A Lower Deep will release their third full-length album on September 3, 2005 through Raven Flight Records. The new disk entitled "Trinity" marks an amazing leap forward for a band whose sound is already highly acclaimed. "'Trinity' is both our heaviest and our most melodic material to date," says vocalist Billy Mullican, "The songs on this album are more aggressive and straight ahead than our previous work, but retain all the melancholy atmosphere and our usual unorthodox approach to arrangements and style. We are very proud of how this album turned out. It is very accessible (to metal fans at least) without being the least bit watered down." The band's previous rele ...

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AS I LAY DYING vocalist Tim Lambesis recently told the Great Falls Tribune that the sub-genre of metalcore is nearing its expiration.

"I think metal core is a trend right now and so it's easy to write a metal core record," Lambesis said.

"I think it's pretty much at its peak right now. It'll get a little bigger this summer. Sounds of the Underground is going out. Ozzfest is going out. Those are both big tours that feature a lot of metal core bands. Those will, I think, bring it to its peak and then from there, it'll be up to each band individually to survive ...

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Nuclear Blast Records is offering young unisigned bands a chance to sign a record deal. In a unique contest that is said to be the first of its kind in Nuclear Blast's history, you can now win a contract with one of the leading independent labels for heavy music.

If you are a "fresh-sounding" rock or metal band, you already satisfy all the requirements needed to participate in this contest. The contest will remain open between August 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005. As a consolation prize, you can win a chance to have your music available for download at the Nuclear Blast Musicstore (the download platform of Nuclear Blast) and a support slot for a N ...

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Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt and bassist Peter Stålfors have officially left DREAM EVIL, the Swedish band featuring acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström (HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, etc.) and drummer Snowy Shaw (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME). Peter and Niklas' statement on the matter reads as follows:

"Because of personal issues and the fact that Niklas has problems with constantly recurring health problems, we have taken the painful decision to leave the band.

"All our friends are telling us that it's a bad idea to ...

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Norwegian symphonic black metal masters DIMMU BORGIR have extended their record deal with longtime label Nuclear Blast Records. The group's next release will be a revamped version of their "Stormblåst" CD, which originally appeared in 1996. The CD was re-recorded earlier in the year, augmented with bonus tracks and produced by Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY). A November 7 release is expected.

DIMMU BORGIR are scheduled to begin writing material for their next studio album this fall for a tentative late 2006 release. The CD, which will feature a guest appearance by MAYHEM's Hellhammer on drums, will be "a full story/concept album," according to a posting on the group's web site.

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A 37-year-old heavy metal fan was killed in a tragic accident at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival early Friday morning (August 5). The accident reportedly occured at about 12:25 a.m. on the Bokelrehmer Weg near the adjoining camping ground. An apparently very drunk festival attendee from Rendsburg was walking in the bushes near the road with a friend. As he emerged, he tumbled and fell backwards. In the fall, he hit the side of an ambulance driving past at slow speed. The Rendsburg man was critically injured, and despite immediate medical attention, was pronounced dead a short time later at Itzehoe medical clinic. The 43-year-old ambulance driver and his partner, as well as the friend of the victim, suffered shock and received psychological counselling.

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On July 23 at Ozzfest in Pittsburgh, PA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER guitarist Brian Eschbach was arrested for indecent exposure while filming footage for Fuse TV's "Uranium". Brian was given "Uranium" host Juliya's camcorder and was walking around the second stage area interviewing random bands and fans when someone pulled his towel off, which happened to be the only thing he was wearing. The police immediately seized Brian and escorted him away to a holding cell on site where he was detained for about 30 minutes before being let go with a citation. Luckily Fuse's "Uranium" was onsite and caught everything on camera w ...

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NocturnalCult.com recently conducted an interview with DARKTHRONE guitarist/vocalist Nocturno Culto. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Q: I understand you are basically finished recording your new album, tentatively titled "The Cult is Alive", which seems pretty straightforward for an album title from you guys. Can you tell us a little about it and how it compares to the rest of your albums? Also what are some of the song titles?

Nocturno Culto: "Yeah, you're right, we're almost finished. Two songs left to record. The title will of the album will tell you lots ...

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IN FLAMES's "Used & Abused - In Live We Trust" two-DVD/two-CD set — directed by Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, KAMELOT) — has entered the Swedish music DVD chart at position No. 1. The set also debuted on the official German Media Control chart at position No. 56.

As previously reported, Nuclear Blast Records has pushed back the projected release date of the new IN FLAMES album, "Come Clarity", to February 2006. No reason was given for the delay.

The follow-up to 2004's "Soundtrack to Your Escape", "Come Clarity" was mixed at Tonteknik studio in Umeå, Sweden and will be "more uptempo" and will feature "more guitar harmonies" than its predecessor, according to IN FLAMES singer Anders Fridén.

IN FLAMES are currently touring the U.S. as one of the main-stage acts at this year's Ozzfest.

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Danish/American hard rockers ROYAL HUNT have announced the addition of bassist Per Schelander (HOUSE OF SHAKIRA, SPIKE) to the group's ranks. "A great bass player, capable singer/actor and, all in all, quite a colorful personality — welcome aboard, Per," the band write in a statement. "And while he's killing himself learning tons of ROYAL HUNT tunes we HAVE to tell you — he's such a great addition to the band! Just wait and see."

ROYAL HUNT recently announced the tentative routing for their upcoming European tour in support of their latest album, "Paper Blood". The follow-up to 2003's "Eyewitness" was recorded at North Point studio in Copenhagen and was mixed at EMI/Medley Studio in Copenhagen with André Andersen (keyboards) and Lars Overgaard behind the board.

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