Line up hovedscenen er nå klar

The 22nd edition of the Metalmania Festival, the biggest metal fest in Central-Eastern Europe, will take place on the 8th March 2008 at Spodek Hall in Katowice, Poland. As usual, there will be two stages where over 20 bands will perform for thousands of metal freaks!!!! Today, Metal Mind Productions reveals the complete list of the bands that will perform on the main stage at the Metalmania Festival 2008. Except for the already confirmed bands (MEGADETH, Overkill, Immolation, Vader, The Dillinger Escape Plan), we will see performances by such acts as Satyricon (Norway), Artillery (Denmark), Flotsam and Jetsam (USA), Marduk (Sweden), Primordial (Ireland), Poison The Well (USA), and Inside You (Russia).  

SATYRICON
The theatrical horror of many black metal bands is easy to ridicule, but behind these superficial impressions lies something deeply disturbing, a menacing presence perfectly evoked by Norway's Satyricon on their aptly titled album "Volcano". Never a band to reiterate the obvious, the Oslo-based two-piece of Frost (drums) and Satyr (vocals, all other instruments) has made a remarkable career out of shaping the true core of one of the most uncompromising and extreme genres in musical history. Their aim has always been to explore the musical logic behind the darkest emotions, to add a defined aural structure to the metaphysical darkness of human existence. The results stand out as landmarks of extreme metal music: the early works "Dark Medieval Times" (1993) and "The Shadowthrone" (1994) that helped create the myth of Norwegian black metal, the immensely successful "Nemesis Divina" (1996), "Rebel Extravaganza" (1999) and the unstoppable force of nature that is "Volcano" (2002). Now one of the finest bands in black metal's history returns with an ambitious new album. And if they shout "Now, Diabolical", they mean it! Inspired by the occult traditions of our cultural history, especially the strict symbolic systems devised by secret lodges and societies, Satyricon have created eight songs that radically break with many often-told truths about metal music. "Now, Diabolical" opens a new chapter not only in Satyricon's history, but in that of metal itself. A highly unusual album that should change the way black metal is perceived.  

ARTILLERY
Back in the 80's they were one of the biggest European thrash sensations on the scene characterized by intense, energetic riffing and unique vocals of Flemming Ronsdorf, somewhat reminiscent of Slayer and Megadeth from the same era. The band was formed in 1982 in Taastrup, in the suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark. The band members were: guitarists Jorgen Sandau and Michael Stützer, bassist Morten Stützer, drummer Carsten Nielsen and singer Carsten Lohmann. The band won a worldwide acclaim even before their first album, thanks to some well-distributed demos (repackaged and re-released later as Deadly Relics). Their debut album "Fear of Tomorrow" and the follow-up "Terror Squad" have gained a legendary status, becoming some of the most thrilling thrash releases of the late 80's period. Their first album for Roadrunner, "By Inheritance", repeated the  impressive success of the previous LPs. Flemming Rasmussen finally crafted a more than competitive sound for the band which was often compared with Metallica's "Master Of Puppets". The Bay Area touch is still there in terms of the riffing. There are no weak moments on this record! Unfortunately, after that Artillery was put on hold for almost 9 years, to ultimately return in 1999 with another amazing release, "B.A.C.K." with the unique vocals of Ronsdorf and thrash riffing that were trademarks of the band in their prime still intact. Today, the band still remains active, although there are no signs of a new recorded material yet. During the wait, the fans are granted a unique chance to rediscover the band's whole discography in one exclusive box set which was released by Metal Mind Productions in August 2007. Special collector's edition of the "Through The Years" contains 4 Artillery albums plus 32 page booklet. 

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
Flotsam and Jetsam is a thrash metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1983. Their debut album "Doomsday for the Deceiver" is still  considered by many as a milestone in the history of genre. The record released in 1986 propelled original bass player Jason Newstead to international superstardom as a member of Metallica. Not to be outdone, Flotsam then followed up with what some consider to be the most important thrash record of all time, "No Place For Disgrace". Then it was onward and upward to MCA records for 3 albums that allowed the band to grow musically while never losing the integrity their fans had come to expect. After their contract was up at MCA, the first and most welcome home for the band, Metal Blade Records, invited Flotsam and Jetsam to rejoin their roster and help carry the banner of true metal tradition proudly through the dark days of the rise of "Nu Metal". The records "High", and "Unnatural Selection" settled the nerves of those fans that wondered what direction the band might in this new landscape. "My God", produced by the illustrious Bill Metoyer, is already being hailed as the best, heaviest effort of the band in years. The bands  appearance on the Metalmania Festival will be as part of their European tour promoting bands future, untitled yet album. As the drummer, Craig Nielsen, announce, the new album will be the offering in the Flotsam and Jetsam discography.  

MARDUK
There is a scent of indefatigable fighting around Marduk. For over ten years this outstanding band has embodied values extremely rare, always strongly determined to go their own way, refusing to adjust, always fighting to stay on top and never backing down. The band was formed in 1990 by Morgan who desired to create the most brutal and blasphemous metal act ever. The band immediately started rehearsing as maniacs and early 1991 the hard work was bearing fruit, resulting in the infamous three track demo tape "Fuck Me Jesus". Because of the innovativeness and the devastatingly violent and demonic approach Marduk immediately gained a heavy cult reputation, something that clearly showed at the bands early stage performances. The groundbreaking classic debut album "Dark Endless" saw the light of day in December 1992, and showed the world that Marduk was a force to be reckoned with. Immediately recognized for their bright potential the band signed with Osmose productions and only 3 months after the release of "Dark Endless" the band ventured into the studio again to begin the recording of what would become "Those of the Unlight" which was released during fall time of 1993. With two albums out on the market and live experience from numerous gigs it was really time to get this warmachine out on the open road for a full tour. Together with Norwegian labelmates Immortal the band did a full tour under the moniker "Son's of Northern Darkness". After getting back home the work was immediately started up in writing the successor to "Those…". The result Marduk presented this time raised the band to high praise and shocked an entire generation, which had adapted to the sound of the Scandinavian Black Metal scene which Marduk and a few more had set the standards for.
Their tenth full-length album entitled "Rom 5:12"was unleashed in April 2007 and is  hailed as the bands greatest album up to date by most of the media and fans alike. The Triumph of Death continues.
 
PRIMORDIAL
One of the most important bands on the metal music scene in Ireland. The origins of the band go back to the late 80's although you could say the band began to forge their sound and adopt a more serious attitude to their music in 1991. One demo was recorded back in 1993 and, since then, they have released 6 studio albums. The sound of Primordial evolved from the mixture of raw thrash and death metal, through more melodic metal with the addition of elements distinctive of celtic folk, to uncompromising, extremely heavy metal. Primordial have toured Europe several times with bands like Immortal, Moonsorrow, Thyrfing, Ancient Rites, Rotting Christ, Enthroned and Mourning Beloveth among others. They also made an appearance at the Heathen Crusade among others. Late November 2007 saw the premiere of their 6th album entitled "To the Nameless Dead". The album got very enthusiastic reviews and was acclaimed "The album Of The Month" by many metal music magazines around Europe!  

INSIDE YOU
An underdog of this edition of the Metalmania Festival. This Russian band was formed in 2002 and, since then, released two full-length studio albums: "Lost In The Faith" (2005) and "Night Hunt" (2007). They are associated mainly with the gothic metal scene, which resulted in performing as a support for the legendary bands: Samael and Tiamat.  

POISON THE WELL
American hardcore at its best! Poison the Well released their first album "Distance Only Makes The Heart Grow Fonder" in 1998. The album won them the attention of Trustkill Records, who signed a multi-album deal with them. The first fruit of that deal, the album "The Opposite of December… A Season Of Separation", was released in 1999. To this day, Guitar World magazine dubs this album as one of the greatest hardcore albums of all times. "The Opposite of December…" caused a stir in the music scene and was starting to win the band the attention of some Major labels. In the end, they signed a record deal with Atlantic Records. Although the band experienced success being signed to a major label, Poison the Well announced, in June 2006, that they parted ways with Atlantic after only one album because of "creative differences". In November 2006, Poison the Well officially joined powerhouse independent label Ferret Music. Poison the Well's first album for Ferret Music, "Versions", was released in April 2007.