According to guitarist Stefan Elmgren of HAMMERFALL: "I have decided to leave Hammerfall, the reason is that I have been offered a job as a pilot within an airline. My interest in aviation has been growing very strong, and now I feel its time for me to take a step and be a pilot on a professional level. It has been a great journey with lots of great memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, I would like to give a big thanks to all the wonderful fans, its has truly been a pleasure to meet and perform for you all during these 11 years. I still love to play the guitar so you might hear from me again someday somehow. I would like to wish who ever is taking my place and the rest of the band good luck in the future."

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Finnish metallers KALMAH have posted the title track of their fifth full-length album, "For the Revolution", on their MySpace page. Due on April 2 via Spikefarm Records, the CD's cover artwork was designed by former SENTENCED drummer Vesa Ranta, who was also responsible for the artwork of KALMAH's previous album, "The Black Waltz".

"For the Revolution" was recorded at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland with producer Ahti Kortelainen and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden.
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In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki reveals that he has formed a new band called REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, which is believed to have been the working title of the now apparently aborted new STRATOVARIUS album. The group's debut CD — which will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (vocals; HELLOWEEN), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE), Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN) and Tobias Sammet (vocals; EDGUY) — is tentatively due this summer via Frontiers Records.

Says Tolkki ...

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NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has issued the following update:

"Lots going on in the world of NINE INCH NAILS... Confirming a very poorly kept secret, the band has been reformed (details coming!) and we are about to embark on an extensive tour. The first wave of dates I can mention at this time appear below. Many more to come!"

NINE INCH NAILS tour dates:

Jul. 25 - Pemberton BC @ Pemberton Festival
Jul. 26 - Seattle WA @ Key Arena at Seattle Center
Jul. 28 - Edmonton ALB @ Rexall Place
Jul. 29 - Calgary ALB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
Jul. 31 - Winnipeg MAN @ MTS Centre
Aug. 02 - Minneapolis MN @ Target Center
Aug. 05 - T ...

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WARRIOR announce their reunion with original vocalist Parramore McCarty and guitarist Joe Floyd. Warrior are currently recording their upcoming brand new 5th CD at Silvercloud Studios with guitarist Floyd behind the controls. Warrior band members have expressed the following thoughts about the reunion, upcoming new CD and live shows: Vocalist Parramore McCarty: "I, for one, am very excited to have Warrior back in motion. It is great fun and challenging to be writing and recording with Joe and Dave again! At this point, we have a few rhythm tracks done and they are kicking my ass hard! I know in my heart there is a certain magic that shines through anytime Joe and I work together. So get ready all you metal freaks, because here we come!"

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Nuclear Blast USA and MESHUGGAH have teamed up to present a video competition to MESHUGGAH fans worldwide.

"Bleed" is one of the most intricate tracks on the recently released, critically acclaimed MESHUGGAH album, "obZen".

You think you can compete with the drumming intensity of MESHUGGAH's Tomas Haake? Well, prove it!

Record your best replication of the track "Bleed" on video and upload it on your MySpace "Videos" section or YouTube.

There are no restrictions on what you can use for this competition. However, you CANNOT use the actual song in the video; if you need the song, you’re a ...

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ICED EARTH are set to launch the next installment of Jon Schaffer's "Something Wicked" saga with the release of their new single, 'I Walk Among You', in June of 2008. The full-length studio follow-up to Something Wicked Part I is due for release in fall of 2008. The new single and proceeding full-length studio album mark the return of longtime frontman Matt Barlow, to narrate the annihilation of mankind set in motion with the story's main character, Set Abominae, in Something Wicked Part II. The single will feature 3 songs, an exclusive version of the song 'I Walk Alone' and a few tracks from Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1) with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. There will be an iTunes exclusive version of the single 'I Walk Among You' that features 'A Charge To Keep' which has also been re-sung by Matt, remixed and re-mastered. The upcoming tracklisting: 'I Walk Alone', 'Setian Massacre', 'The Clouding', 'A Charge To Keep' (exclusive iTunes track).

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The organizers of the Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have issued the following update:

"As announced a few weeks ago, we had an incredible pre-sale und now it's happened: the 19th Wacken Open Air 2008 is SOLD OUT! We thank you all for your loality and support. In the coming weeks we will announce campside maps, running orders and volumes of the full metal bag."

As previously reported, Wacken Open Air festival was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distiguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee. The winne ...

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Audio samples of all 12 tracks that are set to appear on "A Sense Of Purpose", the new album from Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, are available for streaming at Play.com. Due on April 1 (April 7 in most of Europe via Nuclear Blast), the follow-up to 2006's "Come Clarity" was recorded at the band's own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden and was mixed by Toby Wright (METALLICA, SLAYER). The group received assistance during the vocal-recording sessions from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To ...

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Dark Empire will release their second album Humanity Dethroned on October 5. For more details as well as five songs from the album and preorder information from the band's MySpace site, click the link below.

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