The project now is not a rumour.

So in the early future will be a project with Kai Hansen (ex-Helloween, Gamma Ray), Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan) and Michael Kiske as singer.
Roland Grapow has said in a recent interview for a Spanish Website laEstadea.com. An excerpt from this interview is below:

Question: About Hansen and Kiske, there's a rumor of a project. Is that right?

Grapow: "It's not a rumor, it's true. We're just waiting for the right moment. We gathered together two or three times in the last two years. What happens is that Michael doesn't want to do anything with too much hard rock or too much heavy metal, too much dark or negative, he wants to do something more happier. So, probably, when I finish the tour with Masterplan, I'll begin to write some tracks for Mike. Kai too, we'll see what will come out. But, once and for all, we will do something".

Question: This project have a name?

Grapow: "No, not yet! Perhaps it will be titled Helloween! (laughs). No, it's a joke, at the moment we haven't thought of any names because we haven't planned yet. Now we only want to write a few songs which we feel comfortable with, that Michael doesn't find negative, but we all love. Because we don't want to make a Kiske solo album with two famous guitarists from the past. We search for music which speaks for itself without any need to be aggressive or negative".

Source:	michaelkiske.net
Band profile:	Helloween

Coming soon: new album by Tharaphita

"Taara, avita!" ("Help us, Taara!") Thus sounded the ancient warchant in the 13th century and thus may it sound once again in the year 2007! Tharaphita's newest release sees the band returning to its roots — back to the rough pagan reality, to the Estonian mothertongue. "Iidsetel sünkjatel radadel" ("On Paths Ancient and Dark") leaves no doubt about the identity of the forefather of original Estonian pagan/black metal; the music, reflecting aggression and battle-readiness, while also conveying sincere angst and agony, is a testament to the slumbering fight for freedom, yet a sure sign that a day shall come when ten thousand Estonians once again raise their swords towards the heavens. One in body and soul, let us rise against the name of christ!

Release Date: 26.02.2007
Format: CD
Bar code: 4740447401522
Catalogue# Board 015

Tracklist:
1. Iidsetel sünkjatel radadel
2. Vahkturm
3. Ristikatk
4. Surmatalv
5. Loodusviha
6. Hullusesse
7. Raudses haardes

MP3:
http://www.nailboard.org/media/mp3/Tharaphita-Iidsetel_Sunkjatel_Radadel.mp3
http://www.nailboard.org/media/mp3/Tharaphita-Surmatalv.mp3

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Source:

nailboard.org

Nocturnal Rites bassist Nils Eriksson has issued the following update on the band's official website:

"Hey, we will fix our forum once and for all next week. Sorry about this crap, but we've been way too busy recording to even think about any website related stuff. Good news is that we will start mixing our yet untitled album on Monday!

Honestly, this album feels really different, fresh and new. Still it sounds like us, in some wierd way. Guess we can't escape the NR ghost. However, we have some REALLY cool songs on the way. Be patient.

Tons of stuff will be up here soon, like studio pics and whatnot. We will be back asap with tracklisting, release dates and whatever else we know by then."

Source:	nocturnalrites.com
Band profile:	Nocturnal Rites

Belgian razor grinders Leng Tch'e have recently completed work on "Marasmus", the follow-up to 2005's acclaimed "The Process of Elimination". "Marasmus" sixteen tracks were recorded at CCR Studios before taking the record to the legendary Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden to mix with engineer Fredrik Nordstrom. "Marasmus" is set for a March 20th North American release date (March 12th internationally).
Two preview tracks for "Marasmus" can be heard now exclusively via the band's official MySpace page.

Additionally, Leng Tch'e are set to film a video for "Marasmus" track "1-800-APATHY" this weekend in Paris, France with film-crew oneOone (Aborted).

Leng Tch'e will also be making live appearances at the Buried Fest and Front Fests in Belgium during February. A listing of confirmed Leng Tch'e tour dates can be found online here with more to be announced soon.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Leng Tch'e

Finnish melodic metallers Machine Men have posted their new video for the track 'No Talk Without The Giant', online at their MySpace.

'No Talk Without The Giant' is lifted from the band's upcoming album "Circus Of Fools" out via Century Media Records.

Machine Men will take part in the Earthshaker Roadshock tour with Finntroll, After Forever, Tarot, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter and All Ends, through Europe in April and May.

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Source:	machinemen.net
Band profile:	Machine Men
Event:	Earthshaker Roadshock Tour

Gothic Black metallers Graveworm check in with the following news:

"Hi there, it's time for some news.

We just finished the recordings for our new album at the Stage One studio with Andy Classen. The album, which will be released on May 11th through Nuclear Blast will feature some guest appearances by Maurizio Iacono from Kataklysm and Matze from The Sorrow.

Graveworm were just confirmed for two shows in Russia. This will be the first time for us. Look at the live section at http://www.graveworm.de for the latest show entries."

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Source:	graveworm.de
Band profile:	Graveworm
Event:	Graveworm

A 12:49 version of the classic Whitesnake track 'Crying In The Rain' being performed live at the famous Rock In Rio festival in Brazil in 1985 can be viewed here.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Whitesnake

Advance tickets are now on sale for a handful of dates by Dutch progressive metallers Epica (fronted by Simone Simons). The following are current dates confirmed at htpp://www.enterthevault.com

05.09.2007 - USA, Springfield, VA
06.09.2007 - USA, Hartford, CT
07.09.2007 - USA, Poughkeepsie, NY
08.09.2007 - USA, Bedford, NH
09.09.2007 - USA, New York City, NY
14.09.2007 - USA, Toronto, ON
15.09.2007 - USA, Cleveland, OH
16.09.2007 - USA, Detroit, MI
18.09.2007 - USA, Mokena, IL
19.09.2007 - USA, St. Paul, MN
22.09.2007 - USA, Seattle, WA
25.09.2007 - USA, Hollywood, CA
27.09.2007 - USA, Mexicali, MEX
30.09.2007 - USA, San Antonio TX
01.10.2007 - USA, Houston, TX

Austria's Visions Of Atlantis will be opening the shows.

Epica are currently recording their new album at the Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany. As announced, God Dethroned drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek is playing on the new Epica album but is not joining the band as a full time member.

Read more ››

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Epica
Event:	Epica: North Amercian Tour

Finntroll have renewed their homepage look and added new information about the new album.
The tracklisting to new album "Ur Jordens Djup" goes:

01. Gryning
02. Sång
03. Korpens Saga
04. Nedgång
05. Ur Djupet
06. Slagbröder
07. En Mäktig Här
08. Ormhäxan
09. Maktens Spira
10. Under Två Runor
11. Kvällning

"Ur Jordens Djup" will be released through Spinefarm on March 28th. The album will feature the debut of new vocalist Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns. The band have described the album as "disturbed but catchy as hell". A massive tour is due to follow the album release.

Samples can be found through the sample medley at the intro page.

Source:	finntroll.net
Band profile:	Finntroll

Dutch metal band Within Temptation have posted the video for its new single, 'What Have You Done', on their MySpacepage.

'What Have You Done', featuring Life Of Agony's Keith Caputo, will be released in Europe on February 16th via G.U.N. Records.

The single will be available in a "Basic" version and a "Premium" edition. The tracklistings:
"Basic":
01. What Have You Done (single version)
02. What Have You Done (album version)

"Premium":
01. What Have You Done (single version)
02. What Have You Done (album version)
03. Blue Eyes/Aquarius (Live at the Java Island, Amsterdam)
04. Caged (Live at the Java Island, Amsterdam)

'What Have You Done' is first single from their new album, "The Heart of Everything", due later in the year in North America via Roadrunner Records.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Within Temptation

Swedish death metallers Vomitory have completed their new album. As announced on their official website: "It's finally time to unveil the cover artwork of the upcoming album, "Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize"! As you can see we've gone in a new brutal direction with this cover, using a photo instead something painted.

The rest of the booklet is also 100% photo-based and follows the same style, but certainly brings it to new sick and disturbing levels. Connoisseurs of gory death metal imagery will certainly have something extra to look forward to!

You can check out the cover here."

"Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize" was recorded, mixed and mastered at Leon Music Studio, Karlstad/Sweden during December together with producer/engineer Rikard Löfgren.

Tracklist for "Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize" is as follows:
01. Eternal Trail Of Corpses
02. Scavenging The Slaughtered
03. Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize
04. The Burning Black
05. Defiled And Inferior
06. March Into Oblivion
07. Whispers From The Dead
08. Heresy
09. Flesh Passion
10. Cremation Ceremony

"Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize" will be released the 20th of April (Germany/Austria/Switzerland) / 23rd of April (Europe). A North American release date will be announced soon.

Read more ››

Source:	vomitory.net
Band profile:	Vomitory

Swedish death metal veterans Unleashed have just announced the European leg of their Midvinterblot tour supported by Austrian death/black metallers Belphegor kicking off in Dublin, Ireland on May 12th. From May 15th to May 25th the two bands will be joined by Canadian death metal outfit Kataklysm while French black metallers Arkhon Infaustus will open the gigs for the remainder of the tour.

The tour dates read as follows:

Supported by Belphegor only:
May 12th 2007: Ireland, Dublin @ Voodoo Lounge
May 13th 2007: Ireland, Cork @ An Cruiscin Lan

Supported by Kataklysm and Belphegor:
May 15th 2007: England, London @ Underworld
May 16th 2007: France, Paris
May 17th 2007: Spain, Irun @ Tunk
May 18th 2007: Portugal, Coimbra @ Cine Teatro Avenida
May 19th 2007: Spain, Madrid @ Ritmo y Compas
May 20th 2007: Spain, Barcelona @ Mephisto
May 21st 2007: France, TBA
May 22nd 2007: Italy, Prato @ Siddharta Club
May 23rd 2007: Switzerland, Pratteln @ Z7
May 25th 2007: Holland, Deventer @ Burgerweeshuis

Supported by Belphegor and Arkhon Infaustus:
May 26th 2007: Germany, Adelsheim @ Live Factory
May 27th 2007: Germany, Leipzig @ Hellraiser Fest
May 28th 2007: Germany, Munich @ Backstage
May 29th 2007: Germany, Bochum @ Matrix
May 30th 2007: Germany, Karlsruhe @ Substage
May 31st 2007: Germany, Frankfurt @ Nachtleben
Jun 1st 2007: Belgium, Vosselaar @ Biebob
Jun 2nd 2007: Holland, Oss @ Groene Engel

EDIT:
After Kataklysm have dropped out, it looks like Arkhon Infaustus will be supporting Unleashed and Belphegor at all dates, even those on Irish soil.
There have also been added two dates:

May 21st 2007 - France, Marseille @ Korrigan
May 24th 2007 - Germany, Osnabrück @ Bastard Club

Read more ››

Source:	unleashed.se
Band profile:	Unleashed
Event:	Unleashed: Midvinterblot Tour II [CANCELLED]

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

Original Vicious Rumors bassist Dave Starr has once again left the band as of January 23, 2007.
Dave played bass on the first five Vicious Rumors albums (and was featured in several other Vicious Rumors DVDs, MTV videos, and band compilations). He returned to the band in 2005 to record the new "Warball" CD in 2006.

Commented Starr: "My history with Vicious Rumors goes back nearly 23 years, and in many ways the band will always be a part of me. However, it's time for me to concentrate 100% of my time and energy on my own music, my own band, and playing guitar. My band Wildestarr (along with incredible vocalist London Wilde) is something I have been working on for a few years now, and I took time off from this to work with Vicious Rumors again and record the "Warball" album. I am happy with the way the new Vicious Rumors CD came out, and thrilled with the response it has received so far from the fans and press. It was great to play and record with Vicious Rumors again. I remain on good terms with everyone in the band and wish them well in the future."

Vicious Rumors released "Warball" in the U.S. in October. Two short samples from "Warball" ? 'Sonic Rebellion' and 'Mr. Miracle' ? are available at the band's official website.

Read more ››

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Vicious Rumors

The Vision Bleak are busy pre-producing their third, as-yet-untitled album.
According to the band, the follow-up to "Carpathia" is going to be "more guitar-based, harder, but also more dramatic and melodic", promising their most sinister work to date. In early February, they will enter Klangschmiede Studio E for the fine-tuning of the recordings and the mix for an indefinite period of time.

(Original source: bravewords.com)

Source:	the-vision-bleak.de
Band profile:	The Vision Bleak