From the band website:

"The new TENHI full-length, entitled 'TENHI III maaäet', will be released this autumn by Prophecy productions. Check out a sample from a still unfinished song called 'varpuspäivä' from the unreleased music page for mid-summer eve's magic (http://tenhi.com/music.shtml).
More samples coming up soon.

updated tentative track listing for TENHI III maaäet:

kuoppa
varpuspäivä
salain
vähäinen violetissa
sarastuskävijä
aatos
kausien ranta
uuvu oravan luu
tuulenkaato
viimeiseen
maa syttyy
rannalta haettu"

Read more ››

Source:

utustudio.com

Here in Black Lotus Records in pride we announce that Cruachan has joined our ranks! Our roster is enriched with a precious name we always admired. The band is currently working on the songs for their (yet untitled) upcoming album and they will enter the studio in January 2006. Martin Walkyier (SKYCLAD) will also join them as guest vocalist on one song. Some titles of new songs are "Diarmuid and Grainne", "The Well Below the Valley", "Ungoliant" & "Shelob".

CRUACHAN will also play the following dates in September to be followed by a Russian tour in October (dates will be announced soon).

16.09.05 D - Luneck, Riders Cafe
17.09.05 D - Stavenhagen, Tankhaus
18.09.05 NL - Arnheim, Goudvishal
19.09.05 D - Gie?en, Jokus
20.09.05 CH - Luzern, Sedel
21.09.05 AU - Innsbruck, Hafen
22.09.05 D - Jena, Rosenkeller
23.09.05 D - Annaberg-Buchholz, Alte Brauerei
24.09.05 D - Berlin, Knaak

Source:	black-lotus-recs.com
Band profile:	Cruachan

The long time bass player of Stratovarius leaves the band.

Timo Tolkki has posted the following message to the band's forum: "Some of you have heard rumours that Jari Kainulainen has left Stratovarius. Unfortunately I have to tell you that they are true. This is due to personal reasons. We will release official statement regarding that soon."

Source:	stratovarius.com Also, MelodicRock.c...
Band profile:	Stratovarius

We are happy to announce that we've completed the mastering of our new album last week. Even though the album is still untitled, we can guarantee you that it sounds killer! As soon as we have decided on the title, we will let you know!

The official release has been set for September 5th 2005, out on Nuclear Blast records. Below you can find the complete tracklist:

01. Intro (not named yet)
02. Warpath
03. Scrutinized
04. Fearless
05. Craving for another killing
06. Let the knife do the talking
07. A thousand lies
08. Incised before I've ceased
09. Blooddrenched
10. Compulsive psychosis
11. Living to die

Cheers,
Mikael

Read more ››

Source:	hypocrisy.tv
Band profile:	Hypocrisy

MANIGANCE will support the Scorpions in Paris!

Now it's official, MANIGANCE is confirmed as opening act of the forthcoming gig of the SCORPIONS which will take place on July 5 th at the prestigious Olympia Hall in Paris. By the time you'll read those lines, this show will be sold out!

The band from Pau (South West of France) is currently busy with the recording of their 4 th album. The sessions started late May, at their own studio, after an intensive period of composition and pre-production.

Here follow the titles of some of the new songs which should be available next Fall: "Envahisseur", "Sentinelle", "L'ombre et la lumière", "Prison dorée", "Esclave", "Cent millénaires", "Prédateur", "Privilège", "Miroir de la vie"...
As usual all the lyrics will recorded in French, except for one track which will be an instrumental.

On September 10th, MANIGANCE will be the third band on the bill of the RaismesFest (North of France). They will perform a 60 minutes set just before the headliners, SONATA ARCTICA and LOUDNESS, and after DRAGONFORCE, NIGHTMARE and another act to be confirmed. More info on: http://www.raismesfest.com.

Band profile:

Manigance

Forsaken's new album shall be released by Scotland's Golden Lake Productions in October 2005 and shall be titled 'Dominaeon'. Lyrically, 'Dominaeon' will centre around a core concept that explores various spiritual themes related to the Christian faith. The band is presently concluding the finishing touches to the song-writing process and will start recording at Temple Studios, Mistra Bay, Malta on 4th July 2005.

