Roy Z on Execution!

Roy Z is recording his part on Tribuzy's Execution project. He is one if the most important heavy metal producers, and also a great guitarist, plays the solo on the albums first song. Having worked with amazing musicians such as Bruce Dickinson (producing and playing on the records Accident Of Birth, The Chemical Wedding, Scream For Me Brazil and The Best Of and appearing as guitarist on Balls To Picasso), Rob Halford (Ressurection and Crucible albums), Helloween and Rob Rock, Roy Z gives Tribuzy's record the sound of a heavy and sofisticated guitar. The next musicians to record are Rolland Grapow (Ex-Helloween and Masterplan) and Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween). Renato starts the recordings of his vocals on January.

Renato Tribuzy (ex-vocals Thoten) is working on a new project: Execution. An ambicious album that gathers the best of heavy metal tendences. Tribuzy wrote the album inspired by the 80's heavy metal sound, mixing it's strength, speed and melody with a modern style.

As a way to illustrate de mix of musical influences on this album, Tribuzy invited the greatest talents of heavy music around the world, each of them adding their best to the CD. Among them there will be Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Kiko Loureiro (Angra), Rolland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan), Ralf Sheepers (Primal Fear) e Alex Dickinson (guitar Bruce Dickinson), and many more. Execution has 10 songs, nine of them written by Tribuzy and a cover ­ "Nature of Evil" ­ from the german band Sinner.

You wanted the best you got the best! KISS Symphony, Alive IV in Concert!

KISS, the legendary hard rock band that brought you the #1 music Pay Per View of 2000 and has sold more then 80 million albums, rocked the road this summer with sold-out venues on tour with Aerosmith and will "rock and roll" your house this December/January. This special concert presentation features KISS performing classics including "Rock And Roll All Nite," "Deuce," "Love Gun," and "Detroit Rock City" accompanied by the 60-member Melbourne Symphony Orchestra all sporting full KISS makeup. Joining founding KISS members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss for the concert is new lead guitarist Tommy Thayer."

"KOTIPELTO AND MICHAEL OUT OF STRATOVARIUS"

Timo Kotipelto and Jörg Michael are out of Stratovarius. After several emergency meetings, this move finds acceptance within the band. "Due to irrevocable and massive difficulties between the band leader Timo Tolkki and me, it has been agreed that this is the best thing to do to preserve at least some of the integrity the band used to have", says singer Kotipelto. "I will now fully concentrate on my solo album and I am convinced that this is the best way for me."

Jörg Michael says that his priorities lie elsewhere at the moment, but that the suddenly escalating trouble in the band is one of the main reasons he doesn't want to play in Stratovarius anymore. Jens Johansson states that he thinks this situation is very unfortunate, but that he is ok with it nevertheless, given the tension and turmoil of the last couple of months.

Jari Kainulainen was not available for comment. "I think this is the beginning of new era for Stratovarius and that the future looks bright and promising. I have composed some of my best songs during the last month", Timo Tolkki says from his writing mansion next to the gulf of Finland. He promises that Stratovarius fans will be both surprised and amazed by the next album.

"If anything good comes out of this, then I guess it will be the emotions I have managed to channel into new songs about this situation, which has been very heavy for all of us." he continued. "I have been having quite bad mental problems lately, but I feel better now due to anti-depressive medication my therapist has prescribed me."

Also, according to the booking agent Continental Concerts, the current line-up is "100% certain" to fulfill all its obligations regarding festival dates next year even though there is a lot of simmering hate still, waiting to boil over. According to Tolkki, he is currently talking to a German singer and a Finnish drummer about replacing Kotipelto and Michael, but he stresses that absolutely nothing is confirmed at this point. He adds that he is actively looking for replacements.

METALLICA HOAXSTERS UNFAITH REACHES ISC FINALS WITH "LET ME BECOME ME" Montreal. QC

The Nashville-based International Songwriting Competition (ISC) just unveiled its finalists for the 2003 edition of its contest, and among the 9 chosen entries in the pivotal Rock category is Unfaith's "LET ME BECOME ME", written by Montreal's own Erik Ashley.

Also among the 9 finalists is Toronto's Tara Slone, singer/songwriter for Joydrop, whose hit single "Sometimes Wanna Die" (/w video featuring Motley Crue's Tommy Lee) dominated Canadian radio in the summer of 2002.

"Just being on the same list as some of these established artists elevates all of us," says Unfaith singer/songwriter Erik Ashley. "And the fact that someone from Quebec with no professional contacts of any kind could make it this far in a competition of this stature helps restore my faith in the process. 'LET ME BECOME ME' was recorded on an average home computer, and uploaded directly to the ISC at the 11th hour of the entry deadline."

There have been over 11,000 entries in this year's ISC edition. The judges who will determine the final winners include Universal Records President Monte Lipman, Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas, Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida, DJ/Producer Paul Oakenfold, Blues legend B.B. King, and Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, among others. In addition to the standard Rock category, there is also a separate "People's Choice" category, which includes the finalists of all the categories combined. You can help Unfaith's standing in this category by voting for 'LET ME BECOME ME' through their official website @ http://www.unfaith.net/

As usual, samples of all of Unfaith's original songs (including 'Let Me Become Me') are available at the same address.

ABOUT ISC
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual songwriting contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of any songwriting contest in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry. "THE songwriting competition to take note of" (New York Times) For more information on the ISC, visit http://www.songwritingcompetition.com.

ABOUT UNFAITH
Unfaith is an independant alt-rock project by Montreal singer/songwriter Erik Ashley, with P.L. Trepanier on guitars. In 2002, Unfaith's 1st released MP3 single - a cover version of Duran Duran's "Save A Prayer" - was inducted in antiMUSIC.com's prestigious Mandatory Media section, alongside such names as Drowning Pool, The Strokes, and Rob Zombie. In 2003, Unfaith turned the rock world upside down by authoring a now-infamous parody detailing rock icons.

Metallica's purported litigation over the unsanctioned use of a so-called "Metallica-branded" chord. The story received worldwide coverage from the likes of CNN, MSNBC, BANG Magazine, and the Jimmy Kimmel show; becoming one of the most talked about non-events of 2003. For more information on Unfaith, visit http://www.unfaith.net.

---

ANTiSEEN MARK 20 YEARS OF DESTRUCTO ROCK WITH LIVE DVD AND BOOK RELEASE.

In the upcoming months ANTiSEEN will be releasing not one, but two career retrospectives to mark their 20th year as a band.

In January of 2004, Steel Cage Records will be releasing the ANTiSEEN coffee table book, "DESTRUCTO MAXIMUS." The book features hundreds of never before seen photos along with tons of articles, reviews, and interviews that span the bands entire career. Also included are brand new interviews with past and present members....and for the first time ever......the lyrics to every song the band has ever written and recorded.

The band will be performing a special show on January 24th at Kyber Pass in Philadelphia where "DESTRUCTO MAXIMUS" will be made available for the first time. The week after that it will be available by mail-order from the band or from http://www.steelcagerecords.com. Also to be released in early 2004 is the live DVD of ANTiSEEN's 20th Anniversary Show. Filmed in Charlotte, NC, this show featured over 2 hours of ANTiSEEN "hits" and special guest appearances by many past members of the band. Also featured are large amounts of blood, barbed wire, and mindless violence. Fun for the entire family....

The live DVD will be released by TKO Records and will be available through mail-order or from fine record stores around the world.

In other ANTiSEEN DVD news. The band can now be seen and heard in the independently released zombie comedy film "COME GET SOME." The film was directed by Jason Griscom for Fatal Sushi Productions and has recently been released on DVD by Bijouflix.com More info including reviews and ordering information is available at http://www.comegetsomethefilm.com.

ANTiSEEN are currently busy writing new material and preparing to record their next full length release "Badwill Ambassadors" which will also be released by TKO Records.

http://www.tkorecords.com
Get more info at the official ANTiSEEN website http://www.antiseen.com
ANTiSEEN @ http://www.antiseen.com

Earsplit Band News!

ASTERIUS "Germany's Asterius travel amongst the stars on "A Moment Of Singularity". This isn't your typical symphonic metal record. It has a very cosmic feel to it, much like Covenant's "Nexus Polaris" album. The futuristic sound is opened up with the use of programming and synthesizers. Multi-faceted frontman Andrash has a million different voices up his sleeve - all of which get at least a little of the spotlight on this album. Clean spoken vocals, falsetto highs, guttural lows and robotic voices produced with the aid of a modulator all share center stage here and it is these voices that really help the feeling and atmosphere of the record. Each one is chosen to convey an emotion or to interplay with the music, making the voice like another instrument. As long as Asterius don't go off the deep end like other bands in this genre did (ahem The Kovenant), they have found a nice little niche to exploit and really explore. This is cyber metal at its finest."

http://www.into-obscurity.com [ http://www.asterius.net ]

HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE
The August Engine" (our second album) is now available on digipack CD worldwide. It can be purchased through Cruz Del Sur, Century Media, The End, etc. The Vinyl (which features entirely different front cover art) is still available through this site. Check the Merch page. We just finished playing a bunch of shows locally, which were great fun. Thanks to all who came out! There are no upcoming shows to announce. We are taking a break to work on new material at the moment. We should be back in action by early next year. At last, our pics page is updated and working properly! It took long enough. Now you can clearly see what a bunch of goddamn freaks we are. Thanks to Ross Sewage for his invaluable assistance!

"...The August Engine is the perfect album to listen to as we head deep into autumn. The ample acoustic pieces of guitar and piano, and soft singing are a charming reminder of the falling leaves, while the powerful heaviness, quintessential harmonies and instrumental interplay signal what is yet again one of the finest heavy metal creations any fan could ask for. 10/10, if not more."

http://www.maelstrom.nu [ http://www.hammersofmisfortune.com ]

HELVIS
Not a great deal of news over the last couple of months. We're back working on LP Number 2, and have decided to continue as a 4 piece following the departure of Watty. We were going to get a new bassist and move Stabbo onto guitars, however it hasn't worked out that way and we're back to the line up we had 2 years ago! The site needs a bit of work, so hopefully you'll see a few changes on here soon with new photos from the last few shows, a couple of new MP3's to download, and maybe a few tasty surprises if we get chance!

"Featuring members of Pitchshifter, Iron Monkey, The Varurkers, and Cerebral Fix, Helvis is England answer to their metal problem. "Reverence the Sacrifice" is both caustic and fast with a raw loudness that will have you running to the nearest pit and smashing yourself till you’re a bloody pulp. For fans of Napalm Death, Eyehategod, Soilent Green, and other disgustingly heavy bands with sick vocals but honestly who can match the cruel gravel-voiced Bloody Kev? I guarantee this will make you want to go across the pond and visit the UK." - http://www.smother.net

"Editor's Pick"
[ http://www.helvis.co.uk ]

KHANATE
Khanate//Things Viral impressions from Attila Csihar: "Open my ears and close my eyes ..a cold coridor in the twighlight of brain leading down to the labirinths of thoughts. Sounds disturbing the tired chaos from far. Incantations.. Slowly comes an edge.. touching the neck kindly. Its colder then the flesh. Crash! A piece of a broken mirror softly stroke through the coloumn up an down as a pendulum. Falling down..deeper.. the alpha waves rising. Voice from far. I like that voice! Like an edge.. so sharp .. is the path between dreams and reality.. then crash! It gives liberation. I offer my soul.. take it there.. i really like this journey. ..On the fields of rape.. guitar mantras from behind the gate to the nightmares.. its so calm.. perfect relaxing.. i feel my soul free..flying away.. go down.. deeper. Crash! Came when it had to come. Gives wings down there.. another door.. cant see in the twilight exactly. Open. Nails passes. Bells on the chains.. love to go deeper.. to the source..closer. Take my soul! I love this journey! Tuned down. Heart likes to follow this beats.. the voice calling from the other side of space.. im coming.. not sure which side of mirror is real. Then near my ears.. im listening. Choked voice, the noises.. touching.. mighty chaos in wires..they lead down there. Now feel shame.. dying in everymoment.. slowly closer to the end.. step by step clock by clock. Its a decaying dimension everything fading out slowly. In this slow death called life.. feel the force KHANATE gives to pass.. to face with Doom and to be into that.. and the feedbacks taking me..Crash!"

If one of the leaders of some of the world's scariest metal has such a summary of Khanate to offer... yeah, Things Viral is some scathing, cruel stuff. Check out the scattering of East Coast tour dates coming up in the next few weeks.

[ http://www.southernlord.com - http://www.ideologic.org ]

LIFE OF AGONY
Life Of Agony are currently preparing for their upcoming US Tour with Flaw which begins early 2004. Check out the website; new live videos from the European tour are posted for "River Runs Red" and "Through and Through" - oh hells yeah..... [ http://www.lifeofagony.com ]

OMEN
New tour dates have been added for the winter months including a CD release party in Texas in December, a few dates in Texas for January with Helloween and also a few summer dates in Germany including BANG YOUR HEAD!!!

---

SUNN 0))
Finally, a few of us on the East Coast will be able to witness the unspeakable live drone of the almighty SUNN 0)). Three dates have been posted for the first 3 days of the new year in Vermont, NYC, and Philadelphia. Hitch a ride, fly, steal a car, whatever... just be there. See dates below.... [ http://www.southernlord.com ]

THROCULT
The new Throcult video for "Eclipse of the Blood Moon" is now posted online. Check it out here:http://www.throcult.com/videos.html [ http://www.throcult.com ]

TRIVIUM
The Trivium web site http://www.trivium.org has been updated with news, more interviews & reviews, along with a couple more places to buy Ember To Inferno online and a new graphic for the desktop â€" we have a lot of news and information posted so if you have a few minutes check it out.

We spent some time in the studio with Jason (Audio Hammer Studios) last week and recorded 3 new tracks - we will post one of the new tracks titled: "Like Light To The Flies" on the web site 12/24/2003 â€" we head to Morris Sound Studios for mastering on 12/8/2003.

A major priority for us in January is the making of a music video "we are in discussions now and hopefully will finalize the details over the next few weeks" we may have more information for the 12/24/2003 year end news update.

As always - thanks for all of your help & support, \m/ - Travis, Brent, Corey & Matt

[ http://www.trivium.org ]

YOB
YOB has been hard at work playing shows and writing material for our 3rd effort. We have all of the material written and gig tested.... YOB did a west coast tour in July on 2003. We had a blast! Thank you to all that came to see us and to all the bands we played with.. specially to Greg Anderson for putting the Genocide/Nausea show! and to the band Ghostride (ex-will haven) for their friendship, support and 4 awesome shows together!! We are planning shows for the rest of the year....

Over and out, YOB

"It must be something in the Pacific Northwest water that makes for uncanny and unpretentious metal of righteous fashion. Fans are still cowering in the aftermath of what used to be Sleep (hail - rock on High on Fire!). However, the rising might that is Portland's YOB come blazing forth with a record of such gargantuan status that it will leave you a mere spec of doom ooze just waiting (more like begging) for another dose. Catharsis is the label debut from this three-piece that is sure to find its way to the hearts of doom and rock fans world-over. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Sheidt is truly a man possessed. His demon-enticed delivery on each of the album's meaty tracks single-handedly makes this a band to watch as doom's new gods. And the pleasure does not stop there. "Monumental riffed out DOOM. A statement of purpose - a bold step into the void left by Sleep. Slower, more compressed, oozing a monolithic black tar that will make you it's slave" says Stonerrock.com. Expect to hear a lot about this band in the coming months!" - Abstract Music

[ http://www.yobrock.com ]

---

Century Media Band News

ARCH ENEMY - on Headlining Tour!
After their successful European tour with Nevermore and the "Jägermeister" tour in North America together with Slayer & Hatebreed, Swedish/German Melodic-Death-Metal sensation ARCH ENEMY will return with a long awaited headlining tour to Europe! If you missed the band until now, do not miss them again... you will regret it. Of course the band will present old classic tunes and new hits from their current masterpiece "Anthems Of Rebellion". The support acts will be confirmed soon. Be prepared for something great!

ARCH ENEMY
European Headlining Tour
Presented by Rock Hard Magazine
(Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and France)
17-Feb-2004 (Tue) Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
18-Feb-2004 (Wed) Aalen/Stuttgart, Germany - RockIt
19-Feb-2004 (Thu) Munich, Germany - New Backstage
21-Feb-2004 (Sat) Vidia, Italy - Cesena
22-Feb-2004 (Sun) Bergamo, Italy - Motion
24-Feb-2004 (Tue) Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz II
25-Feb-2004 (Wed) Madrid, Spain - Caracol
27-Feb-2004 (Fri) Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre
28-Feb-2004 (Sat) Hellendoorn, Netherlands - Lantaarrn
29-Feb-2004 (Sun) Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
02-Mar-2004 (Tue) Hamburg, Germany - Logo
03-Mar-2004 (Wed) Osnabruck, Germany - Works
04-Mar-2004 (Thu) Essen, Germany - Zeche Carl
05-Mar-2004 (Fri) Antwerpen, Belgium Hof Ter Loo

German dates booked by Scorpio
Ticket Hotline: 040 - 853 88 853
Online: http://www.fkpscorpio.de
http://www.archenemy.net

THE GATHERING - tourdates confirmed
THE GATHERING announces German "Sleepy Buildings - A Semi Acoustic Evening" tour dates presented by HAMMER and SONIC SEDUCER Accompanying the "Sleepy Buildings - A Semi Acoustic Evening" release, out on 26th of January 2004, THE GATHERING is proud to present German tour dates. More gigs in European and abroad will follow! Please note, all of this shows will play in seated venues, so be quick with tickets! Ticket price for all gigs in Germany is 15€.

08.03.2004 Essen "Zeche Carl"
09.03.2004 Hamburg "Markthalle"
10.03.2004 Berlin "Passionskirche"
11.03.2004 Erfurt "Gewerkschaftshaus"
Dutch tourdates:
08.01.2004 Huize Maas (Eurosonic), Groningen (NL) - Festival
30.01.2004 De Groene Engel, Oss (NL)
02.03.2004 Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
04.03.2004 Bosuil, Weert (NL)
05.03.2004 Lux, Nijmegen (NL)
06.03.2004 Lux, Nijmegen (NL)
07.03.2004 Oosterpoort, Groningen (NL)

http://www.gathering.nl
TIAMAT - Schattenreich (Onyx TV, Germany)

DIVINE EMPIRE - new album "Nostradamus" This is it! After excessive Christmas binges and heavy new year's intoxications it is time to start 2004 with a mean punch to the head. With "Nostradamus" Jason Blachowicz's (ex Malevolent Creation) DIVINE EMPIRE will obliterate your last thoughts of happy Christmas times and blast the last remaining pieces of charity out of your brains. After their highly acclaimed album "Doomed To Inherit", it is now time for DIVINE EMPIRE to show everyone how real USdeath metal is going to be played: brutal, fast and aggressive. No annoying keyboards, no melodic wannabe metal shit, only sick and evil death metal as it was played 10 years ago, but with a modern approach and played with master musicianship. Just check out the MP3 "Aggravated Battery" on http://www.centurymedia.de and get an own idea of it. Every fan from Bolt Thrower to Morbid Angel will surely be pleased.
http://www.metalasylum.com/divine/

CENTURY MEDIA CLASSIC SERIES
Now it's Christmas time. Sweet songs of love and happiness fill the air, the scent of baked apples and gingerbread is all around, the world is covered with velvet snow and by the fireside mothers are reading fairytales to their children. Everything is quiet and nice. And at night Santa Claus is coming to the houses, descending through the chimney, bringing loads of nice presents..... Well, this year he will probably be stuck in it, because it is already filled with four vinyl boxes four legendary Century Media bands:

1. Samael - Since The Creation...
An extremely nice box, including 6 picture vinyls and an 8-page booklet. All official Samael studio releases up to their last album "Eternal"! And for every real black metal maniac who is burning to know if "Worship Him", one of the rarest black metal vinyls ever, will be included in the box: Yes, it will! And also the cover version of the Venom all-time classic "Manitou" from the impossible to find "After The Sepulture" picture 7" single is include here. It won't get better than this!

2. Unleashed - ...And We Shall Triumph In Victory The pagan warriors return!
"...And We Shall Triumph In Victory" includes all Unleashed studio releases from the debut album "Where No Life Dwells" to their last release "Hell's Unleashed" on six picture vinyls plus not less than 8 rare bonus tracks and a 12-page booklet in LP format, including liner notes, lyrics and photos.

3. Grave - Morbid Ways To Die
Box No.3 doubtlessly contains the most complete collection of Grave songs ever. All studio albums, the long sold out "...And Here I Die" MCD and 16 (!!!) bonus tracks for the first time ever on picture vinyl! 6 picture vinyls plus a 12-page booklet with liner notes, lyrics, rare photos and comment by the band on each release make this box a true gem for every worshipper of real Swedish death metal.

4. Old Man's Child - The Historical Plague
Last but not least, this box includes all five albums of this Norwegian black metal institution on black vinyl in deluxe gatefold sleeves. None of the albums has ever been released in this format before and the cult debut album "Born Of The Flickering" has never even been released on vinyl! Finest Norwegian black metal!

If you want to check out the designs of the boxes, LPs and booklets, then check out www.centurymedia.de/kult/. There you will also find info on tracklists, prices and how to order the boxes. Attention: All four boxes are strictly limited to 2000 numbered copies. Due to the extremely high request on our last vinyl boxen (Ulver, Death, Iced Earth) we recommend to place your order soon. There will definitely be no re-pressing of any of the boxes!

---

http://www.songwritingcompetition.com
2003 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

ISC 2003 FINALISTS
1:11 A.M. - Greg Trooper/Darin Pavone, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana Begin At The End - Paul Brill, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana A Mind Of Its Own - Devon Copley/Janice Fitzgerald, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana Dark As The Night - Doug Burr, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana I Saw Stars - Reed Waddle, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana Mud - Patrick Freyne/Pol O'Conghaile, Ireland, AAA/Roots/Americana Spinning - Gregg Swann, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana Tennessee - Alison MacLean, Canada, AAA/Roots/Americana The Kind To Break A Heart - Nancy Apple, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana This Town - Mike Musick/Mitch Dane, USA, AAA/Roots/Americana Absolution - Sue Foley, Canada, Blues Escape - Knut Eide, Norway, Blues I Don't Deserve This - Jose Payo, USA, Blues Lots Of Flame (But No Heat) - Don Wise/Pamela Smith Wise, USA, Blues Let The Healing Begin - EG Kight/Tom Horner, USA, Blues Riley Wants His Life Back - R. Fines/A. Fraser, Canada, Blues Strange Things Are Happening - Keith Dunn, Netherlands, Blues Strong Medicine - Peter Gelling, Australia, Blues Crooked Smile - Josh Canning, Australia, Country Die For You - Dahlia Wakefield, Canada, Country I Got The Message - Donnie Dickerman, USA, Country Let Me Out Here - Cindy Kalmenson/Lisa Carver, USA, Country No Such Thing - Nina Mankin/Larry Winslow, USA, Country Rush Of the Crush - Jackie Bradshaw/Kirsti Manna, USA, Country The Catch and Release Man - Harry W. Moodie, USA, Country Tomorrow Tonight - David Rivers/Steve Christopher/Sue Fabisch, USA, Country Darkness - John Michael Tsiros, Cyprus, Dance/Electronica Feeling Safe (Yotan Tribal Mix) - M. Rais/T. Foyer, USA, Dance/Electronica Fire! - Donny B. Lord/Paco, USA, Dance/Electronica Hero - Mike McFarland/Shannon Savoie, USA, Dance/Electronica Inner Journey - Thomas Viehboeck/Peter Koellerer, Austria, Dance/Electronica Lunar Connoisseur - Gabriel Palomo/Derek Ervin, USA, Dance/Electronica Popadum - N. Kerkhove/S. Jeffrey, England, Dance/Electronica War On Terror - Allen Williams, USA, Dance/Electronica Afterglow - Damhnait Doyle/Gordie Sampson, Canada, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Blowing This Candle Out - Jane Taylor, England, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Coin-Operated Boy - Amanda Palmer, USA, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Dead Man's Hand - Greg McDonald, England, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Everyone's Honesty - Unni Wilhelmsen, Norway, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Hey Mister - Suzanna Choffel, USA, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Master Fade - Andrew Bird, USA, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Night Like This - Martin Hoybye, Denmark, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Quacks Like Love - Chris Belden, USA, Folk/Singer-Songwriter Whistling In The Wind - Wons Phreely, Australia, Folk/Singer-Songwriter All That I Am - Jason Ott/Joshua Ott/Josh Olsen, USA, Gospel/Christian All That I Know - Peter Lawlor, England, Gospel/Christian Free - Ruthann Springle, Canada, Gospel/Christian I Was Carried - Roma Waterman, Australia, Gospel/Christian Mama - Saschka Wittau, Switzerland, Gospel/Christian Nobody Knows You Like The Lord - Danny Brooks, Canada, Gospel/Christian Plead My Cause - Mary N. Carson, USA, Gospel/Christian Song For The World - Lindsey/Brayn/Robinson, England, Gospel/Christian Temple Of the Holy Ghost - Neal Jones, USA, Gospel/Christian Ananthy - Anatholi Bulkin, Sweden, Jazz Beelzebub - Bill Bruford, England, Jazz I Just Like To Drink Alone - Carole Nelson, Ireland, Jazz Investion - Matthias Lupri, USA, Jazz Line Game - Steven Kirby, USA, Jazz Mingus Moon - Stephen Hudson, USA, Jazz Steller By Satellite - Greg Hopkins, USA, Jazz The Heckler - Ben Castle, England Jazz Tug Of War - Kerry Politzer, USA, Jazz Castaway - Lis Soderberg, Canada, Lyrics Only In These Waits - A. Dias/A. Philips/R. Casey-Nestor/J. Cowan, Canada, Lyrics Only Longshot - Kate Dwyer/Scott Johnson, USA, Lyrics Only Skylight - Paul Brill, USA, Lyrics Only The Empty Room - Ian Foster, Canada, Lyrics Only A World Away - Alphatide, USA, Pop/Top 40 Can You Handle Me - Evie Tobias, USA, Pop/Top 40 Deepest Blue - Kevans/Riley, England, Pop/Top 40 E Cosi Com'E - TJ Signorino, Switzerland, Pop/Top 40 In A Long Time - Clare Veniot/David Cooper/Jack Freudenheim, USA, Pop/Top 40 Latin Queen - Graciela Alvarado, USA, Pop/Top 40 Love Replaces Love - Robert Baier, USA, Pop/Top 40 Reason Why - Tinkara Kovac/Andrea F, Slovenia, Pop/Top 40 Sex In The City - S. Steiger/S. Greenberg/M. Prosper/O. Heild, USA, Pop/Top 0 Tonight - Elcodrive, USA, Pop/Top 40 In These Waits - A. Dias/A. Philips/R. Casey-Nestor/J. Cowan, Canada, R&B/Hip-Hop It's Jumpin - Jawan Jackson/Deshawn Johnson, USA, R&B/Hip-Hop Lady, Stand Up! - Sebastian von Bischopink/Hilde Wahl, England, R&B/Hip-Hop Love Serenade - M. Saunders/J. Acosta/M. Hind, USA, R&B/Hip-Hop Remind My Soul - Jared Bridgeman "Akrobatik", USA, R&B/Hip-Hop Rufus - Yewande Austin, USA, R&B/Hip-Hop Smile - Aja Emmanuel, USA, R&B/Hip-Hop When Them Playboys Ride - Avery Heyward "Hellabrown", USA, R&B/Hip-Hop Breathe - J. Kwarta Jr./M. Brownell/T. Sawchuck/J. Mossop/B. Kwarta, USA, Rock Everything Is OK - M. Walker/A. Walker/M. Kennedy/J. Dawson, Canada, Rock Let Me Become Me - Erik Ashley, Canada, Rock Pezzi Di Puzzle - Stefania Calandra, Italy, Rock Rifles - Warde Elliott, Australia, Rock She - Matthew Powell, Wales, Rock Smile - Danny Elster/Paul Trinidad/Mick Shivers/Jim Messina, USA, Rock We Were Stars - Tara Slone/Jordan Zadorozny, Canada, Rock Without - Chris Sernel, USA, Rock Celebrity - Matthew Bair, USA, Teen Crooked Smile - Josh Canning, Australia, Teen Don't Turn Around - Nik Hulewsky/Natalie Gordon, USA, Teen January (Again) - Adam Saul Bloch, England, Teen Say Something - Colin Jennison, Canada, Teen Spacin' Out - Amber Brooke Wallace, USA, Teen The Rush - Pascal Le Boeuf, USA, Teen Thinking Of Myself - Brandon Lee Harris, USA, Teen Wounded Spirit - Rachel MacGregor, Canada, Teen 30 Minutes In Florida - Sarah Elizabeth Brown, USA, Teen Lyrics Only Analyze - John Roman, Canada, Teen Lyrics Only I Call Out to You - Danielle Doepke, USA, Teen Lyrics Only In Your Eyes - Matthew and Michael Polonchak, USA, Teen Lyrics Only Memories - Mihad Ali, Australia, Teen Lyrics Only Bifurçacões - Toti, Brazil, World Bunja Muta - Dembo Jobarteh, The Gambia, World Forbidden Love - Ishay Amir, Israel, World Godly Love - Justo D. Otongo, USA, World Ludiloro - Dejan Pejovic, Serbia & Monteneg, World Moko - Moana Maniapoto, New Zealand, World Under African Skies - George Umbulo/Tony Battle/Steffon, New Zealand, World Victory Day - Auktyon, Russia, World

---

SOLACE ON TONY HAWK'S UNDERGROUND SOUNDTRACK -- Solace is featured alongside a slew of acts like Kiss, Mastodon, Jane's Addiction, Superjoint Ritual, The Clash, Bad Religion, Clutch, etc. on the soundtrack for the new Tony Hawk's Underground video game for X-Box, Game Cube, and Playstation 2. The Solace song included in the game is "Indolence" from the band's 2003 album "13". Further info on the game with the killer soundtrack can be found at www.activision.com/microsite/thug/

---

WINO FIGURES PROMINENTLY ON DAVE GROHL'S PROBOT -- Wino (Hidden Hand, Spirit Caravan, The Obsessed) is one of twelve vocalists chosen by Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) to sing on his new metal project Probot, due in February. Wino's also got heightened status on the project in that he's featured as one third of the "band" alongside Grohl and Lemmy (Motorhead) in the press photos, which will be showing up in features for Rolling Stone, Spin, the cover of Metal Edge, etc. He also appears in the Probot video (wearing his Hidden Hand shirt) recently shot in Los Angeles with Grohl on drums, Lemmy on bass/vox, and Wino on guitar, along with 66 writhing, gyrating, scantily-clad models from SuicideGirls.com. Wino's own band, The Hidden Hand, is currently recording material for an EP due in early 2004.

---

Lion Music are proud to announce the signing of Sweden's legendary melodic hard rock band House of Shakira. The band is currently working on their new studio album which is to be released during the second half of 2004. This new album will be the band's 4th studio album since their debut album "Lint" which was released in 1997. House of Shakira is:
Andreas Eklund - lead vocals
Anders Lundström - guitar/keyboard
Mats Hallstensson - guitar/vocals
Per Schelander - bass/vocals
Tony Andersson - drums .

HOUSE OF SHAKIRA's music doesn't remind of any comparable band. The band's motto is "Try every idea with an open mind", therefore every member of the band contributes with own ideas to make this music unique. HOUSE OF SHAKIRA is producing melodic rock of the very highest quality because they mixed hard rock with several music styles - the vocals soar, the melodies rise and the guitars bring it all together. All these components make HOUSE OF SHAKIRA an outstanding listening sensation. Due to the diversity of the songs and the music, HOUSE OF SHAKIRA is not a typical hard rock formation, they will find a higher and wider audience and fan community.

According to bass player Per Schelander, the band is very happy that they´ve found a company that shows a genuine interest in releasing the new material. "As the communication has been very good between the band and Lion Music, we are very shure that this parnership can take us one step furher in our career". The theme for this fourth album of House of Shakira is different kind of journeys. A lot of the lyrics have been written during journeys in the world, other is just about the travelling you do in your own inner archipelago.

---

CHICAGO ROCKER BILLY McCARTHY( A.K.A BILLY DIOR/D'MOLLS) SIGNS BOOK DEAL WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BENBELLA BOOKS

THE DEVIL OF SHAKESPEARE IS A FASCINATING COMMENTARY ON THE UNDERBELLY OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY; MCCARTHY'S HOT DEBUT THRILLER ALREADY HAS MUSIC AND BOOK INDUSTRY INSIDERS BUZZING

Chicago musician Billy McCarthy, who frequently works with elite members of the music industry, has started singing a whole new tune and is focusing his creative energy in a new direction. Novels. Billy McCarthy, who has signed a deal with BenBella Books, is about to release his much-anticipated first novel, THE DEVIL OF SHAKESPEARE.

For McCarthy, going from drummer to author hasn't been a leap, but the next natural step in the evolution of his creative instincts. "It's all about beat, drama and timing," McCarthy explains. "Storytelling, like rock & roll, has to have a pulse. When I write, I hear the rhythm of the narrative in my head, just like I hear the rhythm of the music when I play. My goal is always the same whether I'm the musician trying to excite an audience or the author trying to engage the reader-keeping it straight and simple, but keeping it thunderous." THE DEVIL OF SHAKESPEARE, is already generating a buzz with critics and is receiving a great deal of attention from insiders. Before the manuscript was even complete, one of Chicago's top local papers, The Daily Southtown did a feature on McCarthy's pending contribution to the local literary scene.

After trading in the roller coaster ride of the recording business for the grassroots comforts of the Midwest, Billy McCarthy is turning his inside knowledge of the celebrity world into one of the hottest new thrillers of the season. In THE DEVIL OF SHAKESPEARE, McCarthy's acclaimed literary debut, he exposes the toxic underbelly of the entertainment industry with wit, humor and insight as only someone who has been there and tasted its allures can know.

Set in the near future, this dark coming of age fable tells the story of David Faulkner, whose dysfunctional family fuels his ambition to escape his rough blue collar neighborhood on Chicago's Southside. His angelic good looks coupled with his ethereal talent make him a box office legend, and the most sought after actor of his generation.

This is an era in which everything is magnified, where once leading movie stars made twenty million a picture, David nee Darian Fable commands five times that amount. His decision to abandon Hollywood, a fabulous career, the untold riches, and retreat to a bucolic estate in Connecticut, sets in motion a chain of events that threatens both the lives and careers of some of the most important powers in the entertainment industry…including his own.

Writing this book has not only allowed McCarthy to explore a new creative side, but also given him the chance to shed insight into the world of celebrities and media, with which so many people in this society are obsessed.

"This book, though I wrote it to be entertaining, also communicates a strong message about fame. I wanted it to inspire readers to look deep inside their own psyches when it comes to who they look up to and why," said McCarthy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Former Atlantic Records recording artist Billy McCarthy (A.K.A Billy Dior) is one of the most respected musicians to come out of Chicago's rock scene. A founding member of the popular band D'Molls, Billy has also shared the stage with such legendary rock & rollers as Guns & Roses, Cheap Trick, Kiss, and many others. Billy McCarthy lives in the south suburbs of Chicago where he is currently immersed on future books, FUNNYMAN JACK SMACK, DEAR EDDIE, and SARAH GOODING. For more information about Billy McCarthy, this release and The Devil of Shakespeare, please visit his website at http://www.billymccarthy.com

BenBella Books is an independent press specializing in the best in science fiction and popular culture. BenBella Books is distributed by Independent Publishers Group.
shakespeare@billymccarthy.com

Sweden Rock Festival
10 - 11 - 12 JUNE 2004
SÖLVESBORG

We can now proudly present the first confirmed artists for Sweden Rock Festival 2004. We are very proud to announce one of our three major headliners ... JUDAS PRIEST. Judas Priest will be playing the festival with the original line-up for the first time in 12 years! This is their first announcement of their upcoming world tour. The performance at Sweden Rock Festival is an exclusive show for Scandinavia. The band is now in the studio, working on their new album which will be released during 2004. The entire line-up of bands presented below, is the strongest we ever been able to give you at such an early stage . Here we have something for all the metal, rock and blues lovers.

Confirmed bands so far...
Judas Priest (UK) Only gig in Scandinavia!
UFO (UK) Only gig in Scandinavia!
Nightwish (Fin) Only gig in Sweden this summer!
Children of Bodom (Fin)
April Wine (Can) Only gig in Europe!
Exodus (US) Only gig in Scandinavia!
Slade (UK)
Magic Slim & the Teardrops (US) Only gig in Sweden!
Kingdom Come (D) Only gig in Scandinavia!
Opeth (S)
Entombed (S)
Wasa Express (S)
Abramis Brama (S)

The following acts are confirmed for Spendrups Stage:
Brainstorm (D)
Cage (US)
Persuader (S)
Lumsk (N)
Narnia (S)
Heavenly (Fra)
Paragon (D)
Memory Garden (S)
Lake of Tears (S)
Pathos (S)
Hirax (US)

On our website www.swedenrock.com you can read about the bands, and get links for their official websites for more info.

TICKET RELEASES.
The tickets will be available on January 1st.

TICKETPRICES.
3-day ticket: 1.360 SEK
1-day ticket (all three days): 580 SEK (very limited number/day)

Prices in Euros, US dollars, Sterling pounds will be advised.

Capacity is 18.000 tickets in total per day. 2003 years festival was sold out.

info@swedenrock.com
http://www.swedenrock.com

THE BAND ATLANTIS CHANGES ITS NAME

After releasing the EP "New Frontiers" in 2000, the band now is called ATLANTIDA and it has a lot of news. The band is in the last stage of production of the CD "Painted Realities", which will be launch in January / 2004. The album has 10 songs and the proeminence is going to Two Minds, with the special guest Kiko Loureiro, guitarist of ANGRA. Actually, the music was choice for Angra and Kiko liked so much the idea and he recorded a participation. The Progressive Metal fans can wait for more. The music Painted Realities is a big surprise on CD. Besides the title of the album, it is instrumental with an futuristic air very original ? a unique caracteristic of ATLANTIDA. And originality is the principal ingredient of these musicians, showing once again the diversity of the band, with tap-dancing, flamenco and violin, played by Mike Lerner, that besides guitar is a violinist too. ATLANTIDA IS ON THE LIST FOR PLAYING IN BRAZIL METAL UNION IN 2004 ATLANTIDA (ex-Atlantis) is on the list for the Brazil Metal Union Festival (BMU) in February 2004, in São Paulo. The Festival is in the 3rd edition and it is an event of pure Metal during 3 days. A lot of bands like Dark Avenger, Fates Prophecy, Sagga, etc? performed in BMU. To vote, just click in http://www.heavymelody.com and choice your vote!!! Let?s vote in ATLANTIDA!!!

« previous news updates