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BLIND GUARDIAN Highest Billboard chart debut ever!08.09.2010.
The band has attained the highest first-week sales numbers in the United States in the history of their existence. With sales of over 4,500 units of their tenth studio album, At the Edge of Time, they secured the #1 position on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and also debuted at #108 on the Billboard Top 200 chart! In Canada, At the Edge of Time debuted at #18 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart and #108 on the Top 200 chart according to Nielsen Canadian Soundscan.
Checking in from Germany, lead singer & lyricist Hansi Kürsch, shares his elation over the Billboard chart news:
“I am really happy to see that At the Edge of Time has created such a massive impact amongst our loyal legions of Northern American bards and minstrels. Thanks for your great support. Now join in our singing and dance with us on this glorious day. Still, this is just a beginning: Mission is not completed. Can’t wait to sing the new songs with you when we are coming by. Dates will soon be revealed!”
In a recent interview with Ystejam.com, guitarist Marcus Siepen had the following to say about At the Edge of Time:
“For me [it] is the ultimate Blind Guardian album because it represents everything that the band has been about. It has lots of early Blind Guardian stuff with our roots in the speed & thrash metal; it has the more progressive styles that came up in the middle of the ‘90s; it has the very epic stuff that are present in the later albums; and it has some of this stuff that we never did before, like the oriental elements. In my opinion, it’s the best album we have done so far; it perfectly captures everything that the band is about. If someone doesn’t know Blind Guardian yet and wants to check us out, this would be the album that I would recommend.”
2006′s studio album, A Twist in the Myth, debuted at #21 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart and #288 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart.

TRISTANIA25.08.2010.
"Last summer, Østen [Bergøy, vocals] announced that he had decided to take some time off from TRISTANIA to devote his time and attention to the new family members expected in August. A year on, it has become obvious that the time, dedication and efforts of fatherhood makes it hard to continue as a full-time member. Due to this, Østen recently informed the band that he sees no other option than to make his decision a permanent one. TRISTANIA has asked Kjetil Nordhus (HEAD DISCO, ex-GREEN CARNATION, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS), who was engaged as Østen's temporary stand-in, to replace Østen on a permanent basis, and Kjetil has accepted the offer."
Commented Østen: "I think it was about a year ago I announced that I was taking a break from TRISTANIA to be with my girlfriend and the twins she was carrying. As some of you might recall, I promised that this break was just temporarily and that I would be back within a year or so.
"I am sorry to say that I have to break my promise. I never intended to, but the time I have spent with my family has made it obvious that it is impossible for me to combine playing an active part in TRISTANIA with playing an active part in my children's life. Based on these conclusions I have decided to leave the band. It has been the best ten years of my life, a wonderful experience.
"It is hard to write this without getting sentimental. I will miss you all.
"I do not feel that I am fleeing a sinking ship — the current lineup in TRISTANIA is the strongest ever in my opinion — the new album is a killer and with Kjetil and Gyri aboard — the band seems to have the motivation for serious touring to get the music out to stages all over the world.
"I want to wish TRISTANIA the best of luck in the future.
"Thank you all for your patience and your dedication and for the good times."
TRISTANIA guitarist/harsh vocalist Anders Høyvik Hidle ahd the following to say regarding Østen's departure: "It was with a great deal of sadness I received the news from Østen when he informed us that he'd realized it was impossible for him to return to the band.
"Østen has been one of my closest friends for the last 15 years and I love him as a brother. I was the one who asked him to work with us in the first place — first as a guest and later as a full member. The years we've shared together in the band have been amazing. At the same time I admire him for being true to himself and I completely understand that it would be impossible for him to combine his role as a father for his one-year-old twins with an active role in TRISTANIA, especially considering the extensive touring and other activities we are planning with 'Rubicon'.
"Even though it's a sad thing for us to know that Østen will stay home when we're doing tours in the future, it is great news that Kjetil has accepted to become a full-time member.
"Kjetil was the first person that came to my mind when Østen first told me about his babies, and I'm really glad he accepted our offer. In my eyes he is the perfect replacement for Østen."
"I've known Kjetil for almost ten years, and he truly is a great guy. As a singer he is impressively professional."

SALTATIO MORTIS24.08.2010.
After top chart placements, sold-out tours, and mead-filled medieval fairs, the wandering minstrels are throwing themselves a birthday party. SALTATIO MORTIS will celebrate their 10-year anniversary at the historical Wuppertal city hall with an array of lively medieval tunes. Besides such esteemed guests as Victor Smolski (Rage) and Bodenski (Subway to Sally), none other than metal queen Doro Pesch will also be in attendance on 15 October to party with the gleemen. Further details regarding this event may be found HERE!

TIMO TOLKKI24.08.2010.
Timo Tolkki of Stratovarius fame will release his third album with REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE on Napalm Records. "Trinity" will be available in late September to exhilarate melodic power metal fans everywhere. The album sees the band going back to Tolkki's roots and its title track, with a playing-time of over 10 minutes, proves that the mastermind is still full of pleasant surprises.

GRAVE DIGGER24.08.2010.
The German Metal legends just celebrated their 30th anniversary at Wacken Open Air, performing their classic album "Tunes of War" in its entirety! Now, a new battle cry is heard, as the power metal warlords return to the Scottish Highlands with their upcoming album "The Clans Will Rise Again". Fans may expect this grand release on 1 October 2010!

JALDABOATH24.08.2010.
Napalm Records is proud to announce the signing of the robber barons JALDABOATH. The Heraldic Templar Metal of these British newcomers will be sure to inspire both noble damsels and mighty knights this September. Dragon slayers and crusaders will not be disappointed. Look for their debut in late September!


New album from GRAVE DIGGER17.08.2010.
The German Metal legends just celebrated their 30th anniversary at Wacken Open Air, performing their classic album "Tunes of War" in its entirety! Now, a new battle cry is heard, as the power metal warlords return to the Scottish Highlands with their upcoming album "The Clans Will Rise Again". Fans may expect this grand release on 1 October 2010!

RAGE & LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA - Make two out of one!17.08.2010.
In 1996 RAGE were pioneers by releasing their „Lingua Mortis" album, along with a real orchestra. This was continued with their follow ups, also on stage.
In 2010 RAGE and the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA returned on stage again, headlining the „Rock Hard Festival" in Gelsenkirchen. Everyone who has watched the incredible show, will still be overwhelmed by this great performance. If you missed the show, you can get some impressions now under the following LINK!
In future, RAGE and the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA will play two different shows. Producer Victor Smolski will envolve different guest musicians at the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA, who will also release orchestral records, while RAGE will focus on the heavy tracks. Both bands will be on Nuclear Blast Records.

KING OF ASGARD17.08.2010.
Swedish Viking Folk Death Metallers KING OF ASGARD have uploaded a professionally filmed video clip for the album opener 'Einhärjar' on the Metal Blade landing page!
Surf over to http://www.metalblade.com/kingofasgard/ to check out the video clip and the order deals for the bands debut album 'Fi'mbulvintr'!
KING OF ASGARD comment on the video clips as follows:
"The "Einhärjar" music video was recorded in July 2010, directed by Richard Moneus, the driving force behind the production company 1897. It was shot in an old dirty barn at a location just outside where we live. Spending what felt like ages in the long time kept dust was well worth the sweat and blood. After the barn battleground Richard took care of the hard work to cut, edit and piece it all together in a functioning symbiosis. Now, viewing the final result we are extremely proud of how good this video turned out. Hell Richard!"
'Fi'mbulvintr' was recorded in March and April of 2010 in Varberg, Sweden at Andy LaRoqcue's (King Diamond) Sonic Train Studios. Andy also engineered and co-produced the album.
KING OF ASGARD took form in 2008 by founder Karl Beckman (ex-Mithotyn) after dissolving his latest musical projects. Teaming up with long time absent fellow worker, Karsten Larsson (Falconer, ex-Mithotyn). As a result, after years apart, the decision was made to go back to their roots both musically as well as heading for their Norse heritage in lyrical approach. In late 2009 J. Albrektsson joined the ranks on bass to strengthen the line-up further.

METAL BLADE NEWS 17.08.2010.
UPCOMING RELEASE DATES
16.08.10 KING OF ASGARD - 'Fi´mbulvintr' (CD)
16.08.10 RETURN TO EARTH - 'Automata' (Digi CD)
30.08.10 NIGHTFALL - 'Astron Black And The Thirty Tyrants' (CD)
13.09.10 DAWN OF ASHES - 'Genocide Chapters' (CD)
13.09.10 SYSTEM DIVIDE - 'The Conscious Sedation' (CD)
13.09.10 THE ABSENCE - 'Enemy Unbound' (CD)
27.09.10 CATARACT - 'Killing The Eternal'
27.09.10 OSI - 'Office Of Strategic Influence' (Re-issue)
11.10.10 HAIL OF BULLETS - 'On Divine Winds' (ltd. CD+DVD-Digibook)
11.10.10 NEGLIGENCE - 'Coordinates Of Confusion' (CD)

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