Gelap Pekat

The third full-length CD (fourth overall) from Pittsburgh traditional metallers ICARUS WITCH, mysteriously entitled "Draw Down The Moon", will be released February 9, 2010 through Cleopatra Records.

With a few years of regional headline touring under their belt as well as supporting everyone from HEAVEN & HELL to 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and TROUBLE on the road, "the boys honed their live chops and discovered the formula for what translates to a frenzied crowd and what passages are better left for the headphones," according to a press release. "The end result is a nine-song battle cry called 'Draw Down The Moon' which sees the band in a more mature, yet increasingly aggressive songwriting mode, stripped of the extraneous bells and whistles of synths and samples. This is a back-to-basics, classic metal album with a raw, in-your-face production (once again with Eric Klinger at the controls) that owes as much to '70s Marshall overdrive and gothic tales of yore as it does the '80s flash and modern metal trappings that have become de rigueur in this burgeoning scene ICARUS WITCH is alleged to have helped establish. Apparently the time machine has been set to reverse, and once you dig your teeth into the muscular framework of this future occult rock classic, you will forget about eras, genre tags and hype, and realize what truly matters most...this band knows how to fucking ROCK!"

ICARUS WITCH was recently described as having a "heavy influence of IRON MAIDEN combined with good old-fashioned hard rock/metal production and great musicianship" by Don Jamieson, co-host of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". Perhaps this assessment helped land the boys the opening slot on former MAIDEN crooner Paul Di'Anno's first American tour in over 15 years, commencing this January 27 in New York City.

Britain's Metal Hammer magazine recently drafted ICARUS WITCH for both its covermount compilation CD as well as an interview on their feature about the explosive rise of traditional metal with the younger generation of bands, referring to the WITCH as "one of the best new bands to take up the NWOTM (New Wave of Traditiona Metal) standard and carry it triumphantly into the future." With such accolades, the pressure is mounting for the group to top their previous efforts, a feat which has been handily accomplished by the creation of this new album, their first since 2007's critically acclaimed "Songs For The Lost".

"Draw Down The Moon" track listing:

01. Black Candles
02. Aquarius Rising
03. Reap What You Sow
04. Dying Eyes
05. Draw Down The Moon
06. Serpent In The Garden
07. Funeral Wine
08. Haunting Visions
09. The Ripper

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.

Southern Wisconsin quintet LUNA MORTIS has been dropped by Century Media Records, the label that released the band's debut album, "The Absence". The CD, which came out in in February 2009, was tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM).

Comments frontwoman Mary Zimmer: "Does this mean LUNA MORTIS will not be releasing another album? No. It just means that soon, we will be label-less and have a few decisions to make about what our next move will be and what we'd like to do in regard to the future of the band."

LUNA MORTIS will be the direct support for PRIMAL FEAR on a North American tour in May-June 2010. Zimmer states, "It's going to be a great tour, covering more of the U.S. this time, including Texas and some southern areas we have never played before. We look forward to going out on the road with PRIMAL FEAR, who are an excellent band and terrific musicians."

LUNA MORTIS's "Forever More" video can be viewed below. The clip was directed by David Brodsky, who has previously worked with ALL THAT REMAINS, BLEEDING THROUGH, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and KITTIE, among many others.

To coincide with the release of Revolver magazine's PANTERA/"Vulgar Display Of Power" commemorative issue — with cover artwork by award-winning graphic illustrator Tim Bradstreet — Philadelphia rock station WMMR interviewed Bradstreet about drawing the cover. Listen to the chat at this location.

Revolver magazine's PANTERA/"Vulgar Display Of Power" commemorative issue is available on newsstands through February 22. The January/February issue captures the defining moment in PANTERA's career and features Bradstreet's stark and powerful cover illustration of the classic 1992 album cover photo.

Tim Bradstreet has been illustrating for over two decades, having worked on The Punisher and Blade for Marvel. He has earned an Eisner Award nomination for his work.

Regarding his work for Revolver's PANTERA cover, Bradstreet says, "It's a pretty special opportunity for me to get a chance to illustrate this particular cover. Strange how these things come full circle. I had a similar experience a few years ago when I was asked to do the artwork for an IRON MAIDEN album called 'A Matter of Life and Death'. I had a strong connection with MAIDEN, too. Seems like I'm two for two so far, which is, like, the craziest luck!

"It's pretty special to get a chance to work on or with something that has inspired you, and PANTERA's 'Vulgar Display of Power' certainly had a major impact on me back in 1992. Musically it was where I was at as a 25-year-old. It was raw, visceral, powerful, and it was speaking to me lyrically as well. One phrase that still sticks out for me is from 'Mouth for War': "When I channel my hate to productive, I don't find it hard to impress.' That really resonated with me as I was full of anger and angst, and I used to channel that into my work. Subsequently, there was a definite, almost audible energy in the illustrations that was born of that inner strife. I think it's one of the ingredients that separates an artist's work from the status quo. There has to be a driving mechanism, for some it's anger, for some it's love, or it can be a combination, shit, whatever it is that drives you to create is a good thing and cathartic for some. I used to say, for me drawing was like free therapy.

"The music I listened to as I worked was additional and essential fuel. A lot of my early Vampire illustrations, the work that helped put me on the map as an illustrator were powered by heavy doses of PANTERA. One of the things that made them so fresh with this record was their own evolution, they found a voice with this album; musically, they'd stripped themselves clean. This was bare bones as the title implies. And lyrically it was complementing the music with that in your face-bare bones style. It was smart, and it was telling young people we all have problems, you can sit around and be defeated by the shit life throws your way or you can stand up and fight back on your own terms. That was a lesson I was ready to embrace.

"I was a really big guy back in '92, well over 300 pounds, very self-conscious. That's where a lot of my anger or self-loathing came into play. I decided finally that I was going to do something about it and in the spring/summer of 1992 I made losing weight my religion. 'Vulgar Display of Power' was my soundtrack. Really, it was two albums, 'Vulgar' and ROLLINS BAND's 'The End of Silence'. Those two records drove me to stay determined and focused. I ended up losing over 100 pounds in about four months. I transformed myself, and that was a powerful thing. I felt empowered by the experience. I don't know how I'd have ever done it and kept my sanity if it hadn't been for PANTERA and Hank [Henry Rollins]. I feel like I owe them both a debt I could never repay, but that's the power of music.

"When I got that call from the guys at Revolver, and they wanted me to do a cover I was pretty excited. When I found out what it was I'd be illustrating it turned into an opportunity for me to say thank you to those four metal madmen. This gig has joined the ranks of a growing list of dreams that were able to come true for me. Sometimes you gotta pinch yourself."

For more information, visit RevolverMag.com.

Bradstreet's work-in-progress version of the Revolver cover:

According to Ticketmaster.com, W.A.S.P. has scheduled the following U.S. dates in February/March:

Feb. 26 - The Canyon - Agoura Hills, CA
Feb. 27 - Galaxy Theatre - Santa Ana, CA
Mar. 06 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
Mar. 12 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA

More shows are expected to be announced soon.

Fan-filmed video footage of W.A.S.P. December 13, 2009 concert in Bilbao, Spain can be viewed below.

A Spanish-language report and several other fan-filmed video clips can be found at BilbaoIsRock.com.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Mephisto Waltz (intro)
02. On Your Knees / The Real Me (THE WHO cover)
03. L.O.V.E. Machine
04. Crazy
05. Babylon's Burning
06. Wild Child
07. Arena Of Pleasure
08. Hellion / I Don't Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It (HUMBLE PIE cover)
09. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)
10. The Idol
11. Take Me Up
12. I Wanna Be Somebody

Encore:

13. Heaven's Hung in Black
14. Blind In Texas

W.A.S.P.'s new album, "Babylon", entered the U.K. "Rock Albums" chart at position No. 15. The CD was released in Europe on October 12 through Global Music (via Demolition Records) and was issued in the U.S. on November 17.

Vocalist Fernando Ribeiro of Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL has issued the following update:

"We have finished greatly in Skopje, Macedonia in front of hundreds of fans in na indoor festival and have close the year of 2009 era vulgaris, in what it comes to MOONSPELL live shows. It was a great run, initiated in the States with the Blackest of the Black tour, and in Europe with both CRADLE OF FILTH runs, and crowned by the passionate Latin American crowds in the other side of the world.

Our next show is a hometown gig in Lisbon (Fil Expo) on the 23rd of January, with the greatest video and stage production ever and we will work hard on this one, especially to reintroduce some other songs in our setlist, songs that both us and the fans have been missing; rumours of 'Magdalene', 'Soulsick', 'In And Above Man'. Let's see what the tides brings. It's a 3000 capacity and half of the tickets are gone so far, and that adds to our enthusiasm.

"Even though some festivals have been confirmed for next year and some one-offs might show up, 2010 will be slower in live terms for us but for the best of reasons. We will start writing a new opus. Ricardo [Amorim, guitar] (especially) have been very productive for the past six months and my iPod is full of his rough diamonds that me and Pedro [Paixão; keyboards/guitar] and Waldemar [Sorychta, producer] will polish in the pre-production for the new record. The name is chosen, the concept as well, and not to spoil the surprise, in a time of no surprises, I will not reveal it. Ah! Well, it will be more tongue in cheek, more erotic, when erotic meets religious, and once again I will be dealing lyrically with when one transforms in the other so it will be at least fun to have the cross and the red lips together. Musically, it has got everything that MOONSPELL needs: great songs, melodic, dark and powerful. We will be also working here and there on our acoustic show for Portugal. Let's see how this one cooks up.

"AMALIA HOJE [an album featuring a number of Portuguese artists paying tribute to Amália Rodrigues, who was the unchallenged queen of fado — the Portuguese equivalent of flamenco or blues]: We are still playing a few shows together as the public demand is high after the 70,000 unit sales in Portugal. France, Brasil, Spain, China will follow (I write from our first-ever show outside Portugal — Vigo, Galicia). It has been a great trip that will slowly fade away, with the conscience of a remarkable group, project and the just tribute to such a figure as the great Amália Rodrigues.

"ORFEU REBELDE is a new project I made together with Pedro (Paixão, MOONSPELL) and Rui Sidónio (BIZARRA LOCOMOTIVA) that combines spoken word, keyboard atmospheres, and industrial metal/dark rock passages, all sung in Portuguese. The lyrics are taken from a great Portuguese book of poems, 'Orfeu Rebelde' (Rebel Orpheus), written by one of the greatest Portuguese authors ever, Miguel Torga. The poems verse a reinvidication of humanity, of darkness, of obscure independence through the voice and the anguish of Orpheu who rebels against his faith and rescues his muse.

"This project was a invitation of one of the most reputed radio music journalists in Portugal (Henrique Amaro of Antena 3, national radio) and included on a series of other records released by Optimus, a phone company in Portugal [with] a good attitude towards alternative music. The EP is available [for] free download at this location and a physical limited digipack edition will be available exclusively from the band (info to be provided) or at the FNAC shops in Portugal or at www.fnac.pt. The edition is via Compact Records in Portugal and the name of the EP is 'Cada Som Como Um Grito', which translates as 'Every Sound Like A Scream'.

" I was comissioned to write a short sci-fi book by Gailivro (Leya), one of the biggest publishers group in Portugal and I am working on it right now. It is written in Portuguese and it will be available in Portugal and Brazil only. It is called 'A Irmã de Caim' (Sister of Cain) and it is a book about vampires, not to join the twilight trend but in order to play mischeviously with it. It is a song about a little forum girl that takes her passion for Stephanie Meyer and her pitiful creatures a litlle bit too far. Despite being just available in Portugal, I am happy to announce that I started working on my poetry books translation and that all of you will be reading it."

SMASHING PUMPKINS mainman Billy Corgan's recent interview with Spinner.com in which he admitted that breaking the band up in 2000 was a "mistake" can be viewed in two parts below.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS recently released "A Song For A Son" online for free as the first offering from their upcoming album, "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope", a 44-song work that is being recorded now. "A Song For A Son" was made available on December 7 via AOL Music's Spinner.com as an online exclusive and can be downloaded for free at the new PUMPKINS site. The site is also offering a widget enabling fans to host the song anywhere on the web.

As Corgan has said about the album, which will be released one song a time until all 44 tracks are out, "Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish."

"A Song For A Son" is emblematic of the entire collection of music, which Corgan has said "harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of the SMASHING PUMPKINS; atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty."

"Teargarden By Kaleidyscope" will be issued independently (release date to be announced) now that the band are free agents, and the PUMPKINS are planning a world tour slated for spring 2010.

"Teargarden By Kaleidyscope", Corgan has said, "is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot, the intention is to approach the work by breaking down the journey of life into four phases as made by different characters depicted in major arcana cards: the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic and the Mystic.

Upon the album's completion, explained Corgan, "it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EPs need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces."

A new MNEMIC song entitled "March Of The Tripods" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the Danish modern metallers' forthcoming fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", which is scheduled for release in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at MNEMIC's own studio and at the Antfarm facility in Aarhus, Denmark with Danish producer Tue Madsen (HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED), who previously helmed the group's "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" (2003) and "The Audio Injected Soul" (2004) CDs.

"Sons Of The System" track listing:

01. Sons Of The System
02. Diesel
03. Mnightmare
04. The Erasing
05. Climbing Towards Stars
06. March Of The Tripods
07. Fate
08. Hero(in)
09. Elongated Sporadic Bursts
10. Within
11. Orbiting

Bonus tracks:

Europe:

Digipak:

12. Dreamjunkie
13. Orbiting (LEÆTHER STRIP Remix) (Europe exclusive + Japan)

U.S.:

12. Dreamjunkie
13. Sons Of The System (LEÆTHER STRIP Remix) (U.S. exclusive)

Japan:

12. Dreamjunkie
13. Orbiting (LEÆTHER STRIP Remix) (Japan exclusive + Europe)
14. Aalborg City

Worldwide:

iTunes-exclusive:

14. (15. in Japan) Judgement Journey

The entire "Sons Of The System" booklet can be checked out via a digital flip book at this location.

MNEMIC will release an iTunes-exclusive single, "Diesel Uterus", on January 8, 2010.

The following versions will be available:

Europe:

01. Diesel Uterus
02. Sons Of The System (LEÆTHER STRIP remix)

USA:

01. Diesel Uterus
02. Orbiting (LEÆTHER STRIP remix)

Check out the cover artwork below.

MNEMIC's last CD, "Passenger" (2007), was produced by FEAR FACTORY's Christian Olde Wolbers at Track Record Studios (KISS, MEGADETH, AEROSMITH) in Los Angeles. The album featured artwork by Asterik Studios (ANTHRAX, UNEARTH) plus guest vocal appearances by Jeff Walker (CARCASS, BRUJERIA) and Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, BRUJERIA).

German death metallers DISBELIEF have set "Heal!" as the title of their forthcoming 20th-anniversary album, due in April 2010 via Massacre Records. The CD will contain seven songs, including three cover versions:

* KILLING JOKE - "A Love Like Blood"
* KING DIAMOND - "Welcome Home"
* CRIMSON GLORY - "Red Sharks"

The first album to be recorded and mixed by the DISBELIEF members themselves, "Heal!" will feature four original compositions:

* Certainty Of Reality
* The Eyes of Horror
* The Last Force: Attack!
* Isolation

According to a press release, "DISBELIEF are seeing this songs as a homage to the following bands: SLAYER, CROWBAR, DEATH and BOLT THROWER. With these songs DISBELIEF want to show their honestly respect for these bands."

"Heal!" will be released with a bonus DVD containing live footage.

DISBELIEF recently tapped session guitarist Alex Hagenauer (SOUL DEMISE) for its upcoming "Hell Goes On Tour 2010" with LAY DOWN ROTTEN and GORILLA MONSOON.

For a list of dates, see the poster below.

DISBELIEF is still searching for a new guitar player for upcoming events after the "Hell" tour. Interested parties can contact the group at booking@disbelief.de.

DISBELIEF's latest album, "Protected Hell", was released on April 17 via Massacre Records. The LP, which was recorded at MX studio in Buchen, Germany with producer Michael Mainx, was made available as a limited-edition digipack and regular jewel case CD.

DISBELIEF's previous CD, "Navigator", was released in February 2007 via Massacre Records.

German punk/rockabilly act BROILERS has been confirmed for next year's edition of the With Full Force festival, set to take place July 2-4, 2010 at Flugplatz Roitzschjora in Löbnitz, Germany (near Leipzig).

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AS I LAY DYING
BLEEDING THROUGH
BORN FROM PAIN
BROILERS
CALIBAN
CANNIBAL CORPSE
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
EARTH CRISIS
EKTOMORF
ELSTERGLANZ
EVERGREEN TERRACE
GWAR
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
LETZTE INSTANZ
NOFX
TEXAS IN JULY
THE BONES
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
THE EXPLOITED
TOXPACK
UNLEASHED
WALLS OF JERICHO

For the first time, organizers are announcing bands on the official With Full Force advent calendar; each day in December a new band is being confirmed for the festival.

For more information, visit www.withfullforce.de.

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King recently sat down with Bloody-Disgusting.com for an interview about his favorite horror flicks. Check out the article at this location.

King's selections were as follows:

01. Nightmare on Elm Street
02. Thirteen Ghosts
03. House on Haunted Hill (1999)
04. Sev7n
05. Drag Me to Hell
06. The Grudge
07. The Ring

SLAYER is among the nominees for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The nominees in the "Metal" category are as follows:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Dissident Aggressor" (from "A Touch of Evil Live"
* LAMB OF GOD - "Set to Fail" (from "Wrath")
* MEGADETH - "Head Crusher" (from "Endgame")
* MINISTRY - "Señor Peligro" (from "Adios...")
* SLAYER - "Hate Worldwide" (from "World Painted Blood")

When asked by The A.V. Club in a recent interview if it's true that SLAYER is planning to do two more albums after "World Painted Blood" and then call it quits, Kerry replied, "I think that's a case of journalists taking the ball and running a little too far with it. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not 25 anymore, but I'd also be the first to tell you that I'm having a damn fucking good time. Of course, a lot of it depends on our recording schedule; I think a lot of this started to come around because it took us five years to do 'Christ Illusion' after 'God Hates Us All'. But what people are missing is that during that period, we had the 'War At The Warfield' and 'Still Reigning' videos, and we had a box set, and an EP. And every one of those products, even though it's not a new album, that put us to work and had us out on tour. But we took five years between records, and I know Tom [Araya, bass/vocals] and I both said, 'Well, if we take five years between each record, we might only have one or two left in us.' But these last ones, we did in only three years, and I think if we keep on a more frequent release schedule… We'll see. When it's done, it's done. It ain't gonna be like KISS. Our last tour is gonna be our last fuckin' tour."

Issue #272 of Germany's Rock Hard magazine includes the Rock Guerilla.tv DVD Vol. 14 featuring a classic 1992 interview with PANTERA's Dimebag Darrell and Phil Anselmo, as well as exclusive studio reports with DARK TRANQUILLITY and RAGE, an ANTHRAX discography retrospection with Scott Ian, a progressive rock legends special with PORCUPINE TREE's Steven Wilson, and a With Full Force festival special.

The DVD contains:

01. EXODUS - War Is My Shepherd (Live) 4:42
02. PORCUPINE TREE - Interview: Steven Wilson's "Progressive Rock Legends" guide
03. PORCUPINE TREE - Time Flies 5:23
04. MEGADETH - Interview with Dave Mustaine
05. AIRBOURNE - Runnin' Wild (feat. Lemmy)
06. DARK TRANQUILLITY - Studio report and interview with Mikael Stanne
07. SUICIDAL ANGELS - Beyond The Laws Of Church 2:41
08. With Full Force special with DIMMU BORGIR, MASTODON, HATEBREED, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, DOWN and AMON AMARTH
09. DER W - Interview with Stephan Weidner
10. DISBELIEF - A Place To Hide 4:46
11. PANTERA - History Interview: Dimebag Darrell and Phil Anselmo from 1992
12. DANKO JONES - Kolumne: Danko talks about Classic Rock
13. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - Still Unbroken 3:47
14. ANTHRAX Interview: Discography Retrospection with Scott Ian (Part 1: 1984-1991)
15. D-A-D - Monster Philosophy 3:41
16. BEHEMOTH - Interview with Nergal
17. SCAR SYMMETRY - Noumenon And Phenomenon 4:14
18. RAGE - Studio report: exclusive insights into the new album, "Strings To A Web"
19. EPICA - Unleashed 5:48
20. DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED - Interview with Duff McKagan
21. SONATA ARCTICA - Flag In The Ground 4:09

Extras:

* Tonezone
* Amp Test with Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR)
* Tone Talk with Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, TRANSATLANTIC)
* Outtakes

A book of GUNS N' ROSES "Chinese Democracy" guitar transcriptions will finally see the light of day on December 22 through Hal Leonard Corporation.

A description of this book reads as follows: "Our matching folio to Axl Rose's 17-year project features note-for-note guitar transcriptions of tracks including 'Better', 'Catcher In The Rye', 'I.R.S.', 'Madagascar', 'Street Of Dreams' and more."

Featured tracks:

* Better
* Catcher In The Rye
* Chinese Democracy
* If The World
* I.R.S.
* Madagascar
* Prostitute
* Riad N' The Bedouins
* Scraped
* Shackler's Revenge
* Sorry
* Street Of Dreams
* There Was A Time
* This I Love

For more information, visit MusicDispatch.com.

"Chinese Democracy", the sixth and most recent album from GUNS N' ROSES, was released in its entirety to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content on April 14.

The tracks are available for purchase as an album or individual tracks for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system. The tracks are available for purchase as individual tracks only for Wii.

Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, singer Axl Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".

"Chinese Democracy" was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.

Chicago metal act WRATH has issued the following update:

After 20-plus years of kicking ass on the stage and studio with us, our friend and colleague Mr. Dave Sollman has announced his departure from the band. Dave joined the band shortly before the 'Nothing To Fear' tour in 1988, when he was thrust into the world of WRATH at the tender age of 19! Dave contributed a great deal to the recording of 1990's 'Insane Society', along with countless hours of rehearsing, playing, recording, drinking, and rehearsing some more, and has been the backbone of the band ever since. Although he will not be playing with us anymore, Dave will always be a part of the WRATH family, and he will be missed.

"We have found another kick-ass new drummer in Mr. Patt Maxwell. Patt (formerly of PROXIMITY) has a unique style perfectly suited to help WRATH turn the page onto the next chapter. We jammed with Patt once, and things just fell nicely into place!

"We are grinding out a new WRATH show as we speak, and we promise some nice little surprises!"

WRATH was founded in 1982 by bassist Gary Modica and guitarist Mike Nyrkkanen. Guitarist Scott Nyquist joined in 1984, vocalist Gary Golwitzer and drummer Rick Rios then rounded out the band that would catch the metal world's attention with their six-song demo, "Children of the Wicked".

WRATH signed their first worldwide record deal with King Klassic Records in Waukegan Illinois. "Fit of Anger", the band's first full-length album, was released in 1986. Drummer Rick Rios parted ways with the band in 1987, and drummer Mike Fron (AMULANCE) was brought in as WRATH wrote and recorded their second album, this time for Enigma Records' new Medusa label. Rock guitarist (and legend) Ronnie Montrose was brought in to produce, and "Nothing To Fear" was born. 1989 brought more change as drummer Mike Fron was replaced by skinsman Dave Sollman, followed soon by yet another change, original vocalist Gary Golwitzer was replaced by commanding vocalist Kurt Grayson. Later in 1989, the band wrote and recorded their third album, "Insane Society". Produced by Medusa honcho Ron Goudie, this album marked a return to the classic metal stylings of the band's earlier sound; loud, pounding, heavy as hell metal. In 1991, longtime guitarist Scott Nyquist parted ways with the band, and was replaced for a short time by Chris Nelken (TYRANT'S REIGN), followed by a successful stretch with guitarist/metal producer Chris Djuricic (Studio One). In 1998, the original "Insane Society" lineup reformed for a string of select shows, and due to overwhelming response, the same lineup gathered again in 2002, and in 2004.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/wrathsite.

Swedish black metal band EYECULT, whcih features members of the dark metal act ANACHRONAEON, released its seven-song debut album, "Morituri Te Salutamus", on December 2 via the German label Ewiges Eis Records. According to a press release, the band's sound can be described as "fast black metal with death metal influences in the vein of '90s DARK FUNERAL / NAGLFAR / ANAAL NATHRAKH with a blend of EMPEROR but without keyboards. The lyrics go from misanthropy to the seven deadly sins."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/eyecult.

Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED have signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records.

Commented THE HAUNTED frontman Peter Dolving: "So once again we've decided to sign with Century Media Records. It feels good to get continuation, and truly having worked hard on communication on both ends over these last years, has brought us together in ways that I believe a lot of bands/managements/labels only dream of. Long-term goals, open agendas, and a Norse/German stubborn attitude seem so be something we find a mutual trust and strength in and we're really looking forward to a continued cooperation with our friends/partners at Century Media.

"It is a strange thing this, the business of music, but like everything else, it seems to come down to hard work, earnestness, straight talk and respect. So here's to many more years of churning out metal to the masses."

The band's last three albums — "rEVOLVEr", "The Dead Eye" and "Versus" — were released through Century Media.

Dolving recently told the German edition of the Metal Hammer magazine that the band has commenced the songwriting process for a new album. "Looking at the ideas that we're coming up with, looking at the stuff that we're doodling around with, it's gonna be a very heavy and it's gonna be a very strange record," he said. "It's gonna be like a continuation of what we started experimenting with both on 'rEVOLVEr' [2004] and on 'The Dead Eye' [2006], so it'll be eclectic and hard. 'Cause around the time of 'The Dead Eye', we felt that we really needed to do something that we hadn't done that we really wanted to do, and we got a lot of critique for it; a lot of people didn't like it. We loved it, and the songs that we're playing off that record are going over really well with the audience and we're really enjoying to play them. So we figure, why the fuck shouldn't we play and continue to try and evolve as musicians and songwriters?! And that's what we'll do."

THE HAUNTED is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "Versus", which entered the Swedish chart at position No. 14 and the Finnish chart at No. 12.The CD was recorded in part at PUK studio in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MOONSPELL, etc), who previously worked with the group on its two previous LPs, "rEVOLVEr" and "The Dead Eye".

Death metal butchers ABORTED have announce their new lineup, featuring Sven De Caluwé (also of SYSTEM DIVIDE) on vocals, Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK) on drums, Eran Segal (ex-THEY SWARM/WHORECORE) and Ken Sorceron (ABIGAIL WILLIAMS) on guitar and Cole Martinez (SYSTEM DIVIDE) on bass.

This bandhas been working on new material for the past few months and has recorded a brand new five-track EP entitled, "Coronary Reconstruction". The effort will be released digitally before the end of the year via Century Media, and in a limited run of 1,000 copies by the bandmembers themselves exclusively through Indiemerch.

"Coronary Reconstruction" track listing:

01. Coronary Reconstruction
02. From A Tepid Whiff
03. Grime
04. A Cadaverous Dissertation
05. Left Hand Path (ENTOMBED cover)

Commented Sven De Caluwé: "It has been quite a ride so far with ABORTED. The band always had to deal with numerous lineup changes and this time it is no different. Previous drummer Dan left to play for TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED and bass player Svenchi left to focus on his recording studio he just opened.

"After a tough year with major differences in how the band should evolve musically, and the touring plans of the band, I decided working with Peter and BST would simply not work and move along with new people who are thinking in the same direction and are motivated to lift this band up.

"I still do this band for fun and it is intended to be intense, and a hobby to me, and I do not have expectations to make a living solely from playing death metal as I am realistic that touring 10 months a year with a band like ABORTED is simply a financial hazard. Everyone in the new lineup is aware of this and have been personal friends of mine for nearly a decade.

"The material we have excreted is simply shredding and brain-melting and takes the band back to the 'Goremageddon' and 'Archaic' era with some new twists, which is exactly what I wanted to do.

"I could not be more thrilled to welcome Dirk again in the band, who had a big part in the signature sound of 'Goremageddon'. It has been a blast to work back together on what I think is without a doubt the most exciting ABORTED release since 'The Archaic Abattoir'. Everyone in the band poured heart and soul into the material and you will undoubtedly hear it, THE GORE IS BACK, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!”

Added Dirk Verbeuren: "Let me start off by saying that I had a total blast recording drums for the 'Goremageddon' album and 'The Haematobic' EP back in 2003/2004. Hanging out with those guys was tons of fun and a memorable experience. As for the musical results, they remain some of my favorite death metal ever — and the fact that the band hails from Belgium just like myself only makes it better!

"Sven and I stayed in touch over the years, and many of you may not know this, but during a common gig with SCARVE somewhere in France, then-ABORTED drummer Gilles and I actually traded places for a live rendition of 'Sanguine Verses'! (In turn, Gilles performed an ENTOMBED cover with SCARVE). A total blast yet again, and in my mind also my swansong with ABORTED...

"Fast forward to October 2009. A common friend tells me the band may be looking for a drummer to help them out on an upcoming recording, so I drop Sven an email. Turns out half the new lineup lives right by my house, and just over a month later, here I am yet again tracking drums for a brand new batch of face-ripping death metal the way it was meant to be made!

"I know it may sound cliché, but the 'Coronary Reconstruction' EP is a true return to form. It has the reckless speed, intensity and creativity (plus another classic ENTOMBED cover!) that ABORTED became known for in the first place, as well as horrifying artwork and odious poetry such as only Sven's insane brain could conjure. I'm very proud and happy to be a part of this extremely talented line-up and I know we're gonna deliver the gory goods on the upcoming album, which I promise WILL be 100% pure brutal ABORTED! ALL HAIL BELGIAN DEATH METAL!!!"

Stated Ken Sorceron: "I'm very pleased to have joined forces with ABORTED as I have long thought of them as one of the best at what they do. I think we are all very dedicated to deliver some of the most brutal ABORTED material yet while staying true to the classic ABORTED sound."

Said Eran Segal: "Having the opportunity to join ABORTED has been one hell of an honor for me. I have been a fan of the band ever since 'Engineering The Dead' and still loved it even after getting to know Sven around 2002. (I know, weird, right?) So in a way I feel like Chris Cole when he joined STEEL DRAGON.

"So far the work with the band has been flat-out wicked. Everybody was being extremely professional and creative which isn't surprising when you look at their impressive credentials.

"Our aim was to revisit the bands earlier brutality while keeping the modern approach presented in its latter era, and if I may say so myself I do believe we hit the target dead on. I'm totally stoked about all of this and can't wait to hit the road."

The artwork for "Coronary Reconstruction" was created by Justin Osbourn from Slasher design and comprises the most gruesome and disgusting art the band ever had.

The cover artwork for "The Underworld Regime", the forthcoming debut album from OV HELL, the new black metal project featuring DIMMU BORGIR vocalist Shagrath and ex-GORGOROTH bassist King, can be viewed below. The cover was created by the Brazilian graphic designer Marcelo Vasco, who has previously worked with such bands as SATYRICON, ENSLAVED, KEEP OF KALESSIN, BORKNAGAR, GORGOROTH, BELPHEGOR and JOB FOR A COWBOY.

"The Underworld Regime" is scheduled for a February 8, 2010 release via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at Earshot Studio and features Shagrath on vocals, King on bass, Frost (SATYRICON) on drums, Ice Dale (ENSLAVED) on guitar and Teloch (NIDINGR, GOD SEED) on guitar. The album was produced by Herbrand Larsen and mastered at the Livingroom studios by Espen Berg and Shagrath in November 2009. King composed all of the music for "The Underworld Regime", while Shagrath wrote all lyrics, with contributions from Silenoz and Sarah Owens.

"The Underworld Regime" track listing:

01. Devil's Harlot
02. Post Modern Sadist
03. Invoker
04. Perpetual Night
05. Ghosting
06. Acts of Sin
07. Krigsatte Faner
08. Hill Norge

Commented Shagrath: "The majestic OV HELL has become a band that reflects our roots — raw, ugly, arrogantly blasphemous — with uncompromising truth from two influential Norwegian musicians needing to express our primitive side, straight out OV HELL."

Added King: "It's been a little hell to actually see this music form into a band, but when I'm now listening to the final result, it has been worth the hard work we have put into this album!"

Two rough-mix sample tracks from "The Underworld Regime" can be heard on the band's MySpace page.

Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY have been confirmed for next year's edition the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

ARCH ENEMY
CORVUS CORAX
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
IMMORTAL
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
U.D.O.

In 2008, Wacken Open Air festival was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee. The winners were announced on March 11, 2008.