Balrog Quits Garwall, Prepares New Solo Album

Guitarist/Vocalist BALROG Quits GARWALL, Prepares New Solo Album ~
Guitarist/vocalist Balrog and bassist Olivia Scemama have officially left the French black/death metal band GARWALL.

Balrog will return in September with the second album from his solo project BALROG (which is described as "brutal black death metal"), with contributions from Olivia Scemama, Anthony Scemama (MISANTHROPE), and Gael Feret (MISANTHROPE). The album will be recorded this summer at the BST Studio, and will be entitled "Bestial Satanic Terror".

GARWALL last year inked a deal with the French label Holy Records.

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Ghost Machine To Release Debut CD

GHOST MACHINE, the new band featuring MOTOGRATER members Ivan (Ghost) (vocals) and Chris "Crispy" Binns (drums), will release their self-titled debut CD on July 26 via their own label imprint, Black Blood Records. The CD was engineered and co-produced by Pete Murray (LO-PRO).

Regarding the band's musical direction, Ivan said in a press release, "This is the most positive musical experience I have ever been a part of. There is so much excitement about what we are creating. I can't wait for everyone else to hear this."

While being influenced by sounds of NINE INCH NAILS, THE CURE, PINK FLOYD, ALICE IN CHAINS, TOOL and MINISTRY, GHOST MACHINE "has managed to paint its own portrait of an electronic emotionally rich landscape while still capturing the edge and raw energy that is heavy rock," according to the press release.

Check out streaming audio of the songs "God Forbid", "Vegas Moon" and "What You Made Me UGLI" on their MySpace page.

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First International Extreme Music Festival Dates

The first dates have been announced for this fall's "International Extreme Music Festival" North American tour. The five-week trek, which is scheduled to begin in September, will include appearances by GOD DETHRONED, NIGHTRAGE, BYZANTINE, EPOCH OF UNLIGHT, HELL WITHIN and LILITU. The initial dates are as follows:

Sep. 18 – Boise, ID @ The Core
Sep. 24 – Seminole, FL @ Boomerz Boileroom
Sep. 30 – Detroit, MI @ Harpos Concert Theater
Oct. 01 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
Oct. 07 – Toronto, ONT @ Opera House

For more information, and to visit the official "International Extreme Music Festival" message board, visit IEMFtour.com.

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Motorhead 'Stage Fright' DVD Preview Online

Viva.tv is previewing five tracks from the new Motorhead DVD 'Stage Fright', releaesed July 18th. You can watch live performances of 'Love Me Like A Reptile', 'Shoot You In The Back', 'Killers', 'In The Name Of Tragedy', and 'Ace Of Spades'.

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Cast Aside Working on New Album

Virginia's Cast Aside are currently hard at work on their next Deathwish Inc. release. The band was recently at Spindrift Digital Recording with Mike Livingston (of 100 Demons) demoing a new track called "Hell On Earth," which features guest vocals from 100 Demons vocalist Pete Morcey. The track can be downloaded here. Cast Aside's new album is tentatively titled "Seeing Is Believing" and will hit streets in early-2006.

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Harlots Seek Two New Members

Ohio's Harlots are now in search of a full-time bassist and second guitar player. Candidates must have professional equipment and be willing to tour consistently. The group has been touring with a fill-in bassist for the last two months. For more information, contact them at harlots666@yahoo.com.

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Arch Enemy To Guest On Metal Asylum

Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY will be appearing on Fuse TV's "Metal Asylum" program, which airs Monday through Friday at 11:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. PST. The episode will air Monday, August 1 and it will feature the world premiere of ARCH ENEMY's new video, "Nemesis", as well as the world premiere of the new OBITUARY video for "Insane".

ARCH ENEMY's new album, "Doomsday Machine", is scheduled for release in the U.S. on July 26 (August 22 in Europe) via Century Media Records.

"Doomsday Machine" was co-produced by the band and Rickard Bengtsson at Slaughterhouse Studio in Sweden and was mixed by Andy Sneap at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, U.K.

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Courtney Love Slams Dave Grohl

The Associated Press has issued the following report:

Though some have labeled Dave Grohl of the FOO FIGHTERS the "nicest guy in rock," Courtney Love would beg to differ.

"Dave gets to walk away unscathed and be the happy guy in rock, when he's one of the biggest jerks," Love says in the August issue of Spin, on newsstands Friday. "He's been taking money from my child for years."

Love, the widow of Kurt Cobain, and Grohl, who played drums in NIRVANA, have feuded before. Grohl and NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic became mired in three years of litigation in a dispute over the timing of the famed grunge band's box set, "With the Lights Out".

They settled their legal issues in September 2002 and the CDs were released last year.

The office of Grohl's manager, John Silva, told The Associated Press Monday that Grohl wouldn't comment on Love's criticism.

As for being the "nicest guy in rock," Grohl wonders where the title came from.

"I don't know. Because I don't do coke?" Grohl asks Spin. "I supposed it's not taking anything for granted and feeling lucky to be here.

"There's ... thousands of nice guys in the world! Maybe it's because I have a goofy smile and people are like, `Awww, he's like a little kid!' I'm 36!"

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Chaoswave Recording Debut Album

Italian/Danish modern heavy metallers CHAOSWAVE are currently in the studio recording their debut full-length for the Dutch label DVS Records, under the working title of "Wastelands". 'Swept Away', a track from the debut, has in 6 months been downloaded more than 5000 times from the band's homesite. A European and American release is expected for November.

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Fireball Ministry Ink Deal w/ Liquor & Poker Music

Rock saviors FIREBALL MINISTRY, recently dubbed the “#1 metal band you need to know now” by Guitar World, have officially joined the roster of Liquor and Poker Music. The L.A.-based rock label will release the group’s new album, Their Rock Is Not Our Rock, on Oct. 18. A rough mix of the new track “Sundown” has been posted at Liquor and Poker’s website.

Produced by Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, VELVET REVOLVER) and engineered by Mike Terry (HALFORD, ASH), Their Rock… is the quartet’s third full-length album, and their first featuring new bassist Johny Chow (SYSTEMATIC, MY RUIN). Its release will be preceded by a nationwide Adio Footwear-sponsored tour in support of CKY, which kicks off Aug. 8 in San Diego.

FIREBALL MINISTRY – also featuring vocalist/guitarist Rev. James A. Rota II, guitarist Emily J. Burton and drummer John Oreshnick – broke ground on their “first church of rock n’ roll” in the late 1990s. They soon developed a devoted cult following with their first two releases, "Ou Est La Rock?" (French for “Where is the rock?”) and 2001’s "F.M.E.P.", as well as their memorable live performances.

But it wasn’t until 2003’s "The Second Great Awakening", also produced by Raskulinecz, that the group’s powerhouse rock was granted a worldwide pulpit. In support of the critically acclaimed album, the band toured America with the likes of DIO, ANTHRAX, MOTORHEAD and MORE, while their European touring alongside BLUE OYSTER CULT, URIAH HEEP and CKY converted many overseas believers.

“We are very happy to announce our joining forces with Liquor and Poker,” Rota said. “We hope that you all will find the new CD as enjoyable as you did the last one. If you don't, there's plenty of other shit out there masking itself as party rock, so gel up your hair and bust out the eyeliner. Nick and Mike have been forging a slab of stone so heavy that you better buy it its own 12-pack for when you get it home. Their Rock Is Not Our Rock…enough said.”

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Skinless Ready New Album For 2006

SKINLESS guitarist Noah Carpenter has issued the following update regarding their plans for a new album to be released next year, which will be their first with vocalist Jason Keyser:

"SKINLESS would like to say thanks to DEICIDE, IMMOLATION, DESPISED ICON, WITH PASSION and their crews for a great tour, and probably the best tour SKINLESS has ever been a part of. Also, a huge thanks to all of our fans who came out to support us. You bastards in NYC, Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles were especially fucking crazy. If we didn't make it through your area please be patient, we'll get to ya.

Right now we are concentrating on writing the new album. Our main goal is to write the heaviest Skinless material ever. If everything goes as planned we'll be in the studio by the end of 2005 to set SKINLESS up for a Spring 2006 release through Relapse Records, followed by extensive touring. We do not yet have a title for the forthcoming album but some song titles are "Trample The Weak, Hurdle the Dead," "Execution Of Reason," "Sycophant," and "Overlord." This album will delve deeply into themes and images of warfare, and possibly a history lesson or two.

We'll be doing a few small excursions in the Northeast U.S.A, Mexico, and Eastern Canada later this year, dates will be posted as they are confirmed.

"Gut Pumping Hits" is due to be released by Stepup Productions at the end of 2005. This combo CD/DVD package will include all SKINLESS demo recordings from 1992-1997, as well as the "Buzzed And Brutal" VHS now on DVD(with bonus material).

That's about all for now. METAL!!!"

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Primal Fear Reveals "Seven Seals" Cover Artwork

Primal Fear has revealed the album cover for their upcoming album, "Seven Seals." The artwork was created by Martin Haeusler. Check it out here.

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Ion Dissonance Finish New Album, Announce Tour

Canada's Ion Dissonance have released the following update:

First of, Solace is now entirely recorded and mastered, and well, lets just say that we are all very anxious to release the first mp3 so that people will know why we are so proud of that album. We are waiting for Abacus to know when the song "Cleansed by Silence" will be uploaded on the net as first single (which should be anytime soon).

