The following excerpts were taken from Dimmu Borgir's official website:

"We will have some release events ready in Germany for the release of the new Dimmu Borgir record "In Sorte Diaboli"! You can win tons of DIMMU stuff such as posters, stickers, signed singles and we will draw the brand new album once!!! Be there!

17.04.07 Oldenburg, Amadeus
20.04.07 Leverkusen, Shadow
21.04.07 Nürnberg, Rockfabrik
21.04.07 Hildesheim, Rockclub
21.04.07 Leipzig, Hellraiser
25.04.07 Darmstadt, Steinbruchtheater
27.04.07 Innsbruck, Abyss Bar
27.04.07 Bielefeld, Ringlokschuppen 27.04.07 Dresden, Heavy Duty
27.04.07 Karlsruhe, Kulturruine
28.04.07 Kiel, Die Pumpe
28.04.07 Herford, X
28.04.07 Stuttgart, Club Prag
28.04.07 Lebach, Continent Rockstage
05.05.07 Hannover, Labor

The band will also have a signing session on Tuesday 27th of march between 6pm - 7pm at the Nuclear Blast office in Donzdorf! Witness yourselves when both Silenoz and Shagrath will be signing a deal with the devil! Both will be in Donzdorf to promote their new masterpiece "In Sorte Diaboli". Speaking of the new masterpiece, this will be your chance to hear it for the first time!"

Source:	dimmu-borgir.com
Band profile:	Dimmu Borgir
Event:	Dimmu Borgir: Signing Session

Long-running German thrashers Sodom will play a special 25th anniversary set at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which is scheduled to take place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany.

The 120-minute performance will kick off with four songs from the band's latest, self-titled album, after which the group will be joined by several ex-members for a set of songs that have rarely or never before been played live. Making special guest appearances during this portion of the show will be Chris Witchhunter (drums), Grave Violator (guitar), Athätor (guitar), Frank Blackfire (guitar), Michael Hoffman (guitar), Andy Brings (guitar) and Atomic Steif (drums). Sodom will then close the gig with five more classics.

The group's entire setlist for the performance will be as follows:

New Songs:

01. Blood On Your Lips
02. Wanted Dead
03. City Of God
04. Bibles And Guns

"Historical" Portion Of The show (featuring guests):

05. Burst Command 'Til War
06. Obsessed By Cruelty
07. Christ Passion
08. Magic Dragon
09. Tarred And Feathered
10. The Crippler
11. Get What You Deserve
12. Abuse
13. Scum
14. Frozen Screams
15. Warlike Conspiracy
16. Genocide
17. Lords Of Depravity

Closing Classics:

18. Sodomy And Lust
19. Ausgebombt
20. The Saw Is The Law
21. Outbreak Of Evil
22. Bombenhagel

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Sodom
Event:	Wacken Open Air 2007

German Thrashers Dew-Scented have posted a new song 'That's Why I Despise You', on their MySpace page.

Dew-Scented's new album "Incinerate" will be released in North America on April 3rd via Nuclear Blast (March 30 in Germany; April 2 in the rest of Europe; April 16 in South America; and March 21 in Japan).
The album was mixed by Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Nevermore, Arch Enemy) and features guest appearances by Jeff Waters (Annihilator) and Gus G. (Firewind) on the song 'Perdition or All', and Mille Petrozza (Kreator) on 'Retain The Scars'.

"Incinerate" cover art] tracklist:

01. Exordium (Intro)
02. Vanish Away
03. Final Warning
04. That's Why I Despise You
05. The Fraud
06. Into The Arms Of Misery
07. Perdition For All
08. Now Or Never
09. Aftermath
10. Everything Undone
11. Contraddictions
12. Retain The Scars
13. Exitus (Outro)

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Source:	dew-scented.net
Band profile:	Dew-Scented

Opeth's manager Andy Farrow of Northern Music Co., has released the following statement:

"A website called Blindfaith (http://www.blindfaithonline.net) is falsely advertising a gig in Hull on November 25th with Opeth headlining. We would like to state that this gig is not confirmed and has never been discussed. This is a blatant attempt to rip fans off and will not be tolerated. Please contact webmaster@opeth.com if anyone has bought tickets."

