Guitarist Shannon Hamm (DEATH, CONTROL DENIED) has issued the following update:

"Jonathan Lee (THE AUTUMN OFFERING, ex-ACHERON; ex-DEATH drum roadie for Richard Christy on DEATH's 'The Sound of Perseverance' tour), Scott Clendenin (bass on DEATH's 'The Sound of Perseverance' album), Bobby Koelble (guitarist on DEATH's 'Symbolic' album), and myself (guitar) have begun the writing process for a new metal project which is sure to be revolutionary! At this point we've not yet decided on a name, however, we are currently accepting demos, recordings, promos, or whatever fro ...

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Swedish metallers LOST HORIZON have issued the following update:

"Almost five years have passed since the release of 'A Flame To The Ground Beneath' and after the turbulence the band experienced. The remaining members now realize this period was necessary to regain the energy, strength, motivation and inspiration needed to continue with the unearthly creations.

"Only, this time things will be done a lot different than before.

"While continuing the search for the voice, which will be embraced by our music, the recording of the new material will be carried through independently of that and immediately, with start on January 2008. All instruments will be succe ...

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As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on December 22, MEGADETH has now officially revealed the lineup for this year's North American edition of Gigantour, which will kick off mid-April and run through the end of May. Joining MEGADETH on the bill will be IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY and HIGH ON FIRE.

Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of eight. The decision to drop it down from eight bands to five was ...

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QUEENSRŸCHE's web site has been updated with the following message:

"Who wants to rock with the RŸCHE in the New Year?

"Here's your once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the band on stage during their 2008 tour and ultimately win an opportunity to perform on the band's forthcoming CD to be recorded during the year.

"Beginning in Aspen, Colorado on January 22, the band will embark on a U.S. tour covering over two dozen cities nationwide in support of their new CD, 'Take Cover', on Rhino Records.

"Released on November 13th, 'Take Cover' features eleven of the band's favorite cover songs.

"What's your favorite song?

We here at Metalreviews.com team would like to wish everyone all the best for the holidays. May they be safe, merry and metalized!

Keep strong! Only a couple of days left until the Christmas music ends!

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MINISTRY mainman Al "Alien" Jourgensen has penned a special Christmas poem entitled "T'was The Night Before Impeachment". It goes like this:

T'was 2007 and all through the year
Not a creature was buying this climate of fear
The stockings were hung in a foreclosure scare
In hopes that the Banks would forget we were there!
The soldiers were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of extended tours messed with their heads
And Dick and Lynn Cheney with shotguns in lap
Had just pardoned Scooter for shutting his yap
When down at the White House there arose such a clatter
I sprang out the door to see what was the matter!
Away to the pr ...

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Thiago Sarkis of the Imhotep webzine has compiled a list of more than 60 hard rock/heavy metal stars' favorite albums of 2007 and has posted it online at this location. The following is complete list of the musicians offering their picks for the finest releases of last year:

Alan Nemtheanga (PRIMORDIAL)
Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE, BLOTTED SCIENCE)
Anders Nyström (KATATONIA, BLOODBATH, BEWITCHED, DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE)
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)
Björn Daigger (MAJESTY, R:I:P, ANGUISH)
Blasphemer (MAYHEM, AVA INFERI)
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth

METALLICA has made its August 17, 1985 performance from Donington Park, Donington, UK available for free download via its official download site, LiveMetallica.com.

The setlist for the 45-minute concert was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. Ride The Lightning
03. The Four Horsemen
04. Fade To Black
05. Seek And Destroy
06. Whiplash
07. Motorbreath

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Examiner.com in an October 2007 interview that the band's upcoming album will be "heavier" yet more "melodic" than 2003's controversial

Singer Tim "Ripper" Owens has released a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his surprising departure from ICED EARTH three months after the release of the group's latest album, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I".

ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer issued a press release last week (Statement#1, Statement#2) announcing that the band was parting ways with Owens and was on ...

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Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have cancelled their previously announced tour of the UK and Iberia with Poland's BEHEMOTH (scheduled for February 2008).

Commented KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono: "First, I'd like to say how crazy of a ride it's been since the release of 'In the Arms of Devastation'. We've done over 200 shows in less then two years — nine tours across the world — and meeting all our fans was the highlight; they made our last album the biggest and strongest album to date.

"It's been great, but the machine needs time off. There's nothing more we like then to stay on the road non-stop but we have to come to reality here ...

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