It's been more than a decade, but all four original members of Mötley Crüe are back together in full force. "Saints Of Los Angeles" is the title track and lead single off the notorious rock band's new album due this Summer. With its powerhouse hook, the track aims to prove that the gang is still on top of its game, rocking harder than ever.

Click here and check out "Saints of Los Angeles" on AOL Music, or via YouTube here.

Bassist Nikki Sixx has issued the following update: "The album's done, the video's done, the artwork is done, the photo sessions are all wrapped up and the single is ready to go to radio, rehearsals start tomorrow; wow??it's been so busy, it feels like I'm leaving a few things out?.and I probably am. I know a lot of you have heard "Saints Of Los Angeles" on the web?.if you like the single, just wait 'til you see the video. OK, my eyes are red, and its a rare night to not have to work, so im gonna sit back and feel good about all the hard work. I hope you all like it as much as we do."

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Source:	motley.com
Band profile:	Mötley Crüe

Indiana's death thrashers Year Of Desolation have posted the beginnings of some new material at an alternative MySpace page available here. A brief statement about their new songs on their real MySpace page, reads as follows:

"5 songs... (count em: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!) have been posted on an alternative myspace!
Disclaimer: These songs are very very rough. Guitars and a Drum machine is all they are. They are being put online because we're honestly unsure if you'll hear em otherwise. Hope you enjoy the tunes!"

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Year Of Desolation

Canadian Black metallers Eclipse Eternal have posted the following news on their Myspace page:

"We regret to announce that after 3 years of blood, sweat and black metal, bassist Rose Sodomy and Eclipse Eternal have parted ways. We wish her all the best in her future and are proud to have known her and called her comrade. Effective immediately we are on the hunt for a new bassist. Interested? Check out our ad in the "Musicians Forum" for more details.

Also, in more positive news: Eclipse Eternal has made a video. And not a shitty performance video or a live on stage video. The video will be for the song "The Dragon Has Come To Blot Out The Stars" (featured on our Myspace for those who haven't heard it). It features a full storyline and multiple shoot locations. With a cast and crew of over fifteen people and Adrian Kent and Rouzbeh (if you've ever been to a Noel show you will know who I'm talking about) as the driving forces behind, you can be sure that this video will fucking kill. It features shitloads of blood, prosthetics, creepy fucking locations and a deep story with lots of twists. It took 4 full days of shooting in freezing temp. to do but we all think it was totally worth it. It is currently in post production so look for it in the near (a month or so) future. Tonight I will upload some more shots from the shoot so you can get an idea of what I'm taking about. Please remember they are low-fi compared to the video which was shot in HD."

"The Dragon Has Come to Blot out the Stars" is taken from Eclipse Eternal's latest album, "Ubermensch: Evolution Beyond The Species", which was mixed in Sweden by head knob-twiddler Fredrik Nordström (Dimmu Borgir, Zyklon, Old Man's Child). The CD is available now through The End Records distribution.

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Source:

blog.myspace.com

Vitamin Records press release:

"Metallica is the little engine that roars. That's Motorbreath. This heavy metal locomotive fuels its fire with anger, rage, and uncertainty. Your conductors are Hetfield and Ulrich. By making stops all over the world, Metallica has become the most popular metal band of all time. Beginning with 1983's Kill 'Em All, each subsequent album has brought car loads of new fans. The ride hasn't always been smooth, but Metallica has never been derailed.

This Piano Tribute to Metallica pulls away the iron panels of speed and coal-blackened distortion to reveal the fundamental element of the band's success: grandiose melody. With these arena-sized anthems laid bare, the haunting melodies are heard in their pristine beauty. Fortunately, it is impossible to fully suppress the Wagnerian sturm und drang of the music. Enter Piano Man!"

Release Date: 4/8/2008

"The Piano Tribute to Metallica: Bite The Ivory" cover] tracklist:

01. The Ecstasy Of Gold
02. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
03. Fade To Black
04. Hero Of The Day
05. Escape
06. Mama Said
07. Nothing Else Matters
08. Astronomy
09. One
10. Turn The Page
11. Bleeding Me
12. The Unforgiven

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Source:	vitaminrecords.com
Band profile:	Metallica

Reunited Death metallers Vehemence have posted a demo of their new track "I Hate This Life" at their MySpace page. Go check it out at this location.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Vehemence

On Thursday, April 10th, flak'n'rollers Loits presented their latest video, "Haavad uulitsal" at the Kinomaja in Tallinn. The audience also witnessed a short "Making Of" flick and another video for the song "Emaraud", recorded during the band's live performance at the Hard Rock Laager '07 festival.

The video can be found on the new Loits DVD, due this summer, which will also feature all the previous Loits videos. In addition, a longer version of the "Making Of" documentary will also be present on the DVD.

See the new "Haavad uulitsal" video here.

Read the interview here.

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Band profile:

Loits

BW&BK has received the following Burzum press release:

"This one-man band retains a vital roll in the early development of Norway's famed black metal scene. His contributions to what was once merely a small circle of friends grew to immense popularity, the genre now having sold hundreds of thousands of records around the globe. Compared to his peers - Mayhem, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Immortal - Burzum possessed a very distinct sound. Using ancient mythology as his lyrical muse (the very name Burzum coming from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings), he became known for fearless experimentation; each record expanding on previous efforts.

"Anthology" is a special first-time collection of material that spans the musician's ten-plus year recording legacy; most unfortunately still unavailable for US fans (other than pricey imports). Featuring selections from each of his six albums (and including one from his popular EP "Aske"), "Anthology" is anticipated to be a highly sought-after recording for long-time fans and those curious newcomers who up-til-now only knew of the name and not had opportunity to bear witness to the musician's blackened fruit."

The Burzum Anthology is due out on May 13th via Candlelight Records.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Burzum

From the official Metallica website:

"All the European tour dates for the '08 summer vacation have been announced. We've added shows in Turkey, Belgium, Ireland, and the UK. For our US fans, we've added a stop in Tucson, Arizona. Pre-order any of the shows on LiveMetallica.com and receive a 10% discount. For a full list of tour dates and ticket information, check out the Metallica.com Tour page. Keep checking Metallica.com for more tour date annoucements."

May 16 - Tucson, AZ - KFMA Day
May 28 - Chorzow, Poland - Slaski Stadium
May 30 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Pinkpop Festival
May 31 - Getafe, Spain - Electric Weekend
June 03 - Prague, Czech Republic - Slavia Stadium
June 05 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock In Rio
June 07 - Nurburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
June 08 - Nurnburg, Germany - Rock Im Park
June 13 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo

With Down, The Sword:

July 16 - Bergen, Norway - Bergenhus Castle
July 18 - St. Petersburg , Russia - SKK Hall
July 20 - Riga, Latvia - Skonto Stadium
July 22 - Bologna, Italy - Parco Nord
July 23 - Bucharest, Romania - Cotroceni Football Stadium (no Down)
July 25 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Levski Stadium
July 27 - Istanbul, Turkey - Ali Sami Yen Stadium

Aug. 14 - Arras, France - Grand d'Arras
Aug. 15 - Hasselt, Belgium - Pukkelpop Festival
Aug. 17 - Wil/Jonschwil, Switzerland - Degenaupark
Aug. 20 - Dublin, Ireland - Marlay Park (with Tenacious D)
Aug. 22 - Leeds, England - Leeds Festival
Aug. 24 - Reading, England - Reading Festival

In other touring news, Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne are strongly rumored to be headlining this summer's Ozzfest.

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Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica

While hard at work on their new album, Iced Earth are announcing more dates for what is shaping up to be a very busy summer. On top of performing at festivals across Europe, the band has just accepted to be special guest to Judas Priest in Holland, Germany and Switzerland. The updated schedule as follows:

MAY.02.2008 : Chicago Powerfest, Mokena, Illinois - USA
MAY.09.2008 : Centre De Foire, Quebec City - Canada
MAY.11.2008 : Rock Hard, Germany
JUN.21.2008 : Hellfest, France
JUN.22.2008 : IJsselhal, NL-Zwolle (with Judas Priest)
JUN 23.2008 : Philipshalle, DE-Düsseldorf (with Judas Priest)
JUN.24.2008 : Zenith, DE-München (with Judas Priest)
JUN.25.2008 : National Sportzentrum, CH-Huttwil (with Judas Priest)
JUN.27.2008 : Bang Your Head, Germany
JUN.28.2008 : Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
JUN.29.2008 : Gods Of Metal, Italy
JUL.05.2008 : Metal Camp, Slovenia
JUL.11.2008 : Via De La Plata Festival, Spain
AUG.14.2008 : Sziget Festival, HU-Obudai Island
AUG.16.2008 : Bloodstock, UK
SEP.27.2008 : ProgPower USA, Atlanta, Georgia - USA

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth

The debut album from Revolution Renaissance, the new band formed by Stratovarius guitarist and frontman Timo Tolkki, who officially put an end to Stratovarius last week, is entitled "New Era" and will be released on June 6th via Frontiers Records.

"New Era" tracklisting:

01. Heroes (Sammet) Sample]
02. I Did It My Way (Kiske) Sample]
03. We Are Magic (Rantanen)
04. Angel (Kiske)
05. Eden Is Burning (Rantanen) Sample]
06. Glorious And Divine (Sammet)
07. Born Upon The Cross (Rantanen)
08. Keep The Flame Alive (Kiske)
09. Last Night On Earth (Kiske)
10. Revolution Renaissance (Kiske) Sample]

As previosuly reported, Timo has formed a new band called Revolution Renaissance, and in the silence he has been devoting all his time and efforts preparing the first release of his new band. According to a press release, the album is "a masterpiece of melodic Power Metal", taking the listener straight back to the Visions-era Stratovarius. In fact, "New Era" is the album that was meant to be the next Stratovarius album.
Instead, Timo called a few friends for the recording sessions and the album features all the lead vocals from such legends as Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) and Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), along with Timo's blistering lead guitar lines and melodic Power Metal anthems that made him one of the pioneers of the style and trademark performers of the style. Revolution Renaissance witnesses a rebirth, a new era for Timo Tolkki and his music.
Tolkki is looking for a permanent line-up for the band, so if you are interested, check out the details on www.timotolkki.com for details on how to apply.

(Thanks Stratowarrior)

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Revolution Renaissance

Montreal's technical death metal band Beneath The Massacre have scheduled studio time for the follow up record to 2007's "Mechanics Of Dysfunction." The band will enter the studio April 25 with Yannick St-Amant (Despised Icon, Neuraxis, Martyr), who also produced Beneath The Massacre's prior full-length and the "Evidence Of Inequity" EP. Afterwards, Jason Suecof (The Black Dahlia Murder, God Forbid, Chimaira) will mix the record, which is currently slated for a fall 2008 release through Prosthetic Records.

"So we just came back from our headline tour in the US. We had a blast." Beneath The Massacre vocalist Elliot Desgagnes says. "A lot of people showed up and all the bands on the package were super cool dudes. We're now working hard on the new material that will be recorded starting in April at Yannick's studio. We can't wait to enter the studio. We'll probably be posting video and blogs to let all you guys know what's going on in studio. Stay tuned."

More on BTM at http://www.myspace.com/btm.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Beneath The Massacre

Swedish art-rock outfit Cult Of Luna has set "Eternal Kingdom" as the title of its fifth full-length album, due on June 16 in Europe and July 8 in the U.S. via Earache Records. The CD was recorded at Tonteknik Studios in the band's hometown of Umeå. The follow-up to 2006's critically aclaimed "Somewhere Along The Highway" will reportedly be "much heavier and darker affair than previous albums."

The artwork for "Eternal Kingdom" can be viewed at this location.

Commented guitarist Erik Olofsson: "It is with great ambition and struggle we have created a very heavy album. The sound is strong and progressive. Our compositions do not hold back on anything this time!"

Check out pictures from the recording sessions at this location.

Cult Of Luna was honored with a "P3 Guld" award (for the band's criticially acclaimed "Somewhere along the Highway" release) in January 2007 from Swedish radio station P3 in the "Best Rock/Metal Album of the Year" category.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Cult Of Luna

According to the Nuclear Blast Newsletter, guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie of the Danish modern metallers Mnemic has issued the following update:

"We are back from the rotten dead, finally with some great news for y'all.

We toured most of last year, which was very fun but at the same time very exhausting for some of us, which lead to a minor break in order to recharge our batteries and reload our guns. We have finally regained focus and are now ready to bring Mnemic back on the map.

I know many of you have asked us when we will be back on the road again, when we will be touring the U.S., Japan, Australia and so on and so on... Thank you for all the requests! Unfortunately I can only say that there will only be one tour this year and a few selected shows. The tour will be in Denmark and it will be launched actually next month. Dates can be found at the http://www.myspace.com/mnemic site and http://www.mnemic.com.

The main reason is simply that we want to focus all of our energy on the creativity of the writing process for a new album ? basically in order to make something solid, fresh and something out of the ordinary, within the Mnemic context and universe, of course. This time around we do not want to be rushed, stressed or influenced by managements, too long tours and too many opinions. This time it will only be us, our opinions and our visions!

To make a long story short, we have begun the writing process for a new album..."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Mnemic

The cover artwork for "Watershed", the forthcoming album from Swedish metallers Opeth, can be viewed here. The cover was (as usual) designed by Travis Smith in co-operation with frontman/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt.

"Watershed" is scheduled for release on June 3 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD, recorded in the band's native Sweden and produced by frontman/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and Jens Bogren, is a masterwork that follows the time-honored Opeth tradition; its modern yet timeless, progressive yet paying homage to the sounds of classic rock.

"Watershed" track listing:

01. Coil
02. Heir Apparent
03. The Lotus Eater
04. Burden
05. Porcelain Heart
06. Hessian Peel
07. Hex Omega

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Opeth

Textures have posted the following update:

"We are excited to announce that a our new album "Silhouettes" can be listened to in its entirety on our MySpace page. This a week before it will see its European release through Listenable Records! We would love some feedback, as this is the result of 6 months of hard work!"

"Silhouettes" is due to be released on April 21st via Listenable Records.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Textures