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

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

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

Mystic Prophecy have recruited the former Primal Fear drummer Klaus Sperling to replace Dennis Eckdahl. The band also announce that Symphorce guitarist Markus Pohl, who played the last liveshows beside Gus G., joined the band as a member. Both members are crazy about playing the upcoming shows in April/May with Freedom Call. The whole band is also engaged in writing new songs for the next album which will be released in march 2006.

New line up:

Roberto Dimitri Liapakis - Vocals
Gus G. - Lead Guitar
Klaus Sperling - Drums
Markus Pohl - Guitar
Martin Albrecht - Bass

http://www.mysticprophecy.com/

Band profile:

Mystic Prophecy

You can now listen to Carrionshine (demo version), a pre-production of the song that will appear on Cryptopsy's new album that will be released later this year. It has been recorded by the band at their local in February 2005. Download it by clicking here! ( http://www.cryptopsy.net/lost/mp3s/Cryptopsy_PreProd2005.mp3 ).

http://www.cryptopsy.net/

Band profile:

Cryptopsy

The band reported on their website that "Peter Tägtgren has left the band due to conflicting schedules", and announced the line-up for their upcoming performance at Wacken Open Air, the lineup will be the following:

Mike Åkerfeldt - Vocals
Blakkheim - Guitar
Dan Swanö - Guitar
Jonas Renkse - Bass
Axe - Drums

Source:	bloodbath.biz
Band profile:	Bloodbath

A sample in Mp3 and M4a format, from the upcoming album "Suspended Animation", were posted in here. The album is expected to come out at 05 April 2005.

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Source:

ipecac.com

The swedish death metal band have posted the following statement on their website:

"To keep things short and anally retentive Ribcamp news are as follows...

New lineup for the band will be:
Rogga - Guitar, vocals
Patrik - Bass
Matte - Drums

As some of you might gather (the ones of you not too retarded that is) this is the same lineup Paganizer had on the last album. However as Paganizer is dead unburied and Ribspreader is very much alive undead the transition was swift, painless and foremost devoid of inane searching for new members that eventually would have been kicked the fuck out anyway.

New material is being churned out right now and plans for a split EP is in the works (so far the songs "Abortion van" and "Hidden ways of the agoraphobe" are nailed down and will soon be recorded)
Any labels interested in cooperation for smaller releases, mainly vinyl or split efforts, are welcome to get in touch aswell."

Source:

listen.to

The musician, that recently parted ways with QOTSA, posted a statement on his project(Mondo Generator) website:

"It's been a long time since I've written to the site and I'm sorry about that. The good news is &.it wasn't because there wasn't anything new to talk about but just the opposite. There is a shit load to talk about! First of all THANKYOU for getting involved with helping Kayla. They found a 10 of 10 match and so she will get a transplant after going through chemo. I've never been one to ask for help, so I appreciate all of you that did. Now lets get to the reason you are on the site&&.music!

In November and December I joined the Mark Lanegan Band for the Bubblegum tour. It was crazy!!!!! I went to Europe to open as Acoustic Tornado and ended up also playing guitar in his band as well, 25 songs in a day! I was reading off of cheat sheets, (thanks for those pages Michael.) It was pretty stressful but in the end it all worked out good and the tour was all good!

I was hoping to get started on the new Mondo Generator album with Ben Perrier and Ben Thomas of the mighty '"Winnebago Deal" but things are postponed because I'm still seeking a co producer, or I may do it myself. Also Cargo Records Germany has released Mondo Generator 3 the EP on vinyl and it is pretty bad ass looking. It is available on the store page and we also have the Nick Oliveri Demolition day / Mondo Generator 3 the EP split CD available as well. Thank you to all the artists involved in the cover contest! The finalist are going to be on the inside gatefold of the EP and the winner is going to be on the 15 song full length vinyl release of Demolition day. It was so hard to just pick one! Sorry for taking so long to release it. I'm headless right now, so until I find a new manager things will be a bit fucked!

Josh came to my house , and gave me the new QOTSA record to trip on. It's good but I can't help but know I could have added what is missing. I did sing a track on the new Turbonegro record .The song is called '"the Final Warning" and it is killer! There is a complete orchestra on this track so it is badass. Turbonegro is one of my favorite bands and it was an honor to be a part of it. Thanks Tom and the rest of the Turbojugend . I might do a project with Casey Chaos called Suicide Pact, we thought it would be good to fuck some shit up together, since that is what we would be doing anyway! , we'll see&&.. Anyways goodbye, talk to you soon!

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Source:	mondogenerator.com
Band profile:	Queens Of The Stone Age

The band reported in their website that "is currently in negotiations for a new record deal, as the old one is fulfilled".

The band, in a previous report, asks to help them with the by:Larm-band of the year award nomination, more info on their website.

Source:	sirenia.no
Band profile:	Sirenia

JACOBS DREAM have issued the following band update:

"We are on the verge of releasing our new album, Drama Of The Ages, out on Metal Blade Records on May 2nd.

The album will debut our new singer, Chaz Bond. Aside from Chaz, the band is back to its original members. We have come down a long road and are excited about the new material. We hope the fans will be just as excited.

We are currently trying to get a web site up and running to keep everyone updated. Hopefully this will be together in the next week or two. We are looking forward to touring and playing out as much as we can.

March 4th will bring us to the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio, the site where Dimebag Darrell was killed along with 3 other innocent people and the shooter himself. This concert will be a benefit for the victims of that night. This hit home for us because a lot of our early days were spent playing here. We are looking forward to this and hope to see a lot of metalheads come out and lend support for these families. Effort is being made to make this a 2-day event to include Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th but the 4th is the only sure date so far. Thanks and we hope to see you on the road.

Keep it Metal! Jacobs Dream."

For more info about the Al Rosa Villa Memorial show check out their website www.alrosavilla.com. Jacobs Dream will be appearing with CAPITOL TRAGEDY, SOULLESS and others.

http://www.bravewords.com/

The album, mixed by Andy Sneap, will be out in April/May 2005. The title track "Empires Of The Worlds" is available for download here.

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Source:

biomechanical.co.uk

The impressive singer Oliver Hartmann (former At Vance member and best known for his parts in the AVANTASIA, AINA and GENIUS rock operas) has decided to make a major step and start up a solo career with is debut cd "Out In The Cold" out worldwide on Frontiers Records on April 25th 2005.

"For me it´s a kind of permanent step to compose and produce for my solo releases", says the German singer and guitar player, "Although the material is maybe a little different compared to what I´ve done in the past, I´m really looking forward to my solo works. This is the first time I was taking care of being the songwriter and main musician of this project. So I had the possibility to combine my own musical roots with different influences without being limited by a bands or a project style".

Under the guidance of famed producer Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody, Kamelot, Angra, Edguy etc.), Hartmann was able to record a mature rock album which showcases his amazing vocal and songwriting abilities. Blending such diverse influences coming from the British AOR sound of classic Strangeways and early Dare, to the classic hard rock of Whitesnake, Rainbow and Giant, "Out In The Cold" shows anyway an original and peculiar approach that privileges the emotional aspect. The baroque string arrangements (courtesy of Miro) are also one of the most intriguing aspects of an album that can be listened tirelessly.

Helping Oliver are famed German musicians such as Bodo Schopf (MSG) on drums and Armin Donderer (Paradox) on bass.

Final tracklisting of "Out In The Cold" is:
Alive Again; Out In The Cold; Brazen; The Same Again; I Will Carry On; What If I; How Long; The Journey; Who Do You Think That You Are; Listen To Your Heart; Can You Tell Me Where Love Has Gone; Into The Light.

http://www.frontiers.it/

Band profile:

At Vance

SHINING are now officially allied with the highly repected french record label Osmose Productions. They have signed a deal of two albums whereas the first one, "V / Besvikelsens Dystra Monotoni" is to be recorded in April. To celebrate this event Osmose Productions and SHINING have decided to once and for all issue the first two albums "I / Within Deep Dark Chambers" and "II / Livets Ändhållplats" in luxurious digipack versions including one exclusive bonus track each and for the first time ever fully printed lyrics as well as linear notes.

Kvarforth did about one year ago announce the death of the band due to many unpleasant circumstances which have been prominent the past years both within the band and around him personally but now, with a basically entirely new line-up of Ludvig Hvit (of Spiritual Beggars, Firebird) on drums, John Doe (of Craft, Twin Earth) on solo/rhythm guitar and at this very moment a anonymous person on lead guitar a new era has begun to take shape. The reason for this new line-up is simply because there is a need to rehearse and play live which never would have worked out in long terms with the previous members considering the distance inbetween. SHINING are currently rehearsing a live-set as well as the new material and are currently looking for a full time bassist to replace former member Phil A. Cirone.

http://www.osmoseproductions.com/

Band profile:

Shining