Russia's twisted, cartoonish prog-metallers Mechanical Poet recently began recording their third album, Creepy Tales For Freaky Children, at Dreamport Studios in Russia.

With the recent launch of a brand new website ( click here ), it was announced that the once studio-only project would become a full-time band with a revamped line-up that includes the addition of a full-time bass player (missing from Woodland Prattlers and Handmade Essence), Evan Izotoff, and a new drummer, Vladimir Ermakoff, replacing Tom Tokmakoff.

No release date has been given for Creepy Tales For Freaky Children, but a late 2006/early 2007 release is expected. The album cover can be viewed here.

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Liechtenstein-based gothic metal band ELIS has posted the following message on its official web site, www.elis.li:

"Deeply confused and sad, we have to inform you, that Sabine [Dünser, vocals] [photo] isn't among us anymore!

"[During] the band's rehearsal on Friday [July 7], Sabine suffered a cerebral hemorrhage [from] which she died a day later at the hospital!

"[Out of respect for Sabine's] family and friends, we have decided to take the homepage from the net.

"We need time now to decide if and how we appr ...

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Finland's HardcoreSounds.net recently conducted an interview with ARCH ENEMY drummer Daniel Erlandsson. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

HardcoreSounds.net: You have had the chance to tour almost everywhere. Which show has been the most memorable to you so far?

Daniel: "We have done so many shows so it's quite hard but quite recently we visited Mexico and we did two shows for the first time there. Mexico City was the second show and that was one of the best shows I have ever done."

HardcoreSounds.net: Why was it so special? Where there a lot of audience?

Danie ...

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STRAPPING YOUNG LAD drummer Gene Hoglan has rejected reports that the band will split up shortly after completing their current second-stage slot at this year's Ozzfest.

In a recent interview with Finland's Imperiumi webzine, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend revealed that the band's upcoming album, "The New Black", will likely be their last. "I signed a five-album deal with Century Media and this is now the fifth," he said. "There you have five records; they are very happy with that and I've done my ...

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SIRENIA, the Norwegian gothic metal band featuring former TRISTANIA guitarist/vocalist Morten Veland, have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We will start the recordings of our new album on the 17th of July. We have chosen a somewhat different solution this time, and will record in altogether three different studios. This is a solution that we feel can add something new and different to our sound, as well as keeping the essential basics of SIRENIA. First we will track the drums in Jailhouse studios in Norway with engineer Hans Eidsgard, then we proceed to Soundsuite studios in France to record everything else, to ...

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Niko Kaartinen of Finland's Imperiumi webzine recently conducted an interview with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend. A few excerpts from the chat follow (translated from Finnish by Mike Portnoy forum member "tommidt"):

Imperiumi: "The New Black" is STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's fifth and final record for Century Media. Is this the last record of SYL's career?

Devin: "I hope so. I believe so. I signed a five-album deal with Century Media and this is now the fifth. There you have five records; they are very happy with th ...

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An expanded version of the latest DEEP PURPLE album, "Rapture of the Deep", will be re-released on July 25th via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The new version pairs the original release with a second CD that has, among other things, a new version of the song "Clearly Quite Absurd" and five live performances from when the band reopened the Hard Rock Cafe in London last October. PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse told Launch the atmosphere that night helped the band play exceptionally well. "Any time you play in a club, the energy's fantastic. I don't know — just (an) excited crowd right at our feet, literally, 'cause it's a tiny little place, and just a packe ...

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Finland's NIGHTWISH have finished writing the material for their next album and are now preparing to record pre-production versions of the songs so that they can be edited and arranged. The band are currently seeking a replacement for departed singer Tarja Turunen before entering the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

As previously reported, NIGHTWISH's "End of an Era" DVD and CD entered the German chart at a No. 3 and has already been certified gold for sales in excess of 25,000 copies. "End of an Era" was also certified gold in Finland the day after its release.

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Former BURZUM leader and convicted murderer and arsonist Varg Vikernes (photo) (a.k.a. "Greven"), who has served 12 years out of a 21-year jail sentence, will not be released from prison just yet.

The Norwegian prison authorities have denied Vikernes' parole application, according to the newspaper Dagbladet.

Varg's attorney John Christian Elden says Vikernes' release is long overdue.

"He is disappointed by the decision because he feels he ...

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TWISTED SISTER are celebrating their 30th anniversary with a new label, Razor & Tie, and a new album on the way. The band's new disc, A Twisted Christmas - featuring metal versions of holiday classics including 'Deck the Halls' and 'O Come All Ye Faithful' - is due October 17th. Twisted Sister are currently recording and have had to cancel performances at European festivals this summer to have the LP completed for the holiday season.

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