Metal News for December 23, 2008
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM ET
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23 news articles posted on this day.
Birds Of Prey Completes New Album
Virginia metal band Birds Of Prey, featuring drummer Dave Witte among many others, has completed their third full-length album. Tracked by Vince Burke at Sniper Studio in Moyock, North Carolina, the effort is tentatively titled "Hell Preacher" and will hit streets next spring via Relapse Records. According to Witte, "This one packs a wallop."
A Storm Of Light Posts New Song From Nadja Split
Brooklyn's heavy experimental band A STORM OF LIGHT has posted the new song "Sister" off their forthcoming 2xLP+CD collaboration with Toronto's NADJA. This track can now be found exclusively at A STORM OF LIGHT's MySpace page.
The release, titled "Primitive North," features two new songs from A STORM OF LIGHT and one lengthy new opus from NADJA. The double vinyl LPs and CD will be packaged together, and also features each band remixing the other's material. "Primitive North" will see a March 3rd, 2009 street date through Robotic Empire.
Ethereal Tragedy Signs To Kampas Records
Kampas Records recently announced the signing of experimental metal band ETHEREAL TRAGEDY, who hails from Mexico. The band's debut album is planned to be out in 2010.
In the meantime, you can check out some of the band's past material on their MySpace page.
In other label news, Kampas Records has announced that they will not be signing any more bands for approximately 4-5 months.
Deathstars Posts "Death Dies Hard" Video Online
DEATHSTARS recently posted their new video for "Death Dies Hard" online, viewable below. The single is to be released on January 2nd and will contain special features. The album "Night Electric Night" will be out January 30th. More...
Nemesea Releases First Music Video
Dutch alternative/metal band Nemesea has worked together with D'iMage, a visual media company that has worked with big acts including Ayreon, Stream of Passion and After Forever (a band which Nemesea has been an opening act for), to produce their first music video entitled "No More." It has just been released and can be viewed below.
The band would also like fans to know that they still have the opportunity to be part of the NEM-team (the band’s online team). You can read more about this here. More...
Kronosfear Relocates to British Columbia
Half of Hamilton, Ontario's extreme metal outfit Kronosfear will be relocating to British Columbia's capitol, Victoria. The band has cited "job opportunities" as their reason for Mic and Kevan's move. Chris and Lee are staying behind, "holding down the fort with their other metal projects Reich Of The Dead and A Glimpse Of Hell." The band has also stated the following for their fans on their MySpace: "I am not sure when or if we will be moving back to Ontario, but we will be back for shows in the future!"
The band has also made several statements regarding their yet-unreleased "Aleatory" EP:
"As for 'Aleatory', the EP that never was, I am working on getting this pressed ASAP, and [it] will be up for sale in the next few months hopefully."
"Until then, please enjoy the 'One With The Beast' demo/single free for download! All these songs were cuts from the 'Aleatory' recordings and for one reason or another will be re-recorded."
Kronosfear would like to thank all of those who have shown them support and who have played with them.
Wednesday 13 To Support Hanoi Rocks In Japan
Warming up for their previously announced UK tour, Wednesday 13 will be the main support for the legendary Hanoi Rocks on their 2009 tour of Japan before the Finish-rockers finally call it quits later in the year. Those tour dates are as follows:
Sun 8, March, Tokyo
Tues 10, March, Fukuoka
Wed 11, March, Osaka
Thurs 12, March, Nagoya
Fri 13, March, Kawasaki
Sun 15, March, Sendai
Punk-horror frontman, Wednesday 13 has announced his return to the UK with a series of live dates in Spring 2009.
The 2-week-long UK tour, which begins on Friday 20th March is to celebrate the UK release of Wednesday 13's "Bloodwork" EP, also due out that month via Global Music.
The EP features six tracks, including two previously unreleased songs - one a cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Running Down A Dream," and the other, a re-recording of a song by Wednesday 13's former band, Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet13.
Also on the EP are acoustic renditions of two songs from Wednesday's May 2008 release, "Skeletons."
The track listing for the "Bloodwork" EP is as follows: More...
Cattle Decapitation To Film Music Video, New Ecard
Cattle Decapitation has revelaed plans to film a music video for "Regret & the Grave" as well as other updates. Here's the message from the band:
“We’ll be heading up to an old slaughterhouse in Santa Paula, CA this weekend to shoot the performance footage for the track “Regret & the Grave” from our album The Harvest Floor which will be released on Jan. 20th on Metal Blade Records! The video will be directed by Gary Smithson (High on Fire, Prong, Goatwhore), and will feature the band performing under the most dreary of circumstances and a story that touches on the futility of being, the ruining nature of humanity and will be available for viewing around the album’s release! We’ll keep you posted and see if we can’t get some cool behind the scenes photos displayed on our MySpace page soon after…”
Cattle guitarist, Josh Elmore, is featured in the current issue of Guitar World Magazine (with Eddie Van Halen on the cover). Read up on what the recording process for The Harvest Floor was like, the importance of the special guests and his brand of bizarre “spider-web-like” riffage.
An e-card for "The Harvest Floor" is available for viewing now and features the song “The Gardeners of Eden.”
As previously reported, the new album, "The Harvest Floor," will be followed up by a southern U.S. headlining tour entitled KILLING TIL OBLIVION with friends Psyopus, Book of Black Earth and Gigan.
Detrimentum Announces Replacement Drummer
U.K. based blackened death metal act Detrimentum has announced their replacement drummer will be Steve Powell of Anaal Nathrakh. The band issued the following statement:
"Detrimentum have now been joined by Steve Powell (Anaal Nathrakh, Theoktony) as their new permanent drummer.
Steve is the perfect replacement for Jonathan Rushforth as he is fast plus very dynamic and Detrimentums music can only improve with such an intense and varied influence. Detrimentum are very happy to welcome him to the ranks."
Terror Syndrome Set To Record New Material
Canadian metal band Terror Syndrome are set to record new material in 2009 and potentially release a full length album. The band issue the following statement:
"Just wanted to wish you all an awesome holiday season. Hope you all get what you want and have a safe time over the holidays....if you drink, don't drive!!! All the best to you all in 2009, it's going to be a great year and we look forward to seeing many of you when we start touring!
As for the last update for 2008, here's what we got going on....
In early January 2009, Terror Syndrome will be hitting the studio to record a track with our new singer Dave Padden (Annihilator frontman as well). We will be going in to record the track with engineer and my brother Jay Van Poederooyen who is the engineer/mixer for well known producer Brian Howes, together they have worked on projects such Hinder (both albums), Puddle of Mud, Rev Theory and many other famous acts. Needless to say we will get some awesome sounds and the song will be released on iTunes world wide as soon as we are finished mixing and mastering the song. More...
The Devils Blood and Pentagram Announce Show Dates
Satanic rock and roll act The Devil's Blood will be performing shows in the U.S. alongside Pentagram. The band issued the following statement on their MySpace page:
"As 2008 draws to a dark and cold closing and the fires of midwinter are all but spent, The Devil's Blood are extremely proud and grateful to be able to announce their plans to perform with Pentagram in 2009.
3/6/09 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
3/7/09 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
On both these dates The Devil's Blood will be the support to the mighty PENTAGRAM and will perform a specially suited Ritual in honour of these undisputed kings of the underground.
Marking the bands first visit to the United States we could not wish for a better or more fitting chance to spread the evil that is the Devil's blood in the New World. So you be forwarned, 'cause we're comin' after you!
-SL/TDB/A-O"
Fallen Martyr Seeking Fill-In Drummer
Frederick, MD metal band Fallen Martyr is in search of a fill-in drummer for a few shows in early 2009. Here's the announcement from the band:
"We are currently looking for a technical metal drummer to fill in for a few shows during the winter of 09. Lovie is still injured due to surgery preformed on his shoulder, and may need more time to heal in which case there is a great possibility of a permanent replacement. We are on good terms with Lovie and that will never change.
"We need someone who is a fast learning, great sounding kit, easy going and easy to work with attitude, a godly drummer that can blast and has quick feet. Also someone over 18, 17 is an exception as long as you have evenings off so we can show you the songs.
"We don't know what to expect in future events but we can assure you, we do not want to drop off of these shows, more details will be given if you message us.
"If you know of any drummers please send them our way we will be forever in your debt! And you will receive a free shirt or merch of your choosing for finding the drummer that will fill in for us!
"We also need the drummer to be in or around Baltimore MD or central Maryland. We live in Frederick, Germantown, and Gaithersburg so if you know anyone around there then tell them to say hello :)
"So that being said, wish Lovie a speedy recovery, we love that big ol guy. Take care everyone and keep it metal!"
Man Must Die Posts Pre-Production Footage Online
Glasgow, Scotland's MAN MUST DIE have entered the Grindstone Studios in the UK to begin recording their new album, "No Tolerance For Imperfection." The album is being recorded with producer Scott Atkins. The album is expected to see a Spring 2009 release date via Relapse Records.
MAN MUST DIE have also posted a four minute video highlighting some of the band's pre-production work, as they ready to enter Grindstone Studios online now at this location. More...
The Abominable Iron Sloth Announces US Tour Dates
California metallers, The Abominable Iron Sloth, have announced the following tour dates:
01/04/ - The Excommunicate House - Vancouver, Washington
01/05/ - Burt’s Tiki Lounge - SLC, Utah
01/06/ - Three Kings Tavern - Denver, Colorado w/ GAZA
01/07/ - The Avenue - Wichita, Kansas
01/08/ - Rubber Gloves - Dallas, Texas
01/09/ - Red 7 - Austin, Texas
01/10/ - Little Joe’s Bar - Shreveport, Louisiana
01/11/ - Insomkneeacks - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
01/12/ - The Saturn Bar - New Orleans, Louisiana
01/13/ - The Bombshelter - Jackson, Mississippi
01/15/ - Cave 9 - Birmingham, Alabama
01/17/ - Swayze’s - Atlanta, Georgia
01/18/ - The Wherehouse - Winston Salem, North Carolina
01/19/ - Nara’s Sushi - Richmond, Virginia
01/20/ - The Velvet Lounge! Inauguration day! - Wash DC
01/21/ - The Khyber - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
01/22/ - The Charleston - NY, New York w/ the_Network
01/23/ - MARS - Providence, Rhode Island w/ the_Network
01/24/ - ABC No Rio - Manhattan, New York
01/25/ - Westcott Community Center - Syracuse, New York w/ ARCHITECT
01/26/ - Mr. Roboto Project - Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
01/27/ - The Factory - Rochester, Michigan
01/28/ - The Dayton Dirt Collective Space - Dayton, Ohio
01/29/ - Skull Alley - Louisville, Kentucky
01/30/ - the Anchor - Nashville, Tennessee
01/31/ - LEMP arts center - St. Louis, Missouri
02/01/ - Mojos - Columbia, Missouri
02/02/ - The Foundation - Kansas City, Missouri
02/03/ - The Nerdcore house - Omaha, Nebraska
02/04/ - Blastomat - Denver, Colorado
Macbeth Working On New Album
Italian gothic metallers MACBETH are currently working on material for their as-yet-untitled new album. The band stated:
“We've got a few ideas for the new record. We will be spending the first part the year to work on material for our upcoming new album. We’ll keep you updated, so stay tuned.”
You can watch some live footage of MACBETH's performance at Metal Female Voices Fest 6 on October 18 at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium below. More...
Preview 4 Songs From Candlemass' Upcoming Album
Nuclear Blast Europe has posted four song snippets of Candlemass' new material on their MySpace page. You can check them out there until January 10, 2009.
Insect Warfare's "World Extermination" Re-Release
Extreme metal label Earache Records is set to release INSECT WARFARE's classic grindcore album, "World Extermination" in March 2009.
Texas grindcore band INSECT WARFARE has made countless 7" vinyls and split albums with various other bands, before releasing their grindcore masterpiece, "World Extermination," in 2007 on 625 Thrash Records. Following the initial release of the album, the band split and refused all subsequent offers from larger record labels to reissue the classic album until Earache Records contacted the band.
Now "World Extermination" will be available once again.
You can listen to or download INSECT WARFARE's track "Necessary Death" off of "World Extermination" here.
WORLD EXTERMINATION is due to be released by Earache Records on March 2, 2009. You can view the brutal cover artwork here.
Turisas Frontman Rules Out New Album Until 2010
Lucem Fero has issued an interview with TURISAS vocalist Mathias "Warlord" Nygård, conducted in September by Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan. An excerpt appears below:
Q: Turisas is due to issue a DVD entitled A Finnish Summer With Turisas, so could you provide an introduction to this upcoming release?
A: "Compared to the other group DVDs available for purchase, it's slightly different. Whilst touring across North America, we began to take a look at our summer 2008 schedule. We realized that a number of Finnish shows had been booked, and that was quite strange. In the past few years, most of our performances have occurred within Germany, the UK, or abroad. Only during the last year or two, we've actually started gaining recognition in our home country. Of course, it's nice to gain recognition in your home country as well. We found our summer schedule slightly special, and opted to film a documentary regarding the whole summer. It's a road trip somewhat, but also happens to be a documentary regarding Turisas. The DVD features interviews and so on, and that type of material spans roughly an hour. That footage sits alongside roughly ninety minutes of live material, which was filmed from each of the festival performances we conducted. Collectively, they work; you see the group behind the scenes making pre-show preparations, and you can then view the performances themselves. In a nice way, both are built on top of one another."
Q: Obviously, Turisas' sophomore album The Varangian Way was issued during May 2007. Are there any plans to issue a third full length?
A: "I think it's going to be awhile before we issue our third album (laughs). At the moment, we'll be touring for quite some time. Right now, our plans are to finish this touring cycle alongside DRAGONFORCE by the summer of 2009. Following that, we'll take a break to start focusing upon writing new songs, and subsequently entering production. From mid 2009 until the end of 2009, there'll likely be a gap. We won't tour much, but will focus upon writing new tracks, and cutting our third album."
Q: So Turisas won't likely release its third album until 2010?
A: "Yeah, that sounds realistic."
Read the full article at Lucemfero.com.
The Haunted Announces North American Tour Dates
Swedish heavy metal act The Haunted has announced the tour dates for their headlining trek of North America. Supporting them will be Nachtmystium, Kylesa and Intronaut.
The tour dates are as follows:
April 2 - The Glasshouse – Pomona, CA
April 3 - The Key Club – Hollywood, CA
April 4 - Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
April 5 - Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
April 6 - Neumo’s – Seattle, WA
April 7 - Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
April 8 - Starlite Ballroom – Edmonton, AB
April 9 - The Warehouse – Calgary, AB
April 11 - Royal Albert – Winnipeg, MB
April 12 - Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
April 13 - The Pearl Room – Mokena, IL
April 14 - Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
April 15 - Opera House – Toronto, ON
April 16 - Club Soda – Montreal, QC
April 17 - The Palladium – Worcester, MA
April 19 - BB King’s Blues Club – New York, NY
April 21 - Mr. Small’s – Millvale, PA
April 22 - Jaxx – Springfield, VA
April 23 - Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC
April 24 - The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Additionally, The Haunted also announce their appearance on the SWR Barroselas Metal Fest, which takes place in Portugal on May 1, 2009.
Anthrax Guitarist Scott Ian Posts New Album Update
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has checked in with the following update on the new Anthrax album and a variety of other subjects including his favourite albums of 2008. You can read it below:
"It's that time of year again can you believe it? How the hell is it Christmas already?? I know I say that every year but damn, time really flies when you're having fun.
"I've been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November 4. The drums, bass and rhythm guitars are done (I just finished up 19 tracks of blistering rhythms a few nights ago) and the vocals started in NYC today. So far we are right on schedule and it's sounding REALLY FUCKING GREAT. We should be mixing at the end of January and soon after that giving birth to a really pissed off, loud, fast and heavy child. More...
Read the full article at SuicideGirls.com.
Drowning Pool Bassist Stevie Benton Checks In
Stevie Benton, bassist of Texas based hard rockers Drowning Pool has posted the following message online:
"18 months of touring in support of full circle has come to an end. My best guess is that it was over 350 shows. Looking back, I'm proud to say that we brought our "A" game for every single one. Not to say that they all were perfect. But each was a unique experience. My sincere thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed a night with us. Y'all will always be loved. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and let's do it all again next year!!!"
Stevie
DP
Solstice Issues Recording Update
Florida death metal band Solstice has issued the following update about their upcoming album:
"We're done tracking guitars, bass and vocals. Only guitar solos remain and those are about half way. We should be ready to mix and master in about 3 weeks and then we WILL have some new music on the player.
Bass playing is outstanding as is the bass tone, Garrett really put on a show for us and done with extremely limited rehearsal.
We'll be updating again soon."
Dragonforce Unveils New Fan Website
U.K. power metal band Dragonforce has launched a new fan club website called "Soldiers of the Wasteland." Access to the website is $30 a year and includes a t-shirt, tour lanyard, tour laminate, early access to pre-sale tickets, the ability to post in the official forum, video updates from the band, and other special offers. The website can be found at this location.
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