Now you can pre-order DVD editions of Stream Of Passion's debut album 'Embrace The Storm' signed by the master Arjen Lucassen himself until October 15th.

Carefully read the information provided on the ordering page and follow from there on.
http://www.ayreon.com/streamofpassion/store

Source:	streamofpassion.com
Band profile:	Stream Of Passion

The guys were in the studio to record their voices for an upcoming episode of The Simpsons!

The show will air sometime in May 06, so you have plenty of time to set those recorders. When we have more info, we will be sure to let you know.

Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica

Swedish death metallers Bloodbath have posted the following message on their official website:

"Bloodbath is looking for a new singer that will equal or outdo the two former singers, yes you read that right, so (hint hint), some of you might wanna stop reading here already. Anyways, we're certain a new death metal god is lurking out there as even Mike Åkerfeldt (Opeth)and Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) started out somewhere, being unknown and raw talent. We got a number of very strict rules and high demands and if you dont qualify all of these, then please dont bother applying, thank you very much.

RULES FOR APPLYING

1. Your vocals must be brutal but clear with essential articulation (we'll be judging harshly).

2. The mp3 of your vocals you want us to listen to can be whatever you like, but you MUST also be ready to perform a Bloodbath song upon our request.

3. All various kinds of earlier experience is taken into consideration, but not a demand.

4. The level of ambition, passion and hunger for performing this kind of metal must be at 100%.

5. Keep in mind we're looking for a new frontman, someone able to work a large audience with charisma and skill. Hesitations? Then please step aside.

6. You must be able and willing to commit to touring.

7. Your age is 20+ years old.

We can not guarantee a reply, but will consider and check all mails. Bare in mind, at the same time this audition is running, we're also actively searching among a few well known and not well known names on our own, so the outcome is pending.

Do not contact us before reading the rules.
Do NOT e-mail us mp3s. You must send a link to an mp3 hosted on your server.

To Apply, email blood@bloodbath.biz with the subject "BLOODBATH vocalist application".

Source:	smnnews.com
Band profile:	Bloodbath

Two bands have dropped off next year's Maryland Death Fest, scheduled to take place May 27th and 28th 2006 at The Sonar in Baltimore, MD. Those bands are Fistfuck and Frightmare. The following explanation has been posted on the Maryland Death Fest website:

"A band member in Fistfuck had a personal matter come up and won't be able to travel to the US next May. It is not the bands fault, nor is it ours. The band has stated they will play shows in the US as soon as it is possible again.

Also, although Frightmare was the first band we confirmed for MDF IV, they have canceled. Now they don't want to make their appearance exclusive to MDF and that's the only explanation we can provide you. As frustrating as this for us, that's all we're going to say. "

The following five bands have been added, in addition to replacing Frightmare And Fistfuck:

Cliteater (Netherlands)
Rompeprop (Netherlands)
Burnt By The Sun (New Jersey)
Mucupurulent (Germany)
Embalmer (Ohio)

They join the following list of previously confirmed bands:

Demilich (Finland)
Necrophagist (Germany)
Machetazo (Spain)
Butcher Abc (Japan)
Sanity's Dawn (Germany)
Gorgasm (Illinois)
Municipal Waste (Virginia)
Yacoepsae (Germany)
Engorged (Oregon)
Cenotaph (Turkey)
Beneath The Massacre (Canada)
Electro Quarterstaff (Canada)
Total Fucking Destruction (Pennsylvania)

Valtari Music is a new label started by members of the Australian melodic death metal band - Kania.

We are going to be set up complete over the coming months, and also will act as a mail-order / distribution label, even licensing to overseas bands.

If you think you fit the profile and play in a band or know a band that is influenced / similar to bands like In Flames / Soilwork / Ensiferum / Insomnium / Naglfar , please contact us. If you wish to find out more information about us please e-mail the label at: info@valtarimusic.com and check out the website at: www.valtarimusic.com

Valtari Music is currently searching for artists to work with in the future, if you are interested forward your questions through to: info@valtarimusic.com

Source:

Valtari Music

AUTUMN TEARS (http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears). Laurie has already started the process of recording for their next album. She has completed one song thus far and is currently in the process of working on others. She feels this is Autumn Tears' strongest, most beautiful material as of yet and is very excited about it.

EPHEMERAL SUN (http://www.ephemeralsun.com/) will start the recording process for their next album in October. This album will contain their epic 40 minute song. Laurie is very excited to record this song because she feels that on this song, all the different musical influences of each band member melt perfectly together into something completely cohesive, massive and transcendental. On April 28th, 2006, Ephemeral Sun will perform at the Rites of Spring progressive rock festival (http://www.rostfest.com) in Phoenixville, PA.

NEST (http://nest.atolonen.cjb.net/) is coming very close to completing the instrumental section of their writing process. Laurie will be featured on this album displaying the more experimental and atmospheric sides of her vocal abilities. Make sure to check out their previous beautiful albums. Very tranquil and woodsy.

TODESBONDEN (http://www.todesbonden.com) will be recording their first test track for their upcoming album "Ghost of the Crescent Moon" very soon. Although originally the plan for Todesbonden was mostly to have Laurie write all of the music, this next album is constructed with the participation of all the band members while still arranged by Laurie. She is very excited for this next album because she thinks that this new material is more lush, full, complicated, beautiful and thrilling than the EP (not to mention that this time it will have a real talented drummer).

On September 25th Todesbonden will appear at the Goth Stock festival (http://www.gothstock.com) in Hartford, CT where they will perform on the main stage. More Todesbonden shows are currently being scheduled. Please check their website periodically for more information. They now have T-shirts for sale as well!!!

Source:

Golden Veil

Nuclear Blast offers your band the chance to sign a record deal! In an unique contest you can win a contract with the leading Independent label for heavy music. The campaign is the first one of it´s kind in the history of NB.

If you are an fresh sounding Rock or Metal band, you already fulfill all requirements to participate. The duration of the contest is from the 01.08.05 to the 31.12.05. As consolation prizes you can win a download cooperation and a support slot for a Nuclear Blast band.
The contest is presented in collaboration with the following magazines:

Metal Hammer Germany
Metal Hammer Spain
Metal Hammer Italy
Rock Hard France
Inferno (Finland)
Scream (Norway)
Close Up (Sweden)

All you have to do is to send your Demo (with biography and band picture) to this address:

Nuclear Blast
Band Contest 2005
Oeschstraße 40
73072 Donzdorf
Germany

Or send your mp3s (max. 3 songs - also with biography and foto) to this address: bandcontest(at)nuclearblast.de

The contest closes the 31st of December! Winners will be announced afterwards.

You need more info? Read the COMPETITION RULES:

http://www.nuclearblast.de/bandcontest/rules.php

Source:

nuclearblast.de

Sweden's KATATONIA have posted the following message on their official web site:

"After spending literally the whole Swedish summer (and not seeing much of it) in a barn called Fascination Street studios, working day and night to finish our seventh full-length album, we finally made it ? the album is recorded and mixed and will be mastered tomorrow at Cutting Room, Stockholm. Release date, album/song titles and artwork to be announced and presented in one of the next updates. Now, the band departs to Mother Russia for the weekend for a two-gig happening, a rather good oportunity to celebrate the massive work we now leave behind us. Let the vodka flow!"

Check out pictures of the recording/mixing sessions at www.katatonia.com

KATATONIA's last album, "Viva Emptiness", was released in 2003.

As previously reported, The End Records recently licensed through their sub-label Infinite Vinyl series KATATONIA's "Saw You Drown" ? a mini album from 1998 that collectors regard as maybe the rarest and most-wanted item in KATATONIA's discography. The vinyl version is limited to 1,000 copies, all hand-numbered. It also features an unreleased band photo, lyrics to all songs, plus personal liner notes from the band.

Band profile:

Katatonia

In 2004, SIGH recorded the sixth album 'Gallows Gallery' but Century Media refused to release it as it contains parts applying the infamous sonic weapon techniques experimented with during World War II.

'Gallows Gallery' is the debut album for the Harashima, and it is the heaviest album ever by Sigh. It also has various guest musicians like:

Gus G. (Firewind, ex-Dream Evil): Guitar Solo
Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquility): Guitar Solo
Killjoy (Necrophagia): Voices, Narration
Gunface (The Red Chord): Guitar Solo
Bruce Lamont (Yakuza): Saxophones
Metatron (Meads of Asphodel): Narration
Paul Groundwell (Thine): Guitar Solo

This album definitely has the good old heavy metal vibe from the 80s along with various musical influences from classical music, jazz, to sonic weapon experimentation!

You are now warned that this album could do harm to your health. Kawashima had strange dizziness, migraine headache, and extreme ghastly pale tone while working on the 'Gallows Gallery' and had to be hospitalized. That's one of the reasons why it took this album so long to be released.

Band profile:

Sigh

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have inked a deal with Germany's AFM Records. Last Friday, the band and label met in Hamburg to discuss their future. The gothic metal act are currently working on their new album and have most of the material already completed. Musically, the band are promising a return to their early sound.

"If you want, you can consider this album as a kind of follow-up to 'Aegis'," drummer Hein Frode Hansen said of the new album's musical direction. "For us this was a very natural way right now."

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's as-yet-untitled new album will be the group's first to feature singer Nell (THE CREST), who replaced Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (currently in LEAVES' EYES) in early 2004. A March 24, 2006 release is expected.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Theatre Of Tragedy

Arizona-based death metallers Vehemence have left the following message on their official website:

"Vehemence will no longer be working with vocalist Sean Vandegrift (ex-From A Second Story Window). We wish him the best of luck. We now would like to take this time to announce Adam Cody as his replacement. Adam Cody, as some of you may know is also vocalist in Glass Casket(Abacus/Century Media). He filled in on vocals for us during our spring tour with The Red Death and Crematorium, and did an excellent job. He is already working on lyrics and demoing some of our new material. We are glad to be getting back into gear, and expect a very busy 2006.

On another note, we will be remixing/remastering our first full-length CD, 'The Thoughts From Which I Hide', during the month of September. The CD will contain new packaging, and will be made available only at our shows, and on our website, www.vehemence.com. Also, congratulations to our bassist Mark Kozuback for scoring an endorsement deal with Madison Amps.

We'll see you all out there soon!"

Band profile:

Vehemence

Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott has posted the following message on the band's official website:

"Wow, that was 2 months that went by quickly - we had a blast this summer in the US! The Ozzfest dates were very successful for us and we enjoyed seeing our music connect with so many fans, new and old. Also our new album "Doomsday Machine" coming out while we were actually in the U.S.A (a first for us) was a highlight!

We'd like to thank all the great fans for coming out and seeing us play (more often than not at a not-so-metal time of day) and supporting us at our signing sessions at the FYE and Jägermeister tents - you are the true spirit of the metal scene.

Thank you to all the cool bands on Ozzfest - it was a pleasure sharing the 2nd stage with you - good luck to you all in the future! A metal salute to Jake at FYE (Ozzfest) for going out of his way to get my Black Sabbath box set signed - hopefully see you in November!

Right now we are back home in Sweden, we'll be starting rehearsals next week? With a new guitar player - a Swede this time! That's going to be really cool?I am excited about this new guy - he's a sick ripper! More on this very soon?

Of course, we want to thank our Greek friend Gus for coming in and doing this summer with Arch Enemy in the US! The boy did good!!! (I am personally going to miss my Greek language lessons?I was making great progress...really, honestly!).

Ahead of us lies a bunch of European dates (it's been awhile!) and Japan (always amazing) - we are super excited about this of course!
(Rumors have it that we'll also be making a trip to a continent Arch Enemy has not yet visited - this should be very close to being confirmed now?).

Ok. That's it. The next chapter of the Doomsday tale is soon upon us? We won't be breathing Swedish air for much longer.."

Band profile:

Arch Enemy

"After a few needed breaks, including a kick ass visit at the Wacken festival with one of our side projects, we put ourselves under house arrest down the studio again. During these last weeks of early mornings and late nights, all the clean/lead guitars, loops, percussion and keyboards were finished. Currently, we're halfway through the last stage, recording vocals in studio B while the mix is running hot in studio A. It's taken all summer, but the most heavy, beautiful and professionally sounding album we've ever done is finally about to become full circle."

Taken From: http://katatonia.com/sitestart.html

Band profile:

Katatonia

Long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED have amicably parted ways with guitarist Ulf Cederlund. The band's official statement on the matter reads as follows: "We want to inform everyone that Uffe Cederlund is no longer in the band and that the split is definite and amicable. We wish him all the best!" ENTOMBED will continue as a four-piece and are currently finishing up the "Inferno" tour. The band will shortly start work on their new studio album, which is tentatively expected in in early 2006 via Threeman Recordings. Previously announced songtitles, "The Fiery Father", "I Need Hell", "Radarslave" and "Burn the Flag", had come from Uffe and are unlikely to be included on the upcoming album.

ENTOMBED's last studio CD, "Inferno", received its long-awaited U.S. release in August 2004 through Candlelight Records. The special U.S. edition of "Inferno" included a bonus disc, "Averno", featuring two previously unreleased songs from the "Inferno" sessions as well as the song "When Humanity's Gone" that was previously released on the "Inferno" vinyl. In addition, "Averno" includes the promo videos for "Retaliation" and "Albino Flogged In Black". The band's most recent release was "Unreal Estate", a special live recording of the band's now infamous sold-out performance at Stockholm's Royal Opera Hall on March 1, 2002.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Entombed

www.si-q.com presents - INNOVATION ROCKS

1. Portal/slogan

Are your fingers sore from practicing? What about your throat? Do you write songs, love your band, and are you generally mad about music? And is your music too cool to lock away in the rehearsal studio?

Then you've come to the right place?

INNOVATION ROCKS
The EU-wide band contest powered by www.si-q.com

2. Philosophy

Garages are the link between technology and music.

This must sound like a bold statement if you don't realize just how much has been invented in the humble garage - in the sphere of technology as well as music. The milestones in developing the home computer took place in a garage, for example, as did the songs that changed the course of music history, which also originated in converted garages used as rehearsal rooms.

So it comes as no surprise that a globally successful technology group that lives for innovation should also provide a platform for really promising young musical talent. Siemens, or more specifically the branding platform www.si-q.com, has long been involved in promoting all kinds of talent in the areas of sport, music and art, for example. Geared towards young people and with a total of almost one million hits so far this year, the internet platform www.si-q.com is also a very successful and frequently-visited platform for active internet users.

Ambitious bands who want to get a foot in the door of the music industry have never had it so tough - so www.si-q.com is now offering a real opportunity. INNOVATION ROCKS will provide up-and-coming artists from European Union member states with the chance to present themselves first of all to a wide, forward-looking and innovative public, as well as an international jury of music industry professionals. For the winner, a real step-up into the wide world of the music industry is up for grabs in the form of a complete album production. And the winners will be in an excellent position, given that the album will be produced without any obligations to the music industry - so they will remain independent and can decide exactly where they want to go next.

The presentation on www.si-q.com will give 20 selected bands the opportunity to promote themselves for a full eight weeks to 86,000 registered users worldwide and 150,000 visitors each month. So whatever happens, all entrants will be heard by a jury of music industry professionals - and 20 of them are guaranteed to grab the attention of music fans across Europe.

3. Facts

Read more ››

Source:

Inside Out