News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson

Andy Bell HIV positive
• A newspaper has revealed that Erasure vocalist Andy Bell is HIV positive and rumours have been spreading over internet forums now, close to the release of a new Erasure album. In order to clarify matters, he has issued a statement.
Bell found out that he was HIV positive in June 1998 after having pneumonia in Mallorca. Combination therapy has helped him and he has not developed AIDS.
- I'm feeling fine. In fact I have never felt better, he says in the statement. My life expectancy should be the same as anyone else's.
He is looking forward to make music, tour and generally having a good time. His partner Paul will include Bell's HIV infection in a 2005 book. /Mikael Kahrle

Pzycho Bitch gets remix treatment

• The German label Minuswelt again employs the remixing talents of Hecq to make a remix album of one of the label's artists. First out was In Strict Confidence, and now it’s time for Pzycho Bitch. The disc is called “The Day after (The Hecq Destruxxion)” and is strictly limited to 555 copies, comes in a custom metal tin and is out on January 31. /Johan Carlsson

The unshattered Peter Murphy
• A new album with Peter Murphy called “Unshattered” is out in USA since October. He’s once again working with Paul Statham whom he worked with on “Deep”. Other collaborators are Gardner Cole (who has worked with Madonna) and Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery from Jane’s Addiction. /Johan Carlsson

More rare stuff from Velvet Acid Christ
• The “Between the Eyes” series from Velvet Acid Christ now comes to an end with issues three and four. This finishes Bryan Erickson’s cleanout of his vaults. They both comes out on January 2, and features lots of unreleased material from the “Church of Acid” and “Calling ov the Dead” era, completely remastered and with lots of outtakes as well as rare tracks. /Johan Carlsson

Live aus Berlin - again

The wrong arena for Rammstein.

• Seven years after "Live aus Berlin", Rammstein are ready for new outdoor gigs in Berlin. On June 23 and 24, they will perform at Wuhlheide. Tickets are already on sale. /Mikael Kahrle

Legendary Swedish act returns
• In Slaughter Natives, an act thought long dead, has returned with a new album, their first in eight years. "Resurrection" (Cold Meat Industry) is out now and is available through numerous retailers.
In Slaughter Natives formed in the mid 1980:s and have released four albums and one box set thus far. Held in high esteem by their colleagues, they have inspired many experimental artists including Arcana and Sophia. No live dates have been announced. /Peter Marks

Merry electriXmas

Welle:Erdball live in Gothenburg 2003.
Photo by: Mikael Kahrle

• Tomorrow (Saturday) it's time for another of those annual electriXmas fests at Mejeriet in Lund, Sweden. Expected on stage: Welle:Erdball, Portion Control, Mr Data, Sturm Café and Pride and Fall.
The tradition demands a free compilation CD for all guests and this time around they will be served 20 tracks. The event is not sold-out. /Mikael Kahrle

Support concert for Oslo Synthfestival
• This year's Oslo Synthfestival a while ago was unsuccessful financially. On December 15, a support concert will be organised in Oslo, with three small bands, in order to raise some money. /Mikael Kahrle

Marc Almond hopes to be back on stage next spring
• According to a recent post he made on his official web site, Marc Almond's recovery from his recent motorcycle accident is still progressing well. He states that he hopes to return to the stage in the spring next year.
All planned projects are put on hold until Almond's health allows them to be carried out, though. The projects include a DVD of the Almeida concerts that took place earlier this year, a singles compilation and the dance mix album we've reported about earlier. /Kristoffer Noheden

Attrition to tour US
• Martin Bowes and company will be on tour to support "Dante's Kitchen" in the States January 7 through February 6 2005. Release recently reviewed Attrition's latest work and was quite enthused by it. Support acts forthcoming. Those fortunate enough to live in the band's hometown of Coventry, England will be treated to a warm-up show on December 17. /Peter Marks

A synthpop Christmas
• Now you can get an electronic Christmas album, courtesy of A Different Drum. “A Red Letter Day – A Synthpop Christmas” features Christmas songs performed by bands like The Echoing Green, Pristina, Blue October, B! Machine and Moulin Noir among others. /Johan Carlsson

Syrian release new EP in Europe



• After the release of the album “De_Synchronized”, Italian futurepop band Syrian will release a European only EP called “Enforcer”. It features a whopping twelve tracks, with remixes of album tracks and the new track “Enforcer”. It’s not out until February 2005 though. /Johan Carlsson

Death in June release live DVD
• This concert with Death In June from Bologna came out two years ago, but only as a hard to get VHS version. Now it’s available as a DVD simply called “Live in Bologna”. Both sound and image has been re-mastered. /Johan Carlsson

More ambience from Arcana
• The ambient/ethereal outfit Arcana has a new album called “Le Serpent Rouge” out on Erebus Odora early next year. Note that the CD will only be made in 500 hand numbered copies. /Johan Carlsson

New KMFDM album announced
• Although in the middle of their 20th anniversary tour, KMFDM have announced that a new album will be released next September. "FUBAR" will see the band back on Metropolis Records, and will be preceded by a single in the spring. /Kristoffer Noheden

More Pain

Peter Tägtgren returns from the dead.

• Industrial metal techno project Pain with Peter Tägtgren will return just after Christmas with the first single "Same Old Song" from the upcoming album "Dancing with the Dead" (January 26). Releases might happen a little later later in, for instance, Germany. The new sound is said to offer more riffs and melodies.
Tägtgren collapsed in a bar a while ago, after a period of stress. The next day he could be seen in the bar again.
On Christmas Day, Pain joins Tiamat, Theatre of Tragedy and Sirenia on an extensive European tour. /Mikael Kahrle

Manic Street Preachers: new single and tour
• Manic Street Preachers, who have just released a new album "Lifeblood" with eighties-styled tight new wave-ish rock (see review), have scheduled the single "Empty Souls" for January 3. It comes with three extra tracks and a DVD edition also holds a short film. The band embarks on a small UK tour this week. /Mikael Kahrle

Raindancer electropop album on A Different Drum
• Swedish modern electropop project Raindancer, which should be familiar to thorough Release readers, is now signed to US label A Different Drum. The album "Audio" will see the light of day late this month or early January. /Mikael Kahrle

Keane: no break after the big break
• Although their debut was released earlier this year, British trio Keane is eager to record a second album and will commence studio work around Christmas. They have been writing songs while being on the road and two new songs have already been presented to a live audience. /Mikael Kahrle

Second compilation from Plutonium
• New Swedish record company Plutonium delivers its second release in December 15: a compilation called "Decibel" with new electronic music such as powernoise. /Mikael Kahrle