Metal Storm logo
Metal news




Ayreon - Other New Singers For The New Album

According to the Ayreon's Official Website, you can find here the list of the new "guest singers" of the upcoming album? No doubt that it will be one of the most incredible line-up ever seen.

Arjen Lucassen, has recently posted new audio samples of the next three guest singers who will appear upcoming album:

Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain Of Salvation) Sample

Wudstik (from a Dutch hip hop band) Sample

Marjan Welman (Elister) Sample

The names of the other vocalist already confirmed are: Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Steve Lee (Gotthard), Bob Catley (Magnum), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering), Jonas P. Renske (Katatonia), Jorn Lande (Jorn Lande), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Ty Tabor (King's X), Magali Luyten (Virus IV), Simone Simons (Epica), Liselotte Hegt (Dial), Phideaux Xavier and Floor Jansen (After Forever).

More new names should be posted soon!

Read more ››

Source: ayreon.com
Band profile: Ayreon
Posted: 08.10.2007 by Jeff | Comments (20)


Pain Of Salvation - New Drummer Revealed

It's official, Léo Margarit, a 26 years old guy from la Digne D'Aval (a tiny little village near of Toulouse, France), is the new drummer of Pain Of Salvation.

His public presentation happened yesterday, during the Motstoy festival at Notodden, Norway, and we already know through Léo that the event went well, with lot of emotion from both sides.

Leo's started playing drums very young, raised in the passion of music. Until today, Leo played in several bands and formations form Latin Jazz to Death Metal, through Progressive. His personal tastes are quite eclectic as well, and Pain of salvation was one of his all time favourite bands.

Check out is personal Myspace page at this location: http://www.myspace.com/leomargarit to learn more about him.

Léo has all Metal Storm's support, we hope that he will have yours.

We can already promise you a report and little interview from "the new king", as soon as he come back on earth.

Congratulation one more time to the new POS drummer!

Read more ››

Source: metalstorm.ee
Band profile: Pain Of Salvation
Posted: 07.10.2007 by Jeff | Comments (8)


Pain Of Salvation - New Drummer To Be Revealed In Norway

As posted on the band's website, the new POS' drummer will play his first show in Norway!

"Always two there is...

The search is over, and a new drummer has now joined the band. The level of competition and skills among the few drummers who remained at the top of the crop was extremely high, but this guy outplayed everyone in the end. To the extent, it might be added, that the band even chose to go for the one non-Swede finalist.

So, who could this phantom be?

Well, just to make things painful, it will not be made official who the new drummer is as of yet. Instead, the veil will fall live on stage next week, at the Motstoy festival in Notodden, Norway, 6th of October. This is not only the very last gig of the Sickening the World tour of 2007, but also the farewell show of long time drummer Johan Langell. This will be the only chance to see both drummers on stage with Pain of Salvation and, needless to say, those who have the possibility of attending this show will definitely be in for a special treat.

To celebrate the event even further, the band will also perform some songs that the fans have not heard live in a long time. All-in-all: if ever there was a different and special show of Pain of Salvation, this is bound to be it! Your one chance to say goodbye to the old king, and welcome the new one."

Facts about the show:
Description: Motstoy Festival
Country: Norway
Town: Notodden
Date: Oct 6, 2007
Length: 90 + min

Facts about the new drummer:
Description: Drummer of Pain of Salvation
Country of origin: ?
Age: 25 years old
Star sign: Scorpio

Who is the new POS' drummer? At least you can see his drumkit here...


Read more ››

Source: painofsalvation.com
Band profile: Pain Of Salvation
Posted: 30.09.2007 by Jeff | Comments (7)


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

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..

Read more ››

Source: anathema.ws
Band profile: Anathema
Posted: 24.08.2007 by Jeff | Comments (9)


Hellfest - Mayhem Replaced By Enslaved

Sad news for Black Metal fans? Hellhammer, drummer of Mayhem, broke an arm.

Therefore, Mayhem will not be able to play at Hellfest this year. In order to stay consistent, we decided that the Norwegian band Enslaved will take over their time slot! We hope that you will understand this last minute change and that this replacement of choice will comfort you!

Some news about the Sin Cession battle of the bands now. "End.", a band from Toulouse (France) http://www.myspace.com/end1freefr won the contest that took place last week in Lyon. Their music is powerful with some dark, loud and oppressive atmopheres. "End." is really loud and crushing on stage and can be considered one of the most promising band from France. Don't miss them on Sunday 24 at 2:15 PM on the discover Stage!

Read more ››

Source: hellfest.fr
Event: Hellfest Summer Open Air 2007
Posted: 14.06.2007 by Jeff | Comments (17)


Me MySpace And My band - Hellfest Warm Up Show

Hellfest Productions and MySpace have set a warm up show "Me MySpace and My band" on June 9th at 7pm in a venue called the "Ferrailleur", the new café concert in Nantes next to the Banana hangar of the Quai des antilles (France).

The headliners for that night will be the American band Lair Of The Minotaur and the English band Capricorns. From the city of Nantes, Watertank, Kubota and Ultra Vomit. After the recent inauguration of the Ferrailleur, such a lineup will cause severe damages to the venue...

A few hours prior the show, at 4pm, Capricorns will be playing for free at a Fnac forum, don't miss it!

As for the Hellfest, the amount of pre-sales is still high, so it's clearer and clearer that the festival will be sold out...

You've been warned...

Source: hellfest.fr
Event: Me MySpace and My band
Posted: 29.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (4)


Diablo Swing Orchestra - Licencing Deal With Candlelight

Candlelight records will release "The Butcher's Ballroom" in Europe.

Release date is set to the 13th of August.

This will drasticly improve the the chances of finding the album in stores and such here in Europe. The first 2000 pressed will be a limited edition.

You can read the full Candelight Press Release here.

Read more ››

Source: diabloswing.com
Band profile: Diablo Swing Orchestra
Posted: 18.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (11)


Therion - 2nd Edition Of "Therion Goes Classic" In Hungary

After the successful world premiere of Therion´s unforgettable classics-metal concert "Therion goes classic" at Bucharest 2006, Therion come back to celebrate a new marriage of classical music and modern heavy metal:

On 16. 06.2007 Therion play again a full show together with an orchestra, choir and excellent Hungarian opera soloists at the Ice Hall at Miskolc, Hungary. Additionally, Aesma Daeva's vocalist Lori Lewis, who joined Therion for their successful "Gothic Kabbalah" European tour in 2007, will enter the stage as a classical soloist.

The swedish singer Mats Leven, who was one of the soloists for Therion's last two albums (Lemuria/Sirius B and Gothic Kabbalah) and who toured with them since 2004, confirmed his appearance at the festival - one of the last chances to enjoy his charismatic interpretation of Therion' songs.

The concert takes place as a part of the Miskolc International Opera Festival.

The setlist contains "therionized" classical pieces, e.g. Wagner, Mozart and Verdi, and Therion songs with orchestral arrangements, many of them are rarely played at a live gig. It wouldn't be Therion, if they wouldn't have also a great musically surprise for the fans?

Because of the world wide big interest in this exciting concert event, the organisers provide a special service:
Until 08.06.2007 fans can email Therion band members and all participating artists their questions (in english) regarding this concert to: therion@eszak.boon.hu

All answers will be published (in english and hungarian) on www.boon.hu
The exact date of publishing the answers will be announced soon.

Fans will find further informations about the concert event and the tickets at:

Therion store: www.therionstore.com

Miskolc International Opera Festival: http://www.operafesztival.hu

For ticket reservations fans can also mail to: jegyiroda@mnsz.eu

Read more ››

Source: megatherion.com
Band profile: Therion
Posted: 18.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (7)


Therion - Mats Levén Will Leave The Band Before Wacken

From Wacken Open Air and onwards, Mats Levén will no longer be singing with the band. It was a decision taken by the whole band in discussion with Mats. This change of line-up is on friendly terms and the remaining shows before Wacken will be performed with the same energy and passion as if nothing had happened. There are no bad feelings. Therion will continue to delevop even further into the direction we set on the last tour and Mats will focus on his new projects.

The background to this change is that on the last tour we all noticed that Mats lacked a bit of the energy and motivation we used to see in him. Not in a way that the actual performance on stage suffered from it, he has always been extremely professional and would never let down an audience. It was rather us noticing behind the scenes that some of his previous fire was missing. It seemed the new concept with 4 lead singers and a somewhat more musical type of set up didn't suit him as well as the concept we had before where his rock n' roll style contrasting to Karin Fjellanders traditional classsical appearance was a huge part of the idea. So we started to think and talk about the possibility of finding someone else who would have the right motivation and vocal skills to develp this new live concept even further.
A while after the tour we had discussions with Mats that in the end led to the decision to free him from his duties and search for a replacement.

Every time there was a change in the Therion line-up, it caused a lot of discussions. Some will always prefer the previous line-up because for some reason or another. Those who was with us back then probably remember the discussions after Martina, Anders "the bald guy" Engberg etc. Some fans fell in love with the high-energy vitamin injection that Mats gave to the band, while others thought he was too much rock n' roll for Therion (which btw was totally our intention when engaging him for the Lemuria/Sirius B tour). Without a doubt though, it is clear that a majority will think back of the period with Mats on stage with a huge smile. Each stage in Therion's development has had it's own unique charm and strenghts and it is therefore a good thing when people are missed, but the good part is that it does not mean one has to be disappointed with the next step.

And the part you all have been waiting for... The new guy will be Thomas Vikström, a singer who has been singing both opera, operettas and musicals as well as rock, metal and loads of other stuff. He is probably most known in the metal world for singing on a Candlemass album (which is actually far from his best effort). Here in Sweden he is also know for the melodic hard rock band Talk Of The Town. His great vocal abilities will for sure be more known at least among the Therion fans after the tour.

Source: megatherion.com
Band profile: Therion
Posted: 11.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (15)


Hellfest - Schedule Time Table & Information

Hello everybody!

The schedule time table is online here. You can already start to prepare your planning!

Note by the way this important notification: Cameras with flash will be strictly forbidden on the Sunday! Don't forget it if you don't want to go back to your car or your tent when you'll be all the way at the gates of the festival.

The camping will be better this year with more sanitary conditions, toilets but also showers and you'll be able to have breakfast in the morning (though the breakfast will not be free).

The price of the camping will be ?10 (for 1 or 4 nights). It's not free but you have to know that the price that we have to pay for the fields for the camping and parking is really expensive. On the other hand, we will offer to all the campers a special "Hellfest Metal Bag" where they will be able to put their refundable glass bottles, their purchases of the day at the Extreme Market and where they will find some presents of our partners.

Finally, don't hesitate to check out the contests of our partners, Vestal, Rock A Gogo, Metal Storm, and soon also on VS-Webzine.com and on our MySpace page.

Hellfest's staff

Read more ››

Source: hellfest.fr
Event: Hellfest Summer Open Air 2007
Posted: 03.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (14)


Graspop - Final Line Up

The lineup for the 2007 edition of the Graspop Metal Meeting is finally complete!

GMM is proud to present another top act with the final batch of names for GMM 2007:

Joe Satriani

Joe 'Satch' Satriani is one of the greatest contemporary guitar heroes. His first instrument was the piano, but he was so impressed by Jimi Hendrix that the guitar became the most important thing in his life. Joe initially earns his money playing in local bands and teaching guitar (Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett being famous pupils). Then in 1987, his instrumental second album 'Surfing with the Alien' forces an international breakthrough'. He hasn't looked back since and in the meantime this guitar virtuoso has compiled an impressive discography.

