Singer Dario Grillo has once again left the Italian Symphonic Power Metal band Thy Majestie.

"I won't attend the next few live shows with them and I won't record the new album," Dario writes on his web site. "I don't want to explain the reasons of the split 'cause I think nobody wants to know about bullshit, problems or controversies. I apologise to the fans who believed in the reunion and waited for another masterpiece like 'Hastings 1066', but the situation with the guys couldn't be managed in a civil way. So the main priority is Violet Sun, the new band led by singer Alessandra Amata, Alex Grillo on drums, Doctor Max on bass guitar and me the guitarist and keyboard player, producer and composer of the album. Stay tuned!!!"

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Thy Majestie

Rockworld.TV has produced a new documentary on controversial sub-genre black metal. Written by DJ and journalist Malcolm Dome and directed by David Kenny, "Murder Music: A History Of Black Metal" aims to explore the aural side of the genre which is often over-looked due to the notoriety of the acts that surround it.

The documentary features insights into bands such as of Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Satyricon, Venom, Immortal, Black Widow and Sabbat, and is available for streaming exclusively on http://www.rockworld.tv for £1 on Friday April 13. It is also set to appear on the Rockworld channel at an unconfirmed date.

More info on http://www.rockworld.tv/486.

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Source:

rockworld.tv

Virginia's extreme sound nihilists Pig Destroyer have completed work on their new full-length album, "Phantom Limb". The CD was recorded at Omega Studios (Bad Brains) in Rockville, MD under the helm of guitarist/producer Scott Hull and is scheduled for release on June 12 in North America (June 18 internationally).

The follow-up to 2004's "Terrifyer", "Phantom Limb" features 14 of "the most deranged metal songs we could come up with," says vocalist JR Hayes. The complete track listing is as follows:

01. Rotten Yellow
02. Jupiter's Eye
03. Deathtripper
04. Thought Crime Spree
05. Cemetery Road
06. Lesser Animal
07. Phantom Limb
08. Loathsome
09. Heathen Temple
10. Fourth Degree Burns
11. Alexandria
12. Girl In The Slayer Jacket
13. Waist Deep In Ash
14. The Machete Twins

The artwork for "Phantom Limb" was designed by John Baizley (Baroness, Torche) and a preview of it is available on the band's official MySpace page.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Pig Destroyer

Singapore Death Metal act Rudra have posted the following message on their website:

"Kannan has decided to part ways with Rudra. He will be relocating to Australia and the band wishes him the best of luck in the future and a big thanks for his monumental contribution to Rudra. However, the band hopes that his departure is temporary.

The band is presently auditioning guitarists and will announce the replacement real soon"

A comment by Kathir goes as follows:

"Kannan leaving the band is a sad note in the career of Rudra. We are definitely going to miss him. Kannan was part of the most creative phase of Rudra. And we sincerely wish that he succeeds in all his endeavours in Australia.

Meanwhile, Shiva, Selvam & I are in the studio writing new material for the forthcoming albums. We hope to write enough material to produce two albums to complete the Brahmavidya Trilogy. The material so far done seems to point at a heavier direction. Let's wait and see how that evolves..."

Source:	rudraonline.org
Band profile:	Rudra

Acclaimed Death Metal act Hate Eternal has parted ways with bassist Randy Piro. "I am at a crossroads in my life and I feel the need to change direction," Randy writes in a statement. "I will be devoting my creativity to Gigan and my schooling.

"From the deepest pits of my heart I thank Erik Rutan, Derek Roddy, Jared Anderson (may he rest in peace), and everyone in the Hate Eternal family for believing in my abilities, and bestowing upon me the honor of playing in one of the most extreme bands the world has ever heard.

"Hate Eternal has played a massive role in my life, and I will always look upon my time spent jamming with Erik and Derek with warm emotions. I wish Erik Rutan and the band the world and its spoils, for the Hate truly is Eternal..."

Hate Eternal leader Erik Rutan added: "Randy and I both thought this was the right life change for him and I support everything he wants to do for his future. Randy always gave 100% while in the band and I appreciate all he has done for me and Hate Eternal. I wish him nothing but the best in his schooling, career and his life."

Handling the bass duties on Hate Eternal's upcoming CD will reportedly be Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse (although this has not yet been officially confirmed).

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Hate Eternal

A brand new song off of Vomitory's upcoming album "Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize", is available for downloading at this location.

"Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize" is due for 20 April 2007.

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Source:	vomitory.net
Band profile:	Vomitory

RCR is very glad to announce another great addition to their roster. Obsidian creates technical metal with an awesome sound and vibe, which can be heard on their debut album "Emerging" at the end of May. The vocals on this album, which was self-released in a very small number last year, will be recorded again by new singer Robbe K (also vocalist of the band Disavowed).

The final mixing will be done again by Jochem Jacobs, who you already know for his great job at Cypher's Darkday Carnival and soon on Magnacult's debut album Synore.

Source:

rustycagerecords.com

The band has posted the following on their homepage:

"Edenbridge and drummer Roland Navratil have decided to go on seperate ways from now on due to personal, musical and financial differences."

More to follow soon.

Source:	edenbridge.org
Band profile:	Edenbridge

According to the official Children Of Bodom fan site Scythes Of Bodom, guitarist Alexi Laiho revealed that Sinergy's long awaited fourth album "Sins Of The Past" is still not complete. Some solos and vocals have yet to be recorded - work that could be finished in only a couple days - but it seems there is a risk that the previously recorded material has been lost. The material was reportedly nowhere to be found last week. No further details have been released, but the search continues, and Alexi seemed hopeful that it hasn't vanished permanently.

"Sins Of The Past" was originally due to be released in 2005. Recordings began in June 2004 at Finnvox Studios.

Sinergy features vocalist Kimberly Goss, COB's Alexi Laiho and guitarist Roope Latvala and Stratovarius/Kotipelto bassist Lauri Porra.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Sinergy

The following announcement has been issued on the official website of Armageddon Music:

"Mystic Circle signed a deal with Armageddon Music shortly before beginning their current European tour which is now running. At the end of the tour they will be going straight into rehearsals for the new album and then on the 01.10.2007 they will be going into the Stage One Studio where the album will be produced by Andy Classen. The new album from Mystic Circle will then be released in January through Armageddon Music."

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Source:	armageddonmusic.de
Band profile:	Mystic Circle

Former Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley has revealed the lineup of his new band, now called simply Blaze Bayley. It is as follows:

Rico Banderra - Drums
Nick Bermudez (UNDER THREAT) - Guitar
David Bermudez (UNDER THREAT) - Bass
Rich Newport - Guitar
Blaze Bayley - Vocals

Check out a photo of the new band at this location.

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Source:	planetblaze.com
Band profile:	Blaze Bayley

The following message was posted on the official website of the Norwegian Black Death Metallers of Zyklon :

"Zyklon will team up with Blood Tsunami (the Norway-based Thrash Metal band featuring drummer Bård G. Eithun, a.k.a. Faust; Scum, Aborym, ex-Emperor) and Dead Beyong Buried for a UK tour in May."

Confirmed dates are as follows:

May 08 - London Underworld
May 09 - The Academy Manchester
May 10 - Sheffield Corporation
May 11 - Glasgow Cathouse
May 12 - Leeds Rio's

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Source:	zyklontribe.com
Band profile:	Zyklon
Event:	Zyklon: UK Tour

The following statement has been issued on Arch Enemy's website:

Arch Enemy are pleased to be able to announce that original guitarist Christopher Amott is rejoining the band with immediate effect. The band, having finished an intense 18 month touring cycle all over the world promoting the "Doomsday Machine' album and "Live Apocalypse" DVD, are currently busy working on songs for their new studio album.

Christopher surprised many by departing Arch Enemy at the end of the "Doomsday Machine' recording sessions in 2005, having been in the band for 10 years (starting with Arch Enemy at age 18). Christopher followed his urge to see the outside world and find what else is out there apart from music. Having done that, the time is right for him to return to the fold with a newly injected bite and focus and to resume his career.

Commenting on the re-grouping announcement he states:

"This is very exciting for me, returning to Arch Enemy as a fulltime member! Right now we are working on our forthcoming album and I'm very pleased about the way it's turning out. The new songs are fast and furious with lots of melody! To all the people who sent me kind messages while I was out of the band, thank you for your support, it helped me a lot. After this (much needed) two year break, I'm looking forward to getting back on the road. I hope to see you all later this year!"

Arch Enemy mastermind Michael Amott compliments his younger brother Christopher perfectly in style and chemistry and together they have become one of the most infamous and ripping guitar teams in extreme metal. Michael comments:

"So, we are back with my brother Christopher on guitar - it's a huge rush to have him back playing in his signature style! He's jumped in at the end of the songwriting process for the new album and added some of his unique spice! I feel Christopher's playing has matured and is more precise and even faster than before! Guitar fans are going to freak on the stuff we are getting up to on the new album!"

The last two years have been the busiest and most successful touring campaign of Arch Enemy´s entire career, so the many fans both old and especially new can now look forward to witnessing Christopher´s return to the stages of the world. In regards to Fredrik Åkesson, the Swedish guitar-wizard who has been touring with Arch Enemy for 18 months and who can be seen on the band´s latest video clip for the song "My Apocalypse", Michael states:

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Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

The following announcement has been posted on Evergrey's website:

"As you may remember we were unfortunately forced to cancel our performance in Bucharest, Romania two months ago. This was due to a vehicle malfunction and totally out of our control. We then said we would come back to make up for this, and guess what - now we are returning to Bucharest, Romania!

Saturday April 21st is the day that we will be at Sala Preotasa in Bucharest. We will fly all the way from Sweden to Romania just to see our Romanian fans so make sure you don't miss it!"

Source:	evergrey.net
Band profile:	Evergrey
Event:	Evergrey

According to a recent press release directly from Paragon Records, Georgia-based cult Doom Metal band Eyes Of Ligeia have decided to call it a day. A statement from the band's leader, Dante, goes as follows:

"After nine years, the cycle is complete. Eyes of Ligeia has been laid to rest, having accomplished all that was meant to be. No further information will be forthcoming."

Two mp3's for your listening pleasure:

'The Shadow Out Of Time' from the album "A Fever Which Would Cling to Thee Forever"
'Polaris' from the album "What The Moon Brings"

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Source:

paragonrecords.net