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Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter has released the following statement:

“I would like to start off by thanking our fans for a great tour. This last run was a blast, and truly the most fun we’ve had in a long while. The energy from the audience was exactly what we needed, and a welcoming return. Thank you, guys!

“Unfortunately, as much fun as we were having, behind the scenes we were aware of some unfortunate realities that prevented us from ‘living the dream’ and having the time of our lives. We had another bomb to drop on the fans.

“Early in July, we were informed that Rob Arnold [guitar] and Matt DeVries [guitar] would be leaving CHIMAIRA at the end of 2011. Of course, this was a huge blow, but there were no hard feelings. We understand that life invades art, everything runs its course, and we have to take different paths. We respect their decision and wish them only the best. We made heavy metal history together and that is all that matters at the end of the day. ‘Chimaira Christmas 12’ will be their last show, and we’ve been preparing to make it one that you’ll never forget.

“I would personally like to thank Rob and Matt for all of their hard work, years of service to CHIMAIRA, amazing songs, and for their friendship. Together we built something special that will remain for generations to come.

“I’m looking forward to spending another five weeks on the road with two of the best (and criminally underrated) guitarists in modern metal.

“What’s next for CHIMAIRA in 2012? More on that very soon.

“Rather than try and make light of unpleasant news, or downplay this by hyping up a new lineup, let’s take a few to honor Rob and Matt. My favorite solo of Rob’s is on ‘The Heart Of It All’ and my favorite riff ofMatt’s is ‘The Dehumanizing Process’. I’ll be cranking those today. What about you?”

CHIMAIRA’s new album, “The Age Of Hell”, sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous CD, “The Infection”, opened with 15,000 units back in April 2009 to land at No. 30. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered byCHIMAIRA’s 2007 album, “Resurrection”, which shifted 16,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 42.

“The Age Of Hell” was released in the U.S. on August 16 via eOne Music; in Germany on August 26; and in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe on August 29 through Long Branch Records.

Arrangements have been finalized for the memorial service for Cory Smoot AKA Flattus Maximus. The service will take place this Friday November 11^th at the Bennett Funeral Home Chesterfield Chapel, located at 14301 Ashbrook Parkway in Chesterfield, VA. The private service begins at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that contributions be made to the “Smoot Family Fund”.  Contact Smootfamilyfund@gmail.com.

GWAR will have to cancel two performances on their current tour, so they can attend the services. Thursday November 10^th in Medford, OR and Friday November 11^th in San Francisco, CA are the dates that are affected. Tickets for both dates will be refunded at point of purchase. The complete remainder of the tour with Every Time I Die, Ghoul and Warbeast will resume as scheduled Saturday November 12^th at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, and runs through Sunday November 27^th at Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT.

Hell Raiser and Reversed Records present ”The Atomic Clock” Drum Clinic with Gene Hoglan, hard hitting drummer for Death, Fear Factory, DethKlok, Strapping Young Lad, Testament, Dark Angel, and Zimmers Hole. Gene will be performing from Death’s “Individual Thought Patterns” and a whole lot more! The evening will also include the return of The Almighty Punchdrunk showcasing Gene Hoglan on drums!

Friday, December 2nd, in Kelowna B.C., at Level Nite Club

Gene Hoglan recently released his long-awaited instructional DVD, “The Atomic Clock”. Available now on Hoglan Industries (http://hoglanindustries.com/) in the U.S. and on Reversed Records (http://www.reversedrecords.com/estore.html) in Canada. This disc showcases Hoglan’s three decades of experience performing and recording with the world’s best known metal bands such as DEVIN TOWNSEND, DARK ANGEL,DEATH, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, ZIMMERS HOLE, and most recently FEAR FACTORY, along with many others on his resume.

LAMB OF GOD’s Chris Adler and Meinl Cymbals are announcing select special meet and greet dates coming this fall. Chris will appear at Sam Ash in New York City, NY (Manhattan) on Tuesday, November 15^th from 4-8pm, Sam Ash in Carle Place, NY on Wednesday, November 16^th from 7-9pm, and Just Drums in Midlothian, VA on Saturday, December 17^th from 3-5pm. Make sure to stop by, say hello, check out the killer Meinl Cymbal section at each appearance, and possibly win some great Meinl giveaway prizes!

For more information on these appearances, head to http://meinlcymbals.com.

LAMB OF GOD has set January 24^th, 2012 as the release date for Resolution, the follow up to their Grammy nominated album Wrath. To pre-order the new album, head towww.lamb-of-god.com/resolution.

World famous Finnish metal superstars CHILDREN OF BODOM have announced a North American headlining tour in celebration of the band’s 15th Anniversary.  Presented by ESP in association with Full Metal Jackie, the quindecennial trek will kick off on January 30, 2012 in Rochester, NY and run through March 4, hitting 26 cities over the course of the five week jaunt. Support on the CHILDREN OF BODOM anniversary tour will come from Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie, Boston extreme metal band Revocation and Canada’s Threat Signal.

CHILDREN OF BODOM (or COB) continues to tour the globe in support of its critically acclaimed new album Relentless Reckless Forever which landed at #41 on the Billboard Top 200 in its first week of release. Fronted by vocalist and international guitar hero Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho, the band high-energy hooks and electric energy forge stadium-sized heavy metal anthems that seethe with marvelous musicianship. 15 years into its career, COBcontinues to grow its ever-expanding fan base via supercharged live shows that have also made fans of some of hard rock’s biggest names. Longtime metal vocalist and reality TV starSebastian Bach jumped on stage and expressed his love for the band at a CHILDREN OF BODOM show in Los Angeles this past summer while Laiho was invited to join Deftones on stage in COB‘s hometown of Helsinki for a joint performance of the band’s hit “Root”.

ESP Guitars presents CHILDREN OF BODOM
With Eluveitie, Revocation and Threat Signal
In association with Full Metal Jackie
Brought to you by Spinefarm Records, Good Fight Entertainment, Nuclear Blast Records, Relapse Records & ACTION! PR

January 30                  Rochester, NY            Water Street Music Hall
January 31                  Detroit, MI                   Harpos
February 1                  Grand Rapids, MI         Intersection
February 3                  Milwaukee, WI            The Rave
February 4                  St. Louis, MO              Pops
February 6                  Lawrence, KS             Granada Theater
February 7                  Denver, CO                 Gothic Theater
February 9                  Las Vegas, NV          House of Blues
February 10                Salt Lake City, UT        The Complex
February 11                Boise, ID                     Knitting Factory
February 13                Santa Ana, CA            Yost Theatre
February 14                San Diego, CA            House of Blues
February 15                Phoenix, AZ                Marquee Theatre
February 17                Albuquerque, NM        Sunshine Theatre
February 18                El Paso, TX                 Tricky Falls
February 19                Lubbock, TX                Pavilion
February 21                Austin, TX                   Emos East
February 22                Houston, TX                Warehouse Live
February 24                Louisville, KY              Expo 5
February 25                Cleveland, OH             Peabodys
February 26                Toronto, ON                The Sound Academy
February 27                Montreal, QC              Metropolis
February 29                Quebec City, QC        Imperial
March 1                      Hartford, CT                Webster Theatre
March 2                      Huntington, NY           The Paramount Theater
March 3                      Sayreville, NJ              Starland Ballroom
March 4                      Baltimore, MD             Ram’s Head Live

A few dates from Machine Head’s upcoming North American headline tour have been released on ticketmaster:

Feb. 06 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Feb. 08 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
Feb. 18 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield

More info on this tour will be released soon.