Paint It Black Completes New Album

Paint It Black has finished up their new full-length. The effort was co-produced by J. Robbins and Oktopus (of Dalek) and will hit stores in early-2008 via Jade Tree Records. Frontman Dan Yemin recently commented on the production process:

"We were excited that J. and Alap/Oktopus were willing to co-produce this album. It gave us a couple of pretty amazing opportunities: first of all, we got to have multiple perspectives on the songs and the recording, which just sort of expanded the possibilities. We were able to have the confidence that comes with working with a trusted and familiar producer, but also the "wild card" element that you get when working with someone new, especially someone from outside the community of engineers and producers that typically work with punk and hardcore bands."

"I wanted to work [Oktopus] because Dalek's recordings sound totally insane, and I wanted to bring some of that to Paint It Black. Also, it's clear from their recordings that he understands how to really blow out the low end. I'm into that. Hardcore albums usually are over-focused on guitar and treat the bass as an afterthought. It's time to put that style to rest."

"I think there were new influences from both producers: Oktopus brought a density and texture to the recording that we never would have found without him, and not the density that comes from the typical HC overkill of 6 guitar tracks. Also, J., who works with a really wide variety of bands, had just finished a month-long session recording the new Modern Life is War album before us, which I think was a really different kind of project for him, and the ideas that were generated during those sessions about how to best document aggressive music were still fresh in his head when we got there."

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Dance Club Massacre Tour Schedule

Dance Club Massacre will be on the road in November. Here's the latest itinerary:

Dance Club Massacre with Harlots
10/12 Dayton OH @ The Pearl w/Dead Will Rise
10/13 Athens OH @ TBA w/Dead Will Rise
10/14 Southgate MI @ The Modern Exchange
10/15 Lansing MI @ Mac's Bar
10/16 Tinley Park IL @ Mojoe's
10/17 St Paul MN @ Station 4 w/The Crinn
10/18 Chicago IL @ Reggie's Live
10/19 Bloomington IN @ Rhinos

10/21 Manchester, NH @ VFW Post 79 w/ I Hate Sally, more
10/22 Ansonia, CT @ TBA
10/23 Long Island, NY @ TBA
10/24 New York @ TBA
10/25 Pompton Lakes, NJ @ Mainstage
10/26 Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
10/27 Philadelphia, PA @ TBA
10/28 Lawrenceville, PA @ TBA
10/30 Akron, OH @ TBA
10/31 Mt. Clemens, MI @ The Hayloft

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Decapitated Announce Russian Tour Dates

Polish metallers Decapitated will tour Russia in October. Here are the tour dates:

18/10 Kaliningrad @ Tower (Russia)
19/10 Vilnius @ Mulen Ruzas (Lithuania)
20/10 Riga @ Melna Piektdiena (Latvia)
21/10 Saint-Petersburg @ Orlandina (Russia)
23/10 Jaroslavl @ Partizan (Russia)
24/10 Voronezh tbc (Russia)
25/10 Rostov-on-Don @ Podzemka (Russia)
26/10 Krasnodar @ Orbita (Russia)
27/10 Moscow @ Plan B (Russia)
28/10 Rjazan @ Planetary (Russia)
30/10 Gomel @ GCK (Belarus)

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Matt Zane Comments On Ex-Society 1 Bandmates

With the recent release of the final MINISTRY album, Matt Zane would like people to take notice that 1/3 of the current lineup was once an integral part of the industrial metal band Society 1. Both Sin and Paul Raven played on SOCIETY 1’s “Exit Through Fear” released in 2003 and are both listed in the album liner notes. The pair also toured in support of that album as seen on the “In Our Own Images” DVD that was released as part of “Years of Spiritual Dissent” via Crash Music. After a few months of touring, Raven left SOCIETY 1 and joined up with GODFLESH. “Raven left Society 1 after a short stint of touring to go on the road with GODFLESH” states Matt Zane. “I understood he needed to pay the bills and this was before Society 1 was touring full time for Earache.”

Ex-SOCIETY 1 guitarist Sin Quirin left the band to join THE REVOLTING COCKS in 2006. At the time both Ministry and Society 1 shared the same touring agent, John Finberg. When the band was dropped from Earache Records, Sin contacted John Finberg, owner of First Row Talent asking for a favor. A mutual agreement was made between both Sin and John Finberg which put Sin into THE REVOLTING COCKS without an audition. "All I know is that some deal was put in place between the two of them. It must have been an amazing situation that was worked out because Sin didn't even have to audition. A few phone calls were made and he was in the band" stated Zane.

Some time later, Zane was presented with the news and to his surprise, was shocked. “I get a call from Sin” says Matt Zane. “He says he is going to do the Rev Co tour but if SOCIETY 1 gets a new deal he would cancel the tour and stay to record the new album. Well we get signed to Crash Music and the day the contract comes, Sin leaves on a plane for Texas. He didn't even sign the deal. From that point, he just became harder and harder to get a hold of until he just vanished.”

The deal that Sin and First Row Talent struck to get Sin into Rev Co broke down and was never fulfilled by Sin although John lived up to his end by getting Sin into THE REVOLTING COCKS. As Sin was still considered a member of SOCIETY 1, this caused a strain on the relationship between Finberg and SOCIETY 1 causing the band to miss out on numerous concerts and tours for close to two years. More...

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Agankast Change Name To Insanita

Scottish thrash metallers Agankast have had to change the name of the band due to legal complications. Going forward the band will be called INSANITA. The name change will not affect the band in any way. The band have, however, started a new MySpace page that features 3 new free downloads.

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Skeletonwitch To Support Dying Fetus On Tour

Currently out on the road with Municipal Waste and Toxic Holocaust, Ohio-based thrashers SKELETONWITCH have been confirmed as a support to Dying Fetus this fall alongside Demiricous, The Absence and Cephalic Carnage on the tour's second half of dates. The string of dates will keep SKELETONWITCH busy into early December while the band continues out on the road to support the forthcoming Prosthetic Records debut, 'Beyond The Permafrost,' which is due out October 2. Pre-orders are shipping now from Prosthetic Records.com.

Having just completed a string of dates with Nachtmystium, SKELETONWITCH has been hard at work supporting the self-released EP, 'Worship The Witch' and performing material that will appear on 'Beyond The Permafrost.' Featuring artwork from John Baizley (Baroness, Pig Destroyer, Darkest Hour), 'Beyond The Permafrost' was recorded earlier this year with producer Cory Smoot (Municipal Waste, GWAR) and features a handful of brand new SKELETONWITCH songs alongside a few songs that previously appeared on the self-released Skeletonwitch records 'Worship The Witch' and 'At One With The Shadows.'

Here are the latest SKELETONWITCH tour dates: More...

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Shakra Announce Headlining Tour Dates

Following the chart success of their latest album, Infect - which entered the Swiss charts at #7 and the German charts at #86 - German hard rockers SHAKRA have announced the following live dates:

September
29 - Bonn, Germany - Klangstation
30 - Weert, Netherlands - M.C De Bosuil

October
1 - Hamburg, Germany - Ballroom
2 - Verviers, Belgium - The Spirit of 66
4 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
5 - Kircheheim, Germany - Music & Action
6 - Obermarchtal, Germany- Kreuz
8 - München, Germany - Georg- Elser- Halle

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Symphony X Announce NYC Headlining Date In April

SYMPHONY X check in with the following brief update:

"World Management would like to announce a headline show for Symphony X at Nokia Theater, New York City on April 5th, 2008.

The show is billed as Symphony X And Special Guests.

In related news, the band confirmed two headline dates during their upcoming European tour supporting DREAM THEATER. On October 14th they will play in Lille, France at Le Splendid and on October 17th in Bratislava, Slovakia at PKO. More...

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Deathhead Announce New Lead Guitarist

DEATHEAD, the Utah-based speed metal band, has announced Brian Fisher (pictured left) as the band's new lead guitarist. According to an update, "Brian comes to the band (which also contains Chris Jester: guitar/vocals, Mikey Durham: bass and Matt Wulf: drums), from California. He will be joining the band in all upcoming shows as well as joining the band in the studio for the recording of their debut Architect Of Armageddon. He will also be seen on the band's DVD An Offering To The Gods/Live Sacrifice, which will be released later next year."

For more info visit www.deathead.net or the band's MySpace page.

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Mustaine Says He's Had Several Shots At Success

Nobody subtlety from a band named Megadeth. Nor does singer-guitarist Dave Mustaine. On the band's new album, "United Abominations," Mustaine, 46, draws upon reserves of youthful fury for tunes like "Amerikhastan" and "Washington Is Next!"

"Heavy metal is a barometer for our political well-being," says Mustaine, who plays Irving Plaza on Wednesday. "When we're facing war, music like this is popular because it's talking about aggression. I can't tell you one soldier I ever met that said he was listening to Duran Duran."

Despite a legendarily revolving lineup, Mustaine has managed to give Megadeth, which he formed in 1983, a consistent sound, with the tight crunch of his guitar always front and center.

"I like to punch my guitar in the stomach," says Mustaine. "I have the aggressive side covered, and the other guys have the beautiful side."

Several years back, though, fans saw a shockingly tender side of Mustaine in "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," when he confronted drummer Lars Ulrich about the hurt that Ulrich and vocalist James Hetfield caused him when they kicked him out of the band in 1983.

But whatever water lies under that bridge, Megadeth, with more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, seems to have all the love it needs.

"I've had a couple of shots of success because of that relationship with the fans," he says, "just saying that I did some things I'm not proud of. It keeps us connected to them because we all do that."

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Aerosmith's Joe Perry: 'Life Is Delicate'

The Pulse of Radio (formerly Launch Radio Networks) reports: AEROSMITH has just wrapped up a brief set of North American dates and will be taking a short break before entering the studio in November. After over 30 years together, the members of the Boston-based rock band have survived injury, addiction and cancer, but now that they're well into their fifties, the still-youthful quintet is beginning to feel their age.

Guitarist Joe Perry said that touring and performance is no longer something the band can take for granted. "You realize you're not an immortal, and you don't have this 22-year-old feeling of 'this thing can go on forever,' and you know, 'I can do whatever I want, I can go for three nights without sleep and everything will be fine,'" he said. "You start to realize that it's a very delicate thing, life is a delicate thing, and being able to perform at the top of your game is a delicate thing. And it's one of those changes, you know, that comes over. I'm still amazed that we can put on the kind of show that we put on. Every night could be our last."

Perry recently told Billboard.com that when they return to the studio in November, they'll create their music from leftover material from earlier projects and use bits and pieces that organically come together. "I'd like to have songs that the band can play live and have them sound great and not need to have a bunch of overdubs and all that, even though we will do that after the fact," he said. "But that's the icing on the cake. The cake is good songs, and that's what we're gonna be shooting for."

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Mushroomhead Announce Tour

MUSHROOMHEAD will hit the road for a fall tour to support their new album Savior Sorrow, which has sold over 75,000 since its release.

A new video directed by Mushroomhead for 'Tattoo' will be released for Halloween. The visionary masked band combines theatrics with a mixture of rock, metal and atmospheric elements.

Tour dates:

September
28 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's
29 - Mokena, IL - The Pearl Room
30 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection

October
2 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
3 - Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
4 - Maplewood, MN - The Rock
5 - Waterloo, IA. - The NCC / Pepsi Pavilion
6 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
7 - Huntington, WV - Monkey Bar
8 - New York, NY. - Highline Ballroom
9 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
10 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
12 - Orono, ME - Ultra Lounge
13 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
14 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock Cafe
16 - Nashville, TN - Exit / In
17 - Fayetteville, NC - Jester's Pub
18 - Charlotte, NC. - Amos' Southend
19 - Jacksonville, NC - Hooligan's
20 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
22 - Orlando, FL -- The Social
23 - St. Petersburg - State Theatre
24 - Jackson, MS - Fire
25 - Fayatteville AK - George's Majestic Lounge
26 - San Antonio, TX. - Rock Bottom Bar
27 - Ft. Worth, TX. - The Rockyard
28 - Houston, TX. - Meridian
29 - Baton Rouge, LA. - Click's
31 - Flint, MI - Machine Shop

November
1 - Madison, WI - The Annex
2 - Traverse City, MI - Streeters
3 - Lakewood, OH - Fantasy City

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In Flames Post Third Video Update

Currently in their own IF Studios recording for their latest album, In Flames are releasing video updates of their progress each week. The third video update was recently posted online at the band's myspace page. You can check it out here.

The first video update can be seen here, and the second here.

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Turbonegro To Re-Release Five Albums

Monday 5th November sees the re-release of five classic Turbonegro albums, namely Darkness Forever, Apocalypse Dudes , Ass Cobra , Never Is Forever and Hot Cars And Spent Contraceptives.

Each of the re-issues has been re-mastered and features the original artwork except for Hot Cars And Spent Contraceptives, and Never Is Forever, which have the artwork from their 1999 reissue versions.

Below, Happy Tom succinctly describes four of these Death Punk classics (Darkness Forever is a live album, recorded in Oslo and Hamburg in 1998) :

On Apocalypse Dudes:
Apocalypse Dudes, man. Fucken APOCALYPSE DUDES, man. That's all I can say.

On Ass Cobra:
Without doubt one of the meanest punk rock albums ever released, at least pegged so by Steve Albini, this dude with glasses. Post-teen nihilism at it's scariest, but in a sexy way. Our first denim record, and how!

On Never Is Forever:
We recorded this basically as a big FUCK YOU to the lo-fi aesthetics that ruled the planet in 1993/94. We tried to make a 2.000 dollar record sound like a million bucks, and succeeded, as always. Through the haze of beer bottle-doubling-as-ashtray fumes and amyl nitrate it comes your way on a unicorn, beautifully.

On Hot Cars And Spent Contraceptives:
Sounds like Slayer performed by a bunch of very irritable and not very talented hash smokers. Which was what it was, basically. A climaxing fountain on the town square of the world's most negative city.

Turbonegro will be hitting the road as special guests for Marilyn Manson in December on their UK Arena Tour.

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Van Halen Rehearsal Footage Posted Online

New footage from Van Halen’s tour rehearsals has emerged. Click here to watch the band perform “Everybody Wants Some” from their September 16th run-through in Los Angeles. More...

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Heaven And Hell Drummer: Door Open For New Songs

HEAVEN AND HELL, better known as BLACK SABBATH, capture all of the magic of their spectacular stage show in their first US concert in 15 years in the heart of New York City, with their latest DVD release, Live At Radio City Music Hall. Earlier this year, Heaven And Hell reunited to record three new songs for their The Dio Years compilation. The band kicked off a tour in March of 2007 and chose to film their first US. concert in 15 years at the historic Radio City Music Hall.

The post Ozzy version of Black Sabbath featuring Ronnie James Dio clearly defines why the legendary members of Heaven And Hell - which feature Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice - are extremely seasoned musicians committed to performing with the same standard of excellence that launched the band in 1979.

For any of the Heaven And Hell fans, who had the opportunity to witness the phenomenon of Heaven And Hell live this year, this DVD captures all of the magic of the Heaven And Hell extravagant stage show, but also most important the magic of all four musicians on stage performing classic hits as, 'Mob Rules', 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross' and 'Neon Knights'. The band also performs two new songs, including 'The Devil Cried' featuring an excellent drum solo from Vinny Appice and 'Shadow Of The Wind'.

Other musical highlights of the DVD include a special Tony Iommi guitar solo during 'Die Young'. The haunting performance of 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross', and the devilish effects of 'Heaven And Hell'.

Live At Radio City Music Hall is more than a concert film; it also included a very special Extra feature, which documents the legacy of the band in four special parts.

Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles recently had the chance to sit down and talk with Heaven and Hell drummer Vinny Appice. What follows are some excerpts.

Rao:This is the first concert of the band in fifteen years. How exciting was it to be part of this musical history?
Appice: "Yes, this is the first anything in fifteen years. First tour, first DVD, first CD."

Rao: Tell me a little bit about the production of the DVD. Was it hard to shoot all of the different angles on this tour because it was so theatrical? Also, I heard a lot about the issues regarding the New York City Union.
Appice: "At Radio City there was a lot of confusion because, there was a lot of stuff going on. Because first of all it is New York. You got a lot of friends coming down, and people in the business and you are recording a DVD, so it was really crazy .We had problems doing a sound check because everything ran late. Then, when we did a sound check, we had to stop. We didn't even play one song because the Union Break came up. In New York, the Union Break is like God. So, we had to stop. (Laughter) So it was a little never racking. But, we can only do half a song, and hopefully that was OK for everybody who was doing a little recording and camera work. We would have liked to do more. If we could. So, it was a lot of nerves rattling here and there. But, we thought it came out really, really good. When, we sort of finished product with all of the editing it looks fantastic."

Rao: How did the Union Break affect the process of the filming of the DVD? It must of been kind of nerve racking too?
Appice: "Yes, because it is not only us, it is the guys in the truck recording it. The more we can play, the better they are going to be on getting levels on things. So it wasn't just for us, as a normal show would be. But that is the way it goes."

Rao: Right, plus it was one of the first shows in fifteen years, so you wanted it to be perfect. I guess that is rock and roll.
Appice: "Exactly."

Rao: There is a double CD that comes with the DVD. Is that correct?
Appice: "There is also a CD that they put out too. I guess you can buy, each of these items individually and they are also packaging it together. You get the CD and the DVD. This is all from Rhino, so I am not exactly sure what the package is. You can probably find out all the DVD and CD info on Rhino's website."

Rao: Any plans to maybe record a new studio album?
Appice: "That has been the major question with everybody. Asking that question, and the answer is basically the door is open. We are just going to finish the tour, see what happens afterwards, and take a little time off and see at some point maybe next year, we will do a new record."

Rao: It is pretty interesting that Heaven and Hell is touring with ALICE COOPER. On the recent tour, Heaven And Hell's stage setting was very theatrical. Alice Cooper really started the whole theatrical production in touring that was so popular back in the day. What are your thoughts on the triple bill?
Appice: "I think it is a great bill. Like Ronnie says,” They are not opening acts”. These are three major bands. It is Queensryche and Alice Cooper. They are not opening acts." They are much legendary, yeah no? Alice is going to be doing his thing. I don't know, how much production, he has got. It is going to be a great show. Then, we have production, so it is just like bringing back some of the old stuff. A lot of people haven't seen that. I think it is going to be pretty cool that they haven't seen any shows like this. A lot of shows today, it is just the band playing. There is not a lot of stages stuff, going on. This will be cool, for anyone who has never seen it."

Read the full article at Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles.

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Ministry Frontman: 'We're Going Out With Class!'

While some of us don't even know what we'll be doing next week, Al Jourgensen has the next two years of his life all mapped out.

Last week, Ministry's final studio opus, The Last Sucker, the scathing third installment in Jourgensen's trilogy of LPs attacking President Bush's administration, landed in record stores. In March, he'll hit the road for the last time with Ministry, the band he's fronted since he formed it in 1981, for a tour that will last five months. But before that, he has to hit the studio and record Got Co--?, the studio-album swan song from his side project the Revolting Co--s. In October, the Co--s will head out on what will be their goodbye tour, with openers Prong and Mob Research, the latest signing to Jourgensen's label, 13th Planet Records.

"I am systematically going through and putting all of my side projects to bed over the next couple of years, and then, I'll strictly concentrate on production, running the label and doing soundtracks and a lot of other weird stuff," Jourgensen said, adding that there will be future, all-culminating collections from Lard and Pailhead too. "Then I'll do Buck Satan & the 666 Shooters, a country record I've been talking about for 20 years — once you see the Buck Satan album come out, then you know I'm completely done recording."

After that, Jourgensen said he'll finally get a chance to relax.

"I'm an all-or-nothing guy," he explained. "When I'm working, I work, work, work, work, work, and when I'm not, I'm the laziest sloth this planet has ever provided us. In about two or three years, I'll go full guns, but then I'll sit on my porch with a shotgun and my hound dog and chase kids off my lawn. I'll just sit back, in my 'Sopranos' bathrobe and slippers, going out to the mailbox, picking up checks and kicking back."

But why put Ministry on the slab after all these years? Well, Jourgensen doesn't think the Republicans stand a chance in the upcoming elections, and when there's a Democrat in power, "I think we suck," he admitted. But much more than that, he wanted out before he was dragged out.

Read the full article at MTV News.

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See Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx On CNN

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx' recent promo guest spot on CNN to promote his book The Heroin Diares, is now available online.

Check out the video footage at this location.

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Thy Will Be Done Signs To Stillborn Records

Providence, Rhode Island based Thy Will Be Done has signed with Stillborn Records and is set to release their debut full-length "Was And Is To Come" on October 23, 2007. The release marks the first collaboration between the Providence outfit and Stillborn Records, and will be distributed nationally through Caroline Records/EMI. Completed in early-2007, "Was And Is To Come" features a guest vocal appearance by Jesse David Leach of Seemless (ex-Killswitch Engage), was produced, engineered and mixed by Zeuss (Hatebreed, Behemoth with Jamey Jasta as executive producer.

"Their approach and sound is raw, stripped-down, and straight up aggressive with a message that needs to be heard," commented Jasta on why he chose to work with Thy Will Be Done. Encompassing various facets of the metal spectrum, "Was And Is To Come" is marked with a plethora of core influences that range from vintage Sepultura and Carcass, to the southern rock sludgy vibe of Crowbar.

For vocalist J Costa, the importance of being a metal act driven by musical integrity is clear. "So many bands are making albums filled with regurgitated riffs and obligatory breakdowns that it's become evermore difficult to distinguish one band from another. It's time for the next generation, a generation built upon ideals, ethics, integrity and passion, to breathe new life into the lungs of the culture. It's time for a generation to wipe the slate clean and take its rightful stance upon the original foundation."

Throughout the years Thy Will Be Done has provided support for national acts such as the Misfits, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Converge. As the release draws near, Thy Will Be Done is set to hit the road and plans to spend the rest of this year and much of 2008 touring in support of "Was And Is To Come."

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Arch Enemy Release New E-Card

The new ARCH ENEMY album, "Rise Of The Tyrant," is now available. The effort marks the reunion of the heralded Amott brothers guitar tandem.

A new E-Card is now available, which features a trailer for their new video 'Revolution Begins', a photo gallery, downloadable wallpaper and MySpace banner and the 'Blood On Your Hands' MP3 track. Click here to check it out.

The group are currently in the midst of The Black Tyranny Tour, a massive co-headlining North American trek with MACHINE HEAD, which also features THROWDOWN and SANCTITY in the support slots.

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Stryper To Cover Boston Classic On New Record

Christian rock legends STRYPER are busy recording their new album. According to Metalforjesus.org, the track 'My Love I'll Always Show' (rock version) will be added to the new record since it fit's what the band is trying to do now musically. Michael Sweet says "We begin laying down vocal tracks over the next few weeks. We're finished with all the tracking, other than vocals. We start mixing in October. We're covering the song 'Peace of Mind' by BOSTON and Tom Scholz (Boston guitarist) is joining us to play guitar on that song. The whole record is sounding incredible!"

On a day off from recording recently, Michael and guitarist Oz Fox (with family and friends) headed out to a local karaoke hot spot near the studio in Massachusetts. Stryper's 'To Hell With The Devil happened to be one of the songs in the karaoke book so Michael and Oz sang it and gave the locals their very own private karaoke performance. More...

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Deranged Announce New Album Release Date

Swedish death metal legends DERANGED will release their forthcoming new album, The Redlight Murder Case, on November 26th through Regain Records. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Watch Me When I Kill
02. Strip Nude For Your Killer
03. Gently Before She Dies
04. Redlight Murderess
05. So Sweet, So Dead
06. The Killer Wore Black Gloves
07. Formula For A Murder
08. Death Walks On High Heels
09. Body Puzzle

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The Showdown Issue 'Feel Like Hell' Digital EP

Tennessee's THE SHOWDOWN has issued the following update:

"We dug up the three B-sides for [the latest THE SHOWDOWN album] 'Temptation Come My Way', and put them up online. All of the songs simply would not fit on one disc, so to keep a steady stream of high-voltage heavy metal flowing in your life, we created the 'Feel Like Hell' EP. We put the whole song 'Feel Like Hell' up for you to headbang to or add to your profile. You can grab the whole 'Feel Like Hell' EP from our MySpace or straight from your iTunes music store.

"We would like to send out a huge thanks to everyone that came out and hung with us at Ozzfest, SHADOWS FALL / ALL THAT REMAINS and our headlining shows. You guys got us through it all. It was a crazy summer; we have never been busier in our lives. We were put to the test and we pushed the limits of touring as far as we possibly could. We made it through, we are heavier than ever, and we can't wait to get back on the road jamming heavy metal."

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Onward Announce New Lineup

Guitarist Toby Knapp has reassembled his band ONWARD with the following lineup:

Dean Sternberg (vocals)
Rob Luckie (bass)
Jeramy Matheson (drums)
Toby Knapp (guitar)

Commented Knapp: "We have no agenda for extensive touring, just a few gigs here and there and a strong new album. The recording/writing process is coming slowly but surely and I am putting no timeline on its completion or release date."

According to Knapp, a new ONWARD song will be released via his MySpace page in the next few days. "The track is a six-minute journey to hell entitled 'Rhinecliff Bridge'," he said. "I feel this finally showcases the influences I have been heavily soaking up this year: KING CRIMSON, THE POLICE, RUSH, LED ZEPPELIN and a distinct sound that also hearkens back to 'Reawaken'."

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Gamma Ray Sign With Steamhammer/SPV

German power metallers GAMMA RAY have inked a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. The group's new album, "Land of the Free II" (cover artwork), is scheduled for release in Europe on November 19 (November 16 in Germany). The CD will arrive in the U.S. in January.

Commented GAMMA RAY founder Kai Hansen: "Following our previous record company's well-documented restructuring process, we increasingly felt that it would be better to embark on a new course business-wise. The preparations for our joint tour with HELLOWEEN spawned the idea to follow HELLOWEEN's example and work with Steamhammer/SPV in future. We feel certain that this cooperation will give an extra boost to our career."

"Land of the Free II" will be a conceptual continuation of the group's 1995 classic "Land of the Free", and will contain around 65 minutes of music. More...

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Anthemon Call It Quits

After 10 years of existence — during which time the band released one demo, one EP and three full-length CDs — French dark metallers ANTHEMON have decided to call it a day.

At the time of the group's split, ANTHEMON was working on the material for the follow-up to 2005's "Kadavreski", entitled "Alois". The LP was planned to be a concept album based upon the life of a quite unknown but genius French scientist named Aloïs Martel.

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Watch Unexpect's Live Performance From NYC Online

Montreal's UNEXPECT have issued the following update:

"A short video of our last show in New York with the band EPICA has been posted at this location. More shows have been added to the list, which is always growing in length to our greatest pleasure…in the new additions are shows in Sherbrooke, Winnipeg, Minneapolis, another date with PARADISE LOST in Bedford and the Trois-Rivieres Metalfest 2007. While we wait for those cortex stretching musical moments, we keep on composing for the next album. The creative chemistry is really alive and healthy…and if Salvador Dali was still alive, I’d say to him: Hi Dali!"

Upcoming Unexpect live dates can be found at their MySpace here.

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Skid Row Announce U.K. Shows

Skid Row are to play London Astoria 2 November 13, Swansea Sin City 14, Bristol Bierkeller 15, Middlesbrough Corner House 16, Leeds Rio's 17, Glasgow Garage 18, Peterborough Park 20, Milton Keynes Woughton centre 21, Liverpool Academy 22, Sheffied Corporation 23, Nottingham Rock City 24, Dudley JB's 25.

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Black Skies Burn Add Two More Shows

Oxford based metallers Black Skies Burn have added the following live shows:

28/09/07 - The Net - Abingdon
Smilex + Black Skies Burn + Retribution + Akermyst + Randall Flagg

19/10/07 - Portcullis Club - Wallingford
K-Lacura + Kimchi + Black Skies Burn + TBA

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Light This City Vocalist Checks In

Bay Area thrashers LIGHT THIS CITY are currently out on the road alongside German power metallers EDGUY, Canada's INTO ETERNITY and fellow Californians ECHOES OF ETERNITY. LIGHT THIS CITY vocalist Laura Nichol has posted the first in a series of tour journals in conjunction with the webzine Papertiger. A few excerpts from the journal include:

On touring alongside EDGUY:

Nichols: "As we pulled up alongside the headlining band's tour bus, our van still reeking of Hollywood's [aka guitarist Ryan Hansen] puke from Tuesday's drunken catastrophe (gotta love rookie guitarists...), we were greeted by some of the "Edguys", as we call them. I don't know what I expected from that band, but somehow I figured the dudes in a German IRON MAIDEN worship band with a song entitled 'Lavatory Love Machine' couldn't be all bad. I mean, sure, they're older, slightly balding longhairs who tend to substitute ridiculous gestures and sounds for many actual English words. And sure, they give out aftershow booty passes to girls in the front row whose boyfriends are holding them on their shoulders... but EDGUY are silly and fun-loving, with a set full of catchy melodies and high-kicks performed by their five-foot-seven singer, 'Hellfire Tobi'. I already know the words to almost every song in their hour-and-a-half long set!"

On touring throughout Canada:

Nichols: "Ok, I'm sorry I have to say this, but Canada is better than the United States. I'm sure every 'South Park'-loving American is going to hate me for it, but that's just because they haven't been in a touring band. Don't get me wrong; I will always appreciate having somewhere to play where anyone can come and watch our show, but in American venues, a smaller band like us is lucky to get a working bathroom and a free pizza for dinner. Canada is the land of milk and fucking honey for the touring-challenged. Clean showers, washing machines, and dryers line the huge, brightly-lit backstage, which is stocked with fresh fruits and veggies, deli-meats, soda, beer, and menus to order a variety of dinners from. French-Canadian crowds might not understand what the hell you're yelling at them, but they'll cheer as loud as they fucking can when you're done with your between-song-gibberish."

On touring city-by-city:

"So far, we have traveled through some of my most hated and most beloved cities. While there aren't many areas I dislike, and while I'll try to find the charm in any town, certain places feel like they are infected with shitty memories and people you'd like to forget, and the next day's change of atmosphere comes not a moment too soon. For once, it was actually easier for me to breathe in New York City. I know it sounds cheesy, but there is something freeing in the anonymity of places like that, especially when contrasted with the feeling of being afraid that you'll run into someone you know at any second in a small town."

To view the entire journal entry, visit Papertiger's blog section, and expect more updates from the road.

LIGHT THIS CITY continues to support the band's latest effort, last year's "Facing The Thousand" and will continue to do such on the recently announced Death By Decibels tour this fall, also featuring VADER, MALEVOLENT CREATION, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS and VEIL OF MAYA.

Here are the band's upcoming tour dates: More...

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Marduk Announce Further Shows

Black metal legends MARDUK have issued the following update:

"Tour dates for the Baltic States and Finland has now been announced. The upcoming rescheduled dates for Eastern Europe will be made official very soon. The South American part of Vanitas 2007/2008 will take place during March. More info will be arriving soon. There has been some changes in the upcoming European and Australian tour dates."

As previously reported, Marduk will be joined by VREID and UNLEASHED for their upcoming tour, starting in Stockholm, Sweden on November 23rd and continuing with 22 shows in 12 countries.

Dates for the tour are as follows:

November
14 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Mulen Ruzas
15 - Riga, Latvia - Melna Piektdiena
16 - Tallin, Estonia - Nomme Cult
18 - Turku, Finland - Klubi
19 - Tampere, Ravintola Hella
20 - Kuopio, Henrys Pub
23 - Stockholm, Sweden at Klubben
24 - Oslo, Norway at Maiden
25 - Malmoe, Sweden at Sticky Fingers
26 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loopen
27 - Sneek, Holland at Bolwerk
28 - London, England at The Underworld
29 - Sheffield, England at The Corporation
30 - Vosselaar, Belgium at Biebob

December
1 - Arnhem, Holland at Music Sacrum
2 - Paris, France at Elysee Montmartre
3 - Strasbourg, France at La Laiterie
4 - Lyon, France at Ninkasi Kao
5 - Barcelona, Spain at Mephisto
6 - Madrid, Spain at Caracol
7 - Toulouse, France at Havana
8 - Erstfeld, Switzerland at Transilvania Live
9 - Bologna, Italy at Estragon
10 - Dornbirn, Austria at Spielboden
11 - Ingolstadt, Germany at SPL
12 - Brno, Czech Republic at Fleda
13 - Leipzig, Germany at Hellraiser
14 - Saarbrucken, Germany at Roxy
15 - Werl - Duisburg, Germany at Stadthalle

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Scarlet Sins Update Tour Schedule

Toronto based all-female act SCARLET SINS have updated their live schedule with shows in Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario. It is now as follows:

September
29 - Midland, ON - The Native Friendship Centre

October
13 - Burlington, ON - Red Rooster
20 - Toronto, ON - Bovine
25 - Montreal, QC - The Saints

November
17 - Ottawa, ON - Maverick's

Scarlet Sins' self-titled debut is currently available through CDBaby and will be available at all live shows.

The complete tracklist of the album is as follows: 'Let Go', 'Drown', 'Above Ground', 'Own Truth', 'With You', 'Reborn', 'Strangelove' (DEPECHE MODE cover), 'Are You Worth It', 'Backstabber', 'Broken', 'Fire Inside', 'Entre', 'No Arguments'. It was produced by Rich Chycki, known for his work with RUSH, AEROSMITH, and DREAM THEATER frontman James LaBrie.

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Waysted Announce Tentative Tracklisting

As previously reported, WAYSTED's classic line-up of Pete Way (bass; ex-UFO), Fin (vocals), Chris George (guitar) and Paul Haslin (drums) are gearing up for the release of their new album, The Harsh Reality. It is due to be issued in October via Livewire Records out of the UK. The tentative album tracklist is as follows: 'Propaganda', 'Samaritan Man', 'Rockin' The Cliché', 'Keepin' It Sweet', 'Long Time Dead', 'Out Of Control', 'It Wasn't Me', 'Song For Steve', 'The Harsh Reality', 'Handbags & Gladrags', 'Can't Live Without Some Pain'.

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Ratt Release Official Statement On Cancelled Tour

According to RATT's management, the statement regarding the band's European tour cancellation that was posted on vocalist Stephean Pearcy's web site (which stated that the decision to postpone the trek was made in order to allow the band to stay on schedule to finish the writing for their new album, which they want to deliver in early 2008) was "put up by [Stephen's] webmaster without approval" and is not an accurate depiction of the circumstances behind the group's decision to call off the tour. What follows is the new and official statement from RATT regarding the tour's cancellation:

"Live Nation, X-Ray Touring and RATT have announced that they are postponing the European portion of their fall tour. Instead the band plans to return in June of next year to perform at some of Europe's most popular rock festivals as well as several other key dates in the UK and Scandinavia. In addition, they are also exploring some other special high-profile packages which will be announced shortly. The band's Japan and Australia tour stays as scheduled."

RATT returned to stores with new DVD and CD releases on July 31: the first-ever DVD release from the band, "Ratt: Videos From The Cellar: The Atlantic Years", and the audio collection "Tell The World: The Very Best Of Ratt", which features the hard rockers at their studio and live performance peak and includes an unreleased track.

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