According to Reuters, Universal Music Group has agreed to buy struggling British rival Sanctuary for 44.5 million pounds ($88 million) to develop its merchandising, live agency and artist management businesses.

Artist management, live booking and merchandising is a growth area within the industry and the acquisition wil ...

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German power metallers GAMMA RAY have been officially confirmed for the upcoming HELLOWEEN European tour. The trek will kick off mid-November and will include one or two additional acts.

Apart from very few festival appearances, this will be the first time ever HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY have toured together. In addition, it is extremely likely that Kai Hansen — GAMMA RAY leader and ex-HELLOWEEN member — will join his former bandmates for a jam on classic HELLOWEEN numbers.

Commented HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath: "This is going to be a historical event for all HELLOWEEN fans. We are looking fo ...

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KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has tapped Brian Thompson to direct its video for the cover of the DIO classic "Holy Diver". The shoot will take place in the Calistoga, California area the weekend of June 16-17.

Commented Thompson: "We need a good crowd of medieval period people from the era of the knights in shining armour (please forgive my lack of specific knowledge of what era in time this is; I know th ...

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According to Roadrunner Records, Guinness Book of World Records has rejected DEVILDRIVER's proposal for a "Largest Circle Pit" record, which the band attempted to achieve at this past weekend's Download festival in England.

Here is what Guinness told Roadrunner in response to DEVILDRIVER's proposed "Largest Circle Pit" world record:

"Thank you for sending us the details o ...

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W.A.S.P. has scheduled the following dates over the course of the coming months:

Jun. 23 - GER - Balingen - Bang Your Head
Jun. 27 - AUT - Wörgl - Komma
Jun. 29 - CZ - Pilsen - Basin Fire Fest
Jun. 30 - FIN - Helsinki - Tusca
Jul. 02 - HU - Budapest Petöfi Hall (with TYPE O NEGATIVE)
Jul. 04 - GER - Bochum - Zeche (with DORO)
Jul. 05 - GER - Saarbrücken - Garage (with DORO)
Jul. 06 - GER - Osterode/Dorste - Rock Harz Open Air
Jul. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club
Jul. 12 - Santa Ana, CA - Galaxy Theatre
Jul. 13 - Las Vegas, NV - The Canyon Club
Jul. 14 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Jul. 15 - Pryor Creek, OK - Rocklahomma ...

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Pollstar.com reports that the U.S. Air Guitar Championships tour bus is currently making its way around the country looking for the next virtual axe virtuoso.

The 14-city tour kicked off June 6 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and will hit clubs around the country through the end of June, including the Cambridge Room at House of Blues Cleveland (June 13), Chicago's Metro/Smart Bar (June 15), The Parish in Austin, Texas (June 21), The Independent in San Francisco (June 28), and the Key Club in Los Angeles (June 29).

The regionals will consist of two rounds. In the first, each contestant wi ...

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DESPISED ICON's new video for the track "In the Arms of Perdition" will make its "Headbanger's Ball" debut this Saturday, June 9 on MTV2 at 11:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. PST. The clip was shot by director Jean-Philippe Bernier and emphasizes the band's frantic live intensity. Click here to access the new e-ca ...

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Norwegian heavy rockers SAHG, who feature in their ranks members of GORGOROTH, MANNGARD and AUDREY HORNE, have issued the following update:

"The second SAHG album is set for an October release [via Regain Records]. The specific date is not confirmed yet, but will be shortly. The band has completed the material, and will re-enter the studio within the next few weeks to complete the recordings. More news on this coming shortly."

SAHG is being assisted in the studio by Brynjulv Guddal, who is doing triple duty as drummer, engineer and co-producer.

SAHG was recently voted "Norwegian Band of the Year" by the list ...

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Andreas Aubert of Imhotep webzine recently conducted an interview with IMMORTAL guitarist Demonaz. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Imhotep: It will be seven concerts this year?

Demonaz: "Yes.

Imhotep: After that, what's next?

Demonaz: "Studio album. Abbath and I are working with the material. Abbath has also started to rehearse the songs with Horgh."

Imhotep: Appolyon, is he stand-in?

Demonaz: "No, he is a fullworthy member of the band. A new studio album will be the next thing after these concerts.”

Anneke van Giersbergen, singer for world-renowned Dutch rock act THE GATHERING, has decided to pursue new goals in life and music.

In a statement from van Giersbergen, she says:

”Dear people, I wanted to send out this message to all of you to inform you that I have decided to leave The Gathering. After much consideration and some serious soul searching, I feel that it is time for me to change my direction in life and develop and search out new goals.

In all the wonderful years that I have been a part of The Gathering, we, as a band, have always strongly believed in sincerity: both personally and within our music. I have always been able to give one hundred percen ...

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