The Swedish hellfire horde Demonical will embark on a 17-date European crusade in support of their new grand opus "Hellsworn" (to be released in April through Cyclone Empire). The Finnish death dealers Torture Killer and Swedish destroyers Facebreaker will join the trek making it one of the heaviest tours of 2009. These three acts will show you once and for all why the northern countries are among the top notch of creating brutal and sinister death metal.

Here are the chosen targets for the "Northern Death Blow Tour" (featuring Demonical, Torture Killer, Facebreaker)

15.05 2009 SWE - Stockholm - Kafe 44
16.05 2009 SWE - Köping - Ögir/Eldfesten Festival
17.05 2009 SWE - Gothenburg - Kreta
18.05 2009 SWE - Malmö - Utkanten
19.05 2009 GER - Greifswald - Klex
20.05 2009 GER - Jena - Rosenkeller
21.05 2009 GER - Regensburg - Boilerroom
22.05 2009 GER - Dessau - Legacy Festival
23.05 2009 GER - Stuttgart - Club Zentral
25.05 2009 FRA - Lyon - Lyon's Hall
26.05 2009 ITA - Padova - Country Star
27.05 2009 SL - Ljubljana - Channel Zero
28.05 2009 AUT - Vienna - Escape Metalcorner
29.05 2009 AUT - Marchtrenk - Plant of Rock Festival
30.05 2009 NL - Tilburg - Neurotic Deathfest
31.05 2009 GER - Hamburg - Bambi Galore/Revolt
01.06 2009 GER - Flensburg - Roxy

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Source:	dreamtidemusic.com
Band profile:	Demonical
Event:	Demonical: Northern Death Blow Tour

Polish death/black metal band Uziel have added their version of Satyricon's "K.I.N.G." to their profile on MySpace. The band is currently working on their debut album which is scheduled to be out at the end of the year.

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Source:

myspace.com

Tristania have issued the following update:

"As you all know, original bassist Rune Østerhus has only played a few shows with Tristania during the last years. Due to him not being able or motivated to tour we've been using a session musician on bass for our tours in the last couple of years (Kjell Hagen, ex-Trail Of Tears). In addition, Rune became a father last year. As a result of this, both Rune and the rest of the band agreed that it was time to find a new bass player. Tristania would like to thank Rune for the great years we had in Tristania together and we wish him all the best for the future.

At the same time, we are delighted to announce the new bass player in Tristania; Ole Vistnes. We first started to work with Ole about a year ago, and it worked out great in every way. Some of you have already seen Ole on stage with us last year. The rest of you will surely get the opportunity to do so during the upcoming tours in 2009. Ole is an amazing bassist, who has a degree in his instrument from the University in Kristiansand. He is a great guy that fits perfectly into the Tristania family. In addition, he is a skilled composer and has been heavily involved in the songwriting for the upcoming album.

Some words from Ole: "As some of you may already know, I have been touring with Tristania for one year now. Permanent member from end of the last tour in South America, and involved in composing this fall. Let me express my gratitude towards first and foremost the guys in the band, for giving me such a warm welcome in the band. Never a single day did I feel like "the new guy". I approach the challenge of playing bass in Tristania with humility and respect for the work of Rune, but I am also given the freedom to be Ole, and not having to be a constant copy. This combination of true respect for previous deeds and eagerness to move on, is the balance that keeps the classic work alive, but also empowers growth and evolvement. I will also use this opportunity to thank guitars Anders Høyvik Hidle and keyboard player Einar Moen for involving me heavily in the composing. They have truly boosted my self confidence and creative muscles with their great support and encouragement. And I would like to thank our fans. I have already met quite a few of you, and your enthusiasm and love for Tristania's music is overwhelming."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Tristania

French heavy metal squad Lonewolf have started pre-production of the brand new, fourth studio album. Some of the special guests that will take part in the recordings are Majk Moti (ex-Running Wild) and Jan Bünning (ex-Paragon). The yet untitled release will be recorded this summer, produced by Bart Gabriel (Crystal Viper, Metalucifer, Sabbat), and mixed & mastered by the Grammy nominated Andy La Rocque (King Diamond, Hammerfall, Evergrey) in the Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.

Lonewolf was formed in 1992, and except several demo tapes and singles, released three studio albums that estabilished their position in the heavy metal underground. Their sound continue the classic legacy of the German heavy metal acts such as Running Wild, Grave Digger, Accept and Paragon. More information to be found at http://www.myspace.com/metalonewolf.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Lonewolf

Finntroll have issued the following update on their website:

"You may have noticed that there aren't any shows booked for us so far, but this doesn't mean that we won't play at all this year. We just decided after the Heidenfest-tour that we will have half a year off from playing and be concentrating on writing a new and the best Finntroll-album so far, also working on the DVD is a priority.

We have now got the chance to start from a clean slate and so we will do. All gigs will be handled by ourselves for the time being, which means that if you have a festival/show/tour that you want us to play on, please be kind send your request. Every offer will be considered!

We're also announcing our first festival for this year: 6.6.2009 (FIN) Sauna Open Air, Tampere."

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Source:	finntroll.net
Band profile:	Finntroll

Evergrey will team up with Novembre for a European tour in April 2009. Here are the dates:

April 03 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
April 04 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
April 05 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
April 07 - London, UK - Underworld
April 08 - Paris, France - Nouvieau Casino
April 10 - Bergara, Spain - Sala Jam
April 11 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Caracol
April 12 - Barcelona, Spain - Mephisto
April 14 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
April 15 - Nova Gorica, Slovenia - Mostovna
April 17 - Budapest, Hungary - Diesel
April 18 - Beograd, Serbia - SKC
April 19 - Vienna, Austria - Szene
April 20 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp

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Source:	evergrey.net
Band profile:	Evergrey
Event:	Evergrey: European Tour [CANCELLED]

Metal Blade Records press release

Metal Blade and Primordial have decided to upgrade the upcoming re-issue of "Imrama" a bit, so now there won't be a bonus CD, but a bonus DVD included. The DVD comes from the fathomless pits of singer A.A. Nemtheanga's cave and is pure gold for any Primordial lunatic since it includes a live recording from 1994 in Cork City, Ireland. The DVD also features an audio commentary by A.A. Nemtheanga talking about the early days of the band and the gig in particular.

Recorded in late 1994, "Imrama" was originally released by Cacophonous Records in the autumn of 1995, already displaying Primordial's sense for overwhelming melodies, epic drama and total commitment, wrapped in a raw sound with a much stronger black metal influence than the band shows nowadays. The re-issue comes as a CD/DVD package including the remastered album plus unreleased demos and live recordings, packaged in a precious black linen slipcase with glossy golden hot foil print, containing a six-page Digipak with the original artwork, the two discs and a 16-page booklet with new liner notes and additional photos. Mandatory for any self-respecting heathen!

"Imrama" CD cover art]:

01. Fuil Arsa
02. Infernal Summer
03. Here I am King
04. The Darkest Flame
05. The Fires...
06. Mealltach
07. Let The Sun Set On Life Forever
08. To the Ends of the Earth
09. Beneath a Bronze Sky
10. Awaiting the Dawn

+ bonus tracks from the '93 demo "Dark Romanticism"
11. To Enter Pagan
12. The Darkest Flame
13. Among The Lazarae
14. To The Ends Of The Earth

Bonus DVD "Live In Cork City Feb 1994":

01. Among The Lazarae
02. Let The Sun Set On Life Forever
03. To Enter Pagan
04. The Darkest Flame
05. The Fires

The "Imrama" re-issue will be out on the 13th/16th of March in Europe.

Read more ››

Source:	metalblade.de
Band profile:	Primordial

Alestorm and Týr are teaming up for a co-headlining European tour in support of Alestorm's upcoming effort "Black Sails At Midnight". The dates for the UK leg of their upcoming European tour have just been announced and are as follows:

04-24 - Prestatyn, Wales - Hammerfest
04-26 - Dudley, England - JB's
04-27 - Glasgow, Scotland - Cathouse
04-28 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Studio 24
04-29 - Nottingham, England - Rock City
04-30 - Leeds, England - Rio's
05-01 - Milton Keynes, England - The Pitz
05-02 - Petersborough, England - The Park
05-03 - London, England - Underworld

The rest of the Black Sails Over Europe Tour schedule, featuring Alestorm, Týr, Heidevolk and Adorned Brood, looks as follows:

04-08 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
04-09 - Bad Salzungen, Germany - KW 70
04-10 - Pagney, France - Chez Paulette
04-11 - Hellendoorn, The Netherlands - Club Lantaarn
04-12 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
04-13 - Lahr, Germany - Universal DOG
04-14 - Osnabrück, Germany - Bastard Club
04-15 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
04-16 - Ottweiler, Germany - Club Schulz
04-17 - Lichtenfels, Germany - Ragnarök Festival
04-18 - Lübeck, Germany - Treibsand **
04-19 - Poznan, Poland - Eskulap **
04-20 - Wroclaw, Poland - Alibi **
04-21 - Krakow, Poland - Studio **
04-22 - Berlin, Germany - K17 **

** without Adorned Brood

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Alestorm
Event:	Alestorm + Týr

Eternal Gray have uploaded two unmastered tracks from the forthcoming album "Your Gods, My Enemies". The songs are entitled "Controlled" and "Never Waits" and can be streamed at the band's MySpace page.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Eternal Gray

Prosthetic Records announced the following:

The Phoenix-based death/grind quintet Landmine Marathon, whose late 2008 release "Rusted Eyes Awake" continues to earn critical acclaim, has officially signed with Prosthetic Records. The band, whose three-release Level Plane Records discography has drawn frequent comparisons to Napalm Death, Carcass and Bolt Thrower, will tour throughout the spring and perform at both the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and the Los Angeles Murderfest in the coming weeks.

"We're extremely excited about signing with Prosthetic and can't wait to forge new friendships and relationships with them," says guitarist Ryan Butler. "They've been nothing but a blast to work with through the signing process, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this partnership."

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Source:	prostheticrecords.com
Band profile:	Landmine Marathon

Finnish newspapers and Blabbermouth.net are reporting that Miika Tenkula, former lead guitarist and main songwriter of the acclaimed Finnish band Sentenced, was found dead at his home earlier yesterday (Thursday, February 19). He was 34 years old. Miika Tenkula was also the band's original vocalist from 1989 to late 1992.

Nalle Österman (Gandalf, Lullacry, Chaosbreed) tells Blabbermouth.net, "It's true, confirmed personally by Sentenced] drummer Vesa Ranta. The fact remains that Miika had a serious drinking problem for many years which escalated after Sentenced was buried. They don't call it King Alcohol for nothing... The metal scene in Finland mourns now for one of the most talented metal guitarists to ever emerge from ."

The official cause of Miika's death has not yet been released.

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Source:	iltalehti.fi
Band profile:	Sentenced

Australian unhinged metallers Kunvuk have set "Immute: What Follows The Feeding of Jackals" as the title of their forthcoming debut LP. The album is currently slated for release in July of 2009 and is set to be released as a two-disc digipack edition. The first disc will contain 10 new compositions rallying from the brink of insanity to the pinnacle of clarity. Coupled with this will be a second disc which will be a reconstructed, rerecorded, remixed and remastered version of the band's demo EP "The Gone Mekanik Anticipation Demonstration". The album will be self-funded and self-released via the band's own label, The Light Of Damnation Records.

For anyone eager to hear the new material before the disc drops, come down to Club Blink in Sydney, Australia on March 6th and catch Kunvuk live at one of their last live shows before they disappear into the wilderness to record their new album. They will be video-taping this show for future release so anyone wanting to get in and on the video, the guest list is filling fast so leap to it and send your names to contact kunvuk com.

All info on Kunvuk at http://www.myspace.com/kunvuk.

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Source:

myspace.com

Wolfchant finished the recordings for "Determined Damnation" this week and have announced more details. The album was mixed and mastered by Uwe Lulis, who also worked on the choirs. The new album will be released on April 24 via Massacre Records. A special limited digipak edition of the album will be available for purchase at the Ragnarök Festival, set to take place April 17-18, 2009 in Lichtenfels, Germany. Album cover can be viewed here.

"Determined Damnation" track listing:

01. Determination Begins
02. World In Ice
03. Until The End
04. Determined Damnation
05. In War
06. Fate Of The Fighting Man
07. Kein Engel Hört Dich Flehen
08. A Raven's Flight
09. Never Too Drunk
10. Schwerter Der Erde
11. Auf Blut Gebaut
12. Under The Wolves Banner
13. Devour (digipack bonus)
14. Warcry (digipack bonus)

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Source:	wolfchant-metal.com
Band profile:	Wolfchant

US metallers Crescent Shield will release their second album "The Stars Of Never Seen" this spring on Cruz del Sur Music. The album will be released on the 8th of May in Germany and Europe, 11th of May in UK and June 2 in USA/Canada. The first pressing will include a limited edition DVD of their entire performance at Germany's Keep it True Festival in April 08.

The artwork for the CD was again done by comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan and can be viewed here. The band is in the final stages of mixing the record with renowned metal producer Bill Metoyer, so the new album promises to be not only a step up musically but also sonically.

Tracklisting for "The Stars of Never Seen" follows:

01. Under Cover Of Shadows
02. The Grand Horizon
03. Tides Of Fire
04. 10,000 Midnights Ago
05. Temple Of The Empty
06. My Anger
07. The Bellman
08. The Endurance
09. Lifespan

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Source:	crescentshield.com
Band profile:	Crescent Shield

Delain have made the title track of the new album "April Rain", available online. You can listen to the song at this location . The song comes off the group's forthcoming album "April Rain", which will be released on March 30 via Roadunner Records.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.nl
Band profile:	Delain