BMA News Update: the_Network checks in, Cancer Bats vid to premier on MTV2's 'Headbanger's Ball,' and much more

Happy hump day to all of you. It's the lame, half-way point of the week, meaning one of two things. If you're a glass-is-half-full kind of person, it means your work week is almost over. But Wednesday also means time for us to drop some BMA news at your virtual doorstep.

the_Network is going through some changes -- but not in a RuPaul sort of way. First, the good changes. The band will begin recording its second full length with BMA in October for "Bishop Kent Manning," the title spawns from guitarist Kevin Howley's short story posted in a previous Artist Entry. Shortly following recording, the_Network will tour in the U.K. and in turn will release a split with U.K. based band Throats, titled "Notes from the Turncoat Campaign" through Holy Roar in the U.K. and yours truly in the U.S. And finally, the bad change. the_Network drummer Tim will be leaving the band following recording "Bishop Kent Manning" and the band's U.K. tour due to the financial destitution that comes with being in a band. The band is currently searching for a replacement. E-mail the_Network guitarist Pete Marr if you're a skins player lookin' for a gig: endtransmission@hotmail.com. Check out the band's MySpace page to hear the_Network's music.

Cancer Bats makes its debut on MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball" with the premier of its video, "Hail Destroyer." The show airs Saturday night at 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Dance Club Massacre has solidified November 11 as the release date for its upcoming release, "Circle of Death." The band is also in the process of booking a fall tour to support the new album and needs your help in doing so. Check out the DCM MySpace page for the tentative dates and locations. If you are interested in booking the band, please contact guitarist Mitch Hein via e-mail: danceclubmassacre@hotmail.com.

Behold...the Arctopus is currently on "The Ultimate Brodeo" tour with Intronaut and Mouth of the Architect -- just thought we'd refresh your memory about this fantastic tour. Go to the band's MySpace to find out if these sweet dudes will be comin' to your town.

Artist Entry: The Abominable Iron Sloth's Justin Godfrey loves that 'H'

"I've been addicted to H for the last 4 years"

It almost seemed innocent at first. A few hours here and there, every other weekend, it wasn't anything I needed except when I had to pass some time. An experimentation, an experience.

That's all it was until I went to Portland. I found out my friend Jayson was in the game and then he showed me what had been in front of my eyes all along: Online multiplayer. So it started with Halo 2 in that winter of 2004 and it continues today with an almost daily indulgence.

Times have changed, and of course Halo 3 is now the standard, but the fundamentals of the game, the guiding lights of competitive shit talking and gang tea bagging still burn as bright as ever in my soul.

So I admit that I am an addict, and I just can't find it in me to change.

Artist Entry: Animosity vocalist Leo Miller gabs about 'Altered Beast'

Just getting home from the final stages of production of the Altered Beast EP. For those of you who have not yet heard, Animosity in collaboration with Berlin's finest, Drumcorps is releasing the coolest record ever made!  I said it, and once you see it you will understand why.  I honestly think that the hand screen-printed edition of this record is perhaps the most ambitious 10" vinyl release to date.  My friend Nick and I have spent literally countless hours getting these things together, printing all of the record jackets and it is finally done.  In the morning I will be shipping out al of the pre-orders.  If you happen to be one of these people, or plan on picking up a copy of the record, although it is not the "proper" speed, I highly recommend listening to it on the 33 rpm speed on your record player.  It really
makes for some seriously heavy and twisted music.  All that being said, I want to say that I feel great!  Creating things and accomplishing them is fun and rewarding.  Yay!  Thats all for now, have fun and listen to music.  I just got back form Brazil and I might write some stories on here later when it is not 4 in the am.

BMA News Update: Cancer Bats spreading like, well, cancer; Tony Danza will gets 'ta steppin' this fall; Gaza checks in

Hi kiddies. It’s time for this week’s installment of the BMA news update. Though the report isn’t a portly one, this isn't Costco people. We don't sell this shit in bulk quantities. Still, we’re anxiously awaiting to announce some good stuff that's brewing with Team BMA, have patience young grasshopper.

Anyhow, on to the news. Here’s what’s happenin’ in the world of BMA this week:

Cancer Bats are taking to the Canadian terrain for a fall tour in September with Black Lungs and Johnny Truant. Cruise over to the band's MySpace page for a show near you.

We're also pleased to announce Cancer Bats will also premier “Hail Destroyer” on Aug. 27 as a feature video in the main video and metal sections on MySpace. Be sure to surf over and watch the video once it’s available via MySpace.

Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza fall tour “The Agents of Chaos tour" stomps across the nation, one Tennessee-bred footprint at a time – or should that be boot print? Nevertheless, TDTDE will be joined by a few buds on select dates, here's the roll call: Arsonists Get All the Girls, Architects, Stray From the Path, ABACABB and Beneath the Massacre. Check the TDTDE MySpace for dates.

It's been nearly two months since Dudefest and you may be asking yourself, where in the world is Gaza? Are they busy campaigning for John McCain? No F-ing way! Strike that theory from the record right now -- you might as well punch yourself in the kidney for ever believing that statement. Jon, vocalist and Demo-cult member fills us in:

We've tucked ourselves away for nearly a year now trying to write this God damn record. Not because it's some sweeping-epic-theme record about the Cherokee or some shit, but because we've had a rough time writing anything we like. We've toured minimally as a result of that, but the touring we've done has been amazing. If you haven't heard about Dudefest, you're probably not listening. In any case I do have some news to report. We have finished about 95 percent of the record: We're calling it "He's Never Coming Back." Casey broke his hand the very week we wrapped up the last song, so recording has been put on hold for at least six weeks. Once he gets the cast off, we'll need about a month to rehearse. Then we can finally shoot and bury this thing as if it was that ham-fisted cunt Nancy Grace. The new stuff is definitely pissed off, but its more... strange? If IDCWIGWID can be described as harsh, this could be described as well written harsh. We hope to have it out before the end of the year. Take care, dickweeds.

BMA News Update: Current album release dates, FASSW breaks the top 300 and 'How to survive Dudefest as a dudette'

From a Second Story Window is being featured on the JSI Top 21 list, issue #325 for the release “Conversations.”

The video for Animosity’s “Toothgrinder” is now available on Music Choice on Demand

Jess Blumensheid wrote an article for Venus Scene called “How to survive Dudefest as a Dudette.” Joining the story are some photos – can you guess which of these ladies are on the BMA staff? Check it out here: http://venuszine.com/articles/music/features/3752/How_to_survive_Dude_Fest_as_a_dudette_

Cancer Bats vocalist Liam Cormier is featured on the Deciblog, brought to you by those cool cats at Decibel Magazine. Peep Liam on the Deciblog here:
http://www.thedeciblog.com/index.php/2008/07/25/the-rockin-pneumonia/

Whats happening in the world of BMA release dates?

Romans - "All Those Wrists" OUT NOW
FASSW - "Conversations" OUT NOW
Sweet Cobra - "Forever" OUT NOW
Cancer Bats - "Hail Destroyer" OUT NOW

Upcoming releases:
Lords - "Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers" 10/14
Dance Club Massacre - "Circle of Death" - TBA
Architect - "Ghost of the Saltwater Machines" - TBA