Frontiers Records has revealed the details surrounding the much-anticipated PRETTY MAIDS comeback album, entitled "Wake Up To The Real World", to be released on November 10, 2006.

PRETTY MAIDS is a legendary hard rock/heavy metal combo from Denmark founded in early 1982 by guitarist Ken Hammer and singer Ronnie Atkins.

After 10 studio albums, two EPs, one "best of" collection and two live albums, the band in 2002 celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of the album "Planet Panic", followed by a successful European tour. But at the end of the same year they decided to take a long break from recording and touring. Now in 2 ...

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Galy Records has announced the release of MARTYR's highly anticipated third studio album, "Feeding the Abscess". The new CD was recorded and mixed by Pierre Rémillard (ANVIL, GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN) and will be mastered by Alan Douches. A release date is set for October 31. Demo tracks and other unreleased tracks can be heard (not final version, low quality MP3) at the band's MySpace page.

In other news, MARTYR's back catalog will also be reissued through Galy Records. The "Hopeless Hopes" (1997) album will be re-released with a s ...

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Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have finalized the track listing for their new album, "United", due in October via Century Media Records. The exact release dates by territory are as follows:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux: October 13, 2006.
U.K., France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, rest of Europe: October 16, 2006.
Finland, Sweden, Hungary: October 18, 2006.
Italy: Friday, October 20, 2006
USA: Tuesday, October 31, 2006

"United" track listing:

01. Fire! Battle! In Metal!
02. United
03. Blind Evil
04. Evilution
05. Let Me Out
06. Higher on Fire
07. Kingdom at War ...

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According to Amazon.com and Century Media Records' official release schedule, a new ICED EARTH DVD, entitled "Alive in Athens", is slated for release on October 31. The set is believed to contain video footage recorded during the band's 1999 two-night appearance at at the Rodon Club in Athens, Greece which previously resulted in a two-disc live CD of the same name. More information will be made available soon.

As previously reported, ICED EARTH recently officially launched the search for a new bassist. All inte ...

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Metal Asylum conducted an interview with BLIND GUARDIAN guitarist Andre Olbrich the day before the band hosted a listening party at the Lit Lounge in New York City. An excerpts from the chat follows:

Metal Asylum: Were there any older BLIND GUARDIAN shows recorded, maybe ones with Hansi [Kürsch] on bass, professionally shot that will see release on DVD?

Andre: I have about 200 tapes where we started recording as far back as 1993 and we may do a special BLIND GUARDIAN history DVD and would include some of that footage. Right now it's not in the plans as we hav ...

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A brand new NAPALM DEATH track, entitled "When All Is Said and Done", ahs been made available for streaming at this location. The song comes off the British grindcore pioneers' new album, "Smear Campaign", due on September 19 via Century Media Records (one day earlier inernationally). The follow-up to last year's "The Code Is Red…Long Live the Code" was recorded at Foel Studios in Wales, England and features a guest appearance by THE GATHERING frontwoman Anneke van Giersbergen.

"Smear Campai ...

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U.K. gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. In a career that has spanned over 17 years, PARADISE LOST has sold a staggering two million albums worldwide.

Century Media European Label Manager Antje Lange commented on the signing: "We feel very honored to welcome PARADISE LOST to The Century Family. PARADISE LOST are an extremely influential band with the creative potential for a very bright future. As their new record label, we look forward to working to expand their global fan base."

After reviewing several offers, PARADISE LOST chose to sign to Century Media ...

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OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has checked in with the following update:

"We're trying to fix the visas for the Gigantour. Gonna start rehearsing eventually but we don't know how much time we'll get on stage. Have a few cool songs for ya if you're going. Done a little bit of writing too and it sounds...twisted.

"Listening to: SCOTT WALKER 'The Drift'...best record of 2006!"

As previously reported, the special-edition deluxe version of OPETH's "Ghost Reveries" CD will be released on October 31 via Roadrunner Records. Bonus material on the set will include the band's cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Soldier of Fortune" ...

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Seattle's premier metal outfit NEVERMORE has opened its chamber of secrets, unveiling previously unreleased material as well as various other rarities, which will be used as bonus content for its upcoming re-releases of "Nevermore" (1995), the "In Memory" EP (1996), and "The Politics of Ecstasy" (1996), due in Europe on September 11 (September 8 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux) via Century Media Records. The details of the reissues are as follows:

"Nevermore" CD reissue:

Original album:

01. What Tomorrow Knows
02. C.B.F.
03. The Sanity Assassin
04. Garden of Gray
05. Sea Of Pos ...

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Taken from the official DISSECTION website:

"As rumours have started to spread we feel obliged to confirm Jon Nödtveidt's death.

Jon Nödtveidt was a man who lived his life according to his convictions and True Will. A couple of days ago he chose to end his life by his own hands. As a true Satanist he led his life in the way he wanted and ended it when he felt that he had fulfilled his self-created destiny. Not everyone will have understanding or acceptance for his personal path in this life and beyond, but all must respect his choice.

Those of us who have met him in his last days can assure that he was more focussed, happier and stronger than ever. It is ou ...

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