Metal News for August 18, 2008
Last updated on October 8, 2025 at 4:20 AM ET
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30 news articles posted on this day.
The Showdown Posts New Song, E-card Online
The Showdown has posted a new song, "Prometheus - The Fires of Deliverance," up on their MySpace page Head over to listen to it. Their new album, "Back Breaker," is available in stores and online tomorrow, Tuesday August 19th.
You can also check out the new e-card for "Back Breaker" for the band's latest news, tour dates, photos, music and more. More...
Isis Working On New Album
Isis is currently writing for a new album, after the incredible success of their 2006 album "In The Absence Of Truth." The recently posted, "We've been working hard on the new record. All five of us sweating away in a small windowless room in downtown Los Angeles. We're making good progress and will have more (and more exciting) news about that to report soon!"
The band also went on to say, "Aaron Turner has a new project he's been working on with James Plotkin and Tim Wyskida. The album is done and has no name as of yet. When we find out more we'll let you know! We do know that it should be released early 2009."
To/Die/For Posts New Demo Song Online
To/Die/For has issued the following update on their official MySpace page:
"Now here is a song 'Kissing the flames.' It is crappy demo but so what?it is only a demo for god sake:)
"It does not give you a clear picture of our next Album, because next album is gonna be darkest TDF album ever! Melancholy rock from the bottom of our hearts! So we do are not sure is this gonna be ever released anywhere:) But we just wanted give you some clips to listen before you get bored!..or before you die:) so...just kiss the flames babies!
"More new clips to hear?...well...someday maybe?:)
TDF-CLAN"
You can hear the song on their Myspace player at this location.
Chimaira Writing New Material, More Updates
Chimaira is currently writing new material for their follow up to "Resurrection." The bands has also posted an unreleased song entitled "Kingdom of Heartache" from the "Resurrection" recording sessions, which you can check out on their Facebook page.
The band reportedly has four songs that are "near musical completion" and they are looking to enter the studio around October with Jason Suecof.
The band also revealed that they have a new DVD planned for next year.
Blistering Records Is Formed
Blistering Records has announced the launch of their new record label, with a focus on signing and developing recording acts in a wide spectrum of rock music, including but not limited to: Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Progressive Rock, Metal and all combinations of these styles.
The label has a simple philosophy: “Treat the artists the way we would like to be treated. We all started out as struggling musicians in bands so we know all-to-well what it feels like to be on the other side of the desk. More than ever with today's tough and ever changing music market survival is determined by understanding, appreciation, innovation, commitment and team-work. We are true supporters of the scene(s) that we help represent and are determined to prove ourselves to be survivors by becoming one of the leading independent record labels for Rock and Metal.”
The principals of Blistering are individuals with self proclaimed life-long love affairs with music, and extensive industry experience to put their philosophy into action. More...
Infernaeon Announces US Tour Dates
Florida metallers, Infernaeon, have teamed up with Murderous Embrace for the following tour dates:
9/5 Newport News, VA @ Budda's Place
9/6 Brooklyn, NY @ Club Europa
9/7 Long Island, NY @ Traxx Live
9/8 Windsor, CT @ Club 645
9/9 Chicopee, MA @ Maximum Capacity
9/10 Dover, NH @ The Dover Brickhouse
9/12 Virginia Beach, VA @ Gil's
9/13 Murfreesboro, NC @ Zakk's Coffeehouse
9/14 Jacksonville, FL @ The Pit
Defender Cancels Upcoming Festival Appearances
Defender issue the following update regarding their cancellation of their upcoming festival appearances:
"Due to personal circumstances Defender unfortunately had to cancel their gigs at Elsrock Open Air and Occultfest."
"Defender will be replaced by Labelmates Martyr at Occultfest and by Dutch metallers Face te fact at Elsrock Open Air."
"Singer Simon Menting and drummer Remco Bouwens will both be present behind the Rusty Cage Records stand at Elsrock Open Air, so come over to have a chat with them!"
Blackwinds Reveals Tracklisting for New Album
Featuring members of longtime black metal cult Setherial, Blackwinds' debut for Regain Records features album art from Watain's Erik Danielsson. "Flesh Inferno" showcases purely punishing Swedish black metal with no filler, no gimmicks, no bullshit. Promos and interviews are available now.
The tracklisting for "Flesh Inferno" has been revealed as follows:
1. Before Time
2. Enter The Pandemonium
3. Architecture Of Phantasmagoria
4. Flesh Inferno
5. Plague Bringer
6. Seraphim Ephemeral
7. The Inquisition
8. Crimson Thirst
9. Conceptualizing The Devil
10. Quintessence Of Hell
You can check out track 7, "The Inquisition," on the band's MySpace page.
Helix To Release A Christmas Album
Helix vocalist Brian Vollmer has posted the following message on the band's official website:
"The day after Halloween we will be releasing the first-ever HELIX Christmas CD entitled 'HELIX - Heavy Mental Christmas'. The CD will be available in Walmart stores across Canada, and we have been told it will be front racked, along with the soon-to-be-released AC/DC and METALLICA CDs. The CD will be distributed by Fontana/Universal.
"We are very excited about this project, and with good reason. We’ve done some different versions of traditional Christmas songs, as well as taking a few contemporary numbers and jazzing them up, ie. 'Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time' by Paul McCartney. We also found a gem in Bob Segar’s 'Sock It To Me Santa' and even penned one of our own, a MOTÖRHEAD-sounding ditty entitled, 'It’s Christmastime Again'. The CD is being recorded at 'A' Studios in London, Ontario. Gord Prior is producing with Aaron Murray engineering.
"The release of 'Heavy Mental Christmas' will coincide with a western Canadian tour in November. We also hope to play our hometown of London around the same time period. We will announce our tour dates as we get them."
New Megadeth Anthology To Be Released Next Month
Capitol/EMI has posted the following message online:
"Following the successful 2007 release of the coveted 4-CD+DVD Warchest box set, MEGADETH is back with a vengeance with Anthology: Set The World Afire. The career-spanning 2-CD and digital collection, to be released September 30th by Capitol/EMI, features Megadeth's top hits and fan favorites, a previously unreleased demo and two rare concert recordings.
"Anthology: Set The World Afire is loaded with 35 electrifying tracks, among them Megadeth's top hits, including 'Trust', 'A Tout Le Monde', 'Insomnia' and 'Train Of Consequences'. Also included are rare 1992 concert recordings of 'Peace Sells' and 'Symphony of Destruction', previously available only in limited release, the latter having never been released in the U.S." More...
Deicide And Vader To Tour Europe In January
Deicide have announced that the band will be heading out on a European tour in January of next year, with fellow death metal legends Vader confirmed as special guests. There will be one more band added to the tour but they have not been confirmed thus far. Although no tour dates have been set in stone, they are expected to be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more details.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Opening New York Annex
Billboard.com reports that the Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is opening an annex in downtown Manhattan. It is the first of several planned outposts that will take its collection of artifacts to a wider audience, possibly as far as the Middle East.
The 25,000-square-foot annex on Mercer Street will feature a number of different exhibits, including one with New York sites that have musical significance.
Another annex being planned for Las Vegas will be located on or near the Strip and will be less focused on rock artifacts and more entertainment oriented. A city has not been selected for the proposed Middle East branch.
Read the full article at Billboard.com.
Live To Die Finds New Guitarist
Live To Die has found a new guitarist through their audition process, but the band is not yet ready to reveal who it is. Here's the message from the band:
"We wanted to say, thank you all SOOO much for all your interest and effort! To everyone who contacted us about the guitar position, we are so thankful that you would consider joining our band.
"But we are very happy to announce that we have found the next Live to Die guitarist. We've been working with him a bit on some new songs, and I will say, be ready for some kickass music once we get up to speed with everything."
Gorgoroth Prepares To Enter The Studio
The version of Gorgoroth fronted by member, Gaahl has posted the following update:
"Gorgoroth will enter the studio in their hometown of Bergen, Norway on August 25th, 2008.
"Eight new tracks composed by King will be recorded for an as-yet-untitled new album. Along with Gaahl, King and Frost on drums, the full recording lineup will include Teloch (guitar) and Ice Dale (guitar).
"ENSLAVED's Herbrand Larsen will once again produce Gorgoroth in the studio."
Destruction Announces European Tour Dates
Teutonic thrash gods Destruction have announced the tour schedule for their European trek this autumn. The band are preparing to release their brand new album, "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." on August 22nd.
The tour dates are as follows:
November
27 - Plzen, Czech Republic - KD Šerikovka
28 - Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei
29 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Winter Masters of Rock
30 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
December
1 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
2 - Rostock, Germany - Mau (tbc)
4 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia
5 - Tampere, Finland - Tulliklubbi
7 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Venue TBA
8 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
9 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
10 - Enschede, Netherlands - Atak
11 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
12 - Leeds, England - Rio's
13 - Dublin, Ireland - The Village
14 - Dudley, UK - JB's
16 - London, England - Underworld
17 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Roxy (tbc)
18 - Essen, Germany - Turock
19 - Weert, Netherlands - De Bosuil
20 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
21 - Milan, Italy - Rolling Stone
22 - Nürnberg, Germany - Hirsch
AC/DC's "Black Ice" Release Details Confirmed
Columbia Records announced today the October 20th release of AC/DC's widely-anticipated new album, "Black Ice," the band's first studio album in eight years. "Black Ice" features 15 new tracks from brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd. The album was produced by Brendan O'Brien at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC.
"Rock 'N' Roll Train," the album's first single, will debut on August 28th. The video will premiere in September. And the band is set to kick off its first world tour since 2001 in late October.
"Black Ice" will be sold in the US exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club retail locations at the special price of $11.88. Online, the CD will be available with free shipping and handling via the band's website, acdc.com. It will also be sold at Walmart.com and Samsclub.com.
Black Ice is currently available for pre-order at acdc.com and Walmart.com.
"No Bull: The Directors Cut," a newly edited, comprehensive HD DVD of the band's famed July 1996 Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas concert in Madrid , Spain, will be released on September 9, 2008 and is currently available for pre-order as well.
51 Wrecking Crew Parts Ways With Frontman
British southern metallers, 51 Wrecking Crew has announced that they will be parting ways with lead singer Jason "Riggs" Rigby. A statement from bassist 4D is as follows:
"So its nearly 2am... nursing a hangover and heavy heart.
"The last few months we've had our fair share of highs and lows, we've been put through the grinder for too long. But this time we didnt see it coming...
"If you havent heard allready, 51WC has parted ways with singer Jason Rigby (Riggs) due to conflicts between the band, his personal life and his work life. We wish him all the best in his future projects.
"Tom Norris with me taking over singing duties! We will be looking to recruit a second guitarist soon, so if you interested, contact us.
"SO! In the traditional 51WC style, we WILL prevail, we WILL continue to record the new ep and we WILL be playing live again soon.
"Wish us luck..
Fordy"
Metallica Singer Angers Bikers, Hikers And Others
Blabbermouth.net reports: Mark Prado of the Marin Independent Journal reports that METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield has erected a metal fence (Photo) on his property on a Terra Linda (California) hilltop, closing off a popular trail and angering hikers, bikers and equestrians.
Someone scrawled "SHAME DISGRACE" on the 300-foot-long, 8-to 10-foot-high corrugated metal silver fence adorned with barbed wire at its far edges.
"Look at the barbed wire. This a serious fence," said hiker Tom McMillan of San Rafael, as he walked along the shiny behemoth late last week. More...
Grave Digger Frontman Checks In From The Studio
Grave Digger frontman Chris Boltendahl has posted the following studio report:
"Now its time. Since February '08 we composed and arranged the new songs. Incomplete we will record 13 songs including one cover version of a lost Metal classic from the eighties. Stefan (Arnold - drums) arrived yesterday and built up his drums. Before we entered the studio German punk legends DIE TOTEN HOSEN recorded their new album in the Principal Studios. We will smell a bit of their spirit. Stefan did drums soundcheck today. After he started to record the first four songs. He's in a very good shape and recordings are going really well. He always does a fantastic job in the studio.
"The song titles we will present you during the recordings so watch out for the studio diary. Manni (Schmidt - guitar) and I arrived this morning to guide Stefan during the drum recordings. It's cool to be here cause we are really motivated to create a new master piece of German True Metal. Now it's 10PM and Stefan starts with another track. He´s a real workaholic on the drums. A steelworker.
"Ok, I will speak to you tomorrow. Good night and Metal on."
Brainstorm Begins Work On New Material
Brainstorm frontman Andy B. Franck has posted the following brief message online, which explains why the band will not be playing any more shows in 2008:
"The reason is quite simple," says Franck. "Right now, we started writing new songs for the next album. That was just a quick note, but I'll keep you informed! So stay tuned for more...
Best,
Andy"
Nightmare Parts Ways With Guitarist
French power metallers Nightmare has posted the following update:
"To our regret Alex Hilbert, guitarist from 6 years now, parted ways with Nightmare due to some private reasons! We want to wish him here all the best for his future!” We already found JC Jess as replacement.
"More info will come soon."
Slipknot Fan Murders Schoolmate, Injures Others
Blabbermouth.net reports: According to News24.com, a schoolboy who stabbed a fellow pupil to death with a sword in Krugersdorp, South Africa this morning (Monday, August 18) was apparently high on drugs and was dressed like SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison, saying Satan had told him to kill the children.
He also stabbed two gardeners at Nic Diederichs technical high school, said Captain Jacob Raboroko of the Johannesburg police. More...
Read the full article at News24.com.
Satyricon Completes New Album, Sets Release Date
Norwegian black metal pioneers Satyricon have posted the following message online:
"We have completed the new album The Age Of Nero in its entirety and we are very very proud of it! The release date is November 3rd and will be followed by a full European headlining tour opening in Stavanger, Norway on November 12th and ending in Hamburg, Germany on December 20th. Check out all the dates here. A few more shows will be added soon. Opening act on the tour is EVILE and the direct support act will be added soon.
"Expect updates with tons of information on the new album and the tour, competitions, interviews and music in the next few weeks!"
August Burns Red Plans Headlining Fall Tour
August Burns Red will be touring extensively through the rest of the year. They have announced a headlining tour with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates and This Or The Apocalypse, which starts on August 29 (although from their MySpace it's not clear when this tour ends). Here are all of the August Burns Red tour dates from the band's MySpace:
Aug 21 2008 10:00A - Taking Back The Street's Fest Pinnacle, North Carolina
Aug 22 2008 7:00P - Steppin' Out Virginia Beach, Virginia
Headlining Tour Dates:
Aug 29 2008 6:30P - Champion Ship Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
Aug 30 2008 12:00P - Revelation Generation Festival Frenchtown, New Jersey
Aug 31 2008 6:30P - First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sep 1 2008 6:30P - Otto Bar Baltimore, Maryland
Sep 3 2008 7:00P - Canal Club (Downstairs) Richmond, Virginia
Sep 4 2008 7:30P - Soapbox Laundro-Lounge Wilmington, North Carolina
Sep 5 2008 7:00P - Amos' Southend Charlotte, North Carolina
Sep 6 2008 6:00P - Music Farm Charleston, South Carolina
Sep 7 2008 6:00P - New Brookland Tavern Columbia
Sep 8 2008 7:00P - Rocketown Nashville, Tennessee
Sep 9 2008 7:00P - The Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 10 2008 6:30P - Fuel Jacksonville, Florida
Sep 11 2008 6:30P - The Orpheum Tampa, Florida
Sep 12 2008 6:30P - The Red Door Pensacola, Florida
Sep 13 2008 7:00P - The Javajazz Houston, Texas
Sep 14 2008 7:00P - Las Palmas McAllen, Texas
Sep 15 2008 7:00P - The Door Dallas, Texas
Sep 16 2008 7:00P - White Rabbit San Antonio, Texas
Sep 18 2008 6:30P - The Brickhouse Theatre Phoenix
Sep 19 2008 6:30P - The Exit Fresno, California
Sep 20 2008 8:00P - Glasshouse Music Hall Pomona
Sep 21 2008 6:00P - Soma San Diego, California
Sep 22 2008 5:30P - MACLA San Jose, California
Sep 23 2008 6:30P - The Boardwalk Orangevale, California
Sep 24 2008 6:00P - Hawthorne Theatre Portland, Oregon
Sep 25 2008 6:00P - El Corazon Seattle, Washington
Sep 26 2008 6:30P - The Venue Boise, Idaho
Sep 27 2008 6:00P - Studio 600 Salt Lake City, Utah
Sep 28 2008 7:00P - Marquis Denver, Colorado
Sep 29 2008 6:30P - First Family Church Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sep 30 2008 6:00P - Bricktown Ballroom Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oct 1 2008 6:00P - The Foundry Joplin, Missouri
Oct 2 2008 6:30P - Boney Junes Evansville, Indiana
Oct 3 2008 5:00P - Reggie's Rock Club Chicago, Illinois
Oct 4 2008 5:30P - The Attic Kettering, Ohio
Oct 5 2008 6:30P - Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan
Oct 7 2008 6:30P - Opera House Toronto, Ontario
Oct 8 2008 6:00P - Club Soda Montreal, Quebec
Oct 9 2008 7:00P - The Station Portland, Maine More...
