Releases
Poland’s brutal metal beast Behemoth will release its first live album At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy in October through Regain Records... Metallica’s Death Magnetic is set to hit the streets September 12 -with how much anger, only a saint may know. Secondly, the art could use a little with tweaking with tweezers… Abigail Williams has completed work on full-length debut, In the Shadow of a Thousand Sun (Candlelight Records) due October 28… Swedish and San Francisco blended thrashers The Law released their debut album, Distorted Anthems from the Suburbs, on August 30 through Metalcentral Records…
British thrashers SSS (Earache Records) have slated The Dividing Line as the title of the upcoming release, due September 29 in Europe; November 11 in the US… Execration released their full-length debut, Syndicate of Lethargy, on Vendlus Records August 20… Napalm Death’s new one is Time Waits for No Slave… Six Feet Under (Metal Blade) is mastering a yet untitled CD slated for a late 2008 release.… Houston’s Helstar (AFM Records) will release The King of Hell in Europe on September 26. An American street date has not been determined at this time…

DVD
Malevolent Creation (Massacre Records) will release their new live, two-disc DVD Lost Commandments on August 29…

Personnel
According to guitarist Waclaw “Vogg” Kieltyka of Poland’s Decapitated, the band is on hiatus. Kieltyka’s brother Witold “Vitek” Kieltyka died November 2, 2007, in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a tour bus collision. Vocalist Adrian Kowanek was also hurt in the accident… Chaosweaver have parted ways with founding member/guitarist Pasi “Kole” Kolehmainen due to musical and personal differences…
Guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen played his final Norwegian concert with legendary black metal band Mayhem at the Øyafestivalen in Oslo on August 6.… Winds of Plague parted ways with drummer Jeff Tenny… Tiamat guitarist Thomas Wyreson has announced he’s leaving the long-running Swedish metal group for family reasons… Belgian’s Prejudice played their last show with guitarist Davy “Tuni” Tunicki and drummer Christophe Piette at the Vlamrock festival in As, Belgium, on August 30… Vocalist Frediablo has rejoined Norway’s Grimfist. The band is currently working on material for an upcoming full-length album, tentatively titled A New Breed of Brutality…

Book
Jeanette Araya, sister of Slayer bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, is working on a “tell-all” book about family life as affected by her brother’s role as Slayer’s frontman…

Metal, Does a Body… Damage
According to Thainidian News, a new study showed that teens who listen to pop music are more likely to be struggling with their sexuality, while those who prefer rap or heavy metal could be having unprotected sex and drink-driving…

Interesting Take on Metal
German “a cappella metal” band, Van Canto (consisting of five singers, one drummer and no guitars or bassist) will release their debut album later this year. The band has videos posted on YouTube, which include a version of Metallica’s “Battery.” It’s worth checking out… Sweden’s Bloodbath put their 2008 stage clothes up for auction on Ebay. The outfits were torn, blood stained and caked with mud and surely contained that aroma of metal. [Ewwww!]…

Shows
Katalysm rips into the Ridglea on October 9, while Hate Eternal blasts Dallas December 11.

Studio
The Gaahl – fronted version of Gorgoroth entered the studio August 25 with eight new tracks composed by bassist King ov Hell for a yet untitled album…

Drink It Up
Poland’s Vader has teamed up with Hertz Polska for the production and promotion of a new energy drink called “Vader.” The band’s anniversary gig in Warsaw August 30 will be the first opportunity fans can enjoy the unique taste of the drink…

Christmas Rocks… Literally
Lemmy, Dio, Tony Iommi, Alice Cooper, Geoff Tate, Tim Ripper Owens, Chuck Billy and others laid down tracks for upcoming album, We Wish You a Metal Christmas and Headbanging New Year… The release will hit the streets on October 14 through Amoury Records and Black Ion Music…

Hatebreed - Live Dominance, Koch Records DVD
Hardcore veterans Hatebreed are set to release their first ever live DVD. The two-disc set features the full, sold out show at Harpos in Detroit. Clocking in at just over an hour, the first disc captures the total brutality that Hatebreed unleashes on stage. Shot during the Supremacy tour, three are great tracks like “Never Let It Die,” “Destroy Everything” “Doomsayer” and “Live For This.” Jamey Jasta (vocals), Sean Martin and Frank 3 Gun (guitars), Chris Beattie (bass) and Matt Byrne (drums) are flawless and deliver the goods. The second disc features other live songs from stops in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York City. There are also interviews with the band as they discuss their fans’ loyalty, the beginnings of Hatebreed and shout out to bands that have helped them over the years. It’s a must have for any long-time fan and a great insight for newer ones. Pick it up!
(Travis Tutwiler)

Austrian Death Machine - Total Brutal, Metal Blade
The title, Total Brutal, is exactly what you get on this disc from As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis. He plays all the instruments on the album and enlists the help of Chad Ackerman (Destroy the Runner) to supply a dead-on impression of Terminator/California Governor – Ahhnold. The songs revolve around one-liners from several classic movies like Terminator 2, Kindergarten Cop and Predator. The lyrics are fun, the music is fast and Lambesis’ vocals are in your face. There are plenty of breakdowns, brutal rhythms and shredding guitar solos by Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage), Jason Suecof (producer), Nick Hipa (AILD) and others. There are skits with Ahhnold as well as background vocals on several songs. With tracks like “Get To The Choppa,” “Who’s Your Daddy And What Does He Do,” “If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It” and “Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers,” this disc will definitely kick your ass.
(Travis Tutwiler)

All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers, Nuclear Blast
Awaken The Dreamers comes out of the gate with a barrage of guitar riffs courtesy of Ben Orum (rhythm) and Christ Story (lead). The thunderous rhythm section of Matt Kuykendall (drums) and Mike Tiner (bass) pummel your ears with double bass and blast beats. Hernan “Eddie” Hermida delivers screams and growls that come through your speakers with a vengeance. Standouts like “Black Gold Reign,” Never…Again,” and “Gagged, Bound, Shelved and Forgotten” are punishing, but the band slows the tempo down on the calming “Memories Of A Glass Sanctuary.” For guitar lovers, there’s the jazz guitar-like instrumental “The Ones We Left Behind” and the brilliant “From So Far Away,” reminiscent of Street Lethal-era Paul Gilbert’s shredding. All Shall Perish has delivered a solid disc for those who like a little guitar with their beat down.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Walls Of Jericho - The American Dream, Trustkill Records
The Detroit five piece has stepped it up on The American Dream, as evidenced on the opening “The New Ministry.” The tempo is a little slower than what you’ve come to expect, but the sound is heavier. Dustin Schoenhofer (drums) and Aaron Ruby (bass) are more prominent and give the tracks a deeper sound. Guitarists Mike Hasty and Chris Rawson add lots of nuances throughout the disc and feed off each other to deliver great guitar attacks. Candance Kucsulain (vocals) delivers a punch to the gut with her powerful screams, yet shows off her incredible range on haunting ballad “The Slaughter Begins.” The American Dream has everything WOJ fans could want, and more. From the Slayer-esque “II The Prey” to the pummeling “I The Hunter” and driving “III Shock of the Century,” this disc is all killer/no filler. Do yourself a favor and grab this one.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Level-C – Level-C, Locomotive Music
The debut release for this Cleveland female quartet shows that all their hard work has paid off since forming in 2002. “Ignite Us” does just that as the opening track. Christine Maynard (vocals) is reminiscent of Otep at times, but has a much cleaner voice with a lot more attitude. “Relax” showcases the low-end rhythm of Misty Everson (drums) and Janean Buch (bass), who remain solid throughout the disc. Christina Crago (guitars) delivers some great grinding rhythm and pinch harmonics on “Back To My.” Songs like “Bully” and “Suck A Fist” are hard hitting while “Chain Melody” finds Level-C switching between a slow groove and rapid-fire rhythms. If you’re a fan of Kittie or Drain STH, you’ll find yourself diggin’ this one.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Bahimiron - Southern Nihilizm, Moribund Records
Southern Nihilizm is the second release from Texas black metal outfit, Bahimiron. Grimlord (vocals) delivers the typical death growl and banshee screams but nothing memorable. JenOside (bass), Deacon Krag Daggon (guitar) and Blaash (drums) deliver super-sonic rhythms and slow doom but, between the poor sound quality and the horrendous vocals, it’s hard to really hear what’s going on. Unfortunately most of it sounds repetitive and non-substantial. If you’re looking for some new black metal to add to your collection, then check out their Myspace page. You might find something you like. (Travis Tutwiler)