BLACK METAL News January 21, 2005

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~ ACHERON Working On New Album, DVD ~

Columbus, Ohio-based black/death metal cult band ACHERON have posted the following message on their web site:

"Let it been know that ACHERON is not a Church of Satan-linked band anymore. Vincent Crowley, who formerly was a Magister/Priest for their organization, resigned back in 2000. ACHERON in no way indorses any type of organized religious groups. The band stands for the dark side of life and resonates to a Predator-like kinship with nature. If anything, the modern-day ACHERON is a horde of heathens, spreading their unholy music to the hellions of mankind. Fuck ALL religions! They are the roots to all our problems. The Archetype of Satan = The Self… Heathen = Our True Self. We are the Devils of this world!

"Heathen - One regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened!

"ACHERON has been working to get their new music down solid for their next full-length album 'Sanctum Regnum: The Predator Manifesto', which will hopefully be recorded sometime in 2005. It will be a very apocalyptic concept album. Some of the song titles are 'Godless (We Are Gods)', 'The Apocalypse', 'Might Is Right', 'Rise Of Rebellion', 'I Am Heathen', 'Millennium's End', 'The New Age' and 'Anno Armageddon'. The band has not signed a contract with any label yet, so more details about this upcoming album will be given in the future.

"The band is also putting together an upcoming DVD which will be called 'Acheron - 17 Years Of Pure Hell', documenting the band's 17-year history within the underground scene. The DVD plans to feature commentary from band's founder Vincent Crowley, along with live performances and interviews with members and ex-members, fans and supporters of the band. Work on this project will start in early February. No tentative release date."

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~ DRAGONLORD To Enter Studio In February ~

DRAGONLORD, the San Francisco Bay Area "black" metal band featuring current and former members of TESTAMENT, will finally hit the studio in February to record their long-awaited second album, entitled "Black Wings of Destiny".

Recording will take place in at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer/mixer Fredrik Nordström. Nordström is known for his work with bands such as IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, DIMMU BORGIR, THE HAUNTED and OLD MAN'S CHILD, among many others. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Becoming Of", "Until The End", "Mark Of Damnation", "The Curse Of Woe", "Blood Voyeur" and "The Requiem".

Commented DRAGONLORD guitarist/vocalist Eric Peterson: "We've been working hard off and on with these new tracks for a while now, and I think Fredrik is the perfect choice to help birth these dark new gems. We are also the first American band to record with him, which is very cool!"

DRAGONLORD's debut album, "Rapture", was released in 2001 through Spitfire Records.

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~ SACRIFICE: Early Albums To Be Reissued With Bonus Tracks ~

Brazil's Marquee Records has signed a deal with the legendary Canadian thrashers SACRIFICE for the re-release of their first three albums (1986's "Torment In Fire", 1987's "Forward to Termination" and 1990's "Soldiers of Misfortune") plus a live album with a complete show from 1989. All CDs will be double-CDs, special editions full of bonus tracks. The live one will probably be released as a CD/DVD set. The distribution in the U.S. and Japan will be handled by Khaosmaster Records and Disk Heaven, respectively.

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~ GEHENNA Complete Work On New Album ~

After a few years of silence, Norwegian metallers GEHENNA, featuring original members Sanrabb (guitar/vocals) and Dolgar (guitar), are ready to unleash yet another slice of extreme madness. Going back to their roots, their brand new album, "WW", discharges the raw and primitive forces of early black metal. The track listing for the album is as follows:

01. Grenade Prayer

02. Death to Them All

03. New Blood

04. Flames of the Pit

05. Silence the Earth

06. Werewolf

07. Abattoir

08. Pallbearer

"WW" is due before the spring through Moonfog Records.

In other news, GEHENNA will be showcasing their brand new chillingly grim material at by:Larm, Norway's yearly music convention, this year held in Stavanger. The live performances will take place at the SAS Garage on Friday, February 11 beginning at 10:30 p.m.

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~ KEEP OF KALESSIN Sign With TABU RECORDINGS ~

Norwegian black metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN, featuring Obsidian C. (a.k.a. Arnt Grønbech, also a touring guitarist for SATYRICON) on guitars/bass/synth, have signed a new record deal with the Norwegian label Tabu Recordings, a division of Tuba Records.

