Danish progressive power metallers Pyramaze have posted the following update on their Facebook page: "Pyramaze are proud to announce that Michael Kammeyer's (guitars) replacement is in fact our longtime producer and very good friend Jacob Hansen (Invocator, Anubis Gate, Beyond Twilight)."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Pyramaze

"Necropolis", a new video from US power metallers Kamelot can now be seen below. The song comes off the group's latest album Poetry For The Poisoned, which was released in September last year.

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood states: "With this video, we gave Owe (director) free reign to create something unique and visually stunning. Him and his team did a fantastic job! Here you have Necropolis!"

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Source:	kamelot.com
Band profile:	Kamelot

Arch Enemy have confirmed a long-awaited headlining tour of Japan, scheduled for April 2012.

Michael Amott comments: "It's not a very well guarded secret that Japan has been like a second home for Arch Enemy since we first started touring there in 1997. So it is with great joy and excitement that we are returning to celebrate the success of our Khaos Legions album and play some great shows for our Japanese fans!"

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Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy
Event:	Arch Enemy: Japanese Khaos 2012

Scottish folk metal act Alestorm has announced the Useless Drunken Bastards UK & Ireland Tour in February 2012 with Australians Claim The Throne.

The band commented: "Greetings dudes! In February 2012 we'll be hitting the road for our biggest headlining UK tour ever, including our first ever shows in Ireland! Along with us will be our Australian buddies Claim The Throne, who are really good at getting drunk. Get your asses down to the show, or we'll kick your ass. I know where you live."

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Source:	alestorm.net
Band profile:	Alestorm
Event:	Alestorm: Useless Drunken Bastards UK & Ireland Tour

Swiss hard-rockers Gotthard have announced Nic Maeder as their new vocalist.

The band made the following statement: "Dear Gotthard Fans - it gives us great pleasure to announce that we have found a new singer. The successor to Steve Lee, who was killed in a tragic accident last year, is Nic Maeder and is Swiss-born. Nic was born in 1971 in Lausanne, lived in Melbourne, Australia and grew up between Switzerland and 'Down Under. 'Nic not only has a great voice and is a fantastic musician, but we also have a great person in our midst', says Leo. 'We can rock again at last.'"

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Source:	gotthard.com
Band profile:	Gotthard

Following the conclusion of their European tour dates in spring 2012, Rammstein will present their retrospective Made In Germany 1995-2011 in North America as well. As of today, 21 concerts have been confirmed from April to May 2012. All the tour dates can be seen below.

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Source:	rammstein.de
Band profile:	Rammstein
Event:	Rammstein: Made In Germany 1995-2011 North American Tour

Machine Head have announced an upcoming U.S. headlining tour with support acts Suicide Silence, Darkest Hour, and Rise To Remain. The tour kicks off on January 15th in Denver, Colorado, and will run through the U.S. for the remainder of the month, coming to a close on February 18th in the band's hometown area of San Francisco, California. Stay tuned for more updates and check the tour dates below.

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Source:	machinehead1.com
Band profile:	Machine Head
Event:	Machine Head: North American Tour 2012

Posted on the band's Facebook page:

Craig Locicero, Russ Anderson, Matt Camacho, and Steve Smyth of the Bay Area thrash band Forbidden are proud to make the following announcement: "After a couple of grueling months of sifting through video auditions, we've finally got our man. Let it be known that on Halloween 2011, Sasha Horn from Chicago is Forbidden's new drummer!"

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Forbidden

Italian power metallers Kaledon have parted ways with drummer David Folchitto. The band posted the following announcement online: "After more than 10 years, the band's collaboration with David Folchitto is over. The separation is completely friendly, and Kaledon wish David all the best for his professional and private future."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Kaledon

Finnish metal band Mors Principium Est has announced that Andhe Chandler has now joined the band as a second guitarist.

The band posted the following short statement about acquiring a second guitar player to the group ranks: "Allrighty! Finally it did happen. We found the second guitar player! And the new guy is Andhe Chandler from New Zealand. Yes, New Zealand is pretty far, but don't worry, it will not affect our gigs in the future. Now we can concentrate on the new material with full force!"

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Source:	morsprincipiumest.com
Band profile:	Mors Principium Est

Official statement

UK-based progressive extreme metallers De Profundis will begin recording the follow-up to their second album A Bleak Reflection in November. The production duties will once again be handled by Fernando Pereira Lopes (Misanthrope, Orakle). The band will be recording 8 new songs, totalling approximately 55 minutes in length.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	De Profundis

Mastodon have just announced their new US headlining tour dates along with fellow Americans The Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang, which will be filling the support slots.

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Source:	mastodonrocks.com
Band profile:	Mastodon
Event:	Mastodon: Fall US Tour 2011

Official press release

The legendary Tiamat is the latest addition to the Napalm Records family. The band is responsible for classics such as Wildhoney or A Deeper Kind Of Slumber and is currently working on new songs. A new album is scheduled for a 2012 release.

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Source:	napalmrecords.com
Band profile:	Tiamat

Finnish folk metal pioneers Korpiklaani are pleased to announce their upcoming Ukon Wacka - North American Tour!

Support will come from their very close friends from Russia, Arkona, who will be making their North American debut. Polkadot Cadaver and Forged In Flame will complete the package.

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Source:	korpiklaani.com
Band profile:	Korpiklaani
Event:	Korpiklaani: Ukon Wacka North American Tour 2011

US death metallers Autopsy have revealed the following update:

"Greetings Sicko's, we go into the studio at the end of October to record 3 new songs. It will be a taste of the new album that will soon follow. The 3 new songs will be released on a special release by Peaceville Records. It will also include all the EP's (Tomb Within, Fiend For Blood, Retribution For The Dead, Horrific Obsseion 7", and Funereality) that are out of print. A jackhammer to your skull."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Autopsy