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.

Commented the band: "This is the kind of material of us that has never been seen before. We wanted our fans to see, how much their support means to us and what being a part of the 'BATTLELORE family' is really like. Enjoy, we sure have!"

The team behind the DVD and Club Nosturi shows: Toni Salminen (the artist behind Metalscope.net), a friend of the band and a talented band photographer/video shooter and editor/tour driver is the compiler and editor of most of the material found on the DVD. He has also organized the video shootings of the two live shows in Club Nosturi and edited all the video materials. Tommi Vaittinen, a longtime friend and sound engineer of the band, has done the mixing for the two live shows. The crew behind the cameras is: Eetu Keränen, Petri Koivunen, Toni Salminen and Roni Ärling. Drums on the two live shows from Club Nosturi: Enkku, who filled in for BATTLELORE's drummer, Henri Vahvanen. Maria Honkanen (BATTLELORE keyboardist) has been helping out with the editing of the two tour videos. She also compiled the chosen photographs out of the thousands of personal photos and edited the song samples for the photo gallery.

The track listing for the "10 Years Of Battlelore" bonus DVD:

Live at Club Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland - January 1, 2008:

* Storm Of The Blades
* Valier - Queens Of The Valar
* We Are The Legions
* Sons Of Riddermark
* Ghân Of The Woods
* Raging Goblin

Live at Club Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland - January 1, 2009:

* Green Dragon
* Swordmaster
* House Of Heroes
* Moontower
* The Great Gathering

"Evernight over Europe" Tour 2007

* includes a few live songs filmed during the tour
* cameras: Eetu Keränen, Toni Salminen and BATTLELORE
* edited by Toni Salminen and Maria Honkanen

"The Last Alliance" Tour Of Finland 2008

* includes a few live clips filmed during the tour
* cameras: Eetu Keränen, Toni Salminen, Enkku and BATTLELORE
* edited by Toni Salminen and Maria Honkanen

Photo galleries:

* 2000-2004
* 2004-2006
* 2007-2008
* 2009-2010

Photos taken by: BATTLELORE, Toni Salminen, Tim Tronckoe, Eetu Keränen, Tommi Lintunen, Mikko Hannula (promotional photo shoot for "The Last Alliance"), Jarmo Katila (promotional photo shoots for "Evernight" and "Doombound"), Robert Bretschneider and friends and families of BATTLELORE. Photos compiled by Maria Honkanen. All songs by BATTLELORE, recorded between the years 2000-2010.

Music videos:

* Third Immortal
* House Of Heroes
* Storm Of The Blades

"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)

"Doombound" release dates:

Europe: January 28, 2011
USA: February 8, 2011

In an age where music has become increasingly predictable and computer driven,
THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH have formed to breathe new life into the dying scene. Founded by Shawn" Clown" Crahan from the Grammy-winning cultural force that is SLIPKNOT, THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH are unlike any other band that you have heard with an approach focused on killing all of your pre-conceived notions on what music can be — bringing a devastating tidal wave of sound crashing down on you. To give you a first taste of the forthcoming aural onslaught, THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH have just launched their official web site TheBlackDotsOfDeath.com which features their first single "Let's Get Fucked Up".

THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH are only just beginning and will unleash their first full-length album, "Ever Since We Were Children", on January 11, 2011. The album’s release will be preceded by the debut of their first video, "Let's Get Fucked Up", which you can view a trailer for below.

When asked about THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH, Clown had this to say, “This is my new project, this is my new pain. Enjoy."

Das neue DORNENREICH Album 'Flammentriebe' ist fertig gemischt und gemastert. "Wir sind sehr zufrieden mit dem klanglichen Gewand, das den Stücken mehr als gerecht wird ." Nach der "Flammentriebe" Track List wurde jetzt auch das Cover Artwork enthüllt.

"Flammentriebe" Track List:

01. Flammenmensch (Man of Flame)
02. Der wunde Trieb (The Wounded Sprout)
03. Tief im Land (Deep in the Land)
04. Wolfpuls (Wolf Pulse)
05. Wandel geschehe (Come About, Change)
06. Fährte der Nacht (The Track of the Night)
07. In allem Weben (Within all Weaving)
08. Erst deine Träne löscht den Brand (Only Thy Tear Douses The Fire) 

Hungarian experimental-grunge-metalheads ANGERTEA have contacted BraveWords.com with the following update:

"Angertea is currently working on a 3-song EP with Grammy Award winner producer Neil Kernon (NILE, NEVERMORE, etc.).

These days we have recieved the first mixes of the new songs from Neil, and they really kick ass. They are just being sent to have it mastered to mastering engineer Alan Douches, who made albums of such bands as THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SEPULTURA, DEICIDE, MADBALL, MASTODON, MISFITS, etc.

Hopefully we'll be done with the 3 songs in 2 weeks!

Other news is that we're making two videos for the EP. One for the song 'Streams', in which Attila Voros of Nevermore plays a guest guitar solo, and an other one for 'Distrust', which features Scott Reeder on guest bass. The two videos are going to be completely different from each other. 'Streams' will be kind of a regular image clip, while 'Distrust' seems to become a horror movie, in which we’ll depict a strange man-woman relationship.

Our most important aim with this EP is to find a record company which publishes our records worldwide."

German thrash metal veterabs DESTRUCTION have announced the addition of drummer Vaaver (INDUKTI, ex-UNSUN) to the group's ranks. The band states, "Some of you may have seen him already with the band on this year's summer festivals. He is a studied musician (McGill University of Montreal) and is a Polish-Canadian citizen!"

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer: "The DESTRUCTION fans can look forward to an explosive drum massacre on the upcoming record, 'Day Of Reckoning'. Vaaver delightens our sound with a unbelievable tightness, technique and speed! A true rejuvenation for the band! And most important... he fits really good on the human level — a fortunate choice! It feels great to be a real band again!"

DESTRUCTION will release its new album, "Day Of Reckoning", on February 28, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The first limited edition of the album will not feature the band's logo on the booklet while the vinyl version and second pressing of the CD will show a red DESTRUCTION logo on it.

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer: "First of all, 'cause I hear the hardcore fans already complaining, the DESTRUCTION skull and the butcher can be found in the illustrated booklet of 'Day Of Reckoning'.

"The last man on earth that faces the end of the world, the concept of the album had to have the most evil base with a striking eye-catching look.

"We decided to not use the classical butcher theme on the cover front this time, 'cause this album needed a malicious look with symbols that express this strong title in the most bold and simple way.

"The story line will continue through the whole cover art and booklet. Gyula, a fantastic artist and metal fan from Hungary, was a great help for us with nailing down this concept. It's not the first time we worked with him; he illustrated all our latest releases! Like the band, he breathes, lives and understands the concept of a rather socially critical band like DESTRUCTION to the bone!"

"Day Of Reckoning" is the first album to feature DESTRUCTION's new drummer Vaaver .

Commented Schmier: "The new guy behind the drumkit, the hard-hitting but well-versed, six-foot-six-inch-tall animal Vaaver took his first album with us as a challenge: no other DESTRUCTION album has the fastness, the tightness and crazy doublebass and drum fills as the 'Day Of Reckoning'! That's for fuckin' sure!"

"Day Of Reckoning" limited slipcase edition track listing:

01. The Price
02. Hate Is My Fuel
03. Armageddonizer
04. Devil’s Advocate
05. Day Of Reckoning
06. Sorcerer Of Black Magic
07. Misfit
08. The Demon Is God
09. Church Of Disgust
10. Destroyer Or Creator
11. Sheep Of The Regime
12. Stand Up And Shout (limited-edition bonus track)

Norwegian extreme metallers PANTHEON I have announced the addition of former ABSU guitarist Aethyris McKay to the group's ranks. This is a surprise move from the band who recently announced a search for a new vocalist to give frontman Andre Kvebek a chance to concentrate more on guitars and leave the vocalist to range free on stage. However, as PANTHEON I's manager explains, "We received a big response from musicians all over Europe and auditioned vocalists of exceptional ability, all of whom we would have been proud to have front the band, however, it quickly became clear that we had overlooked the obvious, which was that Kvebek's voice is a defining aspect of PANTHEON I's music, and that to replace it with someone else would have altered the whole dynamic of the band."

PANTHEON I and Aethyris first met when the band supported ABSU on their European tour at the end of 2009. Aethyris joined PANTHEON I on stage for a song during the tour, and forged a strong relationship with the band's music and the musicians themselves. Commenting on his new role, the American guitarist, who has now relocated to Norway, said: "Joining PANTHEON I has been outstanding thus far. I feel as though I fit right in here and I love the passion and conviction that encompasses the material. This is an incredible arrangement of musicians and people that I can't wait to assault the world with!" Regarding his departure from ABSU, Aethyris stated, "There aren't words enough to say what being a part of ABSU has meant to me. Working with a great friend and talented individual such as Proscriptor McGovern, was an experience only to be described as Magical! The entire cult of ABSU will always hold a special place with me and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours."

While Kvebek (ex-1349) will concentrate on vocals on stage and leave the live guitar work to Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM, METAL MILITIA) and Aethyris, he will continue to write for PANTHEON I and will record guitars along with the band's two guitarists. Other members of the lineup include classically trained cellist Live Julianne Costol, TRS (1349, TYRANN) on bass and Mads G (THE ALLSEEING I) on drums. Aethyris will also be bringing an additional perspective to PANTHEON I by performing clean vocals both live and in the studio.

PANTHEON I is currently in the pre-production stage of its fourth full-length album, which will be a follow-up to the critically acclaimed "Worlds I Create" and which will include guest appearances from several well known artists from the extreme metal scene. The band will play two dates in Norway in November, which will mark Aethyris' live debut, and is also due to embark on a tour of Germany in December, along with fellow Norwegians TROLLFEST and the German bands FINSTERFORST and UNLIGHT.

MANOWAR has decided that its fans deserved to hear the songs from its debut album, 1982's "Battle Hymns", with the massive sound and production that has become the group's signature over recent years and records.

With the decision to reinterpret the music came the need to revisit the famed narration of the legendary Orson Welles. There was only one obvious choice and that was Sir Christopher Lee. Recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, his own inspired interpretation of the late, great Orson Welles on "Dark Avenger" will be another jewel in the crown of the Kings Of Metal.

"Battle Hymns 2011" release dates:

MP3 (from The Kingdom Of Steel): November 26
CD - Europe: November 26
CD - Kingdom Of Steel: December 13
CD - U.S./Canada: February 2011

"Battle Hymns 2011" will feature two never-before-released live versions of "Death Tone" and "Fast Taker" recorded during the band's very first concerts in 1982. These are the rarest bonus materials ever released to date in MANOWAR's career.

"Our fans can be sure that we have squeezed every drop of power into 'Battle Hymns 2011' that today's technology allows," said vocalist Eric Adams.

"Battle Hymns 2011" track listing:

01. Death Tone
02. Metal Daze
03. Fast Taker
04. Shell Shock
05. Manowar
06. Dark Avenger
07. William's Tale
08. Battle Hymn

Bonus Tracks:

09. Death Tone (live)
10. Fast Taker (live)

Video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's skating debut on the premiere episode of the brand new show "Skating With The Stars", which is described as "Dancing With The Stars" on ice (and comes from the same producers), can be viewed below.

Neil stayed on his feet in his performance, which aired live earlier tonight (Monday, November 22), but only managed to come last in the judges' grades, with just 28 out of 60.

Vince's scores:

Technical Merit

6 / 4 / 4

Artistic

6 / 4 / 4

Pittsburgh traditional metal band ICARUS WITCH began pre-production on its new single, "Tragedy", Monday night (November 22) with producer Dave Watson (MANTIC RITUAL, HERO DESTROYED, CROWN THE LOST, DC COOPER). The group will track the effort at Soundscape Studios in Pittsburgh this week and looks to release the song and video prior to its upcoming tour with former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno. This marks the first time ICARUS WITCH will record with an engineer other than longtime producer Eric Klinger (PRO-PAIN, BUILT UPON FRUSTRATION) who recently relocated to Belgium.

ICARUS WITCH plans to return to the studio after the U.S. tour and record a new full-length album for a 2011 release.

Die Dänen von CHAINFIST, bei denen Gitarrist Michael Kopietz (FROZEN SUN, PANZERCHRIST) mit an Board ist, haben ihr Debütalbum "Black Out Sunday" am 15. Oktober 2010 via SAOL/H'art/Zebralution veröffentlicht. Das Coverartwork hat der Brasilianer Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, GOD FORBID, MUSICA DIABLO) übernommen.
Auf MySpace wurde die drei neuen Songs "Free Me", "Have you Ever" und "Evolution" zum probehören online gestellt.

"Black Out Sunday" Track List:

01. Free Me
02. Edge of the World
03. Evolution
04. Be a Man
05. Have you Ever
06. Stay
07. In Your Face
08. Show Me
09. Clown
10. Carpe Diem
11. Black Out
12. SHCHWH (feat. Jakob Batten)

Celebrating their 25th Anniversary of all original members Chicago’s murder metal pioneers MACABRE unleash their brand new studio album entitled Grim Scary Tales in Europe on January 31st, 2011 by Hammerheart Records and in North America on February 8th, 2011 by Willowtip Records.

According to a press release, the album explores the history of murder from the earliest times and proceeds forward through the ages. Stylistically it is Macabre in nature, yet very diverse musically. Featuring original cover art and layout by Scott Jackson from Monsterman Graphics & Rock N Roll Comics fame.

Grim Scary Tales tracklisting:
'Locusta'
'Nero's Inferno'
'The Black Knight'
'Dracula'
'The Big Bad Wolf'
'Countess Bathory'
'Burke and Hare'
'Mary Ann'
'The Bloody Benders'
'Lizzie Borden'
'The Ripper Tramp From France'
'Bella the Butcher'
'The Kiss of Death'
'The Sweet Tender Meat Vendor'

Die Death Core'ler BURNING THE MASSES werden ihr neues Album "Offspring Of Time" morgen, am 23. November, veröffentlichen. Bis dahin könnt Ihr Euch drei der neuen Songs auf ihrer MySpace-Seite anhören: (Link)

Die "Offspring Of Time"-Track-Liste liest sich wie folgt:

01. Intro
02. Immersed Entity
03. Offspring of Time
04. Resonance of the Foul
05. Vicarious Wrath
06. Overseer Fixation Pt. 1
07. Overseer Fixation Pt. 2
08. Eclipse of Autonomy
09. Lair of the Blind Ones
10. The Ubiquitous Pillar
11. Tsar Bomb

Die neue CD/DVD "Talking Ain't Enough - Fair Warning Live In Tokyo" wurde jetzt via SPV/Steamhammer veröffentlicht. Die erste CD wurde heute auf AOL Music komplett zum probehören online gestellt.

3CD Digipak Track List:

CD1: Tokyo January 2010

* Intro
* Out On The Run
* Here Comes The Heartache
* Save Me
* Angels Of Heaven
* Don't Give Up
* Sakura/Kashmir
* Generation Jedi
* Dont Keep Me Waiting
* The Last Goodbye (Keyboard Feature)
* Falling Reprise
* Long Gone
* Hey Girl

CD2: Tokyo January 2010

* Walking On Smiles
* I'll Be There
* Longing For Love
* I Fight
* Still I Believe
* Burning Heart
* Get A Little Closer
* When Love Fails
* Fighting For Your Love

CD 3: Loud Park 2009

* Intro
* Angels Of Heaven
* Save Me
* Generation Jedi
* Out On The Run
* Here Comes The Heartache
* Long Gone
* Longing For Love
* I Fight
* Don't Give Up
* Burning Heart
* Get A Little Closer
* When Love Fails

2DVD Digipak Track List:

DVD1: Tokyo January 2010 (same as see CD1 and CD2)

Approx. 120 min

DVD 2: Loud Park 2009 (same as see CD3)
+ private footage Approx. 135 min

As with all great bands, there’s always a period of uncertainty, inevitable when you are focusing on your sound and your future, and UK trashers ELIMINATION have come through it stronger than ever.

Originally due for release later this year, Elimination will be looking to put out their album, Through The Eyes Of Madness early in 2011, with a brand new lineup. Enter James Last.

James (IMPERIAL VENGEANCE) has been a welcomed replacement on drums and is already in the studio writing and recording the new material.

Guitarist Dave Spicer states: “We are all very excited to have James joining us, the fresh energy and enthusiasm that he has brought to Elimination is so refreshing. All that's left now is to get ourselves back out on the road following the release of Through The Eyes Of Madness, and start devastating the crowd once more!”

THE BRONX CASKET CO., the side project of OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni and SEVEN WITCHES guitarist Jack Frost, has inked a worldwide deal with eOne Music.

"I am totally psyched to be working with eOne for the new BRONX CASKET release!" says Verni. "They did an amazing job with the OVERKILL record and I know they will do the same for this. Having a label home where people 'get' it and are psyched to work a record is a great feeling."

THE BRONX CASKET CO. was formed in 1998 by Verni, who — after having played in one of the most respected thrash bands ever for over two decades — was looking for "the challenge of writing interesting new material, and for fun, of course!" The band's second release caught the ear of playwright Andrea Lepcio. Soon after, Verni and Lepcio were collaborating with three-time Tony winner Hinton Battle to direct and choreograph. The seeds of "The Bronx Casket Co., A New Musical" were planted. Verni quickly recruited several members from the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA to perform. The cast consisted of performers from the Broadway shows "Hairspray", "Rent" and "Dance Of The Vampire". There have been several performances off-Broadway for producers/backers and the show is still in the writing stages. It has a gothic/Broadway score with a twisted love story woven throughout. Songs from the first two BRONX CASKET CO. releases are included in the show, as well as 13 new songs Verni penned just for the musical.

It's been five years since THE BRONX CASKET CO. last released an album and has been well worth the wait. Verni states, "This BRONX CASKET record is the best we have done, and we are looking forward to getting out on the road and doing some shows."

Due in early 2011, THE BRONX CASKET CO.'s follow-up to 2005's "Hellectric" will be the band's first release with D.D. handling all of the vocal duties.

THE BRONX CASKET CO. is:

D.D. Verni - Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Rob Pallotta - Drums
Jack Frost - Guitars
Charlie Calv - Keyboards

Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA have released the following statement:

"After a decade of good times and achievements, our friend and band mate Jim LaMarca [bass] has decided to retire from CHIMAIRA. We wish him nothing but the best as he settles in and starts a family. As for seeking a replacement… we'll cross that bridge down the line. In the meantime, consider it 'business as usual' with the CHIMAIRA you know and love.

"Emil Werstler [DAATH guitarist] will be handling the bass duties for the rest of the year, and we'll see you on the road!"

CHIMAIRA will embark on a short headlining tour in late November with support from IMPENDING DOOM, DAATH and THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE. Dubbed the "Blue Collar Brawler Tour", the trek will include the following dates:

Nov. 24 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
Nov. 26 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
Nov. 27 - Detroit, MI - Harpos
Nov. 28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Theater
Nov. 29 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Nov. 30 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
Dec. 01 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Dec. 02 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Dec. 03 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Dec. 04 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club

CHIMAIRA will play its eleventh annual Christmas show on December 30 at the House of Blues in the band's hometown.

Norwegian melodic metallers CYCLOPHONIA have released their debut video, for the track 'Retaliate. Check out the clip below.

Says the band: "This song showcases most of what Cyclophonia is about: great riffs and dual guitar work, soaring lead vocals and harmonies, and just some damn fine songwriting!”

Due to a budget of absolute zero the band decided to go with a comedic video this time around, but make no mistake; they’re no comedy band.

“We feel that even though the song deals with serious matters, there’s nothing wrong with making a video that gives us a few laughs. Making the video was a great experience, and we’ll make sure we have a bigger budget for the next one!”

Cyclophonia are currently working towards recording their debut full-length album, with sessions scheduled for March 2011 and a release date some time later the same year.

Swedish death metal legends VOMITORY have entered Leon Music Studios, outside Karlstad, Sweden, to record their eighth full length album. They are recording the album again with Rikard Löfgren, who co-produced the band's previous two albums.

Drummer Tobias Gustafsson has laid drum tracks on two songs already. Vomitory are doing a studio diary at the official Vomitory forum, which you can find here. Check there for daily updates including pictures, video clips, etc.

More info on the new Vomitory album coming soon. The yet-untitled album is set for a tentative release in spring of 2011.