Samples include parts of the songs "Hell", "Straight To Hell", "Stab U In The Back", "The Power and The Glory", "USA For Satan", "Evil Perfection", "Hand of God" and "Dirge".

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Long anticipated and now officially confirmed: KROKUS is back in its classic formation. Marc Storace (vocals, 56), Fernando Von Arb (guitar, 53), Chris Von Rohr (bass, 56) and Freddy Steady (drums, 55) have reunited and are performing together again.

On August 2, KROKUS will play its only concert planned for 2008 in the band's native Switzerland at Stade De Suisse stadium in Bern. Afterwards, the group will begin work on its comeback album, tentatively due mid-2009.

The classic KROKUS lineup reunited for an appearance on November 18, 2007 on a TV show honoring the greatest Swiss songs of all time. The "Die grössten Schweizer ...

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Vocalist John Tardy of the long-running Florida death metallers OBITUARY has issued the following update:

"We leave today for South America for a couple of weeks. This is always a great time with insane fans!!! This trip will take us to places we have been and places we have not been too yet, so we are really getting excited! We have four shows in Brazil and 1 in Chile, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador!

"We have so much going on when we get back it is just crazy.

"We started to write new music for an EP that we plan on releasing in a few months and we need to get that recorded, so Redneck Studios will be getting fired back up for that!

"We ...

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Bob Mitchell has decided to leave resurrected '80s metallers ATTACKER. Here, in his own words, is Mitchell's explanation: "Just wanted to express that I had the greatest time at the KIT Festival over the past weekend. Attacker rocked Germany once again and everyone was, as usual, gracious and enthusiastic about what we have accomplished. With that said, it is with heavy heart that I announce my departure from Attacker. Outside of the band, I have commitments to college as I am currently earning my Associates Degree and will soon be entering the nursing program, my work at the hospital, which is my greatest passion and my family. In truth, I just could not commit myself at a 100% level and with each passing day it became more difficult. I walk away without regrets and with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I thank all of you for the great times and wonderful memories. I love Attacker, I love our fans for now and always. God Bless and ciao for now."

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Swiss avant-garde/metal pioneers CELTIC FROST have released the following statement via their official web site:

"CELTIC FROST singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer has left CELTIC FROST due to the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious."

It was reported earlier in the year that CELTIC FROST was putting together an album tentatively titled "Monotheist Companion" that will feature unreleased songs from 2006's "Monotheist" sessions and rearrangements of tracks from the album. The disc is tentatively due in the summer.

A video ...

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Reactivated Japanese rockers X JAPAN will play their first-ever concert in the U.S. on September 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band will also perform in Paris, France on July 5.

Professionally filmed video footage of X JAPAN's March 28, 2008 concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan can be viewed below.

Performing with X JAPAN at the band's three reunion shows at the Tokyo Dome were GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus and former LIMP BIZKIT and current BLACK LIGHT BURNS member Wes Borland.

X JAPAN's influential lead guitarist Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto committed suicide in Ma ...

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According to guitarist Stefan Elmgren of HAMMERFALL: "I have decided to leave Hammerfall, the reason is that I have been offered a job as a pilot within an airline. My interest in aviation has been growing very strong, and now I feel its time for me to take a step and be a pilot on a professional level. It has been a great journey with lots of great memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, I would like to give a big thanks to all the wonderful fans, its has truly been a pleasure to meet and perform for you all during these 11 years. I still love to play the guitar so you might hear from me again someday somehow. I would like to wish who ever is taking my place and the rest of the band good luck in the future."

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In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki reveals that he has formed a new band called REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, which is believed to have been the working title of the now apparently aborted new STRATOVARIUS album. The group's debut CD — which will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (vocals; HELLOWEEN), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE), Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN) and Tobias Sammet (vocals; EDGUY) — is tentatively due this summer via Frontiers Records.

Says Tolkki ...

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WARRIOR announce their reunion with original vocalist Parramore McCarty and guitarist Joe Floyd. Warrior are currently recording their upcoming brand new 5th CD at Silvercloud Studios with guitarist Floyd behind the controls. Warrior band members have expressed the following thoughts about the reunion, upcoming new CD and live shows: Vocalist Parramore McCarty: "I, for one, am very excited to have Warrior back in motion. It is great fun and challenging to be writing and recording with Joe and Dave again! At this point, we have a few rhythm tracks done and they are kicking my ass hard! I know in my heart there is a certain magic that shines through anytime Joe and I work together. So get ready all you metal freaks, because here we come!"

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