Within Temptation and Evanescence Announce Joint UK/Europe Tour

After teasing us earlier this week, Within Temptation and Evanescence have finally announced a long-awaited collaboration in the form of a joint headline tour. The arena shows will take place in April 2020, across several countries in Europe and one show in the UK.

The dates are as follows:

April 04 - Belgium, Brussels Palais 12

April 05 - France, Paris Accor Hotel Arena

April 07 - UK, London, The O2

April 09 - Germany, Berlin Velodrome

April 11 - Germany, Frankfurt Festhalle

April 12 - Switzerland, Zurich Hallenstadion

April 14 - Italy, Milan Mediolanum Forum

April 15 - Germany, Munich Zenith

April 17 - Germany, Hamburg Sporthalle

April 18 - Germany, Leipzig Arena

April 20 - Germany, Dusseldorf Mitsubishi Hall

April 21 - Netherlands, Amsterdam Ziggodome

Some pre-sale tickets are available now with others going up throughout the week - general sale starts this Friday 20th September.

https://www.worldscollidetour.net/

Videos: Lacuna Coil - Reckless and Amaranthe - Helix

Lacuna Coil have released new single Reckless from their upcoming album Black Anima, complete with a gory horror movie-inspired video. 

We also have a new video from Amaranthe - this time it's Helix, from their 2018 album of the same name. Check them both out in the players below.

Lacuna Coil - Reckless (Official Video)

Amaranthe - Helix (Official Video)

News Round-Up: Epica, WT, Dimmu Borgir, Tarja and more

It's that time of year when a lot happens at once! Here is some of this week's news:

- Epica have announced some North American dates for the Design Your Universe 10th anniversary tour, following the recent announcement of the special gold edition re-release. The shows will take place in Montreal, LA and New York. You can find info and tickets here. The band also released a new lyric video for the epic song Kingdom of Heaven, which you can view below.

Epica - Kingdom of Heaven - Official Lyric Video

- Within Temptation pulled out of Byblos festival in Lebanon in solidarity with local band Mashrou' Leila, who were removed from the bill following threats of violence from religious groups. They also expressed concerns for bands' safety and security at the festival. You can read more here.

- Dimmu Borgir have announced a European tour with support from Amorphis and Wolves in the Throne Room. The tour includes a show in London on January 22nd. Info and tickets can be found here.

- Tarja released a new music video this week for the Blade Runner inspired song Tears In Rain. The video sees her taking up roller derby - check it out in the player below.


Tarja - Tears In Rain - Official Music Video

- Visions of Atlantis also have a new video out: this time for the song A Journey To Remember from upcoming album Wanderers.


Visions of Atlantis - A Journey To Remember - Official Music Video

 - Fantasy-themed power metallers Seven Kingdoms have opened a Kickstarter for their upcoming EP Empty Eyes after making the decision to distribute their own music. With a month to go the target is very nearly reached and stretch goals will fund further music videos. Check it out here.

News Round-Up: Epica, Nightwish, Tarja, The Dark Element, Lacuna Coil

I think it's time for a new style of news round-up - one that's quicker to read and quicker to type, since I have a baby to look after and a new series of books to write! So here is a bunch of the latest news, in bite size format... 

- Epica have announced a special gold edition of Design Your Universe. The new 2 disc edition is remixed and remastered with new gold cover art, and includes a CD of acoustic versions. It is due for release on 4th October.

- Nightwish have begun working on their 9th studio album at their usual summer camp, set to be released during spring 2020. This follows news that Kai Hahto will replace Jukka Nevalainen permanently as drummer of the band.

- Tarja is set to support Evanescence as a special guest at their show in Trnava, Slovakia.

- Anette Olzon's new band The Dark Element have completed their second album, due for release in November.

- Lacuna Coil have revealed the album cover for their new album Black Anima (see below). The first video has been released for the single Layers of Time: check it out in the player. The band have also announced a special show at the London Dungeons.

Lacuna Coil - Layers of Time (Official Video)

Kai Officially Replaces Jukka In Nightwish, New Album Due 2020

Nightwish's drummer Jukka Nevalainen has released a statement today announcing his departure from the band. Although he is in recovery from his insomnia, he has stated that he has decided not to push his luck and will continue to work with the band behind the scenes while his replacement Kai Hahto takes up the mantle of full time drummer. Check out his statement below:

“It has now been five years since my difficult decision, due to severe insomnia, to step aside from the Vehicle of Spirit of Nightwish. This included the previous studio album and the tours which followed.

As I then expected, it turned out to be the right thing to do. These days I'm doing fantastic, and hardly ever need to deal with any sleeping issues. It also dawned on me that having more time to merely focus on band - related things happening behind the curtains made all the difference.

Having said this, I have decided not to push my luck by returning to the band. My dear pal Kai Hahto will take my place as a full-time member of the band. I will continue to take care of the band`s businesses in the background, and I`m very much looking forward to what other adventures life has to offer!

My sincere thank you`s for the band and the fans for the glorious time we shared!“

Alongside the statement, the band also officially announced that they are working on their new album - due to be released in Spring 2020.

Lacuna Coil Reveal New Album Details

Lacuna Coil's new album will be called Black Anima. Vocalist Cristina Scabbia gave the following statement about the record:

“Black Anima is all of us. It’s you and it’s me, it’s everything we hide and fiercely expose to a world that’s halfway asleep. It is the fogged mirror we are peering into searching for the truth. It’s sacrifice and pain, it’s justice and fear, it’s fury and revenge, it’s past and future. Human beings in the magnificence of a disturbing ambiguity. The black core that balances it all – as without darkness light would never exist. We proudly present to you our new work and can’t wait to welcome you in our embrace. We are the Anima.”

Further details are yet to be revealed, but the album will release on 11th October 2019 via Century Media. You can catch the band touring the UK and Europe with Eluveitie this winter - details here.

Delain Announce UK Tour Dates and Departure of Merel Bechtold

Mixed news this week for Delain fans as following the band's appearance at Download Festival they have announced four new UK dates in 2020, but also the departure of guitarist Merel Bechtold.

Merel will be departing the band after Graspop Festival, apparently on good terms as she has decided to focus on different musical ambitions. Merel is also a member of MaYaN. You can read the full statements here.

As for the headline tour, the band will be bringing a setlist featuring their upcoming record as well as the latest EP. Here are the dates:

06/02/2020 - Birmingham - O2 Institute

07/02/2020 - Manchester - O2 Ritz

08/02/2020 - Bristol - Anson Rooms

09/02/2020 - London - Electric Brixton

Tickets are on sale now.