June 14 is a release date for the BLIND GUARDIAN’s double-DVD “Imaginations Through The Looking Glass”. The first disk will contain the band’s live performance during Blind Guardian Open Air that has taken place in Coburg (De) last summer. The second disc will be fulled up with various bonuses: interviews, footage and many-many more. Moreover, before the new DVD is finally released there will be a premier showing in select movie theaters in Germany.
THERM.EYE.FLAME has already written all the songs for their new album. More brutal, depressive and unusual stuff is expected. The band is currently going to start off recording in Southern Storm Studio.
After four years of collaboration ANOREXIA NERVOSA has now left its label Osmose Productions. The band is proud to announce that it has signed with Listenable Records finally hit the Drudenhaus Studios to record their fourth full-length album, as yet untitled. Here are some exclusive track names: Antinferno, Sister September, Codex-Veritas. Release date is still to be available.
THE CHASM have begun the process of turning their new album into reality at Soto Sound Studios in Illinois. Early indications are that the album will still feature the same epic qualities and references to ancient worlds that have become the bands trademark within the underground.
Despite the regretful departure of guitarist Jack Owen, CANNIBAL CORPSE are not going to stop and keep preparing for the upcoming “Wretched Spawn” tour. Here are some words from bassman Alex Webster published on the band’s official site yesterday: “Hey everybody, Alex from Cannibal here. I just wanted to update everyone on how we've been doing since Jack quit the band last week. We are currently teaching another guitarist our set list for the "Wretched Spawn" tour, in preparation for our shows in Mexico later this month. Jack will be missed, and we wish him well, but we're not going to let his departure slow us down. Thanks to all of our fans for the great support, we'll see you on tour!”
EWIGKEIT, Mr.Fog’s (ex-THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL) solo project, has signed to Earache Records. New album "Radio Ixtlan" is set for release on 12th July 2004.
Dutch death metaller SINISTER have officially decided to split up. "After 16 years of serving, SINISTER is no more…", Aad Kloosterwaard explains. "It was a hard decision for me, SINISTER was a way of life for me. But sitting behind the drum-kit for almost 20 years and having a full-time job is hard for me to combine." But Rachel and Ron will continue their musical career with their new band INFINITED HATE.
Florida's Death Metal maniacs MALEVOLENT CREATION have completed their ninth studio album named "Warkult". The band recruited Jean Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM) as producer. And besides all, the album marks the return of long time drummer Dave Culross back in the line up. "Warkult" shall be released on June 28th across Europe, in the USA and other territories about a month later.
The German act DISBELIEF has signed a new contract with Nuclear Blast. New album will be produced by Tue Madsen (DIE HAPPY, MNEMIC, THE HAUNTED etc.) and is to be available next spring.
NIGHTWISH have set May 3rd as final release date for their upcoming 4 track single "Nemo". During the production, the band enjoyed the opportunity of working together with the London Session Orchestra which also recorded the soundtracks of "The Lord Of The Rings" and "Harry Potter". NIGHTWISH's new full length album "Once" is supposed to show up on June 7th across Europe.
German power metallers FREEDOM CALL have announced that a completely new live album "Live Invasion" will be available next month. Double CD taken during the band's show along with BLIND GUARDIAN last year will be released through SPV Gmbh and licensed for CIS states by Soyuz Music. The first of two CD's will contain live performance itself, while the second will carry EP 'Taragon', previously available only in France and Japan.
SAMAEL have signed with Regain Records. The band is currently writing new material for the next studio album. Besides that the band has finally returned on stage, and the USA tour with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD last year makes it a clear evidence. Now SAMAEL are going to participate Rotonde Festival on May 22.
ST.LUCIFER, this is the name of Peter K.’s new band started after ABIGOR had split up. Having recruited Silenius himself (ex-ABIGOR, SUMMONING) behind a mic stand, the band is instantly working on a debut promo scheduled to be released this May. Musically ST.LUCIFER is promised to be very hard and intent black-death metal with offensive, blasphemous lyrics.
Russian label CD-Maximum have recently published following titles:
DIONYSUS – ‘Anima Mundi’ (Heavy Power) COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN – ‘Deciphering The Soul’ (Death) HANDFUL OF HATE – ‘ViceCrown’ (Black Death) VERTIGO – ‘Vertigo’ (AOR / Hard Rock) DIO – ‘Killing The Dragon’ (Heavy Metal) HEADLINE – ‘Duality’ ( Prog / Heavy) STYGMA IV – ‘Hell Within’ (Heavy Power) JOHNNY LIMA – ‘Made In California’ (AOR / Hard Rock)
CREMATORY, one of the most honoured bands on gothic metal stage, have finally been back from the dead with a completely new ‘Revolution’ album. The full-length, as it follows from the official statement, will contain 12 songs and a video on a title track as well. Release date is 03.05.2004.
DEVILS WHOREHOUSE, death-rock investigators with such infamous persons currently in line-up as B. War and Morgan of MARDUK, have recently issued a new longplay ‘Revelation Unorthodox’ for No Fashion Records. The band has the greatest inspirations evolving from the old platters by MISFITS and SAMHAIN, and this is what their own music like.
The upcoming album by Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS will be called "Hellucinations". The recordings will kick off in Studio Mega on the 30th of April. Release date is set to 4th of October and Thomas Ewerhard (covers for HYPOCRISY, CATAMENIA) has been hired for the artwork. Furthermore, the band will tour Europe in October as support for label mates AMON AMARTH.
Mario Klausner has announced his departure, due to time constraints, from PUNGENT STENCH, in order to fully concentrate on his own band, COLLAPSE 7. The split was amicable and Mario will continue to perform live with the band until a suitable replacement is found. COLLAPSE 7's debut album, "In Deep Silence" will be released on 3 May 2004. The band describes their sound as "Apocalyptic Death Metal". The album was produced by Martin Schirenc (HOLLENTHON, PUNGENT STENCH) in the Vato Loco Studio, Vienna.
ATROCITY’s new LP is sheduled to be released April 26. Having “Atlantis” as a title, the album is promised contain a lot of intent and dynamic material and an impressive multimedia section as well. Both a regular jewel box and a digibook edition are expected. For more details, see the Album-of-the-Month section at Napalm Records official website www.napalm-records.com.
Dutch progressive metal band TEXTURES has decided to part ways with vocalist Pieter Verpaalen. Due to musical differences both parties decided it would be best to continue without each other. A new vocalist has been found already; Eric Kalsbeek (formerly of BRAINSHAKE) has joined TEXTURES and has performed with them from March 6th. By the way, the band’s video for the song 'Ostensibly impregnable' entered Dutch charts at number one, beating the other classic bands such as METALLICA , SLIPKNOT etc.
THE GREAT DECEIVER have just released their second full album for Peaceville - "Terra Incognito". Recording have taken place in Dug Out Studios with Daniel Bergstrand (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, MESHUGGAH) as producer. There is also a promo video for the track Lake Of Sulphur directed by Patric Ullaeus which will be an enhanced feature on the album.
In the nearest future DARK FUNERAL fans will be granted a full-length live album, the first such coming from the band for over than ten years of black metal worship. Song material for the platter, vaguely titled «De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine», has been taken during the band’s South America tour in September 2003. Track list is expected to be as following: Intro - The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire - An Apprentice Of Satan - The Dawn No More Rises - Thy Legions Come - Hail Murder - Goddess Of Sodomy - The Secrets Of The Black Arts - Vobiscum Satanas - Shadows Over Transylvania - Open The Gates - Ineffable Kings Of Darkness - Thus I Have Spoken - My Dark Desires - Armageddon Finally Comes.
OUPIRIC Productions (Russia) have made a new issue - MISANTHROPIC ART cassette "Possessed by Bestiality". 50 min of fast and fierce misanthropic Black Metal - the slaughter of humanity has begun! Tape comes with obligatory black/white cover.
US metal pioneers STEEL PROPHET have signed with Massacre Records! The new album with their new singer Nadir D'Priest will be called "Beware" and will be in stores on June 28th!
The new album by German black/death metal band MYSTIC CIRCLE "Open the gates of hell" has been recorded and will be in stores on September 22nd. The satanic trio has recorded a real smasher in the Cream Studios, Frankfurt with producer Gerhard Magin.
England's Anglo Saxon Epic Metallers FOREFATHER recently finished the recordings for their upcoming and meanwhile 4th album titled «Our Is The Kingdom». Forefather-member Wulftstan comments on the new album: " With "Ours is the Kingdom" we've taken Anglo-Saxon Metal to new heights of intensity and power. This time round we consciously focused on shorter, faster songs whilst still retaining the epic elements we're known for. The result is the most varied and compelling album we've produced to date and the best representation of the unique FOREFATHER style. It's been a long time in the making but we think most will agree that it's definitely been worth the wait!" «Ours Is The Kingdom» is scheduled to be released on May 31st, through Karmageddon Media.
DRAGONLAND have signed a worldwide multialbum deal with CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS!!! The next album is almost ready for studio recording, which most likely will take place in Studio Fredman before summer. Might as well reveal some new songtitles: To The End of The World - The Returning - Calling My Name - The Dreamseeker - In Perfect Harmony - Starfall - As Madness Took Me
KUWALDA’s new album, named “Spasi i Sohrani”(“Save & Keep Safe”), is to hit the stores early in April. The album is promised to be heavier and more varied than its predecessor, and lyrically concerned with emergency events. That follows directly from the songtitles: 9-11 – Elektricheskaya Smert’ (Death From Electricity) – D.T.P. (Car Crash) – Alkogol’nyi Demon (Alcohol Demon) etc. Among the ones who have participated in recording there is a children choir, and the Lorelyai song is based on a poem by Geighne. KUWALDA’s debut, “Delicatessen”, will be re-issued simultaneously. It will contain 19 previously published songs and will also include videos on Betonomeshalka (Concrete Mixer) and Pesnya Pro Svarnogo as special multimedia tracks for PC.
With the forthcoming release of the mini album "The Dark Secret”, the Italian epic metal band RHAPSODY provides a taste of their long play album that is due in September of this year. It is the debut of a new style of Heavy Metal music created by RHAPSODY known as Film Score Metal.
THERM.EYE.FLAME has already written all the songs for their new album. More brutal, depressive and unusual stuff is expected. The band is currently going to start off recording in Southern Storm Studio. 
After four years of collaboration ANOREXIA NERVOSA has now left its label Osmose Productions. The band is proud to announce that it has signed with Listenable Records finally hit the Drudenhaus Studios to record their fourth full-length album, as yet untitled. Here are some exclusive track names: Antinferno, Sister September, Codex-Veritas. Release date is still to be available.
THE CHASM have begun the process of turning their new album into reality at Soto Sound Studios in Illinois. Early indications are that the album will still feature the same epic qualities and references to ancient worlds that have become the bands trademark within the underground.
Despite the regretful departure of guitarist Jack Owen, CANNIBAL CORPSE are not going to stop and keep preparing for the upcoming “Wretched Spawn” tour. Here are some words from bassman Alex Webster published on the band’s official site yesterday: “Hey everybody, Alex from Cannibal here. I just wanted to update everyone on how we've been doing since Jack quit the band last week. We are currently teaching another guitarist our set list for the "Wretched Spawn" tour, in preparation for our shows in Mexico later this month. Jack will be missed, and we wish him well, but we're not going to let his departure slow us down. Thanks to all of our fans for the great support, we'll see you on tour!” 
EWIGKEIT, Mr.Fog’s (ex-THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL) solo project, has signed to Earache Records. New album "Radio Ixtlan" is set for release on 12th July 2004.
Dutch death metaller SINISTER have officially decided to split up. "After 16 years of serving, SINISTER is no more…", Aad Kloosterwaard explains. "It was a hard decision for me, SINISTER was a way of life for me. But sitting behind the drum-kit for almost 20 years and having a full-time job is hard for me to combine." But Rachel and Ron will continue their musical career with their new band INFINITED HATE.
Florida's Death Metal maniacs MALEVOLENT CREATION have completed their ninth studio album named "Warkult". The band recruited Jean Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM) as producer. And besides all, the album marks the return of long time drummer Dave Culross back in the line up. "Warkult" shall be released on June 28th across Europe, in the USA and other territories about a month later.
The German act DISBELIEF has signed a new contract with Nuclear Blast. New album will be produced by Tue Madsen (DIE HAPPY, MNEMIC, THE HAUNTED etc.) and is to be available next spring.
NIGHTWISH have set May 3rd as final release date for their upcoming 4 track single "Nemo". During the production, the band enjoyed the opportunity of working together with the London Session Orchestra which also recorded the soundtracks of "The Lord Of The Rings" and "Harry Potter". NIGHTWISH's new full length album "Once" is supposed to show up on June 7th across Europe.
German power metallers FREEDOM CALL have announced that a completely new live album "Live Invasion" will be available next month. Double CD taken during the band's show along with BLIND GUARDIAN last year will be released through SPV Gmbh and licensed for CIS states by Soyuz Music. The first of two CD's will contain live performance itself, while the second will carry EP 'Taragon', previously available only in France and Japan.
SAMAEL have signed with Regain Records. The band is currently writing new material for the next studio album. Besides that the band has finally returned on stage, and the USA tour with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD last year makes it a clear evidence. Now SAMAEL are going to participate Rotonde Festival on May 22.
Russian label CD-Maximum have recently published following titles:
CREMATORY, one of the most honoured bands on gothic metal stage, have finally been back from the dead with a completely new ‘Revolution’ album. The full-length, as it follows from the official statement, will contain 12 songs and a video on a title track as well. Release date is 03.05.2004.
DEVILS WHOREHOUSE, death-rock investigators with such infamous persons currently in line-up as B. War and Morgan of MARDUK, have recently issued a new longplay ‘Revelation Unorthodox’ for No Fashion Records. The band has the greatest inspirations evolving from the old platters by MISFITS and SAMHAIN, and this is what their own music like.
The upcoming album by Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS will be called "Hellucinations". The recordings will kick off in Studio Mega on the 30th of April. Release date is set to 4th of October and Thomas Ewerhard (covers for HYPOCRISY, CATAMENIA) has been hired for the artwork. Furthermore, the band will tour Europe in October as support for label mates AMON AMARTH.
Mario Klausner has announced his departure, due to time constraints, from PUNGENT STENCH, in order to fully concentrate on his own band, COLLAPSE 7. The split was amicable and Mario will continue to perform live with the band until a suitable replacement is found. COLLAPSE 7's debut album, "In Deep Silence" will be released on 3 May 2004. The band describes their sound as "Apocalyptic Death Metal". The album was produced by Martin Schirenc (HOLLENTHON, PUNGENT STENCH) in the Vato Loco Studio, Vienna.
ATROCITY’s new LP is sheduled to be released April 26. Having “Atlantis” as a title, the album is promised contain a lot of intent and dynamic material and an impressive multimedia section as well. Both a regular jewel box and a digibook edition are expected. For more details, see the Album-of-the-Month section at Napalm Records official website www.napalm-records.com.
Dutch progressive metal band TEXTURES has decided to part ways with vocalist Pieter Verpaalen. Due to musical differences both parties decided it would be best to continue without each other. A new vocalist has been found already; Eric Kalsbeek (formerly of BRAINSHAKE) has joined TEXTURES and has performed with them from March 6th. By the way, the band’s video for the song 'Ostensibly impregnable' entered Dutch charts at number one, beating the other classic bands such as METALLICA , SLIPKNOT etc.
In the nearest future DARK FUNERAL fans will be granted a full-length live album, the first such coming from the band for over than ten years of black metal worship. Song material for the platter, vaguely titled «De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine», has been taken during the band’s South America tour in September 2003. Track list is expected to be as following: Intro - The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire - An Apprentice Of Satan - The Dawn No More Rises - Thy Legions Come - Hail Murder - Goddess Of Sodomy - The Secrets Of The Black Arts - Vobiscum Satanas - Shadows Over Transylvania - Open The Gates - Ineffable Kings Of Darkness - Thus I Have Spoken - My Dark Desires - Armageddon Finally Comes.
OUPIRIC Productions (Russia) have made a new issue - MISANTHROPIC ART cassette "Possessed by Bestiality". 50 min of fast
US metal pioneers STEEL PROPHET have signed with Massacre Records! The new album with their new singer Nadir D'Priest will be called "Beware" and will be in stores on June 28th!
England's Anglo Saxon Epic Metallers FOREFATHER recently finished the recordings for their upcoming and meanwhile 4th album titled «Our Is The Kingdom». Forefather-member Wulftstan comments on the new album: " With "Ours is the Kingdom" we've taken Anglo-Saxon Metal to new heights of intensity and power. This time round we consciously focused on shorter, faster songs whilst still retaining the epic elements we're known for. The result is the most varied and compelling album we've produced to date and the best representation of the unique FOREFATHER style. It's been a long time in the making but we think most will agree that it's definitely been worth the wait!"
DRAGONLAND have signed a worldwide multialbum deal with CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS!!! The next album is almost ready for studio recording, which most likely will take place in Studio Fredman before summer. Might as well reveal some new songtitles: To The End of The World - The Returning - Calling My Name - The Dreamseeker - In Perfect Harmony - Starfall - As Madness Took Me
KUWALDA’s new album, named “Spasi i Sohrani”(“Save & Keep Safe”), is to hit the stores early in April. The album is promised to be heavier and more varied than its predecessor, and lyrically concerned with emergency events. That follows directly from the songtitles: 9-11 – Elektricheskaya Smert’ (Death From Electricity) – D.T.P. (Car Crash) – Alkogol’nyi Demon (Alcohol Demon) etc. Among the ones who have participated in recording there is a children choir, and the Lorelyai song is based on a poem by Geighne. 
With the forthcoming release of the mini album "The Dark Secret”, the Italian epic metal band RHAPSODY provides a taste of their long play album that is due in September of this year. It is the debut of a new style of Heavy Metal music created by RHAPSODY known as Film Score Metal.