ASPHYX

Completes work on new album

Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX — Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass/vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar) and Bob Bagchus (drums) — has finished recording its comeback album, "Death...The Brutal Way", due in May/June via Century Media Records. War Anthem Records will release the LP version of the effort, which was recorded at the Sonic Assault studio and engineered by Frank Klein Douwel (who is also the band's live sound engineer). Mixing duties will be handled Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.... More...

VITAL REMAINS

European headlining tour announced

US death metal legend VITAL REMAINS has finally confirmed dates of their long awaited European tour. Tony Lozano and his bandmates will appear in Europe on five-week "Icons Of Evil Tour 2009". The first part of the tour will run through across Europe. The second part will cover England and Ireland. During the first part American death metallers will be supported by Swiss doom death metal act SLUDGE (featuring SAMAEL members) and sensational thrash death metal group from Sweden bearing the name TRIBULATION. The third support act has not been confirmed yet. More info will follow soon. Previously announced supports HOUR OF PENANCE and DAWN OF AZAZEL have cancelled their appearances due to some personal issues. The tour schedule is available below:... More...

SOLSTICE

New album details revealed

The reunited South Florida death/thrash metal band SOLSTICE has set "To Dust" as the title of its new album. 11 songs were laid down during the sessions, including a cover of an old song by the Miami progressive metallers CYNIC. The group says, "The plan is to put it out through an online retailer while we shop for label support."... More...

NIGHTWISH

Teams up with Finnish bottled water company

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have chosen the smooth spring water Veen as the band's official drink. To celebrate this excellent choice, Veen has launched a competition on its web site giving fans a chance to win tickets to a NIGHTWISH gig of their choice. A five-minute video of the band rehearsing for the next leg of its world tour and featuring a few words from keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen bassist/vocalist and Marco Hietala can be viewed below.... More...

MEGADETH

Mainman proud of Chris Broderick

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site: "Chris Broderick [MEGADETH guitarist] turned 39 yesterday, and I am so proud of this guy. I mean, I watch him play on stage and everyday he gets better and better. We are aware of the reviews, and we still are trying to have a perfect show, so if you think that you have seen a good one, just wait until he starts to feel 100% and then after that, once I start to feel we are at 100%.... More...

BLACK METAL FESTIVAL

Kings of black metal attacks!!!

Beware! This event should be like a feast for all maniacs of true black/ thrash/ death metal with the certificate of highest class. The 18th of April everyone loving the rituals, black magic and the hellish flames included in music and in the dark poetry can to visit Black Metal Festival in Giessen (Hessen, Germany), where the shows of hellish warriors will provide surely the unforgettable impressions.... More...

SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE

Completes work on new album

Italian metallers SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE have completed work on their third album, tentatively titled "Mothra", at Planet Red Studios in Richmond, Virginia with producer Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE AGONY SCENE, SCARLET, DUFRESNE, BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE, SPITFIRE, TWELVE TRIBES). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Forever, Works Just in Songs", "A Full View On Heaven", "Gamera I: Death Worship Era", "Gamera II: The So Called Northern Half", "What a Rockin' Heavy Metal Get-Up, Dude!"." The album will feature a guest appearance by BURY YOUR DEAD frontman Myke Terry on the track "Dim Shape In A Black Hole Life".... More...

AUTUMN HOUR

New band featuring PAINMUSEUM, HADES members

AUTUMN HOUR, the new band featuring vocalist Alan Tecchio (HADES, WATCHTOWER, NON-FICTION, SEVEN WITCHES), drummer Dave Lescinsky (HADES), bassist Clint Arent (PAINMUSEUM, SEVEN WITCHES), and guitarist Justin Jurman, will release its debut CD, "Dethroned", on May 5 via Rock Ridge Music. Already garnering attention for its cover of the EURYTHMICS' "Here Comes the Rain Again", the group combines a unique blend of metal, hard rock, and progressive music with a lyrical concept about a mechanized future.... More...

PARADISE LOST

New part of studio blog available

British goth metal masters PARADISE LOST are currently recording their follow-up to 2007’s In Requiem at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. A second studio blog from vocalist Nick Holmes, published by Decibel is now online.... More...

VILE PENANCE

New project of NILE, ORIGIN, DYING FETUS members

Veteran death metallers Duane Timlin (DYING FETUS, DIVINE EMPIRE), Joe Payne (NILE, DIVINE HERESY), James King (ORIGIN, UNMERCIFUL), Derek Engemann (UNMERCIFUL) and John Ramos (A.T.W.T.T.B., FUNERAL RITES) have joined forces in a new band called VILE PENANCE.... More...

NECROPHOBIC

Satanic Blasphemies in April

The long-delayed digibox from Stockholm, Sweden-based death/black metallers NECROPHOBIC, entitled "Satanic Blasphemies", will finally surface in April via Regain Records. The CD features material from the band's first two demos (1990's "Slow Asphyxiation" and 1991's "Unholy Prophecies") plus "The Call" 7" EP from 1992 and includes a poster and a patch. It was remastered at the Cutting Room by Peter In de Betou.... More...

SWORN ENEMY

Total World Domination

Queens, New York-based hardcore/metal act SWORN ENEMY has set "Total World Domination" as the title of its new album, due this summer via Century Media Records. The follow-up to "Maniacal" was recorded with longtime producer Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING vocalist).... More...