.
Plans for new record and '06 touring
Arkansas doom-laden sludge metallers Deadbird are currently in the process of preparing material for a new album to be recorded as of January 2006. Though it may seem like recording a new album already may be pre-emptive, The Head and The Heart was a originally released in March of 2005 through Codebreaker records.
Fans have been rabid for Deadbird live performances over the previous months and it seems like their prayers have been answered. "We have decided to spend every bit of time that we can afford on tour in 2006." said guitarist/vocalist Chuck Schaaf. The raw thunderous southern dirge which Deadbird brings to their audience will be sure to leave fans floored and newcomers swayed to become new fans. "I wish that we were out there right now, but some things have kept us from hitting the road" continued Schaaf. Fans and critics alike are overjoyed by Deadbird's "The Head and the Heart" -

"Edging out even the last Crowbar record, The Head and The Heart is best sludge-metal album of the year so far"
Brandon Geist, Revolver Magazine

"Just when you start to expect more soft-loud-soft indie bullshit, Deadbird thrash thru the lens of doom metal majesty, and kick some ass in the process."
Scott Seward. Decibel Magazine

Deadbird's Earache/Codebreaker records debut release "The Head and the Heart" is available in stores everywhere now and can be purchased through the Earache webstore through the link below.
SHOP FOR DEADBIRD ON OUR WEBSTORE...
added: 27/10/05


.
New Earache MP3s!
Metaltracks.com in conjunction with Sweden’s Close Up Magazine brings you 20 free Earache MP3s to Download, Burn And Blast. Including fantastic Advance tracks from The Berzerker, Severe Torture, !T.O.O.H.!, Ephel Duath and Akercocke alongside classic tracks from Napalm Death, At the Gates and Filthy Christians amongst others.
 
Get downloading them here
Download the printable artwork here
added: 22/9/05


.
Dub War: The Roots of Skindred revisited...
Members of former Earache Records outfit Dub War have moved on to become a part of UK band Skindred. Former Dub War vocalist Benji now fronts the punk ragga metal group from Wales along with two other previous Dub War members. The band has made a notable run on the Billboard Heatseekers chart as of late and the group also appeared on NBC's Late night with Conan O'Brien recently.

Step ta Dis		 In related news, Earache Records has announced that they will be re-issuing Dub War's Earache Records work on November 11th. "Pain" and the remix compilation "Step Ta Dis" will be see the full reissue treatment along with added bonus tracks on each of the two albums. "Step ta Dis" will also feature live tracks recorded during a performance in London in 1998. Dub War's groundbreaking mixture of rock, reggae, punk and metal went on to influence countless numbers of bands, from Candiria to Linea 77.

Pain
SHOP FOR DUB WAR ON OUR WEBSTORES
added: 16/9/05

.
Critical acclaim for "The Head and The Heart"
Deadbird's "The Head and the Heart" is receiving great acclaim from critics and fans all around. The Arkansas quartet took home a great review from Unrestrained who said, "What a fucking pleasure it (is) to crank Deadbird and just soak in all the anger, aggression, and atmosphere", and then followed it up with a 9 out of 10 rating. Deadbird, hailing from the land of Clinton has been associated with fellow Arkansas metal outfit Rwake and for good reasoning, Charles Schaff (guitar/vocals) was in fact a former member of Rwake.
Tracks on the "The Head and The Heart" are described as containing "Sorrowful melodic leads that hover just above rhythmic lava flows" by Blabbermouth.net. The record will surprise even the most jaded of listener. Deadbird's ability to bring forth images of drunken despair through their sound is profound and well documented on "The Head and The Heart." Deadbird, comprising of Charles and Philip Schaaf, Alan Short, and Todd Bohannon, take on many musical forms throughout as a review on blabbermouth continued to document, "The plague may take the form of an acoustic instrumental shadowed by a feeling of slight unease (1332) or a maze of twists and turns, from gloomy melody to an anger-filled desperation landslide (Mount Zero [is Burning])."
Deadbird's "The Head and The Heart" is available exclusively from Earache Records in North America and hits stores on October 4th. Absolute Metal may have said it best, "... if you're into Mastodon, Neurosis, and Electric Wizard, you need to check these guys out right now."

SHOP FOR DEADBIRD ON OUR WEBSTORE...
added: 9/9/05




.
New Earache Metal night In Nottingham
added: 5/9/05


.
Seeking Interns for the Fall...
Earache Records USA, based in New Yok City, is seeking responsible interns for the fall semester. Duties may include packaging mail orders, making phone calls, keeping inventory, clipping press, making deliveries, assisting the publicist or any other random detail that happens to come up. The Earache Records internship is unpaid but you can receive college credit and learn a lot in a brief amount of time. Computer skills are always a plus, please include them when sending your information. Apply soon and we'll get back to any applicants quickly and set up an interview. Please send all applications to
USAMAIL@Earache.com
added: 2/9/05


MISERY LOVES CO. Reunite For One-Off Swedish Wedding Performance
Swedish industrial metal combo MISERY LOVES CO. reunited on stage last month, the spontaneous reunion occurring at musician Patrik Sporrong's (ex-MIDAS TOUCH, LOST SOULS) wedding in Uppsala, Sweden. MISERY LOVES CO. took advantage of the "open stage" at the post-cermemony party and performed the songs "My Mind Still Speaks" and "Kiss Your Boots".
"It was fun, but no one should expect anything else from MISERY LOVES CO. in the future. However, I look forward to my new career as a wedding singer and expect million-dollar offers to start pouring in," singer Patrik Wirén quipped to BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

The lineup for this one-off performance consisted of core of the band, Wirén and guitarist Örjan Örnkloo, as well as guitarist Michael Hahne (a member of the band 1997-2000) and bassist Richard Sporrong (cousin and best man to Patrik Sporrong as well as member of the band 1997-99). Joining them was drummer Bosse Lundström, who played with MISERY LOVES CO. 1994-95.

MISERY LOVES CO. split up in 2000 following the release of their third album, "Your Vision Was Never Mine To Share". Patrik Wirén currently sings with the alternative rock group ALPHA SAFARI, who released their debut album, "Commercial Suicide", on Threeman Recordings last year. Meanwhile, Örjan Örnkloo is a succesful sound engineer at producer Daniel Bergstrand's (IN FLAMES, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, MESHUGGAH) studio Dug-Out in Uppsala.
SHOP FOR MISERY LOVES CO. ON OUR WEBSTORES
added: 12/8/05



Earache is hiring in USA and UK. Production Managers sought.
Earache Records Ltd in Nottingham UK seeks to appoint one full-time Production Manager.
The Production Manager has a demanding role in a busy record company office, being in charge of the overseeing of manufacture of our cds from receipt of master to shipping finished goods.The role involves negotiating and dealing with pressing plants/printhouses, liasing with Recording Artists & creative designers to make album artwork through to designing and arranging manufacture of associated posters/ flyers /print adverts for mags.You ideally will have experience of making cds (perhaps as your own band/label) and need to demonstrate impeccable organisational and communication skills.

Reply with full CV and career history to digby@earache.com with "PRODUCTION" as the subject line or FAX to +441159508585. Starting August 8th or sooner, based Nottingham UK

In addition:

Earache Records Inc in NYC seeks to appoint one full-time Production Manager.
The Production Manager has a demanding role in a busy team-oriented record company office, being in charge of the overseeing of the manufacture of our cds from receipt of master to shipping finished goods.The role involves negotiating and dealing with pressing plants/printhouses, liasing with Recording Artists & creative designers to make album artwork through to designing and arranging manufacture of associated posters/ flyers /print adverts for mags.You ideally will have experience of making cds (perhaps as your own band/label) and need to demonstrate impeccable organisational and communication skills.

Reply with full CV and career history to al@earache.com with "PRODUCTION" as the subject line. Starting August 1st or sooner, based New York City.
News item updated: 12/7/05



BURN – FREE Downloadable 16 track album available now including brand new advance tracks
Do you want to hear new and unreleased tracks from The Berzerker, Beecher, Linea 77, Municipal Waste and Urfkraft?
Earache Records in conjunction with Metal Tracks have a 16 track FREE Downloadable album entitled “BURN” available now.
“BURN” also features recently released tracks by Hate Eternal, Biomechanical, Carnival In Coal, Shortie and Mistress plus Alarum, Crotchduster, Neuraxis, Arsis and Watchmaker as part of the Earache / Willowtip union.

Head to:
www.metaltracks.com/freebies

There’s also the oppurtunity for one lucky winner to walk away with 20Gb iPod – No questions to answer, just get your name in the draw which takes place on August 1st 2005

 THE BERZERKER – FOLLOW ME
(Advance Track from the Forthcoming 3rd Installment From The Berzerker Entitled 'World Of Lies' - Out Late 2005/Early 2006)

URKRAFT – BLESSED BE THE HUMAN BEAST
(Courtesy of Cartal Media. New Album Out Thru Earache In November)

LINEA 77 – EVOLUZIONE
(Advance Track From The New Album 'Available For Propaganda' - Out September 26th)

BEECHER – FUNCTION! FUNCTION!
(Advance Track From Beechers New Album 'This Elegy, His Austopsy' - In Stores September 10th)

MUNICIPAL WASTE – UNLEASH THE BASTARDS
(Exclusive Track From 'HazardousMutation' - Out August 29th Thru Earache)

ALARUM – THROUGHOUT THE MOMENT
(Taken From The Album 'Eventuality' -Available Thru The Recent Earache/Willowtip Union)

CROTCHDUSTER – TRUE NATURE OF WILLIAMS
(Taken From The Album 'Big Fat BoxOf Shit' - Available Thru The Recent Earache/Willowtip Union)
 BIOMECHANICAL – REGENERATED
(Taken From The Breathtaking Album 'TheEmpires Of The Worlds' - Out Now)

NEURAXIS – IMAGERY
(Taken From The Album 'Truth Imagery Passage' -Available Thru The Recent Earache/Willowtip Union)

HATE ETERNAL – IT IS OUR WILL
(The New Bench Mark In Extreme Metal Taken from 'I Monarch' – Out Now)

CARNIVAL IN COAL – FUCKABLE
(Bonkers Metal. Taken From Album 'CollectionPrestige' – Out now)

SHORTIE – CRASH & BURN
(Heartfelt Emocore. Taken From Album 'Without A Promise')

ARSIS – MADDENING DISDAIN
(Taken From The Album 'A Celebration Of Guilt' Available Thru The Recent Earache/Willowtip Union)

MISTRESS – WHISKEY TASTES BETTER
(Taken From The Crushing New Album 'In Disgust We Trust' Out Now)

WATCHMAKER – CONFERENCE CALL IMMOLATION
(Taken From The Album'Kill.Fucking.Everyone' Available Thru The Recent Earache/Willowtip Union)

EWIGKEIT - ITS NOT REALITY
(Advance Track From The New Ewigkeit Album 'Conspiritus' Out Thru Earache On August 29th)
News item added: 5/7/05


Know you want it...
There’s absolutely no point in me telling you that the members of CROTCHDUSTER might not really be who they say they are because I’m not fucking allowed to split my fat guts and reveal who’s involved in this Mr. Bungle inspired Madness.
I’ll leave it to you to figure out which old school pals SLIPPERY JIM (Vox, Devastation, Invention), FORNICUS "FUCKMOUTH" McFLAPPY (Vox, Guitars, Creation) and CAIN - (Drums, Breathing, Ripping, Biting) might have brought back from the Death while I crack open a can of the other Irish stout that isn’t Guinness and write the Obituary on their “BIG FAT BOX OF SHIT” shit album which drops on the 11th of July 2005 on Willowtip / Earache.

SHOP FOR CROTCHDUSTER ON OUR STORES
News item added: 22/6/05



JASON SUECOF Interview
A multi-tasking death metal warrior, Jason Suecof is probably best known for his recording work with the likes of Trivium and God Forbid, but the Florida-based knob-twiddler is also an accomplished musician, with two Earache releases under his belt; the mighty tech-death explosion that is Capharnaum’s ‘Fractured’ album (which also features Trivium’s Matt Heafy on vocals) and the enormously puerile and chaotic ‘Big Fat Box Of Shit’ by Crotchduster. We spoke to the man himself about his day job, his bands, his vacuum cleaner and Richard Christy’s penis…

How did Capharnaum come into existence in the first place?
JS: “Well, me and my brother, we jammed as kids growing up and in like ’93 we got this singer named Frank and some guitarists and we both tried to get a band together. It sort of worked but we only ever did one show. Then we had Tony Espinoza, our old singer, who’s with Catalyst now, but down here in Florida it’s really just me and my brother. There’s Alex Viera, too. If we play live shows he’ll do it. I’d love to have Daniel (Mongrain, guitarist on ‘Fractured’) in the band too, but he’s in Canada. We’re far enough away that he can’t just hop on down here. But I never really paid attention to this band. It just kind of happened. I’m not very good at concentrating on life!”

What were your original intentions for Capharnaum? It’s a very distinctive style you’re playing…
JS “I was a big Cynic fan and I loved Atheist and Death. When I got into death metal it was probably ’92 or ’93. I always loved Megadeth’s ‘Rust In Peace’, that was a big album for me, such a great album. I was obsessed with Megadeth for a while and then I heard Cannibal Corpse and Deicide and stuff like that, and then when I heard Cynic I thought ‘This is what I want to do’. I wanted to do something honestly original, but that’s really hard because you’ve got to get influences from somewhere. I just try and keep it as far away from anyone else as possible. People say ‘Ooh, that sounds like a Pentagram schematic from 1983’ and I don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about.”

How long have you been playing guitar to be able to master such technical stuff?
JS: “I’ve been playing since ’88. I started with stuff like Poison and Winger. I fucking love Winger, dude! I don’t care what anybody says. If you try and fuck with Reb Beach, that fucker will hurt you. Maybe not physically…maybe he will. Maybe he’s a bad motherfucker, but he’s a cool guitar player, man. Then I got into Guns N’ Roses, and I think everyone was into them at one time. Then I took guitar lessons for six years and then I stopped and thought ‘Now what?’ Now I don’t even practise. I try to but I get really annoyed and I stop. Daniel’s been playing for less time than I have, but he practised more! That guy, he’s such a fucking great guitarist. Me, him and my brother jammed. It was just awesome because he’s one of those musicians who can just play anything.”

You’re based in Florida…
JS: “Yeah, I’m in the Orlando area.”

So was the Florida death metal scene a big influence on you?
JS: “I’m from Connecticut and I’ve only been here since ’98, but I guess the Florida death metal scene was a big thing for me. At some point, like back in ’94 or ’95, I was beginning to get frustrated with death metal because it started to all sound the same to me, so I got into some of the European stuff. I liked the first couple of In Flames albums and ‘The Gallery’ by Dark Tranquillity. It seems like a lot of stuff today is just copying that and I heard that back in ’95.”
Trivium How did you get involved with Trivium?
JS: “I met them in a gay bar. Matt said ‘Dude, you’re hot and crippled and sexy…fuckin’ touch it!” No, there was this guy named Richie who referred me to Trivium. By then I’d done a couple of things. I knew the metal sound and they’d been to a couple of studios and they hadn’t got the sound they wanted. So we did a demo and it worked out good. I really liked Matt’s voice. It reminded me of a more intelligible Cryptopsy, ‘Whisper Supremacy’ thing, but a little bit higher. I thought that was cool because I really didn’t want any growled vocals. I’m kinda burnt on the whole cookie monster deal. Everything has its place, but I’m kind of burnt on death metal period.
I don’t listen to it much anymore. I still listen to the old stuff I used to listen to, and if I hear anything that blows my mind I’ll listen to it, but it sucks because I guess, recording all day and writing music, by the time you’re done it’s like ‘No more music!’ I just want to sit around, go on the internet and jack it! (laughs) In Capharnaum you’ve got to jack it!”
So how did Matt Heafy end up singing on ‘Fractured’?
JS: “I just asked him. I said ‘It’ll be fun, dude!’ and he was like ‘Alright!’ It’s funny because the reviews are good but a lot of people aren’t feeling his vocals. I guess it’s a ‘love it or hate it’ thing. That’s fine. I don’t care if people like the vocals or not. It’s just a fucking death metal album. It’s not like it’s going to take over the world and cause some great controversy. But then it’s not like Capharnaum is a side-project. It’s my main band. Recording is my main thing. They’re both the same amount of enjoyment for me, depending on what I’m recording.”

Is it satisfying to see how well Trivium are doing, especially in the UK?
JS: “Oh man, I saw pictures of that show at Donington. Holy shit. I heard that people were singing the choruses and shit. It’s awesome, man. I don’t care what I record, whether it’s pop rock or metal or whatever, it’s just when you write something or record something and you see people that you don’t know really getting into it, it’s awesome. That’s the big pay-off. It’s even more important than the money! I ain’t doing shit for free, but it’s great to see people enjoying your work.”

Did you expect big things to happen for them?
JS: “There’s a lot of bands around here that I’ve recorded and they suffer from what I call ‘local band syndrome’. It’s like they play a riff and they play it for too long because they think it’s so cool. But Trivium, it’s like I heard the little demos and thought it seemed interesting but I couldn’t really tell because it was recorded so bad. I had a feeling that something would happen because at that time they were way better than the other bands that I’d recorded.”

Do you think you might sell a few more Capharnaum albums now that Matt Heafy is turning into a metal pin-up?
JS: “I hope so! I would never use somebody, you know? I didn’t ask him to sing on the album so I’d sell more. I just feel like I helped them out so they help me out. We’re a team. We sit around and talk shit and that’s the way it’s going to stay. I hope they take over the world, man. Trivium’s always going to be bigger than Capharnaum. I don’t expect Capharnaum to ever sell that many albums. I’d have to change my shit and get some clean vocals on it and rock out, but I don’t hear clean vocals on my stuff, even like Watchtower-style shit. I love Watchtower, but I can’t imagine those kind of vocals on my stuff.”

Do you have plans for a new Capharnaum album?
JS: “Yeah, I want to do another one. I have some songs in the works but it’s so hard to find time to sit down and write at the moment. I’m so busy recording other bands. Ever since the Trivium album came out I’ve been pretty much booked. I’m trying to write music, I’m trying to do all this stuff at once and at the same time people are like ‘What about Crotchduster, dude?’”
So, what about Crotchduster, dude?
JS: “I don’t think people are even into Crotchduster. It’s just American humour. I don’t even know if people get it. There’s jokes that people over in Europe won’t understand because they pertain to things that only matter over here. It only happened because I was bored. I had too much free time on my hands. It was just me, my brother and my friend Eric. It was just a little grind thing. We wanted to record a song called ‘Fightbox’. Then we thought we’d make it more Tenacious D-like. The first song on the album was going to be called ‘Push Ups for Steve’, but it was stupid. Actually, all the songs are fucking stupid. My favourite reviews of Crotchduster are the bad ones. They’re fucking awesome!
That’s like the least of my effort put into music. It was just me having a good time. It wasn’t meant to dominate the industry. It was just a good time for me. Now I don’t have any time and I have to do the Capharnaum thing and the Crotchduster thing and record and look after my dog and touch holes and eat food and shit!”

You’re a busy man!
JS: “Yeah. It’s fucking ridiculous, dude. Where’s it all gonna stop?”

So are you responsible for the lyrics on the Crotchduster album?
JS: “No, Eric wrote most of them.”

He’s obviously not a well man…
JS: “He’s a funny guy! I made up ‘Mammal Sauce’ and he just took the rest. I did all the music and he did some screaming on it. My dog played the drums. He’s right on with the click, dude. The future of drummers is with the rottweiler. They don’t talk back, but he’s still a fucking jerk. My brother’s an asshole, too. Not really, but he used to throw drum sticks at me. He actually threw a cymbal at my arm once and I had to go to hospital. It wasn’t for a reason. He just threw it at me. I guess it’s a brother thing. It fucking hurt. It wasn’t part of the fucking plan, getting hit with a cymbal. He’s an incredible drummer, though. He never practises. He plays the drums once a month. He comes in, amazes me and just leaves.”

How did James Murphy end up on the Crotchduster album?
JS: “That’s just an edited phone call between my brother, James Murphy, my old singer Tony and I think that’s it. My brother’s the one saying ‘Why don’t you star 69?’ and James is saying ‘Get all the popcorn out of my teeth, man, I fuckin’ hate popcorn’. And Tony’s saying ‘Be truthful with me, yo!’ and all that shit. The strange thing is they were all talking to me and I just went in and spliced it all together, so it doesn’t make any sense but that’s kinda the point.”

And Richard Christy’s on there as well…
JS: “I actually just hung out with him last weekend. He was down here with the Howard Stern crew. He used to live with me. Those were interesting times. That motherfucker used to show me his dick. That dude is all about whipping it out. He’s a fucking cock-shower. I don’t appreciate it. I’m not a homophobe or anything, it’s just you see a man’s dick once and that’s enough. Richard’s a great drummer too, man. The Burning Inside album was the first one I did here. I did it for free. I didn’t get a copy for fucking ages. Some of the guys from that band are in Black Witchery now, and they’re fucking wonderful.”
You don’t sound convinced…
JS: “Oh yeah, they’re my favourite black metal band! I did one of their albums too. It was one of my least favourite times ever. I actually broke down in the studio crying once. I was going through a fight with my girlfriend and going through that and Black Witchery and their stupid fucking pentagram…they actually brought an altar to the studio. It was funny! It’s like me taking a vacuum cleaner with me everywhere. ‘If you fuck with the vacuum cleaner you’re fucked!’ Pentagram equals vacuum cleaner, dude.”

What else have you got coming up?
JS: “I’m working with a band called Sanctity and hopefully they’ll be getting signed soon, and I have a band called Failsafe coming in soon.
I just mixed a Trivium song for a video game, so that should be interesting. I’m doing the Seamless record. That’s coming out at the end of the year. I’m doing this band called If Hope Dies, which is on the guy from Unearth’s label. A few other things here and there, trying to get as many breaks as I can. I’m trying to keep it real! Fuck that fake shit!”

Finally, why should people buy the Capharnaum album instead of the other several thousand death metal albums that came out this year already?
JS: “Because Erik Rutan tried to make out with me! No, he’s my buddy. People should buy Capharnaum because if you’re going to buy a fuckin’ death metal album you might as well buy a good one that’s been made by men! Nah, you don’t have to buy it. If you want to try something new, with influences that will make you a fuckin’ man, then buy it! I like to think it’s technical but it’s not technical for the sake of it. And we’ve all got hot tits. And everyone in the band has a huge dick.”

Any plans for live shows?
JS: “We were going to do a live show but I was recording the God Forbid album. I’d love to play live shows but it’s another thing to add to the list. I’d love to play in Europe, man. That shit would be fun. Maybe we should play a show in Jamaica. No, I’d love to come and play London. I’m sure there’ll be a time in my life when I have some spare time. And then I’ll go on vacation.”
SHOP FOR CAPHARNAUM ON OUR WEBSTORE
added: 21/04/05



New Mp3's available for free on Metaltracks
MISTRESS
The New masters of brummie grind come at you in a chaotic wave of cheap alcohol and piss stained extremity. “At Arms Length” is taken from Mistress’s latest disaster-piece entitled “In disgust we trust”. Which will be offending the neighbours from June 20th.

GRAB THE TRACK 'AT ARMS LENGTH' HERE
CARNIVAL IN COAL
Axel Wursthorn and Arno Strobl are possibly two of the most twisted individuals ever to put their hand at creating music. Carnival in Coal’s spontaneous mix of drum machine laden extreme metal interlocked with disco grooves and weird samples sounds very wrong . . . but it somehow works. Check out ‘Fuckable” and get into the groove with some disco death. Taken from the album "Collection Prestige" released May 20th

GRAB THE TRACK 'FUCKABLE' HERE
CANDIRIA
Despite a near fatal car accident that almost ended the career (and the lives) of Candiria. The band still continues to charter previously uncharted territory and take a sledgehammer to smash new ground in producing intelligent evolving rock music. “Remove Yourself” is taken from the album “What doesn’t kill You…” and is released with 2 bonus live tracks thru earache on May 23rd

GRAB THE TRACK 'REMOVE YOURSELF' HERE
SHORTIE
Heroes of the new NorCal rock scene since their formation in the late 90's, Shortie stand ready to take over the title held by such Sacramento forerunners as Deftones and Will Haven. Armed with a musical maturity that belies their youthfulness, Shortie come forth with supremely-crafted rock songs, running the gamut from hardcore angst to soaring melodies. “Truth” is taken from the new album “Without A Promise” out on May 23rd

GRAB THE TRACK 'TRUTH' HERE
BEECHER
Fusing the ethics of primal hardcore with a love for the technicalities and aggression of Metal, Beecher have become known as one of the hardest working bands on the live circuit, treading the boards with the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan, The Red Chord, Cult of Luna and SiKTH and constantly winning converts with every new show. ‘Dead For Weeks” is taken from ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall” which is being re-released by earache on May 16th with 6 Extra tracks

GRAB THE TRACK 'DEAD FOR WEEKS' HERE
News item added: 13/4/05



Earache is hiring! Press Manager sought.
Earache Records Ltd in the UK seeks to fill the following position with immediate effect:
Press & Promotions Manager.
Based London. Press and Promotions Manager will have wide experience and proven contacts within all sectors of the media (both print and online) dealing with the Independent music scene and will naturally demonstrate impeccable writing, organisational, communication and people skills.
Replies to digby@earache.com enclosing cover letter and CV, quoting PRESS in subject line.
News item updated: 7/4/05



‘CHOOSING DEATH’ BOOK SIGNING –WEDNESDAY 16TH MARCH, LONDON -  MEET ALBERT MUDRIAN, MEMBERS OF CATHEDRAL, AKERCOCKE & CARCASS
At 6pm on Wednesday 16th March at Rough Trade Records, Neals Yard, Covent Garden, London, Albert Mudrian, the author of Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore will be signing copies of the book. He’ll be joined by Lee Dorian of Cathedral\Napalm Death, Jason Mendonca & David Gray from Akercocke and Jeff Walker from Carcass.

 For those of you who regularly check out the Earache site, then this book is a must-have for you - Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore, features an introduction from the legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and conquers the lofty task of telling the two-decade-long history of Death Metal & Grindcore through the eyes and ringing ears of the artists, producers, and label owners, past and present, who propelled the movement.

Start thinking about those questions you always wanted to ask and get down to the Rough Trade shop early ..

www.choosingdeath.com
News item added: 15/3/05



EARACHE ANNOUNCE LICENCE OF WILLOWTIP RECORDS FOR EUROPE
Earache is proud to confirm that it has become affiliated with rising US label Willowtip as part of an exclusive licensing deal for Europe.

Willowtip has produced a consistently high level of noise over the past few years, bringing to the underground's attention such names as Cephalic Carnage, Creation is Crucifixion, Goatsblood, Misery Index and Circle of Dead Children. The new deal will see the majority of the label's catalogue including the likes of current artists Crowpath, Neuraxis, Capharnaum and Arsis available for the first time through proper distribution channels as part of the Earache family.

Commenting on the deal Earache Label Manager Dan Tobin notes; 'Willowtip has always been a cool label in my eyes, often displaying an uncanny ability to get the creatively interesting new bands onto their roster first, but importantly they just love putting out quality noise. So far Willowtip have remained a massively untapped resource as far as European fans go, something Earache will be looking to address as soon as possible as part of this partnership."

Willowtip's Jason Tipton adds his thoughts about the deal; 'I am extremely happy to begin working with Earache and for European fans to now have the opportunity to enjoy the Willowtip catalog and get to know our bands. We have been looking for someone in Europe that could treat our releases properly for quite some time and its great to start a relationship with a legendary company like Earache to help make that happen. This should greatly benefit the bands, fans, and both labels involved so its a great thing for everyone I believe.'

A firm release schedule for the first Earache/Willowtip releases will be announced shortly, as well as plans for brand new and forthcoming titles later in the year.
News item added: 18/2/05



We seek a Freelance Graphic designer. Fit the bill?
Earache is hiring!
Freelance Graphic Designer wanted on Part time basis.
• Qualifications in Graphics are desired but not essential.

• Previous design experience, (not necessarily music related) however is essential.

• Must have knowledge of Photoshop 7 onwards, Illustrator 7 onwards, Quark 5 but would prefer InDesign CS onwards.

• Can work from home, must have access to a Mac on OSX and Broadband connection.

• Ideal candidate would be either currently trading as a freelance graphic designer or have the adequate time free during the week to meet the demands requested.

• Ideal candidate will be creative in their work but also able to work to strict deadlines.

• The work required may lead on to Album cover artwork but essentially will be designing the posters, stickers, flyers, retail one sheets (used in industry promotion to stores) promotional cd wallets, print advertising and resizing of adverts around the Earache releases.

• If you think that you fit the bill then send an email with CV and a few examples of your design work to this address: production@earache.com
UPDATE...
The position of freelance designer has now been filled.
Thanks to everyone who applied. Unfortunately due to the high level of applications we are unable to contact everyone.

Matt Vickerstaff
Production Manager
News item added: 2/2/05



New Earache MP3s Added
Finland's Callisto produce Crushing, atmospheric noisecore with an epic and melodic Touch on a similar level to Cult Of luna. Check out "Worlds Collide" from the fort coming album "True Nature Unfolds" out on 28 March.
PLAY
Wolverine's first album "The Window Purpose" will be widely available for the first time with bonus tracks on 14th March.
"Towards Loss" is another fine example of the bands ability make amazing progressive metal
PLAY
Society 1 Brand new opus "The Sound That Ends Creation" is released on the 14th of March. "It Isn't me" is the video track from the bands second album
PLAY
News item added: 31/1/05



METAL HAMMER MAG in UK GIVES AWAY FREE EARACHE LABEL COVER MOUNT CD
Calling all UK fans of the label!! You should pick up the new Metal Hammer Magazine (Feb issue with Judas Priest on the cover) which hits newstands this weekend.  It comes with a free cover-mounted CD entitled "Metaltracks", containing 17 earsplitting tunes from  Earache's upcoming new releases for  early 2005. This is the ultimate in advance listening, and is your first chance to hear brand new exclusive tracks from  the likes of ADEMA, HATE ETERNAL, BIOMECHANICAL and  MISTRESS.

The full tracklisting is as follows:
1. Blood Red Throne 'Mephitication'*
(from ‘Altered Genesis’ – out 21st Feb)
2. Biomechanical 'The Empire of the Worlds' (Adv Rough Mix)*
(taken from ‘The Empire OF The Worlds’)
3. Adema 'Barricades In Time'*
(from ‘Planets’ – out 11th April)
4. Mistress 'In Disgust We Trust' (Adv Rough Mix)*
(taken from ‘In Disgust We Trust’ - out Spring 05)
5. Hate Eternal 'I Monarch' (Adv Rough Mix)*
(taken from ‘I, Monarch’ - out Spring 05)
6. Usurper 'Reptilian'*
(taken from ‘Cryptobeast’ - out 17th Jan 05)
7. Frantic Bleep - '...But A Memory' *
(taken from ‘The Sense Apparatus’ - out 14th Feb)
8. With Passion 'Train Wreck Orchestra'*
(taken from ‘In The Midst Of Bloodied Soil’ - out Spring 05)
9. Society 1 'It Isn't Me'*
(taken from ‘The Sound That Ends Creation’ - out 14th March)
10. Beecher 'Dead for Weeks'
(taken from ‘Breaking The Fourth Wall’ - out Spring 05)
11. Callisto 'Worlds Collide'*
(taken from ‘True Nature Unfolds’ - out 28th March)
12. Exmortem 'Bitter Disciplin'
(taken from ‘Nihilistic Contentment’ - out 17th Jan)
13. Lost Soul 'Mortal Cage'*
(taken from ‘Chaostream’ - out 24th Jan)
14. Wolverine - ' Towards Loss' *
(taken from ‘The Window Purpose’ - 28th Feb)
15. Shortie- 'Truth' *
(taken from ‘Without A Promise’ - out Spring 05)
16. Ewigkeit 'Strange Volk' (edit)
(taken from ‘Radio Ixtlan’ - out now)
17. Cult of Luna 'Leave Me Here' (video edit)*
(taken from ‘Salvation’ - out now)
*previously unreleased track

plus as a bonus it contains 12 MP3’s from Classic Earache artists, such as to place directly in yer iPod

Happy listening!!
News item added: 15/1/05






Six Bands in Revolver's Top 50
Earache dominates Revolver Magazine's new list of The 50 Heaviest Bands Of All Time, with Earache alumni holding down 6 of the 50 coveted slots... that's 12% of the list! Congratulations to Godflesh (#10), Sleep (#13), Napalm Death (#20), At The Gates (#25), Morbid Angel (#27), and Cathedral (#49), as well as all the other bands that made the cut. For a look at the full line-up, check out the December 04 issue of Revolver, coming to a newsstand near you!
News item added: 4/11/04



SKINDRED: Number 1 in the USA!
Congratulations to the mighty Skindred, (Ex-Earache artists Dub War) who are currently ripping it up in the USA, entering the Billboard top 200 album chart as well as currently #1 Reggae Chart, #5 Alternative New Artist Chart, #11 Top New Artist Chart , #25 Hard Music Chart and of course #188 Current Album Chart, and rising, fast. Skindred are about to tour USA supporting Korn also, so things are definately looking great for them.

We wish Benji and the Ragga-Punk-Metal boyos congratulations for their well deserved success!.More power to da Dred! Get more info from their stateside label www.bielerbros.com www.skindred.com
News item added: 2/11/04



Famed DJ JOHN PEEL passed away today
Earache towers are in shock to hear the news. Peely was a broadcasting institution who exposed the UK radio audience to Earache's early output, we are eternally grateful for his involvement and enthusiastic endorsement of the label's bands on the radio. Very recently John also kindly wrote the foreword to the 'Choosing Death' book, which tells the story of the UK extreme music scene. John Peel's excellent radio shows will be sadly missed, every maverick underground music scene the UK has produced would not be the same without his support. http://news.bbc.co.uk
News item added: 26/07/04



EARACHE :ANNOUNCES CODEBREAKER LABEL DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA
Earache Records is proud to announce the licensing of fast-rising UK label Codebreaker Records for North America. The deal will see releases from the likes of Zatokrev, Abandon and Figure of Merit released across the territory, and subsequent albums unleashed by Codebreaker will all see a full US release.

Codebreaker Records, despite being a young label, has already achieved notable acclaim with its debut releases, and will continue to unearth new and distinct acts for future releases, including new signees Deadbird from Arkansas, and Hyatari from West Virginia. With Earache's well established US operation and national distribution behind the scenes, coupled with the label's 15-year experience of breaking numerous genre-defining acts including Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, The Haunted, Akercocke and Hate Eternal, both sides see a healthy future pushing extreme music forward.
Commenting on the new deal, Codebreaker label head Duncan Dinsdale said:
"Codebreaker Records is very pleased to ink this unsavoury union for North America. Earache Records is the one label that really does understand the nature of what makes a challenging, extreme and truly independent label. Having their history and experience behind Codebreaker is everything that we could have hoped for. Earache believe in our aesthetic and were not afraid to take us on board at the ground level -- so we're excited to take our vision into the future with them."
Earache's US label manager Alasdair Dawson added:
"Duncan has proven time and time again that he really has an amazing vision and talent when it comes to discovering new musical acts. We are very excited about the opportunity to work with him and the artists on Codebreaker records."
US release dates for Zatokrev
(Mp3 here) and Abandon
will be announced shortly. More info at thecodebreaker and earache websites
News item added: 15/09/04



Earache launches metal newsfeeds via RSS
Earache records has launched its RSS newsfeed for all the news concerning the label and its bands.
RSS provides news updates from websites in a simple easy to read form. You read these files in a program called an aggregator, which collects news from various websites of your choosing and provides it in a simple 'headlines' format. It enables viewers to keep track of many websites output at once.

Once you have downloaded your reader you will need add a new subscribtio to the Earache RSS news feed by using the following URL in the 'New Subscription' window*:
http://www.earache.com/news.xhtml
But what aggregator to use? Here are some choices:
SharpReader
Simple, but gets the job done.		 NetNewsWire
Easy to use and powerful.		 Straw
The best aggregator for GNOME.
FeedReader
Like SharpReader.
rss2email
Sends each new item to you as an email.
FeedDemon
A more complicated aggregator for Windows.

Cross Platform...
AmphetaDesk
A news aggregator you access through a web browser. (Mac/Win/Linux)
Clevercactus
Displays RSS feeds in an Outlook-like interface. (Mac/Win/Lin)
Radio UserLand
A full-stregth news-reading application, on your desktop. (Mac/Win)

Noted metalnews site blabbermouth.net also operates a newsfeed - subscribe with
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/newsfeed.xml
News item added: 15/09/04



Earache launches Mobile phone Truetones
Earache have unveiled a new range of ringtones featuring state of the art "TrueTone" technology. TrueTones are a major technological breakthrough as they are the first mobile phone format to deliver the actual original recordings as opposed to MIDI instrumentation versions of the songs- in short, if you have a compatible phone, they finally sound like the CD!
To mark the occasion Earache have released a range of truetones by artists such as Carcass, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Decapitated and Napalm Death to name but a few . . . as well as advance tracks from Mortiis's "The Grudge" 3 tracks from that album are currently exclusively available as a ringtone!

Earache's mobile content channel is for UK mobiles at present, but is set to go into overdrive soon with plans to expand across europe and offer extra value subscription services packages full of exclusive content.

Check out the ALL NEW earache ringtones, graphics and logos at www.earache.com/mobile
News item added: 23/07/04



One Helluva Earache Summer!!!
Well, well, well.....what a month June was for Earache! It all began back on the 5th June when at the crack of dawn we all arose to the sound of birds tweeting, the sun shining and the promise of muchos metal in the middle of a race track.
This years Download festival at donington park was the first time any Earache band has played the hallowed ground usually reserved for rock royalty such as IRON MAIDEN and METALLICA. However, satans prophets, AKERCOCKE, took to the stage and went down in the annals of history as the first truly brutal death metal band to play donington. To win over a crowd of 8000 pissed Metallica fans is nothing to be ashamed of! The least can be said for the muppets that are TAKING BACK SUNDAY, who believed they could win over a crowd of 8000 pissed off SLAYER fans who were awaiting the arrival of their heroes..bad mistake lads!
AKERCOCKE not only played a storming set, they spent the day wining and dning with the cream of rock n roll and engaged in a number of interviews. One with the lovely Juliya, of FUSE TVs URANIUM show, who spent the afternoon with the band, then later enjoyed a few drinkies with her gentlemanly hosts...EARACHE. After witnessing SLAYER and LIFE OF AGONY pull off crushing sets and METALLICA perform with proper drummers we all went home, boozed, bruised and in need of a clean toilet!
The next day began with a pleasant van journey to London with the URANIUM guys and gals where the METAL HAMMER Golden God Awards was taking place! AKERCOCKE arrived in satanic splendour. A stretched black limousine led by a horse drawn hearse (particularly sinster). They then entered the building and played a three song set that was witnessed by many a rockstar.
I should imagine a fair few drummers were thinking about raising their game after cathcing an eyeful of Mr. David Gray's percussive mastery. The band left the stage to rapturous applause and the drinks started to flow once again at the aftershow party...cheers to METAL HAMMER for the free bar! After a discussion about the finer points of VAN HALEN with the drummer from SILVERTIDE we all decided it was time to climb the wooden hill to
bedfordshire, so we could awake refreshed for another day of metal madness.
June 8th was a pretty hectic day. After learning that DEICIDE had cancelled their tour and were on their way home we quickly tried to get in touch with the band and persuade them otherwise. Of course this was impossible, as the disagreement with their agent had gone too far to be reconciled. So it was down to AKERCOCKE to save the day. Any normal band would say "fuck this, if the headliner ain't playing, neither are we!" However they showed up and played to more than half the crowd who were there primarily for DEICIDE!
Again, they conquered and we all went back to nottingham with huge, luciferious smiles...oh yeah, and pissed!
Onto Wednesday the 9th June and MUNICIPAL WASTE were in the UK for a few small DIY gigs. We arrived in the sleepy little town that is Boston, Lincs and were slighty bemused as to why thrash metals yound hopefuls would be playing in a nowhere place like Boston. Well, our assumptions were smashed to pieces, as the Boston crowd were as mad as a bag of kippers. After a brutal set from Glasgows THE PROCESS, it was down to MUNICIPAL WASTE to whip up a frenzy. They did just that!!! People were diving off walls, speaker cabinets, the bar, anything they could jump off really.
Playing most of the tracks from their excellent WASTE EM ALL album and an ACCUSED cover (nice one lads) the band finished off their set with a few beer bongs and then retired, avec Earache drinking team, to the lounge area of the Indian Queen, where we all laughed and had merriment with the landlord and his
accomplice..Dancing Bill!
By this point our bodies had been set to autopilot (so if anyones orders were a little late, appologies) and more gigs and piss ups were needed to sustain ourselves.
So, at the end of the month it was time for the FURYFEST in Le Mans, France. As the mighty MORBID ANGEL and the thrashtastic THE HAUNTED were playing, we thought it would only be right to represent the label with a stall in the extreme market! So we packed up a van and shot off to Le Mans. After a quite ridiculously rough ferry crossing the Earache mobile arrived at the festival sight and we bedded down. The first day saw a storming set from THE HAUNTED and the stall was a constant hive of activity.
So thanks go to all of you who dropped by and bought something or just said hello!
The extreme market on the second day (even hotter than the previous) was never below 27 degrees in temperature, so comfort was not an option. But the constant stream of metal and Kronenbourg kept any tensions at bay.
Band of the day award went to SUFFOCATION, a band that this particular metalhead has waited ten years to witness live.
Dissapointed...schmissapointed!! They slayed!
The third and final day had an assortment of baguette weilding drunken frenchmen come by the stand and chat away about BRUTAL TRUTH and MORBID ANGEL in broken englsih, sorry we could not speak french but we got by!
After another successful day, we packed up and went to watch MORBID ANGEL. To see the band firing on all cylinders, in front of 8000 people was a sight and sound to behold. Songs like RAPTURE, GOD OF EMPTINESS and ENSHRINED BY GRACE made everyone headbang like nutters and spill the beer! The crowd loved every last minute and we were satisfied that not even the headliners, SLIPKNOT, could top such a performance and funnily enough, they didn't. To see a headline act booed constantly for 40 minutes is something that we will never see again (I doubt), but it happened to SLIPKNOT.
Their gimmicky look and presence did not sit well with the FURYFEST crowd and they made the band know with a shower of bottles and middle fingers held aloft! Feeling like we had really embraced french culture and made a few new friends we decided it was time for home. By the time the Earache speedwagon reached home we thought that would be it but we still caught a gig that night. Cheers to the MESHUGGAH guys for the beer and ear bashing!
The next day was the final, the big match....INSISION and SUFFOCATION at the Underworld in London.
The new INSISON album REVEALED AND WORSHIPPED (out now) is a unholy collection of grinding, pulverising death metal songs all wrapped up in amazing artwork and finely tuned lyrics.
The thought of catching some of these masterworks live was too good a prospect to miss. The plucky Swedes played 4 new songs and 4 old ones (including the classic MY FEVER) and the london masses (who were not already) were converted. This band certainly did not come to heal!!! Then SUFFOCATION did what they do best.sonically killed us.
After convalescing with the crowd and selling a shit load of merch, INSISION relaxed with the Earache posse and wound down an exciting month of beer fueled metallic movements with insightful converstion and poetry.......nah,
we talked about tits and chocolate socks!
BIG thank yous go out to the following people and products that helped June be such a special month: AKERCOCKE, MUNICIPAL WASTE, INSISION, SUFFOCATION, MORBID ANGEL, THE HAUNTED, Adam Sagir, Olivier/Johan and Ben @ FURYFEST, ANDREX, KRONENBOURG, HOEGAARDEN, METAL HAMMER, HULA HOOPS, Juliya and the rest of the URANIUM guys and gals, Mark Freebase, Adie, PIRANHA energy drink, and God (or maybe not)
News item added: 26/07/04



See Mortiis & Society 1 but not December Wolves on the UK’s Channel 4
On Saturday 24th July at 10:00pm the UK’s Channel 4 are showing the programme we’ve all  been waiting for “X-Rated: The Music Videos They Tried To Ban” - do you remember the 80’s when music videos were becoming the norm and seen by the industry as a great way to promote the music and the realisation that image is everything? This documentary takes a look at the history of music videos and examines some of the most outrageous & shocking videos that have been made.
It’ll take a look at the controversy caused by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Prodigy with their “Smack My Bitch Up” to death metal’s violence and  the downright sauciness of Hip Hop vids! You ‘ll see some familiar faces in there with the inclusion of Mortiis and Matt Zane’s Society 1.

Containing interviews coming from the stars of the videos to the UK’s media celebs like Phill Jupitus & Jayne Middlemass and you may even catch a glimpse of Earache’s very own UK Label Manager Dan Tobin (although he didn’t actually want a name check here!!)

Ironically though .. One video you won’t be seeing on Channel 4’s X-Rated Video show is December Wolves’ “Porn Again Christian” - the programme’s lawyers decided it was too much even for them to show!!
News item added: 23/07/04



Selected titles available at a cheap price at MVC!

Eight killer titles are available as part of this special promotion:
Deicide
Scars of the Crucifix
Decapitated
The Negation
Akercocke
Choronzon
Cult of Luna
The Beyond

Morbid Angel
Heretic
The Haunted
One Kill Wonder
(special edition + 3 bonus tracks)
Mortiis
The Smell of Rain
The Berzerker
Dissimulate

So if you wanna fill in some holes in your collection, MVC is the best place to do it, so be sure to check in at any of the following participating stores...
ANDOVER  
ASHTON  
BARNSLEY  
BASILDON  
BASINGSTOKE  
BATH  
BEDFORD  
BEXLEYHEATH  
BIRKENHEAD  
BRACKNEL 
BRIGHTON  
BROUGHTON PARK  
BURNLEY
BURY
CAMBERLEY  
CARMARTHEN  
CARDIFF  
CHELTENHAM  
CHESTER  
CHESTERFIELD
 CHICHESTER  
CHISWICK  
COLCHESTER  
COVENTRY  
CWMBRAN  
DERBY  
DURHAM  
EASTBOURN  
EXETER  
FAREHAM  
GLENROTHES  
GLOUCESTER  
GUILDFORD  
HARROW  
HASTINGS
HUDDERSFIELD  
HULL  
HORSHAM  
HOUNSLOW  
HOVE  
HUNTINGDON  
 INVERNESS 
KENDAL  
KIRKALDY  
LEAMINGTON  
LEICESTER  
LINCOLN  
LIVINGSTONE  
LLANELLI  
LONDON BRIDGE  
MAIDENHEAD  
MAIDSTONE  
MIDDLEBROOK  
NEWBURY  
NEWCASTLE  
NEWPORT  
NOTTINGHAM VICTORIA CENTRE  
PENZANCE  
PERTH 
PETERBOROUGH  
PLYMOUTH 
 POOLE  
REDHILL
ROMFORD  
SALISBURY  
SHREWSBURY  
SOUTHPORT  
SOUTHEND  
STAINES  
STAR CITY
STOCKTON
SUTTON  
TAUNTON  
UXBRIDGE  
WALSALL  
WATFORD  
WELWYN  
WEYMOUTH  
WINCHESTER  
WOLVERHAMPTON  
WORTHING  
WREXHAM  
added: 6/07/04



Earache Website launches comprehensive Press Archive
Earache's website Earache.com today launches a new service-a comprehensive archive of Press clippings from all of its current bands.
Available to both fans, journalists and online writers for research purposes, Earache has made it easy to retrieve all the important press clippings from all its artists. Struggling to remember how many K's Akercocke got in Kerrang! mag? now you can find out instantly on earache's website! To access this useful resource go to http://www.earache.com/archive or it can be accessed by selecting any current band from the drop down menu and selecting "Press Archive" from the menu. Special thanks go to all the publishers and editors of the print magazines featured herein.
News item added: 10/05/04



EARACHE: IMMORTALIZED IN NEW DEATH METAL & GRINDCORE BIBLE
Earache Records plays a starring role in "Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore" a new book by acclaimed music journalist Albert Mudrian.
"Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore", which features an introduction by internationally respected DJ John Peel, conquers the lofty task of telling the two-decade-long history of this underground art form through interviews with some of the most esteemed names in these musical genres, from musicians to producers to label heads.

"Many people don't understand the true origins of this music," said Mudrian. "Moreover, I think the secret histories of the bands involved are just as captivating as the revolutionary music they created."

"This music was another step into outlaw territory beyond any aggressive music heard before," said John Peel. "I think death metal and grindcore was a return to a more extreme punk."

"The enduring impact of death metal can been seen in much of today's heavier music," Mudrian said. "From metallic hardcore to even commercial nu metal, countless bands owe a sizable debt to the work of NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, and CARCASS. It's time those groundbreaking influences were properly acknowledged."

"Choosing Death" is published by Feral House Books, publisher of such other definitive extreme music books such as "American Hardcore" and "Lords of Chaos" and will be out Autumn 2004.
News item added: 04/02/04



Even more Earache success in UK magazine polls
We obviously don't want to get too big headed about this but, it has to be
said Earache rule!

You've seen the Kerrang & Metal Hammer polls celebrating Akercocke's success... well here's another .. the readers of the UK's Rock Sound magazine have decided that not just one Earache release last year was shit hot but two! Both albums were debuts for Earache - Cult Of Luna's "The Beyond" and Akercocke's "Chronozon" were voted into the 2003's Top 50 albums.

So many thanks to the readers and writers of not just the UK press but the press everywhere who supported Earache last year .. long may it continue!
News item added: 02/02/04


Earache: Mega Xmas 2003 Party/Deicide gig report
Well, happy fuckin' new year to one and all. If you had as much fun as us over the festive season...you had a bloody good one! It all began way back in the beginning of December when the unholy troupe that is DEICIDE descended on London town to reak Havoc amongst the metal masses!

Spearheading a bill that also included such death metal luminaries as Nile, Akercocke, Amon Amarth and thrash legends Destruction, the band destroyed the 1400+ capacity Camden Palace, playing songs spanning their entire career. After the show we all went home beer goggled, tired and thoroughly satisifed that we had been beaten with a big, bad, musical satan stick! DEICIDE, however, went onto to lay waste to the rest of Europe on 15 date tour that took in all the major euro venues! So, as the saying goes...'No rest for the wicked!'
So all was quiet at Earache towers until Monday the 22nd of December...... the day of the annual Earache christmas bash.
We all arived in the office as usual, got on with e-mails, phonecalls etc etc. Then 1 hour in to the working day we heard a very familiar stomp coming up the stairs. Then a loud knock at the door!! "Ah ha...Mr.Benton...do come in!" The doorman said.
After 30 minutes of 'interesting' tour stories from old nick we took the guys to the venue for a soundcheck. The venue had a bad case of black ice just outside the load-in bay, so taking gear in was like juggling babies! 3 Hours later the bands were ready for soundcheck. The quintessential English gentlemen, AKERCOCKE, showed up with their gear and we got chatting about how drunk we would all get that evening. After many a manic dash between venue and office for supplies it came to doors opening time. So, as the clock struck 8.30pm, the gates of hell were official opened! Metal heads, who had traveled far and wide (even from as far as Greece, Romania and New Zealand), poured in and recieved a free tipple, courtesy of our friends at Jagermeister, to warm the cockles.
Once the venue reached capacity the doors were closed and any late comers were turned away (appologies to those who showed up late...but it said get their early on the ticket!). The time was 9pm and the party 'special guests', RETURN TO THE SABBAT, took to the stage. This was their last gig with original bass player, Fraser Caske, so it was a special one. They stormed through old classics like 'The Clerical Conspiracy' and 'Behind the Crooked Cross' and taught the crowd a lesson in old school, pagan thrash metal, proving the Brits can be as good as Johnny foreigner when it comes to heavy music (we invented it for fucks sake!).


After a few more shots of the demon treacle it was time for AKERCOCKE to dish up their cordon bleu blend of death/black metal. What a sight four men in crisp white shirts and neatly pressed black trousers with black braces and ties can add to the overall experience of witnessing a death metal band do their thing!
above: 'refreshments'
left: 'Return to the Sabbat whip up a frenzy'
below: 'Sermon of the Akercocke'
AKERCOCKE are in a league of their own! They not only have the style but also the tunes. Opening with the blasphemic 'Praise the Name of Satan', the chaps then kicked into a progressive vibe airing some of the more experimental tracks from Choronzon and rounded out their all too short time on stage with some more brutal oldies. The crowd lapped it up and I'm sure those who witnessed it would agree when I say AKERCOCKE = Absolute Class!
left: 'Akercocke teaching the undignified'
right: 'Mendonca eating mic...class!'
And so, onto the headliners of the evening. The last date of their mammoth winter world tour that took in every state in the US, every major city in Europe and finally ended here, at the Rescue Rooms club in our humble home of Nottingham, UK.
Playing to a smaller than usual audience (500) was no sweat for the floridian heavy weights. DEICIDE strode on stage to a rapturous applause. Opening with 'Children of the Underworld' the band teared through classics such as 'Bastards of Christ', ' When Satan Rules His World' and 'Lunatic of Gods Creation'. The crowd went mental and pitted as if their very lives depended on it! The set was rounded out with their anthemn 'Deicide' and the punters showed their undying appreciation. Their is no denying this bands appeal, if you like heavy music, you like DEICIDE!

above: Adam, Ponte and Mitch (Unseen Terror) in a festive mood
left: 'The lucky few'


below: 'Satans hordes attack!!!!'
'Brian slaying'

'Satans son himself!'

'Eric Hoffman shows Nottingham how strong his neck is!'
So, the end had come to another astounding crimbo party and the most metal night Nottingham had witnessed in years. After a few more beers and shots, lots of drunken banter and air guitaring to rock classics we said goodbye to all the bands who made their merry way home and we took taxis to our respective homes where we climbed respective wooden hills to bedfordshire and dreamed of more metal things to come in the year 2004! See y'all next year for another night of merry metal mayhem!!!!

Thank yous must be said to the following hordes for making this event a truly splendid one:
Anton and staff at the Rescue Rooms, Deicide and Crew (Rooney!), Akercocke and crew (Luca and Mr.Reeves), Return to the Sabbat (and crew), Jo @Jagermeister, Mark Freebase, Baz and his boys, Andy Paling, Stumpy & John Pires for DJing the event. Last but not least the Earache Records staff and the countless fans who travelled to make the night an unforgettable one. Cheers.
right: Ponte, Ash and Eric enjoying after gig
left: Mark Freebse
+ Ponte
= drunk
report and pics by Paul 'Ponte' Clayton
News item added: 07/01/04


CDs for £7.99 + free T-shirt at Virgin Stores
From this week fans can pick up some of the new Earache Cd's and classics for a measly £7.99 in Virgin stores nationwide in UK. Buy 2 Cd's at £7.99 and you can pick up a FREE exclusive Earache t-shirt. Hurry because the offer is open only while stocks last..
News item updated: 27/01/04


FREE CD on Metal Hammer
There is also a free 19 track Cd on the front of Metal Hammer showcasing all the bands in the deal and some classics.
The disc also includes a sneak preview of the new Deicide DVD 'Behind the Scars- Under The Skin Of Deicide' to be released with the special edition of scars of the crucifix.
The CD also contains exclusive advance tracks by Deicide, Decapitated and Lunaris.

This is the perfect chance to complete your collection of the finest albums in Extreme music history
 Akercocke - Choronzon
Mortiis - The Smell of Rain
Decapitated - Nihility
Cult of Luna - The Beyond
The Haunted - One Kill Wonder
Hate Eternal - King of All Kings
Napalm Death - Scum
Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
Carcass - Heartwork
At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul
News item added: 06/01/04


Earache Rewards Webstore Customers
In order to say a massive "Thank You" to loyal and supportive customers on the Webstore www.earache.com/store Earache have invited the top ten customers to be our special VIP guests at the now legendary Xmas bash in Nottingham on 22nd December.

The lucky winners will be personally partying with Earache staff, bands and friends including the night's live performers, Akercocke and the mighty Deicide . . . We are hearing a rumour that Scuzz TV's incredible Mullet Man will also be in attendance. The absolute TOP Webstore customer of 2003 will be drinking for free all evening and rounding off what's left of his night with a stay in the artist's hotel . . . all on Earache!!

During 2003 the Webstore www.earache.com/store went from strength to strength, adding to its growing army of loyal customers who know that Earache is the cheapest and probably the fastest-shipping online extreme music retailer around. Not only that but we only sell what we listen to ourselves, no scrolling through bewildering lists of bands, at Earache we help you find exactly the kind of extremity you're looking for.

From all the Earache Webstore www.earache.com/store team... "Have an awesome Christmas and an extreme New Year".
News item added: 11/12/03


Earache:FREE Xmas party line up details - Mon 22 Dec

Yuletide.
Nights are drawing in, summer days a distant memory, stores filling with tinsel and tat...
BUT its also the time for the Annual Earache Xmas Bash!!


you can also send an email (any content, any subject) to party@earache.com
This year we have one devilishly delightful line-up that will have you head-banging merrily way into the new year. You are cordially invited by Earache to come party with fellow fans and Earache's bands for FREE.

Floridian Death Metal legends DEICIDE will perform live as will rising UK satanic stars AKERCOCKE. Ably supported by some very special suprise guests.
Earache staff DJ's will keep the metal -and the alcohol- flowing between the live sets, courtesy of our very kind sponsors WKD.

The party takes place at RESCUE ROOMS, NOTTINGHAM UK on Monday 22 December. Rescue Rooms is right next door to Rock City.Doors 8pm -2am.

To receive your FREE pair of tickets to The Metallic Xmas bash to end them all, just text the word Party to 07781486111 and follow the instructions.
(txts are at your normal rate, no charges from us)

We'll see you there.
Text PARTY to 07781486111
for FREE tickets
Sponsored by WKD.
Questions? - read the Earache Xmas party FAQ here...
Ok I've applied by text , when will I get my pair of FREE tickets?
We will send out 2 free tickets by post to the address you texted us, on or about December 5th.

I have 6 mates coming with me, how do I get 6 tickets?
You need to text us a name and address for each PAIR of tickets you want. So text us 3 times with three different addresses for 3 pairs of tickets.Simple eh?

Can I buy tickets?
Sorry its a private party and only fans and friends of Earache applying for tickets in the above way can attend.

We're travelling to Nottingham, wheres the Rescue Rooms?
It's a newish venue, right around the corner from Rock City (who own it) at the far end of the dark alley known as Masonic Place. see map here: http://www.rescuerooms.com/contact.htm

We're travelling to Nottingham, where can we stay?

We suggest you post a thread on our Earache forum,we're sure you'll find
a friendly Nottm Earache fan to let you stay
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=267
or heres some hotels close by the venue.
http://www.welbeck-hotel.co.uk/
http://www.citilodge.co.uk/
cheaper but further away
http://www.premierlodge.co.uk/premierlodge/locate_lodge/lodgeinfo.jsp?id=642

What times will the party run?
Doors at 8pm , we recommend to turn up early for the special guests-Deicide should be onstage at 11pm.Club closes 2 am.

I know blah blah at Earache/Deicide/Akercocke or I write for blah blah magazine ,so can I blag a guest list place?
There won't be a guest list per se but members of the press/media and professional blaggers email sarah@earache.com with subject line: XMAS PARTY for details

Who else is playing? can my band support DEICIDE?
We aim to make the mysterious Special Guests very special indeed. Sorry the bill for the party is full.
News item added: 18/11/03




EARACHE RINGTONES NOW EVEN CHEAPER!!!!
Due to the huge demand for the Earache colour graphics and ringtones we have a treat for all you ringtone fiends out there .....they've just got cheaper!! All the Earache artists ringtones and graphics are now £1.50 cheaper.

We have polyphonic ringtones, monophonic ringtones, colour graphics and black & white graphics, you'll find content for nearly EVERY phone in use today in the UK. (PLEASE NOTE THIS SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE UK AT THE MOMENT .. BUT WILL BE EXTENDED TO EUROPE AND THE US EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR).

All you need to do to get your tune or graphic is use this link and follow the instructions
www.earache.com/mobile
 
You can get the content either by texting  "EARACHE" followed by a space then the item code (all listed on website) OR by calling 0906  900 1310  and following the instructions (you'll also need the item code)
News item added: 31/10/03




CLUTCH: CLASSIC EARACHE TRACK ON NEW TONY HAWK VIDEOGAME
Clutch's classic stoner anthem, "Impetus", the title track off their 1992 Earache release, is featured on the massive, star-studded soundtrack to "Tony Hawk's Underground" aka "T.H.U.G.", the new Tony Hawk skateboard videogame. Other bands on the soundtrack include Jane's Addiction, Kiss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Superjoint Ritual, to name but a few. The game is being touted as "the most customizable game ever", in which players can insert their own faces onto the skaters in the game! A plot-driven game, T.H.U.G. puts the player front and center as a skateboarder working his way to the top, and enables the player to explore environments and achieve goals both on and off the board.

http://www.thugonline.com
News item added: 25/10/03




Earache’s new webstore is open for business and better than ever!
Earache's value for money webstore just got better! Now you can buy not only the new & past releases for all the Earache artistsbut you can also get your hands on 100’s of titles from some of metal’s most prestigious labels - Relapse, Osmose, Hammerheart, Listenable etc ... with moreto come soon - all at the same bargain prices you've come to enjoy, and the same speedy service which has made the Earache webstore one of the best customer friendly stores out there.

The titles available are the “must-haves” of the extreme metal scene and have been hand picked to bring you only the cream of the crop! Our experienced store personnel have waded through the millions of releases available to present you with the kind of top quality sounds you come to expect from Earache itself. So now, while you’re perusing the store to top up your Earache collection you can buy albums from the likes of Cephalic Carnage, Mastodon, Enslaved, Nile, Dimmu Borgir and Dillinger Escape Plan, Immortal, Marduk etc etc

All cds are priced at an amazingly low price which includes post & packaging - and our new system, with a US only store, and a seperate ROW store, means that CD's ordered in the US are sent from the US, enabling quicker deliver times for our Stateside fans!
News item added: 26/06/03





THE HISTORY OF EARACHE...
Earache Records started during the summer of 1986 in the Nottingham apartment of founder Digby Pearson, who for years previously was a prominent scenester and avid fan of the 80's Underground Hardcore scene, following bands like Discharge, MDC and DRI etc. Dig's apprenticeship in the rudiments of the music industry was served by stints as a writer for Punk fanzine Maximum RocknRoll, promoting American HC bands' tours in the UK and self-releasing flexidiscs of bands such as The Stupids and Heresy.

Noticing the beginnings of a crossover of the Hardcore Punk and Thrash Metal scenes, Digby, without any particular fanfare, set about releasing records by those bands he considered pushed the envelope of Hardcore to its most extreme, soon discovering an obscure Birmingham oufit called Napalm Death. Their brand of hyper-speed ' blast ' beats with political and social lyrics, - dubbed 'Grindcore' by the band themselves - made their debut LP 'Scum' an instant hit with fans and ensured widespread notoriety for what was, by some measure, the most extreme and harsh music ever released to the public. By their second album 'From Enslavement to Obliteration' in 1988, Napalm Death had, against all expectations, broken into the mainstream by debuting at Number 1 on the UK Indie charts , scoring the label's first NME front cover and radio sessions with noted BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who had typically supported the sound from its inception.

In turn the label grew from a bedroom operation into something more organised - Earache signed a whole host of acts that were coming together to become the leaders of the 'Grindcore' scene and its more metallic offshoot, 'Death Metal' - including Floridian satanists Morbid Angel and Sweden's downtuned death-heads Entombed. Liverpudlian gore group Carcass' medical-atrocity album covers resulted in a raid on the label's offices from the UK Obscene Publications Squad to seize copies of their 'Reek of Putrefaction' and 'Symphonies of Sickness' albums, but no charges were actually made. During this time, Earache's output was not just limited to Death Metal records but embraced all manner of similarly extreme offshoots, from Industrial-Metal pioneers Godflesh and Pitchshifter, to the sludgy Doom of Cathedral, and laid-back Californians Sleep, one of the earliest Stoner Rock bands. Noted musicians from the avant garde such as John Zorn and Bill Laswell also contributed.

By 1992, with the Grind/Death Metal scene gaining attention worldwide, many Earache releases began appearing in the national Album charts in the UK, as well as similar sales charts in Sweden, Germany and USA by sheer numbers of fans buying the releases. Earache had by that stage become the by-word for extreme music, being home to most, if not all, the leading bands in the scene.

In 1993 the label entered into a license deal with Sony Music in the USA, the natural assumption from all sides was that with Major label backing, Earache's extreme bands would form the next wave of platinum rock acts. The expected sales breakthrough did not materialise however, as US radio programmers at the time were still enthralled by the Grunge-lite sound and it would be another 6 years before any heavy music was embraced by radio and US fans alike, in the form of the Nu-Metal explosion.

The Sony deal was short lived, but the fallout caused by failure to sell in America affected things badly. Carcass signed directly with Sony though the band folded soon afterwards, meanwhile other Major labels engaged in a signing frenzy for Earache's extreme metal stars: Morbid Angel signed to Giant , Entombed to East West, and Sleep to London. After the dust had settled, many of the leading acts on Earache's roster were gone, but the label had, crucially, its fiercely Independent status and extensive back catalogue intact.

Post Sony, Earache immediately scored big with Swedish melodic Death Metal band At The Gates, but the labels iconaclastic tendencies were exemplified by dabbling with hardcore techno via the US Industrial Strength label as well as UK cyber/techno act Ultraviolence. These signings were far removed from the Extreme Metal scene Earache was known for and synonymous with, but during this period Welsh act Dub War scored the label 5 UK singles chart hits and for a couple of years were Earache's most succesful act in the UK.

Since the turn of the millenium, Earache has fostered underground metal talent by setting up the "Wicked World" imprint for new acts, while still developing breakthrough bands like The Haunted from Sweden, plus the unique talents of Norway's dark-goth Mortiis, as well as Australian grind mutants The Berzerker and Poland's young Death Metal prodigies Decapitated. With the current resurgence in interest in heavy music, all these bands look likely to make Earache's mark on the extreme music scene again.

Now known worldwide as the label for all things extreme in music, Earache's contribution to the underground scene is immense, having signed a remarkably high percentage of the leading and most innovative acts in the genre, as well as selling over 8 million records in the process, all the time remaining a truly Independent label.

Earache's comittment to extremity remains as steadfast as the day it started in the bedroom.