Bassist/songwriter Fitty Weinhold announced that he has split with U.D.O. (the band created and fronted by ex-Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider) after 23 years in the band as a partner to Dirkschneider. His last show with the band will be in October. The emotional video can be found in the player above. Weinhold promises that he has one musical venture left on his "bucket list" and he will surprise fans with that soon. As of press time, U.D.O. has not made any statement, nor

After the cancellation of several concerts last year and fans being worried about the future of the band, My Dying Bride vocalist/lyricist Aaron Stainthorpe has released the following statement: “Many of you have been wondering what has happened to the band since we cancelled all our shows back in late 2017. Well, here is the answer. "In September 2017 my beautiful little daughter, just five years old, was diagnosed with cancer. This event devastated the whole family as w

Composer/co-founder of Rhapsody and leader of LT Rhapsody - Luca Turilli - announced that he is putting the famed band on indefinite hold as he dedicates himself to new musical projects away from the metal subgenre. He does not rule out a return to rock and metal, but the time period for that return looks to be long, if ever. In a statement on the band's Facebook page, Turilli stated: "Hi to all, beloved sisters and brothers! "We are not updating this Facebook page (the only

Enigmatic dark metal/gothic doom metal outfit Deathwhite has announced the band's first-ever live appearance slated for Friday, September 7th at Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh, PA. The band will be joined by fellow Pittsburgh traditional doom metal act Argus. Regarding the live appearance, the band comments, “Since our 2012 formation, we have frequently stated our intention to never play live. It was never a suitable idea until we had the good fortune of aligning ourselves with S

Dragonlord - the symphonic black metal side project of Testament's Eric Peterson - issued a lyric video for the new single "Dominion." The song is the title track of the new album coming via Spinefarm Records on September 21st. Pre-order the album now over at this location. The song is the first new music from the band in 13 years ("Black Wings Of Destiny" 2005). Peterson commented: "I'm super stoked for you all to finally hear "Dominion"! This song has all the arsenal to eng

Ralph Santolla - former guitarist for such legends Death, Deicide and Obituary - passed away in Tampa, Florida on June 6th following a heart attack that happened on May 30th. Surrounded by friends and family, Santolla was removed from life support and passed away just before midnight at 51 years old. Best friend and Northtale guitarist Bill Hudson broke the news on Facebook and Instagram last night stating: "Now It is official: I (and many other people) just lost my best fri

Silence has been reigning in the camp of Swedish adventure metal act Twilight Force since the band conquered European stages once again as support to Dragonforce last autumn (with Sabaton/ReinXeed guitarist/vocalist Tommy Johansson). Whilst secretly working on new anthems for the next output, the band has extensively been searching for a new singer and is pleased to finally unveil the new bard today - Alessandro Conti, known from LT's Rhapsody and Trick Or Treat and more. The

German heavy metal legends Grave Digger just unveiled the title of the upcoming new studio album: It is entitled "The Living Dead" and will be released on September 14th via Napalm Records. Since forming back in 1980, Grave Digger has been a leader in the German heavy metal scene. The band created its very own version of Teutonic heavy music - albums like "Heavy Metal Breakdown," "Witch Hunter" or "Tunes Of War" became classics in the scene. Now the band will return with anot

Venom Inc. - the trio formed by legendary metal icons Mantas, the Demolition Man & Abaddon - has released the following statement: "On 30th April 2018 our friend, brother and guitarist Jeff ‘Mantas’ Dunn suffered a major heart attack. During the ordeal Jeff died and had to be resuscitated. After a month enduring hospital treatment he received double by pass surgery in Lisbon, Portugal (where he now resides). The operation was a great success and he has been convalescing at

Due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances involving complications with the U.S. visa process, Swedish masters of death metal Bloodbath have been forced to postpone the upcoming North American tour dates. The band’s excursion was set to begin this week and included performances at Maryland Deathfest (this coming weekend) and Modified Ghost Festival. The tour will be rescheduled for a later date. ”It’s with an immense mix of anger, frustration and sadness that we’re fo

German power metal act Freedom Call announced that drummer Ramy Ali has split with the band. The announcement reads: "Hey Callers, ...maybe it's not a big surprise, but unfortunately we have to announce, that our fellow, band mate and drummer Ramy Ali left the band. We spent such an amazing time together, we were traveling around the world to play unforgettable shows together. We wish him and his new family from the heart all the best and lots of fantastic moments as person a

Immortal has returned with the new album "Northern Chaos Gods" and with a blizzard from the north - unleashed the deadly title track to the new album, which is available in the player above.The album is the first full length album in nearly 10 years, and the first post-Abbath material since the 1991 demo. It will be Winter in July, as the album drops via Nuclear Blast Records on July 6th! Pre-order the album in multiple formats at this location. "Northern Chaos Gods" is a bli

Angra frontman Fabio Lione recently announced his departure from Italian progressive power metal band Vision Divine. The band's latest release was 2012's "Destination Set to Nowhere." In a statement on Facebook from April 28th, Lione stated: "...Has been a long journey.. "its always sad when you realize that a part of you life has come to an end.. "Since '99 we've done some fantastic records, great songs and shared some amazing experiences.. After almost 20 years time has com

U.K. power metal act Power Quest announced that bassist Paul Finnie is leaving the band in order to spend more time with his young family. Paul joined the band in 2009 and played on the "Blood Alliance" and "Sixth Dimension" albums along with the "Face the Raven" EP. The band has not yet named a replacement. Paul has released the following statement: “After a great deal of thought and consideration I am sad to say that my time playing with Power Quest has come to end. This i

Roy Khan is BACK.....yes, you heard that right. Norweigian progressive metal act Conception announced that the band has reformed and is working on a new EP. A crowdfunding campaign for the EP is up and available over at this location. The campaign features a short video clip of Khan and guitarist Tore Østby, who also announced that that Arve Heimdal (drums) and Ingar Amlien (bass) are also back in the fold. The band was last seen via the 1997 album "Flow," at which vocalist R

Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie cancelled his Day 3 headline performance at the upcoming 2018 edition of ProgPower USA, scheduled for Friday, September 7, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. He cited "scheduling difficulties" at a "critical period of writing in studio for the next Dream Theater record," even though the appearance was announced a year in advance. The full statement from LaBrie's management reads: "As many of you are no doubt aware, James LaBrie of Dr

Swiss industrial black metal pioneers Samaël announced the departure of Marco 'Makro' Rivao from the band. Thomas "Drop" Betrisey will assume guitar duties and the band will add a new bassist in the coming weeks. Mak made the following statement: "As some of you might know I ve spent the last 16 years playing guitar for Samaël. During those years I had the chance to meet lots of lovely people/fans, which in some cases turned into friendships, and so this statement goes to all

After a successful run with Dirkschneider for the "Back to the Roots II" tour, U.D.O. announced that the band and guitarist Bill Hudson split due to different "visions for the future." The band will seek a replacement for touring commitments for Dirkschneider and U.D.O. and Hudson will concentrate on his new band, which features ex-Twilight Force vocalist Christian Eriksson. The band statement reads: "As of today, the German-based metal band U.D.O./Dirkschneider and their US-

Sunstorm - the hard rock act fronted by ex-Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner - released the new single "Only The Good Will Survive." Check it out in the player above! Turner commented: "The key to a great song is in the writing, performance, melody and lyrics. Anyone who loves melodic hard rock will not be disappointed with the first song! Personally, I love the positive message that it conveys to the listener...and the chorus is extremely memorable...The music is tight and