12.30.05 (RockAndMetal.com) JULIAN LENNON has sent out the following year-ending holiday newsletter: "Hi folks! Happy New Year everyone! And it's been quite a year. For Mum especially. Her book, 'John,' was published in September to great reviews and wonderful feedback from the fans. She has asked me to pass on her thanks for all your letters and emails and your support and kindness over the past few months. I know she especially enjoyed meeting so many people at her signings both in Europe and in the U.S. Thank you! I genuinely felt that the time was right for Mum to write her story, that her side was long overdue, and so I was really heartened by your positive response to the book. I sincerely recommend 'John' to all of you who in Mum's words want to know 'the real story of the real John, the man who made such an impact on the world.' Many people have said how much they enjoyed reading my foreword to Mum's book as well, so thanks for that as well. For me, the most exciting thing this past year has been the completion of my home studio. I've been having a great time these last few months, writing new songs and collaborating with Greg Darling and other musicians and friends. I was recently in the UK for a few weeks trying to finalize 'The Team' I've been putting together over the year, and it seems, so far, that my dream team is really coming together. They're all very talented people in their own right - details of who they are will be announced once everyone signs on the dotted line! If all goes according to plan I'll be in the studio this spring recording with my producer of choice, and hopefully -- once PR and marketing are organized -- you will be hearing something new from me, either by year's end of 2006, or first thing in 2007. In the meantime... All the best and Happy New Year - see you on the other side! Love, Jules." If you hadn't read it, JULIAN LENNON also issued a rare public statement this past Fall, prior to the 25th anniversary of his father John Lennon's death: As the anniversary of Dad's death approaches, I have, inevitably, started receiving many requests for interviews. I am not going to give any interviews on the subject; I genuinely feel that I have talked about Dad enough. But I do appreciate the enormous interest people have in my father and his legacy and so, in lieu of interviews, I am going to say just this: Dad was a great talent whose music and ideals are an inspiration to millions. Yet I have always had very mixed feelings about Dad. He was the father I loved who let me down in so many ways. Who knows how our relationship might have developed if he had not been murdered... It's painful to think that his early death robbed me of the chance for us to know each other better. What can never be taken away are his words and music - that's his legacy for me. It's in my blood for a start. Like Dad, I became a musician too, and -- as with many other artists in this world -- his words and music continue to influence me today and probably forever more. I expect there will be lots of other programs and profiles commemorating and celebrating Dad on and around December 8th... For Mum and me, that day will be one of private remembrance."
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12.30.05 (RockAndMetal.com) BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kursch has posted the following information on the band's official website regarding their upcoming new single, 'Fly.': "Oh, about the single I mentioned a few months ago... We have accomplished it, and I would like to provide you with some information about it. There will be three songs on the single: 'Fly,' 'Skalds And Shadows (Acoustic Version),' and 'In A Gadda Da Vida.' 'Fly' is a quite surprising title for a Blind Guardian song, one could think. But it lyrically fits very, very well. This song is about inspirations and how they can influence your art, your life and other people's li(v)(?)es(?). I myself was inspired by the movie 'Finding Neverland' when doing the lyrics. The music is mindblowing. It certainly describes how we look at music and how we see ourselves as musicians. We love to explore and assimilate. Though the song is different, it is pure Blind Guardian. I personally consider it to be amongst the best songs we have ever written. It is new!!! It is fresh!!! Whether you like it or not, you won't have previously heard anything like it before from Blind Guardian. The acoustic version of 'Skalds And Shadows' completely stands in the tradition of songs like 'The Bard's Song' and 'A Past And Future Secret.' Charlie (Bauerfeind, producer) and Frederik (Ehmke, drummer) came up with a very cool percussion arrangement, and on top of it Frederik played some mindblowing flute melodies to it. We are very happy with the result and we are working on a more orchestral version at the moment which is supposed to become part of the new album. This purer single version will only appear on the single. The word 'skald' is probably not very common, but is nothing else than the ancient nordic description for their bards. The nordic Edda poems have mostly been invented by Skalds, and they also have kept these stories alive by traveling around and telling the stories to other people. I, as a fan of 'Die Nibelungen' and of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, was mostly thrilled by the 'Saga Of Volsung,' which the song lyrically partly scratches, as well as the mission of the storyteller. As probably most of you have figured, 'In A Gadda Da Vida' is a cover version of Iron Butterfly's smash hit. Although we like stoner music, we dared to turn it into a modern speed metal tune. This song, of course, will only appear on the single. To complete the single subject: The cover artwork has been done by Anthony Clarkson. He did a great job, and the motive is pretty much Blind Guardian. I am sure you will love it. What else can I tell you? We have not decided how the album will be entitled. Due to lyrical issues I am brainstorming with the word 'myth,' but that does not necessarily mean it finally will be used for the title. The two strongest titles from my point of view so far are 'A Twist In The Myth' or 'Borderline Myth.' Neither of them can be viewed as confirmed, though. Sometimes you wake up and you just know: that's the title to go for. Mostly it is just a question of the right inspiration... Regarding the possible style we may have chosen for the new album, we will not deny our roots, but we at the same time will not make a step back and we have no intention to stand right where we have been with the last studio album."
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12.29.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Scandinavian Crossover Rock/Metal pioneers CLAWFINGER have sent out their latest newsletter to fans, which reads: "So the tour is closing in on us, good people, but before we focus totally on it we need to celebrate the New Year in good old fashion. In other words, we'll be eating and drinking too much in the company of friends and family, and then we as a human race will just start over with another year of madness, insanity and irrational behavior around the whole world to prove that we have learned absolutely nothing from all our wrong doings!" CLAWFINGER are also slated to play some live dates in Europe during the months of January, February and March, which they elaborate on in their newsletter: "Anyway, we have yet to rehearse or decide which songs we will be playing, but obviously we'll be playing quite a few from the new album, at least 6 tracks or so. Beyond that, we might try out a few old classics that haven't been played in a while, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see how the rehearsals go down and which songs seem to come across the best! Northern Swedish band Calm Chaos will be supporting us on the January dates - still haven't met the guys yet so I can't say much about them, but for anyone who likes Rage Against The Machine and crossover in general then I'm sure you'll enjoy them if your taste goes beyond listening to what other people consider trendy or not! Anyway, I hope they'll enjoy there time with us and of course vice versa! For February and maybe even further onwards, Treekillaz will be supporting us once again. Most of you who have seen us in the last few years most surely know what they sound like, but for those of you who don't know well it's punk rock pop metal with a grunge twist - damn, I hate trying to describe music, anyway it's good stuff! So people, be sure to buy your tickets, bring your party hats, good attitudes, cameras, and whatever else is required to create a good atmosphere! We're looking forward to partying with you, working on our tinnitus, and turning our days and nights around completely! We'll see you all soon - until then, take care and beware, it's a wild fucking place out there. All the same, enjoy the ride. Peace, Zak." Tour Dates: January 11th Hamburg, Germany [Knust] • January 12th Koln, Germany [Prime Club] • January 13th Fribourg, Switzerland [Fri-Son] • January 14th Zurich, Switzerland [X-Tra] • January 16th Wien, Austria [Planet Music] • January 17th Graz, Austria [Orpheum] • January 18th Ljubljana, Slovakia [Orto Bar] • January 19th Budapest, Hungary [Petofi Csarnok] • January 20th Prague, CH [Abaton] • January 21st Warsaw, Poland [Stodola] • February 18th Laax, Switzerland [Riders Palace] • February 19th Munchen, Germany [New Backstage] • February 20th Saarbrucken, Germany [Garage] • February 21st Luxembourg, Luxembourg [Rockhal] • February 22nd Utrecht, Holland [Tivoli De Helling] • February 24th London, UK [The Garage] • February 25th Nottingham, UK [Rock City] • February 26th Glasgow, UK [Cathouse] • February 27th Newcastle, UK [Academy] • February 28th Manchester, UK [Academy 3] • March 2nd Berlin, Germany [SO36] • March 3rd Luneburg, Germany [Garage] • March 4th Copenhagen, Denmark [The Rock] •
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12.29.05 (RockAndMetal.com) ANTHRAX members Frankie Bello (bass), Charlie Benante (drums) and Scott Ian (guitar) got together in Chicago (where Benante lives with his wife) in early December to jam on new material. According to Ian, rough "skeletons" of three new songs came out of those sessions, with the band scheduled to continue writing in early 2006. ANTHRAX will kick off a 13-date U.S. tour on January 6th in Baltimore, Maryland. Support at the shows will come from GOD FORBID, SWORN ENEMY and MANNTIS. Commented Ian: "I'm itching to get back out on tour. The (Judas) Priest tour was great, but we were opening. Now we get to headline. More songs, more fun, more crushing, more beer, more insanity, more everything!!! This is the reason to get out of the house in freezing cold January. Come and get hot with us. This is the last run for a long time, and you don't want to miss it." ANTHRAX are expected to take a couple of months off following the U.S. tour so that Benante can spend time with his newborn child (which is due in February). A European headlining tour is tentatively planned for April. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon. Commemorating their 20th anniversary by touring with their original lineup for the first time in 13 years, ANTHRAX have been exclusively playing their classics from 1985 to 1991 since September both on the Gigantour as well as with JUDAS PRIEST. Those classic tracks can also heard on ANTHRAX's most comprehensive "best of" collection ever issued, their first two-CD retrospective, "Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991)," and first video compilation, the DVD "Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) The Videos" (both on Island/UMe Records), as well as on the separate live CD and DVD packages entitled "Alive 2 (2005)" (on Sanctuary Records), which document the group's momentous Summer 2005 reunion tour. One of the most acclaimed Metal bands in history, ANTHRAX reunited their original lineup of vocalist Joey Belladonna, guitarists Ian and Dan Spitz, Bello and Benante for the "Alive 2 (2005)" DVD, capturing the actual meeting in which the five came together for the first time in over 10 years. Along with band rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage, that DVD also spotlights 13 performances on the group's triumphant reunion tour. The "Alive 2 (2005)" CD reprised the audio for 11 of those songs ('Madhouse' and 'I'm The Man' are only on the DVD): 'Among The Living,' 'Caught In A Mosh,' 'I Am The Law,' 'A.I.R.,' 'N.F.L.,' 'Deathrider,' 'Medusa,' 'In My World,' 'Indians,' 'Time' and 'Be All, End All,' and added the track 'Antisocial.' In a unique twist, the booklets from the DVD and CD releases form an exclusive poster. As for the original recordings, "Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991)" marks the first time that ANTHRAX's recordings have been released with newly remastered versions of their many classic tracks. The "Anthrax CDC" (www.anthraxcdc.com), home of the official ANTHRAX Worldwide Fan Club, is also now the main online source for exclusive ANTHRAX content, contests, merchandise, etc.
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12.28.05 (RockAndMetal.com) QUEENSRYCHE returned to the studio this past Summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988's acclaimed concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime." Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard's album chart for more than a year, and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records will help to unravel the mysteries of the original with "Operation: Mindcrime II," which will be released by the label on March 14th. The new sequel contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet that is QUEENSRYCHE -- vocalist and chief songwriter Geoff Tate, guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield. Tate says the current political and social climate inspired him to revisit the storyline. "I left the original open-ended with the intent to come back with a sequel to finish the story up," he says. "Considering where we are today and how little things have changed, it was too ironic not to continue the story." "Operation: Mindcrime"'s intriguing and complex plot revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes Nikki, the story's main character, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki's lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger "Who Killed Sister Mary?" Set 20 years after the original, "Operation: Mindcrime II" explores Nikki's fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary's killer. "I tried to put myself in Nikki's shoes and imagine what it would be like for him to come back to society after spending 20 years in jail stewing about what happened to him," Tate says. "I became fascinated with the concept of revenge and what that would do to a person like Nikki. The story is ultimately about how Nikki wrestles with his conflicted emotions. On one side, his base instincts are pushing him to kill those who wronged him. On the other side, his conscience -- represented by the spirit of Sister Mary -- urges him to learn from his past mistakes and find salvation." Earlier this year QUEENSRYCHE launched a sold-out tour featuring the original "Operation: Mindcrime" performed in its entirety with actors on stage portraying the characters alongside the band. Tate says the band plans to launch a tour in 2006 that will feature a stage performance of both "Operation: Mindcrime" albums in their entirety. "The actors on stage with us add a new dimension to the music," he says. "It's different than your typical rock show, but the audiences really got into the 'Mindcrime I' tour. It's exciting to have the opportunity to combine both albums into one show. It's going to be epic." Since their formation in 1981 near, QUEENSRYCHE have released nine studio albums. "Empire," the 1990 follow-up to "Operation: Mindcrime," sold more than two million copies thanks in part to the enormous success of the hit 'Silent Lucidity.' 1994's "Promised Land" was also certified platinum, and featured the hits 'I Am I' and 'Bridge.'
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12.28.05 (RockAndMetal.com) EDGUY are currently rehearsing for their upcoming world tour, which will feature the band's biggest stage set to date in order to promote their new album, "Rocket Ride," which is slated for release January 20th via Nuclear Blast Records. More dates than those listed below will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. In Europe, the limited first edition of "Rocket Ride" will come out in a book version of the album, featuring a photographic history of EDGUY with never-before-seen pictures from their early days plus one bonus track , 'Land Of The Miracle (Live In Brazil).' "I can't tell how happy I am with the new album," says frontman Tobias Sammet. "The press seems to like it and the material kicks so much ass in the rehearsing room. Of course it's the same old story, same procedure as every year, some people are confused or offended by a few song titles and the artwork, but that's fine with us! That's what metal is supposed to do. Confuse, offend, irritate! Remain exciting and unpredictable!! The truest and most upright form of art you can get! As long as the music kicks! I think this is by far our best album because we dared a lot on a high quality level. 'Hellfire Club' and 'Mandrake' had balls, 'Rocket Ride' has the testicles about the size of a sperm whale family. Sascha Paeth delivered the best production of his career so far, and he can be proud of himself (and he is rich now!). We wish you all a Happy New Year, health and complacency. May all your wishes come true. See you on tour in 2006." Tour Dates: January 27th Manchester, UK [MDH] • January 29th Nottingham, UK [Nottingham Rock City] • January 30th Leeds, UK [University] • January 31st Glasgow, UK [Glasgow Academy] • February 1st Newcastle, UK [University] • February 3rd London, UK [Astoria] • February 4th Vosselaar, Belgium [Biebop] • February 6th Pratteln, CH [Z7] • February 7th Milan, [Rolling Stone] • February 9th Madrid, Spain [Aqualung] • February 10th Porto, Portugal [Hard Club] • February 11th Bergara, Spain [Sala Jam] • February 12th Barcelona, Spain [Razzmatazz 2] • February 14th Lyon, France [Transbordeur] • February 15th Paris, France [Elysee Mont Martre] • February 17th Stuttgart, Germany [LKA] • February 18th Kaufbeuren, Germany [All-Karthalle] • February 20th Langen, Germany [Stadthalle] • February 21st Koln, Germany [Live Music Hall] • February 22nd Oberhausen, Germany [Turbinenhalle] • February 24th Lichtenfels, Germany [Stadthalle] • February 25th Osnabruck, Germany [Halle Gartlage] • February 26th Hamburg, Germany [Markthalle] • February 28th Goteborg, Germany [Tradgarn] • March 1st Stockholm, Sweden [Arenan] • March 2nd Lund, Sweden [Mejeriet] • March 4th Fulda, Germany [Wartenberg-Oval - Angersbach] • March 15th Osaka, Japan [Quattro] • March 16th Tokyo, Japan [Liquid Room] • March 17th Tokyo, Japan [Liquid Room] • March 19th Taipeh, Taiwan [Family Theater] • March 21st Hong Kong, [China Hitec Auditorium] • March 24th Peking, China [Red Hall] • July 16th Vizovice, CH [Masters Of Rock]
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12.27.05 (RockAndMetal.com) "The Gun Album," the latest studio release from Indie Pop/Rockers THE MINUS 5, will be released on February 7th via Yep Roc Records. The seventh full-length album from the band, it features the McCaughey/Buck/Ramberg/Rieflin line-up, as well as two tracks recorded in Chicago with WILCO, plus guest appearances from John Wesley Harding, Kelly Hogan, Morgan Fisher (Mott), Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger/Long Winters), and Colin Meloy and John Moen (The Decemberists). However, make no mistake that Scott McCaughey represents the heart and soul of THE MINUS FIVE, who have existed in one form or another since 1993. Songwriter/singer/instrumentalist for YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS (1983 to present), instrumentalist for R.E.M. (1994 to present) as well as instrumentalist/songwriter for TUATARA alongside R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, McCaughey has actually made many recordings and played many shows with a number of other artists since 1972. THE MINUS FIVE itself started when McCaughey realized he had a dumptruck-load of songs that YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS would either never get around to, or would wisely choose not to. His friends and fellow Seattleites Peter Buck, Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer were quick to volunteer to help him capture his vision, with those early sessions producing "The Hello EP" and "Old Liquidator." Many other luminants have since joined the ranks of THE MINUS FIVE over the years. A little historical background: UNCLE TUPELO opened for the popular YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS once at the Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO, circa 1988. There was an undeniable musical kinship struck between the bands, while years later other things would happen. For instance, Peter Buck produced UNCLE TUPELO's "March 16-20, 1992" album. Every so often, Scott McCaughey and Jeff Tweedy would find themselves at their wives' house in Chicago, playing each other records and new stuff their bands had recorded. On a night off on R.E.M.'s 1995 world tour, Tweedy learned a bunch of the songs off of "Old Liquidator," and played a set with McCaughey and Buck at the fabled and much-missed Lounge Ax. Somewhere along the line, Tweedy and McCaughey started talking about the desire to record together, and they kept talking about it over the years. After a GOLDEN SMOG show in Seattle, Tweedy, McCaughey and Barrett Martin recorded a new Minus 5 song entitled 'Childhood Lament,' which to this day resides carelessly on the unreleased "Let The War Against Music Begin Vol. 2" album. Tweedy's WILCO would later tour with R.E.M. in 1999, while McCaughey regularly contributed moogerfooger banjo to 'Misunderstood.' Then backstage in Munich, Germany came the Tweedy/McCaughey/Buck anthem, 'Lyrical Stance (I've Got A).' Later, in Toronto, Canada, Scott McCaughey and Jeff Tweedy penned 'The Family Gardener' and recorded a rough version of the song with Brian Paulson in a Raleigh, North Carolina Holiday Inn. In January of 2000, a two-week celebration of Lounge Ax (finally being evicted from its longtime home) brought McCaughey to Chicago to perform a set of new material with no rehearsal, featuring WILCO as THE MINUS 5. That set has since been widely bootlegged.
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12.27.05 (RockAndMetal.com) "Ten Years In Hell," an extensive 2-disc DVD set from Thrash legends ANNIHILATOR will be released in mid-February via SPV Records. Containing seven classic music videos, off-stage band footage and bonus underground, fan-shot, live performances, "Ten Years In Hell" also contains a special interview with ANNIHILATOR founder and guitarist Jeff Waters as he recounts his memories of the band's first ten years of existence. Also included are special appearances by original co-lyricist John Bates, NEVERLAND frontman Coburn Pharr, CRITERIA bassist Russell Bergquist, and SET THE WORLD ON FIRE's Mike Mangini and Neil Goldberg. Bona fide "classics" are something that most people produce once or at most twice in a lifetime. However, it's clear that ANNIHILATOR have already delivered several masterpieces over the course of their career so far. Albums like "Never, Neverland" or "King Of The Kill" are considered blueprints of the Thrash genre, highlights of contemporary Heavy Metal as it developed on an international level throughout the 80's and beyond. Since Jeff Waters left Ottawa and moved West to found ANNIHILATOR, his band has simply been among the best and most authentic acts the international Metal scene has to offer. "For some reason, Annihilator was always more like a solo project" he explains, pointing out that he is not only the group's guitarist, composer and arranger, but also produces, engineers and mixes their material. "Writing songs and recording the guitar parts are like a holiday for me; production and mix on the other hand are much more difficult, especially when you are so close to the material. You have to make so many decisions, bear every minute detail in mind, and coordinate everything. Particularly, the final mixing process is always a tough nut to crack, since after months of studio work your ears simply aren't fresh any more." He adds: "In the past few years, many musicians in both rock and metal have cited the influence of my music on their work. Despite not always attaining the same 'superstar' status as many of their bands, I am honored to have had that kind of impact. That being said, how many 80's metal bands have done over 16 years straight, of constantly putting out CD's, touring, and remaining 100% true to what they do? Not many!" "Ten Years In Hell" Track Listing: Disc 1: 1. Intro • 2. Alison Hell • 3. Release Party • 4. TV Media One • 5. Stonewall • 6. TV Media Two • 7. TV Media Three • 8. Backstage • 9. Fun Palace Live • 10. TV Media Four • 11. Set The World On Fire • 12. KOTK Back Vocals • 13. King Of The Kill • 14. Jeff In Japan • 15. 21 • 16. Only Be Lonely • 17. Syn. Kill 1 • 18. Criteria Rehearsal • 19. Alison/Homicide • 20. Oh Canada • 21. Ultraparanoia • 22. Pharr Live • 23. Rampage Raw • 24. End Credits Disc 2: 1. Pre-Annihilator Era • 2. Demo Days • 3. Alice In Hell • 4. Never, Neverland • 5. Set The World On Fire • 6. King Of The Kill • 7. Refresh & Remains • 8. Criteria • 9. Other Releases • 10. Catch Ya Later • 11. Mike Mangini • 12. Neil Goldberg
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12.26.05 (RockAndMetal.com) MODERN LIFE IS WAR will be playing a few shows in the northeastern U.S. in mid-January before heading over to Europe at the end of the month to play a month's worth of dates there with bands including THE EXPLOSION, PANIC, and OMISSION. In their few short years of existence since forming in Iowa at the beginning of 2002 with the goal of make sincere, youthful and passionate music, MODERN LIFE IS WAR have grown to become one of the more inspiring Punk/Hardcore bands in recent memory. With Dean Baltulonis (Give Up The Ghost, Madball, The Hope Conspiracy) at the helm to capture the band at Atomic Studios in Brooklyn, New York, "My Love. My Way" -- their 2003 debut album for Connecticut's Martyr Records -- crossed boundaries and won the support of the fans with it's unwavering passion and sincerity. Appealing to everyone from the jaded to the driven with their immeasurable heart and vigor, the band's new album, "Witness," was recorded and engineered by CONVERGE's Kurt Ballou at God City Studios in Salem, Massachusetts. "Witness" is not only a musical progression for MODERN LIFE IS WAR, but arguably closer to true artistic perfection than they've ever been. "Witness" is a story of real life struggle in contemporary rural America, as well as an artistic journey into the soul of personal rebellion - an introspective gaze into the bitter exile of their own lost generation. Lyrically captivating, musically discordant and soulfully haunting, "Witness" is both the crowning achievement and well-worn scar most artists strive for years to create. Tour Dates: 01/12 Washington, DC [Black Cat Backstage] • 01/13 Philly, PA [The 1st Unitarian Church] • 01/14 New York, NY [The Knitting Factory] • 01/27 Bochum, Germany [Matrix] • 01/28 Hengelo, Holland [Metropol - Reflectons Festival Pt. 1] • 01/29 Cardiff, UK [Ifor Bach] • 01/30 Sheffield, UK [DnR] • 01/31 Nottingham, UK [Old Angel] • 02/01 Manchester, UK [Star And Garter] • 02/02 Leeds, UK [Josephs Well] • 02/03 London UK [Barfly] • 02/05 Arnheim, Holland [Goudvishal] • 02/06 Bielefeld, Germany [Falkendom] • 02/07 Gothenburg, Sweden [Pustervik] • 02/08 Linkoping, Sweden [Skylten] • 02/09 Oslo, Norway [Sub Scene] • 02/10 Ibbenburen, Germany [JUZ Scheune] • 02/11 Saalfeld, Germany [Klubhaus] • 02/12 Katowice, Poland [Straszny Dwor] • 02/13 Gleisdorf, Austria [Kulturkeller] • 02/14 Munchen, Germany [Backstage] • 02/15 Dornbirn, Austria [Schlachthaus] • 02/16 Luzern, Switzerland [Treibhaus] • 02/17 Florence, Italy [CPA] • 02/18 Rome, Italy [Traffic] • 02/20 Toulouse, France [Carvan Serail] • 02/21 Bordeaux, France [TBA] • 02/22 Caen, France Bar [Laplace] • 02/23 Nevers, France Bar [Cafe Charbon] • 02/24 Lichtenstein, Germany [JZ Riot] • 02/25 Giessen, Germany [MUK] • 02/26 Antwerpen, Belgium [Hof Ter Lo - Reflections Festival Pt. 2]
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12.26.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Some of CENTURY MEDIA's Metal artists have revealed their Holiday plans on that label's website. CRYPTOPSY's Flo Mounier says: "Christmas is a time for family, friends, good food and drink. On Christmas Eve, we go to my wife's parents house and I start drinking early in the day with my father-in-law. He's great that way. Then as the night goes on my in-laws all start dancing to Pop music until midnight when the hors d'oeuvres turn into dinner, tons of food. After that we open gifts. As this will be my son's first Christmas, I'm really excited to see what he gets. On Christmas Day we go back to Montreal and my parents come over to our house. Again, we sit down to an 8-course meal and exchange gifts afterwards. I try to be home for the holiday because I really believe in celebrating with my family. Merry Christmas!" IMPALED's Ross Sewage says: "Ah, the dead of winter... my favorite time of year! Well, first I join my family and we start the burning of the Cruel Log. It burns for eight magical days... or for however long we keep pouring the oil from a dead baby seal's fat onto it. One of my favorite moments is decorating the XXX-Mess tree with effigies of Jenna Jameson. Finally we tuck the kids away, and by kids, I mean me. The next day I get up to receive the presents brought for me because I've been naughty all year. Yay!! A new scalpel and bonesaw! For New Year's... I get drunk. Big surprise." NAPALM DEATH's Shane Embury commented: "Just finishing up a few last minute things at the house here in Birmingham before I make the not-so-long 40 mile trip to Broseley, located in the county of Shropshire, England. It's where I was born and raised, and where my family still lives. This I do without fail every X-mas, unless of course I am touring, which we make a point not to (we are all quite traditional like that). The general plan will be to eat as much of my Mum's home cooking as possible, give and receive a few tasty gifts, drink a couple of beers with my Dad, pester my sister and walk the dog as much as I can (hopefully to burn off the mountains of roasted potatoes I will be consuming over the next 2 weeks)... Oh yeah, and play a shitload of Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube. As for New Years, it will be back to Birmingham for me. I'm off to my local pub, 'Scruffy Murphy's,' to be joined by guys from Benediction, Anaal Nathrakh and a few other crazed metal heads I know. With the new 24 hour drinking law that's just been passed it could turn into a very entertaining night indeed... Wake up New Years Day (I hope) and start work on songs for the new Napalm Death album. I have 4 songs already - simple really! Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year. NAPALM DEATH's Barney Greenway reveals: "Christmas is the only time that I really have to relax, so even though I get more and more atheistic as the years go by, I still like to get into the groove with it. It seems the only time of year when (most) people bother to be cool to each other - pity they can't do it the whole year round really. I usually go around my parents for a (fake) turkey dinner, watch my nieces enjoying themselves and then like to get around a few friends. So I spend most of X-mas driving in a car. In the future, I'd like to be constructive and help out at the soup kitchens or the abandoned dogs shelter. I always say I'm going to do it every year, but then I just go ahead and sit on my arse. What a sellout, eh?" Lastly, NOCTURNAL RITES' Nils Eriksson said: "I started off on December 23rd by drinking some spiked glue wine with some buddies. On Christmas Eve, I have lunch at my grandma's and later dinner at my parent's house. On Christmas day my brother and his family join up and we hand out our gifts. Later that night my friends and me usually get loaded. It is a tradition here in Sweden that people get really drunk the day after Christmas."

[Music News: 12.19.05 - 12.25.05]
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