Steve Rowe posted the following:

"This month we finalise the Mortification Recording of the new Studio Album "the evil addiction destroying machine". The Album is sounding Intense and Ripping! Well pleased with three years of hard work now coming to completion. "the evil addiction destroying machine" will be available from this site (www.roweproductions.com) through the www.soundmass.com store from late May. In the coming April update I will have some of the Official photo shoot available for all of you to view. Please see Track List below (subject to change).

TRACK LISTING:
the evil addiction destroying machine
A Sense Of Eternity
Elasticised Outrage
Pushing The Envelope Of The Red Sonrise
I'm Not Confused
The Master Of Reinvention
Pilots Hanging From Shoulder Dust
One Man With Courage Makes A Majority
Alexander The Metalworker
Resurrection Band (A Tribute To Rez)

"the evil addiction destroying machine" is being Recorded at Australia's finest Studio for Metal music, Penny Drop Studio Melbourne. You can check out Penny Drop on The Net. Penny Drop has the finest quality Recording equipment in the world. No expense is being spared with this Album to ensure a world class Production. The latest in all equipment relating to Audio Metal music Recording.

The Album has an initial limited release on Rowe Productions. You will still be able to pre-order up to the release date but you only have until April 10th to get your name on "The Mortification Im-Mort-Alized Supporters" list! At this point in time the best way you can support this Mission. Licensing deals will see "the evil addiction destroying machine" released worldwide with your name on it! Make your statement for the message to which we All Stay True!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Source:	roweproductions.com
Band profile:	Mortification

Metal Blade Records announced that has just signed a worldwide deal with Hate Eternal.

Metal Blade Records owner/CEO, Brian Slagel, had this comment:
"I am truly honored to be working with Hate Eternal. They are a legendary band and I am so happy to welcome them to the Metal Blade Family." - Brian Slagel

Hate Eternal guitarist, Erik Rutan, had this to say regarding their signing:
"Signing to Metal Blade for us reconfirms that all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears we have put into the band has been worth every single moment. This is completely amazing. We know we will forge on with all the support and confidence a band can ask for from their record label. We are proud to be a part of the hugely successful Metal Blade Family and look forward to bringing our music to the next level." - Erik Rutan

Hate Eternal is currently in the writing process for the follow-up to their 2005 release "I, Monarch" that shall be recorded at Rutan's own Mana Recording Studios in June/July 2007.

Source:	metalblade.de
Band profile:	Hate Eternal

In October 2006 the band decided to change guitar players, because Motors could not dedicate so much time as necessary and Rihards now is back as second guitar player for Skyforger. Right now the band prepares a new material for an upcoming album.

Also from now on Skyforger can be found in MySpace.com, check out location at: www.myspace.com/skyforgerofficial

Skyforger upcoming concerts:

24.11.2006 - Riga, Latvia - Melna Piektdiena club Radio Rock 5 year anniversary!

08.12.2006 - Berlin, Germany - K17 X-Mas Festival Tour concert

09.12.2006 - Arnhem, The Netherlands - Musis Sacrum Arnhem Metal Meeting III

20.01.2007 - Minneapolis, USA - Station 4 Heathen Crusade Festival II

17.02.2007 - London, England - Purple Turtle (Camden Town) (First Skyforger gig in UK).

Source:	- Skyforger Newsletter -
Band profile:	Skyforger

Furia and Season of Mist are sad to announce that Mehdi Khadouj (keyboards & backing vocals) will leave the band just after the last three shows scheduled.

Mehdi wishes to focus exclusively on his band Beyon-D-Lusion, in which he plays the guitar. We all wish him good luck for the future, but please note he will stay close to FURIA, and will probably appear on stage with the band from time to time.

Mehdi won't be replaced, since Furia's most recent songs are all about power and guitars, and the keyboards will take a smaller part in the band's future.

Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	Furia (FRA)

Terrorizer announced the release date for their new album "Darker Days Ahead". It will be released on 21 August 2006.

