Philosophical drone-chanters Om have completed recording a 7" vinyl for Sub Pop records. The song "Gebel Barkal" is the first to feature new drummer Emil Amos. Furthermore, in case the four tracks on their latest release "Pilgrimage" were not enough for you, the psychedelic drone duo from San Francisco are planning yet another new full length to be released next year!

To keep you busy until then are their following tour dates, with more info at http://www.omvibratory.com

17/05 - Festival International de Musique Actuelle - Victoriaville, QC/Canada
30/05 - Parc del Forum - Barcelona/Spain
04/06 - Shibuya O Nest - Tokyo/Japan
05/06 - Huck Finn - Nagoya/Japan
06/06 - Sunsui - Osaka/Japan
08/06 - Z-1 - Niigata/Japan
10/06 - Shibuya O Nest - Tokyo/Japan

Source:	southernlord.com
Band profile:	Om

Nightwish's latest video for the track, "The Islander" will premier on Finnish MTV on April 12th before being seen by the rest of the world on television.

On the official Nightwish website they elaborated on the details of this single:

"The Islander" is the next single off of their new album "Dark Passion Play". The single will be released on May 21st and will include the following tracks:

CD:
01. The Islander (edit)
02. The Islander (full-length version)
03. Escapist (instrumental)
04. Meadows Of Heaven (orchestral version)

DVD:
01. The Islander - video clip (edit)
02. The Islander - video clip (full-length version)
03. Making of "The Islander" - documentary

The "The Islander" video was shot last autumn in Rovaniemi and was directed by Stobe Harju. The video will premiere on April 14th at 7pm (Finnish time) on MTV Finland's show 'Spanking New'.

In related news, Nightwish will return to the U.S. this fall and The Vault have already started their pre-sale for two shows. The complete list of tour dates will be announced soon, but you can already buy tickets for the following shows:

09/17/08 - La Zona Rosa, Austin TX
09/24/08 - Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte NC

Also, Nightwish will be appearing on German radio in April, as stated on the band's official website:

"The German radio station hr3 will broadcast some songs from Nightwish's concert in Frankfurt, Germany, during their show "hr3-hard'n'heavy, die lange harte nacht". The show will air on April 4th, 11:30 pm CET. International listeners can tune in to their webradio via this link (the "HR3 Webradio" website is in German)."

Source:	nightwish.com
Band profile:	Nightwish

3 Inches Of Blood's classic track "Trial Of Champions", known for raising many mosh-pits and tearing down many rooftops, is now part of its own digital EP that has been released online by Roadrunner Records. This exclusive digital EP called "Trial Of Champions" also includes an unheard b-side.

Track List:

01. Trial Of Champions
02. In The Time Of Job When Mammon Was A Yippie
03. Key To Oblivion

In related news, 3 Inches Of Blood have made a video for the song, which can be watched at this location.

"The song is pretty much a classic underdog scenario where a downtrodden hero rises to overcome adversity," says 3IOB singer Cam Pipes. "The video shows what the hero must overcome to win his freedom."

Like the band's music, the "Trial of Champions" video is blunt, in-your face stuff with no hidden subtext; what you see is what you get. "There's no complicated or deep meaning to the song or video, just a gritty story of gladiators fighting to the death to escape captivity," Pipes says. "There are quick cuts of weapons clashing, bodies falling, and a Roman governor overseeing the bloodshed with malicious glee."
With the song's theme in mind, 3IOB reached into the sturdy metal vaults of time to capture the right mood. "The music itself is a straight rocker, very much influenced by the likes of Deep Purple and Uriah Heep," Pipes says. "We could hear what we were being influenced by as we were writing it, so we added the organ in the recording to further enhance the feel we were getting from the song already."

More info about the video here.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	3 Inches Of Blood

Southern Lord Records announced the following update on Lurker Of Chalice on their website:

The debut album from Lurker of Chalice was originally released as a numbered, limited edition cd by Southern Lord. It immediately sold out and has now become a very sought after release. This re-issue features new packaging (a digi-pack) and a bonus track that was previously only available on the limited vinyl version. For those who are discovering this darkness for the first time, here are some words we wrote in regards to the original limited edition cd release:

'With Lurker of Chalice Wrest takes a nearly gothic approach to some of his vokills. Incorporating melodies and harmonies that although just as bleak as previous works, create a unique grim atmosphere that explores the subtle dynamics of darkness unlike anything hes' done in the past. The songs are all composed and solely performed by Wrest. Some of the songs are as reminiscent of: Fields Of The Nephilim (Elizium era) and Bauhaus as they are of black metal artists like: Blut Aus Nord, Emperor, or Burzum. Indeed it still reeks of Black Metal but this material drags you through new lows that are rarely reached by nowadays orthodox black metal acts.'

Source:	southernlord.com
Band profile:	Lurker Of Chalice

Ex-Hate Eternal drummer Derek Roddy has left Today Is The Day due to an alleged financial dispute with band-founder Steve Austin. Replacing Derek Roddy for the group's current Total Resistance Tour is Mike Rosswog from Circle Of Dead Children.

Their current Total Resistance tour began on March 14. Here are the details from March 26 onwards:

Supporting Today Is The Day for the entire tour are SuperNova Records labelmates Complete Failure, featuring drummer Mike Rosswog (ex-Today Is The Day, Circle Of Dead Children). Also joining them in the US tour is a rotating lineup of bands, including: At All Cost, Fuck The Facts, Lair Of The Minotaur, Mouth Of The Architect, Psyopus, Rwake, S.W.W.A.A.T.S., Thine Eyes Bleed.

Supporting the band for the European Tour are Complete Failure, Jucifer and Four Question Marks.

Supernova Records will also be releasing remastered, repackaged reissues of two classic Today Is The Day titles, as well as Complete Failure's debut album, to coincide with the tour. The following are the US headlining dates only. The European Tour dates are provided further below.

US TOUR

3/26 Toronto, ON @ The Reverb

Dates with Mouth Of The Architect, Psyopus and Complete Failure
3/27 Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar

Dates with Mouth Of The Architect, Lair Of The Minotaur and Complete Failure
3/28 Warren, MI @ The Ritz
3/29 Columbus, OH @ Ravari Room
3/30 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's Pirate's Cove
3/31 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
4/1 Chicago, IL @ The Note
4/3 Columbia, MO @ Mojo's
4/4 Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
4/5 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
4/6 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

Dates with At All Cost, Complete Failure
4/7 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
4/8 Ogden, UT @ Kamikaze's
4/9 Billings, MT @ Lost World
4/10 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/11 Vancouver, BC @ The Balmoral
4/12 Portland, OR @ Ash Street Saloon
4/14 Reno, NV @ Club Underground
4/15 Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp
4/16 San Jose, CA @ The Blank Club
4/17 San Francisco, CA @ Annie's Social Club
4/19 San Marcos, CA @ Jumping Turtle
4/20 Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory (Murderfest)
4/21 Tempe, AZ @ The Stray Cat
4/24 Austin, TX @ Red 7
4/25 Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
4/26 Houston, TX @ Walter's On Washington w/ Kill The Client
4/27 Corpus Christi, TX @ The Compound w/ Kill The Client

Dates with Complete Failure
4/28 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon

Dates with Rwake, S.W.W.A.A.T.S. and Complete Failure

Read more ››

Source:

supernovarecords.net

The following was posted on Absu's Myspace page:

"Texas-based mythological occult metal outfit Absu has announced the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Zawicizuz (ex-Rape, Pillage & Burn/Infernal Oak) to the group's ranks. He replaces Vastator who recently quit the band due to musical and personal differences. Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor says of the replacement, "We are very proud to welcome Zawicizuz as the newest musician of Absu! He is one of the best-kept secrets in the extreme Texas music environment and we are delighted to convey our next chapter of mythological occult metal with him."

Absu will enter Nomad Recording Studio in April 2008 to begin recording the self-titled CD for a tentative autumn release on Candlelight Records. The album will be engineered/produced by none other than Sterling Winfield (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Solitude Aeternus, Usurper, Blood Of The Sun, Etc.) and mastered by Proscriptor at his studio Tarot Productions.

"Absu" projected track listing: (in no particular order)

13 Globes

In The Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee

Between the Absu of Eridu & Erech

Night Fire Canonization

Those of the Void Will Re-Enter

Nunbarshegunu

Girra's Temple

Magick Square Cipher

Ye Uttuku Spells

Amy

?Of the Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are the Attendance Of Familiar Spirits?
(Including:)
a.) Diversified Signs Inscribed
b.) Voor
c.) Sceptre Command
d.) Twix Yesterday, the Day & the Morrow
e.) Our Earth of Black

Proscriptor adds: "Lyrically, I am concentrating more on Sumerian-based occult themes of magick and mythology versus the Celtic aspect of my previous writings, which was heavily expressed on the last few Absu studio albums. Musically speaking, the material will be quite similar to "Tara", but with more of a '70s progressive/ psychedelic texture within it. You will not be disappointed ? trust me. I will be utilizing the first logo created by Equitant and Belgian artist Kris Verwimp will handle the cover illustration once again. In other news, I am also pleased to announce the following guest musicians that will appear on the album: Ashmedi (Melechesh), Jex Thoth (Jex Thoth/ex-Totem), Mindwalker (The Firstborn), Nornagest (Enthroned), Sataniac (Desaster), Vorskaath (Zemial)."

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Absu

A new prog supergroup has arisen called Psychic For Radio - the band line-up is:

Michael Sadler (vocalist, ex-Saga)
Mark Zonder (drummer, Slavior, ex-Fates Warning)
Shawn Gordon (keyboardist and guitarist)

The history of the band goes as follows:

"In early 2005 Shawn Gordon and Henning Pauly were having a conversation about music when Shawn shared a story about hearing songs in his head that then were on the radio and said "I'm psychic for radio", to which he also joked it would make a good band name. At this point Shawn and Henning came up with an idea to basically do a punk album with a group of people living at the studio for 3 or 4 days and video tape the whole thing like a Spinal Tap mockumentary. Shortly after, they were talking to Michael Sadler at CalProg and trying to talk him in to doing it as well, which he seemed open to.

So things didn't end up happening on the punk front and Henning moved back to Germany, but Shawn still liked the idea of getting a group of musicians together for a weekend and seeing what they could come up with, so he contacted his friend Kurt Barabas from Under The Sun and the two of them got it organized, they had the weekend in July 2006 and got some good ideas recorded. Michael was still open to doing vocals, but initially we were just thinking a couple songs and having 3 or 4 vocalists on the album.

Things got stalled for about 6 months and then we were able to schedule a vocal session on the first song with Michael and it was looking like we were gonna get moving, but with Kurts work on Amaran's Plight and Michaels heavy schedule, we got delayed again till later in 2007 when we got more progress done, but we still needed to resolve the drummer and guitarist for the final recordings. A chance conversation with Mark Zonder and Shawn Gordon got him on board with drums in between his work with Slavior. Then in late 2007 Shawn talked to Sean Entriken of Prymary and we got him on board.

So Psychic for Radio is a project from Shawn and Kurt, it might be a one off, we don't know, we just want to finish this one and see how the reaction is and we'll just go from there. Everyone has their 'day jobs' to attend to and there are some other unrelated music projects coming from ProgRock Records that Shawn and Kurt are also involved in. Michael, Mark and Sean all have their own projects and bands that they are also heavily involved in that you should see later this year."

Read more ››

Source:

myspace.com

Master-producer and veteran guitarist Andy Sneap has collaborated with fellow bandmate, vocalist Martin Walkyier of the British Pagan Thrash band Sabbat, to contribute to the new album from the reunited Hell, the early '80s UK metallers.

Andy Sneap posted the following message: "Something I'm sure you've heard both myself and Martin mention in the past is the huge influence Early 80's Derbyshire metallers Hell had on Sabbat. Things have been odd in a good way recently with alot of old friends crossing my path again, and thankfully one such friend is Kev Bower, the old Guitar player.
So, because I'm too lazy to type all this out, here's Kev's blog on what we are up to. Anyone wanting a new Sabbat album should take note, this is the only project Martin and I will be working together on in the foreseeable future."

A few extracts from the blog posted by Hell guitarist Kev Bower, regarding his band's collaboration with Andy Sneap and Martin Walkyier: "As some of you will be aware, the three surviving members of Hell are back together after 23 years, recording a brand-new album. The producer is none other than the legendary Andy Sneap - producer and mixer of over 100 metal albums, including Megadeth, Trivium, Kreator, Testament, Killswitch Engage, Cradle Of Filth... the list is almost endless, and reads like an encyclopaedia of metal. Andy is at the absolute pinnacle of his profession, and deservedly so. He's also the nicest bloke you could ever wish to meet, and it's a privelege to have him as a best friend.

The late, great Dave Halliday was sadly taken from us in 1987, and Hell could never, ever be the same without him. Andy has gone to great lengths to use every conceivable piece of modern digital technology available to lift some of Dave's vocals from these early recordings, thus ensuring that the great man will be a fixture on the album. It just wouldn't be right if he wasn't. Regarding the bulk of the vocals, though, the only guy who we could think of to do absolute justice to these songs was Martin Walkyier - he saw the band almost as many times as Andy, and only he really understood what was needed to deliver this material into 2008. Those of you who have heard Martin's outstanding performances on Sabbats "Dreamweaver" and "History Of A Time To Come" albums will instantly know what I mean. And as for Dave's guitar solos? Well - who better to replicate these, than Andy Sneap himself... Dave's finest student."

Read more ››

Source:	sabbat-uk.com
Band profile:	Sabbat

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has formed a new side project called Methusaleh. According to Ian, the group features "some lovely fellows that play in some major bands. I can't say shit about it right now other than the songs are fucking heavy, like a more metallic Kyuss."

In other Anthrax news, it has been reported that the band has already written 8 songs for the follow-up to 2003's "We've come Come For You All". This will be the first new studio release in 5 years. The hairy-chinned bald-man said "it sounds like Anthrax from 1987 through a 2008 sound system, if that makes any sense!"

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Anthrax

Vicious Rumors have announced the addition of guitarist Kiyoshi Morgan to their veteran San Francisco Bay Area sound. Drum Media Music reports that Kiyo is a long time musician in the Bay Area scene and in Vicious Rumors he'll bring an old school rock and metal flavour with powerful, anthemic riffs and thrashy-yet-melodic leads.

According to a blog on the band's MySpace, new Axe man Kiyoshi Morgan completes the 2008 Vicious Rumors line up! Kiyo is a long time SF Bay Area pro, playing lead guitar in several tribute bands covering the styles of Slayer, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden & Alice In Chains.

With the support of Gibson Guitars and Sfarzo Strings, Kiyo has found an identity in Vicious Rumors as an old school Rock and Metal guitarist with powerful anthem riffs and blistering, yet musical leads! Original guitarist Geoff Thorpe's comment on Kiyo and the new line up: "Kiyo just fit in and sounded great!! Our guitar styles blend really well... and this guy can shred!! Our new line up is as strong as ever. I cant wait to unleash the new VR beast"

The new VR line up is:

Geoff Thorpe: guitar/vocals
Larry Howe: drums/vocals
Stephen Goodwin: bass/vocals
Ronnie Stixx: lead vocals
Kiyoshi Morgan: guitar

The first show is on Sat. March 22nd-Kennel Club in Sacramento Ca. Then 2 shows in 1 night! Sat. March 29th, at the SF Independent in San Francisco at 9pm with Testament, Lääz Rockit and Sadus. Then VR will headline the Britannia Arms in Cupertino Ca. at 11:59pm with Mudface, Imagika, Bomb and Scary... that show starts at 9pm. VR rocks on Sun. March 30th at the SF Independent for a 2 day run with Testament.

The VR ball is back crushing the Bay Area!

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Vicious Rumors

According to Blabbermouth, former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes and original Motörhead drummer Philip "Philthy Animal" Taylor have joined forces in a brand new band. The duo will discuss their collaboration on "The Donnie Lawless Show" on Sound Spectrum Radio this coming Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. Holmes also comes clean about being in W.A.S.P. and his marriage to Lita Ford.

To listen to the show via the Internet, get the free tuner at this link

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Motörhead

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of White Lion for the band's first studio album in 16 years, entitled "Return Of The Pride". The CD was produced by Mike Tramp and Claus Langeskov during 2007 in both Australia and Copenhagen and is scheduled for release on March 14.

According to singer Mike Tramp, the album title could be interpreted in two ways. "In a musical sense, we have taken a step back in time rather than a step forward in time," he says. "Over the course of this album, lyrically and musically many concepts and themes have been explored. Maybe "Return Of The Pride" means something entirely different."

White Lion will hit the road again in the summer of 2008. "We are not interested in fixing what isn't broke," says Mike. "Our mission is simple: to bring the classic sound of White Lion to the people that still live for that music." Mike adds that the band's new album will be "classic rock in its truest form and a representation of the musical influences that have attached themselves over time.

"Return Of The Pride" tracklist:

01. Sangre de Cristo
02. Dream
03. Live Your Life
04. Set Me Free
05. I Will
06. Battle at Little Big Horn
07. Never Let You Go
08. Gonna Do It My Way
09. Finally See The Light
10. Let Me Be Me
11. Take Me Home (European Bonus Track)

In other news, White Lion is completing work on a 60-minute live DVD from its 2005 Bang Your Head!!! festival appearance, featuring interview footage along with other bonus material. A clip from the performance can be viewed here.

All info on http://www.miketramp.com and http://www.myspace.com/returnofthepride.

Upcoming White Lion tour dates:

APRIL 2008

04/17 Canyon Club Las Vegas, NV USA
04/18 House Of Blues Hollywood, CA USA
04/19 Club Studio 183 Monterey, Mexico
04/20 Nebu Bar Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
04/21 Hard Rock Live Mexico City, Mexico
04/23 Voce Lima, Peru
04/24 Galpon 6 Galpon 6, Chile
04/26 Circo Voador Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

JUNE 2008

06/08 Sin City Swansea, UK
06/09 The Yardbirds Grimsby, UK
06/10 The Cluny Newcastle, England
06/12 Astoria 2 London, England
06/13 The Rosetta Bar Belfast, Northern Ireland
06/14 The Corporation Sheffield, England
06/15 JB's Dudley, UK
06/18 Smuget Oslo, Norway
06/19 U.L Ørnen Leknes Ungdomshus Leknes, Norway
06/20 Drammens Teater Drammen, Norway
06/21 Flora Hallen Flora, Norway

Read more ››

Source:

miketramp.com

3 Inches Of Blood are on the road again! The band has decided to insure that their loyal fans are getting the first opportunity to buy tickets. A pre-sale was held on Febr. 29, at 3pm at ArtistArena.com, this is a first come first serve opportunity so make sure to head over to the site tomorrow using the log-in info below!

Artist Arena 3 Inches Of Blood Presale

Log-In: Username: 3inchesofBlood
Password: tickets

Canadian Tour Dates:

4/09/2008 Roadhouse Tavern - Golden, BC Canada
4/10/2008 Starlite Room - Edmonton, ALB Canada
4/11/2008 MacEwan Hall - Calgary, ALB Canada
4/15/2008 Wild Bill's - Banff, ALB Canada
4/16/2008 The Royal Hotel - Fernie, BC Canada
4/17/2008 Okanagan Mission Community Hall - Kelowna, BC Canada
4/18/2008 Sugar Nightclub - Victoria, BC Canada

Source:	3inchesofblood.com
Band profile:	3 Inches Of Blood
Event:	3 Inches Of Blood: Canadian Tour

Headbangers Blog covered the Cavalera Conspiracy in great depth in three video interview sessions (check them out here, here and here), and now you can watch the EXCLUSIVE video premiere for "Sanctuary".

"I'm excited about the "Sanctuary" video," Max says. "Apart from being the first video I'm in with my brother Iggor since the "Roots" video in 1996, "Sanctuary" is a cool video. It was filmed in France, where the Conspiracy Monster killed the camera men, crew and video director. That alone is worth watching."

Click here to watch the Cavalera Conspiracy video for "Sanctuary" (US residents only). And see it again on Headbangers Ball on March 4 at 4 a.m. EST on MTV2. Go to this lcoation to check out the video on YouTube.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Cavalera Conspiracy

Porcupine Tree have confirmed their first ever live concerts in Australia in April:

Friday 25th April
Melbourne, The Metro (18+)

Saturday 26th April
Sydney, The Enmore (Licensed All Ages)

Sunday 27th April
Brisbane, The Tivoli (18+)

Tickets are available here.

Source:	porcupinetree.com
Band profile:	Porcupine Tree
Event:	Porcupine Tree: Australian Tour