According to a posting on KAMELOT's web site, guitarist Thomas Youngblood and singer Roy Khan will soon be heading back to Germany to put the finishing touches on the follow-up to last year's "Epica", tentatively due before the end of the year through SPV Records. Vocal sessions and guitar sessions will be done as well as the recording of several guest appearances. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "March of Mephisto", "Nothing Ever Dies" and "Serenade". A Japanese tour will likely take place in December, to be followed by a European trek beginning in January 2005.

Band profile:

Kamelot

Swedish progressive power metal band PLATITUDE have parted ways with drummer Marcus Höher. "This was an entirely professional decision, we parted ways because of musical differences," the group write on their web site. "We want to thank Marcus for the time spent, and the impact on the band and our music. We wish him all the best of luck in the future!" Replacing Marcus in PLATITUDE is Andreas Brobjer, who is also collaborating with Swedish keyboard wizard Richard Andersson on his SPACE ODYSSEY project.

PLATITUDE's sophomore album, "Nine", was released in April through Italy's Scarlet Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Secrets Of Life" was recorded at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS) and features cover artwork by Mattias Norén.

Band profile:

Platitude

Finnish melo-death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have completed work on their sophomore album, "Fall Grave Silence", tentatively due in October/Novemeber through Rage Of Achilles Records.

The follow-up to last year's highly acclaimed "Spirits and August Light" was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne and engineer Teemu Aalto. The mastering sessions will take place at Finnvox studios in Helsinki.

"Fall Grave Silence" tentative track listing:

01. The Fall Went Right Through Here
02. Misanthropic (Let the Crown Fall)
03. Bereavement
04. No Moon & No Queen
05. Gravesilence
06. It's a Long Night
07. The Nolan's Fati
08. Black Seas Cry
09. More Withering
10. Auguries Gone

OMNIUM GATHERUM have previously described the new material as "more of that old-school (melo)death ? groovier and heavier ? not that trendy-pop-death-metal-crap that's extruding everywhere."

Band profile:

Omnium Gatherum

Long-defunct Swedish thrashers AT THE GATES have launched a new official web site at this location: www.atthegates.se . Included on the site are a bunch of rare photos, recordings and other memorabilia.

One of the more melodic death metal bands to expand beyond Sweden and spread their sound across the world alongside peers such as ENTOMBED, AT THE GATES played a significant role in the death metal genre before breaking up in 1996, leading to the formation of THE HAUNTED (courtesy of the group's Yahoo! biography).

Besides, MÖRK GRYNING, VILE, ILLDISPOSED and ETERNAL GRAY are among the bands featured on the upcoming AT THE GATES tribute album, "Slaughterous Souls - A Tribute to At The Gates", due in September through Drowned Scream Records and Goi Music. The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. TAETRE (Sweden) - "At the Gates"
02. GODHATE (Sweden) - "Kingdom Gone"
03. MÖRK GRYNING (Sweden) - "Neverwhere"
04. MOONSKIN (Israel) - "Raped by the Light of Christ"
05. DARKNESS BY OATH (Basque Country) - "The Swarm"
06. SOUL DEMISE (Germany) - "Forever Blind"
07. ETERNAL OATH (Sweden)- "The Fevered Circle"
08. ETERNAL GRAY (Israel)- "Blinded by Fear"
09. ILLDISPOSED (Denmark) - "Slaughter of the Soul" (mp3)
10. ENTER CHAOS (Poland) - "Cold"
11. DETONATION (Holland) - "Under a Serpent Sun"
12. MISANTHROPE (France) - "Suicide Nation"
13. PAGANIZER (Sweden) - "Nausea"
14. VILE (USA)- "Cold" (live cover)
Bonus Track:
15. IN AETERNUM - "Blood Run from the Altar" (GROTESQUE cover)

The CD will contain a 20-page booklet, including comments of the AT THE GATES members, an AT THE GATES history map, etc.

Read more ››

Band profile:

At The Gates

Reactivated Swedish death metallers DISSECTION, featuring guitarist/vocalist Jon Nödtvedt, are currently in the studio with a full line-up, working on their first studio recording since 1995's classic album "Storm Of The Light's Bane". The first single and video is scheduled for release in September 2004.

As previously reported, Nödtveidt spent seven years in prison after being convicted of murdering an Algerian homosexual. A short-lived collaboration with former EMPEROR drummer Bård "Faust" Eithun ended in December over "the demands of DISSECTION's Satanic concept." A documentary DVD and a new studio album are expected sometime in 2005.

Upcoming DISSECTION shows:

Oct. 30 - Stockholm, SWE - Klubben
Dec. 14 - London, UK - Scala
Dec. 15 - Nottingham, UK - TBA
Dec. 16 - Dublin, IRE - TBA
Dec. 17 - Belfast, IRE - TBA
Dec. 19 - Bradford, UK - Rio's

Band profile:

Dissection

Legendary Florida death metal band Deicide have re-signed with Earache Records for a worldwide 2-album deal. After witnessing Earache's results with "Scars Of The Crucifix", the band have decided to extend their relationship with the label for two more albums.

Since Deicide originally signed with Earache in 2003 for "Scars Of The Crucifix", the band and the label have made great strides together. In its first week out, 'Scars Of The Crucifix', debuted at #18 on Billboard's Independent Albums Chart and #24 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart in the US, hitting both charts higher than any other metal band. In 2004, "Scars" has sold more copies worldwide than any other Earache release this year. Earache commissioned Deicide's first-ever video, for the title track off "Scars", and saw to it that it aired on MTV2, Fuse, Kerrang TV, and Scuzz TV. Around the release of "Scars", Earache secured press covergae for Deicide in such mags as AP, Guitar World, and Revolver in the US, and Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, and Terrorizer in the UK.

Earache is proud now to announce Deicide have chosen to renew this mutually beneficial relationship. Earache's Al Dawson had this to say about the re-signing, "Deicide are a great band who have stood the test of time. They're super cool guys and we're psyched to continue working with them."

Deicide's Brian Hoffman declared:
"I am very happy to be on the best death metal label there is."

Band profile:

Deicide

Seattle-based power metallers NEVERMORE have been forced to cancel their previously announced U.K. tour with NOCTURNAL RITES "due to conflicting schedules," according to a posting on the band's web site. The band are hoping to reschedule the dates later in the year.

Band profile:

Nevermore

ICED EARTH bassist James MacDonough has posted a message on the ICED EARTH fan message board Iced-Realm.de regarding the recent departures of drummer Richard Christy and guitarist Ralph Santolla:

"Ok, just so you can stop freaking out and saying all kinds of outlandish things this statement should be sufficient for the situation.

"All of us were worried because this situation was dumped in our laps, in the middle of a tour. Richard got in touch with Bobby as soon as everything was transpiring and within days were talking to him personally at the shows. Bobby practiced his ass off for the gig and when we rehearsed he jumped in the pocket like he had been there all along. There's a true sense of chemistry with this line up and I'm happier more than I've ever been with the rhythm section. So yes, he's in for the duration. It's kind of hard to describe, you play with awesome musicians and you think 'well that's the peak' then another 'fated' face comes into the fold and you're like' DAMN, that's what it's supposed to be like, well that's the feeling I get when I'm grooving with Bobby, enough said. Richard is an awesome drummer and one of the best I've ever played with and a damn good true friend at that. I'm overjoyed he got his position with the Stern show and it's because of Richard that we have Bobby, he didn't want to leave us high and dry. I've had some of the best times of my life playing with Richard and he is on his way to achieving all of his dreams. Kudos to Richie, he's my bro and I'll miss him always. However, people are destined for their roles, and like I said, Bobby is the man and every time I look back at him on stage it's telepathy, perfect symmetry.

"Ok, on to Ralph. Ralph is the best guitarist I've worked with on this level and there are always things to be considered. There are personal goals to consider on both ends, the way you interact, what you get out of your performance, the whole nine yards. Chemistry. Some things are destined to be and others aren't. I love Ralph's solos and his style, it was exactly what Jon wanted for this album. There was no 'out or in' for Ralph. It was as you saw it. Jon writes the songs, and the solos are the ear-candy, and I love that ear-candy by the way, but other issues come into play and Ralph was destined to do other things instead. Ralph has become a good friend of mine and will definitely do things in the future with him. He's a character and we talk all the time, his plate is pretty full and I'm glad for him. There are no hard feelings between the ICED EARTH camp and Ralph and that's the bottom line, sometimes things fit and sometimes they don't. There is no reason to look further than that. We are in talks with a few people for that role and all will be 'very well' before the next leg. Jon and I talked the other day, and we were wanting to find that person where before they even played a note you could tell that your souls were connected, exactly what Jon felt with Tim the first time they met. In closing, I hope this answers some questions and when we find that last link to the puzzle you'll be the first to know. We're looking for that soulmate that belongs in the band and when we meet 'like Jon and Tim met' then we'll have the stable lineup we've always wanted."