These Arms Are Snakes Announce West Coast Tour
These Arms Are Snakes has announced they will be taking friends and label-mates sBACH (aka Spencer Seim from Hella / The Advantage) on a quick tour down the West Coast to shake some heads, and together, unleash their new material on the unsuspecting masses.
Set for release on October 7th is These Arms Are Snakes' newest masterpiece, "Tail Swallower & Dove," and due out later this month (August 19th to be exact), Seim, aka sBACH, drops his electronic blast-beaten melee, "sBACH," on his fanbase of Nintendo-charged gamers.
Here are the These Arms Are Snakes tour dates with sBACH:
SUN AUG 31 – Seattle WA, Bumbershoot (no sBACH)
FRI SEPT 5 – Portland OR, Dante's (no sBACH)
FRI SEPT 12 – Spokane WA, Big Dipper
SAT SEPT 13 – Tacoma WA, Hell's Kitchen
TUE SEPT 16 – Grass City CA, Center for the Arts
WED SEPT 17 – San Francisco CA, Bottom of the Hill
THU SEPT 18 – Los Angeles CA, Spaceland
FRI SEPT 19 – Pomona CA, Elks Pomona Lodge
SAT SEPT 20 – San Diego CA, Che Café Collective
SUN SEPT 21 – Santa Barbara CA, Muddy Waters
TUE SEPT 23 – Reno NV, Tonic Lounge
More Unholy Alliance III Tour Dates Confirmed
More dates have been added to the upcoming European leg of the Unholy Alliance III tour which features Slayer, Trivium, Mastodon and Amon Amarth.
The tour dates are as follows (new dates marked with **):
October 27 - Manchester, England - Manchester Arena
October 28 - Birmingham, England - NEC
October 30 - London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
October 31 - London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
November 2 - Cardiff, Wales - CIA 7000
November 3 - Glasgow, Scotland - SECC Hall 3
November 5 - Offenbach, Germany - Stadthalle
November 6 - Köln, Germany - Palladium
November 7 - Amsterdam, Holland - Heineken Music Hall
November 9 - Stuttgart, Germany - Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
November 10 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Eishalle Deutweg
November 11 - Paris, France - Le Zenith
November 12 - Antwerp, Belgium - Sportpaleis/Lotto Arena
November 16 - Wein, Austria - Gasometer
November 17 - Prague, Czech Republic - Incheba Hall
November 18 - München, Germany - Zenith
November 19 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
November 21 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Valby Hallen **
November 22 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Lisebergshallen (Amon Amarth as direct support to Slayer)
November 23 - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet **
November 24 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum **
November 26 - Tampere, Finland - Old Ice Hall **
November 27 - Helsinki, Finland - Old Ice Hall **
Origin Announces Tour Dates
Origin have announced the initial dates of an upcoming tour with Misery Index and Fuck The Facts.
The initial tour dates are as follows:
September 28 - Boston, MA @ The Church of Boston
September 29 - New York, NY @ Rebel
September 30 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
October 1 - Aurora, IL @ Doug’s Rockhouse
Hirax Confirmed For Hollywood Metal Festival
Hirax have been confirmed to perform at Clash Of The Headbanger's Metaleros in Hollywood, California on the 23rd of August. The band have posted the following update:
"Hirax is excited and ready to play this concert! We have been notified by the promoters that the advance ticket sales have been GREAT!! So we expect this show to be TOTALLY CRAZY!! More...
Machine Head Guitarist Collapses On Stage
Machine Head has posted the following update via their official website:
"As has been reported in the media, Phil Demmel did indeed collapse onstage during Machine Head's second-to-last song Sunday night in Bristow, VA. Demmel was severely dehydrated and had mentioned several times to his tech that he felt lightheaded during the show. More...
AC/DC Reveals New Album Artwork And Tracklisting
AC/DC have posted the front cover of their brand new forthcoming album, "Black Ice" on their official website. Check it out at this location. The album is scheduled to be released on October 20th through Columbia Records, with the albums first single, "Rock And Roll Train" hitting the airwaves on August 28th.
The tracklisting for "Black Ice" is as follows:
1. Rock ’n Roll Train
2. Skies On Fire
3. Big Jack
4. Anything Goes
5. War Machine
6. Smash N Grab
7. Spoilin’ For A Fight
8. Wheels
9. Decibel
10. Stormy May Day
11. She Likes Rock N Roll
12. Money Made
13. Rock N Roll Dream
14. Rocking All The Way
15. Black Ice
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