HammeFall - The Fire Burns Forever VideoClip

By Elric on 3:33 PM 31 July 2006

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This is the new video from HammerFall's upcoming album.

"Hammerfall's video for "The Fire Burns Forever", the brand new track the band recorded with some of the Swedish participants in the European Athletics Championships. The single track will be available as download only between August 6 and September 6, exclusively at the iTunes music store and Nuclear Blast Musicshop. Hammerfall and the athletes will also perform "The Fire Burns Forever" at the official opening of the Championships on August 6 in Gothenburg, Sweden."


Just click play and wait ;)


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HammerFall's new album details

By Elric on 3:27 PM

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The power metallers HammerFall will strike back this year. The new album will be called "Threshold" and it will be out in October.


The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Threshold
02. The Fire Burns Forever
03. Rebel Inside
04. Natural High
05. Dark Wings, Dark Words
06. Howlin' With The 'Pac
07. Shadow Empire
08. Carved In Stone
09. Reign Of The Hammer
10. Genocide
11. Titan

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Immortal Headliners of Wacken 2007

By Elric on 10:56 AM

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Wacken Open Air Festival 2006 will start in few days, although the people working for Wacken already booking groups for next year. The organizers of Wacken announced Immortal as the headliners of 2007.

"Immortal are proud to announce that we will headline Wacken in 2007. This will be part of a few selected exclusive shows next year, and Wacken will be the only show in Germany. Abbath, Horgh, Demonaz."

The trio which disbanded in 2003 will return in the classic lineup Abbath / Horgh / Demonaz.

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Strapping Young Lad - The New Black - (2006)

By Elric on 12:18 PM 29 July 2006

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I wanted to write this review for sometime now but no matter how many times I started writing I couldn't finish it. Surely, Strapping Young Lad is one of the hardest groups to review and talk about. I know that I will edit this post many times in the near future but I'll give it a first try now.

For those who don't know S.Y.L. is a side project of some veteran musicians. Devin Townsend ( Devin Townsend's Band, Steve Vai) on vocals, Byron Stroud (Fear Factory, Zimmers Hole) on bass, Jed Simon (Zimmers Hole) on guitars and behind the drums is the man that had played in almost every metal band, Gene Hoglan ( Death, Dark Angel, Testament, Old Man's Child, Daemon few of them).


It's logicaly to wonder how this people that come from musicaly different bands can stick together and what kind of music do they play. The answer is simple, they play a little bit of everything. Musicaly, S.Y.L. stand somewhere between Death-Thrash-Hardcore-Industrial (like early Fear Factory) with some Jazz solos. Sounds crazy ? It is !!!

Anyway, back to the review now. S.Y.L release a new album after last years "Alien" (probably the bands best album so far). Rumor has it that their company pushed them for a quick release in order to promote the album in OzzFest. The album start with "Decimator" a small and fast song that leads in to more death-like "You Suck". Then, the style change again to industrial with "Antiproduct" which is my favorite song lately! The band, then change again from Fear Factory style in "Monument" to something chaotic in "Wrong Side". In general each song consists of many ideas riffs and changes both in speed and style. The album close with a very good song called "The New Black"

Devin screams and spits (while in all other bands his voice was extremely clear!) while Gene Hoglan proves that he is the man that can merge any idea, no matter how different they are. His drum play can be slow, fast, very fast, super fast, and uber fast! I believe that Hoglan is the one that hold the songs together with his perfect beats and fills.

S.Y.L have the ability to change from serius songs and lyrics to songs like "You Suck" and "Fucker". Still, they prove that they are, alongside System of a Down, the only band that can create chaos. The major characteristic of "The New Black" is that has many complex and diverse songs. Bu there is one major drawback. While, chaos and the diverse songs are the reasons that this album is good, there are also the reason that this album is very hard to listen. Sometimes, there are so many ideas in one song that will tire the listener while, other songs are too chaotic that the listener can't follow. I think it would be better if S.Y.L. put their ideas in some order first and then record an album. Besides that, the album is very good and will help to withstand the summer hot.

Band :
Davin Townsend - Vocals
Gene Hoglan - Drums
Byron Stroud-Bass
Jed Simon-Guitars

Tracklist:

1. Decimator
2. You Suck
3. Antiproduct
4. Monument
5. Wrong Side
6. Hope
7. Far Beyond Metal
8. Fucker
9. Almost Again
10. Plyophony
11. The New Black


Rating: 80/100

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Snake Eye - Ritual Instict

By Elric on 10:42 AM 28 July 2006

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I searched the net over some info about Snake Eye but I couldn’t found any except the thing that they are from and their line-up.

Their debut album called "Ritual Instict" and believe me, it’s a ritual to initiate young people to hard rock. The album opens with the intro “Ritual”. Although intros are the only reason skip button exists, this one you will listen to it every time because it’s indeed like a ritual and because Milojevic screams the title of the next song, “Queen of the Night”, so fucking amazing, that your mind goes back to 80s. “Queen of the Night" is the song that you want to hear every day. The next two songs, "Memories" and "Fire" will remind you Van Hallen and the early days of Bon Jovi with catchy chorus and speed riffs and heavy solos from Paladian. The instrumental “The Weight of the Cross” it is something like an intro to "Nobody", probably the next best song after “Queen Of The Night”.

Musically, Snake Eye play hard rock in the style of Van Hallen, Bon Jovi, Ratt, Dokken and Dio. Their strong points are definitely Milojevic voice and the guitar play from Paladian. This album is already a classic! I hope that we will hear from them again! Definitely a must buy!

Band :
Boban Milojevic: Vocals
Xavier Paladian: All electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Eric Charpentier: Bass
Dom Morroni: Drums

Tracklist :

1. Ritual
2. Queen of the night
3. Memories (Give me a sign)
4. Fire
5. Over the edge
6. No
7. The weight of the cross (Instrumental)
8. Nobody
9. DWB Lonely
10. Walk in the silence
11. Danger
12 High enough
13. Never say never


Rating: 85/100

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Thornography due to September 19th from Cradle Of Filth

By Elric on 12:09 AM

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Somewhere I found the following post. I don't remember where and I am so bored so I just copy paste it:

Cradle of Filth are currently putting the finishing touches to their upcoming album, Thornography, due out September 19th.

The band have begun mixing the album at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK with producer Andy Sneap (Nevermore, Arch Enemy).

According to an update at the Roadrunner Records website, "frontman Dani Filth and guitarist Paul Allender have also been regalling Sneap with fond memories of his days with Brit Pagan metal legends, SABBAT. And what would a COF record be without a visit from one Doug Bradley - a.k.a. Hellraiser's chief Cenobite, Pinhead? Having already put his narrative stamp on older COF classics including 'Her Ghost In The Fog' or 'Swansong For A Raven', Doug Bradley has been in the studio this week recording narraration for "Thornography". Expect quite a few surprises on Cradle of Filth's latest."

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Die Apokalyptischen Reiter on tour to promote new album

By Elric on 10:25 PM 25 July 2006

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The metal genius from Germany, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter are on tour to promote their new album, "Riders On The Storm" ( this sounds familiar :p). The album is planned to be on stores due to 25-8.

Here are some tour dates and places:

06.09. Berlin - Kesselhaus
07.09. Rostock - Mauclub
08.09. Erfurt - Club Centrum
09.09. Andernach - JUZ Live Club
10.09. Hannover - Faust
12.09. Bochum - Matrix
13.09. Koln - Underground
14.09. Karlsruhe - Substage
15.09. Kaiserslautern - Kammgarn
16.09. Hamburg - Grunspan
17.09. Frankfurt - Batschkapp
19.09. Bielefeld - Forum
20.09. Nurnberg - Hirsch
21.09. Munchen - Backstage
22.09. A-Worgl - Komma
23.09. A-Traun - Spinnerei
24.09. A-Wien - Arena
26.09. Stuttgart - die Rohre
27.09. Heidelberg - Schwimmbad Music Club
28.09. Freiburg - Jazzhaus
29.09. CH-Winterthur - Salzhaus
30.09. CH-Bern - Gaskessel
09.12. Glauchau - Alte Spinnerei

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Nightwish preparing their new album!

By Elric on 8:07 AM

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Finland's Nightwish have finished writing the material for their next album and are now preparing to record pre-production versions of the songs so that they can be edited and arranged. The band are currently seeking a replacement for departed singer Tarja Turunen before entering the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

The new DVD "End Of An Era" was in the meantime also certified gold in France, climbed at the top of Finish DVD-Charts.

Finaly, you can watch some demo recordings of the upcoming album here.

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News : Motorhead new album is ready

By Elric on 3:25 PM 23 July 2006

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Motorhead have finished the recordings for their new album "Kiss Of Death". The band planned to release the album on August 29th.

Also, the band recorded a cover on "R.A.M.O.N.E.S." from Ramones.

The track listing is as follows:

Sucker
One Night Stand
Devil I Know
Trigger
Under The Gun
God Was Never On Your Side
Living In The Past
Christine
Sword of Glory
Be My Baby
Kingdom of the Worm
Going Down
R.A.M.O.N.E.S.

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News : Wacken Open Air Festival

By Elric on 1:35 PM 22 July 2006

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Wacken is a small town with 2000 souls in the middle of Schleswig Holstein. But for three days in August it raises up to 30000. The reason is simple, the Wacken Open Air Festival.

This year will be held between 03-08 and 05-08 with more than 55 bands!!!!


Here is the band list :


Aborted
Amon Amarth
Die Apo. Reiter
Arch Enemy
Atheist
Battlelore
Bloodthorn
Born From Pain
Caliban
Carnivore
Celtic Frost
Children Of Bodom
D'espairs Ray
Danko Jones
The Dogma
Ektomorf
Emperor
End Of Green
Fear Factory
Finntroll
Fleshgore
Gamma Ray
Hellfueled
In Extremo
Korpiklaani
Krieger
Krypteria
Lake Of Tears
Legion OT Dam.
Mambo Kurt
Metal Inquisitor
Ministry
Morbid Angel
Motorhead
MSG
Mystic Circle
Nevermore
Nocturnal Rites
Opeth
Orphaned Land
Primal Fear
Rose Tattoo
Scorpions
Six Feet Under
Soilwork
Soulfly
Subway To Sally
Transilvanian B. C.
Tribe After Tribe
Uli Jon Roth
Victory
Vreid
WE
Whitesnake
Wintersun

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Preview : Iron Maiden New Video Clip

By Elric on 1:46 PM 20 July 2006

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Say you love...cause I know you do, and if you don't you will :p

Just found the new video clip from Iron Maiden...

The video clip is called "The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg" and it is from the upcoming album. I don't know who the hell is this but the song is realy good. Just click play and wait



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Review : Blind Guardian - A Twist In The Myth

By Elric on 11:41 PM 19 July 2006

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It's always hard to write a review about a famous band and it's even harder when you are a fan of this band.

Blind Guardian are back after a long break with new drummer. Thomas Stauch left the band after 20 years and Frederik Ehmke is his replacement. It's worth to mention that this is the first change in their line-up!

The first thing that I noticed is the artwork of the cd, it is just perfect. Anthony Clarkson did a great cover artwork and Nikolay Simkin's booklet design is simply outstanding.

The album opens with "This Will Never End", a speedy song with the classic Blind Guardian elements. A suitable song to make you want to listen the rest of the album.


Hansi said "With this album, I think, we have widened the range of the Blind Guardian universe more than we have ever done before". Unfortuanly this is not true. The rest of the album not only is not good but it is boring also. This release lacks of new ideas. Blind Guardian have to evolve and widen their music and their sound. They have the classic bard-song-like songs, "Skalds and Shadows" and some speed-fast songs. And then...suddenly...you will listen "Fly" and you will start to wonder if its the same cd. "Fly" probably is one of the best songs Blind Guardian ever wrote and surely is the best moment of the album. To be honest I liked the last two songs also, "The Edge" and "The New Order" that proves that Blind Guardian can still write good songs when they want to.

In the end... I am not satisfied of "A Twist In The Myth". I couldn't listen the whole cd at once!

Rating: 62/100

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News : Therion on tour with Grave Digger

By Elric on 10:43 AM 18 July 2006

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Therion's European tour schedule with Grave Digger has now been confirmed. According to Therion founder Christofer Johnsson, more European dates and shows for Latin America are expected to be announced soon.

Confirmed tour dates are as follows:

January
17 - Essen, Germany at Weststadthalle
18 - Strasbourg, France at La Laiterie
19 - Lichtenfels, Germany at Stadthalle
20 - Antwerpen, Belgium at Hof Ter Loo
21 - London, UK at Mean Fiddler
23 - Paris, France at Elysee Montmartre
24 - Lyon, France at Ninkaso Kao
25 - Barcelona, Spain at Razzmatazz 2
26 - Madrid, Spain at La Riveria
27 - Bilbao, Spain at Santana 27
28 - Toulouse, France at SDF Ramonville
29 - Milano, Italy at Alcatrazz
31 - Lubljana, Slovenia at VPK Mediapark

February
1 - Zagreb, Croatia at Boogaloo
2 - Salzburg, Austria at Rockhouse
3 - Vienna, Austria at Planet Music
4 - Budapest, Hungary at Petofi Hall
5 - Belgrad, Serbia at SKC
7 - Stuttgart, Germany at Longhorn
8 - Langen, Germany at Stadthalle
9 - Pratteln, Switzerland at Z7
10 - Glauchau, Germany at Alte Spinnerei
11 - Munich, Germany at New Backstage
12 - Prague, Czech Republic at Avalon
13 - Krakow, Poland at Club 38
14 - Warszawa, Poland at Proxima
15 - Berlin, Germany at Columbia Club

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News : Emperor Reunited !!!

By Elric on 12:31 AM

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It's official: Black Metal legends Emperor have reunited to play some exclusive shows.

The band is confirmed to headline the Inferno Festival and Wacken Open Air 2006!!! The band will also be playing in America in July.

"We are very excited to do these shows in the US," says vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn. "We have had a strong following there for a long time. Remembering our previous US tour, I am confident that these exclusive shows too will be a memorable experience for both ourselves and fans."

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News : Lake Of Tears to release new album

By Elric on 5:20 PM 17 July 2006

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Lake Of Tears new album will be called "Moons and Mushrooms". It's the seventh album for the band from Sweden and it is expected to released due on August 28 via Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR).


Upcoming Lake Of Tears shows:

Aug. 05 - Wacken, GER @ Wacken Open Air
Aug. 06 - Pratteln, SWI @ Metal Dayz
Sep. 02 - L'vov, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 03 - Keiv, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 05 - Harkhov, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 07 - Rostov-Na-Donu, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 08 - Krasnodar, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 09 - Moscow, RUS @ DK "Gorbunova
Sep. 12 - Barnaul, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 13 - Tomsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 14 - Krasnoyarsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 15 - Novosibirsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 16 - S. Petersburg, RUS @ TBA
Oct. 14 - Thessaloniki, GRE @ Mylos Club
Oct. 15 - Athens, GRE @ Underworld Club (w/ DEATH SS)

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News : System of a Down to split ?

By Elric on 12:38 PM

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System Of A Down recently announced that they want to take a break for a few years to devote themselves to their families and side projects.(?) But it seems that despite their sayings, the band will split up.

The members of S.O.A.D. arrived at Ozzfest in different buses and acted like not a band at all.

Guitarist Daron Malakian during the song "Lonely Day", while looking at vocalist Serj Tankian, sang, “Such a lonely day, hanging out with the band…This motherfucker, I can’t stand.” (lol ?)

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News : Metal Hall goes on Holidays

By Elric on 1:09 PM 07 July 2006

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Metal Hall will be off for the next days for two reasons:
1)It's summer...so time for holidays
2)I am working on site code and soon I'll add some new feats on the site, probably until next weekend...until then...

Stay Heavy.

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News : New Iron Maiden's Album Cover

By Elric on 9:40 AM 05 July 2006

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Latest news from Iron Maiden : the forthcoming cover and a single release, read the following announcement that was posted on their site:

"...Following the announcement of the forthcoming early September release of their new studio album "A Matter Of Life And Death", Iron Maiden reveal their front cover artwork! Also announced that "The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg" will be released as a very special single on 14th August.

Says Steve Harris, "This is a very intense album in many ways and we really wanted to go with a lead track that demonstrated that in the best way, rather than going for a shorter track on the album just to please the chart rules. Benjamin Breeg is a great example of the feel of the album in it’s really heavy riff and lyrically it’s a very dark, atmospheric and powerful song which really epitomizes what the album is all about for us. So it made a natural choice for us."

Iron Maiden undertake a massive Winter European Tour that opens in Denmark on 9th November, culminating in eight UK arena dates at the end of December (including two nights at Earls Court Arena). They will play to nearly 100,000 people in the UK alone! The majority of these shows are already sold out. Please check for details on www.ironmaiden.com for the latest information on ticket availability and for details of tickets just released from Production holds..."

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NEWS : Nevermore to release live DVD

By Elric on 9:37 AM

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Reviews : Amorphis - Eclipse (2006)

By Elric on 1:16 PM 02 July 2006

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To be honest I always believed that Pasi Koskinen was the main reason of the decline of Amorphis. But now Amorphis have a new singer called Tomi Joutsen and it seems that they open a new chapter in their carrier. Since 1998, Amorphis were searching for/developing a particular sound. They did good job with "Tuonela" but the follow-up albums ("Am Universum"-"Far Beyond the Sun") were just passable. Finally, with "Eclipse", it seems that Amorphis found the sound that they were searching for so long.

I believe that this is the best and most complete album that Amorphis released since their masterpiece, "Tales of a thousand Lakes". Musically, the album changes from gothic to prog-folk (with keyboards on first role) and then again to doom-death.

The voice of Mr. Tomi Joutsen is just perfect for the album and can change from clean to brutal vocal very easy with success.

Sure, one of my favourite’s albums for 2006

Rating : 90/100

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