Sony Music Mobile has released four Yngwie Malmsteen ringtones for fans to download. The clips are as follows:

01. Baroque & Roll
02. Majestic Blue
03. Ship of Fools
04. Stronghold

Check them out here:
http://www.sonymusicmobile.com/hub/sonymusic/dispatcher/browse'sid=31926852787a9357db9d207956e922a3&s=YNGWIE+MALMSTEEN

Band profile:

Yngwie Malmsteen

LULLACRY have posted the following recording update at their official website (www.lullacry.com):

"Lullacry has been busy this week! Some new material has been recorded at the Astia Studios, Lappeenranta, Finland with Mr. Anssi Kippo. You can definitely expect some kick ass rockin´ heavy metal to be released within this year as a single or EP. The Music is produced by A. Kippo and Sami Vauhkonen and will be mixed at the Finnvox Studios by Mikko Karmila. You can also expect to see some pictures from the recording sessions soon. ROK!!!"

As previously reported, Lullacry's upcoming studio album, Killer, will feature the following tracks: 'Zero', 'Fire Within', 'The Stranger In You', 'The No. 1 Rebel', 'Close Your Eyes', 'Killing Time', 'King Of Pain', 'Fate', 'You Are The One'. The album will hit stores in January 2005.

Also, Lullacry will do their first-ever tour of North America with NIGHTWISH, which is set to take place in late August/early September 2004. A three-week-tour will include 14 shows all over North-America.

Band profile:

Lullacry

Thanx to all the people who voted for metalstorm in the online metal awards... Thanks to you all, metalstorm has ended up in fourth position, which is a really good result after only two years of existence. So congratulations to Ivan the founder, Dream Taster our great Webmaster and to all the staff and forum members and casual visitors for your great support... The first seat is in sight!!!

Complete results here: http://www.onlinemetalawards.com/

Finland's NIGHTWISH is the latest band confirmed for Dynamo Open Air, a one-day Dutch heavy metal festival scheduled to be held Saturday, June 5 in the Goffertpark in Nijmegen, Holland. Also scheduled to appear are headlinders SLAYER, plus LIFE OF AGONY, DIMMU BORGIR and CHILDREN OF BODOM.

There will be a total of 14 bands appearing on two stages, "pretty much in the same set-up as in the year 2000 when Dynamo was held at the same location," according to a posting on the festival's official web site. Tickets are 50 euros. The gates will open at 12:00 p.m. (noon) and the first band goes on at 1:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.dynamo.nl

Band profile:

Nightwish

Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have pushed back the release date of their upcoming live album, "De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine", to April 19 through Regain Records. No reason was given for the delay.

The CD, which was recorded on the band's 2003 South American tour, will contain the following track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Arrival Of Satan's Empire
03. An Apprentice Of Satan
04. The Dawn No More Rises
05. Thy Legions Come
06. Hail Murder
07. Goddess Of Sodomy
08. The Secrets Of The Black Arts
09. Vobiscum Satanas
10. Shadows Over Transylvania
11. Open The Gates
12. Ineffable Kings Of Darkness
13. Thus I Have Spoken
14. My Dark Desires
15. Armageddon Finally Comes

DARK FUNERAL are currently writing material for their next studio album, tentatively due in late 2004.

As previously reported, DARK FUNERAL have been confirmed for the Piorno Rock Festival 2004, which is set to take place on Saturday, February 28 in Pinos Puentes (Granada), Spain. Other bands scheduled to appear at the event include STRATOVARIUS, SEPULTURA, MSG, SAXON, KAMELOT, VANDES PLAS, EVERGREY, IRON SAVIOR, AXXIS, CAGE, MOONSPELL, CALLENISH CIRCLE, FINNTROLL, AMON AMARTH, DESTRUCTION, ENSLAVED, EPICA, TANKARD, BATTELORE, and CONTRHA.

taken from blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

Dark Funeral

According to the YNGWIE MALMSTEEN fan site Guitar Alchemy, initial reports from the Joe Satriani camp indicate that Malmsteen will not be taking part in the planned European G3 trek alongside Satriani and Steve Vai. Instead the third slot will likely be filled by Robert Fripp of KING CRIMSON fame. No further information is available at this time.

