Grand Massive Posts New Music Video Online

German metal band Grand Massive has released a music video for the single "Monster," off their debut EP. You can check out the video below or hear more of the band's music on their MySpace player.

GRAND MASSIVE - "Monster" official music video:

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Iron Maiden Tops Swedish Album Charts

British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden have topped the Swedish album charts with their latest studio album, "The Final Frontier," after it sold over 20,000 copies. As a result of the sales figures, the album has already been certified Gold in Sweden. The album is the band's first in four years and is expected to do well in other countries, including a predicted top 5 position in the United States and possibly becoming their first record since 1992 to clinch the top spot in their home country.

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Dark Haven Calls It Quits

Californian metal band Dark Haven has decided to call it quits. The band issues the following message to their fans regarding their decision:

"As some of you know we lost our singer about a month or so ago. We've been jamming with a new guy, and we were trying to make a smooth transition but we have now been put in the position of having to replace another member in the band. We just released a full length album, and after a few years seem to finally be back on track since losing other original members, just to be put back in the same place. After 6 years of hard work and dedication, the thought of 'starting over' again is depressing and discouraging."

"There have been many great memories and awesome moments with Dark Haven, and it is time to look into different music endeavors. Thank you to every friend, family member, and fan who was bought a cd or been to a show, it's been a hell of a ride and you made it all worth it. Apologies to anyone who is upset by this news, trust me when I say I am equally or more upset about the situation."

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Anubis Gate Issues Studio Update

Denmark's Anubis Gate has issued the following studio update:

"Morten (drums), Kim (guitars/keys) and I (Jacob - vocals) went into the studio this Friday to track drums for our new album."

"Morten started off by laying down some of the heaviest and best drums I have ever heard him do, so I'm confident that the new album will have a pretty strong rhythm section!"

"Furthermore, it was great to hear the new songs slowly come to life, which they always do when we track drums to the demo vocals, guitars and keys. It suddenly starts to make sense."

"The songs seem a bit darker to me, and I like that..."

"For the gear freaks out there, we tracked drums on a Yamaha Maple Custom Definitive kit with 10, 12, 14 and 16" toms, 20" kick and Mapex Black Panther Maple snare. It sounded fantastic!"

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Sunn 0))) To Curate Roadburn 2011

Roadburn Festival has unveiled the curator for the 2011 edition of Roadburn as Sunn O))). The band, to be specific Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley, has agreed to curate the festival on Friday, April 15th, 2011 and host a special event.

As curator, Sunn O))) will personally select the bands that will play during their special event as well as perform a headline show. Sunn O))) will be Roadburn’s fourth curator, following David Tibet in 2008, Neurosis in 2009 and Triptykon’s Tom Gabriel Warrior at this year’s festival.

Right now, Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley are gearing up for two major Sunn O))) events in September: performing Altar with Boris at ATP New York and Brooklyn’s Masonic Temple, but you can expect to hear from them in the future with respect to their thoughts on the 2011 Roadburn festival and Sunn O)))’s performance.

The festival organizers comments in the release:

"We are overjoyed to join forces with Sunn O))) for the upcoming Roadburn festival. Their metal-based drone experimentations have proved groundbreaking and hugely influential for an entire new generation of musicians practicing the art of avant-garde metal, drone, post rock and psychedelica. Sunn O))) is also widely acclaimed for their eclectic collaborations with everyone from musicians Attila Csihar, Masami Akita (Merzbow), Boris, Steven Stapleton, Justin Broadrick, Oren Ambarchi, Ulver, Joe Preston, John Wiese, and Julian Cope to filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and visual artist Banks Violette.

"Greg Anderson, who is also Goatsnake’s songsmith and the entrepreneur behind Southern Lord Records, and Stephen O’Malley, a prolific improviser and composer who is well-known for being involved in Burning Witch, KHANATE, KTL and DACM/Gisèle Vienne theatre-works, have performed in different guises during various Roadburn festivals over the years, which is exactly why we felt they would be the ideal curators. Both of them consistently push the envelope musically, and one of our steadfast goals has been to make Roadburn a festival that explores the cutting edge while celebrating the familiar, too. With that in mind, we could think of no better spiritual guide for 2011 than Sunn O))).

"We are truly looking forward to the new ideas and visions that the crossover drone duo will bring to the festival next year. When asked to sum up Roadburn in one word, 'progressive' would be a fitting choice. Evolving and improving are part of this. The festival is a tribute to the open mindedness of its bands, curators and audience. The joy comes from expanding musical horizons, and with Sunn O))) acting as our curator we’ll definitely be in for some artistic surprises."

Roadburn Festival 2011, including Sunn O)))’s special event, will run for three days from Thursday, April 14 to Saturday, April 16 at the 013 venue and Midi Theatre in Tilburg, Holland. There will be an additional afterburner event on Sunday, April 17, 2011.

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Report

American Carnage Tour In Chicago Kills Everyone

*Before you start into this report, do yourself a huge favor, scroll to the bottom, see which tour stop is most convenient and buy a ticket. Pay however much you have to. If you like metal, and presumably you do since you are on MetalUnderground.com, then don’t make the biggest mistake of your life and not go – even bigger than the raspberry cosmo you had at Harry’s Drink Shack last Wednesday. And if you already have a ticket, buy another. You’ll need the extra space to clean your melted face and blown mind off the floor.*

Strolling onstage as thrash underdogs to the sounds of “For the Glory Of…,” which is the intro crush from 2009 full length “The Formation of Damnation,” Testament took the stage like a MAC truck pulling to the starting line of a drag race. When the opening chords of “More Than Meets the Eye” hit it was clear we were tied to the tracks at the end of the racecourse and we were going to get run over by a MACK truck. Or something like that anyway. About halfway through the set, it was clear Chuck Billy’s demonspawn roar (which has aged like a fine boxed wine, by the way) had ripped my brains out through my eye sockets, chewed on them for a while, and then jammed them back in through my earhole. The only ones that avoided the carnage were members of the vigorous circle pit, which grew throughout Testament’s 40-minute set and culminated in an impressively large wall-of-death, which Testament built up like fine orchestra conductors and finally set off during the real good head-banging part of set-closing song “The Formation of Damnation.” Leaving the stage, Chuck Billy thanked the crowd for “Kicking Our [Testament’s] Ass.” Well Chuck, thank you for kicking ours. More...

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Omission Recruits New Bassist

Spain's Omission, which had recently announced several changes in the band's lineup, has now issued the following brief comment about recruiting a new bassist: "New bass player. It's official Dani leaves the band and the new bass player is Jaime. Jaime also plays in Wolfencross. Still missing a drummer." You can also check out Omission's music through the band's MySpace page.

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The Sword Streaming Entire Album

Texas metal outfit The Sword is currently streaming the band's entire new album "Warp Riders" online. All the tracks from the upcoming album can be heard via The Sword's MySpace page. "Warp Riders" is scheduled for release on August 24th and it's track listing is as follows:

1. Acheron/Unearthing the Orb
2. Tres Brujas
3. Arrows in the Dark
4. The Chronomancer I: Hubris
5. Lawless Lands
6. Astraea's Dream
7. The Warp Riders
8. Night City
9. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis
10. (The Night the Sky Cried) Tears of Fire

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Korpiklaani Comments On Upcoming Shows

Finnish folk metallers Korpiklaani have issued the following statement regarding their upcoming co-headlining European tour with Eluveitie:

"After all this touring far abroad, we decided that it might be time for a new European tour, after all, we don't want to neglect all our great European fans and friends. So, we are happy to announce that we will team-up with our friends from Eluveitie for a co-headlining tour in October. This European Tour starts off at October 8th, and is the last chapter of our Karkelo World Tour, which started in April 2009 in the U.S.A. We will play 23 shows altogether, and we will visit Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Spain and England.

"Before the start of this European tour we will play at four festivals, like Summer Breeze in Germany, and the legendary Dynamo Open Air Holland in Eindhoven, Holland. In-between all festivals we managed to prepare, and even partly record, a new album at the Petrax studio in Hollola. Our upcoming album is scheduled for release in February 2011. Even though this new album will be released in winter, it definitely has a strong ‘midsummer-mood’. We are happy to announce, that one new song features a guest appearance from one of the most respected Finnish singers, and famous songwriter, who has been strongly present in the Finnish music culture for over three decades.

"Lately we have many troubles with Myspace, even uploading the flyer does not work, and adding shows gives many error messages. As soon as Myspace works okay again (which we still hope and wait for) we will put everything also online."

The currently announced dates are as follows: More...

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Vesperian Sorrow Announces Guest Guitarist

Texas based metal act Vesperian Sorrow has issued the following update about Carl August Tidemann making a guest appearance on the band's upcoming album:

"The new Vesperian Sorrow album 'Stormwinds of Ages' will feature guest solos from none other than Carl August Tidemann from Winds/Arcturus fame. Carl has always been a huge influence on myself and the rest of the guys in VS. It was a complete honor for him to be a part of this record and we are all very excited as the first Arcturus album was a huge influence for us. Thanks Carl!"

You can also check out Vesperian Sorrow songs through the band's MySpace page.

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Arckanum Reveals Album Artwork

Sweden's Arckanum has revealed the cover artwork for the band's upcoming album "Sviga Læ." The artwork for the release can be viewed at this location. The track listing for the album is as follows:

1. Lae Elr
2. Gylair Algorir
3. In Folva Felr
4. Goain Eru Blekkt
5. Gramr Girnisk
6. Andskoti Ferr Austan
7. Muspellzheimr Kemr
8. Rok

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Your Demise Posts Album Teaser Online

YOUR DEMISE's brand new album "The Kids We Used To Be..." will be released on September 20th. The band has released a video teaser, which you can check out below. You can also pre-order a special bundle pack including the CD, T-Shirt and a signed poster. "The Kids We Used To Be..." is also available to pre-order from:

iTunes
Play.com
Amazon

Check the teaser video below:

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Sonic Syndicate Updates Tour Schedule

Sweden's Sonic Syndicate is set to embark on the "We Rule The World" European tour, which runs from September to December, with two festival appearances prior to the start of the trek. The band has now announced the following tour dates:

8/28 2010 HELGEÅ FESTIVALEN KNISLINGE, SWEDEN
9/3 2010 ROCK THE LAKE FESTIVAL CARINTHIA, AUSTRIA
9/15 2010 FOLKEN STAVANGER, NORWAY
9/16 2010 Garage Bergen, NORWAY
9/17 2010 BYSCENEN HAUGESUND, NORWAY
9/18 2010 ROCKEFELLER OSLO, NORWAY
9/21 2010 NOSTURI HELSINKI, FINLAND
9/24 2010 ARENA FALUN, SWEDEN
9/25 2010 KLUBBEN / FRYSHUSET STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
10/7 2010 Skylten Linköping, SWEDEN
10/8 2010 TIVOLI HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN
10/9 2010 KB Malmö, SWEDEN
10/15 2010 Brewhouse Göteborg, SWEDEN
10/16 2010 ROCKBAREN KARLSTAD, SWEDEN
10/22 2010 B&B Halmstad, SWEDEN
10/23 2010 The Rock Copenhagen, SWEDEN
10/30 2010 BOLWERK SNEEK, NETHERLANDS
10/31 2010 Mezz Breda, NETHERLANDS
11/2 2010 Batschkapp Frankfurt, GERMANY
11/3 2010 SCHÜÜR LUZERN, SWITZERLAND
11/4 2010 SZENE VIENNA, AUSTRIA
11/5 2010 HONKY TONKY SEREGNO, ITALY
11/6 2010 SIDDARTHA CLUB PRATO, ITALY
11/7 2010 DIE RÖHRE STUTTGART, GERMANY
11/8 2010 KOFMEHL SOLOTURN, SWITZERLAND
11/10 2010 MEPHISTO BARCELONA, SPAIN
11/11 2010 Sala Live Madrid, SPAIN
11/12 2010 AZKENA BILBAO, SPAIN
11/13 2010 LE FERRAILLEUR NANTES, FRANCE
11/16 2010 UNDERGROUND KÖLN, GERMANY
11/17 2010 C-CLUB BERLIN, GERMANY
11/18 2010 MODRA VOPICE PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
11/19 2010 HELLRAISER LEIPZIG, GERMANY
11/20 2010 MATRIX BOCHUM, GERMANY
11/21 2010 LOGO HAMBURG, GERMANY
11/23 2010 5:00PLA FLÈCHE D'O PARIS, FRANCE
11/24 2010 Joiners Southampton, UNITED KINGDOM
11/25 2010 CAVERN EXETER, UNITED KINGDOM
11/26 2010 THE CRYPT HASTINGS, UNITED KINGDOM
11/27 2010 CHINNERY'S SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, UNITED KINGDOM
11/28 2010 ACADEMY 3 BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM
11/30 2010 ACADEMY 2 NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM More...

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Amon Sethis Issues Studio Update

Vocalist Julien Tournoud of French act Amon Sethis has checked in with the following brief studio update:

"Debut studio sessions! Hi all! The group entered the studio this Tuesday, August 17 for recording the first part of 'the seventh dynasty.' 12 tracks will compose this album. The sessions are held well and the sound is magnificent! More info in the coming days."

The album's track listing is as follows:

1. Journey to ancient Egypt (intro)
2. Pyramidion
3. Chosen by Rê
4. AmonSethis
5. The land of slaves
6. The wait
7. Servants of Seth
8. Isis and the breath of life
9. Universal Harmony
10. Horus
11. The pyramid's book
12. The Prophecy

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Lustmord Preparing For Two New Shows

Lustmord will make his second live appearance in 29 years at Unsound Festival 2010 in Krakow, Poland. The show will take place on October 22 in Kino Kijow, a cinema and landmark piece of 60s communist-era architecture in Krakow. Another show is scheduled for Berlin, Germany on October 27, 2010, at Berghain, presented by Club Transmediale in conjunction with Unsound.

Lustmord has been preparing for these shows, creating video backdrops and prepping music. Have a peek at his setup over at his blog.

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Pelican Plans 10 Year Anniversary Box Set

Pelican has announced plans to play two very special shows in celebration of their 10-year anniversary box set, out October 19th on Berlin, Germany’s Viva Hate Records. The elegantly packaged wooden-box set will be limited to a run of 500 copies and will encompass material from their four full-length releases and three EPs.

Pelican will play Chicago’s Bottom Lounge on October 23rd joined by longtime friends and occasional collaborators The Life & Times.

Munster, IN’s Three Floyds Brewery will celebrate the event by unveiling a special, Pelican-dedicated doppelbock (one of the few styles of beer all four band members regularly agree upon). The as-yet-unnamed ale will be served at the Chicago show and at select watering holes and specialty shops around the Chicagoland area for a limited time.

One week after the Chicago appearance, Pelican will join forces with Goatsnake (making a rarer than rare live appearance) on October 30th to play the Troubador in Los Angeles.

To recap, here are the Pelican 10-year anniversary dates:?

10/23 Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge w/ The Life and Times, Swan King
10/30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubador w/ Goatsnake, Nails

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