The webmaster of the Italian Folk Power Metallers Elvenking, made the following announcement on their official site, regarding the updates from the recordings of their new album, which is scheduled to be released in the end of 2007:

"On the Studio Report page you can find a final report about the recordings and mixing of the upcoming album with various thoughts about the style and the musical direction of the songs. In this long report, the band also explain the concept of the album that will be about DEATH and discusses lyrics and songwriting process. Check also the Gallery Page for new pictures.

In other news Elvenking have completed the first shooting day for the video of the song "The Divided Heart" , from the upcoming new album. The guys were in Turin yesterday, and shot all the band scenes. Next week, there will be two more days where the story behind the video will be developed. The video is directed by Mirco Andreis (Eldritch, Macbeth, Disarmonia Mundi etc.). More news and a lot of pictures will be uploaded soon.

In the next future you can also expect a full video report of the recordings (and more pictures) and the Title and Cover of the new album, finally revealed by the band... so keep on the visiting the site 'cause in the next days, lots of things will happen!"

Read more ››

Source:	elvenking.net
Band profile:	Elvenking

U.D.O.'s new album "Mastercutor" was released on May 18th. Two samples were added on the official Myspace's page of the band for the songs 'Mastercutor' and 'The Wrong Side Of Midnight' and can be listened here.
You can also listen them on the U.D.O.'s website player here.

"Mastercutor" track list:

01. Mastercutor
02. The Wrong Side Of Midnight
03. The Instigator
04. One Lone Voice
05. We Do - For You
06. Walker Of The Dark
07. Master Of Disaster
08. Tears Of A Clown
09. Vendetta
10. The Devil Walks Alone
11. Dead Man's Eyes
12. Crash Bang Crash

and:
Screaming Eagles *
14Borderline *
Man A King Ruler **
Platchet Soldat ***

* Bonustrack Ltd. European Edtion
** Bonustrack Japan
*** Bonustrack Russia

Read more ››

Source:	udo-online.de
Band profile:	U.D.O.

One week after its release Sonata Arctica's new album 'Unia' hit #1 on the official Finnish album charts.

This is the first time ever one of their albums directly hit the pole position after the first week.

Sonata Arctica will be starting their extensive tour on summer during which they will visit in over 15 countries.

Sonata Arctica Tour Schedule:

06/09/2007 Sauna Open Air, Tampere / Finland
06/21/2007 Himos Festival, Jämsä / Finland
07/07/2007 Ruisrock, Turku / Finland
07/13/2007 Rockperry, Vaasa / Finland
07/14/2007 Ilosaarirock, Joensuu / Finland
07/19/2007 Zepp Nagoya, Nagoya / Japan
07/20/2007 Namba Hatch, Osaka / Japan
07/21/2007 Shibuya-AX, Tokyo / Japan
07/22/2007 Shibuya-AX, Tokyo / Japan
07/27/2007 Kuusamo Ruka Open Air / Finland
07/28/2007 Qstock Festival, Kuusisaari, Oulu / Finland
08/05/2007 Ankkarock, Vantaa / Finland
09/07/2007 Circo Volador, Mexico Cit / yMexico
09/08/2007 Café Iguana, Monterrey / Mexico
09/09/2007 Teatro Cabaret, Guadalajara / Mexico
09/12/2007 Ridglea Theater, Ft. Wort / hUSA
09/14/2007 Launch Pad, Albuquerque / USA
09/15/2007 The Clubhouse, Tempe / USA
09/16/2007 Key Club, Hollywood / USA
09/17/2007 Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana / USA
09/19/2007 Bluebird Theater, Denver / USA
09/21/2007 The Metro, Chicago / USA
09/22/2007 Harpo's, Detroit / USA
09/23/2007 Peabody's Down Under, Cleveland / USA
09/24/2007 Opera House, Toronto / Canada
09/26/2007 Salle Albert Rousseau, Québec City / Canada
09/27/2007 The Medley, Montréal / Canada
09/28/2007 The Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie / USA
09/29/2007 The Palladium, Worcester / USA
09/30/2007 B.B. King's, New York / USA
10/02/2007 The Trocadero, Philadelphia / USA
10/03/2007 Jaxx, Springfield / USA
10/05/2007 ProgPower USA VIII, Atlanta, Georgia / USA
10/06/2007 Culture Room, Ft. Lauderdale / USA
10/07/2007 The Haven, Winter Park / USA
10/09/2007 The Meridian, Houston / USA
10/31/2007 Arenan, Stockholm / Sweden
11/01/2007 Rockefeller, Oslo / Norway
11/03/2007 Lisebergshallen, Göteborg / Sweden
11/04/2007 Mejeriet, Lund / Sweden
11/05/2007 Markthalle, Hamburg / Germany
11/07/2007 Live Music Hall, Cologne / Germany
11/08/2007 LKA-Longhorn, Stuttgart / Germany
11/09/2007 Z7, Pratteln / Switzerland
11/10/2007 All Kart Halle, Kaufbeuren / Germany
11/12/2007 Electric Ballroom, London / UK
11/13/2007 Elysée Montmartre, Paris / France
11/14/2007 Transbordeur, Lyon / France
11/16/2007 Heineken, Madrid / Spain
11/17/2007 Razzmatazz II, Barcelona / Spain

Read more ››

Source:	metalfromfinland.com
Band profile:	Sonata Arctica

The following message was posted on Lacrimosa's official website:

"On June, 29th 2007 the DVD Lichtjahre (light years) comes out! This documentation shows Lacrimosa during their one and a half years lasting Lichtgestalt-Tour, which brought them on the stages of Europe, Asia, Central and South America. Never before has the world seen such an unique concert movie, not only showing a band on stage during one concert, but during many concerts on several continents, plus an exclusive view behind the scenes and into private moments in the backstage and the hotelrooms.
And for those, who remember the special versions of many songs, Lacrimosa played during this tour, this DVD is accompanied by its soundtrack of the same name, the first live-CD from Lacrimosa since nine years!"

Lichtjahre trailer - with German subtitles
Lichtjahre trailer - with English subtitles

Also you can view the Lichtjahre's cover here

Read more ››

Source:	lacrimosa.ch
Band profile:	Lacrimosa

Gorgoroth have confirmed these Brazilian dates for September:

13/09-2007 - Brazil: Campinas; SP Hammer Rock Bar
14/09-2007 - Brazil: São Paulo; SP Hangar 110
15/09-2007 - Brazil: Belo Horizonte; MG Lapa Multishow
16/09-2007 - Brazil: Rio de Janeiro; RJ t.b.a.
17/09-2007 - Brazil: Porto Alegre; RS Bar Opinião

Source:	gorgoroth.org
Band profile:	Gorgoroth

Hellfest Productions and MySpace have set a warm up show "Me MySpace and My band" on June 9th at 7pm in a venue called the "Ferrailleur", the new café concert in Nantes next to the Banana hangar of the Quai des antilles (France).

The headliners for that night will be the American band Lair Of The Minotaur and the English band Capricorns. From the city of Nantes, Watertank, Kubota and Ultra Vomit. After the recent inauguration of the Ferrailleur, such a lineup will cause severe damages to the venue...

A few hours prior the show, at 4pm, Capricorns will be playing for free at a Fnac forum, don't miss it!

As for the Hellfest, the amount of pre-sales is still high, so it's clearer and clearer that the festival will be sold out...

You've been warned...

Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Me MySpace and My band

Florida death metal legends Obituary have set "Xecutioner's Return" (Candlelight Records) as the title of their forthcoming album. The CD's release date has been pushed forward to August 28 from the previously announced September 11. The band is finalizing U.S. touring plans now that will kick off in early September. Full tour details will be announced shortly.

Obituary is working with artist Andreas Marshall for the cover art for "Xecutioner's Return". Marshall has worked with the band for "The End Complete" and their most recent record "Frozen in Time". Tracking of the record has now been completed with mixing and mastering now on schedule in the coming weeks.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Obituary

Two new songs of "Solar Soul" the eight full length Samael's album, were added on their website player. The two songs are 'Solar Soul' and 'On The Rise'. Also there's a third song 'Slavocracy' which was previously posted on their myspace page here.
A new video clip for 'Slavocracy' was also added on the media section here.

To finish "Solar Soul" will be released on June 1 through Nuclear Blast Records and here the tracklisting:

01. Solar Soul
02. Promised Land
03. Slavocracy
04. Western Ground
05. On The Rise
06. Alliance
07. Suspended Time
08. Valkyries' New Ride
09. Ave!
10. Quasar Waves
11. Architect
12. Olympus

Read more ››

Source:	samael.info
Band profile:	Samael

Epica have issued the following update on their forthcoming album, The Divine Conspiracy:

"After having announced the title of the upcoming Epica album last week, this week we want to give you some more info on The Divine Conspiracy.

The Divine Conspiracy will be Epica's first full length concept album. This concept deals with the theory that, as a test, God created all kinds of different religions and released those upon humanity to see if they would be able to find the true nature of them, realizing that in all religions it is actually the same. But there's more to it, it also concludes the "Embrace That Smothers" concept that could already be found on The Phantom Agony.

We also want to mention a special guest performance on this cd; Sander Gommans (After Forever & HDK) joined us in the studio to record some of his amazing grunts for one of the songs!

And to conclude with: We have just returned from Belgrade (Serbia) to shoot the video for our first single: Never Enough. This video was shot by renowned director Ivan Colic from ICode Team & Rock the Nations. More info on this video will follow soon!"

Update: Nuclear Blast has set the release date in Germany of The Divine Conspiracy for September 7th. The rest of Europe will follow shortly after with September 10th.

Source:	epica.nl
Band profile:	Epica

The Norwegian Melodic Band Susperia Has Posted the Following Message On There Official Website Concerning The Release Date For "CUT FROM STONE" in the U.S.

Norwegian melodic thrashers SUSPERIA have set a June 19 U.S. release date through Candlelight Records for their new studio album, "Cut from Stone". The CD was released in Europe in April, where it entered the Norwegian national chart at No. 18.

"Cut from Stone" was recorded at Strand Studio, Oslo, Norway during 2006. The mix was completed by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH, SOILWORK) at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden. Production was handled by SUSPERIA and Marius Strand.

"Cut from Stone" is the follow-up to the 2004's "Unlimited", which was the band's best-selling release to date. Their first two albums were released through Nuclear Blast. "SUSPERIA subsequently issued the "Devil May Care" EP in 2005 which reached No. 19 on Norway's official "Hit List," making the band the first home-grown act in the metal genre to achieve a Top 20 hit in the country.

Due to logistical problems, SUSPERIA will no longer be part of the EDGUY North American tour, which will launch on September 11 in Hartford, Connecticut. Replacing SUSPERIA on the bill will be Bay Area thrashers LIGHT THIS CITY. The trek will also include Canada's INTO ETERNITY.

Source:	susperia.net
Band profile:	Susperia

Deicide and Ralph Santolla have mutually parted ways. A skilled guitarist, Santolla will be wished well in his future endeavors. Deicide will continue on with their new guitarist who will be named at a later date.

Deicide's latest live DVD release, 'Doomsday L.A.' is in stores now and available on Earache.com

Source:	deicide.com
Band profile:	Deicide

The following message was posted on Pelican's official website:

"Starting today you can pre-order "City of Echoes" and for a limited time have the option of buying one of several limited edition garments. As usual these pieces are being made only for this pre-order and WILL NOT be reprinted.

Click here to preorder.

The CD is a 6 panel digi-pack with black gloss printing. Listen to the entire record at www.cityofechoes.com. Oh...This record has cock rock riffs, therefore we had to make the underwear. First (only?) ever underoos for a Hydra Head band.

Update: International shipping is now fixed & functional so those who tried to order previously and had issues or haven't had a chance to yet and are overseas, you can now order away to your hearts desires.

For those of you who do not have the patience for waiting out the pre-order shipment, but DO have the patience and money for International mailorder and a penchant for collecting rare goodies, "City of Echoes" is currently available in a CD+DVD version in Japan from our friends at Daymare Recordings. Simply go to www.inoxia-rec.com click on the "English" option under "Mail Order List" on the left, then click the "Daymare Recordings" link in the list of labels that pops up. The Japanese version contains a live 6-song DVD from a recent performance in LA that we have no plans to release anywhere else for the time being".

City Of Echoes" tracklist again:

01. Bliss In Concrete
02. City Of Echoes
03. Spaceship Broken--Parts Needed
04. Winds With Hands
05. Dead Between The Walls
06. Lost In The Headlights
07. Far From Fields
08. A Delicate Sense Of Balance

Read more ››

Source:	hydrahead.tortugarecordings.com
Band profile:	Pelican

Katatonia's first North American headlining tour is confirmed and will commence on September 4th. The tour will make nineteen stops around the country (including Canada) and will feature an all European line-up with Sweden's Scar Symmetry joining up with Finland's Insomnium and Swallow the Sun.

The tour, beginning in Springfield, Virginia will be Katatonia's second visit to the US in a year, the band making their stateside touring debut last fall performing alongside Moonspell and North Carolina-based Daylight Dies (Candlelight). Touring in support of their first live album, Live Consternation, it will be the first time long-time American fans will be able to experience a full set from the highly acclaimed band. Live Consternation, set for American release June 5, is a stunning 5.01 cd/2.0 dvd package features selections from the band's successful 2006 album The Great Cold Distance and choice cuts from their growing and popular catalog. Kerrang notes, "submlime melodies and moments of sheer mellow bliss," while Rocksound adds, "absolutely astonishing."

Information:
Sept. 4 - Jaxx West Springfield, VA United States
Sept. 6 - BB Kings New York, NY United States
Sept. 7 - Mark's Place Bedford, NH United States
Sept. 8 - Chance Theater Poughkeepsie, NY United States
Sept. 9 - Le Medley Montreal, QC Canada
Sept. 10 - Imperial de Quebec Quebec City, QC Canada
Sept. 11 - The Funhaus Toronto, ON Canada
Sept. 12 - Peabody's Cleveland, OH United States
Sept. 13 - I-Rock Detriot, MI United States
Sept. 14 - The Pearl Room Mokena, IL United States
Sept. 15 - Station 4 St. Paul, MN United States
Sept. 17 - Bluebird Theater Denver, CO United States
Sept. 19 - Whiskey Hollywood, CA United States
Sept. 20 - Showcase Theater Corona, CA United States
Sept. 21 - Brickhouse Phoenix, AZ United States
Sept. 22 - Launchpad Albuqeruque, NM United States
Sept. 24 - White Rabbit San Antonio, TX United States
Sept. 25 - Ridglea Theater Ft. Worth, TX United States
Sept. 26 - Scout Bar Houston, TX United States

Read more ››

Source:	katatonia.com
Band profile:	Katatonia

For US/North American fans, you can now order Emission Phase from The End Records mailorder for just $12.99. As you know, all prices from The End include postage and packaging in the US (and perhaps Canada as well??).

So go ahead and order the fucker and make The End feel sorry for not actually releasing Emission Phase on the other side of the pond!

Copy this link in your brower to order: http://www.theomegaorder.com/s.nl/it.A/id.16121/.f?sc=7&category=-101

Of course you can also still order the album directly from us, go to our Myspace profile to order safe and easy with PayPal. We also have new merchandise avalaible, T-shirts, zipped hoodies and girlies.

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Detonation

J.J. Hrubovcak (Vile, Divine Rapture) will fill in on rhythm guitar for veteran Florida extreme metallers Monstrosity for their appearance at the Fuck The Commerce festival in Germany on May 18. Other acts scheduled to appear include Sinisterand Vital Remains.

Source:	masterful-magazine.com
Band profile:	Monstrosity