Former Criminal Keyboardist Launches Cold Lazarus

Former ENTWINED/CRIMINAL keyboardist Mark Royce has announced the formation of his new band COLD LAZARUS.

Commented Mark: "It is great to be back in a band after leaving CRIMINAL, and COLD LAZARUS play exactly the sort of music I love... heavy, catchy, full-on metal! After recording and touring with CRIMINAL, I was very selective about who I hooked up with, as following CRIMINAL is no small feat. The guys in the band are all excellent musicians and we are having a great time getting the songs ready for upcoming shows."

Pip Primmer - Lead Vocals
Mark Royce – Keyboards
Tom Brooks - Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Elle Torry - Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Xavier L Lett – Bass
Stevo - Drums

Further details and three tracks of audio are available for download at MySpace.com/coldlazarus.

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The Murdered Sign To Tribunal Records

Tribunal Records has signed The Murdered, a metal/thrash band from Buford, GA. Their Tribunal debut, titled "And The Maggots Shall Inherit The Earth," will be available in April. Several of their songs can be downloaded here.

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First Blood Signs With Trustkill Records

First Blood, the well known but elusive hardcore band from northern California, featuring Carl Schwartz (former bassist of Terror) on vocals, has signed with Trustkill Records

First Blood will enter Castle Ultimate in Oakland, CA, next week to begin recording their debut album for Trustkill. The album is set for release May 2, 2006. Check the band out on a full US tour with Comeback Kid, Ignite, and This Is Hell February through April. Dates to follow.

Carl talks about the signing to the label saying, "Josh (Grabelle, Trustkill Pres) approached me about releasing something on Trustkill. I was psyched as he did such a great job promoting Terror, but because of my obligations to that band I had to say no. When I recently left Terror, Josh and I continued our discussion and decided to go full speed ahead and make First Blood a full-time endeavor." Carl, a main contributor to First Blood's lyrics and music along-side guitarist Kyle Dixon (Alcatraz, Ex-Embrace The End), elaborates: "Most of my lyrics deal with topics important to me; the ups and downs, frustrations and discontent with certain things in this world. Hopefully people can relate to my words and realize that they are not alone, and become inspired and confident enough to stand for what they believe to find a place for themselves in this world."

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Atheist To Reform For Festivals

Seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST have regrouped for a run of exclusive live performances.

Guitarist/vocalist Kelly Shaefer has reassembled what is widely considered the bands classic recording lineup (Shaefer, guitarist Rand Burkey, bassist Tony Choy, and drummer Steven Flynn) for two exclusive festival performances; Italy's Evolution Festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air. Shaefer comments, "We're very excited to be able to get back on the stage and play these insane tunes again the proper way with Flynn, Burkey and Choy. It's going to be very exciting and something not to be missed!."

ATHEIST will take part on Evolution Festival (scheduled for July 16 and 17 in Brescia, Italy) and Wacken Open Air (scheduled for August 3-5 in Schleswig Holstein, Germany). These will be the first in a series of exclusive festival performances announced. Shaefer continues, "We would like to make a great festival run this year and expose as many as possible to the music we lived and died for. Many thanks to the Evolution Festival and Wacken for helping to give many people who never got to see ATHEIST live a chance to see us one last time. This is our chance to make the music we worked so hard to create come alive one last time, and we guarantee that it will not disappoint."

ATHEIST has recently had it's wildly-influential catalog (1988's 'Piece of Time', 1993's 'Elements', and the 1991's legendary 'Unquestionable Presence') reissued internationally via Relapse Records. Additionally, "Unquestionable Presence" was recently featured in Decibel magazine as part of its ongoing Hall of Fame feature. The Hall of Fame feature highlights influential and pivotal releases in metal history, and "Unquestionable Presence" will join of ranks of previously profiled classics such as SLAYER's "Reign In Blood", SEPULTURA's "Roots", and AT THE GATES' "Slaughter of the Soul", among others.