Both Canadian (last April) and American (June) tour were awesome thanks to all of you who showed to the shows and had a good time, i know we did. And thanks to all of our mates, in Despised Icon, From a Second Story Window, Reflux, and On Broken Wings, 'cause of them we had an even better time. You guys have no ideas how grateful we are...

The band will also be touring with Psyopus, Swarm of the Lotus, All Shall Perish, and Strong Intention:

July 28 - Columbus, OH @ High Fives
July 29 - Saginaw, MI @ Old Jamestowne Hall (w/ DEAD TO FALL)
July 30 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Orchard Inn
July 31 - Port Huron, MI @ TBA
August 1 - Chicago, IL @ The Studio
August 2 - Des Moines, IA @ Hairy Marys
August 3 - Madison, WI @ The Annex
August 4 - St. Paul, MN @ Station 44
August 5 - Fargo, ND @ Billards on Broadway
August 6 - Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
August 7 - Fayetteville, AR @ Music Hall
August 8 - Little Rock, AR @ Downtown
August 9 - Tulsa, OK @ The Pinkeye
August 10 - Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
August 11 - Corpus Chrsiti, TX @ The Ballroom
August 12 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
August 13 - Houston, TX @ Mary Janes
August 14 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Darkroom
August 15 - Tallahassee, FL @ Big Daddys
August 16 - Clearwater, FL @ 688 skatepark
August 17 - Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
August 18 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ The Social
August 19 - Greensboro, NC @ Aces Basement
August 20 - Trenton, NJ @ HellFest

The band will also be playing the following Canadian show with DEAD TO FALL:
August 29 - Montreal, QC @ El Salon

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New Opeth Song To Be Available Digitally

On the 26th of July, Opeth's “The Grand Conjuration,” will be available digitally. This is a special edition and will not be feature on the album.

Digital Partners in the US:

iTunes
WalMart/Liquid
MusicMatch
MSN
Napster
Real/Rhapsody
SonyConnect
MusicNet
MusicNow
Buy Music

In other Opeth news, the official Opeth forum, which is part of the UltimateMetal.com community, has been closed due to Internet leaks of the group's new album, "Ghost Reveries". "It may reopen once the album is released," reads a posting from an UltimateMetal.com webmaster.

Tracks from the album are made available at this location.

"Ghost Reveries" is scheduled for release on 29th August, the CD was mastered on June 16 at the Cutting Room facilities in Stockholm and features a running time of 66 minutes.

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Rob Zombie Movie Takes In Over $7 Million

Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects" took in an estimated $7 million over the weekend to debut at No. 8 on this week's list of top-grossing films, according to BoxOfficeProphets.com. "Audiences were obviously intrigued; the horror flick opened to $7 million from only 1,757 venues — it had an excellent venue average of $3,984," reads a posting on the site. "'Rejects', a 'follow-up' to Zombie's 'House of 1000 Corpses', cost more than the $7 million it took to make 'Corpses' (Lions Gate finished with a $12.6 million on that one) and shows the director has picked up more of a following. 'Corpses' was huge on DVD, selling over a million units, and there is no reason why this one won't do the same."

Zombie recently told told Launch that "The Devil's Rejects" is a very different movie to its predecessor. "It has no relation to the first film almost in the sense that it has one consistent look, it doesn't jump around, it's a very gritty, real, bleak look," he said. "The characters are all the same characters, except we all got together and were like, 'I wanna make these characters real.' 'Cause essentially right now, they're cartoon characters. Like, let's take those and make them real people."

Actors Sid Haig, Bill Moseley and Sheri Moon Zombie return from the first film.

Rob Zombie is currently headlining the second stage of Ozzfest for the first time.

Zombie's touring band this summer features former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5, longtime bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson and ex-Alice Cooper drummer Tommy Clufetos.

The Ozzfest 2005 lineup also includes Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Mudvayne and, on the last eight dates, Velvet Revolver.

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Helloween To Release Video Collection DVD

The highly influential heavy metal band Helloween will release "Hellish Videos: The Complete Video Collection" on DVD on August 16, 2005, through Sanctuary Visual Entertainment. This DVD, compiled and produced by vocalist Andi Deris, features all the promotional videos ever made by the band.

The 13 tracks include: "Halloween," "I Want Out," "Kids Of The Century," "When The Sinner," "Mr. Ego," "Where The Rain Grows," "Perfect Gentleman," "Power," "The Time Of The Oath," "Forever And One (Neverland)" "I Can," "If I Could Fly" and "Just A Little Sign." These videos appropriately reflect Helloween's musical diversity. The stark, enigmatic "Halloween" shows the band performing in the middle of a forest while "Just A Little Sign" features state-of-the-art, space-themed animation.

