Metal News for October 22, 2007
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 2:55 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
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40 news articles posted on this day.
Roadkill To Release New Album In November
Australian hard rockers, ROADKILL will release their debut album, "God Bless America", on November 9. The 12-song CD was recorded at Izaneer Studios in Hobart (Tasmania) between July and September and was engineered, mixed and co-produced by Brett Collidge
ROADKILL features veteran TYRANT screamer Neil Steel alongside his brother Zig (guitar), Sheppo (bass) and Keef Kenny (drums).
"God Bless America" track listing:
01. Get Outta My Way
02. Day After Day
03. Living In Hell
04. God Bless America
05. Hollywood
06. Lazy
07. King Hit
08. Sex Machine
09. Incubator
10. Last Man Standing
11. Locomotive
12. DFWM More...
Engorged Open For Suicidal Tendencies In Portland
Portland’s ENGORGED will open for SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and MUNICIPAL WASTE on November 27th at the Roseland Theatre in Portland, OR. They’re also set to perform at next year’s Maryland Deathfest.
Dope Stars Inc. Part Ways With Guitarist
Italy's DOPE STARS INC. has issued the following update:
"We are sorry to announce that Alex Vega [guitar] decided to leave DOPE STARS INC. for personal reasons. We send all our best wishes for his future.
"The new lineup that will be working on the next third album will be announced soon. However, we want to assure everyone the upcoming tour and all our next shows are confirmed. We are ready to rock as always and Victor [Love] will be performing live vocals and guitars back again."
DOPE STARS INC.'s latest album, "Gigahearts", was released in November 2006. The CD was produced by Victor Love and includes "11 tracks to kick your ass very bad but also to satisfy your desire of melodies and electronic exploration," according to a posting on the group's web site.
Tool Release More North American Tour Dates
TOOL have lined up the following upcoming North American tour dates:
November 14 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
November 16 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
November 17 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena
November 19 - Tulsa, OK @ Tulsa Convention Center
November 21 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
November 23 - Casper, WY @ Casper Events Center
November 24 - Salt Lake City, UT @ E Center
November 25 - Billings, MT @ Metrapark Arena
November 27 - Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
November 29 - Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
December 1 - Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
December 4 - Everett, WA @ Everett Events Center
December 5 - Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum
December 7 - Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
December 8 - Nampa, ID @ Idaho Center
December 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre
Don Caballero Announce Winter Tour Dates
DON CABALLERO have recently announced two brief winter tours. The tours, in November and December respectively, will be the final dates in support of their World Class Listening Problem album before they begin writing their next record.
The band will begin with a string of shows in the South starting October 31st in Nashville, TN working to and from the Fun, Fun, Fun Festival in Austin, TX on November 4th. DON CAB will then embark on a West Coast tour in late November with ENABLERS. This tour will begin on November 28th in Los Angeles, CA and will also include guests THRONES and FROM MONUMENT TO MASSES on various dates. A listing of DON CABALLERO tour dates can be found online here with more to be announced soon. More...
Drowning Pool Announce Another New York Show
The following has been posted by Drowning Pool's official Myspace:
"To All the DP Fans in the NYC Area:
We are excited to announce another NYC area tour date in the next few weeks. We will be playing at Starland Ballroom on November 7th! Due to a fun bug in the MySpace system, we are unable to add it to our upcoming show list, but the information is below...
Wednesday, November 7th
Starland Ballroom
570 Journee
Sayreville, NJ 08872
$15 Advance
$17 Day of Show
Look forward to seeing everyone there!
DP"
The Analyst Sign To Innerstrength Records
Innerstrength Records has announced the addition of Indiana based metal band THE ANALYST. Since their inception in 2006 they have been making a name for themselves across the US. They have completed several US tours, including a US tour with WAKING THE CADAVER and SALT THE WOUND this past Summer. THE ANALYST will enter Ante Up Studio in Cleveland, Ohio with producer Cole Martinez early next year to record their Innerstrength debut. 2008 will see the band touring extensively to support their debut album seeing that the band just joined The Abstract Agency’s roster to book their US dates, and Death Bound Booking’s roster to handle their Canadian dates. You can check out their newest track, “The Black Gate,” at their official MySpace page, that will be on their debut, set to release spring of ‘08.
Ayreon Announce Solo Guitarists
AYREON recently revealed that their new album, due out in January 2008, will be titled 01011001.
In an update, the band write, "The following three guitarists play solos on the new Ayreon album called 01011001: Lori Linstruth, Arjen Lucassen himself, and Michael Romeo.
Stay tuned for more guessing when we give you a sample of the guest keyboardists!"
01011001 will feature the following vocalists: PAIN OF SALVATION's Daniel Gildenlöw, BLIND GUARDIAN's Hansi Kürsch, former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen (AGUA DE ANNIQUE), Jonas P. Renske (KATATONIA), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV), Simone Simons (EPICA), Liselotte Hegt (DIAL), Phideaux Xavier, AFTER FOREVER frontwoman Floor Jansen, GOTTHARD's Steve Lee, Dutch hip-hop/soul artist WUDSTIK, ELISTER's Marjan Welman and Lucassen himself.
Evergrey Drummer Reports From The Studio
EVERGREY drummer Jonas Ekdahl has posted this new studio report on the band's official website:
"Hi all!
It's Monday (October 22) and we're back in business again after the weekend. Jari (Kainulainen - bass) arrived last night, ready to continue his work with the bass. Today he nailed one of the songs me and Tom (S. Englund - vocals, guitar) put down drums and guitars last week, called 'You Made Us Fall'. It turned out great! He's a real monster. It's unbelievable how awesome he his! (You'll know when you hear the album.) Tomorrow we're going to do more bass and drum recording; that I'm looking forward to!
Talk to you soon. Right on, fuck yeah!
/Jonas"
Unexpect's Live Performance To Air On FOX
Montreal's rambunctious and unique classical/black metal ensemble UNEXPECT will make its television debut this weekend with a live performance on Fox TV's "Fearless Music".
This week's show will air Saturday, October 27 on Fox 5 at 12:30 a.m. in New York, and will feature UNEXPECT performing the song "Desert Urbania" from the group's debut album, "In A Flesh Aquarium". Other bands scheduled to perform on this week's episode include SMITH ISLAND, LONDON EGG, THE OSKAR AND PSYCHOLOVERS and THEO AND THE SKYSCRAPERS
"Fearless Music" is currently airing on network affiliates across the U.S. including the number one market in the country, New York City. More...
Artarfe Vega Rock Festival Postponed
The organizers of the Atarfe Vega Rock festival — which was scheduled to take place December 1, 2007 at Coliseo Ciudad Atarfe in Atarfe, Granada, Spain and feature appearances by such artists as JOEY BELLADONNA, EXCITER, GRAVE DIGGER, KATATONIA, LACRIMOSA, LIZZY BORDEN, MAYHEM, MY DYING BRIDE and VENOM — have issued the following update:
"As some of you will know due to official statements that can be red in the websites of some of the bands confirmed for the Atarfe Vega Rock Festival 2007, we sadly have to announce that the festival must be postponed until March of 2008, as a result of the damages caused by the floods that the city of Atarfe suffered, and about them all media from Spain informed.
"The '200 litres / m2' heavy downpour has meant 20 euro millions worth damages. These damages, as well as the duties of the engineers of the insurance companies, don't let us celebrate the Atarfe Vega Rock Festival the coming 1st of December in the Bullring and its area, as it was announced.
"We've had a meeting with the Mayor and the local authorities to show them how worried we were about it, and to get a reply about this situation. They've always told us that the festival can take place as expected, and we have to respect it, to ensure the security of people who attend to the festival, bands and staff of the festival.
"We've looked for an alternative location, but once again due to security reasons it's been impossible to find another place in Atarfe. We've even tried to celebrate the festival in another city, but there was no suitable location available, where the festival could take place and we could work in the production required for this festival, taking in account that we didn't have much time.
"After searching without success an alternative location, and once we've reached an agreement with the City Hall and the confirmed bands, we've decided to postpone the festival until March of 2008.
"Except due to date difficulties, we count on all the confirmed bands, as well as with other groups which will be also in the billing.
"With regard to people who have bought their tickets, they'll get their money back in the same stores, where they bought them. We really thank you for your support and loyalty. Besides, we want to compensate those people who have bought a flight ticket to attend to the festival. For this reason they'll get in for free in March, and they'll get free drinks. It's required that they send us an e-mail with the receipt of the flight ticket to verify it.
"We're very sorry about this postponement and the problems that it can mean to you, but no one expected that such a natural disaster could take place in Atarfe. We beg you for comprehension.
"As well as you, this postponement affects us too, because we had booked some bands, which fortunately have understood this setback and have agreed to play in March.
"In the same manner we've bought many international flight tickets for the bands, and now we'll have to buy more to let the groups come and play in March.
"Once again we beg you for understanding what it has happened, because this extraordinary situation is out of our control."
Anthropia Announce New Album Title
French metal band ANTHROPIA has commenced recording the follow-up to last year's "The Ereyn Chronicles: Part 1 - The Journey of Beginnings" album. Entitled "The Chain Reaction", the new CD's drum tracks were laid down last week at the ArtMusic studio in Nice. A 2008 release is expected.
"Is this the following of 'The Ereyn Chronicles Part 2'? No, it's a brand new concept this time, full of surprises again, experiments and of course melodies and emotions," stated ANTHROPIA mastermind Hugues Lefebvre (a.k.a. Hugo). "So exit dwarves, horses and co for a little while, the new concept is something totally different. You'll have to wait a bit to find out the story and the protagonists... I'll just say that the environment is quite contemporary with pieces of sci-fi/biblical stuff."
According to the band's official bio, "The Ereyn Chronicles: Part 1 – The Journey of Beginnings" "buzzes with flashes of IRON MAIDEN's gritty conceptual metal, Dave Mustaine/MEGADETH lightning-speed riffing, DREAM THEATER's sweeping storytelling, Yngwie Malmsteen's neo-classical minor-scale mining, 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway'-era GENESIS atmospherics, KANSAS' busy symphonic boogie-rock, classical guitar beauty and flair, and RUSH's dark '70s sci-fi/fantasy explorations. Simply put, ANTHROPIA's classical-metal-prog hybrid enraptures the listener in a world of sound, vision, and imagination."
Year of Desolation Gear Up for Another Tour
Indiana thrashers YEAR OF DESOLATION are currently at home, working on new material and gearing up for another tour to continue supporting the band's Prosthetic Records debut, Year of Desolation. Having just completed a string of dates alongside With Blood Comes Cleansing, Bloodlined Calligraphy, and Bloodjinn, YEAR OF DESOLATION will head out in November as direct support to Thine Eyes Bleed.
"Hey, it's your boy, Chad Z, from YEAR OF DESOLATION calling all metalheads. Mark your calendars! We are about to embark on a few weeks of crucialness, as we will be supporting Thine eyes Bleed in a trek across the nation. Joining us for this exiting xtravaganza will be none other and the Sons of Azrael and Hurtlocker. We look forward to having some amazing times on this tour and YOU should too. This tour WILL be peanut BRUTAL!!"
YEAR OF DESOLATION on tour
(with Thine Eyes Bleed, Sons of Azrael, Hurtlocker)
11/01 San Marcos, CA – The Jumping Turtle
11/02 Oakland, CA – Uptown Nightclub
11/03 Fresno, CA – The Exit
11/04 Los Angeles, CA – The Relax Bar
11/05 TBA - TBA
11/06 El Paso, TX – Zeppelin's
11/08 Austin, TX – Emo's
11/09 McAllen, TX – The Metro
11/10 Corpus Christi, TX – The Compound
11/11 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
11/12 Ft. Worth, TX – The Rock Yard
11/13 Fayettevill, AR – The Dart Room
11/14 Little Rock, AR – Vino's
11/15 Springfield, MO – Remington's Downtown
11/16 Galesburg, IL – Billiards On Main
11/17 LaCrosse, WI – The Warehouse
11/18 Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theater
11/19 Cleveland, OH – Peabody's
11/20 Niagara Falls, NY – Evening Star Concert Hall
*more dates TBA* More...
Wolf Guitarist To Host Total Rock Weekly Update
Starting this Sunday (October 28), WOLF guitarist Johannes Axeman Losbäck will host a regular weekly update, "Wolf's Howling", on the "Breakfast At Talita's" show on TotalRock.com.
"Wolf's Howling" will air at 10:50 a.m. (UK time) and will include updates about the happenings in the world of WOLF as well as Losbäck's views on rock and metal across the world.
WOLF recently announced the addition of bassist Anders "Tornado" Modd to the group's ranks.
The band's latest album, "The Black Flame", was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. The follow-up to 2004's "Evil Star" is the first album to feature new drummer Tobias R Kellgren and longtime session/live guitarist Johannes Losbäck alongside founding members Niklas Stålvind (vocals, lead guitar) and bassist Mikael Goding (who has since left the band).
Korn Singer Discusses Guitarist Beatdown And More
The Pulse of Radio reports: KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer got into a scuffle with an unnamed member of the band DROID last week at a stop in Little Rock, Arkansas on KORN's Bitch! We Have A Problem tour. According to several reports, Shaffer was apparently drunk when the incident occurred and has taken "total responsibility" for the fight. KORN singer Jonathan Davis told The Pulse of Radio that Shaffer spoke about it himself the next night on stage. "That's how it all came out," he said. "He's all, 'Last night I got really drunk and one of my best friends kicked my ass and I deserved it, and that's why they're not here tonight, and that's that.' [DROID initially exited the tour but has since rejoined — Ed.] He just wanted to get it, so...everything's cool now."
Contrary to published reports, Shaffer did not require stitches. A photo of him passed out on the floor after the fight briefly surfaced online, but has since disappeared.
DROID is signed to Shaffer's label, Emotional Syphon Recordings, and released its self-titled debut album earlier this year. Shaffer recently said that he and DROID guitarist Jamie Teissere have been "friends for a long time."
Meanwhile, Davis plans to hit the road for his first-ever solo tour shortly after KORN's current trek ends on October 28. Davis revealed that he'll have a keyboard player, percussionist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist on the road with him. He told The Pulse of Radio that fans should expect a mix of KORN tunes and rare material, like the songs he did for the movie "Queen of the Damned". "It's all acoustic, and I'm gonna be playing a couple of KORN hits, and the rest of the KORN songs I'll be playing are gonna be, like, 'Kick The P.A.', which is off the 'Spawn' soundtrack, playing 'Last Legal Drug', which is a B-side off (KORN's 2005 album) 'See You on the Other Side'. And then I've got all the 'Queen of the Damned' material I'm gonna be playing, and I'm also gonna be playing some covers. I'm doing 'Love on the Rocks', which I did for 'Wonderland', and stuff like that. So it's gonna be a real good show."
Davis will begin his solo tour on November 9 in Hartford, Connecticut.
KORN will head out on a European tour in January of 2008.
In other news, KORN touring guitarist Clint Lowery abruptly left the band's tour over the weekend due to what was described as a "family emergency." Lowery wrote online, "Everything's fine — just had to get home. Hated to leave. Love all the KORN guys and had a blast with them." Lowery, who also plays in DARK NEW DAY, was replaced on the trek by Shane Gibson, who will accompany Davis on his solo run.
Daath Looking For New Vocalist
Progressively inclined metal titans DAATH are seeking a new vocalist upon the exit of Sean Farber.
The band is looking for a distinctive voice to augment their brutally unique sound and mirror their complex conceptual background. With drummer Kevin Talley making history and surviving another band member, the band has cemented their bond and is seeking a new voice.
With their Roadrunner Records debut The Hinderers, the band have raised the bar for American metal, garnering praise from critics and fans alike. After a highly successful run on this year’s OZZFest, Daath are gearing up to hit the studio in early 2008 to construct their second offering, tentatively titled The Concealers. Once again focusing on each facet of the Tree of Life/Death, The Concealers will delve deeper into the various sides of human nature and behavior. The band is looking for a vocalist to set the stage ablaze with distinguishable tenacity and thoughtful finesse.
Daath are currently on tour with DARK FUNERAL and NAGLFAR, with longtime friend Sean Z filling in on vocal duties. The band is looking for a vocalist with versatility, a touring heart and a fervent love for all Daath has to offer. "We don't want a one dimensional singer, we want someone diverse with range and power," says guitarist Eyal Levi. "We like vocalists with signature diversity such as Michael Akerfeldt, Vortex, Phil Anselmo and David Vincent."
Candidates looking to apply should download vocal-free music from the links below, record their vocals and email tracks back along with full contact information and picture to the e-mail address listed below. Candidates are also encouraged to complete the tracks via video and upload them to their personal YouTube pages or can submit materials from their own bands or work. Daath will be considering entries throughout the fall and hope to announce a new vocalist by the end of the year.
Read the full article at Find the story with vocal free, downloadable tracks here.
Whit Crane Denies Anthrax Rumours
The Classic Metal Show, heard Saturdays from 9PM-3AM EST exclusively at www.cmsradionetwork.com, recently conducted an interview with vocalist Whit Crane (ex-UGLY KID JOE, MEDICATION, LIFE OF AGONY) to talk about his new project ANOTHER ANIMAL, which also features members of GODSMACK and DROP BOX. During the interview, Crane was questioned as to the rumors that he is the next vocalist of ANTHRAX, which he denied. He also admitted that he has never in his life touched a computer. Below is an excerpt."
The Classic Metal Show: You are obviously out on tour right now with Another Animal. Is this your warmup for taking the gig in Anthrax?
Crane: "Ha! These are my first interviews I've ever, ever done. I did one before this one. The guy before said there's this thing called Wikipedia out there that says that I'm the Anthrax singer."
The Classic Metal Show: It was out there on (the internet) that you did have the gig, then you didn't have the gig, then Corey Taylor had the gig. So we're just curious.
Crane: "Well, I'll tell you. I'm in a band with Scott Ian called Hossie DC, which is a tribute to AC/DC's Bon Scott era, but we dress up like Hassitic Jews. So they might have gotten that mixed up. We play in New York about two times a year. Scott's one of my closest friends, but I think I would know if I was in the band. I can categorically say that, as of yet, I am not in Anthrax."
The Classic Metal Show: Would you consider being in Anthrax?
Crane: "I don't think so. I think I've got my band, for now. I think it's my destination."
The Classic Metal Show: Where can people find out about you on the (world wide) web?
Crane: "You know, I think there's a MySpace presence. I think you would go to the myspace and then go to the music area of that and put in Another Animal. I think that's how you find that. You know, I'm pretty much computer illiterate. You know, I guess I could ask somebody. I've never been on a computer before."
The Classic Metal Show: Really?
Crane: "Yeah. I've never touched a computer key on my earthly visit."
The Classic Metal Show: Wow! Is there any reason why? Do you just not like them?
Crane: "No no no. I'm not anti-computer. It's just a cumbersome item. I travel really light. I've got a backpack. You know, I do have the telephone, which I guess is a form of a computer something. I think you can even get the internet on this thing. I'm pretty much down with my telephone. Text messages is enough for me to make it through the day."
God Forbid Post European Tour Video Online
New Jersey metallers GOD FORBID have posted a four-minute "behind-the-scenes" report from the band's European tour with DEVILDRIVER. Watch it below.
As previously reported, GOD FORBID will support UNEARTH at two East Coast dates in December. The band has also scheduled a headlining show in West Springfield, Virginia. The details are as follows:
Dec. 05 - Jaxx – West Springfield, VA
Dec. 07 - Mainstage - Pompton Lakes, NJ (w/ UNEARTH)
Dec. 08 - The Living Room - Providence, RI (w/ UNEARTH)
GOD FORBID filmed its live performance at the jam-packed Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ in February 2007 for the band's upcoming DVD. Music video director David Brodsky (GWAR, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, THE RED CHORD) led off the production, with his crew at MyGoodEye manning an eight-camera live performance shoot, also being edited by Brodsky. The entire performance was recorded and will be mixed by chief audio engineer of Trax East recording studio, Eric Rachel (SYMPHONY X, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ATREYU). In addition, official live and behind the scenes photos were taken by Adam Leota of Prophecy21.com, as well as the up-and-coming Maria Newman.
Regarding the upcoming DVD, guitarist Doc Coyle recently said, "Since this is our first DVD release, it's important to us to make this DVD as comprehensive and in depth as possible so that our fans feel like they get their money's worth and then some. A lot of bands put together crappy, bootleg, home video style DVDs and I think nine times out of ten, it is ripping off the consumer. We're going to work really hard to make this project incredible and worth of your DVD libraries." More...
Children Of Bodom Bassist Reports From The Studio
CHILDREN OF BODOM bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith has checked in with the following studio update:
"Still working with the guitars... as you can see. Due to some schedule things we will do rhythm guitar tracks completely, and then continue with melodies and solos. When those are done we will start recording the low ends, bass tracks!!! Everything works fine, and the guitar sound is really good, we are very pleased with that!"
As previously reported, Children Of Bodom's as-yet-untitled new album is being recorded by Mikko Karmila and will feature a guest appearance from Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN). The album will see their forthcoming new album available in Europe on April 7th via Spinefarm. Prior to the album's release, a new single will be available as of March 3rd.
Mudvayne Frontman Talks Fan Generated Album
Gary Graff of Billboard.com reports: MUDVAYNE frontman Chad Gray says the group is "getting really close" to figuring out what songs are going to appear on its fan-generated album "By the People, For the People", due November 27 via Epic.
"We're just kind of sitting back and letting it go," says Gray, who, along with MUDVAYNE guitarist Greb Tribbett, is on the road with their side band, HELLYEAH. "There's a couple of things I'm excited for — but I don't want to give them away. The arrangements are different. There's a couple things with completely different choruses. I think our fans are really gonna love this, man."
The concept of "By the People..." allows MUDVAYNE fans to choose their favorite songs from the group's catalog; the band will then dig into its vaults for specific versions of those tracks, considering demos, live renditions and alternate tracks.
"We have tons and tons of (hard) drives and archived stuff," Gray explains. "We were like, 'We should get this to the people. They'd probably love this.' We just want to give back something to the people that have supported us for so long and allow them to be more a part of MUDVAYNE."
Enslaved Members Steal A Sheep
G4's The Feed reports: In a recent televised stunt, two members of Norwegian black metal band ENSLAVED stole a free-grazing sheep that were the property of politician/Liberal Party leader/farmer Lars Sponheim.
It seems Sponheim's Liberal Party has been advocating the legalization of all illicit Internet downloading. They say the business is already freely accessible and downloading should be legalized. ENSLAVED think that argument is weak and decided to prove it via stealing his sheep. They counter that that bands are just small businesses and legalizing free downloading is against everything the party claims to stand for. So you guys wanna steal our music, we'll steal your sheep. That's fair, right?
Turns out the stunt was staged as a part of the larger campaign against downloading called Piracy Kills Music that is being waged by Norwegian bands and other music industry members.
Oh, despite what you might assume, ENSLAVED did not eat the sheep. They set it free into the mountains.
See, even black metal bands have hearts…
Video footage of ENSLAVED stealing sheep: More...
Ministry Bassists' Brother Talks Of Passing
Daniel Jon Raven has issued the following statement regarding the passing of his brother, legendary bassist Paul Raven (MINISTRY, PRONG, SOCIETY 1, KILLING JOKE, GODFLESH, MOB RESEARCH):
"The expression 'one of a kind' has lost its value but my beautiful brother, Paul Vincent Raven, redefined it. He was a one-man army, as intelligent, funny, loving and singularly angry a man as I have ever known. His life was truly his own, from its beginning to this awful, tragic end. He was a born saint and an unbelievable asshole.
"This family's heart is bleeding and it will never stop. To know that we will never hear his voice and see his face again is a wound that nothing will heal.
"We would like to thank Paul's friends and comrades for their invaluable support at this impossible time."
Paul Raven was found dead on Saturday (October 20) in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border after suffering an apparent heart attack. Raven was in Geneva working with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG) and members of THE YOUNG GODS.
Born in Wolverhampton, UK on January 16, 1961, Paul Vincent Raven established himself with his work in the seminal post-punk/industrial act KILLING JOKE after he replaced the band's original bassist in 1982, recording and touring with the group throughout its most commercially successful period, performing on "Fire Dances", "Night Time" and "Brighter than a Thousand Suns". Throughout his extensive career, Raven participated in other collaborations, including PRONG, MURDER, INC., PIGFACE and GODFLESH. Most recently, Raven was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" for his work with MINISTRY's Al Jourgensen, with whom he had begun collaborating in late 2005 on the MINISTRY release "Rio Grande Blood". After a 2006 world tour with the group, Raven helped Jourgensen and PRONG's Tommy Victor pen the latest MINISTRY CD, "The Last Sucker", which is also the band's final studio release.
Dam Post New Live Footage Online
London-based extreme death/thrashers DAM have posted live footage for the track 'Eyeballing', filmed at their performance with 1349 in London on Thursday, October 18th at the Underworld.
The band have been touring in support of their new album, The Difference Engine, for which an e-card can be viewed at this location.
Check out the live clip for 'Eyeballing' at this location.
Excrementory Grindfuckers Confirmed For Wacken
German grindcore act EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS are the latest act confirmed for the Wacken Open Air 2008, which is scheduled for July 31st - August 2nd, in Wacken, Germany. Acts on the bill now include headliners IRON MAIDEN, CARCASS (reunion show), AT THE GATES (reunion show), AVANTASIA, CHILDREN OF BODOM, KREATOR, SONATA ARCTICA, HATEBREED, THE BONES and SALTATIO MORTIS.
Asmegin Hit The Studio
Norwegian folk/viking metal band ASMEGIN are currently in the studio to record their newest release, Tusind Tabte Sjæles Kakofoni (The Cacophony Of Thousand Lost Souls). According to a press release, "this double concept album, to be released in mid-2008 (via Napalm Records), delivers Asmegin's classic folk elements along with a darker atmosphere and a veil of progressive elements."
Exciter Bump New Album To February
Canadian speed/thrash metal act EXCITER's forthcoming new album, Thrash, Speed, Burn, will now be released via Massacre Records on February 22nd. Songs to appear on the release include: 'Thrash Speed Burn', 'Demon`s Gate', 'Evil Omen', 'Hangman', 'In Mortal Fear', 'Crucifixion', 'Betrayal', 'The Punisher', 'Massacre Mountain', 'Rot The Devil King'. Thrash, Speed, Burn will be issued as a regular CD and limited CD digipak.
Exciter's 2007 line-up features original guitarist John Ricci, Rik Charron (drums), Clammy (bass) and new singer Kenny Winter.
Engel Post More Album Samples Online
ENGEL, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based quintet featuring guitarists Marcus Sunesson (ex-THE CROWN) and Niclas Engelin (PASSENGER, ex-GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES), drummer Mojjo (RELEVANT FEW, DRACENA), vocalist Mangan Klavborn, and bassist Michael Håkansson (ex-EVERGREY), has posted two more tracks from its upcoming debut album, "Absolute Design", on the group's MySpace page. Check out the songs "Casket Closing" (full song) and "The Paraclet" (clip) at this location. Also available at the same location is the group tour blog from their current European tour with DIMMU BORGIR and AMON AMARTH.
SPV/Steamhammer will release "Absolute Design" on the following dates:
Sweden: October 31
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: November 2
Rest of Europe: November 5 More...
Bulletboys Announce Tour Dates
'80s hard rock icons BULLETBOYS are embarking on their 20th anniversary U.S. tour, bringing their legendary high-energy live show from coast to coast. They will be performing all the smash hits that made them staples on MTV and radio, including "Smooth Up" and "For The Love Of Money", as well as plenty of surprises. Confirmed dates are as follows with more to be announced soon:
Nov. 01 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy
Nov. 09 - Las Vegas, NV @ Rox Club
Nov. 10 - Riverside, CA @ Tremors
Nov. 14 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Nov. 16 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Peppermill
Nov. 17 - Downer, MN @ Mainline Bar
Nov. 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Vnuks
Nov. 19 - Mount Clemens, MI @ Emerald Theatre
Nov. 21 - Geneva on the Lake, OH @ The Cove
Nov. 22 - Southbridge, MA @ ADC Performance Center
Nov. 23 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Nov. 24 - Cambridge, OH @ Shakers
Nov. 25 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Steppin Out
Nov. 26 - New York, NY @ The Cutting Room
Nov. 28 - [to be announced]
Nov. 29 - Laredo, TX @ G. W. Roadhouse
Nov. 30 - Texarkana, TX @ Phil's
Dec. 01 - [to be announced]
Dec. 02 - San Antonio, TX @ Jacks
Dec. 03 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Launch Pad
Dec. 07 - Reno, NV @ Club Underground
Dec. 08 - [to be announced]
Fatalist To Release 'Loss' EP In November
FATALIST, the new band featuring Wes Caley (guitar/vocals; ex-EXHUMED, UPHILL BATTLE), Neil Burkdoll (guitar/vocals; ex-STUMP, DIRTY DEAD), Tyler Castro (drums) and Art Hayes (bass), has posted four new full-length songs on its MySpace page. All four cuts will be included on the group's upcoming mini-CD, Loss", which will be released at the end of November.
Formed in 2006, FATALIST specializes in "old-school Swedish death metal (CARNAGE, NIHILIST, GRAVE, DISMEMBER)," according to a press release.
"Loss" features seven tracks and one intro song and has a running time of 30 minutes.
FATALIST is currently looking to book shows in the California area.
Kampfar To Release New Album In April
Norwegian old-school black metallers KAMPFAR will enter the studio soon to commence recording the follow-up to last year's "Kvass". The as-yet-untitled album will be released in April 2008 via Napalm Records. In a recent posting on the band's web site, the group stated about the new material, "it will be KAMPFAR through and through, that we can promise!" More...
Slavior Post 'Swept Away' Video Online
SLAVIOR — the band featuring ex-FATES WARNING/WARLORD drummer Mark Zonder, current MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP guitarist Wayne Findlay, RING OF FIRE/STEVE VAI bassist Philip Bynoe and TRIBE OF GYPSIES vocalist Greg Analla — has posted another video from its trip to Japan in August. Watch the "Swept Away" clip here.
SLAVIOR's self-titled debut album was released on April 3 via Inside Out Music.
The band had originally inked a deal with Greece's Black Lotus Records, but financial turmoil eventually caused the label to fold, leaving SLAVIOR to re-evaluate matters and come to their initial choice of labels, Inside Out.
A versatile, melodic hard rock/metal act, SLAVIOR's debut album features elements familiar to Zonder's progressive metal past, but also introduces a wide array influences including reggae, hip-hop, and modern rock. More...
Isole Announce New Album Title
Swedish doom metal band ISOLE has completed the work on its new album, "Bliss of Solitude", at the group's own Studio Apocalypse for a January 2008 release via Napalm Records. According to a press release, "ISOLE makes use of clean vocals, slo-mo grooves, and melodies in the minor keys. Fans of CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETERNUS, or early ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE will not be disappointed."
ISOLE's sophomore album, "Throne of Void", was released in June 2006 via I Hate Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Forevermore" featured "a slightly rawer and heavier sound" (both production- and music-wise) than its predecessor, according to a press release.
Draconian Complete Work On New Album
Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN has completed work on its fourth album, tentatively due in January 2008 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Fascination Street Studio (KATATONIA, OPETH) in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren and features "raw doom elements combined with the soft vocals of female vocalist Lisa (Johansson) and the ethereal melody lines well-known to fans of the band," according to a press release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include 'Seasons Apart', 'The Failure Epiphany' and 'Morphine Cloud'."
DRACONIAN released its special "bonus" album, titled "The Burning Halo", in September 2006 through Napalm Records (October in the U.S.). The CD features three new songs, new versions of several demo songs and three covers.
Birds of Prey Announce New Album Release Date
BIRDS OF PREY, the band featuring Erik Larson (ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY), Bo Leslie (THE LAST VAN ZANT), Summer Welch (BARONESS), Ben Hogg (BEATEN BACK TO PURE) and Dave Witte (MUNICIPAL WASTE), will release its second full-length album, "Sulfur and Semen", on January 22 via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Sniper Studio in Moyock, NC with producer Vince Burke and contains 11 songs — ten originals and a cover of IRON AND WINE's "Show Him the Ground". The tentative track listing is as follows (in no particular order):
01. Bleed Blister or Cum
02. Show Him the Ground (IRON AND WINE cover)
03. Mentoring the Mongoloids (Return to the Attic)
04. Turning Big Rocks into Little Rocks
05. Murder the Homeless/Burn the Upper Class
06. Where Black Lungs Don`t Breathe
07. Lice Halo
08. Satisfy the 45
09. To My Victims Families
10. Overfucked and Underage
11. Liquor Blisters
"Sulfur and Semen" follows up the band's debut album, "Weight of the Wound".
To/Die/For Needs a Break
Finnish gothic metal band TO/DIE/FOR has posted another message on its MySpace page clarifying its previous statement that "we really do not know what will happen for us then. . . maybe we will release sixth album someday, maybe we don't." The new message reads as follows:
"Now we are back in Finland and I noticed here is a lot of worried people. Calm down, please — we are not gonna kill TO/DIE/FOR. Now we just need a break and we are hunting some inspiration… something new into our little thing called TO/DIE/FOR.
"'Anything can happen' does not mean exactly we are goona stop making music.
But still situation is that we do not know anything about anything… All we know is that we love to make music, we love to travel and make shows…"
TO/DIE/FOR's fifth album, "Wounds Wide Open", was released in Finland in October 2006. The follow-up to 2005's "IV", "Wounds Wide Open" was recorded by Samu Oittinen at Fantom Studios and by Jari-Jukka Nippala at Sonic Image, and was mixed at Sweden's Abyss Studios by Peter Tägtgren (DIMMU BORGIR, CELTIC FROST).
Nuclear Blast earlier in the year reissued TO/DIE/FOR's "All Eternity" (2000) and "Epilogue" (2001) albums as a double-CD package. The cover art can be viewed at this location.
Alice Cooper Speaks On New Album
Rhys Saunders of Farmington, New Mexico's The Daily Times recently conducted an interview with Alice Cooper. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:
The Daily Times: You're an artist who has always been known for elaborate stage productions, using storyline theatrics even during your early days. As a musician, how important is image compared to musical content? Are the two separable, or is there ever a time when one becomes more important than the other?
Alice: "In the beginning, we fought that; that was our biggest battle. We knew that we were a good band, that we were every bit as good as THIN LIZZY or FOGHAT, and the rest of those bands. I mean, just the fact that we refused to just be a band — why would we need to be just another band when we could also give them a show, and create a character that could be rock 'n roll's villain? It just means that we give you two things instead of one. People immediately go, 'Oh, they're doing the visuals because they can't play.' But after your first or second Number One hit, and after people like BOB DYLAN and THE BEATLES and THE ROLLING STONES are talking about how much they like your music in the press, they can't really knock you for that. It was a battle, but I think it's still a battle now. When bands like MARILYN MANSON and SLIPKNOT dress up — and they're very theatrical bands that are total derivatives of ALICE COOPER — people go, That's great, but what's going on with the music?' If you don't have those hits, you're really just a puppet show. It's almost like being a golfer. When you win a few tournaments, OK. But when you win the majors, people start looking at you as a great golfer."
The Daily Times: How do you balance your song selections each night? Are there certain songs you feel as though you have to play?
Alice: "We know which ones we have to do. These certain songs are ones you have to do every time. If you don't do the hits, the audience is going to let you know. I can think of 15 songs that I have to do or the audience would be disappointed. [Alice begins listing hits from the past 35 years at a break-neck speed.] If I went to see THE WHO or THE ROLLING STONES, and they didn't do 'Brown Sugar' or 'Satisfaction', I'd say, Hey, what's going on here?' After all of those songs, then we have a secondary bunch of songs of what I call radio hits, or ones that got played on FM radio, or the ones that, if you were an Alice fan, you had to hear those songs. I have to design my show in order to keep those songs fresh. I don't like to mess around with the original songs."
The Daily Times: What about the rumors that you're going to release a new album next year?
Alice: "There are always songs being written. I think I want to do albums that — you write the songs, and record them the same day. Don't let the band get tired of the songs. When the band is excited about those songs, that's when you record it. I think if the song is written well, I would rather hear a great performance than a great production. For a while, we were doing a 14-song album in 14 or 15 days. That's one song per day! This album is going to be a little more produced. It's more on the level of 'The Last Temptation' or 'From The Inside'. When I wrote it, I realized there was a character that was really trying to get me to develop him, and I couldn't figure out who he was. I started reading the lyrics and realized there was a guy evolving from this, a guy named Spider. He was a serial killer, but he was a complex serial killer. He doesn't kill for thrills, necessarily, and there's almost a justice about it in his eyes. In our eyes, maybe not."
The Daily Times: With these character-based albums, do you have a character in mind before you write the lyrics, or does a character develop after you start the writing process?
Alice: "Well, the idea behind 'The Last Temptation' was that there was an idea there already, sort of in the vein of 'Something Wicked This Way Comes'. The whole thought process of that was — here is a moral behind the story. If you're a 14-year-old kid, you don't have to buy into everything the world offers you. It doesn't mean you have to be sexually active, it doesn't mean you have to be a drug addict, it doesn't mean you have to be a 19-year-old before your time. Be innocent for as long as you can! Don't let the world push you around. Don't let Hollywood tell you you're a jerk because you're not having sex every night. There's a great innocence in being a teenager that you have to hold onto."
Devildriver To Release DVD Next Year
DEVILDRIVER guitarist Mike Spreitzer recently spoke to Lucem Fero's Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan. Topics of discussion included the Californian band's third album "The Last Kind Words", playing live, and DEVILDRIVER's upcoming DVD plans. Several excerpts from the interview follow:
On whether DEVILDRIVER get a bigger and bigger reception every time they return to the UK:
"Definitely. Every time that we come back some place, it always seems that our crowds are gradually getting bigger and bigger. I guess we're doing something right then, and it feels good. We've been working our asses off for the last four years. I've been in the band almost four years now, but they've been around for almost five or six I think. It's been great though, and all the hard work is paying off."
On the group's attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the "largest circle pit":
"Yeah. We did that, but they wrote back to us saying that they had no scientific way to accurately measure the moshpit, so... The funny thing was the email they sent back to us. It almost seemed like they... the tone of it was... well, I can't exactly remember what they said. I read the email, and they were almost offended that we asked them to do something like that."
On whether he would be receptive to an online poll choosing DEVILDRIVER's setlist in the future:
"We're actually talking about that, I think. We just started a fan club called The Wretched, and you can get a link to it from our MySpace page. When we get home, I think we're going to organize something for the people that signed up for our fan club. That'll be where everyone possibly picks their five favourite songs. We'll then tally up the votes, and incorporate those winning songs into our set list. We'll see how many people give us their votes, and how things go. Maybe we'll just let the fans choose the set lists from now on."
On "The Last Kind Words":
"It's different than our last two. 90% of the music on the first record was written by a guy that I replaced [Evan Pitts], and the second album came out really well generally speaking. I think that by the third album we had learnt how to write with each other though, and work together better. We've found more of a common ground. If I write a riff, and go, 'I know the rest of the guys are going to hate this,' then I'm not going to even bother showing it to them. I have a much different style than a lot of the other guys do. Our drummer [John Boecklin] writes a lot of the guitar riffs, and he's more into the thrashy, groovy material. I'm into more melodic material, so we find a common ground in the middle somewhat. Jeff and [Jon] Miller write a lot as well, and they're in between somewhat."
