Devin Townsend Project

 Today in 2009 Devin Townsend Project released the album Addicted

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Progressive Metal/Rock, Ambient

Status: Active

Years active :2008-present

Sixteen years into a recording career that began with an appearance on Steve Vai’s 1993 album Sex and Religion, the Vancouver-born, eccentric, prolific metal performer and producer Devin Townsend revealed details of the Devin Townsend Project. Following the brief hiatus that came after his 2007 rock opera Ziltoid the Omniscient, a newly shaven-headed and teetotaling Townsend announced an intended four-album sequence under this moniker, with the primary goal being that he wanted to make music without the assistance of drugs. Townsend’s vision also revealed an ambition to record with different musicians on each album, in order to keep things fresh. May 2009’s Ki was one of the more restrained releases in his canon, particularly in comparison to his strident Strapping Young Lad material. It touched on laid-back funk and ambient rock -- as displayed on the tranquil “Ain’t Never Gonna Win” -- and featured Duris Maxwell, who had previously drummed with Motown act Bobby Taylor & Vancouvers in the ‘60s and Jefferson Airplane in the ‘70s.

HevyDevy Records

Devin Townsend Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals (choirs), Lyrics, Songwriting

Ryan van Poederooyen Drums, Vocals (choirs)

Brian Waddell Bass, Songwriting (track 8)

Mark Cimino Guitars, Vocals (choirs)

Guest/Session

Anneke van Giersbergen Vocals (lead), Vocals (backing)

Dave Young Keyboards (additional)

Susanne Richter Vocals (additional) (on "Ih-ah!")

Rob Cunningham Vocals (choirs)

Hugh Gilmartin Vocals (choirs)

John Rafferty Vocals (choirs)

1. Addicted! 05:36

2. Universe in a Ball! 04:09

3. Bend It like Bender! 03:37

4. Supercrush! 05:13

5. Hyperdrive! 03:36

6. Resolve! 03:12

7. Ih-ah! 03:45

8. The Way Home! 03:14

9. Numbered! 04:55

10. Awake!! 09:44

47:01

"Hyperdrive" is a re-working of a song from the Devin Townsend album 'Ziltoid the Omniscient.'

A video was made for "Bend It Like Bender!".

American release at November 17th by InsideOut Music (cat. # 0507-2)

Released on double LP by Back On Black. First press of 1000 on red vinyl.

Recording information:

Recorded at Studio 'D', Vancouver, B.C.

Drums recorded at The Factory, Vancouver, B.C.

Additional vocals engineered at Strait Sound Studios.

Anger as Art

Today in 2009 Anger As Art released the album Disfigure

Pasadena, California Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2004 (as Steve Gaines), 2004-present

Formed in 2004, Anger As Art features four established LA-area thrash veterans with some fine pedigree. They've rather quietly released four albums thus far, and as heard on 2009's Disfigure, the style is not suprisingly thrash, frenzied and aggressive and a bit more in-your-face compared to the 80's/90's style from these guys' former outfits.

Old School Metal Records

Rob Alaniz Drums, Vocals

Danny Oliverio Guitars, Vocals

Steve Gaines Vocals, Guitars

Angelo Espino Bass, Vocals

1. The Crush 04:28

2. Appease an Angry God 04:13

3. It Feels Like Blood 03:21

4. Disfigure 05:02

5. The All Fall Down 04:57

6. Master Becomes the Slave 03:54

7. Seed of Hate 04:16

8. I Am Your Enemy 03:49

9. Anger Is a Gift 04:26

10. Dissention 04:27

42:53

Primordial

 Today in 2007 Primordial released the album To the Nameless Dead

Dublin,Ireland Celtic/Folk/Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1987 (as Forsaken), 1987-present

One of a handful of Irish black metal bands making some noise in recent years, Primordial has developed a rather intriguing sound on their later works. While black metal guitars are the dominant feature, the overall style is more laidback and epic, with sprawling, slower riffs and inventive pounding drumming and vocals that rarely are of the typical black metal variety, but are more often a clean, midrange croon (predominantly on Spirit The Earth Aflame) or a slightly huskier growl (on Storm Before Calm). The melodies, at times slightly Celtic-laced, are spirited, sweeping and majestic -- excellent and fairly unique. Having just signed to Metal Blade, the best may be yet in store.

Metal Blade Records

A.A. Nemtheanga Vocals

Ciáran MacUiliam Guitars

Simon O'Laoghaire Drums

Pól MacAmlaigh Bass

Micheál O'Floinn Guitars

1. Empire Falls 08:02

2. Gallows Hymn 05:55

3. As Rome Burns 09:15

4. Failures Burden 06:37

5. Heathen Tribes 08:18

6. The Rising Tide 01:33 instrumental

7. Traitors Gate 06:49

8. No Nation on This Earth 08:13

54:42

Recorded during the summer of 2007 at Foel Studios, Wales.

Mastered at Hofa Studios, Karlsdorf, Germany.

Crystal Ball

 Today in 2007 Crystal Ball released the album Secrets

Horw, Lucerne, Switzerland Heavy Metal/Hard Rock

Status:Active

Years active:1995-1998 (as Cherry Pie), 1998-present

Each country is well known for a certain style and taste. This is true also for Switzerland. In fact one thing is sure: Swiss like to rock! With acts like GOTTHARD, KROKUS and CRYSTAL BALL the Swiss scene is among the finest and healthier around. CRYSTAL BALL have been rising to fame amongst the fans of hard and melodic sounds with their trademark mixture of melodic Hard Rock and Power Metal. "TimeWalker" is their new release, the fifth full length in the band's still brief yet intense history, and it includes many surprises. "TimeWalker" is a concept album with a journey through different historical events. Just listen to the opening track "Digital World", possibly the heaviest track ever recorded by Crystal Ball, which starts the journey in our time. Musically there is a big variety of styles ranging from the mid-tempo hymns of "He Came To Change The World", the majestic "Mozart Symphony" and the cheerful "Celebration". As on their previous release "Hellvetia", Crystal Ball worked again with producer Stefan Kaufmann (ex-Accept, U.D.O.), who helped creating a dynamic and powerful sound.

AFM Records

Hans "Hungi" Berglas Guitars

Marcel Sardella Drums

Scott Leach Guitars

Mark Sweeney Vocals

Guest/Session

Michael Bormann Bass, Vocals (backing)

1. Moondance 05:15

2. I Will Drag You Down 04:41

3. Minor Key 04:23

4. It's Not Love 03:26

5. Time Has Come 04:27

6. Secrets 03:18

7. Wings of Fire 03:18

8. Dreaming of You 03:59

9. Destiny 04:49

10. I'll Be Waiting 04:21

11. Face the Truth 04:40

12. Pretend You're Laughing 04:43

51:20

"Pretend You're Laughing" is a bonus track on the first edition.

Axxis

 Today in 2007 Axxis released the album Doom of Destiny

Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany Heavy/Power/Melodic Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1988-present

Axxis made a splash very early in their career, with their 1989 debut album Kingdom Of The Night selling over 100,000 copies in their native Germany, earning them an award for "Best Selling Debut by A German Rock Band". They have continued to excel in Europe and Japan, where their brand of metal (straddling the line between traditional 80's metal and melodic hard rock) remains a popular form of music.

AFM Records

Bernhard Weiß Vocals, Guitars

Marco Wriedt Guitars

Rob Schomaker Bass

André Hilgers Drums

Harry Öllers Keyboards, Guitars

Guest/Session

Lakonia Vocals

Lars Vollmer Saxophone

1. Voices of Destiny 01:15

2. Doom of Destiny (Arabia) 04:09

3. Better Fate 05:08

4. Blood Angel 04:41

5. I Hear You Cry 04:56

6. The Fire Still Burns 03:49

7. Father, Father 04:12

8. Revolutions 03:48

9. She Got Nine Lives 03:37

10. Devilish Belle 05:27

11. Astoria 05:08

46:10

Some versions of the album contain a bonus track entitled "Engel aus Hass.

Avantasia

 Today in 2007 Avantasia released the EP Lost in Space (Part 2)

Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate,Germany Symphonic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2000-2002, 2006-present

Avantasia is a running solo project for Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet, initially gaining attention for the two-album epic called The Metal Opera. This is precisely what one might expect given the title and Sammet's background -- solid, expertly crafted German melodic speed/power metal with a grandiose and, well, operatic feel. Over the years Sammet has employed virtually every name vocalist to guest on Avantasia albums, including but not limited to David Defeis (Virgin Steele), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Andre Matos (Angra/Angra), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Rob Rock (Warrior), and others. It's been said countless times both on these pages and elsewhere: this form of metal is being done to death in Europe, but there are a few bands that deserve recognition above the rest for doing it better, and Avantasia qualifies in that regard.

Nuclear Blast

Tobias Sammet Vocals, Bass

Eric Singer Drums, Vocals

Sascha Paeth Guitars

Guest/Session

Michael "Miro" Rodenberg Keyboards, Orchestration

Jørn Lande Vocals (track 2)

Michael Kiske Vocals (track 2)

Amanda Somerville Vocals (tracks 1, 6)

Henjo Richter Guitars (lead) (tracks 2, 3, 4)

1. Lost in Space 03:52

2. Promised Land 04:51

3. Dancing with Tears in My Eyes (Ultravox cover) 03:53

4. Scary Eyes 03:32

5. In My Defence (Freddie Mercury cover) 03:58

6. Lost in Space (Alive at Gatestudio) 04:36

24:42

Avantasia

 Today in 2007 Avantasia released the EP Lost in Space (Part 1)

Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate,Germany Symphonic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2000-2002, 2006-present

Avantasia is a running solo project for Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet, initially gaining attention for the two-album epic called The Metal Opera. This is precisely what one might expect given the title and Sammet's background -- solid, expertly crafted German melodic speed/power metal with a grandiose and, well, operatic feel. Over the years Sammet has employed virtually every name vocalist to guest on Avantasia albums, including but not limited to David Defeis (Virgin Steele), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Andre Matos (Angra/Angra), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Rob Rock (Warrior), and others. It's been said countless times both on these pages and elsewhere: this form of metal is being done to death in Europe, but there are a few bands that deserve recognition above the rest for doing it better, and Avantasia qualifies in that regard.

Nuclear Blast

Tobias Sammet Vocals, Bass

Eric Singer Drums, Vocals (track 6)

Sascha Paeth Guitars

Miro Keyboards

Guest/Session

Michael Kiske Vocals (track 7)

Jørn Lande Vocals (track 3)

Bob Catley Vocals (track 4)

Amanda Somerville Vocals (additional) (tracks 1, 4)

Volker Heintzen Watering can (track 6)

Henjo Richter Guitars (lead) (track 3)

1. Lost in Space 03:50

2. Lay All Your Love on Me (ABBA cover) 04:23

3. Another Angel Down 05:42

4. The Story Ain't Over 04:59

5. Return to Avantasia 00:47 instrumental

6. Ride the Sky (Lucifer's Friend cover) 02:55

22:36

Includes:

- Lost in Space (video clip)

- Lost in Space (making of the video clip)

- Photo Gallery + Poster