Former STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto has revealed via his official website that he and the band's guitarist/founder Timo Tolkki are now on speaking terms following months of slagging one another in the press: "I can announce that I am talking to Timo Tolkki and actively trying to come to terms with what happened between us. Despite what many people would wish, I can not confirm that I am back in the band, but whether I do go back or not, at least I can say that we have some sort of dialogue now and that we all are trying to help solve all the many problems that his mental illness has caused. Recently (promoter) Olof Wikström from Skrikhult had a real emergency when Running Wild dropped out of their commitment to headline Gates Of Metal. I have agreed to sing more show with Stratovarius, partly because I want to help Olof, partly because I want to help Jörg, Jens, Jari and Timo, and of course also because I love to perform live. This means that I will be at Gates of Metal in Hultsfred on July 31st with Stratovarius, and with my solo band at Ankkarock on August 1st instead of the previous day. So, hope to see you there on either concert! Timo"

Kotipelto was given the boot last year along with drummer Joerg Michael following some severe disagreements within the band. The hiring of AURORA K singer Katriina Wiiala as Kotipelto's replacement was met with a brutal thumbs down from the fans, and Tolkki ended up checking himself into a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown. Through all the upheaval, however, the beloved Stratovarius line up of Tolkki, Kotipelto, Michael, bassist Jari Kainulainen and keyboardist Jens Johansson - together since 1995 - honoured all of the band's live commitments.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

New Label Signing and Release Date
In the dark Norwegian mountain range Aura Noir have have just signed a contract with Tyrant Syndicate (sub-label of Peaceville/Snapper). The new Aura Noir "Merciless" is the first release on this label. The label is run by Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone and administratively by Peaceville/Snapper.
Fenriz of Darkthrone and Nattefrost of Carpathian Forest will contribute with their hate and alcohol infested throats. Dirge Rep (Orcustus ex Gehenna/Enslaved) has offered us lyrical blasphemy with "Funeral thrash". Other confirmed songtitles are "Condor","Hell's Fire","Black Metal Jaw" and probably a title track called "The Merciless".
"Merciless" is due to be released sometime in August.

KATAKLYSM will spread their deadly hyperblast all over the metal word in autumn:
The Canadians are planning a huge Europe and US headliner tour in October 2004!

The dates shall be announced soon, before the tour you have the chance to catch KATAKLYSM in August at the Up From The Ground festival in Gemünden, Germany.
In 2005, KATAKLYSM will take most of the time to put together a new album.
"Hell we want it to be our Masters of Puppets, our Reign in Blood!!!" says a very excited singer Maurizio Iacono about plans and expectation for the new record. Brutality flowing to the next level - watch out for more information about the new KATAKLYSM material soon!

Band profile:

Kataklysm

NIGHTWISH have entered the German Media Control Charts on # 1 with their new album "Once"! That marks the biggest success for the band thus far and also for record company Nuclear Blast, as this is the first number 1 album in the label's history! The current single "Nemo" remains in the German Top 10 as well with a strong 9th place (top position so far: # 6) NIGHTWISH songwriter Tuomas Holopainen reacted to the great news as follows: "Holy fuck! I will get drunk now!"

"Once" also captured the rest of the European charts:

Finland: # 1 (platinum record for more than 30.000 sold copies!)
Norway: # 1
Greece: # 1
Slovenia: # 1
Hungary: # 1
Switzerland: # 4
Austria : # 4
France: # 9
Netherlands: # 11

Band profile:

Nightwish

Baltimore's Death behemoths MISERY INDEX are currently recording a 3 track EP titled "Dissent". The CD, which will include the songs 'The Imperial Ambition', 'Exception To The Ruled' and 'Multiply By Fire', shall be released in late summer.

The band also prepares a DVD at the moment named "Misery Index DVD Volume 1". It features shootings of MISERY INDEX concerts all over the world, bonus footage and more.

On Friday, June 17th, MISERY INDEX will hit the road again, tour info will follow

Band profile:

Misery Index

Sweden's groundbreaking Death metallers DISSECTION are going to play a comeback gig on October 30th 2004 in Stockholm. It's the band's first concert after seven years. As supporting act, Industrial newcomers DEATHSTARS - featuring Jon's younger brother Emil Nödtveid on guitar - have just been confirmed.

Because of the overwhelming demand it's now also possible for fans all over the world to order tickets for the show. For more information, please visit http://www.dissection.nu

Band profile:

Dissection

Stratovarius will replace Running Wild at the Gates of Metal festival.

Late last night it was confirmed that the Finnish power metal band will come to Hultsfred in the end of July.

- Stratovarius is a very good band, it feels nice to have a replacement act of this size confirmed with so short notice. This is an exclusive appearance in more than one way. It's Stratovarius only show in Sweden this year and it might be their last show in Sweden ever. Nobody knows the future of Stratovarius.

According to a posting at ReleaseMagazine.net, German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have set "Reise Reise" (which roughly translates to "Journey Journey") as the title of their new album, tentatively due late September. The tentative track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Reise Reise
02. Amerika
03. Los
04. Wo Bist Du
05. Mein Teil
06. Dalai Lama
07. Keine Lust
08. Morgenstern
09. Amore

The album's first single, "Mein Teil" (written about the man who was willingly eaten by a cannibal in Germany), is set for a June 28 release and will feature a remix by the PET SHOP BOYS. Commented Release magazine contributor Johan Carlsson: "The album feels more natural, and the electronics â?" while still present â?" are taking a backseat. Strings and choirs beef up the sound at times, and even some blues can be found on one track. They haven't lost the heavy RAMMSTEIN sound though."

EDIT: Latest news about the single, Mein Teil:

"The release date of the new single"Mein Teil" has been delayed again due to controversial discussions between the band and record company. The single will be released at the end of July / beginning of August. As soon as there is a definite date, you will be informed here."

Band profile:

Rammstein

Renowened, a Melodic metal band with 3 albums and contracts with international record companies is looking for a permanent singer based in:

Europe (free from any contract with management and band).

Auditions will take place in July/August.

Please send an e-mail with short bio and recent picture, one MP3(or link to MP3) and past projects/bands to:

Contact: singers_auditions@hotmail.com

MEGADETH have selected "Die Dead Enough" as the first single from their upcoming CD, "The System Has Failed", due on September 14 through Sanctuary Records. The single will go to metal radio around July 19 and rock radio approximately July 26.

"The System Has Failed" was recorded at Phase Four studios in Tempe, Arizona and is set to feature cover artwork by Ed Repka. Joining mainman Dave Mustaine on the recording are drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmy Sloas. Additional lead guitar tracks were laid down by former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland.

"The System Has Failed" track listing:

01. Blackmail The Universe
02. Shadow Of Death
03. My Kingdom
04. Of Mice And Men
05. Truth Be Told
06. The Scorpion
07. Kick The Chair
08. Something That I'm Not
09. Tears In A Vial
10. Die Dead Enough
11. Back In The Day

The upcoming CD will be preceded by reissues by all seven of MEGADETH's studio albums recorded during the group's tenure with Capitol Records. Mustaine remixed, remastered and restored each album, all of which will feature previously unreleased tracks as well as demos and alternate mixes, and newly penned liner notes.

"The System Has Failed" will be MEGADETH's first since the announcement that Mustaine was disbanding the group following a serious accident in early 2002. At the time, it was unknown if severe nerve damage in his left arm would leave him able to perform again.

Band profile:

Megadeth

In conjunction with MELECHESH's headlining performance at the Northern Lights Festival in Toronto, Canada on June 26, Profound Lore Records, with the express permission of Osmose Productions, will release a limited-edition collector's item MELECHESH 10" vinyl EP, entitled "The Ziggurat Scrolls". The EP, which will first be made available at the festival, will contain the following track listing:

Side A:

01. Tablets Of Fate (new version)
02. A Summoning Of Ifrit And Genii (promo demo '98 version)

Side B:

01. Wardjinn (promo demo '98 version)
02. Of Magick And Reptilians - Instrumental Magick*

* Re-interpretation of two MELECHESH riffs morphed to become an occult ritualistic ambient composition with traditional instruments.

