The more I read about Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, the more excited I get. This short interview discusses the character and vehicle game balance, number of maps being released with the game and info on Mapping and Modding.

Firing Squad ET:QW Interview

For those of you who are anxiously awaiting Quake Wars: Enemy Territory, Gamespy is running a two part preview of all the classes available in the game.

Check out the Global Defence Force (GDF)

Check out the barbaric Strogg.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocals Pepper Keenan, who
also plays guitar in DOWN, told Frances HeavyMusic.free.fr webzine on January 29, 2006 that the members of DOWN – Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) – have been in talks about regrouping to write and record the bands much-anticipated third full-length album. “We havent done anything yet, but were talking a lot about coming together again, all of us, and starting to work on stuff,” Keenan is quoted as saying. “DOWN needs to come back and Phil is totally eager to sing again.” [see full story for info on tour plans]

As an extra special treat!

Audio files containing two complete DOWN shows recorded in 2002 have been made available for download via the bands official forum. Check them out:

New Orleans, LA @ Voodoo Fest (Nov. 2, 2002)
Scottsdale, AZ @ Cajun House (May 21, 2002)

Full Story: Blabbermouth.net

Gamespy has a preview of the upcoming shooterfest, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. This wasnt a hands on play test, but rather ID showing off a few of the classes, vehicles and lighting elements.

From the article:

From what we saw, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars could be best described as a collision between worlds: the class-based, objective-driven combat of Enemy Territory; the sprawling, vehicle-laden outdoor maps of the Battlefield games; the futuristic feel of the Quake universe, pitting the Earths Global Defense Force (GDF) against an incoming Strogg invasion. In some ways, you could think of it as “Battlefield 2152.”

They claim this is a screenshot of the interior. I hope they are telling the truth because Ive seen screenshots before games come out that look incredible, then the game actually looks nothing like the early screenshots. Ahem! BF2….

I hate to give away the end of the article, but if what they say is true, I cant wait to play this game.

…as fans of both Enemy Territory and the Battlefield series, we cant wait to see more…

This Preview Article is short, but deffinately worth reading.

At first, I was not paying attention to the new Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. The initial information I received made it sound cheesy. Having recently received more details, I can honestly say I am excited to see how this game turns out.

It is being developed by the guys who created Enemy Territory for Wolfenstein. Based partially on Quake: Team Fortress and sharing some concepts with Battlefield 2, this game is poised to be a big hit. That is if they can actually pull off everything they are talking about. With vehicles, deployables, artillery calls, objective based large maps, this game looks to combine the tactics I enjoy in Battlefield with a slightly SciFi experience.

For a list of the current classes for both the Global Defense Forces and the Strogg, click Read More… Continue reading Quake Wars: Enemy Territory Character Class Review →

Billboard reports: While touring behind its recently released “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1,” Korn is already looking forward to its next studio project. According to guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer, the alternative metal acts seventh album is slated for a late spring/early summer 2005 release.

“On Jan. 2, were going to go back and finish writing our next album,” Shaffer tells Billboard.com. “Its definitely more of a progressive [sounding] Korn,” he adds, declining to divulge any tentative song titles.

After including covers on its Epic/Immortal set “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1,” Shaffer hints the Bakersfield, Calif.-based five-piece is working on a covers EP, with a tentative title of “Korn Kovers,” for a possible April release. [see full story for more]

Full Story – http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000727642

IAYM reports: System Of A Down now look to be eyeing a March 01st release date through American Recordings/Columbia for the first of their two full-length efforts this year, “Hypnotize”. [see full story for more]

Full Story – http://www.iateyourmicrophone.com/

Ananova reports: Limp Bizkit have begun recording their new album and hope to have it finished by Christmas.

Speaking in a message on their official website, frontman Fred Durst also speaks about the chemistry between the band since guitarist Wes Borland returned reports NME.com.

“Were packing up and heading north to record a new album. Los Angeles is too comfortable for us, so we have to leave our everyday lives behind. This music is hungry for our blood, and we have to feed it what it wants.

“We have about two months before the holidays hit. Do you think we can hammer it out before Christmas? Well see. [see full story if you are hungry for Fred and want to read more]

Full Story – http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_1165010.html?menu=entertainment.music

antiMUSIC reports: Two members of Van Halen have come forward to refute recent rumors that the band would once again split after their success reunion tour. Alex Van Halen goes further and indicates what the band plans to do next.

Alex told Travis Heying of The Wichita Eagle that Van Halen plans to take a rest after their tour wraps up later this month but will then enter the studio to record a new album with Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. [see full story for more]

Full Story – http://www.antimusic.com/news/04/nov/item10.shtml

SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has posted the following message at the STONE SOUR message board StoneSourBoard.tk:

“Id like to give you a little update on the STONE SOUR front as we havent done that in a long time.

1. We have 30 full and partial songs brewing at the moment.
2. Jamey from HATEBREED has expressed his interest in doing a song with us and most definitely will.
3. Plans are being made to start work in September of 2005, or perhaps even earlier, depending on the schedule.”

“Thank you to everyone for keeping the fires lit while [guitarist] Jim [Root] and I indulge our other passion. Commitment has to be total, and at the moment our commitment is to the KNOT. But as soon as were done touring with SLIPKNOT, its on. Im writing, Jims writing, [guitarist] Josh [Rand] is writing, everyone is gearing up for this.”

In more music news……

BODY COUNT, the metal/punk band fronted by legendary rapper Ice T, recently announced plans to record their first album in seven years, tentatively titled “Murder for Hire”.