Finntroll have issued the following update on their website:

"You may have noticed that there aren't any shows booked for us so far, but this doesn't mean that we won't play at all this year. We just decided after the Heidenfest-tour that we will have half a year off from playing and be concentrating on writing a new and the best Finntroll-album so far, also working on the DVD is a priority.

We have now got the chance to start from a clean slate and so we will do. All gigs will be handled by ourselves for the time being, which means that if you have a festival/show/tour that you want us to play on, please be kind send your request. Every offer will be considered!

We're also announcing our first festival for this year: 6.6.2009 (FIN) Sauna Open Air, Tampere."

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Source:	finntroll.net
Band profile:	Finntroll

The new promotional video for "Robot" - from the latest Blaze Bayley album "The Man Who Would Not Die" has been made available on YouTube. The clip was directed by Kris McManus and serves as a little preview for the upcoming live Blaze Bayley DVD "Live In Z7".


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Source:	blazebayley.net
Band profile:	Blaze Bayley

Original news, posted on 18.02.2009

Jens Pohl, the webmaster for German metal legends Running Wild, has issued the following update: "it's been already almost four years since "the revivalry - a tribute to Running Wild" hit the light. Soon after that, its success began to grow progressively and it significantly led to the idea that a tribute album brought to a different level should come out, especially by bringing cover songs from the newer albums by Running Wild. And this time it is going to be like this!".

The second, yet-untitled tribute album will contain exclusively cover songs from "The Rivalry" (1998), "Victory" (2000), "The Brotherhood" (2002) and "Rogues En Yogue" (2005) and is scheduled to be released tentatively in fall this year. The artwork will be done by romanian graphic artist Costin Chioreanu, who worked for bands like Absu, Centinex, Demonical, Negură Bunget, Thunderstorm and many others. One of the first confirmed bands, who will be part of this album is Crystal Viper, who will record its own version of the "Libertalia" song."

UPDATE (thanks to 5933)

"ReUnation - A Tribute To Running Wild" will be released in autumn 2009 by the well-known Hamburg-based label Remedy Records. The complete track listing - in alphabetical order - is as follows:

5TH Sonic Brigade, Sweden - "Angel Of Mercy"
Chinchilla, Germany - "Conquistadores"
Crystal Viper, Poland - "Libertalia"
Custard, Germany - "Under Jolly Roger"
Deadlock, Germany - "When Time Runs Out"
Esenia, Spain - "Resurrection"
Evertale, Germany - "Blazon Stone"
Fate, Denmark - "Soul Vampires"
Halor, Hungary - "Little Big Horn"
Heavenly, France - "Masquerade"
Hellish War, Brazil - "Return Of The Gods"
José Juan Gallego, Spain - "Draw The Line"
Magica, Romania - "Victory"
Motorjesus, Germany - "The Rivalry"
Orden Organ, Germany - "The Battle Of Waterloo"
Overtures, Italy - "Pirate Song"
Powerwolf, Romania / Germany - "Riding The Storm"
Ravage, USA - "Fight The Fire Of Hate"
Satanochio, Romania - "Siberian Winter"
Seven Seas, Germany - "Detonator"
Skiltron, Argentina - "Ballad Of William Kidd"
Solemnity, Germany - "Dr. Horror"
Suidakra, Germany - "Marooned"
Thunderblast, Colombia - "Timeriders"

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Running Wild

Swedish metallers Abramis Brama have issued the following update on their MySpace blog:

"Time for a MEGA update in the "what have you been up to lately" department... First and foremost, we've got a brand new album coming out sometime in March/April this year! It will contain approximately 10-11 brand new songs. We've yet to decide on a name for the album but when we do, you'll be the first to know.

Coinciding with the release of the album we will of course do as many gigs as we can possibly fit in during the rest of the year, starting in Norway mid-March opening up for our favourite Norwegians; Black Debbath! All other confirmed gigs can be found at our website.

Last week we took some pictures for the albumcover (amongst other things) in a photostudion together with our favourite photographer, Linda Helsing. The result was smashing as you can see if you check out this promo-pic."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Abramis Brama
Event:	Abramis Brama

The 12th Tuska Festival will be held again in Kaisaniemi, Helsinki Finland on 26th - 28th June 2008. Although it is still a long way, the festival has confirmed the first acts:

Volbeat, Bullet For My Valentine, Neurosis, Paul Gilbert, Amorphis, My Dying Bride, Pestilence, Ensiferum, Gojira, Parkway Drive, Legion Of The Damned, Mucc, Girugämesh, Deathchain, Jon Oliva's Pain, Eluveitie, Rotten Sound, Firewind, Gama Bomb, Profane Omen, Callisto, Medeia, Dauntless, Tukkanuotta.

A total of 32 bands on three stages will perform at Kaisaniemi, Helsinki over the course of three days. In addition to this, a couple of dozen bands will be appearing at the infamous evening clubs.

Tickets for Tuska 2009 will go on sale on 3.3. through http://www.tiketti.fi and http://www.lippupalvelu.fi (one day tickets and three day tickets). Ticket prices TBA. Tuska 2009 is an all-ages event.

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Source:	tuska-festival.fi
Event:	Tuska Open Air 2009

Former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen has set "What Lies Beneath" as the working title of her new solo album, tentatively due before the end of the year. She says, "With "My Winter Storm", I chose the name of the album in the early stages and that helped me to create the concept for the album. With the new album, I decided to do it the same way, so I searched for an inspiring title and all the songs are one way or another related to it."

Regarding the songwriting process for the new CD, Turunen says, "In the last months I've been writing a lot of music for my new album. Songwriting is always an amazing learning experience, and it has been a pleasure to discuss music with different people.

The album process is still going on and I have more songs that are in the working. It is sounding very promising. The songs are absolutely more mature, wild, and emotional and they sound more me, if I can say so.

The biggest difference in preparing this new album is that I will be taking the time that I need until the songs are in a shape that I am happy with. No matter how long it takes. I want it to be perfect for me. No hurry; no pressure."

Tarja's album "My Winter Storm" was re-released on January 2.

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Source:	metalfromfinland.com
Band profile:	Tarja

On Friday January 16th, NOVEMBERS DOOM will enter recording studio "Belle City Sound" to begin recording their 7th full length CD, to be titled "Into Night's Requiem Infernal". Tracking duties will be handled by Chris Djuricic (Engineer and Novembers Doom bassist), and the mixing of the disc by Dan Swano at Unisound. The band comments:

"We're using the same Recording / Mixing formula we've used on "The Pale Haunt Departure" and "The Novella Reservoir". In our opinion, the combination of Djuricic and Swano creates the perfect sound for us, and we've received nothing but stellar reviews of sound quality from this combination in the past.

"Every band hypes their new material, and says it's the best they've done, and the hardest and the heaviest... You can judge that for yourself in time. What we can say is that this is the first time going into a recording the entire band feels confident and believes the material will please fans of the band, as well as turn many new heads in our direction. It's dark, aggressive, and melodic, and compliments the last three releases."

The cover artwork can be viewed here

Tracklisting for Into Night's Requiem Infernal:

01. Into Night's Requiem Infernal
02. Eulogy for the Living Lost
03. Empathy's Greed
04. The Fifth Day of March
05. Lazarus Regret
06. I Hurt Those I Adore
07. The Harlots Lie
08. When Desperation Fills the Void

Novembers Doom is:

Paul Kuhr - Vocals
Larry Roberts - Guitar
Vito Marchese - Guitar
Chris Djuricic - Bass
Sasha Horn - Drums

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Novembers Doom

Pantheist have announced the following news:

"The time has come for our first proper headline gig in London. Come and see us at The Unicorn on the 7th March performing a 90 minute set. Most tracks of our latest album, as well as selected tracks from the band's back catalogue will be performed. Support will be provided by promising atmospheric blacksters Crom Dubh. Entrance is FREE so don't miss this unique opportunity!"

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Pantheïst
Event:	Pantheist

Former Kinetic vocalist Mina Giannopoulou is releasing new material with her new band The Rain I Bleed. The following update was posted on The Rain I Bleed Myspace:

"Just to let you know that the recordings and the biggest part of The Rain I Bleed's debut album "Narcissist" is already done. The recordings took place in Athens at the ScytheNoiseLab Studios under Chris "Rektor" Ntaskas' 'magical ears' and after all, the mixing took place at Black Lounge Studios in Sweden with Jonas Kjellgren (guitarist in Scar Symmetry) who has also worked with Sonic Syndicate and other bands too along with Chris "Rektor" Ntaskas.

A big honour for us were 2 guest from 2 musicians that the whole band really appreciates; Jeff Loomis (Nevermore's guitar-player) and Jonas Kjellgren (as a guitar-player this time ;-) Also "Narcissist" 's cover is made by Niklas Sundin, who has also worked for In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Sentenced, At The Gates, Arch Enemy etc. The album is about to be mastered at Tailor Maid Studios, Sweden.

More updates and details will be added pretty soon so stay tuned!"

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Kinetic

Czech metal band Ador Dorath have posted their newest video "Words" from the "Bestiari" album on YouTube. "Bestiari" was released in August.

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Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Ador Dorath

Napalm Records press release

Isole's fourth release, "Silent Ruins", continues to forge forth in the tradition of the previous albums. The Swedes once again indulge in their heart-sickened and somber brand of Doom Metal that only finds solace in a perfectly placed portion of deadly black epic. Profound compositions, hypnotic arrangements, and heavy flowing riffs, that not unlike molten lava slowly yet inexorably pull the listener down into its depths, are the core elements comprising this album. Gustavo Sazes (Firewind, Serenity) once again lends his artistic know-how to graphically convey a feeling of utter despair and isolation, while Peter In de Betou (Amon Amarth, Draconian, Arch Enemy) takes on the darkly work's mastering responsibilites. Rarely before have hopelessness and despair found such an elegant and becoming sound, making "Silent Ruins" a dark jewel that will not only appeal to the die-hard Doom Metal fan.

"Silent Ruins" cover art] tracklist:

01. From The Dark mp3-sample]
02. Forlorn
03. Nightfall
04. Hollow Shrine mp3-sample]
05. Soulscarred
06. Peccatum
07. Dark Clouds

Release date set for "Silent Ruins"

25.02.09 - Finland
27.02.09 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden
02.03.09 - Europe
03.03.09 - USA / Canada

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Source:	forevermore.se
Band profile:	Isole

Opeth will release a very special digital EP "Burden" on December 9th. Next to the "Burden" radio edit, this release features 2 rare b-sides including a much sought after cover of Alice In Chains' "Would?" and a track previously available for a limited time only, "Mellotron Heart."

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Opeth

Finnish metallers Amoral have issued the following update:

"Amoral is a five-piece again! Since the announcement of Niko Kalliojärvi's leaving we've received tons of applications from singers all over the world. As we mentioned earlier, we wanted to find a guy who was not only able to handle the growling of the old songs, but who also had a strong melodic voice. Well, little did we know that we'd end up with one of the most talented vocalists around! Ari Koivunen's merits as a singer are well known (at least here in Finland), but it might surprise a lot of people that the dude can also growl with the best of them! And the fact remains that he truly was the strongest candidate from all those who applied for the job.

Being the sneaky bastards that we are, we have been writing and practising hard for a long while now while keeping low profile, and we're happy to announce that the material for the 4th Amoral album is just about ready! The recording will start next month and will go on through January. The album should be out before the summer. Of course, we'll keep you guys posted on updates.

Now, before some of you oldschool Amoral maniacs condemn us to hell: No, we're not going power metal on your asses. The trademark riffs are still there. The little quirkiness. The "fuck everybody" attitude. And most importantly, the songs are just as strong as you've come to expect from us. Stronger, actually. You could clearly see on Reptile Ride already that we were eager to push our music to a more melodic direction, and the next natural step was to go all the way with the vocals. This is a new beginning for us, and we truly believe our best work is still ahead of us."

The band adds: "Those of you who are not familiar with Ari's work yet, check out his MySpace site."

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Source:	amoralweb.com
Band profile:	Amoral

A few weeks ago, Mael Mórdha drummer Shane Cahill issued the following statement concerning the current state of things:

"Writing of new material is ongoing and so far we are very happy, and excited about the direction we are going in. With this CD we are not willing to be rushed or to bow to anyone's needs except for our very own. We want this outing to be the very best we can make it and then some more. When we think we are finished, we will go back to the start listen to the songs and do it all over again if necessary.

So far we have 6 songs which are roughly 80% finished. We will be airing some of them at any upcoming shows to get a feel for them live. As per usual the album will follow on from the last with plenty of twist and turns as it will progress. We hope to have 10 songs on the album and artwork will once again be undertaken by Vasilis Zikos.
At the moment there is a bit of a slow down as Dave Murphy (bass) and Gerry Clince (guitar) are on session duties with fellow Irish men Primordial on their current European Tour. Meanwhile Anthony Lindsay (guitar), Rob Ó Bogail (vocals) and myself are throwing around some idea's in order to have some fresh and new ideas ready for further investigation once the lads get back. I'm sure their livers will be truly pickeled.

Keep an eye here people as we hope to have the site updated on a more regular basis. To keep you all amused in these economically depressed times Anthony should have some comics up in the near future."

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Mael Mórdha

Fall Of Empyrean have announced via a MySpace message that they've posted another preview online of the upcoming album "A Life Spent Dying", which is due out in early 09. The song is called "Vast But Desolate".

The band added: "More info to come on "A Life Spent Dying" and soon the news of the label set to release it will be revealed in due time. Lots of big news soon to come from the FoE camp."

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Fall Of Empyrean