Band profile:

Melechesh

earlier this week, at the club in Slovakia, guitarist Eric Peterson took a
bad fall down a flight of stairs and broke his leg in three places - Eric
has had surgery to put pins in his leg and he will have a full leg cast
and cannot walk - former guitar player Steve Smyth will return to the band
to help finish the tour

Band profile:

Testament

NEW SIGNINGS
SPV / Steamhammer: Type O Negative
Metal Blade: Neaera
Neoblast Records: Red Tide
Deathwish Inc.: Nine
Retribute Records: Strangulation
Hellion Records: Sunseth Midnight

Darzamat's musicians enter the studio to begin recording their fourth album entitled "Semidevilish". - We have prepared ten songs. Most of them are mixture of black and death metal with symphonic and dark atmosphere. As usual for Darzamat, this record will be very hard to classify, but I am sure, that it will be the most powerful and the best album in the history of the band - explains Flauros, Darzamat's vocalist.

Musicians spend time in "Mular Studio" in ¦wiêtoch³owice, in a new studio of Maciej Mularczyk, who produced the last Frontiside band record. - Mular guaranteed, that we will sound like we want. We work with professional, who knows what to do. We are looking forward to the end of this session and we are sure, that sound will surprise everybody - emphasizes Daamr, guitarist and now also bass guitarist.

The band is going to record two video clips. - We have visions of the clip "In Red Iris". It will be recorded in the beginning of July during production "Semidevilish". Later we will produce second clip and it will be "The Darkest One" or "Fistfull of Ashes", we haven't decided yet. I think, that these video clips will be grim and bizarre - explains Nera, vocalist of Darzamat. Damian Wolff, InDread Cold drummer, who produced some video clips for IDC (www.indreadcold.org), will film and make montage.

The interesting fact is five people wrote lyrics for this album. Words were written by Nera, Flauros, guitarist Daamr and two people outside band: Zaakh, keyboarder of InDread Cold and Cezar from Christ Agony. - Most of lyrics were written by me and Nera. But it was interesting experience to co-operate with people outside band. Thanks to that there is a wider view of subjects in lyrics - adds Flauros.

Album will be ready in the middle of July, but shall be released in Autumn this year.

Darzamat experienced big changes some months ago. After eight years co-operation, co-founder Szymon Stru¿ek left band. But after some years returned guitarist Daamr. New members of Darzamat are: vocalist Nera (Midnightdate), drummer Golem (Dragon and ex-Adrenalina) and keyboarder Spectre (who plays also in Division by Zero). - This line up can guarantee the result we had no chance of getting earlier. Nowadays Darzamat presents a higher musical level. We are also better on live and became convinced about it during a recent gig in Moscow. But this is only the beginning of a new stage in the history of Darzamat. We have many new ideas and we have never worked so hard like now - ends Chris, Darzamat's guitarist.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Darzamat

From Therion website:

"We have since some months a new drummer called Petter Karlsson and after rehearsing for a while with him, playing both new and old songs, I must say it sounds really good. (...)
We have also rehearsed with Matts Lev'en and it sounds really cool, prepare for a different Therion sound un the upcoming festivals and tours!

Regarding singers there is also a big change. As you all know Sarah Jezebel Deva have been singing with us live for quite some years. Well unfortunatly she will not be able to go with us this time due to some health problems. We are very sad about this, but have found a replacement called Karin Fjellander who is a young swedish soprano that have a background as a viola player, but who now study classical vocals since some years.

We have made a death metal project in secrecy called "Demonoid" that will be released in July! It is mainly Kristian and Johans project musically, but I contributed with some riffs, sang on it and made the lyrics".

Source:	megatherion.com
Band profile:	Therion