"We have great belief in this label and they also have great belief in the band!" stated Obsidian. "Together we'll make sure that the new KEEP OF KALESSIN album won't go into the stores unnoticed!"

In addition to the new record deal, KEEP OF KALESSIN have a new agreement with R:evolver Booking. "The band is pleased that someone finally see the potential in their live performances and hopefully this will result in that fans all over the world can experience KEEP OF KALESSIN live!" the group said in a statement.

KEEP OF KALESSIN's new full-length album is scheduled to be recorded this summer for a fall release.

KEEP OF KALESSIN recently parted ways with drummer Frost (a.k.a. Kjetil Haraldstad, SATYRICON) due to the long distance between him and Obsidian. Replacing him in the group's lineup is the band's old drummer Vyl.

KEEP OF KALESSIN's most recent mini-album, "Reclaim", was released in December 2003 through FaceFront Records. The group's first release since 1999's "Agnen: A Journey through the Dark" (Avantgarde), "Reclaim" has been described as a new milestone in Norwegian black metal by the Norwegian press. "Reclaim" is available in the U.S. through The End mail-order.

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~ YYRKOON To Be Joined By SCARVE Drummer For European Tour ~

French thrash/death metallers YYRKOON will be joined by SCARVE drummer Dirk Verbeuren when they hit the road in Europe with IMPALED NAZARENE and PHAZM beginning at the end of January.

As previously reported, YYRKOON have booked three weeks at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark in October 2005 for the recording of their fourth album, tentatively due in early 2006 via Osmose Productions.

YYRKOON released their third album, "Occult Medicine", this past October through Osmose. The band will be teaming up with IMPALED NAZARENE and PHAZM for a European tour beginning at the end of January

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~ IN BATTLE And BEHEMOTH To Team Up For HATE MEANS HATE Tour ~

Sundsvall, Sweden-based death metallers IN BATTLE will be supporting Poland's BEHEMOTH on the "Hate Means Hate Tour 2005" beginning in late March.

In other news, IN BATTLE have issued the following statement regarding their current label situation:

"We have been told that Cold Records is no longer under Metal Blade's wings. We would thank Michael and Andreas for a great job and a lot of good support. It was a great time to be on Metal Blade team. The next IN BATTLE album, we have been told that we are going to work with Regain Records, and I think it will suit us perfect!

"Next IN BATTLE album will be a lot of variation and heavy parts but still brutal and fast as ever before. IN BATTLE will work exclusive with Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) on the upcoming album. We will try even to record everything in Mana recording studio [Erik's studio in Florida]. Only the cash will tell if it's possible or not."

IN BATTLE have set "Terrorkings" as the tentative title of their next album. A late 2005 release is expected.

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~ UNDERCURRENT: Former MORBID ANGEL Frontman Launches New Project ~

UNDERCURRENT, the new band featuring former MORBID ANGEL frontman Steven Tucker on guitar/vocals, have posted three demo songs and an interview online at MySpace.com.

The band, which is rounded out by Tomaz (also of the band DISENTER) on drums, Anthony Gentry (Steve Tucker's brother from the band SUBVINYL) on bass, and Greg Reed (CEREMONY, DISASTERNAUT) on guitar, is described as a departure from the death metal roots of most of the group's bandmembers, focusing instead on "a very passionate blend of many styles of music that people from various genres can enjoy."

"I have always listened to a variety of music my entire life and was influenced by all of it, everything from THE CURE to SLAYER and everything in between," Tucker stated when asked about his influences.

"Music, to me, is about emotion and emotional state of mind, it has to touch your soul in some way or it is irrelevant. Regardless of the style of music, it has to be real."

"I have played a lot of different stuff, from death metal to acoustic stuff. I have always felt like I needed to play what fit my needs emotionally. That is why I formed this band, to release what needed to be released from inside of me. Everything in this band is real, emotionally."

Asked for his opinion on what the people who know him from MORBID ANGEL will think about UNDERCURRENT, Tucker said, "I think some will like it, and understand it. Those that know me personally will definitely get it.

"Death metal is a very passionate kind of music; you don't play it to get girls, or money or fame because none of those things happen playing that kind of music. It is about the music. Personally I think some of the best musicians in the world play or have played death metal. But it is very limited emotionally, and I feel that I have gone beyond that emotional level.

"By no means is UNDERCURRENT anything near death metal. Now I want to do something that is real to me, something that is far more personal and UNDERCURRENT is definitely that. It is about me and my life and everyone else in the band's life. It is great to play with my brother as well, because he has lived through these times with me."

"We were doing a different version of this band before I joined MORBID ANGEL and I am excited to be back playing with him again. It is great to play with people that you get along with and respect."

UNDERCURRENT are currently in talks with record labels for a full-length release.

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~ SUSPERIA Nominated For Norway's ALARM Award ~

Norwegian metallers SUSPERIA have received a nomination for best album in the "Metal" category of the respected Norwegian Alarm Awards, which will take place in Oslo on Saturday, February 5. The band have been recognized for their acclaimed "Unlimited" album, which was released last year through the Tabu label in Europe and Candlelight in the USA. The recording became a firm favorite with both media and fans around the world. SUSPERIA are one of five nominees for the "Metal" award alongside MAYHEM, ENSLAVED, RED HARVEST and KHOLD. Voting is open to the public and votes can be made at this location.

The band are currently working on a new video for the song "Devil May Care". The video is set to incorporate live footage from their recent tours and is expected to be completed shortly.

SUSPERIA have lined up their first live shows of 2005, at the Hamar Metal Festival, which takes place at the Hydranten in Hamar, Norway on Friday, February 25 and at Horten Scene 37 on Friday, April 1. The Horten show has been arranged to make up for the band's non-appearance at the venue on last year's "Unlimited Grudge" tour. They had to cancel their performance at the time due to vocalist Athera losing his voice.

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~ MINE[THORN] Sign With CODE666 RECORDS ~

U.K.-based brutal black/death metallers MINE[THORN] have inked a deal with Code666 Records.

Formed in 1999 as a THE AXIS OF PERDITION side-project, MINE[THORN] call what they create "bio mechanical disturbance metal" - "the sound of city sized slabs of living ancient alien machinery descending from the sky and grinding across the face of the planet consuming all life to replace it with more of their own," according to a press release.

MINE[THORN] draw their main inspiration from "the industrial sprawl and urban deterioration of their native Teeside in northeast England as well as a plethora of writers and films harbor no particular spiritual, political or musical alliances. MINE[THORN] simply wish to create music that is both crushingly heavy and rich with visual identity," the press release adds.

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~ Pentagram Singer Overdoses, Shows Cancelled ~

US doom metalers Pentagram have cancelled their UK gigs, due to happen in March. Apparently mainman Bobby Liebling shot up [on heroin] before the Washington, DC show and had to be revived from an overdose just to get him to the stage. The paramedics had taken him to the hospital, and nobody seemed to know how he was doing. Fortunately, he has survived, but the future of the band now hangs in the balance. One of the dates in Britain was supposed to be at The Peel in KIngston on March 26. The date, an all-day event, will now be headlined by Orange Goblin. Also on the bill are Pig Iron, End Of Level Boss, Centurions Ghost, The River and Sada. *(Thanks: Total Rock)

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~ PENTAGRAM Frontman Hospitalized Following Aborted D.C. Concert ~

PENTAGRAM frontman Bobby Liebling was reportedly hospitalized Saturday night (Jan. 15) after failing to perform as scheduled at the band's show at the Black Cat club in Washington D.C. Also appearing on the bill were ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY and THE HIDDEN HAND. One person who attended the show, "supernerd23", has posted the following report on the ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY message board:

"For me, the show at the Black Cat last night was just as awesome of a way to kick off the New Year as I had hoped it would be. Two of my favorite current bands to see live on the same bill was pretty much all I needed to satisfy me.

"In my mind there was never that much of an emphasis on the whole PENTAGRAM aspect of the show because I figured there wasn't more than a 50-50 chance that Bobby would make it. I've seen him out and about over the past few months while in D.C. for different shows. I saw him hop up on stage with PLACE OF SKULLS back in July and do a few songs and he seemed fairly together - at least while performing. I've been close enough to reach out and touch the man (not that I would want to) so I've seen with my own eyes the overall wretched condition he is in. I also know that he had been putting a lot of stock into this big PENTAGRAM debut having turned down other opportunities to perform in recent months when the band wouldn't have been the headliner.

"The new PENTAGRAM album with Bobby on vocals and Kelly, Adam and Mike from INTERNAL VOID as the band is pretty killer - I've really enjoyed listening to it. So I was psyched that there was a chance to see this material (and older stuff) performed live - but again, I knew better than to pin all of my hopes for happiness and satisfaction on the reliability of a junkie who's penchant for disappointing fans and bandmates is legendary.

"So apparently Bobby locked himself in a backstage bathroom, did whatever damage to himself he did, collapsed, revived and wanted to get on stage, got on stage with some help and by crawling, collapsed again, convulsed, was carried off stage, loaded into an ambulance and sent to the hospital. As Gomer Pyle would say, 'Surpise, surprise, surprise!'

"I really dug the set that the guys from INTERNAL VOID went ahead and charged into. I've caught these guys a couple of times in the last few months and have been really impressed by Kelly Carmichael's guitar playing. He (with Adam on bass and Mike on drums) really threw down some cool instrumental jams of some PENTAGRAM songs that even without vocals showed why this music has been worshipped by so many people for so many years. Eventually they were joined on stage by the INTERNAL VOID vocalist J.D. and Dave Sherman who sang a couple of songs, including 'Forever My Queen'. Joe Hasselvander (formerly of PENTAGRAM) came up and sang '20 Buck Spin' and the always entertaining Skull of BLACK MANTA was there to sing a few songs also.

"So the set pretty much turned into a PENTAGRAM tribute of sorts. I stuck with it and enjoyed it for what it was."

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~ Members Of Italian Satanic Heavy Metal Sect Ordered To Stand Trial ~

Danielle Demetriou of The Independent is reporting that eight members of an alleged Satanic black metal sect, "Beasts of Satan", were ordered to stand trial in an Italian court Thursday (Jan. 13) in relation to three supposed ritual killings.

The eight suspects, four of whom are members of "Beasts of Satan" from Busto Arsizio near Milan, are facing charges in relation to the murder of three companions.

The discovery of the body of Mariangela Pezzotta, who was buried in a shallow grave after being shot, in January last year led police to the gang, and to the discovery that two other members, Fabio Tollis and Chiara Marino, had been killed in 1998.

Chiara Marino, a 19-year-old girl, was reportedly killed under a full moon by a knife plunged into her heart in 1998. Her companion, Fabio Tollis, a 16-year-old singer, was allegedly killed at the same time by a hammer blow to the head and buried alongside her in woods near Milan after he tried to stop the other band members carrying out the murder.

On Thursday, a judge in Busto Arsizio ordered three of the suspects to face charges in a fast-track trial starting on February 21. The fast-track system will allow only a limited amount of evidence to be introduced in a closed-door hearing and will result in a reduced sentence if a defendant is convicted. The remaining suspects will stand trial in June. Italian authorities have been investigating whether the alleged killers were part of a wider network of Satanists, according to Antonio Pizzi, who is appearing for the prosecution. Among those standing trial in the fast-track system will be Andrea Volpe, one of the alleged leaders of the group and the former boyfriend of Pezzotta.

After turning state's evidence, Volpe revealed the grisly details surrounding the alleged murders. He claimed that, after the first two victims were murdered, another sect member, a 26-year-old woman, danced on their graves shouting: "Zombies, now you are only zombies."

Describing Pezzotta's death, Volpe detailed a bizarre meeting at a chalet. Pezzotta, who was thought to have threatened to make public the previous alleged murders, met with her former boyfriend and his current girlfriend. After toasting one another with champagne, Ms Pezzotta was reportedly shot in the face by Volpe, who then contacted another alleged group leader to help bury her.

Last October, a leaked notebook appeared to link the young suspects to devil worship. It contained grisly entries such as "blood and death, blood raining down, blood bathing all my body, blood thirsty for blood" and "crush those who are our friends, or who would like to be but aren't up to it, crush them then laugh".

There were also pages of instructions on conducting Satanic rites and the dangers involved. "Madness is always one of the risks," the notes warn. "It's necessary to maintain concentration on hatred."

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