Winter has begun, Christmas is just around the corner and those of you that don't like the cold, bad weather just may think, this would be the time to escape to the Caribbean. For next winter we have the perfect plan for you: 70000tons of METAL, the worlds first and biggest floating  Heavy Metal Festival. 4 days, 40 of your favorite Heavy Metal Bands and you, with all your friends, aboard a luxury cruise ship sailing the warm waters of the Caribbean! How does that sound? To add to your excitement we’re thrilled to let you in on the first artists who are confirmed for 70000tons of METAL 2011:

Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Amon Amarth, Sodom, Trouble, Witchburner

Machines Of Grace offer a tribute to their Metal-ancestors and a modern Hard Rock edge. Found by Zak Stevens and Jeff Plate, both played in the legendary Band Savatage and after Savatage´s breakup they joined Circle II Circle (Stevens) or TSO (Plate) amongst others, they completed the self-titled album together with Matt Leff (Guitar) and Chris Rapoza (Bass). The album was mixed by the famous studio expert Paul David Hagar (The Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne, Pink, etc.). You will get a superb mixture of modern Rock, Classic Rock, Melodic Metal and Acoustic Rock. Catchy song structures, a modern production, intense singing melodies and simply a proper dose of Rock characterize this debut.

“Machines Of Grace”  will be released in the end of February at SAOL / H´Art in Europe.

SAXON are one of the most famous representatives of NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) apart from Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, who bring the world of hard rock music new hymns and creative impulses since the late 70ies.

Since their debut album in 1979, SAXON recorded a dozen of studio and live albums, the major part belongs to the EMI catalogue today.

This announcement is the perfect Christmas gift for Metalheads and Wacken fans alike:

The mighty Iron Maiden will play next year’s edition of the legendary festival in Northern Germany!

After their triumphant show in 2008, this will mark the second show of the british Metal legends at the Wacken:Open:Air. Their gig on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 will also be their only German show next year.

Comments Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris: “We had a fantastic time playing at Wacken last year so when we decided to play a few festivals in Europe next Summer it seemed a great idea to return. What could be better in Germany than to play again to the 75,000 true Metalheads who go to Wacken!“

A groundbreaking Metal band like Iron Maiden on the biggest Metal festival in the world - that’s match made in headbanging heaven. After the first time in 2008, even singer Bruce Dickinson said on his BBC radio show: “Wacken is enormous fun! It’s just great, you wander around and see all the sideshows and bits and bobs and everything else. So it’s just a fabulous weekend!"

Let’s look forward to an impressive Iron Maiden show as part of the “Night To Remember” at the 21st edition of the Wacken:Open:Air, celebrating the band and their immortal set of classics old and new.

2009 has been very successful for the Thrash combo from Hanover: Cripper´s second album “Devil Reveals” got much positive feedback (Metal Hammer Soundcheck #5), they played many festival gigs (Rock Harz, Wacken Rocks etc.) and their singer Britta participated in “Heavy Metal and Gender” congress with Doro, Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy) and Sabina Classen (Holy Moses). However, Cripper can´t get enough and their latest project will be supporting OVERKILL together with Suicidal Angels and Savage Messiah on their “25th Anniversary Tour” through Germany and eight other European countries. (for all dates see Tourdates)

 

www.cripper.de

But of course this was not the end. More killer-bands will be announced during the next days. Watch out!

Unfortunately we have to tell you that the HARTMANN concert today in Karlsruhe (Jubez) is cancelled due to illness. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that the concert can be caught up on as soon as possible.
 
Already pre-ordered tickets can be returned at Jubez Karlsruhe, of course.

Only 5 days till 1st December and then the eagerly awaited band confirmations for W:O:A 2010 will begin. Every day a new band will be confirmed for the festival. The highlight: The Advent calendar includes a raffle every day, the solution word is the band which will be confirmed the next day!

There will be cool prizes daily (autographed guitars, merch packages etc.) and first prizes like a new D-Drum Drumset and flight tickets to European megacities for 2!

 

www.wacken.com