12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) LIMP BIZKIT, which suffered sales of its long-awaited new album, has been named worst band of the year by readers of Guitar World magazine. Creed, another act that draws sharp reactions, came in at No. 2, even though the Christian combo took the year off. New York rockers The Strokes were No. 3, followed by "all pop-punk bands" at No. 4 and pop-punk band Good Charlotte at No. 5. LIMP BIZKIT's "Results May Vary" has sold one million copies after 13 weeks, and ranks No. 64 on the U.S. pop charts. Its previous release, 2000's Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water," ranked No. 5 after 13 weeks with sales of four million copies. Metallica's poor-selling new album, "St. Anger," was named biggest disappointment, but it also came in at No. 2 as the best metal album, ranking behind Black Label Society's "The Blessed Hellride." Metallica's Kirk Hammett was named best metal guitarist.
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12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) KORN have added an extra date to their upcoming Australian tour schedule. The band rockers will now play Perth's Robinson Pavilion on February 9th, for which tickets for the gig went on sale December 28th. Released last month, the album "Take A Look In The Mirror" is KORN's first self-produced CD, which recently debuted in Australia at #1 on the national Heavy Rock and Metal chart, and at #10 on the national ARIA chart. The Australian version of "Take A Look In The Mirror" features an expanded CD booklet, with early archival photos from the band's personal collection, plus extensive liner notes. A limited-edition deluxe package was also recently available, which contained a bonus track of KORN's live performance of 'One,' from their appearance at the MTV Icon event saluting Metallica earlier this year, with a bonus DVD containing a mix of all KORN's videos - including an exclusive video for 'Right Now.'
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12.31.03 (Winnipeg Sun) Success is relative. If DEFAULT bassist Dave Benedict had to define it, it wouldn't be the day his band hit the million unit mark in sales of their first album but the day he was able to quit his full-time day job to concentrate on making music. "Even though I quit my job earlier than I should of, the whole thing of getting to go into work and telling your boss, 'I've got to quit because I've got a record contract,' was great, but it could have gone either way," he says. It's a good thing he did because there is no way he could have kept punching a clock with the way things have been going for the Vancouver band. DEFAULT's 2001 debut, "The Fallout," sold more than 1.2 million copies, thanks to the singles 'Wasting My Time,' 'Deny, 'Live A Lie' and 'Sick & Tired.' The cross-border success of the album led to a full-fledged North American tour and attention from the American entertainment media. "Being on..." [full story]
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12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Deathwish Inc. recording artists EMBRACE TODAY have embarked on a month-long U.S. tour with the bands BURY YOUR DEAD & PREMONITIONS OF WAR. Confirmed Dates:
01/03 Lawrence, KS [Bottleneck] • 01/04 Denver, CO [Garageland] • 01/05 Salt Lake City, UT [Albee Square] • 01/07 Sacremento, CA [Westcoast Worldwide] • 01/08 Los Angeles, CA [Whiskey] • 01/09 San Diego, CA [Epicenter] • 01/11 Pomona, CA [Glass House] • 01/13 Phoenix, AZ [Modified] • 01/15 San Antonio, TX [Sin 13] • 01/16 Corpus Christi, TX [Equal Eyez] • 01/17 Dallas, TX [Red Blood] • 01/18 Nashville, TN [The Muse] • 01/19 Brimingham, AL [Cave 9] • 01/21 Virginia Beach, VA [Bubba's] • 01/22 Philadelphia, PA [1st Unitarian Church] • 01/23 North Haven, CT [Congressional Church] • 01/27 Toledo, OH [Mickey Finn's] • 01/30 Des Moines, IA [Botanical Center] • 01/31 Chicago, IL [The Venue]
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12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) After seven years together, FACTORY 81 has decided to part ways and pursue other goals, according to a recent message posted on their official website: "Although the timing couldn't seem to be worse with the new album almost being complete, we felt that if we weren't into the project 100% anymore that it would be a disservice not only to ourselves, but to the fans as well. We've always prided ourselves on performing with as much heart and energy as possible, and we didn't want to see that disintegrate over time. We appologize for those of you that have been so extremely patient during these last couple years waiting for new F81 material. We still plan on making these new songs available to everyone one way or another. Once again, thank you so much for everything and making this past seven years the best of our lives......" - Andy, Bill, Kevin and Nate.
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12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian Hard Rock/Nu Metal band HIGH HOLY DAYS have signed a recording contract with Roadrunner Records. Roadrunner A&R rep Jamie Milligan has this to say about the band: "It's finally happening. Fuck, I'm excited! The best band in Canada - HIGH HOLY DAYS - will be releasing their debut album 'All My Real Friends' through Roadrunner in March 2004. It's been a long time coming for these guys...man, and this disc couldn't represent great music any better. I first heard the disc through my good friend Mike who came by and literally told me, 'YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS. YOU HAVE TO HEAR HOW GOOD THIS IS.' So we sat down and listened and within 30 seconds I wasn't thinking 'I have to hear this,' I was thinking, 'I HAVE TO SEE THIS.' So we headed 5 hours into Northern Ontario for what was to be my favorite show ever." HIGH HOLY DAYS' first single will hit Canadian radio later this month.
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12.31.03 (Reuters) THE ROLLING STONES' performance at the "SARSfest" extravaganza in Toronto last July will be released on DVD next spring. The Stones' tour manager, Michael Cohl, told the Toronto Sun that all 13 performers at the July 30th Downsview Park concert were recorded and should be included in the DVD, but it's not known if the entire concert will be released. "We're hoping by April or May to have it out," Cohl said. The daylong concert, which was designed to boost Toronto's sagging economy in the wake of the deaths caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, attracted some 450,000 people and also featured AC/DC, Rush, and The Flaming Lips. Highlights included an appearance by AC/DC siblings Angus and Malcolm Young as the Stones covered 'Rock Me Baby.' Cohl added he's not sure if the upcoming DVD will be made available to all retailers, as the "Four Flicks" DVD was sold exclusively by Best Buy and Future Shop.

12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) "Psychodelirium," a new full-length CD featuring 2 demo recordings from the Ukraine's DEFINITION SANE, has just been released through the Antinomian division of BlackMetal.com Records. The first 8 tracks are taken from the band's earliest demo entitled "The Trial," which was originally self-released on pro-manufactured cassettes only in the Ukraine. Tracks 9 through 18 are taken from their new demo, with the full title of "Psychodelirium Of Excited Mind." DEFINITION SANE skillfully purvey a technical brand of Blackened Death Metal with futuristic, semi-progressive edges, featuring English lyrics sung with brutal and grim vocals, which greatly contribute to the distinctly Nordic atmosphere of the newer songs. DEFINITION SANE features the drummer from LUCIFUGUM's "...Back To Chopped Down Roots" album. "Psychodelirium" is available only in a hand-numbered, limited-edition run of 500 copies.
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12.31.03 (RS) Former MEAT PUPPETS bassist Cris Kirkwood is in a Phoenix hospital after being shot in the abdomen by a post office security guard. According to an FBI spokesperson, Kirkwood, 43, got into an argument with a thirty-two-year-old woman over a parking space at the downtown post office. The woman reported Kirkwood to a security guard, who attempted to mediate the dispute. "When Mr. Kirkwood became disruptive, he was asked to leave the building," FBI spokesperson Susan Atrskovits said. "As Mr. Kirkwood was exiting, he pushed the security guard in the chest." The guard took out his collapsible baton and asked Kirkwood to leave again, when he turned and punched the guard - who responded by hitting Kirkwood with his baton. In the struggle, Kirkwood grabbed the baton and struck the officer on his left temple. The guard then pulled his gun and fired one shot into Kirkwood's abdomen.

12.31.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Singapore Gore/Grind band WTN will finally release their debut album, "Rotting In Pestilence" ("R.I.P.."), in the early part of 2004. The artwork has been drawn by Spain's Nor Prego ("NOR"), who has also done work for MACHETAZO and FERMENTO in the past few years. WTN plays haunting, catchy and morbid riffs, over precise drumming and bizarre vocals. The band also has split EP's in the works with several other bands including the likes of HAEMORRHAGE, FRIGHTMARE and SPLATTERHOUSE. Containing 37+ minutes of sheer sickness, "R.I.P." will also feature a cover of Impetigo's 'I Work For The Streetcleaner.' These maggot-munchers have been splattering brains for a few years now, and have already issued several cult split 7" EP's with MORGUE, ULCERRHOEA, and SQUASH BOWELS.
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12.31.03 (HWR) RIAA president Cary Sherman applauded San Bernardino County, CA prosecutors this week for filing a civil lawsuit against the owners and operators of a swap meet that allegedly allowed widespread pirated music sales. The action against Ho Suh Jin and Gustavo Zarate seeks an injunction against illegal music sales on the premises in San Bernardino, Calif., and at least $100,000 in damages. It marks the first time that a local, state or federal government agency has filed a civil suit against owners of a swap meet or flea market, according to the RIAA, which has filed similar cases against owners in Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, and Columbus, N.J.

12.30.03 (Reuters) PETE TOWNSHEND contemplated suicide during a police inquiry into his use of child pornography, he said in an interview published this week. THE WHO's 58-year-old guitarist was arrested in January during a crackdown on Internet, child porn and was formally cautioned in May after a four-month investigation. Townshend, who has said he was abused as a child, publicly admitted viewing child pornography, but said it was purely for research purposes. "If I had had a gun, I would have shot myself," he told Britain's Observer newspaper. "And if I had shot myself, it would have been awful because it would have confirmed what everybody thought." The inquiry found he had visited a website containing child abuse images in 1999, but did not download any images. "I'm not sexually attracted to children," he said in the interview. THE WHO's song 'Fiddle About' dealt with the issue of child abuse.

12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) HYPOCRISY plan to tour America in support of "The Arrival," which comes out 02/16. Tour Dates:
02/12 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 02/13 Dallas, TX [Trees] • 02/14 San Antonio, TX [The Back Room] • 02/16 Phoenix, AZ [Mason Jar] • 02/17 Hollywood, CA [The Key Club] • 02/18 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Concert] • 02/19 San Francisco, CA [Slim's] • 02/20 Portland, OR [Roseland] • 02/21 Seattle, WA [Graceland] • 02/23 Salt Lake City, UT [Bricks] • 02/24 Englewood, CO [Gothic Theatre] • 02/25 Lawrence, KS [Bottleneck] • 02/26 Sauget, IL [Pop's] • 02/27 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 02/28 Minneapolis, MN [Quest Club] • 02/29 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 03/03 Cleveland, OH [Agora Ballroom] • 03/04 Philadelphia, PA [Club Laga] • 03/06 Brooklyn, NY [L'Amour] • 03/07 Philadelphia, PA [Trocadero] • 03/11 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 03/12 Tampa, FL [Masquerade] • 03/13 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Room]
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12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The debut album by EVANESCENCE has now officially gone Triple Platinum in Australia. Released earlier this year, "Fallen" has already produced two worldwide hit singles in 'Bring Me To Life' and 'Going Under,' and is clocking up a third major hit with the song 'My Immortal.' Available in Australia on January 12th, the single's release coincides with the band's national tour down under, which kicks off in Brisbane on January 10th. This is the band's second visit to Australia, following a brief promotional visit earlier this year. The band will tour without co-founder and guitarist Ben Moody, who has temporarily been replaced by John LeCompt, after leaving the band earlier this year. "We decided there was no reason to terminate the band," explains singer Amy Lee of Moody's departure. "It's evolved so much from when it was just Ben and I. I've been writing with the other guys. I'm really proud of the band."
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12.30.03 (MTV) ROB ZOMBIE is about to double his cinematic body count to 2000. His script for "House Of 1000 Corpses 2" has been approved, and the horror auteur will start casting the production after the holidays. The original, Zombie's directorial debut, hit theaters in April and raked in $7.1 million in its first 10 days at the box office. Unlike its predecessor, which was colored with black humor, the sequel will include less comic relief. "It's a very different film," Zombie said. "It's much darker and more serious. It's a gritty crime movie like [the 1973 Terrence Malick film] 'Badlands.' There's nothing campy or wacky at all." The opening scene in "Corpses 2" takes place a couple of months after the last scene in the first movie. "Everything that was alluded to in 'Corpses' has been found out in the house," Zombie said. "The house is raided by a SWAT team, and it all goes bad from there." If the production stays on... [full story]
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12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Originally conceived as an informal collaboration featuring four of the Philadelphia area's most talked-about artists, the arrival of 4 WAY STREET has announced a fresh new sound that is greater than the sum of its considerable parts. Combining incredible vocal harmonies with a songwriting aesthetic both timeless and unmistakably modern, on their recently-released Sanctuary Records debut the band joins an uncanny pop sensibility with deep roots in folk and rock music to create a sound all their own. The project's genesis came in 2000 from an unlikely source - Bruce Warren, Program Director of eclectic and influential public radio station WXPN, renowned for their nationally syndicated "World Cafe" program. Warren asked singer/songwriter Ben Arnold to assemble an all-star group of musicians from the Delaware Valley for the annual WXPN Singer-Songwriter Festival. Recruiting Scott Bricklin, Jim Boggia... [full story]
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12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Portland, Oregon's ENGORGED have returned home to the Razorback Records Hive to record their brand new album, tentatively titled "Where Monsters Dwell...." The album will feature 8 brand new songs of thrashing Horror Death/Grind as only ENGORGED know how to do it: They play dizzying, highly unpredictable music that refuses to let the listener in on where it's going until they get there. Some of the new songs will include the titles 'Slaughterhouse,' 'Architeuthis,' 'Werewolf Militia,' and 'Return Of The Living Dead.' ENGORGED will start recording "Where Monsters Dwell..." in the early part of 2004, and the album is planned to be released in the Summer. "Where Monsters Dwell..." will also feature all new artwork from the infamous Dennis Dread. ENGORGED also has planned split releases coming up with FONDLECORPSE and GHOUL.
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12.30.03 (RS) If you missed THE MINUTEMEN on one of their here-today-gone-tomorrow tours in the Eighties, a filmmaking team is preparing to offer a second glance at the beloved Eighties indie rock ensemble with "We Jam Econo," a feature documentary due next year. In fact, director Tim Irwin and his partner Keith Schieron are among those who never caught the defiantly blue-collar Southern California trio -- singer/guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley -- as they zigzagged the country between 1979 and 1985, when Boon was killed in a van accident in Arizona. But the time seems right for a rediscovery of THE MINUTEMEN (the name a reference to their short songs, rather than the Revolutionary War heroes), a politically minded group that wore its populism on its sleeve, but without the unrepentant, minimalist fury (and lack of humor) that fueled the fire of the hardcore bands that shared the Eighties... [full story]

12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) From Vinland's East Coast, corpse-painted trio EVERWINTER have announced their arrival to the A.B.M.U. Scene with a limited-edition, hand-numbered 5-song MCD of classic, Nordic-influenced Black Metal tracks full of blasting grim fury in a run of only 500 copies. Although this is EVERWINTER's first attempt at a demo recording, the results were impressive enough to warrant an "official" release via our BlackMetal.com Records' "Antinomian Demo Series." Die-hard fans of cult Underground Black Metal will be surprised by the ferocity and power of this debut-release - a skillful blend of the best classic BM influences from DARKTHRONE to VENOM. EVERWINTER MCD Track Listing:
1. Soul Devourment • 2. More Than Misanthropy • 3. Hail Your Ruin • 4. Your Duty As Christian • 5. Final Victory
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12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Welsh rockers LOSTPROPHETS are heading to Australia for a blistering set of live shows as the latest addition to the 2004 Big Day Out festival through Australia and New Zealand, which begins in Auckland on January 16th and runs through six cities - ending in Perth on February 1st. LOSTPROPHETS made their mark on the rock scene with their debut album, "Fake Sound Of Progress." Despite modest expectations, the album's overwhelming success resulted in the band headlining England's Brixton Academy and securing slots on the US Ozzfest tour. LOSTPROPHETS' sound has them labelled as part of the nu-metal generation, but the band also covers hardcore, emo, hip-hop and pop. They use samplers, FX and even jazzy interludes to create a modern concoction of newfangled sounds. Big Day Out is scheduled to include Metallica, The Strokes, Peaches, and the Black Eyed Peas.
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12.30.03 (RockAndMetal.com) has announces the signing of England's notorious extreme metal outfit, CRADLE OF FILTH. The band, second-stage headliners of this year's Ozzfest, and having just finished a tour in America supported by TYPE O NEGATIVE and MOONSPELL, are delighted by the recent turn of events. Dani Filth, the group's often outspoken vocalist had this to say about the move: "Obviously, everybody in the band is very excited about the decision to sign to the label. I believe Roadrunner will definitely give us a much further push and without doubt, better credibility within the extreme metal scene. Bring on 2004, the year destined to be spattered with Filth..." Roadrunner A&R man Mike Gitter states: "As all truly great bands do, Cradle of Filth provoke. That makes people draw a line. Cradle assault the senses: hitting both head and groin. Cradle of Filth are often copied, but never replicated."

12.30.03 (HWR) The controversial peer-to-peer file-swapping technology KAZAA won another important victory this week when the Dutch Supreme Court dismissed a music industry legal action against it. In a ruling that was criticized by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry, the court upheld a March 2002 appellate court verdict that software companies cannot be held liable for how their product is used. "The victory by KAZAA creates an important precedent for the legality of peer-to-peer software, both in the European Union as elsewhere," KAZAA lawyers Bird & Bird said in a statement. Buma Stemra, the Dutch music royalties collection society, had been seeking a judgment that would ban distribution of KAZAA in its current form, and require any future versions to block the transfer of copyrighted materials.

12.29.03 (Hollywood Reporter) VH1 has greenlighted a full-season order of "Surviving Nugent," a reality series that drops contestants into the wild world of rock legend TED NUGENT. Encouraged by ratings returns on a well-received two-hour special featuring Nugent, who also has been featured on other VH1 programs such as "Behind The Music," the cable channel ordered additional episodes to air next year. Details on the series are not yet available, but "Surviving" is expected to be something of a hybrid of MTV's "The Osbournes" (focusing on the unconventional lifestyle of a bad-boy rocker and his equally odd family), and "Survivor," which emphasizes outdoor competitions not for the faint at heart. A select number of contestants would be invited to brave the elements at TED NUGENT's ranch in central Texas -- as well as withstanding the wrath of the "Motor City Madman" himself. Nugent's wife and son will also be a part of the new series.

12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Slovakian Thrash/Death Metallers MUTILATION will see the American release of their current album, "Possessed By Reality," slated to be issued through Crash Music Inc. in February. MUTILATION was formed in Slovakia in 1991. The following year, the band recorded their debut, "The Last Convulsion," which caught the attention of the underground press. That same year (1992), MUTILATION also released another album, entitled "Immortal Visions." Following some line-up changes, the band recorded "The Future Remains The Past" in 1995, but it was never released. Beset by more personnel changes, it wasn't until 1999 that MUTILATION released "Invisible Turn," which included a cover version of Judas Priest's 'Breaking The Law' and the Black Sabbath song 'Cornucopia.' Currently, "Possessed By Reality" represents a return to classic old school-style Death Metal by the band.
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian rockers FINGER ELEVEN are confirmed to support EVANESCENCE on their upcoming Australian tour, which commences on January 10th in Brisbane. Coinciding with the national gigs will be the release of the band's third studio album, which took the band almost two years to complete. "We wanted to make sure we got it right," explains vocalist Scott. "Every day for 18 months, we wrote and rehearsed and pieced together demos. Once we had some musical ideas on tape, I'd ride around in the Prelude with the stereo up way too loud. Lyrical inspirations were scribbled down on receipts, ATM slips, my arm - whatever was handy. The words to 'Therapy' came to me in a supermarket parking lot. In the end, we had 30 songs to pick from." Dates:
01/10 Brisbane [Convention Centre] • 01/11 Sydney [Hordern Pavilion] • 01/14 Adelaide [Entertainment Centre] • 01/15 Melbourne [Festival Hall] • 01/16 Perth [Challenge Stadium]
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Louisville, Kentucky band BREATHER RESIST have been busier than ever these days. First, a new limited edition BREATHER RESIST 2-song 7" recorded in Chicago by Scott Adamson at Semaphore Recording. Next, after finishing up some solo East Coast dates in support of their "Only In The Morning" MCD/10"LP, they recently went out on a whirlwind 10-day tour with CONVERGE and A LIFE ONCE LOST. BREATHER RESIST are now hard at work on the material which will become their new album. Featuring BLACK CROSS member Evan Patterson on guitar, BREATHER RESIST unleashes an unrelenting wave of potent, searing heavy music. Hailing no allegiance to metal nor its bastardized offspring, BREATHER RESIST takes its cues alternately from the brutal noise of the AMREP era, the precise pummeling of THE JESUS LIZARD, and the pure rage of KISS IT GOODBYE.
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12.29.03 (AP) The VH1 special about the making of WARREN ZEVON's final album, "The Wind," will be released on DVD in March. The album, which includes a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' and the poignant 'Keep Me In Your Heart,' was released to critical acclaim shortly before the singer-songwriter's death in September. Zevon died at age 56 after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Jordan Zevon, executive producer of "The Wind," says the DVD will show things that wouldn't fit in the VH1 special, and will include footage that shows his father's personality. "We got together with Artemis (Records) ... and I went through all the tapes and tried to pick some extra tracks to put on there," he told AP Radio in a recent interview. "They're all moments that are uncut. They're not edited together for the sake of time and go from bit to bit. They're actually just little moments in the making of the record."

12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Highly-acclaimed metalcore mob STAMPIN' GROUND, who recently completed a UK headlining trek of their own, have announced they will play all but the last three dates on the upcoming "Wrecking Spree" tour with CHIMAIRA and EVERY TIME I DIE. Regrettably forced to cancel a London show recently, STAMPIN' GROUND are looking forward to getting out there again to rip it up with songs from "A New Darkness Upon Us." Tour Dates:
02/02 Oxford, UK [Zodiac] • 02/03 Cardiff, UK [Engine Room] • 02/04 Exeter, UK [Lemon Grove] • 02/05 Portsmouth, UK [Wedgewood Rooms] • 02/06 London, UK [Mean Fiddler] • 02/07 Birmingham, UK [Carling Academy 2] • 02/08 Manchester, UK [Academy 3] • 02/09 Nottingham, UK [Rock City] • 02/10 Glasgow, UK [King Tuts] • 02/11 Leeds, UK [Josephs Well] • 02/12 Colchester, UK [Soundhaus] • 02/13 Liverpool, UK [University]
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) UK band EMBRACE will head into the studio next week with producer Youth to begin recording of their fourth album, which will be released through Independiente. Singer Danny McNamara says, "The bar's been raised to a level that's so high you can't see it from the ground. Now at last we've got 10 songs that clear the bar. Everyone seems to be saying that we've got something back that we lost along the way. For me, each album has got progressively more honest. The difference with this one is that the big tunes are back. We want to write songs that make people stick out their arms in a "t" shape and shout 'TUNE.'" EMBRACE previously worked with Youth on their Number One Platinum debut album, "The Good Will Out." "He's the most challenging person we've ever worked with. We've already spent some time in pre-production, which was one of the most inspiring times we've ever had."

12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) LORD GORE are getting ready to start recording the material for many new releases planned for 2004. Their second album for Razorback Records is planned to be titled "Dead In The Flesh", and will reportedly contain some of the band's most gruesome, powerful, and brilliant gore metal ever. It will also be datchier than ever before, heavier, with a shocking vocal onslaught like you've never heard before, according to the band. LORD GORE also has split releases coming up with Blood Duster, and a split mini-CD with Biolich on Australia's No Escape Records. LORD GORE band members Gurge, SCSI and Maniac Killer recently checked in for the following interview over at Razorback Records: RBR: Hey you freaks, it's been awhile since we heard from LORD GORE since your debut CD came out last year. What has the band been up to lately? Still jamming FORBIDDEN albums? I finally got "Twisted... [full story]
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The debut from Boston Punk/Hardcore band SEX POSITIONS will be released March 9th through Deathwish Inc., which they recently recorded at Godcity with engineer Kurt Ballou (Converge, Old Man Gloom). The band did have a limited tour version (500 copies) of the new self-ttitled full length on 12" vinyl LP at the start of their current tour (which is about to conclude on January 4th in Haddon Township, NJ), but those have long sold out, according to a spokesperson for the band. SEX POSITIONS was born out of the untimely demise of hardcore stalwarts The Dedication. Emoting raw hardcore emotion with a dire need for musical experimentation, SEX POSITIONS harbor just as many new wave and classic punk influences as they do traditional hardcore.
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) A 9-song, limited edition split album from INIMICAL/SECT has been released by BlackMetal.com Records. Hand-numbered in a limited run of only 500 copies, the album highlights Nordic-influenced Black Metal from two separate demo recordings from HIEROPHANT/CATACOMBS' solo-mastermind J. Del Russi. The first part of the split-album features 5 songs by INIMICAL recorded in 2001 (newly re-mastered in 2003); orthodox Black Metal hailing the classic Nordic Metal sound. Describable as relatively "ancient," songs 6 through 9 by SECT - although dating back to 1996 - adeptly succeed in kicking the true atmosphere and darkness up a notch with amazing clarity, full of rage and brutality. Both bands recall the original pioneers of the Black Metal genre such as DARKTHRONE, MAYHEM, ABRUPTUM, IMMORTAL, MARDUK, etc.
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12.29.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The early days of online music services were rife with rumors that the major labels were indulging in price fixing, collusion to squash the little guys and other cozy covenants. After nearly two years of scrutiny, during which the services matured, the U.S. Department Of Justice found no evidence to support such allegations. An official statement released last week said the DOJ has closed the antitrust investigation it initiated in the Summer of 2001. The major labels' joint ventures have not harmed consumers or reduced competition, according to R. Hewitt Pate, assistant attorney general in charge of the DOJ's antitrust division. The focus of the probe was on MUSICNET -- which was started by Warner Music Group, EMI Group, BMG Entertainment and RealNetworks -- and Pressplay, which began as a joint venture of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group. Pressplay was subsequently sold to digital media specialist Roxio and was fundamentally absorbed into that company's Napster service.

