Metal News

· On Friday the 13th, Live On Light Square will be playing host to "live Goth music event" Black Friday, an 18+ show organised by the guys from Octanic and featuring them, Black Orchid, Satoria and late addition The What 4, an experimental synth-based rock band who replace Sydney's Antonamasia, who've unfortunately had to pull out of the event.

· And again on the 13th, and for those living up north, there'll be a huge all-ages show at the Starplex Centre (Alexander Ave, Evanston Park) featuring Skintilla, Splyne, San Marcos, Shot in Paris, Oilseed, Absinthe Betrayed, Ridiculed Belief, Day of Wrath, Yellow Megaman and Plug. There'll be free giveaways on the night, as well as the chance to win an Epiphone SG Guitar. Doors open at 6 PM. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/twentytwentymetal.

· Two local metal bands, Locura and Synnove, have just released their debut albums (entitled 'Draconian Measures' and 'The Whore And The Bride' respectively)The 18+ launch will be held at the Enigma Bar on Fri 20 Jun and also feature Isaw, Death Section and Morke Sinn, while the all-ages launch will be held at the Underground on Sat 12 Jul, and also feature 12 Straight Months of Winter and Morke Sinn.

· Arsis, a technical death metal band from Virginia, have bidden farewell to their drummer, Darren Cesca. Alex Tomlinhas been announced as his replacement.

· Hailing from Mashhad, Iran and boasting their country's fastest bass player, Arsames are a thrash/death metal band who have named themselves after the grandfather of one of its ancient rulers, King Darius The Great, and written a song in praise of one of their namesake's contemporaries, Cyrus The Great. They've got four tracks posted up on Myspace; to have a listen, go to www.myspace.com/arsamesmetal.

James Brazel (jbr09171@bigpond.net.au)