Quasi-legendary metal act Masterplan were scheduled to play the Masters Of Rock Festival (Czech Republic) - their first live show in long while - but are unfortunately forced to cancel that trip due to an injury of guitarist Roland Grapow.

Roland Grapow himself commented in an official statement: "We feel very sorry to announce that Masterplan can not perform at the Masters of Rock Festival this year. Due to a sinew inflammation from myself I am unable to play guitar for longer than a few minutes and hope that I will be cured soon. Therefore, we reschedule our Tour plans at the moment to the second half year of 2010. We hope to get a new chance to play in 2011 on the Masters of Rock and feel very sorry to disappoint you and our fans."

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Source:	dragon-productions.eu
Band profile:	Masterplan
Event:	Masters Of Rock

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on Time To Be King, the forthcoming album from German metallers Masterplan, are available for streaming at this location.

Time To Be King will be released on May 21 via AFM Records.

Time To Be King cover art] tracklist:

01. Time To Be King
02. Fiddle Of Time
03. Lonely Winds Of War
04. Blue Europa
05. Far From The End Of The World
06. The Dark Road
07. Under The Moon
08. Blow Your Winds
09. The Black One
10. The Sun Is In Your Hands
11. Kisses From You
12. Never Walk Alone

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Source:	amazon.com
Band profile:	Masterplan

Master's new album entitled The Human Machine, is now available for streaming in its entirety for a limited time period at Revolver Magazine.

The group recorded their tenth studio album at Shaark Studios in Bzenec, Czech Republic. Master vocalist, bassist Paul Speckmann produced the record.

Listen to the new Master album The Human Machine at this location.

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Source:	revolvermag.com
Band profile:	Master

Finnish metallers Ultimatium have issued the following update on their MySpace blog:

"Ultimatium has decided to cancel their recording deal with Mastervox Records, affecting immediately. Because decision about recording and releasing of third album was not made in time by Mastervox Records, Ultimatium sees that deal has been fulfilled and Mastervox records does not wish to use their option for third album. In the end, musical differences and visions about third album between artist and label were just too apart. And to make things clear, we tried to avoid this until the inevitable end and we would have been pleased to record our new album for Mastervox Records, but it takes two for a dialog...

We will continue working with third album and will start recording it on third quarter of 2010. Ultimatium is now seeking for new partners to work with, mainly someone to release the album and handle marketing etc. So labels, managers, promoters, if you'd like to know more, contact info ultimatium com.

New promo pictures and samples/teasers of their "controversial" pre-production demos have been added to their slightly updated web site Ultimatium.com, so enjoy.

Ultimatium also activates on matter of gigs and hopefully you'll be able to see us on stage next summer and second half of 2010."

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Source:

blogs.myspace.com

"Worship The Sun" - a new track from the new Master album The Human Machine - is currently available for streaming at Metal Review magazine.

All album details available at this location.

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Source:	community2.metalreview.com
Band profile:	Master

German metallers Masterplan have issued the short following update on their official website:

"Masterplan have just reunited with original singer Jorn Lande and also finished the recordings for their new album Time To Be King, that will be released on April 16th. For March you can expect the release of a single to preceed the album."

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Source:	master-plan.net
Band profile:	Masterplan

Master have announced the following tour dates for Brazil and Europe. The band recently completed recording their upcoming latest full-length offering entitled The Human Machine. A release date is still unknown.

Brazil tour dates

Jan 14 2010 - São José dos Campos, SP
Jan 15 2010 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Jan 16 2010 - Vilha Velha, ES
Jan 17 2010 - Salvador, BA
Jan 22 2010 - Aracaju, SE
Jan 23 2010 - Maceio, AL
Jan 24 2010 - Recife, PE
Jan 28 2010 - Natal, RN
Jan 29 2010 - João Pessoa, PB
Jan 30 2010 - Campina Grande, PB
Jan 31 2010 - Fortaleza, CE
Feb 04 2010 - Picos, PI
Feb 05 2010 - Teresina, PI
Feb 06 2010 - Imperatriz, MA
Feb 07 2010 - Belem, PA
Feb 12 2010 - Palmas, TO
Feb 13 2010 - Goiania, GO
Feb 14 2010 - Brasilia, DF
Feb 15 2010 - Uberaba, MG
Feb 16 2010 - Ribeirão Preto, SP
Feb 18 2010 - Campinas, SP
Feb 19 2010 - São Paulo, SP
Feb 20 2010 - Itapetininga, SP
Feb 21 2010 - Otacílio Rock Festival in Santa Catarina Brazil

European tour dates

Mar 05 2010 - Berlin (Ger) - K17
Mar 06 2010 - Halberstadt (Ger) - Salut
Mar 09 2010 - Goriza (Ita) - Pieffe Factory
Mar 19 2010 - Marktredwitz (Ger) - Machine Park
Mar 25 2010 - Cottbus (Ger) - Gladhouse
Mar 26 2010 - Rostock (Ger) - Alte Zuckerfabrik
Mar 27 2010 - Greifswald (Ger) - Kleks Greifswald
Mar 31 2010 - Antwerpen (B) - De Rots
Apr 03 2010 - Rotterdam (Nl) Baroeg

Jul 9 2010 - Darkness Over Paradise festival - Wolfsegg Am Hausruck, Austria

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Source:	master-speckmetal.com
Band profile:	Master

Legendary long-running death metal veterans Master have announced their upcoming tenth full-length album as "The Human Machine".

