A brand new KING DIAMOND song, entitled "Never Ending Hill", is available for free download ' . The track comes off the group's long-awaited new album, "Give Me Your Soul ... Please", which will be released in North America on June 26 via Metal Blade Records. Massacre Records will issue the album in Germany on June 29. The cover artwork has been posted online ' .
Polish black/death metal band DARZAMAT will release its first-ever live DVD, entitled "Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)", in Europe on June 25 via Metal Mind Productions. The disc was recorded at the 21st edition of the Metalmania Festival, which took place on March 24 in Katowice, Poland, and will contain material comprised mostly of songs from the band's latest album, "Transkarpatia". Also included will be the group's surprise performance of the song "Diabelski Dom" by the cult Polish metal band KAT, featuring a guest appearance by KAT leader Roman Kostrzewski. The DVD will also includes additional footage from the Winternachtstraum Festival, which took place in February 2007 in Arnsberg, Germany, two unreleased tracks, video clips, and an interview with Flauros and Nera.
"Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)" will be released in the U.S. on July 31.
The cover artwork of NIGHTWISH's new single, entitled "Eva", has been posted online ' . Due on May 30, "Eva" will be an Internet-only single release, all profits from which shall be donated to charity. In Finland, the single will be available exclusively from NetAnttila. The identity of the group's new singer will be revealed simultaneously in a press statement and on the band's web site, www.nightwish.com, on the same day. A radio promo of the Internet single will also ship on May 30.
Reactivated Dutch metallers GOREFEST will release their new album, "Rise to Ruin", in the U.S. on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records (August 3 in Europe). The CD was mixed by Danish producer Tue Madsen at his Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark. "He managed to make everything sound even heavier than we'd imagined," guitarist Frank Harthoorn previously said. Cover artwork will be designed by British artist Rob "Mid" Middleton.
"Rise to Ruin" track listing: 01. Revolt 02. Rise To Ruin 03. The War On Stupidity 04. A Question Of Terror 05. Babylon's Whores 06. Speak When Spoken To 07. A Grim Charade 08. Murder Brigade 09. The End Of It All
The cover artwork for AMORPHIS's new single, "Silent Waters", has been posted online at this location. Due on June 27 via Nuclear Blast Records, the single is currently available for pre-order from the ' .
"Silent Waters" is the title track of AMORPHIS' upcoming album, which is scheduled for release on August 29 (Finland)/August 31 (other countries). Like its predecessor "Eclipse", the new CD will be thematically based on an episode from Finland's national epic, the "Kalevala".
Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE) has commented on his decision to leave THERION prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).
Said Levén: "Yep, now it's official that I won't play anymore with THERION after Hellfest in June.
"The reason is simply that since we started to use four lead vocalists on tour, I found myself doing more backing vocals and guitar playing etc. than actual lead vocals. In the beginning I tried to tell myself that I would get used to it, but I didn't really...
"I gave all I had during the few numbers I sang lead and it was especially great to feel the fans' response during 'Son of the Staves of Time' (that the THERION guys were kind enough to let me write on 'Gothic Kabbalah'). Still, when I got off stage — something just didn't feel right. It felt too much like a job, and that's not a good sign.
"I will now focus on my own projects including the S&M album [collaboration with drummer/songwriter Snowy Shaw (THERION, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME)].
His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS "Chapter VI" album (1992).
German power metallers PARAGON have announced the addition of bassist Dirk Seifert to the group's ranks. According to a press release, Dirk is "a longtime acquaintance of the band; [he] was in a band with Martin [Christian, guitar] back in the early '90s and has worked on the pre-production of "Law of the Blade", "Dark Legacy" and "Revenge". He is familiar with the material and knows the band for a long time. We are sure he will be an reinforcement as he is a multitasker who can play bass, drums and guitar. We are busy rehearsing for the July concerts and are looking forward to presenting a new lineup and new material from the forthcoming CD "Forgotten Prophecies"."
PARAGON recently revealed the track listing and artwork for their new album, "Forgotten Prophecies", due in June. The artwork was created by Dirk Illing, who also worked on the band's "The Law of the Blade" and "The Dark Legacy" CDs.
"Forgotten Prophecies" track listing: 01. Hammer of the Gods 02. Arise 03. Face of Death 04. Halls of Doom 05. Revelations (instrumental) 06. Forgotten Prophecies 07. Agony 08. Souleaters 09. Gangland 10. Wargods 11. Deny the Cross (OVERKILL cover)
A limited edition (artwork) will be released as well, featuring a bonus DVD with live footage recorded at the Metal Bash Open Air 2005 and Metal Bash Road Kill Tour in Hamburg (Markthalle) in 2005. The track listing for the bonus DVD is as follows:
Metal Bash Open Air 2005: 01. Legacy 02. Traitor 03. Impaler 04. Revenge 05. Across the Wastelands 06. Palace of Sin 07. Armies of the Tyrant 08. Thunderstorm
Hamburg (2005): 09. Deathsquad 10. Beyond the Veil
PARAGON parted ways with bassist Jan Bünning due to "musical differences."
