Reunited Dutch Death Metallers Asphyx have posted the following news on their MySpace:

"Last year Asphyx reunited for doing just one show at the Party San festival. But it turned out a bit different. We're enjoy playing the tunes of brutality and we're having lots of fun together that much, that quiting isn't an option. We wrote already 3 new songs and there a more to come!!! One of them, the fastest track, is recorded a few weeks ago. Finally today the mix is finished: please check out "Death... The Brutal Way" (unmastered).

It's not yet downloadable, but it will be soon!!"

In other news, Asphyx have confirmed they will headline a gig dubbed "Triumph Of Death", scheduled for March 29th at Knaack Club in Berlin, Germany. Also on the bill for the show: Drowned, Necrovation, Tribulation and Slugathor.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Asphyx

3 Inches Of Blood has dropped off the remainder of their tour with The Black Dahlia Murder, Hate Eternal, and Decrepit Birth, and has also cancelled their subsequent Canadian run with Rammer. Here's a statement from the band:

"Unfortunately we've had to drop off the remainder of tour with The Black Dahlia Murder, Hate Eternal, and Decrepit Birth. We will also be missing our Canadian dates, Feb 16-23, with Rammer.

It was not an easy decision to make, but due to the rapidly declining weather in the remaining areas of the tour we have decided that it would be unsafe to continue touring in these conditions. We have had a great time with all of the bands on this tour, so it is especially disappointing to have to cancel our remaining appearances. We are committed to rescheduling our appearances in all the cities we will be missing, but when the weather is warmer and the roads less treacherous. Sorry to disappoint anybody, but we would rather stay safe and live to play another day"

The remaining dates of the Hate Eternal + Decrepit Birth tour are:

08.02.2008 - USA, Lawrence, KS
09.02.2008 - USA, St. Paul, MN
10.02.2008 - USA, Iowa City, IA
12.02.2008 - USA, Sauget, IL
13.02.2008 - USA, Chicago, IL
14.02.2008 - USA, Cleveland, OH
15.02.2008 - USA, Detroit, MI

UPDATED: (on 09.02.08)

The Black Dahlia Murder have posted the following update:

"We're sorry to announce that 3 Inches Of Blood and Decrepit Birth have both dropped off the remaining dates of our headlining tour due to bad weather and poor road conditions. Us and Hate Eternal will still be making all the shows along with local support. Our good friends in The Red Chord will be coming out and joining us for the last 4 shows (Sauget, Chicago, Cleveland Detroit). Again these shows are NOT canceled, we will be there every night! Thanks to everyone who's come out to any of the shows for all the support."

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	3 Inches Of Blood

Switzerland Gothenburg/Folk Metal band Eluveitie have posted the following blog on their MySpace:

"For all those of you who haven't heard and seen yet: Since TODAY Eluveitie is featured on MYSPACE MUSIC? with: AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF COMPLETE UPCOMING ALBUM "SLANIA"! Each song of the album is online! So, go and check it out! And let us know if you like it."

The stream comes courtesy of MySpace Metal and will last until February 15th.

"Furthermore, for those that live near our area: We're looking forward to celebrate the release of our "new baby" and we'd be happy to have you celebrating with us! So, don't miss our release party on 16th of February 2008 @ http://www.gaswerk.ch in Winterthur/Switzerland! It will be an amazing evening, also together with Morrigu and Königs Halunken from Helvetia! And furthermore it will be one of the FIRST POSSIBILITIES TO LAY YOUR HANDS ON SLANIA! So, we hope to see you there. Horns raised"

A flyer of the event can be found here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Eluveitie
Event:	Eluveitie: Slania Release Party

You can check out a new song from Meshuggah entitled "Bleed" online over at their official MySpace page.

The track comes off the band's forthcoming sixth full-length "ObZen", slated for a European release on March 7th and aNorth American release on March 11th, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The tracklist is as follows:

01. Combustion
02. Electric Red
03. Bleed
04. Lethargica
05. ObZen
06. The Spiteful Snake
07. Pineal Gland Optics
08. Pravus
09. Dancers To A Discordant System

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Meshuggah

The following has been posted on Dream Theater's myspace page:

New York progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater are set to unveil the maiden voyage of "Progressive Nation". A package tour they will headline that will also feature the talents of Opeth, Between The Buried And Me and 3.

The tour is the brainchild of Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy who explains: "I've been wanting to assemble a package tour like this for many years now. With all of the festivals and package tours that go through America, I've been talking with our manager and agent for over 10 years now about doing something that focuses on the more progressive, musician-oriented side of hard rock and metal. I decided it was time to stop talking the talk, lace up and finally walk the walk"

While Dream Theater co-headlined 2005's Gigantour alongside Megadeth, as well as embarking on previous co-headlining runs with both Queensrÿche and Joe Satriani and opening slots for Yes, Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, they have primarily built their 22 year career on the road playing solely to their own audience.

Portnoy comments: "I've always prided myself on personally hand picking new and exciting opening acts to open for Dream Theater in the past. Bands such as Porcupine Tree, Symphony X, Spock's Beard, Fates Warning, Pain Of Salvation and King's X. In all of these cases, it was important for me to pick bands that I respect and admire but also ones that I know our fans will enjoy. And I think playing with DT has helped expand all of those band's fanbases as a direct result. I am hoping Progressive Nation will continue to do the same thing in offering an audience for more daring and experimental acts that otherwise may not get the mainstream exposure they so rightly deserve."

Joining the bill for this inaugural run is Sweden's legendary Opeth who have been enjoying an ever-growing and expanding audience of their own for many years now. DT's Roadrunner Records label-mates will be ready to unleash their new album "Watershed" next spring and Progressive Nation should be a great launching pad for their next World Tour cycle. Guitarist/Vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt adds: "We're very excited about this upcoming tour with Dream Theater. It will be the first tour that we're doing in support of our upcoming record, and also somewhat of a dream come true personally as I've been a fan of theirs for a long time. It's quite intimidating to be on the bill with such amazing musicians but obviously we'll try and give them a run for their money and pull out a few nice licks of our own. I guess we'll need to practice a little bit for this....how boring! Yet, I can't wait for this tour to start and I'm sure we'll have a blast with the DT guys as well as together with the other bands on the bill!"

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater
Event:	Progressive Nation Tour

Dutch metallers Textures third studio album entitled "Silhouettes" will be released on 21 April 2008 through Listenable Records.

Silhouettes tracklist:
01. Old Days Born Anew
02. The Sun's Architect
03. Awake
04. Laments Of An Icarus
05. One Eye For A Thousand
06. State Of Disobedience
07. Storm Warning
08. Messengers
09. To Erase A Lifetime

The band has also posted studio reports of the recording of the album and can be viewed at this location.

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Source:	texturesband.com
Band profile:	Textures

The following was posted on Jon Oliva's Pain's my space page:

Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle, & Manticora will team-up for the first leg of the North American "Global Intrusions" tour this fall. This marks the first time that Jon Oliva (Jon Oliva's Pain, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) & Zak Stevens (Circle II Circle, ex-Savatage) have toured together since their days in Savatage in 1999.

"Wow, it's certainly been a while since I have been able to get back on the road here in America...it must be snowing in hell. It's going to be great touring in support of what I consider one of the best records of my career. We really pulled out all the stops for this one. Touring with Zak and the Circle II Circle guys is going to be a treat as well, especially for Savatage fans. We've got a few tricks up our sleeves so don't miss out as it may never happen again. Looking forward to seeing all of you soon" said Oliva. Stevens adds, "It's always special to perform on the same bill with Jon Oliva, especially here in the States! Obviously Jon has been a huge influence on my musical career and I remain one of his biggest fans. This tour will be a special event for all our fans that have enjoyed our work throughout the Savatage years and now into the new generation of Jon Oliva's Pain and Circle II Circle music."

Manticora's Lars Larsen states "For us, this is a great opportunity as we now get the chance to start in Europe with Oliva and then finish the party in North America with one of our biggest inspirations."

Dates to be announced soon.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Jon Oliva's Pain

Swedish thrashers Carnal Forge have issued the following update:

"Jari Kuusisto (rythm guitar) & Jens C Mortensen (vocals) have both left the band. We are sorry not to have the guys on board anymore, and we wish them all the best for the future. We want to thank them for all their work and efforts in the band and all the crazy times we've shared through the years... Cheers!!!
The good news is that we have found two new members to replace Jari and Jens. Dino Medanhodzic on lead guitar (Soulbreach) and Peter Tuthill on vocals (ex Construcdead, and also in Godsic). We have been rehearsing for the last month and the transition has gone real smooth, and we are ready to hit the stage again. The first show with the new line up will be in Sala, Sweden on the 23:rd of February at Rockland. In March and April we will team up with brittish thrashers Onslaught for a European tour of 22 shows."

Jari's statement:
"It's with great sadness I must inform you all that I have decided to leave CF. I just feel that my time in CF has come to an end, and I really haven't anything more to offer to the band. It's been great working with the band over these 10 years and I wish the guys the best of luck in the future (Because they deserve it). For those of you that wonder. I will continue with my music carrier but with my other band This Human Design. So hopefully I will see you all again in a near future. Thank you all for the endless support. See you soon. // Cheers Jari"

Jens' statement:
"It is with sadness in my heart I tell you that my time as the voice of CF is over. Long story short; I found myself in a situtation where I had to choose 'tween being the singer of CF and my job/personal life and I chose the latter. I hope you'll all understand that this wasn't an easy desicion for me. I'd like to thank all the people that supported our efforts during my 3+ years in CF and give a big shout-out to all the bands/crews/bartenders that put up with our shit, Cheers! Also, BIG thanks and a heartfelt goodspeed to the girls in CF who are now embarking on a new adventure... You'll get nothing but phat respect and love from me since I'll always consider you my brothers in arms. Stay Me(n)tal! / Tack Fan! /jCm"

Peter's statement:
"Having been a huge fan of the band's music through all the years since the debut album, I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am to be a part of this! I can't wait to get out on the road and tear some throat! I'm promising you a new energetic Carnal Forge with a force that will blow you away!"

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Source:	carnalforge.com
Band profile:	Carnal Forge

Living Sacrifice has returned. Founding members Bruce Fitzhugh (Vocals / Guitar) and Lance Garvin (Drums) have reunited with Rocky Gray (lead guitar) and Arthur Green (bass). See a new band pic here. The band will be on tour this summer and we are already writing material for our brand new album, which will be released in 2008. All info on http://www.myspace.com/livingsacrifice.

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Source:	livingsacrifice.com
Band profile:	Living Sacrifice

The following was posted on Moonsorrow's website: "The release date of "Tulimyrsky EP" is set to March 26th by Spikefarm Records. Although called an EP, the length of this opus is somewhere past one hour. It consists of one new song, two covers and two old demo songs reworked.

Looking like this:

01. Tulimyrsky
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls (Metallica cover)
03. Taistelu Pohjolasta (originally on "Tämä Ikuinen Talvi")
04. Hvergelmir (originally on "Metsä")
05. Back To North (Merciless cover)

The EP also sees a set of visitors in form of actor Turkka Mastomäki, Olav Eira (Áigi), Tomi Koivusaari (Amorphis), Oppu Laine (Mannhai) and Janne Perttilä (Rytmihäiriö/Moonsorrow), all of them giving their contribution to the vocals.

The "Tulimyrsky EP" was recorded and mixed at Jive studio, Helsinki by Jukka Varmo and Henri Sorvali. The cover art is made by Kris Verwimp."

UPDATED on 7 March:

Spinefarm Records will now issue Moonsorrow's new EP "Tulimyrsky" on April 30th. The release was previously expected on March 26th.

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Source:	moonsorrow.com
Band profile:	Moonsorrow

Madder Mortem has posted this update on their website:

Some people have uttered their concern about our long period of public silence. We assure you all, that there's nothing to worry about! At the moment of writing, we're in the last stages of preparation before starting to record our newest compilation of Madder Madness onto disk. There are quite some things that needs to be settled, and that's partly the reason why things have been taking such a long time, but do not fear; we're absolutely still together as the band you all know, highly alive and kicking, so look forward to more news to come, as we get into the recording process, and a new Madder era starts to take shape!

Source:	maddermortem.com
Band profile:	Madder Mortem

Season Of Mist are very proud to inform that legendary Norwegian black metallers Mayhem were honoured in the "Metal" category at the 36th annual Spellemann Awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards) for their latest release, "Ordo Ad Chao". The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held last Saturday, February 2nd at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.
Click here for a picture of the winning band receiving their Award.

The nominees in the "Metal" category were as follows:

Mayhem - "Ordo Ad Chao"
Red Harvest - "A Greater Darkness"
Dimmu Borgir - "In Sorte Diaboli"
Audrey Horne - "Le Fol"

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Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	Mayhem

As a teaser prior to the release of Septic Flesh's upcoming album "Communion", you can now on listen to the "Lovecraft's Death" song here.

