Sunday, October 31, 2010

DECAPITATED, MISERY INDEX CONFIRMED FOR NEUROTIC DEATH FEST 2011 (ITP 1, 666 post BTW, HAPPY HALOWEEN/SAMHAIM)



(EDITORS NOTE: On an unrelated note to this entry, this post is ITP's 1,666 entry ironically on HALOWEEN never the less, lol.) Promoters have confirmed Polish death metal warriors DECAPITATED and Maryland, USA grinders MISERY INDEX for the 2011 NEUROTIC DEATH FEST set to take place 4/29-30, 2011 at 013 and MIDI theatre in Tilburg, Holland.
FROM NEUROTIC DEATH FEST PROMOTERS:
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

ATHEIST (US)
AUTOPSY (US)
CARNIVORE DIPROSOPUS (CO)
CRIPPLE BASTARDS (IT)
DECAPITATED (PL)
EXHUMED (US)
GENERAL SURGERY (SE)
GRAVE (SE) (special "Into The Grave" set)
KRAANIUM (NO)
MACABRE (US)
MISERY INDEX (US)
NOX (NL)
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT (NL)
ROMPEPROP (NL)
WORMED (ES)

A total of 42 bands will perform at the event on four stages.

A new addition to the Neurotic Deathfest is a campsite which gives visitors an opportunity to get affordable accommodation near the festival. The campsite is located on Safaricamp Beekse Bergen, just outside Tilburg, and is limited to 600 people. Transportation from and to the campsite will be available during the festival.

For more information, visit www.neuroticdeathfest.com.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP UPDATE: ITP WISHES ALL A HAPPY HALOWEEN/SAMHAIN


ITP wishes all an AWESOME and HAPPY HALOWEEN/ SAMHAIN, be safe out there. SAMHAIN is a special day for WICCAN's. I was hoping to get DAMNED IN BLACK PART 3 (BLACK METAL NEWS) up by tomorrow, if not by tomorrow MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ITP's next post (lol) shall be this journals 1,666 post (give or take a few entries on draft).
MIA: RIP PETER STEELE (Peter T. Ratajczyk) TYPE O NEGATIVE bassist/vocalist HALOWEEN will NEVER be the same..

Go to some METAL SHOWS THIS WEEKEND, as there are plenty of extreme metal tours world wide.
FROM WICCA.COM:
Samhain Lore (October 31st)

Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer", and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.

It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits.

This was the time that the cattle and other livestock were slaughtered for eating in the ensuing winter months. Any crops still in the field on Samhain were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits. Bonfires were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year) and stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning. The condition of the retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year.

Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.

Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.

Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.

Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.

Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.

Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Saturday, October 30, 2010

VOIVOD CONFIRMED FOR MARYLAND DEATH FEST May 26-29, 2011 SONAR, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND


Canadian progressive thrash legends VOIVOD have confirmed for the 2011 MARYLAND DEATH FEST set to take place 5/26-29, 2011 at THE SONAR, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
FROM MDF PROMOTERS:
Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have been confirmed for Maryland Deathfest IX, set to take place May 26-29, 2011 at Sonar in Baltimore.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

ACID WITCH (USA)
AURA NOIR (Norway)
AVULSED (Spain)
BAD ACID TRIP (USA)
BLOOD FREAK (USA)
CIANIDE (USA)
CITIZENS ARREST (USA)
CORONER (Switzerland)
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (USA)
CREATIVE WASTE (Saudi Arabia)
CRETIN (USA)
CRIPPLE BASTARDS (Italy)
DEAD CONGREGATION (Greece)
DEATH BREATH (Sweden)
DEFEATED SANITY (Germany)
DEVOURMENT (USA)
DOOM (UK)
DROPDEAD (USA)
EXHORDER (USA)
EXHUMED (USA)
FLESH PARADE (USA)
FUNEBRARUM (USA)
GOATSNAKE (USA)
GRAVEHILL (USA)
HAIL OF BULLETS (Netherlands)
HATRED SURGE (USA)
HOODED MENACE (Finland)
IMPALED NAZARENE (Finland)
INNUMERABLE FORMS (USA)
INQUISITION (USA)
THE KILL (Australia)
KYLESA (USA)
LAST DAYS OF HUMANITY (Netherlands)
LOCK UP (UK)
MACHETAZO (Spain)
MALIGNANT TUMOUR (Czech Republic)
MAMMOTH GRINDER (USA)
MARDUK (Sweden)
MASAKARI (USA)
MIASMAL (Sweden)
NAILS (USA)
NEUROSIS (USA)
NIGHTBRINGER (USA)
NOCTURNAL (Germany)
NOISEAR (USA)
NOKTURNEL (USA)
NUCLEAR ASSAULT (USA)
OAK (USA)
ORANGE GOBLIN (UK)
SHITSTORM (USA)
PULLING TEETH (USA)
REGURGITATE (Sweden)
REPUGNANT (Sweden)
VISCERAL DISGORGE (USA)
VOIVOD (Canada)
WORMED (Spain)

The concept of Maryland Deathfest is simple: to bring to the United States the best and most extreme bands the underground has to offer. Never conforming to trends, or being limited by genre restrictions, Maryland Deathfest is a showcase of what extreme music, both new and old, is capable of. With an emphasis on diversity, the festival brings together the very best death metal, grindcore, black metal, thrash, experimental and hardcore bands from all around the world. With bands from all over the U.S. and Canada, and exclusive fly ins and rare appearances from some of the most in demand bands from Europe, Australia, and Japan, the diversity of the lineup is only surpassed by the diversity of Maryland Deathfest's rabid fan base, who annually travel from all over the world for a weekend of fun and music.

Since Maryland Deathfest's inception in 2003, festival organizers Ryan and Evan have continued to strive to bring together some of the most legendary bands in the scene and some of the most talked about up-and-coming bands in the underground for an unparalleled experience. Combining the DIY attitude of two young metal fans who are actually part of the scene instead of trying to exploit it, with a refreshing professional touch, Maryland Deathfest is year after year given high marks for being one of the best-run and most organized festivals around.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

BLIND GUARDIAN PRE PARE TO DECIMATE NORTH AMERICA


German power metal gods BLIND GUARDIAN are pre paring to wreck havoc on North America as the bands fall 2010 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR kicks off in NOVEMBER.
FROM BLIND GUARDIAN:

BLIND GUARDIAN ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Triumphantly returning to North American shores in support of their Billboard-charting new album At The Edge Of Time, Germany’s favorite sons BLIND GUARDIAN are pleased to announce the western hemisphere’s portion of the Sacred Worlds And Songs Divine 2010 World Tour, commencing on November 19th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and concluding on December 22nd in West Springfield, Virginia. Support acts are California’s Holy Grail and Florida’s Seven Kingdoms.



BLIND GUARDIAN’s lead vocalist & lyricist Hansi Kürsch checks in about the upcoming trek:



“Christmas will be a little earlier this year, ‘cause The Guardian is coming to town in November and December! The band is really excited to announce this upcoming tour. Finally, we will get the chance to preach our Sacred Words and play our Songs Divine somewhere near your neighborhood. We have prepared a nice package of music and bands for our Northern American followers. Our friends from Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms will join us on this glorious mission and will have their part in these magical nights to come. Both bands are underground now, but I can feel that the future is theirs. They really carry the spirit of a new American Power Metal generation. Touring the U.S. and Canada does always means a tremendous amount of fun, so we are really anxious to see if the people in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Albuquerque - where we have not played before - can scream as loud as their brothers and sisters in New York, Quebec, Toronto, or Hollywood. We'll soon find out when we meet you at the edge of time.



“Of course, we have to arrange some time in between playing and traveling for some Christmas gift shopping. I am sure I will find plenty of cool Star Wars action figures and I am already aware of some great Christmas shops near Washington where I will be able to get some great atypical Christmas tree ornaments. Strange worlds we are living in: The funniest ones sometimes have been produced in Germany, where you can't get them in stores, so the U.S./Canada trip definitely pays off.



“As for books: Last time we ended up in Portland for a day, and whether I’ll make it to Powell’s (City of) Books, you never know. :-) All in all, I have far too many books which I have not yet read, but I am constantly working on it. Since I am getting older and the saying is: “The older you get, the less sleep you need,” I am very optimistic I will manage to read them all when the nights are getting shorter.”

FALL 2010 BLIND GUARDIAN, HOLY GRAIL, SEVEN KINGDOMS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
Nov 5 2010 7:00P
Sala La Riviera Madrid, Madrid, es
Nov 6 2010 7:00P
Sant Jordi Club Barcelona, CT, es
Nov 9 2010 7:00P
Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Nov 19 2010 7:00P
The Trocadero Theatre Philadelphia, Pennsylvan
Nov 20 2010 7:00P
Nokia Theatre Times Square New York, NY
Nov 21 2010 7:00P
Palladium Worcester, MA Find Tickets
Nov 23 2010 7:00P
Metropolis Montreal, QC, CANADA
Nov 25 2010 7:00P
Theatre Capitole Quebec City, Quebec, CANADA
Nov 26 2010 7:00P
Kool Haus Toronto, ON, Canada
Nov 27 2010 7:00P
Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
Nov 29 2010 7:00P
Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois
Nov 30 2010 7:00P
The Cabooze Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dec 1 2010 7:00P
The Garrick Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA
Dec 3 2010 7:00P
MacEwan Hall Ballroom Calgary, AB, CANADA
Dec 4 2010 7:00P
The Starlite Room Edmonton, AB, CANADA
Dec 6 2010 7:00P
Showbox at the Market Seattle, WA
Dec 8 2010 7:00P
The Regency Ballroom San Francisco, California
Dec 10 2010 7:00P
Marquee Theatre Tempe, Arizona Find Tickets
Dec 11 2010 7:00P
Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque, NM
Dec 12 2010 7:00P
Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado
Dec 14 2010 7:00P
Trees Dallas, Texas Find Tickets
Dec 15 2010 7:00P
Scout Bar San Antonio, TX
Dec 17 2010 7:00P
The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Dec 19 2010 7:00P
The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Dec 21 2010 7:00P
Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC
Dec 22 2010 7:00P
Jaxx Springfield, Virginia
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.010: THE ART OF DANCE: PART 3: CIRCLE MOSH


We're back, (and HAPPY HALLOWS EVE BTW,) with ITP V.010 THE ART OF DANCE: PART 3: CIRCLE MOSHING. ITP THE ART OF DANCE chronicles countercultural and unconventional dance trends often integrated within metal and underground music culture.
CIRCLE MOSHING originated in the hardcore and metal scenes as a call goes to the crowd to hold shoulders and run around in a big circle as eventually a mosh pit will break out. The DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL (UK) has featured some record breaking circle mosh/pits as the wall of death is often integrated into such. The "CIRCLE PIT" is often called out to promote unity when things go sour in the pit. The vortex of the circle pit is intense as people should pick each other up if they fall.
Circle walkers originated in Islamic and Muslim culture during religious masses.
Circle pits are best performed at metal/hardcore/punk arena, stadium and festival shows with ALOT of people.
WIKEPEDIA DEFINITION OF CIRCLE PIT:
A circle pit is a term for aggressive dancing associated with moshing performed by people running in a circle usually at Rock music gigs. It is a type of strenuous dancing associated with certain subgenres of music such as ska, punk rock, thrash, heavy metal, and even some harder rock and electronic music, usually started by members of the crowd running wildly in a circle slamming into each other in response to the speed of the music and the beat. The tempo and speed of the music playing also play a big role on how fast and intense the circle pit is; if a blast beat is being played, the mosh pit will be much more intense than a pit danced to a basic rock beat.

A circle pit is a large and usually roughly circular clearing in the audience of a music concert slightly apart from the front of the stage. The circle is formed from the members clearing the space and running in a counterclockwise direction. A circle pit varies from a mosh pit in that a mosh pit usually does not have any sort of orderly behavior: participants in a mosh pit often push, shove and bounce off each other rather than moving in a circle.

A meat grinder is a variation on a circle pit. Dancers form a circle, running counterclockwise. Inside of this is another circle, in which dancers run clockwise. Inside of this is yet another circle of dancers running counterclockwise. In the middle there is a small mosh pit, being kept in by the innermost circle. This generally occurs at ska punk, ska-core, hardcore punk, and punk rock concerts.

Fans of different punk, metal or rock styles often have their own rules or characteristics for pits, ranging from relatively friendly to deliberately violent. Originally associated with subcultures, pits have been seen more and more in association with mainstream acts. Typically, circle pits at mainstream concerts are considered to be relatively safe,
FROM ABOUT.COM:
Definition: A variation on the circle pit, a meat grinder involves multiple concentric circles of people in the pit, each moving in the opposite direction.

For example, the outermost circle of the pit would consist of concertgoers running counterclockwise, while the next circle would be moving clockwise. This would continue inward, with each concentric circle being a little smaller.

A perfectly exercised meat grinder moves very quickly, and the rings are very close in size, so that the gaps between each ring are minimal.

An advanced move for the seasoned circle pit professional is to try to jump the rings, either by starting in a ring moving in one direction and attempting to switch directions, or by strating in one ring and attempting to switch to the next ring moving in the same direction, i.e. cutting through an adjacent ring without breaking the momentum.
Pronunciation: MEET GRIND-urr

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Friday, October 29, 2010

WEST MEMPHIS THREE UPDATE: ECHOLS AND BYERS FORM ALLIANCE AND UNDERSTANDING


As the hearing for a new trial regarding the WEST MEMPHIS THREE case ponders on, death row defendant Damien Echols and step father of slain child (Christopher Byers) Mark Byers have formed an alliance, apologizing for accusing each other of the 1993 triple homicides of three young boys in West Memphis Arkansas. Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley currently are serving life sentences as Damien Echols is on death row proclaiming innocence for crimes they say they never committed. The WEST MEMPHIS THREE are seeking a new trial and appeal as there was no evidence against the three convicted.
FROM WM3.ORG and COMMERCIAL APPEAL:
Prison subdues Damien Echols' defiance

Inmate regrets antics in West Memphis trial

By Beth Warren

The Commercial Appeal

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Death row inmate Damien Echols and the stepfather of one of his
alleged victims used to blame each other for the murders of three
8-year-old West Memphis boys.

Now they're pen pals.

Echols, 35, discussed the infamous case, his bizarre courtroom
behavior and his unexpected alliance with a victim's parent during an
interview last week in a glassed-in visiting room at a maximum-security
area of Varner Unit's prison in the rural southeast Arkansas town of
Grady.

It was a brief reprieve from his typical isolation in a 9-by-12-foot concrete cell.

Once he came across as a morose and haughty teen, with sullen eyes
and a round face. Now, Echols looks gaunt, weathered by his 16 years in
prison for a triple murder he insists he didn't commit. He's calm,
contemplative -- and forgiving.

He and John Mark Byers, adoptive father of victim Christopher Byers,
have exchanged letters and, through them, apologies for publicly
accusing each other of killing the boys.

"We're not exactly friends, but we do have a certain bond," Echols said of Byers.

Echols says he never met Christopher or the second-grader's buddies,
Stevie Branch and Michael Moore, and he never went into the Robin Hood
Hills woods where they were killed. He said he was at home in Marion, a
small community bordering West Memphis, talking on the phone for hours
with a couple of other teens when the murders were committed.

Byers now believes him.

Byers traveled from his home in Millington to Little Rock last month
to support Echols while defense attorneys lobbied the Arkansas Supreme
Court for a new trial. The high court could rule as early as Thursday.
Byers, interviewed by phone Thursday, and Echols, who has been on death
row since age 19, admit their lives share some uncommon parallels.

Both say they trusted police and feel they were betrayed.

Both behaved so erratically after the crimes that many believed it
was proof of their individual guilt. Both regret some of their antics.

And both are convinced another man is to blame.

"I think we will be friends," Byers said of Echols.

Byers said he has already apologized through tears to Echols'
codefendants, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., while shaking
their hands at a hearing last year. The two are serving life sentences.

It's a stark turnaround for Byers, who called the three teens "evil
animals" and fashioned their mock graves, setting the ground on fire
and dancing around the flames.

When Echols was arraigned, Byers was among the mob angrily shouting for Echols to go to hell.

Before Echols' trial, Byers' wife, Melissa, who has since died,
described her hatred of Echols on camera for the HBO documentary
"Paradise Lost," which chronicles the case: "I hope he busts hell wide
open," she said. "And if I could get my hands on him, I would eat the
skin off of his face."

Byers said police and prosecutors convinced the couple they had
proof that Echols, Baldwin, then 16, and Misskelley, then 17, sexually
abused, tortured and killed the boys during a Satanic ritual.

Echols said he, too, was misled by police. At age 18, he agreed to talk with investigators without an attorney.

At a time when police had not released details of the crimes, Echols
made several damning comments to police, according to police reports.

Those details include that the boys were mutilated, with one being
cut more than the others, and that the bodies were placed in water and
may have drowned.

Echols said he believes investigators fed him details about the crime.

"They said: 'Do you think it's possible one of them was cut more than
the others?' And I said: 'Sure. It's possible.' I didn't know."

Police reports stated that Echols volunteered those critical details. The police interviews were not recorded.

And when police interviewed Misskelley, then age 16 and identified as
borderline mentally retarded, Misskelley gave them a confession that
proved key to the convictions of the group, known collectively as the
West Memphis Three.

During a 12-hour interrogation, Misskelley told police that Echols
and Baldwin sodomized, beat and stabbed the victims and threw them in a
watery drainage ditch. Misskelley told them one of the boys tried to
run, and that he caught and returned the child.

Most of the interview was not recorded.

Echols said he thinks Misskelley, who later recanted his confession,
was manipulated by police. "The police basically tortured a mentally
retarded child until he said what they wanted him to say," he said.

Echols said he isn't angry at Misskelley or Byers, and that he tries
to forgive police and prosecutors, for his own sake. "If you sit and
stew and soak in anger and bitterness, you're going to poison your own
heart and kill whatever parts of yourself that they didn't," he said.

He said when he was arrested in 1993, he lashed out, masking his fear
with arrogance and contempt. During his trial, he glared at the
victims' families, licking his lips and hissing.

"Your average person won't understand," he said of that behavior.
"Whenever you have your entire life destroyed and you've been set up,
you're in so much shock and trauma.

"That was trauma for me on a scale I can't begin to articulate."

When asked if his behavior could have helped convict him, Echols
said: "On the surface, I would say: 'Yes.' " But, he added that he
believes the public had already turned against him due to pretrial
publicity.

Tensions in the community were so high, police fastened bulletproof
vests around Echols and his co-defendants to protect them before moving
them through crowds. Echols said he didn't know how to react to the
hate and condemnation from "the mob."

"I was a teenager sucked into a world I didn't understand," he said.
"You're raised to believe the police are the good guys, that you're
innocent until proven guilty. In reality, that's not how the system
works."

During the 1994 trial, Echols said he never considered that he would
be convicted. He said he thought, "There's going to be a 'Perry Mason'
moment where whoever actually did it will be exposed."

In retrospect, he said, he would have censored his courtroom behavior.

Byers also said he would alter his own outrageous antics, captured on
camera for the HBO documentary, including blasting a pumpkin with
gunfire while pretending he was killing Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley.

"I was very embarrassed by a lot of my behavior," Byers said during
an interview Thursday. "Rage and anger and emotion had totally taken
over."

Many, including Echols, began to suspect Byers could have been
responsible. He had been so angry at his stepson's routine rule-breaking
that he had whipped him with a belt just a few hours before the child
disappeared.

But new DNA evidence, available in 2007 due to advancements in DNA testing, raised questions.

A hair matching Terry Wayne Hobbs, stepfather of victim Stevie
Branch, was found in a knot tied in a shoelace used to bind Michael's
wrist to his ankle. Another hair, found on a stump at the crime scene,
was similar to David Jacoby, whom Hobbs had seen within an hour before
the boys disappeared, according to court records.

Echols' attorneys are lobbying for a new trial using that DNA
evidence, along with new witnesses who say they saw Hobbs with the boys
just before they disappeared.

Echols won't name who he believes is to blame for the crimes, but Byers has publicly accused Hobbs.

Hobbs, of Memphis, has denied any involvement in the crimes and police have never considered him a suspect.

Byers said he's saying daily prayers for a new trial for Echols. "I
know the day's going to come in court before too long where we can lock
eyes even if we don't get to shake hands," Byers said.

"I told him in my letter: 'We're tied together for life.'"




Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

NILE TO RELEASE DOCUMENTARY: THE MAKING OF THOSE WHOM THE GODS DETEST


South Carolina death metal gods NILE will release a new DVD/DOCUMENTARY entitled THE MAKING OF THOSE WHOM THE GODS DETEST. The DVD will be available for purchase exclusively on the band's upcoming tour. Also NILE released a new video for the track "Permitting The Noble Dead To Descend To The Underworld" as the clip was filmed, edited, produced and directed by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez of D.O.W. Studios.
FROM NILE:
Get an EXCULSIVE look into the making of Nile's most recent album "Those Whom the Gods Detest"! - Come on over to the merch table on tour to get this limited edition, first ever full length NILE DVD!


NILE FALL 2010 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES WITH EX DEO, PSYCROPTIC, KEEP OF KALESSIN and PATHOLOGY:
Oct 31 2010 7:00P
VOLUME 11 Raleigh, NC
Nov 1 2010 7:00P
Headliner's Music Hall Louisville, KY
Nov 2 2010 7:00P
Sonar Baltimore, MD
Nov 3 2010 7:00P
Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, New York
Nov 4 2010 7:00P
Rocko's Bar and Grill Manchester, NH
Nov 5 2010 7:00P
Club Hell Providence, RI
Nov 6 2010 7:00P
Peabody's Cleveland, OH
Nov 7 2010 7:00P
Blondie’s Detroit, Michigan
Nov 8 2010 7:00P
Reggie’s Rock Club Chicago, Illinois
Nov 9 2010 7:00P
Station 4 Saint Paul, MN
Nov 12 2010 7:00P
El Corazon Seattle, wa
Nov 13 2010 7:00P
Hawthorne Theater Portland, Oregon
Nov 14 2010 7:00P
Slim's San Francisco, CA
Nov 15 2010 7:00P
BRICK BY BRICK San Diego, California
Nov 16 2010 7:00P
Key Club Los Angeles, CA
Nov 17 2010 7:00P
UB's Bar and Grill Mesa, AZ
Nov 18 2010 7:00P
The Rock Tucson, AZ
Nov 20 2010 7:00P
Emo's Austin, TX
Nov 21 2010 7:00P
Numbers Houston, TX
Nov 23 2010 7:00P
Club Firestone Orlando, FL
Nov 24 2010 7:00P
Culture Room Ft Lauderdale, FL

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

GORGOROTH STUDIO REPORT




Norwegian black metal legends GORGOROTH have entered drummer Tomas Asklund's Monolith Studio to record the bands as of yet untitled next effort due out in late 2011 via REGAIN RECORDS. FROM GORGOROTH and SHEOL MAGAZINE: Even for die-hard Gorgoroth fans it might have come as a bit of a surprise when the band announced around mid October that they will enter the studio again to re-record their 3rd album “Under the sign of hell” (which originally was released in 1997, now scheduled to be re-released in early 2011). This, plus the fact that a rough mix of brand new songs was supposed to be recorded as well, was reason enough for me to follow the invitation to Tomas Asklund’s “Monolith” studio once more (located in a small village near Stockholm) to check on progress during the recordings.

As bright weather was interluding the late autumn and the landscape around the studio is phantasmagoric, it made sense to me to combine the studio visit with a few days of vacation, doing all the things that you don’t usually have time for all year round (such as exploring nature) or doing things that you normally defer, like visiting Quorthon’s grave. Apart from that Stockholm is always worth a visit anyway.

beautiful countryside behind the studio:

When my plane landet at Stockholm Airport on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, Infernus and Pest were kind enough to pick me up at the airport, later on telling me that Pest has already done a large part of the vocal recordings for “Under the sign of hell” the day before. But before finding out how it was possible to be so prolific within only one day, it was primary to find out, why “Under the sign of hell” had to be re-recorded. It shouldn’t be hard to guess that the sound quality of the original release played a decisive role. It had been Infernus’ wish for a long time to re-record it in better quality as this album bears a lot of energy and potential, therefore many of its tracks were chosen for the bands’ live shows. Infernus stated that he wanted the re-recording to become more straight and more to the point than the original, effectively bringing out its special essence.

So for Monday night the plan was to record the missing vocals for “Under the sign of hell”. At 9 p.m. the band entered the studio and without much delay Pest stepped right onto the microphone, starting to sing and growl, Tomas Asklund recording all the takes (and later on Pest, Infernus and Tomas would decide which take fits the specific part of each song best).

“Krig “ and “Blood stains the circle” were sung and sometimes Pest would take a pen and paper to write down for himself what might be in need for impovement later on. He was almost more meticulous than Infernus. While Infernus very often was semaphoring his enthusiasm by showing his thumbs uprising, Pest tried to work his vocal parts out down to the last detail, always being supported by Tomas Asklund’s opinion about the outcome as well. Anyway, after a few takes had been recorded, Pest, Infernus and Tomas would sit together, edit and check the results, listening to it underlayed with the instrument-lines or optionally without.



You could really feel the interconnection within the band, so it was redundant to ask the band members if they were satisfied to work with each other (again). But of course there’s more than personal sympathy. Asked about Pest’s working manners, Infernus stated that he is extremely pleased with it, as Pest works in real terms, not needing additional time for preparing himself to “get into the right mood” prior to the recordings, but just being present and always ready to go. Thus, it was possible that the main part of the vocal recordings were done within just one day. Of course, Pest knows the songs well as he sang them on the original album and at numerous live gigs as well. Pest admitted to me that apart from that he didn’t want to waste anybody’s time, therefore he was trying to act overall professional. “It is not important where you record or how the circumstances are. Important may only be the people you work with.” Having said that, Pest adds that he is amazed by the skills of Tomas Asklund. His working style, power and knowledge enthuse him.

But of course there indeed were some vocal parts that caused difficulties to Pest, such as one clean vocal part from “Profetens Åpenbaring”. Several takes for this were recorded, but still it was not perfect. Tomas tried motivating Pest by giving “instructions” with a wink, such as to be more “nasty”. Infernus gave even more particular instructions of what he wanted, like f.i. to put more intensity into the very first tone. But there were never expressions like “This was bad”. Instead all of them used the phrase “There is room for improvement” in situations like these. So after maybe 20 entries it was finally done and the whole bunch of them could finish this part.

But don’t think that there was only tenacious work in the Asklund-forge. The fellows told broad jokes or stories from the past. So the atmosphere of mutual trust was accompanied by a lot of fun sometimes. Especially Pest could hardly keep his mouth shut, he would often chip in, improving the mood by quoting or singing Metal classics, preferably songs of Manowar.
If you can call this funny as well, I don’t know, but Tomas caused some action by accidently activating the alarm system of the building, almost forcing a security company to come and check what’s wrong. But luckily he found the code and the key to stop the nerve-racking alert noise and could tell the securities by phone to stay off…. in the morning at 1 a.m. :-)

I don’t know for how long the guys would continue working this night, but at 4 a.m. I couldn’t stay awake any longer and headed off to my bed in my “favourite” Swedish hovel.



When I returned to the studio on Tuesday evening, Pest had already completed 2 hours of vocal recordings once more. He was working multi-parted this day, some more improvements for “Under the sign of hell” were done, and collaterally the band recorded some songs for a demo version of the new Gorgoroth album, yet untitled, scheduled to be released in autumn 2011. Four songs were under examination. For two of them A.Behemot has contributed some all-embracing satanic lyrics, and for another two Pest has written the lyrics by himself, and they were accepted by Infernus and the band immediately. The lyrics written by A.Behemot were handed over from Infernus to Pest only at his arrival in Stockholm, therefore Pest had to read them from a paper while singing. As the songs are completely new, there was much room for Pest’s own interpretion of how to perform it best. Most of the time Infernus agreed to what he heared, but of course every now and then he did intervene and introduced a different idea about how to sing it.
From 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. the Gorgoroth triple tightly worked their way through and then things could calm down as now the vocal recordings were completed, both for “Under the sign of hell” and for the first demo version of the new studio album. Now it was mainly Tomas’ part to cut, edit, mix and slot or move the symbols for the recorded parts in his computer program. Drums, bass and guitars for UTSOH had been recorded before (I believe to do so the band had entered the studio in spring, already). So now Pest and Infernus could rest, talk or try out one of the many instruments laying around. Oh well, as everything was almost finished, the band left the studio at “only” 4:30 a.m. and I was very curious about what the next evening might bring.

After a long day of going on the rampage in Stockholm I joined Gorgoroth one last time on Wednesday, work starting at 9 p.m. as usual. As mentioned before, the recordings were mainly finished, and as Tomas Asklund is one of the producers of both albums, no one but he himself could press the band for time. But he didn’t, so there was an exceedingly relaxed atmosphere with the studio. A candle was lighted and “Profetens Åpenbaring” was checked again for ideas for improvement. So, one last time Pest placed himself in front of the microphone to try another take for a short part of it. A long growl for the background of the song was being recorded again as well, Infernus asking Pest to stretch it 30% more than before, which wasn’t easy, but Pest made it.

While Infernus and Tomas stayed at the computers, I later on used the surplus time to pepper Pest with questions, finding out that since 1997 he sometimes did think about how it might feel to join Gorgoroth again. But he clarified that he would only enjoy this with the current line up, he would probably not like to work with people like King Ov Hell. But for the moment he is very pleased to be back in Gorgoroth, as the musicians are really friends with each other, knowing exactly what the other ones expect, not only regarding musical abilities, but also concerning the dedication.

Asked about reactions in the press about his return, Pest mentioned an article in whatever magazine, writing that “it will be hard for Pest to follow in Gaahl’s footsteps”, Pest rightened this statement to Gaahl actually being the one following in his footsteps 12 years ago. But in general Pest doesn’t pay attention to articles like this, as he has more useful things to do in life than searching the internet for gossip. “Music is something we do for ourselves”, he says, “Pleasing yourself than pleasing anybody else” is his motto.



Speaking about his habit of how to learn the new songs, Pest revealed that he gets rough demo versions of the songs by e-mail, which Tomas Asklund and Infernus had recorded before. When listening to it, he sometimes knows immediately what to do and in what way he wants to put with his voice over it. Other tracks need more time, Pest not being exactly sure how to handle these. It might of course be possible that Pest’s growl parts for the new songs will be changed again sometime later when the band will hit the studio again after the next tour. For the moment it is recorded in a way that makes everybody realize what he imagines.

Before Pest left the studio that night (he really needed some sleep as his plane was supposed to leave early next morning) Tomas Asklund gave him the CD with the rough mix of the first Gorgoroth songs for the new album. Another copy went to Infernus, ready to be sent to Regain Records as well to get an impression of what to expect.

A man and his mission:

So, what to expect? Let me tell you. The few new songs that I could listen to, tie in with the concept of “QPAST”, one or two harmonies are slightly reminding me of the previous album, but maybe that’s just my humble opinion, just recognizing Infernus’ very own song writing style.
One thing is certain: The times of gasping for scandalmongering and mediagenic effects are over. The Press should stop to compare the new/old line up with the line up from the Gaahl-area. Gorgoroth as they are now have returned to their roots, providing their fans with the purest Black Metal they are ably to deliver, carving their Satanic statements into an intrumental manifest; straight, radical, musically improved and channeling raw blackness. No more music for wannabes, but true spirit for old-established or genuine Black Metal fans.

Keeping this overall impression that I got from listening to the new compositions, I was then ready to leave the studio. It has been a really exhausting “session” for me this time, but don’t get me wrong: I am loving it. It is extremely interesting for me to watch progress of the work for a new album that will hit my (and maybe your) record shelf in the future. And of course I enjoy writing about it to share the experince.
So, to conclude, I wanna thank Tomas Asklund for hospitality, coffee & Co., I thank his wife for breakfast and the ride back to the airport, and most of all I thank Infernus for just everything.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Thursday, October 28, 2010

DANZIG TO HOST MTV2 HEADBANGERS BALL 11/1/2010


GLENN DANZIG has announced that he will be hosting MTV2 HEADBANGERS BALL this week.
FROM DANZIG:
Danzig will be hosting HEADBANGER's BALL this Monday, November 1 on MTV2 at 3am ET/ PT! Check your local listings
Thanks-Stay metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

IMMORTAL PREPARES FOR RUSSIAN DATE


Norwegian black metal legends IMMORTAL are on their way for the re scheduled RUSSIAN date as the spring tour was postponed because of flights halted during the ICELANDIC VOLCANO.
FROM IMMORTAL:
- see you on Saturday!

The visas are in the passport and the flights are booked,

let's just hope Iceland can control their volcanoes this time!

IMMORTAL FALL 2010 (remaining) DATES:
Oct 30 2010 8:00P
Pipl Club (former 1Rock) Moscow, Russia, ., RUSSIAN FEDERATION Find Tickets
Dec 18 2010 8:00P
Eindhoven Metal Meeting Eindhoven, ., NETHERLANDS
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

PATHFINDER METAL FEST 11/6-7th, 2010 The Local Concert Venue 1440 Roswell Rd Marietta, GA


Promoters have announced the PATHFINDER METAL FEST set to take place 11/6-7th, 2010 @ The Local Concert Venue 1440 Roswell Rd
Marietta, GA as the fest shall feature ICARUS WITCH, WIDOW, ARTIZAN, THEOCRACY, VOID OF REASON, MERZAH and power metal greats CRIMSON GLORY.
FROM PATHFINDER METAL FEST PROMOTERS:
Saturday, November 6 at 5:00pm - November 7 at 1:00am
Location The Local Concert Venue
1440 Roswell Rd
Marietta, GA
Created By
Pathfinder Promotions
More Info
...for four years Pathfinder Promotions has been supporting and producing quality metal shows on a local and regional level in metro Atlanta. It was only a matter of time before the team brought together this much talent in one place - one night only. For the price, no where else this year will you find 7 traditional metal bands with such a wide range of melodic, progressive, power, and thrash metal sound. NO WHERE.

Please join u...s on Nov 6th for the second annual Pathfinder Metalfest as we proudly present the only 2010 concert performed in the WORLD by the enigmatic -

CRIMSON GLORY!!! ... considered by many to be pioneers of progpower metal, the musicians of Crimson Glory have reunited after several years on hiatus (and one special Tribute to Midnight show at ProgPower USA X). Debuting their new lead singer - Todd La Torre - at Pathfinder MetalFest 2010, the elegant beast that is Crimson Glory once again raises high its noble head... are you ready?
http://www.myspace.com/crimsonglory

also featuring...

ARTIZAN ... an easy and entertaining listen for all melodic metal fans, yet with enough twists to keep prog fans happy. well-crafted compositions which blend melodic hooks with developed progressive arrangements; vocals may be the highlight here, soaring with a strength uncommon in most modern metal vocals. Equally impressive is the vigorous fret work which -at times- mimics old school classic metal, yet with renewed energy and passion.
http://artizanmetal.com/

ICARUS WITCH ... "Bow to no trends," is the motto which Icarus Witch have stood fast by since materializing in 2004. Embraced by the metal press for their fortitude in sticking to their old school guns, their rock/metal hybrid flexibility has made them the support band of choice for everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to 3 Inches of Blood to most recently Y&T. http://www.icaruswitch.com/

THEOCRACY ... a Christian metal band from Athens, Ga. whose melodic style has more in common with their European contemporaries than with most of their U.S. counterparts. Characterized by huge choruses, epic arrangements and progressive elements, Theocracy’s music is both immediate and deep, managing to be instantly catchy and memorable, yet revealing new levels of intricacy and depth with each subsequent listen.
http://www.myspace.com/theocracyband

WIDOW ... formed in the winter of 2000 to express their vision of metal, this group is influenced by many of their own experiences, plus groups such as King Diamond, Crimson Glory, Warlord, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Widow explores the neo-classical side of heavy metal combined with their death metal roots to create an energetic stage show unparalleled by many in their league.
http://www.myspace.com/widow

VOID OF REASON ... back by popular demand, Void of Reason (VOR) was a stand out local act at the inaugural Pathfinder MetalFest in Oct 2009. Their songs are fresh and exciting, full of energy and life. 2010 brings new energy to the band with the addition of a second guitarist and even more dynamic songwriting.
http://www.myspace.com/vorrocks

MERZAH ... kicking off the PMF2010, this Carolina band has been compared to everyone from Between the Buried & Me to Dream Theater to Devin Townsend with their 'Aggressive Progressive' style of metal. When putting together this lineup, promoter Hoyt Parris had one band in mind to start things off - and that was MERZAH! Do not miss their set. It will leave you breathless!
http://www.myspace.com/merzah


300 general admission tickets on sale exclusively through Ticket Alternative - http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/11844.aspx

*VIP Ticket Information can be obtained directly through the promoter:

pmf2009 [at] rocketmail [dot] com



<<<>>>

VENUE INFO:

The Local Concert Venue
inside Sidelines Sports Grille
1440 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062
http://www.myspace.com/thelocalconcertvenue
http://www.myspace.com/mariettasidelines

this clean, air conditioned, and well-maintained club-sized venue has become the number one hotspot outside the perimeter of metro Atlanta for rock and metal shows over the past three years. Boasting sold-out shows with acts ranging from Stuck Mojo to Mothers Finest to Kings X, the stage, sound, and lights are not equaled in the area.
The intimate 350-capacity room makes for an amazing 'party' atmosphere with the no-smoking ordinance and an 18+ rule in effect. The excellent food and drink selection from the attached Sidelines Sports Grille is reasonably priced and available until well after midnight. The Sports Grille is also smoker friendly, so no standing out in the weather for those who smoke.
The restaurant also has video/bar games, arcade games, several billiard tables, and dozens of televisions pointed to most every sports channel you can imagine. So there is plenty to do before & after the show and in between sets.

"This venue was made for lovers of music and bands. It was designed by music lovers and has the best of everything!!"

<<<>>>

HOTEL INFO:

Marietta Hampton Inn
455 Franklin Rd
Marietta, GA 30067
770-425-9977
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ATLFRHX

Pathfinder Promotions has set up a special rate for the MetalFest attendees and bands at the nearby Hampton Inn Marietta. This hotel is literally 1.5 miles from the venue. It is not a safe walking distance but it is a very short & cheap cab ride. And with somewhat limited parking at the venue, the cab ride to and from the hotel is worth the money.

When making reservations, call the hotel and be sure to speak to sales manager Debbie Appling (or an assistant) and ask for the Pathfinder Rate which is good for Nov 5th and 6th @ $59 per night for doubles, saving you between $30-$50 per night. The Hampton Inn is clean, safe, and secure. The hotel serves an excellent free breakfast and has several restaurants within a quick walking distance (Applebees, Hardees, and Indian Cuisine).

Google Map the hotel address and you'll see how easy it is to access from I-75. Then type in the venue address and plot your course from the hotel to the venue.
FROM BWBK.COM:
Next weekend, in Marietta, GA, Pathfinder Promotions will host their second annual metalfest, Pathfinder Metalfest 2.

Organizer Hoyt Parris has just announced the North American debut of Swiss outfit NEVERLAND to the Friday, November 5th bill, which is headlined by CIRCLE II CIRCLE, supported by TETARCH and THE SHIELD.

Saturday is an all-day event, headlined by the CRIMSON GLORY, presenting new vocalist Todd La Torre's first full-length performance with the legendary Floridian progsters, preparing for a spring 2011 European tour.

As previously reported, the November 6th show will also include ICARUS WITCH, WIDOW, ARTIZAN, THEOCRACY, VOID OF REASON and MERZAH.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

KRIEG: New Album Out Now - East Coast Mini-Tour With Woe Begins Today


Black metal tyrants KRIEG and WOE have sent this update as both bands are set to embark on a east coast mini tour tonight.
FROM KRIEG, WOE VIA EARSPLIT PR:
New Jersey henchmen KRIEG embark on their East Coast Quietly Isolated mini-tour with labelmates WOE today, celebrating a four-show romp through the region in support of their new/upcoming Candlelight debuts. The festivities kick off with a free show in Philly tonight, before attacking Providence, New York City and Boston over the next four days, including a Haunting The Chapel/BrooklynVegan-hosted show in Brooklyn this Saturday, where the doors open will open at 11:59 to mark the transition from Mischief Night to Halloween...

KRIEG/WOE Quietly Isolated East Coast Mini-Tour:
10/28/2010 Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA
10/29/2010 Machines With Magnets - Pawtucket, RI
10/30/2010 Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY
10/31/2010 Ralph's - Worcester, MA

KRIEG's The Isolationist was only released into the general population yesterday, officially marking the sixth official full-length from the notorious USBM unit. The first full-length release since 2006's heralded Blue Miasma, the material on The Isolationist supersedes anything KRIEG has accomplished to date, the twisted talents of curator N. Imperial showcased through incarnate knowledge of classic US Black Metal torment and molesting it with his own unique visionary insanity. Surrounded by a hand-picked cast of assassins for the recording of the album -- including guitarist Joseph Van Fossen (Noctuary), bassist Wrest (Leviathan), and drummer Chris Grigg (Woe), and recorded/produced by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Pelican, Yakuza) -- Imperial has crafted an album that has reaped rave reviews from diehards and critics worldwide, and set a new standard for KRIEG as a whole.

"...a diverse album complete with cavernous tribal instrumentals, black ‘n’ roll booziness, unexpectedly fragile/expansive ambient details, and some full-on hooks..." - Stereogum

"...a fucking gem of an album - what it presents as evil, creepy and terrifying, it matches with well-crafted musical diversity. 8/10" - Decibel

"The Isolationist sounds like a cry for help and a defiant declaration of independence. He doesn't say he is depressed or in pain as much as he makes you feel each turbulent emotion and troubling thought. 4.5/5" - About.com

"As one of the longer running American Black Metal acts, Krieg has put out the blueprint for a new era of darkness while clearly showing his influences from past acts. Amazing record. 4.75/5" - Stereokiller

Plans of more stateside touring, as well as much more news from both KRIEG and WOE are in the planning stages.


http://www.myspace.com/officialkrieg

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

EYEHATEGOD GEAR UP FOR HALOWEEN SHOWS


New Orleans (NOLA) sludge warriors EYEHATEGOD are gearing up for some special Halloween weekend debauchery.
FROM EYEHATEGOD:
Said vocalist Mike Williams: "Eyehategod roam the edges of New Orleans this Halloween weekend with three shows in their general area:

October
28 - Sadie's - Lafayette, LA
29 - Walters on Washington - Houston, TX
30 - Spellcaster Lodge - New Orleans, LA

The NOLA gig is of significance as EHG play with 9th ward local eccentric electronic organist Mr. Quintron which guarantees a creepy mixture of hedonists, freaks and miscreants of all kinds."
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

HATE ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER RUSSIAN TOUR


Polish extreme metal warriors HATE have announced a November 2010 RUSSIAN tour.
FROM HATE MYSPACE:
Dear Metalheads!
This is to let you know that HATE is going to start promotion of their new opus “EREBOS” with the
Russian tour supported by Russian Sinful and Little Dead Bertha and others! The band will also visit Ukraine for a few shows including one in Kiev on 4th December with Septicflesh! More info to come soon!

14.11.2010 Moscow (Russia) "Plan-B"
15.11.2010 Kostroma (Russia) "Manufactura"
16.11.2010 Jaroslavl (Russia) "Avangarde"
17.11.2010 Vologda (Russia) "IRRIS"
18.11.2010 Kirov (Russia) "Pobeda"
19.11.2010 Perm (Russia) "Morion"
20.11.2010 Ekaterinburg (Russia) "Nirvanna"
22.11.2010 Tjumen (Russia) "Non Stop"
23.11.2010 Magnitogorsk (Russia) "Bumerang"
24.11.2010 Ufa (Russia) "Knizhka"
25.11.2010 Toljatti (Russia) "Bit.com"
27.11.2010 Voronezh (Russia) "Tarantul"
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ULCERATE POST CD COVER, TRACKLISTING AND RECORDING BLOG FOR "DESTROYER OF ALL"


New Zealand death metal warriors ULCERATE have posted a recording blog, tracklisting and the cover for the bands anticipated new release entitled "Destroyer Of All" due out 1/25/2011 on WILLOWTIP RECORDS.
http://www.ulcerate-official.com/The-Destroyers-Of-All/
FROM ULCERATE:
Ulcerate will release their third full-length album The Destroyers of All on January 25 2011 through Willowtip Records. Ambitious, oppressive and expansive, with a strict adherence to the tradition of total bleakness the band is becoming known for, The Destroyers of All presents the most atmospheric and challenging listen from the band to date.
I. Burning Skies [7:34]
II. Dead Oceans [7:01]
III. Cold Becoming [6:16]
IV. Beneath [6:56]
V. The Hollow Idols [6:06]
VI. Omens [8:26]
VII. The Destroyers of All [10:30]

VIDEOS BELOW: ULCERATE RECORDING SESSION FOR "DESTROYER OF ALL":

Jul | Aug 2010 - Drum tracking from Ulcerate on Vimeo.


Jul | Aug 2010 - Vocal tracking from Ulcerate on Vimeo.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

ITP UPDATE: DAMNED IN BLACK (BLACK METAL NEWS) COMING UP IN A FEW DAYS


DAMNED IN BLACK (BLACK METAL NEWS) PART 3 coming up in a few days, and HUMANITY IS DOOMED (DOOM METAL NEWS) PART 3 coming up in a week or 10 days.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

PANTHEIST UPLOADS TEASER (MYSPACE) FOR SPLIT RELEASE


London, England doomsters PANTHEIST have uploaded a teaser for the bands split EP
'Unveiling the Signs" due out in November on REDRUM666.
FROM PANTHEIST:
We have uploaded a teaser of the upcoming Redrum666 release 'Unveiling the Signs', due in November 2010. The release in question is quite Pantheist tinted, as it contains not only a brand new Pantheist track (Barock) but also a track personally contributed by Pantheist member Kostas Panagiotou, as well as a track from Wijlen Wij, a band consisting of Kostas and three ex Pantheist session members. Hope it heightens your anticipation until we are able to inform you when we have copies available.

The tracklisting of the album is:

1. KOSTAS PANAGIOTOU - Overture: The Madness of Crowds
2. GALLILEOUS - Zabobon (Superstition)
3. WIJLEN WIJ - The Wall of Life
4. DISSOLVING OF PRODIGY - Zlodejska svetelka (Lights of Thieves)
5. PANTHEIST - Barock
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

PSYCROPTIC VOCALIST SITS OUT FALL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH NILE


Tasmanian death metal warriors PSYCROPTIC have sent this message.
FROM PSYCROPTIC:
Vocalist Jason Peppiatt of Tasmania's technical death metallers PSYCROPTIC will be unable to accompany the band on its upcoming U.S. tour with NILE, EX DEO, KEEP OF KALESSIN and PATHOLOGY due to the imminent arrival of his newborn son. He will be temporarily replaced by Zdenek Simecek (GODLESS TRUTH).

"A month or so after we confirmed the U.S. tour, I was greeted with the excellent news that I would be a new father, halfway through the tour no less," commented Peppiatt. "Since I could not miss the birth, and I couldn't exactly drive from the U.S. to Tasmania, I talked it through with the rest of the guys and decided to ask Zdenek in to fill for the last tour of the 'Ob(servant)' album for me.

"Zdenek has been a longtime friend of the band and is a super-talented vocalist, so I'm happy to have him in my shoes for this run.

"I'll be working hard demoing the new material while at home (as well as changing nappy's), and I'll see you all in 2011!"

PSYCROPTIC's latest album, "Ob(Servant)", was released in Europe on September 26, 2008 and in North America on October 14, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Symbols of Failure" was mixed and mastered by former MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (DIVINE HERESY, GOJIRA) and was recorded once again by guitarist Joe Haley.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ENSLAVED ANNOUNCE VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS



Norwegian post black metal legends ENSLAVED have announced video contest winners.
FROM ENSLAVED MYSPACE:
The members of Norway’s renowned progressive/psychedelic black metal band ENSLAVED have announced the winners of their first-ever video contest. Fans around the world were asked to create and submit a video for the track “Ethica Odini” from the band’s Billboard-charting new album Axioma Ethica Odini, which was released in Europe on September 27th and in North America on September 28th.

Guitarist/songwriter Ivar Bjørnson comments on the competition: “First and foremost we wish to thank everybody who has taken part in this contest. We have seen many exciting visual interpretations of our musical and conceptual universe; some of them stood out from the rest and we are really happy to announce the three winners of the competition. Also, we would like to take the opportunity to apologize for the delay in announcing the results. We have simply been outmaneuvered by touring and poor internet access on our touring trek throughout the last month. Thank you for your patience, and hope you will enjoy watching our new videos as much as we do!”

Vocalist/bassist/lyricist Grutle Kjellson adds: "Thanks a lot to all you great people that used your talent, passion and precious time on this contest! You should know that we are very proud of you all, and that we really appreciate your efforts! You are not afraid to bleed, not afraid to dream!"




The members of ENSLAVED have awarded First Place to Luka Bajt (LookaB) from Slovenia. View the video here.

Clean vocalist/keyboard player Herbrand Larsen comments on the winning video: "[It] is original. It's not a typical metal video and originality is always appreciated. It uses elements from the [album] cover, both shapes and colors… something that connects the video with the aesthetics used in the cover [art]. Speed and motion suits the riffs and the tempo in the song. I'm very impressed, especially thinking of the pressure of time all the directors had to work under."

Drummer Cato B. adds: "The winning video had a clear concept and a defined script, and [it] also carried along some elements from the album cover. In addition, the video captured the mood of the song, plus was original and well-crafted. Congrats, Luka!"

Lead guitarist Ice Dale further comments: "I liked the atmosphere in the video and the way it affected the song. It reminded me of the Tool videos which are personal favorites of mine. The use of colors from the cover artwork was also cool and gave it the right vibe. The video stands out from the rest and deserves to be the video for ‘Ethica Odini’! Well done and congratulations!!!”

Luka’s winning entry will be branded as an “official” video for “Ethica Odini” and featured the band’s official YouTube channel. In addition, ENSLAVED will use the video in a live setting. Luka Bajt will also receive:

• ALL VERSIONS of Axioma Ethica Odini, including the limited edition wooden box, autographed by the band.
• A special “thank you” video from ENSLAVED.
• Two guest list spots + a Meet & Greet session with ENSLAVED at a live concert.
• Band merchandise.




Second Place has been awarded to Gildo Iacovella (TheSpiral8) from Italy. View the video here.

Gildo’s winning entry will be branded as an “official” video for “Ethica Odini” and featured the band’s official YouTube channel. Gildo Iacovella will also receive:
• A special “thank you” video from ENSLAVED.
• Two guest list spots + a Meet & Greet session with ENSLAVED at a live concert.
• Band merchandise.



Third Place has been awarded to Miller Arias (Hammerheart) from Colombia. View the video here.

Miller’s winning entry will be branded as an “official” video for “Ethica Odini” and featured the band’s official YouTube channel. Miller Arias will also receive:

• A special “thank you” video from ENSLAVED.
• Band merchandise.

Axioma Ethica Odini debuted at #16 on the Billboard Heatseekers (New Artists) chart, #40 in the Current Hard Music Albums chart, and #72 on the Independent Current Albums chart the week following its release.

ENSLAVED will be direct support for fellow countrymen DIMMU BORGIR on a 32-date run across North America which launches on Friday, November 5th in Worcester, Massachusetts and ends Tuesday, December 14th in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Also on the bill are Blood Red Throne and Dawn Of Ashes.
Don’t have tickets to see ENSLAVED + DIMMU BORGIR on their upcoming North American tour yet?!

We understand that times may be tough for many, so in an effort to give back to the fans, ENSLAVED + Nuclear Blast USA will be giving away limited number of guest list spots (not a backstage pass) to some lucky fans for the North American tour!










Advanced pre-sale tickets & VIP packages for the “Darkness Reborn World Tour” are now on sale via ArtistArena.com (User Name: dimmuborgir; Password: tickets). Ticketing widget is available here (same log-in).


Confirmed tour dates are as follows:

11/05/10 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
11/06/10 Northern Lights – Albany, NY
11/07/10 Recher Theater – Towson, MD
11/08/10 Terminal 5 – New York, NY
11/10/10 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
11/12/10 Mr. Smalls – Pittsburgh, PA
11/13/10 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
11/14/10 House of Blues – Chicago, IL
11/15/10 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
11/16/10 Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
11/18/10 MacEwan Ballroom – Calgary, AB – CANADA
11/19/10 Edmonton Events Center – Edmonton, AB – CANADA
11/21/10 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA
11/22/10 The Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
11/23/10 Roseland Theatre – Portland, OR
11/24/10 Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA
11/26/10 The Knitting Factory – Reno, NV
11/27/10 The Fox Theater – Pomona, CA
11/28/10 The Regency Grand Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
11/30/10 House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
12/01/10 Rialto Theater – Tucson, AZ
12/02/10 Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
12/03/10 Sunshine Theatre – Albuquerque, NM
12/04/10 Gothic Theater – Englewood (Denver), CO
12/06/10 House of Blues – Dallas, TX
12/07/10 House of Blues – Houston, TX
12/09/10 Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
12/10/10 Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
12/11/10 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
12/12/10 Sound Academy – Toronto, ON – CANADA
12/13/10 Metropolis – Montreal, QC – CANADA
12/14/10 Imperial – Quebec City, QC - CANADA
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

NINE INCH NAILS RE ISSUE "PRETTY HATE MACHINE"


NINE INCH NAILS main man TRENT REZNOR has announced the re issue of the classic industrial rock release "PRETTY HATE MACHINE".
FROM NINE INCH NAILS:
The long-awaited reissue of NINE INCH NAILS' debut album, "Pretty Hate Machine", will hit stores and digital retailers on November 22 via UMe and Bicycle Music Group.

Mainman Trent Reznor and sound engineer Tom Baker have remastered the LP to make for "a greatly improved sonic experience." In addition, Rob Sheridan "reinterpreted Gary Talpas' original cover to make for a fresh new package," Reznor wrote on the NINE INCH NAILS web site.

He added, "It's been an interesting trip watching the fate of this record float from one set of hands to another (a long and depressing story) but it's finally wound up in friendly territory, allowing us to polish it up a bit and present it to you now. We had fun revisiting this old friend, hope you enjoy."

"Pretty Hate Machine" was originally released on the now-defunct TVT Records.

The new version will include a bonus song, a cover of QUEEN's "Get Down, Make Love".

"Pretty Hate Machine" reissue track listing:

01. Head Like A Hole
02. Terrible Lie
03. Down In It
04. Sanctified
05. Something I Can Never Have
06. Kinda I Want To
07. Sin
08. That's What I Get
09. The Only Time
10. Ringfinger
11. Get Down, Make Love
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

DESULTORY To Reissue Into Eternity, Bitterness Full-Lengths With Bonus Tracks and Rarities



Re united Swedish death metal legends DESULTORY have sent this message as the band is due to re issue deluxe editions of "Into Eternity" and "Bitterness" full-lengths via Singapore's Pulverised Records.
FROM DESULTORY and BWBK.COM:


Reunited Swedish death metallers DESULTORY will re-issue exclusive deluxe editions of their Into Eternity and Bitterness full-lengths via Singapore's Pulverised Records. Initially released via Metal Blade Records in 1993 and 1994 respectively, each record represents an important contribution to Swedish extreme metal history.

To commemorate these two landmark offerings, both discs will be released together with bonus tracks from three Desultory demos circa '90 - '91. In addition, each record, originally produced by renown Sunlight Studio owner/producer Tomas Skogsberg (ENTOMBED, GRAVE), will be re-mastered by multi-instrumentalist/producer Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio in Sweden.

Said Swanö of the undertaking: "I've been re-mastering Desultory's demos and first two full-lengths. The play time is more than 80 minutes! All the material has been restored to fit nicely together in the same playlist, and it's amazing how much a few small tweaks can change the overall sound from 'demo' to 'album.' A funny anecdote is that I 'forced' the band to go to the home of Tomas Skogsberg in the middle of nowhere and pick up the original DAT tapes of the demos. Maximum quality achieved!"

The front covers and inside booklets have all bean tweaked with a subtle redesign by Greek graphic artist Anestis Goudas of Derz Design (Rotting Christ, I.C.S Vortex, Shagrath etc) and detailed liner notes by Terrorizer Magazine writer Olivier "Zoltar" Badin, with special assistance from Desultory frontman/guitarist Klas Morberg.

Commented Morberg: "When I wrote these lines in late September 2010, it was exactly 21 years since the Desultory journey began back in 1989. As we're now writing a new chapter in our history by releasing the new album, we would also like to tell the complete story of the past. We're really happy to be with Pulverised Records and are able to re-release these records, both brilliantly remastered by Dan Swanö. So, for all of you who've been with us from the start and anyone else who wants to know how it all began...Here it is. Enjoy!



Desultory - Into Eternity tracklisting:
'Into Eternity'
'Depression'
'Tears'
'The Chill Within'
'Visions'
'Twisted Emotions'
'Forever Gone'
'Passed Away'
'Asleep'



Desultory - Bitterness tracklisting
'Life Shatters'
'Left Behind'
'A Closing Eye'
'Taste Of Tragedy'
'Bleeding'
'Among Mortals'
'Enslaved'
'Winter'
'Cold Bitterness'

Bonus tracks:

From Beyond (Demo '90)
'Eternal Darkness'
'The Awakening'
'Cease To Exist'
'Insanity'

Passed Away (Demo '90)
'Passed Away'
'The Chill Within'
'Death Unfolds'

Visions (Demo '91)
'Forever Gone'
'Depression'
'Visions'
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Monday, October 25, 2010

CRADLE OF FILTH ANNOUNCE "Creatures From The Black Abyss" WINTER 2011 NORTH AMERICAN Tour WITH NACHTMYSTIUM, TURISAS and DANIEL LIONEYE



British extreme metal warriors CRADLE OF FILTH have announced "Creatures From The Black Abyss Tour" for February of 2011 with NACHTMYSTIUM, TURISAS and DANIEL LIONEYE. Tickets for the "FEARnet and Decibel Presents: Creatures From The Black Abyss Tour" will go on sale on October 30, while special preorder tickets and VIP meet-and-greet ticket packages will go on sale tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. local market time exclusively through Artist Arena. Meet-and-greet packages are limited, so fans are encouraged to seize this rare opportunity before it's too late. Creatures From The Black Abyss Tour" dates:

Feb. 01 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Feb. 02 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
Feb. 04 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Feb. 05 - Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater
Feb. 06 - Las Vegas, NV@ House of Blues
Feb. 08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia Live
Feb. 09 - San Francisco, CA@ Regency Ballroom
Feb. 11 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox Theatre
Feb. 12 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Feb. 13 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Feb. 15 - Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Center
Feb. 16 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Feb. 18 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Feb. 20 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Feb. 21 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Feb. 23 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
Feb. 25 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's
Feb. 26 - Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
Feb. 27 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
Feb. 28 - Quebec City, QC @ Imperial de Quebec
Mar. 02 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Mar. 03 - New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
Mar. 04 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
Mar. 05 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Mar. 06 - Baltimore, MD @ Bourbon Street Ballroom
Mar. 08 - Norfolk, VA @ Norva Theatre
Mar. 09 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
Mar. 11 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Mar. 12 - Orlando, FL @ Firestone
Mar. 13 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

CRADLE OF FILTH EARLY WINTER 2010 SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
Dec 12 2010 7:00P
Teatro Metropol Bogotá, COLOMBIA
Dec 14 2010 7:00P
Ciec Caracas, VENEZUELA
Dec 16 2010 7:00P
Teatro Caupolican Santiago, CHILE
Dec 17 2010 6:00P
El Teatro Flores Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
Dec 18 2010 7:00P
Carioca Club São Paulo, São Paulo, BRAZIL
Dec 19 2010 7:00P
Bar Opinião 834 Porto Alegre, Porto Aleg, BRAZIL


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

CONDUCTING FROM THE GRAVE RELEASES "REVENANTS"



Sacramento, California death core warriors CONDUCTING FROM THE GRAVE have unleashed the bands new release entitled "REVENANTS" today on SUMERIAN RECORDS.
FROM CONDUCTING THE GRAVE:
Our brand new album "Revenants" hit stores and iTunes today! Be sure to head over to facebook.com/conductingfromthegrave to get all of the latest news.
CONDUCTING THE GRAVES "REVENANTS":


Conducting From The Grave | Facebook
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-



Sunday, October 24, 2010

JORDANIAN HEAVY METAL ON THE RISE


THE JORDAN TIMES reports that heavy and extreme metal in middle eastern nations is on the rise.
FROM THE JORDAN TIMES (COURTESY OF BLABBERMOUTH.NET.):

In Jordan’s music scene, heavy metal breaks the mould


The members of heavy metal band Blinding Shade — from front to back: Ahmad Alhour, Mahmoud Tayyem, Jafar Jamal, Nawaf Al Rafati and Darem Aqrabawi — pose in a promotional photo. Blinding Shade is one of some 36 metal bands in Jordan today (Photo courtesy of Blinding Shade)
The members of heavy metal band Blinding Shade — from front to back: Ahmad Alhour, Mahmoud Tayyem, Jafar Jamal, Nawaf Al Rafati and Darem Aqrabawi — pose in a promotional photo. Blinding Shade is one of some 36 metal bands in Jordan today (Photo courtesy of Blinding Shade)


By Hady Hamdan

AMMAN - "It is music that chooses you, not the other way around," said 22-year-old Ahmad Alhour.

The vocalist in the heavy metal band, Blinding Shade, one of many groups that have emerged on Jordan's music scene in recent years as metal music made its mark on the Kingdom's youth, said he acquired his taste for musical styles outside the mainstream at an early age.

"In my childhood, I imitated my uncles, who used to listen to rock music," he said. "I started to search for more energetic music genres, and eventually found what I was looking for in metal music."

Heavy metal is a style that emerged in the US and UK in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Characterised by crunchy, distorted electric guitar riffs and loud vocals that are often screamed rather than sung, metal music has always been controversial, and the metal subculture often associated with violence and Satanism.

In Jordan, where heavy metal remains well outside the mainstream of youth culture, it still draws strong feelings both from fans, or "metalheads" as they call themselves, and from detractors of the genre who criticise its musical qualities and worry that it may have a bad influence on its teenage fans.

Alhour, who said that as a teenager, his peers thought him strange for embracing such an unconventional type of music, said the "diversity" of heavy metal as well as its "appreciation of creativity" were what drew him to the genre.

Muhannad Saleh agreed, adding that he is a fan of heavy metal music because it deals more than other popular genres with powerful human themes.

"There are many metal songs that discuss poverty, love, discrimination and other issues," Saleh said, giving as an example the song "Jordanian Heart" by the band Esodic, which is about the 2005 Amman hotel bombings.

Saleh, a student and a street team leader in Jorzine, an online magazine that supports the underground metal and rock scene in the Middle East, explained that for him, "heavy metal music, unlike other music genres, appreciates creativity and personal touches".

“Most of the Arab songs on TV have fixed and predictable melodies and rely on the same sound effects,” he said.

Much criticism levelled at metal fans is unfair, he said, alleging that some websites defame metal music and its proponents by inaccurately portraying them as Satan-worshipping hoodlums.

“They post photos of parties that never took place and accuse us of being Satanists,” he explained, acknowledging that these accusations are giving metalheads a bad reputation.

“Many people misunderstand us and think that we are bad people, but heavy metal is not bad at all. In fact this genre has touched on important issues. A good example is the song ‘War pigs’ by Black Sabbath, one of the best songs about war,” Saleh said.

Ahmad Alkilani, a metal fan for almost seven years now, joined Saleh’s protest of stereotyping.

“As a proud Muslim, it hurts me to see the unreasonable connection between metalheads and Satanists and nonreligious people,” he said, stressing that there is no connection between Jordan’s metal fans and Satanism.

Alhour and others in the metal scene said freedom of speech and expression is a major theme of the genre, while participating in the metal subculture is in itself a way of asserting one’s right to self-expression.

For metal vocalist Tojan Naghaway, this type of music has been a means of empowering herself as a woman.

“Since I was a teenager I’ve been a big fan of metal music. I’ve seen a lot of women become successful [in the heavy metal scene], and this inspired me to form my own band and make my own music,” the 23-year-old singer in the band, Dreamstate, told The Jordan Times.

But Naghaway’s career has not gone smoothly.

“Being a female vocalist in a Middle Eastern community posed a bigger challenge for me,” she said. “Some people like the idea of women singing harsh vocals, and on the other hand some just do not.”

Nonetheless, despite the criticism she has received, she said being a female metal singer in Jordan has had its benefits.

“It absolutely helped me receive more attention, since the majority of metal singers are men, not just in Jordan but in the rest of the Middle East,” she explained.

According to Jorzine’s website, there are now around 36 Jordanian metal bands, 25 of which are currently releasing albums and performing, and the number is on the rise.

But not all young Jordanians are impressed with metal music. Rami Zarrour, a recent University of Jordan (UJ) graduate, said he finds the genre “noisy” and criticised the “strange” way its fans dress.

Shadir Othman, a 21-year-old student at the German-Jordanian University who listens to pop music and R&B, said he thinks that heavy metal will badly influence the younger generation.

“Metal music not only expresses the rage and anger of the young society, but also has and will have bad influences on future generations, unless it softens its tone,” he stated.

Rami Haddad, chair of the music department at UJ, pointed out that the metal scene in Jordan is not new but dates back almost to the 1980s.

The professor’s own feelings about the style are mixed.

“Some heavy metal bands have nice melodies and lyrics,” he said, “[but] I think that heavy metal songs would be much better without the sound effects they currently use.”

Still, he said, “this music genre is better than hip-hop and rap, which are only recitation of words with no melody.”

“The problem in our community is that we are not musically educated,” Haddad noted, urging the community and especially young people to improve their musical literacy and appreciation by listening to different styles of music, both classical and contemporary.

The debate over metal music may well rage on for years to come, but in the end, for fans like Saleh, it comes down to a matter of personal taste.

“It is a music genre just like any other that I enjoy and find myself in,” he said.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-