Former PENANCE vocalist Brian "Butch" Balich is currently seeking musicians to form a new band. "Doom is what I love and that is what I am looking to continue to do," the singer writes in a press release. " would like to find folks that would like to create music that combines heavy doom riffs with twin guitars (a la MAIDEN, THIN LIZZY, TROUBLE) as well as think progressively about song structures, moods etc..... I'm in Pittsburgh. Anyone interested can contact me via e-mail at eyetalian@hotmail.com or through my Myspace page ."

http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net

Read more ››

Audio samples of five tracks from BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler's upcoming solo album, "Ohmwork", have been posted at his official web site .

"Ohmwork" is scheduled for release on May 10 via Sanctuary Records.

Butler's first album in eight years, "Ohmwork" is the bassist's third solo band release. His first project under the GZR banner was 1995's "Plastic Planet" while 1997's "Black Science" was credited to GEEZER. Guitarist Pedro Howse has worked on all three albums, while vocalist Clark Brown performed on "Black Science". The group's latest addition is drummer Chad Smith (not the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS man).

GZR touring plans are being put together for fall 2005.

http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net

Read more ››

Band profile:

Geezer

The first promotional trailer for the release of Shadow Gallery's 'Room V' CD is available at official homepage. Quick Time trailer is available for download in two versions, dial-up and a broadband version.

New album 'Room V' is a follow-up to a successful album 'Tyranny' released in 1998 and will hit the stores on June 7 through InsideOut records. So, wait for it!

Source:

shadowgallery.com

MY DYING BRIDE have uploaded screenshots from their video for the track "The Blue Lotus" at this location. The clip, which was directed and conceived by David Palzer, will be included on the group's upcoming "Sinamorata" DVD, tentatively due early summer via Peaceville. In addition to the "The Blue Lotus" video, "Sinamorata" will include live footage (12 songs) shot on November 2, 2003 in Antwerpen, Belgium, as well as backstage extras, the "Prize of Beauty" promotional clip, two videos made by MY DYING BRIDE fans ("Hope the Destroyer" and "My Wine In Silence") and a photo gallery featuring fan-created artwork inspired by the band's music.

As previously reported, MY DYING BRIDE's reissue of their first DVD, "For Darkest Eyes", has been delayed until the fall to avoid confusion with "Sinamorata". Focus now lies on a three-CD box set, featuring two new remixes, which is being released in May.

MY DYING BRIDE's eighth studio album, "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light", was released in February 2004 through Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded and mixed at Academy Studio in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire with producer Mags.

Source:	metal-realm.com
Band profile:	My Dying Bride

The following message was posted on his official site:

"A Note From Charlie....

Hello everyone! I have finished the first CD in my trilogy and it is now mixed and mastered. I am working on the cover art and I hope to get it released by the end of April,although it looks like the release will be mid to end of May. Keep an eye on my site for further news. Thank you all for your continued support!

Charlie"

Source:	dominici.com
Band profile:	Dominici

Thomen Stauch posted an statement about his new and main project "Savage Circus", here you have a fragment:

"Hi friends,

I hope the shock about my departure from the band wasn't too much, but I'm sure time will heal these wounds.

As I mentioned before in the forum, over the last two years I have been working on two different formations: the Modern Metal Project with Bjoern (Soilwork) and Savage Circus. Since leaving Blind Guardian, Savage Circus has become my main project.

Here a few personal words to introduce you to Salvage Circus ?

Have fun

Thomen"

to read the complete statement go to: http://www.thomen.de/sc_englisch.htm

Source:	thomen.de
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

Russell Allen - singer of Symphony X - has finally completed the recording of the vocal tracks of the highly anticipated album with the singer of Masterplan, Jorn Lande.

The record - which has a working title of "The Battle" - is going to be mixed during April by Anders "Theo" Theander (Pain of Salvation, Last Tribe) at the Roastinghouse Studios in Sweden.

The label has planned to release the album right after the summer.

http://www.frontiers.it

Band profile:

Symphony X

The NWOBHM band posted the following message concerning their new album:

"BLITZKRIEG are delighted to announce that work on the follow up album to 2002's "Absolute Power" has now been completed and is currently being mixed and mastered ready for release on the 4th July through Metal Nation records.
The new album is to be entitled "SINS and GREED" and features new bass player Paul Brewis who replaced Andy Galloway in early 2004, and Ken Johnson's first studio album following his performance on "Absolutely Live"
Recorded at Trinity Heights Studios in Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) the track listing will be as follows -

1 - HELL EXPRESS - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt / Paul Brewis / Phil Brewis
2 - EXCESSIVE FORCE - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt
3 - STANDING STILL - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt
4 - RISE - Paul Nesbitt
5 - TRAITORS GATE - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt / Paul Brewis / Phil Brewis
6 - ESCAPE FROM THE VILLAGE - Brian Ross / Ken Johnson / Phil Brewis
7 - EYES OF THE WORLD - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt
8 - CALM WATERS - Paul Nesbitt
9 - DESOLATION ANGEL - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt / Paul Brewis
10 - SILENT SCREAM - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt
11 - JECKYL & HYDE - Brian Ross / Paul Nesbitt / Paul Brewis / Phil Brewis
12 - HELL BENT FOR LEATHER - Tipton

BLITZKRIEG have confirmed a warm up show as guest headliners on the Deliverance / Humanity tour at Fibbers in York (UK) on the 15th May, this will be followed by dates in Europe and the US later in the year - dates will be confirmed once known."

Also a sample of the song "Hell Express" was posted, you can download it here .

Read more ››

Source:

blitzed-alive.com

To all of the fans(and not) of Solitude Aeturnus, who were asking what's up with the band, the band decided to post two new demo clips from the upcoming album "Alone", to listen to the songs enter on http://www.eternalsolitude.com/pages/01_news.html or http://www.eternalsolitude.com/pages/05a_audio.html .

Source:	eternalsolitude.com
Band profile:	Solitude Aeturnus

The band had posted the song "La Llave de la Puerta Secreta" on mp3 format from the band upcoming album. It can be found here .

Read more ››

Source:	rataweb.com.ar
Band profile:	Rata Blanca

Former HELLOWEEN frontman Michael Kiske has accepted an offer to sing for a project called PLACE VENDOME, named after the Paris world renowned square.

The project, which is headed up by Frontiers Records owner Serafino Perugino, has finished recording 11 songs, which are set to follow a straight melodic rock / AOR sound, "comparable to bands like FOREIGNER or JOURNEY" according to Kiske.

Production duties are handled by Pink Cream 69's Dennis Ward with songs written on purpose by himself, his bandmates David Readman and Alfred Koffler with contributions also from Gunther Werno of Vanden Plas.

Michael had a lot of fun during the recordings, as he really liked the material that is going to show an new and exciting side of his great singing abilities!

Frontiers Records plans to release this highly anticipated album in the fall of 2005.

In related news, Kiske went to the hospital a few weeks ago to finally get rid of the stomach problems that have plagued him for quite some time. The operation went smoothly and Michael is "totally fine again" and in a better vocal shape than ever!

http://www.frontiers.it

According to the official website of the band, Boosty Collins should replace John Myung during the next tour of Dream Theater?

Mike Portnoy said during an interview: John is a fan of Saturday Night Fever and he always tries to Dance like Travolta? But he is definitely better with a bass than on the Dance Floor? We will miss him during the tour but he cannot play with his injured leg ? Bootsy will be perfect one to replace him?

Bootsy seems to be really happy to do this upcoming tour with the masters of the Progressive Metal and he promised to put some groove into the music of the Famous American "disco" Metal act.
Also, as an insight from the future tour, the band will play some Joe Dassin songs, remixed to be suited for Dream Theater.

For the show in Oslo, the headliner will be Bee Gees reformed.

A Funky and Disco tour in perspective?

Source:	discotheater.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

From the band's website:

"Photos and video clips from the magic nights in St Petersburg and Moscow are now ready for download. Check the live gallery and read what Daniel has to say about the concerts in the forum".

For all of these, follow this link: http://www.lakeoftears.net/

Band profile:

Lake Of Tears

TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL ANNOUNCMENT

- Line-up almost complete, one more artist to be added
- Ticket sales start on Friday April 1st

Tuska Open Air Metal Festival has added more international and Finnish acts to the 2005 roster. The line-up is almost complete with only 1 more artist to be added for Saturday afternoon as well as the winner from the band contest at Rotonde-Festival, France, which is to be held later this spring. This year's Tuska-Festival is more international than ever, with nearly half of the artists coming from abroad. The evening clubs will most likely see some international action as well.

New additions in Finnish professionalism will be represented by Apocalyptica, whose cello metal is witnessed way too rarely on their native soil. Apocalytica just recently supported Rammstein on their
European tour and appeared stateside on a few selected dates.

German precision and universal greatness is brought to you by the mighty Gamma Ray. The band last appeared on the bill at Tuska 2000 and have since built their fanbase by selling out club shows on a regular basis.

Other additions include up-and-coming death metallers Amoral, Finnish-singing Stam1na and Viikate, as well as Callisto who are about to embark on a European tour in a few weeks.

The search continues for one more, either domestic or foreign artist.

Ticket sales for Tuska 2005 start on Friday April 1st. Three-day ticketcosts 67 euro, one-day ticket 32 euro. Go to http://www.lippupalvelu.fi to purchase tickets.

Current Tuska 2005 line-up reads as follows:

Friday 15.7.
Monster Magnet (USA)
Apocalyptica
Finntroll
Teräsbetoni
Scarve (FRA)
Primal Fear (GER)
Destruction (GER)
Callisto
Wintersun

Saturday 16.7.
Dimmu Borgir (NOR)
Testament (GER)
Gamma Ray (GER)
Deathchain
Thunderstone
Amoral
Rotten Sound
Lake Of Tears (SWE)
Ajattara
Pain Confessor
Sinking
Naglfar (SWE)

Sunday 17.7.
Accept (GER)
Sentenced
Children Of Bodom
Evergrey (SWE)
Viikate
Bal-Sagoth (UK)
Stam1na
Turmion Kätilöt
Hieronymus Bosch (RUS)

Additional Information:

http://www.tuska-festival.fi

After a long silence finally some news again from the CALLENISH CIRCLE camp?

Last couple of months we have been working very hard on our new (and meanwhile 5th) studio album. So far we have written the complete basics of 6 new tracks and we have plenty of cool material & ideas left for the rest of the album. It's just a matter of putting the right ideas into song structures and work out the details. Some of the new song-titles are 'This Day You Regret', 'Sweet Cyanide' and 'As You Speak'.

The recordings for the new, yet untitled, album are scheduled in May & June over here in The Netherlands with Gail Liebling (mastermind behind Gail of God). The mix will be done in Denmark with Tue Madsen (a.o. The Haunted, Illdisposed & Mnemic) at the well-known Antfarm Studio. Last but not least the album will be mastered by Peter Neuber at Mega Wimp Sound in Germany. At the moment we haven't decided on the artist for the artwork yet.

The new material music wise? well? just imagine the best of what we did on both Metal Blade albums, add some really cool groovy parts and combine this already deadly cocktail with some high-tech wacky soundscapes, delivered by mr. Liebling himself.

Furthermore the new album will feature a bonus DVD with a lot of cool video footage. On this bonus DVD there will be featured a completely professional (audio & visual) recorded live-show (recorded at the 013 venue in Tilburg), a home-video of our trip to the Piorno Rock Festival in Spain, a studio-report of the recordings of our upcoming album and some other interesting stuff.

The release is scheduled for November on Metal Blade Records again. After the release we will also hit the road again to promote the album at the live front.

For more info & bookings contact : trendkiller@callenish-circle.com or surf to: http://www.callenish-circle.com

Source:

Callenish Circle