Arallu To Enter Studio Next Month

Israel's "Mesopotamian black metal" band ARALLU will enter the studio on January 11, 2008 to begin recording its fourth album for a spring release. The as-yet-untitled effort will contain eight songs.

The group's third CD, "The Demon from the Ancient World", was released in 2005 via the Czech label Epidemie Records.

ARALLU opened for Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM on September 29 in Tel Aviv. ARALLU filmed the performance for its second DVD (the follow-up to 2003's "Visual Chaos Invasion"), tentatively due next year.

For more information, visit their Myspace page.

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Incantation Announce Pillard On Vocals At CIM

INCANTATION have announced that Craig Pillard (ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA, MORTAL THRONE OF NAZARENE, FORSAKEN MOURNING OF ANGELIC ANGUISH) will be handling vocals for the band at the upcoming Central Illinois Metalfest. INCANTATION's "Forsaken Throne of Golgotha" tour 2008 lineup is:

Craig Pillard (ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA, MORTAL THRONE OF NAZARENE, FORSAKEN MOURNING OF ANGELIC ANGUISH) - Vocals
John McEntree (FUNERUS) - Guitar
Rayash (SUPREME LORD) - Bass
Alex Bouks (GOREAPHOBIA) - Guitar
Jim Roe - (ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA, MORTAL THRONE OF NAZARENE) - Drums

The Central Illinois Metalfest will take place July 18-20 at the Canopy Club in Urbana, Illinois.

INCANTATION will also headline day one of the Mayhem in May 3 festival, set to take place May 17-18, 2008 at Uncle Pleasant's in Louisville, Kentucky.

The band's seventh album, "Primordial Domination", was released in 2006 on Ibex Moon Records.

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Nile's Sanders To Offer Guitar Lessons On Tour

Nile guitarist Karl Sanders will be offering guitar lessons across the U.S. during the forthcoming Nile tour in Spring 2008. Lessons will include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Extreme Metal Guitar Techniques


• Melodic Guitar Application Within a Death Metal Context


• Warm-up routines and


• Chops-building exercises

Sessions are intended for Intermediate to advanced students. Lessons will be at the show venues in the cities along the routed dates of the Nile tour, on a first come first served basis. The the cost of lessons is $100 per hour. There will be a maximum of 4 students per day to insure that every student gets personal attention and a quality learning experience.

Most students will be invited to stay to watch Nile's sound-check after the lesson, and all students will be put on the guest list for the show. See Tour dates below for the cities and dates available.

Feb 15 2008 - Ibex Rock Bar, Monterrey MX
Feb 16 2008 - Circo Volador, Mexico City MX
Feb 17 2008 - The Golden Billiar, Tampico MX
Feb 20 2008 - Venue To Be Announced When Confirmed, Santiago de Chile
Mar 8 2008 - The State Theatre St. Petersburg, Florida
Mar 9 2008 - The Culture Room Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Mar 11 2008 - Backbooth Orlando, Florida
Mar 12 2008 - The Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 13 2008 - The Parish New Orleans, Louisiana
Mar 14 2008 - Meridian Houston, Texas
Mar 15 2008 - White Rabbit San Antonio, Texas
Mar 16 2008 - Ridglea Theater Ft. Worth, Texas
Mar 18 2008 - Launch Pad Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mar 19 2008 - The Clubhouse Tempe, Arizona
Mar 20 2008 - Key Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 21 2008 - Galaxy Theatre Santa Ana, California
Mar 22 2008 - Slim’s San Francisco, California
Mar 24 2008 - Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado
Mar 25 2008 - Sokol Underground Omaha, Nebraska
Mar 26 2008 - Metro / Smart Bar Chicago, Illinois
Mar 27 2008 - Headliner’s Music Hall Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 28 2008 - Peabody’s Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 29 2008 - The Palladium Worcester, Massachusetts
Mar 30 2008 - B.B. King’s Blues Club New York City, New York
Apr 1 2008 - The Trocadero Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 2 2008 - Jaxx West Springfield, Virginia
Apr 3 2008 - Tremont Music Hall Charlotte, North Carolina
Apr 4 2008 - Music Farm Charleston, South Carolina"

Email NileGuitarLessons@yahoo.com for Information and to reserve a lesson.

