08.19.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Vancouver Glam Punk Rockers THE BLACK HALOS have released their third album, "Alive Without Control, which was produced by Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden) for Liquor And Poker Music. The first release from the band in four years, "Alive Without Control" should turn any skeptic into a fan of THE BLACK HALOS in no time at all. With successful and sold-out performances at this year's Liquor And Poker Music showcases at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX and Canadian Music Week in Toronto, Canada, the band are ready to take the world by storm with their unique brand of decadent and dark Rock 'N' Roll. "Alive Without Control" has been released in a deluxe Digipak with a unique embossed cover that must be seen to be believed, a Liquor And Poker Music sticker, and a free label sampler that features 19 tracks from the Liquor And Poker label roster. THE BLACK HALOS have just been confirmed to support Punk and skateboard legend Duane Peters' DIE HUNNS on the "Old Skars And Upstarts" tour that also features appearances from THE RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, KINGS OF NUTHIN and ANGEL CITY OUTLAWS. The tour begins in September, and will see THE BLACK HALOS playing to fans from coast to coast. A full list of dates will be up on the Liquor And Poker website soon, so don't miss an opportunity to see some of the finest bands in the game prove why real Punk and Rock 'N' Roll is here to stay. And if that's not enough, the band will be doing a few West Coast warm-up dates on their way down to L.A. to film a video for the new song 'Three Sheets To The Wind.' Shane Drake (Clutch, Hawthorne Heights, etc.) is currently on tap to direct the video. "Ever since this beautiful nightmare began back in 1994, The Black Halos have always been an entity on its own comprised of 5 individuals who have united with the soul purpose of keeping the idiotsavantness of the music we love alive at any cost," says THE BLACK HALOS' vocalist Billy Hopeless. "From taking on tours that even to the most experienced and diehard bands seem impossibly ridiculous consisting of some of the most legendary/highbrow theatres and ballrooms as well as some of the darkest shitholes and unkown venues no crowd has been denied or unmarked by our passion, insanity, and debauchery. Throughout the history of rock 'n' roll, punk, alternative or whatever the magazines are calling it now, too many bands could be given as reference points. Even though we have studied the maps of the masters, we still refuse to learn from their past mistakes and have chosen to seek our own uncharted course to glorious errors."
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08.19.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Swedish Experimental Extreme Metallers MESHUGGAH have announced that they will return to the U.S. alongside GOD FORBID, THE HAUNTED and MNEMIC as part of the "Fury Of The Fall" tour this October. "We're finally coming back to tour the U.S.!" MESHUGGAH said in a statement. "We think it's a great package and since it's been two and a half years since we last toured the U.S. we're definitely looking forward to it! "When we wrote 'Catch 33,' we never really intended to tour in support of it but now we're actually playing 13 minutes from the album in our set! We've already started writing for the next album and this tour will be kind of a 'breather' in the midst of the writing process. With that said, this will be the only U.S. tour we'll do for the 'Catch 33' album! It's incredible that we got this great bill to travel with us for the tour; The Haunted, Mnemic and God Forbid! We think this bill will attract a good crowd and with the diversity in styles there's bound to be something for most every fan of extreme music." GOD FORBID join the ranks of the tour just as their new album hits the streets on September 20. Lead guitarist Doc Coyle commented on the tour: "I have to say that we couldn't have picked a better tour to kick off the 'IV: Constitution Of Treason' touring cycle. Meshuggah and The Haunted are bands that have been huge inspirations to God Forbid for years, and to share the same stage is beyond an honor. The addition of Mnemic will really make this tour something to remember. As the sole American act on this bill, we will do our best to fly the flag for American heavy metal! We can't wait to hit the road, have some beers with all these amazing bands and play some intense shows for all the fans while showcasing the new album. It's going to be a blast! See everyone on the road. Peace." THE HAUNTED, the legendary Swedish outfit, will be coming off the biggest U.S. tour of their career after playing Ozzfest. Vocalist Peter Dolving says: "We just got word that we'll be back in the USA a few weeks after the Ozzfest together with our sick ugly friends of Meshuggah and God Forbid. I think we'll make an honest attempt at awakening Satan and utterly corrupting the innocent minds of the unexpecting American youth. This is going to be sweet. So get ready to buy your tickets, put on your dancing shoes and we'll see you at the disco, kids! Kill, kill, kill. All hail. Etc. Or something..." Denmark's MNEMIC will most likely be the ones to open up the evening's festivities. "Mnemic is beyond honored to be touring the U.S. with Meshuggah, God Forbid and The Haunted!" MNEMIC said in a statement. "These guys are true metal pioneers, and we're psyched that they've chosen us to hit to the road with them. Get ready for pure audio injection from this heavy package that's gonna tear a hole into the U.S. soil."
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08.18.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Solo artist BAG is slated to release his self-titled debut album on September 13th via Simmons/Sanctuary Records. If Beck and Bob Dylan had a baby boy and spoonfed him on toxic waste, they would probably would name him BAG. Every once in a while an artist comes along that breaks the mold, an artist who fails to fit into today's cookie cutter world, an artist unwavering in his fierce commitment to creativity and unyielding in his refusal to compromise. That artist is BAG. An extraordinary collection of quirky and twisted musical tomfoolery, BAG's self-titled debut is the inaugural release on KISS founder Gene Simmons' recently activated Simmons Records/Sanctuary imprint. Having received thousands of demo submissions for his new label, Simmons discovered BAG, one artist that stood out miles apart from the pack. "I first heard Bag, when a beautiful woman told me about him," recalls Simmons. "The first song I heard was, ironically enough, 'Blown Away.' I was." Quickly making BAG the first signing to his label, BAG states that "the only reason I have a record deal is because of Gene Simmons." "He got my tape through a mutual friend. He loved it, and two days later he flew me down to meet him and then I got signed to Sanctuary. My music is definitely not mainstream. It's left of center. Gene was one of the few people that got it, and championed it." Known simply as BAG, the artist reveals the meaning behind his unconventional name remains a constant source of speculation. "People ask me all the time about my name, and here's the story that I'm sticking with. It means "Bad And Good," "Boy And Girl," "Beelzebub And God," and "Brainy And Gorgeous." Immensely versatile, Bag's debut release is a consummate tour de force effecting a collision of playful musical hi-jinx, idiosyncratic lyrics and trippy grooves. "Bag is a one man band," says Gene Simmons. "He writes his own songs. Sings them. Lead vocals and background vocals. Plays all the instruments. Produces, mixes, and in almost all ways seems to have avoided the pitfalls of being in a band. Chances are this 'band' won't break up because of internal conflict. This one may actually stay together." The son of a psychiatrist, BAG was born in South America, and currently resides in Canada. His most notable past musical achievements include penning two songs for Gene Simmons' "Asshole" album and producing four cuts. "It was terrific fun working with Gene, and a fantastic learning experience. He's a great guy to work with..." [full story]
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08.18.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Canada's INTO ETERNITY are currently out on the road on their third tour of 2005, opening for traditional Heavy Metal warriors HAMMERFALL and EDGUY. Supporting their current album "Buried In Oblivion," the band are in great spirits and ripping up the stage every night. INTO ETERNITY guitarist/vocalist Tim Roth sends the following message to fans: "Hello everyone!! The Hammerfall/Edguy/Into Eternity tour is rolling along full steam now. We have been astonished by our fans' enthusiastic response to our show. They are giving us so much energy, and every night we play as hard as we can. It's a great feeling to look out and see 1,000 people raising their metal horns!! The Eastern Canadian leg of the tour was sick! I think we made a lot of new fans and we can't wait to get back there with Stratovarius. The promoters were class acts and treated us well, so thanks to all of them. We hope to see all of our fans out supporting us, and we feel really lucky to be a part of such a great tour. Thanks to Hammerfall and Edguy for having us out with them, they are both great bands and I think this is an awesome package. Hopefully we can meet everyone on the road!! Keep it metal!" Upcoming Tour Dates: 08/17 Philadelphia, PA [The Trocadero] • 08/18 Rochester, NY [Penny Arcade] • 08/19 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] • 08/20 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 08/21 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 08/22 Minneapolis, MN [Fine Line Music Cafe] • 08/25 Vancouver, BC [Commodore Ballroom] • 08/26 Seattle, WA [Studio Seven] • 08/28 San Francisco, CA [DNA Lounge] • 08/29 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Theatre] • 08/30 Hollywood, CA [The Avalon] • 08/31 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theatre] • 09/15 Rockford, IL [Kryptonite] • 09/16 Battle Creek, MI [Planet Rock] • 09/17 Toledo, OH [The Underground] • 09/18 Dayton, OH [Elbo's] • 09/19 West Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 09/20 Philadelphia, PA [The Trocadero] • 09/21 New York, NY [BB King's] • 09/23 Montreal, QC [Medley] • 09/24 Quebec City, QC [Le Capitole] • 09/25 Toronto, ON [The Opera House] • 09/27 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] • 09/28 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 09/29 Minneapolis, MN [Fine Line Music Cafe] • 09/30 Winnipeg, MB [West End Culture Club] • 10/02 Edmonton, AB [Starlite Room] • 10/03 Calgary, AB [Warehouse] • 10/05 Vancouver, BC [Commodore Ballroom] • 10/06 Seattle, WA [Studio Seven] • 10/08 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 10/09 West Hollywood, CA [Key Club] • 10/10 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Theatre] • 10/11 Concord, CA [Bourbon Street] • 10/15 Regina, SK [The Exchange] • 10/16 Saskatoon, SK [Roxy On Broadyway]
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08.17.05 (RockAndMetal.com) New North American live dates have been confirmed for British trio DOVES in support of their recently released third album, "Some Cities." The tour, which kicks off September 12th in Boston, Massachusetts, will bring DOVES to such events as New York City's CMJ Music Marathon (September 14th), Texas's Austin City Limits Festival (September 25th), New York City's Across the Narrows Festival (October 2nd) and San Francisco's Download Festival (October 8th). "Some Cities," the follow-up to the band's 2002 breakthrough album "The Last Broadcast," entered the British album charts at #1. Initially inspired by the profound changes DOVES saw in their Manchester hometown, the album's wide-ranging texture runs from inner-city grit to celestial sweep and everywhere in between. Like its predecessors, "Some Cities" has been lavished with critical praise. Ten years ago, when DOVES first formed in the wake of the Acid House craze that swept through their hometown of Manchester, England, they were just three kids who wanted to have a good time. Twin brothers Jez and Andy Williams hadn't seen their old schoolmate Jimi Goodwin until they bumped into each other one crazed night on the dance floor at the popular Hacienda club. The Hacienda was Acid House central, the centrifugal force that spun out a generation of kids who wanted to do something for themselves. So they did the right thing - they formed a band. Tour Dates: 09/12 Boston, MA [Avalon] • 09/13 Montreal, QC [Spectrum De Montreal] • 09/14 Brooklyn, NY [Warsaw - CMJ Music Marathon] • 09/16 New Haven, CT [Toad's Place] • 09/17 Baltimore, MD [Sonar] • 09/19 Carrboro, NC [Cat's Cradle] • 09/20 Atlanta, GA [Roxy Theatre] • 09/22 New Orleans, LA [TwiRoPa] • 09/23 Houston, TX [Meridian] • 09/24 Dallas, TX [Gypsy Tea Room] • 09/25 Austin, TX [Austin City Limits Festival] • 09/27 Chicago, IL [Riviera] • 09/28 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 09/30 Toronto, ONT Docks [Concert Hall] • 10/01 Northampton, MA [Pearl Street] • 10/02 Staten Island, NY [Across The Narrows Festival] • 10/04 St. Louis, MO [The Pageant] • 10/08 Mountainview, CA [Shoreline Amphitheatre - Download Festival] • 10/10 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 10/11 San Diego, CA [House Of Blues]
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08.17.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Italian Experimentalist Metallers EPHEL DUATH have recently completed work on the highly anticipated follow-up to "The Painter's Palette" at Studio 73 in Ravenna, Italy. EPHEL DUATH Guitarist Davide Tiso checked in with the following update regarding the new album, entitled "Pain Necessary To Know": "I'm so happy to announce you that our new album, "Pain Necessary To Know" is ready. I have the master in my hand and the artwork on my PC! After two years to compose and five months to record, mix and master, you can easily understand my so excited state of mind. The sound is fat and circular, but at the same time so cutting. It's brilliant but dirty. There's desert and smelling water. Probably there's Zappa too! We've also finalized the artwork. Dirty water with medusas in the background. Medusas are perfect to symbolize the title of the album. You can't say you know a medusa if you have not felt around your body a sign of its touch. You can't say you have the slightest idea of what is the better life for you if you don't have around your thoughts the signs of pain. In my opinion pain is necessary to know. Only through a lot of different pains I've come to understand what is better for me...To play music!" EPHEL DUATH were spawned in February of 1998 to satiate the band members' desires to create, innovate and articulate the finest technical Black Metal. The duo, consisting of Tiso (guitars/vocals/synths) and Giuliano (guitars/vocals/bass/synths/programming), soon began to add flesh to the bare bones of their mutual vision. In October of 1998, the first EPHEL DUATH demo, "Opera," was unleashed upon a cynical world, and soon the group were being hailed as genuine forerunners in an aggressively over-populated scene. "Opera" set out the band's stall, showcasing their unique take on Black Metal, fusing complex rhythms, technical guitar and synth work, epic Classical scores and heart-soaring melodies. The response was overwhelming: Over 1,000 demos were sold, with excellent reviews to boot. In 1999, EPHEL DUATH signed a deal with new Italian label Code666 and set about recording their debut album. In the meantime "Opera" blasted the mp3.com Black Metal charts, reaching No. 1 with more than 20,000 downloads, which led to mp3.com reprinting the demo onto CD for sale through their website. "Phormula," the band's debut album, was released via Code666 in 2000, which caught the ear of Elitist Records' Lee Barrett, with whom EPHEL DUATH signed a four-year recording deal.
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08.16.05 (RockAndMetal.com) In 2002, FENIX TX stunned fans by announcing during a performance in Portland that the band was breaking up. Now, three years later at the urging of friends and fans, FENIX TX are reuniting for two Arizona live dates. The shows will be held this week at The Club House in Tempe on Friday, 8/19 and at The Rialto Theatre in Tucson on Saturday, 8/19 - after which the band are setting its sights on the open road. According to their label, FENIX TX will headline a Drive-Thru/Rushmore Records tour with ALLISTER, HOUSTON CALLS and DAY AT THE FAIR in October and November, with UK and Japan dates to follow that. The band will also record a live album, a first for the group, which formed in 1995. So what could bring the former members of FENIX TX -- Willie Salazar (vocals), Damon Delapaz (drums), Adam Lewis (bass), and Chris Lewis (guitar) -- together again? Unfinished business. "The break-up was so sudden," says FENIX TX frontman Willie Salazar: "We were caught up in our creative differences, we never got to say a proper goodbye to our fans, and I know that disappointed a lot of people, me included." After the split, the members pursued other musical projects, Salazar and Chris Lewis moving on to form DENVER HARBOR, releasing "Scenic" in October of 2004. However, fans from around the world continuously reached out to FENIX TX, asking them to reunite and perform. "We got together again and realized that playing together makes us happy," says Salazar. "We are familiarizing ourselves with each other and remembering the old songs, and we discovered that we're better musicians, the songs are tight." During their time together, FENIX TX released two albums, "Fenix TX" and "Lechuza" - selling over 600,000 albums and sharing U.S. and international stages with the likes of BAD RELIGION, BLINK-182, LESS THAN JAKE, 311 and NEW FOUND GLORY. The support the Arizona music community has shown the band over the years made it a no brainer for FENIX TX when choosing A spot for playing their first shows in three years and recording the live album. Fans can expect to hear old songs, b-sides, unreleased numbers, and a few covers thrown in for good measure. The unnamed album will be released later this year on Drive-Thru Records, who independently released FENIX TX's self-titled debut in 1997. That album was then re-released in 1999 by Drive-Thru and MCA Records, with the two labels jointly releasing "Lechuza" in 2001.
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08.16.05 (RockAndMetal.com) THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are breaking new ground with the release of their latest music video, 'Unretrofied.' The hyper-advanced clip is taken from the band's forward-thinking Relapse Records release, "Miss Machine." The 'Unretrofied' video was written and directed by Josh Graham (Enon, No Doubt, Jurassic 5) and features the band (vocalist Greg Puciato, guitarists Ben Weinman and Brian Benoit, bassist Liam Wilson and drummer Chris Pennie) "assembled as retro 'Westworld'-style robots as we witness the birth of 'The Dillinger Escape Plan.'" Response to the video has been positive, with FUSE accepting 'Unretrofied' into rotation on both its "Ovenfresh" and "Steven's Untitled Rock Show" programs. "Oven Fresh" gives the power of the programming over to the fans by allowing them to vote to see more or less of the hottest new videos each week. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN appears as an "Oven Fresh" artist this week alongside 50 CENT, SILVERSTEIN, SYSTEM OF A DOWN and others. The 'Unretrofied" video has been added on MTV-U as well. The band also recently joined up with Dave Mustaine and company as part of the inaugural Gigantour alongside MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY and NEVERMORE. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are among the headliners every night for the remainder of the tour, which is scheduled to conclude on September 11th at the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield, Washington - shortly after which they will move on to a tour with UNEARTH, ZAO and A LIFE ONCE LOST. Tour Dates: 08/17 Pittsburgh, PA [Chevy Amphitheater] • 08/19 Portland, ME [Civic Center] • 08/20 Manchester, NH [Verizon Wireless Amphitheater] • 08/21 Poughkeepsie, NY [Mid Hudson Civic Center] • 08/23 Wantagh, NY [Jones Beach Amphitheater] • 08/24 Holmdel, NJ [PNC Bank Arts Center] • 08/26 Boston, MA [B Of A Pavilion] • 08/27 Reading, PA [Sovereign Center] • 08/28 Atlantic City, NJ [House Of Blues] • 08/30 Buffalo, NY [Darien Lakes PAC] • 08/31 Huntington, WV [Big Sandy Superstore Arena] • 09/02 Montreal, QC [Canada Bell Centre] • 09/03 Toronto, ON [Canada Molson Amphitheatre] • 09/06 Edmonton, AB Canada [Shaw Conference Center] • 09/07 Calgary, AB Canada [Calgary Exhibition] • 09/09 Vancouver, BC Canada [PNE Coliseum] • 09/10 Auburn, WA [White River Amphitheatre] • 09/11 Ridgefield, WA [Clark County Fair]
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08.15.05 (AP) FIONA APPLE is ending her curiously long hiatus from the business of making music. A year after 11 tracks were leaked onto the Internet, drawing praise from critics and fans, Epic Records announced today that Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" album will be released October 4th. It's been six years since FIONA APPLE's last album, "When the Pawn...," which was released in 1999. Since then, the young Grammy-winning singer has been treated to a deluxe serving of the frustrations of modern music: It isn't always easy to make a beautiful songs, and creative control is a nebulous concept at best. Last year, Apple and producer Jon Brion came up with a wonderfully complex construction of Brion's vision and Apple's voice. But after months of silence from Apple and Epic parent company Sony Music on a release date, all 11 songs popped up on the Internet, in high-quality MP3s, freely available for anyone who couldn't wait another minute. And there was not a buy link to be seen. Moreover, the album was very good. Tracks titled 'Oh Sailor' and 'Please, Please, Please' ooze the same sullen sultriness that made Apple's debut album, "Tidal," triple-platinum. How the album got online is a question that gets fingers pointing in all directions. What is known is that only Apple, Brion, recording engineers and the label had access to the songs - and Apple is now moving forward without Brion. The album now has 12 songs. One is new, and nine are reworked versions of leaked tracks. "Now that my album is finally finished, I am very, very excited to have people hear what we did. I am so proud of it, and all of us who worked on it," Apple said in a short statement released Monday. Through Epic, Apple refused several interview requests from The Associated Press. Mike Elizondo is now FIONA APPLE's new producer, who cut his teeth working under Dr. Dre, and most of his work has been with rappers such as 50 Cent and Obie Trice. Brion also wouldn't talk about his involvement with Apple's upcoming album. But his publicist, Ray Costa, denies Brion leaked the album. "That's one sore subject with him," Costa said, acknowledging the persistent rumors. And Brion insists that the version of "Extraordinary Machine" available online has been tweaked, and does not represent the music he and Apple created. "The version that's out there right now has been additionally manipulated even from what Jon had done before," Costa said. "Whether the album comes out, Jon's done his part." Some die-hard FIONA APPLE fans say what they've already heard was plenty good enough.
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08.15.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Metal Blade recording artists UNEARTH have announced a headlining tour with support from THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN that is slated to begin September 16th at Forward Hall in Erie, Pennslyvania. NORA and A LIFE ONCE LOST will be supporting UNEARTH for the first two dates, with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, ZAO and A LIFE ONCE LOST completing the tour. UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps had this to say: "We are all looking forward to headlining again. Festival tours are great, but we are stoked to play a full set for all our fans. Also, like I said before we prefer the club atmosphere where there is simply just more energy and a better show from all points. The fact that we are taking out The Dillinger Escape Plan and Zao, two bands we admire greatly for their long and influential history in metal and hardcore, and our good friends in the bad ass band A Life Once Lost, is just an awesome feeling for us all. We are bringing a killer show across the country, and it is a tour we are proud to take out." In other UNEARTH news, the band will be releasing a special edition of "The Oncoming Storm," which has already SoundScanned over 105,000 units, with a bonus DVD that will feature the "Original EPK - Live At Downtown" featuring 'My Heart Bleeds No Longer,' 'The Great Dividers' and 'Black Hearts Now Reign,' as well as interview footage, backstage antics, "Eye Of The Oncoming Storm," a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "The Oncoming Storm," plus all of UNEARTH's promotional music videos. The new edition of "The Oncoming Storm" will be released October 18th. Tour Dates: 09/16 Erie, PA [Forward Hall] • 09/17 Lexington, KY [Short Street Lounge] • 09/18 Indianapolis, IN [Emerson Theatre] • 09/20 Ft Collins, CO [Aggie Theatre] • 09/21 Colorado Springs, CO [The Dark Side] • 09/23 Chico, CA [Senator Theatre] • 09/24 Sacramento, CA [Colonial Theatre] • 09/25 Santa Cruz, CA [The Catalyst] • 09/26 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 09/27 Lancaster, CA [Mr. Ques Billiards] • 09/28 Tucson, AZ [Coconuts] • 09/29 Albuquerque, NM [Sunshine Theatre] • 09/30 Oklahoma City, OK [Bricktown Live] • 10/01 Springfield, MO [Rockwell] • 10/02 Nashville, TN [Rocketown] • 10/03 Spartanburg, SC [Ground Zero] • 10/05 Lancaster, PA [Chameleon Club] • 10/06 Latham, NY [Saratoga Winners] • 10/07 New Haven, CT [Toad's Place] • 10/08 Rochester, NY [Water Street Music Hall]
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[Music News: 08.08.05 - 08.14.05]
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