Cleveland groove metallers Chimaira have just announced a European tour alongside their old friends from Boston, Unearth, as well as California's straight-edge outfit Throwdown. After a highly successful US tour supporting the likes of Killswitch Engage and Disturbed, Chimaira are finally going to hit Europe and spread the infection!

Commented Chimaira singer Mark Hunter: "We're very excited to get back to Europe and headline. We'll be playing a bunch of new countries we've never been to, including Russia. We plan to play a great mixture of old and new songs, and we're bringing some of the best bands our genre has to offer with us."

Here are the European tour dates featuring Chimaira, Unearth, Throwdown, and Dååth:

September 15th Biebob, BEL - Vosselaar
September 16th Hamburg, GER - Markthalle
September 17th Kopenhagen, DEN - Pumpenhuset
September 18th Oslo, NOR - Betong
September 19th Gothenburg, SWE - Brew House
September 20th Stockholm, SWE - Klubben
September 22nd Helsinki, FIN - Nostori
September 23rd Tallinn, EST - Rock Cafe
September 24th Riga, LTA - Melnā Piektdiena
September 25th Warsaw, POL - Progresia
September 26th Berlin, GER - Colulmbia Club
September 27th Vienna, AUT - Szene
September 29th Frankfurt, GER - Batschkapp
September 30th Osnabruck, GER - N8
October 01st Praha, CZE - Abaton
October 02nd Budapest, HUN - Diesel
October 03rd Munchen, GER - Backstage
October 04th Bologna, ITA - Estragon
October 06th Paris, FRA - Locomotive
October 07th Limonges, FRA - Espace de L'Ecluse
October 08th Pratteln, CH - Z7
October 09th Koln, GER - Essigfabrik
October 10th Metz, FRA - Tattoo Fest
October 11th Rotterdam, NET - Watt
October 12th London, UK - Electric Ballroom

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Source:	chimaira.com
Band profile:	Chimaira

Jon Schaffer and IcedEarth.com got together on March 13, 2009 for an update on the band's forthcoming live DVD as well Jon's plans for the immediate future. The interview was posted a few days ago already, and here are the main talking points of the interview are outlined below, while the audio interview can be downloaded here (mp3 format, 8.4 MB).

Regarding the immediate plans for Iced Earth:

"Well, right now I'm wrapping up the post-production for the, "Festivals Of The Wicked" DVD which I expect will come out late Summer or Fall of this year. I don't know that for sure, it depends on when we wrap things up, but that's the plan. That's the next project.

Iced Earth is going to be taking some downtime. I've been very, very busy. I haven't taken any kind of vacation in six years and I have been non-stop Iced Earth for three-and-a-half years - from the beginning of the writing of both of these records through the recording, the touring - and there has been a lot of touring... it's just time. I need to step back from it a little bit. And I've got other things planned for this year which I'll be announcing in due course, but my goals are for right now are to get the DVD finished and (then) to get away completely - no cell phones, no e-mail, no contact with the outside world, just me and my family at a very nice isolated place, no music business, no nothing, and it's going to be awesome. That's going to be cool and I plan to come back completely recharged and ready to kill."

Regarding the kind of projects Jon will be working on after returning from vacation:

"You're going to have to wait and find out my man. I mean, I'm just not ready to divulge yet. I've got a few irons in the fire and some things I'm very excited about. Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and I have planned late in 2009 to get together to do Demons And Wizards stuff so that's going to be cool. We saw each other in Cologne (earlier this year) and made plans and I think it's realistic to say that there will be a third Demons And Wizards album probably mid- to late 2010. We're going to have two song writing sessions. We are committed to doing the bulk of this in-person. One of the things I felt like from the last Demons And Wizards album was that we had this window of opportunity where we had to get it done and we kind of let time dictate the schedule instead of our feelings and that was probably a mistake. I mean I'm proud of that record ("Touched by the Crimson King" 2005) and it sold killer and it's a good album but I think Hansi and I are capable of a lot more especially when we get back to the root reasons of why we did this thing together.

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Source:	icedearth.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

Official Steamhammer/SPV press release

Titans among themselves: 1 February 2009 will see the launch of a four-week tour by the two metal legends, Saxon and Iced Earth, in Paris. This sensational co-headlining package is certainly among the strongest of recent years and will take the two bands through countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Italy. Fans can look forward to dynamic power metal at its very best, especially since both groups will also present thoroughly exciting new releases to accompany the tour. Tickets for the concerts are available from ticketing agencies.

Saxon are considered one of the most charismatic acts of today's metal business. Their latest album release, "Into The Labyrinth", out on 12 January 2009 (Germany: 9 January 2009, US: 13 January) via Steamhammer/SPV proves that Saxon mark 2009 haven't lost any of their expressiveness, enthusiasm and inspiration. Along with numerous classics, vocalist Biff Byford & Co. will present the strongest tracks from their new album during the tour, expertly combining present and past.

For Iced Earth, this will be the first full European tour since the return of frontman, Matt Barlow. "I am pleased Matt is back," explains guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer. "We are brothers with a long, meaningful relationship behind us" The band will present songs from their current album, "The Crucible Of Man", and for spring Schaffer has also announced the release of a new DVD.

Tourdates:

01.02.2009 F Paris Bataclan
02.02.2009 B Brussels AB
03.02.2009 NL Tilburg 013
04.02.2009 D Cologne Essigfabrik
06.02.2009 LUX Luxembourg Den Atelier
07.02.2009 D Herford X
08.02.2009 D Hamburg Docks
10.02.2009 NO Oslo Rockefeller
11.02.2009 SE Stockholm Annex
12.02.2009 DK Copenhagen Pumpehuset
13.02.2009 D Berlin Huxleys
15.02.2009 PL Warsaw Spodac
16.02.2009 CZ Zlin tba
17.02.2009 A Vienna Gasometer
19.02.2009 HU Budapest Petofi Hall
20.02.2009 SI Ljubljana Mediapark
21.02.2009 HR Zagreb Boogaloo
22.02.2009 I Milan Rolling Stone
24.02.2009 CH Zurich Volkshaus
25.02.2009 F Strassbourg La Laiterie
27.02.2009 E Bilbao Rockstar Live
28.02.2009 E Madrid La Riviera
01.03.2009 E Barcelona Razzmatazz

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Source:	saxon747.com
Band profile:	Saxon
Event:	Saxon + Iced Earth

American metallers Unearth have posted more new songs online, entilted "The March", and "My Will Be Done", "We Are Not Anonymous", which are available for streaming at this location. The tracks come off the new album, "The March", which is scheduled for release on October 14 via Metal Blade Records.

The album was recorded at Massachusetts' System Recording and Zing studios with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Eengage) and is said feature Unearth's "most dynamic material to date," combining strong tension and release, abundant guitar solos and a bulldozing power-groove.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Unearth

American drone doom metallers Earth have announced the following US tour dates:

9/18 - Portland, Oregon - The Artistry
9/19 - Seattle, Washington - VERA Project
9/20 - Anacortes, Washington - Department Of Safety
9/23 - Seattle, Washington - Showbox Sodo
9/24 - Seattle, Washington - Showbox Sodo
10/11 - Providence, Rhode Island - Brown University
10/12 - Portland, Maine - Time Of Rivers Festival
10/13 - Boston, Massachusetts - Great Scott
10/14 - Brooklyn, New York - Union Pool
10/15 - Allentown, Pennsylvania- The Sterling Hotel
10/16 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - First Unitarian Church (Sanctuary) w/ Sunn O))) and Thou
10/17 - New York, New York - Columbia University
10/18 - New Haven, Connecticut - Wesleyan University
10/19 - New York, New York - Knitting Factory

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Earth
Event:	Earth: USA Tour

Audio samples of Iced Earth's new full-length studio album, entitled "The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked - Part 2)", have been posted online on the group's MySpace page.

"The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked - Part 2)" will be released through SPV Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: September 5
Rest Of Europe: September 8
USA, Canada: September 9

"The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked - Part 2)" cover] tracklisting:

01. In Sacred Flames
02. Behold The Wicked Child
03. Minions Of The Watch
04. The Revealing
05. A Gift Or A Curse
06. Crown Of The Fallen
07. The Dimension Gauntlet
08. I Walk Among You
09. Harbinger Of Fate
10. Crucify The King
11. Sacrificial Kingdoms
12. Something Wicked (Part 3)
13. Divide And Devour
14. Come What May
15. Epilogue

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

Pitch Black Records announces the arrival of the debut album by local Cypriot act Prodigal Earth. Their style is melodic classic heavy metal with a touch of power and this promises to be one of the best metal albums to have ever come out of Cyprus; both in terms of production and in terms of composition.

The album, titled "Zenith II Zero", will be released in October 2008 and it includes 12 melodic heavy/power compositions characterized by an overall fresh sound as well as Nicholas Leptos' (Diphtheria, Arryan Path) charismatic voice. The album's cover and inlay artwork have been created by Thomas Ewerhard who is well known for his work with Therion, Jorn, Tankard, Vanden Plas and Hammerfall among others.

The album's opener is a powerful cry of anger against the people who let the terrible accident of Cypriot airliner Helios happen three years ago and the ongoing crime of still not having brought them to justice after all this time. "Disaster 121" is dedicated to the memory of the 121 souls who perished on that flight and their families.

As a tribute, the song will be made available for download, free of charge, on the day of the anniversary (August 14th) on the label's website.

For more information visit: http://www.pitchblackrecords.com

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Source:

pitchblackrecords.com

Unearth have completed work on their new album, which will be titled "The March," and will be released on October 14th via Metal Blade Records.

"The March" was recorded at both Massachusetts' System Recording Studios and Zing Studios with producer Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort is said to feature Unearth's "most dynamic material to date, combining strong tension and release, abundant guitar solos and a bulldozing power-groove.

Frontman Trevor Phipps comments: "'The March' symbolizes both the evil and hopeful sides of humanity. The Evil: With the constant balancing act of power within government, religion and our financial institutions, there lies the chance of those most hungry for power to alter and restrict our freedoms for their gain. The Hopeful: This represents the faith in mankind as the most powerful force on the planet. If we come together and do not fight over religion, class and borders then we hold the key to a peaceful world. There are two possible futures in store; either a March of power and greed or a March of a unified human race."

The final track listing for "The March" is as follows:

01. My Will Be Done
02. Hail the Shrine
03. Crow Killer
04. Grave of Opportunity
05. We Are Not Anonymous
06. The March
07. Cutman
08. The Chosen
09. Letting Go
10. Truth or Consequence

After the release of ''The March'' album, Unearth will launch a U.S. headlining tour. The dates of the tour are below:

08/28 Anchorage, AK Chilkoot Charlie's
08/29 Anchorage, AK Club Millennium
08/30 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot Festival

Tour with Protest The Hero, The Acacia Strain, Whitechapel, Gwen Stacy:
10/01 Baltimore, MD Sonar
10/02 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of Living Arts
10/03 Williamsville, NY Club Infinity
10/04 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
10/05 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
10/07 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
10/08 Sauget, IL Pop's
10/09 Lawrence, KS Granada
10/10 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre
10/11 Salt Lake City, UT Avalon Theater
10/12 Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk
10/13 San Francisco, CA Slim's no Gwen Stacy
10/14 West Hollywood, CA House of Blues
10/15 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
10/17 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
10/18 Lubbock, TX The Foundation
10/19 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
10/20 Dallas, TX House of Blues
10/22 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
10/23 St. Petersburg, FL State Theatre
10/24 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
10/25 Jacksonville, FL Freebird Live
10/26 Charleston, SC The Music Farm

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Source:	metalblade.com
Band profile:	Unearth

IcedEarth.com has posted the cover art Link] for the band's forthcoming full-length studio album, "The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked Part II)" which continues where their 2007 release, "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)" left off. "The Crucible Of Man" features the return of frontman Matt Barlow who was Schaffer's original voice of choice to introduce the "Something Wicked" saga back in 1998 as a trio of songs which concluded their album, "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

While the 1998 album provided a general overview of the story Schaffer has been conceptualizing for well over a decade, the saga is being fully brought to life with the release of the back-to-back conceptual albums "Framing Armageddon" and "The Crucible of Man". While both albums provide answers to mysteries the previous releases would create, the timeliness of the story in today's world is guaranteed to keep people thinking and guessing. Schaffer's ability to convey the central themes and events of the story without always revealing exactly "why" characters' decisions are made and "how" events come to pass, will keep fans of the saga coming back as future mediums for the "Something Wicked" storyline are revealed.

A finalized tracklisting for "The Crucible Of Man" and audio interview with Jon Schaffer covering the new material will be featured at IcedEarth.com later this month. The band will begin rehearsals next week for a run of dates in June as direct support for Judas Priest in Europe (dates here), as well as the Hellfest, Bang Your Head, Graspop, and Gods Of Metal European festivals.

"The Crucible Of Man" is due for a late August or early September release on Steamhammer/SPV. The release will then be followed by a North American tour that kicks-off in September and features an appearance as headliner for the ProgPower USA IX festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 27. The North American dates will be announced at IcedEarth.com when they are confirmed.

The single from the new album is titled, "I Walk Among You" and is being released worldwide this week by Steamhammer/SPV and features the new track, "I Walk Alone, " as well as three additional songs from "Framing Armageddon" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. All tracks can be listened to in their entirety at both the band's official website and MySpace page with exception of the track, "A Charge To Keep" which is an iTunes exclusive.

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Source:	icedearth.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

A widget for Iced Earth's forthcoming single "I Walk Among You" can be found at this location

The new single and proceeding full-length studio album mark the return of longtime frontman, Matt Barlow to the band who's dark and sinister tones are the perfect fit to narrate the intense and viscous annihilation of mankind set in motion with the birth of the story's main character, "Set Abominae", in "Something Wicked Part II". The single will allow fans to get a glimpse of the bright future for the band, and the perhaps not-so-bright future for humanity as we now know it. The single will feature 3 songs, an exclusive version of the song "I Walk Alone" and a few tracks from "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow.
Due to the re-tracking of the lead vocals these tracks have been remixed and remastered. There will be an iTunes exclusive version of the single "I Walk Among You" that features "A Charge To Keep" which has also been re-sung by Matt, remixed and re-mastered.

The full-length studio follow-up to "Something Wicked Part I" is due for release in fall of 2008 and it will be released by Steamhammer/SPV.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

While hard at work on their new album, Iced Earth are announcing more dates for what is shaping up to be a very busy summer. On top of performing at festivals across Europe, the band has just accepted to be special guest to Judas Priest in Holland, Germany and Switzerland. The updated schedule as follows:

MAY.02.2008 : Chicago Powerfest, Mokena, Illinois - USA
MAY.09.2008 : Centre De Foire, Quebec City - Canada
MAY.11.2008 : Rock Hard, Germany
JUN.21.2008 : Hellfest, France
JUN.22.2008 : IJsselhal, NL-Zwolle (with Judas Priest)
JUN 23.2008 : Philipshalle, DE-Düsseldorf (with Judas Priest)
JUN.24.2008 : Zenith, DE-München (with Judas Priest)
JUN.25.2008 : National Sportzentrum, CH-Huttwil (with Judas Priest)
JUN.27.2008 : Bang Your Head, Germany
JUN.28.2008 : Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
JUN.29.2008 : Gods Of Metal, Italy
JUL.05.2008 : Metal Camp, Slovenia
JUL.11.2008 : Via De La Plata Festival, Spain
AUG.14.2008 : Sziget Festival, HU-Obudai Island
AUG.16.2008 : Bloodstock, UK
SEP.27.2008 : ProgPower USA, Atlanta, Georgia - USA

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

Iced Earth have posted audio clips from all four songs appearing on the band's forthcoming single, "I Walk Among You" at the band's official MySpace page. The single marks longtime frontman Matt Barlow's triumphant return to the band, and is sure to leave people yearning for more. "I Walk Among You" will precede the band's forthcoming full-length follow-up to "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I" in the Fall of 2008.

The tracklisting and release dates for "I Walk Among You" are as follow:

01. I Walk Alone
02. Setian Massacre
03. The Clouding
04. A Charge to Keep (exclusive iTunes track)

Germany : June 13, 2008
Europe : June 16, 2008
USA/Canada : June 17, 2008

Iced Earth kick-off a heavy dose of touring in 2008 on May 2 when they headline Chicago Powerfest in Mokena, Illinois.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

With the framework for the Armageddon Of Man firmly laid with the band's 2007 full-length release, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I", Iced Earth are set to launch the next installment of Jon Schaffer's "Something Wicked" saga with the release of their new single, "I Walk Among You", in June of 2008. The full-length studio follow-up to "Something Wicked Part I" is due for release in Fall of 2008.

The new single and proceeding full-length studio album mark the return of longtime frontman, Matt Barlow to the band who's dark and sinister tones are the perfect fit to narrate the intense and viscous annihilation of mankind set in motion with the birth of the story's main character, "Set Abominae", in "Something Wicked Part II." The single will allow fans to get a glimpse of the bright future for the band, and the perhaps not-so-bright future for humanity as we now know it.

The single will feature 3 songs, an exclusive version of the song "I Walk Alone" and a few tracks from "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. Due to the re-tracking of the lead vocals these tracks have been remixed and remastered. There will be an iTunes exclusive version of the single "I Walk Among You" that features "A Charge To Keep" which has also been re-sung by Matt, remixed and re-mastered.

The video for "I Walk Alone" is being filmed in early April.

