Metal Underground.com

Bloodbath Confirmed For Bloodstock Festival

Swedish death metallers Bloodbath have issued the following update about appearing at the Bloodstock Festival:

"Our fifth (and most likely final show this year) has been confirmed with a bloodbath over Bloodstock! What could be a better way to celebrate this mighty festival’s 10th year anniversary! It will be our first time on UK soil and it will be happening in August on Friday the 13th, so it seems we get to kill two birds with one stone! Get ready…."

More information on the Bloodstock festival can be found at this location.

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Down Bassist Starts New Band Arms Of The Sun

Down has issued the following update about bassist Rex Brown starting a new project titled Arms of the Sun:

"Arms of the Sun, a project featuring Rex Brown on bass, John Luke Hebert on drums, Lance Harvill on vocals and guitar, and Ben Bunker on guitar, has completed work on thirteen tracks that were produced and mixed by Terry Date. The material is set for a late February release through Extreme Music, which provides class-A production music to all major networks and studios, ad agencies and production companies.

"Arms of the Sun recorded the music, written by Lance Harvill, late last year at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Recording Studio in Austin. The project is executive produced by Sir George Martin and Mark Ross for the Grandmaster Series, which celebrates four of the world's top producers spanning from the '60s through the '90s, including Sir George himself, Terry Date, Jack Douglas, and Hugh Padgham."

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Verdict Reached In Regain Records Lawsuit

The official God Seed MySpace page has been updated with the following statement regarding former Gorgoroth members King and Gaahl's lawsuit against Regain Records:

"On December 17, 2009, authorities in Malmø, Sweden decided in favor of King and Gaahl in their case brought against Regain Records for the unauthorized release of Gorgoroth's 'Live in Grieghallen' album. Regain Records has been found to have broken their contract with King/Gaahl on numerous accounts, has been forbidden by the courts to sell this album in the future and has been ordered to pay all legal costs and compensation in the case.

"In anticipation of the verdict, Regain Records filed bankruptcy to Lund Tingsrett in Sweden and was declared bankrupt on December 8, 2009 (Regain Records and Entertainment AB corporate identity number 556689-1825). Peter Överman from Ackordcentralen, Sweden is named as liquidator and is now working on getting an overview of Regain's financial situation as well as handling the claims from Gaahl and King on unpaid royalties, among other claims."

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High On Fire Announces U.S. Headlining Tour

California's High On Fire will be embarking on a headlining U.S. tour in celebration of their upcoming album "Snakes for the Divine." The three week trek will launch in March in Minneapolis, MN and will include support from Priestess, Black Cobra, and Bison B.C. The currently confirmed dates are as follows:

3/13 St Augustine, FL Harvest of Hope
3/17 Austin, TX Mohawk
3/31 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club
4/1 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
4/2 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
4/3 Columbus, OH Skully's Music Diner
4/5 Morgantown, WV 123 Pleasant St
4/6 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
4/7 Cambridge, MA Middle East
4/8 Milford, CT Daniel St
4/9 New York, NY Gramercy Theater
4/11 Washington, DC Black Cat
4/13 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
4/14 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
4/15 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack’s
4/16 Houston, TX Walter’s on Washington
4/17 Austin, TX Emo's
4/18 Dallas, TX The Loft
4/20 Boulder, CO Fox Theater
4/22 Tempe, AZ Club House
4/23 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
4/24 Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar
4/25 San Diego, CA Casbah

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Nile Saved By Immolation Vocalist

Nile has issued the following statement about Immolation vocalist Ross Dolan coming to their rescue when their tour bus driver left unexpectedly:

"So what do you do when your bus driver decides to hit the road? (...and not in a good way). Well, this very thing happened this past Saturday when Nile's tour bus driver couldn't make it to the Gallup, NM show due to 'certain circumstances' which caused Nile and their bus to be stranded at some random truck stop in the middle of the desert.

"It just so happens that the Immolation and Krisiun bus was stopped at the same place, and at the same time (weird). So, after a couple of hours of trying to find a solution, all options were exhausted, and Nile's tour manager, Punchy, went to tell the Immolation and Krisiun guys that Nile wasn't going to be able to make it to the show, because we had no available driver.

"Turns out, Ross has a Class B license, and that makes him legal to drive a bus. So, he got out of bed and drove the last four hours to the gig! So what's the moral of the story? If we can work miracles and pull this type of stuff off at the last minute to make it to one of our gigs, then this means that you should have no excuse on why you should miss one of our shows!"

