KING DIAMOND has received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the group's latest album, "Give me Your Soul… Please".

Commented the band's leader and namesake: "It's a great honor to be picked as a nominee; it's totally shocking and unexpected. We do feel as a band that this is the best album we have ever done. Hopefully there will be many more albums and tours to come. We feel that we have at least another good 10 years in us! This nomination is a testament to our legion of loyal fans and our thanks go out to them for the endless support and all of the kind words."

Metal Blade owner and CEO Brian Slagel commented: "All of us at Metal Blade Records are extremely honored to have two of our artists, AS I LAY DYING and KING DIAMOND, nominated for Grammy Awards. They both truly deserve this honor for the great artistry they have accomplished on these tremendous releases."

KING DIAMOND's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul ... Please" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 28. The CD also landed at No. 58 on the Danish chart (the second highest new entry on the chart behind VELVET REVOLVER).

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.

San Diego's AS I LAY DYING has received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for "Nothing Left", the first single from the band's newest release, "An Ocean Between Us".

"I thought someone was pulling my leg when I first heard that we're nominated for a Grammy this year," says vocalist Tim Lambesis. "I'm completely honored! Who would have thought you could play metal and still make your parents this proud? Now I'll have to go out and rent a tux to wear for the third time in my life. I knew I should have just bought one the first time…"

"Best Metal Performance" Grammy nominees:

AS I LAY DYING - "Nothing Left"
KING DIAMOND - "Never Ending Hill"
MACHINE HEAD - "Aesthetics Of Hate"
SHADOWS FALL - "Redemption"
SLAYER - "Final Six"

The 50th annual Grammy Awards will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, February 10, 2007.

PAIN mainman Peter Tägtgren (also of HYPOCRISY) has issued the following quick update:

"We had a looooong tour/party (October 11th-December 5th) and it's been a lot of fun (hick!). Met a lot of people, drank alot of drinks and we wanna thank you all for coming to the gigs. We were also one of the first non-Russian bands to do a real Russian tour, which was one of the highlights in my music career with PAIN. So much craziness in a positive way and I hope it wasn't the last time. Now it's time to write new songs... and get ready for the NIGHTWISH tour in February 2008. I'm sure it will be science-fiction. Thank you once again and see you soon."

Russia's Darkside e-zine has posted video footage of PAIN performing the song "Bitch" on November 24, 2007 at Club Shadow in Moscow. Watch the clip below.

PAIN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT, HOUSE OF SHAKIRA).

A few days before the gig, PAIN's latest full-length album, "Psalms of Extinction", was issued in Russia by Mazzar/Mystic Empire Records. This version is said to be "the fullest and most interesting for collectors," as, apart from the original album's 12 tracks, it includes the Japanese bonus track "Behind the Wheel", as well as an exclusive song, "Here Comes the Hero".

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers makes a guest appearance on two songs on "Psalms of Extinction". A video clip of PAIN performing the track "Zombie Slam" on the Swedish morning show "Nyhetsmorgon" on TV4 on April 17 has been posted online at this location.

Guitarist Lou St. Paul of the long-running Ohio metallers WINTERS BANE has released the following statement:

"There have been rumors of Tim 'Ripper' Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ICED EARTH, and ex-JUDAS PRIEST) singing on next WINTERS BANE album. I wanted to let everyone know exactly what's going on.

"Tim and I have been talking for some time, off and on, about recording a sequel to 'Heart of a Killer', our 1993 release. In the last month or so, Tim and I both agreed that if the right conditions were met, like the right label, contract, tour support and other details, we would put forth our best effort, making, of course, another 'Killer' album, and do a major tour. At this point Wendy Dio (Niji Management) is still accepting offers from labels and will continue to do so until the beginning of next year.

"We've had some ideas for the making the follow-up for some time. We have both been busy in other projects and until recently have been fortunate enough cross paths again. So keep your fingers crossed and you might have another WINTERS BANE/Ripper album in 2008."

