Lauri Porra, Bassist of Stratovarius, has issued the following message:

"Yesterday Juice Leskinen , one of the great figures in Finnish popular music, passed away. I had the honour to work with him on the album 'Senaattori ja Boheemi' (2004), which was his last studio album. I also played a small tour with him and Mikko Alatalo , which is documented on a live double album and DVD called 'Klassikoiden Ilta' (2005). He was always very kind to me, always very cheerful and witty. I am truly honoured to have had the opportunity to have known and worked with him. A true legend whose work will live among us Finns forever. Godspeed Juice !"

STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki (guitar) and drummer Jörg Michael recently completed the basic demos in Germany for the band's new album (whose title consists of two separate words that both start with "R"). The actual album recordings are expected to begin in February for a tentative late 2007/early 2008 release.

Source Lauri Porra

Shocker Toys has developed four brand new GWAR action figures which are currently available via BigBadToyStore.com. Each toy is 7 inches tall and is available for $15.99 apiece or $44.99 for a set of three.

GWAR is a satirical thrash metal/punk band formed in 1985-1986 by a group of artists and musicians at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. The band is perhaps best known for their elaborate sci-fi/horror film-inspired costumes, raunchy lyrics, and graphic stage performances.

Source BBW

Czech Republic's ROOT and Florida's WYKKED WYTCH have been added to the forthcoming European tour featuring MOONSPELL , NAPALM DEATH , BEHEMOTH and DEW-SCENTED . The trek is scheduled to kick off March 31 in Vienna, Austria. The dates are as follows:

Mar. 31 - Austria - Planet Music - Vienna
Apr. 01 - Germany - Alte Spinnerei - Glauchau
Apr. 02 - Czech Republic - Abaton - Praha
Apr. 03 - Germany - Postbahnhoff - Berlin
Apr. 04 - Germany - Markthalle - Hamburg
Apr. 05 - Germany - Batschkapp - Frankfurt
Apr. 06 - Germany - Movie - Bielefeld
Apr. 07 - Germany - Zeche Carl - Essen
Apr. 08 - Belgium - Hof ter Loo - Antwerpen
Apr. 09 - Holland - 013 - Tilburg
Apr. 10 - UK - Koko - London
Apr. 11 - France - La Locomotive - Paris
Apr. 12 - France - Transbordeur - Lyon
Apr. 13 - Switzerland - Z7 - Pratteln
Apr. 14 - Germany - Stadthalle - Lichtenfels
Apr. 15 - Germany - Backstage - Munchen

Source BBW