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Droid Parts Ways With Vocalist

Droid singer James Eason has announced that he has left the band and is currently exploring other projects in the music world. He commented on his departure:

“I have spent the last 10+ years in the band Droid so this is no easy decision for me. To make it simple the past 10 years in Droid have had their great and memorable moments and their not so memorable moments. I have chosen to move on in positive direction... This being said, my # 1 Priority has and always will be to make music and give 100% commitment of myself to my music. Music is my #1 priority and always has been...I stand strong in my commitment. My #1 regret is that the Droid fans have had to wait soooooooooooooo long for a 2nd record, and then receive this news. Where ever I end up I promise to make up for their super long wait. You can count on that, I will always stay true to my word…

"I am looking for musicians who are driven, focused and hungry - these are the kinds of musicians I am looking for to play with as of now… Any interested musicians or bands please feel free to contact me; I can be reached at droidmetal@yahoo.com.”

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Phantom Glue Signs To TDB Records

Massachusetts metallers Phantom Glue have inked a record deal with TDB Records. The band issued the following statement about the signing:

"We're super stoked to announce we've joined the TeenageDiscoBloodbath Records roster. TDB Records are a hardcore/punk/metal label we're all fans of for numerous reasons; not least of which includes incredible bands, a tireless work ethic and ethical business practices from label founder Jonah (also the drummer of one of your favorite bands, Ramming Speed). The fact that they're a local label is icing on the cake. Jonah has promised us we'll be able to quit our day jobs any time now and soon thereafter platinum records, grammy awards and a Cribs episode. See you suckers in Hollywood!"

TDB Records also commented: "Pilfering the heavy from seminal acts like Electric Wizard and High On Fire, and the wailing guitars of Pentagram, these four shacked up with Kurt Ballou (Converge, Doomriders, Torche) at Godcity last year to record a colossal debut full length. With mastering by Nick Z (New Alliance East) and hand painted artwork by artist and guitar player Matt Oates, this self titled record is scheduled for an April release. Those in the New England area can catch the band opening for Coalesce and Harvey Milk in March."

Sample Phantom Glue tracks can be heard at their MySpace page.

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The Destiny Program Issues New Album Update

Germany's The Destiny Program has issued the following update about the release of their new album:

"The laziest band ever (us) is very proud to announce that our brand-new album 'Gathas' will finally hit your speakers on April 23rd through Bastardized Recordings. For the first time, we produced an album on our own and we are pretty satisfied with the result. For the mixing and mastering, we were able to work with our good friend Tue Madsen again. So be prepared for a bunch of good news within the next few days.

"Our sites at MySpace and Twitter as well as our homepage will be relaunched in the next days. Along with the redesigned MySpace page, you will find the new song 'Avesta' and the cover-artwork of 'Gathas,' which was done by genius Seldon Hunt. Be sure to check everything out and tell us what you think. So folks...the waiting is over!"

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Unleashed Reveals New Album Release Dates

Swedish metallers Unleashed have announced that their upcoming full-length album will be titled "As Yggdrasil Trembles." The new album is currently set to be released on the 19th of March in Europe and on the 6th of April in the U.S.

Unleashed also have the following upcoming tour dates:

2/20 2010 WinterNachtsTraum Festival Arnsberg/Oeventrop
3/20 2010 MINUS 30° Festival Luleå
5/8 2010 Walpurgis Metal Days Hauzenberg
7/2 2010 With Full Force Open Air Leipzig
8/19 2010 Summer Breeze Festival Dinkelsbühl

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Burial Vault Issues Recording Update

Germany's Burial Vault has issued the following update about the pre-production for their new full-length album:

"Some of you guys might have heard it: After two EPs (There Is No Resort and Come To Grief), we are going to record our first full length-album this year. The songwriting process is done and the new stuff is going to surprise you! But before we prepare to enter Jörg Uken's Soundlodge, we will start a Pre-Production of all the material. This will help to put some finishing touches on the songs.

"Stefan Müller (also known as Quirinus) will help us with the Pre-Production. Because he has worked with musicians out of the Progressive and Folk-Genre, he is not really familiar with Death Metal. So we are the first death metal band to work with him and we are really looking forward to that. Stay tuned for more information!

"Metalfest - Part 2. Now it's time to put the rabbit out of the hat. We are going to destroy the Metalfest again! Back in 2009 we also played that festival (formerly entitled Legacyfest)! This years line-up includes Deicide, Six Feet Under, Sepultura, Testament, Nevermore, Behemoth, Legion Of The Damned, etc. and our good friends Battue!"

