Twelfth Gate Ink Deal with Crash Music

Twelfth Gate (featuring former members of Syris) announced that, as of June 2002, they've been signed by Crash Music Inc (formerly Pavement Music) for a 3-album worldwide deal. Here's an update from the band: "We're done writing the songs for our debut album (yet untitled) & we're currently in pre- production. We are scheduled to record & mix the album in September & October at Studio One (Racine, WI) with producer Chris Djuricic (who produced our 2001 Demo & who has recorded/mixed albums for bands such as SOiL, November's Doom, Enforsaken, Disinter, Jungle Rot, & Michael Angelo). The album is scheduled for release in January, 2003."

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Backstabbers Inc Tour/Line Up Changes

Backstabbers Inc. has cancelled the last week of their U.S. tour. The band was forced to return home as a result of financial difficulties. They send out apologies to anyone expecting to see them and hope to be back on tour in the future, though it may be not be for some time. In related news, the band has parted ways with drummer Michael Quinn due to a "rift" created by personal and creative differences. Additionally, the band has also parted ways with guitarist Mike Justain. In case you didn't know, Justain was splitting his time between BSI and The Red Chord and this situation was becoming more and more of a conflict. Justain's departure was an amicable one.

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Hope and Suicide's Record Delayed Again

Unless the band can figure out an alternate arrangement, the release of Hope And Suicide's Razorblade Smile, their debut for Ides Of March, will be once again be delayed, this time until November 26th. Problems have apparently resulted from their exclusive distribution deal with Revelation Records. Following three months of what Revelation Records calls "promotion time," the record still hasn't been marked for distribution (essentially no barcode). The band is less than pleased with these developments and is considering putting the album out on their own, since it's already been pressed.

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Marduk to Record Disc, Embark on 50 date Tour

Marduk posted the following update on their official website:

Marduk will enter the Abyss studio for the recording of the next fullenght album in the very beginning of September. The band will record the basics of the album at first and then go back in November to put the final touch to the opus. The reason for this is studio engineer Peter Tägtgrens touring commitments during October. We will be back with a studio report further on. A single/7" will be released in mid January followed by the fullenght in mid February as it looks right now.

The album will be followed by a massive European tour of 40-50 shows. The band and their management are looking into a lot of offers in other parts of the world but nothing is confirmed yet. About the US issue the INS have not given any thumbs up yet but requested more material. We will get back to you with any news - good or bad...In the nearest weeks we'll unleash our Halloween competition where you'll be able to win a lot of Marduk memorablia plus a authentic signed human skull from Morgans own collection!!!!!! Be sure to look out for it, it will for sure be something special!!

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Details on Rotting Christ's Genesis

Rotting Christ's new album, Genesis, has been scheduled for an October 29th release through Century Media Records.

According to a Century Media press release, "fans should look forward to an extremely heavy and sinister-sounding album from Rotting Christ. The production is better than ever, giving justice to the supersonic evil contained throughout all ten songs. Contributing to the overall heaviness of the sound, Rotting Christ incorporate more keyboards and samples than in previous releases, but retain the focus on thick guitar tones and diabolical vocals."

The full track listing for the effort is as follows: More...

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Destruction to Play The Most Club Open Air

German thrashers Destruction will perform at The Mosh Club Open Air — a free-entry charity event against racism — in Kolmberg, Germany on August 24th. Other acts set to appear at the event include Blood Red Angel, Banggang, and Encyclia.

In other news, Destruction have once again slammed the promoter of the Italian Agglutination Metal Festival — which took place in Chiaromonte on August 12th — for treating the band in an "unprofessional" manner and spreading "insulting rumors" about the group following the band's appearance at the event, which also included sets by Viscious Rumours, Drakkar, Stormlord, Undertakers, Heimdall, and Holy Knights, among others. More...

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Candlemass To Record Gigs for a DVD

The reunited classic line-up of Candlemass—vocalist Messiah Marcolin, bassist/founder Leif Edling, guitarist Mats Björkman, lead guitarist Lars Johansson and drummer Jan Lindh—will be filming all the gigs on their upcoming Scandinavian tour for a DVD that is being put together featuring footage spanning the group's entire career, including the 1990 Stockholm show that was turned into the band's acclaimed Live album. In addition, the band's performance at Klubben in Stockholm on August 31st will be recorded by P3-Live for a later broadcast and a possible new live album, due sometime in 2003.

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Headline News

PETA Targets Judas Priest

Judas Priest have become the latest targets of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), according to EntertainmentIdaho.com. PETA fired off a letter to band members last week, asking that they change their 1978 album Hell Bent for Leather to Hell Bent for Pleather.

"Actually, I'm a big Judas Priest fan," spokeswoman Lisa Franzetta stated. "The idea is not to give them hell, so much, but to encourage them and their fans to make a more compassionate choice." To make her point, Franzetta, 24, enclosed a video of slaughterhouse footage — along with a convincing photo of herself in a black pleather dominatrix outfit.

PETA's letter to Judas Priest follows: More...

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Mnemic to Enter Studio

The Danish "hybrid metal" act Mnemic, featuring Invocator session drummer Brian Rasmussen and ex-Mercenary guitarist Mircea G. Eftemie, will hit the studio in late August with producer Tue Madsen to record three songs for promotional use. These tracks will be available for download via the band's official web site at this location.

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Elitist Records Signs Wolverine to their Roster

Swedish progressive metallers Wolverine have officially signed a four-album deal with new label Elitist Records (Rakoth, Without Face).

"We're delighted to have Wolverine on board," said Elitist mainman Lee Barrett. "They fit the Elitist ethic in every way possible. They're a forward thinking band with all the qualities it takes to success in the world of metal."

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Turbonegro Reform and Plan New CD

Infamous Norwegian rockers Turbonegro have reformed after a four-year absence, and have signed a deal with Sweden's Burning Heart Records.

"I am extremely proud to see Turbonegro on the label," said Burning Heart Records Head of A&R/Managing Director Peter Ahlqvist. "I think their album Apocalypse Dudes is one of the most important albums released during the '90s, and their decision to make a new album is excellent news."

"We are very happy to have signed with Burning Heart, and chose them — instead of the shitty multi-national labels that were trying to sign us — due to their general good looks and long-time dedication to the Scandinavian underground," said bassist/mainman Happy-Tom. More...

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