Tonmi "Malakias IV" Lillman (To/Die/For, Sinergy, Ajattara, Vanguard, Hateframe, Kylähullut), also known as Tonmi "Otus" Lillman in Finnish hard rockers Lordi, has passed away yesterday. He had joined the band in 2010.

The band issued the following statement on their official website: "Our dear friend and band mate, 'Otus' Tonmi Lillman, has sadly passed away. He will be greatly missed and we send our condolences to his family and friends. Otus, we thank You from the bottom of our hearts for the short time we got to know you and spend with you together. Rest in peace, friend. Lordi Amen Ox Awa."

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Source:	lordi.fi
Band profile:	Lordi

After the departure of Matt DeVries, who joined Fear Factory, US death metallers Six Feet Under have now announced that bassist Jeff Hughell, formally of Brain Drill and Vile, will be joining the band.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Six Feet Under

Unique Leader Records press release:

We are pleased to announce that legendary French progressive tech death metal outfit Gorod signs multi album deal for North America with Unique Leader Records.

For years Gorod has set high levels of killer over the top extreme metal releases which many have seen as inspiration and influence on their writing techniques. As the band furthers itself in mind blowing song structure and deliverance they are set to unleash their 4th onslaught of technical mayhem on the masses entitled A Perfect Absolution.

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Source:	uniqueleader.com
Band profile:	Gorod

Swedish hard rockers Europe have unveiled the cover art for their forthcoming release Bag Of Bones, which is due out in April through EarMusic/Adel Records. The album was recorded in October 2011 and produced by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden/Black Country Communion), and will be the follow-up to 2009's release Last Look At Eden.

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Source:	europetheband.com
Band profile:	Europe

UK death metal act Bolt Thrower have revealed more information concerning the extra tickets for their 25th anniversary show in London on April 7th.

Here is a statement from the band: "We've had a lot of questions about extra tickets for Boltfest or adding a second show, as the show sold out so fast. As we can only afford a show like this every 26 years (!), there'll sadly be no second show. But we did look into the possibility of adding extra tickets."

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Source:	boltfest.boltthrower.com
Band profile:	Bolt Thrower
Event:	Bolt Thrower: Boltfest

Official Pulverised Records press release:

Los Angeles thrashers Hexen have officially revealed their upcoming second album, titled Being And Nothingness.

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Vivid Tone Recording Studio (Lividity, Guthrie Govan, etc.) by producer Rich Bruce, the sonic onslaught of Being And Nothingness sees the band going toward a far more mature, comprehensive and thorough voyage of metal musicality, thus distancing themselves from being just another run-of-the-mill revival band.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Hexen

NWOBHM underdogs Angel Witch have revealed the tracklist and artwork for their forthcoming album As Above, So Below, which will be released on March 12th through Rise Above Records. The artwork is a close-up part of "The Last Judgement" by the British Romantic John Martin. His work was also used for the artwork of their 1980 self-titled debut.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Angel Witch

German death metal band Dawn Of Disease has unveiled the cover art and tracklist for their upcoming album entitled Crypts Of The Unrotten, which is scheduled for released on April 27th through NoiseArt Records. The album was produced in Soundlodge Studio by Jörg Uken (God Dethroned, Dew-Scented, Sinister).

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Source:

de-de.facebook.com

Swedish symphonic metallers Therion have announced an European tour for September and October to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Furthermore, the band will release a new studio album, yet untitled, in September as well, shortly before the tour starts.

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Therion
Event:	Therion: 25th Anniversary Tour

Nuclear Blast Records press release

Nuclear Blast proudly announce the signing of another dyed-in-the-wool thrash metal combo - German alcoholic thrashers Tankard!

Band leader Gerre comments: "As the want-away footballers always say: I'm looking for a new athletic challenge... baloney! We've only inked a deal with Nuclear Blast because they've offered most prest-money for a transfer... hahaha okay, seriousness aside: We're totally happy to have found accommodation at the metal label no.1 and are chuffed about the collaboration, hoping that this will give Tankard a big boost in their 30th year of existence! It took quite a while 'til we came ashore here, but then again, Rome wasn't built in a day, as we all know!"

Andy Siry (Head of A&R at Nuclear Blast) adds: "From the Hardcore Party 1987 in Oberursel (live Tankard, Angel Dust and Destruction) on I've taken Tankard into my heart. With the signing of Tankard's contract, the "best case scenario" has finally come to pass. I'm absolutely delighted that we've come to an agreement with our Hessian buddies - even though I'll unfortunately suffer from the signing party's aftermath for some more days, haha. Joke apart. I'm very happy that Tankard will be members of the Nuclear Blast family from now on and will enrich our roster of dyed-in-the-wool thrash metal bands. And announcing this new signing on Valentine's Day proves that this is more than just a business matter to us. After 25 years of "concubinage" we've finally tied the knot in the big anniversary year (25 years of Nuclear Blast, 30 years of Tankard). By the way: We're expecting our first offspring to be born this summer."

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Tankard

Vocalist Mat Maurer has quit Australian metallers Mortal Sin.

He commented: "I have decided to leave the band for personal reasons and irreconcilable differences. Last year was an incredibly difficult year for me personally and I have decided to put my family first. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. Over and out."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Mortal Sin

US industrial metallers Fear Factory have confirmed Matt DeVries as their new bassist. DeVries, previously of Chimaira and who recently left Six Feet Under, joins the band replacing Byron Stroud. The band is currently working on their upcoming new album The Industrialist, planned for an early summer release. The album is being mixed in Canada by Greg Reely while artwork for the album is nearly complete. Specific details about the new album are expected in the coming week.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fear Factory

UK gothic metallers Paradise Lost are offering a special Valentine's gift. The pleasant gift is a possibility to download the new song "Crucify" today from this location. All you have to do is provide an email address. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album Tragic Idol, scheduled for release via Century Media on April 23rd in Europe and April 24th in North America. More album details were previously reported here and here.

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Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Paradise Lost

New bands have been confirmed for this year's Jalometalli Festival in Oulu, Finland. Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Heathen, Nekromantheon, Convulse, Merging Flare, Final Assault and Gorem are the latest additions to the festival. Crimson Glory and Heathen will perform in Finland for the first time ever.

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Source:	jalometalli.net
Event:	Jalometalli Metal Music Festival

"Bionic Abomination", a brand new song from German technical death metallers Deadborn is now available for streaming at [url= http://soundcloud.com/apostasy-records/deadborn-bionic-abomination ]this location[/url]. The track is taken from the band's forthcoming album, Mayhem Maniac Machine, which was recorded at Iguana Studios with producer Christoph Brandes and will be released on April 20th via Apostasy Records.

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Source:	apostasyrecords.com
Band profile:	Deadborn