Finnish power metallers STRATOVARIUS will be leaving their current label Nuclear Blast Records after the release of their next album, "Elements Pt. 2", which is due later this month. In an interview with Russian Darkside E-Zine conducted on October 20, keyboardist Jens Johansson said the band is considering various options, but the return ...
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AYREON, the brainchild of Dutch guitarist Arjen Lucassen (ex-BODINE, VENGEANCE), are currently recording their sixth studio album, tentatively due in early 2004 through Transmission Records. Among the guest vocalists set to appear on the album are the following: Devon Graves (DEAD SOUL TRIBE) Magnus Ekwall (THE QUILL) Heather Findlay (MOSTLY AUTUMN) Eric Clayton (SAVIOUR MACHINE) ...
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German power metallers EDGUY have signed a long-term deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The group's first release for the label — an as-yet-untitled EP — will surface in early 2004, to be followed by the band's new full-length studio effort, "Hellfire Club" in March. Singer Tobias Sammet describes the album as the group's "most diverse ...
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Finnish neo-classical metallers STRATOVARIUS have been forced to postpone the release date of their forthcoming DVD to April 2004 from the previously announced January. More information about the contents of the upcoming DVD will be made available soon. STRATOVARIUS will release their new album, "Elements Pt. 2", on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. "Elements ...
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Finnish thrash/speed metallers DIVINE:DECAY have posted their video for the track "Silence Of Decades" at their official web site. "Silence Of Decades" comes off the group's recently released sophomore album, "Maximize The Misery", available through Osmose Productions. The follow-up to "Songs Of The Damned" was recorded and produced by Janne Joutsenniemi (of SUBURBANTRIBE ...
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A second MP3 clip from the forthcoming STRATOVARIUS album, "Elements Pt. 2", has been posted online at the group's official web site. The track "I'm Still Alive" is track No. 3 on the upcoming CD, due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album, which will once again feature artwork by Derek ...
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Finnish black metallers ARTHEMESIA have parted ways with drummer Mor Vethor. "Mor Vethor had to leave the band, because his skills didn't match the requirements of our music, thus all recordings [for our new album] are now cancelled," the band write on their official web site. "We will restart the recording sessions again in the ...
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A brand new STRATOVARIUS track, titled "I Walk To My Own Song", has been posted online in MP3 format at this location (file size: 3.6 MB). "I Walk To My Own Song" comes off the Finnish neo-classical metallers' forthcoming CD, "Elements Part 2", due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album, ...
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STRATOVARIUS vocalist Timo Kotipelto has completed the songwriting process for his second solo album with only "some lyrics [left] to be written," according to a post on his web site. Timo will enter the studio in September to begin recording the as-yet-untitled follow-up to last year's "Waiting For The Dawn" album (issued under the KOTIPELTO ...
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Finnish goth-metallers ENTWINE will enter Astia Studios in Lappeenranta, Finland in September with producer Anssi Kippo (CHILDREN OF BODOM, SINERGY, NORTHER) to record the follow-up to 2002's "Time Of Despair", due in early 2004 through Century Media Records. Unlike the group's previous releases, the as-yet-untitled effort will be mixed at Finnvox studios in Helsinki with ...
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Finnish neo-classical metallers STRATOVARIUS have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Elements Part 2", due on October 27 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album, which will once again feature artwork by Derek Riggs, will contain the following songs: 01. Alpha & Omega 02. I Walk To My Own Song 03. I'm ...
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French power metallers NIGHTMARE have finalized the track listing for their fourth studio album, "Silent Room", due on October 13 through Napalm Records/SPV. "Silent Room" is a concept album featuring 12 songs in five "chapters". A limited-edition version of the CD will include the group's cover of VICIOUS RUMORS' "Ship Of Fools", a video clip, ...
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HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak has posted the following message to the band's official web site: "We've just returned from one of Europe's (most likely the world's) better metal festivals, namely Metal Mania in Spain. Headlined by SLAYER, IRON MAIDEN and STRATOVARIUS, and with a supporting cast of bands like BLIND GUARDIAN, MOTÖRHEAD, MASTERPLAN, PRIMAL FEAR, ...
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Sonera Plaza has posted several photos of TYPE O NEGATIVE, THE HAUNTED, STRATOVARIUS and SENTENCED performing live at Finland's Tuska festival this past weekend. Check them out here. Tuska took place July 11-13 in the Kaisaniemi park in the center of Helsinki and featured additional appearances by AMORPHIS, ARCH ENEMY, CHILDREN OF BODOM, ...
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SENTENCED have replaced OPETH at this year's edition of Finland's Tuska festival, set to take place July 11-13 in the Kaisaniemi park in the center of Helsinki. As previously reported, OPETH were forced to cancel their appearance at Tuska due to "logistical and financial" difficulties connected with the group's upcoming U.S. tour with PORCUPINE TREE, ...
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Germany's CRYPTIC WINTERMOON are the final act to be confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany. The complete list of artists currently scheduled to appear the event is as follows: ANCIENT RITES ANNIHILATOR ASSASSIN CARPATHIAN FOREST CIRCLE II CIRCLE CRYPTIC WINTERMOON ...
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In a move that was widely anticipated, ICED EARTH have now officially withdrawn from this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany. Replacing ICED EARTH on the bill are none other than TWISTED SISTER. The complete list of artists currently scheduled to appear the ...
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Finland's STRATOVARIUS will be touring Mexico and South America during August. Confirmed dates are as follows: Aug. 14 - Monterrey, MEX @ Cafe Iguanas Aug. 15 - Mexico City, MEX @ Cico Volador Aug. 17 - Santiago, CHL @ Estadio Chile Aug. 19 - Buenos Aires, ARG @ Hangar Aug. 21 - Curitiba, BRA @ ...
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ROTTING CHRIST and ONKEL TOM are the latest band to have been officially confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany. The complete list of artists currently scheduled to appear the event is as follows: ANCIENT RITES ANNIHILATOR ASSASSIN CARPATHIAN FOREST CIRCLE ...
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Finnish black metallers ARTHEMESIA have inked a deal with Holland's Hammerheart Records. The group, whose style is being described in an official press release as "an extremely powerful hybrid of black metal and death/thrash/heavy metal with a touch of classical and dark ambient music," will record and mix their upcoming album, "ShamaNatahS - II Describe ...
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Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL are the latest band to have been officially confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany. DARK FUNERAL will perform a one-hour set on the festival's "Blackstage" on Saturday, Aug. 2 beginning at 7:15 p.m. The complete ...
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For the first time in its 16-year history, Holland's Waldrock festival is completely sold out. 12,000 tickets have been sold for the event, which is set to take place on June 21 in Burgum. The list of artists currently confirmed to appear at the festival is as follows: IRON MAIDEN TYPE O NEGATIVE H.I.M. SEPULTURA ...
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Swedish power metallers SEVENTH ONE are the latest band to have been officially confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival. The event, which is scheduled to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany, will include performances from the following artists (in alphabetical order): ANCIENT RITES ANNIHILATOR ASSASSIN CARPATHIAN FOREST CIRCLE ...
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Finnish thrash/speed rockers DIVINE:DECAY have posted several MP3 clips from their forthcoming "Maximize The Misery" CD at this location. "Maximize The Misery", due on Sept. 8 through Osmose Productions, was recorded and produced by Janne Joutsenniemi (of SUBURBANTRIBE fame) and it was mixed by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, THERION). The ...
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CARPATHIAN FOREST are the latest band to have been officially confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival. The event, which is scheduled to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany, will include performances from the following artists (in alphabetical order): ANCIENT RITES ANNIHILATOR ASSASSIN CARPATHIAN FOREST CIRCLE II CIRCLE DARK ...
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Germany's METALIUM are the latest band to have been officially confirmed for this year's installment of Wacken Open Air festival. The event, which is scheduled to take place Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2003 in Wacken, Germany, will include performances from the following artists (in alphabetical order): ANCIENT RITES ANNIHILATOR ASSASSIN CIRCLE II CIRCLE DARK AGE DARKANE ...
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Finnish thrash/speed rockers DIVINE:DECAY have set a Sept. 8 release date through Osmose Productions for their sophomore effort, "Maximize The Misery". The follow-up to "Songs Of The Damned" was recorded and produced by Janne Joutsenniemi (of SUBURBANTRIBE fame) and it was mixed by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, THERION). The complete track listing ...
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STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto has injured his knee while playing floorball. "The accident happened on Tuesday (May 20) in the morning during the normal game I play with my friends," Timo said in a posting to the band's official web site. "I stepped on the other player's blade while we were running after the ball ...
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SLAYER are the latest act confirmed to perform at Metal Mania Festival, a three-day event set to take place July 11-13 at Auditorio Municipal de Villarobledo in Albacete, Spain. Other bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival are as follows: Friday, July 11 BLIND GUARDIAN NIGHTWISH SEPULTURA KREATOR APOCALYPTICA OVERKILL REBELLION Saturday, July 12 ...
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DIO, KREATOR, HAMMERFALL, and STRATOVARIUS are the latest acts confirmed to perform at Metal Mania Festival, a three-day event set to take place July 11-13 at Auditorio Municipal de Villarobledo in Albacete, Spain. The acts currently scheduled to appear at the festival are as follows: Friday, July 11 BLIND GUARDIAN NIGHTWISH SEPULTURA KREATOR APOCALYPTICA OVERKILL ...
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