New Voivod Album To Include Bonus DVD

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin has begun laying down tracks for the group's much-anticipated new album with producer Glen Robinson (VOIVOD's "Nothingface", TEA PARTY, GWAR) at Piccolo Studios in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The drummer recently started a blog about the studio work that includes studio updates, tidbits and photos. The following is Away's newest entry:

"Day 3 - January 6th, 2006, 5:45 p.m.: I just finished songs 5 and 6. Both were pretty hard to perform. Song 5 has a very strange break in the middle, then it jumps into a killer finale. Song 6 has a weird beat going on, with a cool spy part in the middle. Snake [vocals] pointed out that it's a great spot for electronic FX. I agree.

"Snake and I had a good chat with our management about filming the sessions this weekend, to be released as a bonus DVD with the new album.

"I just saw the wife of the injured miner on TV. She said she is playing METALLICA's black album in the hospital room. It made me think of Jason [Newsted, VOIVOD/ex-METALLICA bassist]. I can't wait for him to hear the drums and all... So far it sounds epic.

"11:00 p.m.: Just got back from the studio. I think I nailed number 7, another spaced-out Piggy track, with lots of double kick. It's what Piggy and I used to call a pyramidal song: a series of riffs that peek in the middle and then the same riffs in reverse order. I'll listen to it with a fresh ear first thing tomorrow."

This is the first album in the band’s 20+ year career that will not feature founding guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour working alongside his bandmembers in the studio. D'Amour died August 26, 2005 in a Montreal hospital from complications of advanced colon cancer.

In order to record the album Away — along with singer Denis "Snake" Belanger and bassist Jason "Jasonic" Newsted — are utilizing all of the guitar parts that Piggy had recorded for the record on his laptop with ProTools before his death.

VOIVOD's as-yet-untitled new album should surface sometime later this year on The End Records in North America.

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Dreadlock Pussy Calls It Quits

Dutch metal band DREADLOCK PUSSY have announced plans to split up following their upcoming Dutch mini-tour, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of May. A statement (in Dutch) regarding the band's decision to call it quits has been posted online at this location (a statement in English is forthcoming as well).

DREADLOCK PUSSY's third full-length album, "Palm Bridge Rd.", was released in early 2005. The CD marked the band's first release with drummer Jos Roosen, who replaced longtime member Twixy in June 2004.

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Set To Explode Signs To Youngblood Records

Washington D.C.'s Set To Explode have official joined the Youngblood Records roster. Last year the group released a 7"/MCD with Grave Mistake Records. Meanwhile, Set To Explode will record material for a new 7"/MCD this spring.

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Closed Casket Funeral Seek New Guitarist

Closed Casket Funeral have parted ways with guitarist Jeff and are currently seeking a replacement. Interested candidates should contact the band at closedcasketfuneral@hotmail.com. The Windsor, Ontario group will continue on as a four-piece until a replacement is found.

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Latest Napalm Death and Kreator Tour Dates

Napalm Death and Kreator will be touring together in late-February and March with A Perfect Murder and Undying. They have added a few more dates recently. Here are the latest tour dates:

2/21 NorandeRoyun-Norande, QUE @ Petit theatre du Vieux
2/22 Montreal, QUE @ Medley
2/23 Quebec City, QUE @ L'Imperial
2/24 Toronto, ONT @ The Opera House
2/25 Rochester, NY @ Penny Arcade
2/26 New York City, NY @ BB Kings Blues Club
2/27 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's down Under
2/28 Mokana, IL @ The Pearl Room
3/1 Columbia Heights, MN @ Star central
3/2 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
3/3 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
3/4 Ft. Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater
3/7 Edmonton, AB @ Aggie Theater
3/8 Calgary, AB @ Warehouse
3/10 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
3/11 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
3/12 Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
3/13 San Francisco, CA @ The Pound at Pier 96
3/14 Sparks, NV @ New Oasis
3/15 Santa Ana, CA @ Galaxy Theater
3/16 Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
3/17 Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
3/18 Albuquerque, AZ @ Launch Pad
3/19 San Antonio, TX @ Sanctuary
3/21 Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
3/22 Tampa, FL @ The Masquerade
3/23 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
3/24 Charlotte,NC @ Tremont Music Hall
3/25 West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
3/26 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre

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Bitter Tongues Tour Dates

Bitter Tongues will be touring out West this month with Games and Theory and Exit The King. Here's the schedule:

1/10 Austin, TX @ Emo's
1/13 Clovis, NM @ The Hole
1/14 Albuquerque, NM @ Exxon Valdeez
1/21 San Francisco, CA @ Kimo's
1/22 San Francisco, CA @ TBA
1/23 Nevada City, CA @ Cooper's
1/24 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
1/25 Los Angeles, CA @ The Cocaine
1/26 Las Vegas, NV @ The Cooler
1/27 Tempe, AZ @ The Real Bar
1/28 Phoenix, AZ @ Jughead's

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Diamanthian, Maple Cross Schedule Finnish Dates

U.K. death metallers DIAMANTHIAN will be teaming up with Finnish thrash metal band MAPLE CROSS for a tour of Finland beginning in late January. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Jan. 19 - Tampere, FIN @ Vastavirta club (w/ BLOODRIDE)
Jan. 20 - Helsinki, FIN @ Factory (w/ MALICIOUS DEATH)
Jan. 21 - Oulu, FIN @ Jalometalli Winterfest (w/ THE BLACK LEAGUE, CATAMENIA, AMORAL, GHOST MACHINERY, TO THE DARKER GROUNDS)
Jan. 22 - Rovaniemi, FIN @ Kellari (w/ RAVAGE MACHINERY)

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Ares Kingdom To Release New Single, Full-Length

Kansas City's only death/thrash metal band ARES KINGDOM will release their new 12" single, entitled "Firestorm Redemption", through NWN! Productions in mid-February. It will feature two non-LP bonus tracks, "The Undying Fire" and "The Scourge" (both re-recorded in 2005). Each copy will include a lyric poster. The limited-edition "Die Hard" version will be pressed on gold vinyl and include a special issue embroidered logo patch. The band's full length CD and LP, entitled "Return to Dust", will follow in early March. The gold vinyl LP "Die Hard" version (with a gatefold jacket) will include a special 7" EP featuring the band's acclaimed 1998 demo, and an embroidered patch. A second single, entitled "Failsafe" — and featuring more non-LP tracks and other extras — will appear later in the spring and feature three non-LP bonus tracks, "Vultures in the Sky" (originally recorded by L.A. thrashers DÉTENTE in 1985), "Solis Lacus" and "Imperium".

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My Ruin Crushes The Whisky A Go Go

Headlining act, MY RUIN, in support of their brand new album: The Brutal Language on Rovena Recordings, made damn sure that everyone - packed tightly into Hollywood, California's famed Whisky A Go Go club last night - got an adrenalin and beer-fueled Heavy Metal show to remember.

The first band I witnessed upon arrival at around 8PM was AMERICAN AFTERMATH.

AMERICAN AFTERMATH (hear them on MySpace), is led by founding guitarist, bassist and songwriter Rich Gonzales. Rich is well known for his past work with the metal outfit DIESEL MACHINE, which also featured the likes of Pat Lachman (DAMAGEPLAN-THE MERCY CLINIC).

AA's other band members are: Chris Moore on drums, Ed Veliz on vocals, Rudy Gonzales jammin' bass.

I noticed Rich was seated the entire set... kind of had me confused -- but as I now understand his story, the cat has spent the last few years recovering from a near fatal motorcycle accident in 2002. He is now paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

I dunno... but I'd say that's about the most metal thing I've seen in some time. And he can still play the guitar, let me say that right off. He had some solid solos and beefy riff work during the roughly half hour set. AA have the Alice in Chains meets hardcore metal-thang going on.

Next up from Whittier, California was the harcdcore metal act: AL-CE-MI (hear them on MySpace).

They are Josh on Vocals-- Ned Barrett and Ray Mendez on Guitars -- Nyroh working the Bass -- Kirk Allen hitting the Drums -- Ryan Gregory Samples .

They had a bit of the OG West Coast hardcore flave ... and they seem to have a good time with it, which makes it more appealing to all.

Next on the stage was Salimus(hear them on MySpace), a death metal act from Norwalk, California. They had an obvious following in the crowd and were the first band of the night to get the pit going. It wasn't a lightweight circle jerk either... as I witnessed quite a few people getting thrown around like drunk rag dolls. Salimus had some seriously heavy-hitting songs breaking off and deep, evil lyrics that you could 'actually' understand, which I dig very much.

Pouncing thru their set with such 'full metal abandon', these young guys almost nearly ended up stealing the show from all involved.

Up next was Pat Lachman's new outfit THE MERCY CLINIC (hear them on MySpace), formed after Dimebag's onstage murder back in December/2004 (R.I.P. Dime, we all miss you still soooooo much!).

Right out the gate, I could tell Pat had shaken the cold he had when I saw TMC two weeks back at The Viper Room in Hollywood. Their set was another short one... maybe twenty-five minutes... nonetheless, they surged thru like metal champs. Even though they are more melodic metal at this early point, they can drop the hardcore 'thunder' as well... loving it!

Next up was to be DEMOLITION PIT... but for whatever reason, MY RUIN came out before them... doesn't matter - MY RUIN was the main reason I showed up in the first place.

For those of you tried and true metal heads that dont know this band, GET ON IT... Tairrie B is the female Phil Anselmo! I was extremely knocked out by her HIGH VOLTAGE vocal performance. She sounded ten times more satanic than Linda Blair during the craziest scenes in The Exorcist. Mick Murphy on lead guitar really has come into his own and had some nice 'frenetic' solo moments. The other two new players, Frenchy on drums and Chris Lisee on bass, are way solid and were playing like madmen going all-out for the metal glory!

MY RUIN (hear them on MySpace) covered a bunch of their classics... truly hardcore. The highlight came when they pulled out the new tune entitled: 'Vince Vaughan'... and such an instant classic this one is... basically taking a poke at the ridiculous image this 'partyin-hipster' movie actor has garnered as the ultimate 'lady killer'. Great song! It was nice to have some humor mixed into the volatile set.

I split after MY RUIN finished... so I owe the boys in Demolition Pit a future review.

Get out and support any one of these bands. They certainly deserve it.

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Samadhi Post New Song Online

Samadhi post the following update on myspace:
"Yes, Samadhi has finally gotten a song with our new vocalist on it posted here! You can check out our song, Angels Cry, and let us know what you think about it!

Rock on and keep it METAL!
Dusty, Jim, Dave, Luke & Pat
Samadhi"

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Susperia Post New Live Video Online

DoomsdayMusic.com has posted a live, bootleg-quality SUSPERIA video at this location. The live clip was filmed at SUSPERIA's show in Berlin, Germany on December 13, 2005.

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Crystal Ball Part Ways With Bassist

Swiss melodic metallers CRYSTAL BALL have parted ways with bassist Dany Schallibaum. "Dany wants to focus on his family in the future, to which we wish him all the best," the band write on their web site. "For 10 years Dany was a solid member of the band. We thank him for everything he contributed. We will miss his easy-going and humorous character a lot! Of course, Scott [Leach; guitar, backing vocals], Marcel [Sardella; drums] and Mark [Sweeney; vocals] will go on and soon announce some new gigs for spring/summer 2006! CRYSTAL BALL will work with some guest musicans for that reason."

CRYSTAL BALL's latest effort, "TimeWalker", entered the Swiss national album chart at position No. 56 last September. The follow-up to 2003's "Hellvetia" was once again produced by Stefan Kaufmann (ACCEPT, U.D.O.) and includes 12 tracks.

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Gorgoroth Bassist Talks About New Album

Earth-Dog.com recently conducted an exclusive interview with GORGOROTH bassist King ov Hell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Earth-Dog.com: What is the status of GORGOROTH's next album, "Ad Majorem Satanhas Gloriam"? I read that you and Infernus did some of the recording already but now things are delayed having recently completed a fall tour with 1349.

King ov Hell: "Infernus and I did some of the recording earlier this summer in Oslo. Frost [SATYRICON, 1349] had already done the drums here in Bergen. We have now brought the tapes back to Bergen to finish it in a third studio we use on this album. Gaahl will do the vocals this month. We will release the album in the end of April through Regain Records."

Earth-Dog.com: You wrote the majority of "Twilight of the Idols". Are you as involved in the songwriting process on "Ad Majorem Satanhas Gloriam"?

King ov Hell: "Yes. I've written all of the music for 'Ad Majorem Satanhas Gloriam'. I've worked on this album for almost two years and it's not been an ideal situation creating this album. There have been riots concerning the band almost constantly since I started the process creating the album. Nevertheless I think it has turned out for the best so far. This album contains the music which I've created that I'm most satisfied with myself to date."

Earth-Dog.com: GORGOROTH goes through a lot of drummers. You recently had Dirge Rep joining you for live dates and now you have Frost on the forthcoming studio album?

King ov Hell: "Yes, Frost of SATYRICON. I'm very satisfied with the way he played drums on this album. I believe he captured the essence of what I had in mind writing the music. I did a pre-recording at home by myself with programmed drums first before I showed him the music for the album. This saved us a lot of time in the rehearsal room. Well…you'll soon hear the outcome of the recordings anyway."

Earth-Dog.com: Now that the Polish courts have excused GORGOROTH for involvement in the scandal there involving a live show video in 2003 thought to be in violation of Polish law, will you guys get that back and possibly release that as a DVD?

King ov Hell: "I'm not sure what's gonna happen with the recordings of the show in Krakow. The producer of the show is now held responsible for the blasphemy the Polish police say is illegal in Poland. He is at risk of 2 years in prison. We might get the tapes back or we won't. I have no clue."

Earth-Dog.com: You are also now involved in a new band with IMMORTAL's Abbath called I. What is the status of that project? Are you involved in the songwriting there too? Will I tour or just record?

King ov Hell: "Abbath is the one making music for I. He had already written the whole album when I joined. Arve (ENSLAVED), the other guitar player in I, has been a part of I since the beginning and has worked with Abbath making these songs. We will enter the studio within two months and hope to release something within six months. We will play concerts with I and some shows are already confirmed."

Read the full article at Earth-Dog.

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Khoma To Release 'The Second Wave' In April

KHOMA (formerly KOMA), the Swedish band featuring members of CULT OF LUNA, THE PERISHERS, and the DEPORTEES, will release their sophomore album, "The Second Wave", on April 3 via Roadrunner Records.

Hailing from Umeå, a hotbed of Swedish talent (CULT OF LUNA, REFUSED, MESHUGGAH, (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, etc.), KHOMA was born in 2002. Conceived from a fusion of the long established local hardcore scene and a more diverse, emotive pop scene, KHOMA features the core of vocalist Jan Jämte, guitarist Johannes Persson, and Fredrik Kihlberg on guitar/piano. An official web site, www.khoma.net, is scheduled to launch January 9.

KHOMA's debut album, "Tsunami", was issued under the band's previous moniker, in 2004.

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All Too Human Sign To Mythic Silence Records

Texas-based prog metal act All Too Human have officially signed with Mythic Silence Records. The band's upcoming album, entitled "Juggernaut," will be released early this summer through Mythic Silence Records, and will be the band's 3rd full-length album. All Too Human's last release, 2002's Entropy, earned them an invite to ProgPower Europe in the Netherlands in 2004 which ended up a European tour. The band have also recently announced keyboard player Cristian van Schuerbeck as a full time member.

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