Finland's LORDI have found a new drummer. An update from the band states:

"We have a new drummer. His character’s name will not be revealed yet and he will be simply called ”the drummer” for now. The mask and the costume are kept to the minimum. We don't want to introduce a new character yet, because we feel it is still way too close to the time when Otus passed away. Making any kind of fuss about a new member would simply be too disrespectful. However, we need a drummer in order to play."

Back in February, Lordi posted the following message in regards to the passing of drummer "Otus" Tonmi Lillman:

"Our dear friend and bandmate, "Otus" Tonmi Lillman, has sadly passed away. He will be greatly missed and we send our condolences to his family and friends. Otus: we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the short time we got to know you and spend with you together. Rest in peace, friend."

Italy's Metalitalia.com and Eagle Booking Live Promotion Agency have announced that the first edition of the MetalItalia.com Festival will take place on Saturday, May 5th at Live Music Club in Trezzo sull'Adda (Milan), Italy.

The one day party will present some of the most interesting and up-and-coming artists in the Italian metal scene, plus a few international special guests that will healine the event.

The headliners of this very first edition of the Metalitalia.com Festival will be Lordi, whose mix of arena rock, classic heavy metal and pyrotechnics it's surely going to set the club on fire (hopefully not literally). The band has been active since 1991 and surely don't need any in depth presentation to the European audiences. Their shows speak for themselves.

Other acts confirmed so far are Italy's HOLY MARTYR and DESTRAGE. The former are a well-known band in the epic metal scene: both the Hellenic Warrior Spirit and the Invincible records have been highly praised by fans and the metal press and the band seem bound to arouse the spirits into battle when their turn to jump on stage will come. Destrage, on the other hand, are a way more hectic and modern act, as they style draws inspiration from several genres such as groovy thrash metal, metal-core, hard rock and melodic death metal. They are an excellent live band and they're following is getting bigger day by day, as their recent Japanese tour proved.

Tickets available for only €25 in pre-sale or €30 at the door the day of the event. More info at this location.