German power metallers Freedom Call have issued the following update already a few days ago:

"Yesterday (February 10th) we finished work at (producer) Tommy Newton's Area 51 Studios at Celle, Germany and arrived our hometown Nuremberg with the master tape in the bag. The new album "Dimensions" is ready. After more than seven months hard work we are totally happy with the awesome result and can't wait to introduce the new 12 songs. The official release will probably be April 20th/23rd of 2007."

"Dimensions" tracklisting:

01. Mr. Evil
02. Far Away
03. Mission Divine
04. Firestorm
05. Dimensions
06. Blackened Sun
07. Power
08. Starborn
09. Ride The Universe
10. Heaven Is Hell
11. Castaway

Source:	freedomcall.de
Band profile:	Freedom Call

Impaled Nazarenee's album "Nihil" officially entered Germany´s Index list A on January 17, effectively implying that the band's album is officially banned in Germany. A note from the band is as follows:

"Looking back on 2006 and 2005, being unable to play concerts in Italy, Austria, France, Poland and Germany, one can only conclude that Freedom of speech and Freedom of religion, things that are supposed to be the foundation of the European Union, are not existing. Your lives are terrorized by deranged catholic sects and glue sniffing communists. Braindead imbeciles tell you what you should/what you cannot listen to, read or watch. Happy fucking middle ages part 666 and fuck off."

Impaled Nazarene have finally been in Sonic Pump studio with Tapio Pennanen to take care of TCNNN and U-K double 10″ EP bonus tracks. Tracklisting is as follows:

Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz extra tracks

Side C:

1. Intro: Salve Satanas
2. Condemned To Hell
3. The Crucified
4. The Black Vomit (Sarcofago cover)
5. Morbid Fate

* All tracks recorded at Oulu, Finland 1991.

Side D:

1. In The Name Of Satan
2. Crucifixation (Deicide cover)
3. Damnation (Raping The Angels)
4. In The Name Of Satan
5. I Al Purg Vonpo
6. My Blessing (The Beginning Of The End)
7. Conned Thru Life (E.N.T. cover)

* Tracks 1-3 recorded at Oulu, Finland 1991.
* Tracks 4-7 recorded at Hamburg, Germany 1994.

Ugra-Karma extra tracks

Side C:

1. The Crucified
2. Chaosgoat Law
3. Condemned To Hell
4. Ghost Riders (StanJones cover)
5. Sadogoat
6. Mortification/Blood Red Razor Blade

* Track 1 recorded at Riihimäki, Finland 1992.
* Tracks 2 & 3 recorded at Maasmechelen, Belgium 1994.
* Tracks 4-6 recorded at Madrid, Spain 1995.

Side D:

1. The Horny And The Horned
2. Blood Is Thicker Than Water
3. Quasb/The Burning
4. Let´s Fucking Die
5. The Oath Of The Goat

* Track 1 recorded at Madrid, Spain 1995.
* Tracks 2-5 recorded at Essen, Germany 1995.

Both double-vinyls will be limited to 300 copies and will be released by Osmose Productions.

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Impaled Nazarene

Tampa, Florida-based death metallers Monstrosity have just completed the recording and mixing of their fifth studio release, "Spiritual Apocalypse".
Recorded at Morrisound Studios, the disc features vocals from the band's newest addition, Mike Hrubovcak (Vile, Divine Rapture). Joining Hrubovcak are longtime Monstrosity members Lee Harrison (drums), Mike Poggione (bass), and Mark English (guitars). The release also features guest appearances from luminaries such as Kelly Shaefer (Atheist), Matt LaPorte (Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle), John Zahner (Savatage, Crimson Glory), Jason Suecof (Capharnaum), and James Malone (Arsis).

Long considered one of the leading lights of the Florida death metal scene, the band has just returned from a triumphant weekend in Mexico, playing three shows alongside Marduk, Setherial, and Cattle Decapitation. The band is planning tours for the summer/fall season with an appearance at this year's Fuck The Commerce X festival.

A brand new track, called "Firestorm", has been posted on the band's MySpace page.

Commented Harrison: "We've had a really crazy last few months but the final results will speak for themselves. The album turned out really sick and Mexico was a blast. We had a really cool time down in Mexico and can't wait to return. Thanks to everyone who was involved! The album is done now and we just want to get out and play."

"Spiritual Apocalypse" (cover art) tracklisting:

01. Spritual Apocalypse
02. Firestorm
03. Apostles Of The Endless Night
04. Within Divisions Of Darkness
05. The Inhuman Race
06. Remnants Of Divination
07. Illumination
08. Sacred Oblivion
09. The Bloodline Horror
10. Triumph In Black

Monstrosity will release "Spiritual Apocalypse" on April 5th via Metal Blade Europe. A North American release date will be confirmed soon.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Monstrosity

Blabbermouth.net has exclusively revealed the final cover art for Black Sabbath's forthcoming "best-of" collection, "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years". Check it out at this location.

The first comprehensive introduction to the band's legacy, "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" features a dozen classic studio recordings, plus one live track ? "Children Of The Sea" from 1982's "Live Evil". The collection also contains the three brand-new tracks ? "The Devil Cried", "Shadow Of The Wind", and "Ear In The Wall". The disc will be available April 3 at all physical retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested list price of $18.98. The album will also be available at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $11.99.

Arranged chronologically, the compilation spotlights singer Ronnie James Dio's time with BLACK SABBATH and draws heavily from the lineup's 1980 debut and 1981 follow-up, "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" respectively. Recognized as back-to-back metal classics, the albums feature such signature songs as the title tracks, "Neon Knights", "Die Young", "Turn Up The Night" and "Voodoo". "The Dio Years" also features "After All (The Dead)", "TV Crimes" and "I" from the singer's brief reunion with SABBATH for the "Dehumanizer" album and tour.

"Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" track listing:

01. Neon Knights
02. Lady Evil
03. Heaven And Hell
04. Die Young
05. Lonely Is The Word
06. The Mob Rules
07. Turn Up The Night
08. Voodoo
09. Falling Off The Edge Of The World
10. After All (The Dead)
11. TV Crimes
12. I
13. Children Of The Sea - Live
14. The Devil Cried*
15. Shadow Of The Wind*
16. Ear In The Wall*

* Newly recorded tracks

Read more ››

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Black Sabbath

Belgium-based black metallers Ancient Rites have issued the following update:

"The collaboration with guitarist Raf (Jansen) came to an end as it was for the best for all parties involved. Rafs' guitar duties are taken over by Domingo (Smets) who now plays his third instrument within the band."

Upcoming Ancient Rites live dates include:

February
17 - Memento Mori Metal Fest in Oostende, Belgium

April
14 - Nepherex Fest, Zenith in Dendermonde, Belgium
27 - Gigant in Apeldoorn, Netherlands

Source:	ancientrites.be
Band profile:	Ancient Rites

Dimmu Borgir will be be heading out on a North American tour with Kataklysm, Devildriver and Unearth. Confirmed tour dates are as follows:

April 20 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
April 21 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's Concert Theatre
April 22 - Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
April 23 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
April 24 - Quebec City, QC @ Theatre Capitole
April 26 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
April 27 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
April 28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
April 29 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
April 30 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
May 4 - Minneapolis, MN @ Myth
May 5 - Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
May 7 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
May 8 - Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Centre
May 10 - Seattle, WA @ The Fenix
May 12 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
May 13 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
May 15 - Magna, UT @ The Great Salt Air
May 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
May 18 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
May 19 - San Diego, CA @ SOMA
May 21 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
May 22 - Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club
May 23 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's
May 26 - Houston, TX @ Club V
May 27 - San Antonio, TX @ Graham Central Station
May 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

Dimmu Borgir will release "In Sorte Diaboli" in North America on April 24.

Read more ››

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Dimmu Borgir
Event:	Dimmu Borgir + Kataklysm: N. American Tour

The new Type O Negative track 'These Three Things' is currently streaming at the band's website. The track is from their upcoming new album "Dead Again", due out through SPV on March 13th in North America.

Source:	typeonegative.net
Band profile:	Type O Negative

Legendary death metallers Dying Fetus have unveiled a brand new song, 'Fate Of The Condemned,' from their long-awaited new album "War Of Attrition" exclusively via the band's official website.

Dying Fetus (John Gallagher - Guitars / Vocals, Mike Kimball - Guitar, Sean Beasley - Bass, and Duane Timlin - drums) recorded "War Of Attrition" at Hit & Run Studios in Rockville, MD with longtime engineer Steve Carr. The album's artwork, designed by Orion Landau, can be previewed at this location. "War Of Attrition" is set for a March 6th (March 9/12 internationally) release date and is available for pre-order now.

Read more ››

Source:	dyingfetus.com
Band profile:	Dying Fetus

Slayer have won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance for the song 'Eyes Of The Insane,' beating out Lamb Of God (Redneck), Mastodon (Colony Of Birchmen), Ministry (Lies, Lies, Lies), and Stone Sour (30/30-150).

This was Slayer's second Grammy nomination, the first being in 2002 for the track 'Disciple' (from "God Hates Us All"), also in the Best Metal Performance category.

Slayer, currently headlining a North American tour, did not attend the Grammy's presentation, but vocalist/bassist Tom Araya had this to say about the win from his hotel room in Columbus, OH: "Jeff and I put a lot into 'Eyes Of The Insane' so we're thrilled that the Grammy voters took the time to listen to it, and then vote for it. We're out here on the road and we're all really, really happy."

Read more ››

Source:	grammy.com
Band profile:	Slayer
Event:	Slayer: US Tour

The following shows have been confirmed for the summer of 2007:

Germany:
08.06.07 - Sudweststadion, Ludwigshafen (near Mannheim)
17.06.07 - MSV Stadium, Duisburg

Tickets will go on sale at Thursday 8th February and they can be ordered from eventim.de or via telephone on the ticket hotline +49 (0)1805 - 57 0000.

Support for the shows will be announced soon. You can check the promoters site: wizard-promotions.de.

Czech Republic Special Show:
06.06 Ostrava Banik Football Stadium, Ostrava

Tickets will be go on sale at Wednesday February 7th and they can be ordered from ticketpro.cz.

At the time of Iron Maiden's "A Matter Of Life And Death World Tour 2006" it wasn't possible to schedule a date for the Czech Republic, but the band have said that they like playing there, so they've included this date in their short run of European stadium and festival appearances.

Read more ››

Source:	ironmaiden.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden
Event:	Iron Maiden: Summer Stadium Tour

Heavy Metal priests Metal Church has issued the following press release on their official website:

>>IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!<<

Last night in Nashville, drummer Jeff Plate suffered a spinal disk injury. Jeff is currently seeking medical treatment.. prognosis soon to follow.

Unfortunately, the band has to cancel at least 3-6 shows, pending Jeff's prognosis.

We apologize to our fans for the inconvenience... we were especially looking forward to the Texas shows and makeup dates should be forthcoming soon. Contact your venues for refund/honoring information.

The following shows are definitely cancelled:

February
1 - Columbus, MS - The Princess Theater
2 - Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
3 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit

Stay tuned for further updates.

Read more ››

Source:	metalchurch.com
Band profile:	Metal Church

Swedish Melodic Death Metal pioneers Dark tranquillity has completed work on their highly anticipated new album, "Fiction", set for an April 2007 release.

The album was mixed by Tue Madsen (Himsa, The Haunted) and encompasses all of the elements on which the band built their career: thought-provoking lyrics, shredding guitar work, captivating melodies and sheer brutality.

"Fiction" contains the following numbers:

01. Nothing To No One
02. The Lesser Faith
03. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)
04. Blind At Heart
05. Icipher
06. Inside The Particle Storm
07. Empty Me
08. Misery's Crown
09. Focus Shift here]
10. The Mundane And The Magic

11. Japanese bonus track: A Closer End
12. Instrumental Australian bonus track: Winter Triangle

Niklas Sundin (guitars) shares his thoughts on the new album: "Tue Madsen did a fantastic job with the sound, and the result is diverse and exciting enough to satisfy even the most critical of listeners. The 10 songs are extremely varied and showcase all facets of the D.T. experience while breaking new ground as well as reviving some elements that haven't been featured in D.T. songs since the early years. At the moment, we're putting the finishing touches to the packaging as well as preparing for the recording of the 'Focus Shift' and 'Misery's Crown' promo videos. Directing is once again Roger Johansson, who worked with us on the videos for 'Character'."

In late March 2007, Dark Tranquillity kick off the touring cycle for Fiction with a massive co-headlining U.S. run with The Haunted and Into Eternity followed by European summer festivals and a full length tour in autumn.

Read more ››

Source:	darktranquillity.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity
Event:	Dark Tranquillity + The Haunted: North American Tour

The following message has been posted by vocalist Cristina Scabbia on her personal Myspace page, mainly for other bands members:

"We were recently informed that members of several bands across the country, mostly non-Jager bands, have been contacted by an unknown third party, claiming to be named "Tim Rex" the official Jagermeister Tour Manager, seeking to engage such bands as openers or support on upcoming Jager Tours, or for other similar promotions, concerts and events. We wanted to inform all of you just in case you have received or do receive a similar phone call.

This unknown third party has contacted bands and other parties via a blocked cell phone number, informing the band that the person represents the Jager Tour and is considering the band for certain events. This party often tells the bands that he will be sending certain forms and documents for the band to complete, and that the party will be arranging a meeting with the band. He has also asked for the band to supply private personal information during this phone call.

Please be advised that this party DOES NOT represent the Jager Tour, Mast-Jagermeister or Sidney Frank Importing Co. Inc.

We believe that this party is conducting a scam in order to obtain band members' personal information.

If you are contacted by an unfamiliar third party and you suspect that the party does not work for the Jager Tour or is not otherwise associated with Jagermeister, please do not respond to the request for information."

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Lacuna Coil
Event:	Jägermeister Music Tour

Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono checks in with the following update on the band's website, to lay any rumours to rest:

Kataklysm has officially postponed their scheduled Australian tour and their Road to Devastation II tour (which also included a few dates with Unleashed scheduled for April/May). Comments Maurizio:

"I know lots of our fans were looking forward to seeing us in Australia and in the UK, Scandinavia and all the places we haven't hit yet for this record, but believe me that none are more dissapointed then us... But they WILL be rescheduled. We are thinking of September or sometime during the fall. The reason behind the postponed dates: "The Devil Called... and made us an offer we couldn't refuse!"... Stay tuned for details regarding this... It will be massive."

The full message can be found at http://www.kataklysm.net.

Read more ››

Source:	kataklysm.net
Band profile:	Kataklysm

In Flames was honoured with the Swedish "Grammis" award in the "Best Hard Rock" category during a ceremony that was held Tuesday night (January 30) at Hovet in Stockholm. A total of five bands were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2006. The nominees were as follows:

Backyard Babie - "People Like People Like People Like Us" (RCA)
Europe - "Secret Society" (T&T/Sanctuary)
Hammerfall - "Threshold" (Nuclear Blast)
In Flames - "Come Clarity" (Nuclear Blast)
The Haunted - "The Dead Eye" (Century Media)

In accepting the award, In Flames frontman Anders Fridén asked the audience to get up on their feet.

"This is the third time In Flames have won a Grammy and it feels extremely good," he said and joked: "Thanks a lot to the Swedish people, Sound Pollution and all you people sitting down!"

A video clip of In Flames performing the song "Come Clarity" on the Swedish music awards show "Rockbjörnen" on January 11 in Stockholm, Sweden has been posted online at YouTube.com (here). The band's lineup for the performance included guitarists Björn Gelotte and Jesper Strömblad, who were both absent from the group's most recent U.S. tour.

In Flames was nominated in three categories at the "Rockbjörnen" awards: "Best Swedish Band", "Best Song" and "Best Album".

Read more ››

Source:	inflames.com
Band profile:	In Flames