Amon Amarth are back with a powerful new album, Twilight Of The Thunder God. The bands 7th studio album was recorded at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden, and was produced by Jen Borgen. The album features Johan Hegg on vocals, Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg on guitars, Ted Lundström on bass and Fredrik Andersson on drums. the album also features a few high profile guests including Lars Göran Petrov of Entombed doing some vocals on the track "Guardians of Asgaard", Roope Latvala of Children of Bodom adding some guitars on the title track and Apocalyptica adding some cellos on "Live for the Kill".
This yet another solid release for Amon Amarth, with 10 tracks of pure metal glory. Twilight Of The Thunder God, the title track, and the first song on the CD, is a great start for this record, with all the classic Amon Amarth style we've come to know and love. If you couldn't guess, they're still pushing the viking themes, which is great. They day they stop doing that is the day we'll mourn the loss of Amon Amarth, but if this album is any indication of the bands end, it's not for a very long time.
Highlights for me include Guardians of Asgard, Varyags of Miklagaard, The Hero, Live for the Kill and Embrace The Endless Ocean. The album also came with a live DVD that contains footage of the bands entire Summer Breeze 2007 show, which included a set of 13 songs, including Valhall Awaits Me, Asator, The Pursuit of Vikings, Fate Of Norns, and so forth. A great addition to an already awesome package.
The production on this album is really good, an improvement even on With Oden On our Side. The guitars are nice and heavy, and everything is in good balance with each other and sounds great. Jens has really outdone himself this time around. If you're a fan, or haven't heard this band before, get this album and give it a good listen, because it's bloody great! Worth it even just for the live DVD.
Twilight Of The Thunder God is now out through Metal Blade.
Swedish death metal band Bloodbath, featuring of members from Opeth and Katatonia, are certainly back in full force since the re-uniting of Mikael Åkerfeldt, releasing a new EP, Unblessing The Purity, and a live CD/DVD, called Wacken Carnage, which has their performace at Wacken 06 in it's entirety. Now news of a full length album is out, and the album is to be called "The Fathomless Mastery".
Like Unblessing The Purity, this album will feature; Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) - Vocals Martin "Axe" Axenrot (Opeth) - Drums Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (Katatonia) - Guitar Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) - Bass Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson (ex-21 Lucifers, Genocrush Ferox) - Guitar
Mikael said on the issue of his return to Bloodbath, "I was slightly 'talked into' coming back but I certainly don't regret it now. Obviously I am busy all the time, both with my family and Opeth, so don't hold your breath for any massively extensive tours, BUT, I do believe we'll do the occasional gigs when the time is right. I was asked to sing on a four-track release the other guys been working with entitled 'Unblessing the Purity' and I have to say it's the best f!cking death metal I've heard since 'Domination', and I'm not even counting my own involvement. I just basically did what they wanted me to and it sounds really good! We might record another album as well sometime later..."
Also from Sweden, Amon Amarth have have finally set the title of their seventh full-length album. It is to be hailed as 'Twilight of the Thundergod". As their website states, it will be released on the 17th of September in Sweden, the 19th of September in D/A/CH/I and the 22nd of September in the rest of Europe. North American release date is September 30.
The final track listing is as follows: 1.) Twilight of the Thunder God 2.) Free Will Sacrifice 3.) Guardians of Asgaard 4.) Where is Your God? 5.) Varyags of Miklagaard 6.) Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags 7.) No Fear for the Setting Sun 8.) The Hero 9.) Live for the Kill 10.) Embrace of the Endless Ocean
"Twilight of the Thunder God" features several high-profile guest appearances including Entombed singer L.G. Petrov (on ‘Guardians of Asgaard’), Children of Bodom guitarist Roope Latvala (who shreds a fierce solo on the track 'Twilight of the Thunder God') and Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica (a guest appearance on ‘Live For The Kill’).
In Europe "Twilight of the Thunder God" will be released as a limited first edition 3-disc-set including a bonus CD and a bonus DVD. This deluxe collector's edition comes in highly valuable packaging featuring special layout and the Amon Amarth comic which is currently being published in several metal magazines all over Europe. The bonus CD and DVD will feature Amon amarth's performace Live at Summer Breeze 2007.
The comic can also be viewed online atTHISlocation. The album will also be released as a limited edition gatefold 2-LP on 180g etched vinyl! Yum!
Amon Amarth tour dates:
North American Twilight of the Thunder God Tour (w/ support from Ensiferum, Belphegor and The Absence)
October 1 Anaheim, CA House of Blues (w/ Ensiferum only) October 2 Los Angeles, CA The Avalon October 3 San Francisco, CA Slim's October 4 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater October 5 Seattle, WA El Corazon October 6 Vancouver, BC Croatian Cultural Centre October 8 Edmonton, AB The Starlite Room October 9 Calgary, AB The Warehouse October 10 Regina, SK Riddell Centre October 11 Winnipeg, MB The Garrick Centre October 12 St.
Paul, MN Station 4 October 13 Chicago, IL House Of Blues October 15 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre October 16 Montreal, QC Le Medley October 17 Quebec City, QC Theatre Imperial October 18 Worcester, MA The Palladium October 19 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero October 20 New York, NY The Fillmore October 21 West Springfield, VA Jaxx
'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III' European Tour’ (w/ Slayer, Trivium, Amon Amarth, Mastodon)
October 27 Manchester, England Manchester Arena October 28 Birmingham, England NEC October 30 London, England Hammersmith Apollo October 31 London, England Hammersmith Apollo November 2 Cardiff, Wales CIA 7000 November 3 Glasgow, Scotland SECC Hall 3 November 5 Offenbach, Germany Stadthalle November 6 Köln, Germany Palladium November 7 Amsterdam, Holland Heineken Music Hall November 9 Stuttgart, Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle November 10 Winterthur, Switzerland Eishalle Deutweg November 11 Paris, France Le Zenith November 12 Antwerp, Belgium Sportpaleis/Lotto Arena November 16 Wein, Austria Gasometer November 18 München, Germany Zenith November 19 Berlin, Germany Columbiahalle November 22 Gothenburg, Sweden Lisebergshallen (Amon Amarth as direct support to Slayer)
Amon Amarth’s "Bloodshed Over Bochum"
December 28 "Once Sent From The Golden Hall" (1998) Bochum, Germany Zeche December 29 "The Avenger" (1999) Bochum, Germany Zeche December 30 "The Crusher" (2001) Bochum, Germany Zeche December 31 "Versus The World" (2002) Bochum, Germany Zeche
UK Doom Metal band My Dying Bride have enlisted a new recruit in the form of a keyboardist/violinist named Katie Stone, who is also involved in their new studio album.Their partnership with Peaceville records will also continue, as it has been throughout the entirity of their career.
Renowed Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth has been added to the "Unholy Alliance Tour, Chapter III" lineup, which features Slayer, Trivium, and Mastodon.
"All of us have been huge fans of Slayer since the mid 80's, and to be able to tour with this legendary thrash band is a dream come true. We are very proud and honored to be a part of this year's Unholy Alliance together with Trivium and Mastodon." "Slayer fans are die-hard and tough as true Vikings - we know as we are part of the same crowd - and it will be a great experience to be able to play in front of them."
Since 1992, Amon Amarth - Johan Hegg/vocals, Olavi Mikkonen/guitar, Johan Soderberg/guitar, Ted Lundstrom/bass, and Fredrik Andersson/drums - has managed to establish themselves as one of Europe's top death metal acts. What has set the band apart from the rest of the scene is their use of Viking mythology and imagery in their lyrics and artwork, as well as their talent for writing epic, memorable melodies, which underline their solemn yet barbaric approach to heavy music. The band's seventh studio album, as yet untitled, is due out this Fall on Metal Blade Records.
The UK/Euro run kicks off in Manchester, England on October 27 and will play nearly two dozen shows over a four-week period. This is the third installment of what has been hailed as "the heaviest, darkest tour of the year." With more dates to be announced, the initial itinerary for the European "Unholy Alliance Tour, Chapter III" is below:
10/27 - Manchester Arena, Manchester, England 10/28 - NEC, Birmingham, England 10/30 - Hammersmith Apollo, London, England 10/31 - Hammersmith Apollo, London, England
11/02 - CIA 7000, Cardiff, Wales 11/03 - SECC Hall 3, Glasgow, Scotland 11/05 - Stadthalle, Offenbach, Germany 11/06 - Palladium, Cologne, Germany 11/09 - Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany 11/10 - Eishallel Deutweg, Winterthur, Switzerland 11/11 - Zenith, Paris, France 11/16 - Gasometer, Vienna, Austria 11/18 - Zenith, Munich, Germany 11/19 - Columbia Hale, Berlin, Germany
Swedish viking metallers Amon Amarth have been updating fans with online video studio diaries, with insight into how the bands doings as they work on the new album. It can be quite and amusing watch for fans. You might even learn something. Here's all 4 parts.
Amon Amarth have confirmed a few festivals that they are scheduled to play at. Taken from their Myspace announcement: "We are proud to announce that we will do our very first appearance in Serbia this summer. The show will take place at the Catle Festival on July 4. We are also happy to announce that we will be appearing at this years Lorca Rock in Spain on July 25."
Dates that have been confirmed:
27-29 - May Tuska Festival (SF) - HELSINKI 28th May - Metal Town Festival (S) - Frihamnen, GÖTEBORG 04th June - Castle Festival (SRB) - SMEDEREVO 12th June - Masters Of Rock Festival (CZ) - VIZOVICE 17-19th June - Rock Harz Open Air (D) - OSTERODE 25th June - Lorca Festival (E) - LORCA
Warrel Dane
Warrel Dane has uploaded his up and coming solo release "Praises to the War Machine" in it's entirety on his official Myspace page for a limited time only. The album is to be released on May 13th, and from what I have heard of it sofar, it is very good! Nevermore fans shall not be disappointed! The album is up for a 'pre-listening' from April 11th to april 18th. Get in and have a listen!
Californian experimental/instrumental band Red Sparowes have confirmed a few Europe shows, and are to confirm a few more very soon. Red Sparowes is comprised of Bryant Clifford Meyer from ISIS, Josh Graham of Nurosis, Greg Burns of Halifax Pier, Andy Arahood of Angel Hair and David Clifford of The VSS and Pleasure Forever. Since releasing At The Soundless Dawn, they have gained a lot of attention from fans all over, and have been working hard on releases and touring since. Not a band to be missed!
Dates: 5 Jul 2008 - Eurockeennes Festival - FR Belfort 7 Jul 2008 - Barfly -UK Brighton 8 Jul 2008 - ULU - UK London 9 Jul 2008 - TBA - UK TBA 10 Jul 2008 - Stereo - UK Glasgow, Scotland 11 Jul 2008 - TBA - UK TBA 12 Jul 2008 - The Corporation - UK Sheffield 13 Jul 2008 - Supersonic - UK Birmingham 14 Jul 2008 - The Croft - UK Bristol 16 Jul 2008 - La Maroquinerie w/ Oxbow & Harvey Milk Paris 19 Jul 2008 - Rock Herk - w/ Battles Herk De Stad
ISIS are currently on tour, and stopping by a venue near you very soon! Each of their headlining shows will be played with New Zealand experimental band Jakob, who are more than deserving of such a privilege. Be sure not to miss these two awesome bands in the following shows:
15 Apr Uebel & Gefaehrlich - Hamburg w/ Jakob 16 Apr Conne Island- Leipzig w/ Jakob 17 Apr Forum - Bielefeld w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 18 Apr 013 - ROADBURN Fest - Tilburg w/ Celtic Frost, Electric Wizard, etc. 19 Apr Grenslandhallen - POLSSLAG FESTIVAL - Hasselt w/ The Breeders, Blonde Redhead, etc. 20 Apr Substage - Karlsruhe w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 22 Apr Arena - Vienna w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 23 Apr Feierwerk - Munich w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 24 Apr Latte - Bresciaw/ The Austerity Program & Jakob 25 Apr Mascotte - Zurich w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 26 Apr L’Epicerie Moderne - Lyon (Feyzin) w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program 27 Apr L’Autre Canal - Nancy w/ Jakob & The Austerity Program
Moonspell have confirmed a whole bunch of dates of shows they are going to be playing this year. The new album titled Night Eternal is to be released in Europe on the 19th of May and in the USA on the 10th of June.
Here's a list of all confrimed dated for 2008: 19 Apr Extrememusika - Caceres, Spain 17 May Mihai Eminescu Amphitheater - Bucharest, Romania 30 May Tochka - Moscow, Russia 31 May Port. - ST.Petersburg,Russia 5 Jun Rock in Rio - Lisbon, Portugal 27 Jun GRASPOP METAL MEETING - Dessel 28 Jun HUNTERFEST - Szczytno 4 Jul Apollo Stage 2 - Arvika, Sweden 6 Jul With Full Force - Leipzig, Germany 10 Jul Masters of Rock - Vizovice, Chec Rep. 26 Jul Zwarte Cross - Lichtenvoorde, Holand 5 Aug Metal Heads AO - Morskoe,Sudak,Crimea 1 Dec Forum - London 2 Dec Bataclan - Paris 3 Dec 013 - Tilburg 4 Dec Garage - Saarbrucken 6 Dec Z7 - Pratteln 7 Dec Palanord - Bologna 8 Dec Planet Music - Vienna 9 Dec Pecsa - Budapest 11 Dec Reithalle - Dresden 12 Dec CCN Weimarhalle - Weimar 13 Dec Backstage - Munchen 14 Dec Huxleys - Berlin 16 Dec Vega - Kobenhavn 17 Dec Live Music Hall - Cologne 18 Dec Hugenottenhalle - Neu Isenburg 19 Dec Hof ter loo - Antwerpen 20 Dec Halle Gartlage - Osnabruck
Moonspell have also uploaded a few songs from the new album onto their Official Myspace Profie. These songs sound good, so be sure to give them a preview!
Aussie death/grind outfit The Berzerker have released a teaser video of their progress in recording their 5th studio album. The album doesn't seem to have a title yet, but will be released around September/October 2008 on the band's own label 'Berzerker Industries'.
THE video:
The band has also confirmed some New Zealand dates for late this month, which can be found on their Official Myspace, or on the flier below.
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