Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Update 8/19/06

[Deathstroke]

Welcome to the 33rd edition of the 2006 HR/HM Update. It's been kind of a slow news week, so this installment will be considerably shorter than most of my reports, but I think there's still some interesting stuff to be had, so let's get down to business shall we?

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

The ex-drummer for In Battle, Otto Wiklund, has committed suicide.
News Link (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56747)

Here's another health update on Nevermore guitarist Steve Smyth.

News Link (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56473)

As I Lay Dying's vocalist Tim Lambesis has started his own record label, High Impact Recordings.
Story details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56685)

ROCK & ROLL INTERVIEWS

Drummer Carmine Appice (http://www.blasting-zone.com/CarmineAppice1.htm)
Lamb Of God interview (http://www.fourteeng.net/lambofgod2.html)
Kittie drummer Mercedes Lander (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56635)
Circle II Circle bassist Paul Michael Stewart (http://www.rockislife.com/2006interviews/paulmichaelstewart.htm)
Bludgeon vocalist/guitarist Mark Duca (http://www.rockislife.com/2006interviews/markduca.htm)

ONLINE CD REVIEWS

Strapping Young Lad - The New Black (http://www.rockislife.com/2006reviews/thenewblack.htm)
Terrorizer - Darker Days (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=835)
Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=834)
Crash Kelly - Electric Satisfaction (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=832)

MUSIC SAMPLES OF THE WEEK

You can check out the new song from Smile Empty Soul, "The Hit" at the group's Myspace page. (http://www.myspace.com/smileemptysoulmusic)

Here's a CD showcase from Melodicrock.com:

Sunstorm - Sunstorm (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/sunstorm.html)

COMINGS & GOINGS

Jormungand has split up. Band Statement (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56645)

The Duskfall has hired new bassist Matte Jarnil (ex-21st Impact). He replaces Marco Eronen who left in July 2006 to focus on his main band Raised Fist.

CD & DVD NEWS OF THE WEEK

Bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Anthrax) will release the solo CD Circles under the moniker A Chinese Firedrill. The disc will be available in late September through his website (http://www.joeyvera.com) and CDBaby.com

The track listing is:

01. Circles
02. Automatic Fantasy
03. Insane
04. Siucra
05. Never Say Never
06. Grass And Stone (Ethereal)
07. Rock, Paper, Scissors

http://www.joeyvera.com/images/342_circles_cover_2_.jpg

The new Machine Head CD is due out in early 2007 on Roadrunner Records and will be titled The Blackening.

Candlelight Records will release the To-Mera debut album Transcendental in the US on October 3rd. The CD is being released in Europe on September 11th. The band is described as a UK dark progressive metal group. They are fronted by the ex-Without Face singer Julie Kiss
http://www.to-mera.com/images/Julie.jpg

Here's the cover art for the CD:
http://www.to-mera.com/images/coverart.jpg

[Deathstroke]

The new single from the Deftones "Hole In The Earth" can be heard at their Myspace page. (http://www.myspace.com/deftones)

Gaia Epicus has completed work on their third CD Victory. There's no release date yet since they are still looking for a new label home after splitting from Sound Riot Records. You can hear samples of the new material here. (http://www.gaia-epicus.com/victorysamples.html)

The track listing is:

01. New Life
02. Iron Curtain
03. The Sign
04. Revenge Is Sweet
05. In Memory
06. Awaken The Monster
07. Rise Of The Empire
08. When Darkness Falls
09. Fortress Of Solitude
10. Through The Fire
11. Victory

http://www.gaia-epicus.com/cd-cover/victorycover.jpg

[Deathstroke]

CD & DVD NEWS OF THE WEEK

Bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Anthrax) will release the solo CD Circles under the moniker A Chinese Firedrill. The disc will be available in late September through his website (http://www.joeyvera.com) and CDBaby.com

The track listing is:

01. Circles
02. Automatic Fantasy
03. Insane
04. Siucra
05. Never Say Never
06. Grass And Stone (Ethereal)
07. Rock, Paper, Scissors

http://www.joeyvera.com/images/342_circles_cover_2_.jpg


The album is now available. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=58731)

[Deathstroke]

The new single from the Deftones "Hole In The Earth" can be heard at their Myspace page. (http://www.myspace.com/deftones)

Gaia Epicus has completed work on their third CD Victory. There's no release date yet since they are still looking for a new label home after splitting from Sound Riot Records. You can hear samples of the new material here. (http://www.gaia-epicus.com/victorysamples.html)

The track listing is:

01. New Life
02. Iron Curtain
03. The Sign
04. Revenge Is Sweet
05. In Memory
06. Awaken The Monster
07. Rise Of The Empire
08. When Darkness Falls
09. Fortress Of Solitude
10. Through The Fire
11. Victory

http://www.gaia-epicus.com/cd-cover/victorycover.jpg

The band will now release the CD via their own brand new record label Epicus Records.

[Deathstroke]

Gaia Epicus has completed work on their third CD Victory. There's no release date yet since they are still looking for a new label home after splitting from Sound Riot Records. You can hear samples of the new material here. (http://www.gaia-epicus.com/victorysamples.html)

The track listing is:

01. New Life
02. Iron Curtain
03. The Sign
04. Revenge Is Sweet
05. In Memory
06. Awaken The Monster
07. Rise Of The Empire
08. When Darkness Falls
09. Fortress Of Solitude
10. Through The Fire
11. Victory

http://www.gaia-epicus.com/cd-cover/victorycover.jpg

The album will be released January 26th on Epicus Records.

[Deathstroke]

Bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Anthrax) will release the solo CD Circles under the moniker A Chinese Firedrill. The disc will be available in late September through his website (http://www.joeyvera.com) and CDBaby.com

The track listing is:

01. Circles
02. Automatic Fantasy
03. Insane
04. Siucra
05. Never Say Never
06. Grass And Stone (Ethereal)
07. Rock, Paper, Scissors

http://www.joeyvera.com/images/342_circles_cover_2_.jpg


The album has been picked up for store distribution by Progrock Records. It will be in stores November 6th. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=82199)