WINTER NEWS 2007!!

CHIMAIRA: Stephanie Stevens on behalf of The Daily Rock checked in with Keyboardist, Sampler, & Backup Vocalist Chris Spicuzza of Chimaira to find out a bit about him, how their new label Ferret Music has been for the band and to gain some insight on Chimaira’s new writing process before a recent show in Worcester MA. Speaking about what he brings to the table for Chimaira Chris says “Sonically I might make it a little more interesting then your average metal band by creating an atmosphere but I don’t think I am like a make or break of the band I just kind of make it a little extra cool. Plus my hands are real deep in the merchandising and the website and all that. I’ve been doing that since the beginning. That is probably why they keep me around, cause I’m so useful.” On the latest effort songwriting process Chris goes on to state “Mark, Rob, Matt all wrote a bunch of songs on their own, complete songs from beginning to end. What they did was take all the songs, threw them in a pile and basically went through each song and what they liked and didn’t like, ya know, some songs actually made it through untouched and then some, ya know, they took pieces here and there and then once it becomes a song, they send it my way and I do my thing but that was the difference this time where everyone was involved with the Self titled it wasn’t that way, it was more one guy just doing things.” For the complete interview visit The Daily Rock: http://www.thedailyrock.com/2008/02/07/interview-with-chris-spicuzza-of-chimaira/.

NONPOINT: NONPOINT rolled into town as part of the “MORE BALLS, MORE VOLUME, MORE STRENGTH TOUR” featuring headliners, HELL YEAH, Metal boys MACHINE HEAD and BURY YOUR DEAD and Stephanie Stevens (Romperchic) was there to check them out & had the opportunity to speak with NONPOINT drummer Robb Rivera. Robb elaborated about songwriting for the band’s latest effort, “Vengeance”, and how personal obstacles crept into the lyrical content. Robb describes: “The personal obstacle we went through as a band was us fighting with each other through that whole making of the record. It was really tense. But for songs WITNESS is about my x wife but it could also be about a job you took, a decision you made but for me it was about my x wife so and BREATHE could be about anything like having a conversation with your parents or how people don’t understand you so you take that little moment, its basically about having space.” On how the Tour came together with HELL YEAH Robb explains: “Hell Yeah put the tour together because they are fans of Machine head, us and Bury Your Dead. Chad was actually the one who fought for us to be on the tour.” For the complete interview visit The Daily Rock: http://www.thedailyrock.com/2008/02/13/interview-with-drummer-robb-rivera-of-nonpoint/.

PHARAOH: American heavy metal band PHARAOH has completed the mixing of its third album, entitled Be Gone. Like its critically-acclaimed predecessor, The Longest Night, the new album was recorded with Matt Crooks at MCR Studios in Manassas, Virginia. Be Gone will now be mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering for a worldwide March release via the leading traditional heavy metal label Cruz del Sur Music. The tracklisting for Be Gone is as follows: 1. Speak to Me 2. Dark New Life 3. No Remains 4. Red Honor 5. Buried at Sea 6. Rats and Rope 7. Cover Your Eyes and Pray 8. Telepath 9. Be Gone. As a special treat for fans (and, it must be said, for the band themselves) the track "Dark New Life" features guest guitar solos from Mark Reale and Mike Flyntz, perhaps better known as the shredders from RIOT! Jim Dofka also appears for the third time on as many PHARAOH albums, contributing his extraordinary guitar chops to the song "No Remains". A release date, song samples, and cover art for Be Gone will be revealed in the coming weeks. PHARAOH will celebrate the new album and its ten-year history by performing live for the first time ever (!!) at Keep It True X on April 5, 2008, at Tauberfrankenhalle, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. The festival is completely sold out as of September. http://www.solarflight.net/

FIGHT AMP: The new track “Late Bloomer” from FIGHT AMP’s Translation Loss Records debut “Hungry For Nothing,” out February 19th, has been posted on the Translation Loss Records Myspace! Hailing from New Jersey, FIGHT AMP channels a sound and presence that harkens the days of old and is reminiscent of the AMREP / dirty dingy side of extreme music. FIGHT AMP (previously known as Fight Amputation) have spent nearly three and a half years toiling over their sound, traveling the country, self-releasing records, self booking their own massive tours, sweating in basements and sleeping in vans crafting what is now their highly refined and most focused effort to date, “Hungry For Nothing,” which was recorded by Phillip Cope at The Jam Room (Baroness, Kylesa). http://www.myspace.com/fightamp

JAVELINA: Philly's JAVELINA have posted two new songs from their upcoming Translation Loss Self Titled release - due Out March 4th - on their MySpace page. JAVELINA (pronounced ha-va-lE-na) started crafting their massive sound in October of 2005. Formed by ex-members of Philadelphia bands Lickgoldensky, SMUT, and Otophobia/Endless Nightmare, they spent over a year honing their sound before playing their first show. JAVELINA ’s sound embodies the massive sludgy nature of Buzzoven and Eyehategod with the raw punk intensity of His Hero Is Gone and the straightforward nature of High on Fire all wrapped up into one. JAVELINA will continue to write, record, and tour until they have nothing left to give. http://www.myspace.com/javelinaphiladelphia

ZODDIAK: ZODIAK, featuring members of Rosetta, ex-Lickgoldensky, Balboa and Javelina have finished recording their long awaited debut “Sermons,” set for release on May 13th. The effort is to be mastered in the coming weeks and was recorded sporadically over the past three years by the band’s guitarist, Mick Mullin at Super 8 Studios (High on Fire, Total Fucking Destruction, Intronaut.) “Sermons” consists of eight tracks that were mostly created out of improvised jams, though according to the band a large portion of the material came out more structured sounding then originally planned. Expect sporadic live dates to take place throughout the year, and in the meantime, preview the track “Excavate” from the band’s Translation Loss debut here: http://www.myspace.com/zodiak

WINO: It has been a long time coming and now it is finally a reality! Legendary guitarist: Scott "Wino" Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand) has an albums worth of "solo" recordings in the works. Assisting Wino will on the album will be Jean-Paul Gaster (Clutch) on drums and Jon Blank (Rez n) on bass. The album will be called Punctuated Equilibrium and tracks are currently being layed down with J. Robbins (producer of the Hidden Hand's Mother Teacher Destroyer) in Maryland. Wino is really excited about the results so far and said: "Punctuated Equilibrium will bring my career into focus”. Stay tuned for more info regarding this incredible album!

DISMEMBER: Dismember are back with a blast. This is the ultimate death metal album from one of the finest Swedish bands. These guys have lost nothing in terms of intensity. The sheer pace and passion of the songs are blistering and the vocal sounds as pissed off as ever. Powerful riffs that are not in short demand, plenty of lead works and amazingly melodic harmonies are what metal the scene needed and Dismember have them in huge spades. This is definitely one of the best death metal releases in many years. http://www.myspace.com/dismemberpromo

CELESTIA: After a five year absence, France's Celestia return with their long awaited sophomore album entitled Frigidiis Apotheosia: Abstinencia Genesiis, due out in January via Paragon Recs in America, and Apparitia Recordings in Europe. This follow up to 2002's Apparitia: Sumptuous Spectre will continue on in Celestia's tradition of dark romantic and melancholic Black Metal. This time enhanced with a more intellectual and personal approach. The track listing for Frigidiis Apotheosia: Abstinencia Genesiis is as follows: I : She's Dead (Valse Funeste de Decomposition) II : A Plaintive Cry Merely Echo. III : Admirable Eros Abstraction -MP3IV : A Regrettable Misinterpretation of Mournfulness V : Death of the Lizard Queen (NecroPhaanthasmA) VI : Morbid Romance (ArcanA VI Revisitae) VII : The Seed of Negation (AbnegativiA Rejections) VIII : Frigidiis Apotheosia (Dormant rests of Raped NecrosiA)http://www.myspace.com/celestiaofficial

RIGOR SARDONICOUS: Album cover art, as well as a new MP3 from the upcoming Rigor Sardonicous album, "Vallis Ex Umbra De Mortuus" has been posted. Having been defined as delivering the most dense Doom music ever, Rigor Sardonicous have risen after a 5 year silence to maintain and fulfill their prophecies. Raw, cold, apocalyptic, and desolate are their creations, downtuned in extremis. A far departure from the typical of the anticipated Doom culture, Rigor Sardonicous draws from truly Apocalyptic sources for their inspiration and forward into this void a sonic atmosphere not of frightened and depressive apprehension but rather of frightening, horrific bleakness drawn from the perspective of the absence of hope for all life. http://www.smilingdeath.com/

DARKESTRAH: Kyrgyzstan Black Metallers, Darkestrah will be entering "Kick the Flame" studio (where their previous masterpiece "Epos" was recorded) in the beginning of 2008 to record the follow up album to "Epos". The album will be called "The Great Silk Road" and it contains 5 tracks with a total of about sixty minutes playing time. We are planning to release this album as a deluxe digi-pack.

COPREMESIS: Paragon Records is honored and privileged to announce that we will be releasing Muay Thai Ladybois, the debut album from New York City's omnisexual deathgrind titans Copremesis. Worshipped since 2001 for their dedication to ultimate brutality as a concept and a lifestyle, Copremesis are currently recording 13 tracks guaranteed to peel panties in a hundred-mile radius and inspire millions to question their sexuality, including a pair of surprise covers. May 2008 (or International Copremesis Month, as the world's governments have renamed it) will bring not only Muay Thai Ladybois, but also Copremesis' appearance at the 2008 Maryland Deathfest, alongside Macabre, Deranged, Repulsion and many others, plus a planned series of US dates to coincide with MDF. Fans of cranial-exploding guttural technical grind, meet your new gods at: http://www.copremesis.net/

STIGMA: Italian deathcore act STIGMA has posted its first single, entitled “I Am Dracula” on its official Myspace Page. The track comes off their debut album, When Midnight Strikes! due out in March 2008 through Florida’s Pivotal Rockordings. The specific release dates include: 24 March (UK), 25 March (USA), 28 March (rest of Europe). This begins a new alliance between Pivotal Rockordings and Earsplit for North American press. When Midnight Strikes! was recorded at Db Studios with producer Ettore Rigotti (DISARMONIA MUNDI) and was mixed and mastered by Alessandro Vanara (DISARMONIA MUNDI, SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE). The album features guest appearances from Tim Zlinsky (THE CLASSIC STRUGGLE), Alberto Zannier (SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE), Ivan Odorico (SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE), and Mike Lunacy (DARK LUNACY). A video for the first single, "I Am Dracula" was filmed by WhereCloudsPart and features a cameo appearance from Belgian break-dancer Metal Girl. http://www.stigmahc.com/

DESIRE IN UNEASINESS: Crucial Blast will be releasing the new album from Nadja, Desire In Uneasiness, on April 8th. The music on Desire... explores some new territory for the band, the addition of a real live drummer taking the band down some new paths of psychedelic wandering and jazzy atmosphere while maintaining the brutally grinding bass groove and beautifully corrosive shoegazer guitar distortion that makes up Nadja's sound. The CD will be packaged in a Stoughton gatefold jacket and it's going to look amazing. http://turn.to/nadja

TREES: On May 6th, Crucial Blast will be releasing the debut album from the Portland band Trees, who play ultra-feedback laden, noise-laced, glacially grinding blackened doom. These guys have a twisted, freaked out and psychedelic take on extreme doom that is pretty damn horrific sounding, with a hypnotic death-ritual quality similar to bands like Bloody Panda. Extremely crushing. http://www.myspace.com/trees00

NOISM: Another new addition to the Crucial Blast roster is Japanese avant-death duo NOISM. NOISM have been around for awhile and appeared on the Drum Machinegun compilation that Relapse released a few years ago, and everyone that has heard their insanely technical, impossibly complex shredding and abstract death metal riffing has been blown away by 'em. NOISM somehow approximate the sound of a thousand DM riffs being chopped up and remixed into short blasts of glitched-out pummel driven by lightspeed computer blasts. We'll be releasing the band's first actual CD, titled ±, at the beginning of the summer. http://www.noism.jp/

GNAW THEIR TONGUES: Our final new addition to the Crucial Blast roster is Gnaw Their Tongues, an enigmatic project from the Netherlands that has wowed fans of fucked-up heaviosity over the past year with the phenomenal Reeked, Pained and Shuddering CD on Paradigms and a host of super limited CDR and cassette releases. We'll be releasing the deluxe CD version of Gnaw Their Tongue's new full length An Epiphanic Vomiting Of Blood, which was released as a limited edition vinyl release at the beginning of the year on Burning World Records. This undefinable mass of black amorphic horror is one of the most intense listens we've engaged in recently, a nihilistic pit of howling orchestral strings and blackened abstract doom, operatic female voices plunging into a fetid sewer of filth and blackness, equal parts avant black metal and splattered sludge and symphonic horror movie score. An overwhelming deathscape scrawled in jagged figures across pieces like "My body is not a vessel, nor a temple. It's a repulsive pile of sickness" or "Sawn asunder and left for the beasts", and flecked with moments of unbelievably crushing beauty that may surprise fans of Gnaw Their Tongue's previous work. This release is slated for sometime in June. http://www.myspace.com/gnawtheirtongues

BLACK ELK: And in Black Elk news, the band reports that founding drummer Matt Latorre has left the band and has been replaced by Jeff Watson, formerly of The Icarus Line: "Black Elk is sad to report the parting of ways with founding member, original drummer and great friend Matt Latorre. His excellent ability and dashing good looks will be missed but rest assured, he will be buying the other boys drinks at Club 21, The B-Side and The Standard for many years to come. They are also very excited to announce the addition of longtime friend and fantastic musician Jeff Watson. He spent many years playing with The Icarus Line and various other bands in the Los Angeles area." Stay tuned for upcoming news on new Black Elk releases and tour dates. http://www.blackelk.net/

THE SECRET: Eastern Italy has never been know as a hotbed for things that are ugly or brutal, but the unassuming Eastern city of Trieste has unleashed one of the most fierce and destructive forces from the country’s music scene in the form of THE SECRET. After wowing many with their 2004 debut Luce, the band, now slimmed down to a quartet after some personnel changes, are back in a big way, literally blowing the roof off their debut with an album that is heavier, more frantic and rawer than anything else they've ever done. Their upcoming album Disentoxication - their second release for Goodfellow Records, due out February 26th - is a punishing slab of metallic, murderous riffing and relentless powerhouse breakdowns. Two new tracks from Disintoxication are available at the band's Myspace now. Instead of recording at home in Italy, this time around the band left their native country for the desolate, rural surroundings of Umea, Sweden to work with famed producer Magnus Lindberg at Tonteknik Recording. Disintoxication means leaving behind your bad situations and bad influences which slowly start destroying your life. Many of the lyrics are about loneliness and isolation; others are just a middle finger in the face of comfortable regular life. It’s all about the struggle you face when you have to take distance from someone or something you love but you know you can’t go on with, like a rehab. It’s about sleepless nights and desperation as well as spitting in the face of the world. http://www.myspace.com/thesecret

SOURVEIN: Sourvein are serious, down-tuned sludge/doom with the Southern flavor of bands like Down and Eyehategod. Following their releases on Game Two and Southern Lord, the band's This Dark Reign debut EP Emerald Vulture was an ugly 17 minutes of slow, hateful, grinding darkness, full of thick guitars and malicious vocals. Ghetto Angel, the bands' second EP in a series of three for TDR, charges forth with the bands' signature style of buzzsaw guitars and droning bass with the tempered pace of a sloth, but the songwriting has found a groove not heard on previous recordings. Let's face it, this band has had bad luck on top of bad luck with labels failing on them, natural catastrophes, drug habits taking toll, loved ones lost and everything between, but still they kept their eye on the ball. And we're all the benefactors as they turn it all into a gut-wrenching mix of swamp metal and doom. With Ghetto Angel set for release February 12th, the band are currently plowing-over towns on tour with Zoroaster. After finishing off the South/Southwest and hitting the West Coast they'll swing and head back East, meeting up with Ganon mid-month for the Metal Maniacs sponsored tour that takes them through the Northeast. Plans for a new European tour are in the works for the coming months, and they band is set to burn down Roadburn Fest this year as well. http://www.myspace.com/sourvein13

BANDIT A&R: On the heels of Bandit A&R newsletter's birthday - 20 years of serving musicians, songwriters and music business professionals around the world - editor John Waterman is proud to announce an additional report available free with new subscriptions. New subscribers may now receive 4 issues plus 2 reports for $2 (one pound). In return for the investment, you will receive Bandit's 4 latest PDF newsletters and the upcoming issue at the end of the month plus "The Bandit Guide to Sending Demos" and "How to Get Noticed by the Music Business". And for this month only, subscribers will receive free access to part one of the acclaimed 10 month course "How to Make a Million $ from your Music". The Bandit A&R Newsletter is published monthly and is full of new, exclusive, detailed information about people and companies that are ready to consider signing music and talent. Whatever genre you perform, Bandit covers it. Bandit features opportunities in the UK, USA and many other countries around the world every month. For those who have the talent, Bandit has the contacts who want to invest in that talent. Bandit offers a trial period featuring two free issues with 60 potential contacts. The trial period allows artists the ability to grasp the opportunities, even on an international scale, completely free. The Bandit A&R Newsletter also has discounted quarterly or yearly deals that fit every budget. 99.99% of people looking for a career in the music business fail because many of them walk away from the opportunities offered to them. Bandit A&R Newsletter offers multiple opportunities for musicians to succeed in the music business. "No matter how the music business changes, upcoming artists and writers will always benefit from linking with music companies and people who are ready to engage their capital and contacts to promote and sell new music. Bandit A&R Newsletter provides artists and writers with leads to those people," affirms Waterman. http://www.banditnewsletter.com/birthday.htm

MARTRIDEN: This anticipated full-length debut is everything fans to this rising young band have longed for... powerful musicianship, creative songwriting and talent in metallic spades. For the audio, The Unsettling Dark finds this four-piece reuniting with producer Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage). The results truly stand up to offerings from modern contemporaries all with years on them in both age and recording experience.The album also features guest appearance from James Murphy (Testament). For the visual, the band taps the services of Erik Olofsson (Cult of Luna, Khoma) to create a stunning package that further enhances the band’s overall concept and presentation. This musical journey will appeal to fans of Behemoth, Opeth, Nile and more. http://www.martriden.com/

BURNED UP BLED DRY / DEADBIRD: At A Loss Recordings is proud to announce there will be a split seven inch release between the two Arkansas veterans Deadbird and Burned Up Bled Dry. All tracks will be exclusive. Deadbird will contribute one new song. BUBD will contribute 4 – 5 new tracks. This release will either be a precursor, simultaneous, or the aftermath of Deadbird's upcoming full length "Twilight Ritual" depending on which way the wind flows that day (or when the finished cover work arrives). http://www.myspace.com/burnedupbleddry and

NATION BEYOND: In the past few years SENSORY has presented the metal community with a number of amazing debut releases. Bands such as CIRCUS MAXIMUS and PATHOSRAY are generating maximum buzz and sales continue to climb. NATION BEYOND is our latest discovery and we are proud to introduce them to North America. R NATION BEYOND began life as a side project from DEBASE guitarist JONAS KARLGREN and FACE DOWN bassist JOAKIM HEDESTEDT. These two industrial/death metal bands have a multitude of releases between them on labels such as NUCLEAR BLAST, BLACK LODGE and SANCTUARY/NOISE. It was the desire to create an epic concept album with a different musical direction that united these two talented musicians together. Using Debase and Face Down bandmates as well as some fresh new faces, they set to work. Vocalist NIELZ LINDSTROM is quite a discovery. His emotion filled delivery brings to mind EVERGREY’s TOM ENGLUND as well as DEAD SOUL TRIBE’s DEVON GRAVES. They have found the perfect counterpoint in the angelic voice of SARA HEURLIN. R "The Aftermath Odyssey" is a dramatic tale of love, hate and betrayal set in the wake of a nuclear apocalypse. Symphonic arrangements and the use of a real choir adds a dynamic contrast to the snarling riffs and hook filled melodies. Karlgren and Hedestedt have come up with the perfect balance of power and progressive elements evoking the spirit of classic metal albums like SAVATAGE’s "Dead Winter Dead" and QUEENRYCHE’s "Operation: Mindcrime." This is intense, angst ridden music dripping with atmosphere that will draw you in as the story unfolds. R A masterpiece such as this demands a graphic presentation that matches the music and the band delivers. NATION BEYOND arrives in a gorgeous digipak with a beautifully illustrated 28 page full color booklet. http://www.nationbeyond.com/

KINGFISHER SKY: The KINGFISHER SKY story begins in 2001, when drummer IVAR DE GRAAF decided to part ways with WITHIN TEMPTATION, a band who were experiencing their first international breakthrough with the release of the "Mother Earth" album. Together with classically trained vocalist JUDITH RIJNVELD, Ivar started writing new music without being bound to a specific genre or musical style. R With diverse influences such as CLANNAD, TORI AMOS, KATE BUSH, PETER GABRIEL, and PORCUPINE TREE, the writing resulted in a style that isn’t easy to categorize, though the term "Progressive Myth Rock" seems to cover all bases. In short: contrasts - one moment dreamy and atmospheric, then heavy and brutal the next. By the beginning of 2006 the writing efforts were compiled on an impressive eleven track demo, which ultimately led to the duo signing a recording contract with Dutch label UBURBAN RECORDS the following October. R Former ORPHANAGE bassist ERIC HOOGENDOORN, guitarists DAAN JANZING and EDO VAN DER KOLK and keyboardist GEORGE VAN OLFFEN were recruited to make KINGFISHER SKY a full band. From May through July of 2007 the band recorded in several studios under the inspired guidance of producers JOCHEM JACOBS (TEXTURES) and BOUKE VISSER of SPLIT SECOND SOUND. In January 2008, "Hallway Of Dreams" was licensed to THE LASER’S EDGE for the exclusive release in North America. R "Hallway Of Dreams" is a unique and forward thinking release that encompasses progressive rock, metal and atmospheric moods. The band will draw interest from the fanbase of Within Temptation as well as THE GATHERING, Porcupine Tree and Tori Amos. http://www.kingfishersky.com/

DARK SUNS: Following two highly successful tours with established Progressive metalists PAIN OF SALVATION and two years of exacting work, DARK SUNS have finished their third album "Grave Human Genuine." R "Grave Human Genuine" – this unconventional title was chosen with care and purpose, as it represents the three characteristic elements of this work: "Grave" signifies darkness, the sinister force, and the inevitable fate. "Human" is synonymous with the music’s inherent soul-depth, while "Genuine" means "real" or"authentic" and hence refers to DARK SUNS’ uncompromising approach to music. R But what about the music? DARK SUNS don’t merely pick up where the successful predecessor "Existence" (2005) left off, they present themselves as many-facetted as never before. A clear nod to Doom, complex polyrhythms, unusual and diverse instruments and, last but not least, drummer NIKO NAPPE’s characteristic yearning vocals comprise the album’s cornerstones. The variety of sounds stretches from angular Metal riff attacks via atmospheric ambient soundscapes and Techno reminiscences to Avant-garde influences – despite this complexity, an accomplished musical mosaic of enormous expressiveness. R Exciting nuances are created by the incomparable bass of Pain Of Salvation’s long-time member KRISTOFFER GILDENLÖW, a friendly turn that resulted from the tours mentioned above, and DISILLUSION’s SCHMIDT’s guest vocals in "Flies In Amber." With "Grave Human Genuine," DARK SUNS have created a haunting album full of autonomy and instrumental class, self-consciously charting new musical territory. In this, the band from Leipzig embodies the essence of every true progressive band: compositional genius coupled with advancement. The dark suns radiate: gloomy, human and 7 6 3 2 3 2 3 0 4 1 2 3 egregiously genuine. http://www.darksuns.de/

ROCKET SCIENTISTS: Acclaimed American progressive rock legends Rocket Scientists will perform at the world renown progressive rock festival Baja Prog XII in Mexicali, Mexico on Thursday, March 27th, 2008. The band will take the stage from 8:30PM -10PM. Rocket Scientists' core members Erik Norlander, Mark McCrite and Don Schiff will appear at the festival along with select guest musicians including symphonic rock diva Lana Lane and guitarist Jim Williams. This concert follows on the heels of the release of Rocket Scientists ambitious DVD/4-CD box set "Looking Backward" through Think Tank Media and ProgRock Records. Baja Prog XII will be hosted at the Teatro Del Estado (The State Theatre) on Boulevard Lopez Mateos in Mexicali, Mexico. The event begins with an opening night party on Tuesday, March 25th and continues for four consecutive days through March 29th with 20 bands and fans from all over the world. Rocket Scientists was formed in the late 1980s by keyboardist Erik Norlander and vocalist / guitarist Mark McCrite. The two released their first CD, "Earthbound", in 1993 joined by then - session bassist Don Schiff. Schiff quickly became a part of the band for their second release in 1995, "Brutal Architecture", and the three toured in the US and Europe in 1997 along with drummer Tommy Amato culminating in the live CD, "Earth Below and Sky Above: Live in Europe and America". In 1999, Rocket Scientists released "Oblivion Days", raising the bar on already high expectations. At the turn of the century, Norlander, Schiff and McCrite all worked on solo projects in addition to backing symphonic rock vocal icon Lana Lane on several tours around the world. After an eight year hiatus, Rocket Scientists release its fourth studio album "Revolution Road" in 2006 to high accolades from the press and fans worldwide. In January, 2008, Rocket Scientists released their first box set entitled "Looking Backward", a 5-disc collection containing remastered versions of their first three studio albums, "Earthbound", "Brutal Architecture" and "Oblivion Days", along with a 4th audio CD of new recordings of classic Rocket Scientists songs reinterpreted by the band in 2007. The 5th disc is a DVD-9 containing video of the 2007 sessions along with extensive interviews and historical archive footage from sessions going back to 1993. http://www.myspace.com/rocketscientistsband

ETERNAL DESCENT: Eternal Descent's Llexi Leon will collaborate with David Chang (Stamping Ground, Earthtone9, Gorretted, Panic Cell) on co-production/mixing, and Jason Metcalf (DC Comics) on pencils and inks along with Javier Tartaglia on colors for the artwork, to release a Limited Edition of the single "Phantom of the Opera" on May 10, 2008 through Incendium Records. The single will also feature previously unreleased instrumental bonus tracks. The "Phantom" single artwork depicts Eternal Descent characters Loki and Lyra taking on the roles of the Phantom and Christine. The release will contain bonus tracks which will be available with the artwork via digital download once physical stocks are depleted. The title track will also be distributed freely as a stand alone MP3 for a short period of time. The "Phantom of the Opera" single is a taste of things to come from the new Eternal Descent album and comic slated for an August, 2008 release, and will be the first time characters other than Lyra are given vocal parts on an album. Eternal Descent's 2007 release "Losing Faith" continues to see significant success with the media and has been hailed as one of the best concept albums on the market. WCH Radio named the track "Our Own Devils" from "Losing Faith" as one of the Top 30 songs of 2007. Eternal Descent's sound weaves elements of metal, industrial, ambient and experimental music fused with romantic filmscore arrangements. Using cutting edge cinematic sound effects, narrative lyrics and fusions of styles from ethereal soundscapes to crushing metal, the aim of this project is to integrate comic book visuals and animation within an album style series of releases. "Losing Faith" is the first in this series. Going one step further than simply creating a soundtrack to the comic, the audio will include narrative style lyrics and quotes from the scripts, along with dynamic sound effects and orchestration to accurately portray events and atmospheres within the story. Each track represents a comic book, and the album is split into 3 chapters of 4 tracks. Each chapter will be released as a 4 issue miniseries in comic book format. The first comic to be released will be an issue #0 preview, giving depth to the main characters and providing a backstory and timeline for the album. Music videos are also being created in animation format to bring pivotal events of the story to life in an anime style. http://www.eternaldescent.com/

DANTESCO: We're very happy to announce the signing of Puerto Rico’s most famous metal band, DANTESCO! DANTESCO plays a very distinctive blend of epic doom metal, imagine something in between Candlemass and Mercyful Fate and you'll get the idea! Add to this the evocative voice and presence of one of the most peculiar and respected figures of the heavy metal movement, Erico La Bestia … And there you have it! DANTESCO’s offering, something absolutely unique that real heavy metal fans cannot miss! The band will self-release its second album Pagano in Puerto Rico while Cruz Del Sur Music's edition will have two exclusive bonus tracks and will be released on the 24th of April 2008. DANTESCO will tour Europe during April 2008 and Cruz Del Sur will release a limited edition slipcase and embroidered patch in time for their appearance at the Greek festival Up the Hammers and Keep It True festivals. http://www.myspace.com/dantescoepico

BATTLEROAR: Greek Epic metal’s heroes BATTLEROAR are actually in the recording studio, completing the recordings of their third album To Death and Beyond. Greek comic artist (Conan Greek edition) John Rubulias has been hired for the artwork, expect a real epic metal artwork! The album will see the light on the 24th of April, and although the band’s is working against time, we're sure they'll make it! Also in this case a Limited digipak edition will be released in time for the Up The Hammers festival, including a bonus track and an exclusive embroidered patch!http://www.battleroar.com/

IGNITOR: Many of you already were aware that after the release of Road of Bones, IGNITOR was hit by two departures that inevitably put on ice their live-activity as well as the composition of new material: first left singer Erika, then it was the turn of guitarist Annah Moore. The band started looking out for replacement and the first, great result is that the search of a new guitarist has ended, having original guitarist Beverly Barrington rejoined the band! “We're excited about "re-igniting" the sparks of inspiration for songs like Demon Slayer and Last King Tiger” affirmed drummer Pat Boyle, expecting some good news on the vocal-front by the end of January. Stay tuned!http://www.myspace.com/ignitor

CRESCENT SHIELD: LA’s CRESCENT SHIELD is working on the follow-up for their great late-2006 release, The Last of My Kind. The new album will be released by Cruz Del Sur after summer 2008, but some details are beginning to be unveiled such as that the album will be entitled, The Stars of Never Seen, and Gerry Alanguilan (Marvel/DC), after the excellent result of his cover-illustration for The Last of My Kind, will be again responsible of the artwork. http://www.crescentshield.com/

DIMEBAG: KnuckleBonz® announced they are finalizing production on a second limited edition sculpture of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. The figure is fully licensed with Getcha Pull, Inc. the licensing arm which represents Rita Haney-Abbott and the Dimebag Darrell Estate. “We were all very proud over here in the Dimebag family to learn that KnuckleBonz would be busting out another brilliant piece in the Dime collection,” explains Rita Haney-Abbott. “They did such an amazing job in capturing the persona of such an all out, guns blazing, Texas tornado, known to many, as the one and only Dimebag!” “Watching Dime onstage was always such a one on one experience,” describes Haney-Abbott. “He had a way of reaching you no matter where you were located in the crowd. Dimes trademark squeals and gut wrenching power grooves captured you as he had the magic! After playing his heart out, drenched with sweat, he’d stand there breathless and raise those arms. The crowd would just erupt so thunderously. Dime has the most amazing fans; those were amazing moments and I think KnuckleBonz has captured that image with this second sculpture! When I look at it I can almost hear the crowd.” The Dimebag II figure stands 9” tall on top a wooden display base. Dime is featured with his iconic tobacco Dean® guitar. He is shown in his signature cammo shorts and is shirtless to display his all his tattoos work. This 2nd sculpture captures Dime during his “Far Beyond Driven” era. The sculpture comes with a certificate of authenticity and is hand-numbered. Each sculpture is hand-painted and is a limited edition collectible. Only 3000 are created. The first Dimebag Darrell limited edition sculpture was a great tribute and will soon be sold out. Many have expressed a desire to see other work featuring the acclaimed musician. This 2nd Dimebag Darrell limited edition figure will be available for holiday sales 2007. Pre-orders will be accepted at www.knucklebonz.com to reserve. KnuckleBonz creates hand-painted sculpture of honored musicians in their Rock Iconz® Sculpture Series. Dimebag was considered an extremely versatile player combining immaculate chops and power groove. Combine this with his flawless live performances and Dime’s place among guitar greats is certainly confirmed. Those who knew him best describe his as “pure raw energy”. KnuckleBonz is honored to continue to work with Dime’s family to create these collectibles. The figure sells for $99 USD direct from KnuckleBonz at http://www.knucklebonz.com. (KnuckleBonz offers an eNewsletter which provides additional information on the sculpture and availability updates.) Pre-ordering is available online to reserve this limited edition collectible. The Dimebag II Limited Edition figure is also available through select retailers worldwide. Only 3000 collectible figures available.

VINCENT BLACK SHADOW: There is a video interview with bassist Chris Kirkham of The Vincent Black Shadow available for viewing at The Daily Rock: http://www.thedailyrock.com/2008/01/03/interview-with-chris-kirkham-of-the-vincent-black-shadow/. Chris talks about how the band came together, his interest and beginnings in getting into music and learning how to play, the dynamics of being in a band with his brother and touring. The Vincent Black Shadow will be on tour with Wednesday 13 as part of The All American Massacre tour beginning this month and running through March across the USA. Also on the bill is The AKA’s and Creature Feature.

DISASTERHATE: The debut mcd is finally out!!! 5 killer songs of solid modern thrash metal sound, dark, dramatic and psychic!!! Contact to us fo wholesale prices or more information. Some trades would be possible. We are also looking for distributors in several countries. http://www.myspace.com/disasterhate

DAS ROTE UNIVERSUM: "KILLER" still available! 9 tracks, including the Beatles cover "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", over 70 minutes of finest weltraum music! You can order it directly from us for only 8,- Euro (plus 2,- shipping inside Germany; other countries please ask)! Check out our sites http://myspace.com/dasroteuniversum or http://rotesuniversum.de for songs, samples and more information!

ANMOD: We proudly announce that "Monstrosity Per Defectum" CD is finally released by Deity Down Records! Go to our official website (brand new designed by Dark Grove Design) http://www.anmod.com.br, listen to some MP3 preview and leave your opinion!!

AXEMASTER: AXEMASTER is happy to announce that it has completed it's lineup with the addition of bassist Jim Curtis. Jim's a world class player with vast experience in a wide range of music. He says "I'm honored to be in Axemaster and ready to help the band kick ass". With him and new singer Dan Kaisk, the band's lineup is by far the best in it's long history and will display it on their new CD. The band would also like to announce that a special guest guitarist will appear on the new release. Ivan Hurd, who recorded 7 releases with the classic band Anvil during a 12 year span, will be featured playing a solo on a selected song from the band's upcoming release. Special thanks goes to Tiziana Hurd of Sol Music Management for making it all happen! Hope everyone will check out the clip of the new Axemaster singer at http://www.myspace.com/thebandaxemaster

ESOTERICA: Bieler Bros. Records is excited to announce the release of Esoterica's first US single, "Don't Rely On Anyone". "Don't Rely On Anyone" is currently impacting rock radio stations across the nation and can be listened to online at THIS LOCATION. Set to hit US stores on April 8th, Esoterica's debut album "The Fool" was produced by world renowned producer, John Fryer (NIN, White Zombie, Depeche Mode) and has been hailed as "superb" by UK super-mag, Rock Sound.

ANOTHER BLACK DAY: Emerging, hard-rock/metal stars, ANOTHER BLACK DAY, have released a new, interactive e-card in support of their explosive, self-titled, debut album, "ANOTHER BLACK DAY" online at THIS LOCATION. Unlike any other e-card out there, the player features two standout tracks from the bands upcoming release. Including the epic, first single, "WICKED SOUL". Set to hit stores on May 20th through BIELER BROS. RECORDS, the first single from the album, "WICKED SOUL" will impact rock radio across the nation on March 25th; with an exclusive iTunes pre-release launched, HERE, earlier this week. "WICKED SOUL" has already become one of the most played songs on KBPI in Colorado and has recently been added to WXRX in Illinois and KFMX in Texas. Additionally, ANOTHER BLACK DAY will join labelmates, NONPOINT as well as HELL YEAH, FAIR TO MIDLAND and BURY YOUR DEAD when they perform at 94.5 KFMX's "ULTRA-MEGA-SUPER-BIRTHDAY BASH".

STEREOSIDE: Fresh off the release of their debut album, "SO LONG", STEREOSIDE are wasting no time in 2008. The band is set to bring their rock anthems on the road. Joining STEREOSIDE on the jaunt will be fellow fast-rising rock superstars, ECHOVALVE. STEREOSIDE's "SO LONG" is in stores now and is a must-have record for every red-blooded, beer loving, put your lighter in the air, rock fan. "SO LONG" features the hypnotic first single, "SINNER" as well as the brilliant title track "SO LONG". Both tracks can be found online at THIS LOCATION.

DEPARTMENT OF VIRTUOSITY: The 7th issue of Department of Virtuosity has been published! There you will find 88 reviews most of whom are virtuoso-oriented albums: 3 Headed Monster (1 release), Adagio (4), Nick Andrew, Yann Armellino (4), Tom Ball, Sebastjan Bartol, Centryfugal, Curfew, Frederic De Cecco (2), David Neil Cline (4), Deep Ocean Inside, Devil's Slingshot, Randy Ellefson (2), The EssenEss Project, Francesco Fareri (3 DVDs), Gianluca Ferro, Simone Fiorletta, Luca Formentini, Friedsitar, Marcelo Birrer Fujisaki, The Georgia Guitar Quartet, De Gladas Kapell, Grimmark, Steen Grontved, Michael Harris, John Jaunese, Ray Jozwiak, Kapel Maister, KeyDragon (2), Nabil Khemir, Richie Kotzen, Barbara Lin, Milton Marsh, Magic Kingdom, Thom Mathews, Jeff McLeod, MCM (2), Marco Mendoza, Michael Mucklow, Nathania, Paul Nelson, Juan Oskar, Palace Terrace, Aaron Pearson (3), Iztok Peklar, Russ Pettit, Milan Polak, Stephan Potgieter, Powerglove, Project Steiger, Patrick Rondat (6), Andy A. Sartori & Symphony, Scale The Summit, Roger Staffelbach's Angel of Eden, Scott St! Michael Stollaire, Brian Tarquin, Steve Thorne (2), Geoff Tyson, Valkyr, Van Helsing's Curse, Denis Vlachiotis, Joop Wolters, Victor Zinchuk, Theodore Ziras. The effects are available on: http://www.hmpmag.pl (please click the golden banner of DoV)

MASTER: Master - Master: Release date January 25th, 2008. Master - On the seventh day God created... Master: Release date January 25th, 2008. Mandatory first and second MASTER albums finally available again! Original mix with favorable untriggered drums and all solos included! Two full live shows on bonus DVD with each reissue! On your knees for the MASTER!!!

DIVINE LUST: "The Bitterest Flavours", the second Divine Lust album, is finished and is currently being showcased within the label "industry". The full version of "Selling My Soul" and "extended" samples of "Duskful Of Bliss, Morningful Of Misery" and "Good By Love" are available to listen online at the band's official site - http://www.divinelust.com - and MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/divinelustband. The album was recorded at Medusa Lab Studios and produced by Dikk and the band itself. Besides band members Filipe Gonçalves (vocals and guitars), João Costa (drums), António Capote (keyboards) and Ricardo Pinhal (guitars), these recordings were also enhanced by the contribution of Paula Teixeira (female vocals), Tiago Flores (violinist of the strings combo, Corvos), Ricardo Marques (Portuguese guitar) as well as the aforementioned producer Dikk (bass). Record labels and Distros interested in receiving "The Bitterest Flavours" advance promo-pack should get in touch with the band.

BLACK WIDOW USA: Black Widow U.S.A. would like to thank you for all your support, and wish you, and yours, a great 2008! Please visit our sites, http://www.BlackWidowMetal.com and http://www.myspace.com/blackwidowusa to listen to our new cd, "Soldiers From Hell". Start your Metal year off right! And thanks, again!

CRYPTOPSPY: We all knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any less exciting: We can now officially feast our eyes on the brand spanking new CRYPTOPSY! To say it's a new look for the band would be an understatement, but while the visuals have certainly changed and they now have keyboardist Maggie Durand to give them an even more haunting atmosphere, rest assured that the technicality and balls-to-the-wall aggression remain the core of the band's sound. If anything, this breathes new life into a band that was already a living legend in the technical death metal realm. They'll be hitting the studio anytime now with new vocalist Matt McGachy to record a follow-up to 2005's Once Was Not, so wait patiently for that one next year. And if you live in Mexico, Central or South America, you best start religiously checking the tour dates on the band's MySpace page because CRYPTOPSY will be playing live for the first time in your respective region.

DIVINE HERESY: From his work with the blistering fast Hate Eternal to CM's own DIVINE HERESY, Tim Yeung has produced a mammoth amount of raw, primal beats, most of which, unfortunately, have not been as recognized as they should be outside of the metal realm…until now. Yeung had put in a lot of time and effort in the death metal underground before being invited to be a part of DIVINE HERESY by ex-Fear Factory legend Dino Cazares, so I'd say the spotlight is well-deserved. A full three-page feature on Yeung, including an in-depth interview, can be found in the latest issue of DRUM! Magazine. If you were as stunned as I was the first time you heard the drum parts to "This Threat is Real" and you have weighty enough balls to test the waters yourself, you can learn how to play a few sections of the song courtesy of Yeung's run-through in the mag.

IN THIS MOMENT: Every band's dream is to hear an arena-sized crowd chanting their greatest hits, so you can imagine how psyched IN THIS MOMENT was before they hit the Staples Center stage in LA the other weekend. They've only recently released their debut, Beautiful Tragedy, and they're already opening for a metal legend like Ozzy. Picture trying to spy your friends and family from the faces of thousands, knowing that just a half-hour after your set Rob Zombie will occupy the same space you're standing in now. They are still a few albums away from even thinking about a greatest hits record, and they have achieved more than most bands that have been around ten times as long. Pretty cool, if you ask me. And the band is equally excited about the New York show. Guitarist Chris Howorth states: "It's a Christmas show with Ozzy at one of the most famous arenas in the U.S. I am beyond excited to be playing there and it doesn't seem real." As if the press weren't already hitting high gear for the band, each member has picked a favorite spots to eat at on the road for LA's CitySearch. Also be sure to check out the special for IN THIS MOMENT @ CM Distro! Pick up an exclusive IN THIS MOMENT T-Shirt + CD + Autographed Color Photo for only $17! Click the $ button to check it out.

SUICIDE SILENCE: If you want to work off that chocolate fat after the holidays (and you live in California), this is your best bet. Get in the pit when SUICIDE SILENCE hits your town for a week long run dubbed the Santa Slays Tour. The band got its first big start at the Showcase Theatre in Corona, so if you live anywhere near there, make it a point to buy tickets ahead of time for that Dec. 29th date because the show will most definitely be insane. Another highlight will be the New Years Eve show at Soma in San Diego. The rest of you should consider yourself lucky to see these guys over the holiday season. I've had people say they don't like the record, but when these same people see this band live they're bangin' their heads, throwing the devil horns and spin-kicking like no tomorrow. If you haven't bought the band's debut yet, buy a pair of tickets, take the girlfriend and wait until the band kicks into "No Pity for a Coward." If you don't immediately rush over to the merch table and pick up The Cleansing, there's no hope left for you. The Santa Slays Tour dates are up on the Myspace Page.

BICLOPS: Day Without Dawn (ex-Postman Syndrome) changes name to Biclops, releases posthumous record! After the departure of guitarist/vocalist Jim Stang and the addition of new guitarist/vocalist Dan Brownridge, the members of New Jersey quartet Day Without Dawn (formerly called The Postman Syndrome when they were a five-piece) have once again renamed themselves, this time as Biclops. Day Without Dawn's final album with Stang on vocals, Understanding Consequences, will be released this February by Forgotten Empire Records. The disc will be comprised of 8 songs and will feature guest performances by Larry Chiswick (All Parallels), Matt Lupo (The Postman Syndrome/East Of The Wall), Kevin Conway (East Of The Wall), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza), and Jared Duncan (Fake Gimms). Meanwhile, Biclops have posted new music at http://www.myspace.com/biclopsisaband, and are currently in the midst of booking a nationwide tour in March 2008, once again with tourmates All Parallels.

ROCKET SCIENTISTS: Acclaimed California prog rock band Rocket Scientists has announced the release of Looking Backward, a multi-disc package that reissues and revisits their back catalog in grand fashion. Looking Backward contains expertly remastered CD editions of the band's first three studio albums; Earthbound (1993); Brutal Architecture (1995); and Oblivion Days (1999) along with bonus tracks on each disc. All of the original artwork is included in the package as part of a full-color 64-page 5x7 book. The Looking Backward book also contains thorough liner notes and commentary from the musicians along with extensive photos by Raj Naik, Neil Zlozower and Scott Streble. To complete the Looking Backward package, the core Rocket Scientists musicians, Mark McCrite (v,g), Erik Norlander (k) and Don Schiff (Stick), returned to the same Los Angeles area studio where they recorded the early albums and commenced a series of new sessions with drummer / percussionist Greg Ellis who appears on Norlander and Schiff's solo albums as well as on the Rocket Scientists OBLIVION DAYS album from 1999. The quartet recorded a new disc of "live in the studio" material where they reinterpreted songs from the band's early studio albums, some with the benefit of over 15 years of perspective. This fourth disc, "The 2007 Sessions", chronicles those recordings. Additional unreleased material recorded over the years was added to "The 2007 Sessions" disc including a special version of the Rocket Scientists classic, "Mariner", with guest vocals from long time Erik Norlander collaborator, Kelly Keeling. Two songs from the Oblivion Days album, "Escape" and "Break the Silence", were also remixed especially for "The 2007 Sessions" disc. But the band didn't stop there. Producer Erik Norlander brought in an HD video crew to film "The 2007 Sessions", and these live-in-the-studio performances appear in the Looking Backward package on the fifth disc, an NTSC region-free DVD. The DVD also includes lengthy interviews with the band as well as historical footage going all the way back to the first album recording sessions in 1992. Norlander also filmed a bonus featurette, "An Afternoon with Emmett Chapman "where Stick maestro Don Schiff discusses his groundbreaking instruments with their creator, inventor Emmett Chapman. The band has posted three videos from the Looking Backward release on their YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/rocketscientists. They have also posted four of the new recordings on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/rocketscientistsband. Looking Backward is a superb collection of Rocket Scientists recordings packaged on a grand scale. Fans of Rocket Scientists, Erik Norlander and progressive rock in general will find this to be an essential part of their CD and DVD collection. Worldwide Release Date: December 17, 2007 on the Think Tank Media label distributed by ProgRock Records. http://www.thetank.com/rocketscientists.htm

DEADBIRD: At A Loss Recordings is more than pleased to announce that we will release Deadbird's Twillight Ritual in early 2008. More news as it comes…http://www.myspace.com/deadbird

EARTH: The Bee Made Honey in the Lion's Skull - coming out February 2008...Earth's latest incarnation has arrived. After re faceting some old gems for greater illumination on Hibernaculum, the band returns one again to it's continuing evolution. Where Hex... reveled in dark Satanic twang and austere American beauty, The Bee Made Honey in the Lion's Skull finds Dylan Carlson and the band growing into a harder, more rock and American Gospel-oriented and improvisational direction framed by truly psychedelic production and blazing guitar sounds. Earth show's it's affinity with a nod to the best elements of the more adventurous San Francisco bands of the late 60's and 70's, and the more spiritually aware and exciting forms of Jazz-Rock from the same era. This is no nostalgia trip but a thoroughly inspired and original metamorphosis. Earth is honored to be joined on this record for three songs by legendary virtuoso guitarist Bill Frisell (John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, etc.) showcasing some of his most fuzzed out playing in years! Frisell adds a brilliant texture and counterpoint to the scintillating and inspired riffs of Dylan Carlson and the band. Adrienne Davies joins again on drums, lending a classic and steady feel to the proceedings. Steve Moore also returns adding heavy Hammond organ and his intense jazz inspired piano playing. Live bassist Don McGreevy also makes his full-length Earth debut on this record. Earth will begin touring throughout the world when the album is released, Australia, Europe and a full US campaign and on from there. The new songs are equally compelling live where Earth takes the vehicles and expand and explore them for further musical and meditative exploration. http://www.thronesanddominions.com

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: War Metal Battle Master - coming out March 2008...Chicago's beastmasters Lair of the Minotaur recently finished recording for the new album War Metal Battle Master, out on Southern Lord Records in March 2008. They also just wrapped up filming a video for the title track of the new album with director Gary Smithson, (who has directed videos for Exodus, Goatwhore, High on Fire, etc.), due to premiere in February. A trailer and some behind the scenes footage available before then. http://www.lairoftheminotaur.com

BORIS: A brand new, full-on studio album shall arise from the Japanese trio once again on Southern Lord. Featuring guest appearances from Michio Kurihara, Stephen O' Malley and others, and including some new formations within the band's sound (as always...) such as some amazing vocal work by Takeshi and even by guitarist Wata, Smile will continue to perpetuate the ongoing spirit of the entity known as Boris. More info to follow on a pre-album released CD/7" single, new video and even more in the coming weeks...http://www.inoxiarec.com/boris

GRAYCEON: Vendlus Records' Grayceon has recently finished a 7" split with Giant Squid that is now available by The End Records, limited to 500 copies. Tour dates are scheduled through the first quarter of 2008 with acts like Agalloch, Lesbian, Giant Squid, Black Elk, Ludicra and more, with more dates being scheduled and updated all the time. Grayceon's self-titled debut is still available for coverage via Vendlus/Earsplit, with a new full-length scheduled to be recorded in February and released in August 2008 once again by Vendlus. http://www.grayceon.com

HAVOC UNIT: Finland’s andOceans is dead, now rises the new age of machines: the industrialized proclamation of Havoc Unit. Havoc Unit is the new propaganda machine & the audio-visual forum for artists to collaborate without restrictions: a test channel where neurons communicate via chemical and electrical synapses in order to spread audio-virulence and bacteria. The iridescent concept album [h.IV+] is a terror ssault on the world taboos & baboons, and for parental advisory, its explicit content may raise animosity. Listen-Consume-Delete[Yourself]! Bipedal primates wake up and listen to the new propaganda machine! After two years in the labor camp the debut full-length album is finally finalized. The iridescent concept album is a terror assault on the world taboos & baboons and will be released in November 2007 via Vendlus records. h.IV+ contains encrypted information and the song titles on the promo-version are falsified. h.IV+ can be interpreted in several ways: Hoarse Industrial Viremia, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Havoc 4+ [h-letter indicating Havoc, IV indicating number 4 and +-sign indicating accession] With a highly developed brain capable of abstract cognition and introspection combined with an erect body carriage that frees the upper limbs for manipulating objects, we humans adept at utilizing new systems of communication for self-expression, the change of ideas and organization. We tend to create complex social structures composed of co-operating and competing groups, ranging in scale from small units to species-wide political, scientific, religious and economic unions. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of traditions, rituals, ethics, values, social norms, and laws which form the basis of human society. Humans have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human desire for self-expression, has led to cultural innovations. Fuck that shit. Havoc Unit is here to kill the culture and to manipulate the natural phenomena called art and culture. All 6.6 billions, hail the dead flesh, this is The Foundation and The Manifest of Futurism.http://www.myspace.com/havocunit

V:28: VioLution is the final part in the V:28 apocalyptic trilogy of humanity and the world coming to an end. This release, like the first two, is produced by LRZ, and demonstrates the band’s versatile evolution and expansion. The music has strong metal roots, and varies from extreme blast beats to groovy mid paced death metal and walls of noise and ambient drones. With guest appearances by Kristoffer Garm Rygg (Ulver), Ghost (GGFH), MZ.412, Mike VanPortfleet of Lycia and more, this album has turned out to be a unique release that takes the experimental metal genre to its furthest! The CD also contains a video track for the song “Shut It Down”, enhancing the visual side of the concept with first class video technology. The record is produced by LRZ of Red Harvest. [release date December 15th, 2007]. http://www.v28.com

ANNIHILATOR: Annihilator is considered by many to be the perfect example of an intelligent, sweaty, ever surprising metal act, having released a number of classics: Alice In Hell, Never, Neverland, King Of The Kill, Carnival Diablos, Schizo Deluxe, and others over the years. SPV/Steamhammer is proud to announce the release of “Metal” Annihilator’s new album, out on January 15th, 2008. “Metal” features ten new tracks recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini, and Dave Padden (long-time vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist). “Metal” also offers sensational performances by some of Annihilator’s good friends and the metal scenes finest players; Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom), Danko Jones (Danko Jones), Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy), Corey Beaulieu (Trivium), William Adler (Lamb Of God), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Jesper Strømblad (In Flames), Steve ´Lips` Kudlow (Anvil), Anders Bjørler (The Haunted), Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme, Annihilator), Jacob Lynam (Lynam) and more. In view of these impressive omens, one should tend to believe Waters when he states: “Metal” is going to be known as one of the coolest guitar albums out there but this is also one of the best-written records in my career; something that you can never achieve if you try… it just happens!” Jeff Waters on the straightforward and unambiguous album title, “Metal”: “The new album reminds me of the first four Annihilator records. It’s then tempting to think that I’m looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. But it’s a fact that I composed the new material the same way I went about the early Annihilator tracks. This record combines many of the diverse styles you will find in metal music done our way. Annihilator Metal”. http://www.annihilatormetal.com

CHRISTIAN DEATH: Few bands can rightfully claim to be the incarnation of gothic music, but legendary Christian Death definitely deserves this title, after reigning as one of the world’s major gothic/death rock acts for 25 years! After a seven-year wait, one of the most revered and influential acts of the gothic rock scene deliver their epic twelfth album American Inquisition. The album features male and female duet style vocals, rare and exotic ethnic instruments, both child and adult choirs... Their best effort in a long time! http://www.christiandeath.com

DISMEMBER: Regain has launched a special Dismember MySpace page featuring a streaming version of one track, "Europa Burns," from the Swedish death metal masters' upcoming self-titled eight album which will be released February 18, 2008. Get your first impression via: http://www.myspace.com/dismemberpromo. This page will feature a huge competition soon, so re-check it from time to time. As long as Dismember live, death metal will reign!http://www.dismember.se

ENDSTILLE: Founded in December 2000, Germany’s war metal machine Endstille plays the ugliest, aggressive black metal at the speed of a MG42 firing and with the power of heavy ship artillery. Four previous full-length albums and a battery of shorter releasts have pushed Endstille to the top of Germany’s BM scene in a few short years, and with the latest masterpiece Endstilles Reich being the bands first to be released via Regain Records, Endstille is now ready to conquer Europe and the rest of the world… http://www.endstille.com

MACHINERY: We are really proud to announce that Stockholm based Machinery has inked a deal with Regain. The new album entitled The Passing can be described as an intense journey in epic and diverse metal – and album with great songs and an unique style that converges on death, black, thrash and classic metal styles! A perfect blend of what should truly appeal to every metalhead! The album is going to be released via Regain Records in early 2008. http://www.machinery.se

NIFELHEIM: Nifelheim was forged upon the anvil of wrath in the year 1990 by Tyrant, Helbutcher and Demon. Already at this point the band played pure Black Metal in the way of the old cult with black leather, spikes and chains, years before the black metal exploitation truly began. Nifelheim soon became famous for being the chainsaw in the Norwegian forest. During the years of cult status has amassed three previous full-length albums and several smaller releases, which easily gained them endless worldwide cult recognition of their hateful, old-natured, uncompromising style and attitude. And now finally the fourth studio album is finished! The new album Envoy of Lucifer is not polluted by any modern influences from the awful 1990s or shitty present decade, and once again even darker and more aggressive then ever before!! Total Death! http://www.nifelheim.co.nr

NINNIXU: Non Compos Mentis Records is proud to announce the long awaited, long anticipated release of Ninnixu - Collection CD. 19 tracks of Oppressive, Lo-fi Black Metal. Features their "Destructive Forces Obscure" demo along with their split demo releases with Burning Winds, Aiwass, Witchtomb & Nazarene Whore plus 3 unreleased bonus tracks. Samples can be heard below. Wholesale prices are available but trades are preferred. Mord, Dimentianon & Lugubre/Teratism CDs are still available for trade. http://www.ncmrecords.com/

WALLS OF JERICHO: More live footage of Detroit’s WALLS OF JERICHO performing their track “Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer” is available for viewing at the Underground Video Television (UVTV) website: http://www.uvtv.info/updates/live-performances/2007/walls-of-jericho-through-the-eyes-of-a-dreamer-live/. The footage was taken at Northern Lights in Clifton Park NY earlier this year when the band was on tour with KITTIE, 36 CRAZYFISTS, DEAD TO FALL and IN THIS MOMENT. The forthcoming EP will be included with WALLS OF JERICHO's "Live in South America" DVD, which was filmed this past August and is tentatively scheduled for release in March 2008 via Trustkill.

DISPLEASED RECORDS: Two new releases out NOW! Toxik - Dynamo Open Air - Release Date December 13, 2007. Striborg - Journey of a Misanthrope - Relase date December 13, 2007.

DEVILDRIVER: Californian metal act DevilDriver have revealed plans to issue a DVD next year. In an exclusive interview with Lucem Fero's Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan, DevilDriver guitarist Mike Spreitzer also commented that the DVD would include a live concert; "We're going to be releasing a DVD next year - we got a lot of material already. We've had a video guy with us for roughly two years, and he's going to start working on the DVD very soon. It'll have a live show in it." The complete interview can be accessed at http://www.lucemfero.com/devildriver102007.php.

NO BULLSHIT ZINE: Fresh new issue #8 is fuckin’ OUT NOW!!! With FREE CD sampler, an international compilation Vol. V. Fellow zine editors, distros, bands, and any fuckin’ underground individual get in touch and communicate right about now!!! For those who are only down for FREE stuffs, well, here’s your time for action! PDF file of the issue #8 is also available, download the shit to get your own copy instantly just don’t be shy to contact me now and I will send you the link. This issue is made in Saudi Arabia. http://nbzine.cjb.net/

ANTHONY RANERI: There is a video interview of Bayside’s lead vocalist & guitarist Anthony Raneri available for viewing at The Daily Rock: http://www.thedailyrock.com/2007/12/21/interview-with-baysides-anthony-raneri/. Anthony talks about his upbringing & how he got interested & involved in music and how Bayside was put together. He goes on to tell the story how his band got their record deal and gives his advice to young bands on making themselves more visible & popular with music fans.

AXEMASTER: Axemaster would like to introduce the newest member of the band, vocalist Dan Kaisk has replaced Christopher Michael as the front man. Dan has an extremely powerful voice that fits the band's style PERFECTLY, a very welcome addition to the project. The move was made just in time to allow him to be featured on the upcoming Axemaster CD, which will make the release all the more kick ass!!!!!!!!!!! To hear a short demo clip that's an example of Dan's style/sound, go to http://www.myspace.com/thebandaxemaster. After several delays and technical problems, the band's once again moving forward with their new recording. 14 songs of pure traditional power/thrash with an original twist. Chamber studio is creating an excellent product which will surely allow Axemaster to become a major force in the underground!!!!!!!!!!!

3 INCHES OF BLOOD: Stephanie Stevens sat down to chat with 3 Inches Of Blood’s guitarist Shane Clark before a show at Lupos in Rhode Island recently. Shane gave some insight on a myriad of subject including the writing process for their latest Roadrunner Records release “Fire Up The Blades”, personnel changes in the band, and the origins of musical style: “Cam One of our singers plays D&D. He has a squad of dudes who play every Sunday when we are at home. Myself I just don’t have the attention span for that, I think it’s cool. The whole reason behind the lyrics being what they are is escapism. Your definitely not going to listen to our album or see a show coming from a bad day or bad relationship problems and come here about us and our problems and get even more bummed out. Like I’ll go see a horror movie to escape and that’s where that comes from. There is a big influence of the metal we grew up with and music in general and movies and shit. It’s just fun to make up your own fantasy stories and imagery and mythology and squash mythologies together to make your own. It’s art, you can do whatever you want.” Shane goes on to talk about their recent tour dates: “Coming off the Static-x tour into this tour is like a completely new world. GWAR fans are a little like Slayer fans, they sometimes just want Gwar or nothing, but lots of people come to see Gwar cause they are just into metal and will give bands a chance. We gained fans on this tour.” The full interview is available at The Daily Rock: http://www.thedailyrock.com/2007/12/14/interview-with-shane-clark-of-3-inches-of-blood/.

2007 END OF THE YEAR GUITAR WORLD POLL: Guitar World is running their annual Readers Poll Awards and this year Dimebag Darrell Abbott is on the ballot for the Hall Of Fame Award. With the legacy that Dimebag Darrell left to his fans, it is only fitting that he shines still in the hearts of many. His impact on the world was of humbled greatness. For those that didn’t know Dimebag Darrell in his personal life got to know him through his music. Hearing his music and loving it, keeps his legacy alive. Go vote now @ http://www.guitarworld.com.

CHRISTIAN DEATH: Few bands can rightfully claim to be the incarnation of gothic music, but the legendary Christian Death definitely deserves this title. After a seven year wait, one of the most revered and influential acts of the gothic rock scene deliver their epic new album American Inquisition. The album features male and female duet style vocals, rare and exotic ethnic instruments, both child and adult choirs. Their best effort in a long time! http://www.christiandeath.com/

GRHOST BRIGADE: Season of Mist is proud to introduce Finland’s newest metal export, Ghost Brigade. While the band firmly plants its flag in metal soil, this banner certainly does not wave exclusively for any one sub-genre. Influenced by an uncountable array of musical styles, movies and artwork, the outcome is nearly always the same. A deep and epic sound that is equally dark, oppressive, melodic, dynamic and heavy. Following its true emotions rather than conscious thought, the band creates music from their hearts and is truly “Guided by Fire”. http://www.ghostbrigade.net

THE OLD DEAD TREE: Stronger than ever before thanks to the success of sophomore album The perpetual Motion, French goth metallers The Old Dead Tree are back with The Water Fields. This third album refers to an imaginary place where one finds refuge to escape from pain and everyday doubt. This album is about avoidance, kidding oneself, and the urge we have to hide from reality and to remain passive when we are on tenterhooks. http://www.theolddeadtree.com

AVA INFERI: Created by guitarist and songwriter Rune Eriksen (aka Blasphemer of Mayhem), released their critically acclaimed debut Burdens in early 2006. Their new and stunning platter The Silhouette offers the listener a new journey. Carried away by the doomsday-laden riffs, haunting melodies and dim passages, The Silhouette brings you to cities in grief and weeping oceans. Carmen’s female voices are by far the strongest and most passionate ever recorded in the doom-gothic genre! http://www.ava-inferi.com

OM: Ex-Sleep post-stoner-doomers Om continue to promote their third release Pilgrimage, the release that has showcased the drone-driven duo in their most daring hour to date. With a successful tour of the Midwest under their belts on the album and praise seeping in from both cult and mainstream press on the album, more dates have been slated, bringing this mantra-manipulating twosome back to the East Coast, followed by several dates in Israel and Europe with more to follow. Three new songs featuring OM’s unique use of riff, cadence and chant comprise the duo’s new album Pilgrimage. Lyrical themes address the processes of mind, psychic reality, astral and causal planes of being, and the nature of the soul. Pilgrimage was recorded and engineered by Steve Albini at his Electrial Audio studios in Chicago and produced by the band. Mastering was handled by Bob Weston (also of Shellac). Motifs that were initiated on the band’s previous album are continued here unabated. Of particular note is how much the song-writing has developed and in turn makes the dynamics of the songs much more intensely powerful. The present journey finds the band expanding their vision into new territories. http://www.omvibratory.com/

NON COMPOS MENTIS RECORDS: We are proud to announce the release of Teratism/Lugubre - Templi Omnium Hominum Pacis Abhas CD. 9 punishing attacks against mankind, 5 from Lugubre & 4 from Teratism, including a cover of Possessed's "The Exorcist". Samples can be heard at the links below. I urge you to check out the Lugubre video posted on their MySpace site or mine. The Ninnixu CD is still awaiting the arrival of the artwork from the band but hopefully I should have that soon. As soon as I receive the artwork, that will go off to press. The Decieverion & Satanic Funeral CDs are almost sold out. http://www.ncmrecords.com/; http://www.myspace.com/ncmrecords

LANE LANE: Symphonic rock icon Lana Lane proudly announces her new studio album "Red Planet Boulevard". The new album follows Lana's 2005 art rock masterpiece "Lady Macbeth", and her highly acclaimed 2006 classic rock covers album "Gemini". Red Planet Boulevard is a melodic rock album that showcases Lana's legendary vocals with timeless songwriting all produced in a modern symphonic rock environment. The atmosphere of the album is both spacious and grand, soaring melodies and intimate phrases play against lush arrangements of guitar and keyboards, all intertwining in a compelling tango of orchestration that is pure Lana Lane. Recorded in The Netherlands and in San Francisco, California, "Red Planet Boulevard" combines the feeling of European precision and old world mystery with the Bay Area's legendary style and mood that is pure Northern California magic. The melange of locations shows in the album's production that is both bombastic and moody, clear and heavy, intimate and extroverted. Producer / keyboardist Erik Norlander took on bass guitar duties as well for this release continuing in the role he played on the 2007 Lady Macbeth tour. Long time collaborators, Dutchmen Peer Verschuren (guitar) and Ernst Van Ee (drums), complete the instrumental trio in what Norlander calls "a sort of 'Led Zeppelin' instrumentation where we have guitar, drums and a bass playing keyboardist." The "Red Planet Boulevard" musician lineup is indeed the most compact to appear on a Lana Lane album, but the trio does not falter in creating the massive symphonic rock sound for which Lana Lane is so well known. Walls of guitars, landscapes of keyboards and tectonic plates of bass and drums drive the arrangements with the energy and exuberance of a band that indeed went straight from the road into the studio. That touring seasoning shows in the subtle complexities of "Red Planet Boulevard". This is a band that is experienced and skilled in their craft all supporting a legendary vocalist who is at the top of her game. Twelve all original songs compose "Red Planet Boulevard". The heavy rockers "Into the Fire", "Capture the Sun" and "Angels and Magicians" along with the power ballad "Jessica" harken back to Lana's 1995 debut release, "Love is an Illusion", while in contrast, the anthemic "Shine", "The Frozen Sea" and "No Tears Left" have a distinctly 21st century sound that fits perfectly with today's iPod generation. The uptempo "Stepford, USA" re-tells the story of the quiet rural town with a dark secret, while "The Sheltering Sorrow" is a heart wrenching ballad that is epic in scale with links back to the late 60s majesty of early symphonic rock. The album concludes with the finale and title track, "Red Planet Boulevard", where themes from each of the album's songs is reprised in a grand orchestral rock style. Artwork is once again provided by Polish surrealist Jacek Yerka who has painted the covers for Lana's many past masterworks. Photos for the album were shot by noted San Francisco photographer Mark Leialoha who brings his own style and vision to the Lana Lane production team. Fans of melodic rock, symphonic style and the amazing female rock voice, your light is green: Make the turn onto "Red Planet Boulevard"! Release dates: Japan - November 23, 2007 on the Avalon label; Europe - December 12, 2007 on Frontiers Records; North America - January 29, 2008 on Think Tank Media distributed by ProgRock Records with advance sales beginning in December 2007. All versions contain the identical track listing - there are no bonus tracks on any edition. http//www.lanalane.com

BLUT AUS NORD: French-based Blut Aus Nord return with their fifth and already anticipated album. Always known for pushing barriers, this growing cult band have received nods from the world’s most important (and critical) metal publications. Brave Words Bloody Knuckles calls their previous work, “disfigured, anti-social, pure, raw black metal." Ultimate Metal added, "one of the most amazing black metal albums of the last several years." Odinist - The Destruction of Reason By Illumination continues this trio’s unique interpretation of extreme metal. http://www.e-c-h-o-e-s.com/ban/index.html

LIMBONIC ART: This highly regarded duo reunite after a five year absence to deliver their sixth full-length album. Even darker their than their previous efforts, Legacy of Evil is a striking, well-crafted black metal offering that fans are expected to embrace. Outburn Magazine says, “the duo lays down some of the most brutal and relentless tunes you could hope for.” Metal Maniacs adds, “magnificient symphonic sounds splashed amongst the butality of black metal and the pounding drive of traditional metal.” Brave Words Bloody Knuckles calls the band “a worthy successor to the mighty Emperor.” http://www.myspace.com/limbonicart

SEAR BLISS: The Arcane Odyssey is first album via Candlelight for this long-running underground band. Recorded in the band’s native Hungary with the help of producer Viktor Scheer, the album contains eight new black/extreme metal hyms. The complexity of the material (including full brass accompaniment) and intriguing sound is sure to strike a chord with critics as well as fans. The Arcane Odyssey features album artwork crafted by Jozsef Tari (noted for his work with Venom). http://www.searbliss.hu/

TULUS: New album from cult Norwegian band (who later became the now defunct band Khold). Biography Obscene is the first to feature English penned & performed lyrics which is expected to allow for further expansion of their existing US fan/sales base. Recorded at Panzer Studios in Oslo (site where several early recordings were conceptualized), the album is an adventurous player incorporating the band’s respected dark and precise metal with strings, horns, piano and female vocals and more. http://www.40spadblad.com/

VREID: The third album from Norwegian metallers Vreid finds them expanding both sound and vision (first time US performance via this year's Heathen Crusaders Fest held January in Minneapolis). Since their formation the band have enjoyed continued growth in their international sales/status. The band have so far performed across 15 countries, making stops at Inferno, Pagan Nights and the mighty Wacken Open Air festivals. Vreid features surviving members of popular/cult band Windir. http://www.vreid.no/

OCTOBER FILE: Metal Hammer says, “October File burn with all the fiery, punk-spirited menace of Black Flag and the fervent apocalyptic brimstone of Killing Joke, but with a sound that's all their own.” With this, their proper introduction to US audiences, October File look to bring their sonic decadence to new and eager ears waiting for music with substance. Kerrang! say, “there’s a simultaneous elegance and urgency here that puts it ahead of its competition... hard as fuck and unpretentious to the core.” Already having toured Europe with the likes of Killing Joke and others, and with the album produced by and featuring a guest performance from Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman, the quartet is ready to take America with a vengeance. http://www.golfrecords.co.uk/octoberweb/index.htm

CURSED: Ontario's hardcore brutes Cursed have completed their third full-length, as expected, simply entitled III. Things are coming together on it now for mid-February release via Goodfellow Records, with Reflections Records handling the album in Europe. The crew will tackle Canada with High on Fire and Cancer Bats in March, head back to Europe in May and will follow with US dates which are in the works now. http://www.your-funeral.com/cursed/

ASIA: John, Jay and Guthrie are pleased to officially announce that the band lineup has finally been completed with the addition of keyboard wizard par excellence Erik Norlander. Erik's evocative synthesizer technique and style is reminiscent of the legendary Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Jon Lord while still creating a very unique musical voice of his own. Vocalist John Payne adds, "We know that the keyboard position is extremely critical to this band and therefore much time was invested to find the right person and all roads lead us to Erik". The band has commenced recording the much-anticipated album "Architect of Time" to be released in 2008. Red Entertainment is currently booking worldwide tour dates. http://www.theasiaband.com/

ARAWN: Arawn's "Welsh Black Metal" saw the light of day in September 2007. Recording had began in June 2007, and the title track was the first to be laid down. By late August, final track "The Ancient Enemy" had received its finishing touches. With more defined keyboard aspects than its predecessor, the guitar department also shows improvements over its past effort. In an exclusive interview with Lucem Fero's Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan, Arawn mainman Bleiddwn-Y-Nos recalled how the demo materialised: "After I had finished recording the three tracks that made up the "Call of the Cyhyraeth" demo, I never stopped writing mus