Sweden's KATATONIA have set "The Great Cold Distance" as the title of their seventh full-length album, due on March 13, 2006 via Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Viva Emptiness" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in the outskirts of Örebro, Sweden and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm.
"The Great Cold Distance" track listing:
01. Leaders 02. Deliberation 03. Soil's Song 04. My Twin 05. Consternation 06. Follower 07. Rusted 08. Increase 09. July 10. In The White 11. The Itch 12. Journey Through Pressure
A single, "My Twin", will precede the album on February 13. The single, which will be available for paid download on February 6, will feature the following track listing:
01. My Twin (Single Edit) 02. My Twin (Opium Dub) 03. Displaced 04. Dissolving Bonds
Download an audio sample of "My Twin" and view the album/single artwork (plus new band photo) at ' .
Among prog-metal lovers, the Sarasota-Bradenton band CRIMSON GLORY is semi-legendary, a rival to QUEENSRŸCHE and TOOL — especially in Europe, where its out-of-print albums are highly sought collectors' items.
It's been six years since the band released its last album, and 16 years since it performed with its classic lineup.
That will change in 2006, when CRIMSON GLORY celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first album with reissues of its back catalog, new releases of rare audio and video, and live performances, says founder/guitarist Jon Drenning.
"There's a tremendous amount of loyal fans around the world who love this band, and they're making it possible for this to happen, because they keep demanding moюre material from CRIMSON GLORY," Drenning said.
Drenning has reassembled original members Midnight (lead vocals), Ben Jackson (guitar) and Jeff Lords (bass). The drummer has yet to be announced.
The reunion will include:
Remastered reissues of the band's self-titled first CD, originally released in 1986, "Transcendence" (1988) and "Astronomica" (1999), all on Black Lotus Records. All will contain previously unreleased tracks; "Astronomica" may include Midnight's vocals for the first time and a new video shot at the pyramids in Egypt.
A DVD featuring never-before-released live footage, including a 1989 concert at the Manatee Civic Center.
An anthology box set, "Valley of Shadows, Kingdoms of Light".
Live performances at various European festivals.
The band also plans on recording an all-new album for 2007, backed by a tour.
All this begs one question: Will CRIMSON GLORY once again don the face masks synonymous with its name?
"Being that it's part of our history, I think we will to some degree," Drenning said. "Maybe for (concert) encores, we'll put the masks back on."
According to the official DIO fan club newsletter, DIO will be working on a new album in January/February and going back on the road sometime in March for an extended South American tour. The band will resume work on the new CD in April/May, with plans to complete the album by the end of the year. The band's management has also confirmed that DIO will be making several European festival appearances during June, July and August. No U.S. tour plans for 2006 have yet been announced.
The current DIO touring lineup includes guitarist Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), who has been filling in for an injured Craig Goldy since early October. Craig was previously said to have hurt his arm while touring Russia and was trying to continue to play the shows on painkillers, but was eventually forced to leave the trek.
Aldrich's sole studio recording with DIO came in the shape of 2002's "Killing the Dragon", after which he toured with the group before leaving to join the touring lineup of WHITESNAKE.
CADAVERIA, the Italian band featuring former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and ex-OPERA IX drummer/NECRODEATH vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias), have finished writing ten new songs their third album, tentatively due next year via Scarlet Records. The recordings for the new CD will begin in early 2006.
CADAVERIA's sophomore album, "Far Away From Conformity", was released in early 2004. The follow-up to 2002's "The Shadows' Madame" was recorded and mixed at Capitan Woofer Studio in Italy and was mastered at the Mastering Room in Sweden.
The cover artwork for the upcoming IN FLAMES album, "Come Clarity", has been posted online at ' .
As previously reported, "Come Clarity" will include a free bonus DVD featuring the band performing the album in full in a rehearsal room, akin to what METALLICA did with initial versions of their "St. Anger" album. In addition, one of the album's songs — "Dead End" — features the vocals of Swedish singer/songwriter Lisa Miskovsky.
"Come Clarity", is scheduled for a February 7, 2006 North American release through Ferret Records. The CD will be issued in Europe on February 6, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The follow-up to 2004's "Soundtrack to Your Escape", "Come Clarity" was mixed at Tonteknik studio in Umeå, Sweden and is "the best one we've ever done," according to IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad. A video for the album's opening track, "Take This Life", was shot late last month with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL).
"Come Clarity" track listing:
01. Take This Life 02. Leeches 03. Reflect The Storm 04. Dead End 05. Scream 06. Come Clarity 07. Vacuum 08. Pacing Death's Trail 09. Crawling Through Knives 10. Versus Terminus 11. Our Infinite Struggle 12. Vanishing Light 13. Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone
Eight dates have been announced for IN FLAMES' upcoming North American headlining tour in support of their highly anticipated new album, "Come Clarity". Support at the shows will come from Orlando's TRIVIUM, California's DEVILDRIVER and Greensburg, Pennsylvania's ZAO. The dates are as follows:
Jan. 25 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre Jan. 26 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues Jan. 27 - San Diego, CA - Soma Jan. 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon Jan. 30 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre Feb. 01 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Feb. 03 - Salt Lake City, UT - Salt Air Pavilion Feb. 04 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
More dates will be announced soon
The extended trek will represent IN FLAMES' first North American dates since their main-stage appearances as part of Ozzfest 2005 and will kick off the band's most extensive touring on the continent in their decade-plus history. IN FLAMES are currently in the midst of a three-week U.K. tour alongside MOTÖRHEAD.
AFTER THE STORM: charity inheres in the rich. Is this postulate unquestionable? I don’t think so. Some of the best-known progressive rock musicians made their contributions on a benefit album for the Survivors of Hurricane Katrina produced by NEARfest Records. The album will soon be available for sale but in the meantime have a look at its tracklist: Disc One: 13. ECHOLYN: 15 days 14. HAPPY THE MAN: Ibby it is 15. FM: Random Harvest 16. CAMEL: After all these years 17. Mike Keneally: Time table 18. SPOCK’S BEARD: Shining star 19. IQ: Chemical Rain 20. KRAAN: Silver buildings 21. MOSTLY AUTUMN: Ghost in dreamland 22. IZZ: My river flows 23. NEKTAR: Phazed by the storm 24. Sean Molone: Grace
Disc Two: 13. KANSAS: Song for America 14. THE FLOWER KINGS: A king’s prayer 15. WOODENHEAD: Buzz beat 16. DJAM KARET: The shattering sky 17. Neal Morse: Sleeping Jesus 18. THE MUFFINS: Essay R 19. CARAVAN: Love song with flute 20. Änglagård: Gånglåt från Knapptibble 21. LITTLE ATLAS: On and on 22. A.A. Lucassen: Pools of sorrow/not over you 23. CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO: Zundoko bushi 24. PENDRAGON: Sou’ by sou’west
Some news from on the work on Operation Mindcrime II: Geoff is recoding vocals now, with the other singers joining in soon. The band is confirming the singer who plays Dr. X by the end of next week. I think you'll be surprised, he is VERY well known and respected. Rumour has it that Rob Halford, frontman for Judas Priest, has been chosen to play the role. Look's like we will just have to wait and see!
Power/Progressive Metal band Vindex signs on for the release of their full length debut Power Forge. Hailing from Slovakia, Vindex delivers their brand of pure power metal laced with progressive elements driven by twin neo classical guitars. What makes Vindex unique is the voice of vocalist Ludek Struhar who could be a dead ringer for Accept vocalist Udo Dirkschneider. Power Forge contains 11 tracks of brain crushing metal sure to please fans of Grave Digger, Accept, UDO, Edguy, and Stratovarious. Release Date January 2006.
Veteran Swiss hard rockers KROKUS have parted ways with drummer Patrick Aeby. Patrick's departure "was amicable and the whole KROKUS family sincerely wishes him the best of luck for the future," reads posting on the group's web site. A replacement drummer has yet to be announced. KROKUS recently spent time in the studio working on the follow-up to 2003's "Rock the Block", tentatively due in early 2006. The group's current lineup includes frontman Marc Storace, Mandy Meyer (guitar), Dominique Fave (guitar) and Tony Castell (bass).
Belgian black metal pioneers ANCIENT RITES have inked a deal with Season of Mist. The band are currently at Spacelab studio in Germany recording their long-awaited follow-up to 2001's "Dim Carcosa" under the guidance and supervision of veteran producers Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos. The album will most likely be released before the summer of 2006, after which ANCIENT RITES — now a septet since the return of former members Domingo Smets and Raf Jansen last year — will once again play live to spread their new music. Concerts all over Europe and the U.K. are currently being negotiated and arranged, so expect the band to be out there in full blast next year.
Two more acts are confirmed for next year's installment of the Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place June 23-24, 2006 in Balingen, Germany.
Besides legendary Bay Area-band EXODUS, who have just released the highly acclaimed 'Shovel Headed Kill Machine', the event's organisators added Rock veterans FOREIGNER to the festival-lineup as well. The band of guitarist Mick Jones, who was joined recently by vocalist Kelly Hansen and rhythm section Jason Bonham (son of late LED ZEPPELIN-drummer John Bonham) and Jeff Pilson, will perform an exclusive headlining-show. It will be the only appearance of FOREIGNER at an European open air-event that year.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows so far (10 more acts to be confirmed):
EUROPE FOREIGNER Y&T RIK EMMETT (playing an evening of TRIUMPH-music) JON OLIVA'S PAIN EXODUS FLOTSAM AND JETSAM LEATHERWOLF COUNT RAVEN VICTORY L.A. GUNS POWERWOLF
Strings Attached will be realized live on stage with the ICSQ, the critically acclaimed string quartet featured on the album. Attila, MAYHEM legendary frontman will join us for a mini MAYHEM set. The show will take place on December 27th at the Theater club in Jaffa (Israel). Doors open at 21:30.
Southern German Metal outfit RAWHEAD REXX are in the studio and started the preproduction of the follow-up to their last release „Diary in black“. Songwriting efforts turned out to be very futile: Right now, the band has composed about 30 songs to choose from.
According to singer Jürgen Volk, the material will stand in the tradition of the band’s first release published back in 2002, that impressed both press and fans with its rough, energetic and US-Metal orientated sound (and a quite gory cover artwork that was actually banned in their homecountry). As drummer Dany Löble has left the band last year to join HELLOWEEN, Volk and his companion Face will recruit a session musician for the upcoming recordings. The yet untitled album will tentatively be released in summer 2006.
Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY have uploaded a live video clip of "The Wonders at Your Feet" and half of "Zodijackyl Light", shot at the group's concert in Gran Canaria on October 1. "The sound and picture quality isn't the best, so it's for die-hards only, but the atmosphere is present in spades," the band write on their web site. Check it out at this location (Windows Media, 18 MB).
DARK TRANQUILLITY will be embarking on a European headlining tour beginning in late November in support of their latest effort, "Character" (released in January 2005). After supporting KREATOR on their European tour in spring 2005, a trip to the U.S. and numerous festival appearances, the sextet will be headlining this time, with support from thrash/metalcore hybrid CHIMAIRA, HATESPHERE and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE.
World renowned Dutch act THE GATHERING entered the studio today (November 21, 2005) to commence work on their ninth studio album.
For this recording the band has built a professional homemade studio inside an old church in the small town of Maurik, located in the south of Holland. With the help of producer Attie Bauw (producer of the band's 1998 effort, "How to Measure a Planet?") the band plans to work there for a month before heading to Bauw's studio to mix and master the music.
Comments singer Anneke van Giersbergen about the constructed studio and working with Bauw again: "We built our own studio there because we wanted to do something different and create a new atmosphere. As for working with Attie Bauw, he is a very inspirational man with great ideas and we were very anxious to work with him again.
"I like being in the studio especially because we are then together for a vast period of time as a group and we create something entirely new. It's always amazing to participate in this process and to finish with a brand new album. That sense of accomplishment is truly wonderful."
She adds, "We would hope to see the album get released sometime in March (on Psychonaut Records in Europe, The End Records in North America). We plan to start touring in March and come over to tour in South America and the U.S.A. once again."
In February van Giersbergen gave birth to her first child, a boy named Finn. The singer welcomes the changes being a mother brings to her and her songwriting.
"Being a mother has changed a lot for me and obviously everything I do or go through will somehow end up in a lyric or a song, but I haven't written any mother-baby songs — yet!" she laughs. "My views on life are the same as before I had my baby boy, they are now just so much stronger. So if anything, my contribution to the band's music and the music we create together will be more powerful because of these new experiences."
In other recent news THE GATHERING just released their double-DVD, "A Sound Relief", in the U.S./Canada via The End Records. The two-disc set features a live concert the band recorded on May 23, 2005 at the famous Paradiso in Amsterdam, plus bonus extras like the band's own tour impressions caught on video, video interviews and a bonus disc showcasing a collection of beautiful 3-D animation clips.
Norwegian black metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN, featuring Obsidian C. (a.k.a. Arnt Grønbech, also a touring guitarist for SATYRICON) on guitars/bass/synth, have been confirmed as the support act for EXODUS and HYPOCRISY on their upcoming European tour. The dates are as follows:
Nov. 22 - Lutaako – Jyvaskyla, FIN Nov. 23 - Club Teatria - Oulu, FIN Nov. 24 - Nostory - Helsinki, FIN Nov. 25 - Nooruse Maja – Tartu, EST Nov. 26 - Salamandra – Riga, LAT Nov. 27 - Proxima – Warszawa, POL Nov. 28 - WZ – Wroclaw, SK Nov. 29 - A 38 – Budapest, HUN Nov. 30 - Media Park – Ljubljana, SLO Dec. 01 - Stadthalle – Cham, GER Dec. 03 - Troubadour – Lyon, FRA
As previously reported, KEEP OF KALESSIN have set a March 27, 2006 release date for their new album, entitled "Armada". The CD will be released via the Norwegian label Tabu Recordings, a division of Tuba Records. Vyl is playing drums on the album and a new bass player, Wizziac, is being introduced. MAYHEM singer Attila Chisar is doing some additional vocals, but he will not be the frontman anymore. The band will try out different vocalists in the studio to find the one who matches the music best. The group's complete lineup will be revealed when the recording sessions are completed.
KEEP OF KALESSIN's most recent mini-album, "Reclaim", was released in December 2003 through FaceFront Records. The group's first release since 1999's "Agnen: A Journey through the Dark" (Avantgarde), "Reclaim" has been described as a new milestone in Norwegian black metal by the Norwegian press. "Reclaim" is available in the U.S. through The End mail-order.
OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has posted the following message on the group's official web site:
"As ' on Blabbermouth, our busdriver on the last North American tour was arrested in Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL for 'unlawful activity with a minor.' Basically, we're appalled by the fact that we'd employed this bastard and even more disgusted by his deeds and obviously we will be much more detailed in our background check for future employments. The driver introduced himself only as 'Rod' and seemed like a nice guy, even though for us he was just another driver, and a bad one as well! He said he owned a trailer company and that he was a drummer, playing with TED NUGENT and several other bands in the '70s. We got suspicious that he couldn't get into Canada (we had another driver there) due to some previous drug 'misdemeanors.' Myself and Peter [Lindgren; guitars] met him and the girl in the elevator of the hotel where he introduced her as his niece. She seemed distant, asking us if we smoked pot. 'Rod' told us he was driving her to Los Angeles. After the gig, he never returned to the bus and then we got the news that he'd been arrested. Luckily for us one of NEVERMORE's crew was able to drive us back to the hotel. The next day the FBI stopped our tour manager outside the bus with a warrant to search the bus for 'Rod's' laptop and camera. We feel genuinely happy that he is caught and behind bars where we hope he will stay for a long time."
Ann Frestad of Khaoz Productionz, which represents the Norwegian black metal bands GORGOROTH and 1349, has issued the following statement regarding the two groups' gig cancellations in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Zilina, Slovakia:
"Ljubljana, Slovenia: We got major bus problems, and did not make the show in time. We wanted to play, but due to the club curfew it was simply impossible to reach it.
"Zilina, Slovakia: We arrived the club, but due to technical equipment from the venue we were forced to cancel as it would have been impossible for the bands to do a decent show.
"We are very sorry on behalf of the fans that had travelled a long way to see the shows, and hope we can make it up to you in the future."
As previously reported, GORGOROTH wil record several shows on their current European tour with 1349 for an upcoming live album, entitled "True Norwegian Black Metal". Scheduled for a late autumn release in 2007, it will mark and celebrate GORGOROTH's 15-year anniversary.
GORGOROTH's new album, "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam", is tentatively scheduled for release early next year via Sweden's Regain Records. The band were most recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records, who released the band's last three efforts: "Twilight of the Idols" (2003), "Incipit Satan" (2000) and "Destroyer" (1998).
GORGOROTH last year inked a deal with the French label Season of Mist for the reissues of their first three albums: "Pentagram" (1994), "Antichrist" (1996) and "Under the Sign of Hell" (1997). All three were re-released earlier this year in a remastered, digipack version.
Sweden's KATATONIA have set "The Great Cold Distance" as the title of their seventh full-length album, due on March 13, 2006 via Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Viva Emptiness" was recorded at Fascination Street studios in the outskirts of Örebro, Sweden and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm.
According to the official DIO fan club newsletter, DIO will be working on a new album in January/February and going back on the road sometime in March for an extended South American tour. The band will resume work on the new CD in April/May, with plans to complete the album by the end of the year. The band's management has also confirmed that DIO will be making several European festival appearances during June, July and August. No U.S. tour plans for 2006 have yet been announced.
CADAVERIA, the Italian band featuring former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and ex-OPERA IX drummer/NECRODEATH vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias), have finished writing ten new songs their third album, tentatively due next year via Scarlet Records. The recordings for the new CD will begin in early 2006.
The cover artwork for the upcoming IN FLAMES album, "Come Clarity", has been posted online at ' .
AFTER THE STORM: charity inheres in the rich. Is this postulate unquestionable? I don’t think so. Some of the best-known progressive rock musicians made their contributions on a benefit album for the Survivors of Hurricane Katrina produced by NEARfest Records. The album will soon be available for sale but in the meantime have a look at its tracklist:
Some news from on the work on Operation Mindcrime II: 
Power/Progressive Metal band Vindex signs on for the release of their full length debut Power Forge. Hailing from Slovakia, Vindex delivers their brand of pure power metal laced with progressive elements driven by twin neo classical guitars. What makes Vindex unique is the voice of vocalist Ludek Struhar who could be a dead ringer for Accept vocalist Udo Dirkschneider. Power Forge contains 11 tracks of brain crushing metal sure to please fans of Grave Digger, Accept, UDO, Edguy, and Stratovarious. Release Date January 2006.
Belgian black metal pioneers ANCIENT RITES have inked a deal with Season of Mist. The band are currently at Spacelab studio in Germany recording their long-awaited follow-up to 2001's "Dim Carcosa" under the guidance and supervision of veteran producers Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos. The album will most likely be released before the summer of 2006, after which ANCIENT RITES — now a septet since the return of former members Domingo Smets and Raf Jansen last year — will once again play live to spread their new music. Concerts all over Europe and the U.K. are currently being negotiated and arranged, so expect the band to be out there in full blast next year. 
Two more acts are confirmed for next year's installment of the Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place June 23-24, 2006 in Balingen, Germany.
Southern German Metal outfit RAWHEAD REXX are in the studio and started the preproduction of the follow-up to their last release „Diary in black“. Songwriting efforts turned out to be very futile: Right now, the band has composed about 30 songs to choose from.
Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY have uploaded a live video clip of "The Wonders at Your Feet" and half of "Zodijackyl Light", shot at the group's concert in Gran Canaria on October 1. "The sound and picture quality isn't the best, so it's for die-hards only, but the atmosphere is present in spades," the band write on their web site. Check it out at this location (Windows Media, 18 MB).