In Flames have posted the following update:

"We are very sad to announce that the UK & Ireland tour will not happen as planned.

As you already know, guitarist Jesper Strömblad is currently at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic and is taking some time off to get better. Bassist Peter Iwers is about to become a dad. We obviously knew about Peter becoming a dad and originally planned to have a replacement bassist, but with the recent events surrounding Jesper we simply feel that it is not fair on the fans to see a completely different line up, which in our eyes is not In Flames. Again, sorry to make any UK & Irish fans disappointed and we hope to make it up to you."

For already purchased tickets contact your local ticket office/venue.

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	In Flames
Event:	In Flames: UK + Ireland Tour [CANCELLED]

Brutal Truth have posted the first preview track from their brand-new album and first full-length in 10 years, "Evolution Through Revolution". The title-track, "Evolution Through Evolution", can be heard now via the band's MySpace page. "Evolution Through Revolution" is set for an April 14th North American release date (April 20th internationally) via Relapse Records.

Brutal Truth recorded "Evolution Through Revolution" cover artwork] at Watchman Studios in Lockport, NY with engineer Doug White (Psyopus). Additional song titles include: "Sugardaddy", "Get A Therapist... Spare The World", "Detached", "Global Good Guy", "Lifer", "Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs", and "Grind Fidelity".

Brutal Truth have recently confirmed appearances at both the Auditory Assault Festival in Brooklyn and Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore. The band is currently planning many more international tour dates in support of "Evolution Through Revolution"'s release. Complete Brutal Truth tour information will be announced shortly.

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Brutal Truth

Deströyer 666 have now recorded and mixed their new album and are currently waiting on the artwork to be finalised. Release dates and the track listing for "Defiance" are expected soon.

The following tour dates have also been confirmed by the band:

May 24 - Maryland Deathfest, Baltimore, USA
May 29 - Rock Hard Festival, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
May 30 - United Metal Maniacs Festival, Bitterfeld, Germany
June 6 - Magic Metal Festival, Fredericia, Denmark
Aug 7 - Partysan Festival, Germany
Sept 5 - NIHIL Extreme Festival, Milan, Italy

Several more shows will be announced shortly.

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Deströyer 666
Event:	Rock Hard Festival

Swedish youngsters Sonic Syndicate have their new video clip ready. "Powershift," which comes off their latest successful record "Love And Other Disasters" will have its premiere today, February 18th exclusively on the band´s MySpace Video Channel.

"Powershift" is one of two videos (along with "Contradiction") that Sonic Syndicate recently shot with director Marius Böttcher of Quent Film. Check out photos from the video shoot at this location.

The band is currently touring Europe alongside label mates Deathstars.

Read more ››

Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Sonic Syndicate

Axxis are currently recording the material for their new studio album. This time, the band members will come up with a special surprise to celebrate their 20th band anniversary. Stay tuned for upcoming news regarding this matter.

At this moment, Axxis singer Bernhard is recording his vocal tracks before drummer Alex Landenburg will start with the drum recordings.

The upcoming Axxis album will be produced by Harry and Berny. The band is once again working with engineer Dennis Ward (never change a winning team!). Also a female vocalist will take part at the new production, but this time, she will only act in the background.

Source:	afm-records.de
Band profile:	Axxis

Metal Mind Productions press release

Looking back on the long career of the band, who have sold more than 250,000 albums in more than 30 countries worldwide, the name Elegy might not have been the best one to choose, even though the dictionary's explanation is rock solid. Considering the ups and downs the band has gone through, the name has covered a lot for the past 17 years. Metal Mind Productions is proud to present a set of 7 albums covering the band's entire musical history to date.

The seven-CD box set will be released on March 23 in Europe and May 5 May in North America (via MVD). The titles will be made available in a new digipack edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology and limited to 1,000 copies.

The box set will contain the following:

Labyrinth Of Dreams (1992) (two bonus demo tracks)
Supremacy (1993) (two bonus demo tracks)
Lost (1995) (two bonus demo tracks recorded in 1990)
Primal Instinct (1996) (one bonus demo track plus four acoustic songs performed by singer Ian Parry and guitarist Henk van de Laars during their 1998 TV and radio promotional tour of Japan)
State Of Mind (1997) (three bonus demo tracks)
Manifestation Of Fear (1998) (three bonus tracks)
Principles Of Pain (2002) (four bonus tracks)

All possible details and info can be found here.

Read more ››

Source:	metalmind.com.pl
Band profile:	Elegy

Metal Mind Productions press release

Get ready for an hour of despair with the uncanny doom metallers! Metal Mind Production presents a CD audio version of the latest Solitude Aeturnus DVD entitled "Hour Of Despair". Robert Lowe's haunting vocals, unbelievably heavy and slow riffs, strange melodies and sublime compositions - all this complemented by the band's desperate, insane personal appeal.

The tracklist comprised of songs recorded during their live show in Poland. It includes songs from their latest album "Alone" as well as from some of their previous releases (from the classic debut "Into The Depths Of Sorrow", from "Through The Darkest Hour", "Downfall", and the cult album "Adagio"). "Hour Of Despair" CD will be released on 2nd March in Europe and 10th March in USA (via MVD). Digipak edition is limited to 1000 copies!"

Solitude Aeturnus - Hour Of Despair cover art]

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1020 DG
Barcode: 5907785034419
Format: CD DG (limited edition)
Genre: doom metal
Release date: 02.03.2009 Europe / 10.03.2009 USA

Tracklist:

01. Scent of Death
02. Haunting the Obscure
03. Mental Pictures
04. Destiny Falls to Ruin
05. Sightless
06. 9th Day: Awakening
07. Phantoms
08. Is There
09. Pawns of Anger
10. Waiting for the Light
11. Days of Prayer
12. Falling

Read more ››

Source:	metalmind.com.pl
Band profile:	Solitude Aeturnus

Pantheon I have revealed some details about their new upcoming third studio album. In fact, the recording of "Worlds I Create" is nearing completion, only vocals and cello remains to be recorded.

The following tracklisting (in no particular order) has been confirmed:

Written In Sand
Defile The Trinity
Bannlyst
Serpent Christ
Ascending
My Self Above All
The Last Stand
Burn The Cross

The album will be released through Candlelight Records June 1st 2009.

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Pantheon I

John Boecklin, the drummer of Devildriver has posted the following update about Devildriver's upcoming album:

"The record is completely tracked! This album certainly has a more serious and focused vibe that we may have missed in previous efforts. One song in particular is the craziest double bass patterns I've ever done, guitar work you would not expect from us, mixed in with a really fresh vocal approach Completely new from Dez Fafara. Its vibe is very new for us, but still totally brutal. I guess talking about it won't do much, I'm just trying to state that you won't be disappointed with us if you are Devildriver fan. Yet, there will be some surprises in "Pray For Villians" that are refreshing. In case someone didn't read it already, "Pray For Villians" is the album title. I'm very proud of every member for stepping it up!"

"Pray For Villians", is scheduled for a release in June through Roadrunner Records, The CD was recorded at Edge of the Earth studios in Los Angeles with producer Logan Mader.

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	DevilDriver

Lamb Of God's next album "Wrath" has been posted entirely on the band's official Myspace. The band posted the following update:

"We're streaming the whole album in our media player on our Myspace page right now! Check it out and make sure you pick up a your own copy on 2.24 so you can use the code inside to see if you "Escape the Plague" and win one of 100 exclusive prizes including a BBQ with Randy at your house, a trip to the UK to see LOG, Signature series equipment, lessons with the guys, and much much more."

Lamb Of God will release their fifth studio album "Wrath", on February 24th, 2009. The record will be released in North America by Epic and will be the first release with their new label Roadrunner, outside of North America. "Wrath" is produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Roadrunner/Warner Music will release "Wrath", in Japan on February 18 with three bonus tracks:

* We Die Alone
* Shoulder Of Your God
* Condemn The Hive

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Lamb Of God

Arch Enemy have not only announced a Latin American tour for April - May, but will also be returning to European stages in May 2009 (with label mates Mercenary as support on some dates) to deliver an unforgettable lesson in pure fucking metal.

Confirmed 2009 Summer Tyranny Dates so far:

21-May-2009 - Metal Dayz Festival (Switzerland)
22-May-2009 - Legacy Fest (Germany)
23-May-2009 - Summer Nights Festival (Austria)
24-May-2009 - Zagreb, Croatia @ Boogalo (Support Act: Mercenary)
26-May-2009 - Budapest, Hungary @ Diesel (Support Act: Mercenary)
28-May-2009 - Rome, Italy @ Blackout (Support Act: Mercenary)
29-May-2009 - Roncade, Italy @ New Age Club (Support Act: Mercenary)
30-May-2009 - Pinarella di Cervia, Italy @ Rock Planet (Support Act: Mercenary)
09-July-2009 - Kvinesdal Rock Festival (Norway)
10-July-2009 - Rockweekend (Sweden)
11-July-2009 - Rock Harz Open Air (Germany)
12-July-2009 - Masters Of Rock (Czech Republic)
18-July-2009 - ProRock Festival (Ukraine)
24-July-2009 - Zwarte Cross Festival (The Netherlands)
2x-July-2009 - Lorca Rock (Spain)

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

Original news, posted on 18.02.2009

Jens Pohl, the webmaster for German metal legends Running Wild, has issued the following update: "it's been already almost four years since "the revivalry - a tribute to Running Wild" hit the light. Soon after that, its success began to grow progressively and it significantly led to the idea that a tribute album brought to a different level should come out, especially by bringing cover songs from the newer albums by Running Wild. And this time it is going to be like this!".

The second, yet-untitled tribute album will contain exclusively cover songs from "The Rivalry" (1998), "Victory" (2000), "The Brotherhood" (2002) and "Rogues En Yogue" (2005) and is scheduled to be released tentatively in fall this year. The artwork will be done by romanian graphic artist Costin Chioreanu, who worked for bands like Absu, Centinex, Demonical, Negură Bunget, Thunderstorm and many others. One of the first confirmed bands, who will be part of this album is Crystal Viper, who will record its own version of the "Libertalia" song."

UPDATE (thanks to 5933)

"ReUnation - A Tribute To Running Wild" will be released in autumn 2009 by the well-known Hamburg-based label Remedy Records. The complete track listing - in alphabetical order - is as follows:

5TH Sonic Brigade, Sweden - "Angel Of Mercy"
Chinchilla, Germany - "Conquistadores"
Crystal Viper, Poland - "Libertalia"
Custard, Germany - "Under Jolly Roger"
Deadlock, Germany - "When Time Runs Out"
Esenia, Spain - "Resurrection"
Evertale, Germany - "Blazon Stone"
Fate, Denmark - "Soul Vampires"
Halor, Hungary - "Little Big Horn"
Heavenly, France - "Masquerade"
Hellish War, Brazil - "Return Of The Gods"
José Juan Gallego, Spain - "Draw The Line"
Magica, Romania - "Victory"
Motorjesus, Germany - "The Rivalry"
Orden Organ, Germany - "The Battle Of Waterloo"
Overtures, Italy - "Pirate Song"
Powerwolf, Romania / Germany - "Riding The Storm"
Ravage, USA - "Fight The Fire Of Hate"
Satanochio, Romania - "Siberian Winter"
Seven Seas, Germany - "Detonator"
Skiltron, Argentina - "Ballad Of William Kidd"
Solemnity, Germany - "Dr. Horror"
Suidakra, Germany - "Marooned"
Thunderblast, Colombia - "Timeriders"

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Running Wild

Chimaira have announced more new details about their new upcoming album, entilted "The Infection". The album will be released in the spring on April 21 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork of the album can be viewed at this location.

Tracklist of the "The Infection":

01. The Venom Inside
02. Frozen In Time
03. Coming Alive
04. Secrets Of The Dead
05. The Disappearing Sun
06. Impending Doom
07. On Broken Glass
08. Destroy And Dominate
09. Try To Survive
10. The Heart Of It All

Read more ››

Source:	chimaira.com
Band profile:	Chimaira

Zimmers Hole guitarist Jed Simon has posted the following blog on the band's MySpace page regarding the death of former guitarist Chris Stanley:

"I don't know where or how to start... other than to say we are all deeply saddened at the loss of one of our own, Chris Stanley. Chris is a Zimmers Hole alumni, he played guitar for us during the "Legion Of Flames" era, and more zany moments occurred when he was around than I care to try and remember. He has had a long battle with the many complications, and the day-to-day life battles with Cystic Fibrosis, Pneumonia (many times), a double lung transplant and the myriad of issues that arise with that. He has battled back so many times, and it just crushes our hearts that he couldn't pull through this time.

Here are some words from me... I know the other guys will agree with me on all this stuff. They may want to write their own thoughts in the coming days. With unbelievable sadness, we've lost another soldier. Chris Stanley, fuck... as I type this it all seems too unreal to me, but I know better. It's going to hurt even more, soon. Chris has been a friend to me for over 20 years. He's been a friend, a mentor, and a peer. He was one talented motherfucker, that's for sure. Add to that, funny - that guy could get a crowd onto a frenzy of laughter... a certain moment from the Dynamo festival and Chris acting a little too retarded comes to mind. Add to that, whipcrackin' smart... he KNEW shit.

What he has left is a legacy of music, laughter, artwork and special effects, movie props, funny pictures, not funny pictures, nuns running scared everywhere, and more stuff than I could ever get into here. But it's all in my head, and it will all never be forgotten. I MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY CHRIS.

To Scarlet, his wife, and to all of his family, my condolences... I know how much he meant to me, I can't begin to imagine how much he meant to you. All my love.

My trusty old Gibson flying V has your flames on it... they will always be there bro... and every time I look at that guitar(as I am right now), or pick it up and hammer the fuck out of it, you are with me Chris. With Horns Higher than I've ever Held them, I love ya man. We all fuckin love ya man. Wherever you go from here brother, I know that you will raise the bar, and a few eyebrows... heavenly or otherwise."

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Zimmers Hole

After the Danes and the Swedes, also the Finns were handing out their Metal Awards this weekend. Heavy metal quartet Stam1na was the big winner at this year's Finnish Metal Awards, which was held Friday night (February 13) during the Finnish Metal Expo at Kaapelitehdas in Helsinki, Finland. Members of the general public were invited to cast their votes to select the winners, which were as follows (final percentage of votes is listed next to each nominee):

Album:

01. Stam1na: "Raja" - 16.28%
---
02. Diablo: "Icaros"- 5.85%
03. Norther: "N" - 4.12%
04. Children Of Bodom: "Blooddrunk" - 3.87%
05. Omnium Gatherum: "The Redshift" - 3.81%

Band:

01. Stam1na - 13.11%
---
02. Diablo - 4.52%
03. Norther - 3.99%
04. Children Of Bodom - 3.96%
05. Hateform - 3.80%

Newcomer:

01. Hateform - 10.86%
---
02. Dead Shape Figure - 9.78%
03. Medeia - 8.22%
04. Tracedawn - 7.38%
05. Heavy Metal Perse - 5.88%

Album art:

01. Stam1na: "Raja" - 9.64%
---
02. Diablo: "Icaros" - 6.10%
03. Children Of Bodom: "Blooddrunk" - 4.61%
04. Hateform: "Dominance" - 3.26%
05. Kiuas: "The New Dark Age" - 3.13%

Player:

01. Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)- 10.04%
---
02. Pekka Olkkonen (Stam1na) - 5.48%
03. Mikko Salovaara (Kiuas) - 4.18%
04. Tuomas Saukkonen (Before The Dawn, Dawn Of Solace, The Final Harvest) - 3.2%
05. Markus Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum) - 2.74%

Vocalist:

01. Antti Hyyrynen (Stam1na) - 12.13%
---
02. Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot) - 4.43%
03. Rainer Nygård (Diablo) - 4.32%
04. Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum, Norther) - 4.22%
05. Ari Koivunen (Amoral) - 3.87%

Demo Band:

01. Fm2000 - 9.57%
---
02. Decended - 5.89%
03. Pressure Points - 4.74%
04. Kilt. - 4.16%
05. Medicated - 3.11%

Read more ››

Source:

metalrage.com