10.29.04 (MusicPortal.com) A new 2-disc DVD "The History Of Iron Maiden - Part 1; The Early Days" is to be released during the third week of November, almost 25 years to the day since Heavy Metal legends IRON MAIDEN first signed with EMI Records. The release is a unique collection of archive material packed onto 2 DVDs. "The Early Days" covers the beginnings of the band's career from the struggle to get gigs in East End pubs through to becoming - within just 5 years - a band capable of headlining arenas anywhere around the world, and achieving it without any radio support to speak of at the time. The new set isn't simply just a visual history of IRON MAIDEN, but more an intense and personal voyage of a remarkable group of individuals who shared one vision and worked hard to achieve that goal without making any compromises along the way. "The Early Days" also demonstrates the band's unique relationship with their fans - the foundation of which was laid correctly back in the very beginning. The first DVD contains nearly 2 hours of archived IRON MAIDEN live concert rarities that demonstrate the energy and power that propelled them to the forefront of the NWOBHM. DVD #1 begins with the band's first-ever concert video, "Live At The Rainbow," which was produced by EMI back in 1980 shortly after IRON MAIDEN were signed, and was one of the first-ever VHS concert releases. The video has not been widely available for some time, so fans can now see the band fronted by vocalist Paul Di'Anno... [full story]
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10.28.04 (MusicPortal.com) After headlining the "Night Of Power" Festival in Germany last week, which also marked the final date of their "Tempting The World" Tour in support of their 2003 "Soul Temptation" album, BRAINSTORM are about to enter House Of Music Studios together with long-time producer Achim Kohler this Monday, November 1st to begin the recording sessions for the band's upcoming new album entitled "Liquid Monster," which will be released February 28th via Metal Blade Record. A special CD single, containing brand new tracks and lots of cool additional stuff, will be released in advance of the full-length album on January 31st. A new video clip will be shot in December as well. "We have been on the road constantly all over this year", says BRAINSTORM guitarist Todde, "and it definitely felt very, very good. A big thank you to all our fans that joined us on our ride. You f#*king rule! But now it is time for some new BRAINSTORM tunes. I am so excited to record the new songs, they sound absolutely amazing and I can't wait to let you hear. I really think we included all those great experiences, all the power, adrenaline and emotions from the road in the new songs. Besides that, I also have seen some sketches of the new album design Andy is working on right now with a new cover designer, and I can say that this one will simply blow you away! Really monstrous in the truest sense of the word!"
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10.28.04 (MusicPortal.com) Wind-Up Records will release CREED's new "Greatest Hits" album on November 22nd. Featuring 13 songs, "Greatest Hits" also includes a bonus DVD featuring all nine of the band's promotional music videos, plus three additional and previously unreleased live performances of the songs 'Higher,' 'Torn,' and 'Weathered.' With over 30 million records sold internationally, and huge radio hits like 'With Arms Wide Open,' 'My Sacrifice,' and 'Higher,' CREED quickly became one of the biggest radio Pop, Rock and Metal radio bands of the last decade. Despite disbanding earlier this year (3/4 of the group went on to form ALTER BRIDGE, while vocalist Scott Stapp is forging ahead with a solo career), CREED's songs continue to live on with fans around the world and are still staple favorites on radio - a testament to the band's powerful songwriting, gigantic riffs and soaring melodies. "Greatest Hits" Track Listing: 1. Torn • 2. My Own Prison • 3. What's This Life For • 4. One • 5. Are You Ready • 6. Higher • 7. With Arms Wide Open • 8. What If • 9. One Last Breath • 10. Don't Stop Dancing • 11. Bullets • 12. My Sacrifice • 13. Weathered. Bonus DVD Tracklisting: 1. My Own Prison • 2. What's This Life For • 3. Higher • 4. What If • 5. With Arms Wide Open • 6. My Sacrifice • 7. Bullets • 8. One Last Breath • 9. Don't Stop Dancing • 10. Torn (Live) • 11. Higher (Live) • 12. Weathered (Live)
