This week we're pleased to welcome Leah to the Metalreviews.com staff. Her first review is up with this week's update, and we hope she'll be a great addition to the reviewing team.

Metal uber alles!

Goat
on behalf of the MetalReviews.com team

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Swedish-language newspaper Dalarnas Tidningar (DT) from SABATON's hometown of Falun published a report earlier today (Monday, March 26) claiming that the band's current incarnation will go its separate ways, with vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström planning to continue the group with new musicians. According to Dalarnas Tidningar, it is not presently clear what caused SABATON's most recent lineup to implode, and Brodén, who is also the band's main songwriter, was tight-lipped about possible personnel changes when reached by the newspaper. "I will not comment on it," he said. When pressed further to confirm or deny the rumors, Brodén said, "I can't say anything as long ...

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Sad news for the fans of power metallers Celesty. Their last album Vendetta is a killer one and it's sad that they are no longer a unit for the time being. From their mainpage :

"Dear Celesty Fans We are sorry to announce that Celesty will go to indefinite hiatus. During the time, when 5th album songs have been in progress, there has been mixed feelings in the air for a longer period of time now. Situation in the band has come to the point, where only solution is to take a break. Will that break be a year or ten, we don´t know, but this is the only way to take the time that we need. This decision is mutual by all members of the band."

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The MetalReviews.com team is happy to bring you the team's awards for 2011. You can access them through here or by clicking "awards" in the site's main menu (this time it's updated for the right year :) ).

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With deep sadness we have to say goodbye to one of the most underrated guitar players and composers on this planet: Mark Reale.

With albums like Fire Down Under or Thundersteel he created timeless metal music which will stand the test of time for many more decades.

Last years studio album Immortal Soul on remains his legacy, and what an album it was: RIOT were back for the attack!

We will see how the remaining members will handle this but we think that Mark would be very proud of them if they continue and spread the music he created.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family, friends, and bandmates.

SPV GmbH / Steamhammer

Hannover, Germany

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The MetalReviews staff would like to take this opportunity to wish our readership a happy New Year 2012 !

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The MetalReviews staff would like to take this opportunity to wish our readership a Merry Christmas.

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Candlelight Records has set a February 28, 2012 North American release date for the self-titled new album from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the CD was produced by the band in cooperation with longtime collaborator John Custer. It was mixed by John Lousteau (FOO FIGHTERS) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (MELVINS, HIGH ON FIRE).

"Corrosion Of Conformity" will be available on standard CD, deluxe digipak, and two exclusive vinyl formats.

Featuring the esteemed "Animosity" lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's album closes a ...

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Australia's extreme metal unit THE AMENTA is working on material for their third album for a 2012 release. Vocalist Cain Cressal states, "All arrangements and lyrics are 90% complete. I'll be flying over to Sydney soon to finetune vocal patterns/lyrics after much demoing over the last few months. We intend to start tracking the album in January."

Tentatively titled "Flesh Is Heir", the follow-up to 2008's "n0n" is a crystallization of THE AMENTA's methods. Featuring the expansive, aggressive riffing of the "Occasus" album and the ambient electronic destruction of "n0n", "Flesh Is Heir" also introduces a new eeriness courtesy of Cressall and the unique musical and visual element h ...

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The Smoot family and Slave Pit Inc. released a statement regarding the official cause of death of guitarist Cory Smoot. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, and was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on Nov. 3rd of this year. He was 34.

Stated North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD:

"We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease."

The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus ...

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