Cruachan's upcoming album will be called "The Morrigan's Call." The track list reads as following:

01. Shelob
02. The Brown Bull Of Cooley
03. Coffin Ships
04. The Great Hunger
05. The Old Woman In The Woods
06. Ungoliant
07. The Morrigan's Call
08. Teir Abhail Ru
09. Wolfe Tone
10. The Very Wild Rover
11. CuChulainn
12. Diarmuid and Grainne

Source:	cruachan.cjb.net
Band profile:	Cruachan

Joe Comeau, ex-vocalist of Annihilator, Liege Lord and Overkill, has joined Swedish prog power metallers Tad Morose, after former singer Urban Breed has left after 10 years in the band in December 2005. Joe Comeau posted the following statement on the band's official website:

"What can I say? Obviously I am very honored to be the new vocalist for the great Tad Morose! I would first like to thank all the Tad guys for bringing me on board. Work has already begun on awesome new Tad Morose material and I am psyched as hell to move ahead on creating a killer new CD with these guys. I am also looking forward to our upcoming shows so I can meet all the Tad faithful and friends alike! Make sure you come and have a drink with us. See ya soon! Cheers, Joe Comeau."

Source:	tadmorose.com
Band profile:	Tad Morose

Canada's pioneering metal band Voivod have set "Katorz" as the title of their forthcoming album due out late spring on The End Records in North America.

Voivod, who just finished mixing the album with producer Glen Robinson (Tea Party, GWAR) at Multisons studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, are now mastering the album in New York.

The follow-up to 2003's "Voivod" is the first album in the band's 20-plus-year career that did not feature founding guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour working alongside his bandmembers in the studio. D'Amour died August 26, 2005 in a Montreal hospital from complications of advanced colon cancer.

In order to record "Katorz," drummer Michael "Away" Langevin, singer Denis "Snake" Belanger and bassist Jason "Jasonic" Newsted utilized all of the guitar parts that Piggy had recorded for the record on his laptop with ProTools before his death.

Artwork and a full track-listing for the album will be released in the coming weeks.

Source:	theendrecords.com
Band profile:	Voivod

After lots of hassle with the former singer Kelly Sundown Carpenter, Danish progressive metal band Beyond Twilight has finally finished the works on the new album "For The Love Of Art And The Making." It consists of one ongoing composition containing 43 sections, which are to be considered pieces of a puzzle. According to the label Massacre Records "the album a meaning from start to end but if you set your cd player on shuffle new doors to the meaning of the album will open for you." The album will be released on April 21, 2006.

Sources: http://www.massacre-records.com

Band profile:

Beyond Twilight

Dan Fondelius, frontman of the Swedish doom metal legend Count Raven, has parted ways with bassist Tommy 'Wilbur' Eriksson and drummer Christer 'Renfield' Petersson after reuniting with them after a five year hiatus in 2003. The replacements are Fredrik Jansson and Jens Bock respectively. The official statement of Fondelius:

"Count Raven has after two and a half years decided to go through some changes. There are a number of reasons for this: The main one's due to problems working in one direction, due to lack of interest and bad communication. Another one is simply that the old magic wasn't there anymore. This is not a new thing, it happens to a lot of bands that reunite, and for some reason they can't find that old mojo working.

In order to keep the old Raven-magic, we have some new people in the band who have the ability to keep that very magic. And that's the main thing. You got to stay true to your music, your fans and to your dream! The guys that will help out to make this dream work and who are replacing Wilbur and Renfield are: Fredrik Jansson (ex-Abramis Brama) on bass, and Jens Bock (ex-Doomsday Gouvernment) on drums. We have already finished the set-list for the Bang Your Head-Festival, and it will include a few surprises.
Also we are rehearsing on new material for a possible new album, and so far it sounds extremely promising. We want to thank everybody that believed in us in the past, as well those that do now. We won't let you down!
The Raven flies on..."

Source:	vampster.com
Band profile:	Count Raven

Drummer Stet Howland has announced his departure from W.A.S.P. on the band's official forum:

"I appreciate the kind words and I am sorry if some of you are sad about my departure. Out of respect to the band and the upcoming tour, I didn't send out a press release about this, as I didn't want to cause possible worry to you good people.
I just got in from a long weekend and my ass is kicked, so I'll keep this short and to the point.
Without going into detail that would most likely get turned into something negative, let me give a Reader's Digest version of what's up.
In mid-January, Blackie and I had a phone conversation that resulted in our parting. It wasn't shitty, ugly, or disrespectful in any way. It was two old and dear friends being honest with each other. After 16 years as friends and bandmates, one thing you learn is how to be honest with each other.
So the bottom line is, I will not be part of the upcoming tour, and I'm not sure who the drummer will be as its really none of my business. If it's the guy that they were going to use before I came back, he is excellent. I don't know him but I have heard his work on Darrell's solo stuff and I think he's great. Keep in mind Im just guessing from the other side of the country. lol
I will be posting more details about this and my upcoming plans on my site www.stethowland.com this week."

The entire statement can be read at this location.

Read more ››

Source:	waspnation.com
Band profile:	W.A.S.P.

Dark Funeral's previously announced headlining shows in Poland have been cancelled due to the current "political situation" in the country, according to a posting on the band's web site.

Commented the Polish promoter Mariusz Kmiolek of Massive Music: "We are sorry to inform that Dark Funeral, Naglfar, Amoral and Asmodeus gigs in Lódz and Katowice have been cancelled. Massive Music would like to apologize for all inconveniences caused to Dragon Productions and the bands. The cancellation is beyond our control, we are entirely helpless in the face of the present political situation in Poland."

Dark Funeral added in a statement: "We understand this has really nothing to do with Dark Funeral alone as a band, but by a musical scene the Polish Catholics obviously wish to forbid. To us this is just another proof of the hypocrisy that lies behind organised religions. They happily promote tolerance, yet, as soon as they see something they dislike, they are fast as a shark to call for censorship. The thing is, reactions like this will most certainly give the opposite result, it always does! We would however like to apologize for all inconveniences this has and will cause our Polish fans, but this is unfortunately beyond our control."

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Dark Funeral

As previously reported bassist Jimmy MacDonough has left Megadeth and was in the meanwhile substituted by James LoMenzo on February 10, 2006.

Dave Mustaine posted the following on the official website:
"I want to thank Jimmy for everything and wish him the best in his future endeavors. He is knowledgable, and a good enough bassist to run his own outfit and I look forward to what he does musically."

Mustaine also mentions, "It was recommeded I check out James LoMenzo by a friend, because I was uncertain which direction I wanted to take with the bassist, prior to starting the next record and everything just clicked."

LoMenzo (formerly with Black Label Society, David Lee Roth, etc.) will play the Dubai Desert Rock Festival with Megadeth on March 16th, 2006.

Source:	megadeth.com
Band profile:	Megadeth

Bassist Jawsh Mullen has announced his departure from Denver, Colorado's Cephalic Carnage. Mullen's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"I got some bad news for you, especially the ladies, I'm out again! That's right, I have decided to retire from the road. This has not been an easy decision to make, trust me, however, where I want to be in 10 years requires sacrifice. I'm gonna go back to school! But right now I have to work and save to get there. I will miss ALL of you out there, especially the friends that put us up, and put up with us over the years. I love all of you. To all of the friends in all the bands we've toured with, Thank you!! Thank you for the drunken, smoked out stories I have to tell for the rest of my humble like!! The memories! I've had a great time, but now I have to go and do some other shit, I have no attention span.

"I am staying active in music, however. I work at a rock club called the Hi-Dive, play in Munimula, Stuntcok, and Carniceria, so that's keeping me busy. Eventually I want to work for Dave Otero, (If you don't know who he is, you will very soon.) but I gotta work for it.

"For those looking for juicy gossip regarding this lifestyle change, sorry, there is none. We are all grownups. It sucks for all of us, but it's unavoidable, so we accept it. We are all friends, and they understand what I have to do. Those guys took me around the world, I could never have hate for them. I love them. I loved this band for years before I joined, if they don't sell out, I will love them for all time!

"If you live in Denver, or find yourself visiting Denver, come into the Hi-Dive, I will buy you a shot of whiskey and we will go over stories and laugh!"

Jawsh will be playing his final show with Cephalic Carnage on February 24 in Denver at the 3 Kings Tavern. In the meantime, the band are currently looking for a new bass player. Interested parties can contact the group at info@cephaliccarnage.net .

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Cephalic Carnage

Megadeth have parted ways with bassist James MacDonough. In a posting on the band's official forum, James wrote, "I just wanted to say thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome and thank you for all the awesome memories along the road. I will not be playing with Megadeth any longer. I'm sure Dave will post about it soon. Thanks again my metal brothers and sisters."

It was only five days ago (Feb. 5) that MacDonough posted a message on the Megadeth message board indicating that he was very much "looking forward" to playing at the Desert Rock 2006 festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on March 16, adding that he would "document the trip" for the fans.
Megadeth's scheduled appearance at the Desert Rock 2006 festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on March 16 is not expected to be affected by MacDonough's departure.

Read more ››

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Megadeth

The band posted the following on the official website:

"We are very pleased to announce that we have just signed a new recording deal with Black Lotus records who are based in Athens, Greece. The band is keen to build upon the success of 'A Semblance Of Normality' and feel that the partnership with Black Lotus will help us progress both here in Europe and further afield."

The band has also an EP entitled 'Jig-A-Jig' scheduled for release in April.

Source:	skyclad.co.uk
Band profile:	Skyclad

According to the Finnish tabloid newspaper Iltalehti, HIM. frontman Ville Valo was taken into custody by the Finnish police over the weekend for allegedly threatening to kill his neighbor and resisting arrest.

At approximately 2:30 in the morning Monday morning (Feb. 6), Valo allegedly became belligerent and violent while spending time at his apartment building, which is located in the Eira district of Helsinki. For reasons that are unclear, Ville is said to have thrown a flower pot at his neighbor's door, after which he was confronted by his neighbor and a brawl ensued. The police were called by the neighbor's wife and two officers came to the scene but were unable to calm Valo down, who reportedly had to be restrained with handcuffs.

Valo, 29, spent the night in police custody and reportedly admitted threatening the neighbor but failed to provide a clear motive for his actions.

No injuries were reported in the incident, although the neighbor's door did suffer some minor damage.

According to Iltalehti, Valo was involved in previous disturbances within the same housing organization.

The neighbors refused to comment the issue, according to the report.

Sources:
http://www.blabbermouth.net
http://www.iltalehti.fi/2006/02/09/200602074072010_uu.shtml

Band profile:

HIM

The Faroese folk/viking metal band Týr has announced that they have signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records for three albums and a re-release of their 2003 album "Eric The Red" on March 24 in Europe and on April 25 in the US. The re-release will also include previously unreleased material and the videos 'Regin Smiður' and 'Hail To The Hammer'. The band's debut on Napalm Records is scheduled for September.

Source:	tyr.net
Band profile:	Týr

Los Angeles thrashers Hirax have announced the return of original drummer John Tabares and addition of guitarist Lance Harrison to the group's ranks. The band are currently in pre-production, writing songs for their upcoming EP, "Assassins of War", tentatively due later in the year. More information will be made available soon.

In November 2005, Hirax frontman Katon W. De Pena was left as the group's sole remaining member after Glenn Rogers (lead guitars), Angelo Espino (bass), Dave Chedrick (drums) and Dave Watson (lead guitars) announced their departure from the band. As a result of their exit, Hirax's Japanese tour was cancelled and the band's appearance at this year's Keep It True VI festival was called off.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Hirax

Roadrunner Records U.K. has announced the signing of leading Norwegian black metal band Satyricon into the fold for all territories, excluding North America and Norway.

Wally van Middendorp, VP International Marketing and Acquisitions at Roadrunner International stated: "We are truly excited to be working with one of the most widely-revered bands in their genre and look forward to assisting Satyricon in their continuing quest to push back the boundaries of black metal."

Satyricon have been in Vancouver, Canada this month mixing their first new studio album since 2002 with Mike Frasier (Metallica, AC/DC). Titled "Now, Diabolical", it is set for release in April 2006. Satyr is looking forward to the release, stating, "This project has been a deeper dive in the abyss than ever before and many sacrifices have been made to try to achieve what we where looking for. We are very proud of 'Now, Diabolical' and hope the pain of giving birth to this phoenix will prove its worth!"

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Satyricon