Finland's Sonera Plaza has posted several photos of STRATOVARIUS performing at Spain's Piorno Rock festival on Saturday, including pictures of keyboardist Jens Johansson pissing (literally!) on guitarist Timo Tolkki during the opening notes of the song "Forever" (no, we're not kidding). Check them out here: http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/musiikki/artikkeli/0,3634,6197_200049,00.html

STRATOVARIUS' set list for the Piorno Rock performance:

01. I Walk To My Own Song
02. Reign Of Terror
03. Lord Of The Wasteland
04. Hunting High And Low
05. Eternity
06. I'm Still Alive
07. Speed Of Light
08. Granada (Spanish) / Season Of Faith's Perfection
09. Forever Free
10. Forever
11. Phoenix
12. Kiss Of Judas
13. Father Time
14. Black Diamond

Band profile:

Stratovarius

Finland's NIGHTWISH have revealed the track listing for their new album, "Once", tentatively due in June through Spinefarm/Universal Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast in continental Europe. A release date for the U.S. has yet to be confirmed.

"Once" track listing, according to NIGHTWISH's web site:

01. Dark Chest Of Wonders
02. Wish I Had An Angel
03. Nemo
04. Planet Hell
05. Creek Mary's Blood
06. The Siren
07. Dead Gardens
08. Romanticide
09. Ghost Love Score
10. Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan
11. Higher Than Hope

The following bonus tracks will be published as single b-sides:

01. White Night Fantasy
02. Live To Tell The Tale
03. Where Were You Last Night (ANKIE BAGGER cover)

As previously reported, NIGHTWISH recently shot a video for "Nemo" with renowned director Antti Jokinen, who has previously directed music videos for such international artists as CELINE DION, EMINEM and SHANIA TWAIN.

Band profile:

Nightwish

STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki was assaulted in the center of Granada, Spain on Sunday (Feb. 29) as he was taking a walk, Finland's Sonera Plaza is reporting. According to STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, who witnessed the attack, the alleged attacker was extremely agitated and had "a Hispanic looking appearance". During the assault, the attacker shouted "Tolkki." He was armed with what seemed to be a box cutter.

Tolkki was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to emergency care. He had two stab wounds on his left arm and a facial contusion. His wounds were cleaned and bandaged and he was released from hospital care.

Anybody with any information about the attacker is being asked to contact the police.

Tolkki commented that he is "shocked and horrified" by what happened. "Apparently this guy had been stalking me. The bastard attacked me from behind," Tolkki said. "I can take anything, but that was such a cowardly act, you know. He got me with the knife twice and punched me in the face. Then he ran away. The whole thing lasted just seconds. Now I am thinking that this might be the end of my career. I do not want to end up like John Lennon. I don't know if I want to continue STRATOVARIUS anymore".

When asked if he thinks that the attack has something to do with the resent changes in STRATOVARIUS lineup and the death threats he has received, Tolkki commented: "Of course I feel there is a connection to that. Why would anybody attack me like that otherwise? What possible other motive this guy could have had than that? I think he tried to kill me, but this time I was lucky".

STRATOVARIUS performed on Saturday night as a headliner of Piorno Rock Festival in Granada, Spain.

A photo of Timo Tolkki taken on Sunday after he was treated for his wounds can be viewed here: http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/musiikki/artikkeli/0,3634,6211_199869,00.html

Related link: Sonner Plaza (Finland) website: http://www.soneraplaza.fi/

Band profile:

Stratovarius

Message from Peter

Hello all metal heads!
The recording of the upcoming Darkane album still hasn't started. The reason for this is that my wrists have been ill for one year now. On the tours we did in 2003 I always had more or less pain in my wrists. The last two shows on the Death Angel tour in November were really bad. I almost haven't played any drums since we got back from that tour.

The reason for my wrist problems is that one year ago I rehearsed very hard and for very long hours with the band Time Requiem. We did production rehearsals for four days, about 10 hours a day, with full PA and monitoring system. This was too much for my wrists. On the tour to Japan after those rehearsals my wrists were in constant ache. We had to fulfil the tour and you can actually hear the result on the upcoming live CD with Time Requiem called 'Unleashed in Japan'. After that we did the No Mercy tour with Darkane and my wrists never got the well-deserved rest they needed. As we continued with festivals and more tours for the rest of 2003, of course things didn't get better.

I've tried all kinds of treatment (chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, medicine etc?) with no luck so far. At least one good thing is that the doctors say that there is nothing wrong physically with my wrists and that it is a bad inflammation. Well let's hope that surgery won't be needed!

Anyway, 10 songs are finished for the new CD and Christofer and me are working on an intro right now. Yes, there will be some kind of bombastic intro on the next CD! The plans are to release it in September or October, but of course that depends on my wrists.

Stay metal!

Peter

Band profile:

Darkane

The U.K.'s ANATHEMA will play a special acoustic gig with a string quartet on Friday, February 27 at The Picket music club in Liverpool. The group will be playing a few selected songs on acoustic guitars and pianos with a string quartet from the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, according to a post on the band's web site. The evening is part of the "Save Our Culture" campaign for Liverpool's Quiggin's alternative shopping center.

In other news, ANATHEMA have confirmed three shows in Greece in April.

Band profile:

Anathema

Godhate
ex.-THRONEAEON- newsletter!!!

Blasphemous deathmetal in the vein of Slayer, Deicide and Morbid Angel
with a touch of the early Swedish style.


1. A shit load of news on the website http://www.godhate.com
2. Two new sections on the website to explore. "Tours/ gigs" with the latest and past gigs,
and "media" with photos, music, reviews and interviews.
3. GODHATE will thus be doing 3 gigs this spring.

SUPPORT THE TRUE UNDERGROUND!!!
http://www.godhate.com

Finland's NIGHTWISH have posted more photos from the recording sessions for their new album, "Once", at their official web site. Check out the slide-show at this location: http://www.nightwish.com/pics/diary/25022004/phpslideshow.php

As previously reported, "Once" is tentatively due in June through Spinefarm/Universal Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast in continental Europe. A release date for the U.S. has yet to be confirmed. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nemo" (first single/video), "I Wish I Had An Angel" (projected second single/video), "The Siren", "Higher Than Hope" and "Dark Chest Of Wonders".

NIGHTWISH recently shot a video for "Nemo" with renowned director Antti Jokinen, who has previously directed music videos for such international artists as CELINE DION, EMINEM and SHANIA TWAIN.

Band profile:

Nightwish

DEICIDE's video for the title track to their new album, "Scars of the Crucifix", has been posted online for viewing at the Earache Records web site. Check it out here:http://www.earache.com/bands/deicide/deicide_scars_video/player.html

As previously reported, the "Scars of the Crucifix" clip was shot in Nottingham, U.K. by acclaimed director Pete Bridgewater (THE HAUNTED, DECEMBER). It marks the first time in DEICIDE's 15-year-existence that they have filmed a promotional video for one of their songs.

Band profile:

Deicide

NEVERMORE are on the verge of signing a new deal with Century Media Records, informed sources have told BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

Despite the band's much-publicized troubles with the label, NEVERMORE are believed to have negotiated a new contract with Century Media that will provide them with the kind of financial backing they felt was missing during the recording process for their latest CD, 2003's "Enemies Of Reality".

In a posting to the band's official forum, singer Warrel Dane indicated that the band have already signed a new contract, but implied that the deal has not yet been finalized. Dane also revealed that the group will be shooting a video for the song "I, Voyager" within the next month, in addition to making plans for a headline U.S. tour that will take place in the spring.

NEVERMORE's most recent studio album, 2003's "Enemies Of Reality", marked the final album under the group's previous contract with Century Media Records. The band, who feature in their ranks former members of the popular '80s power metal act SANCTUARY, were very vocal about their dissatisfaction with the label at the time, with Dane blaming Century Media for "cut budget down to shit for because we wouldn't re-sign with them until after the album was done."

Taken from Blabbermouth.net

Read more ››

Band profile:

Nevermore

Finnish goth-metallers H.I.M. will make their only Finnish festival appearance this summer at Provinssirock in Seinäjoki on June 19. Other confirmed acts include EXODUS, THE HIVES, HYPOCRISY, DAVID BOWIE, STARSAILOR and THE DISTILLERS. Three-day tickets will go on sale March 1. More info at www.provinssi.fi.

As previously reported, H.I.M. will be issuing a "best of" collection, "And Love Said No - The Greatest Hits 1997-2004", on March 15 through BMG/EMI Music. A limited-edition version of the CD will include a special DVD containing five 5.1-mixed live tracks recorded at Semifinal in Helsinki in April-May 2003.

Taken from Blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

HIM

Sony Music Mobile has released four Yngwie Malmsteen ringtones for fans to download. The clips are as follows:

01. Baroque & Roll
02. Majestic Blue
03. Ship of Fools
04. Stronghold

Check them out here:
http://www.sonymusicmobile.com/hub/sonymusic/dispatcher/browse'sid=31926852787a9357db9d207956e922a3&s=YNGWIE+MALMSTEEN

Band profile:

Yngwie Malmsteen

Despite mostly favorable reviews, IRON MAIDEN's latest CD, "Dance of Death", appears to be selling much more slowly in the U.S. than its predecessor, 2000's "Brave New World". According to the latest Nielsen SoundScan figures, "Brave New World" has shifted 271,050 copies in the U.S. so far, while its follow-up effort has registered a total sales tally of only 119,851.

"Dance Of Death" sold 40,308 copies during its first week of release last September to debut at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart. That number was in line with the first-week tally of "Brave New World", which moved 37,618 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Band profile:

Iron Maiden

Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH have set "Catch 33" as the title of their new full-length album, tentatively due this fall as part of a new recording agreement with Nuclear Blast Records (as first reported here yesterday). MESHUGGAH's last album under their previous contract with Nuclear Blast was 2002's "Nothing". It is not presently clear if MESHUGGAH will go ahead with their previously announced plans to record a one-song EP (clocking in at over 20 minutes) for Fractured Transmitter Records (the label formed by MUSHROOMHEAD vocalist Jason Mann).

Band profile:

Meshuggah

The following message was posted on Devin Townsend's (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) official web site:

"The two records that Devin had intended to release before Christmas were delayed by his schedule. They are finished, just the graphics are being finalised now and they should be submitted for printing within a couple of weeks, available to order 4-6 weeks from there. Also, the tablatures that Devin was starting requires some sort of guitar module to do what he planned. The module has been ordered but he will be busy with production for at least the next 4 weeks.

"You probably read on the web that Byron has recently joined FEAR FACTORY for their upcoming tour and maybe more . However It doesn't affect his membership is and Byron is still a fervent LAD.

"Lastly, In order to clear room in the warehouse we posted a bunch of inventory on Ebay at reduced prices to clear it out . Unfortunately because of our water main (located in the stocked full storage space) that broke, the headquarters is under 2 feet of waters. we are very sorry to say that the majority of the cool stuff we had for you has been destroyed ? along with a hell of a lot of uninsured HDR inventory.

"Anyone want some slightly soggy compact discs? How about really sopping wet ones? Souvenirs of the great HDR flood? We will soon put a temporary merchandise page on the HDR site called 'flood memorabilia'. Devin will sign the damaged CDs and we hope that people may be willing to contribute to helping out by buying an autographed ruined CD

"To finish, we will soon launch the The Hevydevy Records Official Forums. The board is now finished, the transfer to a new domain has been done and we hope that a lot of fans will join the community. We'll keep you informed about the launching..."

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Band profile:

Devin Townsend

NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane has posted the following message on the band's official message board:

"We're doing a video for 'I, Voyager' within the next month, we just signed a new record deal , we're working on a headline U.S. tour at the moment and we're writing a bunch of new tunes." With regards to which label the group are now signed to, Warrel said, "we will announce that when all the paperwork is processed."

NEVERMORE's most recent studio album, 2003's "Enemies Of Reality", marked the final album under the group's previous contract with Century Media Records. The band, who feature in their ranks former members of the popular '80s power metal act SANCTUARY, were very vocal about their dissatisfaction with their previous label, whom Dane blamed for "cut budget down to shit for because we wouldn't re-sign with them until after the album was done."

Read more ››

Band profile:

Nevermore