Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick has decided not to do another winter tour with Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Alex says: "It's been nearly ten years since my first Trans-Siberian Orchestra winter tour. Each year it's been an incredible experience, traveling from arena to arena being an important part of the largest symphonic rock production in history. This year, however, I've decided to make the difficult decision of stepping out of the spotlight (and lasers, fog, fire and snow) and embarking upon new adventures. The reasons for this are twofold.

As one might imagine, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra winter tour is a demanding one - with long days and an action-packed show that calls for no less than 200% of yourself, often twice a day from the mid-October rehearsals to the final show in January.

While the awesome response from fans and the collaboration with fellow performers make it beyond worth it, there comes a point, after so many years of annual grueling intensity, for some of us to draw upon that quarter of a year's worth of time and energy in order to launch a renewed focus on our own visions.

In my case, this process begins with the release of a brand new album (Alex Skolnick Trio's Veritas, due October 15) to be followed by heavy touring, including winter dates in support of Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

There are many other endeavors in the works, the information of which will be continually updated online at AlexSkolnick.com. Furthermore, as someone who has been on tour with multiple projects and running on all cylinders during the entire calendar year since 2006, reclaiming this three-month period will open up the option to take breaks once in a while, remember what home looks like, lessen the constant separation from friends and loved ones and recharge my own batteries as needed.

Of course, I'll miss doing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra tour. The stage time, friendships and overall experience has been invaluable. I'm grateful to Paul O'Neil and Nightcastle Management for the opportunity, to all the musicians and singers for the good times and to all the fans for the unyielding support; you guys are the best! I look forward to seeing many of you out there in different configurations."

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Source:

alexskolnick.com

Serbian avantgarde metal band Rain Delay has entered studio to start recording their 3rd studio album, scheduled for release at the end of the year. In a short update, the band wrote:

"Rain Delay is finally in the studio recording their third album. Producer is Aleksandar Djordjic who is responsible for making some of the most wicked metal albums on Serbian scene. Atmosphere is great and we hope to deliver a masterpiece by the end of the year."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Rain Delay

Check out the brand new video for the track "Alas, Lord Is Upon Me" off Behemoth's latest release Evangelion below!

The video for "Alas, Lord Is Upon Me" was produced and directed by Rafal Szermanowicz and Grupa 13 who also shot Behemoth's videos for "Ov Fire and the Void" and "At the left hand ov God".

Nergal comments on "Alas, Lord Is Upon Me": "First of all, we've overcome ourselves with this new video clip. Period. It's something we've wanted to do for a very long time. Pretty much no digital intervention, no blue boxes, no fake shit this time, but great filming, good acting, and a fuckin' awesome storyline. It's disturbing, crazy, and evil. We've had over 70 people working for us on this video so we can easily say it was the biggest production so far. I'm beyond excited! Wait and see..."

Dariusz Szermanowicz of Grupa #13 adds; "This time we decided to make something different. We'd like to make video in 'cinematic' style without so many VFX like in last two videos. We found great location, we had dozen of actors and extras and awesome stylizing. During the 16 hours of hard work we've created amazingly killer video!"

In other news, Metal Blade Records in US and Peaceville Records in Europe will be re-releasing Behemoth's EP's Conjuration and Slaves Shall Serve as a 2CD set in early 2011. More info on this release will be made available in the coming weeks.


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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Behemoth

French atmospheric doom metal band Ixion are set to release their new full-length album To The Void. You can check out a teaser at this location.

Three years after the very good reception of the band's demo Through The Space We Die, this album, with 10 new tracks, represents a new step for Ixion with a better production and a more varied music. The general atmosphere is still spatial and emotional, with more contrasts in the music, from really dark or agressive parts to totally ambient ones.

The band stated: "Guitars, drums, orchestrations, and of course vocals have evolved significantly - we have worked on really fragile and airy parts, while some black metal screams have also appeared and deep grunts are still prevailing. As for the keyboards, ambient and cold electronic elements, they still play an important role in our atmospheric doom metal! About the story, it narrates a journey from the Earth to the depths of the space, and as the title emphasizes, this trip ends with the void..."

The album has been produced, recorded and mixed by the band. Ixion are now searching for a label to release it.

Head over to this location for the four-minute sampler!

107996 for the tip]

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ixion

Queensrÿche has partnered with Capitol/EMI for the September 14 September 28 release of an expanded 20th Anniversary Edition of the band's triple platinum-certified breakout album, Empire.

The new 2-CD and digital packages both include the remastered album, featuring six hit singles, including the #1 smash "Silent Lucidity," as well as 13 bonus tracks, among them 10 previously unreleased live performances recorded in 1990 at London's Hammersmith Odeon. The 2-CD package is presented in a lift-top box with five postcards, a fold-out poster and a booklet featuring rare photos from the band's personal archive, as pictured here.

After building a devoted fan base with album and EP releases throughout the 1980's, including 1988's critically acclaimed Operation: Mindcrime, Queensrÿche broke into the mainstream across North America and abroad with the 1990 release of Empire. In the U.S., the album peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and its hit ballad "Silent Lucidity" quickly became a heavy rotation staple at rock radio and on MTV, topping Billboard's Modern Rock singles chart and earning Queensrÿche the coveted MTV Viewers Choice Award for the song's music video. Empire also made the U.K.'s Top 10, and the album's international success led to Queensrÿche's 18-month headlining "Building Empires" world tour, the band's longest trek to date.

Empire (20th Anniversary Edition) cover art] tracklist:

01. Best I Can
02. The Thin Line
03. Jet City Woman
04. Della Brown
05. Another Rainy Night (Without You)
06. Empire
07. Resistance
08. Silent Lucidity
09. Hand On Heart
10. One And Only
11. Anybody Listening?
12. Last Time In Paris
13. Scarborough Fair
14. Dirty Lil Secret

Bonus disc: Live at London's Hammersmith Odeon 11/15/90

01. Resistance
02. Walk in the Shadows
03. Best I Can
04. Empire
05. The Thin Line
06. Jet City Woman
07. Roads To Madness
08. Silent Lucidity
09. Hand On Heart
10. Take Hold Of The Flame

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Source:	queensryche.com
Band profile:	Queensrÿche

After parting ways with The Old Dead Tree in 2006, guitarist Nicolas Chevrollier said: "I will always love playing, listening to, and living music..." As guitarist and songwriter having highly contributed to the artistic orientation of the band, he rapidly felt the needs to pursue his own dreams again with a new project.

He naturally found that his long-time friend and bass player Vincent Danhier could share his vision. Things became more serious after the split-up of The Old Dead Tree in November last year, and the duo knew they would need a fuller line-up to move the band up and forward. So Olivier (also involved in thrash metal act Sinn) was rapidly enlisted to their ranks as drummer. Then they asked guitarist Gilles (now also responsible for death core riffing with Jarell) to bring his talent, as his playing style is a perfect match. When it came down to finding a vocalist, the name of Guillaume popped up. The band knew that his skills in singing with Dustbowl (heavy cold rock) were what the new composings screamed for... Luckily, he agreed to join, and Pretence has found its final form in February, 2010.

The music of Pretence can be described as some kind of dark melodic metal with wide influences like Paradise Lost, Katatonia, Slayer, Tool...

After only 7 months of writing and rehearsing together, the band is now ready to enter the studio! The recording process of the debut album will be achieved by the end of the year... Stay tuned for updates.

The band's MySpace is currently still under construction.

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Source:	pretence.org
Band profile:	The Old Dead Tree

Candlelight Records confirmed October 12 as the North American release date for Quietly, Undramatically, the new album from US Black metal band Woe.

Recorded at Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, New Jersey with additional tracking completed at frontman Chris Grigg's BS1 in Philadelphia, the album is the first to feature a full band ensemble comprised of members from Absu, Woods Of Ypres, The Green Evening Requiem, Infernal Stronghold and Rumpelstiltskin Grinder.

Reveals Grigg: "Quietly, Undramatically is a major step forward for Woe. Not only is it our first release for Candlelight Records but the debut of Woe: the band as opposed to Woe: the solo project. The performances of Evan Madden (drums) and Shane Madden (bass) bring Woe to a whole new level. It is a much more mature album, featuring dynamics and ideas that Woe has never been able to tackle before. We are all very excited for this album's release and the subsequent live performances in support of it!"

Quietly, Undramatically is Woe's first release for England's Candlelight Records. The album reunites the band with designer/illustrator Justin Miller. "Justin and I have worked together on different projects for years now and he has never let me down. I consider his art an additional song on the album - the most important song, the one that ties it all together. Sound is what I do, sight is what he does, and it is a relief to know that WoeE's presentation is handled with such feeling."

Quietly, Undramatically tracklist:

01. No Solitude
02. The Road From Recovery
03. Quietly, Undramatically
04. A Treatise on Control
05. Without Logic
06. Full Circle
07. Hatred is Our Heart

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Source:

quietly.woeunholy.com

Finnish funeral doomsters Shape Of Despair are done with the recording of two new tracks, which will be released on a 7" EP entitled Written In My Scars. According to the most recent update, the EP is now being mastered.

The release of the band's first new material in several years is scheduled for late October/beginning of November 2010 through Solarfall Records (sub-label of Aftermath Music).

The Written In My Scars cover artwork will look this:


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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Shape Of Despair

US Power metal act Eternal Winter has signed a worldwide deal with German underground heavy metal label Pure Steel Records for the upcoming release of the as-of-yet untitled debut full length album.

Eternal Winter frontman, Matthew Knight (Poseidons Anger) states: "In the past, we have always released independent demos and EP's... When we decided to record our first full-length, it became apparent that we would need the support of a strong, honest record label in order to release the best album possible... Many of the labels I had spoken with in the past, had wanted us to compromise our sound by taking out keyboard parts, changing my vocal style, etc... Pure Steel Records is the first label who has always supported us and our music from the very beginning, and truly believes in what we do!

We began dealing with Pure Steel in 2008 when we contributed to the Warlock Tribute Album they released that year... While at the time, we weren't as big and professional as many of the other bands on the Tribute, they admired us and gave us a chance to appear on the album. After working with them to release our tribute song, we saw how professional and easy to work with these guys were. They loved our True Metal sound and we soon developed a strong mutual friendship.

Now, my band mates in Eternal Winter and I are happy and honored to be a part of the Pure Steel Family... We know we have found a good home for us, and look forward to a bright future ahead!"

Pure Steel Records product manager Andreas Lorenz adds: "The US band plays perfect 80'ies influenced US Metal in style of old Virgin Steele and some Crimson Glory influences.

Volker and me were fascinated of this voice, which got a lot of feeling for great melodies in the guise of 80'ies US-Metal scene. We heard some demotracks in 2008 and were both enthusiastic about it. We can't wait to hear the debut album, but our expectations are very high. A more than worthy Pure Steel band."

The band is currently hard at work in the studio recording their long-awaited debut album. We will keep you updated on the progress. Check out the band on MySpace for more info and streams.

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Source:

blogs.myspace.com

Tribunal Records are excited to welcome Vanisher to their family.

Vanisher may be a new band to most, but only in name as within their ranks veterans from Bloodjinn and Glass Casket reside, and they are confidently leading the new pack of metal bands surfacing in North Carolina. While not bearing much resemblance to their former bands, Vanisher has set out to carve a new path and capture audiences with it's futuristic metal brand.

Vanisher combine an old school thrash/death metal mentality with an absolutely modern melodic fluency allowing them to succeed in shattering all stylistic barriers with their debut album. The History Of Saints is well rounded in all things relevant in metal today (production/songwriting/artwork) and quickly establishes Vanisher as a band that everyone should keep their eyes and ears on.

The History Of Saints will be released on September 14th. Four songs, "Born To Breed", "The Architect", "Oceans" and the title track of the band's debut are now available for streaming on MySpace.

The History Of Saints cover art] tracklist:

01. Born To Breed
02. I Am Failure
03. The Architect
04. A Wolf In The Fold
05. Oceans
06. Liaisons
07. State Of Adversity
08. Frustrated Static
09. The History Of Saints
10. Cave Dweller
11. Pure Diesel
12. Conviction Cell

Bonus CD

01. Kings
02. The Road
03. Spiraling Downwards
04. Into The Sands
05. The Staredown
06. Feverish Crimes
07. New Brand Of Justice
08. Reaction

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Source:

tribunalrecords.net

US metallers Virgin Steele are set to release their new album, The Black Light Bacchanalia, via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: October 22
Rest of Europe: October 25
USA, Canada: November 9

The new album will be available as a limited-edition digipak, standard CD, double gatefold vinyl and as a digital download.

Commented vocalist David DeFeis: "It will be a long album... close to 80 minutes. The album (to be really brief) concerns the reversal of all things. Once conquered by invading cultures, older Pagan deities become the demons of the new religion. The Black Light Bacchanalia is a reversal of the sacred sexual customs, and the final desecration of the "Goddess Principle", switching from matrilineal descent to patrilineal descent, with the rise of the idea of the Mountain-Fire God.... And it also has to do with ancient fears such as the fear of the sun not rising... Lyrically it is a kind of continuation of the story I told on the last album... Musically it is quite something else..."

Songtitles set to appear on The Black Light Bacchanalia CD include:

* By The Hammer Of Zeus
* Pagan Heart
* The Bread Of Wickedness
* The Orpheus Taboo
* In A Dream Of Fire
* Nepenthe
* Necropolis (He Answers Them With Death)
* To Crown Them With Halos Parts 1 & 2
* The Tortures Of The Damned
* The Black Light Bacchanalia (The Age That Is To Come)
* Eternal Regret

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Virgin Steele

Cannibal Corpse will be hitting the road for a 17 date run that takes the band through the east coast, south, and Midwest. The mighty Cannibal Corpse will be kicking things off on Friday November 5th in Wilmington, NC at The Soapbox Laundrolounge and will finish things up on Monday November 22nd in Asheville, NC at The Orange Peel. Joining Cannibal Corpse on the road is Dying Fetus, Vital Remains, and Devourment. The tour is being brought to fans by BC Rich, Metal Blade Records, Good Fight Entertainment, and Relapse Records. Head over to this location for additional touring news and ticketing links.

Cannibal Corpse North American Tour with Dying Fetus, Vital Remains and Devourment:

11/05 -Wilmington, NC - The Soapbox Laundrolounge
11/06 - Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero
11/07 - Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
11/08 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theater
11/09 - Nashville, TN - Exit In
11/10 - Lexington, KY - Buster's
11/11 - East St. Louis, MO - Pop's
11/12 - Des Moines, IA - People's Court
11/13 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
11/14 - Madison, WI - The Annex
11/16 - Columbus, OH - Skully's
11/17 - Williamsville, NY - Infinity
11/18 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
11/19 - New York, NY - Santos Party House
11/20 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
11/21 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel
11/22 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel

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Source:	cannibalcorpse.net
Band profile:	Cannibal Corpse
Event:	Cannibal Corpse + Dying Fetus + Vital Remains

Hail Of Bullets have announced On Divine Winds as the title of their upcoming new album to be released October, 8/11 via Metal Blade Records in Europe and on October, 12 in North America.

Hail Of Bullets' debut album ...Of Frost And War was a concept album about the Eastern front war of Germany. On Divine Winds is another concept album, this time covering the Pacific battles between Japan and the USA.

Comments singer Martin van Drunen: "This time Hail of Bullets takes on the Pacific War. The expansion of the Empire of Japan throughout Asia, introducing a full scale war using all forces combined. The massive strike back of the Americans, whose marines bravely fought many tough and bloody battles on now forgotten insulate islands spread throughout the whole Pacific. This led to desperate Japanese defense tactics such as Kamikaze, human bullets and suicidal Banzai charges. Until finally, incendiary bombings brought the empire to its knees."

The album title On Divine Winds refers to the translation for the Japanese word Kamikaze, as kami stands for "God" and kaze means "wind". The album features 12 tracks on the limited first Digibook edtion and 11 tracks on the regular jewelcase version. On Divine Winds was produced by Ed Warby and like before the monstrous mix was in the capable hands of Mr Dan Swanö.

On Divine Winds cover art] tracklist:

01. The Eve Of Battle
02. Operation Z
03. The Mukden Incident
04. Strategy Of Attrition
05. Full Scale War
06. Guadalcanal
07. On Coral Shores
08. Unsung Heroes
09. Tokyo Napalm Holocaust
10. Sugar Loaf Hill (bonus track on ltd. 1st Digibook edition)
11. Kamikaze
12. To Bear The Unbearable

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Source:	metalblade.com
Band profile:	Hail Of Bullets

Guitarist Andreas Lynge of Danish death metal act The Cleansing checked in with the following album update:

"We recently finished the recording sessions of the new yet untitled 2nd The Cleansing album! Yesterday, Monday the 9th of August, we entered CB studios in Denmark with producer Christian Bonde to mix the album that consists of nine tracks.

We are also proud to announce that mastering engineer Bjørn Engelmann (who has worked with Behemoth and Bloodbath to mention a few) will do the mastering of the album at Cutting Room Studios in Sweden.

This album is really gonna crush in so many ways! We really feel it's the next big step for The Cleansing. More info on the album very soon along with track list and pictures from the recording sessions."

Head to MySpace if you want more info on The Cleansing.

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Source:

myspace.com

US stoner metallers High On Fire have announced a headlining North American tour later this fall, this in support of their latest studio album, Snakes For The Divine. Also joining them on the trek, dubbed "Sanctioned Annihilation Tour," will be Torche and Kylesa.

Sanctioned Annihilation tour dates are as follows:

09/29 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/30 - Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
10/01 - Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
10/02 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad
10/03 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
10/05 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
10/06 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
10/08 - Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company
10/09 - Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
10/10 - Chicago, IL @ Metro (Riot Festival)
10/11 - Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird
10/13 - Covington, KY @ Historic Southgate House
10/14 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
10/15 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/16 - Rochester, NY @ Water Street
10/17 - Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
10/19 - Halifax, NS @ The Paragon Theatre (Halifax Pop Explosion)
10/21 - Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
10/22 - Providence, RI @ Club Hell
10/23 - Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
10/24 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Starlite Ballroom
10/27 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
10/29 - Gainesville, FL @ Common Ground (Ye Old Fest)

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	High On Fire
Event:	High On Fire: Sanctioned Annihilation Tour