Godsmack Bassist Explains Delay For Another Animal

Launch Radio Networks reports: ANOTHER ANIMAL, the side project featuring three members of GODSMACK, has set October 2 as the release date for its self-titled debut album. The band features GODSMACK guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill and drummer Shannon Larkin, along with former UGLY KID JOE vocalist Whitfield Crane. Although the album has been completed for a while, Merrill told Launch that he, Rombola and Larkin didn't want any conflicts with their day job. "Legitimately, we were better off waiting until the GODSMACK cycle was done, 'cause we didn't want to compete, you know," he said. "We didn't want any of that type thing. And then it just had to be, we had to just have patience, and let the GODSMACK cycle do its thing, and then we're gonna go out and see what happens."

The album also features guitar and vocal contributions from GODSMACK's original guitarist, Lee Richards.

ANOTHER ANIMAL's first single "Broken Again", will head to radio at the end of August.

Tour plans for the act have yet to be announced.

GODSMACK begins a North American trek on July 17 in Houston, with dates booked through August 22 in Syracuse, New York. The band will issue a 10th anniversary box set, containing all its studio albums plus a brand new DVD, later this year.

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Nervecell Confirmed For Dubai Desert Rock Fest

Dubai based Death/Thrash act NERVECELL have been confirmed to perform at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival 2008, the Middle East’s leading 2-day rock/metal festival, taking place on the 7th and 8th of March 2008 in Dubai – United Arab Emirates.

This will be NERVECELL’s second appearance at the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival, as the band have previously performed along side SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD, WITHIN TEMPTATION and others in 2005. Next year will mark the festival’s 5th anniversary and NERVECELL are honored and proud to be a part of it all.

Over the past years 4 years Dubai Desert Rock Festival embarked great success bringing bands such as IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR, MASTODON, ROBERT PLANT, TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD, WITIHN TEMPTATION, SEPULTURA and many others.

NERVECELL are currently in Europe where they will hit the stage this Friday, July 20th at Metalcamp Festival 2007 (Slovenia). The band is set to return back to Dubai and soon enter the studio to start recording their upcoming full length ‘Preaching Venom’ to be released late 2007 / early 2008.

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Foscor Release Video Trailer

Black Metallers FOSCOR, whose new album “The Smile of the Sad Ones” is due for release shortly on the TEMPLE OF DARKNESS RECORDS label, have taken the unusual step of making a video trailer to give their fans a taste of what to expect both from the album and from the video the band are preparing for the "I Tornà de les Cendres" track.

Fiar, FOSCOR’s vocalist and bass player had this to say about the reasoning behind the trailer: “This will be our first time at producing a video ourselves. Both the video and the photo session for the album’s artwork were shot at the "Balneari de la Puda", an old abandoned Spa hotel in Catalonia. It’s a very atmospheric, haunting location, full of rot and decay, but you still get a sense of how fantastic it must have been in its glory days! It was perfect for what we were trying to achieve visually. We have put a lot of effort into tying the overall sound and content of the album to the images on the artwork and we hope the video will be an extension of this. I think releasing the trailer was partly to give fans a chance to see and hear what was coming, and partly to satisfy our own curiosity to see how the whole thing was going to come out!”

The trailer for the video, and two tracks from “The Smile of the Sad Ones” can be found on the official FOSCOR MySpace page.

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Naer Mataron Name New Album, Vocalist

Artists Greek metallers NAER MATARON's new album, due early 2008 on Season of Mist's brand new Underground Activists division, will bear the name of "Praetorians".

But that's not all - NAER MATARON are proud to let you know that the band's new singer is none other than Vicotnik, of DODHEIMSGARD / DHG fame. Not only does Vicotnik sing on "Praetorians", but he's also the producer of the album.

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Forefather Wrapping Up Recording New Album

England's FOREFATHER has issued the following update:

"The recording of our new album is in the final stages. All that's left to finish is the vocals. Then the laborious task of mixing can begin. We should have a first mix to evaluate around mid-July.

"The artwork for the album is already done. This time we worked with Martin Hanford (BAL-SAGOTH). Check out the preview here."

FOREFATHER's fourth album, "Ours is the Kingdom", was released in May 2004 through Holland's Karmageddon Media. The CD was recorded at The Croft Recording Studio in England and features artwork by C.A. Interactive (MORIFADE, SKYFIRE).

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Watch Pantera, Metallica, AC/DC Tear Up Moscow

Ozzfest and Sounds of the Underground are fine and all, but back in 1991 the Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow featured Pantera, Metallica and AC/DC on the same bill. In addition to being a great concert, the show had real historical impact. It was the first mega-metal festival to follow the collapse of the Soviet Union and it was a sign of the changes and hardships to come.

MTV has posted a stream of Pantera playing “Cowboys From Hell,” “Primal Concrete Sledge” and “Psycho Holiday”; Metallica opening with “Enter Sandman,” and continuing the assault with “Creeping Death” and “Fade to Black”; And AC/DC capping off the night with “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You). The beginning of the 112 minute-long video capturing the event features the caption, “In August of 1991 in the U.S.S.R., the young challenged the old. Those who questioned authority triumphed.” Indeed, (re)visit this moment in history for some metal education, or to breathe in a little nostalgia.

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Dying Fetus Announce New Drummer

DYING FETUS have issued the following update:

“We would like to announce the addition of new drummer Trey Williams, from Baltimore, MD. We regret it has become necessary to part ways with Duane Timlin. However, we thank Duane for his contributions to the band and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. This lineup change will not have any effect on our tour plans, which will go ahead as scheduled. Trey gave us a fantastic audition; we have seen first-hand that he has the professionalism and dedication we would expect. We look forward to our next tour plans with great confidence. We feel the fans will agree that this change will be good for the band and our live performances.”

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Calico System Announce Break Up

St. Louis metalcore act CALICO SYSTEM have announced that they’re breaking up after a yet to be announced farewell tour. If you care, you can read more about it here.

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DevilDriver Release European Tour Dates

DEVILDRIVER have lined up the following upcoming European tour dates:

September 18 - Amersterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
September 19 - Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
September 20 - Groningen, Netherlands @ Oosterpoort
September 22 - Herford, Germany @ X
September 23 - Berlin, Germany @ Kato
September 24 - Aschaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-Seal
September 25 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Die Rohre
September 26 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Rohstafflager
September 27 - Milan, Italy @ Earthfest
September 28 - Trevisto, Italy @ New Age
September 29 - Munich, Germany @ Backstage
September 30 - Vienna, Austria @ Arena
October 1 - Linz, Austria @ Posthauf
October 3 - Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
October 4 - Colonge, Germany @ Underground
October 7 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Hof Ter Lo
October 8 - Portsmouth, England @ Wedgewood Rooms
October 9 - Northampton, England @ Soundhaus
October 10 - Nottingham, England @ Rescue Rooms
October 11 - Manchester, England @ Club Academy
October 12 - Leeds, England @ Rios
October 13 - Stoke, England @ Sugarmill
October 14 - London, England @ Islington Academy
October 15 - Cardfiff, Wales @ Point
October 16 - Wrexham, Wales @ Central Station

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Onesidezero Announce Tour Dates

Los Angeles-based band ONESIDEZERO has announced a short headlining tour beginning on July 20 in Santa Barbara, CA and running through August 3 in Salt Lake City, UT.

ONESIDEZERO is supporting its recently released Ulrich Wild-produced (STATIC-X, STABBING WESTWARD, TAPROOT) sophomore album, which was released through Corporate Punishment Records. The CD is the long awaited follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed 2001 debut "Is This Room Getting Smaller?", which saw the group tour with the likes of INCUBUS, 311, STATIC-X, and SOULFLY.

The album's first single, "My Confession", has been picking up steam at radio with the track receiving steady rotation on XM Radio's Squizz channel and Los Angeles-based KROQ.

ONESIDEZERO tour dates:

Jul. 20 - Velvet Jones, Santa Barbara CA
Jul. 26 - The Malibu Inn, Malibu CA
Jul. 27 - The Cheyanne Saloon, Las Vegas, NV
Jul. 28 - The Dome, Bakersfield, CA
Jul. 30 - The Boardwalk, Orangevale CA
Jul. 31 - El Carazon (Graceland), Seattle, WA
Aug. 01 - The Hawthorn Theatre, Portland, OR
Aug. 03 - Club Vegas, Salt Lake City, UT

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Brainstorm and Bassist Part Ways

After more than 15 years, Brainstorm and long time bass player Andreas Mailänder have decided to part ways.

"Since my working situation is not going to ease up in the long run I won't be able to combine it with the upcoming touring for the new BS release. I'm left with no choice but to leave Brainstorm...". You can read his full statement here.

Brainstorm are now in search of a new bassist to fill the vacant spot. If you think you are right for the job, send your application to info@brainstorm-web.net or to Metal Blade Records, attn. Brainstorm, P.O. Box 1332, D-73054 Eislingen, Germany.

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Listen To Slayer's "Final Six" Track Online

Slayer's "Christ Illusion Deluxe Edition" hits stores this Tuesday July 24th, featuring a totally new track entitled "Final Six," which they have posted on their MySpace for streaming.

The Deluxe Edition also includes an alternate version of "Black Serenade" as well as a bonus DVD called "Slayer on Tour '07." The DVD includes the "Eyes of the Insane" video; a live rendition of the band's 1988 LP track "South of Heaven" that was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, on last year's "Unholy Alliance" run; and a behind-the-scenes, five-minute documentary-style montage of footage shot earlier this year when the band performed in Florida and Australia.

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Hell Within Announces New Singer

Just a month after Hell Within vocalist Matt McChesney joined The Autumn Offering, and Hell Within subsequently announced that he was still a member of their band, the group has indeed announced the addition of a replacement. Now joining Hell Within on vocals is Brian Roy of Massachusetts. Here's a statement from the band:

Hell Within is proud to announce that we have a new singer. We would like to welcome Brian Roy as the new vocalist of Hell Within. Tony, Isaias, Joe and Derek are still friends and brothers with Matt as we always have been. We wish him the very best with his new project and future endeavors. Brian will be performing with Hell Within for their East Coast Tour making his debut on 7/28 at The ADC Center in Southbridge MA. Thanks to everyone for the support, we look forward to seeing you on the road."

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Desaster Finish Recording New Album

German black/thrashers DESASTER have finished recordings for their new, sixth album 666-Satan's Soldiers Syndicate. The album was recorded in the Harrows Studio, Holland (ASPHYX, PENTACLE, OCCULT, SOULBURN).

According to a press release, "666-Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate" again shows the band's typical thrashing, blacking riff metal without mercy - where there is no space for any innovation and modern elements! It’s what Desaster is all about: A Fist In Your Face Metal Attack! Beware and be prepared for sharp riffs, pounding drums, roaring bass and screaming hell."

"666-Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate" features guest appearances by Proscriptor (ABSU), A.A. Nemtheanga (PRIMORDIAL) and Ashmedi (MELECHESH).

"666 - Satan´s Soldiers Syndicate" will be released September, 7th (Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy) / September, 10th (rest of Europe).

The tracklisting for "666 - Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate" is:

1. Intro
2. Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate
3. Angel Extermination
4. Razor Ritual
5. Hellbangers
6. Fate Forever Flesh
7. Vile We Dwell
8. Tyrannizer
9. Venomous Stench
10. More Corpses For The Grave

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Terror Syndrome Post Final Sneak Peak Online

Terror Syndrome has checked in with the following:

"So another Terror Syndrome song has been put up for your listening pleasure ! We've put up "Revolving Horror", one of the bands favorite songs. This is an ass kicker of a song with punishing instrumentation and awesome vocals. I'm sure you guys will dig it."

Revolving Horror will be the sixth song the band has previewed after completing recording with several heavyweights such as Devin Townsend and Alex Skolnick, with One Crime Closer to Hell only being available for a short time. The band is soon to choose which label gets the pleasure of distributing their fall release "Stupidity for All". Stay tuned for more updates!

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Overkill Reveal New Album Title

New Jersey thrash metal legends OVERKILL, who recently inked a new deal with Bodog Music, will release their new studio album, entitled Immortalis, this fall.

The signing will reunite Overkill with Jonny and Marsha Zazula, previous owners of Megaforce Records, the label responsible for putting metal on the map and bringing Overkill's New Jersey thrash metal to the world. The Zazulas are now a part of the Bodog Music Team in the United States.

"Whoever said you can't go home again?" said Overkill frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth in a recent press release. "Well, whoever it was, they were wrong, as this reunites Overkill with their first and biggest supporters. Here we come - again!"

"I went to meet up with Overkill at their recent sold out show in NYC and they were better than ever," says Jonny Zazula. "They're heavy as hell and I loved it."

Since forming in 1980, Overkill has put out over 20 albums. Despite various lineup changes, the band has never gone on hiatus and has continued to stay true to the metal genre it helped create. With Megaforce Records and their management company, Crazed Management, the Zazulas were responsible for the early careers of such bands as METALLICA, ANTHRAX and MINISTRY, among many others.

"Now, as it was 20 years ago when we signed Overkill, I continue to have the utmost respect for what they have done," Marsha Zazula says.

The upcoming album and corresponding East Coast tour will feature Overkill's latest lineup, which along with Ellsworth, includes original bassist D.D. Verni, guitarists Derek "The Skull" Tailer and Dave Linsk, as well as the newest member to join the band, drummer Ron Lipnicki.

Ellsworth says Lipnicki "adds a new dimension of brutality to a proven formula. I was knocked on my ass by his talent. We look forward to debuting him on our upcoming Bodog Music release."

Overkill released three albums on Megaforce Records before making the jump to Atlantic Records where a string of critically-lauded albums, including 1991's quintessential Horroscope, solidified Overkill as one of the best metal bands of all time. In the past few years, the band has released such gems as Killbox 13 (2003) and ReliXIV (2005).

There are few names as well-respected as Overkill, and with the resurgence of metal in the music word, this band is poised to return to the top. Overkill is ready to show old metal heads they still have it and to teach the new schoolers exactly how it's done.

Overkill on tour:

October
4 - The Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
5 - Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
6 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
7 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
8 - Huntington Music Hall - Huntington, WV
9 - Rex Theater - Pittsburgh, PA
10 - The Muse - Nashville, TN
11 - The Mad Hatter - Covington, KY
12 - Al Rosa Villa - Columbus, OH
13 - Harpos Concert Theater - Detroit, MI
14 - The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
15 - The Rock - Maplewood, MN
16 - Reverb - Cedar Falls, IA
17 - Pops - Sauget, IL
18 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
19 - The Chance Theater - Poughkeepsie, NY
20 - Mark's Place - Bedford, NH
21 - BB King's - NYC, NY

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Distorted Sign to Candlelight Records

Distorted had signed a distribution deal with NMC Records (IL) and Bad Reputation (French label) for its debut album, which was released in May 2006 to great plaudits throughout the metal world. Their brand of progressive and melodic death metal found them being compared to bands of the quality of Dark Tranquility, Opeth and Nevermore, all encompassed within a middle eastern flavour thanks to the exotic vocals of lead vocalist Miri Milman.

To promote the release, the band continued to play in their home country and they also played outside of Israel for the first time - touring France, Belgium and Holland with Aborted during February 2007. The band’s next appearance outside their home country will be at the MFVF 5 (Metal Female Voices Festival) in Belgium which will take place at Wieze on 20th October 2007.

Distorted signed a three album, worldwide deal with Candlelight records in July 2007 and are presently working on their second album. Recording is set to start during the end months of 2007 for an early 2008 release.

Check out Distorted at their official MySpace here.

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Crionics "New Pantheon" Track, Tour Dates Online

Candlelight Records recently distributed the following press release:

"Blasting beats of Morbid Angel, mighty riffs of Dimmu Borgir – Crionics are ready to tear your flesh piece by piece with their chaotic and dangerous music. An outstanding Black / Death Metal release that should be part of any good collection. Check out the track 'New Panthoen' from the outstanding album 'Neuthrone' here.

Northern Assassination Tour 2007
Crionics + Krisiun + Rotting Christ + Incantation

August
07 - (UKR) - Red Alert Open Air (Metal Heads' Mission Fest.)
31 - (LI) Vilnus Mulen Ruzas
September
01 - (LT) Riga Melna Piektdiena
02 - (ES) Tallin Nomme Cult
04 - (FI) IN Turku Klubi
05 - (FI) Helsinki Nosturi
06 - (FI) Kuopio Henry's Pub
07 - (FI) Oulu tba
08 - (SE) Umea Midnight
09 - (NO) Trondheim @ Zone/Blaest
10 - (NO) Oslo @ Maiden
11 - (SE) Goteborg @ Belsepub
12 - (D) Kiel @ Pumpe
13 - (D) Hannover @ Headbanger Ballroom
14 - (D) Berlin @ K177

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New Omnum Gatherum Track Online

OMNIUM GATHERUM have uploaded a new song "Undertaker" from their latest album "Stuck Here On Snakes Way" to the band's MySpace site.

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Obituary Finalize Dates On Upcoming US Tour

Obituary have finalized dates on their upcoming US tour. Support for the shows will be Alabama Thunderpussy, Full Blown Chaos and Hemlock. The tour will be in immediate support of the band's new album, Xecutioner's Return, that is set to hit stores nationwide on 28th August. Candlelight Records, in cooperation with itunes, will release an advance single - the album track "Evil Ways," on 31st July. It will be the fans' first opportunity to hear the newly recorded material.

September
11 - (US) Jaxx Nite Club - Springfield VA
12 - (US) BB King Blues Club - New York NY
13 - (US) Funhaus - Toronto ON
15 - (US) ADC Performance Center - Southbridge MA
16 - (US) Club Infinity - Williamsville NY
19 - (US) Emerald Theatre - Mt. Clemens MI
20 - (US) Peabody's Down Under - Cleveland OH
21 - (US) The Rock - Maplewood MN
22 - (US) Indianapolis Metalfest - Indianapolis IN
24 - (US) Aztlan Theatre - Denver CO
26 - (US) House of Blues - Anaheim CA
28 - (US) Bourbon Street - Concord CA
30 - (US) Knitting Factory - Los Angeles CA
October
03 - (US) Emos - Austin TX
04 - (US) Granada Theatre - Dallas TX
05 - (US) Meridian - Houston TX
06 - (US) The Hangar - New Orleans LA

Interviews with the members of Obituary discussing Xecutioner's Return and the upcoming tour will be available next week.

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Blood Tsunami Replace Old at Hole in the Sky Fest

Blood Tsunami, the Oslo-based thrash metal band featuring drummer Bård G. Eithun (a.k.a. Faust; Scum, Aborym, ex-Emperor), have replaced German thrashers Old on the billing of the Hole in the Sky festival, set to take place 22nd - 25th August in Bergen, Norway.

Faust commented: "We really look forward to this event since Hole in the Sky has made itself one of the most important (metal) festivals in Norway and the atmosphere and vibe is totally cool in the west coast-located Bergen. We will play Thursday the 23rd of August and we really look foward to getting sweaty down at the Garage club."

The Hole in the Sky festival billing is as follows:

Wednesday, 22nd August: Day of Possession

IMMOLATION
MANNGARD
THE BATALLION
HELLDIVER
SLAVIA

Thursday, 23rd August: Suffer The Sky

NAPALM DEATH
SECRETS OF THE MOON
VREID
BLOOD TSUNAMI
DEATHCON

Friday, 24th August: Hole In The Wall

TESTAMENT
MAYHEM
ENTOMBED
BELPHEGOR
ANAAL NATHRAKH
MELECHESH

Saturday, 25th August: Unsilent Storms

IMMORTAL
KREATOR
SABBAT
DESTRÔYER 666
BLOODTHORN
NIFELHEIM

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New Zyklon Audio Interview Online

Revolution-Music.dk conducted an interview with ZYKLON at the Roskilde Festival, which took place 5th -8th July in Roskilde, Denmark. You can download and listen to the audio file at this location.

ZYKLON is the Norwegian band featuring EMPEROR members Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums). The group's third album, "Disintegrate," was released in May 2006 via Candlelight Records. The CD was recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio in Norway and was mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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Mithras Mastermind Launches Galactic Records

Founded by MITHRAS mastermind Leon Macey, Galactic Records launched in late 2006 and brought with it two exceptional debut releases from two very different artists: the UK's fastest-rising death metal contenders, Sarpanitum, and Welsh/Swedish atmospheric instrumental hybrid Sepia Dreamer.

"Sarpanitum are an anomaly in the UK death metal scene. Their debut for us, 'Despoilment Of Origin,' is a sophisticated and brutal release, and for such a young band, it's damn impressive!" says Leon of his first signing. "I was a big fan of Sepia Dreamer's first recording, 'Portraits Of Forgotten Memories,' and always believed that with a label brave enough to take the risk with a totally instrumental album they would go down really well with an extreme audience. 'The Sublime' isn't a shoe-gazing affair, but the emotional edge it displays should appeal to many as a welcome break from the barrage of blastbeats most extreme music fans have become accustomed to."

Leon also helped Sepia Dreamer realize "The Sublime" in a recorded format by lending his drumming skills on the album - which manifests itself in a very different style to that which he is used to with his own band MITHRAS. "It was a real challenge with just four hours available to lay down an album's worth of drumming for a style miles from my comfort zone, but I think it lends itself well to the music," he comments.

Both releases are distributed worldwide via the UK's largest independent music distributor, Plastic Head, and should be found lurking in a record shop near you! Releases are also available via the label's site: www.galacticrecords.co.uk. A track from Sarpanitum's album is included on Terrorizer's current issue and music from both bands can be heard through www.myspace.com/galacticrecords.

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Liferuiner Dropped by Rise Records

Several weeks after announcing a deal with Rise Records, Ontario's Liferuiner has been dropped by the label. The band comments:

"Some of you may have heard we signed to Rise Records. That was a very true statement, for about a week. Rise was incredibly excited, sent us a contract and we all signed it, but then later that week retracted the contract, saying they had heard rumours we were ruthless and a violent band. That being said, no we are not signed to Rise Records any longer. But hey it was a great week while it lasted. Don't think we're ready to throw in the towel! Because we are far from it. We're in talks with a label right now, and if all goes well we will update you very soon."

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Deeds Of Flesh Reveal New Album Title

US death metallers DEEDS OF FLESH have confirmed that the title of their forthcoming album is "Of What's To Come" and will be released in spring 2008 via Unique Leader.

The band are currently working on their new CD and that it will be, "over the top technical and will include a re-recorded version of 'Infecting Them With Falsehood' from Inbreeding the Anthropophagi. We will start recording in April for a summer release."

Deeds Of Flesh announced in March that founding bassist/vocalist Jacoby Kingston was retiring from the band and will be replaced by Erlend Caspersen from Norway. The band also recently confirmed that Sean Southern had been offered the full time duties as second guitar player in the band. He will be featured on the next album.

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Metal Makes More Appearances in Rock Games

With the gaming industry's biggest expo, E3, going on, there have been tons of new announcements as well as some back and forth between competition. The Neversoft-developed Guitar Hero III revealed the former Guns N' Roses/current Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash would rock on a variety of unlockable guitars. Original Guitar Hero developer Harmonix then fired back with the announcement that it will offer not just hit singles for gamers to play on their upcoming Rock Band game, but entire full-length albums from multiple labels.

The first band to receive the digital conversion will be classic British rockers The Who. Gamers will be able to form a virtual cover band playing guitar, hitting the drums, and singing along to the band's widely acclaimed 1971 album Who's Next. The album should hit soon after the game's release this fall, with new content planned on a weekly basis.

Harmonix also announced the first 15 songs from the retail edition of Rock Band. A glance at the list reveals a wide array of rock subgenres and decades represented, from David Bowie and Black Sabbath to The Hives and The Strokes.

Piling on the announcements, Harmonix also revealed that Steven Van Zandt had signed on to chief Rock Band's music advisory board. In addition to appearing in the HBO gangster drama The Sopranos, Van Zandt is a member of Bruce Springsteen backing band E Street Band. Van Zandt also hosts the weekly syndicated radio show Little Steven's Underground Garage, which showcases up-and-coming sub-genre rock bands, and is a program director for the Sirius Satellite Radio network.

Finally, Harmonix revealed the Grammy-winning "Enter Sandman" from Metallica's 1991 Black album will be included in Rock Band's initial lineup shipping with the game. Announced at the end of EA's press conference, Kathy Vrabeck also made mention that a "substantial" number of songs from Metallica's catalog are slated to appear in the game.

The first 16 songs from Rock Band are listed below: More...

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Javelina Signs To Translation Loss Records

Translation Loss Records has announced the signing of Philadelphia’s doom/sludge masters Javelina.

Javelina (pronounced ha-va-lE-na) started crafting their massive sound in October of 2005. Formed by ex-members of Philadelphia bands Lickgoldensky, SMUT and Otophobia/Endless Nightmare, they spent over a year crafting their sound before playing their first show. Javelina's sound embodies the massive sludgy nature of Buzzoven and Eyehategod with the raw punk intensity of His Hero Is Gone and the straightforward nature of High On Fire all wrapped up into one. Javelina will continue to write, record, and tour until they have nothing left to give.

You can hear demo versions of two songs from their upcoming Translation Loss debut due out in early 2008 on the band's MySpace page.

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The Blackout Argument "Decisions" Album Details

After the spring MCD-releases “Munich Angst” and “Munich Valor” on Bastardized Recordings and their very successful tour with BOY SETS FIRE in May, THE BLACKOUT ARGUMENT have now finished the works on their highly anticipated debut album “Decisions,” to be released September 10th, 2007 on Lifeforce Records.

Here is what guitarrist Christoph Zehetleitner had to say about the album:

"We are totally excited about finally having “Decisions” out in September! Since we started in 2006 everything went so fast and although we already made some amazing experiences with the band, we regard the release of our debut album as the first huge milestone in our history."

"We put in everything we had to make a killer album. The songs on “Decisions” are quite diversified, there’s tough hardcore songs, very catchy rock tunes but also some special tracks that underline the album concept. A good mixture of of all I would say. The final mix/master turned out amazing! Kohlekeller did a great job and gave “Decisions” a brilliant and powerfull sound that underlines both, the melodic and the heavy side of The Blackout Argument."

"To round everything up we asked Aaron / Sons of Nero to create the artwork and the result by far exceeded all our expectations. “Decisions” was always meant to be a concept album about making decisions and dealing with the consequences which is now perfectly displayed by Aaron’s dark and arcane comic-style art."

"We are more than happy with how “Decisions” turned out and can’t wait to hear the people’s reactions on it!"

“Decisions” features guest-appearances by Geert van der Velde (ex-Shai Hulud / Miscreants), Byron Davis (God Forbid) and Benni Buss (Flowing Tears). The Artwork created by infamous US design studio Sons Of Nero (Job For A Cowboy, Madonna, Unearth, etc.).

The album was recorded at Suiseidl Studios, mixed & mastered by Kristian “Kohle” Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studios.

THE BLACKOUT ARGUMENT will be touring on their “Autumn Arrogance Tour 2007” in late September. Tour dates to be announced soon.

Here is the complete tracklisting for THE BLACKOUT ARGUMENT's "Decisions":
More...

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Headline News

Girlschool Guitarist Passes Away

MOTÖRHEAD has issued the following update:

"It is with extreme sadness to inform you that Kelly Johnson, original lead guitarist of GIRLSCHOOL, passed away on Sunday night, 15th July. She has been suffering from spinal cancer for the last six years.

