Posted on the official Vader website:

"After long days of negotiations and preparations hereby we would like to announce "Funeral Nation Tour 2009"- a co-headlining European tour of two well known metal monsters Vader and Marduk. It's going to be a special event for all black and death metal freaks the more so because the tour will promote bands' newest full length albums. Vader is ready to unleash hell with their brand new monster "Necropolis" (to be out in August 21 through Nuclear Blast) while Marduk is working on a new opus for Regain Records. Be prepared for a massive panzer attack, ashes, burning ground and total destruction. During this killing trek the co-headliners will be supported by amazing Italian brutal death metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse and one more act (soon to be announced). "Funeral Nation Tour 2009" will cover most of European regions except for the UK, Scandinavia, the Balkans and Baltic States. Marduk and Vader are planning to invade these places early 2010!"

"The Funeral Nation Tour 2009" dates are the following:

24.09.2009 (GER) Berlin / K17
25.09.2009 (GER) Glauchau / Alte Spinnerei
26.09.2009 (GER) Essen / Turock
27.09.2009 (HOL) Enschede / Atak
28.09.2009 (HOL) Tilburg / O13
29.09.2009 (GER) Trier / Exhaus
30.09.2009 (CH) Pratteln / Z7
01.10.2009 (GER) Munich / Backstage
02.10.2009 (GER) Lichtenfels / Stadthalle (Way of Darkness Festival)
03.10.2009 (BEL) Namur / Cinex
04.10.2009 (HOL) Leeuwarden/ Romein
05.10.2009 (GER) Bad Laasphe / Connection
06.10.2009 (GER) Darmstadt / Steinbruch Theater
07.10.2009 (FR) Sciez - Annemasse / C.A.S.
08.10.2009 (FR) Lyon / Ninkasi Kao
09.10.2009 (FR) Le Havre - ND Gravenchon / Arcade
10.10.2009 (FR) Rennes / Antipode
11.10.2009 (FR) Metz / Les Arenes
13.10.2009 (SP) Bilbao / Santana 27
14.10.2009 (SP) Madrid / Caracol
15.10.2009 (POR) Porto / Teatro Sá da Bandeira
16.10.2009 (POR) Lisbon / Incrível Almadense
17.10.2009 (SP) Sevilla / Sala Q
18.10.2009 (SP) Valencia / Durango
20.10.2009 (SP) Barcelona / Salamandra 1
21.10.2009 (FR) Toulouse / Ramier
22.10.2009 (ITA) Arese - Bergamo / Soundtrack
23.10.2009 (ITA) Genzano di Roma / Palarockness
24.10.2009 (ITA) Pinarella di Cervia - Ravenna / Rock Planet
25.10.2009 (SLO) Ljubljana / Gala Hala

New dates coming soon!

Read more ››

Source:	vader.pl
Band profile:	Vader
Event:	Funeral Nation Tour

Fifth Rabarock is only a week away. Last year's edition was the meeting point for 12 000 people. This year's edition on June 12th and 13th will probably see even more. 2 days, 2 stages, 18 bands for various tastes. Among others you'll find such local bands as Pedigree, Metsatöll, No-Big-Silence. However, the real treat will be Static-X, Anthrax and KMFDM. The kick off is on Friday at 15:15 when the first band will hit the stage. The tickets are still available for about 50 EUR. For those who will not have enough of the scheduled program, night club will be open on both nights of the festival with additional bands performing for about 6-8 EUR.

For those who have not yet acquired the ticket there is still a chance to win the pass in SMS drawing. Just send SMS to number 1512 containing text RABAROCK your name age (for example RABAROCK Peeter Soo 25). The winner will be announced on June 12th. In addition, all senders will participate in the drawing to win the full package for two to Ruisrock festival by Wris Tours. The drawing will be held after the festival on June 14th. Unfortunately this SMS game is for Estonian numbers only.

Introduction to Rabarock and the bands playing can be seen on Estonian TV channels starting today. The schedule is as follows:
05.06.2009 - 00:20 Rabarock 2009 (Kanal 2)
06.06.2009 - 23:10 Rabarock 2009 (ETV)
07.06.2009 - 23:10 Rabarock 2009 (Kanal 11)
08.06.2009 - 15:35 Rabarock 2009 (re-run) (ETV)
08.06.2009 - 22:50 Rabarock 2009 (ETV)
09.06.2009 - 15:30 Rabarock 2009 (re-run) (ETV)
09.06.2009 - 22:00 Top10@10 Rabarock artists (MTV Estonia)
10.06.2009 - 10:00 Top10@10 Rabarocki artists (re-run) (MTV Estonia)
10.06.2009 - 21:00 "Kuulsuste edetabel" (MTV Estonia)
11.06.2009 - 23:10 Rabarock 2009 (ETV)
13.06.2009 - 15:05 Rabarock 2009 (re-run) (ETV)

Read more ››

Event:

Rabarock Festival

Original news, posted on 10.05.2009

An e-card for "Darkest Day", the forthcoming album from US metallers Obituary, can be found at this location.

"Darkest Day" is scheduled for release on June 30 via Candlelight Records. The cover art was done by Andreas Marschall, who created the art for "The End Complete", "Frozen In Time", and the band's lastest album, "Xecutioner's Return".

"Darkest Day" cover art] tracklisting:

01. List Of Dead
02. Blood To Give
03. Lost
04. Outside My Head
05. Payback
06. Your Darkest Day
07. This Life
08. See Me Now
09. Fields Of Pain
10. Violent Dreams
11. Truth Be Told
12. Forces Realign
13. Left To Die

UPDATE (thanks to 34595)

Obituary have posted a new song online called "List Of Dead". Check it out here. The song comes from the band's upcoming album "Darkest Day", which will be released on June 30 via Candlelight Records.

Read more ››

Source:	candlelightrecords.co.uk
Band profile:	Obituary

As posted on Disarmonia Mundi's website:

"We are glad to announce that we just signed with Coroner Records. Before the release of the new album entitled "The Isolation Game", scheduled for November, a completely remastered version of the debut album "Nebularium" will see the light via Coroner Records. The re-release will also feature a bonus cd entitled "The Restless Memoirs EP" featuring 6 previously unreleased tracks and a completely new artwork. "Nebularium + The Restless Memoirs EP" will be released as a double digipack the 26th of June."

Source:	disarmoniamundi.com
Band profile:	Disarmonia Mundi

Original news, posted on 30.04.2009

Sonata Arctica guitarist Elias Viljanen will release his third solo album via Spinefarm Records in mid-June. According to the label "the music of Elias Viljanen is much influenced by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. There will be 12 tracks on the album and 10 of the tracks will be instrumental. Marco Hietala and Tony Kakko will be the two singers performing on the album."

Apocalyptica drummer Mikko Sirén, Evergrey/ex-Stratovarius bassist Jari Kainulainen and Sonata Arctica keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg are also featured on the album. Audio samples will be added to Viljanen's MySpace page soon.

UPDATE (thanks to 5933)

Spinefarm Records has set a June 24 Finnish release date for the third solo album from Sonata Arctica guitarist Elias Viljanen, entitled "Fire-Hearted". According to the label "there will be 12 tracks on the album and 10 of the tracks will be instrumental." Guest musicians on the CD include vocalists Marco Hietala and Tony Kakko keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica), bassist Jari Kainulainen and drummer Mikko Sirén.

