German melodic metallers EDGUY have been confirmed for the 2006 Busan International Rock Festival, set to take place August 5-8 in Busan, Korea. Also scheduled to appear are UFO, ANDREW W.K. and TESTAMENT.

EDGUY are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Rocket Ride", which entered the German national album chart at position No. 8 upon its release in late January. The CD also came in at No. 8 in Sweden, No. 25 in Finland, No. 32 in Hungary, No. 48 in Japan, No. 50 in Switzerland, No. 50 in Austria, No. 79 in Norway and No. 81 in Italy.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Edguy

Insomnium will tour in September with Enslaved, Zyklon and 1349 in the following cities:

05 - (IRL) Dublin, The Village
07 - (UK) Colchester, Arts Centre
08 - (UK) Sheffield, Corporation
09 - (UK) Glasgow, The Garage
10 - (UK) Manchester, Academy 2
11 - (UK) Birmingham, Carling Academy
12 - (UK) London, Mean Fiddler

They will open each gig, followed by Keep Of Kalessin.

Source:	insomnium.net
Band profile:	Insomnium

Previously unseen footage of SLAYER in the studio recording their upcoming album, "Christ Illusion", has been made available at the Warner Bros. web site:

Quicktime:
200k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_220.mov)
450k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_450.mov)
700k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_700.mov)

Windows Media:
220k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_220.wvx)
300k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_300.wvx)
450k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_450.wvx)
700k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_700.wvx)

"Christ Illusion" is SLAYER's first new studio album since 2001, and the first recorded by the band's original line-up - Kerry King (guitar); Tom Araya (bass, vocals); Jeff Hanneman (guitars); Dave Lombardo (drums) - since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss". "Christ Illusion" was produced by Josh Abraham and executive-produced by Rick Rubin. The album is scheduled for release on August 8, 2006 via American Recordings/Warner Bros. Records.

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Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Slayer

Metalism UK Promotions announce DORO PESCH as the latest addition to the Ragnarok UK Metalfest taking place at Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Scotland on November 4th 2006.

The ex-Warlock frontwoman is an exciting addition to the line up that has only one more slot to fill. Thus far, the line up comprises:

GAMMA RAY
TBC
DORO
DREAM EVIL
KALMAH
ASTRAL DOORS
CHARON
ELVENKING
SUIDAKRA
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
INTENSE

The preshow, set to take place The Doghouse, Dundee on the 3rd November features the following:

SKYCLAD
PARAGON
ATTICA RAGE
EVILE
PITIFUL REIGN
NEVERWINTER
BLACK ATOM

More information can be found on the newly improved Ragnarok website, located at www.ragnarokfestival.com where you can view band biographies, travel information, purchase tickets and listen to tracks from bands on the lineup via a jukebox system.

Source:	ragnarokfestival.com
Event:	Ragnarok UK Metal Fest - CANCELLED

Guitarist Georg Laakso from the 'Battle' Folk Metal band Turisas has decided he will leave the band. Nine months ago (October 2005) Laakso was involved in a car accident that left him severely injured, and without full mobility from the chest down. He has been slowly recovering, but he will never recover to the point of being able to walk or play guitar anymore. So he has decided to officially leave Turisas.

Here is a statement by Laakso taken from the band's official website: "Nearly nine months has passed since the accident took place, and after six years in the band, I have now come to the point where I am forced to leave Turisas.

I have been diagnosed with spinal cord injury which has an effect on all the functions in my body. In practice it means that nothing from my chest and below is working properly or at all, and I am now tied to a wheelchair - most likely for the rest of my life. Unfortunately my fingers are not working either and it is very unlikely that I will be able to play the guitar - or any instrument for that matter - ever again. To avoid sounding too gloomy I would like to point out that considering the circumstances I should have been dead many times already."

Turisas has been playing for the last nine months with only one guitarist, and they've decided to leave it that way and not replace Laakso.

In other Turisas news, the band is currently working on a new album, that they hope to release early next year.

Source:	turisas.com
Band profile:	Turisas

SQUASH BOWELS will be playing two big festiwals in this vacation. First the OBSCENE EXTREME festival in Czech Republic with Sinister, Dismember, Dead Infection, Gut and many more. The second fest is UPPSALA BLODBAD IV in Uppsala near from Stockholm (Sweden) with Regurgitate, Anata, Jigsore Terror, General Surgery, Spawn Of Possession and more bands.

SQUASH BOWELS will be playing both festivals with their new session drummer Kris (PARRICIDE, DEIVOS, AZARATH).

Source:	Press Info
Band profile:	Squash Bowels

LIFESTAGE PRODUCTIONS will be releasing a debut album of the swedish grind
tornado called "THE ARSON PROJECT" this year. This CD will be recorded in HERTZ STUDIO
(DEAD INFECTION, VADER, SQUASH BOWELS, DECAPITATED) in the end of October 2006. More info and reviews soon!!!

Source:

Press Info

In autumn LIFEFORMS TOUR AGENCY will be organizing GRIND TOUR DE POLOGNE VI in
Poland. Tour starts at 13.10.2006 and stop at 22.10.2006. There will be playing three bandsOn this tour: INGROWING (Grind Core from Czech Republic), THE ARSON
PROJECT (Grind Tornado from Sweden) and SCABIES (Ex - Psychoneurosis - Grind
Core from Poland). More information soon!!!

Source:

Press Info

The band have posted the following links to their new video for "Mortal Share" of the upcoming album "Above the Weeping World" on the following websites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5IpHczLeV8
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecords
http://www.myspace.com/insomniumband
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

The album is their 3rd full length studio offering and is scheduled to hit stores in Europe on 18.9.2006. The US release date is a month later on 17.10.2006.

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Source:	insomnium.net
Band profile:	Insomnium

The Norwegian National broadcasting (NRK) filmed Enslaved at the Quartfestival last Saturday. It is supposed to be aired this Thursday (the 13th of July) at 22.00 at the program "Lydverket". It is also possible to see it at web-tv (requiers username and password, but is free) at this location: http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/lydverket/. Choose "NRK nett-tv", then "ny bruker" in the top menu and get registered.

Read more ››

Source:	enslaved.no
Band profile:	Enslaved

Norwegian Black Metallers Immortal have now reunited officially and will headline Wacken Open Air festival in August next year. The festival will take place on the 2nd - 4th August, 2007 in Wacken, Germany.

Here is a statement from Immortal: "Immortal are proud to announce that we will headline Wacken in 2007. This will be part of a few selected exclusive shows next year, and Wacken will be the only show in Germany."

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Immortal

Hello people!

As of today, Saturday 24th June, the recording of the new album 'Existentia' is officially underway! Jonathan and Runar are currently finding themselves poolside in sunny and beautiful Marseille, more spesifically in Soundsuite Studio with producer Terje Refsnes in charge!

We will start tracking the drums this weekend, followed by the guitars. Ronny and Kjell will join shortly and will be accompanied by multi-musician wizard Bernt Moen, who will be in charge of orchestrations and choirs for the album. You are all in for one hell of a treat in that department!

We are very confident about the songs we carry with us! There will be 10 songs featured on the end result, with possible bonus material for certain territories, limited editions and so on. The material is as always diverse and heavy, though we feel that this is by far the catchiest stuff we have ever written. Can't wait to pack it all into a suitable production and share the result with all of you guys and girls out there!

Keep checking back for studio updates with comments and photos as the recording progresses. Cheers!

Source:	trailoftears.no
Band profile:	Trail Of Tears

The "Classic Monsters Of Earache Records" contest has been closed today 10th July 2006. The lucky winners are:

CD's:
Our fellow Metalstormer; Daniel Kaplan aka "Bloodshed"

Rare Video Tape:
Ryan Levin from London (saw the contest and sent an e-mail)

All the winners have been already notified by e-mail.

All the best and others -- better luck next time.
Metal Storm Staff

Read more ››

Sadly, we have to announce today this terrible news from Elis, Gothic act from Liechtenstein...

"Deeply confused and sad, we have to inform you, that Sabine isn't among us anymore!

While the bands rehearsal on Friday the 7.7.06, Sabine suffered a cerebral haemorrhage on which she died a day later at the hospital!

On regard to the family and friends, we have decided to take the homepage from the net.

We need time now, to decide if and how we approach further and we will not answer any mails at the moment.

Sing with the angels Sabine! We will never forget you!

Chris, Max, Pete, Tom"

The Metal Storm team would like to send its sincere condolences to Elis but also to the friends and family of Sabine.

Source:	elis.li
Band profile:	Elis

Anthrax, Children Of Bodom and Angra have been confirmed for the Loud Park 06 festival, set to take place October 14-15, 2006 at the Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 9-11 in Tokyo, Japan. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Saturday, October 14:

Megadeth
Ministry
Angra
Anthrax
Backyard Babies
Arch Enemy
Dragonforce
Napalm Death
Opeth
Flyleaf

Sunday, October 15:

Slayer
In Flames
Killswitch Engage
Children Of Bodom
Bullet For My Valentine
Mastodon
Hatebreed
Lamb Of God
The Black Dahlia Murder
Within Temptation

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Anthrax