A “happy holidays” video message from MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, filmed on December 21 at his home in Arizona, can be seen below. Source: Blabbermouth.net
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“Carry On”, the new video from LECHERY — the Halmstad, Sweden-based metal band featuring former ARCH ENEMY bassist Martin Bengtsson on guitar/vocals — can be seen below. The song comes off LECHERY‘s second album, “In Fire”, which came out this past summer via Metal Heaven. The follow-up to 2008’s “Violator” was recorded at Sweetspot Studio with producer Rickard Bengtsson, who has previously worked with ARCH ENEMY and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS.
According to a press relaase, “In Fire” is “much more varied than ‘Violator’ and still it’s classic heavy metal at its best.”
LECHERY is:
Martin Bengtsson (ex-ARCH ENEMY) – Guitar/Vocals
Fredrik Nordstrand – Guitar
Martin Karlsson – Bass
Kristian Svensson – Drums
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH recently spent time not only putting finishing touches to their new album, “Imaginaerum”, but also planning a movie of the same name.
“Imaginaerum” is one of the projects which recently received grants from the Finnish government institution called the Finnish Film Foundation. The movie, directed by Stobe Harju, about an old man on his deathbed who glimpses a childhood dream in which he refuses to grow old, and fights aging with his imagination, reportedly got $575,000 toward its $3.7 million budget.
During a September interview with Petri Silas of Finland’s Soundi magazine, NIGHTWISH mainman/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen revealed that all the filming for the “Imaginaerum” movie was done in Canada with mostly Canadian actors/actresses. Post-production is taking place in Canada and Finland. He aso revealed the names of the actors who have two of the main roles in the film: Marianne Farley and Quinn Lord.
Stobe Harju has now issued the following update on the “Imaginaerum” film:
“As most of you may know, we finished the director’s cut for the film. Everyone involved in the screening sessions were very happy and gave precious feedback that made the director’s cut.
“I can say this now, we are very, very, very happy with the cut.
“There are many people who deserve our appreciation, they are fellow directors, co-writers, actors and producers.
“There is still editing required for the visual effects to make us stay in the budget. This phase eventually makes the film and is crucial to the success of the final movie. Again, we are living exciting times.
“Now, filmmaking is mostly about letting go. Besides the editing, I had to say farewell to my very good friend and the editor of the film, Mathieu Bélanger, and his fantastic family who joined me in Finland for couple months. The heart and soul Mathieu put into this film cannot be described by words and I’m sure, our paths will cross in the future and in another project.
“Now, the film is in the good hands of another friend of mine Joshua Sherrett, his Workshop and the great team of Vision Global in Montreal. Their visual effects and their early concept sketches have blown us away several times already, and finally, they get to show us the meaning of the word ‘magic.’ Believe me when I say we’ve seen some pretty exciting stuff so far.
“As my work continues with them, it also continues with Petri Alanko and the soundtrack he’s producing with Tuomas. It’s miraculous how these guys can pull off something completely different but at the same time similar with the ‘Imaginaerum’ album songs. Well, it must be the 350 tracks per song on the album that give that possibility for the variations. Those crazy bastards.
“It’s just a matter of time when we have got something new and special to show you. We hope it’s quick because we can’t wait either.”
“Imaginaerum” film cast:
* Francis X. McCarthy
* Quinn Lord
* Marianne Farley
* Joanna Noyes
* Ilkka Villi
* Keyanna Fielding
* Ron Lea
* Victoria Jung
* Hélène Robitaille
* Stefan Demers
* Anette Olzon
* Marco Hietala
* Tuomas Holopainen
* Emppu Vuorinen
* Jukka Nevalainen
Several photos from the “Imaginaerum” movie shoot can be found at this location. A couple of the pictures are also available below.
The “Imaginaerum” album will be released in the U.S. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records.
NIGHTWISH will kick off the “Imaginaerum” world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Guitar maker and luthier Ed Roman — who has worked with a number of influential artists during his career, including Ted Nugent, George Lynch, Billy Gibbons, Keith Urban and Rick Derringer — has passed away. A posting on Ed‘s web site reads, “We understand that many people have questions regarding the circumstances surrounding his passing. His death, however, is still very recent, and is a heartbreaking shock to the family. We ask that you please be respectful of the sensitive nature involved with losing a loved one, and the mourning process that follows.”
A more formal announcement from Lindsey Star Roman is forthcoming.
According to KissFAQ.com, Roman worked with original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley as far back as 1989, performing some modifications to one of Ace‘s Les Pauls. He also built a replica of Ace Frehley‘s Washburn AF 40 guitar. Roman once described Frehley as “probably the most influential guitarist in the history of the world.”
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Danish melodic doom metal masters SATURNUS have inked a deal with Cyclone Empire Records. The band’s fourth album will be released in the spring.
Commented the group: “We are extremely happy and excited about having signed with Cyclone Empire to release our new album. Cyclone Empire were one of the interested labels from back in June who received a demo of some new songs. In time we formed relationship via our management, Lugga Music, who helped co-ordinate things until we arrived to where we are today.
“The deal is for two albums, with the first CD to be released in the spring of 2012.
“The studio has not been decided yet, but we have already contacted and lined up our longtime collaborator Flemming Rasmussen to begin recording in December.
“The album title has not been decided yet but we have 5 finished songs with the working titles ‘Litany Of Rain’, ‘Between Worm And Woeful Star’, ‘A Father’s Providence’, ‘Wind Torn’ and ‘Forest Of Insomnia’. These five songs and some other new tracks are currently undergoing their final touches.”
SATURNUS is:
Thomas A.G. – Vocals
Henrik Glass – Drums
Mattias Svensson – Guitar
Rune Stiassny – Guitar, Keyboards
Brian Pomykala Hansen – Bass
Source: Blabbermouth.net
COLDWORKER — the Örebro, Sweden-based “blasting” death metal band consisting of current and former/current members of such acts as NASUM, RELENTLESS, RUIN and PHOBOS — will release its third album, “The Doomsayer’s Call”, in February 2012 via Listenable Records. The CD was recorded in part at Soundlab Studios in the group’s hometown and will feature 13 songs. Mixing took place at Unisound studios with Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION).
“The Doomsayer’s Call” track listing:
01. A New Era
02. The Reprobate
03. The Glass Envelope
04. Flesh World
05. Murderous
06. Pessimist
07. Monochrome Existence
08. Vacuum Fields
09. Living is Suffering
10. The Walls Of Eryx
11. Violent Society
12. Becoming The Stench
13. The Phantom Carriage
The song “Flesh World” is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.
Commented COLDWORKER drummer Anders Jackobson: “It was the first song written for ‘The Doomsayer’s Call’. It’s a straightforward, furious mix of the elements that make up COLDWORKER, and serves as an example of what people can expect from the album.”
Added vocalist Joel Fornbrant: “Civilization being the thin line between barbarism and the modern world, ‘Violent Society’ explores the plight of contemporary man and his ongoing war on himself.”
The cover artwork for “The Doomsayer’s Call” was created by the Swedish artist Pär Olofsson who has previously worked with such bands as MALEVOLENT CREATION, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL, EXODUS and DYING FETUS.
Stated COLDWORKER: “The work Pär did for us followed our strict instructions and perhaps not his usual style, but we are all extremely happy with the result.”
Jackobson previously stated about “The Doomsayer’s Call”: “There’s often talk about ‘the difficult second album.’ Well, history has told me time and again that the third album is usually the most memorable in a band’s discography.
“We have all put more than 100% each into this album, writing songs that will stand out on their own as well as have a natural place on the album, spending many hours in three different recording studios just to get the best out of ourselves and so on.
“The album is definitively ‘the next step’ for COLDWORKER, with developed songwriting and performances that are the best we can muster. It’s really a band effort as all five members of the band have written songs, and likewise all five of us have opinions about what the final album should be.”
“Flesh World” audio stream:
“Violent Society” audio stream:
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 