German power metallers Blind Guardian have posted a preview of the orchestral version of "The Bard's Song - In the Forest", which will appear on the upcoming release Memories Of A Time To Come, due out January 20th, 2012. More album details have been revealed here.

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Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian

US stoner metallers High On Fire have entered Salem, Massachusetts' GodCity Studios to begin recording their yet untitled new album. The band is collaborating with producer and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou on the new effort, the band's sixth studio album and the follow-up to 2010's Snakes For The Divine. The album is expected to be released on mid-2012 through eOne Music.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	High On Fire

The European leg of US alternative metallers Gwar's Return Of The World Maggot tour, scheduled to kick off in January 2012 has been cancelled after several promoters pulled the plug on shows, citing poor ticket sales.

Gwar spokesman Dave Brockie commented on the tour's cancellation: "Several of the promoters were alarmed by the low ticket sales, and they decided to start pulling the plug on shows. It got to the point where we had lost so many shows that we simply could not afford to do the tour."

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Source:	gwar.net
Band profile:	Gwar

Portuguese gothic metallers Moonspell have signed a worldwide recording deal with Napalm Records.

A new album by the dark metal band revolving around the charismatic frontman Fernando Ribeiro will be released in spring 2012. Fernando Ribeiro also commented: "With Moonspell nothing really ends, but always ever begins. Signing with Napalm is a firm step into cutting all bullshit and work with people who truly believe in us and respect our longevity, while helping us to embrace those who have been arriving in the last years to start with us yet another kingdom of darkness under the moon. Our new album is a statement. Our blood is the ink. Your skin, the scrolls upon we will write. Napalm Records, our messenger. Be ready."

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Source:	napalmrecords.com
Band profile:	Moonspell

Canadian blackened doom metal outfit Woods Of Ypres has released another new song from their forthcoming new album Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light, available February 15th, 2012. The new track, titled "Traveling Alone", is streaming now on the Metal Hammer Germany website.

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Source:	metal-hammer.de
Band profile:	Woods Of Ypres

Norwegian melodic black metallers Borknagar are currently at Fascination Street studio working on their upcoming new album, and the band has now checked in with the following update: "Øystein, Lars and myself arrived in Fascination Street Studio last night and today we're already hard at work with the mixing process. I don't want to say much more, only share a few pics here, but this is different! Enjoyable, Majestic, Brilliant! Can't wait to release this..."

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Source:	borknagar.com
Band profile:	Borknagar

US instrumental metal act Blotted Science has posted the fourth and final accompanying video clip from The Animation Of Entomology. This clip, for the song "A Sting Operation", has been synced up with a scene from the film "Swarmed."


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Blotted Science

Japanese avantgarde black metallers Sigh have announced that the band's ninth album In Somniphobia will be released in March, 2012, through Candlelight Records and have unveiled the album cover. In Somniphobia will be the follow-up to Sigh's last album Scenes From Hell.

The band commented on the upcoming release: "This album is by far more musically varied compared to the last two albums. Put heavy metal, classical music, jazz, Indian traditional music, Stockhausen, and Xenakis into a cauldron of hell and stir it, you'll get In Somniphobia. It is a pure sonic nightmare that lasts more than an hour."


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Sigh

American crossover thrashers Municipal Waste have announced that they have completed work on their fifth studio album, which will be released next year through Nuclear Blast Records under the title The Fatal Feast.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Municipal Waste

Following the week long 30th Anniversary celebration, which included many guest appearances (Dave Mustaine, Jason Newsted, King Diamond, Scott Ian and many more) as well as the posting of unreleased songs from the Death Magnetic album, Metallica has officially released the EP Beyond Magnetic, which was originally emailed/sent to fan club members.

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Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica

US metallers Neurosis' albums Souls At Zero and Enemy Of The Sun will be re-released on vinyl.

Relapse Records has issued the following announcement: "Relapse Records is proud to announce the release of Neurosis' two landmark records Souls At Zero (originally released in 1992) and Enemy Of The Sun (originally released in 1993). Available on LP for the first time in nearly two decades and for the first time ever in their full form on vinyl, both albums have been fully remastered and presented with newly expanded artwork. Pre-orders for both records, including an exclusive line of Neurosis merch, are available now at this location."

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Source:	relapse.com
Band profile:	Neurosis

Italian gothic metal outfit Lacuna Coil have posted a new music video online for the song "Trip The Darkness" which can be watched below.

The song is the first single from the group's forthcoming new studio album, "Dark Adrenaline," which will be released through Century Media Records on January 24th.

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Source:	metalunderground.com
Band profile:	Lacuna Coil

US brutal/technical death metallers Nile are currently working on their next album and follow-up to 2009's Those Whom The Gods Detest.

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Source:	metalunderground.com
Band profile:	Nile

According to the band's official Facebook page, German funeral doom metallers Ahab are set to begin work on a new album.

"Ahoy,

In the end of January we'll enter studio to record the yet untitled follow up of The Divinity Of Oceans. These days we're in the final writing session to finish the compositions. We promise to keep on informing you about the process this time.

Cheers, Ahab"

And here's something to tide you over in the meantime.


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Ahab