Belphegor Still Searching For New Drummer

Austrian extreme black/death metal outfit Belphegor are still looking for a talented replacement for drummer Nefastus. Everybody who is interested and fits the requirements may contact the band`s management at belphegor@aon.at , www.belphegor.at or www.myspace.com/belphegor.

Requirements:
Preferably from Germany, Austria or Switzerland
You are at least 22 years of age and have stage experience
You are absolutely tight and you can play with click - in the rehearsal room, live and in the studio

Belphegor will embark on their U.S. tour with Unleashed and Krisiun on February 7th, 2007.

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Twelve Tribes Replaces Bassist

Twelve Tribes has confirmed the departure of bassist Matt Tackett. According to the band, "He's getting married and whatnot so we're super happy for him." Tackett has subsequently been replaced by Jayro Stikeleather (Romance of Young Tigers). Meanwhile, the group has announced plans to tour the UK in April and the rest of Europe in May. Dates and venues have yet to be announced.

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Beneath The Massacre Unveil New Song

Canada's brutal, technical metal band BENEATH THE MASSACRE has unveiled a brand new track from the forthcoming full-length debut, Mechanics of Dysfuntion, which is due out Feb. 20, 2007 through Prosthetic Records. The record's second track, "Society's Disposable Son," is now available on the Prosthetic Records MySpace page.

Artwork for Mechanics of Dysfunction can be seen Prosthetic Records.com front, back) . Art was handled by Gabriel McCaughy (ex-Ion Dissonance) and the tracklisting is as follows:

Beneath The Massacre – Mechanics of Dysfunction

1) The Surface
2) Society's Disposable Son
3) The System's Failure
4) The Stench of Misery
5) Untitled
6) Modern Age Slavery
7) The Invisible Hand
8) Better Off Dead
9) Long Forgotten
10) Sleepless More...

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Vader, Solitude Aeturnus Polish Gig To Be Filmed

VADER, SOLITUDE AETURNUS, and ONSLAUGHT will team up for a mini-festival on February 12, 2007 at the Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland. All three bands' sets will be filmed for separate DVD releases, tentatively due next year. A fourth, as-yet-undisclosed group will also appear on the bill.

VADER will team up with BRUTAL TRUTH for three "Extreme The Dojo Tour Vol. 17" Japanese dates in early March.

VADER will enter Hertz Studio in Poland in March 2007 to re-record 25 of the best songs from their entire discography for a 25th anniversary release, to be issued in 2008. The set will also include a DVD containing tons of bonus features, such as archival recordings, live shows, video clips and other special material. Jaroslaw Szubrycht, a well-known Polish journalist who recently finished a book about SLAYER, will write a VADER biography.

VADER's "Impressions in Blood" album entered the Polish national chart at position No. 8. The band's video for the song "Helleluyah (God Is Dead)" has been posted online at YouTube.com. The clip was shot with director Andrzej Wyrozebski, who is said to be one of the leading movie producers in Poland. Janusz Kr?l (known from the Polish fantasy movie "Wiedzmin") was responsible for all special effects and the whole set design. Slawomir Panasewicz (who has worked on over 140 video clips!) was a cameraman.

"Impressions in Blood" was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and features artwork by Greek artist Seth (ROTTING CHRIST, PARADISE LOST).

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Liege Lord Guitarist Joins Upwards of Endtime

Former LEIGE LORD guitarist Tony Truglio will appear on UPWARDS OF ENDTIME's third CD, "From Genesis to Apocalypse and Beyond". This album will feature 14 previously unreleased songs in the '70s/early 80s hard rock/heavy metal style of BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, ANGEL WITCH, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, WIDOW (U.K.), QUARTZ, DEMON, UFO, Uli Jon Roth-era SCORPIONS, Bon Scott-era AC/DC, LAZARUS (SIN), and SAINT VITUS.

UPWARDS OF ENDTIME was created in Connecticut in 2003 by vocalist Philip Swanson as an obscure traditional heavy metal band. In addition to Tony Truglia, the lineup includes ex-TRIBE member Paul Wise on bass, VESTAL CLARET drummer Jim Quinn, and original member Matt Moran (also ex-TRIBE) on guitar. In addition to the new CD, UPWARDS AND ENDTIME, with its new lineup, will be covering "Straight from Hell" on an ANGEL WITCH tribute CD, to be released by Germany's Unbroken Metal.

Tony, Matt, Paul and Phil have been friends since childhood and have all played together at one time or another and now all reunited in UPWARDS OF ENDTIME.

LIEGE LORD formed in 1982 but began their recording career in June 1985 with their debut release, "Freedom's Rise", on the Iron Works/Azra label. That same year the band signed with the now legendary French label Black Dragon Records. LIEGE LORD eventually inked a deal with Metal Blade Records and released the classic "Burn To My Touch" and "Master Control" albums.

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Light This City Post "Exile" Online

Bay Area thrashers LIGHT THIS CITY have posted an additional song entitled "Exile" on the band's MySpace page from the band's latest release, 'Facing The Thousand.' Released in September 2006 through Prosthetic Records, 'Facing The Thousand' is LIGHT THIS CITY's third release and sophomore effort for Prosthetic. In addition to "Exile," fans can listen to another new track, "Cradle For A King" alongside two tracks from the band's Prosthetic debut, 2005's 'Remains of The Gods.'

"Exile" has been a live staple for LIGHT THIS CITY in 2006, which saw the band hit the road on several tours, including dates alongside Suicide Silence, All That Remains, Through The Eyes of The Dead and The Acacia Strain among others. Currently back in the Bay Area, the band is scheduled to offer support to labelmates ALL THAT REMAINS on a leg of their headlining tour at the end of January and more touring details will be available soon.

LIGHT THIS CITY tour dates with Misery Signals:
1/26 Houston, TX – Meridian – Red Room
1/27 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
1/28 Ridglea, TX – Ridglea Theater
1/30 Tempe, AZ – The Clubhouse Music Venue
1/31 West Hollywood, CA – The Whisky

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The Minor Times Give Another Studio Update, Photos

Pennsylvania's THE MINOR TIMES has offered another update from the studio, where the band is recording its follow-up to 2005's 'Making Enemies' with producer Vince Ratti at Skylight Studio. 'Summer of Wolves,' as it has been dubbed, will see a spring 2007 release through Prosthetic Records and the band has already revealed a handful of song titles, including "This Is The Blues," "Blackhole Living," "Van Zant," "Bringing In The Suit" and "+ + +." .

Guitarist Brian Medlin offers an update on the state of recording: "Hello! We're back with another update from the studio. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We've been very busy, as you can imagine. Before I get to some pictures, I want to give you some more lyrics to 3 other new songs. Also, http://www.theminortimes.com is finally fixed. Check out the SHOWS section, and come see our first performance since August.

"Casket City Lights" lyrics: More...

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Trent Reznor Talks About New NIN Album

LiveDaily.com reports: Known for making fans wait at least a half-decade between studio albums, Nine Inch Nails (music) mastermind Trent Reznor has announced that he's already finished recording the follow-up to 2005's "With Teeth."

"Is it possible I am actually finished writing and recording a new Nine Inch Nails record?" Reznor wrote in a message posted last month at NIN's website. "Apparently so. We begin mixing in January! Juggling 15 all-new tracks around. Testing sequences. No leftovers from "With Teeth." Highly conceptual. Quite noisy. F---ing cool."

Reznor subsequently wrote a message to members of NIN's official fan club, The Spiral.

"Usually when I finish a record, I have to go into battle with the people whose job is to figure out how to sell the record," he wrote. "The only time that didn't happen was 'With Teeth.' This time, however, I'm expecting an epic struggle. This is not a particularly friendly record and it certainly doesn't sound like anything else out there right now. Artists these days are not encouraged to experiment or take risks, and my punishment is on its way.

"Feeling physically run-down and emotionally insecure at this moment, and baffled as to why I feel the need to share this with you!" he added.

No release date for the new album has been announced.

"With Teeth" hit stores six years after its predecessor, the 1999, two-disc epic "The Fragile." NIN's other two full-length sets--"Pretty Hate Machine" and "The Downard Spiral"--surfaced in 1989 and 1994, respectively.

The suddenly prolific Reznor--who went into rehab after overdosing on heroin during "The Fragile" tour--will also offer up a new concert DVD next month. Titled "Nine Inch Nails Live: Beside You in Time," the set was filmed during the group's late-2006 North American tour. Bonus materials will include additional performance footage shot during the band's summer-'06 tour, as well as music videos, rehearsals and an image gallery. Complete details, including the track listing and a video teaser, are available online.

Next month, NIN will kick off a European tour that runs into April. The itinerary is posted at the band's website.

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Sevendust Announce More Tour Dates

SEVENDUST has announced more shows for its 57-date North American tour, scheduled to begin on February 8 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Support on the trek will come from DIECAST. The tour will be in support of the Atlanta-based band's sixth studio album, "Alpha", which arrives on March 6. The CD's first single, "Deathstar", is now streaming at the band's official web site, Sevendust.info.

SEVENDUST / DIECAST tour dates:

Feb. 08 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere's
Feb. 09 - South Bend, IN - Club Fever
Feb. 10 - Appleton, WI - The Checkered Flag
Feb. 11 - Peoria, IL - Expo Gardens
Feb. 13 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Orbit Room
Feb. 15 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre
Feb. 16 - Fargo, ND - Playmakers Pavilion
Feb. 17 - Waterloo, IA - McElroy Auditorium
Feb. 18 - Sioux Falls, SD - Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Feb. 20 - Springfield, IL - The Warehouse
Feb. 23 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
Feb. 24 - Providence, RI - Lupo's
Mar. 03 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
Mar. 06 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Mar. 09 - Nashville, TN - City Hall
Mar. 10 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle

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Burning Point Enlist New Bassist

Finland's BURNING POINT have enlisted new bass player, Jukka Jokikokko. The band recently issued their third album, Burned Down The Enemy, in Japan. The album features the following tracks: 'Parasite', 'Heart Of Gold', 'Dawn Of The Ancient War', 'Hell Awaits', 'From The Beginning Of It All', 'Icebound', 'Deceiver', 'Eye For An Eye', 'To Hell And Back', 'Against The Madness Of Time', 'Burned Down The Enemy'. The limited European version will contain the following bonus tracks: 'My Reign, My Fire', 'Heart Of Gold' (demo) and 'The Road To Hell'. The European release date will be announced soon.

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Interview

Interview With Gorgoth Of Vanmakt

Karlskrona, Sweden's VANMAKT at this moment have recorded and released their first demo called: “Diaboli Iubeo, Para Vindicta”. Four songs that represent their very own interpretation of how Black metal really should sound. They are now starting to record their debut album after having just been signed to Singapore's respected Black metal label PULVERISED RECORDS. I think this is a band that is important because of the brilliant execution they demonstrate by delivering all the best elements of what this sub-genre should be about: demonic as all hell vocals, challenging lyrical content and a heavy chaotic sound that isn't over produced. I conducted some Q&A with their frontman, Gorgoth. More...

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Gaia Epicus Announce Album Release

Norwegian power metallers GAIA EPICUS will release their third album, "Victory", on January 26 through their own label, Epicus Records. According to a posting on the group's web site, "Epicus Records has signed distribution deals with these companies so far: The End Records for North America; Icare Media for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Metal Mundus for Poland; and LSP for The Netherlands and Belgium. This is where the albums will be available at first, but we are working on getting more distribution as soon as possible."

Three songs from "Victory" — "New Life", "Iron Curtain" and "Rise of the Empire" — are available for listening at Epicus Records' myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/epicusrecords. The cover art for "Victory" can be viewed at http://www.gaia-epicus.com/cd-cover/victorycover.jpg. The painting for the CD was created by J.P. Fournier, who was also responsible for the band's first album cover, "Satrap", in 2003.

"Victory" was recorded at Top Room Studios in Lunner, Norway. The track listing is as follows:

1. New Life
2. Iron Curtain
3. The Sign
4. Revenge is Sweet
5. In Memory
6. Awaken the Monster
7. Rise of the Empire
8. When Darkness Falls
9. Fortress of Solitude
10. Through the Fire
11. Victory

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Dio, Black Sabbath Mates Plotting 'Hell' Of A Tour

BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler recently spoke to John Benson of Billboard.com about the reunion of SABBATH bandmates Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice.

"We just thought it was a bit of a shame that we can't play those songs again," Butler told Billboard.com. "And then earlier this year Tony went to see Dio. They wrote a couple of songs together and it just went from there."

Not only will an upcoming Dio-era SABBATH anthology feature three new songs ("Shadow of the Wind", "Devil Cries" and "Ear in the Wall"), but, as previously reported, a world tour is planned for 2007 as HEAVEN AND HELL, the title of SABBATH's first post-Ozzy album from 1979.

"The [Dio-era had] really good songs [that were] a lot different to the old original SABBATH stuff," Butler said. "They really are fun to play because a lot of them have a lot of space, where you can improvise a lot instead of sticking to the rigid formula."

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Immortal Can't Wait To Finally Perform Again

Reunited Norwegian black metallers IMMORTAL have issued the following update:

"Some months have passed since we announced our reunion shows and we would like to say thanks for all the fantastic feedback we have received. Abbath and Apollyon (AURA NOIR) rehearsed together last weekend, and with Horgh just back from the U.S., we will start with full band rehearsals in January. Our first gig will be the Inferno Festival in Norway, and during the summer, we will play the confirmed shows in France, Finland, USA, Slovenia and Germany. We wish you all the best for now, and can't wait to finally perform for you again."

Upcoming IMMORTAL concerts:

Apr. 5-7 - Oslo, NOR @ Inferno Festival
Jun. 22-24 - Clisson, FRA @ Hellfest
Jun. 29-Jul. 1 - Helsinki, FIN @ Tuska Open Air
Jul. 13 - New York City, NY @ BB King's
Jul. 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
Jul. 20 - Tolmin, SLO @ Metal Camp
Aug. 2-4 - Wacken, GER @ Wacken Open Air

After 13 successful years as one of the pioneers of modern Nordic Black Metal, IMMORTAL disbanded in 2003 with a legacy of seven full-length albums, including the 2002 milestone, "Sons of Northern Darkness". Following a long hiatus, the band decided to enter the live battlefield again.

Come 2007, the world will experience a ferocious new IMMORTAL lineup, featuring Abbath, Horgh, and new bass player Apollyon from AURA NOIR.

"I needed a break," Abbath explained. "I think we all did! We were simply burnt out, and there was no point in continuing. We had a Norwegian tour booked, and had performed at some great festivals both in the U.S. and Europe, but it just didn't feel right any longer."

In the meantime, drummer Horgh toured with Sweden's death metal masters HYPOCRISY and released the "Virus" album, while Abbath has been working on his sideproject, I, featuring members of ENSLAVED and SAHG, along with IMMORTAL's original drummer, Armagedda.

"I'm really proud of that album," Abbath stated enthusiastically, "and it was an important album to make in order to be able to focus on IMMORTAL again."

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Daysend Post New Song Online

Sydney, Australia-based metallers DAYSEND have posted a new song, entitled "Warning", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's upcoming sophomore album, due later in the year. The follow-up to 2003's "Severance", was produced by dw Norton at Backbeach Recording Studios in Victoria, Australia and marks the band's first release with vocalist Mark McKernan.

Commented bassist Meredith Webster: "The songs are definitely in a heavier vein than 'Severance', but we have by no means lost the melodic touch. We've had a pretty full on few years, and it was bound to show in our music — the whole writing and recording process has been pretty cathartic for us all. We are going to bleed these tunes when we take to the stage again!"

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Vicious Circle Video on On Demand Music

NJ death metal band, Vicious Circle, post the following message on myspace:

"Our video for LIVE LONG AND SUFFER is available to watch at OnDemand Music (Fuse/Metal) from January 1rst till February 11th!!!

We would like to thank everyone that was involved in the making of this video and to all who put us into the hands of OnDemand!!!"

To access the video take the following steps given by guitarist Vinny:
"It's on OnDemand Digital Cable Services. It would be the same as if you want to choose a movie to watch at anytime, but you would go to the "Music" option and go to "Fuse" then "Uranium" and the listing for the video will show up then. It IS on Fuse TV, but through a digital cable network."

Upcomming show dates:
Jan. 20 @ The Sterling (Allentown, PA)
Jan. 28 @ The Samba Nightclucb (Philadelphia, PA)

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At Daggers Drawn Calls It Quits

Cincinnati's hardcore-influenced metal band At Daggers Drawn has decided to call it quits. New projects by the various members will be announced in the coming weeks and months. The band will play two remaining shows in their hometown, one on January 18th with Unearth and Suffocate Faster and a farewell show in February.

You can hear some of their material at their MySpace page

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Girls of Metal 2007 Calendar Details

DEATH's official web site is currently offering the 2007 Girls of Metal Calendar, with proceeds going to the American Brain Tumor Association in memory of late DEATH/CONTROL DENIED mastermind Chuck Schuldiner. The calendar includes monthly metal facts and trivia, two photos and a bio of each girl every month. More information is available at myspace.com/girlsofmetal.

The latest issue of the Greek edition of Rock Hard magazine features a tribute to Chuck Schuldiner, including statements and stories from many of the people that played with Chuck — such as Kam Lee, Chris Reifert, Terry Butler, Steve DiGiorgio, Richard Christy and Paul Masvidal — plus music industry notables who dealt with Schuldiner, and other musicians, among them Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY), Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY), Donald Tardy (OBITUARY), Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE), Trym (EMPEROR), Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT), Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST), and Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC).

Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor. He was 34 years old.

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God Forbid Set Tour Down Under

God Forbid have firmed up their Australian tour dates. Here's how the schedule looks:

March 20th Perth, AUS - Amplifier Bar
March 21st Adelaide, AUS - Fowlers Live
March 22nd Melbourne, AUS - The Corner Hotel
March 23rd Sydney, AUS - The Gaelic Theatre
March 24th Brisbane, AUS - Overcranked Festival

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Machine Head Announce Tentative Release Date

Machine Head's new album "The Blackening" is tentatively set for a March 27th release date through Roadrunner. "The Blackening" was recorded at Sharkbite Studios, in Oakland, California and is mixed by Colin Richardson (Fear Factory, Sepultura).

As previously reported, Machine Head will be supporting Lamb of God along with Gojira and Trivium this winter through early spring.

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Soilwork Plans On Entering Studio Soon

Soilwork are planning to enter the studio in early March to begin recording their new album, more on that can be found at www.soilwork.org.

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Darkest Hour Guitarist Seeks Help

Darkest Hour guitarist Kris Norris is seeking donations to help pay off the recent dental surgery that caused them to shuttle a number of dates, those interested can find more details here. The group are scheduled to enter a Vancouver, BC area studio in late February with Devin Townsend of Strapping Young Lad, etc. fame once again producing.

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Cattle Decapitation Give Update On Tour Plans

Cattle Decapitation are planning to tour overseas this coming year, here's what they had to say about it:
"We have some surprises coming for the people of the world this year! We finally plan to take our gore abroad to the rest of the world! We're also doing the tour our long time fans and friends have been waiting for! Details on all of this will be available in the new year!!!"

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The Devil Wears Prada Post New Track Online

The Devil Wears Prada have posted a new demo track online here.

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