Metal News for January 20, 2005
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
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- Spite Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Carcosa (AngelMaker) Premiere New Single & Video
- Stellar Circuits Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Agnostic Front Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
29 news articles posted on this day.
Disiplin Ready Second Album, "Anti-Life"
Norwegian extreme metallers Disiplin release their second album, 'Anti-Life', through Moonfog in the next couple of months. The full track listing is: 'Orthodox Devil Worship', 'Feed The F**ker To The Dogs', 'Anti-Life', 'Kill At Will', 'Quimbanda', 'Militia', '11', 'The Arsonist Academy', 'Kosmos Reversum', 'Pesticide', 'Chaos Triumphator'.
Mortiis to Have Busy '05 Schedule
Now recovered from their exhausting nine week European tour, which came to an end in November, MORTIIS began 2005 by once again throwing themselves into another busy schedule. A schedule that will see the release of a new single, a live DVD, the filming of a new video and live shows all in the first half of the year. A hectic time that will also have the man himself trying to fit in a marriage and honeymoon in between.
MORTIIS have returned to Silvertone Studios in Fredrikstad, Norway to work on a new single -'Decadent & Desperate' - which is scheduled for a UK release in April. The single is expected to be released in various formats and will include a new, as yet un-named song, plus further re-mixed tracks from their latest album. The release follows last years debut single 'The Grudge' which saw the band make their first ever entry in the 'Official UK Singles Chart'.
A video for 'Decadent & Desperate' will be released prior to the single. Work is due to commence shortly in the UK and the band are rumoured to be working with film and video director Adam Mason. Commenting on the upcoming video MORTIIS said "I'm looking forward to making this new video. It's something which I expect to be dark and disturbing, something to go with the feel of the single."
Also in the pipeline is the release of the eagerly anticipated as yet untitled live DVD, which was recorded at the London show on last years 'Unlimited Grudge' European tour. Set for release in May, the DVD will also feature music and videos from the Smell Of Rain and Grudge era's, plus a host of exclusive never seen before extras.
MORTIIS make the first live appearance of the year at Norway's largest industry event, by:Larm, which this year takes place in Stavanger, Norway between 10th and 12th of February. Mortiis will perform a live set at The SAS Atlantic Hotel, Hall A on Friday 11th February, where they will appear on a bill that includes Gothminister, Apoptygma Berzerk and Theatre Of Tragedy. For information on how to see MORTIISat this event please visit www.bylarm.no Further live shows are currently being worked on. Details of festival appearances and a UK tour in April will be announced shortly.
Dio to Release New CD
Dio has announced to release the live cd "Evlil or Divine: Live in New York City". The CD will be released February 22 and is the companion to the DVD released last year.
Subliminal Verses Tour To Hit The West Coast
Some West Coast dates for the upcoming Subliminal Verses tour with Slipknot, Lamb of God and Shadows Fall have been announced, with From Autumn to Ashes set to open:
April 10 - Fresno, CA @ Selland Arena
April 12 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
April 13 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
April 15 - Portland, OR @ Portland Memorial Coliseum
April 16 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
More tour dates: More...
Petition to Fire Ozzy is Fake
The petition to fire Ozzy from Black Sabbath is fake. The petition was started by Joe Siegler, who runs the Black Sabbath fan site. He started the petition to see what people would say. He has issued the following statement:
"In light of the recent petition that was placed online to "Fire Ozzy" from Black Sabbath and replace him with another singer that turned out to be a joke, I thought it might be interesting to actually poll people and see what they think about this issue.
I've changed the poll on the front page of my Sabbath site with a few options relative to this issue for you to vote upon. This is of course not binding on anyone or anything - this is afterall just a fan website, but I am curious to see what people think Black Sabbath should do this year.
It is, after all the 35th anniversary of the release of their first album, so if there ever was a time to put out a new album, THIS IS IT, GUYS!."
New Life Of Agony Tentatively Due Out In May
According to the recently reformed crossover legend's new website, the new Life of Agony album will be released on Epic Records this this spring. The new album features the original line-up of drummer Sal Abruscato, lead vocalist Keith Caputo, guitarist Joey Z and bassist Alan Robert.
The mixing process for Life of Agony's highly anticipated new album, "Broken Valley," is almost complete. The record is due out in stores sometime in May 2005 and it features new tracks such as "Strung Out," "Wicked Ways," and "Don't Bother". The group has been recording since October, in two studios in Hollywood, CA, with producer Greg Fidelman (Slipknot, Jet, Audioslave). Drums were tracked at the legendary Sunset Sound recording studio (home to where several Doors albums were made), while bass, guitars, vocals and other overdubs were recorded at Westlake Studios (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.).
A tentative release date for "Broken Valley" is scheduled for May 2005 through Epic Records.
Pain To Perform On Swedish TV
The Swedish band Pain will be waking Sweden up on Monday, January 24. Switch over to TV4 and the band perform their new single "Same Old Song" and another song.
The brand new album "Dancing With The Dead" is set to be released in Sweden, Finland, Denmark on January 26th and in Norway it will be release on January 31st. In the rest of Europe, it will be released on March 21st.
Impious Confirmed For Independence Day Fest
The Swedish death/thrash metal band Impious is confirmed for the Independence Day Festival in Tokyo, Japan which will take place on March 13th.
Hearse Finish Recordings Of "The Last Ordeal"
The Swedish band Hearse recently finished the recordings of their 3rd album "The Last Ordeal" and it’s the follow up to their successful album "Armageddon Mon Amour" (2004). "The Last Ordeal" was recorded & mixed at The White Chapel Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Jonas Edler.The album is scheduled for a summer 2005 release through Karmageddon Media.
In an official statement drummer Max Thornell has the following to say about the new Hearse album:
So we finally stand here with the recording that’ll be the third Hearse album. This time we really came out with a sound very close to what we wanted. It’s natural and organic, heavy and rough, no bleep blop trigger drums or other polished sounds. Just pure and natural ! As usual there’s a lot of groove, riffing, ripping solos and rough vocals, but this time I guess that mine and Johan´s hardcore/punk background is a bit more obvious than before. There was a lot of reviewers that referred to Entombed and Motörhead when our last album was released. Those comments will most likely not be less numerous this time so to speak. Ok, we’re up for another rock´n roll adventure in death metal land.
Dark Funeral Sign With Regain Records
The Swedish black metal band Dark Funeral have signed a new record deal with the Swedish label Regain Records. The band are currently busy setting up plans for the future of the band among many other things. They will also start finalizing the material and songs for the new album so they can enter the studio as soon as possible to record the follow-up to 2001's "Diabolis Interium."
Also, Dark Funeral have been confirmed to play this years edition of Metal Mind Festival in Poland (March 12). And on the 13th the 16-date No Mercy Festival tour start, with Six Feet Under, Nile among others.
Divine Empire Putting Finishing Touches On New CD
The band is putting the finishing touches on their latest opus "Method of Execution." The band's fourth release sees the band taking on a more varied and melodic direction. A rough mix of the track “Storm of Hatred,” will be included on an up-coming “brutal” comp that will feature both Olympic and Century Media bands. Look for an April/May release for "Method of Execution," as well as the band on a tour near you.
New Aborted Album Tracklisting Revealed
Belgian gory death metallers Aborted have finished mixing their new full-length album, "The Archaic Abattoir", at Antfarm Studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Panzerchrist, Mnemic, Ektomorph, Destiny).
"Indeed, we just received the final mix from Tue and it sounds fucking great!" the band writes on their website. "We're extremely happy about how things went & turned out. Tue truly delivered here and it was great working with such a driven person! Now all that's left is to get the master and the artwork and this album is ready to get out there!"
"The Archaic Abattoir" final track listing: More...
Swallow The Sun To Record New Album
Swallow the Sun will be recording their second album with Sami Kokko in Sam's Workshop at Lutakko. A single from the album will be released in the spring, and the album itself will be released in September. The single, "Forgive Her," will be strictly limited to Finland, and it contains the version of "Solitude" with Albert singing the lead vocals. The band is also making a video of the song 'Descending Winters'.
The album hasn't been named yet, but the tracklisting is as follows:
The Giant
Psychopath's Lair
Descending Winters
Ghost of Laura Palmer
Fragile
Forgive Her
Gloom, Beauty and Despair
The Ship
The song order is subject to change. A Finnish tour (and perhaps a small Scandinavian tour) with follow the release of the album.
Battlelore Announces New Singer And Bassist
One of the founding members of Battlelore, Miika Kokkola (bass), has decided to leave the band because of personal reasons. The rest of Battlelore is sad of his decision, but understands and supports him.
Battlelore has also decided on the new male singer and bassist. Male vocalist Tomi Mykkänen, who overwhelmed audiences all over Europe on the Atlantis Lovelorn tour, is now a full-time member of Battlelore and will sing on their third album. Timo Honkanen, who also won people's hearts during the Atlantis Lovelorn tour, is joining Battlelore as their new full-time bass player. Battlelore warmly welcomes the "old new-comers."
The recordings of the third album will start on March the 15th in SoundSuite Studio with producer Terje Refsnes.
Vader To Release New Material
The following update has been posted on the official Vader website:
It's not a joke, the band is going to enter Hertz Studio, Bialystok at the beginning of July to record a brand new MCD under a working title "The Art Of War". It's worth to add here, Wieslawscy brothers will take care not only of the recordings but also will produce it! The MCD will contain only new songs! Follow with Peter's opinion, the release will feature 3 extremely intense and fast cuts and one song in a vein of band's typical style. "The Art Of War" will also contain a special bonus videoclip for the title track. It's going to be something really new, unconventional and powerful, expect the unexpectable (the production itself has taken almost 5 months)! This time a different person will take care of layout and MCD's artwork. Stay tuned for more details.
As you maybe know, the old deal with Metal Blade Records has been recently fulfilled, so the band is currently looking for a new contract and negotiating with some partners. For the moment nobody actually knows who will sign Panzer Division Vader for this and future releases. But don't be afraid, there's a few serious offers from well known and established labels, just be patient and cross your fingers for us! More details will follow soon.
Lordi Added To Hammerfall Tour
According to a post at Hammerfall's official website, Finnish band Lordi have been chosen as one of the bands to accompany them on their Icebreaker Festival tour. The two remaining slots are expected to be filled within the next week. The dates for the short jaunt are as follows:
Apr. 21 Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
Apr. 22 Filderstadt, Germany - Filharmonie
Apr. 23 Lichtenfels, Germany - Stadthalle
Apr. 24 Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
Apr. 30 Göteborg, Sweden - Scandinavium
Tickets for the German Icebreaker Festival dates can be purchased at www.all-access.de. In other news, Sweden's biggest daily newspapers, Aftonbladet, have put the video for "Blood Bound" available for viewing here.
Demons & Wizards Drum Tracks Completed
Drummer Bobby Jarzombek (Iced Earth, Halford) has posted this message on his official website:
We're already two weeks into the New Year - high time to fill you in on what's been cooking and what's in store for the immediate future.
Last month I flew out to Tampa, Florida to record my drum tracks for the new Demons & Wizards CD. This was my first time recording at the famous Morrisound Studios and it was great working with Jim Morris. He's an excellent engineer/producer and gets some KILLER drum tones. Jon (Schaffer) and Hansi (Kuersch) wrote some real cool songs for this one. No release date as of yet though. Another album I recorded drums for a while back, Rob Rock's AFM debut "Holy Hell", should be out in April. My Halfard band mate Roy Z co-wrote the tunes, produced and plays guitar on it so you know it's gonna rock!
Speaking of recordings, I recently did an interview with the "Brazil Under Ice" Iced Earth fansite where I commented on several of my favorite CDs that I played on. Here's the link.
For those of you that don't know, I released my drum video "Performance & Technique" on VHS a year and a half ago. Well, after a year of shooting new footage, editing, authoring, contract negotiations, etc. - it's finally done: My instructional drum DVD "Performance & Technique" has just been released by Warner Bros. Publications and will be making its debut appearance at the NAMM show this week in Anaheim, California from (Thur.) Jan. 20th - (Sun.) 23rd. "P&T" will be getting heavy rotation on the TVs in the Warner Bros. Publications booth (#3500) - so stop by and check it out.
The DVD version of "Performance & Technique" contains footage not included in the original VHS version including 4 bonus segments and PDF transcriptions for DVD-ROM. I will update my website in a couple of weeks with complete descriptions of the new segments and a link to order the "Performance & Technique" DVD.
Last but not least, I will also be making a couple of personal appearances at the NAMM show. I'll be at the Vic Firth Sticks booth (along with a few other drummers) at 3:00pm on Saturday doing a signing session and I'm also performing a drum solo at the Pearl Drums booth at 10:00 on Sunday morning. See you there!
Darkane Guitarist Issues Album Update
Darkane guitarist Christofer Malmström has provided this update on his official website regarding the new Darkane album:
Ok, we are still recording the Darkane album. Right now we have vocals to 5 songs, and 5 more songs to go. I've recorded a few of my solos too. I'm very eager to get this album ready because it's taken a lot of time. We started in october and it's taking so long because we are working our day jobs at the same time, and you can't be in the studio every day either. Got to take care of personal stuff too. Some days we enter the studio just to fix something that might have gone broken or just make backup copies of the hard drive, and such things takes a lot of time too. Anyway, the end result will be good I'm quite convinced. If you like our former albums you will probably like this too. On "Expanding Senses" there were a lot of "one-note-vocal lines", and we have tried to avoid that this time by writing "more-than-one-note-vocal lines"! Get it? =) Anyway, today I think some new photos from the studio turned up at www.darkane.com.
Today was a day off from the studio for me so I thought I would check in and at least give you something. And when I give something it´s mostly video clips because I am the guy in the band that always runs the video camera when things are happening. I've taped a lot of all of our recordings and tours and someday parts of it will end up on a DVD. That´s been the plan for a long time.
This time however I won't put up anything that I've shot myself, but a small TV clip from December 2003 when Darkane was on the national television program "Musikbyrån". The show was about the Sweden Rock festival earlier that year and we had the opportunity to be a part of it. It starts with an interview in Swedish with Mr. Wildoer, and after that is a small segment from "Violence From Within" played live. Shots from that festival also ended up on the "Chaos vs Order" video.
The clip is 1.35 min long and 4.7 MB large. Download it by clicking here! (Windows Media)
Til next time take care and stay metal!
Destiny Completes "Beyond All Sense 2005"
Sweden's Destiny have posted this message on their official website:
It took a long time but "Beyond All Sense 2005" is finally completed.
This is not the new Destiny album or even the follow up to "Future Of The Past" released in 2004. This is a re-recorded version of Destiny's very first album "Beyond All Sense," released twenty years ago in March 1985. The original album was just released in Sweden in limited number of 2000 copies and only on vinyl.
The oldest piece of music, "Ode To You", is from 1983. However the lyrics for the same song are brand new, written by Kristoffer in December 2004 as a tribute to the late Dimebage Darrel. This song was never released on any album and is the first bonus track on this album. The Second bonus track, "No Way Out", is a song originally intended to be included on the debut album but was left out because of the time limit on vinyls. Once again Kristoffer wrote brand new lyrics for an older piece of music. This time it's about Ozzy Osbourne and his reality show.
This is the members of "Destiny 2004" interoperation of more than twenty year old songs by the members of "Destiny 1984". Hopefully you will enjoy the album for what it is even though the style of the album is quite different from the music that Destiny represents in 2005.
The final track listing of the album is as follows: More...
Fragments Of Unbecoming Seeking Vocalist
Fragments of Unbecoming has posted the following message on the band's official website:
Sam Anetzberger, our current vocalist, who originally joined the band to become the exclusive frontman/main shouter (besides Stefan, as everyone knows), won’t be able to become a full time member of the band due to his studies and being a permanent member of the band Legacy. We had already foreseen we would have to make this decision one day. With the upcoming recording sessions in mind, we definitely need someone working with us on an exclusive basis. Therefore we now need a powerful frontman and we are excited to get someone entirely new into the band. The ideal candidate should be committed to shows, practices, and forthcoming recordings, and must have a great stage presence. We are not necessarily looking for someone who sounds exactly like Sam, but it should obviously be an extreme vocalist to fit our music perfectly.
If YOU are interested, please get in touch as soon as possible:
via mail: sascha@fragmentsofunbecoming.com
via website: www.fragmentsofunbecoming.com
Sam will continue helping us out until the right person is found and worked in to be able to perform live on stage. Anyway, we deeply thank Sam for his engagement and friendship! We also wish to thank our brothers in Legacy for their patience.
Candlemass Sign With Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is very proud to announce that the Swedish doomsquad Candlemass, featuring Leif Edling and Messia Marcolin, have signed a new deal with the label.
After their heroic return to several summer festivals in 2003, the band is more alive than ever. Although several rumours were spread about a split up, Candlemass were in fact working on a new piece of doom.
The new album will be released on May 2nd and marks a return towards the sound of such classic as “Nightfall” and “Tales of Creation.” It's name will just be "Candlemass."
Trivium And 3 Inches Of Blood Finish New Videos
Trivium and 3 Inches of Blood will soon have new music videos out. Both videos will be directed by acclaimed director Dale Resteghini (Fear Factory, Hatebreed).
3 Inches of Blood recently filmed the video for "Deadly Sinners" and that should be seeing the light of day soon.
Trivium are set to film their second video, for their new single "Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr" next week. We'll keep you posted on release dates.
3 Inches of Blood's "Advance and Vanquish" is in stores now, and Trivium's "Ascendency" will be released on 3/15/05
Griffin Posts Video Footage Online
Norwegian metallers Griffin have uploaded video footage of the band in the studio working on their fourth full-length album, tentatively due this spring/summer via FaceFront Records. Check it out at this location.
The follow-up to last year's "No Holds Barred" is being recorded at Godt Selskap studios in Trondheim, Norway and will be mixed by Andy LaRoque (King Diamond) at his Los Angered Studio in Gothenborg, Sweden beginning on February 3. Demo samples of the new Griffin tracks "Building a Future", "Moment of Madness", "Premonition", "Recipe for Rage" and "Utopia" can be downloaded at this location.
"No Holds Barred" was recorded at Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim, Norway under the co-production guidance of Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho. In addition to co-producing the effort, Laiho laid down guest guitar and vocals on the CD.
Bruce: Maiden Popular Because We Never Sold Out
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is convinced the veteran heavy metal band are now more popular than ever for one reason - they've never pandered to fashion.
The "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter" rockers have stuck to the same formula of piercing vocals and heavy riffs for a quarter of a century, and recently sold out a Swedish stadium in record time.
Dickinson says, "We sold 55,000 tickets in Gothenburg in two hours flat. We're bigger now than we were 10 years ago. Don't ask me why.
"Maybe it's because we don't spend all out time trying to hang out with fashionistas - we just get on with it."
Flowing Tears To Start Writing New Songs
Flowing Tears have posted the following message on their web site:
Right now we're about to start writing new songs and developing our vision of the next album. We will take all the time we might need to explore some exiting new ground without any pressure of a deadline in mind, and we're sure this process will enable us to deliver some great new material… that will be our focus for the first half of 2005. We'll keep you posted about the progress of our work… Nevertheless, we'll play a few well chosen festivals and shows during these months, so check the tour dates section from time to time! A few shows are already announced - some more will follow...
Flowing Tears' most recent album, "Razorbliss", was released in March 2004 through Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Serpentine" was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (The Gathering, Lacuna Coil, Sentenced, Moonspell) and is the band's first to feature vocalist Helen Vogt, who replaced Stefanie Duchêne in 2003.
Upcoming Flowing Tears shows:
Feb. 27 Tilburg, NETH - 013
Apr. 30 Liège, BEL - Soundstation
Children Of Bodom Announce Festival Appearances
Children of Bodom have lined up the following festival appearances this spring/summer:
May 13-15 Gelsenkirchen, GER @ Rock Hard Festival
Jul. 8-10 Turku, FIN @ Ruisrock
Jul. 15 Vaasa, FIN @ Rockperry Festival
Jul. 16 Joensuu, FIN @ Ilosaarirock
Jul. 17 Helsinki, FIN @ Tuska Festival
CoB bassist Henkka Blacksmith recently revealed that the group's new album will be recorded in Helsinki, Finland with producer Mikko Karmila but not at the Finnvox studio, where Karmila had previously mixed some of the group's previous output. It is not presently clear if the recordings, which were scheduled for March, will be delayed due to guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho's recent accident which resulted in a broken arm.
CoB's as-yet-untitled new CD is tentatively scheduled for release in Finland on August 29 via Spinefarm Records (September 3 in the rest of the world through Universal). In addition, all of CoB's albums (including "Tokyo Warhearts") will be re-released as double LP versions in February and March. It is not presently clear what bonus tracks will be included on each of the accompanying discs.
Metal Church And Endhammer Confirmed For W:O:A
Metal Church and Endhammer have been confirmed for Germany's Wacken Open Air festival on August 4-6 in Wacken.
A list of bands confirmed to appear so far:
Accept
Apolyptica
Axel Rudi Pell
Corvus Corex
Dissection
Edguy
Eisregen
Endstille
Ensiferum
Finntroll
Gorefest
Illdisposed
Marduk
Mercenary
Nightwish
Obituary
Overkill
Potentia Animi
Samael
Suffocation
Torfrock
Turisas
Overkill Celebrates 20 Years w/ Anniversary Album
2005 marks the 20th anniversary of OVERKILL signing their first record deal. Their 14th full-length studio album will be entitled, ReliXIV, and is set for a March 22nd release through Eagle Rock/Spitfire Records. The band's perhaps best known for thrash staples like "I Hate You", "Hello From The Gutter" and "Years of Decay."
Help Shape Ozzfest 2005
Ozzfest.com is out with this year's survey. This is your best chance to help mold Ozzfest 2005.
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: