JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has posted two songs — "Through the Eyes of the King" and "Playing God" — from its upcoming sophomore album, "Maniacal Renderings", on its MySpace page.

"Maniacal Renderings" is scheduled for release on September 1 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2004's "'Tage Mahal" was once again recorded at Audio Lab Studios in Tampa, Florida and is described in a press release as "a more progressive, complex and dramatic edge without sacrificing any of the songwriting quality that fans have come to ...

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MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine and drummer Shawn Drover recently spoke to Jon Wiederhorn of MTV.com about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's new album, "United Abominations", which is scheduled for a Halloween release.

"We rented [LED ZEPPELIN drummer] John Bonham's drum kit and recorded at a studio in [PINK FLOYD guitarist] David Gilmour's house [in England], which was great," Mustaine said.

"The kit is the only one that's available in the world to rent," Drover added. " ...

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DEICIDE's concert at the Hustlers in Laredo, TX Friday night (July 14) was reportedly shut down by the police after four songs and DEICIDE guitarist Ralph Santolla was apparently arrested during the ensuing chaos. The following two separate accounts of last night's events were submitted by BLABBERMOUTH.NET readers who attended the show:

Report #1: "Some business went bad with Glen Benton [DEICIDE frontman] and the promoter, and there was major power/sound problems for DEICIDE... Needless to say, Glen voiced his unhappiness over the PA during their set... bottles flew, DEICIDE guitarist Ralph got arrested, chaos ensu ...

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IRON MAIDEN's video for their new single, "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", has been made available for streaming at the following links: Location#1, Location#2.

Kerrang! magazine has previously described "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" as "an intricate seven-minute epic that starts with a creepy, ominous intro before erupting into a crushing, almost LED ZEPPELIN-esque riff and a powerful, emotive chorus. More obtuse lyrically than most o ...

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Due to copyright and trademark issues, the band formerly known as RHAPSODY has changed its name to RHAPSODY OF FIRE. The band members consider this a great new start, reflecting the emboldened and increasingly grandiose direction that their music has taken. "The power of the dragonflame will burn brighter than ever before," says guitarist/songwriter Luca Turilli. Keyboardist/songwriter Alex Staropoli adds, "The name RHAPSODY OF FIRE better represents the energy that has always been present in this band and its music."

With a new record company in Magic Circle Music, a new tour planned and a new album on the way, RHAPSODY OF FIRE will co ...

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Norwegian black metallers IMMORTAL will reunite for several exclusive shows next year, including the Wacken Open Air festival, which is scheduled to take place August 2-4, 2007 in Wacken, Germany. A statement from the band reads as follows:

"IMMORTAL are proud to announce that we will headline Wacken in 2007. This will be part of a few selected exclusive shows next year, and Wacken will be the only show in Germany."

In a recent interview with Germany's Rock Hard magazine IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name: Olve Eikemo) — who is in the studio recording the debut album from his new project I — said of th ...

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Russia's twisted, cartoonish prog-metallers Mechanical Poet recently began recording their third album, Creepy Tales For Freaky Children, at Dreamport Studios in Russia.

With the recent launch of a brand new website ( click here ), it was announced that the once studio-only project would become a full-time band with a revamped line-up that includes the addition of a full-time bass player (missing from Woodland Prattlers and Handmade Essence), Evan Izotoff, and a new drummer, Vladimir Ermakoff, replacing Tom Tokmakoff.

No release date has been given for Creepy Tales For Freaky Children, but a late 2006/early 2007 release is expected. The album cover can be viewed here.

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Liechtenstein-based gothic metal band ELIS has posted the following message on its official web site, www.elis.li:

"Deeply confused and sad, we have to inform you, that Sabine [Dünser, vocals] [photo] isn't among us anymore!

"[During] the band's rehearsal on Friday [July 7], Sabine suffered a cerebral hemorrhage [from] which she died a day later at the hospital!

"[Out of respect for Sabine's] family and friends, we have decided to take the homepage from the net.

"We need time now to decide if and how we appr ...

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Finland's HardcoreSounds.net recently conducted an interview with ARCH ENEMY drummer Daniel Erlandsson. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

HardcoreSounds.net: You have had the chance to tour almost everywhere. Which show has been the most memorable to you so far?

Daniel: "We have done so many shows so it's quite hard but quite recently we visited Mexico and we did two shows for the first time there. Mexico City was the second show and that was one of the best shows I have ever done."

HardcoreSounds.net: Why was it so special? Where there a lot of audience?

Danie ...

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STRAPPING YOUNG LAD drummer Gene Hoglan has rejected reports that the band will split up shortly after completing their current second-stage slot at this year's Ozzfest.

In a recent interview with Finland's Imperiumi webzine, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend revealed that the band's upcoming album, "The New Black", will likely be their last. "I signed a five-album deal with Century Media and this is now the fifth," he said. "There you have five records; they are very happy with that and I've done my ...

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