As previously reported here and here, Led Zeppelin have been under fire and were accused of stealing the opening notes of their most famous song, "Stairway To Heaven," from the band Spirit. But now they have won the lawsuit. A Los Angeles jury has decided the band did not steal the opening to its classic anthem "Stairway To Heaven" from the album Led Zeppelin IV.

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Source:	nbcnews.com
Band profile:	Led Zeppelin

Metal Blade Records just announced the worldwide signing of Swedish heavy metallers Trial. After the acclaimed Vessel album (2015), the band's popularity continued to grow, and it wasn't long before Metal Blade Records signed the band. With plans to re-invent themselves once again, Trial's upcoming debut for the label promises to be another step forward in their career.

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Source:	metalblade.com
Band profile:	Trial

Members of Chicago-based metal powerhouse Trials have announced that the band is going on indefinite hiatus.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Trials

Fear Factory have a lot on their plate right now. Apart from a new album being released in August, Genexus, the band will be touring in Europe later this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the classic album Demanufacture. Furthermore, the frontman Burton C. Bell is also releasing his first graphic novel, The Industrialist. This will be an independent, limited edition release.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Fear Factory

The Local is reporting that Burzum's Varg Vikernes has been found guilty by a French court of inciting racial hatred and glorifying war crimes through his blog postings. His trial started in June after being postponed last year. Vikernes was originally arrested in 2013 on suspicion of planning a terrorist act but released from custody shortly after. He was tried on incitement charges related to anti-Semitic and xenophobic postings on his blog.

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Source:	thelocal.no
Band profile:	Burzum

Here we go again. BBC News is reporting that Burzum's Varg "Count Grishnakh" Vikernes's trial in France has been postponed to June 2014 after his lawyer requested more time to read documents and prepare his defense today. He is facing charges of inciting racial hatred and exalting war crimes on the Internet this time. On his blog, where he posts frequently, Vikernes confirmed that he would be in Paris for the trial on October 17th.

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Source:	bbc.co.uk
Band profile:	Burzum

As you probably remember, As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis was arrested in California on charges that he sought the help of a hitman to murder his estranged wife. He then pleaded not guilty and was released from custody after he posted bail. The latest news on this case confirms that Lambesis will stand trial on a charge of trying to hire someone to kill his wife, a judge in San Diego ruled yesterday.

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Source:	sanluisobispo.com
Band profile:	As I Lay Dying

Randy Blythe, frontman of Lamb Of God, is in the Czech capital of Prague for his trial which started yesterday. After being arrested in the Czech Republic this past summer, detained for five weeks and then released on 400,000 dollars bail, Randy Blythe is back in a Czech court. He is being charged with what amounts to manslaughter, on allegations that he pushed a fan, Daniel Nosek, at a 2010 show in Prague, and the fan suffered head injuries from that push that eventually led to his death.

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Source:	wtvr.com
Band profile:	Lamb Of God

Polish Behemoth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski has just been acquitted of insulting religious beliefs by tearing bible during the gig at Ucho in Gdynia Poland, 2007. As the justification of the verdict, the Court has stated that they will not define boundaries and limitations for artistic activities.

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Source:	behemoth.pl
Band profile:	Behemoth

Polish blackened death metal quartet Behemoth are back in full force and ready to take the stage again! For the first time since Nergal's hospital visit back in 2010, the band is rehearsing together again for the upcoming Phoenix Rising Tour, taking place in October.

Frontman Nergal comments: "Sooo, first rehearsals after the transplant are under our belts! I didn't want to get overexcited at first, just wanted to see how things would go, but I have to tell you... the second rehearsal we fuckin' nailed "Ov Fire And The Void", "Lucifer", "Conquer All" or "Antichristian Phenomenon" flawlessly! One of us even asked: "Did we really take a year off from each other?" Haha... it was good times in great company! But the biggest surprise were the songs we NEVER played live ever and planning to do on the upcoming "Phoenix Rising Tour". I won't reveal any names yet, let it be a mystery til we hit the stage, all right?"

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In other news, Nergal went to court again this week. The charges against Nergal for tearing apart a bible on stage (video footage here) are still on and the trial is back on track.

Commented Nergal: "I spent 5 hours In the court in Gdynia today (Wednesday, June 29th). The case is back on track and there's still few witnesses to be interviewed. It's way to early to give any further comment. I just hope the final verdict is gonna be positive for me. I have a feeling that I'm in this situation for right reasons and I'm not giving up. Cross fingers! The battle ain't over yet..."

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Source:	behemoth.pl
Band profile:	Behemoth

GORGOROTH vocalist Gaahl is facing jail time as he is being accused of beating a 41 year old man in what the victim called a ritual attack. Gaahl, 28, faced up to a nine-year sentence for threats and violence, but the prosecution asked for 18 months as the lurid trial headed to a close on Wednesday.

The Aftenposten English Web Desk adds the following to the story:

The victim, who has been on sick leave for the past two years after the alleged attack, accused the black metal singer of performing ritual violence that included tapping off his blood and drinking it, newspaper VG reports. Gaahl's mother testified during the trial and found the accusation of blood drinking particularly hard to believe.

"My son is a vegetarian and very fussy about food. He eats absolutely no innards. That is why I do not believe this at all," Gaahl's mother told the court.

According to the charges the 41-year-old was hit and kicked several times in the face and head and needed stitches to close cuts in his head. His nose was broken and he suffered major dental damage. Gaahl, who has several prior convictions including one for assault and battery, claimed that he acted in self-defense. The defendant was allowed to testify about his private life in a closed session at Sunnfjord court.

The Gorgoroth web site noted that the local community had 'pre-judged' their vocalist, and did not expect a fair trial.

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Band profile:

Gorgoroth

GORGOROTH have issued the following update at their official website (www.gorgoroth.org):

"The trial against Gaahl will start on Tuesday 27th of April at 9:00 AM and will take place in Sunnfjord tingrett in Førde (Sal 1).

He is accused of performing satanic rituals and torture lasting for several hours on the "victim". As the local community already have prejudged him, it seems that trial won't be much fair. Gaahl risk a 9 years sentence if he gets condemned. The press are welcome to be there and cover the case..."

In other Gorgoroth news, drummer Kvitrafn has left the band for personal reasons. His replacement is Frost (1349, SATYRICON), who will join the band in the beginning of May when the band start an intensive rehearsal period with main focus on a new recording.

The band also posted the following regarding their recent split with label Nuclear Blast: "Gorgoroth are relieved to inform that their cooperation with the German label Nuclear Blast is now ended. They have already received a good offer from another label, but nothing is signed yet."

Band profile:

Gorgoroth