PANTHEON I, the Norwegian extreme metal band featuring vocalist/guitarist Andrè Kvebek (1349), guitarist John Espen Sagstad (ABIOTIC) and drummer Eirik Renton (SARKOM), will enter the studio in early May to begin recording their debut full-length album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The as-yet-untitled effort is expected to contain 10 brand-new songs.

PANTHEON I recently completed work on a new EP. A release date for the effort has yet to be announced. The group, who released a four-song demo, titled "MMIII", in April 2003, were once again assisted by RAM-ZET's Sareeta (violin) during the most recent recording sessions. Shortly after completing work on the EP, PANTHEON I added two new members in the shape of Gunhild Mathea Olaussen on violin and Live Julianne Kostøl on cello. The Oslo-based band have also recruited a session bassist, 1349's Tor Risdal Stavenes (a.k.a. Seidemann).

CRADLE OF FILTH bassist Dave Pybus has posted the sixth installment of his regular online studio report at the group's official web site.

As previously reported, CRADLE OF FILTH are currently recording their Roadrunner Records debut, tentatively titled "Nymphetamine". The follow-up to last year's "Damnation and a Day" is being produced by ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano, who has previously worked with the group during the mixing stage for "Damnation?".

Band profile:

Cradle Of Filth

CRADLE OF FILTH bassist Dave Pybus has posted the following studio update on the band's official web site:

"It's official... CRADLE OF FILTH are possessed!!! We have now been transformed into zombified pork scratching eating fiends! On my return from a short weekend break, I was instructed NOT to come back unless I brought with me a whole sack of pork scratchings (to those who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's small bags of rock hard fatty pig skin!). The guys were rabid and scoffed the lot like greedy blood-crazed shits! Zombie partrol Vs. Ghoul tools Vs. Tag team tossers! They did taste good though.

"On a more serious note: Maybe some of you are wondering how the new record is shaping up. Well. Adrian has completed all his drums. I should be done with bass this week too. Dani has started vocals on like 6 or 7 tracks. Paul has nearly completed all his guitars and James has a few songs left to play. Martin... likes boys. I mean he's well into his keyboards. Everyone is very excited when we get to hear the tracks building up and there is way more variation with the songs. Fast, slow, moody, ultra fast, evil! You know the general theme... HEAVY METAL!!! True and simple. Only CRADLE OF FILTH styleee! We also have the album cover design 99% there and just done a few new t-shirt designs. Visited at the studio by our endorser rep and general superhero Dom Fairbanks!

"We are also getting dates through and are pleased to announce that we will be playing this years Download festival at Donnington Park, Saturday, 5th June. It's gonna be great to get back on the stage!!! I also visited this weekend our clothes design company SINWEAR for a future Metal Hammer feature. Saw some of the new designs for this years touring blitz! Check out their website for an insight into this great up-and-coming clothing company. Also check out what's getting sold via eBay these days."

Band profile:

Cradle Of Filth

THE HAUNTED bassist Jonas Björler has posted the following studio report on the band's official web site:

" Dolving is almost done with the vocals for the album. He has screamed his way through 12 songs already this past week, and now there are only 3 songs to go. We'll go through the material on Friday to check for possible dubs etc, but everything sounds fine.

"This time around we only recorded 2 guitar tracks ? that way we get a very distinctive guitar sound with a little less distortion ? not like 'Stained Class' with JUDAS , but you get my drift.

"For the bass tracks I used my new ESP amp and a Warwick bass. It's the best sound I have ever had. Heavy as hell!

"We can also reveal some new titles to add to the ones you already know: 'Abysmal', 'Liquid Burns', 'Drowning' & 'My Shadow'....

"Here you'll find a link to video clip teaser recorded in the studio a couple of days ago: http://lagavulin.gotdns.com/mov/flik.html
Note that you'll need Flash Player 6 to watch the clip."

Read more ››

Band profile:

The Haunted

CRADLE OF FILTH bassist Dave Pybus has posted the following studio update on the band's official web site:

"Recording of the last few songs has gone amazing. Playing very tight, as a band in the studio should, making the stand out track on the album well worth the battle to arrange at the end. Regardless of three amps blown up, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. People here have mentioned more than once the words 'Ghosts', 'Jinx' and... 'Bollocks'. Sounds changing for no reason. Tuning problems. More amp problems. Takes hours sometimes to get things back to where they were before. Keyboards are now starting to go onto the tracks late at night. Martin refuses to play before midnight as he demands a very grim atmosphere in the studio. Reminds him of being 'down the pit'. Simple... but effective. Paul and James have added extra guitars over this weekend. Mapped out parts for the choir which we will record soon (probably in the studio 'cos there's no way they'll let the band in the local church) when Martin completes the scoring, which is quite a big job in itself. Gives the songs such a different direction than just drums, bass and guitars. It's nowhere near equalized on the desk but sounds huge. We always get very excited when Rob turns it up on the big speakers for us to listen back to. Catsfield massive innit!

"This week we got drums to do on like 3 songs and that's it for Adrian. I got bass tracks done on 9 songs already. The guitars I've been using is my Maverick 5 string, Ibanez and Fender Precision (4 string USA model). All Black of course! We've been visited over the last few days by Anny of Line 6 who interviewed Paul for their website. Check that out later this week. Vocals for Dani will also start at the end of this week. Sarah is now back in the U.K. and will be recording her parts soon as well.

"Other crazy shit going on at the studio? Well, since the BB guns have been banned from this session we have devised studio challenges consisting of me eating the hottest curry available to humanity. Adrian attempting to eat 10 big Macs. Studio engineer Dan was turned into an old man by having his head shaved like a monk. James wasn't allowed to shave his beard for the first 4 weeks. Dani's challenge will see him attempt to eat 100 bags of Space Raiders (if we can find them?). Rob's challenge is to finish the album on time hehe! More being devised as we speak. It's all tame stuff really as we are just too busy this time to fuck about too much. You'll get to see all the best stuff on the DVD we are filming for at the moment which will be a future release. The competition will hopefully be ready for next week."

Band profile:

Cradle Of Filth

The guys are in the middle of the recording and has so far recorded all the drums, bass and most of the rythm guitars. The basic vocals on five tracks is also finished, as well as the keyboards on some of the tracks. Host of the recording this time is Studio Mega, Sweden (the Crown, Sator, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Beseech etc). The mastering is set to April 30!

Band profile:

Lake Of Tears

Finland's NIGHTWISH have posted more photos from the recording sessions for their new album, "Once", at their official web site. Check out the slide-show at this location: http://www.nightwish.com/pics/diary/25022004/phpslideshow.php

As previously reported, "Once" is tentatively due in June through Spinefarm/Universal Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast in continental Europe. A release date for the U.S. has yet to be confirmed. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nemo" (first single/video), "I Wish I Had An Angel" (projected second single/video), "The Siren", "Higher Than Hope" and "Dark Chest Of Wonders".

NIGHTWISH recently shot a video for "Nemo" with renowned director Antti Jokinen, who has previously directed music videos for such international artists as CELINE DION, EMINEM and SHANIA TWAIN.

Band profile:

Nightwish

According to INSISION's official website (www.insision.com) the swedish brutal death metal band will enter Soundlab Studios in Orebro, Sweden on March 4th to record their new album, Revealed And Worshipped. The album will be produced by Mieszko Talarczyk (NASUM).

LULLACRY have posted the following recording update at their official website (www.lullacry.com):

"Lullacry has been busy this week! Some new material has been recorded at the Astia Studios, Lappeenranta, Finland with Mr. Anssi Kippo. You can definitely expect some kick ass rockin´ heavy metal to be released within this year as a single or EP. The Music is produced by A. Kippo and Sami Vauhkonen and will be mixed at the Finnvox Studios by Mikko Karmila. You can also expect to see some pictures from the recording sessions soon. ROK!!!"

As previously reported, Lullacry's upcoming studio album, Killer, will feature the following tracks: 'Zero', 'Fire Within', 'The Stranger In You', 'The No. 1 Rebel', 'Close Your Eyes', 'Killing Time', 'King Of Pain', 'Fate', 'You Are The One'. The album will hit stores in January 2005.

Also, Lullacry will do their first-ever tour of North America with NIGHTWISH, which is set to take place in late August/early September 2004. A three-week-tour will include 14 shows all over North-America.

Band profile:

Lullacry

Sweden's LAKE OF TEARS will enter the studio on Friday, February 13 to begin recording the follow-up to 2002's "The Neonai", entitled "Black Brick Road". "The album cover will be done by the brilliant artist Kristian Wåhlin, who painted all of the previous LAKE OF TEARS covers except 'Forever Autumn'," according to a post on the band's web site. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Greymen", "Black Brick Road", "Making Evenings", "Crazyman" and "A Trip With The Moon".

LAKE OF TEARS have scheduled the following summer 2004 European festival appearances:

Jun. 10/12 - Sölvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock
Jul. 02/04 - Leipzig, GER @ With Full Force
Aug. 19/21 - Abtsgmünd, GER @ Summer Breeze

Band profile:

Lake Of Tears

For My Pain?, the Finnish "gothic metal" band featuring Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH) on keyboards, Altti Veteläinen (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on bass, Lauri Tuohimaa (EMBRAZE) on guitar, Olli-Pekka Törrö (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on guitar, Juha Kylmänen (REFLEXION) on vocals, and Petri Sankala (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) on drums, will enter the studio in March to record a couple of new songs for an upcoming EP/single. A late spring release through Spinefarm Records is expected.

As previously reported, FOR MY PAIN have been nominated for a Femma Gala 2004 award in the "Listeners' Choice" category. Voting is currently open online at this location. The award ceremony will be held on February 20 at Nosturi in Helsinki.

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Ted Aguilar has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Hello to all the DEATH ANGEL fans out there. Happy New Year (better late than never, right).

"We've been locked away at SF Soundworks in San Francisco recording a new album. We've been in here since Jan. 3rd & we are almost done with basic tracking) with a few days off before we start mixing it all down). We have 13 complete songs (one being an instrumental). Here are some titles (which we been showcasing live): '5 Steps of Freedom', 'The Devil Incarnate' & 'Prophecy'. But one song that really sticks out for me is 'Thrown to the Wolves'. Man, this song is so INSANE!!! It sounds like it would have been off 'The Ultra Violence'.

"Brian Joseph Dobbs is doing a OUTSTANDING job producing this album. The tones are HUGE & the vibe is all good. Brian really pushes us to do our best & to capture the best performances from us. Right on Dobbs!!!!

"That's it for now. I will update you all when we start mixing. Along with more pics and maybe the title of the album (which is very close to being finalize). For now, enjoy these pics from the basic tracking days. Can't wait for all of you to hear this album."

DEATH ANGEL's their first CD since 1990's "Act III" is tentatively due this spring through Nuclear Blast Records.

The Italian Post-Metal Kollective will enter "One Voice Studio"
during March 2004 to record their new masterpiece titled "A Clockwork Highway".
here's some titles to be included in the tracklist:

Dopecity
Who Dares to Kill the Lion?
The Gospel According an Exit Solution
Babilonia Café
An Affecter of Change

As the Label says: "Do not expect a "New Era Viral Order part 2.",
as usual The Kollective morphed in a new Entity with a new line-up
(including the Industrial Guru Bad Sector and long time friend Nordvargr)
and a new music style, this time more close to the Apocalyptic post-core scene (Isis, Neurosis)
the new songs are a slow, hypnotic, tribal trip in a noise soundtrack,
like William Gibson in Mescal Overdose"

Norway's TRISTANIA will enter Toproom studios in Oslo in April with producer Børge Finstad to begin recording the follow-up to 2001's "World of Glass", tentatively due this fall through Napalm Records.

In other news, the band have announced that they have signed with Continental Concerts for booking and management. All inquiries regarding the band (not fan mail) should from now on be directed to Continental Concerts.

Band profile:

Tristania

Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS will enter Dub Studio on March 1 with producer Endre Kirkesola (GREEN CARNATION, BLOOD RED THRONE) to begin recording their fourth, as-yet-untitled album. The band expect to spend 8-10 weeks recording the follow-up to 2002's "A New Dimension of Might", tentatively due this summer through Napalm Records.

As previously reported, TRAIL OF TEARS recently recorded a version of DEAD CAN DANCE's "The Arcane" for the upcoming DEAD CAN DANCE double-CD tribute album, "The Lotuseaters". The set, which will be released through Greece's Black Lotus Records, will include additional appearances by such acts as THE GATHERING, ULVER, GREEN CARNATION, SEPTIC FLESH, HELENA IREN MICHAELSEN (IMPERIA, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS) and ANTIMATTER.