Metal News for September 21, 2007
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
- 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"
27 news articles posted on this day.
Cry Of The Afflicted, Nevea Tears Tour Dates
Cry Of The Afflicted, Nevea Tears, and Memphis May Day will tour together in November. Here are the tour dates:
11/1 Delran, NJ @ The Cue Club II
11/2 Pompton Lakes, NJ @ Main Stage
11/3 Levittown, NY @ Vintage Lounge
11/4 Virginia Beach, VA @ Peppermint Beach Club
11/5 Greenville, NC @ The Bullet Music Hall
11/6 Goose Creek, SC @ The Remanant
11/7 Augusta, GA @ Sector 7G
11/8 Arden, NC @ Graffiti Music Hall
11/9 Orlando, FL @ Island Oasis
11/11 Sunrise, FL @ The Talent Farm
11/12 Ocala, FL @ The Capitol
11/14 Nacogdoches, TX @ The Backdoor Pub
11/15 Houston, TX @ Java Jazz
11/16 Plano, TX @ The Plano Center
11/17 Wichita Falls, TX @ The OneSixNine
11/18 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
11/19 Abilene, TX @ Rose Park Activity Building
11/20 Austin, TX @ Red Seven
Memphis May Fire Signs To Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records has officially signed Dallas, Texas rock/hardcore band Memphis May Fire. Trustkill President Josh Grabelle comments:
"There is a lot of really exciting, young, dangerous music coming out of Texas right now, and Memphis May Fire are the cream of the crop. Not since Bullet For My Valentine's 'Hand of Blood' EP have we heard a more compelling set of songs for an EP, where absolutely every song is bone-chillingly perfect, and timeless. These guys are on their way to something huge."
The group will release a self-titled, five-song CDep on December 4th. You can check out a track from the forthcoming effort here.
Unholy Ritual Signs To JordanRiver Entertainment
Greek extreme symphonic black metallers Unholy Ritual has inked a deal with JordanRiver Entertainment for a multiple record deal.
The band is currently in the studio putting the final touches to their debut entitled "Rex Mundi" due on early 2008. Comments the label founder on the deal, "this sort of cooperation being the first for a European band with our label will open the doors wide on the international scene, bringing forth one of the finest bands to emerge from today's Greek scene."
The band chooses to drift away from the classic Greek metal sound crafted by the likes of Rotting Christ and Varathron, having its own unique identity. Elaborated and refined, the opus embeds variant influences and creative efforts into a black metal nucleus.
The single track "Vae Victus" from the 2008 "Rex Mundi" album has been made available for full download at this location (in a compressed RAR file).
TTEOTD Frontman on MTV's Headbanger's Blog
The frontman of South Carolina's THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD is featured on MTV's Headbanger's Blog, discussing his addition to the band. New vocalist Nate Johnson (Premonitions of War, Deadwater Drowning) explains how he came to join the band here.
Having just completed a headlining tour alongside As Blood Runs Black, Beneath The Massacre and Ion Dissonance, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD is back home until next month when they will open the forthcoming tour featuring As I Lay Dying, All That Remains and Haste The Day. Continuing to support the new album "Malice," THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD's first video from the record has already aired on Headbangers Ball several times and is available online here.
Here are the latest THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD tour dates: More...
Light This City Confirmed For Death By Decibels
Bay Area thrashers LIGHT THIS CITY have been confirmed as a support band on the upcoming Death By Decibels tour, featuring Vader, Malevolent Creation, Cattle Decapitation, Abigail Williams and Veil of Maya. Currently out on the road across North America with Edguy and Into Eternity, LIGHT THIS CITY is continuing to support 'Facing The Thousand,' the band's latest effort which saw a September 2006 release via Prosthetic Records. A video for the track "The Unwelcome Savior" is available online here and is expected to hit video outlets soon.
Here are the latest LIGHT THIS CITY tour dates: More...
Morbid Remains Post New Song Online
Recently reformed young British death metal act Morbid Remains have posted a brand new song called "Boundaries (To Be Broken)" on their official myspace
The band have not long finished playing their comeback gig to which they had this to say:
"Thanks to EVERYONE who came and especially the guys who sang along!
We look forward to all shows being like that :))"
Comity Calls It Quits
After more than ten years together, French experimental/metal outfit Comity has broken up. The decision to disband was precipitated by the departure of drummer, Guillaume. According to the band, "we feel neither the will nor the desire to continue without him." Since forming in 1996, the band has released material with Messiah Records and Candlelight Records, among others.
Ruiner Announce Fall Tour Dates
Ruiner will continue touring this fall, with a solo run to be proceeded by a short tour with Modern Life Is War. Here are the latest tour dates:
Ruiner with Modern Life Is War:
10/22 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Community Center
10/23 Pompton Lakes, NJ @ The Mainstage w/ The Banner
10/24 Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
10/25 Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
10/26 Gainesville, FL @ The Fest
10/27 Gainesville, FL @ The Fest
10/28 Gainesville, FL @ The Fest
10/29 Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox w/ Hour of the Wolf
10/30 Charleston, SC @ Cumberland’s w/ Hour of the Wolf
10/31 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern w/ Hour of the Wolf, Where It Ends
11/1 Birmingham, AL @ Cave 9 w/ Hour of the Wolf
11/2 Baton Rouge, LA @ The Java Jazz w/ Hour of the Wolf
Ruiner:
11/3 Fort Smith, AR @ TBA
11/4 Tulsa, OK @ the Pinkeye w/ Pulling Teeth, Frightener
11/5 Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
11/6 Odessa, TX @ TBA
11/7 Albuquerque, NM @ CJs House
11/8 Phoenix, AZ @ The Chamber w/ Think Fast
11/9 Los Angeles, CA @ TBA w/See it Through
11/10 Orangevale, CA @ Orangevale VFW w/108, Killing Them Dream, See it Through
11/11 Reno, NV @ Open Ground Skatepark w/ 108, See it Through
11/12 Redding, CA @ TBA w/ See it Through
11/13 Portland, OR @ TBA w/ See it Through
11/14 Seattle, WA @ West Seattle Legion Hall w/ See it Through
11/15 Meridian, ID @ 1682 E. Time Zone Dr w/ See it Through
11/16 Southern UT @ TBA
11/17 Denver, CO @ Sox Place
11/18 Omaha, NE @ TBA
11/19 Cedar Falls, ID @ TBA
11/20 Minneapolis, MN @ TBA
11/21 Chicago, IL @ TBA
Indecision Show Announced
Indecision will play a rare show on November 18th at the Knitting Factory in New York City. Joining the group will be Killing Time in addition to several other unannounced bands. Indecision's line-up will consist of their 1996/1997 roster: Tom Sheehan, Justin Brannan, Rachel Rosen, Pat Flynn, and Bago. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.
Bruce Dickinson Speaks On Upcoming Tour
Jason Nahrung of Australia's The Courier-Mail recently conducted an interview with IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson. A few excerpts from the chat follow:
On next year's Somewhere Back in Time world tour, which revisits the heavy metal grandeur of IRON MAIDEN's 1984-5 Powerslave tour:
"We're not trying to rewrite the tour. It won't be 'Live After Death' word for word. I won't be wearing my jocks on the outside of my Spandex. We'll be re-creating the cool bits, but the main thing is the music. We don't want to look like our own version of an IRON MAIDEN cover band."
On the band's enduring popularity:
"MAIDEN is a unique band. You could say we're one of the last of the originals. If anything, the fan base has regenerated. There's a whole new generation — two new generations — of kids turning up. We played Sweden and filled 50,000-seat soccer stadiums. We never filled a soccer stadium in the mid-'80s. You look now and the first 50 rows are 16-year-olds. On our last tour we were able to play a new album (the 80-minute 'A Matter of Life and Death') in its entirety, and still sell out a worldwide tour of arenas. The fans are attracted to us because we are still an active musical force."
On IRON MAIDEN being a more relaxed outfit than it used to be:
"Fifteen to 20 years ago we were under the gun, doing loads of touring. We were frazzled. People couldn't give it their best. It was like a sports team, someone was always injured. Now we know it's better to take three months off than to do a bad job. Our performance has improved, the reliability of the performance has improved as well."
On Ancient Egypt seeming a natural backdrop for a tour from one of the most flamboyant of bands:
"As for Egypt, you could overrate the pudding on that one. We were interested in it in the mid '80s, and (the songs) 'Revelations' and 'Powerslave' take imagery from that era, but it's such a fabulous era to plunder. There's an outrageousness about Egypt and there's an outrageousness about heavy metal bands. Making these enormous stone pyramids for everyone to look at seems like heavy metal madness. They were over the top in monument construction — minimalists they were not. That strikes a chord — we're hardly BAUHAUS in our aspirations."
Rage Complete Guitar Tracks For New Album
German melodic metallers RAGE have set "Craved in Stone" as the title of their new album tentatively due in early 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Carved in Stone", "Drop Dead", "Gentle Murders", "One Step Ahead" and "Without You".
Commented guitarist Victor Smolski: "I just have finished the recordings of the guitar tracks for 'Carved in Stone'. This time, I decided to record the sound in general rougher and more dry, but I really like the result and the somehow little changed guitar sound. Concerning the music itself, we have concentrated ourselves more onto straight power songs this time, and we also decided to do it without any progressive instrumental parts and any orchestra, as we did on our last CD. 10 songs — ass-kickin!"
RAGE's new DVD, entitled "Full Moon in St. Petersburg", was released on February 23 via Nuclear Blast. The double DVD set was filmed in St. Petersburg, Russia last year in front of 15,000 fans. "Full Moon in St. Petersburg" contains the complete concert in St. Petersburg, Russia, plus a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and material from personal archives.
RAGE's upcoming CD will be the band's first since the addition of drummer André Hilgers (AXXIS, SILENT FORCE) to the group's ranks. "During [the recording sessions for] the Nuclear Blast anniversary album, we were very surprised how perfectly André's style matched our new song, 'Terrified'," the group wrote on its web site. "So it was obvious that we jammed through the RAGE classics and the sparks flew immediately. André had a lot of new ideas that fitted perfectly our style and the understanding among us was harmonically. He brings a lot of fresh blood and power to the band and we have loads of fun again playing our music."
3 Inches Of Blood To Release Digital EP
Roadrunner UK reports:
On November 5th, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will be releasing a digital EP titled Trial Of Champions.
The EP will include unreleased studio tracks ‘Trial Of Champions', ‘In The Time Of Job When Mammon Was A Yippie’ and ‘Key To Oblivion’.
More info on the EP to come.
And make sure you bring your axes to the following shows:
November
7 - Wolverhampton, UK at Little Civic
8 - Southampton, UK at The Brook
10 - Minehead, UK at Hard Rock Hell
11 - Swindon, UK at The Furnace
12 - Brighton, UK at The New Free Butt
13 - London, UK at The Barfly
Tickets are £8 in advance, excluding London (£10), Hard Rock Hell (£99 for weekend), and Remembrance (£ tbc).
Saga Announce 30th Anniversary Show
2007 marks the 30th anniversary of SAGA, with a tour and a brand new CD called 10,000 Days, due out in October. The Canuck legends will show off some of the new tracks from this album when they play Healey's Roadhouse on October 6th, a preview of their upcoming 34-date European tour later in the month. 10,000 Days marks the band's last recording that will feature original singer and founding member, Michael Sadler. Other original members and brothers Jim and Ian Crichton will be on bass and guitar, with Jim Gilmour on keyboards, and Brian Doerner on drums.
According to a press release, "Saga have enjoyed steady airplay around the world since their breakthrough album Worlds Apart gave classic rock the anthems 'Wind Him Up' and 'On The Loose' in 1981. This could be your last chance to pump your fist in the air and belt out Saga lyrics live in concert with Michael Sadler at the mic! Come and celebrate three decades of pure Canadian rock with one of Canada's best bands."
Details:
Saga - 30th Anniversary Tour
Saturday, October 6 at Jeff Healey's Roadhouse, 56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m.
With special guests LUKE MULHOLLAND and MULHOLLAND DRIVE
Tickets $20 in advance at http://www.ticketbreak.com or $25 at the door.
As reported earlier today, Saga's upcoming 10,000 Days album will feature the following tracks: 'Lifeline', 'Book Of Lies', 'Sideways', 'Can't You See Me Now?', 'Corkentellis' (instrumental), 'More Than I Deserve', 'Sound Advice', '10,000 Days', 'It Never Ends'.
The initial pressing will be issued in digipack format. Release date is confirmed for October 22nd via InsideOut.
Mastodon Frontman Clashes With SOAD Bassist
Aaron Thompson of the Las Vegas Weekly reports: Turns out, Tommy Lee vs. Kid Rock was only the undercard on [MTV Video Music Awards] night.
According to a Metro police report released Monday, the September 10 fight that landed MASTODON frontman Brent Hinds in University Medical Center's intensive care unit with brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose and two black eyes began as a skirmish between Hinds and Shavo Odadjian, bassist for multiplatinum metal band SYSTEM OF A DOWN.
According to the police report — based on firsthand accounts and corroborated by hotel-security video footage — an inebriated Hinds was leaving Mandalay Bay around 3 a.m. when he encountered Odadjian and musician William Hudson at the hotel's west valet area. Hinds took off his shirt and hit Odadjian with it, then struck Hudson in both the face and chest, prompting Odadjian to advise Hinds "to relax," several times, according to the police report.
The police report then indicates both Odadjian and Hudson punched Hinds in the face, knocking him to the ground. An unidentified friend of Hinds, who reportedly witnessed the event, rushed to the musician’s aid and apologized to Odadjian and Hudson, saying Hinds was "just drunk," according to the police report. Odadjian and Hudson were both questioned by police on the scene.
No charges had been filed at press time, though the police report lists Hudson as a "suspect," facing a possible charge of "battery with substantial bodily harm." The police report lists Odadjian as a "witness."
According to the police report, tensions ran high after Hinds began drunkenly "annoying" Odadjian and Hudson inside the Palms following the conclusion of the VMAs.
Serj Tankian Names Touring Band "The FCC"
The Pulse of Radio (formerly Launch Radio Networks) reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian has named his new solo touring band the FCC, according to HardDrive Radio. The letters do not stand for the dreaded Federal Communications Commission, but for something that they'll fine you for if you say it on the air. Tankian told The Pulse of Radio what he and the band came up with. "We just named the band, and I liked the idea of the FCC — you know, the FCC in the U.S. stands for the Federal Communications Commission, which is the governmental body that assigns penalties for cuss words," he said. "And I thought it would be great to make the FCC a cuss word, that way they can penalize themselves. So the FCC is, our interpretation, is the FLYING C***S OF CHAOS."
The lineup of the FCC includes PRIMUS guitarist Larry LaLonde as well as several friends of Tankian's who are unknown to the public but are "amazing musicians," according to the singer.
Contrary to earlier reports, former PRIMUS and GUNS N'ROSES drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia will not be in the touring band, although he did play on Tankian's debut solo album, "Elect the Dead", due out on October 23.
FAIR TO MIDLAND, who are signed to Tankian's Serjical Strike label, will open a few shows on Tankian's first-ever solo tour, which begins on October 12 in Chicago.
Voivod Post New Videos Online
Montreal's pioneering metal band VOIVOD have posted new videos on YouTube.com for the songs 'Polaroids' and 'The X-Stream' from their 2006 album Katorz. Click below to view.
Katorz was released in July of 2006, an album assembled, recorded and released by the band (drummer Michel 'Away' Langevin,' singer Denis 'Snake' Belanger and bassist Jason 'Jasonic' Newsted) and producer Glen Robinson using demos left by founding guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour who succumbed to colon cancer in August of 2005. The band recently won the Best Metal/Hardcore Album award for their album 2006 album Katorz at the annual Quebec Independent Music Awards (GAMIQ) Montreal. More...
Megadeth Bassist Checks In
MEGADETH bassist James Lomenzo has issued the following update:
Gotta let you all know what a sensational tour this has been so far! Playing some of my old favorite haunts has really been a blast and getting to meet some of you on and around the venues has been fantastically re-affirming. From what you've been relaying to us, we're doin' right by the fans both old and new and to the Megadeth legacy. I'm so proud to be a part of this "resurgence" (the word most of you use when you describe your perception of Megadeth at large). All who have been present for our shows thus far from Alaska to last nights Milwaukee Wisconsin gig have really come full on and brought us the metal, in as much as we have tried to bring it to you making for some genuinely memorable shows. You have my humblest thanks.
My wife reminded me to share this with you so here goes... I ran into an old friend of mine in the hotel lobby in Portland a week and a half ago, Slash. We chatted a bit and then he got serious (seemingly) and said, 'Thanks to Megadeth I've got to go to traffic school!' I asked, 'Why?' and he explained, 'I Love the new album [United Abominations], every-time I drive I've got it crankin' in my car... I've gotten two speeding tickets thanks to you guys and now I've got to go to fuckin traffic school!' Of course, I apologized and then thanked him.
Hey, thanks for all the write-in's on my sticky in the musicians forum, it's been great chatting bass with you and watching some of you interact, keep those posts coming! Also, thanks to some of you for the great comments on my SayNow message board, I really dig hearing from you guys, what a great opportunity to hear your voices individually and get to catch up with some of my older fans. Like Dave (Mustaine), I'm toying with ideas on how to make communication on SayNow more interactive and fun so stay tuned."
James Lomenzo's SayNow number is as follows: 661.349.7208
The Scarlet Hourglass Will Continue
The following message has been posted via The Scarlet Hourglass's official Myspace:
"In light of the events of two weeks ago, I'd just like to make a few things clear.
First off, there is absolutely no bad blood between Davey and I and Greg, Dayve and Gavin. We respect their decision to leave and feel it's up to them the music we want to play.
HOWEVER
Even though officially the band ended two weeks ago, I've decided that this is the music i want to play. And im not gonna let the band die that easily. New members (some of which may be very familiar faces to people who follow the uk music scene) are already lined up, and new songs in the writing process, aswell as keeping the same name and all the old songs.
The Scarlet Hourglass is not dead, not by a long fucking shot! =]
If you've read this, it would be much appreciated if you could spread the word
Daryl - The Scarlet Hourglass"
Departed member's Greg, Dayve and Gavin (who have rejoined their old outfit Morbid Remains) will play as part of the band for a special comeback show tonight with In Numbers We Wait and Democide
Onslaught To Not Play At Hellflame Festival
The following message has been posted via the official Onslaught Myspace:
"Onslaught will not be appearing at the Hellflame-south side of hell festival in Lichtenfels this saturday (22/09/07) this was due to local government interference which in turn led the promoter to make a decision not to fly in any of the international bands booked to play the festival."
The band are still touring in support of "Killing Peace", their first album since 1989s "In Search Of Sanity" which featured Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmet.
Iron Maiden Post Australian Commercial Online
A TV commercial for IRON MAIDEN's upcoming Australian tour can be viewed below.
IRON MAIDEN's Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008 will take place in three sections, starting in February and March 2008 with the first leg encompassing major concerts in 20 selected cities on five continents in seven weeks including India, Japan, North America, Central and South America, and Australia, opening in Perth on February 4 and continuing through Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The tour then continues with more concerts in North America in late May and June before finishing with a third leg in July and August encompassing major stadiums and festivals all over Europe. During the tour the band is expected to play to well over one and a half million fans and travel close to 100,000 miles.
In a historic first, IRON MAIDEN, their 60-strong crew and support staff and over 12 tons of equipment will be traveling around the world en masse for the first leg of the tour in a specially commissioned and converted Astraeus Boeing 757 decorated with MAIDEN and Eddie designs! Vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who is a qualified airline captain flying for Astraeus Airlines, will pilot the plane on its epic mission, flying over 50,000 miles. More...
As I Lay Dying Receive Award In San Diego
San Diego's AS I LAY DYING has issued the following update:
"Our amazing fans have come through yet again! This past Monday night [Sept. 17] we won the 'Artist Of The Year' in the San Diego Music Awards. This awards means so much to us because of both our hometown pride and our appreciation to everyone who voted for us."
As previously reported, AS I LAY DYING appears on this week's "Ryan's Rock Show". Guitarist Phil Sgrosso discusses the band's new album, touring overseas, and what it feels like to sell a quarter of a million records.
"Ryan's Rock Show" is a weekly radio program featuring the cream of the crop of up-and-coming bands and artists. As an alternative to mainstream corporate radio, "Ryan's Rock Show" provides listeners with interviews of today's up-and-comers, as well as showcases new music that pushes the envelope of the music industry.
Since The Flood Announce New Members
New England hardcore powerhouse SINCE THE FLOOD has officially confirmed the addition of singer Nate Siemens to the group's ranks. Siemens replaces Chuck Bouley, who left the band several months ago. Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, "Nate brings a new dynamic and fierce energy to the table that is a welcomed breath of fresh air for the band and fans alike," the band says in a statement.
In other news, SINCE THE FLOOD has also added former GUNS UP! bassist Ricky Nukem. According to the band, "Ricky is a welcomed addition to SINCE THE FLOOD bringing a huge amount of talent and seasoned musicianship to the band."
SINCE THE FLOOD's latest full-length CD, "No Compromise", was released earlier in the year on Metal Blade Records. The band excels at raw, bare-knuckled hardcore with metallic toned guitars, Schwarzenegger-sized vocals and full velocity assault drumming. Among the group's admirers are Howard Jones from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, who asked to manage the band soon after their inception, and Trevor Phipps from UNEARTH, who released their debut album, "Valor & Vengence", on Ironclad Recordings in 2003.
Original Guns 'N Roses Drummer Falls Ill
According to the Mexican newspaper El Universal, former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler fell ill during a live performance in Mexico City Wednesday night (September 19) and was treated by paramedics at the scene, a Red Cross spokeswoman told The Associated Press. The spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Adler was not hospitalized after the Red Cross treated him. She didn't know why the drummer had gotten sick.
Adler was in Mexico with the band ADLER'S APPETITE on a tour commemorating the 20th anniversary of the GUNS N' ROSES album "Appetite for Destruction". Initial news reports saying Adler suffered from hypertension could not be confirmed. The general manager at Hard Rock Live, the venue where the concert took place, did not return phone calls from The Associated Press.
The other members of GUNS N' ROSES band threw Adler out in 1989, saying his drug use was harming his performance. In 1993, the band agreed to pay him $2.3 million to settle Adler's lawsuit claiming a 1990 agreement by which he gave up his interest in the band was read to him and signed without his attorney present.
Arch Enemy Guitarist Speaks On Disney Situation
KNAC.com recently caught up with ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott to discuss, among other things, Disney's forced cancellation of Black Tyranny Tour shows at House Of Blues venues located on Disney-owned property:
KNAC.com: Kind of a strange start to the tour, eh?
Amott: "Yeah it was crazy, it was a sold-out show in the end, which was cool. But they had to switch the venues two days before and do all this scrambling around. We got here and it was like, 'OK, what's going on?' It was really nothing to do with us, it had to do with the booking agent and the venue owners. We're too metal for Disney, I guess. Mickey Mouse called and he was really pissed (laughs).
