Alex Staropoli of Rhapsody has stated that the band's next album will be based on a concept and that it's being kept "A big secret". "We have a lot of ideas, and we might be going in some new directions, but it's still a secret." In commenting on Rhapsody's rumored black metal album he states that "The idea is a good one, and we might incorporate some black metal on the next album. If we put some of that style on a full Rhapsody release, we really don't see the need to create a full black metal record." The next Rhapsody album is tentatively set for a September 2003 release.

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Bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake have had their case against the Osbournes dismissed. The judge stated that the statute of limitations had long since expired, and because the two artists could not show cause as to why they were improperly credited on the albums in question, Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman. Daisley and Kerslake were looking for over 20 million in lost songwriting royalties.

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Hans, from The Gathering has stated that the band is currently in the mixing process for their new album. It will be 10 tracks with over 50 minutes of music. Very soon, the band will post a few mp3 samples on their website and are curious how the fans will react. As Hans states, "It's quite intense, dark and gloomy". The new CD is expected to be out by the end of January 2003.

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Thomen Stauch, drummer for Blind Guardian has had to pull out of the band's upcoming Brazilian tour. Excessive playing strain has caused swelling and an infection in the tendons of one of his hands. It all started soon after Wacken and he now has his whole arm in a cast in order to prevent him from moving his fingers. He will not be able to play drums for a minimum of a few weeks and may be as long as a few months. Rhapsody drummer, Alex Holzwarth has stepped in and is quickly learning the band's set in order to fulfill the band's obligations to their Brazilian fans. Let's hope he is O.K. and that his hand heals up properly.

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Joacim Cans, lead singer for Hammerfall was injured last Saturday at a bar in Goteborg Sweden. Someone approached him and expressed displeasure for him, all the other band members and for Hammerfall's music. After saying that they all should be executed, he spat in Joacim's face. Not wanting a confrontation, he turned and walked away. Later when he saw this guy's girlfriend assaulting his girlfriend, he stepped in to separate the two and was blind-sided by a beer glass. The guy ran out leaving Joacim in a pool of blood and requiring 25 stitches. The band is quite upset about this and have had to cancel a video shoot for their new single, Hearts Of Fire from their forthcoming Crimson Thunder album due out in late September.

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Jon Oliva of Savatage is planning to release a solo record sometime next year along with a new Savatage record. He's already completed 5 or 6 songs, playing all instruments himself, in what he describes as in a style of "The Beatles meets Black Sabbath". It will have some Savatage nuances and, as he says, "A much heavier edge than what people are expecting".

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According to former Steel Prophet singer Rick Mythiasin (currently with New Eden) guitarist Jim Wiiliams and drummer Karl Roquist have followed his lead and left the band. Mythiasin is currently writing with Williams for an as-of-yet un-named project that will also include Roquist.

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Sanctuary Records is releasing a new double live CD set by Black Sabbath called Past Lives. It will contain a cleaned up and remastered version of the previously released Live At Last album as well as other concert classics from 1970 - 1978. A limited edition digi-pack edtion will contain a poster and an authentic Black Sabbath guitar pick.

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Sadly, guitar hero Paul Samson lost his battle with cancer this past Friday, August 9 at the age of 48. Paul Samson was best known as guitarist and band leader of the NWOBHM band Samson. Bruce Dickinson was a member of Samson during the NWOBHM movement of the early 80's before leaving the band to join Iron Maiden. The band continued on and Paul actually continued to play his guitar and record until a couple weeks ago when he became unable to pick up his guitar. Rest in Peace Paul...

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The recording of third album A New Dimension Of Might is finished and the band has returned home after 6 weeks in Marseille, France, in Soundsuite Studios (Tristania, Sirenia, The Sins Of Thy Beloved). Everything has worked out fine during the process and people can expect a killer release in May/early June.

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