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"
British black metallers THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL will issue their second album, "Exhuming The Grave Of Yeshua", later this month through Supernal Music The complete track listing for "Exhuming The Grave Of Yeshua" is as follows: 01. Intro-Exhuming the Grave of Yeshua 02. God is Rome 03. Blood Blasted Holy War 04. 80 Grains of Sand 05. Guts for Sale 06. Utopia 07. Sons of Anak Rise 08. A Healer made God 09. Sluts of the Netherworld 10. On Graven Images I Glide Beyond The Monstrous Gates Of Pandemonium To Face The Baptized Warriors Of Yahweh In The Skull Littered Plain Of Esdraelon 11. Book Of Dreams (bonus track)
Norway's EINHERJER have posted photos from their recent "Ironbound" video shoot at the following location: www.einherjer.com/video.htm "Ironbound" comes off the group's recently released album, "Blot", available through Tabu Recordings.
Due to problems with the artwork, the release of the new MY DYING BRIDE album, tentatively titled "The Thirteenth Chapter", album has been delayed to the end of this year/beginning of 2004. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded at Academy Studios and features material that is being described as "objective" observers as "very dark and twisted."
Sweden's DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, the side-project of KATATONIA guitarist Anders Nystrom (a.k.a. Blakkheim), have entered Studio Castillo in Stockholm with engineer David Castillo (live sound engineer for KATATONIA) to begin recording their fifth album, tentatively due in early 2004 through Avantgarde Music. The follow-up to 2001's "Death's Design" will be a musical "cross between 'Nightwork' (1998) and 'Death's Design' - in other words lots of horror, weirdness and METAL!" according to the band's official web site. No further details are available at this time.
Swedish high-energy thrashers THE HAUNTED have officially parted ways with vocalist Marco Aro and have replaced him with his predecessor, the group's original frontman Peter Dolving (MARY BEATS JANE, THE PETER DOLVING BAND). Check out a new band photo ' . THE HAUNTED have fulfilled their contractual obligations to Earache Records and are expected to sign a new record deal during the coming months. The group's last album, "One Kill Wonder", was released this past February.
Polish black/death metallers BEHEMOTH have parted ways with session guitarist Havok and are currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at nergal69@poczta.onet.pl. Comments guitarist/vocalist Nergal, "Havok decided to part his ways with BEHEMOTH. Lately he's been struggling [with] some personal problems. As a result he lost interest in this band, and the whole extreme metal genre - he simply burned out. We spent together absolutely killer time touring all over the world and recording two [of] BEHEMOTH's best albums. We wish him all the best. American tour and the show in Israel will be the last thing we'll do together. Later we will focus on writing the new stuff and eventually finding a replacement."
Finland's SENTENCED have been accused of being secret "Nazi" sympathizers after penning a song in support of their local hockey team which contains lyrics that allegedly include the motto used by the Hitler Youth organization (Hitler Jugend) during the 1930s. This past summer, SENTENCED were approached by the representatives of the Oulu-based hockey team Oulun Karpat about composing a Finnish-language track for inclusion on a CD collection of songs written and recorded in support of the team. SENTENCED's contribution, titled "Routasydan", was composed by guitarist Miika Tenkula and the lyrics were written by guitarist Sami Lopakka. Included in the text was the line (in Finnish) "Sisu, veri ja kunnia," which roughly translates to "courage, blood and honor." Shortly after the song was completed, an Oulu town official wrote to the local newspaper to complain that the phrase "blood and honor" (in German "Blut und Ehre") was also used by the Hitler Jugend organization as their motto, suggesting that SENTENCED were secret Nazi sympathizers. A public uproar followed, eventually leading Oulun Karpat representatives to ask Lopakka to change the offending lyrics, a request that was immediately denied. As a result, the team decided to stop playing the song at their ice hall during their home games. SENTENCED, who claim to be completely against Nazism and racism of any kind, were shocked and disappointed by the team's decision to pull the song. "This is total bullshit - we can't believe this!" drummer Vesa Ranta told Sonera Plaza. "We made this song for an ice-hockey team... Well, let's see… 'Courage' is something that every team needs to win. Next, for Oulun Karpat, it's always been important to have a lot of local players on their own team - in other words, their 'own blood.' And third, when you are playing [on a team and representing your town], you are playing because of 'honor.' When we were doing this song, we couldn't even think that somebody would think like that! Everyone who knows us knows that we have absolutely nothing to do with Nazism and shit like that." A short MP3 clip of SENTENCED's a "controversial" song written and recorded in support of their local hockey team, Oulun Karpat, ' .
At Saturday, the 11th of October, the band will be at 8 pm CET in a new chatroom, which was especially arranged for this chat. So, if you have any questions, if you want to give us a piece of your mind or if you simply want to have some smalltalk, just visit our website and step into our chatroom. You can enter the chat at http://www.domainband.de, how to enter the room will be explained at the main page of the site.
New album of German band SMIRNOFF, "The Deadly Return" was released early September through More Hate Productions. Group plays killer death grind a'la MACABRE, other German's maniacs. After first two full-length albums music of these guys bacomes more heavy and brutal. But firm feature - crust elements - is still here, which gives some charm to sound.
DEVILS WHOREHOUSE, the side project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Hakansson and bassist B. War, will participate in a compilation CD entitled "This Is Horror Punk". The album will be a limited-edition release through Fiendforce Records and is expected to be issued on Halloween (October 31). Other groups set to appear on the album include THE UNDEAD (featuring Bobby Steele, ex-MISFITS), BALZAC, ROCK CITY MORGUE (featuring ex-WHITE ZOMBIE bassist Sean Yseult, GRAVEYARD BOULEVARD (ex-FRANKENSTEIN DRAG QUEENS), and X-WARD (featuring Dr. Chud, ex-MISFITS, on vocals and guitar). As previously reported, DEVILS WHOREHOUSE will issue a full-length album, "Revelation Unorthodox", in November through Blooddawn Productions. "Revelation Unorthodox", which will be available on CD as well as limited edition LP and picture-disc LP, is the follow-up to the mini-album "Howling", which was released in 2000. Tentative plans exist for the EP to be reissued as a limited-edition digipack featuring several bonus tracks. Download two MP3 clips from the forthcoming album: ' '
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.
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: 
British black metallers THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL will issue their second album, "Exhuming The Grave Of Yeshua", later this month through Supernal Music 
Norway's EINHERJER have posted photos from their recent "Ironbound" video shoot at the following location: www.einherjer.com/video.htm
Due to problems with the artwork, the release of the new MY DYING BRIDE album, tentatively titled "The Thirteenth Chapter", album has been delayed to the end of this year/beginning of 2004. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded at Academy Studios and features material that is being described as "objective" observers as "very dark and twisted."
Sweden's DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, the side-project of KATATONIA guitarist Anders Nystrom (a.k.a. Blakkheim), have entered Studio Castillo in Stockholm with engineer David Castillo (live sound engineer for KATATONIA) to begin recording their fifth album, tentatively due in early 2004 through Avantgarde Music. The follow-up to 2001's "Death's Design" will be a musical "cross between 'Nightwork' (1998) and 'Death's Design' - in other words lots of horror, weirdness and METAL!" according to the band's official web site. No further details are available at this time.
Swedish high-energy thrashers THE HAUNTED have officially parted ways with vocalist Marco Aro and have replaced him with his predecessor, the group's original frontman Peter Dolving (MARY BEATS JANE, THE PETER DOLVING BAND). Check out a new band photo ' .
Polish black/death metallers BEHEMOTH have parted ways with session guitarist Havok and are currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at nergal69@poczta.onet.pl. 
Finland's SENTENCED have been accused of being secret "Nazi" sympathizers after penning a song in support of their local hockey team which contains lyrics that allegedly include the motto used by the Hitler Youth organization (Hitler Jugend) during the 1930s. 
DEVILS WHOREHOUSE, the side project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Hakansson and bassist B. War, will participate in a compilation CD entitled "This Is Horror Punk". The album will be a limited-edition release through Fiendforce Records and is expected to be issued on Halloween (October 31). Other groups set to appear on the album include THE UNDEAD (featuring Bobby Steele, ex-MISFITS), BALZAC, ROCK CITY MORGUE (featuring ex-WHITE ZOMBIE bassist Sean Yseult, GRAVEYARD BOULEVARD (ex-FRANKENSTEIN DRAG QUEENS), and X-WARD (featuring Dr. Chud, ex-MISFITS, on vocals and guitar). 
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
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.