Read more ››

Band profile:

Iced Earth

Karmageddon Media recently signed two new bands:
Siege Of Hate (Brazil) introduced as " Killer exotic Grindcore from Brazil, mixed with groovy Hardcore, Death Metal & Thrashy parts"
and
Finnugor (Hungary): " Symphonic Black Metal with Folkish elements"

Legendary U.K. record label Music For Nations ? current home of OPETH and ANATHEMA and past home of METALLICA, CRADLE OF FILTH, TESTAMENT and countless other metal bands ? has officially closed its doors. The company's catalog ? which has previously included titles from artists as varied as LOST HORIZON and FRANK ZAPPA ? will be folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).

Launched in 1983 by Martin Hooker, Music For Nations established itself as a European leader in the rock and metal world, with early signings like METALLICA (who had three gold albums while on MFN), SLAYER and MEGADETH paving the way. As Music For Nations grew, the company expanded its operation to include not just licensed acts from the USA, but its own signings.

After a performance at the Dynamo festival on June 5, the band entered the U.K. but declined to play the London show on June 8 ? opting instead to fly home to Florida, citing their anger and frustration at the transportation and financial arrangements provided by the tour agent. It does not affect any other shows DEICIDE have booked in the USA.

Band profile:

Deicide

Fallen Angels, a melodic death metal band from Sweden, have just finished the recording of their demo in Studiomega (The Crown, Lake Of Tears, Beseech). This demo, named 'Extinction' will soon be available for purchase. The band has also uploaded the track 'Misanthropic Coil' in mp3 on their website www.fallofangels.com. Check it out!!!

CNN.com is reporting that AC/DC could soon stroll down a lane named in their honor, city officials in the southern Australian city of Melbourne have said.

Melbourne City Council is considering renaming Corporation Lane, a narrow downtown alley, AC/DC Lane as a tribute to the band.

"They are probably the most successful Australian band ever and they really do have a connection to Melbourne," said council city services committee chairwoman Kimberly Kitching on Monda.

One of the band's famous video clips, for the song "It's A Long Way to the Top", was filmed on the back of a truck in a Melbourne street.

"I don't think there would be many who wouldn't know that film clip where they are playing on the back of flatbed truck along Swanson Street," Kitching said.

She said the name change proposal came about because Melbourne's rock and roll community was looking for a fitting tribute to the band.

"The area around the lane is full of rock and roll bars and I think it would be a fitting place for the tribute."

Kitching said the naming of the lane would be an alternative to giving the band keys to the city.

"We have recently tightened up our keys to the city program, but in the past we have given them to NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK and DOLLY PARTON."

She said the council would make a decision on the name change within the next month, but it had already received broad community support.

AC/DC already has a street named after it in Madrid, Spain.

Band profile:

AC/DC

Prog-metallers SYMPHONY X are preparing to enter the studio to write their next CD, according to a posting on the group's official web site. The band "will be giving bi-weekly (or so) studio reports with news and pictures as the writing process progresses."

Besides, SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo will be sharing his knowledge and skills this summer (July 26-30) with the students at the National Guitar Workshop in New Milford, CT. Located in various cities throughout the country, this intense summer music program is geared to students of virtually all ages and offers courses in guitar, drums, keyboard, bass, vocals and more. For more information visit www.guitarworkshop.com

Band profile:

Symphony X

The recordings for "NIGHTMARES MADE FLESH" are finished and the master has been delivered to Century Media that has scheduled it for an autumn release. We promise you a fukking brutal and varied piece of work with especially outstanding performances by the new members Axe and Tägtgren, proving Bloodbath is no longer a only tribute to death metal; it's death metal's very own elite.

A total of the following 12 songs to be featured on the album
of which 4 were written each by Blakkheim, Swanö and Renkse:

OUTNUMBERING THE DAY
YEAR OF THE CADAVER RACE
DRAPED IN DISEASE
CANCER OF THE SOUL
THE ASCENSION
EATEN
BRAVE NEW HELL
STILLBORN SAVIOUR
FEEDING THE UNDEAD
BASTARD SON OF GOD
SOUL EVISCERATION
BLOOD VORTEX

Read more ››

Band profile:

Bloodbath