Fire At Historic Venue Forces KAMELOT, EVERGREY Paris Concert Date Change

The historic Élysée Montmartre concert hall in Paris, France was gutted by an early-morning fire on March 22. The central stage was untouched, but the second floor partially collapsed, according to The New York Times. Police said they suspected that the fire was caused by faulty wiring. As a result, the previously announced concert featuring KAMELOT, EVERGREY, AMARANTHE and SONS OF SEASONS, which was scheduled for April 22, has been moved to April 25 and will now take place at the Alhambra. Commented EVERGREY: "We tried to avoid moving the date but unfortunately no other suitable venues were available on the original night. "While the circumstances are obviously beyond our control, we are very sorry for any inconvenience to those of you who had made special arrangements for this date, and hope you will be able to make the new show on the 25th. Tickets that were sold for the Élysée Montmartre will be honored! Tickets are going fast for this concert." According to The New York Times, Élysée Montmartre opened in 1807. Toulouse-Lautrec is reported to have painted several works there, and it is said to have been the birthplace of the cancan. "It is a part of Paris's identity that has been struck," Mayor Bertrand Delanoë said of the fire. He pledged that the venue would be rebuilt.

YES Re-Teams With Producer TREVOR HORN For 'Fly From Here'

The world's most quintessential prog rock band YES will release its highly anticipated new album, "Fly From Here", in July via Frontiers Records. The CD marks the group's first collaboration in ten years with legendary, two-time Grammy Award-winning producer Trevor Horn. Horn and YES bassist Chris Squire re-discovered the song "Fly From Here" which had never been laid down as a studio track. "Chris and I were talking one evening about a song 'Fly From Here' that we never recorded," explains Horn. "I said I was prepared to spend two weeks with YES recording that song. When I arrived in America to record it, I was taken prisoner by the band and only allowed my freedom again in return for producing the whole album. It was an offer I couldn't refuse!" "Fly From Here" encompasses YES' signature brand of mysticism and grand-scale compositions while maintaining a complex, symphonic sound that features the beautiful harmonies and strong heavy riffs they are known for. "The new album represents the best of YES from the '70s and the '80s with a current twist," states Squire. YES are the pioneers for the use of synthesizers and sound effects in modern music, which produced such timeless, symphonic-rock masterworks as "Roundabout", "Close To the Edge", and "Awaken". YES continued to push the cutting edge of art-rock music to their limits, selling over 30 million albums, reaching platinum status multiple times worldwide. YES' powerful mainstream progressive compositions have influenced a generation of musicians with a hugely successful and indelible catalo of music with hit albums such as "Drama", "Fragile", "Close To The Edge" and "90125". Classic songs include "Roundabout", a seminal hit which consistently appears on "the best songs of all time" lists, and the group's No. 1 hit "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", which Horn is responsible for. Taken from the YES album "90125", this single would form part of a unique double, which would see YES and Horn top both the U.K. and U.S. charts simultaneously.

BORN OF OSIRIS Denied Entry To Canada; Band Forced To Pull Out Of AUGUST BURNS RED Tour

Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS has been denied entry to Canada last night and will therefore be unable to join AUGUST BURNS RED on their previously announced Canadian dates. Commented BORN OF OSIRIS guitarist Lee McKinney: "Due to some very unexpected problems at the border, we were unable to cross into Canada. We were forced to turn around and head home and could not be more bummed about this. "We are so sorry to everyone who had already bought tickets to the shows in hopes to see us. We were excited to get to play a lot of places we haven't been to before throughout Canada with some great bands. We will try again to make it out to Canada in the near future, and will do everything within our powers to ensure we make it across next time." "The Discovery", the third full-length album from BORN OF OSIRIS, sold around 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "A Higher Place", entered the charts at No. 73 with first-week sales of over 6,000 copies. "The Discovery" was released on March 22 via Sumerian Records. The CD was recorded at BOTA Studio in Lake In The Hills, Illinois and was mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER).

DEEP PURPLE: More 'The Songs That Built Rock' Tour Details Revealed

DEEP PURPLE has announced its first tour in North America in four years. The pioneering rock band — featuring classic members Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums, percussion — will perform for the first time in the U.S. and Canada with a symphony orchestra in each city (except San Francisco). Launching June 3 and wrapping June 25, the tour is called "Deep Purple: The Songs That Built Rock", with stops in New York (two nights at the Beacon Theatre), Los Angeles (Greek Theater) and Montreal (Bell Centre). Fans can expect to hear the band’s trail-blazing iconic hits — including "Smoke On The Water", "Highway Star", "Hush" and "Space Truckin'" — plus other favorites achieve a new dimension of sound with the added heft of a symphony orchestra. In other parts of the world, DEEP PURPLE has achieved acclaim for its live epic presentation of symphonic rock. As they eye a new studio album for release in 2012, DEEP PURPLE continues to tour around the world. The band, rounded out by Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards), recently launched (March 18-27) their eighth visit to Russia, a country where the group made early inroads as a touring act and where they’ve played at the personal request of the country’s president Dmitry Medvedev. They performed in three cities — Ekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and Moscow — before moving on to Kiev (Ukraine) and Minsk (Belarus). The band also has nine more shows on tap — Heraklion, Greece (May 6), Limassol, Cyprus (May 8), Ceasarea, Israel (May 14, 15), Istanbul, Turkey (May 18), Athens, Greece (May 20), Patras, Greece (May 21), Thessaloniki, Greece (May 23) and Ioannina, Greece (May 25) — before heading to North America. Throughout its career, DEEP PURPLE has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has incorporated classical music, blues-rock, pop and progressive rock. Although the band’s devoted fans treasure the group's live album "Concerto for Group and Orchestra", the upcoming tour of North America will not draw from this work. "Deep Purple: The Songs That Built Rock" tour dates: Jun. 03 - Orillia, ON - Casino Rama Jun. 04 - Quebec City, QC - Agora Jun. 06 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre Jun. 07 - Boston, MA - Wang Center Jun. 08 - Hartford, CT - Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Jun. 10 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center Jun. 11 - Atlantic City, NJ - Tropicana Jun. 12 - Bethel Woods, NY - Bethel Performing Arts Center Jun. 14 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater Jun. 15 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater Jun. 17 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theater Jun. 18 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Jun. 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Jun. 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater Jun. 25 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre ** ** Indicates a non-orchestra date. When asked during a February 22, 2011 press conference in Mexico City if there are any plans for DEEP PURPLE to record a new studio album soon, the band's vocalist, Ian Gillan, replied, "I guess it's about time, isn't it?! So we're gonna get together and have a writing session quite soon. And if we get excited, then we'll probably have another [album finished and ready for release] shortly after that. We'll see how it goes. But there's no plans. But I think we're getting poked by various connections who would like to see another DEEP PURPLE record. So I think it's about time." DEEP PURPLE released a live album last year called "Space Truckin' Round the World Live 68-76". The two-disc set features rare live recordings from various concerts all over the world, including gigs in Tokyo, Paris and San Diego. The compilation, which features multiple band lineups, also features a detailed history of the group, individual concert details and photos. It was released as part of the 10th anniversary of Purple Records — the label that handles the band's music. DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It is the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey. "Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas"

