Dark Fortress - Found New Vocalist

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German Black Metal band Dark Fortress completed their line up again with a new vocalist. A statement on the band's MySpace blog goes as follows:

"After receiving various applications we finally decided to recruit Morean of progressive death/thrashers Noneuclid as our new vocalist. Morean already appeared on "Séance" as the composer of the piece 'Incide' and the arranger of the string section used in the song 'While They Sleep'. Our decision is based on his immense musical and vocal abilities, his personage and dedication to extreme and dark music. He will be responsible for the lyrical concept of the forthcoming album, which will be completely finished by the end of October. Expect a world-wide release via Century Media Records in early 2008, followed by increased live activities."

Dark Fortress' previous vocalist Matthias "Azathoth" Jell left in May, leaving guitarist Asvargr as the only original member.

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Machine Head’s Adam Duce Breaks Leg; Will Miss US Tour

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In an unfortunate turn of events, Machine Head bassist Adam Duce will miss this Fall's highly-anticipated Black Tyranny Tour in the U.S. due to a broken leg suffered while dirt biking in Redding, CA. Initially thought to be nothing more than a bad sprain, x-rays later confirmed the break, which required surgery to attach a steel plate and two screws to the broken bone.

A disappointed Duce laments, "It sucks to be in this position, because we have such a killer tour set up for the end of the summer and now we'll have to find a replacement for me. I've never missed one show that this band has ever played up to this point and I never thought I would see the day when Machine Head would be playing and I wouldn't be on stage."

The band are currently rehearsing with temporary bassist candidates and are in the final stages of selecting Duce's replacement, the details of which will be announced as soon as they are determined. All Black Tyranny dates in the U.S. will go on as scheduled, and Duce will be returning for the Australian and European legs of The Black Crusade Tour, beginning with the band's Loudpark date in Japan.

“Black Crusade” tour dates:
9.7.07, House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
9.8.07, Jillian’s, Las Vegas, NV
9.9.07, Soma, San Diego, CA
9.11.07, House of Blues, Tuscon, AZ
9.13.07, House of Blues, Dallas, TX
9.14.07, Meridian, Houston, TX
9.15.07, House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
9.17, 07, House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, FL
9.19.07, Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
9.21.07, Palladium, Worchester, MA
9.22.07, Nokia Theater, New York, NY
9.23.07, Sonar, Baltimore, MD
9.24.07, Norva, Norfolk, VA
9.26, 07, Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
9.27.07, Evolution, Buffalo, PA
9.28.07, Opera House, Toronto, ON
9.29.07, The Medley, Montreal, QUE
10.1.07, House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
10.2.07, House of Blues, Chicago, IL
10.3.07, First Ave, Minneapolis, MN
10.5.07, Harpos, Detroit, MI
10.6.07, Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI
10.7.07, Pops, St. Louis, MO
10.9.07, Gothic Theater, Englewood, CA
10.10.07, Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque, NM
10.12.07, The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
10.13.07, Avalon, Hollywood, CA

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Halford Announces Distribution Deal

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Rob Halford and Metal God Entertainment are pleased to announce its new United States film and music distributor 'Super D Independent Distribution' of Irvine, California. 'Halford Metal God Essentials - Volume 1' is Super D's first NEW Halford title set to debut September 11, 2007.

Halford Metal God Essentials - Volume 1 features thirteen (13) dynamic Heavy Metal tracks from Rob Halford's Fight and Halford solo releases. The Halford band's first new songs in more than four years 'Forgotten Generation' and 'Drop Out' are also featured; as is an exclusive 2007 remix from Fight Co-Producer Attie Bauw 'Hypocrisy U.S. Remix.'

Super D is the only worldwide one-stop distributor of CD music and DVD movie titles servicing 24+ countries. Super D's U.S. Release of Halford Metal God Essentials - Volume 1 includes a full-color twenty (20) page expanded booklet and Bonus Metal God DVD featuring eight (8) Halford promotional videos in a double-jewel case. A Limited and Numbered Edition, with enhanced 8-panel digi pak, including an original Rob Halford autograph will be available for a very short period (Edition: 5,000).

'Super D Independent Distribution grew its core business distributing a lot of Metal music,' adds Rob Halford. 'I am looking forward to re-connecting and meeting many of Super D's accounts. This relationship brings a new and powerful U.S. partner to Metal God Entertainment's new film and music releases being produced for the global Rock and Metal audiences. Collectively, the relationship will bring Super D and I closer to my retail consumers throughout the U.S., and that has been one of the most important elements of my search given the many changes seen at the retail-level.'

Fall 2007 Metal God Entertainment and Super D will debut 'Fight War Of Words - The Film' a 5.1 documentary and concert DVD of Rob Halford's decision to depart Metal Legends Judas Priest in 1992, and embark upon an ambitious and un-equaled solo career. Release configurations include a Bonus CD: 'War Of Words - Remixed / Remastered 2007.' More info coming in October 2007!

Visit these sites for more insight on Super D Independent Distribution and The Metal God's merchandise, digital music and film downloads:

Rob Halford.com

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Vader - Reveal DVD Details

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The following update was posted on Metal Mind's official website:

"Vader will release their third DVD in October. The DVD entitled "...And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw" will feature the footage from the band's fantastic concert at Stodola Club in February 2007, which was the final stop of the tour promoting their latest album "Impressions in Blood". The show was filmed with 7 cameras so you can expect a truly amazing recording with great lights and dynamic shots - over 80 min. of brutal, fast, uncompromising death metal!! As a special surprise for the fans, the concert featured also a guest appearance of Orion: a member of two other great Polish metal acts: Vesania & Behemoth.

The DVD is scheduled for release on 15th October in Europe and on 5th November in USA (via MVD) and will also include: fully animated menu, band bio, discography, interview with Peter, brand new video clip "Sword of the Witcher" (taken from the forthcoming RPG game "The Witcher"), desktop images, photo gallery, weblinks, and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.
"And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw" DVD will be also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition! It's a must have for fans of good quality metal music!

Vader was the first death metal band from behind the Iron Curtain to succeed on the world's most important music markets. Their "Morbid Reich" demo from 1990 is considered the best selling demo tape in the history of death metal. In their career, Vader did a great number of tours, made lots of festival appearances and played gigs with top metal bands such as Bolt Thrower, Deicide, Metallica, Krisiun, Malevolent Creation, Slayer, Samael, Anathema, Testament, Marduk, Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, Vital Remains, and Kreator, to mention only a few… Year 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Vader's existence."

"And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw" tracklisting: (cover artwork)

01. Intro
02. ShadowFear
03. Sothis
04. Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)
05. Warlords
06. Silent Empire
07. Blood Of Kingu
08. Intro: Out
09. Out Of The Deep
10. Carnal
11. Dark Age
12. Black To The Blind
13. Intro: Para Bellum
14. This Is The War
15. Lead Us
16. What Colour Is Your Blood
17. Epitaph
18. Cold Demons
19. Predator
20. Wings
21. Wyrocznia (feat. Orion)

Bonus video:
Interview with Peter
Video clip "Sword of the Witcher"
Other features tbc

Also includes:
Photo gallery
Desktop images
Biography
Discography
Weblinks
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

CD (only available in limited swing case edition!):

01. Intro
02. ShadowFear
03. Sothis
04. Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)
05. Warlords
06. Silent Empire
07. Blood Of Kingu
08. Intro: Out
09. Out Of The Deep
10. Carnal
11. Dark Age
12. Black To The Blind
13. Intro: Para Bellum
14. This Is the War
15. Lead Us
16. What Colour Is Your Blood
17. Epitaph
18. Cold Demons
19. Predator
20. Wings
21. Wyrocznia (feat. Orion)

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Illdisposed - Sign With AFM Records

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Danish Extreme Metal act Illdisposed have signed with AFM Records. The official press release goes as follows:

"There are band who come out and play, and there are bands who just simply rock and kick every ass! Illdisposed are maybe the coolest and most sick rockstars on earth - but they just simply rule! Since their debut album "Four Depressive Seasons" in 1993 the band did nine killer albums including their current Roadrunner release "Burn Me Wicked".

Finally Illdisposed have signed a new deal with AFM Records, who set up the release date for their 10th strike on March, 28th 2008.

Guitar player Jakob Batten comments: "I am happy to announce that we have signed a new worldwide record deal with AFM Records. This will be the beginning of a new chapter in the illdisbook and we're looking forward to work with these guys. It's time for being a priority now. For some years our albums have been limited to Europe and a few other territories - now it's time for the whole world to be able to buy our albums at their local album pusher again. The new album will contain 12 songs of groovy brutality."

At this point the band is in middle of the songwriting process, and it is obvious that we can expect something really big!"

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Anathema - Tour With Porcupine Tree & News About The New Album

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Guitarist Daniel "Danny" Cavanagh has posted the following update on the official Anathema website:


Porcupine Tree have kindly asked Anathema to support them on their full European tour in the autumn... This tour is still in the planning stage and will cover alot of territories.

Anathema have decided that - rather than rushing into the studio to finish the album in time for the tour, (and not being able to work with the producer we would like) - it will actually benefit the band and the new album to play the new songs live before recording them.

So you can expect to hear songs like 'Angels Walk Among Us', 'Paradigm Shift', 'Hindsight', 'Get Off, Get Out' 'Lightning Song', 'One Day', 'Summernight Horizon', 'Further', 'A Simple Mistake' and others on the tour with PT...

Our new american manager is helping to put everything in place for us to record and release this ambitious music. He is negotiating deals in the USA and advising us on our best way to go. The response from record companies has been very positive. We intend to record approximately 85 minutes of music for this album and at least 14 songs. The idea AT THE MOMENT is to release a double album called simply..

'Paradigm Shift'

Again this is not confirmed, PLANS CAN CHANGE.

A double album WILL NOT mean it will be a huge, overbearing, very long album... It may only be two groups of seven songs, split over two CD's in order to be easily digested by the listener. It definately will not be a self indulgent album and it's not a 'concept album'. Themes of life, healing and unity will run through some of the songs...

The recent shows we have played this year have been great. We had some great nights, some great audiences and great laughs. Thanks for everyone who helped make it happen. Special thanks must go out to Derek and Alx at the agency, Mick Reed, Milly Evans, Raymond, Ian, Loz, Ozzy and Hans for making it all work. We have loved playing. We look forward very much to introducing this intense, passionate new music to the public on tour with porcupine tree. We then look forward to recording what i personally think will be a wonderful record after the tour. It is the first album we have made that will be truly complete. It will change lives. Hopefully beginning with ours.

Wishing you all the best.

Danny.

PS: A full tour of TURKEY has been confirmed for october. Dates will be online very soon..


This news leads to the conclusion that "Paradigm Shift" will probably not be released before 2008 since that Porcupine Tree's European tour will end in December…

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Heavy Metal In Baghdad

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Acrassicauda, Iraq's only heavy metal band and stars of the forthcoming Heavy Metal In Baghdad documentary, are under fire. According to TheDeciblog.com, the group, also known as the Black Scorpion Of Baghdad, have been forced to move after receiving some very serious threats. Thus the folks at VBS.TV, the network that ran the Heavy Metal In Baghdad series, are asking for help in preparing metal-centric care packages (CDs, tapes, shirts, magazines) for the group. All international goodies must be submitted by August 25.

Heavy Metal In Baghad, a full-length documentary expanded from the previously aired series of the same title, will be premiering as an official selection at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

Trailer to this film you can see here:
http://www.heavymetalinbaghdad.com/

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