According to a post in Biomechanichal's website(John K's other band), he decided to left the band to dedicate to Biomechanical. The following is a message from John:

"There was no other way than to leave Balance of Power, I feel i have to give Biomechanical 100% of my efforts.
Even 99% is simply not good enough and I feel splitting my energy between two bands creates an inevitable lack of commiment. It's not fair on the guys of Balance of Power to have a singer who can't really commit and also not fair on Biomechanical when I have to take time out in order to rehearse or tour with Balance of Power.
Biomechanical now have the full support of the entire team from Earache/Elitist records and at this point it would be wrong of me not to give everything I have to my band.
It was a great experience working with Balance of Power and I do think they are a very accomplished band with polished albums and very good writing in the melodic Metal genre.
Certainly the best UK band of their style! I know they now have a new vocalist and I'm sure they will continue to have a great success. I wish them all the best for the future!"

Source:	biomechanical.co.uk
Band profile:	Balance Of Power

The band posted the following message on their website:

"We've just started the rehearsals for the upcoming gigs and the studio recording, it sounds great!
The new material is beginning to take shape and it really rocks!

Also, Andreas Lindahl is no longer a member in the band. He is now fully concentrating on his other projects, mainly Loch Vostok as well as his session work with Wuthering Heights and Manticora. We wish him all the best of luck with his endevours!

To solve all problems regarding Platitude's lineup, this is the band as it will appear on the next album:
Erik EZ Blomkvist
Gustav Köllerstrom
Wachen
Patrik Janson
Andreas Brobjer

See you soon!"

Source:	platitude.net
Band profile:	Platitude

The debut album called "Futurists Against The Ocean" will be release at 26/04/05. The tracklist is the following:

01. Kill the Dog, Tie Them Up, Then Take the Money
02. Zaum: Beyonsense
03. Fortune
04. By the Well of Living and Seeing

Click Here to see the cover art of the album. A couple of samples can be found at http://www.dosfatales.com/asva.html .

Read more ››

Source:

dosfatales.com

Due to some technical problems with the printing of the "SOGNAMETAL" DVD, the release will be postponed to April/May. Since Vreid are currnently on a 6 week european tour with Enslaved, the problem can not be fixed before they return to Norway in the middle of March. An exact release date will be given a.s.a.p

http://www.windir.no/

Band profile:

Windir

15th of February 2005

David says: "The recordings for the third album are now finished and the mixing is expected to be done by March.

Source:	Official website
Band profile:	Andromeda

"The DVD entitled LOVE METAL ARCHIVES VOL1 will be in the stores in Europe in late April/May and contains video or live versions of 53 songs, rare interviews and other special extras".

Source:	heartagram.com
Band profile:	HIM

Samples of the album "IV" are available for download on the band's website; these are from the songs "This World is Made for Me", "Lies (for Fools)" and "Little Deaths" . Follow this link for them:
http://www.todieforlove.com/downloads.html

Band profile:

To/Die/For

"Wie Weit" videos (both English and German version) were posted online on the band's website.
For seeing them, follow this link: http://www.apocalyptica.com/releases/index.php

Band profile:

Apocalyptica

Legendary CRIMSON GLORY singer Midnight will release his first official solo album, Sakada, on April 25th through Black Lotus Records. The album is described as "a mesmerizing trip though the senses, an immaculately-produced affair which effortlessly mingles heavily psychedelic-tinged songs with several heavier numbers more reminiscent of the man's past, in addition to an impossibly-beautiful ballad that will surely conjure up some memories of a time long since passed..."

The track list is as follows: 'Incubus', 'Berber Trails', 'Cat Song', 'Little Mary Sunshine', 'Miss Katie', 'War', 'Lost Boy', 'Pain', 'Sakada'.

http://www.bravewords.com/

In a post on Nile's website was announced the following by the Gunter Ford World Management:

"Nile would like to announce that on the upcoming tour of Europe, Steve Tucker will be playing Bass. On the following tour of America with King Diamond bass duties will be handled by Kreishloff . Nile is looking for a new touring bass player and all interested parties should contact the band via worldentertainment@comcast.net" .

Also there is a letter from Jon Vessano:

"Hail Nile fans....

I'm sure you're probably getting a trickle of information on what is going on. I have decided to depart Nile for several reasons being personal and business related. There were some opportunities presented to me that forced me to make a life altering decision and something had to give, in turn was my involvement with Nile. I wish I could have both but you can't have everything. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make cause I do love being part of Nile. I had to weigh out all of the options for my future and stability for myself. It will be something that I miss dearly and will never forget. I'm sure there will be rumors rolling around. I'm sure this statement will bring some clarity to the crap that some people may say.

For the time being I will be focusing on my own musical material at home where demands of my career will not have as much conflict. I never intended on placing Nile into a position of stress but like I said there are
several factors to this decision. I hope the Fans of Nile can understand that at some time in everyones life will come a cross roads to where you must choose to be secure and happy with yourself. I truly enjoyed my 4 years with Nile and hope everyone did as well.

I wish Karl, Dallas and George the best of luck and I am sure they will deliver what Nile fans desire cause they deserve it. See you all soon!!!!

Jon"

http://www.nile-catacombs.net

Band profile:

Nile

Melancholia Records is honoured to present BORNHOLM (Black Metal, Hungary) "...On The Way Of The Hunting Moon"

A short version of BORNHOLM's video clip : "Acheron" is now available :

http://www.apktft.com/melancholia/video/acheron.html

The Collector Edition (limited to 333: special sleeve, patch, stickers etc..) will be out March 1st.

The Digipack Edition (limited to 999) is available with several bonus (skins, photos, wallpapers and of course the long version of the amazing videoclip "Acheron").

Melancholia Records
http://www.melancholia-records.com
contact@melancholia-records.com
Our Mailorder on PriceMinister :
http://www.priceminister.com/boutique/melancholia

Band profile:

Bornholm

SINISTHRA (up until January 2005 known as NEVERGREEN) ink a deal with Arise Records. SINISTHRA is a melancholic metal band which hails from cities of Helsinki and Lohja (Finland).
Their debut album "Last Of The Stories Of Long Past Glories" was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios and is planned to be released in May 2005 thru Arise Records.
Sinisthra's singer Tomi Joutsen is also the new voice of Amorphis.

[

Source:

Arise Records Newsletter]

New Orchestral/Metal band ANGTORIA, (SWE-ENG)
featuring vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva (CRADLE OF FILTH/THERION e.t.c.),
Chris Rehn (ABYSSOS) and
Tommy Rehn (MOAHNI MOAHNA)

have been awarded "Demo Of The Month" in the Jan 2005 issue of Germany's
Metal Hammer Magazine

Also French metalmag Metallian has awarded ANGTORIA "Demo of the month"
-March 2005 issue-

Some more reviews..

Live4metal--best demo 2004--

The Metallist 10/10
Goth Zine 5/5

Tartarean Desire 8,5/10 "..if this demo is representative of what's to
come, then its gonna kick some serious ass. "

Metal Storm 8/10 "..At the end we have a Symphonic Metal which will become
without any doubts a reference in the style.

Metal Express Radio B+/A "...they should land a deal if there's any
justice in the music industry.."

Hardrock Haven 7,5/10 "...fans of symphonic heavy metal need to listen to
Angtoria to hear something with real soul, passion and technical artistry.."

Heavy Metal Universe 5/6 "..Now we really want more.."

Many more reviews/Interviews at ANGTORIA´s Website-

www.angtoria.com

-We have now reached 13 000 visitors in just 6 months

Some labels have shown interest in releasing ANGTORIAS´ first Album
but nothing is signed...yet...

For more info contact

Tommy & Chris Rehn, ANGTORIA

info@angtoria.com

www.angtoria.com

Source:

Tommy Rehn

On Friday February 25th 2005, Dream Theater wrapped up recording on their latest album. Mixing will be begin on Monday February 28th and the record will be delivered to the label in Mid-March. A release is expected for sometime around May/June through Atlantic Records.

Dream Theater began writing and recording their latest album last November at the world famous Hit Factory studios in New York City. (everybody from Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Britney Spears, U2, Mariah Carey, REM, etc. etc. have all recorded at the legendary studio) As has been reported in the media several weeks ago, the famous recording studio is closing down upon the completion of Dream Theater's recording session.

This album will hold the distinction of being the VERY LAST album ever recorded at the Hit Factory in NYC. (the first was Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life") After the Dream Theater sessions ended on Friday night, the lights were turned off and doors were locked to the world famous studio - ending an era in the music industry....

http://www.dreamtheater.net

Band profile:

Dream Theater

The band reported in their website that:
"Since this year's appearance at Wacken might not only be the first, but also the last gig for Bloodbath, we've decided it will be shot for a future dvd release. Through who and when it will be released has yet to be confirmed".

Also the band previously reported that:
"Mike(Åkerfeldt) will not be rejoining the band in any way apart from committing to this performance".

Source:	bloodbath.biz
Band profile:	Bloodbath