Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH wil record several shows on their current European tour with 1349 for an upcoming live album, entitled "True Norwegian Black Metal". Scheduled for a late autumn release in 2007, it will mark and celebrate GORGOROTH's 15-year anniversary. GORGOROTH's new album, "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam", is tentatively scheduled for release early next year via Sweden's Regain Records. The band were most recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records, who released the band's last three efforts: "Twilight of the Idols" (2003), "Incipit Satan" (2000) and "Destroyer" (1998). GORGOROTH last year inked a deal with the French label Season of Mist for the reissues of their first three albums: "Pentagram" (1994), "Antichrist" (1996) and "Under the Sign of Hell" (1997). All three were re-released earlier this year in a remastered, digipack version.

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Long-running Floridian death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION have reportedly parted ways with guitarist Rob Barret and bassist Gordon Simms. Replacing them in the group's latest incarnation are returning members John Rubin (guitar) and Jason Blachowicz (bass, also in DIVINE EMPIRE).

MALEVOLENT CREATION are currently writing the music for their tenth studio album, to be released sometime in the spring/summer of 2006. The band's latest album, "Warkult", was released in July 2004 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Liquid Ghost Recording Studio in Boca Raton, Florida by Phil Plaskon and mixed at Studio Wild in Quebec by producer Jean-Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM). Mastering duties were handled by Bernard Belley in Montreal. A live album, "Conquering South America", was issued last year via Arctic.

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Former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen has released the following statement to the media:

"Since last Sunday morning, I have been asked to express my position by magazines, newspapers, radio and TV stations, fan clubs and fans from Finland and from all over the world. So many in total that it is physically impossible for me to find the time to reply to them all individually. Hence I decided to put down a couple of words in this text to let my fans, family and friends and the public know how I feel after the recent events.

"This is a moment of grief and pain and I find it very hard to speak.

"At the moment I am in Argentina. I hope you can unde ...

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NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) has issued the following "open letter" to the group's singer, Tarja Turunen:

"Dear Tarja,

"It's time to choose whether the story of NIGHTWISH ends here or whether it will still continue an undetermined period of time. We've been working with this creation for 9 years and we are not ready to give up yet. NIGHTWISH is a way of life, something to live for, and we're certain we can't let it go.

"Equally certain is the fact that we cannot go on with you and Marcelo any longer. During the last year something sad happened, which I've been going over in my head every single day, morning an ...

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MP3 samples of five new tracks are now online at the band's website. Also, per the band's official website, here is an update:

"We're heading over to Joe Floyd's new place in the South Bay to track more vocals with Wade (Black) this weekend. Joe, of course, is the mastermind behind the legendary Warrior (remember 'Fighting for The Earth'?) and has had a hand in modern day classics such as Halford's 'Resurrection' and 'Crucible' as well as Bruce Dickinson's 'Accident of Birth' and 'The Chemical Wedding.' He is a true metal master and we are looking forward to working with him over the next few days. We also had Eric ...

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Patrick Rennick of MetalReview.com recently conducted an interview with ABSU members Proscriptor and Equitant. Several excerpts from the chat follow:

MetalReview.com: I understand that at one point you were rehearsing with the noted metal band SLAYER, but I read somewhere that you left due to your "occult beliefs." Could you elaborate on this story for me?

Proscriptor: "I auditioned for them but that is not true whatsoever. I auditioned with several other drummers. According to SLAYER's management, I was the third pick. As far as my Thelemic, occu ...

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Audio clips of six songs from the upcoming RAMMSTEIN album, "Rosenrot", have been posted online at Universal-Rock.de.

"Rosenrot" is scheduled for release in Germany on October 28 via Universal. A limited-edition version of the album will include a bonus DVD featuring three live video clips recorded earlier in the year. A U.S. release date for the CD has yet to be announced.

RAMMSTEIN's video for their new single, "Benzin", can be viewed by clicking

DREAM THEATER frontman James LaBrie has posted the following message on his official web site:

"Yes the rumor is true. I have been in contact with Dirk Ulrich and we have agreed to do this album which will be incredible to say the least.

"I do know who the other singer is but won't say at this point. I will wait until everything is official and all legalities have been dealt with. All I can say is this individual is very well known and one of the top opera stars of today."

As previously reported, DREAM THEATER performed PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety as their second set on October 11 at the Heineken Musi ...

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IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name: Olve Eikemo) has reportedly joined forces with original IMMORTAL drummer Armagedda, ENSLAVED guitarist Arve Isdal and GORGOROTH bassist King in a brand-new project dubbed simply I. The group have finished writing two-thirds of the material for their upcoming full-length debut, which will feature lyrics written primarily by former IMMORTAL guitarist Demonaz (real name: Harald Nævdal). The band, who expect to enter the studio before the end of 2005, are said to be contemplating making several festival appearances next year. More information will be made available soon.

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Black Metal kings, FORGOTTEN WOODS have reformed, and will shortly enter the studio to record their upcoming "Race of Cain", which will be released through Total Holocaust Records this or at the beginning of the next year.

The line up is the same as the olden times, the sound will be close to the older recordings.

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