GAMMA RAY/ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen will perform with AVANTASIA, the project led by EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet, on the group's upcoming tour. Also scheduled to appear are Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann and Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN).

Kicking off in Pratteln, Switzerland on November 30, the three-week trek will bring the prestigious metal-opera event to three different continents around the planet.

Commented Tobias: "Kai will have a vocal role and play some guitar, too.

"We've been friends for quite a while now.

"I remember I was a little kid when I first heard HELLOWEEN's 'Keeper' albums. And that was the instant that lit a spark in me. Unfortunately I never got the chance to see HELLOWEEN with Michael and Kai on stage, but they'll make up for it now! Both have played an important role for me personally and for the history of AVANTASIA and its 'Metal Opera' in particular.

"I am looking forward to sharing the stage with them and play some of our old AVANTASIA classics together."

Geir Bratland, the Oslo, Norway-based keyboardist who has previously played with APOPTYGMA BERZERK and THE KOVENANT, is rumored to have joined the touring lineup of the Norwegian symphonic black metal band DIMMU BORGIR. Bratland (pictured below) is also believed be featured on DIMMU BORGIR's upcoming ninth album, "Abrahadabra", and can be seen in the video for the CD's first single, "Gateways", which made its unofficial online debut earlier today (Sunday, September 5). Also making an appearance in the clip is Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (real name: Tommie Helgesson; THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME), who announced his departure from DIMMU BORGIR's touring lineup on August 25 — just one day after confirming that he was tapped by the band to replace bassist/vocalist ICS Vortex during the recording sessions for "Abrahadabra" and the subsequent world tour. Shaw has since rejoined Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION.

ICS Vortex and keyboardist Mustis (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) were fired from DIMMU BORGIR in August 2009. The remaining members of the band issued a statement at the time downplaying the impact that ICS Vortex and Mustis' departures would have on the sound of DIMMU BORGIR's next album, insisting that "the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever."

Audio samples from the new album are available at this location. Song titles include:

'Power Trippin'
'Martyr'
'Still Have A Song To Sing'
'Temptation'
'Living Your Dreams (Everyday)'

British thrashers EVILE are working on material for a brand new studio album.

EVILE, who recently won a coveted Metal Hammer Golden Gods award, will once again be working with producer Russ Russell.

Commented EVILE lead guitarist Ol Drake: "We're well on our way into writing the material for EVILE's third album now.

"We've been playing around with the odd part and riffs since 'Infected Nations' came out in 2009.

"I have about ten song ideas which are being built on daily, but not going to stop there. We're not going to limit ourselves this time to a certain number of songs; we're just going to write until it's time to give up and go into pre-production.

"We've been sending tracks/recordings/ideas back and forth between ourselves, Russ Russell and our management (Wiseblood) and there's an excellent vibe going.

"I don't want this to be a typical 'new album' update using the same descriptions and words most bands use to big up an album, so I'll just say the new stuff is really getting my blood boiling and my heart racing.

"We've been through a lot over the past year, and it's being naturally reflected in the music which is coming out.

"I've never been as passionate as I am now about writing the best material we can.

"With [new bassist] Joel [Graham] in the mix, and him being a die-hard thrash fan since the '80s, I'm looking forward to see how this will turn out."

Montreal extreme metal purists ION DISSONANCE have issued the following update on their new album, Cursed:

"Hey guys, what's up?

Cursed has now been out in stores for a few days and so far your reactions have been nothing short of heart-warming for all of us in the Ion D camp.

Lately we've been touring across Canada to make sure our setlist and live show are up to par for our trip out overseas in a few days. We are all looking forward to hanging out and partying all over Europe, the UK, and Russia. We'll see you all real soon, and once again thanks for your love and support for our music. It means a lot."

The first official release from Niji Entertainment Group, the label formed by the late Ronnie James Dio and his wife/manager Wendy Dio, will be "Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987". Due on November 9, the two-CD deluxe digipak comes with a booklet filled with rare photos from both concerts. It also includes both "All Access" backstage laminates from 1983 and 1987.

1983 was the first time DIO played in the United Kingdom and the band's first show just happened to be the legendary Monsters Of Rock event.

"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" features material that was recorded on two different tours — the "Holy Diver" trek from 1983 and the "Dream Evil" tour from 1987.

"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" track listing:

**NOTE: This track listing has not been officially confirmed.**

CD 1: 1983

01. Stand Up and Shout
02. Straight Through The Heart
03. Children Of The Sea
04. Rainbow In The Dark
05. Holy Diver
06. Drum Solo
07. Stargazer
08. Guitar Solo
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Evil Eyes

CD 2: 1987

01. Dream Evil
02. Neon Knights
03. Naked In The Rain
04. Rock 'N' roll Children
05. Long Live Rock 'N' roll
06. Rock 'N' Roll Children (reprise)
07. The Last In Line
08. Holy Diver
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away ~ The Last In Line
12. Rainbow In The Dark

"My Soul Still Burns", the new video from the Italy-based metal/rock band MEDIA SOLUTION, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Nathan Cox, who has previously worked with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MARILYN MANSON and LINKIN PARK, among others.

"My Soul Still Burns" comes off MEDIA SOLUTION's latest album, "Horizon of Events", which was released on August 23 via Casket/Copro Records. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Mikey Doling, who previously played guitar with SNOT, SOULFLY and CHANNEL ZERO. It features guest appearances by two members of the current lineup of SEPULTURA, vocalist Derrick Green and drummer Jean Dolabella, as well as Aaron Nordstrom from GEMINI SYNDROME.

"Horizon of Events" track listing:

01. Die Mahal
02. It's Our Life
03. Two Million Lies
04. 44mm
05. My Soul Still Burns
06. Bloodstream
07. Chronicles From The Land Of Madness
08. When Animals Attack
09. Blasphemy
10. Fog

Swedish Viking folk death metallers KING OF ASGARD have announced the addition of guitarist Lars Tängmark to the group's ranks. KING OF ASGARD states, "Lars is a longtime friend of the band and has, among other duties, been the bassist of the great Swedish act DAWN wherein Karsten [Larsson, drums] also used to play."

"Einhärjar", the new video from KING OF ASGARD, can be viewed below.

Commented the band: "The 'Einhärjar' music video was recorded in July 2010, directed by Richard Moneus, the driving force behind the production company 1897. It was shot in an old dirty barn at a location just outside where we live.

"Spending what felt like ages in the long time kept dust was well worth the sweat and blood.

"After the barn battleground, Richard took care of the hard work to cut, edit and piece it all together in a functioning symbiosis. Now, viewing the final result we are extremely proud of how good this video turned out."

Das neue WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH Album wird den Titel "MMX" tragen und in D/A/CH am 29. Oktober 2010 auf Lifeforce Records erscheinen. Wir haben das Cover Artwork und die Trackliste für Euch:

01. Insomnia 2:34
02. To Age And Obsolete 3:43
03. The Increased Sensation Of Dullness 2:30
04. Sleep Is The Brother Of Death 1:35
05. The Polyglutamine Pact 2:54
06. Cancer Man 0:53
07. C.G.B. Spender 3:52
08. Sugarcoat 1:31
09. Spineless 4:18
10. Recluse MMX 2:58
11. Inferno III/VI 5:34

HARADWAITH, the Leipzig, Germany-based black metal band featuring former ENDSTILLE frontman Iblis, have have posted the new song 'Devilution' from their forthcoming album Creating Hell on their official MySpace page.

Creating Hell will be released November 5th via Abhore Records, and will feature the following tracks:

'Devilution'
'Laceration O Flesh'
'Open The Earth'
'Creating Hell'
'Mephistophelian Philosophy'
'Reconstruction Of Chaos'
'Seed Of Judas'
'Thoughts Of Exit'
'Open The Earth (alternative version)'
'Mephistophelian Philosophy (alternative version)'
'Seed Of Judas (alternative version)'

BON JOVI are releasing a career-spanning greatest hits compilation November 9th on Island Records. Bon Jovi Greatest Hits will transport listeners back in time through Bon Jovi’s worldwide monster hits of the past and offer a bridge to the future with the debut of four brand new tracks.

“Music marks milestones in all our lives,” notes frontman Jon Bon Jovi. “These songs have stood the test of time and they remind us all where we came from, even as we keep our eyes towards the future.”

Bon Jovi Greatest Hits will be a 16-song single disc chock full of the band’s biggest chart-toppers including 'Livin’ On A Prayer', 'Always', 'It’s My Life', 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' and 'Who Says You Can’t Go Home'. Two new songs, including lead single 'What Do You Got', round out the tracklisting. 'What Do You Got?' will hit radio airwaves globally at the end of August.

Bon Jovi Greatest Hits - The Ultimate Collection will be a 28-song two disc edition made up of the Greatest Hits CD from the standard edition and a second disc featuring beloved fan favorites including 'Bed Of Roses', 'Blood On Blood', 'These Days' and 'Keep The Faith' plus the third and fourth new tracks created for this project.

The four new songs ('The More Things Change', 'No Apologies', 'This Is Love, This Is Life' and the first single, 'What Do You Got?') were written specifically for inclusion in this compilation.

The complete tracklistings for Bon Jovi Greatest Hits and Bon Jovi Greatest Hits - The Ultimate Collection will be unveiled shortly.

Now that Buckcherry’s Josh Todd has unveiled the Top 10 Frontmen, Gibson.com’s list of the Top 50 Frontmen (and Frontwomen) of All Time is complete. Check out the full rundown, from 1 to 50, of the performers who made the list. (Find out more about each choice in these entries: #50-41, #40-31, #30-21, #20-11 and #10-1.
We’d like to send out special thanks to all of our readers who voted. Also, we’d like to thank musicians Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Chad Kroeger (Nickleback) and Ric Olsen (Berlin) for participating, as well as Gibson.com’s editorial and writing staff.
Here is how the entire list shook out…
Gibson.com’s Top 50 Frontmen (and Frontwomen) of All Time
1. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)
2. Freddie Mercury (Queen)
3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
4. Elvis Presley
5. James Brown
6. Jimi Hendrix
7. Michael Jackson (The Jackson 5)
8. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
9. Prince
10. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
11. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
12. David Bowie
13. Tina Turner
14. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
15. Johnny Cash
16. Iggy Pop (The Stooges)
17. Bruce Springsteen
18. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)
19. Bono (U2)
20. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
21. Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) (Sex Pistols, Public Enemy Ltd.)
22. Rod Stewart (Faces)
23. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
24. Joe Strummer (The Clash)
25. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
26. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
27. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
28. Janis Joplin (Big Brother and the Holding Company)
29. Debbie Harry (Blondie)
30. Chuck Berry
31. Little Richard
32. Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
33. Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
34. Cab Calloway
35. Alice Cooper
36. Morrissey (The Smiths)
37. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
38. Joey Ramone (The Ramones)
39. Elton John
40. Neil Diamond
41. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
42. Otis Redding
43. John Lennon (The Beatles)
44. Howlin’ Wolf
45. Stevie Wonder
46. Jackie Wilson
47. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
48. Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
49. Tom Waits
50. Garth Brooks

Gibson.com Readers Poll – Top 25 Frontmen (and Frontwomen)
With their votes, the Gibson.com readers crowned Freddie Mercury the Queen of all Frontmen. While many of the readers’ choices are reflected in the overall list, a few didn’t make the cut – Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Metallica’s James Hetfield, KISS’s Paul Stanley and the late, great Ronnie James Dio.
And at least one choice caught the Gibson.com editorial staff off-guard. Who knew that the readers had this much love for Jim Kerr of Simple Minds? You certainly took his advice and didn’t forget about him.
1. Freddie Mercury (Queen)
2. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
3. Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
4. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
5. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
6. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
7. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)
8. Bono (U2)
9. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
10. Elvis Presley
11. Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)
12. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
13. Paul Stanley (KISS)
14. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
15. Bruce Springsteen
16. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
17. Angus Young (AC/DC)
18. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Heaven and Hell)
19. Jimi Hendrix
20. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
21. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
22. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
23. James Hetfield (Metallica)
24. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
25. Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have checked in with the following update:

"As some of you have heard already Theatre of Tragedy are planning their first and last DVD with lots of live and background footage. This should be some kind of farewell gift to the fans.

Now things have happened that make it quite difficult to get through with it. The band thought the financial side was cleared (about 25,000 Euros) but it was withdrawn at the last moment. This was quite a shock for everyone and we thought about a solution how to still go on with the DVD.

After lots of talks the label will now give 10,000 Euros and the band members themselves will also give 10,000 Euro for the production of the DVD. This leaves us with a missing 5,000 Euros. Our idea now is to give you the possibility to make this DVD possible with your donations. If we don't reach 5,000 Euros within a week we will pay all your donations back of course but we sadly have to bury the idea of this DVD then.

If you donate 100 Euros or more we will put your name on the DVD cover and send you a signed DVD after the release.

Let's give this a try. It's our last chance for a final Theatre of Tragedy release!"

Die New Yorker Hardcore-Formation MADBALL hat das Cover und die Tracklist vom neuen Album, "Empire", enthüllt. Dieses wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Produzenten Eric Rutan aufgenommen, der bereits Bands wie CANNIBAL CORPSE und MISERY INDEX betreut hat. Erscheinen wird der Silberling via Nuclear Blast am 15. Oktober.

Die Tracklist des Album liest sich wie folgt:

01. Invigorate
02. Danger Zone
03. Timeless
04. All Or Nothing
05. Glory Years
06. Empire
07. Shatterproof [feat. Roger Miret]
08. The End
09. Con Fuerza
10. R.A.H.C.
11. Hurt You
12. "Tough Guy"
13. Dark Horse
14. Spider's Web
15. Delete
16. Rebel4life18