Roadrunner Records U.K. has announced the signing of epic rockers PORCUPINE TREE.

PORCUPINE TREE is unquestionably one of the most difficult-to-categorise and innovative bands out there. The music is breathtaking, ranging from psychedelic trip-hop to progressive metal, and a compendium of other sounds in between.

Evolving from one man's self-indulgent creative outlet back in 1992, PORCUPINE TREE has grown into a well-respected major-label-signed four-piece who have released several albums. Their most recent, 2005's "Deadwing", served to further skyrocket the band's renown and they are currently hard at work on a brand new record — set for re ...

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VENOM's previously announced North American tour, which was scheduled to start on August 13 in New York City, has been cancelled, apparently due to "immigration problems" (as announced by frontman Dez Fafara of the support act DEVILDRIVER). The British black metal pioneers are believed to be trying to reschedule the dates for early September, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

VENOM's new album, "Metal Black", was released in North America on April 4 via Sanctuary Records. The CD was mixed at the Townhouse Studios in London and contains 14 new songs.

VENOM recently recorded a session for the BBC at London's Maida Vale studios. The session, which was broadcast on Radio 1 on April 11 during Mike Davies' "Rock Show", marked the second BBC recording by VENOM since 1985, when they laid down four tracks for Tommy Vance's "Friday Rock Show".

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According to a posting on GAMMA RAY's official web site, the German power metallers' next album, which is due out late 2007, will be entitled "Land of the Free Part II". As the name suggests, the CD will be a conceptual continuation of the group's 1995 classic "Land of the Free".

As previously reported, GAMMA RAY has set "Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome (And The Finnish Keyboarder Who Didn't Want To Wear His Donald Duck Costume) Live in Montreal" as the title of its upcoming DVD. The set will feature a multi-camera recording of the band's May 6, 2006 show at Medley in Montreal, Quebec as well as lots of bonus features, such as a road movie, a documen ...

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THE END RECORDS’ “Lucky 13” THE END RECORDS is on the move and they are offering their biggest discount ever! They are putting everything on sale to help them clean up their entire inventory before the big move! With the “Lucky 13” promotion not only will you get amazing deals on thousands of great items, but it’ll help make things easier for them traveling to their new facilities on the East Coast with so much inventory. All you have to do is enter the code "Lucky13" in the promotion code section at checkout and your order will be discounted 13%. Again the discount applies to every item in the web shop! ps. As if this not enough we offer a $13 Gift Certificate if your order is over $150 (not including shipping fee) This promotion will run from 07/13 through 08/10. Omega Mail-Order: http://www.theendrecords.com/omega

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I, the new band featuring former IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name: Olve Eikemo), original IMMORTAL drummer Armagedda, ENSLAVED guitarist Arve Isdal and GORGOROTH bassist King ov Hell, has completed work on its debut album, "Between Two Worlds", due this fall through Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Bergen's Lydriket Studio with Geir Luedy, and was mixed by PAIN/HYPOCRISY mastermind Peter Tägtgren. "Between Two Worlds" — which will feature lyrics written primarily by former IMMORTAL guitarist Demonaz (real name: Harald Nævdal) � ...

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Two complete tracks from LAMB OF GOD's upcoming "Sacrament" album — "Redneck" and "Walk with Me in Hell" — are available for streaming at LambOfGod.tv.

"Sacrament", the second Epic Records studio release from LAMB OF GOD, will be issued on August 22 individually and as a CD and DVD deluxe edition, which will include over 90 minutes of special behind-the-scenes footage of the making of "Sacrament".

This special deluxe edition of "Sacrament" chronicles the making of the album from the early stages of writing and rehearsing to the actual studio recording. ...

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A brand new TRIVIUM song, entitled "Detonation", has been made available for download at this location. The track comes off the group's third album, "The Crusade", due on October 10 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The MP3 will only be available until August 21. The band will also release a single called "Anthem (We Are The Fire)" on October 2. The single will include the video, as well as new B-sides from "The Crusade" recording sessions which will not be available on the album.

"The Crusade" was recorded primarily at AudioHammer St ...

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BLIND GUARDIAN's video for the track "Another Stranger Me" has been posted online at YouTube.com. The clip is the group's first to feature drummer Frederik Ehmke, who replaced Thomen Stauch in 2005.

As previously reported, BLIND GUARDIAN have confirmed "A Twist in the Myth" as the title of their new album, due on September 4 via Nuclear Blast Records (September 1 in Germany).

"A Twist in the Myth" (view cover here) track listing:

01. < ...

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Veteran German hard rockers SCORPIONS have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We are looking forward to the Wacken [Open Air] show where we are going to play with our old friends, Michael [Schenker], Uli [Jon Roth] and Hermann [Rarebell]. This is going to be a very special event. If you are surprised that the set list voting for the Wacken show took place on the festival page vs. our official web site this is because we wanted to get a feel for what the audience of the festival wanted to hear. Presumably, the new album will be released in May 2007. We'll keep you posted as details become more ...

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German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have posted the cover artwork for their upcoming "best of" collection, "Metal is Forever - The Very Best of Primal Fear", tentatively due on September 29 via Nuclear Blast Records (JVC in Japan). The artwork was created by Stephan Lohrmann, who was also responsible for the cover of PRIMAL FEAR's "Black Sun" album. Check it out at this location. The 16-track compilation will also include a special bonus CD of "classic metal tracks."

PRIMAL FEAR recently inked a new multi-album worldwide deal with Frontiers Records. The band has started writing songs for their upcoming album which is tentatively scheduled to be released before the summer of 2007. A European tour will follow the album's release.

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