Pacific Northwest dark metal legends Agalloch have completed work on their fourth full-length entitled Marrow Of The Spirit, the follow-up to 2006's Ashes Against The Grain. The release date is November 23.

Marrow Of The Spirit tracklist:

01. They Escaped The Weight Of Darkness
02. Into The Painted Grey
03. The Watcher's Monolith
04. Black Lake Nidstang
05. Ghosts Of The Midwinter Fires
06. To Drown

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Source:	profoundlorerecords.com
Band profile:	Agalloch

In a recent interview with Tomb Of The Opinionated, Obituary singer John Tardy confirmed the rumour that the band has parted ways with bass player Frank Watkins, who has been performing with the latest incarnation of Gorgoroth.

John Tardy answered to the question about Watkins' departure and replacement: "Frank is no longer in the band and Terry Butler will be doing all the shows that he can with us. Right now we are happy with that and if Terry's schedule does not allow him to play with us we can always lean on Stever DiGiorgio or Kenny Andrews."

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Source:	tomboftheopinionated.wordpress.com
Band profile:	Obituary

Swedish power metallers Dream Evil have uploaded another new video off the latest In The Night album. The track is called "The Ballad" and was once again directed by Patric Ullaeus. The video also appears on Century Media's official channel.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Dream Evil

Heavy metallers Black Tide have unveiled a new song called "Bury Me" on their official site which will be released as a split digital single with another new song, "Honest Eyes", on 9/21.

The band recently spent time in the studio with renowned producers GGGarth and Josh Wilbur recording the follow up to their 2008 critically acclaimed debut, Light From Above. Webisodes from these sessions can be seen on the bands Official VEVO channel. The band will be teaming up with Bullet For My Valentine and Escape The Fate on tour through till the end of October.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Black Tide

Icewind has signed to Canadian Metalodic Records. The band has also been busy working on their second album titled Again Came The Storm scheduled for release on November 15th. More details to come...

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Icewind

Tom Phillips, guitarist of While Heaven Wept has issued a lengthy update about the band. He says:

"I am extremely pleased to inform you that Chris Salamone and I have just completed the mastering of Triumph:Tragedy:Transcendence - Live At The Hammer Of Doom Festival this week, and the results are incredible all things considered. But don't take my word for it...today I'm adding the first audio sample to all of our websites, including this myspace, so I encourage you to have a listen yourselves!

Currently, our good friends at Streetclip TV are editing the DVD program, and based upon the rough draft version I've seen, it's going to turn out absolutely amazing considering the number of cameras involved as well as the very musically-inclined filming.

The performance features an equal balance of material from all of our albums, and also a good amount of improvisation a la Rainbow circa 1976, making this a very special release indeed.

I wanted to also take this opportunity to reveal the details pertaining to both formats Triumph:Tragedy:Transcendence - Live At The Hammer Of Doom Festival will be released in: A CD/DVD 2 disc set will be released via Cruz Del Sur Music on November 8th, 2010 in a quantity of 3000 copies. The DVD program will be region free, so it can be played anywhere without incident.

Triumph:Tragedy:Transcendence - Live At The Hammer Of Doom Festival will contain the following material.

CD
01. Vast Oceans Lachrymose
02. The Furthest Shore (Parts 1-3)
03. Soulsadness
04. The Drowning Years
05. Of Empires Forlorn
06. Vessel
07. Thus With A Kiss I Die

DVD
01. Vast Oceans Lachrymose
02. The Furthest Shore (Parts 1-3)
03. Soulsadness
04. The Drowning Years
05. Of Empires Forlorn
06. Vessel
07. Thus With A Kiss I Die
08. To Wander The Void (encore)

DVD Bonus Features
1. 20 Minute Interview with Streetclip TV
2. Backstage Rehearsal Clip 1
3. Backstage Rehearsal Clip 2
4. The Furthest Shore (Parts 1-3) - Pittsburgh 1/8/10
5. Soulsadness - Pittsburgh 1/8/10
6. Thus With A Kiss I Die - Pittsburgh 1/8/10

In addition to the CD/DVD set, there will be a limited edition 2LP set released through a joint collaboration between Cruz Del Sur Music, High Roller Records, and Iron Kodex Records in a quantity of 1000 copies. This 2LP set will be pressed on heavy vinyl (either 140g or 180g), and will be housed in an equally heavy, gorgeous gatefold sleeve filled to the brim with photos from our weekend in Germany, including some never-before-seen shots by Hans-Martin Issler. A stunning poster and full color insert will also be included in the package. 250 copies will be on colored vinyl, and you can expect this to be released on October 23rd, 2010 at the Hammer Of Doom 4 festival in Wuerzburg, Germany...which I will be attending personally to celebrate the release with all of my mates in the great bands that are performing.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	While Heaven Wept

US Traditional Doom metallers Trouble are getting ready to enter studio. The band has been making preliminary recordings and working out things in order to bring the best possible Trouble release. The band is extremely happy with the direction of the songs. Heavy and Melodic are the words that describe this work.

In other news, be on the look out for the new Trouble Video Blog. The band has signed on with Ironroad to bring subscribers a weekly blog reporting on everything Trouble. Fans will soon be able to sign up and receive video blogs.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Trouble

Guitar pedal and effects manufacturer Dunlop recently posted videos about what kind of gear Tool uses. Here they are:

"Ever wonder how these pioneers of progressive metal get their psychedelic sounds and monstrous tones? We take a look at the rigs of both bass player Justin Chancellor and guitarist Adam Jones during their set up at a show in San Francisco. Check out the awesome demo of our Heil Talk Box in the Adam Jones interview. Tool fans and tone chasers prepare for an overload! On Adam Jones' rig we saw: Phase 90, Micro Amp, 535Q Crybaby, Heil Talkbox. On Justin Chancellor's rig we saw: MXR Bass Envelope Filter, MXR Bass Octave Deluxe .Check out the videos below."


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Source:	jimdunlop.com
Band profile:	Tool

Official press release

After releasing the stunning Time Waits For No Slave album via Century Media Records in 2009, British grindcore gods Napalm Death have been busy travelling around the globe to massively promote the album live. So the band has announced that they will be embarking on a headlining tour of Europe this November, along with Macabre, Immolation and Waking The Cadaver.

Vocalist Barney Greenway checks in with the following update: "Having just returned from a string of dates in Thailand, Australia and Japan, it's a great feeling to know that Napalm is able to get out far and wide. Despite the fact that Napalm has trail-blazed across the world, I still hope next year there will be a few new places that we can set foot in where other bands just don't go. That's still a great source of excitement.

Back in Europe, we're pleased to be coming back on tour again in November. There are old mates in Macabre and Immolation especially, and so it'll be good to round off the touring for Time Waits... with a real blowout amongst friends. We'll be turning the setlist on it's head, I think, so expect a few things you haven't heard perhaps from the mists of time. Hopefully we'll know what the fuck we are doing when we come to play all that stuff.

Which leads us into a new album, which we'll begin to piece together in January next year. Expect even more short, sharp shocks from what Shane and Mitch have told me so far on the music front, and lots of stop-start spontaneity. No finished lyrics as yet - I'm waiting with baited breath on the first nasty-sounding MP3 roughs so I can lock myself away and get going."

Napalm Death

30.09. Thessaloniki - Block 33 (Greece)
01.10. Athens - Ann Club (Greece)
02.10. Lichtenfels - Way of Darkness Festival (Germany)
03.10. Essen - Death Feast Ultimate @ Turock (Germany)
22.10. Birmingham - Supersonic Festival (Great Britain)

Napalm Death with Immolation, Macabre, Waking The Cadaver

05.11. Aalborg - Metal Fest (Denmark)
06.11. Berlin - SO36 (Germany)
07.11. Drachten - Iduna (Netherlands)
08.11. Hannover - Bei Chez Heinz (Germany)
09.11. Köln - Underground (Germany)
10.11. Lille - L'Aeronef (France)
11.11. Vaureal - Le Forum (France)
12.11. Rennes - Antipode (France)
13.11. Pamplona - Sala Totem (Spain)
14.11. Santiago Di Compostela - Sala Capitol (Spain)
15.11. Madrid - Sala Live (Spain)
16.11. Badalona - Estraperlo Club (Spain)
18.11. Bologna - Estragon (Italy)

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Source:	centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Napalm Death
Event:	Napalm Death + Immolation: Campaign For Musical Destruction 2010

Firewind has premiered the new video of the lead-off single from their upcomming album Days of Defiance exclusively on MetalSucks. The clip was shot by the renowned director Patric Ullaeus (Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Lacuna Coil). Head over to this location to watch the new Firewind video.

Guitarist Gus G. commented: "The video for "World on Fire" was shot entirely on green screen and I think this time Patric Ullaeus has outdone himself! The concept is based on the album cover artwork and it's something we're doing for the first time on a video of ours. There's a barbaric vibe to it, lots of fire, metal warriors and even a Valkyrie. We're very pleased with the final result and we believe this is our best video yet. Check it out and let the Firewind rage on."

Days of Defiance comes out October 25 on Century Media.

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Source:	metalsucks.net
Band profile:	Firewind

US Power metallers Imagika have commenced writing of their 8th album for a spring 2011 release via an undetermined label. The follow up to their critically acclaimed Portrait Of A Hanged Man will see the debut appearance of new members Guitarist Rob Kowolski and Drummer Wayne DeVecchi. The CD will be engineered again by Guitarist Steve Rice and mixed by Andy LaRocque.

Guitarist Steve Rice comments: "The band is definitely ready to kick ass with the new material that has been developing since we've been back from our US tour this past Summer. 13 new songs are in the works and as usual it will be a departure from our past releases. The original idea was to approach this as a concept album, but we agreed that it's been beat to death by so many other bands that there is no point. I mean how can you top some of the great Metal concept albums like Operation Mind Crime or Abigail? It's very hard to accomplish and not really our thing at the end of the day. But after hearing our singer's seemingly endless collection of fruity, flowery Euro Power Metal while on the tour bus and sparing his iPod a horrible asphalt death I definitely knew what I didn't want to do! HA! A CD full of progressive, complex and melodic Thrash Metal is more appealing to me and the band at this point and decidedly the definitive goal for this next release. By bringing new blood into the band there's an aggressive attitude for making a bold statement with a lot to prove! Also being able to approach the recordings as a 2 guitar band is inspiring since we haven't done that since our My Bloodied Wings 2006 release. It'll be cool to kick it up a notch and bring more shred and harmony to the table this time. All in all I'm expecting nothing but the best from the band."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Imagika

"Mislead" the new track off James LaBrie's upcoming effort titled Static Pulse is now available for free download by spreading the word on Facebook or Twitter. Here's how it works:

Go to this location and then click "connect to facebook" or "connect to twitter". Follow the procedures given and when you are done, the download link will be availed on the site.

Another new track, called "One More Time", is streaming on Noisecreep.

Static Pulse is the new solo album by Dream Theater's vocalist James LaBrie featuring longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist Matt Guillory. The effort was mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (Opeth, Paradise Lost).

Static Pulse cover art] tracklist:

01. One More Time
02. Jekyll Or Hyde
03. Mislead
04. Euphoric
05. Over The Edge
06. I Need You
07. Who You Think I Am
08. I Tried
09. Just Watch Me
10. This Is War
11. Superstar
12. Coming Home
13. Jekyll Or Hyde
14. Coming Home

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Source:	insideoutmusic.com
Band profile:	James LaBrie

Faith No More have announced their final live show and are supposedly breaking up for good afterwards - despite the rumors the band are working on a new album. After a hiatus of eleven years the band reformed in early 2009 for a string of reunion dates.

At the Ilosaarirock Festival in Finland last July, frontman Mike Patton announced it was Faith No More's last appearance together. But the band now announced one more show in Santiago, Chile on December 5 and confirmed this performance will be their last before parting ways for good.

"When we decided to get together, it was to reconnect," says keyboardist Roddy Bottum. "Doing these shows was the only thing we were going to do."

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Source:	kerrang.com
Band profile:	Faith No More
Event:	Faith No More

Check out the new animated music video "Made of Metal" from Halford's new album Halford IV - Made of Metal below. The NASCAR-themed clip was created by London-based animator Dean Wright. Halford IV - Made Of Metal is scheduled for a release at the end of this month. More info concerning the album here.


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Source:	robhalford.com
Band profile:	Halford

On the heels of their show-stealing performances last month on Ozzfest's second stage, Ohio's Skeletonwitch have announced a fall headlining tour. The North American Skullsplitter Tour 2010 will see the blackened-thrash animals supported by labelmates Withered and Landmine Marathon.

Skeletonwitch's Scott Hedrick commented: "We live for the road, so after six weeks of writing the next record, it's going to be great to get back on the stage, basement floor, your mother's house... whatever! Perhaps we'll break out some new tunes. We'll definitely break out some beers! It's also killer to tour with two other Prosthetic bands. Keeping it in the family!"

Singer/guitarist Mike Thompson from Withered, who will be joining the run late due to touring commitments with Danzig, added: "We are really looking forward to the dates we're doing with our friends Skeletonwitch. It's been a few years since we've gone out with them, so we've got a lot of ridiculousness to make up for. Life never ceases to surprise."

Landmine Marathon's Ryan Butler commented: "We're ecstatic to be touring with our friends in Skeletonwitch. It's gonna be an absolute blast. We're also extremely excited to be hitting a lot of cities that Landmine has never played before and looking forward to gaining fans and friends in those areas. A very metal time will be had by all!"

North American Skullsplitter Tour 2010, feat. Skeletonwitch with special guests Withered and Landmine Marathon)

11/19 - Columbus, OH - Ruby Tuesday (no Withered)
11/20 - Toledo, OH - Frankies (no Withered)
11/21 - Dekalb, IL - Otto's Nightclub (no Withered)
11/22 - Lansing, MI - Mac's Bar
11/23 - Windsor, ON - Chubby Pickle
11/24 - London, ON - London Music Hall
11/25 - Hamilton, ON - Absinthe
11/26 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion (Wine Cellar)
11/27 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
11/28 - New Haven, CT - Lily's Pad at Toad's Place
11/29 - Frederick, MD - Krug's Place
11/30 - Greensboro, NC - Legitimate Business
12/2 - Oklahoma City, OK - Conservatory
12/3 - Denton, TX - Rubbergloves Rehearsal
12/4 - Austin, TX - Red 7

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Source:	prostheticrecords.com
Band profile:	Skeletonwitch
Event:	North American Skullsplitter Tour 2010