COC To Release New Album In 2005

Corrosion Conformity, the Grammy-nominated heavy rockers from North Carolina, will release an aggressive new studio album through Sanctuary Records in early 2005, to be followed by a worldwide tour.

Tentatively titled "En los Brazos del Dios" (In the Arms of God), the upcoming album is among the band's heaviest in years. "We all have a certain affinity for real music, including truly heavy stuff," says founding guitarist Woody Weatherman.

The band's current direction reflects their long tradition of evolution. "We started writing songs, and they somewhat had the vibe of 'Blind', 'Deliverance' and our earlier material," says vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan. "We started thinking from that perspective, and it evolved into a heavy, classic sound but with a modern wisdom to it. We really got back to our roots with this one, listening to old records that we all grew up on and headbanging at Woody's farmhouse. It was a good time putting it together."

The result, Keenan says, is a "bombastic, epic record, staying clear of the 3-minute formula. It's not a nostalgic record by any means; it's big and ugly and heavy. Thematically, there's a lot of disgust on the record, directed inwardly and towards society in general, reflecting these times we all live in. A lot of people will be able to relate." More...

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Megadeth And Slayer Live Photos Available

Megadeth and Slayer performed back-to-back concerts at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on November 10 and November 11, respectively. Check out pictures from Globe Photos.

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Shattered Parts Ways With Guitarist

Shattered has parted way with guitarist Lars Karlsson. A replacement has already been found in the person of Jimmy Andersson. After having released their debut entitled wrapped in plastic earlier this year, the band is now working on new material and looking forward to get the opportunity to play some gigs.

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Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy To Tour

Sweden's Soilwork have confirmed via their official web site that the limited-edition European/U.S. version of their upcoming album, "Stabbing the Drama," will include a bonus track, entitled "Wherever Thorns May Grow." The Japanese edition will feature "Wherever Thorns May Grow" and an additional bonus cut by the name of "Killed by Ignition."

The follow-up to 2003's "Figure Number Five" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro and Dug-Out Productions in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, Stuck Mojo). A February 28, 2005 release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

Soilwork will be heading out on a North American tour with Dark Tranquillity and Hypocrisy beginning in April 2005. So far, only one date has been confirmed: April 29 at the Jaxx in Springfield, VA.

the limited-edition European/U.S. version of Soilwork's upcoming album, "Stabbing the Drama," will include a bonus track, entitled "Wherever Thorns May Grow." The Japanese edition will feature "Wherever Thorns May Grow" and an additional bonus cut by the name of "Killed by Ignition".

The follow-up to 2003's "Figure Number Five" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro and Dug-Out Productions in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Messhugah, In Flames, Stuck Mojo). A February 28, 2005 release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

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Black My Heart Guitarist Quits

Derek Mabra, guitarist for Black My Heart, has announced his departure from the band. Here's a statement from Mabra:

"Some time after coming back from the Eulogy Tour, I was under the impression Black My Heart was calling it quits for numerous reasons. We all sort of went our separate directions. A few months later one of the other members asked if I was sure I didnt want to start playing again with new members. After a certain, steady 'Na, I?m all set,' it came up that BMH will be staying together, recording with new members, and staying an active band. For the year I have been a part of this there?s been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all making for some solid memories someday. Through the friends I have made, lost, and the ones who have stuck with me and supported this, I thank you all for the times. Please continue to support Black My Heart. I?m positive they will continue to make some awesome music."

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Korn Interview And Performance On Launch.com

Korn took part in an interview and performed their single 'Y'all Want A Single' on LAUNCH. Watch the interview and performance.

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mewithoutYou To Film Video, Tour

mewithoutYou will be filming a video for their track "January 1979" with director Shane C. Drake (Hawthorne Heights, The Beautiful Mistake) shortly. In other news, the band have lined up a trek with The Snake The Cross The Crown, Despitado and Owen, dates are as follows: More...

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Casey Jones Signs To Eulogy Recordings

Jacksonville, FL straight edge hardcore band Casey Jones has officially signed with Eulogy Recordings. Featuring members of Evergreen Terrace and xTimetoDiex, the group has previously released a CD with Indianola Records and a split EP with Traitor. Look for their Eulogy debut to hit stores in mid-2005.

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All Else Failed, et al 2005 Tour Dates

All Else Failed, GODS, Society's Finest, The Minor Times, and Things Fall Apart will be touring together for several weeks in early-2005. Here are the dates:

1/1 Boston MA @ TBA
1/2 New York NY @ TBA
1/3 Danbury CT @ Empress Ballroom
1/4 Franklinville NJ @ Franklinville VFW
1/5 Philadelphia PA @ TBA
1/6 Baltimore MD @ The Ottobar
1/7 Washington DC @ George Mason University
1/8 Richmond VA @ TBA
1/9 Greensboro NC @ TBA
1/11 Augusta GA @ Hangnail Gallery
1/12 Jacksonville FL @ Jackrabbits
1/13 Orlando FL @ The Backbooth
1/14 Tallahassee FL @ TBA
1/15 Huntsville AL @ VFW Hall
1/16 Baton Rouge LA @ The Darkroom
1/17 Houston TX @ Walter's On Washington
1/18 Dallas TX @ Club Indigo
1/20 El Paso TX @ TBA
1/21 Santa Fe NM @ TBA
1/22 Phoenix AZ @ The Complex
1/23 Corona CA @ Showcase Theater
1/24 San Diego CA @ Ground Zero
1/25 Los Angeles CA @ TBA
1/26 Ventura CA @ TBA
1/27 Las Vegas NV @ TBA
1/29 Denver CO @ Construct
1/30 Lawrence KS @ TBA
1/31 St. Louis MO @ TBA
2/1 Chicago IL @ TBA
2/2 Louisville KY @ TBA
2/3 Cleveland OH @ TBA

