Sick Of It All, Madball, Sinking Ships Tour Dates

Initial tour dates have been confirmed for Sick Of It All's upcoming run with Madball, Sinking Ships, and Viva Hate. Here are the latest tour dates:

10/17 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
10/20 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
10/22 Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
10/23 Reno, NV @ Stoney's Indoor Skate Park
10/24 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
10/25 West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club
10/26 Fresno, CA @ The Exit
10/27 Fullerton, CA @ The Alley
10/28 San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
11/1 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
11/2 Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
11/7 St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl

Sick of it All are currently wrapping up their European tour with Wisdom in Chains.

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Meltdown, No Turning Back European Tour Dates

Meltdown and No Turning Back will tour Europe this fall. Here are the tour dates:

21/09 Mol-Wezel, Belgium @ PC Mol-Wezel
22/09 Arnhem, Netherlands @ The Stage
26/09 Cottbus, Germany @ Gladhouse
28/09 Wiesenbaden, Germany @ Kulturpalas
29/09 Rosswein, Germany @ JUHA
30/09 Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia
02/10 Wien, Austria @ Arena
04/10 Berchtesgaden, Germany @ Kuckuksnest
05/10 Turin, Italy @ United Club
06/10 Venezia, Italy @ CS Rivolta
01/10 Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013
08/10 Munchen, Germany @ Feierwerk
09/10 Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang

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Body of Scars Unveil Debut CD Artwork

BODY OF SCARS, the new Phoenix, Arizona-based band featuring JAG PANZER drummer Rikard Stjernquist and former 40 GRIT vocalist/guitarist James Santiago, has unveiled the cover artwork of its upcoming debut CD. Check it out at this location.

BODY OF SCARS recently completed work on 10 tracks for its upcoming album. Three one-minute snippets of the new material have been posted on the group's MySpace page. A record-release show will take place on September 28, 2007 at The Sets in Tempe, Arizona. Also slated to appear is AUTUMN'S END. The actual CD release date is October 2, 2007.

Formed in August 2006, BODY OF SCARS' current lineup is completed by lead guitarist Randy Davis (MOTIVE).

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Korpiklaani Sign With Nuclear Blast Records

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI have inked a new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band has issued the following statement on the matter:

"Once upon a time were the merry men of KORPIKLAANI on a tour somewhere in Europe, drinking beer in the bus on the road from here to there. Between the beers there was also some talk about our future."

"On the small bus table, half hidden under the dog-eared deck of cards, coins and empty bottles, there was a Blast! magazine. This catalogue of Nuclear Blast had seen better days. It had already served as a beermat, ashtray and toilet entertainment, even though the language was totally incomprehensible to us."

"Our highly intelligent conversation moved to record companies and we started to wonder which one of them would the best for us. Jonne happened to set his bleary eyes on the scruffy magazine and asked if anyone knew any band that had left Nuclear Blast. There was a silence." More...

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Led Zeppelin To Do Show At 02 Arena?

According to This is London, legendary rockers LED ZEPPELIN look set to reform and play the O2 arena in London, England this autumn.

There has been no official announcement that they will perform again 27 years after the group disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham but advertisements appeared in the U.K. press today with top-price ticket and hotel packages on offer for £369.

A cheaper package from the Premier Entertainments company, including a night in a four-star hotel, is available for £269.

Callers today were told: "It's just about to be officially announced." Speculation had been mounting for some time that the band would get back together soon.

The three surviving members — John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page — reunited at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in 1985 for a short set with Phil Collins as one of the stand-in drummers. The band's albums and song "Stairway to Heaven" have remained popular and a new best-of album is due this year.

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Prong Mainman Pays Tribute To CBGBs Founder

PRONG mainman Tommy Victor has posted the following bulletin on the band's MySpace page:

"Raven [former PRONG and current MINISTRY bassist Paul Raven] just let me know that Hilly Krystal, owner of CBGB, is gone. He was my boss from 1986 to '90. He was a tough guy to work for, but that's what he was: a tough guy. If it wasn't for him there would be no PRONG. There probably wouldn't be the RAMONES, SUICIDE, New York hardcore and countless other influential music styles and artists.

"Thanks Hilly, you won't be forgotten."

Kristal died on Tuesday (August 28) due to complications from lung cancer. He was 75.

According to Billboard.com, Kristal founded CBGB in 1973 to showcase bluegrass and country acts, but it quickly became known as a breeding ground for experimental and punk music. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the club served as a launching pad for BLONDIE, THE TALKING HEADS, TELEVISION, LIVING COLOUR, PATTI SMITH and the RAMONES, among many others.

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Moonspell Announce New Album Release Date

SPV has set an October 12 German release date for MOONSPELL's new CD, "Under SatanÆ", which consists of re-recordings of the band's legendary EP "Under the Moonspell" (1994) as well as their first demo "Anno SatanÆ" and their sole track as MORBID GOD, "Serpent Angel". All songs were re-arranged and revamped in order to "underline their revered distinction as underground classics but now with a mature dark energy and class," according to a press release. "The full-length CD (eight songs and around five instrumental compositions) was recorded at Denmark's Antfarm Studios with Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ROB HALFORD)."

"Under SatanÆ" track listing (not in final order):

01. Halla alle halla al rabka halla (Praeludium/Incantatum Solistitium)
02. Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento I/Erudit Compendyum)
03. Interludium/Incantatum Oequinoctum
04. Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento II/Erotic Compendyum)
05. Opus Diabolicum (Andamento III/Instrumental Compendyum)
06. Chorai Lusitânia! (Epilogus/Incantatam Maresia)
07. Intro
08. Goat on Fire
09. Ancient Winter Goddess
10. Wolves From The Fog
11. Outro
12. Serpent Angel

The new version of MOONSPELL's song "Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento I/Erudit Compendyum)" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

The band is also in the process of writing material for the follow-up to "Memorial", which will go into production before the end of the year at the Woodhouse Studios with producer Waldemar Sorychta. A "best of" collection from MOONSPELL, entitled "The Great Silver Eye", was recently released through Century Media.

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More Bands Confirmed For Saints And Sinners

ALL SHALL PERISH, FROM FIRST TO LAST, SHAI HULUD, MUNICIPAL WASTE and HORSE THE BAND are among the newly confirmed bands for this year's Saints & Sinners Festival, set to take place November 3-4 at Asbury Park, New Jersey's Convention Hall. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Saturday, November 3, 2007:

AGAINST ME!
SAVES THE DAY
AGNOSTIC FRONT
ALESANA
AUGUST BURNS RED
BANG CAMARO
BELA KISS
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS
ELYSIA
FOUR LETTER LIE
HIP HOP KARAOKE
HORSE THE BAND
KADDISFLY
LOVE HATE HERO
MUNICIPAL WASTE
NEWLYWED DISASTER
STRIKE ANYWHERE
THE CASUALTIES
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
THE NUMBER 12 LOOKS LIKE YOU
WHITECHAPEL
& MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Sunday, November 4, 2007:

GLASSJAW
A SKYLIT DRIVE
ALEXISONFIRE
ALL SHALL PERISH
ANIMOSITY
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
BLESS THE FALL
DANCE GAVIN DANCE
DECEMBER AETERNALIS
ENVY ON THE COAST
FROM FIRST TO LAST
MISERY SIGNALS
MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE
NORMA JEAN
SAOSIN
SHAI HULUD
SILVERSTEIN
SUICIDE SILENCE
WALLS OF JERICHO

For more information, visit www.saintsandsinnersfest.com.

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Vinnie Paul Looking Forward To New Hellyeah Music

Former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has told LiveDaily that he's "chomping at the bit" to record new music with HELLYEAH, the band he formed with lead singer Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett, both of MUDVAYNE, guitarist Tom Maxwell of NOTHINGFACE and bassist Bob Zilla of Abbott's previous group, DAMAGEPLAN.

"We're seeing how far we can take [HELLYEAH] this time around," Abbott said. "Then, early next year, they're going to have the new MUDVAYNE record and they're going to do a tour. When that's all done, we're going to get back together. In one-and-a-half to two years, we'll do HELLYEAH part two.

"New music is something we're looking forward to." Abbott continued. "HELLYEAH's been a lot of fun for all of us. That was the goal behind us from the very start: to not let it be a businesslike band — just go out and have fun."

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Biomechanical Announce New Second Guitarist

The following message has been posted via Biomechanicals official Myspace:

Metal axeman Chris Van Hayden has just joined Biomechanical! His awesome solid rhythm playing and solos convinced us that he is the man for the job! Chris is also the main collobarator of the band Chaosgenesis.

Chris has been a fan of the band and is very exited to be joining Biomechanical. The excitement is mutual and we are looking forward to completing the line up and going on the road .

So we would like to welcome Chris in the band and let you guys know that we have started working on the new set!

The band is now looking for a bass player to complete the line up. If interested e-mail info@biomechanical.co.uk

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Helmet Announce Fall Tour

HELMET will be hitting the road for a Fall U.S. tour with Brooklyn’s DUB TRIO. The following tour dates have been announced:

September 15th in Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar
September 17th in Reno, NV @ Club Underground
September 19th in Salt Lake City, UT @ Avalon Theatre
September 20th in Boise, ID @ The Big Easy
September 21st in Spokane, WA @ The Boulevard
September 22nd in Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
September 24th in Vancouver, BC @ The Red Room
September 25th in Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
September 26th in Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
September 28th in Chico, CA @ The Senator Theater
September 29th in Sacramento, CA @ The Kennal Club
September 30th in San Francisco, CA @ Independent
October 2nd in Fresno, CA @ Club Fred
October 3rd in Bakersfield, CA @ The Dome
October 4th in Long Beach, CA @ The Vault 350
October 5th in Malibu, CA @ Malibu Inn

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Paint It Black Featured On Tony Hawk Game

While PAINT IT BLACK puts the finishing touches on their latest work, you will soon be able to hear the band on the soundtrack of the next installment of the Tony Hawk's video game series. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground will feature the track "The New Brutality" from the album "Paradise" along with songs by Bad Brains, The Gorilla Biscuits, and The Clash, and previously announced At The Gates among many others.

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Police Officers Hurt At Charlotte Ozzfest

Steve Lyttle of The Charlotte Observer reports that off-duty law enforcement officers suffered minor injuries Tuesday night (August 28) while making an arrest during an Ozzfest 2007 concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in north Charlotte.

Overall, however, the sold-out concert took place without the amount of trouble that was experienced at a tour stop earlier this month.

According to police, several off-duty officers working in security at the concert were assaulted by a concert-goer and used force to take him into custody. An unspecified number of the officers suffered minor injuries while making the arrest, police say. The suspect was not hurt.

Tuesday's fracas was a far cry from what happened Aug. 16, during the Ozzfest event at the PNC Bank Art Center in Holmdel, N.J. According to published reports, two people died and 83 arrested at that concert.

Ozzfest has one remaining tour stop — Thursday night in West Palm Beach, Fla.

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Huge Helsinki Gig Announced

Finnish Metal Events, the parent company behind world renown Tuska Festival and Finnish Metal Expo, presents the biggest ever SONATA ARCTICA show in Helsinki, Finland.

On December 29th, the Kemi-based sextet takes the Cable Factory in Helsinki by blizzard, showcasing unforeseen special effects and unhindered Northern glory.

In addition this, Finnish Metal Events will also present the long-awaited resurgence of NIGHTWISH in Helsinki. The new and improved Nightwish will perform at the Helsinki Icehall on New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2008.

If that’s not enough, the very best of German power metal, namely HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY and AXXIS will storm the stage of the Cable Factory on December 11th in yet another Finnish Metal Events extravaganza.

All this is merely foreplay to the fourth annual Finnish Metal Expo during February 15th - 16th, a weekend of total carnage and metal mayhem, consisting of live bands, instrument clinics and the expo area.

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Impaled Signs To Willowtip Records

Impaled have signed a contract with Willowtip Records. Following Willowtip's recent deal for European distribution, the new Impaled record will be made available in the Old World via Candlelight Records.

After touring worldwide to support their previous album on Century Media Records, "Death After Life," Impaled have been hard at work writing and recording a follow-up record. The deal with Willowtip comes at a fortuitous juncture, just in time for the album to be released during Impaled's tenth year anniversary as a band.

"I'd like to say the new record is sicker and more brutal than the last, but I can't. Fact is, it goes beyond that. The new record is way way sickerer and way way way way way more brutaller," said bassist Ross Sewage on the subject of Impaled's latest recording.

Regarding the new deal with Willowtip Records, Sewage stated, "Impaled is looking forward to working with the Willowtip empire. We will murder our enemies, burn their crops, loot their stores, stampede their women and rape their cattle."

Jason Tipton, president and C.E.O. of Willowtip, Inc., has added, "We are honored to be working with the goretet known as Impaled and are thrilled to celebrate their 10th anniversary. We urge everyone in kingdoms worldwide not to purchase the traditional gifts of tin or aluminum for this 10th anniversary celebration, but instead to purchase the new album from Impaled, which will be in stores throughout Europe November 5th and in North America November 6th."

The new album from Impaled, entitled "The Last Gasp," will be their fourth full-length recording.

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Century Seeks New Bassist And Guitarist

Lancaster, Pennsylvania outfit Century is currently in search of a bassist and a second guitar player. According to the group, "The band is purely for fun and nothing else. We are all grounded dudes and just want to play when the opportunity presents itself." Here are the requirements:

"You must be a sweet broseph without attitude problems. If you are already friends with us, that would be splendid. You should be good at your instrument and be able to play the music competently. You must approach playing as an opportunity to have fun, and not stress about it or pose out.You must be accountable, punctual and able to practice/play shows."

Interested parties should contact the band here for further information.

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Modern Life Is War, Trap Them and Trash Talk Tour

Modern Life Is War will hit the road next month for a three-week tour with Trap Them and Trash Talk. Here are the tour dates:

9/22 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
9/23 Austin, TX @ Emo's
9/24 Gainseville, TX @ State Theatre
9/25 Tulsa, OK @ Pinkeye
9/26 Wichita, KS @ Eagles Lodge
9/27 Kansas City, MO @ Static Bar
9/28 Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
9/29 Boise, ID @ The Venue
9/30 Spokane, WA @ The Blvd
10/1 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
10/2 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
10/3 Eugene, OR @ Indigo District
10/4 Reno, NV @ Openground Skatepark
10/5 Berkeley, CA @ Gilman
10/6 Ventura, CA @ The Alpine
10/7 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
10/8 Tempe, AZ @ The Sets
10/9 Flagstaff, AZ @ Studio 111
10/11 Joplin, MO @ The Foundry
10/12 Little Rock, AR @ Vino’s
10/13 Evansville, IN @ Club 1123
10/14 Pittsburgh, PA @ Roboto Project

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Def Leppard Singer Talks About New Album And More

Brandy McDonnell of NewsOK.com recently conducted an interview with DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On whether DEF LEPPARD is planning on stopping anytime soon:

"Why would you? ... We're musicians, and our job is to play for people. And the more we play and the more people we play in front of, the happier we feel. We always wanted to be the biggest band in the world. For a little while, we were. Who's to say that we won't get it back? But even if we're not, you know, we're one of that elite few that can still play (for) 20,000 people."

On the band's renewed popularity:

"There's obviously a demand for what we're doing, because the ticket sales on the last tour alone were the best we've had since the 'Hysteria' tour (in 1987, the height of the band's heyday). It makes you feel wanted, and it makes you feel valid."

"I don't necessarily think we've even written our best song yet. ... If you think that you can never better 'Pour Some Sugar on Me', we might as well just pack in right now. But the fact (is) that we believe that we can add to our legacy and put something out there that shocks people not necessarily in its content but in the fact that they go 'My God, they can still do it.' That's the kind of thing that you drive yourself on to do."

"It's all well and good to be able to pay your bills, but if you haven't got a drive in life or a passion, I don't see the point in getting out of bed in the morning."

"I believe we're a better band now than we've ever been. We seem to just get better every tour we do. We're more consistent; we play better. We last longer. We're like the Energizer Bunny. We just seem to have this boundless enthusiasm that gets bigger the older we get. Maybe because we feel that there is an end of the road at some stage, so you have to suck all the energy you can and put it back to your crowd. Because you just never know when it's going to end.”

On the group's upcoming album:

"It's typical DEF LEPPARD in the sense that, like, it's very melodic. It's obviously hard-hitting. But it's not bog-standard in the sense of it's not exactly what everybody's going to expect. There's a lot of elements that people will embrace and be familiar with, but it's also got some stuff in it that's ... more adventurous than maybe what people think that we're capable of."

On the group's current tour setlist:

"We've come up with a whole new visual aspect to it, and we've totally revamped the set. We've dug real deep in the catalog, and we've pulled some nuggets that we've not played either ever or for a very, very long time. Obviously, there's certain songs that we have to play. Let's be honest, we actually want to play them. We like the reaction that we get when we play 'Sugar', 'Photograph', etc."

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Winds Of Plague Sign With Century Media Records

WINDS OF PLAGUE has inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records.

Hailing from Los Angeles, these youngsters have their share of Southern California hardcore roots running in their backyard, though the atmospheric sounds of Scandinavian black metal and classic American metal reign supreme in the bands music, too.

"In a scene overwhelmed with fake people and bands thinking they're the second coming of Christ, WINDS OF PLAGUE strives to create something real," comments singer Johnny P.

"Century Media has an excellent history of releasing some of the most groundbreaking metal albums in history," says bassist Captain Andrew Glover. "We're glad to be part of this tradition!" More...

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Crashdiet Announce Tour Dates

Swedish/Finnish glam rockers CRASHDIET have added more dates to their current itinerary. The group's schedule is now shaping up as follows:

Sep. 07 – Falun, SWE @ Arenan
Sep. 28 – Kopenhagen, DEN @ The Rock
Oct. 18 – Stockholm, SWE @ Klubben
Oct. 19 - Göteborg, SWE @ Sticky Fingers
Oct. 20 - Karlstad, SWE @ Nöjesfabriken
Oct. 25 - Linköping, SWE @ Atmosfär
Oct. 26 - Kalmar, SWE @ Palace
Oct. 27 - Västerås, SWE @ Sigurdsgatan 25
Nov. 02 - Borlänge, SWE @ S2
Nov. 09 - Helsingborg, SWE @ The Tivoli
Nov. 10 - Malmö, SWE @ KB
Nov. 21 – Helsinki, FIN @ Tavastia
Nov. 22 - Åbo/Turku, FIN @ Klubi
Nov. 23 - Seinäjoki, FIN @ Rytmikorjaamo More...

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Arsis Part Ways With Vocalist Mike Parks

Virginia's ARSIS has announced the departure of vocalist Mike Parks, who had been filling in for guitarist/singer James Malone on vocals.

Commented ARSIS bassist Noah Martin: "When James' voice went out a couple tours ago, Mike did us the biggest favor by filling in for as long as he did. I know I speak for everyone in ARSIS when I say we couldn't imagine anyone else doing a better job. However, we felt that with the new album right around the corner, we needed to move on with ARSIS in the ARSIS way — with James back on vocals. We wish him nothing but the best, as we'll always be friends."

ARSIS will enter the studio on September 3 to begin recording the band's third full-length album, "We Are the Nightmare", due in early 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band will hit the road in November with ENSLAVED and in January with EXODUS. More...

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Scorpions Guitarist Explains Album Delay In U.S.

RockConfidential.com recently conducted an interview with SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

RockConfidential.com: How did Billy Corgan get involved in "Humanity - Hour 1"?

Rudolf: I've watched him for a long time because I like his voice and I like the SMASHING PUMPKINS. It was somehow very special. I found out he's a big SCORPIONS fan. At a huge festival he started out with "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and turned it into one of his songs. When we did a project called "Moment of Glory", I tried to get him as a guest on the project. I spoke with someone at his management company and they told me they weren't managing him any more. They gave me a phone number but they didn't know if it was still good. I called and got an answering machine and it was the wrong number. When we were in production for "Humanity" we were in a meeting with Azoff Management. One of our managers told me he had to leave our meeting and go to the next meeting. I asked him who it was with and he told me the meeting was with Billy Corgan of the SMASHING PUMPKINS. They were recording in Universal Studio. I made sure he got the message to Billy that I said hello. Billy went crazy and said, "Fucking hell! I want to meet this guy!" I met him in the studio and he was completely into his work. He told me had had tons of bootleg tapes from the SCORPIONS. We went out to dinner and I mentioned to him that we had one song on the album called "The Cross" that would be perfect for him. He did it and it was great. Even when the SMASHING PUMPKINS are alternative and the SCORPIONS are classic rock, many of the new bands that were influenced by AC/DC, AEROSMITH and the SCORPIONS came out of the shadow with their own style and are still connected to the guys who influenced them to play. Music can build bridges and that was always our plan. We wanted to build bridges between generations, countries, continents and even religions.

RockConfidential.com: This album is so strong and you can tell when you listen that so much went into it. Why was its U.S. release delayed so long?

Rudolf: The problem is that finding the right record company is not so easy. We changed management in America. Desmond [Child, producer] also didn't want anything going out too early because he was afraid of leaks on the Internet. We had to play it safely. When we signed a contract with management they immediately had to start. I hate this! I would see the album coming out worldwide in August or September. It's never good to split a release up like this because you lose the power and momentum of impacting each market. The contracts were already done to present the album in Europe because big festivals and big shows were set up in the contract. We mixed the album on the road. After we finished recording the album we immediately had to go on the road to the Kremlin Palace, invited by Putin. From there we went to the Baltic States, Ukraine and then we played in Kazikstan. We had to mix the album online! We had to download it and somehow try to get it to the right speaker system so we could make our comments to Desmond via the Internet. It was very different!

RockConfidential.com: I guess it's odd hating the Internet because the songs could leak but at the same time using it to finish the record!

Rudolf: With a hammer you can put a nail into the wall. At the same time you could kill somebody with it. Everything has its good side and its bad side. It's up to you which side to choose.

Read the entire interview at RockConfidential.com.

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Overkill Schedule In Store Appearance

Legendary New Jersey thrashers OVERKILL will take part in an in-store performance on Saturday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey.

For more information, visit www.vvinyl.com.

OVERKILL's new album, "Immortalis", will be released on October 9 via Bodog Music. The group's collaboration with Bodog reunites OVERKILL with Jonny and Marsha Zazula, previous owners of Megaforce Records, the label responsible for putting metal on the map and bringing OVERKILL's New Jersey thrash metal to the world. The Zazulas are now a part of the Bodog Music team in the United States.

Since forming in 1980, OVERKILL has put out over 20 albums. Despite various lineup changes, the band has never gone on hiatus and has continued to stay true to the metal genre it helped create. With Megaforce Records and their management company, CraZed Management, the Zazulas were responsible for the early careers of such bands as METALLICA, ANTHRAX and MINISTRY, among many others.

The upcoming album and corresponding East Coast tour will feature OVERKILL's latest lineup, which along with Ellsworth, includes original bassist D.D. Verni, guitarists Derek "The Skull" Tailer and Dave Linsk, as well as the newest member to join the band, drummer Ron Lipnicki.

OVERKILL released three albums on Megaforce Records before making the jump to Atlantic Records where a string of critically lauded albums, including 1991's quintessential "Horroscope", solidified OVERKILL as one of the best metal bands of all time. In the past few years, the band has released such gems as "Killbox 13" (2003) and "ReliXIV" (2005).

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Kataklysm Offer Album Update

Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM recently entered the studio with producer/guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais to begin recording their new album, "Prevail". The recording process will last five weeks, with vocalist Maurizio Iacono scheduled to record his vocals in September.

Commented Dagenais: "I'm happy to say that we are just about done tracking drums for 'Prevail'. I'm so excited with this album and we are off to a killer start. Max's [Duhamel, drums] performance is outstanding. I've been playing with Max since 1994 and this is by far the best drum recording he has ever made. When I record artists, I push them to the maximum to get the best out of them. On this recording I had to ask Max for a break. Go figure! Anyways, the bottom line is the grooves pound the house, the blast beats are the fastest in the biz and it's intricate; he is a machine! So we're going to go over everything this weekend make sure all is good, then Tuesday Maurizio comes down to lay the law on the vocals. Can't fucking wait!"

KATAKLYSM will embark on a European tour with BEHEMOTH and ABORTED starting at the end of September. A U.S. tour with CHIMAIRA, TERROR and DIVINE HERESY will follow in November/December.

KATAKLYSM has recruited producer Jason Suecof (CHIMAIRA, TRIVIUM, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) to mix the album in early January. "Prevail" will also feature some guest appearances to be announced at a later date.

The album is scheduled for May 23, 2008 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

KATAKLYSM recently decided to "immortalize" the character that was featured on the cover of their most recent album, "In the Arms of Devastation", and have him re-appear as the main character — dubbed "The Heartbeast" — on their next offering, "Prevail".

Commented Maurizio Iacono: "We had so [much] killer feedback on the artwork but especially on the character that we decided to keep him as the band's fifth band member... kinda like IRON MAIDEN did with 'Eddie.' We have the perfect concept for the next album art... it will be bad-ass!"

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Pantera Members In Dispute Over Domain Name

The surviving members of PANTERA are involved in a legal battle with their former webmaster over the Pantera.com domain name, which once served as the band's official web site (since February 2003, PANTERA's official web site has been located at www.officialpantera.com). According to the Justia.com legal portal, which maintains a database of Federal District Court filings and dockets, Pantera.com webmaster L. Alfenas filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Western District Court on August 2, 2007 against the Pantera Partnership (consisting of Vincent Paul Abbott, Philip Hansen Anselmo, Rex Robert Brown, and the estate of Darell Lance ["Dimebag Darrell"] Abbott) over the domain, which has apparently been registered to Alfenas since 1998. The Pantera Partnership, meanwhile, filed a suit of their own in the Michigan Eastern District Court against Alfenas (who resides in Michigan) the very next day, August 3, 2007.

Writing on the PanteraChat.com message board (which is also apparently registered to Alfenas), Alfenas (who posts under the name "Alfie") stated about the lawsuits, "Their [PANTERA's] lawyer just said, 'Give us the domains or we are going to sue you. They could have saved a lot of money if they were just nice. You don't treat someone that's done nine years' worth of work for you like a piece of shit. Especially me."

Regarding his decision to file a lawsuit before the PANTERA camp had a chance to file theirs, Alfenas wrote, "I filed first because I knew they were going to file the next day." He added, "They are going to argue trademark dilution — meaning that because I own the site, they are losing money and I am tarnishing their mark." [According to Wikipedia, "trademark dilution is a trademark law concept forbidding the use of a famous trademark in a way that would lessen its uniqueness. In most cases, trademark dilution involves an unauthorized use of another's trademark on products that do not compete with, and have little connection with, those of the trademark owner. For example, a famous trademark used by one company to refer to hair care products, might be diluted if another company began using a similar mark to refer to breakfast cereals or spark plugs."]