All the tracks for the album are new and were composed over the past year or so. Song titles include 'Dominaeon', 'Obsidian Dreams', 'Daylight Dies', 'Kenosis', 'Wretched of the Earth' and 'Resurgam'. The artwork for the album was commissioned to Jowita Kaminska who has also been responsible for the cover artwork of the recent Manilla Road, Exodus and Attacker releases. Fans can check out the cover artwork on Jowita's site -
www.jowita-kaminska.com.
As in Forsaken's recent releases the lay-out for the album will be done by Chris Zarb. Forsaken fans can be rest assured that this album will see the band plunging deeper in heavy doom metal soundscapes interwoven with the band's penchant for carving and exploring innovative territory.

Source:	forsakenmalta.com
Band profile:	Forsaken

In the latest End Records Newsletter the keyboardist Andy Winter talks about his projects:

"Greetings everyone! As we're getting closer to the half way mark of the year, I guess this is as good a time as any to write an update about what's been going on lately, and more importantly what's to come. On May 3rd I released a mini CD containing a solo performance with classical piano music. This release is my first solo release and it is called Shades of Light Through Black and White. It is available exclusively through The End Records, and the cover art is graced with some unique black and white photographs. The disc is a 1000 copy limited edition release.
As reported some time ago Winds has already completed the basic material for the fourth album, and the drums were recorded last year. At this time we are making the preparations to continue the recordings, meaning that Carl August Tidemann will find himself in and out of the studio for several months starting after his summer vacation. I have also completed the lyrical concept, and earlier this week I talked to the guys about the musical direction of the next record. There is still a lot to be determined about the sound and the details, and we are still in the midst of discussing all of this, but already the entire band agrees that what we are on the right track for something new, and that what we are about to embark on will pretty much blow everything we have done so far out of the water. Maybe that is an overused cliché that every band nowadays uses when they put out a new record, but I believe we have the merits to back up our claim, and in this case there is no doubt that this will be the most different record we have ever done. I can also say that this record won't see the light! of day until some time in 2006, so that we will have spent over 2 years making it from the recordings started until they finish should be an indication of how much effort we are putting into it. I know I previously stated that we would not take two years to make the next album, but what can I say, I will have to admit I was wrong and correct myself in this matter. I may also have to correct my previous statement about not involving any guests on the new record, but that part still remains to be seen, and I guess only time will tell.
On to Age of Silence news, we are currently in the studio working on the follow-up to Acceleration, and although we already have enough material to fill a full length album I can hereby make it official that we will be releasing a mini CD prior to the next full length. Jan Axel von Blomberg (Hellhammer) recorded the drums in March, and the guitars are currently being tracked right at this moment. It is the plan to finish everything by the end of the ! summer, and hopefully to release it on October 11th. The musical direction of the new Age of Silence midi CD will change into what some might call a darker, slower paced, more atmospheric and heavier/more extreme sound, while still retaining the progressive and intriguing elements Age of Silence is known for. The lyrical concept is already written by Lazare (Lars Nedland), and in my opinion it is the perfect continuation to where Acceleration left off. It is not a direct continuation of it in any means, but it deals with themes that are very familiar to the Age of Silence concept.

Read more ››

Source:	- The End Records Newsletter -
Band profile:	Winds

The band send the following message in the June newsletter:

"Hello again! Some latest news from KEKAL..

I. HEADLINE NEWS: Leo is BACK with KEKAL!!

We are glad to inform you that lead-guitarist Leo Setiawan has joined us again as an official band member!! He has returned back from Melbourne Australia recently (after spending more than 4 years there) to work and stay in Jakarta full-time.

Due to our own personal and family-related issues that needed to be set as the main priority, especially with Leo during his re-relocation, we decided to not to play any local show until the end of this year.

We would like to thank our additional live-guitarist Didi Priyadi for helping us doing some live gigs and contributed in our new album.

II. More updates on "Acidity"

"Acidity" album is going on very well, despite the apathy from some Indonesian media (you know who yo are...shame on you!) due to the fact that we play honest EXTREME METAL music and never compromise ourselves to become another pop junk!
However, we would like to thank all the Indonesian radiostations and magazines who still believe in KEKAL and give us a chance to promote our music even though they are not metal-related media. You're the best! We wish you all the good luck!"

Source:	- Kekal Newsletter -
Band profile:	Kekal

Agonizer's keyboardist Mika Heinonen has left the band the reason being lack of interest. Agonizer want to point out that there are no arguments or disagreements involved in Mika's departure, and he has promised to help the band re-produce the old songs. For now Agonizer are not looking for a new keyboardist but will continue with 5 band members. The rumours are that future Agonizer material will be more heavier than what we are used to hearing from them. Also the band announces that session drummer Atte Palokangas is now a perm member of Agonizer.

