KVELERTAK's drummer forced to go home, Max Weinberg's son to fill in!

Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK have released the following statement regarding the departure of their drummer Kjetil Gjermundrød from their current North American tour due to a hand injury:

"Our drummer Kjetil [Gjermundrød] has been having trouble with his arm and was, unfortunately, unable to continue our ongoing North America tour. He left home for Norway yesterday to get treatment so that he doesn't permanently damage his hand, which would suck so much balls. But we were lucky to get an awesome replacement in Jay Weinberg (AGAINST ME, MADBALL, E STREET BAND) who learned all the songs and played an amazing set yesterday in Seattle. Kjetil is a hard drummer to replace, but Jay might just be the best replacement imaginable. Thanks, Jay!! So, the tour will continue as planned, and tonight is our first show ever in Canada! Vancouver, Rickshaw Theatre to be specific. Come down and rage!!"

Remaining tour dates HERE!

KVELERTAK recently released their Roadrunner Records debut album 'Meir' worldwide! 

Click to watch the video for "Kvelertak"

Members of the band recently took over Roadrunner Records in New York City for a fully loaded press day. Luckily, we were able to kidnap Erlend Hjelvik and Vidir Landa to discuss 'Meir' and how Norwegian culture influenced the bands musical direction. We also discussed the bands NEW music video for "Bruane Brenn" (watch it HERE). Watch this exclusive interview right here, right now!




Related links:
KVELERTAK's official site

ICED EARTH Announce Lineup Changes!

This just in: ICED EARTH have announced that they have parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." His replacement, Raphael Saini (CHAOSWAVE), will join the group on the road starting this summer.

"I have family members that are elderly and frail and need my help here in Jacksonville. It's been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I simply cannot commit to the kind of schedule the band deserves and requires so I decided to ask permission to step down from my post." - Brent Smedley

"Brent has been a valued member of the group for a long time. We thank him for his contributions, friendship and energy and wish him all the best for the future. We want to welcome Raphael with open arms and are expecting for our fans to give him the welcome he deserves." - Iced Earth

Don't forget that the band will be releasing a NEW album soon! This is what the bands leader Jon Schaffer had to say about what fans can expect:

"The new ICED EARTH studio album is expected to have an October 2013 release date. It will be titled 'PLAGUES OF BABYLON' and we are very excited about how killer things are sounding this early in the writing/demo process. Below are some of the song titles that will appear on the album.

"I expect this album will be something very special!"

Iced Earth European tour 2014:

- 09 Jan: GER at Saarbrücken Garage
- 10 Jan: NED at Hengelo Metropol
- 11 Jan: BEL at Antwerp Trix 
- 12 Jan: GBR at Birmingham O2 Academy
- 13 Jan: IRE at Dublin Button Factory
- 14 Jan: GBR at London O2 Academy Islington
- 15 Jan: FRA at Paris Le Trabendo
- 17 Jan: ESP at Madrid Sala Caracol
- 19 Jan: ESP at Valencia Rock City
- 20 Jan: ESP at Barcelona Razzmatazz 2
- 22 Jan: SWI at Pratteln Z7
- 23 Jan: ITA at Romagnano Rock ‘n’ Roll Arena
- 24 Jan: SLO at Ljubljana Kino Siska
- 25 Jan: CRO at Zagreb Pogon Jedinstvo
- 26 Jan: BIH at Sarajevo Club Sloga
- 28 Jan: ROM at Bucarest Juke Box
- 29 Jan: TUR at Istanbul Kucukciftlik Park
- 31 Jan: GRE at Athens Gagarin 205
- 01 Feb: GRE at Thessaloniki Principal Club
- 02 Feb: BUL at Sofia Mixtape 5
- 04 Feb: SER at Belgrade Dom Omladine
- 05 Feb: HUN at Budapest Club 202
- 07 Feb: GER at Nürnberg Rockfabrik
- 08 Feb: TCH at Zlin Masters Of Rock
- 09 Feb: GER at München Backstage Werk
- 11 Feb: GER at Berlin Astra
- 12 Feb: GER at Köln Essigfabrik
- 13 Feb: GER at Bochum Zeche
- 14 Feb: GER at Osnabrück Rosenhof
- 15 Feb: GER at Hamburg Markthalle
- 16 Feb: DEN at Copenhagen Vega
- 18 Feb: SWE at Gothenburg Sticky Fingers
- 19 Feb: SWE at Stockholm Debaser Medis
- 22 Feb: ISR at Tel Aviv Reading 3

Related links:
Iced Earth