Roland Grapow's MASTERPLAN informs:

"After months of rumors and speculations, it is now official: Jorn Lande will once again join forces with his old bandmates and work on what is expected to be yet another MASTERPLAN masterpiece.

"The new album is already in the works and Jorn is right now in Roland Grapow Studios in Slovakia recording his vocals.

"The release date is not yet decided, but the album is scheduled to hit the market sometime in early 2010."

Lande recently told Germany's Rock Hard magazine about his renewed collaboration with MASTERPLAN, "We never had problems with each other, but professionally, we decided for to go separate ways for a while. I am happy that we are working together again - mainly because the combination of MASTERPLAN's music and my singing truly something special."

Source:	master-plan.net
Band profile:	Masterplan

Blind Guardian's Singer Hansi Kürsch has posted following letter in band's official homesite:

Dear friends,

Time to break the silence, time to say hello. As you all most probably know: we have finished the album some days ago and started doing some first shows already. It has been a blast to be back on stage again and do these small shows in Rijssen and Vosseljaar. We appreciate the kindness and the support of the people there and enjoyed the club atmosphere a lot. Istanbul was a great experience and "The Bard's Song" sung by more than 2000 Turkish fans has been nothing but spectacular. I could go on like that but I guess what you are more interested in at the moment is the new album. Even though the secret is revealed already I would like to point out one more time the album is entitled "A Twist in the Myth" and that's just because I unfortunately could not find allies for my most favorite album title suggestion "A Day at the Races".

With this album, I think, we have widened the range of the Blind Guardian universe more than we have ever done before. Comparing it with a compass "Fly" would be west, "Skalds and Shadows" east, "This will never end" south and "The Edge" would be north. Does that mean anything? No. But it sounded good, when I first thought about it. Now I think it's not worth to be deleted.

In terms of quality we have had a very good feeling during the whole recording session. But I nevertheless have do admit, that the songs did make a gigantic step during the last days of recording and the mixing session.

While doing the last recording steps, which traditionally are reserved for backing vocals, all songs have made a significant raise in quality. To give you a very small idea about what to expect, I tell you this: "The Edge" and "In search of the Lionheart" certainly will achieve absolute cult status within a very short amount of time. They are very heavy, almost thrashy, though very progressive in certain ways.

"Skalds and Shadows" will prove its longevity in numerous live concerts. To those who consider it a "The Bard's Song" rip off: the album version clearly proves it is a "A Past and Future Secret" rip off, with a different melody, different rhythm pattern and different lyrics, which reminds one of "Harvest of Sorrow".

Marcus and I composed a number called "All the King's Horses", which will be released on the Japanese version of "A Twist in the Myth" and on a single we are going to release in the beginning of 2007. It is a great song which will set emotions free, I am sure.

Read more ››

Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

With a musical landscape as varied as the range of their band member's occupations (which includes a psychologist, an electrician, a youth center worker, and a graphic designer), Italian sextet Graveworm will be bringing their brand of melodic goth/black metal to North American shores for the first time during the Metal Maniacs and Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles-sponsored North American Metal Crusaders Tour.

A compact version of a traveling United Nations, Italy's Graveworm is joining forces with Vader (Poland), Kataklysm (Canada), Destruction (Germany), Speed\Kill/Hate (New York), and The Absence (Tampa). The first show of this truly international line-up is set to take place on May 26th in Montreal, Quebec. Checking in from his home in Italy, trilingual architect student and Graveworm vocalist Stefano Fiori shares his thoughts on his maiden trip to North America in support of (N)utopia:

"We are looking forward to playing in every city on this tour. We're thinking of bringing empty suitcases for all the things we want to buy that we can't get here at home... haha. This will be a new experience for us and we are all curious about the response we will get over there. Maurizio from Kataklysm told us there are a lot of Graveworm fans in Montreal, and that the people there generally go crazy at shows. We're also looking forward to visiting Las Vegas. We've heard a lot about it, but to be there would be a very different thing."

Source:	nuclearblastusa.com
Band profile:	Graveworm

Black Mark Records has set a June 3 release date for the new Bathory box set, "In Memory of Quorthon", containing three CDs, one DVD, a book and a poster. No further information is currently available regarding the box set's contents, but Börje "Boss" Forsberg ? owner of Black Mark Records and father of late Bathory mainman Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg ? had previously stated that it would contain "Quorthon's and Bathory's complete musical history."

Quorthon was found dead in his apartment in Stockholm, Sweden on June 7, 2004. The 39-year-old, widely considered to be one of black metal's founding fathers, reportedly died of heart failure.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Bathory

Finland's Finntroll have parted ways with singer Tapio Wilska. Wilska's official statement on the matter from band's website:

"With a heavy heart I bring you the following news: In a band meeting one hour ago I was fired as a singer of Finntroll. Reasons are many and for the most part private, but personal differences and lack of discussion have led my bandmates to doubt my commitment for this band. I believe this will be discussed widely in the following days and more info will undoubtedly be out soon for your viewing pleasure. I will only say the following: These past three years have been the best times of my life and I want to thank all the friends I've gained from this, crews past and present, supporters who came to our shows and shared the good and the bad times. I will always cherish you in my heart. Thanks for my now ex-bandmates for sharing this experience with me. Life goes on and wounds will heal. The future remains to be seen.

"Thank all of you and see you sometime, somewhere."

Source:	finntroll.net
Band profile:	Finntroll

MORNINGSTAR RECORDS: New Norwegian label started by members of SATYRICON
live, NECROPHAGIA, KEEP OF KALESSIN, CHTON, MANES, MAX MIDSUN

First release: BLOODTHORN "Genocide" Europe FEBRUARY 2006!

The goal of Morningstar Records is to establish a solid independent label within quality metal and rock as a label run by musicians for musicians.Our intention is not to climb the ladder up through the underground, but to start no-holds-barred from the first release being "Genocide" by the Norwegian death metal-band Bloodthorn, their 4th studio album marking their 10th year from their first release in 1996.

After years of wanting to start a label focusing on the music itself and not on hype and hunt for profit, Morningstar Records was established by Keep of Kalessin mainman Arnt O. Grönbech. Arnt comments: "I was totally blown away when I heard the new Bloodthorn album 'Genocide' during their mixing-session in Godt Selskap studio, and I simply chose to buy the European rights for this crushing album. This is the album that will give the label a flying start, and prove the labels right to life!" Morningstar Records will focus on quality not quantity, and with the Head of Business and two producers from Godt Selskap Studio (known for recordings by bands like Necrophagia, Keep of Kalessin, Griffin, Chton, Manifest etc.) on board, this close co-operation with Godt Selskap gives Morningstar Records
an advantage by the possibility to secure a professional recording of their artist. Plastichead is Morningstar Records' world distributor, and will make sure the music can be found in most retail stores, as well as specialist stores, across the globe.

MORNINGSTAR STAFF_
Kim Tungvåg (Max Midsun, head of business Godt Selskap studio)
Torstein Parelius (Manes, Chton)
Arnt O. Grönbech (Keep of Kalessin, Satyricon live)
Knut V. Prytz (Necrophagia, producer Godt Selskap Studio)
Rune Stavnesli (Max Midsun, producer Godt Selskap studio)

MORNINGSTAR RECORDS DA
http://www.morningstarrec.com
info@morningstarrec.com

Phone: (+47) 45 23 83 34
P.O. Box 8809
N-7481 Trondheim
Norway

Italian folk/power metal band Elvenking have finalized the track listing for their third album, "The Winter Wake", due on January 27, 2006 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Wyrd" was recorded at Sherpa Studios (Italy), mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Nino Laurenne and was mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussilla.

"The Winter Wake" track listing:

01. Trows Kind
02. Swallowtail
03. The Winter Wake (feat. Schmier of DEestruction)
04. The Wanderer
05. March of Fools
06. On the Morning Dew
07. Devil's Carriage
08. Rats are Following
09. Rouse Your Dream
10. Neverending Nights
11. Disillusion's Reel
+ bonus tracks

Check out the album cover artwork at http://www.elvenking.net

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Elvenking

Finnish folk-influenced melodic death metal band Ensiferum, now featuring in its ranks NORTHER frontman Petri Lindroos, have set "Dragonheads" as the title of their new EP, due in February 2006 via Spinefarm Records. The mini-CD is being recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki and will contain one new track, new studio recordings of several old demo songs, and a couple of traditional Finnish folk covers. The group's next full-length release is scheduled to be recorded in the summer of 2006. A European tour is tentatively slated to kick off in March 2006.

ENSIFERUM will also film their New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) 10-year anniversary concert at the Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland for an upcoming DVD.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Ensiferum

According to a band spokesperson, US thrash gods Slayer will "go into the studio maybe December, possibly January to start recording" their long-awaited follow-up to 2001's "God Hates Us All". The album will surface on American Recordings' new home, Warner Bros. Records, sometime in 2006. More news as it develops.

In his recent interview with Metal Hammer, Slayer guitarist Kerry King said the following when asked about a new LP: "It seems like everybody under the sun says, 'We want a new record,' but at the same time, they keep saying, 'We'd really like you to come back on tour.' That shit bumps everything on the backburner. The funny this is Dave and me have had a 10-song demo we did up at his house that's been lying around since March 2004. I know Jeff has written a couple , and I've written a couple more since then, so this week we're going to start the process of getting back together and nailing this thing."

The album will feature original drummer Dave Lombardo. He played with the band until 1992, leaving to found Grip Inc. In 2001 Dave rejoined Slayer for the "God Hates Us All" tour, initially as a short-term fill-in, but has remained with the group.

Read more ››

Source:	ultimate-guitar.com
Band profile:	Slayer

Nightwish's ex-singer Tarja Turunen has posted following message in her homesite:

Since last Sunday morning, I have been asked to express my position by magazines, newspapers, radio and TV stations, fan clubs and fans from Finland and from all over the world. So many in total that it is physically impossible for me to find the time to reply to them all individually. Hence I decided to put down a couple of words in this text to let my fans, family and friends and the public know how I feel after the recent events.

This is a moment of grief and pain and I find it very hard to speak.

At the moment I am in Argentina. I hope you can understand that after this shocking life change comparable to a divorce, I didn't want to stay alone at home in Finland. My husband had booked his tickets to Argentina many months ago and I decided to travel with him at the last minute.

But the fact that I am in Argentina and the long distance should of course not be an excuse not to comment on the situation.

Last Friday 21st of October was a day the whole band had been waiting for a long time.

Practice started early in the morning. I was very sick and nervous because of the fact that I was not even able to sing during the rehearsals.

Also nervous because the concert programme was going to be longer than usual for a Nightwish concert. Furthermore we were going to have a special guest to perform with us, more wardrobe changes for myself than usual and for the first time big screens and bigger production on stage.

Not to forget that the concert was going to be recorded and filmed.

The five of us had finally made it to play Hartwall Arena.

Even though every one of us knew in advance that the concert was sold out, finally on stage, we saw that screaming, applauding and standing people took every seat. The feeling was unbelievable.

I will never forget how amazing it was to experience the Finnish audience's gorgeous reception.

When the concert was over, I cried of happiness on stage. Happy tears because I was able to do my best as always even though I was sick. Happy tears because our long tour got the greatest possible ending and happy tears because of the best recognition an artist can get: applause and smiling faces.

At that moment I didn't know that I was going to cry again soon.

After the concert, the guys of the band invited me backstage to join them and asked me to hug altogether. This felt strange as it was the same kind of hug we traditionally came together for before every concert. That tradition remained between us, even though the tension and increasing pressure already existed since a long period of time.

Read more ››

Source:	tarjaturunen.com
Band profile:	Nightwish

Italian Folk/power metal band Elvenking has poster following message in their website:

After huge succes of previous albums "Heathenreel" and "Wyrd", EK are ready to return with their third album "THE WINTER WAKE" that will be released on January 27th, once again by AFM-Records.

Recorded at Sherpa Studios (Italy), Mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Nino Laurenne and mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussilla (two of Finland's best recording studios), "THE WINTER WAKE" will show once again the main features that made Elvenking a unique band in the current metal scene: fresh and original sound that mixes enchanting melodies, heavy metal groove, catchy choruses and acoustic elements.

With their new full lenghth album the band, encriched by their re-newed line-up, will follow their creative path bringing their sound much further, adding more than ever a personal and mature touch that leads "THE WINTER WAKE" to be an outstanding and surprising collection of songs which are the best manifesto of what EK is in 2005 - some of the songs included are: "Swallowtail", "The Wanderer" and "Neverending Nights".

In these days artist Havancsak Gyula is finishing the works regarding the artwork. This time the booklet will feature 11 different paintings - one for each song - and the cover will be the best piece of art Elvenking could ever ask for.

The band is also proud to announce that the title track will include the very special appereance of Destruction's vocalist Schmier! and that the opening track will be enriched by a fabulous guitar solo played by producer and guitarist Nino Laurenne.

Source:	elvenking.net
Band profile:	Elvenking

Following message was posted in band's website by vocalist Hansi Kürsch:

Hello my friends,

although time keeps on ticking quickly, things go very well in the Guardian camp. To be more precise: we are still on schedule and even though everyone is totally busy and concentrated the atmosphere is very lifely and still relaxed to a certain extend:-) The material for the single will be accomplished at the end of November. To make that happen this particular stuff will get most of our attention for the next 4 weeks. Everyone is already involved in the recording process and we are really excited about the album ΄s progression. It is too early to say when we will be finished exactly, but I would say a worldwide release in the first half of 2006 is very realistic. Things look (sound - as well) very promising. At the moment we are also getting deeper into details such as album title, cover, etc... So, we are about to scratch the most important phase of the recording session and we do not intend to leave you out ... Please, let us work on it a little longer, so we can fix things technically. You will be provided with footage, that is for sure.

Cheers,
Hansi

Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

Wintersun, the band led by former Ensiferum singer Jari Mäenpää, have set "Time" as the working title of their new album, tentatively due late 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to the group's self-titled debut album (released last September) will be recorded in May 2006 at Sonic Pump Studios with producer Nino Laurenne. "The mixing will happen in the beginning of July," Jari writes on the group's web site. "There´s still work that needs to be done with the songs, but I'm sure we'll get there. I believe that this will be a very strong album and I'm very excited about it!"

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Wintersun

Cradle Of Filth's frontman Dani Filth posted following message in their website about upcoming album, line-up changes and more..

"Latest News...

Greetings fans, friends, fiends and boys and ghouls of all persuasions.

Things have been going exceptionally well in the Cradle Of Filth camp of late, with the American airing of 'Viva La Bam' being shown for public consumption at the beginning of the month; (we're pursuing the European showing date even as this is being written... )

And, more importantly we have over sixty per cent of the new album under our belts; including the following laments... 'I Am The Thorn', 'Lovesick For Mina', 'The Byronic Man', 'Cemetery And Sundown', 'Libertina Grimm', 'The Flora Of Nightfall, The Fauna Of War' and 'Dirge Inferno' to name but a few. There will also be a band instrumental on this new musical opus, which, although remaining untitled as yet, will be a first for the band in its eleven year career. The initial start date for recording the album is scheduled for October 10th.

On the DVD front, a cover representation will be posted shortly with the title of 'Peace Through Superior Firepower' and pending the documentary of backstage shenanigans, being completed over the next few weeks, by Dani and guitarist Paul Allender, a release date of late October/early November is to be expected.

Book-wise; 'The Gospel Of Filth -The Midian Bible' is coming on very nicely with the chapter about 'Serial Murderers' currently being expounded upon. Next month's arrival of the 'Member's Only' chamber on the website entitled, 'The Order Of The Dragon', will see excerpts from this unholy tome being revealed unto the unwary with the countdown to the release of the book's special edition (which features an extra chapter by Dani Filth and is signed by both authors alike in a gilded leather-bound cover... ); sometime early next year.

Incidentally, this 'Members Only' chamber will not only include up-to-the-minute information, but will also feature live band chats, video messaging, special promotional items, tickets for exclusive one-off shows, downloads, competitions to win band property and interaction with band decisions in the form of consensus and polls (i.e in deciding titles, themes, new products and songs etc, etc...) to name but a few. More on this as it arrives.

Last but not least, some other strange occurrences have been happening to the band line-up since last I put severed wrist to paper; in the form of a further departure, a turnaround and a come-back! It has been known to the select few that this band is a sum of it's parts and sometimes more than just a band, sometimes more a lifestyle, so it is not often surprising that, (as magazines and other creative workplaces do all the time), people unfortunately come and go; yet the entity that is the band remains the same. The plan has always been to deliver on the musical front for at least another five to ten years, regardless of what and whom are in the line-up.

Read more ››

Source:	cradleoffilth.com
Band profile:	Cradle Of Filth

The explosive Southern California quintet Manntis have officially signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The group’s debut album, “Sleep In Your Grave”, is set for a October 17th, 2005 release in Europe. The disc was produced by Cameron Webb (Danzig, Motörhead, Social Distortion) and features blistering tracks of unrelenting metal intensity. The group have been influenced by a diverse number of bands ranging from Meshuggah and Pantera to Hatebreed, to name just a few, and their pummeling sound reflects the combination of these influences.

Manntis originally formed in 2000 and immediately began playing anywhere and everywhere possible. Their stunning stage presence was undeniable and overwhelmed anyone that stepped in front of them. The buzz spread quickly throughout the underground, but their biggest break would come in 2004 when they gained worldwide recognition from their participation on the hit MTV show “Battle For Ozzfest.” The group are now out to prove that they can easily go head to head with the genre’s elite.

Jake Sirokman (vocals) further conveys his excitement over the recent signing: “We're extremely happy to be with Century Media Records. We love the other bands on the roster and are proud to be alongside them for years to come. One thing is for sure: some people may have heard about us because of the 'Battle for Ozzfest' show, but we're a dedicated band with over five years in the scene, not just some reality show poseurs looking to extend our 15 minutes of fame. No doubt that ‘Battle for Ozzfest’ was a great opportunity, but we're grateful that CM saw through smoke and mirrors of TV and saw us for the band we are. Bottom line, we're here to bring the fucking metal. See ya on the road."

Manntis recently embarked on the “Battle For Ozzfest Tour,” in the USA with A Dozen Furies and CYN, the show’s other two finalists. A European tour is following as of November, 2005 with The Haunted and God Forbid.
Official Website http://www.manntis.com

Source:

centurymedia.de