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Inhale Exhale Completes New Album

Canton, Ohio's Inhale Exhale has completed the recording process for their next new full-length. Final mixing is underway and the album will consist of eleven tracks. The effort is expected to hit streets this spring via Solid State Records.

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Vanmakt Posts New Song Online

Vanmakt has uploaded the song "Brethren Of Lucifer" from their newly recorded promo to their MySpace page.

Gorogth comments: "This song shows how we sound today and even though this is a promo recording we know that you our fans will love this one! Faster, heavier and more melodic than our previous songs! So, enjoy this one and make sure to purchase "Vredskapta Mörkersagor" and our forthcoming album, that hopefully will be released in the autumn of 2008!"

Gorgoth's other band, Nidrike, will be releasing their debut album "Blodsarv" early next year on Black Plague Records.

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Ambush! To Record Hotfoot Records Debut Album

Tom Denny from A Day To Remeber is set to record Panama City, Florida hardcore band Ambush!'s Hotfoot Records debut album "American Monster." The album is tentatively due in March. You can listen to some of the band's material here.

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Seether's "Fake It" Breaks Modern Rock Record

Seether’s “Fake It” has broken the record set by the Foo Fighters for the longest running single atop the Modern Rock chart. “The Pretender” by the Foo Fighters had been on top of the charts for 18 weeks. “Fake It” is also No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

The band will begin a Canadian tour with Three Days Grace next month which will be followed by a U.S. tour with Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin in February.

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Volcom Euro Tour Dates w/ Turbonegro Announced

Norwegian death-punks, Turbonegro, will headline The Volcom Tour Europe 2008 in March and April with support provided by Valient Thorr and Year Long Disaster.

Also scheduled on January 27th, 2008 is a special pre-Volcom Tour concert with Turbonegro, Year Long Disaster, and Sexty Sexers at Georg-Elser-Hallen in München, Germany, that takes place around the Winter ISPO action sports equipment and fashion trade fair in München.

All concerts below with Turbonegro, Valient Thorr, and Year Long Disaster, unless otherwise *noted.

January 27, 2008 München, Germany @ Georg-Elser-Hallen (*No Valient Thorr)
March 24, 2008 London, UK @ Electric Ballroom
March 25, 2008 Essen, Germany @ Weststadthalle
March 26, 2008 Stuttgart, Germany @ Longhorn
March 27, 2008 Bologna, Italy @ Estragon
March 28, 2008 Graz, Austria @ Orpheum
March 29, 2008 Vienna, Austria @ Arena
March 30, 2008 Leipzig, Germany @ Werk 2
April 01, 2008 Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlachthof
April 02, 2008 Bremen, Germany @ Schlachthof-Kneipe

More tour dates in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland to be announced.

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ASG To Tour w/ Fu Manchu In February

Hot on the heels of the official release of their new album "Win Us Over" on January 22nd, ASG will embark on a month long tour with stoner rock legends, Fu Manchu.

Here are the confirmed ASG tour dates with Fu Manchu and Saviours:

February 27, 2008 San Francisco, CA - Slim's (Noise Pop)
February 29, 2008 Portland, OR - Hawthore Theatre
March 01, 2008 Seattle, WA - El Corazon
March 02, 2008 Spokane, WA - The Boulevard
March 04, 2008 Boise, ID - The Bouquet
March 06, 2008 Aspen, CO - The Belly Up
March 07, 2008 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
March 08, 2008 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge

ASG with Fu Manchu and Burning Brides
March 11, 2008 Milwaukee, WI - Vnuk's
March 12, 2008 Chicago, IL - Double Door
March 13, 2008 Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick
March 14, 2008 Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
March 15, 2008 Columbus, OH - Ravari Room
March 16, 2008 Toledo, OH - Frankie's
March 17, 2008 Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose
March 18, 2008 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
March 19, 2008 Philadelphia, PA - Khybar
March 20, 2008 Boston, MA - The Middle East
March 22, 2008 Wilmington, NC - The Soapbox

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Crowbar Working On New Album

Kirk Windstein, who has spent much of 2007 recording and touring behind DOWN's third album, "Over the Under", has issued the following update on the current status of his longtime band CROWBAR:

"As y'all know, I've been very busy with DOWN. But fear not, children of doom. I've been down in Miami writing CROWBAR tunes with [fellow CROWBAR guitarist Steve] Gibb. It's coming along really well, so get ready!! Also get ready for the new KINGDOM OF SORROW [the collaborative project featuring Windstein and HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta] CD coming out on Relapse on February 19th. It absolutely crushes!!"

The KINGDOM OF SORROW album was recorded at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts with producer Zeuss (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL) and will include 11 tracks. Preview tracks can be heard now via the band's official MySpace page.

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Believer Completes Drum Tracks For New Album

Guitarist/vocalist Kurt Bachman of the reactivated late '80s/early '90s technical-thrash metal band BELIEVER has issued the following update:

"Joey [Daub] has completed tracking drums [for BELIEVER's new album] except for one 'interesting' tune. He will be completing this next weekend. I have finished tracking the initial rhythm guitar tracks also. So far, we are very happy with how things are sounding. We hope to start tracking bass and more guitars over the weekend. We'll try to get some studio footage posted in the near future, so that you can witness some of the madness that's taking place.

"I hesitate to predict a release date, but we are shooting for the May/June timeframe. If we can get it out quicker we will, but as you know, we don't like to rush things. It's been 14 or so years, so I'm sure a couple extra months won't cause any distress. We just want it to sound amazing for you.

"As for how we will release the new material, this is still being discussed. Once we are in the mixing phase we will be finalizing the release plans and letting you know."

BELIEVER's albums "Extraction from Mortality" (1989), "Sanity Obscure" (1990) and "Dimensions" (1993) were made available on November 5 via Poland's Metal Mind Productions in a new digipak edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology and limited to 2,000 numbered copies.

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Krisiun Begin Work On New Material

Brazilian death metal veterans KRISIUN have commenced work on material for the follow-up to 2006's "AssassiNation", tentatively due next summer via Century Media Records.

KRISIUN recently completed the seventh leg of the band's AssassiNation world tour. In just under two years the group played over 250 shows in 25 countries in support its latest CD.

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Dream Theater Drummer Speaks On Album Leak

Imhotep webzine recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Imhotep: How did you feel when you learned that "Systematic Chaos" had leaked onto the web weeks or months after its release? What's your opinion on this whole MP3-file-sharing thing that's been going on?

Portnoy: "Honestly, I understand the fans. They are willing to have an album as soon as they can. I feel the same when one of my favorite bands finishes an album. I can't wait to get my hands on it, so I totally understand that. But for me, on the other side of the fence, it's frustrating sometimes because you want people to hear it directly in its full-fidelity presentation. You want them to see the artwork, and the booklet, and kinda get the whole big picture, so it's frustrating that that can't always be maintained, but, you know, it's uncontrollable. I can't get crazy about it. When I read it leaked, I was actually very calm because we expected that to happen, and to be honest, I was surprised that we held it so long without a leak, 'cause we delivered the record in mid-February, and it leaked three months after. I think we held it pretty well."

Imhotep: Charlie Dominici (ex-DREAM THEATER vocalist) and his band opened some shows along the tour. What do you feel about his return to the scene? Have you listened to his new album?

Portnoy: "Yeah, and I'm very very proud of him and I'm happy for him. He'll be probably the first to tell you that. I helped him get back on his feet, I helped him find the band, I helped him find his record deal, and I've been very supportive of trying to help him in any way I can. And inviting him to open the shows for us was is another step in that direction as well, so, I'm supportive of him. Other ex-members, like Derek Sherinian and Kevin Moore, went on to have careers on their own, so, I figure it's great that Charlie, after 15 years away from it all, is finally getting back into it."

