Warren ( left, Rockstar owner), all five TMA members and three KNON DJs from Hardtime Radio. Birthday Boy, Bruce Corbitt in center. Exodus’ Gary Holt - creating a swirling mass of flesh and flailing body parts Photo: Travis Tutwiler

Hellhammer
Century Media Records will release Demon Entrails on Feb. 19, bringing the days of numerous sub-standard bootlegs of classic Hellhammer demos (Death Fiend, Triumph of Death and Satanic Rites) to an end... Demon Entrails has been specially re-mastered from copies of the original master tapes under the supervision of Tom Gabriel Fischer (Celtic Frost). The release now represents Hellhammer exactly as the band sounded when the songs were recorded in June and Dec. 1983. The disc will be available as an oversized double CD with media-book packaging and a gatefold triple vinyl album. Both versions will feature a lavish booklet and a poster. There will also be a third, bare-bones lower-price CD version.

Puncture
Dallas Fort Worth based industrial metal act Puncture, featuring Rick Perry (Gammacide, Texas Metal Alliance), has scheduled a one-off show on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Ft. Worth’s Aardvark. Perry said he has been asked numerous times over the years about a Puncture show and feels the time is now right.

Releases
Belphegor’s new release, Bondage Goat Zombie through Nuclear Blast Records, hits North American streets on April 15 and Europe on April 11… New York City thrashers Sun Descends have signed deals with Khaosmaster Productions (Puerto Rico) and Twilight Distribution (Germany) for the U.S. and European release of The Entropy Formula… Norwegian thrash band Inquested has signed a deal with Spanish label Mondongo Canibale Records. Their debut album is entitled The Red Chambers... Russian black metal band Storming Darkness will release its debut, full-length Sin-thesis through U.S. label Knightmare Recordings…Dark Suns will release their fourth album, Grave Human Genuine, on Feb. 25 through Prophecy Productions… Germany’s Atrocity’s long awaited release, Werk 80 II,is is slated for Feb. 29. It will consist of their own interpretations of hits songs from ‘80s artists such as Depeche Mode, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Simple Minds to name a few… Headhunter, which features Schmier (Destruction), Jörg Michael (Stratovarius) and Schmuddel (ex-Talon), is currently mixing their comeback album, Parasite of Society, to be released April 2008 via Candlelight Records in America, AFM Records in Europe and King Records in Japan.

Tours
Legendary UK thrash act Sabbat - featuring production master Andy Sneap (guitar), Martin Walkyier (vocals), Simon Negus (drums), Simon Jones (guitar) and former Prodigy guitarist Gizz Butt (bass) - play the US in April for the first time. They’ll be at BB Kings in New York followed by three other dates elsewhere…The Doomsayers 2008 Tour with Darkest Hour, Cephalic Carnage, Emmure and White Chapel plays Dallas Feb. 9… Epic Death Metal band Nile slays the Ridglea Theater on Sunday, March 16… Black Tide, the old school, young thrashers from Miami, stop here Feb. 28.

Quotable “This Is Our Most Emotional Album to Date - Erik Rutan of Hate Eternal

Extreme Chops
While on tour, Nile guitarist Karl Sanders will be offering guitar lessons that will include, but not necessarily limited to, extreme metal guitar techniques, melodic guitar application with a death metal context, warm-up routines and chops-building exercises. The sessions (on a first-come/first served basis) are intended for intermediate-to-advance students and will be conducted at the show venues in cities along the routed tour dates. The price is $100 per hour with a maximum of four students per day to insure each student gets personal attention and a quality learning experience.

Personnel
Disgorge bassist Ben Marlin passed away on Jan. 2, 2008, after battling cancer for nearly a year and half… Megadeth has tapped Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) as the replacement for lead guitarist Glen Drover… Cypher has parted ways with drummer Frank due to “musical differences.” Koen Herfst (ex-EPICA, After Forever) has agreed to help Cypher out until they find a permanent replacement… Toronto-based instrumental thrash band Mastery has announced the departure of guitarist Jeff Dormar and drummer Kevin Joy due to personal and musical differences. The band is currently working on new material for an upcoming release that will have a vocalist - the announcement for said vocalist is expected soon… Germany’s B.G.T. has called it a day, and fellow countrymen Majesty has parted ways with drummer Michael Gräter, replacing him with Jan Raddatz.

Other
Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Red Harvest and Audrey Horne have been nominated in the “Metal” category at the 36th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards)…
Now for the American Grammy Awards: King Diamond, Slayer, Machine Head, As I Lay Dying and Shadows Fall have been given the nod for Best Metal Performance. The show is scheduled at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2007… Metallica’s self-titled album from 1991 (also known as the “black” album) is the No. 2 top-selling album of the SoundScan era. The LP shifted 258,000 units in the U.S. in 2007 to bring total sales to 15,077,000, closing the gap to the No. 1 album on the list, - Shania Twain’s Come On Over - by 372,000 units.

Obeertuary
Death Metal legends Obituary set a new beer sales record at a recent show in Holland.

Texas Metal Alliance - Rockstar Sports Bar, 12/22/07
Few bands in D/FW can pack the house for an evening of metal and debauchery like TMA. KNON conjured up Cauldron (from New Orleans), Violent Intentions and Creophagy to celebrate Bruce Corbitt’s birthday in style. And there was never a dull moment as TMA blended the old with the new during an impressive 70-minute set. Old-time favorites “Demons,” “ReAnimator” and “Walking Plague” from the bands’ collective archive (Rigor Mortis/ Gammacide).
There were guest appearances by Casey Orr of GWAR, Varmin of Gammacide - and Bruce’s face made a special appearance in the middle of his birthday cake, hehe. As for originals… ahhh yes, the slaying duo of Perry/Shelby stirred up a few pit moments during tunes like “Unleashed.” Corbitt’s vocals were the glue that carried us from the 80’s to the present day metal experience that is TMA. These rock icons personify what metal is all about. Check them out - you’re sure to be impressed. (Marissa Bruce)

Exodus - The Ridglea, 1/25/08
Many Exodus fans have a hard time accepting the band with anyone but Paul Baloff or Steve “Zetro” Souza as the singer, and although he was running a fever of 103, you’d have never noticed as new singer Rob Dukes put everything he had into classics like “Bonded By Blood” and “Strike Of The Beast.”
For those of us who are familiar with the band’s newer stuff, we were overjoyed to hear songs like “Children Of A Worthless God,” “War Is My Shepherd” and “Deathamphetamine.” At one point the pit was a swirling mass of flesh and flailing body parts, which Dukes and band leader /guitarist Gary Holt obviously got off on as they pointed out several times. Holt & Co. are on a roll, so if they come through town again, you’d do well to go see ‘em. Just be prepared to get hit. (Dale Lammers)

Black Tide - Light From Above, Interscope Records
On their debut cd, Light From Above, Miami’s Black Tide is bringing some missing elements from many of today’s bands. Combining the styles of thrash, power metal and even 80’s hair bands, this quartet pushes the limit. Plenty of blazing guitar licks with the twin attack of Alex Nunez and Gabriel Garcia, who waste no time serving up the riffs-o-plenty. Garcia, who also handles singing duties, has a strong, clear voice. Drummer Steven Spence and bassist Zakk Sandler complete the line up and provide a nice, driving beat. “Show Me The Way” kicks off with a dirty rhythm intro and nice lead guitar work. First single, “Shockwave” is a straight-ahead rocker with a raw, aggressive feel. A nice highlight is a cover of Metallica’s “Hit The Lights,” which fits in perfectly with the sound and attitude of this CD. Keep an eye out for these guys!
(Travis Tutwiler)

Annihilator - Metal, SPV Records
Thrash metal monsters, Annihilator have unleashed an utter guitar fest on their latest effort, Metal. Every song includes a guest guitarist, as well as the track - “Couple Suicide” - which includes Danko Jones (Danko Jones) and Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy) on vocals. Other appearing guests include Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Willie Adler (Lamb of God) and Corey Beaulieu (Trivium). Annihilator, featuring Jeff Waters (guitar), Dave Padden (vocals) and Mike Mangini (drums), continues to grind crank out the metal. “Clown Parade” offers up some smoking guitar solos, while “Kicked” is a pounding, fast moving track. Highlight, “Chasing The High,” is pure speed metal at its best. Metal is chock full of incredible guitar.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Catastrophic - Pathology Of Murder, Napalm Records
Borrowing on the musical styles of Slayer, with vocals reminiscent of Obituary, Catastrophic has unleashed a true bludgeoning to your senses with Pathology Of Murder. Combing the elements of thrash, hardcore and death metal, the Long Island, New York, quintet pummel you with the title track, come at you even harder on “Problem, Reaction, Solution” and then show a slower sludge on “Splendors Calling.” There are plenty of heavy riffs, speed licks, double-bass drums and in-your-face vocals. Catastrophic are not afraid to take their foot off the pedal to mix up the oncoming assault, but they don’t let up for long.
(Travis Tutwiler)

The Ocean - Precambrian, Metal Blade Records
This two-disc set covers a wide range of music and moods including modern hardcore, classical, technical metal, doom and experimental rock. The first disc (Hadean/Archaean) is the heavier of the two and resembles Mushroomhead and Slipknot at times, even hinting at Iron Maiden with the opening guitar to “Neoarchaean.” The second disc (Proterozoic) shows more of an ambient side of the band, at times portraying the music as if it were part of a movie score. Some of the vocals are more subdued and, throughout the disc, there are string arrangements, piano and clean guitar. But at any time a song can shift from a mellow state of floating to an eruption of sound and growling vocals. This double offering is best enjoyed through some headphones in a low-lit room.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Severe Torture - Sworn Vengeance, Earache Records
This band from Boxtel, Netherlands, serves up brutal death metal. Sworn Vengeance is a virtual beat down coming from your speakers. Chock full of high-speed rhythms, pounding machine gun drums and unholy vocals that seem to beckon from the gallows, while guitarists (Marvin and Thijs) deliver some great fretwork. Highlights include “Serenity Torn Asunder,” “Repeat Offender,” “Buried Hatchet” and the doom instrumental “Submerged In Grief.” A truly relentless barrage of technical brutality and crushing tracks.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Byzantine - Oblivion Beckons, Prosthetic Records
Oblivion Beckons conjures up a nice mix of thrash, technical grooves and melody, along with stand out guitar and drums. “Expansion and Collapse” opens with some great fretboard work by Tony (guitar), who shines throughout the 13-track offering. Wolfe (drummer) changes the tempo and makes his presence felt without overpowering the rest of the band. OJ (vocals) borders on old Savatage, Queensryche and a venomous scowl. “Nadir” has a nice prog feel, whereas “The Gift of Discernment” hints of a heavier version of Godsmack. Byzantine has stepped up its game and released a solid, groove-laden slab of metal.
(Travis Tutwiler)