Metallian Heavy

HEADHUNTER D.C. will release In Unholy Mourning… in December through Mutilation Records.

More censorship: Reacting to BEHEMOTH’s Nergal desecrating the image of a priest at an October 1 show in Poland, Poland’s public broadcaster TVP has announced that Adam “Nergal” Darski will not return as a judge on the second season of The Voice Of Poland should another season be given the go-ahead.

City Of Steel, the debut full-length from Saskatoon thrash metal trio, UNTIMELY DEMISE, is out through Sonic Unyon Metal. The band is playing several Canadian shows.

Maldives’ (in the Indian Ocean) NOTHNEGAL has announced Decadence as the title for its full-length debut, slated for January 20th through Season Of Mist. The album was mixed by Greg Reely (DEVIN TOWNSEND) and Ahti Kortelainen (SENTENCED and SONATA ARCTICA). Kevin Talley of DYING FETUS and MISERY INDEX is drumming.

FDA Rekotz is issuing Hardnaked…But Dead! By a reformed DEAD on November 18th.

New England crossover band HELL WITHIN has thrown in the towel. The band will play a final show on November 11th at the Village Smoke House in Lowell, Massachusetts.

IMMOLATION has a new EP. Scion A/V Presents: IMMOLATION Providence EP will be available as a free download at www.scionav.com. The EP will also be available for free in CD and vinyl formats at concerts during the IMMOLATION North American tour 2011 and at Scion partner retail locations.

ANAL CUNT will have a posthumous two-CD collection of its earlier material called The Old Testament on November 22nd through Relapse Records.

Following the departure of Brian Werner in April INFERNAEON has recruited singer Eric Rhodes. The band is entering the studio in February.

Pitch Black Records has signed Danish band ILLNATH. The band’s third album, Third Act In The Theatre Of Madness, will be released on November 18th. The band is singer Mona Beck, guitarist Pete Falk, bassist Kenneth Frandsen and session drummer Reno Kiilerich of EXMORTEM fame.

AUTOPSY is at Fantasy studio in Berkeley, California recording a few new songs for an upcoming record entitled All Tomorrow’s Funerals. The bulk of the material is AUTOPSY’s older EP material.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will headline the first edition of Metal Hammer’s Destroyers Of The Faith tour next March in the UK with JOB FOR A COWBOY, ENSLAVED and TRIPTYKON.

Texas’ HOD has announced the addition of Erika Tandy (MORGENGRAU, BRACAGLIA, and ex-IGNITOR) as second guitarist. Erika is also a guitarist who fronts her own death metal unit, MORGENGRAU.

Sweden’s BASTARD PRIEST has returned with a full-length, Ghouls Of The Endless Night, through Pulverised Records on November 7th. The album was recorded at Parasit Studio with Fred Estby, formerly of DISMEMBER, engineering.

NECROPHOBIC has left the troubled Regain Records and signed with Season Of Mist. Simultaneously, the band has been joined by guitarists Robert Sennebäck (DISMEMBER and UNLEASHED) and Fredrik Folkare (UNLEASHED). The line-up will tour Europe with MORBID ANGEL this month and next.

GRAVE DESECRATOR has officially joined the Pulverised Records. An Album from the Brazilians is expected in 2012.

Singaporean blackened death metal horde IMPIETY is touring the Canada and the USA. The band is on Pulverised Records now.

Swedish death metal act DEAD AWAKEN, featuring former members of ABHOTH, has signed with Abyss Records for the release of its full-length debut, Where Hope Turns Dripping Red.

As first revealed here, DREAMING DEAD will issue its new album Midnightmares on October 31st as a digital download.

Debemur Morti Productions is issuing ARCHGOAT’s Heavenly Vulva (Christ’s Last Rites) and BLUT AUS NORD’s 777 – The Desanctification.

Another tale of loyalty. Following the loss of vocalist Jason “Plunger” Sica, ABACINATE has been re-joined by original vocalist Ian Neal, who appeared on the band’s full-length debut, Ruination. Denied the opportunity to tour in support of the last album, Genesis, which was released earlier this year, the band is planning a US tour for next year.

Band name of the decade! NUNFUCKRITUAL’s In Bondage To The Serpent is out through France’s Debemur Morti Productions. The album is the production of Teloch (NIDINGR and MAYHEM), Espen T. Hangård (ALTAAR), Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH and NOKTURNAL HELLSTORM) and Andreas Jonsson (TYRANT).

Following ABSU’s upcoming North American and European shows, January 2012 will see the group performing on Australian soil for the first time, headlining the Connexus Conjuration Tour.

More pride! Florida-based Greyhaze Records is proud to announce that the label is now the official distribution home in North America for Cogumelo Records. Confirmed titles will be announced in the weeks ahead, with the first of these titles to hit the streets by the end of the coming winter.

DENIAL FIEND has announced a string of US dates with OBITUARY. The tour will kick off on November 12th in Tampa, Florida. OBITUARY is also working on a new album.

Inspired by KEEL? The reformed UNCANNY is in the studio recording two new songs scheduled to be released on an upcoming 7″ through Dark Descent Records. These two tracks are the first new material from the band since 1994’s Splenium For Nyktophobia album. UNCANNY 2011 is Jens Törnroos – vocals, Fredrik Norrman and Johan Jansson – guitars, Mattias Norrman – bass and Kennet Englund – drums.

Razor & Tie has signed SHADOWS FALL to a multi-album deal for the USA. The band is at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts recording its new album for a spring release.

MASSACRE is touring Europe in January to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the From Beyond album. The line-up is Ed Webb (DIABOLIC and SUPREME EVIL) – vocals, Terry Butler – bass, Mike Mazzonetto (PAIN PRINCIPLE) – drums and of course Frederick “Rick Rozz” DeLillo on guitar.

Vocalist Kyle Thomas and guitarist Jay Ceravolo of EXHORDER have left the band. They felt the band is not going anywhere.

Following the re-release of its early Abomination and Tragedy Strikes albums by Nuclear Blast ABOMINATION is touring Europe this month with guitarist Demetrio Scopelliti and drummer Raphael Saini.

DEADLOCK has lost singer Johannes Prem. The band has an unnamed singer already onboard.

Singer, guitarist and band leader Helmuth Lehner of BELPHEGOR underwent “a serious and difficult” operation in October on the heels of the band’s South American shows. The band has cancelled any live activities.

Stupid marketing/Inspired by KEEL. Two years after disbanding RUNNING WILD has reformed and already recorded an album called Shadowmaker for release in April of 2012 through SPV.

Inspired by KEEL? NASUM has reformed for a number of “farewell performances” in 2012 to commemorate its 20th anniversary. NASUM disbanded following the death of leader Mieszko Talarczyk in the 2004 Asian tsunami. Keijo Niinimaa, vocalist for ROTTEN SOUND, is joining NASUM.


Metallian Hard

Following the band's first album for the label, Memorial Roots, German power metal band BRAINSTORM will release On The Spur Of The Moment on November 8th through AFM. The album is already on the German charts. The label will issue SINNER’s One Bullet Left on the same day. The label has also issued the debut album for WOLFPAKK. The label issues Michael Voss (ex-CASANOVA and MAD MAX) and Mark Sweeney (ex-CRYSTAL BALL).

Dutch hard rockers VENGEANCE have signed a deal with Steamhammer. The group's new album, Crystal Eye, is out on February 27th.

According to the band, SANCTUARY is about to sign with Century Media, the label for NEVERMORE.

The original line-up of BLACK SABBATH recently rehearsed. The band’s last attempt at a reunion fell apart and it is not clear if things will work out this time.

ORANGE GOBLIN will release its new studio album, A Eulogy For The Damned, on Monday February 13, 2012 in the UK/rest of world and February 14, 2012 in the USA. This date is the same day that BLACK SABBATH released its self-titled debut album in 1970! The band is touring the UK and Ireland in April.

ROUGH ANGEL has announced the release of the recordings from 1993 called Hear The Angels Rock. The digital release is available through Rock'n Growl Records.

A world full of pride! Metal Mind Productions is proud to present the re-release of three albums by the British band BAL-SAGOTH: The Power Cosmic, Atlantis Ascendant and The Chthonic Chronicles. The re-issues include expanded lyric booklets. The albums will be available in a new digipak edition each limited to 2000 copies. The release date is set for November, 14th in Europe and January, 10th 2011 in USA through MVD.

ANVIL CHORUS, featuring guitarist Doug Piercy, played a show on October 26th opening for YNGWIE MALMSTEEN at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. ANVIL CHORUS had both opened and played backing band for Malmsteen in an early '80s show.

Wendy Dio’s Niji Entertainment Group is issuing an early ELF album called And Before Elf. It features early unreleased tracks from 1971 material featuring Ronnie James Dio.

A KISS Kruise launched from Miami on October 13th with 2,500 fans onboard. The band performed both acoustic and electric sets. Paul Stanley subsequently underwent surgery for "recurring vocal cord issues." The surgery is reported to be a success.

IRON SAVIOR will issue a new album, called The Landing, on November 18th through AFM Records.

DAGGER, featuring Fred Estby (NECRONAUT and ex-DISMEMBER), David Blomqvist (ex-DISMEMBER), Tyrant (NIFELHEIM) and Tobias Cristiansson (GRAVE and ex-DISMEMBER) is looking for a singer. The band can be reached at heavydagger@gmail.com. This comes in tandem with DISMEMBER calling it a day following Regain Records ‘ recent financial turmoil. The band’s performance at Death Feast Open Air festival on June 23rd will now become its last.

GRAVE has parted ways with guitarist Magnus Martinsson and recruited Mika Lagreen of FACEBREAKER. Magnus entered GRAVE in 2008.

CYNIC has recruited Max Phelps on guitar and vocals and Brandon Giffin on bass for the band’s North American and European tours in support of the Carbon-Based Anatomy EP.

German heavy metal band SACRED GATE has issued a demo called Creators Of The Downfall.

GRAVE DIGGER has re-signed with Napalm Records for three albums.

KROKUS performed in front of 37,000 Japanese fans at Loud Park Festival in Japan. This was the band’s first show in that country.

Back On Black has reissued the first six albums of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl in deluxe gatefold sleeves. The first 1,000 copies of each title is available on coloured vinyl.

HADES will release a new DVD in 2012 entitled Live In Germany featuring footage from the band's 2000 appearance at Wacken Open Air and 2010’s Bang Your Head Festival.

He must be Swedish. Tim "Ripper" Owens (DIO DISCIPLES, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BRAINCIDE, RIPPER, SEATTLE, WINTERS BANE, U.S. METAL, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, etc.) has joined TRED, the band featuring guitarist Mike Orlando, bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer A.J. Pero. An album's worth of music is being recorded for a 2012 release.

The Italian hard rockers VOODOO HIGHWAY is going to release an independent release called Broken Uncle's Inn on October 14th 2011.

Female fronted bands BENEDICTUM and DESDEMON have teamed up for the Path Of The Valkyries U.S. tour this month to promote their recent studio releases.

Veteran Italian band T.I.R. will issue an album called Heavy Metal this month through Jolly Roger Records.

ENGLISH DOGS’ Forward Into Battle line-up of Andrew "Pinch" Pinching, Graham "Gizz" Butt and Adie Bailey has re-grouped for a February tour of the USA with THE CASUALTIES, TOXIC HOLOCAUST and HAVOK. Songs from the record will be played.

On Tuesday, November 8th, Cruz del Sur Music will release Dawn Of Infinity, the sophomore full-length offering from recent label signing, UK traditional metallers DARK FOREST.

MANIFEST will release a demo, Written In Blood, on November 11th through the band's own imprint, Violent Media.

He is out of another band! POWER QUEST has parted ways with singer Chitral "Chity" Somapala (FIREWIND, FARO, DOMAIN and AVALON) a year after recruiting him.

Jorn Lande of JORN will support MOTÖRHEAD across Scandinavia in December.

Reunion 2013? Apparently, CANDLEMASS is throwing in the towel. CANDLEMASS has signed a deal with Napalm Records and is working on music for its farewell album, which is tentatively scheduled for a spring 2012 release.

Early ‘70s band BLACK WIDOW is back and has a new studio album, Sleeping With Demons, which is released on October 31st through Cargo Records.

NIGHTRAGE guitarist Olof Mörck has been forced to not be a part of the band's Frets Of Fury tour with FIREWIND, WHITE WIZZARD and ARSIS in North America. Filling in for him is former CELLADOR and CIRCLE II CIRCLE guitarist Bill Hudson.

Inspired by KEEL? HEIR APPARENT, with a line-up of Paul Davidson (vocals), Terry Gorle (guitar), Derek Peace (bass) and Ray Schwartz, has reformed again and will perform its 1986 Graceful Inheritance album in its entirety at the Metal Assault II festival in Würzburg, Germany on January 14th, 2012. The band is planning more shows in Europe as well.

Guitarist Henjo Richter of GAMMA RAY has been forced to not be a part of the band's appearance on the Sweden Rock Cruise last month. He had a bike accident. The band is forging ahead.

Inspired by KEEL? Now You're Here, There's No Way Back: THE QUIET RIOT Story is a band documentary due in 2012. Regina Russell, QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali fiancé, is directing.

DIMMU BORGIR will perform its 1997 album, Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, in its entirety on its upcoming club tour and follow up with a second set of older songs.

CAGE will release its next album, Supremacy Of Steel, on November 25th through Music Buy Mail.

COFFIN HUNTER, a bluegrass project featuring EXODUS members Jack Gibson and Tom Hunting, is touring the USA.

The Ultimate Illustrated History Of The Boston Bad Boys is a new book on AEROSMITH by Richard Bienstock. It contains 400 photographs. The band is touring South America, although it was reported that the Lima, Peru show was cut short due to Steven Tyler’s voice giving out. Furthermore, AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler suffered from supposed dehydration and food poisoning when he collapsed in a Paraguay hotel shower. The show was postponed to the next night. Tyler was treated at a hospital for injuries to his face, including the loss of two teeth and cuts to his eyebrow and mouth.

BORKNAGAR has asked American drummer David Kinkade to leave the band due to the logistics of the distance.

ROYAL HUNT is completing a new album, Show Me How To Live, in Copenhagen’s Northpoint Studio. It is due in December through Marquee/Avalon.

Due to singer Tony Moore's unexpected dental surgery, RIOT has cancelled its support tour of HAMMERFALL in Europe.

SIN MG is completing a full-length release called Deception…

Everyone comments on the death, er “passing”, of Steve Jobs.


Metallian Demos

PSYCHOTIC GARDENING – BLACK FEVER
Let’s deal with the obvious first. Psychotic Gardening? Really? One can understand ‘Black Fever,’ but Psychotic Gardening sounds like a frantic search for a creative monicker that has not been used thus far.
This Canadian band is managed by Larry Lava whose past includes a record label, a radio show, band promotion and reviewing metal as a music critic. The man presumably knows his metal, but his management of these Winnipeg-based bunch might be more down to his friendship with the group’s main man, Chuck ‘Cyco Miko’ Labossiere formerly of Immortal Possession than anything else.
For, unfortunately, the band is not anything to write home about. It sounds as if in his attempt to come up with something original the band’s founder has gone off beam and turned to compromise and deterioration. The band has a keyboardist. That is not originality in metal. That is leaving the realms of metal for something weaker and inferior. It is not new either. Failed poseur bands like My Dying Bride, Nocturnus Embraze or Anathema have attempted it all before. Given the guitarist’s twisted solos Morbid Angel is a band influence. There are some effects on the vocals and the songs veer between deathly fast and doomy slow.
The band has also included a DVD with the package featuring several live and concept video clips of the songs. The band can be found online at http://www.members.shaw.ca/psychoticgardening/ or contacted through psychoticgardening@yahoo.com (or psychoticgardeining@yahoo.com if you believe the biography). – Ali “The Metallian”

MINUTIAN – REPERCUSSIONS
Chic and classy looking disc from a young Finnish band called Minutian. The group is situated somewhere between progressive rock and modern hard rock and unfortunately does not lean too heavily in either direction. The band is neither commercial nor an Ark or other progressive band and, as such, may not appeal to either demographic. The compositions are solid and intricate enough, but hardly lack any spark either way. Similarly, the sound is clean and appropriate which is interesting since the disc was partly recorded at the band’s “own rehearsal room.” Thankfully, the group is serious and, despite being Finnish, has stayed out of the whole keyboard wham-bam category. Oh, the vocalist sounds mighty ‘glam’ at times, although that sub-genre is not where this band will draw its listeners! The band can be reached through contact@minutian.com. - Ali “The Metallian”