An interview with Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy is featured on the Rhino.com podcast. The chat begins at 21:18 of the podcast, which can be heard at this location: http://www.rhino.com/RZine/rhinocasts/index.lasso.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Holland's FaceCulture recently conducted an interview with Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt and guitarist Peter Lindgren. Åkerfeldt and Lindgren discuss the upcoming "deluxe" version of "Ghost Reveries", MySpace, David Coverdale, Dave Mustaine, Metallica, Scott Walker, Joni Mitchell, Danko Jones, Muse, Gigantour, changing drummers, playing live, touring, drugs and lots more. Watch the interview here.

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Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Opeth

Just two months after releasing their "Dutch Metal Cult Series" Rusty Cage Records signs a two record deal with Dutch best kept secret, thrash/death sensation "Cypher".

Their debut album "Darkday Carnival", produced by "Textures" guitarist Jochem Jacobs, will be released at the end of October 2006.
"Darkday Carnival" is an album that explores the darker side of the human condition, lyrics masked by more than 2000 years of deceit and corruption, musically progressing towards a more complex and dynamic style without losing the brutal, relentless edge.

You've all heard bands like In Flames, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Nevermore and Testament, but wait 'til you hear this album!
You should know what to expect by now!

More information about Cypher and Rusty Cage records:

P.O. Box 8061
1802 KB Alkmaar
The Netherlands

Mail: info@rustycagerecords.com
Web RCR: http://www.rustycagerecords.com
Web Cypher: http://www.cyphercore.com

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Source:

rustycagerecords.com

The Greek Power Metal band Firewind had already been confirmed for a support of Dragonforce on tour, but now they've been announced to open for Dragonforce in the UK. They will play thirteen dates at the end of this year. The tour will contain Dragonforce, Firewind and All That Remains.

Here are the confirmed dates:

Nov. 29 - UK, Folkestone - Leas Cliff Hall
Nov. 30 - UK, Southampton - Guildhall
Dec. 01 - UK, Leeds - University
Dec. 02 - UK, Nottingham - Rock City
Dec. 04 - UK, Cardiff - University Students Union
Dec. 05 - UK, Birmingham - Academy
Dec. 07 - UK, Sheffield - Octagon
Dec. 08 - UK, Manchester - Academy
Dec. 09 - UK, Glasgow - Barrowlands
Dec. 11 - UK, Norwich - UEA
Dec. 12 - UK, Bristol - Academy
Dec. 13 - UK, London - Astoria
Dec. 14 - UK, London - Astoria

Here is a comment by guitarist Gus G: "This will mark our 3rd and most deadly UK strike. We're really looking forward to our first full UK tour, supporting the mighty DragonForce! Hail to England!"

In other Firewind news, the band's newest album 'Allegiance' has made it to 10th position in their own country's (Greece) chart. It has been in the top 20 for six weeks now.

Here is Gus G's comments on that: "Thanks to all the crazy Greek metalheads for their never ending support. You guys put our album up there on the Top 10 showing the world that Heavy Metal will always be strong and present! At the same time we"re reaching a new peak in our career with this. A big Thank You to everyone @ Century Media Records and EMI Greece for doing a great job on our album, you guys rule!!".

Source:	firewind.gr
Band profile:	Firewind

Maidenfans.com, issued the following status report on Iron Maiden's new album, 'A Matter Of Life And Death', which has been storming the charts the world over:

"As the week rolls, more charts positions are getting in. We already announced you that 'A Matter of Life and Death' was number 1 in Finland and in Italy. Well, it also reached the first spot in Germany. Great news considering the competition and knowing that Maiden's two previous albums reached #3 and #2. As already mentionned, the album reached #4 in the UK Charts after being #3 on the midweeks. A Maiden album is often frontloaded which partially explains this slip during the week. However, almost 45,000 have reportedly left the shelves! In neighbouring Ireland, the album is at #5. In Poland, it's at #6. In the Netherlands, it's 7th and finally, down-under in Australia, it settled on place 12."

Source:	maidenfans.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden

AOL music have uploaded the new albums for Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden and Goatwhore. All three albums are available to listen to via streaming. There are also links for buying each album. All three albums have just been released in the last few days.

Here are the links to the albums:

To listen to Blind Guardian - A Twist In The Myth, click here.

To listen to Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death, click here.

To listen to Goatwhore - A Haunting Curse, click here.

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Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

In Flames will perform at The W:O:A 2007, set to take place August 2-4, 2007 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to perform are Blind Guardian, Saxon, Stratovarius, Grave Digger, Therion, Samael, Schandmaul and of course the reunited Norwegian black metal band Immortal.

Here is a comment by the W:O:A organisers: "We step on the gas and our billing grows up faster than ever! We are pround to announce: In Flames will perform at the WOA 2007!!".

Visit Wacken for further infos.

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Source:	wacken.com
Band profile:	In Flames
Event:	Wacken Open Air 2007

Power Metal band Mob Rules have posted two new 'Making Of' diary entries on their official website. Mob Rules are in the process of creating a new album which is entitled 'Ethnolution A.D.'. Each making of entry tells about the process of recording the album, etc. Each one contains about four or five paragraphs worth. There are now four in total.

Here are the links:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3 (NEW)
Part 4 (NEW)

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Source:	mobrules.de
Band profile:	Mob Rules

Swedish Black Metal band Marduk have had to push back the release date for their upcoming DVD entitled 'Blood Puke Salvation'. The DVD was originally going to be released on the 4th September, but the date is now set to the 25th September. The DVD will contain over 90 minutes of live material filmed in Tilburg, Holland and in Antwerpen, Belgium during December 2004. It will also contain promo videos, interviews and more. A teaser clip for the upcoming DVD will be posted online soon.

In other Marduk news, the band has posted a collection of photos from their showing at the Party San Open Air festival. You can view the photos here.

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Source:	marduk.nu
Band profile:	Marduk

Black Metal duo Satyricon have posted their new video 'The Pentagram Burns' online. The band have been working on the video for the last month or two, but now it's complete, and available for download. The song from the video comes from Satyricon's most recent album 'Now, Diabolical'. It was filmed in Oslo, Norway and directed by Håvard Arnstad.

You can download the video from here.

Images from the video can still be seen here.

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Source:	satyricon.no
Band profile:	Satyricon

Celtic Frost have "captured their innovative and dark art" in a new video clip for their new song 'A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh'. The song comes from their thirteen year coming latest album 'Monotheist'. The "fascinatingly gloomy" video clip way directed by Swiss director Jessie Fischer (who is no relation to Celtic Frost vocallist/guitarist Thomas Gabriel Fischer). The video was filmed in Zurich, Switzerland, in mid-August this year. Check it out at these locations:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CelticFrostOfficial
http://www.myspace.com/celticfrostofficial

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Source:	celticfrost.com
Band profile:	Celtic Frost

To honour the passing of the long-term recording artist Jesse Pintado, Earache Records is offering a free downloadable mp3 album. The album entitled 'In Memory Of Jesse Pintado' features some of Jesse's most well-known songs recorded during his time as guitarist for both Napalm Death and Terrorizer.

The sad news of Jesse's death in hospital in Holland on Sunday August 27th 2006 has shocked fans throughout the world, and this album serves as our small tribute to the outstanding music he created during his career.

Earache label manager Dan Tobin had the following to say about Jesse's sudden death:

'Jesse was one of the most genuine people I ever met, extremely friendly and easy-going. Its such a tragic waste. I'll remember him as part of what is my all time favourite Earache record, Terrorizer's 'World Downfall', which is simply a grindcore masterpiece, and for all his amazing work with Napalm Death that I was honoured to be a small part of. I don't think Jesse's passing has been recognised as the huge loss it is - the worlds of extreme music and grindcore/death metal have lost a true pioneer. We owe
him a massive debt and for that I'll always remember the guy fondly.'

The mp3 album can be downloaded here.
The full track listing is as follows:

01. Terrorizer - Ripped To Shreds
02. Napalm Death - The World Keeps Turning
03. Napalm Death - Throwaway
04. Terrorizer - Storm Of Stress
05. Napalm Death - Upwards And Uninterested
06. Napalm Death - I Abstain
07. Terrorizer - Corporation Pull-In
08. Napalm Death - Purist Realist
09. Napalm Death - Remain Nameless
10. Napalm Death - Inner Incineration

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Source:	earache.com
Band profile:	Napalm Death

Hypocrisy guitarist Andreas Holma has decided to quit the band. His reason being that he isn't motivated to be a part of the band anymore and he isn't interested in touring. As well as that, he's said that he wants to concentrate on his own project.

Hypocrisy is getting ready for their 'Machines At War' tour of the USA and Canada with Fear Factory, Decapitated and Suffocation. The band has announced that Klas Ideberg from Darkane will be filling in for Holma on this tour.

Source:	hypocrisy.tv
Band profile:	Hypocrisy

Battlelore have confirmed the following European tour dates with Draconian on their official website:

November
22 - Vienna, Austria at Escape
23 - Munich, Germany at Backstage
24 - Bischofswerda, Germany at East Club
25 - Engelsdorf, Germany at Hellraiser
26 - Berlin, Germany at Knaack
27 - Prague, Czech Republic - venue tba
28 - tba (Germany)
29 - Essen, Germany at Turock
30 - London, UK - venue tba

December
1 - Arnhem, Holland at Goudvishal
2 - Vosselaar, Belgium at Biebob

Battlelore is currently in the studio working on their as-yet-untitled fourth album.

Source:	battlelore.net
Band profile:	Battlelore

Yup, the long-awaited promo for the track "Blood" is now embedded on our page. Please do go and check it out, and please let us know what you think with your comments.

Special thanks to Ray and Isy at Visual Abuse for making us look so good! Those guys worked their bums off and deserve every ounce of credit . Cheers guys!

Also, a quick reminder about the two shows we have coming up. We play our first ever concert this coming Saturday (the 9th) at The Peel in Kingston upon Thames, with excellent support coming from local thrashmeisters Gridlock Takedown and Kyrbgrinder, an excellent rock outfit featuring members of Threshold. DJ Twang of Total Rock radio fame will be keeping it heavy between the sets!

On Wednesday 13th we play as support to the mighty Insomnium and the elegant Octavia at the Underworld in Camden, London.

Cheers!!

Lee & To-Mera


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	To-Mera