BLIND GUARDIAN, Germany’s favorite sons from Krefeld, have attained the highest first-week sales numbers in the United States in the history of their existence. With sales of over 4,500 units of their tenth studio album, At The Edge Of Time, BLIND GUARDIAN secured the #1 position on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and also debuted at #108 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
Toronto’s thrash band MASTERY is no longer an instrumental act, as the band has officially announced the addition of metal legend Billy Milano (S.O.D/ M.O.D.) as the group’s new frontman. A new bass player has also been introduced, Tim “Tank” Casterline (M.O.D. touring bassist) joins MASTERY as a much needed aspect of growth to their music. The band is still looking to fill the position of lead guitar, anyone interested can contact the band through their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/masterymetal
“I am officially confirming that Billy Milano has joined MASTERY as a full time member,” commented guitarist and founder Markus Armellini. “Having Billy Milano sing for MASTERY is driving the band in a new direction and to a new level of performance.”
MASTERY has entered Studio 57 in Austin, Texas with producer/engineer Tim Gerron and begun recording their debut album which should see the light of day in early 2011. The band is currently streaming a new song online at www.myspace.com/masterymetal.
UNSUN, band led by ex-Vader guitar player, will release its second album Clinic For Dolls via Armoury/Eagle Rock in North America on October 11th. Second album of this female-fronted gothic sensation will available in Europe since the same day via Mystic Production/Indie Distribution. Japanese version will be available since September 20th on Avalon/Marque.
The band has recently uploaded second studio report which can be viewed below:
KYLESA posted up a track called “Tired Climb” to their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kylesa.
STONE SOUR aren’t releasing their brand new album Audio Secrecy until next Tuesday, September 7th, but NME is giving fans around the world the chance to hear the stunning record in its entirety right now. Go here to listen in, and if you like what you hear. Catch STONE SOUR on the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Tour.
DARKEST ERA guitarist Ade Mulgrew has issued the following short update.
“Here’s a very short update from Foel Studios in Wales where we are currently hard at work recording what will be our debut album. We’ve been here a few days now and everything is running very smoothly with Chris Fielding at the helm. The studio is well renowned for it’s warm production and analogue facilities and has been used in the past by everyone from Porcupine Tree to Primordial, Hawkwind, Napalm Death, The Wildhearts, and many more.
In total we will spend 2 weeks here putting everything we’ve got into trying to capture on record, the Celtic metal storm that has become our sound over the past number of years.
More updates to come.
Ade
Northern Ireland’s DARKEST ERA recently signed to Metal Blade Records worldwide and will be working alongside Primordial’s Alan Averill in his new A&R role with the label. More over at http://www.myspace.com/darkestera.
THE NEW REGIME (feat. Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin) has just released the video for “Remission Of Guilt,” a new song that’s currently available below and over at www.thenewregime.com. Fans can enjoy the song and video while they’re waiting for the follow-up to 2009’s COUP debut album. The clip was shot in San Diego, CA with director Drew Dorsey.
MUSHROOMHEAD’s new single, “Come On,” from the band’s forthcoming album, Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children (Megaforce Records), which will hit streets on September 28, 2010 is streaming now over at Guitar World.
SUFFOCATION will tour North America this Fall with prog-deathster THE FACELESS, deathcore merchants THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD, tech-death meisters DECREPIT BIRTH, and Italy’s brutal/symphonic/avante garde horde FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE. Confirmed dates are as follows:
“The Decibel Defiance Tour 2010”
SUFFOCATION, THE FACELESS, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD, DECREPIT BIRTH, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Tour Dates
October 15 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (ROCK AND SHOCK)
October 16 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
October 17 – Quebec City, QC @ Imperial Theater
October 18 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes
October 19 – Jonquiere, QC @ Place Nikitoutagan
October 20 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
October 21 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
October 22 – Detroit, MI @ Harpos
October 23 – Chicago, IL @ Clearwater Theatre
October 24 – St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
October 25 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
October 27 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
October 28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
October 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Farm
October 30 – Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse
October 31 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky
November 1 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Clubhouse
November 2 – Albuquerque, NM @ Fusion Factory
November 3 – Amarillo, TX @ Club Khaos
November 4 – Tulsa, OK @ Marquee Theatre
November 5 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
November 6 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
November 8 – Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
November 9 – Jacksonville, FL @ The Pit
November 10 – Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
November 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Polaris
November 12 – Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
November 13 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
CANCER BATS and Absolute Punk have just posted the first episode of a new, bi-weekly video blog series entitled “CANCER BATS World Wide Wacky Webisodes”. The blogs will chronicle CANCER BATS entire upcoming overseas touring season, and will lead up to a United States winter tour in the works.
36 CRAZYFISTS will be heading out on their first ever headlining tour. Opening the tour will be Straight Line Stitch and Taking Dawn.
36 CRAZYFISTS Tour Dates
September 16 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
September 17 – Portland, OR @ Peters Room
September 19 – Santa Clara, CA @ Avalon
September 20 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Farm
September 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Whiskey
September 22 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
September 24 – Tempe, AZ @ Nile
September 25 – Farmington, NM @ Gators
September 26 – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s
September 27 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
September 28 – San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar
September 29 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
October 2 – Tampa, FL @ The State
October 3 – Jacksonville, FL @ Brewster’s
October 5 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
October 6 – Charleston, NC @ Oasis
October 7 – Fayetteville, NC @ Rock Shop
October 8 – West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
October 9 – Vineland, NJ @ Hanger 84
October 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Poloris
October 12 – Providence, RI @ Club Hell
October 13 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Alter Bar
October 17 – Minneapolis, MN @ Roberts off 10
October 19 – St Louis, MO @ Pops
October 21 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
October 22 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
October 23 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Buffalo, New York’s EVERY TIME I DIE have posted a seventh episode of “SHIT HAPPENS: THE SERIES?” at www.vans.com/ETID. In this episode, we follow the band in another Euro Episode. Witness the boys crash a party for Sweden’s equivalent of American Idol. This episode and the rest are all part of a weekly video series entitled “SHIT HAPPENS: THE SERIES?”
GIGAN has found a new home. Willowtip is extremely pleased to announce the signing of the psychedelic extreme metal band GIGAN. GIGAN is set to enter the studio this fall to record their second full-length album entitled Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes.
The recording will once again take place in Chicago, IL at Semaphore Studios with engineer Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Minsk, Buried at Sea). Some early song titles include “Mountains Perched Like Beasts Awaiting the Attack”, “Suspended In Cubes of Torment” and “In the Tentacled Grasp of a Buried Behemoth”. Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes will be available on both vinyl LP and CD, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the subtle nuances of the GIGAN universe.
GIGAN will be hitting the road again in late winter/early spring 2011. Tour dates as well as the official street date and cover art will be released in the coming months.
CHIODOS is now premiering “Modern Wolf Hair” at Chiodos.net. The new song off of their upcoming release, Illuminaudio, was written while the band was tracking in New Jersey.
Massachusetts’ metal champions, THE ACACIA STRAIN, have launched the brand new video for the track, “The Hills Have Eyes,” exclusively at Myspace. The video was filmed by director David Brodsky:
AOL Music’s Noisecreep.com has just posted a “Top 10 Death Songs” list. They pick a little from every part of the legendary band’s career.
Peep this sneak preview video of the DIMMU BORGIR track “Gateways” performed by KORK, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Download the video here: http://t.opsp.in/KDRW. Did we mention this isn’t available anywhere else? It will expire within two days. Then will reappear on YouTube - as if by magic.
INTRONAUT’s spiffy new album In The Valley Of Smoke… will be out on October 12. Check out a teaser of the band’s latest Century Media effort below:
YOUR DEMISE have made the MP3 “Scared Of The Light” is available for free over at Visible Noise. The Kids We Used To Be is due out in the US and Canada on October 12.
It’s the official video for WITCHERY’s “Conquerors Return”. Taken from their official album Witchkrieg:
San Antonio Metal group UPON A BURNING BODY have apparently taken a disliking to Attack Attack!’s upcoming tour theme and wardrobe choice for the promotional photo.
UPON A BURNING BODY is known for their mob like antics, image, and even trouble that they have come across while trying to cross Canadian boarders. Looks like they continue to stir the pot with their obvious display of non-acceptance for Attack Attack!’s new style choice.
Watch the video below to see what UPON A BURNING BODY has to say about the tour admat:
Let the childish antics continue.
Sully Erna, best known as the lead singer of the acclaimed rock band, GODSMACK, is giving fans an exclusive preview of his debut solo album, Avalon. The first single, “Sinner’s Prayer,” has been released and is now available on iTunes. Listen to a snippet of all of the other tracks from the album below.
Currently wrapping up their Carnival of Madness Tour, multi-platinum Epic Records recording artist CHEVELLE celebrate their 10 hits in 10 years with the release of an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the band. The video is part of the ongoing celebration of “Ten in 10” an intimate look into CHEVELLE and gives the band the opportunity to share their thoughts on success and reflect on what they have become while looking back at their top ten greatest hits over the last decade.
Those hits include:
In an effort to give back to the fans that made it all possible, the band will perform two nights in their hometown at The Metro in Chicago on October 29 and 30, the venue where they got their start a decade ago.
To view the 10 year anniversary EPK visit www.chevelleinc.com/epk
Since news on Nergal’s recent health issues has been released, the band, management, and label has received an overwhelming response from fans and bands all over the world asking how they can directly help Nergal. In response to everyone offering his or her help in terms of setting up benefits and shows to raise money for the frontman of the Polish blackened death metal band BEHEMOTH, Nergal has issued the following statement:
“I haven’t intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words. Regarding my personal low opinion of humankind, I’m shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations. I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I’m unable to reply to all of them. The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time. The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states. If you know the history of Behemoth you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his ‘Art of War’ said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!
So I want to emphasize that Behemoth will by no means goes through any hibernation state. Obviously all concert plans must be postponed until some unknown point in the future, but things are happening! Lately our newest video for ‘…Alas, Lord is Upon Me’ has premiered and stirred up quite a storm in mass media, which fills us with utter pride. Plus we’ve just finished the project of our new DVD; Evangelia Heretika is a three disc release, a real encyclopedia of Behemoth with nearly 5 hours of material and a bonus audio CD that will be out in November (Metal Blade US – Nuclear Blast Europe). Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it! Our official Webstore has been functional for a couple of days and official merchandise and some very exclusive stuff can be bought there. At the beginning of 2011, Peaceville in Europe and Metal Blade in US will reissue the EPs with new artwork, bonuses, liner notes, and more. As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we’re remaining active wherever we can.
Finally, I want to comment on some opinions which, provoked by religious circles, lead to far-fetched and inaccurate interpretations. I was surprised to hear my illness became a pretext for some people to embark on their own crusade. Opinions suggesting I might come closer to God or abandon my ideals and grovel to the only correct world view in this country not only surprised but also frightened me. This is a typical example of supporting one’s own views by preying on someone’s misfortune. ‘He fell ill so he will convert to Christianity, he will discover the religion he fought against is actually close to him.’ Halt! Why should the illness change my point of view? It is true this is a difficult time for me and the thoughts of ultimate matters are hard to chase away. But the idea that I will change my opinions, priorities, and values as a consequence of my illness sounds as if someone regards my head, and not my body, ill. Suggesting I might convert are ridiculous. To what would I convert? After all, I know Christian mythology pretty well, not only in its literary version, and I find nothing good, creative or beautiful in it. I read books better and wiser than the Bible. War, blood, blackmail, rapes, incest, pedophilia, zoophilia, collaboration and treachery – each page emanates with evil. Some may say I don’t understand the message of the Bible. I’d rather say the Christianity is nothing more than a rusty and archaic structure that is going to fall down any moment. It lasts only because of the gullible that follow the shepherd blindly; without any questions, without any consideration, not to any promised land, but to an intellectual slaughter. So, I say to those, who see some chances to break my rules, and myself because of the illness: over my dead body!”
Nergal’s official view on benefit concerts, fund raisers, etc. is focused on marrow donations as a whole issue, not his specific situation. If you want to help Nergal the best thing you can do is set up a marrow drive or register to be a bone marrow donor. Every person that registers to be a donor increases the chances of survival for Nergal and every other person out there suffering from the same illness. Head to www.marrow.org for info.
![Hanging out with DEATH's Chuck Schuldiner [1991]](http://www.metalinjection.net/tv/thumb/1_5609.jpg)
