Metal News for August 4, 2004
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
- Trivium Parts Company With Drummer
- 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
26 news articles posted on this day.
Former Gorgasm Members Form Depths of Agony
Former Gorgasm members have start new band called "Depths of Agony". The band features Tom Tangalos, Russ Powell and Derek Hoffman. The band was formed in May 2004 when Derek left Fleshgrind and Tom left Gorgasm. Seven songs have been written already and the band plans to enter the studio very soon.
Wacken 2004 To Be Broadcasted Over The Internet
The organizers of the Wacken Open Air festival and Armageddon Music have teamed up with Hardy TV to bring ALL 72 HOURS of this year's festivals into every discerning metalhead's home.
Starting from Thursday, August 5 at 3:00 PM CET you will be able to view the live shows from the True Metal, Black Metal, Party and Wet Stages, the Jim Beam Stage and the beer garden. Interviews, metal news and footage from the VIP and backstage areas will also be seen online. Viewers will also be offered a look at the festival grounds, the camping area, the meet & greets, and be able to accompany the bands to the stage. The latest video clips from the bands on this year's W:O:A bill will also be presented.
For more information, go here.
Be aware that costs DO apply and are broken down as follows:
24 hours – 5 Euros, $6.02 American, $8.02 Canadian (+ billing fees)
48 hours – 8 Euros, $9.64 American, $12.83 Canadian (+ billing fees)
72 hours – 10 Euros, $12.04 American, $16.03 Canadian (+ billing fees)
Thyrane Name New Session Drummer
Finland's Thyrane have posted this message on their official website:
Again our session drummer has been changed. Kristonic a.k.a. T. Kristian (Yearning, Saattue, Carcase Inc.) is with us again. We´ve also considered him as a permanent drummer from now on, so maybe you´ll hear him on our next studio album. Studio has not been reserved yet but 8 songs are waiting for it. A sample or two of the demo versions may appear to thyrane.org some day. Semmosta.
King Diamond Refutes Rumours Regarding His Health
King Diamond has posted this message on his official website:
A lot of rumours (as usual) have been going on since we've learned that the European King Diamond Tour has been postponed. One of the more ridiculous ones we've heard was the one that King's health is very poor. This is absolutely NOT TRUE.
The ONLY reason for postponement of the Euro-Tour, is that my immigration/naturalization process with the US-government is taking longer than expected, and this procedure prevents me from leaving the country. I already missed the first test, and had to reschedule it, due to being on tour last November. This rescheduled test has still not taken place, and if I, for some reason, miss it, I will have to start the whole procedure all over again.
The reason for this taking so long, is probably because of all the extra precautions and checks the US-government has to take in these times of TERRORISM.
So.... in order to not waste any time, songwriting for the next King- album will start in a couple of weeks, and if everything goes without any problems, we might have the music recorded right before X-mas. Vocals would then be put down in January, and then who knows what? Mix the album? Tour? Where? That I can't see in my crystal ball. BUT, one thing is for sure, a European tour should happen next year. Until then, I hope the fans will enjoy the double LIVE-album.
By the way, my health is excellent!
King
Novembers Doom Enlist Dan Swano For New Album
Chicago's Novembers Doom have enlisted the services of Swedish producer/musician Dan Swanö (Bloodbath, Edge of Sanity, NIghtingale) for the final mix of the band's upcoming album, "The Pale Haunt Departure." Here is the official statement from the band's website:
We are proud to announce that we will be utilizing the enormous talent of Dan Swano for the final mix of "The Pale Haunt Departure." Dan Swano needs no introduction, but for those living under a rock for the past decade, Dan has been involved with some of the most influential and important metal bands of the genre. Only to name a few, bands such as Opeth, Katatonia, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Edge of Sanity, and Dissection have all been a part of the Swano legacy. The entire band being long time fans of Swano's, makes this an incredible opportunity for us and we believe this will not only a perfect choice for our music, but a true gift for our fans, as well as fans of Swano's work.
Recording is scheduled to begin on October 9th, and mixing with Dan should begin in late October / early November.
Judas Priest Live Review And Photos Posted Online
Judas Priest's official website has posted a new live review from the band's recent Ozzfest appearance at San Francisco's Shoreline Amphitheater on July 29. In addition, there are also some photos from the band's performance at the Idaho Centre Amphitheatre in Nampa, ID. Check out the review and photos here.
Best Buy - Tons of Metal On Sale
I just went over to Bestbuy.com to check out the price of Evergreen Terrace's latest CD and noticed they have tons of metal on sale there.
- All Relapse Records releases are on sale from $3.99 to $11.99 (includes new Dillinger Escape Plan and Mastodon among others)
- All Century Media titles are $9.99 or less (including Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall, Arch Enemy, God Forbid and many others)
- CDs from Tooth & Nail Records are $7.99 (including Zao, MXPX, Demon Hunter, Project 86, Underoath, Mae and many others)
There's no telling how long this promotion has been going on or will last, so head over and check it out now.
Beatallica To Open For Dream Theater
Beatallica has postponed the show at the Cubbybear Lincolnshire this Friday. The band "definitely wants to play in Chicago again soon". On the positive side, Beatallica was invited by Mike Portnoy to open for Dream Theater on Sunday, September 5 at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, WI.
Soulfly, Crisis and Ill Nino Tour Dates
The Soulfly, Crisis and Ill Nino tour kicked off today in Spokane Washington. The rest of the dates are as follows:
8/4 - Spokane, WA - Big Easy Concert House
8/5 - Seattle, WA - Graceland
8/6 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
8/7 - Sacramento, CA - The Colonial Theatre
8/8 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
8/10 - San Diego, CA - Cane's Bar & Grill
8/11 - W.Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
8/12 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
8/13 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
8/15 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theater
8/17 - El Paso, TX - Club Xcape
8/18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
8/19 - Moore, OK - Diamond Ballroom
8/20 - Austin, TX - The Backroom
8/21 - Corpus Christi, TX - The Pavilion
8/22 - McAllen, TX - La Villa Real
8/24 - Houston, TX - Meridian
8/25 - Ft. Worth, TX -Ridglea Theatre
8/26 - Springfield, MO - Rockwell
8/27 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont
8/28 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
8/29 - Urbana, IL - Canopy Club
8/31 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Pieres
9/2 - Minneapolis, MN - Quest Club
9/3 - Milwaukee, WI - The Eagles Club
9/4 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
9/5 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theatre
9/8 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
9/9 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
9/10 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
9/11 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza (tba)
9/12 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
9/12 - Philadelphia, PA -Theatre of the Living Arts
9/15 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
9/16 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
9/17 - Slayerville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Crisis' video "Blood Burden" (Low / High) currently getting aiplay on MTV2 "Headbangers Ball" and other regional outlets. You can download an mp3 of the song here. Crisis is also planning to release a DVD on October '04.
Watch 12 Stones' Video For 'Far Away'
12 Stones are out with the video to their new single 'Far Away', off their forthcoming album 'Potter's Field', due August 24th. Watch it online at 12Stones.com.
Darkthrone's Singer Comments On Upcoming Live Gig
DARKTHRONE, as a compact ensemble, has not graced a stage since 1996. With brand new album Sardonic Wrath ready for next month's release,Darkthrone's Nocturno Culto will make a special appearance at Wacken this Saturday (August 7th), joining SATYRICON for an unprecedented half hour showcase of Darkthrone classics.
"Four years in a row, Wacken has asked us to headline," comments Nocturno Culto. "And four years in a row, we have turned their request down. It would have been too much for me and Fenriz to get a whole band together for one gig. The joint show with Satyricon is a more accessible format so we finally accepted. Plus, Wacken is a good festival and well organised. This would be a great opportunity to perform to a large audience and spread hatred for the human kind, especially the religious ones."
An alliance of titanic proportions for the genre, the Satyricon/Darkthrone joint show at Wacken will be a historical event and the last of its kind. "Anyone who knows their black metal is aware of Darkthrone's policy of not playing live," comments Satyricon's driving force, Satyr. "They've decided to do this special event and asked us to be a part of it and that is, of course, a great honour. We're also glad that this historical event has the approval of Fenriz and Zephyrous. Bonds between Satyricon and Darkthrone have always been extremely tight and this is a great way of showing it.”
As to whether a show of such proportions could produce pressure, Nocturno Culto replied, "It's a mixed bag. The ideal thing for me would be to fly by helicopter just before I am due to go on stage and then press an eject button to get myself back on the same helicopter right after the gig."
This, however, will not be the last live appearance by the guitarist/vocalist. "Even if Darkthrone are not actively playing live," conclude Nocturno Culto. "I will join another band or something in the future. We just have to see what happens."
Satyricon will kick off Saturday's headline show on Saturday, 7th August at midnight.
Darkthrone's new album, Sardonic Wrath, is out on September 6th.
Amon Amarth Cancel Scandinavian Tour
Swedish Viking metallers AMON AMARTH have announced on their official website they were forced to cancel the Scandinavian tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE:
"We regret to announce that we've decided to cancel our participation in the Scandinavian tour supporting Cannibal Corpse. It was economically impossible for us to complete the tour due to extremely high expenses surrounding the travelling arrangements. We are of course very sad that this didn't work out, but hope to be back touring Scandinavia sometime in the near future.
For the third time in the bands career we're performing at Wacken Open Air this coming weekend. We'll be playing on the Black Stage at 2:00 am Friday night (or Saturday morning if you will). We're really looking forward to the show, and hope to see all of you up front bangning your heads!
Many people have asked about the Death In Fire video, and want us to put it up on the webpage. Well good news, finally we recieved a copy of it and will within the next couple of weeks put it on the webpage. Keep an eye out for updates under Video-section.
Cheers!"
Trail Of Tears Name New Album, Reveal Tracklisting
Norwegian Gothic/Doom metallers TRAIL OF TEARS have posted the following update on their ofiicial website:
"The title of the new album will be "Free Fall Into Fear"
It will contain the following songs (in random order): The Architect of my Downfall, Joyless Trance of Winter, Drink Away the Demons, Point Zero, Dry Well of Life, The Face of Jealousy, Carrier of the Scars of Life, Watch You Fall, Frail Expectation, Cold Hand of Retribution.
The album is due to be released in October by Napalm Records."
As previously reported, TRAIL OF TEARS will be touring Europe together with their Scandinavian mates THERION and TRISTANIA. Confirmed dates include:
More...
Chimaira Announce Split With Ex-Soilwork Drummer
Chimaira have parted ways with drummer Ricky Evensand and have replaced him with Kevin Talley. There are many reasons for the split most of which have to do with visa issues. Chimaira kick off the Road Rage tour tomorrow night in their home town Cleveland and are excited to have Kevin behind the kit.
W.A.S.P. Announces Date For "The Neon God Part II"
W.A.S.P.’s "The Neon God Part II" will be released in Europe through Noise Records on September 20th. More details on the release will be announced as they become available.
Upcoming W.A.S.P. dates in support of "The Neon God Pt. 1 - The Rise" are as follows: More...
Vader Post New Album Cover & Details
The newest record "The Beast" is ready to be released. Many people who have heard the album describe it as the best work in Vader's entire discography. Now take a look at the album cover. On 31st of August the first single from the album entitled "Beware The Beast" will be released, attached to 4/2004 issue of Thrash'em All. The single contains 2 brand new cuts, report from the studio and a video. On 20th of August Vader kick off another tournee, consisting of 3 festivals in Germany and 15 dates in Scandinavia "InVaders In The North Tour 2004." A new t-shirt pattern will be available exclusively during the tournee. Scandinavian fans will also hear on live one of the leading tracks from the upcoming album "Dark Transmission." More info will follow soon.
Cryptopsy Announce Canadian Tour Dates
BW&BK is proud to present Cryptopsy's 2004 Canadian Tour. Dates are as follows:
September
7 - Barrie, ON - Foundation
8 - Sudbury, ON - TBA (w/ Bloodshoteye, Meatlocker Seven)
10 - Thunder Bay, ON - Apollo (w/ Bloodshoteye)
11 - Winnipeg, MB - The Zoo (w/ Bloodshoteye)
13 - Saskatoon, SK - TBA (w/ Bloodshoteye)
14 - Regina, SK - TBA (w/ Bloodshoteye)
16 - Calgary, AB - Machine Club (w/ Bloodshoteye)
17 - Edmonton, AB - Starlight Room (w/ Bloodshoteye)
18 - Lethbrige, AB - Starlight Lounge (w/ Bloodshoteye)
20 - Prince George, BC - TBA (w/ Bloodshoteye)
21 - Vancouver, BC - Brickyard (w/ Bloodshoteye, Meatlocker Seven)
22 - Victoria, BC - Upstairs Cabaret (w/ Bloodshoteye, Meatlocker Seven)
23 - Kamloops, BC - TBA (w/ Bloodshoteye, Meatlocker Seven)
25 - Winnipeg, MB - The Zoo (w/ Bloodshoteye, Meatlocker Seven) More...
Extol Record New Album
News taken from the Extol website:
On Monday, the 2nd of August, we entered Toproom Studio to record our fourth full-length album, bearing the work-title "Gloriana." As many of you may know, this is the same studio we used for Synergy and so we're once again looking forward to working with Herr Børge Finstad. The new material demands a different sound approach than the detailed Synergy concept. In order to create a heavier and more atmospheric Extol sound, we will bring the recorded material from Toproom to Antfarm Studio (the Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Hatesphere) in Aarhus, Denmark to mix it there. We will do our best to keep you updated on the recording-process the next couple of weeks, posting pictures and news on the Extol website.
We are aware that many of you have been dying to know who the new guitarists are. Well...you have not been waiting in vain, but we ask you to have just a little more patience with us. Complete line-up and brand new band pictures will be revealed shortly after the New York photo-shoot. We promise!
-Peter, David and John-
Therion Members Form New Side Project
Good news from Nuclear Blast web page: Niemann brothers along with Christofer Johnsson on vocals finally released on July 26th their new project called Demonoid - "Riders Of The Apocalypse."
In fact, Demonoid is nothing else but a project that features Therion members Christofer Johnsson and Kristian Niemann, Johan Niemann and former Chimaira drummer Rickard Evensand. Influenced by Old School Death and Thrash, the band plays solid, aggressive and pushing metal – a feast for every headbanger who's into brutal and violent sounds. So don't expect bombastic Therion-like meta, but a true Death massacre. The musical concept of Demonoid is not symphonic metal like Therion. In fact the band strived to go back in time and create a fresh and challenging combination of basically old school Death and violent Thrash Metal elements, also mingled with a touch of modern Black Metal. Both Kristian and Johan have gotten into the more brutal forms of metal quite lately and some of their references are Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, while Christofer – having been the growler of Therion in earlier days – has extended knowledge of the thrash and death scene from late 80’s and early 90’s. Thus bands like Slayer and Bathory, as well as all the Old School Death Metal bands from those the early times rank among his main references. Those facts create a very interesting combination, featuring Kristian’s more than excellent guitar work, Christofer’s by far best vocal performances up to now, Richard’s technical drumming and Johan’s pounding bass lines.
Most of the music was written by Kristian and Johan, some minor help came from Christofer. As the captain of this ship, Kristian has been the main person responsible with arranging the songs and also doing most of the recordings in Therion's very own "Modern Art" studio.
The lyrical concept was created by Christofer: A story which is partly fantasy and partly based on theological and historical elements. It circles around the biblical characters, "The Riders Of The Apocalypse."
On Nuclear Blast site you could also listen to an audio clip online.
More info here.
New Arckanum Album Out Now
The new Arckanum album "Kaos Svarta Mar" (Split with Svartsym) is already out through Carnal Records. Some sound clips are avaible on the Arckanum website (http://www.arckanum.se/alzkyns.htm).
The songs are as follows:
Hæxhamar (Witchhammer)
Eldkniver (The Flaming Sword)
Ætergap (The Venomous Jaws)
Frana (Resurrection)
Spitælsker (Leprous)
You can check the artwork at www.arckanum.se/kaossvartamar1.htm.
Angizia Work On New Album
Angizia are mixing the 3rd and last chapter of their upcoming album "Ein Toter fährt gern Ringelspiel." The album is to be released in autumn 2004 and will be limited to 1000 copies only.
Manegarm Set Release Date For Upcoming CDs
The Swedish vikings Månegarm are going to release two new cds: The first, "Vargaresa (Wolf Journey) - The Beginning," is coming out on November 28. This consists of the 2 demos, "Vargaresa" and "Ur Nattvindar" (From the Winds of Night). The other cd will be their 4th album, called "Vredens Tid" (The Age of Wrath) that will come out on April 28, 2005.
