Metal News for August 5, 2009
Last updated on October 6, 2025 at 2:37 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
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- Spite Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Carcosa (AngelMaker) Premiere New Single & Video
- Agnostic Front Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- Stellar Circuits Premiere New Single & Music Video
33 news articles posted on this day.
Interview
An Interview With Mats From Ereb Altor
Swedish viking doom metal band Ereb Altor is made up of the duo of Mats (Crister Olsson) and Ragnar (Daniel Bryntse), who are both also involved with the doom project Isole. Ereb Altor saw the release of their first full-length album in 2008 titled "By Honour." Mats recently shared his thoughts with me on the band's sound and his plans for Ereb Altor in the future. More...
Castrofate Cancels California Tour Date
New York thrashers Castrofate have issued the following update about canceling their upcoming California tour date:
"Hey California fans! We are very sorry to inform you that our show there on August 21st has been CANCELLED due to very poor communication on the club's part. To all of you from the area who have been sending us messages psyched for the show, we will do what we can to see if we can re-schedule at a different venue, but if not then we will see you next year on tour for our 3rd album which we will be recording in Florida soon with producer JAMES MURPHY (ex-lead guitarist of TESTAMENT and DEATH)."
Castrofate's remaining tour dates are as follows:
8/8 The Brew, Milwaukie, OR
8/15 Dan Electro's, Houston, TX
8/20 The Sterling Hotel, Allentown, PA
8/28 The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
8/29 Don Hill's, NYC
Believe Announces New Album Details
Believe’s third full-length album entitled “This Bread Is Mine” will be released by Metal Mind Productions on 31st August in Europe and 6th October in USA. The band has posted a preview track from the album titled "Darkness" on their MySpace page.
The track listing for "This Bread Is Mine" will be as follows:
1. The Years
2. Tales From Under The Tree
3. Mother
4. And All The Roads
5. Darkness
6. Problems Rise
7. Aa
8. This Bread Is Mine
9. This Is Life
10. Mine
11. Silence
Bonus track (only available on a ltd. CD digipak)
12. T.B.I.M.
Woods Of Ypres Announces Canadian Tour Dates
Woods of Ypres has issued the following announcement about upcoming Canadian tour dates:
"Woods Of Ypres - 'Fuck the Sun!! / The West is the Best! / End of August!' TOUR! WESTERN CANADA TOUR 2009! Really, a dream come true!
"We will have A TON of new merch on hand! New t-shirts, CDs, limited edition vinyl, patches, stickers, stainless steel metallic green booze flasks, etc...!
"We can't wait to rock and black-thrash the West, visit old friends and make new ones, talk, laugh, eat meat (or in Evan's case, delicious prarie vegetables), drink booze (in Bryan's case, energy drinks) and crash...HARD! Only to awake somewhere between the rocky mountains and the plains, to do it all again, every day, for two weeks.
"See you soon!"
The currently confirmed dates are as follows:
8/14 PHOG Lounge (Canada’s 1 Live Music Venue !) Windsor, Ontario
8/15 Annex Wreckroom Toronto, Ontario
8/16 The Speak Easy @ Algoma University Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
8/17 WE NEED A SHOW IN THUNDER BAY! Thunder Bay, Ontario
8/18 The Zoo Winnipeg, Manitoba
8/19 The Exchange Regina, Saskatchewan
8/20 The Space Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
8/21 The Mead Hall Edmonton, Alberta
8/22 The Stetson Calgary, Alberta
8/23 Somewhere Quiet Hangover, Alberta
8/24 The Cobalt Vancouver, British Columbia
8/25 Lucky Bar Victoria, British Columbia
8/27 The Vent Coaldale, Alberta
Guitar Hero: Van Halen Tracklisting Revealed
The full tracklisting for the forthcoming, "Guitar Hero: Van Halen" video game has been revealed and features a huge selection of songs from the rock legends themselves as well as tracks from bands such as Judas Priest, Killswitch Engage and Deep Purple. The game will be released on December 22nd.
The tracklisting is as follows: More...
The Black Dahlia Murder Offers Pre-Order
Metal Blade has announced that upcoming The Black Dahlia Murder album, "Deflorate" is up for an autographed pre-order with a bonus DVD. You can get in on this deal here
Napalm Death Adds Extra European Tour Dates
Napalm Death has added on the following extra European tour dates in August:
07/08 Jaromer – Brutal Assault Festival (Czech Republic)
08/08 Bad Berka - Party San Festival (Germany)
11/08 Frankfurt – Nachtleben (Germany) NEW
12/08 München – Backstage (Germany)
13/08 Wien – Szene (Austria)
14/08 Budapest – Sziget Festival (Hungary)
15/08 Rimini - Rock Planet (Italy)
16/08 Manfredonia - Prospect Chapter Gremium MC (Italy)
Italy's Paganfest Changes Venues
Unleashed has issued the following statement about the upcoming Paganfest 2009 changing venues:
"Warriors !!!
"Please note that there has been a venue change for the PAGANFEST 2009 show in Milan, Italy on the 30th of September. The venue has been changed from Musicdrome to Magazzinni Generali."
The Gathering Posts Tour Video Diary Online
The Gathering has issued the following update about posting a "behind-the-scenes" video clip from their recent trip to Prague for the Sazava Festival:
"We are just back from our trip to Prague where we played at Sazava festival. The festival was outside the city in a little village, really pretty with lots beautiful nature in the surroundings. We had a great time there and the gig went very well! We also had a few days in Prague relaxing and doing some nice walking in the streets of the old town and it all amazed us with it’s beauty and atmosphere! We wanted to share some moments with you so we’ve made a little video from the weekend you can watch here at The Gathering youtube channel."
The clip can be viewed below. More...
Wrath Of The Weak Streaming New Song Online
New York ambient black metal band Wrath of the Weak is currently streaming a new song online titled "Tomorrow Never Knows," which is from the band's most recent EP "Persse." The song can be heard at the Wrath of the Weak MySpace page.
Virus To Release Early Demo
Norwegian metal band Virus has issued the following announcement about their 2000 demo seeing a limited release:
"This fall sees the first official release of Virus' 2000 demo, courtesy of Belgian arthaus Luchtrat. An extremely limited and exclusive edition on 3'cdr in awesome handmade packaging made of wood(!) and cotton/leather. Limited to 66 (cotton) / 6 (leather) copies, this will be one for the collectors!
"More info to come!"
Will Of The Ancients Issues Recording Update
Canadian metallers Will of the Ancients have issued the following recording update:
"Recording is going well so far! We’ve finished all the tempo and scratch tracks and we’re just about ready to begin tracking the drums. The timing for this actually worked out really well since just as we’re finishing up pre-production, we’re also gearing up for our '…And Out Come the Wolves' Eastern Canada tour with Wolven Ancestry. As soon as we return from the tour, with all the songs tightened up and having undergone the rigors of audience-testing, we’re going to become recluses and devote our time to recording the album. We’re absolutely determined to make it sound stunning and can’t wait to get started, but in the meantime we’re really looking forward to the tour. That’s about it for now, but look out for a tour diary starting soon."
Agent Steel Posts Pre-Tour Message
Speed metal legends Agent Steel will be heading out to Europe this friday as part of a tour that includes headlining and festival shows. A message from the band reads as follows:
"This will be a short update as we are ready to depart for the European tour that starts this Friday, August 7th in Leeuwarden.
"We've rehearsed a long set, and a shorter set as well. We added songs to the set that we haven't played in sometime, and some that we've never played live in Europe, so this will be very cool and fun adding some diversity. As for you diehards don't worry... the A.S. classics are still in the set!!!
"We will have new merchandise at all the shows so stop by the merch booth, we've made it a point that we will be hanging out with you all. More...
Eddie Van Halen To Guest In Two And A Half Men
HollywoodInsider.com is reporting:
Look who’s hot for…Two and A Half Men! Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN) will play himself in an episode when the CBS comedy returns Sept. 21, executive producer Chuck Lorre confirmed to EW exclusively. Lorre approached the guitar god - while on his recent honeymoon, no less! – after learning he was a big fan of the sitcom.
“He was gracious enough to do a cameo, which is really cool,” Lorre said.
Van Halen’s scene is expected to tape this week in Burbank, CA. And yes, promises Lorre, Van Halen will play the guitar.
Triptykon To Begin Recording Debut Album
Triptykon, the group formed by Tom Gabriel Warrior after his departure from Celtic Frost in April of 2008, is scheduled to commence studio recording sessions for a first album in mid-August 2009. The album, tentatively titled Eparistera Daimones, will mainly be recorded in southern Germany, with additional recording sessions to take place in Switzerland. Produced by Warrior and Triptykon guitarist V. Santura, the recording and mixing sessions are expected to continue until November 2009. The album is currently scheduled for release in spring of 2010, through the group’s own label, Prowling Death Records (home of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost).
Songs currently under consideration for inclusion on Triptykon's debut album are, among others, "Myopic Empire", "Among Veiled Spirits", "Sepultus", "Abyss Within My Soul", "Goetia", "A Thousand Lies", and the 17-minute "The Prolonging."
Triptykon will follow the release of Eparistera Daimones with a number of festival appearances and a full tour. The group’s onstage debut is scheduled to take place as part of the renowned Roadburn Festival, in April 2010.
OpEd
Heavy Metal Songwriting Tips
In my opinion, metal fans are the most outgoing, proactive and instrument-oriented of all music fans. I've met more than a few fellow metallers who, despite having little to no knowledge about playing an instrument, have managed to produce a rough demo and play a live show on enthusiasm alone, which is neat! Yet when it comes to song writing or music advice for metal fans on the net there is a real lack of information; a true shame. There is a good amount of general songwriting tips out there for anyone who can use Google, but little of it is relevant to a metal head; "Write a simple hook in the chorus! Focus lyrics on universal topics like love!" - Forget it. Unlike some of the members here, I can't consider myself a metal star, but I'm old and gnarled enough to dish out some advice to the young, long-haired masses with a gleam in their eye. More...
Daath Guitarist Recounts Near-Death Experience
In his latest "Jumping Darkness Parade" column on MetalSucks, Daath guitarist Eyal Levi reveals why he had to miss over a week of the band's tour: he was hospitalized with a bad case of pneumonia and came close to death. An excerpt follows:
"For those that don’t know, pneumonia is a danger if you have a broken rib. When your rib is broken, you don’t breathe as deep because it hurts. You aren’t really using your lungs to their fullest. which means that whatever bacteria, fungus, homeless people, or stalker fans that you inhale can just hang out and fester. Well, considering that this was somewhere around twenty five days into one of the most brutal tours of our career, I bet that what was residing in there, growing, wasn’t too good.
"So anyways, they gave me some antibiotics and sent me on my way. I thought I was going to get better. We kept on playing. Hit NYC, played a great show which left me almost unable to speak ’cause I could barely breathe. The next night we played one of the best shows of our career at Jaxx. Things were going straight except that I was feeling worse and worse. Right after Jaxx, it was right back to where it was prior to my Nashville emergency room visit. I was FUCKED UP. Breaking fevers all the time, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t live, etc.
"In Hartford I just couldn’t take it anymore and did the thing I’ve never in my entire time playing shows even considered doing. I called a cab and left the show. Went to the emergency room. Didn’t play the show with the band. I just couldn’t. I felt like such an asshole and so pathetic, but I just couldn’t do it.
"Well, I thought I was going to be in there for a night and they were going to tell me to go home. Boy I was wrong. They admitted me to the hospital and began a week of hell that I wouldn’t wish on anyone except for my worst enemies, and dudes, I do not wish it on you. I’m not going to go into the hospital stay too much, except to say that it sucked ass. I’ve never come that close to dying and I hope to never come that close to dying again. Makes you realize how quickly things can change and how easy it is to go down.
"I was discharged yesterday. I flew home. I’m not healed, I’m not 100 percent, and I’ve got weeks until I am, but I’m going to live and life will go on. Emil and I just signed a deal with Magna Carta records and are going to write an album of guitar music with Sean Reinert from Cynic. That’s on my agenda, and then after that its Europe with DAATH, Unearth, Chimaira, and Throwdown. I can’t wait to do these things. I’m fucking ready."
Read the full article at MetalSucks.net.
Steel Panther To Support ZZ Top for UK Shows
Steel Panther has announced that they will be supporting ZZ Top at the following UK shows:
10/27 - WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL
10/28 - WEMBLEY ARENA
Oh, Sleeper Releases New Song
Oh, Sleeper announced that they released the title track for their upcoming album "Son of the Morning." They plan to release a new song every Tuesday until the album releases August 25. If you buy the album from Interpunk you can get a "sweet," custom made, limited edition broken pentagram necklace.
Hypocrisy Announces Final Track List
Nuclear Blast death metallers Hypocrisy has announced the final tracklist for their upcoming album, "A Taste of Extreme Divinity." The album is slated for release October 23 in Europe and November 3 in the US. Also available will be a Digipak version including the bonus track "The Sinner", a limited 180g vinyl plus bonus 7inch in gatefold and a strictly limited mailorder edition.
The tracklist is as follows:
1. Valley Of The Damned
2. Hang Him High
3. Solar Empire
4. Weed Out The Week
5. No Tomorrow
6. Global Domination
7. Taste The Extreme Divinitiy
8. Alive
9. The Quest
10. Tamed "Filled With Fear"
11. Sky Is Falling Down
Poison The Well Debuts New Video
Solid PR announced today that Poison the Well released a video for "Exist Underground," a song off their latest album "The Tropic Rot." You can watch it after the jump. More...
August Burns Red Announces US Tour
Solid State Band August Burns Red has announced the tour dates for the 2nd leg of their US tour. On tour with them will be The Acacia Strain, Impending Doom, and a "special guest" yet unannounced.
The following dates go on sale 8/7/09:
Sep 5 -- Frenchtown, NJ Revalation Generation Festival
Sep 17 -- Denver, CO Cerventes
Sep 18 -- Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Sep 19 -- Boise, ID The Venue
Sep 20 -- Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater
Sep 21 -- Seattle, WA El Corazon
Sep 23 -- Orangevale, CA Club Retro
Sep 25 -- Rio Rancho, CA The Ozone
Sep 26 -- Lubbock, TX Jake's Sports Cafe
Sep 27 -- San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
Sep 28 -- McAllen, TX The Incubator
Sep 30 -- New Orleans, LA The High Ground
Oct 1 -- Birmingham, AL Matthews Bar & Grill
Oct 2 -- Nashville, TN Rockettown
Oct 3 -- Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
Oct 4 -- St Petersburg, FL State Theater
Oct 5 -- Jacksonville, FL Edge 17
Oct 7 -- Charlotte, NC Amos' Southend
Oct 8 -- Charleston, SC Music Farm
Oct 9 -- Richmond, VA The National
Oct 10 -- Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock
Oct 11 -- Columbus, OH Skully's
Oct 12 -- Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theater
Oct 13 -- Montreal QC Club Soda
Oct 14 -- Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall
Oct 15 -- Albany, NY Northern Lights
Oct 16 -- Worcester, MA The Palladium (Downstairs)
Oct 17 -- Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon
Oct 18 -- New York, NY The Fillmore NY @ Irving
Arch Enemy Issues Festival Recaps
Arch Enemy has issued the following road report about their recent performances at the UniRock and Prorock Festivals (live footage from the festivals can also be found below):
"UniRock Istanbul and ProRock Kiev recap! 17-July-2009 @ Uni Rock Festival, Istanbul (Turkey)?, 18-July-2009 @ Prorock Festival- Kiev (Ukraine)
"Istanbul – walking a fine line between freedom of choice and - its government.. still.. I mean, we had a fantastic time in Istanbul. Such a diverse and rich culture on display. Really nice people. Friendly. Helpful. Metal fans all over the place. One really gets the impression people are free here to express themselves.. Until you get to read this – which obviously happened at the day of our show. Metal kids were throwing the devil horns and got arrested for it. But even their poor prime minister will not stop them from being rebels – They are growing up with the right attitude;-) More...
In Flames Announces Taste Of Chaos 2009 Tour
In Flames has issued the following statement about an upcoming tour alongside Killswitch Engage:
"We are VERY proud to announce the Rockstar Energy Drink TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR 2009 featuring IN FLAMES & Killswitch Engage (Support and more bands TBC) (Please note that Killswitch Engage headline UK dates (*) and In Flames German dates)
"After the amazing European Tour last year and the festivals this summer we are very excited to come back out and play live for you! These are possibly the last In Flames shows for a while, so be prepared for an awesome night! We're stoked about being part of this tour with so many great bands. You are all invited to a taste of chaos. More IN FLAMES live dates to be announced very soon."
11/27* Glasgow Academy UK
11/28* Bristol Academy UK
11/30* Newcastle Academy UK
12/1* Birmingham Academy UK
12/2* Manchester Academy UK
12/3* London Hammersmith Apollo UK
12/6 Berlin Columbiahalle GER
12/7 Wiesbaden Rhein – Main Halle GER
12/8 Munich Zenith GER
12/9 Oberhausen Turbinehalle GER
Cradle Of Filth Issues Tour Report
Cradle Of Filth front man Dani Filth has issued the following update about the band's recent and upcoming activities:
"Greetings from the pearl and poo-strewn gutters of heaven!
"First things first then. The long Summer months are finally upon us and here in the rustic backwaters of England they have brought with them some surprisingly hot weather, that is of course unless I decide to wash my car and then, lo and behold, the rain clouds come amassing just like they did minutes before the band played at Sonisphere in Sweden recently. And just like they did in Oz. And in Finland. And, and, and. More on this in good time...
"Well, finally The Gospel Of Filth is finished and the really, really special edition is now available for pre-order via the site. Just click on the 'Gospel' link to access it from either our myspace or our main website page. More...
Emmure Confirmed For End Of Days Festival
Emmure has been confirmed for the End Of Days Festival, which will take place on August 30th at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California. The other confirmed bands for the festival include Suicide Silence, Stick To Your Guns, For Today, and Oceano.