The tracklist of the album is the following:

1. Inevitable (1:03)
2. Darker Days Ahead (3:46)
3. Crematorium (3:54)
4. Fallout (3:48)
5. Doomed Forever (3:23)
6. Mayhem (3:57)
7. Blind Army (3:06)
8. Nightmare (3:42)
9. Legacy Of Brutality (2:25)
10. Dead Shall Rise V.06 (3:32)
11. Victim Of Greed (4:11)
12. Ghost Train (2:35)

Read more ››

Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Terrorizer

From Grave's official website:

"Now you can download an edit version of the opening track BURN from the upcoming album "As Rapture Comes" The track is only available here and on the Century Media websites. Check it out now and spread the word"

Click here to download the song

Read more ››

Source:	grave.se
Band profile:	Grave

Solitude Aeturnus have entered Nomad Recording studio (Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Absu, Usurper) in Carrolton TX on June 1st to begin recording their new album for Massacre Records. The album will be entitled "Alone" and will be the first to feature the bands new line-up which includes founder/guitarist John Perez, vocalist Robert Lowe, guitarist Steve Moseley and new members Steve Nichols on drums and James Martin on bass. Engineering and co-producing the album is Sterling Winfield, best known for his work with Pantera and more recently the "Rebel Meets Rebel" release. Massacre Records will release the album in late September/early October. According to guitarist John Perez the album will be a fist in the face to all trend metal and will stay true to the bands original vision of heaviness and melody with a willingness to push the boundaries of Heavy Metal music without losing its sense of tradition. A North American release is also planned but no label has been named as of yet. The band also wishes to give monstrous amounts of gratitude and thanks to all the great people that made their recent mini tour in Greece/Germany/Italy such a great success. The Greek shows were some of the best the band had played in years and the Keep it True festival was another highlight. More apologies are in order to all of those that attended the Doom Shall Rise festival as Robert Lowe was unable to attend due to unforeseen problems with his passport. The band made the best of the situation and played on with gracious help from a few other vocalists; Erico from Dantesco, Timmy from Doomshine and Gerrit from Dawn of Winter.

Source:	eternalsolitude.com
Band profile:	Solitude Aeturnus

Cephalic Carnage will team up with Darkest Hour and Dead To Fall for an extensive European tour that also includes a number of festival appearances.

The tour will kick off on June 8 in Karlsruhe, Germany and is scheduled to conclude on July 2 in Tilburg, Netherlands. During the course of the tour, Cephalic Carnage will be making appearances at such high-profile festivals such as the HellFest Open Air, Pressure Fest, Munster Vainstream Rock Festival, Power Fest, Transmitter Fest, Summer Blast Fest and more. A complete listing of tour dates can be found in the tour section.

This is Cephalic Carnage's second European tour in support of their current record Anomalies and follows their most recent North American tour with A Life Once Lost.

Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Cephalic Carnage

Alabama Thunderpussy has announced the addition of vocalist Kyle Thomas (ex- Exhorder / Floodgate) to its lineup.

Thomas states: "This band is stocked with amazing musicians and most importantly quality people. It's great to be in the fold and an honor to be considered by such a great, hard working band as Alabama Thunderpussy. Above all, a big thank you to goes out to Karrie Hill for contacting me so that this could all be possible.".

"Kyle is a world class singer with an impressive résumé that includes being a founding member of seminal New Orleans metal band Exhorder and singing with other acts including Floodgate, Pitts Vs Preps And Trouble." comments ATP drummer Bryan Cox. Cox continues; "With the singer situation resolved, we will be headed quickly toward hitting the studio and getting it on tape. If you are at all familiar with Kyle's work, then you know what he is going to bring to this ATP record. It will be very special and we feel honored and fortunate to be taking the next step forward as Alabama Thunderpussy with him as a part of the team."

Guitarist Erik Larson adds "We knew right away that Kyle was the man for the singer spot when we heard him singing on some of the new material. Personally, as an Exhorder fan, I felt a bit star struck that this guy was singing on our music. It's amazing. So we got him up to RVA for a visit / meet and greet / rehearse - ie: alcoholocaust ATP style. It went perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better dude to join the band. I'm f*cking stoked!"

Alabama Thunderpussy has been writing for the new record since last July with the music for 14 songs already completed. The writing process will be rounded out with the addition of Thomas's vocals for what will be their sixth full-length studio album. Expect to see ATP road-testing this new material soon.

Read more ››

Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Alabama Thunderpussy

The following message by Mike LePond has been delievered via newsletter:

"Hello to Everyone !!!
I want you all to know that I had my surgery and have been released from
the hospital. I am feeling so much better now. I am eating normally and
getting stronger with each passing day. I should be fully recovered in
about 3 weeks. I want to thank all of the fans who sent get well wishes
to me. I will read every single one of them. I will never forget how
kind and caring you are. I love you all.................

Mike L"

Source:	- Symphony X Newsletter -
Band profile:	Symphony X

On the eve of retaking the stage next week with three low-key warm-up European shows before the Rock Hard Festival, Celtic Frost announce that they have expanded their touring line-up by adding Norwegian guitar player Anders Odden. Odden, who in the past was involved with acts such as Apoptygma Berzerk, Satyricon, Cadaver, and Mayhem, played his first session with the group on April 24, 2006, and returned to Celtic Frost's base in Zurich, Switzerland, a week ago for final dedicated tour rehearsals. He is a lifelong Celtic Frost devotee.

Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Celtic Frost

After 10 years Listeria vocalist Witto has left the band due to personal health problems? Remaining band member Ciano, Gigio, Gian and Hanjo wish him all the best for his future and just to say thank you for the great and crazy moments over this years and on the road with the band!!

Now Listeria are on the search for a new singer... If you feel you have what it takes to be the new Listeria singer please send your demo to

LISTERIA
Via Bottego,19
43039
Salsomaggiore
Terme (PR)
Italy

or call this number ++393479522089

Euromet Gig Cancelled

Dear fans and friends, the Euromet NEC gig in the UK will now not happen. We have no information specifically but the "Sponsor" apparently has pulled out. All tickets bought have been repaid in full!

Source:

lionmusic.com

Because of Nicolas Chevrollier's decision to leave the band, The Old Dead Tree is now looking for a new guitar player. If you are interested, please write to info@theolddeadtree.com with details about yourself, like your musical influences, bands you are/were involved in, live and studio experiences, etc, and of course the reason why you would like to join the band. All information about the auditions will be given in due time once The Old Dead Tree has received your e-mail and details. Thanks and good luck!

Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	The Old Dead Tree

Threshold are currently working on material for a new studio album. No firm details are available at the moment, but the band hope to record sometime over the summer. Meanwhile guitarist Karl Groom is currently completing production on a new album for Galahad at Thin Ice Studios (England) entitled Empires Never Last, including a guest guitar solo performance on the track Sidewinder. He has also recently finished production on the new Intense album which includes guest keyboards by Richard West, and is currently working on a new album for ShadowKeep. Meanwhile in Germany, vocalist Mac is writing and singing on a new album with the power metal band Galoglass, and he's also half way through making a new Yargos album.

Band profile:

Threshold

After several months away from his drumming duties in Opeth Martin Lopez has permanently decided to leave the group. After being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks Lopez decided he wanted to concentrate fully on his own project, currently unnamed. His replacement will be Martin "Axe" Axenrot who's been filling in for the last 5 tours and who also recorded with the band during the recent BBC sessions.

Mikael Åkerfeldt: "However sad I and the rest of the band feel in light of Lopez departure I want to thank him for his incredible work with Opeth and immense dedication to the band. We recorded some classic stuff together and he obviously had an enormous impact on our sound. I now feel very excited to hear the material of his own band. In the meantime Opeth fans can rest assured that we'll continue jamming it out with Axe and we all have high expectations about our coming musical ventures"

Roadrunner will issue a special edition deluxe version of "Ghost reveries" on the 25 th of July.

Source:	opeth.com
Band profile:	Opeth