The former Believer drummer Joey Daub open his new website, and posted the following statement:

"Hi everyone, thanx for stopping by the site. I am still working on some things but it has been fun putting it together. Hope you enjoy it!

Currently, I am working on the new Fountain of Tears CD. I can't wait to get it out and hear your feedback. I am very pleased with the progress this band has made over the years and look forward to seeing you out on the road.

Also in the works is a side project I am doing with FoT keyboardist, Jeff King. The project is called "Year of Plenty" and is along the lines of Jazz/Fusion/Prog . We are having a fun time writing the songs(when FoT duties are light), and look forward to start recording soon.

Last of all, after 11 years, Kurt Bachman and I have crossed paths again and have been getting together to jam (again, when FoT duties are light) and throw around some musical ideas. Could this be the start of a long awaited Believer album? Keep posted for progress on that story. We will see what happens.

Thanx, Joey Daub"

Source:	joeydaub.com
Band profile:	Believer

It's now possible to download and buy online in wma format, the brand new Magellan album "SYMPHONY FOR A MISANTHROPE", to be released under Inside Out from 18 of april in Europe.

At this link http://www.magellanweb.com/sfam_shop.htm it is possible to hear a preview and buy the album at only 99c a song.

The official Message Board has been also closed. A new one runed by the fans is now online at

http://www.magellanforum.com

Enjoy it

Source:

Magellan

To all of you whose waiting for our new album, we can tell you that things are happening and it's on its way. We're still not sure about when it'll be released, but within summer/fall sometime it will be out in the stores.

The album was actually finished in September last year, so we're just as impatient as you guys to get it released! The reason why it's taking so long is because of paperwork and contracts being negotiated. That's all we can say for now. But it won't be long until you'll have lots of good news to read here!

http://www.maddermortem.com

Band profile:

Madder Mortem

In a recent interview with BW&BK, HOLY MOSES vocalist/founder Sabina Classen discussed how the hidden track 'Im Wagen Vor Mir', featuring a duet between Classen and SODOM frontman Tom Angelripper, came about:

"That's an old German schlager song from the '80's, and we did it as a joke. At the last Wacken Open Air, me and Tom were drunk as always and we started singing that song backstage, just fooling around. It's a song about a guy who sees a nice looking girl in the car ahead of him and he's describing her and all that stuff, and she's singing about the ugly guy driving behind her and 'What does he want?'. I got the idea one evening at the studio to record it and when it was done I sent the files to Tom and asked him to sing on it. He was like, 'Hey, it's the song from Wacken! Cool! (laughs)."

The new album, Strength Power will Passion, will be released on May 23rd through Armageddon Music.

http://www.bravewords.com

Band profile:

Holy Moses

KAYSER, the new Swedish band featuring Spice (ex-SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), Mattias Svensson (THE DEFACED), Bob Ruben (ex-THE MUSHROOM RIVER BAND) and Fredrik Finnander (ex-AEON), have completed work on their debut album, "Kaiserhof", due on June 13 via Scarlet Records.

"Kaiserhof" was recorded at Caesar studios (SOILWORK, THE DEFACED) and features a sound best described as "a mutation of BLACK SABBATH/MEGADETH/SLAYER with dips from different good bowls of classic and modern metal," according to a press release.

"Originating from the pens of Spice and Svensson, KAYSER enforces the pillars of metal with absolute authority," the press release continues. "Focus always lies on the song, easily identifiable through the supreme vocals by Spice, though the emotional and musical expressions stretch from heavy introvert pounding to pure hate driven ferocity."

"Kayserhof" track listing:

01. 1919
02. Lost Cause
03. Good Citizen
04. Noble is Your Blood
05. 7 Days to Sink
06. Like a Drunk Christ
07. Cemented Lies
08. The Waltz
09. Rafflesia
10. Perfect

http://www.blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

Spiritual Beggars

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM CENTURY MEDIA

Finnish MACHINE MEN signs longterm worldwide deal with Century Media Records!

We are proud to announce the addition of one of the most talented melodic metal bands on today's scene, MACHINE MEN, to the quality repertoire of The Century Media Family.

Earning a reputation as an excellent live band, these young musicians (in their early Twenties) created quite a buzz in the realm of melodic metal with their self-titled MCD (2002) and especially their debut album "Scars & Wounds", which was released in their homeland Finland in 2003 and followed up by a full European launch in Spring 2004 via their former label Dynamic Arts Records, with praising media reaction claiming the band to be the most hopeful newcomer of their kind.

The band consist of Antony (Vocals), J-V (Guitar), Jani (Guitar), Eero (Bass) as well as Jarno (Drums) and having been influenced by classic metal acts such as Iron Maiden as well as vintage Queensryche, MACHINE MEN are determined to bring along a fresh edge within their style to build a bridge from the golden '80s to the best of modern metal for all fans of the style.

Their new album "Elegies" was recorded by Thunderstone's Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump Studios (Omnium Gatherum, Thunderstone, etc.) and then mastered at the established Finnvox Studios, comes with classy artwork by Norwegian artist Christian Ruud (Tristania, Madder Mortem, etc.) and it includes 9 catchy and yet profoundly melodic new songs as well as a cover version of Bruce Dickinson's "Freak".

The final track-list of "Elegies" is as follows:

1. Falling (3:05)
2. Dream & Religion (3:49)
3. Apathy (5:10)
4. Back From The Days (3:28)
5. The Traitor (3:55)
6. October (6:35)
7. Daytime Theatre (4:58)
8. Doors Of Resurrection (4:10)
9. From Sunrise To Sunset (6:04)
10. Freak (4:15)

"Elegies" release date will be in July 25th. MACHINE MEN will already be promoting their new release on the upcoming shows:

16.07. Ilosaarirock (FIN) - Joensuu / Metelli-Club * www.ilosaarirock.fi
22. - 23.07. Earthshaker Festival (D) - Geiselwind * www.earthshaker-fest.com
04. - 06. 08. Wacken Open Air Festival (D) - Wacken * www.wacken.com
19.08. Oulu (FIN) - Jalometalli Festival * www.jalometalli.net
27.08. Salo (FIN) - Bar Maksim

A video clip for a yet undetermined track off "Elegies" will be in the works soon as well as further European touring for the autumn season. Artwork for the album as well as an online sample will be launched in a couple of weeks.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Machine Men

The band consisting of Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation & Trail Of Tears), Anders Kobro (Green Carnation, Carpathian Forest & In The Woods), Gøran Bomann (Carpathian Forest), Svenn Aksel Henriksen (ex-Dismal Euphony) and Kjell Jacobsen finished the recording of the 11 songs that will apperar on their debut album "The Masquerade" that "is shcheduled for a worldwide release in June 2005".

"They are already booked to Southern Discomfort Festival in Norway in September. The band is looking for more concerts so, bands, booking agencies or promoters interested, write for them. Band webpage: www.chaincollector.com"

Source:

planeta.terra.com.br

The announcement was published on the Nocturnal Art website, and it's as follow:

"After many years and a successful relationship, Nocturnal Art and Red Harvest have agreed to part ways. Red Harvest is already hard at work on new material. Nocturnal Art wishes them the best of luck on their quest for a new label and all future efforts."

Source:	nocturnalart.com
Band profile:	Red Harvest

We are happy to announce that Kataklysm has won an award for "Best Metal Group" at the Canadian Indie Music Awards!! The band wishes to thank all the fans who voted for them.
Kataklysm was not able to attend the opening night at the Phoenix Theater (Toronto) this week to receive its award, as the band is currently on tour with Danzig.

Also Kataklysm live dates announced for the summer in Europe, also some Canadian dates coming soon... These will be the only dates Kataklysm will be performing for the rest of 2005.

Kataklysm will be premiering a new song from the upcoming album "In the Arms of Devastation" at all summer shows... Be there and be prepared!!

Band profile:

Kataklysm

Barry Stern (ex-Trouble,ex-Zoetrope), who recently join forces with Dave Chandler & Ron Holzner in Debris Inc., passed away.

The following messages were posted on the Trouble official website:

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of barry stern on friday morning our hearts and prayers go out to all his family and friends today we remember all the good times we had together and come to know that they are priceless all we can say is that we love you and miss you and one day we will jam together again rest in peace."

"Still in disbelief.
Barry Stern
This is sad news for the music world. I would like to send condolences to Barry's family and friends.
We will think of you, and one day we will jam together again.
RIP Brother
Rick"

Source:

newtrouble.com bravewords.com

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have parted ways with longtime drummer Thomen Stauch. Frontman Hansi Kürsch's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"No news is good news. This obviously is bad news. After walking along the same musical paths for about 20 years and after several long, open and honest discussions between the four band members, we have all (including Thomen) come to the same conclusion that it is now best for Thomen to leave the band.

"Since we developed different musical and personal directions for quite a while now, it turned out to be more and more difficult to find acceptable and suitable solutions for everyone in the band. Such circumstances would have eventually caused severe internal problems. Therefore, to avoid any damage to our close relationship this difficult step is essential. In terms of creativity or progression neither one of us would like to hold the other one back. Due to that fact the split seems to be a sad, but reasonable solution. We wish Thomen all the best for the future and hope to come up with more positive news in the near future.

"?and day shall come again"

In a separate statement of his own, Stauch emphasized that the split was amicable and offered his gratitude to his former BLIND GUARDIAN colleagues:

"As you may have read in Hansi's statement, I am no longer the drummer of BLIND GUARDIAN. From now on we are going our separate ways, at least musically. I must admit it is quite a sad, but necessary decision in order for us to remain friends.

"I stand fully behind Hansi's declaration, so I will keep my statement as short as possible, and wish BLIND GUARDIAN all the best for the future, hoping that they find another drummer without any hassle.

"I would also like to use this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who stood by us through all those years, especially our fans. You are the best!!! I hope to see you again soon!

"A big thank you to my old colleagues, Hansi, Andre and Marcus, for all the amazing times we've shared."

Stauch is currently working on an as-yet-unnamed new project with SOILWORK vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid. The collaboration, which originally went under the COLDSEED moniker, was previously described by Strid as "a mixture between RAMMSTEIN and ALICE IN CHAINS." A full-length album was recenetly recorded and is due later in the year.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

Here are the announcements posted on the band website:

"1st of April 2005

Tiamat Is No More...

Today Tiamat announced that they have decided to split up due to "religious differencies". All future concerts and studio sessions have been cancelled. Tiamat would like to thank their fans for the support and apologize for the lack of glue in the most cracked substances of the Tiamat subjects. This page will be maintained until the contracts run out, then remain dark forever. Thanks for everything!"

followed by:

"2nd of April 2005

Tiamat Reunion?

Yes, the rumours are true! Tiamat are back together and will do many reunion shows this spring and summer, and serve their fans a "best of" orgy in nostalgia that only middle-aged rock'n'rollers can put up! All band members will travel individually and have separate backstage rooms to avoid confronting each other. The therapist has been sacked and the money saved will go straight into the pockets of the religious leaders of the CoT."

Source:	churchoftiamat.com
Band profile:	Tiamat

The band posted the following message on their official website:

"Yes it's finally time for us to enter the studio for our fourth full length album.

The date is set to the beginning of May and will take about 4 weeks. This time we have chosen to enter Studio Underground (Västerås). We have no doubts that the producer Pelle Saether will do an excellent job so we are really looking forward to this recording.

To all of you who wonder how the new album will sound I can only say this:
This album has by far the best material so far. It is going to be a bit harder then our previous albums but I think that all of you will enjoy it.

There are also going to be a couple of FESTIVALS this year.
So far Decibel 2000 (Bengtsfors/Sweden) and Parkrock (Sandviken/Sweden) are scheduled but we do hope to announce some more gigs in the near future.

Also I would like to announce that we have a second booking agency working for us: SSG AGENCY AND MANAGEMENT (Finland)
To contact them please write to Thomas Ståhl: thomas@ssg.fi

And of course we still have MOTOR PRODUCTIONS working for us
Our contact there is Edward Janson; edward.janson@motor.se

Well I think that's it for now.
Stay tuned for more news regarding the upcoming album.

Rock on!
L-G"

Source:	storyteller.nu
Band profile:	The Storyteller

March 23, 2005

WE ARE DONE! We are all done with the mixing of the new CD and we are now going to sit on it for about a week and make sure we are totally happy before mastering, which should be sometime next week! It has been so awesome to be back in the studio and we are really pumped about the new songs. Can't wait to get out and play them live!

ALLENTOWN, PA get ready because we are coming! We will be playing at this year Louder-Harder-Faster Festival(http://www.louder-harder-faster.com/) on June 4th at the Crocodile Rock Cafe. We have not been in PA in sometime and it will be good to see all of you!

taken from http://www.obituary.cc/

Band profile:

Obituary

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Continuing the new way of writing and working on song arragements in remote places, Satyr just returned from another session held in a cabin by the sea on Norway's second biggest populated island. Now we are preparing for a test-recording for two new songs that will take place three weeks from now. The band has also managed to obtain an audio recording of the Pope's last rite held last night CET. We hope to make a song based around this recording and have Phil Spector produce it."


Read more ››

Band profile:

Satyricon