"Joining GIRLSCHOOL in 1978, Kelly was a face in the classic line-up alongside Kim McAuliffe (rhythm guitar, vocals), Enid Williams (bass, vocals) and Denise Dufort (drums). The band was an integral and major force in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, beginning with the release of its debut album, 'Demolition' (1980), and continuing with the follow-ups 'Hit 'n' Run' (1981) and 'Screaming Blue Murder' (1982). Kelly's participation also saw GIRLSCHOOL collaborating with MOTÖRHEAD under the name HEADGIRL for the 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' EP. Both bands appeared on the lead track 'Please Don't Touch' and covered each other's songs, GIRLSCHOOL choosing 'Bomber' and MOTÖRHEAD picking 'Emergency'.

"Watch the 'Please Don't Touch' (MOTÖRHEAD and GIRLSCHOOL) video at YouTube.

"Kelly originally left GIRLSCHOOL in 1984 after recording the band's fourth album, 'Play Dirty', to live in Los Angeles for the next ten years. She rejoined in 1993 and moved back to the U.K. In 2000, she decided to quit the music business for good after recording her final album with GIRLSCHOOL, 'Not That Innocent: 21st Anniversary' (2001), though always remained a close friend to the band.

"Kelly Johnson (RIP) will be missed heavy-heartedly by all. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends." More...

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Motley Crue To Begin New Album Near End Of Year

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has told MTV.com that the band should begin working on a new album, in earnest, toward the latter part of this year.

"We're always writing, but it will take its time," he explained. "MÖTLEY CRÜE is a big machine. It's like a barge. It takes a lot to turn it around and like with us, we just kind of do it and go, and with MÖTLEY, it's a slower move, but it's something I'm really proud of and something I plan on doing for a very long time."

In his upcoming book "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star", which hits stores on September 18, Sixx offers up an unflinching and rather disturbing look at his struggles with drug addiction. The tome — being issued through MTV/VH1 Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster — comes straight from the pages of the personal journal he kept between 1986-'87, at the height of the CRÜE's commercial success.

"It's given me some closure on a lot of different issues, to be able to discover, through the book, what was driving me, which was my teenage years," Sixx explained. "[I wanted] to be able to put closure on that — my going in, digging in the dirt so to speak and finding all the demons, and then having clarity on that to be able to sit down and just make music based on that clarity."

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Overkill Confirmed For Wacken Open Air 2007

According to a posting on OVERKILL's web site, the band has been confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2007 in Wacken, Germany. The festival billing is now shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

1349
ALL THAT REMAINS
AMORPHIS
ANIMAL ALPHA
BELPHEGOR
BENEDICTUM
BLACK MAJESTY
BLIND GUARDIAN
BLITZKRIEG
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHTHONIC
COMMUNIC
DESTRUCTION
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DIMENSION ZERO
DIMMU BORGIR
DIR EN GREY
DISILLUSION
DRONE
ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK
ENSLAVED
FAIR TO MIDLAND
FALCONER
FASTWAY
GRAVE DIGGER
GUTBUCKET
HAGGARD
HATESPHERE
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
IMMORTAL
IN FLAMES
J.B.O.
KAMPFAR
LACUNA COIL
LETZTE INSTANZ
MAMBO KURT
MAROON
MENDEED
MENNEN
MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO
MOONSORROW
MOONSPELL
MUNICIPAL WASTE
NAPALM DEATH
NARZISS
NEAERA
NORTHER
OVERKILL
PHARAO
POSSESSED
RAGE & LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTER
ROSE TATTOO
SABBAT
SACRED REICH
SAHG
SAMAEL
SAXON
SCHANDMAUL
SECRETS OF THE MOON
SODOM
SONIC SYNDICATE
STORMWARRIOR
STRATOVARIUS
SUBWAY TO SALLY
SUIDAKRA
SWALLOW THE SUN
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
THE SORROW
THE VISION BLEAK
THERION
TURBONEGRO
TURISAS
TYPE O NEGATIVE
TYR
UNHEILIG
VITAL REMAINS
VOLBEAT
W:O:A FIREFIGHTERS

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