Effective immediately, Olympic Recordings, a sub-label of the Century Family Inc. specializing in "extreme" music, will cease to exist. Century Media Records was recently contacted by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) who notified the company that because they own a trademark on the word "Olympic," they would have to stop using it in order to avoid a legal battle. A representative for the committee informed the label that the word "Olympic" is a legally protected trademark that Congress gave the USOC the exclusive right to use. Furthermore, the USOC may file a civil action suit against anyone if they, without consent of the US ...

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Nuclear Blast has announced the addition of a new member to the family — BLIND GUARDIAN. One of the most significant and successful international power metal bands who "reinvented classic metal for a younger audience" according to Metal Edge, the trademarked BLIND GUARDIAN experience is described as a "larger-than-life sound which incorporates the harmonies and drama of QUEEN with an aggressive, modern sensibility" by Billboard magazine.

Regarding the long-term signing, BLIND GUARDIAN singer Hansi Kürsch happily shares, "Our long search for the perfect record company has ended. We finally were lucky to find the ultimate ho ...

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According to the U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, MASTODON have inked a worldwide record deal with Warner Music and are expected to issue a new album in early 2006.

MASTODON, currently in the midst of a U.S. headlining tour, just completed work on a video for "Blood and Thunder" with director Jonathan Rej. The video, described as "far-and-away different than most any modern day music video", is expected to make its world network premiere(s) imminently.

As previously reported, MASTODON has been added to Ozzfest 2005, where they will join BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, ROB ZOMBIE and others for the 10-year anniversary of the heralded festival.

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The Norwegian Black Metal bands Nidgir and Malsain are now part of the roster of Dark Essence Records. More info at www.darkessencerecords.no

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Radio Single!
Lemmy of Motörhead once said that Joey was the only one who really understood what Rock'n'Roll is all about. Well, it is a fact that this guy had class. He never gave up the fight and instead of recording something whimpy, he recorded a cover of Louis Armstrong's 'Wonderful World'! Get ready for some happy minutes while listening to 'Wonderful World'.

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The label has signed Atrox and Manes, both from Norway.

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