The G3 DVD and CD sets ? entitled "G3 - Live in Denver" and "G3 Live: Rockin' in the Free World", respectively ? will be released on February 24 through Epic Records. To promote the releases, Satriani, Vai and Malmsteen will be participating in an MSN chat on Monday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST.

Band profile:

Yngwie Malmsteen

Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY will celebrate their 15th birthday by releasing a double CD featuring rare and previously unreleased material. A May 31 release through Century Media Records is expected.

"For many years, we've received lots of questions regarding the possibility of our pre-album material ever being released on CD, and we're very happy to provide old and new fans that are interested in the first chapter of our history with a viable alternative to forking out a small fortune on Ebay for a worn-out original copy of the demo or 7" EP," the band write on their web site.

"After a lot of digging though the vaults, the original DAT tapes for our 'Trail Of Life Decayed' demo (1991) and 'A Moonclad Reflection' EP (1992) were found, and we could happily note that they were intact and had survived the ten years in limbo remarkably well. With the help of some carefully executed mastering magic, the sound quality has been boosted a great deal.

"In addition, we have the pleasure of including a couple of songs that were recorded during the studio sessions for our last three albums. Some of these tracks, like 'Exposure' and 'Cornered', have until now only been available on limited edition versions of the albums, while some others, like 'Static', 'No One' and 'In Sight', are previously unheard by anyone outside the immediate band circle.

"As a special treat, we're also including a second disc with more than 70 minutes of live songs (the audio portion of the recently released 'Live Damage' DVD. Enjoy!

"'Exposures...' comes packaged with an extensive 20-page booklet filled to the rim with exclusive photos from all stages of the band's career as well as liner notes from noted music journalist Chris Dick (www.digitalmetal.com), a initiated long-time observer of the scene.

"The release date for 'Exposures?' will be May 31st via Century Media Records in Europe and the 2-CD will be released for the fair deal of a Single-Disc price. Further international release dates will be announced shortly!"

"Exposures - In Retrospect And Denial" 2-CD full track listing:

Disc 1 (Rare Material):

01. Static
02. The Poison Well
03. Misery In Me
04. Cornered
05. In Sight
06. No-One
07. Exposure
08. Yesterworld
09. Unfurled By Dawn
10. Midwinter/Beyond Enlightenment
11. Vernal Awakening
12. Void Of Tranquillity

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Band profile:

Dark Tranquillity

Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM have revealed the track listing for their new CD, "Chimera", due on March 29 in Europe and April 6 in the U.S. through Season Of Mist Records. The CD, which was recorded at a mobile studio in the mountains of Norway, reportedly features a musical direction that is being described by the band as "much more back to basics and much more brutal" than 2000's "Grand Declaration of War".

"Chimera" track listing (not in final order):

01. Whore
02. Dark Night Of The Soul
03. Rape Humanity With Pride
04. My Death
05. You Must Fall
06. Slaughter Of Dreams
07. Impious Devious Leper Lord
08. Chimera

MAYHEM's European tour (which will reportedly include Poland's DECAPITATED and Japan's DEFILED) will officially commence on April 10, beginning with an appearance at the Inferno Festival in Oslo, according to a posting on the band's web site. The European leg of the tour will conclude May 17. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

Band profile:

Mayhem

Cult Canadian Thrash Titans Infernal Majesty have posted the following on their website http://infernalmajesty.ca/index1.html

Infernal Majesty signs with Galy Records, new album due out April 6th, 2004 Canadian act Infernal Majesty the band who released 1987's cult classic "None Shall Defy" have set "One Who Points to Death" as the title of their upcoming new album, due out April 6th, 2004 through Galy Records. The CD, which was recorded by Sho at Profile Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada and mastered by Pierre Remillard at Wild Studios in St-Zenon, Quebec, Canada, contains the following track listing:

01. Death of Heaven
02. Pestilential Eternity
03. Angels and Acid
04. Honey Tongue of Satan
05. Hysterion Proteron
06. Cathedral of Hate
07. Virgin Blood Tastes Purest At Night
08. One Who Points To Death

"One Who Points to Death" is packed with old school thrash crunch and modern death metal intensity. Get ready for some infernal mayhem!

Upcoming shows:

February 13 - The Cobalt, Vancouver, BC.
March 26 - The Brickyard, Vancouver, BC.

Stay tuned for Canadian Tour dates

Band profile:

Infernäl Mäjesty

Century Media Records proudly presents the new signing DRAGONLAND. The melodic metal six-piece from Gothenburg signed a worldwide multi-album deal. "We are really happy to have found a new home with Century Media Records", states lead-guitarist and founder of the band Nicklas Magnusson.

After their formation in summer of 1999 DRAGONLAND have already released the two albums The Battle Of The Ivory Plains and Holy War via the Greek label Black Lotus Records and even toured Japan in May 2003. Most of the musicians are known by playing in bands like Prophanity (Nicklas Magnusson) or Nightshade (bassist Christer Pedersen). Keyboardist Elias Holmlid did not only play for Ironware, but also during King Diamond's tour in 2001 and recorded keyboards for Falconer's second album.

DRAGONLAND are currently working on their forthcoming album. "It's needless to say that it will be our best material ever", reveals Nicklas. Century Media Records is looking forward to releasing new melodic metal tunes from DRAGONLAND around fall 2004.

http://fade.to/dragonland

Band profile:

Dragonland

JUDAS PRIEST SCHEDULED TO RELEASE CAREER-SPANNING BOX SET 'METALOGY' ON MAY 4 ON SONY MUSIC/LEGACY RECORDS

FOUR-CD, 65-TRACK SET TOTALING MORE THAN 5 HOURS OF MUSIC INCLUDES HITS, RARITIES AND MORE ENCASED IN LEATHER-AND-STUDS DELUXE PACKAGING

LIMITED EDITION LIVE DVD ADDED BONUS IN INITIAL PRESSING

Judas Priest has reigned supreme for 30 years as the most influential and commercially successful pure heavy metal band, and the masters are being honored with the career-spanning, four-CD, 65-track box set 'Metalogy' scheduled for release on May 3rd for Europe and the UK and May 4th 2004 for the US and Canada, by Sony Music/Legacy Records. The worldwide reverence for Judas Priest has resulted in sales of 20 million albums and countless sold-out concerts.

'Metalogy,' the first-ever Judas Priest box set, was assembled with the full participation of the band and it covers music recorded worldwide for the Gull, Sony Music/Columbia, CMC International, SPV, Atlantic and JVC labels between 1974 and 2002. Remastered hits, fan favorites, live rarities, B-sides and a previously unreleased demo are included. And as a bonus, the initial pressing of 'Metalogy' will include a live DVD of a complete concert filmed on December 12, 1982, at Mid South in Memphis, TN, on the 'Screaming for Vengeance' tour. This show was released on home video as 'Judas Priest Live' but it has been out of print for many years, and fans have often requested that it be reissued. This new DVD is mastered in pristine 5.1 Surround Sound for the ultimate Priest live concert experience.

Fans will be thrilled with the packaging of 'Metalogy.' The 7"x7" box is appropriately wrapped in leather and metal studs. The 7"x7" full color book features a full discography, biographical essay, timeline and numerous previously unpublished photos.

The CD track listing is as follows:
CD 1
1. Never Satisfied (4:52)
2. Deceiver (2:44)
3. Tyrant (4:39)
4. Victim Of Changes (Live) (7:11)
5. Diamonds & Rust (Live)** (3:28)
6. Starbreaker (Live)** (7:19)
7. Sinner (6:40)
8. Let Us Prey (6:12)
9. Dissident Aggressor (3:02)
10. Exciter (5:33)
11. Beyond The Realms Of Death (6:51)
12. Better By You Better Than Me (5:19)
13. Invader (4:10)
14. Stained Class (5:12)
15. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown) (Live)* (4:42)

CD 2
1. Killing Machine (3:02)
2. Evening Star (4:06)
3. Take On The World (3:03)
4. Delivering The Goods (4:16)

Read more ››

Band profile:

Judas Priest

German power metallers IRON SAVIOR are scheduled to release their new album, "Metalizer", in May through Noise Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Condition Red", which is currently being recorded at Karo studios in Brackel, Germany, will feature songwriting contributions from new bassist Yenz Leonhardt, who joined the band in December.

Band profile:

Iron Savior

From Blabbermouth:

BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward recently gave an interview to the U.K.'s Rhythm magazine in which he discussed the group's early years, his musical upbringing and SABBATH's current status. Asked if there are any plans to make another BLACK SABBATH album, Ward said, "That would be nice. I'd like to. We certainly have enough material. At my house here, I have nearly 60 cassettes of new SABBATH songs we've worked on. It's just stuff we churned out. Tony and Geezer have the same amount of tapes. Tony comes up with these riffs, and like we always did, I tried some melody ideas, took them back to Tony, he would come back to me with ideas, same with Geezer. We'd be sending things back and forth. We just share ideas and that makes the songs work, like always. I just love it. I love them all and working with them is so easy. You just have to listen to Tony, see where he's going, and he inspires so much. So we'd like to do another SABBATH album, but Ozzy's on tour. Geezer's in the U.K. Tony is working on projects. We just have to just get together in the same room."

In the same issue of Rhythm magazine, current OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Mike Bordin spoke about filling in for his "hero" Bill Ward for a number of BLACK SABBATH dates several years ago.

"I've been really, really into music since I was about eight years old, but when I first heard a BLACK SABBATH record, that was it - there was nothing else," Bordin said.

"The very next week, on April 6, 1974, I saw them on TV on the 'California Jam'. It was the most compelling, the most exciting, the most physical thing that I had ever seen â?" it was a revelation. I remember Bill as this big, crazy, giant hairy dude with red tights and no shirt. By the middle of the first song, you couldn't see him - it was just hair and flailing arms.

"When you look at Bill's style of playing, you have to look at it in the context of the giants around him. Geezer, Tony and Ozzy are like forces of nature, and to balance in between them and not be squished, you have to be a giant as well.

"Bill's playing is phenomenally individual and completely unique - nobody can play those songs like him. I was raised on BLACK SABBATH music and it was hugely important to me even before I started playing drums.

"Bill Ward is a prince of a human being and I feel honored to have had a chance to play in BLACK SABBATH with Ozzy, Tony and Geezer. It was my tribute to the man that wasn't onstage, but should have been"

Read more ››

Band profile:

Black Sabbath

It was recorded in studio Kuling with Henrik Larsson and mixed in Berno Studio. The album includes 10 songs of brutal, non compromising Death Metal. The artwork for the album was provided by Juan Jose Castellano and it's the most brutal artwork Vomitory used so far.

"It's a killer album! As always nothing for the weak hearted" says guitar player Ulf Dalegren.

Here's the tracklisting:

01. Primal Massacre
02. Gore Apocalypse
03. Stray Bullet Kill
04. Epidemic (Created To Kill)
05. Demons Divine
06. Autopsy Extravaganza
07. Retaliation
08. Condemned by pride
09. Cursed Revelations
10.. Chainsaw Surgery

"Primal Massacre" will be released the 19th of April, 2004 through Metal Blade Records.

Band profile:

Vomitory

The reunion of OBITUARY is now confirmed on the Metalfest.com website for the 1st annual Sun N' Steel Florida Metalfest, held March 6th and 7th at Pinellas Expo Center in Tampa, Florida. Other bands added are THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ENTOMBED, ANAL BLAST, 3 INCHED OF BLOOD and other locals. Also confirmed are the "NWOBHM ALLSTARS" featuring AL ATKINS (JUDAS PRIEST), JESS COX (TYGERS OF PAN TANG) and DENNIS STRATTON (IRON MAIDEN, PRAYING MANTIS).

The full list of bands confirmed so far can be seen here:

http://www.metalfest.com/Florida/bands.htm

More to be announced.

*UPDATE* The band has also spoken to blabbermouth.net about a possible upcoming album deal with Roadrunner Records.

"Everybody is back together me, John , Trevor , Allen and Frank , We are writing new music right now, and are talking to Roadrunner about an album deal. I couldn't be more excited about this."

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Band profile:

Obituary