"This song is a tribute to the well known grandmaster of science fiction / horror, H.P. Lovecraft," the band comments. "It is an imaginary story describing his final hour in this world... The lyrics are basically a strange puzzle created from the titles of his books, that are combined together in order to create the specific meaning. Enjoy the nightmare!"

"Communion" will hit the stores on March 17th, and March 25th in the USA through Seasons Of Mist.

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Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	Septicflesh

Obtest, the metal music band from Vilnius, Lithuania, already well familiar to pagan music community all over Europe, are reaching a new goal: to conquer the rest of the world. Such scope is not without reason. The band has just inked a deal with the famous French label Osmose Productions for release of a new album "Gyvybės Medis". This company specializes in heavy music industry for almost two decades now, and during that time has deservedly earned a name of one of the most influential metal labels worldwide, discovering and raising few dozens of nowadays' worldwide acclaimed artists. Such luminaries as Immortal, Enslaved, Dark Tranquillity, Marduk, Shining, Absu, Masters Hammer, Melechesh, Sigh, Vital Remains, Impaled Nazarene, Necromantia or Angelcorpse is enough to mention to realize the impact of this company in black, death, pagan or thrash metal market.

Much like the entire catalogue of French label, new Obtest album will be distributed in music shops and via independent retailers worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Australia, USA and the entire Europe. Ledo takas, long-lived label of the band, has secured an exclusive right to release and distribute new Obtest album in the Baltic States.
"Gyvybės Medis" will be released in three different formats: digipak compact disk, picture vinyl record and collectors' A5 sized CD book. Due to peripeteia around this new deal, the release date is postponed for later time than expected before, yet it is clear and steady: the fourth Obtest album will be born on fourth day of April, the fourth month of the year 2008. New Obtest merchandise series will be presented at the same time.

"Such a twist in the new album publication was surprising. We have learned about it some time ago, and were pleasantly surprised. We hope that our new album will be available to all fans of the band even at the utmost ends of the earth" - comments Obtest.
"This deal is the most significant Obtest achievement in releasing field so far, and it is especially exciting that this pact is entered exactly with Osmose. It is an honour to put a unique music writing musicians in touch with publishing professionals who know their stuff. I am sure that this alliance will be versatilely beneficial, and we will live the first results pretty soon" - resumes Ledo Takas Records chief and Obtest manager Tadas Kazlauskas.

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Source:	ledotakas.net
Band profile:	Obtest

Deathchain has posted the following updates on their website:

"We have decided to announce this due to all questions regarding this issue: Our long-time guitar player Bobby Undertaker has decided to step off from this roaring machinery. It did not come as a complete surprise but somehow it was inevitable, as one will find out when reading the Undertakers last obituary. It is with full understanding we part our ways with long-time friend and brother, so cheers to you and may Cthulhu guard your steps!"

Bobby Undertaker has also posted his statement on the website:

"Deathchain has come to a point where in order to grow bigger and more known as a band, more and more tours outside Finland must be done. It seems that Deathchain is going to be pretty busy on that matter. That means months away from Finland and for me, also months away from my day job. In my current situation in life, that job is something I just can't afford to lose. Especially when doing tours as a support, usually there's no income of any kind and for me that situation is financially impossible. It's not fair that the whole band would be held back just because of me. Furthermore, I totally agree with the rest of the band that using someone to replace me on tours is totally lame and just plain stupid. Either you're in, or you're out and I'm sad to announce that under these circumstances, I am out of Deathchain.

This is probably the hardest decision I've ever made. Deathchain has been a huge part of my life. We have done three albums and over 100 shows all around Europe, I've made a lots of friends on our gigs and met great bands, not to mention the fellow band members who have become one of my best friends. I will continue playing and with Corpse we have agreed to work together in the future. I wish all the best for Deathchain and thank you for the best years of my life.
Stay metal,
B.Undertaker"

The band continues to post the following:

"We have found a new brother, who will join our hordes under the name of Kult! There is no need to write about his past in here, because the future will show you that he is the right man for the job. We are already writing the next opus and Kult is deeply involved in the writing process, this is how strongly we trust him. So greet him with a pint of lager when you see him on this years shows!"

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Source:	deathchain.com
Band profile:	Deathchain