12.17.04 (MusicPortal.com) Metal Blade Records has announced the officially signing of a worldwide deal with upstate New York Metalcore monsters THE RED DEATH. Having previously released a six-song EP on Crooked Halo Records, their first Metal Blade release will consequently be THE RED DEATH's debut full-length album, which is due to hit shelves sometime this coming Spring or Summer. The band recently finished up recording at Indie Audio in Syracuse, NY, where THE RED DEATH are slated to record the upcoming debut with producer Jason "Jocko" Randall (Ed Gein). Here's what the band had to say signing to Metal Blade Records Inc: "We at The Red Death camp are proud to announce our signing with the almighty Metal Blade Records. This is exactly the label we wanted to work with, and it's an honor to be given this opportunity. It's still unreal that a band from Western New York has been given the chance to work with a label that bands such as The Red Chord, Amon Amarth, Unearth, As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, The Crown, Vehemence, and many others call home. Look for us on the road starting in February." Michael Faley, President of Metal Blade Records, had this to say regarding the signing of THE RED DEATH: "We are extremely excited to be involved with the new core of metal bands that are cropping up across America and Europe. To that end, we are proud to welcome The Red Death to the Metal Blade Family. They are a young, exciting metalcore band who are extremely talented and destined for a bright future." The Red Death hail from upstate New York in the southern tier, mostly from a small town called Bath.
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12.16.04 (MusicPortal.com) Polish heavyweights BEHEMOTH are currently in the midst of their first tours of Central and South America. "It's killer," says an enthusiastic Nergal (guitars/vocals). "What we've experienced in Costa Rica and Brazil went far beyond our expectations. Our South American promoter, Tumba Productions, did a great job and every show was a blast. We're having an awesome time. The food is delicious, the weather as perfect as can be and the girls are gorgeous. (Thanks to Dina, Lu, Camila, Cibele, Lupa, Andreia and Virginia for making our stay here even more pleasant!) "Despite having minor technical problems on stage in San Jose (Costa Rica) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), we are fully pleased with the shows. So far, the best turnout and greatest feedback we've gotten was in Sao Paulo. I'd love to thank all those crazy freaks - almost 900 people - who attended. It was an honor to play for such a dedicated crowd! Today we play in Porto Alegre, and there are still shows in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. See you there - horns up!" In other news, BEHEMOTH have added a "last-minute" show in Pueblo, Mexico, to take place on December 23rd at La Ciric. The band then returns to Poland for a short breather before embarking on a two-week U.K. tour in early January. From there, it's on to America for a six-week tour with death legends SUFFOCATION. The group will then return to the States in April to tour with KING DIAMOND, NILE and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, which includes a stop at the prestigious New England Metal And Hardcore Festival. BEHEMOTH's new album, "Demigod," will be released in North America on January 25th.
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12.15.04 (AP) Thousands waited in line in near-freezing temperatures in an area of Arlington, Texas Tuesday night to pay tribute at a memorial service for slain DAMAGEPLAN guitarist DIMEBAG DARRELL. Security was tight; guards used screening wands on grieving fans as they arrived for the public mourning of "Dimebag," who was also the former guitarist and founder of PANTERA. Messages such as "RIP Dime" and "Honk, honk for Dimebag, Peace in the after life" were scrawled on cars in the convention center parking lot. A high-pitched guitar solo blared from a pickup. "A legend died on Wednesday night. I guarantee I'll be telling my kids about this day and the day that he died," said Skyler Smith, 18. "My heart was broken." Vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, formerly of the band ALICE IN CHAINS, said he had been at a private funeral earlier in the day, and called the service "beautiful." "Today's really been the start of the healing process," he said, adding that he was heartened by fans who came to the public memorial. "It makes me feel a lot better." DIMEBAG DARRELL, 38, whose real name was Darrell Abbott, was shot to death in Columbus, Ohio, while performing a show with DAMAGEPLAN. Three others also were killed before police killed 25-year-old gunman Nathan Gale, described as an obsessed fan. Fans cheered the arrival of flower arrangements in the shape of guitars and a display with the words "Crown the Moment, Crown Royal," a reference to Abbott's favorite brand of whiskey. Michael Schaefer, 21, of Garland, and his wife both wore black PANTERA concert shirts. "It's still a real shock, the fact that it actually happened and the fact that someone would want to hurt him," Schaefer said. Rick Cunningham, 48, former lead singer for Dallas band RAGE was among those who waited in the long line for the service. He said he'd known Abbott for 20 years. "It's terrible, man. He was the nicest fella you would ever want to meet," he said. The guitarist lived in nearby Dalworthington Gardens.
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12.14.04 (MusicPortal.com) Versatile Orange County-based quintet EYES OF FIRE have been hard at work on their highly anticipated sophmore release, and have also lined up a few shows with DANZIG at the end of this month. EYES OF FIRE Vocalist/guitarist Dan Kaufman checked in recently with the following update: "Hey all, EYES OF FIRE are still alive and kicking. We've been writing up a storm and have a crap load of shows to do before the end of the year. We got something really special planned for the Century Media Family X-mas Ball at the Key Club on Dec. 20th, so if you don't have tickets I would suggest getting them. This is going to be a one time only thing and it will be awesome!!!! Be sure to get there early because we're the first band. It also looks like we finally have some Danzig shows locked down. We are really excited about getting out in front of a new audience. Come early to those too, once again we are the openener but it's all good for us. More time to drink!!!! We are talking to a few producers for our next record, and we already have some artwork coming along. We're hoping to have everything tracked by the beginning of February and then get it mixed shortly there after. Then we might be heading out on the road come mid-February through March and then hopefully have a release date and a title for the second record. So come on out to the shows and have a good time, and we'll keep ourselves busy with the next record. Until then, take care and keep listening." - Dan
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12.13.04 (MusicPortal.com) Deathwish Inc. has announced the signing of California's KILLING THE DREAM to a recording deal. KILLING THE DREAM are a truly inspiring and passionate contemporary hardcore band. Embodying the same positive raw emotion found in contemporaries COMEBACK KID and BANE, the band also pays tribute to the rage of legends UNBROKEN and CHAIN OF STRENGTH. Their collective energy and heart is the definition of hardcore intensity, making even the most jaded of listeners appreciate, respect, and praise them as new heroes in the making. Born from the ashes of legendary punk and hardcore acts GUILTRIPP, SAILOR PUNCH, MILITANT INTERVENTION, EJI, and EXTRA STOUT, KILLING THE DREAM formed in late 2002 when vocalist Eli, drummer Isaac and bassist Chris hooked up with Joel (guitar), practicing sparsely in between their collective other bands' schedules. Back then, practice consisted mostly of covering KID DYNAMITE's 'Shiner,' writing songs that never saw the light of day, and Joel singing fantasy metal songs about the ancient forests of elves. In early 2003, while EMBRACE THE END (Joel's other band) was on hiatus, the band was able to practice more often and write songs that would eventually wind up on the demo. In April of 2003, KILLING THE DREAM recorded a five song demo with Zack Ohren at Castle Ultimate in Oakland. Unfortunately, Eli developed problems with his throat and the band was put on hold for a few months. Finally, after a long four months, and the addition of Bart on second guitar, Eli's throat got better and in August, the demo was finally done. Their first show was on September 26, 2003 with friends and label-mates TIME FOR LIVING, along with LIGHTS OUT and CROSS THE LINE.
