Long-running Floridian death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION have reportedly parted ways with guitarist Rob Barret and bassist Gordon Simms. Replacing them in the group's latest incarnation are returning members John Rubin (guitar) and Jason Blachowicz (bass, also in DIVINE EMPIRE).
MALEVOLENT CREATION are currently writing the music for their tenth studio album, to be released sometime in the spring/summer of 2006.
Melodic rockers ASIA change their line-up: drummer Chris Slade has left the band, replacement comes with Jay Schellen. Schellen had already contributed to the recordings of the last album "Silent Nation" and is known to progressive rock fans as collaborator of Chris Squire's and Billy Sherwood's Conspiracy band project. He is celebrating his live debut with Asia on a tour of Great Britain in November. Following the tour the band will enter the studio in order to record the successor of "Silent Nation". The album with the working title "Architect of Time" should be out in the first half year of 2006. www.asiaworld.org
At the end of September InsideOut Music will take over the distribution of the complete repertoire of the British reissue specialists of ECLECTIC DISCS. At the moment Eclectic's catalogue consists of about 40 albums released in high quality design, e.g. records by AUDIENCE, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, CARAVAN, EAST OF EDEN, GILES, GILES & FRIPP, KHAN, MANDALABAND, and NEKTAR. The catalogue is permanently expanded. New releases, including a sumptuously designed 5 CD box by Barclay James Harvest, is announced for October and November. www.eclecticdiscs.com
New Artrockers RIVERSIDE have almost completed the work on their second longplayer "Second Life Syndrome". During concerts in Belgium and the Netherlands they will already play material from this record which will probably be out on 31st October. On November 19th the Polish band will be headliner of the "Eclipsed" festival at the Aschaffenburg venue Colos Saal. www.riverside.art.pl
You have heard singer JB as new SPIRITUAL BEGGARS frontman on the predecessor of their latest album "Demons". Unfortunately, in this new line-up the band had relatively made rare live appearances lately. One of those rare live gigs is immortalized on the DVD "Live Fire". It will be out at the end of October and documents a Beggars concert from the year 2003 in the London Club "Mean Fiddler" club. www.spiritualbeggars.com
Just in time to coincide with the second part of their "Octane" tour at the beginning of October the "new" SPOCK'S BEARD will have their first live live album out. The double album "Live in 2005 - Gluttons For Punishment" contains, apart from pieces of both albums with Nick D'Virgilio on the mike, "Octane" (2005) and "Feel Euphoria" (2003), highlights of the meanwhile legendary era with multi talented Neal Morse as well: classics such as "Harm's Way", "At The End Of The Day", and "The Light" are interpreted by original drummer D'Virgilio with such an ardour as if he had never done anything else. Another highlight is the "drummers' duel" between tour drummer Jimmy Keegan and Nick D'Virgilio. Since Keegan's collaboration this is a permanent part of every concert and it seems it will be really reach a similar cult status such as the crazy duets of Collins and Thompson of past Genesis concerts. www.spocksbeard.com
STREAM OF PASSION is the name of a new band project with gothic touch featuring an international line-up. The project was initiated by Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen from the Netherlands. Around Mexican female singer Marcela Bovio, known from Ayreon's latest album "The Human Equation", he gathered American lead guitarist Lori Linstruth, Mexican piano player Alejandro MillАn, Lucassen's countrymen Johan van Stratum (bass) and Davy Mickers (drums) as well as Lucassen himself on guitar. The debut album "Embrace The Storm" will not be out in September as originally planned but only at the end of October. www.streamofpassion.com
PETE TOWNSHEND will re-release big parts of his back catalogue on InsideOut's Reissue-Label Revisited Records in Europe. The series will start with the work compilation "Anthology" in October. +++ The new GURU GURU studio album "In the Guru Lounge" will be the forerunner of a series of eight reissues of the legendary Krautrockers around drumming dervish and "Elektrolurch" Mani Neumeier. "In The Guru Lounge", "Mani und seine Freunde", and "Moshi Moshi" will be out on October 17th. +++ Since the Seventies the much too often ignored FRANK MARINO is cultivating his partly psychedelic guitar rock which is characterized by long improvisations - and he does this on a level comparable to virtuoso artists such as Gallagher, Hendrix, or Stevie Ray Vaughan. In September a series of reissues with albums by Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush will start. +++ In November Revisited Records continues its KRAAN series with "Flyday", "Dancing In The Shade", and "Live 2001". www.guru-guru.com www.kraan.de www.mahoganyrush.com www.petetownshend.co.uk
------------ NEW RELEASES ------------
KINGS'S X: "Ogre Tones", RELEASE: September 26th SIEGES EVEN: "The Art Of Navigating By The Stars", RELEASE: September 26th SPOCK'S BEARD: "Live in 2005 - Gluttons For Punishment" (double CD), RELEASE: September 5th THE TEA PARTY: "Seven Circles", RELEASE: September 26th
------------- STILL CURRENT -------------
CARPTREE: "Man Made Machine", RELEASE: August 29th STRING CHEESE INCIDENT: "One Step Closer", RELEASE: August 29th
-------------- IN PREPARATION --------------
STEVE HOWE: "Homebrew 3", RELEASE: October 10th NEAL MORSE: "?" (yes, that's the title of this album), RELEASE: October 24th PALLAS: "The Dreams Of Men", RELEASE: October 24th RIVERSIDE: "Second Life Syndrome", RELEASE: October 31st SPIRITUAL BEGGARS: "Live Fire" (DVD), RELEASE: October 31st STREAM OF PASSION: "Embrace The Storm", RELEASE: October 24th
-------- RE-ISSUE --------
GURU GURU: "In The Guru Lounge", new studio album, RELEASE: October 17th GURU GURU: "Mani und seine Freunde", RELEASE: October 17th GURU GURU: "Moshi Moshi ", RELEASE: October 17th FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH: "Full Circle", RELEASE: September 19th FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH: "Eye Of The Storm", RELEASE: September 19th KRAAN: "Flyday", RELEASE: November KRAAN: "Dancing In The Shade", RELEASE: November KRAAN: "Live 2001", RELEASE: November PETE TOWNSHEND: "Anthology", RELEASE: October
Nightwish recorded "End Of An Era" -live release yesterday evening in Hartwall-Arena, Helsinki. As you can imagine, the atmosphere in the Arena was wild but also quite blue. This was the ending for a one and a half year lasting "Once"-World Tour. Nightwish wishes to thank everybody for an unbelievable tour.
