ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has issued the following statement via the band's official fan club site, CDC:

"Finally, we're going back to work. We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. It's time. We're ready. One problem... no singer.

"We were offered a direct support slot on a major tour this spring and Joey [Belladonna, vocals] decided he did not want to move forward. The reunion is over. We tried to make it work but I guess that's the problem, you can't 'make' something work. It's gotta be natural and at least becoming a band again and playing live was.

"Over the course of around 140 shows we became a better ...

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After months of searching, doom legends CANDLEMASS have posted the following on their official website:

"After months of auditions it is now official who replaces Messiah Marcolin in CANDLEMASS. Robert Lowe, well known for his work with SOLITUDE AETURNUS, is the man who killed all the competition and showed that he beyond doubt is the most capable man for the job. A worthy successor!!

Robert will still be fronting SOLITUDE AETURNUS, but since there’s a whole ocean between the bands, we/CANDLEMASS, feel that this is a great solution that is very beneficial for everybody. The mighty voice from Dallas Texas, is thrown into the fire imme ...

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MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"It was great seeing some of the guitarists that were at [the] Dean [booth at NAMM in Anaheim, California] that I respect as players (most of them from when I was developing my own style) like Rik Emmett from TRIUMPH, and Rudy Schenker from the SCORPIONS. I missed Leslie 'Green' West (inside joke) and saw a lot of other people that went by in a blur; Phil from ARMORED SAINT, Rita (Darrell's [Abbott] girl), and numerous people I thought were out of the business or presum ...

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German thrash band MEKONG DELTA have announced that Leo Szpigiel, formerly of ANGEL DUST, will handle vocal duties on their forthcoming album. Guitar tracks were recently completed by Peter Sjoberg. The band plans on laying down final vocal tracks next week. Full details here.

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Spinefarm Records has revealed the cover artwork for the fifth FINNTROLL album, entitled "Ur Jordens Djup" ("From the Depths of the Earth"), due in Finland on March 28. Check it out at this location. The CD, which was recorded by Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, will be the group's first release with new vocalist Mathias Lillmåns (a.k.a. Vreth; TWILIGHT MOON) following the departure of Tapio Wilska (SETHIAN, ex-WIZZARD, former session vocalist for NIGHTWISH) last spring. Lillmåns is reportedly 24 yea ...

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After triumphantly headlining the annual Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and four capacity performances in America last summer, Norwegian black metal pioneers EMPEROR have announced their return to the United States for three encore appearances this spring.

"We have made a decision to return to the U.S. for a few additional shows," notes guitarist Samoth. "This time Chicago is also put on the map.

"The shows last summer were very successful and we had an amazing turnout and support from all the fans. It was also a bit stressful because of the embassy hassle that we unfortunately had to endure. So we feel a few more shows are due and this time ...

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OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has slammed the "new breed of idiot OPETH 'fans'" for questioning the abilities of the group's current drummer, Martin Axenrot (BLOODBATH, WITCHERY, NIFELHEIM), when compared to that of Axenrot's predecessor, Martin Lopez.

Lopez officially left OPETH in May 2006 after being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks, which forced him to miss several of the band's tours. Åkerfeldt stated at the time, "However sad I and the rest of the band feel in light of Lopez's departure, I want to thank him for his incredible work with OPETH and immense dedication to the b ...

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Ozzy Osbourne has told Dan Epstein of Revolver magazine (web site) that he has finally found the perfect setting for making records: the newly soundproofed guest house behind his Beverly Hills mansion, which he's outfitted with a mixing desk and a ProTools rig.

"When I made records before, I'd have to get up, get in a cab or car, go to the studio, and wait for everyone to turn up," Osbourne explained. "If you're already inspired before you leave for the studio, you're fucked by the time you get there! But now I have the luxury of working in my own home. I can play the music on my own sound system, a ...

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THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens have joined forces with former PESTILENCE/ASPHYX-singer Martin Van Drunen, GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen in a brand new project. The as-yet-unnamed band will record a three-track promo CD later this year. "We're simply going to crank out some brutal old-school death metal stuff — nothing more, nothing less!" says Gebédi.

In other THANATOS-related news, the band's guitarist Paul Baayens has joined forces with the revamped ASPHYX. The lineup is completed by Martin van Drunen on vocal ...

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Holland's Lords of Metal e-zine recently conducted an interview with former MASTERPLAN vocalist Jorn Lande. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Lords of Metal: A while back I was quite surprised by the announcement that you left MASTERPLAN. Of course musical differences was given as the reason, but can you be a bit more specific about the actual cause for the decision?

Jorn: Musical differences is part of the truth, there are in most cases unofficial issues about somebody's departure from a band. The main reason for me to leave MASTERPLAN was the fact that for the first two rec ...

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