Ravage Provides End Of Year Update

Boston based thrash band Ravage has issued the following end of year update and info about their upcoming album release:

"Greetings all,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support of Ravage this year and through the years. 2008 was a productive year for us.

- finished recording our album "The End Of Tomorrow"
- shot a video for the song "Nightcrawler"
- released a new EP, "Freedom Fighter"
- played in Germany again
- appeared on a Warlock Tribute album "A Tribute To Steel: A Tribute To Warlock" released by Pure Steel Records
- appeared on a Heavy Magazine sampler CD
- saw Howie rejoin the band on bass and played some shows and had a good time

what's up next for us in 2009
- we're going to finally release "The End Of Tomorrow" album (we are currently taking offers from labels)
- Al and Eli will make a cameo in the movie "Lawson: White Heat" (http://www. myspace. com/lawsonwhiteheat) which will be released some time next year
- Al will appear on the new Steel Maid CD which will be released some time next year
- we're going to make some more videos
- we're going to record some more - probably a lot more
- we have a lot of archival footage, so a DVD of some sort may be on the way, either packaged with the new CD or on it's own
- we're going to play some more shows - hopefully in a state near you More...

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Pain Confessor Finds New Guitar Player

Finnish death metal band Pain Confessor has issued the following statement about their new guitar player:

"AND THE NEW GUITARIST IS..........(drum rolls, eye rolls, spring rolls)

TOMMI KURKI

Mr. Tommi Kurki has been around since the first gigs of Pain Confessor. In fact, he has been our mainstay Sound Engineer for pretty much all these years. This made the transition from behind the mixer to the frontlines an easy one, and very natural.

He Wasn't Born Yesterday as a guitarist either. Tommi "Tommi Kurki" Kurki, or The Bullfinch as we like to call him, played guitar in the old Finnish progressive metal band Sancnity along with Pain Confessor producer Janne Saksa. Sancnity's swansong was their excellent early 90's album "Dew". More...

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Svartsot Seeking Replacement Musicians

Folk/Viking metal band Svartsot is seeking three new members after losing their bassist, guitarist, and vocalist. The band issued the following statement:

"After the departure of some of the members last week, Svartsot is now looking for new musicians:

Rhythm guitarist: competent guitarist, preferably baritone/7-string (standard B-tuning). Some knowledge of folk music would be an advantage.

Bassist: competent bassist, preferably 5-string (standard B-tuning). Again some knowledge of folk music would be an advantage.

Vocalist: versatile and competent vocalist, preferably with a range from growl to singing.

Previous live work is a must, and studio work an advantage in all cases. We have concerts booked for the spring, ande are working on new material for the follow up to Ravnenes Saga. So please, no time-wasters.

Links to MySpace profiles can be sent to us here, MP3s of demos to: svartsot@svartsot.dk"

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Scar Symmetry Wishes You A Merry Christmas

Swedish death metal act Scar Symmetry has issued the following year end update and shout out to the fans:

"First, a big thank you to Jordi/Stigia and José/Doomed Events for making our mini-tour in Spain a wonderful time, and CHEERS to everyone that came to the shows! We will come back to Spain for sure!

It was a pleasure sharing the stage with Rob and Lars for the first time. These guys really know how to put on a show! We did some songs we've never done live before, like "Holographic Universe", "Pitch Black Progress", "Deviate from the Form", "Prism and Gate" and "Artificial Sun Projection"...

Scar Symmetry wishes you all a fuckin' fantastic Christmas holiday!"

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Arch Enemy Recaps December Tyranny Tour

Arch Enemy vocalist, Angela Gossow, has posted this message:

"We had a blast, thanx to our wonderful German friends & fans and touring with a killer line-up, really cool people and the best crew in the whole world! Rene from Mercenary actually took the time to write a review of the tour for my forum on www.AngelaGossow.Com - go and check it out!

"They also got an in depth tour report on the Mercenary Myspace Page, plus their kick-butt version of BURNING ANGEL in their player. Listen and bang your head!

"Sister Sin are young, tight and simply awesome and their take on hardrocking metal always put a smile on my face and made me tap my feet. Watch out for these guys and gal - they will get to you! And thanx for getting our gear from and back to Sweden again! We love you!!!

"Leaves Eyes - I got to meet Alex and Liv, both very sweet people. Not sure if they felt 'at home' as they were def the odd band out and my death metal soul doesnt really resonate with their quiet tunes. I hope they enjoyed it nevertheless- I loved the diversity of this tour line-up and the different dynamics each band brought to the table.

"Special thanx go out to Dirk Lehberger for making sense of the daily chaos, Clem Bennett for the best sound ever, Eddie for multitasking as drum tech and monitor tech (and being brilliant and never out of breath despite the heavy work load), Merch Chris for selling out our last stock and Swiss Samael Chris for a light show that left people in awe and hopefully cross eyed for the rest of the night! You all were wonderful and made IT happen. We would be lost without you and could hardly tie our shoe laces on our own I am afraid..