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Source:	opeth.com
Band profile:	Opeth

Season Of Mist is proud to announce the fresh signing of Italian female-fronted band Cadaveria.

Here's the band's comment: "After spending the last year in composing our new songs and in producing Cadaveria's third full length album, we are glad and proud to announce the recent agreement with Season of Mist. We are extremely satisfied by the new tracks and very excited for this join, that will assure the promotion this album deserves. Cadaveria want to thank Michael/Season of Mist for this opportunity and all fans for their patience and never-ending support. Three years passed since the "Far Away From Conformity" album, but it is worth the wait: this album is with no doubt the best one we have released so far and it will be IN YOUR BLOOD (as the title says) for the rest of your days.

Soon more news will follow!

In blood,

Cadaveria."

More info about Cadaveria on http://www.cadaveria.com and http://www.myspace.com/cadaveriaband.

Read more ››

Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	Cadaveria

Official press release:

Continuing the return of Testament, the original line-up will perform shows world-wide in 2007. Influencing a whole metal movement today, Testament maintain the originators of thrash.

Drummer Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir/Cradle Of Filth) will join all original members Alex Skolnick (guitar), Greg Christian (bass), Eric Peterson (guitar) and Chuck Billy (vocals) for this historical year. Testament is currently working on new material for an upcoming CD release. Stay tuned for more information.

Band guitarist Eric Peterson exclaims, "Hey metal world! Working hard with Nick on some new ideas and some cool old school styles and it's coming together really killer! Six songs already in the can so far! Just waiting for the Chief to come up with some lyrics to match, we get into the studio to track the drums in June...looking forward to busting out some new ones for this summer at the festivals and get a reaction!"

Chuck Billy states "It's been a long time coming, this new album is like a good wine, you throw in the grapes and 'crush.'"

3/23 Budapest, Hungary @ Almassy MK Hall
3/24 Katowice, Poland @ Hala Spodek
3/26 Dallas, TX @ the Granada Theatre
3/27 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
3/29 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
3/30 Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
3/31 Santa Ana, CA @ the Galaxy Theatre (CA Metal Fest)
4/19 Torreon, Mexico @ Salon Ferrocarrilero
4/20 Monterrey, Mexico @ Café Iguana
4/21 Mexico City, Mexico @ Circo Volador
4/22 Carolina, Puerto Rico @ Arena
4/25 Sao Paulo. Brazil @ Via Funchal
4/26 Curitiba, Brazil @ Hellooch
4/27 Rio de Janiero, Brazil @ Canecao
4/29 Buenos Aires, Argentina @ El Teatro Flores
4/30 Santiago, Chile @ Teatro Caupolican
7/06 Derbyshire, England @ Bloodstock Open Air
7/07 Leeuwarden, Netherlands @ Waldrock Festival
7/19 Nuernberg, Germany @ Earthshaker Festival
8/17 Oulu, Finland @ Jalometalli festival
8/18 Notodden, Norway @ Metal Heart Festival
8/19 Gotenborg, Sweden @ TBC
8/21 Kolding, Denmark @ Godset
8/22 Antwerpen, Belgium @ Hof Ter Lo
8/23 Deventer, Holland @ Burgerweeshuis
8/24 Bergen, Norway @ Hole in the Sky - Bergen Metal Festival
8/25 Gemunden, Germany @ Up From The Ground Open Air Festival
8/31 Rimini, Italy @ Velvet
9/01 Palmaggio-Caserta, Italy @ Route to Hell Festival

UPDATED on 10 March, thanks to beer

Testament have scheduled three more dates in Russia in July. The details are as follows:

Jul. 03 - Voronej, Russia - 100 Streams
Jul. 04 - Saratov, Russia - Club Vostok

Read more ››

Source:	lambgoat.com
Band profile:	Testament

Extreme metal titans Vital Remains have returned with a vicious new slab of blasphemy that promises to strike fear in the hearts of the masses. The much-anticipated new album, "Icons Of Evil", was produced by the renowned Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore) and is set for an April 24 release. The album's striking artwork can be viewed now at this location.

The cover art has already created a great deal of controversy, but the band's founder Tony Lazaro (guitars) refuses to censor his vision in any way. "It is great to see that the cover of our new record has already started some controversy," he said. "Some of our distributors saw the artwork and suggested we change it. The record's scheduled to come out around Easter, and apparently the subject of Christ being nailed to his cross is a bit extra-sensitive around that time. We were told no one would take the CD unless we either changed it or put a slipcase over it. I absolutely refused to change shit, but I still wanted our fans to be able to find the album in their local stores, so we ultimately decided to go with the slipcase. I'm still pretty bummed about it, but this was out of my hands."

More info about "Icons Of Evil" can be found here.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Vital Remains

02/08/2007 : ALOIS - NEW ALBUM

ANTHEMON has been working on a follow-up to 2005's "Kadavreski" for a few months. This new album, entitled ALOIS, is a concept-album based upon the life of a quite unknown but genius French scientist named Aloïs Martel. The recording will start before summer 2007 and the album should be released by the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008.

Source:	anthemon.com
Band profile:	Anthemon

A couple of days ago a news item was posted that announced the departure of Arjen Lucassen from Stream Of Passion. Now, another two members have decided to quit: guitarist Lori Linstruth and keyboardist Alejandro Millan.

Here is what the band says:
"Since our last tour we've received a lot of inquires about the future of SoP. As you may have heard on the Ayreon website, Arjen has been going through a very rough period on in his life; he has decided to quit the band and focus entirely on his new Ayreon album, which we know for sure will be a huge success so good luck with it, Arjen!

Besides Arjen, Lori and Alejandro have also decided to part ways and focus on their own personal lives and musical projects. We, the rest of the SoPies, wish the three of them all the success and happiness in the world.

HOWEVER THIS BY NO MEANS THE END OF THE BAND! The rest of us are extremely motivated to continue this beautiful story called Stream of Passion and give it a more than positive future, like we think it deserves. We are already busy writing music for a new album, so soon you'll hear more about our future plans and musical ideas. Stay tuned!"

Source:	streamofpassion.com
Band profile:	Stream Of Passion

French metallers Gojira are now touring in the USA as part of the Sacrament Tour, together with Lamb Of God, Trivium and Machine Head. Upcoming shows can be found on Gojira's MySpace page.

Short video clips from the band's current North American tour are posted every day. You can find them at this location, or on YouTube here.

Read more ››

Source:	gojira-music.com
Band profile:	Gojira

Swedish Progressive Metallers Andromeda has revealed details of their live DVD entitled "Playing Off The Board".

The main feature was recorded on 31st October 2006 in Wyspianski Theater in Katowice (Poland) when Andromeda supported Pendragon at a 21st Anniversary of "The Jewel" concert. The band (line-up: David Fremberg - vocals, Johan Reinholdz - guitar, Martin Hedin - keyboards, Thomas Lejon - drums and Fabian Gustavsson - bass) concentrated mostly on their latest "Chimera" album but the set-list also includes older tracks from "Extension Of The Wish" and "II=I" albums. Get ready for a strong dose of progressive metal! The Swedish quintet offers powerful and sublime sound compositions that are both structurally intricate and overflowing with a vast spectrum of emotions.

DVD includes 1.5 hour of progressive music at its very best, more than an hour of bonus video footage (featuring, among other materials, bootlegs and documents from the band's tour and gigs across Europe), 2 interviews and much more!

"Playing Off The Board" will be also available in a limited swing case edition, including a CD with songs recorded at the concert!

Release date: 10th April in Europe / 24th April in US.

Tracklist

DVD:
01. Periscope
02. Mirages
03. In The Deepest Of Waters
04. Two Is One
05. The Hidden Riddle
06. Chameleon Carneval
07. Inner Circle
08. Eclipse
09. In The End Clip]
10. Encyclopedia
11. Reaching Deep Within
12. The Words Unspoken

CD (only available in limited swing case edition):
01. Periscope
02. Mirages
03. In The Deepest Of Waters
04. Two Is One
05. The Hidden Riddle
06. Chameleon Carneval
07. Inner Circle
08. Eclipse
09. In The End
10. Encyclopedia
11. Reaching Deep Within
12. The Words Unspoken

Bonus video:
Interview with Johan Reinholdz and Martin Hedin
Interview with David Fremberg and Thomas Lejon
Rehearsal, October 2006
Andromeda Goes Dutch
European Tour Tales
Three Days in Poland
Old Live Footage

Others:
- Photo gallery
- Biography
- Discography
- Desktop images
- Weblinks
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

A comment by the band, posted on their website, goes as follows:

"We are all very excited about this release, we have put our hearts and souls into its creation. It´s full to the brim with stuff to dig your teath into. The concert was professionaly filmed in an old theatre in Poland this fall and it looks and sounds awsome. There are loads cool of bonus material, stuff we filmed on tour, pictures, interviews etc. Don´t miss it!"

Read more ››

Source:	metal-rules.com
Band profile:	Andromeda

Sonata Arctica's guitarist Jani Liimatainen has posted an announcement on the band's official website, stating that he will sit out the coming live activities due to civil duty. Guitar virtuoso Elias "E.Vil" Viljanen has been announced as substitute.

The complete translation of the statement from Finnish, provided by Blabbermouth, reads as follows:

"Unfortunately, we have come to a situation in where I'm unable to play Sonata Arctica's scheduled gigs this spring. The reason for this is that I have to fulfill my civic duties. The band will, in any case, perform the agreed gigs with a substitute guitarist and I'm sure he will meet the high standards the fans expect from Sonata Arctica's gigs. I hope I'll be able to return to the band as soon as possible, because the tour break has already taken too long and I miss the sweaty nights on stage and the sweaty days in the tour bus! I want to wish a nice spring to all fans; hopefully we will meet soon!"

In other news the band has published the release dates, covers and tracklists of the upcoming album "Unia" and the preceding single "Paid In Full".

Tracklist "Unia" - release date: May 25th, 2007 (cover)
01. In Black And White
02. Paid In Full
03. For The Sake Of Revenge
04. It Won't Fade
05. Under Your Tree
06. Caleb
07. The Vice
08. My Dream's But A Drop Of Fuel For A Nightmare
09. The Harvest
10. The Worlds Forgotten, The Words Forbidden
11. Fly With The Black Swan
12. Good Enough Is Good Enough

Tracklist "Paid In Full" - release date: April 27th, 2007 (cover)
01. Paid In Full
02. Out In The Fields
03. Paid In Full

Read more ››

Source:	sonataarctica.info
Band profile:	Sonata Arctica

Guitarist/vocalist Anders Lundemark of the Danish extreme metallers Konkhra has issued the following update:

"Alright folks, we are getting closer: we just tracked the drums for song number 9 , which has yet to be named properly, but could very well be doomed to carry the monicker "Nothing Is Sacred". We are planning on two more, and we are almost getting ready with them. We have also been talking to someone about doing some lead work once again, will let everyone know what happens with that as soon as I can. Best guess is record finished around May, since finish the thing might include some international travelling."

A new Konkhra instrumental demo track, which has the working title "Killswitch One", has been posted online at the band's MySpace page.

Read more ››

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Konkhra

Axel Rudi Pell has updated on his official website that he "Just would like to let you know that my health is getting better."
And also "we´ll be in the studio in April to record a new album which will be a cover album! Yes, that´s right... but all NEW recorded material, no songs from earlier releases, just 10 songs which I picked personally out of some really great tunes! And... surprise...there will be NO cover version of either a Deep Purple or a Rainbow song! Expect all the songs sounding typically in the style of Axel Rudi Pell ! I´ll promise you'll really be satisfied ! The record will be released by SPV after the summer."

Source:	axel-rudi-pell.de
Band profile:	Axel Rudi Pell

Katatonia's brand new video for the song 'July', shot and directed by Charlie Granberg, has been posted online at YouTube.com.

Commented Granberg: "It's basically a perfomance video. But I wanted the feeling of the band playing in a very rough, abandonded or even bombed out house, in an extremely warm country like Mexico or somewere in the middle east. Dark on the inside, but with sunbeams searching their way through the dust, hitting the bandmembers here and there. I really wanted the feeling of the outside world being so much better and brighter than the place the band is in. The biggest challenge with this video I think, was that I wanted to use really warm and grainy colours, wich is kinda rare in this type of music, but at the same time wrap it in a gloomy, apocalyptic feeling. But I think the balance is there and I'm happy the band liked it so much."

Read more ››

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Katatonia