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!

Switch Fest 2007, Melbourne

Switch Fest will feature some of the best of Australian metal/prog bands on two stages (basement and level 1), as well as drink specials and DJs. For one night only, November 5th (Cup Eve), you can catch Alarum, Sydonia, Sleep Parade, Earth, Fallacy and a bunch more for only 15 dollars.

Tickets can be bought from:
Missing Link (Bourke St, City)Rare Records (St Kilda)Polyester Records (Brunswick)Planet 13 (Greensborough)Hot Head (Geelong)Fist2Face (Ringwood)Plato (Frankston)
Switch is at 60 King St in the city.

Nightwish Update & New Tour Dates

Another date has been leaked for NIGHTWISH's upcoming spring 2008 North American tour: May 15 at The Drink in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The band is also expected to perform at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California on May 22; and at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 24.
The Regina gig will be part of an extensive Canadian run in the middle of the tour, which will be officially announced on November 7.
Tickets for the Orangevale concert are now on sale though EnterTheVault.com.
In other news, all general admission tickets to NIGHTWISH's October 27, 2007 concert at the House of Blues in Chicago have now been sold. Only 31 VIP tickets remain for the show.
The VIP experience includes a customized autographed poster and early entry into the venue for the show.
You can get your tickets at the Chicago House of Blues box office or Ticketmaster.com or EnterTheVault.com.
NIGHTWISH's new album, "Dark Passion Play", has achieved the following first-week chart positions around the world:
#1 - Germany
#1 - Finland
#1 - Switzerland
#1 - Hungary
#1 - Croatia
#1 - Czech Republic
#4 - Sweden
#5 - Austria
#5 - Netherlands
#5 - Greece
#6 - France
#7 - Norway
#14 - Italy
#18 - Denmark
#24 - Canada
#25 - UK
#36 - Belgium
#50 - Poland
#62 - Ireland
#84 - US

"Dark Passion Play" has already been certified gold in the following countries:
Germany (more than 100,000 copies sold)Switzerland (more than 15,000 copies sold)Austria (more than 10,000 copies sold)Poland (more than 5,000 copies sold)
In Finland, the record was certified platinum day of its release and double-platinum two days later. The total "Dark Passion Play" sales in Finland have surpassed 90,000.
As previously reported, John Two-Hawks, a Native American hailing from Arkansas, will appear on stage with NIGHTWISH at the following U.S. dates:
Nov. 10 - The White Rabbit - San Antonio, Texas
Nov. 11 - The Palladium Ballroom - Dallas, Texas

John Two-Hawks is a multi-instrumentalist who is devoted to spreading the culture and mentality of Native Americans. He has published six solo albums, and although he is constantly touring the U.S., Two-Hawks is very rarely seen on European soil.
John Two-Hawks is featured on the song "Creek Mary's Blood", which was composed by
NIGHTWISH keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen and was included on NIGHTWISH's platinum-selling (in Finland) "Once" album. On "Creek Mary's Blood" John Two-Hawks plays the flute and reads a poem translated to his native language.

NIGHTWISH made its "official" live debut with new singer Anette Olzon this past Saturday (October 6) in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The group's U.S. tour kicks off on October 15 in West Springfield, Virginia.
NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen told a Finnish TV station that the band has just finished shooting the third video from its latest CD, "Dark Passion Play". The clip for an as-yet-undisclosed song was shot in Rovaniemi, Finland with director Tuomas "Stobe" Harju. Ilkka Immonen of Lapland Studio Oy produced the video.

Latest Tour Dates Confirmed:

January 27 at Metro Fremantle - Perth, Australia
January 29 at HQ - Adelaide, Australia
January 30 at Palais Theatre - Melbourne, Australia
February 1 at Enmore Theatre - Sydney, Australia
February 2 at The Tivoli - Brisbane, Australia

Tarja Turunen Update

Tarja Turunen's album "My Winter Storm" will be released on November 19 in Europe (November 16 in Germany) via Universal Music. It's produced by Daniel Presley (Faith No More, Jewel), who has been joined in the studio by Doug Wimbish on bass (Living Colour, Joe Satriani, Rolling Stones), Alex Scholpp on electric guitars (Farmer Boys) and Earl Harvin on drums (Seal, Pet Shop Boys, Air), a player personally selected by Tarja after she saw him stealing the show at a Seal concert. Keyboards and programming are being provided by Torsten Stenzel (Moby, Tina Turner, Vanessa Mae).