New King Crimson ProjeKct To Be Released

For Immediate Release Jakko Jakszyk, Robert Fripp and Mel Collins to release new King Crimson ProjeKct DGM/Inner Knot Records announce the upcoming release of A Scarcity of Miracles, a new release in the King Crimson ProjeKct series. The ProjeKct features Robert Fripp, Jakko Jakszyk and Mel Collins with a rhythm section of Tony Levin and Gavin Harrison. A Scarcity of Miracles will be released on May 30, 2011. Information and merchandise for the release can be found at www.dgmlive.com. When Fripp (King Crimson founder and guitarist) and Jakszyk (Level 42) got together in February 2009 neither expected that their initial sessions of guitar-only improvisations would result in a full-blown album, or that it would ultimately be deemed to be a King Crimson ProjeKct. As the material from those first sessions developed, it was obviously becoming much wider in scope and scale. The arrival of sax player and former King Crimson member, Collins, added further colour and texture to the emerging songs. The line-up was completed with the addition of bassist Levin and Porcupine Tree's drummer, Harrison (both members of the 2008 incarnation of King Crimson), adding their parts to the material in their respective studios. What had begun as an exchange of ideas grew into an album of heartfelt songs, an album that is immediately accessible on first hearing but reveals fresh detail and depth with each subsequent play, as one might expect from musicians of this calibre. A Scarcity of Miracles (A King Crimson ProjeKct) features artwork by PJ Crook and will be released simultaneously as a CD/DVD-A package, a 200gm limited edition vinyl album with a gatefold sleeve and a standard CD. The CD/DVD-A pack features the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound, the album in high definition 24/96 stereo, an album's worth of alternate mixes, improvisations from the original sessions and the video for the title track, along with the CD album in a slipcase. Many fans have read about the evolution of this King Crimson ProjeKct through Fripp's widely read online diary at www.dgmlive.com - where he has updated progress on the recording, mixing and mastering of the album at regular intervals. "JFC [Jaksyk, Fripp, Collin] is a superb album. I have not heard stereo quite like this since the early 1970s, and much of that was not of this quality, " writes Fripp in his December 15th entry to his online diary. "JFC is one of my favouritist albums, of those where I am a determining element. It has the Crimson gene, but is not quite KC [King Crimson]."

'The Discovery' First-Week Sales Revealed - Mar. 30, 2011

"The Discovery", the third full-length album from the Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS, sold around 4,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 115 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "A Higher Place", entered the charts at No. 73 with first-week sales of over 6,000 copies. "The Discovery" was released on March 22 via Sumerian Records. The CD was recorded at BOTA Studio in Lake In The Hills, Illinois and was mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER). When asked by AOL's Noisecreep if the band toned down the technicality of the playing and arrangements for the new album or if they dialed it up, BORN OF OSIRIS guitarist Lee McKinney said, "I would say it's more and less at the same time. The instrumentals are more technical, as far as playing each part. As for structure and arrangements, we tried to organize our songs a little better. We wanted to bring back key parts and have more structure in our songs. That being said, these songs are still by far harder to play than any of our other material. We really pushed ourselves with this one." Regarding whether the band felt any pressure while writing the new record, McKinney said, "It was very easy for us. A year and a half ago we moved into a house together and that really helped the creative process. Our approach to writing is for fun and is a year-round process. We don't write when we need to, we just write every chance we get when we are off tour. As long as we keep growth on our mind, we feel every release will just get better and better." "The Discovery" track listing: 01. Follow The Signs 02. Singularity 03. Ascension 04. Devastate 05. Recreate 06. Two Worlds Of Design 07. A Solution 08. Shaping The Masterpiece 09. Dissimulation 10. Automatic Motion 11. The Omniscient (An Interlude) 12. Last Straw 13. Regenerate 14. XIV 15. Behold Source: RNRCOLA

DEEP PURPLE To Be Backed By 30-Piece Symphony Orchestra On North American Tour

DEEP PURPLE's first North American tour in four years — which is scheduled to kick off in early June — will feature classic members Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums, percussion) along with Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards). The trek, dubbed "A Night With Deep Purple And The Songs That Built Rock", will see the band performing in each city while backed by a 30-piece symphony orchestra. For a list of currently confirmed dates, visit Deep-Purple.net. When asked during a February 22, 2011 press conference in Mexico City if there are any plans for DEEP PURPLE to record a new studio album soon, the band's vocalist, Ian Gillan, replied, "I guess it's about time, isn't it?! So we're gonna get together and have a writing session quite soon. And if we get excited, then we'll probably have another [album finished and ready for release] shortly after that. We'll see how it goes. But there's no plans. But I think we're getting poked by various connections who would like to see another DEEP PURPLE record. So I think it's about time." DEEP PURPLE released a live album last year called "Space Truckin' Round the World Live 68-76". The two-disc set features rare live recordings from various concerts all over the world, including gigs in Tokyo, Paris and San Diego. The compilation, which features multiple band lineups, also features a detailed history of the group, individual concert details and photos. It was released as part of the 10th anniversary of Purple Records — the label that handles the band's music. DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It is the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey. "Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas".

DEEP PURPLE To Be Backed By 30-Piece Symphony Orchestra On North American Tour

DEEP PURPLE's first North American tour in four years — which is scheduled to kick off in early June — will feature classic members Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums, percussion) along with Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards). The trek, dubbed "A Night With Deep Purple And The Songs That Built Rock", will see the band performing in each city while backed by a 30-piece symphony orchestra. For a list of currently confirmed dates, visit Deep-Purple.net. When asked during a February 22, 2011 press conference in Mexico City if there are any plans for DEEP PURPLE to record a new studio album soon, the band's vocalist, Ian Gillan, replied, "I guess it's about time, isn't it?! So we're gonna get together and have a writing session quite soon. And if we get excited, then we'll probably have another [album finished and ready for release] shortly after that. We'll see how it goes. But there's no plans. But I think we're getting poked by various connections who would like to see another DEEP PURPLE record. So I think it's about time." DEEP PURPLE released a live album last year called "Space Truckin' Round the World Live 68-76". The two-disc set features rare live recordings from various concerts all over the world, including gigs in Tokyo, Paris and San Diego. The compilation, which features multiple band lineups, also features a detailed history of the group, individual concert details and photos. It was released as part of the 10th anniversary of Purple Records — the label that handles the band's music. DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It is the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey. "Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas".

Is MIKE MANGINI The New DREAM THEATER Drummer?

According to Eddie Trunk — co-host of the VH1 Classic television program "That Metal Show" who has a long-running radio show, "Friday Night Rocks", on New York's Q104.3 FM — Mike Mangini, the 47-year-old session artist who has played for ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE and STEVE VAI, is strongly rumored to have joined DREAM THEATER as the replacement for the recently departed Mike Portnoy. Mangini is notorious for his technical prowess and holds three out of four World's Fastest Drummer titles. These include the Fastest Matched grip at 1,247 strokes in 60 seconds; Fastest Hands, which he earned by executing 1,203 single-stroke notes in 60 seconds without drumsticks mallets etc.; Fastest Traditional Grip which he earned by executing 1,126 strokes in 60 seconds; and Fastest Single Stroke Foot record, playing 13,222 hits in 15 minutes and 5,222 hits in five minutes. Mangini has written two books about his drumming techniques. These books, titled "Rhythm Knowledge", are a practice method for deconstructing and simplifying complex polyrhythms and time signatures. Mangini joined ANNIHILATOR in 1991 and appeared on the band's "Set The World On Fire" album. He toured with the group in support of the CD until 1994 at which point he was asked to play with the Massachusetts band EXTREME, replacing that group's original drummer Paul Geary. After EXTREME dissolved in 1996, Mike was informed through drummer Jonathan Mover that guitarist Steve Vai was auditioning drummers for his live band. Mike successfully auditioned for Steve Vai's band and relocated to Los Angeles. From late 1996 to early 2000, Mangini was the highly regarded drummer of Vai's live ensemble, which also included bassist Philip Bynoe, guitar wizard Mike Keneally and (in 2000) guitarist Dave Weiner. Mike also recorded several drum tracks for Steve's "Fire Garden" and "Ultrazone" albums. In 2005, Mike accepted a full-time teaching position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and today he is a prominent faculty member in the school's percussion department. Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band last summer while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them in late 2010 .