Music News & Notes

Artwork, tracklisting and release date announced for new Ravage album, The End Of Tomorrow

Metal Blade Records has confirmed August 18th as the official release date for THE END OF TOMORROW, the new album from Massachusetts metallers Ravage.

The artwork was handled by the famed artist Ed Repka who is known best for his MEGADETH covers as well as cover art for DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST and AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE.

According to a press release, “THE EDN OF TOMORROW seamlessly intertwines the sounds of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, late 80’s American Thrash Metal and late 90’s European power metal to showcase the band’s signature style. The album is sure to be enjoyed by metal maniacs young and old as it blends the soaring vocal and guitar melodies of IRON MAIDEN and HELLOWEEN with the raw power of thrashers like TESTAMENT and KREATOR, presented in a crisply modern production-style courtesy of producer Peter Rutcho.”

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Metal Churhc Disbanding

Heavy Metal band Metal Church have called it quits after a 28-year career. Their first album was released in 1984 and were touted early in their career by Metallica. Their final album, This Present Wasteland, was released last year.

They posted the following explanation on their MySpace page.www.myspace.com/metalchurch

"There has been far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward. The collapse of our record company, SPV, has made it next to impossible for us continue in any kind of professional manner due to lack of tour support. This decision was not made lightly."

METAL CHURCH - Start The Fire



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Pearl Jam Announce North American Tour Dates


Pearl Jam has announced that they will play a series of select North American tour dates in support of their ninth studio album, "Backspacer." Scheduled for release in the US on Sunday, September 20, 2009, the album will be released in the US through Target, the exclusive mass retail partner, Pearl Jam's own Ten Club and independent retailers, as well as online through digital, and gaming platforms yet to be announced. Internationally, the album will be available beginning on September 21, 2009, via Universal/Island Records. The first single, "The Fixer," will be released at radio on July 20, 2009.

Pearl Jam's North American dates kick-off in the band's hometown of Seattle with two shows at Key Arena (September 21st and 22nd) and close with two concerts at Philadelphia's historic Spectrum (October 28th and 30th).

Ben Harper and Relentless7 will open all dates except for the Spectrum shows.

Jam's North America Concert Dates:

•Sep-21 Seattle, WA Key Arena
•Sep-22 Seattle, WA Key Arena
•Sep-30 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
•Oct-1 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
•Oct-6 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
•Oct-7 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
•Oct-9 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
•Oct-28 Philadelphia, PA The Spectrum
•Oct-30 Philadelphia, PA The Spectrum

Pearl Jam's North American tour dates are in addition to the band's previously announced headlining performances at the Virgin Festival in Calgary, Alberta (Aug 8), Rotterdam's Sportspaleis Ahoy (Aug 13), Berlin's Wuhlheide (Aug 15), Manchester Evening News Arena (Aug 17), London's 02 Arena (Aug 18), Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre (Aug 21), Chicago's United Center (Aug 23 & 24), San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival (Aug 28) and Austin City Limits Festival (Oct 4).