Metal News for December 8, 2003
Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 3:07 AM ET
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Hot Topics
- Trivium Parts Company With Drummer
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- 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
24 news articles posted on this day.
Erased Media Looking for Bands
New underground record label Erased Media is looking for doom metal bands to sign to their roster. Erased specialises in short run releases and extensive promotion. If you are interested email erasedmedia@hotmail.com. The same applies if you are a doom band and are looking for promotion in Australia and New Zealand.
Black Manta Finish New EP
Black Manta has recently finished a 5 song EP with legendary drummer Joe Hasselvander (Pentagram/Raven) just in time for the upcoming apocalypse. The rest of the line up consist of Hillel Halloway - guitars, Walter White - bass and Skull - vocals.
The band is currently looking for a label. Interested parties please contact Black Manta at: blackmanta_@hotmail.com.
World Below Sign One Album Deal
World Below has signed a one-album deal with italian Underground Symphony Records. Their album 'Sacrifices To The Moon' will be released in January 2004, both as digipack CD and limited LP.
Entombed, Nasum Set for P3 Popstad Fest
In Flames, Entombed, Nasum and Backyard Babies have all be confirmed for the upcoming P3 Popstad 2004 Festival in Jönköping, Sweden. The show is set to take place on February 13 and 14, 2004.
According to Swedishmetal.net, the Swedish national radio station P3 will broadcast many of the performances live during the two days festival. More details about this will be presented at the P3 Popstad website in January. You can check out the website at www.sr.se/p3/popstad/04/.
Totenmond Finish Recording
The recordings for the new album of Totenmond, titled "Unter Knochen" have been completed and the album is ready to be released on February 23rd, 2004 now. After recordings the German trio signed a new contract with Massacre Records.
Beyond the Sixth Seal Breaks Up
Boston metal band Beyond The Sixth Seal has officially broken up. Formed in 1998, the group has previously released material with Lifeforce Records and Voice Of Life Records. Here's a statement from the band regarding their demise:
"After nearly 5 years it's come to the point where we felt it better to end the band than go through even more lineup changes. The decision was mutual on all sides, and we will continue to work together on projects in the future... We want to thank everyone who's put up with us over the years and ever come out to support us. Anyone interested can purchase the last of whatever merch we have left on our website - www.theredchord.com/btss"
The group will be playing a final show in 2004, in addition to recording all of their remaining material in conjunction with several covers. These final recordings will surface on several vinyl releases, though labels and other specifics have yet to be announced.
Magus Noctum Complete New Album
Slovenian black metallers Magus Noctum have finished on the 4 month-recording of their new album "The Fall Of Shin'ar". The album contains 9 tracks, sample mp3s are available on the band's official site. After almost one year of concert silence they are hitting the stages again soon. For more information check www.magusnoctum.com.
Lord Worm Returns to Cryptopsy
After speculation of who was going to relpace recently departed vocalist Martin Lacroix, it has been made official, through www.cryptopsy.net, that original Cryptopsy vocalist Lord Worm has indeed returned to the fold. Lord Worm himself stated, somewhat cryptically, by saying - "'Un mal pour un bien', I've heard it said, and those seven long years ago, unhappy though I was at leaving (for a private question of honour, not beer), it was none the less for the best. Now, we've come full circle, and again a private question of honour finds me back in the fold. It is so. It cannot be otherwise. See you soon..." More...
Usurper Vocalist Leaves the Band
According to www.usurper.us, longtime Usurper vocalist Diabolical Slaughter (a.k.a. The General) has officially left the band. Guitarist Rick Scythe posted this message on the band's website, "Vocalist General Diabolical Slaughter has quit Usurper. This will not however affect the December 26 Holidays Of Horror Six Festival (at the Metro, Chicago: tickets can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com), and most importantly, Usurper is not breaking up!
Usurper will perform the show with a special guest vocalist, and after that, Usurper will carry on. I would like to say this is a shock, but it isn't. Unfortunately The General's substance abuse problems and his declining health have been factors for the last year or so. The last tour we did this summer with Enslaved was definitely an eye opener. Not only did we have a lame replacement drummer in the band, but the General was so fucked up that he couldn't remember most of the lyrics, even to songs we've been playing for ten years. On top of that, his health problems negatively affected his stage presence, as well as his shitty attitude. We knew we had a problem with The General, but we were optimistic." More...
Hecate Enthroned Disc to Land on Easter
Hecate Enthroned have posted the following band update at their official website:
“At last! After months in the making we are pleased to announce that the next album has been written and titled. It will be called Acts of God and will include the following tracks; 'Overriding Imagination', 'Choose Misanthropy', 'I Am Born Pt III - An Eternal Belief', 'The Face of Betrayal', 'No One Hears', 'The Shining Delight', 'Headhunter' and 'Soil of Sin'. There is also one other untitled track, an instrumental, as well as an acoustic track written by Andy and Nige and an intro/outro.