News From Obituary's John Tardy
"Wow! I can’t believe that this site is actually working! First off, thank you for your patience. If you have been waiting for me sorry it took a little while. I have been learning as I go along and, even though I have had fun, it has been a lot of work. I would like to thank Paul Poyntz and Trevor Peres for all their help. You guys rule! Trevor designed our other Official Web Site: slowlywerot.net. Don’t ask why we have two websites. We just do because we want to. Keep on checking in with us because I have a lot of plans for this site and it will keep changing and updating with the more I learn about Web Design.
Secondly, it feels really good to be back writing new music and playing some shows here and there. We are playing only a few shows right now until the new CD is done. We hope to be recording it near the end of the year and hope for a release sometime early 2005! The shows we are playing are really fun for us because we are playing a lot of old songs we normally don’t play live as well as some other stuff. Hopefully we will see you on the road so you can see what I mean.
I am not one to go on for too long, but I just want to say thank you to all of you for the support over the years and we hope to see you out on the road.. Please keep in touch at fans@obituary.cc. We try to answer as many emails as we can but occasionally the mailbox gets filled up. If this happens please try again some other time and we will do our best to keep up because we would really like to hear from you.
Thank you"
John Tardy
Veni Domine Announce Album Release Date
The Swedish progressive doomers are back with a new album called "IIII - The Album of Labour." The release date is set as August 11 through Rivel Records.
You can see the cover art here and hear some sound clips here.
Darkthrone Launch Their Own Label
Peaceville Records is extremely proud to announce a new collaboration with the Darkthrone members.
Following a road trip of English and Scottish medieval castles last year with the Peaceville crew, the two members of Darkthrone - Nocturno Culto and Fenriz - expressed an ambition to expand Darkthrone operations outside of the usual "album a year" format. With a keen musical ear and excellent positioning within the scene it seemed obvious that one way forward would be to launch their own designer label. Given that they don't have the time to run it on a day-to-day basis, the union with Peaceville was an obvious choice.
So, here we are, the label is set up and a signing has been made - Norway's Aura Noir.
Their label debut "The Merciless" (CDTyrant1) is a speedy head rush of old school thrash metal. The riffing will get under your skin and stay there.
Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone has this to say about the label:
Tyrant Syndicate Productions is a result of a collaboration with Peaceville on the one hand and Fenriz and myself on the other. The general running of the label has fallen on me, mostly as I'm much more involved in technology than Fenriz, and besides, I want to do it. When the Peaceville people were interested in setting up a label for us, our mind began to circle around what to do with what can be called our extended music-related freedom, and we soon had a plan.
We are aiming for exclusive releases only. We want high-credibility underground bands, both known and unknown. Time is working FOR US now, and we have all the time in the world. Tyrant Syndicate Prod. will prove to the metal community that we have the ability to release what is supreme metal. The first band we have signed is Aura Noir from Oslo, with their new album "The Merciless". This masterpiece will be an indication on the quality-level we are aiming for, and therefore it's our responsibility to follow things up after this release. Since our releases go through the usually Peaceville channels, the result will be a high-quality, well-distributed product that will have great impact wherever you can get these products. And luckily, there are still loads of great metal-acts left in the world....
Nocturno Culto
President, Tyrant Syndicate
The label is currently in the process of setting up their own PO BOX for demo submissions. An announcement will be made in one month’s time with the address.
Cult Of Luna Announces New Album Details
Cult Of Luna have confirmed that the band's brand new album is entitled 'Salvation'. This, the bands third album, follows on from the critically acclaimed 'The Beyond,' and is due to be released on Monday 4th October 2004.
Recorded again at the famous Tonteknik Studios in Sweden and produced by Magnus Lindberg, the album is described by guitarist Johannes Persson as "a natural progression for the band, but we hope it will appeal to a much broader audience than the previous two releases, as the tracks are much more melody-based, having Anders in the band has allowed us to use fewer samples this time and has meant our musical skills have improved immensely so we can push our music forward!"
Persson continues; "Salvation is definitely a heavy album, but we have learnt that you don't need 100 guitars to be heavy, we've been much more diverse in our use of sounds, they have more depth this time - fewer walls of sound and more soundscapes! In keeping with Cult of Luna tradition 'Salvation' will not be a short affair, as Persson explains that "one problem we have is that we have one song to many! You can only fit 74 minutes on a CD so we're having to cut one song off!"
If you saw Cult of Luna on any of their UK and European tours last year then you will have already heard one of the tracks to be included on "Salvation" - their set ender, the 13 minute epic "Waiting For You."
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: