METAL NEWS

You're welcome, Sledge. I have high hopes for this band. Praying that they come out with the album asap. do they even have a name for this new band!? :lol: regardless, this news has made my day. i know they won't let me down. :D

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not but I just read about this over on another forum. Apologies if it's old news. Coming August 5th..

Disc: 1 1. 44 Caliber Brain Surgery 2. Neandertha 3. Gelid Remains 4. Crippling Velocity 5. Infectious Hospital Waste 6. Hydrophobia 7. Paracidal Epitaph 8. Mercenary Aggression 9. Cataclysm 10. Skull Fracturing Nightmare 11. Human Dissection 12. Pyroclastic Annihilation 13. Envenomed 14. Carnivorous Obsession 15. Orgy of Destruction 16. Epidemic of Violence 17. Omnivore 18. Aborticide Disc: 2 1. Intro 2. Under the Table 3. Power Struggle 4. Mindrot 5. Bread and Water 6. Missing: 5/7/89 7. Waste 8. Unidentified 9. Blowtorch 10. Mongoloid 11. Time Bomb 12. Waste (Pre-Production Demo) 13. Bread and Water (Pre-Production Demo)

CYNIC: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed - July 25, 2008 Reunited progressive metallers CYNIC — whose 1993 album "Focus" is regarded as a landmark release in the field of technical/progressive metal — have set "Traced In Air" as the title of their new album, due on October 27 via Season of Mist Records. Returning from the "Focus" era for the new eight-song, 35-minute effort are are founding members Paul Masvidal (guitars/clean vocals) and Sean Reinert (drums) along with Sean Malone (bass), and joining the band in the studio is newcomer Tymon Kruidenier (guitars/growls). The band recorded the effort at a California studio with producer Warren Riker (DOWN, SANTANA). A two-and-a-half-minute trailer for "Traced In Air" can be viewed below. CYNIC is about to kick off its first live dates in Europe, to be followed in November/December by a direct support slot on the OPETH European trek. The band has also been announced as the headliner for this year's ProgPower Europe festival, and will be playing a special extended set at the show. Guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal previously stated about the new CD: "We've been on an amazing journey discovering this new music and soon it will be yours. Expect the unexpected. The album is an intensely concentrated mosaic of internal and external energies, from the deepest peace to the purest aggression. There's an acquired taste that comes with a record of this density, but once your ears wrap themselves around the language at work, everything falls into place and suddenly you'll feel a sudden urge to sing, scream or maybe even cry. The album has a beginning, middle and end. The story will reveal itself after numerous listens and then you may not want to let go. Besides Reinert and I, Tymon brought some new life force and magic to the record with fierce growling and poetic guitar sensibilities. Malone also did a fine job with the low end, grooving away with Reinert in a pocket land from hell! "For the live department, due to Malone's other commitments, we're pleased to welcome Robin Zielhorst into the fold on bass along with Tymon growling and ripping it up on another glorious Steinberger! Robin's a phenomenal Dutch talent pulled from Tymon's brain into the madness of CYNIC's musical melange. The band is now a fiery breathing entity, full of magic dust, ready to appear at your doorstep this summer. Please join us at an upcoming concert." Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RABGosx0Mqc 2008 is turning out to be a great year! This is awesome news!!

Lair of the Minotaur: War Battle Master DVD
Poster for upcoming WAR METAL BATTLE MASTER dvd release, coming this fall on Southern Lord. Featuring bad ass art from Orion Landau.

I'd kill for this poster.

KREATOR Begins Recording New Album - July 28, 2008 Veteran German thrashers KREATOR entered the Titonus studios in Berlin on July 20 to begin recording the highly anticipated follow-up to its 2005 release "Enemy of God". Commented KREATOR mainman Mille Petrozza: "We've finished recording basic tracks for nine songs, one more to go. This album is a new experience for both band and producer ." Added Schneider: "KREATOR is the loudest and fas-*test*-('") band I've ever recorded. We're reaching new levels of intensity with this album. As you can see on the picture , I'm in the line of fire and the recording is very physical. We've managed to capture the true spirit of the band by recording all the basic music live in one room. Except for the vocals, the guitar solos and some melodies there will be no overdubs on this album. It's the most organic KREATOR record ever so far. But don't worry: the songs will be thrash metal brutality in its purest form!" The album, which will be mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT) in London, will be released in January 2009, followed by an extensive world tour. KREATOR recently issued the "At The Pulse Of Kapitulation - Live In East Berlin 1990" DVD featuring the previously released "Live in East Berlin" and "Hallucinative Comas", both re-edited and previously only available on VHS video cassette.

Former THE CROWN Guitarist On New Project: Don't Call It A Reunion - July 29, 2008 Four former members of the now-defunct Swedish death/thrash act THE CROWN have reunited in a brand new project which is currently working on its debut album. Magnus Olsfelt (bass), Marko Tervonen (guitar), Marcus Sunesson (lead guitar) and Janne Saarenpää (drums) have joined forces with an as-yet-undisclosed singer and are recording a collection of tunes which are being described as "pure death/thrash metal." Commented Tervonen in a statement: "Well, this can't really be considered a THE CROWN reunion, because Johan is not singing with us. But it is true that we are working on a death/thrash metal album. We just have guitar solos and vocals left to record. A total of 11 songs are being laid down — and they sound as you would expect from THE CROWN: like a mixture of 'Deathrace King' <2000> and 'Possessed 13' <2003> plus a few new ideas. As far as the singer is concerned, we will announce his identity soon — as well as the name of the band."

Goddamn, I can't WAIT!

Former THE CROWN Members Announce Singer, Band Name - Aug. 1, 2008 Vocalist Andreas "Whiplasher Bernadotte" Bergh of the Swedish industrial goth metal band DEATHSTARS has joined the new band formed by four former members of the now-defunct Swedish death/thrash act THE CROWN. The new group, dubbed DOBERMANN, is currently recording a collection of tunes which are being described as "pure death/thrash metal." "I'm totally hyped about finally writing songs with this act of 666% nitroglycerin," stated Bergh, who was previously in the Swedish death metal band SWORDMASTER. "DOBERMANN is just genius." DOBERMANN is: Magnus Olsfelt (THE CROWN) - Bass Marko Tervonen (THE CROWN, ANGEL BLAKE) - Guitar Marcus Sunesson (THE CROWN) - Lead Guitar Janne Saarenpää (THE CROWN) - Drums Andreas Bergh (DEATHSTARS, SWORDMASTER) – Vocals Tervonen told BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "Not many people noticed when THE CROWN released the 'Possessed 13' album that Andreas actually wrote the lyrics to the song 'Deliverance'. Also 2002 when THE CROWN was without a singer Andreas was supposed to fill in for a U.S. tour (featuring KREATOR and DESTRUCTION) with us, but logistics got in the way so we cancelled the tour. So he's definitely not a stranger to us."

Wow... totally unexpected choice. I really, really dislike Deathstars (from what I remember of them), but hopefully he'll fit in with the rest of the crew. Unfortunately, I really dislike the name "Dobermann" as well. Wasn't a fan when Dark Tranquillity used it as a song title, and I'm still not fond of it. :( Either way, the music is what I'm really interested in, and I'm certainly ready to go into that with an open mind. :D Thanks for all the updates, Peter!

You're welcome, Sledge :)

I'm sure the following news will make DrThrash High :lol: SSS: New Album Title Revealed - Aug. 8, 2008 British crossover thrashers SSS have set "The Dividing Line" as the title of their new album, due on September 29 in Europe and November 11 in the U.S. via Earache Records. The limited-edition first pressing of "The Dividing Line" comes with a free "SK8+Destroy" 7" picture disc featuring bonus tracks not included on the album. This exclusive freebie will also feature a very special and rather amusing guest appearance from English comedian and musician Frank Sidebottom. SSS comments on working with Sidebottom: "SSS is stoked to have Frank Sidebottom guesting on our 'Sk8+Destroy' picture disc. His cult status is legendary. For him to get the motor train up to Liverpool with a permission slip from his mum and lay down some killer keyboard riffage is beyond a dream come true. We have been long-standing fans of Frank's for many, many years. Frank has his own style and that's something we admire. Frank is a true genius. IRON MAIDEN have Eddie... ANTHRAX have Judge Dredd... We don't have Frank but it's as close as we're going to get!"

BENEATH THE MASSACRE: New Album Artwork Unveiled - Aug. 14, 2008 Montreal's death metal quartet BENEATH THE MASSACRE has unveiled the artwork for its forthcoming album, "Dystopia", due on October 28 through Prosthetic Records. "After months of hard work in the studio, we finally have the master version of our new album," says frontman Elliot Desgagnés. "We are all very stoked by the new album as we feel that this is the best release we've ever done and we're impatient to share our songs with our fans." Recorded again with St-Amand (DESPISED ICON, ION DISSONANCE, NEURAXIS) and featuring artwork from Felix Rancourt, "Dystopia" is the follow-up to 2007's "Mechanics of Dysfunction", which was supported by tours with NECROPHAGIST, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD and ION DISSONANCE. The band also took part in 2007's inaugural Summer Slaughter tour and last year's Radio Rebellion Tour alongside BEHEMOTH, JOB FOR A COWBOY, and GOJIRA, among others. The band is preparing to hit the road in support of "Dystopia". "We're now ready to hit back the road starting with Canadian Summer Slaughter," Desgagnés states. "We'll then be on tour in the U.S. with NECROPHAGIST and back again in the U.S. with SUICIDE SILENCE and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and we cannot wait to both play the new songs live and come back to the United States after a long time staying in Canada."

ENSLAVED Members Comment On 'Vertebrae' Artwork, WACKEN Listening Session - Aug. 14, 2008 The Norwegian masters of progressive/experimental metal ENSLAVED have revealed the first glimpse of the artwork for their forthcoming masterpiece "Vertebrae" which will be released September 29 via Indie Recordings. Painter Truls Espedal comments on the artwork: "Back in 2001, one of those nights with loads of beer and metal, I was introduced to Grutle. After a short conversation and a handshake, I was officially working together with ENSLAVED, and was given the privilege to do the front and back cover for the album 'Monumension'. Not long after, Grutle and I sat down and talked about ideas and it was decided which elements that had to be included. During the next five years, with three more releases, this became sort of tradition. Hooking up with Grutle and Ivar for one night, talking about ideas and them deciding which elements that had to be included. Working with ENSLAVED just felt natural; the band giving me tons of artistic freedom, with no one breathing down my neck in the process — all of us having the same idea about how the artwork should fit and reflect the music, and to create a recognizable visual style from one album to the next. "Now, with the release of 'Vertebrae', ENSLAVED have created their best album to date, in my humble opinion. It is a timeless, dark and progressive album which flows perfectly, with enough contrast to never lose the listeners attention. So with such a brilliant record from ENSLAVED, I had to step it up a notch regarding the artwork. This time around I was also given the chance to do more than just the front and back cover. And with the decision to release a digipack, jewel-case and vinyl, I was able to do different ideas and also make a much more coherent work all in all. The elements I had to work with for this release were one particular Norse symbol, vertebras and veins/arteries. And in the digipack and vinyl I was also to include a skull. Interesting considering that in all my paintings I mainly work with the human body, and also because these elements might be considered a cliché. Now I had to strip everything to the bone, literally, as well as trying to take a cliché in new and interesting directions. "I started taking everything apart, piecing the elements back together in new ways, creating something symbolic and almost surreal. Everything painted to give the feel of something soulful and to a certain extent timeless, and using sharp contrasts in dark/light and colour. All this to get a cover with atmosphere and 'punch'; a cover that would fit and reflect ENSLAVED's music. Dark, epic and brutal, yet beautiful!" Grutle from ENSLAVED comments on the artwork: "The 'Vertebrae' cover artwork ultimately visualizes the lyrical concept of this album. You have the Vertebrae in the centre of the picture symbolizing the humanity's potential strength, and at the same time it is stripped and thus also fragile. The veins that makes the rune-shape makes the connection between the mind and the flesh. "The actual composition of the artwork is a continuation of our cooperation with the wonderful and talented artist Truls Espedal. We once again managed to get a thousand ideas visualized in one brilliant piece. This time we have also added some colour to the usual bleakness, making it both more beautiful and dangerous!" "Vertebrae" was recorded during the first months of 2008 — then mixed by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) and mastered by the legendary George Marino in Sterling Sound. Produced by Ivar Bjørnson, Herbrand Larsen and Grutle Kjellson, "Vertebrae" is "one of the strongest albums to emerge from the extreme metal scene," according to a press release. "The sound, songs and atmosphere mark a great leap for the band and genre as a whole." The album will be supported by extensive touring starting with the the "Vertebrae European Tour" in November/December 2008 also featuring STONEGARD and KRAKOW. ENSLAVED held a listening session for "Vertebrae" at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place July 31 - August 2 in Wacken, Germany. Commented Ivar: "What a weekend; premiering the new album 'Vertebrae' during the world's largest metal event, Wacken! This was the first time we took the album out into the world since it was finished back in May. With a mix of pride and curiosity we got to meet the metal press face-to-face and experience their initial reactions to the album. Let us just say that our expectations where outdone by the response — during the interviews, the press conference and during the hard hours of partying. "We opened the ball Thursday night in Metal Hammer's party on the W.E.T. stage. Two songs were blasted on the P.A.; with members of the Hammer desk banging like their lives depended on it in front of a crowd going ballistic. A pure and beautiful metal moment! The next day were filled with interviews and a press conference in the Wacken VIP area, where four songs were played to the press and members of the metal community, followed by a Q&A session — thanks to everybody present for making that a very entertaining and memorable session! "In short — if the Wacken presentation of 'Vertebrae' is any indication of where the album is going, and we are convinced it is; the future is indeed very bright. Being able to present our work in that environment of metal, integrity, dedication and enthusiasm has given us the injection of energy we need to go out and lay waste the world with this new album. A great, fat 'thank you' everybody involved directly, indirectly, accidently and perhaps even involuntarily in this event. Who fears growing old with memories like these?"

BENEATH THE MASSACRE: New Album Artwork Unveiled - Aug. 14, 2008 Montreal's death metal quartet BENEATH THE MASSACRE has unveiled the artwork for its forthcoming album, "Dystopia", due on October 28 through Prosthetic Records. "After months of hard work in the studio, we finally have the master version of our new album," says frontman Elliot Desgagnés. "We are all very stoked by the new album as we feel that this is the best release we've ever done and we're impatient to share our songs with our fans." Recorded again with St-Amand (DESPISED ICON, ION DISSONANCE, NEURAXIS) and featuring artwork from Felix Rancourt, "Dystopia" is the follow-up to 2007's "Mechanics of Dysfunction", which was supported by tours with NECROPHAGIST, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD and ION DISSONANCE. The band also took part in 2007's inaugural Summer Slaughter tour and last year's Radio Rebellion Tour alongside BEHEMOTH, JOB FOR A COWBOY, and GOJIRA, among others. The band is preparing to hit the road in support of "Dystopia". "We're now ready to hit back the road starting with Canadian Summer Slaughter," Desgagnés states. "We'll then be on tour in the U.S. with NECROPHAGIST and back again in the U.S. with SUICIDE SILENCE and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and we cannot wait to both play the new songs live and come back to the United States after a long time staying in Canada." Awesome artwork!! I can't wait to hear this album!

ENSLAVED Members Comment On 'Vertebrae' Artwork, WACKEN Listening Session - Aug. 14, 2008 The Norwegian masters of progressive/experimental metal ENSLAVED have revealed the first glimpse of the artwork for their forthcoming masterpiece "Vertebrae" which will be released September 29 via Indie Recordings. Painter Truls Espedal comments on the artwork: "Back in 2001, one of those nights with loads of beer and metal, I was introduced to Grutle. After a short conversation and a handshake, I was officially working together with ENSLAVED, and was given the privilege to do the front and back cover for the album 'Monumension'. Not long after, Grutle and I sat down and talked about ideas and it was decided which elements that had to be included. During the next five years, with three more releases, this became sort of tradition. Hooking up with Grutle and Ivar for one night, talking about ideas and them deciding which elements that had to be included. Working with ENSLAVED just felt natural; the band giving me tons of artistic freedom, with no one breathing down my neck in the process — all of us having the same idea about how the artwork should fit and reflect the music, and to create a recognizable visual style from one album to the next. "Now, with the release of 'Vertebrae', ENSLAVED have created their best album to date, in my humble opinion. It is a timeless, dark and progressive album which flows perfectly, with enough contrast to never lose the listeners attention. So with such a brilliant record from ENSLAVED, I had to step it up a notch regarding the artwork. This time around I was also given the chance to do more than just the front and back cover. And with the decision to release a digipack, jewel-case and vinyl, I was able to do different ideas and also make a much more coherent work all in all. The elements I had to work with for this release were one particular Norse symbol, vertebras and veins/arteries. And in the digipack and vinyl I was also to include a skull. Interesting considering that in all my paintings I mainly work with the human body, and also because these elements might be considered a cliché. Now I had to strip everything to the bone, literally, as well as trying to take a cliché in new and interesting directions. "I started taking everything apart, piecing the elements back together in new ways, creating something symbolic and almost surreal. Everything painted to give the feel of something soulful and to a certain extent timeless, and using sharp contrasts in dark/light and colour. All this to get a cover with atmosphere and 'punch'; a cover that would fit and reflect ENSLAVED's music. Dark, epic and brutal, yet beautiful!" Grutle from ENSLAVED comments on the artwork: "The 'Vertebrae' cover artwork ultimately visualizes the lyrical concept of this album. You have the Vertebrae in the centre of the picture symbolizing the humanity's potential strength, and at the same time it is stripped and thus also fragile. The veins that makes the rune-shape makes the connection between the mind and the flesh. "The actual composition of the artwork is a continuation of our cooperation with the wonderful and talented artist Truls Espedal. We once again managed to get a thousand ideas visualized in one brilliant piece. This time we have also added some colour to the usual bleakness, making it both more beautiful and dangerous!" "Vertebrae" was recorded during the first months of 2008 — then mixed by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) and mastered by the legendary George Marino in Sterling Sound. Produced by Ivar Bjørnson, Herbrand Larsen and Grutle Kjellson, "Vertebrae" is "one of the strongest albums to emerge from the extreme metal scene," according to a press release. "The sound, songs and atmosphere mark a great leap for the band and genre as a whole." The album will be supported by extensive touring starting with the the "Vertebrae European Tour" in November/December 2008 also featuring STONEGARD and KRAKOW. ENSLAVED held a listening session for "Vertebrae" at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place July 31 - August 2 in Wacken, Germany. Commented Ivar: "What a weekend; premiering the new album 'Vertebrae' during the world's largest metal event, Wacken! This was the first time we took the album out into the world since it was finished back in May. With a mix of pride and curiosity we got to meet the metal press face-to-face and experience their initial reactions to the album. Let us just say that our expectations where outdone by the response — during the interviews, the press conference and during the hard hours of partying. "We opened the ball Thursday night in Metal Hammer's party on the W.E.T. stage. Two songs were blasted on the P.A.; with members of the Hammer desk banging like their lives depended on it in front of a crowd going ballistic. A pure and beautiful metal moment! The next day were filled with interviews and a press conference in the Wacken VIP area, where four songs were played to the press and members of the metal community, followed by a Q&A session — thanks to everybody present for making that a very entertaining and memorable session! "In short — if the Wacken presentation of 'Vertebrae' is any indication of where the album is going, and we are convinced it is; the future is indeed very bright. Being able to present our work in that environment of metal, integrity, dedication and enthusiasm has given us the injection of energy we need to go out and lay waste the world with this new album. A great, fat 'thank you' everybody involved directly, indirectly, accidently and perhaps even involuntarily in this event. Who fears growing old with memories like these?"

Thank you for posting this Peter! Very interesting to read the meaning behind this artwork and how it was created! Imo bands/artists should do this more often! I'll also be checking this one out, for sure :)!

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