There is some bad news from the Rebellion camp: guitarist Uwe Lulis (ex-Grave Digger) has decided to quit the German heavy/power metal band. Furthermore, also drummer Gerd Lücking and guitarist Simone Wenzel have announced their departure.

Uwe Lulis stated: "Rebellion was also my band and I would be pleased if bassist Tomi Göttlich (ex-Grave Digger) and vocalist Michael Seifert will continue successfully".

The situation of Rebellion is thus extremely difficult, and the two remaining members are now deliberating whether and how they are going to carry on with the band.

Commented Tomi Göttlich: "We ask ourselves whether Rebellion without Uwe can still be Rebellion. On the other hand a band always depends on their fans, so we would be pleased if our fans told us their opinion about it."

Micha added: "Tomi and I wish Uwe, Gerd and Simone honestly all the best with their new projects."

Gerd and Uwe will be forming a new band, and Simone has in the meantime joined Vernissage.

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Source:	rebellion.st
Band profile:	Rebellion

Original news, posted on 20.12.2010

UK based melodic power metal crew Power Quest have completed their new album Blood Alliance and are ready for an ambitious and busy 2011. Not only will the UK 6-piece have its 10 years anniversary coming up, but Blood Alliance will see the light of the day in early 2011. Firstly it is released in Japan on January 19th via Marquee/Avalon. The European release is expected towards the end of March, with the USA release in early April.

Keyboardist and PQ founder Steve Williams had this to say, ahead of revealing the tracklist for the new record: "Well it has been a long time coming but finally the 5th Power Quest album is done and I don't think I have ever been so excited about releasing an album. All the guys have given 110% to this record and I'm proud of them all. Its without doubt the heaviest PQ album yet but without sacrificing the PQ melodic tradition. I just can't wait for you all to hear it!"

Blood Alliance will mark the studio debut of new frontman Chity Somapala (ex-Civilization One, ex-Firewind). The album artwork will be revealed on December 30th.

Blood Alliance cover art] tracklist:

01. Battle Stations
02. Rising Anew
03. Glorious
04. Sacrifice
05. Survive
06. Better Days
07. Crunching the Numbers
08. Only in my Dreams
09. Blood Alliance
10. City of Lies
11. Time to Burn (Japanese bonus)

UPDATE

And here is the cover artwork for Power Quest's upcoming new album, Blood Alliance, to be released worldwide in late January/early February 2011.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Power Quest

Polish death metal quintet Calm Hatchery recently released their new video, called "Messerschmitt", available for viewing below.

"Messerschmitt" comes off the band's sophomore release, Sacrilege Of Humanity, released on December 20 via Selfmadegod Records. The album was recorded at Hertz Studio under the supervision of Wiesławscy Bros (Behemoth, Vader, Hate). Cover artwork was created by Mentalporn (Deathstars, Behemoth).

Three songs, entitled "We Are The Universe", "Lost In The Sands" and "Messerschmitt", are available for streaming on the band's MySpace.

Sacrilege Of Humanity cover art] tracklist:

01. Rattlesnake's Dream
02. Sea Of Truth
03. Messerschmitt
04. We Are The Universe
05. Mirror Giants
06. Hymn Of The Forgotten
07. Them
08. Lost In The Sands
09. Those Who Were
10. Shine For The Chosen One
11. The Blood Of Stalingrad


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Source:

myspace.com

New Jersey death metal barbarians Grimus recently inked a record deal with New York-based Innerstrength Records.

Commented the band of the union: "We are pleased to announce our new deal with Innerstrength Records! They put out some great, quality, heavy underground music and we're excited to be part of their growing roster. Be on the alert for Grimus coming to a venue near you as well as some new music next year."

Grimus released their pummeling Gutter Earth EP earlier this year. The four-track offering was recorded and mixed by guitarist Marco Bobadilla and mastered by Bill Henderson at Azimuth Mastering. Gutter Earth is available for free download here and is also streaming in its entirety on the band's official MySpace page.

You can check out the music video for "Bait" from the band's debut EP The Progress In Elimination below.

Gutter Earth cover art] tracklist:

01. In the Gutter
02. Friends For(N)ever
03. The Situation
04. Decimation


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Source:

myspace.com

Kaoteon are proud to announce they've signed with renowned extreme metal label Osmose Productions. The official press release reads as follows:

"Forged in the Middle East where terror and war never rest; the Lebanese extreme black/death metal band Kaoteon brings forth their first full-length record with Osmose Productions to blast your ears and damage your minds. This kaotik opus is titled Veni Vidi Vomui, which translates to "I came, I saw, I vomited".

Veni Vidi Vomui was recorded and mixed inside the bullet-scarred walls of Beirut at Mixdown Studios, while the mastering was done by no other than the infamous Dan Swanö (Bloodbath, Edge Of Sanity, Katatonia, etc.).

Kaoteon's full-length is a statement of anger and disgust towards civil wars, terrorism, invasions, sectarianism, and deceit. These themes are dissected throughout their lyrics to project Lebanon's daily life.

Several bands wrote about the ripping political and religious instability in the middle east but Kaoteon lives it to this day. From shrieks, low grunts, and high-pitched vocals to fast and mind blowing blasts, this is a not to miss record for every extreme metal fan that enjoy uncompromising metal riffs. This is going to be an unmatched statement of hatred. Zero tolerance."

The release date for Veni Vidi Vomui is set for February 21st, 2011. One of the tracks to appear on the record, called "One By One (Dogs Heed The Call)" is already available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

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Source:

osmoseproductions.com

Original news, posted on 18.12.2010

Paragon Records is proud to announce the release of Return To Abandoned, the long-awaited new full-length from Ukrainian black metal horde Khors.

The official press release adds that, on Return To Abandoned Khors yield harsher, brooding sounds of their earlier work whilst mixing in the melancholy and spacious atmosphere of 2008's unsung dark black gem Mysticism. Inarguably the most majestic journey the band has taken its listeners on thus far, Return To Abandoned will appeal to old and new fans alike.

Khors was formed by former Astrofaes bassist, Khorus, in August 2004, with an aim to create gloomy, powerful, atmospheric black metal. Sometime later, guitarist/vocalist Helg (Runes Of Dianceht) and drummer Khaoth (Tessaract, ex-Astrofaes, ex-Hate Forest) joined the fold. The band was later rounded out by guitarist Warth. Contrary to rumors, Khors is not attached to any politically motivated groups or extremists.

Earlier this Fall, Paragon reissued The Flames Of Eternity's Decline and Cold, Khors' now classic first two full-lengths - originally released in 2005 and 2006 respectively - as a two-CD set with new layout, nine bonus tracks and a rare early video from the band.

Return To Abandoned cover art] tracklist:

01. The Arrival (Intro)
02. Lost Threads
03. Asgard's Shining
04. Song of the Void
05. The Fog (...and Grief Still Moans)
06. Mysteries Cosmos
07. The Seas Burn of Omnipotence
08. Sacrament of Buyan

UPDATE

Noisecreep is currently streaming "Sacrament Of Buyan," one of the new songs off Khors' latest full-length, Return To Abandoned. Point you browser here to check it out.

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Source:

earsplitcompound.com

Fear Factory are forced to cancel their US mini-tour set to kick off this week.

Fear Factory's management (more precisely Scott Koenig of King Artist Management) explained that the reason for the last-minute postponement concerns a "family emergency" of one of the band members. The band's manager went on to say that the shows are "currently being rescheduled for early April." The rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Affected shows include:

Dec. 29 - Tempe, AZ - The Club House
Dec. 30 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
Dec. 31 - Fort Worth, TX - The Rail Club
Jan. 01 - Tulsa, OK - The Marquee Theater
Jan. 02 - Amarillo, TX - Club Khaos
Jan. 04 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
Jan. 05 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
Jan. 06 - Tucson, AZ - DV8
Jan. 07 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go
Jan. 08 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick

Fear Factory's next appearance will take place on the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which is set to sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and return four days later.

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Source:	thegauntlet.com
Band profile:	Fear Factory
Event:	Fear Factory [POSTPONED]

Original news, posted on 20.12.2010

Sirenia just released a brand new song of their upcoming album The Enigma Of Life. Check out "The End Of It All" at the bands official MySpace profile.

The Enigma Of Life marks the band's second effort to feature X Factor winner contestant Ailyn on vocals and will be out on January 21, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. More album details were previously reported here.

UPDATE

A short album trailer for Sirenia's upcoming effort, The Enigma Of Life, can now be watched below.


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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Sirenia

"The Cemetery Angels", the new video from US metallers Crowbar, can be viewed online at this location. The clip was filmed on December 5 in New York City with director Dale "Rage" Resteghini.

"The Cemetery Angels" comes off the band's forthcoming album, Sever The Wicked Hand, which will be released in the US on February 8, 2011 through E1 Music (on February 14, 2011 via Century Media Records in Europe).

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Source:	artistdirect.com
Band profile:	Crowbar

On April 29th & April 30th, 2011 the leading death metal festival of Europe will once again come to the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands. The Neurotic Deathfest organization earlier confirmed heavywheight acts such as Autopsy, At The Gates, Exhumed, Misery Index and Decapitated. This time there are seven more names, including exclusive performances by Hate Eternal, Obscura, Magrudergrind and Beheaded.

Hate Eternal, the American hyper-death metal formation of Erik Rutan will be present again on the Neurotic Deathfest, ever since their crushing performance on the festival in 2008. The German technical death metal ensemble Obscura, who were seen as one of the best newcomers on Neurotic Deathfest 2009 will return in 2011 as well. Other bands to be confirmed are: Beheaded from Malta, who will perform a special 20th anniversary set, slam-death machine Vulvectomy from Italy, the grind hit of the moment Magrudergrind from the US, the Canadian deathsters of Beneath The Massacre and the Dutch band Antropomorphia. This last act might be unknown to many younger fans, but this band received quite some praise in the nineties with their album Necromantic Love Songs and are recently reformed.

There are a total of 26 acts confirmed. This means that there are yet 16 acts to be announced to get to the grand total of 42 performing bands. An overview of bands confirmed to this date can be found here.

A one-day ticket will cost ?40, a weekend ticket ?75 and a weekend ticket including camping ?125. Click here for all ticket info.

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Source:	neuroticdeathfest.com
Event:	Neurotic Deathfest

Accept, Kreator, In Extremo, Hate and Imperium Dekadenz are the latests confirmed acts to appear on the 2011 edition of the Metal Camp Festival, taking place on July 11-17, 2011 in Tolmin, Slovenia.

Also Wintersun, Amorphis, Kalmah, Moonspell and Arkona were confirmed earlier. The full line-up can be found at this location. The Metal Camp festival grounds can harbor 12.000 metalheads - ticket info is available here.

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Source:	metalcamp.com
Event:	Metal Camp 2011

Last May, Acheron founder Vincent Crowley announced that the underground cult US Black Death metal band was calling it quits and would not be doing any more recordings or shows.
It was a surprise to both fans and band members alike, considering Acheron had just released a well received album called The Final Conflict: Last Days Of Gods, filmed their first official music video for "I Am Heathen" and was on the verge of doing a slew of other projects, which included another studio recording, a dvd release and a variety of shows and festival dates. So what happened to cause the band's break-up?

It seems that a lot of things went down before the shit finally hit the fan. Crowley states: "There is too much involving the whole reason for the band's demise. All I can say is that there were a lot of misunderstandings, including a lack of communication and some actions that were done. The end result of it all pretty much killed my will to continue the band. "

After almost a year, the smoke has cleared and the negative things between former members have been worked out. Vocalist/bassist Vincent Crowley (ex-Nocturnus, ex-Incantation), drummer Kyle Severn (ex-Incantation) and guitarist Max Otworth have decided to re-open Hell's Gate and invoke the music beast Acheron once again.

Crowley commented: "I really didn't think I would do Acheron again. Before the band broke-up I was working with a talented bunch of new musicians, but the vibe just wasn't there. I couldn't play without having that vibe. Now that almost everyone from the last studio line-up has agreed to work together again, I am totally onboard and open to any ideas regarding this musical entity!"

Drummer Kyle Severn added: "I am happy as HELL that we were able to put aside the unfortunate BS band politics/drama that sometimes can arise, hell even worse when you're not even sure why it even happens. Especially, when Vince and I, who have been jamming together for 10 years and have been friends even longer are able to continue to go forward. It is a great metal pleasure to announce that we are going to be able to play for the Acheron friends and fans and to continue working forward on the next piece of pure aggression that we call Acheron. Yes we will be moving at our own pace, but the important issue is that we will be moving forward. Late last year we were working on new material and can't wait to bust out the rehearsal tapes and start reviewing our next installment of Blasphemy and Apocalypse."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Acheron (USA-OH)

French/Swedish progressive metal/math metal/djent act Uneven Structure have released a 7,5 minute preview of their upcoming debut album Februus, available for viewing below. According to the band, this part is situated in the middle of the first half of the album. Februus will be released somewhere in 2011.

The band's EP's, entitled When The Day Forms and 8 are still available for free download over at the band's MySpace page, and here.


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Source:

myspace.com

German post-metal act Desert Beneath The Pavement have made their online single, Do You Feel It When I Google You?, available for free download. Click here to download the two tracks.

Both songs are taken from the pre-production of the band's upcoming debut album, which will be released in summer/autumn of 2011. More info on Desert Beneath The Pavement at MySpace.

Do You Feel It When I Google You? cover art] tracklist:

01. VI (Do You Feel It When I Google You?)
02. III (Excerpt)

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Source:

myspace.com

"To Age And Obsolete", the brand-new video from War From A Harlots Mouth, is now available for viewing here or below.

The video was produced by Ambitious.Films and features live footage from the Never Say Die! Tour 2010 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The track comes off the band's latest effort MMX, which was released last month through Lifeforce Records.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	War From A Harlots Mouth