Dutch bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Pestilence, Obscura) will promote the recently completed Pestilence album Doctrine with a new custom made bass guitar. This week the German bass manufacturer Warwick confirmed to support Thesseling by building a seven-string fretless version of their classic Thumb NT series that he plays exclusively since 17 years.

"In the studio we decided to record the new Doctrine material with a low F-sharp tuning on bass, but then I still needed to find a way to work it out for live performances. I'm proud of the long-term collaboration with Warwick; this masterpiece will make it sound extremely massive.", according to Jeroen. Pestilence's Doctrine will be released in April through Mascot Records. Obscura will release its new album, Omnivium, in March via Relapse Records.

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Source:	warwick.de
Band profile:	Pestilence

Nuclear Blast press release

Norwegian doomsday rock n rollers Chrome Division featuring notorious Dimmu Borgir singer Shagrath on guitar, just finished the work on the bands new album.

The yet untitled effort will contain the following tracks, among others: "Unholy Roller", "Fight", "Zombies & Monsters", "Bulldogs Unleashed" and "Join The Ride".

Furthermore the album will feature the first recordings of new vocalist Shady Blue (better known as Athera from Susperia) who replaced Eddie Guz in 2009. The third Chrome Division release was recorded at Marius Strand Studio, Oslo and is set to be unleashed in the first half of 2011.

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Chrome Division

After repeated requests from fans and concert promoters alike, Royal Hunt and their former lead singer DC Cooper mutually decided to reunite for a very few selected dates, in order to perform the entire Paradox (the band's first concept album from 1997) and several of "everybody's all-time favourite" songs from that period.

Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates!

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Source:	royalhunt.com
Band profile:	Royal Hunt

Ihsahn - black metal innovator and all round creative genius - will be doing some guest vocals on the new Devin Townsend album, entitled Decontruction.

The ex-Emperor main-man had the following to say: "I have been a long time fan of Devin and his work, and when he asked me to do some vocals for his upcoming Deconstruction album, I said yes right away. Devin is one of those few uncompromising artists who goes anywhere with their music, wherever that takes them. Nothing but respect!"

In other news, Ihsahn will play at the Kabuto Metal Festival in Japan this spring for the first time ever. Accompanied with the guys in Leprous, they will play Namba Hatch in Osaka on May 21 and May 22 at Studio Coast in Tokyo.

"This will be my first trip to Japan, and I am really looking forward to this experience. I have heard nothing but praise of the country itself, the festivals and last but not least the audience from bands who played there", Ihsahn says.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ihsahn

Sodom frontman Tom Angelripper has just released the following statement regarding the death of former Sodom guitarist Dirk Strahlmeier:

"As I learned from a reliable source, our ex-guitarist Dirk "Strahli" Strahlmeier died this month in a hospital in Düsseldorf. Currently we don't know the exact circumstances of his death.

Strahli played on the album Masquerade In Blood which was released in 1995 on SPV. After that we had lost contact with him. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends."


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Sodom

German melodic death metal band Fragments of Unbecoming are currently working on their fifth studio effort. For the time being, the band has chosen to go with The Art Of Coming Apart as the title of the new album. Some of the new song titles are "Trapping the Unseen", "Hours of Suffering" and "Memorial Stone".

Further details to be announced soon.

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Source:	fragmentsofunbecoming.com
Band profile:	Fragments Of Unbecoming

Okay, NOW we have a legit reason to go picket all upcoming Ozzy Osbourne concerts.

Just when you thought you heard it all, the Prince of Darkness has decided to star in a Best Buy commercial that will air during the Super Bowl... with at his side teen heartthrob and beloved internet hate figure Justin Bieber.

Best Buy - the largest home electronics chain in the USA - marketing chief Drew Panayiotou said that Justin Bieber "symbolically represents something important to the brand message." Executives won't discuss details of the 30-second spot featuring stars from two very different generations. The ad, to air in the game's third quarter, was filmed earlier this month at Universal Studios.

Best Buy declined to say what it's paying Bieber. But it's at least $1 million, estimates Noreen Jenney Laffey, president of Celebrity Endorsement Network, which links celebs with advertisers.

Oh Ozzy

Stomach-churning Neat pictures taken during the shooting of the futuristic advertisement can be watched over here.

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Source:	usatoday.com
Band profile:	Ozzy Osbourne

An update on what's happening in the Amorphis camp:

"The album recordings are advancing straight and smoothly (whatever that means...). We are now working on the vocals and again we have Marco Hietala (Nightwish) producing the vocals of Tomi Joutsen. This time everything else has been done at Sonic Pump Studios except for the vocals, which are currently in the works at Marco's home studio in Kuopio.

We are emerging with roughly 15 new songs and on the album there's most likely going to be 10-11 tracks. It's again a great feeling to start realizing that the songs and ideas which have been in our heads are finally going to see the light of day.

Pekka Kainulainen has worked really hard on the lyrics. The album is going to tell the story of the most important character of Finnish mythology and folklore. He is Finnish god Väinämöinen, who was described to be an extremely powerful, wise old man who had a magical voice. Some believe that Väinämöinen was the creator of the world, an ancient hero and a very influential shaman.

Having a subject as strong as this, it was pretty obvious that making music for the album was going to be a challenge. There are lots of musical elements that have been heard on previous albums, but there is also much more. Needless to say, we are keen to hand all the material over to Mikko Karmila, who is going to start the mixing at the end of this month.

Travis Smith is currently working on the album cover and the coming artwork so far looks no less than amazing."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Amorphis

The Big Four in Thrash - Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax - are finally taking their Big Four stadium tour to the United States!

In case the flyer below is not clear enough for you, there will be an official announcement made tomorrow, Tuesday January 25th at 8am PST with all details and tour dates. Stay tuned!


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Source:	facebook.com
Event:	The Big Four Festival

French metallers Whyzdom, who recently announced the addition of singer Clémentine Delauney to the group's ranks Link], have set Blind? as the title of their upcoming second album.

The band commented: "It is dedicated to people who follow misleading paths, misguided by the ones who love or hate or try to control them, or even sometimes by their own pride. We are pretty convinced that each and everyone of us can recognize him or herself in this situation one day or the other. Following this idea, we called this album: Blind?. We are even happier to announce that the recording sessions will start on 21st Feb. 2011. The whole week (and more if needed) will be dedicated to drums. Other sessions will follow until spring. Mix and mastering should be done during summer. We expect to release Blind?, late 2011."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Whyzdom

"New World Shadows", another new video from Finnish melodic death metal band Omnium Gatherum, can now be watched below.

"New World Shadows" is the title track of the band's upcoming album, which will be released via Lifeforce Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: February 4, 2011
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: February 9, 2011
Rest Of Europe: February 7, 2011
North America: March 1, 2011

In other news, Omnium Gatherum will be promoting New World Shadows in their home country on the following dates:

Feb. 09 - Jyväskylä, Finland - Lutakko
Feb. 10 - Kuopio, Finland - Henry's Pub
Feb. 11 - Oulu, Finland - Nuclear Nightclub
Feb. 12 - Karhula, Finland - Sam's Pub
Feb. 23 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia
Mar. 10 - Jyväskylä, Finland - Lutakko (with Evergrey)
Mar. 11 - Oulu, Finland - Club Teatria (with Evergrey)
Mar. 12 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi (with Evergrey)
Mar. 18 - Kouvola, Finland - Rytmikatti
Mar. 25 - Turku, Finland - S-Osis
Apr. 09 - Hamina, Finland - Jack Up

Jul. 01 - Germany - With Full Force Open Air

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Source:	omniumgatherum.org
Band profile:	Omnium Gatherum
Event:	Omnium Gatherum

So according to the website of Poland's pride and joy, Behemoth, front man Adam "Nergal" Darski has apparently kicked Leukemia in the crotch. He left the hospital and will be spending the next several months chilling in his cave somewhere in the area of Gdansk, continuing his recuperation process, playing guitar, and doing 5,000 piece puzzles with his main squeeze, Doda. From the band's website:

NERGAL RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL!
posted 2011-01-19 by Manticore
(Nergal's quotes in italics)

We are happy and relieved to inform you, that Nergal left the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) in Gdansk on Monday, January 17th, four weeks after he underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure. Below you can find his comment:

"Hey! What's up! At last - one could say. After almost half of year of treatment in various hospitals, several cycles of chemotherapy, irradiation and bone marrow transplant I have been finally released home in a pretty fuckin' good condition. I'm feeling ok, taking the intensity of treatment under consideration. That was not an easy period of my life, but, as I envisaged, I left the hospital victorious. I never considered any other options, but anyway, there were rough moments too? At this point I must express my thanks to the people, who made all of these downs fairly bearable. My parents - thank you. You deserve a monument for all your love and patience. Dorotka, thank you for your heroic attitude, love and support. I can't forget Doda's fans, who made a gigantic effort for me and other ill people. You rule! Absolutely fantastic Behemoth fans from all over the world were organizing various events to make people aware of what leukemia is. To all of you out there- my deepest respect! Thank you - the real heroes - Prof. Hellmann, Dr Piekarska, Dr Knopinska, Doc. Giebel, Prof. Ho³owiecki and all the nurses of the hematology division of the Medical Academy in Gdansk and the Oncology Clinic in Gliwice for all the professionalism and great hearts. My band mates for all the friendship and never-ending support. All my friends for sticking to me throughout the whole period of my illness. The list is too long to mention you all, but remember, you have special place in my heart."

Nergal will now go through a recovery which will last for several months. During this time he will stay in his flat in one of the Gdansk's districts.

"Although the whole treatment went really good, as well as the bone marrow transplant and the post-transplant period, the next several months is the time when I must really take care of myself. Of course I will have plenty of time to recover, think about the strategy and my return to the stage - which approaches imminently (laughs). First of all however I must rebuild my physical condition... apart from that, I hunger for playing, I haven't been playing the guitar for a half of year now! Really much to catch up, but also a huge motivation and a desire to work again at the same time. This year will be a really important one for me and the band!"

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Source:	behemoth.pl
Band profile:	Behemoth

Days Of The Doomed Fest is set to take place June 17th and June 18th in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA at the P.L.A.V. More info and tickets available here.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Friday June 17th: Kin Of Ettins, Sleestak, Admiral Browning, Backwoods Payback, Zebulon Pike, Sinister Realm, and Pale Divine.

Saturday June 18th: Carbellion, Retro Grave (featuring Jeff "Oly" Olson formerly of Trouble), Pallbearer, Apostle Of Solitude, Argus, Black Pyramid, Orodruin, Revelation, Las Cruces, Earthen Grave (featuring Ron Holzner formerly of Trouble and Place Of Skulls), Blackfinger (featuring Eric Wagner formerly of Trouble), and Iron Man.


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Source:	daysofthedoomed.com
Event:	Days Of The Doomed Fest

Epica keyboard player Coen Janssen will not be joining the band on the upcoming 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise and the Latin American dates in early February.

Janssen explains: "As you might know, Linda, my wife, and I are expecting our first child. The due date happens to be around the same time as the cruise. As you might understand, I will stay at home since I don't want to miss the birth of my first child."

Joining Epica on keyboards for these show will be Oliver Palotai (Kamelot, Sons Of Seasons), friend of the band and the right man for the job because of his amazing talent.

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Source:	epica.nl
Band profile:	Epica

A rough-mix version of "Epitaph", a brand-new track from US Power metal band Omen, has been made available for streaming over at MySpace.

"Epitaph" comes off the band's upcoming new album Hammer Damage, tentatively due later this year.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Omen