Finnish fantasy metallers BATTLELORE have completed work on their sixth full-length album, "Doombound", featuring 11 new songs, one of which is instrumental. As was the case with previous BATTLELORE albums, there will be a jewel-case edition of "Doombound" and a special limited-edition digipack including some rare material. This time around the extra material is more special than ever before — as a "thank you" to all BATTLELORE fans and followers for their enormous support over the past 10 years, the band has compiled a bonus DVD from their personal archives. "10 Years Of Battlelore" includes footage from two live shows, two tour videos, a huge photo gallery and all of BATTLELORE's music videos.

"Doombound" features 11 new songs, one of which is instrumental. The band's first conceptual effort features lyrics which "tell the story of J.R.R. Tolkien's tragic hero Túrin Turambar and his kin," according to a press release. "One of the songs is sung completely in Finnish in appreciation to BATTLELORE's beautiful home country Finland and Kalevala, the national Finnish epic. The songs themselves are more dynamic, atmospheric and epic than ever before — prepare for the ultimate music experience and a life-long journey through the eyes of a fallen hero!"

"Doombound" track listing:

01. Bloodstained
02. Iron of Death
03. Bow and Helm
04. Enchanted
05. Kärmessurma
06. Olden Gods
07. Fate of the Betrayed
08. Men as Wolves
09. Last of the Lords
10. Doombound
11. Kielo (instrumental)

Audio samples of all the "Doombound" tracks are available at Amazon.de.

Justin Broadrick of seminal post-punk/industrial behemoths GODFLESH has confirmed to Decibel magazine that the band is slowly putting together ideas for a new studio album. "It's something we're discussing all the time, and I do have bits and pieces of material," he said. "But it's something we'd really like to develop. It'd be quite easy to knock out eight to 10 in-character songs and release it as quickly as possible to capitalize on the popularity of the group, but it would feel entirely wrong. If it's another two years until another GODFLESH record, so be it. The most important thing is making a record that stands up with the rest of the back catalogue. I do have this in me again, though."

When asked how GODFLESH's performance at this year's Supersonic Festival, which was held on October 22-24 in Birmingham, England, compared to the band's first reunion gig, which happened four months earlier at France's Hellfest, Justin said, "It's just a different world, a different planet. It wasn't about preparation, because we were well-prepared for Hellfest. I think it was just because the Hellfest thing went so wrong, with a generator blowing up and not having a backup, which mucked up the whole schedule. We were supposed to have an hour's line check behind the stage — not a few minutes onstage in front of everyone who was waiting for us to get on with it. So many things were wrong when we hit the stage — it was strange, because Hellfest really is an admirable organization. It just fell to pieces, though, and so did we because it was the first GODFLESH show in 10 years or whatever. But Supersonic was really amazing — that was how it should have been. After the show, both Ben [Green] and I said was one of the top 10 GODFLESH shows we'd ever done. We performed really well; the sound was great, the visuals worked out perfectly. We could tell it was appreciated as well. You barely see a mosh pit at shows anymore, and there was a huge mosh pit. There was just a lot of energy. It was our dream GODFLESH show, in a way."

SILVER LAKE spielen Progressiven Hard N Heavy mit starken US Metal Einfluss. Als Gäste auf dem aktuellen Album konnten, keine geringere als Simone Mularoni (Empyrios, DGM), Gabriele Ravagliaand & Michele Luppi (Vision Divine, Killing Touch, Mr. Pig) verplfichtet werden. Zudem komponierte Michele Luppi (Vision Divine, Killing Touch, Mr. Pig) den Song "Life" und der Skid Row Klassiker "Slave To The Grind" ist als Cover enthalten.

In den Handel kommt das selbst betitelt Debut Album am 28. Februar 2011 via SG Records/7Hard! Aufgenommen wurde das Album mit Simone Mularoni, Maxx C. Canali und Gabriele Ravaglia in den Fear Studios! Das Cover Artwork wurde in den SG Records Design Studios erstellt.

Das neue SEVEN THORNS Album "Return to the Past" ist Power Metal in reinster Form mit eingängige Melodien, schnelle Gitarren und blasting Drumparts sind hier die Schlüsselkomponenten. AT VANCE's Gitarrist Olaf Lenk, ein Riese im Power Metal-Genre und liefert beim Song "Liberty" ein tolles Gitarrensolo und viele der Keyboard Parts wurden vom sehr erfahrenen Mikkel Henderson (Fate, Evil Masquerade) gespielt. Und das Sahnehäubchen oben drauf ist das Mastering des neue Albums wurde vom legendären Dänischen Power Metal Produzent Tommy Hansen in den Jailhouse Studios übernommen.

Aufgenommen wurde "Return to the Past" in den Media Sound Studios von Peter Brander und Flemming “Glatz” Naumann. Das Cover Artwork hat Morten Langebaek erstellt. In den Handel kommt "Return to the Past" in Europa am 14. Januar 2011 via Nightmare Records! In den USA wurde das Album schon am 23. November 2010 veröffentlicht.

Gast Musiker:

Mikkel Henderson (Fate, Evil Masquerade) Keyboards!
Olaf Lenk (At Vance) Guitar Solo on the Song “Liberty” from “Return to the Past”

DREAM OF ILLUSION ist solider US Heavy Metal mit guten Melodien und erinnert stark an Deutsche Metal Kost. Das DREAM OF ILLUSION Projekt startete im Jahr 2003 mit einem sehr jungen Line-Up. Die Band orientierte sich Hard-Rock-Bands wie Guns N Roses, AC / DC, Deep Purple und viele mehr. Das Jahr 2005 markierte den Wendepunkt der Band!

Die Band bekam gute Live Slots bei nationalen und europäischen Festivals. Die DREAM OF ILLUSION Songs sind ein Mix aus Heavy Kick Ass Riffs und moderenen Metal Melodien. Jetzt wurde das neue Album "Decadence" in den Remaster Studios in Italien mit Nick Savio aufgenommen und gemischt. In den Handel kommt "Decadence" am 14. Januar 2011 via SG Records/7Hard.

Former/current members of such acts as TURBONEGRO, MARILYN MANSON, SATYRICON and EXTOL have joined forces in a new supergroup dubbed DOCTOR MIDNIGHT AND THE MERCY CULT. The band will make its live debut at next year's edition of the Slottsfjell festival, set to take place July 14-16, 2011 in Tønsberg, Norway.

DOCTOR MIDNIGHT AND THE MERCY CULT has already completed work on its debut album, which has been described in a press release as "hard, uncompromising and catchy." A 2011 release is expected.

DOCTOR MIDNIGHT AND THE MERCY CULT is:

* Hank von Helvete (real name: Hans Erik Dyvik Husby) (TURBONEGRO) - Vocals
* Tim Skold (MARILYN MANSON, KMFDM, SHOTGUN MESSIAH) - Bass
* Anders Odden (SATYRICON) - Guitar
* David Husvik (EXTOL) - Drums
* Audun Stengel (APOTYGMA BERZERK) - Guitar

Die US Rock Band FLYLEAF wird am 7. Dezember 2010 Ihre neue EP "Remember to Live" veröffentlichen. "Remember to Live" enthält eine neue Version vom Song "Arise" der Song wurde mit Gitarrist Ben Moody (We Are the Fallen) aufgenommen und gemischt und sechs bisher unveröffentlichten Songs. Da Sängerin Lacey Mosley Sturm schwanger ist, werden FLYLEAF bis mindestens Oktober 2011 eine Pause einlegen.

"Remember to Live" Track List:

01. Justice And Merry (Violent Love Version) (2:41)
02. Okay (2:23)
03. Amy Says (3:39)
04. Dear My Closest Friend (2:31)
05. Light In Your Eyes (3:55)
06. Believe In Dreams (4:27)
07. Arise (Ben Moody Mix) (4:21)

Die norwegischen Power Metaller HIGHLAND GLORY, die früh im Jahrtausend mit Sänger Jan Thore Grefstad und 2 Alben zu Ruhm gefunden haben, waren lange abgetaucht. Nun gibt es ein neues Album. Die CD wird sich "Twist of faith" nennen und im Februar/März 2011 veröffentlicht werden.
Die Tracklist und das Coverartwork wurden bereits veröffentlicht.

Tracklist:

01. Holocauster Ride (Music : Olsen,Johansen,Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen).
02. Limitation Of Life (Dark Side Of The Mind) (Music : Olsen,Johansen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
03. Temptation Highland (Music : Olsen,Johansen,Tøftum,Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
04. Without You (Music : Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
05. Twist Of Faith (Garden Of Heathen) (Music : Olsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
06. Far Cry From Freedom (Music : Olsen,Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
07. Earthbound Spirit (Music : Olsen,Larsen,Tøftum/ Lyrics : Olsen)
08. Diary Of The Dying (Music : Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
09. Blood Of The Innocent (Music : Olsen,Larsen/ Lyrics : Olsen)
10. Alone (Heart)

Das Line-Up von HIGHLAND GLORY 2011 sieht folgendermaßen aus:

Jack R. Olsen - Guitar
Lars Andre Larsen - Guitar, Keyboards
Knut E. Tøftum - Bass
Morten Færøvig - Drums
Trine Elise Johansen - Vocals

Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS will celebrate their 25-year anniversary by performing an extra-long, two-and-a-half-hour set at Debaser Medis in Stockholm on December 18. The band's classic debut album, "Epicus Doomicus Metalicus", will be played in its entirety for the first time with the original singer Johan Längqvist. In addition, the group has been in the studio recording a couple of cover songs especially for a limited vinyl maxi that will be sold on the evening of the show. A five-CD "Doomology" box will also be available featuring the following:

CD 1: First-ever concert in Jönköping (1987)
CD 2: Buckley Tivoli (1988)
CD 3: Demos for the white album (2003 - 2004)
CD 4: "King Of The Grey Islands" demos with Mats Levén (THERION, KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) on vocals
CD : Miscellaneous demos (Johan Längqvist vocal audition for "Chapter VI") and other rarities.

The price will 250 SEK, but a free 50 x 70 show poster will be included.

Reactivated German thrashers ASSASSIN will release their new album, "Breaking The Silence", on February 25, 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer Records. The CD was recorded with veteran metal producer Harris Johns, who has previously worked with VOIVOD, KREATOR and SODOM, among many others.

"Breaking The Silence" track listing:

01. Breaking the Silence
02. Raise In The Dark
03. Judas
04. Turf War
05. Destroy The State
06. No Fear
07. Kill Or Be Killed
08. Real Friends
09. Strike Back
10. I like Cola

Finland's BURNING POINT have issued the following update:

"We are reaching the end of the year 2010 and I must say, it was a great year for BP! Great festival gigs, cool new friends and contacts etc. Also we started to record the new album and it's our fifth already! WOW! Time flies when you're having fun.

Some of you may know that we're also seeking a new label. We decided it was in our best interest not to continue with Metal Heaven. We wish them all the best in future!

Our plan is to record a six-track promotional CD and send it to the labels all over the world.

We keep you posted how things proceed!"

Guitar shredder JOE STUMP (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR) has issued the following update:

"Just a quick update since my last posting. HolyHell performed at the Female Metal Voices Festival in Belgium last month and the show was great, a killer set by the band and great reaction from the fans.

My new concert DVD will be along shortly, it’ll be a cool combination of footage from various shows and clinics I’ve done over the last year or so of touring in support of Virtuostic Vendetta. A good portion of the material will be from that record as well as my previous record, Speed Metal Messiah, with some classic older stuff mixed in, of course. I’m currently composing and putting together material for my next solo record as well as the next HolyHell release. After a year plus of quite a bit of touring, it’s great to be back in my work room at home doing a ton of playing and writing."

Former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen will release a special "Dreamers Box Set" version of her latest album, "What Lies Beneath". Limited to only 500 copies, it will contain the following:

* A 14-track CD featuring all the songs from "What Lies Beneath"

01. Anteroom Of Death
02. Until My Last Breath
03. Naiad
04. Dark Star
05. Underneath
06. Little Lies
07. Still Of The Night
08. Rivers Of Lust
09. In For A Kill
10. I Feel Immortal
11. We Are
12. Falling Awake
13. The Archive Of Lost Dreams
14. Crimson Deep

* A nine-track CD including unreleased mixes and exclusive song "If You Believe"

01. Dark Star (Tarja Lead Vocals version)
02. Montañas de Silencio
03. If You Believe
04. The Crying Moon
05. Underneath (Orchestral Version)
06. I Feel Immortal (Single Version)
07. Falling Awake (featuring Jason Hook)
08. The Good Die Young (Performed by Scorpions & Tarja)
09. Naiad (Instrumental Extended Version)

* A 56-page (135 g/m2) 12" hardcover book including high-quality photographic pictures and all lyrics for the songs

* Two picture-vinyl 180g pressing of "What Lies Beneath" in a hardcover gatefold unique-to-this edition

* A 12" square portrait of Tarja, printed in six colors on a 280gr photo paper. Each print is hand signed by Tarja, housed in a 12" spined sleeve

* CardPac with a USB-Card 2 GB "Alloy Series" including Tarja's videos with logo print in brushed aluminum (100% recycled material)

* An authentic Venetian Mask to hide behind.

A photo of the singer backstage signing 500 photos for the above-mentioned box set can be viewed below.

A new song which legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO) nearly completed before his death will be released next year, according to former DIO member Craig Goldy. The guitarist tells U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine, "We were working on tracks for a new DIO album just before Ronnie died in May. And we did almost finish one song. Wendy [Dio, Ronnie's widow/manager] has been talking about reissuing [DIO's] 'Magica' album (originally released in 2000) with bonus tracks, including this one." He adds, "The thing is that the lyrics deal with what Ronnie was going through at the time, when he was battling cancer. So now they are very emotional. It's hard to listen without a lump in your throat."

Prior to his death, Ronnie was working on two follow-up albums to "Magica". One of the songs completed during those sessions, "Elektra", was made available as part of the DIO "Tournado" box set (which was originally made for the DIO fall 2009 European tour which was cancelled after Ronnie got sick) in a limited edition of 1,500 copies, signed and numbered.

Ronnie previously said about "Elektra", "It's a really good song, and part of the whole 'Magica' trilogy. It's hard for it to stand alone, so I did write an explanation of what it was about. It's just a brief glimpse into what will be 'Magica' again. There are some special plans."

One of the last-ever recorded sons by Ronnie James Dio, "Metal Will Never Die", appears on "Bitten By The Beast", the new solo album from Dio's cousin David "Rock" Feinstein — a former member of RONNIE DIO & THE PROPHETS, THE ELECTRIC ELVES, ELF, and the leader of the legendary New York band THE RODS.

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has reiterated that he has no plans to make a new album with the band anytime soon, despite the fact that the Iowa-based group has just confirmed a headlining appearance at the Sonisphere series of European festivals, including an exclusive U.K. appearance at Knebworth (set for July 8-10, 2011). Writing on his Twitter page, Taylor said, "Yes, we are playing Sonisphere U.K. And a few [other festivals] to be announced.

"Like I said: Shows? Yes. Album? No. Baby steps, people. For the fans.

"Honestly, I don't know how to feel about the tour. But it's for the fans, and for the family.

"We'll see.

"I don't know WHEN I'll be ready to make an album. Might not be for years. But we will definitely play shows.

"We'll see what happens."