I  NODE SARANNO IL
SUPPORTING ACT DEL TOUR EUROPEO DEI LACUNA COIL INSIEME AI POISON
BLACK!!!! .
LA BAND MILANESE CAPITANATA DA DANIEL BOTTI E FORTI DEL
NUOVISSIMO E POTENTISSIMO "AS GOD KILLS" COPRIRANNO INSIEME AI
BLASONATISSIMI CONCITTADINI LE DATE FRANCESI E SPAGNOLE DEL KARMACODE
EUROPEAN TOUR CHE PARTIRA' DA TREVISO IL 22 SETTEMBRE 2006 PER POI
LASCIARE IL POSTO AI DE LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE NELLE DATE SEGUENTI.

Queste le date:

Sep 28 2006 Razmatazz 2       Barcelona

Sep 29 2006 Madrid Arena         Madrid

Sep 30 2006  Jam   Bergara

Oct 1 2006 8:00P  Barbey  Bordeaux

Oct 2 2006 8:00P Cooperative DeMai    Clermont Ferrant

Oct 3 2006 8:00P  Olympia   Paris
 

LA THRASH BAND LOMBARDA INOLTRE E' STATA INSERITA COME OPENER BAND
NELLA NUOVISSIMA COMPILATION DELLA MASSACRE RECORDS CON IL PEZZO
"SHOTGUN BLAST PROPAGANDA"

The following message has been posted on the official NAPALM DEATH web site:

"The band are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Jesse Pintado this past Sunday. Please expect a statement shortly. Jesse Pintado was a member of NAPALM DEATH from 1989-2004."



Pintado's final release was the long-awaited TERRORIZER reunion CD, entitled "Darker Days Ahead", which came out last week via Century Media Records.

Bolt Thrower

British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER have posted the following message on their official web site:

"BOLT THROWER have had to cancel plans to tour the U.S. this year with their 'Those Still Loyal' tour.

"Unfortunately their label, Metal Blade Records, refused to financially back the band, i.e. pay towards the flights, etc. Despite trying to work out other ways to make this happen, the band found they were unable to finance a tour of this scale on their own and therefore had to stop any further planning of the tour.

"BOLT THROWER apologise to Maurizio and Thunderdome Touring, the promoters/bands who were willing to participate in the tour and their fans in the U.S. who were hoping to finally see them live. Regrettably, it looks like while BOLT THROWER are signed to Metal Blade Records they will be unable to tour the States."

BOLT THROWER recently completed a European tour in support of its new CD, "Those Once Loyal", which entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 76 — the group's highest-charting release in Germany so far. The follow-up to 2001's "Honour, Valour, Pride" was recorded at Andy Faulkner's Sable Rose studios and is the band's first album since the return of original vocalist Karl Willetts as a full-time member.

Massachusetts-based metal act ALL THAT REMAINS has posted two additional tracks from the band's  new record, "The Fall of Ideals", online. The band has added "Not Alone" and "The Air I Breathe" to its MySpace page, the latter will be the album's second single and video. The forthcoming music video will be filmed in early September in Southern California with veteran director Darren Doane (EVERY TIME I DIE, ATREYU). The band is currently gearing up for a North American run; they will be providing direct support to British power metallers DRAGONFORCE.

Guitarist Jesse Pintado (TERRORIZER, ex-NAPALM DEATH) died over the weekend in a hospital in Holland, Century Media Records has confirmed. A pioneer in our musical genre, Jesse and his influential sound will be sorely missed. BLABBERMOUTH.NET would like to offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Century Media Records will make a further announcement later in the week.

In a recent interview with Rockdetector.com, Pintado spoke about his final days in NAPALM DEATH.

"The departure was basically due to a variety of reasons," he said. "We shared a house together, we toured together, we were always together, but people move on. Along the way there was a little rough bumps, though I don't know. In my situation it got to the point where I needed a little fresh start. I'm still good friends with the guys; there's no animosity there, we're all cool, and they're happy with what I'm doing."

Asked if the media twisted the situation in some ways since it was reported that the band stated he had personal problems and alcohol issues," Pintado replied, "Yeah, of course. The other day I was browsing the Internet, and they stated I was dead! I thought 'Oh shit, I'm dead!' I really don't pay much attention to that."

Pintado's final release was the long-awaited TERRORIZER reunion CD, entitled "Darker Days Ahead", which came out last week via Century Media Records.

Burden Of Grief

German death/thrash metal act BURDEN OF GRIEF will enter Krachgarten Tonstudio in Kassel, Germany in October to begin recording its fourth album, "Death End Road", for a February/March 2007 release. The follow-up to 2004's "Fields of Salvation" will once again be mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, HATESPHERE). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Death End Road" (instrumental), "Swallow The Sun", "The Game", "Drown In Sorrow", "Schizophrenic", "Vita Reducta" and "Killer In Me".

