Radiation 4 Goes On Hiatus

California's Radiation 4 is going on an indefinite hiatus. The band released an album with Abacus Recordings in 2003. Here's a statement from R4 singer Chris Negrete:

"This decision is was made amicably and stemmed from an mutual understanding of our individual ambitions, which cannot be achieved at this point in our musical career as a collective. We're going to be doing a "final show" in late Oct/Nov at Chain Reaction. This will probably be the last time you'll ever see us play live. R4 will do a final recording in September with Josh Newell, which will consist of a few new ones, and a very special track. Expect this to all come out on a 12" that we will be releasing.

As far as the future is concerned for us beyond that point, Aaron and Jon will be doing family, while Jose and myself (Chris) have plans to hook up with Demian and Shane of Playing Enemy. This new aural assault will be forthcoming under the name Playing Doctor (aren't we clever?).

Our deepest thanks go out to all of you for giving us your support and sharing in the best of times."

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Ensiferum Plan Studio Time In November

Finnish folk-influenced melodic death metal band ENSIFERUM will enter the studio in November to begin recording their third album for a tentative February 21, 2007 release through Spinefarm Records.

ENSIFERUM recently entered the Music DVD chart in their home country at position No. 2 with their "10th Anniversary Live" (Spinefarm) effort. The disc was recorded at the band's 10th-anniversary celebration concert, which took place December 31, 2005 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.

ENSIFERUM, who feature in their ranks NORTHER frontman Petri Lindroos, released an EP, entitled "Dragonheads", in February via Spinefarm. The mini-CD was recorded and mixed in November at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. It contains one new track, new studio recordings of several old demo songs, and a couple of traditional Finnish folk covers.

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Demonical Provide Update, Still Seeking Vocalist

DEMONICAL, the new Swedish death metal act featuring three former CENTINEX members, have issued the following update:

"Welcome to the temporary website of the new - formed in March 2006 after the demise of Centinex - Swedish death horde Demonical. We are working on a full site but while doing that, we will present all the latest propaganda here.

The first audio assault has now been unleashed, this being the Bloodspell Divine promo attack. Four tracks of furious Swedish hellfire recorded at Necromorbus Studios (WATAIN, ONDSKAPT, MORK GRYNING).

Tracklisting: 'Revel In Misanthropia', 'Unholy Desecration', 'Feeding The Armageddon', 'Leipzig 1945'.

Demonical are currently negotiating with record labels and looking for a permanent vocalist. If you think you have the guts to stand at the frontline then get in touch now."

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MTV Shares Their Top Ten Greatest Metal Bands

MTV Overdrive has a feature on the debate that took place when MTV set out to come up with the top ten greatest metal bands list. Here's a summary of the process:

"We reached out to the most passionate and knowledgable metal fans working at MTV and asked them to send us their individual picks for the 10 greatest, with the only criteria being "whatever greatness means to you." Some feel that the influence a band had on others is the most important factor in judging greatness; others say the strength of the albums is the primary concern; and some believe the power of a band's live performance is the ultimate measure. We did not care what each participants criteria was; we only asked them to vote from their hearts."

"In part two, we gathered everyone together, showed them the results, and asked them to either stand by it, or change it as they saw fit, the only rule being that a majority had to vote in favor of every change. The discussion and debate over the rankings is what you see in the Overdrive show."

"In such debate lies much geekdom and fun, and MTV's metal brain trust — our panel of experts, consisting of nine die-hard, longtime fans — had a blast conjuring and debating this list."

The resulting list of the greatest metal bands follows, but be sure to check out the video because it was actually an interesting discussion.

1. Black Sabbath
2. Judas Priest
3. Metallica
4. Iron Maiden
5. Pantera
6. Slayer
7. AC/DC
8. Motorhead
9. Kiss
10. Motley Crue

Read the full article at MTV.com.

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7 Angels 7 Plagues Reunion Show Details

Details have been finalized for next weekends 7 Angels 7 Plagues reunion show. The event will take place at KC's in Fredericksburg, VA. Additional information and tickets can be found here. Here's the line-up:

7 Angels 7 Plagues
Fear Before the March of Flames
The Number Twelve Looks Like You
Suicide Silence
Too Pure to Die
Ed Gein
All Shall Perish
HeavyHeavyLowLow
Nights Like These
Spitfire
Light This City
The Jonbenet
This Time It's War
Shroud of Turin
Left to Vanish
Forever in Despair
Another Born Without
Adonis Decay
Face the Facts
Immure
Screwtape
The Bastille
In Alcatraz 1962
We Were Gentlemen
Amicus
Kill the Silent

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Deadlock Working On New Album

Following the 2005 release of their Lifeforce Records debut "Earth.Revolt," Deadlock have started work on the yet-untitled follow-up to be released in spring 2007. Here's a statement from the band:

"After a very busy and successful first half of 2006, we're now taking a little break to work on the last songs for our new album. We already finished

songwriting for 8 songs and it's time to herald the final stage, so that we're ready for recording as soon as possible. We plan to complete eleven tracks for the album and maybe the one or other surprise/bonus.

The new songs really rock our asses and we´re sure to write the best DL-album so far. We will continue the path that we started with our first album in 2002. You can expect the next step of virtous keyboard overkills, bombastic orchestral stuff and fast Lead-attacks."

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Morbid Angel Excited About European Tour

Morbid Angel are about to descend upon European shores to pass over venues bringing death metal. Morbid Angel and World Management would like to welcome back special guest guitarist Erik Rutan! This will certainly be an exciting event with the "Domination" line-up together for the first time in 10 years! We look forward to seeing you all on tour.

August

05 WACKEN OPEN AIR - WACKEN, GERMANY
07 MONSTERS OF ROCK FESTIVAL - KAVARNA, BULGARIA
11 AT TRAUN Spinnerei
12 BRUTAL ASSAULT FESTIVAL - SVOJSICE, CZECH REPUBLIC
14 PLANET MUSIC - VIENNA, AUSTRIA
15 SZIGET FESTIVAL - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
16 SKC - BELGRADE, SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
18 SUMMER BREEZE FESTIVAL - DINKELSBUEHL-SINBRONN, GERMANY
19 BE SINT-LIEVENS HOUTEM CC De Fabrik
20 013 - TILBURG, HOLLAND
22 MEAN FIDDLER - LONDON, ENGLAND
24 HOLE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL - BERGEN, NORWAY
26 UP FROM THE GROUND OPEN AIR - GEMUNDEN AM MAIN, GERMANY

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Black Label Society Move Up Release Date

Great news for all chapters of the Black Label Society. The new album, Shot To Hell is going to be released a little earlier than expected. A whole week earlier, to be exact!

The new arrival date for Shot To Hell is Tuesday, September 12th.

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Dark Funeral Announce Tour

DARK FUNERAL, ENSLAVED, and ABIGAIL WILLIAMS will team up to kick off the new year with a US tour. The first date to be revealed is as follows:

January 9 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx

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Metal Church To Release New DVD

According to MTV.com, a new DVD series called "Dynamo Classic Concert 1991" will launch this fall via Escapi Music with a performance by METAL CHURCH filmed that year at the Dynamo Open Air Festival in Eindhoven, Holland. Other bands that played Dynamo that year include ARMORED SAINT, MORBID ANGEL, EXTREME, OBITUARY, PRIMUS and SAIGON KICK. The METAL CHURCH DVD is scheduled for release October 10.

METAL CHURCH's latest album, "A Light in the Dark", was released in Europe on June 19 (June 27 in the U.S.) via SPV. The CD includes a new version of the classic "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, who doubled as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, had previously promised an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical METAL CHURCH tracks. "Before our new drummer Jeff Plate joined the band, I would have claimed that the new album will be a traditional heavy metal album through and through," he said. "Now I'm not so sure we may end up experimenting with the odd unusual idea, but we'll stay within the framework defined by the band's history. 'A Light in the Dark' will represent what the name METAL CHURCH has been standing for for the last twenty years."

METAL CHURCH's current band lineup consists of Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and Jeff Plate (drums).

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This Ending Finishes Debut Album

THIS ENDING, the Stockholm, Sweden-based band formerly known as THE PLAGUE (they had to change their name due to legal reasons), has written five new songs for its full-length debut, which they expect to begin recording late August at Offbeat studio for a tentative early 2007 release through Metal Blade Records. New songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Pitch Black" and "Armageddon".

Formed in 2005, THIS ENDING existed in a previous incarnation as A CANOROUS QUINTET. After several years of absence from the metal scene the guys decided that the time was right for a new era. Members of the band are/have been active in the following acts: AMON AMARTH, GUIDANCE OF SIN, NIDEN DIV. 187 and SINS OF OMISSION, among others.

THIS ENDING is:

Mårten Hansen - Vocals
Leo Pignon - Guitar
Linus Nirbrant - Guitar
Jesper Löfgren - Bass
Fredrik Andersson – Drums

For more information, visit www.thisending.com.

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Crucifist Finishes Recording Debut Album

Rochester, New York-based "'70s black metal" band CRUCIFIST — which features in its ranks bassist Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH, THE RAVENOUS) as well as Mike Waske (drums ORODRUIN), John Gallo (guitar ORODRUIN, BLIZARO) and Ron Blackwell (vocals) — has completed the initial recording sessions for its debut album. The CD will now be mixed and mastered prior to release. The tentative track listing is as follows:

01. Intro
02. Putrid Mother Lode
03. Witchgrip
04. Skull-Smashing Face-Ripping Death
05. Honor
06. Demon-Haunted World
07. Curse of the Plasma Hound
08. Tumefaction
09. Anus Mundi
10. Angel of Death (ANGEL WITCH cover)

CRUCIFIST currently has the following live shows scheduled:

Jul. 29 - Toronto, Canada - Smiling Buddha Bar (w/ RAMMER, DEMONTAGE, MANIAC)
Aug. 12 - Detroit, MI - 2500 Club (Detroit Death Fest)
Nov. 07 - Rochester, NY - Penny Arcade (w/ CELTIC FROST, GOATWHORE)

For more information, visit Crucifist.com.

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Slayer Drummer Slams Shadows Fall Drummer

Cam Lindsay of Canada's Exclaim! magazine recently conducted an interview with SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Exclaim!: What are your current fixations?

Lombardo: "Right now it's music and it's been that for a while: rhythm and music, immersing myself in as much good stuff as possible. There's a Bulgarian band TARAF DE HAIDOUKS and their album 'Band of Gypsies'. Their music is fast and resembles the intensity and the speed of SLAYER. It's a whole different genre, gypsy folk music. But let me tell you, it's some of the fastest stuff that I've ever heard in my life. I'm just intrigued by these guys who enjoy playing fast like we do, so there's a common thread there. It gives you a good rush."

Exclaim!: What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?

Lombardo: "In Paris at a jazz festival. I played there with John Zorn and Bill Laswell, the dub producer, and Fred Frith, the guitar player/sound effects guy. We did an improv there that brought the people to their feet — it was just amazing. We clicked so well that night that I don't think it was ever recreated again. That showed what could come out from your inside naturally — a musical experience that only happens not very often."

Exclaim!: What have been your career highs and lows?

Lombardo: "Career lows would probably be leaving SLAYER and starting my next band [GRIP INC.]. When I was trying to think of what kind of music I was going to do. I didn't know, so it took four or five years till I released 'Power of Inner Strength'. I think I've been consistently at a high point since 1999, at least personally I feel like I've been up there since then, when FANTÔMAS started. The one year [1999] that I did 'Vivaldi: The Meeting', which was me playing drums to some chamber instruments and soprano singers, I did FANTÔMAS, TESTAMENT, GRIP INC. and I released my drum methods book. Ever since that point I got to a certain height and I think I'm still up there, which is kind of cool."

Exclaim!: What's the meanest thing ever said to you before, during or after a gig?

Lombardo: "The meanest thing that was done to me was being tackled by security guards at L'Amour in Brooklyn in, I don't know what year, 1985 or '86? I was with the crowd, throwing my sticks and pretending I was going to jump in the crowd, and the security guys came up and just grabbed me. I kept fighting them away, we knocked down these Marshall stacks and we got down to the floor and he let me go. I said, 'You son of a bitch, I'm in the band!' and he turned around and punched me in the face. That's the worst situation that ever happened to me."

Exclaim!: What should everyone shut up about?

Lombardo: "I'm trying to watch my words; this is a hard one. Jason Bittner. SHADOWS FALL. Sorry, I just have two drum magazines here and I guess he's getting a good profile. I've known him for years, ever since he was a little kid. But come on!"

Exclaim!: What traits do you most like and most dislike about yourself?

Lombardo: "I drink a lot of coffee and Red Bull so I'm bubbly. I like that trait. I hate when I have bad days. I don't react well."

Exclaim!: What advice should you have taken, but did not?

Lombardo: "To stay in technical drafting. No, probably to learn the piano when I was a kid. I don't know it fluently, but I can play it and make up my own stuff. When you're a child you've learned all the hard stuff that you don't want to remember now. At that time, you're like a sponge so you remember everything that you're taught. And then it becomes second nature when you're an adult.

Exclaim!: What are your feelings on piracy, Internet or otherwise?

Lombardo: "It sucks if you don't write any of the music because those musicians get royalties from the whole record being sold. So, I think downloads do suck."

Exclaim!: What makes you want to take it off and get it on?

Lombardo: "My wife does, man. My wife Theresa, man, she really makes me want to take it off and get it on. I'll see her up in Vancouver and I already have a boner."

Exclaim!: What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?

Lombardo: "There was a time where I met Bono [from U2] that was really funny he was with Gwen Stefani. I walked up to him and said, 'Hey, I'm Dave Lombardo from SLAYER.' And he goes, 'You're the drummer, right?' I go, 'Yeah.' Then he just says, 'Oh…' And that was it."

Read the entire interview at www.exclaim.ca.

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Vinne Paul Announces No Chance To Work With Phil

Joseph Rose of Crave Music recently conducted an interview with former PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Crave Music: Do you ever get a chance to just go back and listen to the PANTERA albums? Do you have a favorite one?

Vinnie Paul: "My favorite one is 'Vulgar Display Of Power'. That's the one that really launched everything. I think it's the best songs we ever wrote, and it was just a record that came at a time when we just finished our first world tour, we were so hungry and so fuckin' into everything that we were doing, and we wanted to make the best album ever. And to me that is the very best PANTERA record ever. I feel like we did a great job on all of em, but that one had all the magic, man."

Crave Music: What was it about PANTERA that made it so special to such a large audience? Certainly more than your average metal band.

Vinnie Paul: "I think it was a bunch of things. We were a band of fans. We loved all the other kinds of music that was out. We didn't feel like we were competing with 'em you know. We just wanted to be fans and friends with them, and I think our musicianship was a little bit of a level up from a lot of bands. We spent seven years in night clubs playing cover tunes, and we could play anything from VAN HALEN to METALLICA to PRIEST, I mean all our favorite bands. We really knew our instruments well and we felt like we could put a lot into our songs that maybe other bands couldn't and that just kinda made it more special. And then just like with any band, it happened to have the right chemistry with the people in it."

Crave Music: Is there anything at all that Phil Anselmo could possibly do, to make amends with you on a personal level? Or is that out of the question?

Vinnie Paul: "Absolutely not. That's it."

Crave Music: Are there any newer bands out right now that interest you?

Vinnie Paul: "I think there's some cool bands out there. There's a band called 69 EYES from Finland who's a cool band. It's a little different than what I always listen to. It's kind of a cross between TYPE O NEGATIVE and BILLY IDOL, and I'm a huge fan of both of them. DISTURBED is probably one of my favorite modern metal bands out there. They do a really good job, and David Draiman is kind of a modern-day Rob Halford… he has it all he can do all sorts of great things with his voice. Those are the main ones. I think SLIPKNOT is fuckin' incredible, I love everything they do. It's almost like a modern-day KISS so to speak."

Crave Music: Who is your favorite drummer of all time?

Vinnie Paul: "The dude that made me wanna play double bass was Tommy Aldridge. The first time I ever heard him play all those triplet bass drum fills on 'Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)' by PAT TRAVERS, it just freaked me out and I had to go get another bass drum. PAT TRAVERS, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, TED NUGENT, you go down the list, he's played with all these people and he's still goin'. The dude's like 58 years old and still can play circles around 98% of the people that play drums today."

Crave Music: What do you think of the current crop of new heavy bands in general? The kind of bands that are getting airplay on "Headbanger's Ball", for example?

Vinnie Paul: "I think the biggest problem I have is that I miss the groove. It's all about as fast as you can go and all the double bass. The way I approached double bass is that if you saved it and used at certain parts of the songs, you really get that thunder that you're looking for, that boost that pushes the music over the top. But if you start every song with it and it goes like that all the time it doesn't have that effect. That's what I miss with these bands, they all have the big yelling and the same double bass on everything. What ever happened to the groove and some dynamics? I'm not against 'em because I think they're great players, but I'd just like to see 'em groove more."

Read the entire interview at www.craveonline.com.

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Into Eternity Comments On Gigantour

Canada's progressive metal band INTO ETERNITY has been confirmed for this year's Gigantour set tok kick off in September. INTO ETERNITY guitarist Tim Roth said of the honor, "We are extremely blown away at the chance to tour with this great festival. When INTO ETERNITY was formed, a tour with MEGADETH was always a goal of mine. I didn't actually think nine years later we would be playing arenas with them. INTO ETERNITY would like to give extra thanks to MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover for going to bat and putting in some good words for us. See you out there!"

INTO ETERNITY's new CD, "The Scattering of Ashes", is scheduled for release in Europe on September 25 via Century Media Records. The CD was mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ARCH ENEMY).

INTO ETERNITY's new CD will mark the group's first release with vocalist Stu Block, who was previously a member of Vancouver's OMEGA CROM. The band's third album, "Buried in Oblivion", was released in February 2004 through Century Media Records.

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Korn Ready To Launch Family Values Tour Tomorrow

Launch Radio Networks reports: It's still over three months until Election Day, but the Family Values crowd is on the move. KORN resurrects the tour of that name tomorrow (Saturday, July 29) in Antioch, Tennessee, with a line-up featuring DEFTONES, 10 YEARS, STONE SOUR, FLYLEAF and others. This will be KORN singer Jonathan Davis' first live excursion since a blood infection felled him in Europe last month, and he told launch he's chomping at the bit. "We're just gonna go out there and rock the house," he said. "I think I'm gonna be extra hungry 'cause it was taken away from me from Europe, so it's gonna be good. Production-wise, I mean, it's gonna be different, it'll be cool. I mean, we've got stripper poles, wading pools, paintball gun fields, all kinds of crazy, weird s*** that we're gonna be doing in each town, so it should be good."

Davis spent much of the last month recovering from the rare, potentially fatal disorder that forced KORN to cancel most of its European tour in June.

The first Family Values package debuted in 1998 and featured RAMMSTEIN, LIMP BIZKIT, ICE CUBE and ORGY in addition to KORN. Two later editions, in 1999 and 2001, included acts like STAIND, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, LINKIN PARK, FILTER and METHOD MAN.

This summer's tour is offering lawn tickets for a mere $9.99 at each stop. Davis said that the group's recent partnership with the Live Nation concert organization is allowing them to keep prices down.

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New Ozzy Osbourne Album ??

Ozzy Osbourne has told Reuters that he is working on two new albums and the first one could be ready by February.

"I don't want to release an album if it's not a great album," Ozzy said.

"I primarily write an album for myself, and if the world likes it, great," he said. "I'm just hoping that I can get a good couple of albums out."

Osbourne was cautious about when the album would be ready, but his wife, Sharon, who is also his manager, said "hopefully" it would released in February.

The self-proclaimed "Prince of Darkness" said he was working on the two albums with guitarist Zakk Wylde, whose band BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is one of the main acts in Osbourne's annual hard-rock traveling festival, Ozzfest.

"I can't say anything about the songs," Osbourne said at an event in New York to launch a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt to raise money for his wife's cancer charity.

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Pro-Pain Frontman Arrested

According to the web site of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, PRO-PAIN frontman and CRUMBSUCKERS bassist Gary Meskil was arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23 on a battery charge. Gary and some of the other members of the CRUMBSUCKERS were allegedly involved in a fight at the Paddy Wagon Irish pub in Sarasota, Florida after a night of rehearsal for their upcoming reunion show and Meskil was placed under arrest at 2:49 a.m., according to the official Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrest report. Gary was booked at 4:54 a.m. and his bond was set at $750. He was released at 6:44 a.m.

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Draiman Wants To Wipe Out Hezbollah

Megan O'Toole of ChartAttack.com reports:

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman is an Israeli. His brother is in Jerusalem, and he has family in Haifa as well. One friend has been killed, another injured, and his frustration with the conflict between Israel and Lebanon is clear. So, too, is his allegiance.

"If Lebanon can't get rid of the Hezbollah threat, Israel is forced to do what it must. I don't think you'll see another nation in history that's had to deal with what Israel has had to deal with... There's only so far you can be pushed. Ultimately, [Hezbollah] committed an act of war: they crossed the border and kidnapped soldiers.

"I think we should wipe them all out — every terrorist, every war-mongering piece of garbage. We should congregate them all on one island and nuke it. A line must be drawn."

But Draiman's only telling me this because I asked. He's not the type of singer to stand on stage and deliver a monologue encapsulating his political opinions, especially on such a sensitive matter.

"I'm not there to preach," he says. "I'm not there to give people a reason to feel downtrodden.

"If people delve deep enough [into the music], the meaning is there for them to find."

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Nick Barker Jams With Testament

Former CRADLE OF FILTH/DIMMU BORGIR and current BENEDICTION drummer Nick Barker joined TESTAMENT on stage for a special rendition of the Bay Area thrash classic "Over the Wall" during their headlining appearance at Rio's in Bradford, England on Tuesday, July 25. Watch a low-quality video clip of the performance at YouTube.com.

TESTAMENT was forced to cancel its July 26 show at JB's in Dudley, England due to "time and mechanical issues with the tour bus they are using," according to an official statement from the band. The group is scheduled to perform at the Metalway Festival in Jerez, Spain on Friday, July 28.

As previously reported, TESTAMENT drummer Louie Clemente is unable to perform with the band on the upcoming shows in July/August due to "medical reasons." Filling in for Louie is Paul Bostaph (ex-SLAYER) — a former member of TESTAMENT for a brief period starting around February 2004, who had also previously played several live dates with the group in 1992 and appeared on the band's 1993 live EP, "Return to the Apocalyptic City".

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Carnivore's First Official US Tour

CARNIVORE has scheduled the following dates in September:

Sep. 02 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Sep. 06 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club

As previously reported, CARNIVORE will perform a special warm-up show tonight (July 28) at Fontana's (web site) in New York City. They will be appearing under the name THE BENSONHOIST LESBIAN CHOIR and will be hitting the stage at midnight. Also appearing on the bill are BLUE FIRE, MACHETE, THC and JESUS KNEVIL. A flyer for the show can be found at this location.

CARNIVORE 2006 lineup:

Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - Vocals, Bass
Paul Bento (METAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION) - Guitar, Vocals
Joey Zampela (LIFE OF AGONY) - Guitar, Vocals
Steve Tobin (METAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, ex-DUST TO DUST) - Drums, Vocals

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Inside the Band : Antiproduct

The Members of AntiProduct, on their recent return from recording and networking with the Rich and Powerful in Los Angeles, were stopped on their arrival into Heathrow Int'l Airport by Customs Agents in the 'Nothing To Declare' lane. What the band had failed to mention in their arrival documents were the 600 red and black striped Jungle Rocket vibrators they were carrying in their suitcases, courtesy of their good friends at www.goodvibes.com, sponsors of the First Official Masturbate-a-thon in London on August 5, promoting Safe Sex. The airport all but came to a standstill when the customs dude got to suitcase number three with all the vibrators in it, like in that Western when the bad guys ride into town. It took all of singer A. Product's Chicago bullshitting skills to talk the band's way outta the mess. But more than that, the looks on the tourists passing us by were priceless, with all these vibrators and their attachments spilling like little hand grenades. One Japanese couple actually threw themselves on the floor, screaming! Using the desperate ploy of telling the absolute truth, the band were eventually able to make clear that the vibrators are part of a upcoming promotional campaign , heralding the release of the AntiProduct's version of the Beach Boys' classic 'Good Vibrations', and not the weaponry of terrorism either through violence or the sale of black market sex toys. After the band's release it was reported that several of the vibrators had gone walkies, and one female and two male Customs Agents were seen with knowing grins!"

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Stuck Mojo Guitarist Reveals Problems

Stuck Mojo guitarist Rich Ward has rejected as "dishonest and absurd" ex-Stuck Mojo frontman Bonz' claim that Ward is "maiming my character and going all out to justify his actions."

In a statement released recently, Ward said that Bonz' refusal to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation effectively meant that "he would need to step down" as the band's vocalist. "Everyone from the band, crew, management and those on our extended team felt that this was too big of a risk to take when the careers and livelihoods of everyone involved was at stake to varying degrees," Ward wrote. "To gamble the band's future on someone who is the source of such instability is not an option anymore."

Responding to Ward's words, Bonz sent a lengthy statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET yesterday (Tuesday, July 25), in which he said in part, "I admit I do need some help, but the picture Rich Ward has painted of me as the uncontrollable Sid Vicious of the day is far from accurate. Until I can check into a program that can help me live an alcohol-free life, I will surround myself with positive influences who want happiness and success for me. I'm saddened by the statements posted by Rich and wonder why he is maiming my character and going all out to justify his actions. We could have made this very easy and professional instead of an assassination of Bonz, one half of Stuck Mojo."

In a posting on his official forum, Ward commented on Bonz' statement, saying, "[This was brought] to my attention [last night] and it's just sad. Part of me wants to respond to this just to expose how dishonest and absurd his post is. To dispute that I have gone out of my way to make his exit as painless as possible for him is just bizarre. Everyone knows that there is more to the story, but as I stated, I view this as a private matter and I don't want to throw the guy under the bus and then bury him on Main Street. Drugs and alcohol are at the core of Bonz' problem, but it's his actions while on them that has brought an end to our working relationship. There are members of our road crew who do drugs and not just weed my friends. But they work hard, do their job and it doesn't turn them into people that no one wants to be around. So, I don't care. It's their business, until it negatively affects the people around them. Then I care. It seems like such a simple concept to grasp and yet, so many people still think that 'Rich just don't like Bonz 'cause he likes to party.' Frickin' retards."

STUCK MOJO recently completed work on its new album, "Southern Born Killers", at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, U.K. with producer Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS).

Joining Ward and Bonz in STUCK MOJO's current recording lineup are FOZZY/DUKE bassist Sean Delson and the band's latest addition, drummer Eric Sanders.

"Southern Born Killers" is tentatively scheduled for release in late 2006/early 2007 through an as-yet-undetermined label. The band was previously signed to Century Media Records.

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Headline News

Twelve Arrested At Wisconsin Ozzfest

There are reports that authorities have arrested 12 people on state charges at Saturday's (July 22) Ozzfest, an all-day heavy-metal music festival at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin.

Five people were charged with disorderly conduct, two with battery and two for trespassing. Individuals were also charged with possession of cocaine, bail jumping and having an outstanding warrant.

Patrol deputies issued 59 tickets, 19 for possession of marijuana and 13 for underage possession of alcohol. Fifteen speeding tickets were also handed out. Various other tickets were for disorderly conduct, trespassing, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating after revocation and other traffic offenses.

The Walworth County Drug Unit seized 193 grams of marijuana and about two grams of cocaine. Drug Unit officers cited 66 for possession of marijuana, 13 for possession of drug paraphernalia and three for disorderly conduct.

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More Hatebreed, Napalm Death Dates

More dates have been released for the upcoming tour featuring HATEBREED, NAPALM DEATH, EXODUS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DESPISED ICON, and FIRST BLOOD:

September 3 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium*
September 4 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx*
September 5 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
September 6 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
September 8 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
September 10 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom*
September 14 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
September 15 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's
September 16 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
September 17 - Huntington, WV @ Huntington Music Hall
September 19 - Chcicago, IL @ House of Blues
September 20 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
September 22 - Milwaukee, WI @ @ Eagles Club

* = have since been removed from where the date was originally listed.

An official/complete list of dates is expected to be revealed shortly.

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Poisonblack Set To Support Lacuna Coil

Finland’s POISONBLACK will support LACUNA COIL on their highly anticipated European tour to present their upcoming album “Lust Stained Despair” live. POISONBLACK’s new masterpiece “Lust Stained Despair” was mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL) at Antfarm Studios and is due to hit UK shops September 4th 2006.

POISONBLACK was founded by Ville Laihiala, the voice of the legendary, but now defunct SENTENCED, the founders of melancholy-driven Finnish rock that had several number one singles and gold albums in Finland.

Expect their ever-so slightly raunchy video for the track ‘Rush’ to be available very soon.

Check them out live on tour with LACUNA COIL this October.

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Devils Whorehouse To Record New Album

After a lengthy hiatus, DEVILS WHOREHOUSE - the [MISFITS inspired] "horror-death rock" side-project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Hokansson - has decided to record a follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2003 effort, "Revelation Unorthodox". Rehearsals for the upcoming album have begun but nothing has yet been decided with regards to a recording date. The band has also been offered an opportunity to make music for various film projects. The group's lineup will be more or less the same as on that on "Revelation Unorthodox" except that Morgan will be handling the bass duties as well. The upcoming CD will be released through Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records in Europe and a yet-to-be-determined label in the U.S.

DEVILS WHOREHOUSE is:
Zwedda - Vocals
Hrafn - Drums
Morgan - Guitar/Bass

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Brand New Sin Post Acoustic Clip Of "Crank It Up"

Brand New Sin have posted a clip of an acoustic version of their track "Crank it Up" online here. The track, which is the theme music for the WWE's "Big Show", can be purchased at WWE.com.

As previously reported, Brand New Sin have announce the title of their upcoming album as "Tequila", which will be released on October 3.

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Eighteen Visions Debut At No. 74, Other Notables

Eighteen Visions new self-titled album debuted at No. 74 with 11,000 units, Black Stone Cherry's self-titled debut sold 10,000 units giving them the No. 90 slot. Helmet's 'Monochrome' sold a disappointing 5,500 units giving it the No. 159 slot.

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Scent Of Flesh Part With Vocalist

Finnish brutal death metallers SCENT OF FLESH have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Niko Ahokas [vocals] is no more a member of SCENT OF FLESH. This decision was made because of his lack of motivation. We're not looking for a new vocalist, and from now on all vocals will be done by Matti Viisainen, who has earlier been the band's backing vocalist. We apologise all who think this sucks it wasn't an easy decision. Still, show must go on. Wish you well, Niko."

SCENT OF FLESH had previously released two full-length albums — "Roaring Depths of Insanity" (2003, Black Lotus Records) and "Valour in Hatred" (2004, Firebox Records) — plus a four-song EP, "Become Malignity" (2005, Firebox Records).

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Seemless Announce August Tour Dates

Seemless will hit in early-August in support of their upcoming Equal Vision Records release. The following dates have been confirmed thus far:

8/4 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
8/5 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
8/8 Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
8/10 Baltimore, MD @ Club Mate
8/13 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
8/15 Traverse City, MI @ Streeters
8/16 Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere's
8/17 Columbia Heights, MN @ Star Central
8/18 Rockford, IL @ Elixur
8/19 Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
8/23 Lancaster, PA @ Crocodile Rock
8/25 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights
8/26 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
8/30 Orono, ME @ Ushuaia
8/31 Bedford, NH @ Mark's Showplace

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Naglfar In Writing Mode

Swedish black metal titans NAGLFAR have posted the following message on their official web site:

"NAGLFAR has now officially entered writing mode. Thus [they have entered] the Wolf's Lair studio on Monday, July 17 to start working with the pre-production of the follow-up album to last year's 'Pariah'. Some new songtitles to be expected on the upcoming album are: 'The Way of the Rope', 'Odium Generis Humani' and 'Prayer of Cain'. Also, NAGLFAR will be making two festival appearances this summer on Swedish Gates of Metal, as well as Party.San in Germany. Be sure to be there."

NAGLFAR's latest album, "Pariah", is available now on Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sheol" was previously described in a Century Media press release as "a flawless work of iniquitous hell-spawned art filled with raging guitar riffs, bludgeoning drums, demonic vocals, that combine with haunting melodies to capture hell's eternal depravity."

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Ribspreader Sign To VIC Records And Post MP3

RIBSPREADER, the Swedish old-school death metal band featuring guitarist/vocalist/bassist Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER, CARVE, HUMANITY DELETE), has posted a song from its upcoming album, "Serenity in Obscenity", at its MySpace page. You can check out the track 'The Day It All Ended' here.

RIBSPREADER recently signed a one-album deal with the reactivated Dutch label VIC Records. The group's sole release for the label, "Serenity in Obscenity", features "killer" artwork/layout by Juan Castellano, who has previously worked with VOMITORY and INCANTATION, among others. There will be 10 songs on the album, which was mixed and mastered by producer Dan Swanö. A split seven-inch single with Spanish grind/crust masters MACHETAZO will also follow later in the year. The CD version of the single will be issued in early 2007 and will feature bonus tracks from both bands.

In other news, the Japanese grind label Obliteration Records will release a compilation CD of old and new previously unreleased RIBSPREADER material on August 1. Titled "Rancid Rants and Rotten Rhythms", the collection will contain "more grind-oriented material that never made it onto any of the album, or material simply recorded in the years before the band debuted in the album format," according to the group.

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Jucifer Unveil More Album Details and Tour Dates

Super sonic rock duo JUCIFER prepare for the release of its long-awaited new record If Thine Enemy Hunger and subsequent touring.

JUCIFER will see the release of If Thine Enemy Hunger, the band’s first for Relapse, on September 5th in North American (September 11th internationally). If Thine Enemy Hunger’s track listing is as follows: “She Tides”, “Deep”, “Centaalia”, “Lucky Ones Burn”, “Hennin Hardine”, “Antietam”, “My Benefactor”, “Four Suns”, “Pontius of Palia”, “Backslider”, “Luchamos”, “Ludlow”, “The Plastic Museum”, “In A Family Way”, “Medicated” and “Led”. An e-card previewing If Thine Enemy Hunger, featuring the tracks “Hennin Hardine” and “The Plastic Museum”, can be viewed online here.

Additionally, JUCIFER has announced tour plans that include an immediate stint in the Southern U.S. and their involvement with the 2006 Relapse Record Contamination Tour with new label mates UNEARTHLY TRANCE, FACEDOWNINSH*T, F#CK THE FACTS and HEX MACHINE. Their currently confirmed tour dates are as follows: More...

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Necrophagia Replace Former Guitarist/Singer

Pioneering death-metal outfit Necrophagia have replaced former guitarist/singer Frediablo with Diablos guitarist Undead Torment. Frediablo left the band last year to concentrate on his other band, Grimfist. "A true passion for horror and gore, plus his dedication to the metal scene, [made] Undead Torment a perfect fit," the band wrote on its Web site.

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