Metal News for July 29, 2009
Last updated on October 8, 2025 at 4:20 AM ET
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Hot Topics
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32 news articles posted on this day.
Nightmare Posts "Insurrection" Album Trailer
French metallers Nightmare have announced that their upcoming album "Insurrection" will be released via AFM Records on September 11th. A teaser trailer for the album has been posted online, which can be viewed below. More...
Visions Of Atlantis Parts Ways With Vocalist
Austrian metallers Visions of Atlantis have issued the following statement about parting ways with their vocalist Joanna Nieniewska:
"According to all the rumors out there and the speculation here..s the official statement right from the band about the news within the VoA-Family!
"It..s right, Joanna Nieniewska was forced to leave the band a few weeks ago! The reason is a health-problem which should not be specified more detailed, but makes it impossible for her to complete a whole show on stage without risk.
"But because of the grown big friendship within the band during the last months the band is not willing her to leave totally and so we came to the point that at least Joanna has to be on the road with us when she can..t sing with the band anymore and so in future she..ll be on tour with us, helping us backstage and doing other important things to bring her support and energy into the band, although it..s another way now! There are no other reasons besides that, although we already had to read different stories on the internet, which are simply not true. As long as you can..t read it on the offical VoA-homepage or myspace it..s absolutely not official and does not come directly from the band or the nearest band-environment!!!
"BUT NOW TO THE GOOD NEWS: The good news besides all that is, that we were able to find an absolute suitable substitute for Joanna within the extremely short time! Her name is Maxi Nil, she..s from greece and she has already worked with Moonspell for instance and brings fresh energy and enthusiasm into the band! She was very fast in practising the material for the shows on metalcamp and with Tarja Turunen and we are already looking forward happily in doing future shows and tours with her! More...
3 Inches Of Blood Debuts Song On Satellite Radio
3 Inches of Blood has issued the following announcement about debuting a new song on satellite radio tonight:
"Jose Mangin is debuting the new 3 Inches of Blood track, 'Battles and Brotherhood,' on SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal (Sirius 27/XM 42) today at 7:40PM EST. Please spread the word."
The track comes from the band's upcoming album "Here Waits Thy Doom." The track listing for the album will be as follows:
1. Battles and Brotherhood
2. Rock In Hell
3. Silent Killer
4. Fierce Defender
5. Preachers Daughter
6. Call of the Hammer
7. Snake Fighter
8. At the Foot of the Great Glacier
9. All of them Witches
10. 12:34
11. Execution Tank
Opeth Issues New Tour Report
Opeth front man Mikael Akerfeldt has issued the following tour report and announcement about appearing in a documentary:
"Well, just a brief update on what’s happening: Not much!.... That’s a lie to be honest…we play pretty much every weekend, last show was somewhere in Holland (don’t even know which town we’re in) at a festival called….yes, I forgotten that too. Cross something….
"It was an alright, nice ‘in & out’ show. Had a cup of single-malt after the show, courtesy of our TM, Mick. I’m not a connoisseur when it comes to hard liquor (I used to get loaded on ‘Grants’ cheap Scotch years ago) but a nice luxury sip every now and then aint that bad.
"Coolest trek lately was playing in Romania. We played in the middle of Transylvania actually, just an hours drive from the castle belonging to Vlad Tepes. The warlord that was the inspiration behind the legend about Count Dracula. We travelled through the Carpathian mountain passes and it was magical to be honest. Extremely beautiful! More...
Shadows Fall Announces Signing Session
New England metallers Shadows Fall will be appearing at the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Fest on August 8 in Hartford, CT for a special autograph signing. The signing will take place at the venue, the Comcast Theatre, at 3PM. For more info visit here.
Shadows Fall are also currently streaming the song "King of Nothing" from their upcoming album "Retribution" online at their MySpace page.
Setherial Issues Studio Update, Reveals Song Names
Swedish black metal band, Setherial, has issued the following update:
"We have now recorded six drumtracks and this time we decided to go for a fully acoustic drumsound using no triggers or other modules."
"This week we will continue with the drums and also continue with the guitars and vocals. We are aiming for a much more organic production with this album since it fits the overall concept and the pre-productions we’ve done sounds extremely promising." More...
Scar Symmetry Reveals New Album Cover Artwork
Swedish melodic progressive death metallers SCAR SYMMETRY have revealed the cover art for their upcoming album, "Dark Matter Dimensions," which due out in October via Nuclear Blast Records.
Born Without A God Posts New Music Online
California's BORN WITOUT A GOD has posted two new, unmastered, tracks up on their MySpace page.
Baroness Reveals New Album Title and Cover Artwork
BARONESS has unveiled the title of their forthcoming full-length as "Blue Record." The follow-up and sister album to 2007's acclaimed "Red Album," "Blue Record" features artwork by the band's own John Dyer Baizley.
Indie Recordings Comments On Borknagar Album Delay
Indie Recordings has issued the following announcement about the delays in releasing the new Borknagar album "Universal:"
"Indie Recordings and Indie Distribution takes on new adventures. Since the start of Indie Recordings and Indie Distribution in 2005 a lot has happened. Indie Distribution has grown from being a small Norwegian underground distributor, into being a significant player in the Norwegian music market . We are now handling labels such as Nuclear Blast, SPV Steamhammer, Metal Blade, Rough Trade and tons of others, and we feel confident that Indie Distribution is the no. 1 hard rock/metal distributor in Norway today. Indie Recordings started off as a small side project to Indie Distribution, as we felt the urge to work closer with bands than what we could do as a distributor only. Indie Recordings has grown from releasing relatively unknown acts on a rarely basis, into releasing several albums pr. month with acts such as Satyricon, Enslaved, Keep Of Kalessin, Audrey Horne, Borknagar, Shining (Halmstad), Godseed, Carpathian Forest + +. Having the opportunity to work with such fine musicians for the last years has been a great inspiration to us, and has motivated us to bring our business yet a step forward.
"So far Indie Recordings has been distributed via a third party outside Norway, and Indie Distribution has been a business focusing only on Norway – we find that now is a good time to change this. We are launching Indie Distribution as our very own international distribution starting January 2010. Indie distribution will naturally handle Indie Recordings, but we will also carry other respected Norwegian and foreign labels. More news on this will follow shortly.
"On the contrary of what a lot of people might think, feel and say - we are confident that the future of the music industry is bright, and we embrace this challenge with courage and great passion for our work!
"Upcoming Releases - Due to this change in our setup we have decided to postpone all releases previously scheduled for 2009 until 2010. This affects in particular Borknagar and In Vain, but we are confident they will be better off benefiting from our new setup."
Emmure Streaming New Song "Bars In Astoria" Online
Emmure are currently streaming a new song titled "Bars In Astoria" from their upcoming album "Felony" on their MySpace page. "Felony" is currently set for an August 18th release date.
Hatchet Dawn Issues Recording Update
Hatchet Dawn has issued the following update about recording their debut full-length album:
"Pre-production has officially begun on the debut Hatchet Dawn full length album. The band spent one whole day recording the album in its entirety live in the studio with producer/engineer Sam Johnson returning to the helm to capture the new growth, epic, dark and scariest Hatchet Dawn material to date.
"No official release date for the debut album has been planned at this stage but a 2010 release schedule is indefinite. Hatchet Dawn will be spending time in the studio over the course of 2009-2010 between touring dates putting together the highly anticipated follow up release to the Faith In Chaos EP."
Photographs of the recording session can be viewed here.
Pythia Announces New Single Release Date
U.K. female fronted gothic metallers Pythia have announced that the release dates for their upcoming single "Sarah (Bury Her)" will be August 24th. The video for the song can be viewed below.
Pythia's upcoming tour dates are as follows:
8/7 The Purple Turtle - Single Launch Party London
8/14 Bloodstock Acoustic Derby
8/14 Bloodstock Derby
11/8 The Relentless Garage London, London and South East More...
Revocation Announces New Album Pre-Order
Boston metallers Revocation have issued the following update about the release of their new album "Existence is Futuile:"
"Revocation blends world class musicianship with a pronounced technical flair; songs twist, turn, and stop on dime as dizzying solos dance with thrash metals razor-sharp precision. Existence is Futile transcends all of modern metal's sub-genres and firmly establishes REVOCATION as one of the finest new metal bands of the 21st century.
"You can pre-order a copy of Revocation's - 'Existence is Futile' here."
"Existence is Futile" will be released on September 29th in the U.S. and October 5th internationally. The album covert artwork and first shirt design can be viewed here.
Syrach Parts Ways With Bassist Hjarandr
Norwegian doom metallers Syrach have issued the following update about parting ways with their bassist Ørjan "Hjarandr" Setvik:
"Our release party on friday will be the last EVER chance to see all 5 persons from the new album, live on stage. as you all know, Reich quit some time ago but will still play this gig on friday. also Hjarandr decided to leave the band now, because he wanted to focus on his interest in food and will now try to get a degree as a chef. we wish him the best of luck with this, and hope that someday he will cook us another great meal as he did on our listening party at Captain's cabin.
"Hjarandr spent about 7 years with us and has been a great tribute to our ranks. we have had some great times together and been through a lot. we are sorry to let this great man of doom go, but his mind is set and we have to respect this. we'll be sure to get some beers together in the future anyway.
"We are at the same time proud to announce his replacement in Øystein K. Øystein played with us on our european tour in october and is a very good bass player and friend of us, so we are very glad to have him on board our ship.
"And as for a new guitarist, we'll start auditioning in august. we'll keep you posted!"
The release party for "A Dark Burial" will take place on July 31st in Bergen, Norway.
The Defiled Inks Deal With In At The Deep End
London's The Defiled has issued the following announcement about signing a record deal with In At The Deep End Records:
"We’re incredibly pleased to announce that we’ve just signed up with In At The Deep End Records. The label’s track-record says it all really and we couldn’t be happier than to be associated with a label that’s released records by the likes of Gallows, Sylosis, Shaped By Fate, Romeo Must Die, Send More Paramedics, Architects and the list goes on. To release our debut CD through a label that is run off of a passion for good music is a huge privilege and we can’t thank them enough for helping us out with the release.
"Our debut EP 1888 is now officially due for release on October 5th and we can’t wait to get it out into everyone’s grubby little hands!
"The 5 track EP was recorded at Metropolis Studios (in a room sandwiched between Iron Maiden and Alicia Keys) and mixed at the studio where AC/DC recorded Back in Black, on the desk used to mix Radioheads OK Computer and has original artwork by the very awesome D.W. Frydendall. The countdown begins ….."
Whiplash Posts "Unborn again" E-card
Reunited New Jersey thrash legends WHIPLASH have five brand new tracks, "Feeding Frenzy," "Pitbulls In The Playground," "Fight Or Flight," "Float Face Down" and "Firewater," available for streaming. To hear the new tunes, check out the WHIPLASH E-Card at Pulverised Records' Official Myspace page. The E-Card will be available for two weeks from July 29, 2009 - August 11, 2009. Go now and listen!
Black Comedy Begins Work on New Album
Norway's Black Comedy has issued the following update:
"Just wanted to let everyone know that we are working on new material for an upcoming album."
"The album will be a natural progression into a more sinister and uncompromising style, upgrading the trademark Black Comedy sound that is heard on 'Instigator.'"
Detente Reveals New Album Cover Artwork
LA metal band, DÉTENTE, has revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming record, "Decline." The art for "Decline" was painted by Michael Leone with additional graphic work performed by Christopher Leone. DÉTENTE's "Decline" is tentatively scheduled for a December release.
Metsatoll Begins Recording New Album
Estonian metal band, Metsatoll, has issued the following update:
"Last week, Metsatöll finished recording the demo version of their 4th album, which was begun earlier, in March. In mid-June, the entire studio was moved from Tallinn to a South-Estonian village of Hargla, where the songs received finishing touches. According to the guys themselves, leaving Tallinn behind meant a complete recovery of creativity, which can never be achieved in a big city."
"Today, the band begins recording their 4th album in the Finnvox studio in Finland. The album is recorded and mixed by perhaps the most legendary Finnish producer Mikko Karmila. Over the years, he has provided his services to such bands as Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Stratovarius, Stone, Peer Günt, Kotiteollisuus, Amorphis, Waltari, Tarot, Timo Kotipelto, Timo Tolkki, Popeda, Sonata Arctica, etc. The album will be all about finished by early December, and will be released to the global distribution networks on 6 March, 2010."
Metal Maniacs Magazine To Return In Online Format
Presumed dead, METAL MANIACS MAGAZINE will be back in business in September 2009 though in new form as a monthly online web publication.
Zenbu Media, owner of METAL MANIACS, closed the doors to the print operation of the magazine in February 2009. Realizing an opportunity to further strengthen the underground metal community online, Mike Riddick, owner of Metalhit.com, stepped in to take over the development and operation of the new format for METAL MANIACS online.
The new METAL MANIACS will feature an Mp3 store with a catalog of more than 12,000 underground extreme metal songs from various bands and labels around the world; monthly band interviews and special interest features, a community forum, regular contests and select weekly and monthly song downloads from up and coming bands.
METAL MANIACS will continue to serve as "The Voice of the Underground" to fans worldwide. Visitors can expect contributions from previous editorial staff members as well as a few new ones.
Be sure to check out the new site in September 2009.
Catholicon Parts Ways With Drummer
Singer I.N.R.I. of Louisiana metal band, Catholicon, has issued teh following update regarding the departure of their drummer:
"It has come to my attention that Statutorist AKA MPR is leaving Catholicon after 8+ years of excellent and dedicated service to The Satanic Elite. While I am not at all happy about his decision or some of the reasons behind it, I also can't blame him for some of them. This being said myself and the rest of Catholicon wish him the best in his future. So with his departure we are now seeking a dedicated replacement that can fill his shoes and throne behind the kit. We are extremely anti-social misanthropes who will only want serious like minded individuals of the left hand path to apply. No dope heads, racists or any one other than Satanists or Athiests need to apply. Serious inquires only. You can contact us here at the page if interested. We have a kit and all equipment you would need but it would be best if all wishing to try out do as well. Must be willing to play shows locally as well as out of state for little to no money as you all know this type of music pays nothing. For those intersted in trying out we ask that you choose two songs from the list below to learn. For the fans thanks for your continued support over the last 15+ years and rest assured that while this will slow us down for a while The Satanic Elite will return with a vengeance and continue to rape the minds of all with our twisted musical visions!"
Edenbridge To Enter the Studio in September
Lanvall (guitars/keyboards) has finished songwriting for Austrian metallers EDENBRIDGE's seventh studio album and we will start with the recordings in the beginning of September. The album will see a possible release in May or June 2010.
According to a band update: "Of course we have followed the symphonic way of our last album MyEarthDream, nevertheless there are more atmospheric and melancholic vibes on the new one. The title of the album will of course not be revealed now. Furthermore we have two absolutely smashing hit songs, both perfect for a video clip." More...
Insidious Disease Drummer To Sit Out Shows
Due to Tony Laureano's (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, NILE, ANGELCORPSE) touring commitments with ALL THAT REMAINS, he is unable to join INSIDIOUS DISEASE (formerly INSIDIOUS) for their two German shows this week. His replacement for these performances will be DIMMU BORGIR/ex-VADER drummer Dariusz "Daray" Brzozowski.
INSIDIOUS DISEASE will make its official live debut at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 30 - August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany. The band will perform on the W.E.T. stage on Friday, July 31 at 10:25 p.m. A warm-up show is planned for July 30 at the Magnet club in Berlin, Germany as the support act for CALIBAN. INSIDIOUS DISEASE will also take part in a meet-and-greet at Wacken on Friday, July 31 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at the Metal Hammer fanclub stand. More...
Dark Fortress Enters The Studio
German black metal outfit Dark Fortress has entered the studio to begin work on their sixth studio album, which will be released early next year through Century Media Records.
Band member V. Santura comments: "The recordings are going very smooth so far and the drums sound just fantastic. Seraph is doing a really great job. This time we are aiming for a more natural and dynamic sound in order to keep all musical details, a certain raw dirt and personality that most modern productions lack of. Our upcoming album is going to be very diverse and probably the heaviest material we ever wrote."
Megadeth Frontman To Undergo Neck Surgery
Dave Mustaine, the lead singer and guitarist of American thrash metal legends Megadeth, announced today that he will be having some neck surgery done soon. A message from Mustaine reads as follows:
"Droogies!
When you love someone or something so much that it actually starts to hurt you, yet you continue to stay in a relationship, or in a circumstance, or in a situation where you start to do damage to yourself and others.
"Well, I have been working with a very badly damaged neck and the few lower vertebrae, right beneath my neck in between my shoulders is damaged too. What I have currently injured, and am requiring the start of what could be a very quick and painless procedure. I would work my ass off to heal again, like I did with my arm injury, and should be back in the saddle in no time. More...
Ex-Guns N Roses Members Granted Restraining Order
Steven Adler, the former drummer of rock legends Guns N Roses has been granted a restraining order against a woman from Oregon, and so has his former bandmate Slash, it was revealed today.
Adler believes a woman named Lisa Jill Martin-Cahn hired at least three private investigators since '08 to hunt him down ... "under the ruse" they were long lost lovers who met in rehab back in the early 90's. Adler's documents, filed in L.A. County, say cops who visited Cahn at her Oregon home last month found "unopened boxes of house ware items which Cahn stated were wedding presents for her and Adler's upcoming marriage."
Adler's former GNR bandmate Slash claims Cahn has contacted him and his family members - including his mother-in-law - by phone and letter in desperate attempts to get in touch with Adler.
The restraining order was granted yesterday morning and Cahn now must stay at least 500 feet away from the two musicians at all times.
Scar Symmetry Returns to Spain, Germany & Finland
Sweden's Scar Symmetry has posted the following announcement:
"The 7th of August marks our return to lovely Spain, for a show at Festival AlternaVigo. Also on the bill: Dark Tranquillity, Dragonforce, U.D.O. and Amon Amarth. Great fun is expected!
August 8: Gladerock - Berlin, Germany
August 15: Finn Hits Fest - Pori, Finland
"If you haven't seen it check out the latest Scar Sym studio report - including footage from the vocal recording sessions!"
Scar Symmetry's upcoming album, "Dark Matter Dimensions," will be released in October through Nuclear Blast.
Archon Legion Checks In with Recording Update
Andrew Saunders of Victoria, BC's Archon Legion has checked in with the following update:
"So, I think its time for a little update! We have been taking a break from jamming, until Grant [Truesdell, guitar] gets back home from the LFM tour at least. We began writing some new songs for a new album! But that is far from becoming reality at this point.
"We are working on an EP that will contain 3 new recordings as well as a live track from the V-LOUNGE show we played with Hibria in June, as well as possibly 1 or 2 re recordings of old songs from the ist album. The 3 new songs are being mixed by Rob Shallcross in Vancouver and being mastered by one of his colleagues. The new songs are sounding amazing, and feature the slickest production we have had thus far! We are definately happy with how they are sounding and I can promise that they will be the best sounding songs we have ever released!
"Guitars for 2 of the 3 songs are finished as well as Grant's vocals for all 3. I will be heading to the studio throughout the next few weeks to finish up the guitars on the final song as well as vocals for all 3. Once finished, we will be hosting a CD release show to celebrate!
"The rest of 2009 and beginning of 2010 will see us taking a bit of a break from the constant touring of the past. We will be hiding away writing songs for a new album. We will still be playing shows around the Victoria area as well as Vancouver, and possibly the interior of BC. Once the album is finished though, a full tour will be in the works.
"Stay tuned for the next chapter!"
Entwine Cancels Kuopio Rock and TLY Appearances
Finnish goth metallers Entwine has been forced to cancel their appearance at Kuopio Rock on July 31st and TLY Open Air on August 1st. Singer Mika Tauriainen reportedly has the flu.
Entwine has announced new shows for September:
Sept. 23 Lahti, Amarillo
Sept. 26 Eura, Osman Tupa
Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo & Blackguard to Tour
Fresh off a successful stint on this year's Summer Slaughter Tour, Finnish folk metallers Ensiferum will kick off an American headlining tour with support from Nuclear Blast recording artists Hypocrisy and Ex Deo as well as Sumerian recording artists Blackguard.
Said Ensiferum guitarist Markus Toivonen:
"We had a great time on this year's Summer Slaughter tour. Thanks to all the bands involved, and to all the fans that came to see us. We're very excited to come back to [America] in November to support our new album, From Afar. Hypocrisy, Ex Deo and Blackguard are great bands. It should be great fun for everyone!"
Swedish death metal legends Hypocrisy will be touring in support of their soon-to-be-released and highly anticipated new full-length, "A Taste Of Extreme Divinity." The record will mark the band's their first full-length since 2005's "Virus."
Commented frontman Peter Tagtgren on the record:
"We’re happy of the result so far; its got everything a Hypocrisy album should have in our own point of view. We will release it October 23rd (Europe) and November 3rd (North America) and start touring in [America], supporting Ensiferum!"
Roman-themed death metal troop Ex Deo, featuring members of Kataklysm, Martyr and Blackguard, will be touring in support of their recently issued debut, "Romulus."
"I would like to thank everyone from the Ensiferum camp for this generous invitation," said mainman Maurizio Iacono. "We cordially accept the offer, but make no mistake: Rome bows to no one and our American legions are growing rapidly. We come for blood and we shall take no prisoners and in the great words of Caesar, 'Vini, Vidi, Vici,' and this is what we intend to do in November.”
The folk-influenced progressive metal act Blackguard are currently celebrating the release of their debut, "Profugus Mortis." Added Blackguard vocalist Paul Ablaze:
"We had such a blast with our Finnish brothers Ensiferum on the Summer Slaughter tour that a second round seems appropriate. Magnified by the legendary Hypocrisy and our friends in the Roman legion of Ex Deo, this will be the show to see this late fall."
Tour dates to be announced.
Agony Makes New Album Available For Free Download
On July 22nd, AGONY released their new album, "The Devil's Breath," online. The twelve song album, mixed by metal alchemist Logan Mader (Divine Heresy, Cavalera Conspiracy, Devildriver, Gojira, etc) and featuring Cello Dias (ex-Soulfly) on bass, is available for free download here (requires registration), including full-color print-quality CD artwork. You can also check out the band on their MySpace before registering to download the album.
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