News

Agnostic Front is about to embark on their recently announced direct support slot to Hatebreed on Stillborn Records annual Stillborn Fest 2007. The 10-day tour will kick off on December 20 at Jaxx in Springfield, VA and will also include God Forbid, Necro, At All Cost and Stillborn's newest signing, Thy Will Be Done. These bands will play the main stage on all tour dates. Additional bands will play the main stage on select dates and will be announced shortly. Some Stillborn Fest shows will also feature a second stage.

Agnostic Front lead singer Roger Miret commented: "This is a huge tour for us and we can't wait to get out there with our good friends in Hatebreed. As everybody knows by now, no matter what size show we play we always put out hearts into it and give 110%. We will always love playing the smaller shows, that's where our roots are; screaming in peoples faces when they are three inches away from us. Now, there's a lot more space between us and a lot more faces so I intend on screaming much louder! Prepare for hardcore fury!"

Tour Dates are as follows:

Dec. 20 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Dec. 21 - Norfolk VA @ The Norva
Dec. 22 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Dec. 23 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
Dec. 26 - New York, NY @ The Fillmore
Dec. 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Dec. 28 - Worcester MA @ Palladium
Dec. 29 - Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
Dec. 30 - Rochester, NY @ Water Street

Earache announces the release of an explosive collection of tracks from the growing legion of New-School Thrash Crossover bands, set to appear instores in UK and Europe on 21 January 2008 February 5th in USA.

The compilation entitled Thrashing Like A Maniac brings together the very best of the new crop of bands who are revelling in re-awakening the long lost genre, and building on the work of the past thrash masters. It will surely please old and new fans of the genre alike, if razor-sharp riffs, blistering drum speeds and shredding guitar solos are what you crave.

To find out more about the release head over to www.myspace.com/thrashinglikeamaniac.

For many of the acts this collection brings together their very first recordings. Bands include Earache's Evile and Bonded By Blood, plus the debut of recent Earache signees, Irish Thrashers Gama Bomb, as well as the leaders of the current thrash-pack—Municipal Waste. Hand-picked tracks from Dekapitator, Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, Toxic Holocaust, SSS, Mutant, Brasil's Violator, Merciless Death, UK's Deadfall, Lazarus, Send More Paramedics and Sweden's Decadence also appear.

Thrashing Like A Maniac comes at a time where thrash is once again making its mark on the world of heavy metal. Featuring bands drawing on old school thrash's no-frills aggression and injecting a healthy dosage of energy and fun back into the scene.

Thrashing Like A Maniac is released on CD and Vinyl LP, both formats also come with a bonus FREE 24 page Xeroxed B/W zine entitled Speed Merchants which contains exclusive interviews with all the bands featured.

The tracklisting is as follows:

01. BONDED BY BLOOD - 'Immortal Life'
02. EVILE - 'Thrasher'
03. MUNICIPAL WASTE - 'The Art of Partying'
04. DEKAPITATOR - 'Deathstrike Command'
05. FUELED BY FIRE - 'Massive Execution'
06. DECADENCE - 'Corrosion'
07. WARBRINGER - 'Total War'
08. SSS - 'Overload'
09. GAMA BOMB - 'Zombi Brew'
10. MERCILESS DEATH - 'Exumer'
11. DEADFALL - 'Resistance Is Futile'
12. LAZARUS - 'Last Breath'
13. TOXIC HOLOCAUST - 'War is Hell'
14. MUTANT - 'Psycho Therapy'
15. VIOLATOR - 'Atomic Nightmare'
16. SEND MORE PARAMEDICS - 'Twilight of the Flies'

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Jamey Jasta and Kirk Windstein's KINGDOM OF SORROW.

Jasta (HATEBREED, ICEPICK) and Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR) came together some three years ago to create KINGDOM OF SORROW, and in that time put together an album's worth of crushing American metal. Relapse will give the band's long-awaited debut album its proper worldwide release this coming February.

Upon signing, Jasta comments: "I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about Kingdom Of Sorrow! There's been 2 and a half years of questions, rumors and speculation surrounding this and now we can finally move forward! We've signed a worldwide deal with Relapse Records!!! It's an honor. Kirk and I could not be happier, I've always been a big fan of the label."

Jasta continues: "I can't wait for the world to hear this record. It crushes!! I pushed myself to become a better vocalist and wrote and expressed myself lyrically in a totally different way than I have before. Kirk has never sounded better! His tone is like a 747 filled with tar crashing into a lead mountain. We should press this CD on plutonium because it really is that HEAVY. It was so much fun working on this record. There was no other motive than to have fun and make a unique and different record for the both of us while keeping it heavy, mean and rockin! I think everyone is going to be really surprised!"

Windstein adds: "We're just so happy to have this come out…finally! We had a great time putting it together and we're just so proud of it. Its super heavy, man, it just crushes! Everyone I play it for, their jaws drop. And after three years, it feels good to know now everyone can hear it."

The KINGDOM OF SORROW album was recorded at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts with producer Zeuss (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL) and will include 11 tracks. KINGDOM OF SORROW preview tracks can be heard now via the band's official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/KingdomOfSorrow.

Finally available on DVD for the first time, New Door Records/UMe are proud to announce the eagerly awaited release of the two-disc DVD of Live After Death, the legendary recording of Maiden's four-night stand at Long Beach Arena, California, in 1984. In the stores February 5, 2008, the release will coincide with the start of the band's Somewhere Back in Time World Tour, during which they will recreate many of the aspects of this original and spectacular show.

Disc one contains the recording of this full 90-minute concert. Originally filmed on 35mm, the footage comes alive on DVD resulting in a visually stunning film that far outstrips the usual live video of the Eighties. The disc carries two sound options: the original concert audio specially mixed into 5.1 Surround Sound by Kevin Shirley, Maiden's producer since 1999, plus the original stereo sound track by Martin Birch, the band's producer from 1981 to 1993. Originally released on video in 1985, this has been largely unavailable for the past 20 years.

Disc two has Part 2 of the "History of Iron Maiden," continuing on the Maiden story from the Early Days DVD, along with rare and unseen bonus footage in the form of Behind the Iron Curtain, Rock in Rio '85 and 'Ello Texas, all in all giving a total running time of well over three hours. Also included will be photo galleries, relevant promo videos, artwork galleries, tour dates, tour program and other features which all combine to make the two-disc set a very special and utterly comprehensive treat for their fans.

Check out the disc contents and a live video of Maiden's "The Trooper" below:

FULL LIST OF CONTENTS:

Disc 1 - LIVE AFTER DEATH

Live After Death concert with Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio (90 minutes)

Set list -

Churchill Speech/Aces High
2 Minutes to Midnight
The Trooper
Revelations
Flight of Icarus
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Powerslave
Number of the Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Iron Maiden
Run to the Hills
Running Free
Sanctuary

Disc 2 DOCUMENTARY / BONUS CONCERT FOOTAGE

1) The History of Iron Maiden - Part 2 (60 min.) - Documentary.
Band members, crew, friends and associates talk about the period in the band's career which saw the writing, recording and release of the Powerslave album, and later Live After Death, and the subsequent massive touring.

2) Behind the Iron Curtain ( 57 min. approx) Documentary and Live - shot during Maiden's historic tour of Poland and other parts to the Eastern Bloc in 1984 featuring interviews, live and offstage footage capturing the atmosphere of this remarkable journey behind the Wall at the height of the Cold War.

3) Live Footage - Rock in Rio '85 (50 min. approx) The full Maiden set supporting Queen on the first day of the first Rock in Rio in front of 300,000 fans.

Songs performed include:

Aces High
2 Minutes to Midnight
The Trooper
Revelations
Powerslave
Iron Maiden
Run to the Hills
Running Free

4) Ello Texas - 15 minutes - Interview and live. Caught by a film crew in 1983 at the Alamo and sound checking their show in San Antonio.

5) Artwork Gallery, Tour Program, Tour dates and photo gallery

6) Promotional clips for Aces High and 2 Minutes to Midnight

Genghis Tron have completed work on their brand new full-length album and Relapse debut, Board Up The House.

Genghis Tron recorded Board Up The House at Godcity Studios in Salem, MA with producer Kurt Ballou. The album's artwork can be previewed HERE and the complete tracklisting is as follows: "Board Up The House", "Endless Teeth", "Things Don't Look Good", "Recursion", "I Won't Come Back Alive", "City On A Hill", "The Whips Blow Back", "Colony Collapse", "The Feast", "Ergot", and "Relief". Board Up The House will see a February '08 international release through Relapse.

Genghis Tron says of the album and recording process; "After well over a year of very hard work, we're incredibly happy and relieved to announce that we've finally finished our second album, Board Up the House. We finished tracking and mixing at Godcity Studio (Salem, MA) in late September, but we just completed the mastering process a few days ago. The album sounds...huge. I'll leave it at that. We've never been prouder. However, in lieu of spouting some self-serving hyperbole about achieving our twisted vision and/or making the best and most unique GT album to date, we'll let the tunes speak for themselves. Keep your eyes and ears open for a preview track in the near future. "

Genghis Tron will begin touring in support of Board Up The House as early as December when they join labelmates The Dillinger Escape Plan on

their first North American Ire Works tour. This tour will kick off on December 1st in London, Ontario and will also include A Life Once Lost and Stolen Babies. A listing of Genghis Tron tour dates can be found below. The band alludes to much more touring in the new year; "Once our album comes out in February, we'll be spending the rest of the year bringing these new tunes to audiences everywhere. In addition to many North American tours, we're making plans to return to the U.K. and also to embark on first mainland European tour. Get excited about it. More from us soon..."

For more information on Genghis Tron, check out http://www.genghistron.com/.

Genghis Tron Tour Dates:

***All Dates from October 4 thru October 28 w/ The Dillinger Escape Plan, A Life Once Lost, Stolen Babies***

December 1 London, ON Call The Office
December 2 Toronto, ON Opera House
December 3 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
December 4 Cleveland, OH Peabody's
December 5 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater
December 6 Louisville, KY Headliners
December 7 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
December 8 Orlando, FL Back Booth
December 9 St. Petersburg, FL State Theatre
December 11 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
December 13 Baltimore, MD Otto Bar
December 14 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony
December 15 Philadelphia, PA The Starlight Ballroom
December 16 New York, NY Blender Theatre @ Gramercy
December 18 Cambridge, MA The Middle East
December 19 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
December 20 Portland, ME The Station
December 21 Montreal, QC Le National
December 22 Williamsville, NY Club Infinity

The following message was posted on DECAPITATED's official web site:

"Witold 'Vitek' Kieltyka — our brother and dearest friend — succumbed to head injuries sustained after a bad van accident while on tour in Russia. He was 23.

"One of the youngest and most promising drummers in the genre, together with DECAPITATED he has consistently released albums both crushing and invigorating in their musicianship. Extremely talented — he has been involved in other side projects: DIES IRAE, PANZER X. He will be missed and cannot be replaced.

"The metal scene will be much sorrier with his passing…"

Two members of Polish death metal group Decapitated have been seriously injured in a road accident involving their tour bus and a truck carrying wood in Gomel, on the Russia/Belarus border.

Vocalist Covan and drummer Vitek sustained serious head injuries as a result of the accident, and are to be taken 550km from Gomel to Moscow for emergency treatment.

All other members of the touring party are not reported to be seriously hurt.

More information will be posted as we receive it.

The Austrian blackened death metal band Belphegor's new album, The Fleischwerk, is scheduled for a U.S.A. release date on April 15, 2008, via Nuclear Blast Records.

Guitarist/vocalist Helmuth comments: "Yeah it's true, since six weeks we've been working our asses off in the rehearsal room and we're already in the pre-production phase. I started the songwriting in May 2006 and directly after the Brazilian tour in September I've bunkered myself with [bassist] Serpenth and session drummer Torturer into our rehearsal room. Since then we're 100% concentrated in the song-writing process, worked night and day extremely hard on the new tracks. The most of the 9 Compositions/ Arrangements are almost finished"

Belphagor are set to enter Andy Classen´s Stage One Studios in Kassel, Germany on Friday, November 9th to start recording their upcoming album, the follow-up to 2006´s Pestapokalypse VI. The recording process will reach out til middle of January 2008 with three intense sessions, so everything can grow and the band can take the best result. In middle of January 08 everything will be recorded-mixed-mastered so the album is finished.

"Hell yeah, i´m so motivated and it feels extremely good to be creative again. This album is the next logical chapter for the bands development. For me that is not just another moderate Cd, i would go into the deepest fire and give my last drop of blood for this Werk. More shredding, more cold melodies, more dynamics, more epic harmonies, more cyper-blastbeat-terror...the freakiest, wildest Belphagor opera concerning guitars. Lemme tell you, the 9 soundcollages sound huge, its fucking TNT...u know its Belphagor" stated Helmuth.

Progressively inclined metallers Daath are seeking a new vocalist upon the exit of Sean Farber. The band is looking for a distinctive voice to augment their brutally unique sound and mirror their complex conceptual background. With drummer Kevin Talley making history and surviving another band member, the band has cemented their bond and is seeking a new voice.

With their Roadrunner Records debut The Hinderers, the band have raised the bar for American metal, garnering praise from critics and fans alike. After a highly successful run on this year's Ozzfest, Daath are gearing up to hit the studio in early 2008 to construct their second offering, tentatively titled The Concealers. Once again focusing on each facet of the Tree of Life/Death, The Concealers will delve deeper into the various sides of human nature and behavior. The band is looking for a vocalist to set the stage ablaze with distinguishable tenacity and thoughtful finesse.

Candidates looking to apply should download vocal-free music from the links below

, record their vocals and email tracks back along with full contact information and picture to the e-mail address listed below. Candidates are also encouraged to complete the tracks via video and upload them to their personal YouTube pages or can submit materials from their own bands or work. Daath will be considering entries throughout the fall and hope to announce a new vocalist by the end of the year.

Daath are currently on tour with Dark Funeral and Naglfar, with longtime friend Sean Z filling in on vocal duties. The band is looking for a vocalist with versatility, a touring heart and a fervent love for all Daath has to offer. "We don't want a one dimensional singer, we want someone diverse with range and power," says guitarist Eyal Levi. "We like vocalists with signature diversity such as Michael Akerfeldt, Vortex, Phil Anselmo and David Vincent."

Vocal-free tracks for "Cosmic Forge," "Ovum" and "Subterfuge" can be downloaded here:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/shared/downloads/Daath/Daath-CosmicForgeInstr.mp3

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/shared/downloads/Daath/Daath-OvumInstr.mp3

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/shared/downloads/Daath/Daath-SubterfugeInstr.mp3

Submissions should be sent to: daathaudition@roadrunnerrecords.com.

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.

See below for upcoming Om live dates:

11/13/2007 Rock N Roll Hotel - Washington DC w/Grails, Jack Rose
11/14/2007 Europa - Brooklyn NY w/Grails, Jack Rose
11/15/2007 Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia PA w/Grails, Randall Of Nazareth
11/16/2007 Knitting Factory - New York NY w/Grails, Kirk Fisher
11/17/2007 The Loft - Brattleboro VT w/Witch, Grails, Jack Rose
11/18/2007 Middle East (upstairs) - Boston, MA w/Grails, Jack Rose

12/05/2007 Uganda Club - Jerusalem, Israel
12/06/2007 Levontin Club - Tel Aviv, Israel
12/08/2007 Minehead, UK - ATP Festival as curated by Portishead

Photos by Croki.