MAXI the new singer of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS

It's seems, JOANNA NIENIEWSKA will not become the official singer of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS. There were some diferences between Joanna and the band. So, now Maxi Nil is the new singer of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS. She is from Greece. And her first first show with the band was at in Slovenia-Metalcamp.

You can see the video here:

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TARJA TURUNEN Voted "Sexiest Metal Singer"

MetalHead.ro reports:

"Over 6,000 rockers from Romania and worldwide voted in our contest "The Sexiest Metal Singer" and the results came in just today! The final battle was between the ex and the actual NIGHTWISH singer: Anette (Olzon) vs. Tarja Turunen. Tarja won "on the fly" with just 200 votes more.

So it's official, Romania voted Tarja the "Sexiest Metal Singer". The final results can be found here."

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NEMESEA: New Live Album Being Mixed

Dutch female-fronted gothic rock outfit NEMESEA recorded its July 2 and July 3 concerts at P3 in Purmerend, Holland for a forthcoming live album, due later in the year. The shows were unique in the sense that the audience was able to hear the band perform live in Surround Sound 7.0 as part of an innovative project that was conducted in co-operation with students from the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU).

"No More", the first-ever video from NEMESEA, can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by D'iMages, which had previously worked with AFTER FOREVER, AYREON and STREAM OF PASSION, among others. The song comes off the band's second album, "In Control", which was produced by Tony Platt (AC/DC, BOB MARLEY) and Ronald Prent (RAMMSTEIN) and was released in June 2007.

NEMESEA recorded "In Control" after raising $50,000 through the SellaBand.com web site, which empowers artists to make a professional album funded by fans.

NEMESEA is:

Manda Ophuis - Vocals
Hendrik Jan de Jong - Guitar
Sonny Onderwater - Bass
Steven Bouma - Drums
Lasse Dellbrügge - Keyboards

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Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas with TRISTANIA at Artmania Festival

Fan-filmed video footage of the band's performance at the event can be viewed below:

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BATTLELORE Extends Deal With NAPALM RECORDS

Finnish "fantasy metal" band BATTLELORE has extended its deal with Napalm Records.

Commented the group in a statement: "With our latest album, 'The Last Alliance', we fulfilled our previous recording deal and for a while we looked for other options to our next album. We got a lot of offers around the globe, but it was very clear that Napalm didn't want us to go and offered us a fine deal if we would continue with them. This new deal guarantees good conditions for our next album and touring."

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NIGHTWISH Singer On Narrow-Mindedness In Music

NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon has posted the following message on her official blog:

"When I sang in ALYSON AVENUE, which is a female-fronted band just like NIGHTWISH, but even more so, since it's only my voice there, we got so many 'real' hard rockers and metalheads who said female-fronted was shit and it should only be males singing rock etc... Even long before it's been like this, even bands like HEART had big problems to get some respect in their days.

"And how come so many people think it's OK to bring opera or classical singing into metal but wouldn't accept, for instance, Britney or Avril Lavigne to sing metal??

"What's the difference between having a singer from another genre like pop or jazz singing metal or a classical singer?

"And look at Chris Cornell and Timbaland... then that wouldn't be OK to do either?? Since Chris is a rocker and Timbaland 'pop?'

"Can you imagine what the opera/classical people say about those classical singers who sing in a 'metal band??' Oh my god... that can't be done...opera is sooooo special and metal is not music... I have myself heard these things being said in the music university and among classically trained people.

"And like when I started taking vocal lessons at 15 years of age... You MUST sing opera or classical!! Rock voice will kill your voice!!!

"Hmm...;=)

"I sang in a local Christmas show just a couple of years ago and I was the only one not opera or classically trained. And when we rehearsed, the conductor said after I had sang a little more rocky song: Well, THAT'S also one way to sing... and looked as if he had swallowed a really bad lemon... ;=)

"It's one thing that we all have different tastes in music... we should have that and that's just fine, but when it comes to 'rules' and such narrow-mindedness that we can see not only in metal but other genres too, I think it's sad for the music.

"Music should be joy, breaking borders, getting people closer, making people feel, embracing and talking to hearts and souls, and most of all, fill the world with different sounds.. like I have said before when I talked about differences in people, I don't want to hear just ONE repetitive sound every single day, I want different sounds floating around.

"Colourfullness in music too;=)

"And here [see YouTube clip below] is just an example of crossing borders: NIGHTWISH in a remix of DJ Orkidea...great, great mix and I would love to dance to it on the dance floor. ;=) Techno is perfect on the dance floor. ;=)"

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KRYPTERIA: 'My Fatal Kiss' Track Listing Revealed

German-Korean rockers KRYPTERIA will release their album, "My Fatal Kiss", on August 28 via Roadrunner Records' new division Onfire.

"My Fatal Kiss" track listing:

01. Ignition
02. My Fatal Kiss
03. Why (Did You Stop The World From Turning)
04. For You I'll Bring The Devil Down
05. Deny
06. The Freak In Me
07. Never Say Die
08. Dying To Love
09. Shoot Me
10. God I Need Someone
11. Now (Start Spreading The Word)
12. Head First Into A Sea Of Flames
13. Too Late, Game Over and Goodbye

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LACUNA COIL: Video Of GRASPOP Performance With Soundboard Audio Available

Video footage of LACUNA COIL's performance (with soundboard-quality audio) at this year's installment of the Graspop Metal Meeting, which was held on June 26-28, 2009 on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium, can be viewed below.

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XANDRIA: Photos Of their concert in Germany

Fan-filmed video footage of the German goth metal band XANDRIA performing on June 19, 2009 at Zeche in Bochum, Germany can be viewed below (courtesy of "DUGT67"):



Photos of the concert are available at this location.

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ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN Performs With MOONSPELL At FORTAROCK; Video Available

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen joined Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL on stage at the Fortarock festival on July 11, 2009 in Nijmegen, Holland to perform the song "Scorpion Flower".

Fan-filmed video footage of her appearance can be viewed below.

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OMEGA LITHIUM: signs with Drakkar Records.Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

Drakkar Records (label of Xandria, Haggard and much more) has announced the signing of the Croatian gothic metal band OMEGA LITHIUM.
The band will release its debut album, "Dreams In Formaline", on September 18 via Drakkar Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Infest [02:53]
02. Stigmata [03:48]
03. My Haunted Self [03:32]
04. Dreams In Formaline [03:20]
05. Andromeda [03:29]
06. Nebula [03:58]
07. Snow Red [03:38]
08. Hollow March [03:22]
09. Factor:Misery [03:31]
10. Angel's Holocaust [03:20]
11. Point Blank [03:57]
12. Stigmata (Videoclip) [03:48]

Check out the cover artwork below:



Drakkar label manager Marius Kopec previously stated about the company's decision to sign OMEGA LITHIUM, "Of course, classic artist development has become increasingly difficult. On the other hand, only by supporting new bands does a label stand a chance of hitting the jackpot. To us, it's as important as ever that our bands bring along a solid mix of quality and originality. OMEGA LITHIUM, with their amazing singer Mya Mortensen, is without any doubt what we call a 'unique act,' so we are very convinced that it is possible to establish this band in the gothic scene!"

OMEGA LITHIUM's sound is described in the band's official bio as "the vision of a reformed society's way of thinking. The aggression of the distorted guitars, the simplicity of the electro beats, wrapped in a haunting atmosphere, and a rebellious point of view through it. Influenced by industrial, metal, gothic and rock, emerges a distinct sound that creates the passage through the ruined world of inner destruction."

A video for the song "Stigmata" can be viewed below.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/omegalithium

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SONS OF SEASONS To Support EPICA In Europe

SONS OF SEASONS - the new progressive/ symphonic metal band led by keyboardist/ guitarist Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO - and boyfriend of Simone Simons from Epica) - will support Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA on their upcoming European tour. The "main" support act for the trek has not yet been announced.

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TO-MERA Begins Recording New EP

TO-MERA - the U.K.-based dark progressive metal band fronted by former WITHOUT FACE vocalist Julie Kiss - has issued the following update:

"This week we shall begin work on recording our brand-spanking new EP. We shall be laying down four new songs; that's around 30 minutes of state-of-the-art progressive metal for your aural delectation. As usual, expect something a little different. We aim to have it mixed and mastered by the end of September."

TO-MERA recently parted ways with Candlelight Records after releasing two albums through the label - 2006's "Transcendental" and 2008's "Delusions".

Check out audio samples on the group's MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/tomeraband

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THE GATHERING: 'All You Are' Video Released

"All You Are", the new video from the Dutch/Norwegian rock band THE GATHERING, can be viewed below. The clip contains lots of live images of the band's June 26, 2009 performance at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium.

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ARCH ENEMY To Play Special 'Old-School' Set At Second Mexico City Show

Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY have announced a second show in Mexico City on August 23. This event will see the band playing a different "old-school" set, inspired by its upcoming studio release, "The Root Of All Evil", due in late September 2009.

ARCH ENEMY's Mexican dates:

Aug. 20 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Circo Volador
Aug. 22 - Monterrey, Mexico @ UMA Bar
Aug. 23 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Circo Volador

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AMBERIAN DAWN: Video Footage Of SWEDEN ROCK Performance Posted Online

Video footage of Finnish female-fronted symphonic metallers AMBERIAN DAWN performing the song "River of Tuoni" on June 5, 2009 at the Sweden Rock festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden can be viewed below.

AMBERIAN DAWN's second album, "The Clouds of Northland Thunder" was released in Europe on June 29 via Ascendance Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. He Sleeps in a Grove (3:20)
02. Incubus (5:03)
03. Kokko - Eagle of Fire (3.17)
04. Willow of Tears (4:10)
05. Shallow Waters (3:38)
06. Lost Soul (3:43)
07. Sons of Seven Stars (3.43)
08. Saga (4:06)
09. Snowmaiden (3:45)
10. Lionheart (3:43)
11. Morning Star (4:36)
12. Birth of the Harp (4:06)

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THE GATHERING: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Dutch Concerts Posted

Dutch/Norwegian rock band THE GATHERING has uploaded a 10-minute "rockumentary" (see below) featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the band's first-ever concerts with new singer Silje Wergeland from the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI, which were held in late June in Holland.

In other news, THE GATHERING is working on a video for the song "All You Are". The clip is currently in post-production now and will be released very soon.

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MIDNATTSOL Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement

MIDNATTSOL - the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine) - has parted ways with guitarist Fabian Pospiech. According to the band, "Fabz [recently] became father of a little son. Such events always also bring some changes in life, thus Fabz decided to concentrate increasingly on his family and his new job. Unfortunately, this also means that Fabz won´t be able to play at MIDNATTSOL any longer. We can understand his decision very well and wish him all the best and good luck for the future!"

The band continues, "To complete the lineup and blast off again we are searching for a band experienced and creative guitarist. Do you already have live experience, are you motivated and ready for headbanging? Then please write to newguitarist@ midnattsol. com and give us a short description about yourself (if possible with a picture) and what you have musically done so far.

"What you can expect at us? A record deal, a rehearsal room at Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart, festivals and tours and of course us, a bunch of Midnattsols that like to party. We are currently writing songs for our third album and would be happy if you immediately join us with this and at the forthcoming Metal Female Voices Fest in Belgium. Musicians from Ludwigsburg / Stuttgart and the greater region will be preferred."

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NIGHTWISH´s singer: Official webshop online

Official merchandise store of NIGHTWISH´s singer Anette Olzon is now online. For visiting the webshop, click here.

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ECHOES OF ETERNITY Signs European Deal With MASSACRE RECORDS

California-based, female-fronted progressive metallers ECHOES OF ETERNITY have inked European a deal with Massacre Records for the release of their second album, entitled "As Shadows Burn". Due in Europe on September 25 (the LP will be released in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast Records), the follow-up to 2007's "The Forgotten Goddess" was produced and mixed by former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, who has previously worked with GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

Commented the band: "It was an amazing recording experience, and Logan Mader really brought out the best in the band and gave us an incredible production. If you liked 'The Fogotten Goddess', you certainly won't be disappointed. It's a far more dark and aggressive album overall, with some new elements being brought into our sound."

ECHOES OF ETERNITY's Olle Carlsson-directed video for the song "Voices in a Dream" can be viewed below.

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LEAVES' EYES: 'Njord' Artwork, Track Listing Unveiled

LEAVES' EYES - the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY - will release its new full-length album, "Njord", on August 28.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Njord
02. My Destiny
03. Emerald Island
04. Take The Devil In Me
05. Scarborough Fair (Acoustic Version)
06. Through Our Veins
07. Irish Rain
08. Northbound
09. Ragnarok
10. Morgenland
11. The Holy Bond
12. Forya's Theme
13. Landscape Of The Dead (limited-edition bonus track)
14. Les Champs De Lavande (limited-edition bonus track)

A new EP, "My Destiny", will precede the full-length CD on July 24.

The track listing for the EP is as follows:

01. My Destiny
02. The Battle of Maldon (non-album track)
03. Scarborough Fair (acoustic version; non-album track)
04. Northbound
05. Nine Wave Maidens (non-album track)
06. My Destiny (remix; non-album track)

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LACUNA COIL new videoclip

"I Like It" (from their last album "Shallow Life") is the new video from the Italian rock/metal outfit LACUNA COIL, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Kevin Custer, who has previously worked with KINGDOM OF SORROW, TESTAMENT, DOPE, MADBALL and OVERKILL, among others

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NIGHTWISH: video Footage at GRASPOP METAL

Video footage of NIGHTWISH performing at this year's installment of the Graspop Metal Meeting — which was held on June 26-28, 2009 on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium — can be viewed below.

NIGHTWISH's video for "The Islander" was honored with a "Best Music Video" award at the Muuvi awards ceremony, which was held on April 17, 2009 in Helsinki.

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STREAM OF PASSION Keyboardist, Vocalist Perform At ArtEZ Conservatory

Keyboardist Jeffrey Revet of the Netherlands-based gothic/progressive metal band STREAM OF PASSION - which is fronted by Mexican female vocalist Marcela Bovio (AYREON) - has issued the following update:

"About two weeks ago, on June 11, I passed my final exam for the study Music Technology at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Enschede. For me, the study meant four years of working on composition, arranging, studio engineering and playing keyboards as well. I wanted my final exam to be a reflection of all that and to give an overview of the work I do at the moment. Of course, STREAM OF PASSION forms a big part of that, so I thought it would be really cool to do a little live performance of one of the new STREAM OF PASSION songs. With the help of Marcela and special guest Lotte van Velthoven, we've played 'All I Know' in a special setting with just vocals, piano and cello. For those who missed it, we made a little video of it, so you can check it out [below]."

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EPICA: 'Metal Female Voices Fest VII' Performance To Be Filmed

EPICA's October 17, 2009 headlining performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest VII at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium will be filmed for a possible DVD release. The Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band states, "This is going to be a very special headliner show with many surprises and extras."

EPICA guitarist Mark Jansen revealed in a recent intervew that the band's next studio album will be called "Design Your Universe". The group entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2 with producer Sascha Paeth to begin recording the follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy", tentatively due in September/October via Nuclear Blast Records.

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THEATRE OF TRAGEDY: New Album Track Listing Revealed

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY has finalized the track listing for its seventh album, "Forever Is The World", due in Europe on September 18 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Room 13 studios in Oslo with producer Alexander Møklebust, who has previously worked with ZEROMANCER, SEIGMEN, GÅTE, MONOMEN and DELAWARE, among others. The mastering was handled by Bjørn Engelmann at the Cutting Room in Sweden.

"Forever Is The World" will be available in three different versions: a limited digipack with one bonus song, a very limited double vinyl version with two bonus tracks (one exclusive to the vinyl edition!) and a regular jewelcase.

"Forever Is The World" track listing:

01. Hide and Seek
02. A Nine Days Wonder
03. Revolution
04. Transition
05. Hollow
06. Astray
07. Frozen
08. Illusions
09. Deadland
10. Forever is the World

The first audio sample will be released on August 1.

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ARCH ENEMY Confirmed For Belgium's MASS DEATHRUCT

ARCH ENEMY, VADER, HATESPHERE and SINISTER are among the confirmed bands for Belgium's Mass Deathtruction festival, set to take place October 3 at Cinex in Namur, and October 10 at Ferme du Biereau in Louvain-la-Neuve.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Date: Saturday, October 3
Venue: Cinex
Address: Rue Saint Nicolas, 84 - 5000 Namur

Bands:

MARDUK (SWE)
VADER (POL)
ULTRA VOMIT (FR)
LENG TCH'E (BE)
NERVECELL (DUB)
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE (IT)
DAYS OF BETRAYAL (BE)
DARK SENSATION (BE)
LAMSTER (BE)
OIDEHEHE BAALTINNE (BE)
BLACK BLEEDING (BE)

Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Ferme du Biéreau
Address: Avenue du Jardin Botanique - 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve

Bands:

ARCH ENEMY (SWE)
HATESPHERE (DK)
SINISTER (HOL)
BLOOD RED THRONE (NOR)
HATE (POL)
THIS ENDING (SWE)
HACRIDE (FR)
KRONOS (FR)
EMETH (BE)
MYSTICA (BE)
DAMARUS (BE)
CUTEEZLAXA (BE)
BURY THEM ALL (BE)

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DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA: New Album Artwork

The cover art for "Sing-Along Songs For the Damned and Delirious", the upcoming album from the Swedish avant-garde rock band DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA, can be viewed below. Due in Europe on September 21 via Ascendance Records, the CD's cover art was made by the acclaimed Swedish illustrator Peter Bergting, most notable for his work with the graphic novel "Gängkrig", which is a #1 bestseller in Sweden right now.

Recorded at In Flames studio in Gothenburg with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, MUSTASCH, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR), "Sing-Along Songs For the Damned and Delirious" will come in two editions for the stores. The "normal" edition will be a four-panel digipack containing the CD and a 12-page booklet, while the "special" edition, limited to just 2000 copies, will come in a gorgeous eight-panel digipack containing the CD, a 12-page booklet and a bonus DVD featuring all sorts of goodies, like live footage, behind-thescenes material, photo albums and whatever else can be crammed in!

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