We’re as proud as a three-balled tomcat to bring you this very special NCS interview, conducted by e-mail. The victim was Sven De Caluwe, the frontman of Aborted, System Divide, and grindcore trio Bent Sea (which also includes Dirk Verbeuren and Devin Townsend). In part because of his well-known demented sense of humor, we decided to tag-team him with an interviewing duo of Andy Synn and Phro — both of whom also wrote reviews for NCS of Aborted’s ass-ripping new album, Global Flatline (here and here), which is out now on Century Media Records.

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Phro: Global Flatline. Holy fuck. This album impregnated my ears, impaled the aural baby with a clothes hanger, and roasted it over an open flame. This album was originally slated for a 2011 release . . . WHY DID IT TAKE SO FUCKING LONG???

We were too busy jerking off for the past 2 years. As you can imagine, the fine art of auto felatio can take up quite some time. In all honesty it took this long because we wanted to take our time to come up with the best album we could and not rush things out like we have on some past records.

Andy: So first off, can you give us some of the themes behind the title Global Flatline? (the less obvious ones I mean, more what it means to you personally).

As you can tell, it deals with the end of man through man. Different probable causes are taken on topics through the album, such as extremists and religion, drug abuse, social apathy and whatever else causes mankind to show its fantastic attributes to the world—and oh yes, let’s not forget feces. The album talks about feces too.

Phro:  Aborted was one of the first death metal bands I got into. (I believe Archaic Abattoir was the album.) I’ve loved all of your albums I’ve gotten so far, even Strychnine.213 which was not all that well received by many in the metal community. Did you go into the studio with that in the back of your mind? Did that prompt the massive line up changes? How do you feel about the album? What is its place in the Aborted oeuvre?

Why thank ya! As far as Strychnine goes, I would say it’s not really a terrible album but it’s not really an Aborted album perhaps. I don’t mind flirtations with more melodic elements and more modern elements as well, but this just took it a step too far, in retrospect, and also toned down the intensity too much. Aborted has always been a band that is to me about intensity and energy, combining brutality with groove, and that record just didn’t have the “rage” other albums had. If that makes sense. The line-up changes didn’t really occur because of the criticism about the album. It was due to clashes of which direction to take, personal issues and just unrealistic expectations from band members.

Andy:  What are some of your personal favourite songs on the record, with regards to their lyrics, etc?

That’s a tough one, but if I had to choose, it would have to be “The Origin of Disease”, “Global Flatline”, “Expurgation Euphoria” and “Fecal Forgery” (the latter for just being fun and catchy haha).

Phro: How much of the lyrics did your wife help you write? Also, how does she feel about songs like “Nailed Through Her Cunt”?

None, and she’s fine with a song that an old guitarist wrote about 11 years ago haha.

Andy:  Speaking of “Nailed Through Her Cunt”, what was the motivation behind re-recording the song?

We actually re-recorded two songs, “Eructations of Carnal Artistry” also got re-done for the occasion. The reason was we wanted to have some cool bonus material, and the album had its 10^th anniversary in 2011, so it seemed like the perfect way to give a tribute to that album and the people that helped to create the album– as well as being a nicer bonus to the fans of the band, instead of some random covers.

Phro:  Any ideas on what to do with bodies after they start rotting? I think I read somewhere that lime doesn’t help much, and I can’t find any acid, so…

Cut it up and sell it to the closest kebab place.

Andy:  How did you hook up with the various guest vocalists?

Well, we went through all the official stages of courtsmanship: sent them flowers, asked their parents if they were cool to go out and shit. That, and since we have all been friends for forever, just sent them an email and they were excited to get involved with this slab of bwootal death metal!

Andy:  And was there anyone you wanted to get but couldn’t?

Scarlett Johansson, but that’s beside the point.

Phro:  I just realized that Aborted has been around since 1995. If Aborted were a human, it’d be allowed to drive, join the military, and get married in the United States. It’d also be about to graduate high school and go to college. Give us some good boozing and drug tips.

Kill yourself, murder the world.

Andy:  Samples have always been a big part of setting the mood and tone for Aborted, so I’d like to know what are your favourite samples off the new record?

Ummm, I think my absolute favorite would have to be the one in “Global Flatline” that really sets the tone: “I’m going to rape your fucking soul”. Hahah it just fits perfectly and is hilarious. Other than that, the samples on “Endstille” worked out pretty creepy, and I always have to smile at the Human Centipede samples on “Fecal Forgery” haha.

Phro:  Have you ever considered some chick flick sound clips in the songs, instead of horror movie stuff? Just to mix things up a little? I think it would have worked well for “Nailed Through Her Cunt”.

It surely would have, and I would have picked What Women Want with Mel Gibson, not only for the irony that it’s with Mel Gibson, but that movie altogether is an abomination to man.

Andy:  How is the new line-up gelling? I’m aware of Ken Bedene for example from his phenomenal drumming with Abigail Williams. He’s a great catch after Dirk was unable to commit the necessary time.

Yeah, I mean Ken has been with us for over two years now, he joined right when Coronary came out. Things have been great, everyone is a great musician and has been working hard to get everything worked out with the record– so here’s to hoping!

Phro: If you were gay, what male celebrity would you stalk, kill and masturbate all over? (I’d go with Brad Pitt, personally.)

Brad Pitt is a good choice, no homo.

Andy:  What does the rest of the year hold for Aborted? I’m looking forward to your UK tour with Decapitated that’s coming up shortly.

The year looks goddamn busy so far! First off, we are going to Brazil with Exhumed in a few weeks, then UK with Decapitated and Neurotic Death Fest, then some headline release shows in Europe, followed by some festivals. After that, we are going to tour the US in April/May, then back to Europe for more festivals, then back to the US, then I am going to shoot myself in the asshole.

Phro:  What’s the best alcohol from Belgium? (Beer or otherwise.) My girlfriend wants to know what the best chocolate in Belgium is, too.

I would go with Delirium Tremens, Leffe and Duvel for beer. Wortegemsen Jenever for liquor and best chocolate is Callebout.

Andy:  People might not be as aware, but you actually do a lot of art/design work for various bands (including Aborted) – is there any work you’re particularly proud of you might want to showcase to our readers?

Umm, well I haven’t been able to do much of that lately due to the busy schedule and my dayjob, but I did  a ton of that stuff through the years. The latest thing I did was Benighted’s Asylum Cave (which turned out great), some merch for The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Kataklysm and Neuraxis.

Phro:  Fuck dubstep! (Why?)

Keep that garbage out of my metal.

Andy:  You’ve been instrumental in working with several bands besides Aborted (In-Quest, Leng Tch’e and currently System Divide).  Do you have any other projects lined up or is Aborted simply taking up too much of your time these days (not that that’s a bad thing)?

These days, it’s all Aborted and System Divide. I have a grindcore project with Dirk Verbeuren and Devin Townsend called Bent Sea, and I’m working on another grind project with our ex-bass player JB called Razorgrind.

Phro: Word association time!

Penis . . .? I have one

Tentacles . . .? Sexy

Balls . . .? Big ‘n sweaty

Anus . . .? Poopoo

Cum-covered shitstains . . .? Disturbing

Doctors . . .? Overpriced assholes

Andy:  Last question (from me at least) are there any bands out there you think our readers should check out, or any bands you’re particularly hoping to play with this year?

Yes, check out Benighted, a brutal death metal band from France. They released a killer album last year. Besides that, I really enjoy Dyscarnate and Fleshgod Apocalypse lately.

Phro: I was at a metal show in a really rural area of Japan, wearing an Aborted t-shirt. The singer for one of the bands immediately recognized it and we had a nice, brief chat. Do you think metal can cross international boundaries and bring us all together into one big incestious family? If so, what kind of lube do you all use?

Absolutely, it’s a cultural phenomenon that brings people together, much like love and Britney Spears! No lube, you go raw, doawg!

Phro:  According to Encyclopedia Metallum, you now live in Isreal. How is it? Can I crash at your place if I visit?

It’s pretty cool, pretty warm most of the time, and there is a good sense of social life and partying…If you don’t smell like shit and clean after yourself, sure!

Phro:  Once more, I just have to say that Global Flatline is fucking awesome. Any final comments you’d like to leave us with?

Thank you very much, dear sir! Please buy the album and then kill everyone before killing yourselves, thanks!
 

Another month has passed. Summer is waning. It’s still as hot as the ninth circle of Hell in most parts of our country, but here in the Pacific Northwest, the air is already beginning to feel like fall. And because fall in Seattle lasts about one week, winter is already what we’re thinking about, because winter means getting soaked with rain. In the dark.

Where were we? Oh yeah, another month is over. And here at NCS, that means it’s time for another installment of METAL IN THE FORGE, a forge being the old name for a place where a blacksmith heats metal and works it into the shape of something useful. We thought it sounded literary.

Another name for “forge” is “smithy.” As in, “the blacksmith works in a smithy.” But “smithy” doesn’t sound literary, and METAL IN THE SMITHY just sounds fucked up. METAL IN THE FORGE is a little fucked up, too, the more we think about it, but not as fucked up as METAL IN THE SMITHY.

Where were we? Oh yeah, at the end of every month, we update the list of forthcoming new albums we first posted on January 1. (All the other updates can be found via the “Forthcoming Albums” category link on the right side of our pages.) Below is a list of still more projected new releases we didn’t know about at the time of our previous updates, or updated info about some of the previously noted releases.

Once again, we’ve cobbled together news blurbs about bands whose past work we’ve liked, or who look interesting for other reasons. Perhaps needless to say, these are bands that mostly fit the profile of music we cover on this site — the kind that would like to tear your head off.

So, after the jump, in alphabetical order, you’ll find our list of cut-and-pasted items from various sources since our last update about forthcoming new releases. Look for the bands you like and, if you’re really obsessive like we are, put reminders on your calendar.

ALL THAT REMAINS: “Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS will release their fifth album,For We Are Many, on October 12 via Prosthetic Records/Razor & Tie. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include include “For We Are Many”,“Waiting”, and the album’s first single, “Hold On”. The follow-up to 2008′s Overcome“ was produced by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who previously helmed ALL THAT REMAINS‘ The Fall of Ideals (2006) and This Darkened Heart (2004) releases.”

ANGRA: “Brazillian metallers ANGRA will release its seventh studio album, Aqua (a Latin word which means “water” in English), in Europe on September 29 and in the U.S. on October 12 via SPV/Steamhammer. A conceptual effort, the follow-up to 2006′s Aurora Consurgens was recorded at Norcal Studios in São Paulo, Brazil.”

AUTOPSY: “U.S. gore legends AUTOPSY will issue the The Tomb Within EP on September 13 through Peaceville Records on CD and 12-inch vinyl, with general release set for September 27. Cover art is supplied by renowned fantasy/horror artist Matt Cavotta.”

BRING ME THE HORIZON: Bring Me the Horizon‘s third album, There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret,will be released on the following dates: Oct. 8 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland; Oct. 4 – Rest Of Europe; Oct. 5 – USA; Oct. 6 – Japan; Oct. 8 – Australia.

DAATH: “Atlanta-based quintet DAATH will release its third, self-titled full-length album on October 26 via Century Media Records. Drummer Kevin Talley (ex-CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) began laying down his tracks in Atlanta on June 7 with renowned producer Mark Lewis (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER) and co-producer Eyal Levi (guitar) at the helm. Commented guitarist Emil Werstler: ‘The content is EXTREMELY dark, distraught, and completely honest.’”

HAIL OF BULLETS: “HAIL OF BULLETS — the Dutch death metal band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, former PESTILENCE/ASPHYX singer Martin Van Drunen and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen — has set On Divine Winds as the title of its second full-length album, due in North America on October 12 via Metal Blade Records (one day earlier internationally).”

INTRONAUT: “Century Media Records has set an October 12 North American release date for Valley Of Smoke, the sophomore album from Southern California’s INTRONAUT. The follow-up to 2008′s Prehistoricisms was once again produced by Josh Newell (JANE’S ADDICTION) and it features a guest appearance by TOOL bassist Justin Chancellor.”

KYLESA: “Kylesa will release Spiral Shadow, the eagerly anticipated follow-up to their breakthrough album Static Tensions, on October 26 via Season of Mist. Recorded at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC earlier this summer, the eleven-track album was once again produced by band member and renowned producer Phillip Cope (Baroness, Withered).”

MIRROR OF DECEPTION: “Germany’s ‘doom metal kings’ MIRROR OF DECEPTION will release their fourth album, A Smouldering Fire, in October/November via via Cyclone Empire.”

MELECHESH: “The cover artwork for The Epigenesis, the forthcoming fifth album from Sumerian thrashing black metallers MELECHESH . . . was created by the U.K.-based renowned occult artist John Coulthart, who had already collaborated with MELECHESH in the past. . . .  The Epigenesis will be released on October 1 via Nuclear Blast Records.”

NEAERA: “German extreme metallers NEAERA will release their fifth album, Forging The Eclipse, on October 22 via Metal Blade Records. The drum tracks for the album were laid down at Stage One Studio with Andy Classen, while the rest of the recording process was overseen by Alexander Dietz. The mixing/mastering was handled by Tue Madsen (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MOONSPELL). The artwork for Forging The Eclipse was created by longtime NEAERA collaborator Terje Johnsen (KEEP OF KALESSIN).”

NECRONAUT: “NECRONAUT, the solo project of former DISMEMBER/CARNAGE drummer Fred Estby, will release its self-titled album on October 18 release via Regain Records. The cover artwork for the CD (see below) was designed by Chat Zar, who was reponsible for creating the prosthetic effects for such movies as “The Ring”, “Planet of the Apes” and “Darkman”.”

PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION: “PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION, the new band featuring members of D.R.I., DEAD HORSE and VERBAL ABUSE, will release its debut EP in September via Abyss Records.”

THE RED SHORE: “Australia’s The Red Shore will release their latest album, The Avarice of Man, in Australia on September 3.”

SOLE REMEDY: “‘Wolf In Me’, the new single from the Lahti, Finland progressive-melancholic metal band SOLE REMEDY, can be streamed using the audio player [at this location]. The song comes off the group’s new album, Apoptosis, which will be released on September 27 via Aftermath Music.”

SOUNDGARDEN: “The reunited SOUNDGARDEN will release a retrospective set, Telephantasm, on September 28. The band states, ‘It includes songs from all of our albums and EPs, including ‘Black Rain’, an unreleased track from the ‘Badmotorfinger’ sessions. Plus, we are releasing our first-ever DVD which will include never-before-seen videos, and much more.’”

SYSTEM DIVIDE: “‘The Apex Doctrine’, the new video from SYSTEM DIVIDE — the extreme modern metal act featuring Sven De Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) on vocals, Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA) and Joseph Spiller (ex-THE BINARY CODE) on guitars, Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA) on bass, and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) on drums — [has been released]. . . . ‘The Apex Doctrine’ comes off SYSTEM DIVIDE‘s full-length debut, The Conscious Sedation, which is scheduled for a September 14 release via Metal Blade Records.”

TETRAFUSION: “Louisiana-based progressive metallers TETRAFUSION have inked a worldwide deal with Nightmare Records. The band’s sophomore effort, Altered State, will be released on October 26. . . .  TETRAFUSION‘s blend of complex, technical metal blended with a highly-intellectual melodic structure offers an eclectic brand of progressive rock and metal along the likes of PORCUPINE TREE, RUSH, DREAM THEATER, CYNIC, TOOL and MUSE.”

ULCERATE: “New Zealand’s Ulcerate are currently in the studio working on their third full-length album and second for Willowtip titled The Destroyers of All. . . .   Ulcerate’s The Destroyers of All will be available in early 2011.”

Another month has ended, and like a drug-resistant strain of sexually transmitted disease, we’re still here.

And because we’re now a full six months into 2010, it’s time for another monthly update to the list of forthcoming new albums we first posted on January 1. (All the other updates can be found via the “Forthcoming Albums” category link on the right side of our pages.) Below is a list of still more projected new releases we didn’t know about at the time of our previous updates, or updated info about some of the previously noted releases.

Once again, we’ve cobbled together news blurbs about bands whose past work we’ve liked, or who look interesting for other reasons. Perhaps needless to say, these are bands that mostly fit the profile of music we cover on this site — the kind that would like to tear your head off.

So, in alphabetical order, here’s our list of cut-and-pasted blurbs from various sources since our last update about forthcoming new releases. Look for the bands you like and put reminders on your calendar. Or if you’re like us, just stick post-it notes on your forehead. Of course, if your foreheads are the low, sloping kind, you may only have room for a few, so be choosy.

BURDEN OF GRIEF: “German melodic death/thrash metallers BURDEN OF GRIEF will release their new album, Follow The Flames, on July 2 in Europe via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2007′s Death End Road will contain 10 new songs. The limited-edition version of the CD will include a bonus disc featuring cover versions of eight metal classics.”

CEPHALIC CARNAGE: “Denver, Colorado-based technical death/grind metallers CEPHALIC CARNAGE have set Misled By Certainty as the title of their new album, due on August 31 via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2007′s Xenosapien was recorded at the band’s own studio with longtime engineer/producer Dave Otero. The CD is described in a press release as a ’50-plus-minute journey into metal’s most extreme realms’ which ‘see[s] these veterans takes it to edge before pulling it back with ‘Repangea’, perhaps their most sprawling and epic work to date.’”

(lots more after the jump . . .)

CHIMAIRA: “Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA have posted a trailer for their Coming Alive DVD, which is scheduled for release on July 20 via Ferret Music. The set includes a four-part documentary filmed over the course of a year and a half while the entire package includes over seven hours of exclusive content. The DVD, filmed entirely in HD, showcases CHIMAIRA in the studio while recording the The Infection album, and chronicles the band’s recent, worldwide touring season.”

THE CONTORTIONIST: “Indianapolis, Indiana’s THE CONTORTIONIST has completed work on its full-length debut, Exoplanet, for an August 31 release via Good Fight Music. The CD was produced by UNEARTH guitarist Ken Susi, who feels that THE CONTORTIONIST has something fresh and unique to bring to the table.”

COUGH: “Relapse Records is proud to announce the signing of Richmond, VA’s Cough. Cough formed in 2005 and has independently released an EP, The Kingdom, as well as a full-length album, Sigillum Luciferi, via Forcefield Records. The band has recently written the follow-up to Sigillum Luciferi and has been working on the album with producer Sanford Parker. The new full-length, titled Ritual Abuse, is expected to see a fall 2010 release date.”

THE CROWN: “Reunited Swedish death/thrash metal act THE CROWN has inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band’s new album, Doomsday King, is scheduled for release in September.”

CYPHOSIS: “Finnish metal band CYPHOSIS has inked a deal with Violent Journey Records. The group’s sophomore album, To North And Under, will be released in the fall. . . . CYPHOSIS‘ new single, “Time Is An Enemy”, is available for streaming on the band’s MySpace page.”

DEATH ANGEL: “Vocalist Mark Osegueda of San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans DEATH ANGEL was interviewed backstage at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival, which was held June 9-12, 2010 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden. During the chat, Osegueda reveals that Nuclear Blast Records has set an August 27 European release date for the band’s new album.”

DIMMU BORGIR: “Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir proudly announce their collaboration with Norwegian composer and Berklee College of Music summa cum laude alumnus Gaute Storaas in addition to the 51 members of KORK (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra) and the 38-member Schola Cantorum Choir for their as-yet-untitled new album. To date, over 101 musicians have lent their talents to the making of the new release. . . . Dimmu Borgir’s ninth studio album will be released in Germany on October 8th, in the rest of Europe on October 11th, and in North America on October 12th.”

EARLY MAN: “EARLY MAN‘s sophomore full-length album, Death Potion, will be released on July 20 via The End Records. The Los Angeles- and Brooklyn–based band tracked the 12-song CD at Soundhouse Recording in Seattle, Washington with producer Jack Endino. ”

FLESHWROUGHT: “Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of experimental death metal band FLESHWROUGHT (formerly FLESHROT). The group’s debut album, Dementia/Dyslexia, will be released on August 3. FLESHWROUGHT features Navene Koperweis (former drummer of Bay area grind band ANIMOSITY, currently in ANIMALS AS LEADERS) and Jonny Davy (vocalist of Arizona’s JOB FOR A COWBOY), with Navene performing all instruments on Dementia/Dyslexia and Jonny Davy handling lyrics and vocals.”

HELMET: “Seminal rock band HELMET will release a new full-length album, Seeing Eye Dog, on September 7. The band’s first LP since 2006′s critically acclaimed Monochrome and its seventh album overall will be made available on the indie Work Song label (with physical distribution by Redeye and direct-to-fan digital delivery by Topspin).”

HIRAX: “On June 29 (one day earlier internationally), Season of Mist will release a new compilation album from HIRAX, Noise Chaos War. Consisting of three thrashing EPs — remastered, remixed and available on CD for the first time — this release also includes a video for Bombs of Death, filmed live in Japan last year.”

INFERNAEON: “Florida’s INFERNAEON has completed recording its second full-length album for a late summer release via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded at Erik Rutan‘s Mana Recording Studios (GOATWHORE,CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATE ETERNAL) in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Brian Elliott. The follow-up to 2007′s A Symphony of Suffering marks the group’s first release with new guitarists Taylor Nordberg and Steven Harger and bassist Mike Poggion.”

INSIDIOUS DISEASE: “Extreme metal legends have united as INSIDIOUS DISEASE to unleash the most violent death metal album in 2010. The evil breed consisting of Dimmu Borgir’s main songwriter Silenoz, Shane Embury of Napalm Death, Old Man’s Child’s Jardar, drum animal Tony Laureano (Angelcorpse, Nile) and vocalist Marc Grewe (from German death metal legend Morgoth) will release its debut album Shadowcast via Century Media Records on July 12th in Europe and July 27th in the US. Expect nothing but pure, honest and brutal death metal carnage at its very best!”

KING OF ASGARD: “Swedish viking folk/death metal band KING OF ASGARD recently completed work on its debut album, Fi’mbulvintr, for a tentative August European release via Metal Blade Records.”

THE LAST FELONY: “‘We Are Future Housing Developements For Maggots’, a brand new song from Canadian death metallers THE LAST FELONY, is available for streaming on the band’s MySpace page. The track comes off the group’s sophomore album, Too Many Humans, which is scheduled for release in North America on August 17 via Lifeforce Records.”

MADBALL: “New York City hardcore legends MADBALL will enter Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida in July with producer Erik Rutan (MISERY INDEX, CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOATWHORE) to begin recording their new album, Empire, for a late September/early October release via Good Fight Music.”

MALEVOLENT CREATION: “MALEVOLENT CREATION‘s eleventh album, Invidious Dominion, will be released on August 24 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records (three days later in Europe through Massacre). The effort will made available in various territories as a regular CD; digipack with bonus material; and vinyl LP. MALEVOLENT CREATION‘s new album was recorded at Mana Recording Studios (CANNIBAL CORPSE, VITAL REMAINS, GOATWHORE) in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE).”

MORBID ANGEL: “Death metal pioneers Morbid Angel entered the studio on Tuesday to begin tracking their ninth full-length album. The effort is being recorded at Mana Recordings Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with engineer (and former Morbid Angel member) Erik Rutan at the helm and a late-2010 release via Season Of Mist is expected.”

NECRONAUT: “NECRONAUT, the solo project of former DISMEMBER/CARNAGE drummer Fred Estby, has posted another new track, “In Dark Tribute”, on its MySpace page. The song features Hellbutcher (NIFELHEIM) on vocals and Tyrant (NIFELHEIM) on guitar. NECRONAUT‘s self-titled album is scheduled for a September 2010 release via Regain Records.”

OBSIDIAN: “Dutch death/thrash metal act OBSIDIAN will release its new album, Point Of Infinity, on September 20 via Candlelight Records. The follow-up to 2007′s Emerging will contain ‘nine new brutal and grooving tracks, revealing a more evolved OBSIDIAN,’ according to the group.”

OCTOBER TIDE: “Candlelight Records has set a September 28 North American release A Thin Shell, the new album from Sweden’s OCTOBER TIDE. Featuring guitarist/founder Fredrik Norrman (KATATONIA), vocalist Tobias Netzell, drummer Robin Bergh, and session bassist Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE), the band’s first album in ten years and follows the 2009 reissue of its debut, Rain Without End (Candlelight).”

THE ROTTED: “U.K. punk-infused death metallers THE ROTTED entered the studio in May with producer James Dunkley to begin recording Anarchogram, a self-released EP consisting of two new tracks and four bonus cuts. . . . After the release of the EP this summer, THE ROTTED will resume work on its new full-length album. The band plans to enter Parlour Studio in January 2011 with Russ Russell at the production helm.”

SADISTIK FOREST: “Oulu, Finland-based death metallers SADISTIK FOREST have inked a deal with Violent Journey Records. The band’s self-titled debut will be released on August 12. SADISTIK FOREST was formed in 2007 by guitarist Antti Heikkinen, drummer Vesa Mutka and bassist/vocalist Markus Makkonen. The lineup was completed early this year when guitarist Matti Salo joined the ranks. SADISTIK FOREST‘s riff-based, ferocious and brutal assault has often been compared to UNLEASHED and early MORBID ANGEL.”

SHADOWS FALL: “Massachusetts metallers SHADOWS FALL will release a new concert DVD, Madness In Manila: Shadows Fall Live In The Philippines 2009, on August 24 via Everblack Industries/Ferret Music. The disc will include footage that was shot on April 30, 2009 at the Pulp Summer Slam in Manila, Philippines.”

THE SHOWDOWN: “Tennessee’s riff-tastic southern metal outfit, The Showdown, has announced an August 24th street date for their Solid State Records sophomore release, Blood in the Gears. The forthcoming full-length was recorded at Anthem Productions in Nashville, and produced by The Showdown’s own, Jeremiah Scott.”

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS: “SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, the Swedish band featuring ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott and bassist Sharlee D’Angelo, along with new vocalist Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND), has inked a deal with InsideOut Music for the release of the group’s seventh studio album, Return To Zero. Due in Europe on August 30, the follow-up to 2005′s Demons was recorded at Sweetspot Studio with producer Rickard Bengtsson.”

THE SWORD: “Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD are kicking it into high gear as the release of their highly anticipated third full-length, Warp Riders (August 24; Kemado Records) rapidly approaches. The band has finally revealed the album’s artwork and will be releasing additional visual companions in the form of an upcoming picture disc and an epic video trilogy.”

SYSTEM DIVIDE: “SYSTEM DIVIDE, the extreme modern metal act featuring Sven De Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) on vocals, Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA) and Joseph Spiller (ex-THE BINARY CODE) on guitars, Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA) on bass, and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) on drums, has completed work on its full-length debut, The Conscious Sedation, for a tentative late 2010 release via Metal Blade Records.”

UNLOCKED: “Lead guitarist Peter Huss (SHINING, ex-SINERGY) will make a guest appearance on the upcoming debut album from UNLOCKED, the band featuring members of PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT, VISCERAL BLEEDING, GORGOROTH, and ENTHRONED. The CD is currently being recorded at Blackout studios in Brussels, Belgium for a late 2010 release via Crossfirecult Records.”

WRETCHED: “Wretched has completed their new album, Beyond the Gate, which is set to be released on August 3rd, 2010 through Victory Records. The album will feature a piece written and orchestrated by new guitarist John Vail, and performed by the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra. The album will also feature guest appearances by Jesse Clasen of Charlotte, NC band Harvard, Andy Lynn on violin, and Randy Nashleanas on cello.”