Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have recruited 35-year-old Swedish singer Anette Blyckert (a.k.a. Anette Olzon) to replace Tarja Turunen. A photo of the new vocalist can be found here. A short video "greeting" from Anette is available for download at this location (MPEG, 5 MB).

Regarding her musical background, Anette said, "I was raised in a musical family and I've been singing since childhood. My mom also forced me to play the oboe for 8 years! I toured constantly with my mom and he ...

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Florida-based death metallers DEICIDE have parted ways with guitarist Ralph Santolla. A replacement axeman has not yet been announced.

Santolla (ex-DEATH, ICED EARTH) told BLABBERMOUTH.NET last month that he was looking to join a new band "in any genre of metal." "I like to keep busy writing, recording and touring," Santolla said. "Down time drives me nuts. Anyone looking for a guitarist can contact me at ralphsantolla@hotmail.com."

Santolla appears on DEICIDE's latest CD, "The Stench of Redemption", which was released in August via Earache Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Scars of the Crucifix" ...

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Peter Lindgren has stepped down from his guitar-wielding duties in OPETH after 16 years. His official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"It is with sadness I announce that OPETH and I are going separate ways after almost 16 years. The decision has been the toughest I've ever made but it is the right one to make at this point in my life.

"The reason behind this is that I feel that I simply have lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown from a few guys playing the music we love to a worldwide industry. The love of music has always been, and still is, our motive, but I personally have lost something alo ...

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ICED EARTH guitarist/leader Jon Schaffer has posted the following message on the band's web site:

"Our new guitar player's name is Troy Seele. Troy did a few solos on the new record and will be touring with us. He's been a friend of mine for about 10 years and is from the Indianapolis (Indy) area. He's by far the best guitar player in Indy and will be bringing some cool vibes to the table."

A 30-second audio sample of the ICED EARTH song "Ten Thousand Strong" has been posted online at this location (Real Media). The track comes off the group's u ...

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Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor from the mythological occult metal outfit ABSU has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"After five years of silence, I am pleased to announce the new lineup of ABSU.

"It was a difficult task to replace both Shaftiel and Equitant after being together for nearly 11 years, but now is the time to carry on. Here is the new reorganization of the band:

* Proscriptor McGovern - Percussives, Mellotron, Voices & Lyrical Magick
* Vastator Terrarum - Guitars, Bass Guitar, Analog Synthesizers & Backing Voices
* Aethyris MacKay - Guitars, Bass Guitar, Analog ...

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KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick has issued the following update:

"The new KING'S X [album] is finished. Ty [Tabor, guitar/vocals] is mastering it now. The release date is tenative right now. It's called 'Go Tell Somebody', so if you like what you hear, then go tell somebody, if you like what you hear, then go tell somebody, if you like what you hear, then go tell somebody, it's judgement time, it's judgement time...

"More info coming soon!

"I am in L.A. now making my solo CD! Got a bunch of people playing on it! Wally Farkas on guitar (GALACTIC COWBOYS), Dave Henning on bass (BIG WRECK), Kelli Scott< ...

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Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL have once again entered Mi Sueno studios in Tenerife, Spain to record several songs for the "best of" album coming out in October.

Commented the band: "We're celebrating our ten-year anniversary as a record-releasing band in 2007, remember? We spent seven weeks or so here five years ago, recording 'Crimson Thunder', and a fortnight for the mix of 'Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken', so it was a great pleasure to once again walk into the arms and home of the Deris [Andi Deris; HELLOWEEN vocalist] family."

You can follow HAMMERFALL's progress online at

Ali "The Metallian" of the Metallian webzine recently conducted an interview with former CRYPTOPSY frontman Lord Worm (a.k.a. Dan Greening) about his departure from the group. A few excerpts follow:

Metallian: Can you explain why you are no longer in CRYPTOPSY?

Lord Worm: Pretty much because every time we went out on the road for any stretch of time I ended up catching something and killing my health. It gets worse as time goes on. It is better for my health and better for CRYPTOPSY if I leave now.

Metallian: Are you referring to something as common as f ...

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Launch Radio Networks reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian plans to release his first solo album this fall, while the rest of his bandmates are also working on individual projects. But as for when SYSTEM itself will get back together, Tankian says it's not really on anyone's radar. "I don't know," he said. "That's the truth. I mean, we've taken an indefinite hiatus and we just said, you know, when we're all ready to come back and take time from our own things and do something together we will, if and when we want to. And it's been left at that."

Tankian plans to issue his debut solo album, titled "Elect The Dead", this fall. Th ...

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STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend has posted his first video transmission in connection with his upcoming solo album, entitled "Ziltoid the Omniscient". Watch it at YouTube.

Due on May 22 via Inside Out Music America, "Ziltoid the Omniscient" was recorded completely by Devin, who took care of the singing, guitar, bass, synthesizers and sampling duties, in addition to mixing and producing the album on his own. Devin has stated on the HevyDevy forums that he used "the drumkit from Hell" on this release — the same kit that was previously utilized ...

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