Metal News for August 6, 2004
Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 12:08 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
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- 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
33 news articles posted on this day.
Korn Guitarist Confirms Plans For Cover Album
KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer took time out during Tuesday's (August 3) Projekt Revolution stop in Camden, New Jersey, to discuss which cover songs will appear on the band's upcoming "best of" album, "Greatest Hits: Volume One". "We're gonna put [CAMEO's] 'Word Up' on the record, and also we did a version of 'Another Brick In The Wall' by PINK FLOYD," the guitarist told Launch Radio Networks. "We recorded NINE INCH NAILS' song 'Head Like A Hole', we did FAITH NO MORE, 'We Care A Lot', a PSYCHEDELIC FURS song, which I personally, I thought it's better than 'Word Up', but the democracy thing has to play in a decision like that. It's 'Love My Way', I think. It's really good."
Munky also confirmed that the band will release a full-length collection of cover tunes at some point. "Yeah, we're gonna actually, probably record about three or four more," he said. "And we wanna do something that's early metal, two or three, and just really make 'em sound huge. So yeah, we're gonna do that later on and release it as an album."
"Greatest Hits: Volume One" is due for release on October 12.
Megadeth's Mustaine Files Counter Suit vs Ellefson
Billboard.biz is reporting that MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has filed a counter lawsuit against former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson alleging that Ellefson on May 14 executed a settlement agreement in which he gave up his 20% interest in MEGADETH. Mustaine maintains that the settlement — which Ellefson alleges was signed under pressure and ultimately withdrawn — released Mustaine from all claims.
Mustaine's suit, which seeks damages to be determined, was filed in response to Ellefson's original action, filed July 12 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which alleges that co-founding guitarist David Mustaine breached their long-running partnership agreement. He claims Mustaine wrongfully took the lion's share of the band's gross income (estimated at more than $200 million since 1984) for himself and cut Ellefson out of the band's music publishing and merchandise revenues.
Ellefson also says that Mustaine libeled him in an online posting. The bassist is seeking at least $18.5 million in damages.
Morbid Angel Frontman Clarifies S. American Tour
MORBID ANGEL bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker has clarified the reasons for the second and latest postponement of the group's South American tour. Says Tucker: "It is true that the tour was cancelled due to me and my health. What was thought initially to be a panic/anxiety attack indeed was not. It is in fact an infection in my lungs, thought to be due to my excessive travel and the variety of weather and environments that I endure in these travels. This is part of being in a touring band and cannot be avoided. I have been advised not to travel for some period of time, and to stay home relax to let my lungs clear. This is very unfortunate for both the fans and the band alike. We were looking forward to doing the Mexican, South American tour. I apologize for any inconvenience for the fans and the promoters, as well as to my bandmates."
The rescheduled South American dates are as follows:
Sep. 04 - Monterrey, N.L., MEX - Cafe Iguana
Sep. 05 - Mexico City, MEX - Arena Lopez Mateos Tlalnepantla
Sep. 07 - Santiago de Chile, CHL - Teatro Providencia -cupo limitado
Sep. 10 - Bogota, COL - Venue TBA
Headline News
Satan Perform Live For First Time In 20 Years
A bunch of photos from legendary NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band SATAN's one-off reunion show Friday (August 6) at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have been posted online at this location (courtesy of Germany's Bright-Eyes.de).
SATAN's classic "Court In The Act" lineup (including BLITZKRIEG singer Brian Ross and SKYCLAD's Graeme English and Steve Ramsey) performed together at Wacken for the first time since 1984. A live recording from the group's early days, entitled "Live in the Act", is tentatively scheduled to be released later in the year.
In related news, BLIND FURY's only album, "Out of Reach" (1985), was re-released by Majestic Rock in early June. BLIND FURY was essentially SATAN with a different singer (Lou Taylor - vocals, Steve Ramsey - guitar, Russ Tippins - guitar, Graeme English - bass, Sean Taylor - drums).
Finch: We Do Not Promote Or Condone Violence
FINCH have posted a statement on their official web site dismissing accusations from the DISTURBED camp that they were responsible for starting a between the two bands at last weekend's Rolling Rock Town Fair in Latrobe, PA. "We are tired of discussing it, the entire thing was a misunderstanding and we would like to put it behind us," they write. "Anything you've heard about FINCH or members of FINCH's family pushing a woman or a child are completely FALSE and we're appalled that anyone would suggest something so horrible. The members of FINCH do not promote or condone violence and we hope our fans feel the same way. We do not want any animosity between our fans and DISTURBED, nor do we want any more incidents like the one this weekend. Thank you."
Dark Tranquillity Premiere New Songs At Busan Rock
Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY premiered two brand-new songs — "Through Mud Eyes/Lens" and "Blunt Force" — during their appearance at the fourth annual Busan Rock Festival on Friday August 6) in Busan, South Korea.
According to one concert attendee, "DARK TRANQUILLITY did a cool thing. When the Korean record company officials wanted to close the line for autographs, they refused. The band's manager (big guy/tubby with long hair, a beard and a DT girlie t-shirt — a site to behold!) convinced the Busan Rock employee to keep the line open. Sadly, a whole bunch of people were directed to the tour bus. I tried to explain that the line re-opened. Hopefully, a few people understood."
DARK TRANQUILLITY have completed recording and mixing their new album, tentatively due later in the year.
Soulfly, Ill Nino Confirmed For Window Rock Fest
Soulfly have been confirmed as the headliners of "Window Rock Fest II" on August 14, 2004 in Window Rock, Arizona. Dubbed the largest metal music festival on Native American Soil, the one-day event will feature performances by 34 bands of hardcore, rock, punk, and blues music on three stages, a rave with DJ Abel, A skateboarding and bike competition, and main stage MCed by The Lizardman. Direct support at the festival will come from Ill Nino, with additional performances by Death Angel and Crisis. They will all be supported by 21 of the best Navajo/Native American metal/punk bands around, and some of the best bands from the southwest.
The main stage will be MCed by The Lizardman, described as "one of the most complete sideshow performers in history." In addition to his unique physical transformation, he has mastered an incredible repertoire of unusual acts and skills. He and his stage partner, Scott, combine these skills with extensive and diverse experience in live performance to create one of a kind show for all occasions.
On the main stage will be an exhibition by Fireblood, a team of body modification experts that use the art of suspension, piercing the flesh with hooks and being hoisted up in the air by wires attached to the hooks, in their act. There will also be an amateur skateboarding and bike competition by Tsosie Shindig in the Gorman Hall, which will be turned into the savage skateboarding and bike pavilion.
After the competition is completed and the bands performing on the third stage are finished, then DJ Abel will take over with his own brand of DJing for the rave, which will last until the closing of the event at 2:00 am.
Parts of the proceeds are going to the development of a skateboarding park for the youth of the Navajo Nation, which will be planned for the Window Rock area.
To/Die/For Begin Recording New Album
Finnish goth-metallers To/Die/For are expected to enter Sonicimage studios in Kouvola, Finland soon to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in early 2005 through Spinefarm Records.
The current To/Die/For lineup once again features vocalist Jape Perätalo, who allegedly decided to reclaim the T/D/F name for his Tiaga project after being offered a record deal by Spinefarm Records. Joining Perätalo in the new To/Die/For formation are guitarist Juppe "J.P." Sutela, ex-New Dawn Foundation drummer/ex-To/Die/For drum tech Santtu Lonka, guitarist Mika "Alli" Ahtiainen, ex-H.I.M./New Dawn Foundation keyboardist Juska Salminen, and bassist Jarkko Strandman (ex-New Dawn Foundation).
To/Die/For's most recent CD, "Jaded," was released in March 2003 through Spinefarm Records (Nuclear Blast in continental Europe). The follow-up to 2001's "Epilogue" featured guest vocals by former Sinergy and current Nightwish bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala.
Pain Of Salvation Set Release Date & Tracklisting
InsideOut set the date for the release of Pain Of Salvation album "BE" on September 27, 2004.
The tracklist is the following:
1. Animae Partus
2. Deus Nova
3. Imago
4. Pluvius Aestivus
5. Lilium Cruentus
6. Nauticus
7. Dea Pecuniae
8. Vocari Dei
9. Diffidentia
10.Nihil Morari
11.Latertius Valette
12.Omni
13.Iter Impius
14.Matius/Nauticus II
15.Animae Partus II
Symphony X Keyboardist To Release Solo Album
Michael Pinnella, the keyboard player of Symphony X, will release his first solo album through InsideOut on 11.10.2004.
Tracklist:
01. The White Room
02. Edge Of Insanity
03. Piano Concerto#1 mvt.1
04. Enter By The 12th Gate
05. Falling From The Sky
06. Welcome To My Daydream
07. Piano concerto #1 mvt.2
08. Piano concerto #1 mvt.3
09. Live for the day
10. *Scriabin Etude OP.42 no5 *
11. Moracan Lullaby
12. Departing for Eternity
13. Cross the Bridge
Drowning Pool Turned Away At Canadian Border Again
For the second time this year, Drowning Pool has been turned away while trying to enter Canada. The band was scheduled to play a July 30th show at Toronto's Opera House, but was denied entrance to the country when their tour bus attempted to cross the border. Bassist Stevie Benton told Blabbermouth.net that the band members feel like "troublemakers who aren't invited to the big party. It's hard to shake a bad reputation."
That bad reputation prevented the band from playing Canadian shows this past May, marking its first time being prevented access into the country. Back then, drummer Mike Luce told Launch that he took responsibility for the problem: "I had had, myself back in the past, a DWI (driving while intoxicated), so I had to get that taken care of and once it was finally done, it was all good. Here in America, you know, for whatever reason, that's considered a misdemeanor, but there, it's a felony, and once it was all finally figured out, then we were like, okay, we were able to take care of what it was and put everything back on track."
Gates Of Metal Festival Photos Posted Online
Several photos taken at the Gates Of Metal festival from this past weekend on July 31 in Hultsfred, Sweden, which included performances by Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Morbid Angel, Finntroll and Meshuggah, have been posted online. Check out the photos from these bands' performances:
Sonata Arctica
Dragonforce
Meshuggah
Finntroll
Within Temptation
Morbid Angel
Sodom
Stratovarius
New Orleans Scene Rising
Keith Spera wrote a short piece on Nola.com summarizing recent activity in the New Orleans metal scene:
A flurry of recent activity has reiterated New Orleans' reputation as a hotbed of underground hard rock. Goatwhore, the fearsome black metal quartet featuring singer Ben Falgoust, guitarist Sammy Duet, bassist Patrick Bruders and new drummer Zack Simmons, recently inked a deal with Metal Blade Records, the Los Angeles label that has issued extreme music for more than 20 years, including the first albums by Metallica and Slayer. The long-running Suplecs is nearly finished recording an album with producers Pepper Keenan, best known for his long tenure with Corrosion of Conformity, and Dave Fortman, the north shore producer behind the multimillion-selling Evanescence debut. Suplecs intends to shop the new record to various labels. And the popular Discovery Channel show "Monster Garage" has used local act 4 Mag Nitrous' "Cypress, Stumps & Flies" in seven episodes; the band is also featured on the recent "Monster Garage" soundtrack CD.
"New Orleans has a good reputation (in national heavy music circles)," said Greg Eveline, the local entertainment lawyer who represents several heavy acts. "This may be the next thing, even though people don't really think about it in New Orleans."
Read the full article at Nola.com.
Cradle To Grave Sign With Power Play Records
Vancouver, B.C. metallers Cradle to Grave have signed a deal with New York-based label, Power Play Records. The band's first CD, entitled "CTG," was recorded at Turtle studios and is scheduled for release on September 21.
Strapping Young Lad Name New DVD
Vancouver's very own Strapping Young Lad have completed their new live DVD, entitled "For Those Aboot To Rock," and is expected to be released in late September through Century Media.
The DVD reportedly features a full set from the band's sold-out hometown show at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver recorded earlier this year, plus some "hilarious" backstage antics and video clips.
In addition, Strapping Young Lad are scheduled to enter Armoury studios in Vancouver, B.C. on August 19 to begin recording their new album, tentatively scheduled to be released in early 2005. Devin Townsend will produce the effort, and the band are promising "a full heavy metal shitstorm." Some song titles scheduled to be on the CD include "Love," "Imperial," "Jux," "Black Infinite" and "Zen Of Metal."
Blinded By Faith Merchandise Now Online
Blinded By Faith's official merchandise section is now online here.
In other news, vocalist Tommy Demers will play with Nightwish tribute band Kinslayer on August 17 at Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, Quebec.
Here are some upcoming Blinded By Faith dates:
Sept. 1 - Montreal, Quebec - Foufounes Electriques
Sept. 4 - Levis, Quebec - La Baraka
Sept. 9 - Quebec City, Quebec - Agora De Quebec
Cryptopsy Post Live Video Online
Canada's Cryptopsy have posted a live recording of "Graves Of The Fathers" performed in Toronto on July 16, 2004 on their official website. Check it out here.
