News on Chris Caffery, new Thunderstone album and Kamelot.

TheGraveDigger

Heavy Metal Maniac
Sep 29, 2002
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Man, lots of Prog/Power news today, I should have made only 1 or 2 big posts to begin with. Here is the final one for today...

According to a posting on his official web site, SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery is in the process of recording five tracks that will be appearing on the full-length version of "God Damn War" CD, tentatively due in April/May. "God Damn War" was previously issued as a bonus disc with Caffery's solo debut, "Faces", available in the U.S. via The End Records. The new songs being recorded are as follows: "Inspector Highway" (described by Caffery as a "new song...written in 1992"), "Born of the Board", "Freaks", "Help! Police?" and "Bridges". The last four cuts previously appeared on the DOCTOR BUTCHER (Caffery's collaboration with SAVATAGE mainman Jon Oliva) "The Demos" CD (samples), released in 1999 via Crook'd Records.

In other news, Caffery has revealed that he and Oliva will record a new song to be included with the upcoming reissue of the DOCTOR BUTCHER debut, marking the acclaimed project's 10-year anniversary. No further information is currently available.
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Finnish melodic power metallers THUNDERSTONE have set "Tools of Destruction" as the title of their third full-length album, tentatively due in Europe on April 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. Release dates for the USA and Japan will be announced soon.

"Tools of Destruction" was mixed at Timo Tolkki's (STRATOVARIUS) Goldenworks studio with producer/guitarist Nino Laurenne.

"Tools of Destruction" track listing:

01. Tool of the Devil
02. Without Wings
03. Liquid of the Kings
04. I Will Come Again
05. Welcome to the Real
06. The Last Song
07. Another Time
08. Feed the Fire
09. Weight of the World
10. Land of Innocence

The digipack version will include two bonus tracks. The Japanese edition contains a cover of the DIO classic "Rainbow in the Dark".

A limited-edition single for the track "Tool of the Devil" will be released March 29. In addition to the title track, the single includes a special edit of "I Will Come Again" and "Tool of the Devil (Dance of the Devil Mix)". The single will be available through the THUNDERSTONE e-shop after the release.

THUNDERSTONE recently shot a video for "Tool of the Devil" with director Jari Mutikainen and producer Jan Streng. Check out pictures from the video shoot here.

As previously reported, THUNDERSTONE have been confirmed to open for the legendary California rockers MÖTLEY CRÜE at two shows in Finland: Jäähalli in Helsinki on June 7 and Elysee Areena in Turku on June 8. Also set to appear are Finnish rockers PRIVATE LINE and a as-yet-unannounced "very special guest".

THUNDERSTONE's sophomore album, "The Burning", entered the Finnish Album chart at position No. 17 upon its release in January 2004. The follow-up to 2002's "Thunderstone" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios with producer Laurenne and was mixed at Finnvox studios with Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM). Included on the CD is a guest appearance by SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo in the track "Drawn to the Flame".
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According to a posting on their official web site, American/Norwegian power metallers KAMELOT will collaborate on new book with German fantasy author Harald Evers.

Commented Evers: "After the success with my 'Caveworld-Saga', I was looking for an inspiration to create a new fantasy trilogy. At that time I love to listen to KAMELOT's music and sometimes I sang along with it. After a visit at the KAMELOT homepage I discovered that I always misunderstood one text line from the KAMELOT song 'The Spell'. But this line never got out of my brain. Inspired by the thrilling characters and the great fantasy-atmosphere of the KAMELOT songs an idea formed in my head and I created a fantasy story around it, named (just the way I misunderstood that text line): 'The 7th Book of Shadows'. After my publishing house signed the contract with me for my new, trilogy, I had finally the idea to contact KAMELOT themselves. And here we are — the band likes the idea to work together, and we are going to create a real *rock-n-roll*-fantasy-saga — that means, that the members of the band will appear in the story (and more!). Let's see, what we make of it. :) "

Added KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood: "Harald contacted me about the 'Book of Shadows' line in our song 'The Spell' from the album 'Karma'. I was very intrigued at the idea of him writing a book based around this line, this first idea evolved into also creating characters within the book that mirror in some way the band. We have talked about some of the ideas and they sound great and also inspiring. Harald has some fantastic and imaginative ideas for this nexus. I am looking forward to seeing this story unfold!"

As previously reported, KAMELOT recently finished shooting a video for the song "March of Mephisto" off their upcoming album "The Black Halo" with Swedish director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES) of Revolver Films has. The clip, the group's second off the new CD, features a special appearance by Shagrath from DIMMU BORGIR.

KAMELOT had previously shot a video for the track "The Haunting" with Ullaeus. The clip, which was shot in Sweden, also includes an appearance by EPICA singer Simone Simons. Mari also appears as Helena from the storyline of the "The Black Halo".

"The Black Halo", is scheduled for release on March 15 through SPV Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Epica" was produced by Sascha Paeth and Miro at Gate and Pathway studios in Germany and features guest appearances by Shagrath (DIMMU BORGIR), Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Simons, Mari (MASQUERAID), as well as the KAMELOT choir, featuring Herbie Langhans (SEVENTH AVENUE), Amanda Somerville-Scharf, Miro, Gerit Göbel, Thomas Rettke (HEAVEN'S GATE) and Elisabeth Kjaernes, among others.
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Doctor Butcher fuckin rules!

Can't wait for the new Thunderstone. I want the Jap edition for that Dio cover.

Kamelot is always doing interesting things.