Fondlecorpse Post Nunslaughter Cover Online

You can check out FONDLECORPSE covering the NUNSLAUGHTER track “Sacrifical Zombie” online over at the band’s official MySpace page.

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Face Down Finish-Up Writing Of New Album

Sweden's FACE DOWN has issued the following update:

"After joining the band in November, new guitarist Rickard Dahlberg has proven himself to be a great asset to the band. In only two months this riff-master has blasted out no less than five songs. Face Down is on schedule and will soon hit the studio once again."

"We just can't stop rehearsing. I never felt this way before," admits vocalist Marco Aro (formerly of THE HAUNTED).

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3 Inches Of Blood Issue Casting Call For New Video

Vancouver's 3 INCHES OF BLOOD has issued a casting call for extras in the Seattle/Tacoma area needed for an upcoming music video shoot.

"We need people to dress up as Roman Empire villagers to be spectators in a battle royale of gladiators. Please come dressed in tunics, togas, etc. Costumes can be dirty or clean, any color will do. Think of the movies, Gladiator or Conan The Barbarian.

We will be shooting on Friday, January 11th during the daytime. If you are interested and available, please e-mail kingofheartsproductions@hotmail.com and they will send you the details for the shoot." More...

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Cobalt Finish Tracking Instruments

As revealed by the studio report in the new issue of Decibel that just came out, COBALT are currently in the studio laying down the ground work to their follow-up to "Eater Of Birds."

The instrument tracking is now complete and the next step will be for Phil McSorley to lay down his vocals (sometime this month). The duo will then take a bit of a break until April when final mix-down and all loose ends will be tied up and mastered.

As revealed by the article, the album will be entitled "Gin." It will be set for release though in early 2009, but sometime late June, Profound Lore Records will be releasing a very limited special EP. The EP will feature a new track from "Gin," two exclusive non-album tracks, and "Ritual Use Of Fire" in its entirety (this track is 34 minutes alone). This special EP, which will be selling "cheap as hell" according to the label, should hold fans over until the release of "Gin."

In elated news, "Eater Of Birds" made the Terrorizer magazine best of 2007 list ranking in at number 13 (out of 40).

Read the full article at Decibel Magazine.

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Pig Destroyer’s J.R. Hayes Talks To HBB

When indie metal mag, Decibel, ranked Pig Destroyer’s Phantom Limb as the best disc of 2007 — above records by Dillinger Escape Plan, Down and Machine Head — it seemed like a bold move. But it wasn’t as audacious as the publication’s decision to emphasize its choice with a year-end cover story interview.

Most bands would sell their sisters’ souls to achieve such an endorsement, however Pig Destroyer are too concerned with staying true to themselves to worry about what other people think of them. While he was flattered by the attention, singer J.R. Hayes told us he hasn’t even taken the magazine out of the shrink-wrap, and can’t understand why the band is drawing praise from everyone from fanzines to major monthlies.

Hayes explains in the latest Headbangers Ball Blog Pig Destroyer podcast, Pig Destroyer would rather remain an underground entity than ever become popular.

Hayes discusses why he likes to be called a misogynist (even though he isn’t one), his struggle with depression and anxiety, why he hates shooting videos, how Pig Destroyer will never tour more than a few days at a time and the bitterness and hate that makes Phantom Limb so powerful.

Read the full article at Headbanger's Blog.

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Norther Announce New Live Dates

Finnish metal act NORTHER have announced three live dates for February. They are as follows:

February
16 - Helsinki, Finland - Finnish Metal Expo
22 - Tuiskula, Finland - Nivala
23 - Tampere, Finland - Hellä

Freshly signed to Century Media Records, Norther will release their upcoming fifth full-length, N, in Europe on the following dates:

- Finland: Wednesday, February 13th
- Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Benelux / Italy: Friday, February 22nd
- UK / France / Greece / Denmark / Norway / Rest Of Europe: Monday, February 25th
- Spain / Portugal: Tuesday, February 26th
- Sweden / Hungary: Wednesday, February 27th More...

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Headhunter New Album Due In April

HEADHUNTER, the side project of DESTRUCTION madman Schmier, drum animal Jörg Michael (STRATOVARIUS) and guitarist Schmuddel (ex-TALON) are currently mixing their comback album, Parasite Of Society with Achim Köhler in Stuttgart, Germany. "This pure metal masterpiece" will be released in April via AFM Records/Candlelight USA/King Records Japan. Here are the official websites: www.myspace.com/officialheadhunter, www.official-headhunter.com.

Headhunter are confirmed for this summer's Wacken Open Air Festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany.

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Sathanas to Support Rotting Christ In Cleveland

U.S. black/death metallers SATHANAS will support ROTTING CHRIST on Monday, February 11 at Peabody's Down Under in Cleveland, Ohio.

SATHANAS' latest album, "Crowned Infernal", was released last September via Singapore's Pulverised Records.

"Crowned Infernal" was recorded at InnerTube Studios in Ambridge, Pennsylvania with producer Nick Kucel. The album was mastered at Necromorbus Studios in Stockholm, Sweden by Tore Stjerna.

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Eminence Reveal 'The God Of All Mistakes' Artwork

Brazilian extreme metallers EMINENCE have revealed the artwork for their new album, "The God of all Mistakes", due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. Check it out at this location. The follow-up to 2004's "Humanology" was recorded at Maquina Studios with producer by Tue Madsen (ROB HALFORD, MNEMIC, THE HAUNTED). The mixing sessions took place at the Antfarm studio in Århus, Denmark.

EMINENCE recently recruited bassist TC, formerly of the band UDORA (the same group that once featured in its ranks current SEPULTURA drummer Jean Dolabella). A photo of the band's new lineup can be found at this location. More...

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Dark Tranquillity Issue 2007 Recap

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:

"We wish you all a great and prosperous 2008. May all your wishes and desires come true, and may DARK TRANQUILLITY be the soundtrack to said wishes and desires coming true.

"A brief 2007 recap, since everyone is doing it right now: It was indeed a good year for us; more festivals than ever, highly successful tours in the U.S. and Europe (including the Scandinavian headline trip that exceeded all expectations), high profile award nominations and of course the excellent response from fans and critics alike for 'Fiction'. Thanks to you all!" More...

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Sadus Replace DDP At Mexico City Concert

San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans SADUS have replaced DUBLIN DEATH PATROL (DDP) as the headlining band for the January 26 concert at Hard Rock Live in Mexico City.

"Rock Thursdays apologize that DDP could not perform at the gig scheduled for January 26 since almost 15 days before the gig 80% of the tickets were already sold," a statement from the concert organizers reads. "But for all the metalheads in our country, we are able put on the same day and the same venue a great band of the thrash scene, SADUS, with the legend Steve DiGiorgio. The local act VOLTAX will still play the gig."

The End Records released SADUS' latest album, entitled "Out for Blood", North America in May 2006. The CD was released in Europe in February 2006 via Holland's Mascot Records.

The follow-up to 1997's "Elements of Anger", "Out for Blood" was recorded at Trident Studios in California with producer Børge Finstad (MAYHEM, BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG, EXTOL), engineer Juan Urteaga and manager Rob Lewis. The album features a guest appearance on one track by TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy.

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Ancient Rites Vocalist Talks New Album Inspiration

Vocalist Gunther Theys from Belgium's ANCIENT RITES has issued the following update:

"It is no secret that I always took a deep interest in history, ever since my childhood. Before I became a musician (or pretended to be one) I tried to express this passion through drawing and creating graphic novels. Through Ancient Rites I found a perfect channel to express these interests in an active way (next to travelling to museums and historical locations). Most people celebrated 2008, these past weeks my mind was occupied by the 18th century. So I wish you all a splendid 1745. Since the age of five I am fascinated by a mysterious phenomenon called De Bokkerijders. I recall asking my father to read about them, as I wasn't able to read yet. Meanwhile I manage to read on my own, thank you. De Bokkerijders are strongly rooted in legends and folklore of certain regions of nowadays Holland, Flanders and parts of the German Rhine Land. Their name still is known in the areas where The Bokkerijders have been active. Very conveniently many like to think of them as folklore or legends. They were as real as the Jacobins or Knights Templar or any other secret organization. The Bokkerijders (the name 'Bok' refers to the Goat in our language, 'rijders' means riders, as people believed the Devil transported them on his back during their nightly raids) were considered a Black Guild; their nocturnal attacks were aimed at churches and the leading cast. Bonded by a Satanic oath they created fear during three generations and slowly turned into an organized militia consisting of hundreds of members. Prosecution, extreme torture and ritualistic death awaited those who joined the Cult and got caught. Authorities took extreme measures to set an example, the trials were treated as a combination of crime and witchcraft, and hence the punishments were hard, beyond the usual. After private torture, in castle cellars, public executions awaited all members, parts of their mutilated corpses left on public display, other parts offered to the purifying fire. It remains a mystery why so many individuals kept on joining their ranks, despite the harsh fate awaiting them. As I mentioned before, these past weeks I have been consulting many books and documents on this occult phenomenon and discovered a political agenda. During their last up rise a huge amount of weapons were ordered to arm the militias but mass executions ended their anti religious revolution before it started. On our Evil Prevails debut ep, I already wrote lyrics to a track named 'Obscurity Reigns (Fields of Flanders)' dealing with this topic. The song was re-recorded and released on our debut album a few years later. Their history is unknown to the outside world as it was a relatively 'local' phenomenon, overshadowed by the French/Austrian wars and the French Revolution; both had a larger worldwide impact, besides failed 'revolutions' are not remembered. Since I discovered, in two different sources, the names of direct ancestors (names, nick names and location match), who were a part of The Bokkerijders Coven, I feel the need to write a new lyric regarding the matter, now that I have proof their peculiar gloomy story became a part of family history. Many were executed, one ancestor, called Peter Theys, escaped from prison, writer Anton Blok insinuates he left the region to set up a new Horde belonging to the first generation of Bokkerijders, elsewhere. One of the untold family secrets mentions vaguely a few people migrating in order to escape the authorities and our calculations reveal we are talking Bokkerijders era. As it was a spread phenomenon many families had sympathizers on both sides, some supporting the authorities others attracted to the Bokkerijders, all depending on one's personal situation and religious preferences. Peculiar how certain Bokkerijder fractions genuinely believed in the Devil, others pledged the Oath to symbolically mock the ruling authorities and clergy, others had a political motivation. I know it is not professional to talk about future works before they are realized but I thought it would be a nice idea to inform our friends, here on the Rites page, about one of the future lyrical contents...

After lurking in the dark on a local basis for a few centuries their spirits will ride out again in one of our songs. Their story revealed internationally.

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In Flames Bassist Checks In

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers has issued the following update:

"Hey there , I trust and hope you all had a really good new year and X-mas - I know I did. Me, the girlfriend and child went to Mexico city for our friends wedding. It was fantastic, I've never been on a wedding in Mexico before and it was beautiful. The next day we all went to Acapulco for New Years and had a really good time. It was hotter there than I've ever experienced before. A truly magnificent place, I recommend you to go there some time. Now I'm back in Sweden, where it's cold and snowing finally. I've longed for the snow for a long time now so I'm happy. The last few years we didn't get snow until March or something cause of the global warming thing. Kind of scary that everything about the seasons is changing more and more for every year.

I know you've noticed we finally started a fan club as well- look into it and enjoy- there are a lot of exclusive stuff on there.

Anyway, that's all for now. Oh and a record tip: my friend Mikey Dolings new band: INVITRO, just put out their debut CD, When I Was A Planet. Awesome music!!"

In Flames recently announced the following Russian live dates:

January
26 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Port Club
27 - Moscow, Russia - B1Maximum

In Flames recently completed their as-yet-untitled new album at their own IF Studios in Gothenburg - it is expected to be released in the spring of 2008 via Nuclear Blast.

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Former Death Members Auditioning Singers

Guitarist Shannon Hamm (ex-DEATH, CONTROL DENIED) has issued the following update:

"Jonathan Lee (drums; ex-Death drum roadie for Richard Christy on The Sound Of Perseverance tour), Scott Clendenin (bass on Death's The Sound Of Perseverance), Bobby Koelble (guitarist on Death's Symbolic album), and myself (guitar) have begun the writing process for a new metal project which is sure to be revolutionary! At this point we've not yet decided on a name, however, we are currently accepting demos, recordings, promos, or whatever from anyone who may be interested in auditioning for the vocalist position. This way we will already have an idea of who we want by the time the record is complete. Unfortunately, we really aren't sure yet what direction the vocals will take, so send anything you have. We are wide open, male or female, no particular preference. However, we all really like the vocals of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE if it is any help in the elimination game. Someone with versatility, powerful, melodic, clean, nasty, aggressive, all in one. Please send all submissions to beyondunknown67@gmail.com. 2008 is going to KICK ASS!!!

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Exclusive Armory Song "Heart Of Dreams" Online

In conjunction with Massachusetts based melodic power metal band, Armory, we've posted an exclusive track entitled "Heart Of Dreams" on Metal Underground.com's MySpace page to promote their current album, "The Dawn Of Enlightenment." You can listen to the track exclusively on our MySpace page for the next month - starting today - so head over now and check it out.

Armory creates an epic sound of their own by combining their influences of traditional metal, power metal, and thrash metal. Armory recently recruited local producer/engineer Peter Rutcho of Vomitron and Graveheart on keyboards to solidify their lineup and professionally record their current album.

To hear additional music from Armory, check out their MySpace page here.

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Achilles, Tides, Like Wolves Announce Mini-Tour

Achilles, Tides, and Like Wolves will team up for several shows this month. Here's the info:

1/10 Rochester, NY @ North St. W/ Monolith
1/11 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Community Center W/ Romans, Torquemada
1/12 Brooklyn, NY @ Lost & Found W/ Dear Tonight
1/13 Providence, RI @ The Metal Mansion/Easy Access W/ Miseltoe

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Facedown Fest 2008 Announced

The 10th annual Facedown Fest will take place on March 28th and 29th in Pomona, CA at the Glasshouse. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, January 9th and will be $15 for single day tickets or $25 for two-day passes. The event will feature performances from War Of Ages, Impending Doom, Seventh Star (final show), Sleeping Giant, xDeathstarx, Inked In Blood, xLooking Forwardx, Means, A Plea For Purging, Kingston Falls, Remove The Veil, Wrench In The Works in addition to several acts yet to be announced.

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Every Time I Die To Tour Europe In April

Following their US Take Action! Tour, Every Time I Die will tour Europe in April. The tour dates are as follows:

04/01 Colchester (UK) @ Arts Centre
04/02 Nottingham (UK) @ Rescue Rooms
04/03 Manchester (UK) @ Academy 2
04/04 Glasgow (UK) @ King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
04/05 Oxford (UK) @ Carling Academy
04/06 Newport (UK) @ T.J.’s
04/08 Wolverhampton (UK) @ Wulfrun Hall
04/09 Stoke on Trent (UK) @ Sugarmill
04/10 Portsmouth (UK) @ Wedgewood Rooms
04/11 London (UK) @ Astoria 2
04/13 Brussels (B) @ VK
04/14 Amsterdam (NL) @ Melkweg
04/15 Paris (F) @ Trabendo
04/16 Koln (D) @ Underground
04/17 Hamburg (D) @ Molotow
04/18 Berlin (D) @ Magnet
04/20 Weisbaden (D) @ Schlachtof
04/21 Munich (D) @ Backstage
04/22 Bologna (D) @ Estragon
04/23 Roncade (D) @ New Age

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Day Without Dawn Changes Name to Biclops

After the departure of guitarist/vocalist Jim Stang and the addition of new guitarist/vocalist Dan Brownridge, the members of New Jersey quartet Day Without Dawn (formerly called The Postman Syndrome when they were a five-piece) have once again renamed themselves, this time as Biclops.

Day Without Dawn's final album with Stang on vocals, Understanding Consequences, will be released this February by Forgotten Empire Records. The disc will be comprised of 8 songs and will feature guest performances by Larry Chiswick (All Parallels), Matt Lupo (The Postman Syndrome/East Of The Wall), Kevin Conway (East Of The Wall), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza), and Jared Duncan (Fake Gimms).

Meanwhile, Biclops have posted new music at their Myspace page, and are currently in the midst of booking a nationwide tour in March 2008, once again with tourmates All Parallels.

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Tygers Of Pan Tang Reveal Album Details

NWOBHM mainstays Tygers Of Pan Tang have posted this information on their official Myspace:

"Happy New Year to each and everyone of you, 2008 will prove to be an historic year for the Tygers with a heavy touring schedule and new product available. The new album Animal Instinct is almost complete and mixing time has been booked with Ben Matthews for 1 - 7 February. This will give plenty of time to receive the pressings and get them delivered to you by Mid April 2008. I know your all keen to hear the new material and hopefully the Back & Beyond EP will have wet your appetite for more. The album consists of 11 New tracks inc the two from the EP and will take you back 25 years to the glory days of British Hard Rock. The band are very excited with the results and we know you will just love the songs.We know there will be some sceptics out there, but just check it out first, before comment, we want you back onboard with the Tygers and hopefully this product will do just that.

We will be releasing 250 Limited Editon Collectors packages which will be available to pre-order from the website as from Saturday 12th January. The Package will consist of the CD signed and individualy numbered, you will also receive a numbered VIP pass which will give you an opportunity to be our guest for a day at a show of your choice (subject to availability) and win other prizes throughout the year. We plan to make two draws per month, one for the guest pass and the second for a consolation prize. The draw results will be advertised on the website and myspace site each month. There will be other small items also included such as badges, Tour flyers etc. This really will become a collectors item due to its very limited run.

As from April the album will be available on general sale via the website, we are looking at the distribution of the CD at the moment and will let you know as soon as anything is confirmed. If you are planning to come and see the Tygers Live the CD will also be available from the merchandise stand.

Finally thank you once again for your fantastic support.

Tygers"

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Suffocation And Napalm Death To Tour Europe

SUFFOCATION and NAPALM DEATH will team up for a European co-headlining tour in May/June 2008. Also appearing on the bill will be WARBRINGER. The dates are as follows:

May 08 - Dordrecht, Holland @ Bibelot
May 09 - Zaandam, Holland @ De Kade
May 10 - Berlin, Germany @ SO36
May 11 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany @ Gelsenkirchen Amphitheatre (Rock Hard Festival)
May 12 - Hasselt, Belgium @ Muziek-O-Droom
May 13 - Paris, France @ La Locomotive
May 14 - Rennes, France @ Antipode
May 15 - Biarritz, France @ Atabel
May 16 - Durango, Spain @ Plateruena
May 17 - Corroios, Spain @ Cine Teatro de Corroios
May 18 - Madrid, Spain @ Caracol
May 19 - Barcelona, Spain @ Mephisto
May 20 - Six Fours Les Plages, France @ Espace Anre Malraux
May 21 - Bulle, France @ Ebullition
May 22 - Rome, Italy @ Circolo Degli Artisti
May 23 - Roncade/Treviso, Italy @ New Age
May 24 - Pinarella Di Cervia, Italy @ Rockplanet
May 25 - Luzern, Switzerland @ Schüür
May 26 - Lindau, Switzerland @ Club Vauderville
May 27 - Saarbrücken, Germany @ Roxy/Garage
May 28 - Tilburg, Holland @ 013 (Neurotic Death Fest)
Jun. 04 - Leipzig, Germany @ Conne Island
Jun. 05 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ The Rock
Jun. 06 - Aalborg, Denmark @ Studentehuset

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Tokyo Blade Announce New Lineup

According to Metalzone.gr, the new lineup of the reactivated NWOBHM legends TOKYO BLADE will include founding lead guitarist Andy Boulton, former ARREST lead guitarist Bryan Holland, current OVERLOADED vocalist Chris Gillen, drummer Lorenzo Gonzalez and ex-MINDCANDY bassist Frank Saparti.

TOKYO BLADE, known for such metal anthems as "Midnight Rendezvous", "Night Of The Blade" and "If Heaven Is Hell", has reformed and is currently booking a European tour with confirmed dates in November 2008 on the NWOBHM Festival II in Athens, Greece (November 8) and the Keep It True festival in Germany (November 14). The band recently started rehearsals with an eye on writing and recording a new studio album.

"This is the band that TOKYO BLADE never was and always should have been!" original founding guitarist Andy Boulton recently stated. Added guitarist Bryan Holland, "The first rehearsal was simply unbelievable; the classic TOKYO BLADE songs are so heavy and powerful. It's going to be unreal when we get onstage and then into the studio."

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To-Mera Bassist Speaks On Gothic Label And More

Masterful Magazine has recently published an interview with TO-MERA bassist Lee Barrett, conducted by Belgium based scribe Wouter Roemers. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Q: How much does To-Mera identify itself with this crop of female fronted metal acts around these days? You certainly are heavier, forward thinking and don't base whole albums around your attractive front-woman.

Barrett: "People like to compare us with those typical symphonic/gothic bands, but besides having a female singer, I can't really see what we have in common with them. We're a progressive metal band who just happens to have a female singer. In the past we have turned down press opportunities where magazines were only interested in pictures of Julie, etc. She's just not comfortable in such a role and being seen in this way."

To-Mera’s second album, Delusions, was recorded in August 2007 in London, UK. The album was engineered, produced and mixed by Brett Caldas-Lima of Tower Studio, Montpellier, France and features artwork by Eliran Kantor. Delusions is slated for release on February 18th through Candlelight Records. The song 'Inside The Hourglass', has been posted on the group's MySpace page.

Read the full article at this location.

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Anthrax Guitarist To Appear At Sundance Festival

Anvil! The Story Of Anvil is the name of the documentary on ANVIL directed by Sacha Gervasi, who wrote the Steven Spielberg movie, The Terminal. It will be premiered at the Sundance Film Festival which runs January 17-27, 2008. Sacha is an old friend of the band's that used to do some roadie work for them back in the 1980's. The website for the film is at Anvilmovie.com. The site recently added still-shots from the film.

Screening times for Anvil! The Story Of Anvil at the Sundance Film Festival:

Friday, January 18, 5:30pm - Library Center Theatre, Park City
Saturday, January 19, 9:00pm - Tower Theatre, SLC
Sunday, January 20, Noon - Egyptian Theatre, Park City
Saturday January 26, Midnight - Egyptian Theatre, Park City
Monday, January 21, 11:00am - Yarrow, Park City (press screening)

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Led Zeppelin Souvenir Hunters Raid Vicars Home

Polly Dunbar of the Daily Mail reports: For decades, the Rev John Dale has looked forward to retiring to the isolated 18th Century cottage he owns in the Welsh hills.

But his dreams of tranquillity have been shattered — by hundreds of LED ZEPPELIN fans.

For the property, Bron-Yr-Aur, overlooking the Dyfi Valley on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, is where Robert Plant and Jimmy Page penned the band's third album, "Led Zeppelin III", in 1970 and ever since it has attracted hundreds of their followers.

Some have even stolen "souvenirs" from the grounds of the house, after which Plant and Page named a track on the LP.

Mr Dale, 65, the vicar of St Michael's in Michaelston-y-Fedw in South Wales, bought the stone-built cottage in 1972 as a country retreat for his family and, eventually, as a retirement home.

But with renewed interest in LED ZEPPELIN following their recent reunion gig in London, he is pleading to be left alone.

Mr Dale, who is not a LED ZEPPELIN fan and did not know of the cottage's connection to the band when he bought it, said:

"I've lost count of the number of people we've had up here when I'm staying with the family."

Read the full article at dailymail.co.uk.

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Metallica Inspired Film Wins Third Place At Awards

Val Van Meter of Winchester, Virginia's The Winchester Star reports: METALLICA's heavy metal beat in "Enter Sandman" can energize a football team and a stadium full of people. Why not a Virginia Tech student?

That's the premise of the video Thomas Copenhaver and two friends entered in the annual Four-Minute Film Festival on the Blacksburg campus in the fall.

Of the 21 entries, their effort took third place, and was placed second when The Roanoke Times asked its readers to vote online on the same parade of films.

Francis Ford Coppola better watch out. Not only did the young filmmaker come up with a winner, he and his friends did it in just 12 hours with no budget.

That's half the time allowed to create a four-minute film.

So, if you have a sleepy Tech student, who needs to focus on a class test or his soccer moves, what should you add as the missing ingredient?

"A Touch of Sandman" followed the protagonist, who turned out to be Thomas — "I volunteered" — through a bad day at school, then showed how it all could be turned around, just by adding METALLICA's music to his journey through the exact same situations.

The film producers enlisted several other students to flesh out the cast. More...

Read the full article at the Winchester Star.

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Testament Guitarist Talks About New Album

Guitarist Eric Peterson of the veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT recently spoke to Decibel magazine about the group's forthcoming album, "The Formation of Damnation", due in North America on April 29 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band recently spent time recording the effort with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.

"The album is very traditional-sounding," Peterson told Decibel. "The ideology of what we're doing is like 'The Legacy' [1987]. But the musicianship's a lot better, so it's like 'The Gathering' [1999]. As most bands record their first, second and third albums, they're developing, developing, developing… until they've got their sound. Then they get worse. As a rule, you get good when you're starving and start slipping as soon as you're eating well. We never really made it to the big time. But, then again, we didn't fail. Because we've always been on that borderline, we've never had to make the kinds of compromises that end up killing so many bands. As we see it, we're better off doing what we do best, especially since things seem to have turned full circle. Kids even have long hair again."

TESTAMENT recently recruited Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) to play the drums on new CD. The group was previously rehearsing and writing new material with British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR), but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and international work visa issues have prevented Barker from continuing to be involved in the project.

Bostaph, who was a member of TESTAMENT for a brief period starting around February 2004, had previously played several live dates with the group in 1992 and appeared on the band's 1993 live EP, "Return to the Apocalyptic City". He also toured with TESTAMENT in 2006.

TESTAMENT's current lineup is rounded out by Chuck Billy on vocals, Alex Skolnick on lead guitar and Greg Christian on bass.

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Sabbat Guitarist Posts Year End Update

Guitarist Simon Jones of the reactivated British thrashers SABBAT has issued the following update.

"Well, here we are ... New Year's Day 2008 and we can look back at 2007 with a feeling of pride and thankfulness. Proud once again to be part of SABBAT, proud of what we've achieved this past year and thankful that people still want to see what we are all about (would have hated to have made the effort to squeeze in to that little black number and no one turn out). This time last year we had just done a warm up gig and three support dates with CRADLE OF FILTH. How we survived that little episode I'll never know; humping gear, squeezing into a transit (and stage clothes), re-learning stagecraft (eh?), and at our age too! Mind you I'll never forget looking out at the crowd as we took to the stage at the London Astoria......how many faces? Did anyone care? Or remember? Or care to remember?

"We soon started to find out as offers of festival appearances gathered apace. We didn't accept everything offered aiming to play quality events and perhaps enjoy things a little bit more this time around.

"First up was the Keep It True fest, southern Germany April 14th. If anyone can recall, spring 2007 was particularly warm and boy we sweated a few pounds off thrashing to a sold-out venue. It was great to share the bill with LAAZ ROCKET and DIAMOND HEAD too. After this gig Frazer [bass] broke the news that he wouldn't be doing any more gigs. Gizz Butt would take his place from now on. There was no pressure laid on Frazer; it was his decision and the rest of us respected it, after all we had got back together to play metal and enjoy it. If it wasn't working for him then so be it. Miraculously Gizz breathed new life into SABBAT as a band and brought a new pespective to the songs. Man, were we ready to kick some serious ass now! So, invigorated we played Day of Death, County Laois, Ireland July7, Wacken Open Air, Germany, August 3, Bloodstock Open Air, August 18, Up From the Ground, Germany August 24, Hole In the Sky, Bergen, Norway, August 25, Sweden Rock (on a cruise ship in the Baltic sea) October 18, Hard Rock Hell Minehead November 10, and A Midwinter's Day Bradford December 10.

"It has been a huge honour for us as a band to play all these shows, and you can be assured we have enjoyed each experience to the max. Looking forward to 2008 as we already have a date in Germany in February and a week in the USA during April.

"Dani Filth, you have a lot to answer for!"

Sanctuary Records last year reissued two classic SABBAT albums: "History of a Time to Come" (1988) and "Dreamweaver" (1989). The remastered CDs contain audio recordings from the band's 1990 concert in East Berlin, which was previously released as the official "The End of the Beginning" video.

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Beneath The Massacre Announce More Dates

dates have been released for BENEATH THE MASSACRE’s headlining tour with SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY, BORN OF OSIRIS, and the TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA:

March 1 - Wilmington, DE @ Harmony Garage Hall
March 2 - Holyoke, MA @ Waterfont Tavern
March 3 - Pompton Lakes, NJ @ Mainstage
March 4 - Doylestown, PA @ Siren Records
March 5 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory (tap bar)
March 6 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Steppin Out
March 7 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
March 8 - Jacksonville, FL @ The Pit
March 9 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
March 10 - West Palm Beach, FL @ The Underground
March 11 - Pensacola, FL @ The Legion
March 12 - New Orleans, LA @ The High Ground
March 13 - Dallas, TX @ T.B.A.
March 14 - San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit
March 15 - Houston, TX @ Java Jazz
March 16 - Mission, TX @ Smoking Aces
March 18 - El Paso, TX @ Chic’s
March 19 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound
March 20 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cell Block
March 21 - San Marcos, CA @ The Jumping Turtle
March 22 - San Bernardino, CA @ The Hudson Theater
March 24 - Bakersfield, CA @ The Dome
March 25 - Hollywood, CA @ Whisky
March 26 - Fresno, CA @ The Exit
March 27 - San Jose, CA @ San Jose Skate
March 28 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
March 29 - Logan, UT @ Club NVO
March 30 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
March 31 - Wichita, KS @ Eagles Lodge
April 1 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
April 2 - Milwaukee, WI @ Miramar Theatre
April 3 - Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
April 4 - Detroit, MI @ The Hayloft
April 5 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s

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Om Announce U.S. Tour Dates

OM has announced a string of US tour dates for January and February. They are as follows:

January (with LICHENS)
16 - Neumo's - Seattle, WA
17 - Berbatis Pan - Portland, OR
18 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
19 - Brookdale Lodge - Brookdale, CA
20 - Echo Plex - Los Angeles, CA

February (with Daniel Higgs)
6 - The Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
7 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
8 - Luna Lounge - Brooklyn, NY
9 - Middle East (downstairs) - Boston, MA

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Hirax Announce First Columbian Show

California thrashers HIRAX have issued the following update:

"Hello Hirax Maniacs!!

Right now we are preparing for our first ever concert in Colombia! We are REALLY looking forward to this show! The response from the Colombian headbangers has been GREAT!! We will be playing songs from each Hirax album / EPs and have special surprises planned! To the heavy metal legions of Colombia, spread the word...Hirax is coming! Prepare to thrash!"

"¡Hola Maniacos de Hirax! ¡En este momento nosotros preparamos para nuestro primer jamas concierto en Colombia! ¡Esperamos REALMENTE esta exposición! ¡La respuesta de los fans de heavy metal colombianos ha sido GRAN!! ¡Estaremos jugando las canciones de cada álbum / EPs de Hirax y tenemos las sorpresas especiales planeadas! A las legiones pesadas del metal de Colombia, propague la noticia... ¡Hirax viene! ¡Prepare para thrash!"

The show will take place on January 19th in Bogota, Colombia at Teatro Astor Plaza.

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Marc Rizzo Speaks On Working With The Cavaleras

SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo has checked in with the following update:

"Happy New Year to everyone.thanks for all the support in 2007. 2008 is going to be off the hook; CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, Soulfly and MARC RIZZO BAND all have new records coming out this year followed by world tours. It's been a dream come true to work with the Cavalera brothers and I know everyone is gonna love these new records. Can't wait to start and see you all on tour in 2008."

As previously reported, Cavalera Conspiracy is the new project featuring SEPULTURA founding members Max (guitar, vocals) and Igor Cavalera (drums), GOJIRA's Joe Duplantier (bass) and Rizzo. They will release their debut album on March 25th, 2008 via Roadrunner Records.

Max and Igor Cavalera are collaborating on new material for the first time in 12 years, since recording Sepultura’s Roots in 1995. This long-anticipated reunion between the Cavalera brothers is something fans across the globe have been clamoring for since Sepultura’s last gig in December 1996. "When Igor, and I met at the 10th Annual D-Low Memorial Show and got the instruments in our hands, it was like we had never been separated. The metal was flowing in our veins,” comments Max. “It was the same in the studio."

Recording took place this past July at Undercity Studios in Los Angeles, with Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD guitarist). Among the 11 songs set to appear are: 'Inflikted', 'Bloodbrawl', 'Holy Poison', 'The Doom Of All Fires', 'Ultra-Violent' and 'My Sanctuary'. A b-side cover of the POSSESSED death/thrash classic 'The Exorcist' was also recorded.

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Circus Diablo To Play Fangoria Convention

CIRCUS DIABLO frontman Billy Morrison has issued the following update:

"As the dust settles on 2007, we all gradually return to work/school/the couch and continue doing what we were doing before! For me this means a few things - and the first would be that Circus Diablo are regrouping next week for some rehearsals. We are playing a small show in Venice, CA at a club called Venice Rocks on January 30th to air a couple of new songs, bust out a guitar or two for me, and generally brush the cobwebs off and start the process of being a band again and writing for album number two. It'll be fun to play, and it will also show us how V2.0 of the band is going to work in '08. It looks like we can also tell you that we will be performing at this years Fangoria convention in LA, but more details on that one will have to wait until we have them. Primary focus is on writing some killer new songs and starting the process of getting in the studio."

The complete tracklist for Circus Diablo's self-titled debut album, released on July 3rd via Koch Entertainment, is as follows: 'Loaded', 'So Fine', 'Restless', 'Shine', 'Mad Parade', 'Red Sun Rising', 'Commercial Break', 'Hello, Goodbye', 'Ants Invasion', 'Rollercoaster', 'Dignified'.

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