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News item
Date
More bands confirmed for Mountains of Death
2011-03-07
Matt Barlow retire from Iced Earth
2011-03-05
All Pigs Must Die sign with Southern Lord
2011-03-05
Bloodbath DVD on its way
2011-03-05
Helstar announce new shows
2011-03-05
Evile confirmed for Download
2011-03-05
The Greenery sign with Prosthetic Records
2011-03-05
Master forced to cancel US tour
2011-03-05
Tornado in the studio
2011-03-05
Acid Death working on new material
2011-03-05
Summer Darkness announce new bands
2011-03-05
Turisas enter Finnish charts
2011-03-05
Kvelertak to receive North American release
2011-03-05
Taake heading for Brazil
2011-03-05
Brian Slagel hosting new show
2011-03-05
Arctic Plateau finish new album
2011-02-26
Dornenreich enter German charts
2011-02-26
Angelus Apatrida to support Slayer
2011-02-26
Hrizg sign with Moribund Records
2011-02-26
Symfonia to release debut album in April
2011-02-26
More bands confirmed for Mountains of Death
2011-03-07
It‘s high time for a next band update for the upcoming eleventh issue of Mountains of Death. The biggest Swiss extreme metal event will take place from 18th to 20th of August 2011 in it‘s familiar environment and will come up with the following acts up to now: ABYSMAL TORMENT (MT), AMPUTATED (UK), BEHEADED (MT), CARNAL DECAY (CH), CLIT COMMANDER (CH), CREMATION (CH), DEFEATED SANITY (DE), EMBALMING THEATRE (CH), ENTRAILS MASSACRE (DE), GORGASM (CH), HAEMORRHAGE (ES), HUMAN PARASITE (FR), IMPURE (ES), INGURGITATING OBLIVION (DE), INSAIN (FR), ORAL FISTFUCK (CH), PERVERSE DEPENDENCE (RU), PUTRIDITY (IT), RECTAL SMEGMA (NL), WORMED (ES) ... more bands to come up!

Matt Barlow retire from Iced Earth
2011-03-05
Long-time vocalist Matt Barlow has retired from Iced Earth.

In his heartfelt statement, Barlow cites his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as the reasons for his retirement; however, he has committed to perform with Iced Earth on all 2011 European festival dates, which will be his last with the band.

Matt Barlow’s official statement is as follows:

“Brothers and Sisters,

“Let me begin by saying how much of an honor it has been to share my time in Iced Earth with Jon and the guys…and with all of you! Since my return to the band in 2007, it has truly been extraordinary. I have had the opportunity to travel the world and see old friends and meet new ones. Though we had originally thought that the Iced Earth touring schedule would be very limited, we were able to play our fair share of concerts.

“During that time we were also able to have a live DVD produced [the forthcoming Festivals of the Wicked]. However, due to the rapidly changing music industry, it has become increasingly clear to recording artists that the only way to keep a band viable and to truly reach its potential is through live performances. That means that a band must reach out to new regions of the globe and become pioneers for their own livelihood. Since 2007, Jon and I have always had the best intentions for the future of Iced Earth, and we still do. However, given the band’s projected touring schedule, Iced Earth’s future and mine must now take separate paths.

“On my departure from Iced Earth in 2003, I made a commitment to my wife and to the idea that we would start, and raise, our family together. Two years later, my first child was born and two years after that, my second. My youngest son was born about a week before Jon asked me to return to Iced Earth. It was a very exciting and emotional time for all of us, but we were all clear on our intentions. It is apparent to us now that regardless of our belief at that time, time can change an intended outcome. In this instance, I hope that change will not be regarded as a bad thing, but rather as a necessary part of evolution.

“Jon and the band must venture into new realms to continue to grow Iced Earth. I commend him for his ideals and wish nothing but to share in his vision. I know that this is not the last time Jon and I will work together, but it will be my last endeavor with Iced Earth. Iced Earth is a name and force of its own. It has been very good to me and has allowed me to live a dream that others would give most anything for. I have been truly blessed to share this experience with everyone. I will continue to support Jon and Iced Earth in every way. I will also continue to create and perform in my own capacity.

“These next months will prove to be a very emotional time for me. I am extremely happy to be able to share the experience with Jon, Brent, Freddie, Troy and the Iced Earth family. I am proud to know them and honored that they consider me their friend. It is going to be phenomenal to share the love of this music during several summer festivals and I know that it will be a time we will never forget.

