BODY COUNT - "...they need us to come back..."
BODY COUNT, the Los Angeles-based band led by rapper Ice-T, have commenced work on a new studio album, tentatively due at the end of the year.
"I can't walk down the street without people asking me, 'Where's BC?'," Ice told MTV.com. "It's funny that BODY COUNT was 10 years ago and since then there hasn't been a powerful black rock band. So I guess they need us to come back, like Godzilla he comes back every now and then and tears up the city."
The group's six-year hiatus, which went into effect right after BODY COUNT released 1997's "Violent Demise: Last Days", was caused by several factors, not the least of which was the fact that two of the group's principals had died.
"We lost our drummer, Beatmaster V, to leukemia," Ice explained. "Then Mooseman, who played bass, got killed in South Central in those situations I rap about every day. Those were like two of the main players in the band, and to try to find somebody else was hard so I just let the band go away."
The group is now completely revamped and in the studio, preparing for a comeback. But Ice doesn't expect BODY COUNT's music to stir up the kind of controversy it caused back in 1991 with their infamous song "Cop Killer".
"We're gonna come out here and rock and roll," the 45-year-old MC said. "I wasn't trying to start all that drama with that [BODY COUNT] album. On the song 'Cop Killer' I was just being honest. I never really reached for controversy. I just said what was on my mind, like I'm saying now.
"Since Clinton was in the White House, everybody became very complacent, everybody kicked back," he continued. "He had sex in the White House, what's there to worry about? But now we got Bush or son of a Bush in there, and he's out to control the world. He's trying to be Julius Caesar and so it's time for more music about things. It's time for BODY COUNT."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ANTHRAX - Bonus CD in the new album
"THOSE WHOM WE COMETH FOR-
Yo, just wanted to drop a quick line about the US release for the new album. All that stuff people have been downloading is not the final version of what's being mastered for release. Artist-Direct is including a BONUS CD with the new shit, bonus shit and multi-media with new videos and such. More details coming soon. PLUS the booklet has nude photos of Britney. OK, I made that part up.
OH YEAH, Nuclear Blast is also putting the new album out on VINYL (How's that for Strapping On Your Old School?) and a LIMITED EDITION RELEASE with VINYL and BONUS TRAX. 7-incher! That's going to make some lucky lady very happy. Got a gatefold package with new art, sweet as hell!!! This is the one to have!!! Actually buy all of them!!! Only 328 shopping days until Christmas!"
------------------------------------------------------
EDGUY - Finishing touches on Live album
German melodic metallers EDGUY are in the midst of finishing up work on their upcoming live album scheduled for release this April through AFM Records. According to vocalist Tobias Sammet:
"It's (the live album ) gonna be two (2) discs, over a 100 minutes with a 40 page photo-booklet of the tour, featuring 150 pictures, stage, backstage, sightseeing, drinking, soundcheck, travelling, etc. Fans can follow us everywhere in this booklet. I really hope that people will appreciate that!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
STRATOVARIUS debut at Finnish No. 2!!
STRATOVARIUS have entered the Finnish Top 40 national album chart at position No. 2 with their latest release, "Elements Part I". "In all honesty we all expected for #1 position, but this time it didn't happen," the band said in a statement posted on their official web site.
"STRATOVARIUS humbly wishes to thank all their fans in Finland who have legally purchased 'Elements Part I'."
----------------------------------------------------------------
THE CROWN - Book studio time for next album
Swedish thrashers THE CROWN, recently rejoined by original vocalist Johan Lindstrand, have booked studio time at Gotheburg's Studio Fredman for the recording and mixing of their forthcoming album, tentatively due in early September through Metal Blade Records.
The band whose last album, 2002's "Crowned In Terror", featured the services of former AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg will enter the studio on May 5 and should be "all done" by June 15, according to the group's official web site.
Among the tracks set to appear on the group's as-yet-untitled CD are the following:
01. No Tomorrow
02. Face Of Destruction/Deep Hit Of Death
03. Are You Morbid?
04. Cold Is The Grave
05. Kill 'Em All
06. Natashead Overdrive
07. Dawn Of Emptiness
08. Crown Of Thorns
According to bassist Magnus Olsfelt, "This time we are heading for the ultimate and so far it sounds very promising. The new material is pretty diverse but in general the songs have more POWER. Hard-hitting and straight forward, with more natural flow. So that the energy and force comes straight back to you."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GAMMA RAY - working hard for the live album
Gamma Ray have spent the last few weeks working in the studio mixing their new live effort Skeletons In The Closet. About two thirds of the job are done - the band will be putting the final touches to the production over the next three weeks. A provisional release date has been set for the end of April.
The live recordings sound fantastic! says Kai Hansen, Im really glad that we decided to do this live album. Its going to be a fantastic document of some really special concerts!
Weve been working on them for too long now! (laughs) We started in mid December, but we had a number of technical problems right at the beginning that have delayed things a bit. We were first all big smiles when the two hard drives the shows were recorded on arrived a while before Christmas. It was a bit sad then that it was impossible to open anything on them! We tried all repair software known to mankind, and only sighed with relief as a computer specialist we consulted managed to fight his way through and open the files at last. We lost about three weeks because of that. We wanted to have the album out in late March, but now weve had to push the release back to late April.
We recorded the shows at Barcelona and Strasbourg. Were using parts of both shows, some songs are taken from here and some from there. Actually most of it is taken from the Barcelona show, and about three or four numbers are from Strasbourg. I must admit it is pretty laborious to mix recordings made at different venues we had the same recording engineers and the same recording gear at both shows, but the house itself always adds to the sound. On an album, you obviously want to have the feel like this was all done on the same night, and adjusting all the bits and pieces needed for this are a pretty long road. Its fun work though, and it will definitely be worth the wait!
Skeletons In The Closet will be released as a double CD and will contain the entire tour set thats just about 120 minutes of pure blistering power metal. As for the packing, there is no final decision yet as to whats going to be used as the front cover artwork. However, there is for sure that the booklet will contain a lot (and that really means a lot!) of exclusive photographs on stage, off stage and in all other possible and impossible places taken on the Skeletons tour in October/November 2002.
In the meantime, February 3rd sees the long awaited DVD release of the two so far exisiting Gamma Ray concert videos. Heading For The East (original release 1991) and Lust For Live (original release 1994) are now available on DVD for the first time and are packed in excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Both releases come with a bonus section containing an introduction and a track-by-track audio review by journalist Malcolm Dome.
In August, Gamma Ray will return to Wacken Open Air Festival to deliver the goods in front of some 30.000 metalheads. At the moment the plan is that the band will play on Friday night. We will inform you about the show time nearer the festival date.
---------------------------------------------------------
GOD DETHRONED "Into The Lungs Of Hell"
The Dutchmen once again deliver highest quality and are now at the top of Death Metal! Excellent melody lines and catchy hooks combined with sheer brutality, topped by an excellent production! The limited DELUXE EDITION includes a bonus-CD with eight bonustracks, two videoclips and an expanded booklet!
THE ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED ON 10-02-20003.
Here´s the track listing of the bonus-CD:
1. God Dethroned (re-recorded version)
2. Satan's Curse (Possessed Cover)
3. The Execution Protocol
4. The Grand Grimoire
5. Nocturnal
6. Under a Silver Moon
7. The Somberness of Winter
8. Serpent King
Tracks 3-8 were recorded live in the Whiskey a GoGo in Los Angeles in February, 2000 on the Death Metal Massacre Tour with Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal and Diabolic.
9. Villa Vampiria (video-clip)
10. Under the Golden Wings of Death (video-clip)
The album will also be released on vinyl!
--------------------------------------------------------------
RAGE - "Video Link" released on DVD
Rage's "Video Link" will be released on DVD on February 2nd by Sanctuary Records.
Here are the details:
VIDEO LINK
Songs/Chapters:
01. Opening Titles
02. Shame On You
03. Don't Fear The Winter
04. Certain Days
05. Suicide
06. Band Interview
07. Refuge
08. Baby I'm Your Worst Nightmare
09. Down By Law
10. Firestorm
11. Behind-The-Scenes 1
12. Solitary Man
13. Behind-The-Scenes 2
14. Medley - Enough Is Enough / Invisible Horizons
15. End Credits
-
DVD Features:
-Introduction and track-by-track
-audio review from journalist Malcome Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
-running time: 55 minutes
-aspect ratio: 4:3
----------------------------------------------------------------
GAMMA RAY - DVD's out on February
On February 2nd Sanctuary Records(owner of Noise Records) will release two Gamma Ray home videos on DVD "Heading For The East" and "Lust For Live"
Here are the details of both:
HEADING FOR THE EAST
Chapters/Songs:
01. Opening Titles
02. Lust For Life
03. Heaven Can Wait
04. Space Eater
05. Band Documentary
06. Freetime
07. Who Do You Think You Are
08. The Silence
09. Save Us
10. Band Interviews
11. I Want You
12. Ride In The Sky (Documentary)
13. Money
14. Band Interview 2
15. Heading For Tomorrow
16. End Credits
-
DVD Features:
-Introduction and track-by-track audio review
-From Journalist Malcolm Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
-Strobe-lighting and picture effects
LUST FOR LIVE
Chapters/Songs:
01. Opening Titles
02. Tribute To The Past
03. No Return
04. Band Interview 1
05. Changes
06. Insanity And Genius
07. Band Interview 2
08. Last Before The Storm
09. Heal Me
10. Band Recording "Insanity And Genius"
11. Medley - I Want You/Future World/Ride The Sky
12. Future Madhouse
13. Band Backstage
14. "The Cave Principle"
15. Band Interview 3
16. End Credits (Gamma Ray)
-
DVD Extras:
-Introduction and track-by-track
-audio review from journalist Malcolm Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
BODY COUNT, the Los Angeles-based band led by rapper Ice-T, have commenced work on a new studio album, tentatively due at the end of the year.
"I can't walk down the street without people asking me, 'Where's BC?'," Ice told MTV.com. "It's funny that BODY COUNT was 10 years ago and since then there hasn't been a powerful black rock band. So I guess they need us to come back, like Godzilla he comes back every now and then and tears up the city."
The group's six-year hiatus, which went into effect right after BODY COUNT released 1997's "Violent Demise: Last Days", was caused by several factors, not the least of which was the fact that two of the group's principals had died.
"We lost our drummer, Beatmaster V, to leukemia," Ice explained. "Then Mooseman, who played bass, got killed in South Central in those situations I rap about every day. Those were like two of the main players in the band, and to try to find somebody else was hard so I just let the band go away."
The group is now completely revamped and in the studio, preparing for a comeback. But Ice doesn't expect BODY COUNT's music to stir up the kind of controversy it caused back in 1991 with their infamous song "Cop Killer".
"We're gonna come out here and rock and roll," the 45-year-old MC said. "I wasn't trying to start all that drama with that [BODY COUNT] album. On the song 'Cop Killer' I was just being honest. I never really reached for controversy. I just said what was on my mind, like I'm saying now.
"Since Clinton was in the White House, everybody became very complacent, everybody kicked back," he continued. "He had sex in the White House, what's there to worry about? But now we got Bush or son of a Bush in there, and he's out to control the world. He's trying to be Julius Caesar and so it's time for more music about things. It's time for BODY COUNT."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ANTHRAX - Bonus CD in the new album
"THOSE WHOM WE COMETH FOR-
Yo, just wanted to drop a quick line about the US release for the new album. All that stuff people have been downloading is not the final version of what's being mastered for release. Artist-Direct is including a BONUS CD with the new shit, bonus shit and multi-media with new videos and such. More details coming soon. PLUS the booklet has nude photos of Britney. OK, I made that part up.
OH YEAH, Nuclear Blast is also putting the new album out on VINYL (How's that for Strapping On Your Old School?) and a LIMITED EDITION RELEASE with VINYL and BONUS TRAX. 7-incher! That's going to make some lucky lady very happy. Got a gatefold package with new art, sweet as hell!!! This is the one to have!!! Actually buy all of them!!! Only 328 shopping days until Christmas!"
------------------------------------------------------
EDGUY - Finishing touches on Live album
German melodic metallers EDGUY are in the midst of finishing up work on their upcoming live album scheduled for release this April through AFM Records. According to vocalist Tobias Sammet:
"It's (the live album ) gonna be two (2) discs, over a 100 minutes with a 40 page photo-booklet of the tour, featuring 150 pictures, stage, backstage, sightseeing, drinking, soundcheck, travelling, etc. Fans can follow us everywhere in this booklet. I really hope that people will appreciate that!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
STRATOVARIUS debut at Finnish No. 2!!
STRATOVARIUS have entered the Finnish Top 40 national album chart at position No. 2 with their latest release, "Elements Part I". "In all honesty we all expected for #1 position, but this time it didn't happen," the band said in a statement posted on their official web site.
"STRATOVARIUS humbly wishes to thank all their fans in Finland who have legally purchased 'Elements Part I'."
----------------------------------------------------------------
THE CROWN - Book studio time for next album
Swedish thrashers THE CROWN, recently rejoined by original vocalist Johan Lindstrand, have booked studio time at Gotheburg's Studio Fredman for the recording and mixing of their forthcoming album, tentatively due in early September through Metal Blade Records.
The band whose last album, 2002's "Crowned In Terror", featured the services of former AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg will enter the studio on May 5 and should be "all done" by June 15, according to the group's official web site.
Among the tracks set to appear on the group's as-yet-untitled CD are the following:
01. No Tomorrow
02. Face Of Destruction/Deep Hit Of Death
03. Are You Morbid?
04. Cold Is The Grave
05. Kill 'Em All
06. Natashead Overdrive
07. Dawn Of Emptiness
08. Crown Of Thorns
According to bassist Magnus Olsfelt, "This time we are heading for the ultimate and so far it sounds very promising. The new material is pretty diverse but in general the songs have more POWER. Hard-hitting and straight forward, with more natural flow. So that the energy and force comes straight back to you."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GAMMA RAY - working hard for the live album
Gamma Ray have spent the last few weeks working in the studio mixing their new live effort Skeletons In The Closet. About two thirds of the job are done - the band will be putting the final touches to the production over the next three weeks. A provisional release date has been set for the end of April.
The live recordings sound fantastic! says Kai Hansen, Im really glad that we decided to do this live album. Its going to be a fantastic document of some really special concerts!
Weve been working on them for too long now! (laughs) We started in mid December, but we had a number of technical problems right at the beginning that have delayed things a bit. We were first all big smiles when the two hard drives the shows were recorded on arrived a while before Christmas. It was a bit sad then that it was impossible to open anything on them! We tried all repair software known to mankind, and only sighed with relief as a computer specialist we consulted managed to fight his way through and open the files at last. We lost about three weeks because of that. We wanted to have the album out in late March, but now weve had to push the release back to late April.
We recorded the shows at Barcelona and Strasbourg. Were using parts of both shows, some songs are taken from here and some from there. Actually most of it is taken from the Barcelona show, and about three or four numbers are from Strasbourg. I must admit it is pretty laborious to mix recordings made at different venues we had the same recording engineers and the same recording gear at both shows, but the house itself always adds to the sound. On an album, you obviously want to have the feel like this was all done on the same night, and adjusting all the bits and pieces needed for this are a pretty long road. Its fun work though, and it will definitely be worth the wait!
Skeletons In The Closet will be released as a double CD and will contain the entire tour set thats just about 120 minutes of pure blistering power metal. As for the packing, there is no final decision yet as to whats going to be used as the front cover artwork. However, there is for sure that the booklet will contain a lot (and that really means a lot!) of exclusive photographs on stage, off stage and in all other possible and impossible places taken on the Skeletons tour in October/November 2002.
In the meantime, February 3rd sees the long awaited DVD release of the two so far exisiting Gamma Ray concert videos. Heading For The East (original release 1991) and Lust For Live (original release 1994) are now available on DVD for the first time and are packed in excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Both releases come with a bonus section containing an introduction and a track-by-track audio review by journalist Malcolm Dome.
In August, Gamma Ray will return to Wacken Open Air Festival to deliver the goods in front of some 30.000 metalheads. At the moment the plan is that the band will play on Friday night. We will inform you about the show time nearer the festival date.
---------------------------------------------------------
GOD DETHRONED "Into The Lungs Of Hell"
The Dutchmen once again deliver highest quality and are now at the top of Death Metal! Excellent melody lines and catchy hooks combined with sheer brutality, topped by an excellent production! The limited DELUXE EDITION includes a bonus-CD with eight bonustracks, two videoclips and an expanded booklet!
THE ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED ON 10-02-20003.
Here´s the track listing of the bonus-CD:
1. God Dethroned (re-recorded version)
2. Satan's Curse (Possessed Cover)
3. The Execution Protocol
4. The Grand Grimoire
5. Nocturnal
6. Under a Silver Moon
7. The Somberness of Winter
8. Serpent King
Tracks 3-8 were recorded live in the Whiskey a GoGo in Los Angeles in February, 2000 on the Death Metal Massacre Tour with Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal and Diabolic.
9. Villa Vampiria (video-clip)
10. Under the Golden Wings of Death (video-clip)
The album will also be released on vinyl!
--------------------------------------------------------------
RAGE - "Video Link" released on DVD
Rage's "Video Link" will be released on DVD on February 2nd by Sanctuary Records.
Here are the details:
VIDEO LINK
Songs/Chapters:
01. Opening Titles
02. Shame On You
03. Don't Fear The Winter
04. Certain Days
05. Suicide
06. Band Interview
07. Refuge
08. Baby I'm Your Worst Nightmare
09. Down By Law
10. Firestorm
11. Behind-The-Scenes 1
12. Solitary Man
13. Behind-The-Scenes 2
14. Medley - Enough Is Enough / Invisible Horizons
15. End Credits
-
DVD Features:
-Introduction and track-by-track
-audio review from journalist Malcome Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
-running time: 55 minutes
-aspect ratio: 4:3
----------------------------------------------------------------
GAMMA RAY - DVD's out on February
On February 2nd Sanctuary Records(owner of Noise Records) will release two Gamma Ray home videos on DVD "Heading For The East" and "Lust For Live"
Here are the details of both:
HEADING FOR THE EAST
Chapters/Songs:
01. Opening Titles
02. Lust For Life
03. Heaven Can Wait
04. Space Eater
05. Band Documentary
06. Freetime
07. Who Do You Think You Are
08. The Silence
09. Save Us
10. Band Interviews
11. I Want You
12. Ride In The Sky (Documentary)
13. Money
14. Band Interview 2
15. Heading For Tomorrow
16. End Credits
-
DVD Features:
-Introduction and track-by-track audio review
-From Journalist Malcolm Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
-Strobe-lighting and picture effects
LUST FOR LIVE
Chapters/Songs:
01. Opening Titles
02. Tribute To The Past
03. No Return
04. Band Interview 1
05. Changes
06. Insanity And Genius
07. Band Interview 2
08. Last Before The Storm
09. Heal Me
10. Band Recording "Insanity And Genius"
11. Medley - I Want You/Future World/Ride The Sky
12. Future Madhouse
13. Band Backstage
14. "The Cave Principle"
15. Band Interview 3
16. End Credits (Gamma Ray)
-
DVD Extras:
-Introduction and track-by-track
-audio review from journalist Malcolm Dome
-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
