Opeth have announced new South American/Mexican tour dates. The band commented as follows: "We receive a lot of mail from you guys in South America and now we can announce that Opeth will come to South America in 2009! During March and April Opeth we will appear in Mexico City, Bogota, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and Sao Paolo."

Mar. 28 - Monterrey, Mexico - Café Iguana
Mar. 29 - México City, Mexico - Circo Volador
Apr. 01 - Bogota, Colombia - Teatro Metro
Apr. 03 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - The End
Apr. 04 - Santiago, Chile - Teatro Caupolicán
Apr. 05 - São Paulo, Brazil - Santana Hall

Source:	opeth.com
Band profile:	Opeth
Event:	Opeth

Official press release

Anglo-Chilean thrash masters Criminal have set "White Hell" as the title of their upcoming sixth studio album, which will be released on February 27th, 2009 by Massacre Records. The album is currently being recorded at bassist Dan Biggin's home studio.

"'White Hell' could be many things," vocalist/guitarist Anton Reisenegger comments on the title, "a hell of cocaine abuse, or a hell of racism and intolerance, or driving through Europe in the middle of winter in a van with no heating - which we actually did on the Six Feet Under tour! The someone waking up in an emergency room, not knowing how or why they got there - which is actually based on a real-life experience - and this is what we are going to try and depict on the album cover in a very nightmarish way. Our long-time cover designer Claudio Bergamin has already gone to work on the cover, and I expect it to be killer as always!"

About the recording process, Reisenegger offers the following update: "Two weeks ago, Zac recorded all of his drum tracks in only two days. That's 14 songs in two days! We were just sitting there with our jaws dropped, completely in awe of what Zac was doing on his kit. We got some of it on video, so we will hopefully post a clip on YouTube soon for all you drum freaks. Let me just tell you, this album will contain the sickest drumming ever heard on any Criminal album!

"During the following week we recorded all rhythm guitars and guitar overdubs, and it's sounding pretty fucking phat! Even though he was just doing overdubs, Rod did some serious shredding, so I can't wait until we get to record his actual solos.

"I also started doing some vocals, and I think I've found a very comfortable, somewhat deeper tone. I think the vox sound most similar to what I did on "Cancer". The other guys loved it, so I must be doing something right.

"It's going to be really tough to decide on which songs to include on the album, as we all agree that 14 would be just too much. It's probably going to be between 10 and 12, and I expect some heated discussions, but it's hopefully all going to be for the best."

"White Hell" will be released in a limited edition including a bonus DVD, the contents of which will be announced shortly. A new Criminal track titled "The Infidel" can be heard on the band's MySpace page in demo version.

In other news, Criminal have been confirmed to headline the Red Stage at next year's Cumbre del Rock Chileno (Summit of Chilean Rock) festival. The event, which will be held on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at Club Hípico in Santiago de Chile, features the country's most successful exponents of each subgenre within rock music, and is expected to draw over 50,000 music fans. Also appearing on the Rockaxis-sponsored Red Stage will be Dorso, Weichafe, Alejandro Silva and many more.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Criminal

Another new song of the forever-in-the-works Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" has been put online. "Better" is now streaming online at Q104.3 FM radio station. You can check it out at this location. Also the title song of the too-long-awaited album, which should be hitting the shelves in the coming week, is available for streaming there.

In other news, Dutch retailer Van Leest has posted 30-second samples of every track from "Chinese Democracy" over at this location.

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Source:	q1043.com
Band profile:	Guns N' Roses

German melodic black metallers Sycronomica have posted their first official video clip online, for the song called "To The Rivers End". The video was shot on Ragnarok festival 2007. The song of this video comes from the band's last album, entilted "Gate", which was released in 2006.

The band commented: "We are glad to finally present our video clip that was shot on the Ragnarök festival in 2007 from the song "To The Rivers End"! At the moment we are occupied with the first recordings for our third album, so watch out for the first samples that we will put online in the next weeks."

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Source:	sycronomica.de
Band profile:	Sycronomica

Sirenia will release an exclusive download-only single, in advance of the release of their new album "The 13th Floor", due January 23rd 2009. The brand new single "The Path To Decay" will be released on December 26th and will available through all established download shops.

Tracklist "The Path To Decay" cover art]:

01. The Path To Decay (radio mix) - 3:33
02. The Path To Decay (album version) - 4:18
03. Winterborn 77 (instrumental) - 5:33

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Sirenia

"For Lies I Sire" is the title of the forthcoming opus of My Dying Bride, their tenth studio album. No official release date has yet been given, but we have been given a glimpse of what is to come in the album title and the track list, which reads as follows:

01. Fall With Me
02. My Body, A Funeral
03. The Lies I Sire
04. Bring Me Victory
05. Echoes From A Hollow Soul
06. ShadowHaunt
07. Santuario Di Sangue
08. A Chapter in Loathing
09. Death Triumphant

Source:	mydyingbride.org
Band profile:	My Dying Bride

Original news, posted on 27.10.2008

US guitarist/singer Chris Caffery has posted a new song, entitled "I'm Sorry", online. You can listen to the song on the ex-Savatage guitarist's MySpace page. The song comes off Caffery's new solo album, "House Of Insanity", which will be released digitally this coming week.

"House Of Insanity" track listing:

01. Seasons Change
02. House Of Insanity
03. I Won't Know
04. The Fleas
05. Madonna
06. Big Brother
07. Backs To The Wall
08. Solitaire
09. I'm Sorry
10. Shame
11. Winter In Hamburg
12. No Matter What
13. Get Up, Stand Up

UPDATE (thanks to ArtiA)

Also "Madonna" and "The Fleas" from the new solo-album "House Of Insanity", are now streaming on Chris Caffery's MySpace.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Chris Caffery

The new "Burden" video from Swedish progressive metallers Opeth, can now be viewed on the Roadrunner Records official website. The video was shot and directed in Denmark by Danish director Lasse Hoile (Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson).

"Burden" is taken from Opeth's latest release "Watershed".

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Opeth

Theatres des Vampires announced their decision to take a break for really serious personal problems. In this statement posted on Theatres Des Vampires's website, keyboardist Fabian Varesi explained:

"Sonya has been having a nervous breakdown for a huge psychological stress linked to some really serious family problems. She cannot follow any planned activities this period cause her precarious health condition. We are really worried for Sonya's health and it would be almost impossible for us to carry on at this moment. We hope that all ours fans could understeand the reason for this temporary break."

Further news on Sonya Scarlet's health will follow as soon will be available.

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Theatres Des Vampires

Bassist Frank Bindig has left Austrian metallers Edenbridge a few days ago. The band posted the following statement:

"Frank Bindig has decided to leave Edenbridge due to his other projects. Edenbridge wish Frank all the best for the future!

Passion, personality, live experience and of course playing technique. If you think you can bring all this, you should not hesitate to apply for the vacant bass player position in Edenbridge!"

Source:	edenbridge.org
Band profile:	Edenbridge

Axxis have announced Alex Landenburg as the new drummer in the group. Commented on the band's official site:

"It took a long time?but now the search for a new drummer is over. Alex Landenburg is the new Axxis drummer. Due to the high number of applications of some really great drummers, it was not an easy choice for the Axxis guys to be made.

Harry Oellers (keyboards): "We were really spoilt for choice this time, with the level of the drummers being top notch, and it wasn't easy for us to turn the others down. With some of them we will keep in touch for other projects though."

Bernhard Weiß (vocals): "The shows we got to play with Alex were a lot of fun for us! He's a great guy and he just fits us both musically and personality wise! I'm looking forward to the next production where his drumming will add a new twist to our songs!"

Marco Wriedt (guitars): "I'm very happy that Alex is the new Axxis Drummer. Since Gig one with Alex, I'm pretty amazed by his talents and his attitude. I'm already looking forward to the new Axxis Production where we can show how powerful and diverse this new Axxis-Line Up is. Let's unleash the fury Alex!!"

Alex Landenburg who is known for his work with bands like Mekong Delta, At Vance or Annihilator is very much looking forward to his new duty in Axxis!

Alex comments: "I'm absolutely excited to be the new drummer for Axxis! The spirit in this band and also between the band members is amazing, and it's just plain fun to share a stage with these guys! I'm looking forward to the next Axxis record and upcoming shows and as usual I'm ready to give a 100%, both live and in studio.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to say thanks to the Axxis fans, for the heartfelt way I was welcomed by you guys and gals during the last shows! See you all on the road!"

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Source:	axxis.de
Band profile:	Axxis

Original news, posted on 08.10.2008

Satyricon have made their upcoming single "Black Crow On A Tombstone" (which will be released on the 20th October) available for your listening pleasure, at this location (check it out in the player below that page).

The single is the first off the upcoming album "The Age Of Nero" which will be released on the 3rd November. All info about the album here.

UPDATE (thanks to ArtiA)

"Black Crow On A Tombstone", the new video from Satyricon can now be viewed at this location. The band also posted a "The Age Of Nero" song-by-song video online, which can be watched at the same location.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.co.uk
Band profile:	Satyricon

Four new songs from Swedish/Danish power metallers Crystal Eyes have been posted online. "The Fire Of Hades", "Waves Of War", "Shadow Rider" and "Dying In The Rain" are now streaming on http://www.myspace.com/crystaleyesfromsweden. The tracks come off the band's upcoming album "Chained", which is scheduled for a November 21 release via Metal Heaven.

The cover artwork made by Carl-André Beckston (known as Metal Storm's very own monowasp) can be viewed here. All info about the new album can be found here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Crystal Eyes

"Dying Sun", is the new video from the Finnish metallers Before The Dawn, and can be viewed here).
The song comes off the group's fifth album, "Soundscape of Silence", which was released in Scandinavia on October 29 via Stay Heavy Records (two days later in the rest of Europe).

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Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Before The Dawn

German power metallers Grave Digger have posted a sample of a new song entitled "Ballad Of A Hangman" on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's forthcoming album, "Ballads Of A Hangman", which is scheduled for a January 9, 2009 release via Napalm Records. The "Pray" single will precede the album on November 28.

The tracklisting for "Ballads Of A Hangman" cover art] is shaping up as follows:

01. The Gallows Pole
02. Ballad Of A Hangman
03. Hell Of Disillusion
04. Sorrow Of The Dead
05. Grave Of The Addicted
06. Lonely The Innocence Dies
07. Into The War
08. The Shadow Of Your Soul
09. Funeral For A Fallen Angel
10. Stormrider
11. Pray
12. Jailbreak

The group's frontman Chris Boltendahl states: "We are very happy with the result. I think it is one of the hardest records we ever did."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger