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--------- METAL UPDATE ---------
-- http://www.metalupdate.com --

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sign up, go to MetalUpdate.com and click the SUBSCRIBE! link. The
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Update is free.

This week’s Metal Update went out to over 14,250 subscribers.



-- NEWS --


VITAL REMAINS
almost a year after the release of the celebrated ‘Dechristianize’
album,
the band has announced that they will be hitting the road with the
infamous Glen Benton (Deicide) handling vocal duties - bassist Istvan
Lendvay (Rise, Behemoth) will join the foundation of guitarist Tony
Lazaro
and drummer Dave Suzuki to round out the war machine - support acts are
The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation and Watch Them Die

GRAVE
drummer Pelle Liljenberg (Coercion) has replaced Christofer Barkensjö

DAYLIGHT DIES
the group’s new voice is drinking partner Nathan Ellis (Wehrwolfe)

WEHRWOLFE
in the wake of the departure of Nathan Ellis, Devon has taken over the
responsibilities of lead vocals in addition to his role as bassist and
lyricist

M.O.D.
guitarist Jon Aaron (Graveyard B.B.Q.) has been added to the lineup

NORMA JEAN
vocalist Brad Norris has parted with the band on good terms - Cory
Putman
(Eso-Charis) will be filling in for
the time being, including the upcoming UK tour

40 GRIT
after 7 years, the band has called it quits - the group’s official
statement: “The music biz has taking a toll on all of us in the band
and
it makes us sick to our stomach”

WARMACHINE
the band has amicably parted ways with drummer Andrew Zenti - the
search
for a replacement is underway

VICTORY RECORDS
the label has signed Germany’s LifeForce Records to an exclusive
distribution agreement for the US and Canada - the first release will
be
by Destiny on April 6

RAUNCHY
vocalist Kasper Thomsen has replaced Lars Vognstrup who recently left
the
band due to musical differences

BYFIST
drummer Jess Vara was injured in a head-on collision last Sunday night
when he was a passenger in a late model pickup that went out of control
and slammed into an embankment - substantial injuries will keep Vara
out
of the lineup for a minimum of three months

ICED EARTH
in spite of recent surgery, Jon Schaffer continues to experience lower
back problems - due to these complications and scheduled testing, the
band has been forced to postpone the European leg of the tour and
possibly
even part of the US Tour

GORGOROTH
the band’s live DVD shooting on February 1 in Krakow, Poland was marred
by
controversy - the stage set included four crucified and naked models
spilled with sheep blood and more than 100 sheep heads surrounding the
band - after the gig, the police appeared and confiscated all the
recordings from Krzemionki TV on the basis that it was potentially
offensive - it is unknown whether the footage will ever be released -
meanwhile, the band’s stage show may be considered a criminal offence
and
the band could face prison time

NEW SIGNINGS
InsideOut Music: Ayreon
Scarlet Records: Skylark
Morbid Records: Dark Disciple
Iron Pegasus Records: Pentacle
Reality Entertainment: Lyzanxia
Displeased Records: Infinite Hate
Lion Music: MCM, Smeer
Rising Realm Records: Enemy Is Us, Rising Moon
Nuclear Blast: Nightwish (Europe)
Spinefarm/Universal: Nightwish (Finland, Brazil, Mexico Chile)



-- HELP WANTED --


GUITARIST wanted - San Diego's Sanity's Void deaththrash act seeking
talented lead player - someone who can formulate solo's, write good
death
metal songs and work well with others - must have some gear and
transportation and a few bucks for rehearsal rent - CD in the works -
contact: Sanitysvoid1992@aol.com

DRUMMER wanted - NJ’s Mourning seeks session/permanent drummer to
record a
5 song demo in late winter to early spring months - drummer must be
fast
with their feet and creative - contact: mourning666palace@yahoo.com

VOCALIST wanted - NJ’s Warspawn seeks vocalist - influences: Bolt
Thrower,
Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Hypocrisy - contact:
asthewormchurns@netscape.com

GUITARIST wanted - Springfield, VA’s Ephemeral Sun seeks guitarist -
band
is progressive, experimental, female fronted metal band (consisting of
all
ex-Rain Fell Within members) - must be versatile and experimental
musically - influences: Ulver, Third And The Mortal, Dead Can Dance,
Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Opeth - recording a full-length CD
in
March with either session guitarists or a new perm guitarist - contact:
band@ephemeralsun.com

MUSICIANS wanted - Austin metal project seeks keyboard player, vocalist
and drummer to complete lineup - original material written and demo is
being mixed, just need guys to play live - singer must be able to sing
(no
growlers), and drummer must have fast double-bass and ability to blast
-
influences from Maiden, Priest and Blind Guardian to Emperor, Borknagar
and Arcturus - contact: darkshredder7@yahoo.com

VOCALIST available - former lead singer of JCM Records thrash/speed act
Enraged available for speed, thrash, death or hardcore band - contact:
kheath101@aol.com



-- FEATURES --


ALL OUT WAR
http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewalloutwar.html

This interview, torn from the pages of Midwest Metal, explores the
mysterious disappearance and triumphant return of New York’s post
apocalyptic urban metal warriors All Out War.


. . .and in case you missed these recent features:

The Black Dahlia Murder
http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewtbdm.html

Probot
http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewprobot.html

Chimaira
http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewchimaira.html



-- REVIEWS --


- METAL JUDGMENT -
http://www.metaljudgment.com

Anathema ‘A Natural Disaster’
(Abyss, Death, Hel)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/albums/anathemaand_frames.html

Deathwitch ‘Violence Blasphemy Sodomy’
(Abyss, Death, Hel)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/albums/deathwitch_frames.html

Foetopsy ‘Dyspartum’
(Kefka X)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/foetopsy_frames.html

Lost Soul ‘Ubermensch (Death of God)’
(Lugubrious)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/lostsoul_frames.html

Emery ‘The Weaks End’
(Slither)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/emery_frames.html

Gallery Of Mites ‘Bugs On The Blue Fish’
(Ember)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/gom_frames.html

The Legion ‘Unseen To Creation’
(Behemoth)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/legionutc_frames.html

D.R.I. ‘Dealing With It’
(Requiem)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/dridwi_frames.html

Furthermore ‘She And I’
(Jotun)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/furthermore_frames.html

Fu Manchu ‘The Action Is Go’ - Classic
(Redwolff)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/classics/fumanchu_frames.html

Ka - Demo
(Blind)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/demos/ka_frames.html

Regression - Demo
(Metal Militia)
http://www.metaljudgment.com/demos/regression_frames.html



-- NEW RELEASES --


2/02 - Probot
2/02 - Edguy - King Of Fools
2/02 - Exodus - Tempo Of The Damned
2/02 - Veneficum - Enigma Prognosis
2/03 - Gadget - Remote
2/04 - Leviathan - The Tentacles Of Whorror
2/06 - Atomizer - The Only Weapon Of Choice
2/09 - Destiny - Future Of The Past
2/09 - Raunchy - Confusion Bay
2/09 - Decapitated - Negation
2/09 - Morifade - Domi<>nation
2/09 - Nordic Metal - Tribute To Euronymous
2/09 - Mangled - Carnal Abhorrence 7"
2/10 - Byzantine
2/10 - Bang The Union - American Dream
2/10 - Thunderstone - The Burning
2/10 - Sinoath - Forged in Blood
2/10 - Deathwitch - Violence, Blasphemy, Sodomy
2/10 - Damageplan - New Found Power
2/10 - Fragments Of Unbecoming - Skyward. . .
2/10 - Eidolon - Apostles Of Defiance
2/10 - Necronomicon- The Sacred Medicines
2/10 - Abaddon Incarnate - Nadir
2/10 - Mourning Beloveth - Dust
2/10 - Into Eternity - Buried In Oblivion
2/10 - Tad Morose - Modus Vivendi
2/10 - Crash Music - Death To An Extreme
2/13 - Necrophagia - Goblins Be Thine
2/14 - The Eagles Of Death Metal - Peace, Love. . .
2/16 - Hypocrisy - The Arrival
2/16 - Apostasy - Cell 666
2/16 - Monster Magnet - Monolithic Baby!
2/16 - Vintersorg - The Focusing Blur
2/16 - Primal Fear - Metal Is Forever (single)
2/16 - Dokken - Dokken: Japan Live '95 (DVD)
2/17 - Three Inches Of Blood - Battlecry. . .
2/17 - Age Of Ruin - Black Sands Of The Hourglass
2/17 - The Harder, The Better: Volume Six
2/18 - Ashes To Ashes - Shapes Of Spirits
2/21 - To Elysium - Nightmare's Nest
2/21 - The Wounded - Atlantic
2/23 - Debase - Unleashed
2/23 - Primal Fear - Devil's Ground
2/23 - Fleshcrawl - Made Of Flesh
2/23 - Council Of The Fallen - Deciphering the Soul
2/23 - Orphaned Land - Mabool. . .
2/23 - God Forbid - Gone Forever
2/23 - Nattefrost - Blood And Vomit
2/23 - Monstrosity - Millenium
2/23 - Threshold - Extinct Instinct
2/23 - Cruachan - Tuatha na gael
2/23 - Vond - Selvmord
2/23 - Hate - Awakening Of The Liar
2/23 - Katatonia - Brave Yester Days
2/23 - Orphaned Land - Mabool
2/23 - Tribute To Possessed - Seven Gates of Horror
2/24 - Error
2/24 - Pain of Salvation - 12:5
2/24 - Prong - Scorpio Rising
2/24 - Anathema - A Natural Disaster
2/24 - Anata - Under A Stone With No Inscription
2/24 - Deicide - Scars Of The Crucifix
2/24 - Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!
2/24 - Wolverine - Cold Light Of Monday
2/24 - Exmortem - US Berzerker Campaign
2/24 - Beloved - The Running
2/24 - Anata - Under A Stone With No Inscription
2/24 - G3 - Live: Rockin' In The Free World
2/24 - G3 - Live in Denver (DVD)
2/24 - Opeth - Lamentations Live. . . (DVD)
2/24 - Cannibal Corpse - The Wretched Spawn (CD/DVD)
2/24 - Threshold - Critical Energy (CD/DVD)
2/25 - Runemagick - On Funeral Wings
2/25 - Astriaal - Renascent Misanthropy



-- IN PRINT --


UNRESTRAINED!
http://www.unrestrainedmag.com/current.html

issue #23 is out now featuring: Morbid Angel, Zyklon, Falkenbach,
Grimfist, Impaled Nazarene, Exhumed, Der Blutarsch, Macabre, Anwyl,
Watchmaker, Dimmu Borgir, Warlust, The Hidden Hand, Legion, King
Diamond,
The Locust, Nachtmystium, Hammers of Misfortune, Mistress


METAL MANIACS
http://www.metalmaniacs.com

the March 2004 issue is out now featuring: The Crown, Attila Csihar,
Byzantine, Falconer, Iced Earth, Impaled Nazarene, Life Of Agony,
Nightwish, October 31, YOB, Farmakon, While Heaven Wept, Cable, The
Hidden
Hand, Place Of Skulls, Battlelore, Bestial Mockery, From Ashes Arise,
Avenged Sevenfold, Glass Casket, Dew-Scented, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai


METAL HAMMER
http://www.metalhammer.co.uk

issue #123 is out now featuring: Lostprophets, Monster Magnet,
Converge,
Lacuna Coil, Amen, God Forbid, Mastodon, Incubus, My Ruin, 18 Visions,
Apartment 26, Metallica, two free CDs



-- ON THE NET --


WHIPLASH
http://whiplash.net/especiallist.mv?rec=416

follow the link above for this site’s compilation of lists of the best
releases of 2003 from more than 140 artists


LIVE 4 METAL
http://www.live4metal.com

new features: Misery Index, Cannibal Corpse, Nasum,
Machine Head, Meads Of Asphodel, Infidel?/Castro!


DAMAGEPLAN
http://www.damageplan.net

the band’s site will host a live webcast from Dimebag's house on Sunday
February 8 at 6PM (PST)


DIO FOR AMERICA
http://www.dioforamerica.com

discouraging poll data puts Dio near “The Last In Line” - follow the
link
above and support Ronnie James Dio’s presidential campaign!



-- ON THE TUBE --


PROBOT / HEADBANGER’S BALL
http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/headbangers_ball/

Dave Grohl and Probot will appear on Headbanger’s Ball on Saturday
February 7 - the episode’s highlight will be Probot’s in-studio
performance of "My Tortured Soul" featuring Trouble’s Eric Wagner - in
addition, the show will include videos from the Probot vocalists’ bands
including COC, The Obsessed, Motorhead, Trouble, Sepultura and
Voivod,
as well as the Probot video for “Shake Your Blood” w/ Lemmy and Wino -
the
show will air on MTV2 at 10pm - check local listings to be sure



-- TOUR DATES --

(dates are subject to change - check local listings)


THE GATHERING w/ AGALLOCH & NOVEMBERS DOOM

2/12 Cleveland, OH
2/13 Toronto, CAN
2/14 Brooklyn, NY
2/15 Cambridge, MA
2/16 Washington, DC
2/21 Mexico City, MEX
2/22 Monterrey, MEX
2/25 Santiago, CHI


THE GATHERING

3/02 Amsterdam, NL
3/04 Weert, NL
3/05 Nijmegen, NL
3/06 Nijmegen, NL
3/07 Groningen, NL
3/08 Essen, GER
3/09 Hamburg, GER
3/10 Berlin, GER
3/11 Erfurt, GER
3/12 Prague, CZ
3/13 Salzburg, AUS
3/14 Budapest, HUN
3/16 Treviso, ITA
3/17 Milan, ITA
3/19 Barcelona, SPA
3/20 Bergara, SPA
3/21 Madrid, SPA
3/23 Montpellier, FRA
3/24 Paris, FRA
3/25 Strasbourg, FRA
3/26 Lille, FRA


MORBID ANGEL w/ KRISIUN

2/20 Hardenberg, NETH
2/21 Rotterdam, NETH
2/22 Tilburg, NETH
2/23 Paris, FRA
2/25 Toulouse, FRA
2/26 Barcelona, SPA
2/27 Valencia, SPA
2/28 Madrid, SPA
2/29 Bergara, SPA
3/01 Montpellier, FRA
3/02 Milan, ITA
3/03 Rome, ITA
3/04 Treviso, ITA
3/05 Reggio Emilia, ITA
3/06 Geneva, SWI
3/07 Lyon, FRA
3/09 Essen, GER
3/10 Stuttgart, GER
3/11 Berlin, GER
3/12 Glauchau, GER
3/13 Katowice, POL
3/14 Zlin, CZR
3/15 Budapest, HUN
3/16 Prague, CZR
3/18 Pratteln, SWI
3/19 Strasbourg, FRA
3/20 Lille, FRA
3/21 Vosselaar, BEL
3/23 London, UK
3/25 Thessaloniki, GRE
3/26 Athens, GRE


MORBID ANGEL w/ SUFFOCATION, SATYRICON
& PREMONITIONS OF WAR

4/15 Baltimore, MD
4/16 Cohoes, NY
4/17 Worcester, MA
4/18 New York, NY
4/20 Philadelphia, PA
4/21 Cleveland, OH
4/22 Cincinnati, OH
4/23 Chicago Heights, IL
4/24 Minneapolis, MN
4/27 Denver, CO
4/29 Seattle, WA
4/30 Portland, OR
5/01 San Francisco, CA
5/02 Los Angeles, CA
5/02 Los Angeles, CA
5/03 Anaheim, CA
5/04 Las Vegas, NV
5/06 Scottsdale, AZ
5/07 Albuquerque, NM


VITAL REMAINS

3/07 Pinellas Park, FL
3/12 Irvington, NJ
3/19 Maplewood, MN


VITAL REMAINS w/ THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CATTLE DECAPITATION
& WATCH THEM DIE

5/02 Fayetteville, NC
5/03 West Springfield, VA
5/04 Farmingdale, NY
5/05 Philadelphia, PA
5/07 New York, NY
5/08 Providence, RI
5/09 Cleveland, OH
5/11 Sauget, IL
5/12 Cedar Falls, IA
5/13 Milwaukee, WI
5/14 Chicago Heights, IL
5/15 Omaha, NE
5/16 Denver, CO
5/19 Los Angeles, CA
5/20 Santa Ana, CA
5/21 Phoenix, AZ
5/22 Albuquerque, NM


MARCH METAL MELTDOWN
http://www.metalfest.com/Jersey/NewJersey.htm
3/12 - 3/12 -- Irvington, NJ

Testament, Vital Remains, John Oliva, Entombed, Symphony X, MOD, The
Black
Dahlia Murder, Madball, Joey Belladonna, Macabre, October 31, Attacker,
Raven, Nasty Savage, Merendine Atomiche, Twilight Odyssey, Cold Summer
Society, Bloodstorm, Seven Witches, The End, Premonitions Of War,
Gothic
Knights, Twisted Tower Dire, Abazagorath, Thundercore, Bar Whore, Meth
Sessions, Pain Museum, 3 Inches Of Blood, Terminal Fix, Nuse, The
Hixon,
Trivium, Killingsworth, Laceration, Cirrhosis, Wind Wraith, Black
Widow,
Without End, The Apostacy, Kaos, Cobalt, Fozzy, Stigmata, Anal Blast


FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF TOUR DATES GO TO:

http://www.metalupdate.com/tour.html



-- SPONSORS --


EVIL EYE PRODUCTIONS
http://www.evileyesight.com

UNRESTRAINED!
http://www.unrestrainedmag.com

METAL BLADE RECORDS
http://www.metalblade.com



-- LINKS --


VITAL REMAINS
http://www.vitalremains.com

GRAVE
http://www.intothegrave.com

DAYLIGHT DIES
http://www.daylight-dies.com

WEHRWOLFE
http://www.wehrwolfe.com

M.O.D.
http://www.billymilano.com

NORMA JEAN
http://www.normajeannoise.com

40 GRIT
http://www.40grit.net

WARMACHINE
http://www.warmachineonline.com

LIFEFORCE RECORDS
http://www.lifeforcerecords.com

RAUNCHY
http://www.raunchy.dk

BYFIST
http://www.byfist.com

ICED EARTH
http://www.icedearth.com

GORGOROTH
http://www.gorgoroth.org

AYREON
http://www.ayreon.com

DARK DISCIPLE
http://www.darkdisciple.net

PENTACLE
http://www.metalprovider.com/pentacle/

INFINITED HATE
http://www.infinitedhate.tk

SMEER
http://www.smeer.com

ENEMY IS US
http://www.enemyisus.com

RISING MOON
http://www.risingmoon.it

NIGHTWISH
http://www.nightwish.com



-- READER SUPPORT --


METAL UPDATE DONATIONS
http://shorl.com/janimopratika

suggested donation: $5
average donation: $14

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© Copyright 2004 by http://www.metalupdate.com - All Rights Reserved

Metal Update
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where the fuck did the awesome riffing go in Decapitated's new one? :(