The following message on posted at Cancer's website:

"Due to the lack of comitment to the band from John Walker,Cancer is no more.Carl Stokes wishes to thank every one who has supported the band with its return,and say sorry to anyone who is disapointed with this decision .However Carl is working on another band called HAIL OF FIRE .

The band will feature ex Cancer members Dave Leitch,lead guitars,Barry Savage,lead guitars,Ian Buchanan,bass,mysef on the skins,and newcomer Rob Lucas on vocals.

This band is more brutal than the last Cancer albums,although i am very proud of them,its time to get back to the strait ahead ferocity.

More news as it develops.

Cheers Carl Stokes."

Source:

tothegoryend.co.uk

"Discordia" is the title of our forthcoming Relapse Records debut, and is scheduled for a May 16 release and will feature ten new tracks:

01. Unmarked Graves
02. Conquistadores
03. Outsourcing Jehovah
04. Breathing Pestilence
05. Meet Reality
06. Sensory Deprivation
07. The Medusa Stare
08. Dystopian Nightmares
09. Discordia
10. Pandemican

The LP and Japanese CD pressings of "Discordia" will include as a bonus track a cover of Nasum's "Digging In".

Click here to see the cover art.

http://www.miseryindex.com

Read more ››

Band profile:

Misery Index

Finnish band National Napalm Syndicate will be release a new album entitled "Resurrection Of The Wicked" in March 2006 via Poison Arrow Records (in Finland) and Trinity Records (The rest of the world) the Trinity Records edition will have 2 bonus track songs.

You can check out a couple of samples from their new album here and also you can see the cover art of the album in here.

Read more ››

Source:

trinityrecords.com.hk

Swedish band Time Requiem have set the release date for their new album entitled "Optical Illusion", the album will be release on 18 April 2006, and it's already out in Japan (since 22 February). You can see the cover art here and also there are two sound sample available of the following songs: Ocean Wings and Optical Illusion.

Read more ››

Source:

anderssonmusic.com

The band spent the winter in writting mode for a new album, and have already booked the studio for April. Also some pictures from their latest concert were posted here.

In other news the band announce some new gigs:

June 24 Graspop Dessel Belgium
July 22 Metal Camp Tolmin Slovenia
August 17/22 Summer Breeze Germany (Exact date t.b.d.)
August 25/26 Hole In the Sky Bergen Norway (Exact date t.b.d.)

Read more ››

Source:	mydyingbride.org
Band profile:	My Dying Bride

The following message was posted at Necrophagist's website:

"The band would like to announce Helsinki/Finland based Sami Raatikainen as the new guitar player. We look forward to working together with an extremely talented fella, as we never met someone working faster or harder before.

We would also like to thank the applicants that didn't get the spot, you guys have done a great job! But in the end, there can only be one. Thank you all!"

Source:	necrophagist.de
Band profile:	Necrophagist

After almost 7 years bassist Rob Van Der Loo decided to leave the band due to musical differences, the departure was in a friendly way. Rob posted the following message to explain the situation:

"I've been a member of Sun Caged for almost seven years which is quite a while.
Playing in Sun Caged convinced me that I wanted to be a full-time professional musician.
But seven years is quite a long time and in this period a lot of things like personal interests and musical taste can change. As a musician I need to be challenged and through the last 18 months I started to realize that Sun Caged wasn't longer the challenge for which I was looking.
When I'm a member of a band I need to support the music for 200% and not for 100% or less.
Making decisions like this can be very hard but I took a lot of time to think about it and I'm sure that this is the right choice for as well me as the band. The fact that I'm leaving the band doesn't mean that it's the end of my musical career. In fact I think it will give me much more new fresh ideas and possibilities to work on. And there's always a big chance that we will work together again in the near future.
I would like to thank all the (ex-)Sun Caged members for the awesome years we've played together and for their friendship. Of course I'd also like to thank all the Sun Caged fans all over the world for their great support: you guys rule! And last but not least I wish the band good luck with the upcoming line-up and the new album.

All the best,

Rob"

The band is currently looking for a replacement, people who "are interested to join Sun Caged as the new bass player, (and) then send an email with a sound file of your playing to marcel.coenen@gmail.com ".

The band point out that this won't change their plans to enter in the studio in April 2006.

Last live appearance by Rob will be "at Thursday April 27th in 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Sun Caged drummer Roel Van Helden will play his Conservatorium graduation concert this day and afterwards we will play a set with Sun Caged."

Source:	suncaged.com
Band profile:	Sun Caged

British extreme metallers Benediction have set "Killing Music" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in June/July. "Killing Music" will mark the recording debut with the group of new drummer Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir) as well as the return to Nuclear Blast! Following the album's release, the band will be appearing at festivals worldwide over the summer, followed by a full-blown world tour starting in September. With regards to the musical style on "Killing music", the band said, "The new album has a few new styles on it, along with the punk/death riffs that we like so much. You´ll love it".

- Nuclear Blast Newsletter -

Band profile:

Benediction

Current touring bassist Frederic Leclercq (former Heavenly guitarist, and current live guitarist for French act Carnival In Coal) was announced through a press release at Roadrunner records UK as the new bassist to DragonForce.

According to Roadrunner: "Fred is a longtime friend of Dragonforce guitarist, Herman Li. Whilst out on the road with Dragonforce, the band realised that Fred fitted into the band perfectly and invited him to join on a permanent basis.

Fred is a bit of a super-talented 'multi-man'. As well as being fluent in the English, French and German languages (and swear words in most others!), Fred is actually multi-instrumental (he plays guitar, bass, keyboards and sings) in multiple metal genres.

Fred's accession to full-time status adds even more international colour to Dragonforce's ranks. The London-based outfit can now boast a South African frontman (ZP Theart), guitarists from Hong Kong and New Zealand (Herman Li and Sam Totman, respectively), a Ukrainian keyboard player (Vadim Pruzhanov) to add to their British drummer (Dave Mackintosh) and now, French bassist."

The band is currently on tour which should finish in March, after this DragonForce have a couple of new dates in Ireland:

Sat 18th March - Dublin Ambassador Theatre
Sun 19th March - Belfast Spring & Airbrake

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.co.uk
Band profile:	DragonForce

Satyricon's upcoming album named "Now, Diabolical" will be release on Monday the 24th of April, 2006 in Europe, an American date hasn't been set yet.

The tracklist is as follow:

01. Now, Diabolical

02. K.I.N.G

03. The Pentagram Burns

04. A New Enemy

05. The Rite Of Our Cross

06. That Darkness Shall Be Eternal

07. Delirium

08. To The Mountains

09. Storm(of the Destroyer)

Read more ››

Source:	satyricon.no
Band profile:	Satyricon

Enslaved's forthcoming album "Ruun" is almost ready. The album that is produced by the band itself is being mixed in the Propeller Studio (Oslo) and then it will be mastered just after that.

The members of Enslaved expressed their thoughts about the album:

Ivar Bjørnson (guitar): "Me and Grutle has worked out a concept I feel is related to both the "old" Enslaved sphere and our new universe; tradition and heresy, logic and metaphysics - side by side. The material is strong willed and seems to live a life of its own; it is out of our hands at this point. It is my hope and belief that old and new listeners will enjoy the album. I know we will. We are very grateful for working with Johnny Skalleberg during recording, Mike Hartung in the mix and for being backed and followed up by Roffe and Tabu Recordings every step of the way."

Herbrand Larsen (keyboard & vocal): "'Ruun' is more extreme in all aspects; sound wise, the riffs, the melodies, harmonies and disharmonies. 'Runn' is all that and more!"

Grutle Kjellson (vocal & bass): "'Ruun' contains the most successful and efficient lyrics seen in Enslaved ever. The concept is more developing and interesting. We spent a lot time pre producing vocal arrangement, which has resulted in a perfect integration with the sound landscape. Every instrument and voice has founds its own orbit within the sound. However, should you not be into newer Enslaved, feel free to put "Frost" once again."

Arve Isdal (lead guitar): "This is by far the best Enslaved record to date. The production is more powerful than before. We have put more effort into the recording sessions, and this shows. Some new instruments and techniques have been used, which gives this record a more colorful sound."

Cato Bekkevold (drums): "The recording was so smooth, and I must say thanks to Johnny for his work! And this time I also did some pre-prod in Portugal with my old pal from Re:aktor, NexionD which was very helpful for all of us.
Ivar's gift as a songwriter never stops surprising me, and it's a privilege to play in such a great band. Musically, we don't break rules, just invent new ones. We didn't have to rush anything during any process, so I'm confident about this one!"

Also the band, later on February, is going to make two videos for their upcoming album "Ruun".

Source:	enslaved.no
Band profile:	Enslaved

KMFDM are currently in the studio and are nearing completion of the recording of their upcoming EP. The CD will be a joint-release by KMFDM Records and Metropolis Records and is scheduled to debut on May 9th. The EP will contain at least a half dozen tracks including remixes, a live-track from the recently completed 2005 Hau Ruck World Tour and a new cover-version of an as yet undisclosed song. Artwork has been finalized and a "work-title" chosen for the release. More details will be announced in due time.

http://www.kmfdm.net

Band profile:

KMFDM

Rwake signed with Relapse Records, the band is currently working on their 3rd album, their debut with Relapse.

Vocalist C.T. comments: "The writing is going really well. I can tell just from how things are coming to together so far that this is going to be our best record yet. Speaking as someone on the inside looking out, I can see where we have matured with the songwriting and lyrics. It's going to be heavy man." Early song titles include "The Lure of Light", "The Finality", "Fire and Flight" and "The Cosmos Inverted"."..."F*ckin A Man. This is something we've always wanted to do, represent Relapse. Being on Relapse has kinda been a goal since we started RWAKE. It's going to drive us to work even harder to match all the stuff they are going to do for us".

Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Rwake

Dolorian finished the recording of their 3rd full length album entitled "Voidwards", the tracklist is as follow:

01. Dual - Void - Trident
02. In The Locus of Bone
03. Co-il-lusion
04. Ivory Artery
05. The Flow Of Seething Visions
06. The One Whose Name Has No End
07. The Absolute Halo Is Awakening
08. Epoch of Cyclosure
09. The Fire Which Burns Not
10. Raja Naga - Rising

The release date hasn't been set yet.

The band commented the following about their own album:

"After a longish public hiatus the 3rd full-lenght studio album of Dolorian, entitled 'Voidwards', is thoroughly finished. All in all, 10 tracks (65:56 min.) of personal and characteristic material, which will unfold the ulterior passages of being and ultimately lead the observer from the nebulous depths of Nadir towards the luminous Zenith.
From the very first rehearsals until the very last knob adjustments Voidwards had a route of it's own. During the creative processes, we (A.H. & A.K.) explored the crossings of everything - nothing ...and in the end all the mundane attachments were severed - to reach the world of senses and the state of non-attachment.

Apart from the personal visions there exists also a strong over-lying halo which reflects the inmost aspects of the album. Thus, there occurs no time- and space-bound ideas nor conceptions. Voidwards is an album without beginning, without end, without past, without future.

Are our dreams solely wanderings between the abyss, earth and sky?"

Source:	dolorian.cjb.net & avantgardemusic.c...
Band profile:	Dolorian

Azaghal will enter the studio to record their 6th album, their follow up to "Codex Antitheus".

Nargath comments: "The studio is booked, we will start recording in 2 weeks. We are using the same studio as last time, but we are
going for a bit dirtier and rawer sounds/production this time. The working title for the album is "Luciferin Valo"
("The Light of Lucifer") but that might still change.

The album will feature 9-11 tracks, depending on how they turn out and which combination makes the best whole.

Song titles include "Verta ja Tuhkaa" ("Blood and Ashes"), "Teen Paholaisen Työtä" ("I do the Devils work"), "Kuolonkäärme" ("The Death Serpent"), "Tuhoaja" ("Destroyer") and "Ilmestyskirjan Ratsastajat" ("Riders of the Apocalypse") amongst others.

The material is more midtempo based than on the last album and hmm dare I say, catchier, than on Codex."

In other hand, Nargath's project Wyrd inked a deal with Avantgarde Music.

Source:	avantgardemusic.com
Band profile:	Azaghal