French epic metal band Seyminhol releases their new album Septentrion's Walk on 18th April 2005. The second album of the band will be released on Brennus/Musea Records and there will be two differents editions available: Double Digipack Collector Edition (CD1 : Septentrion's Walk, CD2 : unreleased title, clip... and other surprises...) and Cristal Box Edition. Both editions will be released at the same price.

Seyminhol - Septentrion's Walk

Part IV: Thorgis Last Peregrination
12 - The Christian's World's Death THroes?
13 - A Furore Normanorrum
1st Interlude: A Fatal Omen
14 - Laments Of King
15 - Return Of The Long Snake
16 - Veizla Oh Drykkja
Part V: When The North Is Raging
2nd Interlude: Inthe Winding Of Tought
17 - Godfred Will
18 - And The North Now, Had The Ships
19 - Invanders
20 - The Bloody Rampart
Part VI The Wary Ravens of Hroptatyr
3rd Interlude: Dawn Of The Gods
21 - The Cunquest Is Marching
22 - Breath Of Fate
4th Interlude: The Kiss Of Dusk

Cover art

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Source:

seyminhol.com

According to the official website of the band, Boosty Collins should replace John Myung during the next tour of Dream Theater?

Mike Portnoy said during an interview: John is a fan of Saturday Night Fever and he always tries to Dance like Travolta? But he is definitely better with a bass than on the Dance Floor? We will miss him during the tour but he cannot play with his injured leg ? Bootsy will be perfect one to replace him?

Bootsy seems to be really happy to do this upcoming tour with the masters of the Progressive Metal and he promised to put some groove into the music of the Famous American "disco" Metal act.
Also, as an insight from the future tour, the band will play some Joe Dassin songs, remixed to be suited for Dream Theater.

For the show in Oslo, the headliner will be Bee Gees reformed.

A Funky and Disco tour in perspective?

Source:	discotheater.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

ECJ Case/ No Future for Metal Music in Europe?
Two days ago, the European Court of Justice (CEJ), the highest court in Europe, gave a landmark decision, with consequences hard to envisage: at the request of the European Commission, in a legal action directed against the "European Federation of Dead and Black Metal Music Federation", based in the Isle of an (UK), the Court held it is proportionate and desirable to limit the access of the youngest generations to, as it was called, the "disruptive" music, invoking an old legal act, Regulation (EEC) no. 666/1966 regarding the use and selling of "some disruptive artistic products". Interesting enough, the Regulation was never used or invoked until these days, even if it was originally directed against hippie, blues & rock music.
More concrete, the Court held it is forbidden for music shops to sell or even display any record on any support (CD, cassette, vinyl etc.), to persons below 25 years, under a heavy fine, up to 5 millions euros.
So, according to a source, the future of metal music in Europe is even more uncertain in the present conditions.
Only the Swedish government, represented at the hearings, opposed to the solution, mentioning that, by adopting such a decision, it would cause damages of around 7,5 million k.

More info at: http://www.curia.eu.int

Savatage - Near Future Re-issue of " Handful of Rain "
According to Jon Oliva, interviewed by the largest Belorussian daily newspaper "Novi Puti", Savatage is planning to re-release the "arranged" album "Handful of Rain". Mr. Oliva said it will be a fully new album, hip-hop oriented. Among others, it will feature Coolio and P. Daddy. To listen to a track from the album, "Chance", featuring Coolio in duet with Yokomuthou Ya Ka Miquy (a famous Japanese rapper), follow the link:
http://www.savatage.com/albums/handful-of-rain/chance.mp3

Band profile:

Savatage

Vikernes Visited in Prison

As it was reported yesterday late, V. Vikernes was visited in prison by Emma Bovary, the famous French top model and former lover, among others, of the soccer player Vieri, and, also, by representative of the Helsinki Committee, aiming to review the detention conditions of the convicted. Miss Bovary told to the press a petition was filed to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice for reducing the sentence. Vikernes was confident of a positive solution, leading his guests to the gates of the prison. He hasn't forgot to reaffirm his clear ideas on the superiority of the white race (?).
If things go as they were predicted, Vikernes could be released in late May.

Source:	radio-novostni.org.vn
Band profile:	Burzum

Royal Hunt - Former Bassplayer Found Dead

Søren Kierkegaard, the former bassplayer of the Danish metal band was found dead. An eye whiteness of this tragic incident, Martin Heidegger, a friend of Kierkegaard, confessed to the police the guy was in serious troubles being accused repeatedly of drug-traffic.
Known as a genius musician, composer and instrumentalist, Kierkegaard's career went to the final moment when he was held in detention for drug selling.
Blaise Pascal, another friend of Kirekegaard, told to the Danish newspaper "Aarhus Posten": "I'm in a deep shock; how is this possible? We have already experienced a lot of tragic losses in the metal music? Simply, I don't have enough words to express what I feel now". Being questioned about the incident, Pascal expressed his concerns, and suggested the Russian mafia might have been into this.

RIP Kierkegaard, you'll never be forgotten.

More info (in Danish): http://www.aarhus-posten.dk

Band profile:

Royal Hunt

Firebox Records has set an August 24 European release date for as-yet-untitled second album from Finnish melodic death/doom metallers Swallow The Sun. A single, "Forgive Her", will be released on April 13 exclusively in Finland. In addition to the nine-minute title track, the single features a cover version of the Candlemass classic "Solitude", with Magister Albert from Reverend Bizarre on vocals. . Two different versions of the album will be available; a standard release and a special two-CD version featuring the stylish video "Descending Winters" as well as possible live footage.

Swallow The Sun second album track listing:

01. The Giant (11:55)
02. Descending Winters (6:11)
03. Psychopath's Lair (5:51)
04. Forgive Her (9:02)
05. Fragile (7:12)
06. Ghost Of Laura Palmer (8:07)
07. Gloom, Beauty And Despair (8:45)
08. The Ship (8:55)

Total: 65:59 min

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Swallow The Sun

"12 songs have been written so far and we're all extremely excited. Hopefully both old and new members of the IF-family will be pleased. Daniel will begin tracking drums in about 2 weeks and at the end of May we will have a new album finished. We'll keep you updated about what's going on in the studio.

As you know by now we're on Ozzfest this summer and it looks like a great bill this year with lots of METAL bands. Great to see that our friends in Soilwork, Haunted and Arch Enemy will be there with us to spread the Swedish sound. Can't wait to see you all in the dust and the heating sun.

Cheers

In Flames"

Source:	inflames.com
Band profile:	In Flames

"Comalies", LACUNA COIL's critically acclaimed album, has just surpassed the 200.000 U.S. SoundScan plateau. This marks the first time a Century Media artist has reached this illustrious benchmark. The accomplishment comes on the heels of the radio success of the powerful singles "Heaven's A Lie" and "Swamped" with the video-clips also exploding at numerous music TV stations worldwide. The group spent the past two years touring the US relentlessly with the likes of Anthrax, Opeth, P.O.D. and Type O Negative only to emerge as Ozzfest 2004's breakout artist after consistently outselling all other second stage acts each week while Europe was successfully toured with Sentenced and Moonspell. Led by the undeniably captivating Cristina Scabbia (vocals), the group garnered mainstream acclaim from such publications as Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone and Stuff, among others.

LACUNA COIL are currently in the pre-production phase for the highly anticipated follow-up to "Comalies" with longtime producer Waldemar Sorychta (Sentenced, Moonspell).

Cristina checks in with the following report on the band's songwriting progress:

"We are working on the new stuff and I can tell you it is definitely killer! We are really proud of the new songs and we are still composing new material. We plan on presenting some of the new tracks this summer at festivals around Europe; check out the dates at http://www.lacunacoil.it and http://www.emptyspiral.net Thanks for the great support you've given us since we started. We love you and we are ready to come back to kick some serious ass!"

"One of the larger success stories in metal." - Billboard

"Artist To Watch In 2005." - Rolling Stone USA

"LACUNA COIL are on the verge of a major breakthrough." - Yahoo

LACUNA COIL will soon break from the studio to participate in a few major European festivals. The dates are listed below, more to follow:

21. May 05 (F) Hirson Rotonde Festival
04. June 05 (D) Nürnberg Rock Im Park
05. June 05 (D) Nürburgring/Eifel Rock Am Ring
11.June 05 (I) Bologna Gods of Metal
12. June 05 (UK) Donington Park Download Festival
24. June 05 (F) Le Mans Fury Festival
24.-26. June 05 (B) Dessel Graspop*
14. August 05 (D) Hildesheim M'era Luna**
18.-20. August 05 (D) Abtsgmünd Summerbreeze***
22. October 05 (B) Wieze Female Voices Festival
* http://www.graspop.com
** http://www.fkscorpio.com/meraluna

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Source:	centurymedia.de
Band profile:	Lacuna Coil

The band announced 3 new members whom join the band, they "are guitarist Loic, drummer Arathelis and finally Lyrissa as female singer".

They had already play live with the band, the next Penumbra concert is on 2nd of April at Chaville more info at http://www.penumbra-band.com/forum/viewtopic.php's=60&sid=4e922285299646feae3e885954d80716 .

Source:	penumbra-band.com
Band profile:	Penumbra

The band just posted a video of the song "Avalon" from the album "New World Messiah" on their website, enter here for download it: http://www.nocturnalrites.com/index2.htm

Band profile:

Nocturnal Rites

The polish band signed with Regain Records. They have already two albums in the schedule, the first one is a MCD called "The Art Of War" that should come out in October 2005 and a full lengh(yet untitled) album that is expected for 2006.

Source:	vader.pl
Band profile:	Vader

The french band, that recently parted ways with Napalm Records, have inked a deal with Regain Records.

The band counts now with a new guitarist, Franck Milleliri (ex Dark Light), who will be replacing Nicolas De Dominicis, this is the current Nightmare line-up:

Jo Amore ( Vocals )
Yves Campion ( Bass )
Alex Hilbert ( Guitars )
Franck Milleliri ( Guitars )
David Amore ( Drums )

The band is currently recording the drums, and are in pre-production mode with help of Damien Flammarion, after that they will enter in the studio on 11 of April with producer Terje Refsnes. The tentative title of the new album is "The Domion Gate" and is scheduled to be out on October. There is a guest confirmed to take part on the album, Rick Marx (ex Pretty Maids guitarist), and other guests are expected.

Source:	nightmare-metal.com
Band profile:	Nightmare

I realise there has been a period of silence. For those of you who have lovingly complained, thank you for the promptings as we have been living a schedule which assures that time slips past all too easily.

We are still deeply entrenched in the whole process of recording. Due to the complexity of the next release, it does not embody the standard formula (ie. write all the material, record all the material, mix etc). The requirements are different, hence the process has been very different and indeed very challenging. I can tell you that it will involve more musicians than any previous recording and that it is a piece which deeply rouses my emotions. For those of you who yearn to overindulge, I promise a delectable banquet.
Admittedly it is taking longer than originally anticipated, but we're doing our best to keep as close to the schedule as possible.

Wish us well.

My love to you all,
~Samantha.

Band profile:

Virgin Black

Finally we have have news from the band, they posted the following message on their official forum:

"Dark Angel enters the studio December 13th to begin recording some new material. They will also be tracking some songs from the never released Atrocity Exhibition record and have plans to procure a deal for a full length DFA album.

They will be entering Dreamcatcher Studios Studiocam.org in Lake Balboa CA for the rehearsals, tracking, and mixing of the project and expect to release the material early next year.

The entire project will also be filmed for an upcoming DVD and Enhanced CD.

Video footage for the project will be broadcasted live on the internet via a streaming camera here Dark Angel Live Camera

Dark Angel will possibly perform a live concert webcast. More on that later...

Track list will be held in confidence until the release.

It Will Be BRUTAL.........."

Source:	darkangelmusic.com
Band profile:	Dark Angel