Unfortunately the title "End Of An Era" also holds a deeper meaning. The open letter, which was given to Tarja after the show, tells it all. You can read it here:
Dear Tarja,
It`s time to choose whether the story of Nightwish ends here or whether it will still continue an undetermined period of time. We`ve been working with this creation for 9 years and we are not ready to give up yet. Nightwish is a way of life, something to live for, and we`re certain we can`t let it go.
Equally certain is the fact that we cannot go on with you and Marcelo any longer. During the last year something sad happened, which I`ve been going over in my head every single day, morning and night. Your attitude and behavior don`t go with Nightwish anymore. There are characteristics I would never have believed to see in my old dear friend. People who don`t talk with each other for a year do not belong in the same band.
We are involved in an industry where the business-side of things is a necessary evil and something to worry about all the time. We are also a band which has always done music from the heart, because of friendship and the music itself. The mental satisfaction should always be more important than money! Nightwish is a band, it`s an emotion.
To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with those emotions have become much more important. You feel that you have sacrificed yourself and your musical career for Nightwish, rather than thinking what it has given to you. This attitude was clearly shown to me in the two things you said to me in an airplane in Toronto: .I don`t need Nightwish anymore.. and .Remember, Tuomas, that I could leave this band at any time, giving you only one day`s warning in advance.. I can`t simply write any more songs for you to sing.
You have said yourself that you are merely a .guest musician. in Nightwish. Now that visit ends and we will continue Nightwish with a new female vocalist. We`re sure this is an equally big relief to you as it is for us. We have all been feeling bad long enough.
You told us that no matter what, the next Nightwish album will be your last one. However, the rest of us want to continue as long as the fire burns. So there`s no sense in doing that next album with you, either. The four of us have been going over this situation countless times and we have realized that this is the thing we want to do in life. It?s all we can do. In December 2004, in Germany, you said that you will never tour again for more than two weeks at a time. You also said that we can forget about U.S. and Australia because the fees and the sizes of venues are too small.
In interviews I`ve mentioned that if Tarja leaves, that would be the end of the band. I understand that people will think this way. Nightwish is, however, a scenery of my soul and I`m not ready to let go because of one person. A person who wants to focus her creativity to somewhere else, a person whose values don`t match mine.
We were never bothered by the fact that you didn`t participate in writing/arranging songs, you never in 9 years came to rehearse the songs with us before going to the studio. Not the fact that while on tour you always wanted to fly, separately from us with your husband. Not the fact that you are an undisputable front image of the band. We accepted and felt ok about everything except greed, underestimating the fans, and breaking promises. It was agreed by the five of us that Nightwish would be the priority in everything that we do during 2004-2005. Still so many things were more important to you. The ultimate example being the already sold-out show in Oslo, which you wanted to cancel because you needed to rehearse for your solo concerts, meet frieds and go to the movies. Those were the words Marcelo used in an e-mail explaining the cancellation. This being just one example of so many. I couldn`t think of a worse way of being selfish and dismissing our fans.
Nightwish is a way of life and a job with many obligations. To each other and to the fans. With you we can`t take care of those duties anymore.
Deep within we don`t know which one of you drove us to this point. Somehow Marcelo has changed you from the lovely girl you were into a diva, who doesn`t think or act the way she used to. You are too sure of your irreplaceableness and status.
It`s obvious that you blame your stress and misery on us four. And you think we don`t respect or listen to you. Belive us; We have always had the uppermost respect towards you as a wonderful vocalist and as a friend. And very often during the past couple of years the plans were made according to your decisions only. You were always the only one who wanted more money from the shows. This .compensation and more money from everything. .attitude is the fact that we are most disappointed of!
We wish that from now on you will listen to your heart instead of Marcelo. Cultural differences combined with greed, opportunism and love is a dangerous combination. Do not wither yourself.
This decision is not something we are especially proud of but you gave us no choice. The gap between us is too wide. And the decision is made by us four unanimously. We are beyond the point where things could be settled by talking.
The 7" EP with Worship and Loss (USA) is out! It contains Worship's 'Devived', which is a sneak peak at the album "Dooom", and which is the 1st song of the post-Max era with me The Doommonger on lead guitars and vocals, Satachrist on guitars, and Kuolema on Drums and Bass. Recorded at worldsEND Studio by Kuolema It's limited so as usual: undoomy quickness recommended.
Polish black metallers BEHEMOTH are currently in the middle of their most prestigious U.S. tour with DANZIG, CHIMAIRA, HIMSA, MORTIIS and THE AGONY SCENE. The band have just hit the East Cost. Mainman Nergal checks in from the road with the following statement:
"This tour has been great success for us. Every night we play in front of 1,000-2,000 people which is nothing but awesome! Being the most extreme band on the bill makes it really challenging, but all I can say after doing 17 shows is that we definitely managed to conquer most of those crowds."
Nergal continues: "San Francisco was one of this tour's highlights for us. Surprisingly every show there is better and better. Cleveland was also the best show we've played in this city so far and I'm happy we finally made it up for those who missed us on KING DIAMOND tour there. Ah, yeah…I can't forget to mention the party with MESHUGGAH and GOD FORBID plus our labelmates that went on few blocks from the venue. It was WILD, I can assure you! My body is still suffering from this night though ha ha…By the way, thanx to Sean for hooking us up with sooooo many drinks! Cheers bro!
