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Amoral - New Vocalist Announced

Finnish metallers Amoral have issued the following update:

"Amoral is a five-piece again! Since the announcement of Niko Kalliojärvi's leaving we've received tons of applications from singers all over the world. As we mentioned earlier, we wanted to find a guy who was not only able to handle the growling of the old songs, but who also had a strong melodic voice. Well, little did we know that we'd end up with one of the most talented vocalists around! Ari Koivunen's merits as a singer are well known (at least here in Finland), but it might surprise a lot of people that the dude can also growl with the best of them! And the fact remains that he truly was the strongest candidate from all those who applied for the job.

Being the sneaky bastards that we are, we have been writing and practising hard for a long while now while keeping low profile, and we're happy to announce that the material for the 4th Amoral album is just about ready! The recording will start next month and will go on through January. The album should be out before the summer. Of course, we'll keep you guys posted on updates.

Now, before some of you oldschool Amoral maniacs condemn us to hell: No, we're not going power metal on your asses. The trademark riffs are still there. The little quirkiness. The "fuck everybody" attitude. And most importantly, the songs are just as strong as you've come to expect from us. Stronger, actually. You could clearly see on Reptile Ride already that we were eager to push our music to a more melodic direction, and the next natural step was to go all the way with the vocals. This is a new beginning for us, and we truly believe our best work is still ahead of us."

The band adds: "Those of you who are not familiar with Ari's work yet, check out his MySpace site."

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Source: amoralweb.com
Band profile: Amoral
Posted: 25.11.2008 by Bad English | Comments (27)


Mael Mórdha - Writing Update

A few weeks ago, Mael Mórdha drummer Shane Cahill issued the following statement concerning the current state of things:

"Writing of new material is ongoing and so far we are very happy, and excited about the direction we are going in. With this CD we are not willing to be rushed or to bow to anyone's needs except for our very own. We want this outing to be the very best we can make it and then some more. When we think we are finished, we will go back to the start listen to the songs and do it all over again if necessary.

So far we have 6 songs which are roughly 80% finished. We will be airing some of them at any upcoming shows to get a feel for them live. As per usual the album will follow on from the last with plenty of twist and turns as it will progress. We hope to have 10 songs on the album and artwork will once again be undertaken by Vasilis Zikos.
At the moment there is a bit of a slow down as Dave Murphy (bass) and Gerry Clince (guitar) are on session duties with fellow Irish men Primordial on their current European Tour. Meanwhile Anthony Lindsay (guitar), Rob Ó Bogail (vocals) and myself are throwing around some idea's in order to have some fresh and new ideas ready for further investigation once the lads get back. I'm sure their livers will be truly pickeled.

Keep an eye here people as we hope to have the site updated on a more regular basis. To keep you all amused in these economically depressed times Anthony should have some comics up in the near future."

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Mael Mórdha
Posted: 23.11.2008 by Bad English | Comments (6)


Fall Of Empyrean - New Song Up

Fall Of Empyrean have announced via a MySpace message that they've posted another preview online of the upcoming album "A Life Spent Dying", which is due out in early 09. The song is called "Vast But Desolate".

The band added: "More info to come on "A Life Spent Dying" and soon the news of the label set to release it will be revealed in due time. Lots of big news soon to come from the FoE camp."

Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Fall Of Empyrean
Posted: 17.11.2008 by Bad English | Comments (0)


Onslaught - To Record Live Album

Onslaught will record their performance at this years Damnation Festival on Sat 22nd Nov, (Leeds, UK) for a future live album release through Candlelight Records in early 2009. (Onslaught will be appearing on the main stage - Showtime tbc)

Guitarist Nige Rockett commented: "We're really looking forward to playing at this years Damnation Festival, its gonna be a real crazy day, what a way to wind up our European promotion for the "Killing Peace" release and now we've got the added bonus of recording what will be our first official live album. This will keep things ticking over nicely while we complete the writing of the new opus... and don't forget to make some fucking noise for the boys!"

Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Onslaught
Event: Damnation Festival 2008
Posted: 05.11.2008 by Bad English | Comments (4)


Queensrÿche - Set To Unveil New Album This Spring

Queensrÿche is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their 12th studio album, "American Soldier". The concept album, due this spring from Rhino/Atco, finds the band once again tackling some heavy subject matter, this time focusing on telling the story of war from a firsthand perspective. Singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate has spent the last few years conducting extensive interviews with veterans and has crafted their thoughts into this epic tale. "American Soldier" examines American wars from World War II through Iraq from the viewpoint of those in the trenches and on the frontlines. Following the album's release, Queensrÿche plan to present tracks from the album live on an extensive spring tour of the U.S., with international dates to follow later in 2009. The first date of the tour will be a hometown gig at Seattle's Snoqualmie Casino on April 16.

"Queensrÿche has always had incredible support from members of the Armed Services," says vocalist Geoff Tate. "It seems like after every show, I'd end up speaking with a fan that was or had been involved with the military. The more and more I began to hear their accounts and feelings, the more I really felt a conviction to tell their story. Over the last two years, I've conducted dozens of one-on-one interviews with veterans of many different American wars. I listened to their amazing and moving recounts and did my best to examine war through their eyes."

Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Queensrÿche
Posted: 30.10.2008 by Bad English | Comments (5)


Dark Embrace - Update From The Band

Dark Embrace mainman Oscar Asunder has posted the following update regarding the band's current situation:

"The next November, the band will make 100 months rockin'. We've gone through good and bad times (sadly more bad times than good ones).

There are some good memories in the band. We've played some good concerts sharing stage with great bands such as Sepultura, Amon Amarth, Destruction, Watain, Agathodaimon and many others. We've recorded an album with Andy Classen in the Stage One Studio. Even we've got a nice video-clip. But all these things are just a few if you compare'em with all the effort and hard work there are behind Dark Embrace.

We've been fighting for a band with a tremendous difficulty to find permanent members. I've got a list with 32 ex-members (12 drummers, 4 keyboard players, 14 guitar players and 2 bass players). Most of you would think this band is some kind of dictatorship but it isn't. The reasons to leave this band are always more or less similar: girlfriends (!), lack of time for rehearsing, and afraid to go on tour or to record an album/demo. These three reasons are our enemies.

We've had the chance of making good tours with really big bands but everytime we wanted to go on tour, a band member left the band because suddenly he didn't want to go on tour or to play in such festival, etc... Every time something good comes, shit happens....

We've been looking for a label interested to release our album in a physical format (we had a digital edition with our label, but it will end in some days and the rights of the album are ours again). This album is not a master piece but I think it's an album which deserves to be listened by a good amount of metal fans, for sure they will enjoy it a lot.

It's strange but we sold out all our t-shirts and if you travel to some European metal festival, you will find someone dressing one of these t-shirts. We've got a lot of people interested in the band (you can take a look to our MySpace commentaries or to the big amount of friend requests we've got everyday). In spite of it, the album is not released yet (it was recorded in August 2005).

At this moment, it's a point where we have to ask ourselves what we want to do with the band. We're old enough to choose our life and how we want to spend our time.

We're working hard composing new songs, trying to find new members and trying to find a label to release our album. But it seems that all this work is in vain. So we've had to put a deadline.

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Dark Embrace
Posted: 25.10.2008 by Bad English | Comments (1)


Tarja Turunen - Live Line-Up Confirmed

Former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen has confirmed her complete band line-up for her upcoming European tour, which also includes a date in Israel. Joining her are the following musicians:

Mike Terrana - drums (Masterplan, ex-Rage)
Maria Ilmoniemi - keyboards
Oliver Holzwarth - bass (Blind Guardian, ex-Sieges Even)
Alex Scholpp - guitars (ex-Farmer Boys)
Max Lilja - cello (Hevein, ex-Apocalyptica)

Tarja Turunen's recently updated tour schedule is now as follows:

October
18 - Oktoberhallen - Wieze, Belgium (Metal Female Voices Fest)
19 - Rockhal Club - Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
21 - Hala Folimanka - Prague, Czech Republic
22 - Bonver Arena (Hala Tatran) - Ostrava, Czech Republic
24 - Incheba Expo Arena - Bratislava, Slovakia
25 - Cassosport Hall - Kosice, Slovakia
27 - SKC - Belgrade, Serbia
28 - Universiada Sports Hall - Sofia, Bulgaria
31 - Exhibition Grounds Hall - Tel Aviv, Israel

November
3 - CKM Nau - Kiev, Ukraine
4 - Sport Palace - Minsk, Belarus
6 - B1 Club - Moscow, Russia
8 - MTL Arena - Samara, Russia

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Source: metalfromfinland.com
Band profile: Tarja
Posted: 13.10.2008 by Bad English | Comments (12)


Novembers Doom - Pull Out Of N. American Tour

Novembers Doom have posted the following explanation regarding their cancellation of the North American tour with Rotting Christ:

"It is with much regret that we must announce our departure from the Rotting Christ tour in January, 2009. A serious medical issue arose with a member of the band, making us unable to tour during that time. While this unfortunately prevents us from participating in the tour, thankfully it has come to light now rather than at the last minute, leaving 3 months time for the promoter to find a suitable replacement for us. We wish the very best for Rotting Christ, and Epicurean, and hope their tour has great success!

Our apologies to our fans who were looking forward to seeing us. This is our greatest regret, and we assure you, we'll do our best to play for you later in 2009."

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Novembers Doom
Event: Rotting Christ: Lucifer Over America Tour
Posted: 04.10.2008 by Bad English | Comments (4)


Hammerfall - Update From The Band

HammerFall has now begun recording their seventh studio album. Starting Monday, August 18th, you will be able to follow the 8-10 week process in the form of a video blog, on the band's Myspace. Check back for an exclusive inside look.

First video diary can be found here
Its in Swedish but with English subtitles.

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: HammerFall
Posted: 31.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (4)


Firewind - Posts New Instructional Clip Online

Bob Katsionis (guitars, keyboards) recently recorded an instructional lesson that can now be viewed on FireTV, the band's official YouTube page here. Stay tuned for new episodes featuring vocal lessons from Apollo, drum lessons from Mark and additional Gus G. clips, which should be posted over the next couple of weeks.

Katsionis further comments: "In this series of lessons, I will show and explain some of my keyboard solos and parts out of 'The Premonition' album as well as present some of my simultaneous keyboard and guitar performances as these have been seen during FIREWIND gigs. This first video lesson contains stuff from the songs 'Into The Fire,' 'Angels Forgive Me' and some lead keyboard licks."

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Firewind
Posted: 27.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (4)


Amon Amarth - Video Recording For Twilight Of The Thunder God

Amon Amarth have posted the following on their official website regarding work on a new video clip:

"We recently returned from Poland after shooting the first video for the upcoming album "Twilight of the Thunder God". The video will be for the title track.

We joined efforts with the Polish team, Group 13 and director Dariusz Szermanowicz for "Twilight of the Thunder God" and filmed it on the old Viking site, Jomsborg, home of the Jomsvikings in Wolin, Poland.

Our brothers from Jomsvikings traveled from far and wide, places like Poland, Germany, Belgium, England, Australia and USA to be part of this great video.

It seemed that the Thunder God was on our side when shooting the video because a hurricane/storm passed through the area during the day, creating the chaotic and violent atmosphere we were hoping for. It was the toughest conditions we ever recorded a video in, blood and sweat, quite literally both, were part of the making. But we don't mind getting our hands dirty and metal was never supposed to be "nice". In fact we couldn't have wished for a more fitting video shoot for this song, being the Ragnarök and all!

We want to thank Igor for making this possible, Blodhvitnir Meldric and Sana, the Group 13 crew for their professional work and of course the Jomsvikings for being made of steel!

The album and video "Twilight of the Thunder God" will make its debut in September."

A series of photos from the video shoot can be seen here.

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Source: amonamarth.com
Band profile: Amon Amarth
Posted: 27.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (10)


Anti - New Album On The Way

German metallers Anti have issued the short following update:

''The process of the creation has begun... there are no limits... no borders... no dates... For sure... the next album will be a concept album... straight out of the mental-hospital... it isn't a circle... it's a cannonball and you have to find the core... The blessed one...''

Source: blog.myspace.com
Posted: 20.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (11)


Abigor - Update From The Band

The following short message was posted on Abigor's MySpace page:

"The Abigor/Blacklodge Split-Album is still in progress, also the demo-box will see the light of day sooner or later... we're not dead yet."

In December last year however, the band announced the work on the material for the split album with Blacklodge was coming to an end.

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Abigor
Posted: 12.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (1)


Pantheist - Mini European Tour Finalized

Pantheist have posted the following on their MySpace:

"As you might have noticed in the last few weeks, there have been a few changes in the tourdates with Skepticism and Ophis. We are proud to announce that the 7 dates have now been finally confirmed! This short but intense tour is going to be a unique event (not joking, considering Skepticism only tour for the second time in their long career and for us it's only our second proper tour as well). Hope to see many of you there.

In related news, we have a great time recording our third album "Journey Through Lands Unknown" with Greg at Priory Studios. The album is currently being mastered at Sonic Mastering by Rik Dowding (some of you might recognize his name from the credits of the last Portishead album; you might even have seen him, as he was their sound engineer on their recent tour). We should be able to post a full track on the myspace site by next weekend or so."

The dates are as follows:

Oct 25 Logo Hamburg, Hamburg (Ger)
Oct 26 Baroeg, Rotterdam (Ned) Dutch Doom Day VII]
Oct 27 Kunstverein, Nurnberg (Ger)
Oct 28 Black Pes, Prague (Cz)
Oct 29 Rock club na OZZaY, Nitra (Svk)
Oct 30 Escape Vienna, Wien (Aus)
Oct 31 Amnesie Berlin, Berlin (Ger)
Nov 01 Scheld'apen Antwerp, Antwerp (Bel)

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Pantheïst
Event: Pantheist
Posted: 12.08.2008 by Bad English | Comments (2)


Ordog - Update From The Band

Finnish doom metallers Ordog have posted the following brief update:

"The new album is under pressing at the moment, but the release date isn't yet decided. Also Aleksi will head to military service but Ordog still keeps posting news about new album and gigs etc. There will be also soon a new lay-out for the pages and Ordog has composed couple of new songs for the future."

Source: ordogband.com
Band profile: Ordog
Posted: 02.07.2008 by Bad English | Comments (4)