Mike Mangini, the 48-year-old session artist who has played for ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE and STEVE VAI, has officially joined DREAM THEATER as the replacement for the recently departed Mike Portnoy.

Commented Mangini: "The day that I got the phone call to be in DREAM THEATER, it took my brain a minute to assemble what was going on, and when it sank in, the feeling was just of tremendous relief.

"It means so much to me, I almost felt like crying a couple of times. [Laughs] I didn't know what to do.

"What it means to me to be part of not only such a legendary band, but this band, is a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I feel like a puzzle piece, and w ...

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The first in a series of webisodes in which progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER share with their fans some of the intense process, along with the musical joy, that went into choosing a new drummer can be viewed at this location. (Note: The video stream may not be available to some non-U.S. residents.)

A little more than a month after original drummer Mike Portnoy's sudden departure from DREAM THEATER, the band held three days of auditions in New York City. Over an amazing and productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly with seven of the world's greatest drummers, learning about the ...

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NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon recently completed tracking all the vocal parts for the band's new album, "Imaginarium", and the mixing sessions for the CD began on April 13.

Olzon was forced to delay the start of her recording sessions for "Imaginarium" because she needed a longer recovery period after she suffered broken ribs in a fall. The band's keyboardist and main composer Tuomas Holopainen wrote on NIGHTWISH's official web site, "[Anette] hasn't quite cured from her broken ribs yet, but fortunately it doesn't affect her singing at all. She's never sounded better."

Olzon has issued the following report from the recording studio:

"Last time I wrote a studi ...

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The remaining members of KAMELOT have released the following statement regarding the departure of the band's frontman, Roy Khan:

"With a heavy heart, we can now announce that Roy Khan has chosen to leave the band. We wanted to give him ample time for this kind of decision, due to his recent burnout and also the amount of amazing times we have shared with him in KAMELOT. We respectfully accept his resignation from the band and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The timing is actually good since we feel the uncertainty the fans have had can now be laid to rest and the band can move on to finding a new singer."

"The tour is going great so far and the fans have been ...

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I.C.S Vortex has officially announced his return to BORKNAGAR.

To mark this grand cooperation between Vintersorg and I.C.S. Vortex, the organizers of the Inferno festival have revealed that BORKNAGAR will headline the 2012 edition with both vocalists on stage.

Over the past months, there has been a wide array of rumors and speculations about I.C.S Vortex' involvement with BORKNAGAR, so now it's time for us to bring this out from the dungeons and into the plains of clarity: Vortex is back as a permanent member of BORKNAGAR. Vortex will handle the bass as well as doing vocals together with Vintersorg.

I.C.S. Vortex was re- introduced to BORKNAGAR in 2010 after ...

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Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted a short interview with JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which took place last night (Wednesday, April 20) at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, California.

On whether he's as shocked as everyone else at original JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing's decision to leave the band:

Scott Travis: "Oh yes, I sure am. Everyone has been asking me about it, but then K.K. is a legend, so I do expect everyone to ask me about it."

On what this means for PRIEST to embark on a "farewell" tour:

Scott Travis: "I think we'll go as long as we want to go. ...

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Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Records has inked legendary actor William Shatner to a worldwide recording deal for a space-themed concept album entitled "Searching For Major Tom" (formerly "Seeking Major Tom"), to be released later this year.

Comprised of 19 "interpretations" of classic intergalactic rock anthems, the release features guest appearances by Ritchie Blackmore (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE), Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE), Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE), Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS) and Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, SCORPIONS).

Of Wylde, Shatner previously said, "He's fantastic! I'm energized." Wylde ...

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Longtime DISFEAR bassist Henrik Frykman passed away last week after a battle with cancer. The surviving members of the band — Björn Pettersson, Marcus Andersson, Ulf Cederlund and Tomas Lindberg — have released the the following statement regarding the matter:

"It is with heavy hearts we inform you that on Friday the 25th of March Henrik Frykman passed away in his home after a long battle with cancer. Henrik will be greatly missed by family and friends."

Frykman joined ANTI-BOFORS in 1990, a year before the band underwent a name change to DISFEAR. The group morphed and evolved over the past 20 years into an internationally recognized and respected act.

DISFEAR has toured the world over and released a number of acclaimed full-length albums, including 2008's "Live The Storm".

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We're happy to welcome Cory and Brian to the Metalreviews.com team. Both have reviews up as of this moment - Cory actually joined a couple of weeks ago, but thanks to my own forgetfulness I didn't welcome him officially aboard. Time to make up for it! Please give him and Brian all your love.

Metal uber alles!

Goat
on behalf of the MetalReviews.com team

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Longtime ICED EARTH vocalist Matt Barlow has announced his retirement from the band.

In his heartfelt statement, Barlow cites his commitment to his family and the need for ICED EARTH to tour more as the reasons for his retirement; however, he has committed to perform with ICED EARTH on all 2011 European festival dates, which will be his last with the band.

Matt Barlow's official statement is as follows:

"Brothers and sisters,

"Let me begin by saying how much of an honor it has been to share my time in ICED EARTH with Jon and the guys…and with all of you! Since my return to the band in 2007, it has truly been extraordinary. I have had the oppor ...

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