German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have posted the cover artwork for their upcoming live DVD, "Imaginations Through The Looking Glass", at this location. The disc, which was recorded primarily at the Blind Guardian Open Air festival in Coburg, Germany last June, will come with a bonus DVD, featuring interview and behind-the-scenes footage as well as additional live material. A June 14 release is expected.

In other news, BLIND GUARDIAN revealed in a posting on their web site that select movie theaters in Germany will be showing the new DVD on the big screen b ...

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A brand new MEGADETH song, entitled "Kick the Chair", has been posted at this location.

"Kick the Chair" comes off the group's as-yet-untitled new album, tentatively due in September through Sanctuary Records.

Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "This is for the 95% of the people here who are my friends - the people who, even if they don't agree, they are still decent. This is for the people here who set us apart from the rest of the net, all of the fan sites, chat rooms, and forums.

"This is for you, my fans — because after this, there will ...

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SPV Records has set a June 8 U.S. release date for the new album from BLAZE, entitled "Blood & Belief". "We fully understand that this will disappoint our U.S. fans but this is beyond our control," the band write on their web site about the CD which was released in Europe last month. "Sorry for any inconvenience."

BLAZE is the British band led by former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley. The follow-up to 2002's "Tenth Dimension", "Blood & Belief" was recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire with producer Andy Sneap.

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LACUNA COIL guitarist Cristiano Migliore has revealed to Wichita's F5 that the Italian quintet have written roughly 15 tracks since the release of 2002's "Comalies" and will work on recording a new disc toward the end of this year with a projected release date of early 2005.

With regards to the band's upcoming appearance at this year's Ozzfest, Migliore said, "I grew up listening to OZZY, SLAYER — all those bands. So it's interesting that we should be on tour with them. I think this is the best lineup for an Ozzfest yet.

"We're really not going to make money from that tour," the 32-year-old guitarist said. " ...

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GORGOROTH singer Gaahl was sentenced Tuesday (May 4) to 18 months in a Norwegian prison on charges that he beat a 41-year-old man in what the victim called a ritual attack.

The 28-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 75,000 NOK (approximately $11,000) to the victim, plus an additional 29,000 NOK (approximately $4,300) in damages.

The court's sentence matched the recommendation from prosecutor Ronny Iden who took into account the fact that Gaahl had a prior conviction for ...

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After 15 years with Cannibal Corpse, I've decided to leave the group. My heart just wasn't in it anymore, and it was reflected in my appearance on stage. Times change, and I just don't enjoy the music as much as I used to, and the only thing keeping me in the band was steady work, and the pay. These things makes it unfair to myself, my band members, and especially the fans. I'd like to thank all the members of Cannibal Corpse, past and present, for sharing in the conquest of an entire genre of music. I wish the band continued success... I would especially like to thank the fans for being there for 15 years. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. Your dedication to death metal is unbelievable. I am going to continue in music, of course, with Adrift. I'd like to thank them for their patience and understanding, and support of my decision. We will meet again, I'm sure.. Cheers, Jack Owen

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ICED EARTH have added more dates in June as part of their extremely successful North American headlining tour in support of their latest CD, "The Glorious Burden". It is not presently clear if CHILDREN OF BODOM and EVERGREY - the two support acts on the current leg of ICED EARTH's tour - will be part of the newly announced shows.

Upcoming ICED EARTH tour dates:

Apr. 29 - New York, NY @ BB Kings
Apr. 30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
May. 01 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
May. 02 - Alexandria, VA @ JAXX
May. 04 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
May. 05 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
May. 07 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blu ...

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Italian symphonic metallers RHAPSODY have posted the cover artwork for their upcoming mini-CD, "The Dark Secret", at this location.

As previously reported, "The Dark Secret" is scheduled for release on May 29 through Magic Circle Music/SPV. The group's as-yet-untitled new full-length album will follow in September.

"The Dark Secret" track listing:

01. Unholy Warcry (short version)*
02. Thunder Mighty Roar*
03. Sacred Power Of Raging Winds
04. Guardians Of Destiny (English version)*
05. (T.B.C.)

* Tit ...

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Multi-talented Swedish musician/producer Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, UNICORN, EDGE OF SANITY, INFESTDEAD, ODYSSEY, PAN-THY-MONIUM) has posted the following message on his discussion forum:

"What's happening???

"It's been a while since I updated you on the current development of the records I am about to make with my friends in NIGHTINGALE, BLOODBATH and SECOND SKY. So here we go.

"I am currently preparing the NIGHTINGALE pre-productions for mix and as soon as my brother finishes his guitar solos and a few synthesizer tracks, we're all set for destruction. Then I will send this to the engineer at S ...

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