Posted on Symphony X's Website:

"The new video by Symphony X, "Set the World on Fire", has been accepted by MTV 2 and will be available for preview from January 11th, 2008 courtesy of MTV's Headbangers Blog"

For copyright reasons the above link only works for people living in the US. Other nationalities can watch the video on YouTube.

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Source:	symphonyx.com
Band profile:	Symphony X

Austrian gothic metallers Darkwell have posted on their website that band now has a you tube channel that can be found at this location. On the channel, live clips of 2007 have been uploaded.

Today, the band will performing live P.M.K. Innsbruck, Austria.

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Source:	darkwell.org
Band profile:	Darkwell

A four minute preview of the upcoming Ayreon album called 01011001 has been posted on Arjen A. Lucassen's MySpace and features a glimpse into the studio and previews of the songs.

The preview, created by D'iMages, also features all singers (like Jonas Renkse - Katatonia, Hansi Kursch - Blind Guardian, Floor Jansen - After Forever, Jorn Lande, Anneke van Giersbergen, Tom Englund - Evergrey, Daniel Gildenlow - Pain Of Salvation) and instrumentalists and album art.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Danish metallers Manticora have posted the following announcement on their website:

"After 4 years of searching for a keyboarder that could join the band on the same terms as the rest of the band (not just a session keyboarder), we have finally found the man!! His name is Ronni Clasen, and he is living here in Copenhagen. Ronni is in his late 20'ies, listens to prog and power metal and is extremely talented = he fits Manticora very well, hahaha. Besides, he is a very cool guy to hang around with, so the social aspect is there as well. He has already performed with us at several occasions (Copenhagen, Romania, Germany), and passed the Manticora ritual at our annual X-mas lunch, so we know we have found the right guy for the job. You are welcome to send a big hello to Ronni on our forum. We think he'd appreciate it. Picture and profile will be updated later on, but there should already be some live pictures somewhere on this page.

The Mantidudes"

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Source:	manticora.dk
Band profile:	Manticora

Greek death metallers have made the following announcement on their official page, ending a long period of inactiveness:

"Ethereal Blue have linked with the Italian Agency Alkemist-Fanatix which officially handles the band's management from now on. We would like to thank all the agencies who were interested in the band's new material. The band is very happy with this new collaborator. We hope that Alkemist will help us accomplice some of the goals we have for our music."

In other news, the band's line-up has changed. Fok S.(Guitar) and Akis P.(Keyboards) are not members of Ethereal Blue anymore. Panos P. is the new guitar player while Ethereal Blue does not intend to find a new keyboardist.

Source:	etherealblue.org
Band profile:	Ethereal Blue

"Galactic Records are proud to welcome the UK's Scythian to their fold.

Fear the coming of their armies, for the omens have foretold the arrival like a plague upon the wind. Ashes shall fall as rain from the skies as they pass and the hallowed temples of this world shall be as blackened husks, charred beyond recognition. Thousands strong ride from distant horizons, a prayer to slaughter on their lips.

As soon as Scythian's "Suffering To The Conquered" demo fell from the heavens into his hands, label head Leon Macey knew the decision to release the band's forthcoming album had been made for him - as if an unknown force was guiding its destiny. Talks immediately commenced with the then three Scythian members. Shrouded in armour, they raised their drinking vessels in union and a deal was subsequently set in stone...

"Conquest is our everlasting purpose. For what could be more glorious than the joy of destroying our enemies and standing side by side with those we call our brothers? Victory or glorious death! That is the ethic of Scythian. Either we succeed in our endeavours? or pay for failure with our lives. For years we have honed our craft in secret, forging musical weapons to carry us through the battle to come." A. Satyrus.

Whelped on the teachings of Bathory and Sodom, Scythian formed in 2004, following the fated meeting of A. Satyrus (guitar) and J. Volgaard (drums). In brotherhood, the visionary and the master-craftsman were unified, working tirelessly towards an individual musical identity, which was not only true to them but to the heroes who had first inspired them to take up arms and march on the world. Cursed in the beginning by defeat and dishonour, the pair would find strength, symbolic purpose and a staunch ally in S.Vrath (vocals/bass), a warlord of some small renown who would lead the three across bloodied fields to undiscovered lands and the recording of their first demo, "Suffering To The Conquered".

Scythian's barbaric style, headstrong attitude and integrity makes for a formidable force that is rarely seen by today's standards. Woe-betide anyone who dares stand in their way, for Scythian's blades are sharpened and they're ready to charge headlong into the heart of extreme music's elite.

The band are due to enter the studio in mid February to record their first full-length album and debut for Galactic Records. A release date will be announced soon, along with full album details."

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We're proud to announce we'll be headlining Avalanche festival in Delhi, India on February 22nd 2008! Avalanche festival is the heavy music part of the 4-day cultural Moksha festival at the Netaji Subhas Institue of Technology (N.S.I.T.). In addition we might be doing 1 or 2 club gigs after this festival, but we're still working on that.

Many thanks go out to Aditya Pangtey for all his efforts to get us to India! After one year of emailing and planning looks like it's finally going to happen!

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Detonation

Progressive metallers Circus Maximus have announced on their website that they will be the main support act for Symphony X's European tour.

The following is the list of dates:

13 Feb Hamburg, Germany at Markthalle
14 Feb Cologne, Germany at Live Music Hall
15 Feb Hellendoorn, Netherlands at Lantaarn
16 Feb Zoetermeer, Netherlands at Boerderij
17 Feb Stuttgart, Germany at Die Röhre
19 Feb Berlin, Germany at Columbia Club
20 Feb Frankfurt, Germany at Batschkapp
21 Feb Nurnberg, Germany at Hirsch
22 Feb Pratteln, Switzerland at Z7
23 Feb Munich, Germany at Backstage Werk
25 Feb Florence, Italy at Viper Club
26 Feb Piacenza, Italy at Fillmore
28 Feb Barcelona, Spain at Razzmatazz 2
29 Feb Madrid, Spain at Sala Heineken
01 Mar Bergara, Spain at Sala Jam
02 Mar Bordeaux, France at Krakatoa
04 Mar Lyon, France at Transbordeur
05 Mar Paris, France at Bataclan

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Source:	circusmaximussite.com
Band profile:	Circus Maximus
Event:	Symphony X: European Tour 2008

French metallers Destinity have announced that their next album entitled "The Inside", will be out on February 2008. The song "Enemy Process" which is taken from the new album is online on the Destinity's MySpace page at this location.

"The Inside" was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Aborted, Destruction, Hatesphere, ...).

"The Inside" tracklisting cover:

01. My Senseless Theory
02. Murder Within
03. Thing I Will Never Feel
04. Still Remember
05. A Thousand Falling Skies
06. Inhuman Corrosive Report
07. Ready To Leave
08. Enemy Process
09. Escaping Reality
10. The Inside

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Source:	destinity.net
Band profile:	Destinity

Ayreon's official web site (here) is currently premiering "Beneath The Waves", a stunning CGI film produced by Simon van Vegten. The film was made to accompany the song of the same name from the upcoming Ayreon album, "01011001", which is scheduled for release on January 28 via InsideOut Music. The "Beneath The Waves" movie with 5.1 mix will be included as one of many bonus DVD features on "01011001".

"01011001"will be available in three editions:

- a regular two-CD edition with a 28 page booklet.
- a special edition: a box containing the regular 2CD edition and a bonus DVD.
- a deluxe limited edition, a DVD size fold-out case with embossed silver lettering on the slipcase. This edition contains the 2 CDs and a bonus DVD plus a 36 page booklet with additional artwork.

The bonus DVD contains:
- Behind the Scenes - Making of 01011001
- Beneath the Waves - CGI Movie (5.1/2.0)
- Guide Demos (audio) - feat. Arjen on vocals
- Ed Warby's Session - Recording drums
- Bloopers (audio)

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

More fine details have been posted on the Myspace blog of recently split Chicagoan extreme metal band Usurper. In November it was announced that a 10th anniversary re-release was in the works for the group's critically acclaimed CD EP 'Threshold of the Usurper'. Here are the specifics straight from the band's fingers:

"Greetings Warriors of Iron and Rust! This is just a quick update on the new Usurper album slated for early January 2008.

Actually it is not really a new album, it is a re-issue of our long out-of-print "Threshold of the Usurper" MCD. It does however have 2 unreleased tracks in addition to new killer artwork from JUHA VUORMA (Usurper: Skeletal Season/Autopsy fame), as well as never-seen-before photos, a 16 page booklet with extensive liner notes, and a new interview with founding members/songwriters Rick Scythe and General Diabolical Slaughter. This is a must have for anyone who followed Usurper over the years.

It will be released by Primitive Reaction Records (Finland) on CD and gatefold vinyl, and there will be a limited edition of 150 CDs and 50 vinyls that we will sell right here on http://www.myspace.com/usurpermetal which will be individually autographed by founding members Rick Scythe and General D. Slaughter."

The tracklist posted in the November announcement is as follows:

1. Necrocult Pt. 1 (The Metal War)
2. Slavehammer
3. Black Funeral (Mercyful Fate cover)
4. The Dead of Winter
5. Threshold of the Usurper
6. Anno Satanas (demo version)
7. Stormtroopin' (Ted Nugent cover - previously unreleased)
8. The 13th Son (previously unreleased)

Usurper decided to disband around the end of August 2007; their official statement can be found here, along with a much longer explanation from the perspective of guitarist Rick Scythe.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Usurper

As many of you know, Middian received a cease and desist demand in October from Midian of Milwaukee LLC. This demand required Middian to stop using our name completely, stop selling our album, and further demanded that all of our recorded cds and albums be destroyed. Middian was served a cease and desist by a band that has never played outside of Wisconsin, hasn't put out a single record, or had a steady line up in the last 7 years. They hadn't even updated their website since year 2000, as of a few weeks ago. We played Milwaukee in May, and no one there even mentioned a local band Midian of one "d". Nor did one of their "fans" come to the show.

Prior to this demand, we had never heard of them. Upon further research into the group, we discovered they had not used their name or trademark in years or even played outside of Wisconsin, ever. Our initial response was that our bands could peacefully co-exist. Especially since we learned that our usage combined with their non-usage entitled us to the name, rendering their trademark useless. But we felt it would be wasting everyones time and money to send the issue to litigation. Besides, before the name Middian was chosen, a careful online search was done, proving that no other active unit had the same spelling.

Instead of responding or agreeing to our offer of co-existence, they filed a federal suit against the three of us individually, our label (Metal Blade, who dropped us because of the suit), our booking agent Nanotear Booking, and an online merchandiser we had never even heard of until we saw the complaint.

We sent them word that we would give the name up and even agreed to some other demands that seemed unreasonable, simply because we're not in a financial position to fight it.

They refused to accept our settlement, demanding we pay them tens of thousands of dollars. By right of actual usage worlwide, the name Middian is ours. Regardless of that we have no choice but to FIGHT and defend ourselves in court. We intend to strip them of their trademark and deny them their unfair demands of money and of our music.

We're humbly asking for YOUR help. Spread the word far and wide, to wherever you can. If you can afford it, please donate some money to our defense fund. We're going to have A LOT of legal fees and we're simply not in a position to pay for it by ourselves.

We would like to thank everyone that has sent us messages. The underground metal community's love has simply been overwhelming.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Middian

Official Nailboard Records press release:

"Throughout the ages it has been under way. Life has carried itself. Carried secrets in itself... Carried life through life. Ourselves among the bearers. Together we have come from the unknown and are heading... This path begins somewhere and it will lead on to somewhere... to the finite and the endless, in ourselves and in those who will follow... The thirst for life spurs one to heave the fertility stone... to blow life's sparks into a roaring flame, to find answers in oneself to the most primeval roots that fall speechless before our questions. To questions that rise swords and let them fall again, feel harsh fangs and blow warmth to frozen hearts. A human being's questions to life. And the answers scour wild expanses and the frozen high seas, and roam among people and the inner flame...

"Iivakivi" was performed and recorded by Lauri "Mida juua?!" Liivak and Metsatöll in "Forwards" studio, Tartu, November 10220. The sound was polished by Kristo Kotkas in ?Sinusoid" studio, December 10220. Release date 24. February 10221/2008."

"Iivakivi" cover art image] tracklist:

01. Iivakivi Listen]
02. Merehunt
03. Hetk Enne Lahingut
04. Sõjasarv
05. Veelind Listen]
06. Isa Süda
07. Metsaviha
08. Rauast Sõnad
09. Va Lendva
10. Äikesepoeg

More about Metsatöll on http://www.myspace.com/metsatoll and http://www.metsatoll.ee.

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Source:	nailboard.org
Band profile:	Metsatöll

Swedish Melodic Death Metal outfit Unleashed recently announced the following on their website: "The result of the pre-production of the new album is very satisfying and we will enter the studio early January to record our 9th full length album. Title, release date and such will be posted on the website soon. The new Unleashed album will continue in the same victorious spirit as our previous album "Midvinterblot"."

Source:	unleashed.se
Band profile:	Unleashed

In March 2008, Arch Enemy will be touring Japan supported by Shadows Fall. Guitarist Michael Amott has posted the following comments on the band's website:
"It feels great to announce the 2008 Japan headline tour which we are calling... "Tyrants Of The Rising Sun"! This band loves touring Japan and even after countless visits under our belts we are still ecstatic about this next venture to the land in the east. The "Rise Of The Tyrant" album has performed phenomenally in Japan and is our fastest selling album there in the history of the band. Our recent performances at the amazing Loud Park festivals in Tokyo and Osaka is fresh in our memories and we are anxious to return! We'll be working hard at putting together a special and memorable show for our Japanese fans. See you in March!"

Here are Arch Enemy's tour dates in Japan:
07 Mar - Kawasaki, Club Citta'
08 Mar - Tokyo, Shinkiba Studio Coast
10 Mar - Nagoya, Club Diamond Hall
11 Mar - Osaka, Namba Hatch

Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy