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15 мар 2009
DAVE MUSTAINE: \'CHRIS BRODERICK Is The Best Guitarist MEGADETH Has Ever Had\'
 MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:
"Chris Broderick [MEGADETH guitarist] turned 39 yesterday, and I am so proud of this guy. I mean, I watch him play on stage and everyday he gets better and better. We are aware of the reviews, and we still are trying to have a perfect show, so if you think that you have seen a good one, just wait until he starts to feel 100% and then after that, once I start to feel we are at 100%.
"I am going on record and I am saying unequivocally that Chris is THE BEST GUITARIST MEGADETH has ever had. And the real talented musicians in MEGADETH's alumni will agree, he is an absolute monster. I mean, he plays the catalog better than anyone did. Jeff Young never wanted to do Chris Poland's stuff, and so on, and so on, until the last guitarist we had before we disbanded over my arm injury.
"It's funny, because just when I think he can get no more outrageous, or any more thrilling with the guitar solos, he comes up with something really beautiful like Marty Friedman would do (he has Marty pretty well down pat), and then goes into the GIT styles that Jeff Young did, yet, there is still such a freshness to his playing and he is so raw, it's like having a new prize bull. And even though he ain't a such a young bull, he's definitely an old bull like me."
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15 мар 2009
ASPHYX Completes Recording New Album
 Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX — Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass/vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar) and Bob Bagchus (drums) — has finished recording its comeback album, "Death...The Brutal Way", due in May/June via Century Media Records. War Anthem Records will release the LP version of the effort, which was recorded at the Sonic Assault studio and engineered by Frank Klein Douwel (who is also the band's live sound engineer). Mixing duties will be handled Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.
Commented the band: "The new album will be ASPHYX's heaviest so far, for sure. We know that's a cliché, but it's simply true, and if we say this, you bet it's the truth. Some titles: 'Death...The Brutal Way', 'Cape Horn', 'Der Eisenbahnmörser', 'Scorbutics', 'Riflegun Redeemer', 'Black Hole Storm', 'Asphyx II', '(They Died As They Marched)'."
ASPHYX last year released a seven-inch EP, "Death the Brutal Way", via Iron Pegasus Records. The single includes the brand new title track plus a cover of CELTIC FROST's "Os Abysmi Vel Daath" from the Swiss legends' "Monotheist" album. Both cuts were recorded in January 2008 at the Harrow studios.
You can listen to "Death the Brutal Way" on the group's MySpace page.
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15 мар 2009
DIO\'s \'The Very Beast Of DIO\' Certified Gold
 DIO's "The Very Beast of Dio" was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 11, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of 500,000 copies.
Issued in October 2000, "The Very Beast of Dio" is the second greatest-hits collection CD — and the first to be released in the U.S. — from the Ronnie James Dio-fronted band.
The track listing for the collection is as follows:
01. Stand up and Shout
02. Holy Diver
03. Rainbow in the Dark
04. Straight Through the Heart
05. We Rock
06. Last in Line
07. Mystery
08. King of Rock & Roll
09. Sacred Heart
10. Hungry for Heaven
11. Rock & Roll Children
12. Man on the Silver Mountain [Live]
13. Dream Evil
14. I Could Have Been a Dreamer
15. Lock up the Wolves
16. Strange Highways
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14 мар 2009
Upcoming MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND DVDs Detailed
 Danish singer King Diamond (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND) has issued the following update:
"As you all know, 80% of the original MERCYFUL FATE lineup (vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Hank Shermann, guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen) re-recorded with present MF drummer Bjarne T. Holm two ultimate MERCY classics for the upcoming Metallica: Guitar Hero game.
"For those who aren't into gaming, it's interesting to know that those two songs ('Evil' and 'Curse Of The Pharaohs') will be released on iTunes round mid-April. Also interesting to know that Andy La Rocque [KING DIAMOND] mastered these two tracks for a possible EP-picture, released by Metal Blade and Massacre.
"At this moment we are working on both MERCYFUL FATE and KING DIAMOND DVDs. Both releases will contain two DVDs and it will be worth the wait as it has some very exclusive content which surely no one outside the band has ever seen.
"We have been working on the following concerts. Please note content of the DVDs might change. Concerts mentioned here might after all not appear on the DVD.
