12.16.03 (AP) Police are investigating a fight at a Detroit music venue involving the lead singers of THE WHITE STRIPES and THE VON BONDIES. The fight between vocalists Jack White of THE WHITE STRIPES and Jason Stollsteimer of THE VON BONDIES broke out Saturday night at the Majestic Theatre Center, police said. Stollsteimer, 25, told police that White punched him seven times in the face. Police said Stollsteimer's right eye was bruised and swollen, and he was bleeding from his nose. He was treated and released from a Detroit hospital. Prosecutor Marcus Connor said his office is awaiting results of the police investigation before deciding whether charges should be filed. White, 28, told police he struck Stollsteimer in self defense. Stollsteimer's manager, Rick Canny, said "this was not a fight, this was an attack." Meanwhile, White's spokeswoman Alison Zero declined comment Monday.

12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Finland's POISONBLACK featuring SENTENCED vocalist Ville Laihiala on guitar and CHARON frontman Juha-Pekka Leppaluoto will be supporting the mighty Iron Maiden at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki on December 21st. Afterwards, their European tour with LACUNA COIL, MOONSPELL and PASSENGER will kick off in Hamburg on December 25th. It will be POISONBLACK's first tour supporting "Escapextacy." Upcoming Dates: 12/25 Hamburg, Germany [Markthalle] • 12/26 Antwerpen, Belgium [Hof Ter Loo] • 12/27 London, UK [Astoria] • 12/28 Utrecht, NL [Tivoli] • 12/29 Tilburg, NL [013] • 12/30 Koln, Germany [Live Music Hall] • 12/31 Pratteln, CH [Z7] • 01/02 Budapest, Hungary [Petofi Hall] • 01/03 Wien, Austria [Planet Music] • 01/04 Nurnberg, Germany [Lowensaal] • 01/05 Milano, Italy [Transilvania] • 01/06 Paris, France [Elysee Montmartre] • 01/07 Stuttgart, Germany [LKA] • 01/08 Halle, Germany [Easy Schorre]
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12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The new PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY album, "Monsoon," has now been completed, and is tagged for a worldwide release date of January 20th, 2004, through Matador, Domino, and Trifekta Records. Written and produced by Spiral Stairs, with valuable assistance from PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY alumni Dan Carr, Chris Heinrich, and Mathew Zeek Harris (and a few other surprise special guests), all 10 tracks were recorded and mixed this summer in Seattle, Washington. Track Listing: 1.The Furnace Sun • 2.Walk Of A Gurl • 3.Caught In The Rain • 4.Line It Up • 5.So Many Ways • 6.If The Straits Of Magellan Should Ever Run Dry • 7.Her Estuary Twang (Warm Medicine) • 8.Escalation Breeds Escalation • 9.Get Your Crayons Out! • 10.Tone It Down
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12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Century Media Records has announced the singing of a long-term, worldwide deal with Finnish Pagan Battle Metal outfit TURISAS. The band (named after an ancient Finnish war god) was originally formed in the rough and wild country of Finland back in 1997 by Mathias Nygard (vocals) and Jussi Wickstrom (guitar). Over the years Tuomas Lehtonen (drums), Georg Laakso (guitar), Antti Ventola (keyboards) and Mikko Tormokoski (bass) were added to complete the line-up. After some demo recordings they are now up to release their yet untitled debut album which is roughly scheduled for a release in the first half of 2004. TURISAS are currently recording with producer Terje Refsnes (Tristania, Destroyer666, Morgul, just to mention a few) at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France. Finntroll fans should enjoy TURISAS and their folkish, yet raw atmosphere.
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12.16.03 (Billboard) A pair of JOE STRUMMER Joe Strummer tribute shows will be staged in the next two weeks - one tonight in Chicago, IL and one in New York City. Tonight's event at Schubas Tavern will feature former WILCO member Jay Bennett, as well as a host of local musicians and promised special guests. Dubbed "Chicago Calling: A Very Special Clash Christmas," the event's $10 cover charge will benefit the Carole Robinson Center For Learning. In New York, a "Celebration Of The Music Of Joe Strummer" has been slated for Monday, December 22nd at Irving Plaza. That lineup will feature Jesse Malin, Clem Snide, Ted Leo and Hammel On Trial, among others. All proceeds from the $15 tickets will benefit Strummerville, a charity started by Strummer's widow in the wake of his sudden death in December 2002. In the past year, Strummer tribute shows have been held in London and Manchester, UK, Milan, as well as in several American cities.

12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) AS I LAY DYING are currently on the Unnatural Born Killers tour with SIX FEET UNDER, SKINLESS, and BEHEMOTH through December 21st, after which they embark on another tour with THE JUDAS CRADLE, CANNAE, ON BROKEN WINGS and IF HOPE DIES. 12/16 Minneapolis, MN [The Quest] • 12/17 Chicago, IL [The Metro] • 12/18 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 12/19 Indianapolis, IN [Rehearsal Studio] • 12/20 Detroit, MI [Harpo's] • 12/21 Cleveland, OH [The Odeon] • 01/07 Hollywood, CA [The Whiskey] • 01/08 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 01/09 Salinas, CA [Jim Dandy's] • 01/10 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction]
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12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Melbourne, Australia band SOMETHING FOR KATE will unleash their chart-topping album, "The Official Fiction" to the rest of the world early next year. International releases are planned for Europe, the USA and Canada. European countries confirmed for release include France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden, with more to be announced soon. Following their January 2004 Big Day Out performances in Australia and New Zealand, SOMETHING FOR KATE will head off overseas to support the launch of "The Official Fiction," with shows planned for the UK and Europe in March, followed shortly afterward by gigs across the United States and Canada. "The Official Fiction" features the hit singles 'Deja Vu' and 'Song For A Sleepwalker,' out now in Australia.

12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Italy's CODE666 Recordings has now become a sub-label of the AURAL MUSIC GROUP, a new recording company founded by CODE666 Label Manager Emiliano Lanzoni. As CODE666 has started to gain ground with over 70,000 albums sold from their catalog, a change was necessary to keep the label's avant-garde and independent spirit alive without comprimising the attitude and musical direction. Beginning January 1st, 2004, the AURAL MUSIC GROUP will launch with 3 other sub-labels: Dreamcell11 Entertainment, GoreGorecords and Amaranth Recordings. Dreamcell11 will expand into the Dark EBM and Electro-Gothic Scene, GoreGo will be the home for Sickness & Brutality, and Amaranth (ruled by Ephel Duath mastermind Davide Tiso) will feature weird & original Hardcore, Electronic and Post-Rock artists.

12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND continues to tour throughout the U.S. in support of their current album, "Soul Seranade," all the way through the beginning of April. Tour Dates:
12/26 Atlanta, GA [Variety Playhouse] • 12/31 Charlotte, NC [Visulite Theater] • 01/9 Jim Thorpe, PA [Penn's Peak] • 01/10 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 01/11 NYC Florence [Gould Hall] • 01/22 Trumansburg, NY [Rongovian Embassy To The USA] • 01/24 Harrisburg, PA [Whitaker Center] • 01/30 Lexington, KY [The Dame] • 01/31 Lexington, KY [The Dame] • 02/7-2/14 [Legendary Rhythm/Blues Cruise] • 02/22 Beaver Creek, CO [Vilar Center For The Arts] • 02/26 Laramie, WY [Yellowstone Ballroom] • 02/27 Colorado Springs, [C 32 Bleu] • 02/28 Telluride, CO [Sheridan Opera House] • 03/04 Fort Collins, CO [Aggie Theater] • 03/05 Boulder, CO [Fox Theater] • 03/06 Englewood, CO [Gothic Theater] • 04/02 Savannah, GA [Orleans Hall]
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12.16.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Due to a bad flu that guitar player Rob Cavestany caught during the DEATH ANGEL European tour, the band had to delay their plans for recording the new DEATH ANGEL album: According to guitarist Ted Aguilar, the band will enter the studio on January 3rd to start working together with producer Brian Dobbs (Metallica, etc.) on the new disc. Aguilar says that DEATH ANGEL's previous albums such as "Ultra Violence," "Act III" and "Frolic" will serve as an inspiration source, but DEATH ANGEL also plans to put a lot of contemporary sound and different ideas into their new songs.

12.16.03 (The Guardian) HEWLETT-PACKARD is planning to join the crowded business of offering online music, setting the scene for a fierce land grab in the rapidly expanding market during 2004. While the music industry itself has focused on closing down the internet as a means of distribution, a growing number of retail, software, media and consumer electronics firms are muscling into the online music business. HP is planning to offer its own website selling song downloads and a branded handheld device to play them on. The website is likely to be run in partnership with an existing service, such as Musicmatch.com, which already provides the backbone for a service offered by Dell. HP is otherwise giving scant details of its service, which it intends to launch at the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas in January. It will be available during the first quarter in the United States but timing... [full story]

