Metal News for November 24, 2007
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM ET
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Hot Topics
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
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41 news articles posted on this day.
Danko Jones Announce Tour Dates
Canadian rock 'n' roll trio DANKO JONES has scheduled the following dates:
Dec. 08 - Montreal, Quebec - Les Saints
Dec. 20 - Toronto, Ontario - Horseshoe Tavern
Feb. 14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Close-Up Båten
Feb. 16 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium
DANKO JONES will play an exclusive Swedish concert at the Close-Up Båten metal cruise departing Stockholm on February 14, 2008 and returning the following day. The Canadian band will fly to Sweden just for this special live performance where they will debut material from their forthcoming album "Never Too Loud", to be released early next year. Also scheduled to appear are SOILWORK, BACKYARD BABIES, AVATAR, GENERAL SURGERY and MUNICIPAL WASTE. More...
Adler's Appetite Cancel European Tour
ADLER'S APPETITE, the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, has cancelled its previously announced European tour. ENUFF Z'NUFF's Chip Z'Nuff, who is the current touring bassist for ADLER'S APPETITE, has issued the following statement on the matter:
"We sincerely apologize to all our friends and fans for the cancellation of this tour. Of course, Steven loves to play and meet his fans. Unfortunately, he has some personal issues that prevented him from participating. He was optimistic about doing the shows, but when it came down to it, he just couldn't. Steven's like a brother to us, and we just want to see him healthy. We're looking forward to making up these shows next year. Please forgive us, and thank you for your patience and understanding. Peace." More...
Shadows Fall, Unearth Featured In Clip Of Locofest
Boston.TV has uploaded a three-minute video clip featuring some of the highlights from this past September's Locofest 2007, including short interviews with SHADOWS FALL and UNEARTH. Watch the footage below.
SHADOWS FALL's overview of its years as a Century Media recording act (before signing with Atlantic for the U.S. and Roadrunner for Europe), "Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits", was released in late October.
A SHADOWS FALL B-side from the "Threads of Life" sessions called "Stupid Crazy" is included on the "Resident Evil: Extinction" soundtrack, which was released on September 18 via Lakeshore Records. The film itself hit theaters on September 21. More...
Profugus Mortis Announce Last Show Of 2007
Canada's PROFUGUS MORTIS have announced their last show for 2007. It will take place in Plessiville, Quebec on December 8th at Le Top. The band's schedule is now as follows:
December
1 - Petit Campus - Montreal, Quebec
8 - Le Top - Plessiville, Quebec
As previously reported Profugus Mortis' debut album, ...So It Begins, is now available in the U.S. through Canadian label ProDisk's American partners in crime, Manic Music Distribution (Candlelight US), CM Distribution (Century Media) and The End Records. Audio samples are now available at .
Bands Confirmed For Sweden Rock Festival
JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, CARCASS and AT THE GATES are among the bands that have been confirmed for next year's Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 4-7, 2008 in in Sölvesborg, Sweden.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
JUDAS PRIEST (UK) (Headliner)
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT (US)
SAXON (UK)
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (UK)
TESLA (US)
AT THE GATES (S)
DERRINGER BAND (US)
HAVANA BLACK (FIN)
THE BLUES BAND (UK)
MINISTRY (US)
CARCASS (UK)
COHEED & CAMBRIA (US)
HENSLEY/LAWTON & LIVE FIRE (UK)
DARE (UK)
ULI JON ROTH (S)
SHAKIN' STREET (FR)
GOTTHARD (CH)
MUSTASCH (S)
SABATON (S)
BONAFIDE (S)
LIZZY BORDEN (US)
AXEWITCH (S)
ASTRAL DOORS (S)
AVATAR (S)
VOLBEAT (DK)
NEGATIVE (FIN)
Nile Finalise European Tour
NILE have confirmed their European tour schedule. It is as follows:
November
29 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage
30 - Hollfeld, Germany - Stadthalle
December
1 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
2 - Lindau, Germany - Vaudeville
3 - Tilburg, Holland - 013
4 - Paris, France - La Locomotive
5 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
6 - Innsbruck, Austria - Hafen
7 - Vienna, Austria - Planet Music
8 - Linz, Austria - Posthof
9 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
10 - Graz, Austria - Orpheum
11 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
12 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
13 - Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof
14 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
15 - Werl, Germany - Stadthalle (Satan’s Convention Fest)
Kiss Remembers Late Drummer
Kissonline.com is reporting:
"Sadly, today is the 16th anniversary of the death of our beloved friend Eric Carr. We all miss and remember Eric for his devotion to his fans and his dedication and belief in KISS. He was a ferocious drummer with a gentle spirit. We all lost him way too soon."
An excerpt from the Wikipedia entry on Eric Carr reads as follows:
"Following the tour for the KISS album Hot In The Shade (1989), Eric began having problems with his health. Diagnosed with an unexpectedly serious condition, cancer of the heart, he underwent surgeries to remove tumors in his right atrium and lungs in an effort to restore heart function and prevent the cancer's growth. Despite aggressive treatment, Carr's condition did not improve, and on November 24, 1991, Eric Carr died (the same day as QUEEN's Freddie Mercury) at the age of 41.
Eric's last recording with Kiss was for the song 'God Gave Rock 'N Roll To You II', which featured him on backing vocals. His health had declined to the point where he was unable to play drums for the recording session, and Eric Singer (who had played previously in Paul Stanley's solo band) was brought in, though Carr appeared in the video for the song. However, when asked if he could come back to the fold, Simmons told Carr that 'you need to concern yourself with getting better first.' At that point, a distraught Carr ceased communication with Kiss. Eric Singer would eventually replace Carr permanently."
King Diamond Talks Tour Cancellation
KING DIAMOND has issued the following statement to his fans:
"As you know by now, it has been necessary to postpone the US tour due to the slow healing of my herniated disc.
I want to thank everyone for being so understanding under the circumstances, and for all the well wishes. It just shows me that we have the best fans any band could wish for.
I also very much appreciate the support and understanding I have received from all the people involved with the business side of the band, such as all the promoters, our booking agent, record label, our crew and of course the band members.
The facts are that at this point there was only about 10% chance that everything would work out as planned, and 90% chance that my back would not be completely healed in time for the tour. It could have cost a possible cancellation within the first week or so, resulting in damaging my back beyond repair, and an early end to my career and health.
Therefore the only thing that made sense was to postpone all touring activities until my back has completely healed.
"Rather postpone the US tour now and have the career run another 8-10 years (look at Dio, Alice Cooper, etc. still going strong), than take a chance where both health and career might be over within half a year."
Even though I know the situation is out of my control, I can't help but feel that this whole thing is my fault. It really just plain SUCKS, but I promise we'll make it up to all of you.
I just want to let you know that the healing process has not stopped. It IS still getting better, and I am personally confident that it will heal 100% given the time it needs (hopefully six months rather than a full year, but who knows). I am still putting 100% effort into speeding up this whole process, and I can't wait to get back to a decent normal life.
Again, I really want to personally thank you all for the understanding and all the well wishes.
Stay Heavy,
King"
Narcolipz Begin Recording
Bass guitarist Martin el.Tha from Polish black metallers STROMMOUSSHELD is recording with his new band NARCOLIPZ now. The session for their debut album, Rice With Nails, started on October 16th in the Green Studio in Cracow, Poland. Studio photos can be viewed a href=http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=130718929&albumId=0>here.
Visit their MySpace page for more info.
Dream Theater Come Close To Firing Singer
According to UK-based music journalist Dave Ling, Rich Wilson's upcoming official book on DREAM THEATER, "Lifting Shadows", contains some shocking bombshells, such as that the prog-metal masters came close to axing singer James LaBrie back in 2002. "Towards the end of the 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence' tour, several of us were really starting to question our future with James," admits drummer Mike Portnoy. An "ultimatum" was issued (you'll have to read the book to find out the full details).
As we all know, LaBrie overcame his disappointment, reacting positively to the challenge and remains with the group to the present day.
For more information on "Lifting Shadows", go to this location. More...
Video of Gorgoroth In Nottingham Available
Fan-filmed video footage of the Gaahl-fronted version of the Norwegian black metal band outfit GORGOROTH performing the song "Prosperity and Beauty" at Rock City in Nottingham, England on Thursday, November 22 can be viewed here.
The band's current touring lineup includes Gaahl on vocals, King ov Hell on bass, Nick Barker (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH) on drums, and Teloch (NIDINGR, UMORAL, 1349) and Sykelig on guitars.
An exclusive tour diary launched by bassist King can be found at the web site of the German edition of the Metal Hammer magazine: English, German. More...
Killing The Dream, Reign Supreme Tour Dates
Killing The Dream and Reign Supreme will tour together in late-January and early-February. Here are the dates:
1/20 Santa Cruz, CA @ 418 Project
1/21 Orangevale, CA @ VFW Hall
1/22 Olympia, WA @ Eagles Hall
1/24 Seattle, WA @ West Seattle Legion Hall
1/25 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
1/26 Boise, ID @ Slaughterhouse
1/28 Denver, CO @ Sox Place
1/29 Hutchinson, KS @ McGraws
1/30 Kansas City, MO @ Groundworks
2/1 Nashville, TN @ The Anchor
2/2 Romeo, MI @ Static Age
2/3 Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class
2/4 Pittsburgh, PA @ Roboto Project
2/5 Haverhill, MA @ Welfare Records
2/6 Brooklyn, NY @ Michelin's
Champion Guitarist Starts Record Label
Champion guitarist Aram Arslanian, who has also done time in Betrayed and The First Step (among others) has started a new record label called React Records. Arslanian elaborates on his motivation:
"Hardcore has had a huge impact on my life and has introduced me to a worldwide community of like-minded people trying to make a positive change in the world. It's provided me with an outlet of expression, introduced me to life changing ideas like The Straight Edge and Vegetarianism, and has given me the opportunity to do and see some amazing things. I want others to have that same experience so to me React is more than a label, it's my way of supporting bands that I feel not only embody the same value system and energy that first attracted me into this scene but who also encourage self reflection and personal growth as a means to changing the world around us."
The label's first release will be a vinyl EP from Canadian hardcore/punk outfit Get The Most (ex-Blue Monday). You can check out two tracks from the effort here.
Beatallica Records Video Message For Japanese Fans
Milwaukee-based BEATALLICA, a satirical mashup act whose hilarious schtick marries the songwriting prowess of THE BEATLES to the deep-throated rock growl of METALLICA, recently recorded a video message for its Japanese fans. Watch it at this location.
BEATALLICA's first official CD, "Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band", was released on July 10 via Oglio Records.
Comprised of members Jaymz Lennfield (vocals, guitar), Grg Hammettson (guitar), Kliff McBurtney (bass), and Ringo Larz (drums), BEATALLICA has been converting naysayers into believers for years — having made fans throughout the world, including such renowned headbangers as DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy and ANTHRAX's Scott Ian. More...
Watch Blind Guardian Concert Footage Online
Fan-filmed video footage of BLIND GUARDIAN's hometown show on November 10, 2007 at Königspalast in Krefeld, Germany can be viewed here.
In other news, BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch recently issued the following update:
"We are happy to inform you about our musical participation in the upcoming blockbuster computer game 'Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel'. The PC and Xbox 360 game designed and invented by Ascaron will be in stores somewhere at the beginning of 2008. 'Sacred 1' is the best selling German fantasy/adventure computer game to date."
"Though we are still do shows we have started writing songs for this particular occasion and will produce one song especially featured in the game as a videoclip. In case we will be able to come up with more songs during the next weeks we are going to release a 'Sacred – Fallen Angel' EP in the spring. This is a great opportunity for us and we are really enthusiastic about the game and our actual creative activities for it. Soon we are going to set up an infopage to keep you informed. There's more to come..." More...
Anathema Post New Song Online
A brand new ANATHEMA song entitled "Angels Walk Among Us" is available for download at this location (MP3, 18 MB).
In a recent online posting, ANATHEMA mastermind Daniel Cavanagh stated about the group's upcoming album, "We intend to record over 80 minutes of music. At least 14 songs. The idea AT THE MOMENT is to release a double album called simply 'Paradigm Shift'. Again, this not not confirmed, PLANS CAN CHANGE. A double album WILL NOT mean it will be a very long album... It may only be two groups of seven songs split over two CDs in order to be easily digested by the listener. It definitely will not be a self-indulgent album. It definitely is not a 'concept album.' Themes of life, healing and unity will run through some of the songs..."
"We look forward to recording what I personally think will be a wonderful record after the tour. It is the first album we have made that will be truly complete. It will change lives. Hopefully beginning with ours."
E-Force Set New Album Release For February / March
E-FORCE frontman Eric Forrest (ex-VOIVOD) has informed BW&BK that the band's long awaited second album, Modified Poison, is set for a February / March release. It was originally due to be released this fall. An exact date will be announced soon.
Modified Poison will be released through Thundering Records.
As previously reported, the album's lead-off track 'Deviation' can be downloaded at this location.
Modified Poison album was mastered by PRIMAL FEAR / SODOM producer Achim Köhler. The tracklist is as follows: 'Deviation', 'Modified Poison', 'Lobotomized', 'Agent 99', 'Malpractice', 'Revolution Riot Act', 'La Cie C'est Precieux', 'Disillusioned', 'Exterminator', 'Perfexionist' (co- written by Alex Tocquaine from AGRESSOR), 'Wired' (featuring Tim and Kevin Gutierrez), 'Victory' (VOIVOD cover), 'Reborn Again' (Japan bonus track).
Mercenary Sign With 3rd Tsunami Agency
Danish bashers MERCENARY have issued the following update:
"It's a pleasure to announce that from now on 3rd Tsunami Agency, who also represents such great artists as VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY and MNEMIC, will be handling all future booking for Mercenary in Denmark."
"In other news, Mercenary features the front cover of the November edition of the Danish music magazine, Musikeren, in connection with an article about the current state of the Danish metal scene written by Mercenary's very own guitarist Jakob."
"Check out the November edition of Musikeren here (Danish only)."
Alien Syndrome 777 Post Two Songs Online
ALIEN SYNDROME 777, the new black metal band featuring Lord Fraktal (BLACKDRONE INC., EMREVOID) and Nihil (JOEY HOPKINS MIDGET FACTORY, BLACKDRONE INC.), has posted two songs from its upcoming promotional CD on the group's MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Vaporizor" and "My Venom" at this location.
In other news, Lord Fraktal and Nihil are also working on the debut album from their post-black metal, experimental project BLACKDRONE INC. for a tentative summer 2008 release. A rough-mix preview is available at this location.
Urt Reveal "Ussikuningas" Track Listing
Estonian fierce pagan black metallers URT have revealed the track listing for their third full-length album, "Ussikuningas - Saatanhark II". The CD, which is curently being recorded for an early 2008 release, will contain the following songs:
01. Setu Sünd (Ilmapuule)
02. Saatanhark Ii (Peremeesta)
03. Me Ürgsed Juured (Murdja)
04. Karjed Pimedast Metsast (Eksitaja)
05. Kuldigatsus (Lapsepõlv)
06. Ussikuningas (Väekusta)
07. Põhjala Paganad (Pimeduserahvas)
08. Lollitapp! (Karistaja)
09. Man Made Hell - Manala Vana
10. Thy Pyramid Of Dragonchurch (Ethereal Kind Of Two Ways Of The Sun)
11. Raudelu (Sõjapoega)
12. Surmavendade Laul (Vabastaja)
Exordium Mors Debut EP Now Available
New Zealand-based technical black metallers EXORDIUM MORS have released their debut EP, "Serva Ad Mors", through Australia's Stigmartyr Records.
According to PyroMusic.net, EXORDIUM MORS "spent the lead-up to 2007 refining material while finding time to hit the live front in preparation for the release of their debut EP, which was recorded in January 2007. While black metal at heart, 'Serva Ad Mors' takes the aggression and ferocity one comes to expect form the genre and adds a new dimension with torrents of technicality, provided primarily at the hands of the band's six-stringers who deliver a flood of ridiculous riffery which manages to add greatly to the songs. 'Serva Ad Mors' clocks in at 25 minutes, featuring four weighty tracks. The release includes a foldout poster booklet which contains album artwork on one side, and all song lyrics etc. on the other."
EXORDIUM MORS plans to record a follow-up in the first half of 2008.
For more information, visit their Myspace page.
Kylesa Post Pink Floyd Cover Online
You can check out KYLESA’s unreleased cover of the PINK FLOYD track “Set The Controls For The Heart of the Sun” (originally from the PF album A Saucerful of Secrets) online over at their official MySpace page.
Wasteform Post Upcoming Shows
New York’s WASTEFORM have lined up the following upcoming shows:
November 24 - Glens Falls, NY @ West Glens Falls Firehouse
December 7 - Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights w/ Obituary, Merauder, Skinless, Mucopus
Hirax Confirm Mexican Dates
California thrashers HIRAX will be touring Mexico in late November/early December. The dates include:
November
29 - Metal Radio Show/Clinic Diafragma
30 - Bar Bulldozer - Ciudad Neza
December
1 - Circo Volador - D.F
2 - Brutal Masacre Fest - Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Factores Mutuos
Widescreen Mode Post New Video Online
NECROPHAGIST bassist Stefan Fimmers will reportedly play guitar for Munich, Germany's apocalyptic doomcore brigade SEASONS IN BLACK during their November 30, 2007 concert at Orangehouse in Munich. Also scheduled to appear are VAN DRUNEN, MARTYRIUM CHRISTI and OVER YOUR THRESHOLD.
SEASONS IN BLACK's latest album, "Deadtime Stories: End After, There's Nothing", was released in 2005 via Black Attakk Records. More...
Necrophagist To Perform With Seasons In Black
NECROPHAGIST bassist Stefan Fimmers will reportedly play guitar for Munich, Germany's apocalyptic doomcore brigade SEASONS IN BLACK during their November 30, 2007 concert at Orangehouse in Munich. Also scheduled to appear are VAN DRUNEN, MARTYRIUM CHRISTI and OVER YOUR THRESHOLD.
SEASONS IN BLACK's latest album, "Deadtime Stories: End After, There's Nothing", was released in 2005 via Black Attakk Records.
Believer Recording New Album
Guitarist/vocalist Kurt Bachman of the reactivated late '80s/early '90s technical-thrash metal band BELIEVER has issued the following update:
"The Trauma Team has started the actual recording [of the new BELIEVER album] and Joey [Daub, drums] has blazed through two tunes today (after many hours getting some sweet drum sounds). We will be hitting it hard again tomorrow. Sorry for our 'slowness,' but as you all know, we want this to be killer for you."
BELIEVER's albums "Extraction From Mortality" (1989), "Sanity Obscure" (1990) and "Dimensions" (1993) were made available on November 5 via Poland's Metal Mind Productions in a new digipak edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology and limited to 2,000 numbered copies.
According to a press release, "In the entire history of the thrash metal genre, there was never a band as unique as BELIEVER. While their music showcased thrash influences from the rawest sort, delivering fast and violent sounds, the message they incorporated into their songs was the exact opposite of the typical thrash metal attitude. Through their music BELIEVER preached the word of God — each lyric is a testimony of faith and commitment to the Christian community. The band made sure that their message was properly introduced by supporting it with a heavy dose of brilliantly arranged melodies and thrashing riffs.
"Their debut album, 'Extraction From Mortality', easily shows the most brutal side of Christian metal, musically being comparable to thrash giants such as SLAYER and OBITUARY. Includes nine tracks filled with furious riffs and catchy melodies, sewn together with religiously inspiring lyrics. 'Sanity Obscure' is BELIEVER's second album on which the band takes on a more technical approach. Thrash metal origins progress into a more sophisticated and spiritualized form, conjoining both an aggressive sound and a meaningful message. It features catchy and expressive songs, with some impressive highlights as 'Stop the Madness', 'Non-Point' and the breathtaking symphonic/orchestral masterpiece — 'Dies Irae'. New edition includes liner notes written by the band. Their third and most impressive album, 'Dimensions', presents a band fully aware of its possibilities, able to create a one-time masterpiece, which this LP undoubtedly is. The 20-minute long track 'Trilogy of Knowledge' is one of the most extraordinary songs ever created by a metal band. New edition includes liner notes written by the band."
Demolition To Release Fourth Album In January
Austrian thrashers DEMOLITION will release their fourth album, "Relict IV", on January 25, 2008 via Twilight Zone Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Existence" will feature the following track listing:
01. Relict IV
02. Reborn-Refailed
03. Splattered Innocence
04. The Fortress
05. Over Nails
06. Blood
07. Deconstructed World
08. I Am Terror
09. Holy Hostage
10. Coroner´s Inquest
11. I Deny
DEMOLITION is:
Wolf (vocals)
Thomas Pippersteiner (guitars)
Janos Murri (guitars)
Hans-Peter Rapp (bass)
Tom Kräutner (drums)
Led Zeppelin To Rearrange Classic Tracks
According to Thesun.co.uk, LED ZEPPELIN are rearranging classic tracks for their big reunion - after ageing frontman Robert Plant found he could no longer hit the high notes.
The rockers - whose legendary 1976 live album was called The Song Remains The Same - have been rehearsing songs in a lower key because 59-year-old Plant’s voice is deeper.
A source revealed yesterday: “He and guitarist Jimmy Page have had a few heated discussions about the upcoming gig.
“Jimmy is a bit rusty and Robert has been struggling with the high notes. To avoid any embarrassing vocal wobbles with the world watching, they decided it would be best to transpose the songs in a lower key.”
Next month’s gig at London’s O2 arena - Led Zep’s first in 19 years - was postponed by two weeks after Page, 63, broke a finger.
Morker Reveal Album Tracklisting
Swedish black metallers MÖRKER have revealed the track listing for their second full-length album, "Höstmakter", due in early 2008. The CD was mastered by Tore Stjerna (a.k.a Necromorbus) and will contain the following songs:
01. I Flodens Forsande Brus
02. Segertåg
03. Mitt Arv
04. Dödsångest
05. Dödens Visa
06. Djupa Spår Av Tvivel
07. I Kamp Mellan Liv och Död
08. Undergången
09. Själen Vandrar Sin Egen Väg
10. Falk
11. Höstmakter
12. När Allt Är Över...
According to the band's official bio, the new era of MÖRKER was launched in late winter of 2004 by Ascaroth (vocals), Larssa (synthesizers) and Grimner (guitar and bass). They started to write songs for their first demo, "Den Sista Utfärden", which was released in April 2005. The demo was later issued as a MCD by the German label Northern Silence Productions, and it was also released on tape by two different labels. A full-length album, "Skuggornas Rike", was recorded February-April 2006 and was released last July on Northern Silence Productions.
Swallow The Sun Vocalist Performs With Amorphis
Finnish metallers AMORPHIS were joined by guest singer Mikko Kotamäki from support band SWALLOW THE SUN during their headlining concert Friday night (November 23) in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Watch their performance of the song "Drowned Maid" below (courtesy of "Laverne616").
AMORPHIS' new album, "Silent Waters", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 44. Released in North America on September 18, the CD is the second AMORPHIS album to feature singer Tomi Joutsen (SINISTHRA). It was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, Finland. Mixing duties were handled by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS) at Finnvox studios. More...
Dino Cazares Rules Out Fear Factory Reunion
Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with former FEAR FACTORY and current DIVINE HERESY guitarist Dino Cazares. A few excerpts from the chat follow:
Metal-Rules.com: I gotta ask the question about FEAR FACTORY. Is the relationship with Raymond and the rest of the guys still strained or are there any improvements on that?
Dino: No, I don't want to play nu-metal anymore. Just kidding. No, I don't want to talk to them anymore. After all the legal battles and stupid shit that went on…nah. I got a new band. I don't really need to look back to that but at the same time, I don't regret anything that I created in FEAR FACTORY because to this day, bands are still influenced by it and still love it. There's a band called EPICA. They got a female singer and they just covered "Replica" on their album ["The Divine Conspiracy"].
Metal-Rules.com: That would be interesting with a female singer.
Dino: It actually sounds pretty good. It was on their MySpace page for a while. It still influences a lot of people to this day and I think that's cool. I mean, I think that maybe FEAR FACTORY might have influenced nu-metal but I don't think we were nu-metal. I think that on "Digimortal", the band lost focus of what it was and we had other members in the band who wanted to write more. Previous to "Digimortal", it was always me and Raymond who wrote all the music. When "Digimortal" came around, the bass player, Christian [Olde Wolbers], was like, "I want to be more part of this band. I want to start writing for the band." I was against it. Raymond was for it. Burt was for it. Christian brought in a lot of hip-hop influence, which, for some reason, I still seem to get the blame for. I'm not a hip-hop guy and it just kind of went south. It was a good thing that it ended when it did because I was able to do things that I hadn't been able to do because of FEAR FACTORY. I was able to broaden my horizons and do other things. I was able to travel to other parts of the world that I'd never gone to. I was able to go back to my people with BRUJERIA and ASESINO and then, of course, create DIVINE HERESY.
Metal-Rules.com: So is "Bleed The Fifth" the type of album that you thought FEAR FACTORY should have gone towards instead of "Digimortal"?
Dino: Oh yeah. It was what I was fighting for. I think that's one of the things that definitely led us apart was because I was trying to put my foot down but kept getting pushed back in the corner by three dudes and they say a lot of the reason was because of personal reasons. To me, that's personal. When they don't want to do the music that I believed that we should have done, to me I take that very personally.
Metal-Rules.com: You were one of the founders of the band, too.
Dino: Yeah. Me and Raymond basically started the band together and the whole concept was we were going to be an extreme metal band and things kind of went different.
Metal-Rules.com: The ironic thing is that "Digimortal" actually sold pretty well, didn't it?
Dino: "Digimortal" actually sold very well. Even though it got a lot of slack for it, it sold quite well across the world.
Metal-Rules.com: Do you think the fact that the band's sound branched out contributed to those extra sales?
Dino: Extra sales, no. We didn't do extra sales. "Obsolete" was our biggest-selling record to date but "Digimortal" was right behind that. It wasn't a failure. It was a failure as far as what the fans expected.
Metal-Rules.com: Yeah and the label probably.
Dino: No, the label was still behind it but as far as what the fans expected, no. But it still sold well and it kind of got us to different people because different songs that were on the record were on the radio. When you're on radio, you're going to reach different people besides metal kids and that's pretty much what happened with that. But like I said, it wasn't a failure but it was a failure in the sense of we didn't please our fans. I knew that when the record came out. It was really hard to do interviews on that record because no matter what you do, you have to back up what you do. But even though I wasn't really happy, that's what we had to do. I saw things going south. When we were making the record, the guys in the band weren't even talking to me because I was being an asshole because I wanted to go in a heavier direction. I thought that we needed to go back to how we were on "Demanufacture". I felt like we needed to go back to that and they didn't.
Metal-Rules.com: Do you wish that you would have left the band before "Digimortal" and not had your name attached to the record at all?
Dino: No! I'm not disappointed at all. There are still some good songs on that record. I don't regret anything that I created. I just regret letting other people write. I regret letting the label take control. The label would suggest "You know, we need to write more commercial songs," and "We need to use these kinds of producers," and stuff like that. I was like, "Oh my God. What are we doing? It's not going to work. We're not this kind of band," and it just got worse. It got worse. It got out of control. It got very out of control.
Metal-Rules.com: And then after "Digimortal" came out, FEAR FACTORY wasn't with Roadrunner anymore.
Dino: Yeah, but I still was. They got dropped.
Metal-Rules.com: When I first heard some of the tracks on "Archetype", it sounded like you were still in the band.
Dino: Well, they had to do that. They had to prove to the fans that they could still continue without me. So basically, who better person to mimic what I had started than Christian? Christian pretty much learned from me. Learned my style. Learned the FEAR FACTORY style and was able to emulate what I had created already. When I first popped in "Archetype", I thought it was me for a second. I thought it was me. I'm like, "This guy does me well!" The first song ["Slave Labor"]….I thought it was "Shock"! Exactly those same riffs. I was even thinking in my head, "Could I sue for someone ripping off my riffs?" (laughs) But at the same time I'm like, wait a minute. I'm suing my own band because I am legally still a shareholder of FEAR FACTORY. Legally I still get paid. Legally, whatever they put out, they still pay me a quarter of their percentage. So even if Christian started ripping off my riffs, I'll have to sue myself because FEAR FACTORY is a corporation and I'm a quarter shareholder of the corporation. So if I sue the corporation, I'd be suing myself (laughs). So I was like, "Okay, just let it go." Just be happy, sit back, collect a check and shut up. (laughs)
Metal-Rules.com: Is there any chance down the line that you guys might get back together? I mean SEPULTURA, VAN HALEN. Who ever thought VAN HALEN would get back together and now they got a big world tour lined up…
Dino: But VAN HALEN's not really back together.
Metal-Rules.com: Well yeah I guess. Michael Anthony's not in there is he?
Dino: Yeah and SEPULTURA's not back together, either. They can talk about it all they want. But Andreas Kisser is saying, "I want us four to get back together." Us four, not us five. You know who they mean when they say us five?
Metal-Rules.com: Max's wife/manager, Gloria?
Dino: Yeah, Max's manager. Andreas wants them to get back as buddies and as friends. You know, us four, not us five.
Metal-Rules.com: Right, and that's the problem.
Dino: That's the problem.
Metal-Rules.com: So you're saying the chapter is closed on FEAR FACTORY?
Dino: No, I'm never going to go back. For what? If DIVINE HERESY becomes successful, even half the success that FEAR FACTORY was, I'd be happy.
Mugshot Reveal Full Length Album In April
Danish metal band MUGSHOT, which recently signed to the local branch of SonyBMG, has completed recording the instrumental parts for its debut album at Antfarm Studios with producer Tue Madsen. The vocal recording sessions are set to begin in December, with the album itself penciled in for an April 2008 release. A studio blog documenting the recording process is available on the Danish rock/metal magazine Revolution-Music.dk.
MUGSHOT is:
Kim Orneborg - Vocals
Martin Brand - Bass
Søren Stærk - Guitar
Victor Salomonsen - Guitar
Philippe Bartram - Drums
Raging Speedhorn Announce European Dates
Corby, UK metallers RAGING SPEEDHORN will team up with VICTIMS for several dates in Scandinavia in February. The details are as follows:
Feb. 04 - Huset - Uppsala, Sweden
Feb. 05 - Kafé 44 - Stockholm, Sweden
Feb. 06 - Debaser - Malmö, Sweden
Feb. 07 - 1000 Fryd – Aalborg, Denmark
Feb. 08 - Underjorden - Göteborg, Sweden
Feb. 09 - [to be announced] - Oslo, Norway
RAGING SPEEDHORN's latest CD, "Before The Sea Was Built", was released in September via SPV.
"Before the Sea Was Built" was recorded at Foel Studio in North Wales with producer Larry Hibbitt.
RAGING SPEEDHORN will support CARNIVORE on a European tour beginning on November 30 in Essen, Germany.
Overdawn Recording Second CD
After opening the 20 Years Nuclear Blast Fest in Sofia, Bulgaria on November 3, the local modern extreme metal beasts OVERDAWN entered the studio to begin recording their second full-length album. The follow-up to this year's debut, "Bleeding Wounds", the new CD — which has a working title of "The Prose of Existence" — will contain 11 songs, including "Sorrow", "LD Exile", "Even More Hated" and "Wasted Times".
Evoken Announce New Keyboardist
Lyndhurst, New Jersey-based doom/death metal act EVOKEN has announced the addition of keyboardist Don Zaros to the group's ranks. The group says in a statement, "[Don] is a very talented musician with a lot of knowledge regarding this type of music...which is exactly what we were looking for. EVOKEN has started practicing again as a full band (finally) after a lengthy layoff and initial rehearsals have been very promising."
EVOKEN's latest CD, "A Caress of the Void", was released last month via Sweden's I Hate Records. The seven-song effort contains around 62 minutes of music and features artwork by dark mastermind Valentin Mellstrom.
According to a press release, "EVOKEN are, together with THEROTHON, WINTER and DISEMBOWELMENT, the originators of the doom/deaths cene, a scene we have hithertho never ventured into. The reason is simple, we haven't found bands genuine enough to work with. With EVOKEN it's different, they are able to conjure truly nightmarish visions of abysmal depths in Lovecraftian fashion like no other band, without ever falling prey to contrived 'gothmospheric' sobbing or teen-angst-ridden nonsense."
Architect Added To Dillinger Escape Plan Tour
Syracuse's ARCHITECT has been added to the upcoming THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN tour which also features A LIFE ONCE LOST and GENGHIS TRON. The trek is scheduled to kick off on December 3 in Detroit Michigan.
For a list of dates, visit the MySpace page of ARCHITECT's record label, Black Market Activities.
ARCHITECT's full-length debut, "All is Not Lost", was released in January.
The band previously stated about its musical and lyrical approach, "We will champion ideas and change. We will deliver brutal music with even more brutal be-all-end-all truth and opinions. We will stick to our guns; will will not tolerate fence-sitting. We will tell you what is on our minds. We will tell you how it is and if you refuse to make your own mind up, we will make it for you. No regrets. No bullshit. No fucking trends. No stupid, short-sighted ideas of rockstardom. Musically, we will not pretend we are inventing or reinventing a genre of music that has been wriiten already. We won't pretend that our influences dont exist, we will not rip off obscure bands' ideas and pretend they are our own. Instead we will proudly wear our influences on our sleeves and wave banners of homage to let bands like SABBATH, CROWBAR, COALESCE, GROUNDWORK, DEADGUY, EYEHATEGOD, etc. know that we love them and want to take what they have already done and put our twist and passions into what they started so many years ago."
Queensryche Announce U.K. Tour
Seattle metal veterans QUEENSRŸCHE will embark on a UK headlining tour in June 2008. The dates are as follows:
June 13 - Glasgow Academy
June 14 - Newcastle City Hall
June 15 - Leeds University
June 17 - Manchester Academy
June 18 - Wolves Civic Hall
June 20 - Norwich UEA
June 21 - Cambridge Corn Exchange
June 22 - London Indigo
June 24 - Bristol Colston Hall
June 25 - Southampton Guildhall
QUEENSRŸCHE was recently forced to pull out of a UK tour with THIN LIZZY "due to a personal emergency."
As previously reported, QUEENSRŸCHE's collection of covers, "Take Cover", sold 5,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 173 on The Billboard 200 chart.
In Flames Reveal Fan Club
IN FLAMES have issued the following update:
The Colony wants YOU! Sign up now at www.jesterhead.com. Get on the email list to receive news about the Official In Flames Fan Club!
The Jesterhead is what you have been waiting for! Your exclusive pass to go behind the scenes, and become a part of all things In Flames! We'll be launching the new site very soon, and we want you all to be the first to know about it.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up right now!"
As previously reported, In Flames will be doing an exclusive signing for the Guitar Hero 3 release today (November 24th) at Media Markt in Gothenburg, Sweden. It starts at 2:00pm.
In Flames are currently holed up in their own IF Studios recording their as-yet-untitled new album which is expected to be released in the spring of 2008 via Nuclear Blast.
MTV To Air Rammstein Specials Next Week
MTV Germany will air a number of RAMMSTEIN specials next week, celebrating one year since the release of the band's Völkerball CD/DVD package. They are as follows:
November
27 - 5:30pm - 6:00pm -- MTV Tracks: Rammstein
27 - 8:10pm - 10:00pm -- MTV Live Special + Documentary "Anakonda im Netz"
28 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm -- Rock TRL (80 minutes)
29 - 12:30pm - 2:00pm -- Rock TRL (80 minutes - repeat)
All times are CET.
Helloween Check In From Tour
HELLOWEEN have checked in from the road with the following update:
"The European portion of the Hellish Rock Tour 2007 - 2008 has started with a big bang. Over 2,000 crazy Hungarian fans came to see Helloween and their very special guest Gamma Ray in the Petöfi Hall in Budapest. One day later the package sold out the SKC in Belgrad/Serbia and the next day 5,000 totally enthusiastic Bulgarians came to the Winter Palace Of Sports. The venue where Helloween have recorded portions of their recent live-double-DVD, Live On 3 Continents. After a concert in Istanbul, Turkey the tour will bring the bands to Greece and Italy in the next couple of days. Hot on the heels comes the news that the Novesta Hall in the Czech Republic where the bands will play on December the 15th 2007 has already been sold out in advance with more than 3,500 tickets."
Remaining tour dates are as follows:
November
24 - Athens, Greece at Cultural Center Hellinikos Kosmos
27 - Rome, Italy at Tendastrisce
28 - Milano, Italy at Alcatraz
29 - Dietikon, Switzerland at Stadthalle
December
1 - Lichtenfels, Germany at Stadthalle
2 - Bremen, Germany at Aladin
4 - Goteborg, Sweden at Liseberghallen
5 - Oslo, Norway at Rockefeller
7 - Lund, Sweden at Mejeriet
8 - Stockholm, Sweden at Arenan
10 - Tampere, Finland at Pakkahuone
11 - Helsinki, Finland at Kaapelitehdas
14 - Plzen, Czech Republic at Hala Lokomotiva
15 - Zlin, Czech Republic at Hala Novesta (SOLD OUT)
16 - Pardubice, Czech Republic at CEZ Arena
18 - Kosice, Slovakia at Cassosport Sport Hall
19 - Bratislava, Slovakia at PKO
21 - Langen, Germany at Stadthalle
22 - Kaufbeuren, Germany at All Karthalle
January
6 - Paris, France at Elysee Montmatre
7 - Tilburg, Holland at 013
8 - London, UK at The Forum
10 - Antwerp, Belgium at Hof Ter Lo
11 - Tuttlingen, Germany at Alte Festhalle
12 - Karlsruhe, Germany at Europahalle
13 - Oberhausen, Germany at Turbinenhalle
15 - Barcelona, Spain at Razzmatazz
17 - Lugo, Spain at Recinto Ferial
18 - Bilbao, Spain at Rockstar Live
20 - Madrid, Spain at La Riviera
February
8 - Fukuoka, Japan - Drum Logos
9 - Hiroshima, Japan - Club Quattro
11 - Osaka, Japan - Namba Hatch
12 - Nagoya, Japan - Diamond Hall
14 - Tokyo, Japan - Kosei Nenkin Hall
15 - Tokyo, Japan - Kosei Nenkin Hall
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