On the possible outcome of this legal battle, Alfenas said, "One of two things will happen: I will win and keep Pantera.com and PanteraChat.com; or I lose it all, and lots of money to lawyers with it . . . Best part is, they [PANTERA] are using two lawyers — one at $500 per hour and some intern at probably $250 per hour. This is going to drag on for a lonnnnnng time if I have anything to say about it."

When asked by one of the other registered members on the PanteraChat.com message board if the surviving members of PANTERA have offered him any money in exchange for transferring the registration to the Pantera.com domain name over to them, Alfenas replied, "PANTERA has never paid me a dollar in nine years, the entire time I've run the site." More...

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Static-X To Appear On Rockline

STATIC-X will perform live on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Monday, September 3.

The show airs at 8:30 p.m. PT/ 11:30 p.m. ET and fans are encouraged to call in at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you, check out www.rocklineradio.com.

STATIC-X will team up with SHADOWS FALL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and DIVINE HERESY for a U.S. tour this fall.

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Nevermore Part Ways With Guitarist

Guitarist Steve Smyth's site has been updated with the following:

Guitarist Steve Smyth has officially parted ways with NEVERMORE, citing personal and business differences.

“All things find their end eventually, and at this time, I wish to make it clear that this was mutually agreed between the band and myself.

I will continue on with other aspects of my music career, including the upcoming release of The EssenEss Project, an all instrumental album, in the vein of progressive rock, that is now finished and being prepared for release.

After a year and 4 months of being out of the touring scene due to ill health and then a kidney transplant, I have finally been given a full health clearance by my doctors to go back on the road, and I am now ready to return to the stage.

I am proud and extremely honored to have been a guest of Uli Jon Roth at his Sky Academy concert series this past weekend, August 24th and 25th, in LA. What an awesome experience! To jam with one of the greatest, as well as several other incredible guitarists and musicians who have been big influences on my playing over the years, and to make new friends as well, the whole thing was just incredible. Many thanks to Uli for inviting me, it was truly an honor!

I am now embarking on a 6 week of tour of Europe with my friends from the Danish thrash metal band, SPV Recording Artists, HateSphere, first supporting Behemoth in Poland, and then joining the Dimmu Borgir tour. I have been a fan of HateSphere and friends with the band since 2003, when they opened for Testament at a festival we played together, and absolutely look forward to getting out with them and together, crushing Europe!”

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Vader Announce Slight Change In Forthcoming DVD

Metal Mind Productions has issued the following update on the forthcoming VADER release, the … And The Blood Was Shed In Warsaw DVD

":There is a slight change in the tracklisting of the forthcoming … And The Blood Was Shed in Warsaw DVD from Vader. The final tracklist looks as follows:

DVD - 'Intro', 'ShadowFear', 'Sothis', 'Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)', 'Warlords', 'Silent Empire', 'Blood of Kingu', 'Out of the Deep', 'Carnal', 'Dark Age', 'Black to the Blind', 'Intro: Para Bellum', 'This Is the War', 'Lead Us', 'What Colour Is Your Blood', 'Epitaph', 'Cold Demons', 'Predator', 'Wings', 'Wyrocznia'.

Bonus video clips: 'Sword of the Witcher', 'Helleluyah (God Is Dead)' - taken from CD Impressions in Blood (Regain Records).

Also includes:
- Animated menu
- Interview with Peter
- Photo gallery
- Band history
- Discography
- Desktop images
- Weblinks
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

CD (swing case edition only) - 'Intro', 'ShadowFear', 'Sothis', 'Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)', 'Warlords', 'Silent Empire', 'Blood of Kingu', 'Out of the Deep', 'Carnal', 'Dark Age', 'Black to the Blind', 'Intro: Para Bellum', 'This Is the War', 'Lead Us', 'What Colour Is Your Blood', 'Epitaph', 'Cold Demons', 'Predator', 'Wings', 'Wyrocznia'.

Total running time: approx. 105 min. (DVD) + 70 min. (CD)

At the moment Vader is hard at work on band's new releases and upcoming tours. Peter (guitars, vocals) talks about upcoming Blitzkrieg 4 Tour and shares some details on band's new DVD, track, videoclip and anniversary album:

"Good to see You all again!!!!

Vader needs a vacation as well...That's the reason , why there was no news for a couple of weeks on our site.

Here is some new informations collected in last month... If You already noticed, there is new DVD gonna be released soon. The show was recorded in the club Stodola in Warsaw. That's why the title came from (...And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw). The main part of the DVD are the songs from our last releases , BUT... there are some rarities on this material like 'Sword of the Witcher'! What the Hell is that? There's CD-Project RED who work on PC games and who asked us to compose a song , which is gonna be kinda "trailer-song" for their upcoming game. The title of the game is The Witcher and this is pretty fresh RTS in the fantastic , filled with brutality and Magic world of the Witcher (from the Sapkowski novels). More than awesome graphics are made by world famous Mr.Baginski (1st prize.... for Cathedral) and give the game revolutionary character indeed! We said "yes!" and recorded the song in May in Hertz Studio. 'The Sword Of the Witcher' is an absolutely differnet piece of music compared to previous Vader works but still Metal full of fire, beasts, warriors and... blood!!!

We were but affraid, that because of many instruments recorded there will be a problem to play this song alive. However, thanx to new technology we are able to do it and we plan to add this Witcher-song to the set list on the upcoming Blitzkrieg IV-2.

On July 10th in Bolkov Castle we have realised a video clip for 'Sword Of the Witcher' with cooperation with Intermedia. There are the same guys who were working on 'Hellelujah !!!' video clip recently...This new picture will be available on DVD as well. We didn't have too much time to work with this clip, but... it's always nice to see something so different than 'This is the War' or just mentioned 'Hellelujah!! '. Fire , Steel and Magic!!!!!!!!

What else? In few days we finalize recordings of the aniversary album entitled XXV. This one will include 25 Vader hits from early days re-recorded again. There will be some rarities on the limited special edition as well....

We're also practicing with new set for the Blitz' IV/2... You know the bands already so I can give You some information, that there'll be different set in the cities, we were played in last year and the new places on tour. We start with some shows in Russia in mid of September. And that's it for now! More news soon....... Metal United!!!!!!!!"

Vader has also uploaded 2 mp3 files with songs 'Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)' and 'Warlords' taken from the upcoming DVD. You can download the tracks here: http://www.vader.pl/mp-e.html.

The ...And Blood Was Shed in Warsaw DVD is scheduled for release on October 15th in Europe and on November 5th in the US (via MVD). Artwork (pictured) and layout was done by young and very talented Brazilian artist Marcelo HVC, known from great works for such bands as GORGOROTH, LORD BELIAL, NECROPHAGIA to name a few... Check his works on www.myspace.com/poisonedtoreality.

DVD will be also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition.

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M.O.D. Signs with Index Entertainment

Legendary crossover act M.O.D. (Method Of Destruction) has officially signed with Index Entertainment.

Fronted by the charismatic and outspoken Billy Milano, M.O.D.'s new album "Red White & Screwed" finds the band returning to their roots of aggressive metal/hardcore merged with edgy social commentary. Milano and crew slam through tracks like "Balls On Bread", "Jose Can You See", "Alphabet City Stomp" and "The Big It". Produced by Tim Gerron at Music Lab, M.O.D.'s current lineup is completed by Scott Sargeant (guitar, ex-Skinlab/Laaz Rockit), Derek "Lennon" Lopez (drums) and Dawson Clawson (bass). Milano had this to say about the new material: "Everyone keeps telling me this is the best record I've done since S.O.D.'s 'Speak English Or Die'...I guess not giving a shit about what people think or feel is finally working".

An ecard with song samples and band information can now be found online. "Red, White & Screwed" is scheduled for an October 9th release date.

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Converge, 108, Internal Affairs West Coast Dates

Converge, 108, and Internal Affairs will play several West Coast shows together in October. Here are the tour dates:

10/18 Oakland, CA @ The Oakland Metro
10/19 Ventura, CA @ The Alpine
10/20 Corona, CA @ Showcase Theatre
10/21 San Diego, CA @ SOMA Sidestage

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FFDP To Stay On Tour w/ Korn, HellYeah, Droid

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, who have created quite a buzz with their debut album "THE WAY OF THE FIST," will be joining the likes of Korn, HellYeah and Droid on this fall’s B#@CH! WE GOT A PROBLEM TOUR.

Expressing his gratitude to the thousands of fans that witnessed FFDP command the RedOctane "Guitar Hero" stage on this summer’s FAMILY VALUES TOUR, Vocalist Ivan Moody had this to say: “Family Values 2007 has been an experience I will never forget! ALL the bands are above and beyond amazing. Thanks to all the Knuckleheads and the bands for making this summer unforgettable.”

REMAINING FAMILY VALUES TOUR DATES:
08/28/2007 Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
08/31/2007 Marysville, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre
09/01/2007 Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion At Concord
09/02/2007 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

The following tour dates have been announced:

B#@CH WE GOT A PROBLEM TOUR 2007
Mon. Oct. 01 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom - On sale NOW
Tue. Oct. 02 - Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theater – On Sale TBD
Wed. Oct. 03 - Youngstown, OH - Chevrolet Center – On Sale TBD
Fri. Oct. 05 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Arena – On sale NOW

More tour dates to be announced.

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