Old News January 2006


Old News - January 2006 - Back - More January 2006 News
January 29th, 2006	MANOWAR will be headlining the first installment of the March Metal Day festival, set to take place on March 25, 2006 in Athens, Greece. Also scheduled to perform on the main stage at the one-day event are RHAPSODY (Italy), HOLYHELL (USA), BATTLEROAR (Greece) and INNERWISH (Greece). There will also be a second stage, featuring mainly local acts that will kick off earlier in the day, as well as other various festival activities. CATHEDRAL's new album, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights", was released in Europe on October 26. The CD will be issued in North America in January. Produced by Warren Ryker (DOWN, CROWBAR), "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" is said to be the band's "most varied effort so far." Using every stylistic device — from female vocals up to violins — and embedding it all in that typical CATHEDRAL brand of doom, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" is a treat for every fan of the band, old and new alike. The follow-up to 2002's "The VIIth Coming", "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" will once again feature the epic artwork of long-standing CATHEDRAL sleeve artist Dave Patchett. Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler has unveiled the new lineup of ADLER'S APPETITE following the departure of the entire band that recorded the group's debut EP last year. The new group consists of the following musicians: Chip Z'Nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) – Bass Sheldon Tarsha – Vocals Michael Thomas (BEAUTIFUL CREATURES) – Guitar JT Longoria (IZZY STRADLIN) – Guitar Steven Adler – Drums ADLER'S APPETITE's new lineup recently completed an Argentine tour and will be touring Europe in January and February. A New Year's Eve gig at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Las Vegas has also been booked. "Steven wishes Keri [Kelli], Robbie [Crane], and Craig [Bedford] the absolute best!" reads a posting on Adler's web site. "He couldn't have gotten back into action without their help. However, he is completely stoked with the new future of the band! After recruiting Sheldon, it was clear that the two 'jelled.' They became fast friends with identical musical goals in mind. Steven personally asked his long-time buddy Chip Z'Nuff to join the band, and is extremely pleased that Chip was able to oblige. Izzy Stradlin himself introduced JT Longoria to Steven, and Michael Thomas has the classic chops that make Steven remember why he got into rock 'n' roll. These guys get along great, and it is that true chemistry that has been reflected in each of their high-energy performances so far. Check out the 'Videos' section of Sheldon's site, Tarsharock.com, to see for yourself! Of course, see their upcoming shows to truly catch the vibe! You won't be disappointed!" In 2006, ADLER'S APPETITE plan to release a full-length CD. Adler is also negotiating to have his long-overdue autobiography released with the plan to have it made into a motion picture in the future. Upcoming ADLER'S APPETITE tour dates: Jan. 27 - Bassanod del Grappa, ITA - La Gabbia Jan. 28 - Torino, ITA - Faster Jan. 29 - ITA - TBA Feb. 01 - Falmouth, UK - Princess Pavilion Feb. 02 - Cleethorpes, UK - Beachcomber Feb. 03 - Belfast, IRE - Rostetta Bar Feb. 04 - Dublin, IRE - Whelans Feb. 05 - Bradford, UK - Bradford Rio Feb. 08 - Crewe, UK - Limelight Feb. 09 - London, UK - The Underworld Feb. 10 - Liverpool, UK - The Cavern Feb. 11 - Paignton, UK - Half Moon Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have been confirmed for next year's Metalliga Open Air festival, set to take place June 16-17 in Dornbirn, Austria. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): BITTERNESS (GER) BORN FROM PAIN (NL) CADAVERES (HU) CONTRAPTION (GER) DARK FUNERAL (SWE) DEW-SCENTED (GER) ENDSTILLE (GER) L'ESTARD (GER) PROJECT PEACEMAKER (GER) TYRANTS (A) UNLEASHED (SWE) V8 WANKERS (GER) VENDETTA (A) More confirmations will be announced soon. The two-day ticket will cost €38 (camping included). Pre-sale starts in February. Polish black metal masters VESANIA, featuring Orion (BEHEMOTH) and Daray (VADER), will be teaming up with DIES IRAE, HERMH and CHAINSAW for the Empire Invasion tour of Poland beginning in early March. Confirmed dates are as follows: Mar. 05 - Torun. POL @ Od Nowa Mar. 06 - Warszawa. POL @ Progresja Mar. 07 - Lublin. POL @ Graffiti Mar. 08 – Rzeszów, POL @ TBA Mar. 09 - Kraków. POL @ Extreme Mar. 10 - Katowice. POL @ Mega Club Mar. 11 - Wroclaw. POL @ Madness Mar. 12 - Zielona Góra. POL @ 4 Róze dla Lucienne Mar. 13 - Szczecin. POL @ Slowianin Mar. 14 - Gdynia. POL @ Ucho Mar. 15 - Olsztyn. POL @ Andergrand Mar. 16 - Bydgoszcz. POL @ Monarchia VESANIA released their sophomore album, "God the Lux", on July 25 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Firefrost Arcanum" was recorded between September 2004 and January 2005. Drums, guitars and vocals were laid down at Hendrix studio in Lublin with engineer Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski, while the bass tracks were recorded at Kokszoman studio in Warsaw with engineer Marecki. The keyboards were tracked at Siegmar's home studio. "God the Lux" was mixed and mastered in February 2005 at Hertz studio in Bialystok, Poland by Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski and VESANIA. CANNIBAL CORPSE have announced more European tour dates in support of their upcoming CD, "Kill". The details are below: No Mercy Festivals 2006 w/ FINNTROLL, KATAKLYSM, LEGION OF THE DAMNED: Apr. 04 - Essen, GER @ Zeche Carl Apr. 05 - Ludwigsburg, GER @ Rockfabrik Apr. 06 - Berlin, GER @ Fritz Apr. 07 - Glauchau, GER @ Alte Spinnerei Apr. 08 - Prague, CZR @ Abaton Club Apr. 09 - Wien, AUT @ Planet Music Apr. 10 - Munich, GER @ Backstage Apr. 11 - Pratteln, SWI @ Z7 Apr. 12 - Strasbourg, FRA @ La Laiterie Apr. 15 - Paris, FRA @ La Locomotive Apr. 16 - Antwerpen, BEL @ Hof Ter Loo Apr. 17 - Tilburg, NETH @ 013 w/ PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT, AEON: Apr. 18 - London, UK @ TBA Apr. 19 - UK, TBA Apr. 20 - Cork, IRE @ An Cruiscin Lan Apr. 21 - Dublin, IRE @ Temple Bar Apr. 22 - Glasgow, SCO @ Garage Apr. 23 - Manchester, UK @ TBA Apr. 24 - Dunkerque, FRA @ TBA Apr. 25 - Turcoign, FRA @ TBA Apr. 26 - Hannover, GER @ Musik Zentrum Apr. 27 - Kobenhavn, DEN @ The Rock Apr. 28 - Gothenborg, SWE @ Musikenshus Apr. 29 - Oslo, NOR @ Betong Apr. 30 - Stockholm, SWE @ Klubben May 01 - SWE @ TBA May 02 - Helsinki, FIN @ Nosturi CANNIBAL CORPSE's new album, "Kill", is scheduled for release on March 21, 2006 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL). CANNIBAL CORPSE recently announced the addition of guitarist Rob Barrett as a permanent replacement for guitarist Jack Owen, who left the band in 2004. Barrett, who played with the group from 1993 to 1997and appeared on "The Bleeding" and "Vile" albums, has contributed one song to "Kill". TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL STILL LOCATED AT KAISANIEMI, HELSINKI The long ongoing and overdue project of securing the noise level permit for Tuska-Festival in Helsinki has finally come to a desired conclusion. The Helsinki Environment Center gave out their christmas present a few days in advance. Tuska-Festival received a noise level permit with conditions similar to prior years. This means 70 db noise level at the nearest residence and 101db at the festival area’s mixing consoles. The limit is still strict and somewhat restricts the festival’s operations but the difference to the suggested levels of 65 / 96 is significant. Tuska-Festival will also carry out significant structural, sound limiting procedures. The hassle started when the city of Helsinki confirmed environment regulations which ruled on level of disturbing environmental noise. The level of 70db that had been obeyed for years had been an unwritten law and the new official regulation was suprisingly lowered to 65db without consulting any of the event organizers. Since then, however, the Environment Center has displayed a remarkable use of common sense and consideration. The authorities carried out a survey to the local area residents and 56,4% of them felt that noise generated from the festival did not disturb them at all. Although the permit is secured for 2006, Tuska-Festival feels that it is very important that the law in question is changed for good. A council suggestion has already been initiated to do so. In this current situation the event organizers are at the mercy of several bureaucrats, year after year. Tuska-Festival’s permit process was aided by the Helsinki Cultural Office who have initiated a process to improve the facilities to organize larger scale events in the city. “The city of Helsinki understands the importance of this festival. We are currently tightening the cooperation between the authorities in order to make Helsinki a better city for events of all kind”, states Cultural Director Pekka Timonen. The noise level permit is only one of more than ten permits or approvals from the authorities that organizing an event of this magnitude requires. CHANGE OF DATE FOR TUSKA 2006 Tuska Open Air Metal Festival 2006 will be organized a couple of weeks before the previous dates, during the weekend of 30.6.