The record label Audio Fidelity will release a newly remastered edition of Dio's classic debut album Holy Diver this month as part of its 24K Gold Compact Disc series. Although many remastered editions have been released, this edition promises to be a significant sonic upgrade over past releases of this timeless debut due to the use of the original 1983 Sound City studio analog 30 ips AES half-inch non-Dolby original stereo mix tapes along with the mastering expertise of renowned audiophile music restoration specialist Steve Hoffman. Most previous releases relied on post-EQ'ed cutting tapes.


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Source:	wackenradio.com
Band profile:	Dio

Swedish dark rockers Katatonia will be recording their ninth full-length album in the first months of 2012 and plan to release it before the summer.

The band posted an update on their official website: "2011 has been a very busy year mostly out on the road and we'd like to thank everyone who came out to see us! Also thanks to all our friends, families and the loyal 'Katatoniacs' worldwide for showing support. We know you're impatient to know what's up next and in brief the big news are that the first couple of months of 2012 will see us hard at work on the recording of our 9th album and if everything goes according to plan the album will be out before summer. We're also busy on a double duty finishing up the Last Fair Day Gone Night anniversary DVD. More info on all of this as we take the step over to the other side, but today we just wanna have a toast and wish everyone a happy new year! Cheers!"

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Source:	katatonia.com
Band profile:	Katatonia

Swedish black metallers Marduk have announced that the band is currently recording their new album, set to be released in the spring via Blooddawn/Century Media. The update was posted after the end of the tour where the band performed in over 220 shows to support Wormwood, released in 2009.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Marduk

Danish prog/power metal band Evil Masquerade leader Henrik Flyman has written a new track entitled "Let's Unite In Rock" for the The MFC Dragon Slayer All Star Project to benefit the charity Metal For Cancer. The song can be purchased at http://www.metalforcancer.com/ and all proceeds will be donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. You can listen to "Let's Unite in Rock" below.

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Source:	metalforcancer.com
Band profile:	Evil Masquerade

Finnish power metallers Stratovarius performed in Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland, on November 19th, where a DVD was filmed for a future release. The show was part of the band's Jörg Farewell Tour, the last one to feature Stratovarius longtime drummer Jörg Michael, who is leaving the group for personal reasons. Jörg, who has been in the band for sixteen years, will play all the remaining tour dates until the end of January.

Stratovarius is inviting its fans to come up with a title for the forthcoming DVD by posting their suggestions on the band's official Facebook page. The winner will receive two copies of the DVD and a credit in the liner notes.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

The first full-length album from US progressive metallers Queensrÿche will be reissued on a limited edition 180-gram audiophile vinyl with a gatefold cover on February 14th, 2012. The Warning was re-released on May 6th, 2003, with three bonus tracks. You can now pre-order the item on Amazon.


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Queensrÿche

Welsh metallers Bullet For My Valentine have revealed via Twitter that the band will start writing new material in January 2012. The upcoming album will be their fourth full-length record to be released and the follow-up to 2010's Fever.

The message from the band: "Everyone have a good Christmas? Start writing for new record in 3 weeks! What you want it to sound like? MT."

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Source:	twitter.com
Band profile:	Bullet For My Valentine

Norwegian symphonic black metallers Dimmu Borgir have announced a series of upcoming European and South/Central American live shows for 2012. The currently announced dates are as follows, with more details to be announced in the near future.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Dimmu Borgir

US metallers Unearth will take part of the upcoming March 2012 European Progression Tour with Heaven Shall Burn. The line-up for the tour is the following: Heaven Shall Burn, Unearth, Rise To Remain, Neaera, plus a Special Guest.

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Source:	unearth.tv
Band profile:	Unearth
Event:	Heaven Shall Burn + Unearth: Progression Tour

US black/death metallers Goatwhore have announced in a recent interview to Decibel magazine that their upcoming album will be entitled Blood For The Master and that it will be released on February 14th in North America via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, with producer with Erik Rutan.

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Source:	twitter.com
Band profile:	Goatwhore

Italian gothic metallers Lacuna Coil have posted online a new album teaser entitled "Chapter I: The Injected", from the upcoming album Dark Adrenaline, due to be released via Century Media Records on January 24th, 2012. The video will be the first of six conceptual teaser clips to be released by the band before the album release.

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Source:	lacunacoil.it
Band profile:	Lacuna Coil

US industrial metal veterans Ministry have signed a worldwide deal with AFM Records. The band will release their highly-anticipated comeback album Relapse on March 3rd, 2012. Prior to the album, Ministry have released a digital single, entitled "99%" on December 23rd, 2011, now available on iTunes. Currently, Al Jourgensen is finalizing the last mixes on the new material. In the meantime, the band revealed the new album cover art, which can be seen below.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Ministry

Chilean doom metallers Procession announced on their official MySpace channel that the band's upcoming second album will be titled To Reap Heavens Apart and is currently set to be recorded in 2012. You can check out a previously posted teaser clip for the release below.


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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Procession

Greek thrashers Suicidal Angels have posted a new track online, entitled "Let The Bloodbath Begin", taken from their upcoming album Bloodbath, due out on January 27th, 2012, via NoiseArt Records. This album features cover artwork by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with Megadeth and Death. Bloodbath was recorded at Prophecy & Music Factory Studios in Kempten, Germany, with Greek producer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis. More album details here. You can listen to the new track below.


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Source:	suicidalangels.com
Band profile:	Suicidal Angels

US symphonic power metallers Kamelot are the newest confirmation for the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival and Wacken Open Air 2012, as was revealed on their official website. Kamelot's founder and guitarist Thomas Youngblood states: "We are very excited about returning to Wacken for 2012, this is one of the best festivals in the world and we will be planning our biggest stage presentation ever. Get ready for some fire!"

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Source:	kamelot.com
Band profile:	Kamelot