Onslaught have confirmed their appearance at the Lagoa Burning Live festival on their MySpace:

"We are very proud to announce that we have just been confirmed to appear at the Lagoa Burning Live Festival At Estombar, Algarve in Portugal, on 27th July 2008 alongside our good friends Obituary..

Also appearing at the festival will be:
Tankard
Grave Digger
Cruachan
Dark Moon
Dionysus
+ More TBA

Onslaught guitarist Nige Rockett comments: ''We cant fuckin wait to return to
Portugal especially to such a great festival as this one..It really is gonna be awesome with the Obituary guys there too..
Our last visit was amazing and we met so many cool people, this one promises to be every bit as special...''

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Onslaught
Event:	Lagoa Burning Live Festival [CANCELLED]

Swedish metallers Steel Attack have announced on their website that they are done with recording the upcoming album, and currently the mixing session is underway. The title of the album will be "Carpe DiEnd" and the cover artwork can be viewed at this location. The album will be released on 22 February through Massacre Records and includes a bonus video clip of "Angels" directed by Owe Lingvall.

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Source:	steelattack.com
Band profile:	Steel Attack

Vocalist Michael Sweet of Stryper has issued an update on the upcoming album:

"I'm still tracking vocals in my studio and we plan to start mixing by the first week in February. We should be finished mixing by the end of February and then we'll master, do a photo shoot and then the rest will be up to artwork department at Big3 to put it all together and package it."

Michael estimates that the album will be out in July/August followed by a tour.

"The record sounds amazing and it will have everything that you've always wanted a Stryper record to have - melodies, guitar solos, stacked vocal harmonies and screams. Sonically, it's our best to date. It's a very edgy record yet at the same time it retains it's melodic sense. I'll keep you updated as we progress."

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Stryper

German metallers Suidakra is confirmed to play at Chicago Powerfest May 2008, and after that the band will join Paganfest USA tour as a special guest on six west coast dates:

05 May - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
06 May - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
07 May - Sacramento, CA - The Boardwalk
08 May - Hollywood, CA - House of blues
09 May - TBA
10 May - Long Beach, CA - The Vault

The band states:

"Paganfest USA will be storming the stage with the likes of Ensiferum, Turisas, Tyr and Eluveitie. It shall indeed be a unique experience for fans, as a blend of Viking/folk bands like this has never been seen in a tour on US soil before and we're happy to be a part of it for those six shows!
We're still looking for sponsors, please scroll down to our last update to check out the details -much appreciated!
In other news we can announce that new merchandise (including longsleeves and zipped hoodie shirts) are in the making! The new items will be presented here on the page pretty soon...
Expect some news about the DVD / Best of CD release date in the near future.

_SuidAkrA"

Source:	suidakra.com
Band profile:	Suidakra
Event:	Paganfest North America Tour

After Forever has posted the following statement on their website:

Dear fans,

as you might have noticed, After Forever experienced a lot in 2007. A new deal with Nuclear Blast and The Entertainment Group, the release of a new album, gigs in Europe and the U.S.A./Canada, all thanks to your support. Unfortunately, 2007 also had a negative side. Sander experienced the symptoms of a burn-out and had to stop playing with After Forever for a few months. After Forever did a good job doing the scheduled gigs with mainly George (ex- Orphanage) as grunter, making possible the album could still be promoted. After that, a European and an American/Canadian tour followed, with Sander this time, and his condition seemed to be ok. Unfortunately, just recently, Sander fell victim to a seizure attack in an airplane, and after research that attack seemed to be stress related. The doctors think this is a very serious matter, and they strongly advised him to not be involved with any After Forever activity for at least a year, to prevent a worse health situation. Because Sander is one of the formers, songwriter and co manager of After Forever, an After Forever without him is no option. The band has been able to solve his absence in 2007 live, but another year full of compromises would not be positive for the quality After Forever wants to offer. After Forever is a band that wants to give 100% and that's just not possible now. With pain in our hearts, we had to decide that After Forever has to take a break of at least a year and hope you will all respect that. It's terrible not to be able to do all the great gigs and activities we were planning, but it's even worse for After Forever to do those things with a compromise. We highly value everything the band has achieved, and we don't want to lose that. We also realise we ask a lot of our fans since we know what our gigs and music means to them. However, we will all still be active in the music scene. Because of this break everybody gets the chance to focus on projects. On our site and myspace sites we'll keep you updated about those projects.