A track called "Dirty Wings" (featuring EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet), taken from the upcoming compilation CD to celebrate Nuclear Blast Records' 20th anniversary, entitled "Into the Light", has been posted online ' .
"Into the Light" features 10 songs composed, recorded and produced by RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski, with guest appearances by various metal artists that are part of the Nuclear Blast history, including a track that was recorded and performed by Victor's own band.
"Into the Light" will be released as double-CD, featuring a bonus disc with classics, rare tracks and brand new songs. Also, watch out for "Into the Light"'s dark twin "Out of the Dark", coming in the second half of 2007.
"Into the Light" track listing:
CD: 01. Dirty Wings (feat. Tobias Sammet) 02. Terrified (feat. Peter Peavy Wagner) 03. Ruling The World (feat. Tony Kakko) 04. Death Is Alive (feat. Mats Leven) 05. Bloodsucker (feat. Marcel Schmier Schirmer) 06. Slaves To The Desert (feat. Hansi Kürsch) 07. A Perfect Day (feat. Andi Deris) 08. Eternally (feat. Oddleif Stensland) 09. Inner Sanctuary (feat. Marco Hietala) 10. In The Picture (feat. Tarja Turunen)
Bonus CD: 01. HAMMERFALL - Hearts on Fire 02. HELLOWEEN - The Madness Of The Crowds (Japan-Bonus 'Dark Ride' album) * 03. GOTTHARD - El Traidor (Anytime, Anywhere Spanish version) * 04. AFTER FOREVER - Sweet Enclosure * 05. RIDE THE SKY - New Protection (new band of Uli Kusch) * 06. THUNDERSTONE - Forevermore 07. THRESHOLD - Slipstream 08. AMORPHIS - The Smoke 09. CANDLEMASS - Devil Seed (brandnew song) * 10. SIRENIA - The Other Side
* new song or rare bonus track.
Lineup: Victor Smolski - Songwriting, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Andre Hilgers, Volker Schultz - Drums Jan-Michael Keller - Bass Andreas Dirksmeier - Keyboards Mario LeMole, Jen Majura - Backing Vocals
German black/death/gothic metallers AGATHODAIMON have announced the addition of Jonas Iscariot (vocals) and Jan Jansohn (guitar) to the group's ranks. "After a bunch of rehearsals with the new guys, we feel that we now have the strongest lineup ever and can't wait to hit the stage again!" the band said in a statement.
AGATHODAIMON 2007 is: Felix Ü. Walzer (keys) Till Ottinger (bass) Jonas Iscariot (vocals) Matthias Rodig (drums) Sathonys (guitars) Jan Jansohn (guitars)
Check out a photo of the new lineup at this location.
AGATHODAIMON last year announced the addition of bassist Till Ottinger (ex-MISANTHROPIC) to the group's ranks.
AGATHODAIMON's last album, "Serpent's Embrace", was released in 2004 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Germany's AT VANCE will release its new album, "VII", on June 29 via AFM Records. The group's seventh effort marks the debut of new singer Rick Altzi and features the band's "very own interpretation on neo-classical power metal that crosses elegantly with the true spirit of '80s hard rock," according to a press release.
"VII" track listing: 01. Breaking The Night 02. Shiver 03. Cold As Ice 04. Victory 05. Friendly Fire 06. Golden Leaves 07. Answer Me 08. Shine 09. Truth 10. Lost In Your Love
TESTAMENT's previously announced Russian dates, which were scheduled to take place in early July, have been postponed. The new dates have not yet been announced.
TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy, bassist Greg Christian, and guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson, alongside ex-DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Nick Barker, have finished writing more than half a dozen songs for the group's long-awaited follow-up to 1999's "The Gathering". Tracking is scheduled to begin in June. "Working hard with Nick on some new ideas and some cool old-school styles [that are] coming together really killer," Peterson said in a statement. "It's been a long time coming," Billy added. "This new album is like a good wine: You throw in the grapes and crush."
Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA have just finished filming a video in Los Angeles with director Tony Petrossian (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, RISE AGAINST, SLIPKNOT) for the song "I'm Not Jesus". Making a guest appearance in the track and the clip is STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor.
"I'm Not Jesus" is expected to be included on APOCALYPTICA's new studio album, tentatively due in September/October.
APOCALYPTICA will support METALLICA on July 15 at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear are fellow Finns H.I.M.
Q: „Mabool” was the last album that was released in 2004. Since then, there hasn't been any news coming from you. I know you are working on a new album called "The Neverending Way Of ORwarriOR". Would you say that the new album will mark the path to entering into a new Orphaned Land Universe?
A: I wouldn't know that now. I think that what may do the trick for this album is our work with Steven Wilson who produced Opeth and did wonders with his own project Porcupine Tree. Other than that most of the material is ready and we already recorded the first sketches. Let's wait and see where this album will take us.
Q: As far as I remember the release of „Mabool” was also postponed a little bit in 2004.Why has there been such a long delay in releasing it? Has the political situation in Israel affected the whole situation or are there also musical reasons?
