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

US Grinders Cattle Decapitation have uploaded the bonus track from the Japanese version of "Karma.Bloody.Karma", entitled 'World Full Of Idiots', to their MySpace Page.

"Karma.Bloody.Karma" was released in July 2006 via Metal Blade Records.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Cattle Decapitation

Montreal based Neuraxis have announced that vocalist Alex Leblanc (Atheretic, Point Blank Rage) has joined as permanent member of the band.
The band comments: "After completing the European Domination tour, we knew Alex was the right man for the job. His vocals were rushing, and he displayed a very intense energy both onstage and offstage. We look forward to Alex contributing to the writing of our next album."

Neuraxis has confirmed they will be touring Canada in May with Martyr. The following dates have been confirmed:

Mar. 24 - L'Epiphanie, QC @ Epiphanie Metal Fest (w/ Martyr)
Apr. 06 - Quebec, QC @ L'Imperial (w/ Martyr)
Apr. 27 - Ottawa, QC @ Babylon (w/Ghoulunatics)

May 17 - Thunder Bay, ON @ The Office (w/ Martyr)
May 18 - Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo (w/ Martyr)
May 22 - Calgary, AB @ The Underground (w/ Martyr)
May 23 - Edmonton, AB @ The Mead Hall (w/ Martyr)
May 24 - Prince George, BC @ The Moose Hall (w/ Martyr)
May 25 - Vancouver, BC @ Balmoral (w/ Martyr)
May 26 - Victoria, BC @ Sugar Club (w/ Martyr)

Source:	neuraxis.org
Band profile:	Neuraxis

Fear Factory is currently working on another remix album, tentatively due later in the year.
A first taste of the upcoming CD - a remixed version of the song 'Supernova' (from the 2005 CD "Transgression") - can be heard on the band's MySpace Page.

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Source:	thegauntlet.com
Band profile:	Fear Factory

The following message was posted on Arch Enemy's official website :

"Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott has scheduled a signing sessions at the Frankfurt Musik Messe in Germany, Europe's largest international trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music and accessories.

Michael Amott comments: 'It's going to be a blast coming down to Germany for the weekend, check out gear, meet fans and hang out with my ESP family! The ESP signings are always a good time!
I am also going to be doing a signing at the Randall Amplifiers booth, I have recently hooked up with Randall and we are working on all kinds of cool stuff - one of those things being a 'Michael Amott NINJA V2' amp! Come and check out the prototype of this beast if you are at the event! See you there!"

Signing Schedule:

March 31 - 14:00 (2:00 PM)
Michael Amott signing session at the ESP booth (together with Gus G of Firewind, Shagrath and Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir).

March 31 - 16:00 (4:00 PM)
Michael Amott signing session at the Randall Amplifiers booth.

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Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

Posted on the official website on March 16th:

Royal Hunt and John West have decided that at this time (after numerous albums and concert tours) they are no longer able to contribute creatively to each other's future musical development. It's been a hell of a ride, but both parties feel like it is about time to move on and explore different musical paths - therefore, they mutually agreed to part ways as of March 16th, 2007.

"We're not ruling out possible future collaborations for a joint venture or a side project" - André and John state - "but it won't be under the RH moniker."

John had joined Royal Hunt in 1999 during the recording of the "Fear" album and he worked with the band until our latest release - live CD/DVD "Royal Hunt 2006." We'd like to express our gratitude to John for a great 8-year run and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Source:	royalhunt.com
Band profile:	Royal Hunt

Sweden's Nocturnal Rites have set "The 8th Sin" as the title of their new album, due in Europe on May 28 via Century Media Records.

According to a press release, the mystery of the album title can now be revealed: the new album is, of course, full of lust, gluttony and pride, but stands above of any wrath, greed, sloth or envy - the 8th not that deadly sin, however, is a deluxe blend of melodic metal and hard rock done the Nocturnal Rites way!

"The 8th Sin" offers a slightly more modern sound with harsh riffs, huge choruses and the band's classic guitar extravaganza. But don't be afraid of any bad surprises, the new album is 110% Nocturnal Rites from start to finish!

"The 8th Sin" was produced by the band themselves, co-produced by Shep and mixed by Mattias Eklund and Nocturnal Rites at Toontrack Music in Umeå, Sweden.

The tracklisting goes as follows:

01. Call Out To The World
02. Never Again
03. Not The Only
04. Tell Me
05. Not Like You
06. Leave Me Alone
07. Till I Come Alive
08. Strong Enough
09. Me
10. Pain & Pleasure
11. Fools Parade

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Nocturnal Rites

The brand new video for the song 'Lost' from the album "6 Days To Nowhere" has been added to the video section on the official webpage of Italian Power Metallers Labyrinth.
You can donwload the video at this location, or through YouTube here.

You can also download the first song 'Crossroads' from the new album at this location.

"6 Days To Nowhere" was released on 26 February 2007 through Arise Records.
The tracklisting goes as follows:

01. Crossroads
02. There Is A Way
03. Lost
04. Mother Earth
05. Waiting Tomorrow
06. Come Together
07. Just One Day
08. What???
09. Coldness
10. Rusty Nail
11. Out Of Control
12. Wolves 'N' Lambs
13. Smoke And Dreams
14. Piece Of Time

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Source:	labyrinthmusic.it
Band profile:	Labyrinth

Swedish black metallers Shining have updated their MySpace page with the following lineup news:

"After a couple weeks of searching replacement for the late Hallander, an aquintance of the past establishes contact, former bassist (Angst & The Eerie Cold) Phil A. Cirone is back!!!
Now with the new album just around the corner and a full line-up again Shining are preparing an extensive live-set which will be forced upon the masses this autumn, tour dates will follow shortly..."

Source:	shiningangst.se
Band profile:	Shining

Australian Power Metal band Black Majesty have announced a title for their soon to be released new album. The album will be called 'Tomorrowland'. The new album will be released through their German label Limb Music Products.

Black Majesty have also been announced as part of the Metal Universe Black Sun Festival in Slovakia which happens 20-21/7/2007. Other confirmed bands for the festival include Masterplan, Blind Guardian and Alkehol. Black Majesty will be on tour in Europe throughout July and August where they will be playing live shows and doing promomotion for the new album.

Source:	blackmajesty.com
Band profile:	Black Majesty
Event:	Metal Universe Black Sun Festival

The following message was posted on the Necrophagist webpage:

"Necrophagist will headline the 2nd day of the annual California Metalfest, taking place at the Galaxy Concert Theater in Santa Ana, CA on March 31 & April 1. Bay Area legends Testament will headline the festival's first day.

It will also be Hannes Grossmann's very last drumming duty for Necrophagist, who played drums on the band's last album "Epitaph" and all tours following the 2004 release.

Don't miss this special show!!! Click here for further info on the fest."

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Source:	necrophagist.de
Band profile:	Necrophagist

The Swedish melodic death metallers have posted their video for the song "Focus Shift" on YouTube.com. The clip was directed by Roger Johansson, who previously worked with the group on the "Lost to Apathy" and "The New Build" videos from the 2005 release "Character" . The "Focus Shift" video will be featured on the limited-edition version of the upcoming Dark Tranquility album, "Fiction".

You can view the video here.

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Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity

Vader have entered Hertz Studio to begin recording their as-yet-untitled 25th Anniversary album, which is due to feature "25 songs presenting the two last decades of Vader's history, some rare tracks and specials" Frontman Peter Wiwczarek has issued the following studio update:

"Me and Daray arrived to the Hertz Studio on March 15th to start recordings of an album, which is very special indeed. This is gonna be 25 songs taken from Vader's early records. We put an attention mostly on The Ultimate Incantation, De Profundis, Black To The Blind or Litany; also mini albums released in between. 2008 is the year when Vader took its name and started to exist as a band. With such an unusual material we'd like to enjoy the anniversary and close up the early days of Vader to the newest generation of our die-hard Fans. For a first time the songs from so different produced records will be available on one album. All the songs we will make from the scratch, so they'll sound more fresh with more or less re-arranged. Of course- we're gonna put some never-ever released very old stuff but... this is 'top secret' at the moment. Interesting might be also guests from (the) world's metal scene, who will appear on the album on various songs. They are our friends and brothers-in-arms, who already made a lot for metal. What can I add is, that we plan to do special edition of the album including video shots from very early days or photo album with never released old picturies specially chosen for this anniversary release. Lottsa work, lottsa memories... but first of all a lot of Total Massacre from over two decades of creation of unholy Metal Madness !!!! We start today..."

A complete studio report can be see here - http://www.vader.pl/news-e.html

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Source:	vader.pl
Band profile:	Vader

The following message has been put on the official website of Swedish Viking Metal band Thyrfing:

"After a decade in the band, both Thomas Väänänen and Henrik Svegsjö have decided to leave Thyrfing. They have informed us that they lack the motivation needed for another album. We have split ways on good terms, and would like to thank them for all these great years."

With this being said, we hereby welcome Jens Rydén to the band as new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of Naglfar and recently also for his one-man army Profundi. We all feel very enthusiastic about bringing new blood into the band and it will be very interesting to write and compile the next Thyrfing album together.
For the time being we will go on with one guitar player, and time will tell what happens to the second guitar position?"

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Source:	thyrfing.com
Band profile:	Thyrfing

Deeds Of Flesh' vocalist/bassist and 1993 founding member Jacoby Kingston has announced his retirement from the band and will be replaced by Erlend Caspersen Blood Red Throne] from Norway.

Jacoby Kingston's official statement goes as follows:

"To begin, I want to express my gratitude to all of the Deeds Of Flesh fans and friends out there who have supported me throughout my 14 year tenure as Bassist/Vocalist for the band. It makes me sad to know that I won't see a lot of you whom I have come to know so well. As for myself, I can no longer live the life of a traveling musician; therefore, I am giving up my position in the band to someone who can put 100% into it and keep the music going strong. I will continue to support the band and help out in any way I can. I still love Death Metal and all things dark and that will not change. This was a hard dicision, but it is for the betterment of Deeds. It would not be fair to my band mates to not put full effort into the music.

Erland will do a kick ass job in my place. Many of you have seen him play with Vile on the European and U.S. tours in 2006. The guy is a freakin machine. He will play on the new album and will tour with the band. He is a great guy and I am glad someone like him will replace me."

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Source:	deedsofflesh.net
Band profile:	Deeds Of Flesh