12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE will finally debut on record in the U.S. when RCA Records issues their second album, "Kick Up The Fire, And Let The Flames Break Loose," stateside on February 24th. BMG, RCA's parent company, opted not to release the Reading band's debut, "See Through This And Leave." It was thought their US release would be a combination of the two records, but '"Kick Up The Fire, And Let The Flames Break Loose" will have the same tracks as the UK edition. A label spokesperson said the cover image may change for the release, though. Meanwhile, THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE - who recently made their US live debut at New York's CMJ Music Conference - will head to the U.S. in January for some live dates. The band just played the London Astoria last night, with all proceeds going to a UK homeless charity.
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12.15.03 (Reuters) OZZY OSBOURNE, recovering in hospital following emergency surgery for injuries he sustained in a quad bike accident, topped the British pop charts on Sunday with a duet with his daughter Kelly. Osbourne, 55, who shot to fame in the 1970s as the frontman for Black Sabbath, fractured eight ribs and a vertebrae in his neck in an accident at his English country estate last week. However it didn't stop the newly-released duet 'Changes' -- a reworking of the Black Sabbath song -- from rocketing straight to the number one spot on the British singles charts. After the accident, bookmakers slashed the odds on the song topping the U.K. charts at Christmas, saying people would buy the duet out of sympathy for Ozzy, who has mellowed from heavy rock wildman to become a much-loved star of the reality TV series "The Osbournes." The father and daughter effort meant British pop idol winner Will Young slipped to second spot with 'Leave Right Now,' and American hip-hop band Black Eyed Peas fell to third with 'Shut Up.'
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12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Arista Records is releasing a compilation of previously unreleased songs, remixes, single versions, B-sides and outtakes from the SANTANA albums "Supernatural" and "Shaman" tomorrow, entitled "Ceremony: Remixes & Rarities." The collection is being issued in a limited edition of 100,000 copies. Among the new songs are 'Curacion (Sunlight on Water),' 'Truth Don Die,' 'Let Me Love You Tonight,' 'Come to My World,' and 'Manana,' with a guest spot by singer Keon Bryce. "There was so much great material recorded at those sessions," Carlos Santana says. "With so many great musicians, songwriters, producers and arrangers contributing their talents. I am honored that Arista has chosen to gather the unissued music together in this package as a gift to our fans this holiday season."
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12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) ARMORED SAINT have finished their new DVD entitled "Armored Saint Magazine: Lessons Not Well Learned," which is scheduled for a late spring release. Directed by Joey Vera, the DVD will include a one-hour feature, which contains 12 live bootleg videos ranging from the "Symbol Of Salvation" tour (1991) through the "Nod To The Old School" tour (2002). Done in a fictional eMagazine style, the feature takes you through several chapters of music, mixed with off and on-stage silly antics. Also completed and included in the new DVD, is a music video for the song 'Symbol Of Salvation,' which includes several different ARMORED SAINT live performances from 1991-2002, as well as never-seen-before footage from the recording studio during the 1990-91 "Symbol" sessions.
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12.15.03 (AP) KID ROCK is in his 30's. And he's OK with that. Sure, he still appears on stage with barely dressed women and knocks back his fair share of Coors Light, but the self-proclaimed "Pimp of the Nation" does appear to be toning it down a bit. On Sunday, KID ROCK appeared in his own televised holiday special that coincides with the recent release of his self-titled album. "I'm just growing with the music and as a person," he told The Associated Press in an interview at his Oakland County home 40 miles northwest of Detroit. "One of the worst mistakes I thought I could make was trying to hold on to anything I had success with ... trying to duplicate that, because that's really not where I'm at musically or at 32 years old." The new disc, which was released last month and has appeared as high as No. 8 on the Billboard chart, reflects an evolving artist... [full story]
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12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Ready for eyeball-soup, torso-bread, and a bloody entrail-cake splatterfeast? Well GET ready, because Japanese ultra-gore inferno BUTCHER ABC has now joined the ranks in the Razorback Records Hive. The band, featuring ex-members of grind legends CSSO and Maggoty Corpse, recently released the killer mini-CD "Butchered At Birth Day" on Japan's Obliteration Records. BUTCHER ABC also have a split LP/CD with General Surgery coming in 2004, also on Obliteration. Razorback will be co-working with Obliteration Records on a full-length BUTCHER ABC album coming in 2005, with both the Japanese version and the Razorback version planned with different artwork.
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12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) THE MOUNTAIN GOATS have release their brand new single, 'Palmcorder Yajna' on both CD and 7" vinyl. It's the first taste of music from the upcoming album, "We Shall All Be Healed," which is scheduled to be released at the beginning of February through 4AD Records. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS are - for all intents and purposes - just one man, John Darnielle, and his boombox. Over the last 11 albums, Darnielle's gradually grown out of bang-on-a-can lo-fi and into one of the most quietly skillful songwriters around now. A haunted, lyrical acoustic number steeped deep in cobwebbed American gothic, 'Palmcorder Yajna' finds Darnielle living out some vivid waking dream, smoking tabs and sharing jokes with the freaks, junkies and malcontents that roam through THE MOUNTAIN GOATS' quavering narrative.
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12.15.03 (Billboard) METALLICA and GODSMACK are gearing up for a 2004 North American arena tour which could stretch as far as 80 dates, according to Billboard. The trek will begin March 2nd in Phoenix; other confirmed dates include March 8th in San Francisco and March 28th in Seattle. The first batch of ticket on-sales will begin this Saturday, December 20th, via Ticketmaster. METALLICA has also committed to the Big Day Out tour of Australia and New Zealand after the first of the year, plus European festival dates beginning in late May and stretching into July. The group is touring in support of their latest album, "St. Anger," which has sold 1.5 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The latest single from the set, 'The Unnamed Feeling,' will be released as a seven-track EP January 12th in the U.K.

12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) THE LIBERTINES' upcoming second album is being produced by former Suede star Bernard Butler, according to the guitarist himself. Butler has already worked with the band previously on their 2002 debut single, 'What A Waster,' and their last single 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun.' Posting on his official website, bernardbutler.com, Butler revealed: "I am waiting for Carl (Barat) to recover to start work on the new Libertines album in December." Meanwhile, THE LIBERTINES will play their biggest show since being reunited with estranged bandmate Pete Doherty tomorrow at London Kentish Forum. The band performed for the first time with Doherty at the start of October after he was released from prison. He had served a month in jail for burglarizng co-frontman Carl Barat's flat.
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12.15.03 (RockAndMetal.com) After a two-month delay, the deluxe version of MASTODON's album "Remission" has finally been re-issued by Relapse Records. The deluxe version comes with a free, live bonus DVD featuring a pro-filmed nine song live set with previously unreleased material. The video for MASTODON's 'March Of The Fire Ants' has also been receiving regular airplay lately on both Headbangers Ball and Uranium. Additionally, the band appears on the "MTV 2 Headbangers Ball" double-disc compilation out now. MASTODON also contributed the song 'Crusher, Destroyer' to the recently-released "Tony Hawk's Undergound" video game. "MASTODON could be considered the second coming of Metallica and Rush combined, and nobody who's seen them live could counter that opinion." - MTV.com
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12.15.03 (Reuters) U.S. shipments of portable MP3 music players will reach 3.5 million units this year, almost doubling last year's total, according to a report from Jupiter Research. The consulting firm forecasts a 50% year-on-year growth rate in 2004. The sales pace of MP3 players is expected to mirror that of the VCR, which is not nearly as quick a growth story as the DVD player has enjoyed. But sales of DVD players have peaked in the United States and are expected to fall to slightly more than 10 million units by 2007 from 25 million units last year. By that time, MP3 players will outsell DVD players annually. Do the math, and all those annual sales of MP3 players will add up to an installed base of 26.1 million units by the end of 2006, which Jupiter considers "critical mass," as the devices will be in 15%-20% of American homes. By 2008, the installed base should be above 45 million. Jupiter bases its prediction on the assumption of a three-year average life span for MP3 units.

12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Fans in England already got a preview of some of the tracks from the upcoming album featuring new FLOWING TEARS vocalist Helen Vogt at a London/Astoria Halloween show with My Dying Bride. After that, Helen kicked out the jams at the Wave & Gotik Festival. It was her second big show, confirming her outstanding performing qualities. Now it's time for her first album. FLOWING TEARS' recording session with producer Waldemar Sorychta (Lacuna Coil, Tiamat, Moonspell, Sentenced, etc.) was very successful, and the newborn creation, "Razorbliss" is scheduled to be released in March of 2004. The new material takes a step into more rock-oriented and harder songs this time, with epic chorus lines and sharp guitar riffs. The groove-driven 'Razorbliss' and 'Believe' will likely fill the dance floors, while slower tunes like 'Undying' and the doomy 'Ballad Of A Lonely God' are restrained and filled with moody changes.
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12.12.03 (AP) OZZY OSBOURNE stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating for more than a minute after a quad bike crash, a UK newspaper quoted his wife as saying today. Sharon Osbourne said a security guard who was with Osbourne resuscitated him, the Daily Mirror tabloid reported. "He had stopped breathing and the guard spotted it immediately," she reportedly said. "He had stopped breathing for a minute and a half and there was no pulse. But, thank God, the security guard was there to revive him. He resuscitated him and got him breathing and his pulse going again. We are so, so grateful to him." Osbourne fractured his left collarbone, eight ribs and a neck vertebra in Monday's ATV accident at his estate in Buckinghamshire, southern England. He had emergency surgery after the crash to restore blood flow to a damaged blood vessel. He has been on a ventilator in intensive care at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough... [full story]

12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) RUSH has revealed plans to mark their 30th anniversary year by hitting the road for a major global concert tour in 2004.ÊÊThe news wasÊunveiled this week during a special appearance on the nationally syndicated radio show, Rockline. While specific dates and on-sale info have yet to be announced, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee did note that Rush will play dates across North America and around the world, including their first European shows in more than a decade. Rush's most recent release is "Rush In Rio," a three-disc live CD capturing the veteran trio performing in concert at the world famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the final night of 2002's "Vapor Trails" tour. In addition, a two-disc "Rush In Rio" DVD was released simultaneously. The set - RUSH's first-ever live DVD collection - has proven a remarkable success, and has just hit the triple-platinum sales mark.
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10.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) UNEARTH are currently concentrating on writing songs for their upcoming as-yet-untitled album, due out in Spring of 2004 on Metal Blade Records. The band has decided to hold off on shows, so they can focus all their time and energy on the new album. However, UNEARTH will be playing one last show in late January to film for a DVD, which will be their only show for the entire winter. As far as recording goes, the band has started pre-production at Ken's home studio using Pro Tools which - as Trevor puts it - makes it a lot clearer and easier to write than the days of recording on a boom box. So far, UNEARTH have finished 6 tracks for the rough mix before they enter the studio in February for final mixing with Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage. More info on the new UNEARTH album will be available soon.
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12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) BLACK CROSS are currently focusing on writing the follow-up album to their debut, "Art Offensive," for which they plan on entering the studio in Fall of 2004 with producer J. Robbins. In the meantime, they've just released their new 7", titled 'Roll Up Your Sleeves,' on Initial Records. Recorded in Louisville by Sebadoh member Jason Loewenstein, 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' continues in BLACK CROSS' quest to push the boundaries of hardcore and punk rock - all the while melding the personal and the political in a whirlwind of passion. In March, BLACK CROSS will also release a new compilation CD entitled "Widows Bloody Widows," which will include songs from the limited edition 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' 7", the 'Screaming' 7", the out-of-print first EP (as BLACK WIDOWS) 'Stops A Beating Heart,' an out-take from the "Art Offensive" sessions, and another out-take from the "Screaming" sessions.
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12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Florida Death Metal veterans MALEVOLENT CREATION have titled their 9th full-length album "Warkult." The album will be recorded in February with producer Jean Francois Dagenais in control once again, in several Florida recording studios. The release date for "Warkult" has been set for June of 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records, which will coincide with MALEVOLENT CREATION's upcoming European summer festival appearances. At least 10 songs will be recorded for "Warkult," plus a few covers from two other long-time thrash bands. First recorded will be a cover of Australian cult band Hobbs Angel Of Death's song 'Crucifixion,' followed by at least one cover of a song by fellow Buffalo, NY band Leviathan. Leviathan was originally fronted by vocalist Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse).
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12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) RADIOHEAD will take over the BBC's 6 MUSIC channel during the coming Christmas week. All members of the band will choose the music, artists, and programming for 6 MUSIC from December 22nd to 28th. RADIOHEAD will have access to all the archives, rare recordings, and over 7,000 artists to create a week of listening pleasure. The band will also co-present and contribute website material. Each member of RADIOHEAD will control a day of music. Program editor John Sugar is excited about the bands involvement: "We are delighted to have Radiohead on board - they are one of the UK's leading rock bands, and huge music enthusiasts," he said. "It will be exciting for our listeners to see what RADIOHEAD does with this creative freedom, and what it reveals about the group's personal taste and influences. It's going to be an extremely exciting and interesting Christmas week on 6 Music..."

12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Italian nu-metalcore stars LINEA 77 have embarked on a new tour of their home country in support on their recent release through Earache Recordings, "Numb. The album sees LINEA 77 taking their brand of heavy, melodic emocore to new heights. Once hailed as Europe's answer to The Deftones, LINEA 77 have gone on to forge their own identity with two albums, plus extensive touring experience with Earthtone 9 and Lostprophets. Tour Dates:
12/13 Milano, IT [Transilvania] • 12/17 Reggio Emelia, IT [Tempo Rock] • 12/19 Bassano Del Grappa (VI), IT [La Gabbia] • 12/20 Reggio Emelia, IT [Transilvania] • 12/24 Rome, IT [Villaggio Globale] • 01/09 Madonna Di Campiglio (TN), IT [TBA] • 01/10 Rimini, IT [Velvet] • 01/16 Trezzo D'Adda, IT [Live Club] • 01/17 Reggio Emelia, IT [Tempo Rock] • 01/23 Orzinuovi (BS), IT [Buddha Cafe] • 01/24 Ferrara, IT [Zoo Animal] • 01/31 Rome, IT [Villaggio Globale]
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12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Hardcore/Punk band GIVE UP THE GHOST are currently touring Europe, Australia & Japan through January. Dates:
12/12 Luzern, Switzerland [Warchhof] • 12/13 Roma, Italy [Sonica] • 12/14 Milano, Italy [Leoncavallo] • 12/15 Stuttgart, Germany [TBA] • 12/16 Munster, Germany [Baracke] • 12/17 Darmstadt, Germany [Villa] • 12/18 Kassel, Germany [Barracuda Bar] • 12/19 Berlin, Germany [Knack] • 12/20 Arhem, Holland [Goudvishal] • 12/21 Breman, Germany [Schlachthofs] • 12/22 Koln, Germany [Underground] • 1/08 Sydney, Australia [Annadale Hotel] • 1/09 Sydney, Australia [Caringbah Bizzo's] • 1/10 Newcastle, Australia [Hunter On Hunter] • 1/11 Penrith, Australia [The Backdoor] (All Ages) • 1/14 Canberra, Australia [The Church] • 1/15 Melbourne, Australia [Jan Goo] • 1/16 Melbourne, Australia [Arthouse Hotel] • 1/17 Adelaide, Australia [Enigma Bar] • 1/21 Brisbane, Australia [Club Sabotage] • 1/22 Byron Bay, Australia [Youth Activity Centre] • 1/24 Tokyo, Japan [ERA] • 1/25 Osaka, Japan [Water] • 1/27 Kashiwa, Japan [Zax] • 1/28 Sendai, Japan [Park Square]
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12.12.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Colombian grindmasters GORETRADE have released their full-length debut album, "Ritual Of Flesh," through Dutch label Displeased Records. GORETRADE started out in 2000 as a project of Internal Suffering's main man, Andres Garcia. From the start, the goal of the band was to make the sickest and most brutal US-inspired death metal humanly possible, with brachial guitar riffing, ongoing hyper-blast drum attacks and inhuman guttural vocals. They soon built a reputation in the local Colombian scene, and released two limited split CD's. The band was supposed to record a debut full-length in 2001 for Spanish label Repulse, which shut down before the production of the album. Meanwhile, GORETRADE ended up with a deal from Displeased. After getting the complete band to the U.S., they recorded "Ritual Of Flesh" - a mix of Devourment, Fleshgrind and early Deeds Of Flesh-style musick.
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12.12.03 (The Guardian) Just a week after it signed a controversial sponsorship deal involving Top Of The Pops, COCA-COLA is muscling in on record retailers by launching it's own music download service in the UK. The soft drink giant will offer music fans the chance to download everything from Britney Spears to Coldplay and cult glam-rock outfit The Darkness. COCA-COLA will become the first high-profile consumer brand to get involved directly in the music business, launching what it claims will be the largest collection of tracks yet available. "We're delighted to bring downloadable music to more people and we are working in close partnership with the music industry to do so. Consumers have told us that downloading music is confusing and complicated and what they want is an easy, simple to use downloadable service from a..." [full story]

12.11.03 (AP) Authorities responding to a 911 call at the home of record producer PHIL SPECTOR in February found a blood-spattered gun, broken teeth and the body of an actress who had been shot in the mouth, according to court records. Lana Clarkson, 40, was found February 3rd slumped in a chair in Spector's hilltop mansion in suburban Alhambra, east of Los Angeles. Her broken teeth were scattered around the foyer and stairway, and a blood-spattered .38-caliber Colt revolver lay under her left leg, the records say. The Associated Press obtained the search warrants and police reports Tuesday from author Carlton Smith, who petitioned the court to have them released. Spector, 62, is charged with killing Clarkson, which he has denied. He suggested earlier this year in an interview with Esquire magazine that Clarkson may have shot herself. He is... [full story]

12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Versatile Canadian quintet CRYPTOPSY have announced the return of their original vocalist, Lord Worm, to the lineup. CRYPTOPSY, innovators of dynamic, technical extreme metal immediately raised the bar for all other bands in the genre with their first two albums, "Blasphemy Made Flesh" (1994) and "None So Vile" (1996). With the return of Lord Worm, the group's decade-long career has come full circle, and the future is looks promising again. Lord Worm checked in with the following comments regarding his return: "'Un mal pour un bien,' I've heard it said, and those seven long years ago, unhappy though I was at leaving, it was none the less for the best. Now, we've come full circle, and a question of honor finds me back in the fold. It is so and it cannot be otherwise. See you soon." CRYPTOPSY are currently writing material for their fifth studio album, which they'll start recording in March at Wild Studios.
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Epitaph Records has announced it has signed Oakland, CA's THE MATCHES, and will be re-releasing their debut full-length CD, "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals" on April 27, 2004. Originally recorded in the band members' basements and living rooms, the re-release will feature re-mixing by Joe Barresi (Queens Of The Stone Age, Powerman 5000, Pennywise, Weezer, The Jesus Lizard, Melvins). THE MATCHES lead singer Shawn Harris commented, "It's very surreal to be working with Joe Barresi and (Epitaph owner) Brett Gurewitz . We're all just baffled and thrilled that this record we made a year and a half ago in our basements is going to be out on Epitaph -- a label we grew up listening to and revering. This is absolutely the best thing that could happen to our band." Gurewitz added, "All it took was one listen to their homemade CD..." [full story]
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Metal Blade Records has announced the release of the upcoming NASTY SAVAGE album, "Psycho Psycho" through Metal Blade Europe in March of 2004. The album will also be released on Crook'd Records in the United States (Metal Blade Records licenses the album for the European territory). "NASTY SAVAGE is one of the favourite bands of all members of the Metal Blade staff in Europe," comments a spokesperson from Metal Blade Europe. "But apart from that, we wouldn't have licensed the album if it sucked, like so many other reunions did over the years. 'Psycho Psycho' smokes, and is totally in the tradition of their classic albums "Nasty Savage" and "Indulgence." We are really psyched to work on such a great album!" Florida's NASTY SAVAGE have seen the wars through their 20 years... [full story]
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) SUPERGRASS are planning to release a DVD next year, and are asking fans for any footage of them shot during their ten-year career, which will then sit alongside a collection of their videos. In a message posted on SUPERGRASS' childrenofthemonkeybasket.com website, they said: "We're trying to make it as exciting/interesting/good as possible, so if you've got any bootleg film of us playing gigs, or just walking around in our houses late at night then please get into contact with us. "We guarantee we won't press charges and it'll give other people an opportunity to see your impressive camera skills," they added. In order to get your video work considered for the DVD, you can send details of the type and content of the footage to supergrass.dvd@virgin.net, so SUPERGRASS can see if your footage fits in with the band's "evil master plan."
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Immediately after finishing their second leg of tour dates with Twiztid this month, SOCIETY 1 will return to LA to begin work on their next video, for the song 'Hate.' This is the third video from the band's Earache debut, "Exit Through Fear." At the helm will be award-winning director Spencer Susser, acclaimed for commercials he's made for Nike, Snapple, Puma, and ESPN. Susser has also done music videos for The Offspring, Crazytown, Shaggy, Rahzel and OPM, among others. Having started out in the industry at a young age as a film editor for such heavyweights as Roman Coppola and David LaChappelle, Susser soon moved to directing. Within a few years, he was earning prestigious awards, including a Cannes Lion award for a Michael Jordan-Nike spot he co-directed/edited, and a Hip Hop Video Of The Year award from the MVPA for his video for rapper Rahzel's 'All I Know.'
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Blast First has announced the signing of UK band KAITO, who will release a brand new EP on Tuesday, December 15th. Picked as "The Band To Watch" by both Time Out New York and Rolling Stone, Kaito's first release for Blast First/Mute will be a 4-song EP/10" vinyl release featuring tracks from their upcoming debut album, "Band Red," due to be issued early next year. KAITO have, in the last 18 months, opened for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Rapture, Clinic, The Datsuns, Polyphonic Spree, Radio 4, label mates Erase Errata, Liars, and Pretty Girls Make Graves - with whom they will tour the UK next week at the following venues and on the following dates:
December 15th Oxford, UK [Zodiac] • December 16th Nottingham, UK [Rescue Rooms] • December 17th Manchester, UK [Academy 3] • December 18th London, UK [Mean Fiddler] • December 19th Bristol, UK [Louisana]
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Sweden's COLD RECORDS has announced a joint collaboration with Metal Blade Records Europe on a new, across-the-board licensing deal. From now on, all releases on the COLD RECORDS label will be pressed, marketed, promoted and distributed by Metal Blade Records all over Europe. The plan is to release one album every three months, making it a total of four releases for the year 2004. The first three releases are already set, with new albums by the following: TORCHBEARER (Fast and powerful Swedish death/thrash metal, with elements of black metal), featuring members of Satariel, Setherial and Incapacity. The band are currently recording their debut at Black Lounge (March/April release); Swedish Death/Thrash Metallers INCAPACITY, featuring members from Edge Of Sanity, Pan-Thy-Monium, Solar Dawn and Unmoored. Their second album (June/July release); IN BATTLE (raw and aggressive death metal), a five-piece act containing energies from Diabolical, Aeon, and ex-Vintersorg (September release).

12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Long-time German rockers FURY IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE are currently finishing up work on their new studio album, "Nimby," scheduled to be released March 1st on EMI Records. In the meantime, the band will release the first single, 'Protection,' off the upcoming album. "This we can already tell you: The album rocks, has a lot of sing a long refrains and presents the band as enthusiastic as in OUR first days," a FITN member says. FURY IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, who, as a band, have been together since the mid-1980's, are also scheduled to kick off a tour in the Spring in support of "Nimby" - the follow-up to their 2002 release, "The Color Fury."
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12.11.03 (RockAndMetal.com) German metallers DEW-SCENTED have joined up on the current X-Mas Festival European tour with the likes of DEICIDE, DESTRUCTION, AMON AMARTH, NILE, GRAVEWURM and MISERY INDEX on the following venue dates:
December 11th Berlin, Germany [Columbia Halle Fritz] • December 12th Engelsdorf, Germany [Hellraiser] • December 13th Wels, Austria [Schlachthof] • December 14th Vienna, Austria [Arena] • December 15th Milano, Italy [Alcatraz] • December 16th PRATTELN [Z7] • December 17th Ludwigsburg, Germany [Rockfabrik] • December 18th Praha, CZ [Roxy] • December 19th Strasbourg, France [La Laiterie] • December 20th Antwerpen, Belgium [Hof Ter Loo] • December 21st Tilburg, NL [013]
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12.11.03 (Reuters) The trade group representing the music industry on Tuesday said it has hired the director of the U.S. Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms And Explosives to lead its efforts against digital piracy. The Recording Industry Association Of America said Bradley Buckles would head its anti-piracy unit, working with law enforcement agencies and staff investigators around the country to stamp out the piracy of music that the industry has blamed for slumping sales and lost profits. Buckles will leave the ATF on January 3rd after 30 years of service, including four as the bureau's director when he oversaw a staff of more than 4,800 and a budget of more than $800 million. Some critics have criticized the RIAA as heavy-handed for its anti-piracy lawsuits against people who have downloaded music from free file-sharing services. The association has countered that the lawsuits - combined with other anti-piracy education efforts - have raised public awareness of copyright laws, and discouraged people from downloading from services like Kazaa and Morpheus.

12.10.03 (Reuters) Three people were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday in the first criminal counts over a Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people and injured some 200 in February. Capping a nine-month investigation into the blaze at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, a grand jury returned felony indictments against two of the club's owners and a tour manager for the rock band GREAT WHITE. In what became the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history, The Station went up in flames on February 20th, when sparks from a pyrotechnic display at the start of a GREAT WHITE concert spread to flammable foam on the club's walls. During separate arraignments in front of Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Netti Vogel, club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, and the band's tour... [full story]

12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) MTV will give viewers a glimpse into the holiday season at the home of OZZY OSBOURNE and his family with "The Osbourne Family Christmas Special," airing tomorrow night on the cable network. Promising to take "holiday specials to a bizarre new level," the program was taped at the family home in Beverly Hills, CA - the staging ground for MTV's successful reality show, "The Osbournes." A wide range of celebrity guests joined in on the festivities, including Jessica Simpson, who duets with Ozzy on 'Winter Wonderland,' and newlyweds Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra, who are shown baking holiday cookies. Former "The Man Show" host Adam Corolla teams with Jack Osbourne to whip up cranberry sauce, while Kelly Osbourne serenades the guests with 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.' The show-stopper will be a group reading of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas,' featuring Sharon Osbourne, OutKast's Big Boi, 'N Sync's JC Chasez, Eddie Griffin, Tracy Morgan, Anthony Anderson, Eva Mendes and Electra, followed by "a climactic caroling sing-along."

12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Transplanted stateside Irish rockers RUBYHORSE have just finished their new album, "Goodbye To All That, which is due for release sometime in January on the band's own independent label, Horse Trade Records. For RUBYHORSE, leaving their home of Cork City, Ireland for the then-uncharted city of Boston, Massachusetts was similar to letting go of a trapeze. The risk was huge, but it was a risk that had to be taken. Arriving in Boston in 1997, they parlayed a combined $1,000 and a gig in the back room of an Irish pub into a rabid fan base and a record deal. The proverbial blood, sweat and tears of that journey is palpable on their justly-titled previous album, "Rise." Rewind to 1996, a meat processing plant on northside of Cork City. Five nights a week, the band would gather in a small, rented room to craft their songs... [full story]
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12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) NILE continues to tour on the second segment of their Fall European tour on the much-celebrated X-Mas Festival with DEICIDE, DESTRUCTION and more. Remaining X-Mas Festival European Tour Dates with NILE:
December 10th Osnabruck, Germany [Hyde Park] • December 11th Berlin, Germany [Columbia Halle Fritz] • December 12th Engelsdorf, Germany [Hellraiser] • December 13th Wels, Austria [Schlachthof] • December 14th Vienna, Austria [Arena] • December 15th Milano, Italy [Alcatraz] • December 16th Pratteln, Switzerland [Z7] • December 17th Ludwigsburg, Germany [Rockfabrik] • December 18th Praga, Czech Republic [Roxy] • December 19th Strasbourg, France [La Laiterie] • December 20th Antwerpen, Belgium [Hof Ter Loo] • December 21st Tilburg, Netherlands [013]
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12.10.03 (AP) JIM MORRISON's former band mates burned candles, a rose and a poem at his grave in Paris on Monday, a tribute to the "Light My Fire" singer and cult figure on what would have been his 60th birthday. "We're trying to evoke the spirit of Jim," Robby Krieger, former guitarist for THE DOORS, told dozens of fans kept behind police barriers. Many held white candles and old album covers. Had the hard-living singer survived to turn 60, he would have been "happy, laughing, joking, a good man," Ray Manzarek, THE DOORS' keyboardist, told The Associated Press. The two were in Paris for concerts with their new band, THE DOORS 21st Century. Morrison's tomb was covered with votive candles, flowers, beer cans, photos and a silvery "Happy Birthday" banner. Security agents patrolled the shady, cobblestoned Pere Lachaise cemetery. After burning the... [full story]

12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Based on the success of "Zos Kia Cultus" (Here And Beyond), the Polish purveyors of the extreme known as BEHEMOTH have extended their contract with Olympic Recordings. The group have already commenced the songwriting process for their new album, and will enter the studio in early spring with hopes for a late 2004 release. This has been a breakthrough year for BEHEMOTH, who made their U.S. live debut at the New Jersey March Metal Meltdown festival, which served as the kickoff date for an extensive nationwide tour alongside Deicide and Amon Amarth. From there, they appeared on the first three dates of the "Metal Gods" tour, headlined by Halford and Testament, as well as the inaugural "Blackest Of The Black" festival with Danzig, Superjoint Ritual, Opeth, Nile and Lacuna Coil. BEHEMOTH capped off the... [full story]
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12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Eulogy Recordings artists ALBERT REACT are currently on tour in support of their new album, "Confluence & Scrapes," with Calico System, Dead Poetic and The Pits. They will also be playing This Day Forward's final show on December 21st. ALBERT REACT will play these upcoming tour dates:
December 10th Jacksonville, FL [Thee Imperial] • December 11th Augusta, GA [Hangnail Gallery] • December 12th Myrtle Beach, SC [The Limelight] • December 13th Charlotte, NC [Avondale Presbyterian Church] • December 14th Stafford, VA [Stafford VFD] • December 15th Montclair, NJ [Bloomfield Cafe] • December 16th Walden, NY [The Wreckroom] • December 17th Long Island, NY [Copiague VFW] • December 19th Milford, OH [Eastside Christian Church] • December 21st Philadelphia, PA [First Unitarian Church] (with This Day Forward)
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12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Mexico City Power Thrashers THE CHASM are currently writing and recording material for their Wicked World debut album. Daniel Corchado (vocals, guitar) recently checked in with this update: "We've been busy as hell here writing the new album, isolated and practicing hard, and I mean really hard... A very intense process, with some bumps on the road, but with some very good and strong results too. We already have nine songs finished, the majority of which are between the 5-6 minute duration, so it's going to be another long record again, but fuck it, this is the way of the Deathcult, we procreate from the heart and soul and don't really think or waste time thinking how long the album is gonna be... Now we just need one more song and that's it, it will be complete. So far we are very satisfied, and we can assure the followers of our crusade that they won't be disappointed at all, and I mean it!"
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12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Techno rockers CLIENT, the first signing to Andy Fletcher's Toast Hawaii recording label, have released their new single, 'Here And Now.' The third single to be taken from their debut album, "Client," 'Here And Now' is available on both CD and 12" vinyl. CD copies of the single come backed with two brand new tracks, 'Military Sex' and 'Can't See Me Now,' plus two additional remixes of 'Here And Now' from Cicada and Moonbootica. The 12" features both remixes, plus an exclusive vocal mix from Cicada. After an incredible summer of touring throughout Europe, CLIENT also completed several UK dates in November as special guests of Karl Bartos. Their regular electro nights, "Being Boiled," also started last month at London's Notting Hill Arts Centre.
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12.10.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The North American release date for EXODUS' new album, "Tempo Of The Damned," has been pushed back to March 9, 2004. The CD is still scheduled to be issued in Europe on February 2nd (the two-year anniversary of late EXODUS frontman Paul Baloff's passing) through Nuclear Blast Records. EXODUS has filmed another video clip with director Maurice Swinkels - this time for the song 'Throwing Down'- a reworked version of a song originally written for and demoed by WARDANCE, the ill-fated mid-'90s act formed by EXODUS members Gary Holt and Tom Hunting. Complete track listing for "Tempo Of The Damned":
1. Scar Spangled Banner • 2. War Is My Shepherd • 3. Blacklist • 4. Shroud Of Urine • 5. Forward March • 6. Culling The Herd • 7. Sealed With A Fist • 8. Throwing Down • 9. Impaler • 10. Tempo Of The Damned

12.10.03 (AP) RICHARD BRANSON's ambitious plans for rejuvenating sales at his Virgin Megastores have begun in San Francisco, CA. Shelves will soon be stocked with sex-related merchandise and a streetside vending machine that dispenses CDs and DVDs, 24-hours a day. Branson, chief executive of Virgin companies and founder of Virgin Entertainment Group Inc., was in town recently to promote the changes. Branson hopes to boost sales by tapping into products tied directly to the hearts of music fans, such as hip urban clothing and electronic gear like cell phones and MP3 players. Selling shelves of music simply isn't enough anymore for a 'megastore' anymore, Branson said. "We used to be the best music store in town - the best range of music. But music has declined," Branson told The Associated Press in an interview... [full story]

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