MÖTLEY CRÜE has set a June 17 release date for its new album, "Saints of Los Angeles". The CD will be issued through Mötley Records, the band revealed today (April 15) at a press conference in Los Angeles.

In support of the album, MÖTLEY CRÜE will embark on a 40-plus-city North American amphitheater tour, beginning July 1 at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Fla., and wrapping Aug. 31 at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Pittsburgh.

Produced by Los Angeles-based Live Nation, Crüe Fest '08 will also feature rock acts BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, TRAPT and CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's side band SIXX: A ...

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Bob Mitchell has decided to leave resurrected '80s metallers ATTACKER. Here, in his own words, is Mitchell's explanation: "Just wanted to express that I had the greatest time at the KIT Festival over the past weekend. Attacker rocked Germany once again and everyone was, as usual, gracious and enthusiastic about what we have accomplished. With that said, it is with heavy heart that I announce my departure from Attacker. Outside of the band, I have commitments to college as I am currently earning my Associates Degree and will soon be entering the nursing program, my work at the hospital, which is my greatest passion and my family. In truth, I just could not commit myself at a 100% level and with each passing day it became more difficult. I walk away without regrets and with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I thank all of you for the great times and wonderful memories. I love Attacker, I love our fans for now and always. God Bless and ciao for now."

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Swiss avant-garde/metal pioneers CELTIC FROST have released the following statement via their official web site:

"CELTIC FROST singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer has left CELTIC FROST due to the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious."

It was reported earlier in the year that CELTIC FROST was putting together an album tentatively titled "Monotheist Companion" that will feature unreleased songs from 2006's "Monotheist" sessions and rearrangements of tracks from the album. The disc is tentatively due in the summer.

A video ...

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New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Crimson Management and The Syndicate have announced the first-ever Metal Summit on April 25. The Metal Summit is an interactive and educational conference where fans and the metal music industry can engage, share ideas and help further the scene. The Metal Summit will give labels, managers, agents, endorsers, publishers, media promoters, bands and more the chance to interact with the people who buy albums, tickets and merchandise. This is also an opportunity for fans to ask key members in the industry how they got started and gain advice on starting their own careers. After all, everyone in the music industry ...

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Reactivated Japanese rockers X JAPAN will play their first-ever concert in the U.S. on September 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band will also perform in Paris, France on July 5.

Professionally filmed video footage of X JAPAN's March 28, 2008 concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan can be viewed below.

Performing with X JAPAN at the band's three reunion shows at the Tokyo Dome were GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus and former LIMP BIZKIT and current BLACK LIGHT BURNS member Wes Borland.

X JAPAN's influential lead guitarist Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto committed suicide in Ma ...

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"When You Were Shouting At The Devil...We Were In League With Satan", the new video from ZIMMERS HOLE — the Vancouver-based project featuring guitarist Jed Simon and bassist Byron Stroud of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD alongside legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL) — can be viewed below.

Jed Simon sat out ZIMMERS HOLE's recent Canadian shows due to family health issues.

An e-card for "When You Were Shouting At The Devil...We Were In League With Satan", the new album from ZIMMERS HOLE, is available at

According to guitarist Stefan Elmgren of HAMMERFALL: "I have decided to leave Hammerfall, the reason is that I have been offered a job as a pilot within an airline. My interest in aviation has been growing very strong, and now I feel its time for me to take a step and be a pilot on a professional level. It has been a great journey with lots of great memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, I would like to give a big thanks to all the wonderful fans, its has truly been a pleasure to meet and perform for you all during these 11 years. I still love to play the guitar so you might hear from me again someday somehow. I would like to wish who ever is taking my place and the rest of the band good luck in the future."

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Finnish metallers KALMAH have posted the title track of their fifth full-length album, "For the Revolution", on their MySpace page. Due on April 2 via Spikefarm Records, the CD's cover artwork was designed by former SENTENCED drummer Vesa Ranta, who was also responsible for the artwork of KALMAH's previous album, "The Black Waltz".

"For the Revolution" was recorded at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland with producer Ahti Kortelainen and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden.
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In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki reveals that he has formed a new band called REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, which is believed to have been the working title of the now apparently aborted new STRATOVARIUS album. The group's debut CD — which will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (vocals; HELLOWEEN), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE), Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN) and Tobias Sammet (vocals; EDGUY) — is tentatively due this summer via Frontiers Records.

Says Tolkki ...

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NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has issued the following update:

"Lots going on in the world of NINE INCH NAILS... Confirming a very poorly kept secret, the band has been reformed (details coming!) and we are about to embark on an extensive tour. The first wave of dates I can mention at this time appear below. Many more to come!"

NINE INCH NAILS tour dates:

Jul. 25 - Pemberton BC @ Pemberton Festival
Jul. 26 - Seattle WA @ Key Arena at Seattle Center
Jul. 28 - Edmonton ALB @ Rexall Place
Jul. 29 - Calgary ALB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
Jul. 31 - Winnipeg MAN @ MTS Centre
Aug. 02 - Minneapolis MN @ Target Center
Aug. 05 - T ...

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