Local heavy rock band Otherworld would like to announce their upcoming gig at Le Rox on Fri 13 June. Full details can be found on their website otherworldrocks.tripod.com. Then the following night, you can catch NSW's Stronger Than Hate at the Underground with local bands Shotpointblank, I Killed the Prom Queen and Paradise Burning.
Also, don't forget the upcoming Incantation show on Sun 22 June. The US death metal institution will play Le Rox with Psycroptic, Oni, Stargazer, Slaughter Thou and Dephiler. Doors open at 6pm and tickets for this all ages show are available from Venuetix.
After almost two years of writing, Alchemist's new album 'Austral Alien' is yet another step forward for the enigmatic and esoteric act. 'Austral Alien' represents a reinvention for the band without compromising their organic sound, uniqueness or weighty approach. The album is out now through Chatterbox Records and will be launched in Adelaide at the Enigma Bar on Fri 27 June.
Skinlab have now confirmed the dates for their upcoming Australian tour. The Bay Area thrashers will play a four Australian dates, including the Enigma Bar on Wed 2 July. To coincide with the tour, Skinlab's most recent studio album, 'The Revolting Room' will be reissued with a bonus tour EP, entitled 'Eyesore'. This 5-track EP was released back in 1998 with a limited run of only 5000 copies. It contains unreleased studio tracks, live tracks, plus a cover of Brujeria's Raza Odiada, and will be available in Australia from Mon 23 June.
The full details of the Adelaide Armaggedon II have now been made available. Over two huge nights, the event will showcase 13 of Australia's best extreme metal bands. Starting at 8pm, Fri 8 Aug will feature the mighty Nunslaughter (US) alongside Misery, Abominator, Portal, Stargazer and Kriss Hades. And then on Sat 9 Aug, with an early start of 3pm, Nunslaughter will perform again, this time an all ages show with Gospel Of The Horns, Grenade, Stone Wings (formerly Elysium), Virgin Black, Raven Black Night and Team Metal. Visit the website for more information: embark.to/ArmageddonAdelaide.
As previously reported, a newly reformed Nazxul were also due to perform at this event, but due to "unfortunate incarceration issues" the black metal masters will not be appearing. Nazxul apologise for any inconvenience and hope to reschedule their Adelaide show once these problems have been sorted out.
Vocalist Matt Barlow has announced his departure from Iced Earth in order to pursue a career in administration at the Department of Homeland Security. In a statement on the band's website, Barlow declared that the events of September 11 had made him reevaluate his priorities, and consequently give up his "shallow" rock star life for a more stable career path. Meanwhile, Iced Earth mastermind Jon Shaffer has shelved plans for the band's next album 'The Glorious Burden' (which he describes as the best material he has ever written) until a suitable replacement for Barlow can be found.
US legends of old school extreme thrash Hirax have confirmed their first tour of Australia for September this year. The band will perform nine shows here from Thurs 25 Sept to Sun 5 Oct, supported by Japan's Kings Evil and Queensland's Sakkuth. More information on venues, dates, support bands and ticket into will be announced as it comes to hand.
Austrian black metal outfit Abigor have recently announced their break up. According to mainman Peter Kubrik, "There are different reasons for my decision, mainly because I am pissed by the entire black metal genre. I simply can't identify myself, nor Abigor with today's black metal genre anymore - it simply limits my creativity in so many ways, and I guess too many people and fans won't be able to understand the new material, because it's by far too untypical, technical and complex. Too many are addicted to old values, and our previous releases, while I hate stagnation and I am not willed to compose a copy of any previous record just to satisfy the need of the people, and our distributions!" The website will remain online in order to continue to inform fans of the members' new projects.
A further update on Melbourne's Destruction of Oz festival to be held on Fri 22 Aug and featuring Sodom, Doro, Marduk and Cryptopsy: the price of tickets has been set at $81.50 (including booking fee). These are available directly through the promoters (send cheque or money order made out to 'Crestfallen Records' to Destruction of Oz Festival, 55 Park St, South Yarra, Vic 3141) or you can buy them locally at the Muses.
And if anyone still cares, the Metallica franchise has now bought a share in the world of video games. VU Games has recently announced that it has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with the band to publish a vehicle combat action game. The new title - a high action, third person vehicle combat game packed with fully customised vehicles and weaponry and desperate, murderous opponents - will include voice-overs from band members, incidental background music and other exclusive content from Metallica. The band will also record an original song especially for the project.
