Vintersorg

 Today in 1999 Vintersong released the album Ödemarkens son

Skellefteå,Sweden Viking/Folk Metal, Progressive Metal

Status:Active

Years active:1994-1996 (as Vargatron), 1996-present

The origins of Vintersorg the band come from a band called Vargartron in 1994. The band eventually folded, but Vintersorg (the man) decided to continue with some of the band ideas, and so Vintersorg the band was born. Mostly a one-man project with only a couple of guests helping out (though guitarist Mattias Marklund is now considered an official full member), the Vintersorg style is epic, post-black metal, with occasional folk influences. Vintersorg's midrange vocals are unique (the closest comparison might be Dan Swano's clean/non-death style), he is a fine vocalist and a very good songwriter, as the songs have none of the self-indulgence one might expect from a one-man band.

Vintersorg (the man) has recently joined Borknagar as their vocalist, but this band remains an ongoing project. He is also a member of two other bands, the more folky Otyg and the gothic-inspired Havayoth, both of which have recorded albums.

Napalm Records

Vintersorg Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards

Guest/Session

Vargher Keyboards, Drum Programming

Cia Hedmark Violin, Vocals (additional) (track 2, 4)

Andreas Frank Guitars (lead) (track 1, 5, 8, 9)

1. När alver sina runor sjungit 04:46

2. Svältvinter 04:36

3. Under norrskenets fallande ljusspel 03:54

4. Månskensmän 05:46

5. Ödemarkens son 05:17

6. Trollbunden 02:44

7. Offerbäcken 04:29

8. I den trolska dalens hjärta 05:55

9. På landet 06:35

44:02

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Ballerina Audio between the 31st of May and the 16th of June 1999.

Drums and keyboards created in Wolf's Lair 1999.

The Kovenant

 Today in 1999 The Kovenant released there debut album Animatronic

Bergen,Norway Electronic/Industrial Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1992-1999 (as Covenant), 1999-present
The Kovenant, the band known formerly as Covenant, has come a long way since their early days. As Covenant, this band released two albums, with the first (In Times Before The Night) a rather typical black metal affair, and the latter (Nexus Polaris) widely regarded as a classic in the black metal field, though by this time the band was broadening its style and was already uncomfortable being labelled as black metal. To avoid legal conflicts with a Swedish band also called Covenant, the band decided to switch names to The Kovenant, but the change did not end there. Stripped to a trio, all of which took new stage names, the band also made a stylistic change on the newer Animatronic album, taking a bit of the Nexus sound and combining it with a sort of spacey, industrial/techno blend. Comparisons to bands such as Marilyn Manson and Rammstein have been made (neither of which are completely valid, though one can find some traces of both on Animatronic) -- though the new album is somewhat more accessible than its predecessor, the shift isn't quite as drastic as others have claimed. Not surprisingly, the change in image and sound sharply divided fans, some of whom welcomed the new look and others who wanted more of the Nexus style.
Quiet for the next couple of years, The Kovenant decided on an interesting move, opting to add modern effects (in keeping with their current direction) to the In Times debut, essentially releasing an updated, enhanced version of the album. Finally, 2003 saw the release of their proper followup to Animatronic, in the form of S.E.T.I.. Their progression away from black metal is now complete, as the band is now firmly in the techno/electronic metal arena, somewhat like a cross between the recent albums of Atrocity and Theatre Of Tragedy. Again, anyone expecting their recent material to sound anything like Nexus Polaris might be disappointed, but their new direction is intriguing, and S.E.T.I. is an interesting album in a not so crowded field.
Nuclear Blast Records
Lex Icon Vocals, Bass
Psy Coma Guitars, Keyboards, Programming
von Blomberg Drums
Guest/Session
Eileen Küpper Vocals (soprano)
1. Mirrors Paradise 05:01
2. New World Order 04:30
3. Mannequin 05:00
4. Sindrom 05:30
5. Jihad 05:58
6. The Human Abstract 04:55
7. Prophecies of Fire 04:38
8. In the Name of the Future 04:56
9. Spaceman (Babylon Zoo cover) 05:23
10. The Birth of Tragedy 05:16
51:07
CD comes in a slipcase for its first edition. A silver sticker with black lettering
"... ex - Covenant (N) ..." and the rating of the album in three magazines
was on the slipcase.
The first catalog number is printed on the slipcase and jewelcase spines.
The second one is printed on the back cover (both slipcase and jewelcase) and the disc front.
This was the beginning of the group taking an electronica approach towards their metal music.
All music and lyrics by The Kovenant, except "Spaceman" by Babylon Zoo.
Japanese bonus track:
11. New World Order (Remix by Mat Sinner)
Issued as a limited edition Pic-LP (Nuclear Blast Picture Disc Series).
Recording information:
Recorded at Woodhouse Studios.

Lux Occulta

 Today in 1999 Lux Occulta released the album My Guardian Anger

Dukla (early), Cracow (later),Poland Black Metal (early), Extreme Avant-garde Metal (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1994-2002, 2011-present

Lux Occulta had a relatively short run in the late nineties, but remains the clear BNR favorite among Polish metal bands. Formed in late 1994, they reached their peak with 1999's My Guardian Anger, where they harnessed their highly original brand of frenzied, technical black metal, most notable for some brilliant keyboard and drum work. The followup, 2001's The Mother And The Enemy, went off the rails a bit, clearly showing a band in conflict, as the album featured several tracks in the mold of their previous works but also tracks that branched out in bizarre directions, such as the odd but ultra-cool Portishead-styled trip-hop of "Midnight Crisis" and "Yet Another Armageddon", and the industrial death march of "Gambit". To some these alternate tracks made no sense whatsoever, though to these ears they were a fresh addition and a great contrast to their more traditional works. Unfortunately it was this lack of direction that most likely led to the band's demise soon after Mother's release. As late as 2007 a revamped lineup was still in existence, but all was quiet until 2012, when formal work commenced on a new album, now set for a spring 2014 release.

Pagan Records

Fool Vocals

Hermit Keyboards

Magican Guitars (rhythm)

Death Drums

Devil Guitars (lead)

Sun Bass

Guest/Session

Dorota Szostak Vocals

Magdalena Drozdowska Viola

Maria Kowalkowska Viola

1. The Heresiarch 06:26   

2. Kiss My Sword 05:36   

3. Triangle 01:08   instrumental

4. The Opening of the Eleventh Sephirah 09:35   

5. Nude Sophia 05:52  

6. Cube 01:04   instrumental

7. Library on Fire 07:11  

8. Mane - Tekel - Fares 09:05    

  45:57

Recorded and mixed at Selani Studio, December 1998 - January 1999.

Co-produced by Lux Occulta.

Mastered in Studio 333.

Korn

 Today in 1999 Korn released the album Issues

Bakersfield, California, Nu metal, alternative metal

Status:Active

Years active 1993–present

The downtuned guitars, the hip-hop influences, the chaotic vocal style -- for a time there it seemed everyone was playing nu-metal, but Korn have been doing it longer than most, and thus deserve acclaim as being one of the originators of the style (Deftones deserve credit too), as well as the scourge of "real metal" fans who believe their style to not be metal at all (an opinion not fully shared here). Now more than two decades into their career, Korn continues to release albums that set them apart from their many imitators, though at the same time they really haven't broadened their horizons significantly since their seminal 1994 debut. Having weathered the storm that was the well-publicized departure of guitarist Brian Welch in 2005 (and subsequent return 8 years later), the band has shown renewed vigor as of late and still are at the top of their game.

Epic

Jonathan Davis - vocals, bagpipes, additional drums, programming

Fieldy - bass, programming

Munky - guitars

Head - guitars

David Silveria - drums

1. "Dead" 1:12

2. "Falling Away from Me" 4:29

3. "Trash" 3:27

4. "4 U" 1:42

5. "Beg for Me" 3:53

6. "Make Me Bad" 3:55

7. "It's Gonna Go Away" 1:29

8. "Wake Up" 4:07

9. "Am I Going Crazy" 1:00

10. "Hey Daddy" 3:44

11. "Somebody Someone" 3:47

12. "No Way" 4:07

13. "Let's Get This Party Started" 3:41

14. "Wish You Could Be Me" 1:07

15. "Counting" 3:37

16. "Dirty" 7:50

Total length: 53:16

Issues is the fourth studio album by American nu metal band Korn, released on November 16, 1999 through Immortal Records. Since its release, the album has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. The album was promoted throughout 2000 by the band's highly successful Sick and Twisted Tour.

Disgorge

 Today in 1999 Disgorge released the album She lay Gutted

San Diego, California Brutal Death Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1992-2006, 2011-present

Disgorge is a brutal death metal band from USA.

In 1992 Bryan Ugartechea, Tony Freithoffer and Ricky Myers started what was to become one of California's most brutal deathgrind bands. In 1992 they released their first demo "Cognitive lust of Mutilation". Shortly after, Disgorge relocated to San Diego California to establish their name in the underground scene. During the move the band parted ways with bassist/vocalist Bryan Ugartechea. Immediately, new members Matti Way (vocals) and Eric Flesy (bass) filled Brian's position.

The band quickly wrote new material for their second demo "95 demo", which was distributed worldwide and received great reviews. Disgorge played many shows throughout 1995 to broaden their fan base. In 1996 Disgorge recorded the first four tracks of "Cranial Impalement" ( CD released by Extremities Prod. ) which wasn't released until recently.

In 1997 Tony Freithoffer and Eric Flesy left the band to pursue other things. Ricky and Matti began looking for new members, which weren't found until late 1998. Diego Sanchez (guitar) and Ben Marlin (bass) of Strangulation (a local death metal band) decided to join the band then signed with Unique Leader Entertainment, shortly after they released their full-length album entitled "She Lay Gutted" in November of ‘99. Since the release of She lay Gutted Disgorge has toured worldwide in Europe, North America and South America.

They recorded their worldwide distributed third album entitled "Consume the Forsaken" with a new vocalist, A.J. Magana, who replaced Matti Way in 2001. Disgorge has always set out to play the most extreme music possible and on all three albums they have stayed true to their ways. On their fourth album entitled "Parallels of Infinite Torture" featuring new front man Levi Fuselier & guitarist Ed Talorda they have pushed their limits even farther. With many World Wide tours in the works Disgorge have tortured Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Mexico, and Indonesia in support of the new release.

Also many more tours are to come while the band plan on wrinting new material for a next album.

Unique Leader Records

Matti Way Vocals

Diego Sanchez Guitars

Ben Marlin (R.I.P. 2008) Bass

Ricky Myers Drums

Guest/Session

Erik Lindmark (R.I.P. 2018)Vocals (backing)

1. Revelations XVIII 03:31

2. She Lay Gutted 02:41

3. Exhuming the Disemboweled 03:01

4. Compost Devourment 01:53

5. Sodomize the Bleeding 03:05

6. False Conception 02:51

7. Womb Full of Scabs 02:24

8. Disfigured Catacombs 02:37

9. Purifying the Cavity 02:49

24:52

Recorded at Moon Productions Recording Studio, Arroyo Grande, California.

Produced by Disgorge.

All music and lyrics by Disgorge.

Coalesce

 Today in 1999 Coalesce released the album 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening

Kansas City, Missouri Metalcore, mathcore
Status:Active
Years active:1994–1999, 2005–present
Coalesce's music has consistently pushed the boundaries of the hardcore and metal genres, forging a mind-boggling obsession with strange, shifting tempos with power, noise, groove, and a creativity paralleled only by the band's peers in Dillinger Escape Plan and Botch. The origins of Coalesce can be traced back to a band called Breach -- a group not to be confused with the European outfit that shares their name. Breach formed in January of 1994 with Jes Steineger on guitar, Stacy Hilt on bass, and drummer James Redd. After a few abortive attempts at finding a musical direction with a different vocalist, screamer Sean Ingram -- late of the band Restrain -- was invited to join the fold.

002 As Coalesce, the quartet began to define its own sound, bridging together odd time signatures, an abrasive vocal style, and wandering guitar dissonance. They wrote five songs together and performed for free in basements, eventually releasing a self-titled 7" single through Chapter Records that quickly blew through its initial 1,000-copy pressing. The buzz generated by the single and the band's increasingly volatile live performances drew the attention of metal powerhouse label Earache, which invited Coalesce to become the third band aboard their short-lived New Chapter imprint. The resulting record was a CD version of their three-song 002 demo. A year later, Coalesce released a split-CD EP with Britain's long-running Napalm Death. The two Earache releases were supported by a six-week tour with similarly minded Florida band Bloodlet and Krishna-core mavens 108.

Relapse
Sean Ingram – Vocals, Art direction, Design
James Dewees – Drums
Jes Steineger – Guitar
Nathan Ellis – Bass
1. "What Happens on the Road Always Comes Home" 3:05
2. "Cowards.com" 2:26
3. "Burn Everything That Bears Our Name" 2:24
4. "While The Jackass Operation Spins Its Wheels" 2:22
5. "Sometimes Selling Out Is Waking Up" 3:21
6. "Where The Hell Is Rick Thorne These Days?" 1:56
7. "Jesus in the Year 2000/Next On the Shit List" 2:57
8. "Counting Murders, Drinking Beer (The $46,000 Escape)" 2:33
9. "They Always Come in Fall" 2:49
Recorded Red House Studios
Eudora, Kansas
0:12 Revolution in Just Listening is the third studio album to be released by Missouri band Coalesce.

Entombed

 Today in 1998 Entombed released the album Same Difference

Stockholm,Sweden Death Metal/Death 'n' Roll

Status:Active

Years active: 1987-1989 (as Nihilist), 1989-present

Entombed was at the forefront of the first wave of Swedish death metal in the early nineties, with their first two releases (Left Hand Path and Clandestine) widely regarded as landmarks in the field. By 1994, they shifted direction somewhat, starting with Wolverine Blues, towards a more punk-oriented, stripped-down yet still quite heavy style, prompting the coining of phrases such as "death 'n roll" and "death rock" by fans and critics. Predictably, the change in style split existing fans, some of which wanted more traditional death metal and others welcoming the new sound. The past several years has seen Entombed tinkering with their style, offering slight deviations here and there but basically sticking to a now-reliable formula that continues to serve them well. The general consensus is that Same Difference is the lone substandard release in their back catalog, with newer albums such as Morning Star and Uprising receiving the most accolades.

The band fractured in 2013, when guitarist Alex Hellid sat out a tour and then commenced to work with older former members. The rest of the band pressed on, recording an album that ended up being released under the name Entombed A.D., and that band can now be considered the logical successor to Entombed. While a 2014 ruling said that no one could use the Entombed name, Hellid, along with old-time members Uffe Cederland and Nicke Andersson and two new guys, played a gig as Entombed in October 2016, so for the moment, both bands are active.

Music for Nations

Jörgen Sandström - Bass

L-G Petrov - Vocals

Alex Hellid - Guitars

Ulf "Uffe" Cederlund - Guitars

Peter Stjärnvind - Drums

1. Addiction King (2:56)

2. The Supreme Good (4:15)

3. Clauses (3:38)

4. Kick in the Head (3:29)

5. Same Difference (4:00)

6. Close but Nowhere Near (2:56)

7. What You Need (2:49)

8. High Waters (3:39)

9. 20/20 Vision (3:03)

10. The Day, the Earth (2:45)

11. Smart Aleck (3:19)

12. Jack Worm (2:51)

13. Wolf Tickets (3:52)

Recorded at Polar Studios, Stockholm, August 1998.

Mixed at Baby Monster Studios, NYC, September 1998.

Mastered at Masterdisk.

Limited edition bonus track:

14. Dagger [3:32]

Japanese bonus track:

15. Vices by Proxy [2:59]

The Brazilian edition featured the bonus tracks:

14. Kick out of the Jams

15. 21st Century Schizoid Man

16. Bursting Out

17. Under the Sun

18. Vices by Proxy

19. Dagger

Same Difference is the fifth full length album by Swedish metal band Entombed. It was released in 1998

Feeling they had explored their Death'n'Roll sound as far as they could, Entombed wanted to stretch their legs a bit on 'Same Difference'. But the difference with previous albums isn't too big in fact. At least not as big as the PR machine (back in the day) might have wanted you to believe.

The main difference is that both guitarists forgot to open up the gain of their amps. So Entombed sounds lighter and more rocking here. But the songwriting hasn't changed much in fact Lars Petrov screams as of old and the new drummer Peter Stjärnvind keeps the beat in its usual rolling speed. Imagine this album with more distortion and you're not far off from 'To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak The Difference'. With that whole matter out of the way, I need to point out that, despite these minimal changes, this album just doesn't really work. I don't think the songs are to blame but without their usual heaviness and bite, Petrov's shouting is in vein. The rest of the band is simply miles behind and doesn't add the power and oomph to make it work.

It's a deserving attempt from Entombed to try their style with a new and less metallic sound. But that's simply not why God created Entombed. We want to hear this band roar!, not striving for subtlety. Somehow they got the message and they've stuck to their guns ever since