KAMELOT's video for the track "March of Mephisto", featuring a special appearance by DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath, has been posted online at the group's official web site.

The clip, the group's second off the group's upcoming album "The Black Halo", was shot by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES) of Revolver Films. KAMELOT had previously shot a video for the track "The Haunting" with Ullaeus. That clip also includes an appearance by EPICA singer Si ...

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Former EMPEROR and current SCUM drummer Bård "Faust" Eithun has officially joined Italy's ABORYM as a a full-time member. "I am gonna go to Rome at the end of April to record the fourth album of these cyber black metallers," Faust said in a statement. "I am very excited to hear the result since this is the first time that ABORYM will combine acoustic, organic drums with the electronic beats they have used so far. Should be interesting I think."

In other news, Faust has joined the Norwegian "punk noisers" BOMBEROS, featuring former MAYHEM singer Maniac. "This is a nice break off to the metal music I normally play ...

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CANNIBAL CORPSE have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We'd like announce that Rob Barrett, who as you all know played guitar with CANNIBAL CORPSE from 1993 to 1997 and appeared on 'The Bleeding' and 'Vile' albums, will be rejoining the band for our performance at the Northwest Death Fest in Seattle on April 3rd.

"Whether or not Rob will be staying with the band permanently after that show is still not certain, but so far we're very happy to have Rob back in the fold. We'll post an update when we know for sure if Rob is permanently rejoining or not.

"We also would like to say thank you to Jeremy Turner for doing an amazing job playing guitar with us on 'The Wretched Spawn' tour in 2004. Jeremy really helped us out in a tight spot, and we wish him the best in his future musical endeavors."

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Magic Circle Music has signed an exclusive worldwide distribution deal for MANOWAR with SPV.

Magic Circle Music spokesman and MANOWAR management team member Hinrich Stuerken commented, "With their professional attitude and international structure, SPV won out over all the other major and independent record companies in negotiations that lasted more than a year."

MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio added: "We are proud that our past with Nuclear Blast was a success that ultimately brought them their first gold record in their home territory of Germany. However, since the formation of our own label Magic Circle ...

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DREAM THEATER have completed work on their eighth full-length studio album, entitled "Octavarium", tentatively set for release through Atlantic Records on June 7. The track listing is as follows:

01. The Root of All Evil
02. The Answer Lies Within
03. These Walls
04. I Walk Beside You
05. Panic Attack
06. Never Enough
07. Sacrificed Sons
08. Octavarium

DREAM THEATER began writing and recording their latest album last November at the Hit Factory studios in New York City. The follow-up to 2003's "Train of Thought" will hold the distinction of being the very last ...

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CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Adrian Erlandsson and singer Dani "Filth" Davey recently spoke to Tartarean Desire about the group's current European tour, their new touring bassist, and the possibility of an AT THE GATES reunion, among other topics. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow: On the possibility of an AT THE GATES reunion: Adrian: "Earlier on it has been like, 'No way'. I live in England and there was this show when THE HAUNTED and NIGHTRAGE played together [December 17, 2004 at the Forum in London] with ARCH ENEMY [and DARK TRANQUILLITY]. I talked to both Tompa [Tomas Lindberg] and the twins [Anders and Jonas Björler] and we decided that we will do a couple of shows some ...

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Colorado black metallers THROCULT have enlisted the services of Dan Lynn (SILENCER) on second guitar for all upcoming shows. Former guitarist Nick Jackson left the band back in January In order to concentrate in other things. "The relationship [between] Nick and THROCULT will always continue [to be] great, we wish Nick the best," the band write in a press release.

In other news, THROCULT are still working on their first DVD, "Live Conjurations", recorded last Halloween in their hometown with a four-person camera crew. "So far the footage is looking great and we hope to get it done soon," the group write. "The DVD will ...

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According to a posting on Swedish guitarist YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's official web site, Yngwie's 1984 debut, "Rising Force", is listed as one of the 101 Greatest Moments in Guitar History in the April 2005 issue of Guitar Player magazine. Here's the write-up: "You could make a case that Yngwie Malmsteen's moment came when he appeared in the spotlight column in the February '83 issue of Guitar Player. But the first time most guitarists heard him was on his solo debut the following year. And the tune that knocked them down was 'Far Beyond the Sun'. Shred just doesn't get any shreddier."

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN has just released a new studio album in Japan, entitled "Unleash the Fury". U.S and European release dates have not yet been confirmed. The recording lineup on the CD is as follows: Yngwie Malmsteen (all guitars), Doogie White (vocals), Patrik Johansson (drums) and Joakim Svalberg (keyboards).

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BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION guitarist Tracii Guns (ex-L.A. GUNS) has posted the following message on his official blog:

"Ginger [THE WILDHEARTS] was involved in a couple of the songs we wrote for the [upcoming second] album but he is not in the band. I am not at liberty to discuss his personal life. I am sure eventually he will make a post somewhere as to why he is unable to continue with the BRIDES. He still is living with us and is our brother."

Meanwhile, Ginger has sent out the following update to THE WILDHEARTS' mailing list:

"The BRIDES thing didn't work out, so I'm staying on here in Malibu [Californi ...

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NILE have parted ways with bassist Jon Vesano. "He has decided that he will stay at his day job, which was not mutually compatable with NILE's touring commitments, and work on his DARK MOON project on weekends/spare time," NILE mainman Karl Sanders writes on the group's web site.

"Jon has emphasized that while he realizes the incredibly bad position his sudden decision puts the band that there is absolutely nothing personal towards the other members of NILE involved in his decision, only that it is in his long-term personal interest not give up his day job and lifestyle for the sake of the upcoming NILE tours.
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