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Killing Addiction To Release New Album

Florida death metallers Killing Addiction are set to release their first album in 16 years via Xtreem Music in the first week of March 2010. The new album "Fall of the Archetypes" features six new tracks as well as five bonus songs from their 1994 split cassette album "Dark Tomorrow." Sample Killing Addiction songs are available for streaming via the band's MySpace page.

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Eden's Curse To Record Live DVD

Melodic metallers Eden's Curse have announced they will be recording their first Live DVD and album in May. The recording will take place at the Melodic Rock Fest 2, which is scheduled to take place at The Roadhouse in Elgin, Illinois, within minutes of downtown Chicago on the weekend of April 30th to May 2nd, 2010.

"Melodic Rock.Com wanted diversity with this line-up and he shall have it," says Michael Eden, the bands singer. He adds "When MelodicRock.com owner Andrew McNeice requested The Curse we just couldn't say no! The wheels will be greased and the band will be firing on all cylinders. This should make an interesting few days sharing the stage with Y&T, Winger, Danger Danger, Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Crown Of Thorns, Alias and of course one time Journey vocalist Jeff Scott Soto's new band W.E.T. among many others. The Curse has wanted to play in America for quite some time and now we will do that along with capturing it live in a city I've played many times in the last twenty plus years."

More information about the festival can be found at this location.

Eden's Curse is also nearing completion of the writing phase for the upcoming third album, to be titled "Trinity," which will be recorded in Spring with the band's long term producer Dennis Ward once again at the helm. "Trinity" will mark the bands recording debut with new keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio. A Fall 2010 release is planned with full promotion to follow.

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At The Gates To Release Collector's Box Set

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates are due to celebrate the band's history and recent reunion tour with their new Ultimate Collectors Box Set. Due to be released in early March and strictly limited to just 300 copies, the box set includes the forthcoming 3-DVD set, "The Flames of the End," featuring a brand new documentary running over two hours, a live DVD of the band's performance at the Wacken festival in 2008, and a collection of rare and archive footage of the band playing around the world from 1991-2008.

Also included in the box set is both a CD and exclusive colored gatefold double vinyl version of "Purgatory Unleashed - Live at Wacken," along with a t-shirt, metal logo keyring, circular woven patch, pewter and enamel logo belt buckle, and three signature guitar plectrums.

The video trailer for the "The Flames of the End" DVD set can be viewed below. More...

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Horse The Band Announces African Tour

Horse The Band has issued the following statement about touring Africa:

"HORSE the band Reigns in Africa Tour. YES, a Toto reference turned into a spelling joke with a tri-fold meaning. We are touring Africa. Not just two fly-in shows in South Africa. We are driving around the whole country for 17 days bitch. We are playing 12 shows. We are playing in Mozambique. The dates are posted.

"As primarily 15-48 year-old Americans, you probably don't even know where Mozambique is. It is possibly not even a real place. But we are touring there, and people will be at the show. No AIDS jokes. We will not be doing any press for this tour. Actually, we are never going to do any press ever again. Feels lonely... having no peers. No one's living at the top. No one's at the fucking bottom.

"T-shirt ideas for tour: Meet me in Mozambique. (Circa Survive joke shirt) I'm in Maputo bitch. (I'm in Miami Bitch joke shirt) :DDDDDDDDDDD We are very excited and grateful for this experience."

Horse The Band's upcoming tour dates are as follows: More...

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Mouth Of The Architect Streaming New Song

Ohio's Mouth of the Architect has issued the following statement about streaming a new song online via their MySpace page:

"I'm gonna post the first song from our new EP 'The Violence Beneath' online today. We also have new shirts and shit. You can order everything from us at merch@mouthofthearchitect.com. Please help us out and check out the new shit. We're heading to Europe for the first time in April/May and we need all the support we can get. We appreciate the support from everybody and look forward to kickin' it with you at these shows."

Mouth of the Architect has the following upcoming tour dates: More...

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Mortemia Streaming New Song Online

Mortemia, the new solo band from Morten Veland of Sirenia, has recently uploaded a new track for streaming. The song "The New Desire," which is off Mortemia's upcoming album "Misere Mortem," can be heard at the band's official MySpace page. "Misere Mortem" will be released in the U.S. on March 9th, 2010 and in Europe on March 1st, 2010.

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Just For Fun

Your Demise Guitarist Experiences A Taser

Guitarist Ozzy Porkchop of U.K. hardcore act Your Demise recently experienced the fine American tradition of getting shocked by a taser. The band issued the following statement about the incident:

"YD played in south Carolina, whilst there we encountered a guy with a swazzy tattooed on his head. Later on that night we over heard the venue manager and the said 'skinhead' playing with a Taser. Oz then felt the need to try it out, what a legend."

A video of the experience can be viewed below.

Your Demise is currently on the Small Town Shakedown tour with The Ghost Inside, For the Fallen Dreams, and Suffokate. The dates are as follows: More...

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The Red Chord Recruits Original Drummer

The Red Chord have announced they will be performing with their original drummer Michael Justian at all of their upcoming shows. Justian has not publicly performed with the group since the Maryland Deathfest of 2004, and replaces recently departed drummer, Brad Fickeisen. Justian left The Red Chord at the end of 2003, joined Unearth in 2004, and also spent time filling in for Trap Them, Earth Crisis, Shai Hulud, and 108 in the interim.

Guitarist Mike McKenzie commented: "It's great to be jamming with Mike again. His approach to drumming is truly unique and amazing. Even though it has been about 6 years since he has played this stuff, his playing is stronger than ever. We've rehearsed almost every day for the last month and we can't wait to do this live again."

The first show with the adjusted line up will be this Wednesday, February 10th at the Hideaway in Johnson City, TN before meeting up with My Children My Bride, Chelsea Grin and Those Who Lie Beneath on the "Burgers and Bowling" tour.

The confirmed dates for the "Burgers And Bowling" tour are as follows: More...

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sleepmakeswaves Announces New Guitarist

Sydney post-rock outfit sleepmakeswaves has announced the addition of Otto Wicks-Green in the guitar port-folio, following the departure early this year of founding member Tom Binetter. The band wrote in a press release…

"sleepmakeswaves would like to announce the addition of a shiny new geetar playerist: Otto Wicks-Green!

"As well as being a fantastic performer and riff-writer, Otto also boasts incredible abilities on the air drums, a vaguely disturbing love of Miley Cyrus and the uncanny ability to substitute the normal human needs for sleep and food with extended doses of lul intarwebz. Of course, these things mean he is the perfect fit for sleepmakeswaves and we can’t wait to bring him to stage near you. Please make him feel welcomed, preferably with macros from 4chan.

"Good so far? Yes, but we’ll probably stay off stage over the next few months to let the new lineup get settled and write some pimpin’ tunes. We need time off to let our sound grow and deliver you the best future SMW possible. But we won’t be away for too long as we’re planning to be back playing shows and roadtesting new material in the middle of the year. As it stands, we’re about halfway through writing a full-length record that we’re hoping to record later in the year if all goes to plan. Exciting stuff!

"In the meantime, spread the word and keep the faith. Tell all your friends to download all our music from Lost Children. It’s free, and free is good. Send us internet love and maybe even waste part of your life on our super-cool internet forum. Thanks for reading and for listening. It’s going to be a good year!"

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Kreator Signs To Nuclear Blast Records

German thrash metal legends Kreator has announced that they have signed a new record deal with German based label, Nuclear Blast Records. A message from frontman Mille Petrozza reads as follows:

"We're happy to anounce that Kreator has just signed a new long- dated deal with Nuclear Blast! Based on a friendship with Andy Siry (head of A&R of Nuclear Blast) that lasted for decades we will now finally join forces on a professional level!

"Becoming a part of the NB-family means a lot to us and together with the world's biggest metal label we will conquer the future!"

Andy Siry (head of A&R of Nuclear Blast) stated: "For me another 'thrash dream' has come true with the signing of Germany’s finest and Europe’s leading thrash legends Kreator!!! I still remember the day when I heard Endless Pain for the first time, I became a huge fan of the band. I have been following Kreator through their career and I built up a very good friendship with Mille. The last years I have been working very hard to make it possible that Kreator would join the Nuclear Family. Together we are looking into a very bright future in which we will be leading Kreator onwards to world domination!"

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Black Label Society Drummer Quits The Band

Black Label Society has announced that they have parted ways with their drummer Craig Nunenmacher. Although no official reason has been given for the split, a brief message from the band reads as follows:

"Craig Nunenmacher has quit the band... we will have a new drummer very soon."

The band are scheduled to release a new studio album later this year through E1 Music.

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Interview

Chris Amott Discusses His Solo Band Armageddon

Christopher Amott may be most well known for his heavy guitar work in Arch Enemy, but he also spent some time in the more melodic side of metal with his side project Armageddon. The band released three albums during its lifetime, but due to the nature of record contracts they only saw a limited release in Japan. The final two albums "Embrace The Mystery" and "Three" have finally seen an extended release as a double CD set in the U.S. and Europe. Samples of Armageddon's music are available for streaming at this location. Christopher took some time during his current tour with Arch Enemy to talk to me about the Armageddon albums and his upcoming solo release "Follow Your Heart." More...

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