More good news today! None other than "the incredible" Linkin Park will be the second headliner of the 2011 edition of Download Festival, set to take place June 10-12 at Donington Park. And if that wasn't enough, also Rob Zombie has been added to the line-up today. Earlier this month the organization already confirmed the appearance of "the mighty" Avenged Sevenfold, with System Of A Down as the absolute headliners of the festival.

Here's the accompanying press release:

"With the boards brimming with activity over this evening's news that Linkin Park have been confirmed as the second headliner for Download 2011, we've just added one more artist to the bill that's sent the hype machine in to overdrive!

We're thrilled to announce that Grammy award winning musician/producer and director Rob Zombie will perform at next year's Download - an incredible 16 years since he last played the Donington Park site with his then band White Zombie.

Rob Zombie founded the metal band White Zombie and has since carved a successful career as a horror producer and director, notably for movies House Of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects. He released his new album Hellbilly Deluxe 2 earlier this year to huge critical acclaim.

Fans have been begging us for years to get Rob on the bill - and we're pleased to finally answer their call."

And here's the comment of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington: "We are very excited to be playing Download again next year. It's one of the best festivals in the world and it's always an honour to play in front of such a great crowd. We can't wait!"

Since forming in 1996, Linkin Park have gone on to win two Grammy awards and sold over 50 million records worldwide, and they recently released their fourth studio album A Thousand Suns.

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Source:	downloadfestival.co.uk
Event:	Download Festival 2011

From Chaos To Eternity is the title of the new Rhapsody Of Fire full length album, that will be released in Spring 2011 through Nuclear Blast at a worldwide level.

Here's the official Italian-cheese press release:

The 10th studio album of the Italian power metal act will be a new musical masterpiece. Described by the band as the natural evolution of the monumental chartbreaker of 2010 The Frozen Tears Of Angels, the new album will represent an important goal in the history of Rhapsody Of Fire, as it will be the last one based in the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the debut album Legendary Tales.

As usual Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli will be the producers of the new work. But for the first time, part of such a production (vocals and guitar recordings) was and will be mostly based in Trieste, the Italian hometown of the two founders. The recordings of bass and drums already took place in Wolfsburg at "The Gate Studio" under the wise supervision of their longtime friend Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Angra and more).

Luca says: "We are really proud to reveal to the whole world that the production of our new full length album is at a very good point already. Lyrically it has a particular meaning for all of us, as with the 5th and final chapter of the "Dark Secret Saga" our band will close its fantasy cycle started 13 years ago. The dark secret will finally reveal itself and for the last time Sir Christopher Lee will give his unique and fundamental contribution to our work.

Musically expect something really special out of the ten album titles. A song like "Ghosts Of Forgotten Worlds" with its rageous and hypnotic guitar riff, will make you breath the dusty atmospheres of the southern ghostlands. "Aeons Of Raging Darkness" is pure melodic chaos translated into music, "Tornado" the greatest technical challenge for each single bandmember and "Tempesta Di Fuoco", the first speed track completely sung in Italian language. For my song "Fantasia Gotica" I wrote and finalized the cinematic orchestral arrangements inspired by the visionary genius of Tim Burton, while "The Splendour Of Angels's Glory (A Final Revelation)" is Alex's choral and majestic track for the perfect finale of the dark secret saga. Our bass player Patrice Guers and our drummer Alex Holzwarth did their best job so far in a Rhapsody Of Fire album. One more word is needed to underline the excellent performance of our singer: in this new release, Fabio Lione will present himself definitely as one of the best and most versatile singers, being able to pass with unique ability and talent from the most aggressive vocals, to clean angelic voices and powerful operatic parts. Once more you are going to be really surprised."

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Good news everyone! At The fucking Gates will do a limited run of select shows in 2011.

Commented the band: "Simply put, we had the time of our lives during the 2008 reunion and have decided to do a couple of more shows. Although we won't be touring extensively, and we stick to the initial promise of not making anymore music. Please check our homepage and MySpace for updates."

The first confirmed show in 2011 is the Metaltown Festival, set to take place June 17-18, 2011 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Other confirmed acts on that billing include: System Of A Down, Cradle Of Filth, Parkway Drive and Raubtier.

UPDATE

At The Gates also confirmed for Tuska Open Air, taking place in Helsinki, Finland on July 22, 2011.

UPDATE

At The Gates also confirmed for Neurotic Deathfest, taking place in Tilburg, The Netherlands on April 29-30, 2011.

UPDATE

At The Gates also confirmed for Party.San Open Air, taking place in Schlotheim, Germany on August 11-13, 2011.

UPDATE

At The Gates also confirmed for Bloodstock Open Air, taking place in Catton Hall, UK on August 12-14, 2011.

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Source:	atthegates.se
Band profile:	At The Gates

Short audio samples of all the tracks on the upcoming new Motörhead album The Wörld Is Yours can now be streamed at Amazon.de.

Motörhead will be releasing The Wörld Is Yours via an exclusive publishing deal with Classic Rock magazine on December 14. The standard CD release of The Wörld Is Yours will go on sale on January 17, 2011, through Motörhead's own label, Motörhead Music, distributed via EMI Label Services.

The Wörld Is Yours cover art] tracklist:

01. Born To Lose
02. I Know How To Die
03. Get Back In Line
04. Devils In My Head
05. Rock 'N' Roll Music
06. Waiting For The Snake
07. Brotherhood Of Man
08. Outlaw
09. I Know What You Need
10. Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye

A promo video has been made for the song "Get Back In Line".

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Source:	amazon.de
Band profile:	Motörhead

Waiting for January 14th and the release of the new Belphegor opus Blood Magick Necromance is too hard? Then this studio trailer will help and give you a first glimpse of what's to come. Check out the trailer below, and leave your thoughts in the comment section.

Blood Magick Necromance album details were previously reported here.


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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Belphegor

Finnish symphonic folk metallers Crimfall have uploaded a brand-new track , called "Frost Upon Their Graves", on their MySpace page.

Added the band: "To celebrate the independence day of Finland, we want to give our loyal fans an early xmas present. The new album is basically one long song divided to a shorter sections. This song, "Frost Upon Their Graves" is the 3rd one. This time we will take you to the cold and merciless North!"

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Source:	crimfall.com
Band profile:	Crimfall

As a tribute to the US city that first played their music, Rush confirms that the Cleveland performance of their Time Machine Tour show on April 15th at the Quicken Loans Arena will be filmed for a full-length release.

Cleveland is remarkable for being one of the very first US cities where the band performed, in addition to being the first city to provide American airplay. This will be a must-see event for Rush fans in Cleveland - and for everyone able to make the road trip as it is will also mark the first live full-length filming on US soil. Tickets for Cleveland go on sale on Saturday, December 11th with pre-sales for Rush fan-club and CITI cardmembers beginning December 7th.

On the Time Machine Tour - An Evening With Rush the band will perform their 1981 Moving Pictures in its entirety for the first time, as well as material from the band's upcoming studio album Clockwork Angels.

The US leg of the Time Machine Tour looks as follows:

March 30, 2011 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - BankAtlantic Center
April 01, 2011 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
April 03, 2011 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
April 05, 2011 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center
April 06, 2011 - Toledo, OH - Huntington Center
April 08, 2011 - Hershey, PA - Giant Center
April 10, 2011 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
April 12, 2011 - Chicago, IL - United Center
April 15, 2011 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
April 17, 2011 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
April 19, 2011 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Coliseum
April 20, 2011 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
April 22, 2011 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena

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Source:	rush.com
Band profile:	Rush
Event:	Time Machine Tour - An Evening With Rush

Singapore-based black/death thrashers Impiety have changed drummers again.

The band's previous drummer, Andrea Janko, had to leave the fold due to a severe illness. The band already found a new drummer in Atum, known from his work in Divine Codex, Tundra, Malfeitor and as live drummer for Setherial.

Atum has been part of Impiety for a month now, with his successful live debut in Vicenza on December 4th. Next weekend the band will play at the Rites of Darkness Festival in Texas. This will mark the band's first-ever USA appearance. More info about the festival can be found at this location.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Impiety

Australian melodic death metal act Universum have finally uploaded a new track to be featured on the upcoming Mortuus Machina.

"We have uploaded the first mix of the Mortuus Machina song "Sum Of The Universe". It features guest vocals from Christian Alvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry, Solution .45) along with lead solos from both Nightrage axemen Olof Morck and Marios Iliopoulos. It's one of the album's more melodic tracks and will be even more ballsy once producer Jens Bogren is finished with it!"

Check out "Sum Of The Universe" over at MySpace.

For more details about the new Universum release, Mortuus Machina, and a complete list of guest musicians, visit this page.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Universum

Dark Tranquillity will perform in India for the first time on February 12, 2011. The band commented as follows:

"We're very proud and excited to announce that we'll play in India for the first time. On February 12, 2011, we'll perform at the BITS Pilani in Hyderabad, India. Support will come from local metallers Kryptos."

The show will be part of the national annual music festival Pearl, set to take place February 10-13. More info about the festival will be revealed on December 10 at this location.

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Source:	darktranquillity.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity
Event:	Dark Tranquillity

Delta, the fourth studio album of Visions Of Atlantis, will be released on February 25, 2011 via Napalm Records.

The album was recorded at Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany and will mark the debut of Maxi Nil, the new vocalist who joined the band last year.

Songtitles announced so far include: "Aeon", "Memento", "Reflections", "Gravitate Towards Fatality", "New Dawn" and "Beyond Horizon - The Poem Pt. II".

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Visions Of Atlantis

According to an official press release, the most infamous blasphemers in heavy metal history, Deicide, are set to release their long-awaited new album To Hell With God on February 21st, 2011 in Europe (February 15th, 2011 in the US). This smouldering heap of brutality will certainly find itself at the forefront of much backlash due to its themes but critics will not be able to deny the sheer brilliance of a band that has once again redefined the face of death metal.

To Hell With God cover artwork was created by Alesandr "Kwaadnar" Balinets and Eugene "jOnny" Postehaylo, of GrimTwins.com.

Deicide is also set to embark on a trail of destruction in support of the new album. First up is the God Is Dead - To Hell With God US tour kicking off February 15th, 2011 and featuring support from Belphegor, Blackguard, Neuraxis and Pathology. European tour dates will be announced soon.

To Hell With God cover art] tracklist:

01. Save Your
02. Empowered By Blasphemy
03. Conviction
04. Hang In Agony Until You're Dead
05. To Hell With God
06. Servant Of The Enemy
07. Witness Of Death
08. Angels In Hell
09. Into The Darkness You Go
10. How Can You Call Yourself A God

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Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Deicide

Miami-based Grindcore act Maruta have finished work on their new album - the band's second for Willowtip Records - entitled Forward Into Regression. A release set has been set for February 22, 2011. Germany's Power It Up Records will be releasing a gatefold LP version. A release date for the vinyl is TBD.

Vocalist Mitchell Luna comments: "So we finished wrapping up full-length number two, and I can honestly say that we are all very proud of the outcome. We took the same open minded approach to grindcore as we have on our previous recordings, but incorporated a couple new surprises. The end result sounds more relentless, and I personally feel that it is a well rounded record that is equally emotional as it is abrasive. Stoked for it to drop!"

The album was recorded at Florida's Mana Recording Studios (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse, Nile) by engineer Brian Elliot. This will be Maruta's first release with their new line-up. Drummer Daniel Morris and bassist Mauro Cordoba joined the band in early 2010.

Two preview tracks, called "Hand Of The Overseer" and "March Forward (Into Regression)" have been added to the Willowtip Music Player.

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Source:	willowtip.com
Band profile:	Maruta

Blabbermouth is telling me that Godflesh mastermind Justin Broadrick has told Decibel Magazine that the band is slowly putting together ideas for a new studio album.

"It's something we're discussing all the time, and I do have bits and pieces of material," he said. "But it's something we'd really like to develop. It'd be quite easy to knock out eight to 10 in-character songs and release it as quickly as possible to capitalize on the popularity of the group, but it would feel entirely wrong. If it's another two years until another Godflesh record, so be it. The most important thing is making a record that stands up with the rest of the back catalogue. I do have this in me again, though."

Another extract of the interview with Justin Broadrick (where he talks about the band's reunion appearance at Hellfest) can be found here. The full interview can be read in the January issue of the magazine.

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Source:	decibelmagazine.com
Band profile:	Godflesh

Control Denied vocalist Tim Aymar has issued a very, very lengthy update on the completion of When Machine And Man Collide - the band's long-awaited sophomore release.

Before you start reading, here's a short recap I took from Blabbermouth: as you all know, Chuck Schuldiner began work on the album, but never managed to finish the effort before his health quickly deteriorated in the months leading up to his tragic death, in December 2001. The remaining members of the group subsequently announced their desire to complete the album and release it in Chuck's memory, but legal hassles between Schuldiner's family and Hammerheart Records (to whom Chuck was signed at the time of his death) put the entire project on hold. But now the family of late Death/Control Denied guitarist is moving ahead with plans to complete and eventually release the long-awaited second album.

Or as Tim Aymar explains in great detail:

"On December 13th we will once again take at least a few moments of our day to remember the "Father Of Death Metal", Chuck Schuldiner. Those who know Chuck's music from Death and Control Denied have faithfully and patiently awaited the announcement of the completion of Chuck's dying wish which is to get the final Control Denied record out to you , and along with my other band-mates, I am extremely happy to be here to fulfill the promise I made a decade ago.

When I first talked to Chuck about auditioning for a new band he was working on, an extension of his former band Death which he called Control Denied. We first talked over the telephone, and he was not at all like what I had expected him to be. My band-mate, co-writer and dear friend Jimmy Dofka from Psycho Scream had turned me on to Death a few months before, and the picture I had in my mind of Chuck, judging only by how precise and beautifully violent that music is, was of a brutal tyrant. I mean after-all, just listen to Gene Hoglan's drumming and the command of Chuck's blood soaked screaming, and you'll know what I mean. Well, I was delightfully wrong. The voice on the phone was just a guy like me, an easy going, slow talking hippie with a burning passion for metal. We both understood the seriousness of the business at hand, but neither of made it seem anything but exiting and fun, and that was awesome. That's just what professionals do.

We talked about our tastes in music and inspirations and our idols. We were definitely on the same page. He said he wanted me to audition because from what he'd heard already from Psycho Scream, my voice had all the qualities he had been looking for since he began his journey into metal. There's a bit of everyone we both liked in there, a bit of Dio, Halford, Tyler, Gillan, Bonnet, all the best screamers in the biz. With that in mind, we set a date and I flew down to meet him and do the audition. I thought maybe there was a chance he was blowing a bit of smoke up my ass, because that's just what some people do. But no, as it turns out, he was one of the few people in this biz that didn't.

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Source:	emptywords.org
Band profile:	Control Denied