01.31.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The following is an update from ANGTORIA vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva regarding the progress of the band's upcoming debut album, "God Has A Plan For Us All," which is due for release around the end of April via Listenable Records: "The album is still being mixed, and is due to be mastered Feb 14th at Cutting Room in Stockholm by Bjorn Engelmann, who has a very impressive background and has done everything from Rammstein to In Flames, Soilwork to Dimmu Borgir to Within Temptation. Also, a few more guests! Tony Konberg, a male singer/musician from Sundsvall, helped out with some choir parts. He has been part of several local bands for 20 years, and is also a theater and musical performer. We used him on the Torn Between Two Worlds demo as well. He has an amazing low choir voice, and this time just couldn't do without him! Also Richard Andersson, who has been labeled the 'Fastest Keyboard Player In The World,' has participated on our album by laying down a keyboard solo on one of our songs! I had never heard anything like it in my life! A keyboard solo??? He is in strong demand and has a huge fan base of his own! He is known from bands like Majestic, Time Requiem and Space Odyssey. Lastly, very soon, we will have the first Angtoria merchandise available. Hopefully in the next few weeks!" In November of 2001, Sarah Jezebel Deva (Cradle Of Filth, Therion, Mortiis, etc), and composer Chris Rehn (Abyssos) met each other on tour. The two realized that they both had similar ideas and visions about music, and both of them had similar ideas about doing a purely orchestral project, in the vein of movie soundtrack/film score music. In January of 2002, Rehn began composing the songs. By that November, the songs were composed and they began to record a demo at Virtual Symphony Studios, owned and operated by Chris' brother - producer Tommy Rehn (Moahni Moahna). A great response to the demo resulted, however finding the right record label turned out to be difficult, since all their combined connections lay within the Metal scene. In the meantime, Sarah and Chris started talking about forming a band together. A band that would be in the same orchestral/movie score atmosphere, but more focused towards Metal and with a proper lineup to be able to tour. So the two decided to start working on that alongside their original project. With tracks recorded again at Virtual Symphony Studios -- this time in association with Chris' brother Tommy -- Sarah would later record the vocals in her home country of Sweden. During the recording of the music, Chris asked brother Tommy to join the band, and ANGTORIA was born. Last November, a deal was struck with Listenable Records for release of the band's debut. "God Has A Plan For Us All" Track Listing: 1. The Awakening • 2. I'm Calling • 3. God Has A Plan For Us All • 4. Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough • 5. Deity Of Disgust • 6. The Addiction • 7. Suicide On My Mind • 8. Do You See Me Now • 9. Original Sin • 10. Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned • 11. Confide In Me • 12. That's What The Wise Lady Said
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01.30.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of Massachusetts-based quintet SHADOWS FALL to a recording deal for all territories excluding the U.S. Mark Palmer of Roadrunner Records UK states: "Shadows Fall have been one of the standard-bearers for quality American Metal for the past 4 years, and it's an honor to have them as part of the Roadrunner family." Likewise, SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair was equally enthused by the band's new home. Speaking from their home state, where the band are working on songs for their fifth studio album, he commented: "All of us in Shadows Fall are very excited to begin a working relationship with Roadrunner Records! The label has always represented the multiple sounds and styles of the metal genre, and they have never been afraid to take a chance and support bands they believed in. From the roots of extreme metal with Obituary, Deicide and Exhorder to the breakout success of bands like Slipknot and Killswitch Engage, Roadrunner has always been at the forefront of the evolution of metal. We feel it will be a perfect fit to help spread the word about Shadows Fall around the globe. The time has come for total world domination." After forming in 1996, SHADOWS FALL have developed in to one of the Metal scene's key players, both live and on CD. With four increasingly proficient albums under their belt, culminating in the 2004 release of "The War Within," the band have picked up numerous accolades from global music publications and media. More recently, a new SHADOWS FALL DVD entitled "The Art Of Touring" was released in mid-November via their U.S. label, Century Media. That DVD gave viewers "a quick look into the madness that is Shadows Fall on the road," said Fair at the time. "It is not always pretty or perfect, but hell, neither are we. Everything you see on this DVD was filmed by either a band member, crew member or close friend. It is raw, unscripted and pure chaos. It was filmed when our lives were changing dramatically as 'The Art Of Balance' was beginning to pick up steam and we were zigzagging across the world on a break-neck schedule of tours. We were a band trying to leave our mark on the world and get our hands on as many free drinks as possible." Underlining that, the band were honored in this year's 48th Annual Grammy Awards in the U.S., with a nomination alongside Modern Metal heavyweights like SLIPKNOT, MINISTRY and RAMMSTEIN for their album track 'What Drives The Weak.' SHADOWS FALL spent much of 2004 on the road, racking up major dates across the U.S. on Ozzfest, in the UK at the Download Festival and in Germany at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, as well as a string of arena shows with SLIPKNOT and LAMB OF GOD. They are now back home working on the follow up to "The War Within," which is expected to see the light of day in early 2007.
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01.27.06 (RockAndMetal.com) THE GREAT KAT has announced the first Shred/Classical music ever heard in a Hollywood movie soundtrack, with the female crossover Metal guitar virtuoso (voted one of "Top 10 Fastest Shredders Of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine) performing Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody #2" in Jason Bunch's new comedy film "Coming Attractions," which will be out in movie theaters in the Spring. The track, taken from THE GREAT KAT's recently released "Wagner's War" album, is heard during the movie's "Halftime Show" sequence with wrestling star "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, "Seinfeld" actor James Hong, during a cartoon with the voice of Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling from "The Howard Stern Show," and also during the movie's trailer. Produced, written and directed by comedy writer Jason Bunch, "Coming Attractions" stars outrageous basketball legend Dennis Rodman, "The Karate Kid"'s Pat Morita (in his last movie appearance), "Police Academy"'s Michael Winslow, and model Angie Everhart. Filmed as a fast-moving sketch comedy in the style of "Kentucky Fried Movie" and "Saturday Night Live," the film features college humor, gross-out skits, and movie and commercial parodies, and is punctuated by energetic music. THE GREAT KAT was born Katherine Thomas in Swindon, England, who moved to the U.S. at the age of three. After listening to Beethoven since birth, Thomas realized that her mission was to become a composer and musical revolutionary. THE GREAT KAT began Classical piano studies at the age of seven, and Classical violin studies at the age of nine in New York. At 15 years old, she was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School Of Music in New York City as a scholarship student on violin. THE GREAT KAT has performed as a Classical violin soloist at Carnegie Recital Hall as winner of the Artists International Competition. She has also toured as a violin soloist in Mexico, the U.S. and Europe. However, after realizing that Classical music was releatively "dead," THE GREAT KAT discovered Metal music, and began weaving Classical music with Speed Metal. For instance, she began transcribing intricate violin solos to the guitar, thereby creating the unique crossover genre of "Shred/Classical" ("She can zoom up and down a fretboard faster than a hungry cheetah on steroids. Her fretboard speed is awesome," states Guitar Player editor Michael Molenda). THE GREAT KAT is currently the only musician taking authentic Classical music scores (Vivaldi, Beethoven, Bach, Wagner, Liszt, Rossini) and reorchestrating them with shred guitar virtuosity. Her music is known for its phenomenal speeds, complicated Classical motives, counterpoint layering, guitar riffs, maniacal screams, heavy rhythms and thrashing sounds. Quite simply, THE GREAT KAT is on a mission to bring Shred/Classical music to the entire world through the use of MIDI and live instruments, computer technology, and the Internet via her website at www.greatkat.com.
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01.26.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of veteran band VOIVOD to a recording deal that covers the European territories. A legendary Metal monster carrying on the tradition of moving the genre forward into new dimensions, the Canadian band remains to be one of the most innovative around, as many of their releases where well ahead of their time. VOIVOD are currently in the middle of recording a new 13-track album (still untitled) in Montreal, Quebec with producer Glen Robertson (Tea Party), which is expected to be released in the next several months. VOIVOD began by cranking out VENOM, MOTORHEAD, TANK and JUDAS PRIEST covers in 1982, however it didn't take long for their muse to take hold, as original songs like 'Condemned To The Gallows,' 'Voivod,' 'Warriors Of Ice' and 'Blower' came to life shortly thereafter. By 1984, the quartet of Snake (Denis Belanger, vocals), Piggy (Denis D'Amour, guitar), original bassist Blacky (Jean-Yves Theriault) and Away (Michel Langevin) were offered an appearance on Metal Blade's "Metal Massacre" compilation series. Their first album, "War And Pain," followed. It brought the band to global notoriety thanks to its frightening amalgam of ugly noise and youthful spontaneity. Capitalizing on the debut's most chaotic aspects, 1986's "Rrrooaaarrr" offered diseased clusters of thrashing, headache-inducing songs. The band's unique vision came crashing headlong into 1987 with their first truly Progressive album, "Killing Technology." Boasting a spacier, yet no less teeth-rattling adventure, the album remains a high point in the band's discography. "Killing Technology"'s Technical Noise Metal epics like 'Forgotten In Space' and 'Overreaction' merely hinted at what was to come on 1988's "Dimension: Hatross," which remains one of the most innovative albums in the modern Metal genre. Its ebb and flow is clearly the work of songwriting prodigies answering their true call. No surprise, then, when 1989's "Nothingface" capitalized on the lab-borne Science Metal of "Hatross" while injecting a heightened sense of accessibility. A landmark tour with SOUNDGARDEN and FAITH NO MORE brought VOIVOD roaring into the '90s. The band's cosmic drama played out in the new decade with two albums that, while not unanimously acclaimed upon release, have become legendary among their fan base. "Angel Rat" (1991) and "The Outer Limits" (1993) are both textbook definitions of the phrase "ahead of it's time." People who didn't understand them then have been heard singing their praises in recent years. With Blacky out after "Angel Rat" and Snake exiting after "The Outer Limits," VOIVOD unleashed a ferocious album in 1995's "Negatron." With vocalist/bassist Eric Forrest, the trio continued the hard-hitting Space Metal vibe while easing the pace and offering huge slabs of hypnotic sound on "Phobos" (1997). Following that, a bits-and-pieces release ("Kronik," 1999) and a live album ("Voivod Lives," 2000) were deemed necessary in marking that era of the band's development. In 2003, Snake would return for the release of the self-titled "Voivod" in 2003, with former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted (dubbed "Jasonic") manning the bass, being added to the fold the previous year. Sadly, Piggy passed away on August 26th, 2005 from complications due to advanced colon cancer. He was just 45 years old.
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01.25.06 (Temple News/RockAndMetal.com) SEVENDUST have gone through some rough times both financially and musically in recent years, according to drummer Morgan Rose. So they considered it a relief when finally completing their latest album, "Next," which has since been picked up by Roadrunner Records in various territories. "I'm pretty amazed we actually pulled it off," Rose says. "I mean, since we had no label, no funding and had been ripped off so bad for so long, we had to go to the bank and literally put our houses on the line with children at home and make that gamble. "I remember," he added, "signing my name on the first form for $100,000 and saying 'Man I am responsible for a chunk of this money, and I don't have it, so I hope someone likes this record.'" The band also went through a difficult time when long-time band member Clint Lowery left to join DARK NEW DAY. His departure left SEVENDUST with a big hole to fill. However, the band didn't let it slow them down and they quickly moved on and created the music they wanted. "Clint is a great songwriter, and he added an element to our band without a doubt, but we were a band before he was in it," Rose says. "We knew that we could easily put a record together, so that wasn't the issue. The issue was how much material we would be able to write and how much would we have to choose from." Lowery's departure may have helped the band in the end, Rose said. "He (Lowery) tended to be kind of a stickler and would over-analyze a lot, so now we were able to let the songs breathe a little bit," he said. The band quickly replaced Lowery with long-time friend Sonny Mayo, and the band hasn't looked back since. "He's the easiest guy in the world to deal with, so that makes it real simple," Rose says. "We have known him since our first record, so we were able to build camaraderie." SEVENDUST has successfully battled through these hard times, and are now back on tour doing what they love. A new trek kicked off on January 18th, with WICKED WISDOM -- a band fronted by Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith -- opening for SEVENDUST. WICKED WISDOM have only been around for a short time, but the group's already come relatively far, playing on the second stage of Ozzfest last Summer. While it is strange to associate the wife of a Hip-Hop artist with Heavy Metal, SEVENDUST vouch for the group's talent and authenticity nonetheless. "She's a great girl and takes her stuff real serious," Rose says. "I'm pretty impressed with the fact that she is able to have a family, have an acting career, and be able to put a band together, and write songs and tour. She has a chip on her shoulder with some of these lyrics, so it's not like some innocent little thing - she really has something to say." Meanwhile, it's been a long career for SEVENDUST ever since their arrival in 1997. They never saw consistent mainstream coverage from the likes of MTV, and even to this day they've continued to remain relatively underground. The one thing that keeps them going are those loyal fans who come to each of their shows. This tour is not just more of the same, but the best they have ever had, Rose says: "(This tour is) better than any we have ever had. I don't understand why people keep coming out like this. I mean, the loyalty is just outrageous," he said. "We are not getting any MTV at all, and these kids keep coming out." Rose said that the group's show is sure to satisfy any fan. "We're actually playing stuff off the first record, and stuff that came off the other records that we haven't played in years. It's a pretty cool stage setup and it's something we have never done," he said. "The rest is going to have to be a surprise."
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01.25.06 (RockAndMetal.com) LACUNA COIL will embark on a massive six-week North American tour this March as direct support to Rob Zombie. The trek, which kicks off in mid-month and runs through early May, will be the group's first stateside run in support of their highly anticipated new album, "Karmacode," which is set for an April 4th release via Century Media. It will also be the first time the band has played in the U.S. since their successful 2004 Ozzfest run. LACUNA COIL vocalist Cristina Scabbia describes her excitement over the upcoming tour: "Well, I can't even count the times I said 'Wow, we're so excited about this upcoming tour!' I mean we all know how much Rob influenced the scene, and how great his live shows are. We definitely can't wait to share the stage with him and his band. I'm sure it'll be a great experience. It'll be the perfect occasion for us to present the new songs from 'Karmacode' to the fans. This new album is killer, and you won't believe your ears. You guys never let us down, and we can't wait to see you all again. It's been a long time, and Lacuna Coil are more than ready to come back!" Cristina Scabbia also graces the cover of this month's Revolver magazine's "Hottest Women In Metal" issue and the inaugural issue of Virus magazine, while Alternative Press names "Karmacode" as "One of the most anticipated releases of 2006." The album's lead track, 'Our Truth,' received its worldwide debut on the "Underworld: Evolution" soundtrack. A video for the song was shot in Los Angeles by directorial duo Fort Awesome (Queens Of The Stone Age, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Chevelle, etc.) Look for the video to make its debut in mid-March. LACUNA COIL initially left their mark on the scene in 2004 with their album "Comalies," which opened several opportunities for them that were previously thought unattainable for an Italian band, such as two highly successful commercial radio campaigns alongside a breakthrough Ozzfest appearance resulting in over 500,000 copies sold worldwide, with a quarter of a million sold in the U.S. alone. Tour Dates: 03/17 Jacksonville, FL [Plush] • 03/18 Miami, FL [Global Gathering] • 03/19 Orlando, FL [House Of Blues] • 03/22 Atlanta, GA [The Tabernacle] • 03/24 Myrtle Beach, SC [House Of Blues] • 03/25 Norfolk, VA [Norva Theater] • 03/26 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 03/28 New York, NY [Nokia Theater] • 03/29 New York, NY [Nokia Theater] • 03/30 Philadelphia, PA [Electric Factory] • 04/01 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 04/03 Montreal, QC [Metropolis] • 04/04 Toronto, ON [Kool Haus] • 04/06 Columbus, OH [Promo West Pavilion] • 04/07 Detroit, MI [State Theatre] • 04/08 Chicago, IL [Riviera Theater] • 04/09 Indianapolis, IN [Egyptian Room] • 04/11 Milwaukee, WI [Eagles Ballroom] • 04/13 Des Moines, IA [Val Air Ballroom] • 04/14 Minneapolis, MN [Myth] • 04/15 Kansas City, MO [Memorial Hall] • 04/17 Denver, CO [The Fillmore] • 04/18 Salt Lake City, UT [Great Salt Air] • 04/20 San Francisco, CA [The Warfield] • 04/21 San Diego, CA [Soma] • 04/22 Las Vegas, NV [House Of Blues] • 04/24 Los Angeles, CA [The Wiltern] • 04/25 Los Angeles, CA [The Wiltern] • 04/27 Mesa, AZ [Mesa Amphitheatre]
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01.24.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Bolstered and inspired by the support and devotion of their worldwide fan base, the MANOWAR have heard the call to arms and are now ready to return to the fray with their brand new single, 'The Sons Of Odin,' on February 27th. The 10-minute epic, crafted in classic Heavy Metal style, sets the perfect tone for the impending release of the band's still untitled full-length album, scheduled for an April 3rd release on the band's own label, Magic Circle Music. 'The Sons Of Odin' features MANOWAR's patented, lion-hearted Metal riffs mixed with arena Rock stomping grooves and orchestral arrangements. The single will also feature a remixed and re-recorded version of last Summer's first single, 'King Of Kings,' another fast and furious outing originally released only as a bonus on the band's latest DVD, "Hell On Earth IV." "We have the greatest fans in the world," attests MANOWAR drummer Scott Columbus. "For a long time, our fans have stood by us. They've given everything to the belief that together we are the defenders of the heavy metal faith. That's why we've been able to keep playing our brand of music. That's why we haven't wimped out or bowed to commercialism. Our fans are at the core of everything we do. That's the way it's been done from the beginning." MANOWAR live shows have also garnered a reputation for the band's "all-out" attitude. "The whole purpose of playing live is to blow people's heads off," says bassist and founding member Joey DeMaio. "That's what we do; that's the energy of this band. We're out there to kick ass. We're out there to turn our gear on and blast. We're out there to kill. That's what metal is. Anybody who says otherwise is not playing heavy metal!" MANOWAR have sold over 8 million records to date. Their most recent album, "Warriors Of The World," went gold almost immediately after it's release, topping the Metal charts around the world. The 2005 festival season marked some of MANOWAR's most notable appearances to date, with the Metal warriors headlining Europe's biggest festivals - including a three-hour-long concert at the Earthshaker Fest in Geiselwind, Germany. The band's performance included a 200-piece choir and orchestra and special guest appearances by all former MANOWAR members. Encouraged by the rabid fan reaction, it seems clear that the band's upcoming album will feature a well-balanced combination of die-hard Metal headshakers as well as monumental ballads in the vein of songs like 'Heart Of Steel' and 'Courage.' Meanwhile, MANOWAR will continue their "Demons, Dragons And Warriors World Tour" in Europe beginning in late March, featuring Italian Epic Metallers RHAPSODY as special guests, while introducing the newest female-fronted superstar group, HOLYHELL, to the world. Tour Dates: 03/25 Athens, Greece [Stadium Peace & Friendship] • 03/27 Winterthur, Switzerland [Eulachhalle] • 03/30 Zlin, Czech Republic [Novesta] • 03/31 Ostrava, Czech Republic [Poruba] • 04/01 Plzen, Czech Republic [Hala Lokomotiva] • 04/02 Pardubice, Czech Republic [Duhova Arena] • 04/04 Frankfurt, Germany [Festhalle] • 04/06 Munich, Germany [Olympiahalle] • 04/07 Stuttgart, Germany [Schleyerhalle] • 04/08 Nuremberg, Germany [Arena] • 04/10 Berlin, Germany [Max Schmeling Halle] • 04/11 Dortmund, Germany [Westfalenhalle]
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01.23.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The following message was sent out recently to LINKIN PARK fans by drummer Rob Bourdon: What's up, Linkin Park fans? I know it's been a long time since we've had a chance to see you guys face-to-face. I miss playing shows, and look forward to seeing all of you in mid-late '06. We have been writing new songs for the next LP album for the last three months or so. We have been working in pairs out of our home studios and trading ideas with each other every few weeks. Now that we have a bunch of material, we are going to head into a pre-production studio where we will all be working together. We have three separate rooms to work out of at the studio, which is really cool because we can still work individually if we need to. I personally like taking song ideas and working on the drums for a while on my own before letting the other guys hear what I have come up with. Songs can be passed around from room to room so each of us can add in our part. Since we are all there together, we can help each other to develop each of our parts and create the best songs possible. It is the ultimate creative environment for how we write music, since we write by recording into a computer, not by jamming together. We currently have around 50 rough ideas for songs, which will be narrowed down to about 15 when we enter the recording studio. We are very excited about the work we have done so far, and are working hard to get it done so you guys can hear it. As I'm sure you already know, Mike (Shinoda) is doing his own solo project, Fort Minor. It's different than Linkin Park's music as it is a hip-hop album. Called 'The Rising Tied,' it is an incredible album. I think it's one of the best of the year, and I'm not just saying that because Mike is my friend. Mike's been incredibly busy because not only has he been promoting his Fort Minor album and writing with us for the upcoming LP album, but he's about to go out on the road for a North American tour, as well as international touring in Taiwan and Thailand (with 50 Cent) and headlining shows in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Our own Machine Shop Recordings artist Holly Brook, who sings on the Fort Minor track 'Where'd You Go,' will be joining him to perform that song live on the road for all the U.S./Canada dates. Not only will the Fort Minor Militia fan club get chances to meet them out on tour at meet-and-greets, we're also inviting the LPU members of Linkin Park's fan club to participate in meet-and-greets and pre-sales for all the shows. Fort Minor Tour Dates: 01/28 St Paul, MN [Station 4] • 01/29 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 01/31 Detroit, MI [St. Andrew's Hall] • 02/01 Toronto, ON [Phoenix Concert Theater] • 02/03 Boston, MA [Avalon Ballroom] • 02/04 Providence, RI [Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel] • 02/06 New York, NY [Nokia Theatre - Times Square] • 02/09 Atlanta, GA [Roxy Theatre] • 02/10 Washington, DC [Nation] • 02/21 San Francisco, CA [The Fillmore] • 02/24 Taipei, Taiwan, China [Taipei Soccer Stadium] • 02/26 Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Thailand [Aktive Square] • 02/28 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [Bukit Kiara Indoor Venue] • 03/01 Singapore, Singapore [Singapore Indoor Stadium] • 03/03 Brisbane, QLD, Australia [The Arena, Fortitude Valley] • 03/04 Newtown, Sydney, NSW [Australia Enmore Theatre] • 03/05 Melbourne, VIC, Australia [The Palace, St. Kilda] • 03/07 Auckland, New Zealand [The St. James Theatre]

01.23.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Candlelight Records has announced the worldwide signing of East Coast-based STARKWEATHER. The band's new album, entitled "Croatoan," was produced by Pierre Remillard (Cryptopsy), and features artwork by renowned artist Paul Romano (Mastodon, Earth, Godflesh). "Croatoan" is scheduled for a May 2nd American release. Long regarded as one of the first bands to blend Metal and Hardcore, STARKWEATHER are still an untapped band for the masses. They have been cited as a common influence on many of today's top-selling bands and remain one of the most passionate and intense groups of the genre on stage. STARKWEATHER formed in 1989 with Todd Forkin on guitar, Michelle Eddison on bass, Harry Rosa on drums and Rennie Resmini on vocals. They released an early gem in "Crossbearer" in 1993, and it's an underground neo-classic that many of today's Metal darlings have taken influence and inspiration from. "Crossbearer" was truly ahead of its time, and while many have heard of it but even fewer have actually heard it, it's an album that doesn't sound like anything else and is inimitable. Now emerging from a lengthy hibernating period -- their last full-length recording, "Into The Wire," came out in 1995 -- STARKWEATHER have since released only a split seven inch with SEASON TO RISK in 1996, and contributed a track to the "Definitely Not The Majors" compilation collection in 1997. Ultimately, and somewhat abruptly, the band disappeared off the radar. But in reality, they were flying under it. They even played shows, however sporadically, including a Hellfest appearance. STARKWEATHER have endured through periods of dormancy, but they never really broke up, so actually, "Croatoan" is not necessarily a "comeback." However, the band have officially "reawakened" on the new offering, featuring the core lineup of Resmini, Forkin, and Rosa, with contributions by Liam Wilson on bass and Jim Winters on guitar, plus additional percussion provided by Tim Simmons. While it is their first release in a decade, "Croatoan" is fresh-yet-vicious, kind of like a grizzly on its first hunt for food after awaking from a long hibernation period. The songs are lengthy and complexly constructed, but every time you return to the album, you unearth a new sound, a riff, a scream or a word that you didn't quite catch the first time around. An untamed beast of an album that'll draw fans of "legendary" bands like MORBID ANGEL and VOIVOD, "Croatoan" will nonetheless also attract fans of slow, sludgy bands like CROWBAR and NEUROSIS, while enticing fans of current darlings like KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SHADOWS FALL or THE RED CHORD into its lair. STARKWEATHER toured Europe for the first time in mid-2005, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, England, France and other countries, which the band plan to revisit again during 2006. American dates are also expected, with details to be announced separately soon.
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01.20.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Metal Blade Records crushing war machine of Metal BOLT THROWER have embarked on an extensive European tour with MALEVOLENT CREATION, NIGHTRAGE and NECROPHAGIST. The UK quintet are currently celebrating their 20th anniversary together, with former vocalist Karl Willetts back in the ranks to help with the celebration. BOLT THROWER's latest offering, "Those Once Loyal" (their eighth album), follows up 2001's "Honor Valour Pride" with another merciless crushing blow - their sound often compared to an unstoppable tank, destroying everything in it's path. BOLT THROWER were formed in 1986 by guitarist Barry Thomson and Gavin Ward, who originally played bass in the band. They were soon joined by vocalist Alan West, and completed their original lineup with the addition of drummer Andy Whale. Initially inspired by bands such as SACRILEGE, DISCHARGE, SLAYER and CANDLEMASS, the quartet went on to record two demos, one of which -- "Concession Of Pain -- was sent to the late, great John Peel, which resulted in BOLT THROWER being offered a session. At the time, Gavin Ward switched to guitar and recruited Jo Bench on bass to complete the picture. At the start of 1988, the band recorded their first Peel session - after the transmission of which was aired, Vinyl Solution contacted the band and a recording deal was landed. Alan West was replaced by Karl Willetts early on, that lineup going on to record BOLT THROWER's debut album, "In Battle There Is No Law," which was recorded at Loco Studios in Wales and released in the Summer of 1988. The band have since released "Realm Of Chaos" (1989), "Warmaster" (1991), "The IVth Crusade" (1993) and "...For Victory" (1994) via Earache Records, after which they signed up with Metal Blade for 1998's "Mercenary," followed by "Honor Valour Pride" and now "Those Once Loyal." Tour Dates: 01/20 Wil, Switzerland [Remise] • 01/21 Andernach, Germany [Juz] • 01/22 Groningen, Holland [Vera] • 01/23 Osnabruck, Germany [N8] • 01/24 Rotterdam, Holland [Baroeg] • 01/25 Nijmegen, Holland [Doornroosje] • 01/26 Essen, Germany [Zeche Carl] • 01/27 Cottbus, Germany [Glad-House] • 01/28 Hanau, Germany [Halle 2] • 01/29 Hasselt, Belgium [Musiek-O-Drom] • 01/30 Paris, France [La Locomotive] • 02/01 Pratteln, Switzerland [Z7] • 02/02 Stuttgart, Germany [Rohre] • 02/03 Bad Salzungen, Germany [Kallewerk] • 02/04 Trier, Germany [Exil] • 02/05 Haarlem, Holland [Patronaat] • 04/06 Edinburgh, Scotland [The Bongo Club] • 04/07 Bradford, England [Rio] • 04/09 Dublin, Ireland [Voodoo Lounge] • 04/11 London, England [Underworld] • 04/12 Hengelo, Holland [Metropol] • 04/13 Copenhagen, Denmark [The Rock] • 04/14 Gothenburg, Sweden [Sticky Fingers] • 04/15 Oslo, Norway [Inferno Festival] • 04/16 Stockholm, Sweden [Klubben] • 04/18 Helsinki, Finland [Nosturi] • 04/19 Oulu, Finland [Teatria] • 04/20 Umea, Finland [Midnight] • 04/21 Orebro, Sweden [Satin] • 04/22 Lund, Sweden [Mejeriet] • 04/23 Bremen, Germany [Wehrschloss] • 04/25 Lyon, France [Marche Gare] • 04/26 Perpignan, France [Le Crockmore] • 04/27 Barcelona, Spain [Centro Civico Les Basses] • 04/28 Durango, Spain [Plateruena] • 04/29 Madrid, Spain [Ritmo & Compas]
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01.19.06 (RockAndMetal.com) It was a classic KORN move. The trend-setting, Grammy-winning band, who currently have the #1 Active Rock radio hit in the country, 'Twisted Transistor' (also Top Ten on the Alternative Rock chart," arrived in a vintage hearse on Friday The 13th to the landmark Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. The resting place for hundreds of Hollywood's greatest stars (founded in 1899) was the location chosen to announce their major North American headlining tour, "See You On The Other Side," also the title of their current smash album for which they were awarded platinum plaques at the press conference. KORN -- who've sold over 25 million albums to date -- have invited MUDVAYNE and 10 YEARS to join them on the new six-week arena trek, which launches February 24th in Bakersfield, California (the band's hometown) and runs through April 4th. The tour is in support with KORN's critically acclaimed seventh album, "See You On The Other Side" (EMI/Virgin), which entered the Billboard Top 200 albums listing at #3, marking the band's sixth top five entry on that important chart. In a mere matter of weeks, the album has already sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide, surpassing expectations and initial sales of their last few releases. Tickets for most shows start going on sale January 21. As an added bonus for their fans, KORN are offering a free one-year membership to the Korn BSC Online Fan Club with every ticket purchased online - another first for Korn in connecting the live concert experience with digital exclusive content and community. KORN launched the release of "See You On The Other Side" in grand style, shaking up the promotional music video genre with the 'Twisted Transistor' video, which cast some of today's leading Rap and Hip-Hop stars (Snoop Dog, Lil Jon, Xzibit and David Banner), impersonating the band in what is essentially a mini-movie. The band also made their first-ever performance in a U.S. television studio when they appeared November 19th on "Saturday Night Live," blasting out their blazing single 'Twisted Transistor' and their classic volatile hit, 'Freak On A Leash.' KORN also made national television airwaves, taking the art of live performance to the next level by becoming the first multi-platinum band to perform a set while at 37,000 feet on board a transatlantic private aircraft en route to New York from London. The plane, headed to New York for a KORN show at the Hammerstein Ballroom, was filled with European MTV contest winners and eight U.S. soldiers who have served in either Afghanistan or Iraq, and were on leave in Frankfurt, Germany and Venice, Italy. The following are confirmed "See You On The Other Side" tour dates and venues as of today: 02/24 Bakersfield, CA [Selland Arena] • 02/25 Reno, NV [Events Center] • 02/26 San Jose, CA [Events Center] • 02/28 Sacramento, CA [Arco Arena] • 03/02 Portland, OR [Theatre In The Clouds] • 03/04 Vancouver, Canada [GM Place] • 03/05 Tacoma, WA [Tacoma Dome] • 03/06 Boise, ID [Idaho Center] • 03/08 Denver, CO [Magness Arena] • 03/10 El Paso, TX [Coliseum] • 03/11 Albuquerque, NM [Tingley Coliseum] • 03/12 Phoenix, AZ [Dodge Theatre] • 03/14 Las Vegas, NV [The Joint] • 03/15 San Diego, CA [iPayone Center] • 03/16 Long Beach, CA [Long Beach Arena] • 03/20 Orlando, FL [TBA] • 03/21 Jacksonville, FL [TBA] • 03/22 Charlotte, NC [TBA] • 03/24 TBA, TBA [TBA] • 03/25 Baltimore, MD [TBA] • 03/26 Lewiston, ME [TBA] • 03/28 East Rutherford, NJ [TBA] • 03/30 Chicago, IL [TBA] • 03/31 Milwaukee, WI [TBA] • 04/01 St. Paul, MN [TBA] • 04/03 Youngstown, OH [TBA] • 04/04 Toronto, ON [TBA]
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01.18.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Crash Music, Inc. has announced that Extreme Metallers LUPARA, the Chicago band formed by ex-BROKEN HOPE guitarist Jeremy Wagner, have officially signed a multi-album recording deal with the label. LUPARA formed in the Summer of 2003 after Wagner decided to put all of his energy into a new project after BROKEN HOPE dissolved. The name LUPARA is taken from from his fascination with the Sicilian mafia and the novel "The Godfather." A "lupara" is a sawed-off, Sicilian shotgun that mafia soldiers of old carried as one of their primary weapons. A lupara was rumored to be so powerful, it could blow a man in half. Since January of last year, the band have released a critically-acclaimed promo-CD and performed throughout the U.S. and out of the country with the likes of OBITUARY, NAPALM DEATH, DEAD TO FALL, OTEP, AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE, TESTAMENT, GOD FORBID, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, AGNOSTIC FRONT, and many others. LUPARA were also chosen as the only unsigned American metal act to perform at the 2005 Monterrey Metalfest in Mexico with MOTORHEAD, WASP, HAMMERFALL, DANZIG, and JAG PANZER. Regarding the deal with Crash Music, Jeremy Wagner had this to say: "Mark Nawara of Crash Music was the first man on the planet who had the guts to sign BROKEN HOPE in 1990 to Grindcore International Records when no one wanted us. Grindcore was the company who released our debut, 'Swamped In Gore.' After that, BROKEN HOPE went on to a decent career with Metal Blade Records. Now, after shopping to various labels for the last year, Mark is working with me again. Crash Music stepped up and gave us a great offer, and an opportunity to take a bigger step into this world known as the metal music industry. Their vision and belief in LUPARA is more than an indie metal band could ask for." Crash Music's Mark Nawara comments: "We are very excited and pleased to be working with Jeremy Wagner and Lupara. Jeremy has proven over the years that he has what it takes to be successful in this business. Once I heard his new project, I knew I had to be involved. I look forward to a long and successful relationship with the band." Regarding what fans can expect from the debut LUPARA album, Wagner says: "Well, I sure as hell am not gonna say it's going to be the next 'Master Of Puppets,' as a number of bands seem to be fond of saying nowadays, but I will say that after working with pre-production for a while, this could will be one of the heaviest, most abrasive, and relentless metal albums of 2006. I'll fucking guarantee that statement with every fiber of my being...so look out!" LUPARA expect to begin recording their debut album sometime in March. The band will record their full-length debut at Mercenary Digital Studios with Scott Creekmore and the band producing. Also, LUPARA has already commissioned MNEMIC guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie to create the album-cover artwork for the album, which will see a release sometime this Summer. Crash Music, Inc. releases are distributed in the U.S. by Caroline Distribution, and the label also has offices in Germany that handle the European territories through Crash Music Europe.
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01.17.06 (RockAndMetal.com) With the February 7th North American release of "Come Clarity," Heralded Swedish Metal quintet IN FLAMES have chosen a new label in Ferret Music to introduce them to a broader audience in heavy music. The influential band, whose cumulative sales now total over one million units, are coming off another successful year as part of Ozzfest 2005, where they shared the festival's main stage with BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, and others. IN FLAMES' recent success -- as well as that of counterparts including KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SHADOWS FALL and LAMB OF GOD -- has paved the way for Metal bands to break through to the mainstream. Over the last ten years, IN FLAMES have helped to define an entire musical movement, placing them at the forefront of the next revolution in heavy music. Many critically-acclaimed albums have helped lay out the groundwork, however. Striving to make music he loved, Jesper Stromblad formed the band with Johan Larsson and Glenn Ljungstrom in 1990. After recording a demo, the trio garnered their first record deal and began work on their debut album. Entitled "Lunar Strain," the release quickly became an instant classic in underground circles. A licensing deal with Nuclear Blast Records soon followed, as did the addition of both Anders Friden on vocals and Bjorn Gelotte on drums. "Lunar Strain"'s follow-up, "The Jester Race, was an immediate success, and the band's profile continued to increase worldwide as did their rigorous touring schedule. With a fresh lineup in place, 1997's "Whoracle" ultimately became known in the highly factional underground metal community as an important release not only for the band, but for the entire Melodic Death Metal movement. In 1999, the band released another album in "Colony," followed by "Clayman" in 2000, the success of which led to the first IN FLAMES live album, "The Tokyo Showdown." 2002's "Reroute To Remain" came next, followed by 2004's "Soundtrack To Your Escape." IN FLAMES are set to launch a North American headlining tour with TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER and ZAO beginning next week. Tour Dates: 01/25 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theatre] • 01/26 Las Vegas, NV [House Of Blues] • 01/27 San Diego, CA [Soma] • 01/28 Los Angeles, CA [Wiltern Theatre] • 01/29 San Francisco, CA [The Fillmore] • 01/30 Portland, OR [Roseland Theatre] • 01/31 Vancouver, BC [Croatian Cultural Centre] • 02/01 Seattle, WA [Showbox] • 02/03 Magna, UT [The Great Salt Air] • 02/04 Englewood, CO [Gothic Theatre] • 02/06 Austin, TX [The Backroom] • 02/07 Houston, TX [Meridian] • 02/09 Nashville, TN [Rockettown] • 02/10 Detroit, MI [Harpo's] • 02/11 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 02/12 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 02/14 Latham, NY [Saratoga Winners] • 02/15 New York, NY [Webster Hall] • 02/16 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 02/17 Philadelphia, PA [Theatre Of The Living Arts] • 02/18 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 02/19 Montreal, QC [Le Medley] • 02/20 Quebec City, QB [Theatre Capitole] • 02/21 Toronto, ONT [Kool Haus] • 02/22 Rochester, NY [Water Street Music Hall] • 02/23 Norfolk, VA [Norva Theatre] • 02/24 Charlotte, NC [Tremont Music Hall] • 02/25 Atlanta, GA [Roxy Theatre] • 02/26 Lake Buena Vista, FL [House Of Blues]
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01.16.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Trustkill Records has announced the signing of FIRST BLOOD to a new recording deal. While the label plan to unleash the band's furious Hardcore with crushing, metallic guitar riffs and blood-curdling vocals upon the world soon, FIRST BLOOD are not an unknown band by any means. The group features ex-TERROR bassist Carl Schwartz on vocals and current TERROR member Doug Weber on guitar. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, the band formed in early 2002 from the ashes of SWORN VENGEANCE, a band in which Schwartz and Weber were both members. Even without having played many live shows, FIRST BLOOD has quickly made a strong impact throughout the modern Hardcore scene. The group did their first show sharing the stage with legendary members of CRO-MAGS performing as THE AGE OF QUARREL, and made a notable appearance at Hellfest 2003. Previously releasing material on Division 36 Records and Deathwish Inc., FIRST BLOOD have since impressed many with their brutal delivery and in-your-face lyrics dealing with both social and political subjects. The band are currently writing and preparing to record their Trustkill debut full-length beginning next week at Oakland's Castle Ultimate, which is slated for release on May 2nd. They will also embark on their first tour in late February with IGNITE, COMEBACK KID and SINKING SHIPS, which will include both North American and Canadian dates. Carl Schwartz talks about the signing to the label saying, "Josh (Grabelle, Trustkill President) approached me about releasing something on Trustkill. I was psyched, as he did such a great job promoting Terror, but because of my obligations to that band I had to say no. When I recently left Terror, Josh and I continued our discussion and decided to go full speed ahead and make First Blood a full-time endeavor." Schwartz, a main contributor to FIRST BLOOD's lyrics and music alongside guitarist Kyle Dixon (Alcatraz, Ex-Embrace The End), elaborates: "Most of my lyrics deal with topics important to me; the ups and downs, frustrations and discontent with certain things in this world. Hopefully people can relate to my words and realize that they are not alone, and become inspired and confident enough to stand for what they believe to find a place for themselves in this world." A staunch supporter of veganism, Carl Schwartz is much-involved with PETA, appearing in a video interview on their website, in promotional DVDs, as well as full-page print appearances in several music-related magazines. Tour Dates: 02/26 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 02/27 Portland, OR [Rock 'N' Roll Pizza] • 02/28 Roseville, CA [Underground] • 03/01 San Francisco, CA [Pound SF] • 03/02 San Diego, CA [Epicenter] • 03/03 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 03/04 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 03/06 Tempe, AZ [Clubhouse] • 03/08 Denver, CO [Rock Island] • 03/09 Kansas City, MO [El Torreon] • 03/10 Iowa City, IA [Gabe's Oasis] • 03/11 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 03/12 Nashville, TN [The Muse] • 03/13 Birmingham, AL [Cave 9]
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01.13.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Polish Extreme Death Metallers DECAPITATED have now hit the road in the U.S. for the month-long "Annihilation Of The Wicked Tour" with NILE, HYPOCRISY, SOILENT GREEN, RAGING SPEEDHORN and labelmates WITH PASSION. DECAPITATED are currently out in promotion of material from their upcoming new album for Earache Records, entitled "Organic Hallucinosis," which was recorded at Hertz Studios in Bialystok, Poland with producers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski. The first DECAPITATED album to feature new vocalist Covan, formerly of ATROPHIA RED SUN (who replaced the recently departed Sauron), the new vocalist had this to say regarding hooking up with the band late last year: "It was strange, because everything happened so fast and now I don't remember exactly. I guess it was Martin (bassist) who phoned me and asked me if I wanted to go out for a beer. We met and talked about this and that. Vogg (guitarist) was also with us. They asked me what I would say to helping them out on some upcoming gigs because Sauron was planning on quitting. I was a bit shocked, because I knew that they had been close friends and music mates for years. Than I talked with Sauron, and he said that it would be a good choice for the band, and that he made the decision to leave himself. I had some doubts, but he said that he had faith in me. So I said 'O.K., why not?' It's great because this kind of music is a new challenge for me. It was also perfect timing because my band Atrophia Red Sun just split, and we were doing nothing special besides drinking and working in our normal jobs." Regarding the new album's title, "Organic Hallucinosis," Covan commented: "Let me be dictionary precise! It's 'a disorder of persistent or recurrent hallucinations, usually visual or auditory, that occur in clear consciousness, in the absence of significant intellectual decline - predominant disturbance of mood and predominance of delusions. Hallucinations have been reported in various neurological and systemic medical disorders. That's all in brief. Next class will be at eight. I think that it's a great title." Tour Dates: 01/13 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 01/14 Fort Worth, TX [Ridgles Theater] • 01/15 San Antonio, TX [Sanctuary] • 01/16 Albuquerque, NM [The Launchpad] • 01/17 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theater] • 01/18 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Theater] • 01/19 Los Angeles, CA [Key Club] • 01/20 San Francsico, CA [The Pound @ Pier 69] • 01/21 Orangevale, CA [The Boardwalk] • 01/22 Portland, OR [Barbati's Pan] • 01/23 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 01/25 Denver, CO [Bluebird Theater] • 01/26 Omaha, NE [Sokoi Underground] • 01/27 Lawrence, KS [Granada] • 01/28 Sauget, IL [Pop's] • 01/29 Columbia Heights, MN [Star Central] • 01/30 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 01/31 Cincinnati, OH [Bogarts] • 02/01 Cleveland OH [Peabody's] • 02/02 Rochester, NY [Penny Arcade] • 02/03 Poughkeepsie, NY [The Chance] • 02/04 Worcester, MA [The Paladium] • 02/06 New York, NY [B.B. Kings] • 02/07 Hagerstown, MD [Lightersberg Grange Hall] • 02/08 West Springfield VA [Jaxx] • 02/09 Norvolk, VA [Norva] • 02/10 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 02/11 Tampa, FL [Masquerade] • 02/12 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Club]
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01.12.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Guitar virtuoso ZAKK WYLDE is set to be inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk next week on Tuesday, January 17th at noon. The event is free and open to the public. ZAKK WYLDE has played a significant role for Ozzy Osbourne, who hand-picked Wylde in 1987 at the age of 19 to be his new axe slinger. As a sidekick to the former BLACK SABBATH singer and future MTV reality show superstar, he had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of such renowned fretsters as Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads and Jake E Lee. In addition to his responsibilities as Ozzy's main guitarist, Wylde was responsible for co-writing many of Osbourne's best-selling multi-platinum albums including "No Rest For The Wicked," "No More Tears," and "Ozzmosis." ZAKK WYLDE started his solo career in 1994. After a brief collaboration with Axl Rose and company to join GUNS N' ROSES didn't materialize, Wylde went on to perform with THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and LYNYRD SKYNYRD before recording his first solo effort, "Pride & Glory. In 1998, ZAKK WYLDE formed his own band, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, while still maintaining his role as Osbourne's lead guitarist. To date, the band has released six albums and has sold in excess of one million units worldwide. Once asked whether BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are Rock 'N' Roll, Heavy Metal or Southern Rock - or a bastardization of the three - Wylde said: "We're a fucking hardcore iron company. Believe me, this ain't fucking Britney Spears!" Wylde's musical mastery has spawned numerous instrument product endorsements as well. His signature products include four custom Gibson guitars, a custom Epiphone guitar, a limited run Marshall amplifier, EMG pickups, GHS strings and Dunlop pedals. Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Slash and Duff McKagan of VELVET REVOLVER, Robert Trujillo of METALLICA, John 5, baseball greats Mike Piazza and Scott Spiezio, wrestlers Steve Austin and Chris Jericho, Vinnie Abbott and Rex Brown of PANTERA, Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of ALICE IN CHAINS, Kerry King of SLAYER, Jim Ladd, and more celebrity guests to be announced will be in attendance to congratulate ZAKK WYLDE as he is inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk. The only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of Rock 'N' Roll, Blues and R&B, ZAKK WYLDE's handprints and signatures will reside on Hollywood's RockWalk alongside other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, AEROSMITH, B.B. King, VAN HALEN, James Brown, George Martin, SONIC YOUTH, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Carl Perkins, John Lee Hooker, THE RAMONES, Bonnie Raitt and Holland-Dozier-Holland, among others.
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01.11.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Legendary Grindcore pioneers TERRORIZER have signed a new worldwide recording deal with Century Media. Released in 1989, the band's highly acclaimed and influential debut album, "World Downfall" (Earache Records), took the underground Metal scene by storm at the time. With an as yet unheard of aggression the band became a cult institution, even though they quickly disbanded. Following the breakup the main founding members, drummer Pete Sandoval and guitarist Jesse Pintado, moved on to join legendary bands MORBID ANGEL and NAPALM DEATH respectively. The band remained popular through the next 16 years with newer acts citing inspiration from "World Downfall." The massive amount of available bootleg recordings and band merchandise as well as rumors of a follow-up album have kept TERRORIZER's name alive. Now, after what might seem like an eternity of silence, the band have already started working on a new studio album in Florida with producer Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (Morbid Angel, Unholy Ghost, Christian Death, Diet Of Worms, etc.) for a Summer release. "This is a big step in the process for everyone involved with Terrorizer, and we are pleased to announce the great news," says Jesse Pintado. "Over the past several months, we have all undergone many ups and downs. Terrorizer will now consist of one half of its original lineup. Introducing themselves into the new TERRORIZER fold are Tony Norman (Monstrosity, Morbid Angel) and Tony Militia (Resistant Culture). Many people have asked why Oscar Garcia (Nausea) and David Vincent are not returning. Simply put, Oscar is no longer interested in Terrorizer, and wants to focus on his own band Nausea." As one of the front-runners in the Florida Death Metal scene, guitarist Tony Norman (who will surprisingly be playing bass for TERRORIZER) and MONSTROSITY began their course in late 1990. Underground tape trading and strong international networking made that band a viable entity in the Metal realm with their infamous "Horror Infinity," demo which got them signed to Nuclear Blast Records Germany. MONSTROSITY's first effort was entitled "Imperial Doom," and is now considered a true Death Metal classic. Vocalist Tony Militia comes over from RESISTANT CULTURE, a "collective of dedicated artists who work to create sounds and visuals that reflect a poetic vision of the struggle to survive" says Militia. Based out of Southern California, RESISTANT CULTURE was called RESISTANT MILITIA In its original form going back to the 1980s, and was one of many underground bands emerging at the time in the Los Angeles area that combined the genres of Punk and Metal to incite a new movement that was heavy, loud, and dark, while also viscerally political and aggressive. Jesse Pintado, a long-time friend of Tony Militia (a.k.a. "Anthony") has been writing, recording and playing with RESISTANT CULTURE since 2004.
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01.10.06 (RockAndMetal.com) One of the potentially "most important albums of 2006" has just been released by Trustkill Records in the United States and via Roadrunner Records throughout most of the rest of the world. The pain, frustration, and despair of the preyed upon and forgotten have been fashioned into a sharpened point on BLEEDING THROUGH's landmark new album, aptly entitled "The Truth." Faster yet more melodic, heavier yet more accomplished, more precise while even further off the deep-end into tragedy and loneliness, "The Truth" is a trend-proof middle finger toward the glut of over-saturation that threatens to destroy the scene BLEEDING THROUGH helped to build. Frontman Brandan Schieppati breaks open the Pandora's box of the competitive nature of growing up in Orange County, California -- where the "beautiful people" squabble for their piece of the pie -- by focusing years of rage from trying to "fit in" into a voice that speaks for the masses. Songs like 'Kill To Believe' and 'Hollywood Prison' are bitter anthems for the broken-hearted, painting a picture of solidarity through shared struggle and strife. It's a rally, a message, a point of view that encompasses the entirety of "The Truth" - the powerless turned powerful. It also comes at a time when the metal genre has gotten more obsessed with fashion, artistic clones, flowery wordplay, and soundalike riffs. BLEEDING THROUGH delve further into Metal's past to find it's future on "The Truth," refining their sound instead by streamlining everything tighter. "This is album is more to the point, more straight forward and just faster and more pissed off," proclaims Schieppati. "At the same time the singing is better. Everything that was melodic before is even more melodic, and everything that was heavy is twice as brutal." Nurtured on the bile of SOILENT GREEN (SG vocalist Ben Falgoust makes a guest appearance), the aggression of LIVING SACRIFICE, the despair of JOY DIVISION, the heart-on-sleeve polemics of Morrissey, the urgency of Hardcore like CRO-MAGS and INTEGRITY and the ferocity of Black Metal, BLEEDING THROUGH have created something truly unique with "The Truth." "I don't think this album sounds like anything else out there right now," says guitarist Brian Leppke. "We're very proud of that fact." Leppke's playing and that of co-founder and guitarist Scott Danough reach new levels on the new album, with Ryan Wombacher's bass lines stealing the spotlight at times such as the droning and NEUROSIS-like instrumental title track that closes the album. Marta's keyboards are also more cinematic, lush and more vibrant than anything on a previous BLEEDING THROUGH release. And if you ask the band, they will say this is drummer Derek Youngsma's record, his fluid and tasteful pounding propelling the band into heretofore uncharted breakneck heights of power. "The Truth" is is fast, raw and pissed off, with the crystal clear but unhinged and slightly off-kilter production work of Rob Caggiano (Cradle Of Filth, A Life Once Lost), at last capturing the promise the band has shown since debuting with "Dust To Ashes." "Portrait Of A Goddess," the band's follow-up on Indecision Records, didn't invent the "hardcore-kids-playing-metal while dressed in black" ideal, but it certainly took things to new levels others have since cashed in upon. BLEEDING THROUGH's successes have been many as well though, mostly built upon their Trustkill debut, "This Is Love, This Is Murderous."
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01.09.06 (RockAndMetal.com) GOD FORBID have kicked off the new year as direct support to ANTHRAX with SWORN ENEMY and MANNTIS in the opening slots. The trek, which began January 6th and runs through January 21st, leads the band across the U.S. and immediately into a national headlining run with SWORN ENEMY, MANNTIS and CANNAE. GOD FORBID recently wrapped up a highly-successful European trek with THE HAUNTED and GOD DETHRONED last month after completing a new video for the track 'To The Fallen Hero' with acclaimed director Shane Drake (Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights). Look for it to make its debut late next month. GOD FORBID guitarist Doc Coyle further describes his excitement over the upcoming influx of touring activity: "What's the word y'all? Doc here checking in, and hopefully everyone had a very metal Holiday season. Frankly, I was just grateful to be home for a few days. We have now hit the road with the legendary Anthrax and our old and new friends in Sworn Enemy and Manntis and are very fucking excited for this run. It's short, but sweet. Fortunately, we keep going after that, without Anthrax, headlining with the rest of the bill and Cannae for a week in Canada along with a couple U.S. shows. We will also be back on a major U.S. package tour this April, so keep your collective ears to the ground. It's just cool to have a bunch of stuff lined up for this year in the States. Although it might not seem like it, we have only done 2 U.S. tours since Ozzfest 2004. Crazy right? We have a lot of ground to make up, and we're psyched as hell to get to it. In some other news, the 'To The Fallen Hero' video is by far the best one we've ever done! We're pimped out in some smooth ass tuxedos. I would also like to apologize for www.godforbid1.com not being updated in forever. It's been a nightmare getting it together, but we promise to have it up and running any day now. See you all soon." GOD FORBID's new album, "IV: Constitution Of Treason," entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #119 in its first week of release - the first time the group has ever appeared in the Top 200 charts. Produced by Jason Suecof (Trivium) and Eric Rachel (Atreyu, The Dillinger Escape Plan), the album -- a socially and politically charged vision of a post-apocalyptic world -- further displays the creativity and talent of one of the more highly-respected bands in modern Metal today. Tour Dates: 01/10 Allentown, PA [Crocodile Rock] • 01/11 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 01/12 Sauget, IL [Pop's] • 01/13 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 01/14 Minneapolis, MN [First Avenue] • 01/15 Lawrence, KS [Granada] • 01/17 Wichita, KS [The Cotillion] • 01/18 Boulder, CO [Fox Theatre] • 01/20 San Francisco, CA [The Pound - SF Outdoors] • 01/21 Los Angeles, CA [The Avalon] • 01/24 Portland, OR [Hawthorne Theatre] • 01/25 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 01/27 Spokane, WA [Fat Tuesday's] • 01/28 Calgary, AB [The Warehouse] • 01/29 Edmonton, AB [The Starlite] • 01/31 Winnipeg, MB [Pyramid Cabaret] • 02/03 Detroit, MI [Harpo's] • 02/04 Rochester, NY [The Steel Music Hall]
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01.06.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Atlanta, Georgia Modern Hard Rockers FIGHT PARIS are set to hit the road for a lengthy seven-week U.S. tour with SCARLET, CALICO SYSTEM and THE ESOTERIC beginning January 13th at the Peppermint Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The newest addition to a growing roster of quality bands on Trustkill Records, FIGHT PARIS have been together for a few years now, playing gigs on both coasts, and spreading their "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll" philosophy to unsuspecting kids everywhere. Comprised initially with a core line-up of vocalist Kevin Phillips, guitarist Neil Warren and drummer Jason Krutzky, FIGHT PARIS went through several changes before finalizing the line-up with the addition of guitarist Matt Tanner and bassist Champ Champagne in the Summer of 2003. FIGHT PARIS have already played numerous shows in Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and practically every venue in and around Atlanta, Georgia with bands including CHIMAIRA, GOD FORBID, COLD, DOPE, SCHOOL FOR HEROES, 36 CRAZYFISTS, UNDEROATH, HOTWIRE, [MINUS.DRIVER], SCATTER THE ASHES, and more. FIGHT PARIS strictly adhere to a "party hard, work harder" philosophy. Until scoring a deal with Trustkill about a year ago, they recorded their own music, created and distributed their own merchandise, and even self-released the 6-song "Satisfaction Guaranteed EP" on their own SouthernStyle Records label. Tour Dates: 01/13 Virginia Beach, VA [Peppermint Club] • 01/14 Fredericksburg, VA [KCs] • 01/15 Philadelphia, PA [First Unitarian Church] • 01/16 Montclair, NJ [Bloomfield Avenue Cafe & Stage] • 01/17 Long Island, NY [Centereach VFW Hall] • 01/18 Wakefield, MA [United Methodist Church Once Was] • 01/19 Rochester, NY [Steel Music Hall] • 01/20 Fulton, NY [Fulton VFW] • 01/21 Detroit, MI [The Modern Exchange] • 01/22 Grand Rapids, MI [Ten Bells] • 01/23 Chicago Heights, IL [The Music Box] • 01/24 Omaha, NE [The Rock] • 01/25 Kansas City, MO [El Torreon] • 01/26 Denver, CO [Rock Island] • 01/27 Ogden, UT [Club Boom Va] • 01/28 Boise, ID [The Venue] • 01/29 Reno, NV [VFW Hall] • 01/30 Sacramento, CA [Junta] • 01/31 San Francisco, CA [The Pound @ Pier 96] • 02/01 Bakersfield, CA [Jerry's Pizza] • 02/02 Hollywood, CA [Whisky A Go Go] • 02/03 Lancaster, CA [Cedar Center] • 02/04 Corona, CA [Showcase Theatre] • 02/05 Las Vegas, NV [The Clubhouse] • 02/06 Phoenix, AZ [Phix Gallery] • 02/07 El Paso, TX [House Of Rock N Roll] • 02/09 Corpus Christi, TX [The Underground] • 02/10 San Antonio, TX [Bonds 007] • 02/11 Houston, TX [Java Jazz] • 02/12 Baton Rouge, LA [The Darkroom] • 02/13 Panama City Beach, FL [The Showcase] • 02/14 Orlando, FL [Backbooth] • 02/15 West Palm Beach, FL [Ray's Downtown Blues] • 02/16 Clearwater, FL [688 Skatepark] • 02/17 Jacksonville, FL [Thee Imperial] • 02/18 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 02/19 Augusta, GA [Sector 7G] • 02/20 Tupelo, MS [The Rockwell Center] • 02/21 Memphis, TN [The Complex] • 02/22 Nashville, TN [The End] • 02/23 London, KY [Levi Jackson Clubhouse] • 02/24 Carmel, IN [Carmel Performing Arts Center] • 02/25 Bloomington, IL [Lafayette Club]
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01.06.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian Metalcore beasts ION DISSONANCE have hit the road with DEAD TO FALL for a month-long U.S. tour, after which they will play a week's worth of dates with AUGUST BURNS RED and LIGEIA. Picture yourself being the sole survivor of a terrible train wreck, numb and disoriented, lost in the middle of a chaotic mess of scorched machinery, blood and burning flesh - and the only thing that you can actually recall from the whole incident is the music of a hundred voices screaming in unison. That's about what ION DISSONANCE so flawlessly achieved with their debut album, boldly entitled "Breathing is Irrelevant." Constantly compared as no less than equal to such gigantic Metal/Mathcore bands as THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, GORGUTS and MESHUGGAH, ION DISSONANCE are by far one of the most extreme, precise and immensely talented band out there right now. Combining insane technical riffs one over the other, grand canyon-styled grooves and a disturbingly heavy atmosphere with ease, the band are simply vicious in their premeditated auditory attack. Guitarists Antoine Lussier and Sebastien Chaput formed ION DISSONANCE in the Summer of 2001 with the firm intention of creating something much more complex, efficient and daring than anything they've previously did within their past musical projects. Drummer JF Richard joined shortly afterwards, realizing the incredible potential of this newborn band and the interest that it would eventually generate. The aesthetic balance between sheer insanity and surgical technicality that was to be the particular sound of ION DISSONANCE was slowly taking shape. Dedicated, focused and passionate individuals were needed to solder the loose knots, and not long after did long-time friends Gabriel McCaughry (vocals) and Seb Painchaud (ex-bassist) also joined the ranks in order to complete the band's first official lineup. Painchaud has since been replaced by Miguel Valade. Tour Dates: 01/06 Omaha, NE [Sokol Underground] • 01/07 Colorado Springs, CO [The Black Sheep] • 01/08 Ogden, UT [Club Boom Va] • 01/10 Hollywood, CA [The Knitting Factory] • 01/11 Bakersfield, CA [Montgomery World Plaza] • 01/12 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 01/13 Sacramento, CA [The Boardwalk] • 01/14 Soledad, CA [The Castle] • 01/15 Corona, CA [Showcase Theatre] • 01/16 South Gate, CA [The Allen Theatre] • 01/17 Phoenix, AZ [Neckbeards] • 01/18 Albuquerque, NM [The Compound] • 01/19 Lubbock, TX [Winchester Pavillion] • 01/20 Wichita Falls, TX [Brickhouse] • 01/21 Dallas, TX [Trees] • 01/22 Houston, TX [Walter's On Washington] • 01/23 Baton Rouge, LA [The Darkroom] • 01/24 Tallahassee, FL [The Beta Bar] • 01/25 Tampa, FL [Masquerade Infinity Room] • 01/26 Orlando, FL [Back Booth] • 01/27 Miami, FL [The Roxy Theatre] • 01/28 Jacksonville, FL [Thee Imperial] • 01/29 Marietta, GA [Swayze's] • 01/30 Nashville, TN [Rocketown] • 01/31 Louisville, KY [Uncle Pleasants] • 02/01 Highland, IN [Highland Legion Hall] • 02/02 St. Louis, MO [Creep Crawl] • 02/03 Iowa City, IA [Gabe's Oasis] • 02/04 Minneapolis, MN [Triple Rock Social Club] • 02/05 Milwaukee, WI [Mad Planet] • 02/06 Lorain (Cleveland), OH [The Red Parrot] • 02/07 Baltimore, MD [The Sidebar] • 02/08 Philadelphia, PA [The Syndicate] • 02/09 Amityville, NY [Village Pub South] • 02/10 Endicott, NY [Rexers Music Hall] • 02/11 Poughkeepsie, NY [TBA ]
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01.05.06 (RockAndMetal.com) DRAGONFORCE's latest Power Metal epic, "Inhuman Rampage," is set to be released worldwide this Monday, January 9th via Roadrunner Records. The title is an apt summation of a devastating musical journey, an unstoppable force that the six-man group's forthcoming tour of duty should leave listeners blown away in its wake. Combiningg the primal force of Power Metal with hard-earned musical proficiency, old-school Thrash and generous quantities of muscular melody in a unique style that they like to call "Extreme Power Metal," DRAGONFORCE have established themselves as one of the top Metal bands of last year. Meanwhile, the European Metal press have swamped DRAGONFORCE with almost universal reams of adulation. Even more so, against all the odds, DRAGONFORCE have single-handedly revitalized Power Metal in their homeland of the UK, awarding credibility to a genre that has sometimes been regarded as little more than a joke. Clearly, plenty rides on the release of "Inhuman Rampage." However, instead of resorting to panic and watering down the style of music that secured such a position of prominence, DRAGONFORCE have gone further over the top than ever before. The new album is faster, bolder and heavier -- yet still as boldly stirring and distinctly hummable -- as anything they've attempted so far. "We've come up with the ultimate formula", proudly declares Herman Li, one half of the band's unstoppable guitar army. Combining intensity, chaos and melody with all the DRAGONFORCE trademarks, it's something that's never been done to such an extent in recent memory. "For us, this is the next evolution in the DragonForce sound,' Li says. I've never heard an album that sounds like 'Inhuman Rampage' - the title says it all! It's seriously gonna blow some heads off around the world during the next year." The eight-song album was recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey and at Herman Li's own studio in West London, some of its guitar sections recorded in hotel rooms while the band wound up the tour in support of the "Sonic Firestorm" album. Track titles like 'Through The Fire And Flames,' 'Operation Ground And Pound,' 'Revolution Deathsquad' and 'Storming The Burning Fields' leave the listener in no doubt of DRAGONFORCE's malicious intent, and more importantly their aversion to climbing the ladder of popularity by selling out. Winner of the "Dimebag Darrell Best Young Guitarist" award at Metal Hammer UK's "Golden Gods," Li and six-string partner in crime Sam Totman have never sounded hungrier or more eager to prove their worth. From the start of each song to its exhausted finish, notes fly from all angles. The album ends with its sole ballad, 'The Trail Of Broken Hearts,' though as Totman quite rightly points out: "We still managed to squeeze three separate guitar solos in." However, shredding for shredding's sake has never been among the band's intentions. Although keen to squeeze as many notes as possible into certain songs, this time the pair experiment with various new textures and sounds. "We wanted to keep things interesting, and there are sections of certain songs that will remind you of video games," grins the Hong Kong-born Li. "Many people will hear them and assume they were made by keyboards, which is completely wrong. All those parts are done on the guitar."
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01.04.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Fresh off a three-week November/December tour alongside MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, WITH HONOR and MODERN LIFE IS WAR that had them playing venues across most parts the United States, THE DISTANCE are set to enter the studio to record their debut full-length album for Abacus Recordings with Shep Goodman (Head Automatica, Bayside, Mandy Moore), entitled "The Rise, The Fall, And Everything In Between." "Last year was been really hard for certain members (of the band), and the title is based on being at a total high in your life and everything that leads to the downfall," says John Dobyns, bassist for THE DISTANCE. "We chose to work with Shep Goodman because he really understands what we want to do with this record and can help us attain it. The album is tentatively slated to be released in late Spring/early Summer on Abacus, with much more touring to come." THE DISTANCE, based out of the state of Connecticut, signed a recording deal with Abacus Recordings last Fall, about which Dobyns says: "It's wonderful to be working with a label that is as excited about us as we are about them, as Abacus shares our vision for upcoming endeavors, and it is an honor to be associated with a label that has such an impressive roster." THE DISTANCE have been making waves in all facets of the East Coast Hardcore underground scene. An earnest heartfelt passion in music is something a band can't fake or force. Utilizing that same mindset, it can be seen in their prolific nature, having tirelessly and relentlessly worked with their do-it-yourself ethic, a true sign of an honest Hardcore band. Whether on their self-released demo (which was later released on vinyl by Takeover Records), their debut EP on Bridge 9 Records entitled "Your Closest Enemies," a three-way split 7" with OUTBREAK and SOME KIND OF HATE, a more recent split alongside WITH HONOR, or most recently a discography of all their vinyl works, including two new songs, for Think Fast! Records, dedicated East Coast Hardcore fans would have to have been living in a hole for the past several years to not have been blown away by THE DISTANCE at one time or another. Distinguishing themselves from typical Hardcore acts by bringing in newer elements from all across the spectrum, including melodic runs, Punk angst and catchy Rock hooks, THE DISTANCE keep their Hardcore love close at hand while indulging their creative side for high-energy music. "Each subsequent release since 'Your Closest Enemies' portrays a natural progression, bringing the music to its current sound," says Dobyns. "If "Your Closest Enemies" were to be associated with old school hardcore, the new album would be associated with an anthem punk-rock style. Where as the songs are catchier and more melodic, and some have a more pop/rock fee, they are nonetheless more aggressive than previous recordings. This new album will encompass our abilities as a cohesive band, as well as our goals stylistically."
