Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have recruited Asgeir Mickelson (BORKNAGAR, SPIRAL ARCHITECT) as the session drummer for their upcoming live appearances, BLABBERMOUTH.NET can exclusively reveal.

Mickelson joins the DIMMU ranks as a temporary replacement for Nick Barker, who was unceremoniously "removed" from the group's lineup in January.

In his first interview since being fired from DIMMU BORGIR, Barker told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that the group's decision to let him go came as a "total surprise" to him, with Nick attributing the split to "the distance thing ? me being English and those guys being Norwegians. And me commuting from England to Norway all the time. I guess they thought things just weren't working out. I think there might have been a few cultural differences, with me being English and those guys being Norwegians."

DIMMU BORGIR are scheduled to play a few live shows in South America in late April, to be followed by several European festival appearances and a much-anticipated main-stage slot at this year's Ozzfest.

Band profile:

Dimmu Borgir

ICED EARTH guitarist Ralph Santolla demanded to be let off a flight to England earlier today (March 17) after he spotted two fellow passengers behaving strangely while boarding the plane. The following is Ralph's detailed account of the whole experience, as provided exclusively to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"OK. First of all, let me say unequivocally that I am not a racist. I have three Moroccan-Arab nieces, and more than a couple of Muslim family members (I'm Catholic).

"I was leaving today for the Manchester/Liverpool area of England to work on mixes for my modern rock/metal project, STARE. At the gate in Tampa, there were two Arab dudes getting on the plane. The three of us were at the end of the line boarding. One guy was dressed in a suit, the other like a college student. They were acting (?) like they didn't know each other. They seemed very nervous. About four elderly folks got in between the two guys. I noticed that the guy next to me, the one in the suit, had, at a minimum, his hands and wrists shaved. I thought that was weird, in a disturbing kind of way (shaving one's body hair is a religious obligation often observed by would-be suicide bombers so that they are 'clean' before entering heaven). They both noticed that I was watching them closely. The college-looking guy kept looking back and making eye contact with the other guy and then looking away. When we got on the plane, the guy in the suit turns out to be a pilot getting a free ride of the jumpseat in the cockpit. After the other guy looked around making eye contact with me several times, as if to see if I was still keeping an eye on them, I called the flight attendant. I told him there was something not right about these guys, and I wanted off. They had to bring the jetway back out to get me off the plane! The airline will let me use the same ticket on Friday, but I was pretty spooked!"

ICED EARTH will kick off a U.S. headlining tour with CHILDREN OF BODOM and EVERGREY on April 18 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Taken from Blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

Iced Earth

CRADLE OF FILTH bassist Dave Pybus has posted the following studio update on the band's official web site:

"Recording of the last few songs has gone amazing. Playing very tight, as a band in the studio should, making the stand out track on the album well worth the battle to arrange at the end. Regardless of three amps blown up, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. People here have mentioned more than once the words 'Ghosts', 'Jinx' and... 'Bollocks'. Sounds changing for no reason. Tuning problems. More amp problems. Takes hours sometimes to get things back to where they were before. Keyboards are now starting to go onto the tracks late at night. Martin refuses to play before midnight as he demands a very grim atmosphere in the studio. Reminds him of being 'down the pit'. Simple... but effective. Paul and James have added extra guitars over this weekend. Mapped out parts for the choir which we will record soon (probably in the studio 'cos there's no way they'll let the band in the local church) when Martin completes the scoring, which is quite a big job in itself. Gives the songs such a different direction than just drums, bass and guitars. It's nowhere near equalized on the desk but sounds huge. We always get very excited when Rob turns it up on the big speakers for us to listen back to. Catsfield massive innit!

"This week we got drums to do on like 3 songs and that's it for Adrian. I got bass tracks done on 9 songs already. The guitars I've been using is my Maverick 5 string, Ibanez and Fender Precision (4 string USA model). All Black of course! We've been visited over the last few days by Anny of Line 6 who interviewed Paul for their website. Check that out later this week. Vocals for Dani will also start at the end of this week. Sarah is now back in the U.K. and will be recording her parts soon as well.

"Other crazy shit going on at the studio? Well, since the BB guns have been banned from this session we have devised studio challenges consisting of me eating the hottest curry available to humanity. Adrian attempting to eat 10 big Macs. Studio engineer Dan was turned into an old man by having his head shaved like a monk. James wasn't allowed to shave his beard for the first 4 weeks. Dani's challenge will see him attempt to eat 100 bags of Space Raiders (if we can find them?). Rob's challenge is to finish the album on time hehe! More being devised as we speak. It's all tame stuff really as we are just too busy this time to fuck about too much. You'll get to see all the best stuff on the DVD we are filming for at the moment which will be a future release. The competition will hopefully be ready for next week."

Band profile:

Cradle Of Filth

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine posted the following message in the group's official forum earlier today:

"Droogies!

"Well, the 'lil 'vaca' was good, although I couldn't stop thinking about what I had to do when I got back to the zone. It felt like a homecoming going back to the studio. All the team was there and 'TNP' is done.

" 'Peace Sells' was sent off for mastering yesterday, along with two bonus tracks and an additional track for later use in 2006 (I know, it seems like an eternity until then).

"Newsflash: While working on 'Risk' yesterday, I was very surprised and disappointed to see the album split open, guts and all and that Dann Huff had recorded over some of my parts. There were sounds on there that I know were not recorded while I was around. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

"I love 'Risk' and all of the music on it, I stand by it, and once I got over the fury yesterday, I got to work.

"The first song done is 'Breadline' and it is awesome now. I also looked for the lead solo that Marty put down, but Dann never kept it. And for those of you who were wondering about that whole saga, Dann and Bud Prager AND Mike Renault had made clear they wanted it redone. I just did what I was told to do.

"Although, now that I found out Dann redid my parts, I am surprised he didn't redo Marty's parts too. Shit, maybe he redid my part of redoing Marty's part.

"And to all this I say, 'WGAF?'

"It is going to be better, that's all I care about, but I had to give people something to chew on until the next, 'Where's so and so,' or 'Get back you know who,' or 'Dave vs. James vs. Rowan Atkinson vs. . .' thread appears. Jeez!

"And BTW, the reason I am not letting anyone know where I am at, i.e. the JITS slag on me is 1) the studio is not a great studio, 2) I don't have the time, money, or personnel to do this, and 3) I would not be able to avoid letting you all in and saying 'Hello.'

"Then of course you would have to kill them for getting to do what you all may want to do too.

"Anyway, the whole project is coming along great and Jeff Balding wants to come back out March 29th, but I am faced with a dilemma: do I finish the remixes or do I get back to work on the new record?

"For the record, some of you may be thinking, 'Wasn't Jeff in on the re-recording over Dave's tracks' bit since he was the engineer on those records? But I knew otherwise. I talked to him yesterday and we agreed he was caught in the middle of Bud Prager destroying MEGADETH and trying to turn the band into FOREIGNER or an alternative band.

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Megadeth

STRATOVARIUS' split with singer Timo Kotipelto was the result of years of alcohol abuse and non-communication, the vocalist has revealed in an interview with Holland's Lords of Metal. "It lies in the Finnish mentality not to openly talk about problems," Kotipelto said. "That is what ultimately ended STRATOVARIUS. For all those years we never spoke about our problems but kept them to ourselves, which allowed trouble to build up."

According to Kotipelto, problems first arose when STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki started drinking heavily during the "Destiny" tour. In the years that followed, the resentment between bandmembers intensified, made worse by Tolkki's insistence on keeping Kotipelto out of the creative process. "Everybody could see the split coming from miles away," the singer admitted.

The tension within the band was largely to blame for the group's decision not to support the "Elements Pt. 2" album with a tour and to take a break instead. "Well, we sure managed to do that," Kotipelto added rather cynically.

The alcohol abuse of various bandmembers contributed to the explosive situation within STRATOVARIUS. Concerts where Timo Tolkki would be drunk onstage, such as the recent Piorno Rock appearance in Spain, complicated matters. The fistfight that eventually ended the co-operation between Tolki and Kotipelto was shrouded in an alcoholic haze. "I do not remember anything of that night," Kotipelto said. After the disastrous performance at Piorno Rock, guitarist Timo Tolkki is contemplating abandoning the remaining festival dates that were booked by the old lineup. "I personally would not mind if those concerts got cancelled," Kotipelto concluded.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

GAMMA RAY's Kai Hansen and BLIND GUARDIAN's Hansi Kürsch are among the guests confirmed to appear on ANGRA's much-anticipated follow-up to 2001's "Rebirth", tentatively due this summer through SPV Records (NTS Records in France).

According to an official press release from NTS, the as-yet-untitled effort "is a conceptual one. It tells a very interesting developed by guitar player Rafael Bittencourt. The writing is extremely well done and the lyrics of each song are tightly connected to the others." Other guests scheduled to appear on the CD include Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento, Douglas Las Casas and Silvia Goes.

As previously reported, much of the initial recording sessions for the new CD took place at Mosh Studios in São Paulo, Brazil under the guidance of producer Dennis Ward (SILENT FORCE, PINK CREAM 69). Ward had previously worked with the group on the acclaimed "Rebirth" album, which had achieved gold status in Brazil for sales in excess of 50,000 copies.

Band profile:

Angra

The following update was posted at KREATOR's official web site:

"The songwriting process of the new KREATOR album is slowly but surely taking form! Those who've already heard some material describe it as complex, intense, fast, violent and melodic."

Commented KREATOR guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza: "Dear friends. Writing and arranging a new record is always exciting, interesting, painful and sometimes frustrating. Right now, we are producing demos, collecting ideas, and stuff, listen to riffs, get excited about stuff and throw shit away. It's like doing a puzzle! We've got the rough versions of seven songs so far and the shit sounds fuckin' brutal! Be patient, as soon as there's more details, you'll read 'em here first!"

"If things work out, the cover artwork of the new record will be the realization of a long-planned project finally coming true!" continues the post on the band's web site.

"KREATOR's agents are currently booking selected venues around the globe, where the band will present their newly designed light and stage set in the end of the year. Details soon..."

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Kreator

In an interview with Electricbasement.com, EDGUY guitarist Jens Ludwig explained where the band's odd name came from, "No meaning. We were just very young when we formed this band," he said. "Fourteen years old. Back then, we had this stupid teacher with a similar sounding name. We just had this funny idea of changing it and making the band's name out of it. This stupid name has followed us for 12 years now. We've talked so many times about changing the name, but we can be sure that no band in the world will have the same stupid name as us (laughs)." Read the rest of the interview here:
http://www.electricbasement.com/interview_edguy_march2004.htm

Band profile:

Edguy

NIGHTWISH keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen recently spoke to Get Ready To ROCK! about the songwriting and recording process for the group's new album, "Once". Asked why they chose to record the orchestral parts for the album in London using the London Session Orchestra, Tuomas said, "Well the simple reason is that we really wanted to have the best, you know. It sounds kinda corny, but we wanted to have the best no matter the costs, and our record engineer Mikko Karmila, he had some connections with Pip Williams who is doing the arrangements and he recommended him to us. We contacted him and he was very interested in us and then he booked the orchestra for us. To be honest, the whole thing, the orchestra, it costs like twice as much as the whole previous album altogether. But it doesn't matter because the result is so awesome. So I'm very proud to be working with them."

With regards to whether "Once" was a more difficult album to write than its predecessor, 2002's "Century Child", Tuomas said, " was very difficult and this one was equally difficult, but it's been more fun than ever though. I mean it's been in a very positive spirit, both for me and for the whole band. The whole process has been really smooth even though it has been really difficult and really long but we're all having the time of our lives here. I think that there is a bit of a positive touch to this album, more than before. Just fun, having fun doing what we're doing."

As previously reported, "Nemo", the first single off the group's forthcoming CD, is due on April 19 through Spinefarm Records. The band recently shot a video for the track with renowned director Antti Jokinen, who has previously directed music videos for such international artists as CELINE DION, EMINEM and SHANIA TWAIN. "Once" is scheduled for release on June 7 through Spinefarm. A U.S. release date for the album has yet to be announced.

NIGHTWISH will launch their world tour in support of "Once", dubbed "Once Upon A Tour 2004-2005", this summer. The trek is expected to last until the autumn of 2005.

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Nightwish

The new Therion albums are called Sirius B and Lemuria and will be released the 24th of May, 2004. They will be relesed as two separate albums, but during a period of two months, there will be a double release available, so that people can get them both for more or less half the price. This release will be pressed as much as people buy it during these two months and after that what ever left in stores and distribution channels can continue to sell as long as it lasts. You can consider this special offers as a present from Therion to the fans.

Band profile:

Therion

Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has formed a new band called F5. "The music is heavy, melodic, has a bit of old school in it at times as there are two guitar players who both rip, Steve Conley and John Davis," Ellefson told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "The drummer is David Small (web site), vocalist Dale Steele (ex-SICK SPEED) and myself on bass. Everyone is a kick-ass player even though they are unknown to most of the metal world.

"I founded the group, with Conley and Small, in 2002 and we've been writing all year and recording diligently with producer Ryan Greene, working toward a full-length release," David continued. " F5 is a kick-ass band that I get to finally lay out my creative ideas with players who work great together. When I started it, MEGADETH was over so I moved on with my life, thus this new band was born. It's a great relief for me, something I'm very proud of and can work with or without MEGADETH in my life, as many metal musicians do with other projects at this point in their career. I'm looking forward to everyone hearing and seeing the group soon."

Ellefson also addressed the recent Internet reports suggesting that he was asked by Dave Mustaine to join the newly revamped MEGADETH but turned down the offer for reasons that were never clarified.

"I am currently not involved in any new recordings at this point, even though I was ready, willing and able to do so when Dave approached me about it last year," Ellefson said. "It's unfortunate for all the fans that things did not work out with us on this go 'round. Not sure yet if this is a bump in the road or a permanent closure for me with MEGADETH."

