Belgian Brutal Death Metal band Aborted have issued the following news:
"Hey everyone, it is with great pleasure that we announce the Iconoclast Part I Tour, where we will be supporting germany's finest Heaven Shall Burn alongside Misery Speakds.
The dates are as follows:

ICONOCLAST PART I
28.03.08 Brugge (B) - Entreepot
29.03.08 Lingen (Ger) - Alter Schlachthof
30.03.08 Hellendorn (NL) - De Lantaarn
31.03.08 Köln (Ger) - Werkstatt
01.04.08 Sheffield (UK) - Corporation
02.04.08 London (UK) - Underworld
03.04.08 Den Bosch (NL) - W2
04.04.08 Paris (F) - Le Nouveau Casino
05.04.08 Ravenna (I) - Rock Planet Club
06.04.08 Zürich (CH) - Abart
07.04.08 Stuttgart (Ger) - Röhre
08.04.08 Prag (CZ) - Rock Café
09.04.08 Berlin (Ger) - Columbia Club

Furthermore, writing of the new album is nearly completed, we are putting final touches to the material & are hitting the studio to record end February till mid March. Eric Rachel will mix this slab of brutality right after & it should see a summer release on Century Media records. Stay tuned for more!"

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Aborted
Event:	Heaven Shall Burn: Iconoclast Tour

Finnish Melodic Death Metallers Omnium Gatherum have issued the following update:

"OG will begin to record the 4th magnum opus extravaganza in March and this time the album will be done in three different studios; recordings will be done at Sound Supreme Studios by Janne Saksa and at SouthEastSounds by Teemu Aalto and the mixing and mastering will be done at legendary Unisound Studio at Örebro, Sweden by Dan Swanö (Nightingale, ex-Edge Of Sanity, ex-Bloodbath etc.) who´ve produced the albums for Opeth, Katatonia and Dissection for example. So, we could say that we´re really enthusiastic about this, surprise!

First time the album composing process have been really easy task and this pure fresh spirit can really be heard from the songs. The next level have been entered, so beware folks - autumn 2008 will be time for THE OG INVASION!"

In other news the band have posted the following: "Evile have cancelled "The Great British Fiction Tour" and this means that OG will be the main support act and are playing just before Dark Tranquillity - which means a little bit longer set list! Evile will be compensated with local opening acts. See ya in UK!!"

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Source:	omniumgatherum.org
Band profile:	Omnium Gatherum
Event:	Dark Tranquillity: UK Tour

The following message can be found on the official Deep Purple website:

"These dates are confirmed by the Deep Purple management. If you hear or see any other dates that are not listed here then they are not yet confirmed or are only rumored dates. Deep Purple and the management can not be held responsible for falsely posted dates at other sites. Also, please be aware that cancelations, although rare as they are, may happen due to circumstances beyond the control of Deep Purple, their management and promoters. The dates you see here are the dates the web team know of. We post dates as soon as we receive them from the management. There is no point in e-mailing and asking if the band will play in your town/country anytime soon as what you see here is what we know. If you are a promoter looking to book the band, please send an e-mail with a brief presentation of your company, dates etc to info(AT)deep-purple(DOT)com. Thank you for understanding."

14.02.2008 - Mexico, Monterrey Arena - Monterrey
16.02.2008 - Mexico, Plaza de Toros - Mexico City
17.02.2008 - Mexico, Plaza de Toros - Guadalajara
20.02.2008 - Peru, Tribuna Estadio Nacional - Lima
22.02.2008 - Brazil, Citibank Hall - Rio de Janeiro
23.02.2008 - Brazil, Helloch - Curitiba
24.02.2008 - Brazil, Credicard Hall - Sao Paulo
26.02.2008 - Argentina, Luna Park - Buenos Aires
28.02.2008 - Chile, Estadio Regional - Concepcion
01.03.2008 - Chile, Teatro Caopolican - Santiago
06.03.2008 - Ecuador, Coliseo Ruminhaui - Quito
08.03.2008 - Venezuela, Concha Acustica - Caracas

Source:	deep-purple.com
Band profile:	Deep Purple
Event:	Deep Purple: Latin America Tour

God Dethroned's guitarists Isaac Delahaye has posted the following statement on the band's website:

A little while ago our long time drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek announced he would join the ranks of Dutch gothic metal rockers Epica, leaving us no other choice than to let him go. We do understand his career move and we wish him all the best of luck for the future, and we'd like to thank him for all the years of pure blasphemy.
We will play a farewell show with Ariën on March 28th at the Mezz club in Breda, Holland.

At the same time we are happy to announce the return of Roel Sanders, our drummer on the Grand Grimoire and Bloody Blasphemy albums!
Roel left God Dethroned in the summer of 2000, but this time he's back to stay with us till the end.
Some of you may also know him as the drummer for Inhume (and don't worry, he will continue with that band too).

Soon we will start the writing process of a new album with the working title: Passiondale... an epic tale about World War I.
Musically the new album will be a mix between Bloody Blasphemy and Lair of the White Worm, so better buckle up fellas!

Read more ››

Source:	goddethroned.com
Band profile:	God Dethroned

The following message was posted on the official site of Swedish death metallers Bloodbath:

"So the time has come for Bloodbath to once again poison the scene with a contagious doze of über brutal death metal. An old acquaitance in this zombified bloodline has once again re-visited his old home. We can now announce that the vocalist on the new mini-cd is none other than Mikael Åkerfeldt courtesy of Opeth.

Second deathster to join the elite is Mr Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson (ex-21 Lucifers, ex-Genocrush Ferox). Sodomizer's brutal death metal songwriting approach as well as guitar shredding is a highly welcomed element in the legacy of Bloodbath."

Source:	bloodbath.biz
Band profile:	Bloodbath

The following statement was posted at the official Hanoi Rocks site:

"Hanoi Rocks drummer to be replaced: Hanoi Rocks will end their working relationship with their current drummer Lacu.

Lacu will leave the band after Hanoi Rocks' European tour, which will start from Stockholm, 14th of February and will finish at the Astoria Club, London 7th of March 2008. The change behind the drumkit will not affect the forthcoming Hanoi Rocks gigs or tours.

The new drummer will be announced soon."

According to Finnish newspaper "Iltalehti" Lacu will join Finnish rock band "Popeda" after Hanoi Rocks' European tour is completed.

Read more ››

Source:	hanoirocks.info
Band profile:	Hanoi Rocks

Belgium's highly appreciated and long-standing Metallers Axamenta have lost their frontman and singer Peter Meynckens. A statement by the band goes as follows:

"Very unfortunate news from the Axa-front, our frontman Peter has to quit singing in Axamenta, on doctor's orders.

Here's Peter official statement: "After more than 9 and a half years it has come to pass that I say goodbye to Axa. This has been a tough decision but alas it is a decision taken on doctor's orders. My heart is still with the guys and the music but my voice can't take anymore damage than it has taken over the years. It has been a great ride and I wish I could ride the cloud of Axa untill eternity. The gigs that are planned will go on with me as the singer.

You can check this Axa line-up this weekend at the sandstorm gig Link]. Come and support us!

Cheers, Peter"

We will surely still cherish a lot of good and fun moments with Peter, as we believe he will only leave the band in functional terms, of course not in close entourage, so to say.

In relation to Peter's departure from the band, we've posted an application form for those who are interested in auditioning for vocalist of Axamenta. You can read the application form here."

Read more ››

Source:	axamenta.com
Band profile:	Axamenta

The following has been posted on Sigh's website:

The long awaited announcement has finally been made: Sigh will be headlining a two and a half week tour covering the United States and Canada this September. The band will be supported by Unexpect and Zimmer's Hole, making it the band's first tour as headliner.

Tour dates:

06 Sep - San Marcos, CA - Jumping Turtle
07 Sep - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
08 Sep - Hollywood, CA - Knitting Factory
09 Sep - Tempe, CA - The Clubhouse
10 Sep - Albuquerque, NM - Launch Pad
11 Sep - Ft Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
12 Sep - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
13 Sep - Houston, TX - Meridian
14 Sep - Nashville, TN - The Muse
15 Sep - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx
16 Sep - New York City, NY - B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
17 Sep - Montreal, QUE - FouFounes
18 Sep - Sudbury, ONT - Jubilee Centre
19 Sep - Toronto, ONT - Wreck Room
20 Sep - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
21 Sep - Mokena, IL - The Pearl Room
22 Sep - St Paul, MN - Station 4

Read more ››

Source:	sigh.gospel-virus.net
Band profile:	Sigh
Event:	Sigh 2008 North American Tour

An e-card for To-Mera's forthcoming album, entitled "Delusions", can be accessed at this location.

"Delusions" will be out on February 18 via Candlelight Records. The cover artwork of the album was done by Eliran Kantor.
Regarding the new CD's musical direction, Candlelight Records adds:
"Now with their second album "Delusions", To-Mera have once again pushed their musical ideas forward to ever greater heights. All the elements present on the last album have been greatly expanded upon. The music displays a much broader range of moods, tempos and dynamics, ranging from fragile subtlety to epic bombast via everything in between. The result is a more sophisticated, melodic and coherent album, teeming with massively heavy riffing, challenging rhythms and jaw-dropping technicality. The vocals of front woman Julie Kiss have become substantially more versatile and powerful, taking on a jazzier tone that befits the more adventurous musical output. To-Mera have succeeded in creating a daring and forward-thinking metal album, defined by a belief that the term "progressive" is not simply a genre tag."

Read more ››

Source:	candlelightrecords.co.uk
Band profile:	To-Mera

Aeon has posted the following updates on their website:

Since it has been awfully quiet in here for the last 3 month I thought it would be fair to inform you all about what's going on in the Aeon camp. We have been working really hard on finding a temporary or permanent solution to our drummer situation. There are some interesting drummers out there that we have been talking to but we have not come to any conclusions just yet.

And speaking of drummers, we have straightened a few things out with Nils (former drummer) under the last month. He contacted us and wanted to sort a couple of things out regarding to his earlier behaviors. He is very aware of the damage he caused us and he is just sorry for how things turned out. I believe there where some personal / private issues involved that caused him to get all burned / stressed out and that eventually made him to act the way he did. We are still very disappointed in how things where handled by him, but since Nils is a very good friend of ours, we just can't stay mad at him forever.

Nils have also stated that he really want's to continue to play drums for Aeon. But there are still some questions from our side that needs answers before we can even considering taking him back as our permanent drummer. After all? he is still the drummer in Dark Funeral which will probably continue to conflict with our future schedules etc. Before any decisions are made, we will have to think this thru properly.

But as a permanent drummer or not? right now we are actually blasting some tunes with Nils in the rehearsal-room and I must admit it feels awesome to do this again. And while we're at it, we decided to do something extra for you all?. or at least for the ones who lives close or are willing to travel. We will throw you a full headline show right here in Östersund / Sweden the 9th of February with "Dimension 34" as opening act. How about that?? Do you dare to miss this?

/ Aeon, 2008-01-28

Drummer Nils has posted this update

"To have such a long break in communication was not something I intended. It was a result of some personal problems I was going through at the time which I explained to the guys. I have apologized and want very much to win back their trust. I'm really looking forward to this show, it´s gonna be great playing these songs live again!"

Source:	aeon666.com
Band profile:	Aeon

Finnish metal band Altaria has posted the following updates on their website:

Altaria has parted ways with record company Metal Heaven and is currently negotiating a new contract. Material for the fourth album, which earlier was scheduled to be released in 2007, is basically ready just waiting to be recorded and unleashed upon the world this year.

In the aftermath of this split bass player Marko Pukkila decided to quit. Altaria will not look for a replacement and the bass will as of now be handled by Marco Luponero who in his previous band Terrorwheel also held the position as bassist/vocalist. Rehearsals have shown that the band now is working better than ever as a solid and creative unit and the Altaria-camp is very exited about everything going on in the "History Of Times To Come."

Source:	altariamusic.com
Band profile:	Altaria

The Swedish Metal Awards were held Saturday Night 26 January at the Grand Hotel in Falkenberg, Sweden. Almost 59,000 fans voted in the 2007 awards, and following is a list of the winners:

Hard-rock Category: Hardcore Superstar - Dreamin' In A Casket
Death Metal Category: Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Heavy/Power Metal Category: Sabaton - Metalizer
Glam/Sleazy Category: Crashdiet - Unattractive Revolution
Punk/Hardcore Category: Dia Psalma - Djupa Skogen
Metal Category: Pain - Psalms Of Extinction
Alternative Metal Category: Dark Tranquillity - Fiction
Best Newcomers Category: Sonic Syndicate
Best Live Act Category: Europe
Best Foreign Hard-rock Category: Nightwish - Dark Passion Play
Best Foreign Metal Category: Machine Head - The Blackening
Best Foreign Live Act Category: W.A.S.P.

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Source:

agonyzone.com

Kamelot have posted the following update: "After cancellation of Visions Of Atlantis, we are happy to announce the new opening band Forever Slave from Spain on upcoming European Tour 2008. Welcome boys & girl!"

More info on Gothic Metal band Forever Slave at http://www.foreverslave.com and http://www.myspace.com/foreverslavemusic.

Read more ››

Source:	kamelot.com
Band profile:	Forever Slave
Event:	Ghost Opera European Tour Part II

US Post-Thrash/Groove Metallers Byzantine have issued the following statement:

"In regards to the current state of Byzantine: As of today (Saturday, January 26) Byzantine is no longer a functioning band. Due to various circumstances the band will not be touring or performing together. We would like to first thank everyone that has supported this band throughout the years. You are the people that really made everything worthwhile and we are amazed at the wonderful response we have had from all of you. Because of you, we were part of something special and without you none of this would have been possible. Next, we would like to thank all the kickass bands that we have played shows with and hung out with. These were good times that we won't soon forget. It's with heavy hearts that we move on from this. Sincerely, from all of us in Byzantine, thank you so very much for the great experience that this was. Stay metal everyone. Montani Semper Liberi."

More info and downloads at this location.

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Source:

myspace.com

American metallers Iced Earth, is seeking a deeply passionate and motivated bass guitarist to complete the band's touring lineup for the 2008 tour season. The band posted the following requirements for the potential applicants:

If you have the chops to join Jon Schaffer and Brent Smedley in metal's most bulletproof rhythm section, read on.

Applicants must possess the following:

01. A demonstrated ability to play with impeccable timing and accuracy.
02. A commanding stage presence that bleeds intensity, aggression, and emotion.
03. Confidence in themselves but also a willingness to be a team player.
04. Proficiency in finger-style playing with some picking experience.
05. Residency in the United States (Midwest residence is a bonus, but not required).
06. A familiarity with the Iced Earth catalog.
07. A flexible work schedule, as this is not an offer for a full-time band position. However, should you land the gig and exceed our expectations in 2008, an opportunity for further collaboration on tour and in the studio will certainly be considered.

Applicants should submit the following:

01. A demo video on DVD is preferred, but an audio CD or cassette tape of your performance is also acceptable.
02. A photo of yourself if you do not submit a demo in video format.
03. A brief biography outlining your experience and gear setup.
04. Contact address, e-mail address, and phone number should we wish to interview you further.

Before we outline the format of your demo submission, know that, we are not interested in listening to a fully produced recording. Do not send us only a finished CD release from any band that you have played with. We cannot judge your level of timing and accuracy if you send us a recording that's been mixed and produced.

A simple live home video or audio recording on a CD/cassette tape that documents your playing is all we need to know if you possess the finely-tuned skills we require. This, in addition to any recording of a live performance will be a plus in telling us what we need to know.

The following is what is required for further consideration:

01. A recording of you sitting down by yourself and playing live along to a click-track.
02. Playing a minimum of 4 songs of varying tempos from Iced Earth or a combination of songs from Iced Earth and legendary bands such as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Rush. Pick well-known songs with challenging bass lines.

Please send your bio and demo materials in video or audio format to:

Read more ››

Source:	icedearth.com
Band profile:	Iced Earth