Iron Maiden have announced that, following 2014's reissue of their first eight albums, Parlophone Records will release twelve brand new pressings of albums from the period 1990-2015 in heavyweight 180g black vinyl. Along with their eight studio albums released in these 25 years, a specially selected choice of four live recordings from this era will be included. As far as the studio recordings are concerned, it has been made known that the audio on these releases has been cut from the high resolution remasters of 2015 when the band's catalogue was digitally upgraded and that they will be packaged in identical artwork to the initial vinyl releases.

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Source:	ironmaiden.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden

Jeff Plate, the drummer of American heavy thrashers Metal Church for the last 11 years, has announced on the band's official Facebook page that he will no longer continue with them. His reasons, according to his statement, are personal and have to do with time management. The announcement's spirit is friendly and the drummer takes the opportunity to thank the band members and the fans for their support. He also leaves a hint in the end that he already has plans for his next steps. You can read the full statement below.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Metal Church

In 2016, Fates Warning celebrated the 30th anniversary of their third, highly acclaimed, album Awaken The Guardian. The mastermind of the band, Jim Matheos, reunited that era's lineup, namely vocalist John Arch, bassist Joe DiBiase, drummer Steve Zimmerman and current guitarist Frank Aresti for two special festival appearances: Keep it True XIX in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany and Prog Power USA XVII in Atlanta, GA. Fortunately for fans that were not able to attend, each show was filmed and recorded and Awaken The Guardian Live is set to be released on April 28th via Metal Blade.

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Source:	metalblade.com
Band profile:	Fates Warning

Metallica have announced that their WorldWired Tour is going to hit European arenas starting this September and will last until May of 2018. It is due to kick off on September 4th in Amsterdam, following the rescheduled Copenhagen show on September 2nd. Norwegian blackened hardcore punks Kvelertak will be the supporting act for the duration of the European part of the tour. The band has made clear that no additional shows will be added in this part of the world in the immediate future.

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Source:	metallica.com
Band profile:	Metallica

Greek black metal pioneers Rotting Christ are approaching their 30th anniversary and Peaceville Records is set to release their early classic works on vinyl. The band's 1993 full-length debut, Thy Mighty Contract, will hit the stores on April 21st this year and it will later be followed by Non Serviam and the Passage To Arcturo EP. By the end of 2017, Peaceville Records also plan to release a compilation of demos and other rare goodies of the band's classic stuff from the late 80's and the early 90's era.

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Source:	peaceville.com
Band profile:	Rotting Christ

U.S. metallers Body Count are now streaming another song called "The Ski Mask Way" from their upcoming album, Bloodlust, due to be released by Century Media Records on March 31st. Frontman Ice-T said that the song is about people exposing their lives and their wealth on social media and thus making themselves a target for robbers who are watching. You can listen to it below, along with the first single "No Lives Matter" in case you've missed it.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Body Count

Metal gods Judas Priest have officially started recording their new album. Mike Exeter, who produced 2014's well received Redeemer Of Souls and was involved in recent Black Sabbath releases, is in the studio with the band, along with Tom Allom, producer of every Judas Priest release from 1979's Unleashed In The East until 1988's Ram It Down. Last but not least, Andy Sneap, responsible for albums by Accept, Testament, Nevermore and Exodus (just to name a few) is also there to twiddle the knobs.

Source:	judaspriest.com
Band profile:	Judas Priest

Following "Sentence Day", Florida death metal legends Obituary have released two more singles from their self-titled album, which is due to reach the fans on March 17th, 2017 in CD/LP/digital by Relapse Records. The "Turned To Stone" song sounds very much like classic Obituary, while "A Lesson In Vengeance", shared on March 8th, has a more groovy and upbeat sound. What do you think of them?

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Source:	label.relapse.com
Band profile:	Obituary