Croatian female-fronted gothic metal band OMEGA LITHIUM has issued the following update:

"Recently, we've been repeatedly faced with the question 'What's the concept/theme of the upcoming record?' It's a tough one, but we've decided to give some insight...

"Dig deep into yourself. Beyond the objective reasoning, and pass the underlying subconsciousness. Examine the architecture of the place where your dreams, hopes and fears are born. Face the shadows roaming through the vast space where everything is possible. The new record is all about rage, power, lust and sins. It is a time bomb that can't wait to explode..."

Fan-filmed video footage of OMEGA LITHIUM performing the song "Nebula" at last year's edition of the Metal Female Voices Fest, which was held October 22-24, 2010 at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium, can be viewd below.

CREATION'S END, the new power/progressive metal band featuring vocalist Mike DiMeo (RIOT, MASTERPLAN), guitarists Rudy Albert (ZANDELLE) and Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), drummer Dario Rodriguez, and bassist Joey Bones, made its live debut on December 3 at New York City's thunderous rock and roll hideout Ace Of Clubs. Check out video footage of the performance below.

CREATION'S END released its debut album, "A New Beginning", on November 9, 2010 via Sensory Records. The CD was recorded between May 2009 and January 2010 at The Ninth Ring studios in New York City with producer John Macaluso (JAMES LABRIE, FOOL'S GAME, ARK, TNT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), who also played guest keyboards on the album. The effort was mixed by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, DEICIDE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, NILE) and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York. The cover artwork was created by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.

"A New Beginning" track listing:

01. Of Shadow And Flame
02. World Holocaust
03. Hollow
04. Dissociate
05. Still Life
06. Forsaken
07. Relic
08. Creation's End

Drummer Kenny Earl Edwards (a.k.a. Rhino; MANOWAR, HOLYHELL, ANGELS OF BABYLON) has released the following statement:

"I am writing to tell you that I have left my position with HOLYHELL. I cannot express my gratittude for all the love and respect I recieved from my wonderful friends in the band. They have always been like my second family and I will never forget the amazing times and special moments we shared. I could never think of another group of people I would rather be on the road with.

"Jay Rigney. The bass player's bass player... nobody can hold the rhythm and bottom end like him... unless you feed him mushrooms... then it's all over. My brilliant roommate and companion.

"Joe Stump. Nobody i know more dedicated to their instrument and able to play at the speed of light with 15 tons of incredibly expensive jewelry hanging from his hands. A real big heart, too.

"Francisco. Killer classically trained virtuoso with a smile that can brighten any gloomy day. Look out when he is onstage! He might spontaneously explode or rip his pants... or... cut his hands to shreds on his expensive jewelry. Love him like a brother.

"Maria... beautiful person, beautiful heart, beautiful voice. No one can make me laugh harder. She has more dedication than you can ever imagine... Are those eyelashes or did some eagle lose its wings?

"I love you my friends. As well, I hope to see all the HOLYHELL fans again in the near future. Thanks so much for the inspiration, unending enthusisam and support!"

AJATTARA — the Finnish band featuring former AMORPHIS frontman Pasi Koskinen (a.k.a. Itse Ruoja Suruntuoj) — will release its seventh album, "Murhat" (English translation: "Murders") on February 2 via Osasto-A Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Kunnes Taivas Meidät Erottaa
02. Ihmisen Luku
03. H.A.I.
04. Aura
05. Sokea Liha
06. Routalempi
07. Murheiden Kilta
08. Apilas
09. Veljet

DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE, the new band featuring former/current members of STEREOMUD and FOZZY, have parted ways with ex-STUCK MOJO drummer Rodney Beaubouef and are currently seeking a replacement.

Commented DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE singer Erik Rogers: "[I] would like to congratulate Rodney and his wife on the new edition to their family. Therefore, Rodney has decided to leave DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE. We are saddened that he has made this decision BUT we understand the demands of his family must come first. We wish the Beaubouefs all the best with your future.

"So now the drummer search begins! We're looking for someone with writing, recording and touring experience. All interested parties should contact rob@dvsartistmanagement.com."

MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ, the new project led by WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp, will release its second album, "Stand Your Ground", on March 28 via Target Records.

Mike wrote all the songs the CD, which was recorded almost live at Medley Studios in Copenhagen with Søren Andersen and Mike Tramp as producers. The album was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY, THE STORM, SURFACT). The cover artwork (see below) was created by Karsten Sand (VOLBEAT).

"Stand Your Ground" track listing:

01. Don't Let Them Put It On You
02. Alright By Me
03. Distance
04. Gotta Get Away
05. Straight From The Look In My Eyes
06. Got Me Crazy
07. Wish You Well
08. World Is Changing
09. Prettiest Thing
10. Say What You Will
11. The Soldier Never Started A War

German death metallers FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING are working on material for their fifth album, tentatively titled "The Art Of Coming Apart", for a late 2011 release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Trapping The Unseen", "Hours Of Suffering" and "Memorial Stone".

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING's fourth album, "The Everhaunting Past / Chapter IV - A Splendid Retrospection", came out in October 2009 via Cyclone Empire Records. The CD's cover artwork was once again created by Sascha Ehrich.

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING in 2009 announced the addition of bassist Christopher Körtgen (SMILODON, CHAOS HD) to the group's ranks.

The band's third album, "Sterling Black Icon", was released in March 2006 via Metal Blade.

Belgian metallers FIREFORCE will release their new album, "March On", on March 25 March via 7Hard. The CD artwork was designed by Eric Philippe, who has previously worked with RHAPSODY, RIOT, MOB RULES, TNT and many others.

"March On" contains "12 tracks of true old-school power metal with a monster wall of sound," according to a press release. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Coastal Battery
02. The Only Way
03. Firestorm
04. Horus (Bringer Of Order)
05. 1302 - Battle For Freedom
06. Moonlight Lady
07. Annihilation
08. Fly Arrow Fly (Crécy 1346)
09. Mona Lisa
10. Hold Your Ground
11. Born To Play Metal
12. Metal Rages On

Formed in late 2010 by Randy Piro (GIGAN, HATE ETERNAL), ORBWEAVER was brought to life with the purpose of reshaping our physical realm through the use of ritual acoustics... Ultimately creating a tonal laboratory of sorts for the band to experiment sonically with no restraint or boundaries.

During the summer of 2010, Randy met drummer Mike Pena after a performance with Pena's band NUCLEAR INFANTRY. Both musicians shared the desire to create music and summon forces beyond comprehension, and shortly after the ORBWEAVER nucleus was formed.

ORBWEAVER's music is both chaotic, and sparse creating a terra-forma of bizarre environments for the experiencer to explore... Strangers, Atonal Druids, and ecology eating liquid forms of life are just a few of the inhabits of this strange, and swarthy sonic world.

In January 2011 ORBWEAVER reveals itself to the masses with an early glimpse into their stylistically twisted world of modulating realities, and ceremonial dissonance.

Rocksins recently conducted an interview with bassist Alex Webster of Florida death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Rocksins: CANNIBAL CORPSE have been together now for over 20 years, what keeps you guys motivated after all these years?

Alex: We still really love to play this kind of music. Of course, we need to make a living as well and this band is our career so that's a motivator, too, but our love of death metal is still the strongest driving force. We really feel that we have yet to make our best album, and we won't be satisfied until we have made something that we can consider our masterwork. We may never get there, but we'll keep trying.

Rocksins: At the moment, you currently have no tour plans for 2011; can we expect something to be announced soon?

Alex: Most likely not. We have no plans to tour in 2011. We are currently home in the Tampa Bay Area writing our next album, we'll record it in September so that will leave us with an early 2012 release. So, we'll probably wait to tour until the album is released.

Rocksins: You have a new DVD coming out in February called "Global Evisceration". Can you tell us a bit about that?

Alex: The DVD was filmed in several different countries that we visited on the "Evisceration Plague" world tour. It has lots of concert footage as well as behind-the-scenes footage. Denise Korycki, the filmmaker behind our "Centuries Of Torment" DVD, also made this one, and once again we feel she has done an excellent job.

Rocksins: The last two CANNIBAL CORPSE albums have been a lot less graphic in terms of the album art. Has this been a conscious decision or something that has naturally happened?

Alex: A little of both I guess. We prefer darker and more ominous covers these days as opposed to the bright, graphically violent splatter themes of our older covers. It seems to fit the music we're currently making a bit better. Also, having a less graphic cover helps to ensure it will be available in record stores. These days many record stores are out of business, so if we can't get our album into the few that remain there would be little point in releasing a physical product. The way around this problem that works out best for us and our fans is to have two pieces of art for the album. A darker, less graphic cover and then something more violent and graphic inside. The censors seem to ignore the interior artwork so the problem of being banned from record stores is avoided. Also, our fans seem to enjoy getting two pieces of art instead of just one.

EXES FOR EYES, the new project featuring vocalist "Big" James Arsenian from ENDAST and Dave Sheldon, former bassist of ANNIHILATOR and MAN WITH TARGET, has inked a deal with Year Of The Sun Records for the release of its upcoming debut album, "The Amsler Grid". A spring release is expected.

"We've been eager to have the album released for some time now, so to finally have it see the light of day is exciting," comments Arsenian. "Having worked with many of the current and former bands on the Year Of The Sun roster, I can say that they all speak highly of the team at the label. After having had several conversations with label founder/president Chris Benner, it quickly became clear that we are all on the same page and wanted the same thing for this album."

Benner echos the sentiment. "When we originally started talking to Big James and Dave about EXES FOR EYES, we were already fans of the other projects that they've been involved with," he says. "However, it took some conversations to really understand what this project was about and it was really cool to hear the passion that these guys had regarding it. It's a different band with this really groove-driven sound and the guys had a solid enthusiasm about the songs and working with Year Of The Sun to get this record out there. I really admired that and it's what made EXES a perfect fit for our new roster."

Adds Sheldon: "This is an album that really encompasses all of our influences. It's got fast, thrashy elements, and it's got some really epic emotive elements as well. I can honestly say we have poured a lot of passion into this and with the culmination of our combined experience, conditioning, and know-how, it has translated into a solid record. We aren't re-inventing the wheel with 'The Amsler Grid', but we're going to run you over with it."

EXES FOR EYES was a project born out of an overwhelming amount of mutual respect and admiration between two men. A respect for one another's work ethic, musical proficiency, stylistic taste and, of course, for each other as people. With the musical vision of Dave Sheldon and the lyrical conception of vocalist and frontman "Big" James, the project is very quickly taking shape into something more than either anticipated.

During a recent interview with the Palm Springs Boxing Examiner, legendary rocker Alice Cooper was baffled when he was told fellow singer Robert Plant confessed that he may be too old to perform LED ZEPPELIN songs.

"I go out on stage and say 'turn it up,'" Cooper said. "I never get tired of playing my songs."

Cooper continued, "They are just standing there. What is so hard? Jimmy Page wants to do it. John Paul Jones wants to do it. And they got [late ZEPPELIN drummer John] Bonham's son [Jason], who is a killer drummer. All they need is Robert Plant. But what is Robert Plant out there doing? Playing folk music! What is he doing?"

Plant recently spoke about his reluctance to commit to a LED ZEPPELIN reunion tour — and took time out to take a swipe at his peers who rely too heavily on their past laurels. Plant told Rolling Stone that his heart is simply not in the band's music anymore, saying, "The preparations for (the 2007 reunion show) were fraught and intense, but the last rehearsal was really, really good, for all that it represented and all that we were trying to capture. But I've gone so far somewhere else that I almost can't relate to it. . . It's a bit of a pain in the pisser to be honest. Who cares? I know people care, but think about it from my angle — soon, I'm going to need help crossing the street."

Plant added that he has zero interest in becoming a nostalgia act simply to please the masses. "There's nothing worse than a bunch of jaded old farts, and that's a fact," he said. "People who have written their story -- they've gotten to the point where nothing moves. I don't deal in that, and I don't deal with anybody who deals in that."