PRIMAL FEAR - Contest winners
Congratulations
to the lucky winner of the signed PRIMAL FEAR Flying V-guitar, Alain Yerna from
Liege/Belgium! Both the band and Nuclear Blast were happy to receive more than
2500 entries to this contest. The "Book Of Seven Seals" was won by
Hagen Kley from Schwerin, Germany. Congratulations as well!
KATAKLYSM - North American tour dates announced
VADER, KATAKLYSM, NUCLEAR ASSAULT,
SPEED KILL/HATE, GRAVEWORM and THE ABSENCE will be
teaming up for the "Metal Crusaders" beginning in late May. The first
confirmed dates are as follows:
May 26 - Montreal, QC @ Le Medley
May 27 - Bedford, NH @ Marks Place
May 28 - Boston, MA @ The Middle East
May 31 - Vernon, NY @ Nothing Fancy Cafe
Jun. 01 - Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Ballroom
Jun. 14 - Houston, TX @ The Ballroom/Wharehouse live
Jun. 17 - Arlington, TX @ The Phoenix Music Complex
Jun. 20 - Denver, CO @ Aztlan Theater
Jun. 28 - Portland, OR @ Rock'n' Roll P.
Many more dates will be announced soon.
HAMMERFALL - Ready for the next chapter
HAMMERFALL
Guitarist Oscar Dronjak has posted the following message at the band's official
website:
Happy New Year! I can't believe it's New Year's already, and the touring is
over! We have been on the road on and off since April, so it has been the usual
hectic year.
And now, the next chapter is about to be penned; The songs for the
new album. Actually, I can't wait to dive head first into the composing, some
of the material written so far is very promising. More on this as the song
writing progresses. We wish you a Happy New Year, may 2006 bring you all
fortune and glory. Cheers!"
CLAWFINGER - Almost ready to hit the road
CLAWFINGER
frontman Zak Tell has posted the following statement on the bands official
website:
“So the tour is closing in on us good people but before we focus totally on it
we need to celebrate the New Years in good old fashion, in other words we'll be
eating and drinking too much in the company of friends & family & then
we as a human race will just start over with another year of madness, insanity
and irrational behaviour around the whole world to prove that we have learned
absolutely nothing from all our wrong doings!
Anyway we have yet to rehearse
or decide which songs we will be playing but obviously we'll be playing quite a
few from the new album, at least 6 trax or so, beyond that we might try out a
few old classics that haven't been played in a while but I guess we'll just
have to wait and see how the rehearsals go down and which songs seem to come
across the best!
The Northern Swedish band Calm Chaos will be supporting us on
the January dates, still haven't met the guys yet so I can't say much about
them but for anyone who likes Rage Against The machine and crossover in general
then I'm sure you'll enjoy them if your taste goes beyond listening to what
other people consider trendy or not! Anyway I hope they'll enjoy there time
with us and of course vice versa!
For February & maybe even further onwards
Treekillaz will be supporting us once again, most of you who have seen us in
the last few years most surely know what they sound like but for those of you
who don't know well it's punkrock popmetal with a grungetwist, damn I hate
trying to describe music, anyway it's good stuff!
So people, be sure to buy
your tickets, bring your party hats, good attitudes, cameras and whatever else
is required to create a good atmosphere! We're looking forward to partying with
you, working on our tinnitus & turning our days & nights around
completely!
Well see you all soon, until then take care and beware, it's a
wild fuc*ing place out there, all the same enjoy the ride, peace/Zak”
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Bandcontest - top 12
Nuclear
Blast were happy to receive more than 1.500 applications for last years
Bandcontest! Especially the packagings were really impressing. Due to that
reason we decided to award the 5 most innovative packages with a special price.
Within the next weeks we'll announce the final winners of the contest!
These are the final TOP12 Bands
BANDCONTEST - Top 12
WINTERBORN (FINLAND)
DEAD MEANS NOTHING (SPAIN)
THE SHOWGUNS (SWEDEN)
REPULSED (GERMANY)
EDDIE BUZZARD (USA)
FOREVER NEVER (ENGLAND)
AMMOTRACK (SWEDEN)
DOMINIK MARX (GERMANY)
FROM ALMOST THE END (ENGLAND)
AGONIZER (FINLAND)
EARSHOT 7 (GERMANY)
MYSTERY CONTENDER (UNKNOWN)
DEATHSTARS - New video online
NUCLEAR BLAST are proud to present the new impressing DEATHSTARS
video clip for ‘Cyanide’, taken from their upcoming album “Termination Bliss”
Don't miss to check it out, it's surely worth it!
Entertainment from hell at
its best! Click HERE to get
to the video clip and pre-listening page, where you'll find further info about
the album and also an audio sample. As there'll probably be lots of people
trying to watch the clip and therefore our server won't be able to serve all at
a time, we'll shortly announce other locations to watch the video as well on
our news page. The album will be released the 27th January. "Let the
dark do what the dark does best let it be darkness! -Cyanide
Candlelight Are Proud To Announce The Signing Of
To-Mera
To-Mera was formed by Julie Kiss and Lee Barrett (ex:Extreme Noise
Terror / Disgust / Mussolini Headkick) following her acrimonious departure from
the Hungarian progressive metal band Without Face (ex: Earache / Elitist
recording artists). She felt that she still had a lot more to offer musically
and set about finding like-minded musicians in order to persue that goal.
Fellow Hungarian Akos Pirisi, a huge fan of Meshuggah and a master of
polyrhythmics, was brought in on drums. Later Tom MacLean was found after he, a
big Without Face fan, recognized Julie and introduced himself at a Dillinger
Escape Plan concert. Tom graduated from the Trinity College of Music in London,
where he studied Jazz guitar.
Although a huge metalhead, His broad musical
tastes are evident in his playing, and he constantly pushes himself to attain
new levels of skill.
When all was finally in place, the band recorded their debut demo
in July 2005 at The Peel rehearsal rooms (Kingston-Upon-Thames) on a laptop,
and it was mixed in France by up-and-coming producer Brett Caldas-Lima (Kalisia
/ Malmonde / Fairlight).
After the demo was recorded, the band finally found a fulltime
keyboard player in the shape of Hugo Sheppard. Hugo is also a graduate of the
Trinity College of Music where he studied classical piano. He has already
contributed to the band's newer material, and his avant-garde, free-flowing
style has added yet another dimension to To-Mera's sound.
The songs are worked almost literally around Julie's lyrics,
adding flesh to the emotive, dark and esoteric bones. The mesmeric descriptive
themes allow the listener a very personal look into a deeply multifarious
mindset. The music as a result is a complex, heavy and at times heartfelt
hybrid of powerful progressive metal, beguiling acoustic passages, enchanting
keyboard soundscapes and unmistakable female vocals.
The demo was sent to many webzines and magazines, where universal
acclaim was given. The band received "Demo of The Month" at Organ
Magazine, Zero Tolerance magazine and Imperiumi.net (Finland). These, and many
other, great reviews led to a number of interested record labels getting in
touch.
It soon became clear that Candlelight Records (Emperor, Opeth, 1349,
Zyklon, Enslaved, etc) was the best choice for the band and a multi-album,
worldwide deal was signed at the beginning of January 2006. The demo is still
available for download at http://www.myspace.com/tomeraband .
To-Mera will record their as-yet untitled debut album in May 2006,
again with producer Brett Caldas-Lima.
Recording is expected to take place in Veszprem (Hungary) and
London (England) for a release later in 2006. It promises to be an ambitious,
epic, progressive and generally HUGE slab of forward-thinking metal.
Band website www.to-mera.com
Crowbar/Will Haven co headline UK tour
The band will be touring the UK with Will Haven, The Seventh Cross
, King Size Blues in March.
March 2006
12 - Nottingham, Rock City
13 - Liverpool, University
14 - Manchester, Academy 2/3
15 - Glasgow, The Garage
16 - Newport, TJ's
18 - London, Mean Fiddler
19 - Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
20 - Oxford, Zodiac
21 - Colchester, Arts Centre
GOREFEST - European exorcism tour
2006
Dutch
death metal veterans GOREFEST have added several tour dates to their current
itinerary. Confirmed shows are as follows:
The Glorious Dead : European Exorcism Tour 2006
GOREFEST (NL)
MASTER (US) – LUNAFIELD (GER) – RESURRECTURIS (I)
16.02.2006 EINDHOVEN - Effenaar (NL)
17.02.2006 OSNABRüCK - Eventcenter B 51 (DE)
25.02.2006 HELSINKI - Nosturi (FI)
26.02.2006 TALLINN - Nõmme Cult (EE)
27.02.2006 RIGA - Salamandra (LV)
28.02.2006 VILNIUS - Mulen Ruzhas (LT)
02.03.2006 PRAHA - Black Pes Club (CZ)
03.03.2006 ALTHOFEN - Kulturhaus (AT)
04.03.2006 WIEN - Planet Music (AT)
05.03.2006 INNSBRUCK - Hafen (AT)
09.03.2006 ISTRES - I'Usine (FR)
12.03.2006 IRUN - tunk (ES)
13.03.2006 PARIS - La Loco Club (FR)
14.03.2006 PRATTELN - Z7 (CH)
17.03.2006 MüNCHEN - Backstage (DE)
18.03.2006 LISBERG - Sportlerheim (DE)
22.03.2006 ESSEN - Turock (DE)
23.03.2006 HALLE - Rockstation (DE)
24.03.2006 GLAUCHAU - Alte Spinnerei (DE)
25.03.2006 BERLIN - K 17 (DE)
26.03.2006 GRONINGEN - Oosterpoort (NL)
DIMMU BORGIR - New video clip uploaded
Norway’s
most prominent and important Melodic Black Metal act have uploaded a video for
the song " Sorgens Kammer – Del II". You can watch it here!
MNEMIC - Enter studio in May
Danish
modern metallers MNEMIC have abandoned their previously announced plans to
record their next album at The Abyss studio with producer Peter Tägtgren
(HYPOCRISY, PAIN).
Commented the band: "We are sorry to inform all the people that hoped for
a summer release, but that's simply not happening.
One of the reasons is simply
because we are not ready to enter the studio in February, and second we do not
want to rush this album. In stead we will be recording in May, with a different
producer at a different studio.
Be ready for it!
AMORPHIS - First tourdates announced
AMORPHIS
have announced the first details of their upcoming European headlining tour,
set to take place in March.
09.03.2006 - Oulu, 45 Special
10.03.2006 - Kuopio, Työnkulma
17.03.2006 - Tampere, Pakkahuone
18.03.2006 - Helsinki, Tavastia
23.03.2006 - Turku, Klubi
24.03.2006 - Jyväskylä, Lutakko
25.03.2006 - Lahti, Sibeliustalo
AGNOSTIC FRONT - DVD trailer uploaded
AGNOSTIC
FRONT continues to be living embodiment that "hardcore for life"
isn't an empty slogan or a musical dead end. To introduce the brand new CD/DVD
"Live at CBGB", Roger Miret and the boys have uploaded a trailer of
the forthcoming release. Click here
to view the trailer.
EXODUS - Heading "Down Under"
Veteran
San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS will support Sweden's THE HAUNTED on
their upcoming tour of Australia. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Mar. 05 - Perth, AUS @ Heat
Mar. 06 - Melbourne, AUS @ Hifi Bar
Mar. 07 - Sydney, AUS @ The Forum
Mar. 08 - Brisbane, AUS @ The Arena
LIQUIDO - Update from Wolfgang
Happy
new year, everybody!
Just returned from Vienna, where we played on new year's eve the last show of
about 120 in 2005, I feel like letting you know that I'm looking forward for
what's about to come this year...
You keep asking about a DVD finally, and that's going to be realized this year
as well as a very special show for our ten year anniversary.
Sorry I can't say more now, but I'll let you know as soon as possible.
You might want to know, that we'll be playing less shows this year, especially
in the next two or three months, but we'll be back on stage
in spring/summer for some selected gigs.
As most of you know already we're as well working on our projects, and 2006 is
going to be an important one for them.
We'll keep you up to date concerning all the project-releases coming up.
What's very new in January is the new website of cages, Stefans and Wolfgangs
project, where from now on you can order shirts and watch
a terrific short movie/video besides some other things you will be able to
explore. (the links to our projects you can find following 1.band 2.links,
but who am I telling that...)
But this is only the start, there's many things about to happen this year, not
only a football world championship...
So, bye for now, and rock on in 2006 with us...
Wolfgang
P.S.: From here I'd like to send a very special HI to Georg, our wonderful
manager, who is in hospital these days. Be back soon, Georg, your band needs
you!
BAL-SAGOTH: The Chthonic Chronicles
At
last, the legendary BAL-SAGOTH have returned triumphantly with a new album,
"The Chthonic Chronicles" – Released March 20th - their first
release since 2001's acclaimed "Atlantis Ascendant". Their sixth
album overall, "The Chthonic Chronicles" features 12 tracks of the
band's trademark symphonic baroque black metal, bringing to a climactic close
their epic hexalogy which began in 1994 and has spanned six albums over twelve
years.
Characterized
by the elaborate and intricate occult fantasy stories for which the band are
renowned, and the dynamic keyboards integrated into the extreme metal
soundscape, "The Chthonic Chronicles" will once again transport
listeners and readers on a wondrous and terrifying voyage into the darkling
realms of sinister and bombastic maleficent metal fantasy.
Often
imitated, never equalled, the mighty BAL-SAGOTH once again prove why they stand
peerless and triumphant as the true lords of symphonic baroque black metal!
The
Chthonic Chronicles
1)
The Sixth Adulation Of His Chthonic Majesty
2)
Invocations Beyond The Outer-World Night
3)
Six Score And Ten Oblations To A Malefic Avatar
4)
The Obsidian Crown Unbound (Episode: IX)
5)
The Fallen Kingdoms Of The Abyssal Plain
6)
Shackled To The Trilithon Of Kutulu
7)
The Hammer Of The Emperor
8)
Unfettering The Hoary Sentinels Of Karnak
9)
To Storm The Cyclopean Gates Of Byzantium
10)
Arcana Antediluvia
11)
Beneath The Crimson Vaults Of Cydonia
12)
Return To Hatheg-Kla
www.bal-sagoth.com
www.bal-sagoth.co.uk
Cathedral – "Headline UK tour"
After
releasing the magnificent album "In The Garden Of Unearthly Delight"
last year (no 3 in Terrorizer’s album of the year list 2005) and touring with
Cradle Of Filth, our favourite Doomers CATHEDRAL are set to head out on a UK
headline tour late February:
February
25
Brighton Concorde 2
26
Manchester Academy 3
March
3
London Islington Academy
4
Nottingham Rock City
Support
comes from Electric Wizard & Grand Magus.
The
UK dates are part of a full European tour which looks like this:
February:
Thu
02 Eindhoven - Efenaar (NL)
Fri
03 - Haarlem - Patronaat (NL)
Sat
04 Rotterdam - Nighttown (NL)
Sun
05 Utrecht - Helling (NL)
Mon
06 - Berlin - Knaack (D)
Thu
09 Helsinki - Tavastia (FI)
Sat
11 Stockholm - The Shrine (SWE)
Sun
12 Gothenburg Sticky Fingers (SWE)
Mon
13 Hamburg Molotow (D)
Tue
14 Munich - Backstage (D)
Wed
15 Vienna - Arena (AU)
Thu
16 - Pratteln - Z7 (CH)
Fri
17 Milan - Transilvania Live (ITA)
Sat
18 - Sesto Fiorrentino - Zero Circus (ITA)
Mon
20 Koln - Underground (D)
Tue
21 Bochum - Matrix (D)
Thu
23 Strasbourg - La Laiterie (FR)
Fri
24 Paris - Le Nouveau Casino (FR)
Sat
25 Brighton - Concorde 2 (ENG)
Sun
26 Manchester - Academy 3 (ENG)
March
Fri
03 London - Islington Academy (ENG)
Sat
04 Nottingham Rock City (ENG)
Ancient Rites in Mixing Mode, Naming Album
Ancient
Rites have finished the recording leg of their new album and are currently
mixing the songs. Meanwhile, they have decided to name the album 'Rubicon'.
Song titles will also follow soon. 'Rubicon' was recorded and
is being mixed at the Spacelab Studio in Germany, under auspices of veteran AR
producers Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos and will be released some time in
the first half of 2006.
Rise Above Newswire