They're pretty down on metal, I guess. It really wasn't too bad for us, but it must have been a hassle for all those people who bought tickets for a show they thought was going to be in Anaheim who had to drive like 70 miles to the new venue."
KNAC.com: You've got (brother) Chris to get acclimated back into the mix...
Amott: "Yeah, but he's full-on back into it. He's enjoying himself and having a good time and playing very well. So it's falling into place. He's pretty stoked to be out here, he hasn't been on the road in three years so he's excited to be out here playing shows and to be playing guitar again."
KNAC.com: Did he rejoin the band in time to do the album?
Amott: "He rejoined the band about six weeks before we went into the studio so he was there for pre-production and rehearsals and when we did the arrangements for the songs."
KNAC.com: Did you feel that he would eventually come back to the band, or did you think he might be gone for good?
Amott: "I don't know. I think we all were hoping he would come back at some point, but it had to be because he wanted to be in the band, not because someone was pressuring him to come back. He approached us and we talked about in the new year, actually, he said he'd really like to come back to the band we were like 'Yeah, the sound's great.' But we thought we'd give him a couple months to think about it, because this is a very important part of our lives. this is our life, we don't really have anything else.
We don't want get into a position where we got rid of the guy who we had, and who we were quite happy with, and then have Chris leave again because he decided he really wasn't into it after all. We wanted to make sure he was 100 percent certain, so we gave him time to make sure this is what he really wanted to do, and he convinced us that it was. So he's back in the band."
Dimmu Borgir Confirmed For Bloodstock 2008
Norway's DIMMU BORGIR are the latest act confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, which takes place at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England, Friday, August 15th through Sunday, August 17th, 2008.
Other confirmed acts currently include MOONSORROW and SWALLOW THE SUN.
Abysmal Torment To Enter The Studio
ABYSMAL TORMENT are set to enter SpineSplitter Studios September 2007 to record their newly titled upcoming album "Omnicide", which is set for an early 2008 release date.
Abysmal Torment vocalist Nick Farrugia comments: "We are really excited to get into the studio and record this record. We're currently smoothing out some finishing touches but we are extremely proud of what we have written. Hope you will all be digging this new material!!!"
Chthonic To Tour Europe
Before the Taiwanese band ChthoniC -- who this summer became the first-ever extreme metal band from Asia to tour with Ozzfest -- kicks off its mainland European tour with Finnish "heroic folk metal" warriors Ensiferum this fall, the group will embark on a brief U.K. tour with Ozzfest tour mates 3 Inches of Blood.
"We had a great time hanging out with 3 Inches of Blood at Ozzfest and
enjoyed their playing a lot," says ChthoniC front man Freddy Lim. "We can't wait to tour with them in England!"
The tour includes a stop at the inaugural Hard Rock Hell festival in Minehead, England, which also features such legendary groups as Twisted Sister, Cradle of Filth, My Dying Bride and Tesla, among others. The itinerary is as follows:
Nov. 7 - Little Civic - Wolverhampton, UK
Nov. 8 - The Brook - Southampton, UK
Nov. 9 - Hard Rock Hell festival - Minehead, UK
Nov. 12 - The New Freebutt - Brighton, UK
Nov. 13 - Barfly - London, UK
These mark the first shows of the European leg of ChthoniC's "UNlimited" tour -- named to protest how the United Nations (UN) limits Taiwan's full participation as an independent country -- which kicked off in Taipei earlier this summer following the international re-release of 2002's "Relentless Recurrence" and last year's "A Decade On The Throne" 2CD/DVD live set. The current North American leg, which concludes on Saturday (Sept. 22), consists of 60 concerts, including two dozen "off-fest" performances with Nile and a handful of dates supporting black metal legends Cradle of Filth.
The ChthoniC/Ensiferum tour of Western Europe, which also features the Swedish power metal act Insania as openers, kicks off in Hamburg, Germany on Nov. 30. A complete itinerary can be seen at http://www.myspace.com/chthonictw
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: