Revelatations

 

This page will be reworked to feature primarily local band/musician news. Occasionally national and international news will be relegated to a sidebar if its deemed important enough.

 

Fantasy became reality when MANOWAR released the EP, "Thunder In The Sky." The world's first glimpse into The Asgard Saga, MANOWAR'S collaboration with Germany's best-selling fantasy author, Wolfgang Hohlbein, the EP features 6 songs and a Bonus CD with "Father" recorded in 16 versions in 16 different languages. The EP is the prequel to the complete CD "Hammer of the Gods," due to be released at the end of 2009.

A DELUXE EDITION of the EP with a 50 page booklet complete with stories written by Hohlbein to accompany each song went on sale on July 17, 2009, coinciding with the opening of the Gates of Asgard at Magic Circle Festival III. The DELUXE EDITION is on sale in retail outlets throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

In addition, the EP is still available for sale online in high-quality, DRM-free, MP3 format only at The Kingdom Of Steel Online Store. The downloadable version of the EP contains the exact same audio content as the EPs on sale: Thunder In The Sky, God Or Man, Let The Gods Decide, Father, Die With Honor, The Crown And The Ring (2008) and versions of "Father "recorded in German, Italian, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Norwegian, Spanish, French, Greek, Turkish, Polish, Japanese, Croatian, Portuguese and Finnish.

MANOWAR performed new material from the EP for the first time at Magic Circle Festival III on July 18, 2009 at the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany.

 

MANOWAR and special guests HOLYHELL will be headlining some of Europe's major metal festivals, including MANOWAR's very own Magic Circle Festival III at the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany on Saturday, July 18. Donnie Hamzik, the original drummer for MANOWAR, will be on tour with the band in 2009.

Vacation Farm is now called Raptor School. Their debut album "Redefine" will still be released on CD this summer.

POWERS COURT is pleased to announce the addition of local St. Louis area musician, PAUL RUSSO on the drums. The band is currently working on new material for their upcoming release which is as yet untitled.

MANOWAR is currently recording a song from their new album in 15 (and counting...) different languages! Never before has this been attempted by any heavy metal band!

German Heavy Metal force WIZARD, joined ranks of the HARD ROCKER MANAGEMENT. Their brand new studio album "Thor" is out now on Massacre Records.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach will join the "Z Rock" boys Paulie, David and Joey as judges of the "America's Hottest Rocker Mom" contest. IFC is looking for "America's Hottest Rocker Mom" to celebrate Season 2 of its uncensored, uncut comedy "Z Rock". In keeping with the series' "kids'-band-by-day, rock-band-by-night" storyline, the band is setting out to find America's rocking-est mom. Five finalists will be chosen to compete in June for a live, no-holds-barred finals event.
Rocker moms, you can enter to win a trip to New York City, a $5,000 grand prize. Enter online by May 14 at midnight at IFC.com. To enter, you'll be asked to provide one or more photos, favorite rock song, favorite rock band, best rock concert moment, biggest rocker crush, and a statement explaining why YOU should be chosen as America's hottest rocker mom.
The judges will choose four finalists - and the fifth "People's Choice" will come from site visitor ratings. The fiinalists will be flown to New York City to vie for the title in a live competition in front of the judges on June 4 . Each of these rocker moms will be judged on performances in the following categories: (Best Rocker Outfit), Knowledge (Rocker Trivia), Lyrics (Rock Karaoke Contest), and Dance (Show Off Your Best Moves.) Season 2 of "Z Rock" premieres on Sunday, June 7 at 11 p.m. Contest Details http://www.ifc.com/rockermom/officialrules.php

Symphonic rock's Erik Norlander and Lana Lane have joined forces with internationally bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson (Dune novels with Brian Herbert, Star Wars and X-Files novels) for a groundbreaking crossover novel and progressive rock recording project titled Terra Incognita. Anderson has created an incredible fantasy universe with sailing ships, sea monsters, and the crusades. Erik Norlander, an accomplished keyboardist/composer and a founding member of progressive rock band Rocket Scientists, joined the project upon its inception to pen the music and produce the recording after a meeting with Anderson and Shawn Gordon of ProgRock Records. Norlander's wife, Queen of Symphonic Rock Lana Lane, was recruited as the lead female vocalist.

Frontiers Records, Europe’s premier label for melodic, progressive, and hard rock, has secured an exclusive North American distribution deal with Super D Independent Distribution (SDID). The first four releases - JSS, Jami Jamison, Wetton Downes Icon, and White Lion - will arrive on April 7, followed by several additional titles each month.

Hammerfall’s new album No Sacrifice, No Victory was recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden and includes an instrumental written by the group's latest addition, guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), as well as a song entitled "One of a Kind," which was composed as a collaboration between HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak and IN FLAMES axeman Jesper Stromblad (who was a member of HAMMERFALL in the band's earliest incarnation).

Steven Adler's band ADLER'S APPETITE will embark on a full U.S. tour first time ever this spring. The group will perform the iconic GN'R album "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety along with other classics and some surprises. The trek is scheduled to kick off late February and run through early April. ADLER'S APPETITE's current lineup is rounded out by singer Sheldon Tarsha, Alex Grossi (H00KERS 'N' BL0W, ex-QUIET RIOT) on guitar, Michael Thomas (FASTER PU55YCAT) on guitar, and Chip Z'nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) on bass.

February 20th 2009 will be a very special day for all fans of Dutch eighties metal! After 20 years Dutch metal legends Martyr will return to release their double digipack "Fear the universe." This package contains the re-mastered version of Martyr's debut album "For the universe" and their new 5-track album "Fear"

Nightmare Metal Fest II will be held March 20-21 at the Warehouse in San Antonio, Texas. Unfortunately Jag Panzer will not be playing at the Fest and Futures End has had to cancel because they are in the studio finishing their debut album. With these changes, these are the final bands added to the fest. VICIOUS RUMORS, ASKA, THEOCRACY, SIX MINUTE CENTURY, LUNARIUM, ONE OF SIX, AETHERIUS,and SEVEN WITCHES (featuring James Rivera [HELSTAR], Mike LePond [SYMPHONY X] and Jack Frost [SAVATAGE] also have been confirmed for this fest.

Theocracy has a new lead guitarist in Val Allen Wood. The band is very excited about this development, and the new lineup will be hitting stages in the U.S. and Europe soon!

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers AFTER FOREVER have issued the following statement. "After nearly 15 years and with heavy hearts, we have decided to call an end to a great and exciting time as AFTER FOREVER.

Anthrax have a new album slated for a June release. It will be the first album with new singer Dan Nelson and will be called Worship Music.

Seasons of the Wolf have lowered the price on their T -shirts. Dropped to $10 each to help combat the current economy and get those shirts where they belong! They are paypal approved. Go here to see the shirts. In other SOTW news: they now have 6 music videos loaded on Youtube. Check them out, add comments, subscribe to their channel, and rate the videos.

NOVA ENTERTAINMENT and Magic Circle Films International, a newly formed company by Joey DeMaio are proud to announce a joint venture. Nova Entertainment is one of the most successful production companies in Hollywood. Mastermind of NOVA ENTERTAINMENT is Reginald Puhl, a veteran in the movie industry who started out as a director at the age of 20, owned his own company by the age of 21 and rose to the top of the German movie industry by the 1960s. In the early Nineties Nova Entertainment made the move to Hollywood, "The only place where you can still earn your money with movies", Mr. Puhl says. Today the Nova Entertainment Group has become a power player in a highly competitive industry and is the driving force behind many international projects. The associated companies Kalima, Linovo and Mikona have with an investment of more than one billion dollars produced blockbusters such as "The Bourne Identity", "2Fast, 2Furious", "The Scorpion King" and the Oscar winning music drama "8 mile"."It is a great honour to work with one of the most accomplished and successful producers of our time," says MCF president Joey DeMaio (in pic below, Joey DeMaio is on the right - your right).
Mr. DeMaio is the founder of the music group MANOWAR. DeMaio is a highly skilled recording engineer and a record producer; he is also a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Grand Cross Knight of Malta. He has sold more than 8 million records and has to his credit numerous gold records and DVDs. He has produced not only stars of the music world but has also produced recordings with other Hollywood legends such as Orson Welles, Susanna York and Christopher Lee."Being a musician himself, Mr. Puhl shares our passion for music and for providing audiences with the highest quality entertainment possible. Mr. Puhl has provided us with a great opportunity and with his expertise and guidance we feel very confident entering the world of film production." The partners will develop and produce a variety of entertainment formats together, from movies to live music events and special interest programmes.

JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford's Metal G0d Entertainment will accept submissions from bands and solo artists (male and female vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist, etc.) through March 1, 2009. Each submission will be considered for label recording, marketing and distribution. Required items: 8 x 10 photo, cover letter, one-DVD of recent performance, one CD of recent material and your contact details. Please note: Do not send any item which you would like returned. No items will be returned. Please do not send your parcel signature required for collection. No "signature required" parcels will be collected and subsequently returned to sender. Please send your submission to:
Metal G0d Entertainment
PO Box 93430
Phoenix, AZ 85070
USA

NIGHTMARE METAL FEST II will be held this year in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st. The first confirmations: Jag Panzer, Chicago based Mindwarp Chamber, Krucible (featuring members of Pyramaze /Balance of Power, Helstar, Z-Lot-Z, Cea Serin and Six Minute Century), Halcyon Way, and a return performance from Sacred Dawn.

1 February 2009 will see the launch of a four-week tour by the two metal legends, Saxon and Iced Earth, in Paris. This sensational co-headlining package is certainly among the strongest of recent years and will take the two bands through countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Italy.

Live Nation has inked a three-year deal with Blockbuster that’ll see the video rental chain become the official and exclusive outlet for the Nation’s impending ticket service. Under the deal, 500 Blockbusters across the nation will add Live Nation ticketing booths by the start of the 2009 concert season. Besides the option to buy tickets with cash, the Blockbusters will also allow select stores to sell “exclusive blocks of tickets” four hours prior to the tickets’ normal online sale time. The deal also calls on Live Nation and Blockbuster to offer exclusive concert products and promotions, and despite the debacle that was Blockbuster Music, maybe they’ll work out some distribution deal for all albums Live Nation will be releasing over the course of the next decade.

A 24-year-old Wisconsin man allegedly became so incensed by a lackluster karaoke performance of DIO's classic song "Holy Diver" that he assaulted the singer and a second man, po1ice charge. According to a River Falls Po1ice Department report, Kyle D. Drinkwine throttled singer James Mischler, 28, and his friend Cyrus Kozub, 29, "over one's ability to sing karaoke." Though cops did not specify which song set Drinkwine off last week, Kozub said that Mischler was performing "Holy Diver". Following the assaults, police apprehended Drinkwine after a short foot chase. A subsequent Breathalyzer test recorded his bl00d a1cohol content at .169, more than twice the state limit.

Shadow Gallery vocalist, Michael A. Baker. Mike suffered a heart attack, Wednesday afternoon, October 29th, 2008. He was 45 years old. Mike was a founding member of Shadow Gallery and for the past 16 years, helped shape the sound of the band with his magical voice. Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world.

NIGHTWISH singer supreme Tarja Turunen will release a new 11-track EP on December 1 via Spinefarm Records UK. Titled 'The Seer' and featuring a duet with former WARLOCK frontwoman Doro Pesch, the record will come as a limited-edition... [Editor's note: EP's are 4 - 7 songs so an 11 song EP would actually be an album.]

TEARS OF MAGDALENA has issued the following update on their official website:'We have a great pleasure to announce the new lead vocalist of Tears of Magdalena: Jevgenia is our new metal queen!! She is also known from famous Finnish symphonic metal band, Kivimetsän.

Due to Alex Skolnick’s prior commitment to the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT have recruited guitarist Glen Drover (ex-MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) to fill in for him on their upcoming Mexican tour dates with JUDAS PRIEST.

Yngwie Malmsteen, will be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk on Monday, October 13 at noon.

Metal Hammer is marking the release of METALLICA's new album, "De4th Magnetic", by distributing 4,000 limited-edition copies with covers made from metal. The special-edition cover, emblazoned with the band's logo, will be available through HMV stores. A small number will also be available through the magazine's web site. In addition to the metal cover promotion, which has been two years in the planning, the latest issue contains an eight-page feature on life with the band and a track-by-track review of "Death Magnetic".

EDGUY have just returned from Belgrade [Serbia] where they have shot a video clip for the song 'Ministry Of Saints' from their forthcoming new studio album Tinnitus Sanctus, out on November 14th (Europe) and TBA (North America). As there will be no EP before the album release the video clip will be shown on this website during the next weeks."

'The Last Alliance', the fifth album from the Finnish 'fantasy metal' band BATTLELORE, has entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 26.'The Last Alliance' will be released in North America on October 7 via Napalm Records.

Finnish female-fronted metal band AMBERIAN DAWN has returned to Rockstar Productions studio in Hyvinkää, Finland to begin recording its sophomore album for a 2009 release. The CD will feature 12 songs plus a bonus track for the Japanese edition.

Norwegian/Spanish female-fronted gothic metal band SIRENIA has issued the following update:
"The new album is now completed. We just received the finished mastered product from Antfarm Studios, and we have to admit we are mighty proud of the result. Expect a release in February next year. Next thing coming up now is photo sessions with photographer Emile M. E. Ashley, while the cover artwork will be done by Jan Yrlund."
The new SIRENIA album was tracked at Sound Suite Studios in France and Stargoth Studios in Norway while the mixing and mastering sessions took place at the Antfarm Studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen.

Ticketmaster, the world's leading live entertainment ticketing and marketing company, will be using their latest ticketing innovation, the Paperless Ticket for the first time in Europe when METALLICA launch their new album "Death Magnetic" live at The O2 in London on September 15. Ticketmaster is constantly looking at the use of new technology in order to offer a more secure and safe ticketing experience for fans, clients and artists. Paperless ticketing allows quick and secure access to venues, while reducing the amount of paper used to print tickets, saving both time for fans and reducing the impact on the environment. Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the event but tickets will not exchange hands with this latest innovative and secure technology, and fans will not have to wait at box-offices to collect tickets. Customers using a credit card/Visa debit card to purchase their tickets will not be sent a ticket but will only be required to arrive at the venue with their credit card and photo identification. Their card will then be swiped, they will be given a receipt, and they will then be granted entry to the event. The entire process is quick, secure and simple.

Vacation Farm's debut album, "Redefine," is now available for download. Just go to the Snowcap section at http://www.myspace.com/vacationfarm to purchase the album there. The 11-track album is on sale for the bargain price of $7.99, or you can purchase tracks individually for $.99.

On October 14, 2008 Yngwie Malmsteen will be issuing 'Perpetual Flame.' The album will be the first-ever Yngwie album to be released via Rising Force Records (distributed via Koch), while the album also marks the debut on an Yngwie album by ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth frontman, Tim 'Ripper' Owens. Twelve tracks of pure six string metallic bliss (which stretches to almost 70 minutes total), the album was produced and engineered by Yngwie himself, and mixed by Roy Z (who has previously worked with Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson, among others). Joining Yngwie and Ripper on the album is keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Patrick Johansson (Yngwie contributed bass, additional keyboards, and vocals, as well), but on tour, Michael Troy will supply keyboards, and Bjorn Englen will be laying down the bass. A supporting tour of the U.S. and Canada is slated to run through all of October.

The Indianapolis Metal Fest has announced the names of more bands to perform during its two-day run at the Madame Walker Theater on September 26 and 27.  More than 60 bands will grace the stage at IMF, including Dew Scented, Kittie, Green Jelly, Threat Signal, The Absence, Daylight Dies, Into Eternity, Divine Heresy, Bleed the Sky, The Destro, Destrophy, Ekotren, Psyopus, Woe of Tyrants, Level-C, Skeletonwitch, Gigan, Wykked Wytch, Shadowside, Obszon Geschopf, Demiricous, Gates of Slumber, Black Chapel, Rosemary's Billygoat, The Radioactive Chicken Heads, Soldiers of Scrape, I Decay, Battlecross, Conquest, Pist, Abacinate, Maggot Twat, Remain, Set Fire to Athens, The Informant, And Hell Followed With, Dawn of Correction, Redeemer, David LaDuke, HTTH, Samahdi, The Covenance, Lowa (featuring Steve Tucker [Morbid Angel] and Jason Viebrooks [Grip, Inc]), Eleckrik Chair, Sacred Dawn, The Clincher, Dark Mirror, Mercykill, Plagusayer, Geomancer, Cryogen, Dunwich, Purgatorium, Betrayed with a Kiss, Anthem for a Massacre, Blood Tribe, Deliver Us from Evil, Amarna Reign, Opiate, Threat Level, Everwrath, Phoenix Bodies, Signs of Decay, Shunned, Judegment, Dying Earth, Big Bang Fury, Born Under Burden, Rejicide, and Gash Hound. "The lineup is extremely diverse with major label bands, indie bands and unsigned bands," said promoter Rob Mason. "There's a little something for everyone."

Monolith Entertainment Group is calling on all metal fans with an insatiable love of metal and a tremendous personality to take a shot at being the next great television host for its new "Metal Fest" TV program, which is currently in development. The weekly two-hour-long program, co-produced by company founder and Indianapolis Metal Fest promoter Rob Mason, is slated to premier on August 28(?) show on IMC TV (WDNI - Indianapolis). The show will feature music videos from some of the biggest bands in the heavy metal genre, as well as cutting-edge underground metal bands, and will include artist interviews, news about upcoming local and regional concerts and metal-related events, as well as coverage of key events around the city of Indianapolis. Auditions and screen tests will be held (when?) at the IMC TV studio in Indianapolis. Those interested in auditioning for the position should live and breathe metal and have knowledge of the genre to back it up. Potential hosts must also possess a quick wit, spontaneous nature, and an exuberant personality. An online application is available at www.metalfesttv.com.

AXEMASTER has gone back to the studio and is starting work once again on their new CD "The Inner Terror". Unfortunately, the data from the hard drive that crashed which contained many of the recording's sound files has not been recovered. So to not waste anymore time waiting, the band has decided to start fresh, replacing much of what was originally done. This delay has been tough on everyone involved, but the positive side to the problem is that after playing the songs MANY times since the original tracks were recorded, there have been improvements made by everyone on their parts which will enhance the songs overall. So although the time lost has been costly, it will benefit the sound of the final product. The band thanks all those who have stuck by them through all this, asks everyone for your patience, and will finish the project as quickly as possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manowar's New single "Die With Honor" is now available for sale as MP3

The August 10th edition of the Hard Rocker Magazine Poland (#7) features an exclusive interview and MANOWAR poster.
Be sure to pickup a copy! For more information please visit: http://www.hardrocker.pl/
Epic heavy metal band MANOWAR secured a place in the Guinness World Records during the 1990s as the loudest band in the world, and sheer volume has remained an integral part of the MANOWAR concert experience. The band's technical rider specifies a minimum un-weighted SPL of 126dB at FOH position, a feat few sound systems can handle and still sound good.
Recently, during the sound check at the second annual "Magic Circle Festival" event in Bad Arolsen, Germany, MANOWAR achieved levels in excess of 139dB through Westfalen Sound Schallwand's powerful Meyer Sound system, bassist and front man Joey DeMaio declared unequivocally, "Westfalen Sound Kicks Ass!"
The Meyer Sound system that Westfalen provided comprised a total of 32 MILO® and two MILO 120 line array loudspeakers, with massive low end provided by 64 700-HP subwoofers. Twelve M'elodie™ line array loudspeakers covered front fill, with three CQ-1 loudspeakers handling center fill and outfill duties.
Westfalen Sound's Dirk Maron points out that the earth-shattering sound levels were maintained throughout both of MANOWAR's three-hour sets. "In spite of these exceptional levels, the sound was virtually free of any distortion," Maron says. "After the systems arrived back at Westfalen Sound, we checked them and found that none suffered even the slightest damage. I think that speaks for itself."
The festival was once again headlined by MANOWAR, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of their seminal Kings of Metal album backed by a choir and a crowd of more than 35,000 die hard MANOWAR fans. The most metal of audiences were also treated to performances by metal giants Alice Cooper, Gotthard, W.A.S.P., Ted Nugent Doro Pesch, and HolyHell.

Universal Music is delighted to announce the release of a new studio album from British rock legends Uriah Heep, 'Wake the Sleeper,' which is to be issued in the U.S. on 26th August 2008. 'Wake The Sleeper' is Uriah Heep's first studio album in almost ten years (the first since 1998's 'Sonic Origami') - and 21st studio album overall - and is set to herald an exciting new phase for the band. The album sees Uriah Heep back to their very best and will undoubtedly become a future classic - sure to please their dedicated worldwide fan base and fans of progressive rock in general.  Recorded in 2007 the album was produced by Mike Paxman (Status Quo), and has thus far received rave reviews, as it was selected as 'Album of the Month' by Classic Rock Magazine (in their June issue), where it earned an 8/10 rating, and was called "A momentous return to form."

In the words of Heep guitarist, Mick Box, "We are delighted to be reunited with a major label in Universal music. 'Wake The Sleeper' is an album we are incredibly proud of, and one that we hope the fans will see as one of Uriah Heep's best.  We can't wait to get back out on the road to showcase the new songs."

The live arena has been vital to the longevity of Uriah Heep. So in addition to album sales of over 30 million worldwide, the band has toured in 52 countries, and in the process, established themselves as consummate live performers.  The band has a series of impressive firsts - including being the first British rock band to play Russia (in December 1987).
Uriah Heep's progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of the early '70s. Formed by guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron in the late '60s, Uriah Heep released their debut album, 'Very 'eavy.Very 'umble' in 1970. Since then, the band have released 20 studio albums and played to millions of fans across the globe. Uriah Heep remain one of British rocks most consistent and long-standing acts.

'Wake the Sleeper' is the band's first album without their long-standing and original drummer, Lee Kerslake who sadly had to leave the band due to ill health in January 2007. Filling the drum stool for the very first time is the hugely well-respected Russell Gilbrook (Tony Iommi/Black Sabbath, Van Morrison, John Farnham, and Lonnie Donnegan).

Uriah Heep's current line up is Mick Box - Guitar, Trevor Bolder - Bass, Phil Lanzon - Keyboards, Bernie Shaw - Lead Vocals, and Russell Gilbrook - Drums

Throughout the course of their career, Meliah Rage has refused to let line-up changes derail or silence the mighty metal quintet from Boston, Massachusetts. And the group continues to live by this rule, as they've just announced the re-entry of the group's original frontman, Mike Munro. After singer Paul Souza exited the band late last year, a six-month search for a suitable replacement began, which led to a dead end. That is, until producer Rich Spillberg suggested that they should contact Munro, and get back to their roots. After being out of Meliah Rage for over a decade, Munro is back for more, joining band mates Anthony Nichols (guitar), Jim Koury (guitar), Darren Lourie (bass), and Stu Dowie (drums). And in a twist of fate, the last Meliah Rage release to feature Munro, 'Death Valley Dream,' was recently remastered, with its release - July 29th (yesterday) - coming right on the heels of the announcement of Munro's return.
To mark the album's reissue, a rare, never seen before video from that record is currently being re-edited, and will be posted on the band's website and Myspace page in the near future. Additionally, the Munro-fronted Meliah Rage is currently working on a new record with producer Spillberg (who has worked with everyone from Steel Assassin to Josh Grobin), at Red Devil Recording in Stoughton, MA, and should be on store shelves by early 2009.

Metallica revealed they’ve completed mixing Deth Magnetic and announced the first leg of their North American tour, which starts October 21st in Glendale, Arizona. The tour will circle the West and Midwest of the U.S. and Canada during the latter portion of 2008 before moving eastward in January 2009, with the leg culminating with a January 31st show in Newark, New Jersey. Check out all the dates after the jump.

As part of the official delegation of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem - Knights of Malta - Federation of Autonomous Priories, Grand Cross Knight Of Malta Joey DeMaio presented an Award of Merit to world famous Spanish tenor José Carreras hailing his artistic career achievements and lifetime philanthropic works. Joey DeMaio, Minister Of Youth of the Knights Of Malta, presented the award in the city of Timişoara (Transylvania), Romania last Sunday, July 20th.

 

Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio on the right .

MC Guitars introduces a new line of American made hand built guitars designed for the serious guitarist that’s hell-bent to shred. MC Guitars is a guitar company run by musicians for musicians that like things bigger, faster and better… so MC Guitars sets out to produce the most hellacious looking, fastest playing premium quality guitars available.
For sale from MC Guitars are MANOWAR's Karl Logan Signature Heretic™ Guitar, Karl Logan Signature Impaler™ Guitar, HolyHell's Joe Stump Signature Demonwing™ Guitar and others!
Guitars are available for purchase immediately. For more information and to buy visit http://www.mcguitars.net

EXODUS has just completed work on a re-recording of its classic 1985 debut album, Bonded by Blood. Produced by guitarist Gary Holt, the new CD — entitled "Let there be Blood" — was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California; JKZ Production Studio in San Rafael, California; with vocal tracks recorded at J. Rod Production Studios in New City, New York. Andy Sneap is currently mixing the CD at his Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England. An October 2008 release through Zaentz Records is expected.

Gary Holt (EXODUS) recently recorded guest appearances on the new Destruction album.

REBELLION will release a yet-untitled EP on october, 24th and their next album (the 3rd part of their History of the vikings") on january, 9th,2009.

Over 35,000 rabid fans braved the cold winds and rain to witness the “Spectacle of Might” known as MANOWAR and their special guests between July 9th-12th. MANOWAR headlined the Friday and Saturday nights of the festival, performing their first six albums back to back. The highlight of their performance was the 20th Anniversary of the Kings of Metal album, which boasted a 20 person men's choir onstage. In addition, they performed their new single, Die With Honor, 20,000 copies of which were given away to those in attendance (in addition to 20,000 free beers and the giving away of 4 custom built choppers owned by the band).
Very special guest Alice Cooper headlined the Thursday night presenting his classic live stage show. Heavy metal legend Doro Pesch, and her band performed all their greatest hits and wooed the crowd. One of the big surprises was HolyHell. Being no strangers to Germany in the past few years. HolyHell had one of the best responses from the Saturday crowd. The played two new songs from their yet to be released debut album, proving they are force to deal with in the metal scene.
Other highlights were performances by W.A.S.P., Ted Nugent, MSG, Benedictum, Titanium Black, Jack Starr's Burning Star, Death Angel, Beloved Enemy, Mob Rules, Sixth Sense, Gotthard, Brazen Abbot (featuring Joe Lyn Turner), Stormwarrior, Krypteria, Kobus and Metal Force featuring ex-Majesty singer Tarek.