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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Former STATIC-X guitarist Tripp Eisen's bail has reportedly been set at $1 million on charges that include kidnapping, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Eisen, whose real name is Tod Rex Salvador, appeared in Central Justice Center Court in Santa Ana, California, on Monday afternoon (Feb. 28) and is scheduled to make his next appearance at the Central Superior Court in Santa Ana on Wednesday (March 2).

Eisen was arrested in Orange County, California, for allegedly meeting and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl two months ago in New Jersey. The 39-year-old musician allegedly met the Sayreville, New Jersey girl ...

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JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford recently conducted an interview with Canada's Exclaim! magazine. A few excerpts from the interview follow:

Exclaim!: What are your current fixations?

Rob Halford: "I am something of a bookworm. I do enjoy killing time in the bunk on the tour bus reading all kinds of material. I've got a pretty broad taste when it comes to reading — anything that can take my mind. When we get a chance I like to go to the movie theatres. I saw 'Sideways' the other day.

Exclaim!: Why do you live where you do?

Rob Halford: "I'm ...

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Glenn Danzig recently spoke to the Boston Herald about his upcoming three East Coast dates during which Danzig will reunite with former MISFITS compadre Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein for a 30-minute set. The pair played two West Coast dates last year, which marked their first time onstage together in 20 years.

"Doyle's a really nice guy. I've always had a good time with him," Danzig told the Boston Herald. "When we started rehearsing (MISFITS songs), it was definitely a trip back."

In the midst of a two-month theater and club tour,

Reunited Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have finalized the track listing for their self-titled new effort, due on May 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Candlemass" was recorded in part at Polar studios (ABBA, GENESIS, LED ZEPPELIN) in Stockholm, Sweden and is said to be musically similar to the group's classic "Tales of Creation" and "Nightfall" albums.

"Candlemass" track listing:

01. Enemy (intro)
02. Black Dwarf
03. Seven Silver Keys
04. Assassin of the Light
05. Copernicus
06. The Man Who Fell from the Sky
07. Witches
08. Born In ...

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Finnish metallers SENTENCED will perform their last-ever show in Germany at the 2005 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 4-6 in Wacken. A complete list of bands currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows:

ACCEPT
APOCALYPTICA
AXEL RUDI PELL
BLOODBATH
CORVUS CORAX
COUNT RAVEN
DISSECTION
EDGUY
ENDHAMMER
EISREGEN
ENDSTILLE
ENSIFERUM
EQUILIBRIUM
FINNTROLL
GOREFEST
HAMMERFALL
ILLDISPOSED
MACHINE MEN
MARDUK
MERCENARY
METAL CHURCH
MORGANA LEFAY
NAGLFAR
NIGHTWISH
OBITUARY
OVERKILL
OOMPH!
POTENTIA ANIMI
SAMAEL
SENTENCED< ...

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GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl's appeal case began last week in connection with the 18-month sentence he received last May for beating a 41-year-old man in what the victim called a ritual attack.

The 29-year-old black metal vocalist, who has several prior convictions, including one for assault and battery, was sentenced at Sunnfjord court in Forde, Norway. In addition to the prison term, Gaahl was ordered to pay 100,000 NOK (approximately $15,800) in damages to the victim.

In the court of appeals last Wednesday (Feb. 16), Gaahl explained that he was attacked by the 41-year-old man without provocation.

"He grabbed me and started banging me again ...

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