Early next month Blood Red Throne will be entering Jailhouse Studios in Horsens, Denmark to begin recording their fourth album. So far four song titles have been decided upon. They are "Rebirth In Blood", "Come Death", "No New Beginning" and "Slaying The Lamb".

The album will be the first to include new drummer Anders Haave and new vocallist Vald. It is set for release around July/August through Earache Records.

Source:	bloodredthrone.net
Band profile:	Blood Red Throne

Greek Black Metallers Ravencult have announced a deal with Dark Essence Records. The band have inked the deal with the Norwegian record label in time for their next release. The release will be their debut album 'Temples Of Torment'. The album will be released on the 26th of March, 2007.

Here is the track list for the album:

01. The Sigil Of Baphomet
02. In Times Of Demise
03. Onslaught Command
04. Blessed In Heresy
05. Commence The Burning Of Heavens
06. The Nightsky Codex
07. Utter Cold Void
08. The Needles Of Truth

More information including the cover art will be posted soon.

Source:

ravencult.net

Veteran Thrashers Testament have updated their Australian tour schedule. The group's previously announced February 9th show in Canberra has been moved to Brisbane and the February 11th show in Perth has been cancelled altogether.

Testament's Australian tour now looks like this:

February 07 - The Prince of Wales Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
February 08 - The Manning Bar, Sydney, Australia
February 09 - The Waterloo Hotel, Brisbane, Australia

Source:	testamentlegions.com
Band profile:	Testament
Event:	Testament: Australian Tour

Australian Power/Progressive Metal band Vanishing Point have officially started their search for a new drummer. Former drummer Jack Lukic left the band at the end of last year, and now Vanishing Point are looking for a replacement.

Here is a posting taken from the band's official website: "Vanishing Point begins it's arduous task of finding a drummer who will be replacing Jack. After releasing three studio albums, nearing completion of their fourth album/new album and completing extensive European and Australian tours, Vanishing Point seeks a drummer with great communication skills, who is friendly, easy going, has own transport and is willing to commit 100%. Must have the ability to write in a team environment and have some stage experience, should be financially secure and be able to tour overseas.

After signing to Germany's fastest growing record label Dockyard1, Vanishing Point has been put among the worlds best music acts today.
So if you, or if you may know someone who has what Vanishing Point is looking for please reply to vanishingpoint1@hotmail.com".

UPDATE:
It appears that after only three days the search is over already. Drummer Christian Nativo of Melbourne-based melodic metal band PTB has posted the following news on his Myspace:

"Hello friends...
I am pleased to announced that I am the new drummer for Melbourne Prog Metal band Vanishing Point.

I wish the boys from PTB all the very best for 2007 and beyond and I will continue to help them for their live shows until they find a new drummer...

I look forward to seeing you at the shows...
Cheers"

Even though Vanishing Point's official website doesn't report about Nativo's addition yet, the band's Myspace already lists him as band member.

Read more ››

Source:	vanishing-point.com.au
Band profile:	Vanishing Point

Manowar has started to give away parts of the CD cover for the upcoming new album Gods Of War, which is set to be released on February 23, 2007 in Germany (February 26 for the rest of Europe and April 3 for the USA/Canada).

Next to this first taste of what the album cover will look like, the band also gives away a bit more info about the CD - concept, including 2 more song-titles. Gods Of War is Manowar's first entry in a cycle of concept albums; each a tribute to a different war god. Opening with the epic piece "Overture To The Hymn Of The Immortal Warriors", the tone is set for an album beyond anything Manowar has done before. This album honors Odin - almighty father of the Norse gods - and details the history and exploits of this storied character. His power and wisdom were unmatched among the gods and he is paid tribute with human sacrifice on the battlefield, as heard in the song "The Sons Of Odin", the stomping title track "Gods Of War" and the storytelling "The Blood Of Odin".

Manowar will continue with revealing the cover in their upcoming E-Card, so keep an eye on www.manowar.com to make sure you don't miss anything!

Besides the normal jewel-case version, "Gods of War" will also be released as a limited edition in an embossed metal slipcase containing a high grade mediabook bound in leather. Furthermore, this limited edition will feature a bonus DVD with unreleased material detailing the making of this album and some special behind-the-scenes footage. A double-vinyl LP in a gatefold sleeve will also be available.

Source:	manowar.com
Band profile:	Manowar

New posts on the official website of the band Threshold tells us that Nick Midson (guitarist) is taking a break from the band. Member Karl Groom commented: "Nick has been thinking about this for a while. It's largely driven by wanting a break from touring and promotional activities. I'm still in contact with him regularly and we live 5 minutes from each other. The way is open for Nick to return for future albums and he is considering it."

Nick Midson is one of the founding members of Threshold. He is not featured on the band's forthcoming album, Dead Reckoning, and a replacement guitarist for the band's live shows will be announced later.

Meanwhile, the artwork for Threshold's forthcoming album "Dead Reckoning" has been revealed. Davide Nadalin of Nerve Design is the artist, who's previous covers include Extrema and Blinded Colony. http://www.thinicestudios.com/threshold/deadreckoning.jpg

The album "Dead Reckoning" is due for release through Nuclear Blast Records on 23 March 2007.

Read more ››

Source:	thresh.net
Band profile:	Threshold

The following messages were posted by the band on their official website:

Carpathian Forest announce that the work on the new studio album is in progress. Bearing the working title "Universal Evil", the band aim at recording the new album sometime in 2007.
5 songs have been written already and the band starts rehearsing in the coming weeks.

"Fuck You all!!!!" Has proven to be a massive success and outsold "Defending the Throne of Evil" in just a few months. The limited edition (10 000 ex) FYA!!!! metal box is sold out, so if you find it available somewhere - get it before its too late. The album is also out in Brazil and other license territories so make sure you grab a copy!

We kick off the new year and new website by announcing that bass player Vrangsinn is no longer a part of Carpathian Forest. As a result, the band have cancelled all live plans for the first part of 2007, including the Domination tour and the Rotting Christ tour.

Source:	tnbm.no
Band profile:	Carpathian Forest
Event:	The Domination Tour 2007

A Memorial Day in honor of late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton was held on September 30th at The Gyllene Rasten venue, located in Ljungby, Dörarp, Sweden. A memorial stone was unveiled at the event, but was recently moved so it would not suffer from the snow and the harsh weather during the winter in Sweden. Click here to view the final resting place of the Cliff Burton Memorial stone.

Burton died on September 27th, 1986 when Metallica's tour bus hit black ice and flipped over in rural Sweden (Kronobergs län).

Read more ››

Source:	cliffinourminds.com
Band profile:	Metallica

On May 25th, 2007 Edenbridge will release "The Chronicles of Eden," a rarities/best of compilation. The album will feature Japanese and European bonus tracks, 3 new unreleased tracks, songs from out-of-print singles as well as their best work from the past 5 studio albums. "The Chronicles of Eden" will be presented as a double-CD and as a limited edition double-digipack.

As a special bonus, fans can vote on which songs will be featured in the "best of" section. Vote at www.edenbridge.org

Source:	edenbridge.org
Band profile:	Edenbridge

As previously reported Tobias is working on another Avantasia album. Kiss' drummer Eric Singer is the drummer of Avantasia this time.

"We've recorded the drums in Hamburg at Vox-Klangstudio, where we recorded the drums of Edguy's Hellfire Club too. Great room, great equipment! Eric is a killer drummer and a cool guy to work with. It is really exciting to hear his interpretation of European style Metal. It definitely adds something fresh and unique to the sound, mainly because he's got a different approach to that kind of music. And although he doesn't do it with Alice Cooper, Kiss and SpongeBob Squarepants' solo band: There IS fast doublebass shit on Avantasia, and Eric did a great job!!! You'll hear it, it's fantastic. Go visit his website www.eric-singer.com and leave him a nice message!

Anyway, listening to the material so far I can really say that even though the new Avantasia will be a different conceptual story, the ambition remains the same: To create something epic and big! Or how Eric put it, Let's make some kewl music! No doubt, the spirit of Avantasia is there - in every note. Happy new year everybody and let's have a great and peaceful 2007. - Tobias"

Read more ››

Source:	tobiassammet.com
Band profile:	Avantasia

After just completing a North American tour, which the band found to be quite successful, Leaves' Eyes will be heading the same way in August/September this year. Joining Leaves' Eyes for the tour will be Power Metal band Kamelot.

Here are the dates for the tour:

17.08.2007 - USA - West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
18.08.2007 - USA - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theatre
19.08.2007 - USA - New York, NY @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
20.08.2007 - USA - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre*
21.08.2007 - USA - Bedford, NH @ Mark's Place*
22.08.2007 - Canada - Montreal, QU @ Medley
23.08.2007 - Canada - Quebec City, QC @ Imperial
24.08.2007 - Canada - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
25.08.2007 - USA - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
26.08.2007 - USA - Detroit, MI @ I-Rock*
27.08.2007 - USA - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
28.08.2007 - USA - St.Paul, MN @ Station 4
30.08.2007 - USA - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
01.09.2007 - USA - Santa Ana, CA @ Galaxy Theatre
02.09.2007 - USA - Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club

* = Leaves' Eyes only

Source:	leaveseyes.de
Band profile:	Leaves' Eyes
Event:	Kamelot/Leaves' Eyes: North American Tour 2007

Veteran Australian thrashers Mortal Sin have posted a live video online at YouTube. The video is of the band playing at Wacken, Germany in 2006. The video goes for nine minutes and can be seen at this location.

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Source:	hailmetal.com
Band profile:	Mortal Sin

Nevermore guitarist Steve Smyth has posted the following update at his official website, after having a successful kidney transplant operation:

"The time has finally come to share a very important piece of news, directly related to my health. On December 12th, 2006, I had a successful kidney transplant! After 6 straight months on dialysis, changes to my lifestyle and diet, and a very thorough search for a suitable donor, by early August 2006, we had a preliminary match. Several rounds of blood and tissue typing tests had to be subsequently performed to ensure we were a perfect match for transplant; the main reason for my hesitance in saying anything publicly during those months.

The donor shall remain nameless, but my gratitude to him for his selfless act of kindness and friendship will endure forever! Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me!

I am now on the road to recovery, as they say. This is mainly requiring a lot of adjustment to medications I will be on for the rest of my life, a small price to pay to be free from dialysis, and the restrictions it places on a person, both mentally and physically. I had no idea how much freedom I took for granted before all of this hit. 2006 was a big revelation of the frailty of human life for me, something I will not take for granted again.

Where does all this lead to next? I've been advised by my doctors that I will not be able to travel in any capacity for the next 6 months, as I have to adjust to immunosuppressant drugs to fight any possible form of rejection of the kidney, and my body needs time to recover from this operation, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. All things that only make one stronger!

Obviously, my health must come first, but of huge importance to me is my loyalty to the rest of Nevermore, and as soon as I am deemed fit and ready to hit the road again, I will. I've already written 4-5 songs in various stages for the next Nevermore record, when the time comes to do one."

Source:	stevesmyth.com
Band profile:	Nevermore

Death Metallers Bolt Thrower have been confirmed for Summer Breeze Festival '07. The show will be the only time the band will visit Germany for 2007. The Summer Breeze Open Air Festival will take place in Dinkelsbühl, Germany on the 16-18th of August this year and Bolt Thrower will be performing on the 17th. You can visit the Summer Breeze website here.

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Source:	boltthrower.com
Band profile:	Bolt Thrower
Event:	Summer Breeze Open Air

Celtic Frost and Kreator have just announced the supporting bands for their co-headliner tour of Europe. Personally picked by both bands, Dutch Death/Thrashers Legion Of The Damned will be taking over the special guest slot on March 29th, and Swedish Black Metal act Watain will be opening the tour until then. Afterwards Watain will climb to the special guest position.

Source:	celticfrost.com
Band profile:	Kreator
Event:	Kreator + Celtic Frost: European Tour