For more information on F5, visit the band's official web site at www.f5theband.com (currently under construction).

Taken From Blabblermouth.net

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Band profile:

Megadeth

Polish black/death metallers BEHEMOTH are continuing work on their seventh full-length album, "Demigod", tentatively due in the fall through Regain Records (Europe), Century Media (USA and South America) and Mystic (Poland). Nergal (vocals/guitars) checked in with the following update: "We are very busy with song writing for our upcoming record, 'Demigod'. We have 10 songs in the making now?some are completed, some are not?anyway, from what we've done so far, I can easily say it will not disappoint anybody, who loved our last three records. Though I really hope that with this new album we'll enter new chapter. The official recording session starts on the April 29th. Tracks will be laid down in Hendrix studios in Poland, while mixing will take place in Dug Out in Sweden (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, IN FLAMES) on June 21st. Expect an October release followed shortly after with a world wide touring campaign."

Band profile:

Behemoth

Irish folk metal band CRUACHAN will be celebrating the launch of their fourth full-length album, "Pagan", with a one-off live date in Dublin on April 6 at The Voodoo Lounge. Support at the show will come from CELTIC LEGACY.

"Pagan" is scheduled for release on April 5 through Karmageddon Media). The album was recorded and mixed at Radio Na Life Studios in Dublin, Ireland with producer Al Cowen and is the follow-up to last year's "Folk-Lore". The band recorded a total of 15 songs, of which 13 will end up on the final album and the remaining songs will be used as bonus-material. Among the tracks set to appear on the CD are "Michael Collins", "The Gael", "The March to Cluain Tairbh", "Viking Slayer" and "1014 A.D." Cover artwork for "Pagan" was created by John Howe, the leading JRR Tolkien illustrator and the conceptual artist from "The Lord of the Rings" movies

Band profile:

Cruachan

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman recently spoke to Australia's Guitar magazine about the possibility of him collaborating with Dave Mustaine again in the not-too-distant future. Asked what the latest word is on a potential MEGADETH reunion with him on guitar, Marty said, "There really is no word on that. I don't have any interest in that now. But I never say never. Who knows? The guys are all my buds. There is no debating the great chemistry between us." With regards to whether that means that he has changed his mind about the issues that originally influenced him to leave the band, he said, " great question, but you are thinking too deep into it. I would just need to see something musically exciting happening to even consider it. Something even greater than it was before. I am not at all interested in just picking up where the band left off. There would have to be some kind of interesting twist to it." Read the rest of the interview

Taken from Blabblermouth.net

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Megadeth

OPETH main songwriter and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt recently spoke to MetalReview.com about the drummer Martin Lopez's anxiety attacks, which caused him to miss a few dates on the band's recent North American tour. "We had to cancel a few shows and we feel very bad about that so we decided we were going to be very open with it," Mikael said. " basically suffered panic attacks and anxiety attacks and severe depression from working too hard and touring so much. It got to the point where he called me up the day before the first scheduled Jordan gig saying that he couldn't go and he was just a wreck. So we took some rest before this gig and then the same thing happened when we went to Frankfurt where we had a connecting flight to Canada and he said he couldn't go, he had to go home and we had to support him with that. He went back home, we missed 3 gigs. Well, he missed them, we did the gigs anyway with our drum tech and Gene Hoglan . He went to a psychologist and they did tests on him and it's actually some stuff in his blood that makes his heart beat faster and that's the reason why he's been depressed. Now he's getting medication and I think the biggest breakthrough for him was knowing what it was because he was literally going insane. And he was seriously thinking that maybe he'd have to leave the band and he was scared that we would fire him. But from Seattle, which was the first gig on this tour, he was back and I think he's happier now because he knows we've been doing this for such a long time and it's like a rejuvenation for him in a way to be back."

Mikael also commented on the recent online controversy surrounding DEVILDRIVER's addition to the OPETH North American tour over KATAKLYSM, who many people ? including KATAKLYSM themselves ? thought were a far better fit. "I like them," he said of DEVILDRIVER. "I've never heard them before, but like everybody I kind of had my mind made up about them before, but they were nothing like that. They're more of, I would say, a death metal band, and all the shit they're getting I think is pretty much uncalled for. People just slag them off because of Dez Fafara's past in COAL CHAMBER, and it's a shame and it's hard for them. At some gigs people are like 'Fuck Off' and 'You Guys Suck', and regardless if you don't like a band you just don't do that stuff at shows. I think they're great people and a tight, brutal band. KATAKLYSM, that thing I never got the offer for them to tour with us so I didn't know. All of sudden there are fights and stuff but I didn't know they were supposed to tour with us."

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Band profile:

Opeth