Gamma Ray have added more live dates to their so-called "To The Metal World Tour". Catch the band live in Russia, Asia or Latin America on the following dates:

08.04.10 - Russia - Moscow, B1 Maximum
10.04.10 - Russia - St Petersburg, DK Lensoveta

13.04.10 - Japan - Osaka, Big Cat (with Rage)
15.04.10 - Japan - Tokyo, On Air East (with Rage)
16.04.10 - Japan - Tokyo, On Air East (with Rage)
17.04.10 - Japan - Nagoya, Bottom Line (with Rage)
20.04.10 - Korea - Seoul, V-Hall
21.04.10 - China - Beijing, Mao Live House
22.04.10 - Taiwan - Taipei, Armed Forces Cultural Center

24.04.10 - Guatemala - Guatemala, City Teatro Miguel Angel Asturias
25.04.10 - Mexico - Mexico City, Circo Volador
28.04.10 - Venezuela - Valencia, Teatro Municipal Carabobo
30.04.10 - Colombia - Bogota, Teatro Metropol
01.05.10 - Ecuadsor - Quito, TBA
03.05.10 - Peru - Lima, Voce
05.05.10 - Chile - Santiago, Teatro Teleton
07.05.10 - Argentina - Buenos Aires, The End

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Gamma Ray

Lifeforce Records is proud to announce the signing of one of the most exciting young death metal acts, The Last Felony, from Montreal, Canada.

"Our search for a new label is finally over," guitarist Dominic Grimard comments. "We are extremely proud to be joining the Lifeforce family. This label has housed so many great bands, whether it be past or present, which in effect, makes this deal that much more exciting for us. Lately, we have been stalled in our search for a label with an open mind in terms of extreme music, and Lifeforce seems like the perfect fit for us for obvious reasons. We are grateful for this opportunity which Stefan Luedicke and the Lifeforce family have given us, and are anxious to see what the future holds for our band.

We are currently set to release our new full length album Too Many Humans, due in summer this year. This partnership opens vast opportunities in terms of touring outside Canadian soil, so you can expect to see TLF touring somewhere near you shortly."

Having released their debut, Aeon Of Suffering, with well respected label Galy Records, who already introduced bands like Despised Icon and Beneath The Massacre to the metal world, The Last Felony is now ready to take the world by storm with their new album Too Many Humans, to be released this summer on Lifeforce Records.

The Canadians are focusing on a mixture between technical brutal death metal with discreet traces of black metal. Too Many Humans consists of constant tempo changes and technicality, from fast going blast beats to slowdowns and everything in between. The Last Felony's first record for Lifeforce will be the soundtrack to our world's demise.

The track "Too Many Humans" from the upcoming album can be found on the band's MySpace profile.

Read more ››

Source:

lifeforcerecords.com

Against The Plagues have issued the following update:

"We would to clear the air and clarify all the rumors regarding our line-up changes. We had not yet posted any official statements regarding these changes because we had been busy with all our label-negotiations (re-mastering our self-released album) along with preparing for our upcoming video. Now, we feel that it is time to officially announce that our original guitarist Adrian Adamus (Forest Of Impaled) is no longer member of Against The Plagues. In short, Adrian had decided to part ways with the band (and extreme music) right now in order to focus on his personal/family life. We respect his decision and wish him the very best.

Now, we are extremely proud to announce that bassist Marco Martell (Malevolent Creation, Divine Empire, Kult of Azazel) is handling the guitarist position now and will be participating with the song writing process for the next album. Marco is an accomplished guitarist with the versatility, speed, and skill that the "ATP style" demands. We are very excited about the official release of our debut album along with the new material that we have planned. We would like to thank all the fans that continue to support our endeavors despite this harsh, economic state."

Against The Plagues is currently also completing a music video for the song "Great are the Eyed" filmed in February in Miami with directors Eduardo and Gregg Alvarez from Elephas Productions. The song comes off group's new album Decoding the Mainframe which will be officially release in Europe in March 31st via Vic Records. The clip will make its online debut next month.

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Against The Plagues

1349 will not be performing at this year's Copenhagen Metal Festival. The band has issued a short press release on their website: "With deepest apologies to all their fans and supporters, 1349 have to announce that they will not play at the upcoming "Copenhagen Metal Festival" on the 2nd of April, due to severe financial/organizational problems at the forefront of the event on the part of the responsible organizers. 1349 & Twisted Talent regret the latest proceedings and want to make sure that there will be no iteration of this situation."

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Source:	legion1349.com
Band profile:	1349

Original news, posted on 18.03.2010

Ratt are streaming the opening track "Eat Me Up Alive" from their first new album in over 10 years, Infestation. Check it out here. The album drops on April 20.

UPDATE (thanks to CHEF METAL HEAD)

Ratt have premiered their new video, "Best Of Me", directed by Andrew Bennett, on Noisecreep. Watch the clip here.

Given the band's history, it's pretty natural that the first frame of Ratt's new video begins with a shot of a Sunset Boulevard street sign. Those first few introductory seconds say everything about the history of Ratt. The sign also alerts the viewer that they're about to experience classic Ratt in all their glory: a live club show, women and that signature guitar tone.

"Best Of Me" is the best Ratt video made in 20 years and it accurately reflects the new album's cover art and title: Infestation, Ratt guitarist Warren DeMartini tells Noisecreep. "The video is a visual ode about today's 21st century mass media and information age overload mixed with unabridged smokin' live performance. We know Ratt fans will like it as much as we liked shooting it."

The video also points to a bigger issue here: younger kids on the outside looking in, trying to be a part of the Ratt pack, and the overarching idea that infectious hooks can permeate all aspects of daily life. There's also family cameos, proving that not all relationships suffer because of rock 'n' roll.

Read more ››

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Ratt

Original news, posted on 17.03.2010

Norwegian extreme metal horde Keep Of Kalessin will release their new album, Reptilian, in North America on June 8 via Nuclear Blast Records. The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Dragon Iconography
02. The Awakening
03. Judgement
04. The Dragontower
05. Leaving The Mortal Flesh
06. Dark As Moonless Night
07. The Divine Land
08. Reptilian Majesty

A shortened and rough mix of the new song "The Dragontower" can be heard on the band's MySpace page. Reptilian is the follow up to Keep Of Kalessin's 2008 release, Kolossus and was recorded once again at their own studio in Trondheim, Norway. Final mixing duties were handled this time around by Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Behemoth, Meshuggah).

Reptilian is the follow up to Keep Of Kalessin's 2008 release, Kolossus and was recorded once again at their own studio in Trondheim, Norway. Final mixing duties were handled this time around by Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Behemoth, Meshuggah).

UPDATE (thanks to Dahalak)

Keep Of Kalessin will release their new effort Reptilian on the following dates:

May 10th Europe (except G/A/S) - Indie Recordings
May 14th G/A/S - Nuclear Blast Europe
June 8th North America - Nuclear Blast USA

Added Keep Of Kalessin frontman Obsidian Claw: "The music on Reptilian is more in your face and direct than before so we chose this cover and the title to emphasise that directness as well as focusing even more on the fantasy element in the band. This beast of an album is staring at you and it's going straight for your throat!"

Reptilian cover art] tracklist:

01. Dragon Iconography
02. The Awakening
03. Judgement
04. The Dragontower
05. Leaving The Mortal Flesh
06. Dark As Moonless Night
07. The Divine Land
08. Reptilian Majesty

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Keep Of Kalessin

Soulfly's 7th studio album Omen will be released on May 25th. Guest musicians set to appearance on the album include Prong's Tommy Victor, The Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato and Max Cavalera's sons Zyon and Iggor. Pictures from the studio can be found here.

Omen regular cover art | limited edition cover art] tracklist:

01. Bloodbath & Beyond
02. Rise Of The Fallen
03. Counter Sabotage
04. Jeffrey Dahmer
05. Lethal Injection
06. Great Depression
07. Mega-Doom
08. Kingdom
09. Off With Their Heads
10. Vulture Culture
11. Soulfly VII

12. Four Sticks
13. Refuse/Resist
14. Your Life, My Life

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Soulfly

The new Lacrimas Profundere album The Grandiose Nowhere will see the light of day on April 30th through Napalm Records. The album was produced by John Fryer (HIM, Nine Inch Nails) - who also handled the production on the band's last two albums. Album details below.

In other news, Lacrimas Profundere announced the departure of bassist Peter Kafka, who already left the band in February: "Mr. Kafka (bass) leaves the band. We have more and more offers for tourings and concerts and have so many projects to work with, so it was time for a decision. At the moment we play the gigs together with session musicians on the bass and look what the future brings."

The Grandiose Nowhere cover art] tracklist:

01. Be Mine In Tears
02. The Letter
03. Lips
04. I Don't Care
05. Her Occasion Of Sin
06. A Plea
07. Not For Love
08. The Fear Of Being Alone
09. My Little Fear
10. Side
11. Dead Heart Serenade
12. No Matter Where You Shoot Me

13. All Is Suffering
14. Of Words And Rain

Read more ››

Source:	lacrimas.com
Band profile:	Lacrimas Profundere

Danish metallers Konkhra have issued the following update on their MySpace page:

"...We are working on new songs, we started writing around Feb. 1st. and we already have 10 new songs/ideas, so it should be no problem to record sometime during the summer. The new shit is simpler in some ways, or maybe we just got more fine tuned between us, so the stuff seems more fluent and the lyrical content is almost channeled immediately into the song structure. Maybe last years visits to places like Mont Segur, Rennes Le Chateau, or Munich inspired this next release, or maybe the initiation process between The Masters Column and The Apprentices Column worked wonders fore there seems to be a natural flow of essence as if all we are and ever will be is predestined or at least preordained.

Art is still but an Imitation of Life, lest we forget we are standing on the shoulders of Giants, or humbly trek through reptile footprints in our evolutionary path.

A selection of new working song titles include:

Babylon
Thoth
I Am Ra (The Law Of One)
Divine Wind
Suffer The Race
Doctrines Of Death
Alpha And The Omega

In other news, we have been approached about making a video for "Breathe The Fear", this might be going down the spring, we will keep you posted."

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Konkhra

Anathema have officially announced the release of their eagerly anticipated eighth studio album We're Here Because We're Here, to be released on May 31st via Kscope Records.

Danny Cavanagh comments: "We're Here Because We're Here is Anathema's most expansive album to date and by the far best thing we've ever done. Not only have we improved as writers, but because we took our time, we had the opportunity to select the very best material and concentrate on it. We gave the songs the chance to breathe and come alive by themselves and it's ended up being magical - every song is as good as the rest of them. This album features the best performances by the band ever; Vincent's greatest vocals and John's and my best writing."

Vincent goes further in explaining the origins of the album's enigmatic title: "The title We're Here Because We're Here is inspired by a song that was first heard across the Allied trenches of World War One. Sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne", the song served as a defiant rallying-call keeping up the morale of those who had to endure the incessant carnage and almost unimaginable horror. The spirit behind those words, and the deep questions they raised immediately struck all of us. Therefore we have appropriated these words to reflect the spirit and bond that all six members of the group have with each other. We have shared some incredible experiences, on all levels, and the fact that we have emerged stronger, more determined, and confident in our common vision is a testament to our resilience, both as individuals and collectively"

Danny continues: "The bond is deeper than the music and you might say the direction of music is a product of our connection to each other; a real family in every sense of the word."

With that in mind the band can announce that John Douglas' sister Lee has joined the group on a full-time basis. She had this to say of her involvement: "It's great to be more involved musically, and I feel that my vocals are adding a new presence and depth to the dynamic of the group. I'm in it for the long haul, so bring it on!"

The self-produced album was mixed by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and features the exquisite string arrangements of Dave Stewart (Stewart/Gaskin, Porcupine Tree) and mastering skills of legendary Jon Astley (The Who, Led Zeppelin). The song "Angels Walk Among Us" features subtle backing vocals by Ville Valo of HIM.

Read more ››

Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

Edmonton-based metallers Striker will release their debut album, Eyes In The Night, in April via Iron Kodex.

Also two new tracks from Eyes In The Night, entitled "Full Speed Or No Speed" and "Eyes In The Night", are currently available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Eyes In The Night glimpse of the cover art] tracklist:

01. Full Speed Or No Speed
02. Eyes In The Night
03. We Don't Play By The Rules
04. Never Ending Nights
05. The White Knight
06. Voice Of Rock
07. Ice Cold
08. Terrorizer
09. Believe In Me
10. Hang On (To Your Life)

Read more ››

Source:

blogs.myspace.com

Official press release

On April 10 Mesopotamian metal pioneers Melechesh will enter the studio to record their 5th and as of yet untitled album for a period of 4-5 weeks... In unprecedented move in Metal, the band has chosen to record the album in Istanbul in an attempt to capture the inspiring surroundings. Babajim Studios which opened their doors this week is run by some of the elite sound Engineers in Turkey. The album is set to be released in summer 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented Ashmedi: "We have been looking for a place to record that can offer us an inspiring surrounding. We also decided to stay true to our spirits, to break the Mold (again) and also to defy the norm, hence we will record in Istanbul; you see the norm is to record westwards it is rather customary, we want to head eastwards. So, Istanbul seemed the best place since This is the city where the east and west meet, mesh, clash, blend, collide etc. and has been as such for milleniums. The music is definitely Melechesh and as always, this album has its own characteristic."

The band is now locked again in the rehearsing studio with Guitarist Moloch arriving to Amsterdam next week from Virginia, USA. The song writing is 90% complete.

Read more ››

Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Melechesh

Norwegian metallers Mayhem will embark on an East European Tour in May/June. Support on the road will come from Noctiferia.

Announced dates are as follows:

May 23 - Cluj Napoca, Romania - Music Pub
May 24 - Vienna, Austria - Szene
May 25 - Prague, Czech Republic - Exit
May 26 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
May 27 - Krakow, Poland - Loch Ness
May 28 - Kosice, Slovak Republic - Coloseum
May 30 - Sophia, Bulgaria - Hristo Botev (with Venom)
May 31 - Beograd, Serbia - SKC
Jun. 01 - Lucinico, Italy (Slovenian border) - Pieffe Factory
Jun. 03 - Rome, Italy -

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Mayhem
Event:	Mayhem: Central European Tour [CANCELLED]

Original news, posted on 18.03.2010

Due to a Retina-Detachment, Henjo, Gamma Ray's guitarist, has undergone surgery. The shows, therefore, in Saarbrücken and Langen will not take place as planned. The show in Langen will be moved to the following Monday the 22 of March. Saarbrücken will be on Tuesday the 23 of March. The shows in Lichtenfels and Prague will happen as planned.

UPDATED (thanks to BudDa)

Gamma Ray drummer Daniel Zimmermann posted the following update on Henjo Richter's condition:

"Henjo's eye surgery went better than expected. Nevertheless, Henjo cannot play the shows in Lichtenfels, Prague, Langen and Saarbrücken. The band decided to engage guitar player Kasperi Heikkinen (Amberian Dawn, Iconofear, ex-Elenium) from Finland again to play the four shows mentioned above. Kasperi already replaced Henjo for a few shows in 2006."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Gamma Ray

Original news, posted on 12.12.2009

Hammerfall have announced they'll be doing a short UK Tour in May. Here's the epic word from the band:

"The wait is over: HammerFall will finally return in style to the United Kingdom! Kicking off spring and May with a week of Templar invasion on the British shores, it will be nothing short of... yes, a crusade. In the name of heavy metal, time to fly your rebel banners high, folks!"

01.05.2010 - Manchester - Academy
02.05.2010 - Glasgow - Cathouse
03.05.2010 - Sheffield - Corporation
04.05.2010 - Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
05.05.2010 - Wolverhampton - Wulfrun Hall
06.05.2010 - London - Electric Ballroom

UPDATE (thanks to BudDa)

Dream Evil will be supporting Hammerfall on their UK tour in May.

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	HammerFall
Event:	Hammerfall: UK Tour