Tarja's video for the song "I Walk Alone", is now available on You Tube. The clip was shot in Berlin, Germany with director Jörn Heitmann, who previously worked with Nightwish on the "Sleeping Sun" video in 2005. The single will be released on October 29 (October 26 in Germany).

Upcoming Tour Dates:

25.11.2007 - GER, Berlin

27.11.2007 - HUN, Budapest

02.12.2007 - RUS, Moscow

08.12.2007 - FIN, Kuusankoski

10.12.2007 - GER, Köln

11.12.2007 - FRA, Paris

13.12.2007 - NED, Amsterdam

18.12.2007 - SUI, Zürich

20.12.2007 - GBR, London

Source: http://www.metalstorm.ee/

Virgin Black

Virgin Black is an Australian band that combines gothic-doom and symphonic metal influences. The group has released three full-length albums, with another two due for release in 2007. While members of Virgin Black have Christan beliefs, the band has often sought to explain that its music is an exploration of spirituality and attempts to highlight the difference between the Church and the spiritual aspects of Christianity. The group explains the meaning of its name as "the juxtaposition of purity and humanity's darkness".

Virgin Black was originally formed in Adelaid by guitarist Samantha Escarbe, vocalist and keyboards-player Rowan London.
In 1995, Virgin Black recorded a four-track self-titled demo in a doom/death style. Due to the rarity and demand for this recording, the band has speculated that it may be re-release at some point. Their "Trace" EP was released in 1998. This EP was later included as part of a special limited edition (U.S. only) with the band's debut album, "Sombre Romantic".
The group began recording their first full-length album Sombre Romantic in 1999. The album displays an expansively symphonic style with London contributing a diverse vocal style from shrieks and growls to soaring melodies and choral chants. On the strength of this self-released debut, Virgin Black signed to Germanys Massacre Records for Europe and also to the US label The End. Both labels then released Sombre Romantic in their territories.

After completing their second album during 2002, Virgin Black played at Germany's Wave Gotik-Treffen festival in 2003 and did a tour through the US west coast with Agalloch and Antimatter before returning to Australia and conducting a national tour. Ellegant...and dying featured Escarbe contributing cello and guest musician Sonia Wilkie playing flute. It was released in November and a month later the band appeared at the Metal For The Brain festival in Canberra. Early the following year, Virgin Black toured alongside Opeth in Australia, and later did a tour of the Australian east coast capitals with Sydney Black Metal ban Nazxul before making a start on their next recordings.

Virgin Black's next project began with London and Escarbe composing a series of scores for what was to become the three-volume Requiem set. On 1o March 2006, The End Records issued a press release explaining the upcoming releases. The first part of the trilogy, Requiem - Pianissimo, is a strictly classically-oriented album featuring the Adelaid Symphony Orchestra, choral singing, and solo singers. Requim - Mezzo Forte features music similar to the band's previous releases with the last part Requiem - Fortissimo primarily having a death/doom metal sound. The albums were recorded primarily as the duo of London and Escarbe over the course of almost two years, during which Rowan London suffered the death of his father. Originally designed to be released simultaneously in 2006, on 23 July, The Labels announced that the albums would instead be released during 2007 in a staggered time scale. The second part of the trilogy, Requiem - Mezzo Forte was issued first, on 3 April, 2007. With a new line-up of Escarbe, London, Grayh on bass and drummer Luke Faz. Virgin Black played some Australian shows with Arcturus in March and headlined the Elements of Rock Festival in Switzerland in April. Mark Kelson of The Eternal joined them as guest-guitarist for these live performances.
Virgin Black announced a US tour for June and July 2007, and played shows on the east and west coast of the U.S. with To/Die/For and headlined shows in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.

DISCOGRAPHY :

Virgin Black

• Released: 1995


• Format: demo

Trance

• Released: 1998


• Format: Studio Album (CD)

Sombre Romantic

• Released: 2000, 2001


• Format: Studio Album (CD)

Ellegant... And Dying

• Released: 2003


• Format: Studio Album (CD)

Requiem - Mezzo Forte

• Released: 2007


• Format: Studio Album (CD)

Greetings All!!

As a starter I would like to welcome and thank everyone who has come and read this post.
This is the first post of "Gothic Metal Utopia" so I will in short explain what I am aiming to achive with this blog.

The goal I want to achive with this blog is to deliver the newest and most accurate in information regarding to the gothic metal scene, music wise but also fashion wise.

All opinions and ideas are welcome, if you have a idea for a topic or even a question dont resist, ask and I will try to answer it!

Keep The Metal Faith!!