Lithuanian Pagan Black Metal band Obtest will enter Hertz studio in Bialystok, Poland in April to record its new album, "Gyvybes Medis" ("The Tree of Life"), due in the fall via Ledo Takas Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "?viesa" ("Light"), "Apeigos" ("Ceremonial"), "Tai Ne Pabaiga" ("It's Not The End").

In other news, Ledo Takas has announced plans to reissue Obtest's full-length debut, "Tukstantmetis", to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the album's original release. Retitled "Tukstantmetis + 10", the new slipcase edition will contain an improved and enhanced booklet, as well as liner notes written by the band, revealing "the true story behind album recordings," according to a press release. An April 23 release is expected.

Source:	ledotakas.net
Band profile:	Obtest

The following statement has been issued on Arch Enemy's website:

Arch Enemy are pleased to be able to announce that original guitarist Christopher Amott is rejoining the band with immediate effect. The band, having finished an intense 18 month touring cycle all over the world promoting the "Doomsday Machine' album and "Live Apocalypse" DVD, are currently busy working on songs for their new studio album.

Christopher surprised many by departing Arch Enemy at the end of the "Doomsday Machine' recording sessions in 2005, having been in the band for 10 years (starting with Arch Enemy at age 18). Christopher followed his urge to see the outside world and find what else is out there apart from music. Having done that, the time is right for him to return to the fold with a newly injected bite and focus and to resume his career.

Commenting on the re-grouping announcement he states:

"This is very exciting for me, returning to Arch Enemy as a fulltime member! Right now we are working on our forthcoming album and I'm very pleased about the way it's turning out. The new songs are fast and furious with lots of melody! To all the people who sent me kind messages while I was out of the band, thank you for your support, it helped me a lot. After this (much needed) two year break, I'm looking forward to getting back on the road. I hope to see you all later this year!"

Arch Enemy mastermind Michael Amott compliments his younger brother Christopher perfectly in style and chemistry and together they have become one of the most infamous and ripping guitar teams in extreme metal. Michael comments:

"So, we are back with my brother Christopher on guitar - it's a huge rush to have him back playing in his signature style! He's jumped in at the end of the songwriting process for the new album and added some of his unique spice! I feel Christopher's playing has matured and is more precise and even faster than before! Guitar fans are going to freak on the stuff we are getting up to on the new album!"

The last two years have been the busiest and most successful touring campaign of Arch Enemy´s entire career, so the many fans both old and especially new can now look forward to witnessing Christopher´s return to the stages of the world. In regards to Fredrik Åkesson, the Swedish guitar-wizard who has been touring with Arch Enemy for 18 months and who can be seen on the band´s latest video clip for the song "My Apocalypse", Michael states:

Read more ››

Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

The following announcement has been posted on Evergrey's website:

"As you may remember we were unfortunately forced to cancel our performance in Bucharest, Romania two months ago. This was due to a vehicle malfunction and totally out of our control. We then said we would come back to make up for this, and guess what - now we are returning to Bucharest, Romania!

Saturday April 21st is the day that we will be at Sala Preotasa in Bucharest. We will fly all the way from Sweden to Romania just to see our Romanian fans so make sure you don't miss it!"

Source:	evergrey.net
Band profile:	Evergrey
Event:	Evergrey

As previously reported in February (here), Tool had to reschedule their North American Tour, due to an injury of drummer Danny Carey, who tore a bicep.

Rescheduled dates are now announced, and are as follows:

List has been Updated on 19-04-07, thanks to lordz]
Apr. 27 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
Apr. 28 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
Apr. 30 - Reno, NV @ Reno Event Center
May 02 - San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena
May 03 - San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena
May 05 - Las Cruces, NM @ Pan American Center
May 06 - Tucson, AZ @ Convention Center Arena
May 08 - Albuquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum
May 09 - Colorado Springs, CO @ World Arena
May 11 - Wichita, KS @ Kansas Coliseum
May 12 - Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid America Center
May 15 - Southaven, MS @ DeSoto Center
May 17 - Bossier City, LA @ Centurytel Arena
May 19 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
May 21 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
May 22 - Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center
May 24 - Baton Rouge, LA @ River Center
May 25 - Pensacola, FL @ Pensacola Civic Center
May 26 - Birmingham, AL @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
May 29 - Tampa, FL @ USF Sundome
May 31 - Orlando, FL @ Amway arena
Jun. 01 - Sunrise, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
Jun. 02 - Jacksonville, FL @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Jun. 04 - Duluth, GA @ Gwinnette Center
Jun. 05 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center
Jun. 07 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Coliseum
Jun. 08 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
Jun. 09 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Boardwalk Hotel
Jun. 13 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Joel Lawrence Coliseum
Jun. 15 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Festival
Jun. 17 - Little Rock, AR @ Alltell Arena
Jun. 19 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ US Cellular Center
Jun. 20 - Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
Jun. 22 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Arena
Jun. 26 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Center
Jun. 27 - Chicago, IL @ Sears Center
Jun. 29 - Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Arena
Jul. 01 - Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Amphitheater
Jul. 03 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena

Read more ››

Source:	toolband.com
Band profile:	Tool
Event:	Tool: N. American Tour

Denver, Colorado's Cephalic Carnage has completed work on its brand new full-length, titled "Xenosapien".

"Xenosapien" was recorded by the band and longtime producer/engineer Dave Otero in their studio in Denver, CO. Advance songtitles include "Endless Cycle of Violence", "Touched by an Angel", "Vaporized", "G.lobal O.verhaul D.vice" and "Ov Vicissitude".

"Xenosapien" is scheduled for a May 29 North American release (May 28 internationally) via Relapse Records.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Cephalic Carnage

Machine Head's brand new album, "The Blackening", can be streamed in its entirety on the Roadrunner Records Australia Myspace Page.

The album is slated for a March 27th 2007 release through Roadrunner Records.

"The Blackening" cover] tracklisting:

01. Clenching The Fists of Dissent
02. Beautiful Mourning
03. Aesthetics Of Hate
04. Now I Lay Thee Down
05. Slanderous
06. Halo
07. Wolves
08. A Farewell To Arms

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Machine Head

Two songs from the upcoming Ensiferum album "Victory Songs" have been put online on the Ensiferum's MySpace Page.
The first song is called 'Deathbringer From The Sky' and the second 'One More Magic Potion'.

A sample (for the song 'Ahti') was already available on the Spinfarm Records website here.

"Victory Songs" will be available for purchase on April 20th.

Here's the tracklisting again:

01. Ad Victoriam
02. Blood Is The Price Of Glory
03. Deathbringer From The Sky
04. Ahti
05. One More Magic Potion
06. Wanderer
07. Raised By The Sword
08. The New Dawn
09. Victory Song

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ensiferum

In August, Swedish Black Metallers Marduk will finally march across Australia! This will be their first-ever Australian tour, with five confirmed dates:

13.08 - Amplifier Bar, Perth
16.08 - Fowlers Live, Adelaide
17.08 - The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
22.08 - Club Phoenix, Brisbane
24.08 - The Factory, Sydney

Source:	marduk.nu
Band profile:	Marduk
Event:	Marduk: Australian Tour

Posted on the official website on March 21st:

Gaia Epicus are ready to Rock the world! but there is one or should we say two problems with it. Number one: our guitar wizard Jokke doesn't feel like going all the way and cannot give 100% into the band. That's why we have decided to look for
a skilled guitarist who can act as a Live Stand-In player, and with time maybe become the next solo guitarist of Gaia Epicus. This is not something we want to happen but it seems to be the best for the band. Jokke is still a member of the band
until we find a better solution.
Problem number two: is that we are still seeking a new bass player, and have decided to use a Live Stand-in player also on the bass.
And with time maybe become the next bass player for the band, if you are the right person for the job. Anyone who feels they have what it takes should contact us at this email address - band@gaia-epicus.com

We have plans for concerts and maybe tours so we need new players fast !!!

To apply for the job you must be over 18 of age, and live in north of Norway or be able to travel there often. The location where the band is today is in these cities: Mosjøen, Mo I Rana, Nesna. So come on and show us your skills now!!!

Source:	gaia-epicus.com
Band profile:	Gaia Epicus

The following "Ghost Opera Press Release" has been posted on Kamelot's official website:

After their biggest and most successful releases "The Black Halo" and the critically acclaimed "One Cold Winter's Night" metal pioneers Kamelot return with another studio masterpiece; "Ghost Opera" which will hit stores on these dates:

Germany: June 1
Europe: June 4
USA: June 5

"Ghost Opera" will be Kamelot 's third release via SPV/Steamhammer Records.

"Ghost Opera" was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg , Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Artwork was handled by Mattias Norén with contributions by Alexandra V. Bach, Liliana Sanchez and Derek Gores. A limited-edition digipack version of the CD will include the bonus cut "The Pendulous Fall" along with a bonus DVD containing the video for the album's title track, "Ghost Opera", shot by director Ivan Colic of Serbia's ICode Team as well as the making of the "Ghost Opera" video. The Limited Edition will contain a special extended booklet as well.

SPV records will release a strictly limited single CD of "Ghost Opera" to be handed out to fans attending the European Tour in March, April and May 2007.

"Ghost Opera" limited-edition digipack cover] tracklisting:

01. Solitaire
02. Rule The World
03. Ghost Opera
04. The Human Stain
05. Blücher
06. Love You To Death
07. Up Through The Ashes
08. Mourning Star
09. Silence Of The Darkness
10. Anthem
11. EdenEcho
12. The Pendulous Fall

Kamelot's guitarist Thomas Youngblood states: "We are very excited about the new tour and album release this year. Ghost Opera is full of new and varied elements for us and the fans. This will be our most ambitious stage show ever as well".

In good Kamelot tradition "Ghost Opera" includes an array of guests, exotic instuments and dives into new musical territory.

"This is certainly another leap forward for Kamelot, with what I think is our best, most exciting and important production to date" - says Kamelot vocalist Khan.

Kamelot's current lineup is as follows:
Khan - Vocals
Thomas Youngblood - Guitars
Glenn Barry - Bass
Oliver Palotai - Keys
Casey Grillo - Drums

Kamelot's World Tour 2007-2008 kicks off this Spring March 28 th in Europe. Special Guests in Europe and North America "Leaves' Eyes". See Tour Info section for tour dates.

Read more ››

Source:	kamelot.com
Band profile:	Kamelot
Event:	Kamelot: European Tour

Ole Walaunet, guitarist of Norway's Black/Death Metal band Grimfist, has stated the following announcement on the band's official website:

"Grimfist welcomes Morten Muller on vocals and Birger Larsen on bass!! The guys are also members in Dead Trooper. We've been rehearsing in Oslo and are fired up and ready to fucking slay with this line-up!!! We're confident that these bastards are the right guys for the job, and will bring the band further to the next level"

First confirmed livedate featuring the new Grimfist line-up will be: 25.05 - Club Maiden (Oslo)

Source:	grimfist.com
Band profile:	Grimfist
Event:	Grimfist

Taken from The Underground Video Television Newsletter:

Black Metal band Goatwhore's track 'Bloodletting Upon The Cloven Hoof From A Haunting Curse' is the latest live video release on the Underground Video Television (UVTV) website, here.
The footage was taken during the band's tour swing with Celtic Frost at Magic City Music Hall late last year in Binghamton NY.

Goatwhore will embark on another North American tour with 1349 and Nachtmystium which kicks off March 23 in Tampa FL.
In May, Goatwhore will head to Europe on "The Excess Of Evil" tour with Marduk, Enslaved, Keep Of Kalessin, Melechesh and Pantheon I.
(Dates for that tour can be found here).

The new album by Goatwhore entitled "A Haunting Curse" is currently available via Metal Blade.

Read more ››

Source:	uvtv.info
Band profile:	Goatwhore
Event:	1349: North American Tour

Norwegian ex-Tristania singer Vibeke Stene has shot down reports that she has joined Nightwish as the replacement for Tarja Turunen.

Yesterday, Blabbermouth.net(!) published the rumors that Stene accepted the job as new vocalist for the Finnish symphonic metal band, after the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of an article in Finland's biggest tabloid, Ilta-Sanomat (you can find that article here).

However, according to Stene, "That is not true. I would not want to sing for Nightwish," she told the Norwegian newspaper VG.

Stene believes that it might not be a coincidence that the rumors have surfaced around the time of the release of the new Tristania album.

According to Vibeke, Tristania's record label asked her a year ago if it was OK for them to put out the rumor that she was going to take over the singer slot in Nightwish. This was in order to generate interest in Tristania, which Stene quit three weeks ago "due to personal reasons."

However, "I said no," says Stene.

The only public information about the new vocalist that has come out of the Nightwish camp so far has been offered by the group's manager, Ewo Pohjola (a.k.a. Ewo Rytkönen) of King Foo Entertainment. "She is getting along very well with the guys," he said. "She is very talented, clever and sweet."

Read more ››

Source:

roadrunnerrecords.com

Swedish metallers Entombed will release their new album, "Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments", later in the year through Threeman Recordings via a special arrangement with Candlelight Records. The 10-song effort will mark the group's first release with drummer Olle Dahlstedt (Alpha Safari, ex-Misery Loves Co.), who replaced Peter Stjärnvind in 2006.

Commented the band: "We're mixing right now and the devil is smiling. Yesterday we got final mixes on the songs 'In The Blood' and 'The Dead, The Dying And The Dying To Be Dead' with top man Soren Elofsson at the console. He's helping us tweak the mix and will most likely master the beast at Cosmos Mastering, Stockholm, Sweden, later this month.

"So, where are we coming from on this album? Same place as always. Always the one constant . . . something from the cunt/cock and something for the clock, i.e. something for the gray between the ears and something for the primal forces below the waist and possibly something for the spot a little off centre in the chest.

"Musically "Serpents Saints" goes wider and deeper than the "When In Sodom" EP but it's a pretty good indicator. It's no concept album but an ambitious attempt at creating a solid album with some reoccurring themes. Almost like the sound track to the film with the same name. Get the picture? You don't need to.

"Without getting too philosophical and/or, God forbid, preachy, who the fuck needs that? "Serpent Saints" on one plane deals with serpents (snakes, devils) and saints and how to separate the two. Can you? Are they the same, like most things and people, both good and bad depending on . . the weather and quantity and most importantly ? on which side of the fence you are positioned. God and bad and/or positively evil. Most things/people are definitely both, and most in denial and/or ignorance ? bliss, they say. Get it? Or should we Ying-yang you some more? No. Fuck meaning and fuck truth and shake your butt, or don't

"It's definitely not no doomsday prophecy of how the world is coming to an end boring bullshit. Humans have been pretty much the same for as long as we know. Once born we eat, shit, piss, fuck, play video games and die and since basic instincts are hard to break, probably will be for as long as we're here. We all winners, how strange it may sound, that start from zero and go as far as we can in the 100 years, or less, we're dealt before moving on to become a plant/angel/cow/worm (depending on belief) and/or some new kid who rolls into town to reinvent the wheel, again. So what else is new? Not much. Not You. Not me. Everybody knows! So far, so good, so what?! (Great title. Taken?) ? What's what? We say, enjoy the chaos!"

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Entombed

Alex Skolnick Trio, the band led by Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, has posted four songs from its newly released album, "Last Day In Paradise", on its MySpace Page. Check out the tracks 'Mercury Retrograde', 'Western Sabbath Stomp', 'Last Day In Paradise' and 'Tom Sawyer' (a live electronica-inspired version of the Rush classic) at this location.

"Last Day In Paradise" is available on Magnatude Records. The CD consists of seven original compositions along with three arrangements of hard rock "standards" (a concept upon which the trio has built a strong reputation as an instrumental group that appeals to straight ahead jazz fans and rock fans alike).

Three video clips of Alex Skolnick Trio's August 31, 2006 concert in Schenectady, New York have been posted online:

'Electric Eye' (Judas Priest cover): click here for the video
'Goodbye To Romance' (Ozzy Osbourne cover): click here for the video
'Detroit Rock City' (Part 2) (KISS cover): click here for the video

Read more ››

Source:

metalhammer.co.uk