Release dates for Amon Amarth's new album "Twilight Of The Thunder God" have been posted. The album will be released the 17th of September in Sweden, 19th of September in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and the 22nd of September in the rest of Europe. North America and rest of the world's release date is September 30.

The album was recorded at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden and will include such song titles as "Guardians Of Asgaard", "Live For The Kill" and "Tattered Banners And Bloody Flags".

Source:	amonamarth.com
Band profile:	Amon Amarth

Speculation around the line-up of Finland's Thunderstone has come to an end. The band has decided upon a new vocalist and keyboarder. While people thought that tour vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela would gain permanent duties with the band, this has turned out not to be the case. The new member behind the microphone is Sweden's Rick Altzi, who some may know through his recent work with At Vance. As for the band's tour keyboarder Jukka Karinen, he has been signed to the band for a permanent position.

Here is a comment regarding Tuple from bassist Titus Hjelm: "There was no drama with Tuple. It was clear to everybody from the beginning that the deal was for the tour only and then we would check the situation again. At the end of the day we were just more comfortable with Rick's voice and we didn't want to make any compromises in this issue. Tuple is an awesome singer and we are forever indebted to him for doing the tour with us and taking us through some hard times. And we will certainly drink vodka with him in the future also!"

A full article about the new line-up can be read from this link at Thunderstone's official website.

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Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

As posted on the band's website, Thunderstone will join Sonata Arctica on a four gig mini-tour of Finland between Christmas and New Year.

Check out the dates below:

27.12 - Teatria - Oulu
29.12 - Kaapelitehdas - Helsinki
30.12 - Metroauto Areena - Tampere
31.12 - Jäähalli - Mikkeli

In Oulu and Mikkeli the vocal duties will be handled by Tuple Salminen, whereas in Helsinki and Tampere you will have the last chance to witness Thunderstone on stage with the original lineup.

Guitarist Nino Laurenne has issued the following statement: "It's great to close one chapter of Thunderstone with these two Christmas gigs and show people that there is no animosity between us. We are looking forward to a bright future with the new members, whoever they turn out to be in the end."

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Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone
Event:	Sonata Arctica + Thunderstone: Finnish Mini Tour

The following update was posted on Thunderstone official website:

"We are sad to announce that Pasi Rantanen and Kari Tornack are no longer part of Thunderstone. Due to personal reasons and a visible lack of motivation on their part we saw it best to part with the guys, although the decision was not easy and the timing perhaps the worst possible. Everything was done in good spirits and we thank the guys for an unbelievably great and fun seven years and wish them all the best in their private endeavors.

However, the first priority for us was not to let our fans down even in a situation like this. Therefore, we will go on with the upcoming
co-headlining tour with Nocturnal Rites as planned. And we are most proud to announce two incredible musicians who agreed to fill in for the tour on such a short notice. On keyboards we will have none other than legendary JENS JOHANSSON, the crazy Swede and a long-time friend from Stratovarius. The vocal duties will be handled by the incredible-sounding TOMMI 'TUPLE' SALMELA who in recent years has shared the vocals with Marco Hietala in the classic Finnish metal outfit Tarot. As you can probably imagine, we are more than thrilled to have these guys on board. Book your tickets NOW!!!"

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

Check out Alabama Thunderpussy's new video for 'Words Of A Dying Man' on LiveLeak.com as well as YouTube.com. This track is off of the band's upcoming Relapse Records album "Open Fire", which release this coming Tuesday, March 6!

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Source:	adrenalinepr.com
Band profile:	Alabama Thunderpussy

The following message was posted by guitarist Nino Laurenne, a couple of days ago:

Thunderstone finished 2nd in the Finnish Eurovision finals with 54000 votes! The first place went to platinum-selling Finnish Idols-competition winner Hanna Pakarinen, but the Finnish Mayhem Machine beat teen favorites Lovex. A Big Thank You to everybody who voted and supported us!!!

Both of Thunderstone's Eurovision songs are found on the newly released "Forevermore/Face in the Mirror" single that is available worldwide at the Nuclear Blast shop. The bands fourth studio album will be released on March 14th in Finland and March 16th in the rest of Europe. Stay tuned for US and Japan release dates.

Take care,
Nino

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

The new video for the song 'Face In The Mirror' by Finlands Heavy/Power Metal band Thunderstone, taken from their forthcoming album "Evolution 4.0", is now online at the band's official website. Click the following links to check it out:

'Face In The Mirror'

'Face In The Mirror'

"Evolution 4.0" is Thunderstone's fourth album, and will be released on March 14th in Europe and in the spring in North America.

Thunderstone's official MySpace page can be found at http://www.myspace.com/thunderstoneband..

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Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

Finnish power metal band Thunderstone has released '10 000 Ways', the first song from the forth upcoming studio album "Evolution 4.0", as a limited edition single.
The single also includes a cover of Nik Kershaw's 80s hit 'The Riddle'.

"Evolution 4.0" will be released worldwide (except USA) on 14th March, 2007 and later in the spring in the USA.

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.

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

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

A press conference today saw broadcaster YLE announce the names of the twelve acts that will join in the contest to represent Finland when the contest takes place in Helsinki next May.

The acts taking part are:
Laura Voutilainen
Hanna Pakarinen
Johanna Kurkela
Katra
Beats and Styles
Humane
Jani and the Jetsetters
Jukka Kuoppamäki
Kentala
Lovex
Thunderstone
Jann Wilde and Rose Avenue

The artists were chosen after discussions with Finnish record companies and the host broadcaster YLE.

There will be four semi-finals, each featuring two songs from three of the acts. The viewers will get to decide which of the two songs should go through to the national final that will take place on 17 February 2007.

Jani and the Jetsetters, Hanna Pakarinen and metal band Thunderstone will compete in first heat.

This way of choosing a song proved successful in 2006; when Lordi went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. It also proved popular with participants as it meant each act was sure of a place in the national final.

Source:	finmetalnews.com
Band profile:	Thunderstone

Thunderstone are currently working on their fourth studio album at Sonic Pump Studios. Guitarist/producer Nino Laurenne has issued the following update:

"Well, here we are: starting the sessions for Thunderstone's fourth album. And like before, at this point there's no pressure at all, so the atmosphere and the feeling overall is almost bursting through the roof, which is, btw four meters high in the new Sonic Pump Studios! One thing that makes me very enthusiastic to start the recordings is that I've been working over a year in my new studio with several other bands and I know that the place is perfect for music production.

So everything seems to be just perfect...so far :-)

Saturday morning we started to build up the mics around Mirka's drum kit. This time I wanted to hire a professional engineer to record the drums because I wanted to concentrate 110% on producing. And the perfect guy for this job was Jesse Vainio, who actually is more known for making albums with gold/platinum selling mainstream artists in Finland. Since Mirka was working at his day job until 3pm, we started to set up the sounds etc etc. It took around three hours and the whole kit was miked and the overall sound was ok. And of course the final tuning had to happen with Mirka, since he hits like 1000 times harder than me:-))

Also one major thing that we did differently this time is that we used a 16 track 2 inch analog tape recorder. There IS something magical with the analog sound.

Mainly the whole drum session went pretty easily and we were having a great time. The drum sound is probably the best I've ever recorded so far, so I'm really happy and anxious to start play guitars next. We recorded 11 songs + 2 cover songs that I am not going to tell what they are:-)) All I can say that the other one will be quite a surprise. Let's see what our label will say about that;-)

That's all for now. I will write again after the rhythm guitars and the bass are done."

-Nino-

Thunderstone will play ProgPower in Atlanta, GA on September 16th.

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

Alabama Thunderpussy has announced the addition of vocalist Kyle Thomas (ex- Exhorder / Floodgate) to its lineup.

Thomas states: "This band is stocked with amazing musicians and most importantly quality people. It's great to be in the fold and an honor to be considered by such a great, hard working band as Alabama Thunderpussy. Above all, a big thank you to goes out to Karrie Hill for contacting me so that this could all be possible.".

"Kyle is a world class singer with an impressive résumé that includes being a founding member of seminal New Orleans metal band Exhorder and singing with other acts including Floodgate, Pitts Vs Preps And Trouble." comments ATP drummer Bryan Cox. Cox continues; "With the singer situation resolved, we will be headed quickly toward hitting the studio and getting it on tape. If you are at all familiar with Kyle's work, then you know what he is going to bring to this ATP record. It will be very special and we feel honored and fortunate to be taking the next step forward as Alabama Thunderpussy with him as a part of the team."

Guitarist Erik Larson adds "We knew right away that Kyle was the man for the singer spot when we heard him singing on some of the new material. Personally, as an Exhorder fan, I felt a bit star struck that this guy was singing on our music. It's amazing. So we got him up to RVA for a visit / meet and greet / rehearse - ie: alcoholocaust ATP style. It went perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better dude to join the band. I'm f*cking stoked!"

Alabama Thunderpussy has been writing for the new record since last July with the music for 14 songs already completed. The writing process will be rounded out with the addition of Thomas's vocals for what will be their sixth full-length studio album. Expect to see ATP road-testing this new material soon.

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Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Alabama Thunderpussy

Thunderstone has begun recording the follow-up to the highly acclaimed self-titled debut album and last year's "The Burning". The recordings take place at the familiar Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki and will last until the end of the year. The mixing will take place in the beginning of 2005, at a yet-undecided location. The planned release date for the album is in April 2005.

Expect hard riffs combined with rich melodies and brilliant musicianship - the Thunderstone trademarks! Also look forward to possible surprise guests and covers. Stay tuned!!!

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

The band is in the process of writting songs for the yet-untitled album that is programmed to be released on next Spring. At the moment the band is making some demo songs.

Band profile:

Thunderstone

Finnsh power metallers THUNDERSTONE have completed the clip for 'Until We Touch The Burning Sun'. The song is taken from the new album "The Burning" which is in stores since monday. In spring THUNDERSTONE will set off for a big European tour together with PRIMAL FEAR and ICED EARTH, beginning on March 18th in the Dutch city of Tilburg.

In other news the band has just relaunched their website. Check it out at www.thunderstone.org

Source:	Nuclear Blast Records
Band profile:	Thunderstone