After Forever posted the following message in their website:

"Today, record company Transmission send a press release in which several factual errors occur.

Transmission reports that they are putting an end to the cooperation with After Forever. This decision however, had earlier already been made by the band by not accepting Transmission's offers to extend the contract or to renew it.

After Forever found it was time for a cooperation with a new partner. Most important reasons for this decision are Transmission's approach to promotion and marketing, especially abroad.

Also, in the last period of time, Transmission's support and involvement had been minimal.

The recent European tour (January) made this clear to us once again with relation to press promotion and local supply of CD's. Also, the two year old pictures send with this latest press release is evidence of no real involvement with the band.

After Forever will be playing at several festivals in Belgium, Luxemburg and The Netherlands. In the second half of this year, they will also tour through Latin America again, like they did in 2005. Next to several venues and clubs, the band will perform at three large festivals in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Mexico City.

For our fans, we think it is good to know that several large labels, both national and international, have shown interest in a cooperation with After Forever.

Therefore, we can only conclude that Transmission is a bad loser."

Read more ››

Source:	afterforever.com
Band profile:	After Forever

An excited Michael Amott released yesterday an update on the upcoming DVD on the official Arch Enemy website:

"Hello dear Arch Enemies!

About time for an update here at archenemy.net - don't you think!?

Ok, so what's happened 'round here? Well, we've actually been keeping busy and focused during our time home since the holidays. A lot of effort has gone into working on the first ever Arch Enemy DVD, 'LIVE APOCALYPSE' which is now very near completion. The DVD is shaping up to be an ultra cool 2-disc affair and I honestly couldn't be happier with it. The main show is from the Forum in London, U.K (December '04) and we also have footage from Manchester, U.K in December '05 (there'll be 3 songs included from that). It goes without saying that there's tons of extras/special features - as there should be! The artwork was done by Niklas Sundin of Cabin Fever Media. We'll be posting the cover ASAP? Paul Smith - who's been editing all the concert footage has done a superb job, it looks stunning. I spent a couple of days in London recently at his studio and that was a blast?had a lot of fun annoying him! Andy Sneap's audio mix (5.1 and stereo) is HEAVY?it almost blew my speakers out. Andy really captured the live feel and power of the show, it's like you are right there in the audience! Brilliant. Rickard Bengtsson did a killer job on the stereo mixes from Manchester too...it all sounds mint! This DVD crushes some of my fave metal DVD's in my collection - and I have a sick collection? Once again, I am happy that we work with the best - they make us look and sound great! There will soon be more detailed information (including release dates!) on the 'LIVE APOCALYPSE' DVD here. Also some cool trailers?so stay tuned.

However, there's a lot of life left in our current album 'Doomsday Machine' - the sales are healthy and so is the band! We ended last year very tired but happy. Now the batteries are recharged, we are raring to get out there again. We will be touring a lot more this year?

We are shooting a new video in about a week with Gothenburg director Roger Johansson (The Haunted, Dark Tranquillity, Hammerfall, etc). It's for the song 'My Apocalypse'. That should be another fun day?we'll let you know how that all goes?

Oh yeah - I was voted number 1 guitar player by the readers of the Greek Metal Hammer - Thank you so much for that! Arch Enemy really needs to play Greece on the 'Doomsday' tour!

Read more ››

Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

As previously reported bassist Jimmy MacDonough has left Megadeth and was in the meanwhile substituted by James LoMenzo on February 10, 2006.

Dave Mustaine posted the following on the official website:
"I want to thank Jimmy for everything and wish him the best in his future endeavors. He is knowledgable, and a good enough bassist to run his own outfit and I look forward to what he does musically."

Mustaine also mentions, "It was recommeded I check out James LoMenzo by a friend, because I was uncertain which direction I wanted to take with the bassist, prior to starting the next record and everything just clicked."

LoMenzo (formerly with Black Label Society, David Lee Roth, etc.) will play the Dubai Desert Rock Festival with Megadeth on March 16th, 2006.

Source:	megadeth.com
Band profile:	Megadeth

Currently on the final lap of a month long US tour, Poland's Decapitated have just been confirmed to appear at this years Fuck The Commerce festival.

Fuck The Commerce takes place between May 25-27 2006 at MZA (Mehrzweckhalle) in Luckau, Germany. Decapitated will play on May 26th.

Already confirmed are Vital Remains, Prostitute Disfigurement, Driller Killer, Extreme Noise Terror, among many others, with more to be announced
soon.

Decapitated's long-awaited new metal masterpiece ORGANIC HALLUCINOSIS is released on both CD and Dual Disc formats on Earache on February 13th 2006.

Source:	Earache Publicist
Band profile:	Decapitated

"Home," The Gathering's new album, is planned to be released mid-April in Europe via Sanctuary Records and via The End Records in North America. The artwork can be viewed here. Contrary to what has been published on the End Records' website, the track list is not yet finalised but could be as follow:

Shortest Day
In Between
Alone
Waking Hour
Fatigue
A Noise Severe
Forgotten
Solace
Your Troubles Are Over
Box
The Quiet One
Home
Forgotten Reprise

Read more ››

Source:	gathering.nl & theendrecords.com
Band profile:	The Gathering

France's Kalisia posted further news on their upcoming debut album "Cybion" stating "that 99% of the material was been recorded, just 3 or 4 vocal passages are missing. The final mixing will be soon."
They also stated that a bonus CD may be sold with Cybion, "Origin". Plus a remastered version of their "Skies" Demo.

Source : http://kalisia.free.fr

Band profile:

Kalisia

The German band posted on their the website three sound sample from their upcoming album "Christ.0" to be released on 24 February 2006. Go here
to check the samples.

Read more ››

Source:	vandenplas.de
Band profile:	Vanden Plas

Glen Hughes posted the following update at his official website:

"Just wanted to let you all know that yesterday all the tracking for the album was completed. We had the final day of string section yesterday. It is a massive piece of work. 15 songs were recorded. I would like you all to know I spent all of last year writing, arranging and preparing these songs. I spent way more time on this album than any other album of my career. I don't think anybody will argue that this is a turning point for me. A few of my real close friends have been to chad's to listen and they are saying that this album and the vibe is exactly where I should be headed. I can tell you it is a mature album, and more than ever before I can't wait for you all to hear it. We start mixing mid March and the album is scheduled to be released May 29th."

Source:

glennhughes.com

- "Skyclad join the front lines of Black Lotus records"

During their long and illustrious career, that spans more than a decade and saw them releasing such classics as "Jonah's Ark", "Prince of the Poverty Line" and "Irrational Anthems" the "originators of folk metal" have produced no less than 14 full length releases as well as various other compilations, ep's and singles. Combining elements of traditional metal, in the Vein of bands like Thin Lizzy and folk music (fiddles etc) with though provoking lyrics, the band came up with a totally unique sound that won the hearts of many fans around the world. Their live performances are legendary and even though the band was faced some serious personnel shuffles in the near past, their latest album "A semblance of normality" was all the proof any one would need, to show that the bands chemistry was intact and that their style remained unscathed by all the changes! There are plans to record an album in the next few months to be released before the end of this year. This will be preceded by an EP entitle "Jig-a-Jig", in April and a European tour to take place in February and April. More news as it becomes available.

http://www.skyclad.co.uk

- "Chris Caffery's entering the studio soon"

Chris Caffery is entering the studio in New York City on February 8th to begin the recording of his next CD "Pins and Needles". The CD is going to be released world-wide in October 2006. Some of the song titles are "The Temple", "S.A.D", "WORMS", "Mettle Eastern", "The Sign of The Crossed" and the title track "Pins and Needles". According to Chris "This time around I am going to musically punch everyone in the face for about an hour...no concept, single CD, just straight forward blistering metal agression! A few twists and turns, but would you expect anything different?" Musicians will feature once again Jeff Plate on Drums, Paul Morris on keyboards, Nick Douglas from Doro on bass and some very special guests! For studio updates visit www.chriscaffery.com

A brand new web-site is debuting in February when Chris enters the studio!"

http://www.chriscaffery.com

- On February 23rd Thanatos will enter the Excess Studios in Rotterdam once again to record their fifth full length album. Tentatively entitled 'Justified Genocide' the album will feature 9 or 10 songs including ,,They Feed On Fear", ,,The Devil's Triangle", ,,March Of The Infidels", ,,Upwards Spritual Evolution" and ,,The Netherworld". The album will probably be released at the end of the Summer/early Fall 2006 on Black Lotus Records. The artwork will be handled by German artist Timo Wuerz.

Read more ››

Source:

Black Lotus Records

New York independent metal record label, Power Play Records, is proud to announce the official signing of Canadian thrashers Shatterpoint to a recording deal.

Fans will be psyched to learn that Shatterpoint is putting the final touches on their forthcoming full length album, "Dead Precedence" with producer Greg Dawson, which is slated for worldwide release in early 2006.

Shatterpoint will perform live at BLOOD Sweat And Ears: Invasion, Sudbury on Saturday February 4th 2006, in Sudbury Ontario. Immediately following the main event.

Shatterpoint will perform live at Metal Queen Management's Canadian Music Week Festival Showcase on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at 10 pm @ The Vatikan, 1032 Queen Street West.

Source:

shatterpoint.net

Mekong Delta (Ralf Hubert) has announced that it has formed a new line-up. Of course Ralf will still be playing the bass. Peter Haas has gladly agreed to crawl behind the drumkit once again and new to the band is guitarist Peter Sjöberg (also known as Peter Lake from Theory In Practice). Ralf has not found a singer yet, but he's checking out who's able for the job.

Source:	nightmarepatrol.net
Band profile:	Mekong Delta

Winds' vocalist Lars Eric Si updates fans on the progress of the band's forthcoming album.

The still untitled new album, which will surface in 2006 via The End Records, is the follow-up to the well-received 2004 opus The Imaginary Direction Of Time.

"We're now done with most of the vocals and, in my opinion, they sound great. (Of course - I'm the singer...) There are some small 'details' left, but I can promise, here and now, hand on my heart, that the new album will be mind-blowingly different from the previous Winds' albums in its complexity both in vocal lines and vocal styles. A more detailed studio update will follow soon. Best regards and a happy New Year to you all! - Lars"

Source:	theendrecords.com
Band profile:	Winds

Work on the long awaited sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is finally complete. Exact release date through Nuclear Blast is at the time of this writing unknown. Keep checking the "Latest" box for news on the release date.
The album title and full tracklisting is as follows:

The Chthonic Chronicles

1) The Sixth Adulation Of His Chthonic Majesty
2) Invocations Beyond The Outer-World Night
3) Six Score And Ten Oblations To A Malefic Avatar
4) The Obsidian Crown Unbound
5) The Fallen Kingdoms Of The Abyssal Plain
6) Shackled To The Trilithon Of Kutulu
7) The Hammer Of The Emperor
8) Unfettering The Hoary Sentinels Of Karnak
9) To Storm The Cyclopean Gates Of Byzantium
10) Arcana Antediluvia
11) Beneath The Crimson Vaults Of Cydonia
12) Return To Hatheg-Kla

Band profile:

Bal-Sagoth

The following message was posted at Turisas' official website:

"Dear friends,

One and a half months has now passed since Georg's car accident took place. We are now happy to tell you that the time of intensive care is finally over and in the rehabilitation process will take over soon. He has now been transferred back to Hämeenlinna Central Hospital where he was yesterday taken off the respirator - meaning that he now is breathing fully on his own - and moved to the regular ward.

His general condition is improving, vital functions are recovering and his kidneys are working again. He is more awake now and even though we haven't been allowed to visit him yet, his family has told us that he is fully conscious and understands what they speak to him, and now that he is no longer connected to the respirator, he is also able to talk.

Both we and Georg's family would like to thank you all for the enormous support you have given both us and Georg during the last one and a half months. You have all played an important role in the battle for Georg's life, which, despite it appearing hopeless at times, has never been given up. Thank you for the hundreds of greetings you have posted in our guestbook and on our forums. They have all been forwarded to the hospital personnel who have been reading them to Georg and the same will be done with all your future greetings as well. A long way still lies ahead, so your support is still more than welcome. Many people have also approached us asking if there's an address where to send possible cards, letters, presents etc. Here it is:

Georg Laakso
Kanta-Hämeen keskussairaala
Osasto 5 B, Huone 1
FIN-13500 Hämeenlinna
FINLAND

We would also like to inform you, that despite the regrettable circumstances, the battle machinery has not, and will not, come to a halt. The work on the new album is progressing and we have also confirmed a row of new shows for 2006 to be announced later. We are hoping to finish the work on the upcoming album by summer 2006 and then directly head out for new battles across Europe. Booking enquiries should be directed to booking turisas.com.

Sincerely,

The Members of Turisas"

Read more ››

Source:	turisas.com
Band profile:	Turisas

Sadus announced that their new album "Out For Blood" is going to be release in February 2006 via Mascot Records. The album will contain "an all exclusive bonus disc filled up with "a making of" video, several renditions of some legendary songs from the band's inspirators and some more stuff to come too". The album which was recorded at Trident Studios in California "is currently undergoing postproduction in the Netherlands."

The Artwork of the album was made by Travis Smith and Chuck Billy. An official homepage for the band to be hosted at www.sadus.us is expected to be launched soon.

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Sadus