Not a very good start of the year, but thanks a lot for all your support and understanding, for now, for the future, but also for the past year. We won't forget you and hope to meet you again if After Forever returns in full shape!!!

Floor, Sander, Bas, Joost, Luuk and Andre

Source:	afterforever.com
Band profile:	After Forever

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Borknagar:

It is with great pride we announce the signing of Progressive Black Metal Legends Borknagar!

Borknagar has for nearly a decade been a leading star in the Black Metal community. Like no other band they have pushed the boundaries of what is possible within the genre, and now they will once again return to the dark side - to their roots, for a darker and heavier album to be released on Indie Recordings. It is an honour to add Borknagar to our rooster.

In a press statement the band comments the signing:

"After nearly a year of negotiating deals with different labels we are now proud to finally reveal the partnership that we have settled for our next 3 albums. In late December 2007 we inked a 3 album deal with the Norwegian label Indie Recordings. After the release of ORIGIN, our 12 years and 6 albums long partnership with Century Media Records came to an end contractually. The years have been a great journey, but sometimes changes are needed to evolve and it was time for a change now. We are really exited to start working with our new partners for the next albums to come. Indie Recordings is a relatively new label, but the crucial staff behind the company has been friends and fans of the band for many years. Their genuine dedication and high level of professionalism makes us totally confident that our collaboration in the future will be prosperous in many ways; for the band, our fans and other associates. We are currently in writing mode for our next album and we are aiming for a late 2008 release. This time around we will be back on track with a massive album including all our core elements that have formed our identity through the years. For our long run fans the album might represent a surprise or two. So beware!"

Source:	indierec.no
Band profile:	Borknagar

The new drummer of Atrocity and Leaves' Eyes is Nick Barker, who was the former drummer of Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Testament.

Alex Krull: "It's with great pleasure that we can announce Nick Barker is joining the Atrocity and Leaves' Eyes family! We always were great fans of his way of drumming and we are happy that we will kick some ass in the future together! Nick was our No.1 choice! When we heard he would join us we invited him right away!"

Here's a first statement of Nick Barker about joining the two bands:

Nick, how long do you know Alex and the guys of Atrocity and Leaves' Eyes?

Nick: "I've known Atrocity for many years, I think the first time we met was on the Deicide/Atrocity tour in 1992 when I was the drum tech for support band Cancer, and since that time we've always ran into each other on the European summer festival circuit during the years that followed. Whenever I would play in the Stuttgart area with any of my previous bands, some of the guys would always be there and show their support."

How it came that you joined the two bands now?

Nick: "Alex (Krull) approached me at the Metal Hammer award ceremony in London last June (2007) and said that he was looking for a drummer that could handle the complexity and savagery of Atrocity as well as the more softer groove-laden beauty of Leaves' Eyes, and he thought I could be the right man to do both jobs. I had some prior commitments and obligations to fulfil at that time but we spoke over the Christmas period and arranged for me to come to Stuttgart and audition, everything was fantastic both musically and from a social and personal aspect."

How do you like the music of both bands? They are quite different from each other.

Nick: "I absolutely love the diversity of both bands, with Atrocity you have such brutal songs from the "Atlantis" album such as "Reich Of Phenomena","Apocalypse" & "Clash Of The Titans", which I can't wait to play live and sink my teeth into. Then on the other hand you have Leaves' Eyes, which for me is something very new and very exciting as a drummer coming from a mainly Black/Death metal background. Liv has the most beautiful voice in the whole world within this genre and the music is very moving, beautifully crafted and almost spiritual."

You just jammed the first time with the guys at Mastersound Studio. How was it? What are your impressions?

Read more ››

Source:	atrocity.de
Band profile:	Atrocity

British death metal veterans Bolt Thrower have been announced as headliners of this year's Party.San Open Air Festival, set to take place on August 7-9, 2008 in Bad Berka, Germany. The band has stated the following about their only festival appearance of the year:

"So, we're very happy to announce that the festival we have chosen to play this summer is the Party.San Metal Open Air Festival in Bad Berka, Germany on 7-9th August. Tickets are only 39.60 Euros, including parking and camping, and the festival is capped at only 10,000 visitors, so considering this and the already killer line-up, it looks like it will sell out in advance. So, we suggest that people who want to buy tickets on the day, should check the availability before they set off, to avoid the disappointment a lot of people had at last year's sold-out Summer Breeze Festival, where they got turned away.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,
Bolt Thrower"

Other bands to play at the festival are Obituary, Behemoth, Impaled Nazarene and Legion Of The Damned among others. Click here for the full lineup.

Read more ››

Source:	boltthrower.com
Band profile:	Bolt Thrower
Event:	Party.San Open Air Festival

Detonation has posted the following statement on their myspace blog:

"We regret to announce we have to cancel the UK dates that where scheduled for April. It's been a hard decision to reach since we've been looking forward to playing the UK again, but unfortunately the risks involved (from a business point of view) were too great.

We very much appreciate the efforts made by Dark Balance Records, Boltdown and all bookers involved to organise this tour, and are bummed not to be able to take part. We'd like to stress the cancellation is purely based on the situation Detonation is in at the moment, and does not have anything to do with the bookers, venues or bands we're playing with. We hope to make up for it very soon.

With Romeo Must Die and Boltdown there's still two great bands left on this tour, with one or two guest bands appearing every night, so be sure be visit those shows and support them!"

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Detonation

Finnish melodic black metal act Catamenia has issued the following update:

"Our forthcoming album is titled as 'VIII'. We will enter the studio as soon as possible and during the recordings, a studio diary will also be provided."

In other news, the band has made it to the Metal From Finland Awards

Catamenia:

"Thank you all who supported Catamenia and cast us a vote in Metal From Finland contest end of the last year. We made it into actual Awards with your awesome help! But again your vote would be so much appreciated, so if you feel like helping us again, click here and give us your vote. Thank you and wish you all the best in 2008!"

Read more ››

Source:	catamenia.net
Band profile:	Catamenia

The following statement was posted on ProgPower USA's website:

American power metal giants Iced Earth have been confirmed as the headliner for ProgPower USA IX, which returns to Atlanta's Center Stage on September 26 & 27.

Iced Earth founder, Jon Schaffer had the following to say regarding the festival:"Well, it's been a long time coming, but things have finally lined up right for us to be able to do Glenn's festival. It's truly an honor for Iced Earth to play the ProgPower USA festival. I flew down several years ago to check it out and it is definitely a top notch operation. It's really a model for the way festivals should be run, good people with integrity make all the difference in any organization, and Glenn and his crew are all that and more. This is something that we've wanted to do for a long time and it's finally going to work out perfectly for our plans in 2008.Part 2 of the "Something Wicked" epic will be out right around this time and it will be a killer celebration! This will be very cool, and a good time will be had by all!We look forward to seeing you there!" I am beyond excited to have America's premiere metal band on stage at America's premiere metal festival" said promoter Glenn Harveston. I may be the promoter, but I'm just as big a fanboy as everyone else in wanting to see them here in Atlanta. I want to personally thank Jon Schaffer for believing in me and the festival.

ProgPower USA IX marks the first confirmed show with returning vocalist Matt Barlow to the group.

Joining Iced Earth at the festival are Florida's Jon Oliva's Pain, Poland's Riverside, Germany's Iron Savior, Denmark's Volbeat, Sweden's Andromeda, Italy's Elvenking, France's Spheric Universe Experience, Austria's Serenity, and Italy's Pathosray.

The second festival headliner is scheduled to be announced within the next few weeks.

Harveston also has announced a roster change, "I'm afraid that Astral Doors will not be able to make their scheduled appearance. This is 100% my fault as I knew there was a risk involved with booking them so early. I appreciate the professionalism the band has shown and can now announce that they are the first band confirmed for ProgPower USA X. Florida's Rob Rock has graciously stepped into their former slot."

Tickets for ProgPower USA IX go on sale March 1st and limited to 900 tickets.


Read more ››

Source:	progpowerusa.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth
Event:	ProgPower USA IX

Dutch brutal Thrash Metal band Dead Head signs with Displeased Records.

Expect the new full length in the summer of 2008.

Current line-up:
Tom van Dijk - vocals, bass
Ronnie van der Wey - guitar
Robbie Woning - guitar
Hans Spijker - drums

Dead Head was formed April 8th 1989 in Kampen, Holland. On that day the four original members, Tom van Dijk (bass, vocals), Robbie Woning (guitar), Ronnie van der Wey (guitar), and Hans Spijker (drums), decided to form a band and to become the most intensive and brutal thrash metal band Europe had ever seen. In the fine tradition of bands like Dark Angel, Kreator and Sadus they distilled their own way of composing songs and making a solid impact on stage by pounding out their songs as if every minute could be their last.

Over the course of nearly 18 years the band recorded several impressive full length albums, bringing their thrashing fury to new heights with each following release. While the band did several tours in the early 1990s, they picked their shows more well-considered from 1995 on. Taking their time to record each new full length, the band never felt the urge to convert into a musical assembly line. The band still likes to stick to its own pace. It's quality over quantity when it comes to Dead Head.

Previous impressive full length "Haatland" (2005) brought a refreshed interest in the band, and after good response by both reviewers and public, Displeased Records decided to contact the band. A contract was signed soon thereafter. Currently the band is in its final stages of writing new material for the new full length (working title "Depression Tank") with release date set in the summer of 2008. Some song titles are "Firegate", "Less than zero", "Murder" and "Pesticide" (a re-recorded 1989 demo track).

http://www.deadhead.nl
http://www.myspace.com/deadheadthrash

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Swedish metallers In Flames have posted on their myspace blog that their upcoming album entitled "A Sense Of Purpose" artwork and booklet, can be viewed here, was done by Alex Padree who also did the artwork and the booklet for the single.

The release date from Nuclear Blast Records for Europe, and the rest of the World (except for the US) is set for 4 April 2008. The album will be released in the US. However, a label and date is still to be determined.

The album will contain the following tracks:

01. The Mirror's Truth
02. Disconnected
03. Sleepless Again
04. Alias
05. I'm The Highway
06. Delight And Angers
07. Move Through Me
08. The Chosen Pessimist
09. Sober And Irrelevant
10. Condemned
11. Drenched In Fear
12. March To The Shore

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	In Flames

"Night Eternal" will be the title of the new Moonspell album. The recording sessions will take place between the 7th and the 31st of January 2008 in Denmark's finest Metal studio, Antfarm. Tue Madsen, who worked with the band on the "Under Satanae project, will be producing Moonspell's new opus. The band has revealed some of their song titles already: 'Shadow Sun', 'Night Eternal' (title track), 'At Tragic Heights', 'Scorpion Flower', 'Spring Of Rage', 'Hers Is The Twilight' among others songs that will take part of this new work. Further into the concept it was disclosed that it refers to the "wear and the tear of the Earth", how we are consuming its energy and its vital force and how it will take its revenge upon us. Memorial's musical line was taken a step further and Night Eternal will be a quite intense album itself, darkly atmospheric yet really heavy and catchy. In Night eternal expect nothing but great guitar riffs, breathtaking songs and epic atmospheres. The exact release date will be announced soon yet the album is coming out in May.

The band adds:
"We are totally enthusiastic and eager to release it and to present it to the fans and hopes to be able to post some songs online on moonspell.com and MySpace.com/moonspell as soon as the promos are ready for the press, around one and a half month before the record is released. A studio diary will be posted regularly just like it was for Memorial on both site and MySpace."

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Source:	moonspell.com
Band profile:	Moonspell

Visions Of Atlantis has stated on their official website that they are in need of a talented female singer who is ready to have the necessary commitment and dedication for joining the crew. The band asks the potential candidates to send a demo of one's vocals' abilities to the following e-mail address: thomas@listenup-management.com a long with some of the candidates' pictures.

The group is looking forward to the submissions from all talented volunteers.

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Source:	visionsofatlantis.com
Band profile:	Visions Of Atlantis