Personnel
Former Morbid Angel bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker, ex-Grip Inc./Heathen bassist Jason VieBrooks and former Forbidden/ ManMadeGod drummer Steve Jacobs have united their talents under the moniker LOWA… Guitarist Alan Jordan has departed UK thrash outfit Onslaught with Andy Rosser–Davies stepping into his role… Drummer Nicholas Barker (Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Leaves’ Eyes, Atrocity, Brujeria) has laid down tracks for Venezuelan black/death metal band Noctis Imperium…
Drummer Tony Laureano has joined Eulogy as a full time member… Sweden’s Shining has confirmed the departure of bassist Phil A. Cirone for a second time… Norway’s Manes has parted ways with Candlelight Records… Guitarist Kimi Rautiainen has rejoined Finland’s Exsecratus… Melechesh has left Osmose Productions after fulfilling their three-album recording contract…

Releases
Celtic Frost is piecing together an album tentatively titled Monotheist Companion, which will feature unreleased songs from their 2006 Century Media release Monotheist… Origin has set Antithesis for their upcoming release due April 1 through Relapse Records… The new Darkthrone will be Dark Thrones and Black Flags… Watershed will be Opeth’s new one due June 3 through Roadrunner … Deicide’s upcoming Till Death Do Us Part is tentatively set for an April release … Ansur has set Warring Faction as the title for their CD due later in 2008… Headhunter’s comeback will be Parasite of Society…
Sweden’s Bloodbath will release a four-song mini-CD titled Unblessing the Purity on March 10 through Peaceville Records… As expected, Venom’s new album will have the word “Hell” somewhere in the title. This one will be simply titled Hell… Caroline Records has announced the re-release of the classic Coup D’etat album by the legendary Plasmatics as well as the Genitorturers’ debut 120 Days of Genitorture… Nevermore vocalist Warrel Dane will release his debut solo album, Praises to the War Machine, on April 28 in Europe and on May 13 in North America via Century Media …

DVD
Behemoth filmed its February 17, 2008 concert at La Locomotive in Paris, France, for an upcoming DVD….

Shows
Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir play Stubb’s Bar-B-Q in Austin on Monday, April 21 — their only Texas date… The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, slated for the weekend of April 25-27, will feature names such as Megadeth, Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Ministry, High on Fire, Nevermore and Dimmu Borgir to name drop a few…
Napalm Death plays the Ridglea on Friday, March 7, and Nile and Warbringer stop to level the same venue on Sunday, March 16. Fort Worth’s Addnerim has been added to the show…
Municipal Waste plays the Red Blood Club March 12… Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity, Divine Heresy and Firewind will be teaming up for an American Tour in May. No Dallas date has been set… Hate Eternal, Soilent Green and Skeletonwitch will be at The Door on April 11…

Slaying Grammy Mayhem
For the second time in as many years, Slayer has walked away with a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance, this time for “Final Six.” It was the band’s second win and third nomination. … On the other side of the Atlantic, Norway’s Mayhem was honored in the Best Metal category at the Spellman Awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammys) for their latest effort Ordo Ad Chao. Dimmu Borgir walked away a winner in the Best Video category for “The Serpentine Offering.”

Morbidhead
Eventually there will be a God in Hell. Motorhead bassist Lemmy Kilmesiter says since pool tables are in Hell, that’s where he’s headed… And speaking of Motorhead, Bronze Records has set a March 26 release date for a nine-album Motorhead cardboard sleeve reissue series for Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith, Iron Fist, Another Perfect Day, Orgasmatron, Rock ‘N’Roll and No Sleep at All… Each cardboard sleeve reissue features JVC K2 24-bit re-mastering…

Business
Century Media Records has announced a new marketing and distribution deal with Mediaskare Records… SPV and Wacken Records have announced a joint venture…

All That Remains/Chimaira — The Door, Dallas, 2/28/08
Chimaira hit the stage like a well-oiled machine as they tore into “The Dehumanizing Process.” The band’s sound was tight as guitarists – Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold – supplied the fretboard assault. Drummer, Andy Herrick, provided the thunderous beat, with help from Jim LaMarca (bass). Chris Spicuzza (keyboards) supplied the samples and filler, while Mark Hunter (vocals) spit out lyrics with venomous assertion. The mosh pit was out of control, as the band served up the beat down on “Power Trip,” “Worthless” and “Pure Hatred.” No one was standing still.
Building on the mayhem established by Chimaira, All That Remains took to the stage and kept the energy level high. Guitarists – Mike Martin and Oli Herbert – shined on guitar-laden “Not Alone” and scorching track, “This Calling.” Singer, Phil Labonte, introduced “Follow” as the song he wrote while still in Shadows Fall, and on “This Darkened Heart,” advised the crowd — “I want to see you guys moshing out there!” The crowd was only too happy to oblige as the pit nearly engulfed the whole floor. (Travis Tutwiler)

Trail of Tears — sending the crowd into a frenzy Photo: Travis Tutwiler

Trail Of Tears – Ridglea Theater, 2/9/08
Norway’s Trail Of Tears pulled into the Ridglea near the end of their first-ever North America tour. The small, but very enthusiastic crowd, gave their all, as the band delivered songs from latest CD, Existentia, as well as well as previous releases. Male Vocalist, Ronny Thorsen, showed range on “My Comfort,” providing a lower scream and then showing off his ability to hit the high notes. Joining Thorsen on vocals was Cathrine Thorsen who used her angelic voice to create beauty inside the brutality on “Deceptive Mirrors.” Bjorn Naess and Pal Olsen’s guitar duties incorporated driving rhythms and running leads, while Endre Mae (bass) and Cato Jensen (drums) solidified the groove. The highlight of the evening was the killer encore – a cover of W.A.S.P.’s “Blind In Texas” – sending the crowd into a frenzy. Who could ask for more? (Travis Tutwiler)

In This Moment — Ridglea Theater, 2/5/08
After recent tours supporting Ozzy and Rob Zombie, In This Moment made their way back to the Metroplex headlining in support of their debut, Beautiful Tragedy. Singer Maria Brink delivered sensational vocals on tracks like “He Said Eternity” and “Beautiful Tragedy,” which made use of her beautiful, soaring vocals as well as her vicious screams.
Guitarists Chris Howorth and Blake Bunzel sizzled on driving tracks like “Next Life” and “Daddy’s Falling Angel,” as Howorth showed off some nice fretwork on the solos. Jeff Fabb kept up the intensity behind the drum kit providing a nice array rhythm and power. Bassist, Jesse Landry, provided steady beats and worked the crowd with his high-energy presence. In This Moment not only put on an electrifying show, but they also braved the freezing weather after the show to meet fans, take photos and give thanks for the undying support. (Travis Tutwiler)

Ill Nino/Droid – Ridglea Theater, 2/16/08
Like a charging bull, Droid took the stage and annihilated the crowd with a brutal set from their debut release, Droid. Tearing through tracks like “Fueled By Hate,” “Behind Dead Eyes” and the smoking “Built To Last,” the band was in perfect symmetry. James Eason (vocals) got in the crowd’s face, while James Teissere and Bruce Childers (guitarists) worked the fretboard to provide blistering rhythmic barrage. Duke (bass) and Nick McWells (drums) round out the powerful lineup while serving up the sonic foundation. Before closing their set, Eason advised the crowd: “We love Texas, straight up!”
Ill Nino wasted no time getting the packed house worked back up into the frenzy created by Droid. Highlighted by Latin beats, sonic blasts and crushing guitar, Cristian Machado (vocals) provided an array of screams and stellar clean vocals. Other members are Diego Verduzco and Ahrue Luster (guitarists), Laz Pina (bass), Daniel Cuoto (percussion) and homegrown drummer, Dave Chavarri. Serving up a nice mix from their catalog, Ill Nino exploded on “This Is War,” “How Can I Live,” “What U Deserve,” and new song “Alibi Of Tyrants,” from their upcoming release, Enigma. (Travis Tutwiler)

Neuropathy — local metal beast Photo: Dustin Cromer

Neuropathy – Demo
The 2008 demo from local band, Neuropathy, hits you with the great sound of bay area thrash bands that really brought metal onto the map. You get the twin axe attack of guitarists Bryan and Jeremy, who deliver speed metal licks at will but can slow it down to give a nice grind. Bryan also shows he can solo with the best of them. The rhythm section of Mike (bass) and Davin (drums) hold the sound together and control the tempo. Cody adds a twist to the old school by adding death metal vocals to give a little boost to traditional thrash. “Madness” is a break-neck song that incorporates a mid tempo groove before breaking into the solo. “Genocide” and “Feasting” slow it down only slightly, while “Suffer” starts off with a slower grind — then picks up the pace. Make it a point to catch these local metal beasts.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Immortal Dominion – Awakening, Distributed by First Music
Combining thrash and death metal, Immortal Dominion has delivered a smoldering assault with Awakening. Ray Smith provides a multitude of vocal styles including clean, screaming, growling and occasional screeching. Smith also provides blistering guitar riffs along with fellow guitarist Brian Villars, delivering old school thrash style riffs but with a modern ferocity. It’s evident on tracks like “Punishment” and “World.” Drummer, Ben Huntwork, supplies plenty of double bass, but takes his foot off the pedal when the song calls for it, as on “Sold My Soul.” Gabe Romero (bass) rounds out the Colorado quartet and gets to stand out on the intro of “Will To Survive.” Awakening is a strong, brutal disc that will have a hard time finding its way out of your CD player.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Salt The Wound – Carnal Repercussions, Rotten Records
With the release of Carnal Repercussions, Cleveland’s Salt The Wound should be convicted of assault. They waste no time pummeling you with rapid-fire double bass, dizzying guitar runs and vocals that resemble Black Dahlia Murder, early Lamb Of God and Job For A Cowboy. Recording vocalist, Kevin Schaefer’s screams, growls and pig squeal vocals add to inflection in the songs. Note: Matthew Tanner has since replaced Schaefer, per the band’s MySpace page.
Vince Stropki and Jake Scott (guitarists) hardly slow down, as they provide fretboard acrobatics on “We’ll Sleep Until Sunset.” Rob Walters (drums) and Brian Martinez (bass) provide the hyper-tempoed rhythm that lays the foundation to this supersonic onslaught. Highlights include “Gloves,” “Peas And Carrots” and “Conformist.” You’ll need a neck brace after trying to keep up with this high-speed metal offering.
(Travis Tutwiler)