-2.7. FIRST ARTISTS FOR TUSKA 2006 WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE FINNISH METAL EXPO Tuska-Festival will be present at the second annual Finnish Metal Expo at the Cablefactory (Kaapelitehdas) in Helsinki, Finland, which takes place on the 17.-18. February. The first artists of the 2006 roster will be revealed at the FME. Tickets for Tuska 2006 will go on sale later in the spring through www.tiketti.fi and www.lippupalvelu.fi. Tuska-Festival is an all-ages-festival. Additional Information: www.tuska-festival.fi UNREAL OVERFLOWS "Architecture of Incomprehension" UNREAL OVERFLOWS have just finished the recording of their debut album "Architecture of Incomprehension". This work has been recorded by Christian "Moschus" Moos at the SpaceLab Studios in Germany and will be released at the begining of the upcoming year by Xtreem Music. A great first album of a great new band!!! Please, do not forget to visit our home page for more information: www.unrealoverflows.com RAGE film 'no fear' video RAGE have finished shooting a video for the new track "No Fear" - taken from the band's forthcoming album, “Speak Of The Dead” – which will be included on the soundtrack for a German independent psycho-thriller called “Ludgers Fall”. The band recently shot the video for the track on the island of Föhr, located in the North Sea. It will feature scenes from the movie as well as the band performance. Peavy, Victor and Mike are currently completing work on "Speak of the Dead" at the VPS studios in Hamm, Germany. IN FLAMES tourdates announced IN FLAMES have announced first dates on their upcoming European tour, which is scheduled to kick off in March 2006. Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA will support Anders Fridén & Co. Confirmed dates so far are as follows: Mar. 18 - Hamburg, GER - Große Freiheit Mar. 19 - Berlin, GER - Columbiahalle Mar. 20 - Köln, GER - E-Werk Mar. 22 - London, UK @ Forum Apr. 04 - Barcelona, SPA - Razzmatazz 1 Apr. 05 - Madrid, SPA - La Riviera Apr. 06 - Bergara, SPA - Jam Apr. 08 - Milano, ITA - Transilvania Apr. 09 - Roncade (Tv) - New Age Apr. 10 - Wien, AUT - Arena Apr. 11 - Linz, AUT - Posthof Apr. 12 - München, GER - Georg-Elser-Halle Apr. 13 - Filderstadt, GER - Filharmonie IN FLAMES announce more european tour dates More dates have been announced for IN FLAMES' upcoming European headlining tour. The tour 2006 will start in Oslo, Norway on March 12. Main support on the tour will be Sepultura. All confirmed dates are as follows: 12.03. N Oslo Rockefeller 14.03. FIN Tampere Pakkahoune 15.03. FIN Helsinki House Of Culture 17.03. S Stockholm Arenan 18.03. S Gothenburg Lisebergshallen 19.03. D Berlin Columbiahalle 20.03. D Cologne E-Werk 21.03. NL Eindoven Effenar 22.03. UK London Forum 23.03. UK Manchester Academy 24.03. UK Glasgow Barrowlands 25.03. UK Sheffield Corperstion 26.03. UK Birmingham Academy 28.03. IRE Dublin Ambassador 29.03. UK Liverpool Academy 30.03. UK Cardiff Coal Exchange 31.03. UK Portsmouth Pyramis Centre 01.04. NL Antwerp Hof-ter-lo 02.04. F Paris Elysee-Montmartre 03.04. F Lyon tba 04.04. E Barcelona Razzmatazz 05.04. E Madrid La Riviera 06.04. E Bergara Sala Jam 08.04. I Milan tba 09.04. I Treviso New-Age 10.04. A Vienna Arena 11.04. A Linz Posthof 12.04. D Munich Georg-Elser-Halle 13.04. D Filderstadt (Stuttgart) Filharmonie 15.04. SLO Ljubljana tba 16.04. H Budapest Petoefi 17.04. CZ Prague tba 18.04. PL Warszawa Proxima 19.04. D Dresden Alter Schlachthof 20.04. D Hamburg Grosse Freiheit German power metallers HELLOWEEN have been forced to cancel their Polish concert, which was scheduled for January 12, 2006 at Poznan's Arena due to "poor ticket sales," according to the promoter, Metalfest. Only 150 tickets (for an over-4,000-capacity venue) had reportedly been sold at the time of the cancellation, reports Interia.pl. Special guests for this show were going to be fellow Germans PRIMAL FEAR. HELLOWEEN played two concerts in Poland (Cracow and Warsaw) in November. As previously reported, HELLOWEEN's entire pre-Nuclear Blast catalog will be reissued via Sanctuary during 2006. The albums will be remastered and will contain bonus tracks, including b-sides and other rarities. HELLOWEEN's latest album, "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy", is available now on SPV Records. The lineup on the record includes singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Großkopf and drummer Dani Löble (ex-RAWHEAD REXX). Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HALFORD, RAGE), "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy" was released as a high-quality digipack with six flaps. LEGION OF THE DAMNED are the latest confirmed band for next year's edition of the Rock Hard Festival, set to take place June 2-4, 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): BOLT THROWER BRAINSTORM CRUCIFIED BARBARA EVERGREY FATES WARNING FINNTROLL LEGION OF THE DAMNED PRIMORDIAL SOILWORK KATAKLYSM and NIFELHEIM have been confirmed for the 2006 installment of the Party.San Open Air festival, set to take place August 10-12 in Bad Berka, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): AKRIVAL ENSLAVED HELRUNAR ILLDISPOSED KATAKLYSM NIFELHEIM ROTTEN SOUND SEVERE TORTURE WATAIN CANNIBAL CORPSE, BORN FROM PAIN, KORPIKLAANI and END OF GREEN have been confirmed for next year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 3-5, 2006 in Wacken, Germany. The festival billing is now shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): BORN FROM PAIN CANNIBAL CORPSE CELTIC FROST CHILDREN OF BODOM DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER EMPEROR END OF GREEN FINNTROLL IN EXTREMO KORPIKLAANI NEVERMORE SOILWORK SUBWAY TO SALLY MOLLY HATCHET and FROM BEHIND (the new band featuring ex-SAMSON/MAMMOTH singer Nicky Moore and former NAZARETH guitarist Manny Charlton) have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 8-10, 2006 in in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order): CACTUS CATHEDRAL CELTIC FROST DEEP PURPLE DORO EASY ACTION EVERGREY FIREWIND FROM BEHIND GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS JADED HEART JEFF HEALEY BAND JOURNEY KROKUS LORD BELIAL METAL CHURCH MOLLY HATCHET NEVERMORE RAISE HELL STRYPER THE STORYTELLER THE SWEET W.A.S.P. SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan told the Des Moines Register that the band will spend 2006 off the road after performing 233 shows in support of "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Then again, SLIPKNOT already has been offered a stray date or two on next year's Ozzfest, said Crahan. The next SLIPKNOT product to hit shelves should be a DVD. "It's more or less going to be a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff," Crahan said. Meanwhile, Crahan's side project, TO MY SURPRISE, begins recording a sophomore album in March. Singer Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root's other band, STONE SOUR, soon will hole up in Dave Grohl's Los Angeles studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz. And drummer Joey Jordison is expected to tour with MINISTRY. Swedish black metallers MARDUK have posted the following message on their official web site: "Here is a brief update regarding upcoming activities for 2006. A brand new DVD is currently being put together and will for sure be at least a 2-disc version, maybe 3. More news regarding the DVD will be posted in the begining of the next year. During March MARDUK will do a shorter European tour, focusing on parts that were left out on the Deathmarch 2004-2005 tour. The tour dates will be posted during the first week of 2006. As you all might be aware of MARDUK have had enourmous trouble obtaining their work permits for touring the U.S. The process of applying for visas have started again and hopefully the band will be able to tour over there the later part of next year. We will keep you updated! 2006 will also see the band working on full-length album No. 10! More news to follow..." MARDUK recently issued a live album, entitled "Warschau". Limited to 10,000 copies on CD worldwide, the album will also be released as a limited-edition double LP and double picture disc (each limited to 500 copies). MARDUK have been confirmed for the 2006 edition of the Inferno Festival, set to take place April 13-15 at the Rockefeller Music Hall and John Dee venues in Oslo, Norway. Also scheduled to appear at the festival are the reunited black metal legends EMPEROR, BOLT THROWER and BLOODTHORN, along with 26 other bands that have yet to be announced. MARDUK will appear with a song from the latest album, "Plague Angel", in the upcoming Swedish movie "Murder Island". The song will also be included on the film's soundtrack, which is set to be released in February 2006. The band are right now sifting through other movie offers. More information will be made available soon. MARDUK's video for the track "Throne of Rats" will air on Swedish National Television during January or February 2006 on a new show called "Rundgång". The actual air date will be posted on the band's web site as soon as it is confirmed. Biomechanical to Play At the Chicago Powerfest! The Biometalic Mayhem will hit Chicago's Powerfest on Saturday 8th April 2006 as Biomechanical got confirmation that they will be appearing as direct support on the festival! This comes as great news to the band which had an awesome time in 2005 when they played in Texas at the SXSW festival supporting Raging Speedhorn on the Metal Hammer stage. Biomechanical are now looking forward going to the US for the second time unleashing some kick ass British Metal!! (http://www.chicagopowerfest.com/index.asp) for more info on the festival Elitist Records RIP Unfortunately Elitist Records is no more, founder member Lee Barrett decided to fold the company and will now A&R for Candlelight Records. Biomechanical have now moved and are now officially an Earache Records band. THE PREMIERE OF THE NEW DARZAMAT’S ALBUM – “TRANSKARPATIA”! In December, 19th, 2005 the European premiere of the fifth Darzamat's album "Transkarpatia" took place. The CD containes over 50 minutes of music and additionally almost 20 - minute - report from the recording session. “Transkarpatia” was produced at Los Angered Recording in Goeteborg/Sweden by Andy La Rocque - the guitar player of the cult band King Diamond, known from his work with such bands as Evergrey, Ancient or Lord Belial. Album was released by Metal Mind Production (www.metalopolis.pl). At the begining of 2006 "Transkarpatia" will appear in Mexico (Gravis Records) and in Russia (CD Maximum)as well. On band’s new website you can find three fragments ("The burning Times", "Vampiric Prose" and "Labyrinth of Anxiety") taken from the last album! In the download section there are also two videoclips, and other pieces in mp3 format coming from "Semidevilish”. You can also have a look at updated photo section and you can express your opinion in a brand new guest book. Enjoy the music and the pictures! “Transkarpatia” program: Sanguinarius (Intro) Vampiric Prose Hallucinations Inhumatus (Intro) The Burning Times Letter from Hell Blackward Recurring Yell Araneum (Intro) Labyrinth of Anxiety Virus The Old Form of Worship Tempted by Rot Tribute to... Studio report Darzamat crew: Nera – female vocals, Flauros - male vocals, Chris – guitars, Spectre – keyboards, Bacchus – bass, Golem – drums www.darzamat.art.pl, e-mail: darzamat@d.pl or flauros@interia.pl ANTHRAX members Frankie Bello (bass), Charlie Benante (drums) and Scott Ian (guitar) got together in Chicago (where Benante lives with his wife) in early December to jam on new material. According to Ian, rough "skeletons" of three new songs came out of these sessions, with the band scheduled to continue writing in early 2006. W.A.S.P. have announced a number of U.S. dates in early 2006, to be followed by European summer festival appearances and a full European tour. The dates so far are as follows: Feb. 24 - FL @ TBA Feb. 25 - St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre Feb. 26 - Atlanta, GA @ TBA Feb. 28 - Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall Mar. 01 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Hall Mar. 02 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Mar. 03 - Sayreville, NJ @ The Starland Ballroom Mar. 04 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx Mar. 06 - Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights Mar. 07 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock Mar. 08 - Wantagh, NY @ Mulcahy's Mar. 10 - SPA @ Atarfe Vega Rock Mar. 12 - Buffalo, NY @ TBA Mar. 13 - TBA Mar. 14 - Clear Lake, IA @ TBA Mar. 15 - Valparasio, IN @ McCools Mar. 16 - TBA Mar. 17 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's Mar. 18 - Cleveland, OH @ TBA Mar. 19 - Louisville, KY @ TBA Jun 9-10 - Sölvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock Festival Aug. 18 - NOR @ Ragnarock Festival W.A.S.P. are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "The Neon God Part 2: The Demise", available now via Sanctuary Records' Metal-Is imprint. The band are expected to begin work on the follow-up CD in 2006. MISFITS have lined up the following South American/Mexican tour dates during January/February: Jan. 26 - Mexico City, MEX @ Bull Dog Jan. 27 - Monterrey, MEX @ Iguana Jan. 28 - TBA Feb. 01 - Bogota, COL @ El Theatron Feb. 02 - Cali, COL @ La Bombonera Feb. 03 - Sao Paulo, BRA @ Direct TV Music Hall Feb. 04 - Curitiba, BRA @ Espaco Callas Feb. 05 - Florianopolis, BRA @ Lagoa Iate Clube Feb. 06 - Santiago, CHL @ Court Central Estadio Naciona FEAR FACTORY have scheduled the following European headlining tour dates during March/April 2006: Mar. 18 - Bologna, ITA @ Estragon Mar. 19 - Milan, ITA @ Rolling Stone Mar. 20 - Treviso, ITA @ New Age Mar. 21 - Graz, AUT @ Orpheum Mar. 22 - Vienna, AUT @ Planet Music Mar. 23 - Worgl, AUT @ Komma Mar. 25 - Berlin, GER @ Columbiahalle Mar. 26 - Koln, GER @ Lmh Mar. 27 - Hamburg, GER @ Markthalle Mar. 28 - Aarhus, DEN @ Train Mar. 29 - Copenhagen, DEN @ Pumphuset Mar. 31 - Tampere, FIN @ Pakkahoune Apr. 01 - Helsinki, FIN @ Nosturi Apr. 03 - Stockholm, SWE @ Klubben Apr. 04 - Oslo, NOR @ Rockefeller Apr. 05 - Gothenburg, SWE @ Tradgarn Apr. 06 - Malmo, SWE @ Kulturbolaget Apr. 08 - Bristol, UK @ Anson Rooms Apr. 09 - Manchester, UK @ Academy Apr. 10 - Nottingham, UK @ Rock City Apr. 11 - Newcastle, UK @ University Apr. 12 - Glasgow, UK @ Barrowlands Apr. 13 - Leeds, UK @ Met University Apr. 15 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy Apr. 16 - Portsmouth, UK @ Pyramids Apr. 18 - London, UK @ Astoria Apr. 19 - Norwich, UK @ Uea Apr. 21 - Bordeaux, FRA @ Barbey Apr. 22 - Bergara, SPA @ Sala Jam Apr. 23 - Madrid, SPA @ La Riviera Apr. 24 - Oporto, POR @ Hard Club Apr. 25 - Lisbon, POR @ Paradise Garage Apr. 27 - Barcelona, SPA @ Razzmatazz Ii Apr. 28 - Toulouse, FRA @ SDF De Ramonville Apr. 29 - Montpellier, FRA @ Rockstore Apr. 30 - Paris, FRA @ Locomotive Apr. 01 - Brussels, BEL @ Ancienne Belgique Apr. 02 - Lille, FRA @ Splendid Apr. 03 - Amsterdam, NETH @ Melkweg Apr. 04 - Tilburg, NETH @ 013 As previously reported, FEAR FACTORY have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Atarfe Vega Rock festival, set to take place March 10-11, 2006 at Nave Medina Elvira in Atarfe, Granada, Spain. Other bands scheduled to appear at the festival include TWISTED SISTER, GAMMA RAY, TESTAMENT, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, MASTERPLAN, BEHEMOTH, IN EXTREMO, MONSORROW and TO/DIE/FOR. FEAR FACTORY's latest album, "Transgression", was released in August through Calvin, an imprint of Liquid 8. The record includes 11 songs, all produced by Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, METALLICA). The band will take off a couple of months off in early 2006 while vocalist Burton C. Bell awaits the birth of his first child. KAAMOS NEWS BLACK LUCIFER RISEN! And so it has manifested, the vinyl version of Lucifer Rising. This completes the releasing of the vinyl editions that was undertaken by Imperium productions. Lucifer Rising has been evoked to 1001 pieces and inquiries about it can be directed to imperiumproductions@t-online.de. Also... this summer KAAMOS returns to Party-San Open