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Ex-Himsa Guitarist Comments On Departure

Ex-Himsa guitarist Matt Wicklund has released a statement regarding his June departure from the band:

"In the new March issue of Revolver there is a small Himsa spread that spends many of its lines saying unwarranted and fabricated lies about me and more specifically my departure from HIMSA. Nearly everything they said concerning me is false.

First of all, I quit the band in June simply because I was not happy playing with those guys anymore. I had a musical vision that I couldn't possibly achieve under the limitations of their musical abilities. I needed to be with players that could keep up with my ideas. I wanted to go much more technical and have a much more dynamic vocal approach including tonal singing involved with my music. I felt that they were holding me back. Yes, it is true that I had fallen in love with my wife Jasmin but that has nothing to do with me quitting. I'm sure it is just easier to blame it on that than it is to face the truth of the matter.

Next, they claim that I wanted immediate success and that I wanted my strings changed for me, etc. Etc. This is also false. I work very hard at what I do and have never been fed with a silver spoon nor have I wished for such. Also, I'm not sure where Himsa gets the notion that they were involved in a lawsuit with me. I NEVER SUED ANYONE! We may have had a dispute over royalties because I felt that they were trying to cheat me but there was never a lawsuit.

Unfortunately, Himsa decided to leave my name off of the upcoming release, Hail Horror on which I performed and co-wrote. Their unprofessionalism is astounding. Even in the Reolver article, it suggests that Sammi and Kirby were the masterminds to the music on this soundrecording. Well, when I was there in the studio recording these songs, Sammi wasn't in the room or even on the continent for that matter. I am responsible for co-writing Seminal and The Destroyer and for writing Pestilence and Send Down Your Reign in their musical entirity (excluding the lyrics and vocals, of course). Two other songs that I had written were removed from the final version of the record after I quit. These songs may appear reworked on a future recording by one of my bands. I believe in being paid for work done. I had never signed any contract with Prosthetic records at the time of the recording of Hail Horror. This was due to lack of good management. I was so busy touring and writing the record that I hadn't even thought about the contractual issues. I had requested that certain things get done by my manager and it was his fiduciary duty to oblige me. He didn't satisfy my requests in a timely fashion, so I contacted a lawyer to settle out the contractual agreements. I just wanted to be included in the contract just like all of the other members! And that was my right since I was not only playing on the whole record but co-writing it as well! Any person with a sound mind would have done the same thing!

Another thing HIMSA claimed was that I quit because I didn't want to tour anymore. This is also not true. Derek said 'the band is not their married life anymore' referring to the fact that I was recently married. Actually, my wife is very supportive of my musical life and helps me out with everything. She is just as involved in the music world as I am!

I am involved in two new bands now and will be recording in 2 weeks. You better believe you all will be seeing us on the road very soon in support of this new music! We are all very excited about this and can't wait to get back out there and make some noise! I will share more details about these bands in the near future. I have moved on from all of this in a very positive direction with some kick ass material that I know you all will enjoy! Until this new music comes out, pick up the new Himsa record and give it a spin. I hope you like what you hear!"

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Igor Cavalera Taking A Break From Sepultura

Igor Cavalera is taking a break from Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA to spend time with his new wife while they await the birth of their first child together, but he has no intentions of leaving the band, the drummer told BLABBERMOUTH.NET Friday night.

Cavalera, who recently remarried after splitting up with his wife of 10 years, Monika, says that he wants to stay at home in Sao Paulo, Brazil before his fourth child is born (he has three kids with his first wife, while his new bride has another child from a previous relationship) and insists that he gave the rest of the band his blessing to seek out a temporary replacement in time for the group's upcoming European tour with IN FLAMES.

Former SOULFLY drummer Roy Mayorga, who played with Igor's brother Max for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003, has been enlisted to do the European tour, with the possibility that he will stick around for further touring activities beyond the spring.

