"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987", the double-disc set which is the first official release from Niji Entertainment Group, the label formed by the late Ronnie James Dio and his wife/manager Wendy Dio, is about to get a glorious vinyl makeover. On February 15, 2011, the album will be issued as a double-vinyl set with deluxe gatefold packaging, and on 180-gram vinyl — the first-ever DIO album to be released in this high-quality vinyl format.
"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" sold 5,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 98 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987"'s first disc was recorded at the first-ever U.K. performance by Dio's solo group, while on tour supporting their classic debut, "Holy Diver". And the setlist does a superb job reflecting DIO's debut (featuring such classics as "Rainbow in the Dark", "Stand Up And Shout", etc.), as well as classics from both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH ("Man on the Silver Mountain", "Heaven and Hell", etc.) — resulting in a thoroughretrospective of Dio's career, from RAINBOW to BLACK SABBATH to solo hits.
The second disc of "Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" features guitarist Craig Goldy's debut — recorded in 1987, in support of the "Dream Evil" album, and contains highlights from Dio's career.
The first disc represents "a new, young band coming out of the box," Wendy tells RollingStone.com, "and then the [second disc] is a more seasoned band."
The set was released as a deluxe digipak including a booklet filled with rare photographs and liner notes, and original replica all-access laminates from both shows.
Ronnie was the executive producer on the Donington project, and was very much looking forward to the release.
"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" track listing:
CD 1: 1983
01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Straight Through The Heart
03. Children Of The Sea
04. Rainbow In The Dark
05. Holy Diver
06. Drum Solo
07. Stargazer
08. Guitar Solo
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)
CD 2: 1987
01. Dream Evil
02. Neon Knights
03. Naked In The Rain
04. Rock And Roll Children
05. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
06. The Last In Line
07. Children Of The Sea
08. Holy Diver
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away
12. The Last In Line (Reprise)
13. Rainbow In The Dark
MOTÖRHEAD's new album, "The Wörld Is Yours", will be released in North America on February 8, 2011. The CD, is being packaged in the U.K. with Classic Rock Presents Motörhead fan pack, which will hit newsstands across the country on December 14. This is a 132-page magazine featuring not only brand new interviews with the band alongside a complete career overview, but also the entire album on CD. Following this four-week exclusive period, "The Wörld Is Yours" will be released in the U.K. on January 17 in a standard CD format and available to buy in all usual retailers at the price of a regular CD.
METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX will headline the first night of next year's U.K. installment of the Sonisphere festival, which will take place July 8-10, 2011. Saturday night headliner will be BIFFY CLYRO and Sunday's festival closer is SLIPKNOT.
Commented METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich: "As soon as the 'Big Four' gigs started rolling across Sonisphere festivals in Eastern Europe last summer, we all felt we were part of something special. The vibe within the bands was more than anyone had anticipated and the vibe with the fans was so next level, it completely blew our minds . . . there was no way this should not happen again!!! So I am beyond psyched that the first 'Big Four' show in Western Europe will take place on the hallowed grounds of Knebworth, where so many unique and special gigs have happened over the years."
Last summer saw the live debut of the "Big Four" — as this collective of thrash legends are commonly known — marking what was possibly the most significant event in the history of metal. Fans all over Europe could barely contain their excitement, as over 500,000 metalheads bore witness to the show they thought they'd never see.
The "Big Four" fever did not stop at Europe, as fans the world over eagerly anticipated the possibility of seeing the historical show for themselves in their own countries. Such was the demand that a live cinecast of the Bulgarian show saw over 130,000 people turn out to local cinemas, with reports of mosh pits breaking out in movie theatres across the globe. The recently released DVD of the event, which features all four bands collaborating on a cover of DIAMOND HEAD's "Am I Evil?" as well as their individual sets, has only added fuel to the "Big Four" fire, with a frenzied demand for more performances in the countries not fortunate enough to play host last summer.
"There is simply no better venue for a European round two of the 'Big Four'!!" METALLICA's Lars Ulrich says. "Put your dancing shoes on, this is gonna be fun!"
"Always excited to do 'Big Four' shows," says SLAYER's Kerry King. "Now England is in line to be devastated by this heavy metal powerhouse! Can't fucking wait!!!"
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine states: "The 'Big Four' concerts are the most important, most exciting event to happen in the history of live concerts in our genre, and perhaps the entire music industry. I am glad to be a part of this enormous celebration of thrash, speed, and good ole heavy metal!"
"Oh, yeah!!!" proclaims ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. "Here we come, England! The 'Big Four', BABY! Can't wait to get metal thrashing mad for you thrashers!"
ANTHRAX bandmate, guitarist Scott Ian, concurs: "Merry early Xmas present for us... more 'Big Four' shows!!! The shows we did together with our brothers in METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH were not only the high point of 2010, but also some of the best shows ANTHRAX have ever played. Getting to share this with our friends in the U.K. will be amazing."
Prosthetic Records will re-release TESTAMENT's out-of-print 1995 hometown-show album "Live At The Fillmore" on CD on January 18, 2011. The LP was reissued digitally last spring.
The "Live At The Fillmore" re-release includes expanded artwork and new layout by Carson Slovak and new liner notes by Robert Deutsch.
In 2011, Eagle Rock revisits the library of Long Island's loudest band. Get ready to rock with the re-issues of TWISTED SISTER's "Club Daze, Vol. 1 - The Studio Sessions" and "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll", which hits stores January 25. [MSRP $13.98]
Hot on the heels of the recently released "Live in Wacken - The Reunion" DVD/CD (released October 2010), these two albums are epitaphs of the band's early days. "Club Daze, Vol. 1" compiles recordings from 1972-1982, when TWISTED SISTER was a young, hungry pack of hard rockers doing time in clubs around New York City and Long Island. It was during these first ten years that they started brewing up a buzz, refining their stage act, and setting new records in fan attendance in over 50 clubs. "Club Daze", originally released by Spitfire Records in 1999, captures a moment in time when TS laid the foundation that would lead them to become one of the world's most intense metal bands.
The long-overdue remaster for "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll" (originally released via Atlantic in 1983 and later re-issued by Spitfire in 1999) brings out the punch that wasn't on the original CD versions. Finally presented in an aural setting not available when first mastered for CD, fans will finally be able to hear songs such as the hit "I Am (I'm Me)", "The Kids Are Back" and "Like A Knife In The Back" with the same sonic intensity as the band intended for the world to hear.
Look for reissues of TWISTED SISTER's "Come Out And Play" and "Love Is For Suckers" to be released later in the year.
"Club Daze, Vol. 1 - The Studio Sessions" reissue track listing:
01. Come Back
02. Pay The Price
03. Rock N Roll Saviors
04. High Steppin'
05. Big Gun
06. T.V. Wife
07. Can't Stand Still
08. Follow Me
09. I'll Never Grow Up, Now!
10. Lady's Boy
11. Leader Of The Pack
12. Under The Blade
13. Shoot 'Em Down
"You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll" reissue track listing:
01. The Kids Are Back
02. Like A Knife In The Back
03. Ride To Live, Live To Ride
04. I Am (I'm Me)
05. The Power And The Glory
06. We're Gonna Make It
07. I've Had Enough
08. I'll Take You Alive
09. You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)
10. You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
11. One Man Woman (bonus track)
12. Four Barrel Heart Of Love (bonus track)
13. Feel The Power (bonus track)
Prosthetic previously reissued four TESTAMENT efforts: the acclaimed late-'90s studio albums "Demonic" and "The Gathering"; the re-recordings compilation "First Strike Still Deadly"; and the vintage live album "Live At Eindhoven '87".
TESTAMENT recently wrapped up the "American Carnage" tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH and is currently writing material for the follow-up to 2008's "The Formation Of Damnation".
"The new album will most likely be a culmination of 'The Gathering' [1999] and 'The Formation of Damnation', but we're definitely not going to forget who we are or our roots. I think we've found a comfortable spot in our writing style," stated vocalist Chuck Billy.
"The Formation Of Damnation" was reissued on February 23 in a deluxe tour edition. The two-disc edition includes the band's comeback album plus bonus footage of classic tracks and more.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/testamentfillmorereissue.jpg
ACCEPT, LORDI and DEATH ANGEL have been confirmed for next year's edition of Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place July 15-16, 2011 in Balingen, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
ACCEPT
AMORPHIS
ASPHYX
CRASHDIET
CRIMSON GLORY
D-A-D
DEATH ANGEL
IMMORTAL
LORDI
OVERKILL
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ
SONATA ARCTICA
STORMWARRIOR
Launched in 1996, the Bang Your Head!!! festival has become one of the most prominent metal festivals in central Germany, drawing an audience of thousands from all over the world.
For more information, visit www.bang-your-head.de.
Elliot Levin of NY Hard Rock Music Examiner recently conducted an interview with Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR, DOWN, KINGDOM OF SORROW). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Hard Rock Music Examiner: In college I remember a couple of friends going to rehab, and coming back and saying that was the most fun they ever had. But I think my friends missed the point of rehab.
Kirk: They probably did. It's real simple, dude. I's one of those things where it gets to the point where not only is it not fun anymore but it's a problem. When it starts affecting all aspects of your life, it's time to stop. So everybody's going, "Congratulations." I'm like, "Don't congratulate me." People fall off every day. 90% of people that stop start again. So you just go day by day. It's actually easier, believe it or not, on this particular tour, because we're doing 23 shows in a row. Staying busy keeps me away from being bored, which used to be a lot of my problem. I'm touring and I'm bored and it's an off day or I'm travelling and boom, there ya go, it's fun again 'cause I'm drunk. And it's not like that [on this tour]. Today I was up before daylight shooting the video, we were playing in Trenton, New Jersey last night I didn't get to bed until 3 a.m., slept like three hours, did that, took a nap, got up, did photo shoots all day, the whole
nine yards. MTV "Headbangers Ball" hosting. Anything. Just keep me busy.
Hard Rock Music Examiner: And you weren't worried about going right back on the road with all the partying that goes on there?
Kirk: Well, yes and no. And what I mean by yes is because you're obviously surrounded by it. But no, because, let's be honest, my drug of choice is beer. It's not only socially accepted, you can't even watch a football game without having it shoved in your face a thousand times. In New Orleans it's literally a way of life. Drinking goes with everything; there's always an excuse to drink. We sell beer and liquor 24/7/365 everywhere, you can buy a 5th of vodka at 3am on Easter Sunday if you want. So it's one of those things where it's not like cocaine or heroin or whatever, when you're on those kind of drugs you quit calling the dealer, you quit hanging out at the places you used to frequent or you quit hanging out with those people. You can't get away; I can't fill my car up at a gas station without Coors Light, Bud Light, Corona, whatever; it's just the way it is.
Hard Rock Music Examiner: Generally speaking, how would you say the new record compares to your existing discography in terms of the production, the tone, the overall sound?
Kirk: Definitely, production-wise, better than anything we've done, sound-wise. And Zeuss mixed it and did a great job, he did the two KINGDOM records and HATEBREED, and just did the MURDERDOLLS. He's really good. Great guy and really, really good producer, engineer, the whole nine yards. Production was incredible, best we've ever had. And as far as the record as a whole, the music and whatnot, I'm very, very satisfied that it's really satisfied all the CROWBAR fans. It's twelve tracks, and none of them sound like the one you're gonna hear before it. Play it like it's meant to be, from A to Z; it's a journey. It's supposed to take you somewhere. Every song is different. I'm very proud of it, and to me, bands always say it's the best they've ever done, and fans have their favorites, I understand that, but no matter what, if you like CROWBAR, I don't see how you could say it's not killer.
Hard Rock Music Examiner: Why is your music so angry?
Kirk: It's therapeutic. For me and the people who listen to it. The lyrics are therapeutic for me and the people who listen to it, I met a guy in Virginia Beach the other night who's been to Afghanistan three times, and he's like "I just want to thank you for your music, for helping me get through some of the weirdest parts of the world, some of the craziest things, and the only thing I could relate to was CROWBAR. And it really helped me get through it. And that's what it's really all about. I mean, I'm not angry, I'm talking to you right now, do I seem mad? [Kirk throws a playful punch at the interviewer's face.] It's the type of music we play. It's heavy, it's aggressive, it's emotional, and it's a perfect venue to let out what's bugging you.
Hard Rock Music Examiner: I spoke to Phil Anselmo a month ago, I spoke to Pepper Keenan a month before that, so you make three out of the five DOWN guys for me. Pepper promised some DOWN shows this summer. Any word on that?
Kirk: Well, yeah, I'd expect so. You gotta understand, 90% of my musical life has been DOWN, and all of ours, since the beginning of 2006, up until this late, late summer of 2010, it's been nonstop touring, recording, whatever with DOWN. And you need a little break. But at home, me, Jimmy [Bower] and Pepper get together two, three times a week if I'm not out with CROWBAR and Jimmy's not out with EYEHATEGOD, and write and demo and whatnot. I saw Phil the day before Thanksgiving, hung out over there, he's ready to hear what we've got and he's got tons of great ideas. He doesn't stop. You just need a little break from time to time. It's one of those things. I don't care what band you are, how great you are, how popular you are, when you spend that much time around each other, doing that for so long, you need some time to step away and let the creative juices start to build up with DOWN again. We're doing it right now, and I'm loving what we're doing, and
I'm loving the stuff we're doing with the writing, but obviously the clock's ticking on us, we're not kids anymore, but we've also built a solid foundation worldwide with DOWN, and when we all feel really excited, then it will come together overnight. And we're really getting close to that right now.
British doom metallers ELECTRIC WIZARD have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 8-11, 2011 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AGENT STEEL
DAN REED BAND
DESTRUCTION
ELECTRIC WIZARD
FLÄSKET BRINNER
GHOST
GROUNDHOGS
HELLOWEEN
JASON & THE SCORCHERS
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
JUDAS PRIEST
MASON RUFFNER
MOONSPELL
MUSTASCH
OVERKILL
OZZY OSBOURNE
RAGE (acoustic)
RAUBTIER
RHAPSODY OF FIRE
SAXON
STYX
THE DAMNED
THE HAUNTED
WALTER TROUT
SAXON will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its classic album "Denim And Leather" by performing it in its entirety at the event, "spiced with a lot of other immortal SAXON classics and yes, they will bring the eagle!"
AVANTASIA — the project led by EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet — has issued the following update:
"Rumors keep circulating about a forthcoming AVANTASIA live DVD and now we can confirm they are true! [In February 2011] a double DVD and two-CD set [along with a box set featuring both the double DVD and two-CD set] will be out on Nuclear Blast Records (in Japan and East Asia on Avalon Marquee). The DVD is a documentary of the legendary 2008 world tour of AVANTASIA, when the band hit the road for the first time to write a new chapter in metal history; traveling around the world with a giant all-star ensemble to bring the metal opera on stage and play on three continents within a few days, crossing the dateline and eventually playing to a total of 400,000 people within only a few weeks. The first DVD contains a live concert with a running time of almost two hours featuring footage filmed at the headlining shows of Wacken Open Air (Germany) and Masters Of Rock (Czech Republic). On the second DVD there will be a movie, 'Around The World In 20 Days', that
gives fans the opportunity to join AVANTASIA backstage and take a look at the surroundings and the thrill behind the scenes that go along with an extensive undertaking such as this. The DVD set will portray AVANTASIA 2008 when it all started."
Commented Tobias: "I am so proud of this DVD package and the featured footage, even though it took a little longer to finally complete it. It gives people an idea of what an impact the first appearance of AVANTASIA on stage had, and you will get an idea of how everything went beyond our expectations and what the roots and the seeds for the current AVANTASIA tour are. It portrays one year in AVANTASIA's history, maybe the most important year in the project's history because that is when a studio project became a traveling institution.
"There are many metal operas, but we made it something real, something to take hold of. Something alive..."
AVANTASIA kicked off its "The Metal Opera Comes To Town" world tour 2010 on November 30 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland. Joining Sammet in AVANTASIA's touring lineup are a number of special guests, including GAMMA RAY/ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen, Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann and Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN).
Fan-filmed video footage of the second show of the tour — which took place on December 1 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland — can be viewed below.
Although rumors keep circulating about further shows from AVANTASIA in 2011, a statement on Tobias' official web site makes it clear that after AVANTASIA's December world tour, there will be no more tours or festival appearances from the project apart from the Wacken Open Air show in August 2011.
AVANTASIA released its new epic masterpiece on April 3 as regular CDs ("The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon"), two separate double picture vinyls, and as a beautiful collector's edition with an AVANTASIA picture book.
Former DREAM THEATER and current AVENGED SEVENFOLD touring drummer Mike Portnoy has posted the following cryptic message on his Twitter profile:
"There's a lot of things going on in my life I wish I could openly and honestly talk about at the moment, but cannot... but when I can, I will..."
AVENGED recruited Portnoy to play on its new album, "Nightmare", following the death last December of the band's drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan. Portnoy was Sullivan's favorite drummer.
Portnoy recently confirmed that he will remain on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD until the band has completed touring in support of "Nightmare", which sold 162,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at the top of The Billboard 200 chart. He told cymbal manufacturer Sabian, "The relationship started as a tribute for Jimmy, and as a result of the musical and personal chemistry making the record, it's blossomed into being on the road with them. Originally that was only going to be for a couple of months until I went back to DREAM THEATER. Now because of the way the DREAM THEATER story unfolded, I will remain out with AVENGED SEVENFOLD into 2011, and stay on the road with them through the whole album cycle."
He added, "Although I'm not a band member [of AVENGED SEVENFOLD], I'm definitely part of the onstage presentation and chemistry. During the first couple of shows I played I was trying to lean back and be respectful. I was thinking, 'This is Jimmy's drum throne, this is his space.' But they were like, 'No! Be yourself, do your thing.' I came out of my shell and now I'm totally at home with these guys. We have a great chemistry, musically and personally."
Portnoy has added one of Sullivan's cymbals to his touring kit: a Sabian ride The Rev had owned for years which the company had refurbished, but hadn't been able to return before his death.
Portnoy made his concert debut with AVENGED SEVENFOLD on July 25 as they played live for the first time since Sullivan's death at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Bandit Rock, the biggest rock radio station in Sweden, will air its morning show live from IN FLAMES' IF Studios in Gothenburg the week of January 10-14, 2011 while the band is recording its new album. Fans can expect to hear interviews with bandmembers (in Swedish) and a lot of surprises.
For more information, visit Bandit.se.
SLIPKNOT recently announced that it will make a number festival appearances next summer, including the U.K.'s Sonisphere, Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting and Brazil's Rock In Rio. These will mark the band's first shows without late bassist Paul Gray, who was found dead in a hotel room in a Des Moines, Iowa suburb last May at the age of 38 from an overdose of morphine.
Speaking to the Artisan News Service (see video below), SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor admitted that he is still unsure going back out and performing live without Gray is the right thing to do. "It was a big decision," he said. "There's still a part of me that's kind of on the fence about it. It all comes down to the band at the end of the day and how we handle it. And if we can come together as men and handle it the right way and do it for the right reasons — do it for the fans, do it for the family — it could be the first of baby steps to see what happens in the future." He added, "The wonderful thing and the worst thing about this band is that there's no other band like SLIPKNOT, so we handle things the way we handle it."
If the band sticks to the plan revealed to The Pulse Of Radio by drummer Joey Jordison, SLIPKNOT will use a touring bassist for live work but will remain an eight-piece onstage. "We're not gonna have anyone on stage right now," Jordison said. "The bass player, he'll be behind me, you know, when I'm playing to lock in with me, but there's no one right now to go onstage. There's no replacement for Paul right now."
Jordison said last month that he and other members of the eight-piece band were already separately recording demos of new material, which he hoped to begin recording sometime in early 2011.
But Taylor disputed that, saying he has "no plans" to make a new album with the band anytime soon.
Following the announcement of the Sonisphere show, Taylor tweeted, "Honestly, I don't know how to feel about the tour. But it's for the fans, and for the family. We'll see. I don't know WHEN I'll be ready to make an album. Might not be for years. But we will definitely play shows. We'll see what happens."
Taylor and SLIPKNOT guitarist Jim Root have been on the road with their other band, STONE SOUR, since early summer.
Jordison has toured with ROB ZOMBIE and recorded a new album with his band MURDERDOLLS, although that group recently canceled a tour.
IN FLAMES is recording its new CD with engineer Roberto Laghi (HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE). A tentative May/June 2011 release is expected.
Good Fight Music is the new North American label home for the classic IN FLAMES catalog, starting with "The Jester Race" through "Soundtrack To Your Escape". These titles, which until recently were unavailable in the marketplace, were put back on music retailers' shelves and made available at digital stores (iTunes) on November 22, 2010. This new venture reunited the band with the team that released and marketed IN FLAMES' biggest commercial success in the United States — "Come Clarity". It was Good Fight's current team at the helm of Ferret Music when "Come Clarity" was released in 2006. The album became a benchmark in their career and further cemented the band's lofty place in the ranks of heavy metal's elite.
Guitarist Jesper Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in February in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.
The band spent the last few months touring the world with Strömblad's temporary replacement, Niclas Engelin from the Swedish band ENGEL.
Engelin had helped IN FLAMES on a couple of occasions in the past and is no stranger to the band's songs or the touring life.
IN FLAMES's latest album, "A Sense of Purpose" (2008), shifted 20,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which sold just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to debut at position No. 58.
Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have released a brand new video message, recorded this past Saturday, December 11 before they performed their classic 1991 album, "Arise", in its entirety for the first time during the group's headlining performance at the 16-year anniversary of the Manifesto Bar in São Paulo, Brazil. A transcript of the statement from guitarist Andreas Kisser follows below.
"Hello, SEPULTURA fans all over the world. We're here in São Paulo. We're gonna play the whole album 'Arise' at the birthday party of the Manifesto Bar, 16 years.
"So we are here to say that we are working on a new album [that] we are gonna release next year. We just signed with Nuclear Blast [Records]. We have a worldwide plan for 2011 and 2012. We're gonna record the album in January with Roy Z. [JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, HELLOWEEN] producing the album, for the first time working with us. We have a worldwide release planned for May 2011. And we're here to assure you that we're gonna be on the road with this formation, the SEPULTURA that we are today. And we have a full North American tour scheduled for April — everything is confirmed. We have a full-scale tour for the summer. We are confirmed [for] the Wacken [Open Air] festival [in Germany] — the first time SEPULTURA will be playing there.
"Don't listen to fucking rumors anymore. We are tired of listening to this fucking bullshit that [former SEPULTURA guitarist/vocalist] Max [Cavalera] is saying all over the world, that there's gonna be a reunion [of SEPULTURA's classic lineup] and this and that. We're here to say there's no communication, there's no talks about any type of reunion or any show with the Cavaleras [Max and his brother Igor, also a former member of SEPULTURA]. Igor is doing his job, Max is supposed to do his job, and we are doing our job.
"We are SEPULTURA for 26 years and we celebrating this with a new album, a new deal and a new world tour. And I hope this is the end of fucking rumors and fucking lies, OK?!
"[We] are SEPULTURA and we're gonna be with you next year with a new album.
"See you on tour."
In a recent interview with Sonic Excess, Max Cavalera stated about persistent rumors of a reunion of SEPULTURA's classic lineup, "I did call Andreas, and I had a real good talk with him. It sounded like he wanted to do it, and I had Igor onboard for the reunion. I think the only person preventing it is Paulo [Xisto Pinto Jr.; bass]. I don't know why, but I think Paulo is really against the reunion. People should ask him why he is so against it, because I think it would be a great think for the fans to see the original lineup." He added, "SEPULTURA was one of the most important bands in the metal scene, and it would have been really cool to do it. I don't need a reunion, because SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY are doing great, but I would like to do it for the fans to show them we had this kick-ass band. We can do it again, but people should ask Paulo why it doesn't appeal to him.
When asked if he thinks it's "appropriate" for the current lineup of SEPULTURA to continue using the band name even though he and his brother are no longer part of the group, Max said, "The original band is not in the band anymore; me and Igor are out. Igor was original, because he was there in the beginning. But now that we both are out, I don't see the credibility."
You can watch SEPULTURA's entire performance of "Arise" below via Livestream's Twitter broadcasting system TwitCam.
SEPULTURA's current lineup includes only two of the four bandmembers who performed on "Arise" — guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr.
SEPULTURA will return to North America for a massive headlining tour next April/May in support of their upcoming Nuclear Blast Records debut. Joining them will be a veritable united nations on metal in the form of Austria's BELPHEGOR, Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN, Poland's HATE, Canada's NEURAXIS, and California's BONDED BY BLOOD. Starting May 23, Seattle's own NEVERMORE will replace BELPHEGOR to finish out the tour.
SEPULTURA debuted a brand new song from its upcoming album during its October 17 appearance at the Fúria Festival at HSBC Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil.
Swedish traditional metallers OVERDRIVE will release their new album, "Angelmaker", on January 21 via Lion Music. The CD was recorded by the band and Johan Blomkvist (BLINDED COLONY, KAPTAIN SUN) and mixed by Pelle Saether (GRAND DESIGN, DIABOLICAL, WOLF) at Studio Underground. The band has also, for the first time, included a cover song. It's a classic heavy metal arrangement on the Russ Ballard-penned track "I Know There's Something Going On", originally recorded by Frida, of ABBA fame, back in 1982.
The "Angelmaker" cover, which can be found below, was once again created by acclaimed cover artist Monowasp (TNT, HOUSE OF LORDS, PLACE VENDOME) and depicts an "angelmaker" doing her deed (which was to make angels of [mostly] illegitimate babies).
"Angelmaker" track listing:
01. Signs All Over (Stark/Karlsson)
02. In Gut We Trust (Stark)
03. Angelmaker (Stark)
04. I Know There's Something Going On (Russ Ballard, arr: Stark)
05. Under The Influence (Ericsson/Karlsson)
06. On With The Action (Jacobsson)
07. See The Light (Stark)
08. To Grow (Karlsson)
09. Mother Earth (Jacobsson)
10. It's A Thriller (Stark/Karlsson)
11. Cold Blood Chaser (Stark)
12. The Wavebreaker (Karlsson)
"I have worked with Pelle on several other recordings, such as LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, MOUNTAIN OF POWER and ZELLO, and he has an ability to understand and capture just the sound you're after," Janne stated. "He did that this time, too. To be honest, this is the best-sounding OVERDRIVE album to date."
OVERDRIVE, formed in 1980, still features original members Janne Stark and Kjell Jacobsson on guitars, Kenth Ericsson on bass and Kenta Svensson on drums, plus vocalist Per "PerilOz" Karlsson, who joined the band at the reunion in 2003 and has since been an integral part of the lineup.
For more information, visit www.overdrive.se.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/overdriveangel.jpg
Australian extreme thrash metal band TRUTH CORRODED will release its new album, "Worship The Bled", in early 2011. The CD was recorded between July and September 2010 and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY). Drums on the album were laid down by Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA), who "really added a great intensity to our new songs — offering his distinctive style, while also honing in on our sound and capturing the feel of our influences," according to bassist Greg Shaw. "It has taken the band to the next level, and built on the intensity of our last album. The continued involvement of Jonas has consolidated the sound, and aside from his great skill as an engineer, he has offered some awesome shred to the album's opening song, 'Knives Of The Betrayed'."
The "Worship The Bled" cover artwork was created by Björn Goosses of Killustrations, who has previously worked with such bands as DEW-SCENTED, ZYKLON, SODOM, NORTHER, ABORTED and ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET. Shaw states, "Killustrations have created some incredible album covers, and we really felt that Björn could capture the imagery we were looking for. The artwork conveys the message behind the album title — how the worship of monotheistic religion, political and economic ideologies and the waging of war have bled modern civilization. We gave Killustrations the idea and that was the image created — it is confronting and communicates the title of the album."
"Worship The Bled" track listing:
01. Knives Of The Betrayed (feat. Jonas Kjellgren)
02. Hunt All Heroes
03. Pride Of Demise
04. Nothing Left Alive
05. The Great Waste Of Flesh
06. Scavengers
07. Dragged Beneath
08. Remnants
09. Tear Out The Eyes Of God
10. Summon Abyss
TRUTH CORRODED recently performed its first show in several months with new drummer Luke Peak.
TARJA TURUNEN, TURISAS, FREI.WILD and LETZTE INSTANZ have been confirmed for the 2011 edition of the Rockharz Open Air festival, set to take place July 7-9 at Airport Ballenstedt in Harz, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
AMORPHIS
CALIBAN
EMIL BULLS
END OF GREEN
FEUERSCHWANZ
FREI.WILD
GRAND MAGUS
HACKNEYED
HAIL OF BULLETS
HAMMERFALL
HYPOCRISY
IN EXTREMO
LETZTE INSTANZ
ORDEN OGAN
PAUL DI'ANNO
SALTATIO MORTIS
STAHLMANN
TARJA TURUNEN
THE NEW BLACK
THE SORROW
TURISAS
U.D.O.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rockharzopenair.
Swedish melodic metal masters LION'S SHARE have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Karmøygeddon metal festival, set to take place May 6-7, 2011 in Haugesund, Norway.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Friday, May 6:
PRIMORDIAL
CRIMSON GLORY
GRAVE DIGGER
THE HAUNTED
ELITE
ZENO MORF
Saturday, May 7:
AMORPHIS
EINHERJER
MOONSORROW
LION'S SHARE
CHROME DIVISION
FRACTURE
Scarlet Records has inked a new deal with Belmondo Entertainment/Entertainment One Distribution for the North American distribution of its releases and extensive catalog. Belmondo/Entertainment One will acquire both physical and digital rights for the Italian label's roster, which includes many acclaimed international acts such as REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE (featuring former STRATOVARIUS mastermind Timo Tolkki), SKYCLAD, ROYAL HUNT, LABYRINTH, VISION DIVINE, DARK MOOR, SADIST, BULLDOZER, SHAMAN, DGM, NECRODEATH and OPERATIKA.
Commented Scarlet label manager Filippo Bersani: "Scarlet is finally back in the North American market with its entire catalog. And we are really excited to start this new venture with the professional setup that Belmondo and Entertainment One can guarantee and, most importantly, their passion for music."
Added Belmondo Entertainment CEO Adriane Ciani and head of production Max Serio: "We are very proud to be representing Scarlet Records as they relaunch into the U.S. and Canadian marketplace. Their repertoire, A&R and long history as one of the preeminent metal labels in Europe is sure to make them a force in North America. We at Belmondo, along with our partners at Entertainment One, look forward to a long and successful relationship."
In other news, Scarlet has signed a new deal with PR firm Freeman Promotions for all its marketing and promotional activities in North America. Freeman owner Jon Freeman states, "I am very excited to be involved with working with Scarlet Records in North America. With their impressive roster of artists and releases that they have coming down the pipe, I am confident that Scarlet will soon become a household name in the metal community."
Scarlet Records' first releases under this new deal — THE DEFACED's "Anomaly" and TIMO TOLKKI's "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" — will arrive on February 22, 2011. Additional releases slated for 2011 include ODD DIMENSION, DOTMA, GEORGIAN SKULL and BLOODSHOT.
Guitarist Hendrik Kröger has left German metallers KILLTRIBE in order to focus on his "math meal mayhem" project SYRANIC. A replacement axeman has not yet been announced.
KILLTRIBE features in its ranks former 10 FOLD B-LOW singer Thomas Fischer and John Lennon Talent award recipient Max Widdra (ex-UNBLEST).
The band's debut EP, "I Am Human", was released in November 2009 via Big Deal Records. It was made available as a digipack through Killtribe.de and can be purchased via iTunes, Amazon and all other online stores.
KILLTRIBE filmed a video for the song "FE4R" in March at Musikbunker in Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/killtribe.
EX DEO — the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — has inked a deal with Austria's Napalm Records for the release of the band's next CD, "Caligula". Iacono states, "Expect a revolutionary album that will breathe the word 'NEW' into a much-stagnant metal industry.
EX DEO will begin pre-production on "Caligula" once KATAKLYSM has completed its touring commitments in 2011.
EX DEO recently completed a North American tour with NILE, PSYCROPTIC and KEEP OF KALESSIN. Maurizio says, "It's amazing to see a vision I had one day waking up finally become a reality two years ago.
"We had done a few shows in America with ENSIFERUM for our debut album, 'Romulus' that were fantastic, but to go across the country and really seeing people waiting anxiously for this and screaming their hearts out for it live has been one incredible feeling.
"I feel EX DEO is changing the game of the underground, bringing a theater to the live stage and bringing a new concept that has never done before.
"This is a beast of a band and we would like to thank everyone for the great support."
"The Final War (Battle Of Actium)", the latest video from EX DEO, can be viewed below. The clip, which was helmed by renowned director Ivan Colic and producer Stanimir "Staca" Lukic (MOONSPELL, KAMELOT, DEATHSTARS, TYPE O NEGATIVE) in Belgrade, Serbia, made its online debut on March 15 (Ides of March) in honor of the god of war, Mars.
"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO, landed at position No. 90 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Released in June 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Romulus" was recorded with producer (and KATAKLYSM guitarist) Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION).
Swedish metal veterans ENTOMBED have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Obscene Extreme festival, set to take place July 7-9, 2011 at the festival area Battlefield in Trutnov, Czech Republic.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
DISLIKE
ENTOMBED
FLESHROT
GRONIBARD
IDIOT CONVENTION
INSTINCT OF SURVIVAL
LOCK UP
PSYCHO
REPROACH
ROTTEN SOUND
SUFFERING MIND
VARUKERS
For more information, visit www.obsceneextreme.cz.
AT THE GATES, SARCOLYTIC, SEPTYCAL GORGE and LOGIC OF DENIAL have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Neurotic Deathfest, set to take place April 29-30, 2011 at 013 and MIDI theatre in Tilburg, Holland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
AT THE GATES (SE)
ATHEIST (US)
AUTOPSY (US)
CARNIVORE DIPROSOPUS (CO)
CRIPPLE BASTARDS (IT)
DECAPITATED (PL)
EXHUMED (US)
GENERAL SURGERY (SE)
GRAVE (SE)
KRAANIUM (NO)
LOGIC OF DENIAL (IT)
MACABRE (US)
MISERY INDEX (US)
NOX (NL)
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT (NL)
ROMPEPROP (NL)
SARCOLYTIC (US)
SEPTYCAL GORGE (IT)
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.
Florida's SIX FEET UNDER is, without a doubt, one of the most active and best live acts in death metal. A constant institution since the mid-'90s. Party.San Open Air in Bad Berka, Germany is known as a place where bands give 110% and more and so did SIX FEET UNDER on August 8, 2009. Being headliners on this very night, SIX FEET UNDER unleashed hell on stage and delivered one of the best shows in its career!
17 hits of grooving death metal were carved on DVD to make all the SIX FEET UNDER fans worldwide be part of this legendary evening at Party.San Open Air. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9 — best entertainment guaranteed!
Comments SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes: "It was compiled from footage that we filmed at the Party.San festival in Germany from August 2009. All of the show was shot on high-definition camera, and it just really looks awesome. It's on the same wavelength as our With Full Force video, really excellent show, awesome crowd. This time we were playing at night, so they utilized some really giant pyrotechnics, so it was awesome and frightening at the same time."
"Wake The Night! Live In Germany" track listing:
01. No Warning Shot
02. Silent Violence
03. Revenge Of The Zombie
04. Feasting On The Blood Of The Insane
05. The Day The Dead Walked
06. Seed Of Filth
07. Shot In The Head
08. Torn To The Bone
09. Suffering In Ecstasy
10. The Enemy Inside
11. The Evil Eye
12. Victim Of The Paranoid
13. Human Target
14. Deathklaat
15. Ghosts Of The Undead
16. Shadow Of The Reaper
17. Beneath A Black Sky
To make the purchase even more attractive, the initial European pressing will include the digipak version of the latest SIX FEET UNDER covers album, "Graveyard Classics III".
The DVD will be released on mid-price and the bonus CD will not cost a penny extra! This release and the attached price strategy is a big thank you from Chris Barnes and his gang to all their loyal fans.
"Wake The Night! Live in Germany" will be released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and February 1 in North America via Metal Blade Records.
MORTIIS will return to the touring circuit this winter with a two-month, full European tour supporting evil-electro outfit COMBICHRIST.
"In some fundamental ways, COMBICHRIST and MORTIIS are very different, but in other fundamental ways, we are very much the same," explained vocalist and namesake Mortiis. "At the end of the day, both bands have this 'fuck-you' attitude. It's expressed somewhat differently musically, but energy and attitude-wise we're carrying the same torch, so to speak. I think fans of both bands will pick up on that."
MORTIIS took a break from touring while preparing their latest releases, the soon-to-emerge next album "The Great Deceiver" and "Perfectly Defect", a totally free digital download. Unveiled October 10, "Perfectly Defect" is a full-length, downloadable album available at www.mortiis.com. "Perfectly Defect" is the quintessential prelude to the world of "The Great Deceiver" — while the latter is heavier and darker, the former is varied, experimental, and largely instrumental. The bottom line is that "Perfectly Defect" leads into "The Great Deceiver" acting as a crucial stage in the evolution of MORTIIS' music.
The group is anxious to get back on stage and is ready to unleash months of pent-up aggression during its live show. Fans can expect to hear tracks from "Perfectly Defect" and "The Great Deceiver", as well as some older songs with a different twist.
"We've seriously pimped up a selection of older songs that we'll be performing," Mortiis said. "So, across the board, it will be a new, and for lack of a better expression, very 'pimped up' bunch of songs!"
A tour with COMBICHRIST was a long time coming. Aside from MORTIIS being acquainted with COMBICHRIST's founder and Norwegian-native Andy LaPlegua, COMBICHRIST drummer Joe Letz is an extended member of the MORTIIS family. After connecting with Letz during MORTIIS' U.S. tour with the GENITORTURERS — Letz's former band — the drummer got involved with MORTIIS on some of the recording of "The Great Deceiver".
"It was just a question of time until we'd go out on tour together again," Mortiis said. "Joe is still a part of this band, the way we all see it. We always have a great time when we're together and I think this is something everyone's been wanting to happen for a while now. So when the opportunity came about, we pretty much did what had to be done to make it happen."
COMBICHRIST and MORTIIS tour dates:
Jan. 20 - Sao Mamede, Guimarães, Portugal
Jan. 21 - Caracol, Madrid, Spain
Jan. 22 - Salamandra 1, Barcelona, Spain
Jan. 23 - Totem, Pamplona, Spain
Jan. 25 - Ninkasi Kao, Lyon, France
Jan. 26 - X-Tra Limmathaus, Zürich, Switzerland
Jan. 27 - Tunnels, Milan, Italy
Jan. 28 - Alpheus, Rome, Italy
Jan. 29 - Velvet, Rimini, Italy
Feb. 01 - Le Ferrailleur, Nantes, France
Feb. 02 - Le Divan du Monde, Paris, France
Feb. 03 - Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Feb. 04 - Tivoli, Utrecht, Netherlands
Feb. 05 - Essigfabrik-PLUSWELT-Festival, Köln (Cologne), Germany
Feb. 06 - Tivoli, Bremen, Germany
Feb. 08 - Posten, Odense, Denmark
Feb. 09 - Forbrændingen, Albertslund (Kopenhagen), Denmark
Feb. 11 - Sticky Fingers, Göteborg, Sweden
Feb. 12 - Chateau Neuf, Oslo, Norway
Feb. 13 - Kägelbanan, Stockholm, Sweden
Feb. 15 - Yo-Talo, Tampere, Finland
Feb. 16 - On the Rocks, Helsinki, Finland
Feb. 18 - Kosmonaut, St. Petersburg, Russia
Feb. 19 - Tochka, Moscow, Russia
Feb. 20 - Tele Club, Ekaterinburg, Russia
Feb. 22 - Riga Melna Piektdina, Riga, Latvia
Feb. 24 - Ucho, Gdynia (Gdansk), Poland
Feb. 25 - Berlin Columbia Club, Berlin, Germany
Feb. 26 - Bunker/Strasse E, Dresden, Germany
Mar. 01 - Silver Church Club, Bukarest, Romania
Mar. 02 - RBF, Sofia, Bulgaria
Mar. 03 - Mylos Club, Salonica (Thessaloniki), Greece
Mar. 04 - SKC, Belgrade, Serbia
Mar. 05 - Boogaloo, Zagreb, Croatia
Mar. 06 - Szene Wien, Wien/Vienna, Austria
Mar. 07 - A 38, Budapest, Hungary
Mar. 09 - Backstage, München, Germany
Mar. 10 - Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany
Mar. 11 - Meier Music Hall-Festival of Darkness, Braunschweig, Germany
Mar. 12 - Universal dog-Dark Dance Treffen, Lahr, Germany
DEATH's seventh and final album, "The Sound Of Perseverance", will be reissued on February 15, 2011 in North America (February 21 internationally) via Relapse Records. The first in a series of official DEATH reissues slated for 2011, "The Sound Of Perseverance" has been remastered and expanded to include a second disc of previously unreleased demo material. The reissue will also include enhanced artwork and liner notes from the original cover artist, Travis Smith, as well as liner notes from DEATH guitarist Shannon Hamm and never-before-seen photographs from "The Sound Of Perseverance" era. A special deluxe version of the "The Sound Of Perseverance" reissue will also be made available exclusively via Relapse mailorder and digitally via iTunes. The deluxe version will include a third bonus disc of unreleased material. Additional reissue details, including pre-order options, will be announced shortly.
Today, December 13, marks nine years since DEATH founder/mastermind Chuck Schuldiner passed away due to complications from brain cancer. In tribute to his life and legacy, the Schuldiner family, Perseverance Holdings, Inc., and Relapse Records are asking friends, family, and fans to submit their favorite DEATH / Chuck Schuldiner stories, drawings, videos, photos, cover songs, etc. to the official DEATH and Chuck Schuldiner MySpace and Facebook pages. DEATH and CONTROL DENIED prizes will be awarded monthly to those that submit. Complete tribute details can be found at this event page.
Knoxville, Tennessee's WHITECHAPEL will embark on its first-ever European headlining tour in April 2011 with support from THE ACACIA STRAIN and IMPENDING DOOM.
Commented WHITECHAPEL guitarist Alex Wade: "We're really excited to headline the U.K. and Europe for the first time. Whenever we have came over, it's always been to support or for festivals. Now we can give our fans the proper headlining show they deserve! We're also really excited to be bringing our friends in THE ACACIA STRAIN and IMPENDING DOOM over as well. Don't miss this tour!"
The dates are as follows:
April 08 - Glasgow, UK - Cathouse
April 09 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
April 10 - Manchester, UK - Academy 3
April 11 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 3
April 12 - London, UK - Islington Academy
April 13 - Portsmouth, UK - Wedgewood Rooms
April 14 - Paris, France - Boule Noire
April 15 - Köln, Germany - Underground
April 17 - Zürich, Switzerland - Dynamo
April 18 - München, Germany - Backstage
April 19 - Berlin, Germany - C-Club
April 20 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
April 21 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
April 22 - Meerhout, Belgium - Groezrock Festival
WHITECHAPEL's third album, "A New Era Of Corruption", sold around 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on June 8 via Metal Blade Records, the CD was recorded at Audiohammer studios in Sanford, Florida with acclaimed producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER).
WHITECHAPEL's previous album, "This Is Exile", opened with 5,900 copies in July 2008 to land at No. 117.
Handling artwork for "A New Era Of Corruption" was Brent Elliot White, who previously worked with JOB FOR A COWBOY and CARNIFEX. "Brent absolutely nailed it," states Alex. "The dark and ominous vibe he portrayed with his art fits the mood of the CD perfectly."
"A New Era Of Corruption" features guest vocals from Vincent of THE ACACIA STRAIN on the track "Murder Sermon" and Chino from the DEFTONES on the track "Reprogrammed to Hate".
WHITECHAPEL's "The Darkest Day Of Man" was filmed in April by famed metal video director David Brodsky of MyGoodEye.
DARKEST ERA, the heavy metal band based in Northern Ireland, has completed work on its new album, "The Last Caress Of Light", for a February 15, 2011 release (one day earlier internationally) via Metal Blade Records.
Commented vocalist Krum: "The album is a work of dark, stormy, epic heavy metal that we are proud to release upon the world. Chris Fielding did a fantastic job in capturing the Celtic atmosphere of our songs while bringing out our heavy metal influences from bands like Warlord. We are very excited about it."
Added guitarist Sarah Wieghell: "It has been an incredible experience recording our debut album for Metal Blade, the songs came out better than even we were expecting. I think we've made a really strong record to be proud of. I can't wait for people to hear it! "
"The Last Caress Of Light" track listing:
01. The Morrigan
02. An Ancient Fire Burns
03. Beneath The Frozen Sky
04. Heathen Burial
05. Visions of the Dawn
06. To Face The Black Tide
07. Poem To The Gael
08. The Last Caress Of Light Before The Dark
Comments the band on the artwork and album title: "The title is taken from the closing song on the album.
"There are a number of different themes running through the record; 'The Last Caress Of Light' represents the turning of the tide, the fragile line between hope and despair, and the battle of strength against weakness.
"The artwork was done highly renowned metal cover artist Paul McCarroll. He based the concept around the opening line of the opening song, and the image depicts the Morrigan in her transition between goddess of war and the serpent form she took when she attacked Cú Chulainn, the mythical Irish warrior.
"The story is allegorical of the other, more personal themes explored on the album.
"Paul did a great job in creating something which both compliments the conceptual vision for the album, and that looks totally killer!"
DARKEST ERA has a Europe-wide reputation for its intense, ferocious and engaging live performances, and an original sound which draws fans from the pagan, folk and true metal genres.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/darkestera.
GEHENNAH, one of the first and most important Scandinavian black/thrash combos, has been confirmed for next year's edition of the Metal Merchants Festival, set to take place January 28-29, 2011 at John Dee in Oslo, Norway. Meanwhile, TESTIMONY has canceled its appearance at the event.
The festival billing is now as follows (in alphabetical order):
BLIZZARD
BROCAS HELM
CONVIXION
DEVIL
ELIXIR
GEHENNAH
JAGUAR
NUCLEAR ASSAULT
SOLSTICE
For more information, visit www.metalmerchantsfestival.com.
HEAVEN SHALL BURN and BLAAS OF GLORY have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 4-6, 2011 in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany.
The festival billing is now shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
ACCU§ER
APOCALYPTICA
AVANTASIA
BLAAS OF GLORY
BLIND GUARDIAN
EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
HAYSEED DIXIE
IN SOLITUDE
JUDAS PRIEST
KHOLD
KNORKATOR
MAYHEM
OZZY OSBOURNE
PRIMAL FEAR
RUSSKAJA
SEPULTURA
SKÁLMÖLD
SODOM
STIER
SUBWAY TO SALLY
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
TRIVIUM
WARRANT
Wacken Open Air was first held in 1990 as a small event for local German bands. By 1998 the event had become the major festival on the European metal calendar and has included over 70 bands from all over Europe, North America and Australia.
Wacken Open Air is usually held at the beginning of August and lasts three days, during which the festival-goers camp on several large camping grounds surrounding the actual festival area. The 70 or more bands perform across four separate stages over the course of the event.
The 2009 edition of Wacken Open Air set a sales record; it sold out on December 30, 2008. All 70,000 tickets were sold over 200 days before the start of the festival.
Wacken Open Air, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in 2008 in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee.
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