“Please consider all that I have brought forth and all of Jon’s offerings before passing judgment on the future of Iced Earth. This band has always strived to give its listeners the very best and I know that Jon, as always, will continue to lead that charge.

“To Iced Earth and all of you…I wish you the very best!!!

- Matt”

Band founder and leader Jon Schaffer reacted to his friend’s decision with equal parts sadness and praise.

“I knew Matt wrestled with this for a long, long time,” said Schaffer. “It wasn’t an easy decision for him. But I love him dearly and I can’t fault his reasons.”

Schaffer continued: “Matt is one of the most sincere people I know, and one of the most talented. His departure deeply saddens me, but I hope all fans of Iced Earth will cut him some slack. I wish Matt well, respect him greatly, and I ask everyone else to do the same.”

With a new album in the works, and a world tour pending, Schaffer has already begun the search for a new vocalist.

“I have a few guys in mind,” said Schaffer. “And as you can imagine, it is a very important decision. One thing is for certain: we are not looking for a Matt Barlow ‘clone’ – we are looking for a front man that brings power and character of his own to the table. There’s only one Matt, and that era of the band’s history will always hold a special place in my heart.”

The band’s long-awaited 6-hour, three-concert live DVD Festivals of the Wicked is scheduled for release this spring.

The band recently announced a new summer festival date: Dong Open Air in Neukirchen-Vluyn , Germany , on July 15th.

With the Dong Open Air date confirmed, Iced Earth will play a total of six summer festivals, including: Wacken, Graspop, Rock am Härtsfeldsee, Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland on July 16th, and the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

More festival dates will be announced soon on the band’s official web site, MySpace, and Facebook pages.

Announcement of a new vocalist will be made through all social media outlets as soon as a decision is made.

All Pigs Must Die sign with Southern Lord
2011-03-05
Massachusetts-based hardcore squad ALL PIGS MUST DIE have recently signed a deal with Southern Lord Recordings for their upcoming full-length, due to be unleashed this Summer.

The band's members hail from known modern hardcore/metal acts yet turn their more crust punk/d-beat-driven aggression outward with ALL PIGS MUST DIE. The band released their self-titled debut EP on their own Nonbeliever Records in 2010, and have toured regionally over recent months, already amassing a diehard legion of followers.

While little info on the upcoming new album is available for public disbursement at press time, we do know that the unit recorded the upcoming full-length album, entitled God Is War, at Kurt Ballou's infamous Godcity Studios, and the album will be coming together for a release during the Summer months of 2011. Complete album info will be released in the coming weeks.

ALL PIGS MUST DIE will perform at several events during this year's SXSW, including the Full Metal Texas showcase alongside Rwake, Trap Them, Hull and more, as well as the Power Of The Riff/Southern Lord showcase where they'll tear it up with Trash Talk, Trap Them, The Secret, Eagle Twin, Masakari and The County Bucks. APMD will also be on tour with 'Lord labelmates Nails on their upcoming East Coast dates in March.

Confirmed ALL PIGS MUST DIE Live Appearances:
3/16/2011 Scoot Inn - Austin, TX @ SXSW Thrasher Magazine Death Match
3/17/2011 Emo's - Austin, TX @ SXSW Full Metal Texas showcase
3/18/2011 501 Studios - Austin, TX @ Southern Lord/Power Of The Riff SXSW party
3/31/2011 Great Scott - Boston, MA - Great Scott w/ Nails, Burning Love, New Lows
4/01/2011 Union Pool - Brooklyn, NY w/ Nails, Burning Love, New Lows
4/02/2011 The Barbary - Philadelphia, PA w/ Nails, Burning Love, New Lows, Deathbeds

Stay tuned for more details on ALL PIGS MUST DIE and their upcoming Southern Lord debut over the coming months.

Bloodbath DVD on its way
2011-03-05
BLOODBATH – ‘BLOODBATH OVER BLOODSTOCK’ – RELEASE APRIL 25th

ALL-NEW DVD FEATURING BLOODBATH LIVE, IN DELUXE MEDIABOOK PACKAGING WITH 16-PAGE BOOKLET.

Bloodbath is an extreme metal supergroup from Stockholm , Sweden . Formed in 1998 with a mutual fascination for the glory days of death metal, (especially Swedish legends such as Entombed & Dismember), the band’s core line-up has remained mostly solid through the years since their ‘Breeding Death’ EP was unleashed back in 2000. Bloodbath features prominent members of Katatonia & Opeth, including the unmistakable Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals.


‘Bloodbath Over Bloodstock’ presents Bloodbath live & in-the-flesh & was filmed in August 2010 at the famed Bloodstock festival - one of the UK ’s leading metal events. This DVD offers a pummelling set of ferocious brutality featuring numerous classics & fan favourites from the band’s whole catalogue of releases in an unrelenting death metal attack, including songs from 2008’s highly-acclaimed tornado of blasphemy, ‘The Fathomless Mastery’.

‘Bloodbath Over Bloodstock’ comes with a wealth of extras, featuring bonus footage taken from PartySan festival in 2008, as well as extensive band member interviews.

Helstar announce new shows
2011-03-05
Riding high on the incredible response to their recently-released seventh full-length Glory Of Chaos, Houston's HELSTAR are busy booking live appearances for the coming months. In addition to their appearance this weekend at the San Antonio Metalfest, several brand new Summer appearances have also been confirmed, both in their home state of Texas as well as two appearances in Northern New Jersey, with more to be announced for New York City and more shortly.

HELSTAR Confirmed Live Appearances:
3/05/2011 The Dorm - San Antonio, TX
6/17/2011 The Rail - Fort Worth, TX
6/18/2011 Dirty Dog - Austin, TX
6/24/2011 Dingbatz - Clifton, NJ
6/25/2011 *TBA - New York, NY

Released in North America via AFM Records in early February, HELSTAR's Glory Of Chaos is a ballsy, blazing full-length display of pure American heavy metal, taking their classic sound to aggressive new measures on the new album.

Evile confirmed for Download
2011-03-05
British thrashers EVILE are among the latest artists to be confirmed for this year's edition of the legendary Download festival, which takes place 10 - 12 June at Donington Park in the UK.

Following a hugely successful year in 2010, when EVILE won a coveted Metal Hammer Golden God award and spent months on the road in North America with the likes of OVERKILL, FORBIDDEN and KREATOR, the band are now heading to the UK's home of rock for what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable performance. EVILE will be performing alongside the likes of such rock giants as DEF LEPPARD and SYSTEM OF A DOWN.

EVILE drummer BEN CARTER comments:

"Evile are both honoured and excited to be making our first appearance at Download this year! Donington has been the spiritual home of rock and metal for so many years, now finally we can make our mark there and become part of that legacy. I've attended Download in the past, and seen many bands perform on the smaller stages and go on to huge success, and I think that's what Download can do for a band. There's something about the place that's special, so we're all so eager to get on stage and have our Download moment! BRING IT ON!!!!!"

The Greenery sign with Prosthetic Records
2011-03-05
PROSTHETIC RECORDS is proud to announce the signing of Long Beach, CA-based miscreants, THE GREENERY. The band, whose brand of snotty, metallic hardcore punk rock has drawn comparisons to Every Time I Die, The Bronx, Discharge and the Stitches, are recording their full-length debut at BuzzBomb Studio in Orange, CA now with Paul Minor (Terror, H2O, Death By Stereo); the band previously self released an EP. Since forming in 2007, the band has toured the entire US several times and has countless regional runs under their belt. They will be out later this month on the "Road to Metal Fest Tour," along with Lionheart, Legend, The Great Commission and Monsters. The tour will take them to Jamboree Fest in Toledo, OH and end at New England Metal and Hardcore Fest in Worcester, MA. The band will then do dates back to California on their own.

The band commented: "We're extremely honored to be a part of such a great label and team at Prosthetic Records. We've been tracking the new album with Paul Miner at BuzzBomb Studio and we couldn't be any happier with the chemistry and the form this monster is taking so far. Without all of our friends, fans and family none of this would be possible. See you guys on the road!"

3/24 Canoga Park, CA - Cobalt Café #
3/25 Lompoc, CA - La Purisma #
3/26 Los Gatos, CA - The Venue #
3/27 Orangevale, CA - Boardwalk #
3/28 Redding, CA - Bombays #
3/29 Salem, OR - Wasteland #
3/30 Seattle, WA - Studio 7 #
3/31 Spokane, WA - Cretin Hop #
4/1 Boise, ID - Mardi Gras #
4/3 Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre #
4/4 Wichita, KS - Eagles Lodge #
4/5 Kansas City, MO - El Torrean #
4/6 Springfield, MO - Salad Days #
4/7 Steger, IL - Another Hole In The Wall #
4/8 Dayton, OH - The Attic Club #
4/9 Toledo, OH - Headliners, Jamboree Fest
4/10 Toledo, OH - Frankies #
4/11 Buffalo, NY - Broadway Joes #
4/12 Brooklyn, NY - Party Expo #
4/13 Jermyn, PA - Eleanor Rigbys #
4/15 Worcester, MA - Palladium, NE Metal Fest
4/17 Holyoke, MA - Waterfront
4/18 Garden City, NY - Ethical Center
4/19 Willimasport, PA - The Hive
4/22 Columbia, SC - Beltline House
4/23 Nashville, TN - Rocketown
4/24 Sherman, TX - VFW
4/25 Midland, TX - Pine Box
4/26 Las Cruces, NM- Trainyard
4/27 Phoenix, AZ - The Slurp
# "Road to Metal Fest Tour" w/ Lionheart, Legend, The Great Commission, Monsters

Master forced to cancel US tour
2011-03-05
Death metal legends MASTER, who were scheduled to kick off their long-anticipated U.S. headlining tour earlier this week with support from Lightning Swords Of Death and Mobile Deathcamp, were denied entry into the country and forced to return to the Czech Republic.

Said MASTER mainman Paul Speckmann in a statement: "We arrived Tuesday morning in Holland and after intense questioning we proceeded to the eye and body scan machine. Along with the other passengers, we proceeded to the plane. We arrived in Detroit and went to passport control. I waited for about two hours for any word on the guys. The police came to explain that the visa waiver program didn't apply to musicians. So they sent me to customs and proceeded to tear apart everything and sent me on my way. I waited for six hours to get on another airplane and return to Europe. Thankfully the lady at the Delta checkout counter was very helpful and confirmed that the guys would be on the next plane in the evening and I could return with them. The guys were escorted to the plane by four police officers and returned their passports when we arrived in Amsterdam. Since when are musicians and terrorists in the same category? Again I apologize to all the bands, organizers and fans of course. I guess the CD cover of the Human Machine CD has become a reality!"

Tornado in the studio
2011-03-05
The Tornado boys are all set to travel to the cold north of Sweden where they will enter Abyss Studio with world famous metal producer Peter Tagtgren in control of Production duties. Tornado will record 12 songs during a 2 week period. Commented singer Joey Severance, “We are all very excited to be going over to Peters spot and doing this album. For me personally, this is a dream come true and as a metal fan, I’m excited to be walking in the footsteps of my musical Heroes . We’ve been talking the talk for a long time, now it’s time to walk the walk so to speak…..”

The 12 tracks being recorded for the debut album “Amsterdamn, Hellsinki” are

A Bold Statement
Hate Worldwide
3 of 8
Massive Extinction Impact
Blue
Ignorance Is Thy Name
Eugenics
Priesthood Pedophilia
Noora
Diva
Tunisia Uprising
Rise Disciples, Rise

Plus a cover of L.A. Guns – No Mercy

Acid Death working on new material
2011-03-05
Hello to all!

Here is Savvas Betinis from ACID DEATH, having some good news from the band.

New material in full process! The band is preparing the songs for its new, yet untitled, full-length CD, that will come after “Random’s Manifest” of 2000. 11 years after their last official music effort, reunited ACID DEATH have a really positive feeling for the future! The songs are all new ones having nothing to do with what the band left in rough process back in 2001. It is too early to speak about the music structure and this would be rather abuse, having in mind that everything is under hard development. Updates and elements on album’s process will be more than regular. ACID DEATH are ambitious to start recordings during summer of 2011 and the album to be ready at the autumn of 2011. The band is still unsigned and, besides there is a good label offer till album’s finishing, will search for a record deal with its new, completed full-length CD at hands.

Thanks for your attention&support!

Best regards

ACID DEATH

Summer Darkness announce new bands
2011-03-05
Summer Darkness is proud to annouce VNV Nation, Nitzer Ebb and Rotersand as first headliners for the ninth edition of the festival. They represent the top of different decades; Nitzer Ebb is the big influential cult EBM band who started in the 80s. VNV Nation is the most influential 90s EBM/future pop band, and still is. With Rotersand Summer Darkness also stars the biggest thrilling talent of the 00s. An excellent example of the many ages Summer Darkness brings together. As always Summer Darkness offers a wide variety of genres ranging from the apocalyptic folk of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio to the postpunk of The Wars. The spectrum is being broadened every year. With Broken Note, Matta and Niveau Zero the dark side of dubstep is for the first time present at the festival. With Wikan also the emerging occult/ambient style witchhouse is new to the festival. Furthermore Kirlian Camera, Faderhead, Destroid, Rome and 16Pad Noise Terrorist are confirmed. More acts are to be announced.

Side events
Summer Darkness is more than just music; it’s a lifestyle. The side events are an important part of the programme and give the festival its identity. After a very successful first edition in 2010, Bal Du Masque gets the honor to open the festival again. Furthermore fashion plays a major role; Post Nuclear Steam organizes a fashion meeting and an unique post-apocalyptic steampunk fashionshow. Also the pin-ups of the Laced-Up Boutique can be admired at the festival. The Gothic Dark Underground Market is located at the beautiful gothic Domsquare, where a lot activities take place. Many fashion shows and market stands are to be announced in the coming period.

Turisas enter Finnish charts
2011-03-05
TURISAS and Century Media Records are happy to announce the 1st chart entries for their current album “Stand Up And Fight”: The most amazing news is a #5 in their native Finnish Album Charts. Additionally the band hit the following international charts so far:

UK Midweek:
#63

Japan:
#67 in Oricon's national weekly chart
#16 in overseas weekly charts

TURISAS have just confirmed a list of Finnish shows:
22.04.2011 (FIN) Hämeenlinna - Verkatehdas http://www.lippupalvelu.fi/Turisas-lippuja/event/VEV2204C
23.04.2011 (FIN) Helsinki - Nosturi http://www.tiketti.fi & http://www.lippupalvelu.fi
10.06.2011 (FIN) Tampere - Sauna Open Air http://www.sauna-open-air.fi/uutiset
22.-24.07.2011 (FIN) Helsinki – Tuska http://www.tuska-festival.fi

Kvelertak to receive North American release
2011-03-05
Norwegian new-comers KVELERTAK shamelessly draw inspiration from every corner of anything that fits into their idea of hard-hitting, catchy, extreme rock 'n' roll regardless of genre, always truthful to the basic idea of the band: good songs performed with the tongue-in-cheek attitude of their punk-rock pioneers. Unlike the majority of heavier bands, they sing in their native language, adding yet more character to their already unique sound.

It’s a classic story: A bunch of good friends decide to create a band. It turns out to be a very good band, and from the start of 2007 things have been on fast forward for these young lads from the west coast of Norway. National radio airplay and stunning live performances have taken them to some of the biggest festivals in the country including the infamous Roskilde festival in 2009, where they performed in front of 80,000 crazy fans. Astonishing for a (then) unsigned act with a few demos.

Their self-titled debut album was released June 21, 2010 via Indie Recordings and continues to receive rave reviews from mainstream media and metal websites alike for its unique Turbonegro/black metal/punk/classic rock/blues elements. Produced by Kurt Ballou and mixed by Alan Douches with artwork by John Baizley and guest appearances by Hoest (Taake), Andreas Tylden (JR Ewing and Altaar), Ivar Nikolaisen (Silver), and Ryan McKenney (Trap Them), Kvelertak has been dubbed “the best Norwegian debut album of all time,” and the band “the new Mastodon.” Simon Young of Kerrang! Magazine named KVELERTAK “the best Norwegian band since A-Ha.” They’ve also been reviewed in virtually every European magazine with near perfect rating including: 9/10 Metal Hammer, 8.5/10 Terrorizer, 88/100 Rock Tribune, 85/100 Aardschok, 4/5 Kerrang! and 4/5 Big Cheese. Decibel Magazine picked up that something great was going on in Europe and gave the record a 9/10. Metalsucks.net followed with a 4/5. Three singles from the album were playlisted on Norway’s main broadcaster NRK P3. "Mjød" was "Single Of The Week" two weeks in a row on BBC radio (UK). In addition, the band filmed a video for the same track which was nominated for best Scandinavian video by the Bergen International Film festival.

KVELERTAK was nominated for two Spellemann awards, (the Norwegian equivalent the The Grammys), in the categories of "Best Newcomer" and "Best Rock Album." The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday March 5. In February KVELERTAK won the Statoil grant and 1,000,000 NOK. The Statoil grant is a prize which helps promising Norwegian bands on the verge of international breakthrough to succeed internationally.

Taake heading for Brazil
2011-03-05
Hot on the heels of TAAKE’s first appearance in Central America last month, the band is due to return to that continent, this time for a four-date tour of Brazil with fellow Norwegians MAYHEM in March of this year. Itinerary as follows:

Fri 11 – Carioca Clube, Sao Paolo
Sat 12 – Centro Cultural Lapa Multshow, Belo Horizonte
Sun 13 - John Bull Music Hall, Curitiba
Mon 14 - Bar Opinão, Porto Alegre

Formed 18 years ago by front man Hoest, TAAKE has long been acknowledged as one of the bands at the forefront of the genre that has come to be known as True Norwegian Black Metal. Hoest’s commanding presence and intense delivery combined with chilling riffs that could only come out of Scandinavia and four skilled musicians with a wealth of experience between them - Tundra and Aindiachai on guitars, V’Gandr on bass and Thurzur on drums - make TAAKE’s live performances a mesmerising experience.

Following the Brazilian tour, TAAKE is set to appear at several European Festivals this year including MetalCamp in Slovenia, Party.San and Kings of Black Metal in Germany, Heidens Geweld in the Netherlands and Menhir Chevelu in France. More information about TAAKE can be found at http://www.myspace.com/taakeofficial

Below you can see the official video for the track “Umenneske” from the album “Taake”.

Brian Slagel hosting new show
2011-03-05
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – March 4, 2011 – METAL BLADE RECORDS CEO Brian Slagel has teamed up with NHL.COM's Shawn Roarke for the new radio show Metal Misconduct, available via HardRadio.com then as a podcast via iTunes. Brian Slagel and Shawn Roarke co-host the show that will feature interviews with musicians and athletes and includes music selected by Brian Slagel himself. The first show premiers on Saturday March 5th and features an interview with Drew Stafford of The Buffalo Sabres. Upcoming shows will feature interviews with Strikeforce MMA fighter Josh Barnett and Coheed and Cambria/Return to Earth drummer Chris Pennie. Stay tuned to MetalBlade.com for upcoming show details. Metal Misconduct with music will air on HardRadio.com the first Saturday of every month with the premier kicking off on March 5th. The interview portions of the radio show will be uploaded as podcasts to iTunes.

METAL BLADE's Brian Slagel comments: "I have always been a big sports fan and while meeting a lot of athletes, I have found a good amount of them are huge metal fans. Also, we have some artists who are huge sports fans, so to be able to merge the two is really cool. Working with Shawn Roarke from the NHL is a blast as he is a massive music fan. And of course, we will play a lot of great music and talk to some cool people. I think people will enjoy this new endeavor."

NHL.COM's Shawn Roarke comments: "To be involved with the Metal Misconduct project is a dream come true for me. I live at the intersection of where metal and sports meet. As a journalist, sports, particularly hockey, are my business, as well as a passion. Metal music, meanwhile, is a passion that is well into its third decade and continues to serve as the soundtrack for my life.

Not only do I believe Metal Misconduct will be the perfect vehicle to unify these two passions, but I also know that combining forces with Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel is an unbelievable opportunity, as well as the best possible partnership to execute the vision we share for this project."

About Shawn Roarke:
Shawn Roarke is the senior managing editor at NHL.com, the League's official website. Shawn has been with the NHL as the senior managing editor for the site for five years (10 years with the NHL overall) and has been covering professional hockey for 18 years, including 13 Stanley Cup Final series, two Winter Olympics and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments. During his career, Shawn has also covered the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, professional boxing and Major League Soccer.

About Brian Slagel:
The noise began 29 years ago…

A music starved kid named Brian Slagel, killing time in suburban Los Angeles, gets sick of watching the local metal scene being ignored by the major labels. Working days at legendary metal emporium Oz Records and nights putting together one of the first metal fanzines, The New Heavy Metal Revue, Slagel asks some distributor friends if they'd be interested in circulating a compilation of unsigned bands if he put it together. The distributors said yes and Metal Blade Records was born. Of course it wasn't quite that simple. Putting in long 17-hour days between Oz and Metal Blade, Slagel pieced together the bands that would grace the label's first release - The New Heavy Metal Revue presents Metal Massacre. Metallica, Ratt, Bitch, and Black 'N' Blue were just a few of the willing locals. Except before Metal Massacre, Metallica didn't exist. So now for almost 30 years, Metal Blade Records has been setting the trend in heavy metal music without compromising its underground beginnings.

Arctic Plateau finish new album
2011-02-26
Good news from Italy: just recently, Arctic Plateau have finished recording their second album. The follow-up to "On A Sad Sunny Day" is going to be called "The Enemy Inside" and picks up on the melancholic, dream-like atmosphere of the debut to expand it into an emotional widescreen format. "The Enemy Inside" is going to contain the following eleven tracks:

01. Music's like ...
02. Bambini Piangete
03. Idiot Adult
04. Abuse
05. Catarctic Cartoons
06. The Enemy Inside
07. Melancholy Is Not Only For Soldiers
08. Loss And Love
09. Big Fake Brother
10. Wrong
11. Trentasette

Gianluca Divirgilio, the mastermind behind Arctic Plateau, himself is absolutely convinced by his new offering: "I can say that 'The Enemy Inside' is better than the first album from all points of view: conception, writing, producing, sound, intention, arrangements, vocal and instrumental technique. This is one of those albums that I would have bought myself and stored in my personal collection of records; this was my main intention!"
A release date for the album has yet to be fixed.

Dornenreich enter German charts
2011-02-26
"Flammentriebe," the seventh album by Dornenreich, has set the German album charts ablaze this week, entering at an excellent No. 58. Eviga is as surprised as he is delighted about this success: "Anyone who has followed Dornenreich over the years knows that we have always remained faithful to the nature of life and to our artistic vision; we have never jumped through hoops just to grab anyone's attention. It is all the more astonishing and gratifying now to see that our new album is setting the Media Control Charts aflame." We congratulate Eviga, Inve, and Gilvan on this well-deserved success!

Angelus Apatrida to support Slayer
2011-02-26
Fantastic news for Thrash Metal maniacs in Spain: ANGELUS APATRIDA have just been confirmed as support act for three dates of Slayer and Megadeth in their home territory by the end of March.



SLAYER & MEGADETH + ANGELUS APATRIDA:
28.03.2011 Madrid (Spain) – La Riviera
29.03.2011 La Coruña (Spain) – Coliseum
01.04.2011 Barcelona (Spain) – Sant Jordi Club

The band checks in from the road with a quick comment as follows: “What can we say??! We are extremely happy about having the chance to share stage with to of the bands we always admired and grew up listening to!!! We promise we will do our best to make a devastating experience out of each gig! Hailz from the frozen European roads!!!"

Spain’s rising thrash metal stars ANGELUS APATRIDA are currently thrashing European stages on their second lengthy tour in support of their current album release “Clockwork”. After having toured with Warbringer and Skeletonwitch last year, ANGELUS APATRIDA are now on the road as part of the Bonecrusher Fest in 2011.

Hrizg sign with Moribund Records
2011-02-26
Today, MORIBUND RECORDS announces the signing of Spanish black metal inquisition HRIZG. HRIZG is the sole vision of its creator, also monikered Hrizg, and his first record for MORIBUND shall be Anthems to Decrepitude, set for release on May 3rd. This groundbreaking newcomer possesses a hideous spirit that resounds across times both modern and distant, and his Anthems to Decrepitude is a startling synthesis of sepulchral atmosphere and dynamic songwriting, all housed with an exquisitely morbid soundfield. Respectful of black metal’s past but committed to forging its future – heed HRIZG’s call and sing Anthems to Decrepitude!

Symfonia to release debut album in April
2011-02-26
SYMFONIA -- the new melodic metal project featuring the all-star lineup guitarist Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), vocalist Andre Matos (ex-Angra), drummer Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween), bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) and keyboardist Mikko Harkin (ex-Sonata Artica) -- are gearing up to release their debut full-length. Titled In Paradisum, the ten-track offering was recorded mainly in Finland, mixed and mastered in Italy and produced by Timo Tolkki. The record will be released in North America via Armoury Records on April 19, 2011.

In Paradisum Track Listing:
01. Fields Of Avalon
02. Come By The Hills
03. Santiago
04. Alayna
05. Forevermore
06. Pilgrim Road
07. In Paradisum
08. Rhapsody In Black
09. I Walk In Neon
10. Don't Let me Go

Honoring the heritage of their previous bands, SYMFONIA is a force no serious melodic metal fan will be able to ignore. The band made its live debut on February 18 at the Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki, Finland.

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