Metal News for December 6, 2007
Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 3:07 AM ET
We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.
Hot Topics
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- 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
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
45 news articles posted on this day.
Intestinal Disgorge Post New Song Online
San Antonio’s INTESTINAL DISGORGE have posted a new song entitled “Post-Mortal Self-Digestion” online over at their official MySpace page. The track will be featured on a forthcoming split with RxAxPxEx.
Wolves In The Throne Room Announce European Tour
Pacific Northwestern black metal eco-terrorists WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM have announced a string of European live dates beginning in January. The band are touring in support of their latest full length album Two Hunters which was released on September 25th via Southern Lord. Dates are as follows:
January
30 - Berlin, Germany - Club Transmediale Festival
31 - Groningen, Netherlands - Vera
February
1 - Bielefeld, Germany - AJE
2 - Goes, Netherlands - T'Beest
3 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Metal Matinee
6 - Prague, Czech Republic - 007
7 - Vienna, Austria - Escape
8 - Salzburg, Austria - Cave Club
9 - Munich, Germany - Titanic City
Alpha Galates Confirm Toronto Live Date
Toronto's new progressive metal outfit ALPHA GALATES have confirmed a special live date in Toronto this Friday, December 7th at Lee's Palace. The band will be releasing their debut album, A Stimulus For Reason, on February 12th via EMI Music Canada. According to a press release, "an immediate influence that comes to mind is TOOL, but then it’s not hard to start feeling the OPETH vibe deep within the record’s dark, lush landscapes, as well as a certain ROGER WATERS solo vibe, maybe PORCUPINE TREE, and even, on occasion, some blistering riffage in the vein of IRON MAIDEN and MEGADETH."
A Stimulus For Reason was mixed by Joe Barresi (Tool, QOTSA, THE MELVINS). A deluxe edition of A Stimulus For Reason will also be available containing 5.1 surround mixes of tracks from the album and three bonus tracks, including a special remix of 'Passion'. More...
Vengeful Enter the Studio
Montréal's VENGEFUL, featuring guitarist/vocalist Jean-Marie Leblanc, alongside past and present members of ATHERETIC, MINDS and DESPISED ICON have issued the following update:
"Hails people of the north!!!"
"We are entering the studio with Bart (QUO VADIS) today to record our second album. That is almost exactly two years after the first album's sessions (December 8th, 2005)."
"Anyways, needless to say we're really impatient to get this over with as we've been working on this material since last January." More...
Lunarmile Post New Song Online
LUNARMILE, the UK act featuring singer Toni-Marie Iommi (daughter of BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi) and bassist Alex Hill (son of JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill), have issued the following brief update:
"Check out the new song 'Heart In Hand' produced by the Legendary Chris Tsangarides here. Another is to be uploaded soon."
LunarMile recently announced a UK tour of Barfly Clubs in February with NEMESEA and SERENADE FOR JUNE. More...
Engine of Pain Post New Track Online For Download
Dutch thrashers ENGINE OF PAIN have issued the following update:
"Again some cool news from the Engine of Pain front line! We are talking about two brand new Engine of Pain tracks called: 'Rack And Ruin' and 'Spit Out The Anger' which will be an approximate direction of the style of the second album to be released worldwide fourth quarter of 2008 on Lion Music. These are the first studio tracks of the new line up. Both songs are recorded at the PITstudio (Weert) and mastered by Peter Neuber at Vintagemastering Studio (Berlin)."
"Guess what?! Rack and Ruin is set "downloadable for free" at the Engine Of Pain Myspace site, our official website and the Lion Music website! Check it out! Even the lyrics are downloadable so you can shout along at the top of your voices! ;)"
Porcupine Tree Announce UK Dates
Prog-metallers PORCUPINE TREE have announced they will be playing five UK shows before their scheduled dates in Finland. Support will come from ANATHEMA. Dates are as follows:
December
7 - Norwich, UK - University Of East Anglia
8 - Manchester, UK - Academy
9 - Leeds, UK - Metropolitan University
10 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
12 - Glasgow, UK - Academy
15 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall
16 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahoune
With Honor Reveal More Reunion Show Details
More details have been released for WITH HONOR’s upcoming reunion shows with the band’s original lineup:
January 10 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory w/ Bane, Have Heart, Outbreak, Probable Cause
January 11 - Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Theatre w/ The Distance, Crime In Stereo, Stab You In The Head, Offsides
January 12 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium w/ Bane, Silent Drive, I Rise, Stop Forward
January 13 - Haverhill, MA @ Welfare Records w/ Bane, Outbreak, Resist, Hostage Calm
American Me Post New Songs Online
You can check out a number of new songs from Rise Records’ AMERICAN ME over at the band’s official MySpace page. The tracks come off the band’s forthcoming new album, Heat, which is set to be released on February 19th.
Verse and To Kill Team Up For European Tour
VERSE and TO KILL will kick off the year with a European tour together. You can check out the confirmed dates online here.
Led Zeppelin on Possible Tour, New Album
Led Zeppelin members have made a few statements regarding the possibility of a tour and new album:
Robert Plant: 'I've got things I've been working on for the past four years that I'm proud of,' he says. 'Some of the songs I've got ready are as good as anything I've done in the past. I wouldn't necessarily save them for my solo career.'
John Paul Jones, 61, tells both Q and Rolling Stone magazine that he has no idea whether more concerts will follow. 'I guess the door has been left slightly ajar,' he tells Q. 'We'll have to see how we feel about it afterwards.'
Robert Plant, 59, tells Rolling Stone magazine in its Dec. 13 issue: 'If people don't talk about a tour, anything is likely. The more people talk, the more pressure it puts on everybody.'
Read the full article at StarPulse.com.
Kingdom of Sorrow Reveal New Album Cover
You can check out the cover art and pre-order the upcoming new self-titled album from KINGDOM OF SORROW online here. The album is set to be released on February 19th via Relapse Records, and the band features Jamey Jasta of HATEBREED and Kirk Windstein of DOWN and CROWBAR.
Suicide Silence and The Faceless Team Up For Tour
SUICIDE SILENCE, THE FACELESS, LIGHT THIS CITY, and OBLIGE will team up for the following tour dates to end the year:
December 26 - Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory
December 27 - Stockton, CA @ Empire Theatre
December 28 - Sacramento, CA @ The Boardwalk
December 29 - Corona, CA @ Showcase Theatre
December 30 - Lancaster, CA @ Cedar Center
December 31 - San Diego, CA @ Soma (no Light This City, Oblige)
Norma Jean Announce End Of Year Shows
NORMA JEAN have lined up the following tour dates to round out the year:
December 18 - Douglasville, GA @ The Seven Venue w/ The Chariot
December 19 - Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz
December 20 - Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox Laundrolounge
December 21 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
December 22 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
December 31 - Kettering, OH @ The Attic Club
Throwdown and Soilwork Release First Tour Date
The first date has been released for the tour next year featuring THROWDOWN, SOILWORK, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD, and WAR OF AGES:
March 20 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
Threshold Guitarist Inks Endorsement Deal
UK prog-metallers THRESHOLD have issued the following update:
"As of 2008 guitarist Karl Groom will be using the Rocktron Prophesy II in his set-up after signing an endorsement deal with Rocktron - Technology For Guitarists. After quite a bit of damage to his current set-up on numerous Threshold flights this year, Karl has been looking at more portable options for this kind of gig. The Rocktron Prophesy II features a valve pre-amp with built in effects from the company that brought out the Intellifex. The sound can be quite similar to the JMP1 based set-up, but is small enough to go as hand baggage and plug into any rig waiting at a festival."
King Diamond Talks About Grammy Nomination
As reported earlier, the legendary KING DIAMOND has received a Grammy Nomination for Best Metal Performance for the track 'Never Ending Hill' off their latest album Give Me Your Soul… Please.
King comments on his band's nomination:
“It’s a great honour to be picked as a nominee; it’s totally shocking and unexpected. We do feel as a band that this is the best album we have ever done. Hopefully there will be many more albums and tours to come. We feel that we have at least another good 10 years in us! This nomination is a testament to our legion of loyal fans and our thanks go out to them for the endless support and all of the kind words.”
Metal Blade owner and CEO Brian Slagel comments on having two bands nominated for this year's Grammy Awards:
“All of us at Metal Blade Records are extremely honoured to have two of our artists, AS I LAY DYING and King Diamond, nominated for Grammy awards. They both truly deserve this honour for the great artistry they have accomplished on these tremendous releases.”
King Diamond’s Give Me Your Soul… Please was released on June 26th 2007 and came in at #174 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart! Give Me Your Soul… Please is a blistering metal horror-opera concept album that draws from themes from the occult and both King Diamond’s personal life, after-life experiences, as well as King Diamond’s signature dark imagination. The result is a montage of murder mysteries meets nightmare dream sequences wrapped in a proto-power-metal soundtrack. As King describes it, “Give Me Your Soul… Please is a horror murder mystery story mixed with reality from beginning to end.”
Headline News
Drowning Pool Bassist Rushed To Hospital
Drowning Pool bassist Stevie Benton was rushed to the hospital early this morning, December 6, 2007, suffering from paralysis. Benton began to feel ill during last night’s performance at Stone’s Throw in Eau Claire, WI, and after the show was rushed to the Luther Midelfort Hospital where Christian F. Peterson MD, ED Physician diagnosed him with a neurological disorder called Bell’s Palsy which causes paralysis of the face and sometimes sensitivity to sound.
George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan and Ralph Nader have also been afflicted with this illness. In most cases the disease is temporary and, with proper rest, resolves on its own. Consequently, doctors have ordered Benton off the road for a minimum of six weeks.
“I’m really bummed that because of this, we can’t perform this last string of shows,” says Benton, “I want to thank the fans for their continued support and believe me when I say we can’t wait to come back and rock out with you all again soon.”
As a result, the following remaining dates on Drowning Pool’s This Is For The Soldiers Tour, which has been donating money to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the USO, have been cancelled.
12.06.07 Green Bay, WI The Woods
12.07.07 Peoria, IL Exposition Gardens Youth Center
12.08.07 Flint, MI The Machine Shop
12.09.07 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
12.11.07 Chicago, IL House of Blues
12.12.07 Clarksville, TN Kickers
12.13.07 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
12.14.07 Shreveport, LA The Warehouse
12.15.07 Beaumont, TX Antone’s
Helloween Post Tour Update
German metallers HELLOWEEN have issued the following update:
"Day 21 of the Hellish Rock Tour 2007/08. HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY have returned home to Germany in the meantime after two great concerts in Italy — Rome and Milano — and have played two concerts there in Lichtenfels and Bremen to enthusiastic crowds.
"The trek went on to Scandinavia and played the first concert in Sweden — in Göteborg — and will be playing to a capacity crowd in the Rockefeller in Oslo/Norway. Lund and Stockholm in Sweden are next on the list with Tampere and Helsinki in Finland following.
"Since Rome, the German band AXXIS is joining the tour and has been accepted well already during its first appearance.
"Meanwhile the new HELLOWEEN CD, 'Gambling With The Devil', is climbing the official Greek album chart in its third week and is now on the 6th spot."
HELLOWEEN's new album, "Gambling with the Devil", consists of eleven songs (plus an intro, spoken by SAXON's Biff Byford) with a total playing time of 57 minutes and 40 seconds. For their many faithful fans, there is also a limited first edition (40,000 units in a digipak with an embossed and stamped slipcase to be released in Europe, and 10,000 units in a jewel case in the U.S.) with a bonus CD featuring two extra tracks, the video for the first single "As Long As I Fall", and a "making-of" of the video, including interview sequences.
All That Remains, Chimaira Announce Tour Dates
ALL THAT REMAINS will embark on a North American headlining tour in February/March 2008. Support on the shows will come from CHIMAIRA, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, and DIVINE HERESY.
So far the following dates have been leaked:
Feb. 01 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
Feb. 02 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Feb. 10 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Feb. 25 - Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
Mar. 03 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Mar. 05 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend
ALL THAT REMAINS is continuing to support the band's 2006 effort, "The Fall of Ideals", the "Live" DVD and a brand new reissue of the previously out-of-print debut record, "Behind Silence And Solitude".
Motley Crue Clear Up Tommy Lee Rumours
In Court and in papers filed with the Court, in MÖTLEY CRÜE v. Carl Stubner, et al., attorneys for defendant Carl Stubner argued that MÖTLEY CRÜE's proper claim should not be against Stubner, but rather should be made against Stubner's client, Tommy Lee. MÖTLEY CRÜE, through their attorney, disagreed.
Skip Miller of Miller Barondess, LLP, representing legendary rock band MÖTLEY CRÜE, stated in Court: "This band is not going to sue Tommy Lee; this lawsuit is not about Tommy Lee. It is about Carl Stubner's tactics that we contend harmed MÖTLEY CRÜE and cost the band millions of dollars." The attorneys were arguing a demurrer.
The evidence in the lawsuit against Stubner consists of statements from band members Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars as well as ten sworn declarations from key professionals associated with the band. According to a press release issued by MÖTLEY CRÜE's representatives, the evidence "demonstrates that Stubner was a manager of MÖTLEY CRÜE and not just the manager of drummer Tommy Lee as he has previously claimed." The MÖTLEY CRÜE lawsuit alleges that Stubner breached his fiduciary duties to MÖTLEY CRÜE by making threats and demanding more money for himself.
According to Nikki Sixx, a founding member of MÖTLEY CRÜE, "There are witnesses to Carl Stubner's threats and demands for more money for himself. Managers have to be held to higher standards in the music business just like they are in other industries." Mick Mars added, "Tommy Lee has been my and Nikki's friend for longer than anyone. This band is not going to sue Tommy Lee. We will hold Carl Stubner and Sanctuary accountable."
At the hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard L. Fruin directed MÖTLEY CRÜE to go back and specify the threats made by Stubner in detail, when they were made and to whom they were made. The band's attorneys said they would do so.
In CRÜE's original lawsuit, which was filed on June 18 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, three of the group's founding members (Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil and Mick Mars) through Motley Crue Inc., claimed Stubner forced Tommy Lee to "to become engaged in 'reality' projects that were bad career moves for Lee, harming [Sixx, Mars, Neil and Lee], the MÖTLEY CRÜE brand and Lee's own image." The suit called the low-rated NBC show "Tommy Lee Goes to College" a "critical disappointment and a ratings disaster," adding it painted Lee as "incoherent, lazy and incompetent" and made him "look like a laughing stock who could not carry a drum beat." The suit also claims Lee's participation on "Rock Star: Supernova" "diminished the public's interest in Lee and their overall perception of his musical talents."
Because Lee was so busy doing reality TV, the band says he was unavailable to tour with the CRÜE, thus causing the cancellation of several key concert dates. The band claims that they lost $8 million in ticket and merchandise revenue because of Lee's scheduling conflicts. The band claims these conflicts were "both real and concocted" by Stubner to "leverage his control over Lee to his financial advantage and to MÖTLEY CRÜE and Lee's detriment."
Fight Reveal London DVD Screening Details
The following press release is in regards to the London DVD screening for War Of Words - The Film, starring ROB HALFORD and his first solo band FIGHT:
Attention UK Fight and Rob Halford Fans!!! Register for free tickets to London screening!
Fight - War Of Words - The Film
Tuesday, December 18th: 7:30 PM Screening
The Odeon Covent Gardens, address is as follows:
Odeon Covent Garden
135 Shaftsbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8AH
Conversation with Rob Halford follows the screening. Free poster to all attendees!
Skeletonwitch To Tour w/ JFAC, The Red Chord
Hot off returning home from the Dying Fetus / Cephalic Carnage tour alongside labelmates YEAR OF DESOLATION, Athens, Ohio's SKELETONWITCH have just been confirmed as a support act on an upcoming tour in late January alongside Job For A Cowboy and The Red Chord. Already touring heavily throughout 2007 in support of the band's Prosthetic Records debut, "Beyond The Permafrost," SKELETONWITCH has already shared time on the road with Withered, Nachtmystium, Municipal Waste and Toxic Holocaust, as well as Dying Fetus and Cephalic Carnage.
Featuring artwork from John Baizley (Baroness, Pig Destroyer, Darkest Hour), "Beyond The Permafrost" was recorded earlier this year with producer Cory Smoot (Municipal Waste, GWAR) and features a handful of brand new SKELETONWITCH songs alongside a few songs that previously appeared on the self-released Skeletonwitch records 'Worship The Witch' and 'At One With The Shadows.' Clips are available on the band's MySpace page.
Here are the latest SKELETONWITCH tour dates: More...
Morbid Angel Frontman Speaks On Soulfly Appearance
MORBID ANGEL frontman David Vincent has commented on his guest appearance on SOULFLY's upcoming sixth album, due next summer via Roadrunner Records.
Said Vincent: "I was really stoked to work with Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] on his new album. SOULFLY is a great band and Max has been a friend for many years."
He added, "I think people are really going to dig the new stuff. The track I worked on is very brutal and Marc Rizzo's guitar work is exceptional!"
David is currently in the studio working on material for MORBID ANGEL's first studio album since 2003's "Heretic". The upcoming CD will mark the group's first release to feature Vincent since 1995's "Domination".
MORBID ANGEL is presently unsigned, having parted ways with Earache Records following "Heretic"'s release.
Although MORBID ANGEL's upcoming album does not currently have a name, its title will likely begin with the letter "I", in keeping with the band's tradition of titling their albums in alphabetical order beginning with 1989's "Altars of Madness", and continuing through "Heretic".
MORBID ANGEL's current lineup includes Vincent, guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer Pete Sandoval.
Watch Judgement Day's "Out of the Abyss" Video
Violin and cello metal band Judgement Day has released their new music video for "Out of the Abyss," in which they are battling zombies. The video was directed by Travis Jones with special FX and editing by Adam Rygiol, cinematography by Dustin DeVoy, and produced by Anton Patzner.
The band began tracking drums for their new album at Nu-Tone Studio in Pittsburg, CA with Riki Feldmann last week. More...
Kiss Suing Vancouver Promoter
TMX.com has issued the following report:
It's a case of KISS... and sue. (Come on people, these jokes are free!) The costumed rockers are seeking $900,000 in unpaid performance fees from a Vancouver concert promoter who allegedly promised to let them rock and roll all night, then failed to secure a venue. Total buzzkill!
In docs filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia, lawyers for Gene and the boys contend Big Mountain Concert Company pulled the plug just 12 days before a planned September, 2007 concert in Whistler, BC, resulting in "injury to their respective reputations." Now that's playing with fire!
An email seeking comment from Big Mountain Concerts was not immediately returned.
Read the full article at TMZ.
Rock And Metal Featured In Grammy Nominations
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, February 10th, 2008.
Nominees of interest include:
* Best Hard Rock Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.):
- 'Sweet Sacrifice' - EVANESCENCE. Track from: The Open Door [Wind-up Records, LLC]
- 'The Pretender' - FOO FIGHTERS. Track from: Foo Fighters [Roswell/RCA Records]
- 'I Don't Wanna Stop' - OZZY OSBOURNE. Track from: Black Rain [Epic]
- 'Sick, Sick, Sick' - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. Track from: Era Vulgaris [Interscope Recods]
- 'The Pot' - TOOL. Track from: 10,000 Days [Volcano]
* Best Metal Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
- 'Nothing Left' - AS I LAY DYING. Track from: An Ocean Between Us [Metal Blade Records]
- 'Never Ending Hill' - KING DIAMOND. Track from: Give Me Your Soul...Please [Metal Blade Records]
- 'Aesthetics Of Hate' - MACHINE HEAD. Track from: The Blackening [Roadrunner Records]
- 'Redemption' - SHADOWS FALL. Track from: Threads Of Life [Atlantic]
- 'Final Six' - SLAYER. Track from: Christ Illusion [American Recording/Columbia]
* Best Rock Instrumental Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.)
- 'The Ecstasy Of Gold' - METALLICA. Track from: We All Love Ennio Morricone [Sony Classical]
- 'Malignant Narcissism' - RUSH. Track from: Snakes & Arrows [Anthem/Atlantic]
- 'Always With Me, Always With You' - JOE SATRIANI. Track from: Satriani Live! [Epic/Red Ink]
- 'Once Upon A Time In The West' - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN. Track from: We All Love Ennio Morricone [Sony Classical]
- 'The Attitude Song' - STEVE VAI. Track from: Sound Theories Vol. I & II [Epic/Red Ink]
Kylesa To Tour Europe with Baroness In 2008
Savannah, Ga. sludge rockers KYLESA will return to Europe in late January alongside fellow Georgians Baroness for nearly a month of live shows, returning to the old world for the first time since 2006. The band continues to support its latest effort, "Time Will Fuse Its Worth," which spawned the Dave Brodsky-directed video for "Hollow Severer" (available online here and at video outlets across the country).
"When viewed on Headbanger's Ball in the context of other heavy music videos, I think that our video will offer something a little different than the average live footage video," guitarist/singer Laura Pleasants has said. "The depiction of the narration is abstracted and literal with the use of simple claymation and an overall raw energy is captured by David and Allie of My Good Eye (Goatwhore, The Acacia Strain). They were great and easy to work with and we hope to work with them again in the future."
Having already toured alongside Genghis Tron, The Hidden Hand, Lacuna Coil, Modern Life Is War and Converge as well as appearing at Los Angeles Murderfest 3.0 and South By Southwest, KYLESA continues to support "Time Will Fuse Its Worth." Recorded by KYLESA guitarist/vocalist Philip Cope, the record saw a late October 2006 release through Prosthetic Records.
Here are the latest KYLESA tour dates with Baroness: More...
RATM, Metallica Confirmed For Rock AM Ring
METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD, NIGHTWISH and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE are among the confirmed bands for this year's Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals, set to take place June 6-7 in the German towns of Nürburgring and Nürnberg, respectively. The festival billing is now shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
BABYSHAMBLES
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
DIE TOTEN HOSEN
DIMMU BORGIR
IN FLAMES
METALLICA
MOTÖRHEAD
NIGHTWISH
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
SPORTFREUNDE STILLER
THE HELLACOPTERS
More acts will be announced soon.
Destruction Planning 25th Anniversary Documentary
Lucem Fero recently published an exclusive interview with DESTRUCTION/HEADHUNTER frontman Schmier, conducted by Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan prior to DESTRUCTION's November UK tour. Topics of discussion included the reformation of HEADHUNTER, HEADHUNTER's upcoming album, the music style of HEADHUNTER and DESTRUCTION's 25th anniversary plans. Several excerpts from the interview follow:
On resurrecting HEADHUNTER:
"Yeah, it's always been in demand. I was very busy with DESTRUCTION over the last few years, but people always kept asking about HEADHUNTER. Over the last few years, I've had plenty of ideas and riffs. They possibly wouldn't have fit in DESTRUCTION, and that's because they were more traditionally metal somewhat. On the outset, DESTRUCTION was very very busy touring and releasing albums. Since we had a little bit more space this year, I considered at least re-releasing the HEADHUNTER albums for the first time. Many people have always been asking for their re-release in the last seven or eight years, and it's almost been a pain in the ass question; 'When will the HEADHUNTER albums get re-released?' They haven't been released anywhere in the world except for Germany, neighbouring countries and Japan. I was surprised about that, and so there was some major discussion as to why it all started first of all. Right now, it feels good. To me, it's a nice, extra opportunity, outside of DESTRUCTION, to do something that also deals with music."
On the reactions of guitarist Uwe "Schmuddel" Hoffmann (ex-TALON) and drummer Jörg Michael (STRATOVARIUS, ex-RAGE / SAXON / AXEL RUDI PELL / MEKONG DELTA) when he suggested to reform the group:
"It came up when I remastered the tracks, and that's as I had to listen to the songs over and over. I almost forgot how many great songs were on those albums. Also, I forgot how many nice anthems there were and how the style of HEADHUNTER was different. You can call it power metal, but it's not even power metal. It's between all the genres; it's nice, and it's no-one's style. When I did the remasters, I realised this again. I wrote a song for a friend of mine, and that's because it was his birthday. His biggest wish was to have a song written about his work, so I wrote him a song. It's called 'Silver Skull', and that's the name of his place. It's more in the traditional style of HEADHUNTER. When he and others heard the song, they were all freaking out. They all said 'Oh my god, this is way different than DESTRUCTION,' and commented that it's so much more catchy and traditional than DESTRUCTION's music. The song is so good that it just gave me the kick up the ass to say; 'Man, you're writing songs like this? So why don't you form HEADHUNTER again? With DESTRUCTION, you can't do it.' That gave me the chance to call the guys again, and say; 'Hey, what's up? I've got plenty of riffs, and they're fucking getting dusty here. Why don't we sit together, and talk?' The most funny thing was when I contacted Jörg Michael, the drummer of STRATOVARIUS. I wrote him an email saying; 'Are you busy? I understand if you can't do HEADHUNTER, and I know that I can't give you the money that you need for HEADHUNTER. Think about playing on the album, or we'll hire another guy.' He wrote back one sentence, and that was; 'Any other other guy that plays with HEADHUNTER is a dead guy.' I felt OK about his reply, and Jörg's attitude was the right attitude. We don't need people that are thinking about making money from HEADHUNTER. HEADHUNTER is about playing together, and playing the right music. It's a good laugh, and that's why it was so easy to get the band together again. It's been some years, but they were some fun years. It's great to see the band again, and we got nothing to lose."
On HEADHUNTER's upcoming album:
"We're working on the album right now, and we would love to release the album straight away. I hope it's going to happen in 2008, and we'll see how special it's going to be. We're feeling so good now that we're going to be able at least to bring out the album during spring next year. At least in the beginning of 2008, we can play some festivals with HEADHUNTER. That would be really great.
