Back in 1999, Utopian Vision Music released a three-song self-titled EP by Odyssey, a band featuring the legendary Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale), Rick Gustafson (ex-Memory Garden), and Kenth Philipsson (Dark Funeral, The Project Hate). The EP has long been out-of-print and sought after, nearly since its release.

Sometime in 2007, Vic Records, who recently bought the rights, will re-release this outstanding slab of epic progressive metal. The EP will be remastered by Swanö and will feature one brand new track written by Swanö and Philipsson. Commenting on the new track, Swanö says, “The new Odyssey track will be a b ...

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CRIMSON GLORY has re-hired Astronomica-era singer, Wade Black (ex-SEVEN WITCHES/LEATHERWOLF) after sacking resurrected original vocalist Midnight following a recent DWI escapade. "Just recently, I was booking a show for my solo band, BLACK REIGN" says the singer. "I guess the agent was interested in a Crimson Glory show too, so he got in touch with Jon (Drenning, guitar), who got in touch with me. I saw Jon again when the members of Crimson Glory played with KAMELOT (September 16, 2006). It was the first time I'd seen him in seven years. He said something like, 'I always knew you'd be a star.' I've had a good relationship with Jeff (Lords, bass) and Ben (Jackson, guitar, whom Black briefly p ...

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CRIMSON GLORY have issued the following update: "CRIMSON GLORY is saddened to announce, that we have been forced to officially part ways with our longtime friend and vocalist, Midnight. This was a difficult, but necessary decision for original band members who recently reunited for a rare performance at the Rockwave Festival, last year in Greece. We are brokenhearted by Midnight's personal crisis, and pray that he seeks help for his problems. We love and care for him very much, and really wanted him to be part of the future of this band. Unfortunately, working with Midnight at this time would be difficult, as his current state of mind and his present physical condition would impede plans we have in place for future appearances, releases and recordings. Crimson Glory is currently in the planning stages for additional shows in Florida beginning in March 2007, featuring former CG vocalist, Wade Black (Astronomica; Spitfire Records (USA) and Rising Sun Records (Europe) 1999)."

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In a recent interview with Spain's Laestadea.com, MASTERPLAN guitarist Roland Grapow has confirmed plans for a collaborative project with his ex-HELLOWEEN bandmates Michael Kiske (vocals) and Kai Hansen (guitar, vocals). An excerpt from the chat follows:

Q: About Hansen and Kiske, there's a rumor of a project. Is that right?

Grapow: "It's not a rumor, it's true. We’re just waiting for the right moment. We gathered together two or three times in the last two years. What happens is that Michael doesn't want to do anything with too much hard rock or too much heavy metal, too much dark or negative, he wa ...

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British black metal pioneers VENOM have parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's 2007 schedule," the band writes in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has already been drafted in to replace Mykvs and is currently working in the studio with the rest of the group on demos for their next album.

Commented drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (brother of VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant): "[Rage] is a proper metalhead. It's great hearing the ...

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Italian/german gothic black metal band GRAVEWORM have completed work on their sixth album at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT). The follow-up to 2005's "(N)utopia" contains 10 songs features guest appearances by Maurizio Iacono from KATAKLYSM and Matze from THE SORROW. A May 11 release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

GRAVEWORM last year completed a North American tour with KATAKLYSM, DESTRUCTION, THE ABSENCE, and VADER.

Upcoming GRAVEWORM shows:

Mar ...

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The 2007 incarnation of Joe Satriani's popular G3 tour will kick off on March 14 in Phoenix starring Satriani, John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert. The tour will play selected dates in North America throughout March and April. The starting tour itinerary follows with more dates to be announced shortly.

The 2007 tour marks the fifth North American G3 run and the twelfth G3 tour worldwide since its inception. The first G3 tour, featuring Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai, played to sold-out crowds throughout October and November, 1996 and was followed by successful treks in Europe, South America, Japan and Aust ...

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According to the web site of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, CRIMSON GLORY frontman John Patrick Jr. "Midnight" McDonald was arrested last Saturday night, January 20 in Sarasota, Florida and charged with "DUI [driving under the influence] with .20 [blood-alcohol level] or higher or having a passenger under 18" years of age. He was also cited for driving with a suspended/cancelled/revoked license. Bond for the 44-year-old vocalist — who gave his occupation as "painter" to the authorities at the time of the arrest — was set at $1,500. He is scheduled to be arraigned on February 8.

To ...

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Floridian death metal stalwarts DEICIDE were detained today in Innsbruck, Austria for.... bank robbery.

DEICIDE drummer Steve Asheim got up early this morning to make a trip to the bank to deposit some money from merch sales when the bank staff became suspicious of his appearance and the fact that much of the money was marked with red dye. Staff immediately called the police, who swiftly arrived and took the DEICIDE drummer down to the station, suspecting that he had been involved in a recent bank robbery in the area and that he was handling stolen banknotes.

Questioned for a number of hours, Steve explained the banknotes were legitimate proc ...

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Ray Waddell of Billboard.com reports that a contract could be signed as soon as today for Live Nation to produce a 40-date amphitheatre tour by VAN HALEN this summer, with original frontman David Lee Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years.

As previously reported, guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang has stepped in for original bassist Michael Anthony in the new incarnation of the group, which also features drummer Alex Van Halen.

VAN HALEN last toured in 2004 with vo ...

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