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Circa Survive Sign To Equal Vision Records

Circa Survive, featuring former members of This Day Forward, Saosin, and Taken, have officially signed with Equal Vision Records. On November 15th the band will enter Salad Days recording studios with producer Brian McTernan (Cave In, Drowningman) to record their debut album. The effort should hit stores in April 2005.

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Former Machine Head Drummer To Form New Band

Chris Kontos (drums, ex-MACHINE HEAD, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT), Sean Smithson (guitar, ex-SACRILEGE B.C., GRINCH) and Sean McGrath (guitar, IMPALED) are in the process of forming a "full-on metal" band in the vein of EXODUS, THE HAUNTED, PANTERA, SHADOWS FALL and MEGADETH, according to a recent online posting by Smithson. The as-yet-unnamed group, who already have a vocalist in mind, are currently seeking a bassist to complete the band's lineup. "McGrath and I tend to be somewhat 'intricate' players, so a lot of twin attack guitaring will be happening," Smithson writes. "We hope to find a bassist that can lock in with Kontos' style and really bring the rhythm section to life." More details as they become available.

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Primal Fear To Work On New Songs

The German Metal Commando Primal Fear is currently working on new song ideas. "We started with the songwriting for the new – so far unnamed – album and things are going very well", the band states on their official website www.primalfear.de. "We nearly finished the songwriting for the first two tracks and we really like the titles 'Mind of a Killer' and 'Presumed Dead'. […] We plan to record the tracks in Europe (April/May) and mix the album oversees or somewhere else in Europe in June 2005. Watch out for more news in the next days!"

Read the full article at Primal Fear.

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New Crystal Ball Album Next Summer

Swiss Melodic Hard Rock experts Crystal Ball will enter the studio in February 2005 to record the follow-up album to last year's "Hellvetia." The band is going to work with producer Stefan Kaufmann (ACCEPT, U.D.O.) again – the new CD shall get in stores next summer.

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Imperanon In Writing Mood

Imperanon, Finish Melodic Death metallers, have started writing songs for their new album. So far, four tracks are already finished. The follow-up record to the band's debut "Stained" – released in May 2004 – is supposed to show up in late 2005.

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Hypocrisy Finish Drum Recording

This is what Horgh, drummer of the mighty Hypocrisy, states on the official band website www.hypocrisy.tv about the recording process of the new album:

Hi everyone.
I want to share some info about what's going on in the Hypocrisy-camp with you. As I write this I have recorded the drums for the next Hypo-album and I’m back in Bergen/Norway where I live. I brought my new drum kit to the studio and it sounded killer. We all got impressed about how quick we found the sound we wanted. We spent like a half day finding the drum-sound and then everything was ready for me to start the recordings.

The recording-process was as cool as it can met. Peter and Mikael were there in the studio all the time and within three and a half days I recorded eleven new songs.

On the 9th of November, Mikael will start recording the bass-guitar. When he is done with that, I am sure he will let you know how it went here on our official website www.hypocrisy.tv.

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Slayer Slays, Though "Raining Blood" Just Drizzle

Over 20 years after their formation, Slayer remain one of the most menacing, brutal and skilled acts in heavy metal. They're also one of the most unlikely success stories. The band's songs aren't rooted in vocal melody like Black Sabbath's, and they're not anthemic like Judas Priest's or multifaceted like Metallica's. They're sinister, bludgeoning and played at one of two speeds — fast and lightning fast.

Before the launch of the Jägermeister Tour, it looked like Slayer's set would feature "Reign in Blood" in its entirely, capped by a shower of fake blood from the rafters (as the band did for its current concert DVD, "Still Reigning"). Instead, Slayer opted for a greatest-hits showcase that ended with three songs from Reign in Blood. As a result, the performance displayed more range than it otherwise might have. Slayer revved into thrash-metal overdrive on soundblurs like "Fight Till Death" and "War Ensemble," and dropped the pace on moodier numbers like "At Dawn They Sleep" and "Dead Skin Mask."

As the band emerged Thursday night for "Disciple," the stage was flooded with smoke and decorated like a creepy church altar. During the show, flags with red inverted crosses and the group's Teutonic eagle-and-pentagram logo were unfurled, and later a backdrop of shots from Reign in Blood descended. But the group could have performed without any frills (as it did on Ozzfest) and still have destroyed. Years of experience surely have something to do with it, but Slayer's ferocity stems largely from their chemistry. When King and Hanneman stand side-by-side, trading off whirring riffs and strangled-cat solos while headbanging in tandem, they're as lethal a team as serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole. And no frontman can windmill his head and play bass as viciously as Araya, who has recently been plagued with vocal problems, but who sounded great for the entire show.

Read the full article at MTV.com.

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