Septic Flesh Are Back

By Elric on 9:54 AM 30 April 2007

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Legendary Septic Flesh and one of my favorite bands have returned! Greek daemons Seth, Chris Antoniou, Sotiris V. and Fotis Benardo are back as they decided that besides their experimentation with different projects and musical paths, the path of the Flesh was not completely explored.

Septic Flesh will record their sixth full length album under the flag of Season of Mist. The yet untitled album will carry all the elements that made the sound of Septic Flesh so distinctive. There will be pale, strange guitar melodies, brutal and sharp riffing, the devil behind the mic, and of course the neoclassical arrangements that are trademark of Chris Antoniou. For that purpose alone, Chris the "gothic maestro" will torture a full orchestra and choir respectively made of 80 musicians and 32 singers!

The rest of the album will be recorded and mixed on what has become the temple of the past two musical rituals of Septic Flesh. Once again they have chosen to invade the famous Fredman studios, with the company of Fredrik Nordstrom.

Septic Flesh will headline the second day of the Metal Healing Day in Xanthi ,July 27, 2007

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Matthew Barlow Joins Pyramaze

By Elric on 3:40 PM 29 April 2007

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Ex - Iced Earth singer Matthew Barlow will join the Danish /American group Pyramaze as their lead singer.According to Matthew Barlow: "Brothers and sisters... The last time I made a statement to the metal community it was one of sorrow but certainly not one of regret. There are people, things and experiences - once not thought possible - that I have attained in the last several years. It's an extension of friends and family that has truly made my life whole, and one that I would not jeopardize for fame and glory.

That thought in mind, I was posed an interesting proposition by a true talent in heavy metal. Honestly, I had not heard a lot about Pyramaze, when I received an e-mail from Michael. After our initial correspondence I began to realize that this was a guy that really had his head in the right place - a musician who was in music for the music. Michael spoke to me of his band - a bunch of guys who want to put out solid music but would not sacrifice their souls to attain greatness. This is by no means a slam on I.E. or any of the great musicians I have worked with in the past. It simply means that the music industry can suck you in, chew you up, and spit you out if you don't keep firmly planted on the ground. Pyramaze are working class metal heads with something to prove! Metal is what they live for but it is not their livelihood.

Needless to say, I was instantly intrigued by Michael's delivery. Especially considering the nature of my career choice of late. I wondered if Michael had really thought the courting process through. I'm sure that there are some people that never really understood my reasons for leaving the industry and certainly don't like who or what i represent in my current vocation. There is also the fact that Pyramaze has been rather stereotyped as a prog-metal act and I as Satan / Paul Stanley. What kind of crazy mixed up world is this????

Well... The way I see it... I'm in a point in my life, where I love what I do for a living and for the first time, I can support myself and my family doing it. Now for the other great thing... That's how this band thinks. There is no expectation of co-signing (under the name Mephistopheles) in order to have your record sell. The record will sell if the music is great. The music will be great, because the guys doing it, want to do it... For all the right reasons. Pyramaze has proven that!

I sense hesitation... And rightly so... After all, there are a lot of I.E. fans out there that still just don't get it. I would imagine that there are also Pyramaze fans that love what Mr. King did for this band. Hell, I love what he did for this band! I think that the guy is a true talent and feel the same about Tim Owens (that's Ripper to you!). I also feel, that in the same way I.E. fans have taken Tim into the fold, I too can find a place within the Pyramaze family. I would venture to say that Pyramaze, already unique and uncompromising, will not be placed inside of a prog-metal box once the sparks start flying.

I am really looking forward to working with Michael and the guys!!! I also look forward to hearing feedback from the brethren and sisterhood of metal.

Up from the ashes, back from the depths, when the voices have risen, fire becomes flesh! "

Barlow

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Donington Festival 2007

By Elric on 11:45 AM 20 April 2007

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The Download festival is a three-day rock/metal/punk festival held annually at the spiritual home of rock music in England — Donington Park, which hosted the Monsters of Rock festivals between 1980 and 1996, and 2002's Ozzfest. It takes place in early summer, and is owned and managed by Live Nation.

Download festival 2006 — which featured headliners Tool, Metallica and Guns N' Roses — was said to be a huge success, with 75,000 visitors each day.

The Download festival, set to take place June 8-10 at Donington Park, Leicestershire, England. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

Friday, June 8:

Main Stage:

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
VELVET REVOLVER
WOLFMOTHER
DRAGONFORCE
MEGADETH
HINDER
BUCKCHERRY
TURISAS

Second Stage:

KORN
ENTER SHIKARI
FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES
TURBONEGRO
ANJ

Third Stage:

HAYSEED DIXIE
I WAS A CUB SCOUT
JOB FOR A COWBOY
THIS ET AL

Saturday, June 9:

Main Stage:

LINKIN PARK
MARILYN MANSON
SLAYER
MACHINE HEAD
BOWLING FOR SOUP
30 SECONDS TO MARS
AIDEN
SHADOWS FALL
HELLYEAH

Second Stage:

MOTLEY CRUE
BIFFY CLYRO
GALLOWS
BRING ME THE HORIZON
BLOODSIMPLE

Third Stage:

NECRO
LEZ ZEPPELIN
BEYOND ALL REASON

Sunday, June 10:

Main Stage:

IRON MAIDEN
EVANESCENCE
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
STONE SOUR
LAMB OF GOD
MASTODON
PAPA ROACH
CHIMAIRA
REUBEN

Second Stage:

BILLY TALENT
DREAM THEATER
DIMMU BORGIR
WITHIN TEMPTATION
DEVILDRIVER
UNEARTH

Third Stage:

REEL BIG FISH
BETWEEN THE TREES
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR
DRIVE BY ARGUMENT


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Hammerfall New-Old Bassist

By Elric on 11:49 AM 19 April 2007

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Hammerfall have announced a new bass player: Fredrik Larsson, original member of the band, has re-entered the realms of the Swedish steel gods and will replace Magnus Rosen from now on!

"I am very happy and excited to be back! I have known the guys for more than ten years and we have kept in touch all the time, so it is not as if I come in a complete stranger. We played a few songs together last weekend, and it felt like 1997 was just a couple of weeks ago", says Fredrik about coming back into the fold.

Oscar comments: "Fredrik brings structure to the rhythm section and I think you will definitely hear and feel the difference when we play live".

"He plays with a pick, for one, and has a great groove and timing, all of which will make Hammerfall sound better than we ever have before", Anders remarks, and Stefan chimes in: "We are all very psyched about this and can't wait to get on the road again." "Fredrik recorded 'Glory To The Brave' with us, so he's definitely a part of the family. It's great to have him back!" adds Joacim.

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Anathema European Tour Dates

By Elric on 8:43 AM 18 April 2007

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Anathema has set "Everything" as the title of its new album, tentatively due later in the year.

Anathema is currently unsigned as a result of having been dropped by BMG/Zomba after its previous label, Music For Nations, was folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).

"Everything" projected track listing:

01. Thin Air (Ann Further)
02. Bricks (working title)
03. Lightning Song
04. Sunlight
05. Get Off. Get Out. (working title)
06. Angels Walk Among Us
07. Everything
08. A Simple Mistake
09. Voodoo (working title)
10. No One Is Free (working title)
11. Paradigm Shift
12. Hindsight

Commented Anathema mastermind Daniel Cavanagh: "What I love about this record is the character it seems to have. The songs belong together. There is purpose and focus. And it shines. Brightly.

"The message is one of hope. Of the absolute certainty that there is a better way. There is always a better way. There is always a solution, a purpose. It only remains for us to be open to it. To bring ourselves back into harmony with a larger system. That harmony begins by bringing ourselves back into balance within ourselves. All the ancient sages and wise people have said it. Change starts with the individual.

"Some of these songs are a little more melancholy, and some of them are euphoric. They all have one thing in common in that they are all very much from the heart, and they are dripping with emotion.

"This is the greatest record we have ever made. I know it in my heart. All we need do now is find the right engineer/producer and the right studio. And to remain focused. . . We will play every day and we will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of brilliance. Of a new way to express these feelings.

"I put my faith that the greater mind can bring everything into place for us to make this record. A record that will certainly affect some people. I do not wish to sound pretentious but I know it will change lives. This is what music does. It moves people in a way no other form of art does.

"Because our inspiration is of a pure source, and because our intentions are genuinely to reach people and open them up to new ways of feeling and thinking, I have every faith that whatever we need to make this happen will come to us."

Anathema has scheduled the following dates:

May 30 - Bibelot, Dordrecht, Holland
May 31 - Z-7, Pratteln, Switzerland
June 01 - Substage, Karlsruhe, Germany
June 02 - Rockhaus, Salzburg, Austria
June 03 - Gods of Metal, Milan, Italy
June 15 - Artmania, Sibiu, Romania
July 01 - Rockwave, Athens, Greece

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Ensiferum - Ahti - Videoclip

By Elric on 11:55 AM 12 April 2007

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Ensiferum's video for the song "Ahti" has been posted at YouTube. The track comes off the Finnish group's third album, "Victory Songs", which recently entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 6.

"Victory Songs" was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki with producer Janne Joutsenniemi. A limited-edition version of the album includes an extra track, "Lady in Black", and a bonus DVD. An e-card for the CD can be found here.

Ensiferum last year entered the Music DVD chart in their home country at position No. 2 with their "10th Anniversary Live" (Spinefarm) effort. The disc was recorded at the band's 10th-anniversary celebration concert, which took place December 31, 2005 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.


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New Ozzy Album Details

By Elric on 11:31 AM 09 April 2007

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According to Rolling Stone magazine, Ozzy Osbourne has set "Black Rain" as the title of his new solo album, due out early June.

The first single from the upcoming CD, "I Don't Want to Stop", will receive its online premiere on Friday, April 13.

A number of other audio clips from "Black Rain" are available streaming at this location. You have to scroll over the books at the left side.

Among the eleven new tracks Osbourne has recorded is "Not Going Away", which Rolling Stone describes as "a fiery rocker with ominous riffs from guitarist Zakk Wylde," and "Lay Your World On Me", which was inspired by Ozzy's wife and manager's recent battle with cancer. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Countdown's Begun", "The Almighty Dollar", "Not Going Away" and "Civilize the Universe".

The follow-up to 2001's "Down to Earth", was recorded with the same band that backed Osbourne on his scattered 2006 Ozzfest dates — Zakk Wylde on guitar, Mike Bordin on drums, and bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson. The album has no official producer, although longtime Mutt Lange protege Kevin Churko is serving as the engineer.

The new CD is the first to be recorded in Osbourne's home studio, located in the newly soundproofed guest house behind his Beverly Hills mansion, which he's outfitted with a mixing desk and a ProTools rig. "If you ever have inspiration, you can put down an idea," Osbourne told Rolling Stone of recording at home. "The bad thing is your wife can get ahold of you all the time for whatever she wants you to do."

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