Old News - April 2007


Old News - April 2007 - Old News - More April 2007 News
April 15th, 2007	BLIND GUARDIAN: Early Albums To Be Reissued Eight of BLIND GUARDIAN's albums will be re-released in June to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary. The LPs due to be reissued are as follows: * Battalions of Fear (1988) * Follow the Blind (1989) * Tales from the Twilight World (1990) * Somewhere Far Beyond (1992) * Tokyo Tales (1993) * Imaginations from the Other Side (1995) * The Forgotten Tales (1996) * Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998) All albums will be digitally remastered and will feature new liner notes and pictures. BLIND GUARDIAN has been confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place Saturday, July 7 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England. Also scheduled to appear are TESTAMENT, KORPIKLAANI, MENDEED and RISE TO ADDICTION. First-week sales (approximately 3,000 copies) of BLIND GUARDIAN's "A Twist in the Myth" in the U.S. landed Germany's favorite sons at No. 21 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and No. 288 on the Billboard Album chart. The CD debuted at position No. 4 in Germany and No. 3 in Greece. Saxon upcoming release Saxon's upcoming release "The Inner Sanctum" will be available in Europe on March 5th (Germany on March 2nd) and in North America on April 3rd via SPV Records. The title will be released in a digipack edition with a bonus DVD and in a standard jewel case edition with a bonus track. The tracklist for The Inner Sanctum (cover art): 01. State Of Grace 02. Need For Speed 03. Let Me Feel Your Power 04. Red Star Falling 05. I've Got To Rock (To Stay Alive) 06. If I Was You 07. Going Nowhere Fast 08. Ashes To Ashes 09. Empire Rising 10. Atila The Hun Bonus DVD: 01. To Hell And Black Again 02. A Night Out With The Boys - The Idea 03. A Night Out With The Boys - Not Really 04. See The Light Shining 05. A Night Out The Boys - Now It Started 06. Redline 07. Suzie Hold On 08. Stand Up And Be Counted 09. Frozen Rainbow 10. Never Surrender DIMMU BORGIR ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES FOR IN SORTE DIABOLI Launching an omnious campaign for In Sorte Diaboli - their first studio album in four years scheduled for North American release on April 24th - Norwegian melodic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have announced their headlining return to the western hemisphere. Beginning on Friday, April 20th in Cleveland, Ohio and supported by Unearth from Massachusetts, California's Devildriver, and Canada's Kataklysm, DIMMU BORGIR's foreboding Wagnerian majesty will be unleashed in all major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Additional dates will be announced. Songwriter/guitarist Silenoz writes in from Norway to comment on the tour: "It's been too long... The wait is over - FINALLY! It is with great anticipation we look forward to start, for once, a World Tour on North American soil! We're excited to have Unearth, Devildriver and Kataklysm on this diabolic ride and can't wait to meet all our loyal fans and friends old and new once again. Come join us in The Invaluable Darkness!" Teaming up once again with producer Fredrik Nordström (Opeth, Arch Enemy, At The Gates) at the new Studio Fredman in Hyssna, Sweden, In Sorte Diaboli is DIMMU BORGIR's first concept album and a treatise on modern day political and social abuses of organized religion. An epic tale set in medieval Europe, this first-person account of an acolyte is told through his own journal entries, depicting his personal struggle with the teachings of the church. Experiencing a life-altering epiphany, he abandons the church completely, and his spiritual victory is won through his rejection of the concept of god. In Sorte Diaboli will be available in North America in two different formats: a jewel-case CD and a limited edition digipak ( + bonus track, + bonus DVD with the Patric Ullaeus-directed video for "The Serpentine Offering," + "The Making Of In Sorte Diaboli" in-studio/behind the scenes footage). The complete track listing is as follows: 01. The Serpentine Offering 02. The Chosen Legacy 03. The Conspiracy Unfolds 04. The Sacrilegious Scorn 05. The Fallen Rises 06. Heretic Hammer (EXCLUSIVE North American Bonus Track) 07. The Sinister Awakening 08. The Fundamental Alienation 09. The Invaluable Darkness 10. The Foreshadowing Furnace An instrumental version of "Heretic Hammer" will be available on iTunes.com as an additional North American exclusive. The band's recording and current touring line-up includes Shagrath on vocals, Silenoz on guitar, Galder on guitar, I.C.S. Vortex on bass & clean vocals, Mustis on keyboards, and Hellhammer behind the drum kit. Earning exponential support from both the metal and mainstream press throughout the years, DIMMU BORGIR's 2003 release, Death Cult Armageddon, landed on Billboard's Top 200 Albums & Heatseekers charts and has SoundScanned over 100,000 copies in the U.S. Recognized as "one of Norway's finest bands" by the Grand Rapids Press, called a "monument of misanthropy" by the Cleveland Scene, praised for their "aggressive beauty" by the Illinois Entertainer, hailed for their "beauty and sadism" by the Kansas City Pitch Weekly, and known to the readers of the Salt Lake Tribune as "one slick slab of discordant evil," Metal Edge Magazine summed it up best by characterizing DIMMU BORGIR's music as "modern black metal at its best." Artwork for In Sorte Diaboli can be viewed tonight at 12 midnight PACIFIC / 3 a.m. EASTERN (February 15th) / 9 a.m. Central European Time (February 15th) on the official DIMMU BORGIR News Page: http://www.nuclearblast.de/dimmu-borgir/ Visit DIMMU BORGIR online at www.DIMMU-BORGIR.com DIMMU BORGIR with Unearth, Devildriver, and Kataklysm 04/20/07 Agora Theatre - Cleveland, OH 04/21/07 Harpo's Concert Theatre - Detroit, MI 04/22/07 Kool Haus - Toronto, ON - CANADA 04/23/07 Metropolis - Montreal, QC - CANADA 04/24/07 Theatre Capitole - Quebec City, QC 04/26/07 Nokia Theatre - New York, NY 04/27/07 The Palladium - Worcester, MA (New England Hardcore & Metal Festival) - NO GUEST LIST 04/28/07 Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA 04/29/07 Sonar - Baltimore, MD 04/30/07 Amos' Southend - Charlotte, NC 05/04/07 Myth - Minneapolis, MN 05/05/07 Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg, MB - CANADA 05/07/07 MacEwan Hall - Calgary, AB - CANADA 05/08/07 Edmonton Events Centre - Edmonton, AB - CANADA 05/10/07 The Fenix (formerly The Premier) - Seattle, WA 05/12/07 Roseland Theatre - Portland, OR 05/13/07 The Warfield - San Francisco, CA 05/15/07 The Great Salt Air Pavilion - Magna, UT 05/17/06 Wiltern Theatre - Los Angeles, CA 05/18/07 Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ 05/19/07 SOMA - San Diego, CA 05/21/07 The Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO 05/22/07 The Beaumont Club - Kansas City, KS 05/23/07 Pop's - Sauget, IL 05/25/07 House Of Blues - Dallas, TX 05/26/07 Club V - Houston, TX 05/27/07 Graham Central Station - San Antonio, TX 05/29/07 Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA WITCHCRAFT BEGIN RECORDING Philadelphia: Sweden's Witchcraft have begun recording of their new album, the follow up to 2005's Firewood. The band are planning a June worldwide release with extensive touring to follow. The band toured the US for the first time in November with support from Portland's Danava. The dates were extremely successful for the rising doom/rock quartet. Additional album and preliminary tour details will be announced shortly. ART 238 the details around their debut album, “Empire of the Atom” Art 238 are a mysterious bunch, hailing from Cherbourg, France and withholding their identities. Going only by the names of Morg (Bass / Lead Vocals), Psychotenia (Guitars / Vocals), and Dr. Isotope (Drums / Sampling). Their music is self described as, “Nucleo Throcratic Grinding Death”, which mixes elements of brutal death metal and industrial music to make a sound that can only be described as, “Art 238”. Art 238’s will be dropping their debut full length album for Open Grave Records on June 5th, 2007. The track listing as be revealed as the following: Meltdown Malformed breed Gruntz Feasting on human barbak Circle of vultures Skull crushed Guinea-pig Dusk of mankind Dawn of mutants Out of the waste lands The cover art has been released at http://www.art238.com. ALEHORN OF POWER FESTIVAL II A NIGHT UNDER CRUZ DEL SUR Italian label Cruz Del Sur Music in collaboration with Tone Deaf Touring is pleased to announce its first official US festival, that will take place Saturday the 16th of June 2007 in Chicago, IL at Double Door. SLOUGH FEG (introducing their new album “Hardworlder”) NOVEMBERS DOOM (The End Records recording Artists ) BIBLE OF THE DEVIL (continuing support of their latest album "The Diabolic Procession”) CRESCENT SHIELD (continuing support of their latest album "The Last of My Kind”) WIDOW (introducing their new album “Nightlife”) VALKYRIE (special guests) The festival reunites some of the best emerging forces of American heavy metal, and it is intended as a tribute to all the overseas Metal-fans who have been incredibly supportive to Cruz Del Sur Music activities through these years. The key Heavy Metal Event “Alehorn of Power” taking place every year in Chicago, will give hospitality to the festival as a part of a bigger joint-venture that includes the presence of The End Records’ recording artists Novembers Doom and Virginia’s doom metal outfit Valkyrie. Tickets will be $13 in advance through the Double Door box office or www.ticketmaster.com and $15 at the door the night of the event. More details will be announced soon! OFFICIAL FORUM: www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/royal-carnage-236 www.doubledoor.com \| www.cruzdelsurmusic.com \| www.tonedeaftouring.com TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2007 ANNOUNCES MORE ARTISTS -Children of Bodom, Emperor, W.A.S.P., etc. -The hottest Finnish acts Tuska-Festival in Kaisaniemi, Helsinki, celebrates its 10th anniversary on 29.6.-1.7.2007. More artists for the 10th anniversary fest have been confirmed. The line up features once again something classic and something fresh, both from Finland and abroad. Undeniably one of the hottest metal bands of the moment, home town heroes Children of Bodom will headline the Tuska-Friday. The Bodoms last appeared on the bill in 2005 and their popularity has escalated tenfold since. Finnish black metal fans are in for a second black christmas, as two of Norway’s finest, Emperor and Immortal take over Kaisaniemi. Black metal assault such as this has never before been experienced on Finnish soil. Other international acts at Tuska 2007 include the legendary W.A.S.P., UK power sextet DragonForce, Japanese D’espairs Ray, thrashing Danes Hatesphere, Polish death metal machine Vader among others. Finnish metal has never been hotter and the current state of it is represented at Tuska by the likes of Finntroll, Moonsorrow, Brother Firetribe, Insomnium, Nicole, Naildown and 45 Degree Woman. A total of 32 bands on three stages will perform at Kaisaniemi, Helsinki over the course of three days. In addition to this, a couple of dozen bands will be appearing at the infamous evening clubs. Current Tuska 2007 –line up reads as follows: Children Of Bodom Emperor (NOR) Immortal (NOR) W.A.S.P. (USA) DragonForce (UK) D’espairs Ray (JPN) Katatonia (SWE) Pain (SWE) Finntroll Hatesphere (DK) Mercenary (DK) Moonsorrow Vader (POL) Legion of The Damned (GER) Imperia (NL / FIN) Insomnium Brother Firetribe 45 Degree Woman Naildown Nicole Tickets for Tuska 2007 will go on sale on February 28th through www.tiketti.fi and www.lippupalvelu.fi. Tuska-Festival 2007 is an all ages event. Ticket prices 38e one-day ticket each and 75e three-day ticket. Additional info: www.tuska-festival.fi THE RED CHORD announces departure of guitarist! The Red Chord is looking for a new guitar player as Jonny Fay is leaving the band to focus on work at his recording studio. The band will be auditioning guitar players during February and March. Tablature files have been prepared for the song, "Black Santa." Those interested should make a video or audio recording of themselves playing the song. According to the group: "We are looking for someone diverse in their abilities as a guitar player who is willing to be on the road 8-10 months out of the year. Touring experience is a must. Get in touch with us here theredchord@hotmail.com or through our myspace www.myspace.com/theredchord. Jonny Fay will be contributing to the writing of our next record and recording it with us. We are going to miss having him in the band and we wish him all the best. In regards to his departure, Fay had this to say: "This was not an easy decision to make. I have loved every second of my time in this band, and I will miss it dearly. However, as long as I have been involved in music my true passion has been recording, and I feel that the time has come for me to give it my undivided attention. I have opened a recording studio in Milford, NH, and will be devoting my time to recording and producing bands and musicians, locally and nationally. This has been an incredible experience, and I will continue to support The Red Chord and help them in any way that I can in the future. “I want to thank all of the friends I have made along the way, and all the fans that have given us support during my time with the band. Most of all, I want to thank Greg, Mike, Guy and Brad for being great friends and helping make the past year and a half truly amazing. Thanks once more to everyone - no one will be forgotten." Jonny Fay recently opened Backyard Studios in Milford, NH. To contact him and/or get more information about the studio, you may e-mail him at backyard.studios@hotmail.com or go to www.myspace.com/backyardstudiosnh. http://www.theredchord.com UNEARTH "Sanctity Of Brothers" Teaser online now! Fans Of Unearth... the teaser for Unearth's newest video "Sanctity of Brothers" in available online HERE! Re-post this as much as you'd like, and keep in mind that the full length video for "Sanctity Of Brothers" will premiere EXCLUSIVELY on My Space on Monday, February 12th. http://www.unearth.tv CATTLE DECAPITATION confirms first European tour! All fans of US vegan/vegetarian grindcore outfit Cattle Decapitation, watch out! Your favorite defenders of animal rights will tour Europe for the first time. They will support DYING FETUS on their upcoming European dates! Be there and witness their blasting brutality for the first time in Europe ! CATTLE DECAPITATION Tour w/ Dying Fetus, Skinless and War from a Harlot’s Mouth 5/04 Karlshure, German Substage w/ Dead to Fall, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Ion Dissonance 5/05 Essen, Germany Turock w/ Dead To Fall, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Ion Dissonance 5/06 Paris, France Locomotive 5/09 Bologna, Italy Estragon 5/10 Munich, Germany Feierwerk 5/11 Wien, Austria Arena 5/13 Berlin, Germany K17 5/17 Copenhagen, Denmark Stengade 30 5/18 Chemitz, Germany AJZ Talschock w/ Dead To Fall, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Ion Dissonance 5/19 Trier, Germany Exhaus w/ Immolation, Krisiun and Grave 5/20 Rotterdam, Holland Baroeg 5/21 London, Great Britain Underworld 5/22 Dublin, Ireland Voodoo Lounge 5/23 Manchester, England Jilly’s Rockworld w/ THE RED CHORD, FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW and Architects 5/24 Southampton, England Nexus 5/25 Antwerpen, Belgium Hof Ter Loo w/ Dead To Fall, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Ion Dissonance 5/26 Utrecht, Holland Tivoli w/ Dead To Fall, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Ion Dissonance http://www.cattledecapitation.com SIRENIA topping greek radio charts! SIRENIA's brand new single 'My Mind's Eye' gets massive radio play: In Greece, the single has been topping the radio charts for several weeks in a row and the song is on heavy rotation in more than 23 radio stations in Greece alone! CHIMAIRA new song and download single available A brand new CHIMAIRA track, entitled "Worthless", has been posted online on the band´s MySpace page! The song comes off the band´s forthcoming album, "Resurrection", due on March 2 via Nuclear Blast Records. A video has been posted online at YouTube The clip was directed by Todd Bell and features an appearance by Mixed Martial Arts fighter Mavrick! Download Single "Resurrection" available for download HERE! H.I.M., HATEBREED, OPETH, SOILWORK, AMORPHIS, Confirmed For Finland's Ilosaarirock 2007 In 1997, one of the smaller stages at the Ilosaarirock festival in Joensuu, Finland was conquered by a promising new band whose frontman was said to have a fantastic voice. Now, ten years later, led by their charismatic singer Ville Valo, they have released five impeccable albums that have sold more than four million copies worldwide. This year, the fabulous H.I.M. makes its long-awaited return to Ilosaarirock! This gig will be H.I.M.'s only rock festival gig in Europe this summer. Other names scheduled to appear at Ilosaarirock 2007 include HATEBREED, SICK OF IT ALL, SOILWORK, OPETH, AMORPHIS, INSOMNIUM, FINNTROLL and PORCUPINE TREE. In total, some 100 Finnish and international acts will be seen during the three-day festival, which is scheduled to take place July 13-15 in Joensuu, the capital of Eastern Finland. Ilosaarirock 2007 lineup so far: ABDUKTIO AMORPHIS ANTHONY B (JAM) APULANTA CALEXICO (USA) DALINDÈO DISCO ENSEMBLE (FIN) FINNTROLL FLIPPIN' BEANS GOON HATEBREED (USA) HIDRIA SPACEFOLK H.I.M. (FIN) HUSKY RESCUE INSOMNIUM KEMMURU MAJ KARMA NIEMINEN & LITMANEN NO SHAME OPETH (SWE) PMMP PORCUPINE TREE (UK) PUPPA J & TASOTTAVAT RELENTLESS RISTO RJD2 (USA) SCORNGRAIN SICK OF IT ALL (USA) SOILWORK (SWE) STELLA STONEGARD (NOR) SUHINATORS THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA (UK) THE SLACKERS (USA) TIKTAK TUNDRAMATIKS VÅLD VAVAMUFFIN (POL) VIHREÄ MAA VIIKATE WASTED Started in 1971 by a group of music enthusiasts, Ilosaarirock is one of the oldest festivals in Europe. It is a member of Yourope — the European Festival Association, and one of the most prominent rock festivals in Finland. Ilosaarirock is a year-round organization dedicated to emerging and alternative as well as world-class artists. The festival has established a unique reputation for combining a relaxed ambience with a professional dedication. At the same time, it has stayed true to its roots by being organized mainly by active volunteers. The dates of Ilosaarirock are July 13-15, 2007, and there will be 20,000 tickets on sale (www.tiketti.fi) from May 2 onwards. ORANGE GOBLIN Confirmed For Italy's STONED HANDS OF DOOM FESTIVAL British doomsters ORANGE GOBLIN have issued the following update: "ORANGE GOBLIN have been announced as headliners for this years Stoned Hands Of Doom Festival in Rome, Italy. The festival, now in its third year, takes place at the Jailbreak [in] Rome on Saturday, May 26th. There is also a pre-festival party at the Sinister Noise Club, Rome on Friday, May 25th, which will feature DJ sets from members of ORANGE GOBLIN and Walter from ROADBURN. This festival will also act as a launch party in Europe for the new ORANGE GOBLIN album ('Healing Through Fire'), scheduled for a worldwide release on May 20th (via Sanctuary). As well as ORANGE GOBLIN, other bands appearing will be SOLACE, COLOUR HAZE and many more to be announced. ORANGE GOBLIN have also added another date to the short tour of Ireland in June. ORANGE GOBLIN will now appear at Mason's in Londonderry on Sunday 24th June with support from TRIGGERMAN. There will be European dates in September announced very soon and more U.K. shows are confirmed for later in the year." Production on the new ORANGE GOBLIN album, "Healing through Fire", will be handled by Mark Daghorn, who has recently worked with MENDEED, CRADLE OF FILTH and many more, as well as being involved in the two previous ORANGE GOBLIN albums. According to the band, the next record will definitely be a progression from 2004's "Thieving from the House of God" and will be based on its local history. Vocalist Ben Ward states that "it's not a concept album at all but we are using the theme of the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire that followed for a lot of lyrical and musical influence. It's definitely the strongest material we have written." ORANGE GOBLIN filmed its December 16 show at The Mean Fiddler in London for an upcoming DVD. TESTAMENT, NAPALM DEATH Confirmed For Norway's HOLE IN THE SKY TESTAMENT and NAPALM DEATH are the first two confirmed bands for the eighth edition of the Hole in the Sky festival, set to take place August 22-25 in Bergen, Norway. Commented the organizers: "The 2007 edition is shaping up to be something out of the extraordinary. Last year with CELTIC FROST, MORBID ANGEL and the likes tearing up the house was truly legendary, but we're certain that we'll raise our momentum once again and surprise a lot of people. It's all gelling together very favourably, thank you very much!" Tickets are on sale via www.ticketmaster.no. Hole in the Sky was founded in memory of Erik "Grim" Brødreskift (IMMORTAL, GORGOROTH, BORKNAGAR). All profit from the festival is placed in a fund to support up-and-coming artists within the Norwegian metal scene. METALLICA To Headline Greece's ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL METALLICA will headline the 11th edition of the Rockwave Festival, set to take place July at 1-3 Terra Vibe in Malakasa, Greece. METALLICA will perform on July 3. Pre-sale for the concert will begin on February 21. METALLICA fan club members will be given priority when it comes to purchasing tickets. General admission tickets will cost 60 euros, Pitch A 80 euros and Distinguished Area 100 euros. Commented METALLICA: "We haven't been there for eight years... and looking very much forward to coming back to Athens, Greece." As previously reported, METALLICA has also been confirmed for the Werchter Rock festival on July 1 in Werchter, Belgium. METALLICA is scheduled to enter the studio in March to begin recording its new album, tentatively due