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10.27.04 (MusicPortal.com) DIECAST are set to embark on the Radiotakeover.com tour alongside E-TOWN CONCRETE, DEVILINSIDE and TWELVE TRIBES. The trek, which kicks off on 11/12 and runs through 12/14, is also the group's first national U.S. tour with new vocalist Paul Stoddard. A DIECAST video for the song 'Medieval' was recently shot by director Dale Resteghini (Candiria; Fear Factory, Hatebreed). Look for the clip to impact video outlets within the next 2 weeks. 11/12 Danbury, CT [Empress Ballroom] • 11/13 Sayreville, NJ [Starland Ballroom] • 11/14 Buffalo, NY [The Icon] • 11/15 Cleveland, OH [Peabody's Down Under] • 11/16 Columbus, OH [Al Rose] • 11/17 Pittsburgh, PA [The World] • 11/18 Chicago, IL [Bottom Lounge] • 11/19 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 11/20 Kansas City, MO [El Torreon] • 11/22 Detroit, MI [Alvin's] • 11/23 Milwaukee, WI [Eagles Club] • 11/26 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 11/27 Poughkeepsie, NY [The Chance] • 11/28 Bucksport, ME [The Kave] • 11/30 Providence, RI [Living Room] • 12/01 Allentown, PA [Crocodile Rock] • 12/03 Philadelphia, PA [Trocadero] • 12/04 Cohoes, NY [Saratoga Winners] • 12/05 West Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 12/07 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 12/08 St. Petersburg, FL [State Theatre] • 12/09 Orlando, FL [The Back Booth] • 12/10 Jacksonville, FL [Jack Rabbits] • 12/11 Winston-Salem, NC [Ziggy's] • 12/12 Baltimore, MD [The Ottobar] • 12/14 New York, NY [Knitting Factory]
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10.26.04 (MusicPortal.com) Century Media has announced the signing of Vegan Straight Edge quintet MAROON to a new recording deal. The band, originally from the North of Germany but currently residing in the East, offer a weighty mix of Hardcore mixed with Metal influences, along with an emphasis on political consciousness and a commitment to an alternative lifestyle. Having shared the stage with the likes of HATEBREED, AGNOSTIC FRONT, SWORN ENEMY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN and many others over the past six years, MAROON are now more than ready to invade America. Commented a band member on their new signing with Century Media: "This is a dream come true! We are very happy and grateful for being able to work with such a competent and professional label. If anybody had told us this would happen when we started the band, we would have declared them completely nuts, but now it's reality and we are proud to be part of the Century Media family! It's insane to be on a label whose releases we loved as kids and whose music still means so much to us. Bands like Unleashed, Grave, Tiamat, Ulver, Borknagar, The Haunted and our brothers Heaven Shall Burn are now our label-mates - that's more than an affirmation of our hard work over the past few years. With such a strong partner behind us we want and will be able to tour the USA and the rest of the world. We are looking forward to a busy future, and hope for a long cooperation with Century fucking Media - yes!!!"
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10.26.04 (AP) JOHN PEEL, a long-time British Broadcasting Corp. disc jockey whose enthusiasm for the offbeat, the eclectic and the obscure launched the careers of dozens of bands, has died, the BBC said Tuesday. He was 65. The broadcaster said Peel suffered a heart attack Monday while vacationing in Peru with his wife, Sheila. Dr. Alcides Vargas, who worked to revive Peel, told Peru's Radioprogramas radio that the DJ suffered a heart attack in a hotel in Cuzco, 350 miles southeast of the Peruvian capital, Lima. He was pronounced dead on the way to a clinic. Peel's program on Radio 1, the BBC's flagship pop music station, exerted a huge influence for more than 30 years. He was often the first to play demo tapes by little-known bands, and his enthusiasm propelled some to fame. Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said Blair - who once played guitar in a college band called UGLY RUMOURS - was "genuinely saddened" by the news. He said Peel "was a unique voice in British broadcasting who used that voice to unearth new talent and different subjects and bring them to the awareness and make them accessible to a much wider audience." Peel promoted Reggae, Hip-Hop, Punk and Metal on the sometimes conservative BBC, and championed acts ranging from JIMI HENDRIX and DAVID BOWIE to THE SMITHS, THE FALL, PULP and Northern Irish punks THE UNDERTONES, whose 'Teenage Kicks' Peel rated as his favorite song. His live studio sessions were coveted by bands, and many were released... [full story]

10.25.04 (MusicPortal.com) HAMMERFALL have just finished the recordings for their still untitlednew album. Guitarist Oscar Dronjak posted the following message on the official HAMMERFALL website: For the past seven weeks, we have been hard at work on this, our fifth studio effort, and it's wonderful to be finished! When I have a bit more distance to the recordings, I will try to describe the contents so you will know what to expect in March. However, I can safely say that if you are a fan of HammerFall, you will not be disappointed this time around, either. We poured our hearts and souls - as well as blood, sweat and tears, mind you - into the production of this record, and I definitely think it shines through: the music is more alive than it ever has been before. We shall see what the professional music lovers will think about it next Saturday, when we will have a big listening session here at Lundgard for journalists from all over the world. It should be interesting and fun, but it's also a little nervous presenting your new material to other people. But I'm not really worried, as I know we have done our best and created another landmark in the upwards-moving evolution of our music. Praise is great, but neither good reviews nor bad ones would ever influence us in one direction or another. We are artists creating musical pieces for the world to love hate or disregard. Now, it is up to you do pass judgment. Our work is done, and I have to tell you: it feels fuckin' great! Up the Hammers!" - Oscar
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10.25.04 (MusicPortal.com) "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong..." (Island Def Jam/UMe), a "thinking outside the box" box set from one of the most popular and successful bands in Rock history, will be released November 16th. Another landmark in BON JOVI's 21-year career, the mammoth four-CD, 50-song collection (plus a DVD) is not a greatest hits collection, but instead is comprised largely of previously unreleased recordings from the band's vast archive. In other words, the band's "greatest hits you never heard." Along with the 38 tracks that make their debuts are a dozen rarities from around the world. The earliest songs hail from 1985, the latest from 2003. Yet each CD was sequenced by the band as a complete album experience rather than chronologically. Also included is a bonus DVD featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. In addition, the hardbound collector's box set package boasts a 64-page booklet with rare photos, fan testimonials, exclusive interviews, and personal content from the band. Marking the 20th anniversary of the band's debut album, "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong..." is the group's first box set. Whereas most such packages recycle a greatest hits album and add a few previously unreleased bonuses, this collection offers fans the chance to discover their own never before released favorites by presenting dozens of songs that, for whatever reason, never made it onto an album. Typically, BON JOVI record upwards of... [full story]

10.22.04 (MusicPortal.com) After twelve years as lead singer of CRYSTAL EYES, vocalist Mikael Dahl has now handed over the job on the band's upcoming album, "Confessions Of The Maker," to former LOST HORIZON vocalist Daniel Heiman. Both singers have known each other since the early 90s, when they played together in a local cover band. Heiman sang the lead vocals on the song 'The Wizard's Apprentice' on Crystal Eyes' most recent album, "Vengeance Descending," and he agreed several months ago to sing on one or two songs on the new album. A few weeks ago Dahl approached Heiman about singing on the entire album, which he thought was a great idea, and he accepted. Dahl had said on several previous occasions that if he would let someone else handle the lead vocals in CRYSTAL EYES, it would be Heiman. Meanwhile, the drum tracks for "Confessions Of The Maker" will begin to be laid down this Friday at Andy La Roqcue's Los Angered Recordings, who will also be producing the album as well as the final mastering. On November 1st, the rest of the band will begin working full time in their own Crystal Sounds studio, after which they're planning on having a first mix ready by the end of November. Mattias Noren has also newly delivered the artwork for "Confessions Of The Maker" (Evergrey, Jag Panzer, Lost Horizon), which is slated to be released sometime in late January or early February via the band's own recording label, Heavy Fidelity Records.
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10.22.04 (MusicPortal.com) EVANESCENCE will release a new 2-disc live CD/DVD set on November 23rd via Wind-Up Records entitled "Anywhere But Home." Capturing their intense concert experience at The Zenith in Paris, France, this amazing first-ever live release from EVANESCENCE includes the entire show on DVD (directed by Hamish Hamilton of U2 and Peter Gabriel fame) as well as on a two-track mix CD, which includes the previously unreleased studio recording of the song 'Missing.' In addition, the DVD also features the band's four promotional music videos, an hour-long behind-the-scenes program, and some special surprises, discovered by the viewer as they navigate the menus designed exclusively for this special release. All of EVANESCENCE's hits from their multi-million selling debut "Fallen" are also included on the "Anywhere But Home" release, as well as the band's cover of the KORN song 'Thoughtless,' which has turned into a cult fan favorite. In other EVANESCENCE news, the band have recently wrapped a successful tour of the U.S. with label-mates SEETHER, and have been nominated for the upcoming 2004 American Music Awards in the category of favorite Pop and Rock band, duo or group. The American Music Awards take place in Los Angeles, CA this year on November 14th.
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10.21.04 (MusicPortal.com) Metal Blade recording artists STARWOOD have announced they will commence a world tour in support of their debut album, "If It Aint Broke, Break It!," in their hometown of Hollywood, California on November 15, where they will share the bill at House Of Blues with the long-time rockers UFO. The next day, STARWOOD are off to the UK for a series of dates with ex-MOTLEY CRUE frontman Vince Neil. The tour announcement comes just as the band are shooting their first video for the song 'Subculture.' According to vocalist/guitarist Lizzy, who produced the recording with bandmate Joey Scott (drums & percussion/backing vocals), 'Subculture' is an invitation to those who will never be in the subculture of society to join STARWOOD and others like them in Hollywood. The video mixes performance footage with scenes celebrating the Hollywood scene the band celebrates in their music. 'Subculture' is just one of several tracks on "If It Aint Broke, Break It!" currently garnering nationwide airplay. Others include 'All My Girlfriends Have Boyfriends,' 'Whats Your Damage' and 'Backlash.' Lizzy says he chose to name the band after the famed 70s Hollywood club because The Starwood was where fans started seeing Metal bands on a regular basis, with the venue continuing to host shows by Rock, Pop and Punk bands - all elements that can be heard in STARWOOD's music. The band are also planning an extensive tour for sometime in 2005.
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10.20.04 (MusicPortal.com) Wicked World Recordings has announced the signing of Danish wrecking crew EXMORTEM to a multi-album, worldwide recording deal. Brandishing a particularly savage brand of twisted Death Metal as their weapon of choice, the band has released two previous albums via Hammerheart Records and Osmose Productions, and more recently toured Europe last year with NECROPHAGIA. With a new album, "Nihilistic Contentment" already recorded, the band are looking to open 2005 with the release followed by extensive touring. The upcoming album was recorded at Antfarm Studios in Denmark by Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Hatesphere. Mnemic) and features 10 barbaric tracks blending musical precision with lyrical depravity in equal measures. EXMORTEM's Sigtyr had this to say about the band's new union with Wicked World: "We are very proud to announce that we have signed with one of the world's leading labels in extreme music!! With a crew that have worked to be on the forefront of the scene for 15 years or more, we feel confident that we have found the best home for Exmortem. We will do our best to make this a success and the new album should be the first step in that direction!" MP3s and an exact confirmed release date for "Nihilistic Contenment" should be available shortly.
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10.19.04 (MusicPortal.com) SEVEN WITCHES will release their new album, "Year of The Witch," next Tuesday, October 26th via Noise Records, heralding a bold new chapter for the band. In addition to their first stable line-up, the twelve new songs are more expansive, dabbling in heretofore-unheard sounds, the most talked about song being 'Metal Asylum.' Kicking things off, the lyrics run through Metal's history, referencing bands, classic albums, and even quotes from well-known live recordings. "I wanted to write a song from my roots," says SEVEN WITCHES guitarist Jack Frost. "If it wasn't for Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, I woudn't be where I am today. Metal never died. Every one of us is taking our hats off to heavy metal on this song." Frost also took some risks on the new album, loosened the songwriting reins and getting input from respected outside musicians like Joey Vera and ex-MEGADETH bassist Dave Ellefson. Vera, who is still part of the SEVEN WITCHES family and will continue to write with the band and maybe do some more producing, was involved with writing "Year Of The Witch" from start to finish besides the track 'If You Were God,' which is actually an old Ellefson tune. After the release of the band's 2002 album, "Passage To The Other Side," the longstanding Frost and James Rivera tandem was bolstered further by newcomers Dennis Hayes (Winters Bane) on bass and drummer Jeff Curenton.
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10.18.04 (MusicPortal.com) Home in Finland after his first-ever trip to the U.S. as Special Guest at Atlanta's ProgPower USA V and performances in South America is vocalist TIMO KOTIPELTO (Kotipelto, Stratovarius), who sends his regards to his fans worldwide: "The gigs in Argentina and Brazil were superb! The response from the fans was so awesome. A lot of people knew my songs and we had lots of fun on stage. The funny thing was that our bass player's last name Porra (Lauri Porra) is a swear word in Brazil and means something like sperm! :) So the people were shouting his name very loud when I introduced him. The whole trip to Atlanta ProgPower V and to South America was such an enjoyable journey for me. I hope to get back to play some shows in the U.S. with my band, and also to headline a tour in South America in the near future. Thanks to all cool people I met over there!" Keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) who stepped-in in the eleventh hour to perform with the band, said the following regarding the band's South American shows: "It was really nice performing with my new friends from the band Kotipelto this past week. The audiences in South America are always a lot of fun so it was my pleasure to help Timo out when his regular keyboard player Janne pooped out due to tour with CoB - ha ha." Kotipelto, whose newest album "Coldness" was released earlier this year, will be performing 6 dates in the next two weeks in Finland.
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