Australian Power/Progressive Metal band Vanishing Point have regretfully annouced the parting with drummer Jack Lukic. Lukic and his wife are soon to be expecting twins, so the drummer's priorities are now more about family than music. This Saturday night on the 9th December will be the band's show with Gamma Ray. It will be Lukic's last performance with Vanishing Point.

Here is a posting by Lukic:

"Hi everyone this is Jack here, drummer from Vanishing Point. I wish to inform you all that after 16 great years with Vanishing Point, it has now come to the time for me to call it the day. All my goals I believe have been fulfilled as a musician, recording three albums, European tours and film clips to name a few. After just getting married and my wife now expecting twins, my focus is now more on family rather than music. I will still remain to be close to the band and will help them when in need. I have also recorded the drums to the follow up album "Embrace the Silence" which the title is yet to be named. We all still remain close friends and I wish all the success they thoroughly deserve in the upcoming future. Please be assured that Vanishing Point still are as strong as ever before which will be proven with the release of the new album sometime next year.

I wish Tommy, Silvio, Chris and Steve all the best with the release of the new album and the future.
To all the fans of Vanishing Point, I thank you all for your support throughout the years and I hope I have not disappointed you in anyway.Now it's time to move on to the next chapter in my life, teaching my children to become the next generation of headbangers.
Thank you all,
Jack Lukic"

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

Angtoria are currently featured at Last.fm Radio, with three songs from their debut album "God Has A Plan For Us All" available for free download. The tracks on offer are 'Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough', 'Do You See Me Now' and 'God Has A Plan For Us All'. Click here to check them out.

The entire album is available for streaming and purchase at the site.

Angtoria features Cradle Of Filth session singer Sarah Jezebel Deva (Therion, Mortiis) and the Swedish brothers Chris Rehn (Abyssos) and Tommy Rehn (Moahni Moahna), Dave Pybus (Cradle Of Filth) and John Henriksson (My Own Grave).
"God Has A Plan For Us All" was released on 27 April.

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Source:	last.fm
Band profile:	Angtoria

Thunderstone have issued the following update on their forthcoming album:

Thunderstone's upcoming fourth studio effort is confirmed to be released worldwide (except USA) on March 14th, 2007 and later in the spring in the USA. The album bears the title "Evolution 4.0".
Band members characterize the forthcoming album as 'a milestone, bringing in more of the heavier stuff that "Tools Of Destruction" already hinted at, but still retaining the landmark melodies of Thunderstone. That's why we thought the title "Evolution 4.0" best represents where we now stand.
Some song titles include 'Roots Of Anger', '10 000 Ways', 'Swirled', 'Down With Me' and 'The Source'.

Go to this location for more information on the band and studio diaries.

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Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

Finnish metallers Mors Principium Est have issued the following update:

"Our guitarist and main songwriter Jori (Haukio) decided to leave the band after seven years and three albums. He felt that MPE was not his thing anymore. We wish him all the best!
Our friend Karri Kuisma will be our session guitarist from now on."

As previously reported, Mors Principium Est's new album, Liberation = Termination, is due out in early 2007 via Listenable Records.

Source:	morsprincipiumest.com
Band profile:	Mors Principium Est

Swedish metallers Evergrey will embark on their first Eastern European tour in January. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Jan. 11 - Nitra, SK - Stara Pekaren
Jan. 12 - Budapest, HUN - Kultiplex
Jan. 14 - Larissa, GRE - Live Music House
Jan. 15 - Plovdiv, BUL - Geo Milev Hall
Jan. 17 - Sofia, BUL - Sredec Hall
Jan. 19 - Ankara, TUR - Saklikent
Jan. 20 - Istanbul, TUR - Studio Live
Jan. 21 - Bukarest, ROM - Sala Preoteasa
Jan. 22 - Belgrad, SER - Dom Omladine
Jan. 23 - Zagreb, CRO - Mochvara
Jan. 24 - Wörgl, AUT - Komma

Support on the trek (except in Nitra and Budapest) will come from the Norwegian band Stonegard.

Source:	evergrey.net
Band profile:	Evergrey
Event:	Evergrey: Eastern Europe Tour

Norwegian extreme metal band Arcturus will embark on a tour of Asutralia in March 2007.
The details of the trek, dubbed "Shipwrecked in Australia", are as follows:

Mar. 27 - Adelaide @ HQ Complex
Mar. 29 - Brisbane @ Her Majesty's Basement
Mar. 30 - Sydney @ The Gaelic Theatre (18+)
Mar. 31 - Melbourne @ The Espy

Source:	hailmetal.com
Band profile:	Arcturus
Event:	Arcturus: Shipwrecked In Australia

Irish doom titans Mourning Beloveth have parted ways with bassist Adrian Butler. Adrian's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"I am no longer part of the doom troupe that are Mourning Beloveth. I was talking to Darren last weekend and the band are going to continue with current session bassist Brendan Roche and make him a permanent member of MB. I moved to Spain in Oct '05 and the fact of not being able to be present for weekly practice has been very tough and impossible for us to keep up the long distance relationship so to speak. I've been leaving since last year in a way but making this final decision is tough but better off for both parties. I can say though that it's been a fabulous 10 years with MB. We've toured America, Europe a few times and recorded three great albums. We also played our first open air festivals this year so I am more than happy with what I was involved in and pleased to have been able to play a part in advancing the bands career since 1996 when I recorded their first demo with Alan from Primordial. I will be helping out the band in the future in another capacity too so I won't be going away. My friends in MB will always remain so and we'll continue to insult each other, get drunk, fall down and have a laugh whenever its possible to get together.

"In the coming months I will be launching my new business venture. It will have various sections dealing with band management, a booking agency, band promotion, licensing deals, studio production, concert promotion and tour management. More details on the website (under construction). It will be a combination of my past work experience with Emerald Promotions, Sentinel Records and Mourning Beloveth. I have some other musical projects in the pipeline as well. A bit different than MB but you will hear it in due course. I won't be letting these strings of lead turn to stone."

Source:	hailmetal.com
Band profile:	Mourning Beloveth

Swiss Symphonic Power Metal formation Lunatica have posted a video for the song 'Song For You' on their website. The video can be viewed here.
"Song For You" comes off the band's latest album "The Edge Of Infinity", which was released on 25 August.

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Source:	lunatica.ch
Band profile:	Lunatica

Norther has announced on their official website today that they will release a new EP in February 2007. The EP will be titled "No Way Back". It'll contain 5 songs and is made in co-operation with Suomen Musiikki and Mr Kari Hynninen.

As previously reported, Norther will play on the Fuck X-Mas Party in Helsinki the day after tomorrow. More info here.

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Source:	norther.net
Band profile:	Norther

Tvangeste: Latest Metal News

Fresh news about "Satori" recording:

At last we got a certain information about the recording date! March 20 is the day Tvangeste will enter the studio to record new material. Unfortunately there were no chances to schedule any earlier time because of the line of bands waiting for their turn. Recording session will take place at three European studios. Studio time is booked so there is no retreat, no surrender!

Album will be mixed by Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND) at his Los Angered in Goeteborg / Sweden - at the moment we are negotiating the mixing time.

One more feature of the new album is our collaboration with pretty female singer Gaby Koss (ex-vocalist of HAGGARD). So prepare for a magic chants performed by one of the most talented vocalist on this Planet!

Ever yours, Tvangeste team


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Source:	tvangeste.com
Band profile:	Tvangeste

As posted on the official Website on 06.12.2006:

Since a while there's rumours about Mike leaving Rage, so now Peavy and Victor speak to the public: From now on we won't continue our colaboration with Mike because personal and musical differences that exist since a while, became unbearable. This cut is definitely not easy for us, but to avoid damage for Rage we have no other choice. Unfortunately there's not much left from our former unity, since a while, comunication between Mike and us broke down completely, so we have to pull the emergency brake. We decided to work with a new drummer in the future, because we don't want to ruin it all to a point, where's no future at all. We want to keep our power and joy in music, so there's no other way.

We are aware, how much this Line up meant to you (and us), but that's life. A band, especially a three-piece, is like a relationship. Over the years we just developed apart from each other. We wish Mike all the best for his further carreer.

Nevertheless, there's a bright perspective in front of us: We definitely won't cancel a single show and work intensely at the moment, to present you a suitable new drummer soon. We have lots of plans for the next year, among others we'll play some exclusive orchestra shows for you.

We hope you all keep the faith in the future and promise, to keep up with our quality level to 100%.

See ya soon!

Rage on!

Yours Peavy & Victor

Source:	rage-on.de
Band profile:	Rage

Montreal's act Unexpect has posted the following update:

"After ten years of enjoyable companionship, we now officially announce that our violinist, le bateleur, will be leaving Unexpect for good. We'll always keep strong ties with him but it seems that extensive touring don't fit well with his future life plans. We wish him the best and hope he'll get the most out of life !

Thanks Charles?"

Unexpect is so looking for a replacement. Candidates should :

* absolutely be devoid of any criminal records
* have some stage experience
* be ready to tour extensively
* be musically open minded ( obviously )
* have a nice and well groomed moustache
* forget about that last statement

For those interested, just contact our manager, FIX, at this phone number or email?he'll fill you in on the procedures?:
Phone:514-758-3542 | E-mail:fix@unexpect.com

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Source:	unexpect.com
Band profile:	Unexpect

Baltimore based experimental metallers Dog Fashion Disco have posted the following update:

After much thought and consideration Dog Fashion Disco has decided to call it quits. Their last and final show will be 1-13-07 at Club Sonar located on 407 E Saratoga St. in Baltimore, MD. They want to thank you; all of their dedicated fans for enabling them to make a life and career out of the music of Dog Fashion Disco. This is something that not many people get to enjoy and do. It was a hard decision but after 10 years on CONSTANT dedication and touring it is time to pursue other interests.

Here is a statement from Todd Smith, lead singer of Dog Fashion Disco:

Well after all these years Dog Fashion Disco are calling it quits. Actually I wouldn't say quit but we are ending the band although Dog Fashion Disco's music for me, will live on forever. I started this band over ten years ago and it was my decision to end it. I always told myself if it stopped being worth the effort I would gracefully bow out and that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm not going to get into details exactly why everything is ending because it really doesn't matter. I am so proud of Adultery and I think it defines us as musicians and is an awesome way for people to remember us. I think Adultery will be discovered by many generations to come and will find its place as a cult record people will listen to and talk about for many years. We will be playing our last show on Jan. 13th 2007 at Sonar in Baltimore. I encourage everyone from far and wide to come out for this going away party. We will be playing a super long set and it will be a nice way for us to say our goodbyes face to face. Jeff Siegel will be playing keyboards and it will be a real cool get together for friends and fans. I feel very fortunate to have met everyone who has been a fan of this band for so many years. It's been so cool meeting everyone around the country and becoming fast friends and knowing they'd be there when we came to town. The experiences I've had I wouldn't trade for anything. How many people can say they've hurled their own shit at 800 juggalo's? or how many people have ever had to go the hospital after visiting a Chinese massage parlor in Rockford Illinois? I even got the opportunity to share the stage with those douche bags in WASP and then after our set pelt them with our veggie tray from our dressing room. I know we are personally responsible for MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE now being prohibited to drink booze before there shows. Lets just say when we toured with them we weren't exactly knitting quilts backstage. I remember a certain gross out contest in Wisconsin where Steve from MSI and Ollie from DFD were eating each others vomit by the end of the night. It's been a lot of fun to say the least. Jasan and Wendy have moved on to create another band Phantom Communique. I have heard the stuff they are doing in the studio and it's fucking killer. I have a feeling those guys will take that band very far. John Ensminger and I will be recording a demo to shop in February and that will determine if he and I venture into another band. Well everyone in the band is going to list those they would personally like to thank. I would personally like to thank Derek Brewer, Jeff Cohen, Steve Seabury, Steve Wright and Mike Macaree and Drew Lamonde at Wrightway Studios, Drew Mazurek, James Wright, Shane Tuttle, Carlos and Lillian Batts, Ron at Rotten Records, Wookubus at the PRP, SMNnews, Metal Edge, Sam and Paul Schreider, Dee, Ilyse, Cait, Lauren, Chris Frampton, Jason Popson, Cory Cudney, Matt Rippetoe, Justin, Bonnie and Chase Lapp, Jason at Xact Records, and Justin McConnell. I would also like to send out a special thank you to Mike Smolen. Where ever you are, you will never be forgotten. Thanks for spreading the word on DFD. Goodnight and goodbye my friend.

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Source:

blog.myspace.com

Record label Nuclear Blast have posted the cover artwork for Sirenia's upcoming album 'Nine Destinies And A Downfall' online. You can see the artwork here.

Nine Destinies And A Downfall will be released on the 26th February next year.

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Sirenia

Frontman Buddy Lackey of Progressive Metal band Deadsoul Tribe has announced that there is a new album on the way and the production stage is in full swing. The album will be called 'A Lullaby For The Devil'. It will be 60 minutes long and it will be released around April 2007. The album was originally going to be a double disc album, but the band decided not to have it this way, and they've just picked all the strongest songs for a single disc.

Here is a posting by the frontman: "The album will sound quite a bit different than the previous Deadsoul albums, in that the songs are generally much faster paced, and quite a bit more, progressive, quite a bit more aggressive, and quite a bit more Metal.

There are also some songs which would have been on the 'calmer' disc, which have a smokey, more experimental ambience. There is also a particularly noteworthy instrumental composed for lead flute."

Source:	deadsoultribe.com
Band profile:	Deadsoul Tribe