After a long period as the frontman of Devious, singer Arnold Oudemiddendorp has decided to take a step back and quit the Dutch death metal band - again (Oudemiddendorp already left the band once between 2004 and 2008). The rest of the band respects his decision and wishes him all the best.

Devious will perform live one final time with Arnold on vocals on February 5th at the Metropool in the band's hometown Hengelo (with God Dethroned and Dictated).

Oudemiddendorp's departure will certainly not mean the end of Devious. In fact, the band is holding open auditions to find a replacement.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Devious

Kamelot are pleased to announce that Swedish female vocalist Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) will be joining the band again, this time on their European and South American tour dates.

Elize joins the band on this very special and unique tour that includes some special guests singers like Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire), Simone Simons (Epica) and many more.

Kamelot guitarist Thomas Youngblood adds: "I am very pleased to hear that Elize will be touring with us again, she toured with us for the entire year of 2010 and was amazing at every show!". When contacted by phone Elize stated: "I am very exited about going on tour with Kamelot, I had so much fun during the 2010 performances on all the great stages with this awesome band in front of all their amazing fans! It's a real honor to be able to do that once again!".

Amaranthe will also be supporting Kamelot on the European leg of their Pandemonium Tour, together with Evergrey and Sons Of Seasons.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Kamelot
Event:	Kamelot: The Pandemonium Tour 2011

Leaves' Eyes are happy to announce the dates of the upcoming shows in April and May 2011, headlining the tour with special guest Midnattsol, as well as being direct support for Tarja.

Singer Liv Kristine comments: "Both tours are just perfect for the release of our fourth full-length album Meredead. Firstly, I will finally share stage with my sister, Carmen Elise Espenaes (Midnattsol), which is like a dream coming true. Secondly, it's a great honor for us to go on tour with our friends and support Tarja Turunen and her outstanding band! We are really looking forward to this. It will truly be a special experience for our fans and us!"

At Nachtleben in Frankfurt the official release party of the new album Meredead will take place with some specials for the fans.

Leaves' Eyes with special guest Midnattsol:

April 22 - Sneek, Netherlands - Bolwerk
April 23 - Enschede, Netherlands - Atak
April 24 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg
April 25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Nachtleben
April 28 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
April 29 - Bologna, Italy - Sottotetto Sound Club
April 30 - Romagnano Sesia, Italy - Rock N Roll Arena

Tarja with special guest Leaves' Eyes:

May 03 - Stuttgart, Germany - Longhorn
May 04 - Erlangen, Germany - E-Werk
May 06 - München, Germany - Backstage
May 07 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Festhalle Durlach
May 10 - Bonn, Germany - Brückenforum
May 11 - Osnabrück, Germany - Rosenhof
May 13 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit
May 14 - Bomal-sur-Ourthe, Belgium - Durbuy Rock Festival (no Tarja)
May 16 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
May 17 - Neu Isenburg, Germany - Hugenottenhalle
May 19 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
May 20 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Leaves' Eyes
Event:	Leaves' Eyes + Midnattsol

"Survive", a brand-new track from UK melodic power metal band Power Quest has been made available for streaming over at MySpace.

"Survive" comes off the band's upcoming new album Blood Alliance, which will be released at the end of March in Europe and April 5th in North America through Napalm Records. More album details were previously reported over here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Power Quest

German folk-influenced melodic death metal band Suidakra has inked a deal with AFM Records.

A statement from the label reads: "We are happy to announce that one of the most innovative German metal bands has signed with AFM Records: Suidakra are now part of the family! With their unique mixture of folk, heavy & death metal the band amazes fans and critics alike since many years. A new studio album, Book Of Dowth, will be released in late March, right in time for Suidakra's tour with Onslaught and Debauchery."

More Book Of Dowth were previously reported here, while the tour dates are available over here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Suidakra

70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise - the world's biggest floating heavy metal festival - has sailed off yesterday. Not on board is Agent Steel vocalist John Cyriis, who had to cancel the trip due to unfortunate events.

The band contemplated canceling, but good friends James Rivera from Helstar, and Rick Mythiasin (Steel Prophet) will lend their extraordinary vocal talents and appear with the rest of the band members as a special "Masters Of Metal" set that will include a variety of the Agent Steel catalog.

A comment from the band goes as follows: "This is a great event for the fans to celebrate in the spirit of Heavy Metal on the open seas, we are grateful for James Rivera and Rick Mythiasin to step in on such short notice. Mr Cyriis has given his blessings for Agent Steel to get on stage, and look out to the ocean, and kick some ass!"

The band is still scheduled to perform the rest of this year's European festivals with original vocalist John Cyriis.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Agent Steel
Event:	70000 Tons Of Metal 2011

To the joy of all, Napalm Records has set the release date for Jordpuls, the new record from Vintersorg for March 25th.

According to the accompanying press release, Jordpuls (trans: Earth's Pulse) adds yet another masterpiece to Vintersorg's already impressive discography. The unrelenting visionary allows this particular album to glimpse back at the past. The result is an imposing symbiosis of traditional and modern elements taken from the Swede's characteristic sound cosmos. Folk metal anthems meet icy black metal passages and Nordic melodies. The mix delivers multifaceted and memorable songs that carry the mastermind's unique signature.

The album is completely sung in Swedish and its lyrics borrow from Vintersorg's past themes: Revolving around man and nature, unique phenomena in the wild, and philosophical observations. Vintersorg's unmistakable and powerful vocals-from clean to extreme-reign over each track with resounding force, while his production prowess gives the songs a crystal-clear and potent sound. Jordpuls impressively combines tradition with modernism, while showcasing the best of the Swedish visionary.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Vintersorg

"Murder Groupie", the new video from Swedish hard-rockers Freak Kitchen, can be viewed at this location. The video contains footage of the band's performance at last year's Hellfest.

"Murder Groupie" comes off the band's latest album, entitled Land Of The Freaks, which was released on October 2009.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Freak Kitchen

Official press release

Illnath has parted ways with Narrenschiff, we thank him for everything and we wish him all the best in the future. Therefore, we proudly present our new front figure, the elegantly brutal Mona Beck, often referred to as a danish version of Arch Enemy's Angela Gossow.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Illnath

Finnish melodic death metal band Tracedawn has parted ways with longtime vocalist Antti Lappalainen and are currently on the search for a replacement.

On a lighter note, the band has finished recording the drum parts for their new upcoming album, tentatively scheduled for an autumn release.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Tracedawn

Original news, posted on 03.12.2010

Polish technical death metallers Decapitated are working on a new album. Guitarist, and only remaining founder of the band, Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka issued the following short update:

"I can already say that we have half an hour of material and work is going very fast. You can expect as usual, album completely different than previous releases... but not as that different. We will begin recording in February."

UPDATE

An update on the new Decapitated album? Yes please!

It seems the Polish technical death metallers will be entering RG Studio in Gdansk, Poland on February 9th to start recording their fifth studio album.

The as-yet-to-be-titled new album will be produced by Wacław Kiełtyka and engineered by Malta Arkadiusz Malczewski. Meanwhile, drums will be recorded with Daniel Bergstrand (Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir), who will also be handling mixing duties.

A mid-year release through Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Decapitated

Italian power metal band Drakkar have been busy working on a new album When Lightening Strikes which has now entered its mixing stage. No further details have been give though you can in the meantime feast your eyes on the band's album artwork done by Alessandro Bragalini.

When Lightening Strikes is the band's fourth studio effort and it comes after an eight year wait since the release of their last studio album, Razorblade God. Subsequent information and news will be posted on the band's official website.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Drakkar

Italian Prog metal band Twinspirits have unveiled details about their upcoming studio effort titled Legacy. The album is scheduled to be released on 18th February 2011. The band goes ahead to break down the album as follows:

Legacy is divided in 2 main parts. In the first part we have 6 powerful straight ahead songs, still being progressive in nature and with a more direct feel to them than has been heard from the band before. The second part of the album is a multi-suite movement, "The Endless Sleep", divided in 5 songs (symphonic intro + 4 songs) that is more like an album within an album being very theatrical and visionary.

Legacy Tracklisting:
01. Senseless
02. Pay For Their Art
03. Blind Soul
04. Slave To This World
05. Don't Kill Your Dreams
06. Over And Over Again
07. The Endless Sleep / The Endless Sleep
08. The Endless Sleep / What Am I Supposed To Do
09. The Endless Sleep / Legacy
10. The Endless Sleep / I'm Leaving This World
11. The Endless Sleep / Tell Me The Truth

Twinspirits has also uploaded a song sample available for previewing at this location

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Twinspirits

English band Pythia has inked deal with Japanese "Spinning" Label in a 2 album deal.

The band announced: "We are delighted to announce that Pythia have signed with the Japanese "Spinning" label in a 2 album deal. Our debut album Beneath the Veiled Embrace will be released in Japan on 23rd February. As well as the original full UK release there will be 3 extra tracks, "Sarah" (Acoustic), "Tristan" (Acoustic) and the band's highly acclaimed cover of the Gary Moore song "Thunder Rising". These tracks were previously only available on our first two single releases, "Sarah" and "Army of the Damned". The album will also be packaged in brand new artwork.

The 2nd release will be Pythia's as yet untitled 2nd album which is currently being recorded with release planned for the later part of 2011. As a taster see a live version of new song "Just a Lie" filmed in London towards the end of 2010!"


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Pythia

US metallers Mastodon have issued the following short update on their MySpace blog:

"We are currently in the writing process for the next album. Lots of riffs have been collected!"

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Mastodon