Frank Turner releases the incredible new single ‘Long Live The Queen’ on 20th October 2008 through Xtra Mile Recordings.

‘Long Live The Queen’ is a heartfelt, poignant story of a close friend passing away from breast cancer. Though a hard subject, Frank has written the song as a way of celebrating his friend’s life and the legacy she has left behind. Lexi tirelessly campaigned and fundraised for breast cancer charities and it’s with this inspiration that Frank and Xtra Mile Recordings will be donating proceeds from the sale of the single to the Breast Cancer Campaign charity.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month – this single couldn’t be released at a more important time and together with Breast Cancer Campaign, Xtra Mile will be working towards raising as much money and awareness as possible. Already, the single has been picked up by XFM, 6Music, and by long time supporters Mike Davies and Zane Lowe on Radio 1. Jo Whiley (and now Sara Cox who is covering Whiley’s maternity leave) is also a recent Frank convert, playing previous single ‘Reasons Not To Be An Idiot’ a couple of times on the Radio 1 daytime show leading to plays of Long Live The Queen over the next few weeks.
The video is also gaining some attention. It went in at Number 3 on MTV2’s Myspace Chart and it getting played on NME TV, TopShop and other places.

Frank goes on his biggest tour to date the day after the single is released – and will be playing to over 6000 people. The dates are:

OCTOBER
21The Cockpit, Leeds
22 The Duchess, York
23 Oran Moor, Glasgow
24 Academy 3, Manchester
25 The Barfly, Birmingham
26 The Phoenix Arts, Exeter
27 Wedgewood Rooms, Ports
28 The Ansom Rooms, Bristol
29 The Scala, London *
30 Tower Arts, Winchester
31 The Rescue Rooms, Notts
NOVEMBER
2 The Barfly, Liverpool
3 Roisin Dubh, Galway
4 Cypress Avenue, Cork
5 Auntie Annies, Belfast
6 Crawdaddy, Dublin

Pain are to release their new album, entitled "Cynic Paradise" on October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Psalms of Extinction"  features "eleven tracks offering a vast variety of styles and influences which are even new for Pain. Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon makes a guest appearance on two tracks — "Follow Me" and "Feed Us" whilst he artwork was created by renowned artist Travis Smit.

The full track listing for Cynic Paradise is as follows:

I'm Going In, Monkey Business, Follow Me, Have A Drink On Me, Don't Care, Reach Out (And Regret), Generation X, No One Knows, Live Fast - Die Young, Not Your Kind and  Feed Us.

Metal Heaven Records have announced details of their release schedule for November 2008.

Crystal Eyes - Chained: Release Date November 21st

Chained is the sixth album from Swedish power metal outfit Crystal Eyes. Initially formed back in 1992 with the aim of keeping alive the legacy of Heavy Metal that was founded in the previous two decades by the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Accept the band returns with an  album f that will appeal to those who like their metal to stay true to the roots of the genre. Chained was recorded at Crystal Sounds between May and August and mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in September 2008.


Cryonic Temple - Immortal Release Date November 21st

Founded in 1996 Cryonic Temple have, through the years, performed at festivals such as Sweden Rock , HeadBangers Open Air, Peace And Love, Gothenburg Metal Festival, Motala Metal Festival, 2000 Decibel and several club shows as well. In that time they have also opened up for the likes of Uriah Heep, Saxon, Lion’s Share and Paul Dianno and, after the successful and highly acclaimed release of their third studio  “In Thy Power”, the band went through some line-up changes  but now the time is right for Cryonic Temple to return with the release of a new album, Immortal.

Theocracy - Mirror Of Souls: Release Date November 21st

In collaboration with Swedish label Ulterium Records, Metal Heaven will release the second album by Theocracy. Hailing from Athens, Georgia Theocracy's melodic style has more in common with their European contemporaries than with most of their US counterparts. Characterized by huge choruses, epic arrangements and progressive elements, Theocracy’s music is both immediate and deep, managing to be instantly catchy and memorable, yet revealing new levels of intricacy and depth with each subsequent listen. The material on "Mirror of Souls" makes it abundantly clear that instead of succumbing to the infamous “sophomore slump,” the band has actually taken everything to another level. Theocracy is a band firing on all cylinders, and the new material features the same high-quality song writing that made the debut album so memorable. Mixed by Smith at the band’s Theocracized Studios and mastered by Mikka Jussila at Finnvox, the album’s anchor and grand finale is the magnum opus, 23-minute “Mirror of Souls”. 

Stuck Mojo: New album and tour

Stuck Mojo are ready to unleash their latest offering “The Great Revival”. In order to celebrate the release of their new full length, the band are currently on a headlining tour in the UK. Following the tour Stuck Mojo will support Danish band Volbeat on their European tour. “The Great Revival” will be released on November 28 2008. Guitarist Rich Ward believes that: “In many ways, this album sees us spreading our wings far beyond the span of our previous albums. Our metal grooves, southern rock roots, hip-hop street smarts and big 70's rock hooks have always been the foundation that has defined Stuck Mojo. This record sees the extremes of those influences blended into an epic sonic stew that only Stuck Mojo could cook up. This is The Great Revival”.

October 2008
3rd GLASGOW - Cathouse
4th LEEDS - Rios
5th WOLVERHAMPTON - Little Civic
6th LONDON – Underworld

Alestorm: Guitarist Gavin leaves

Scottish buccaneers Alestorm have lost a member of their crew. Due to personal reasons captain Gavin has decided to leave the band. However fans do not have to give up hope: Tim Fife-Schwaw takes over  guitar duties and, in addition, original drummer Wilson has rejoined the privateers. Aye, the plunder will continue! A new Alestorm full-length CD will hit the streets in 2009.

Alestorm On The Road
November 2008
21st GLASGOW - Cathouse
22nd EDINBURGH - Studio 24
December 2008
5th BIRMINGHAM – The Asylum
6th PRESTATYN SANDS – Hard Rock Hell II

Grave Digger: Studio Sneak Peek

ingGrave Digger, the true metal legends that revolve around Chris Boltendahl , are offer their fans an exclusive first look at their upcoming album “Ballads of a Hangman”. Metalheads can check out the band’s work on “Ballads…” by viewing the studio video. As a special bonus, the brand-new song “Pray” serves as the soundtrack to this glimpse into Grave Digger’s world. Headbangers should make sure to check out the video on YouTube @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6iqPBalM48 The MCD “Pray” consists of 3 exclusive non-album tracks and a cover of Motörhead’s legendary song “Overkill”. “Pray” and “Ballads of a Hangman” will hit the streets on 28 November 2008 and 9 January 2009 respectively.

Hellsaw: New to Napalm Records

Austrian black metal mongrels Hellsaw are the latest addition to Napalm Records’ ever growing roster. The band, fronted by the charismatic Aries, offers an unholy blend of dark melodies, pitch-black vocals, and infernal drums. The new Hellsaw opus “Cold” will be released in the spring of 2009.

Aries states with regard to the deal with Napalm that: “We are very proud to be a member of the Napalm family. Not only is it proof of our hard work, but also a major sign that Napalm Records return to their roots and put their faith in a fucked-up Austrian black metal band. We honour this sign of trust and in return will unleash our album “Cold” early next year. Fans can expect a composition of hate and brimstone, all-crushing blastbeats, and raw guitars filled with deep melancholy.”

Fairyland: New Album in the works

Mastermind and keyboardist Philippe Giordana is diligently working on Fairyland’s “Score to a New Beginning”. This album will be the last chapter of the Osyrhian Chronicles an the band intend to remain faithful to their unique blend of symphonic and speed metal with the album. Numerous guest musicians will provide finishing touches to this extravagant mix and one of the guests is non other than Serenity vocalist Georg Neuhauser. The wait will finally be over in the spring/summer of next year when “Score to a New Beginning” will be released.

Other Napalm Bands On The Road In The UK

SYRACH

October 2008
8th CAMBRIDGE – Man On the Moon
10th GLASGOW – Stereo
11th ABERDEEN – The Moorings Bar

LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE

November 2008
22nd LONDON – Elektrowerkz

KORPIKLAANI + BATTLELORE + Kivimetsan Druidi + Falchion
December 2008
1st WOLVERHAMPTON - Wulfrun Hall
2nd GLASGOW - ABC 1
3rd MANCHESTER - Jillys Rock World
4th LONDON - Scala
5th BRADFORD - Rio´s
6th PRESTATYN SANDS – Hard Rock Hell II

POWER QUEST
December 2008
1st BIRMINGHAM – Asylum
3rd LONDON – Purple Turtle
4th ST. ALBANS – The Horn
5th COLCHESTER – The Twist
6th PRESTATYN SANDS – Hard Rock Hell II
7th SOUTHAMPTON - Firehouse