Metal News for December 3, 2006
Last updated on October 6, 2025 at 2:37 AM ET
We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.
Hot Topics
- Kreator To Release New Album In January
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
- Carcosa (AngelMaker) Premiere New Single & Video
- Agnostic Front Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Messa Shares New Music Video "Reveal"
- Spite Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Stellar Circuits Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
23 news articles posted on this day.
Zonaria Recording New Album
Swedish melodic death metal band Zonaria have recently entered the studio to record their Pivotal Rockordings debut. The recording will be handled by Per Nilsson and mixed by Jonas Kjellgren, both of whom have worked with Scar Symmetry. The album is due out in spring of 2007 and you can check out the band's music and studio diary here.
Vesania Give Post-Tour Update
Polish black metal masters VESANIA, whose lineup includes Orion (BEHEMOTH) and Daray (VADER), have posted the following message on their official web site:
"We recently returned from another collection of shows that took us through Scandinavia with CRYPTOPSY, ABORTED, VISCERAL BLEEDING; and then through Poland on the Polish leg of the Blitzkrieg IV Tour with VADER, TRAUMA, and AZARATH.
"The Scandinavian tour was a further opportunity for us to perform in places we've never ventured before. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly Finland, an experience that we're going to remember for a very long time.
"In general, the tour provided many unforgettable moments, great company and a tonne of strengthening and motivating energy. Another experience and another step forward for the band with the final show being an important milestone in the history of VESANIA!
"Blitzkrieg IV was another chapter altogether. The expectations we had were really hard to define as a place on the bill with VADER doesn't necessarily guarantee good shows. Whilst it was a great honour, we knew that in order to be well received we had to put in a lot of hard work. Fortunately, all of our anxiety dissipated on the very first day. The audience, including guests, was nigh on 1000 and the response was just unbelievable and this evening set the tone for the rest of the tour. This enormous energy that we receive from you all is the reason for us showing up on stage every evening and it means a real lot. We're growing stronger as a band thanks to your hunger for our music. Thank you all so very, very much for everything. We needed this dose of inspiration and emotion before undertaking the next album.
"By the way, news about the new stuff will be coming soon so stay tuned. We'd also like to apologise regarding the show in Opole where we've been banned. Unfortunately, not all things are within our control...
"To sum things up, 'God The Lux' turned out to be a breakthrough for us as an album but also on the live front as well. We hit the road for this album with The Domination Tour in February 2006 closely followed by Metalmania and the God The Black Eastern European Tour (headlining) in March, the Scandinavian/European Tour in August/September and finally Blitzkrieg IV. All in all, close to 80 shows! This is a good result and we made it through! Big thanks must go to the Massive Music agency for allowing us the opportunity to be such an active band. Further shows will follow the forthcoming album - see you soon, take care!"
Striking Distance To Reunite For March Show
Washington D.C. hardcore band Striking Distance will reunite to perform at Youngblood Records' 10 year anniversary show in March. The band broke up in 2003 after releasing material with Youngblood, Thorp Records, and Bridge Nine Records, among others. The anniversary show will take place on March 31st at Champion Ship in Lemoyne, PA.
The Jonbenet Announce US Tour Dates
The Jonbenét have announced a January tour in support of their new full length, Ugly/Heartless. The tour kicks off January 2nd and will take the band through the US for a month. Here are the tour dates:
December 2, 2006 - Gordo's San Marcos, TX
December 29, 2006 - Walter's on Washington Houston, TX
January 1, 2007 - the Underground Corpus Christi, TX
January 2, 2007 - the Wherehouse Laredo, TX
January 3, 2007 - Red 7 Austin, TX
January 4, 2007 - the Lonestar San Angelo, TX
January 5, 2007 - TBA Odessa/Midland
January 6, 2007 - House of Rock and Roll El Paso, TX
January 7, 2007 - the Cell Albuquerque, NM
January 8, 2007 - Skrappy's Tucson, AZ
January 9, 2007 - the Phix Phoenix, AZ
January 10, 2007 - Carpe Dm Simi Valley, CA
January 11, 2007 - Parkview Riverside, CA
January 12, 2007 - Westchester Sports Grill Los Angeles, CA
January 13, 2007 - 418 Project Santa Cruz, CA
January 15, 2007 - TBA Sacramento, CA
January 16, 2007 - TBA Eugene, OR
January 17, 2007 - TBA Portland, OR
January 18, 2007 - Ground Zero Seattle, WA
January 19, 2007 - the Slaughter House Spokane Valley, WA
January 20, 2007 - Higgin's Hall Missoula, MT
January 21, 2007 - All Seasons Arena Minot, ND
January 22, 2007 - Venue 8 Rapid City, SD
January 23, 2007 - TBA Jefferson, SD
January 24, 2007 - Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, MN
January 25, 2007 - TBA Indianapolis, IN
January 27, 2007 - the Spec (Millikin Campus) Decatur, IL
January 28, 2007 - Galaxy Hotwheels Marshall, MO
January 29, 2007 - the Tree Tulsa, OK
January 30, 2007 - the Conservatory Oklahoma City, OK
January 31, 2007 - E.O.S. Amarillo, TX
February 1, 2007 - the Party House Lubbock, TX
February 2, 2007 - TBA Dallas, TX
February 3, 2007 - Red 7 Austin, TX
Vio-lence Press Kit Sells For Close to $1,000
An original Megaforce-issued VIO-LENCE "Opressing the Masses" press kit - featuring a black leather-like folder with a VIO-LENCE sticker; three glossy promo pictures; three original slides, and a two-page signed statement from vocalist Sean Killian about the controversy about the "Torture Tactics" track deletion, among other items - was sold on eBay for a whopping $967.27.
This past summer, Megaforce released a two-disc DVD from VIO-LENCE, entitled "Blood and Dirt". Produced and directed by Jerry Allen of Metallian Productions, "Blood and Dirt" is over three and a half hours long and contains "a ton of live footage spanning the band's entire existence as well as a full-length documentary on the history of the band. Included in the documentary is commentary by all the members of VIO-LENCE (going back to the DEATH PENALTY days) as well as comments by fellow Bay Area thrashers EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, FORBIDDEN and many others. You also hear from Bay Area historians Ron Quintana and Walter Morgan, as well as legendary band manager Debbie Abono and many others including comments from VIO-LENCE fans themselves.
Former VIO-LENCE and current MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel announced that the DVD will serve as VIO-LENCE's "final release and function as a band. There will be no more re-releases, reunions or re-anything. We had a blast writing and performing for you and once again, wholeheartedly, thank you all for it."
Megaforce Records reissued VIO-LENCE's classic debut album, "Eternal Nightmare", with a live bonus CD in June 2005. The bonus disc was recorded on December 14, 2001 at Slim's in San Francisco and was mixed by Chris Hanson.
Destructor's New Full-Length Album Due Next Spring
DESTRUCTOR's headlining appearance at the opening night of the Keep It True VIII festival in Germany on April 13, 2007 is officially sold out. The legendary Cleveland, Ohio power/thrash band will be delivering an extended headlining set that will feature classics from past releases "Maximum Destruction" and "Sonic Bullet", along with selections from their forthcoming new album. Dubbed Storm Of Steel by Keep It True festival organizer Oliver Weinsheimer in honor of DESTRUCTOR's appearance. ("Storm Of Steel" was the song recorded by DESTRUCTOR that appeared on the underground "Heavy Artillery" compilation released in 1990 by Auburn Records), the event will feature additional performances by German bands TANKARD, WARRANT, and IVORY NIGHT. Tickets still remain for the second and main night of the Keep It True festival on April 14, 2007 featuring DIAMOND HEAD, LAAZ ROCKIT, SABBAT, PILEDRIVER, ARTILLERY, and more.
DESTRUCTOR's new, as-yet-untitled full-length CD will be released on Auburn Records in April to coincide with the Keep It True performance. The band is currently working in Metro Sync and Noise Floor studios in Cleveland with producer Don Depew (BREAKER guitarist), finishing up the new recordings.
DESTRUCTOR has just returned from a short tour with Canadian underground legends PILEDRIVER that took the band to New York, Boston, Montreal and Quebec City.
Original Mercyful Fate Lineup Rare Appearance
MERCYFUL FATE was presented with the "honor award" at the Danish Metal Awards 2006, which were held last night (Saturday, November 18) at Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark. Original members Michael Denner (guitar), Hank Shermann (guitar), Timi "Grabber" Hansen (bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums) appeared in public together for the first time in 22 years to accept the award (vocalist King Diamond was unable to attend the event due to the fact that he is currently working on the new KING DIAMOND album in Dallas, Texas).
MERCYFUL FATE will always be remembered for their unquestionable mark on the history of metal, with their new innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and their influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.
In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Entitled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven" and "Evil".
Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (and fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of "Return of the Vampire" on the "In the Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.
McQueen Announce UK & German Tour Dates
McQueen will kick off 2007 with tours across the globe in support of their forthcoming hotly anticipated debut album "Break The Silence" on Demolition Records due out on January 22nd. The first two confirmed legs of their "Break The Silence" Tour being the UK and German legs with more dates being expected to be confirmed shortly.
