ANGRA vocalist Edu Falaschi has posted the following update on the band's official web site:

"As announced, we are currently recording ANGRA's new studio album. [Drummer] Aquiles has already finished his parts and they kick ass. However, I'll talk a little bit about the pre-production of the album.

"The rehearsals began in early November. We listened to the songs and decided which of them would eventually appear in the record. In the end, eleven songs were chosen and rehearsed. After a month or so of rehearsals, producer Dennis Ward [SILENT FORCE, PINK CREAM 69] arrived in Brazil [from Germany] to get acquainted with the songs. ...

---

ICED EARTH, CHILDREN OF BODOM and an as-yet-announced third support band will be teaming up for a North American tour beginning in mid-April.

Dates so far are as follows:

Apr. 18 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Apr. 19 - St. Louis, MO @ Pop's
Apr. 20 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
Apr. 21 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest
Apr. 23 - Detroit, MI @ Harpos
Apr. 24 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Club
Apr. 25 - Cleveland, OH @ Odeon
Apr. 26 - Toronto, ON @ Guvernment
Apr. 28 - Montreal, QC @ The Medley
Apr. 29 - New York, NY @ BB Kings
Apr. 30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
May 01 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
May 02 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
May ...

---

Finland's Stratovarius have announced the addition of a new singer and drummer to the group's ranks. The following is the band's official statement on the matter:

"New vocalist for Stratovarius is called 'Miss K'.

"The vocal talents of this sultry Finnish lady vary from raunchy rock to classical operatic. Her voice range is over 3 octaves and she is capable of transforming Stratovarius sound to something unique, something that has never been heard in Metal before.

"She is 30 years old and has a background in gymnastics, where she has twice become a Finnish Champion, and in acting.

"She has until now been singing in some local ...

---

Brazilian hard rock magazine Whiplash has compiled a list of heavy metal stars' favorite albums of 2003 and has posted it online at this location (scroll down the page). Among the musicians offering their picks for the finest releases of last year are the following:

Anders Jivarp (DARK TRANQUILLITY)
Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND, DEATH, ILLWILL)
Andy Timmons (DANGER DANGER)
Arjen Lucassen (AYREON, STAR ONE)
Bill Leverty (FIREHOUSE)
Brendt Allman (SHADOW GALLERY)
Byron (BAL-SAGOTH)
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTO ...

---

Former MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine got together with Christian rock band PILLAR this past Saturday (January 10) to co-write a song for their third full-length album, tentatively due on June 15 through Flicker Records. Check out pictures from the session here.

The following is a posting from PILLAR on their web site regarding the collaboration:

"Today was the big day! We got to hang out and write a 'metal' song with Dave Mustaine for our new album. If you don't know Dave Mustaine is the founding member of the band MEGADETH. He also played in ...

---

Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Time for some new-year activity on the site. As you probably have noticed, updates have been somewhat scarce recently, but rest assured that we're not resting on our laurels. The songwriting for the next album is commencing with full force, and in a not-too-distant future we'll begin recording our seventh full-length album. More details regarding where, when and why will be posted here soon.

"The DVD is now available in the US as well - finally! For a list of (worldwide) online vendors selling it, please visit Gtranquillity's site at www.dark-tranquillity.nl.

"For an ...

---

A "secret" EDGUY show has been announced for January 21 or 22 in Cologne, Germany. The exact date of the show is expected to be announced later today at the group's official web site.

EDGUY are going to play an exclusive "secret" show in Cologne's mini-club Underground that will be video-taped for the German music TV show WDR "Rockpalast". Tickets will be strictly limited as the club has only a capacity of a maximum of less than 250 people. Besides the classic songs EDGUY will present some of their new songs world exclusively. Tickets will probably be available for less than 10 Euros, and to avoid black-market-dealing, only two tickets will likely be avail ...

---

OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Zakk Wylde recently spoke to Sleaze Grinder about Rolling Stone magazine's much-criticized list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

"Put it this way," Wylde began. "When Eddie Van Halen is number 70 and Randy Rhoads is number 85, I mean, bottom line is I have to play Randy Rhoads' shit every night. I idolize Randy Rhoads. I still got posters of Randy Rhoads in my garage right now, in my weight room. I carry them on the bus. I love Randy Rhoads to death man, so I mean, the whole ...

---

Sweden's SOILWORK have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Hello there soilers!

"As you might have heard already, Richard Evensand is no longer playing with SOILWORK.

"Richard is an amazing drummer and we are very happy that we have had the privilege to play with him for the period of time that we did.

"Richard and SOILWORK have decided not to continue playing together and we have parted as good friends. We wish him all the best of luck with his future projects.

"We are ha ...

---

Jon Oliva, founding member and mastermind of SAVATAGE, has posted MP3 clips of three tracks intended for his upcoming solo project, dubbed simply THE JON OLIVA PROJECT, at his newly launched official web site, www.jonoliva.net. Check them out:

01. Father, Son and Holy Ghost (mp3)
02. I'll Fly Away (mp3)
03. Walk Alone (mp3)

As previously ...

---