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12.03.04 (MusicPortal.com) Norwegian Goth Metallers TRISTANIA will lead off SPV Records' 2005 release schedule with their upcoming new album, "Ashes," on January 25th. With a three pronged vocal attack, TRISTANIA have the ability to induce astmospheres ranging from brutal to beautiful and on to melodic. The combination that this 7 piece brings both to the studio and the stage is one as yet unmatched in both the gothic and metal genres. They have toured the globe through over 20 countries, including Europe, the United States, Mexico and South America, and are travelling to 11 European countries on tour with Therion to preview "Ashes" for live audiences. They plan to go on another tour as soon as possible again next Spring after the Therion shows. "No dates have been confirmed, but we will definitely go out and tour again in early 2005," says TRISTANIA guitarist Anders Hoyvik Hidle. For Hidle and keyboardist Einar Moen, teamwork is the keyword that characterizes "Ashes." Even more than in the past, the music presented by TRISTANIA on "Ashes" presents itself as a homogeneous hybrid of different influences and unified targets. Never before has the band's intricate mix of Rock, Gothic, Death Metal, Black Metal, Classical and Symphonic passages been translated more successfully than on the new album: "For us, 'Ashes' is definitely a big step forward," says Hidle. "At the same time, everything is based on the trademarks that have always been part of this band. Songs like 'Circus' or 'Cure' wouldn't have been out of place on our previous albums."
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12.02.04 (MusicPortal.com) Swedish Death Metal slaughterhouse RIBSPREADER recenty finished the recording of their second album for New Aeon Media. The upcoming release, entitled "Congregating The Sick" is the follow-up to their debut, "Bolted To The Cross," which was released by New Aeon this past April, receiving excellent reviews and lots of coverage in Metal media circles. "Congregating The Sick" was recorded and mixed at Soundlab Studios by Mieszko Talarczyk (Nasum, Rotten Sound, Insision), and was just mastered at The Room by Metal master and RIBSPREADER member Dan Swano. In an official statement, the band commented with the following regarding "Congregating The Sick": "We've put together a bunch of new, yet old school-sounding songs, and without talking shit they all blow our previous material to pieces. It's at all times both faster, slower, heavier, sicker and more eager to rip your flesh than anything we've done and the brutality reeks from tracks like 'Not Dead But Buried,' 'Maggots (Fucking Maggots)' and 'Worms Inside Your Coffin.' To keep the spirit of old school Death Metal alive, we decided this time to not only record an album very soon after the debut, but also make it even harder and more kick ass. Everyone into 'Bolted To The Cross' will definitely enjoy this new piece of rancid Death Metal and everyone into even dirtier and uglier stuff will be also be satisfied." RIBSPREADER were formed in the Summer of 2003 by vocalist/guitarist Rogga Johansson (Paganizer) and guitarist Andreas Karlsson (Paganizer, Another Life), after which Swano was invited to join RIBSPREADER to play drums.
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12.01.04 (MusicPortal.com) The following update has been made by GRIMFIST guitarist/bassist Ole Walaunet on the band's official web site: "Ladies and gents, it's time for another update from Grimfist! As some of you've noticed we're confirmed for the Inferno kick off show in London on the 27th of January. With regards to the line-up.. In early January, Dustin Pearl is coming over from California to join Grimfist! An awesome drummer and a great fucking guy. If everything works out well, he'll become the permanent skinsman for Grimfist. We are extremely excited, and can't wait to start bashing our heads together! The mighty Ares from Aeternus is joining us on bass as a session musician. This will be Grimfist's debut gig, so we wanna see you guys go fucking nuts over there!! In a couple of weeks I'm heading up to Skarrabakje and the Sunnmorske Trollish mountains for another session of pre-production alongside Frediablo in Godfed Studios. I CAN promise you this; The new album will fucking slay!!! During the weekend Frediablo will update the site with some more info, pics etc. That's it for now folks, stay tuned for more updates from yours truly... Ole." Combine pure Heavy Metal with brutal Death/Black vocals, and enough groove, blastbeats, and power to crush a ten ton brickwall, and you get GRIMFIST. The band hails from Norway, and the original collaboration between members Walaunet, drummer Horgh, and vocalist Frediablo resulted in 10 tracks of insane, grinding metal of the highest order on GRIMFIST's 2003 debut album for Candlelight Records, "Ghouls Of Grandeur."
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[Metal News: November 2004]
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