BACK AND BETTER THEN EVER

Hail to all my Brothers and Sisters of Metal who read my blog.
It was due to problems beyond my power that I had to stop writing and keeping you guys 'up-to-date' with the fast moving metal scene. It is now, finally, after a few minor issues that we can continue writing. In the future there will be few innovations, changes to the topics we write and the way we keep you, brothers and sisters of metal 'up-to-date'.

If you have any ideas, topics which you would like us to cover, please not hesitate.
I will end this post now, and prepare the next topic, post which should be published very soon, so keep tuned.

Blessed Be!

Midnattsol album Update

MIDNATTSOL, the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine), will enter the studio in November to begin recording its second album, entitled "Nordlys", for a March 2008 release via Napalm Records.

Blackmore's Night - To Release DVD

As announced on the band's website, Blackmore's Night will release "Paris Moon", a long-form concert DVD/CD shot September 20, 2006 at Paris, France's famed Olympia, on November 2 in Germany, November 5 in the rest of Europe and November 6 in the USA. An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the release can be viewed at this location.

"Paris Moon" tracklisting [cover]:

DVD (Running Time: 128 min.):

01. Introduction

02. Past Times With Good Company

03. Rainbow Blues

04. Play Minstrel Play

05. World Of Stone

06. Under A Violet Moon

07. Soldier Of Fortune

08. Durch Den Wald Zum Bachaus

09. Diamonds & Rust

10. Minstrel Hall

11. Home Again

12. Streets Of London

13. Renaissance Faire

14. Keyboard Solo

15. Ariel

16. Loreley

17. The Clock Ticks On

18. Fires At Midnight

19. St. Theresa

20. The Village Lanterne

CD:

01. Past Times With Good Company/Rainbow Blues

02. Play Minstrel Play

03. World Of Stone

04. Under A Violet Moon

05. Minstrel Hall

06. Home Again

07. Ariel

08. The Clock Ticks On

09. Fires At Midnight

11. The Village Lanterne [studio version]*

12. All Because of You [radio edit]*

13. The Village Lanterne [enhanced video track]*

* Bonus tracks

Therion Mainman Issues Update

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson has vowed to carry on with the group's North American tour even if vocalist singer Snowy Shaw (who shares the vocal duties with Thomas Vikström and two female singers) is forced to sit out a few dates due to his passport being stolen in San Francisco.
In a statement earlier today, Johnsson said, "Just want to correct was was just posted by Snowy. There is no risk at all that we will be canceling shows. He may lose a few shows, but we will carry on those without him with Thomas doing his vocal parts. Promoters and fans that travel far can be sure the shows will take place and the only reliable source for possible cancellations of shows is the official THERION website!!

Paradise Lost Video Update

A four-minute European tour report from Nick Holmes and Greg MacIntosh of the UK-based doom/gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST can be viewed here.

PARADISE LOST recently released the video for the song "Praise Lamented Shade", taken from the band's latest CD, "In Requiem", which was issued via Century Media Records in May 2007. The clip was filmed during PARADISE LOST's April 2007 show at Koko in London (a concert which was filmed for an upcoming DVD) and was directed by Dash Productions (who worked with people such as STEVEN SEAGAL, GARY NUMAN, LEVEL 42, PAUL RODGERS, RICK ASTLEY, HEAVEN 17, THE DAMNED, MARC ALMOND, DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS and many more).

"In Requiem" is finally available on vinyl again. As the limited 4 x 7" box (2,000 copies) was sold out in the first week of release, Century Media Records and PARADISE LOST have decided to release the album as a vinyl LP, too. It contains the regular album tracks and comes in heavy cardboard gatefold cover, including a newly designed poster.

Within Temptation Post "All I Need" Video Online

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band WITHIN TEMPTATION has released the video for its latest single, "All I Need". Watch it here.

The "All I Need" singe (cover artwork) will be released in Europe on November 5. The track listing for the different formats is as follows:

Five-track digipack:
01. All I Need (single version)
02. All I Need (album version)
03. The Last Time (demo version) (new song)
04. Frozen (demo version)
05. Our Solemn Hour (demo version)

Two-track single:
01. All I Need (single version)
02. All I Need (album version)

WITHIN TEMPTATION will be joined by the Dutch Metropole Orchestra for a special concert at the Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on February 7, 2008.

"The Heart of Everything" sold 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 106 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's first U.S. release for Roadrunner Records, "The Heart of Everything" also topped the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Live Concert Streaming Online

SMN is proud to present Nightwish streaming live (for free!) this Friday, October 19 on SMNnews.com. The show, marking the North American debut of new frontwoman Anette Olzon, kicks off at 6pm EST, and will be an exclusive 30 minute in-store acoustic performance.

Nightwish's new studio album was released earlier this year through Nuclear Blast in Europe and Roadrunner Records in the US.

YeboTV.com, gateway to the world of new internet music, will be providing the stream. During the broadcast, you can chat live with other fans, upload personal videos, and even create your own private profile page. Stay tuned!