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Metalunderground.com Official Podcast, Episode 22

This week on the Metalunderground.com Official Podcast, co-host Mike Smith (OverkillExposure) returns after a jaunt in Europe, where he helped cover the celebrated Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Helsinki, Finland.

A series of full-length articles are on the way, but for now, Mike shares a handful of impressions, recollections, and opinions. This year's Tuska featured numerous heavy hitters, including Dimmu Borgir, Anthrax, Emperor, Children Of Bodom, Carcass, Satyricon, and Insomnium. Check out Mike's initial breakdown of the experience, and learn which performances impressed (or surprised) him most.

Then it's on to a new review by co-host Kevin Perez (n0thinghead), this time of "From Parts Unknown" by eclectic Buffalo, New York noisemakers Every Time I Die. He's not yet sure how this varied release stacks up against his personal favorite, 2012's "Ex Lives," but is quick to assure you it brings plenty of thrills.

Finally, Kevin and Mike react to the recently announced Knotfest lineup - a thorough blend of mainstream and underground, old school and new - and the ill-advised kidnapping hoax by Texas deathcore band Upon A Burning Body, a publicity stunt that backfired spectacularly.

Listen in here, enjoy, and offer us your feedback. You can subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

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Set And Setting Announces New Tour Dates

In addition to a recently announced mini-tour with North, the instrumental post-metal group Set And Setting has confirmed a series of dates alongside Mouth of the Architect.

The August trek includes an appearance at Tampa’s Southern Darkness festival, where the band will perform with the likes of Pelican, Phobia, Black Tusk, A Storm of Light and more. A complete list of the group’s upcoming shows appears below.

Set And Setting will be releasing a sophomore album (and Prosthetic debut) this coming September, which follows the “Equanimity” debut.

8/16 Birmingham, AL – The Forge *
8/17 New Orleans, LA – Hey Cafe *
8/18 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone Cafe *
8/19 Springfield, MO – Lindberg’s *
8/21 Johnson City, TN – The Hideaway ^
8/22 Savannah, GA – The Jinx ^
8/23 Tampa, FL – Orpheum (Southern Darkness Fest w/ Pelican, Black Tusk, etc.)
8/25 Columbia, SC – New Brooklyn Tavern ^
8/26 Raleigh, NC – Kings ^
8/27 Richmond, VA – Gallery5 ^
8/28 Philadelphia, PA – Connie’s ^
8/29 Brooklyn, NY – The Acheron ^
8/30 Boston, MA – Great Scott ^
* w/ North
^ w/ Mouth of the Architect

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Desertfest Announces More Band Confirmations

The Belgian Desertfest organizers have checked in with the following update about confirming new bands for the 2014 bill:

"We are so excited to announce the latest set of bands to grace the bill of Desertfest Belgium! Get ready for Fu Manchu, Jex Thoth, The Shrine, Dirty Fences, and David Celia! Check them out from October 10th - 12th at Trix, Antwerp!

"That being said, get ready to dig into your pockets, on July 15th day passes will be on sale. The day by day program will be announced on that day as well!

"Those traveling from abroad, there's still some tickets left with accommodation at Tulip Inn Antwerp!"

Further details can be found at the festival's official Facebook profile here. More...

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Patria Posts Brazilian Tour Teaser

Black metal outfit Patria will be touring Brazil in August with Torqverem. A new promo video for the tour can be seen below, and the band comments:

"Check out the part #2 of our promo video series. This is a short one where we're showing you a little bit more about our city, rehearsal place and our daily routine preparing everything for the brazilian Tour now in August. Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for the part #3 coming in the end of this month.”

August 1st - São Paulo/SP - Brazil
August 2nd - Belo Horizonte/MG - Brazil
August 8th - Curitiba/PR - Brazil
August 9th - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Brazil

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Kurgaall Releases New Music Video

Italian Satanic black metal cult Kurgaall has now released new album "Voluntas Luciferi" through Deathstorm Records.

In celebration of the album, the band has also released a video for the single "Night of the Satanist," which can be seen below. The album's track listing is as follows:

1. Lucifer will Reign Again
2. Domination of Satan
3. Raping the Corpse of the Holy Virgin
4. King of Blasphemy
5. Infernal War
6. Ego Promitto Domino
7. Night of Satanist
8. Demon Seal
9. Skull Throne of Satan More...

