Swedish-language newspaper Dalarnas Tidningar (DT) from SABATON's hometown of Falun published a report earlier today (Monday, March 26) claiming that the band's current incarnation will go its separate ways, with vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström planning to continue the group with new musicians. According to Dalarnas Tidningar, it is not presently clear what caused SABATON's most recent lineup to implode, and Brodén, who is also the band's main songwriter, was tight-lipped about possible personnel changes when reached by the newspaper. "I will not comment on it," he said. When pressed further to confirm or deny the rumors, Brodén said, "I can't say anything as long ...

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Sad news for the fans of power metallers Celesty. Their last album Vendetta is a killer one and it's sad that they are no longer a unit for the time being. From their mainpage :

"Dear Celesty Fans We are sorry to announce that Celesty will go to indefinite hiatus. During the time, when 5th album songs have been in progress, there has been mixed feelings in the air for a longer period of time now. Situation in the band has come to the point, where only solution is to take a break. Will that break be a year or ten, we don´t know, but this is the only way to take the time that we need. This decision is mutual by all members of the band."

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With deep sadness we have to say goodbye to one of the most underrated guitar players and composers on this planet: Mark Reale.

With albums like Fire Down Under or Thundersteel he created timeless metal music which will stand the test of time for many more decades.

Last years studio album Immortal Soul on remains his legacy, and what an album it was: RIOT were back for the attack!

We will see how the remaining members will handle this but we think that Mark would be very proud of them if they continue and spread the music he created.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family, friends, and bandmates.

SPV GmbH / Steamhammer

Hannover, Germany

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Candlelight Records has set a February 28, 2012 North American release date for the self-titled new album from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the CD was produced by the band in cooperation with longtime collaborator John Custer. It was mixed by John Lousteau (FOO FIGHTERS) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (MELVINS, HIGH ON FIRE).

"Corrosion Of Conformity" will be available on standard CD, deluxe digipak, and two exclusive vinyl formats.

Featuring the esteemed "Animosity" lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's album closes a ...

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Australia's extreme metal unit THE AMENTA is working on material for their third album for a 2012 release. Vocalist Cain Cressal states, "All arrangements and lyrics are 90% complete. I'll be flying over to Sydney soon to finetune vocal patterns/lyrics after much demoing over the last few months. We intend to start tracking the album in January."

Tentatively titled "Flesh Is Heir", the follow-up to 2008's "n0n" is a crystallization of THE AMENTA's methods. Featuring the expansive, aggressive riffing of the "Occasus" album and the ambient electronic destruction of "n0n", "Flesh Is Heir" also introduces a new eeriness courtesy of Cressall and the unique musical and visual element h ...

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The Smoot family and Slave Pit Inc. released a statement regarding the official cause of death of guitarist Cory Smoot. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, and was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on Nov. 3rd of this year. He was 34.

Stated North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD:

"We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease."

The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus ...

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"Ghost Walking", a brand new song from Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD, can be streamed at MetalSucks.net. The track comes off the band's new album, "Resolution", which will be released in North America on January 24, 2012 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records). The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".

"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken ...

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South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have finished recording the drums for their new album for an early 2012 release. Guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders states, George [Kollias, drums], Dallas [Toler-Wade, guitar/vocals], [producer] Neil Kernon and I spent a week with Bob Moore at the Soundlab in Columbia, South Carolina tracking drums. We were expecting a long grueling session — some of this material is very compositionally challenging and technically demanding — but George knocked it out, finishing a full week ahead of schedule.

"Oh my God. Some of the drumming on this record will be boggling people's minds for years to come.

"At the moment we ...

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British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are putting the finishing touches on their 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"). This new piece of brutality is entitled "Utilitarian", and it will hit stores on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

Singer Mark "Barney" Greenway explains the album title and concept: "After some deliberation, we have decided on 'Utilitarian' as the album title. We general ...

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GWAR frontman Dave Brockie (a.k.a. Oderus Urungus) has released the following statement to MetalSucks:

"It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there ...

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