Jesu will be forced to miss the beginning of their tour with Isis, which kicks off this week in California. The group has issued the following statement:

"We are sorry to report that Jesu are still stuck in England and will NOT be playing the Spaceland, L.A headline/release party; work permits for Jesu have still not been cleared by U.S officials/customs and the band are not allowed into the U.S until the permits are officially cleared. The band are yet to receive a date of clearance and simply have to wait until they do so before entering the U.S, hence Jesu will not be appearing at any shows with Isis until the permits are available and Jesu can leave England.

Please watch this space for further news; once Jesu have their permits we will post confirmation of this and the first show that Jesu will play in the U.S. Hopefully the band will not miss more than the first week of this tour, being the band's first tour of the U.S.

In related band news, Jesu bassist Diarmuid Dalton will not be playing any of the U.S dates due to being refused a work permit for the U.S for this tour. Diarmuid has been replaced for this tour by long time collaborator (and fellow Birmingham, England native) bass player Dave Cochrane (Justin and Dave played together in Head Of David, Sweet Tooth, Ice, God and now their new project together Grey Machine).

Drummer Ted Parsons has also been unable to make this first Jesu U.S tour due to family commitments and has been replaced by drummer Danny Walker, a Los Angeles native who plays for many bands including Intronaut."

Read more ››

Source:	lambgoat.com
Band profile:	Jesu
Event:	Isis + Jesu: North American Tour

Taken from the Manowar Newsletter:

Manowar is going to shoot parts of their newest video for the song 'Die For Metal' on Saturday, February 24 in Bochum, Germany, during the Manowar Fan Release Party for the new album, "Gods Of War".
All fans are welcome to be part of this video. We want to have an insane true metal crowd, so put on your favorite MANOWAR shirt and show us what you've got.
Besides the fans, the video will also star well known German actor Tim Sander. As Manowar band members will not appear in this particular part of video and therefore won't be present, we are counting on you, the greatest fans in the world to star in this scene and to once again show the whole world just what Manowar fans are about.

VIDEO - SHOOT DIE FOR METAL :
Saturday, February 24 2007
Matrix-Bochum
Hauptstr. 200
44892 Bochum
Germany
Phone : 0234-6106800
(Manowar's Showtruck will be present as well, incl. cool new merchandise ! )

A virtual release party for Manowar's new full-length album "Gods Of War," will start at this location on Thursday, February 22 at 23:59PM (CET) and will last until 2:00AM (CET).

Directly after the Virtual Release Party, all songs from "Gods Of War" will be available for download at the merchandise section of http://www.manowar.com. You can visit the mp3 - section here to purchase songs.

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Source:	manowar.com
Band profile:	Manowar

In an interview with Radiotangra.com, guitar player Michael Weikath revealed that Helloween will enter studio in May or June 2007 to start recording their next full-length album. The entire conversation can be read and heard here.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Helloween

Canadian thrashers Annihilator have revealed the complete track listing for their new album, "Metal", due in Europe on April 16 via SPV Records. An official statement by the band on their forum goes as follows:

The CD's ten new tracks were recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini and Dave Padden (long-time vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist).
"Metal" also features sensational performances by some of metal's finest players and Annihilator's good friends, like Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom), Danko Jones (Danko Jones), Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy), Corey Beaulieu (Trivium), William Adler (Lamb Of God), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Jesper Strömblad (In Flames), Steve "Lips" Kudlow (Anvil), Anders Björler (The Haunted), Jacob Lynam (Lynam) and more.

In view of these impressive omens, one should tend to believe Waters when he states: "'Metal' is going to be known as one of the coolest guitar albums out there but this is also one of the best-written records in my career; something that you can never achieve if you try? it just happens!"

Jeff Waters on the straightforward and unambiguous album title, "Metal": "The new album reminds me of the first four Annihilator records. It's then tempting to think that I'm looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. But it's a fact that I composed the new material the same way I went about the early Annihilator tracks. This record combines many of the diverse styles you will find in metal music done our way. Annihilator metal."

April will see Annihilator embark on a major European tour as Trivium's very special guests, playing over 40 shows into June in countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy and France and then summer festival shows to follow.

"Metal" will be released April 11 in Japan (King Records), April 12 in Australia/New Zealand (World Riot Distributors), April 13 in Germany (SPV Records) and on April 16 in the rest of Europe (SPV Records).

"Metal" track listing:

01. Clown Parade (feat. Jeff Loomis)
02. Couple Suicide (feat. Danko Jones and Angela Gossow)
03. Army Of One (feat. Steve "Lips" Kudlow)
04. Downright Dominate (feat. Alexi Laiho)
05. Smothered (feat. Anders Björler)
06. Operation Annihilation (feat. Michael Amott)

Read more ››

Source:	annihilatormetal.com
Band profile:	Annihilator
Event:	Trivium + Annihilator: European Crusade Tour

The tracklist for Korpiklaani's forthcoming album "Tervaskanto", which is due to be released in May via Napalm Records, is as follows:

01. Let's Drink
02. Tervaskanto
03. Viima
04. Veriset Äpärät
05. Running With Wolves
06. Liekkiön Isku
07. Palovana
08. Karhunkaatolaulu
09. Misty fields
10. Vesilahden Veräjillä
11. Nordic Feast

Some audio samples from the album is available at the band's official MySpace page.

The cover art of the album can be found here.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Korpiklaani

Children Of Bodom was honored with the "Band Of The Year" award at the Finnish Metal Awards, which were held Friday night (February 16) during the Finnish Metal Expo at the Cable Factory in Helsinki, Finland. Members of the Finnish metal media pre-selected the candidates and the people cast their votes to select the winners, which were as follows:

Album Of The Year: Mokoma - Kuoleman Laulukunnaat
Band Of The Year: Children Of Bodom
Rookie Of The Year: Profane Omen
Cover Art Of The Year: Mokoma - Kuoleman Laulukunnaat here]
Musician Of The Year: Kai Hahto of Wintersun
Vocalist Of The Year: Marco Hietala of Tarot / Nightwish

Saturday (Feb. 17) tickets for the two-day Finnish Metal Expo MS Event Page] were sold out in advance and the 2,500-capacity venue was filled to the brim. An almost equal number of people visited the world's premiere Metal Expo on Friday. Live performances were held by the likes of DragonForce, Amon Amarth, Moonsorrow, etc.
In addition to the live shows, more than 50 exhibitors ? including record labels, instrument brands, merchandisers, media etc. ? displayed their latest offerings in the expo area.
The International Metal Meeting ? an industry event within the FME ? gathered more than 80 international and local Finnish delegates from the metal music industry. This year's IMM featured presentations from Roadrunner Records' Mike Gitter and Natalie Dybaylo from Russia's Rosenfield Records.

Read more ››

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Children Of Bodom

SYL guitarist Jed Simon has issued the following update on the band's MySpace page:

"Hey!

The good folks at the Download Festival have put our entire set up for viewing.

See the link in our 'bio' section. here.]

I watched the whole thing again, and it still gives me goosebumps. That was an amazing event, and a great day. Thanks to all of you who were there to see us, and to those who weren't but enjoyed it anyway! Welcome to the family.

With Metal in our Veins,
JS"

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Strapping Young Lad

The new video for the song 'Face In The Mirror' by Finlands Heavy/Power Metal band Thunderstone, taken from their forthcoming album "Evolution 4.0", is now online at the band's official website. Click the following links to check it out:

'Face In The Mirror'

'Face In The Mirror'

"Evolution 4.0" is Thunderstone's fourth album, and will be released on March 14th in Europe and in the spring in North America.

Thunderstone's official MySpace page can be found at http://www.myspace.com/thunderstoneband..

Read more ››

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

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

Experimental Death Metal act Sleep Terror will be taking a "long" break to retool their line-up. Band mastermind Luke Jaeger has issued the following statement:

"It is currently in my best interest to refrain from playing shows and booking additional tours until we complete our live lineup. I'd like to apologize to many of you hoping to catch us again soon or wanting to book us in your neck of the woods. The truth is it has deprived me of a lot of vital energy over the last 2 years being the only guitarist up there on stage playing this shit, it's just not fun to me anymore. Ultimately, I've never been happy with our live performances due to the lack of low end and extra layers/harmonies needed to complete the sound that I envision when I'm writing and recording all of this.

I feel it it's best we take a break and in the mean time seek the appropriate and dedicated bandmates we need to sculpt this band into what it was intended to be. Otherwise we are selling ourselves and the audience short as a live act being only 2 members. If only I had 8 arms. This is all I can say for now. Thanks for reading, and most importantly- understanding. Cheers."

Source:

lambgoat.com

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

Waltari have uploaded another rockumentary-styled video for their new song 'Get Stamped' in support of their forthcoming album, "Release Date", on their official MySpace page. Go to this location to check it out.

"Release Date" is due to be issued on February 26th via Dockyard 1.

Read more ››

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Waltari

The Gathering drummer Hans Rutten has issued the following announcement:

"Due to various circumstances the Gathering decided not to participate at the Metal Female Voices Fest V on the 20th October 2007 in Wieze, Belgium. On various points, such as our position on the bill, we had too much disagreements with the Metal Female Voices Fest management.

We feel sorry to make this decision, but we hope we will play this festival in 2008."

Cheers,
The Gathering

Leaves' Eyes are headlining Metal Female Voices Festival V. Other bands on the bill include After Forever, Battlelore, Distorted, Draconian, Elis, Epica, Imperia, Interria, Seraphim, Sirenia and Valkyre.

Doro has been confirmed to headline the festival pre-show on October 19th, also at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium. Other acts scheduled to perform on the night include Holy Moses, Darzamat and Dylath-Leen.

Previously also Theatre Of Tragedy already cancelled their appearance on MFVF 5.

Read more ››

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	The Gathering
Event:	Metal Female Voices Fest V

Magrudergrind have posted an unmastered new song entitled "Zero Tolerance" over at their official MySpace page for your listening pleasure.

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Source:

smnnews.com