Air, Bad Berka, Germany http://www.party-san.de/ website: www.kaamos.nu RIVERA BOMMA "I AM GOD" release date 2-10-06 !!! Category: Christian Mtl./Hard Rock/Metal "I AM GOD" on MAUSOLEUM RECORDS. release date February 10, 2006 www.mausoleum-records.com (Europe & Japan) http://www.theendrecords.com/ (U.S.A.)distributed in U.S.A. by The End Distribution www.theendrecords.com/ www.mausoleum-records.com www.riverabomma.net LOW TWELVE Signs with Rotting Corpse Records On January 1, 2006 thrash metal monsters of the Midwest, Low Twelve, hailing from Bloomington, Illinois, will be signing a record deal with Chicago-based label, Rotting Corpse Records. Low Twelve's upcoming album, "This Side Toward Enemy", will be released in February, 2006, featuring 13 tracks, telling the story of a horrific serial killer on death row. The enhanced album will also feature a video for the single, "Kill Everything", directed by Jeff Feasley of Brutal World Pictures. Gary Meskil of Pro-Pain provided additional vocals on this ground-breaking CD. Bassist/vocalist Pete Altieri has also written a graphic novel of the same title, to accompany the release, detailing the serial killer's cross-country spree of death. The album was recorded, produced, and mastered by the band themselves in 2005. The artwork was composed by the incredible Jeff Gaither. Altieri also retains respected notoriety as the founder of the worldwide metal organization, Heavycore, which consists of such veteran members like Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Anthrax and Kreator. "We are very excited about teaming up with Rotting Corpse Records," said Altieri. "This CD has got a lot of our blood, sweat, and tears on it - so we're ready to see it released. This CD is like nothing else out there, with a very creative story line, coupled with some of the most brutal music you've ever heard." Aside from Altieri, Low Twelve is comprised of guitarist Les Aldridge and drummer Wes Pollock. This 3-piece band has done over 200 live shows, including a tour to NYC, and supporting Pro-Pain on their Round Six tour in 2000. Ron Dake, president of Rotting Corpse Records, states the following: "These guys [Low Twelve] have already elevated the scene to a whole new level, and we are proud to back them and their release." Pertinent sites: Low Twelve - http://www.lowtwelve.com Rotting Corpse Records - http://www.rottingcorpserecords.com the sound of MINSK on the road early 2006... Upon the release of Out Of A Center Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive in the last quarter of 2005, Chicago's Minsk had no idea what the response would be as massive as it was. Unending praise from media outlets world wide are still getting raked over the coals this one left in it's wake... a welcome expansion outside of the second-rate realms many bands considered their peers have boxed themselves into. As 2006 approaches they begin to hit the road once again, bringing their massive, psychedelic, electro-infused post-doom power to some lucky cities in the Midwest and Southeast US with much more in store for the rest of 2006. Don't miss them if you're in hitchhiking distance to any one of the shows, and watch for more updates to develop.... 01/24 Fayetteville, AR @ The Gypsy w/ Deadbird 01/25 Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music 01/26 Lafayette, LA @ Club Sin w/ Hooves 01/28 Orlando, FL @ Alpine Tavern w/ Hope and Suicide 02/01 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn w/ Baroness 02/03 Nashville, TN @ The End w/ Asschapel 02/04 Indianapolis, IN @ Zanies Too w/ Devil To Pay www.thesoundofminsk.com THE MERCY CLINIC frontman Patrick Lachman (ex-DAMAGEPLAN, DIESEL MACHINE) has posted the following message on the band's official forum: "I know, I've been away a lot, so stop yelling at me! I've been busy with new tunes, traveling, fighting this flu for almost three weeks, holiday depression, narcolepsy (interrupting my usual insomnia), and the general malaise that comes with the end of a long, mostly shitty year. A few good things did come about, like moving forward in my musical pursuits and creating this new band and new forum for us to connect on. I have to say it's been a blessing to have the ovewhelming support of all of you here — some old friends, some new friends, but all friends no less. I thank you. We all thank you. "The first handful of shows have been great. Things are going to pick up even more after the first of the year. January is going to be busy for us. Lots of opportunities to get the word out are coming our way, and we appreciate your help in doing so. Times are changing and so is the music business. Things are becoming more underground, even grassroots as it was years ago. There is a sense of community in the metal world I haven't felt in a long time. The net has been instrumental in this (despite the occasional handful of shit-talkers, which don't matter). I see the next year being a kick-ass beginning for us on a larger scale and we're happy to have you here in the fetal stages. I raise a shot of Jager to you all! "Anyway, rewards for your patience are on the way in the next couple days — a slammin' new tune, new photos (courtesy of Chad Lee and Alex Solca), and more of me and the guys checking to harass you and answer you questions. Time to get the boards bumping again, bring out the licks and tricks and let it burn in 2006!" Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, THE MERCY CLINIC also features in its ranks drummer Bevan Davies (DANZIG, COMES WITH THE FALL, JERRY CANTRELL), guitarists Brian Harrah (PROFESSIONAL MURDER MUSIC) and Josh Stinson (DRIST), and bassist Steed Najera(TRIPLE SEVEN). Vocalist John Tardy of the Floridian death metal legends OBITUARY has posted the following message on the band's official web site: "As you may or may not know, we are no longer with our old record company [Roadrunner Records] and we have a lot of options for what we might want to do. One thing is for sure and that is we will have a new CD out sometime this year. We have been working on some new material and when we get done with our European Tour in January we are going to work hard on getting that completed. "Everything is set for our trip to Europe and we are all ready to go. I was just checking the weather and it looks like we will be freezing our asses off but, as my dad would say, You got to do what you got to do!!!!' Record cold temperatures in some countries is not going to make things easy for us...I can't even remember the last time I put a pair of long pants on??? "Anyway, we look forward to seeing you all out at the shows and really need your support so please come out and see us!!!" Official release date for KATAGORY V's new album announced ! After several months of silence, Katagory V finally announce the release date for their latest album, "The Rising Anger" According to Katagory V, Nightmare Records has green-lighted the official release date for the bands long awaited third effort, "The Rising Anger", which is now slated for worldwide release via the label on April 25h 2006! In the last few months, the band has been busy performing live (including the recent Monsters of Metal show with Helstar and Agent Steel) and finalizing details concerning the new album. According to bassist Dustin Mitchell, the band is excited to see the light at the end of the long two year tunnel. "We've worked extremely hard the last two years on making sure this album was done properly - from writing it to recording it - and with the help of Nightmare Records (www.nightmare-records.com), we anticipate this release to be the album metal fans around the world have been wanting to hear since the very beginning, especially for fans of Katagory V who have followed us since the early days. We are certain they will not be disappointed!" He continues, "This is the album we've wanted to do since day one, and it's amazing to hear the final results and be 100% happy with how it has turned out. Granted, we feel the process for getting this album complete took far longer than it should have. However, we're extremely excited to see it come full circle now and we anticipate this album to be well worth the wait." The band currently has no plans to perform live until after the new album is released, but they have hinted at the planning of a possible CD release party to coincide with the release. It hasn't been made clear at this time whether it will strictly be a listening/release party or if they will perform live. More details to come soon.

January 26th, 2006	Hermit Age - Release of Sinnocence and website The dark metal band HERMIT AGE is releasing their first full length, titled Sinnocence, after eight years of activities. Created by Diego Voges (ex-Penitence, ex-Megalon), the band, after a little time on hold, is back now with Lilly on female vocals and a new website, which has a complete biography, with details of the band' activities through almost a decade of existence. The new album has six tracks, with four new songs and two re-recordings of "The Mirror's Inversion" and "When they Awake". The track list is: 01. Preach and Live 02. Innocence Bleed Innocence 03. Kill the Sun 04. The Mirror's Inversion 05. The Winter of Soul 06. When They Awake Recently it was finished a contest where the fans could show their talent and personal interpretations for Hermit Age's music, through pictures. To check one of these great works made by the fans, get more informations of the band or order the Hermit Age's album, visit www.hermit.com.br Links: Hermit Age - www.hermit.com.br Dave Pybus from COF on ANGTORIA debut More guest appearances on ANGTORIA´s debut Album "God has a plan for us all" have just been made official and below is the official statement issued by Sarah regarding this matter: Statement from Sarah: "With a few technical hitche's but thing's running to plan, we have finally recorded the bass! My search for a bassist wasn't hard, I had two in mind, equally as talented and equally as amazing! Ryan Sinn from The Distillers & Dave Pybus from Cradle of Filth/Six Six Six Record's. Due to budget & time, Dave did the dirty job. It made sense because he does´nt live far from me. Personally it's a shame we couldn´t have had two bass players! The track's were recorded in Springvale Recording Studio's by Mark Harwood, who is famous for various Cradle Of Filth work & Extreme Noise Terror, amongst other's. Finally, a dream come true for me! A song with Aaron from My Dying Bride. I´ve waited year's to sing with his immaculate voice! It's at last happened. No title for the track as of yet but the lyric's have been written by the both of us" All information regarding the recording and the progress can be found in the official Studio Report section of the Official Website www.angtoria.com KRISIUN TOUR DATES POSTED Brazil’s “living definition of death metal” (Outburn), KRISIUN have announced their first tour in support of their forthcoming full-length studio album, Assassination. Supporting metal veteran’s Morbid Angel and Behemoth, “The Monsters Of Chaos Tour” also includes Despised Icon. A complete list of dates can be found here. Returning with twelve smoldering tracks filled with death metal’s eternal fires, KRISIUN’s incendiary new album incorporates moshable grooves without compromising their trademark skull-splitting intensity. Masters of their genre, KRISIUN’s AssassiNation is due out on Feb. 21st. Also due out Feb. 21st is Krisiun’s Live Armageddon DVD. British black metal pioneers VENOM have finished mixing their new album, "Metal Black", at the Townhouse Studios in London. The album contains 14 new songs, including "Antechrist", the demo for which can be heard at http://www.venomslegions.com/media2/musyk1.htm A March 2006 release via Castle Records/Sanctuary Group is expected. According to an official press release, "Metal Black" "sees original founder band member Cronos creating a new masterpiece of metal together with [drummer] Antton and [guitarist] Mykvs. With 14 brand new roaring and vital tracks, VENOM are again taking the goat by the horns and reinventing their own original style . . . 'Metal Black' [is] an album that harkens back to the writing style of the '80s VENOM with a powerful production to incinerate any sound system, truly demonic in every sense and with the delivery of a charging beast." Commented Mykvs: "The album has a very raw feel. The intensity of the songs is awesome. We recorded the album as a live band, three demons bleeding for the heaviest metal we could create, and our new album will show that VENOM keeps getting stronger and heavier. Lay down your souls, muthafuckers, we have returned." "Metal Black" track listing: 01. Antechrist 02. Burn In Hell 03. House of Pain 04. Death & Dying 05. Rege Satanas 06. Darkest Realm 07. A Good Day to Die 08. Assassin 09. Lucifer Rising 10. Blessed Dead 11. Hours of Darkness 12. Sleep When I'm Dead 13. Maleficarvm 14. Metal Black VENOM are currently finalizing plans for some U.K. shows around next spring. The band are also planning some European dates after the U.K. and are also looking at hitting America by early summer. Seminal avant-garde metal pioneers CELTIC FROST have scheduled the following dates in 2006: Jun. 10 - Sölvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock Festival Jul. 01 - Helsinki, FIN @ Tuska Festival Aug. 04 - Wacken, GER @ Wacken Open Air Aug. 26 - Bergen, NOR @ Hole In The Sky Festival Sep. 12 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx* Sep. 13 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx* Sep. 14 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club* Sep. 15 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club* Sep. 16 - Montreal, QUE @ Medley* Sep. 18 - Toronto, ONT @ The Opera House* *NOTE: CELTIC FROST have yet to officially confirm any of the above-listed North American tour dates. CELTIC FROST have set "Monotheist" as the tentative title of their first album in 13 years. The culmination of some three and a half years of songwriting and recording work, the album was largely produced by the band themselves and financed by their own production company, with additional assistance from HYPOCRISY/PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren during the final recording and mixing sessions at Horus Sound Studio in Hanover, Germany. Negotiations with a variety of labels are currently underway, and the album is scheduled for a release in early 2006. Original CELTIC FROST members Tom Gabriel Fischer (voice and guitars) and Martin Eric Ain (bass) are joined by Erol Unala (guitar) and Franco Sesa (drums). The band are now managed by Antje Lange for The A Label in Berlin, Germany. The AXEL RUDI PELL band will enter the studio in January with co-producer and engineer Charlie Bauerfeind to begin recording their new album, tentatively due on June 2, 2006 via SPV Records. The band's most recent album, "Kings and Queens", was released in March 2004. According to a posting on SAMAEL's official web site, the band's drummer/programmer/keyboardist Xy fractured his wrist in a snowboard accident last week. He will consequently be unable to perform his percussion duties for at least six weeks. The band's first appearance in Israel on December 28 as well as the January European dates with OBITUARY will, however, goes as planned. A temporary replacement for Xy has yet to be announced. As previously reported. Century Media Records have re-released SAMAEL's "Ceremony of Opposites" (originally issued in 1994) and "Worship Him" (1991), both as "deluxe editions," featuring bonus material. SAMAEL's Vorph and Xy are currently reworking their "Era One" project (originally completed and delivered to Century Media Records in September 2002) for a January 2006 release through Century Media. SAMAEL will spend the next few months writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Reign of Light" album. The group's as-yet-untitled new CD is not expected to surface until late 2006 at the earliest. The band will also be teaming up with OBITUARY for a European tour beginning in early January. SAMAEL's last release was the "On Earth" single, featuring the album version of the title cut, plus various remixes, along with a cover of DEPECHE MODE's "I Feel You", a video for "Telepath" and a live recording of the track "On Earth", recorded in Paris, France. "Reign of Light" was released in North American in February via Nuclear Blast Records. SHADOWSIDE album in stores Shadowside has just released on November 30, on Seven Music/Universal Music, their debut album titled Theatre of Shadows. The material recorded at LCM Studio in São Paulo was produced by Fábio Haddad and mixed by Santiago Ferraz (mixed Paul McCartney and Silverchair DVDs, besides winning the Latin Grammy awards twice as the producer for Milton Nascimento and Tom Jobim). The mastering took place at the Jailhouse Studios in Denmark and was done by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Jorn Lande, TNT, Beyond Twilight). "... I have no doubts this is a different band with a front leader above average, she's one of a kind! Something that happens from 50 to 50 years, that's way above Seven Music, me or you. Something above our mediocre lives", said Seven Music president, Gil Cardoso. "... I expect the world to surrender! I expect everyone to fall on their knees and worship the Heavy Metal goddess." Furthermore, samples from the new album are available on the official website, which soon will feature a layout completely based on the new album artwork. As of it right now, the band formed by Dani Nolden (V/K), Bill Shadow (G), Ricky Slater (G), Lucas De Santis (B) and Fabio Buitvidas (D) is scheduling the first dates for the Dancing in the Shadows Tour. Check it out on: http://www.shadowside.ws Lineup: http://www.shadowside.ws/fotos/shadowsideband.jpg AS I LAY DYING confirms Taste of Chaos tour! As I lay Dying has confirmed their additional to the Taste of Chaos tour in 2006. As I Lay Dying will be sharing the stage with Deftones, Thrice, Atreyu, Story of the Year, Dredg, Silverstein and many more! The 2006 US Taste of Chaos tour starts February 16, 2006. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more info about Taste of Chaos go to www.tasteofchaos.com. ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS 2006 2/16 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena 2/17 Phoenix, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre 2/18 El Paso, TX County Coliseum 2/20 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre 2/21 San Antonio, TX Freeman Coliseum 2/22 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2/24 Jacksonville, FL Metro Park 2/25 Orlando, FL Tinker Field 2/26 Miami, FL Pompano Beach Amphitheatre 2/28 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center 3/01 Norfolk, VA Convention Center 3/03 East Rutherford, NJ Meadowlands 3/04 Philadelphia, PA Tweeter Center 3/06 Portland, ME Cumberland County Civic Center 3/07 Boston, MA Tsongas Arena 3/08 Hartford, CT Expo Center 3/09 Poughkeepsie, NY Mid Hudson Civic Center 3/11 Detroit, MI Cobo Arena 3/13 St. Louis, MO Family Arena 3/14 Chicago, IL UIC Pavilion 3/15 Cleveland, OH CSU Convention Center 3/16 Toledo, OH Toledo Sports Arena 3/17 Dayton, OH Hara Arena 3/18 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom 3/19 St Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Theatre 3/21 Fargo, ND Fargo Memorial Auditorium 3/22 Lincoln, NE Pershing Auditorium 3/23 Kansas City, KS Hale Arena 3/25 Denver, CO Filmore 3/27 Fresno, CA Selland Arena 3/28 San Jose, CA SJSU Events Center 3/29 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena 3/30 Los Angeles, CA Long Beach Sports Arena 4/01 Portland, OR The Pavilion Oregon State Fairgrounds 4/02 Seattle, WA Everett Events Center 4/03 Vancouver, BC PNE Arena 4/05 Edmonton, AB Shaw Events Center 4/06 Calgary, AB Saddledome 4/08 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre 4/09 Winnipeg, MB MTS Center 4/12 London, ON John Labatte Centre 4/13 Toronto, ON Arrow Hall 4/14 Ottawa, PN Corel Center 4/15 Montreal, QC Stade Uniprix http://www.asilaydying.com SHATTERPOINT from Brampton, Ontario have inked a deal with Power Play Records (USA). The band has completed recording "Dead Precedence" with producer Greg Dawson and move onto mastering for a spring 06 release. SHATTERPOINT will perform at METAL QUEEN MANAGEMENT'S CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK FESTIVAL SHOWCASE on March 4, 2006. www.shatterpoint.net

January 25th, 2006	UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN +++ WAKE UP IN THE NIGHT OF WALPURGIS+++ Available the Chapter III of the Olds Ones Invocation , 8 summonings of pure Original Brutal Occult Death Metal! This Release come onto Real Compact Disc, with a special heavy foldable big cover - 7'' format. just like vynils!. Just like it is deserved! Direct Band Contact Ricardo Stohwing P.O. Box 8 Santiago 60 CHILE SOUTH AMERICA unaussprechlichenkulten@hotmail.com www.unaussprechlichenkulten.cjb.net SONIC SYNDICATE Frontman Checks in: Writing Process For The New Album Has Begun Vocalist Richard Sjunnesson has recently posted an update on http://www.sonicsyndicate.com "We are also working very hard on new material for a follow up to “Eden Fire” and we have about five new songs finished that will surely tear you a new asshole while exposed. Roger is generating more songs at the moment than a rabid bunny can produce foam at the mouth with rage. But fear not, even if he works fast, it’s not something robotically forced bullshit he spews out…no no: it’s fucking quality and by far the best shit he ever came up. I’m at the moment busy writing new mind busting lyrics for the fellows and we are all looking forward to visit the studio and get some immortalizing going in a near future." To read the full update click on the following link. http://www.sonicsyndicate.com/main.php Sonic Syndicate has also updated their tour agenda with several new gigs, including a mini-tour featuring Avatar and Inevitable End. Sonic Syndicate upcomming gigs: Jan 28 - Göteborg Meeths (with: Avatar, Inevitable end) Feb 03 - Nässjö Pinnen (with: Avatar, Inevitable End) Feb 04 - Alingsås Fabriken (with: Avatar, Inevitable End) Feb 08 - Göteborg Sticky Fingers Feb 11 - Falkenberg Smedjan (with: Arise, Trendkill, Vile Scar) More 2006 dates will be announced in the near future. "Eden Fire" was released on September 13, 2005 through Florida based record label Pivotal Rockordings. The label has recently posted an e-card, featuring "Jailbreak," "Soulstone Splinter" and "Lament of Innocence" which can be view at the following link. http://label.pivotalrage.com/artists/sonic_syndicate/ss_ecard/ Puppy Mask Gets A New Home Red Bank, NJ, December 19, 2005 /SPV USA/ Long time Skinny Puppy fan, Christopher Clark of Mesa, AZ, is the proud new owner of a one-of-a-kind tour prop worn on stage by Skinny Puppy frontman Ogre. Prior to the release of the band's DVD "The Greater Wrong of the Right", SPV USA and Revolver magazine sponsored viewing parties across North America. Photos from a few of the events can be seen in the 'Party Hard' section of the January 2006 issue of Revolver which is on stands now. Clark entered the contest by filling out an entry form he received at the Phoenix viewing party. Entrants were asked to tell us in 90 words or less how the band has influenced their lives and how they would give the mask a good home. All entries were sent to Ogre and co-founder cEvin Key to choose a winner. "Besides giving great answers to the questions asked, Chris Implanted a Secret Message inside his answers. The Secret Message was: "This mask will eat those who unwisely choose" He put a lot of time into his response and we thought he deserved it most! Thanks to everyone who sent us an entry card. There were a lot of great ones. It wasn't an easy decision. " Ogre / cEvin "To be honest, I'm surprised that I won over what must have been thousands of hardcore fans, though it was not difficult to gloat about Skinny Puppy," said Clark. "cEvin and Ogre will always have a special dark hole buried in my heart, along with a splendiferous new Halloween mask! At first I was skeptical as to whether or not my strategy would work, but it seems that the ominous threat of becoming a bloody snack did the trick. Mwahaha! Best Christmas present ever!" After a ten year hiatus Skinny Puppy reunited on stage at the 2000 Doomsday festival. The reunion ignited a creative spark in both artists to once again create new music together as Skinny Puppy. Soon after signing with SPV / Synthetic Symphony the band released "The Greater Wrong of the Right". 2004 saw the band touring extensively in support of the new album On the second leg of the incredibly successful North American tour, two live shows in Montreal and Toronto would be recorded for their first ever DVD, 'The Greater Wrong of the Right LIVE' released earlier this year. The band are currently busy writing and are expecting to release a new studio album in 2006. www.skinnypuppy.com Ruptured Silence Records proudly presents it`s new signing. The americans SOLACE OF REQUIEM come from Virginia beach, Virginia and play technical very high leveled death metal in 1990s style. One can hardly believe that the band just consists of three members, because they achieve to give the impression of a five or six men combo that reads the Riot Act. In the moment the band is still working on new songs for their upcoming album next year and playing on several of Americas most famouse festivals. www.rupturedsilence.com QUEENSRŸCHE are scheduled to perform at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois on May 27, 2006, according to J.L. Bailey, president of Tel-Art Productions, who confirmed the band's appearance in an interview with The State Journal-Register. On Friday, representatives of QUEENSRŸCHE in Chicago told The State Journal-Register the band had not been booked to play in Springfield. Bailey, however, said he has paperwork confirming the band's appearance. He said he made the booking through a Los Angeles entertainment company. The Prairie Capital Convention Center said contracts have been sent to Bailey for May 27 and 28. "I don't say anything unless I have the paperwork," Bailey said. QUEENSRŸCHE will launch a world tour in early 2006 in support of their new album, the sequel to their platinum 1988 concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime", entitled "Operation: Mindcrime II". The follow-up to 2003's "Tribe" will be released in North America on March 14, 2006 via the group's new label, Rhino Entertainment. SAXON frontman Biff Byford has posted the following message on the band's official web site: "First off, have to say a big sorry to our American fans for the visa problems, we have the visas now good 'till June, so we'll definitely be there next year. "Second half of the '80 tour is doing great full houses everywhere, last show tomorrow in Osnabrück, should be a good party. "Thank you to the ten thousand people in Prague for a great welcome, have a great X-mas and a happy New Year. "OH! Just one more thing there is album in the shops with a cover that is very close to the 'Killing Ground' album, a SAXON helmet. It's called 'Motorcycle Man', it contains the Donington bootleg and the Oliver/Dawson DVD sound track, so there´s nothing new on it, they obviously try to con people into thinking it's a reissue or got something to do with SAXON. We've sent a copy to our lawyer to take advice." As previously reported, SAXON were originally slated to embark on an American tour in May but ended up cancelling the dates as a result of Biff Byford wanting to stay by his family's side after his house in the Normandie area of France burned down. In that incident, Biff, his wife and their children got out of the house at the very last minute and nobody was hurt. SAXON are touring in support of their latest CD, "Lionheart", available now on SPV Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Killing Ground" features artwork by Paul R. Gregory, who has previously worked with the group on the now classic "Crusader" album BLACK CRUCIFIXION's long awaited, long delayed, debut full-length album Faustian Dream will finally see the light of day in February 2006. Those familiar with the bands earliest material will be in for quite a surprise. The band has stripped away the Black Metal aspects found on the Fallen One of Flames MCD, for a Dark Metal approach. Musically, comparisons can be made to Celtic Frost's Into the Pandemonium album, Tiamat's Clouds, and Ophthalamia's Via Dolorosa mixed with the clean vocal style of My Dying Bride. A MP3 from the Faustian Dream album. As Black as the Roses (as weak as my smile) www.paragonrecords.net DIMENTIANON has finally completed work on their 3rd album Hossanas Novus Ordo Seclurum, a release is planned for the first half of 2006. The releasing label will be announced shortly. www.paragonrecords.net www.dimentianon.com We are proud to announce our latest signing in the cult ambient doom act EYES OF LIGEIA. One of the most unique bands to come out of the Doom circle in quite sometime. The band themselves combine droning ambient, eerie keyboardlines, funeral doom, and minamalist black metal. Their new album will see the light of day in spring of 2006.A MP3 from their last album, what the moon brings. Polaris. www.paragonrecords.net ENSOPH: preview of “Projekt X-Katon” available Shortly after the end of the successful THE HORNED GOD OF THE WITCHES tour (supporting cult horror metal heroes DEATH SS), it is time to raise the curtain on the new ENSOPH creation, “Projekt X-Katon”. From today onwards, on the band’s website www.ensoph.it (completely redesigned for the event), it is available an exciting preview of the album, out February 2006. Clicking on www.ensoph.it/new2/prev.htm it’s possible to enjoy three full songs (radio-edit versions) and have a complete overview of the album, with sound-cuts from all the other tunes, including the “Sex Dwarf” (Soft Cell) cover, that sees the presence of Steve Sylvester (DeathSS) on vocals. It is important to notice that “Projekt X-Katon” will be released as a digipack, with a first edition limited to 1500 copies including “The Seductive Dwarf EP”, a 3’’ bonus cd that sees the DEATH SS-leader performing side by side with ENSOPH the above-mentioned cover “Sex Dwarf” (in 2 different versions), along with ENSOPH’s classic “Sun of The Liar”. “Projekt X-Katon” was recorded by Leonardo Castellani (ENSOPH’s keyboard-player) in the HeartBeat Studios (Venice), mixed in Rome by Giuseppe Orlando (Outer Sound Studios), e lately mastered by Goran Finnberg at Stockholm’s Mastering Room Studios. Besides Steve Sylvester, there are other guest-appearances by NOVEMBRE’s bros Giuseppe and Carmelo Orlando and Antonella Buosi from SCARECROWN. PROMOTION: True Music (Germany), Alkemist Fanatix (UK / Italy), Skateboard Marketing (Radio USA), Earsplit PR (Press USA), Cruz Del Sur Music. ENDORSEMENT: Manne guitars & bass (www.manne.com), DRAC IN A BOX GOTHIC CLOTHING (www.dracinabox.com) HANDFUL OF HATE: “Gruesome Splendour” out on CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC. HANDFUL OF HATE signed for CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC. The celebrated Italian black-metal band will start soon the recordings of their new album “Gruesome Splendour” at Studio 73, again with Paso, the producer responsible for the outstanding and monolithic sound of their last effort “Vicecrown”. “Gruesome Splendour” will be released during Spring 2006 and will contain 9 tracks of aggressive, fast and uncompromised black-death metal. www.handfulofhate.com

January 18th, 2006	Legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, RAINBOW) has been tapped to play the role of "Dr. X" on QUEENSRŸCHE's sequel to their platinum 1988 concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime", entitled "Operation: Mindcrime II". Check out photos of Ronnie in the studio with QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate at http://www.queensryche.com/news/2005/12.html QUEENSRŸCHE drummer Scott Rockenfield and guitarist Michael Wilton recorded their parts for "Operation: Mindcrime II" in August at Synergy Studios in Redmond, WA. Michael Stone cut guitars in a studio in a "secret location" in the Bay Area. The band have tapped Reiner Design Concepts — the art direction company that did all the artwork for "Operation: Mindcrime" — to work on their upcoming album. Production has already begun and the group expect artwork by the end of the year. QUEENSRŸCHE's follow-up to 2003's "Tribe" will be released via the group's new label, Rhino Entertainment. "Bootleg"-quality live recordings of two tracks slated to appear on the new CD — "Hostage" and "I'm American" — are available for download at Queensryche.com. According to a posting on MEGADETH's official website, the following are the official MEGADETH sales figures in the United States as of December 3, 2005 (rounded to nearest 1,000): "Killing is My Business...And Business is Good!"* (original, out of print) - 197,000 "Killing is My Business...And Business is Good!" (2002 remaster) - 51,000 "Killing is My Business...And Business is Good!" (2002 remaster, clean version) - 6,000 "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?"* - 609,000 "So Far, So Good...So What!"* - 388,000 "Rust In Peace"* - 781,000 "Rusted Pieces"* (video, out of print) - 36,000 "Countdown to Extinction" - 2,272,000 "Exposure of a Dream" (video, out of print) - 27,000 "Youthanasia" - 938,000 "Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia" (video, out of print) - 25,000 "Hidden Treasures" (out of print) - 286,000 "Cryptic Writings" - 787,000 "Risk" - 322,000 "Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years" (out of print) - 200,000 "Behind the Music" (Extended Version DVD) - 12,000 "The World Needs A Hero" - 219,000 "Rude Awakening" (live album, two CD version) - 66,000 "Rude Awakening" (alternate versions) - 9,000 "Rude Awakening" (DVD) - 56,000 "Still, Alive...& Well?" - 26,000 "The System Has Failed" - 171,000 "Video Hits" (DVD) - 27,000 "Greatest Hits: Back to the Start" - 118,000 "Greatest Hits: Back to the Start" (Limited Edition) - 15,000 * These figures do not include sales prior to the start of the SoundScan era (May 25, 1991) As previously reported, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine announced at the conclusion of the band's headlining performance in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 9 that the group's current lineup — which includes bassist James MacDonough, drummer Shawn Drover (EIDOLON) and guitarist Glen Drover (EIDOLON) — will continue to record and tour under the name MEGADETH. MEGADETH recently completed a South American tour in support of "The System Has Failed", which came out in September 2004. The latest MEGADETH release, "Greatest Hits: Back to the Start" (Capitol), entered the Billboard chart at No. 65. Last night's (Dec. 15) Roadrunner United show at the Nokia Theater in New York City brought together the best and brightest from the hard rock/metal genres in a series of never-before-seen collaborations. This landmark live event consisted of moments like SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor and LIFE OF AGONY's Keith Caputo singing STONE SOUR's hit "Bother" together and H.I.M.'s Ville Valo singing a song that influenced his music, TYPE O NEGATIVE's classic "Black No. 1", along with many other collaborations. The complete setlist for last night's performance: 01. BIOHAZARD's "Punishment" Evan Seinfeld / Billy Graziadei - vocals Billy Graziadei - lead guitar Dino Cazares / Andreas Kisser - rhythm guitar Evan Seinfeld - bass Joey Jordison - drums 02. MADBALL's "Set It Off" Jamey Jasta - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Joey Jordison - drums 03. LIFE OF AGONY's "River Runs Red" Keith Caputo - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Joey Jordison - drums 04. OBITUARY's "The End Complete" Glen Benton - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Joey Jordison - drums 05. MERCYFUL FATE's "Curse of the Pharoahs" Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals Andreas Kisser / James Murphy - lead guitar Jeff Waters - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Joey Jordison - drums 06. KING DIAMOND's "Abigail" Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals James Murphy - lead guitar Jeff Waters - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Roy Mayorga - drums 07. ANNIHILATOR's "Alison Hell" Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals Jeff Waters - lead guitar James Murphy - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Roy Mayorga - drums 08. DEICIDE's "Dead By Dawn" Glen Benton - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Steve Asheim - drums 09. TRIVIUM's "Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr" Robert Flynn / Matthew K Heafy - vocals Cory Beaulieu - lead guitar Matthew K Heafy - rhythm guitar Paolo Gregoletto - bass Travis Smith - drums 10. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's "My Last Seranade" Jesse Leach / Howard Jones - vocals Joel Stroetzel - lead guitar Andreas Kisser - rhythm guitar Mike D'Antonio - bass Justin Foley - drums 11. TYPE O NEGATIVE's "Black No. 1" Ville Valo - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Nadja Peulen - bass Joey Jordison - drums 12. FEAR FACTORY's "Replica" Matthew K Heafy - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Joey Jordison - drums Rob Caggiano - keyboards 13. CHIMAIRA's "Pure Hatred" Jamey Jasta - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Joey Jordison - drums 14. ROADRUNNER UNITED's "Tired And Lonely" Keith Caputo - vocals Matt Baumbach - lead guitar Acey Slade - rhythm guitar Nadja Puelen - bass Joey Jordison - drums 15. STONE SOUR's "Bother" Corey Taylor / Keith Caputo - vocals 16. ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The Rich Man" Corey Taylor - vocals Robert Flynn - lead guitar Jordan Whelan - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Andols Herrick - drums 17. ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The Dagger" Howard Jones / Robert Flynn - vocals Andreas Kisser / Jeff Waters - lead guitar Jordan Whelan - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Andols Herrick - drums 18. ROADRUNNER UNITED's "The End" Matthew K Heafy - vocals Logan Mader - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Nadja Puelen - bass Roy Mayorga - drums Rob Caggiano - keyboards 19. SOULFLY's "Eye For An Eye" Brian Fair - vocals Logan Mader - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Roy Mayorga - drums 20. SEPULTURA's "Refuse/Resist" Robert Flynn - vocals Andreas Kisser / Scott Ian - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Roy Mayorga - drums 21. SLIPKNOT's "Surfacing" Robert Flynn - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Roy Mayorga - drums 22. MACHINE HEAD's "Davidian" Robert Flynn / Matthew K Heafy - vocals Andreas Kisser / Logan Mader - lead guitar Dino Cazares - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Joey Jordison - drums 23. SLIPKNOT's "Sic" Corey Taylor - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Dino Cazares / Scott Ian - rhythm guitar Paul Gray - bass Joey Jordison - drums 24. SEPULTURA's "Roots Bloody Roots" Robert Flynn - lead vocals ROADRUNNER UNITED group and special guests - vocals Andreas Kisser - lead guitar Scott Ian - rhythm guitar Adam Duce - bass Joey Jordison - drums Others that were in the house for this amazing evening of metal... Max Weinberg (E-STREET BAND, "Conan O'Brien" show band leader), David Draiman and John Moyer (DISTURBED), Bo Bice ("American Idol"), Steve Padulla (THURSDAY), Tera Patrick (porn star), Johnny Kelly and Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE), Jennifer Arroyo (ex-KITTIE), Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson (noted metal producers), KC Armstrong (ex-"The Howard Stern Show"), John Fattorusso (FIVE YEAR STARE, ex-STEREOMUD), members of EVERY TIME I DIE, UNEARTH and SHADOWS FALL. IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén recently spoke to MTV.com about being without a label deal in the U.S. for much of this year despite having completed their latest effort, "Come Clarity", in early 2005. "It's been frustrating waiting this long to get an album out," he said. "It was finished in April [of 2005]. We wrote it at the end of 2004. And now it's going to be released on February 7. The songs still feel fresh to us and to our fans — no matter when it was recorded, it's a new album to them. I think it still represents IN FLAMES and where we are. But it was hard." Regarding their participation in this past summer's Ozzfest, Fridén said, "We saw it as a big promotional machine, and we got a chance to play in front of a huge crowd that doesn't normally listen to IN FLAMES. But we won't know for sure until the album is out. I mean, looking back, I'd rather have been on the second stage." Fridén considers "Come Clarity" "a bit more aggressive, and a bit more uptempo," but said it still possesses all the "elements of IN FLAMES. It's always been about this balance between aggression and melody. It's just another step in our evolution. I don't know where we're going exactly. But I know where we've come from. We just try to top ourselves each time and be happy with the result. That's all we can do. Now it's up to the public to judge us." As if IN FLAMES isn't keeping him busy enough, Fridén's also working on the second album from his side project Passenger. "It's in the works, but I don't have time," he said. "I would like to release [a Passenger LP] sometime [in 2006], because we've recorded 10 of the album's 12 songs already. It's been a very slow process." Fridén once again worked with guitarist Niklas Engelin, bassist Hakan Skoger, drummer Patrik Sten and keyboardist Pierre Sten on the outing, which has no definitive release date yet. On October 24, 2005, the home of legendary POISON guitarist C.C. Deville was broken into and over 30 pieces of equipment were stolen. A concentrated effort lead by the LAPD's Van Nuys Burglary Division, Planet Deville and VH1 came to a culmination with the arrest of the thief at the Ranchero Cucamonga Guitar Center on December 8, 2005. Giorgio Alessandro Trabucco of Van Nuys California was arrested while attempting to sell C.C.'s Les Paul Jr to Guitar Center. An employee who had been alerted earlier in the day that his location was in possession of pieces stolen from C.C. quickly called Johannessongs and the Cucamonga Police. Trabucco was arrested in the store within minutes. Subsequent search of Trabucco's home turned up other pieces of the guitarist's equipment. C.C. attributes the successful outcome of the case to the diligence and support of his fans, "They watched and they searched and when they would find a piece they quietly let us know what it was and where it was and what was happening with it," he said. "We even had fans that put their own money down on lay away pieces to keep them from being sold out from under us. If it wasn't for the fans and the hard work of everyone at Planet Deville we might well have lost it all." Although Deville is rumored to have lost all but five guitars from the robbery, no specifics on items found and or recovered is being released publicly. It is believed that C.C. has recovered at least some of his high end performance equipment with the discovery of the majority of his signature GMP guitars. "Finding the GMP's was a blessing with the tour and studio commitments coming up," he said. "Those are my tour guitars. They are representative of my sound, my style and my music. They are my stage blankets if you will." The bail hearing for Trabucco was set for December 12, 2005 with the preliminary hearing to follow on January 6, 2005. Trabucco will be facing numerous charges and counts of selling stolen property and grand larceny, and breaking and entering, as well as charges that are not related to the Deville burglary. C.C. offered his thanks and appreciation to everyone who wrote, called or participated in the search. "My fans are simply the best," he said. "Their thoughts and prayers and efforts in this were above and beyond. After the difficult year I have had in 2005, their support and efforts give me confidence and hope for a much better 2006." You are encouraged to contact the Van Nuys burglary division (818-756-8710) or Johannessongs, Inc. (310-388-3936) if you know the whereabouts of any of the missing items that continue to surface after the arrest. AGNOSTIC FRONT Live At CBGB's DVD/CD details The long-awaited first ever AGNOSTIC FRONT concert recording "Live at CBGB's" will be released on March 17th, 2006. The DVD includes a 52 minute intense live set (19 songs) filmed at CBGB's, a 23 minute documentary with never-before-seen footage, an exclusive behind-the- scenes interview and an impressive photo gallery. The DVD also comes with the "Live at CBGB's" CD including 2 bonus tracks not on the DVD! SOILWORK Line up changes After almost 10 years guitarist Peter Wichers has left Sweden's SOILWORK. In his official statement he explains, that he´s just worn out from all the touring. In other news, drummer Dirk Verbeuren — who played on "Stabbing the Drama", and has been touring with the group as a session drummer — has announced that he will be joining SOILWORK as a permanent member of the group. AMORPHIS Special appearance Finland's AMORPHIS will celebrate the release of their new album, "Eclipse", with a live appearance at the second annual Finnish Metal Expo, which will take place on February 17-18, 2006 at Kaapelitehdas in Helsinki, Finland.