"Spoiling surprises is somewhat boring, though we're trying to keep it the way it is. The next album is definitely going to be heavier, and a little harder, than the 'Rebirth' album. We'll be retaining the whole melodic lead guitar in the songs, and the whole catchiness of the chorus. It's just going to possibly be a little more up to date than 'Rebirth' was, an album we wrote in 1993. It's definitely going to be a mixture of 'Parody Of Life' (1990), which was more rough, and 'Rebirth', which was more melodic. It's going to keep the balance between those two albums, but with an up to date production that is still old school. Of course, there's going to be some funny parts. HEADHUNTER has to be funny, and that's as we like to enjoy ourselves in the studio. Of course, there'll be some funny intros. We're going to bring the stringed HEADHUNTER back on the cover, which was on the first one."
On DESTRUCTION's 2007 Wacken Open Air appearance:
"Yeah. It's going to be released on a live DVD next year."
On DESTRUCTION's 25th anniversary plans:
"We're going to issue a whole DVD next year, and that'll be for DESTRUCTION's twenty-fifth anniversary. It's going to be a huge release. I'm working with the label right now, and trying to arrange it so that there's some special bonus material on our next album. There's possibly going to be some Wacken tracks as a special bonus, and some other bonus tracks on the next album as a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of sorts. I want to get in touch with all the old DESTRUCTION members though, and have them talk about their time with DESTRUCTION. It'll be a massive documentary about DESTRUCTION, and that documentary will be included on the twenty-fifth anniversary album's bonus DVD. Of course, all that will include some Wacken tracks. The full length DVD will be out towards the end of next year. The documentary is definitely going to include the contributions of all the ex-members, and so on.
"It's going to be a nice track for the twenty-fifth anniversary album's bonus DVD. We'll talk about how everything started, and our original drummer will be involved in that. We'll then talk about the split with all the people involved, and it's definitely going to be a great look back. It's different though, and that's as we hadn't spoken to those people for many years. It's nice that we're all friends again, and that we can still talk about this. Also, it's nice we can show it to the fans. It'll be a real documentary, and will include all the actual people involved at the time. That part will be included on the twenty-fifth anniversary album's bonus DVD — it comes out on August 27th I think."
Read the full article at lucem fero.
Nonpoint Announce U.K. Release Date
NONPOINT's fifth studio album, "Vengeance", will be released in the UK on February 18. The CD, which sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, was recorded at Bieler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, FL with producer Matt LaPlant (SIKTH).
"Vengeance" is the follow-up to the acclaimed "To The Pain" CD, which featured the breakout single "Bullet With A Name".
NONPOINT is currently out on the road co-headlining "The Great American Rampage" tour alongside Bieler Bros. Records labelmates and ragga-punk-metal kings SKINDRED. Rounding out the bill are the Ozzfest breakout band ANKLA and Australian act KARNIVOOL.
Within Y Post Last Studio Video
Sweden's WITHIN Y have issued the following update:
"Last episode from our studio session is now available for you! Enjoy!"
Check out the clip below...
As previously reported, the band are expected to issue their third album in early 2008.
Stay tuned for updates. More...
This Ending Reveal New Song Titles
Sweden's THIS ENDING (Metal Blade Records) have issued the following update:
"It's been a busy summer for This Ending. We have been working hard on writing new songs and perfecting the art of bringing demise.
'Dead Harvest' and 'Instigator Of Dead Flesh' are just some of the titles for the new songs.
Better yet, sign up for the newletter and get the updates delivered right to you. Please add our banners & our songs to your page!
Keep checking our homepage and myspace for more updates."
BFMV Having Radio Success Prior To Release
It's still two weeks before the official U.S. radio add date, but Welsh metalers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE are already hot on U.S. radio with "Scream Aim Fire," the title track from their upcoming album, out January 29.
For next week's charts, "Scream Aim Fire" is:
#1 MOST ADDED at CMJ's Loud Rock chart
#1 MOST ADDED at FMQB's Metal Detector chart
#2 MOST ADDED at Radio & Records' Active Rock chart
#4 MOST ADDED at Radio & Records' Alternative chart
On top of that, the band is the #2 major label metal band across all of MySpace.
"Scream Aim Fire" is the title track from Bullet For My Valentine's sophomore release, due out January 29. The band saw their 2006 debut album, "The Poison," dubbed "One of the finest debut albums in rock history" by a major UK daily, while it sailed past the million sales mark - selling 350,000 in the U.S. alone.
"Scream Aim Fire" was produced by Colin Richardson (Machinehead, Funeral For A Friend) who also produced "The Poison," and was recorded at Sonic Ranch near El Paso, TX earlier this year. The eleven new songs are, according to frontman Matthew Tuck, "really melodic heavy metal...catchy, hooky choruses and full-on vocals, with the music being very in-your-face and heavy...it's a lot more uptempo [than 'The Poison'], a lot more aggressive."
Bullet For My Valentine will headline a tour of the UK and Europe starting in late January, and will then head to the U.S. in late February. Details to be announces shortly.
Shattered Realm Working On New (and Old) Material
New Jersey hardcore band Shattered Realm has been a bit more active as of late. The group will be recording a handful of old songs (including "All Will Suffer", "This World Is Mine", and "Showdown") to accurately document their latest line-up. The material will reportedly be offered as a digital download via Eulogy Recordings.
Meanwhile, the Shattered Realm is also in the process of writing a new full-length. The band is expected to enter the studio in Spring 2008, with a Fall 2008 release likely.
Finally, the group will be touring Europe from January 4th through February 10th. Dates and details have yet to be confirmed.
Fleshgod Apocalypse Sign With Neurotic Records
Italian death metallers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have inked a deal with Neurotic Records. The group is currently recording its debut album for an early 2008 release.
Ruud Lemmen of Neurotic Records stated: "It is great to be working with a new band, a band that is willing to dedicate their time and excellent songwriting capabilities into this band. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE is a new band, but certainly not a band that will be pased on by death metal communities worldwide."
Commented FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE guitarist/vocalist Francesco Paoli: "We are extremely proud to sign with this great label! We believe that Neurotic Records is without doubt the best label to work with considering the kind of music we play. We're sure that Ruud and the Neurotic team will do great things for us, so we can't wait to hit the studios to record the album." More...
Bauhaus Bowing Out With New Album
According to Billboard.com, the legendary Goth band Bauhaus has decided to call it quits after the new album and does not plan to tour. The group is eyeing a March 4 release for "Going Away White," its first studio album since 1983. The band reunited in 2005 for the Coachella festival and later toured the world.
"We were getting along really well, but there was an incident that occurred," drummer Kevin Haskins tells Billboard.com, declining to elaborate further. "Some of us just felt that we didn't want to carry on as a working unit."
As such, "Going Away White," which the band is releasing digitally via iTunes and on CD via its own Bauhaus Music imprint through Redeye Distribution, will close the book on Bauhaus. Haskins, guitarist Daniel Ash, bassist David J and vocalist Peter Murphy recorded the album last year after entering the studio "with nothing prepared," according to Haskins.
Read the full article at Billboard.com.
Magician Reveal New Album Details
Brazilian power metal band MAGICIAN has revealed the track listing of its new album, "Tales of the Magician", which will be released before the end of the month in Japan by Soundholic.
Recorded in 2006, "Tales of the Magician" is a conceptual work, "telling the journey of Zhaldor, a mage seeking to free his homeland Zelgian from the underworld terror," according to the band's official bio. "The album was mixed and mastered at High Gain Studios in Hamburg, Germany by Dirk Schlächter (GAMMA RAY), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) and Arne Lakenmacher, who worked with bands like KREATOR, PRIMAL FEAR, SODOM, NEVERMORE and DESTRUCTION.
"Tales of the Magician" track listing:
01. Tale I - Intro: Let the Spell Begin
02. Tale II - Prime Evil
03. Tale III - Underworld Terror
04. Tale IV - Sandstorm
05. Tale V - Terminal Day
06. Tale VI - Dark Ritual (Hear your Master's Call)
07. Tale VII - Minstrel's Domain
08. Tale VIII - Siege on Zelgian
09. Tale IX - Crossing the Last Gate
10. Tale X - Finale: Let the Harmony Endure
The Japanese version will also contain the following bonus tracks:
11. Underworld Terror (Pre-production version)
12. Minstrel's Domain (Karaoke version)
13. Minstrel's Domain (Video clip)
A video for the song "Minstrel's Domain" will soon be made available.
Illdisposed Part Ways With Guitarist
Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have issued he following update:
"On December 15th Martin [Thim, guitar] will play his last show with us. Martin doesn't have the time it takes to play with us anymore, his normal job and private life is his priority. He is the first ILLDISPOSED member ever who wasn't sacked. But Martin will still come with us on the road now and then and you might find him sleeping at the merch booth pretending to be selling our stuff. We have known Martin's decision since July. Within the next day we will reveal Martin's replacement.
ILLDISPOSED is currently mixing its new album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with Fredrik Nordström for a March 28, 2008 release via AFM Records.
Commented Jakob Batten: "The new album is recorded differently compared to the previous two albums. We didn't really cut into the tracks while recording so nearly everything you'll hear is first takes. We want it all to sound more raw and alive this time. A lot of the new albums you hear these days are so tight and over-produced that it doesn't sound like humans playing anymore and in the long run you get tired of it — I think."
The band's last CD, "Burn Me Wicked", entered the Danish album chart at position No. 58 in June 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "1-800 Vindication" was recorded at ZigZound Studio during November/December 2005 with producer Ziggy and was mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studio.
Tristania Confirmed For Masters Of Rock Festival
Norwegian symphonic metal band TRISTANIA has scheduled the following dates:
Jul. 10-12 - Masters of Rock - Vizovice, Czech Republic
Mar. 08 - March Metal Day - Athens, Greece
TRISTANIA recently announced the addition of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary' Demurtas to the group's ranks.
Commented TRISTANIA in a statement: "[Demurtas possesses] a voice and talent that will not only complement the bands music, but give it an entirely new dimension. She is sure to usher in a new age of TRISTANIA.
"Mariangela Demurtas, aged 25, from the island of Sardinia, Italy, is the singer TRISTANIA was looking, but did not dare hope, for.
"The band was focusing on voice and talent when they went out looking for a new singer half a year ago. After a thorough search and many audtions, little did they know they would get all that, and more, in the form of Mary.
"She's all about music — and metal to the bone. She has performed with several Italian bands, before finally joining up with TRISTANIA. She lists her musical influences to include Janis Joplin, Diamanda Galas, Lisa DalBello, Lauryn Hill, Skin, Chris Cornell and Jeff Buckley.
"An educated linguist, she has already moved to Norway and settled in TRISTANIA 's home town of Stavanger. Although this is not her first time living abroad (she studied for a year in the Dominican Republic at the age of 16), it's living proof of the dedication she brings to TRISTANIA.
"Mary brings a whole new dimension to the old as well as the new TRISTANIA material. She is also a creative force, and the band will certainly find itself with yet another bright head when they work on new material.
"She brings temperament and aggressiveness to the stage, sure to complement Østen nicely. She has experience from the theatre, in addition to having been in sports since she was but a child, both aspects which will surely add character to her stage persona.
"Mary has arrived — and she cannot wait to meet the fans on tour."
TRISTANIA's latest album, "Illumination", was released in January 2007 via SPV. The CD was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.).
Lizzy Borden Talks About Latest Album
Komodo Rock recently caught up with Lizzy Borden to discuss his new album, Appointment With Death. The following is an excerpt from the interview:
KR: Appointment With Death is a concept album. Could you tell us a little more about the idea behind it?
LB: "Each song is a story within a story, the connecting line is death. I still try and write songs where the reader ultimately connects the dots, identifying and creating with their own imagination what it means to them. I think that’s the definition of true art and that is my goal. I call them theme records, the theme this time around that I chose to write about was death. The death of life... the death of love... the desire for finality... mass extinction... remembrance of the dead, as well as the celebration of it. I tried to embrace this theme from all directions."
KR: Would you take us through some of the important tracks on the album?
LB: "If I don’t view them all as important then what do I have? I don’t like to reveal what my lyrics are about in detail because then there would be no reason to read them. I like people to search through the lyrics on their own and find out what the story is about, let them use their own imagination. Appointment With Death is a record about facing the reality that we all will be having a conversation with the Angel of Death at some point in our lives."
Read the full article at komodo rock.
Queensryche Frontman Speaks On Dio And More
Music Street Journal correspondent Greg Olma recently caught up with QUEENSRŸCHE frontman Geoff Tate. The following is an excerpt from the interview:
MSJ: I saw you on the HEAVEN AND HELL tour. How did you enjoy doing the tour?
Tate: "It was great. It was really a treat to play on the same bill with those bands; two bands that were very inspirational to us when we were first starting out. The albums that BLACK SABBATH did with Ronnie were incredibly influential to us. In fact, songs we referenced when we were talking about writing our own material. In fact, Queensryche was originally called THE MOB, inspired by the Mob Rules album. And then later, Ronnie James Dio invited us on our first ever tour as an opening act and kind of gave us our start in the touring world. And Alice (Cooper) was actually the first rock show I ever saw. I saw the Billion Dollar Babies tour when I was a kid. A lot of memories, you know, attached to what it is that those guys do. And really a treat to watch them play every night and see the years of experience in playing music together. Just seeing it from a different perspective. You know, especially Tony Iommi; really underrated guitar player. [He] just does some incredible stuff. And the way he and Geezer Butler play together, the way they bend notes together, in sort of, I don’t think they think about it anymore. They have a thing they do that’s really special."
MSJ: You’re coming back to Chicago in February. What can we expect on the next tour since it is not "An Evening With…” like the last few times you came to Chicago?
Tate: "Well, we have something kind of special in mind for this. We have Don Dokken, who’s an old friend, who’s going to be opening for us solo; playing an acoustic set. Then we’re playing kind of a selection of all our records plus some of the songs that we recorded on the covers album."
Read the full article at this location.
Kataklysm Confirmed For Summer Breeze Festival
Canuck extremists KATAKLYSM are the latest act confirmed for the Summer Breeze Festival which is scheduled for August 14th - 14th in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. Acts on the bill now include: ENSIFERUM, ENDSTILLE, PRIMORDIAL, SONIC SYNDICATE, THE VISION BLEAK.
Kataklysm's new album, Prevail, will be mixed by Jason Suecof (Chimaira, TRIVIUM,THE BLACK DHALIA MURDER) in January 2008 and will "drop like a nuclear explosion" on May 23rd, 2008 via Nuclear Blast.
Release Date For Rob Zombie's "Halloween" Revealed
ROB ZOMBIE's remake of John Carpenter's classic horror flick Halloween, comes to DVD on December 18th.
Both the rated and unrated versions will be two disc sets due to the amount of extras included. And according to Zombie, "the unrated version is a cut no one has seen."
Fozzy Release New Live DVD
The following message has been posted by Fozzy on their official Myspace:
"Hey guys!!
Just to let you know that after two years of waiting, Fozzy Live at the 2005 Download Festival DVD is now available!
On June 5, 2005 Fozzy stormed the stage at the Download Festival in Donington, England. In the midst of their worldwide All That Remains Tour, The Fozz went on to steal the show by putting on a performance that Kerrang, England's most respected rock magazine, called "the surprise hit of the day."
Now, you can join the band onstage as they rock the crowd of 20,000 Fozzy Fanatics with the hard hitting, intense and always entertaining performance that they are known for. Be a part of one of Fozzy's most famous gigs and discover what thousands of followers worldwide have known for years...Fozzy Are Huge Rock Stars!"
Click to order; here
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