Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING have set "Red Silent Tides" as the title of their new album, which is tentatively due this fall via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Piranha studios in Karsdolf, Germany with producer Dennis Ward (ANGRA, PINK CREAM 69, PRIMAL FEAR). The album's cover artwork, which can be viewed below, was created by Samuel Araya, who has previously worked on CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography" CD.

"Red Silent Tides" track listing:

01. Dawnmelting
02. The Last Hour
03. Silence De Mort
04. The Cabal
05. Runereader
06. Possession
07. Your Heroes Are Dead
08. Those Days
09. This Nightmare Will Never End
10. ...

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On Tuesday, June 22nd, “The Big Four” - METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX - are bringing their historic European tour to the global stage with a concert shown via satellite in High-Definition (HD) in Cineplex Entertainment theatres across the country. Despite huge demand, these musical giants have never shared the same stage until now. The legendary concert from the tour’s stop at the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria will air at more than 65 Cineplex theatres across Canada. Watch the trailer here

Advance tickets are available beginning Friday, May 28th online here as well as at participating theatre box offices. General admission is $18.00.

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Anthem/Atlantic recording group RUSH has announced the upcoming release of their eagerly anticipated new single. "Caravan" — which will be featured on the legendary band's forthcoming album, "Clockwork Angels" — will be available at all DSPs on June 1 and serviced to radio simultaneously.

"Caravan" will be bundled with an additional new album track, entitled "BU2B". Both tracks were recorded earlier this year in Nashville with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz, who previously collaborated with RUSH on 2007's critically acclaimed "Snakes & Arrows". RUSH will return to the studio to resume recording after the completion of the upcoming "Time Machine Tour", with pla ...

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According to the Des Moines Register, Urbandale, Iowa police are investigating the death of SLIPKNOT's bass guitarist at a local hotel.

Paul Dedrick Gray, 38, of Johnston was found dead at approximately 10:50 a.m. today by an employee at TownePlace Suites 8800 Northpark Drive, police said.

There was no evidence of foul play, police said, but the investigation is ongoing.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Toxicology tests will be done.

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Wendy Dio, wife/manager of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.

"We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.

"Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss.

"Please know he loved you all and his music will liv ...

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NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane has announced that his late '80s cult metal outfit SANCTUARY will reunite to record a new studio album. "[I've] been talking with Lenny [Rutledge, former SANCTUARY guitarist]," Dane explains. "We are really good friends again and it feels good." He adds, "I missed my relationship with him for many years."

Regarding how the SANCTUARY reunion will affect NEVERMORE, which has a new studio album ("The Obsidian Conspiracy") coming out next month, Dane says, "NEVEMORE is never going away, so don't start any more rumors!"

On March 8, Ironbird via Cherry Red Reco ...

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The official trailer for "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage", the long-awaited RUSH documentary produced by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Toronto, Ontario, Canada's Banger Films Inc., can be viewed below.

"Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" will make its television debut on June 26 on VH1 and VH1 Classic.

A poster for "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" can be viewed below. The film will receive its Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, which runs from April 29 to May 9 in Toronto, Ontario.

The film will be shown on the following dates/times:

* Thursday, April ...

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U.K. punk-infused death metallers THE ROTTED will enter the studio in May with producer James Dunkley to record "Anarchogram", a self-released EP consisting of two new tracks and four bonus cuts.

Says guitarist Tim Carley: "These songs are the first we have written with the new lineup and we are really buzzing about letting people hear them!

"We've wanted to do something like this for ages, put out a self-financed DIY release on our own label, like the way we used to more than 10 years ago, before MySpace and blog sites and all that crap. We've got the opportunity to do it this summer and it's a way for us to give something back to the fans at a low cost."

...

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France's Season of Mist has inked a deal with Chile's MAR DE GRISES — the first South American signing in the label's history! The band's third full-length album will be released later this year.

"We are very happy about this deal with Season of Mist," the band comments. "For a young band like MAR DE GRISES, it is really exciting to be part of an impressive roster with big names such as MORBID ANGEL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, MAYHEM and CYNIC, among many others. We are also proud to be the first Ibero-American band working with this company. It is an important motivation to continue composing this kind of music on the other side of the world, in Chile.

"This partner ...

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Century Media Records has set a May 31 European release date (June 8 in North America) for "The Obsidian Conspiracy", the long-awaited new album from Seattle metallers NEVERMORE.

The drum tracks for "The Obsidian Conspiracy" were completed in the group's hometown of Seattle with SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers, who previously worked with Dane on the singer's solo debut, "Praises to the War Machine". Longtime friend and collaborator Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ARCH ENEMY, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD) once again handled mixing duties.

The captivating and dynamic cover art was once again created by the great Travis Smith (OPETH, KATATONIA) and can be viewed now in the video clip bel ...

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