"And a big THANK YOU to DORO for inviting us to her 25 year anniversary show! We had a short, but raging set and I hope she enjoyed her massive bash.. I think the stress backstage would have killed me..

"It was also fun to meet my old pal Pete (from Asmodina and Mistress) again who played in Pratteln and Bad Arolsen with his new band All We Hate!

"I hope you all have relaxing holidays and a great 2009!!!"

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Kings Of Black Metal Festival Confirms 2009 Bands

The 2009 Kings of Black Metal Festival will take place in Hessen, Germany on April 18th. Pre-sale tickets are available here. The bands confirmed for the festival are as follows:

Mayhem
Dark Funeral
Taake
Lord Belial
Mathyr
Hellsaw
Nifelheim
Necros Christos
Watain ( with special pyro show! )

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The Sickening Inks Deal With XTreem Music

Norwegian death metal band The Sickening has issued the following statement about their recent signing to XTreem Music:

"We are proud to announce that we have signed to XTREEM MUSIC for 2 records! We have had talks with Dave Rotten of XTREEM MUSIC about the details and today the deal was sealed. This means that our debut record will be out during the first half of 2009.

The Sickening play DEATH METAL... XTREEM MUSIC is the DEATH METAL label... what more is there to say?

Watch out for more details regarding our debut!!"

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All Shall Perish Looking For Touring Guitarist

California based deathcore act All Shall Perish has issued the following statement on their website about seeking a touring guitarist:

"Our lead guitarist Chris Storey will be taking some time off to deal with some family issues and will be missing out on a few tours.

We are looking for a touring replacement for a handful of upcoming tours, one fest run in Europe and one fest tour in the states. Please only apply if you are:

1. Over 18
2. Have all pro gear
3. Able to perform all lead guitar parts to 'Black Gold Reign', 'Never Again' and 'When Life Meant More'
4. Drama- and hard-drug-free
5. In possession of a valid driver's license and passport

If you meet all these requirements, please email us a link to a video of you playing any of the songs mentioned. If you can do a good enough job by ear, we will send you a response e-mail with tabs and videos."

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Elis Issues Band Update

German goth metal band Elis has issued the following year end update about the status of the band and their upcoming new album:

"The time has come and another year goes by!
We want to thank all of you for your support. This year, we didn't play much live, because we wanted to focus us on our new record as much as possible. It will be the first full length album with Sandra and beside that, 'CATHARSIS' will be more diversified and more metal then every ELIS-record before. We cant wait to unleash 'CATHARSIS'. Till then, there will be some time left and so we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!"

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Criminal Announces New Album Details

Anglo-Chilean thrash masters CRIMINAL have revealed the cover artwork for their new album "White Hell," which can be viewed here. The piece was created by Chilean designer / tattoo artist / drummer Fran Muñoz.

"The original idea we were pursuing didn't really work out," comments vocalist/guitarist Anton Reisenegger, "so we basically decided to start from scratch. Then Fran approached us with this idea and we all really liked it, so we just went for it." More...

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Manowar's "Silent Night" MP3s For Free Download

Last year, MANOWAR recorded both German and English versions of "Stille Nacht" - known to English speaking fans as the classic Christmas carol "Silent Night" - as a holiday gift to all of their loyal fans. The song was recorded in "Hell" and mixed by Ronald Prent of Galaxy Studios, Belgium.

If you missed the opportunity to download these free gifts from MANOWAR last year, you can now do so once again now.

• Download "Silent Night"


• Download "Stille Nacht"

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Initial Bands Announced For Metaltown 2009 Fest

The initial bands for the the lineup of Metaltown 2009 have been revealed. The festival takes place on June 26-27 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The bands announced so far are as follows:

Disturbed
Volbeat
Dir En Grey
Dragonforce
Children of Bodom
Trivium
Pain
Municipal Waste

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Drone To Open for Ektomorf on European Tour

German thrash metallers, Drone, will be opening for EKTOMORF on their upcoming European tour. The Tour dates are as follows:

04/08 – GER – München - Backstage
04/09 - GER - Jena - JenaF-Haus
04/10 - CZ - Ostrava - Bumerang
04/11 - CZ - Prag - Black Pes
04/12 - GER - Darmstadt - Steinbruch Theater
04/15 - GER - Fulda - Kreuz
04/16 - GER - Stuttgart - TBA
04/17 - GER - Geiselwind - Geiselwind Music Hall
04/18 - GER - Berlin - Kato
04/19 - GER - Hamburg - Markthalle

Drone will be realeasing their second album, "Juggernaut," on March 30th 2009 (Germany: March 27th 2009) through Wacken Records and SPV Records.

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