German melodic hard rock masters JADED HEART have released the video for their song "Hero", taken from the group's latest CD, "Sinister Mind". Watch the clip below.

"Sinister Mind" was released on October 19 via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, "the sound on the album is definitely heavier and more in your face, still keeping intact the elements that has created the recognizable and well-known JADED HEART sound. Production was handled by some of the most [in-demand] guys in the German hard rock scene: Michael Voss (MAD MAX, VOICES OF ROCK), Chris Lausmann (ex-BONFIRE, VOICES OF ROCK) and Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69) and you can definitely hear a sound that has the 'million-dollar-bucks' trademark!"

AXEL RUDI PELL will release a new double DVD, "Live Over Europe" (cover artwork), on February 25, 2008 via SPV. The set will contain a full show recorded at this year's Rock Hard Festival in Germany plus a bonus DVD containing "bootleg" footage from the Wacken Open Air and Bang Your Head!!! festivals, among others.

According to a press release, the 75-minute Rock Hard Festival concert "presents the AXEL RUDI PELL band in a generous mood, performing haunting versions of their most important tracks, among them 'Strong As A Rock', 'Tear Down The Walls', 'Mystica', 'Rock The Nation' and 'Fool Fool'. The release will include an additional bonus DVD featuring select footage from the years 2004 to 2006 from Pell's private vaults, including the 2005 Wacken Open Air, the same year's Bang Your Head!!!, the 2004 Sweden Rock Festival and shows in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and his local club, the Zeche in Bochum."

With a total playing time of over three and a half hours, "Live Over Europe" is a comprehensive document highlighting the impressive live qualities of a band which has quite a few things up its sleeve for next year. Pell says: "There will be a new studio album in 2008, plus a number of festival shows, and a headliner tour in autumn."

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT will release their new album, "The Formation of Damnation", in North America on April 29, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band is currently recording the effort with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.

TESTAMENT recently recruited Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) to play the drums on new CD. The group was previously rehearsing and writing new material with British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR), but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and international work visa issues have prevented Barker from continuing to be involved in the project.

Bostaph, who was a member of TESTAMENT for a brief period starting around February 2004, had previously played several live dates with the group in 1992 and appeared on the band's 1993 live EP, "Return to the Apocalyptic City". He also toured with TESTAMENT in 2006.

TESTAMENT's current lineup is rounded out by Chuck Billy on vocals, Eric Peterson on rhythm guitar, Alex Skolnick on lead guitar and Greg Christian on bass.

Norway's TRISTANIA will team up with SAMAEL, OVERKILL and ENSLAVED for three shows in Russia and the Ukraine. The details are as follows:

Feb. 29 - Kiev, Ukraine - CCA NAU
Mar. 01 - Moscow, Russia - Tochka *
Mar. 02 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Yubileyniy *

* Without SAMAEL

TRISTANIA recently announced the addition of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary' Demurtas to the group's ranks.

Dutch thrashers LEGION OF THE DAMNED have announced the track listing for "Feel the Blade", a reissue of the the "Elegy for the Weak" CD originally released under the band's previous moniker OCCULT. Due on January 4, 2008 via Massacre Records, the new version of the LP will contain two new songs that didn't appear on the original "Elegy for the Weak" album, a new cover and a bonus DVD.

"Feel the Blade" track listing:

01. Nuclear Torment
02. Nocturnal Predator
03. Slaughtering The Pigs
04. Slut of Sodom
05. Feel the Blade
06. Expire
07. Warbeast
08. Disturbing the Dead
09. Obsessed by the Grave
10. Reapers Call
11. Last Command
12. Mask of Terror
13. Chronic Infection

Commented the band: "'Feel the Blade' comes from an album that OCCULT once released under the name 'Elegy for the Weak'. We as band strongly believe that this album belongs to the LEGION OF THE DAMNED category and since the album is hard to get we will re-release it. Of course there may always be people out there who were able to buy an 'Elegy for the Weak' copy for 10 or 15 euros, but we put so much effort into this new release that even if you own a copy of the 'Elegy for the Weak' album, this is still worth buying. It will not only have the 'Elegy for the Weak' recording remastered but also two new songs and a cover song, plus a 127-minute-long bonus DVD.

"This CD will come in three versions. One normal jewel-case version, one limited digipack version (with DVD) and one exclusive for Amazon made version DVD format with six free cards and sticker. The DVD will also have an embossed cover. This last version will only come in 1,000 pieces and only available through Amazon worldwide."

UK melodic power metallers POWER QUEST will complete the recordings for their fourth album, "Master of Illusion", on December 22. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hearts and Voices", "The Vigil", "The Right Place and the Wrong Time", "Count My Sins" and "The Tragedy Suite". An early 2008 release via Napalm Records is expected.

POWER QUEST recently had their first two albums re-released as double-disc sets with bonus DVD material. These twin re-releases have been repackaged with extended sleeve notes and new artwork. They are available through Majestic Rock and their European distribution channels or the POWER QUEST online store.

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have completed work on their sixth album, "Blooddrunk", due in Europe on April 7, 2008 via Spinefarm Records (two days later in Finland). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Pray for the Devil", "Good Morning Roadkill" and "Tie My Rope" (a re-recording of the song that appeared on the recently released "Viva La Bands, Vol. 2" CD).

"Blooddrunk" was produced by Mikko Karmila and features a guest appearance by Peter Tägtgren of HYPOCRISY and PAIN fame.

Commented CHILDREN OF BODOM bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith: "Yeah, finally the thing is done. Yesterday [Thursday, December 6] we had the first master and we listened to it with bunch of reporters from all around the world in Helsinki! It was good, we had sauna, and then we dipped into the icecold Baltic Sea. Respect for doing that! Anyway, feeling relieved now that the album finally complete. It sounds good! Can't wait to get on tour again..."

QUEEN and Paul Rodgers have released the single "Say It's Not True" to mark World AIDS Day.

QUEEN has made the song available for free download to "help Nelson Mandela with his campaign" against AIDS, according to The Associated Press.

Freddie Mercury, QUEEN's famous lead vocalist, died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991.

"By making the song available for free, we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across the message that no one is safe from infection," drummer Roger Taylor said in a statement. "We have to be aware, we have to protect ourselves and those we love."

He said the song follows the line of Mandela's personal message: "It's in our own hands to bring a stop to this."

"Say It's Not True" is QUEEN's first studio collaboration with Rodge

Roadrunner Records has set a January 29, 2008 release date for a "best-of" collection from legendary Florida death metallers OBITUARY. Entitled, appropriately enough, "The Best of Obituary", the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. Internal Bleeding
02. 'Til Death
03. Slowly We Rot
04. Cause Of Death
05. Chopped In Half
06. Turned Inside Out
07. The End Complete
08. I'm In Pain
09. Don't Care
10. Final Thoughts
11. Kill For Me
12. Threatening Skies
13. On The Floor

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have issued he following update:

"On December 15th Martin [Thim, guitar] will play his last show with us. Martin doesn't have the time it takes to play with us anymore, his normal job and private life is his priority. He is the first ILLDISPOSED member ever who wasn't sacked. But Martin will still come with us on the road now and then and you might find him sleeping at the merch booth pretending to be selling our stuff. We have known Martin's decision since July. Within the next day we will reveal Martin's replacement.

ILLDISPOSED is currently mixing its new album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with Fredrik Nordström for a March 28, 2008 release via AFM Records.

Commented Jakob Batten: "The new album is recorded differently compared to the previous two albums. We didn't really cut into the tracks while recording so nearly everything you'll hear is first takes. We want it all to sound more raw and alive this time. A lot of the new albums you hear these days are so tight and over-produced that it doesn't sound like humans playing anymore and in the long run you get tired of it — I think."

The band's last CD, "Burn Me Wicked", entered the Danish album chart at position No. 58 in June 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "1-800 Vindication" was recorded at ZigZound Studio during November/December 2005 with producer Ziggy and was mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studio.

When it comes to Finland, industrial metal might not exactly be a booming genre,until now. The existence of THE SIN:DECAY came to be in 2005 when this four-piece insect act of darkly armoured skin injected a hard dose of glamourous anguish to their industrialized output. Heavy, melodic and bleak is the new axiom of trinity in this case. The band paints their soundscapes with silvery sound, lustrous atmosphere and ravishing body beats which makes you want to crawl out of your skin. It combines harsh eclectic electronics and crusty metal flavored elegant tunes. Either way, an audible range of rusty nails in the flesh and another hard dose up the nose. The first release was recorded, mixed and mastered by the band itself in January 2006. It is now released through in a sexy 6-panel digipak.

"Industrial metal with heavy programming and distorted vocals - THE SIN:DECAY aren't a million miles away from the likes of KOVENANT and DEATHSTARS" - Metal Hammer (UK)

" is a heavy cocktail of gothic influence mixed together with metal riffs. The melodic side of gothic and the power of metal are like the red line running through the work of this band" - Side-Line (BE)

According to MonsterDiscoHell.com, Finnish monster rockers LORDI are currently at producer Jyrki Tuovinen's studio in Helsinki recording two brand new tracks, one of which will appear in "Dark Floors" — the feature film starring LORDI. A short interview with LORDI mainman Mr. Lordi regarding the recording sessions and the group's future plans follows:

MonsterDiscoHell.com: When were the songs you're now recording written and arranged?

Mr. Lordi: These two songs were composed mainly during the Ozzfest tour. As a matter of fact I remember composing the chorus and the main riff of "Beast Loose In Paradise" in Milwaukee and the chorus and verses of "Studs And Leather" in St. Augustine. The origin of the main riff of "Studs And Leather" goes way back. That one was taken from the unreleased LORDI album "Bend Over And Pray The Lord" (which was supposed to be released as LORDI's debut album in 1999)! Though the tunes were changed, but the rhythm is still the same. The verse of "Beast Loose In Paradise" is from another therapy band sessions from last Christmas. And the rest of both of the songs was basically made between the Ozzfest and TYPE O NEGATIVE tours... Except the c-part of "Studs" was made last week at our rehearsal place with the whole band participating. I think that's the first time some part of a song was made like this in the history of this band. The arrangements are done pretty much while the songs are demoed. The rest while rehearsing the songs and the final decisions in studio when recording.

MonsterDiscoHell.com: Are the songs written especially for the "Dark Floors" movie?

Mr. Lordi: Yeah, the both are written for the movie, although only one of them ends up in it.

MonsterDiscoHell.com: There was a slight misunderstanding in a recent issue of the Finnish music magazine, Soundi, about LORDI going more brutal and raw music- and sound-wise. What's the truth and how's the upcoming material going to be different compared to the "The Arockalypse"?

Mr. Lordi: Our music is not gonna get any brutal or heavier, but not any lighter that's for sure! I think it's gonna be pretty much the same. But it's so hard to think and say for myself. You'll be the judges then. I'd say these two songs are familiar LORDI. Although "Beast Loose In Paradise" is more "movie-esque" and "horror-ish" on purpose. And some might say it's even heavier, but at the very least the chorus will be familiar and melodic LORDI stuff. And "Studs And Leather" is basically "Heaven's On Fire" meet "Balls To The Wall". But as I said, it's really hard to describe them myself. And like I've said before, it's needless to start to get assumptions from what I've said to how's the next album's gonna be like — any way or another. These songs are made for the movie and do not necessarily represent the future material in any way.

MonsterDiscoHell.com: How ready is the concept of the next album music-wise and visually?