"MERCYFUL FATE DVD:
* Copenhagen 1982 with Benny Petersen
* Amsterdam Paradiso 1984
* Copenhagen 1984
* Reunion MF 1993
* Roskilde Festival 1994
* Copenhagen 1995
"KING DIAMOND DVD:
* Washington 1986
* 1987 supporting MOTÖRHEAD
* Show footage 1989 USA + backstage footage
* Full 1990 concert Spain Euro Conspiracy tour
* Behind the scenes 1990 Conspiracy
* Copenhagen concert in the park 1990 with 5 cameras
"Also remastered KING DIAMOND CDs are in the works. Those albums have, next to the new masters, also one or two bonus video tracks. The bonus tracks shouldn't be the reason to buy the albums. The sound is so much better than it ever was. That should be reason to buy it. I know I would buy them.
"Remastered CDs released with video bonus footage (might be one or two songs)
* The Spider's Lullabye
* The Graveyard
* House Of God
* Voodoo
"This coming autumn might be the time to start writing new songs for KING DIAMOND, and who knows if our involvement in Guitar Hero will raise our value to the record labels enough for a new MERCYFUL FATE record."
King Diamond appears as a playable character in the "Guitar Hero: Metallica" game.
Fans, stagehands and groupies alike will have the opportunity to shred and drum with or wail as the digital King Diamond during performances of "Evil". The song, which originally was recorded in 1983 and is one of the MERCYFUL FATE songs that comprise METALLICA's "Mercyful Fate" medley, was re-recorded by four of the five original band members for Guitar Hero: Metallica. The recording session was overseen by guitarist Hank Shermann in the band's native Denmark; after which King Diamond laid down his vocals in Dallas, Texas, and mixed the song with J.T. Longoria.
MERCYFUL FATE will be remembered for its unquestionable mark on the history of metal with its innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and its influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.
In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Entitled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven" and "Evil".
Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of MERCYFUL FATE's "Return of the Vampire" on the "In the Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.
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14 мар 2009
AEROSMITH To Begin Recording New Album Later This Month
 Boston rockers AEROSMITH will head into the recording studio soon with producer Brendan O'Brien, who has previously worked with VELVET REVOLVER, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM, AC/DC and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, among others. Guitarist Brad Whitford states, "So far it's going great. Everybody is pretty excited about the amount of new music and the quality of it. We're looking forward to getting our basic tracks started in about ten days or so. I'm really quite impressed with some of the new music we're putting together — we'll have a true-to-the-spirit-of AEROSMITH record on our hands. Hopefully you won't have to wait to long. We're working hard to get it done and we're anxious to hear people's reaction to it."
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry recently told ABC ePrep that the group is hoping to get back to its roots by "doing it more like we used to do the old records, which is the band playing live in the studio." Joe also revealed AEROSMITH is planning to kick off a North American tour around June 1, and hopes to have the album completed by then.
AEROSMITH's next studio album will be its first set of all-original material since 2001's "Just Push Play".
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14 мар 2009
MESHUGGAH Guitarist: To Call NIGHTWISH Metal Is \'A F**king Insult\'
 MetalSucks' Vince Neilstein conducted an interview with guitarist Mårten Hagström of the Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH prior to the band's New York City show with CYNIC and THE FACELESS. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
MetalSucks: You guys came from Sweden with a lot of famous metal bands, at the same time as a lot of melodic death metal, which has sort of gone its own way now. How do you feel about that scene and those guys?
Hagström: I hate it. I totally loathe it. Listen, I have nothing against the guys in the bands. I have nothing against the bands. I'm happy for them. If they're doing well and if that's what they want to do then fucking, "Hey, good for you." If you're talking from my personal tastes, I prefer when bands play metal and not SLAUGHTER and pop music with fucking attributes of a metal band. You got two guys with distorted guitars and then you got two chicks singing and three keyboards and then they play "lalalala." It's not why I got into metal. It's not like I'm saying it can't be melodic. CYNIC is very melodic and still fucking awesome. There are a lot of bands that people appreciate a lot over here, like I said I'm happy for their success, but I do not care for their music at all. It's formula music. It's built the same way that pop music is. It's performed the same way pop music is with back tracks and everything. They're like, "Oh, we're so fucking bad-ass and we look so hard." Most bands from Sweden know what they're doing when they're playing. That's a great benefit. It might be music that I hate, but they can still pull it off, which is alright.
MetalSucks: It's good for all Swedish bands, I guess.
Hagström: I have nothing against it, but I would never listen to it. Having said that, there are a shitload of Swedish bands that I adore. THE HAUNTED is a great fucking band. ENTOMBED is a great fucking band. There is a lot of cool fucking shit around. A lot of the stuff that does well in Europe doesn't necessarily do well over here. It's like NIGHTWISH, they're from Finland; to call that metal is a fucking insult. It's probably good music, but it's not fucking metal. No way. I told Markus, on our label Nuclear Blast (because they're on it), "I know you're making a shitload of money, but you're making fools of yourself." He's like "I know". He's like that.