"Jaxx was probably the best off show on this tour. It looks like we have a great following there. Respect to all those crazy freaks who made this night so memorable! A special hello to those cute bartenders, ha ha…u know why. Montreal was nothing but amazing. I could go one forever with complements on how great the Canadian crowd is…and I really mean it. NYC was a killer show too despite the fact that my amp went dead during the set…
"We are in Providence now. Before the show, Orion, Malta and I took a walk downtown and let me tell u something: this is one of the most charming places I've visited in this country. I ended up buying some IGGY POP, HANK WILLIAMS III and new DEPECHE MODE CDs in the local record store while Orion got himself a sweet ILSA 3-DVD box set. The concert itself was fun, ha ha. Those who showed up, know what I mean. It was cool watching these surprised faces when we entered the stage. They seemed to be shit-scared, but by the end of the show we made them move and go crazy…the whole point of this tour. Fuck yeah."
In other news, BEHEMOTH drummer Inferno has just signed an endorsement deal with the drum-stick company Vic Firth. Marco Soccoli, the company’s A&R guy, had a meeting with Inferno on October 17 in New York. Within a few weeks, Inferno will get his first signed drum sticks manfucatured. This is what Inferno had to say about it:
"I'd like to send my huge appreciation to Marco for making this deal happen. This is the best sticks I've (ab)used, ever! Can't wait to play my signed models!"
German melodic metallers EDGUY have posted the following message on their official web site:
"Against certain rumors and speculations, Tobias Sammet [EDGUY vocalist] has not undergone a sex change operation yet: 'Of course, after the success of NIGHTWISH, WITHIN TEMPTATION and EVANESCENCE, we sat down to discuss what kind of sacrifice we'd have to make to hit big time with this new album. In time of female vocal domination, we came to the conclusion that it's the penis that stands in our way. I mean — literally, of course! That being said, to avoid any rumors: if it's gonna happen I'd become a lesbian woman. In case this trend is gone and we're too late, our drummer Felix considers to join me to the operating room and become a cockatoo. Though we talked him into believing that cockatooed drummered bands are gonna be the next big thing it's not for business reasons. Felix discovered his cockatooish side just when reaching puberty. Ever since he's felt like having been born in the wrong shell. He's more that cockatoo kind of guy, you all know what I mean. Whatever, in case all this won't work, we just recorded the most ambitious EDGUY album so far — just to be on the safe side. It's the most diversified stuff and we'll post the songtitles soon. The first press reactions are superb and I feel not playing it close to the chest was the best thing we could have done. It's still EDGUY at any second, it's funny here and melancholic there, fast and slow and really diversified. You'll hear 'Rocket Ride' on January 20th. And the first part of the tour is booked too. Tickets are gonna be available early next week, watch out for some real big entertaining HM-party. See you all and stay metal. You are the best."
German black metallers DARK FORTRESS have finished recording their fifth album, "Séance". "At the moment guitarist and producer V. Santura is doing the mix of the album and as soon as the band has decided which label they will sign to (in the beginning of November), 'Séance' will be mastered by Alex Krull in the Mastersound Studios. The whole layout has been also completed now by mastermind Travis Smith himself, so that you can expect something special again."
In other news, a limited LP version of DARK FORTRESS' debut album, "Tales from Eternal Dusk" (2001) is available for a price of 15 euros. You can order your copy directly from the band or from different mailorder companies, such as Grau.
Sweden's Close-Up magazine recently spoke to the four ROADRUNNER UNITED team captains Dino Cazares (ASESINO, ex-FEAR FACTORY, BRUJERIA), Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT), Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) and Matthew Heafy (TRIVIUM). In addition, Roadrunner Records Senior Director of A&R Monte Conner gives his input on the gigantic project. Following are some excerpts from the article.
Cazarez on the upcoming ROADRUNNER UNITED concert at the Nokia Theatre in New York City on December 15 (Dino is one of the confirmed members of the core backing band for the entire show):
"I've told Monte that I have no problem with Burton [C. Bell, FEAR FACTORY vocalist] coming up on stage to do 'Replica'. I would never be in FEAR FACTORY again, but if it’s for a special cause I wouldn't have a problem with one of those guys [in FEAR FACTORY] joining me on stage."
Cazares on his brand-new project:
"I've found a new drummer in Tim Yeung, who was in NILE and HATE ETERNAL. We've written seven songs and are trying out singers right now. As soon as [we've found the right vocalist] we're ready to go. This is something that Monte wants to release. Roadrunner has been a big part of my life and I want to stay with them."
Matthew Heafy on what his collaboration with CRADLE OF FILTH vocalist Dani Filth on the song "Dawn of a Golden Age" might lead to:
"I've always wanted to start a black metal side project, so I might ask Dani Filth if he wants to sing on a few more songs. Black metal is almost as big a passion to me as TRIVIUM. I like the atmosphere and the whole scene, the mystique and its bloody past. I collect records, t-shirts and other black metal stuff."
Robert Flynn on whether or not he wanted to save any of his ROADRUNNER UNITED songs for MACHINE HEAD:
"Some parts of 'Independent (Voice of the Voiceless)' were hard to part with, but 'The Dagger' was really difficult to part with. I even told Monte: 'If Howard [Jones, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist] doesn't wanna sing on it, I'm saving it for the next MACHINE HEAD record."
Monte Conner on why the most commercially successful artist on the label, NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger, doesn't appear on ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The All-Star Sessions" album:
"We sent 'Army of the Sun' [the Flynn track which current BLOODSIMPLE and former VISION OF DISORDER frontman Tim Williams ended up singing on] to Chad, but he was just too busy in the studio recording the new NICKELBACK album. We then went after his brother Mike and tried to get him to play bass on that song and Matt Heafy's 'Blood and Flames'. Same story there, he just didn't have the time. We desperately tried to get Chad on the album, even if some metalheads would've given us shit. We felt that he very much belonged on it. NICKELBACK is a key band on the label and has changed the face of Roadrunner. The rock side of Roadrunner, which NICKELBACK represents, isn't going away and will exist side-by-side with all the metal."
Audio clips of six songs from the upcoming RAMMSTEIN album, "Rosenrot", have been posted online at '
"Rosenrot" is scheduled for release in Germany on October 28 via Universal. A limited-edition version of the album will include a bonus DVD featuring three live video clips recorded earlier in the year. A U.S. release date for the CD has yet to be announced.
RAMMSTEIN's video for their new single, "Benzin", can be viewed by clicking ' . The clip was was shot in August by Uwe Flade, who has also directed videos for DEPECHE MODE and FRANZ FERDINAND.
As previously reported, RAMMSTEIN are nominated in the category "Best Live Act" for the "Eins Live" Krone award. Germany's biggest radio awards ceremony will be held at the Arena Oberhausen on November 24, 2005 and will be broadcast live by Eins Live radio at 7:00 p.m. and on TV by the WDR at 10:00 p.m. To vote for RAMMSTEIN, click ' .
Finland's AMORPHIS have set "Eclipse" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in February via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to last year's "Far from the Sun" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki with engineer Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE). The production duties were handled by the band and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH) for vocals. The mixing was taken care of by Mikko Karmila (who previously worked with the group on their "Am Universum" CD) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.
"Eclipse" track listing:
01. Two Moons 02. House of Sleep 03. Leaves Scar 04. Born from Fire 05. Under a Soil and Black Stone 06. Perkele (The God of Fire) 07. The Smoke 08. Same Flesh 09. Brother Moon 10. Empty Opening
Commented guitarist Esa Holopainen: "We just had listening session at Nuclear Blast office and feedback seems to be really positive. I quess we have to organize another session for Finnish reporters but I'm not sure if we have enough money to cover their drinks. Finnish reporters are extremely thirsty. But still, more they drink, better they like the album! :) Way to go!"
It's sad to say, but Mechanical Poet is no more. After 3 years of rocking we have decided to stop our musical journey because of personal and creative differences. This game is over but the life still goes on. We want to thank all our fans and fellows and wish you good luck! Remember that the end of the road is not the end of the whole story. All music already written for Mechanical Poet albums ''Troglodytes'', ''Urban Hiders'' and ''Michelle'' will surely be released in future by another band. Watch out for the news on MechanicalPoet.Net, SonnyGrimm.Com and Epidemia.Ru to read more about future life of Poets.
Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI will enter Fantom studio on November 17 to begin recording their third album, entitled "Tales along This Road". A tentative March/April 2006 release is expected.
The group's second album under their current moniker (the group released two albums as SHAMAN), "Voice of Wilderness" was released last January via Napalm Records.
IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name: Olve Eikemo) has reportedly joined forces with original IMMORTAL drummer Armagedda, ENSLAVED guitarist Arve Isdal and GORGOROTH bassist King in a brand-new project dubbed simply I. The group have finished writing two-thirds of the material for their upcoming full-length debut, which will feature lyrics written primarily by former IMMORTAL guitarist Demonaz (real name: Harald Nævdal). The band, who expect to enter the studio before the end of 2005, are said to be contemplating making several festival appearances next year. More information will be made available soon.
A preview clip of EPICA's video for the track Quietus has been posted online at ' (Windows Media, 9.7 MB).
The Quietus single (view cover ' ) will be released later this month via Transmission Records. It will be made available in two versions
1) Two-track single (release date October 21) Quietus (Silent Reverie) - single version Linger - previously unreleased track
2) Four-track maxi single (release date October 28) Quietus (Silent Reverie) (single version) Crystal Mountain (previously unreleased orchestral version) Quietus (Silent Reverie) (grunt version) Crystal Mountain (previously unreleased track)
Quietus comes off EPICA's sophomore album, Consign to Oblivion, which was released in April via Transmission Records. The band issued their first DVD, We Will Take You With Us 2 Meter Sessies, in September 2004. The disc came in a limited-edition deluxe ECO-Book (containing a 40-page booklet) with an additional bonus CD containing all of the 2 Meter Sessies recordings.
German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN discuss the controversial single "Mann Gegen Mann" ("Man On Man") from their new album "Rosentot" in the latest issue of the Swedish magazine Close-Up. In the chorus, the word "schwule" (German for "faggot") is uttered repeatedly. In the article, RAMMSTEIN vocalist Till Lindemann asks the reporter: "Do you think it's homophobic?" When the reporter tells him that it easy to make that assumption, Lindemann responds: "It's natural [to perceive it that way], but it's just a song. It’s about gay men and the fact that they're lucky in a way. They never had to strut in front of girls and bring them ridiculous gifts or make dinner invitations. They just look at each other and decide to go home together. They're in a strange situation, but it's very easy for them to get laid. I write about this in a more poetic fashion. If you just hear the word [schwule] taken out of context it's provocative, but if you really listen to the lyrics you realize that it's not at all meant to be derogatory.
"I'm not going to give out any name, but an English band that we [RAMMSTEIN] are friends with has two gay members. We made a bet about something and if I were to lose I had to take the two of them out in Berlin one night and visit all the gay clubs in my neighborhood. Of course, I lost the bet, just like I always do. When we went out, I just thought: 'Wow! This is happening fast!' One glance and then both of them knew exactly what to do. I was jealous. I would love to walk up to a strange woman and go: 'Hi, you're hot. Wanna come back to my place?"
"Rosentot" also marks RAMMSTEIN's first attempt at doing a song entirely in Spanish, "Te Quiero Puta" ("I Love You Whore"). Lindemann explains the lyrical theme: "Some guys, maybe us in the band, ride on to a whorehouse. Some 'puta' opens the door and says, 'Hey, gringos!' These ladies don't do any poetic stuff. It's all about men, women, sex and partying. The story is about this guy who falls in love with one of the women. She tells him: 'I like you, but don't come here with that emotional stuff. I only like your 'fruita,' so let me taste it."
Lindemann co-wrote the lyrics to "Te Quiero Puta" with his Spanish-speaking fiancée. RAMMSTEIN will take most of 2006 off and the couple, who owns a rustic summerhouse in Costa Rica, will be vacationing in Latin America next year.
"I'm going to spend at least four or five months over there," says Lindemann. "Me and my fiancée are planning on taking a long trip. We will start in Argentina and make our way through Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Colombia we'll have to think consider further. It's a rather strange country and their white stuff is a little too much fun [laughs]."
For the first time in three years, Norway's GREEN CARNATION played the entire one-track, 60+minute epic "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" to an enthusiastic crowd that gathered at this year's Day Of The Equinox festival on Friday October 14 in Toronto, Canada.
The seven-piece outfit played a full 80-minute set of material from their past album "Blessing in Disguise" (2003) and latest offering, "The Quiet Offspring", before launching into the massive undertaking of performing the critically acclaimed masterpiece from 2001. Check out photos at ' .
"It was a special treat from us to the fans," said GREEN CARNATION singer Kjetil Nordhus about the playing of "Light of Day..." "We knew it would be a long set, and we came from so far away, so we knew this had to be a special night. And it was!"
Andreas Katsambas, owner of The End Records who was in attendance, commented, "I would like to thank all of the bands that came out and put on some great performances for the festival. Their unique styles made this a special event. And of course, it was great to see GREEN CARNATION play the two-hour set that included the entire 'Light of Day, Day of Darkness' album. Day of The Equinox was a real success and I hope to see this become an annual event that will grow with each year.'
GREEN CARNATION's founding member/guitarist Tchort offered these thought on Day Of The Equinox: "It was great to be a part of a great music festival, with a great lineup and a professional approach to running things. We were also amazed that fans traveled from as far as Japan and El Salvador to see us play. Aside from the foreign fans and those from Canada, many came up from Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Atlanta and Arizona. We had a great time in Toronto, Canada — it was great to take in some sightseeing and good times with our friends and fans."
Also on the bill at Day Of The Equinox were AGALLOCH, DECEASED, NOVEMBERS DOOM, UNEXPECT and WOODS OF YPRES.
NICODEMUS Seek Keyboard Player Portland-based goth metallers NICODEMUS are seeking a full-time keyboard player for recording and touring. Keyboards on the band's previous albums had been handled by vocalist/bassist Christopher Morris. The group have decided to enlist the talents of a full-time keyboard player for future releases and tours. Interested candidates must be willing to relocate to the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Oregon area). Contact the band at info@nicodemus.us. Auditions will begin immediately.
NICODEMUS recently released their third album, entitled "Vanity Is A Virtue", through the Greek label Sonic Age Records. The album reportedly owes more to the progressive sound than previous NICODEMUS releases, 2000's "Tales of the Lovelorn and Necromantic" (Dark Throne Music) and 2003's "The Supernatural Omnibus" (Dark Symphonies), which saw the band focusing on a goth/black metal-based style with progressive elements. Готические металлеры из Портленда NICODEMUS ищут постоянного клавишника для записи и выступлений. В предыдущем альбоме группы клавишными занимался вокалист/басист Кристофер Моррис (Christopher Morris). Группа решила привлечь талантливого постоянного клавишника для последующих релизов и туров. Заинтересованные кандидаты должны иметь желание перебраться на Северо-западное побережье Тихого океана (Портленд, штат Орегон). С группой можно сконтактироваться по адресу info@nicodemus.us Прослушивание происходит сразу.
NICODEMUS недавно выпустили свой третий альбом «Vanity Is A Virtue» на греческом лейбле Sonic Age Records. Как отмечается, альбом приобрел более прогрессивное звучание, чем предыдущий релиз NICODEMUS 2000-го года «Tales of the Lovelorn and Necromantic» (Dark Throne Music) и 2003-го «The Supernatural Omnibus» (Dark Symphonies), которые, в свою очередь, показали, что группа сосредоточилась на goth/black metal стиле с прогрессивными элементами.
Fiona Sturges of the U.K.'s The Independent recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. Several excerpts from the chat follow:
On having lived in Los Angeles for the past 15 years:
"Home is in here [tapping his temple]. Where you live is just a geographical preference. I like it here because the sun shines a lot and you don't get the cynical fucking English bitching about everything. I find the Americans quite refreshing. Everybody sneers at the 'Have a nice day' thing but it's a lot nicer than having your change thrown at you. [I have been disappointed in England] since about 1964. It's never recognized any of its own talent, it's never done anything to promote anything but the status quo. It'll always be stuck with rotten politicians. England had a history once but now it's got nothing."
On retirement:
"What have you got that's better than what I do? I get to travel all over the world, I get to sleep with women of all colours and religious persuasions, and I get to play the music I like and make people happier than they were when I arrived. It's a good way to make a living. You find me a better one."
On the suggestion that he might be getting too old for the job:
"You wouldn't say Beethoven was past it, would you? . . . THE BEATLES are the classical music of rock 'n' roll. And rock'n'roll is far more widespread than classical will ever be. So I don't see why there should be a point where everyone decides you're too old. I'm not too old, and until I decide I'm too old I'll never be too fucking old."
On a possible reality television career:
"I live on my own, so it's going to be pretty boring watching me eating my breakfast and playing video games all day, isn't it? And anyway, I'm not after the money. I'm after being in my band, making good music and meeting as many women as I can."
On having slept with more than 2,000 women and never settling down:
"I've never met a girl who could stop me looking at all the others. If I did I'd marry her. I'm not going to get married and play around. That's bullshit. If you get married you should be faithful."
On his two sons — 38 year-old Paul, who works as a record producer and whom he sees from time to time, and another who was adopted at birth:
"He's [the adopted son] a computer programmer in Bradford. His mother went up and found him. She's a social worker and wears these diaphanous paisley smocks. She said he put his head in his hands when she told him she was his mother so she hadn't the heart to tell him who his father was."
On whether or not he's curious to meet his adopted son:
"Nah. I figure if I go and meet him for the sake of my curiosity, it might ruin his life. It's better for everyone if I don't. I never met him so I don't miss him."
On whether he's ever yearned for family life:
"Fuck no. I went out with a couple of girls with young babies. I can give a baby a bottle with one hand and roll a joint with the other, but I never wanted any of that. Changing nappies is horrible. Kids are generally rotten until the age of about six, when they become people. No, it's not my scene."
On reading:
"There are a lot of good books around. People don't read any more. It's a sad state of affairs. Reading's the only thing that allows you to use your imagination. When you watch films it's someone else's vision, isn't it?"
On being introduced to acid by Jimi Hendrix when he was working as his roadie in the late Sixties:
"It made me realize what other people are about. Not that I'd recommend my lifestyle to anyone They wouldn't survive it."
On heroin:
"The only thing I ever saw anyone die on was heroin. Let that speak for itself."
On collapsing backstage this summer following a show in France as a result of severe dehydration:
"It was about 150 degrees on stage and our music takes a lot of energy. I got through the show all right but then 'Boom!' I was gone. It's always a shock when your body refuses to carry on for a while but it's an occupational hazard. If you work in a factory you run a heightened risk of getting your arm chewed up. And it's a lot better being dehydrated than getting your fucking arm chewed up."
On the suggestion that he should cut down on the boozing:
"Listen honey, if you didn't do anything that wasn't good for you it would be a very dull life. What are you gonna do? Everything that is pleasant in life is dangerous. Have you noticed that? I'd like to find the bastard that thought that one up."
On his favorite band during his teens, THE BEATLES:
"They would come on stage and you were just awestruck. They had that presence, which is very rare. Hendrix had it, Ozzy Osbourne has it to an extent. You've either got it or you haven't."
On being be a singer:
"I'm an egomaniac. I like being the centre of attention as much as anybody so I didn't mind. I was in it for the girls, to tell the truth. I think if more musicians told the truth, that would be the reason why most of them are in it. When you're young and you're desperate to get laid, you work out that being a bricklayer isn't that attractive. I was never going to be a doctor or a lawyer, so being a musician seemed to be the best of what was on offer."
On his lost education:
"[It's] something of an advantage. When you leave school with no qualifications you learn to live on the edge a bit, and you learn about hard graft. I think it's much better than spending five years in college and coming out knowing nothing of real life."
On his philosophy in life:
"As you go through life's rich tapestry, you realize that most people you meet aren't fit to shine your shoes. It's a sad fact, but it's true. A good friend is someone who'd hide you if you were on the run for murder. How many of them do you know? . . .This is me. What you see is what you get. If people don't like me or what I have to say, then fuck 'em. And that's my final word."
"The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" is the title of a new book currently being written by music journalist Gavin Baddeley with the help of CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth.
The novel includes popular myths about the group and each chapter is loosely based around one of the metal outfit's nine albums.
Commented Dani, "It's going to be a coffee table book, the sort of thing you can just flick through.
"Gavin's really well-versed in the occult and black metal and everything. I've read the first part and it's excellent.
"The opening's about the rise of the evil British Empire. It references why Hollywood always places a quintessential English gentleman in the role of the bad guy — people like Alan Rickman."
"The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" (view cover ' ) official book description reads as follows:
"The members of CRADLE OF FILTH are the titans of black metal underground. Now Dani Filth and Gavin Baddeley lay bare the fascinating underworld of contemporary culture.
"Dissecting the Satanic sources that have influenced and informed CRADLE OF FILTH, with a roadmap to every significant landmark in the domains of darkness, including the arcane secrets of Black Magic, via the sex rites of vampirism. Artfully combining Hammer horror style schlock, dripping with eroticism, backed by authentic Black Arts info and a wicked sense of humor, this will dazzle devoted disciples of darkness. Contributors include actor Christopher Lee and Satanist Anton LaVey, to serial killer expert Robert Ressler and necrophile Karen Greenlee.
"About the Author: Gavin Baddeley is an ordained Reverend in the Church of Satan, and an experienced journalist who has worked for The Observer and Metal Hammer. He is the occult authority for the BBC and Channel 4, has addressed Cambridge, and has been profiled in The Independent and The London Evening Standard. His previous three books received wide acclaim.
"Dani Filth, singer and lyricist of CRADLE OF FILTH, is an outspoken figure in the rock world. In addition to numerous TV and journalistic features, he has also starred in the cult British horror film 'Cradle of Fear'.
"Note: There will be a very special edition of the book, leather bound and with a 'bonus' to be announced that will only be available via [CRADLE OF FILTH's official] website."
Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have tapped director Maurice Swinkels from LowlifeMedia (EXODUS, ABORTED, GOREFEST) to film the band's video for the track "Crippled & Broken", from their forthcoming album, "In the Arms of Devastation". The conceptual clip will be shot in Amsterdam, Netherlands in early March, shortly prior to the band's European co-headlining tour as part of the No Mercy festival.
KATAKLYSM's new album, "In the Arms of Devastation", is currently being mixed in Denmark by acclaimed producer Tue Madsen. A February 20, 2006 release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.
German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have filmed a video for the second single off their upcoming "Rosenrot" album. According to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Jonas Åkerlund (METALLICA, MADONNA, SATYRICON) was the director for "Mann Gegen Mann", which deals with the subject of "men on the edge of homosexuality." No word yet on when the new single or video will be released.
RAMMSTEIN's new album, "Rosenrot", is scheduled for release in Germany on October 28 via Universal. A limited-edition version of the album will include a bonus DVD featuring three live video clips recorded earlier in the year.
RAMMSTEIN's video for their new single, "Benzin", can be viewed by clicking ' . The clip was was shot in August by Uwe Flade, who has also directed videos for DEPECHE MODE and FRANZ FERDINAND.
Former GORGUTS members Steeve Hurdle (guitar, vocals; also ex-PURULENCE) and Luc Lemay (guitar, vocals) have joined forces in a new project called NEGATIVA, The band, whose lineup is completed by Dominic Lapointe (QUO VADIS, AUGURY, ATHERETIC) on bass and Etienne Gallo (AUGURY) on drums, will be entering the studio in the winter for a promo recording. A possible tour with TOWARDS DARKNESS and PAROXYSM in the spring of 2006 is also in the works.
In October, 2004, ANAL CUNT's Seth Putnam slipped into a coma after an overdose of Ambien sleeping pills. In an exlusive interview with the Boston Phoenix — his first and only interview since coming out of his coma — extreme metal's most notorious fuckup talks about what happened the night of his overdose, why his family fought to keep his condition a secret, and how he's determined to be the same asshole he's always been.
To accompany the story, Putnam gave the Phoenix an MP3 of the ANAL CUNT song "You're In a Coma", which is available along with exclusive photos and interview outtakes at '
Background: A year ago this month, ANAL CUNT frontman Seth Putnam went to a friend's place for a birthday party. Cake and ice cream were not on the menu. In the course of an evening, Seth says he consumed $200 worth of crack cocaine, an untraceable amount of heroin, and at least a fifth of whiskey, while consorting with a crowd that included pimps, prostitutes, and at least one convicted armed robber. He woke up feeling physically fine but wanting to commit suicide. He bought enough heroin to kill himself, cooked up a hot shot, and then . . . came to his senses and decided he wanted to live. There was just one problem. He couldn't sleep. So he popped a stash of Ambien — two months' worth — and accidentally fell into a coma. When he was ambulanced to the hospital, doctors said he'd have irreparable brain damage and discussed pulling the plug.
Poland's DARZAMAT will be mixing their new album, "Transkarpatia", with producer Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND guitarist) at LaRocque's Los Angered studio outside Gothenburg, Sweden.
Commented DARZAMAT frontman Flauros: "I am truly glad that DARZAMAT will be able to work with such an excellent musician as well as producer."
"Transkarpatia" will be released in early 2006 via the Polish label Metal Mind Productions.
"Transkarpatia" track listing:
01. Vampiric Prose 02. Hallucinations 03. The Burning Times 04. Letter from Hell 05. Blackward 06. Labyrinth of Anxiety 07. Recurring Yell 08. Virus 09. The Old Form of Worship 10. Equinox 11. Tempted by Rot 12. Tribute to...
On October 11 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, DREAM THEATER performed PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety as their second set. Tracks performed were as follows:
01. Speak to Me 02. Breathe 03. On The Run 04. Time 05. Breathe (Reprise) 06. The Great Gig in the Sky 07. Money 08. Us And Them 09. Any Colour You Like 10. Brain Damage 11. Eclipse
This continues DREAM THEATER's tradition of covering a "classic album" in entirety whenever doing a two-night stand in the same city (the band previous covered METALLICA's "Master of Puppets" and IRON MAIDEN's "The Number of the Beast" in 2002). Joining the group for the performance was Mike Kidson on saxophone (from "the Australian Pink Floyd Show") and Theresa Thomason (who previously appeared with DREAM THEATER on "Scenes from a Memory" and "Live Scenes from New York").
DRAGONFORCE have completed work on their eagerly anticipated third album, entitled "Inhuman Rampage". The follow-up to 2004's "Sonic Firestorm" contains eight brand new songs and will be released on January 9, 2006. The album recording sessions were made at Thin Ice Studios in Virginia Water (Surrey) and guitarist Herman Li's own studio in West London between April and September, while production duties were shared between Li, fellow axeman Sam Totman and keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov.
"Inhuman Rampage" track listing:
01. Through the Fire and Flames 02. Revolution Deathsquad 03. Storming the Burning Fields 04. Operation Ground and Pound 05. Body Breakdown 06. Cry for Eternity 07. The Flame of Youth 08. Trail of Broken Hearts
Austrian "epic metal" band VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have announced the departure of singer Nicole Bogner. "Due to the changes in her personal and professional life, Nicole Bogner and VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have decided to go separate ways from now on," the band write on their web site. "The split with the female singer happened in friendship, and VISIONS OF ATLANTIS want to thank Nicole for everthing she has done with and for the band."
Replacing Nicole in VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' lineup is professional soprano singer Melissa Ferlaak (' ).
"Melissa Ferlaak, 26 from Minneapolis , Minnesota , graduated with a master's degree from New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts in 2003 for vocal performance. She has worked in the operatic field, most recently as Musetta in 'La Boheme', and has been singing with AESMA DAEVA.
A three-minute audio clip of the re-recorded version of the FALKENBACH track "Heralder" has been posted online at ' . The new version of the song (the original was a bonus track for the picture LP version of "...En Their Medh Riki Fara...") will appear on the group's forthcoming album, "Heralding the Fireblade", due on November 25 via Napalm Records. It will be issued both as a limited-edition digipack, featuring one bonus track, and a regular jewel-case version. The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Heathen Foray 02. Of Forests Unknown 03. Havamal 04. Roman Land 05. Heralder * 06. Laeknishendr 07. Walkiesjar 08. Skirnir 09. Gjallar **
* re-recorded version
** re-recorded version of an old track originally featured on the "Skinn Av Sveri Sol Valtiva" demo
SAVAGE CIRCUS dream of coming to your manor It's not about your manor but about the next good club and stage: Currently SAVAGE CIRCUS are negotiating with different agencies about touring possibilities. Piet, Thomen, Jens and Emil are eager to show you the impact of "Dreamland Manor" live. Stay tuned and check www.dockyard1.com for coming tourdates!
We welcome LAKE OF TEARS! Welcome home Lake Of Tears. The whole team at Dockyard 1 is proud to welcome Lake Of Tears to the label. The Swedish Gothic Rock heroes will deliver their 7th full length album in Spring 2006.
AFTER ALL to support CANDLEMASS and DESTRUCTION Our Belgian band AFTER ALL is already anxiously looking forward - AFTER ALL are going on the HELLHOUNDZ OF DOOM AND THRASH tour with CANDLEMASS and DESTRUCTION in November.
IN QUEST take the harvest together with NILE Advanced technical Death Metal from Belgium meets - advanced technical death metal from one of the bands who paved their way, NILE. Our mathematics masterminds join the devoted egyptologists on their second leg of the tour starting from 21st of september that will guide them from southern Europe to Sweden.
PERSUADER add bonus to "The Hunter" To some of you this band might only be known as the winner of the 2003 Young Metal Gods Award or two of the boys in SAVAGE CIRCUS. But five years ago they recorded their stunning debut "The Hunter" which made those who listened wanna sign the band immediately. Of all possible partners a very small label ended up being the lucky one, released the debut in France with a few copies – and dissolved in bancrupcy. Now you can finally see the light of this rough diamond. To make it even more valuable without polishing away the energy, we added the songs "Escape" and "Cursed" from the even earlier "Visions and dreams" demo as a bonus.
CELESTY - our Finnish youngsters got signed We are proud to announce the addition of CELESTY to our fine artist selection. Those young Finnish guys already released two albums and are big in Japan, so be prepared for epic and melodic progressive metal. But don't underrate the Nothern heritage of CELESTY - there is a lot of darkness from long winter nights in the songs also.
MYSTIC CIRLE viva la Mexico! The shows with MARDUK were a dark blast across Europe. Now MYSTIC CIRCLE already check out how corpsepaint goes with sombreros and prepare for their tour to Mexico.
A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS dig the coal A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS are done recording "Nightmare Inc." at Kohle in Kohlekeller studios/Darmstadt. Early on wednesday morning shouter BjЖrn added his final vocals to the tracks - after three days of heavy screaming in a row. We expect it to be their heaviest and most varied record which will overflow the already abating metalcore wave.
Eagle Rock Entertainment has set a November 1 release date for the new DVD from TESTAMENT, entitled "Live In London". "Live In London" is the documentation of a dream that long-time die-hard TESTAMENT fans have been waiting for: the reuniting of the band’s "classic" lineup. Featuring vocalist Chuck Billy, guitar virtuosos Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and original drummer Louie Clemente (along with TESTAMENT and WHITE ZOMBIE alumnus John Tempesta as a second drummer), the band rips through classic TESTAMENT fan favorites in this show, shot in London earlier in 2005.
"Live In London" DVD track listing:
1. The Preacher 2. The New Order 3. The Haunting 4. Electric Crown 5. Sins Of Omission 6. Souls Of Black 7. Into The Pit 8. Trial By Fire 9. Practice What You Preach 10. Let Go Of My World 11. The Legacy 12. Over The Wall 13. Raging Waters 14. Disciples Of The Watch
Long-running Floridian death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION have reportedly parted ways with guitarist Rob Barret and bassist Gordon Simms. Replacing them in the group's latest incarnation are returning members John Rubin (guitar) and Jason Blachowicz (bass, also in DIVINE EMPIRE). 
Nightwish recorded "End Of An Era" -live release yesterday evening in Hartwall-Arena, Helsinki. As you can imagine, the atmosphere in the Arena was wild but also quite blue. This was the ending for a one and a half year lasting "Once"-World Tour. Nightwish wishes to thank everybody for an unbelievable tour.
Polish black metallers BEHEMOTH are currently in the middle of their most prestigious U.S. tour with DANZIG, CHIMAIRA, HIMSA, MORTIIS and THE AGONY SCENE. The band have just hit the East Cost. Mainman Nergal checks in from the road with the following statement:
German melodic metallers EDGUY have posted the following message on their official web site:
Audio clips of six songs from the upcoming RAMMSTEIN album, "Rosenrot", have been posted online at ' 
Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI will enter Fantom studio on November 17 to begin recording their third album, entitled "Tales along This Road". A tentative March/April 2006 release is expected.
IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name: Olve Eikemo) has reportedly joined forces with original IMMORTAL drummer Armagedda, ENSLAVED guitarist Arve Isdal and GORGOROTH bassist King in a brand-new project dubbed simply I. The group have finished writing two-thirds of the material for their upcoming full-length debut, which will feature lyrics written primarily by former IMMORTAL guitarist Demonaz (real name: Harald Nævdal). The band, who expect to enter the studio before the end of 2005, are said to be contemplating making several festival appearances next year. More information will be made available soon.
Fiona Sturges of the U.K.'s The Independent recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. Several excerpts from the chat follow:
"The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" is the title of a new book currently being written by music journalist Gavin Baddeley with the help of CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth.
On October 11 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, DREAM THEATER performed PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety as their second set. Tracks performed were as follows:
Eagle Rock Entertainment has set a November 1 release date for the new DVD from TESTAMENT, entitled "Live In London".