Maurizio Iacono Issues Update on Ex Deo Activities

EX DEO frontman Maurizio Iacono issues update on EX DEO activities:

"The first thing that comes to my mind is the end of another year and the entering of another: 2009. Time flies by my friends and I wish everyone a wonderful 2009 with less negativity than what 2008 brought. You know what they say, darkness is followed by light, and vice versa, a cycle of life.

"In 2009, a band I've been waiting to launch for the longest time will finally see its light of day: EX DEO. I've dabbled with this idea even at earlier times when KATAKLYSM's 2001 album 'Epic (The Poetry of War)' and 2002's 'Shadows & Dust' were released. I was never able to fully carry it out the right way, that is, until now.

"As Roman ancestors believed, once Jupiter (king of the gods, son of Saturn) made his rulings, it had to be followed. The time has now come, it is now your turn to follow the calling and witness the rise of this new blood: EX DEO." More...

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Book Examines Link Between Spirituality and Metal

A new book entitled "The Spiritual Significance of Music: Metal Edition" has recently been released by editor Justin St. Vincent examining the connection between spirituality and metal music. The bands referenced in the book include Angelcorpse, Asva, Blackmass, Breed 77, Brujeria, Cannibal Corpse, Dawn Of Azazel, Enslaved, Enthroned, Evocation, Faith No More, Fantômas, Gorgoroth, Hatesphere, Metal Church, My Dying Bride, Napalm Death, Pitchshifter, Purgatory, Requiem, Resurrection, Samael, Striborg, Tarot, Unleashed, and Vile.

The website for the book gave the following explanation on what it covers:

The Spiritual Significance of Music: Metal Edition provides an exciting exploration of how music powerfully impacts spirituality, and why spirituality influences music. Readers will discover sincere expressions of spiritual beliefs from the world of metal music. This portfolio includes an eclectic mix of musicians playing many forms of metal music; ambient metal, avant-garde death-metal, black metal, brutal metal, death metal, doom metal, experimental metal, funeral-doom, gothic metal, grindcore, heavy metal, industrial metal, melodic metal, power metal, progressive metal, psychedelic metal, Satanic metal, sludge metal, speed metal, symphonic metal, technical metal, thrash metal, and includes musicians from alternative-rock, avant-rock, and hardcore-punk bands. Metal Edition provides readers with an important introduction to metal music’s affinity with demonology, divination, magic, mysticism, Satanism, spiritualism, the occult, and witchcraft.

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Embrace The End and Fate Plan Mini-Tour

Embrace The End, Fate, and Martyrdom Cherub will kick off a California tour this week. Here are the tour dates:

1/3 Chico, CA @ Paradise Lost
1/4 Sanger, CA @ The Sanger Community Center
1/5 Palmdale, CA @ The Crossing
1/6 California @ TBA
1/7 California @ TBA
1/8 California @ TBA
1/9 Whittier, CA @ The Green Turtle

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Bhelliom's New Album Out In Asia, Euro Release Set

Singaporean thrash band Bhelliom's long awaited sophomore release, "The Colossal Tragedy," is now available in Asia. ou can get the album from the following distributors:

Singapore - MourningSound records (available in HMV, Inokii records, Roxy Records)

Thailand - I Scream records/Avatarn Records

HongKong - Mind Your Head (available at Trinity records, Metal Warehouse, Zoo Records and White Noise Records)

Taiwan - Ulitmate Music (Takemall Taiwan)

Malaysia - TBC

Customers outside Asia, can purchase the Asian Edition online via paypal through MourningSound.com or myspace.com/bhelliomsg.

The official European release is scheduled for April 2009 by Code7/Plastic Head Distribution.

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Primal Fear Issues Album Update

German power metal act Primal Fear has issued the following update:

"We wish all our supporters, friends, partners & fans a great exciting New Year and yes, of course with a new Primal Fear album 16.6 in May 2009. Holidays? Well, not a lot - Ralf was recording some more parts for the final two songs and we are ready and thrilled to mix the album, starting on January 5th @ the House Of Music studio. We will post some more updates on final songtitles etc. soon!"

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Opeth To Host Signing Session At NAMM

Two members of Swedish metal band Opeth will appear at the 2009 NAMM convention for signings and a Q&A. NAMM will take place in Anaheim, CA from January 15th - 18th this year. The band issued the following statement:

"Mikael and Fredrik will be brought over by their endorsing guitar company, the great PRS guitar company, for a signing session as well as a exclusive little Q&A thingie at this years NAMM music fare in Anaheim, California. The signing session will take place at the PRS Booth (#5320, Hall B) on Saturday, Jan 17th from 12:30pm - 1:15pm And the exclusive Artist Q&A session on Saturday at 4:30pm in the PRS booth. "

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Rudra Releases New Album Details

Singapore based death metal band Rudra has issued the following update about their new album:

Wishing all of you an exciting and meaningful 2009. The band is pleased to announce the title of the forthcoming album. The album shall bear the name 'Brahmavidya: Transcendental I'. It shall feature fourteen tracks with a total running time of about 70 minutes, produced by Joshua G. Nair & Sean Loo.

However, the bad news is that the band had to prematurely terminate its relationship with Trinity Records Hong Kong. The band is currently shopping for a new label home or labels willing to secure territorial licenses. This setback may delay the release of the CD. More updates will be coming your way soon

Brahmavidya: Transcendental I's track listing:

1. Bhagavatpada Namaskara
2. Ravens of Paradise
3. Amrtasyaputra
4. Hymns from the Blazing Chariot
5. Meditations at Dawn
6. Advaitamrta
7. Natural Born Ignorance
8. Immortality Roars
9. Reversing the Currents
10. Venerable Opposites
11. Avidya Nivrtti
12. Not the Seen but the Seer
13. Adiguru Namastubhyam
14. Majestic Ashtavakra

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Amon Amarth Reveals 2009 Touring Schedule

Amon Amarth has issued the following year end update and 2009 touring plans:

2008 has been one hell of a year for Amon Amarth. The year has been filled with one exciting event after another. We started the year with our first ever Australia/New Zealand tour - one more continent conquered. It was great to finally meet some of our Australian and New Zealand fans and experience an authentic Aussie barbie.

Our new album, Twilight of the Thunder God was a tremendous success. Not only debuting #48 on the US Billboard, #10 and #11 in Finland and Sweden as well as an amazing #6 in Germany! But also being part of the top 10 of many albums of the year lists. We had a very successful North American tour with Ensiferum, Belphegor and The Absence in early fall. We're looking forward to heading back across the ocean for another tour in 2009.

It's impossible to talk about 2008 without mentioning Unholy Alliance Tour Chapter III. It's been a great honor to share the stage with our heroes, Slayer. We ended the year with a bang. Bloodshed over Bochum was more successful than we expected. 4 sold out shows with fans coming from all corners of the world. 4 memorable nights and a hell of a way to spend New Years Eve surrounded by friends and fans, thank you all! More...

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Carpathian Forest Confirm Live Shows And New Album

Norwegian black metal band Carpathian Forest has issued the following update about new live dates and an upcoming album:

"Carpathian Forest haven't played live since 2006 but its now official that Carpathian Forest will do a few selected live shows in 2009. The band is busy writing the follow up album to Fuck You All!!!! and since the band is not promoting a new album when doing these shows, the band will focus on old classics, many of which have never been played live before!

Watch out for announcements of live shows near you! The shows will include guest musicians a new set list, and a new stage setting.

Hell on Earth in 2009!"

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Kamelot Provides 2009 Plans Update

Florida power metal band Kamelot has issued the following update about their 2009 plans:

"As 2008 is winding down we look back at this incredible year with so many fantastic memories! From the amazing headliner shows in Europe, North America and Japan to the festivals in Europe including the 70,000 screaming fans at Wacken Open Air. Its been a banner year for us, and thanks to all the fans we have achieved new milestones in our journey.

Now that 2009 looms near, we look forward to what is ahead for you and Kamelot. Another European Headliner tour is set for Spring 2009, including a longer UK leg. We will visit some new cities and venues on this anticipated trip.

We also start one of several songwriting sessions in January 2009. Thomas will join me here in the mountains of Norway to begin work on the next Kamelot album. We will take some photos of the sessions and keep you all in touch with our progress. We want to thank all of you for this amazing year and wish all of you a Happy New Year! 2009 will definitely rock!"

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Cirrha Niva Completes Recording New Album

Dutch progressive metal act Cirrha Niva have finished recording their new album and have uploaded some of the outtakes on their MySpace Page. The band issued the following update:

"The recordings are done, the editing is done, the mixing is done, the mastering is done and everything that is in between all of that is done!! Our new album is ready!!!

The next step is to get a label interested, in this time crisis we got no high hopes, only goals:-) Well, let see what 2009 brings us! We will upload some out takes of the new album for you. The 1st one is from the song Golan Heights. We also have to thank our Israeli friends for the samples, you know who you are!

Soon we will reveal all the names of those who did a splendid job in making this Cirrha Niva album the best so far!! For now we wish you all a musical 2009! Enjoy the out takes!"

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Endstille Recording New Album

German black metal band Endstille has issued the following statement about preparing to record their sixth full length album:

"We booked the JAKs-Hell studio again to record our sixth album for Jan/Feb 2009. The album will be entitled "Verführer" and will be released via Regain Records in Spring/Summer 2009."

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Mantic Ritual Unveils New Album Cover Art

California based thrashers Mantic Ritual, formerly known as Meltdown, have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming album "Executioner." The artwork can be viewed here.

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The Breathing Process, World We Knew Canadian Tour

The Breathing Process, The World We Knew, The Analyst, and Whisteria Cottage have lined up a handful of Canadian dates for March. Here are the latest tour dates:

3/7 Ottawa, Ontario @ Bayou
3/8 TBA
3/9 Brantford, Ontario @ The Ford Plant
3/10 Toronto, Ontario @ The Kathedral
3/11 Windsor, Ontario @ The Chubby Pickle
3/12 Hamilton, Ontario @ Club Absinthe
3/13 Montreal, Quebec @ Cegep Du Vieux Montreal
3/14 Granby, Quebec @ La Ruche
3/15 TBA

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Criminal Streaming New Song Online

Anglo-Chilean thrash masters Criminal have uploaded the track "21st Century Paranoia", from their upcoming album "White Hell", to their MySpace page.

"White Hell" will be released on February 27th, 2009 by Massacre Records. In Europe the album will be released in a limited edition including a bonus DVD, the contents of which will be announced shortly, while the South American version of the album will contain the bonus track "Hermanos Dementes".

The track listing for "White Hell" is:

1. 21st Century Paranoia
2. Crime and Punishment
3. Incubus
4. Black Light
5. The Deluge
6. Strange Ways
7. Mobrule
8. The Infidel
9. Invasion
10. Eyes of Temptation
11. Bastardom
12. Sons of Cain

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