All tracks were recorded at Jon Schaffer's studio, Soaring Eagle Sound, and mixed and mastered at Morrisound. The single, and following full-length platter will be released by Steamhammer/SPV.

"I Walk Among You" cover] Tracklisting:

01. I Walk Alone
02. Setian Massacre
03. The Clouding
04. A Charge To Keep (exclusive iTunes track)

Read more ››

Source:	icedearth.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

American metallers Iced Earth, is seeking a deeply passionate and motivated bass guitarist to complete the band's touring lineup for the 2008 tour season. The band posted the following requirements for the potential applicants:

If you have the chops to join Jon Schaffer and Brent Smedley in metal's most bulletproof rhythm section, read on.

Applicants must possess the following:

01. A demonstrated ability to play with impeccable timing and accuracy.
02. A commanding stage presence that bleeds intensity, aggression, and emotion.
03. Confidence in themselves but also a willingness to be a team player.
04. Proficiency in finger-style playing with some picking experience.
05. Residency in the United States (Midwest residence is a bonus, but not required).
06. A familiarity with the Iced Earth catalog.
07. A flexible work schedule, as this is not an offer for a full-time band position. However, should you land the gig and exceed our expectations in 2008, an opportunity for further collaboration on tour and in the studio will certainly be considered.

Applicants should submit the following:

01. A demo video on DVD is preferred, but an audio CD or cassette tape of your performance is also acceptable.
02. A photo of yourself if you do not submit a demo in video format.
03. A brief biography outlining your experience and gear setup.
04. Contact address, e-mail address, and phone number should we wish to interview you further.

Before we outline the format of your demo submission, know that, we are not interested in listening to a fully produced recording. Do not send us only a finished CD release from any band that you have played with. We cannot judge your level of timing and accuracy if you send us a recording that's been mixed and produced.

A simple live home video or audio recording on a CD/cassette tape that documents your playing is all we need to know if you possess the finely-tuned skills we require. This, in addition to any recording of a live performance will be a plus in telling us what we need to know.

The following is what is required for further consideration:

01. A recording of you sitting down by yourself and playing live along to a click-track.
02. Playing a minimum of 4 songs of varying tempos from Iced Earth or a combination of songs from Iced Earth and legendary bands such as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Rush. Pick well-known songs with challenging bass lines.

Please send your bio and demo materials in video or audio format to:

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Source:	icedearth.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

The following statement was posted on ProgPower USA's website:

American power metal giants Iced Earth have been confirmed as the headliner for ProgPower USA IX, which returns to Atlanta's Center Stage on September 26 & 27.

Iced Earth founder, Jon Schaffer had the following to say regarding the festival:"Well, it's been a long time coming, but things have finally lined up right for us to be able to do Glenn's festival. It's truly an honor for Iced Earth to play the ProgPower USA festival. I flew down several years ago to check it out and it is definitely a top notch operation. It's really a model for the way festivals should be run, good people with integrity make all the difference in any organization, and Glenn and his crew are all that and more. This is something that we've wanted to do for a long time and it's finally going to work out perfectly for our plans in 2008.Part 2 of the "Something Wicked" epic will be out right around this time and it will be a killer celebration! This will be very cool, and a good time will be had by all!We look forward to seeing you there!" I am beyond excited to have America's premiere metal band on stage at America's premiere metal festival" said promoter Glenn Harveston. I may be the promoter, but I'm just as big a fanboy as everyone else in wanting to see them here in Atlanta. I want to personally thank Jon Schaffer for believing in me and the festival.

ProgPower USA IX marks the first confirmed show with returning vocalist Matt Barlow to the group.

Joining Iced Earth at the festival are Florida's Jon Oliva's Pain, Poland's Riverside, Germany's Iron Savior, Denmark's Volbeat, Sweden's Andromeda, Italy's Elvenking, France's Spheric Universe Experience, Austria's Serenity, and Italy's Pathosray.

The second festival headliner is scheduled to be announced within the next few weeks.

Harveston also has announced a roster change, "I'm afraid that Astral Doors will not be able to make their scheduled appearance. This is 100% my fault as I knew there was a risk involved with booking them so early. I appreciate the professionalism the band has shown and can now announce that they are the first band confirmed for ProgPower USA X. Florida's Rob Rock has graciously stepped into their former slot."

Tickets for ProgPower USA IX go on sale March 1st and limited to 900 tickets.


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Source:	progpowerusa.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth
Event:	ProgPower USA IX