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.
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, are in the final phase of the recording sessions for their new album, tentatively due in February 2004 through AFM Records. The CD, which is being recorded at Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden with producer Jens Moberg (KATATONIA, LAMBRETTA, CRYSTAL BLUE), will likely be titled "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"). DIONYSUS' debut album, "Sign Of Truth" (2002), was recorded at Rhon Studios in Fulda, Germany with producer Tobias Sammet (EDGUY) and was mixed at Area 51 studios by Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, VICTORY).
Swedish "dark death metal" act RUNEMAGICK will enter the studio in mid-November to begin recording their new album, "On Funeral Wings", tentatively due in the spring through Aftermath Music. The recordings for the album will take place at various locations with equipment from the band's own Magick Sound Studio, while the mix will be done at Magick Sound in January. According to the band's web site, the new material is "much in the vein of the latest album 'Darkness Death Doom', with some new ideas and dimensions." Among the tracks set to appear on "On Funeral Wings" are the following: 01. Monolithic Death 02. Rise of the 2nd Moon 03. On Funeral Wings 04. Dragon of Doom 05. Hyperion 06. Ocean Demon 07. The Doomsday Scythe
Swedish "gothic metal" act BESEECH set finalized the track listing for their fourth full-length album, "Drama", due in early 2004 through Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Souls Highway" was recorded at Studio Mega and was mastered at Cutting Room. The group's first effort since the departure of longtime guitarist Klas Bohlin will include an enhanced portion featuring rare bonus material. The complete track listing for "Drama" is as follows: 01. Drama 02. Higher Level 03. Voices 04. Forever Falling 05. Bitch 06. Addicted 07. Come On In 08. Friend Emptiness
MESHUGGAH vocalist Jens Kidman has recorded a guest appearance on MUSHROOMHEAD's forthcoming CD, "XIII", due on October 14 through Universal Records. Kidman reportedly shares lead vocal duties with MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason Mann in the track "The Dream Is Over". As previously reported, MESHUGGAH have started writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Nothing", tentatively due in late 2004/early 2005
Finland's NIGHTWISH have begun the final preparations for the recording of their new album, tentatively due in June 2004 through Spinefarm Records. "[The] band will lock themselves at the studio where they'll spend about a month practicing and arranging the songs for the new album," according to post on the group's web site. The band will once again use their own studio (Caverock) in Kitee to record the drums, bass and keyboards/synths, while the vocals and guitars will be recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox facility. 13 new songs and one cover version will be recorded during the sessions, which are expected to be completed by the end of March
KATAKLYSM will enter Studio Victor in Montreal in November to begin recording their new album, "Serenity In Fire", for a February 16, 2004 release through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, MALEVOLENT CREATION) and will be mixed at Wildsound studio in St-Zenon, Quebec. The complete track listing for "Serenity in Fire" is as follows (in no particular order): 01. The Ambassador of Pain 02. As I Slither 03. The Resurrected 04. 10 Seconde from the End 05. The Tragedy I Preach 06. For All Our Sins 07. The Night They Returned 08. Blood on the Swans 09. Serenity in Fire 10. Under the Bleeding Sun
Swedish black metallers LORD BELIAL have announced the addition of guitarist Hjalmar Nielsen to the group's ranks. Nielsen replaces Niclas "Pepa" Andersson, who left the band in early July for reasons that have yet to be disclosed. Niclas' decision to exit the group came several weeks after the departure of drummer Michael Backelin, who has since been replaced by RUNEMAGICK/ex-RELEVANT FEW skinsman Daniel Moilanen (half-brother of former SHOTGUN MESSIAH guitarist Harry K. Cody). LORD BELIAL recently entered Los Angered Recording in Angered (Gothenburg), Sweden to begin recording their new album, tentatively titled "The Seal Of Belial". The self-produced effort is being engineered by Nicklas Rudolfsson and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), and will be mixed by Andy. A late 2003/early 2004 release through Regain Records is expected.
