Norwegian black metallers IMMORTAL have reaffirmed their decision to break up, despite a statement from the band's record company yesterday indicating that the group were merely taking a long break.

The following is the latest update from the Nuclear Blast Records web site:

"Well, sad news… Although stated differently earlier as it seemed as if the band only wanted to take a long break, here's the 100% official news, directly from the band and management:

" 'After 13 years and 7 albums we have decided to stop working with IMMORTAL due to personal reasons. A great thanks to all our fans worldwide who helped us making IMMORTAL superb through all this time. Abbath, Demonaz, Horgh' "

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IRON MAIDEN have posted their forthcoming single, "Wildest Dreams", in Windows Media format at this location. "Wildest Dreams" will receive its first U.K. radio play on the BBC Radio One "Rock Show" on Tuesday night (July 22). The song comes off the band's upcoming CD, "Dance Of Death", due on September 9 through Columbia Records.

IRON MAIDEN kicked off their North American tour with DIO and MOTÖRHEAD Monday night (July 21) in Worcester, Mass. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson recently told Asbury Park Press that despite his ...

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The atmospheric rockers The Gathering will record semi-acoustic versions of songs from all artistic periods of the band for a best of-album during two very special live shows in Nijmegen’s LUX Theatre on August 21st and 22nd. Selected songs from six albums, so ranging from their debut-album Always, their hit record Mandylion to If_Then_Else will be dressed in a completely new sound. The yet untitled album will be released by Century Media Records most likely before the end of the year.

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Long-running Norwegian black metallers IMMORTAL appear to have called it a day.

In an official statement posted to the forum of the Norwegian magazine Scream, the band state simply, "After 13 years and 7 albums we have decided to stop working with IMMORTAL due to personal reasons. A great thanks to all our fans worldwide who helped us making IMMORTAL superb through all this time. Abbath, Demonaz, Horgh."

It is presently unclear if the individual members of the group will form brand-new musical projects or if they will retire from the music scene altogether. More information is expected soon.

Source: heavymetal.no

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IRON MAIDEN have announced the details of the first leg of their world tour in support of their new studio album, "Dance Of Death", due on September 9 through Columbia Records.

The European leg of the tour will kick off in Prague on October 22 and will conclude in the U.K. just before Christmas. Details of the U.K. dates will be announced shortly and the rest of the European schedule is as follows:

Oct. 22 - Prague, CZE @ T-Mobile Arena
Oct. 24 - Munich, GER @ Olympiahalle
Oct. 25 - Stuttgart, GER @ Schleyerhalle
Oct. 27 - Milan, ITA @ Filaforum
Oct. 28 - Firenze, ITA @ Palasport
Oct. 30 - Zurich, SWI @ Hallenstadion
Nov. 01 - Barc ...

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Guitarist Wojtek Lisicki has left the band for personal reasons - there are no plans to replace him at this time.

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Rhythm guitarist Alexander "Aku" Kuoppala has parted ways with the band on good terms - it is said that he was no longer interested in the touring lifestyle - a replacement will be announced soon

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JUDAS PRIEST will reunite with Rob Halford for a new album and tour in 2004, the band's management has confirmed to CNN.

"Rob Halford, along with band members K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill felt a heightened level of intensity," a member of JUDAS PRIEST management team told CNN, speaking of recent meetings with the four. "Rob said they were all very excited and they have re-established their friendship. These guys grew up together from their early 20s on, so this means a lot to them personally and professionally."

Tipton also told CNN Halford has rejoined the group.

Writing in response to several negative fan postings on HALFORD's official web site with regards to ...

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As exclusively reported by Blabbermouth last week, KING DIAMOND have now officially confirmed plans to embark on a North American tour in the fall, with ENTOMBED as main support. "Tour booking is currently in progress. However, no dates are firm yet," writes KING's manager Ole Bang on the group's official web site. "It is the plan that KING will bring Swedish act ENTOMBED out as opening band, plus at least one more band which has not been confirmed yet. Tour is scheduled to start on the west coast in late October."

The trek, which is tentatively set to kick off on October 20, will be sponsored by Metal Maniacs magazine.

KING DIAMOND are currently mixing their new album, "The Puppet Master", for a fall release through Metal Blade Records. ENTOMBED's latest CD, "Inferno", has just been released domestically through Koch Records.

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Following a fierce label bidding war, Finnish melodic thrash titans CHILDREN OF BODOM have officially signed a U.S. deal for their upcoming album "Hate Crew Deathroll" with Century Media Records. The label has also secured North American licensing rights for the "Century Child" album by Finnish neo-classical operatic goth sensations NIGHTWISH. Both albums are scheduled for a September 23 release.

CHILDREN OF BODOM will team up with DIMMU BORGIR, NEVERMORE and HYPOCRISY for a North American tour in November. NIGHTWISH will make their highly-anticipated U.S. debut on September 5 at the Prog Power IV Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.

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