San Diego extreme metallers Cattle Decapitation have been rejoined by drummer Michael Laughlin. "After a much-needed break, the man is refreshed and ready to destroy once again!" the group writes in a press release.

Cattle Decapitation will team up with The Locust and Daughters for a U.S. tour beginning on March 23 in San Diego. "Before that we will be doing a few warm-up dates in southern California (look for dates in early March!), but not before we hit up Mexico City!" the band writes. "We announced earlier that we'll be playing Mexico City and surrounding areas for the Chas Metal Attack fest featuring Marduk, Monstrosity, Setherial and us!"

For list of dates on Cattle Decapitation's tour with The Locust and Daughters click here.

Cattle Decapitation was honored in the "Best Hard Rock Band" category at the 2006 San Diego Music Awards, which took place on Sept. 18, 2006. The band's latest album, "Karma.Bloody.Karma", was released in July 2006 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was produced by Billy Anderson (Swans, Mr. Bungle, Sleep) and features guest appearances by Joey Karam (The Locust) and John Wiese (Sunn 0))), Bastard Noise).

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Source:	http:
Band profile:	Cattle Decapitation
Event:	Marduk: Mexican Tour

In a short post on the official website of Finnish Power-Steamrollers Sonata Arctica, it is announced that they have named their forthcoming new album "Unia". It will be the band's fifth studio album. The album will be released on May 25 via Nuclear Blast Records.

As announced, Sonata Arctica recently confirmed some Finnish and USA tour dates. More dates are expected to be announced soon.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Sonata Arctica
Event:	Sonata Arctica: Finnish Tour

Taken from their official site, Tilo Wolff and Anne Nurmi from German Gothic Metal band Lacrimosa announce:

"We can announce the release of our second live-album this year! Moreover, this year we will also release the long awaited Lacrimosa-movie, that follows us during one and a half years touring through Europe, South America and Asia, and the camera was still rolling after we left the stages... quite some interesting material was shot there! Now the cutting is in process and in a few month this major project will finally come to an end!"

Source:	lacrimosa.com
Band profile:	Lacrimosa

Swedish metallers In Flames has lined up the following dates in Sweden/Norway during March:

Mar. 16 - Trondheim, Norway - Samfundet
Mar. 17 - Haugesund, Norway - Byscenen
Mar. 18 - Bergen, Norway - Verftet
Mar. 19 - Stavanger, Norway - Folken
Mar. 22 - Karlskrona, Sweden - Kino
Mar. 23 - Linköping, Sweden - Cupolen
Mar. 24 - Mariestad, Sweden - Karlsholme
Mar. 26 - Umeå, Sweden - Idun
Mar. 28 - Gävle, Sweden - Gasklockorna
Mar. 30 - Lund, Sweden - Mejeriet
Mar. 31 - Ljungby, Sweden - Garvaren

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	In Flames
Event:	In Flames: Norwegian/Swedish Tour

Swedish vikings Amon Amarth will embark on a headlining tour of the U.K. and Ireland for the first time. Also appearing on the bill is Finland's Finntroll. The dates are as follows:

Apr. 14 - Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
Apr. 15 - Dublin, IRE @ Temple Bar
Apr. 16 - Cork, IRE @ An Cruiscin Lan
Apr. 17 - Glasgow, SCO @ Cathouse
Apr. 19 - Manchester, UK @ The Club Academy

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Amon Amarth
Event:	Amon Amarth + Finntroll: UK Tour

According to bravewords.com, Swedish folk metallers Vintersorg are scheduled to release their new album, "Solens Rötter" (artwork here), on April 27th in Europe and on May 22nd in North America via Napalm Records. The album title translates in English to The Origin Of The Sun.

The album was recently described as "Hymn-like passages, traditional Nordic soundscapes, cold Black Metal, and Swedish lyrics come together to forge this latest masterpiece."

Tracks to appear on the release include: 'Kosmosaik', 'Naturens Mystär', 'Vad Aftonvindens Andning Viskar', 'Spirar och Gror', 'Strålar'.

More details to follow.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Vintersorg

Iron Maiden are looking forward to returning to Holland to play at Fields of Rock Festival for the first time and will close the festival on the first day on the main stage. Last year in November on their phenomenally successful "A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH WORLD TOUR" they gave a stunning performance to 14,000 fans at Brabanthallen in Den Bosch which sold out in record time. Fields of Rock takes place at June 16 and 17 at the Evenemententerrein Walibi World in Biddinghuizen. Ticket sales start Saturday February 10th.

After the great success of the first 2 editions of Fields of Rock in the Goffertpark, the organisers have announced earlier the festival is moving to the Evenemententerrein Walibi World in Biddinghuizen. This year Fields of Rock again has a very strong line-up. Other acts to be confirmed at announcement include Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, Motörhead and Life Of Agony.

The third edition of Fields of Rock is more than one day and has a camp-site. There will be 3 stages with a minimal of 15 bands. Beside to the main stage and the tent stage there also will be a smaller third outdoor stage. The names of the three stages will be decided by the audience through our website. News about the line-up for the three stages will be announced on http://fieldsofrock.nl. From now on all available festival information will be on this website.

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Source:	ironmaiden.com
Event:	Fields of Rock Festival

Swedish Melodic Death Metal pioneers Dark tranquillity has completed work on their highly anticipated new album, "Fiction", set for an April 2007 release.

The album was mixed by Tue Madsen (Himsa, The Haunted) and encompasses all of the elements on which the band built their career: thought-provoking lyrics, shredding guitar work, captivating melodies and sheer brutality.

"Fiction" contains the following numbers:

01. Nothing To No One
02. The Lesser Faith
03. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)
04. Blind At Heart
05. Icipher
06. Inside The Particle Storm
07. Empty Me
08. Misery's Crown
09. Focus Shift here]
10. The Mundane And The Magic

11. Japanese bonus track: A Closer End
12. Instrumental Australian bonus track: Winter Triangle

Niklas Sundin (guitars) shares his thoughts on the new album: "Tue Madsen did a fantastic job with the sound, and the result is diverse and exciting enough to satisfy even the most critical of listeners. The 10 songs are extremely varied and showcase all facets of the D.T. experience while breaking new ground as well as reviving some elements that haven't been featured in D.T. songs since the early years. At the moment, we're putting the finishing touches to the packaging as well as preparing for the recording of the 'Focus Shift' and 'Misery's Crown' promo videos. Directing is once again Roger Johansson, who worked with us on the videos for 'Character'."

In late March 2007, Dark Tranquillity kick off the touring cycle for Fiction with a massive co-headlining U.S. run with The Haunted and Into Eternity followed by European summer festivals and a full length tour in autumn.

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Source:	darktranquillity.com
Band profile:	Dark Tranquillity
Event:	Dark Tranquillity + The Haunted: North American Tour

The following message has been posted by vocalist Cristina Scabbia on her personal Myspace page, mainly for other bands members:

"We were recently informed that members of several bands across the country, mostly non-Jager bands, have been contacted by an unknown third party, claiming to be named "Tim Rex" the official Jagermeister Tour Manager, seeking to engage such bands as openers or support on upcoming Jager Tours, or for other similar promotions, concerts and events. We wanted to inform all of you just in case you have received or do receive a similar phone call.

This unknown third party has contacted bands and other parties via a blocked cell phone number, informing the band that the person represents the Jager Tour and is considering the band for certain events. This party often tells the bands that he will be sending certain forms and documents for the band to complete, and that the party will be arranging a meeting with the band. He has also asked for the band to supply private personal information during this phone call.

Please be advised that this party DOES NOT represent the Jager Tour, Mast-Jagermeister or Sidney Frank Importing Co. Inc.

We believe that this party is conducting a scam in order to obtain band members' personal information.

If you are contacted by an unfamiliar third party and you suspect that the party does not work for the Jager Tour or is not otherwise associated with Jagermeister, please do not respond to the request for information."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Lacuna Coil
Event:	Jägermeister Music Tour

Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono checks in with the following update on the band's website, to lay any rumours to rest:

Kataklysm has officially postponed their scheduled Australian tour and their Road to Devastation II tour (which also included a few dates with Unleashed scheduled for April/May). Comments Maurizio:

"I know lots of our fans were looking forward to seeing us in Australia and in the UK, Scandinavia and all the places we haven't hit yet for this record, but believe me that none are more dissapointed then us... But they WILL be rescheduled. We are thinking of September or sometime during the fall. The reason behind the postponed dates: "The Devil Called... and made us an offer we couldn't refuse!"... Stay tuned for details regarding this... It will be massive."

The full message can be found at http://www.kataklysm.net.

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Source:	kataklysm.net
Band profile:	Kataklysm

Napalm Records has issued the following Trail Of Tears update:

Trail Of Tears reclaims vocalist Cathrine Paulsen for the new line-up. Cathrin, who can be heard on TOT's "A New Dimension Of Might" (and was vocalist for the band from 2000 until 2003) returns to her former band on a permanent basis.

Also, the band confirmed for 2007's Sweden Rock Festival, that will take place in Sølvesborg, Sweden.

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Trail Of Tears
Event:	Sweden Rock Festival

Porcupine Tree have revealed the following tracklist on their official website:

01. Fear of a Blank Planet (7.28)
02. My Ashes (5.07)
03. Anesthetize (17.42)
04. Sentimental (5.26)
05. Way Out of Here (7.37)
06. Sleep Together (7.28)

The album will be called "Fear of a Blank Planet" and is set for April release through Roadrunner in Europe, Atlantic in the US, and WHD Entertainment in Japan. It's likely that both the stereo CD and 5.1 surround sound DVDA will be packaged together as standard.

Source:	porcupinetree.com
Band profile:	Porcupine Tree

Finnish power metal band Thunderstone has released '10 000 Ways', the first song from the forth upcoming studio album "Evolution 4.0", as a limited edition single.
The single also includes a cover of Nik Kershaw's 80s hit 'The Riddle'.

"Evolution 4.0" will be released worldwide (except USA) on 14th March, 2007 and later in the spring in the USA.

Band members characterize the forthcoming album as 'a milestone, bringing in more of the heavier stuff that "Tools Of Destruction" already hinted at, but still retaining the landmark melodies of Thunderstone. That's why we thought the title "Evolution 4.0" best represents where we now stand.

Source:	thunderstone.org
Band profile:	Thunderstone

In Flames was honoured with the Swedish "Grammis" award in the "Best Hard Rock" category during a ceremony that was held Tuesday night (January 30) at Hovet in Stockholm. A total of five bands were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2006. The nominees were as follows:

Backyard Babie - "People Like People Like People Like Us" (RCA)
Europe - "Secret Society" (T&T/Sanctuary)
Hammerfall - "Threshold" (Nuclear Blast)
In Flames - "Come Clarity" (Nuclear Blast)
The Haunted - "The Dead Eye" (Century Media)

In accepting the award, In Flames frontman Anders Fridén asked the audience to get up on their feet.

"This is the third time In Flames have won a Grammy and it feels extremely good," he said and joked: "Thanks a lot to the Swedish people, Sound Pollution and all you people sitting down!"

A video clip of In Flames performing the song "Come Clarity" on the Swedish music awards show "Rockbjörnen" on January 11 in Stockholm, Sweden has been posted online at YouTube.com (here). The band's lineup for the performance included guitarists Björn Gelotte and Jesper Strömblad, who were both absent from the group's most recent U.S. tour.

In Flames was nominated in three categories at the "Rockbjörnen" awards: "Best Swedish Band", "Best Song" and "Best Album".

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Source:	inflames.com
Band profile:	In Flames

Indonesian experimental metal band Kekal has announced the new labels for their upcoming album "The Habit of Fire" as well as the corresponding release dates, the tracklist and the album cover on their Myspace:

"We are pleased to announce that we have signed licensing deals with 2 record labels:

- Whirlwind Records (Germany) will release the album for European territory (and some South America).
Release date: March 15th 2007
http://www.whirlwind-records.com

- Open Grave Records (USA) will release the album in USA, Canada, Japan and Australia.
Release date: May 15th 2007
http://www.opengraverecords.com

We are currently putting as much information as possible about "The Habit of Fire" on our website and Myspace page, where you will be able to stream 30-second to 1-minute samples of songs online, read the album reviews, lyrics, find the distributor(s) and stores in your country, download related items, and many other things.

"The Habit of Fire" is an official 6th studio album from Kekal, with over 70 minutes epic concept-album of experimental nature in the Kekal style: incorporating elements of metal, progressive rock, jazz, trip-hop, post-rock, ambient and electronic music.

Album cover can be seen here.

Track Listing of "The Habit of Fire":

01. Prelude: Worldhate Chronicle
02. The Gathering Of Ants
03. Isolated I
04. Manipulator Generals (Part I Of Dictatorship)
1 - Failure Is The System
2 - The Precaution Of Aftermath
3 - Decadence And Excess
05. Our Urban Industry Runs Monotonously
06. To Whom It May Concern
07. Free Association
08. Historicity And State Of Mind (Part II Of Dictatorship)
1 - Repeated Patterns
2 - Aftermath
09. Postlude: Saat Kemarau
10. A Real Life To Fear About
11. Escapism
1 - What On Earth Am I Here For?
2 - The Habit of Fire
3 - Subterranean Passageways
4 - A Road Above, A Road Ahead
5 - Finding A Way To Stand Up Again"

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Kekal