NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen recently spent time at Finnvox studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Esa Nieminen recording two traditional Finnish Christmas songs ("En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa" and "Kun Joulu On") for her first-ever solo CD single, due in Finland in December.

In other news, Tarja recently recorded guest vocals for German "Star Search" winner Martin Kesici's song "Leaving You for Me", which is due to appear on Kesici's second album. The song will be released as the CD's second single in early 2005, featuring a different mix different from the album version. A video clip for the song ...

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TWISTED SISTER have uploaded several audio clips from "Still Hungry" CD — a re-recorded and expanded version of the classic 1984 album "Stay Hungry" — at their official web site. Check them out at this location.

As previously reported, "Still Hungry" is scheduled for release on October 19 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.

"Still Hungry" — which was produced by Mark Mendoza, a longtime producer/engineer in addition to his bass guitar duties with TWISTED SISTER — finally gives the New York-based band a chance to make "Stay Hu ...

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A spokesperson at IN FLAMES' management company has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that the group have cancelled their previously announced Sept. 29 show at CBGB in New York City. "Anders' [Fridén, vocals] girlfriend is pregnant. Originally the baby was supposed to come on Oct. 13 but the contractions started yesterday (Sept. 27) already and it seems that it wont take that much more time until he will become a father," the spokesperson said.

As previously reported, IN FLAMES performed a special show at the Roxy in West Hollywood, CA Sunday night (Sept. 26). The group played two full sets at the concert; the first set was the whole new album, "Soundtrack To Your Escape", released on April 6, 2004. The second set consisted primarily of all the classics from the group's previous albums.

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Veteran German thrashers DESTRUCTION are currently working on the material for their next studio album, tentatively due in 2005. Following the completion of the album's touring cycle, the band plan on taking "a little creative break," according to a posting on the group's web site. "I mean, we could go on like this forever, but it's good to take a deep breath for another powerful twenty years....hahaha!" DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer said in a statement. "We don't want you to get tired of the DESTRUCTION overflow in the last years... even if we had to keep the high pace cause we have missed nine fuckin' years getting' over the fuc ...

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Former ICED EARTH/DEMONS & WIZARDS drummer Mark Prator has officially joined Sebastian Bach's (ex-SKID ROW) touring band. "We have been shredding all month in preparation for our Mexican tour this week!" Sebastian writes on his web site. "Mark Prator is the drummer on the ICED EARTH album 'Dark Saga' and is also the man behind the kit on the DEMONS & WIZARDS album with [ICED EARTH mainman] Jon Schaffer. The music is steady, solid and heavy. We are really gearing up now for the new album and we cannot wait to play Mexico this week with Mark Prator on the drums, so look out, Mexico, we are gonna kick your ass!"

Sebastian Bach live in Mexico:

Sep. 23 - Mexico City, MEX @ Bulldog
Sep. 24 - Monterrey, MEX @ El Volcan
Sep. 25 - Torreon, MEX @ La Fe Music Hal

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According to Roadrunner Records U.K., merchandise company Blue Grape have had their printing plant refuse to handle the proposed artwork for the new CRADLE OF FILTH T-Shirt. The factory (TOT Shirts Ltd.) have been forced to reject the order since staff literally downed tools in disgust. The proposed artwork (see it here) features the image of a bare-breasted woman seemingly bleeding from between the legs and the band's logo on the front, with the words "You Gilded Cunt" on the reverse. Blue Grape have had huge demand for t ...

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BLAZE, the British band led by former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley, have officially parted ways with guitarists John Slater and Steve Wray. John and Steve "are unable to do the tour dates for the rest of the year," BLAZE manager Neil Marklew writes in a posting on the group's web site. "As a result, they have both decided not to continue as full-time members of the BLAZE band."

In addition, BLAZE have parted company with session/touring musicians Dave Knight (drums) and Wayne Banks (bass), who "are unable to do the rest of the tour dates this year due to other projects," acco ...

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In what could be a case of life immitating art.....

Congratulations are in order for Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt and his wife Anna, who became the parents of a baby daughter, Melinda, this past Monday (Sept. 13). It is the couple's first child.

As previously reported, Åkerfeldt has started writing material for the group's next album, tentatively scheduled to be recorded sometime in the early spring of 2005. Opeth are officially free agents as a result of having been dropped by BMG/Zomba after their previous label, Music For Nations, was folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group). The band are looking through new label offers at the moment.

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Guitarist Gus G. has left Swedish melodic metallers DREAM EVIL in order to focus on his own band, FIREWIND. His official statement on the matter is as follows:

"Hello my friends! Hope this message finds u well. I would like to announce to you, that I've decided to leave DREAM EVIL for different reasons, mainly personal. I would also like to concentrate on my own band, FIREWIND. However, this doesn't mean that I'm not friends with the guys in the band. I split with them under very friendly circumstances. I wish them the best in the future. As for me, you can count on hearing my new releases coming up later this year. I'm sorry if I dissapoint some of ...

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BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kursch has posted the following message on the group's web site:

"Hi everyone, This morning I got a phone call from [guitarist] Marcus [Siepen] who told me that he is in hospital for quite a few days. Pretending to be a skateboarder he finally stumbled and fell right in front of his house and broke his leg, last Saturday. Since a regular fracture is not enough, Marcus took the severe way and made it a little more complicated. The leg got broken 4 times. He is going to undertake some surgeries and some serious therapies before he will be able to use his leg normally. First surgery will take place somewhere during the week. I will keep you informed."

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