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Goatwhore To Tour With Dying Fetus

Goatwhore is currently leveling stages across the U.S. on a Summer-long live tirade that includes a twenty-two date run on this year's Summer Slaughter tour.

The band will also be headed to Europe this Fall/Winter supporting Dying Fetus. Set to commence on November 8th in Liege, Belgium, the epic trek will topple nearly four dozen metropolises, coming to a close on December 20th in Leer, Germany. Additional support will be provided by Malevolence and Fallujah.

Goatwhore has been touring in support of the sadistic wares of the recently unleashed "Constricting Rage Of The Merciless" full-length album. The band will celebrate the release with a meet and greet next week at the world famous Grill 'Em All brick and mortar restaurant in Alhambra, California. Kicking off at 7:00 pm on Wednesday July 16th, fans will have a chance to hang with the band, hear the record in full, as well as purchase a copy if they haven't already. See Goatwhore live: More...

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Jon Schaffer Issues Surgery Update

Iced Earth recently cancelled upcoming tour dates due to Jon Schaffer undergoing surgery. He has now checked in with the following update about the procedure:

"Hello friends, I’m writing to let you know that I made it through the surgery and am steadily on the road to recovery.

"The surgeon informed us that everything went smooth during the operation and that I should be back in action within a few months.

"Thank you all very much for your support, you truly are the best fans any band could ask for.

"Take care and best to you all, Jon Schaffer."

Iced Earth's most recent album "Plagues of Babylon" (reviewed here) is officially out and available now. More...

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Barren Earth Recording New Album

Finnish melodic death/doom outfit Barren Earth recruited new vocalist Jón Aldará earlier this year, and now the band is finally recording an upcoming album.

Photos from the band's time in the studio working on this third full-length album can be seen over at Facebook. The currently untitled album follows 2012's "The Devil's Resolve" (reviewed here) and debut full-length "Curse of the Red River" from 2010 (reviewed here).

Further details on the album are forthcoming. Barren Earth consists of:

Jón Aldará - lead vocals
Sami Yli-Sirniö - guitars
Janne Perttilä - guitars
Olli-Pekka Laine - bass
Kasper Mårtenson - keyboards
Marko Tarvonen - drums More...

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Leprous Announces North American Shows

Norway's Leprous released latest album "Coal" last Summer (reviewed here), and now the band will head to North America to tour in support of the disc. Leprous comments:

"We're over excited to announce that we'll finally do some shows in the USA and Canada in September!

"It has always been a dream for us to do a US/Canada tour, and to start the tour in one of the coolest festivals in the country is an honor! Even though the tour is rather short we get to visit many great places. We promise to give everything we have to give, so we recommend you to attend a show near you!"

September 12 - Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA
September 16 - Detroit, MI - The Token Lounge
September 17 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
September 18 - Toronto, ON - The Comfort Zone
September 19 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
September 20 - New York, NY - Studio @ Webster Hall
September 21 - Springfield, VA - Empire More...

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Khtoniik Cerviiks To Release "Heptaedrone" Demo

Ever the vanguard of ugly and uncompromising underground metal, Iron Bonehead Production unveils "Heptaedrone," the debut demo of Khtoniik Cerviiks, which is set for international release on August 15th. The label also issued the following pretentious nonsense about transcending the genre of metal:

"A German power-trio, Khtoniik Cerviiks create a rabid, roiling style of barbaric black/death that evinces no shortage of idiosyncrasy. The seven tracks of Heptaedrone pulse and thrust with savage bestiality, but are shot through with wild turns of angularity and teeth-gnashingly tense texture.

"It's a sound that's utterly unhinged and palpably dangerous and most definitely METAL, but Khtoniik Cerviiks are aiming for spiritual/astral planes far beyond the mien of 'metal.' Just as the label has done with fostering the 'thinking man's savagery' of Bölzer and Cult of Fire, Iron Bonehead will destroy souls and blow minds with Khtoniik Cerviiks' Heptaedrone."

1. Khtoniik Cerviiks Exhalement
2. The Grand Sidereal Swindle
3. Colliding Spheres Bend Solar Years
4. Elektriik Redeemer
5. Magmatiik Moil
6. Black Hole Neurotransmission
7. Moraines Of Molten Light (Khtoniik Cerviiks Inhalement) More...

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Pain of Salvation Announces North American Tour

Metal Underground is proud to announce that Pain of Salvation and Vangough will be making their way across the United States on tour for the month of September.

Pain of Salvation is ready to return to North America for a full continental tour beginning September 10th in Atlanta, GA. The band will cover a good portion of the United States and also play a couple of shows in Canada and Mexico. Oklahoma-based Vangough has been chosen as direct support for the tour. A complete list of dates can be found below.

More...

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Shining Posts Bass Recording Video

Norway's Shining (not to be confused with the Swedish depressive black metal outfit of the same name), has released a new bass recording clip, which can be seen below. The group also comments:

"Check out the third episode of our ongoing series of webisodes, from recording some new songs! Tonight: Bass Space!

"If you want to hear these new songs live, we'll perform them at our special 'One One One + New Music' night at Blå in Oslo, Sept 26th! Get tickets right here." More...

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Erra Recruits New Vocalist

Alabama outfit Erra has checked in with the following announcement about parting ways with the band's vocalist:

"It has been rumored in the last few months that our frontman Garrison was leaving the band. Those rumors were actually true. Garrison had a great job opportunity come up back in March.

"We could tell for a while that his heart wasn't in it like it used to be, so we all talked about it and mutually decided that it was the right thing to do. There was no bad blood or tension in this conversation. As a matter of fact, he did 2 more tours with us after that conversation until we were able to find the right guy to fill the new vocalist spot (the Veil of Maya & Texas in July tours)

"So now that you're up to speed on the sad news, the good news is that we just finished recording a new EP with our new vocalist, Ian Eubanks.

"Ian has been one of our best friends from Birmingham for years now, and we hope that you trust us when we say that there is absolutely no one more qualified to fill the spot as our vocalist as Ian is. We've heard the new mixes and are extremely confident that Erra fans will be completely satisfied and accepting of this new addition to the band... (no seriously, you'll love it haha). More...

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Eden's Curse Releases New Music Video

Multinational melodic metal band Eden's Curse today releases a video for the track "Break The Silence," taken from latest release "Symphony Of Sin." Check it out below.

The video was filmed throughout the group's recent U.K. headline tour. This is the second video to be released from "Symphony Of Sin" and the first to feature new Drummer John Clelland (Code Of Silence).

Eden's Curse has begun writing for a fifth studio album, ear marked for a release in Autumn 2015. Further details are forthcoming. More...

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Havok Signs To Century Media

Century Media Records is pleased to announce the signing of Denver, Colorado's Havok. The young thrash metal quartet has worked nonstop releasing 3 albums and touring the world the past 5 years and is poised to take its career to another level.

"We're so excited to sign with Century Media!" exclaims guitarist Reece Scruggs. "Their reputation as a front running metal label is obvious. Timeless albums that have influenced us as individuals, and as a band, have been released through the label, and we aim to become a part of that tradition."

"I'm pleased to add Havok to our artist roster," says Century Media President Marco Barbieri. "I have watched the band evolve and progress musically and highly admire their work ethic and commitment to metal and their fans."

Havok just concluded extensive tours of Asia, South America, and Canada and will be starting a month-long onslaught of European shows this weekend, including performing at many of the continent's prestigious festivals, as well as off-dates with Suffocation and Skeletonwitch. More...

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Whispered Covers Final Fantasy VII

The Finnish outfit Whispered has uploaded its cover of the Final Fantasy VII battle theme music, which can be heard below.

The track is included as a bonus on the Japanese release of latest album "Shogunate Macabre." The album's track listing is as follows:

1. Jikininki
2. Hold The Sword
3. Fallen Amaterasu
4. One Man's Burden
5. Kappa
6. Lady Of The Wind
7. Unrestrained
8. Upon My Honor
9. Final Fantasy VII - Let The Battles Begin [bonus track]
10. Ginga -Nagareboshi Gin- [bonus track]

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Avulsed Parts With Drummer

Avulsed has officially parted ways with drummer Osckar Bravo, and the band comments on the situation:

"After a reunion maintained yesterday between all members of the band, it was decided that Osckar Bravo, drummer of Avulsed since April 2012, leaves the band due to professional incompatibilities.

"It was a decision, although meditated, very difficult for us, because there weren’t personal or musicianship factors involved, since Osckar, right after joining the band, quickly got integrated in the group and contributed to raise the instrumental level of the band with his undeniable quality as a drummer.

"Avulsed wants to thank Osckar Bravo in a very special way for letting us enjoy of his qualities as a musician and especially as a person in the over two years he’s been with us where he recorded one of the best albums of the band ('Ritual Zombi') and sharing with us great moments during the shows we’ve played together. We’d like to wish him the best luck not only in his other band Nightfear, but in any other musical project he might get involved. He’s got plenty of quality for that!!

"So, starting from today, Avulsed will search a replacement to get the vacant spot in a permanent way. We’ll let you know when we find a new drummer!!"

Avulsed also recently announced a "Carnivoracity" 20th anniversary re-issue on CD / 12" LP via Xtreem Music this coming August 1st. More...

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Famous Last Words Posts New Single

Famous Last Words has released new single "The Uprise," which can be heard below and comes by way of the band's "Council Of The Dead" album due out August 26th, 2014. The band also comments on the release:

"The album, Council of the Dead, is a story about a group therapy meeting in the afterlife whose council members come to discover their connections to one another through the retelling of the events leading up to their deaths.

"Contrary to the other songs on the album, 'The Uprise' tells the story of a survivor of war and the strength that can come from the sacrifice of others. After the survivor, Aisha, and her village are saved by US soldiers, some of whom died in the process, they are determined to rise up and join in the fight against their oppressors."

The album's track listing is as follows:

1. Letter To The Council
2. Council Of The Dead
3. The Fog
4. Hell In The Headlights
5. Brothers In Arms
6. The Killing Zone
7. Fading Memories
8. Entity
9. The Uprise
10. My Life Before My Eyes
11. One In The Chamber
12. The End Of The Beginning More...

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Voivod Splits With Bassist

Canadian outfit Voivod has issued the following brief announcement about parting ways with bass player "Blacky" (Jean-Yves Thériault):

"It saddens us to announce that Voivod will no longer be performing live with Blacky. Jean-Yves has decided to leave the band for his own personal reasons. We wish him all the best. Voivod will carry on."

Voivod released the "Target Earth" album last year, and you can check out a music video from the full-length album below. More...

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Tim Lambesis Seeks Prison Credit For House Arrest

After spending just under a year on house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, former As I Lay Dying member Tim Lambesis was given a six year sentence for attempting to hire an undercover police agent to murder his wife.

Radio.com is now reported that Lambesis is seeking credit towards his six year term for the time he spent under house arrest at his parent's home in California. The site reports:

Tim Lambesis, once singer for the San Diego metal band As I Lay Dying, and his attorney are expected back in court next week arguing that he deserves “custody credit” for the days he was on “house arrest,” after hiring a hitman to kill his wife.

“There will be a hearing on July 18th to determine if the time Lambesis spent on house arrest will count as credits towards his prison term,” prosecutor Claudia Grasso stated in an email. Tim Lambesis is expected to be in San Diego’s North County Superior Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. next Friday, before the same judge who sentenced him to six years in prison, the Honorable Judge Carlos Armour.

Lambesis, 33, was in the midst of a bitter divorce battle with his wife of eight years when he agreed to pay $20,000 to an undercover officer to kill his wife.

Former bandmate Nick Hipa - now part of the new project Wovenwar - also recently discussed the situation with Lambesis in an interview. Get highlights of that talk at this location.

Read the full article at Radio.com.

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Obscura Splits With Drummer And Guitairst

Drummer Hannes Grossmann and guitarist Christian Muenzner have announced their departure from German prog/tech death metal band Obscura.

Due to these lineup changes, recordings for the band's fourth album and follow-up to "Omnivium" (reviewed here) have been postponed. Christian Muenzner comments:

"My decision to step down from my position as the lead guitar player in Obscura after more than 6 years was not an easy one, but even though it may come unexpected for the majority of fans, it is something I have been contemplating for the last couple of years. There is no bad blood between me and any of the other members of the band.

"However, I just want to devote the biggest part of the time that I have to work on my own music and visions. Doing this, I just can't invest the bulk of my time into the band, because a band operating at the level of Obscura does not work as a an additional thing or even a 'hobby'. It demands a lot of time and availability, but I I know that if my heart is not fully into the music anymore it is not true to myself, my bandmates or to the fans, and I have always believed that solely the fact that a band is successful or that people expect you to play a certain style of music are not enough of a reason to do it.

"A second crucial factor in my decision was that I am still dealing with a neurologic condition in my fretting hand called Focal Dystonia, which almost took the ability to play guitar away from me completely by late 2011/early 2012. Even though I regained most of my chops by now through re-training and Botox therapy, the condition is still there and I have to be very careful not to relapse and undo my progress by putting too much strain on my hand, which is why touring several months on an album cycle with material that brings me to the edge of my technical ability every night is not an option for me anymore in the near future.

"The slightest chance of recovery or at least further improvement have absolute priority for me in the coming years, as I want to be able to play guitar and release music for much longer. Thus I decided to focus mainly on my teaching career and on writing and recording my own music for now. I will remain very active and you will hear a lot of new music from me in the future. More...

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Einherjer To Release 7" Single

The viking metal pioneers in Einherjer are due to release a brand new 7" on the 25th of August, and on digital formats August 4th.

"Nidstong" is limited to 500 copies worldwide, and the single will be a first taste of a forthcoming album, which is to be released later this Autumn.

The band's previous release “Norrøn” made the official Norwegian album charts, and this summer the group has the pleasure of performing at festivals like Summer Breeze (15th August) and RockHarzt Open Air (11th August) in Germany. More...

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Chronographs Posts Studio Footage

Chronographs has released more footage online today of Finn Mclean tracking drums for "Flat White" at The Ladder Factory with George at G1 Production. Check out the clip below, or you can see previously posted studio footage over at this location.

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Funerary Posts New Video

Noisey is today hosting a stream of Funerary's 15-minute, bleak new video for "Atonement/Beneath The Veil." Check it out below.

Formed in early 2013, Funerary came to pass by the adherence of five souls looking to coagulate in depression, grief, and anger. Finding solace in dwindling light, the band creates a musical presence that is powerful and progressive in the realm of doom metal by combining what can only be described as cosmic, transcending songs ridden with despair and indignity.

Funerary's debut album, "Starless Aeon," will be unleashed on August 12th in both digital and cassette form via Midnite Collective. You can also experience the gloom live on these dates:

8/13 - San Bernardino @ Black Flame Collective w/ Harassor, Trapped Within Burning Machinery
8/14 - Chico, CA @ Cafe Coda w/ Amarok, Usnea, Fórn
8/16 - Oakland, CA @ Deadfest w/ Noothgrush, Usnea, Fórn & More
8/18 - Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar w/ Bell Witch, Ephemeros, Ancient Altar More...

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Samael Posts "Sedunum" Teaser

Today Xy from Samael officially releases "Sedunum," an orchestral project composed specifically for the Swiss city of Sion.

You can order your own copy of the album at this location, and a teaser trailer featuring snippets from the release can be seen below. The track listing is as follows:

1. Sedunum : 3.14
2. Ad Gloriam : 4.18
3. Dreams of Yore : 3.13
4. Celestial City : 4.59
5. Elsewhere : 2.15
6. In Aeternum : 4.27
7. Timeless : 2.24
8. For Victory : 2.33
9. Once : 1.58
10. Through Ages : 4.23
11. Eternal Peace : 3.32
12. In Memoriam : 3.03
13. Babylon : 4.30

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Fallujah Streaming "Levitation"

With the release of "The Flesh Prevails," the forthcoming magnum opus from atmospheric death metal henchmen Fallujah now almost two weeks away, The Onion's A.V. Club offers up fifth number, "Levitation," for public consumption.

Give it a listen in the SoundCloud player below. Comments vocalist Alex Hoffmann of the newly released song:

"'Levitation' is a track made with the purpose of channeling the most dark and ethereal energies that the album has to offer, swaying away from speed and aggression and into more otherworldly and melancholic themes. This is my personal favorite track on the album and one that we can't wait to play live."

The album was mixed, mastered, and engineered by sound savior Zack Ohren (Suffocation, All Shall Perish) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California and "The Flesh Prevails" will be released via Unique Leader Records on July 22nd, 2014. Upcoming Fallujah tour dates are available after the jump. More...

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Hang The Bastard Announces New Album

Hang The Bastard has checked in with the following announcement about releasing a new album:

"We are extremely happy to announce the release details and information about our brand new full-length 'Sex In The Seventh Circle.' The record will come out worldwide on Century Media Records and Siege Of Amida records. The title track will premiere on the radio1rockshow on Monday 14th July."

"Sex In The Seventh Circle" is due for release on September 22nd via SOAR/Century Media in Europe and October 14th in North America. The track listing is as follows:

01. Keeping Vigil
02. Morrs Tempest
03. Hornfel
04. The Lesser Key
05. The Majestic Gathering Of Goetia
06. Mist Of Albion
07. Sex In The Seventh Circle
08. Snake Symbol
09. Absorption
10. Beyond The Pale
11. Sweet Mother More...

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