Dave Ellefson, who co-founded Megadeth with frontman Dave Mustaine, is now sueing Mustaine for shortchanging him on profits and locking him out of merchandise and publishing royalties. Ellefson is seeking .5 million from Mustaine, including million in damages originating from Mustaine's statements on the Megadeth web site falsely accusing Ellefson of trying to extort Mustaine in order to appear on the new Megadeth album.

[Submitted by X0rG]

DARKTHRONE (Nocturno Culto and Fenriz) decided to expand Darkthrone operations outside of the usual 'album a year' format by launching their own label, TYRANT SYNDICATE PRODUCTIONS. Given that they don't have the time to run it on a day-to-day basis, a union with Peaceville Records have been made.

They have already signed Norway's AURA NOIR and their label debut "THE MERCILESS" (CDTYRANT1) is a speedy head rush of old school thrash metal.

Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE has this to say about the label:

"Tyrant Syndicate Productions is a result of a collaboration with Peaceville on the one hand and Fenriz and myself on the other. The general running of the label has fallen on me, mostly as I'm much more involved in technology than Fenriz, and besides, I want to do it. When the Peaceville people were interested in setting up a label for us, our mind began to circle around what to do with what can be called our extended music-related freedom, and we soon had a plan.

We are aiming for exclusive releases only. We want high-credibility underground bands, both known and unknown. Time is working FOR US now, and we have all the time in the world. Tyrant Syndicate Prod. will prove to the metal community that we have the ability to release what is supreme metal. The first band we have signed is Aura Noir from Oslo, with their new album "The Merciless". This masterpiece will be an indication on the quality-level we are aiming for, and therefore it's our responsibility to follow things up after this release. Since our releases go through the usually Peaceville channels, the result will be a high-quality, well-distributed product that will have great impact wherever you can get these products. And luckily, there are still loads of great metal-acts left in the world...."

The label is currently in the process of setting up their own PO BOX for demo submissions.

Intervention Arts is currently accepting submissions for a brand new compilation of SA "Dark" music.

ONLY Gothic / EBM / Electro / Metal bands based in South Africa need apply
send your cd, bio and details to :

INTERVENTION ARTS
PO Box 91603
Auckland Park 2006

submissions close on 25 August 2004

The next album "Fate of Norns" with the Swedish viking/death metal band Amon Amarth will be released through Metal Blade Records on September 6, 2004.

The complete tracklist are as follows:

01. An Ancient Sign Of Coming Storm
02. Where Death Seems To Dwell
03. The Fate Of Norns
04. Pursuit Of Vikings
05. The Valkyries Ride
06. Beheading Of A King
07. Arson
08. Once Sealed In Blood