Futures End Issues Band Update
Futures End has issued the following announcement about gearing up for their ProgPower USA Festival appearance:
"We had talked with monster keyzman Michael T. Ross about joining the Futures End camp. Michael is currently on tour in Europe with Lita Ford and it just didnt work out logistically to have him on the road with us for Progpower USA, unfortunately. So today Jon Allen and Marc Pattison are working out the backing tracks that we will be using for the live shows until we can get Michael on board.
"We talked about it, and want to be able to deliver live the same experience that you hear on the record. We took a little shit about it from some people, but if you go see Queensryche, Iron Maiden, or any number of acts on the road out there you will hear keyboard pads and sampled backing vocals that are not being performed live. So fuck it, it will sound killer.
"The people at Nady Wireless Systems will be helping us out with the in-ear monitors that we need to be sure we are all playing tightly with each other and with our keyboard tracks. I promise you, we will sound killer!
"More guitar practice tonight for Marc and me as we get our shiz nailed down for the return of our rythm section from the Sadus European tour!"
Killswitch Engage Announces Long Island Show
Killswitch Engage has issued the following announcement about a Long Island show on August 29th:
"We proudly announce Killswitch Engage at the Bay Stage at Jones Beach in Long Island New York on 8/29!
"2 Stages! Doors at 5pm! Unearth, Very Special Guests... VISION OF DISORDER, and All That Remains and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE on the Main Stage. The Plaza Stage will have 3 locals tba.
"Tickets go on sale Friday. Members of Take This Oath can purchase tickets today! You can check out set times for the bands below!"
MAIN STAGE
Unearth – 6:35 to 7:05
Vision of Disorder – 7:20 to 8:00
All That Remains – 8:15 to 8:55
Killswitch Engage – 9:20 to 10:30PM
PLAZA STAGE – Band’s TBA
5:05-5:25
5:40-6:00
6:15 – 6:35
Leaves' Eyes Announces "Njord" Limited Edition
Leaves' Eyes has issued the following announcement about their upcoming album "Njord" being released as a special edition that includes a Viking long ship model:
"Dear LEAVES' EYES Fans,
"The new album 'Njord' will be available as a very special edition, too.
"Strictly Limited to 500 Copies. Deluxe Box Set cont. a Premium Viking Longship Model ( 31,5 cm long x 28 cm high x 22 cm wide with an approximate weight of 0.65 K) with the Leaves' Eyes Logo on the Sail and the Ltd Ed Digipack CD incl. 2 Bonus Tracks plus an Extra Sticker."
Testament Posts Wacken Festival Photographs
Testament has posted a series of photographs online from their performance at the 2009 Wacken Festival in Germany. The photos can be found here.
Voodoo Six Issues New Album Update
London rockers Voodoo Six have issued the following announcement about an upcoming album:
"So Mike Fraser is mixing the first half of the album this week, he will finish the rest first week of September. Remember this is the guy who has mixed AC/DC, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, The Cult, Aerosmith and the list goes on.
"We are really excited about the new songs, can't wait to air them to the World!! Not too much longer to wait now........."
Chthonic Announces U.S. Headlining Off-Dates
Chthonic has announced five off-dates on the upcoming U.S. tour with Satyicon. Headlining dates are as follows:
Sept. 23 West Springfield, VA - JAXX
Sept. 27 Pleasants Louisville, KY - Uncle
Oct. 04 Tulsa, OK - Marquee
Oct. 10 Wichita, KS - OZ CAFE
Oct. 22 Rochester, NY - Penny Arcade
A list of tour dates with Satyricon can be found at this location.
Shadowblade Working on New Album
Jasio Kulakowski, of Edmonton's Shadowblade, has checked in with the following update:
"So if anyone's curious what's been going on musicwise with this band, the answer is I've just been taking my sweet time writing a new album this year. For now I've recorded a demo of one of my new songs for some personal reasons, but also to give the general public some heads up as to what I've been doing with my time!
"If time allows me I'll have a few more demos up within the next couple months, so visit back when you get the chance. For now 'Beijing Sunrise' is on our page to check out. There's some faster songs coming up, but this one was a little more personal to me and I wanted the music to reflect the tracks purpose as much as possible, this included its nice swaying tempo :) I still tried to keep it heavy somewhat ;)
"I've also enabled downloading of that (and all the others for that matter...) track, so if you can figure out how to do it with myspace than feel free to download the songs. If it doesnt work and you want an mp3 just shoot me a message here via myspace with an email."
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: