Metal News for October 27, 2003
Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 3:07 AM ET
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Hot Topics
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13 news articles posted on this day.
Site Update
New News Person - Nightwisher!
Yo, what up to everyone!? That's right, Metal underground has a new dedicated poster - me. For those who still haven't caught on....I'm the new guy!
I listen to all kinds of music, but OF COURSE, my favorite genre is Metal. My favorite metal bands vary. Lately, I've been getting into some progressive metal such as Stratovarious and Labyrinth. The most popular names on my playlist lately though, would have to be Cradle of Filth, My Dying Bride, and Nightwish. I'm also into the Numetal scene as well. I dig bands such as Static X, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Linkin Park...all that good stuff.
I am very open-minded and love talking about music. If you want, feel free to give me an IM. My screen name is Absorbthemoment. Hit me up if you've got any news or new bands you think I should check out.
Peace everyone. I'm out.
Neurosis Finishing Up New Album
Neurosis are currently in San Francisco recording for their next full-length. The band will be mixing the album with Steve Albini (Jesus Lizard, Helmet) in Chicago in December, and the as-of-yet untitled effort should hit stores in summer 2004 via Neurot Recordings. In related news, the new album from Blood and Time, featuring Neurosis members Scott Kelly and Noah Landis, will now be released in early-2004. The album, entitled, "At The Foot Of The Garden," had originally been slated for release on November 4th but has been delayed for unspecified reasons.
Ancient Ceremony Gears Up for Tour
Ancient Ceremony have recently been performing some intensive live shows where they presented their new band members, guitarist Christoph and drummer Manuel Steitz.
The band is again ready for attack and their upcoming live shows will be recorded for a DVD. A live video clip for the track ‘Litanies In Blood’ will also be recorded as well as some other tracks. The bands upcoming live dates begin in late December with a mini-tour, dubbed Black X-mas Campaign.
In other news, the band will release a new mini-album, P.uritan's B.lasphemy C.all (Ruf-Mord), in early 2004 through Russia’s top label, Irond Records. The disc will feature rare and new material and will run about 30 minutes.
The release of Ancient Ceremony’s next full length album, Holycaust - Angelus Mortis, has been slightly delayed and will now be out in April, 2004.
Marduk Set Release Date for DVD
Swedish black metallers Marduk have set a January 19, 2004 release date for their much-anticipated DVD, titled "Funeral Marches And Warsongs". The long-delayed disc will tentatively include, among other features, a live show recorded in Paris on the European leg of the World Funeral tour as well as footage of the band's reunion with former vocalist Joakim Göthberg during their appearance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany in August. More...
Varg Vikernes Jumps Jail Leave but is Recaptured
Varg Vikernes threatened a family with a pistol and hijacked their car in a failed bid to elude the Norwegian police during his 24 hours on the run, it was reported Monday.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (October 26), a family of three driving through the valley known as Numedal in Buskerud County reported being flagged down by a pedestrian. When they stopped to assist him, the pedestrian believed to be Vikernes allegedly threatened them with a handgun and forced them to surrender their car.
"They explained that they were held at gunpoint and were forced to leave the vehicle, and that the man [Vikernes] took off in it," police spokesperson Knut Svalheim told wire service NTB. More...
Monstrosity to Tour Guatemala
Florida death metallers Monstrosity have just returned from their triumphant show in Bogota, Columbia, where they headlined the Rock Al Parque festival in front of an estimated 80,000 people (card), the biggest turnout in the event's nine-year history (according to the group's press release). In addition, the band have just announced their first trip to Guatemala, scheduled to take place in early November.
The details are as follows: More...
The Gathering Announce New Bassist
Holland's The Gathering have parted ways with bassist Hugo Prinsen Geerligs and have replaced him with Marjolein Kooijman.
"After a period of soul searching, Hugo came to the conclusion he wants to spend his time otherwise, taking on new challenges profession-wise and focus on his private life," the band said in a statement. "He and his wife just had a beautiful baby girl. This means Hugo will end the year with The Gathering and [will do] one last show which will be in 013 in Tilburg, Holland the 16th of November. Of course we wish him all good luck and happiness in the future! More...
Darkest Hour Cancel Remainder of Tour
Darkest Hour have cancelled the rest of our European tour, plus the two weeks with The Crown in November. "[Guitarist] Mike [Schleibaum]'s father has been battling cancer for about two years, and Mike has been called home by his family to spend his last days with him," the band write on their web site. "We were looking forward to seeing our friends in Sweden, the UK, and especially Anchorfest. We regret to cancel, but we are planning on coming back for a full European tour in February/March 2004, and we plan to make up all of the dates we will miss.
"We would like to thank Marco and Ivonne for all of their love and support, as our booking agents and friends. We would also like to thank Christof, and especially Martin, our driver, for all of his patience. We send our apologizes to all of the bands, fans, and promoters of this tour, and thank you for your understanding and respect during this difficult time."
Kalmah Part Ways with Keyboardist
Finland's Kalmah have parted ways with keyboardist Pasi Hiltula. According to a posting on the band's web site, Pasi "wanted to concentrate on his own projects. We are looking for replacement but at the same time considering to leave the position unfilled and leave the space for guitars. Let's see what the future has to offer for us. It was great to work with Pasi. He really is one of the best keyboard players we have ever known and heard."
In other news, Kalmah have been confirmed for the Dark Metal Night(s) festival in Oulu, Finland on February 7, 2004. More details about the event will be made available soon.
Zeke SIgn Deal with Relapse
Seattle's celebrated speed punk trio ZEKE have signed to Relapse Records. The high-powered group will release their much anticipated new full length in Spring, 2004.
Zeke (Blind Marky Felchtone (guitar / vocals), Donny Paycheck (drums) and Diamond Jeff Matz (bass / vocals)), who began their career in 1993, are known for their vicious and visceral live shows and electrifying studio recordings. Drawing influences from Judas Priest, Motorhead and Iron Maiden amongst others, Zeke's brand of hardcore speed rock mixes punk nihilism with a hard hitting metal extravagance. The band's signing with the Relapse label follows stints on both Epitaph Records -- where Zeke issue their Kicked in the Teeth (1998) and Dirty Sanchez (2000) albums -- and the Aces & Eights label, who issued what is widely considered the band's finest release to date, 2001's Death Alley. More...
Metallica Sell Out More, Do AOL Commercial
METALLICA's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich are featured in a new commercial promoting the Talk Phone add-on for instant messages as part of AOL's new 9.0 Optimized service.
According to Adweek, the ad sees "a hardcore-looking dude IMing another bulky, studded type. 'I'm madly in love with you,' the first types. 'I'm madly in lust with you,' responds the second. This is an advertising shocker: starry-eyed beefy men professing their love — not over beers but on the Internet. We start getting the picture when the first types back, 'I'm madly in anger with you,' then picks up the phone and plays a dazzling guitar riff. They are James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of METALLICA. The song, 'St. Anger', is off their latest album. The spot is honest and funny, with a dazzling build."
The METALLICA commercial is one of nine ads as part of a campaign which debuted in September and continues to roll out this month.
Chevelle Ready Concert Bootlegs Album
Modern rock act Chevelle has made a concert album, "Live From the Road," available exclusively via the Chevellebootlegs.com Web site. The material on the 10-song disc was captured during the band's headlining performances and dates opening for the Foo Fighters. It features the rock radio smashes "Send the Pain Below" and "The Red" and cuts dating back to Chevelle's 1999 debut, "Point #1," including the title track and "SMA."
"When we are playing live we try to sound as big and heavy as possible," drummer Sam Loeffler writes on the site. "This live record is sort of a time capsule to what we have been doing and what we have been sounding like up to this point. Things will be changing as we go into writing our next record, so this was an important thing for us to get down."
Epic will offer "Live From the Road" in wider release beginning Nov. 11. Fans can listen to sound clips from the set on the site. The group also has two live cuts on the upcoming Intoxication/Reprise CD/DVD "Music as Weapon II," due Nov. 18.
Chevelle begins a six-week North American tour Nov. 1 in Cleveland, with S.T.U.N. and Campfire Girls in tow. Dredg replaces S.T.U.N. beginning Nov. 17 in San Diego. Loeffler told Billboard.com this summer that the group would likely hit the studio to record a new album early next year.
Here is the "Live From the Road" track list: More...
Metallica Gets The Bluegrass Treatment
The Muscle Shoals band Iron Horse has given Metallica the Bluegrass treatment. You can now hear them picking, strumming and singing their heartfelt way through a musical world where no bluegrass group has gone before.
"Fade to Bluegrass" -- the four-member band's genre-bending, redefining tribute to the head-banging, heavy-metal sounds of monster rockers Metallica – will be released nationwide today by the Los Angeles-based label CMH Records.
"It's the last thing in the world we ever expected to do," admitted Iron Horse co-founder Tony Robertson, who plays mandolin and sings lead, high lead and tenor vocals. "But it's really challenged us as musicians and given us an opportunity to explore an alternate form of American music. In the process, we've grown to love it."
In the case of Metallica, members of Iron Horse were essentially novices when it came to musical familiarity with Metallica's pounding drums, scorching guitars and screaming vocals. Beneath the heavy-metal bombast, the bluegrass musicians discovered intricate compositions and compelling lyrics in the Metallica anthems "Unforgiven," "Enter Sandman" and "Fade to Black."
"Once you actually know what the lyrics say, it really opens your eyes and ears to the music," Robertson remarked. "The label isn't trying to sell Metallica music to bluegrass fans. Instead, they're releasing it in the roots, Americana and alternative markets, which is a great place for us to be. We do hope the bluegrass fans will like it – and we hope Metallica fans will like it, too."
While I'm a big fan of covers of metal (especially Metallica) in drastically different styles (e.g Apocalyptica), I'm not sure the bluegrass version is my thing, although it's still quite interesting (and better than country). You can hear some clips of a few songs or even order the CD on Amazon.com.
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