Retraction: If Hope Dies Not Opening For COB

Metal Blade has stated that news of If Hope Dies opening in the rotating opening slot on the Children of Bodom tour is not accurate. The band are expected to open on one, currently unspecified, date of teh tour, however.

Here are If Hope Dies' confirmed tour dates:

Tour w/ The Burning Season and Stray From the Path
1/18 Birmingham, AL Dragon
1/19 Nashville, TN Muse
1/20 Clarksville, IN The Warehouse
1/21 Syracuse, NY Westcott Community Center
end tour
1/24 Baltimore, MD Skateland
2/04 Endicott, NY Rexers Music Hall
2/05 Bedford, NH Mark’s Place
2/18 Poughkeepsie, NY Club Crannel
2/19 New York, NY BB King’s Blues Club

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Australia's Brute Force Fest Details

Yet another all-day Metal Fest has been added to the Metal calendar in 2006. Brute Force Fest will take place on the 8th April, 2006 at the Gaelic Club in Sydney, Australia. Starting 10:00am, the all ages even will feature the following bands:

Psycroptic (TAS) - (11:15pm - 12:00am)
Pathogen (WA) - (10:20 - 11:00)
The Furor (WA) - (9:30 - 10:10)
Infernal Method (NSW) - (8:35 - 9:15)
Vespers Decent (WA) - (7:40 - 8:20)
Transcending Mortality (NSW) - (6:45 - 7:25)
Meat Wallet (SA) - (6:00 - 6:30)
Minus Life (QLD) - (5:15 - 5:45)
Shallow Grave (VIC) - (4:30 - 5:00)
Punisher (NSW) - (3:45 - 4:15)
Kania (NSW) - (3:00 - 3:30)
Ebolie (NSW) - (2:15 - 2:45)
Synthetic Breed (VIC) - (1:30 - 2:00)
Zero Degrees Freedom (TAS) - (12:45 - 1:15)
Western Decay (QLD) - (11:30 - 12:00)
Murder World (NSW) - (10:45 - 11:15)
Scrum (NSW) - (10:00am 10:30am)

Tickets $35+bf through moshtix.com.au

You can get more information on the official forum.

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Hear Nirvana's Classic Set From Reading In 1992

Monday night's Lamacq Live on Radio 1 featured the classic Nirvana concert from Reading, England in 1992, as well as a Showcase Session with Living Things. You can listen to a replay of the show, with the Nirvana set about 1 hour and 17 minutes in, at BBC.co.uk.

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Former Cryptopsy Frontman Joins Covenance

COVENANCE, the new band featuring former MISERY INDEX members Matt Byers (drums) and Bruce Greig (also ex-DYING FETUS), have parted ways with vocalist Vince Matthews (ex-DYING FETUS) due to "professional differences." His replacement in the group is none other than former CRYPTOPSY frontman Martin Lacroix. Martin will make his recording debut with the band in April when the band are scheduled to begin work on a new CD, to be followed by extensive touring.

Formed in March 2005, COVENANCE's first demo was remastered by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) and released as the "Ravaging The Pristine" CD (TCI) and 7" (Emetic Records).

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Bulletboys Drop Off Pearcy's Metal In America Tour

According to former RATT frontman Stephen Pearcy's official web site, BULLETBOYS will no longer be taking part in the Metal In America 2006 tour. The trek, which is scheduled to kick off in early February, will now feature headliner Pearcy alongside BANG TANGO and PRETTY BOY FLOYD.

Here are the 2006 Metal In America Tour dates:

02/03/06 - The Avalon, Santa Clara, CA
02/06/06 - Ecks Saloon, Lakewood, CO
02/08/06 - Westown Theater, Bay City, MI
02/09/06 - POV's, Andover, MN
02/10/06 - Muddy Waters, Cedar Rapids, IA
02/11/06 - The Hayloft, Mt. Clemens, MI
02/12/06 - The Double Door, Akron, OH
02/15/06 - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH
02/16/06 - Muclcahy's, Wantaugh, NY
02/17/06 - Jaxx, Springfield, VA
02/18/06 - Webster Theater, Hartford, CT
02/19/06 - The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
02/23/06 - Red Rooster, Winston-Salem, SC
03/02/06 - Amos' Southend, Charlotte, NC
03/04/06 - The State Theater, St. Petersburg, FL
03/08/06 - Stampede, El Paso, TX
03/10/06 - Empire Ballroom, Las Vegas, NV

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Rob Zombie Names New Album, More Tour Dates

According to MTV, the next ROB ZOMBIE album will be titled 'Educated Horses'. Geffen Records will release it on March 28.

In other news, more dates have been confirmed for ROB ZOMBIE's upcoming North American tour with LACUNA COIL. Confirmed dates for the tour are as follows:

March 16 - Jacksonville, FL @ Plush
March 18 - Miami, FL @ Bicentennial Park (Global Gathering Festival)
March 19 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
March 22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
March 24 - North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
March 25 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
March 26 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
March 28 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
March 29 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
March 30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
April 1 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
April 3 - Montreal, QUE @ The Metropolis
April 4 - Toronto, ONT @ Kool Haus
April 6 - Columbus, OH @ Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
April 7 - Detroit, MI @ State Theatre
April 8 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater
April 9 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
April 11 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom/The Rave
April 13 - Des Moines, IA @ Val Air
April 14 - Maplewood, MN @ Myth
April 15 - Kansas City, KS @ Memorial Hall
April 17 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
April 18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Great Salt Air
April 20 - San Francisco, CA @ SF Weekly Warfield
April 21 - San Diego, CA @ SOMA
April 22 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
April 24 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
April 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
April 27 - Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Amphitheatre
April 29 - Lubbock, TX @ Lone Star Amphitheatre
May 1 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre
May 2 - San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Garden
May 3 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street
May 4 - Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater

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36 Crazyfists Finish Mixing New Album

36 CRAZYFISTS guitarist Steve Holt has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"The mixing phase [of the third 36 album, 'Rest Inside the Flames'] is coming to a close and Andy [Sneap, mixer] has done it again, this shit sounds amazing. This also means my time in the U.K. is coming to a close — for now anyway. Right when I got settled in, it is time to move on, damn it all.

"There is still some tweaks left to do and then mastering and this thing will be rock ready. The album cover is coming together and tours are in the works, so as soon as we have anything concrete I shall let you all know.

"I've had a blast consuming myself in and making this record over the last 7 months and can't wait to share it with you all.

"We have a show in Portland on the 24th of February at Rock N Roll Pizza with a gaggle of good bands to rock out some of the new material. If you're in the area head down for beers and metal.

"Full day of flying tomorrow. Oh boy!"

"Rest Inside the Flames" was produced by Sal Villanueva, who has previously worked with THURSDAY, TAKING BACK SUNDAY and VISION OF DISORDER, among others. A late spring release via Roadrunner Records is expected.

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Tool Confirmed To Play Rokslide Fest In Denmark

TOOL are one of the first three acts to be confirmed for this year's Roskilde Festial, set to take place June 29 – July 2 in Roskilde, Denmark. Also scheduled to appear are FRANZ FERDINAND and KANYE WEST. More acts will be announced soon.

It was previously reported by Norwegian national TV channel TV2 that TOOL will play Norway's Quart festival in early July. Both the Roskilde and Quart performances are likely to be part of a European festival tour in the summer.

TOOL are currently in the mixing stage on their new album and are reportedly looking at an April or May release for the disc, their first since 2001's "Lateralus". A video directed by guitarist Adam Jones is also said to be in the works, with members of the band preparing to embark on an an international press tour for the new effort. More information will be made available soon.

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Peavey Announces David Ellefson Signature Series

Peavey has announced the Zodiac DE Scorpio, the first signature-model bass guitar in the Zodiac Series. Designed with veteran metal bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH, currently in F5), Peavey Zodiac DE bass guitars are solid rock basses featuring both J-style and P-style pickups.

"I wanted to create a bass that incorporates the best sound qualities of a traditional instrument but also has cutting-edge features designed for modern players," says Ellefson. "My technique and playing style have always demanded more from a bass guitar to really capture the power and depth of my music. The Zodiac DE brings those elements together in one powerhouse instrument."

In the celebrated Peavey tradition, Zodiac basses combine sought-after features with the road-worthy durability required by serious rock players. Like other basses in the Zodiac Series, the David Ellefson signature model — named Scorpio after Ellefson's sign in the astrological zodiac — is built using a solid alder body with sculpted front and back contours and equipped with an articulating bridge with machined saddles. The Scorpio is also outfitted to his specs, including custom Seymour Duncan pickups, a gloss-black finish and a mirrored pickguard.

"Rock n' roll is about constant reinvention and taking things to new extremes, and the Zodiac DE reflects my passion for that lifestyle," adds Ellefson. "I like the bass to be heard as well as felt through the music, and after all, what good is a fancy bass if you can't hear it?"

Zodiac DE Scorpio basses feature one P-style and one J-style pickup, with two master volume controls and one master tone control for shaping the Zodiac sound. Other features include an 8" radius maple neck so players can work into the 21-fret rosewood fingerboard in comfort, plus all-chrome hardware; butterfly tuners; and a Switchcraft jack.

The Peavey Zodiac DE Scorpio bass guitar will be available from authorized Peavey retailers in Q1 2006.

For more information, visit www.peavey.com.

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Andrew W.K.'s 'Who Knows?' DVD Delayed Til Feb

MTV.com is reporting that "Who Knows?", the forthcoming live ANDREW W.K. DVD, has been bumped back to a February 7 release. The film will premiere at New York's Pioneer Theater with two screenings on February 3-4 at 11 p.m. Both evenings will include a solo keyboard performance by Andrew.

"Who Knows?" features live footage shot over four years on the road, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, an ANDREW W.K. fan tribute, outtakes of Andrew performing "I Get Wet" and additional footage of Andrew's antics. More information is available at this location.

ANDREW W.K. is "in the final stages of recording" his forthcoming, as-yet-untitled fifth LP, tentatively due later in the year. Songtitles set to appear on the follow-up to 2003's "The Wolf" include "I'm a Vagabond", "I Want to See You Go Wild", "I'm Not Going to Bed", "Pushing Drugs", "You Will Remember Tonight" and "Kicks and Bricks".

ANDREW W.K. has yet to announce a new label home, having severed ties with Island Records in 2004.

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Pleurisy's "Experience The Sacrilege" For Download

While Pleurisy is working on their new album, an old one is available for download as MP3. Download "Experience The Sacrilege" (2000) now for free form their website or use this link to have it all zipped together.

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Blacklisted, The Warriors, Embrace The End Tour

Dates have been announced for the upcoming Blacklisted, The Warriors, and Embrace The End tour. Here's the schedule:

dates w/ With Or Without You
2/18 Bakersfield, CA @ Montgomery World Plaza
2/20 Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
2/21 San Jose, CA @ The Cave
2/22 San Francisco, CA @ the Pound
2/23 Portland, OR @ Rock N Roll Pizza
2/24 Tacoma, WA @ Hell's Kitchen
2/25 Spokane, WA @ Fat Tuesday's
2/26 Boise, ID @ The Venue

2/27 Salt Lake City, UT @ Overdrive
2/28 Denver, CO @ Climax Lounge
3/3 St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
3/4 Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop w/ Keep and Confess
3/5 Moline, IL @ Cara's Studio w/ Torche the Morgue
3/7 Arlington Heights, IL @ Knights of Columbus w/ Good Times
3/8 Detroit, MI @ Alvin's
3/10 Cleveland, OH @ Pirates Cove w/ With or Without You
3/12 Lemoyne, PA @ Champion Ship w/ Fall River, Bracewar
3/13 Kingston, PA @ Backstage Enterprises w/ Fall River
3/15 Bucksport, ME @ The Kave
3/16 Providence, RI @ the Living Room w/ Fall River
3/18 Lansdale, PA @ Third and Walnut w/ This is Hell, Levenworth
3/19 Fredericksburg, VA @ KC's w/ This is Hell

dates w/ Seventh Star
3/20 Virginia Beach, VA @ Peppermint Beach Club
3/21 Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
3/23 Jacksonville, FL @ Thee Imperial
3/24 Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
3/25 West Palm Beach, FL @ Ray's Downtown
3/26 Winter Park, FL @ Island Oasis w/ Sinking Ships
3/28 Houston, TX @ Java Jazz

3/30 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit

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Sick Of It All and Dropkick Murphys Tour Dates

Sick Of It All and the Dropkick Murphys will be teaming up for a two-week tour. Here are the tour dates:

3/1 New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
3/2 Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
3/3 N. Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
3/4 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
3/5 Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
3/6 West Palm Beach, FL @ Sound Advice Amphitheater
3/7 St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
3/9 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
3/10 Austin, TX @ Emo's Alternative Lounging
3/11 Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
3/12 Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club
3/13 St. Louis, MO @ Mississippi Nights
3/14 Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo's
3/15 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
3/16 Boston, MA @ The Avalon

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Ephemeral Sun Recording New Album

Ephemeral Sun is recording their next full length, after the successful release of the debut Broken Door. The album is being recorded completly in home studios and produced by their keyboardist John Battema. Meanwhile the band will play on April 28th in a 3-day festival called Rites of Spring. More informations of the festival are available at rosfest.com.

The band also put for download exclusively for the festival website the track "A Song for Twilight", which you can download here.

Ephemeral Sun is a progressive rock band with elements from heavy metal, electronica, fusion, jazz and features the vocals of Laurie Ann Haus (Autumn Tears, Todesbonden, Rain Fell Within, Ol Sonuf, Garden of Shadows). The band was formed in 2002 by Rain Fell Within former members in an opportunity to explore new musical territories and more adventurous songwritting.

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New Pro-Pain Album Due This Year

Florida-based metal/hardcore legends PRO-PAIN are currently writing material for a new album, due before the end of the year. The band have tentative plans to play concerts in Greece, Romania, Holland, and other select markets in April, before entering the studio in late spring/early summer to begin recording the new CD. Extensive tours of Europe and the U.S. in support of the new CD are planned for later in the year.

In other news, PRO-PAIN will be included on an upcoming DVD release of DIE BÖHSE ONKELZ' farewell concerts at Eurospeedway/Lausitzring. PRO-PAIN will be featured in the form of three live tracks ("Make War Not Love", "Shine" and "Terpentin") and an interview.

Also on the PRO-PAIN-related front, the group's drummer J.C. Dwyer will marry his fiancée Jamie Burnett in May.

PRO-PAIN's most recent studio album, "Prophets of Doom", was released in June 2005 via Candlelight Records.

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Black Label Society To Play Ozzfest 2006

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY booking agent Troy Blakely at APA has told Billboard magazine that the band will be taking part in this summer's Ozzfest before doing additional North American dates in the fall. "We don't know how we're going to do it yet or who we're going to be out with, but that's the plan, we're going to be back here in the fall headlining," he said.

This year BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will tour overseas for most of the spring and early summer. The band is booked in Europe by Nigel Kerr at APS and in South America by Bill Monot at Paradise Artists.

"For the first time this year, we're going to South America, for 16 headlining shows in 3,000-capacity-plus [venues]," BLACK LABEL SOCIETY manager Bob Ringe told Billboard. "We're going to Australia for the first time this year — eight shows in May, 3,000-capacity-plus. And we're doing a headlining European tour from May 23 until the first of July."

Blakely calls BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde "one of the hardest workers I've ever seen in the music business, period, and I've been doing this about 32 years."

Wylde's work ethic impressed Blakely early on. "He's working 24 hours a day, not just when he's onstage," Blakely said. "He's either writing material for himself or for OZZY OSBOURNE, working on other projects he's involved with, designing guitars or whatever else he's doing."

On the road, Wylde and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are rock-solid at the box office. "we did two tours in 2005," Ringe noted. "The spring tour we did 97.6% capacity, and the fall tour we headlined 3,000-plus seaters."

According to Blakely, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's fan base is very loyal. "That's one of the things I noticed a couple of years ago when I had JUDAS PRIEST on Ozzfest," he said. "I saw this fan base that Zakk has. There are chapters in each city that are very, very loyal fans, that come out for Zakk and bring other people and spread the word about what Zakk and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are up to. I've never seen anything quite like that before."

As previously reported, Zakk Wylde is expected to write, record and tour with Ozzy in 2006 and beyond. This was announced after apparent scheduling conflicts with Wylde and subsequent auditions for Ozzy's replacement for Zakk.

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Deadsoil Replace Bassist

Deadsoil bassist Stefan Eutebach has left the band for personal reasons. Here's a statement from Eutebach:

"Leaving Deadsoil was in no way an easy decision when thinking of the great times we've had together during the past years. I am proud I had the chance being a part of that whole circus. But in the past months I realized time would be more and more of an issue as there's tons of major changes in my life besides this band - I finally want to finish university, I recently got a new great job I am looking forward to, amongst other great news. I want to thank my buddies in the band for everything and everyone who supported what I was doing, especially my wife."

Consequently, long-time band friend Andreas Schüssler has now joined the group as full-time bassist.

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Sentence Prepare New Album

Italy's Sentence are currently working very hard on their new CD for Burning Season Records, the new record will be called "ad vitam reversi" and will be recorded and mastered again at the Fear Studio where Sentence also recorded their "Dominion On Evil" and "War" records, the layout will be done by the best Italian designer ever, Nick Lelli. The new record will come out as a very nice digipack CD. The official European release date and show will be on July 8th at our big BSR summer festival in Austria.

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