Funny record collector jabs from Aquarius Records website. We recently offered to let them license it on embroidered handkerchief edition.
SUNN 0))) / BORIS / EARTH Reserve Not Yet Met (Southern Lord / Inoxia / Sub Pop) cd single 99.00
In an attempt to record an album that will induce coronaries in record collectors worldwide, the current monsters of sludge: Sunn 0))), Earth and Japan's mighty Boris, got together and recorded a single track, 11 minutes long, one chord, an E to be exact, with each band handling one of the notes in the chord. Sunn 0))) deftly tackle the G, as if it were a blackened, dying sunn. Earth spews forth the B, with as much vitriol as they can muster. And of course Boris offer up a soul crushing E to complete what is quite possibly the heaviest chord ever recorded. EVER! Unfortunately this is super limited, in fact we didn't get any copies at all. We're currently bidding on the only copy in existence on Ebay right now. The Buy It Now was $25,000, so the fact that the bidding is now at $18,301 and the reserve has still not been met is not very encouraging. But c'mon, three bands, three notes, one chord, eleven minutes, one copy. You just can't put a price on that!
And while we all want to own the first edition of this already out of print triple threat sludge match cd, rumours on several message boards suggest there will be a repress, another single copy, but this will be the timeshare version. For a small fee, you will be able to own, listen to, and gaze adoringly at the cd for a brief period of time each year (determined by the number of buyers, limited to 365, so at the very leat you can own the disc one day a year), before a courier shows up to deliver it to the next owner. We'll of course keep you posted.

http://www.ideologic.org

On April 12 an Estonian metal record label called Nailboard Records launched a homepage and made public its plans for the near future. The blossoming sub-label of hyper.records has already met with considerable success - their first release, winner of Estonian Music Award of 2005 in the punk/metal category, the folk-metallic masterpiece "Hiiekoda" by Metsatõll sold over 1000 copies in first three weeks, which is quite something in a country with around a million residents, where the latest hit compilation of Britney Spears has only sold a few hundred copies.

Sights are aimed on Estonian metal music as a whole; release dates of upcoming quality albums by Human Ground, East Trading Wang and Pedigree have been announced; local star metallers Tharaphita and Must Missa have been signed as well. Also the history of the scene will not be forgotten - the aim of a special series called "Gems from Estonian Metal Vaults" is to dig out and remove the rust from past works of Estonian metal bands; the first to be drenched in the acid bath are "Ei kahetse midagi" by Loits and "Viimanegi veri" by Manatark.

For more information please visit http://www.nailboard.org

Source:

estonianmetal.com

MY DYING BRIDE have uploaded screenshots from their video for the track "The Blue Lotus" at this location. The clip, which was directed and conceived by David Palzer, will be included on the group's upcoming "Sinamorata" DVD, tentatively due early summer via Peaceville. In addition to the "The Blue Lotus" video, "Sinamorata" will include live footage (12 songs) shot on November 2, 2003 in Antwerpen, Belgium, as well as backstage extras, the "Prize of Beauty" promotional clip, two videos made by MY DYING BRIDE fans ("Hope the Destroyer" and "My Wine In Silence") and a photo gallery featuring fan-created artwork inspired by the band's music.

As previously reported, MY DYING BRIDE's reissue of their first DVD, "For Darkest Eyes", has been delayed until the fall to avoid confusion with "Sinamorata". Focus now lies on a three-CD box set, featuring two new remixes, which is being released in May.

MY DYING BRIDE's eighth studio album, "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light", was released in February 2004 through Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded and mixed at Academy Studio in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire with producer Mags.

Source:	metal-realm.com
Band profile:	My Dying Bride

The following message was posted on his official site:

"A Note From Charlie....

Hello everyone! I have finished the first CD in my trilogy and it is now mixed and mastered. I am working on the cover art and I hope to get it released by the end of April,although it looks like the release will be mid to end of May. Keep an eye on my site for further news. Thank you all for your continued support!

Charlie"

Source:	dominici.com
Band profile:	Dominici

Since Jarkko Kalevi Ahola leaved the band, the guys of Dreamtale are publicly looking for a singer, this is the message the band posted on their site:

"Are you the new Dreamtale vocalist?
16th April 2005
Once again, we are looking for a new vocalist so if you think you're up to it contact rami@dreamtale.net "

Source:	dreamtale.net
Band profile:	Dreamtale

The former Believer drummer Joey Daub open his new website, and posted the following statement:

"Hi everyone, thanx for stopping by the site. I am still working on some things but it has been fun putting it together. Hope you enjoy it!

Currently, I am working on the new Fountain of Tears CD. I can't wait to get it out and hear your feedback. I am very pleased with the progress this band has made over the years and look forward to seeing you out on the road.

Also in the works is a side project I am doing with FoT keyboardist, Jeff King. The project is called "Year of Plenty" and is along the lines of Jazz/Fusion/Prog . We are having a fun time writing the songs(when FoT duties are light), and look forward to start recording soon.

Last of all, after 11 years, Kurt Bachman and I have crossed paths again and have been getting together to jam (again, when FoT duties are light) and throw around some musical ideas. Could this be the start of a long awaited Believer album? Keep posted for progress on that story. We will see what happens.

Thanx, Joey Daub"

Source:	joeydaub.com
Band profile:	Believer

The band posted the following message on their website:

"Hello again metal heads! It's been awhile since our last news post, but we have been BUSY!

October, November, and December of 2004 saw Metal Church on a state-side tour supporting Weight Of The World, and we want to once again thank ALL our loyal fans for turning out. It was a smashing success, and special thanks to our new friends and opening act 3 Inches of Blood. Great band, be sure and check them out!

We got home just in time for the holidays, took January off, in February we played several regional shows AND went to Germany to do the Metal Forever Festival, which was a benefit for tsunami victims. Our March tour of Europe was postponed for summer and news on that is to follow soon.

In the mean time we have been in the studio writing and demo'ing the new album. We have also just confirmed the Monterrey Metal Festival for May 28th in Mexico and will have a major tour announcment soon!

Keep it Heavy!

Metal Church"

Source:	metalchurch.com
Band profile:	Metal Church

OSM Records is looking for unsigned bands !!!

OSM Records is in the process of signing some really talented bands, we have ears and eyes on almost every corner of the world and we are determined to succeed. This is a call to arms for every unsigned band that has the balls to make front to the trendy reality of metal music today.

Please send us your demo CDs to (don't forget to add a bio, a picture of the band, the cover of your demo, lyrics etc...):

OSM Records
P.O. Box 4822
Antioch, CA 94531-4822
USA

Contact Goldwyn " goldwyn@osmrecords.net " for for further informations

Source:

OSM Records

AFM RECORDS NEWSLETTER, APRIL 2005

INCLUDES:

- FLYING ACES TOUR GREAT SUCCESS FOR ALL BANDS
- ROB ROCK HOLY HELL IN STORES SINCE APRIL, 4th
- AT VANCE CHAINED IN STORES SINCE APRIL, 11th / TOUR WITH BRAINSTORM
- SHAAMAN NEW ALBUM IN MAY 2005
- DORO KERRANG AWARD FOR BEST FEMALE SINGER
- SQUEALER WHAT COMES AFTER THE DECEASE OF ANDY?

"FLYING ACES" TOUR WITH
MASTERPLAN, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, ROB ROCK and PURE INC.

The Flying Aces tour just finished on April, 9th with the gig in Kaufbeuren and turned out to be a great success for all participating bands due to the crowded locations. Enthusiastic reactions of fans and press, always a great sound and the visual performances of the bands satisfied all spectators in the halls and clubs. A very special "thank you" goes to the crew of the Flying Aces tour who did a great job to provide a perfect show for the fans every night.

ROB ROCK - NEW ALBUM "HOLY HELL"
Fans who danced? oh sorry? of course I meant GOT CRAZY to one or the other new
ROB ROCK tune on the Flying Aces tour, can do this right now at home as well, because the new album "Holy Hell" is in stores since the 4th of April. The ROB ROCK fans can look forward to 10 new songs produced by Roy Z (a.o. JUDAS PRIEST) and mixed by Jacob Hansen who created a real heavy sound for that record.

Order No.: AFM 091-2

AT VANCE - NEW ALBUM "CHAINED"
"INSIDE THE MONSTER TOUR" WITH BRAINSTROM AND MERCENARY

The new AT VANCE album "Chained" is in stores since the 11th of April. The new drummer of AT VANCE will be Mark Cross (former METALIUM, HELLOWEEN).
From the 19th of April, the band will support BRAINSTORM on their ?Inside The Monster tour" which will stop in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, and Switzerland.

SHAAMAN - NEW ALBUM "REASON"

The new SHAAMAN (no spelling mistake, due to legal reasons, the band had to change their name a little) album, entitled ?Reason" is ready to be played in the "repeat" modus of your CD player from May, 17th. There will be nine new SHAAMAN songs on the album as well as a cover version of the SISTERS OF MERCY hit "More". The album sounds a little drier and harder as the debut album, but comes up with lots of great melodies and some South-American folk influences. So watch out for this outstanding and unique Metal record: Fat sound, great melodies, variation and at no time boring.

Order No.: AFM 087-2

Read more ››

Source:

AFM Records

NUCLEAR BLAST is immensely proud to announce the addition of a new member to the family: BLIND GUARDIAN, one of the most successful Heavy Metal bands of all time, signed a long-term deal with NUCLEAR BLAST!

As singer Hansi Kürsch commented: "Our long search for the perfect record company has ended. We finally were lucky to find the ultimate home: NUCLEAR BLAST!

Some things you decide with your head, other things you deal with on a gut level. The decision for NUCLEAR BLAST was both! We placed great emphasis on finding a partner that knows the world of Heavy Metal and does business in an unconventional manner if necessary. NUCLEAR BLAST can offer both of this key qualities, and proved so time and time again in the past.

But this alone would not be enough, if the chemistry wasn't there. But our first meetings could be described as: "We came, ate, and laughed?' Our views on music in general and BLIND GUARDIAN in particular are almost identical! Now we have the unique chance, to follow our musical vision in the perfect environment. We expect a lot, and so do NUCLEAR BLAST - let's roll!

The whole NUCLEAR BLAST team impressed us a lot with their unity and the huge identification with their mission and the expansion of the Metal world. The Guardian comes home!

Hansi Kürsch und Blind Guardian"

NUCLEAR BLAST label manager Andy Siry is equally thrilled: "We are all very happy about the amount of trust BLIND GUARDIAN put in NUCLEAR BLAST and the beginning of this cooperation that will surely prove to be very productive and fruitful. BLIND GUARDIAN have the most successful Metal-Band in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Our distribution partners and the whole of NUCLEAR BLAST are ready to kick ass!

" More BLIND GUARDIAN "

http://www.nuclearblast.de

Read more ››

Band profile:

Blind Guardian

It's now possible to download and buy online in wma format, the brand new Magellan album "SYMPHONY FOR A MISANTHROPE", to be released under Inside Out from 18 of april in Europe.

At this link http://www.magellanweb.com/sfam_shop.htm it is possible to hear a preview and buy the album at only 99c a song.

The official Message Board has been also closed. A new one runed by the fans is now online at

http://www.magellanforum.com

Enjoy it

Source:

Magellan

To all of you whose waiting for our new album, we can tell you that things are happening and it's on its way. We're still not sure about when it'll be released, but within summer/fall sometime it will be out in the stores.

The album was actually finished in September last year, so we're just as impatient as you guys to get it released! The reason why it's taking so long is because of paperwork and contracts being negotiated. That's all we can say for now. But it won't be long until you'll have lots of good news to read here!

http://www.maddermortem.com

Band profile:

Madder Mortem

In a recent interview with BW&BK, HOLY MOSES vocalist/founder Sabina Classen discussed how the hidden track 'Im Wagen Vor Mir', featuring a duet between Classen and SODOM frontman Tom Angelripper, came about:

"That's an old German schlager song from the '80's, and we did it as a joke. At the last Wacken Open Air, me and Tom were drunk as always and we started singing that song backstage, just fooling around. It's a song about a guy who sees a nice looking girl in the car ahead of him and he's describing her and all that stuff, and she's singing about the ugly guy driving behind her and 'What does he want?'. I got the idea one evening at the studio to record it and when it was done I sent the files to Tom and asked him to sing on it. He was like, 'Hey, it's the song from Wacken! Cool! (laughs)."

The new album, Strength Power will Passion, will be released on May 23rd through Armageddon Music.

http://www.bravewords.com

Band profile:

Holy Moses

The band posted the following note concerning the cancellation of their current tour:

"Rest of the Tour cancelled
Cause of health problems of our singer we were forced to quit the rest of the tour. We hope to come back to spain as soon as possible... sorry"

Source:	graveworm.de
Band profile:	Graveworm

Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kürsch has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

Hi there,

First of all I would like to say how much we all appreciate the way you are dealing with the split. It is, as some of you have pointed out, not the end of the world but a new beginning. I am really proud about each step we have made in the past but as time moves on we must move on as well.

The future is wide open...

And now a couple of short statements in reply to your concerns and questions:

There will be no delay of the next Blind Guardian production. As you probably know: a Blind Guardian album is ready when we feel it is ready. This makes it somewhat difficult to come up with a precise schedule. I can guarantee the release of the next Blind Guardian album for 2006. If it finally turns out to be spring, summer or fall I don't really dare to say. If you had asked me about the release date for the next Demons and Wizards album two months ago I would have said April. Now it will be June. Things like that happen and it doesn't take a lot for a delay to be introduced. The orchestra album is scheduled for 2007. I do not see any reason for delays there.

Regarding a new drummer we have a few options at the moment which we will check out. I will keep you updated.

And finally for all the drummers who are sending e-mails to our webmasters asking them for information on how to apply for the job: from our side there is no need for auditions at the moment since we have some preferences already. Thanks for asking anyway.

All the best,

Hansi

Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian