JUDAS PRIEST is currently recording a concept album about the 16th Century French prophet Nostradamus. In a recent interview with Rockdetector's Garry Sharpe-Young, Rob Halford admitted the band's often perceived secrecy was sometimes intentional. "Look, I love the Internet as a tool for knowledge gathering and for its amazing marketing possibilities but sometimes you have to step back a bit and present something in a better way," he said. "Just because the Internet allows you to give everything instantly does not always make that the right choice. I believe that if you go along ...

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World-renowned guitar-shredding phenom Michael Angelo Batio (HOLLAND, N.I.T.R.O., MICHAEL ANGELO, HANDS WITHOUT SHADOWS) recently appeared at NAMM 2007 and unveiled his new "Quad" guitar (photo), designed in conjunction with Dean Zelinski. This guitar replaces the original Ritz "Quad" (photo) that was designed in conjunction with Wayne Charvel and which was subsequently stolen in 1989 while on tour in El Paso, TX. Only half of the ...

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Vassil Varbanov of Bulgaria's Tangra Mega Rock recently conducted an interview with HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Tangra Mega Rock: You sound like you're having a rest, am I right?

Weikath: In fact, I have to come up with a few new good ideas very soon, because in the end of May we'll all meet and discuss them. Actually, we have a meeting with the band tomorrow, just for sorting out basic ideas and everything. We'll start recording in May or June, so we all have to get into work very intensively, because the ...

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German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have issued the following update:

"We're in the middle of recording drums for the new, yet-untitled PRIMAL FEAR album No. 7. We started with the recordings for our new album over last weekend. Randy [Black] is in a fantastic shape, good mood and well prepared. We will be done with the drums tomorrow and start tracking guitars and bass." Songtitles set to appear on the follow-up to 2005's "Seven Seals" include "Save Me", "Torn" and "Every Time It Rains". A summer release via Frontiers Records is expected.

Check out pictures from the recording studio at

Massachusetts-based metal/grind band THE RED CHORD is seeking a new second guitarist following the departure of Jonny Fay.

Commented the group: "We will be auditioning guitar players during February and March. Tablature files have been prepared for the song 'Black Santa'. Those interested should make a video or audio recording of themselves playing the song.

"We are looking for someone diverse in their abilities as a guitar player who is willing to be on the road 8-10 months out of the year. Touring experience is a must. Get in touch with us at theredchord@hotmail.com or through www.myspace.com/ ...

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Finnish extreme metallers IMPALED NAZARENE have issued the following update:

"Our album 'Nihil' has officially entered Germany's Index list A on 17th of January. This means that 'Nihil' is officially BANNED in Germany.

"Looking back on 2006 and 2005, being unable to play concerts in Italy, Austria, France, Poland and Germany, one can only conclude that freedom of speech and freedom of religion, things that are supposed to be the foundation of the European Union, are not existing. Your lives are terrorized by deranged catholic sects and glue-sniffing communists. Braindead imbeciles tell you what you should/what you cannot listen to, read or watch. Happy fuc ...

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Legendary producer Rick Rubin (SLAYER, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, AUDIOSLAVE, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), who was named "Producer of the Year" at this past weekend's Grammy Awards, spoke to MTV.com about his work with METALLICA on their much-anticipated follow-up to 2003's "St. Anger", tentatively due before the end of the year via Warner Bros.

"I saw [the warts-and-all METALLICA documentary 'Some Kind of Monster'], and it made me really nervous," Rubin said. "Then we started working, and it's the opposite direction of that. They're really productive, really communicative — it seems like they really like ...

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Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR will embark on a North American tour in late April. Support at the shows will come from KATAKLYSM, DEVILDRIVER and UNEARTH. The dates so far are as follows:

Apr. 20 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
Apr. 21 - Detroit, MI – Harpo's Concert Theatre
Apr. 22 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
Apr. 23 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
Apr. 24 - Quebec City, QC - Theatre Capitole
Apr. 26 - New York, NY - Nokia Theatre
Apr. 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
Apr. 29 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
Apr. 30 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend
May 05 - Winnipeg, MB - Burton Cummings
May 07 - Calgary, ...

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After the metalreviews.com reviewer awards for 2006, you can now discover the Poeple choice awards. Enjoy !

Poeple Choice Awards 2006 !

The MetalReviews.com Team

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On May 1, Rhino Handmade will release BLACK SABBATH: Live At Hammersmith Odeon, which features Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice getting hot one December night in London during Sabbath's 1981 tour for The Mob Rules. Previously unreleased, the concert spotlights Sabbath as they storm through 14 of the Dio-era's best including 'Neon Knights', 'Heaven And Hell', 'Children Of The Sea' and 'Country Girl'. The band also performs several pre-Dio classics including 'Paranoid', 'Children Of The Grave' and a white-hot version of 'War Pigs'. The album will be available from Rhino Handmade as an individually numbered limited edition of 5,000 copies, available only at www.rhinohandmade.com for a suggested re ...

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