A second MP3 clip from the forthcoming STRATOVARIUS album, "Elements Pt. 2", has been posted online at the group's official web site. The track "I'm Still Alive" is track No. 3 on the upcoming CD, due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album, which will once again feature artwork by Derek Riggs, will contain the following songs: 1. Alpha & Omega 2. ' 3. ' 4. Season Of Faith's Perfection 5. Awaken The Giant 6. Know The Difference 7. Luminous 8. Dreamweaver 9. Liberty 10. Ride Like The Wind (Japanese bonus)
You can view the artwork for "Elements Part 2" ' .
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL are currently in the studio working on a live album featuring material recorded during their recent South American tour. Live album will include a total of 15 tracks.
APOCALYPTICA's video for their collaboration with German punk rock diva Nina Hagen on a cover of RAMMSTEIN's "Seemann" has been posted online in Real Media format at the following location: '
ANTHRAX will be shooting a video for the track "What Doesn't Die" in early November with director Brian Posehn. "I won't give away any details because if I do some other band will steal our idea," guitarist Scott Ian writes in the latest installment of his online diary. "It will be intense."
HYPERBOREA, the new Butchery Music label band will finish their album in next two weeks. The band play hard & brutal Death Metal (ala SIX FEET UNDER and AVULSED) and soon their MP3 wwill be avaliable for downloading from Butchery Musci website - www.butchery-music.com
A brand new ANATHEMA track, titled ' , has been posted online MP3 format. "Are You There?" comes off the group's forthcoming seventh studio album, "A Natural Disaster", due on October 20 through Music For Nations Records. The follow-up to 2001's "A Fine Day to Exit" was recorded and mixed at Parkgate Studios near Hastings, U.K. (except for two songs, which were mixed in Nottingham at Electric Mayhem) and was produced by the and engineered by Dan Turner. Cover artwork was handled by artist extraordinaire Travis Smith. The complete track listing for "A Natural Disaster" is as follows:
PANZER X, the solo project of VADER vocalist/guitarist Peter, are tentatively scheduled to enter Studio X in Olsztyn, Poland in November/December to record a three-song demo. Although the band's lineup has yet to be solidified, the vocal duties will likely be handled by Grzegorz Kupczyk (CETI, TURBO). No further information is available at this time.
The band DEIVOS include on their web site (www.deivos.metal.pl) pictures from their last show with CICATRIX, BLASPHEMY RITES, PROFUNDIS, REQUIEM and NECROSADIST in Dublin (Poland). Problems in Belarus stop for this moment their show with PUNGENT STENCH in this country. Their first official album "Hostile Blood" will be out on next week.
VADER have just issued a new mini-CD, titled "Blood", through Metal Blade Records. The seven-song effort contains two new songs, "We Wait" and "Shape-shifting", which were recorded over a one-week period beginning on July 10 at Red Studio with engineer Piotr Lukaszewski ("Reign Forever World", "Revelations").
A five song preview of the forthcoming KING DIAMOND CD, "The Puppet Master", ' . (Macromedia Flash required) The songs available for listening are "The Ritual", "Blue Eyes", "Emerencia", "Magic" and "The Puppet Master". Due on October 21 through Metal Blade Records, "The Puppet Master" album will contain a bonus disc of frontman/namesake King Diamond telling the story of "The Puppet Master" in full make-up. Massacre Records (King's European label) will also release "The Puppet Master" on regular vinyl and as a picture-disc LP. You can view the cover of "The Puppet Master" ' .