BURDEN OF GRIEF recently announced the departure of guitarist Ulrich Busch and bassist Dirk Bulmahn. Replacing them in the group's current lineup are guitarist Johannes "Joe" Rudolph (GUTLOCK) and bassist Florian Bauer (TWILIGHT PROPHECIES).

Swedish "heavy doom progressive" metallers MORGANA LEFAY have entered Soundcreation studio in Bollnäs, Sweden to begin recording the follow-up to 2005's "Grand Materia", tentatively due in late 2006/early 2007 via Black Mark Records. A "studio diary" keeping track of the band's progress has been launched on its official forum.

MORGANA LEFAY recently announced the addition of drummer Pelle Åkerlind (LEDNOTE, ROCK TOOLS) to the group's ranks. The band's latest album, "Grand Materia", was a concept CD about Nicholas Flamel, a 14th-century alchemist who supposedly lived on forever.

MORGANA LEFAY performed at the Chicago Powerfest 2006 in early April at Mr. Kelley's Music Box in Chicago Heights, IL

DISSECTION guitarist Set Teitan (ex-ABORYM, BLOODLINE) has dismissed media reports that the group's frontman, Jon Nödtveidt, placed an open copy of "The Satanic Bible" in front of him before killing himself last week at his apartment in Hässelby, a suburb of Stockholm.

According to the Swedish newspaper Expressen, Nödtveidt, 31, was found dead on Wednesday, August 16 after he allegedly surrounded himself by lit candles and shot himself in the head. Shortly before the ritual suicide, he sent farewell letters to his father and his girlfriend and explained to a friend, "I'm going away for a long, long time. I'm going to Transylvania."

At 7:21 p.m. CET on August 16, a police patrol reported to the police communication center in Stockholm that a man had been found dead, the apparent victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to several of Expressen's sources, the singer placed an open copy of "The Satanic Bible" in front of him before pulling the trigger.

"He shot himself in the head and lay dead in a ring of lit candles," a police source told Expressen.

In a message posted in an invite-only black metal online forum, DISSECTION guitarist Set Teitan reportedly wrote: "This also [has] to be cleared up before it becomes another rumor, as [journalists], of course, invent things in their ignorance: It's not any atheist, humanist and ego-worshipping 'Satanic Bible' by Anton LaVey that Jon had in front of him, but a Satanic Grimoire. He despised LaVey and 'Church of Satan'."

Witchcraft

Swedish doom/'70s-influenced heavy stoner rock kings WITCHCRAFT are returning to the United States this October and November. The band, who released "Firewood" last year on Candlelight Records, will be touring with DANAVA. The initial dates are as follows:

Oct. 23 - Sunset Tavern - Seattle, WA
Oct. 24 - Doug Fir - Portland, OR
Oct. 31 - Parish - Austin, TX
Nov. 01 - Proletariat - Houston, TX
Nov. 02 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
Nov. 03 - Bottletree - Biringham, AL
Nov. 04 - Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA
Nov. 05 - Local 506 - Chapel HILL, NC
Nov. 06 - Talking Head - Baltimore, MD
Nov. 12 - Lawrenceville Moose Lodge - Pittsburgh, PA
Nov. 13 - Little Brothers - Columbus, OH
Nov. 14 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
Nov. 16 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN

Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have issued the following statement:

"It just came to our attention that our scheduled show in Costa Rica on October the 3rd is cancelled. Apparently this is a result by the local promotors refusal to share our flight costs with the other promoters, which is total bollocks, if you ask me. We were totally looking forward to play Costa Rica during this forthcoming Latin American tour, but unfortunately it won't happen. We understand that this cancellation will leave A LOT of you people very disappointed. And trust me, we all wish there were something we could do to change the situation, but we can't. We do however hope that there will be another chance for us to play Costa Rica in the not-too-distant future."

DARK FUNERAL's latest album, "Attera Totus Sanctus", was recorded and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH) and Örjan Örnkloo (MISERY LOVES CO.) at Dug-Out studios in Uppsala, Sweden. Mastering duties were handled by Tomas Eberger at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden. The album features a guest appearance by former MESHUGGAH bassist Gustaf Hielm.

DARK FUNERAL currently features vocalist/bassist Emperor Magnus Caligula, guitarist Lord Ahriman, guitarist Chaq Mol, and drummer Matte Modin.

Slayer (source: official newsletter)

Free show with Mastodon

Slayer and Mastodon will be playing a FREE Myspace Secret Show tomorrow, Tuesday July 25th, in Salt Lake City with Children Of Bodom and Thine Eyes Bleed at the club In The Venue.

Doors open at 4:00PM, so get there EARLY! The show is all ages and entry is limited so get there early!

In The Venue 219 S 600 W Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone: (801) 359-3219

Click on the image below for the full version of the poster!

In Blackest Velvet (source: In Blackest Velvet)

Split from Damian Hein

We have officially split from Damian Hein, one of the founders of IN BLACKEST VELVET, who was playing with us from the beginning, guitar, vocalist and at the end studio session musician, for the sound effects. Thanks brother“
 
„The first concert after nearly three and a half years Stage abstinence, is confirmed. The Live comeback of IN BLACKEST VELVET on stage is will be at the cult festival NEBELMOND METALPARTY. At the Harzer Str. 7, in 49124 Georgsmarienhütte (near by Osnabrück). We’re glad to play there again.“

The Metal-Compilation „Rebirth The Metal Vol. 3“ together with IN BLACKEST VELVET’s Song „Lamb of Liberty“ from the actual CD „InSuiSight“ is now also available in our merchandising shop on our homepage http://www.InBlackestVelvet.de or directly on http://www.rebirththemetal.de.vu.

Kataklysm (source Official Website)

Support acts announced for 'Road To Devastation' European Tour

Dark Tranquillity (source Blabbermouth)

Announces Japanese, Korean, Australian Tour dates

S-Hammer Metal Fest 2006 (source: Node)

SODOM, BELPHEGOR and NODE  Confirmed

SODOM and BELPHEGOR have been confirmed for the S-Hammer Metal Fest 2006, set to take place August 26 at Campo Sportivo in Castel Volturno (CE), Italy. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

SODOM
BELPHEGOR
NODE
EDENSHADE
SUDDEN DEATH
SAKAHITER
DOOMRAISER

For more information, visit www.shammermetalfest.com.

God Dethroned (source: Blabbermouth)

New album details revealed

All That Remains (source: Blabbermouth)

Enters billboard chart at No. 75

All Shall Perish

New song posted online

Celtic Frost

Frontman: my body has been losing 'rivers of blood'

CELTIC FROST frontman Tom Gabriel Fischer has posted the following message on his official blog:

"My body has been losing what seem like rivers of blood every day for weeks now. Coupled with an apparently inexhaustible agony, especially after the last two of CELTIC FROST's concerts, it almost amounts to an antediluvian consecration, an offering, an act of penance, an expiation."

As previously reported, CELTIC FROST's latest album, "Monotheist", sold just under 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group's first album in 13 years was produced by the band with Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) and features 11 songs.

CELTIC FROST cancelled their scheduled appearance at the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on June 3 after mainman Thomas Gabriel Fischer was rushed to the hospital, where "he was diagnosed with a kidney stone that was about to dislocate," according to the group's management. The band returned to form on June 10 by playing a triumphant 90-minute headliner show on the "Sweden Stage" at the prestigious Sweden Rock festival, a mere three days after Fischer had undergone surgery. The reactions to this show — as well as to the preceding warm-up concerts — have been extremely positive. To quote Martin "Raging Too Hard, As Usual" Carlsson from his review of the festival in the Swedish newspaper Expressen, "It was the best gig in the whole history of the festival."

Into Eternity

New album title revealed

Anathema

South American/Mexican tour dates announced

British metallers ANATHEMA have lined up the following South American and Mexican dates during October:

Oct. 06 - Circo Volador - Mexico City, MEX
Oct. 10 - Caupolican - Santiago de Chile, CHL
Oct. 11 - ND Ateneo - Buenos Aires, ARG
Oct. 13 - Direct TV - Sao Paulo, BRA
Oct. 14 - Opera 1 - Curitiba, BRA
Oct. 15 - Poliedro de Caracas - Caracas, VEN

Metal Mind Productions released a new ANATHEMA DVD, entitled "A Moment in Time", on June 19 (the U.S. release date is set for July 18). The main part of DVD was recorded in Poland at the famous Metal Mania Festival 2006 (the biggest hard rock/metal festival in Eastern Europe). The set list included their best songs plus a cover of PINK FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb". The guest performance was done by a string quartet. Bonus material includes live video footage, video clips, and a documentary. The DVD will be available also in a limited edition with bonus audio CD.

ANATHEMA are currently unsigned as a result of having been dropped by BMG/Zomba after their previous label, Music For Nations, was folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).

Ill Nino

Parts ways with ROADRUNNER RECORDS

ILL NINO has parted ways with Roadrunner Records less than a year after the release of its third album, "One Nation Underground". The band, who recently completed a number of U.S. and European dates with guitarist Diego Verduzco filling in for Jardel Paisante (who is said to be dealing with "personal family problems"), will make an appearance on on FJSradio.com, a free Internet radio station, later in the month. On July 27 starting at 4:20 p.m. U.S. EST time, a couple of the ILL NINO boys are going to be on "The Urban Assault" show. They will be sitting in for the entire five-hour program. Fans are encouraged to call, IM, and e-mail the station with questions for the band. Anyone can listen free. All you have to do is visit www.FJSradio.com and click on the "Tune In Live" link.

"The Urban Assault" show is co-hosted and co-created by Omar (a.k.a. Ohmz), who has been featured on all the ILL NINO records.

In other news, congratulations are in order for ILL NINO guitarist Ahrue Luster (ex-MACHINE HEAD) and wife Xylia, who welcomed a baby girl on July 14.

Belphegor

Sign With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Ruffians

Replace NOCTE OBDUCTA at Germany's METAL FORCES FESTIVAL

RUFFIANS, the reunited power metal band that at one time featured in its ranks late VICIOUS RUMORS frontman Carl Albert, has replaced NOCTE OBDUCTA on the billing of the tenth edition of the Metal Forces Festival, set to take place November 24-25, 2006 at SAK Wasserwerk in Lörrach, Germany. The festival billing is now shaping up as follows:

Friday, November 24:

DARK FORTRESS
FINAL BREATH
TREMORS
ATRITAS

Saturday, November 25:

BLITZKRIEG
METAL INQUISITOR
RUFFIANS
DARKMOON
JESUS CHRYSLER SUPERSKUNK

For more information, visit www.metalforcesfestival.de

Turisas

Guitarist Georg Laakso quits

TURISAS guitarist Georg Laakso, who was badly injured in a car crash in October 2005, has left the band. His statement on the matter reads as follows:

"Nearly nine months has passed since the accident took place, and after six years in the band, I have now come to the point where I am forced to leave TURISAS.

"I have been diagnosed with spinal cord injury which has an effect on all the functions in my body. In practice it means that nothing from my chest and below is working properly or at all, and I am now tied to a wheelchair — most likely for the rest of my life. Unfortunately my fingers are not working either and it is very unlikely that I will be able to play the guitar — or any instrument for that matter — ever again. To avoid sounding too gloomy I would like to point out that considering the circumstances I should have been dead many times already. Thanks to hard rehabilitation, zest for life and persistency I have already made some progress and I am slowly re-learning the basics of life. I have a hard battle of my own ahead of myself, but battles are meant to be won.

"I would like to thank all of you for the support you have given me during these hard months. All the letters, cards and greetings have gladdened my heart enourmously. A big thank you to every one of you! I would have wanted to inform you much sooner, but my constitution and the unclarity in things have made it impossible for me to give any kind of a reasonable statement earlier than now. I know that also this is still pretty vague, but I am hoping to be able to give you more information when things first come clear to myself. There is no such thing as giving up!"

TURISAS stress in a posting on their web site that they are not looking for a replacement guitarist at the moment, and will play all previously announced shows with only one guitarist (as they have done since the accident took place). The band is currently concentrating on the work for a new album with a release tentatively scheduled for first early 2007.

Upcoming TURISAS shows:

Jul. 14 - Dong Open Air - Neukirchen-Vluyn, GER
Jul. 15 - Bloodstock Open Air - Derbyshire, UK
Aug. 11 - Party San Open Air - Bad Berka, GER
Aug. 18 - Summer Breeze Festival - Dinkelsbühl, GER
Aug. 19 - Hörnerfest 2006 - Brande-Hörnerkirchen, GER

Ignite

'Bleeding' video available online

Tristania

New album delayed, European tour cancelled

Mercenary

Limited-Edition version of new album to include bonus DVD

Denmark's MERCENARY have uploaded the cover artwork for their new album, "The Hours That Remain", at this location. The follow-up to 2004's "11 Dreams" was produced by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, COMMUNIC, MAROON, HATESPHERE), who had previously worked with the group on their last offering. The CD is scheduled for release on August 21 via Century Media Records. A limited number of copies will be released as a special DVD version, featuring not only the new album, but also an additional DVD. The DVD will contain more than two hours of footage: live material, interview footage, and a 45-plus-minute "The Making of..." documentary that follows the band from early November 2005 from the initial songwriting process to the album completion in mid-May 2006.

All That Remains

Entire new album available for streaming

ALL THAT REMAINS' third album, "The Fall of Ideals", is now being streamed online as part of AOL's full-CD listening party at this location. "The Fall of Ideals" hits stores today (July 11) and is the follow-up to 2004's critically-acclaimed "This Darkened Heart". Recorded with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) and engineer Peter Wichers (ex-SOILWORK) at Zing Studios in Massachusetts in March, the new album also features art by renowned artist Travis Smith (ICED EARTH, OPETH) and marks the recording debuts of the band's new members, bassist Jeanne Sagan and drummer Shannon Lucas. 

ALL THAT REMAINS is currently performing on Ozzfest's second stage to support the new release, and will next head out this fall throughout North America on a headlining run. More details will be available soon.

Lake Of Tears

Announce new album title

Sweden's LAKE OF TEARS have set "Moons and Mushrooms" as the title of their seventh full-length album, due on August 28 via Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR).

LAKE OF TEARS' most recent album, "Black Brick Road", was released in August 2004 through Noise Records. The follow-up to 2002's "The Neonai" featured cover artwork by Kristian Wåhlin, who has painted all of the previous LAKE OF TEARS covers except "Forever Autumn" (1999).

Upcoming LAKE OF TEARS shows:

Aug. 05 - Wacken, GER @ Wacken Open Air
Aug. 06 - Pratteln, SWI @ Metal Dayz
Sep. 02 - L'vov, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 03 - Keiv, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 05 - Harkhov, UKR @ TBA
Sep. 07 - Rostov-Na-Donu, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 08 - Krasnodar, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 09 - Moscow, RUS @ DK "Gorbunova
Sep. 12 - Barnaul, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 13 - Tomsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 14 - Krasnoyarsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 15 - Novosibirsk, RUS @ TBA
Sep. 16 - S. Petersburg, RUS @ TBA
Oct. 14 - Thessaloniki, GRE @ Mylos Club
Oct. 15 - Athens, GRE @ Underworld Club (w/ DEATH SS)

Minsk

Minsk sign to Relapse Records

Cannibal Corpse

Australian Tour sparks outrage, calls for group to be banned

The West Australian newspaper reported in its July 8 edition that CANNIBAL CORPSE's October concert in Perth, Australia has sparked calls for the band to be banned over its alleged glorification of "child rape, suicide, murder and necrophilia" in its lyrics.

Community groups have joined shadow police minister Rob Johnson in calling for CANNIBAL CORPSE to be stopped from appearing at Club Capitol on October 10.

In the wake of the murders of Banjup schoolgirl Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia-Shu and Collie teenager Eliza Jane Davis, the group's dark message was unacceptable, they said.

CANNIBAL CORPSE, who played in Perth in 1995, has songs such as "Dismembered and Molested", and "Necropedophile", which details "the pleasure gained from killing, then raping, children." In the past 16 years, the group has released 14 albums, many of which are available at music stores throughout Perth.

Mr. Johnson said he was disgusted by the band's highly explicit songs.

"They should be banned from appearing here," he said. "There is enough violence and youth suicide in WA [West Australia] already without any encouragement from awful groups like this. I feel sick at the thought of those lyrics being sung to the youth of WA."

Australian Family Association vice-president Gillian Gonzalez said CANNIBAL CORPSE have the most offensive lyrics she had ever seen.

"I could hardly read them, they made me want to be sick," she said. "They are absolutely vile and should not be allowed into the country."

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the group members had not yet lodged visa applications and that, when they did, they would be subject to requirements regarding character.

Young Media Australia president Jane Roberts said she believed the band's message would be harmnful to Perth's youth.

"Songs about having sex with dead children — how could anyone think that is appropriate?" she said.

Police Commisioner Karl O' Callaghan condemned the band's lyrics but would not buy into the debate over their concert.

"There is no doubt that the lyrics are disturbing, but whether the band should play (in Perth) or not is not a matter for police," he said.

Attorney-Gerneral Jim McGinty did not comment on whether the group should be banned from playing and said outfits like CANNIBAL CORPSE thrived off negative publicity.

CANNIBAL CORPSE tour of Australia/New Zealand:

Oct. 03 - The Hifi Bar – Melbourne, AUS
Oct. 04 - The Gaelic Club - Sydney, AUS
Oct. 05 - The Arena - Brisbane, AUS
Oct. 06 - 420 - Auckland, NZ
Oct. 07 - Indigo Bar - Wellington, NZ
Oct. 09 - Fowlers Live - Adelaide, AUS
Oct. 10 - Club Capitol - Perth, AUS

Deeds Of Flesh, Vile, Decrepit Birth

More Tour dates announced

More dates have been announced for this summer's "Bloodletting North America V" tour featuring DEEDS OF FLESH, VILE, DECREPIT BIRTH and ODIOUS MORTEM. The details are as follows:

Jul. 14 - Corona, CA @ Showcase Theatre
Jul. 15 - San Marcos, CA @ Jumpin Turtle
Jul. 16 - Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory
Jul. 17 - Glendale, AZ @ Bull Dogs
Jul. 18 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound
Jul. 19 - Lubbock, TX @ The Slaughterhouse
Jul. 20 - Tulsa, OK @ The Pink Eye
Jul. 21 - St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
Jul. 22 - Toledo, OH @ Vamps
Jul. 23 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Jul. 24 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Peppermint Beach Club
Jul. 25 - New York, NY @ Downtime
Jul. 26 - Montclair, NJ @ Bloomfield Ave Cafe
Jul. 27 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Backstreet Billiards
Jul. 28 - Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo
Jul. 29 - Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
Jul. 30 - Ottawa, ONT @ Mavericks
Jul. 31 - Madison, WI @ The Loft
Aug. 01 - Arlington Heights, IL @ Knights of Columbus Hall
Aug. 02 - Minneapolis, MN @ Station 4
Aug. 04 - Denver, CO @ The Grimm Reaper
Aug. 06 - Vancouver, BC @ The Lamplighter
Aug. 07 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Aug. 08 - Portland, OR @ Rock N Roll Pizza
Aug. 09 - Eureka, CA @ The Eureka Vets Hall
Aug. 10 - Fresno, CA @ The Belmont
Aug. 11 - San Francisco, CA @ The Pound

Polish death metallers VADER have revealed the track listing for their new album, "Impressions in Blood", due in Europe on September 4 via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and will feature artwork by Greek artist Seth (ROTTING CHRIST, PARADISE LOST).

"Impressions in Blood" track listing:

01. Between Day and Night
02. ShadowsFear
03. As Heavens Collide...
04. Helleluyah!!! (God is Dead)
05. Field of Heads
06. Predator
07. Warlords
08. Red Code
09. Amongst the Ruins
10. They Live!!!
11. The Book

Download an MP3 of the song "Warlords" at this location.

VADER will play no less than five new songs during their upcoming Blitzkrieg 4 tour, which is scheduled to kick off September 17 in Waraw, Poland..

DEICIDE, JUNGLE ROT, HURTLOCKER, and DESOLATION will be teaming up for a North American tour beginning in late September. The following dates have been announced so far:

Sep. 20 - Huntington, WV @ Huntington Music Hall (Monkey Bar)
Sep. 21 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Sep. 22 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
Sep. 23 - Allentown, PA @ Sterling Rock Room
Sep. 24 - Flushing, NY @ Bottoms Up
Sep. 25 - Manchester, NH @ Mark's Place
Sep. 26 - Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
Sep. 27 - Toronto, ON @ Big Bop/Reverb Room
Sep. 28 - Detroit, MI @ TBA
Sep. 29 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Sep. 30 - Dundee, IL @ Clearwater Theater
Sep. 31 - Cudahy, WI @ Vnuk's
Oct. 01 - Cudahy, WI @ Vnuk's
Oct. 03 - St. Paul, MN @ TBA
Oct. 04 - Rapid City, SD @ TBA
Oct. 05 - Denver, CO @ TBA
Oct. 06 - Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
Oct. 07 - Boise, ID @ TBA
Oct. 08 - Seattle, WA @ TBA

More shows will be announced soon.

Despite a previous announcement to the contrary, DEICIDE will not be playing any European shows in July. A representative for Taylor Touring told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "The person in Europe who was booking the tour never got us any of the information needed such as transportation information, contracts, etc. This is not DEICIDE's fault whatsoever and we are looking to play Europe in early 2007."

DEICIDE last month released an iTunes EP, appropriately named "The Stench of Redemption (666) EP", featuring two tracks from the forthcoming full-length, "The Stench of Redemption", due out on August 22 via Earache.

Gorgoroth

Enter Norwegian Chart at No. 22

Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH have entered the national chart in their home country at position No. 22 with their latest album, "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam". View the whole chart at this location.

"Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam", was released in Europe on June 19 via Regain Records. The CD will receive a U.S. release on July 25 through Candlelight.

"Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" is said to be "the logical next chapter for the highly decorated and controversial Norwegian black metal band; many already calling it their most accomplished work to date." The CD was mastered by guitarist Infernus (real name: Roger Tiegs) at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.

As previously reported, GORGOROTH recently parted ways with bassist and songwriter King ov Hell.

"King has recently had problems fronting some of the ideological aspects of his band GORGOROTH's agenda," reads a posting on the group's web site. "As a result, it has now been mutually agreed upon that henceforth he is no longer a member of the band GORGOROTH."

GORGOROTH reportedly recorded several shows on their fall 2005 European tour with 1349 for an upcoming live album, entitled "True Norwegian Black Metal". Scheduled for a late autumn release in 2007, it will mark and celebrate GORGOROTH's 15-year anniversary.

Symphony X

To enter studio in July

SYMPHONY X's webmaster has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Just spoke to Michael James Romeo [SYMPHONY X guitarist] and got caught up on things. He reports that they will start recording in the beginning of July; they're currently finishing up one song and putting final touches on a couple of others. Mike said that since writing has taken this long, they've chosen to finetune the songs before entering the studio; they've put a lot of time into pre-production on this one."

SYMPHONY X's follow-up to 2002's "The Odyssey" is tentatively due this fall. The band expect to return to the road shortly after the release of the new CD.

SYMPHONY X bassist Michael LePond recently underwent surgery after being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (an inflammatory bowel disorder) and is expected to fully recover.

SYMPHONY X were one of the second-stage bands at last summer's Gigantour, a six-week festival trek co-headlined by MEGADETH and DREAM THEATER. "Rarities and Demos", the first fan club CD from the SYMPHONY X fan club, Church of the Machine, was shipped out in July 2005 to fan club members. The CD includes demo material, rare unreleased material, and guitarist Michael James Romeo's interpretation of the "Star Wars" theme, done with over 15 guitar tracks.

Evergrey

Confirmed for Denmark's ROSKILDE FESTIVAL

Swedish metallers EVERGREY have been confirmed for the Roskilde Festival, set to take place June 29 – July 2 in Roskilde, Denmark. They will play on the second stage (Arena Stage) at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 2. EVERGREY will also perform at the Mälarrocken Festival in Västerås, Sweden on July 1 and the Metaltown Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 7.

EVERGREY's latest album, "Monday Morning Apocalypse", was released in April via InsideOut Music. The follow-up to 2004's "The Inner Circle" was recorded at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden by the experienced production team of Sanken Sandquist and Stefan Glaumann, who have previously worked with such artists as RAMMSTEIN, BON JOVI, BRITNEY SPEARS and DEF LEPPARD.

According to an Ozzfest.com newsletter, OZZY OSBOURNE will headline the Monster Energy second stage on three additional Ozzfest 2006 dates:

Jul. 04 - Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion
Jul. 18 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion
Jul. 27 - Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

This in addition to his previously announced second stage appearances:

Jul. 08 - San Bernardino, CA @ Hyundai Pavilion of Glen Helen
Jul. 11 - San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul. 22 - East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Ozzfest 2006 dates:

Jun. 29 - Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheatre*
Jul. 01 - San Francisco, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre*
Jul. 02 - Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Jul. 04 - Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion**
Jul. 07 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Pavilion
Jul. 08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hyundai Pavilion of Glen Helen**
Jul. 09 - San Diego, CA @ Coors Amphitheater
Jul. 11 - San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre**
Jul. 15 - St. Louis, MO @ UMB Bank Pavilion
Jul. 16 - Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amph.*
Jul. 18 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion**
Jul. 19 - Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 21 - Columbus, OH @ Germain Amphitheatre
Jul. 22 - East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre**
Jul. 23 - Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
Jul. 25 - Toronto, CAN @ Molson Amphitheatre
Jul. 26 - Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion @ Montage Mtn
Jul. 27 - Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake Six Flags PAC**
Jul. 29 - New York, NY @ Randall’s Island*
Jul. 30 - Hartford, CT @ New England Dodge Music Cntr
Aug. 01 - Boston, MA @ Tweeter Center*
Aug. 04 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center @ the Waterfront*
Aug. 05 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amp
Aug. 06 - Bristow, VA @ Nissan Pavilion*
Aug. 09 - Raleigh, NC @ Alltell Pavilion @ Walnut Creek
Aug. 13 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Sound Advice Amphitheatre

* indicates OZZY OSBOURNE headlining main stage
** indicates OZZY OSBOURNE headlining second stage

Ion Dissonance

Part ways with singer, seek replacement

Montreal-based metallers ION DISSONANCE have parted ways with vocalist Gabriel McCaughry. The singer's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"It's over... and it's probably the hardest decision I had to take in my entire life. There are so many reasons... to be totally honest with you, I don't even know where to begin with this. Basically the passion was slowly slipping away, but of course it's not that simple. Over the years, several concerns (problems) began to spawn in my mind and concerned only me I guess, my personal views on how I was picturing myself doing in the band. And therefore my views on how I perceived extreme music in general which differed from what ION DISSONANCE would become. And I cannot deny the fact that it also had to do with some intra-social issues within the band itself.

"Let it be known that I hold no grudge whatsoever and will always be eternally thankful for those years spent with ION DISSONANCE, touring, rocking hard and having a blast. Yet I feel like now is the time for me to move on and step aside... I need to find myself other means of expressions. Its time for me to concentrate more on different styles of music, different artistic mediums and focus more on personal issues for instance. There are so many things I wanna achieve in life that were impossible for me to undertake and still be a 100% committed to the band. Hopefully some of you guys will still follow my evolution as a writer, lyricist, graphic designer and conceptualist... This won't be the last time you'll hear about me, I promise.

"I will miss you all, and you have no idea how grateful I am to have met so many quality individuals and friends on the road and throughout the years. I am speechless for all the fans we've acquired along this harsh path and especially for the support you've showed us and showed me. I sure hope I was a source of inspiration to some of you and know that in return you were my main source of motivation. I always tried to be completely genuine and honest through both my lyrics and performance and I hope you cherished those moments and those shows as much as I did.

"I wish all the best to my brothers in ION DISSONANCE and I know everything they're gonna release is gonna be nothing short of amazing for lack of better words, don't even doubt it."

The remaining members of ION DISSONANCE are currently seeking a new vocalist. Interested parties can contact the group at iondissonance@hotmail.com. Alexandre Erian (DESPISED ICON) will be filling in on vocals with the band from July 15 to July 24. Gabriel's last show with ION DISSONANCE will take place on July 9 at Scene Music Festival in St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Into Eternity

Finish recording new album

Tim Roth of the Regina, Saskatchewan-based progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY has issued the following update on the band's curent and upcoming activities:

"Things are going well these days in the INTO ETERNITY camp. The recording of our fourth album was recently completed at the end of May. Now we are looking forward to Andy Sneap [NEVERMORE, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY] putting all of his talent into mixing the new disc. That will take place around June 23/06. The band is excited for everyone to hear the new material.

"Right now Mattias Norén is working on the CD packaging. I've seen the cover and it looks really amazing. Mattias always does a great job. Last week we finished a photo shoot with Cortney Bodnar. The pics turned out well and now it's up to Mattias to bring every thing to life.

"We've been listening to a rough mix of the songs that the studio gave us. So far, I think it is a mix between 'Dead Or Dreaming' and 'Buried In Oblivion'. For this album we kept some things a bit more stripped down. Now we won't have 5 vocal harmonies going at once. The band decided that we want to sound more like we do live, so we stuck to 2 part vocal harmonies. It still sounds killer though and I'm sure people will dig the new melodies. Stu [Block] did a great job singing on this album. He has 5 different voices that he can change back and forth from. Wait to you hear some of the notes he hits!"

INTO ETERNITY's new CD will mark the group's first release with Block, who was previously a member of Vancouver's OMEGA CROM. The band's third album, "Buried in Oblivion", was released in February 2004 through Century Media Records. As was the case with their previous two albums, "Buried in Oblivion" was recorded at Touchwood Studios in Regina with ex-bassist Scott Krall, Grant Hall and Johnny "Sixpack" Gasparic handling the majority of production duties.

The current lineup of POISONBLACK — Ville Laihiala (vocals, guitar, formerly of SENTENCED), Janne Markus (guitar), Marco Sneck (keyboards), Antti Remes (bass) and Tarmo Kanerva (drums) — will release their long-awaited second album on August 28 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Escapextacy" was recorded in part at Tonebox studio in Oulu, Finland and was mixed and mastered at Antfarm studios in Aarhus, Denmark.

Laihiala had previously stated about the new album's musical direction: "The new one has the same spirit and theme that was on [the debut album, 'Escapextacy'], but presented with a lot more dirtier and rougher sounds without forgetting the melodies," he said. "But if you are waiting for a soft goth-rock album you'll be surprised."

In other news, POISONBLACK will be performing at the Qstock Festival in Oulu, Finland on July 29. Several new promotional pictures can be viewed at this location.

POISONBLACK's debut album, "Escapextacy", featured CHARON frontman Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto, who eventually left the group in order to concentrate on his touring and recording commitments with his main band.

Original Pentagram member passes

Vincent McAllister, the guitarist and a founding member of seminal metal band PENTAGRAM, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 51.

    McAllister played guitar in the classic 70’s PENTAGRAM line-up that also included vocalist Bobby Liebling, bassist Greg Mayne and drummer Geof O’Keefe. His recorded works can be heard throughout the various PENTAGRAM collections.

   McAllister was highly respected as a guitarist and person amongst his peers. McAllister had spent the past few years working on material in his home studio and planning to return to playing again with former PENTAGRAM members O’Keefe and Mayne.  

   Please access www.bedemon.com for more news on Vincent McAllister.

Marduk

Confirmed For Germany's HELLFLAME Festival

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have been confirmed for the Hellflame festival, set to take place September 2 at Eventcenter B51 in Osnabrück, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

1349
ADVERSUS
CEPHALIC CARNAGE
GOD DETHRONED
GOREFEST
MARDUK
UNLEASHED
WINTERSUN

As previously reported, limited-edition CD/DVD boxsets of MARDUK's classic "La Grande Danse Macabre" and "World Funeral" albums are being released by Regain Records this month. More information is available at this location.

MARDUK recently completed work on a new DVD, "Blood Puke Salvation", due later in the year. The DVD will contain over 90 minutes of live material filmed in Tilburg, Holland and Antwerpen, Belgium during December 2004. Also included will be promotional videos for "Throne Of Rats", "Steel Inferno" and "The Hangman Of Prague", plus a photo gallery, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a section entitled "Deathmarch" with exclusive hand-filmed live material from over 20 cities from the "Deathmarch" tour.

Loud Park 06 Festival

SLAYER, MEGADETH, MINISTRY confirmed

SLAYER, MEGADETH, MINISTRY and IN FLAMES are among the confirmed bands for the Loud Park 06 festival, set to take place October 14-15, 2006 at the Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 9-11 in Tokyo, Japan. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

SLAYER
MEGADETH
MINISTRY
IN FLAMES
ARCH ENEMY
BACKYARD BABIES
DRAGONFORCE
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
HATEBREED
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
NAPALM DEATH
OPETH
LAMB OF GOD
MASTODON
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
WITHIN TEMPTATION
FLYLEAF

For more information (in Japanese), visit the official festival web site.