Metal News for January 24, 2009
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM ET
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Hot Topics
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Spite Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Carcosa (AngelMaker) Premiere New Single & Video
- Stellar Circuits Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Agnostic Front Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
25 news articles posted on this day.
Headline News
Metalunderground.com's Best of 2008 Awards
2008 was a great year for metal releases. What's more, it was a great year for real metal. Never before have I seen a "best of" poll with so few mentions of trendy and mainstream metal bands. Despite a slew of hugely anticipated releases by bands such as Metallica, Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Testament, and more, it was the many other intriguing metal releases that made 2008 special.
That said, let's get down to the details and talk about those bands that made 2008 such a good year for heavy metal by announcing the Metalunderground.com staff picks for 2008. As in previous years, I've polled the entire staff here at Metalunderground.com about their favorite albums and performances of the year.
Here are the Metalunderground.com staff picks for the following categories: Best Metal Album of 2008, Best Metal DVD of 2008, Best Metal Newcomer of 2008, Best Live Act of 2008, and Most Anticipated Release for 2009. More...
AC/DC To Perform At WWE Wrestlemania
World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon has announced at a recent press conference that rock legends AC/DC will be performing at this years version of Wrestlemania, which is the biggest show of the entire proffessional wrestling year. The show will also be celebrating it's twenty fifth event and will be held on April 5th in Houston, Texas at the Reliant Stadium. No word has been given yet on what song/s the band will perform or which will be used as the theme song for the event.
Delain Announces New Album Details
Dutch metal band, Delain, has revealed the track listing and cover art for their eagerly awaited new album "April Rain," which will be released on March 30th. "April Rain" follows the successful 2006 debut "Lucidity."
"The new album 'April Rain' is a real group effort, that’s what we’re most proud of," says Martijn Westerholt, keyboard player and composer for Delain. After a successful tour in Germany in December 2008, Delain will launch the new album in Amsterdam on March 19th at a special event at the Melkweg venue. More...
Stratovarius Announces Tour Dates
Keyboardist Jens Johansson of Finnish power metallers, Stratovarius, have issued the following update:
"A long, long time, fans all over the world have eagerly waited for Stratovarius to return to the stage. They will finally be back on the road this year, with new guitar player Matias Kupiainen. We are happy to announce that Stratovarius will rock England, Scotland and Ireland for a couple of exclusive European shows before digging into the festival season 2009." More...
Obscura Post New Song, "Cosmogenesis," Online
German progressive death metallers, OBSCURA, have posted a fourth preview track off their new album, the title track, "Cosmogenesis," which features a guest appearance by Ron Jarzombek (Spastic Ink, Watchtower). The track can be heard on the band's MySpace page. Other tracks on the page include "Incarnated," "Anticosmic Overload," and "Universe Momentum." Cosmogenesis will be released in North American on February 17th and March 2nd internationally.
Korpiklaani Reveals New Album Title
Finnish Pelimanni-Metallers, KORPIKLAANI, have issued the following update:
"Korpiklaani looking back… and forward."
"In 2008 we have been quite busy. We have had two successful tours: the Paganfest Tour and the Finnish Fire Tour. We recorded and released our fifth album Korven Kuningas. In the whole we played over 80 gigs, that means about one gig in every four days. We had a lot of fun, met many old friends and made new ones. So, this has been a pretty good year for us." More...
Unexpect Issues Update on New Album
Montreal avant-garde metallers, Unexpect, have issued the following update:
"We've been silent for a while since our return from Europe's awesome welcome to our deviant troup. That's because the songs for our next album are in the final process of pre-production, in anticipation of the subsequent studio activities. Of course, you'll be notified when the real deal starts. Can't wait to present our new limbless babies to you mindfreaks..."
Frankenbok Announces New Zealand Tour Dates
Australian metallers, Frankenbok, have announced the following New Zealand tour dates:
03/05 - Hole In The Wall, Wellington - with No Love Lost and Civillian Down
03/06 - Transmission Room, Auckland (All Ages) - with Subtract, Tainted, World War Four
03/07 - Al's Bar, Christchurch - with Subtract, Tainted and Dissolution
Forever It Shall Be To Delay New Album?
German melodic death metallers, Forever It Shall Be, have issued the following update:
"Due to some health problems concerning Claus' vocal cords which are resulting in a small surgery, Claus won't be able to record the vocals for the new record in time. He will do that as soon as he is fully regenerated. Depending on when this will be, the release of the new record will be pushed back from end of May to ???. We will keep you updated as soon as we all know more."
"This is also resulting in changes concerning the spain-tour: we will do this tour with our old shouter Tobi filling in for Claus!"
Abandoned Parts Ways With Drummer, Sven Vormann
German thrashers, Abandoned, have issued the following update regarding the departure of their drummer, Sven Vormann, and his replacement Jan S. Mischon:
"Due to a general lack of time because of his day-job and stuff, Sven Vormann leaves the band. We wish him all the best and regret this decision wholeheartedly."
"As his successor we’d like to introduce you to Jan S. Mischon, who replaced Sven temporarily earlier on our little tour with Tankard around x-mas time 2008 and helped us out when we were playing Wacken and Earthshaker Festivals in 2005. So he knew what to expect and had the balls to finally join us, haha! More...
Norma Jean Posts Live Video Online
Atlanta's post-hardcore outfit, NORMA JEAN, has posted a live video of "Vipers, Snakes And Actors." The video was filmed at The Lost Horizon in Syracuse, NY during the "Anti Mother Tour." The video is available at UVTV's website.
War Of Ages Announces US Headlining Tour Dates
War Of Ages have announced their first US headlining tour in support of their newest album, "Arise And Conquer," in the spring. Also on the tour is Destroy The Runner, Inhale Exhale, Hands, and Hope For The Dying. The tour dates are as follows:
w/ Destroy The Runner, Inhale Exhale, Hope For The Dying:
02/27 - Erie, PA @ Forward Hall
03/01 - Crofton, MD @ The Macc
03/02 - Clinton, NJ @ The Aquifer
03/03 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Club Relevant
03/04 - Danville, VA @ Plan B
03/06 - Wilmington, NC @ Lamp Stand Light Club
03/07 - Douglasville, GA @ The 7 Venue
03/08 - Jacksonville, FL @ Murray Hill Theatre
03/09 - Tampa, FL @ Real Life Church
03/10 - Pensacola, FL @ American Legion Post 33
03/12 - Athens, AL @ Friendship Church
03/13 - McCalla, AL @ The Fish
03/14 - Evansville, IN @ Boney Junes
03/19 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
03/20 - Mokena, IL @ Soundlab
03/21 - Springfield, IL @ Blacksheep Café
w/ Destroy The Runner, Hands, Hope For The Dying:
03/22 - Poplar Bluff, MO @ The Well
03/23 - Joplin, MO @ The Foundry
03/24 - Tulsa, OK @ The Pinkeye
03/25 - Fort Smith, AR @ Amp'd Regeneration
03/26 - Dallas, TX @ The Max
03/27 - Houston, TX @ Java Jazz
03/29 - Abilene, TX @ The Key
04/01 - Mesa, AZ @ Badlands Music Venue
04/02 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Vertical
04/03-04 - Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse - FACEDOWN FEST
A Plea For Purging Posts New Song Online
Tennessee metallers, A Plea For Purging, have uploaded a new song, entitled "Malevolence," to their MySpace page. The song comes from upcoming album "Depravity," which will be released on March 3rd. More...
Bonded By Blood Announces US Tour Dates
Pomona, CA thrashers, BONDED BY BLOOD, will be hitting the road in late March through early May for their first fully national tour, "The Masters of Disaster tour." The tour also features EXMORTUS and WITCHAVEN.
Dates for the "Masters Of Disaster tour" are as follows:
2/28 - Pomona CA-The Elks Lodge
3/06 - Las Vegas NV-The 4 Aces
3/07 - Phoenix AZ-The Sets
3/09 - Tucson AZ-Vaudville
3/10 - Las Cruces NM-El Patio
3/11 - Lubbock TX-Jakes Backroom
3/12 - Oklahoma city OK-Conservatory
3/13 - Dallas TX-Renos Chop Shop
3/14 - San Antonio TX-The Warhol
3/15 - Jackson MS- Bomb Shelter
3/17 - St. Peterberg FL- State Theatre
3/18 - Ft. Myers FL-Rockstarz
3/20 - Winterpark FL-The Haven
3/22 - Shefield AL-Muscle Shoals
3/24 - Raleigh NC-Volume 11
3/26 - Danville VA-Plan B
3/27 - Allentown PA-Sterling Hotel
3/28 - Bayonne NJ-Liquid Loungue
3/29 - Boston MA-The Metal Hall
3/30 - Syracuse NY-Lost Horizon
3/31 - Cleaveland OH-Now Thats Class
4/01 - Bay City MI-Indian Barrys
4/02 - Detroit MI-Blondies
4/03 - Fort Wayne IN-Miss Q's
4/04 - Aurora IL-Dougs Rock House
4/07 - Des Moines IA-Vaudville Mews
4/08 - Kansas City MO-Riot Room
4/09 - Lincoln Nebraska- Knickerbocker
4/10 - Denver CO-Moes BBQ
4/11 - Billings MT-FOE
4/15 - Boise ID-Gustos
4/16 - Seattle WA-King Cobra
4/17 - Portland OR-Satyricon
4/18 - Medford OR-Musichead
4/20 - Daly City CA-Route92
4/22 - Fresno CA- The Exit
4/24 - San Jose CA- West Valley College
4/25 - San Francisco CA-Thee Parkside
5/01 - Hollywood CA-The Knitting Factory "Thrasho De Mayo IV" w/Exumer
Warrior Soul Announces New Drummer
Warrior Soul has issued the following statement about finding a new drummer:
"We are happy to announce our new drummer Billy Williams. Billy has been chosen as Warrior Soul's new Drummer for many reasons, not the least of which is that he is insane. Having been on Kory's solo tour in 2003 Williams proved to be a stand out performer on and off stage. "This Guy's Fucking Nuts" say's Warrior Soul frontman Kory Clarke. " He fits right in, knows the material, and can rock with anyone I've ever played with. He'll be a blast to hang out with again!" Check out Billy playing on Punk And Belligerent with Supragod featuring Kory Clarke!
"WS would also like to send out a big thank you to our old drummer Stevo for all his hard work on tour, we wish him all the best and good luck with any future projects!"
Domain Announces New Album Track Listing
German power metal band Domain has issued the following statement about their upcoming album:
"Hi everybody, the final track list and the artwork of the upcoming DOMAIN concept album "The Chronicles Of Love, Hate And Sorrow," (Release-Date: March 13th 09) has been revealed!
"The artwork was done by famous Brazilian metal artwork designer Gustavo Sazes, who bridged between the traditional DOMAIN artwork concept and the requirements of the album story. The regular albums contains 10 tracks, one more bonus track will be added to the limited edition of the album.
The track listing will be as follows:
1. Picture The Beauty
2. Sweeping Scars
3. Angel Above
4. Circle Of Give And Take
5. He Is Back
6. Inner Rage
7. Digging Their Graves
8. Haunting Sorrows
9. The Last dance
10. 12 O’Clock
Bonustrack:
11. Two Brothers & The Sinners Chess
Devils Whorehouse Issues Recording Update
Regain Records has issued the following update about the new Devils Whorehouse album:
"The upcoming Devils Whorehouse album has been mixed and is currently being mastered. The album will be entitled "Blood & Ashes" and is set for an early April release. More news will be posted very soon and samples will be presented within the nearest future. Devils whorehouse will also be playing at the Fiendforce Festival in Solingen, Germany on April the 25th. more news and full festival line up will be presented soon!"
The track listing for Blood & Ashes is as follows:
1. Oceans Turn To Blood.
2. Wicked One.
3. Speak The Name Of The dead
4. The Cult Of Death
5. Werewolf
6. Demons Of The Flesh/Tight White Ropes
7. Shadows Never Change
8. Smell Of The Ancient Ones
9. Face The Master
10. Werewolf Nation
11. Snakes Out The Mouth Of Hell
Agoraphobic Nosebleed Announces New Album Release
Relapse Records has issued the following press release about Agoraphobic Nosebleed completing a new album:
"AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED has completed work on their fourth full-length album Agorapocalypse. Agorapocalypse’s 13 tracks were recorded by ANb’s own Scott Hull at his Visceral Sound studios. This is also the first AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED record to feature new vocalist Kat (SALOME), the band is rounded out by J. Randall and Richard Johnson. An exclusive comic-strip rendering of the band during the recording process is featured in the latest issue of Decibel Magazine (March 2009, on newsstands now).
"Advance song titles taken from Agorapocalypse include: “Moral Distortion”, “Question Of Integrity”, “Trauma Queen” “Agorapocalypse Now”, and “Flamingo Snuff”. The album will also feature new and original artwork from ANb visualist Florian Bertmer. Agorapocalypse is set for a CD and LP release on April 14th in North America, April 20th internationally, via Relapse Records.
"AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED will also see a series of split releases to be released in 2009, including those with DESPISE YOU, ANS, AGENTS OF SATAN, THRONES, and more."
Absu Provide Album Updates and Song Streaming
American black metal band Absu has announced the following concerning their new self-titled album:
"Texas-based mythological occult metal band Absu have posted the song 'Girra's Temple' from their self-titled new album due in stores February 24 on their official MySpace page. The song offers fans the first listen to material on the anxiously awaited new album that features an all-star array of guest musicians."
"Absu is the first new recording from the trio since their highly acclaimed album Tara released in 2001. Produced by the band with mixing assistance from J.T. Longoria (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus), the album features artwork from Belgian artist Kris Verwimp. Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor says of the album's lyrical concepts, 'I am concentrating more on Sumerian-based occult themes of magick and mythology versus the Celtic aspect of my previous writings, which was heavily expressed on the last few Absu studio albums. Musically speaking, the material will be quite similar to Tara, but with more of a '70s progressive/psychedelic texture within it.'"
The track listing for "Absu" is: More...
Slowmotion Apocalypse Prepares To Record New Album
Italian metal band Slowmotion Apocalypse has issued the following statement about recording a new album in February:
"On February 12th we will start a three weeks session at Planet Red Studios in Richmond, Virginia, to record and mix our third album with producer Andreas Magnusson (Black Dahlia Murder, The Agony Scene, Scarlet, Dufresne, Becoming The Archetype, Spitfire, Twelve Tribes)
"The title of the new album will most probably be “MOTHRA” and it looks like this will be our most gloomy and experimental album until now. We are recording about ten tracks, here follow some of the titles: "Forever, Works Just in Songs", "A Full View On Heaven", "Gamera I: Death Worship Era", "Gamera II: The So Called Northern Half", "What a Rockin' Heavy Metal Get-Up, Dude!". We are also proud to announce we signed an endorsement deal with two prestigious brands like Gibson Guitars and Drum Sound. "
The Megadeth Equation of Album Updates
American thrash/heavy metal band Megadeth have given some equations based on the amount of work completed for their new upcoming album:
"12/12, 3/12, 3/12, 3/12 0/12, 0/12, 0/12, 0/12, 0/12, 0/12
"Droogies!
"The above formula is based off of some fractions and the amount of work to be done still. See if you can stick with me on the way.
"Shawn is indeed done and back in Atlanta, 12/12.
"We are working on rhythms; I had three, as well as Chris that was finished, and James got two finished. I have nine left, as well as Chris and James has 10 (I was told to use the digits when writing after the number nine).
"The vocals, solos, BGVs, Keyboards, effects, mixes and mastering are still left to do.
"We will keep you posted, but I doubt we are going to have this done in time.
"It wasn't for lack of trying, my lovely Droogs. We have all sat around and been ready and waiting for our turn at the recording process only to have Murphy's Law interrupt us: with an interview, a photo shoot, a mix of a live DVD, some recording on the Static-X record, doing work on the private stuff that Andy has backed up around his neck (hehehe) and various other chat room or fan club interviews. I get there every morning and wait, Andy has been a good sport about all of the parts and working while we are getting everything lining up, James has been there a lot of the times and has been working on archive stuff, Chris has been down almost daily now going over songs with me, and we are just getting fired up!!!
"I have to hop off of the computer because it is needed by someone.
"What a great freaking day... stay metal, or die trying!!!
"MSGD!
Alter Bridge Frontman Comments On Zeppelin Tryout
Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy has confirmed that he auditioned to be Robert Plant's replacement in Led Zeppelin, after the vocalist declined to be involved with a potential world tour.
"It was surreal," Kennedy told US radio's The Blairing Out With Eric Blair show. "Alter Bridge will go on, and that's that. It was great. I'll tell that story some day."
Kelly Osbourne Checks Into Rehab Again
Kelly Osbourne checked herself into rehab, her mother Sharon confirmed to Radaronline.com.
"Yeah, Kelly's in rehab," Sharon said of her daughter. What else can we say?" Sharon went on. She knew that it was the right thing to do at this point, and we're proud that she did it. The family is all standing behind her. Kelly knew that she needed help, and she's getting it."
Kelly, who entered rehab for a painkiller addiction in 2004, checked herself into a facility outside the L.A. area for 30 days.
Sharon declined to say what Kelly is being treated for saying, "Kelly will tell you herself when she gets out. We just pray that everything's going to be okay."
"This is one of the absolute worst things that a parent can face, for their child to go through rehab. And not once, but twice. However, we are all very glad Kelly's doing it."
Guitar Hero: Metallica Tracklisting Revealed
Metallica has now revealed the tracklisting for Guitar Hero: Metallica. As previously reported, Guitar Hero: Metallica will be hitting the streets on March 29 with some really cool features like different classic venues such as the L.A. Forum, Tushino Airfield, and The Hammersmith Odeon, the ability to play as us or in single instrument mode, and even the Expert+ setting with double bass drum kick pedals.
Here are the songs on the game, both from Metallica and other bands that they "admire and even call friends": More...
Seether Covers Wham!'s "Careless Whisper"
Seether has recorded a cover of Wham!'s "Careless Whisper," just in time for Valentine's Day. On January 27th, Verizon customers can download directly from their phone at the Verizon V Cast Store or you can download online at Rhapsody.
Stop by iTunes, Amazon or wherever you prefer to buy your music and download the track on February 3rd.
The band made a "hilarious video" ("interesting" might be giving it too much credit, actually -ed) to mark the release of their version of "Careless Whisper," which you can check out below. More...
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