later this year. Drummer Lars Ulrich, singer-guitarist James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Rob Trujillo began work on the follow up to 2003's "St. Anger" while on tour during the past year backstage before each show. "We did something we'd never done before: We carried a ProTools (recording) system with us," Ulrich told Rolling Stone magazine. "Twenty minutes before stage time, we would go into a room and play, to get the machinery moving. They were jams, riffs, fun and games. And they were recorded." SAXON Confirmed For Switzerland's SPIRIT OF ROCK Festival British heavy metal legends SAXON have been confirmed for the Spirit Of Rock Festival, set to take place on June 2 at the Eishalle Deutweg in Winterthur, Switzerland. Also scheduled to appear are HEAVEN AND HELL and MOTÖRHEAD. SKYCLAD, NOVEMBER'S FALL, VERDICT Confirmed For Germany's DONG OPEN AIR SKYCLAD, NOVEMBER'S FALL and VERDICT have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Dong Open Air festival, set to take place July 13-14 in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are ENSIFERUM (headliners), AEVERON and BLACK MESSIAH. More acts will be announced during the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.dongopenair.de. GRAVE, KRISIUN, IMMOLATION Confirmed For Holland's NEUROTIC DEATHFEST GRAVE, KRISIUN, IMMOLATION and CEPHALIC CARNAGE are among the confirmed bands for the 2007 edition of the Neurotic Deathfest, set to take place May 11-12 at the Dynamo Club in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): BEHEADED (MA) CEPHALIC CARNAGE (US) DAWN OF AZAZEL (NZ) DEFEATED SANITY (DE) DEGRADE (SE) DENIAL FIEND (US) DESPISE (CZ) DEVOURMENT (US) GRAVE (SE) GUTTED (HU) HOUR OF PENANCE (IT) IMMOLATION (US) INFECTED DISARRAY (UK) KRISIUN (BR) KRONOS (FR) ROMPEPROP (NL) SEVERE TORTURE (NL) SUFFOCATE BASTARD (DE) TOXOCARA (NL) VIRAL LOAD (US) VISCERAL BLEEDING (SE) VITAL REMAINS (US) CHILDREN OF BODOM, EMPEROR, W.A.S.P. Confirmed For Finland's TUSKA CHILDREN OF BODOM, EMPEROR and W.A.S.P. are among the confirmed bands for the Tuska open-air festival, set to take place June 29 - July 1 at Kaisaniemi in Helsinki, Finland. A total of 32 bands on three stages will perform over the course of three days. In addition to this, a couple of dozen bands will be appearing at the infamous evening clubs. Tuska 2007 billing is shaping up as follows: 45 DEGREE WOMAN BROTHER FIRETRIBE CHILDREN OF BODOM D'ESPAIRS RAY DRAGONFORCE EMPEROR FINNTROLL HATESPHERE IMMORTAL IMPERIA INSOMNIUM KATATONIA LEGION OF THE DAMNED MERCENARY MOONSORROW NAILDOWN NICOLE PAIN VADER W.A.S.P. Tickets for Tuska 2007 will go on sale on February 28 through www.tiketti.fi and www.lippupalvelu.fi. Tuska 2007 is an all-ages event. One-day tickets cost 38 euros while three-day tickets cost 75 euros. For more information, visit www.tuska-festival.fi. Minneapolis Mayhem 4 - May 12 Dutch death metallers SINISTER and Swedish death/thrashers RAISE HELL. Also....SECRETS SHE KEPT, EPOCH OF UNLIGHT, BOUND AND GAGGED, AVENGER OF BLOOD, DYING EUPHORIA and THE BODY BENEATH have been confirmed for the Minneapolis Mayhem 4 festival, set to take place May 12 at the Station-4 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year's Minneapolis Mayhem festival will only be a one-day event. Other acts will be announced soon. Booking: info@minneapolismayhem.com, mayhemprod@yahoo.com For more information, visit www.minneapolismayhem.com Tickets only...$10! Now booking: Raise Hell (Sweden) - May 4 - May 19 (USA Tour) To-Die-For (Finland) - June 26-July 26 (USA Tour) - Needs support acts Benediction (UK) w/ Sathanas - Oct.5-Oct.28 (USA Tour) - Needs support acts Novembre (Italy) - Oct.20-Nov.21 (USA Tour) - Needs support acts http://www.minneapolismayhem.com ABIGAIL WILLIAMS START WORK ON FULL-LENGTH DEBUT Philadelphia: Having recently completed their first national tour alongside Dark Funeral and Enslaved, Phoenix-based Abigail Williams start work on their full length debut this week. The band are expected to finish tracking in early April with the album, still untitled, to be mixed and completed by early May. The band's ep, Legend, was released stateside on January 23. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com ONSLAUGHT - Killing [all misconceptions of] Peace The British warlords Onslaught invade the metal community once again with a barrage of inarguably unfiltered classic thrash metal via their first release via Candlelight, Killing Peace. The album rips growls and scorches thy soul over the course of nine aural attacks and shows the bands' true thrash pride shown on their first recordings are still what drives the band today. Formed by guitarist Nige Rockett and drummer Steve Grice, Onslaught’s debut album, Power from Hell, was released in 1985. The Bristol-based five-piece would see their major label debut, featuring Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmett released in 1989 and would disband in 1991. Reformed in 2005, the band returned to the live stage as a warm up to writing their first new songs in nearly 15 years. The band performed at several of 2005’s Xmas Festivals alongside Hypocrisy before entering the studio to lay down Killing Peace. The band are thoroughly endorsing any/all interview requests, so please fire at will in the general vicinity of the Earsplit Compound and we'll work you into the front lines. Fire at will.... www.onslaughtfromhell.com www.candlelightrecordsusa.com PRO-PAIN 15th Anniversary Tour In support of their new record, "Age of Tyranny/The Tenth Crusade." -APRIL- 12.04.2007 - WACHENROTH(D) Toxicity 13.04.2007 - BISCHOFSWERDA (D) East Club 14.04.2007 - BERLIN (D) K17 15.04.2007 - STAVENHAGEN (D) Tankhaus 16.04.2007 - HALLE (D) Rockstation 17.04.2007 - OSTRAVA (CZ) Underground Arena 18.04.2007 - BRNO (CZ) Faval 19.04.2007 - PRAHA (CZ) Futurum 20.04.2007 - BRATISLAVA (SK) Randal 21.04.2007 - AIGEN (AT) Kikas 22.04.2007 - BUDAPEST (HU) Kultiplex 23.04.2007 - WIEN (AT) Planet Music 24.04.2007 - ZAGREB (CRO) Boogaloo 25.04.2007 MUENCHEN (D) Metropolis 26.04.2007 - AARAU (CH) Kiff 27.04.2007 - ERSTFELD (CH) Transylvania LIve 28.04.2007 - DUDINGEN (CH) Bad Bonn 29.04.2007 - SAARBRUECKEN (D) Roxy 30.04.2007 - FREIBURG (D) Café Atlantik -MAY- 01.05.2007 - STUTTGART (D) Rohre 02.05.2007 - KOBLENZ (D) Suppkultur 03.05.2007 - ESSEN (D) Turock 04.05.2007 - SNEEK (NL) Bolwerk 05.05.2007 - AMERSFOORT (NL) De Kelder 06.05.2007 - VOSSELAAR (BE) Biebob With Special Guests: 12/04 - 24/04 - SILENT OVERDRIVE (DE), HEMLOCK (USA) 25/04 - 06/05 - GURD (CH), DAYS OF BETRAYAL (BE) Select Dates - X-CORE (CZ) and JUNKHEAD (DE) Look for the new PRO-PAIN album "Age Of Tyranny/The Tenth Crusade" in stores throughout Europe on March 30th. US & Japanese release dates to be announced shortly. Thanks to our fans for their loyal support over the past 15 years; we can't thank you enough!! See you on tour in Europe this April/May, and in the US later this year (tba), come out and help us celebrate 15 Years of PRO-PAIN!! NEW OFFICIALLY LICENSED SCARFACE COFFIN CASES AVAILABLE JUNE 1, 2007 Coffin Case is proud to announce it has secured the exclusive rights to all Scarface musical related products. The first of many products will be the white Coffin Case with the Al Pacino shadow profile image approved by Pacino himself. The cases feature a deadly white diamond velvet interior, something only a gangster could appreciate. This new case is affectionately referred to as Scarcase; say hello to your little friend. 200W-SCAR $157.95 MSRP- fits all standard guitar shapes such as LP/Strat styles. 300W-SCAR $179.95 MSRP- fits all standard bass shapes such as P/J styles. Also fits the Warlock guitar. Features: Heavy-duty vinyl exterior with haunting Scarface image Universal fit guitar, bass White diamond tucked velvet interior Extra-large storage compartment Professional steel latches with locks Sleek black hardware Heavy-duty road approved handle About Coffin Case Coffin Case is a music products company that brought the underground revolution to musicians with the coffin shaped guitar case. The following years saw a rapid succession of new, innovative, and award-winning products for guitarists, bass players, and drummers, working both on stage and in the studio. Today, Coffin Case continues to introduce more industry “firsts” such the Black Kross Skullplate and receive acclaims from both critics and musicians worldwide. The revolution has begun. Visit www.coffincase.com for more information. MERCILESS DEATH “EVIL IN THE NIGHT” STREET DATE ANNOUNCED The new kids on the block in the world of metal labels, HEAVY ARTILLERY have arrived to herald the return of traditional heavy metal and thrash metal. The inaugural release from the label that acts “as if the 90s never happened” is the debut full length from Los Angeles head-bangers MERCILESS DEATH. The album, entitled Evil in the Night, will hit the streets on Tuesday March 20th to show the world that genuine metal is back with a vengeance. Taking cues from legendary bands such as Exodus, Dark Angel and Slayer, MERCILESS DEATH seamlessly combine the speed, aggression and musical prowess of those bands while creating a sound that is unmistakably their own. Evil in the Night also features the artistic mastery of renowned metal artist ED REPKA (Megadeth, Venom, Death, Vio-lence, etc.) and is sure to please the old school head bangers as well as a whole new generation of fans. As the 90’s began to loom its shadow by way of grunge, pop punk and nu metal, thrash metal had evolved into death and black metal and quickly faded into obscurity, thought to be lost forever. As the 90s came to a close, commercialized, metal-inspired music began to once again captivate the attention of music fans everywhere, young and old. With this renewed interest, came a new generation of metal fans, hungry to trace their roots of true heavy metal. Fast forward to 2003 where young L.A. head-bangers Dan Holder and Andy Torres, inspired by the sounds of early Slayer, Exodus and Sepultura, laid the groundwork for MERCILESS DEATH and with the addition of Andy’s younger brother Caesar they were off and running like bat out of hell. In 2004 MERCILESS DEATH recorded and released their first three-song demo entitled Annihilate the Masses, which sold out of its pressing of 100 during their first few live appearances. As the band continued to make a name for itself throughout Southern California’s club circuit, word spread like wildfire throughout the scene, quickly establishing MERCILESS DEATH as the preeminent leaders of L.A.’s fast-growing contingent of young metal bands. Headlining shows all along the west coast, MERCILESS DEATH have also opened for legendary bands such as Overkill, Hirax, Hallows Eve, Omen and many others. Look for MERCILESS DEATH on tour during summer 2007, dates coming soon. You’ve been forewarned! Listen to MERCILESS DEATH at http://www.myspace.com/mercilessdeath View the MERCILESS DEATH EPK at http://www.heavyartillery.us/HA55001.html For more information www.heavyartillery.us THE MISANTHROPY PROJECT SIGN WITH OPEN GRAVE RECORDS Open Grave Records is pleased to announce the signing of Virginia Beach, VA based Stoner/Sludge band The Misanthrope Project. The Misanthrope Project consists of Charlie Lee Beasley– vocals (Lunch, King Travolta, Ex-Mugwart), Ahmasi – bass (Crescent Fresh), Vince – guitar (Beaten Back to Pure, Lunch, Hailhornet), Justin – guitar (Crescent Fresh), Joey Martin – drums (Electric Frankenstein). A five song CD is presently in the works with a tentative release date set for August. As well as the CD release Land O Smile Records will be releasing a limited edition vinyl pressing. To find out more about The Misanthropy Project and to hear audio samples please visit them on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/themisanthropeproject Damn Yankees Score Home Run With Uprising First-Ever DVD from '90s Supergroup Debuts March 13th Los Angeles - Damn Yankees, the rock supergroup featuring guitarists Tommy Shaw (Styx), bassist Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Ted Nugent, and drummer Michael Cartellone, released a pair of certified platinum albums in the early '90s followed by the concert video UPRISING in 1992. The new DVD version of the live show features more than an hour of music recorded in 1992 at the Rocky Mountain Jam in Denver, Colorado. The set list that night included the Top Five hit "High Enough" and tracks from both albums along with performances of three songs originally recorded by members' former bands: Night Ranger's "Rock In America," Styx's "Renegade" and Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever." UPRISING also contains behind-the-scenes video of the band's rehearsal and recording sessions, plus exclusive backstage footage and interviews. VH1 Classic will support the Rhino DVD release of UPRISING by airing a shortened version of the concert on Friday, March 16, 2007. ABOUT RHINO ENTERTAINMENT Based in Burbank, California, Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment division serves as the central catalog development, licensing, soundtrack, and television marketing area for the corporation. Consisting of Rhino Home Video, Warner Music Group Soundtracks, Warner Special Products, and WMG's Television Marketing department, Rhino develops, markets, and promotes both audio and video products from the vast WMG catalog. The division is also responsible for licensing WMG's music for film, television, and video game uses, and for creating custom premium products. Additionally, Rhino develops soundtrack opportunities for release by WMG labels. DAMN YANKEES: UPRISING DVD Price: $14.99 U.S. Street Date: March 13, 2007 Total Running Time: 79 minutes DVD Catalog Number: R2 972672 U.S. Rating: NR Canadian Rating: NR TRACK LIST Damn Yankees Uprising High Enough Don't Tread On Me Where You Goin' Now Fifteen Minutes Of Time Come Again Coming Of Age Renegade Cat Scratch Fever Rock In America BONUS MATERIALS Behind-the-scenes at a DAMN YANKEES recording session Backstage footage Interviews with the band JUDAS PRIEST: Upcoming Book Is 'Not True Story' Of Band JUDAS PRIEST management representative Jayne Andrews has posted the following message on the group's official web site: "We would like to make it clear to everyone that a book which is due out soon, entitled 'Defenders Of The Faith - The True Story Of Judas Priest' by Neil Daniels, is not an official book and is not approved by the band. We had absolutely no involvement with this book at all and therefore it is most definitely not the true story of JUDAS PRIEST!!" JUDAS PRIEST is currently recording a concept album about the 16th Century French prophet Nostradamus. In a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine, conducted on January 30, 2007, Rob Halford stated about the upcoming CD, "Like any band you go through the difficult stage, which is sitting down, like Glenn [Tipton] and Ken [K.K. Downing] and myself did with guitars and keyboards and go, 'OK, let's start!', but 'Where should we start?' (laughs) 'What part of his life do we do first?' and I think, what we tried to do is actually go on a timeline from when he first discovered these abilities to prophecize and all the other things that he went through in his life. And so, that's the initial challenge and the three of us put together very rudimentary demos fully in every aspect that we want to cover instruments and arrangements and construction and then really the joy that is to replicate those very rough demos to the fully, finished and final and musical pieces. And that's what the guys are doing in England, doing all of that right now and I'll be going over there shortly to lay all my vocal tracks down." HAMMERFALL Confirmed For Germany's ROCK HARD FESTIVAL; KATAKLYSM Pulls Out Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Rock Hard Festival, set to take place May 25-27 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Meanwhile, Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have pulled out of the event. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): AMON AMARTH ARMORED SAINT AXEL RUDI PELL BULLET CATARACT DARK FUNERAL GRAVE DIGGER HAMMERFALL HARDCORE SUPERSTAR HEAVEN SHALL BURN KORPIKLAANI MAROON METAL INQUISITOR PAUL DI'ANNO (playing IRON MAIDEN set) ROSS THE BOSS (playing MANOWAR set) SABATON SPOCK'S BEARD TANKARD TURISAS HAMMERFALL recently extended its contract with Nuclear Blast Records for another six albums. The signing took place on January 31 before the band's concert at the Filharmonie in Filderstadt, Germany. The Donzdorf, Germany-based Nuclear Blast originally signed HAMMERFALL ten years ago and released the group's debut album, "Glory to the Brave", in 1997. HAMMERFALL, VIOLENT STORM Confirmed For Germany's BANG YOUR HEAD!!! HAMMERFALL and VIOLENT STORM have been confirmed for this year's installment of the Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place June 22-23, 2007 in Balingen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): AMON AMARTH AMORPHIS ARCHER BRAINSTORM EDGUY EVERGREY FINNTROLL GIRLSCHOOL HAMMERFALL HEAVEN AND HELL MERCENARY MYSTIC PROPHECY NAZARETH POWERMAD PRAYING MANTIS STEELHEART THUNDER VIOLENT STORM WOLF SHEAVY: New Album Title Revealed St. John's, Newfoundland "stoner" rockers SHEAVY have issued the following update: "This week we're going into the studio to start recording a new album. Right now it's tentatively entitled 'The Machine That Won The War'. It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks for sure. The majority of the project is going to be recorded on small format analog tape and we've got a number of local engineers lined up to jump in on various parts. We're hoping it'll be a blast and hey, we hope you enjoy the new tunes! As part of the new release we're hoping to package it with a live DVD. The video shoot for the DVD is coming up at Holy Heart Auditorium on Saturday March 3rd at 7:30 PM. Price: Pay what you can at the door!" SHEAVY's latest album, "Republic?", came out in 2005 via Rise Above Records. SHEAVY last year announced the addition of guitarist Tommy Boland to the group's ranks. A live DVD, entitled "Sheavy at the Masonic Temple", was filmed on May 10, 2005 at the Masonic Temple Ballroom in St. John's. Somberlain releases virtual single with song based on SAW movie series After the recordings of the debut full length, the death metallers of SOMBERLAIN released the single "Would You?", which will be available only through Internet. This release features the song "Sick ArtWork", which will be available in the full length and is based on SAW movie series, besides of the instrumental track "My Darkness", originally released in the band's first demo, and is included in the single "to present the work which we made in that time to people who didn't have access to it", accoding to the bassist Delano Lima The single is available in .zip format, containing the two songs, lyrics, promotional picture and artwork. The download link, hosted by Nitro Sound Solutions studio, is available in the band's MySpace page: www.myspace.com/somberlainband www.somberlain.com.br I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN hitting the road hard this spring! I Killed the Prom Queen have embarked on what will be a two month long trek through Europe, the US and Canada. Currently in tour in Europe with Bleeding Through, Caliban and All Shall Perish, IKTPQ will be heading west for a month long US/Canadian tour with Walls of Jericho and All Shall Perish. For a complete listing of the European tour dates click HERE. I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN Tour w/ Walls of Jericho and All Shall Perish 4/13 London, ON Call the Office 4/14 Hamilton, ON Underground 4/15 Toronto, ON Kathedral 4/16 Ottawa, ON Babylon 4/17 Montreal, QC L’acceuil L’inconditionnel 4/18 Quebec City, QC L’Anti 4/19 Trois-Rivieres, QC Rock Café 4/20 Rimouski, QC Petit Pavilion 4/21 Portland, ME The Station 4/22 Dover, NH Dover Elks Lodge 4/24 Kingston, PA Backstage Enterprises 4/25 Albany, NY Valentine’s 4/26 Farmingdale, NY The Crazy Donkey 4/28 Worcester, MA Palladium 4/29 Baltimore, MD Ottobar 4/30 Virginia Beach, VA Gil’s 5/02 Akron, OH The Lime Spider 5/03 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Icon 5/04 Allston, MA ICC Church 5/05 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club 5/06 East Rutherford, NJ Meadowlands http://www.ikilledthepromqueen.com Witchcraft In Studio Recording Third Album & forthcoming live dates Yes, the guys are finally back in the studio, following their very successful string of dates in the US. No definite clues as yet to the direction, though we are reckoning that the album will bridge the gap between the garagey Doom sound of the first album , combined with the improved songwriting skills witnessed on the recent 45, ‘If Crimson Was Your Colour’. Enigmatic frontman Magnus Pelander has also hinted at some more progressive leanings on some of the tracks, but has refused to elaborate further. A special UK one off show will be announced shortly, followed by more US dates and a UK tour. In the meantime you can catch them on parts of the European Clutch tour and at the KRAAK Festival in Belgium: April (With Clutch & The Sword) 17th Charlatan - Gent, (Belgium) 18th Underground - Koln, (Germany) 19th Matrix - Bochum, (Germany) 21st Molotov Hamburg, (Germany) www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe Taint New Record The Welsh bruisers are scheduled to enter the studio in June to record ‘Secrets and Lies’ the follow up to their highly acclaimed 2005 debut, ‘The Ruin Of Nova Roma’.Slated for an October release, the album will again be mixed by Alex Newport – expect tales of bachannalia, betrayal, fashionistas and harlots. www.myspace.com/taintuk Return of the Wizard Electric Wizard are currently working on material for their yet to be titled 6th album for Rise Above Records. The band plan to enter the studio in June, with the album to be released before the end of the year. More details as we have them. In the meantime, look out for the double deluxe gatefold vinyl edition of ‘Let Us Prey’ due for release within the next month or so. 1st 100 copies will be clear vinyl. www.myspace.com/electricwizarddorsetdoom Litmus To Release Second Disc The UK’s most Sonic, Astral shaking Spacerockers, Litmus are set to release ‘Planetfall’ their second album (debut for Rise Above), Planetfall, on April 30th. It’s one swirling trip of hypnotising, metallic, Cosmo-Psychedelia which is NOT TO BE MISSED! Get saucered with them at the following live events; May 11th Standard Music Venue, London E17 6DS (supporting Inner City Unit) 26-27th Swamp Room Happening, Hannover (Germany) July 20-22nd Eastern Haze Somerleyton Hall www.myspace.com/litmusspacerock VADER Confirmed For Germany's ROCK HARD FESTIVAL Veteran Polish death metallers VADER have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Rock Hard Festival, set to take place May 25-27 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): AMON AMARTH ARMORED SAINT AXEL RUDI PELL BULLET CATARACT DARK FUNERAL GRAVE DIGGER HAMMERFALL HARDCORE SUPERSTAR HEAVEN SHALL BURN KORPIKLAANI MAROON METAL INQUISITOR PAUL DI'ANNO (playing IRON MAIDEN set) ROSS THE BOSS (playing MANOWAR set) SABATON SPOCK'S BEARD TANKARD TURISAS VADER VADER will join forces with BRUTAL TRUTH for three "Extreme The Dojo Tour Vol. 17" Japanese dates in early March. VADER will enter Hertz Studio in Poland in March to re-record 25 of the best songs from their entire discography for a 25th anniversary release, to be issued in 2008. The set will also include a DVD containing tons of bonus features, such as archival recordings, live shows, video clips and other special material. Jaroslaw Szubrycht, a well-known Polish journalist who recently finished a book about SLAYER, will write a VADER biography. Ex-DAMAGEPLAN Singer To Play Guitar For KILLSWITCH ENGAGE? Reliable sources have informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that former HALFORD/DIESEL MACHINE guitarist and ex-DAMAGEPLAN vocalist Patrick Lachman will fill in for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz on the band's upcoming North American tour with DRAGONFORCE, CHIMAIRA and HE IS LEGEND. Standing in for Dutkiewicz — who is recovering from a serious back injury — on KILLSWITCH's recent European tour was ex-SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's new album, "As Daylight Dies", has sold 198,000 copies in the United States since its November 21 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD is the follow up to 2004's Grammy-nominated album "The End of Heartache", and 2005's gold-selling DVD "(Set This) World Ablaze". U.K.'s DAMNATION FESTIAL To Return In October Damnation Festival returns to retain the crown of the U.K.'s premier independent metal festival by ploughing into Leeds on Saturday, October 20 to host two stages of extreme and uncompromising noise. After two stunning sold-out installments that shook Manchester to its core, the event will expand in its exciting new home, Leeds Met University, which boasts a 1,400-capacity Jagermeister Stage that has hosted metal legends like FEAR FACTORY on U.K. tours. Determined to top a short but incredible history which includes headlining performances from THE HAUNTED, ENTOMBED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, SIKTH and AKERCOCKE, not forgetting a legendary farewell show by STAMPIN' GROUND, the fans behind the festival will book a U.K.-driven orgy of homegrown talent in 2007. Festival spokesman Gavin McInally said: "Moving to a bigger venue in Leeds - which has allowed us to host a Saturday event — is an exciting, if daunting, challenge and we're looking forward to it. "The finer details have still to be hammered out but the Damnation Festival community can expect bigger bands, more of them, and we can only attempt to get more extreme and ugly than the likes of GOREROTTED and AKERCOCKE, but try we will." Following last year's event scribes at music news bible Virtual Festivals declared: "The true face of the U.K. metal underground has finally clawed its way onto the festival map and no amount of imported Euro or U.S. talent can plaster over the wound!" Terrorizer readers voted Damnation Festival as the third Biggest Musical Event of 2006, hanging on the tails of the mighty Wacken and Download festivals, beating international giants like FuryFest, Ozzfest and even staving off the competition of a legendary U.K. EMPEROR show. The third installment of U.K.-focused metal will take place across the Jagermeister- and Terrorizer-endorsed stages in Leeds. A Jagermeister spokeswoman said: "The Jagermeister Jagermusic Programme is proud to be involved with the Damnation Festival a second year. Jagermeister believes in backing the independent music scene which is championed by Damnation. Once again it will be an event to be remembered." Ticket prices and an on-sale date for Damnation Festival 2007 will be announced in the next month. For more information, visit www.damnationfestival.co.uk MARTY FRIEDMAN RELEASES NEW ALBUM IN THE U.S. “LOUDSPEAKER” SHRAPNEL RECORD’S RELEASE ON MARCH 13TH, 2007 HOLLYWOOD - LOUDSPEAKER is an album that will change all preconceptions about solo guitar-shred albums. It is an emotionally fueled work of genius, mixed with brilliant guitar solo mastery that has become Marty Friedman’s signature. LOUDSPEAKER features guest appearances by Steve Vai, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Steve Vai) and Jeremy Colson (Michael Schenker, Steve Vai). “For me it was a big experiment,” Friedman explains. “I wanted to get these guys to play the most aggressive way they could because as a fan I really wanted to hear them in a full metal context.” LOUDSPEAKER is an aggressive, passionate and absorbing collection of shred and melody that exposes the beauty and the beast in Friedman’s personality. Friedman reveals his true diversity with the hypnotic opening strains of ‘Stigmata Addiction’ to a poignant rendering of ‘Coloreas Mi Vida.’ The album continually travels between moments of claustrophobic density ‘Black Orchid’ to the razor-sharp shred of 'Elixir.’ Marty Friedman began his career as a Shrapnel solo recording artist and later joined forces with guitar virtuoso Jason Becker to form seminal progressive metal pioneers, “Cacophony.” Amassing worldwide acclaim as a guitar virtuoso, he came to the attention of Megadeth who were looking for a guitarist and the rest is history. Racking up sales of over 10 million records with Megadeth, Friedman continued to record solo records for Shrapnel, often embarking on musical forays far removed from his work with Megadeth. With several world tours and Megadeth behind him, Friedman has also earned an international reputation for being one of the most tasteful guitarists to emerge from the Shrapnel shredding scene. As a clinician, he has made hundreds of appearances over the years that have enabled many of his fans to meet him, forging a bond that few musicians have achieved with their audience. “LOUDSPEAKER” is exactly the kind of record that Friedman fans have been waiting for. It is heavy, melodic and digs down deep to his roots, reminiscent in style of his best selling Shrapnel solo record “Dragon's Kiss.” Now residing in Tokyo, Japan, Friedman has become a television celebrity appearing regularly on 5 major networks, and can be seen on TV almost every day in Japan. Friedman is also planning to tour in spring 07. "I am planning a tour of Europe early this year,” Friedman explains. “It has been way too long since I have played there live aside from guitar clinics and special events." LOUDSPEAKER will be released on March 13th, 2007 in the U.S. For more information click to www.martyfriedman.com or www.shrapnelrecords.com DARK FORTRESS special show and DVD! After an abstinence of four years, DARK FORTRESS will do a show again in their hometown Landshut. It will take place on May 19th, 2007 in the location "Alte Kaserne" together with The Vision Bleak (GER), Dark Age (GER) and Crom (GER). This show is going to be a special one, because it will be professionally filmed in order to use parts of it for a possible DVD in the future. So all of you DARK FORTRESS-maniacs out there are invited to join this special evening and to be part of the DVD. Don’t miss this opportunity! http://www.myspace.com/darkfortress HASTE THE DAY new song on Myspace! Haste The Day will post the second new track of their upcoming album “Pressure The Hinges” this Sunday night. So make sure you pass by their www.myspace.com/hastetheday on Monday morning and add the song “Stitches” to your profile and be the coolest girl/guy in town! This song is also going to be their video track. A beautiful and nasty E-Card will be launched next Monday @ www.centurymedia.com/eu. Have a look! HASTE THE DAY´s new album “Pressure The Hinges” will be released in Europe March 26th, 2007 via Century Media Records and will include 3 bonus tracks. www.hastetheday.com www.myspace.com/hastetheday HE IS LEGEND announces new guitarist! He Is Legend have added a new member in guitarist Mitchell Marlow. Mitch has previously played in bands such as Classic Case and Glassjaw and had been filling in on guitar for He Is Legend since this past fall. Most of you have met him already at their European tour with Norma Jean in January! Really cool guy doing an amazing job on his guitar! HIL are currently on the No Fear Music Tour in the U.S. with Killswitch Engage, Dragonforce and Chimaira. As for Mitch, he is currently at work producing in his studio, and as soon as he finishes up will be joining the band to complete the tour. This means that for the first 2 and half weeks they will be playing as a four piece without Mitch. For more info & to read a statement directly from the band go to: www.heislegend.com The band is planning on coming back to Europe this fall! So stay tuned for tourdates and further info! Get your copy of “Suck Out The Poison” including a European bonus track NOW! www.myspace.com/heislegend LACUNA COIL "Karmacode" silver in Italy! Century Media Records is proud to announce that LACUNA COIL’s „Karmacode“ has qualified silver in their native country Italy. “It’s so amazing to get a recognition like this in our own country. It’s amazing to know that this is not a fake prize to get more promotion impressing the medias but something that we REALLY deserved for the sold copies of the album “Karmacode”. We worked so hard and with so much passion for this during these years that people got our message strong and clear. The fans are our family and this silver record is for them, most of all, for the support they gave us during the years. Thank you so much.” (Cristina Scabbia) This one goes out straight to their Italian speaking fans: “E’ assolutamente fantastico ricevere un riconoscimento di questo genere nel proprio paese. E’ fantastico sapere che non è un premio “falso” per impressionare i media e ricevere piu’ promozione, ma un premio che REALMENTE abbiamo meritato, con le copie vendute dell’album “Karmacode”. Abbiamo lavorato davvero sodo e con cosi’ tanta passione che la gente ha recepito il messaggio,chiaro e forte. I fans sono la nostra famiglia e questo disco d’argento è dedicato soprattutto a loro, per il supporto dato in tutti questi anni. Grazie mille.” (Cristina Scabbia) After finalizing the next video-clip for “Within Me” in early March the band will embark on the latest instalment of the Jägermeister Music Tour alongside Stone Sour and Shadows Fall. The trek, which kicks off on March 23rd and runs through early May, is the group’s fourth U.S. run in support of their “Karmacode” album. In summer LACUNA COIL will play a few selected festivals in Europe. www.lacunacoil.it Century Media Records Welcomes BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART Century Media is proud to sign BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART, self-proclaimed “superheroes destined to save the world from nuclear annihilation with the power of metal.” BBABH hails from Montreal, Canada and released one album, “All’s Fair In Love And War”, on Blood & Ink Records in 2004. They did a few tours of North America with The Devil Wears Prada and A Day to Remember and played to sold-out crowds in the UK with Enter Shakari. Upon returning home, they found themselves with offers from record labels shooting out of their collective arses. The Bird (drums) states: “We have been searching for the right record label to release our next record for quite some now, and this is a match made in heaven. The force is strong with Century Media. I mean, they signed us without a singer, so they are obviously just as crazy as we are. We are also proud to announce that we have finally found a new singer. His name is Tony Gambino, and yeah, his great-uncle was Carlo Gambino (Google him), so don’t mess with us. Tony can do back-flips and breakdance better then Turbo in Electric Boogaloo. We’re psyched to have him on board.” Click the link below to check out some new music. http://www.myspace.com/blessedbyabrokenheart BBABH will enter the studio with GGGarth in early April to record their Century Media debut, tentatively titled “You Wanted the Best, You Got The Blessed: Greatest Hits”. Their debut movie will be going direct to DVD in 2008. The band: Shred Sean: shreds The Bird: hits things Simon Foxx: polishes the keys Tyler Hoare: his real last name/bass Robbie Heart: also shreds Tony Gambino: backspins SWALLOW THE SUN & MASTERPLAN - new tracks available Candlelight Records USA has made available the first tracks from upcoming new albums from Finland's Swallow the Sun and Germany's Masterplan. To listen bring your browser to the label's official page located at www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa. "These Hours of Despair" is from Swallow the Sun's new album titled Hope. Set to hit US stores on March 20, the anticipated album features guest appearances from Jonas Renske (Katatonia) and Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis). A video has already filmed for album track “Don’t Fall Asleep;” premiere detals will follow shortly. Kerrang! says, “not since My Dying Bride's classic Turn Loose The Swans has there been such a flawless example of how sorrow can be harnessed to the heaviest of guitar tones, capped with virtuoso guttural growls and graced with an immaculate production patina, to such devastating effect. Every one of these eight tracks is an absolute fucking monster.” "Lost And Gone" is from Masterplan's third album titled MKII. Also set for US release March 20, it is the first album to feature new vocalist Mike DiMeo (Riot) and drummer Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Rage). Mixed and mastered at Helsinki's renowned Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Lordi, Sonata Arctica), MKII was produced by guitarist/band leader Roland Grapow (Helloween) and again showcases the band’s exceptional musicianship and the stellar dynamic charm that has made them popular since their launch in 2002. Blabbermouth said of Aeronautics, the band's previous album, “Masterplan along with such forward-thinking power metal acts as Kamelot and Nocturnal Rites prove that there is indeed plenty of life left in the genre. A must-have album for anyone that has an appreciation for all things heavy and melodic.” Candlelight Records USA www.candlelightrecordsusa.com New AXEMASTER CD news and representation The latest news on AXEMASTER is that the band is now being represented by Sol Music Management {Canada} to obtain a deal to record a new CD which will feature a special guest appearance by guitarist Ivan Hurd of the classic metal band ANVIL. Sol Music currently is working with such established artists as DOKKEN, SEBASTIAN BACH, SEPULTURA, and LIZZY BORDEN; more information is available at: www.solmusicmanagement.com/. Don't forget that the re-release of AXEMASTER's first album "Blessing in the Skies" on CD is now available through Burning Star Records and the band. Write for more info!!!!!! www.myspace.com/thebandaxemaster CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN Have Added Drummer Matt Francis To Their Line-Up Vocalist Joe Horvath comments: "At a point when we had all but thrown dirt over our own casket, life has once more been injected with the vacancy of the drum position being finally filled. Binghamton, New York's, Matt Francis has recently joined CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN and we plan to soon begin work on a yet-to-be-titled sixth release due out during the summer of 2007, on Willowtip Records. Matts addition to CODC drives the band to its most caustic and explosive level to date. Blackened iron hails to the fans and fellow bands who have pushed us through the downtimes and continue to support us into the future. Keep screaming." http://www.metalmaniacs.com/

April 14th, 2007	DREAM THEATER Signs With ROADRUNNER RECORDS Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of progressive metal pioneers DREAM THEATER. A new studio album, "Systematic Chaos", is due in June. DREAM THEATER will hit the road in support of the album for a world tour, including major festival appearances in Europe. Since their first studio release in 1989, this U.S.-based five-piece has notched up record and DVD sales in excess of six million and headlined to audiences of 20,000. Having undertaken seven world tours across 42 different countries, DREAM THEATER has established a live reputation that has swept them to arena-status around the globe. They have appeared alongside acts such as DEEP PURPLE, IRON MAIDEN and YES. Recognized by peers and public alike for their advanced musical expertise, the band (Mike Portnoy, drums; John Petrucci, guitar; John Myung, bass; James LaBrie, vocals; Jordan Rudess, keyboards) has long held the ability to combine complex arrangements with unadulterated songwriting skills, the material often underpinned by riffs as heavy as anything in the METALLICA repertoire. "This album's got all of the elements we've become known for," reveals Portnoy. "The focus on musicianship, the skull-crushing riffs, the big progressive epics and the heart-wrenching melodies. We've got one of the strongest and most devoted fan bases in the world, and they should certainly be happy with the new material. By working closely with the label we hope to turn a great many new heads too." "DREAM THEATER and Roadrunner Records have led parallel careers on the cutting edge of metal for many years," say A&R men, Derek Oliver and Dante Bonutto, "We're thrilled to be working with a genuine market-leader, and when you add everything the guys bring to the table to the independent spirit and work ethic of the label, the results can only be exciting in the extreme!" Prior to teaming up with Roadrunner, DREAM THEATER was signed to a seven-album deal with Warner Music Group worldwide. The deal commenced with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful "Images And Words" (1992), a gold-certified U.S. release, and concluded, in equal style, with "Octavarium" (2005), a Top 40 Billboard outing. In August of last year the band issued "Score", a live album/DVD (recorded at Radio City Music Hall in New York), which went straight to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard DVD charts, knocking PINK FLOYD from the top! By the following month, the five were holed up at Avatar Studios in New York, working on the new album with veteran engineer/ mixer Paul Northfield (RUSH, QUEENSRŸCHE, PORCUPINE TREE). As usual, Portnoy and Petrucci chose to co-produce the project, which features seven compositions (one a 25-minute epic), and word on the grapevine is that the DREAM THEATER/Roadrunner alliance looks all set to kick off with a classic. "Systematic Chaos", DREAM THEATER's ninth studio release, arrives at a time when the band is casting a longer-than-ever shadow across the rock and metal landscape. Their influence is being acknowledged by an increasing number of contemporary, cutting-edge acts such as STONE SOUR, TRIVIUM, SHADOWS FALL, OPETH as their fan base continues to grow. Touring plans will be announced shortly. SLAYER Guitarist On Possible ROCK HALL Induction: "If it does happen, it'll be after it's important" D.X. Ferris of Cleveland Scene recently conducted an interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King. A few excerpts from the chat follow: On the band's seemingly youthful endurance: "I try to take all my experiences from growing up as a fan and apply them to SLAYER. I think that's why our fans are so dedicated to us." On being one of the few long-running bands that's never recorded an album with, say, a different singer and fill-in guitarist: "People need continuity. We've changed drummers, sure, but if you take people out of the front positions, people are like, 'Well, SLAYER's coming to town — who's playing with them?'" On still playing a full-on metal show more than 20 years into the band's career: "That's what people expect of us. That's what we expect of ourselves. Unfortunately, the first time I saw [JUDAS] PRIEST was on 'Point of Entry'. I'd seen pictures of them all in leather, studded out. And that was the only tour in history where Halford wore denim. And I hadn't heard MAIDEN before, and MAIDEN opened, and they kicked the shit out of 'em. And it's always a dark thought in the back of my mind: 'I can't let that happen.'" On the possibility of SLAYER being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "If it does happen, it'll be after it's important. If anybody gets in from this genre, it'll be METALLICA, for sure. If we get in, it'll be an afterthought or [because of] pressure from fans. They won't say, 'You guys did a lot for the music, you changed shit, you need to be in today.' I don't expect that shit. We've always been the blackball band, the bad guys. Unless you're a fan, that's a bad thing." U.D.O., VREID, ZYKLON Confirmed For Norway's METAL HEART Festival U.D.O., VREID and ZYKLON are among the newly confirmed bands for Metal Heart, a brand new two-day metal festival set to take place August 17-18 at Tapperiet in Notodden, Norway. A total of 10-to-12 acts will perform at the event. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): CIRCUS MAXIMUS DHG JORN PAGAN'S MIND SEVENTH WONDER TESTAMENT U.D.O. VREID ZYKLON AKASHIC posts video for the song Dove The prog metallers of AKASHIC posted online their brand new video clip for the song "Dove", taken from the band's first album, Timeless Realm. About the song they say: "We choosed "Dove” because it's an important song in the band's history. It's one of the oldest themes, taken from the first cd "Timeless Realm" and is always present in our set list. Because of its marking melody lots of people got interested in our work. People who were our fan liked and the ones who didn't knew us became fan. When we talked with the director (Marcelo Mugnol) it was fast for us to find the direction of the images and edition. The observation of the camera goes from slow to intense, from the urban space to a more free one. The band is exposed purely with the music and play." The video clip can be watched through the band's MySpace page - www.myspace.com/akashicrock or directly through YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNXorBCYcvA www.akashic.com.br DAMNATION FESTIVAL 2007 RE-LAUNCH DAMNATION FESTIVAL returns to retain the crown of the UK's premier independent metal festival by ploughing into Leeds on Saturday, October 20, to host two stages of extreme and uncompromising noise. After two stunning sold-out installments that shook Manchester to its core, the event will expand in its exciting new home, Leeds Met University, which boasts a 1,400 capacity Jagermeister Stage that has hosted metal legends like Fear Factory on UK tours. Determined to top a short but incredible history which includes headlining performances from The Haunted, Entombed, Raging Speedhorn, Sikth and Akercocke, not forgetting a legendary farewell show by Stampin' Ground, the fans behind the festival will book a UK-driven orgy of homegrown talent in 2007. Festival spokesman Gavin McInally said: "Moving to a bigger venue in Leeds - which has allowed us to host a Saturday event - is an exciting, if daunting, challenge and we’re looking forward to it. "The finer details have still to be hammered out but the Damnation Festival community can expect bigger bands, more of them, and we can only attempt to get more extreme and ugly than the likes of Gorerotted and Akercocke, but try we will." Following last year’s event scribes at music news bible Virtual Festivals declared: "The true face of the UK metal underground has finally clawed its way onto the festival map and no amount of imported Euro or US talent can plaster over the wound!" And Terrorizer readers voted Damnation Festival as the 3rd Biggest Musical Event of 2006, hanging on the tails of the mighty Wacken and Download Festivals, beating international giants like FuryFest, Ozzfest and even staving off the competition of a legendary UK Emperor show. The third installment of UK-focussed metal will take place across the Jagermeister and Terrorizer endorsed stages in Leeds. A Jagermeister spokeswoman said: "The Jagermeister Jagermusic Programme is proud to be involved with the Damnation Festival for a second year. "Jagermeister believes in backing the independent music scene which is championed by Damnation. "Once again it will be an event to be remembered." Ticket prices and an on-sale date for Damnation Festival 2007 will be announced in the next month. For more information visit our revamped website at http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk or e-mail: enquiries@damnationfestival.co.uk DARK TRANQUILLITY - reveal the science of “Fiction”; new song online! Swedish melodic death metal pioneers DARK TRANQUILLITY triumphantly return with “Fiction” in April 2007, a scorching effort that will undoubtedly add an exhilarating new chapter to the genre’s storied history. The album was mixed by the acclaimed Tue Madsen (Himsa, The Haunted) and encompasses all of the elements on which the band built their career: thought-provoking lyrics, shredding guitar work, captivating melodies and sheer brutality. This offering is perhaps best compared to a modern-day version of the group’s revered classics “The Gallery” and “The Mind’s I”, only with more intensity behind it. The blueprint of melodic death metal is now at your fingertips. Niklas Sundin (guitars) further describes his thoughts on the new album: “Tue Madsen did a fantastic job with the sound, and the result is diverse and exciting enough to satisfy even the most critical of listeners. The 10 songs are extremely varied and showcase all facets of the D.T. experience while breaking new ground as well as reviving some elements that haven't been featured in D.T. songs since the early years. At the moment, we're putting the finishing touches to the packaging as well as preparing for the recording of the “Focus shift” and “Misery's Crown” promo videos. Directing is once again Roger Johansson, who worked with us on the videos for Character”. DARK TRANQUILLITY holds the esteemed distinction as being one of the bands responsible for founding an entirely new genre of death metal in the early '90s, which came to be known as "The Gothenburg Sound." Their previous album, “Character”, was hailed by critics and fans alike as the group's most savage and dynamic offering yet. They have solidified their fanbase through numerous tours alongside the likes of such genre titans as Killswitch Engage, Kreator, In Flames, Opeth and Soilwork, among others. In late March 2007, DARK TRANQUILLITY kick off the touring cycle for “Fiction” with a massive co-headlining U.S. run with The Haunted and Into Eternity followed by European summer festivals and a full length tour in autumn, revitalizing the genre they helped to create and further cementing their status as one of the scene’s most influential metal bands. Here’s the final tracklist: DARK TRANQUILLITY - Fiction 1. Nothing To No One 2. The Lesser Faith 3. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive) 4. Blind At Heart 5. Icipher 6. Inside The Particle Storm 7. Empty Me 8. Misery´s Crown 9. Focus Shift 10. The Mundane And The Magic A Closer End – Japan Bonus Track Winter Triangle – Instrumental Australia Bonus Track The ltd. album version will include a bonus DVD with live songs, behind the scene footage, last album’s “The New Build” promo video and the brand-new “Focus Shift” clip. Cover artwork was done again by the band’s guitarist Niklas Sundin. Photo by Marcus Bergman. Release dates: North America: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Sweden: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 GERMANY / AUSTRIA / SWITZERLAND / BENELUX / ITALY: Friday, April 20, 2007. UK / FRANCE / SPAIN / DENMARK / NORWAY / REST OF EUROPE: Monday, April 23, 2007. FINLAND / HUNGARY: Wednesday, April 25, 2007. AUSTRALIA / JAPAN / REST OF WORLD: tbc A pre-listening of “Focus Shift” can be found here: www.darktranquillity.com FU MANCHU - New album details; tourdates updated! Southern California rock quartet FU MANCHU delivers new details on the band’s upcoming tenth album and Century Media Records debut, “We Must Obey”, which will hit stores on February 19th, 2007. The album will be released as limited edition featuring a luxurious slipcase art in a unique Hot Rod pinstriping style and a European only bonus track. Here the full track-listing: FU MANCHU – “We Must Obey” 1. We Must Obey 2. Knew It All Along 3. Let Me Out 4. Hung Out To Dry 5. Shake It Loose 6. Land Of Giants 7. Between The Lines 8. Lesson 9. Moving In Stereo 10. Didn`t Really Try 11. Sensei Vs. Sensei 12. Never Again (European bonus track) Already praised by Decibel (US) as the band’s “best set of riffs in years”, FU MANCHU’s newest slab of fuzzy rock was recorded at Hollywood’s Grandmaster Recorders studio (Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Black Crows). Finishing touches were added by Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering (Velvet Revolver, Pennywise, Rev. Horton Heat). The album also includes a cover of The Cars’ classic “Moving In Stereo”. After a US headliner tour running from late February to mid-April, FU MANCHU will then rock their European audience on the following dates: FU MANCHU Live: 26.04.2007 Lisbon (PT) @ Paradise Garage 27.04.2007 Vigo (E) @ Sala A 28.04.2007 Madrid (E) @ Copernico 29.04.2007 Bilboa (E) @ Kafe Antzoki 30.04.2007 Barcelona (E) @ Apollo 2 02.05.2007 Geneva (CH) @ Usine-PTR 03.05.2007 Karlsruhe (D) @ Substage 04.05.2007 Duisburg (D) @ Pulp 05.05.2007 Bielefeld (D) @ Forum 06.05.2007 Hamburg (D) @ Gruenspan 08.05.2007 Aarhus (DK) @ Voxhall 09.05.2007 Oslo (NO) @ John Dee 10.05.2007 Stockholm (S) @ Debaser 11.05.2007 Copenhagen (DK) @ Loppen 12.05.2007 Malmoe (S) @ KB 13.05.2007 Berlin (D) @ Kato 15.05.2007 Vienna (AT) @ Flex 16.05.2007 Kufstein (AT) @ Kulturfabrik 17.05.2007 Graz (AT) @ Orpheum 18.05.2007 Zurich (CH) @ Rote Fabrik 19.05.2007 Pinarella di Cervia (I) @ Rock Planet 20.05.2007 Solothurn (CH) @ Kofmehl 22.05.2007 Wiesbaden (D) @ Schlachthof 23.05.2007 Eindhoven (NL) @ Effenaar 24.05.2007 Deventer (NL) @ Burgerweeshuis 25.05.2007 Brussels (B) @ VK 26.05.2007 Nottingham (UK) @ Rock City 27.05.2007 Glasgow (UK) @ Cathouse 28.05.2007 Belfast (UK) @ Limelight 30.05.2007 Wolverhampton (UK) @ Little Civic 02.06.2007 London (UK) @ Underworld 03.06.2007 Southhampton (UK) @ Nexus You can check out the album’s artwork as well as some songs taken off “We Must Obey” at the band’s Myspace page www.myspace.com/fumanchu, Rock is back! www.fu-manchu.com DEAD POETIC - New album "Vices" out NOW! “Vices”, the Century Media Records debut of US-based alternative rock outfit DEAD POETIC has hit stores Europe-wide today! If you want emotional, powerful and catchy modern music, there is no excuse for not knowing DEAD POETIC. Press already embraced the new album as a true masterpiece guaranteeing hits en masse. It could achieve position #2 in German Metal Hammer’s latest soundcheck, Visions (D) named DEAD POETIC “gallant songwriters” and Rock Hard (D) sees DEAD POETIC successfully “concentrating on catchy tunes spiced with a good dose of rock ’n’ roll”. To convince yourself of the brilliance and energy of DEAD POETC check out their new video for the song “Narcotic” taken off “Vices” @ Youtube.com NOW! Listen to more songs off “Vices” at www.myspace.com/deadpoetic NAGLFAR - Trailer for “Harvest” and new song online! On February 26th, 2007 Swedish black metal masters NAGLFAR deliver the follow-up to 2005’s critically acclaimed opus “Pariah” with their newest strike of ferocious black metal entitled “Harvest”. Prepare yourself for this year’s masterpiece in the field of hateful and extreme metal! You can now check out a trailer for “Harvest” at the following location: http://specials.centurymedia.de/video/naglfar__trailer.mpg www.myspace.com/naglfar In the weeks prior to release, NAGLFAR will grant you further insights into the creation of “Harvest” by putting clips of a detailed studio report online as an official countdown to the release of the much anticipated new album. Part 1 of the studio report will be online Friday Feb 16, part 2 on Friday Feb 23, 2007. So, stay tuned for more news from Sweden’s darkest! Here the track-listing for “Harvest”: 1. Into the Black 04:33 2. Breathe Through Me 03:17 3. The Mirrors of My Soul 04:58 4. Odium Generis Humani 05:07 5. The Darkest Road 04:11 (pre-listen the song on www.myspace.com/naglfar) 6. Way of the Rope 05:56 7. Plutonium Reveries 05:00 8. Feeding Moloch 05:12 9. Harvest 07:10 NAGLFAR’s new album will be available as limited-edition containing a bonus DVD featuring four professionally recorded live clips from the Party.San Open Air festival 2006, the promo clip for “The Perpetual Horrors” (taken off “Pariah”) as well as an interview with lead singer Kristoffer Olivius. The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith (Death, Katatonia, Opeth) www.naglfar.net THE SHOWDOWN - New song “I, Victim (Here’s to the year)” online! After showing its undeniable onstage power on THE SHOWDOWN’s first European tour alongside Norma Jean and He Is Legend, the Tennessee-based hard rocking, ass kicking young metal outfit has posted a new track off its forthcoming new album “Temptation Come My Way” (European street date: February 26, 2007) online at the following locations: @ Century Media.com @ Century Media Germany’s Myspace page @ Bands On Fire’s Myspace page “I, Victim (Here’s to the year)” will also be featured on the covermount CDs in the next Rock Hard (D) & Metal Hammer (D) issues, so don’t miss your chance to check out the hottest hard rock/metal export from the US in 2007! More songs off “Temptation Come My Way”, THE SHOWDOWN’s second full-length after the acclaimed debut “A Chorus Of Obliteration”, which has been reissued via Century Media Records in 2006, can be checked out at the band’s Myspace page, so prepare yourself for a captivating dose of high voltage heavy metal! www.myspace.com/theshowdown European release dates: GERMANY / AUSTRIA / SWITZERLAND / BENELUX: Friday, February 23, 2007. FRANCE / SPAIN / DENMARK / NORWAY / REST OF EUROPE: Monday, February 26, 2007. FINLAND / SWEDEN / HUNGARY: Wednesday, February 28, 2007. ITALY: Friday, March 2, 2007. Press on “Temptation Come My Way”: THE SHOWDOWN prove how you can successfully mix traditional elements rooted in 80’s metal with modern and groundbreaking sounds. EMP (D) “Temptation Come My Way” has everything a great record needs! ROCK HARD (D) The roots of the Tennessee-based band certainly can be traced back to classic heavy metal. Their songs ignoring any falderal get straight to the point, are spiced with brilliant double-axed guitar leads and dominated by David Bunton’s massive voice reminiscent of James Hetfield. METAL HAMMER (D) THE HAUNTED - New European headlining tourdates and online launch of “The Drowning”! New European headlining tourdates and online launch of “The Drowning”! Swedish metal innovators THE HAUNTED have just finished a massively successful European tour alongside Killswitch Engage and returned to their home base Gothenburg/Sweden to recharge batteries for their upcoming live activities. The band comments on the recent tour as follows: “# Milano Update: The tour is coming to an end and it feels strange somehow. We have had a blast throughout. All the shows have been sold-out and packed with people. We are overwhelmed with the overall response from the audience. Totally awesome. Thanks! I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the guys in Killswitch Engage for taking us along on this tour. Also big thanks to their cool-ass-crew. Now we are heading home to prepare for the Swedish and Finnish dates. See you there people. Over and out…# Anders.” THE HAUNTED will kick off their next US tour with labelmates Dark Tranquillity and Into Eternity in March/ April, followed by a massive European headlining tour in late April/May. Here are the dates: “Cursed Earth Tour 2007” THE HAUNTED, Municipal Waste + support Presented by Metal Hammer (D), Aardschok (NL), Hard N´Heavy (F)25.04.2007 Tilburg (NL) 013 26.04.2007 Deventer (NL) Burgerweeshuis 27.04.2007 Groningen (NL) Vera 28.04.2007 Leeds (UK) Cockpit 29.04.2007 Norwich (UK) Waterfront 30.04.2007 Newcastle (UK) Academy 01.05.2007 Glasgow (UK) Cathouse 02.05.2007 Dublin (IRE) Voodoo Lounge 03.05.2007 Liverpool (UK) Academy 2 04.05.2007 Birmingham (UK) Academy 2 05.05.2007 London (UK) Mean Fiddler 06.05.2007 Bristol (UK) Academy 2 07.05.2007 Oxford (UK) Zodiac 08.05.2007 Vosselaar (B) Biebob 09.05.2007 Rennes (F) UBU 10.05.2007 Nior (F) Camji 11.05.2007 Barcelona (E) Apolo 12.05.2007 Madrid (E) Caracol 13.05.2007 Bilbao (E) Bilborock 15.05.2007 Lyon (F) CCO 16.05.2007 Milan (I) Rainbow 17.05.2007 Geneva (CH) PTR-Usine 18.05.2007 Will (CH) Remise 19.05.2007 Vienna (A) Planet Music 20.05.2007 Budapest (HUN) Kultiplex 22.05.2007 Prague (CZ) Bodo 23.05.2007 Wroclaw (PL) WZ Club 24.05.2007 Warschau (PL) Proxima Club 25.05.2007 Berlin (D) Kato 26.05.2007 Frankfurt (D) O25 27.05.2007 Munich (D) Backstage 29.05.2007 Stuttgart (D) Die Röhre 30.05.2007 Bochum (D) Matrix 31.05.2007 Hamburg (D) Molotow THE HAUNTED are additionally confirmed for the following shows and festivals so far: 05.-07.07.2007 Geiselwind (D) Battle of Metal Open Air 13.-14.07.2007 Kaltenbach (A) Kaltenbach Open Air 20.-22.07.2007 Xanthi (GR) Metal Healing Festival While THE HAUNTED’s current album “The Dead Eye” continues to receive worldwide acclaim, you can now check out the outstanding album song “The Drowning” HERE or @ www.myspace.com/thehaunted A visionary slab of heaviness no metalhead should live without. METAL HAMMER (UK) A ferocity that’s simply addictive…gloomy, intense and daring! ROCK HARD (D) www.the-haunted.com www.myspace.com/thehaunted Slayer recognized by Grammies At the 49th annual Grammy Awards at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, SLAYER was awarded The Grammy for Best Metal Performance for 'Eyes Of The Insane' from their Christ Illusion album. Sadly, the award was not part of the televised broadcast. The other nominees in the Best Metal Performance category were: LAMB OF GOD for 'Redneck', MASTODON for 'Colony Of Birchmen', MINISTRY for 'Lies, Lies, Lies' and 'STONE SOUR for '30/30-150'. This was Slayer's second Grammy nomination, the first being in 2002 for the track 'Disciple' from God Hates Us All, also in the Best Metal Performance category. TOOL took home The Grammy that year for 'Schism'. Slayer is currently headlining a North American tour and did not attend the Grammy presentation, but vocalist/bassist Tom Araya had this to say about the win from his hotel room in Columbus, OH: "Jeff (Hanneman, guitarist) and I put a lot into 'Eyes Of The Insane' so we're thrilled that the Grammy voters took the time to listen to it, and then vote for it. We're out here on the road and we're all really, really happy." TESTAMENT Confirmed For U.K.'s BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Festival Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT have been confirmed for the 2007 edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place July 6-7 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England. Also scheduled to appear are BLIND GUARDIAN, KORPIKLAANI, MENDEED and RISE TO ADDICTION. TESTAMENT last played the U.K. over two years ago and has been a band repeatedly requested back by their U.K. metal fans. The band will not be playing any other U.K. festival dates in 2007, and they will have Nick Barker (formerly of CRADLE OF FILTH and DIMMU BORGIR) joining them on drums CANDLEMASS To Co-Headline Germany's HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR Festival Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have been confirmed as the co-headliners of the 2007 edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, set to take place July 12-14 in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): AVENGER BEYOND FALLEN BULLET CANDLEMASS HALLOWEEN HOLLOW GROUND KAOS KILLINGSWORTH KNIGHT ERRANT MARSHALL LAW MOONSORROW PARAGON RAGE RAVEN BLACK KNIGHT SILVER FIST SINNER SIXTH ALLOY THE BLACK VENGEANCE WARNING SF WOLF WRETCH CANDLEMASS will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a huge party at Stockholm's Kolingsborg on Saturday, March 31. CANDLEMASS will perform with no less than three (!) different vocalists — Johan Langquist, Tomas Vikström, and the band's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS). Robert is currently laying down vocal tracks on CANDLEMASS' new album, "King of the Grey Islands", due on June 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. KARRAS signs at Maintain Records The Berlin Deathcore act KARRAS have signed a contract for the release of their debut album by Maintain Records. The three (beautiful) girls around the frontman and singer Devrim has mixed and mastered the album last year by Jacob Bredahl (Hatesphere) in Copenhagen. The album of the multicultural fourpiece (the roots of two girls are in Persia and Jordan) will be estimated in stores in april. Karras are the first signing of the new-founded label - and believe, you will hear about it much more very soon. Be prepared! http://maintainrecords.com http://karrasmusic.com Unmaker' zombies release Rape Reality The "zombies" of UNMAKER recently released their first EP, entitled Rape Reality, which has five tracks that goes through the most varied metal sub-genres, united by experient musicians who already played in bands like A Sorrowful Dream, Carniça and Future Hope. Rape Reality shows an agressive work, both visually and musically, without any commitments to styles or labels but having an unique identity. The track list of the EP is: 01. Join the Carnage 02. Destroy/Create 03. Fuckworld 04. Rape Reality 05. Wake Up About this debut the vocalist Eduardo Clark says: "We express in this first EP the beginning of our walk, where the blood begins! We show the proposal of UNMAKER, a new song, heavy and bloody one, bringing influences from heavy/hard to thrash/death, without great "labels", just Metal! It's a good warm up for all headbangers to be prepared for what we'll bring in the future... Join the Carnage!" With the release of the new website - www.unmaker.net - the band posted a MySpace page with samples of the EP, check it at www.myspace.com/unmaker Now with the cd reasy the band will get back to stage, and the next concert will be on April 14th, in 4th Storm Festival (Brazil). www.unmaker.net SKITZO UNVEILS COVER ART, SONG LISTING & RELEASE DATE FOR “FIVE POINT CONTAINMENT” Skitzo, the bay area’s 26 year veteran thrash/crossover band as unveiled details in regards to their 17th CD release titled, “Five Point Containment” which is set for a world wide release on Open Grave Records on May 15th, 2007. The track listing will be as follows: 1. Curse of the Phoenix 2. Gag Like A Maggot 3. Metallic Tyrants 4. Vengeance Is Mine (Blind Illusion Cover) 5. Stab Her Goodnight 6. Head of Laci 7. Crimson Executioner 8. Messiah of Evil 9. We are the Dead 10. Breeding the Disease 11. Catacombs 12. Iron Fist (Motorhead Cover) Guest musicians include: J eff Becerra (POSSESSED), Phil Demel (VIO-LENCE & MACHINE HEAD), Sickie (THE MENTORS), John Marshall (METAL CHURCH/BLIND ILLUSION). Production duties were handled by Toby “Rage” who has worked with METALLICA on various albums. The cover art has been posted at Open Grave Records webpage: http://www.opengraverecords.com.