for "Anima Mundi" is as follows:
01. Divine 02. Bringer of War 03. Anima Mundi 04. Heart Is Crying 05. What 06. Eyes of The World 07. March For Freedom 08. Closer To The Sun 09. Forever More 10. Paradise Land
New album of German brutal maniacs GOMORRHA called "Sexual Perversity By Autopsy" is finally out on ' . You will hear brutal death metal in vein of SEVERE TORTURE, DYING FETUS. Guttural vocals, sick lyrics,crushing drums... most brutal music from Germany. You can download some tracks ' .
NEW AEON MEDIA - that's the name of a new sub-division for KARMAGEDDON MEDIA, to support the Underground and bring you (hopefully) the best of the Underground. The first bands label came to an agreement with, FINAL DAWN from Finland (mix of ROTTING CHRIST, SENTENCED and older MEGADETH), RIBSPREADER (unbelievable Old School Swedish Death Metal, produced by Dan Swano who is in the band too) and JUDGEMENT DAY from The Netherlands (brutal, twisted innovative Death Metal).
Bands feel free to send material to:
NEW AEON MEDIA P.O. BOX 277 6300 AG Valkenburg The Netherlands
Your recordings will be listened to, and if you stick out of the masses label will surely get in touch.
Danish death metallers EXMORTEM will record the follow-up to 2002's "Pestilence Empire" in May/June at the Antfarm Studio (Aarhus, Denmark) with producer Tue Madsen. No title has been set for the album yet, but a few "working" songtitles are as follows: "Nihilistic Contentment", "Graveside Mourning Ritual" and "Parasite Paradise". According to the band, "The material will be both harder and more twisted than on previous recordings and will show new sides of the EXMORTEM sound! Shattering musical extremity!!"
Former HYPNOSIA drummer Mikael Sjostrand passed away on Thursday, January 8 after a battle with skin cancer. He was 27 years old. A highly acclaimed Swedish thrash/death metal act, HYPNOSIA split up in June 2002 after a seven-year existence that produced a seven-song EP (1999's "Violent Intensity", Iron Fist Productions) and one full-length album (2000's "Extreme Hatred", Hammerheart Records). No reason was given for the band's break-up.
The cover of DAMAGEPLAN's debut album, "New Found Power", has been ' . "New Found Power", due on February 10 through Elektra Records, was recorded at guitarist Dimebag Darrell's (ex-PANTERA) home studio, Chasin Jason, and was produced by Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul (also ex-PANTERA) along with Sterling Winfield (PANTERA, MERCYFUL FATE). Guests include SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor and OZZY OSBOURNE/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Zakk Wylde.
The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Wake Up 02. NFP (New Found Power) 03. Pride 04. Blunt Force Trauma 05. Save Me 06. Explode 07. Fuck You (feat. Corey Taylor) 08. Cold Blooded 09. Reborn (feat. Zakk Wylde) 10. Blink of An Eye 11. Breathing New Life 12. Crawl 13. Moment Of Truth 14. Soulbleed (feat. Zakk Wylde)
PARADISE LOST are hoping to enter the studio in April to begin recording the follow-up to "Symbol Of Life", tentatively due in August. "Symbol Of Life", PARADISE LOST's ninth studio album, was produced by Rhys Fulber (FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY) and was released in October 2002 through G.U.N./ BMG Records in Europe.
Former STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto has completed work on his second solo album, tentatively due in the spring through Century Media Records. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2002's "Waiting For The Dawn" (issued under the KOTIPELTO banner) reportedly features "more or less the same" recording lineup as that on the debut, which featured contributions from Mike Romeo (guitars, SYMPHONY X), Roland Grapow (guitars, MASTERPLAN/ex-HELLOWEEN), Arjen Lucassen (guitars, AYREON), Sami Virtanen (guitars, JOE DOAKES), Jari Kainulainen (bass, STRATOVARIUS), Mirka Rantanen (drums, TUNNEL VISION), Gas (drums, H.I.M.), Janne Warman (keyboards, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and Mikko Harkin (keyboards, SONATA ARCTICA). Commenting recently on his departure from STRATOVARIUS, Kotipelto said, "I know a lot of fans are sad about this situation. And I really am SORRY about it. There are a lot of things in the world that I alone can't control... One thing is for sure, it's not about money. The problems are somewhere else." Regarding his final appearance with STRATOVARIUS at the upcoming Piorno Rock festival in Spain on February 28, Kotipelto said, "Unfortunately, yes, I have to [play this show]. I have signed the contract [committing to doing the gig]. But I try to give my best to the fans. I don't care what happens at the backstage..."
Virginia-based doom/death metallers NECARE have inked a deal with Finland's Firebox Records. The group's debut CD, "Ruin", is scheduled for release in the next couple of months. 
Brazilian melodic metallers ANGRA have posted a bunch of new photos taken during the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2001's "Rebirth", tentatively due this summer through SPV Records. Check them out ' .
John Frolen, guitarist for the Sundsvall, Sweden-based death metallers IN BATTLE, has taken over the bass duties in the band. Session guitarist for the group going forward will be Daniel Dlimi (AEON, SOULDRAINER, STUM).
Dutch extreme death/thrashers KATAFALK have posted a live video of the songs "Birthmark 666" and "Blind Envy" (recorded at Belgium's Frontfest) in MP4 format ' (file size: 52.5, Quicktime 6.5 required).
Finland's IMPERANON have finished recording their debut album at Sonic Pump Studios with engineer Nino Laurenne and producer Titus Hjelm and are currently mixing the effort at Finnvox studios with Mikko Karmila. "Everything went quite nicely despite our very limited studio time," the band write on their web site. "We had fun working with Nino & Titus. Mastering will take place 21st of January in Finnvox studios and then we'll be able to listen to the completely finished album for the first time!"
Swedish death metallers PAGANIZER have re-signed with Xtreem Music for the release of their new album, tentatively due in June. "Eight new songs has been written and arranged for the upcoming fifth PAGANIZER album," the band write on their web site. "We'll be entering Soundlab Studio again in late March to record the stuff and we're hoping to bring you the best PAGANIZER material to date. The new stuff is faster and heavier than any previous material but still totally in the same vein as always: brutal Swedish death metal. Songtitles are as follows:
A brand new CANNIBAL CORPSE track, titled "Cyanide Assassin", has been posted online in MP3 format ' .
Finland's STRATOVARIUS have announced the addition of a new singer and drummer to the group's ranks. New vocalist for STRATOVARIUS is called 'Miss K' (' ). She spent the last four years fronting a "melodic hard rock" band called AURORA K, with whom she performed a number of gigs in addition to recording a two-song single, titled "11th Hour".
Dutch black metallers SAURON will enter Double Noise Studio in April to begin recording their second full-length album, tentatively due in late 2004 through Neurotic Records.
Danish metallers WITHERING SURFACE have completed work on their fourth album, "Force The Pace", with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, RAUNCHY) at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark. A late spring release through an as-yet-undetermined label is expected.
Swedish death metallers VOMITORY have completed work on their fifth album, "Primal Massacre", due on April 19 through Metal Blade Records. 
Arlington Heights, Illinois-based death metallers ENFORSAKEN have pushed back the U.S. release date of their sophomore album, "The Forever Endeavor", to March 23 through Century Media/Olympic Records. The album will be available internationally one day earlier.
Finnish goth-metallers ENTWINE have set "DiEversity" as the title of their new album, due in Finland on March 1 through Spinefarm Records (Century Media in the rest of Europe and the U.S.).
Former IMMORTAL/current GRIMFIST drummer Horgh has officially joined HYPOCRISY. Horgh replaces longtime HYPOCRISY skinsman Lars Szoke, who reportedly left the band because of his unwillingness to tour for long periods of time.
NEW BLACK, the new Los Angeles-based band led by former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, have a total of 13 tracks under their belt, according to a posting on Logan's official web site. 
MISERY INDEX, the Baltimore, Maryland-based band featuring Jason Netherton (bass/vocals, ex-DYING FETUS), Sparky Voyles (guitar, ex-DYING FETUS, M.O.D.), Matt Byers (drums) and Bruce Greig (guitar, ex-DYING FETUS, NEXT STEP UP), will be filming a video for the track "The Great Depression" on January 31 at the Ottobar in Baltimore, according to a posting on the group's web site. 
CONSTRUCDEAD will release their sophomore album, "Violadead", on March 22 through Sound Pollution Records.
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's (RHAPSODY) solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, have revealed the details of their sophomore album, "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"), due on January 19 through AFM Records.
New album of German brutal maniacs GOMORRHA called "Sexual Perversity By Autopsy" is finally out on ' . You will hear brutal death metal in vein of SEVERE TORTURE, DYING FETUS. Guttural vocals, sick lyrics,crushing drums... most brutal music from Germany. 
Danish death metallers EXMORTEM will record the follow-up to 2002's "Pestilence Empire" in May/June at the Antfarm Studio (Aarhus, Denmark) with producer Tue Madsen. No title has been set for the album yet, but a few "working" songtitles are as follows: "Nihilistic Contentment", "Graveside Mourning Ritual" and "Parasite Paradise". According to the band, "The material will be both harder and more twisted than on previous recordings and will show new sides of the EXMORTEM sound! Shattering musical extremity!!"
Former HYPNOSIA drummer Mikael Sjostrand passed away on Thursday, January 8 after a battle with skin cancer. He was 27 years old.
The cover of DAMAGEPLAN's debut album, "New Found Power", has been ' .
PARADISE LOST are hoping to enter the studio in April to begin recording the follow-up to "Symbol Of Life", tentatively due in August.
Former STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto has completed work on his second solo album, tentatively due in the spring through Century Media Records.