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Metal News for December 16, 2004

Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM ET

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22 news articles posted on this day.

Launch Tribute To Dimebag Darrell

There is now a tribute to Dimebag Darrell at Launch.com, which features a bunch of Pantera and Damageplan music videos, plus photo galleries of both bands. Fans can now pay their respect to the legendary guitarist in Launch's Damageplan message board as a "special online memorial."

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Chevelle To Headline SnoCore 2005

"We're going to be headlining SnoCore 2005, which starts in January in Vail, Colorado," Chevelle drummer Sam Loeffler said. "The guys who organize it wanted us to be a part, and they wanted our input in who we want on the tour with us. So we're going to be playing with Helmet and Crossfade."

In the time off between ending their trek with Korn and headlining the annual winter tour, Chevelle will spend time in their Chicago studio, where they have a host of projects lined up: re-recording "The Clincher," the second single off their album This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), and maybe, just maybe, a solo acoustic album by Sam's brother, lead singer Pete Loeffler.

"We're going to be doing a whole lot in our studio. We want to record a live version of 'The Clincher' to send to radio stations along with the album version," Sam Loeffler said. "And Pete is going to do his own record. He's got seven to 10 acoustic songs already written, and it's really cool. Some of them are songs Pete originally wrote as Chevelle songs, but he figured that they'd be better off as intimate acoustic ones."

Sam said that his brother is planning a two-week solo acoustic tour sometime in 2005. But first there's SnoCore, and, of course, shooting a video for "The Clincher," This Type of Thinking's crunching opening tune.

"It's such a big, badass song, so the video has got to be equally badass," Loeffler said. "I've got some ideas for videos, but they're all really expensive. And my ideas always involve running from the cops. Which, actually, might be a really good fit for this song."

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First Subliminal Verses Tour Dates Announced

The first dates have been announced for the upcoming "The Subliminal Verses Tour" featuring headliners Slipknot alongside Lamb of God and Shadows Fall. They are as follows:

Mar. 04 Meadows Music Theatre - Wallingford, CT
Mar. 05 Wachovia Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA
Mar. 06 Continental Airlines Arena - East Rutherford, NJ
Mar. 08 Nationwide Arena - Columbus, OH
Mar. 09 CSU Convocation Center - Cleveland, OH
Mar. 11 Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
Mar. 12 Cobo Arena - Detroit, MI
Mar. 13 Conseco Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 15 Paul E. Tsongas Arena - Lowell, MA
Mar. 16 Patriot Center - Fairfax, VA
Mar. 18 Hampton Coliseum - Hampton, VA
Mar. 19 HiFi Buys Amphitheatre - Atlanta, GA
Mar. 20 Pensacola Civic Center - Pensacola, FL
Mar. 22 Sound Advice Amp. - W. Palm Beach, FL
Mar. 23 USF Sun Dome - Tampa, FL

Tickets go on sale January 15, 2005 (with the exception of Cleveland, Pensacola and W. Palm Beach, which go on sale January 14) and there will be a special pre-sale for fans at this location beginning December 28.

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Destruction To Enter Studio In January

Due to the fact that their current record label negotiations have taken longer than expected, German thrashers DESTRUCTION have postponed the projected release date of their new album to late summer 2005. "But the new label will be announced in the next weeks, latest at beginning of the next year," the group's bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer said in a posting on the band's web site.

DESTRUCTION have finished writing two-thirds of the material for the upcoming CD and are planning on entering the studio in January/February 2005. No further details about the upcoming recording sessions have been made available.

DESTRUCTION's most recent album, "Metal Discharge", was released in September 2003 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Antichrist" was the first DESTRUCTION album to feature drummer Marc Reign, who replaced Sven Vormann in 2001.

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Victory Records Signs Aiden

Seattle rock/hardcore/punk band Aiden have officially signed with Victory Records. The group has previously released a full-length with Dead Teenager Records in addition to a new split with Stalins War, with whom they'll be touring the remainder of this month out West. You can download one of the band's MP3s here.

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Deftones, Korn & Ministry Photos From Mexico City

Deftones, Korn, and Ministry performed at Foro Sol in Mexico City on Sunday (December 12). Check out pictures from Clasos (Ministry / Deftones / Korn).

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Nortt And Xasthur Release Split

Total Holocaust Records has just spawned a split CD with Nortt and the U.S. suicidal black metal act Xasthur. The CD contains all new material from Xasthur and the "Hedengang" EP from Nortt and is striactly limited to 1000 copies. For further information on how to order go here.

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I Hate Records To Release Thee Plague Of Gentlemen

I Hate Records will release "Primula Pestis" - the debut album from Belgian doomsters Thee Plague Of Gentlemen (TPOG). The band has been in the studio for the last two months, recording "a slab of concrete and utter sonic weight" .The album is due out in February or March, 2005.

Also, THEE PLAGUE OF GENTLEMEN will play live with REVEREND BIZARRE, ISOLE and THE GATES OF SLUMBER in Stockholm/Sweden at CLUB666 on the 9th of April 2005. The Stockholm gig will be one stop in the row of European dates that TPOG will be doing together with THE GATES OF SLUMBER during April 2005 in Sweden, Germany, UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria... (still looking for some dates). In February, TPOG will also do 2 Irish dates (Belfast and Dublin).

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News On Doomed Legions Fest II

Doom hits Ghent, Belgium on the 18th December 2004 (Saturday).

My Lament (Bel), Lethian Dreams (Fra) and Ataraxie (Fra) will turn The Frontline into a place of brooding and unforgiving doom. The primary goal of this event is to promote the doom metal genre. Therefore, the three bands will present their newest material live.

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Former Emperor Members Form New Band

Two years ago, a group of people convened to discuss the possibility of making an album that would impact the world music scene like never before. Some rehearsals took place in 2002 and ideas and plans were thrown back and forth. However, due to prior commitments and time conflicts, the line up was forced to change. But the core of the group maintained the idea and finally, in the fall 2004, the decision was made to make it happen. Scum was spawned.

Now you have the eccentric punk rocker Casey Chaos, you have Samoth and Faust from Emperor appearing together on an album for the first time in over 10 years, you have the denim stud rocker Happy Tom from Turbonegro and you have the fresh blood of Cosmocrator from Extreme Metal band MindGrinder.

The blueprint of this album was simple. Having some of the most respected pioneers of True Norwegian Black Metal, that genre was used for the basis, and blended that with a punk rock attitude, as well as various aggressive hooks.

This is an album of action and freedom. A unique alliance to address the state of affairs in music, and bring life to a dead and politically correct society.

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Iron Maiden Announces More European Tour Dates

Iron Maiden have announced more dates as part of their upcoming European tour. Support at all shows will come from Holland's Within Temptation, according to MaidenFans.com. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

May 29 Mystic Festival - Chorzow, POL
Jun. 11 Gods Of Metal Festival - Milan, ITA
Jun. 12 Fussballstadion Buchholz - Uster-Zurich, SWI
Jun. 16 Atlantic Pavilion - Lisbon, POR
Jun. 25 Parc De Princes - Paris, FRA
Jun. 28 Spektrum - Oslo, NOR
Jun. 29 Spektrum - Oslo, NOR
Jul. 03 Bospop Festival - Weert, NETH
Jul. 06 Hartwall Arena - Helsinki, FIN
Jul. 07 Hartwall Arena - Helsinki, FIN
Jul. 09 Ullevi Stadium - Gothenburg, SWE

As a second opening act is planned, rumours are still going on that Megadeth will be the other band to open for Iron Maiden. Nothing confirmed so far, though.

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Walhalla Seeks Record Deal

Finnish black-thrashers Walhalla, featuring guitarist Roope Latvala (Children of Bodom, Sinergy) and guitarist/vocalist Lord Heikkinen (Soulgrind), recently spent time writing new material and are currently seeking a record deal.

Commented Heikkinen: "We have some songs ready and it is now all about schedules. We are looking for a deal to do the album."

A Walhalla track entitled "The Laughing One", can be downloaded at this location.

Walhalla is:

Roope Latvala - Guitars (Children of Bodom)
Lord Heikkinen (Soulgrind) - Guitars, Vocals
The Beast - Drums, Vocals
Caesar Mc Launone - Bass, Vocals

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New Arch Enemy Video Posted Online

Arch Enemy's video for the track "Dead Eyes See No Future" has been posted online at this location.

"Dead Eyes See No Future" is the title track of the band's recently released EP containing a mixture of live tracks and cover versions. The CD, which was initially released in Japan only while the band were touring there a few months ago, has since been expanded with the addition of an extra live track ("Heart Of Darkness") as well as the "We Will Rise" video.

Arch Enemy will be filming their show on December 17 for a DVD that the band are planning to release in 2005. The Metal Hammer-sponsored concert, dubbed "Swedish Apocalypse", will take place at the Forum in London, U.K. Support will come from fellow Swedes The Haunted, Dark Tranquillity and Nightrage. Commented guitarist Michael Amott: "This is shaping up to be one hell of a night! This is THE dream line up of bands for any fan of the 'Swedish sound!' We can't promise that the city of London will still be there after this Swedish Apocalypse! If the show doesn't do the job, the party afterwards will! What a great way to end the year!"

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Athanator Signs with Dirrty Records

Making headlines around the world for the metal/punk release of Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze, Los Angeles based record label Dirrty Records announced today the signing of one of South America's most influential pure heavy metal bands, Athanator.

"We're very pleased to be working with Athanator," says Dirrty Records CEO Lunden De'Leon. "With their popularity in South America, I'm sure they will be a huge success worldwide."

Having caused quite a rumble in South America, Athanator is an aggressive four piece thrash metal band hailing out of Medellin, Colombia. The band is launching their worldwide tour to support their third album "Earth of Blood" which will be released by Dirrty Records in Spring 2005.

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Glassjaw Stay Together, Currently On Break

Glassjaw have officially denied reports that they intend to split up. The band are currently taking an enforced break as frontman Daryl Palumbo once again deals with his ongoing Crohn's Disease problems.

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Virgin Steele Confirmed To Play At Bang Your Head

Virgin Steele are confirmed to play at Bang Your Head 2005-festival. The event is set to take place in Germany at the Messegelände of Balingen on the 24th and 25th of June.

Bang Your Head 2005 will be the 10th Bang Your Head in a row and is therefore themed "The Best of ten Years". To celebrate this anniversary, the festival's organizers invited the most popular acts of all former events. Alongside 22 acts that have rocked the festival's stage before, another well-known very special guest will be invited.

The list of artists set to perform at the Bang Your Head festival 2005 at Balingen, Germany, 24th/25th of June: More...

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Disbelief Parts Ways With Guitarist

Disbelief have parted ways with guitar player Jan-Dirk Löffler – the split took place by mutual agreement. For the upcoming tour activities of Disbelief, the band has hired an old friend: Ex-Disbelief guitarist Tommy Fritsch will help the guys out.

The new Disbelief album "66 Sick" gets in stores on March 14th 2005. On the same day, the No Mercy Festivals will kick off, check out the tour dates with Six Feet Under, Nile, Dark Funeral, Dying Fetus, Cataract and Wykked Wytch: More...

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HBB To Play Ill Nino's "Cleansing" This Saturday

In the mood to check out a new Ill Nino video? Haven't picked up the band's debut DVD? Make sure to check out MTV2's Headbangers Ball this coming Saturday night (12/18) - not only will the band be on the show, but they will also be playing a new Ill Nino video, "Cleansing" (as taken from their Live From The Eye Of The Storm DVD).

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Happy Horrordays From Wednesday 13

In the spirit of the holiday season, Wednsday 13 has released a holiday e-card, featuring the song "Buried by Christmas." To watch the e-card click here.

The song is from the forthcoming solo debut "Transylvania 90210 - Songs About Death, Dying and the Dead" coming in early 2005

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God Forbid To Debut New Video On HBB This Saturday

God Forbid have just completed an extensive European tour with Machine Head and Caliban and will soon embark on the Stillborn Festival alongside such genre titans as Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, Candiria and Full Blown Chaos. The group's new video for the album's title track, "Gone Forever," shot by acclaimed director Zach Merck (12 Stones, Atreyu, Shadows Fall) will make its debut on MTV2's Headbangers Ball this Saturday, Dec. 18th.

After a highly successful run on this year's Ozzfest, coupled with a series of high profile U.S. tours with Fear Factory, Machine Head and Slipknot, the group are already working on material for their highly anticipated new album that is currently slated for a late 2005 release.

God Forbid w/Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, Candiria, Fullblown Chaos (Stillborn Festival):
12/26 The Electric Factory- Philadelphia, PA
12/27 Roseland Ballroom- New York, NY
12/28 The Palladium- Worcester, MA
12/29 Staircase- Scranton, PA
12/30 The World- Pittsburgh, PA

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Thousands Gather To Mourn Dimebag Darrell

Several thousand fans and friends gathered at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday night to mourn Damageplan/ Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

The inside of the cavernous convention center was filled with flowers and oversized magazine covers featuring Abbott, according to The Dallas Morning News. Among the musicians on hand to pay tribute were guitarists Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen.

"I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, to give some love back," said Van Halen, who, along with Wylde, reportedly downed shots of booze as he spoke.

"This guy was full of life. He lived and breathed rock and roll." Van Halen held his cell phone up to the microphone and played a profanity-laced message left by an excited Abbott after a concert he played with Van Halen.

"I just wanted to give you a ... call to tell you thank you so ... much, man, for the most awesome, uplifting, euphoric, spiritual rock and roll extravaganza ever," Abbott said in the message to Van Halen, according to reports.

"A whole part of my life is gone," said Wylde, described as red-eyed and visibly upset. More...

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Anterrabae and Fire When Ready Winter Tour Info

Dates have been solidified for the upcoming Anterrabae and Fire When Ready Winter tour. Here's the schedule:

1/2 Bloomfield NJ @ the Bloomfield Cafe
1/3 Philadelphia PA @ Tribeca
1/4 Baltimore MD the Mojo Room w/ Age Of Ruin
1/5 Fredericksburg VA @ Shooters w/ Age Of Ruin
1/6 Greensboro NC @ Somewhere Else Tavern w/ Age Of Ruin
1/7 Myrtle Beach SC @ the Lime Light w/ Age Of Ruin
1/8 Summerville SC @ Summerville American Legion w/ Age Of Ruin
1/9 Orlando FL @ the Back Booth
1/10 Tupelo MS @ The Rockwell Center
1/12 Baton Rouge LA @ The Darkroom
1/13 Little Rock AR @ Blank Generation
1/14 Nashville TN @ the Muse
1/15 Elizabethtown KY @ the Box
1/16 Cedar Falls IA @ The Phoenix
1/17 east peoria IL @ East Peoria Legion
1/18 Saginaw MI @ Jamestown Hall
1/19 Canton OH @ Fallen Eyes
1/20 Pittsburgh PA @ The Spider Lounge
1/22 Syracuse NY @ the Furnace (no FWR)
1/23 Pougkeepsie NY @ Club Crannell
1/26 Nashua NH @ Club Drifters (no FWR)
1/28 Tauton MA @ All About Record (no FWR)
1/29 albany NY @ the Shelter Skatepark

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