On the album's reception:
"It's been great, and our first-week sales were better than the last two records. Since the album came out, I think I've heard one fan say that they liked 'The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand' a little bit more. That's it, really. Everyone is pretty much telling us that this is the best DEVILDRIVER record ever, and that makes me really happy. I've heard a lot of people say that. Chris Adler from LAMB OF GOD, who I've been friends since 2004, came up to me at Ozzfest. He said, 'You know what? I liked you guys, but I listen to the new album all the time,' and I just replied, 'Wow! Thanks man.' There are people out there that weren't really into us, but with this record they're saying, 'Alright man, maybe I'll give these guys another chance.'"
On how Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, GOD FORBID, BURY YOUR DEAD) approached capturing the vibe of the band:
"He did an amazing job. He really pushed Dez [Fafara, vocals] a lot, and got him really pissed off too. [Laughs] Jason's known for really pushing singers in the studio to the point where they get frustrated, but he really ends up getting a good performance out of them. If you listen to Dez on this record, he sounds fucking pissed. We like that. For me personally, he really helped me out by pushing me. Also, he helped me write decent solos. I would get stuck, so then I would just listen to him play guitar for ten minutes. I'd eventually say, 'Stop. OK, give me the guitar again; I got an idea.' He would then leave. If I was stumped though, he'd come in and play guitar. Mark Lewis, the engineer, was a great help too. He had some good ideas too which made things better."
On Dez Fafara's public verbal exchange with VENOM's Cronos:
"To tell you the truth, I don't even know the whole story. What happened though was the following: we were supposed to tour with them, and it got postponed. We were still going to do the tour with them, but then it got postponed again. When they yet again wanted us to tour with them, we were going to go to Australia with FEAR FACTORY. Obviously, we couldn't do it as we were already committed to do Australia. I heard that they were on a radio station, and said something bad about us. That really bummed Dez out since he's a huge VENOM fan; he used to wear the shirts onstage all the time, and he's really into their new album 'Metal Black' [2006]. He's listened to that record so much. That's basically the story, though I actually haven't even heard exactly what they said. Who knows? It might not even be true."
On DEVILDRIVER's plans for an upcoming DVD:
"We're going to be releasing a DVD next year — we got a lot of material already. We've had a video guy with us for roughly two years, and he's going to start working on the DVD very soon. It'll have a live show in it."
On whether the DVD's release date has been agreed upon:
"No, not yet. It'll be sometime next year."
Death Angel Guitarist Speaks On New Album
LivingForMetal.com recently caught up with DEATH ANGEL frontman Rob Cavestany to discuss the band's career, their forthcoming studio album and Cavestany's new solo album, Lines On The Road. The following is an excerpt from the story:
DZ: I wanted to change gears here and touch on your new acoustic album. I had a chance to check out some songs on your MySpace site and I was interested in finding out where you got the inspiration for these songs, touring? Personal life? Family?
Rob: "Well not so much from the life on tour as just life. You know what you are just going through all the trials and tribulations that you have to go through as an individual and I just think that in this music especially lyrically it’s kind of something that everybody can relate too. It’s more to the human side of things."
DZ: And was this a reunion of sorts with Gus (Pepa / original Death Angel guitarist) or has he been in the picture after all this time?
Rob: "Well, sort of a reunion on record on album, yeah. But you know, Gus has been in the picture; we’ve been jamming behind the scenes all along ever since THE ORGANIZATION broke up and even THE SWARM. Gus would go, disappear, and do his own thing and all of a sudden, I don’t hear from Gus for a month and then one day 'Hello?' 'Yeah?' 'Gus? O, hey dude! What’s up?' And you know, that day he's at my house with his acoustic. We didn’t waste any time man, we just started jamming."
DZ: Having Ted (Aguilar) jamming with you after the reunion, I wanted to ask how has that transition been for you after Gus and you jamming all those years.
Rob: "Oh man awesome dude, awesome. Ted just slipped right in. And it’s funny man cuz Ted is more Death Angel than Gus is now, you know. Gus and his life just moved on to the point of where he transcended beyond the world of metal, he was departed from it for so long, and when we reformed I did talk to Gus. I tried to get him in to do the whole thing you know the five of us but he just very respectfully said, 'I’m sorry dude I just don’t feel comfortable.'"
DZ: Is this more reflective on the acoustic album and is this spilling over onto the new Death Angel songs?
Rob: "It's more in the sound not as much lyrically in a way that’s the fuel or the fire to it, but not in a family Disney sorta way. This album's gonna be brutal man, it's heavy but it's inspiration. We’re not just doing this album so we can go party now and get out on tour you know. This is about working for you know my kid and our families and their futures."
Primordial To Headline Winterfest
Ireland's PRIMORDIAL are headlining Winterfest 2007 is being held no December 15, 2007 at Cruiscin Lan, Cork City, Ireland. Other acts set for the event include: CROWNING GLORY, FOR RUIN, COLDWAR, HALLOWED, FLATLINE and more.
Primordial will be releasing their new album, To The Nameless Dead, on November 16th in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and November 19th throughout the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records. A North American release is set for November 27th
To The Nameless Dead tracklist: 'Empire Falls', 'Gallows Hymn', 'As Rome Burns', 'Failures Burden', 'Heathen Tribes', 'The Rising Tide', 'Traitors Gate', 'No Nation On This Earth'.
Megadeth Mainman Inks Deal With Celestion Amps
According to MEGADETH's official website, "whichever set-up he uses, live or in the studio, mainman Dave Mustaine chooses Celestion."
Dave's in good company, in a stellar line-up of players including Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN AND HELL) and Slash (VELBVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), SLAYER's Kerry King, Scott Ian and Dan Spitz from ANTHRAX and current Rob Zombie axeman, John 5. All of whom are long time Celestion players.
Says Mustaine: "Throughout my career I have tried many amplifiers, but I have always only used one brand for my speaker. I prefer Celestion, because nothing I have played through has been tough enough and durable enough to endure the beating of my whole career's sonic output."
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