Gorgoroth has signed with Regain Records (that recently made some big deals: Overkill, Dismember, and Dark Funeral). The band, that previously decided not to continue with Season of Mist, made his decision with the swedish label.

"Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" will be the tiltle of Gorgoroth's debut album with Regain to be release in 2005.

Source:	gorgoroth.org
Band profile:	Gorgoroth

The name for the new Vanden Plas album has been chosen: It will be a concept album called 'Christ 0' ('Christ Zero'). It's a modern adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' book 'Monte Cristo'. The band is also working on a rock opera based on the same concept, but the regular Vanden Plas album is their main priority. Even though the band has been working on theater-oriented material for their rock opera, 'Christ Zero' will be a very heavy album. The band has written more than 25 songs and will chose about 15 of them to work on the arrangements for the album. The leftover material will be used for the rock opera.

http://www.vandenplas.de/

Band profile:

Vanden Plas

The former Underoath vocalist Dallas Taylor had formed a band called "And The Sons Of Disaster" together with Josh Cornutt, Scott Collum, Josh Wilson, Lee Turner and Roman Havaland, you can check a couple of songs here
.

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Tony is making great progress with his new album which, as we reported previously, features Glenn Hughes (www.glennhughes.com) on vocals and Kenny Aronoff (www.kennyaronoff.com) on drums. They've cut 13 tracks, all produced by Bob Marlette, who worked on Tony's first solo album in 2000 and the Black Sabbath 'Reunion' album in 1998, and whose recent productions with Seether and Shinedown are currently in the US Billboard charts.
The album is now at the mixing stage and discussions are taking place regarding the release date which will be later this year. Tony is also hoping to be able to take this album out live.
We'll keep you posted as things progress!

http://www.iommi.com

Band profile:

Black Sabbath

The band and the label made a mutual agreement and finally decided to continue working together. Here are the details:

"...during a long and indepth meeting with frontman Nattefrost we all came to the conclusion that we shall
from now on release the coming two NATTEFROST albums. For those unaware, NATTEFROST did participate in the ranks of late Selbstmord Services, yet because of the countless problems at that very time both parties reached an agreement to find another label for the very debut release "Blood And Vomit". But as for now, the perverted mastermind NATTEFROST and us have decided to once again work together."

http://www.viciousrecordings.com

According to Ipeca Recordings the album "Suspended Animation" will be release on 04/05/2005. You can see the cover of the album here: http://www.ipecac.com/images/062.jpg

Source:

ipecac.com

According to bablemouth, Dino has decided leave the band due to his other projects, right now he's working in a new project with Nick Barker.
Also the guitarist announces that Nick Barker and Shane Embury(from napalm death) will not continue with the band.
Now it seems it depends on the singer Juan Brujo, if the band will continue.

Source:

blabbermouth.net

Exoudus have founded a new vocalist, there is the statement take it from the band site:

"I'd like to take this moment to welcome to our ranks Rob Dukes as our new vocalist. He has been absolutely crushing in practice and only gets stronger every day. I know some of you will want details, i.e. what bands has he been in, ect., but I'll have to get back to you on that one. I've heard some of his old demo stuff, but he is a virtual unknown. But he is going to blow peoples minds. He does incredible justice to both Paul and Zetro's material but when you hear the new shit you won't believe your ears. Totally crushing! To all who sent in their demos and such I'd like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time. But now our search is over. Rob just happened to end up my guitar tech for the Megadeth tour after things didn't work out with my first tech. Rob was refered to me by a friend at the Hollwood show and the rest is history. Divine intervention if you will! We will be recording some demos of a few new songs next week and if everything stays on track we will be in the studio recording the next album in April.

posted by Gary"

Source:	exodusattack.com
Band profile:	Exodus

A Happy New Year to everyone! Though you have not heard a lot from us during the last months we have not been lazy at all. There are a lot of things going on at the moment. Just to mention a few: the Demons and Wizards production is making good progress and the same can be said about the songwriting for the next Blind Guardian album which is at a very important point.

André and I have completed 5 songs for the new album and 10 songs for the orchestral project. Yesterday, we had a meeting with Charlie Bauerfeind (who is going to produce both albums) during which we have set up a rough schedule for the next months. We definitely will start the production within the year and it won't take as much time to accomplish it as it did with "A Night at the Opera".

With regards to the next Demons and Wizards album I am happy to tell you that 5 songs have been mixed for it already and that there are 7 more to go. How many of them we are going to use for the regular album and how many we will use as bonus material I can ´t tell you right now. There are 11 Schaffer/Kürsch songs and one cover tune. We will be done with everything mid February. The album surely will be released in late spring, or early summer. I am very pleased with the songs and so is Jon. My favourite tune at the moment is called "Touched by the Crimson King". We have not spoken about an album title yet but have to make a decision rather soon. I will let you know.

Hansi

http://www.blind-guardian.com

Band profile:

Demons & Wizards

Writing and preliminary recording of the sixth BAL-SAGOTH album is proceeding concurrently, with the final completion date scheduled for the spring. The running time of the sixth album will be somewhere around 60 to 70 minutes. A detailed press release concerning the opus will be unveiled exclusively here at the Official Bal-Sagoth Website to coincide with the completion of recording, and will include the disclosure of the album title and the individual track titles. A release through Nuclear Blast is scheduled for July 2005.

http://www.bal-sagoth.co.uk/

Band profile:

Bal-Sagoth

The band featuring Wade Black on vocals (ex-Crimson Glory, ex-Seven Witches, Lucian Blaque, Rick Renstrom, Leash Law), Mark Kozlowski on guitars, Michael Estes on guitars (Burning Inside, ex-Acheron) and Emo Mowery on bass (ex-Nocturnus, Leash Law), and that also featured the now retired drummer Richard Christy, have found a new drummer it's Chris Pisitllo, whom plays on Yeti and Desperate Cry. Acording to Mowery: "New material for another upcoming release is being created now! TIWANAKU has finally risen from project status to band status!!!! Regular rehearsals will commence next week!!!"

Source:

blabbermouth.net

Arjen Lucassen had posts 2 songs from the upcoming bonus disc of the Final Experiment 10 years anniversary. You can download them at http://www.ayreon.com/anniversary/ .

Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

The german Heavy metal band featuring former Grave Digger members (Uwe Lulis and Tomi Göttlich) have ink a deal with Massacre Records according to their official website. They have plans to release a new album, more details on the album to come soon.

Source:

rebellion.st

The Gathering will record a special live registration for the long-awaited own DVD release. These recordings will take place Monday the 23rd of may at the beautiful Paradiso theatre - Amsterdam. The band will play 2 shows the same day, and both gigs will be recorded. These 2 concerts are the only 2 official concerts the Gathering will play this year!

Because the shows are seated, please note there are only 650 seats per show available. Don't miss it. It will be an unique and overwhelming experience. Presales start Saturday the 29th of January.

Date and place: 23th of May, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Weteringschans 6-8 AMSTERDAM, www.paradiso.nl
Entree: One ticket: 17,50 ? , Passepartout ticket both shows 27,50 ?

Time schedule:
First show Venue will open at 18:00 Start 19:00 uur - 20:30
Second show Venue will open at 21:15 Start 22:00 - 23:30

Ticketsales:
Ticketservice, AUB ticketshop, bigger Dutch Postoffices, 33 GWK's at railway stations.

Order by telephone:
In Holland: 0900-0191
Outside Holland: 00-31-20-6211288

Online ticketsales via internet: www.ticketservice.nl

Try Out Show
A small try-out show will be held one week before the official DVD recordings.
Only 190 seat are available.
Date: May 18th
Venue: LUX Theatre
Place: Nijmegen,
www.lux-nijmegen.nl

Ticket ordering: LUX Box Office 0031 900 5894636 or 0031 900 LUXinfo

http://www.sandandmercury.com/

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Band profile:

The Gathering

More details unfold about NAPALM DEATH's upcoming album "The Code Is Red? Long Live The Code" which will hit European shops April 25th:
Word has already spread about guests in the studio who laid down some backing-vocals for the album: Jello Biafra, Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Jeff Walker (Carcass) visited the Godfathers Of Grind during their recording-session in Foel Studios with Russ Russell.
Vocalist Barney Greenway on the new album: "What more can I tell you? Well, it's a ripper - fast, progressive and a nice bit of art-noise. With Jello Biafra, Jamey Jasta and Jeff Carcass along for the ride, we hope it'll take your heads off - or at least get you thinking with them. Cheers."

One of the three guests is planned to join the band during their two exclusive pre-listening shows - who? See with your own eyes and hear with your own ears!
22. January 05 (D) Bochum - Matrix *
http://www.matrix-bochum.de
24. January 05 (UK) London - Underworld **
http://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk

Booking: MAD Tourbooking http://www.mad-tourbooking.de
(* with HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MAROON, Do Or Die, End Of Days,
presales EUR 12,00, early show! 18:15-22:30h!)
(** with Mistress, Cephalic Carnage, presales GBP 12,00)

http://www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com

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Source:	centurymedia.de
Band profile:	Napalm Death