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01.04.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Roadrunner Records UK managed to catch up with THROWDOWN frontman Dave Peters for the following interview while the band was on a recent UK tour: Q: "How did the band start?" A: "The band actually started off in 1997 as a total joke just so the members at the time could play some shows/rival their friends' bands. Considering that the only thing we've kept since then is the name and basic values it was founded on, the band was kind of reborn in the beginning of 2004 when we took on new faces and set out to be a full-time touring machine." Q: "How was the tour with Arch Enemy?" A: "It was real cool, man. We didn't know what to expect goin' into it. We just thought it was cool cuz all the bands were real different from each other, and we liked the idea of playing out to new audiences. It turned out great, and the majority of those fans are just as open-minded as they are loyal. I was telling someone the other day how weird it was to have people in Testament and At The Gates shirts singing our praises. Not something you really expect being a band that prides itself on being raw and minimalists." Q: "What's the best and worst thing about touring?" A: "The best thing is getting paid to go all over the world doing what you love. I feel guilty telling people what I do for a living, because it's almost certain that in one or more aspects it's more rewarding than their job. On the other hand, I leave the people I love at home for months on end. That's the worst part. Those people in my life are very tolerant and supportive, to say the very least." Q: "What's the funniest thing that has happened to you on tour?" A: "Hmm, I dunno. It's kind of a non-stop circus, so you sort of go numb to what's truly entertaining at times. I sang an acapella version of Skid Row's 'Monkey Business' from start to finish in a parking lot with an intoxicated Sebastian Bach once. That was right after Matt Byrne brought him on our bus without warning and prompted him to scream 'Youth Gone Wild.' In retrospect, that was more amazing than funny." Q: How was it having Howard Jones and Sean Martin in to guest on 'Vendetta?' A: "Those guys are both amazing. We wanted them in there, even if they just tormented Zeuss and refused to go anywhere near a mic or a guitar pick. We had a good time just eating pizza with them, let alone writing lyrics down on a paper plate afterwards for them to read from. We told Howard he could belt out some proper singing parts if he wanted, but he said our record was too hard for that. It would have been interesting to see how it would've gone over, though!" Q: "What are your opinions on how the heavy music scene seems to be divided into its various sections, and do you think it's healthy?" A: "Well, when I first got into hardcore years ago being a fan of metal, you never saw the paths cross really. It's cool to see tours like the one with us and Arch Enemy or with Lamb Of God or even the As I Lay Dying tour in the states right now that has Madball, Norma Jean and A Life Once Lost on it. Obviously, people are going to cut up music into fine slivers they like to call genres, but at the end of the day -- if the bands making the music are still coming together -- then it doesn't matter. I think there's a lot of camaraderie between bands inside and out of heavy music and, yes, I think it's a good thing."
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01.03.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Recent changes made last month to the SACRED STEEL lineup will not affect the coming release of a new live CD and DVD entitled "Live Blessings," which is slated for issue via Massacre Records on January 27th - the main feature of which is a complete live performance by the band from October of 2004 in Ludwigsburg, Germany. After having had a stable lineup for nearly 10 years, it didn't come totally out of the blue in late December when guitarists Jorg M. Knittel and Oliver Grosshans finally decided to call it quits with SACRED STEEL to concentrate on their other bands MY DARKEST HATE and DAWN OF WINTER. The remaining members -- vocalist Gerrit P. Mutz, bassist Jens Sonnenberg (who has since switched to guitar duties) and drummer Mathias Straub -- have since been joined by new members Jonas Khalil (guitar) and Kai Schindelar (bass). Khalil has been a dedicated fan of SACRED STEEL over the years and has worked for the band as a guitar technician up to now, while some may know Schindelar from his other band LANFEAR, with whom he also handles the bass duties. The new lineup are already hard at work on the next SACRED STEEL studio effort, tentatively titled "Hammer Of Destruction" and due for release by the end of this year. SACRED STEEL rose from the ashes of TRAGEDY DIVINE in August of 1996. With just 5 demo songs in their possession, the band wasted no time in securing a deal with Metal Blade Records at the beginning of 1997. Their debut album, "Reborn In Steel," was released at the end of 1997 and received excellent reviews from the Metal media. In July of 1998, SACRED STEEL recorded their second album, "Wargods Of Metal," at Mohrmann Studios in Bochum with legendary producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, W.A.S.P., Flotsam And Jetsam, etc.). Right after those recordings, the band would played in front of 15,000 fans at Wacken Open Air. To top it off, reviews of "Wargods Of Metal" were overwhelmingly positive as well. Early 1999 saw SACRED STEEL conquer Europe together with NEVERMORE, LEFAY and NOCTURNAL RITES. After playing several other festival gigs that Summer, the band played Wacken Open Air once again. That August, SACRED STEEL would headline a tour through Germany, Holland and Belgium supported by DESTINY'S END and WARDOG. More and more gigs would follow for the band alongside the likes of SODOM, SUBWAY TO SALLY, and more. In January of 2000, the time had come to finally record the third SACRED STEEL album, "Bloodlust," with engineer Achim Kohler (Primal Fear, Sinner, etc.) at the House Of Music in Winterbach. This time around, the album was produced by the band themselves with Kohler. Although staying true to their roots, "Bloodlust" is nonetheless more varied than the first two SACRED STEEL efforts, yet with an even heavier sound. Having quickly built an excellent reputation in Europe in such a short time, the band signed a recording deal with Massacre Records, who released "Slaughter Prophecy" in 2002, as well as "Iron Blessings" in 2004.
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01.02.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Matador Records recording artists EARLY MAN will hit the road for a six-week stint alongside PRIESTESS and THE SWORD at the beginning of February. The tour, sponsored by Decibel Magazine, is in support of the band's debut album, "Closing In," which was recently released. EARLY MAN are vocalist/guitarist Mike Conte and drummer Adam Bennati, two Pentacostalists from Columbus, Ohio shielded from Pop culture until they discovered Rock at the age of 19. Kicked out by their families and ostracized by their friends, the duo's adopted kin are the works of MINOR THREAT, JUDAS PRIEST, CELTIC FROST, DIAMOND HEAD, MOTORHEAD, HEAD OF DAVID, and Stoner Rock in general. EARLY MAN started as a recording outlet for Conte seven years ago when he moved from Columbus to New York City. Armed with a four track, a 1973 Gibson SG that was a gift from his ex-girlfriend, a drum machine and a bad attitude, Conte began recording the earliest of EARLY MAN jams. He continued to refine the sound of the project until Adam Bennati finally woke up and moved from Columbus to New York City as well in 2003, the two originally knowing each other from years of playing in underground bands back in Ohio. After playing together and practicing for only a couple of months, the two played a Halloween show in 2003 at a club in New York City called The Hole. The kids went for the sound, the club sold out of beer, and EARLY MAN was born. After a year of shredding up NYC venues, the band recorded a demo thanks to the kindness of JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION drummer Russell Simmins and a guy named Matt Sweeney. That demo became an EP, which is currently available from Monitor Records. Earlier this year, the band signed a long-term, worldwide recording deal with Matador. Now nurtured and warmed, the band's elemental street sound recalls a time before Rock and Metal splintered into 50 different micro-genres. Interestingly, Adam Bennati plays a rare five-piece Zickos glass acrylic drum kit that was manufactured for only one year in 1972, which weighs in at over 500 pounds. Tour Dates: 02/01 Philadelphia, PA [The Khyber] • 02/02 Baltimore, MD [The Ottobar] • 02/03 Chapel Hill, NC [Local 506] • 02/06 Atlanta, GA [EARL] • 02/07 Nashville, TN [The End] • 02/09 New Orleans, LA [One Eyed Jacks] • 02/10 Houston, TX [Walter's On Washington] • 02/11 Austin, TX [Emo's - Indoor] • 02/12 Dallas, TX [Gypsy Tea Room] • 02/15 Albuquerque, NM [Launchpad] • 02/16 Tucson, AZ [Plush] • 02/17 Tempe, AZ [The Big Fish Pub] • 02/18 Los Angeles, CA [Spaceland] • 02/19 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Theatre] • 02/20 San Diego, CA [Casbah] • 02/21 San Francisco, CA [12 Galaxies] • 02/23 Portland, OR [Dante's] • 02/24 Seattle, WA [Crocodile Cafe] • 02/27 Salt Lake City, UT [Lo-Fi Cafe] • 02/28 Denver, CO [Larimer Lounge] • 03/02 Minneapolis, MN [7th Street Entry] • 03/03 Madison, WI [TBA] • 03/04 Chicago, IL [Empty Bottle] • 03/06 Cleveland, OH [Beachland Tavern] • 03/07 Detroit, MI [Magic Stick] • 03/08 Columbus, OH [Little Brother's] • 03/09 Buffalo, NY [Mohawk Place] • 03/10 Brooklyn, NY [Northsix] • 03/11 Hoboken, NJ [Maxwell's]
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01.02.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Reunited Dutch Metallers GOREFEST have posted the following message regarding a change in their touring schedule: "The plan was to play two shows in Turkey in January. Circumstances forced us to cancel Izmir. Because we really want to play there, we have rescheduled these two dates to early spring. That way things work out much better for all parties involved. There will be more time for promotion, we'll have more time preparing for the Eurotour, and Turkey will be getting a band that plays tight as fuck from touring the rest of Europe! As soon as the new dates are known and confirmed to us we'll be letting you know. The European tour is being booked right now for the dates of February 16th until March 26th. Not all dates and opening acts are confirmed yet, but we'll be playing in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, The Baltic States, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Swiss, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and the Benelux. A full list of confirmed dates will be publicized as soon as possible as to not disappoint anyone with premature announcements and rumors." Leaders of Holland's Death Metal scene, GOREFEST built a substantial underground following over the course of the '90s with a powerful, groove-based sound that often paralleled similar innovations by bands like ENTOMBED and SEPULTURA. Founded