The video for the Municipal Waste track 'Headbanger Face Rip' has been banned by You Tube. Filmed by the legendary 80s cult splatter/horror independent film company Troma Entertainment, the 'gore version' of the recording has been deemed by You Tube to have content which is inappropriate.

This banned version of the track features the legendary Troma style blood, guts and gore seen in many of their genre-defining B-movie style shock flicks, which fit well with Municipal Waste's outrageous party attitude. Fans who still want to watch this controversial version of the track can still view it online here and the TV-friendly recording can still be viewed on YouTube here.

Municipal Waste's "The Art Of Partying" is out now worldwide.

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Source:	earache.com
Band profile:	Municipal Waste

Guitarist/vocalist James Malone of Virginia's Arsis has issued the following update:

"Despite the numerous headaches caused by our van's breakdown this summer, we spent time working on perfecting pre-production for our debut release for Nuclear Blast Records, tentatively titled 'We Are The Nightmare'. We will begin recording the album on September 3, 2007 at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts with Zeuss (who has worked with Shadows Fall and Hatebreed) handling the production. I feel that this will be the most exciting ARSIS album to date. We are now a full band and every member has contributed to the writing process for this album. While it is more varied than anything we have ever written, I feel the result is a much more focused product."

Arsis drummer Darren Cesca added:

"This is an album any fan of Arsis or heavy music in general should get excited about. We've really captured the band's sound and improved it in all aspects. It's dark, melodic, and very technical at times, but we wrote songs you can pump your fists to. I've definitely pushed my drumming very far for this record and I know the rest of the band will be pushing themselves as well. One thing's for sure: this is going to be one fun album to listen to. As soon as we finish recording, we plan on shooting a video for 'We Are the Nightmare' in October, then we'll be hitting the road with Enslaved in November and Exodus in January. The album should be stores sometime in early 2008 and I am sure more touring will ensue after that. 2008 should be a busy year for us and we're looking forward to it!"

All of the Arsis recordings (which include two demos, one EP, and two full-length albums) have won the band many rabid fans among the metal underground, the metal press, and metal musicians themselves. Their 2004 debut, "A Celebration of Guilt", was praised to hell and back by Revolver magazine as "the best in the genre since At The Gates' legendary swan song ."

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Arsis

The following message was posted on Venom's official website:

"Venom have decided to re-record some of the tracks on the new album and change the release date until early 2008, Antton explains: during the Scandinavian Tour we played through some of the new tracks in the sound-checks, there's something about the energy you deliver when playing on a stage that differs greatly from recording in a studio. All fired up we tore the tracks to shreds.
We tried to organize a mobile studio to get to the next shows, but it was way too late notice, so on our return to the UK Cronos hired some small venues for us to record some new backing tracks to work on. At the end of the day it's all about recording a great album, and this new album is sounding absolutely awesome. The band are also preparing some samples to stream from the website, as well as some choice recordings from the tour."

Source:	venomslegions.com
Band profile:	Venom

As posted on Savage Circus official website:

Umea/Hamburg the 17th of August 2007

Dear Friends,

After the recent events at the Rengsdorf Rock&Blues Festival and the Rock Am Schloss Festival the band sees no perspective any more to go on with our drummer Thomen Stauch. Therefore we immediately release him from all duties.

Even though we are aware of his personal situation we cannot ignore the fact anymore that he is still not able to carry out his duties for Savage Circus. Already in summer 2005 Thomes started to cancel most of his all planed out promotional activities. In 2006 he canceled the Japanese shows and wasn't part of any other activity for the whole year. We gave him this entire year to solve his situation because we deeply hoped that he would be able to recover and to get back into pace again. But instead in spring this year Thomen almost canceled the Circle II Circle tour. Now he canceled two festival shows with extremely short notice again?

We are very sorry, but we cannot take this any more. We supported and backed Thomen up for over 2 1/2 years by now, but as sad as it is we must face that it is just not going anywhere. Even though we still do have a lot of understanding for his situation, we cannot allow the unintended but yet serious damage he is doing to the band in which all of us invest so much energy and work. We do want Savage Circus to happen, but we cannot see it happen with Thomen any more.

We are not looking back in anger, we'd rather like to look into the future. This does not dramatically effect the production of the Dreamland Manor follow-up, but we will need some time to decide and work in a worthy replacement, who will be announced shortly. Therefore the release date will move to early 2008.

We wish Thomen well and hope, that he will find his way.

With deepest regrets,

Emil, Jens and Piet

Source:	savage-circus.com
Band profile:	Savage Circus

Posted on the Official Children of Bodom site:

"We present you the first episode of COBTV News - a special report from the studio session for the band's brand new song Tie My Rope which will appear on the upcoming Viva La Bands Volume Two CD, in stores Sept 4th throughout North America."

The video is available on Children Of Bodom's website for download or streaming.

Source:	cobhc.com
Band profile:	Children Of Bodom

A 10 minutes demo was posted on Ayreon's official MySpace page here, this piece will appear on the next album of the group. The vocal parts were not recorded yet.

Three vocalists are now confirmed for the new, as of yet untitled, Ayreon album: Magali Luyten (Virus IV and Beautiful Sin) Simone Simons (Epica) and Ty Tabor (King's X).

To be complete the following message was posted on Ayreon's official website:
"Members of the messageboard spent nearly a year already organizing a fan-meet for Ayreon (Arjen Lucassen) fans. What started out as an informal get-together for forumers at a zoo, turned into a little bit of an event where 250 people can attend. It takes place September 15th, 2007 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It starts 13:00 and ends aproximately 19:00.

Among the highlights of the day are a cover band called Ayreonotes, who will play a set of Arjen Lucassen tracks, an exclusive sneak preview of the new Ayreon album, hanging out with fans from around the world and perhaps even some special guests.

You can now order tickets via the website here - remember, tickets are limited! For more information please check this thread on the messageboard - relevant information starts at page 36. For questions please contact: fanmeet@live.nl and use 'fanmeet' as topic."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Both Anthrax relatives Stormtroopers Of Death and Method Of Destruction have new releases on the way. Megaforce Records will release S.O.D.'s final (extended) E.P. 'Rise Of The Infidels', which contains four studio tracks, a live concert from Seattle and a DVD with footage of 'The Fenix' show. It's release date will be August 21, 2007.

One month later, Index Entertainment is going to release M.O.D.'s new studio album, called 'Red, White And Screwed', which was recorded earlier this year. It's release date will be September 25, 2007.

The cover artwork for both albums can be seen here (Rise Of The Infedels) and here (Red, White And Screwed).

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Source:

sod-mod.com

The following message was posted on Progressive Thrash metal band Biomechanical's official website:

"We are very pleased to announce that Jonno Lodge, a very talanted 18 year old drummer from Doncaster will be fulfilling the drumming duties for Biomechanical.

I can't quite believe that we got somebody in just a few days! The response for the drumming position has been overwhelming and I would like to thank all who contacted us.

Jonno is an avid Dream Theater fan which makes it easier for us to gel with him in terms of time signature changes etc. Has been playing the drums since the age of four and is classically trained.

After watching his solo realised the potential of this collaboration could be awesome and the only logical thing after hearing him play was to offer him the job! So would like to welcome the dude in the band and to say that we are looking forward to working with him!"

Here is a short video with Jonno at his drum kit.

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Source:	biomechanical.co.uk
Band profile:	Biomechanical

Candlelight Records have posted the cover art of "Odinist", the upcoming new album by French Black/Avantgarde Metallers Blut Aus Nord. The album is due for a 22 October release. More details will be announced soon.
A picture of the cover art can be found at this location.

According to Candlelight Records, "this opus is considered by the band as a return to the feeling of their first creations. More epic, melodic and powerful!"
A few demo samples will be available very soon on the group's official MySpace page.

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Source:	candlelightrecords.co.uk
Band profile:	Blut Aus Nord

Nuclear Blast have issued the following update concerning UK Prog Metallers Threshold:

"Threshold's singer Mac has astonished his fellow band members by deciding NOT to perform at this weekend's Metal Camp and Earthshaker festivals in Slovenia and Germany.

"Mac was due to arrive in England on Saturday for band rehearsals, but on Saturday morning he sent us a short email saying he has to get on with his life and he's not coming", keyboarder Richard West states.
"It was totally unexpected and we're all shocked by the news. Mac won't answer our phone calls so we can't get any more information from him. With two festivals to perform next weekend our only option was to cancel the shows or find a replacement singer."
Fortunately the band's previous singer Damian Wilson has come to the rescue and will perform at the festivals with the band for the first time since 1997!

Richard: " He's now very busy learning the new material in time for Friday's show in Slovenia. We don't know what the long-term solution is, our focus right now is on the two festivals, we'll see how they go and take it from there."

Damian Wilson is currently lead singer for the band Headspace who recently supported Ozzy Osbourne for UK shows including Wembley Arena.

For more information see www.thresh.net."

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Threshold

The following message was posted by frontman John K on Biomechanical's official MySpace page:

"Unfortunately Matt C has left Biomechanical for personal reasons. He is one of the best drummers we had the fortune to work with and we wish him all the best!
We are just about to finish our third album but it seems the release will be delayed as a result of the live situation plus the record label wants to make sure that the release will happen on a time where it will get it's maximum support. Will announce the new release date soon.''

Biomechanical are on the lookout for a drummer.
For any inquiries please email info@biomechanical.co.uk.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Biomechanical

MP3.com is streaming Nile's fifth studio album "Ithyphallic" in its entirety for seven days prior to the album's North American street date of July 17 at this location.

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Source:	mp3.com
Band profile:	Nile

UK epic progressive metallers Biomechanical began the mixing process of their new album, "Cannibalised", on June 18 with legendary producer Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy).

Commented Biomechanical frontman John K.: "This is the second time we will be working with the legendary Chris Tsangarides! We have had several discussions about the direction of the sound and I feel that he is the one to create the sound I have in my head as a producer. Also even though Chris is very much a modern producer he can bring old-school sensibilities on the sound front and this excites the hell out of me!! I honestly can't wait to get started!
To get to "Cannibalised" we looked back to our previous albums and made sure that the Biomechanical sound wouldn't evaporate on a firewall of heaviness. "Cannibalised" is heavier than our other albums but at the same time melodic and does incorporate the film scoring orchestral type of work that defines the sound of our band."

"Cannibalised" tracklisting:

01. Fallen in Fear
02. The Unseen
03. Cannibalised
04. Breathing Silence
05. Predatory
06. Slow the Poison
07. Consumed
08. Reborn in Damnation
09. Through Hatred Arise
10. Violent Descent

Also the band's bassist, Jon Collins, has issued the following update:

"John K and Chris Tsangarides were recording Chris Webb's solos when a strong smell of electrical fire started to fill the room. Right after that, smoke started coming out of the desk's power supply and it eventually caught fire! Chris ran out of the main room and grabbed the fire extinguisher. Thankfully it was put out straight away. Just a few more minutes and the whole thing would go up in flames! Just a small glitch?
Biomechanical recordings will restart as soon as the desk is back on line."

"Cannibalised" is slated for a September 21 release in the UK and will hit the US later this fall.

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Source:	biomechanical.co.uk
Band profile:	Biomechanical

Moonspell will enter studio first weeks of July in order to record a very special project. The recording sessions will be held at the Denmark's finest Antfarm Studios. Behind the wheel of death will be Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Dark Tranquillity, Rob Halford), co-producing with the band. This release will consist of re-recordings of the band's legendary Under the Moonspell (1994) but also going back as far as their first demo Anno SatanÆ and their sole track as Morbid God, Serpent Angel. All the songs will be re-arranged and revamped in order to underline their revered distinction as Underground classics but now with a mature dark energy and class. The full-length record (8 songs and around 5 instrumental compositions) will be released in early October (2007) via SPV worldwide.

Tracklist: (not the final order)

Halla alle halla al rabka halla (Praeludium/Incantatum Solistitium)
Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento I/Erudit Compendyum)
Interludium/Incantatum Oequinoctum
Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento II/Erotic Compendyum)
Opus Diabolicum (Andamento III/Instrumental Compendyum)
Chorai Lusitânia! (Epilogus/Incantatam Maresia)
Intro
Goat on Fire
Ancient Winter Goddess
Wolves From The Fog
Outro
Serpent Angel

In the process is also the composition of the follow up to Memorial which will go into production before the end of the year at the Woodhouse Studios with Waldemar Sorychta.

A Best of Moonspell entitled The Great Silver Eye, released through Century Media, will be hitting the stores in July.

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Moonspell

More tour dates have been added to Freedom Call's European schedule. Three more dates have been added to the segment with Pink Cream 69 and a whole new set of dates in France and Belgium with Nightmare are now confirmed.

Here are the new dates:

With Pink Cream 69
09.10.2007 - TBA, Bratislava, Slovakia
10.10.2007 - TBA, Kosice, Slovakia
11.10.2007 - TBA, Zlin, Czech Republic

With Nightmare
09.11.2007 - L'Autre Canal / Club, Nancy, France
10.11.2007 - Sint Pauluszaal, Opwijk, Belgium
11.11.2007 - Noumatrouff, Mulhouse, France
12.11.2007 - La Locomotive / Main Hall, Paris, France
13.11.2007 - Industrya, Nantes, France
14.11.2007 - Parc Expos, Pau, France
15.11.2007 - Havana Café, Toulouse, France
16.11.2007 - Luynes Le Korigan, Marseille, France
17.11.2007 - CCO De Villleurbanne, Lyon, France

Freedom Call's entire tour schedule can be see in the tours section of their official website.

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Source:	freedom-call.net
Band profile:	Freedom Call
Event:	Freedom Call: Dimensions Tour