A first single taken from the album called "The Line Went Dead" is also set for an early 2007 release and has been mixed by Reuben producer Jack Rustan.
Here are the McQueen tour dates:
JANUARY 2007
SAT 20 WOLVES LITTLE CIVIC
SUN 21 SOUTHAMPTON JOINER'S ARMS
MON 22 BRIGHTON ENGINE ROOMS
TUE 23 MANCHESTER ROADHOUSE
WED 24 GLASGOW BARFLY
THU 25 NEWCASTLE ACADEMY
FRI 26 SHEFFIELD CORPORATION
SAT 27 NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY
SUN 28 OXFORD ZODIAC
FEB
FRI 09 LONDON MONTO WATER RATS
SAT 24 BERLIN WHITE TRASH
SUN 25 HAMBURG LOGO
MON 26 COLOGNE PRIME CLUB
TUE 27 FRANKFURT NACHTLEBEN
WED 28 MUNICH BACKSTAGE
Tickets for the tour are available from www.ticketweb.com and www.ents24.com
Godhead Frontman Voicing "Avatar" Characters
When he hasn't been screaming with Godhead, frontman Jason C. Miller has been doing cartoon voiceovers for Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender." He voices five characters on the show, including Scary Prisoner, whose shaven head and tattooed body was modeled after Miller — he also works as an actor and stuntman. Godhead's latest album, The Shadow Line, came out in August and was produced by ex-Evanescence guitarist and songwriter Ben Moody.
Dunn's Band Releases Debut, Work On New Film
Sam Dunn, co-director of "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey," isn't just a heavy-metal academic — he's also a performer with a specialty in old-school thrash. His band Burn to Black recently released their debut, Mach 666, a disc influenced by some of the members' favorite bands, including Sadus, Morbid Angel, Autopsy, Forbidden and the Crown. "As musicians, we feel that thrash has lost a lot of its rawness over the years and has become too slick and polished," said Dunn, who plays bass in the group. Singer Rob Ouellette, guitarists Mike Krestel and Paul Harrington and drummer Evan Johnston round out the band. While Burn to Black will play select shows in their hometown of Toronto, they won't tour extensively, since Dunn is too busy jet-setting for his next movie, "Global Metal." That film will trace the growth of heavy metal across the world.
Avenged Sevenfold To Take Their Time On New Album
Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows says the band plans to take its time writing the follow-up to 2005's City of Evil. While the boys have been working on new material for a few weeks now, Shadows doesn't see the band hitting the studio until at least May. And when Avenged do, the singer said they'll track the disc without the benefit of a seasoned producer. "We're 90 percent sure we're going to produce it ourselves," said Shadows, who recently helped produce the Confession's new LP. "We want to do it ourselves because we know what we want." He said fans can expect the album's tracks to be bigger and longer, and added that he hopes to have the disc out by the fall.
Norman Bates Post New Music Online
New Jersey based death metal act, Norman Bates, have posted new music on their myspace page coming off their upcoming CD.
Metallica's "The Videos" Online Preview Available
A preview for METALLICA's comprehensive DVD release titled "The Videos 1989-2004" has been released:
Windows:
Quicktime:
Alesana Signs To Fearless Records
Screamo band Alesana of Raleigh NC has signed with Fearless Records. Fearless is set to re-release the band's debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax on March 20th with new artwork and bonus content.
This three guitar heavy ensemble is made up of vocalist Dennis Lee, guitarist/vocalist Shawn Milke, guitarist Patrick Thompson, guitarist/vocalist Adam Ferguson, bassist Steven Tomany and on drums Jeremy Brian. You can check out some of the band's material here.
The band is on tour now with Greeley Estates and Drop Dead Gorgeous.
Pelican Contributes To "The Run Up" DVD
Chicago's Pelican is among those who contributed material to a new double DVD documentary titled The Run Up. The DVD focuses onmodern artists in the fields of graffiti, photography, tattoo, design, comics and other areas and features both interviews and music.
The band contributed "the acoustic song" from The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw which is untitled on the album. More...
Driller Killer and Bludwulf Team Up For US Tour
Sweden's DRILLER KILLER will embark on a U.S. tour starting at the end of the year with BLÜDWÜLF and MASAKARI on most dates. Intial confirmed dates are as follows:
December 29 - Daytona, FL @ TIFY Fest
January 2 - Brooklyn, NY @ North Six (downstairs)
January 4 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boiler Room
January 5 - Pittsburg, PA @ Mr. Roboto Project
Horse The Band Announce CA and Mexican Tour Dates
HORSE THE BAND have announced the following upcoming tour dates:
December 15 - Rialto, CA @ Rialto Music Coalition
December 16 - Lancaster, CA @ Cedar Centre
December 20 - Canoga Park, CA @ Cobalt Cafe
January 6 - Tijuana, MEX @ Box Underground
March 4 - Ciudad Juarez, MEX @ Orvieto World Beat
March 8 - San Luis Potosi, MEX @ TBA
March 9 - Guadalajara, MEX @ Fbolko
March 10 - Mexico City, MEX @ 7° piso
March 11 - Monterrey, MEX @ McMullen's Irish Pub
Waterdown Working On New Album
Germany's Waterdown have begun work on their next full length and follow up to 2006's All Riot. That album also marked their last for Victory who previously released both Never Kill the Boy on the Firs and The Files You Have On Me.
The band is promising the "same vein as All Riot if not a bit harder" and are aiming for a mid-2007 release on a label yet to be announced.
Taste of Chaos 2007 Tour Dates Announced
Clearly less metal that past editions of the tour but still relevant, dates for the 2007 Taste of Chaos Tour have been announced. The tour will kick off on February 15th and will be headlined by 30 Seconds to Mars with The Used, Senses Fail, Saosin, Chiodos and Evaline performing. Confirmed tour dates are as follows: More...
Alarum Announces New Drummer
Australia's Alarum has announced the addition of drummer Rob Brens to their line-up. He replaces Matt Racovalis, who left the group this summer. Brens hails from Melbourne, Australia and possesses roughly ten years of experience behind the kit. Meanwhile, Alarum continues to write material for their next release.
Drowning Pool Book Three Dates
Drowning Pool have announced three new tour dates for December which include:
December 9th in Dallas, TX @ Nokia
December 30th in Shreveport, LA @ Flannagan's
December 31st in Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
Into Eternity Comment On Video And Touring Plans
Canadian progressive death outfit Into Eternity recently shot a new video for the track "Severe Emotional Distress" with up-and-coming director Kevin Wildt (Set Your Goals, The Warriors).
Tim Roth (guitars, vocals) checks in with the following report: "It's a full-blown blizzard here in our hometown, so we have been chilling out indoors. We plan on hitting the road on Jan. 13th for a Western Canadian tour, which will lead to an appearance at the Seattle Metal Fest on Jan. 20th. Hopefully, we'll see everyone out on the road soon!
"The band is ecstatic about our new video, "Severe Emotional Distress", which is our first true promotional video. I think it turned out really well. Kevin did a great job producing the video. The storyline goes perfect with the aggressiveness of the song and the meaning behind the lyrics. Hopefully the video will open up new
people to our band. Enjoy, and look for us on the road in the U.S. this spring. See you soon."
Here are the currently scheduled Into Eternity tour dates:
01/13 - The Exchange - Regina, SK (CAN)
Seattle Metal Fest
01/20 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA (US)
01/21 - Lucky Bar - Victoria, BC (CAN)
01/23 - The Stetson - Calgary, AB (CAN)
01/24 - The Mead Hall - Edmonton, AB (CAN)
Headway Festival
04/07-08 - P60 - Amstelveen (NL) More...
Himsa Signs With Century Media Records
Century Media Records has announced the signing of Himsa to a worldwide deal.
Himsa further describe their feelings over the new partnership: “We are very excited, thrilled and honored to be asked to join the Century Media army. All of us are huge fans and supporters of the label and have always admired CM's continuous drive for releasing great and memorable albums throughout the years. The relationships that have grown and prospered between CM and other bands on their roster shows the honesty, loyalty and sincerity they have as a family. We feel it is the best move for us as individuals and as a band. With Sammi Curr (guitars) rejoining Himsa and writing new material with Kirby Johnson (guitars), our integrity and passion are at an all-time high with this next step. As soon as the new album is recorded, we will be back on the road destroying your towns."
Himsa's debut full-length, Courting Tragedy and Disaster (2003), was hailed by Revolver as "a manic 11-song effort that's as speedy and raw as it is technical and melodic," earning the band a highlight as one of 10 bands labeled as the "future of metal." However, it was 2006's Hail Horror that began to show what this band was truly capable of, as they let their brutal catchiness naturally coexist alongside musical complexity. The album, produced by the renowned Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Mnemic), perfected the formula that has allowed the band to continue building their own niche in the current metal scene and gaining attention from MTV, FUSE, Revolver, Guitar World, Outburn, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and countless other outlets.
In other news, Himsa have been added to the Century Family's Third Annual Christmas Balls show, which takes place Wednesday, Dec. 13 th at The Key Club in Hollywood, CA. The event will also feature the LA based quintet In This Moment and will be headlined by Sweden's Dream Evil, who will be making their American debut and only U.S. appearance of 2006.
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: