The gothic band from the Netherlands have decide to broke up, this was what they said on their website:

"The rumors about the break up of To Elysium are true. After two studio albums we decided to continue our musical roads separated."

http://www.toelysium.com

As it was reported in the John Petrucci website, the album is ready and the release date will be post there, the album is expect to be release soon, here is the tracklist:

01. Jaws of Life
02. Glasgow Kiss
03. Tunnel Vision
04. Wishful Thinking
05. Damage Control
06. Curve
07. Lost Without You
08. Animate-Inanimate

and Here you can see the cover art.

http://www.johnpetrucci.com

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Band profile:

Dream Theater

Be A Video Droogie!

Megadeth is shooting their new video for "Of Mice and Men" in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 20 and Dave Mustaine wants his Droogies in the Los Angeles area to be there! If you have what it takes, email OfMiceAndMenVideoContest@sanctuarygroup.com to win this once in a lifetime opportunity! The winners will have the exact details e-mailed to them on Tuesday, January 18. You must be 18 years or older to attend.

(taken from www.megadeth.com)

Band profile:

Megadeth

Finally the band have announce that the new bass player will by Pedro Díaz who have played with Ars Amandi between others, he's also a bass teacher. Also the band announce their new tour:

GIRÁSTASIS TOUR 2005

January:

21.-Madrid (Sala Macumba) + Cuatro Gatos
29.-Valdemorillo (Recinto Ferial) + Ars Amandi

February:

05.-Murcia (Sala Gamma)
12.-Valencia (Sala Repúblicca)+ sweet little sister
18.- Avilés (Sala Cuatro)
26.- Granada (Sala la Copera)

March:

12.- Gerona (Sala la Mirona)
19.- Palma de Mallorca (Sala Assaig)

http://www.magodeoz.com/

Band profile:

Mägo De Oz

There is a new video of Agoraphobic Nosebleed posted on the relapse website, it's from the song "Mosquito holding human cattle prod" and was directed by Adam Ahlbrandt. you can find the video here .

http://www.bravewords.com

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After spending about 2 months in different studios the new album is finally finished. Its total running time is 49:53 and the following titles are included:

1. May Today Become the Day
2. Ever-Frost
3. We Are But Falling Leaves
4. Her Last 5 Minutes
5. Where Waters Fall Frozen
6. Despair-Ridden Hearts
7. Vengeance Is Mine
8. A Long Way To Nowhere
9. Consider Us Dead
10. Lower The Flags
11. Drain Me
12. Karu
13. End Of The Road.

The album was recorded mainly at Finnvox and Tonebox studios (both in Finland), and mixed & mastered at Finnvox. The man on the producer chair was again Hiili Hiilesmaa, who also produced our 2 previous albums "Crimson" and "The Cold White Light".

What you can expect is a variation of different kinds of songs, and for sure some surprises. In addition to the traditional instruments we used everything from scissors, zippers, compressed air and spoons to harmonicas and a children choir? but not to worry: as far as I understand anything anymore, we still have managed to maintain a sense of style.

The general feel and overall sound are more aggressive than on our latest few albums, but there are also songs that are based more on emotion and atmosphere. Lyrical themes include death (surprise, surprise?), life, loss, love, unity, disappointment and revenge, but only to start with. Overall there's perhaps more depth in the lyrics, as well as in the music, than ever before. I think some, if not all songs will definitely take a dozen spins before fully "opening" to the listener.

Well, enough words. This was the most intense, stressful, emotional and rewarding album session I have ever gone through. We are proud of what we have done and eager to hand it over to you for listening. That will be in April.

Until then, take care.

/Lopakka

[

Source:	The Official Homepage]
Band profile:	Sentenced

Dimmu Borgir bassist /vocalist Simen Hestnaes (a.k.a. ICS Vortex, ex-Borgnagar, Lamented Souls) has officially rejoined Arcturus as the group's permanent vocalist. His first appearance back with the group will take place at the Inferno Festival kick-off event at the Underworld in London on January 27

Hestnaes had previously performed vocals on three tracks and written the lyrics for one song on Arcturus' 1997 album, "La Masquerade Infernale".

Arcturus announced earlier this month that vocalist Øyvind Hægeland (Spiral Architect) had left the group. No reason was given for his departure.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Arcturus

After all the turmoil of 2004, we are happy to announce that Stratovarius has reunited with the classic line-up: Timo Tolkki, Timo Kotipelto, Jörg Michael, Jari Kainulainen and Jens Johansson.

Since his breakdown in April, we have patiently been waiting for Timo Tolkki's health to improve. It has been, and since about 6 weeks he has been strong enough to go back to work.

Also during the past months, after much talk, soul-searching and reflection most of the damage within the band has been repaired. The rest of us now understand Timo's condition, and have slowly come to terms with it. There has been forgiveness, and everyone has a good relationship again.

Many of the immense problems we were facing have now found concrete solutions.

Lastly, we can announce that work is already in progress on completely new material.

Stratovarius

Source:	stratovarius.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

The complete track listing for the new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY album, "Mafia", has been revealed.

"Mafia", due on March 8 via Artemis Records, was engineered by "1919 Eternal"/"The Blessed Hellride" knob-twister Eddie Mapp, and features Craig Nunenmacher on drums and James Lomenzo handling the bass duties, according to SDMFworldwide.com. The album's first single, "Suicide Messiah", is scheduled to go for radio adds on January 24.

"Mafia" track listing:

01. Fire It Up
02. What's In You
03. Suicide Messiah
04. Forever Down
05. In This River
06. You Must Be Blind
07. Death March
08. Dr. Octavia
09. Say What You Will
10. Too Tough To Die
11. Electric Hellfire
12. Spread Your Wings
13. Been A Long Time
14. Dirt On The Grave

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Black Label Society

According to the Troll(where lex play) website he have formed a new band:

Lex has teamed up with Shagrath, and a few more musicians to form "CHROME DIVISION". A new rock/metal project. Similar in style to bands like Monster Magnet, Spiritual Beggars etc. They will release a MCD this spring along with a video.

Lex - Drums
Shagrath - Guitar (from "Dimmu Borgir")
Luna - Bassguitar (from "Ashes to Ashes")
Jarle - Vocals (from "Span")

http://www.trollmusic.tk/

Band profile:

Chrome Division

Alot of things has been going on in the Naglfar camp for these past couple of months. We are hereby pleased to inform you that Naglfar has signed a deal with Century Media Records, and has entered the studio on January 2nd of 2005 to record our fourth fullenght album. The title of this release has been tentatively set to be "PARIAH", and some of the confirmed titles so far are:

A Swarm Of Plagues
Revelations Carved In Flesh
And The World Shall Be Your Grave
Suffering To The Conquered
Carnal Scorn & Spiritual Malice
The Perpetual Horrors

More information regarding this matter will follow shortly.

Furthermore there has been a lineupchange in the ranks. Jens Rydén has decided that he needs to focus on his studies these next couple of years, and will not be able to fulfill his duties in Naglfar. Therefore it has been mutually decided that he will step down for the moment. The vocals will from now on be handled by Kristoffer Olivius, and a session bassplayer by the name of Morgan Lie has been recruited to help out during all further live activites. We wish Jens all the best in the future. Thanks for 11 years of wreaking havoc, heavy drinking, and all in all for having a great fucking time!
Cheers brother!

Band profile:

Naglfar

HURRICANE MINI-DISASTER!

Mother Earth is real pissed off, ain't she?

A strong hurricane totally demolished the Freak Mobile last Saturday (pic here: http://www.frenchkitchen.org/images/organic/DSC01032.jpg ) and IA is still without electricty, preventing the band from laying down the last couple of takes before the mix of "Organic". Hopefully this won't delay the release too much. The album will be mixed when Eklundh is back from the US (more details below) at the end of this month together with Roberto Laghi.

The new release date of the album will be the 11 of April 2005.

And btw, The Freak Guitar Camp 2005 dates and registration will begin in February. Stay tuned on www.freakkitchen.com

Band profile:

Freak Kitchen

According to a short note in their official website "Arcturus are, yet again, without a permanent singer as Øyvind left has the band"

http://www.adastraenter.com

Band profile:

Arcturus

This is the statement on doom-metal.com that talk about the new band:

Keen of the Crow is the name of a new band featuring Rhett Davis and Justin Christain of Morgion fame and Ex Nepenthean founder Ron Slater. Songs have been crafted and recording and touring are planned for the relatively near future.

Musically speaking the sonic output from Keen of the Crow will not be similar to that of Morgion or Nepenthean as they are striving to cultivate their own sound and identity.

As of this writing, key players and additions to the band are still being made and they hope to have a solid line up locked in within the next few weeks.

An official Keen of the Crow website is in development and more news regarding Keen of the Crow will be available at the website shortly.

http://www.doom-metal.com/

Band profile:

Morgion

The band have announced in their offficial website that the band broke up, not reason have been posted, but will later.

There will be a final performance of the band, it will be:

2-18-05 at The Pilot Light in Knoxville, TN.

The EP "Love Through Blood" will be aviable on the show.

http://www.placeofskulls.com/

Band profile:

Place Of Skulls