News Round-up - Nightwish, Wintersun, Xandria, MFVF

A blast of the latest news from the world of symphonic metal - hold onto your hats, folks...
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VIDEO: THE MAKING OF THE NEW NIGHTWISH ALBUM, PART 5
- BAND FINISH ALBUM RECORDINGS

Nightwish - Making of the new album 2015, Episode 5

Nightwish are back with the fifth video from their mini documentary series covering the recording of the upcoming album in 2015. This clip takes place in July and sees the addition of Floor and Troy to the camp - the two new members talk about what it's been like in the cabin.

Getting back to the here and now, the band have now finished all of their recordings and packed up the studio. Their next job is to work on the orchestra and choir at Abbey Road Studios in London, with the help of arranger/producer extraordinaire Pip Williams. Pip regularly posts updates on his Twitter, and is clearly impressed with the compositions:

"The more I listen, the more I think this is one of Tuomas's strongest selection of Nightwish songs for a long time. Powerful and memorable!"

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WINTERSUN ANNOUNCE CROWDFUNDING PLANS

Wintersun's upcoming Time II album has had a troubled journey, with frontman Jari Mäenpää publicly arguing with label Nuclear Blast over whether or not he could complete the record. In a series of long statements, Jari explained that he felt he was unable to finish Time II to his high standards due to a lack of a studio and professional equipment. He suggested crowdfunding to the label, but they were initially reluctant.

Now an agreement has been reached and the band are asking fans to help out with their crowdfunding plans. In a post on Facebook today, they outlined the following ideas for a digital package:

TIME II

- High quality full album download (wav 24bit, 44.1kHz), exactly the way the album was recorded, mixed and mastered

- Includes all tracks (Fields of Snow, The Way of the Fire, One with the Shadows, Ominous Clouds, Storm, Silver Leaves)

- Beautiful PDF extended digital booklet with all crowd funding backer names included (optional)

TIME II Stems

- Separated mix tracks for all Drums, Bass, Rhythm Guitars, Melody Guitars & Solos, Vocals, Orchestrations of all songs

- Make your own mix, adjust the levels for your own liking, listen all the main instruments separately, discover and learn all the secrets inside the mix layers

Fans can vote whether or not they would be interested in buying this package by liking the post. We await more news with bated breath...

Click here to read the post and vote

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XANDRIA ADD MORE DATES TO EU TOUR

German/Dutch symphonic metallers Xandria have added more dates to their EU tour. Check them out below:

30/10/14 - NL - Tilburg - Hall of Fame

03/11/14 - DE - Dresden - Puschkin

04/11/14 - DE - Erfurt - From Hell

05/11/14 - PL - Warsaw - Progresja

07/11/14 - HU - Budapest - Club 202

08/11/14 - SK -  Trenčín - Luč

09/11/14 - CZ - Prague - Nova Chmelnice

26/11/14 - DE - Bremen - Tower

27/11/14 - DE - Ludwigsburg - Rockfabrik

29/11/14 - DE - Finnentrop - Schützenhalle

01/12/14 - DE - Frankfurt - Nachtleben

02/12/14 - DE - Augsburg - Spectaculum

Unfortunately the Russian dates of the tour have had to be postponed until 2015. The band will also be making an appearance at MFVF in Belgium.

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MFVF CONTEST - WIN A MEET AND GREET WITH LEAVES' EYES OR THERION

Metal Female Voices Fest are holding a competition for ticket holders to meet one of the festival's headline acts. 

All you have to do is take a selfie with the MFVF logo somewhere in the picture (this can be merch, a poster, Photoshopped in later... anything you like). Tag the band you wish to meet and share the photo. The judges will pick a winner based on creativity and the amount of likes/shares your picture receives.

Check here for the full details.

The festival have also finalised their merch designs for pre-order - click here to find them.

Edit: Some more pieces of MFVF news: Dark Sarah will be releasing part ones and two of their album Behind The Black Veil as a special signed and very limited edition (200 pcs) exclusively for those attending MFVF. The CD will be titled Violent Roses.

And in a contest for all fans with tickets to the fest, Leaves' Eyes will be giving away a guitar signed by the whole band, to be given out during their special concert.

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 And that's all for today, folks... check below for yesterday's news about Within Temptation's upcoming DVD and the new Amaranthe single.