"Fire-Hearted" tracklisting:

01. Fire-Hearted
02. Last Breath of Love (feat. Marco Hietala)
03. Cruel Groove
04. Kiss of Rain (feat. Tony Kakko)
05. Head up High
06. Up to Speed
07. Supernatural
08. One Tonight
09. The Triumph
10. My Guiding Light
11. Showstopper
12. Beautiful Piece

Read more ››

Source:	eliasviljanen.com
Band profile:	Sonata Arctica

Dutch technical death metallers Textures have signed with one of the worldwide biggest record labels Nuclear Blast Records. The band and the label have posted the following statements:

Jaap Wagemaker from Nuclear Blast said: "After winning the "Igor Award" as unsigned band at Aardschok magazine's "Metal Bash", the band got signed to Listenable Records, who re-released their critically-acclaimed debut "Polars". With their follow-up albums "Drawing Circles" and "Silhouettes" Textures proved their musical status even more and became one of the most exciting new bands in (extreme) metal!

Diversity and complexity are important elements of the unique Textures sound, building bridges between epic, polyrhythmic grooves and contrasting melodies. Textures create their own style and establish their own interpretation of progressive, heavy modern metal!"

Commented the band: "We have been expressing our musical concepts for three albums now, played a truckload of cool shows and created a solid fanbase. Now it's time for us to take it to a higher level and expand our territory. Nuclear Blast gives us that opportunity. We are very excited about it!"

The band's debut album for Nuclear Blast is expected to be released in 2010.

Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Textures

Official press release

The Slovak grinders returned on scene after some thime, when there was nothing new to be heard of. The return is their new album "Something Wrong", releaseed on Austrian label Noisehead Records on 6th May 2009.

With this 3rd official album the band finally lost their not that much deserved fame of "plagiators" of one (not named here) British legend. They themselves characterize their music as "alternative grind core". 13 songs in grinding, but not orthodox style will please mainly the fans of extreme styles as well as those who like
hardcore insanity and more progressive riffs. After various line-up changes and death of the guitarist Boris in 2006 the band has stable line-up, which finished the recording of their actual material. The works on "Something Wrong" took time from May to September 2008 in Morpheus multimedia and Fork In The Eye studios, under the production of guitarist Ivin. Not very long time after finishing the works Obliterate got chance to sign the contract with Noisehead Records.

"Something Wrong" cover art] and tracklist:

01. Revolution of Misinformation
02. Petrolocracy
03. Economic Megamessiah
04. Know and Suspicious
05. What it Leads Us To
06. Generation Deja-vu
07. Unhope
08. Run it For Real
09. Human Parasite
10. Seven Day to Arrival
11. Something Wrong
12. Moving Targets
13. Tiesaurus

"Something Wrong" video:


Read more ››

Source:

myspace.com

Brazillian Heavy metal group Hazy Hamlet, active since 1999, has finally released its debut - titled "Forging Metal". The album is totally independent, was recorded and produced by the band and mixed/mastered by singer Arthur Migotto. Its sound embraces the traditional heavy metal, turned to the 80s, and the band worked hard to achieve a vintage sonority with valve amps timbres, punchy bass drums, and a lot of effects, rather than the dry sound of contemporary productions. The magnificent cover artwork is signed by professional illustrator Celso Mathias, and presents an acrylic painting of Nordic god Odin forging a sword, accompanied by his ravens Hugin and Munin.

The album is composed of 10 tracks, as below:

01. The Beginning of the End - part 1
02. The Beginning of the End - part 2
03. Black Masquerade
04. Metal Revolution
05. Field of Crosses
06. Funeral for a Viking
07. Chrome Heart
08. Chariot of Thor
09. Forging Metal
10. The Faces of Illusion

More info about the band and four songs on http://www.myspace.com/hazyhamlet.

Read more ››

Source:

myspace.com

Dark Funeral have issued the following update:

"Finally. We have a date set for our much delayed studio session... On July 10 (yezz, the day after we play the Rockweekend Festival in Kilafors, Sweden) we will enter Abyss Studio together with Peter Tagtgren to begin the recording of our new, yet untitled, full-length album.

At this point of time we have demoed 7 new and totally amazing (of course) songs and we got an 8th almost done. Besides that, we have quite a lot of additional material written that we hopefully will be able to turn into a killer track or two before our studio time runs out.

As I previous mentioned, the new album will definitely be our most varied album thus far, perhaps a little bit toned down compared to its precursor, but still carry on with the same spirit and strength as always.

This time we will offer more than one non blast beat (means heavy song) too. And some of the material will probably come as a surprise, as it's not all typical Dark Funeral style, which I personally find very inspiring. And I can't wait to nail this new album once and for all.

Once we begin to work at the Abyss Studio we will keep you updated on regular basis, that includes video reports too. Not sure which website we'll use as the main forum for this, but once it's decided we'll let you know of course."

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dark Funeral

Inferna Profundus Records press release

"Plei?tas", the first album of Lithuanian-based black metal band Argharus, will come out on June 6th this year. The album will be released in 6 panel DIGI format under Inferna Profundus Records flag.

After quite enough time since Luctus and Argharus split release, the band has taken a rather different direction, and to its listeners introduces a musical creation of a new concept. The music as well as the idea has significantly changed, what can surprise the constant fans of the band or become a new discovery. The former creation, compared to the latter work, seems like a youthful play, folded by hardly perceived ideas. "Plei?tas" is a new path of the band and a reached musical conception, which was not built, but born naturally, in the process of intense work of searching and creating in studio. Destruction or escape from the preceding has not been a purposeful aim. All turned out naturally, as a result of a process, probably familiar to majority of bands.

The album consists of 8 creations, nurtured for more than a year during rehearsals. Album recording has been executed in ?iauliai studio Unitedzeros. Although the studio was not considered seriously at first, the final result, however, surprised and did not disappoint. The quality of the album recording should satisfy even the most sharp-eared listeners.

Album design was trusted to Badger Art studio, which exhibited interesting solutions and created design, specifically answering the band's new concept. Argharus has no plans for album presentation concerts, the only unique performance will occur at "Kilkim ?aibu" open-air.

One piece from the new album is available at band's MySpace profile. Also check out June month Terrorizer magazine where you can find other never published Argharus track in magazine compilation CD.

"Plei?tas" cover art] and tracklist:

01. Dievopi
02. Mano ligos - Tavo ligos
03. Unnamed Track
04. Pleistas
05. Krecianti Kontrole
06. Brolisko Kapo Sindromas
07. Viskas Perniek
08. Prakalba i Atmatas

Read more ››

Source:

myspace.com

Official press release

Finnish four-piece Altaria, known for its traditional but yet catchy heavy metal, has inked a new record deal with Escape Music. The new album "Unholy" will be released this summer.

Altaria's fourth longplayer "Unholy" introduces the fourth lead vocalist during their nine-year long career. Charismatic and multi-talented vocalist Marco Luponero has vaulted the band's stage presence up to a completely new level and participated in composing some of the hardest rocking Altaria material ever. Says drummer, band founder Tony S.: "For the first time ever the new songs have been written together as a band. All of us have contributed to the songwriting."

"Unholy" is more guitar-oriented and grooving harder, yet sounding a bit 'dirtier' than the previous Altaria works. But don't worry, we haven't forgotten the honest, melodic heavy rock Altaria is all about - the catchy choruses are still there."

"The recording, mixing and mastering of the album took almost half a year, so we want to thank our fans for the patience and offer a full song from "Unholy" available immediately after the album got its final touch. "Warrior" is groovy piece of heavy metal, served with a memorable chorus. The song is a true appetizer for the forthcoming album Unholy.", Tony S. explains.

The new song "Warrior" can be listened to at Altaria's MySpace page or downloaded from their website.

The fourth album of Altaria, "Unholy", will be released during this summer via Escape Music. Earlier Altaria albums, including a compilation album "Divine Invitation", were released by German label Metal Heaven. Altaria has toured excessively in Finland and all over Europe with fellow Finns Sonata Arctica and German ever-young Metal Lady, Doro.

"Unholy" cover art] and tracklist:

01. Alterior Motive
02. Warrior
03. Unholy Invasion
04. Pride & Desire
05. The Lake
06. Danger Zone
07. Steal Your Thunder
08. Wind Beneath My Wings
09. We Own The Fire
10. Ready!
11. Never Wonder Why
12. Underdog

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Altaria

Death Angel have released the following statement in regards to the departure of longtime drummer Andy Galeon:

"As some of you may have already heard, Death Angel's long time drummer and original member Andrew Galeon has decided that it is time for him to move on from the band. While we are sad to see him go, we wish him nothing but success. Not only has he been an integral part of Death Angel from day one, but he's also family and a friend and we will miss him. All the best to you, Brother.

As for the future of Death Angel, THE SHOW GOES ON! Old friend and long time fixture of the Bay Area metal scene, Will Carroll (Scarecrow, Old Grandad, Vicious Rumors, etc.), will be handling the drum duties for the upcoming local shows in June and the Summer Madness Tour in Europe with Kataklysm and Keep Of Kalessin. Will's been jamming with us for over a month now and is tearing it up! We look forward to hitting the stage with him very soon. We'll be performing songs from "Frolic Through The Park" and "Act III" that we haven't played live since back in the day so prepare for a dose of some serious old school thrash!"

Read more ››

Band profile:

Death Angel

Posted on Lost Horizon's official website:

"Faith followers and die hard believers, ex fans and passive likers. The time has come to unveil some secrets about the new material. After massive waves of misery from all fans around the world praying in years for exposing a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. about the new magic we have decided that we are now ready to do that.

Here are 3 clips from 3 different songs that will appear on the new album. Its midi drums here only and the whole thing is taken directly from a raw working/recording document, which means neither mix nor any kind of sound improvement has been applied on the clips, which is the very point of leaving the final effect for the real album. Also, its MP3 format of course.

Feel and absorb the magical power, and if not then sell your metal gears and buy golf equipment!"

http://www.oncelosthorizon.com/media/wizard.mp3
http://www.oncelosthorizon.com/media/spirit.mp3
http://www.oncelosthorizon.com/media/fire.mp3

Read more ››

Source:	oncelosthorizon.com
Band profile:	Lost Horizon

Katatonia have issued the following update:

"We've been very busy lately writing and completing the material for our 8th studio album and we're proud to announce that Katatonia will enter the studio this summer, starting in a studio in the south of Sweden with drums courtesy of Daniel on June the 10th. We'll then continue on the remainder of the sessions in a studio here in Stockholm further through july and wrap it up in august.

We'll keep the info short for now as we'll launch a studio diary to give you all the in-depth information and details on the album making incl album/song-titles, audio teasers, album artwork and also our tour plans along the recording process. We can already confirm that initially 13 tracks will be recorded and a seIection of 11-12 songs will make it onto the album. We got a few big surprises to reveal and we're confident this material is our most varied, diverse and possibly strongest shit all together on one and the same album. The release date is set for late October on Peaceville."

Source:	katatonia.com
Band profile:	Katatonia

Here we are!

Hellfest will be upon you soon and we started building the structures under the enjoyment of nice, shiny and hot weather, let's hope that it will still be good when the festivalgoers will arrive in Clisson.

In 15 days, the festival will start and until today 14 000 tickets have been sold. 75% of the tickets are already booked and the festival will probably be sold-out! Great news!

We know that a lot of you have kept some money aside for a couple of months to be able to come to the fest but it's time to react, so act fast now!

As always Hellfest will be a real people melting-pot, because 35% of the audience will come from outside of France. More than 50 different nationalities will be at Clisson, from Argentine to Bosnia, Korea or Saudi Arabia! But our friends from Great Britain who will be the most this year since they have already bought more than 2000 3-Day tickets!

We invite all the hell-bangers from all around the world to bring along their country's flag so we can have a memorable "flag weekend"!

The Hellfest Team

Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2009