Official press release (Relapse Records) :

Vincent McAllister, the guitarist and a founding member of seminal metal band Pentagram, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 51.

McAllister played guitar in the classic 70's Pentagram line-up that also included vocalist Bobby Liebling, bassist Greg Mayne and drummer Geof O'Keefe. His recorded works can be heard throughout the various Pentagram collections.

McAllister was highly respected as a guitarist and person amongst his peers. McAllister had spent the past few years working on material in his home studio and planning to return to playing again with former Pentagram members O'Keefe and Mayne.

Go to http://www.bedemon.com for more news on Vincent McAllister.

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Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Pentagram

Thrash Metallers Slayer are reportedly releasing a single to their new album. The single will be called 'Cult' and will feature the song Cult, a video of Cult and some 'rare fan footage'. The single is going to be a limited edition one (5000 copies) and should be released on 15th June. Slayer are also going to release a limited edition EP called 'Eternal Pyre'.

As the new album goes, it still doesn't have a name, but some unconfirmed track titles have been released. Here are the titles:

01. Cult
02. Consfearacy
03. Flesh Storm
04. Jihad
05. Eyes of the Insane
06. Black Serenade
07. Supremist
08. Skeleton Christ
09. Catatonic
10. Final Six
11. Catalyst

My money is on the album being titled 'Jihad'. Also, Slayer have posted a snippet of the new song 'Cult' on their official website: www.slayer.net Just open the site and the song will play automatically.

Source:	metal-temple.com
Band profile:	Slayer

Green Carnation singer Kjetil Nordhus on 31 st May commented on what he promises will be the band's biggest concert in terms of location and exclusivity:

"People will have to wait for a couple of weeks still to get the whole story, but we are creating a concert so spectacular that it will be of international interest. The reason why I'm commenting this today, is because people might need time to plan their summer, not least if Norway is going to be included in their plans. This is also a service from the band to our foreign fans, so they could have the chance to purchase tickets for the gig before it's sold out. There will be a national press conference in Norway on the location of the concert on June 13th, but Green Carnation would like to give away some information already today:

- The gig is on Thursday the 3rd of August near Kristiansand, Norway, where we all live. It's going to be something we'll only do once, and I can promise this will be something people that are there will never forget. For more information about the show and how to purchase tickets, use the following email address: kjetil@greencarnation.no."

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Green Carnation

A new stock of "L'ancien Temps" will be out these days on Adipocere records, you can order it through the band as well as the new album "Chants de Bataille" and the last copies of "Spicilège" and "Errances Oniriques". Belenos does not perform gigs anymore.

to order Belenos albums http://adipocere.nexenservices.com/

Source:	belenos.biz
Band profile:	Belenos

After 25 years of existence, the legendary German heavy metal band Grave Digger has signed a long-term deal with the Spanish record label Locomotive Records.

Commented Goyo Esteban, President of Locomotive Records: "We are very proud that a heavy metal legend like Grave Digger puts that much trust in us. After the presentation of the first demo songs of the new album it was clear that something really BIG will come up for us, and it was obvious that we will release this new milestone of classic metal on Locomotive Records."

On September 22, 2006, Locomotive Records will release a new Grave Digger single, "Yesterday". The single will be accompanied by a bonus DVD of the band's performance on Rock Machina Festival in 2001. The new Grave Digger album will follow on January 12, 2007, with a subsequent Grave Digger/Therion European co-headlining tour to take place between January 18 and February 17.

Source : BlabberMouth.Net

Source:	metal-temple.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

Death/Grind Metallers Napalm Death have announced the following tour dates for their Enemy Of God II tour on their official website:

30.06. Roitzschjora - With Full Force (Germany)
01.07. Vigo Meano (Trento) - Metalparty Festival (Italy)
02.07. CUNEO - Nuvolari Festival (Italy)
03.07. Roma - Forte Prenestino (Italy)
05.07. Porto Torres - Campo Sportivo (Italy)
06.07. Palermo - Bier Garten (Italy)
07.07. Cologne - Grind Your Mother II (Italy)
12.08. by Prague - Brutal Assault 2006 (Czech Republic)
14.08. Szczytno - Hunterfestival (Poland)
26.08. Bergen - Ozzfest (Bulgaria)

These are the only confirmed dates, so the band says that if anyone sees any other dates, they haven't been confirmed or aren't happening at all.

Source:	enemyofthemusicbusiness.com
Band profile:	Napalm Death

The Canadian portion of Necrophagist's current tour has been cancelled. The band's passports were recently stolen, rendering them unable to cross the border. The following shows, with support from Arsis, Alarum, Ion Dissonance, Animosity, and Job For A Cowboy have been cancelled:

06/06 Ottawa, ON Canada @ Mavericks
06/07 Quebec City, QC Canada @ L'Anti
06/08 Tornoto, ON Canada @ The Marquee
06/09 Hamilton, ON Canada @ The Underground
06/10 St-Haycinthe, QC Canada @ Salle Le Louvre

The missed shows will likely be rescheduled for the end of July.

Source:	lambgoat.com
Band profile:	Necrophagist

Cephalic Carnage have announced that they have replaced bassist Jawsh Mullen. Mick Schendzielos from the Denver band Ainmatter has been tapped as his replacement. Cephalic Carnage is also in the process of writing a new record and set to enter the studio in November/December of this year with a release through Relapse Records in May of 2007.
You can read the whole message that have been posted here

Read more ››

Source:	cephaliccarnage.net
Band profile:	Cephalic Carnage

Leaves' Eyes will be joining Blind Guardian on their North American tour this fall. Dates as follows:

08.11. USA Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theatre
09.11. USA San Diego, CA House of Blues
10.11. USA Santa Ana, CA Galaxy
11.11. USA Los Angeles, CA Avalon
12.11. USA San Francisco, CA Fillmore
14.11. CAN Vancouver Commodore
15.11. USA Seattle, WA El Corezon
17.11. USA Salt Lake City, UT Avalon
18.11. USA Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
19.11. USA Lawrence, KS Granada
22.11. USA Minneapolis, MN The Quest
23.11. USA Chicago, IL House of Blues
24.11. USA Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre
25.11. USA Detroit, MI Harpo's
26.11. CAN Toronto Opera House
28.11. CAN Quebec City, QE Salle Albert-Rousseau
29.11. CAN Montreal Medley
30.11. USA New York City, NY BB Kings or Irving Plaza
01.12. USA Worcester, MA Palladium
02.12. USA Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
04.12. USA Springfield, VA Jaxx
05.12. USA Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
07.12. USA Orlando, FL House of Blues
08.12. USA Atlanta, GA Roxy
09.12. USA New Orleans, LA House of Blues
10.12. USA Houston, TX Meridian
11.12. USA Austin, TX Backroom

On other news Leaves' Eyes have announced a short signing session tour to celebrate the release of the new EP "Legend Land." They will visit music stores in 10 German cities, where they will also perform a acoustic set. The dates are as follows:

Sa., 10.06., 9 pm - Hameln (Media Markt)
Su., 11.06., 4 pm - Kaiserslautern (Media Markt)
Mo., 12.06., 2 pm - Heidelberg/Rohrbach (Media Markt)
Mo., 12.06., 5 pm - Karlsruhe (Media Markt)
Tu., 13.06., 1 pm - Stuttgart-Vaihingen (Media Markt)
Tu., 13.06., 6 pm - Nürnberg/Kleinreuth (Media Markt)
We., 14.06., 2 pm - Erfurt/Daberstedt (Media Markt)
We., 14.06., 7 pm - Grimma (AMM Musikmarkt/Klosterkirche)
Th., 15.06., 2 pm - Berlin Steglitz (Media Markt)
Th., 15.06., 5.30 pm - Frankfurt/Oder (Medi Max)

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Source:	leaveseyes.de
Band profile:	Leaves' Eyes
Event:

The following message by Mike LePond has been delievered via newsletter:

"Hello to Everyone !!!
I want you all to know that I had my surgery and have been released from
the hospital. I am feeling so much better now. I am eating normally and
getting stronger with each passing day. I should be fully recovered in
about 3 weeks. I want to thank all of the fans who sent get well wishes
to me. I will read every single one of them. I will never forget how
kind and caring you are. I love you all.................

Mike L"

Source:	- Symphony X Newsletter -
Band profile:	Symphony X

Rabarock 2006 festival in Järvakandi have completed their lineup and have announced the time schedule. There are two stages on which bands play alternately: the Jäger Stage and ISIC Stage.

Friday, 9th June:
15:30 Slide-Fifty - ISIC Stage
16:30 Cleaning Women (FIN) - Jäger Stage
17:30 J.M.K.E - ISIC Stage
18:30 Suburban Tribe (FIN) - Jäger Stage
19:45 Brides In Bloom - ISIC Stage
20:45 Oomph! (GER) - Jäger Stage
22:15 No-Big-Silence - ISIC Stage
23:30 The Misfits (USA) - Jäger Stage

Saturday, 10th June:
13:00 Ultima Thule - ISIC Stage
14:00 Korpiklaani (FIN) - Jäger Stage
15:15 Rosta Aknad - ISIC Stage
16:15 Hardcore Superstar (SWE) - Jäger Stage
17:30 Onu Bella Band - ISIC Stage
18:45 Negative (FIN) - Jäger Stage
20:00 The Skreppers (FIN) - ISIC Stage
21:00 Kreator (GER) - Jäger Stage
22:30 Metsatöll - ISIC Stage
23:45 The Cooper Temple Clause (UK) - Jäger Stage

Source:	rabarock.ee
Event:	Rabarock 2006

German Thrash Metallers Kreator will be touring Australia this year! So far only one date has been released and that is 25th August in Sydney. Here is a post on Kreator's official website:

"Yes, the rumours are true !!! Kreator will tour Australia in August!!! We will anounce dates and venues on June 2nd! Stay tuned !!!"

Source:	kreator-terrorzone.de
Band profile:	Kreator
Event:	Kreator Australian Tour

Novembers Doom are scheduled to begin recording the follow-up to 2005's "The Pale Haunt Departure (on The End Records) on June 16th, 2006. Once again, the production team will consist of Chris Djuricic for tracking and Dan Swanö to mix the final recording. Mastering will again be handled by James Murphy.

In a statement about the upcoming studio work, the band says: "Consistency and quality are very important to us, to insure that anyone who was a fan of the previous CD, will once again be able to comfortably expect nothing less then a stellar production. Chris Djuricic, Dan Swanö and James Murphy were the perfect choice for "The Pale Haunt Departure" and the perfect compliment to Novembers Doom. We're honored to be working with them once again."

"Working hard on the new material, we've reached the final stage of pre-production, creating well rounded, and a natural progression of songs, which continue where "The Pale Haunt Departure" ends. Always adding new elements to our sound, there will be a few surprises mixed in, but remaining true to the band you expect."

Source:	novembersdoom.com
Band profile:	Novembers Doom

On the eve of retaking the stage next week with three low-key warm-up European shows before the Rock Hard Festival, Celtic Frost announce that they have expanded their touring line-up by adding Norwegian guitar player Anders Odden. Odden, who in the past was involved with acts such as Apoptygma Berzerk, Satyricon, Cadaver, and Mayhem, played his first session with the group on April 24, 2006, and returned to Celtic Frost's base in Zurich, Switzerland, a week ago for final dedicated tour rehearsals. He is a lifelong Celtic Frost devotee.

Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Celtic Frost

After 10 years Listeria vocalist Witto has left the band due to personal health problems? Remaining band member Ciano, Gigio, Gian and Hanjo wish him all the best for his future and just to say thank you for the great and crazy moments over this years and on the road with the band!!

Now Listeria are on the search for a new singer... If you feel you have what it takes to be the new Listeria singer please send your demo to

LISTERIA
Via Bottego,19
43039
Salsomaggiore
Terme (PR)
Italy

or call this number ++393479522089

Euromet Gig Cancelled

Dear fans and friends, the Euromet NEC gig in the UK will now not happen. We have no information specifically but the "Sponsor" apparently has pulled out. All tickets bought have been repaid in full!

Source:

lionmusic.com