TROLLFEST, the self-proclaimed "true Norwegian Balkan metal" band which eschews musical convention by combining local folk sounds from their native Norway with those from the Balkans and mixing them together with occasional melodies that could originate anywhere from the Latino countries to the Middle East, will enter the studio this month to begin recording its fifth album, "Brumlebassen", for an early 2012 release via NoiseArt Records. The group will track the drums, bass, guitar and main vocals over a three-week period beginning on November 7 at Strand Studios with engineer Marius Strand, after which they will move on to their own Trollskogen recording facilities to record the extra vocals, choirs, and instruments.

As with all TROLLFEST's previous releases, "Brumlebassen" will tell a story involving Trolls and a certain amount of drinking. Without wanting to give too much away at this early stage, a spokesperson for the band said that the storyline will revolve around a brewer called Brumlebassen who is charged with making the mead much beloved by the Trolls. Cover art for the album will once again be in the hands of Swedish artist and cartoonist Jonas Darnell and designer Terje "Andy Wartroll", both of whom have worked with the band for several years, and whose work on the group' last CD, "En Kvest For Den Hellige Gral", has yet again proved to be a huge hit with the fans and an integral part of the overall TROLLFEST "experience."

TROLLFEST, which comprises members of URGEHAL, PANTHEON I, UNTIME, MELCH, SARKOM, HALLUCINATIONS and POWERSWORD, has already written ten metal tracks and a handful of acoustic ones, and will decide which to include on the album once recording is completed. There will also be guest musicians, who will be announced at a later date.

Members of HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL and ALL THAT REMAINS have reacted to the passing of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus).

Cory was found dead as the U.S. band was about to enter Canada on Thursday morning. He was 34 years old.

Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED, KINGDOM OF SORROW): "[Rest in peace], Cory Smoot. Such a good dude. Some of my best road memories are from touring with GWAR. This is a sad day. He will be missed."

Brian Fair (SHADOWS FALL): "Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Cory of GWAR. I'm glad we were able to share many stages. Much love to the GWAR family."

Philip Labonte (ALL THAT REMAINS): "My condolences to the GWAR family. Cory was awesome and will be missed."

Devin Townsend: "Oh my God... [Rest in peace] Cory Smoot. See you brother, peace. ...fuck."

CADAVERIA, the Italian band featuring former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and ex-OPERA IX drummer/NECRODEATH vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias), has inked a deal with Bakerteam Records, a division of Scarlet Records which aims "to discover and offer support to the best talents of the hard rock and heavy metal international scene." The group's long-awaited follow-up 2007's "In Your Blood" (released on French extreme metal label Season Of Mist) has been described by Cadaveria as "the most obscure, raw and horror-filled work ever produced by the group." An early 2012 release is expected.

"Devil's Island", the new single from British metallers ARCHITECTS, will be made available on the following dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Italy: Friday, December 2
* U.K.: Sunday, December 4
* Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, Rest Of Europe: Monday, December 5
* Spain: Tuesday, December 6
* Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, December 7
* USA: Tuesday, December 13

You can also get "Untitled" (and yes, "Untitled" is the title), another new track that is digitally exclusive to iTunes.

Century Media Records has announced a partnership with Swedish black metallers MARDUK and the band's record label, Blooddawn Productions.

Morgan Håkansson, owner of Blooddawn Productions, guitar player and founding member of MARDUK, as well as bass player in DEATH WOLF, comments: "It's with great pleasure that I can announce the cooperation between MARDUK and Century Media as we enter into a long-term deal.

"After over 20 years as a band and the last 10 years on Regain Records, we decided to march on. We have received an enormous amount of offers. But in the end, we see Century Media as the best partner and best platform for us to operate from. Century Media has a strong foundation and the vision that we have been looking for.

"So from this November day, MARDUK as well as my label Blooddawn Productions, including the band DEATH WOLF, are in league with Century Media."

Jens Prueter, head of A&R at Century Media Records in Europe, states "We always had a soft spot for bands with a history: legendary bands like CELTIC FROST, NAPALM DEATH, PARADISE LOST, SICK OF IT ALL, etc. Bands that helped to define a whole genre and who haven't been afraid to follow their own vision — with all consequences. Therefore I feel honored to announce the new worldwide cooperation between Century Media Records and Blooddawn Productions.

"MARDUK released their groundbreaking demo 20 years ago and laid the foundation of Swedish black metal — so 2011 marks a historic anniversary to start with a new team to continue their path."

MARDUK completed the "7 Bowls Of Wrath" North American tour in early June.

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell tells Billboard.com that the band's new album — its first studio set since 1996 — is "mostly done. We just need to finish a couple of songs and mix it, so that will be happening probably over the holidays."

As to what it sounds like, Cornell says that, "It's certainly not nostalgic. It's definitely forward. It sounds to me exactly like it should sound — like we took a break and we got together and we're making an album. I don't think we've taken any dramatic new approaches to writing or recording, and yet there's definitely changes. We've all had a decade-plus of more experience in writing and recording and took a long break... So it's very refreshing and it feels to me like the next logical step in SOUNDGARDEN, creatively."

Audiences at Cornell's upcoming "Songbook" tour solo shows shouldn't expect to hear previews of any of the new songs, however. "I think it's definitely a SOUNDGARDEN record," Cornell says, "and I wouldn't want to take it out of that context just yet."

Vocalist Randy Blythe of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD has released the following statement regarding the passing of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus):

"I am very saddened by the passing our friend Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus) of GWAR. He was an awesome dude and a great guitar player, as well as a talented engineer and producer. I recorded guest vocals for a few projects at his studio (the Kris Norris project, the [Jamey] Jasta solo record) and as a friend he refused to take my money in payment for the sessions. Last session just gave me some killer tracks of HIS solo work and asked me if I ever had time to lay down some vocals for him. I really regret now not having had the opportunity to record those sessions with him. He was always fun to tour with, hang with, and we will be deeply missed, especially in our hometown of Richmond. It was an honor to work with such a kind human being.

"My most sincere condolences to his wife, family, and the rest of the GWAR family.

"Rest in peace, brother. I'll catch you on the flip side."

Smoot was found deceased this morning as GWAR was preparing to cross the border into Canada to play shows in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver over the weekend. There is no word as to the cause of death.

Razor & Tie has announced the addition of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida rockers NONPOINT to its label and publishing rosters. The band has been on a major roll recently, having wrapped up a two-year tour in support of their album "Miracle" with a triumphant show in front of 6,000 fans at Wisconsin's at Taste of Madison. The "Miracle" tour also saw other exciting benchmarks for the band, including performances at the Metal Hammer Awards, U.K.'s Download festival and Australia's Soundwave Festival, where they were the recipients of an MTV Soundie Award (courtesy of MTV Classic Australia). NONPOINT also re-established itself at Active Rock radio, with its hit "Miracle" breaking into the Top 15.

NONPOINT is already deep into writing its forthcoming album, having demoed over two dozen songs. The new CD is currently slated for a spring of 2012 release.

"We couldn't be happier or more excited about our upcoming new partnership with Razor & Tie," commented NONPOINT vocalist Elias Soriano. "Their aggressive staff and fresh plan of attack has us excited to get this record on the shelves and on the airwaves because I know they will reach for greatness and are as proud of being a part of this project as we are. We're very much looking forward to the next album cycle."

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland tells Billboard.com that "there is another album coming" to follow 2010's self-titled effort. The group plays three shows in South America this month, then Weiland expects his bandmates to start working on new material. "They usually start before me, just getting some rough ideas together and then putting rough ideas down on ProTools with no lyrics and no melody," he explains. "And then I start listening to it and see if it's just a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll record or if it's more of a concept album like [2001's] 'Shangri-La Dee Da' was. Once we decide that, it should go full speed ahead."

The main page of BLACK SABBATH's official web site has updated with the date 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) below the band's classic logo. All four original members of the legendary heavy metal group — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — will attend a special announcement ceremony that day. Former BLACK FLAG frontman Henry Rollins will host the private event, which will be held at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California — the same venue where the band made its Los Angeles debut on November 11, 1970 (41 years ago), opening for ALICE COOPER — at exactly 11:11 a.m.

Land Of The Dead", the new album from U.S. power metallers JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR — the band led by former VIRGIN STEELE guitarist Jack Starr — will be released on November 11 via Limb Music. The CD was produced by Bart Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER, SACRED STEEL, LONEWOLF), and features cover artwork by Ken Kelly (RAINBOW, KISS, MANOWAR).

"Land Of The Dead" was recorded by the same linup that was responsible for 2009's "Defiance" album: Starr on guitar, Ned Meloni on bass, Kenny "Rhino" Earl (ex-MANOWAR) on drums, and Todd Hall on vocals. The CD also features guest appearances by David Shankle and Ross The Boss (both ex-MANOWAR) on lead guitar, and Marta Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER) on grand piano and keyboards.

"Land Of The Dead" track listing:

01. Land Of The Dead
02. Sands Of Time
03. Twilight Of The Gods
04. Stranger In Paradise
05. Here We Are
06. Warning Fire (feat. Ross The Boss)
07. Daughter Of Darkness
08. When Blood And Steel Collide
09. On The Wings Of The Night
10. Never Again (feat. David Shankle)
11. Until The End

Finnish fantasy metallers BATTLELORE have released the following statement:

"BATTLELORE played their last foreign show for the time being in Belgium, at Metal Female Voices Fest IX, on Friday, October 21st 2011. After that the band is going on an indefinite break from touring and making music. This is not the end, however, just a time-out to focus on other aspects of life and build up more creative energy for the future. The plan is to play one more show in Finland before the break to thank the Finnish fans for their support over the years. The details of the last show are not confirmed yet but will be announced as soon as the information comes.

"There's no drama behind the decision to go on break, just a need to take a step back and have a breather.

"We want to thank all of our associates and supporters for the help and work over the past nearly 12 years. We've been lucky to have met and worked with such wonderful people! The biggest thanks definitely go to our amazing fans, without whom none of this would've been possible. We are honoured to have met you all and are humbled by your generosity and support! You all have a place in our hearts and we will always cherish the amazing moments we've shared with you on and off stage. THANK YOU!"