Lamb Of God will release their new album, entitled Sacrement on August 22nd via Epic Records. Sacrement was produced, like its predecessor, bty Machine alongside the band and will feature the following tracks:

Walk With Me In Hell, Again We Rise, Redneck, Pathetic, Foot To The Throat, Descending, Blacken The Cursed Sun, Forgotten (Lost Angels), Requiem, More Time To Kill and Beating On Deaths Door
 

Metal Hammer's 'Best British Act' nominees Breed 77 are set to unleash new single 'Blind' on September 4th. 'Blind' displays many elements of Breed 77's highly developed sound; driving Latino rhythms, accomplished musicianship and high voltage modern rock. The infectious single is taken from the band's Ron St. Germain (Tool, Soundgarden, Creed) produced masterpiece 'In my blood (En mi sangre)' due for release one week later in conjunction with the 'In my blood' album tour. The albums UK release will be followed by releases in Australia (by SonyBMG), Europe and South Africa.

The release of 'In my blood (En mi sangre)' follows 2004's breakthrough album 'Cultura', which spawned three top forty singles and sold in excess of 30,000 copies. This new record shows a progression on Breed 77's trademark Latino sound that has been carefully nurtured over the last few years. The album will be released in September by Albert Productions UK, the hardSept -hitting rock label and worldSept -wide publisher of AC/DC.

In support of the release of 'In my blood (En mi sangre) Breed 77 will be bringing their explosive sound to the following venues:

'IN MY BLOOD' TOUR (with special guests HIDING PLACE)

10th Sept - Stamford Corn Exchange
11th Sept - Bournemouth Opera House
12th Sept - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
14h Sept - Edinburgh Studio 24
15th Sept - Glasgow Cathouse
16h Sept - Sheffield Corporation
17h Sept - Stockton Georgian
18thSept - Nottingham Rock City
20th Sept - Manchester Academy 3
21st Sept - Birmingham Academy 2
23rd Sept - Stoke Sugarmill
24h Sept - Wrexham Central Station
25th Sept - London Underworld
26th Sept - Oxford The Zodiac
27th Sept - Reading The Fez
28th Sept - Exeter The Cavern
30th Sept - Leeds Cockpit
1st Oct - Agincourt Camberly
2nd Oct  - Brighton Concorde

Killswitch Engage will play Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on August 21st.

Wolfmother are heading to the UK for a serie sof shows in November. Touring under the MTV2 Spanking New Music Banner the band are joined by Forward Russia! for the following shows:

Nov 5th Sept - Glasgow Carling Academy
Nov 8th Sept - Leeds University
Nov 9th Sept - Manchester University
Nov 10th Sept - Birmingham Carling Academy
Nov 12th Sept - Bristol Carling Academy
Nov 15th Sept - London Brixton Academy

Muse celebrate their universally acclaimed Number 1 album Black Holes and Revelations with the announcement of a new single, entitled Starlight which is released on 4th September as well as their biggest UK tour to date. The band who recently enjoyed their first Top 5 single with Supermassive Black Hole will embark on an arena headline tour in November. The confirmed dates are as follows

Nov 10th Sept - Manchester MEN Arena
Nov 12th Sept - Cardiff International Arena
Nov 14th Sept - Birmingham NEC
Nov 17th Sept - Nottingham Arena
Nov 18th Sept - Sheffield Hallam FM Arena
Nov 19th Sept - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Nov 21st Sept - London Wembley Arena

Johnny Truant have been confirmed as special guests to Tuscan rockers The Bled on their August UK tour.

Catch them at one of the following shows:

19th August Sept - Oxford The Zodiac
20th August Sept - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
21st August Sept - Sheffield The Corporation
22nd August Sept - Newport TJs
23rd August Sept - Bournemouth The Opera House
24th August Sept - York Barfly

Opening the shows will be Brotherhood Of The Lake.

Only 2 months after their last British tour, Orange County rockers TAKOTA announce they'll be heading back to the UK in the Autumn to tour with friends and fellow rock n rollers Bullets And Octane.

Catch them at one of the following shows:

06th October Sept -  Manchester, Roadhouse
07th October Sept - Nottingham, Rock City
08th October Sept - Liverpool, Barfly
09th October Sept - York, Barfly
10th October Sept - Birmingham, Takota
11th October Cardiff, Barfly
12th October Sept - Bradford, Rio's
13th October Sept - Middlesbrough, Cornerhouse
14th October Sept - Southampton, Joiners
15th October Sept - Milton Keynes, Pitz
16th October Sept - London, Camden Barfly

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of Danish Metal legends PRETTY MAIDS for a multiSept -album deal which will start with the release in the fall of the band’s brand new album “Wake Up to the Real World”, the long awaited followSept -up album to 2002's 'Planet Panic'.

In singer Ronnie Atkins’ words: “The new record has all the trademarks a good PRETTY MAIDS album should have and that’s the overall combination of good melodies and strong guitar riffs. But the keyword as far as I’m concerned is it’s gotta be melodic: whether it’s the heavier and faster tracks or the more ballad/AOR oriented kind of stuff, in other words “good songs“ and I think the album has got that!”

Song writing wise the new PRETTY MAIDS songs lean a bit towards their early 80’s roots with obvious similarities to “Planet Panic” and updated and strong production. The new record will be the first release to feature former ROYAL HUNT and KINGDOM COME drummer Allan Tschicaja, who replaced Michael Fast in April.

“Wake Up to the Real World” is set to include eleven new songs: Wake up to the real world, All in the Name of Love, I Am the End, As Guilty as You, Why Die for a Lie, Such a Rush, Where True Beauty Lies, Brave Young New Breed Terminal Violence, Perfect Strangers and Another Shot of your Love.

The long awaited comeSept -back is set to be released in November on Frontiers Records in Europe. More info to be released soon !

SLAMER

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the final track listing for the forthcoming – much anticipated – SLAMER album “Nowhere Land”.  The record includes eleven brand new tracks:

Nowhere Land; Strength To Carry On; Not In Love; Come To Me; Higher Ground; Jaded; Beyond the Pale; Runaway; Audio Illusion; Perfect Circle; Superstar

SLAMER is brainchild of famed guitarist, songwriter and producer Mike Slamer (STEELHOUSE LANE, SEVENTH KEY, STREETS) together with legendary singer Terry Brock (STRANGEWAYS, THE SIGN).

“Nowhere Land” shall see the light of day on Frontiers Records on Sept. 22nd 2006, with domestic releases scheduled in Japan on King Records and USA on Locomotive Records.

WINGER

Kip Winger and his team are currently very busy putting finishing touches to the WINGER come back album. The record shall be simply entitled “IV” and is confirmed for release during October 2006 on Frontiers Records. The band are currently working hard to arrange a full European tour to coincide with the release of the new album. Stay tuned for more details.

A DAY CALLED DESIRE release the ‘A Day Called Desire EP’ through Field Fire Records on Monday 7th August 2006.

There is, without doubt, a certain lull in the direction of rock music at the moment, but instead of sitting back and moaning, there’s a collection of bands that want to put it right. Let us introduce one of them, A Day Called Desire. A band who hails bands such as Iron Maiden, Coheed and Cambria, He Is Legend and AFI as main influences.

A Day Called Desire’s time on the road and extensive gigging program has seen them share stages with the likes of Mendeed, thisGirl, The Voodoo Glow Skulls and The Blackout to name a few, signalling in itself the diversity of the band.

Their time on the road hasn’t always been easy. For example, on route to a show at The Underworld in London, the bands van caught fire, forcing the quickest pullover and pile out by a band, ever.

According to guitarist James, “Davey (vocals), got out and all we heard him say was, "shit! the van is on fire!" To our horror, huge flames were belting out of the back wheel arch, Davey tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, but it was having none of it. We couldn’t get inside cause the flames were right by the petrol tank and any extra weight might have blown it up! So we ran from the van and it quickly became engulfed in flames, I seriously think we’d have been toast if we’d driven another 200 yards.So, not the most ideal way to kickstart your career, but a memorable one all the same. The aftermath can be viewed in the images section of the bands MySpace page, worth a look for sure.

Near fatal accidents aside, armed with their five track selfSept -titled debut EP, recorded by Blood Roses axeman Karl Bareham, A Day Called Desire are ready to explode (hopefully not in the aforementioned way) onto the UK scene with just the right level of selfSept -assurance, coupled with the determination to succeed. A deadly combination, we’re sure.
 

ANKLA release 'Steep Trails' album on August 14 2006 via Bieler Bros (hometo Skindred, Sikth and Nonpoint).

By the arrival of the new millennium, after 2 major label releases and numerous nationwide and South American tours (including Ozzfest99) with  former band PUYA, Ramón Ortíz was feeling the need to give life to a new, heavier more brutal incarnation of his musical soul.

Driven by a burning desire to take his trademark latin metalcore sound to a new level the puertorrican guitar player put past achievements aside and set out on a journey to find the right pieces to complete the puzzle. Ankla (meaning anchor in Spanish) was officially formed in 2001.

Ankla represents a new musical vision deeply anchored in Ortíz lifelong passion for extreme forms of metal music. While borrowing traditional elements from thrash, death and hardcore metal the band still explores and incorporates some of the latin claves and syncopations that Ramón has been  known for without ever stepping out of a metallic sound of power groove  that is intended to push boundaries is the evolution of modern metal.

Ankla consists of Ikaro Stafford on vocals, Ramón Ortíz on guitar, José Clark on drums, Edgar González on bass and Oscar Santiago on percussion. 2004 saw Ankla sharing stages with bands like Brujeria, Body Count, Six Feet Under and Hatebreed among others, proving to audiences in the west coast and in Puerto Rico the power of Ankla crushing live show.

The band spent a good chuck of 2005 working with producer Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Iommi, Halford, Evanescence) on its debut CD. The resulting (and devastatingly heavy) album will be released on Aug 14 2006 on Bieler Bros Records (Sikth, Sindred etc). Be prepared! Drop the anchor!

After joining TNT recently Tony Mills has decided to part ways with Shy. The announcement was made in a post from Mills on the Shy noticeboard which you can read below:

"After much deliberation and trying to build a future, it seems that my future lies in Norway with TNT. Having spent a lot of time in the company of Ronnie Le Tekro, Deisel Dahl and Victor Borge it is obvious that we all get on real well and this is a band with a determination that you cannot put a price on. The proffessionality with which they carry themselves and the respect they already command has been an effective magnet to me and consequently, I have decided to spend the rest of the year in Norway and Sweden.
With pending offers from agents in Japan and the U.S. my time will be limited in the U.K. and if prospects were to have been more promising here then I would be bouncing back and forth which wouldn't be fair on anyone.
So, I have to say that I'm not sad about this decision, we have done a lot over the years and a lot of the music is recognised worldwide and some of it is respected as classic AOR. That in itself is a great achievement.
I fully intend to write solo material in the future and one way or another will always be in touch with the SHY guys more often than not. Roy and myself will be in constant contact for various reasons and he always throws a good party, so I wont be missing any of them !

You guys have 23 years of history to ponder over and music to listen to and there will be many projects in the future, I have no doubt.

So for now, goodbye, take it easy, keep rock alive as I know you all do, and I will be dropping in from time to time to see how you guys are while I'm writing in Norway."
 

Former Warlock vocalist Doro Pesch has been confirmed to pay the inaugural edition of the UK Ragnarok Festival that takes place on November 4th at the Perth Concert Hall in Scotland.  Pesch, who released her latest solo album, entitled 'Warrior Soul, earlier this years joins a line up that includes headliners Gamma Ray, Dream Evil & Elevnking. Full details and information on how to buy tickets for the gig can be found via www.ragnarokfestival.com

Escape Music have  announced their latest signing, the Swiss band Felony, album title "First Works" This Symphonic Melodic / Metal is the passion of Switzerland. "First Works" features a splendid mix of songs similar to the sounds of Angra and Conception. The album was produced by the wellSept -known producer Sascha Paeth (Edguy, Kamelot, Angra). First Works is currently scheduled to be released in late September 2006!

With less than a week to go until Latitude, the festivals official MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/latitudefestival) is holding a competition giving one luck winner the opportunity to walk away with two weekend camping tickets! All you have to do to be in with a chance with winning this great prize is send your answer to the following question together with a contact name and number to the festivals official MySpace page after joining as a ‘friend’ on Latitude’s MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/latitudefestival

 

Who is the lead singer of Snow Patrol?

A: Gary Lightbody
B: Gary Stringer
C: Gary Bodylight

The winner of the competition will be announced on Wednesday July 12th.  *Please note only 'friend's of Latitude’s MySpace will be eligible to win this prize.

Frontiers Records is truly excited to announce the return on to Melodic Rock scene of the acclaimed producer RICHIE ZITO fronting his new studio project named AVALON.

Richie Zito started his career in the 70’s, quickly becoming one of the most sought after guitar players of the scene in Los Angeles. After having played on records from Barbara Streisand, The Beach Boys, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, and Lionel Richie to name a few, he became a permanent member of Elton John’s band. Soon after he started to become involved in record production and the impressive list of bands he has worked with include WHITE LION, BAD ENGLISH, MR BIG, TYKETTO, OPEN SKYZ, HEART, EDDIE MONEY and countless others.

Zito's panoramic and cosmic production on CHEAP TRICK's “Lap of Luxury” brought another dimension to Rock records. As a Record Producer, Zito has had 38 singles in Billboard’s Hot 100 and in 1990 was the Magazine’s “Top Singles Producer of the Year”.

  

AVALON is “his” project where he gathered all the artists he had the pleasure to work with during the years, to deliver a classic AOR release and his ultimate dream album. In Zito’s words: “When Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, approached me to make a CD, I saw it as an opportunity to collaborate with some of the best singers I know. The result is… AVALON”.

“AVALON Sept - THE RICHIE ZITO PROJECT represents ReSept -Connection” continues Richie, ”ReSept -Connection with Guitar Playing, Songwriting, Producing, Melodic Rock and with some very talented friends…”

Indeed Richie has called a monster lineSept -up of singers to bless his welcomed return to Melodic Rock. Featured on AVALON are: Eddie Money, legendary producer Giorgio Moroder (Flashdance, Top Gun, Metropolis etc.), Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Martin, Richie Kotzen, Hugo, Danny Vaughn, Philip Bardowell, Joseph Williams and Joey Carbone (Vertigo).

The track listing of AVALON includes the following songs:
Blue Collar (featuring HUGO); Is He Better Than Me (featuring JOE LYNN TURNER); Nightmare (featuring EDDIE MONEY); Oh Samantha (featuring JOSEPH WILLIAMS); Avalon (featuring DANNY VAUGHN); Life Got In The Way (featuring ERIC MARTIN); Blue Monday (featuring GIORGIO MORODER and HUGO); Forever I Will (featuring RICHIE KOTZEN); I Can’t Forget You (featuring PHILIP BARDOWELL); I Put My Life In Your Hands (featuring EDDIE MONEY); Good Things Take Time (featuring PHILIP BARDOWELL); I Don’t Want To Want You (featuring ERIC MARTIN).

AVALON will see the light of day on Frontiers Records on September 22nd 2006 in Europe with a Japanese release scheduled on King Records. Digital release on ISept -Tunes, ESept -Music and other fine online download shops shall follow within one month from the physical release date.

First off, FIREFEST have a new web site. www.thefirefest.com, which replaces the old www.fireSept -fest.co.uk site. So please change your r bookmarks or update your favourites. The site is now live , so please stop by and have a look. As an added bonus there are quite a few video clips contained on the site , especially useful if you wish to check out a band you may be unfamiliar with.

We would also wish to let you know that the following on line retail stores are also selling FIREFEST 3 tickets in addition to Rock City, Nottingham and FIREFEST HQ so if you are a regular customer , then your tickets are literally just a phone call away :

Loud 1, 144 Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke on Trent, Staffs ST8 6QN
Tel +44 (0)1782 522370 / Fax +44 (0)1782 765013 / ESept -mail: gez@loud1.net.
Z Roxx, PO Box 347, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1FB
Tel +44 (0)1342 300181 / Fax +44 (0)1342 321442 ESept -mail: sales@zSept -roxx.com.

WWW.THEFIREFEST.COM

Wednesday 13 returns to the UK for a series of shows this autumn. The erstwhile Murderdolls frontman has confirmed the following shows:

Sept 16th Sept - Manchester University
Sept 17th Sept - Birmingham Carling Academy 2
Sept 20th Sept - Newcastle Carling Academy
Sept 22nd Sept - Sheffield Corporation
Sept 23rd Sept - Nottingham Rock City
Sept 24th Sept - Bristol Carling Academy
Oct 5th Sept - London Mean Fiddler

Epic Rockers Twin Zero are readying themselves to hit the road, supporting the release of album number two, 'The Tomb To Every Hope', out on July 10 through Undergroove Records. The followSept -up to last year's epic journey that was 'Monolith', Twin Zero have surpassed themselves with their new offering. Initial pressings of the record will also feature a bonus second CD featuring remixes of parts of 'Monolith' by 27's Ayal Naor, Princess' Matt Grundy (formerly of Pitchshifter and The Blueprint), Sourhaze's Elliott J  Stocks and Twin Zero's own Reuben Gotto.

On the road with Textures, catch them at one of the following shows:

July 17th Sept - Nottingham Rock City
July 18th Sept - Norwich Marquee
July 19th Sept - London Water Rats
July 20th Sept - Satans Hollow
July 22nd Sept - Sheffield Corporation
July 23rd Sept - Bournemouth Opera House
July 24th Sept - Southampton Joiners
July 25th Sept - Clwb Ifor Bach
July 26th Sept - Hitchin Football Club
July 27th Sept - Milton Keynes The Pitz Club

Michael Schenker is heading back to the UK for a series of shows this autumn. The dates so far confirmed for the trek are:

Nov 28th Sept - Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Nov 29th Sept - Dudley JBs
Nov 30th Sept - Bristol Bierkeller
Ded 1st Sept - Manchester University
Dec 2nd Sept - Sheffield Corporation
Dec 4th Sept - Nowich waterfront

In addition to these dates Schenker is also scheduled to appear at Guitarfets 2006 which takes place at The Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre Birmingham on September 24th. Joining Schenker at this show will be  the likes of Wes Borland, Bernie Marsden & The Quireboys

A Gentleman's Hurricane: The 5th release from Mind's Eye

After the huge success of "Walking on H20", Mind's Eye takes a steep even further into the bands new sound. Now the band heads on journey of a much heavier and darker path, something that fits perfect with the particular story and theme.

The new album entitled "A gentleman's hurricane" issues another concept story by Mr Flores. The story deals with an assassin's life and who he killed, everything based on 90% actual facts and 10 % fiction. Making this an essential nail biting journey for anyone.
The booklet will again be done by Mattias Norén, this time really going into depths with the characters in the story, really making them come alive like never before.

The band will also record a DVD including footage of the band in the studio, interviews and behind the scene (of the video shooting) and live footage never seen before (From the earlier days of Mind's Eye). The band will also include a video of the song "Feed my revolver" (animated and with the band) directed by the amazing talent Fredrik Englund (www.ninjafredde.com) which makes this package irresistible if you are a true fan of the band.

Keep on the lookout for the band is going to shock YOU once more.

The band is aiming for a Feb-March 2007 release. For more info visit: www.roundrec.com  or www.danielflores.net

Simone Fiorletta has announced details of his new solo album.

Simone has finalised song titles for up his upcoming as yet untitled second solo album. The Moonlight Comedy guitarists' new material follows up from 2005's acclaimed `Parallel Worlds' with a release date currently set for February 2007. In no particular order the songs set to appear on the album are:

A Day In California, I Came Back, To Fly Over The Rainbow, Welcome, Anita!, Only three minutes to dream, Borderline, You are my past, present, future, Brawl In A Saloon, The Beginning Of A New Era and Good Bye

The recordings will start 25th September 2006 in Dortmund (Germany), then will be concluded in Simone's native Italy.

The confirmed Line-up is:

Simone Fiorletta - Guitars;
Andrea De Paoli (LABYRINTH) - Keyboards;
Pasko (SIGMA - CANS / Hammer Fall) - Bass;
Tony Liotta (SANTANA, STING, TINA TURNER, CHICK COREA and many more) - drums & percussion.

In related news the second Moonlight Comedy album `Dorothy' is set for release on Lion Music in January 2007.

Lion Music Releases For July include:

MIND'S EYE - Waiting for the Tide  Reissue with 2 bonus tracks (21st July)

Lion Music are proud to announce the re-release of the second Mind's Eye album `Waiting For The Tide' with 2 new bonus tracks from the bands archives. The album predates the worldwide critically acclaimed `Walking On H2O' (released Jan 2006 – Lion Music)', by some four years and is the second Mind's Eye re-release on Lion Music following `A Work Of Art' (re-released in 2005)'.

'Waiting For The Tide' was initially released in 2000 and received critical praise back then due to its different approach to progressive rock, sounding unlike anything else at the time with the bands trademark melody and depth. The album has long been out of print and `Waiting For The Tide' gives a great insight into the early development on Mind's Eye and is essential listening for any prog rock fan.

ELECTRIC OUTLET - On!

Electric Outlet are a killer rock fusion instrumental power foursome that showcase formidable technical expertise but in a framework that is easily digestible for even the most hardened instrumental snob!

Electric Outlet - this name is a synonym for energy, power and life –so is the music of "Electric Outlet". Played with love and passion, driven by the insistent impetus everybody initially felt when they were discovering music. Tired of being captured by the dictate of an over-commercialized environment, "Electric Outlet" called the genuine purpose of music in mind. In combination with their enormous musical capabilities, these four musicians created this special album. Just dive into the world of "Electric Outlet" and enjoy!

JOSE DEL RIO - Journey Into The Fourth Dimension

Incredibly intense shred release featuring guitarist Jose del Rio and Vitalij Kuprij.

Lion Music is proud to announce the incredible all star neoclassical/progressive shred project Journey into the Fourth Dimension. Fronted by the incredible talent of Chilean axemaster Jose' L. del Rio the band takes you places you have never been before. Besides the incredible keyboard work of Vitalij Kuprij the album contains many highlights such as Mrs Pilar Aguilera, a multi-award winning Soprano with a vast experience working at the Opera; singing for instance "Nel mezzo del cammin" the only non-instrumental of the album, based on Dante Alighieri's Inferno, in Italian.

Fans of over –the-top intense shredding need to check out the 300 bpm version of "Flight of the Bumble-Bee".

Look out for reviews on these three albums in the near future

Following the announcement of the forthcoming early September release of their new studio album A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, Iron Maiden reveal their front cover artwork!

Also announced is the news that THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG will be released as a very special single on 14th August.

Says Steve Harris, “This is a very intense album in many ways and we really wanted to go with a lead track that demonstrated that in the best way, rather than going for a shorter track on the album just to please the chart rules. Benjamin Breeg is a great example of the feel of the album in it’s really heavy riff and lyrically it’s a very dark, atmospheric and powerful song which really epitomizes what the album is all about for us. So it made a natural choice for us.”

In true Maiden style, the single will be released in two special Limited Edition formats, which by content will not be eligible for the UK singles chart. Manager Rod Smallwood explained, “There are various chart rules compliant to number of tracks, the maximum running time, price structure and all the rest of it. As for the new Maiden single - its simple - we’re putting out a two track CD - THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG and HALLOWED BE THY NAME (Legends Session) and if it’s too long to qualify for the charts, then so be it. We have no problem with it being non-chart eligible.

EMI will also release a special 7” coloured vinyl in picture sleeve with collectable sticker of the ‘Crossed Guns’ Logo. B sides to both formats are from last years amazing ‘Radio 1 legends session recorded especially for the Zane Lowe show.


Limited Edition 2 track CD
The reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
Hallowed be thy Name (Radio 1 ‘Legends’ Session)

Limited Edition 7” coloured vinyl in picture bag
(To include ‘Crossed Guns Logo’ sticker)
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
c/w Run To The Hills (Radio 1 ‘Legends’ Session)
The Trooper (Radio 1 ‘Legends’ Session)