FINNTROLL will enter Sundicoop Studio in Savonlinna, Finland in November to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in the spring. "At this point we have 30 minutes of material," said keyboardist Trollhorn. The music is the best we've ever made, as usual. Combining the melodies of 'Jaktens Tid', the rawness and sheer maliciousness from 'Midnattens' and the epicness of 'Visor om Slutet', it should be a killer. Lyrics will be in Swedish, as usual, and no English will be used." A two-and-a-half-minute demo "preview" of the new material has been posted online in MP3 format at the link below: '
RAMMSTEIN's forthcoming DVD will be titled "Lichtspielhaus" (German for "Cinema" or "Movie House") and will surface in Europe on November 17. It will be released in PAL and NTSC formats. The following is the unofficial track listing for the DVD:
Promo videos:
1. Du Riechst So Gut 2. Seemann 3. Rammstein 4. Engel 5. Du Hast 6. Du Riechst So Gut 98 7. Sonne 8. Links 2, 3, 4 9. Ich Will 10. Mutter 11. Feuer Frei (featuring additional audio comments of the band)
Making of...:
1. Sonne 2. Ich Will 3. Links 2, 3, 4 4. Du Hast 5. Feuer Frei 6. Du Riechst So Gut +Interviews
Additional footage:
MTV US MTV Masters (updated) Kerrang Awards
Live Shows (clips):
Berlin Arena 1996 Rock am Ring 1998 Berlin Wuhlheide 1998 Mexico (KISS Tour) 1999 Big Day Out (Australia)
Karmageddon Media proudly announce the worldwide signing of England's FOREFATHER. Their new, and meanwhile 4th, album titled "Ours Is The Kingdom" is currently being recorded. The FOREFATHER project was born in September 1997 in Surrey, England by founding members and brothers Athelstan (guitar, bass & keyboard) and Wulfstan (guitar, bass & vocals). The aim was to create powerful and epic Metal tributes to their to their Anglo-Saxon ancestors, straight from the heart and of the highest quality. During the years Forefather released 3 albums on their own strength through their own recordlabel Angelisc Enterprises. "Ours Is The Kingdom" is scheduled for an early 2004 release on Karmageddon Media. Previous to the new album Karmageddon Media will re-issue the 3 former albums ("Deep Into Time", "The Fighting Man", "Engla Tocyme") with bonus-tracks and remastered 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). 
A brand new IMAGIKA demo track, titled ' , has been posted online.
H.I.M.'s video for the song "Buried Alive By Love" has been posted online at the G.U.N./ Supersonic Records web site. Check it out: 
Stockholm, Sweden's MELDRUM, the band featuring former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, have been confirmed as one of the support acts on DANZIG's upcoming European mini-tour. The trek, which is scheduled to kick off in late November, will include a one-off U.K. appearance in London on November 22 under the "Blackest Of The Black" banner. 
German black metallers AGATHODAIMON will shortly begin pre-production on their fourth album, "Darkened Days", tentatively due in May 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records. The band, who were recently joined by bassist Darin "Eddie" Smith, will once again record the next album at Kohlekeller Studio with producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner (CREMATORY). 
MENTAL DEMISE together with Corezone organize on 9th of October in Kiev, Ukraine concert with legendary Austrian band PUNGENT STENCH. It can be hapen, that MENTAL DEMISE will be official support of the band at concerts in Belarus, Ukraine and Russsia. "I can't be to say in which cities will we play, but I think in nearest future more will be known." tells band's participant Bolt
Norway's EINHERJER have shot a video for the track "Ironbound". "The editing should be finished in a week or so," reads a post on the band's web site. "Ironbound" comes off the group's recently released album, "Blot", available through Tabu Recordings. 
Sweden's IN FLAMES have entered a rented house/converted studio in Denmark to record the follow-up to 2002's "Reroute To Remain", tentatively due in early 2004. The CD, which is being produced by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Orjan Ornkloo (ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), will surface through Nuclear Blast Records in Europe, with whom the group have two albums remaining under the terms of their present contract
Austrian death/black metal act BELPHEGOR have signed a deal with Napalm Records for the release of their fourth full-length album, "Lucifer Incestus", tentatively due in late November. 
Veteran German thrashers TANKARD are preparing to enter Stage One studio in Buhne, Germany with producer Andy Classen to begin recording their new album, "Beast of Bourbon". Among the tracks set to appear on the CD are "Fistful Of Love", "Under Friendly Fire", "Genetic Overkill" and "Die With A Beer In Your Hand". The follow-up to last year's "B-Day" is due in March 2004 through AFM Records.
DIONYSUS, the Swedish/German melodic power metal act featuring the voice behind guitarist Luca Turilli's solo work, Olaf Hayer, and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz, are in the final phase of the recording sessions for their new album, tentatively due in February 2004 through AFM Records. The CD, which is being recorded at Studio Kuling in Orebro, Sweden with producer Jens Moberg (KATATONIA, LAMBRETTA, CRYSTAL BLUE), will likely be titled "Anima Mundi" (Latin for "The Soul of the World"). DIONYSUS' debut album, "Sign Of Truth" (2002), was recorded at Rhon Studios in Fulda, Germany with producer Tobias Sammet (EDGUY) and was mixed at Area 51 studios by Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, VICTORY).