The band has also tapped in Israeli artist Eliran Kantor (Aghora, To-Mera, Gwar, Sickening Horror, etc) to work on the visual aspects of "The Human Machine", whom was also recently responsible for Testament's "Formation Of Damnation" album cover.

The album artwork for "The Human Machine" can be viewed here.

Master are scheduled to start working on "The Human Machine" after completing a series of upcoming Mexican and South American tours and the band will be expected to enter the studio in December 2009.

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Source:	pulverised.net
Band profile:	Master

Roland Grapow's MASTERPLAN informs:

"After months of rumors and speculations, it is now official: Jorn Lande will once again join forces with his old bandmates and work on what is expected to be yet another MASTERPLAN masterpiece.

"The new album is already in the works and Jorn is right now in Roland Grapow Studios in Slovakia recording his vocals.

"The release date is not yet decided, but the album is scheduled to hit the market sometime in early 2010."

Lande recently told Germany's Rock Hard magazine about his renewed collaboration with MASTERPLAN, "We never had problems with each other, but professionally, we decided for to go separate ways for a while. I am happy that we are working together again - mainly because the combination of MASTERPLAN's music and my singing truly something special."

Source:	master-plan.net
Band profile:	Masterplan

Pulverised Records press release

It is our greatest pleasure to welcome one of the pioneering and oldest bands in Death Metal history onto our roster: the legendary Master!

States A&R Manager Calvin: "Master was and is still truly an influential band and I would daringly assumed that a lot of the early Extreme Metal bands were somehow influenced by Master, but was probably never open and admitted widely. Paul Speckmann was really enthusiatic to join the Pulverised family and furthermore, very easy to work with. There were so many things that we have discussed and were definitely on the same page, so an album deal was struck in no time. We hope that with our support on the upcoming new album, it will be Master's most devastating and crushing album yet!"

Comments frontman Paul Speckmann: "It's an honor and a pleasure to be signing with a real label like Pulverised Records. I really feel like this label will believe in Master like a label should. It's really been difficult to find a label that is willing to dedicate itself to a band like Master who incidentally has been surviving the underground since 1983. I certainly have confidence in Pulverised Records and hopefully we can bring the band along to the next level. Forget all the cheap imitators, there is only one Master consisting of Speckmann, Nejezchleba and Pradlovsky, so be forewarned. The soon to be recorded new CD will be as brutal as its predecessor. Look for speed, intensity and as always objective lyrical content. For myself, I certainly live through my music, it is certainly my muse."

Speckmann and co. are set to commence work on the new material for a full-length album in August and the new album should be completed at the end of 2009. More details and announcements will be made.

Source:	pulverised.net
Band profile:	Master

Vocalist Mike DiMeo (ex-Riot) has confirmed he parted ways with Masterplan. On a blog on his MySpace he writes as follows:

"I did some really cool session work and have a bunch of releases slated for 2009 of which I am really looking forward to. One of them is with Australian band "Ilium" and I am really happy with how it turned out. I also do want to confirm that I am no longer working with the Masterplan guys, although I have nothing but profound respect for them and continue to wish them nothing but success in the future." (Read the whole message here)

Although Masterplan has yet to announce a replacement for DiMeo, guitarist Roland Grapow wrote in an online posting in November that the band had commenced the recording sessions for a new studio album, which is tentatively expected in May/June via AFM Records.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Masterplan

Australian Experimental Black Metallers Nazxul have issued the following update:

"2009 will see the black sun of the "Iconoclast" cover art] rise. Many years in the making the magnum opus will see official release in 2009. In the face of tragedy and adversity this album will stand as a monument to the memory of Greg Morelli and as his Swan song.

For a short time only there are two unmastered tracks from the album online "Dragon Disputious" and "Oath (Fides Resurrectio)"."

Guitarist Greg Morelli was killed in a motorcycle accident in November last year. A statement, coming from befriended Australian metal band Mortal Sin, regarding the accident can be read here.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Nazxul

The title track from Master's album, "Slaves To Society" (out in the US on September 16th, 2008 on Ibex Moon) has been posted for download on the official Ibex Moon Records MySpace page.

The album, released last year on Twilight Records in Europe, is being reissued through Ibex Moon Records with bonus tracks.

In other news, the veteran death metal band led by frontman/bassist Paul Speckmann will tour the United States for the first time in a decade to coincide with the release of their new album. The tour dates for the upcoming tour are:

October 16, 2008 Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 17, 2008 The Sterling - Allentown, Pennsylvania
October 18, 2008 Rehab - New York, New York
October 19, 2008 The Church - Boston, Massachusetts
October 20, 2008 TBA - Cleveland, Ohio
October 21, 2008 Elbo Room - Chicago, Illinois
October 22, 2008 FBI 2 - Houston, Texas
October 23, 2008 The White Rabbit - San Antonio, Texas
October 24, 2008 The War Legion - Amarillo, Texas
October 26, 2008 The Knitting Factory - Hollywood, California
October 27, 2008 Elbo Room - San Francisco, California
October 29, 2008 The Riot Room - Kansas City, Missouri
October 30, 2008 The Canopy Club - Urbana, Illinois
October 31, 2008 Uncle Pleasent's - Louisville, Kentucky

Note: Direct support for the two-week tour comes from labelmates Estuary.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Master

Metal Mind press release:

"Agathodaimon is without question one of the most interesting and original bands on the modern scene. Their music easily joins extreme heaviness with a dark, yet romantic and erotic atmosphere, strengthened with a huge dose of disturbing melancholy. The exclusive re-releases of all of the band's albums - "Blacken The Angel", "Higher Art of Rebellion", "Chapter III" and "Serpent's Embrace" - bring an unique collection of some of the most inspiring works, combining the best elements of dark wave, gothic and black metal?

"Blacken The Angel" released in late 1998, immediately received excellent reviews in worldwide press. The album was a truly stunning mixture of power, beauty and dark majesty. Combining symphonic black metal with gothic elements, Agathodaimon delivered a handful of amazing tracks, starting with the atmospheric 8-minute opener "Tristetea Vehementa" (meaning "The Loud Sadness"). Another highlight of the album was the 15-minute epic juggernaut "Near Dark" - a complex and rich compositions, revealing Agathodaimon's progressive edge. Other songs worth mentioning are definitely "Ill of an Imaginary Guilt" and "Die Nacht des Unwesens", bearing some resemblance to such bands as Darkthrone or even Black Sabbath. The lyrics were written in English, Romanian and German; some of them were inspired by Romanian poets Mihai Eminescu and Ion Minulescu. Overall, "Blacken The Angel" became a huge success for the band and to this day remains one of their finest offerings.

"Higher Art of Rebellion" from 1999 left the typical black metal attitude behind, adding some new and fascinating elements into the formula - a more gothic atmosphere and a lot of doom metal guitar parts made the group sound a bit like Moonspell from their early days. "Higher Art of Rebellion" brought another portion of excellent songs, such as the opening battle hymn "Ne Cheama Pamintul" ("Earth Is Summoning Us"), which was sung in Romanian, just like on the debut release. Other highlights included the surprisingly delicate "Body of Clay", Paradise Lost-influenced "A Death In Its Plenitude" and a new, remixed version of the track "Ribbons/Requiem" from the debut album. "Higher Art of Rebellion" contained even more progressive elements than before, but still managed to remain true to the genre's origins.

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Source:	metalmind.com.pl
Band profile:	Agathodaimon

Pestilence is considered one of the most important icons of the technical metal scene. Known for mixing various influences, from thrash to jazz and fusion with classic death metal, the band became a legend a long time before their final split-up in 1993. Now, with the exclusive re-release of Pestilence's debut album "Malleus Malficarum", metal fans may once again witness the sheer genius of this truly unique formation?

"Malleus Malficarum" is definitely an album worth picking up by any metal enthusiast. It delivers a solid thrash/death metal assault and marks the beginning of Pestilence's artistic journey through a brutal world of damnation. If you're a true fan of technical death metal, be sure to include yourself in that voyage!

New digipak edition limited to 2000 copies will be released by Metal Mind Productions on 19th May 2008 in Europe (except for Benelux) and on 8th July 2008 in USA (via MVD). Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc

Pestilence -- "Malleus Maleficarum" (remastered)

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1178 DG
Barcode: 5907785032439
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Genre: metal
Release date: 19.05.2008 Europe / 08.07.2008 USA

Tracklist:

01. Malleus Maleficarum/Antropomrphia
02. Parracide
03. Subordinate To The Domination
04. Extreme Unction
05. Commandments
06. Chemo Therapy
07. Bacterial Surgery
08. Cycle Of Existence
09. Osculum Infame
10. Systematic Instruction

Source:	metalmind.com.pl
Band profile:	Pestilence