THE CONTORTIONIST Announce The Departure Of Their Frontman - Statement Available!

THE CONTORTIONIST have announced the departure of their frontman Jonathan Carpenter today with his interim replacement in one fell swoop. Jonathan and his long-time girlfriend will be expecting their first child and Carpenter has made the decision to focus on his personal life. Mike Lessard of LAST CHANCE TO REASON will be taking on vocal duties while the band finds a permanent replacement.

Statements from each of the parties can be found below:

"It's going to be a jarring change of pace for my life, not being on the road most of the year. Making songs with the band and then performing them in front of the best fans has been a once in a lifetime experience. I wouldn't trade the perspective I've found in the past few years for anything. I got to meet so many amazing people and see a good chunk of the world. I absolutely intend to keep creating and playing music in the future, albeit in a more personal pursuit.

"I will miss seeing everyone in the TC family very much. I wish the best to all of my band buds and everyone who supports live music and all this heavy banger music we've been making. I feel very excited for my future with the love of my life and our pups, and our little one on the way.

"Music has always been one of my passions and that's what drew me to this band in the first place. The music comes first, and I know that the talent of the band will rise above this member change and they will find a new arrangement that will blow your minds." - Jonathan Carpenter   

"We are sad to see Jon go, but at the same time remain fully supportive of his decision. We look forward to the process of finding a new vocalist and writing a new record." - Robby Baca

"I'm happy to be helping my friends in The Contortionist for the next few months on tour as a temporary vocalist. I'll be returning to my duties in Last Chance to Reason once these dates are finished in May. I look forward to seeing a bunch of new and familiar faces in the months to come, and to sharing new music from LCTR in the near future!" - Mike Lessard

Related links:
The Contortionist on Facebook

FEAR FACTORY Announce Tour Cancellation Due To Reasons Beyond Their Control!

Due to reasons well beyond the band’s control, FEAR FACTORY will not be taking part in this Summer’s "Shockwave Tour", slated to commence tomorrow (July 6) in Seattle.

Commented the band in a collective statement: "We are truly disappointed not to be part of the 'Shockwave Tour'. We send our sincerest apologies to all our North American fans planning to come out this Summer, but we will be back. Please look for FEAR FACTORY headlining dates in August."

Added Shockwave organizers: "It is with great disappointment that we have to make this announcement. With the recent departure of VOIVOD from the Shockwave festival lineup, as well as low advance ticket sales, we have decided to pull the plug on the Shockwave festival.

"For purchases made with a credit card, your card will automatically be refunded. All other refunds are available at point of purchase.

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."

FEAR FACTORY recently unleashed their latest full-length, 'The Industrialist' via Candlelight Records. Commended by Revolver in a 4/5 review for offering up "the same pulsating, angry urgency of old… nicely counterbalanced by some incredibly deft melodies", called "…a well-orchestrated montage of universal agitation and despair", by Alarm, and crowned "…their most aggressive offering to date", by Exclaim, 'The Industrialist' is the second album written by vocalist Burton C. Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares since reuniting in 2009 after a seven-year split.



Video by: Zulie Alvarez (www.zuliephotographierocks.com/)

Related links:
ShockwaveFest.com

"Schockwave Festival Tour" Officially Cancelled After FEAR FACTORY Is Forced To Drop Off!

FEAR FACTORY, the last band standing from the lineup of the "Shockwave 2012" tour, has now dropped off from the tour. “We are truly disappointed not to be part of the Shockwave tour. We send our sincerest apologies to all our North American fans planning to come out this summer, but we will be back. Please look for FEAR FACTORY headline dates in August."

Added Shockwave organizers: "It is with great disappointment that we have to make this announcement. With the recent departure of VOIVOD from the Shockwave festival lineup, as well as low advance ticket sales, we have decided to pull the plug on the Shockwave festival.

"For purchases made with a credit card, your card will automatically be refunded. All other refunds are available at point of purchase.

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."

Yesterday (July 3rd), Canadian Metallers VOIVOD confirmed that they dropped off the inaugural "Shockwave 2012" tour, which was scheduled to kick off on July 6 in Seattle, Washington. Here is a statement the band posted on their Facebook page:

"Shockwave tour is no longer as advertised. VOIVOD really wanted to be touring, but the situation was out of the band's control and the tour producers could not live up to the promises."

Related links:
ShockwaveFest.com

BREAKING NEWS: "Shockwave Festival" 2012 Cancelled!

Yesterday (July 3rd), Canadian Metallers VOIVOD confirmed that they dropped off the inaugural "Shockwave 2012" tour, which was scheduled to kick off on July 6 in Seattle, Washington. Here is a statement the band posted on their Facebook page:

"Shockwave tour is no longer as advertised. VOIVOD really wanted to be touring, but the situation was out of the band's control and the tour producers could not live up to the promises."

Following VOIVOD's decision to drop off from the tour were CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX and HAVOK. Which only leaves FEAR FACTORY on board (the rest of the bands on the bill had already dropped off). According to some reliable sources FEAR FACTORY have already been looking to jump on another tour.

While the organizers of "Shockwave Festival" haven't confirmed or denied the cancellation of the tour, without the bands there is no show. Stay tuned more more information!

Related links:
ShockwaveFest.com

VOIVOD Pulls Out Of 'Shockwave 2012' Tour Due To Broken Promises - Statement Available!

Canadian Metallers VOIVOD have confirmed that they have dropped off the inaugural "Shockwave 2012" tour, which is scheduled to kick off on July 6 in Seattle, Washington. Here is a statement the band posted on their Facebook page:

"Shockwave tour is no longer as advertised. VOIVOD really wanted to be touring, but the situation was out of the band's control and the tour producers could not live up to the promises."

Other bands that have pulled out from this years festival are:

- DIRGE WITHIN
- REVOCATION
- VILDHJARTA
- FORGED IN FLAME
- LAST CHANCE FOR REASON
- THE BROWNING

Bands that are still scheduled to perform:

- FEAR FACTORY
- CATTLE DECAPITATION
- MISERY INDEX
- HAVOK
 

Related links:
Click here to purchase tickets for Shockwave Festival!

OBSCURA Live In Tokyo - Entire Performance Available For Viewing!

German progressive Metal titans OBSCURA recently wrapped up a highly successful tour of Japan. The band has just released live footage from one of the shows that was filmed in Tokyo. The entire set was filmed and is available for viewed below.

The setlist from the show was:

Septuagint

Vortex Omnivium

Incarnated

Orbital Elements

Universe Momentum

Drumsolo

Ocean Gateways

Anticosmic Overload

Centric Flow

Encore:

Flesh and the Power it holds (Death cover)

Frontman Steffen Kummerer spoke about the Japanese tour and Tokyo show

"With the recent trip to Japan the Omnivium world tour is almost finished. It was a pleasure to meet our fans from the land of the rising sun again, thank you for your never ending support! We would like to share our Tokyo concert with all of you, so feel free to see the fan filmed material below."

OBSCURA's latest release Omnivium is streaming in its entirety on their Bandcamp Page. 

Related links:
Relapse Records
Obscura on Facebook
Obscura on MySpace

Obscura Unleash Two Songs From 'Illegitimitation' Demo Collection!

German progressive Metal titans Obscura have released two tracks from their upcoming demo collection, 'Illegimitation' (link below). The collection, set to be released in March 2012, will include ten never-before-heard tracks, including the band's earliest recordings from 2003, unreleased songs from the "Cosmogenesis" sessions of 2006, and brand new cover songs with the newest line-up from 2011.

Click here to listen to a taste of 'Illegimitation'!

Obscura recently announced a four-week headlining European tour in the spring of 2012 in support of their latest album "Omnivium". Support on the tour will come from label-mates Spawn Of Obsession, French tech-death maestros Gorod, and Dutch progressive Metallers Exivious. The tour will kick-off on March 9th in Stuttgart, Germany then march through Scandinavia, Eastern and Southern Europe, and the UK before returning to Germany on April 7th. A complete listing of dates is listed below. 
  


The band is currently on the road as part of their first North American headline tour. The tour began on Nov. 4 in Wilmington, Delaware and runs through Dec. 7 with support from label-mates Abysmawl Dawn, Last Chance To Reason (select dates) and Enfold Darkness (select dates). A listing of tour dates is included below. 
  
Remaining tour-dates:

- 11/23: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
- 11/25: Denver, CO @ The Marquis Theater
- 11/27: Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee Theater
- 11/28: Dallas, TX @ The Rail Club
- 11/29: San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
- 11/30: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
- 12/2: Lake Worth, FL @ Propaganda
- 12/3: Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
- 12/4: Orlando, FL @ Firestone Live
- 12/5: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
- 12/6: Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
- 12/7: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

EUROPEAN TOUR:

*****All 2012 dates from March 3rd thru April 7th w/ SPAWN OF POSSESSION, GOROD & EXIVIOUS***


- March 9: Stuttgart, Germany - Universum
- March 10: Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle Kraftwerk
- March 11: Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
- March 12: Berlin, Germany - Magnet
- March 13: Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen
- March 14: Oslo, Norway - Betong
- March 15: Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
- March 16: Jena, Germany - Rosenkeller
- March 17: PolandvTBC
- March 18: Prague, Czech Rep. - Black Pes
- March 19: Bratislava, Slovakia - Randal
- March 20: München, Germany - Feierwerk Hansa 39
- March 21: Wien, Austria - Arena
- March 22: Ljubljana, Slovenia - Gala Hala
- March 23: Milano, Italy - Zoe Club
- March 24: Rome, Italy - Traffic Club
- March 25: Day Off vs. Switzerland - TBC
- March 26: France - TBC
- March 27: Toulouse, France - Aero
- March 28: Nantes, France - Ferrailleur
- March 29: Paris, France - Glazart
- March 30: Dunkerque, France - 4 Ecluses
- March 31: Rouen, France - 106
- April 1: Manchester, UK - Moho Live
- April 2: Dublin, Ireland - The Pint
- April 3: Bristol, UK - The Croft
- April 4: London, UK - Underworld
- April 5: Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
- April 6: Haarlem, Holland - Patronaat
- April 7vKöln, Germany - Underground



Related links:
Relapse Records
Obscura on Facebook
Obscura on MySpace

Obscura Announce Demo Collection & Kick-Off North American Tour!

The wildly-progressive German Metal quartet Obscura has announced their first ever demo collection, entitled 'Illegimitation' and set to be released independently by the band this March. The collection will include ten never-before-heard tracks, including the band's earliest recordings from 2003, unreleased songs from the "Cosmogenesis" sessions of 2006, and brand new cover songs with the newest line-up from 2011.

Sticking to their reputation of being one of the genre's most forward-thinking bands, Obscura have decided to release a special, limited-time pre-order for 'Illegimitation' through Kickstarter.com.

Obscura's Steffen Kummerer commented on the release; "This will be a independent release so we can give our fans the opportunity to participate in the project and offer special packages such as a livelong free entry to all Obscura shows, limited edition items, face to face lessons with our members, and tour used gear from the band!"

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About this project

The wildly-progressive German metal quartet OBSCURA, has announced their first ever demo collection, featuring the band's earliest recordings and brand new cover songs. The money raised for this project will pay for the cost of manufacturing this monumental release!

The album cover, tracklist, and details from Guitarist / Vocalist Steffen Kummerer are included below:

"After the immense feedback for the re-release of our debut album 'Retribution' and 10.000 sold copies of that record, fans were asking for our early recordings and the material we wrote before hooking up with Relapse Records. Our very first record, 'Illegimitation' was tracked in 2003 with our long term producer V.Santura and shows the beginning of this band back in 2002. Additionally, we will provide you with unreleased recordings done in 2006 after our first European tour with Suffocation where you'll find songs such as 'Incarnated' in it's original form. To round out this release we will head into the studio and record three songs that influenced this band since the beginning up to the present - Death - Flesh and the Power it holds, Atheist - Piece of Time and Cynic - How Could I?.

I am glad to show every fan that is interested in our roots where we come from and how things developed within the first ten years of Obscura. This is a release directly from the band and for our die-hard fans and friends. The CD edition will contain a full-color 20 page booklet with the complete history of the band, never-before-seen photos out of our own archives and recordings of the three known lineups. The LP edition will be pressed on colored vinyl in an extremely limited quantity and with a gatefold cover. Once again, the talented Orion Landau will provide us with his unique artworks to make this another special release in our history.

Additionally, this will be a independent release so we can give our fans the opportunity to participate in the project and offer special packages such as a livelong free entry to all Obscura shows, limited edition items, face to face lessons with our members, and tour-used gear from the band!”

Official Track-list:

Obscura - 'Illegimitation' Demo (2003):

1) ...and all will come to an end
2) Crucified
3) Fear
4) Immanent Desaster

Obscura - 'Cosmogenesis Preproduction' (2006):

5) Incarnated 6) Open the Gates 7) Headworm

Obscura - 'Recording Session 2011':

8) Death - Flesh and the Power it Holds
9) Atheist - Piece of Time
10) Cynic - How Could I



Additionally, Obscura recently kicked-off their first North American headline tour in support of their latest album "Omnivium". The tour began on November 4th in Wilmington, Delaware and will run through December 7 with support from label-mates Abysmawl Dawn, Last Chance To Reason (select dates) and Enfold Darkness (select dates). A listing of tour dates is included below.

11/8: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
11/9: Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s
11/10: St Paul, MN @ Station 4
11/11: Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo
11/13: Saskatoon, SK @ Louis’ Pub
11/14: Edmonton, AB @ Pawn Shop
11/15: Calgary, AB @ The Distillery
11/16: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater
11/17: Portland, OR @ Branx
11/18: Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
11/20: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
11/21: Hollywood, CA @ Key Club
11/22: Sanat Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room @ The Galaxy Theater
11/23: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
11/25: Denver, CO @ The Marquis Theater
11/27: Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee Theater
11/28: Dallas, TX @ The Rail Club
11/29: San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
11/30: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
12/2: Lake Worth, FL @ Propaganda
12/3: Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
12/4: Orlando, FL @ Firestone Live
12/5: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
12/6: Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
12/7: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

Related links:
Relapse Records
Obscura on Facebook
Obscura on MySpace