Bonus extras include a live version of "Hey Lord!" as well as a photo gallery and behind-the-scenes tour outtakes.

Helloween was formed in Hamburg, Germany. The band quickly earned acclaim and became a major influence in 1980s heavy metal by creating a style known as power metal. Massive success followed, especially in Europe and Japan. Helloween has weathered and overcame tragedy and lineup changes to solidify its position as the world's leading practitioner of power metal for more than 20 years.

The clips gathered on "Hellish Videos: The Complete Video Collection" are for songs from genre-defining albums like "Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. 1," "Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. 2," "Pink Bubbles Go Ape," "Chameleon," "Master Of The Rings," "The Time Of The Oath," "Better Than Raw," "The Dark Ride" and "Rabbit Don't Come Easy."

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Criss Angel To Make Ozzfest 2005 Appearances

Criss Angel, whose A&E series “Criss Angel Mindfreak” debuted this week (airs weekly on Wednesday) at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, will make appearances at the July 27 and July 30 Ozzfest dates in Holmdel, N.J., and Chicago.

Angel will have a tented area where he will be available to interact with fans and sign autographs from 12 noon to 3 p.m. He will periodically perform close demonstrations including razor blades, metal bending, and mentalism outside of the tent. Angel will also take the stage to introduce Rob Zombie.

A&E has had an ongoing presence throughout the tour, which began on July 15 and ends on September 8, promoting Angel’s series. A custom two-minute Criss Angel "mini-movie" that airs on the main stage preceding a headlining artist for each show, along with an exhibition of Criss Angel 30-second promo spots on closed-circuit monitors throughout the festival grounds.

“Criss Angel Mindfreak” follows Angel as he captivates audiences with mind-boggling demonstrations of his skills; behind-the-scenes as he researches and executes his demonstrations with his crew; and as he meets celebrity friends who drop by to willingly participate in his antics. “Criss Angel Mindfreak” is an eerily entertaining series that juxtaposes reality with surreality

Angel completed his most recent demonstration, “Oasis,” Tuesday, July 19 at 8:58 a.m. in New York City’s Bryant Park. One of Angel’s most challenging escapes saw him in a sealed airtight chamber, then submerged in a 4’ x 8’ x 8’ tank, surrounded by 2,000 gallons of water. It took Angel just over 24 hours - eight hours less than the 33-hour time limit set to escape - and appear on top of a brand new black Pontiac Torrent parked a hundred feet away, surrounded by awestruck fans and media.

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Crytopsy Name New Album, Seek Guitarist

Canadian death metallers CRYPTOPSY have posted the following message on their official website:

"Once Was Not", CRYPTOPSY's fifth studio album, was completed last week. Sébastien Marsan, at his Studio Vortex in St-Constant (Quebec, Canada), did a wondrous job of mixing and engineering. The album was mastered by UE Nastasi at Sterling Sound in New York City and features artwork by François Quévillon, Filip Ivanovic and Martin Lacroix. With eleven tracks totaling about 50 minutes, this is a concept album where every song has its own identity. We made sure to have a lot of flavors and different rhythms and tempos throughout the whole process, the variations in the tracks may surprise some of you. An exclusive Cryptopsy studio report will be featured in BW&BK #91 in August. Expect "Once Was Not" to be released in October by
Century Media Records.

In the meantime, CRYPTOPSY are still a 4-piece looking for a fifth piece: In this case, a second guitarist for our bouts of extensive touring.

Guitarists : send your bios to the e-mail address displayed on the web site's news page and send your CDs and DVDs (for the obvious reason that we like freebies) at this address:

Cryptopsy
P.O.Box 37534
159, 25th Avenue
St-Eustache(Quebec)
J7P 5N2
Canada

Other than that, we'll see you at the New Jersey Hellfest, and then later this fall on tour with SUFFOCATION, ABORTED and DESPISED ICON in the United States and Canada."

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Milwaukee MetalFest Postponed Til December

This year's Milwaukee Metalfest XIX, which was scheduled for July 29th and 30th at the Modjeska Theatre in Milwuakee, WI, has been postponed till December 2nd and 3rd of 2005. NECROPHAGIA, MACABRE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, ORIGIN among others were scheduled to play. No reason was given was given for the postponement, but most likely has to do with unreliable, shady festival owner Jack Koschick owing tens of thousands of dollars to many, many bands around the world, along with the Koshick/Grohl Metalfest series itself becoming the joke that it is.

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Ozzy Soldiers On Through Chest Cold

After butchering a few verses of Black Sabbath's "Dirty Women" in tonight's Ozzfest in Bristow, VA, Ozzy revealed to the audience that he had been told to cancel his performance and rest due to a chest cold. Be reassured that most of Ozzy's lyrics and notes were just fine all night, however. I'll have a full show report posted sometime this week.

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