Swedish "dark death metal" act RUNEMAGICK will enter the studio in mid-November to begin recording their new album, "On Funeral Wings", tentatively due in the spring through Aftermath Music. 
Swedish "gothic metal" act BESEECH set finalized the track listing for their fourth full-length album, "Drama", due in early 2004 through Napalm Records. 
MESHUGGAH vocalist Jens Kidman has recorded a guest appearance on MUSHROOMHEAD's forthcoming CD, "XIII", due on October 14 through Universal Records. Kidman reportedly shares lead vocal duties with MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason Mann in the track "The Dream Is Over". As previously reported, MESHUGGAH have started writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Nothing", tentatively due in late 2004/early 2005
Finland's NIGHTWISH have begun the final preparations for the recording of their new album, tentatively due in June 2004 through Spinefarm Records. "[The] band will lock themselves at the studio where they'll spend about a month practicing and arranging the songs for the new album," according to post on the group's web site. The band will once again use their own studio (Caverock) in Kitee to record the drums, bass and keyboards/synths, while the vocals and guitars will be recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox facility. 13 new songs and one cover version will be recorded during the sessions, which are expected to be completed by the end of March
KATAKLYSM will enter Studio Victor in Montreal in November to begin recording their new album, "Serenity In Fire", for a February 16, 2004 release through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, MALEVOLENT CREATION) and will be mixed at Wildsound studio in St-Zenon, Quebec. The complete track listing for "Serenity in Fire" is as follows (in no particular order):
Swedish black metallers LORD BELIAL have announced the addition of guitarist Hjalmar Nielsen to the group's ranks. Nielsen replaces Niclas "Pepa" Andersson, who left the band in early July for reasons that have yet to be disclosed. Niclas' decision to exit the group came several weeks after the departure of drummer Michael Backelin, who has since been replaced by RUNEMAGICK/ex-RELEVANT FEW skinsman Daniel Moilanen (half-brother of former SHOTGUN MESSIAH guitarist Harry K. Cody). LORD BELIAL recently entered Los Angered Recording in Angered (Gothenburg), Sweden to begin recording their new album, tentatively titled "The Seal Of Belial". The self-produced effort is being engineered by Nicklas Rudolfsson and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), and will be mixed by Andy. A late 2003/early 2004 release through Regain Records is expected.
A second MP3 clip from the forthcoming STRATOVARIUS album, "Elements Pt. 2", has been posted online at the group's official web site. The track "I'm Still Alive" is track No. 3 on the upcoming CD, due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. 
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL are currently in the studio working on a live album featuring material recorded during their recent South American tour. Live album will include a total of 15 tracks.
APOCALYPTICA's video for their collaboration with German punk rock diva Nina Hagen on a cover of RAMMSTEIN's "Seemann" has been posted online in Real Media format at the following location:
ANTHRAX will be shooting a video for the track "What Doesn't Die" in early November with director Brian Posehn. "I won't give away any details because if I do some other band will steal our idea," guitarist Scott Ian writes in the latest installment of his online diary. "It will be intense."
A brand new ANATHEMA track, titled ' , has been posted online MP3 format. 
VADER have just issued a new mini-CD, titled "Blood", through Metal Blade Records. The seven-song effort contains two new songs, "We Wait" and "Shape-shifting", which were recorded over a one-week period beginning on July 10 at Red Studio with engineer Piotr Lukaszewski ("Reign Forever World", "Revelations").
A five song preview of the forthcoming KING DIAMOND CD, "The Puppet Master", ' . 
FINNTROLL will enter Sundicoop Studio in Savonlinna, Finland in November to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in the spring. 
RAMMSTEIN's forthcoming DVD will be titled "Lichtspielhaus" (German for "Cinema" or "Movie House") and will surface in Europe on November 17. It will be released in PAL and NTSC formats.