TNT Announces Departure Of Bassist Morty Black
TNT have posted this message on their official website:
TNT announces the departure of long time bassist Morty Black! After 21 years as the bass player for TNT Morty has decided to move on into other musical interests. The band is of course sad to see him go but wishes him the best of luck with all future endeavors. Morty will play his final show with TNT on August 7th in Trondheim.
MelodicRock.com has posted Morty Black's statement regarding his departure:
Dear fans and music lovers! I want to use this opportunity to thank all of you a lot for supporting TNT and me these 21 years I've been a member of the band. It's with a sad heart I'm leaving the TNT camp! I will miss all of you a lot! All your passion and devotion for our music, has given us the strength and possibility to continue on this journey, and because of you we have achieved many of our goals.
The people I've met along the way, will always be with me, and to perform, record and present the music for you has been a pleasure beyond belief! I have been able to see the world through our touring, and I have learned a lot about people and the different cultures you have. I am on my way to another path in life. Where it will lead me I don't know, yet, but I take my chances and hopefully I will see you on my way. One thing is for sure, I will be touring a lot, because that's what I love to do!!! I will also finish off my solo album, which I hope you will check out! Please, check in on me at my website www.mortyblack.com to see where I'm off to.
Finally I want to thank my fellow swordsmen, friends, colleges; The big happy family; Ronni, Tony, Diesel, Dag Stokke, John, Morten, Frode and Dag Ingebrigtsen for giving me the opportunity to play with you, and for all these precious moments we've shared! The crew (no one mentioned, no one forgotten), managements and everyone that has been working with the band. Love and respect, Morty!!!
Nightwish Go Double Platinum In Finland
Nightwish have posted this news on their official website:
Nightwish's "Once" has just sold double platinum in Finland which means over 60,000 sold albums! Congratulations, Nightwish and big THANK YOU for all fans!!
In other news, after long negoations with different labels, Nightwish has finally signed a deal with Roadrunner Records for the release of their new album, "Once," in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Next week, the band will commence their first headlining tour of North America, which kicks off in Toronto, Ontario on August 16 and will run straight through to September 5 where they will finish up in Seattle, Washington.
Paragon Name New Album, W:O:A 2004 Update
Germany's Paragon have posted this message on their official website:
Three more days before we will play our biggest gig EVER on the Wacken Open Air 2004. Just as reminder: We will play Friday 11:25 - 12:20 on the True Metal Stage. There will also be a meet & greet at the Metalheadz Stand 15:00 - 15:45 PM after the show.
On our playlist we have the following songs:
The Legacy
Palace Of Sin
Breaking Glass
Law Of The Blade
Across The Wastelands
Green Hell
Armies Of The Tyrant
Thunderstorm
If You scream REALLY loud we will also play a special encore.
Right after Wacken we will start recording our new album which will have the title "Revenge." It will be released in early 2005 again on Remedy Records. The first pressing will include a DVD with live & backstage footage we collected over the last years.
All right - I hope to see many of you at our shows and also afterwards to drink some beers! Cheerz!
Jan / Paragon
Kiss To Record Mexico City Show For Future DVD
KISS have posted this message on their official website:
Mexico City - KISS announced it will tape a concert in Mexico this month for distribution on DVD.
In a conference call Tuesday from Palm Beach, Fla., singer Paul Stanley (news) said the band would tape its Aug. 17 show in Mexico City. Tickets for the concert at the Palacio de los Deportes sold out quickly.
Stanley didn't indicate when the DVD would go on sale, but said it would be distributed internationally.
In other news, a few photos from their performances in both Birmingham, Alabama on August 3 and in Atlanta, Georgia on August 4 have been posted on online. Check them out: Photo 1 - Altanta, Georgia, Photo 2 - Birmingham, Alabama.
Nitro Tokyo To Enter Studio In September
Nitro Tokyo, featuring Darkest Hour's Mike Schleibaum, former Darkest Hour guitarist Mike Garrity, in addition to former members of Fairweather and Mancake, will be entering the studio in September to record their debut EP. Tentatively entitled "Bullet-Train To Hollywood," the release will consist of six songs. You can check out one of their demo tracks here.
Amon Amarth MP3 Available & Digipack Details
Sweden's Amon Amarth will release their new album, "Fate of Norns," as a limited-edition digipack featuring a bonus DVD "Amon Amarth live at Grand Rokk." The 45-minute disc will contain three-camera video footage of Amon Amarth performing live in Reykjavik, Iceland on March 5, 2004.
A brand-new Amon Amarth track, entitled "An Ancient Sign of Coming Storm," has been posted here.
"Fate of Norns" is scheduled for release on September 6 through Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to last year's "Versus The World," "Fate of Norns" (which refers to the three Norns — or "godesses of fate" — Urd, Skuld and Verdandi, who, in Scandinavian mythology, sit at the root of Yggdrasil — the world tree — weaving the fate of every man) was recorded at Berno studio in Malmö, Sweden.
Secret Extras On New Ayreon Single "Loser"
The new ‘"Loser" single – taken from "The Human Equation" – features a special code that can be used to access a secret page on the official Ayreon website. Plug in the code
- an early demo version of ‘Loser’ sung by Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen, done in one take with a drum computer. No digeridoo, no Devin Townsend, no solos.
- a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the "Loser" video
- a new competition from record label InsideOut
- a short interview with Lucassen explaing the hows aned whys of the new single.
Sorry, you'll have to buy the single to find out what the secret code is. The page will be active until September 1st.
Cinderella Singer Recording First Solo Release
Tom Keifer is currently putting the finishing touches on a solo release and expects to be finished by this fall. Also, Tom will be launching his own official website.
Dream Theatrer Announce CD/DVD Release Date
Dream Theater's "Live at Budokan" will be released on October 5th 2004. It will be available as both a 2 DVD set and a 3 CD set.
UK Management Looking For Unsigned Bands
If you're still playing in an unsigned band, here is a contact for you:
Sarah Bowden
Head Of Music
Avalon Music Management
Avalon Management Group Ltd
4a Exmoor Street
London
W10 6BD
email: SarahB@avalonuk.com
T: 020 7598 8000
F: 020 7598 7300
Pantera & Def Leppard Reach New Selling Records
Def Leppard's breakthrough 1983 album, "Pyromania," has been certified at the RIAA's (Recording Industry Association of America) diamond level (10 million copies shipped) last month, according to Billboard.com. Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, "Pyromania" benefited greatly from MTV's relentless airing of the album's first two singles, "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages." The U.K. group continues to record and tour, their most recently release being 2002's "X" (Universal).
Also reaching new multi-platinum heights in July was Pantera's "Vulgar Display of Power" (Elektra), which was certified double-platinum by the RIAA, signifying shipments of more than 2,000,000 units in the U.S. since its February 25, 1992 release.
Widely considered to be one of the most influential metal albums of the 1990s, "Vulgar Display of Power" revitalized thrash metal, mixing crushingly heavy grooves and rhythms with a harder-edged vocal approach. "Walk" and "Fucking Hostile" remain two of Pantera's best-known songs.
"Vulgar Display of Power" peaked at No. 44 on The Billboard 200 album chart, according to Wikipedia.
New Nevermore Video Posted Online
Nevermore's video for the track "I, Voyager," off their most recent album, "Enemies Of Reality," has been posted online at Launch.com. Check it out here. The clip was directed by Kevin Leonard, who has previously worked with Hate Eternal and Himsa, among others.
Nevermore are scheduled to follow up their appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival with a U.S. tour, which is expected to take place in September/October. The Seattle-based band will then enter the studio with producer Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Arch Enemy, Kreator) beginning in November to record their follow-up to "Enemies of Reality," tentatively due in the spring through Century Media Records. A U.K. tour is expected to take place in late 2004/early 2005.
The End Records Sign Unexpect
Unexpect, an original band rooted in the creative soils of Quebec. This metal laboratory uses many musical ingredients which correspond to the human shifting mood. Mixing elements of black, death, core and melodic metal; classical, operatic, medieval, electro, ambient, psychotic, noise and circus music with a progressive edge and an occasional jazzy touch. With a crew composed of 7 different beings, the atmosphere sometimes takes a form of symphonic proportions by its sound diversity and arrangements. Their vocal performance range from an extreme to the other as they alternate between glorious choirs; inhuman screams of deep, high, mid-growl and delirious intensity; theatrical narrations; and clean/sober sections strewn with bewitching feminine singing pleasures.
The ideas traveling in their art are related to the imagination and the inherent creative power of all human beings, subjective faraway fantasy tales, trancelike sensorial exploration, undercover denunciation of social aspects and subconscious realities. Soul-travel being one of the prime reason of music’s existence; they give attention to the individuality and personality of each song, to better sail these multiple emotional states of ours. Different destinations breathing on the same vessel. A torrent of diverse feelings, Unexpect is a band that can't be classified with a generic label, but more of a musical feeling that will take you on a journey to new places.
Since their origin, Unexpect released a full length album called "Utopia," which saw the day in 1999, critically acclaimed by many countries around the world with no distribution whatsoever and with internet as only support. A new era began for these sound-painters with the release of a new surreal opus called ‘’ _wE, Invaders ‘’ in November 2003. This EP, released on the label Galy Records in America, caused quite a positive stir with the critics and is the glorious introduction to the following album currently in progress that will smash the dull boundaries of vile standards. In May of 2004, they were signed to The End Records; a new relation that should lead their ambitions to their far reaching goals…the future is set for a coloured ride.
Crowbar Sign to Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records announces the worldwide signing of New Orleans' Crowbar. The band's addition further strengthens the label's already formidable roster, including 1349, Zyklon, Khold and the home to Emperor and early Opeth catalog.
"Life's Blood For The Downtrodden," the band's label debut, is expected to see a February 8, 2005 stateside release date. Final studio work on the album produced by the working team of Warren Riker (Down) and Rex Brown (Pantera), is planned in Miami August 14-September 1. Upon completion it will be the band's first studio album in over three years.
Founded in 1989, Crowbar from the onset found an immediate fanbase that today continues to grow. The band released their debut, "Obedience Through Suffering," in 1992. The album would be followed a year later with the highly regarded, Phillip Anselmo-produced Crowbar. The album has sold over 100,000 copies to date. Additional albums, "Broken Glass," "Time Heals Nothing," "Odd Fellows Rest," "Equilibrium," and 2001's "Sonic Excess in its Purest Form," would be supported by worldwide tours, both headline and in support of Pantera, Black Label Society, Napalm Death, Paradise Lost and others. Windstein with original bassist Todd Strange, in addition to Crowbar, served time in Down - the band project by Anselmo and Corrosion of Conformity's Pepper Keenan.
Crowbar recently completed a 11-date European tour, including a performance at Germany's With Full Force Festival and Pressure Fest. The band currently features founder, vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Patrick Bruders, guitarist Steve Gibb and drummer Tommy Buckley.
Candlelight Records, with offices in Philadelphia and headquarted in London, is distributed exclusively in the US by Caroline Distribution; in Canada by PHD Canada; throughout the rest of the world by Plastichead Music Distribution.
Norwegian Church Draws Black Metal Fans
Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten is reporting that the restored stave church (photo) in Fantoft in Bergen, Norway has become a pilgrimage site for European black metal music fans who want to visit the site of the church-burning that Varg Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnack) of the one-man band Burzum was suspected of carrying out.
On the cover of the Burzum EP album "Aske" (Ashes) one can see a 1992 picture of the charred ruins of Fantoft stave church. Varg Vikernes is serving a sentence for murder and church burnings.
Guide Arne Dyrøy is not terribly thrilled about some of the new tourists to Fantoft.
"The church has received unwelcome attention because of the 1992 fire and we have had visitors wearing T-shirts with pictures of the burnt ruins. This is very disrespectful," Dyrøy said.
Dyrøy told NRK that many of the black metal tourists ask about Vikernes, and want to visit him in Bergen Prison.
The church as also been visited by a Canadian film team making a documentary about heavy metal music.
Torgrim Øyre, music reviewer and assistant organizer of the annual Bergen metal festival Hole in the Sky, agrees that the Fantoft burning was a "classic event in Norwegian black metal history" but believes the pilgrimage is a phenomenon limited to "slightly nerdy" foreigners.
Dyrøy told NRK that he kept a watchful eye on the black metal tourist crowd.
"As a rule they are very polite and easy-going but I am a bit on guard in case they try some kind of stunt," Dyrøy said.
Several hundred people attended the consecration of Fantoft stave church after its reconstruction in 1997 (photo #1, photo #2).
Hear Chevelle's New Single "Vitamin R" Online
A digital copy of Chevelle's brand new single, "Vitamin R," which just claimed #1 Most Added status at Modern Rock, Active Rock and Mainstream Rock Radio stations across the country. Stream away in RealVideo, QuickTime, WindowsMedia - lo : hi
Chevelle's new album, "This Type Of Thinking Could Do Us In," will hit stores everywhere September 21st. The CD is the band's third release and was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Incubus, Three Day's Grace, Puddle of Mudd) with the band. In preparation for the release of "This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In," Sam, Pete & Joe will shoot the video for "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)," and will announce dates for a full-scale tour shortly.
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: