>Philadelphia’s self-proclaimed criminal thrash band RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have restructured their lineup following the departure of vocalist Eli Shaika and announced their first show back.
The vocalist slot will be shared by current RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER guitarist Matt Moore and bassist Shawn Riley. Rounding out the quartet are guitarist Ryan Moll (also of DIVINE RAPTURE and AZURE EMOTE) and drummer Pat Battaglia.
The bands first show back in action will be March 10 in Fleetwood, PA at Alexander’s German Deli with more shows expected to be announced soon. RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER are currently writing material for the follow-up to their 2005 debut album, "Buried In The Front Yard".
>COLDWORKER, featuring NASUM drummer Anders Jakobson, will see the long-awaited North American release of their debut album "The Contaminated Void" today Tuesday, January 23. "The Contaminated Void" saw a worldwide (outside North America) release on November 6. An e-card previewing the release can be viewed here and the record is available digitally in North America via ITunes. Additionally, on the heels of their recent Scandinavian tour supporting ARCH ENEMY, COLDWORKER have been invited to play the Finnish Metal Expo along with DRAGONFORCE, AMON AMARTH and more on February 17 in Helsinki. A listing of COLDWORKER live performances can be found here with more dates to be announced soon.
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ZOMBI has announced a North American spring tour with TRANS AM in support of their latest release, "Surface To Air". The sci-fi instrumental rock duo will team-up with TRANS AM starting April 10 in Washington, DC for nearly a month’s worth of dates across the country. A listing of confirmed tour dates, including a one-off ZOMBI / TRANS AM date in Pittsburgh in late February, can be found here with more to be announced soon. ZOMBI drummer A.E. Paterra comments on the tour, "I am very excited at the opportunity to tour with TRANS AM – I never thought I would share the stage with a band that has influenced me so heavily as a musician. One show would be enough, but doing 20+ should be a really amazing time." ZOMBI bass / synth player Steve Moore adds: “I'm stoked to be on tour with TRANS AM as well as PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT, who are absolutely incredible – one of my favorite bands right now for sure.” PSYCHC PARAMOUNT will open select dates on the tour.
Additionally, ZOMBI has recently seen the release of their first horror score when "Murder Set Pieces" saw its DVD release via Lions Gate Films on January 9th. "Murder Set Pieces", written and directed by Nick Palumbo in 2004, is a gruesome story about a serial killer, known only as “The Photographer” (Sven Garrett), who spends his nights cruising the Vegas Strip in search of beautiful young girls to sate his maniacal appetite for sex and murder. “I'm very happy for Nick,” says ZOMBI’s Moore, “He worked hard on this movie, and had a long struggle over the rights to release the film. It is a very challenging film, and hopefully he didn't have to compromise his vision to receive an "R" rating – though admittedly the original unrated cut was really extreme!”
Between touring and scoring movies, ZOMBI has begun writing for their follow-up album to Surface To Air. The band hopes to enter the studio later this year for a 2008 release.
>Florida-based blackened death metal band INFERNAEON has inked a deal with Los Angeles-based Prosthetic Records. Boasting former members of Monstrosity, INFERNAEON's debut record, "A Symphony of Suffering", will see a March release and features guest vocal appearances from Ben Falgoust (SOILENT GREEN, GOATWHORE) and Keith DeVito (OBITUARY, SUFFOCATION, CATASTROPHIC). Mastering duties were handled by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, ex-MORBID ANGEL). Tracks were initially laid down for "A Symphony of Suffering" in late 2006 at Home Land Studios in Highland Beach, Fla. with producer Zach Brown.
Having already shared the stage with MALEVOLENT CREATION, DEEDS OF FLESH and VILE among others, INFERNAEON has already been making a name for themselves in Florida and throughout the States with a brash, memorable stage show mixing theatrical murder and make up effects provided by Universal Studios. Three tracks from INFERNAEON's forthcoming record are available on the band's MySpace page, including "Oracle of Armageddon," the first song in an album-ending trilogy focusing on an oracle who amasses prophetic powers from the dying.