Source:	Agonizer newsletter
Band profile:	Agonizer

Amorphis' leadman and the guitarist Esa Holopainen has posted following message in their website:

Dear All.

We've been rehearsing intensively past two months now and the songs start to get their final shape. There's still couple tracks which need to be rehearsed but basically the songs are ready and the band is more motivated than ever. Tomi Joutsen has brought so much new energy for us and the tour we did in US on March united us a a real Amorphis 2005. We were really happy to see how people welcomed Tomi as a new Amorphis singer, he was a "bit" nervous before the tour but the reaction and support we got helped him to make Amorphis sound like a never before.

So, the recordings will take place at 1st of July at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki and takes time till somewhere in August. Mikko Karmila is starting the mixing at September 1st at Finnvox. Let's see if guys get their studio ready till the 1st of July as it still looks like a construction area. New Sonic Pump is going to
be really cool. It can't be bad studio if you have sea view and sauna.

As said we've been working hard with new songs and with their arrangements. The songs have a good atmosphere and feeling, it's hard to say at this point whether they are pop or heavy as some people will anyway categorize us as a pop band. I remember when Tales... was released some kept us as a pop
band which has sold themselves. The sound in my point of view is still very organic and someway primitive. There's different measures which make some tracks more "progressive" (horrible word, but couldn't find decent synonym). There's acoustic and heavy stuff and that's pretty much how I can describe the stuff at the moment. In general we've been working much harder with everything so that we don't have to waste time in studio to reherase or jam.

For us it feels like new beginning or rather as a new page on Amorphis career, something which is this shapeless as this band can't never die. We keep you posted how things are moving ahead. Shine on!

-esa-

Source:	amorphis.net
Band profile:	Amorphis

Finnish folk metallers Ensiferum has announced that They're entering the studio this november to record a mini-cd, which will include one new song and few new recordings of old demosongs. Also couple of traditional Finnish folk covers will be recorded there for the mini-cd. The Mini-cd will be released in the beginning of 2006.

Source:	ensiferum.com
Band profile:	Ensiferum

Italian folk/power metal band Elvenking are currently at Sonic Pump Studios in Finland mixing their third album for a late 2005 release via AFM Records. "Everything's going great as we've nearly finished the first song," the band write on their web site. "Sonic Pump will surely become one the biggest and greatest studios over here and Nino Laurenne is a fuckin' nice guy! The coolest thing here is going to sleep at midnight with sun shining!! Fuckin' crazy..."

The follow-up to 2004's "Wyrd" was recorded at the group's own Sherpa Studios. The final mastering will be handled by Mika Jussila at Finnvox in Helsinki. Cover artwork and booklet layout are being designed by Hungarian artist Havancsák Gyula (Annihilator, Grave Digger).

Elvenking recently announced the departure of guitarist Jarpen. For the time being, the group will go on as a five-piece.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Elvenking

Unfortunately Henric Carlsson (bass) as well as Daniel Schöldström (vocals) both left swedish metal act Cipher System. The band released their Lifeforce Records debut "Central Tunnel 8" in November 2004, which received an amazing feedback from all over the world.

Here is an official statement by the band:
"Due to lack of inspiration and "fire" in the band, our friends Henric & Daniel have decided to quit! Henric will instead focus on his other band, Nightrage. We hold no grudge what so ever against their decision and we wish them all the best! Henric & Daniel conclude their participation with Cipher System in a last gig at "Mälarrocken" July 1."

Source:

lifeforcerecords.com

DEMONISM is the last signature of the Bulgarian label Shadowland Music.

The Bulgarian black metal band DEMONISM just got a deal with the Bulagarian Label Shadowland Music for the releasing of their new upcoming MCD "The Sound Of Fury".

"The Sound Of Fury" will contain 3 songs of true Raw and Furious Black Metal in the vein of Corpus Christii's with a total playing time of 15:56 min.

The Release date is settled to the: 25.08.2005

Source:

shadowland.hit.bg )

<img src="http://rain.maker.free.fr/files/flyer2005_lowres_red.jpg"/]

Oxees won the competition and will open the festival on Saturday.
The English band Firemouth will aslo be playing on Sunday.

More info:
http://www.metalstorm.ee/festivals/festival.php?festival=raismes

Official website: http:www.raismesfest.com

Source:

Raismesfest Newsletter