News: IMMOLATION - in the studio

US death metallers IMMOLATION have locked themselves up at Millbrook Sound Studios / New York together with producer Paul Orofino to record their eighth album - and first for Nuclear Blast!

Commented the band: "This will be our sixth time visiting Millbrook Studios and we are really looking forward to the whole process. The new album will contain 10 songs of the strongest material we have ever written. The new material is more violent and aggressive, with fast sections that take us to a new level of speed and intensity, while complementing the dark and sullen heavier moments. There are plenty of miserable and militant movements to please the diehard and new IMMOLATION fans alike.
We've spent the past two months rehearsing and fine-tuning the songs so that all ten are stand-outs and create a complete listening experience. Needless to say, we are all very pleased and enthusiastic about the new material and are anxious to debut it to the fans. Following the recording process here in Millbrook, we have decided to try something new for the mixing process, so we have enlisted the talents of Zack Ohren (DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION, ALL SHALL PERISH). We are confident he will do an excellent job in giving a fresh new life to the IMMOLATION sound.
We are still in the process of getting ideas together for the album's concept and cover art, but these final details will be worked out in the near future."

The yet untitled album is scheduled for release early 2010.

Immolation website

Announcement: RAGNARÖK FESTIVAL - April 30 - May 1, 2010

HELRUNAR and OBSCURITY have been confirmed for next year's Ragnarök Festival, set to take place April 30 - May 1, 2010 at Ostbayernhalle in Rieden/Kreuth, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGATHODAIMON
AKREA
ARKONA
HAGGARD
HEATHEN FORAY
HELFAHRT
HELRUNAR
KROMLEK
OBSCURITY
SÓLSTAFIR
THE VISION BLEAK

For more information, visit Ragnarök Festival website

New Album: HELLFUELED - Emission of sins

01. Where Angels Die
02. Am I Blind
03. I Am The Crucifix
04. A Remission Of My Sins
05. Save Me
06. Lost Forever
07. For My Family And Satan
08. In Anger
09. End Of The Road
10. Stone By Stone
11. Moving On

Release date: 27 November 2009

Tour Dates: LACUNA COIL

Jan. 29 - (IRL) Dublin - The Academy
Jan. 31 - (UK) Manchester - The Manchester Academy
Feb. 01 - (UK) Birmingham - O2 Academy
Feb. 02 - (UK) Glasgow - The ABC
Feb. 04 - (UK) Bristol - O2 Academy
Feb. 05 - (UK) London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Feb. 07 - (NL) Eindhoven - Effenaar
Feb. 08 - (F) Paris - Bataclan
Feb. 09 - (B) Borgerhout - Trix Hall
Feb. 20 - (D) Berlin - Columbia Club
Feb. 21 - (D) Hamburg - Knust
Feb. 22 - (D) Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
Feb. 24 - (D) Cologne - Essigfabrik
Feb. 25 - (D) Karlsruhe - Substage
Feb. 26 - (D) Munich - Backstage Halle
Feb. 28 - (A) Vienna - Arena
Mar. 01 - (CH) Zuerich - Dynamo
Mar. 02 - (I) Milan - Alcatraz
Mar. 04 - (I) Bologna - Estragon
Mar. 05 - (I) Rome - Atlantico
Mar. 06 - (I) Treviso - New Age

Announcement: SPIRIT OF METAL Calendar 2010

Hey, the SPIRIT OF METAL calendar 2010 is finally ready!!
now the preorder has started to see how many copies we need to print.
so.. when you are interested to buy a calendar...
just contact us here or at skinless@spirit-of-metal.com

SPIRIT OF METAL

News: ANGRA composing new album

Angra has already started writing material for their upcoming record, which they intend to release in the first half of 2010. As Rafael Bittencourt states: "We already have some songs, and they're sounding very good! Everyone is giving their best to present cool ideas, and soon we will have enough material to rehearse together and plan the pre-production. I'm really excited cause the overall mood is very positive and favorable for great ideas to come!!!"


The band should go in the studio by January/February. The band's lst record was "Aurora Consurgens", released in 2006. More news to come soon!

News: THE GATHERING - 20th year anniversary

And then, suddenly it is there! The 20th anniversary of The Gathering. Exactly 20 years ago my brother René and me, together with Bart Smits on vocals, started this band. No strategy, we just wanted to write songs so we could release a rehearsal tape. Lots of people in Oss were playing in bands, and they triggered us to do something for ourselves.

Exactly 20 years ago we biked from our parents house in Oss to a little village called Heesch, were we rented a rehearsal room on a farm, and started writing our first song: 'Anthology in Black'. Great, exciting times. I can remember clearly it was freezing cold in that room in wintertime. I see Bart struggling to get the heater on with matches. Every Sunday morning we biked to that farm, most of the time with a big hangover because of a rough Saturday evening, and started early in the morning writing and playing songs.



A lot of things happened in those 20 years! Good times, bad times, but we always survived. Sometimes we had to struggle our way back and managed to come back stronger than ever. Most of the time we enjoyed playing in this band, seeing a lot of countries, touring all over the world and playing clubs and festivals, making 9 studio albums, 2 DVD's and a lot of EP's, singles (even a small top 50 entrance with Strange Machines) and live records, getting to meet some of our fantastic fans.. A lot of positive things to remember!

And now? A party? Well, we will celebrate this with the upcoming live gigs in the Netherlands and a European tour around January/February 2010! The tour will be around three weeks and we are all really looking forward to hitting the road again. There is some sad news in this though as Marjolein can't go with us the first week of this tour due to her daytime job. Luckily she will be there the 2nd and 3rd week. So, who will play bass guitar then? :) We had only one name in our mind: Hugo Prinsen Geerligs. As many of you know Hugo was with us for 15 years and we were very happy when we asked Hugo and he said yes! 5 years have gone and now he will join us and help us out! These gigs will be something special for sure and give our 20th anniversary even more cachet!

We would be happy if you want to leave a message down under, say something on our message board,Twitter, myspace, Last.fm or just send a nice card to:

The Gathering

PO Box 1366

6501 BJ Nijmegen

The Netherlands

Cheers!

Hans, René, Frank, Marjolein & Silje.

Hello to all!!!

Hey Kerb and friends!
Thanks for your invitation!
Keep me updated and have a good weekend!
Best,
Steven

AXEL RITT support GRAVE DIGGER – MySpace-Blog von GraveDigger: | - THE GRAVE DIGGER CLAN -

AXEL RITT support GRAVE DIGGER – MySpace-Blog von GraveDigger: | - THE GRAVE DIGGER CLAN -

News: Ov HELL– New band of Shagrath and King !

Out of Norway's biggest and darkest metal bands rises Ov HELL. This group of Satan’s all-stars has been sharpening their teeth in some of black metal's most influential bands for many years. Known as key figures in bands such as Dimmu Borgir and Gorgoroth, Shagrath and King have come together to bring forward a new chapter in Norwegian black metal history. Ov HELLwill carry on in the same tradition for which King and Shagrath are known, but the collaboration between the two will mark a new era for them both.

Frost, Ice Dale and Teloch have been recruited for the first full-length release.
The album will contain all of the power and blast beats worthy of their evil pedigrees.
Expect an assault on all false gods and hypocrisy that is of this world today.

"The first Ov HELL release will contain music I've worked on in my Gorgoroth
and God Seed years. It's been a little hell to actually see this music form into a
band, so the name of the band is quite suitable. Through the first song I got
from Shagrath I knew that he would be the perfect man to join forces with.
He has strong individual qualities and a strong will to power. I am very positive
that when we finish up this album it will be an album that won't sound like anything
we have done before, and with a quality that won't stand back from anything
presented in black metal earlier!" – King

“ With both of our demanding music careers and other projects, timing was not on our side. After last years inferno festival, King and I yet again joined forces to brainstorm our need to collaborate our passion for dark art. Over the course of the past year, King sent me demo ideas that were so inspiring it made me put my skeptic feelings aside. I wasn't sure if I wanted to have another Black Metal project but my unquenchable thirst to explore my darkest beast, launched the birth Ov HELL. The majestic Ov HELL has become a band that reflects our roots, raw, ugly, arrogantly blasphemous with uncompromising truth from two influential Norwegian musicians needing to express our primitive side, straight out Ov HELL.”

-Shagrath

Studio Line-up:
Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir, Chrome Division) - vocals
King (God Seed, Gorgoroth, Jotunspor, I, Sahg, Audrey Horne) - bass
Ice Dale (Enslaved, I, Audrey Horne, Trinacria, Demonaz) - guitar
Frost (Satyricon, 1349) - drums
Teloch (Nidingr, God Seed, 1349, Umoral) – guitar.

Ov HELLonline:
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ovhell
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OvHell
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ovhell666
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ov-HELL/139170130877

News: AVANTASIA's Next Chapter Will Be Spread Over Two Albums

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has decided that the forthcoming chapter from his AVANTASIA project will be spread over two albums. He explained: "I have always given my very best, but this new chapter in AVANTASIA's history is too much and too ambitious to be just a regular album. I have worked on it for years now, and it has become even more than two albums!

"I don't know if I will release one first, or both simultaneously, or maybe even both in one special package. It's all up to whatever label is going to release it; we'll see.

"The production is so massive and I have so many guests this time.

"It's the continuation of the 'Scarecrow' story.

"I knew that story would be spread out over two albums back then when we started working on it in 2006, 'cause we had written a real rock opera of over 20 songs even back then. But since then, we kept composing, and out came even bigger and better material.

"Sometimes you don't have a single good idea for months, whereas at another point it just keeps flowing.

"'The Scarecrow' was a huge success. With that success backing me up, it's inspiring to be able to do things big time!

"Looking at the music industry today with all the CD burning and downloading, I guess in the near future many of us traditional rock and metal bands won't be able to spend such a production budget. I am afraid I won't be able to afford so many guests and such a big production with orchestration and a choir and all that. That's why this production takes so much time; it may be the last big epic I will be able to afford, and I want it to be the biggest piece I have worked on so far."

So far Tobias has confirmed the following musicians to be part of the forthcoming AVANTASIA opus:

* Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS)
* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH)
* Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER)
* Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN)
* Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENIUM)
* Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
* Sascha Paeth
* Felix Bohnke (EDGUY)
* Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY, SIEGES EVEN)

More guests will be confirmed soon.

Kiske has appeared on every AVANTASIA album so far, including the first two full-length releases, "The Metal Opera" (2001) and "The Metal Opera Pt. II" (2002).

Regarding the new AVANTASIA album's musical direction, Sammet recently stated, "We've got quite many songs, and it ranges from epic ballads to metal opera. From pop to hard rock to folk to speed metal. My best friend, who co-wrote the story of 'The Metal Opera' back then, just listened to some of the tracks and he said that it will blow people away and enchant AVANTASIA fans and it will surely piss people off . . . It's just enchanting music. And these days honest and good music is kind of offending to some, that's pretty sick, isn't it? But as long as I get goose bumps hearing majestic music, I do not really care if I am fashionable or not."

New Album: SAVAGE CIRCUS - Of doom and death

"Of Doom And Death" is scheduled for release on October 23 via Dockyard 1 Records. According to a press release, the follow-up to 2005's "Dreamland Manor" "shows all trademarks of [its predecessor]. Progressive and powerful songwriting combined with elaborate arrangements, tons of melodies and harmonies, raging guitars rounded up with the trademark vocals towering on the music. From speed monsters such as the title track, 'Of Doom And Death', to the majestic 'Ballad Of Susan', SAVAGE CIRCUS created an album with all the varieties one would expect and beyond.

"Of Doom And Death" track listing:

01. Of Doom And Death
02. The Ordeal
03. Devil's Spawn
04. Chasing The Rainbow
05. Empire
06. Ballad Of Susan
07. Legend Of Leto II
08. From The Ashes
09. Dreamland

SAVAGE CIRCUS' current lineup:

Jens Carlsson (lead vocals)
Emil Norberg (guitar)
Piet Sielck (guitar, backing vocals)
Yenz Leonhardt (bass guitar, backing vocals)
Mike Terrana (drums, percussion)

SAVAGE CIRCUS Website

Tour Dates: DEEP PURPLE

These dates are confirmed by the Deep Purple management. If you hear or see any other dates that are not listed here then they are not yet confirmed or are only rumored dates.

Deep Purple and the management can not be held responsible for falsely posted dates at other sites.

Also, please be aware that cancelations, although rare as they are, may happen due to circumstances beyond the control of Deep Purple, their management and promoters.

The dates you see here are the dates the web team know of. We post dates as soon as we receive them from the management. There is no point in e-mailing and asking if the band will play in your town/country anytime soon as what you see here is what we know.

If you are a promoter looking to book the band, please send an e-mail with a brief presentation of your company, dates etc to info(AT)deep-purple(DOT)com
10.11.2009
UK Apollo Manchester
11.11.2009
UK Clyde Auditorium Glasgow
13.11.2009
UK NEC Birmingham
14.11.2009
UK HMV Hammersmith Apollo London
15.11.2009
UK HMV Hammersmith Apollo London
17.11.2009
Neatherlands Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam
18.11.2009
Belgium Lotto Arena Antwerp
21.11.2009
Denmark SCC Aarhus
22.11.2009
Norway Spektrum Oslo
24.11.2009
Finland Icehall Helsinki
25.11.2009
Finland Teatria Oulo
27.11.2009
Sweden Kinnarps Arena Jönköping
28.11.2009
Sweden Ejedals Arena Leksand
01.12.2009
France Zenith Amiens
02.12.2009
France Zenith Nantes
03.12.2009
France Zenith Toulouse
05.12.2009
France Le Dome Marseille
07.12.2009
France Le Phare Chambery
08.12.2009
France L'Axone Montbeliard
10.12.2009
Italy Palonda Bolzano
11.12.2009
Italy Palasport Jesolo Jesolo (Venice)
12.12.2009
Italy Palalottomattica Rome
14.12.2009
Italy Palavangelista Perugia
15.12.2009
Italy Forum Milan
16.12.2009
Italy Paladozza Bologna
13.11.2010
Germany Arena Trier
14.11.2010
Germany Rothaus Arena Freiburg
16.11.2010
Germany SAP Arena Mannheim
18.11.2010
Germany Eissporthalle Memmingen
19.11.2010
Germany Olympiahalle Munich

News: CRAZY LIXX on Frontiers Records!

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of Swedish Glam Hard Rock stars CRAZY LIXX.

Crazy Lixx entered the studio to record the follow-up album to the 2007 debut album “Loud Minority”last Saturday the 17th of October. As with the previous album, the yet untitled follow-up will be recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm along with producer Chris Laney (Europe, Crashdiet, Candlemass). The album, is currently set for release during spring 2010.

"We are extremely happy to have sealed this co-operation with Frontiers and we've got a really great album on the way so naturally we hope this will be a great leap forward in our career", says lead singer Danny Rexon.

The band has spent all of 2008 writing material for the new album and now picked out a dozen Hard Rock gems (out of over the double amount of songs written) to be recorded. "We set out with one goal, and that was to beat the living s**t out of Loud Minority with these new songs, and If you ask me, we've beaten it black and blue. I can't wait to get these new songs recorded!” states Danny.

The new album will feature titles such as: Witching Hour, Children of the Cross, Rock and a Hard Place and 21 'til I Die (just to name a few).

Frontiers Records

New Album: DELANY - Blaze and ashes

DELANY is a brand new fascinating project with internationally well known musicians such as Lana Lane , David Readman and Davy Vain. The album “Blaze & Ashes” is based on Wolfgang Hohlbein’s continuation of his successful fantasy novels “Chronicle of the Immortal”. The adventures take place in London and are wrapped up in an exciting and emotional rock album. The main book actors Andrey, Abu Dun, Inspector Marcus, Frederic, Loki and Meruhe are spectacularly played to the gallery by the singers! Dennis Ward was once again responsible for a brilliant mix and mastering!

New Album: MOB RULES - Radical peace

MOB RULES

Wanted: AXEHAMMER is searching for a bass player

Bass Players


AxeHammer is looking for a dedicated bass player,no flakes no drama or hobbyists serious musicians only.

Axehammer myspace

http://axehammer@roadrunner.com/

New Album: BRAINSTORM - Memorial roots

Right on METALHEADS!!!! It’s time… as some of you may have seen… we have finally released the cover of our upcoming album “MEMORIAL ROOTS” (out Oct.16th, 2009)! We think… these are by far the best songs we’ve ever written and recorded! It’s just awesome to see how much energy and passion every single member has and be sure, that this album will ROCK your stereo! So here’s the first quick shot and the final tracklist for the regular version of “Memorial Roots”!

So stay tuned for MORE News around the album and the band…as well as for our upcoming tour! The “Memorial Roots World Tour 2009 / 2010″ will kick of in Atlanta / USA and brings us near your hometown… for sure! Check out the dates and join us on our co-headliner tour together with our friends in PRIMAL FEAR! See ya… and SPEAK SCHWÄBISCH OR DIE!!!!

“Memorial Roots”
01 – Forsake What I Believed
02 – Shiver
03 – The Conjunction Of 7 Planets
04 – Cross The Line
05 – Nailed Down Dreams
06 – Blood Still Stains
07 – Ahimsa
08 – The Final Stages Of Decay
09 – Victim
10 – When No One Cares
11 – Would You

Andy
-BRAINSTORM-

All4One Festival - October, 31th

Obwohl es hier im Herzen der schwäbischen Alb im alternativen Musik- und Kunstbereich eine sehr aktive Szene gibt, sind die Möglichkeiten, live auf einer großen Bühne zu stehen, für die Künstler sehr beschränkt.
Die Alb ist nun mal nicht der Ruhrpott – trotzdem entwachsen der Szene viele Bands, die ihr durchaus oft professionelles Können gerne live vor größerem Publikum unter Beweis stellen wollen.

Das All 4 One Festival ist eine Initiative von lokalen Musikern in Zusammenarbeit mit der Jugendinitiative Immerwaslos e.V., die diese Möglichkeit schaffen möchte. Schützenhilfe gibt uns dabei, neben vielen Helfern, Bands und Sponsoren, unser Headliner „Human Zoo“, der sich als „Zugpferd“ vor den Karren des All 4 One Festivals hat spannen lassen.
Das Billing mit acht Bands ist für einen Tag und eine Bühne bereits rappelvoll - nichtsdestotrotz hätten wir gerne noch viele weitere hörenswerte Regio-Bands präsentiert.
Die überraschend tolle Zusammenarbeit der Organisatoren und die breite Entwicklung, die das Festival und das dahinterstehende Konzept bereits jetzt mit sich trägt, lässt uns zum Schluss kommen, dass das Festival keine einmalige Sache bleiben wird.
Neben der Musik, die Ihr für die acht Euronen Eintritt (Vorverkauf über Nuclear Blast und den Zollern-Alb-Kurier) live und nicht von Konserve bekommt, wird es noch einiges „ganz nebenher“ geben:

* acht bis in die Haarspitzen (falls vorhanden) motivierte Bands
* Metal Karaoke
* eine Verlosung (jeder Besucher bekommt bereits beim Eintritt ein Los geschenkt - wer sein Glück bei den Klassepreisen erzwingen will, kann aber gerne weitere nachkaufen…)
* eine Rollstuhl-Rallye
* und vieles vieles mehr …

Also Metalheads: Am besten gleich die Karte bestellt, der Platz ist begrenzt!!!

Wir freuen uns auf euch!
All4One

Arctic Flame - biography - Spirit of Metal

Arctic Flame - biography - Spirit of Metal

Shared via AddThis

News: LION'S SHARE members write intro song for ice hockey team

LION’S SHARE members Lars Chriss and Sampo Axelsson have, in cooperation with Sidelake Media and Christian Rehn (ANGTORIA), written the official intro song for Swedish elite ice hockey team TIMRÅ IK (Red Eagles).

"The main riff was based on the song Shadows from LION’S SHARE’s Two (1997) album, with an AC/DC and RAMMSTEIN twist since this style works so well in hockey arenas."

RELATED LINKS:
www.lionsshare.org

www.timraik.se

www.sidelakemedia.com

DORO WILL CELEBRATE HER 2.500TH LIVE SHOW!!!

On March 13, 2010 DORO will celebrate another very special anniversary. She will play her 2.500th live show at this date!

A special show deserves a special location – therefore the Metal Queen will return to her hometown Duesseldorf to rock the Burgwächter Castello, a new concert arena in Duesseldorf.„This will be my first live show in this venue. It is a wonderful new arena with the best equipment you can get. The best part for the Fans surely is the fact that you can see the stage from all places and that the Fans are very close to the stage.“All Fans who would like to see the show have to be quick in ordering tickets, because only 2,500 tickets will be sold.

You can order tickets via www.d-ticket.de

Tickets cost between 38 and 42 Euro and doors open at 7 p.m.

NEW NOSTRADAMEUS WILL BE RELEASED ON NOVEMBER, 13, 2009!!!

The new NOSTRADAMEUS album „Illusion´s Parade“ will be released on November,13th, 2009.With their 5 studio albums, the band acuired a true fan base with their ownkind of Power Metal which contains American as well as European influences.

The album was once again produced by Anders „Theo“ Theander in the famousRoasting House Studios in Sweden. The result is a fresh mixture of speed,heavyness and thrilling intensity.

Wanted: HYPERION searching for drummer

Due to scheduling conflicts and lack of communication, among other things, Deejay is no longer in HYPERION. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Drummer tryouts shall resume. Anyone interested in the spot feel free to message us or email chuck@hyperionband.com with your background, equipment list, and anything else of importance and we'll set up a date.

With that said, we will no longer be playing the GOJIRA show set this Friday at Club Diesel. We have tried everything in our power to make this show, from grabbing session drummers and trying to finish the drum tracks for the album to play over those. We even were having original HYPERION drummer Will come back to play, but with the lack of appropriate time and this overall being a shitty week for everyone it's best if we canceled.

Either way, it will be great show make sure to go out and support our battle metal friends Dethlethem and of course GOJIRA! We also have some tickets left, so if you are in need of one feel free to contact us and we'll get them right out to you!

Album progress is coming along very well. We are now mixing and waiting for a few samples to hear. We can't wait to get the final product out! More information still to come, so keep posted!

Chuck/Hyperion

New Album: PARADOX - Riot Squad

Release Dates:

Europe: October 16th, 2009
Japan: October 21th, 2009
USA: January 2010

W.A.S.P. - Babylon

01. Crazy
02. Live To Die Another Day
03. Babylon's Burning
04. Burn
05. Into The Fire
06. Thunder Red
07. Seas Of Fire
08. Godless Run
09. Promised Land

MUNICIPAL WASTE - 2010 European Tour Dates

Municipal Waste are set to return to Europe in early 2010 as part of their "Waste the World" headlining tour.

Following their round of European festival appearances this Summer, Municipal Waste will be seeing out the year with a North American trek, then having a few weeks rest before kicking off the European leg of their tour in mid-January. Support on the North American leg of the tour will come from Cauldron, with Victims and Reproach supporting the band in Europe.

The European tour dates are as follows:

19.01.10 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet Club
20.01.10 - Stuttgart, Germany - Juha West
21.01.10 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
22.01.10 - Bologna, Italy - Sottotetto Club
23.01.10 - Treviso, Italy - New Age Club
25.01.10 - Hamburg, Germany - Hafenklang
27.01.10 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser
28.01.10 - Oslo, Norway - Betong
29.01.10 - Bergen, Norway - Garage
30.01.10 - Birmingham, UK - Academy
01.02.10 - Glasgow, UK - King Tuts
02.02.10 - Leeds, UK - The Cockpit
04.02.10 - London, UK - The Scala
05.02.10 - Bolwerk, Netherlands - Sneek
06.02.10 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg

News: GRAVE DIGGER - Guitarist leaves band

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update regarding the disbandment of guitarist Manni Schmidt from their ranks:

"We have to make an announcement that most of you probably never expected. A band like Grave Digger has to develop constantly. The problem is that this is only possible if the musicians have the same goal and the same attitude. And they have to feel good with what they are doing. If you have some permanent stress in the band, there is no more productive work possible and in the long run the music suffers from this situation. Unfortunately, there were so many disagreements recently building up between Manni and Chris that this would affect the productivity and creativity in a bad way. Because of all this, Manni decided to leave Grave Digger. This happened by mutual consent. We wish Manni all the best for the future and say thank you for many nice and eventful years.

But we also have some good news: There is no effect on the concerts that are already booked. The last word about the replacement guitar player is not spoken yet. We first want to wait for the results of the rehearsals. After this, we will introduce you to the replacement guitarist. We already spoke to a possible candidate and we will start the rehearsals in the next days."

VICIOUS RUMORS Tourdates 2009

"Warball is on!" California Bay area Masters of Metal "Vicious Rumors" are invading Europe this November to celebrate 30 years of Vintage American Metal!

After VR's amazing sold out performance headlining the Headbangers Open Air Festival in 2008, VR is ready to rip it up again in Germany!

VR is headlining 8 shows in 5 country's before returning home to record their new studio album in follow up to their previous release "Warball". VR shows in Holland will feature special guest "Martyr."

Vicious Rumors will finish their 8 date tour headlining the "Pounding Metal Fest" on Nov 21 at the "Live Factory" in Adelsheim Germany with 5 international bands .

More dates TBA.

Vicious Rumors European Tour 2009

11/13 - Rock temple / Kerkrade, NL...
11/14 - The Rambler / Eindhoven, NL...
11/15 - Baroeg / Rotterdam, NL...
11/16 - De Rots / Antwerpen, B...
11/17 - Bastard / Osnabruck, Ger...
11/18 - Viper Room / Wien AT...
11/19 - Exit Chemelnize / Praha, CZ...
11/21 - Pounding Metal Fest / Adelsheim, Ger...

Hit the Official VR Website for more info:
http://www.viciousrumors.com/

News: New Project of Michael Kiske

Producer Mat Sinner checks in from the recordings of the highly aclaimed new melodic metal project by former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and American singer Amanda Somerville (Avantasia)!
„We’ve finished the songwriting for 12 original new songs – no covers .... and a week ago, we’ve started the final recordings! Everything looks cool and the song material is amazing!“
Most of the songs are written by Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson (co-producer & guitarist), more songwriting contributions come from former „After Forever“ guitarist Sander Gommans, Amanda Somerville (Arise, A Thousand Suns, Set Afire) and two outstanding symphonic songs written by Mat Sinner with keyboard maestro Jimmy Kresic (End Of The Road, Devil In Her Heart). Some more song titles can be revealed for the moment: Silence, Don't Walk Away, Rain, Nothing Left To Say, If I Had A Wish, One Night Burning and Second Chance
We’re recording in two studios at the moment. Magnus is recording guitars at his own Stuntguitar Studios in Sweden and I’m working at the „Audiospezialist“ Studio in Germany with drummer Martin Schmidt (ex-Atrocity, RMC Band) and keyboarder Jimmy Kresic (Voodoo Circle). After the „Primal Fear“ European Tour, we will start with the vocal & chior recordings and I’m really looking forward to be a part of this progress. This album is a big challenge and it sounds already like something really special for me, in a time we face a hundered metal releases every month. Sander Gommans will join the team and will add some lead guitars and we’re talking to two more prominent musicians for a guest appearance.
Achim Koehler (Primal Fear, Edguy) is chosen to mix & master the album at Indiscreet Studios for a spring release on Frontiers Records.

Look out for a melodic metal masterpiece in early 2010!

Proud to announce the release of DELANY „Blaze And Ashes” in November 13, 2009.

DELANY is a brand new fascinating project with internationally well known musicians such as Lana Lane, David Readman and Davy Vain. The concept album “Blaze & Ashes” is based on Wolfgang Hohlbein’s continuation of his successful fantasy novels “Chronicle of the Immortal”. The adventures take place in London and are wrapped up in an exciting and emotional rock album. The main book actors Andrey, Abu Dun, Inspector Marcus, Frederic, Loki and Meruhe are spectacularly played to the gallery by the singers! Dennis Ward was once again responsible for a brilliant mix and mastering!

Wolfgang Hohlbein, born 1953 in Weimar, belongs to the most successful and important authors in Germany with more than 35 million sold books. He achieved his break through in 1982 with his book for young people called “Märchenmond” for which he received the Phantastik price of the city of Wetzlar. From this point on, he wrote more than 150 novels, children’s and youth’s books as well as screen plays.

The concept of “Blaze & Ashes” was launched by Volker Leson. Based on Hohlbein’s new novel, he created a unique and special musical master plan. Volker Leson has been actively involved in the music business with his heavy metal band WIZARD for 20 years. Over the last year he could gain a high reputation in the international metalcircus with his recent album releases. Besides of Davy Vain, Volker Leson is one of the main songwriters / lyricists. Davy Vain reached international success with his band VAIN in the 1980’s and ever since then he is also a well sought after and booked songwriter / producer for artists such as JOURNEY, VAN HALEN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, LINDA PERRY (4 NON BLONDES), DEATH ANGEL, etc. Davy knows, like no one other, how to create great song structures with catchy melodies so that each song becomes his very own special vibe and emotion! Beside Volker and Davy, a young and talented guy of the “new generation of rock” is the third songwriter: Torsti Spoof of Finnish hardrock high-flyer LEVERAGE.

As to Lana Lane, the main female actor, it is not even necessary to announce her in a fancy manner. Lana is an international star, when we are talking about progressive & symphonic metal and classic rock. She always works with high profile musicians on her albums such as BLUE MURDER and THE FIRM bass player Tony Franklin, keyboarder Eric Norlander, Mark Boals, Gary Hughes, just to mention a few. Especially in Asia, Lana reached single figure chart placements. Along with Lana Lane in the first row is also David Readman of PINK CREAM 69, ADAGIO and VOODOO CIRCLE. David is a fascinating charismatic singer who convinces not only in the studio but electrifies his live audience with his voice and charisma. That’s why David can often be seen live on stage rocking with his band (Alex Beyrodt und SIMPLE MINDS drummer Mel Gaynor).

The ex-„Wunderkind“ Jamie Scott (Vain), who already joined the legendary metal band VICIOUS RUMORS at the age of 16 played guitar on the album together with Dano Boland from WIZARD. Tommy Rickard is responsible for all drums on the album and no one else as keyboard mastermind Erik Norlander is doing keyboards on “Love Tears”.

Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69) is known for brilliant and powerful productions and once again he refined BLAZE AND ASHES with his mix and mastering.

„Blaze & Ashes“ is a timeless rock album, thematically and stylistically connected to Wolfgang Hohlbein’s new novel „Chronic of Immortals” … the rumours about the mysterious case of death let both immortals Delany and Abu Dun move to London to search for the Phantom! On an exciting and fascinating hunt both get into traps set by a gang of street kids and find themselves in the police’ dungeon before a huge fire sparks over London …

STEEL ASSASSIN’S New Release: In Hellfire Forged

Steel Assassin announces the upcoming release of their newest recording endeavour

“In Hellfire Forged” The band announces this fall release as follows: “We have the good fortune to once again work with producer Rich Spillberg (Wargasm) in an effort to re-create some of our classic tunes originally written and recorded in the first incarnation of the band back in the 1980’s. We felt that the songs were worthy of re-visiting with the influence of lead vocalist John Falzone, whose fierce metallic vocal style would augment and “re-invent” the songs in a way that would sharpen their metal edges with brazen force. Also worth noting is the fact that it has been 25 years since we recorded the demos that ended up being “From the Vaults”, so this is a 25th anniversary of the original recordings. Rich Spillberg also a strong creative voice and associate of the band, brings a passion and understanding of heavy metal, and more importantly SA’s material that is unsurpassed.” Added features of the recording is a new version of “Burn Witch Burn”, which is a song Phil wrote in ‘84 that we had played out maybe once or twice, but never got to record. Phil eventually recorded the song for his MADD HUNTER S/T CD he released in ‘97. Also featured on this record is a preview of the next Steel Assassin release “Metal of Honor”, a WWII concept record with the song “Breakout at St. Lo”. This 2010 release will be a fitting tribute to key episodes of the greatest war ever fought, with all new original material from Steel Assassin. Recorded at Reservoir Studios in Foxboro, MA, the band has been simultaneously writing and rehearsing for the next chapter of the SA story. The band adds: “Both our existing fan base familiar with the older material, and newer fans baptized by War of the Eight Saints will find In Hellfire Forged most metallically gratifying.” “In Hellfire Forged” will be released by the band itself on 10/15/09. Contact the band at their My Space for purchase info.

KEVIN CURRAN RHYTHM & LEAD GUITARS

JOHN FALZONE LEAD VOCALS

PHIL GRASSO BASS/BACKING VOCALS

GREG MICHALOWSKI DRUMS/BACKING VOCALS

MIKE MOONEY RHYTHM & LEAD GUITARS/BACKING VOCALS

WWW.STEELASSASSIN.COM WWW.MYSPACE.COM/STEELASSSASSIN

Lucy Seven Rock Blog!

Alright!
We are now LIVE on The Kerbinator Rock Blog!
That feels great!
I will try to keep you up to date with all the magnificient things that
happens in the world of Lucy Seven.



We can start with Swedens biggest radio contest Bandit Unsigned.
Now this Friday we will play region final up in Sundsvall and it will be a blast!
Our drummer Jonta went to Tunisia this tuesday so we have Peter Morén
(Inmoria & Tad Morose) to fill in for him.
On rehearsal today things started to fall into pieces and there is nothing to worry about.


The contest is a some kind of 2 side story.
One part is that the listeners (That means YOU! ) can cast a vote.
The other part is a jury on location.

You can increase our chances to play the final by givin us 5 "Horns up"
on our latest single ✩ LIBERATION ✩
You can do that here:
http://www.bandit.se/unsigned


Here is the brand new video for the single also!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmOZnO0XdhA


Dont forget to add us as friends on:
http://www.myspace.com/lucysevenmusic
There you can find all the other songs, videos etc.


We also have a Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/lucyseven

OK, i think this will get us started.
`til next time!!
Cheers from Sweden!!

//Richie

News: ARMORED SAINT begins recording new full-length studio album!

Legendary metalers Armored Saint enters Tranzformer Studios in Burbank, CA to record first studio album since 2000’s ‘Revelation’.

Los Angeles, CA, October 1, 2009 – Los Angeles’ sons of metal, ARMORED SAINT, are set to enter Tranzformer Studios in Burbank, CA to begin recording the band’s 6th full-length studio album. Tranzformer Studios is owned by Dave Jerdan (Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, etc) who produced ARMORED SAINT’s 1991 classic Symbol of Salvation and Bryan Carlstrom who handled engineering on the same album. The SAINT will be working with Bryan Carlstrom who will once again handle engineering duties with the bands very own Joey Vera producing, and both Joey and Bryan mixing the record. A partial song list for the upcoming album, which is expected to hit streets in the spring 2010 is: Black Feet, Chilled, Loose Cannon, Blues, La Raza, Head On, Get off the Fence, Left Hook From Right Field.

Here’s what ARMORED SAINT vocalist John Bush had to say about how the new album came together:

“About a year and a half or so ago Joey asked me if I'd be interested in writing some songs. I was in the right mind finally, so I said send me something. To be quite honest, I wasn't thinking in terms of ARMORED SAINT but more like just writing rock music. I felt pretty free with that mentality and the ideas felt very organic. With every passing song things improved and next thing we knew we had about eight songs demoed. Although the idea of sparking something completely new was appealing it became clear that if it was Joey and I the reality was, let's not kid ourselves; this is ARMORED SAINT.