These are the new additions:

Friday: Joe Satriani, Epica, Fastway, Static X (+ Aerosmith, Chris Cornell, Within Temptation, Type O Negative, Blind Guardian, Papa Roach, Therion, Celtic Frost, Thin Lizzy, Pain Of Salvation, Sabaton, Grave Digger, Vader, Amorphis, 1349.

Saturday: Legion Of The Damned, Rose Hill Drive, Spiralarms (+ Iron Maiden, Korn, Heaven And Hell, Life Of Agony, Stone Sour, Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, Tiamat Atheist, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Lamb Of God, Less Than Jake, Sirenia, Brutal Truth, Drowning Pool, Lauren Harris)

Sunday: As I Lay Dying, Mercenary (+ Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Velvet Revolver, Children Of Bodom, Black Label Society, Hammerfall, Amon Amarth, Finntroll, Mastodon, Moonsorrow, Chimaira, Devildriver, Korpiklaani, In This Moment, Turisas, Eluveitie, Unearth)

Have been added to the Metal Dome bill: El Guapo Stuntteam, Stormrider, Oceans Of Sadhess and Scarve (+ several other bands...)

The exact timetable will be posted online as soon as possible!

You will find all information about Graspop Metal Meeting on:

http://www.graspop.be

or

http://www.myspace.com/graspop

Source: Graspop

Read more ››

Source: graspop.be
Event: Graspop Metal Meeting 2007
Posted: 02.05.2007 by Jeff | Comments (11)


Hellfest 2007 - Metal Storm Contest

Metal Storm.ee webzine and Hellfest 2007 have launched a contest to allow 2 "lucky winners" to win a 3-day ticket pass on Monday, April 30 2007.

Have a look on the contest page here:
http://www.metalstorm.ee/contests/hf.php

Answer to three easy questions before the 14th of May 2007, and be ready to win two "3-day tickets" to spend a crazy week end in France for the biggest Extreme Metal festival of the summer 2007!

Good luck and stay Metal!

Metal Storm and Hellfest staff.

Read more ››

Source: metalstorm.ee
Event: Hellfest Summer Open Air 2007
Posted: 30.04.2007 by Jeff | Comments (9)


Dornfall - First Video Is Online

The beta version of the first video of the Alternative Progressive combo Dorfnall is now visible at this location:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-zd9wYL84A

Don't forget too that the second album of the band, "Précieux Secret" will be released the 07 of May 2007 and that Dornfall will be at the Hellfest 2007.

Read more ››

Source: dornfall.com
Band profile: Dornfall
Posted: 24.04.2007 by Jeff | Comments (1)


Hellfest 2007 - Running Order

Hello everybody!

The running order of all the bands of the HELLFEST 2007 is now visible on the official site of the festival!

http://www.hellfest.fr (under running order)

It's also possible to buy the "one day tickets" through the usual ticket shops and of course via the Hellfest's website with a cool price.

The festival date is approaching quickly and we are happy to see that a lot of European Metalheads want to come to the festival. At the same time, the number of the reservations is growing a lot! The capacity of the site being limited to 13000 people per day, we would like to advise you to order your tickets as soon as possible if you do not want to miss the biggest Extreme Music festival of France!

Read more ››

Source: hellfest.fr
Event: Hellfest Summer Open Air 2007
Posted: 21.04.2007 by Jeff | Comments (5)


Dornfall - New Album To Be Released In May

"Precieux Secret", the second album of the Alternative Progressive French Metal band Dornfall will be released the 07 of May 2007.

You can already listen to the first single and pre-order the album on the official Myspace page of the band =>

http://www.mysapce.com/dornfall

...and have a look on th artwork and official promotional flyer of the new albulm here =>

http://www.metalstorm.ee/jeff/dornfall_promo.jpg

Finally, the band will also play at the Hellfest 2007.

More news will follow soon!

Read more ››

Source: mysapce.com
Band profile: Dornfall
Posted: 09.04.2007 by Jeff | Comments (0)