German melodic metallers EDGUY have announced the first European tour dates in support of their upcoming "Hellfire Club" CD, due on March 15, 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

Apr. 02 - Plzen, CZR @ KD Serikova
Apr. 03 - Zlin, CZR @ Golem Club
Apr. 04 - Trnava, SK @ Sports Hall
Apr. 06 - Budapest, HUN @ TBA
Apr. 07 - Vienna, AUT @ Planet Music
Apr. 08 - Milan, ITA @ Alcatrez
Apr. 10 - Pratteln, SWI @ Z7
Apr. 11 - Strasbourg, FRA @ La Laiterie
Apr. 12 - Lyon, FRA @ Transbordeur
Apr. 14 - Madrid, SPA @ Aqualung
Apr. 16 - Valencia, SPA @ Republica
Apr. 17 - Barcelona, SPA @ ...

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Richard Michalski (photo), drummer for the German metal band AXXIS, has reportedly been missing for the past year and "the band, friends and colleagues are searching for him with the help of the police, but there is no sign of life at the moment," according to a statement released by the band's record company, AFM Records. "The band [haven't recruited a replacement] drummer so far, because they admire Richard as a person and as a musician and they hope that there will be a sign of life from him [soon]."

AXXIS' new studio album, "Time Machine", features a guest appearance ...

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Swedish black metallers MARDUK have parted ways with vocalist Legion. No explanation was given for his departure. A replacement for Legion has already been found and will be announced very soon, according to a post on the band's web site.

As a result of Legion's departure, MARDUK have been forced to cancel their previously announced appearances in Greece and at the Blackest of the Black Festival in London.

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London-based power metallers DRAGONFORCE have started work on the follow-up to their debut album, "Valley Of The Damned", released earlier this year.

The majority of the recording is taking place at Thin Ice Studios, Virginia Water, Surrey, England with producer Karl Groom, while all the guitars are being recorded at guitarist Herman Li's own private studio in West London.

Li, Z.P. Theart (vocals), Sam Totman (guitars), and Vadim Pruzhanov (keyboards) have now been joined by new bassist Adrian Lambert and drummer David Mackintosh (also with BAL-SAGOTH).

Said Li, "We are working har ...

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Guitarist Timo Tolkki of Finland's Stratovarius has posted a statement on the band's website that he will be commenting on the band's future sometime next week. The band currently has no tour plans for the recently released Elements Part 2 and sources close to the guitarist state that the lines of communication between himself and singer Timo Kotipelto are so strained that they only communicate through their lawyers. Timo has also suggested that he's unhappy with some of the band members. Could a major change in personnel be forthcoming? This all comes just weeks after signing a three album deal worth over 3 million dollars with Sanctuary Records......stay tuned for details.

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Poland's Agonia Records will be releasing an "official" live album from death metal pioneers POSSESSED, featuring a 50-minute "high-quality" mixing-board recording made on January 26, 1987 in Parma, Ohio where POSSESSED played as the opening act for DARK ANGEL.

The CD, titled "Agony In Paradise" (view cover here), includes a booklet, an introduction by frontman Jeff Becerra, and old pictures of the band, flyers, posters, tickets and other things.

For more information, visit link text.

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France's HEAVENLY have posted the cover art for their third album, "Dust To Dust", at this location.

As previously reported, "Dust To Dust" is due on January 12 through Sanctuary/Noise Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Sign Of The Winner", which is being described by the band as "more heavy metal and more symphonic" than the group's previous efforts, was mixed by Sascha Paeth (ANGRA, RHAPSODY, KAMELOT).

The complete track listing for "Dust To Dust" is as follows:

Chapter I
01. Ashes To Ashes...
...

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STONE TEMPLE PILOTS guitarist Dean DeLeo and bassist Robert DeLeo have confirmed in a brand-new interview with Guitar One magazine that they have officially closed the book on the band with the recent release of their "greatest hits" package, "Thank You".

"It was time to move on to other things," Dean said. "Life and personalities and brotherhood took its course. Everybody's got cool stuff going on. [Singer] Scott [Weiland] is about to embark on a new experience [referring to VELVET REVOLVER]. [Drummer] Eric [Kretz] built a nice home studio. It just ran its course, I suppose."

Added Robert, " ...

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The Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting in its Nov. 16 print edition that MÖTLEY CRÜE will be headlining next year's installment of Sweden Rock festival set to be held June 10-12, 2004 in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The article goes on to state that the event organizers are it talks with at least one other classic hard rock band about performing at the festival (believed to be JUDAS PRIEST).

The first few confirmations for the annual gala will be announced at the Sweden Rock 2004 kick-off party at Draken in Stockholm on November 28. DORO is headlining the kick-off concert, with additional performances expected from TEN 67, TEN JINN and SPEARFISH. Also appearing will be the Swed ...

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In an interview with the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet conducted prior to the band's gig in Stockholm on Friday (Nov. 14), IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson revealed that the long-running heavy metal group will cease all touring activities in five years and will concentrate solely on recording and releasing studio albums.

"That will have to do," Dickinson said. "[At that point] we will be too old [to continue touring], and we will have to settle for just making albums.

"I still love the musical side of [being in IRON MAIDEN], but I don't appreciate bei ...

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