Unearth  has been announced as the 4th band for the Headbangers Ball Tour II.  They will join Hatebreed, Damage Plan, and Drowning Pool on the trek.  Also they have an 6/29 release date for their next CD through MetalBlade Records and are currently recording it now with Adam D. from Killswitch Engage at Zing Studios in Wakefield MA.

The New England Metal & Hardcore Festival is now taking applications for the 2004 Fest.  Below is all the information you will need. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BAND FOR THIS YEAR'S FEST:
If you'd like to submit your band for consideration to play this year's fest please do following:
1.  Make sure your demo package only contains the basics.  Please keep it simple - just a CD, photo and contact info.  DO NOT STAPLE OR TAPE ANYTHING.

2.  Mail your demo package by APRIL 1, 2004 to:
Red Rocket Records
ATTN: NEMHF 2004 Band Demo
535 Main Street
Indian Orchard, MA 01151

3.  Please do not call us.  We listen to EVERYTHING that is submitted and if we are interested we will definitely contact you.

For additional information check out the festival's official website at www.metalandhardcorefestival.com.

Trustkill Records will releasing the DVD for the 2003 New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on 3/23/04.  You can check out a 'teaser trailer' over at http://www.trustkill.com/multimedia/videos/

Killswitch Engage has decided on The End of Heartache as the name of their new disc.  Despite the emo-esque title, the band promises more 'hyper-kinetic metal riffage' than heard on previous releases.  The release date is set for May 11, 2004 through Roadrunner Records.
Here is a preview of the new artwork:

Kobalt have announced the more details for their next release.  The still untitled will feature 4 songs and will be mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.  He has also done work for From Autumn to Ashes, Sepultura, Dillinger Escape Plan, among others.
The tracking listing looks like this:
  01. Bridged By Chaos
  02. Preserving The Sacred
  03. The Siege
  04. Dawn Of A New Time
Preserving the Sacred also features a guest appearance by Jesse David Leach of Seemless (former Killswitch Engage) fame.