The songs are more guitar orientated this time with an overall heavy feel to them partly because of the way they were written and partly down to some new equipment, however the trademark Hecate 'keys' and 'acoustics' are still evident. We feel these songs have been blended together well, the heavy aggressive and the esoteric parts sitting better together, hence the longer time taken over them. We're sure that this album will satisfy the faithful out there as well as any lover of good extreme metal. Lyrically is all satanically themed, though disguised in some cases such as 'Soil Of Sin'. We've still got the overt blasphemy though with songs like 'An Eternal Belief'. We've certainly not been tamed by age! More...
Divine Empire MP3 Available Online
Jason Blacowicz’s (ex-Malevolent Creation) Divine Empire have released their new album, Nostradamus, the follow-up to the band’s Doomed To Inherit release.
An mp3 of the album track ‘Aggravated Battery’ is currently available at www.centurymedia.de.
Also, according to Divine Empire’s official website (www.metalasylum.com/divine/) the band will share the stage for the first time ever with Malevolent Creation on December 14th at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
code666 to become Sub-label of Aural Music
Aural Music is a new record company founded by code666 label manager Emiliano Lanzoni, born to be an "overground home" for all the underground sub-labels now under the code666 flag.
Beginning January 1st, 2004 code666 will become a sub-label of Aural Music, as well as Dreamcell 11 Entertainment, GoreGorecords and Amaranth Recordings.
code666 will continue to work with avantgarde, experimental and extreme metal bands, Dreamcell 11 will expand into the Dark EB, electro-gothic scene, GoreGorecords is the home for the sickness and brutality and Amaranth Recordings, ruled by Ephel Duath mastermind Davide Tiso, will sign weird and original hardcore, electronic and post-rock artists.
After Forever Name New Album
Dutch gothic/atmospheric doom metal group After Forever have set "Invisible Circles" as the title for their new full-length album, due in late March through Transmission Records. The group's recently released EP, "Exordium", entered the Dutch Album chart at position No. 56 and has since dropped down to No. 74 (view the whole chart here). After Forever's last full-length effort, "Decipher", was released in 2001.
After Forever will be teaming up with Amaran, Dark Moor and Nightmare for a European tour beginning in mid-January.
Novembers Doom at Work on New Material
Chicago doomsters Novembers Doom have set "Ascension" as the title for their forthcoming full-length CD, tentatively due in early 2004 through an as-yet-undetermined label.
The first 50 people who walked through the door at the group's show this past Friday night (Dec. 5) were treated to a CD with songs from each of the bands that played, including a demo version of Novembers Doom's "In the Absence of Grace".
Among the tracks set to appear on the album are the following: More...
H.I.M. Confirm German Tour Dates
Finnish goth-metallers H.I.M. will embark on a Jagermeister-sponsored two-week tour of Germany in March/April 2004. The dates are as follows:
Mar. 25 - Hamburg, GER @ Grosse Freiheit
Mar. 27 - Bremen, GER @ Pier 2
Mar. 28 - Munster, GER @ Jovel
Mar. 30 - Magdeburg, GER @ Amo
Mar. 31 - Berlin, GER @ Columbiahalle
Apr. 01 - Leipzig, GER @ Easy Auensee
Apr. 02 - Dresden, GER @ Alter Schlachthof
Apr. 03 - Cologne, GER @ Palladium
Apr. 05 - Dortmund, GER @ Soundgarden
Apr. 06 - Offenbach, GER @ Capitol
Apr. 07 - Munich, GER @ Muffathalle
Tickets are available now through CTS Eventim ticket service on +49 1805 570097. More information will be available at www.jaegermeister.de and www.contrapro.de. More...
Behemoth Extend Deal with Olympic
Based on the success of Zos Kia Cultus (Here and Beyond), the Polish purveyors of the extreme known as Behemoth have extended their contract with Olympic Recordings. The group have already commenced the songwriting process for their highly anticipated new album and will enter the studio in early spring with hopes for a late 2004 release.
This has been a breakthrough year for Behemoth, who made their U.S. live debut at the New Jersey March Metal Meltdown festival, which served as the kickoff date for an extensive nationwide tour alongside Deicide and Amon Amarth. >From there, they appeared on the first three dates of the now-infamous "Metal Gods" tour headlined by Halford and Testament, as well as the inaugural "Blackest of the Black" festivals (also featuring Danzig, Superjoint Ritual, Opeth, Nile and Lacuna Coil). Behemoth capped off the year supporting Six Feet Under on the "Un-Natural Born Killers" tour, and with the release of the limited-edition Conjuration EP, featuring one new song, two covers and several live tracks. More...
Evergreen Terrace Tour Info, Local Dates
Eulogy Recordings' EVERGREEN TERRACE are currently planning out a number of tours, including a stint down under to Australia.
From January 16 through February 7, the boys plan to take to the road alongside hardcore favorites STRETCH ARM STRONG as well as BELOVED and COMEBACK KID. In March 2004, EVERGREEN TERRACE will join the very few hardcore bands who've made a visit to Australia, spending ten days covering the island continent.
In the meantime, check out the boys on a few regional dates in the coming weeks:
12.17 Augusta, GA @ Hangnail Gallery
12.18 Nashville, TN @ The Muse
12.20 Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz
12.21 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
Preview Casey Jones' 'Pigs Is Pigs' MP3
Straight edge band CASEY JONES, featuring members of EVERGREEN TERRACE, are gearing up for the release of their debut album, "The Few. The Proud. The Crucial." on Indianola Records. To help keep the hordes from tearing down the doors though, they've released a sampling of the new record. One listen will have you agreeing with their choice for the title, we promise. Oh, and expect a big surprise when you see the cover artwork!
Site Update
Introducing zMETALlica
Hi my name is Zack. I am a new admin on this site. I'm 19 from New Jersey.
I like all types of metal:
Favorite bands include Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards, System of a Down, Amorphis, One Minute Silence, Lacuna Coil, The Gathering, Therion, Symphony X, Nevermore, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Angel Dust, Borknagar, Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Joe satriani, Beseech, Divinity Destroyed, Evil Adam, Am I Blood, Face to Flames, Manmade God, Opeth, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and well too many more.
I'm a music freak when it comes down to it. I have a band of my own, which I may give updates about in the future, though we just formed. Though i do play guitar in the band and stuff, my real focus is on recording bands. I currently have a small studio set up in my room.
Oh yeah a small note: metallica is in my SN cause they were the first band that I loved enough to pursue other bands like it thus begining my dive into the metal community.
Stab & Kill Records Renames To Perfect Victim
As of January 1st, 2004, Stab & Kill Records (the label known for having released such great bands as BLUE MONDAY, CLOSE CALL, A-TEAM, and many more) will be changing their name to Perfect Victim Records. With two years of hard work, solid releases, and lots of learning under their belts, the label has decided that a less abrasive name will do nothing but help them and their bands.
Perfect Victim Records plans on continuing the growth process in 2004, with their current family of bands, as well as new releases by Florida's ON OUR OWN and Massachusetts's RATTLE BATTLE. 2004 will also see continued partnerships with other labels such as Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Records, from whom Perfect Victim Records will be licensing SUBZERO's forthcoming full length and the debut full length from the highly acclaimed WITH HONOR for release on vinyl. Having teamed up with Invisible Youth PR for both press promotions and retail marketing, 2004 should prove to be the best year yet.
All remaining releases with the Stab & Kill logo will still be sold by Perfect Victim Records, with any repressings carrying the new Perfect Victim branding. Additionally, the label will retain the same contact information and address as Stab & Kill.
Headline News
Kotipelto And Michael Kicked Out of Stratovarius
There's been a lot of drama surrounding Stratovarius Vocalist Timo Kotipelto and drummer Jörg Michael are out of STRATOVARIUS. The following message was posted on the band's website:
"After several emergency meetings, this move finds acceptance within the band. “Due to irrevocable and massive difficulties between the band leader Timo Tolkki and me, it has been agreed that this is the best thing to do to preserve at least some of the integrity the band used to have", says singer Kotipelto. "I will now fully concentrate on my solo album and I am convinced that this is the best way for me."More...
Watch Clip of Ozzy & Kelly's 'Changes'
Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performed their remake of the Black Sabbath classic 'Changes' on Top of the Pops on Friday (December 5). Watch a brief video clip of the performance here.
Tommy Lee Fills In For Skrape Drummer
Former MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee will sit in behind the kit at SKRAPE's show December 18 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California, according to MTV.com. The event will be a returned favor of sorts, since SKRAPE drummer Will Hunt was the touring drummer in Lee's band earlier this year.
SKRAPE's sophomore album, "Up The Dose", is due on January 13 through RCA Records. It was produced by Jimbo Barton (QUEENSRŸCHE, GODSMACK) and was recorded partially in SKRAPE's own Orlando, Florida rehearsal/recording studio.
Sharon Osbourne: Fling Was Before Marriage To Ozzy
Extra went straight to Sharon Osbourne to let her set the record straight on the excerpt in the family's new book where she talked about having a relationship with husband Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist, the late Randy Rhodes. She says, "Yes, I do want to set it straight. Before my husband and I actually were engaged, before we were married, I had a great friendship, as did my husband, with Randy." Osbourne admitted that in the Osbourne clan's new memoir, 'Ordinary People,' she and Randy did have a brief fling. However, she says, "I definitely wasn’t married to my husband at the time. Randy died before my husband and I were married." Read more and watch a video clip here.
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