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Children Of Bodom To Change Their Name?

Finnish metal outfit Children Of Bodom, who recently announced the departure of Henkka (T. Blacksmith - bass), Janne (Wirman - keyboards) and Jaska (Raatikainen - drums,) may have to alter their moniker, frontman Alexi Laiho revealed in a new interview. Since this announcement, it has come to light that the Children Of Bodom name belongs to AA & Sewira Consulting Oy, the company owned by Raatikainen, Seppälä and Wirman. On June 28th, the trio filed an application with the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, and their application was subsequently granted for a five-year period starting on October 1st. This means that although Laiho intends to continue to move forward, the new outfit can't use the Children Of Bodom moniker without the permission of Wirman, Raatikainen and Seppälä.

Speaking with Finland's Soundi and Helsingin Sanomat, Laiho revealed things within the band have been tense for quite some time, and that Wirman, Raatikainen and Seppälä made the decision to leave last year. Things were pushed towards the final decision to call it quits in December during the band's recent Russian tour.

Laiho: "We fought a lot within the band, and I can honestly admit that those fights were mainly my fault. They always started with some misunderstanding. I have no bad feelings towards any of them."

On moving forward, Laiho says the band name may need to be altered slightly: "Maybe it could be just Bodom or the name of one of our songs, but it must be a name that suggests that it's the same band."

Laiho and Freyberg have, according to Helsingin Sanomat, already found a new bassist and a new drummer. If all goes as planned they will start performing live next spring.

Laiho: "Of course, there's a bit of sadness since we've been a band for a really long time. We've had more good times than bad times. On the other hand, I also feel relieved. I'm pretty fucking excited that I get to play with the new guys. The thrill of playing with a new line-up seems to quell the sadness."

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Cro-Mags Posts New Music Video Online

New York's hardcore punk legends Cro-Mags have released an official live video for the track "No One's Victim," which is taken from the 7" single they released this summer called, "Don't Give In." You can check it out below.

Harley Flanagan: "In late 2018 I went in to the studio to start working on a new Cro-Mags album. After recording the first few songs, I got a strange phone call in the middle of the night, that turned out to be from Tony Brummel, Victory Records (to this day I have no idea where or how he got my number). I thought it was a prank call; it turned out not to be, and I started negotiating a record deal with Victory Records. Arising Empire in Europe later got in touch and with a team of lawyers including Donna Tobin (Frankfurt Kurnit), Dave Stein etc. and the help of Robert Kampf, former CEO of Century Media and his team, we negotiated deals that we are all very happy with. Mike Gitter from Century made the introduction to engineer John Ferrara and Producer Arthur Rizk, and the recording process went into full swing. One of the many things that makes me happy about signing with Victory and Arising Empire, is that they are genuinely fans of my music and know my history; they are not just labels trying to make money off me or the genre. I know that I am working with the best team, and the best musicians to launch the next era of Cro-Mags." More...

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Apocalyptica Announces North American Tour Dates

Today, Finland's multi-Platinum cello-rock band Apocalyptica - classically-trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and Paavo Lötjönen, and drummer Mikko Sirén - announces the Spring 2020 North American leg of the "Cell-0 World Tour." This tour leg will launch on Sunday, May 3 in Orlando, FL, and see the band performing in 20 cities over a three-week period wrapping up on May 26 in Boston, MA. With a set list that will likely vary night to night, Apocalyptica's performances will be comprised of new songs from "Cell-0" as well as the band's rich catalogue. Lacuna Coil will support on all dates. Ticket pre-sales and access to VIP packages begin tomorrow, November 20 at 10AM (local); public on-sale starts Friday, November 22 at 10AM (local). Go to https://www.apocalyptica.com for all pre-sales, VIP packages, and ticketing details.

In concert, Apocalyptica is known for its moving and bombastic live performances with sparse production but an abundance of head banging. Anyone who might think that there wouldn't be a deluge of excitement with three cellists should think again...these are symphonic rock stars who know how to shred their bows.

These tour dates are in support of the band's new album "Cell-0," set for a January 10 release (Silver Lining Music). Produced by Apocalyptica, mixed by Andrew Sheps (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Metallica and Black Sabbath), and recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, the recording of Cell-0 followed a four-year break between albums that gave the band a fresh perspective and affected the way they approached the new music. "Cell-0" is the quartet's first instrumental album in 17 years and found the musicians challenging themselves to discover new flavors and colors in their respective instruments. More...

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Skyblood Posts New Lyric Video Online

Without a doubt, Mats Leven is one of the most influential and illustrious names in Swedish metal. His distinctive and colorful voice has graced albums by Candlemass, Therion, Krux, Yngwie Malmsteen and At Vance – and now, after lending his vocals to others for decades, fans can finally experience the charismatic singer‘s solo album!

Under the solo flag of Skyblood, the self-titled debut album will see the light of day this Friday, November 22, 2019 via Napalm Records. Mats Leven has been working on his solo project for several years, and aside from some additional guest musicians, most instruments were recorded by Leven at his own studio – the Uzi G Studio – in Stockholm. Skyblood's debut contains dark and hypnotic anthems that take the listener on exotic trips into emotional soundspheres, triumphing in musical finesse and timeless elegance. Skyblood is an unchained and exciting affair feeding off of epic, classic metal, doom and melodic hard rock influences – an unpredictable mixture soaring to glorious heights!

Only a few days ahead of its official album release, Mats Leven has unleashed a third single – the epic track "Out Of The Hollow." Says the metal icon: “It‘s about someone realizing it‘s time to move on. Even if it means having to face the dark unknown.” More...

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