Mr. Lordi: Well, like I said, the music is not gonna change. The songs are gonna be the same as on the earlier three albums for sure. But I think we're not gonna go towards "The Monsterican Dream"'s more darker and tentative way. But like I've said so many times before, it's the sound in the mixing, the edit and the production that's gonna define the album's appearance. So the producer has a quite a big part in this. The visual side is still a hell of a chaos of millions of different ideas in my head. From there it's gonna get more clearer (or is it...). But visually the theme is gonna get more heavier and brutal, that I can say for sure.

MonsterDiscoHell.com: How about the much-discussed LORDI DVD? What's up with that?

Mr. Lordi: It's work in progress. I think I'm the one who wants it to get ready the most. At this point, it's not up to the band if and when it will be released. But it's not even ready yet. So there's no shitload of cardboard boxes full of DVDs lying around somewhere, waiting to be released. But every day it doesn't get released, new material gets filmed. Like this week we've gotten some pretty fun stuff from the studio. So the good side of the delay is that every day the DVD gets a couple of minutes longer.

MonsterDiscoHell.com: "The Arockalypse" touring and all the other stuff has been going on for almost two years. The next album will start it all over again. You're still up to it?

Mr. Lordi: Well, yeah of course. All the planning and waiting really makes my motor hum! Mentally I've been working on the next album at least a year now in my head. And all the other members have told me all year long their ideas how their characters or the stage show could and should be improved and so on. And I've got tens of new songs. The first ones I made right after the release of "The Arockalypse". But I'm not gonna lie to you. We're pretty tired right now. We've been on the road since the spring of 2006 so I think it's OK to feel a bit tired. No one could think that this "The Arockalypse" run would last this long. In the last year, we've seen the glamour and the shine of the rock'n'roll world of our dreams, but also some not-so-great things. And this run being almost over, we all feel tired but happy, and unbelieveably satisfied. Much has happened and we've got and received so much, but also have had to sacrifice a lot.

Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker is currently setting up a concert tour under the banner MICHAEL SCHENKER & FRIENDS. The trek will include stops in almost all of UK's rock clubs starting on January 10 and stretching as far as March.

In other news, Schenker is planning to release a new MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) album in April, to be followed by a world tour. Entitled "In the Midst of Beauty", the CD will feature the following lineup:

Gary Barden - Vocals
Simon Philips (TOTO, THE WHO) - Drums
Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) - Bass
Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) - Keyboards

A tour featuring Barden on vocals will kick off following the album release.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen will perform at a special event to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Finland's independence. The concert will take place on December 6, 2007 at Tapiola LänsiAuto Areena with Tapiola Sinfonietta, conducted by Tuomas Hannikainen. Tarja will perform a program consisting of several different versions of the Finnish national song "Maamme" (Our Land). The show will be broadcast live on Finnish YLE TV2 at 15:45 local time.

Turunen's new solo album, "My Winter Storm", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 3. The CD, which reportedly was certified gold in Finland for sales in excess of 15,000 copies on the day of the LP's release (November 14), landed on the Finnish chart at No. 1 and has since moved down to position No. 4.

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have issued the following update:

"The world tour for the 'Thornography' album, which last saw COF in Russia, Ukraine, UK, Romania, Slovakia and North America with GWAR is now complete. The band has now returned home to start writing for a new record over the dark months in the rehearsal room. The new album, which is not yet titled, will be released some time in 2008 via Roadrunner Records."

As previously reported, CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth will guest on the "Hard Files" program on Sirius Satellite Radio's Hard Attack on Thursday (December 6) at 7:00 p.m. EST. Rebroadcasts: Fridays at noon ET, Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. ET and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. ET.

A press release states: "This week, join Hard Attack's Mario in the depths of hell. Paul Booth's tattoo gallery in New York City, for a sГ©ance with Dani Filth from CRADLE OF FILTH. Hear Dani spill the blood before he goes beneath Paul's tattoo needle and hear a killer soundtrack featuring music from CRADLE OF FILTH and friends."

CRADLE OF FILTH will release "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" on January 29 via Roadrunner Records. In addition to the album's original 12 tracks, the deluxe edition features new artwork, six new songs, live material and videos ("The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking", "Tonight In Flames" and "Temptation").

Most of the new songs featured on "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" were written during the "Thornography" sessions but were completed at a later date.

"Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" track listing:

01. Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan
02. Dirge Inferno
03. Tonight In Flames
04. Libertina Grimm
05. The Byronic Man
06. I Am The Thorn
07. Cemetery And Sundown
08. Lovesick For Mina
09. The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking
10. Rise Of The Pentagram
11. Under Huntress Moon
12. Temptation
13. Murder In The Thirst
14. In The Snake-Eyed And Venomous
15. Halloween II (MISFITS cover) (remix)
16. Courting Baphomet
17. Stay (SHAKESPEARS SISTER cover)
18. Devil To The Metal

Dani Filth recently recorded vocals for the theme song to Dario Argento's latest horror/suspense opus "Mother of Tears: The Third Mother". The song, entitled "(She's) The Mother of Tears" was composed by Claudio Simonetti. Simonetti, a veritable legend among horror film scores, is also noted for penning music to such classics as "Dawn of the Dead", "Suspiria", "Phenomena" and several episodes of the popular series "Masters of Horror".

Tampa, Florida-based death metallers HATE ETERNAL are back with the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2005 release "I, Monarch". "Fury and Flames" will be the band's most diverse and emotionally fuelled record to date due mainly in part to the passing of bassist and good friend Jared Anderson.

HATE ETERNAL founder and vocalist/guitarist Erik Rutan recently did an interview with MTV.com where he stated, "Jared was one of my best friends, and his passing away really affected me and influenced this record a lot. It's a very dark and heavy record — not just heavy as in 'heavy metal,' but heavy-hearted as well."

"Fury and Flames" will feature cover art by Paul Romano (MASTODON, ANIMOSITY, THE RED CHORD) and features new members Shaune Kelley on second guitar and Jade Simonetto on drums. The addition of Shaune means that this will be the first time HATE ETERNAL will be able to perform as a four-piece live — something fans will be able to experience when the band heads out with labelmates THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Alex Webster of CANNIBAL CORPSE fame stepped in on bass for the recording, but due to his hectic schedule with CANNIBAL will not be able to tour with the band.

Due on February 19, "Fury and Flames" will feature the following track listing:

01. Hell Envenom
02. Whom Gods May Destroy
03. Para Bellum
04. Bringer of Storms
05. The Funerary March
06. Thus Salvation
07. Proclamation of the Damned
08. Fury Within
09. Tombeau (Le Tombeau De La Fureur et Des Flames)
10. Coronach

The trailer for the HATE ETERNAL "The Perilous Fight" DVD (available now) can be viewed here.

DARK NEW DAY — the band featuring Clint Lowery (guitar; ex-KORN touring member, SEVENDUST) Troy McLawhorn (guitar; EVANESCENCE, ex-DOUBLE DRIVE), Clint's brother Corey Lowery (bass; ex-STEREOMUD, STUCK MOJO) Brett Hestla (vocals; ex-CREED, VIRGOS MERLOT) and Will Hunt (drums; EVANESCENCE, ex-SKRAPE, TOMMY LEE) — has completed work on its second full-length CD. "Mastering of the album took place last week," the group writes on its MySpace page. "Talks between management and the label are now taking place in Los Angeles where important topics regarding the album and band are being discussed. Everyone is very excited about the future release of the album and we thank you for all of your support."

Songtitles set to appear on the new DARK NEW DAY CD include "Simple", "Hail Mary", "Fiend", "Outside" and "Vicious Thinking".

DARK NEW DAY released its debut album, "Twelve Year Silence", in June of 2005. The disc featured the single "Brother".