Danish hard rockers ROYAL HUNT have completed the songwriting process for the band's new album, which will become a sequel to their critically acclaimed concept opus "Paradox" (1997). According to a posting on the group's web site, the "lyrical/musical continuation of the story will be spread over 10 tracks and the actual recording of it will start in May 2007 at NorthPoint Productions while the mixing has been scheduled for September at the EMI/Medley Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark." Also in the works is a reissue of the band's live releases "1996" and "Closing the Chapter" (originally released in 1998). More details will be made available s ...

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Michael Kammeyer:

I'm very happy to finally announce our new singer. Matthew Barlow (former vocalist of the American metal band Iced Earth) will be taking over the job as Pyramaze vocalist. I've been in dialogue with Matt about his comeback for a few months now, and after we've been getting to know each other better and doing a few test demos where Matt has re-recorded a couple of our old songs, we've come to the conclusion that we are a perfect match. I've always regarded Matt as one of the very best voices in metal, and I was (as any other fan of his incredible voice) saddened by his departure from the metal scene a few years ago. Therefore I'm proud to say that Matt is b ...

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Former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow is the newly announced singer for Danish metal sensation Pyramaze. The news was revealed in the latest German edition of Rock Hard magazine. A rough translation can be found through the link below.

Pyramaze parted ways with their original singer Lance King in November 2006 due to personal and professional reasons. Lance wishes the band the best of luck with Matt as he works on material with Progressive Metallers Krucible. Information on the forthcoming Pyramaze album with Matt (the first recorded music since his sabbatical from metal in 2003) will follow...

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IRON STEEL, the new project featuring Frederic Leclercq from DRAGONFORCE and vocalist Fran Strine, has posted a song called "Attack" on its MySpace page. The track was recorded in one take April 7, 2007 at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois and features guest appearances by members of CHIMAIRA, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and DRAGONFORCE.

Commented recent KILLSWITCH touring guitarist Patrick Lachman (ex-DAMAGEPLAN, HALFORD), who guests on the song, "I have jammed with one of greatest vocalist of all time when I was in HALFORD, but when I heard the vocal power of Fran Strine I almost fainted, and the musical wizardness of Frederic Leclercq is spell-binding."

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The art for the second full length album by Dark Empire, Humanity Dethroned (featuring Jens Carlsson of Persuader)is available. Link below.

The newly remastered version of the debut Distant Tides, mastered by Mika Jussila of Finnvox, is available to order through the Dark Empire website. This new version also inlcudes an exclusive bonus track and updated artwork by Gustave Sazes.

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German death metallers NECROPHAGIST have issued the following update:

"NECROPHAGIST is excited to announce drumming phenomenon and luminary Marco Minnemann as the new permanent drummer. Marco will start playing drums for NECROPHAGIST on the upcoming Summer Slaughter Tour starting June 1st 2007, sponsored by Ibanez, Tama and Revolver mag. The band is absolutely stoked to announce that Marco Minnemann will be drumming on the NEW NECROPHAGIST album, due in 2008. We can't wait to work on arranging the new songs with such an incredibly talented, proficient and complete musician/composer. The list of musicians ...

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Hailing from Canton, GA, comes Legion Of Carcaroth. Comprised of the evil spirits Murderous Hammer Of The Five Frosts (guitars), Serpent (vocals), Ghoul (drums), and Moonghost DemonFist (keyboards), this is the soundtrack to killing orcs and slaughtering the faithful.

Click on the attached link for sound samples.

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As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported yesterday, it has now been officially confirmed that CANNIBAL CORPSE's Alex Webster will play bass on HATE ETERNAL's new album following the recent departure of Randy Piro Jr.

"I am very excited to be participating in the recording of HATE ETERNAL's next album," Webster says in a statement. "Erik [Rutan, HATE ETERNAL leader] is an amazing guitarist and songwriter, and one of my best friends. As bassist for the new album, I will do my best to make the stronges ...

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Former HATE ETERNAL bassist Randy Piro has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his departure from the group:

"As you may have heard by now, I have decided to relinquish my bass and vocal duties in HATE ETERNAL. Despite the overall accuracy of the official HATE ETERNAL press release regarding my departure, I feel it is necessary to address this issue personally, and in more detail.

"My reason for leaving HATE ETERNAL is to direct my focus and energy to the GIGAN beast exclusively. ...

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Bassist Michael Nicklassonn from Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY has posted the following message on the band's web site:

"I've gotten some mails and questions concerning my health during this tour from fans that are worried about my weight loss and my numbness. The thing is that I just got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes one week before this tour, so I just started with insulin. I'm getting a little better day by day and it's a real struggle for me, but I'm trying to do my best for the band and the fans. I wanted to post this so everyone knows the facts about this. As it is right now my body doesn't work as it's supposed to and that means that I'm ver ...

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