MetalSucks: At least they know what they're doing.
Hagström: Oh, they know what they're doing. They got it down. That's why they're doing well. Nuclear Blast is doing great.
MetalSucks: Yeah, they put out a lot of good stuff.
Hagström: They do. No doubt. It's not the melodic parts that are the problem. I love a lot of melodic stuff. If you listen to MR. BUNGLE, it's melodic all the way through, but it's great shit. I just want some thrill and excitement, something that makes me go, "Oh, these guys have an original idea."
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14 мар 2009
Reformed GORGUTS Working On New Material
 GORGUTS, the acclaimed technical death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, has reportedly reformed with a brand new lineup and is currently working on material for a new studio album. Four songs are said to have already been completed, with several more on the way.
GORGUTS' current lineup is reportedly as follows:
* Luc Lemay (NEGATIVA) - Vocals, Guitar
* Kevin Hufnagel (DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE) - Guitar
* Colin Marston (DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) - Bass
* John Longstreth (DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE) - Drums
Back in November 2006, Metal Mind Productions reissued the classic GORGUTS albums "Considered Dead" and "Erosion of Sanity". Both CDs came in new digipack editions on golden discs, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology, and were limited to a hand-numbered 2,000 copies. Each title included two demo tracks as a bonus.
GORGUTS' last studio album, "From Wisdom to Hate", was released in 2001.
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14 мар 2009
CINDERELLA\'s \'Authorized Bootleg\' Due This Month
 Island/Mercury has set a March 31 release date for CINDERELLA's "Authorized Bootleg: Live at the Tokyo Dome - Tokyo, Japan Dec. 31 1990" CD.
The track listing for the album is as follows:
01. Intro
02. The More Things Change
03. Push, Push
04. Back Home Again
05. Sick For the Cure
06. Make Your Own Way
07. Somebody Save Me
08. Night Songs
09. One For Rock and Roll
10. Heartbreak Station
11. Coming Home
12. Fallin' Apart At the Seams
13. Love's Got Me Doin Time
14. Don't Know What You Got ('Till It's Gone)
15. Nobody's Fool
16. Gypsy Road
17. Shake Me
18. Shelter Me
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14 мар 2009
ATARGATIS: In Songwriting Mode
 German female-fronted symphonic dark gothic metal heroes ATARGATIS have commenced the songwriting sessions for their third album, tentatively due late 2009/early 2010 via Massacre Records. | 0 | |
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14 мар 2009
NARNIA: Studio Update
 Swedish epic/melodic metallers NARNIA recently entered the studio to begin recording their sixth album, tentatively titled "Course Of A Generation", for a July 24 European release via Massacre Records. The CD will mark the debut of the band's new lead singer, Germán Pascual (MIND'S EYE, MENDEZ), who replaced Christian Liljegren last year.
Commented the group: "We've been tracking vocals all week and we're happy to say that about 80% of the lead vocals are done, and the result so far is absolutely great!"
NARNIA previously stated about the band's new material: "We promise that it will by far be the most intense record we have ever made. Count on very melodic, uptempo compositions driven by the most aggressive foundation in our history."
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13 мар 2009
EDGUY: \'F**king With F*** - Live\' DVD Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
 Nuclear Blast has set a May 2 release date for "Fucking With F*** - Live", the new DVD and separate 2-CD package from German melodic metallers EDGUY. The footage for the DVD was shot on November 3, 2006 at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil and "presents a mind-blowing performance of Tobias Sammet [vocals] and his team," according to a press release. "More than 100 minutes including all hymns, as well as lots of bonus material featuring all video clips, road movies and interviews. Besides the DVD, there will be also a double live CD, separate, as well as part of a noble package along with the DVD."
"Fucking With F*** - Live" track listing:
01. Catch Of The Century
02. Sacrifice
03. Babylon
04. Lavatory Love Machine
05. Land Of the Miracle
06. Tears Of A Mandrake
07. Vain Glory Opera
08. Drum Solo
09. Superheroes
10. Fucking With Fire
11. Save Me
12. Mysteria
13. Out Of Control
14. Avantasia
15. King Of Fools
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13 мар 2009
STRATOVARIUS: \'Polaris\' Artwork Unveiled
 The cover artwork for "Polaris", the new album from Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS, can be viewed below. Due on May 21, the CD — the group's first since the departure of guitar player and main composer Timo Tolkki — will be made available via the band's new label partner Edel under the new imprint earMUSIC outside of Asia and the band's longtime record company in Asia, JVC.
Commented keyboardist Jens Johansson: "We are very happy to have found strong label partners for the new era of STRATOVARIUS who truly believe in the band and are as enthusiastic as we are. I can't wait to hit the road again and meet all fans who supported us through all our good and bad times."
In September 2008, freed from many burdens of negativity, the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together, and record. And they found themselves being a band reborn. The result is a melodic, powerful, fresh, tight, and technically elaborate new album.
"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios in Helsinki, Finland. Mixed by the longtime confidant of the band Mikko Karmila the album became another shining polar star at the Northern sky. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.
Vocalist Timo Kotipelto explains: "'Polaris' is a positive, powerful album that STRATOVARIUS fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts."
The band will support the release of their new studio album with live shows around the globe. The world tour will start in the U.K., followed by a number of dates in continental Europe. September will see STRATOVARIUS playing live shows in Asia, followed by a full North and South American tour in September/October. A European headlining tour is scheduled for January 2010.
STRATOVARIUS' latest addition is 25-year-old Finnish guitar phenomenon Matias Kupiainen. Drummer Jörg Michael said, "In Matias we found new character who fits perfectly with his way of melodic guitar shredding. He is a killer player, a 'wunderkind' from Finland!"
Other working songtitles that are set to appear on "Polaris" include:
* "King Of Nothing"
* "Eternal Life"
* "Something Precious"
* "I Am Blind"
* "Free Diving"
STRATOVARIUS 2009 is:
Timo Kotipelto - Vocals
Matias Kupiainen - Guitars
Lauri Porra - Bass
Jörg Michael - Drums
Jens Johansson - Keyboards
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13 мар 2009
DELAIN: Performance Footage Of New Song Available
 Fan-filmed video footage of DELAIN — the Dutch gothic rock/metal project founded by ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of WITHIN TEMPTATION's Robert Westerholt) — performing the title track of its upcoming album, "April Rain", on March 6, 2009 at Hedon in Zwolle, Holland can be viewed here.
Due on March 30 via Roadrunner, "April Rain" follows DELAIN's acclaimed 2006 debut "Lucidity", which featured guest appearances by members of WITHIN TEMPTATION, NIGHTWISH and LEAVES' EYES.
"The new album is a real group effort, [and] that's what we're most proud of," says Westerholt.
DELAIN will launch the new album in Amsterdam on March 19 at a special event at the Melkweg venue. Westerholt says: "After that we'll tour Europe with KAMELOT and do multiple headline shows throughout Europe. I'd never intended DELAIN to be a real touring band… but now that we've become one, I'm definitely enjoying it to the fullest. We're looking forward to seeing our fans again real soon!"
"April Rain" ( cover) track listing:
01. April Rain
02. Stay Forever
03. Invidia
04. Control The Storm
05. On The Other Side
06. Virtue And Vice
07. Go Away
08. Start Swimming
09. Lost
10. I'll Reach You
11. Nothing Left
"April Rain" will also be available as a limited-edition digipack, including bonus content.
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13 мар 2009
NORTHER Launches Vocalist Search
 Finnish metal band NORTHER, which recently parted ways with longtime singer/guitarist Petri Lindroos, has issued the following update:
"NORTHER is now looking for a new full time singer. We are looking for a versatile, creative individual with high motivation and a preferable capability of singing in different styles.
"The person we are looking for must be at least 20 years of age and preferably live in Finland. Guitar playing skills are considered as an advantage but not necessary.
"If you feel you might be the one, please download the following instrumental version of our song 'Frozen Angel'. Return it to us with your own vocals recorded on top to singer@norther.net in MP3 format. You can download the song here, and the lyrics here. It is also possible to send a free-form audio or video sample of yourself.
"We offer the new singer a possibility to rock around the globe in an excellent team and enjoy the full benefits of being in an international heavy metal band.
"May the best one win, the search is on!!"
NORTHER explained its split with Petri Lindroos by saying in a statement, "NORTHER was forced to let Petri go to be able to continue. Petri's full-time engagement in ENSIFERUM increasingly prevented NORTHER from functioning as an active band."
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13 мар 2009
THE AGONIST: Performance Footage Of New Songs Available
 Fan-filmed video footage of the Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based female-fronted band THE AGONIST performing two new songs — "Birds Elope With The Sun" and "When The Bough Breaks" — on March 8, 2009 at the Underworld in the group's hometown can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "IAMFeAR7").
THE AGONIST is preparing to film a video for the track "Thank You, Pain" with director David Brodsky, who has previously worked with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and BLEEDING THROUGH, among others. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Lullabies For A Dormant Mind", which is being released in North America today (March 10) through Century Media Records.
"Lullabies For A Dormant Mind" track listing:
01. The Tempest (The Siren's Song; The Banshee's Cry)
02. ...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep
03. Thank You, Pain
04. Birds Elope With The Sun
05. Waiting Out The Winter
06. Martyr Art
07. Globus Hystericus
08. Swan Lake, Op. 20 – Scene, Act 2, #10 – Tchaikovsky (A Cappella)
09. The Sentient
10. When The Bough Breaks
11. Chlorpromazine
The a cappella version of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" is only one example of the band’s musical abilities as it impressively exhibits Alissa White-Gluz's mind-blowingly wide range of vocal skills and professionalism as a singer. Produced by Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, MYTHOSIS), "Lullabies for the Dormant Mind" exposes new facets of the band and touches upon classical, jazz, opera, grindcore, thrash and black metal influences in a complete metal opus. Featuring guest violins by Avi Ludmer (MAHOGANY RUSH), orchestrations by classical pianists Melina Soochan and Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc (BLACKGUARD) along with many other Montreal-based contributors, this album is refreshing to hear upon every listen. Following a dark, twisted yet beautiful, surrealist visual concept from Natalie Shau once again, THE AGONIST have created an uncomfortable yet addictive setting for their metal, like being awoken from a bad dream, or falling asleep to escape a nightmarish reality.
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13 мар 2009
NIGHTWISH Mainman On Singer\'s Decision To Hire Personal Manager: \'I Had A Feeling Of Déjà Vu\' -
 In an exclusive interview with Classic Rock's Dave Ling, NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen admitted that he had "a feeling of déjà vu" when the band's vocalist Anette Olzon, echoing her predecessor, recently announced her decision to hire a personal manager. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Classic Rock: The "Dark Passion Play" tour began in October 2007. Is the finish line in sight?
Holopainen: "It's on the far horizon, maybe. There's only another five months to go. It's been the band's longest and most exhausting tour; a real roller-coaster ride."
Classic Rock: By that you must mean Anette bursting into tears and walking off stage at a gig in Brazil last November (see video footage below), later claiming in an interview that "the stress and bad vibe within the band had reached a boiling point?"
Holopainen: "Yes, but I disagree about the bad vibe part. It was a combination of many different things. Everyone was getting along, but the schedule was too hard. The whole band, the technicians, everyone, was on the verge of collapse."
Classic Rock: What was meant by the explanation that Anette was "really not up to this kind of heavy shit right now"?
Holopainen: "She was being affected by a smoke machine, which isn't great for a singer. There were middle fingers in the front row, and some jerks were screaming the name of our former vocalist (Tarja Turunen). It all kind of closed in on her. But everybody's relaxed again now. We went home and had three months off the road. As simple as that."
Classic Rock: Did alarm bells ring when, echoing her predecessor, Olzon recently hired a personal manager (Swedish management company Hagenburg Management, which also represents EUROPE and THE CARDIGANS)?
Holopainen: "At the beginning I had a feeling of déjà vu. But when we discussed it I understood that she needs somebody who speaks her own language [Swedish]. Her manager is a very, very reasonable guy."
Classic Rock: How is she handling the fame?
Holopainen: "She has told me a couple of times that she might not be able to handle it, on top of her divorce. I've seen her close to collapse and it has scared me, so we are protecting her. There will be no more interviews."
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13 мар 2009
ABORTED Members Launch THE ORDER OF APOLLYON
 ABORTED guitarist BST (a.k.a. Sébastien Tuvi) and drummer Daniel Wilding have formed a new black/death metal project called THE ORDER OF APOLLYON. The recording of the band's first album began in Chichester, U.K., where the drums have been completed. Guitars, bass, and vocals will be recorded at the BST studio (ANTAEUS, HELL MILITIA, AOSOTH, BALROG) in France. More inforamtion will be made available soon.
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13 мар 2009
DEMONICAL: \'Hellsworn\' Track Listing, Release Date Revealed
 DEMONICAL, the Swedish death metal band featuring past and present members from CENTINEX, GRAVE, REGURGITATE, INTERMENT, AMARAN, WORLD BELOW and DELLAMORTE, will release its second full-length album, "Hellsworn", on May 15. The follow-up to 2007's "Servants of the Unlight" was recorded at Necromorbus Studios (WATAIN, SETHERIAL) and was mastered at Black Lounge Studios in late January.
Commented the group: "Finally we are done with the recording, mixing and mastering of 'Hellsworn'. It sure took ages and caused some frustration but I assure you, it was worth it. We are utterly satisfied with the final result, this old-school death metal slab in nine acts turned out exactly the way we wanted."
"Hellsworn" track listing:
01. Baptized in Fire
02. World Serpent
03. Infernal Void
04. Bloodridden
05. Götter des Nordens
06. Children of Sin
07. Death Metal Darkness
08. Bow to the Monolith
09. Hellsworn
The cover artwork for "Hellsworn" can be viewed here.
The "Northern Death Blow Tour 2009" — an 18-date crusade through Europe alongside Finnish TORTURE KILLER and Swedish FACEBREAKER — will kick off in Stockholm on May 15.
DEMONICAL last year announced the addition of Sverker "Widda" Widgren — also known for his guitar work with DIABOLICAL and as the co-owner of Necromorbus Studios — as the group's new full-time vocalist. His first "official" show with DEMONICAL took place on April 4, 2008 at Tantogården in Stockholm with NECROPHOBIC and SPAZMOSITY.
The band's debut album, "Servants of the Unlight", was released in April 2007 via Germany's Cyclone Empire Records. The group toured Europe with NUNSLAUGHTER and NOMINON, and took part in Germany's Up From The Ground festival. They also supported GRAVE on select Scandinavian dates.
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13 мар 2009
DREAM THEATER announced title of their tenth studio album
 Progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER have announced BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS as the title of their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the album – their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's Systematic Chaos — in October of last year.
Roadrunner will release the record on June 23. In addition to the standard version CD, the album will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc Special Edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs, the titles of which will be revealed at a later date.
Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers.
Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record.
The band will embark on a world tour in support of the album beginning in Europe throughout June which will be followed by the second edition of the band’s PROGRESSIVE NATION tour featuring Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish throughout North America in July/August.
A video for the first single, "A Rite of Passage" will be shot in late March.
The track listing for BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS ( cover) is as follows:
1. A Nightmare to Remember
2. A Rite of Passage
3. Wither
4. The Shattered Fortress
5. The Best of Times
6. The Count of Tuscany
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13 мар 2009
THE BERZERKER Inks Distribution Deal With RIOT! ENTERTAINMENT
 Australia's THE BERZERKER has inked an exlusive distribution deal with Riot! Entertainment to release "The Reawakening", previously only available via the band's web site.
THE BERZERKER's fifth album, was originally released last year through the group's self-run record label, Berzerker Industries.
"The Reawakening" ( cover) track listing:
01. Spare Parts
02. Internal Examination
03. Caught In The Crossfire
04. Harvesting A Loved One
05. The Deception
06. Your Final Seconds
07. The Evolution Of Aggression
08. Unforgotten Force
09. Disassembly Line
10. Wisdom And Corruption
THE BERZERKER recently tapped Tim Aldridge (ex-ABRAMELIN) as its new guitarist.
THE BERZERKER previously released four full-length albums — "The Berzerker" (2000), "Dissimulate" (2002), "World of Lies" (2005) and "Animosity" (2007) — through Earache Records. During the early part of their career as a live act, band members were identified only as The Vocalist, The Guitarist, The Bassist and The Drummer, distinguishable on stage only by the intricate monster masks they wore. However, the group has since abandoned this concept. A DVD documentary, "The Principles and Practices of The Berzerker" (2004), includes several hours of live concert footage, as well as the first public images of the band members without their monster masks.
Most of the band's music videos have been banned from broadcast for reasons such as the possible epileptic fit-inducing imagery contained in the video "Forever", and the horrific imagery of "Reality". The latter features graphic images of cadavers and body parts, along with appearances from the band themselves. | 0 | |
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13 мар 2009
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13 мар 2009
OPETH On Tour Sponsored By Norwegian Government
 On March 10, Swedish prog-metal giants OPETH kicked off an eight-date tour of Norway. The trek includes stops in major cities Oslo and Bergen but also covers smaller towns like Volda and Sogndal. The tour was arranged by Rikskonsertene, a Norwegian state-sponsored organization that normally handles events featuring jazz, classical and folk artists.
Kristin Stoltz Thomassen, the information consultant at Rikskonsertene, tells Norwegian music industry magazine Faro Journalen that the OPETH tour is part of an initiative Rikskonsertene is doing with the pop and rock genres.
"This project is supposed to bring established artists to a young and energetic audiences around Norway, especially in smaller places where promotors would not normally be able to bring artists," he says. "Young people and students get the chance to see artists they otherwise would not be able to see.
"OPETH has been on our radar for a long time, and with the success of the 'Watershed' album, ongoing touring and a dedicated fanbase, we regard this as a jackpot, but also the result of focused work."
Espen Slapgård, the promotion manager at Tuba Distrubution, which distributes OPETH's record label, Roadrunner Records, in Norway, is enthusiastic about the cooperation with Rikskonsertene.
"This is gold for the promotion of 'Watershed'," he says. "The tour enhances the lifespan of the album, and the effect of having eight dates with OPETH around the country is invaluable. We make the band more visible through interviews and stories in both local, regional and national media. We have now reactivated 'Watershed' and the six other OPETH albums we have in our back catalog."
"Watershed" reached position No. 7 on the Norwegian album chart in 2008, and has sold 3,500 copies in Norway. The band's previous album, "Ghost Reveries", peaked at No. 21 on the Norwegian chart and has shifted 6,000 units to date.
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13 мар 2009
SEPULTURA Guitarist To Release Solo Album In May
 Holland's Mascot Records has set a May 29 release date for "Hubris I & II", the first-ever solo album from SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser. A two-disc set, the self-produced effort was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.
Kisser previously stated about the album, "I'm very pleased with the result and I'm excited to hear it all done. It was a long process, a learning process and a great experience. It's a musical journey trough the influences I had for last 15 years of my life and at the same time it's very different from everything I did so far."
"Hubris" comes from Greek word "hybris," which means "excessive pride, wanton violence."
Check out the "Hubris I & II" artwork here.
"Hubris I & II" track listing:
I:
01. Protest!
02. Euphoria/Desperation
03. Eu Humano
04. The Forum
05. Virgulândia
06. God's Laugh
07. R.H.E.T.
08. Em Busca Do Ouro
09. Lava Sky
10. A Million Judas Iscariotes
II:
01. Sad Soil
02. Worlds Apart
03. Breast Feeding
04. Page
05. Domenicana
06. Vivaldi
07. 0120
08. Armonia
09. Hubris
10. Mythos
11. O Mais Querido
The song "R.H.E.T." is now available for streaming on Andreas' MySpace page.
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13 мар 2009
PARADISE LOST Contemplating Limited-Edition Book Release
 U.K. gothic metal icons PARADISE LOST have issued the following update:
"PARADISE LOST are in the planning stages to release an illustrated, strictly limited-edition book entitled "No Celebration" ( cover). The book will contain a detailed history of the band, as well as being packed with unseen artwork and extras.
"If you would like this book to be produced, please show your support by heading over to this location (which also contains more details on the book) and registering. This is not a pre-order at this stage, we would simply like to gauge how much interest there is.
"Please remember, if there isn't enough support shown for this project then the book will not be produced — so get your names down!"
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13 мар 2009
Former KORN Guitarist Selects Touring Band
 Former KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has selected the following musicians for his touring band:
Andrew Gerold (Sandusky, Ohio) - Guitar
Ralph Patlan (Tempe, Arizona) - Guitar
Michael Valentine (Huntington, Virginia) - Bass
Dan Johnson (Fairfax, Virginia) - Drums
A U.S. trek is tentatively scheduled to kick off late spring.
Welch's solo album, "Save Me From Myself", sold 7,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 63 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on September 9 through Driven Music Group (distribution by Ryko/Warner Music Group), the label Welch co-founded with music execs Greg Shanaberger and Mark Nawara.
"Save Me From Myself" was produced by Head, who recorded the music off and on for the past two years in Phoenix, Arizona. It features renowned musicians Tony Levin (PETER GABRIEL, DAVID BOWIE) and Josh Freese (A PERFECT CIRCLE, NINE INCH NAILS), and was mixed by Ralph Patlan and Bob Clearmountain. It's a testimony of Head's life as he battled with drug addiction and leaving KORN, and finding spirituality.
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13 мар 2009
SONS OF SEASONS: \'Gods Of Vermin\' Limited-Edition Digipack Detailed
 SONS OF SEASONS — the new progressive/symphonic metal band led by keyboardist/guitarist Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO) — will release its debut album, "Gods Of Vermin", via Napalm Records on the following dates:
Apr. 29 - Finland, Spain
Apr. 30 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Sweden
May 04 - Rest of Europe
May 19 - USA, Canada
The album will be available as a regular jewel case and a limited-edition dipack featuring a bonus track.
"Gods Of Vermin" was mixed at Mastersound Studios in Fellbach, Germany. EPICA singer Simone Simons — who happens to be Oliver Palotai's girlfriend — has confirmed that she makes a guest appearance on the album.
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
"Gods Of Vermin" track listing:
01. The Place Where I Hide
02. Gods of Vermin
03. A Blind Man's Resolution
04. Fallen Family
05. The Piper
06. Wheel Of Guilt
07. Belial's Tower
08. Fall Of Byzanz
09. Wintersmith
10. Dead Man's Shadows
11. Sanatorim Song
12. Third Moon Rising
13. Melanchorium (bonus track; digipack only)
SONS OF SEASONS is:
Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO, BLAZE) - Keyboards, Guitar
Daniel Schild (BLAZE) - Drums
Jürgen Steinmetz - Bass
Henning Basse (METALIUM, FIREWIND) - Vocals
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13 мар 2009
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN: \'Angels Of Love\' Audio Samples Available
 Legendary Swedish guitarist YNGWIE MALMSTEEN has just released an all-instrumental acoustic album, "Angels Of Love" (Rising Force Records), containing rearrangements of his ballad songs played on acoustic guitar and string and choir arrangements only. It is a masterpiece showing the tender, delicate version of his classic songs as well as a new composition.
Check out audio samples on Yngwie's MySpace page.
According to a press release, "'Angels Of Love' is the instrumental version of the best Yngwie Malmsteen love songs played on acoustic guitar and keyboards only. It is a master piece showing the tender, delicate version of his classic songs which will appeal to all adult consumers who are into romantic/new age and instrumental songs as well as Yngwie Malmsteen fans and rock music fans alike."
"Angels Of Love" track listing:
01. Forever One
02. Like An Angel
03. Crying
04. Brothers
05. Memories
06. Save Our Love
07. Ocean Sonata
08. Miracle Of Life
09. Sorrow
10. Prelude To April
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN will release two DVDs via Rising Force Records on March 24 — "Live Animal" and "Live In Budokan". | 0 | |
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13 мар 2009
LIMP BIZKIT: Brand New Rehearsal Footage Posted Online
 Video footage of the reunited original lineup of LIMP BIZKIT — Fred Durst, Wes Borland, Sam Rivers, John Otto, and DJ Lethal — rehearsing for its upcoming world tour on March 9-10, 2009 can be viewed below.
LIMP BIZKIT announced last month its decision to return from an eight-year hiatus. Durst and Borland said in a joint statement, "We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other. Regardless of where our separate paths have taken us, we recognize there is a powerful and unique energy with this particular group of people we have not found anywhere else. This is why LIMP BIZKIT is back."
The guys will kick off a world tour in the spring on the overseas festival circuit, with headline shows sprinkled in throughout Europe. Select dates include (in late May) Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic countries where LIMP BIZKIT has never played before despite huge demand, along with major festivals like Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany. A new album, which would be the original group's first full-length effort since 2000, is also planned.
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13 мар 2009
NIGHTWISH: \'Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)\' Five-Minute Preview Clip Available
 Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have posted an extended five-minute preview clip (see here) of their new CD/DVD, "Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)".
Due on March 13 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)" will contain a DVD documentary (with a running time of approximately 45 minutes) of NIGHTWISH's world tour in support of the band's latest album, "Dark Passion Play", as well as a CD featuring live recordings from the trek. The documentary footage was reportedly directed by Ville Lipiäinen.
"Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)" track listing:
CD (running time - 66:13):
01. Bye Bye Beautiful (live)
02. Whoever Brings The Night (live)
03. Amaranth (live)
04. The Poet And The Pendulum (live)
05. Sahara (live)
06. The Islander (live)
07. Last Of The Wilds (live)
08. 7 Days To The Wolves (live)
09. Escapist
10. While Your Lips Are Still Red
11. Cadence Of Her Last Breath (demo version)
DVD (running time - 49:52)
* Documentary (Dark Passion Play World Tour)
* Video Clips:
01. Amaranth
02. Bye Bye Beautiful
03. The Islander
16:9 PAL / 2.0 Stereo / DVD-5 / region free
NIGHTWISH issued a digital-only collection of demos and B-sides titled "The Sound of Nightwish Reborn", on September 2, 2008. This release, which clocks in at nearly 70 minutes of music, retains "must-have" status for all NIGHTWISH diehards, since it includes a bevy of exclusive material, such as demo versions of songs from the "Dark Passion Play" sessions that were recorded prior to singer Anette Olzon joining the band and that feature Marco Tapani Hietala handling the vocals, as well as B-sides.
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13 мар 2009
AVA INFERI To Release \'Blood Of Bacchus\' In May
 AVA INFERI, the Portugal-based band whose lineup includes Norwegian guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), will release its third album, "Blood Of Bacchus", on May 25 via via France's Season Of Mist.
The final track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Truce
02. Last Sign Of Summer
03. Colours Of The Dark
04. Black Wings
05. Appeler Les Loups
06. Be Damned
07. Tempestade
08. Blood Of Bacchus
09. Memoirs
The album features guest appearances by Kristoffer Rygg (ULVER), Live Kostöl (PANTHEON I), Fredrik Söderlind (PUISSENCE) and the "amazing piano talent" Arne Martinussen.
The band says, "Be prepared for approximately 54 minutes of pure and honest inspiration."
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Megadeth
