Chicago-based prog/power metallers ION VEIN have patred ways with longtime vocalist Russ Klimczak. "Russ has been an integral part of ION VEIN, and one of my best friends, for the past 10 years so as you can imagine, this has not been an easy thing," said band founder Chris Lotesto in a statement.

"The decision is strictly a musical one and not personal in the least.

"ION VEIN has been continually evolving musically over the past 10 years and we have finally reached a point to where Russ' vocal style and approach is just not working with the music any longer.

"This has been a very difficult time for Brian, C ...

---

The finland metal monsters of Lordi managed a huge surprise by winning the Eurovision Song contest 2006 in Greece ! Congratulations Lordi !

---

BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Time to break the silence, time to say hello. As you all most probably know: we have finished the album some days ago and started doing some first shows already. It has been a blast to be back on stage again and do these small shows in Rijssen and Vosseljaar. We appreciate the kindness and the support of the people there and enjoyed the club atmosphere a lot. Istanbul was a great experience and 'The Bard's Song' sung by more than 2000 Turkish fans has been nothing but spectacular. I could go on like that but I guess what you are more interested in at the moment ...

---

Portugal's MOONSPELL will be teaming up with KATATONIA and DAYLIGHT DIES for a North American tour beginning around October 12. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

As previously reported, MOONSPELL's latest CD, "Memorial", recently entered the Portuguese album chart at position No. 1. "Memorial" also entered the charts at Nr. 68 in Germany and Nr. 181 in France. The album was produced by Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, THE GATHERING, SAMAEL) at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany.

MOONSPELL are expected to release a DVD, entitled "Lunar Still/13 Years of Doom", via Century Media later in the year.

---

Nebraska-based power metallers CELLADOR have posted a track from their upcoming album, "Enter Deception", on their MySpace.com page. The song, entitled "Leaving All Behind", was also used for the band's first video, which should debut on June 24. The video shoot took place in Los Angeles, CA between May 8 and May 11 with director Dan Dobi (CANNIBAL CORPSE, INTO THE MOAT). According to the band: "It was a fantastic first experience in the music video world for us and the resulting neck and head pains from the nine hours of thrashing we will cherish in our hearts for many days to come. We c ...

---

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have confirmed "A Twist in the Myth" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in September via Nuclear Blast Records.

"A Twist in the Myth" (view cover here) track listing:

01. This Will Never End (5:07)
02. Otherland (5:14)
03. Turn the Page (4:16)
04. Fly (5:43)
05. Carry the Blessed Home (4:03)
06. Another Stranger Me (4:36)
07. Straight through the Mirror (5:48)
08. Lionheart (4:15)
09. Skalds and Shado ...

---

It's official: Drummer Peter Stjärnvind has left the long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED in order to concentrate on his membership in the Swedish cult act NIFELHEIM, NIFELHEIM guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt (a.k.a. Vengeance from Beyond; also in NECROPHOBIC) has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "No bad breakup or anything personal between him/us and the guys in ENTOMBED, but heavy touring didn't fit his situation right now," Ramstedt said. ENTOMBED are currently utilizing the services of session drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.) for all of their upcoming European gigs. ...

---

After several months away from his drumming duties in OPETH, Martin Lopez has permanently decided to leave the group. After being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks Lopez decided he wanted to concentrate fully on his own project, currently unnamed. His replacement will be Martin "Axe" Axenrot, who's been filling in for the last five tours and who also recorded with the band during the recent BBC sessions.

Commented OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt: "However sad I and the rest of the band feel in light of Lopez's departure, I want to thank him for his incredible work with OPETH and immense dedication to the band. We re ...

---

MTV.com is reporting that MEGADETH have signed to Roadrunner Records for the release of their upcoming album, according to a source close to the deal. The studio sessions — held at Sarm Studios, outside of London — were filmed by director Michael Sarna (ANTHRAX, OBITUARY) and are available at Megadeth.com to fan-club members.

MEGADETH's last CD, "The System Has Failed", came out in September 2004. The group, who were most recently signed to Sanctuary Records, were joined by bassist James Lomenzo (ex-BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) in February following the departure of James MacDonough (ex-ICED EARTH).

---

Six audio clips from COLDSEED's upcoming debut album, "Completion Makes the Tragedy", have been posted online at this location.

COLDSEED is the new band featuring former BLIND GUARDIAN/current SAVAGE CIRCUS skinsman Thomen Stauch and SOILWORK singer Björn "Speed" Strid. "Completion Makes the Tragedy" is scheduled for release on June 30 via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the cover artwork for the CD, which being mixed by Dirk Schlächter (GAMMA RAY), at this location. Photos from the recording sessions can be found here.

Strid had previously described COLDSEED's music as "a mixture between RAMMSTEIN and ALICE IN CHAINS."

---