When asked point-blank if he has in fact quit the group or if he has any intentions of leaving the band, Igor told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "No, man," before explaining that he would rather not tour right now than be in a position where he is forced to go on the road without having his heart in it 100 percent.

SEPULTURA's European tour with IN FLAMES is scheduled to kick off March 12 in Oslo, Norway. The band's new album, "Dante XXI" (featuring Cavalera), is scheduled for release in North America on March 14 via SPV USA.

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Quiet Riot Part Ways With Guitarist Tracii Guns

Less than a month after announcing the addition of guitarist Tracii Guns (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ex-L.A. GUNS) to the group's ranks, QUIET RIOT have issued a statement confirming that Guns will, in fact, no longer be a member of the band. The statement reads as follows:

"Although we all had high hopes and the best intentions for the success of our association, it became evident collective that the musical diversity of styles would not work to our mutual satisfaction. Rather than go into the recording studio unsure of the outcome, QUIET RIOT and Tracii Guns have decided to amicably part company but remain friends and hold each other in the highest respect.

"QUIET RIOT will still enter the studio in late January to record new songs for the next studio release, the first new material from the band since the release of 'Guilty Pleasures' in 2001.

"Look for QUIET RIOT on tour upon completion of the new recordings."

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Khold Complete Second Video From 'Krek'

Norway's KHOLD have just put the finishing touches on their self-produced second video from their latest album, "Krek". The clip, for the song "Innestengt I Eikekiste", "will be coming to a screen near you shortly!" according to a press release.

As previously reported, KHOLD's video for the track "Blog Og Blek" has been posted online at Candlelight USA's web site. Visitors can download or view the Norwegian band's last clip in support of "Krek" at this location.

Formed in 2000, KHOLD is said to be "one of the most unique bands" in the extreme metal genre. Their 2004 CD, "Morke Graves Kammer", was their first with proper U.S. distribution. "Krek" is the fourth studio album from the widely respected black metal band.

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Korn, Mudvayne, and 10 Years To Tour

Korn, Mudvayne and 10 Years are slated to tour North America beginning in late February. The tour dates are as follows (venues are still being finalized):

Feb. 24 - Bakersfield, CA @ Selland Arena
Feb. 25 - Reno, NV @ Events Center
Feb. 26 - San Jose, CA @ Events Center
Feb. 28 - Sacramento, CA @ Arco Arena
Mar. 02 - Portland, OR @ Theatre in the Clouds
Mar. 04 - Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
Mar. 05 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
Mar. 06 - Boise, ID @ Idaho Center
Mar. 08 - Denver, CO @ Magness Arena
Mar. 10 - El Paso, TX @ Coliseum
Mar. 11 - Albuquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum
Mar. 12 - Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
Mar. 14 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Mar. 15 - San Diego, CA @ iPayone Center
Mar. 16 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena
Mar. 20 - Orlando, FL.
Mar. 21 - Jacksonville, FL
Mar. 22 - Charlotte, NC
Mar. 24 - city TBA
Mar. 25 - Baltimore, MD
Mar. 26 - Lewiston, ME
Mar. 28 - East Rutherford, NJ
Mar. 30 - Chicago, IL
Mar. 31 - Milwaukee, WI
Apr. 01 - St. Paul, MN
Apr. 03 - Youngstown, OH
Apr. 04 - Toronto, ON

(Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the additional dates.)

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Killswitch Engage Release Re-Release Tracklisting

Roadrunner Records, as part of releasing 25 years of genre-defining music, are set to re-release KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's "Alive of Just Breathing" this March. The disc includes extra bonus content, as well as newer extensive liner notes. Tracklisting for the double CD is as follows:

CD1:
Numbered Days
Self Revolution
Fixation On The Darkness
My Last Serenade
Life To Lifeless
Just Barely Breathing
To The Sons Of Man
Temple From The Within
The Element Of One
Vide Infra
Without A Name
Rise Inside.

CD2:
In The Unblind
When The Balance Is Broken*
Untitled and Unloved*
Numbered Days (demo)*
Transfiguration (demo)*
Just Barely Breathing (demo)*
Fixation on the Darkness (with Howard Jones)
Alive Or Just BreathingStudio Outtakes

Video Enhancement

1. My Last Serenade
2. Fixation on the Darkness
3. Life To Lifeless (Metalfest 2002)

* Previously unreleased

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Bleeding Through's New Video Posted Online

Roadrunner Records have made the video for the first single off BLEEDING THROUGH's latest release "The Truth, 'Kill to Believe', is available for streaming at the following locations:

Lo-Quicktime
Med-Quicktime
Hi-Quicktime

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VH1's 'Heavy: The Story Of Metal' Details

"Heavy: The Story of Metal," premiering Monday - Thursday, May 1-4 at 9PM ET/PT each night traces the evolution of heavy metal music and culture, from its dark, grim beginnings in Birmingham, England to the worldwide force that it remains to this day. In a series of four themed hours, "Heavy: The Story of Metal," explores four decades of music, each hour examining this powerful and often misunderstood genre, from metal's pioneers to its love of glam and excess; from the fight for metal's rebellious soul to its storied flirtation with the devil:

Episode One traces metal's roots in the late-60's in the bombed-out industrial town of Birmingham England to the spectacular rise of Kiss and "glam metal" in the early 70's.

Episode Two examines metal's growing pains during the 70's when both high-brow rock critics and punk rock threatened its very existence. By decade's end, bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Def Leppard gave birth to what became known as "The New Wave of British Heavy Metal." Episode Three sees metal thrive in, of all places, sunny California. Van Halen, Poison, Motley Crue -- it's the world of hair metal. And, keeping everyone's Jacuzzi-soaked ego in check, a little film called Spinal Tap emerges.

Episode Four takes a walk on the dark side: Guns N' Roses, Metallica, thrash, grunge, and how the music and images of Marilyn Manson became associated with the Columbine massacre.

Told from the perspective of the musicians, promoters, writers and fans who have kept metal's flame alive for four decades, "Heavy: The Story of Metal," contains revealing, hilarious and sometimes shocking conversations. Interviews include Sebastian Bach, Jerry Cantrell, Phil Collen, Bruce Dickinson, Fred Durst, Ace Frehley, Rob Halford, Scott Ian, Tony Iommi, Chris Jericho, Lemmy Kilmister, Chuck Klosterman, Jani Lane, Tommy Lee, Doc McGhee, Bret Michaels, Dave Mustaine, Vinnie Paul, Mark Putnam, Riki Rachtman, Dave "Snake" Sabo, Nikki Sixx, Slash, Dee Snider, Geoff Tate, Eddie Trunk, Rob Zombie and more.

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Shadows Fall Singer Gets His Own Advice Column

Metal Edge magazine has just tapped SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair as their first-ever advice columnist. Fans are encouraged to send their questions to Brian at the following e-mail address: Ask.Brian.Fair@gmail.com. All types of questions are welcomed. This monthly column will make its debut in the magazine's July 2006 issue.

SHADOWS FALL have lined up a string of headlining shows in March with AGNOSTIC FRONT, STILL REMAINS and BYZANTINE in the support slots. Look for the band to possibly debut some of their highly anticipated new material at these shows. Also, be sure to pick up their latest DVD entitled, "The Art of Touring", featuring over two hours of on-the-road antics and live performances filmed from 2002 through 2004 on "The Art of Balance" album touring cycle.

SHADOWS FALL w/ AGNOSTIC FRONT, STILL REMAINS, BYZANTINE:

Mar. 01 - Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
Mar. 02 - Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Providence, RI
Mar. 03 - Crocodile Rock – Allentown, PA
Mar. 04 - The Crazy Donkey – Farmingdale, NY
Mar. 05 - The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY

Look for a new SHADOWS FALL release on Century Media Records this spring. The group's next collection of all-new material is expected to surface before the end of the year via Atlantic.

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Chimaira Bring Andols Herrick Back Into The Band

CHIMAIRA, fresh off a tremendously successful year that saw the release of the band's critically acclaimed, self-titled, third album and a world tour, have welcomed original drummer Andols Herrick back into the group. "He is a totally different person," enthused singer Mark Hunter. "We jammed the other day and he's a monster behind the kit. There is a lot of passion and excitement in his eyes, I can really tell he is renewed."

Andols will hit the road with the band for a handful of headline dates in March and then with the band as they tour with CHILDREN OF BODOM. CHIMAIRA will officially welcome Andols back with a hometown show at Peabody’s Down Under on March 31.

Many people got a glimpse into the reasons why Andols originally left the group in CHIMAIRA's DVD, "The Dehumanizing Process". Seen pacing parking lots for hours at a time, Andols clearly was not happy being on the road. "Being away from the band and touring for almost two years made me realize how much I missed it," said Herrick. "Being involved in the Roadrunner 25th album and concert made me realize that this is where I want to be."

The reemergence of Andols means that recent drummer Kevin Talley is no longer in the group. "Kevin is an amazing drummer," stated Hunter. "This decision had nothing to do with his skills and everything to do with getting someone back who has been with us since day one. Some of us have known Andols since we were in high school." The split was amicable and Talley is tapped to play drums with THE RED CHORD on their upcoming U.S. tour.

On January 10, CHIMAIRA released a special edition of their critically acclaimed, self-titled third album. This two-disc set features the full-length album, seven live songs and two previously unreleased tracks. "Chimaira", originally released on August 9, 2005, was named one of the year's best albums by both Revolver and Decibel magazines. It debuted at No. 10 on the Top Hard Rock chart and quickly ascended to No. 1 at Metal/Specialty Radio where it stayed for several weeks.

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Tommy Lee's Life Is Being Made Into A Movie

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Mötley Crüe drummer, who starred in last year's NBC reality show "Tommy Lee Goes to College", will be the subject of a still-untitled film that is currently in pre-production and is slated to begin shooting in the spring. Bruce Sinofsky who was behind "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" will be one of the directors.

"In the rock world, there are few figures as colorful as Tommy Lee, and not just because of his tattoos," Sinofsky said, according to the Reporter. "This project seeks a candid glimpse behind the celebrity and tabloid personality into who Tommy really is, watching him interact with family, friends and business associates."

Lee was psyched about the project. "I'm honored that Bruce is turning his cameras loose on me," he said.

Read the full article at MTV.com.

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Krisiun Post New Song Online

A brand-new KRISIUN track, entitled "Vicious Wrath", has been posted online at this location. The song comes off the Brazilian death metal outfit's upcoming album, "AssassiNation", due on February 21 via Century Media Records. A video for "Vicious Wrath" is part of three bonus enhancements to be found of the retail version of "AssassiNation", the other two being live videos of "Hatred Inherit" and "Murderer".

After recording two albums in their native country, the trio went back to Stage One Studios in Bühne, Germany to work with Andy Classen — the same winning team responsible for 2000's "Conquerors Of Armageddon".

Commented KRISIUN drummer Max Kolesne: "'AssassiNation' is the heaviest album we have ever done. I can assure you that it was a top quality recording at Stage One Studios, this album captures all the fury and brutality of the band's live performances and it's also a great combination of heaviness and precision that we never had on our albums before." More...

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Hermit Age Post MP3 Online

The dark metal band HERMIT AGE posted online on MySpace the song "A Grant to the Wind". The track was released in 2001, in the demo Songs for the Eternal Awakening. This song features the guest appearannce of Vary (ex-A Sorrowful Dream) doing the female vocals. The song received a proper edition to be included on MySpace and now can be presented to the new fans of the band, showing the old work of the group.

Hermit Age released their first full length recently, titled Sinnocence, after eight years of activities. The band plays dark metal and is leadered by Diego Voges (ex-Penitence, ex-Megalon) and has Lilly on female vocals.

The new album has six tracks, with four new songs and two re-recordings of "The Mirror's Inversion" and "When they Awake". The track list is:

01. Preach and Live
02. Innocence Bleed Innocence
03. Kill the Sun
04. The Mirror's Inversion
05. The Winter of Soul
06. When They Awake

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AsIce Organizes ColdAsIce Festival

AsIce will be organising the first ever ColdAsIce Festival in the Easter weekend of 2006. This all will be held in Het Podium in Hoogeveen. You can already make a reservation for the festival at www.hetpodium.nl.

SATURDAY the 15th of April:
23.00 Born From Pain
22.00 Rise and Fall (bel)
21.00 Liar (bel)
20.10 Down To Nothing (usa)
19.10 Arkangel (bel)
18:20 Icepick
17:30 Omission
16:40 Strike First
15:50 Nothing Done
15:00 Solid Ground (swi)
14:00 Doors Open
(check this show in the showlist)

SUNDAY the 16th of April:
20:30 Angel Crew
19:30 Malkovich
18:30 Slumlords (usa)
17:40 Justice (bel)
16:50 Restless Youth
15:50 The Set Up (bel)
15:00 Abusive Action
14:00 Doors Open
(check this show in the showlist)

The prices will be:
12 Euro for the Saturday
10 Euro for the Sunday
A passepartout for both days will cost 17 Euro.

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Mudvayne Sees Makeup As An "Additive"

Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray spoke with Australia's Time Off magazine about the critics of their latest effort 'Lost And Found', which was cynically described it as another tool in the marketing process after the group removed their make-up and body paint. "The reaction to it all was insane," Gray says. "When you wear make-up, all the talk is about why. No matter how hard you try you can't get away from it. It never mattered that much to us. I think the make-up was more of an additive. At least, that was the way we viewed it. That was just one ingredient in the recipe that is Mudvayne but that was all it was, and things like that become insignificant in terms of music, especially when you can play. It would be different if we didn't know what we were doing and it was just a gimmick, but that's not the case."

Mudvayne recently released their video for their latest single "Fall Into Sleep". Mudvayne's "Happy?" was named both the No. 1 Headbangers Ball Video of 2005 and Billboard Monitor's Active Rock Song of the Year. The song held the No. 1 spot at Active Rock for a staggering ten consecutive weeks.

Read the full article at Time Off Magazine.

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Grim Reaper Reunites For Keep It True Festival

'80s British metallers GRIM REAPER will reunite for an appearance at this year's Keep It True VI festival, set to take place April 8 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. According to the festival organizers, "This will be a real GRIM REAPER show and not like the gig they played in Wacken some years ago." Also newly confirmed for the festival are SEVEN WITCHES, featuring former SAVATAGE guitarist Jack Frost and ex-HADES frontman Alan Tecchio. The final festival billing is as follows:

Keep It True VI – "Metal Soldiers"

RIOT (USA)
EXCITER (CAN)
ROSS THE BOSS (USA) (A Night Of Early MANOWAR)
SOLITUDE AETURNUS (USA)
PARADOX (GER)
GRIM REAPER (UK)
AXEHAMMER (USA)
SILVER FIST (ESP) (playing a special MURO set)
DARKNESS (GER)
WOTAN (ITA)
POWERVICE (HOL)

Keep It True VI — "Metal Knights" Warm-Up Show (April 7 at Sporthalle in Dittigheim):

DEMON (UK)
ASSASSIN (GER)
DRIFTER (CH)
SEVEN WITCHES (USA)
DANTESCO (Puerto Rico)

Tickets are available for 17 euros (Keep It True) and 8 euros (warm-up show).

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