A: No man… the political situation was the last thing that could have postponed the release of mabool. I don't know how it is you look at Israel, but the only effect the political situation can have here, is in the worst case putting a security guard in the entrance to the mall, or having a patrol car around bus stations. We don't let the terror here stop our lives, because this would mean surrendering to it, and we won't let this happen, and I'm sure that any sane nation would do the same. If there had been any delays with the release of Mabool after we recorded it, they might have been some minor technical issues that our label, Century Media, might have had, or other minor technical issued, that's all.
Q: One important aspect for the „Mabool” is that we're not only talking about a very good album, just musically speaking, but there's also a depth in the lyrics and also, the sound is a little changed: Mabool seems less „aggresive” than your previous releases and you have many influences either from your local music or from oriental music patterns. What lead you to this 2004 change and most of all, are you gonna continue with the same style or should we expect some other changes once a new Orphaned Land will be released?
A: I think that a change should never be feared and that it is always a good thing. Though the next album will continue many lines Mabool and its formers have paved, it will also take many other directions in many ways. The next album will continue our "Orienal" approach towards metal, and there will be still complex and less complex guitar melodies, and we will also try to stay a little bit progressive with our approach, and there will be also a concept story behind the lyrics. But we have expanded it musically more than Mabool, and I also think that Steven's touch to things will take everything in a very interesting direction.
SONATA ARCTICA's "Paid in Full" single has entered the Finnish chart at position No. 1. View the chart ' .
"Paid in Full" tracklisting: 01.Paid in Full (radio edit) 02.Out in the Fields * 03.Paid in Full * Gary Moore cover
SONATA ARCTICA's video for "Paid in Full" is available for viewing at ' . The track comes off the group's new album, "Unia" (Finnish for "Dreams"), due in North America on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed at Finnvox studio in Helsinki and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.
WYKKED WYTCH has posted the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Memories of a Dying Whore" on its web site. The album artwork and booklet were designed by Alexandra V. Bach, based on a concept by WYKKED WYTCH.
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A brand new KING DIAMOND song, entitled "Never Ending Hill", is available for free download ' . The track comes off the group's long-awaited new album, "Give Me Your Soul ... Please", which will be released in North America on June 26 via Metal Blade Records. Massacre Records will issue the album in Germany on June 29. The cover artwork has been posted online ' .
Polish black/death metal band DARZAMAT will release its first-ever live DVD, entitled "Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)", in Europe on June 25 via Metal Mind Productions. The disc was recorded at the 21st edition of the Metalmania Festival, which took place on March 24 in Katowice, Poland, and will contain material comprised mostly of songs from the band's latest album, "Transkarpatia". Also included will be the group's surprise performance of the song "Diabelski Dom" by the cult Polish metal band KAT, featuring a guest appearance by KAT leader Roman Kostrzewski. The DVD will also includes additional footage from the Winternachtstraum Festival, which took place in February 2007 in Arnsberg, Germany, two unreleased tracks, video clips, and an interview with Flauros and Nera.
The cover artwork of NIGHTWISH's new single, entitled "Eva", has been posted online ' . Due on May 30, "Eva" will be an Internet-only single release, all profits from which shall be donated to charity. In Finland, the single will be available exclusively from NetAnttila. The identity of the group's new singer will be revealed simultaneously in a press statement and on the band's web site, www.nightwish.com, on the same day. A radio promo of the Internet single will also ship on May 30.
Reactivated Dutch metallers GOREFEST will release their new album, "Rise to Ruin", in the U.S. on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records (August 3 in Europe). The CD was mixed by Danish producer Tue Madsen at his Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark. "He managed to make everything sound even heavier than we'd imagined," guitarist Frank Harthoorn previously said. Cover artwork will be designed by British artist Rob "Mid" Middleton.
"Silent Waters" single track listing:
Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE) has commented on his decision to leave THERION prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).
"Forgotten Prophecies" track listing:
Metal Bash Open Air 2005:
01. Dirty Wings (feat. Tobias Sammet)
German black/death/gothic metallers AGATHODAIMON have announced the addition of Jonas Iscariot (vocals) and Jan Jansohn (guitar) to the group's ranks. "After a bunch of rehearsals with the new guys, we feel that we now have the strongest lineup ever and can't wait to hit the stage again!" the band said in a statement.
"VII" track listing:
TESTAMENT's previously announced Russian dates, which were scheduled to take place in early July, have been postponed. The new dates have not yet been announced.
Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA have just finished filming a video in Los Angeles with director Tony Petrossian (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, RISE AGAINST, SLIPKNOT) for the song "I'm Not Jesus". Making a guest appearance in the track and the clip is STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor. 
Q: „Mabool” was the last album that was released in 2004. Since then, there hasn't been any news coming from you. I know you are working on a new album called "The Neverending Way Of ORwarriOR". Would you say that the new album will mark the path to entering into a new Orphaned Land Universe?
"Paid in Full" tracklisting:
WYKKED WYTCH has posted the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Memories of a Dying Whore" on its web site. The album artwork and booklet were designed by Alexandra V. Bach, based on a concept by WYKKED WYTCH.