Imhotep: Talking of Kevin, I think a lot of DREAM THEATER fans were looking forward to seeing him onstage with you on the 20th anniversary tour. Taking your relationship with him as a musician and a person into account, which would you say that are the reasons for his always kind-of-reserved-defensive attitude when it comes to talking about DREAM THEATER and getting involved in things related to the band?

Portnoy: "Well, I was disappointed he didn't do it as well; it's not like he wasn't invited. I did invite him to participate with us at the 20th anniversary. I invited him to participate on the 15th anniversary of 'When Dream And Day Unite'. The invitation has always been there but he always turned it down, so any disappointment should not be pointed at us, it should be pointed at him. That's just his nature, he's the type of person that is very strong-minded, and I have to say the word stubborn. Once he sets his mind to something he sticks to it and you can't change it. It was because of that that I realized that if he had stayed in DREAM THEATER, the band would have probably broken up. People look back and comment about 'Images And Words' and 'Awake', and look at Kevin like there was this great formula and chemistry; that's not the reality. The reality is that the personal chemistry and the working and creative chemistry would not have lasted another year or two. He's not at all interested in progressive music, he's not at all interested in heavy music, so there was absolutely no place for his taste vision in DREAM THEATER anymore."

Read the full article at this location.

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Primal Fear Bassist Reflects On 2007

PRIMAL FEAR bassist/SINNER mainman Mat Sinner has issued the following update:

"It's the end of 2007 and we [PRIMAL FEAR] were on tour until Xmas.

"To be compared with 2006, the year 2007 will enter the books as a great one! The only early downer (the boot for Tom [Neumann, guitar] in PRIMAL FEAR) was re-energized with the wonderful comeback of Henny [Wolter].

"'New Religion' was a monster of a production and I've learnt a lot new things again, not only on the musical part!

"It was great to hit the road again with SINNER and play a little tour including a gig with THIN LIZZY and a furious show at the Headbangers Open Air. The new deal with AFM Records was the final goal of a nice comeback.

"The most exciting moment of the year was the release of the new PRIMAL FEAR album. With new partners all over the world, it was very unsure if we can match the numbers of our final Nuclear Blast album, 'Seven Seals'. Fair enough, we did! Well, the fans are very self-willed, especially in the metal scene. This is one of the main factors why this scene is much alive and well against all odds. It was a huge satisfaction, as our former (strange to say) A&R Andy, told me that we've charted on position 60 in Germany, followed some days later by more chart entries. And the album will be still released in the U.S. on January 29th, 2008 — another important day!

"The show at the ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta was an unforgettable event, including the circumstances and the signing session. It was great to play the new songs on stage and Henny gave the band a new positive vibe. Even as Stefan [Leibing, guitar] couldn't play with us Part 1+2 of the shows in Europe, we stuck together and Alex Beyrodt executed a fantastic performance every night!

"One of the most electrifying moments was the show in Bordeaux, as Henny had to fly home, because his baby was born at the night of the Barcelona show, we decided to play as a four-piece for the first time in our history and the show [was] unbelievably good!

"Japan was exciting, as always, with a unique organization, the best catering in the world and insane fans!

"The final nine concerts took place in Germany, and first of all, we have to say, we're proud of the German fans for their loyalty and support. Every venue was packed!

"My personal highlights were the shows in Helsinki, Bergara, Bordeaux, Antwerp and Tokyo!

"The plans for some more concerts next year are in full swing and aside of all foreign concerts, we plan another handful of very special shows, regarding our 10-year anniversary."

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Marduk Cancel Athens Show

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have cancelled their previously announced January 15, 2008 concert at the Underworld Club in Athens, Greece. According to a statement released by the Athens-based booking agency Sold Out Promotion, "The reasons of the cancellation are due to the band. The management of the touring party informed us that the transportation of the touring party to Athens from Turkey by ferry is impossible and so there is no other option than to cancel the show. We are sorry for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause but unfortunately it's beyond our control."

In addition to MARDUK, the Athens concert was scheduled to include performances by IN BATTLE, ZONARIA and ARTISIAN.

MARDUK's new album, "Rom 5:12" was released in North America on May 22 via Regain/Koch (April 24 in Europe).

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Manowar And Iron Maiden Singer Make Air History

According to Sofiaecho.com, Joey DeMaio and Eric Adams from the heavy metal band MANOWAR arrived in Bulgaria to take part in the New Year concert in the coastal town of Kavarna, the town municipality announced.

IRON MAIDEN lead singer Bruce Dickinson himself flew the two to Varna Airport by the Iron Maiden jet, Dnevnik daily reported.

Kavarna mayor Tsonko Tsonev said that it was the first time in history for the lead singer of one legendary band to fly another legendary band to Kavarna.

DeMaio will be anchor of the concert. At 12pm, Adams will sing Bulgaria’s national anthems in Bulgarian.

It would be the second time Adams performs the anthem in 2007. He sang it for the first time at the concert of the band in the summer, also in Kavarna.

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Led Zeppelin Confirmed For Bonnaroo Festival 2008

Mirror.co.uk can exclusively reveal that LED ZEPPELIN - who staged a triumphant "one-off" gig at the O2 this month - will be the headline act at the Bonnaroo festival in the US next year. The festival runs from June 12 to 15 in Tennessee - and if all goes smoothly they may even hit the road and tour.

An insider told us: "This is the news that will drive their fans absolutely wild. They have been bombarding their website to get back together for good but only Robert Plant wasn't keen to commit. Now he's had a change of heart and if it goes well they are also talking about touring."

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Amon Amarth Post End Of Year Update

Swedish Viking metallers AMON AMARTH have issued the following update:

"2007 has passed and will be remembered as one of the busiest years in AA history so far with nearly 120 shows played. It was the year we did our first ever headlining Scandinavian tour, UK tour and North American tour. First time in Portugal and Greece. We also did our first North American summer festival tour.

It also marked the year our DVD Wrath Of The Norsemen went gold both in the US and Canada!

All in all it's been an extremely successful year for us and what better way to end it than with some excellent news. 'Cry Of The Black Birds' placed #7 in the Headbanger's Ball video of 2007 as voted by viewers. A huge thank you to you, our devoted fans who voted!

We'll be starting the new year with an Australian tour. We are very excited about this as it will be our first time in oz. We are really looking forward to playing for our Australian fans. It's about time!

After that it's time for us to take a break from touring and start working on some new material.

Thanks for a very good year and let's see what 2008 will bring!

Skål!"

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Nocturnal Rites Post Update

Swedish power metallers NOCTURNAL RITES have checked in with the following brief year-end update:

"Just like to take the opportunity to thank all the fans for making The 8th Sin do so tremendously all over the world. Like we said before, even before it was released it had out-sold Grand Illusion, which is indeed an achievement! So - wishes from the band for a great 2008!"

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Krokus Issue End Of Year Update

Peter Waelti from the KROKUS online team has issued the following year-end update:

"As 2007 comes to an end, we reflect back to this year with all the highlights that you were a big part of. And simultaneously we look forward to a rocking 2008.

Krokus finished the most extensive European Tour in the band’s 30-year history. Whether as “special guest” of HAMMERFALL or headlining ourselves, we had the pleasure to play for you and get to know you after the concerts. Thanks to you we earned a Gold Record Award for our latest release Hellraiser. And we look forward to do some more hellraisin’ in the USA this coming summer.

The band very much appreciates your loyalty and enthusiasm with which you embrace us. We are very thankful to you and can’t wait to see you again in 2008 sometime on a stage nearby."

Read the full article at this location.

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Daath's Kevin Talley Posts Drumming Instructional

Daath's drummer Kevin Talley (Chimaira, Dying Fetus, Misery Index) made a drumming instructional video where he demonstrates his practicing techniques, he breaks it down and teaches you how to teach yourself how to incorporate it into metal playing. You can check out Kevin's tips here.

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