Symbolic Records issued the following statement: "We are more than happy to tell, that Rujo is now a newborn in the Symbolic Records-family. The upcoming album "Full Drop to Concrete" is ready and just waiting for YOU to get your hands on it. You need to hold your horses for a little while since the scheduled release date for the "Full Drop to Concrete" is in the middle of april 2009.

Rujo has been playing it's energetic and aggressive metal since 1998, gathering a remarkable group of fans on it's journey. Rhythm, positive aggression, chemistry and hard pressing sounds are probably the best and only words to describe what Rujo is about.

Listen to the samples of the "Full Drop to Concrete" from Rujo MySpace and visit the official website of Rujo for live videos and more.

The band commented as follows: "After over ten years of demoing and and shredding it live we have signed a record deal with Symbolic Records. Teppo at Symbolic decided to take a leap of faith - of which we are truly grateful. We have a full-length album ready and waiting to be published in April. This is the stuff we believe in and want to get a chance to convince you also.

The deal will definitely boost our actions and we do have a number of gigs & promotions lined up for the spring & summer already. First chance to catch us is at Winterfest in Forssa on 27th of March. Stay tuned for the upcoming release and a big release party & gig, everyone's invited!"

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Source:

symbolic.fi

Swedish death metal band Demonical have posted the following update:

"Finally we are done with the recording, mixing and mastering of "Hellsworn". It sure took ages and caused some frustration but I assure you, it was worth it. We are utterly satisfied with the final result, this old-school death metal slab in nine acts turned out exactly the way we wanted. Here are the cover art and blasphemies:

01. Baptized In Fire
02. World Serpent
03. Infernal Void
04. Bloodridden
05. Götter Des Nordens
06. Children Of Sin
07. Death Metal Darkness
08. Bow To The Monolith
09. Hellsworn

The release date is set to May 15th, in other words the same day as the "Northern Death Blow" crusade starts. Samples from the album will be online within the nearest days."

Read more ››

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Demonical

Slipknot are lining up for the the following N. American dates:

April 28 - Pavillion de La Jeunesse, Quebec City (Canada) (with Trivium, 3 Inches Of Blood)
April 29 - Bell Centre, Montreal (Canada) (with Trivium, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 01 - Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto (Canada) (with Trivium, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 02 - John Labatt Centre, London (Canada) (with Trivium, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 03 - Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI (with Devildriver, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 05 - Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, IL (with Devildriver, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 06 - Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO (with Devildriver, 3 Inches Of Blood)
May 08 - Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK (with Korn, The Used, All That Remains, Dirtfeed)
May 09 - North Shore River Walk Park East, North Little Rock, AR (with Stained, Chevelle, Drowning Pool, All That Remains, Dirtfeed)
May 10 - Hartman Arena, Park City, KS
May 12 - Canaries Stadium, Sioux Falls, SD (with Korn, The Used, Clutch, All That Remains, Dirtfeed)
May 13 - Alltell Center, Mankato, MN
May 14 - US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
May 16 - Rock On The Range, Columbus, OH

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Source:	slipknot1.com
Band profile:	Slipknot

Here it is, the official cover and tracklisting of "The Classical Conspiracy" live album. It contains a full live show recorded in Miskolc, Hungary, with a 40-piece orchestra and a 30-piece choir. More than 2 hours of Epica songs and adaptations of classical masterpieces and movie scores! The album is set for a release via Nuclear Blast on May 8th.

Disc I :

01. Palladium
02. O Fortuna
03. Dies Irae
04. Ombra Mai Fu
05. 1st part, New World
06. Spiderman
07. Summer 3
08. Montagues & Capulets
09. Imperial March
10. Stabat Mater
11. Unholy Trinity
12. In The Hall Of The Mountain King
13. Pirates Of The Caribbean

Disc II :

01. Indigo / The Last Crusade
02. Sensorium
03. Quietus
04. Chasing The Dragon
05. Feint
06. Never Enough
07. Beyond Belief
08. Cry For The Moon
09. Safeguard To Paradise
10. Blank Infinity
11. Living A Lie
12. The Phantom Agony
13. Sancta Terra
14. Illusive Consensus
15. Consign To Oblivion

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Epica

Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie has been forced to pull out of the Paganfest America tour, scheduled to kick off on 28th April in Toronto, Canada featuring Korpiklaani, Primordial, Moonsorrow, Blackguard (formerly known as Profugus Mortis) and Swashbuckle. Eluveitie emphasize that this was "in no way the decision of the band and that were looking forward to do this tour a lot."

Commented the tour organizers Rock The Nation:

"Hello to all Pagan folks out there!

We're almost here for the second edition of PaganFest America and are very excited for this years tour. With the anticipation continuing to mount, this will be THE tour to attend this year, we promise!
On a related note, there have been some changes to the tour line up. Unfortunately, Swiss folk band Eluveitie will no longer be able to make it on this edition and we've decided that it would be wiser to wait for the band to return in the fall since they've already played during PaganFest America 2008's touring cycle. On the bright side, Eluveitie will return on a new tour we are currently working on (yes... we're working on something very cool for this Fall) where Eluveitie will play an acoustic and a full metal set and it will be worth the wait. Stay tuned for more info to come!

With this being said, we have increased the playing times of all the bands on PaganFest America and whether you come for your favorite or for all of the bands, you will get the set time you and the bands deserve!"

Read more ››

Source:	eluveitie.ch
Band profile:	Eluveitie
Event:	Paganfest N. America Tour

Spanish metallers Nahemah have issued the following update:

"Hello everybody!

Nahemah has finished recording their new album, the second one for Lifeforce Records, following the internationally acclaimed "The Second Philosophy". The band is at present in the final stages of editing and masterizing the new material, which will be titled "A New Constellation". In this new work, we have discovered a more experimental and spiritual outcome, one that gives Nahemah's characteristic and emotional sound a new twist.

"A New Constellation" will officially be out in Europe in May, with a limited first digipack edition with a bonus track, and the American edition will be out in July.

Starting May, the band will be commencing a series of shows and tours taking them first through Spain and Portugal and later on around all of Europe and possibly the US. We shall be releasing the first dates shortly, our complete schedule from May onwards still provisional, so anyone interested is welcome to get in touch regarding dates and details.

Best wishes and thank you for your attention."

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Nahemah

US metallers Brutal Truth have posted online a new song, entitled "Sugar Daddy", on their MySpace page.

"Sugar Daddy" comes off the band's forthcoming album, entitled "Evolution Through Revolution", which is scheduled for an April 14 North American release (April 20 internationally) via Relapse Records.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Brutal Truth

Finnish metallers Amberian Dawn have set "The Clouds Of Northland Thunder" as the title of their second album, tentatively due late spring/early summer this year.

"The Clouds Of Northland Thunder" cover artwork] tracklisting:

01. He Sleeps In A Grove
02. Incubus
03. Kokko - Eagle Of Fire
04. Willow Of Tears
05. Shallow Waters
06. Lost Soul
07. Sons Of Seven Stars
08. Saga
09. Snowmaiden
10. Lionheart
11. Morning Star
12. Birth Of The Harp

Read more ››

Source:	amberiandawn.com
Band profile:	Amberian Dawn

Bilocate proudly announce the collaboration with 279 Productions - one of the top professional labels in Greece - to be our official Management and Promotion Company in Greece and Cyprus, and our exclusive distributor for the same countries.

Great expectations are put on this agreement, another success in Bilocate's musical career and we'd like to extend our greetings to the label manager Sofia Charalampous for the cooperation.

As per The label Manager: "It was truly impossible to resist this band's talent! We didn't even have to read any of the excellent reviews that "Sudden Death Syndrome" received from the media worldwide, to offer them a place on our roster. We are always proud to offer our services and promote exceptional artists such as Bilocate."

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Source:	bilocate.net
Band profile:	Bilocate

Original news, posted on 22.02.2009

Stratovarius will release their brand new studio album, "Polaris", on May 21st, 2009. This new album will see a worldwide release by the band's new label partner edel under the new imprint earMUSIC outside of Asia, and the band's long time label partner for Asia, JVC.

Jens Johansson states, "We are very happy to have found strong label partners for the future of Stratovarius who truly believe in the band and are as enthusiastic as we are. I can't wait to hit the road again and meet all fans who supported us through all our good and bad times."

Max Vaccaro, of earMUSIC / edel adds: "We are very honoured to welcome Stratovarius in our family; "Polaris" is in fact a special album for edel. Like for Stratovarius, it's a sort of new start, we are in fact entering a new exciting chapter in our lives, the launch of a the new label earMUSIC, to coincide with the release of this fantastic new album with a renewed line-up and an overwhelming energy. One thing is for sure, Stratovarius fans will agree with us in welcoming the extraordinary talent of the new guitar player Matias Kupiainen and immediately reckon "Polaris" to be a true Stratovarius classic."

Says Seigo Horiuchi of JVC/Victor Entertainment, Inc., Japan: "We are proud of our long and successful history with this great band and are very excited to be a part of their new beginning."

In September 2008 the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together, and record. And they found themselves being a band reborn. The result is a melodic, powerful, fresh, tight, and technically elaborate new album. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. There are 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.

"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios, Helsinki, Finland. It was mixed by the legendary Mikko Karmila, who has a long history with the band.

Vocalist Timo Kotipelto explains, "Polaris is a positive, powerful album that Stratovarius fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts."

The band will support the release of their new studio album with a massive world tour. The tour will start in the UK, followed by European dates. September will see Stratovarius playing live shows in Asia, followed by a full North and South American tour in September/October. A European headliner tour is scheduled for January 2010.

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Source:	stratovarius.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

Progressive metal veterans Dream Theater have announced "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" as the title of their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the album - their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's "Systematic Chaos" - in October of last year.

Roadrunner will release the record on June 23. In addition to the standard version CD, the album will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a 3-disc Special Edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs, the titles of which will be revealed at a later date.

Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers.

Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record.

The band will embark on a world tour in support of the album beginning in Europe throughout June which will be followed by the second edition of the band's Progressive Nation tour featuring Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish throughout North America in July/August.

A video for the first single, "A Rite of Passage" will be shot in late March.

The track listing for "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" cover artwork] is as follows:

01. A Nightmare To Remember
02. A Rite Of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best Of Times
06. The Count Of Tuscany

Read more ››

Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Metallica's second Stockholm show at March 8th has been cancelled due to James Hetfield falling ill and receiving medical attention at the hospital. The show will be re-scheduled for May 4, 2009.

A message from Hetfield reads as follows:

"James here, alive, at about 80% but getting better. I want to say sorry for missing the second Stockholm gig on Sunday due to illness. The cause/diagnosis at the hospital was narrowed down to either a 24hr virus or a bad oyster... yes, hate to admit, an oyster could have taken me down.

I acknowledge and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused fans who had travelled near and far for the show. I had done everything possible to make it, and was at the point of falling if I stood up. On a lighter note since my illness, the support band 'Swedish Oyster Cult' will be thrown off the tour."

In the meantime the band posted the following statement:

"Oysters be damned, we're coming back to Stockholm, Sweden! Those of you who were at Globen on Sunday, March 8 know that unfortunately James was ill that day and we were unable to perform. That show has now been re-scheduled for May 4, so hold on to your tickets and we're hoping that you can make it back... we'll be there!

The ticket that you have for the show originally planned for Sunday will be your entry to the Globen for the May 4th show. If for some reason you cannot join us on that day, please visit the place you purchased the tickets for a full refund.

Again, our sincere apologies to all of you who traveled from near and far to Stockholm. As a minor token of our appreciation, and hopefully to make up for some of your inconvenience, everyone who goes to the May 4 show will receive a free download of that night's show at http://www.livemetallica.com. As you enter the arena that night, you'll be handed a card with instructions on how to get your free mp3 of the show."

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Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica
Event:	Metallica: World Magnetic - More European Style Tour

Seventh Void, the new band formed by Type O Negative guitarist Kenny Hickey and drummer Johnny Kelly, will release its debut album on April 21 via Big Vin Records, the label formed by Hell Yeah!/ex-Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott. A CD-release party will be held at the Clubhouse, the Dallas nightclub founded by Vinnie Paul and his late brother, Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. "It's an amazing record," Vinnie recently said. "I mixed the whole thing for the guys. It goes somehere between Soundgarden meets Black Sabbath... meets a little Audioslave, with some Type O thrown in there. It's really nice, dark, sludgy... Kenny's vocals are great."

Rounded out by bassist Hank Hell (Inhuman) and guitarist Matt Brown (ex-Supermassiv), Seventh Void continues Type O's tradition of slow, heavy riffs and existential lyrics, but with a slightly sludgier, "stonier" flavor.

The band's first single "Heaven Is Gone" can be heard on their Myspace page. Check it out here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Type O Negative

The Ocean and Bison B.C.'s upcoming shows in Hamburg and Berlin on March 16th and 21st, respectively, will be streamed live from the venues by LIGX.com. The concerts will also be archived on the website for fans to view after the shows are over. The Ocean and Bison B.C. are currently stampeding their way across Europe with fellow forward-thinking metal acts Burst and Medeia.

Direct Link to 3/16 Hamburg Stream:
The Ocean @ 6:00pm EST / 12:00am CET: Link]
Bison B.C. @ 4:15pm EST / 10:15pm CET: Link]

Direct Link to 3/21 Berlin Stream:
The Ocean @ 4:50pm EST / 10:50pm CET: Link]
Bison B.C. @ 1:15pm EST / 7:15pm CET: Link]

Read more ››

Source:	metalblade.com
Band profile:	The Ocean
Event:	The Ocean: European Tour

Vocalist Hansi Kürsch announces:

"We have already accomplished eight new songs. What can I say about these songs? They rule, of course. You want a more precise description? Impossible. All I can say is that each and every song is 100% Blind Guardian, which naturally means there is a wild bunch of different things going on from time to time (always?).

According to atmospheres: we have everything from the more Nightfallish "Curse My Name," to the Scriptish "Wheel Of Time." In comparison to A Twist In The Myth the lyrical direction will be more on the fantasy side as you most probably can figure out by these titles. The song "Sacred" will give you an idea about the quality and the direction of the songs.

We have mixed modern elements with traditional ones throughout the whole songs. We may need two or three more tracks before we can call it a complete album, but being that far in the songwriting process we nevertheless have made first plans for a production start in September or October 2009.

Apart from songwriting we will be heavily engaged in preproduction activities and in playing festivals during the next months. As a majority of the new songs seem to demand a sort of "live" atmosphere, we consider it to be good idea breathing in some real "live" air before we will finally get lost in the "Twilight Hall studios" again.

In accordance to these events I can promise you some surprising songs (though most probably no new ones) and a nice stage set up. In total we are not going to play more than ten shows, I would think. I am sure they all will turn out to be a great blast and a unique experience for everyone joining us."

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian