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Testament - Drummer Unable To Perform At Upcoming Shows

Veteran Thrashers Testament have announced that their drummer Louie Clemente will not be able to take part in upcoming Testament shows due to 'medical reasons'. The band is planning to tour the United States, Europe and South Korea through July and August. Experienced drummer and good friend to the band, Paul Bostaph will be filling in for the unwell Clemente.

Source: testamentlegions.com
Band profile: Testament
Posted: 06.07.2006 by Raiden | Comments (0)


Kamelot - Cancel Appearance At Ragnarock Festival

Power Metallers Kamelot have said that they will be cancelling their appearance at the upcoming Ragnarock Festival, in Norway. The band cancelled their August 18th and 19th appearances because they haven't received any kind of contract. The band says that it's an unfortunate thing to happen, but out of their control. However Kamelot will be planning for an early 2007 tour that will include Norway.

Here is a statement by KMI Entertainment's Tim Norwood: "We have yet to receive a contract or deposits for this festival. It is unfortunate for the fans since the band was very excited about coming to Norway again, it is simple out of our hands at this point. It also means that we have to reschedule the Helsinki show that was booked in connection with Ragnarock. We are in the middle of planning the European tour for Spring 2007 and we are planning a full run through Norway and Finland".

Source: kamelot.com
Band profile: Kamelot
Posted: 06.07.2006 by Raiden | Comments (0)


Arch Enemy - To Enter Studio In February

Finland's HardcoreSounds.net recently conducted an interview with Arch Enemy drummer Daniel Erlandsson. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

HardcoreSounds.net: You have had the chance to tour almost everywhere. Which show has been the most memorable to you so far?

Daniel: "We have done so many shows so it's quite hard but quite recently we visited Mexico and we did two shows for the first time there. Mexico City was the second show and that was one of the best shows I have ever done."

HS: Why was it so special? Where there a lot of audience?

Daniel: "We played to a full house. We played for like something in between 2,500-3,000 people and we had an amazing crowd response. The whole place was jumping all the time. I was blown away."

HS: And maybe next year we will hear new material from you guys?

Daniel: "Definitely. That's the plan too. We will start recording the new album in February and hopefully we will get it released sometime in the summer or fall of next year. We have already started writing music and we have tons of ideas."

HS: Do you have any finished songs yet?

Daniel: "We have a lot of ideas which loosely fit together so we are gonna start making songs really soon instead of just jamming with riffs. Making an album is like a big puzzle where you try to add all the pieces into the puzzle while songs."

HS: Where do you see the band in five years?

Daniel: "That's really a difficult question. If you judge Arch Enemy from the last five years from 2001 to this day the band has progressed with every album they have made, became bigger and bigger. If that continues we are going to be pretty big in 2011 and that's what I really wish."

Read the entire interview at HardcoreSounds.net.

Read more ››

Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Arch Enemy
Posted: 06.07.2006 by DarkStone | Comments (3)


Iron Maiden - New Album Artwork, New Single And Tour Info

Iron Maiden have posted the new album artwork on their website. The album should be released in September.

Also announced is the news that The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg will be released as a very special single on August 14th.

Says Steve Harris, "This is a very intense album in many ways and we really wanted to go with a lead track that demonstrated that in the best way, rather than going for a shorter track on the album just to please the chart rules. Benjamin Breeg is a great example of the feel of the album in it's really heavy riff and lyrically it's a very dark, atmospheric and powerful song which really epitomizes what the album is all about for us. So it made a natural choice for us."

In true Maiden style, the single will be released in two special Limited Edition formats, which by content will not be eligible for the UK singles chart. Manager Rod Smallwood explained, "There are various chart rules compliant to number of tracks, the maximum running time, price structure and all the rest of it. As for the new Maiden single - its simple - we're putting out a two track CD - The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg and Hallowed Be Thy Name (Legends Session) and if it's too long to qualify for the charts, then so be it. We have no problem with it being non-chart eligible.

EMI will also release a special 7" picture disc with collectable sticker of the 'Crossed Guns' Logo. B sides to both formats are from last years amazing Radio 1 legends session, recorded especially for the Zane Lowe show.

Limited Edition 2 track CD:
The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Radio 1 'Legends' Session)

Limited Edition 7" picture disc:
The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
Run To The Hills (Radio 1 'Legends' Session)
The Trooper (Radio 1 'Legends' Session)

The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg is taken from the forthcoming album, A Matter Of Life And Death - full track listing as below:

01. Different World - Smith/Harris - 4.17
02. These Colours Don't Run - Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 6.52
03. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns - Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 8.44
04. The Pilgrim - Gers/Harris - 5.07
05. The Longest Day - Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 7.48
06. Out Of the Shadows - Dickinson/Harris 5.36
07. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg - Murray/Harris - 7.21
08. For The Greater Good of God - Harris - 9.24
09. Lord Of Light - Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 7.23
10. The Legacy - Gers/Harris - 9.20

Read more ››

Source: ironmaiden.com
Band profile: Iron Maiden
Posted: 05.07.2006 by Bas | Comments (25)


Sirenia - Studio Time Booked

Studios Booked!
We will start the recordings of our new album on the 17th of July. We have chosen a somewhat different solution this time, and will record altogether in 3 different studios. This is a solution that we feel can add something new and different to our sound, as well as keeping the essential basics of Sirenia. First we will track the drums in Jailhouse studios in Norway with engineer Hans Eidsgard, then we proceed to Sound Suite Studios in France to record everything else, together with Terje Refsnes. And finally we will mix and master the album at Antfarm studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen. We look forward to work with Hans and Tue for the first time, and of course we are eager to work with Terje again, who's been a part of our team for many years. The recordings will be completed the 1st of October.

Source: sirenia.no
Band profile: Sirenia
Posted: 05.07.2006 by Jason W. | Comments (2)


Octavia Sperati - New Drummer

03.07.06
New drummer:
Finally it is time to announce that Ivar Alver has joined the band, and will be our permanent drummer from now on. It took us a while but we now feel sure that we have found the right person. We would also like to thank everyone who has contacted us regarding the drummer position.

New album:
We have been working on new material for a while and with Ivar behind the drums things have started to take shape. If things go as planned we will enter the studio late this fall, and the new album will be released early next year.

Source: octavia-sperati.com
Posted: 05.07.2006 by Jason W. | Comments (0)


Helloween - Announce Dates For Russia/Ukraine

German Power Metal pioneers Helloween have lined up the following dates in Russia/Ukraine during October 2006:

Oct. 05 - Ekaterinburg - KOSMOS Koncert Hall
Oct. 06 - Ufa Ogni - UFA Club
Oct. 07 - Kiev - DK Nau club
Oct. 08 - Moskow - DK Gorbunova
Oct. 10 - St. Petersburg - Port Club

The band is going to release a double DVD, featuring footage that was filmed during shows in Sofia, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Alongside the live footage, the double DVD will include lots of exciting bonus material. The exact release date will be announced by SPV in the coming weeks.

A number of European festival appearances are scheduled in the coming weeks. The band will perform a best-of set, featuring all their important hits, including the odd cult number, for the first time performed by the current lineup. An extensive tour of North America and Canada will take place in the fall.

Source: metal-temple.com
Band profile: Helloween
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Lupas | Comments (2)


Draconian - Track List And Release Date Announced

The release date of the forthcoming Draconian album, The Burning Halo, is set to the 29th of September (10th of October in USA).

Tracklist - "The Burning Halo" (playing time 54:09)
1. She Dies
2. Through Infectious Waters (A Sickness Elegy)
3. The Dying
4. Serenade of Sorrow
5. The Morningstar
6. The Gothic Embrace
7. On Sunday They Will Kill the World
8. Forever My Queen

Source: draconian.se
Band profile: Draconian
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Daru Jericho | Comments (4)


Enforsaken - Call It Quits

Chicago area Melodic Death Metal band Enforsaken have decided to break up after 8 years together as a band. They have also announced their final show. The following is a posting from their website by guitar player Steve Stell :

7/01/06: "Enforsaken are breaking up. Final live show announced: It's official. After 8 years of existence, we have decided to lay Enforsaken to rest. We will play our final show Saturday, August 19th in Chicago @ The Metro. This wasn't the easiest decision to make, but in the end, we agree that Enforsaken has now run it's course. We've accomplished everything that we set out to do, and now it's time to move on. We're all very proud of our last album, Sinner's Intuition, and feel that now is a good time to end the band.

We've chosen to burn out on a high note now, rather than just slowly fade into obscurity. Due to our many obligations outside the band, we cannot continue to put 100% of our time into Enforsaken. We were basically kids when this band formed, and over the years, things just have to change. Whether you like it or not. It's as simple as that. Some bands linger on for years past their expiration date. Enforsaken will not become one of those bands.

Over the past 8 years, Enforsaken have left their mark on the world with cd's released in the USA, Europe and Japan. We've made many friends (as well as a few enemies, haha!) It was definitely an interesting journey for all of us, and we look back at our past with absolutely no regrets. So many of you from all around the world have gotten into our music, and for us musicians playing in a band, that's really what it's all about. Having kids from all over the place tell you that they've genuinely been moved by your music is definitely a nice thing, to say the least. We're very pleased that you enjoyed what your heard. Your constant kind words regarding Enforsaken have always been greatly apreciated. Those words were never taken for granted and were always an inspiration to us. We can truly walk away from Enforsaken with our heads held high at this point.

We'd like to thank every one of our fans across the globe for their support throughout the years. You are the main reason why we stuck around for so long. Thank you.

Thanks to everyone else that had a role in making Enforsaken what it is today. You know who you are.

So there it is. Not much more really needs to be said. We hope to see some of you at our last show in August. Dead To Fall, The Killer as well as a few other cool bands will be on the bill. It should definitely be a night to remember.

Read more ››

Source: enforsaken.com
Band profile: Enforsaken
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Unknown user | Comments (1)


Soilwork - Seek New Swedish Guitarist

According to Blabbermouth.net, Swedish Gothenburg metallers Soilwork have once again launched a guitarist search after recently completing a number of European dates with the help of Daniel Antonsson. With the departure of Peter Wichers (who exited the band in December to pursue a career in producing), the band are currently seeking a new Swedish guitarist who live close by...

Read more at Blabbermouth.net

Source: blabbermouth.net
Band profile: Soilwork
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Mindheist | Comments (2)


Finntroll - To Support Sodom On Upcoming European Tour

Finntroll will support German thrashers Sodom on the following European dates in December:

Dec. 26 - (NL) Amsterdam - Melkweg
Dec. 27 - (D) Osnabrück-Georgsmarienhütte - Eventcenter B 51
Dec. 28 - (D) Bochum - Zeche
Dec. 29 - (B) Antwerp - Hof Ter Loo
Dec. 30 - (D) Karlsruhe - Substage
Dec. 31 - (CH) Pratteln - Z7

As previously reported, Finntroll is scheduled to enter the studio in late September to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Nattfödd", tentatively due in early 2007. The upcoming CD will mark the band's first release with new singer Vreth, who replaced previous frontman Tapio Wilska this past spring.

Read more ››

Source: kissthis.com
Band profile: Sodom
Event: Finntroll & Sodom: European Tour
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Daru Jericho | Comments (3)


Epica - Vocalist Guest Appearance With Kamelot

According to the official Epica website, vocalist Simone Simons would join Kamelot on stage for 'The Haunting' (Somewhere In Time)' when the band hits the Plato venue in Helmond, Holland on Sunday, July 2nd. Simons performed the original guest vocals on the song for Kamelot's last album, The Black Halo, and performed the song with the band every night during their last European tour together

As previously reported Epica will support Kamelot on their North American tour, which kicks off in September. Dates are as follows:

September
19 - Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, VA
20 - B.B. King's in New York, NY
22 - The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY
23 - The Penny Arcade in Rochester, NY
24 - Le Medley in Montreal, QC
25 - Imperial in Quebec, QC
27 - The Opera House in Toronto, ON
28 - Agora Theater in Cleveland, OH
29 - Harpo's in Detroit, MI
30 - The Pearl Room in Chicago, IL

October
2 - Star Central in Columbia Heights, MN
6 - Studio Seven in Seattle, WA
7 - Rock N Roll Pizza in Portland, OR
8 - Pound SF in San Francisco, CA
10 - Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, CA
11 - Key Club in Los Angeles, CA

Source: bravewords.com
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Lupas | Comments (0)


Nevermore - To Record Performance For Upcoming DVD

Nevermore, Continental Concerts and Century Media Records are proud to announce a special show for the first ever Nevermore DVD. The gig will take place at the Zeche club in Bochum (www.zeche.com), Germany on September 12th, 2006. Seattle's finest will play a set of about 2 hours, with material spanning their 11-year career. The result will be the main part of their forthcoming home DVD, captured by a 7-camera team, with live recordings handled by producer Andy Sneap, who recorded their latest album "This Godless Endeavor", who will also record true 5.1 Surround sound. The planned double-DVD set will also feature a full Nevermore documentary, live footage from throughout their career, all the band's promo videos and even more extras. The release is planned for early 2007.

Please note that only 666 tickets will be available for the DVD recording show. So don't delay, pre-order at www.metaltix.com or www.konticket.de for only 15 Euro + service charge, as this is an event any NEVERMORE fan will not want to miss!

Two days later, Nevermore will begin supporting DISTURBED on their European tour, as well as playing some of the top Summer metal festivals before.

21.07.2006 (SLO) TOLMIN / Metalcamp Festival
22.07.2006 (D) KREUTH / Earthshaker Fest
28.07.2006 (E) GERNIKA / Metalways Festival
30.07.2006 (E) JEREZ / Metalways Festival
04.08.2006 (D) WACKEN / Wacken Open Air
05.08.2006 (BG) VARNA / Monsters Of Rock
06.08.2006 (CH) PRATTELN / Metal Dayz
17. - 19.08.2006 (N) OSLO / Ragnarock

Source: nevermore.tv
Band profile: Nevermore
Posted: 04.07.2006 by X-FrEaK | Comments (2)


Emperor - Autograph Signings Announced

Candlelight Records Team have confirmed exclusive autograph signings/in-stores for the upcoming Emperor shows. The shows, announced early December 2005, have been met with much excitement. Two of the performances are already sold out (July 14th's BB Kings performance and July 16th's Key Club performance). Fans are urged to purchase their tickets if they plan to attend soon as few tickets remain.

To purchase available tickets for the concerts visit www.ticketmaster.com. Read more at Candlelight Records

Read more ››

Source: candlelightrecordsusa.com
Band profile: Emperor
Posted: 04.07.2006 by Mindheist | Comments (0)


Strapping Young Lad - Released 'Wrong Side' Video Plus A New Song

Strapping Young Lad posted a video from their upcoming album "The New Black", the song titled "Wrong Side" is a glimpse to what is to come off the new SYL album that is to be released on July 11 via Century Media Records. You can watch the new video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asZf3nvN2yo

Also you can download the full version of "You Suck" also featured on the upcoming new album at http://mp3.centurymedia.com/syl/thenewblack/syl_usuck.mp3

Century Media Records also re-relesed the 1995 classic "Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing", the reissue features a twelve page booklet, four bonus tracks, and a small blog from Devin Townsend, the mastermind behind Strapping Young Lad.

Source: roadrun.com
Band profile: Strapping Young Lad
Posted: 04.07.2006 by HardSide | Comments (3)