DRAGONFORCE ANNOUNCE SPRING 2009 U.S. TOUR/ WINTERSUN (FI) CANCEL ALL UPCOMING SHOWS

Get ready for some Dungeons and Dragons power metal SHRED. DRAGONFORCE will embark on a spring 2009 U.S. headlining tour in smaller markets as tickets are reasonably priced in this economic recession. FROM BWBK.COM: DRAGONFORCE will be back on US shores this spring to support last year's Ultra Beatdown. The band will embark on a month-long, headlining tour and hit a batch of markets they did not play on their successful tour last November.

The tour was designed specifically as a way to reward DragonForce's throng of fans for their continued support of the band with a low priced ticket. In some cases, advance tickets are as low as $15, which takes these trying economic times into account. There's no better way to spend a hard-earned $15 then by taking in a night of swilling beer and watching the band shred their way through an entire set! Two special guests for the tour are to be announced very soon.

The tour dates are as follows:

April
15 – House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
17 – Knitting Factory - Boise, IA
18 – Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA
19 – Wilma Theater - Missoula, MT
21 – The Venue at Playmakers - Fargo, ND
22 – Sokol Auditorium - Omaha, NE
24 – Pop's - Sauget, IL
25 – The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
26 – Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
27 – Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH
28 – The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
30 – Mr. Smalls - Millvale, PA

May
1 – Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY
2 – The Intersection - Grand Rapids, MI
4 – Lupos at the Strand - Providence, RI
5 – Toad's Place - New Haven, CT
7 – Higher Ground - So. Burlington, VT
8 – Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
9 – Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
10 – The Norva - Norfolk, VA

Members of the official DragonForce fan club Soldiers Of The Wasteland, can get their tickets in advance at a special reduced ticket price now. Members also have the ability to receive either a Meet and Greet with the band or Early Entry into the venue. Click here for details. Sign up to the fan club here.
However, on the other side of the pond, our Scandinavian brothers (FINLAND) in WINTERSUN have canceled all up and coming shows, and we'll let the band explain. FROM WINTERSUN ON MYSPACE: All Wintersun shows canceled

There has come again unexpected problems with technology, which will make finishing the "Time" album even more harder than it has been. Which will delay it even more. There..s also some personal problems concerning my apartment.

Because of all the problems, I have fallen under a serious amounts of stress, which is sometimes causing me "writer..s blocks". This album making is now turned into such a "risky business", that I have no choice, but to cancel Summerbreeze and Bloodstock.

The thing is, the album has to be done first, before we can play any shows. Playing just old songs after many years isn't something we want to do and what probably no one wants to see.

After the album has been mixed, I need to mix again a "backup track live mix" (of the synths&orchestrations). Then we have to of course practice the new songs and arrange them into "live format" (especially mine and Teemus guitar parts). We also need to update our humble live gear.

All these arrangements take time, so we don..t want to risk it, that we might have to cancel the shows last minute. It must be done now and put finishing the album the number one priority. After the album is done, we will start booking shows again.

I know there..s lots of disappointed people and I have to apologize. But I hope that you..ll understand my decision under these circumstances. I have to put the album first and finish it before we play any shows. Thanks for listening!
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

NACHTMYSTIUM KICKED OFF Of SCION ROCK FEST

EXTREME METAL ISN'T ALWAYS PC: So which is worse, sucking corporate cock (TOYOTA) or NATIONAL SOCIALIST cock? TODAY is the SCION FEST (FREE admission) in Atlanta, Georgia, and for all of you NOT in the know, Chicago, Illinois black metal heroes NACHTMYSTIUM have been kicked off the SCION FEST via the festivals sponsors TOYOTA.
Here is NACHTMYSTIUM'S official statement of the matter, denying that the band are racists or Nazis. FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Blake Judd of the Chicago-area psychedelic black metal group NACHTMYSTIUM has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"NACHTMYSTIUM has sad news today with a once-again recurring issue surfacing from the wake of our past. We've been forced, at the request of the promoters and the folks at Scion / Toyota, to pull out of the Scion Rock Fest, scheduled for Saturday, February 28. This news came to us just this past Tuesday and was very disheartening to say the least. A troubling, and unjustly-applied notion that we are, or ever have been, in any way, a 'Nazi' band or a political band on any level, is completely absurd and we are disgusted that there is someone out there who really believes we are of this ilk. It made it as far as the sponsors of this event's desks, and now we are forced to pull out of it after some political threatening on the part of these ridiculously uneducated person/people who have caused this ruckus.

"We'd like to make light of at least one aspect of this situation and use the opportunity to once again clear the air — we are, IN NO WAY, a 'Nazi' band. We do NOT support such groups, political beliefs or bands that are affiliated with that world. We have canceled tours in the past and dodged working with bands and people BECAUSE they had these ideologies and we never wanted to be affiliated with it. Yet, here we are, a metal band whose members are more like hippies than your typical leather-clad metal maniacs, and we're being falsely accused of this
association once again. We will be taking legal action against the people who slandered us in this situation, and in the future will file defamation / slander charges
against any person or organization who attempts to prevent us from performing anywhere, especially in the United States. We are as offended by this as someone might be at the notion of a Nazi band playing a big corporate-sponsored festival. So — let it be known loud and clear for the LAST TIME, we ARE NOT a Nazi band, ARE NOT political, are certainly NOT racists and DO NOT support that world or any band,
person or business affiliated with it.

"My deepest apologies to all of our friends, fans and people who have worked on and supported us being a part of this festival, we are sorry for these awful circumstances and you can be certain this will not defeat us."

NACHTMYSTIUM's latest full-length album, "Assassins: Black Meddle Part I", was released on June 10, 2008 via Century Media Records in North America and June 23, 2008 through Candlelight Records in Europe.

The "Assassins..." full-length was recorded in December 2007 at Sanford Parker's Volume Studios (RWAKE, MINSK, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, PELICAN) and showcases NACHTMYSTIUM's most prolific and expansive sounds to date. The record features Tony Laureano (ANGELCORPSE, NILE, DIMMU BORGIR) on drums, and guest appearances by members of PHARAOH and YAKUZA.
OK, for all NOT in the KNOW, check NACHTMYSTIUM's history of previous label affiliations. FROM NACHTMYSTIUM'S WIKIPEDIA: Nachtmystium's first album, Reign of the Malicious, was released on Unholy Records, a National Socialist black metal label.[21] In 2006, Judd said that, “In the past, we’ve had some indirect ties to labels and bands that are part of the NS scene. At one point not too many years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for NS labels or bands to trade and work with non-politically motivated bands and labels because at the end of the day, we’re all trying to promote, release, and be involved with music—all politics aside. Today it seems like there’s less of a connection, at least for me and my label. We don’t oppose people’s right to be ‘NS’ or whatever—that’s a personal choice, and if you live in the USA, you have the right to that opinion. Even though I personally, my band(s) and my label have absolutely no interest in being a part of that scene, I will ALWAYS take their side when it comes to their freedom of speech being imposed upon.”[21]

Just before the Atlanta, Georgia Scion Rock Fest on Saturday February 28, 2009, Nachtmystium was forced to cancel at the request of the festival's promoters and sponsors on Tuesday February 23, 2008 due to an unnamed source who believed the group was a "Nazi" band.[22]
(EDITORS NOTE): BTW, NACHTMYSTIUM have previously been signed to VINLAND WINDS and also UNHOLY RECORDS (BOTH National Socialist Black Metal labels). UNHOLY records are owned by RESISTANCE records ( a KNOWN National Socialist record label in part run by the National Alliance) and is managed by GROM (NSBM) vocalist YMIR WINTER. GROM's YMIR has been known to be racist to non white promoters (GROM vs. NJ ENGORGED 2004 as ENGORGED main man KYLE POWELL (KEP) was demoted of his duties as USDM (United States Death Metal) Vice President and New Jersey Death Metal President for booking GROM.
KYLE POWELL (ENGORGED) is non white and also in a quality black metal band.
Of course NON OF THIS has anything to do with NACHTMYSTIUM as they are a quality black metal band signed to CENTURY MEDIA. However, past affiliations have come back to haunt NACHTMYSTIUM as the band didn't mind signing with National Socialist labels, but have always been either neutral politically or indifferent.
BTW, all the fuss about NACHTMYSTIUM's early exit on last fall's (2008) OPETH tour: NACHTMYSTIUM were kicked off the OPETH tour for throwing a fridge or beer cooler, breaking said appliance and refusing to pay for said damages. Ugh.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

PAGAN FEST AMERICA 2 TOUR DATES, ARIZONA METAL FEST, NIGHTMARE METAL FESTIVAL (TEXAS), CHICAGO POWERFEST:

The Vikings and Heathens have rowed upon American shores to conquer North America. Check out the PAGAN FEST AMERICA 2 tour with an awesome lineup including PRIMORDIAL, MOONSORROW, KORPIKLAANI (\m/ raise an ale). Also catch the NIGHTMARE METAL FESTIVAL MARCH 20, 21st in San Antonio Texas. Check out flyer above:
FROM BWBK.COM: According to Montreal's BLACKGUARD, the routing for PaganFest America: Part II featuring KORPIKLAANI, ELUVEITIE, PRIMORDIAL, MOONSORROW, Blackguard (formerly known as PROFUGUS MORTIS) and SWASHBUCKLE has been updated (**) with shows in Cleveland, OH and Covington, KY. In addition, a California show has been tacked onto the end of the tour but details have yet to be confirmed.

The schedule is as follows, with more updates expected soon.

April
28 - The Opera House - Toronto, Ontario
29 - Medley - Montreal, Quebec
30 - Imperial - Quebec City, Quebec

May
1 - The Palladium - Worcester, Massachusetts
3 - Jaxx - Springfield, Virginia
4 - Irving Plaza - New York, New York
5 - Peabody’s - Cleveland, Ohio **
6 - The Mad Hatter - Convington, Kentucky **
7 - Chicago Powerfest - Chicago, Illinois
8 - The Lab - St. Paul, Minnesota
7 - Chicago Powerfest - Mokena, Illinois
8 - Station 4 - St. Paul, Minnesota
9 - venue tba - Winnipeg, Manitoba
10 - The Exchange - Regina, Saskatchewan
11 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, Alberta
12 - Warehouse - Calgary, Alberta
13 - venue tba - Vancouver, British Columbia
14 - Studio Seven - Seattle, Washington
15 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, Oregon
16 - DNA Lounge - San Francisco, California
17 - House Of Blues - Hollywood, California
18 - California (details tbc) **
ALSO for SPRING U.S. METAL FESTS, check out the incomparable CHICAGO POWERFEST (flyer above) MAY 7 through 9th, 2009 at the PEARL ROOM in MOKENA, ILLINOIS. PAGAN FEST USA 2 shall make a stop at this years CHICAGO POWERFEST. http://www.myspace.com/chicagopowerfest ..Also, check out the FIRST ANNUAL ARIZONA METAL FEST MARCH 27, 2009 @ The Marquee Theater in Tempe, Arizona. This show should sell out fast as as SUFFOCATION, CARCASS, ARSIS, THE FACELESS, SUICIDE SILENCE and many more brutal bands are due to perform. FLYER ABOVE:

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

SUFFOCATION (NYDM) UPDATE

Here in all of their brutality, is an update from our New York Death Metal brothers in SUFFOCATION. BTW, this year is SUFFOCATION's 20th anniversary (Suffocation reunited in 2003). There is a dead give away in this update, in seems confirmed that SUFFOCATION will co headline 2009's SUMMER SLAUGHTER tour with Germany's NECROPHAGIST. SUFFOCATION have announced plans for a video game and comic book. Will Frank Mullen be wagging his tongue?
FROM SUFFOCATION on MYSPACE:



“2009 is shaping up to be Suffocation’s most exciting and successful year to date! Not only are they celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first release, Re-Incremation, but we all are excited to announce that in the spring of 2009, Suffocation is expected to release the much anticipated, which has been 20 years in the making. In addition, Suffocation’s Blood Apocalypse Tour 2009 begins March 14th. They are looking forward to hitting the road with such brutal supporting acts as, White Chapel, Decrepit Birth, Veil of Maya & Psycroptic. After months of writing and working in the studio, their newest CD “Blood Oath” is being recorded and expected to have a release date of May/June 2009. Suffocation is psyched to be co-headlining the Summer Slaughterfest, in both the US and Europe. Afterwards, they are off to Japan, Australia and all of the other oversees countries they have not hit in a while. A list of extensive tour dates will be announced. Suffocation is also expected to possibly perform at a few shows at Ozzfest. We will keep you posted. Keep an eye out for Suffocations upcoming video game which will include unreleased tracks from Suffocation along with a comic book and many other amazing surprises. In between writing and touring, Suffocation has also been busy designing new merchandise for their upcoming tours. Please click on our “merch” link for more information. We look forward to seeing you all this year!”
SUFFOCATION are proud to announce the complete dates for their upcoming headlining run dubbed the “Blood Apocalyspse” tour. Support will come from of the best names in extreme metal today including Whitechapel, Beneath the Massacre, Decrepit Birth, Veil of Maya, and Psycroptic. Confirmed dates are as follows:

SUFFOCATION, WHITECHAPEL, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, DECREPIT BIRTH, VEIL OF MAYA

03/14/09 Jaxx - Springfield, VA
03/15/09 The Norva - Norfolk, VA
03/16/09 The Soapbox - Wilmington, NC
03/17/09 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
03/18/09 Matthew’s Bar & Grill - Birmingham, AL
03/20/09 Grant Street Hall - Lafayette, LA
03/21/09 Ridglea Theatre - Ft. Worth, TX (w/ Carcass, Suicide Silence)
03/22/09 House of Rock - Corpus Christi, TX
03/23/09 The Zoo - Amarillo, TX
03/24/09 Chic’s Bar and Billiards - El Paso, TX
03/26/09 The Crossing - Palmdale, CA
03/27/09 The Marquee Theater - Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Metal Fest)

SUFFOCATION, WHITECHAPEL, DECREPIT BIRTH, VEIL OF MAYA, PSYCROPTIC

03/28/09 The Grove - Anaheim, CA (California Metal Fest)
03/29/09 The Boardwalk - Sacramento, CA
03/30/09 Modesto Virtual - Modesto, CA
03/31/09 House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
04/01/09 Club Sound - Salt Lake City, UT
04/02/09 The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
04/03/09 Tequila Jungle - Lubbock, TX
04/04/09 Red Seven - Austin, TX
04/05/09 El Cine Rey Theatre - McAllen, TX
04/06/09 Java Jazz - Houston, TX
04/07/09 The Village - Little Rock, AR
04/08/09 The Muse - Nashville, TN
04/09/09 The Valarium - Knoxville, TN (w/ Chimaira)
04/10/09 Emerson Theatre - Indianapolis, IN
04/11/09 The Loft - Madison, WI
04/12/09 The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
04/14/09 Crazy Donkey - Long Island, NY
04/15/09 Maverick’s - Ottawa, ON - CANADA
04/16/09 Le Medley - Montreal, QC - CANADA (w/ The Haunted, Nachtmystium, Intronaut)
04/17/09 The Palladium - Worcester, MA (New England Metal Fest)
04/18/09 Crocodile Rock Café - Allentown, PA

Suffocation are currently in the studio recording their Nuclear Blast debut, Blood Oath. The release is tentatively scheduled for an early Summer release in Europe and North America.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

BROOKLYN, NY EXTREME METAL: SHOW NO MERCY EXTREME METAL SERIES, AUDITORY FEST UPDATE ECT.

It's official, Brooklyn is brutal, for over 25 years Brooklyn has fives on the extreme metal scene in NYC, from the legendary Lamour's to some awesome shows, music venues and festivals over the years. Check these series of shows out if you live in NYC metro region:FROM SMNNEWS.COM.: The Show Now Mercy series has been bringing live extreme metal to Brooklyn’s Public Assembly (old Galapagos Space, 70 North 6th Street) on a monthly basis.

After launching in December with NACHTMYSTIUM, VELNIAS, and JAVELINA, followed by SKELETONWITCH and CANNABIS CORPSE then OCEAN and SALOME a month later. The March 1 installment will feature American black metal legend KRIEG in a rare New York City appearance with Philadelphia black metallers WOE and a pair of idiosyncratic NYC-based black metal acts MALKUTH (featuring members of NO NECK BLUES BAND) and LITURGY.
More from the Brooklyn's most extreme. The Auditory Assault Festival (off shoot of the Maryland Death Fest) will destroy Club Europa in Brooklyn, NY on May 16th and 17th. SPLITTER and CHAINSAW have been added to the Auditory Assault Festival.: FROM AUDITORY FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS:
BRUTAL TRUTH (New York)
ROTTEN SOUND (Finland)
LETHAL AGGRESSION (New Jersey)
MISERY INDEX (Maryland)
GADGET (Sweden)
SAYYADINA (Sweden)
CROWPATH (Sweden)
PIGSTY (Czech Republic)
TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION (Pennsylvania)
SPLITTER (Sweden)
ENTRAILS MASSACRE (Germany)
JIG-AI (Czech Republic)
SULACO (New York)
KILL THE CLIENT (Texas)
DEFEATIST (New York)
MARUTA (Florida)
MAN WILL DESTROY HIMSELF (North Carolina)
CHAINSAW TO THE FACE (New Jersey)
COPREMESIS (New York)

You can find more information on the festival over at its official MySpace page.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/

AMON AMARTH, GOATWHORE, SKELETONWITCH SPRING 2009 TOUR DATES

Viking metal legends AMON AMARTH shall hit the road for a spring U.S. tour with GOATWHORE, SKELETONWITCH and LAZARUS A.D. hails to the heathens.
FROM SMNNEWS.COM: April 11 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
April 12 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
April 14 - Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
April 15 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
April 16 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
April 17 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
April 18 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
April 20 - Louisville, KY @ Headliner’s Music Hall
April 21 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s Down Under
April 22 - Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom
April 23 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls
April 24 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
April 25 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
April 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
April 28 - Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
April 29 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 Tavern
April 30 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
May 1 - Orlando, FL @ The Club at Firestone
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

MAYHEM, MARDUK, CATTLE DECPITATION, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, WITHERED ON THE BLACKENED FEST U.S. 2009 TOUR DATES

In all of MAYHEM's dramatic historic and brutality, the Norwegian black metal gods have plotted a return to the USA with MARDUK, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, CATTLE DECAPITATION, WITHERED on the BLACKENED FEST in MAY thru JUNE of 2009. MAYHEM should have at least a session guitarist replacing BLASPHEMER on these up and coming tours.

FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM will celebrate their 25th anniversary by teaming up with some of the strongest extreme metal acts for a tour of North America in May and June. Dubbed the Blackened fest, the trek will feature MAYHEM alongside MARDUK, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, CATTLE DECAPITATION and WITHERED.
The dates are as follows:

May 21 - New York, NY - The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
May 22 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar (Maryland Deathfest)
May 23 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
May 24 - Orlando, FL - Club Firestone
May 26 - Houston, TX - Numbers
May 27 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
May 29 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
May 30 - Tempe, AZ - Clubhouse
May 31 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
Jun. 02 - Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
Jun. 03 - San Francisco, CA - DNA
Jun. 04 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
Jun. 05 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Jun. 06 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House
Jun. 07 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
Jun. 09 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
Jun. 11 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
Jun. 12 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Jun. 13 - Detroit, MI - The Majestic Theater
Jun. 14 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
Jun. 15 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

ITP UPDATE:

BTW, I've been very busy, the best of 2007 is on draft, and the best of 2008 will be coming up real soon, please be patient. ITP will have plenty of reviews,(ESOTERIC, CRYPTOPSY, and more) and Notes From The Extreme Metal Underground. BTW, I just saw GET THRASHED (thrash metal historical documentary)on DVD. Awesome and metal horns, in a month or two I'll have a review of that. Hails to the Old Bridge NJ thrash crew, and I do miss the old Lamour's.
Thanks-Stay Metal,Stay Brutal-BBL- \m/ -l-

RE: FACEBOOK USERS AND EVERYONE, INCLUDING BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN VS. TICKETMASTER

Yes, late last year, I posted a journal entry about a FACEBOOK grass roots group (FACEBOOK USERS VS. TICKETMASTER:(http://spak-individualthoughtpatterns.blogspot.com/2008/12/facebook-users-vs-ticketmaster.html ) that started in protest of TICKETMASTER (ticketbastards) monopoly, and it's in house association with scalpers. Thousands of patrons have complained not only about TICKETMASTERS merger with U.S. promoters LIVE NATION (insuring TICKETMASTERS monopoly) but also about TICKETMASTERS shady and questionable business ethics as TICKETMASTER's website diverts users to a ticket agency (TICKETSNOW) that buys, sells and trades tickets for waaay more than the face value of said event. In essence, and in layman's terms this is SCALPING.
Being this is a very obvious and blatant abuse of fans, and an intrinsic corruption in the music business, these issues need to be addressed.
In regards to THE BOSS, (Bruce Springsteen), and Pearl Jam, (although I'm not a fan of PEARL JAMS music) not only do we have nothing against said artists, but we stand behind their boycott, and the courage them to challenge the unethical, and greedy business ethics of TICKETMASTER. Yes, I saw BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 0ver 20 years ago, (5 times to date- awesome 4 hour marathon show) waited in line in freezing temperatures all night. Fans waited in line for an armband, a number lottery for order in line was called, if the starting number was 100, and your armband said 120, you were 20th in line for example. Even back then, music fans questioned whether or not TICKETMASTER allowed scalpers to monopolize tickets, or set aside a certain number of tickets for scalping agencies. Even back then, THE BOSS would put his tickets on sale just a week before the event, to ward off scalpers. Of course, SPRINGSTEEN will have none of TICKETMASTERS corruption and many other artists and fans feel the same. In house scalping certainly changes the economic class structure of SPRINGSTEENS fan base, speaking of the moral dilemmas of the working class.
Of course, now with an upgrade in technology, both fans and scalpers are purchasing tickets on the internet. BTW, TICKETMASTERS re direct to TICKETS NOW, was regardless of an events are sell out. If any other show (for instance ROADBURN)other than an artist as huge as SPRINGSTEEN sells out in 15 minutes, I bet you the face value of the ticket that more than half of those tickets are bought, or set aside for scalpers. Either way, it's bullshit.
BTW, one way to break TICKETMASTERS monopoly, is for venues, and clubs to boycott TICKETMASTER and to NOT do business with them. For instance, local music venue THE CHANCE THEATER now has TICKETWEB as a contracted ticket agency (ridding the region of TICKETBASTARD), THE VAULT has VIP ticket packages with plenty of goodies, there for more for you money.
Speaking of PEARL JAM, in the 90's the band did tours boycotting and avoiding TICKETMASTER and any venues contracted to said TICKET agency. The reunited PHISH (not a fan, but agree with the DIY ethic) also has it's own ticket agency, specific for fans and often pre sale. So if bands/artists and fans speak up, or used a DIY ethic to avoid shady middle men in the music business, it could either change questionable business ethics, Or put said agency out of business. However, TICKETMASTER is a monster that continues to grow and monopolize.
BTW, for SPRINGSTEEN fans exploited in this debacle, TICKETMASTER is offering a refund of the differential in face value of the diversion to TICKETSNOW. TICKETMASTER has taken TICKETSNOW off their website.
BTW, IRVING AZOFF has been an CEO at GIANT and GEFFEN records and also, chairman and founder of Azoff Music Management Group, Inc. In late 2008, he became Chairman and CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment. Shame on IRVING AZOFF for this TICKETMASTER scandal.
FROM IDOLATOR.COM: So after a New Jersey Congressman fired off a missive to the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division regarding Ticketmaster's policy of dumping users to its sister reselling site, TicketsNow, once tickets to Bruce Springsteen's shows in the Northeast sold out, Springsteen and his manager got in on the open-letter act, too, going so far as to use the verbs "abuse" and "condemn" in regard to the sorta-scammy practice while also getting salty about the ticketing behemoth's proposed merger with concert-promotion heavyweight Live Nation. Oh snap!



Springsteen's letter to fans, as posted on his official site:

We know there was much confusion regarding Ticketmaster and TicketsNow during last Monday's on-sale dates. We were as confused as you were, as we were given no advance notice of the major changes in the Ticketmaster-TicketsNow world. (Bear in mind that we are not clients of any ticketing company, and that all those arrangements are between venues and ticketing companies.)

Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.

We perceive this as a pure conflict of interest. Ticketmaster is there to ensure that we have a good, fair sale of our tickets at their face value plus normal ticketing charges. TicketsNow is supposed to be a secondary site where people who already have tickets may exchange, trade, and, unfortunately, speculate with them. We have asked this redirection from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow cease and desist immediately and Ticketmaster has agreed to do so in the future and has removed its unwanted material from their and our site.

We know the many cynical arguments some make in favor of the Ticketmaster system: There are rumors that some artists or managers participate in Ticketmaster charges—we do not. There are rumors that some artists or managers are receiving a percentage of the amount above face value at secondary outlets like TicketsNow—we do not. Some artists or managers may not perceive there to be a conflict between having the distributor of their tickets in effect "scalping" those same tickets through a secondary company like TicketsNow—we do.

While many of you have sent notes to us and your local promoters, you may also send accurate informational letters to Albert Lopez of Ticketmaster and he will try to address your questions.

A final point for now: the one thing that would make the current ticket situation even worse for the fan than it is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Nation coming up with a single system, thereby returning us to a near monopoly situation in music ticketing. Several newspapers are reporting on this story right now. If you, like us, oppose that idea, you should make it known to your representatives.

The abuse of our fans and our trust by Ticketmaster has made us as furious as it has made many of you. We will continue to do our utmost now and in the future to make sure that these practices are permanently curtailed on our tours.

Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff, seeing the possibility of one of his biggest moneymakers flying away, penned his own letter, one "of Apology," saying that in the future artists would be able to have a say in whether or not tickets to their shows would be made immediately available on secondary sites. (Yes, even artists not as big and influential as Bruce Springsteen! Uh, wait, do artists who aren't Springsteen even sell out arenas these days?) Azoff's full missive, which was sent through crabby music-biz observer Bob Lefsetz's e-mail newsletter:

An Open Letter of Apology to Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team:

While we were genuinely trying to do the right thing for fans in providing more choices when the tickets they requested from the primary on-sale were not available, we clearly missed the mark. Fans are confused and angry, which is the opposite of what we hoped to accomplish. We sincerely apologize to Bruce, his organization and, above all, his fans.

We recognize that we need to change our course. We have committed to Bruce and state publicly here that we have taken down all links for Bruce's shows directing fans from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow. This redirection only occurred as a choice when we could not satisfy fans' specific search request for primary ticket inventory, but to make sure there is no misunderstanding in the future, we also publicly state that we will never again link to TicketsNow in a manner that can possibly create any confusion during a high-demand on-sale. Specifically, we will not present an option to go to TicketsNow from Ticketmaster without the consent of the artist and the venue, both of whom work together to bring the joy of live entertainment to millions of fans.

If any fans inadvertently purchased tickets in the resale marketplace believing in error they were purchasing from the initial on-sale, we will refund the difference between the actual purchase price and the face price of the ticket. (Please don't abuse this good faith gesture – we did not give brokers any preferential access to tickets.)

We are committed to helping deliver the most transparent and best live entertainment experience to fans. We will do better going forward.

Sincerely,

FROM SCOPE.COM: Irving Azoff, CEO, Ticketmaster Entertainment
Bruce Springsteen is furious with Ticketmaster for redirecting fans trying to buy Springsteen tickets to their secondary ticketing site, TicketsNow, where ticket holders can resell and, at times, scalp their seats. The problem was that the redirect happened while face value tickets still remained. The Boss wrote a post on his Web site, BruceSpringsteen.net, lambasting the company saying, “We condemn this practice…Ticketmaster is there to ensure that we have a good, fair sale of our tickets.” He compared what they are doing to a “near monopoly” and ensured fans it won’t happen again. Ticketmaster responded by apologizing and explaining that they thought they were doing the right thing by giving fans more choices but “missed the mark.” The site assures they will never again link to TicketsNow and they’re offering to refund the difference between the purchase price and face value of any tickets bought “inadvertently” on TicketsNow.
Thanks, Stay Metal, Stay Brutal, FUCK and BOYCOTT TICKETMASTER- \m/ -l-

GWAR ANNOUNCE TOUR WITH CATTLE DECAPITATION AND PRIESTESS

Lots to post on the old extreme metal journal today. I heard about this tour last week. Regional venue THE CHANCE THEATER (Poughkeepsie, NY) announced or leaked a date and the tour package last week. BTW, it's GWAR, CATTLE DECAPITATION and PRIESTESS on this tour package as far as we at ITP know. :sarcasm: Wear your best clothing to GWAR shows, and enjoy the PC soothing sounds of GWAR and then wonder why your clothes are stained after the show, lmao.
FROM THE CHANCE THEATRE MYSPACE: May 6 2009 7:00P
GWAR with Priestess / Cattledecapitation $22/adv $25/dos
FROM SMNNEWS.COM. (These are not ALL of the confirmed dates, BTW): May 2 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Meadowlands Sports Complex
May 3 - Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
May 4 - Orono, ME @ 103 Ultra Lounge
May 5 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues Boston
May 7 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
May 8 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre
May 9 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
May 10 - Traverse City, MI @ The Termnal (formerly Streeters)
May 11 - Dekalb, IL @ Otto’s Niteclub
May 12 - East Peoria, IL @ East Peoria Event Center
May 14 - Springfield, MO @ Remmington’s Downtown
May 15 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/ In
May 16 - Jackson, MS @ Club Fire
May 17 - Knoxville, TN @ Valarium
May 19 - Fayetteville, NC @ Jesters Pub
May 20 - Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

TREY OF MORBID ANGEL RE: EXTREME METAL

I know Trey is a friend of mine on MYSPACE, I must have not checked my bulletins, because I think Trey is very interesting. Trey of Morbid Angel is one of the coolest and most mature people in the business btw. Is metal close minded? When any musical genre develops a sub culture, people feel a need to conform to that, however thinking outside the box, expressing opinions and ideas is exactly what extreme metal is in a nutshell. Trey Azagthoth is the a good example of individualist thought, the ideal of this journal, and the best ideals of extreme metal. Why be "sheeple" as a friend of mine explained, think for your self, have a bullshit filter in your head to discern between right and wrong and individual thought patterns of your own. As soon as metal heads become the sheep to the heard, we need to break more rules, and define our genre, and think outside the box. Brutal metal friends, Trey Azagthoth: Also from Blabbermouth.net:
Guitarist Trey Azagthoth (born George Emmanuel III) of Florida-based extreme metal legends MORBID ANGEL has posted the following message on his MySpace page:

"Is the metal scene closed-minded???? Well, is it????

"My purpose with this blog is that I have a desire to create some live performance concerts sometime in the future that include a set of MORBID ANGEL along with sets of the most extreme representitives of industrial, hardcore, terrorcore, jungle drum and bass etc DJs and groups. EXTREME MUSIC FOR EXTREME PEOPLE!!!! Right???

"Well, so it seems there are certain promoters and so-called 'authorities of the scene' who have some idea that such a gig won't work. Saying that metal people are narrow-minded and hate the various forms of hardcore DJ music for one reason or another. Is this true???

"People who know me know I am already a freaky freak artist and so then such an idea for crossing over such types of music is amazing. Exciting!!! As long as it's freakin' HARD-HITTING and SICK!!!!!!

"So... Why not, I ask.

"What is metal anyways???

"For me, 'metal' is for those who are bored with the constrictions and 'safe practices' of the mainsteam mentality, just like with any other socalled 'underground' scene or movement. Metal people wanna get mowed down by vicously sick melodies slamming over an arrangement of beats that twist the body and pull it in all directions. Freak them up. Metal, for me, is also about self-discovery. Not being sheep-like and playing 'follow the leader' but rather its about being free to express one's own ideas without the fear of ridicule. If there isn't any guts involved to challenge whatever is the current accepted patterns, then there isn't much in possibility for any new things to arise.

"What are metal lyrics even about if not about either breaking free from the dominion of some slavery-oppression, or the act of rejoicing in the pleasure of what people have passions about? Of course, there are also lyrics about fantasy and mindfuck as well too. !!!=RAWR=!!! ;)

"For me, it most certainly ISN'T about tribal-group mentality nor mainstream behavioral thinking. It's not about playing it safe either.

"What is the mentality of the mainstream??? Seems to me it's quite associated with sheepish behavoirs, placing value on 'fitting in and the approval of others' instead of the freedoms of self expression.

"What defines the term 'underground???' Isnt it when people place what they believe inside of themselves over what is supposedly supported in their exterior mainstream environment???

"What is the difference in fabricating a product and creating art????

"Where does 'trendy-ness' surface and what is it to be trendy?? Isn't it when people cannot find the source of certainties, direction and/or selfworth within themselves, especially as in those times when they are alone and not distracted, so therefore they need to base their certainties on how things reflect off of their external environment, including their peers?? Adjusting themselves to be considered favorable and to attract the approval of others outside of themselves???

"For some people in the world, the only thing 'real' is that which can be measured by the five mundane senses. For them, the inner workings are as some mysterious make believe which they sometimes play around with until any serious situation arises and then such things are placed back in the realm of 'make believe,' they, of course, fall back to earth and work from whichever foundation they find 'certainty' in, no??? Isn't this a formula based on the dependence of others, and if so, what does this have to do with the freedoms of such a thing as independence??? Where is the 'strength' in such a behavoir??? Is it just that maybe it's considered 'cool' and that's cool enough???

"OK, so the question is, do metal people only enjoy gigs with a metal-only billing??? Or do metal people also enjoy some crossover, as long as it's freakin' over-the-top EXTREME???? Does anyone even care??? Please chime in. I wanna hear from you."
Thanks-Trey, Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

MAYHEM, CATTLE DECAPITATION, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, MARDUK SPRING U.S. 2009 TOUR DATES UPDATED/NAPALM DEATH SPRING 2009 FULL TOUR DATES

Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM shall make a long overdue return to the USA in MAY of 2009, more dates have been leaked for their spring U.S. 2009 tour with MARDUK, CATTLE DECAPITATION and CEPHALIC CARNAGE. Georgia's WITHERED have also been added to this tour. Lighter not included on this tour and not to be imitated.
FROM SMNNEWS.COM: May 22 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar (Maryland Deathfest VII)*
May 27 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
May 30 - Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
June 4 - Portland OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
June 5 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
BLABBERMOUTH.NET. has reported on a MAYHEM feature in the latest issue of the U.K.'s TERRORIZER: MAYHEM's ATTILA CSIHAR Recalls 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' Recording - Feb. 5, 2009
The murder of MAYHEM guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth by Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes is a tale that's been told over and over since the tragic event in 1993. But now, as he prepares to release his original tape demo of the recording of "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", vocalist Attila Csihar remembers how he became part of the most infamous black metal band in the world, and how soon after recording his world was to almost fall apart.

Exclusively for U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, Attila bares his soul and remembers the highs and lows of recording what, for most, in an essential album, not just in black metal, but extreme music in general.

Excerpts from the interview, which appears in issue #180 of Terrorizer (on sale now), follow below.

"I was at home [after the recording of 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas'] and I was in contact with him [Euronymous] and also with Varg. We would call each other and that would be quite okay. It was once every two weeks we were talking by phone. We were talking about some tours we could do. I was in Hungary, but suddenly in the summer I lost both their contacts. I tried to call the guys but no one picked up the phone. I was thinking maybe people are on vacation and I didn't pay much attention. I think it was in the autumn when some of my friends told me, 'Hey, you have been friends with this band called MAYHEM from Norway?' and I told them, 'Yeah, we recorded something and we are hoping that it is going to be released soon,' and they said, 'Well, I just heard that the guitarist has been murdered.'

"I remember that first moment. I thought, 'You are an idiot, you don't know the fucking story, it's not the guitarist, but it's the ex-vocalist that died, this is bullshit,' and he said, 'No, I just read it in the Hungarian Metal Hammer, so check it yourself.'

"So I was thinking, 'What the fuck is going on?' I went down to the grocery store and picked up the Metal Hammer and there it was, a very small news item saying Euronymous was murdered by Varg Vikernes and I couldn't fucking believe my eyes.

"Snorre [Ruch, also implicated in the murder] was sending me some letters before he was in the band. He was supposed to be the new guitarist of MAYHEM. Actually, Euronymous was very proud to introduce me to him as the guy who was going to write the new songs. Euronymous said he was burnt out after the 'De Mysteriis…' recording and needed some fresh blood in the band. We became very good friends. In fact, everyone in the band was really cool to me and I was friends with everyone, even Hellhammer, although he was a bit more isolated, but the rest of the guys I was in a good contact with and when I heard this news I realized, 'Fuck, I couldn't reach anyone.'

"When you read it with your own eyes in a magazine like Metal Hammer, it does make some sense. So I got upset, you can imagine, and it turned out to be completely, utterly true, so was a bit of heavy information for me and I didn't know what to do or what to say, so actually it was very shocking for me.

"Of course, I was pissed off at Varg, but in a strange way he was a close friend of mine too, so it's something you can't really understand. I don't know the right word in English, but I couldn't understand exactly what was going on. I fell into some kind of depression for a while after this. And the next time I heard about MAYHEM was when Hellhammer called me maybe one year later. He was actually approaching me because Euronymous was supposed to release the TORMENTOR tape and Hellhammer had a copy and he was asking me if he could release it on his new label, Nocturnal Art, so we started to talk about that and at the same time he sent me a promo copy of the 'De Mysteriis…' album."

For more information, visit www.terrorizer.com.
U.K. grind legends NAPALM DEATH will be hitting the road this spring for a U.S. tour with KATAKLYSM, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, and TRAP THEM. FROM SMNNEWS.COM:
April 10 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
April 11 - New York, NY @ Blender Theater
April 12 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
April 13 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
April 14 - Cincinnati, OH @ The Mad Hatter
April 15 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
April 17 - Worcester, MA @ New England Metalcore Festival
April 18 - Wilmington, DE @ Harmony Grange Hall
April 19 - Virginia Beach, VA @ PBC
April 21 - Nashville, TN @ T.B.A.
April 22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
April 23 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
April 24 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 Tavern
April 25 - Tampa, FL @ Florida Deathfest
April 27 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
April 28 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
April 29 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
April 30 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
May 1 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Clubhouse
May 2 - San Diego, CA @ SOMA
May 3 - Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
May 4 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
May 5 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
May 6 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 7 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
May 8 - Calgary, AB @ Warehouse
May 9 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
May 10 - Regina, SK @ Riddell Hall
May 11 - Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Center
May 12 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
May 13 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
May 14 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theater
May 15 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
May 16 - Montreal, QC @ Foufounes
May 17 - Quebec City, QC @ Imperial

NAPALM DEATH and TRAP THEM will also be taking part in this year’s highly anticipated Maryland Deathfest, which will takes place from May 22nd to 24th at the Sonar in Baltimore, MD.
Grind legends BRUTAL TRUTH just may be hitting the road, or are rumored to playing a mid west date. BRUTAL TRUTH are recording their first release in ten years and shall be performing at the 2009 MARYLAND DEATH FEST and AUDITORY ASSAULT(NYC). FROM SMNNEWS.COM:

March 21 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door
Last but not least, Florida death metal legends MORBID ANGEL'S shall play a special "one off" show in Hollywood, California May 26th @The Key Club. This will be MORBID ANGEL only show in the U.S. for a while so do catch them.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

MORE EXTREME METAL FESTIVALS: MAYHEM IN MAY (KENTUCKY, USA) HOLE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL NORWAY

Yes, before you know it, the ground hog has turned metal and says, let there be spring, warm weather and thank the metal gods and goddesses for extreme brutal metal. More metal festivals for the spring and summer of 2009: Norways HOLE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL 8/26-29 (Bergen, Norway), and Kentucky's "MAYHEM IN MAY FESTIVAL" 5/30/09 @ The Bulldog Cafe
10619 West Manslick Road
Fairdale, Kentucky.

FROM HOLE IN THE SKY ORGANIZERS: VOIVOD, AURA NOIR and PORTRAIT are the first three confirmed bands for the Hole in the Sky festival (a.k.a. Bergen Metal Fest X), set to take place August 26-29, 2009 in Bergen, Norway.

Commented the festival organizers: "VOIVOD is coming to Bergen, how great is that? VOIVOD, the inventors of disharmonious psychedelic trash metal, have been an immense influence on the modern metal scene. The impact of their scary and catchy soundscapes on Norwegian extreme metal is often underrated in my eyes. Listen to 'Virus', listen to 'De Mysteriis...', to any era ENSLAVED or whatever — VOIVOD's there, lurking and rule-breaking."

AURA NOIR's Apollyon said in a statement: "AURA NOIR's third performance at the Hole In The Sky will be a very special one, both for the band and the audience. Aggressor will be ringside for the first time in his life, whilst Jehmod (BLOODTHORN) is filing in on drums. This will also be the second time we're playing with VOIVOD. Last time we were an annoying local support in Oslo, 1997. But the band still found it worthwhile to watch our set. AURA NOIR are huge fans of VOIVOD, there's extremely little doubt about that. I'm counting on Hole In The Sky presenting another year with a knock-out program, crushing most other indoor festivals out there. Wir freuen uns!"For more information, visit www.holeinthesky.no.
FROM MAYHEM IN MAY FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS: 2009 Line-Up:
ANAL BLAST(MN)
SIKFUK(MN)
ATROCIOUS ABNORMALITY(NC)
IMMACULATE MOLESTATION(KY)
LEGION(IN)
CREATED TO KILL(KY)
ABOMINANT(KY)
PREDOMINANT MORTIFICATION (TX)
ROTTED REBIRTH(IN)
AEONS OF ECLIPSE(KY)
SKEW(TN)
GUTSTUMP(MN)
COATHANGER ABORTION(TN)
BLOOD TRIBE(IN)
ENTROPY(KY)
PIG VOMIT(KY)
DEATH BY QUARTER(IL)



Join The Mayhem In May Group:
MAYHEM IN MAY MYSPACE GROUP


2009 Vendors:
BLOODLETTER RECORDS
COMATOSE MUSIC
DARK HARVEST RECORDS
GRIND ON!! WEBZINE
RIOTOUS RECORDS




The Bulldog Cafe
10619 West Manslick Road
Fairdale, Kentucky

ALL AGES!!!
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

LAST ISSUE FOR METAL MANIACS!?

This unconfirmed news may be the sign of the times as this is an upgrade in technology. As a former journalism major back in the 90's, little did we know that print media may be obsolete in less than 20 years with electronic and internet technology replacing print media. This is becoming very apparent now in this new century. Think of how happy the tree hugging hippies are, we're recycling and saving trees via paper, lol. Keep in mind, that print media will be almost obsolete with the popularity of electronic and internet media, and I do think that METAL MANIACS will expand their web zine format, so don't worry, METAL MANIACS will stay metal and brutal.
However, I've very much enjoyed METAL MANIACS over the years with their awesome staff of writers. Where else can a metal writer get away with spelling lead growler as vokalist. The 90's were METAL MANIACS peak years, breaking the 90's second wave of black metal, Gothenburgh (Sweden), Florida, New York and Scandinavian extreme metal scenes. Glen Benton's (DEICIDE) infamous interviews with METAL MANIACS and umm, lots of drama there, lmao. The pen pal, and letters section, there is something, still to be said for reading a magazine in print, and that is not to be taken for granted.
What would the extreme metal scene do without METAL MANIACS? I wanted an internship too, damn.
The UK's TERRORIZER and Canada's UNRESTRAINED break KULT bands into global metal consciousness, so do read those zines as well.

FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Several writers for Metal Maniacs magazine have reported receiving word yesterday (Tuesday, February 3) that both Metal Maniacs and its sister publication Metal Edge have shut their doors effective immediately, with one more issue of each title still set to come out. It should be noted, however, that the two magazines' publisher, Zenbu Media, has not yet officially corroborated this information.

Metal Edge and Metal Maniacs, two of the leading heavy metal magazines in the U.S., have been publishing for 24 years and 19 years, respectively. The two publications were acquired by Zenbu Media in February 2007.

Covering bands across the hard rock spectrum — from classic metal to thrash to punk — Metal Edge is considered a leading voice in the mainstream metal media. In existence since 1985, Metal Edge was published twelve times a year — providing in-depth coverage of current musical acts, including band profiles, news of the latest releases and coverage of the biggest tours.

Metal Maniacs has given exposure to the best underground metal bands. Scouring the globe for the greatest unheard-of artists, Metal Maniacs has, for nearly 20 years, provided one of the few outlets for these acts and a way for fans to unearth the greatest unheralded hard rock outfits.

Based in New York City, Zenbu Media is a music-oriented multi-pronged media company that specializes in print, digital, events and recordings.

Thanks, STAY METAL, STAY BRUTAL and THANK YOU METAL MANIACS- \m/ -l-

ALEX AUBURN QUITS CRYPTOPSY

Well, this news is NO surprise, CRYPTOPSY are just NOT the same band anymore. Longtime CRYPTOPSY axeman ALEX AUBURN has quit the legendary Canadian death/grind band, and we bid him farewell.
BTW, although 2005's ONCE WAS NOT had it's great moments, CRYPTOPSY died when Jon Levasseur (guitarist) left in 2004. Lord Worm's 2007's departure cemented the end of a great era for these Canadian death/grind legends. CRYPTOPSY's latest slab of hate "The Unspoken King" was a regressive departure into melodic hardcore territory for for the sake of experimentation, betraying the bands death and grind roots.
Minus three for CRYPTOPSY, Jon Levasseur, Lord Worm, and now ALEX AUBURN..Best of luck to ALEX stay METAL dude.
FROM SMNNEWS.COM: Guitarist Alex Auburn has announced his departure from the Canadian death metal act CRYPTOPSY. "There are many reasons why I must leave the band, and this has been going on for a while now, so I am quitting," Alex said in a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "The band and I believe it is better for me to go, so I am moving forward."

He continued, "I want to thank the guys in CRYPTOPSY for an adventurous and crazy 10 years. It's been a great ride. I will, especially, miss the fans a great deal and I want to thank all of you for your awesome support throughout those years.

"Right now I need to take a break for a few months to reflect on my life and my future in music.

"As far as music goes, I might start my own band next summer, but I don't know yet. In the meantime, I am open to good offers and to join other forces."
Also, in grind news, Killadelphia, PA's RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER will head out on the road for an east coast U.S.A. tour in a few days, so be ready for the brutality. FROM RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER on MYSPACE:
Philadelphia thrashers RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have announced a handful of tour dates for February, including a hometown record release show, in support of their new album Living For Death, Destroying The Rest.
These dates will also include a free in-store as well as appearances at the Love Sux Fest and March Metal Massacre. A listing of confirmed tour dates and cities can be found below with more to be announced soon.



RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have recently posted a one-minute video clip previewing Living For Death, Destroying The Rest online now at this location.
The band has also posted two tracks from the album, "Nothing Defeats The Skull" and "Brainwasher c.
1655", on the band's official MySpace page: MySpace. com/RumpelstiltskinGrinder.
Living For Death, Destroying The Rest was released January 20th in North America (January 26th internationally) and is available to order now.



Additionally, Sirius / XM Satellite Radio channel Liquid Metal has recently added RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER's "Nothing Defeats The Skull" to their playlist.
The song can be requested here.



RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER Tour Dates:




Feb 4 2009
9:00P

Johnny Brendas CD RELEASE SHOW
Philly, Pennsylvania

Feb 7 2009
6:00P

Love sux Fest
Hamburg, Pennsylvania

Feb 16 2009
6:30P

Young One's Records (in store) FREE!!
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Feb 19 2009
7:00P

Talking Head
Baltimore, Maryland

Feb 20 2009
8:00P

Dragonfly
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Feb 21 2009
8:00P

The Half Shell
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Feb 27 2009
8:00P

The Railroad
Limerick, Pennsylvania

Mar 13 2009
8:00P

The Sterling "March Metal Massacre"
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Mar 15 2009
12:00P

VA Deathfest
Norfolk Masonic Temple, Virginia

Mar 21 2009
8:00P

Chaplin's
Spring City, Pennsylvania
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

AUDITORY ASSAULT FESTIVAL VENUE ANNOUNCED

That's Crooklyn, otherwise known as Brooklyn, for you brutal metal heads going to the Auditory Assault Festival in NYC in May. BTW, WPDH morning show got punked by ITP'S author this morning, sleep is not my forte.
FROM SMNNEWS.COM. The organizers of the annual Maryland Deathfest have revealed that their Auditory Assault Festival will take place on May 16th and 17th at Club Europa in Brooklyn, NY. Initial bands announced for the festival are as follows:

BRUTAL TRUTH (New York)
GADGET (Sweden)
MISERY INDEX (Maryland)
SAYYADINA (Sweden)
PIGSTY (Czech Republic)
TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION (Pennsylvania)
CROWPATH (Sweden)
ENTRAILS MASSACRE (Germany)
JIG-AI (Czech Republic)
KILL THE CLIENT (Texas)
DEFEATIST (New York)
MARUTA (Florida)
COPREMESIS (New York)
Also, U.K. grind legends NAPALM DEATH have announced a few more dates on their spring 2009 U.S. tour. FROM SMNNEWS.COM: More dates have been revealed for NAPALM DEATH’s upcoming tour featuring KATAKLYSM, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, and TRAP THEM:

April 11 - New York, NY @ Blender Theater
April 17 - Worcester, MA @ New England Metalcore Festival
April 24 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 Tavern
May 3 - Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
May 6 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

You can find more information over at the festival’s MySpace and last.fm pages.
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-