12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Kentucky's MY MORNING JACKET are set to kick off a January American Tour, which has the band playing 17 shows throughout the East & Midwest. Venue Dates:
1/3 Nashville, TN [The Exit/In] • 1/8 Indianapolis, IN [Birdy's] • 1/9 Cincinnati, OH [Bogart's] • 1/10 St. Louis, MO [Mississippi Nights] • 1/15 Lexington, KY [The Dame] • 1/16 Birmingham, AL [WorkPlay] • 1/17 Atlanta, GA [Cotton Club] • 1/18 Knoxville, TN [Blue Cats] • 1/20 Asheville, NC [Orange Peel] • 1/21 Carrboro, NC [Cat's Cradle] • 1/23 Charlottesville, VA [Starr Hill] • 1/24 Richmond, VA [The Canal Club] • 1/26 Northampton, MA [Iron Horse Music Hall] • 1/27 Burlington, VT [The Higher Ground] • 1/28 Portland, ME [The Space Gallery] • 1/30 Lancaster, PA [The Chameleon] • 1/31 Washington, DC [9:30 Club]
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12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) SLIPKNOT has added a June 4th stop at the Rock In Rio Festival in Lisbon, Portugal to their 2004 tour calendar, which currently only features a handful of international stops. The band is also slated to play Japan's Sonicmania Festival on January 31st in Osaka and February 1st in Tokyo, as well as a June 21st date in Amsterdam, Holland with Metallica. Slipknot has spent the past few months in Los Angeles recording a new album at a mansion once owned by Harry Houdini, and said to be haunted by the famed magician. Rick Rubin is producing the as-yet-untitled third album, which is due in the spring. "I know that all bands say that their 'new' record is gonna be the best, but in all sincerity this is gonna show all the new bands how it's really done," drummer Joey Jordison (a.k.a. "Number 2") says. "We are comin' back to reclaim the crown of the world's most brutally honest and insane band."
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12.26.03 (JAM!) Six years between albums is a long time, but it's not like Sarah McLachlan was on vacation. During the interim the Vancouver-based songstress, who turns 36 next month, got married, finished touring for both "Surfacing" and Lilith Fair, lost her mother to cancer and gave birth to her daughter shortly thereafter. With all that on her plate, it's no wonder the recording of her new album "Afterglow" took so long. The musical world McLachlan returned to had also experienced dramatic changes, with the demise of girl and boy bands and the industry-wide tailspin of record sales. So was McLachlan at all concerned about launching a long-overdue record in this unstable environment? "No," is the new mother's emphatic reply. "Obviously I'm going to lose a number of fans, because the longer you're gone the more people forget about you who weren't rabid fans. "But most of my rabid fans absolutely would go out and buy my record, because..." [full story]
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12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Guitarist Corbin King and his band VAINGLORY have finished recording their new CD, with a special surprise singer doing the vocals this time around. "Fast, heavy and furious" is the description of the musical direction of the new CD according to King, which is scheduled to be released sometime in Spring through Leviathan Records. VAINGLORY is a band that features intense riffs, masterful guitar, virtuoso drumming, heavy bass, powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics. Based around Corbin King, who may just be a candidate for "latest metal guitar hero" for the new millennium, VAINGLORY's last effort, "2050," was a concept album meant to get the listener to think about what the future may hold if things continue on their present course. The story line told of the year 2050, when every person would killed by age 65 to keep the "work force" at top efficiency.
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12.26.03 (AP) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN was indeed "the boss" of the concert business in 2003, raking in $115.9 million to rank second only to The Rolling Stones for the most money ever earned by a concert act in a year. Springsteen and his E Street Band earned the money on 47 concerts, concluding their tour with a staggering 13 stadium shows in the New York area, the concert industry trade publication Pollstar reported Tuesday. The Stones' $121.2 million earned in 1994 still stands as the record, Pollstar said. The Stones brought in $38.5 million this year, to rank 14th. Springsteen's reported earnings don't count the concert dates he played outside of North America, or in 2002, when "The Rising" tour began. Pollstar hasn't finished its calculations yet, but editor Gary Bongiovanni predicted 2003 will be the fourth record-setting year in a row with around $2.4 billion in concert business. It's largely because fans have accepted... [full story]

12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) FALCONER are to play a string of upcoming January European dates beginning January 6th in Milan, Italy, and will wind things up in Pratteln, Switzerland on the 18th. FALCONER made their U.S. debut this year with the release of "The Sceptre Of Deception" through Metal Blade Records. Tour Dates:
January 6th Milan, Italy [Motion] • January 8th Wien, Austria [Zugabe] • January 9th Budapest, Hungary [Wigwam] • January 10th Innsburk, Austria [Hafen] • January 11th Munich, Germany [Garage] • January 12th Essen, Germany [Zeche Carl] • January 13th Bielefeld, Germany [Live Arena] • January 14th Hamburg, Germany [Markthalle] • January 15th Heidelburg, Germany [Schwimmbad] • January 16th Berlin, Germany [Halford] • January 17th Aalen, Germany [Rock-It] • January 18th Pratteln, Switerland [Z7]
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12.26.03 (AP) A little-known U.S. duo won the race for the coveted No. 1 spot on the British Christmas pop music chart. Surprise contenders MICHAEL ANDREWS & GARY JULES beat local favorites, glam rockers The Darkness, to lead the official weekly chart Sunday with their ballad 'Mad World' from the cult film "Donnie Darko." Holding the top spot on the Christmas Day chart is considered a great honor in Britain, and every twist and turn of the festive battle is keenly reported and debated. This year's race was considered the tightest in many years. 'Mad World,' a somber and sparse take on the 1982 Tears For Fears song - which doesn't even mention Christmas - features Jules' vocals and Andrews on piano. It initially was considered a longshot, but requests from the public and strong radio play gave it a late boost. "My first reaction was just that it..." [full story]

12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Earache Recordings has announced the signing of Norwegian Death Metal murderers BLOOD RED THRONE to a worldwide multi-album deal. Band member Tchort had this to say on the band's new union; "The guys couldn't be happier about signing to Earache Records at this point. The label's enthusiasm for the band is undeniable and the feeling is mutual, and we're proud to be a part of the rich history Earache has within Extreme Metal, and also to join ranks with some of the most supreme Death Metal acts around. We have started writing for the third album ('Altered Genesis'), and the new material sounds excellent so far; prepare for a more intense, brutal and viciously groovy 2004 Death Metal release!" Earache Label Manager Dan Tobin commented, "We look forward to releasing the band's brand new material in 2004 and helping them crush as many heads in the process as possible."
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12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) BON JOVI recently staged a special event at the Borgata Hotel Casino Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey - giving the only live performance of the reworked arrangements from the group's newfangled "greatest hits" album, "This Left Feels Right." Bon Jovi's. The one-time get-together was filmed by a video crew that night, the performances from which will be released worldwide as the companion DVD, "Full House: The Concert From The Boardwalk," next February 9th and 10th - coordinating a Valentine's Day release. For those who can't wait for the DVD, they can spend New Year's Eve with BON JOVI at home that night, as a 90-minute version of the "Full House: The Concert From The Boardwalk" performance at the Borgata will be premiering exclusively on IN DEMAND Pay-Per-View this New Year's Eve, December 31, 2003 at 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM EST.
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12.26.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The "throne of bones" is back for more. Dark lords of horror-grind MACHETAZO are currently preparing ideas and material for their 3rd full-length CD on Razorback Records, which is going to be a concept album about the amazing "Blind Dead" films of the 1970's. Where the "Trono De Huesos" album was about anger, the new one will be about fear. Artwork will be drawn by Nor Prego, and the album is planning to be released in the Summer of 2004. MACHETAZO recently recorded 3 new songs for a split 7" EP with General Surgery that will be coming out on Escorbuto Records in Sweden. Look for that recording to be releases hopefully sometime next month. MACHETAZO also has plans to record material for a split-LP with label mates Mausoleum in 2004.
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12.24.03 (AP) ELVIS PRESLEY has been declared the all-time hit singles king in Britain nearly a half-century after he first crashed into the pop charts here, according to a new list published Monday. Presley has appeared on 1,193 of the weekly charts since 1952, when "British Hit Singles," a book published by Guinness World Records, began keeping records. At No. 2 is Cliff Richard, with 1,152 weeks in the charts, followed by The Shadows at 771 weeks. The singles chart in Britain has varied in length over the years. When Presley appeared for the first time in 1956 with 'Heartbreak Hotel,' the British chart listed 30 records. In 1978, the year after Presley died, the chart stabilized at its present length of the top 75 singles. The rest of the top 10 were listed as follows: Elton John, Madonna, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, The Beatles and David Bowie.

12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Swedish/German Melodic Death Metallers ARCH ENEMY have been confirmed for a couple of support shows on IRON MAIDEN's upcoming worldwide "Dance Of Death" tour. ARCH ENEMY have also been nominated for a P3 Gold Award in the category "Best Rock/Metal" for their current album, "Anthems Of Rebellion." Other nominees in the same category are: Nasum, Mork Gryning, Satirnine and Cult Of Luna. The ceremony will take place at Storan in Gothenburg on January 23rd. "Dance Of Death" Tour Dates:
01/20 Montreal, Canada [Bell Centre] • 01/21 Quebec, Canada [Colisee Pepsi Arena] • 01/23 New York, NY [Hammerstein Ballroom] • 01/24 New York, NY [Hammerstein Ballroom] • 01/26 New York, NY [Hammerstein Ballroom] • 01/27 New York, NY [Hammerstein Ballroom] • 02/07 Osaka, Japan [Osaka Jo Hall] • 02/08 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo [Saitama Arena]
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) DYNAMITE BOY have just finished up the recording of their upcoming album, scheduled for release sometime in April on Fearless Records. The band's as-yet-untitled third effort looks like it's going to be mixed by Lou Giordano (The Ataris, Sunny Day Real Estate, Goo Goo Dolls). Meanwhile, the new tracks have already caught the attention of Darren Lewis, current manager of both THE ATARIS and MEST, who will now be working with the band. Consequently, DYNAMITE BOY has been asked to go on tour with MEST from the beginning of February until at least the end of March or beginning of April, accompanied by both FALL OUT BOY and MATCHBOOK ROMANCE. DYNAMITE BOY have also been confirmed for the 2004 Warped Tour, which they played in 2002. The band just finished playing a few dates in their hometown of Austin, Texas, winding things up at the Red Eyed Fly on December 19th.
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) France's ELLIPSIS have begun the recording of their second album, "From Beyond Thematics," at Sound Suite Studio with producer Terje Refsnes (Nightmare, Carpathian Forest, Penumbra, Tristania, etc.). Mixing will be done in a couple of weeks, and the album will feature 11 new songs. After releasing the MCD "Water's Peacemaker" in 1995, ELLIPSIS began playing multiple concerts in France. After some line-up changes in 1998, the band recorded the 4-song promo CD "Build The Nation" in March of 1999, revealing multiple influences by bands such as Dream Theater, Mr Bungle, Devin Townsend and Fear Factory. ELLIPSIS also appeared on the compilation "Local Bus Box" with the song 'Divination Man' in 2001, prior to the release of "Comastory," the band's full-length debut for Adipocere Records.
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Long-time Ohio rockers GUIDED BY VOICES are set to kick off a new American tour in January in support of "Earthquake Glue," their latest release on Matador Records. Upcoming GBV tour dates and venues are as follows: January 8th Nashville, TN [Exit In] • January 9th Athens, GA [40 Watt Club] • January 10th Gainesville, FL [Market Street Pub] • January 12th Orlando, FL [The Social] • January 13th Jacksonville, FL [Jackrabbits] • January 14th Tallahassee, FL [Beta Bar] • January 16th Houston, TX [Engine Room] • January 17th Austin, TX [La Zona Rosa] • January 18th Dallas, TX [Trees] • January 20th Columbia, MO [Blue Note] • January 21st St. Louis, MO [Mississippi Nights] • January 23rd Louisville, KY [Headliners] • January 24th Columbus, OH [Little Bros]
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) German Death Metal band MOURNING ENDS are scheduled to release their third album, "Different Ways," in mid-January. After releasing a demo tape in 1998, the band recorded and released their debut full-length album "Schlachtenkonig," followed by "Kriegerseele" in 2002. Since their inception, MOURNING ENDS has shared the stage with the likes of HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MENHIR, ATANATOS, VADER, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, GODDESS OF DESIRE, IMPENDING DOOM, DEW-SCENTED, ADORNED BROOD, TRIVIUM. DARKEST HOUR and DISILLUSION. Although their sound has continually evolved over the years into a unique style of Hybrid Metal with influences including KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and SHADOWS FALL, MOURNING ENDS still remain a Death Metal band at their core.
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) A Florida man who impersonated rock band Creed's lead guitarist and scammed fans out of more than $1,000 and free drinks has been sentenced to more than two years in prison. Kevin Eckenrod, 40, pleaded no contest to fraudulent use of a credit card and scheming to defraud, and will have eight months reduced from his sentence for time served. Eckenrod claimed to be CREED guitarist MARK TREMONTI, and even handed out and autographed copies of publicity photos and attracted crowds of fans at Clearwater Beach bars. A woman who invited him to her home told police Eckenrod took her credit card from her back pocket while he was kissing her, then charged $1,000 on the card, police said. Police arrested Eckenrod, who has more than 30 aliases, as he stood in the middle of a crowd signing autographs in April. Eckenrod does have a slight resemblance to Tremonti, even though he is 11 years older.

12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Limited initial pressings of ORPHANED LAND's upcoming Century Media debut, "Mabool - The Story Of The Three Sons Of Seven," will contain a 5-song bonus disc featuring an acoustic live-show, including a medley of old classics and a cover-version of the Paradise Lost song 'Mercy.' Vocalist Kobi says, "It's great to be back. We hope to tour the world in order to promote "Mabool" where ever we can. I believe this album offers refreshing material to the scene, and I also hope it will arrive in Arab countries, where we have a huge fan base. I send peace from Israel, "The Orphaned Land," to all brothers worldwide and in the Middle East." Bonus CD Track Listing:
1. The Evil Urge • 2. A Never Ending Way • 3. Mercy • 4. The Beloved's Cry • 5. The Orphaned's Medley
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Following some quality time at home for the holidays, BILLY TALENT are kicking off the New Year with several months of near non-stop touring. That's good news for you. Canadian dates commence January 7th in North York, Ontario, and are slated to run into February. Additional Canadian dates are scheduled to be confirmed and announced for late January, early February. Then it's barely a moment's rest before BILLY TALENT begin a month of touring on the SIMPLE PLAN and MXPX double-headliner tour, with special guests SUGARCULT. Dates for that tour, sponsored by Fuse, begin February 11th in Boynton Beach, Florida and run through February 28th in Seattle, Washington. For the full venue rundown or to purchase tickets for the tour, hit up 'Tour' in the navigation bar at www.billytalent.com.
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12.24.03 (RockAndMetal.com) After playing some dates in Europe in recent weeks, METALLICA have already set their sights on coming back to play more shows in May and June of 2004. The group has confirmed nine dates so far, beginning May 26th in Copenhagen, including a June 4th headlining appearance at the Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal. A new round of North American dates is also expected next spring or summer. METALLICA's New Year's Eve show is coming next at The Joint in Las Vegas, followed by the group's January stint on the Big Day Out festival tour of Australia and New Zealand. On January 12th, UK fans will also see the release of a seven-track EP with the new single 'The Unnamed Feeling,' featuring six songs recorded live in Paris and a video for the title cut. Alternate configurations of the single will also be available in other International territories as well.

12.24.03 (JAM!) Toronto entertainment lawyer Chris Taylor, whose clients include Sum 41, Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne, has launched his own recording company, LAST GANG RECORDS, to take care of some acts for which he's been unable to secure deals. As the former frontman with reggae-pop group One, which signed to Virgin Music Canada in 1994 for one album, Taylor selected the name "Last Gang" after the Clash song 'The Last Gang In Town.' He explains, "The Clash for me is where it all begins." Partnering with Montreal-based DKD Group Of Labels and distributed by Universal Music Canada, Last Gang's initial roster is comprised of "modern wave" band Metric, reggae/dancehall producer/mixer Bobby O'Luge (a.k.a. Jeffrey Holdip, Nelly Furtado's live sound engineer ), and urban rock act Slan (featuring Sook Yin-Lee, Rumble and Maximum 60). "All three of those acts I'd been shopping in..." [full story]

[News Archives: 12.17.03-12.23.03]
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