Away Team

As WARBRINGER begins their North American tour supporting ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X this week, it has been revealed that longtime guitarist Adam Carroll has decided to leave the band and last weekend’s shows supporting DEATH ANGEL were his last.

“To all fans and friends, I, Adam Carroll, have officially quit WARBRINGER. I have financial issues at home that have to be addressed sooner than later. I hope you all can understand and respect my decision. It’s been some of the best years of my life and I appreciate all the support you the fans have given us and continue to give. I will forever be part of the WARBRINGER family. Many thanks and until I see the rest of you again, keep the metal alive. Cheers!”

The band enlisted friend and talented, young guitarist Andrew Bennett for the purpose of filling in live for this tour with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group as he continues his audition process where it matters most– on the stage and in the van.

Comments Andrew Bennett, “Last month I received a message from the guys, which basically stated that Adam was requesting to step out. As a result, they were searching for a possible replacement who could learn the material in time for the upcoming ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X tour. I jumped at the opportunity and started learning some tracks. Around the beginning of this month I went down and jammed with the guys and the rest is history. I am eternally grateful to my friends in WARBRINGER for giving me the opportunity to play with them and I am very excited about what the future may hold. But, one thing that I would like to make clear is that I don’t view myself as Adam’s replacement, as much as I view myself as filling the position instead of him. Adam‘s work with the band and time with them is not something that can be erased and I would just like to make it clear that I respect him greatly. He has left big shoes to fill and I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am going to honor his legacy with the band. I’m looking forward to interacting with, and playing for the fans on the road! It’s time to shred!”

Check out WARBRINGER live on the shows below.

WARBRINGER tour dates feat. ICED EARTH, SYMPHONY X
1/31 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
2/1 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
2/2 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar **headlining off-date**
2/3 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
2/4 – Quebec City, QC – Albert Rousseau
2/5 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
2/6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix
2/9 – Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
2/10 – Saskatoon, SK – Louis Pub
2/11 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
2/12 – Calgary, AB – Flames Central
2/14 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
2/15 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market
2/16 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
2/17 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Theater
2/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia
2/20 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
2/21 – Anaheim, CA – Grove
2/22 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
2/24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
2/25 – Denver, CO – Summit
2/26 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theater
2/27 – Dallas, TX – Trees
2/28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s East
2/29 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
3/2 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
3/3 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
3/4 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
3/5 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
3/6 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
3/7 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
3/8 – Frederick, MD – Café 611 **headlining off-date**
3/9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
3/10 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
3/11 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights
3/12 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Loft **headlining off-date**
3/13 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club
3/14 – Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom
3/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
3/16 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
3/17 – Joliet, IL – Mojoes

Iced Earth and Symphony X have teamed up for the ultimate co-headline tour!

SPECIAL NOTE: Symphony X does not play with Iced Earth after Sunday, March 11. The last five dates of the tour feature Iced Earth and Warbringer.

ICED EARTH North American 2012 Co-Headliner Tour with Symphony X and Warbringer:
Tue, 2012-01-31 HARTFORD CT WEBSTER THEATER
Wed, 2012-02-01 PHILADELPHIA PA TROCADERO
Fri, 2012-02-03 SAYREVILLE NJ STARLAND BALLROOM
Sat, 2012-02-04 QUEBEC CITY QC ALBERT ROUSSEAU
Sun, 2012-02-05 MONTREAL QC METROPOLIS
Mon, 2012-02-06 TORONTO ON PHOENIX
Thu, 2012-02-09 WINNIPEG MB GARRICK
Fri, 2012-02-10 SASKATOON SK LOUIS PUB
Sat, 2012-02-11 EDMONTON AB STARLITE ROOM
Sun, 2012-02-12 CALGARY AB FLAMES CENTRAL
Tue, 2012-02-14 VANCOUVER BC COMMODORE BALLROOM
Wed, 2012-02-15 SEATTLE WA SHOWBOX MARKET
Thu, 2012-02-16 PORTLAND OR HAWTHORNE
Fri, 2012-02-17 SAN FRANCISCO CA REGENCY
Sat, 2012-02-18 LOS ANGELES CA CLUB NOKIA
Mon, 2012-02-20 LAS VEGAS NV HOUSE OF BLUES
Tue, 2012-02-21 ANAHEIM CA GROVE
Wed, 2012-02-22 SAN DIEGO CA HOUSE OF BLUES
Fri, 2012-02-24 SALT LAKE CITY UT THE COMPLEX
Sat, 2012-02-25 DENVER CO SUMMIT
Sun, 2012-02-26 KANSAS CITY MO MIDLAND THEATER
Mon, 2012-02-27 DALLAS TX TREES
Tue, 2012-02-28 AUSTIN TX EMOS EAST
Wed, 2012-02-29 HOUSTON TX HOUSE OF BLUES
Fri, 2012-03-02 FT LAUDERDALE FL REVOLUTION
Sat, 2012-03-03 LAKE BUENA VISTA FL HOUSE OF BLUES
Mon, 2012-03-05 RALEIGH NC LINCOLN THEATER
Tue, 2012-03-06 CHARLOTTE NC THE FILLMORE CHARLOTTE
Wed, 2012-03-07 COLUMBUS OH NEWPORT MUSIC HALL
Fri, 2012-03-09 WORCESTER MA THE PALLADIUM
Sat, 2012-03-10 NEW YORK NY BEST BUY THEATER
Sun, 2012-03-11 CLIFTON PARK NY NORTHERN LIGHTS

With Warbringer
Tue, 2012-03-13 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 CLUB
Wed, 2012-03-14 BUFFALO NY TOWN BALLROOM
Thu, 2012-03-15 PITTSBURGH PA ALTAR BAR
Fri, 2012-03-16 DETROIT MI CROFOOT BALLROOM
Sat, 2012-03-17 JOLIET IL MOJOES



















For more ICED EARTH click here.
For more SYMPHONY X click here.
For more WARBRINGER click here.

From Chaos To Eternity, the new album by Italy’s power-driven symphonic/cinematic/orchestral band RHAPSODY OF FIRE, has been scheduled for North American release on July 12th.

This is truly monumental album for the band’s collective consciousness. They explain:
“It is the end of an era. This historical release will end the RHAPSODY sagas once and for all after 15 years of fantasy-oriented lyrics. For the last time, we’ll hear Sir Christopher Lee narrating in one of our albums the last dramatic events of a legendary tale started in 1997 and told through two different sages and ten full-length albums. We are surely very sad but we also know that for this same reason, the upcoming release will remain in the history of the band for its artistic importance and unique epic!”

From Chaos To Eternity’s artwork has been designed by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Axel Rudi Pell).

The North American track listing for From Chaos To Eternity is as follows:
AD INFINITUM
FROM CHAOS TO ETERNITY
TEMPESTA DI FUOCO
GHOSTS OF FORGOTTEN WORLDS
ANIMA PERDUTA
AEONS OF RAGING DARKNESS
I BELONG TO THE STARS
TORNADO
HEROES OF THE WATERFALLS’ KINGDOM
I. Lo Spirito Della Foresta
II. Realm Of Sacred Waterfalls
III. Thanor’s Awakening
IV. Northern Skies Enflamed
V. The Splendour Of Angels’ Glory (A Final Revelation)
Bonus Track: Flash Of The Blade (Iron Maiden cover)

The new song “Tornado” is available for streaming on the band’s Facebook page player. The “Aeons Of Raging Darkness” digital single is available for purchase here.









For more RHAPSODY OF FIRE click here.

From IcedEarth.com:

Can you handle nearly six hours of your favorite metal band?

You’ll soon find out.

The intense two-minute trailer from the long-awaited live DVD extravaganza Festivals of the Wicked is now available for your viewing pleasure here.

Festivals of the Wicked boasts nearly six hours of Iced Earth – three full headliner shows (over 40 live tracks!), a photo gallery shot by famed rock photographers Ross Halfin and Rudy De Doncker, plus a 90-minute documentary. It will be released early in 2011.

“I have to say the footage of the band on stage is mind blowing. Those who have already seen us will love it. Those who haven’t yet seen Iced Earth will be amazed by what this band can do on stage.”

Drummer Brent Smedley concurs: “The three festivals featured on the DVD were all extremely remarkable and each one memorable in its own way,” he said. “All three were amazing nights where the Metal and the Magic were fully flowing. I think the release of this DVD truly proves my mantra and favorite saying: METAL LIVES!”









For more ICED EARTH click here.

Canadian progressive metal icons VOIVOD are the latest acts confirmed for confirmed For 70000 Tons Of Metal, “The World’s Biggest Floating Heavy Metal Festival.”

Thus far, 35 out of 40 bands are confirmed: AGENT STEEL, AMON AMARTH, BLACKGUARD, BLIND GUARDIAN, CRIPPER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, DEATH ANGEL, ENSIFERUM, EPICA, EXODUS, FEAR FACTORY, FINNTROLL, FORBIDDEN, GAMMA RAY, ICED EARTH, KORPIKLAANI, MARDUK, MOONSPELL, NEVERMORE, OBITUARY, RAGE, RAVEN, ULI JON ROTH, SABATON, SANCTUARY, SAXON, SODOM, SONATA ARCTICA, SWASHBUCKLE, TESTAMENT, TROUBLE, TÝR, UNLEASHED, VOIVOD, WITCHBURNER.

70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 24, 2011 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, FL to Cozumel, Mexico and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, January 28, 2011.

Make no mistake, 70000 Tons Of Metal is not your grandma’s cruise. It’s also not one of the cruises that share the ship with normal cruise guests. This is an all heavy metal cruise! Can you imagine that? A whole luxury cruise ship full of metalheads? And since there is no backstage area you will have the opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It’s like everyone has a backstage pass!

Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$249 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, all meals, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and 24 hour room service!

What are you waiting for? You might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done! Check out 70000tons.com for more information and book your cabin now!

“Shred guitar” and “neo classical metal” are two phrases that have been commonplace in the world of heavy metal for decades by this point, but both can be attributed to the unmistakable work by Yngwie Malmsteen.

Ever since the early 1980′s, Yngwie has been pushing the limits of guitar, and influencing countless other players in the process. And he continues to impress to this day, as evidenced by his forthcoming album, ‘Relentless,’ the highly anticipated follow-up to 2008′s critically acclaimed ‘Perpetual Flame‘ (Yngwie‘s first album for Rising Force Records). The album is the second to feature ex-Judas Priest and Iced Earth singer Tim “Ripper” Owens, and features over 60 minutes of incredibly complex, kick ass arrangements.

“This title truly is the right one for this album“, explains Yngwie. “I mean, after all these years, some kind of force is driving me to create something that totally surpasses everything I’ve done before. I tried to capture the raw energy of a live performance, yet push myself to the most demanding level of playing and composing to harness that elusive magic that can’t just be switched on. All the way out, caution to the wind, but disciplined performances was what I went for. Maybe I did it too, check it out!”

Bursting onto the scene with such classic releases as 1984′s ‘Rising Force,’ 1985′s ‘Marching Out,‘ and 1986′s ‘Trilogy,’ Yngwie instantly made a name for himself, by recreating the spirit of celebrated composer/musician Niccolò Paganini, but within the realm of heavy metal guitar.
Soon, countless other guitarists were copying Yngwie‘s style…but there is simply only one Yngwie. Yngwie‘s career continued to thrive throughout the world, including such additional triumphs as his totally classical work for orchestra and solo electric guitar, ‘Concerto Suite,’ which proved once and for all that his classical credentials were genuine.
Yngwie continues to receive accolades worldwide, such as recently being selected as one Time Magazine‘s “Top Ten Greatest Electric Guitar Players” (amongst the stellar company of Les Paul, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix).

A respected musician among both his peers and his fans, Yngwie continues to play and compose at a level of mastery that many career musicians only dream of.
‘Relentless‘ is a must-have, which will appeal to all Yngwie fans and rock music fans alike.
Prepare yourself for a ‘Relentless‘ classical metal attack!

For more YNGWIE MALMSTEEN click here.

BLIND GUARDIAN’s tenth studio album, At The Edge Of Time, is now available for pre-order on iTunes here.

The 10-track standard version is available for the pre-order price of $7.99. On August 24th (North American street date), it will increase to $9.99.
The deluxe edition with bonus tracks is available for the pre-order price of $11.99. On August 24th (North American street date), it will increase to $9.99.

At The Edge Of Time features album artwork created by Colombian artist Felipe Machado Franco(Iced Earth, At Vance, Axel Rudi Pell). View the video for the single “A Voice In The Dark,” directed by Ivan Colic and produced by Stanimir “Staca” Lukic, on the Nuclear Blast Germany YouTube Channel.

Download the free BLIND GUARDIAN iPhone / iTouch app from this link.

Tracklisting for At The Edge Of Time:
1. Sacred Worlds
2. Tanelorn (Into The Void)
3. Road Of No Release
4. Ride Into Obsession
5. Curse My Name
6. Valkyries 6:34
7. Control The Divine
8. War Of The Thrones (Piano Version)
9. A Voice In The Dark
10. Wheel Of Time

For more BLIND GUARDIAN click here.

EARLY MAN have announced a headlining fall tour in support of their sophomore full-length release, Death Potion, which will be released July 20th via The End Records. The Death Potion Tour begins September 20th in Tulsa, Oklahoma and ends October 23rd in Seattle with EVILE and BONDED BY BLOOD opening all dates. A special ticket pre-sale for fans begins today exclusively through EnterTheVault.com and tickets will be available to the general public beginning July 17th.

The Los Angeles and Brooklyn-based band will also be performing a handful of dates in the western US over the summer, including a record release show on Monday, July 19th at The Whisky in Los Angeles where they’ll be opening for WARBRINGER.

EARLY MAN dates:
Jul 17 2010 Ramona Mainstage Ramona, California
Jul 19 2010 Whiskey w/Warbringer West Hollywood, CA
Jul 23 2010 Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, NV
Aug 1 2010 Chain Reaction Anaheim, California
Sep 28 2010 THE ROCK w/Katatonia Tucson, Arizona
Sep 30 2010 Marquee w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Tulsa, OK
Oct 1 2010 Walters on Washington w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Houston, TX
Oct 2 2010 White Rabbit w/Evile and Bonded By Blood San Antonio, TX
Oct 3 2010 Emo’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Austin, TX
Oct 4 2010 Ridglea Theater w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Fort Worth, TX
Oct 5 2010 The Muse w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Nashville, TN
Oct 6 2010 Budda’s Place w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Newport News, VA
Oct 7 2010 Sonar w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Baltimore, MD
Oct 8 2010 Championship Bar & Grill w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Trenton, NJ
Oct 9 2010 Rocko’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Manchester, NH
Oct 10 2010 Europa w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Brooklyn, NY
Oct 12 2010 Sneaky Dee’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Oct 13 2010 Broadway Joe’sn w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Buffalo, New York
Oct 14 2010 Peabody’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Cleveland, OH
Oct 15 2010 Blondie’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Detroit, MI
Oct 16 2010 Mad Planet w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Milwaukee, WI
Oct 17 2010 Reggie’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Chicago, IL
Oct 18 2010 Riot Room w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Kansas City, MO
Oct 19 2010 Larimer Lounge w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Denver, CO
Oct 20 2010 Club Vegas w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Salt Lake City, UTAH
Oct 22 2010 Dante’s w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Portland, OR
Oct 23 2010 El Corazon w/Evile and Bonded By Blood Seattle, WA

Early Man released their debut album, Closing In, in 2005 and then released Beware The Circling Fin EP in 2008. The trio, along with bassist Tim Ramage, has toured extensively for the past three years with such acts as ICED EARTH, SKELETONWITCH, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and HIGH ON FIRE, among others.

“Anyone that has liked us live in the past few years is going to be psyched on Death Potion,” said drummer Adam Bennati. “People are saying the songs are heavier and faster, but I think you’re going to have to just check-it-out yourself. I can’t wait for people to hear this record. I think it’s gonna blow your fu#kin socks off!”

Death Potion tracklisting:
‘Death Potion’
‘Brainwash At Birth’
‘Someone Else’s Nightmare’
‘Nine Riders’
‘Fight’
‘Unseen Tormentor’
‘Through Chemtrails’
‘The Undertaker Is Calling You’
‘Killdrone’
‘I Am The Child Of Evil’
‘By The Serpents Breath You Seeth’
‘Six Mothers Of The War God’

For more EARLY MAN click here.

EARLY MAN’s sophomore full-length release, Death Potion, will be released July 20th on The End Records. The Los Angeles and Brooklyn–based band recorded the 12-track album in Seattle, WA at Soundhouse Recording with producer Jack Endino.
“There’s a lot of angst and urgency that comes out in this record, musically, vocally, lyrically, and creatively,” said Early Man vocalist/guitarist Mike Conte. “It’s a very raw, honest record which I think sadly has become extremely rare within heavy metal. It means something, it stands for something. I don’t like making records just for the sake of making records. For me, the songs have to come from somewhere real artistically and that is very much the case with Death Potion.”
Guitarist Pete Macy adds, “Working with Jack Endino was great. If something was good, he was happy, but if something sucked, he let you know. Once we got everything sounding right, he was really good at bringing out the best in us, helping us find the extra touches each song needed to take it to the next level. This record has the best songwriting and the best playing from Early Man yet. It’s really killer and I’m stoked for everyone to hear it!”
Early Man released their debut album, Closing In, in 2005 and then released Beware The Circling Fin EP in 2008. The trio, along with bassist Tim Ramage, has toured extensively for the past three years with such acts as ICED EARTH, SKELETONWITCH, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and HIGH ON FIRE, among others.
“Anyone that has liked us live in the past few years is going to be psyched on Death Potion,” said drummer Adam Bennati. “People are saying the songs are heavier and faster, but I think you’re going to have to just check-it-out yourself. I can’t wait for people to hear this record. I think it’s gonna blow your fuckin socks off!”

Death Potion tracklisting:
‘Death Potion’
‘Brainwash At Birth’
‘Someone Else’s Nightmare’
‘Nine Riders’
‘Fight’
‘Unseen Tormentor’
‘Through Chemtrails’
‘The Undertaker Is Calling You’
‘Killdrone’
‘I Am The Child Of Evil’
‘By The Serpents Breath You Seeth’
‘Six Mothers Of The War God’

You can find out about all things Early Man at their official MySpace page.

With three weeks of dates booked throughout Europe and Asia, HAIL! — the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim “Ripper” Owens (Beyond Fear, Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Judas Priest, Iced Earth), David Ellefson (Megadeth) and Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) — has announced that it will not cancel its tour in the wake of its bassist Paul Gray‘s (Slipknot) untimely death. The band has released the following statement regarding the matter: