Mastodon have announced that they will be supporting Tool on their upcoming European tour this winter. The trek will last a month and a half and cover over a dozen countries.
According to the band's official Myspace page : "We are honored and elated to be joining Tool for their European tour. Having the privilege to share the stage with such an inspiring and admirable artist will truly will be a unique experience for Mastodon ? a dream come true."
Additionally, before the band leaves they will be performing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on November 1st.

Mastodon opening for Tool:

Nov. 03 - Barcelona, SPA @ Badalona
Nov. 04 - Madrid, SPA @ La Cubierta
Nov. 05 - Lisbon, POR @ Atlantico Pavilion
Nov. 08 - Leuven, BEL @ Brabanthal
Nov. 09 - Rotterdam, NETH @ Rotterdam Ahoy
Nov. 10 - Brussels, BEL @ Brussels Forest National
Nov. 12 - Torino, ITA @ Palaisozaki
Nov. 13 - Florence, ITA @ Mandela Forum
Nov. 15 - Rimini, ITA @ Palasport
Nov. 16 - Jesolo, ITA @ Palasport
Nov. 18 - Munich, GER @ Zenith
Nov. 19 - Vienna, AUT @ Stadthalle
Nov. 22 - Dublin, IRE @ Point
Nov. 24 - Manchester, UK @ Arena
Nov. 25 - Glasgow, SCO @ SECC
Nov. 27 - London, UK @ Wembley Arena
Nov. 30 - Cardiff, UK @ Arena
Dec. 01 - Nottingham, UK @ Arena
Dec. 03 - Oberhausen, GER @ Arena
Dec. 04 - Leipzig, GER @ Arena
Dec. 05 - Stuttgart, GER @ Porsche Arena
Dec. 07 - Lyon, FRA @ Halle TG
Dec. 08 - Nantes, FRA @ Zenith
Dec. 10 - Paris, FRA @ Zenith
Dec. 12 - Mannheim, GER @ Mainmarket-Halle
Dec. 13 - Zurich, SWI @ Hallenstadium
Dec. 16 - Athens, GRE @ Olympic Fencing Hall

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Mastodon

Swedish metallers Evergrey have lined up the following European tour dates with up-and-coming melodic death metal band Avatar as support:

Oct. 06 - Canary Islands, Canarias MetalZone Festival (without Avatar)
Oct. 24 - München (DE), Metropolis
Oct. 25 - Milano (ITA), Rainbow
Oct. 27 - Madrid (ESP), Caracol
Oct. 28 - Bilbao (ESP), Kafe Antzoki
Oct. 29 - Barcelona (ESP), Apolo
Oct. 30 - Lyon (FR), Transbordeur
Oct. 31 - Paris (FR), Nouveau Casino
Nov. 02 - Strasbourg (FR), Laiterie
Nov. 03 - Weert (NL), De Bosuil
Nov. 06 - London (UK), Dingwalls
Nov. 07 - Dudley (UK), JBs
Nov. 08 - Bolton (UK), The Soundhouse
Nov. 09 - Bradford (UK), Rio
Nov. 10 - Zaandam (NL), Kade
Nov. 12 - Bochum (DE), The Matrix
Nov. 13 - Copenhagen (DK), The Rock
Nov. 18 - Växjö (SW), Folkets Park (without Avatar)
Nov. 25 - Blomstermåla (SW), Blomsterrocken (without Avatar)

Evergrey recently parted ways with bassist Michael Håkansson. and replaced him with former Hammerfall member Fredrik Larsson.

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Evergrey

Veteran Thrash Metallers Flotsam & Jetsam have made an explanation for why they cancelled one of the shows on their upcoming European tour. The band was scheduled to perform at Burgerweeshuis in Deventer, Holland on November 3rd, but then the show was cancelled. Flotsam & Jetsam have said that they will try to reschedule the show.

Here is a statement by Flotsam & Jetsam drummer Craig Nielsen explaining the cancellation:

"Just checking in to explain the European tour cancellation, as the agents who I expected to give a reason in their press release apparently failed to do so. A.K. applied some time ago, long before the tour was being put together, for acceptance into a helicoptor flight training academy in Arizona. He wants to be a helicoptor fire fighter which is an amazing career goal at this point in his life. Ambition does not begin to describe the scope of this undertaking. There is an extreme amount of study, determination, commitment, concentration and BALLS that are required to make it through the education. The thing was, nobody really thought he would be approved for the very large loan for the enrollment. Fortunately for him he was, although somewhat after the dates in Europe were being finalized.

The band very much regrets having to postpone this tour. The Bang Your Head festival 3 months ago was a GREAT time for this band and we really were ready to take Europe by storm on this November tour. The band will definitely attempt to reschedual as soon as school for A.K.winds down. The band sincerely apologises to EVERY single person who was involved with attempting tomake this happen,and of course most of all to all of our fans that were disappointed with the latest news. The band has nothing but love for ALL OF YOU!! Flots Til Death!!".

Source:	flotsam-and-jetsam.com
Band profile:	Flotsam And Jetsam

More dates for Arch Enemy's upcoming European tour in November/December have been announced. Coldworker and Path Of No Return have also been announced as supports for Arch Enemy and will be playing with them at all the shows between 16th November and the 27th November (except for the 20th in Helsinki, Finland).

Here is the complete list of dates:

November 16 - Malmö @ KB (Sweden)
November 17 - Karlskrona @ Kino (Sweden)
November 18 - Göteborg @ Trägårn (Sweden)
November 20 - Helsinki @ Nosturi (Finland)
November 22 - Stockholm @ Klubben (Sweden)
November 23 - Linköping @ Platens Bar (Sweden)
November 24 - Halmstad @ Diezel (Sweden)
November 26 - Copenhagen @ Pumpehuset (Denmark)
November 27 - Århus @ Voxhall (Denmark)
November 29 - Bochum @ Zeche (Germany)
November 30 - Hamburg @ Knust (Germany)
December 1 - Glachau @ Alte Spinnerei (Germany)
December 3 - Zurich @ Rohstofflager (Switzerland)
December 5 - Munich @ New Backstage (Germany)
December 6 - Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal (Germany)
December 8 - Antwerp @ Hof Ter Lo (Belgium)
December 9 - Arnhem @ Metal Meeting Festival (Holland)
December 10 - Strasbourg @ La Laiterie (France)

Here is a comment by Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott:

"Right now we are out on the Gigantour in the U.S. with Megadeth etc - having the time of our lives! But, we have not forgotten what an amazing festival summer we had in Europe and we are eager to return and play for the headbangers there!!! See you all soon!!!".

Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

Long-defunct Florida-based band Cynic has confirmed plans to embark a reunion tour in the spring/summer of 2007, beginning with possible U.S. warm-up performances and culminating in a number of festival appearances across Europe.

Reunion lineup:

Paul Masvidal - Vocals / Guitar
Sean Reinert - Drums / Keys
Tony Teegarden - Vocals / Keyboards
Chris Kringel - Bass
Santiago Dobles - Guitar

Concerts dates will be posted in the near future.

Source:	cynicalsphere.com
Band profile:	Cynic

Battelore's previously announced European tour with Draconain and Darzamat has been cancelled due to "booking problems," according to a posting on the Finnish "fantasy metal" band's web site. The post further adds : "Battlelore has nothing to do with the cancellation. The whole band is deeply sorry for the fans and very disappointed in this situation."

Source:	battlelore.net
Band profile:	Battlelore

Swedish power metallers Hammerfall go on the road again in the beginning of next year. More dates will be announced as they get booked, but here's what's confirmed as of now:

At The Threshold of... Europe 2007 :
Jan. 18 - Stora Vega - Köpenhamn, DK
Jan. 19 - Scandinavium - Göteborg, SWE
Jan. 20 - Arenan - Stockholm, SWE
Jan. 21 - Rockefeller - Oslo, NOR
Jan. 23 - Docks - Hamburg, GER
Jan. 24 - O13 - Tilburg, NETH
Jan. 25 - Hof Ter Lo - Antwerpen, BEL
Jan. 26 - Stadthalle Langen - Langen, GER
Jan. 27 - Live Music Hall - Köln, GER
Jan. 28 - Turbinenhalle - Oberhausen, GER
Jan. 30 - Halle Gartlage - Osnabrück, GER
Jan. 31 - Filharmonie - Filderstadt, GER
Feb. 02 - Jako Arena - Bamberg, GER
Feb. 03 - All Karthalle - Kaufbeuren, GER
Feb. 04 - Z7 - Pratteln, SWI
Feb. 06 - Elysée Montmartre - Paris, FRA
Feb. 07 - Le Transbordeur - Lyon, FRA
Feb. 09 - Joy Eslava - Madrid, SPA
Feb. 10 - Santana 27 - Bilbao, SPA
Feb. 11 - Razzmatazz - Barcelona, SPA
Feb. 13 - Alcatrazz - Milano, ITA
Feb. 14 - Backstage - München, GER
Feb. 15 - Planet Music - Wien, AUT
Feb. 16 - Petöfi Hall - Budapest, HUN
Feb. 17 - SKC - Belgrad, SER

Hammerfall's upcoming album "Threshold" will be released on 20 October 2006.

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Source:	hammerfall.net
Band profile:	HammerFall

To/Die/For have announced the following European tour dates in support of their forthcoming album, Wounds Wide Open. Dates are as follows:

October
06 - Kouvola, Finland at House Of Rock

November
04 - Helsinki, Finland at Kaapelitehdas
11 - Moscow, Russia at Relax
12 - St. Petersburgh, Russia at Arktika
15 - Hamburg, Germany at Markthalle
16 - Berlin, Germany at K17
25 - Budabest, Hungary at Gothica Festival
30 - Paris, France at Espace Curial

December
29 - Tampere, Finland at Klubi

An audio sample of 'Like Never Before' is available here. Wounds Wide Open will be released on October 4th through Spinefarm. Release dates for other territories will be announced as soon as they have been confirmed.

Read more ››

Source:	todieforlove.com
Band profile:	To/Die/For

Death Metallers Kataklysm have announced the dates for their upcoming 'The Road To Devastation' European tour. The tour will commence at the start of 2007, and will feature Kataklysm and previously announced supports Neaera, Fear My Thoughts and Quo Vadis. The Road To Devastation will be presented by metal magazine 'Metal Hammer'.

Here is the complete list of dates for the tour:

04.01.2007 - Arnhem, Holland @ Goudvishal
05.01.2007 - Vosselaar, Belgium @ Biebob
06.01.2007 - Hannover, Germany @ Muzik Zentrum
07.01.2007 - Flensburg, Germany @ Roxy
08.01.2007 - Essen, Germany @ Zeche Karl
09.01.2007 - Berlin, Germany @ K-17 Berlin
10.01.2007 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade
11.01.2007 - Engelsdorf, Germany @ Hellraiser
12.01.2007 - Jena, Germany @ F Haus
13.01.2007 - Munich, Germany @ Backstage
14.01.2007 - Budapest, Hungary @ TBA
15.01.2007 - Prague, Czech Rep @ TBA
16.01.2007 - Zagreb, Croatia @ TBA
17.01.2007 - Ljubliana, Slovenia @ TBA
18.01.2007 - Adelsheim, Germany @ Live factory
19.01.2007 - Karlsruhe, Germany @ Substage
20.01.2007 - Erstfelt, Suisse @ Transilvania Live
21.01.2007 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Backstapp
22.01.2007 - Osnabruck @ Bastard Club
24.01.2007 - Milano, Italy @ TBA
26.01.2007 - Salzburg, Austria @ Rockhouse
27.01.2007 - Vienna, Austria @ Planet Music

In other Kataklysm news, the band has been announced as headliner for Denmark's Aalborg Metal Festival. Kataklysm will play in Aalborg, Denmark on the 7th October this year.

Source:	kataklysm.net
Band profile:	Kataklysm

Maidenfans.com, issued the following status report on Iron Maiden's new album, 'A Matter Of Life And Death', which has been storming the charts the world over:

"As the week rolls, more charts positions are getting in. We already announced you that 'A Matter of Life and Death' was number 1 in Finland and in Italy. Well, it also reached the first spot in Germany. Great news considering the competition and knowing that Maiden's two previous albums reached #3 and #2. As already mentionned, the album reached #4 in the UK Charts after being #3 on the midweeks. A Maiden album is often frontloaded which partially explains this slip during the week. However, almost 45,000 have reportedly left the shelves! In neighbouring Ireland, the album is at #5. In Poland, it's at #6. In the Netherlands, it's 7th and finally, down-under in Australia, it settled on place 12."

Source:	maidenfans.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden

Battlelore have confirmed the following European tour dates with Draconian on their official website:

November
22 - Vienna, Austria at Escape
23 - Munich, Germany at Backstage
24 - Bischofswerda, Germany at East Club
25 - Engelsdorf, Germany at Hellraiser
26 - Berlin, Germany at Knaack
27 - Prague, Czech Republic - venue tba
28 - tba (Germany)
29 - Essen, Germany at Turock
30 - London, UK - venue tba

December
1 - Arnhem, Holland at Goudvishal
2 - Vosselaar, Belgium at Biebob

Battlelore is currently in the studio working on their as-yet-untitled fourth album.

Source:	battlelore.net
Band profile:	Battlelore

Austrian extreme black/death metal outfit Belphegor will embark on a European headlining tour in early November. Support at the shows is expected to come from Sethearil (to be confirmed) and Deranged, plus a fourth, as-yet-undisclosed act.

Tentative dates are as follows (details to be announced at a later date):

Nov. 02 - Switzerland
Nov. 03 - France
Nov. 04 - Spain - Mephisto - Barcelona
Nov. 05 - Spain - Rytmo & Kompass - Madrid
Nov. 06 - Portugal - Porto
Nov. 07 - Spain - Iguana - Vigo
Nov. 08 - France
Nov. 09 - France
Nov. 10 - Holland - Goudvishal - Arnhem
Nov. 11 - Holland - Bolwerk - Sneek
Nov. 12 - UK - Satan's Hollow - Manchester
Nov. 13 - UK
Nov. 14 - Germany - Bastard Club - Osnabruck
Nov. 15 - Denmark - Stengade - Kobenhavn
Nov. 16 - Sweden - TBA - Gothenborg
Nov. 17 - Norway - TBA - Oslo
Nov. 18 - Sweden
Nov. 19 - Sweden

Belphegor will release its new album, "Pestapokalypse VI", on October 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. A North American tour with Unleashed and Krisiun will follow in February.

Source:	roadrun.com
Band profile:	Belphegor

German Thrashers Destruction have announced that they will be releasing a 'Best Of' album in early 2007. The album will be called 'Best Of Classix'. Destruction will enter the studio this month to record the album. More information is to be announced soon.

Also, dates for Destruction's 'Thrash Inferno 2006' European tour have been finalised. The tour will include Destruction, Dead Head, Legion Of The Damned and Izegrim.

The complete list of dates looks like this:

08.09.2006 - NL - Burgerweeshuis - Deventer
09.09.2006 - NL -Dynamo Club - Eindhoven
10.09.2006 - NL -Patronaat - Haarlem
12.09.2006 - Pol - Warsaw, Progresja Club
30.09.2006 - Spain - Alcala de Henares, Rockzinante Excalibur Metalfest
07.10.2006 - DK - Aalborg, Aalborg Metal Fest
02.12.2006 - Portugal - Lisboa, Thrashmania 2006 /Corrois-Almada
29/30.12.2006- CH - Pratteln, Z7 - End of Days Festival

Source:	destruction.de
Band profile:	Destruction

SPV/Steamhammer has set to release "Gigantour" deluxe 2-CD set, (October 2 in Europe and September 29 in Germany). The set captures 2005's heavy metal onslaught that was hailed as the best metal bill of the year, with Revolver magazine calling it "the mother of all shred fests." Organized by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine as a tour featuring "only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power" (Miami Herald), "Gigantour" features unforgettable performances by Megadeth, Dream Theather and Fear Factory as well as Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life Of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.

"There are a few very successful tours out each summer and in order to be significant, I knew the first Gigantour had to make an impact with top bands," says Mustaine. The six-week tour ? with bands personally chosen by Mustaine ? was designed to help bring like-minded hard rock fans together at a reasonable price, with most tickets in the $40 range. "I wanted to put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high-energy environment," Mustaine said in the July '05 Guitar World. "I think the variety of playing styles and the credibility of the different players is really exciting."

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Megadeth
Event:	Gigantour 2006

When Saxon undertake their extensive tour of Europe next year, they will be joined with Power Metallers Masterplan and also Rose Tattoo. Masterplan and Rose Tattoo will be 'special guests' at every show, except 6th, 7th, 8th March (UK) and 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th March (Germany) where only Masterplan will be playing. Also some unamed guests will be playing at a few shows. The tour will start in February 2007 and will finish in mid-May.

For a full (long) list of Saxon Europe tour dates, visit Saxon's official website - www.saxon747.com

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Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Saxon
Event:	Saxon: European Tour