CANDLEMASS, DEMON Confirmed For SWEDEN ROCK CRUISE

CANDLEMASS and DEMON have been confirmed for the next Sweden Rock Cruise. Also scheduled to appear are EVERGREY and DISMEMBER.

This will be the first metal cruise aboard the new ship M/S Silja Galaxy, which holds 2,800 passengers (800 more than the M/S Silja Festival which was used for previous cruises). The Galaxy, which was built in 2006, is 212 meters long and its 12 floors hold eight bars, five restaurants, a casino, swimming pools and a gaming room, among other things.

The ship departs from Stockholm, Sweden on October 9 at 19.15 (7:15 p.m.) and makes stops at Mariehamn and Turku in Finland before arriving back in Stockholm 24 hours later.

Tickets are already on sale and prices range from 495 SEK to 1490 SEK (approximately $82 to $248, or 52 euro to 156 euro) depending on the type of cabin and how many people are sharing it. Tickets can be ordered from Tallink Silja at +46 8 666 3333 or, if you know Swedish, online at this location.

All five previous Sweden Rock cruises have been sold out.

More bands will be announced shortly.

For more information (also in Swedish), visit www.swedenrockmagazine.com.

If you have any questions about the cruise, you can send an e-mail (in English or Swedish) to magazine@swedenrock.com.

WITCHCRAFT To Support MOTÖRHEAD In Scandinavia

Swedish doom rockers WITCHCRAFT will support MOTÖRHEAD on their Scandinavian tour in December. The dates are as follows:

Dec. 09 - Köpenhamn, DEN @ Vega
Dec. 10 - Göteborg, SWE @ Scandinavium
Dec. 12 - Karlstad SWE @ Löfbergs lila arena
Dec. 13 - Stockholm SWE @ Hovet
Dec. 14 - Oslo, NOR @ Spektrum
Dec. 16 - Helsinki, FIN @ Jaahalli

WITCHCRAFT, who formed in 2000 in tribute to band heroes Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling (PENTAGRAM), create heavy, blues-based rock augmented with touches of psychedelica and late '60s pop flourishes. The quartet's first-class songs reference the darker side of hard rock while remaining surprisingly accessible. Flying largely under the radar of the popular music landscape previously, WITCHCRAFT is a hallowed name in underground circles and has found itself championed by a diverse cross-section of distinguished music adherents including American actor Elijah Wood, who publicly called the band "amazing," and DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo, who has proudly proclaimed WITCHCRAFT as his "new favorite band."

Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free at Stockholm's UpandRunning studios with producer Tom Hakava and using only vintage amplification, WITCHCRAFT's latest album, "The Alchemist", showcases a group of musicians at ease with their playing and songwriting. Addictive melodies flow simultaneously with catchy, heavy riffs, while maintaining a relaxed and laid back feel throughout. Among its many highlights, the album features the standout songs "Walk Between the Lines" and "Hey Doctor" as well as the record's plat du jour, the three-part progressive rock odyssey of the title track "The Alchemist".

WITCHCRAFT performing live at Roadburn festival in Holland (April 2008):

Album Of The Day-Asva-"Futurists Against the Ocean" (2005)

The Album Of The Day is "Futurists Against the Ocean" by Asva.

Review:

For those who are paying attention to the doom metal scene, Futurist's Against the Ocean sells itself without one note being heard. Just look at who is involved and their pedigree: G. Stuart Dahlquist from Sunn 0))) on bass, B.R.A.D. from Burning Witch on drums and vocals, and Trey Spruance from Mr. Bungle on guitar, piano, and tubular bells. Rounding out the lineup is John Schuller from Master Musicians of Bukkake on guitar, Jessika Kenney from Gamelan Pacifica on vocals, and Troy Swanson on organ. If that was not enough to get the salivary glands pumping, Billy Anderson is behind the producer's desk like he was for High on Fire, Sleep, and Melvins. For those familiar with the names, Asva's sound should come as no surprise. But where other avant-metal supergroups (Fantômas, for example, or Tomahawk) don't deliver on their promise, Asva takes a glorious heavy racket, removed from the regular tropes of the doom scene enough to make both this group and this album something really special. The opening track, "Kill the Dog, Tie Them Up, Then Take the Money," is the most conventional track, moving at a glacial pace, with guitars inching from one note to the next, almost as if the metallic drone of the amps were playing through the guitars, and not the other way around. But by track three, "Fortune," the ambience has taken over, and the metal melts away. Droning organ, loping bass, and spiders-on-the-fretboard guitar scrapings set the scene for Kenney's vocals. More operatic (think Diamanda Galás) than tortured (like Khanate's Alan Dubin), Kenney's pure tones are easier on the ear than the scene-standard barked whisper/growling. This leads right into the epic closer, "By the Well of Living and Seeing," which melds the ambience of "Fortune" and the droning assault of "Kill the Dog" to Kenney's multi-tracked chanting vocals and a guitar straight out of an Ennio Morricone score. It is a perfect summation of the album, and Asva's sound in general: operatic ambient western doom metal, to pin words on it. Recommended heartily for those interested in the avant-metal scene. (James Mason, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Kill the Dog, Tie Them Up, Then Take the Money
02. Beyonsense
03. Fortune
04. By the Well of Living and Seeing

Listen

MySpace

Buy

Album Of The Day-Parchman Farm-"Self-Titled (EP)" (2004)

The Album Of The Day is 2004's Self-Titled EP by Parchman Farm. It is a shame this band broke up because I really liked their sound. Very cool every once in a while chill-out music.



Review:

"It wasn’t surprising to see that Parchman Farm’s self titled debut was recorded in San Francisco. It’s pure, unfiltered late ‘60s rock, direct from Haight Ashbury, but without the irritating hippy trappings. What gives the five songs on this excellent disc distinction are the warm bass tones and the sweet, Crosby Stills and Nash-like harmonies. The groove is everywhere. All of the songs are great. To some it may sound dated, but I prefer to think Parchman Farm have tapped into a timeless sound. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Grand Funk Railroad." (Arzgarth, StonerRock.com)

Track Listing:

01. Mirror Spirit
02. Too Many People
03. Chosen Child
04. Say Yeah
05. Cook You Up

Listen

MySpace

Buy

Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Looking To Join Band

This dude named Matt e-mailed me the other day asking me to help him out in finding a new band that might need his services. He writes, sings and plays guitar and is currently moving from the U.K. to Sydney, Australia. For more info, check out his current band's MySpace page.

You can contact him at this address: mattandgabi@bigpond.com

HEAVEN AND HELL: Toronto Footage Available

Fan-filmed video footage of HEAVEN AND HELL's August 13, 2008 performance at Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto, Ontario (where the band was playing as part of the "Metal Masters Tour" alongside TESTAMENT, MOTÖRHEAD and JUDAS PRIEST) can be viewed below.

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"Sign of the Southern Cross" (clip uploaded by YouTube user "smax426"):



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"Die Young" (clip filmed and uploaded by Metal Matt of Metallicity Radio Hour):



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"Heaven and Hell" (clip filmed and uploaded by Metal Matt of Metallicity Radio Hour):

Stoner Hands of Doom Goes to Germany

Stoner Hands of Doom is one of the premier annual gatherings for underground heavy/stoner/doom music in North America. SHoD has been held annually since 1999 in various small venues throughout the USA. Many acts are unsigned/unreleased and many travel thousands of miles to gather in the name of rock. The concept was dreamed up by promoters Rob and Cheryl Levey, who have planned, booked and organized it since its inception. Under their guidance, the festival affectionately known as SHoD has grown over eight years from a one-day event to a weekend-long gathering, featuring over three dozen bands. Now the guys from Caligula666 have brought the festival over to Germany and we are really happy to announce the Stoner Hands of Doom Germany which will take part on the 19th and 20th of September 2008 at the Stadtgarten in Erfurt, Germany.


Stoner Hands of Doom Germany Schedule


Friday, September 19
18:00 - 18:45 Suffering Souls
19:00 - 19:45 Mills of God
20:00 - 20:45 Obiat
21:00 - 22:00 Gorilla Monsoon
22:20 - 23:20 Greenhaven
23:40 - 00:40 Freeks
01:00 - 03:30 Aftershow DJs




Saturday, September 20
16:30 - 17:15 Tortured Spirit
17:15 - 18:00 Holy Hydra
18:00 - 18:45 Kodiak
18:45 - 19:30 Voltron
19:30 - 20:15 Petrified
20:15 - 21:00 Versus the Stillborn Minded
21:00 - 21:50 Beehoover
21:50 - 22:50 Black Shape of Nexus
23:15 - 00:30 End of Levelboss
01:00 - 04:00 Aftershow DJs

www.myspace.com/shodgermany

Rhino Updates

Spanish heavy rockers Rhinohave finalized the track listing for their second album, Dead Throne Monarch, due after the summer via Arctic Music Group. The CD was recorded at WorkShop studios in Bilbao and The Room studios in Barcelona. The mix and mastering was handled by Gorka Dresbaj at The Room. The artwork was created by ilustrator Rafael Garrés who has previously worked with DC Comics.

Dead Throne Monarch track listing:


01. Dead Throne Monarch
02. Reins Of The Warlord
03. Earth Reclaims The Usurper
04. Bahamüt
05. Pale Horses Coming
06. Funebre
07. Wolf Among Black Sheeps
08. Promise Of Storm
09. Wendigo
10. Horned Crown


Check out audio samples on the band`s MySpace page.


For more information, visit www.hornoftherhino.com.

Mammoth Volume Offers You a Second Chance

From Mammoth Volume:

The 2008 digital release Loved by Few, Hated by Dolphins Vol 1 is back online.


After numerous of "I fuckin` missed downloading the shit" emails, we`ve added the tracks again.

Feel free to download at www.mammothvolume.com.


Enjoy!
Mammoth Volume

Weedeater and Labor Day Equals Doom

Special Labor Day Event: Labor of Doom 2008

On Sunday, August 31, 2008, the Relax Bar in Los Angeles, CA presents Labor of Doom.


Relax Bar ( 5511 Hollywood Blvd)
Weedeater 12:10 To 1:00 AM
It`s Casual 11:20pm to 11:50 pm
Ancestors 10:30pm to 11:00 pm
Chingalera 9:40pm to 10:10 pm
Snakes Alive 8:50pm to 9:20 pm
Siesmic Void 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm


Doors 7:30 pm, show is 21+, $10 admission


The next day is a holiday, so stay out late!

Winterun Gets Terrorized

Following up from their KKKK review in Kerrang!, Melbourne`s heavy groove dealers Winterun will be featured on the cover mounted Fear Candy Unsigned CD on September`s issue of UK metal mag Terrorizer. The CD and supporting editorial features unsigned bands from around the world and has resulted in a number of bands getting signed or offered tours.

For the first time there will be a competition, where readers text their favorite track and the winner gets to play at Damnation Festival in Leeds with Napalm Death, Carcass, and others. To vote for Winterun SMS ‘unsigned 15’ to 87474 (UK only). Also look out for the review of Into The Underground in October`s issue of Terrorizer.


Next Winterun Gig: Sat, Aug 30 - Heavy Duty Totefest at The Tote with Dreadnaught, Frankenbok, Down River, Dive Into Ruin, and Los Alamos.


For more info see www.winterun.com.

The End of Duster 69

From Duster 69

After nine years, four full-length CDs, four professional video-clips, four splits and vinyl singles, and a lot of compilation contributions (Rock Hard Magazine Germany, People Like You stoner compilation, to mention a few) , the guys decided to end the chapter of Duster 69. We are still proud about the last years and we want to thank all the fans and supporters from 1999 - 2008.


We say thank you and you can order our farewell compilation, Nothing Left (unreleased and rare stuff from 1999 - 2008, fat full-colored artwork, liner notes, guests appearances from Calamus, Disengage, Sparzanza, Mother Misery, Stonewall Noise Orchestra) for only six Euros right now.


We four still rehearse and jam in our studio, so far only to have fun, and maybe you will hear new music under a new name in the future.


And check out the video clip “Dustcrusher” (from 2001) on www.myspace.com/duster69


Nothing Left (rare and unreleased stuff 1999 - 2007)
1) Going into Red (2007, John from Mother Misery did the whole vocals on that version)
2) Virginity of Love (2002, unreleased)
3) Red-Eyed Devil (1999, unreleased, guest vocals and guitar by Ralf and Jens from Calamus, recorded during the Interstellar Burst session)
4) Intro/Dustcrusher (2003, live, unreleased)
5) Tornado 2007 (2007, unreleased, vocals by Jason from Disengage and Fred from Sparzanza)
6) Nighttrain (2006, unreleased, different vocals as on the Angel King version)
7) Pride(2004, unreleased, Remixed for a Radio-single, recorded during the Ride the Silver Horses session)
8) Burn Out(2002, unreleased)
9) My Sister`s Demon (2002, unreleased)
10) In that Way (2002, unreleased)
11) Bush (2002, unreleased)
12) Bring me Down (2002, live, unreleased, old version)
13) Highway (1999, recorded under the name of Blacktop again with Jens and Ralf from Calamus during the Interstellar Burst session)
14) First Song (2004, unreleased, from the Ride the Silver Horses session)
15) Narcotic Shades (2001, unreleased, from the II session)
16) Dance (2001, unreleased)
17) Lost (2007, unreleased)


Thank you for support and love!
Jochen + Lucki + Schmiedl + Peter + Fio


www.duster69.com
www.myspace.com/duster69
www.daredevilrecords.de

Landmine Marathon Posts New Song, Announces New Album Details

Phoenix, Arizona`s Landmine Marathon has posted "Bile Towers," the lead off track from their forthcoming sophomore album, Rusted Eyes Awake, out October 28 on Level Plane Records.

"Bile Towers" possesses all the elements that make Landmine Marathon one of the most powerful up-and-coming forces in today`s world of heavy music:


Demonic vocals courtesy of renowned frontwoman Grace Perry; anthemic riffage that rekindles the spirit of the classic titans of death metal, from Bolt Thrower to Entombed; a seething crust punk approach that has earned the band shows with the likes of Tragedy and Despise You; a sun-scorched, bong-ripped vibe that could only originate from the parched wastes of the Arizona desert.


Hear "Bile Towers" here.


The full tracklisting for Rusted Eyes Awake is as follows:


1) Bile Towers
2) Certain Death
3) Bled To Oblivion
4) Xenocide
5) Heroin Swine
6) Skin From Skull
7) Red Days
8) Rusted Eyes Awake


Rusted Eyes Awake was engineered and mixed by Landmine Marathon guitarist Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recordings Studios (Dekapitator, Phobia, Misery Index). Mastered by Dave Shirk at Sonorous Mastering. Cover art by tattoo artist Ron Koupal.


The album contains guest vocal appearances by Jonny Davy (of fellow Phoenix headbangers Job For A Cowboy) and Antony Hamalainen (Nightrage).


Look for Landmine Marathon on tour soon!

Snail Returns, Announces New Album

Snail, the original stoner/sludge band featuring ex-Blessing the Hogs guitarist Mark Johnson, bassist Matt Lynch, guitarist Eric Clausen and drummer Marty Dodson have reunited and are completing overdubs for their new album. The basic album tracks were recorded at Mysterious Mammal Studios in Southern California over a long weekend in late May, with the remaining overdubs being recorded in Seattle. The band expects to have the album completed and mixed within a month.

Snail, formed in 1992 and consisting of singer Mark Johnson (The Crucified, Blessing the Hogs), bassist Matt Lynch (Plugusher) and drummer Marty Dodson, is considered one of the "founding fathers" of stoner rock. After recording and shopping their first demo they were offered a four-album deal by Big Deal Records in 1993. That year they recorded their self-titled album with help from producer Jonathan Burnside (Melvins, Nirvana, Steelpole Bathtub). The album was well received by critics and garnered much praise from magazines such as Magnet, Alternative Press and BAM. Snail`s second release was a five-song EP called All Channels Are Open. The EP was recorded on a lowly four-track in the hopes of capturing Snail`s dynamic lo-fi presence. Subsequent to the release of the EP, Snail sadly succumbed to the "sex, drugs, and rock `n roll" lifestyle and eroded to the point of breaking up. The worst part was that they had a complete second album recorded on four-track and was ready to bring it into the studio.


Snail`s upcoming album consists of most of the "lost" second album as well as a few new tunes. The band has taken a decidedly heavier and darker turn with the new album; incorporating more elements of doom and metal to compliment their fuzz-drenched psychedelic compositions.


www.myspace.com/Snailexhumed

New Baby Woodrose Material Available

Baby Woodrose – Coming Around Again/I Feel High 7”

The new Baby Woodrose 7” contains two exclusive songs only available on this fine piece of plastic. Both songs were recorded with the intention of being included on their recent album, Chasing Rainbows, but it never happened. Not because of the quality of the songs, they just did not seem to fit in. Main man Lorenzo Woodrose has this comment on “Coming Around Again”:


"`Coming Around Again` could have been a hit for anybody, except we ended up playing it a bit too fast and adding lots of over the top twangy surf guitar and beeping Farfisa organ that kind of detracts from its easy listening qualities. The end result is somewhat bubblegum sounding. Some uplifting lyrics about coming back up after having been down for some time. This one turned out much better than I thought it would during mixing. This was actually considered for [the] Chasing Rainbows album quite a lot


“So even though `Coming Around Again` is released 9 months after Chasing Rainbows it is not an indication of how the next album is gonna sound like...it’s just a damn great song.”


The B-side, "I Feel High," was originally meant to be a kick ass rock’n’roll tune but in the process of the mixing it turned out quite differently. Lorenzo Woodrose explains:


"`I Feel High` is really different. If it wasn`t for the lyrical theme (sex, drugs, rock`n`roll) it would have fit well on the Chasing Rainbows album, where I deliberately wanted to go a bit deeper with my subject matter. Acoustic guitar, bass, tambourine and a hauntingly hypnotic Farfisa organ. We actually recorded this as a band, but felt it worked better sounding a bit folky and psychedelic. The intro was later pasted on, consisting of backwards drums and distant fuzz guitar".


First pressing will be a 1000 copies on black vinyl featuring exclusive artwork by Kiryk.