Sweden's IN FLAMES have posted the following message to their official web site, www.inflames.com:

"Hello all, as of [Thursday, May 29], we are safely back at home in Gothenburg after the 2 weeks in Denmark doing the pre-production.

"We are very pleased with what came out of 'The Tuborg Sessions' - we managed to write and record 11 new songs for the upcoming album, and we couldn't be happier with the result, it sounds killer.

"We will spend the next few months polishing the new material and rehearsing for the actual studio recording this fall, as well as doing our summer shows and tours, so we hope to see you all very soon.

"All the best, IN FLAMES"

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METALLICA's "St. Anger" will ship "well over" a million units ahead of its June 10 street date, according to Elektra Entertainment Group Exec. VP/GM Greg Thompson. "This release is a true event, and shows a tremendous amount of evolution and drama," he said in an official statement. "Those lucky enough to have heard it are blown away. It adds up to an exciting time for the quintessential rock band in the world to return to the marketplace with an epic record…I mean an Elektra record."

Elektra Chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone added: "The members of METALLICA, individually and collectively, rank with the best musicians in the busine ...

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The reunited hard rockers WAYSTED, featuring UFO bassist Pete Way and ex-UFO guitarist Paul Chapman, have started recording a new CD, tentatively due in late 2003/early 2004 through an as-yet-undisclosed label. Check out pictures from the studio at this location.

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A brand new ENTOMBED track, titled "Retaliation", has been posted online at this location. "Retaliation" comes off the group's forthcoming album, "Inferno", due on Aug. 4 through Music For Nations/Threeman Records. As previously reported, "Inferno" was produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt (FIRESIDE) at Grondal and Atlantis studios in Stockholm.

(Courtesy of Digital Metal)

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ProgPower USA IV, North America's premiere festival for progressive and power metal music, has officially sold out more than three months in advance.

The festival will return to Atlanta's Earthlink Live, the venue that housed last fall's sold-out event, on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6.

"I don't think anyone can doubt that ProgPower USA has taken the step to the next level with another sell-out this year," said promoter Glenn Harveston. "The fans have shown what kind of product they want, and I'm more than willing to deliver it to them each and every year."

Finland's NIGHTWISH and Germany's RAGE will headline ProgP ...

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Veteran Canadian thrashers ANNIHILATOR have parted ways with vocalist Joe Comeau (ex-OVERKILL, LIEGE LORD) and have replaced him with Vancouver-based newcomer Dave Padden.

Says ANNHILATOR mainman Jeff Waters: "Joe and I had a difference of opinion on an issue (not of a musical nature) that just couldn't be resolved mutually. We will miss Joe and we did some great songs/CDs together, but the band, management, label and I were quite aware, and in agreement, that this change had to happen. New guy is Dave Padden from Vancouver. Killer voice. Basically, a guy of extremes: super clean voice and super raunchy/dirty voice ...

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German metallers HELLOWEEN will be embarking on a short North American headlining tour in early October to support their recently issued album, "Rabbit Don't Come Easy".

The trek, which will kick off in Southern California and conclude in New York City, will tentatively cover the following markets:

Los Angeles
Orange County
Phoenix
Denver
Chicago
Detroit
Toronto
Montreal
New York

A full North American tour will follow next year.

"Rabbit Don't Come Easy" was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, RAGE, HAMMERFALL) and features a guest appearance by MOTORHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee.

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Former MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine has begun work on a solo release, tentatively due in early 2004 through Sanctuary Records. No further details are available at this time.

Mustaine, who has just signed an exclusive endorsement agreement with ESP Guitar Company, has brought his unique vision and focus to a new line of ESP & LTD Signature Series guitars, to be introduced at Summer NAMM 2003.

"If there is any question to why I came over to ESP," says Mustaine, "it will be silenced when you play one of these. Absolutely ripping." ESP's new Dave Mustaine "DV8" Signature model will be available in ...

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BEATALLICA, the anonymous two-man band that plays "BEATLES tunes done METALLICA style", have posted a total of seven tracks in MP3 format at this location.

The songs available for download are as follows:

01. Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band
02. A Garage Dayz Nite
03. For Horsemen
04. No Remorseful Reply
05. The Thing That Should Not Let It Be
06. Everybody's Got A Ticket To Ride Except For Me And My Lightning
07. ...And Justice For All My Loving

The group, who choose to stay anonymous in order to avoid ...

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OPETH will be teaming up with PORCUPINE TREE for a co-headlining North American tour beginning in early July. According to PORCUPINE TREE's official web site, "OPETH have recently been touring North America extensively to promote their 2002 album 'Deliverance', but on their tour with [PORCUPINE TREE] they will be focusing on their non-metal material for the first time, in particular songs from the recently issued 'Damnation' album which was produced by [PORCUPINE TREE frontman] Steven Wilson."

Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

Jul. 15 - Toronto, ONT @ TBA
Jul. 16 - Montreal, Spectrum
Jul. 17 - NYC, ...

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