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NEWS
August @ 2008
Satyricon's New Album Title
Norwegian Black Metallers Satyricon have The Age of Nero as the title of their upcoming new record, due to be released in November 3. The album was partly recorded at Sound City Studios, in Van Nuys, California, where Metallica have recently recorded their forthcoming full-length.
More info at www.satyricon.no.
Corpus Christii Inks New Deal
Portugal's Black Metallers Corpus Christii have recently signed to England's Candlelight Records. The label is due to re-release Rising, the band's latest full-length, in Europe and Asia, as well as their new (yet untitled) new album early next year. The deal is also extended to Plastichead Distribution, who will make available some new merchandise.
More info at www.myspace.com/corpuschristii666.
Mithras Recruit Live Drummer
England's Extreme Metallers Mithras have just announced the addition of previous live drummer and guitarist Ben White (of Orbeth's fame), which departed the band in 2003. The band is now vacant for live performances.
More info at www.mithras.org.uk.
Ab:Norm's New Release
German Death Metallers Ab:Norm have recently released a new EP. Entitled Seed, it features three new songs, marking the band's return after an hiatus of eight years. In the meantime, the band's working on their new full-length album, and have also made available their debut Inside available for download.
More info at www.ab-norm.de.
Alliance Fest in Portugal
Taking place at the Lombos' Pavillion in Carcavelos, Portugal, on August 8 and 9, Alliance Fest's main premise is to become Portugal's biggest Metal event. Judging from the two days' line-ups, things will definitely get hot on the first day, with bands such as Moonspell, Finntroll and Exodus, whereas the second and last day, will feature likewise stronger names such as Arch Enemy, Anathema and Marduk. Doors open at 3.30 p.m., and the shows are set to start half an hour later.
More info at www.alliancefest.com.
Arcana's Upcoming Performances
Sweden's Arcana have announced their appearance at the following european festivals:
13-09-08: Mithras' Garden Festival, Koblenz, Germany (with In Slaughter Natives, Hekate and Sturmpercht)
04-10-08: Camden's Underworld, London, England (with Sol Invictus and Bleeding Heart Negative)
22-11-08: Die Kantine, Augsberg, Germany (with Qntal, Rome, Spiritual Front and Elane)
More info at www.erebusodora.net/arcana.
Dissimulation's Third Attack
Lithuania's Dissimulation have just finished the works on their third, upcoming release. Entitled Atiduokit Mirusus (that literally translates as Give Back the Dead), the record was produced at Riga's Phoenix Studio, in Latvia, last April, during only eleven days, with engineer Gints Lundbergs. A worldwide release date is set for October 6.
More info at www.ledotakas.net.
Aura Noir's New Album
Norwegian legends Aura Noir have just set the date for the release of their new album for August 25. Entitled Hades Rise, the record follows on from where the highly-rated The Merciless left off, while still embracing the spirit of bands like Venom. The album contains guest appearances from Danny Coralles (Autopsy and Abscess), and the band's former guitarist, Blasphemer (ex-Mayhem).
More info at www.peaceville.com/auranoir.
Izegrim's Line-Up Change
According to a press release, drummer Joep van Leeuwen has decided to leave the band, due to "a loss of interest in Metal and a subsequent lack of motivation". In the meantime, he has already been replace by Ivo Maarhuis, which will make his first appearence with the band the Dokkem Open Air festival.
More info at www.rustycagerecords.com.
Warhymns Records New Releases
Colombia's Warhymns Records have just announced the re-release of Living Death's Metal Revolution and Vengeance of Hell - both coming with redesigned booklets, rare photos and biographies by Laurent Ramadier - as well as the split-release of Anal Vomit and Goat Semen's Devotos del Diablo, featuring both bands' classic demos.
More info at www.warhymns.com.
July @ 2008
Susperia Headlines Revoltallo Festival
Norwegian melodic thrashers Susperia are about to headline the new version of Spain's Revoltallo Festival, next August 15, at Monte Alba, Vigo. The festival runs for seven days, each dedicated to a different sort of music, with Susperia headlining the Metal day.
More info at www.revoltallo.org.
Les Fragments De La Nuit Releases Debut
French composers Michel Villar and Ombeline Chardes' ethereal atmospheric project, Les Fragments De La Nuit, has recently signed to Portugal's Equilibrium Music, which has made their Musique Du Crépuscule debut available on a digipack CD. The music "ranges from tragic to epic atmospheres", and has already been seen by a number of people as influenced by the works of Arvö Part and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
More
info at www.lesfragmentsdelanuit.com.
June @ 2008
Peaceville's New Re-Issues
As we've been accustomed for a while now, british label Peaceville Records is about to re-release another couple of old gems, such as Candlemass' From The 13th Sun, Dark Sanctuary's Exaudi Vocem Meam I, Shining's IV - The Eerie Cold, and Solefald's The Linear Scaffold.
More info at www.peaceville.com.
Embellish Re-Releases Debut
Spanish Goths Embelilish have recently re-released their debut, Black Tears And Deep Songs For Lost Lovers, on Erzsebet Records, a sub-label of the well known basque distributor Indar Productions. Due to a considerable demand, this work has now been made available with two new songs (especially recorded for this new edition), a piano version of the title-track, a remix of I Don't Believe In You, and the video for Falling, directed by Tinieblas Gonzalez.
More info at www.indarproductions.com.
Steve Asheim Writes Column
Deicide's Steve Asheim will be contributing content for his own column on Sick Drummer magazine, an Internet extreme drumming resource. In addition to Asheim's personal drumming expertise, Sick Drummer will be featuring regular contributions from world-renowned percussionists such as Derek Roddy, Sean Reinert and Tim Yeung (among others).
More info at www.sickdrummer.com.
Corpus Christii Announces New EP
Portuguese Black Metallers Corpus Christii will be releasing a new MCD in September. Entitled Carving a Pyramid of Thoughts, it will consist of 4 unreleased tracks from the Torment trilogy recording sessions, having one been recently released on the Tormented Belief's LP version. The band is also scheduling a small tour for the end of this year.
More info at www.myspace.com/corpuschristii666.
PhaZer Enters Studio
Portuguese Rockers PhaZer have started recording their next full-length release on last May 18. According to a press-release, "the album will have some of the most recent songs composed during the Revelations' tour, and some unpublished songs from the band's early days. The music line will be very surprising, since the bands evolution, along the last tour, allowed a selection of more heavy and mature songs." The new work is being assembled at Lisbon's Urban Insect Studios, and is being produced by Fernando Matias (Moonspell, [f.e.v.e.r.]).
More info at www.gophazer.com.
Rise to Addiction Confirms Rock Nights' Slot
England's Rockers Rise to Addiction have been confirmed for this year's Rock Nights' Festival, which is set to take place on August 1-2 in Zarasai, Lithuania. The band is playing on the first day, alongside other acts such as Paradise Lost and Volbeat.
More info at www.risetoaddiction.com.
May @ 2008
Ataraxia's Upcoming Record Details and Tour Dates
Italy's Ataraxia are planning to release their new album next year, which, according to a press-release, "it should feature 10 to 12 songs (...) and the concept will be inspired by an herald of light, an avatar, who has taken body and lived on Earth during the four ages that mankind has known: the Golden, Silver, Bronze and Iron's". Recordings are to start very soon and will last till the end of this year.
Concerning future live appearances, Ataraxia have announced that they will be performing from July to September at the following venues and festivals:
05-07-08: Notte Blanca, Osio Sotto (Bergamo)
19-07-08: Ethereal Fest, Molin de Rey, Spain
06-08-08: Medieval Fantasy Night II, Brussels, Belgium
20-08-08: Ritual Mediterranean Evening, Reduta Cultural Center, Brasov, Transylvania, Romania
More info at www.ataraxia.net.
Absentia Releases Sophomore Record
After several months of waiting, the new album from Poland's Absentia has finally been unleashed. According to a press-release, Otherside contains two stories about one's inner-self, but it's in essence a journal of a trip and its impact on the individual and his/her world.
More info at www.myspace.com/absentiaofficial.
Cold Meat Industry's New Releases
Swedish cult Dark Wave, Industrial and Noise label Cold Meat Industry, has recently announced the upcoming release dates for a couple of new titles. Among the new flesh are Brighter Death Now's remastered and remixed classic Necrose Evangelicum (due to be available as a double-CD on a beautiful, foil-printed digipack, as well as a limited picture-disc), Vestigial's Translucent Communion (presented in a lavishly designed six-panel, partially varnished digipack) and Necrophorus' Drifting in Motion (available as in a completely newly-designed digipack re-release), among others.
More info at www.coldmeat.se.
Enthrallment Signs New Deal
Bulgarian's Enthrallment have just recently signed a new deal with Metal Age Productions (of Avulsed and Fleshless fame). The band will be entering Basement Studio to start recording the new full-length shortly.
More info at www.enthrallment.net.
Morbid Angel Founds New Guitarist
According to a press release, the band has just announced that Thor Anders Myhren, also known as Destructhor of Zyklon's fame, is the band's new second guitar player. Among hundreds of applicants, Destructhor ended-up standing out due to the fact that he was already acquainted with the members, from past Zyklon tours with the band.
More info at www.morbidangel.com.
Mithras Seek Live Drummer
Extreme Metal duo Mithras are searching for a sticks' man to manage the kit at future live shows. Mithras aim to play a decent number of shows and possibly tour in 2009, and they simply need a drummer to complete the line-up. Applicants should be familiar with the material, be skilled with blast beats, double-kick drumming and have decent general drumming ability. The band asks potential candidates to contact them by e-mail on the following address: band@mithras.org.uk.
More info at www.mithras.org.uk.
Scythian's Debut Near Completion
The debut album from Scythian is currently near its finished state and four years of toil and conflict have nearly come to an end. Solos and extra guitars have now been recorded and final touches are being made, including the sparing use of samples and backing vocals. Volgard is handling all the layered "choral" work and the intro and outro tracks will be completed before mixing and mastering gets underway. To Those Who Stand Against Us is scheduled for release in early October via Galactic Records and Plastic Head Distribution.
More info at www.myspace.com/scythiandeath.
Rusty Cage Records New Signings
Rusty Cage Records has recently signed Norwegian Metallers K [nine] and Israel's Prey for Nothing to their roster. The former plays a hybrid of Metal and Hard Core, while the latter delves in melodic Death Metal territory. K [nine] will be playing at this year's Norway Rock Festival, together with Motörhead, Pain and Alice Cooper (among others), while Prey for Nothing have been at Hansen Studio laying down tracks for their Violence Divine release, expected to be out during September.
More info at www.rustycagerecords.com.
Lutomysl's New Album Available
The sixth full-length record from Lutomysl has just been made available through Supernal Music. According to a press release, Lutomysl has "achieved the sublime refinement of their Jet Black Metal art. Their weeping, sorrowful melodies are delivered with an extremely harsh and abrasive guitar sound with effective dynamics, creating a tense and absorbing atmosphere across each of the lengthy - yet well-constructed - tracks.
More info at www.myspace.com/lutomysl.
Foscor Announce New Video and Homepage
Spanish Black Metallers Foscor announce that the video for I Tornà de les Cendres, taken from the band's new album, is finally finished and online. Directed and edited by the band's guitarist and founding member, Falke, it is said to "develop the new personal and emotive music period with an own visual language." At the same time, they have launched a new official website.
More info at www.foscor.com.
Darkthrone Releases Early Demos
Peaceville Records is releasing a 3-CD set of Darkthrone's early demos entitled Frostland Tapes. Available from June 9, it will come in a rigid digibook, featuring all 4 demos in one place, as well as a rare live recording from a show in Denmark in 1990, and perhaps most significantly, the previously unreleased version of the 1991's infamous Goatlord rehearsal session. All of this is accompanied with a band interview, chronicling their early days, ambitions and inspirations.
More info at www.peaceville.com.
Soul Stealer Releases Debut
Lithuanian Heavy Metallers Soul Stealer have recently released their self-titled debut album on Ledo Takas Records. Comprised of ten songs in a total of fifty seven minutes, the record's currently available through Lithuania's Intervid and both Code 7 and Plastic Head Distribution for the rest of the world.
More info at www.soulstealer.lt.
APRIL @ 2008
Blasphemer Leaves Mayhem
Mayhem's guitarist Blasphemer has just announced that he decided to leave Mayhem. According to a press-release, his viewpoints and reasons on the matter are as follows:
"It is with these written words that I hereby retract myself from my position as the guitar player of Mayhem. The main reason behind this conclusion lies in the fact that I simply don't see any future for me in the band anymore - at least not a future I'd like to participate in over the coming years. I've been playing my part in the band now for more than 13 years already, having composed, produced and released several albums with great vision, dedication and craftsmanship, to arrive at this crossroad of opposites. Sooner or later, all things comes to an end - and in my case, this circle is complete.
For some of you this might not come as the biggest surprise, as I've clearly stated in several interviews that I was not sure what the next step would be. These 'hints' were partly rooted in the fact that our latest album fulfilled all of the expectations, visions and aspects of negativity that I felt I wanted to express with this band - and also, of similar importance, that I felt tired of both the touring aspects, amidst its turbulence and personal differences and also my role in the band.
It has been a dark, devoted and spellbinding journey and as some beings and entities develop, others remain the same. I've developed my essence. No questions. However, the legacy of Mayhem will and must always remain what it always has been and I wish to thank all parts involved and to wish them all the best for the future. I also would like to thank my followers over the years, from Wolf's Lair Abyss to Ordo ab Chao, my vision has been clear. I'm also sure the band will continue with a respectful formation and that an eventual album will be placed 'up there' where it (should) belong.
I have now personally chosen to focus on other paths in terms of creativity and vision. My 'child of heart', Ava Inferi, has already a busy schedule for the future and our third album is being crafted as we speak. I will also resurface with new will and blood in a future extreme project. You have not heard the last of me, on the contrary. It's all about to begin.
Note that the few already scheduled shows will go on as planned with me."
More info at www.thetruemayhem.com.
The Moon and the Nightspirit, Hexperos and Poets to their Beloved One-Off Show
A rather special event headlined by The Moon and the Nighspirit will be taking place at Breda's Rebellenclub, in Holland, on April 27. Also performing will be Hexperos (ex-Gothica) and Poets to their Beloved. The show is set to start at 2:30 p.m. and this afternoon party will be turning into a small Equilibrium Music reunion of sorts (Portugal's top label on such sonic fields).
More info at www.myspace.com/de_rebellenclub.
Dark Trinity Alliance Tour
Black Metallers Corpus Christii, Eternity and Lugubre are about to play a selection of shows in Germany and Holland in early May, as a part of a joint mini-tour. There will be no defined headlining slot, as each band will be changing over night.
More info at www.myspace.com/avexx.
My Dying Bride Release New Title
Peaceville Records will make available a brand new two-disc live CD-DVD digibook by these Doom Metal gods on April 28. Filmed at the world-famous Paradiso, in Amsterdam, Holland, on April 27 last year, the show presents thirteen tracks from the band's highly accomplished career in a rather gloomy, unparalleled atmosphere. Pre-orders can be done as of now.
More info at www.peaceville.com.
Jesusmartyr Sign to Rusty Cage Records
Argentinean metallers Jesusmartyr have recently signed with Rusty Cage Records and are planning to release their latest studio effort, The Black Waters, early this summer. The band already spans a musical career of more than ten years and several european and brazilian tours.
More info at www.rustycagerecords.com.
MARCH @ 2008
Mithras Signs to Galactic Records
Following their departure from Candlelight Records earlier this year, Mithras have decided to sign to Galactic Records, the UK-based label headed by none other than Mithras' Leon Macey himself, responsible for writing and playing both drums and guitar for the critically acclaimed duo. Having experienced life as a band on a label such as Candlelight, signing to Leon's own label for their next release made a lot of sense for obvious reasons. In the meantime, a new release is scheduled for next autumn.
More info at www.mithras.org.uk.
FEBRUARY @ 2008
Martyr and Feed Forward Sign to Rusty Cage Records
Dutch metallers Martyr and Feed Forward have recently signed to Rusty Cage Records. According to a press-release, the eighties cult masters are currently writing new songs for an upcoming release, while Feed Forward are about to release Barefoot and Naked, their following record, this spring.
More info at www.rustycagerecords.com.
ThanatoSchizO Release New Homepage
Portuguese idiosyncratic rockers ThanatoSchizO have just made available their new webpage (at the link below) and are also accepting pre-orders of their new album, Zoom Code, to be released on March 31 through My Kingdom Music at the following e-mail address: thanatoschizo@hotmail.com. The band's also about to play a small site of live dates throughout May on portuguese soil.
More info at www.thanatoschizo.com.
Ancient Assembles New Line-Up
Norwegian Dark Metallers Ancient are starting to prepare a comeback to the scene. The band is currently putting together a new line-up and, so far, they are proud to announce Morfeus (of Limbonic Art and Dimension F3H's fame) as their new guitar-player. A new drummer is also to be confirmed, but in the meantime, the band plans to start touring again before the summer.
More info at www.ancientband.com.
Mikael Åkerfeldt Records with Ihsahn
Opeth's frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has recorded a guest appearance on the track Unhealer from the forthcoming Ihsahn's second solo album angL. Ihsahn has said that "we've been talking about doing something for a while and I'm really happy it finally came together. Needless to say, Mikael's performance is nothing short of amazing!" Asgeir Mickelson and Lars Norberg (both of Spiral Architect's fame) were responsible for laying down the drum and bass tracks, respectively. "Asgeir and Lars have delivered a rock-solid foundation for the whole album: pounding blast-beats to slow fretless passages are all performed with great precision", Ihsahn said.
More info at www.ihsahn.com.
Blackwinds' New Release
Swedish Black Metallers Blackwinds, a side-project from several Setherial members, have just made available a special new release through Portugal's Nightmare Productions. Entitled Origin, the CD contains 3 tracks from long sold-out EPs, plus 4 unreleased tracks and is limited to merely 666 copies.
More info at www.nightmareprod.com.
Divine Lust Inks New Deal
Portuguese Doom, Gothic Metallers Divine Lust have just signed a new deal with France's Deadsun Records, which is going to release the band's second album, The Bitterest Flavours, on April 21 (in Portugal and France) and on May 21 (in Europe and Canada).
More info at www.divinelust.com.
Soul Stealer Signs with Ledo Takas Records
Lithuanian metallers Soul Stealer (formerly Soul Brothers) have recently inked a deal with Ledo Takas Records. The outcome will be brought by their debut album, which is currently being mixed at Thrigger Sound studio, in Vilnius and is scheduled for a spring release.
More info at www.ledotakas.net.
Orcivus Releases Debut
Swedish Black Metallers Orcivus have just released Consummatum Est, their first opus, through Portugal's Next Horizon Records. Featuring "eight tracks of Liturgical Black Metal in utmost splendour", the CD version is scheduled for release on February 20.
More info at www.orcivus.com.
Ihsahn Complets Second Opus
Former Emperor's vocalist, Ihsahn, has just concluded recording duties for his second solo album. Entitled angL, the new effort will be released as a joint cooperation between Ihsahn's label, Mnemosyne Productions and Candlelight Records and it's due to hit the shelves in mid-spring. According to Ihsahn, angL can be seen as a "natural progression" from his debut The Adversary, but with a "somewhat heavier touch".
More info at www.ihsahn.com.
Filii Nigrantium Infernalium Works on New Release
Portuguese Necro Rockers Filii Nigrantium Infernalium are currently working on material for their next full-length record, although the band is still unsigned after their former label's folding. Meanwhile, a new 7" EP is being prepared with a couple of songs that the band recorded last month, and a set of three live dates for next April is also on the plans.
More info at www.infernalium.com.
I.A. Serpentor Releases New Album
Experimental Ambient project Ioannes Aurelius Serpentor returns with Onoskelis, the follow-up to 2006's Withering Hopes. Recorded at Vatican Cellars Studio, in Silesia, this new work is concept album that tells the story of the female-satyr, who were said to lure men to embrace death with a little help from absinthe.
More info at www.myspace.com/serpentoria.
Obtest Signs to Osmose Productions
Lithuania's Metal exports Obtest have just inked a deal with cult french label Osmose Productions. Underway is also the band's fourth full-length, Gyvybés Medis, which will be released in three different formats: digipack-CD, picture-disc vinyl and a special collector's A5 book-CD.
More info at www.obtest.lt.
Darkthrone Reveals New Album Title
According to Nocturno Culto, Darkthrone's upcoming release will be titled Dark Thrones and Black Flags and it promises to be "Metal to the bone". The band hopes to have the final recordings wrapped up by July (at the latest).
More info at www.darkthrone.no.
JANUARY @ 2008
Necromorbus Studio's New Facility
Known for hosting such productions from the likes of Funeral Mist, Merrimack or Watain, Necromorbus Studio is now being built in a new location, which is said to ready in April. In the meantime, both mixing and mastering services are fully functional.
More info at: www.necromorbusstudio.com.
Inocculta Seeks Guitarist
As a matter of urgency, the band is looking for a guitar player with enough experience, equipment and sufficiently broad-minded, in order to join their ranks. If you know someone who might fit into said description, get in touch.
More info at www.inocculta.com.
Izegrim signs with Rusty Cage Records
Dutch Thrashers Izegrim have inked a deal with Rusty Cage Records, which will enable the band to release their upcoming Tribute to Totalitarianism record on February 29. To be available on digipack, the album will feature a hybrid of Death and Thrash Metal, with a few stoner influences and the Gothenburg-related structures of old. In the meantime, the band will be playing live at the next Metal Mania Festival, in Poland, with the likes of Megadeth, Overkill and Satyricon (among others).
More info at www.izegrim.nl.
Luctus Prepare Debut Full-Length
Lithuanian Black Metallers Luctus are currently assembling material for their upcoming first release. Tentatively entitled Jauciant Pabaiga Arti (Feeling the End is Near), the album is said to feature eight or nine songs thoroughly selected from almost twenty tracks and it is said to be released by summer time by Ledo Takas.
More info at www.luctus.net.
Black Comedy Reveals Album Details
Norwegian modern metallers Black Comedy will release their debut album, Instigator, through Season of Mist on February 18 in Europe, and on February 26 in the U.S.A. The album was recorded at Oslo's Strand Studio last year, and was produced by Marius Strand and co-produced by Bjørn M. Borg. According to a press release, it is said to display massive guitar riffing, powerful drums (courtesy of ex-Dimmu Borgir's Tjodalv), synthetic leads and ear-shattering epic vocals. Instigator will present 12 tracks on a limited initial edition deluxe metal box pressing, with futuristic concept designer Vidar Hofmo Bjølgerud providing the artwork.
More info at www.blackcomedy.net.
Davidian Signs New Record Deal
German Thrash Metallers Davidian have signed a new deal with their country's Limited Access Records. The result of this contract will get the band's official debut Heir Their Cries released shortly, which was produced by Andy Classen at Stage One Studio last year. According to a press release, the material is said to be in the vein of old-school legends Destruction, Kreator, Slayer and Legion of the Damned.
More info at www.davidian.de.
Twiggy Ramirez Rejoins Marilyn Manson
Bassist Twiggy Ramirez (real name Jeordie White) has rekindled his friendship with Marilyn Manson for the group's upcoming North American leg of the Rape of the World tour. Twiggy has quit the band in early 2002 and has since been playing with Nine Inch Nails. According to a press release, Tim Skold has amicably split with the band, but future collaborations with Manson haven't been ruled out between both.
More info at www.marilynmanson.com.
Scythian Signs to Galactic Records
Whelped on the teachings of Bathory and Sodom, England's Scythian have inked a deal with Galactic Records. The band's also planning to hit the studio in mid February to start recording its first full-length album, tentatively due to be released this summer. In the meantime, the band will be playing live in London on the following dates:
26-01-08: Bar Monsta (with Detrimentum)
04-02-08: Underworld (with Master)
10-02-08: Bar Monsta (with Nocturnal)
More info at www.myspace.com/scythiandeath.
Pessimist's Original Lineup Re-United
The original Pessimist lineup from the first two full-lengths, Cult of the Initiated and Blood for the Gods - which include founding members Kelly McLauchlin on guitar (of Diabolic, Unholy Ghost and Equinox fame), vocalist Rob Kline (from Psychotogen and Fleshtized) and drummer Chris Pernia (also of Psychotogen and Beyond the Scar) has re-united. In addition, handling bass duties is none other than Kelly Conlon (ex-Death and Monstrosity). Plans are underway to begin writing new music for release sometime in the new year.
More information at www.pessimist.com.
Rose McDowall Live in Portugal
Psychedelic Emo and Country artist, Rose McDowall, will be playing a special live set in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 26, alongside brethren Naevus and SonVer. The event will take place at Lisbon's Music Box, and should you like to make a reservation beforehand, you can do so at the following e-mail: info@dagaz-music.com.
More info at www.dagaz-music.com.
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