So here it comes. Embracing my inner R&B singer and coupling that with our influence of the great seventy's hard rock band's we grew up on.”

ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera comments:

“John and I began writing over 14 months ago and in the beginning we had only a general musical direction in which we were going. Once we decided to keep writing and with more of an intention of turning it into an ARMORED SAINT project, we were faced with a few questions. One was, how does this new music we're writing fit into the current musical styles of today? And should we care? We quickly answered the latter. We realized we should do what we always did and that is to write good songs. And for ourselves first. We are not unaware of our parameters in which we have created over the past 25 years, but we are also not afraid to take chances and simply do what we do best. The idea of trying to continue where we left off over 10 years ago since our last release is not very appealing to me. I have to let go of what I did in 1991 and in 2000. Nothing at all against what we've recorded in the past but my head is in a different place now. Trust me; I still want to kill your senses with music, but just in a different way.”

To get a taste of what the new ARMORED SAINT album will sound like, head over to the band’s MySpace page HERE where ARMORED SAINT is streaming the demo version of Loose Cannon (performed with a drum program). Loose Cannon gives fans a glimpse into ARMORED SAINT’s writing process and is also a nice taste of what’s to come on the band’s forthcoming full-length studio release.

Expect the new album from ARMORED SAINT to be released in the spring of 2010. Plenty of studio blogs, photos, and video will be posted to the band’s MySpace page and fans can also keep up with the band in the studio through Twitter HERE.

News: SEVENTH CALLING - next full length album "Epidemic"

The recording sessions for SEVENTH CALLING's next full-length album, "Epidemic", will begin before the end of the year.

SEVENTH CALLING is:

Steve Handel - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Alex Ritchey - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Shannon Frye - Drums/Percussion
Michael Poplees - Bass

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/seventhcalling.

IGNITOR - The Spider Queen

Heavy Artillery Records present the new studio album from Austin, TX heavy metal stalwarts IGNITOR featuring legendary frontman Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys). This epic album will hit store shelves across North American on October 13th, 2009.
Forged in Austin, Texas during 2003 featuring Stuart Laurence on lead guitar (Agony Column), Brendon Bigelow on bass (Death of Millions), Beverly Barrington on guitar (T.A.N.G.), Erika Swinnich on vocals (Autumn Tears) and Pat Doyle on drums (The Offenders,) Ignitor began turning heads in several countries after releasing their debut 6-song EP “Take to the Sky” to rave reviews in 2004, with Germany’s Rock Hard magazine naming it Demo of the Month. The band made its European debut at the Keep it True Festival in Germany in November 2005, where they stunned the crowd and were named Best Newcomer by Mario’s Metal Mania magazine. In 2006 guitarist Beverly was replaced by shredder Annah Moore, and the band released the album “Road of Bones” (Cruz del Sur) in September 2007 to more rave reviews.

In late 2007, shortly after the release of the band’s critically acclaimed debut full-length album, Ignitor suffered a series of setbacks when both frontwoman Erika and guitarist Annah were forced to leave the band for personal reasons. It was then clear that the band needed to reclaim the spark that initally ignited it. Founding member Beverly was asked to rejoin the band and in October 2008, some 13 months after Erika’s departure, the band scored a tour de force by recruiting legendary metal frontman Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys) as lead vocalist. After a few months getting the new line-up acquainted musically, the band began recording its 2nd full-length album, “The Spider Queen”. Bolstered by the strength of the new line-up and at an all time creative peak, Ignitor had risen from the ashes to find themselves an even more formidable force than ever before. True heavy metal is their game and “The Spider Queen”, a concept album of pure epic metal, will not disappoint fans of such luminous work as Iron Maiden’s 'powerslave' or Queensryche's 'operation mindcrime'.

News: MOB RULES - The new EP's tracklist

German Melodic Power metallers Mob Rules will release their new EP „Astral Hand“ on October 9th. Now the tracklist and cover artwork have been revealed.
01. Astral Hand
02. Astral Hand (Radio Edit) *
03. Astral Hand (Instrumental) *
04. Man On The Run *
05. Hold On 2009 (Unplugged Version) *

News: GWYDION recording new album!

The Portugese Viking/Folk band GWYDION is now recording their upcoming album! The recordings take place in the Urban Insect Studios in Portugal with their friend Fernando Matias ( F.E.VE.R.) and are scheduled to be finished by the end of October.

The mixing and mastering will be done in between November/December by Børge Finstad from Toproom Studios in Norway. Børge Finstad has worked together with bands as Arcturus, Mayhem, Borknagar, Enslaved, Ulver, Tristania, Ava Inferi, Theatre of Thragedy, Vintersorg, Shining, Àsmegin among others!!

The new expected sucessor from Ynys Mön will be out in March 2010, again through SMP/Trollzorn Records. The band will update the fans with news and some videos from the recordings on their MySpace.

For all info, please visit : www.myspace.com/gwydionmetal