Portuguese dark rockers HEAVENWOOD entered Ultrasound Studios in Braga, Portugal on August 6th with Daniel Cardoso and Pedro Mendes, to start an intense period of recordings of the new album.

The name and it's release date are still to be unveiled as well as the bands inked deal for this new record.

Mixing and mastering of this work will happen in Germany during next September/October with a producer soon to be announced.

The new artwork will be handled by Brazilian designer Jobert Mello (SABATON, DESERT) who previously worked with the band for the Redemption releases.

Some song titles set to appear on the CD include:

‘Goddess Presiding Over Solitude’
‘September Blood’
‘The Arcadia Order’
‘Leonor’
‘Poem For Mathilde’
‘Fading Sun’
‘Sudden Scars’


Also Heavenwood's ‘13th Moon’ video can be viewed below. The clip was shot on May 30, 2009 in Braga, Portugal with the production team of Carlos Barros, Rui Correia and Ricardo Coutinho, who are described as "young talented Portuguese video/filmmakers, designers and photographers." The video concept is based on the Zodiac signs.

‘13th Moon’ comes off Heavenwood's third album, Redemption, which was released in August 2008. The CD was mixed at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH). The initial recording sessions for the album took place at Ultrasound Studios with Daniel Cardoso and Ricardo Dias. The CD features guest appearances by ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters in the song ‘Bridge To Neverland’. FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. in the track ‘One Step To Devotion’, and singer Tijs Vanneste of Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS in the song ‘Obsolete’.

Trieste, Italy's crushing quartet THE SECRET are set to drop their upcoming Solve Et Coagula full-length via Southern Lord Recordings this September 28th.

The twelve hellish hymns embodied in Solve Et Coagula were captured by Kurt Ballou in his infamous Godcity Studios, resulting in cavernous, earthmoving tonal supremacy. Each song preaches of loss of faith in all forms of religion and politics and a vile outlook on humanity as a whole. The album runs rampant with dismantling breakdowns, gargantuan, swelling riffage and jackhammer blastbeats, all empowered by the most shredding vocal attack.

While surely reminiscent of CONVERGE, CURSED and labelmates BLACK BREATH, The Secret integrate as much influence from filthy politi-crust acts, as well as psychotic metalcore into Solve Et Coagula's metallic surge. But no matter how you try to compare or categorize this highly lethal Italian export, the end result is certain; this is the sound of humanity's failure and defeat, embodied as pure aural rage.

The Secret have previously unleashed two full-length releases on now defunct Goodfellow Records (2004's Luce and 2008's Disintoxication), and have undergone countless lineup changes and setbacks over the past few years. The current lineup is inarguably the most devastating and concise to date, making Solve Et Coagula their most lethal assault yet.

Solve Et Coagula tracklist:

'Cross Builder'
'Death Alive'
'Double Slaughter'
'Where It Ends'
'Antitalian'
'Weatherman'
'Pleasure In Self Destruction'
'Eve Of The Last Day'
'Pursuit Of Discomfort'
'Bell Of Urgency'
'War Desire'
'1968'

AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, KISS and SLASH are among the nominees at this year's Classic Rock Roll Of Honour.

The ceremony — held by Classic Rock magazine and hosted by legendary rocker Alice Cooper — will take place on Wednesday, November 10 at London, England's Roundhouse venue.

Commented Classic Rock editor-in-chief Scott Rowley: "Capping off a year that saw Classic Rock explore exciting new formats with the release of the Slash album, the launch of our own festival with partners MAMA Group called High Voltage, and the continued success of the magazine as well as our sister magazine Prog, this year's move to the Roundhouse — with the Right Reverend Alice Cooper as ringmaster — shows Classic Rock's commitment to aiming high and doing things differently."

Classic Rock Roll Of Honour 2010 nominees:

Best New Band

* THE UNION
* TAKING DAWN
* RECKLESS LOVE
* URBAN VOODOO MACHINE
* WHITE WIZZARD
* ALBERTA CROSS

Album Of The Year

* CHEAP TRICK - The Latest
* BIGELF - Cheat The Gallows
* SLASH - Slash
* KISS - Sonic Boom
* WOLFMOTHER - Cosmic Egg
* IRON MAIDEN - The Final Frontier
* PEARL JAM - Backspacer
* ALICE IN CHAINS - Black Gives Way To Blue
* LYNYRD SKYNYRD - God & Guns
* THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM - American Slang
* SCORPIONS - Sting In The Tail
* EUROPE - Last Look At Eden
* RATT - Infestation
* FOREIGNER - Can't Slow Down
* THE BLACK CROWES - Before The Frost…
* STEVE HACKETT - Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth

Band Of The Year

* AEROSMITH
* AC/DC
* RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
* KISS
* BON JOVI
* SLASH & FRIENDS
* JEFF BECK BAND

Event Of The Year

* High Voltage
* Download
* MOTT THE HOOPLE Reunion
* RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Gets To No. 1 And Plays Free Finsbury Park Show
* THE STOOGES Reunion
* JOURNEY's "Don't Stop Believing" Goes Top 10

Reissue Of The Year

* THE ROLLING STONES - Exile On Main St
* JUDAS PRIEST - British Steel
* THE BEATLES - Reissues
* BLACK SABBATH - The Dio Years
* AC/DC - Backtracks
* JIMI HENDRIX - Reissues
* NAZARETH - Reissues
* KING CRIMSON - In The Court Of The Crimson King
* Where the Action Is: La Nuggets 1965-1968
* DAVID BOWIE - Station To Station

DVD/Film Of The Year

* "Oil City Confidential"
* "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage"
* "Saxon: Heavy Metal Thunder"
* "The Doors: When You're Strange"
* "The Runaways"

"The Seed Of Annihilation", a brand new song from Australian extreme metallers THE RED SHORE, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "The Avarice Of Man", which was recorded at Complex Studios in Melbourne, Australia by guitarist/producer Roman Koester and was mixed by TEXTURES mastermind Jochem Jacobs at Split Second Studios in The Netherlands.

"The Avarice Of Man" will be released in Australia on September 3 via Roadrunner Records. The album will be made available in Europe (via Listenable) and the U.S. (Mediaskare) shortly thereafter.

THE RED SHORE's 2008 masterpiece "Unconsecrated" was recorded under tragic circumstances after the loss of original vocalist Damien Morris and crew member Andy Milner in a tour bus accident in late 2007. However, the band was able to regroup and complete Damien's vision for the album. Bassist Jamie Hope took over vocal duties on the remaining tracks and also completed lyrics to bring to life the theme that Damien had started.

In May 2009 "Lost Verses" was released as a tribute to THE RED SHORE's fallen brothers and also as a keepsake for their fans. The album featured re-recordings of the early tracks which helped established them as a pioneering force within the Australian heavy music scene.

With a solid lineup now in place consisting of Roman Koester (guitar), Jon Green (bass), Jason Leombruni (guitar), Tim Shearman (drums) and new vocalist Chase Butler, THE RED SHORE is revitalized and commited to delivering an album of epic proportions in terms of sheer heaviness, musical prowess and unchartered waters.

Fan-filmed video footage of MANOWAR performing a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Heaven And Hell" as a tribute to the legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) on July 10, 2010 at the Magic Circle Festival IV in Tolmin, Slovenia can be viewed below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hands Of Doom
02. Call To Arms
03. God Or Man
04. Swords In The Wind
05. Let The Gods Decide
06. Die For Metal
07. Sons Of Odin
08. Sleipnir
09. Warriors Of The World United
10. Loki God Of Fire
11. Thunder In The Sky
12. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH cover)
13. House Of Death
14. Brothers Of Metal Pt. 1
15. King Of Kings
16. Black Wind, Fire And Steelhand Of Doom
17. Army Of The Dead (outro)

Finnish epic power metallers THAUROROD have inked a deal with Japan's Spiritual Beast Records. The band's debut album, "Upon Haunted Battlefields", will be released in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan on October 20. The CD will be made available in Europe on September 24 via NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation.

"Upon Haunted Battlefields" track listing:

01. Warrior's Heart
02. Cursed In The Past
03. Shadows And Rain
04. Morning Lake
05. Scion Of Stars
06. Guide For The Blind
07. Upon Haunted Battlefields
08. Tales Of The End
09. Black Waters (Prologue)
10. Into The Realms Of Hidden Me
11. Elaman Tuli

Former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe will release a new live album, "Another Night In The Sun", in Europe and Japan on September 22. The CD was recorded in early July during a private concert at the Tavastia club in Helsinki and will be mixed and mastered by Niko Bolas (NEIL YOUNG, FRANK SINATRA, KEITH RICHARDS, KISS, SPINAL TAP) in Los Angeles.

"Another Night In The Sun" features highlights from Monroe's solo career, a few HANOI ROCKS classics and two brand new songs: "You're Next" and "Motorheaded For A Fall".

Commented Monroe: "Me and the guys in the band decided to record a live album — something for the fans to have, while they're waiting for our actual studio album, due to be released in the early part of next year. We also wanted to capture the live set we've been playing recently, pretty much as it is, before we start playing more of our newly written material live in the future.

"The show was at the legendary Tavastia Club in Helsinki and the audience was mainly people from our fan club and street teams, plus some friends we invited. The setlist was basically songs from my solo albums, the DEMOLITION 23 album, some old HANOI ROCKS and some of our favorite cover songs, as well as a couple of our new, previously unreleased songs. It's a very raw, 'rough and ready-or-not' kind of live recording that I'm sure the fans will be pleased to have."

Vocalist Gary Cherone of reunited Massachusetts hard rockers EXTREME is contributing a song to the upcoming film "The Barrel Of A Gun", written about the controversy surrounding Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted in the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner. The film's director, Tigre Hill, also shot a video with the former VAN HALEN frontman, which will debut around the movie's premiere on September 21 at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Cherone recently told Michael Smerconish of the Philadelphia Daily News that he's always been interested in the case and long followed it from afar. Finally, after reading the trial transcripts and eyewitness testimony, he was inspired to write a song about it.

But, unlike so many folks stuck in a Hollywood cloud or ivory tower, Cherone was drawn to Daniel Faulkner's wife's side of the story. So he penned "The Murder Of Daniel Faulkner".

br>"The Murder Of Daniel Faulkner" audio stream:

"I was kind of blown away by the detail of the story," Cherone told the Philadelphia Daily News.

At first, Cherone considered the song a "writing exercise" that he'd simply work through until "it was put on a shelf."

But what he found on another shelf persuaded him to contact Daniel's wife, Maureen, and take the song public.

Demonicon Records has set an August 20 Australian release date for the self-titled new album from EMBRACE ETERNITY. Recorded at guitarist Gareth Graham's Epic Studios in Cleveland, South of Brisbane with additional tracking completed at the label's Demonicon Studios in Warner, North of Brisbane, the CD features an accompanying DVD documentary titled "1 Part South African, 4 Parts Australian". Personal footage from what the band has been up to for the past three years, as well as contributed footage from video production company Her Name Is Murder Productions will also be included.

"We hope you will be able to help and attend this very special evening; as this is just one of many goals we have achieved as a band and we want to take you on this journey with us," says frontman Brad Swart. "This album marks the beginning of a tough adventure for our band, so come along, enjoy our music and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. It would really mean the world to us.".

"Embrace Eternity" track listing is as follows:

01. True Colours
02. Landlocked (Until The End)
03. The City At Night
04. A God Among Men
05. Ashes In The Wind
06. What Hell Is About
07. The Prophecy
08. The Demons Serenade
09. Beyond The Agony

Finnish thrashers MOKOMA will release a new EP, "Juurta Jaksain", on September 1 via Sakara Records.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Ei Enää Askeltakaan
02. Maailmantappiin
03. Huomenhaamu
04. Musta Katras
05. Taakka
06. Sydänjuuret (acustic version)

MÖTLEY CRÜE/SIXX: A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx has posted the following message on his official MySpace page:

"I am sorry I haven't written to you all in a while in the form of a 'blog,' but it seems the instant-contact back-and-forth of Twitter has gotten the best of me, too. Well, that and the fact that I've been finishing a new book, a new SIXX: A.M. album of songs, a MÖTLEY CRÜE tour, a radio show, press, a clothing line, and let's not forget the most important thing I do in life is being a father of four.

"So, excuses aside, how are you? Is your summer full of positive energy as we slowly head towards the fall? My favorite creative time of year, but this summer has been fruitful for sure.

"I wanted to thank all of the fans that came out to Europe to see MÖTLEY CRÜE play this summer. It was one of the best times of my life. Not only were the crowds great but I also had such a wonderful time having Kat [Sixx's on-again girlfriend and 28-year-old tattoo artist Kat Von D (born Katherine Von Drachenberg)] along with me for the whole tour. We soaked in your beautiful countrysides and foods together. Her new season of 'L.A. Ink' just premiered and for her to take time out of her equally busy life (including planning her book tour) was something I was just blown away by. I know a lot of you got to meet her and that made her happy, too… Again, thank you Europe. I fell in love with you all over again.

"I did the 'Sixx Sense' radio show from the road and that was fun but I miss being in the studio with the team with all that energy and creativity flowing. So I look forward to being back in Los Angeles but for now MÖTLEY and Ozzy are heading out for six co-headline Ozzfest shows and I'll be doing the radio show from backstage. God knows what opportunity for insanity will arise from that.

"I told you guys I would take you with me wherever I go with 'Sixx Sense' and 'The Sideshow Countdown'. So far you've been to Europe with me, now Ozzfest, and not to mention Rock On The Range and Sturgis last night.

"I've been having a blast sending quick updates from my Twitter account to you all. It's so fast and on the fly compared to writing out longer replies, so for QUICK updates and opinions on everything from what we're playing that night in the show to backstage band banter follow me there.

"I wanted to tell you a couple cool things that give me a buzz doing our clothing line Royal Underground. We get these calls into the office and they remind you why you do what you do and that you're still a fan of real fucking rock stars. Ozzy calls and says he loves Royal's black jeans and can he buy more, Steven Tyler says he wants to wear Royal on tour, Paul Stanley buys our stuff right off the rack when I told him I would give him stuff… The list goes on of rockers who are fans of Royal Underground and, to be honest, we are fans of theirs… Sometimes chills keep us forging ahead, following what we love.

"I always say do what you love and the rest of the stuff just works itself out.

"Quick update…

"SIXX: A.M. [Second album is] almost finished…

"My new book with the tentative title 'This Is Gonna Hurt' is almost done.

"Tommy [Lee], [Mick] Mars, and myself are excited to get together later this year and start pounding out some new CRÜE ideas for the future…

"P.S. There is some stuff up this old dog's sleeve that's gonna keep you VERY entertained and I promise you won't be disappointed…

"I've got more fucking energy than I have had in 30 years.

"Thank you for letting me share my life and creativity with you."

Guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger, STEVE LUKATHER is set to release his new solo album, All’s Well That Ends Well, on Monday, October 11th in the UK.

The new album showcases Lukather’s innate feel for rock and jazz guitar music, and is laden with extraordinary musicianship, performed across some of the best and most emotional songs of Steve’s career.

For over 30 years Lukather has been known as one of the founding members of the multi million selling band TOTO. He’s played guitar on hundreds of albums with the biggest artists including VAN HALEN, WHITNEY HOUSTON, ALICE COOPER, ROD STEWART, and also played guitar on MICHAEL JACKSON’s multi-million selling milestone album Thriller.

All’s Well That Ends Well will feature the following tracklisting:

'Darkness In My World'
'On My Way Home'
'Can't Look Back'
'Don't Say It's Over'
'Flash In The Pan'
'Watching The World'
'You'll Remember'
'Brodie's'
'Tumescent'

The album will available on standard CD, limited edition CD, and vinyl LP.

Fee Waybill of THE TUBES is featured on backing vocals and contributes to some of the co-song writing with CJ Vanston and Lukather.

“I’m very excited because I have some great new music,” says Lukather. “I am trying for a personal best and working very hard on all aspects of music. It’s a journey that’s for sure.”

To coincide with the release of the album, Steve Lukather will perform three UK concerts in November which will showcase classics from his all his solo albums, Toto, plus songs from the forthcoming album.

Montreal technical death metal outfit DERELICT has begun writing material for its new album, tentatively due next year through Year Of The Sun Records. The CD will follow DERELICT's full-length debut, "Unspoken Words", which was released in 2009.

Commented frontman Eric Burnet: "After a long tour and the stress of lineup changes, writing new stuff is really reminding us what we do this for. We've found a renewed energy and drive to create for DERELICT, and Jordan, Max, and I are all collaborating on the new material. Musically we're continuing in the technical death metal vein, but we're letting ourselves be free to experiment with whatever elements we feel like including. 'Unspoken Words' is a very fast and driving record, so while we want to keep that part of our sound at the forefront, we also want to look at developing other feels through different tempos, the use of more chord-based progressions in places, and a diverse vocal range."

Since the release of "Unspoken Words", DERELICT has toured its native country relentlessly, making two 6,000-mile round trips and multiple shorter stints in support of the CD.

A mere 11 months after declaring to the world they would no longer be working together, Norwegian hard rockers FAITH CIRCUS have returned. Marc Farrano (vocals), Marius Morch (guitar), Baard Nordvik (drums) and new bassist Christer Ottesen (ex-POPIUM, FLARE) are in pre-production for a brand new studio album, to be released in the spring. Rehearsals have also begun in preparation for a series of gigs planned throughout the late summer and fall.

In other news, FAITH CIRCUS' debut album — which featured guest appearances by members of TNT, STAGE DOLLS, RETURN and JORN — will be remixed and repackaged. The new version of the CD will feature two bonus tracks — namely "Heroes" and a remake of the 1981 classic James Bond tune "For Your Eyes Only", this time sung as a duet with Robin Beck. Also in the works is the release of a new EP, "5 Live", featuring five songs recorded in concert last year in front of 200 of the band's closest friends and fans. Both releases can be expected in the fall.

In an exclusive interview with Gazeta.pl, Nergal, leader of BEHEMOTH says that he is taking his illness at face value.

Gazeta Wyborcza: Are you that strong or pretend to be?

Nergal: "Let's just say that the shit inflicted a very strong mother-fucker (laughs).Most serious illnesses like mine are healed by positive thinking. I don't rely on faith, but on strong belief in myself. I take my sickness at face value thanks to which I understand and learn more.
People ask themselves, what's next? What's the goal or reference? When they realize that it is the vermin in the ground, suddenly they're overcome with emptiness. I deal with this since the beginning. I don't care about the ideologies guaranteeing salvation and happiness after death. I live according to my own aspirations and needs. You can call it self-righteousness, I feel I am fair to myself and people around me. I try not to hurt anybody."

The entire interview will be published in Friday's edition of Polish national newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.

Video footage of former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach and his solo band performing a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Heaven And Hell" (as well as SKID ROW's "Monkey Business") as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio on what would have been Dio's 68th birthday on July 10, 2010 at the Norway Rock Festival in Kvinesdal, Norway can be viewed below.

Commented Bach: "Ronnie James Dio has always been one of my favorite singers since I was around 12 years old. I was fortunate enough to work with the man a couple of times and meet him on other occasions as well.

"We got to play Norway Rock last month and decided literally in the van on the way to the gig to do a tribute to the man that night at the show. We had no chance to rehearse the song — in fact, this was the gig where our gear didn't show up and we played on borrowed equipment. We had no soundcheck, so we just passed around my iPhone listening to the track before the show.

"I got to open for DIO at the Bronco Bowl in Texas with my band in 2000 and it was a great show. Backstage we talked about doing some touring together, which, unfortunately, never happened, but we did play together again at European festivals a couple of times.

"I asked Ronnie, 'Dude, do you think I should do 'Jekyll & Hyde' on Broadway?'

"My Broadway debut was coming up in a couple of months and I did not want to alienate the rockers. I figured I should ask the Man On The Silver Mountain myself. His answer surpirised me and I will never forget his advice.

"'Of course you should do Broadway, Sebastian. It will show people you can do more than one thing.'

"I took his advice. If it was good enough for Ronnie James Dio, it was good enough for me and rockers everywhere.

"So I asked him, 'Ronnie, would you ever do Broadway?' envisioning myself hearing that legendary voice on the Broadway stage. Once again, his answer surprised me. 'No,' came his reply. 'I am very happy doing this, it's all I ever wanted to do, it's still all I want to ever do,' Dio said.

"I guess Ronnie James Dio was happy with people 'knowing him for one thing.' Being the greatest hard rock singer ever was good enough for Dio. Which he was.

"We miss you, Ronnie James Dio. R.I.P. This one's for you."

TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick has posted the following message on his official web site:

"It's been nearly ten years since my first TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA winter tour. Each year it's been an incredible experience, traveling from arena to arena being an important part of the largest symphonic rock production in history. This year, however, I've decided to make the difficult decision of stepping out of the spotlight (and lasers, fog, fire and snow) and embarking upon new adventures.

"The reasons for this are twofold.

"As one might imagine, the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA winter tour is a demanding one — with long days and an action-packed show that calls for no less than 200% of yourself, often twice a day from the mid-October rehearsals to the final show in January.

"While the awesome response from fans and the collaboration with fellow performers make it beyond worth it, there comes a point, after so many years of annual grueling intensity, for some of us to draw upon that quarter of a year's worth of time and energy in order to launch a renewed focus on our own visions.

"In my case, this process begins with the release of a brand new album (ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO's 'Veritas', due October 15) to be followed by heavy touring, including winter dates in support of RODRIGO Y GABRIELA.

"There are many other endeavors in the works, the information of which will be continually updated online at AlexSkolnick.com. Furthermore, as someone who has been on tour with multiple projects and running on all cylinders during the entire calendar year since 2006, reclaiming this three-month period will open up the option to take breaks once in a while, remember what home looks like, lessen the constant separation from friends and loved ones and recharge my own batteries as needed.

"Of course, I'll miss doing the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tour. The stage time, friendships and overall experience has been invaluable.

"I'm grateful to Paul O'Neil and Nightcastle Management for the opportunity, to all the musicians and singers for the good times and to all the fans for the unyielding support; you guys are the best! I look forward to seeing many of you out there in different configurations."

Polish death metal veterans VADER have set "Return To The Morbid Reich" as the tentative title of their next studio album. According to guitarist/vocalist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek, the CD will be recorded in March/April 2011 at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and it will be released in August/September 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

A short question-and-answer session with Wiwczarek regarding the forthcoming album follows below.

Q: What do you mean by changes in the band's image which you mentioned on one of discussion sites?

Piotr: By image I mean the way the band is promoted, together with the new album, photo session, image itself and type of stage design. Suffice to mention photo sessions to "Black To The Blind" or "Impressions"… Of course I didn't mean any changes in hairstyle or dressing up in very popular lately leather armor. VADER doesn't need to take such steps. We will make the band's death metal nature more visible, though. I don't want to get into details too early. Recording session is planned not until March/April... but it's worth visiting our website during this period. Plenty of news will appear then and we will reveal a few details about the content of the newest album.

Q: Is a draft title of the newest album indicating a comeback to the classic "Morbid Reich" sounds or is it just an initial idea?

Piotr: It's impossible and useless to record the same album once again. I'm sure that even if we recorded a second "Morbid Reich" or previously mentioned "De Profundis", the album wouldn't get similar feedback. Times have changed, people have changed and metal has changed itself. What can be done is to try to capture the feeling of those days just to remind the roots of the band. I don't intend to revive "Morbid Reich" after 20 years. Today nobody — including me — would receive this material as at the beginning of the '90s. Moreover, how could I go back in the guitar playing techniques or forget about my rich musical experience? "Return To Morbid Reich" will be my attempt to revive the gloom of those days accompanying the creation of music and expressionist aesthetics of the 30s. The outcome? I'm curious myself. The difference would be the time devoted to the album even before entering the studio. I'll try to return to the way of working on music from before the times of "The Ultimate..." I also hope to create something together with Marek [Pajak, guitar] and Pawel [Jaroszewicz, drums].

Q: How do you assess the new band lineup? How is Marek Pajak doing? Is there any chance that he will stay there for some time?

Piotr: This decision belongs not only to me but to Marek himself as well. We're getting on really good and after a decent number of gigs played together we both know what the work in VADER looks like. I believe that we'll record more albums together. So far Pajak has confirmed that working with a professionalist and realist is a real pleasure.

Q: The idea of playing the whole album "De Profundis" is wonderful. Will you repeat it during upcoming gigs over in the USA too?

Piotr: The idea had several sources. Over a year ago Wacek came up with idea of playing "De Profundis" at concerts. However it seemed a bit inflated idea to me. A few weeks ago, however, I had an interview during which it got mentioned that it had been 15 years since the album release. Performing "legendary" albums as a whole during gigs has already been practiced by SLAYER, JUDAS PRIEST and METALLICA... so why not VADER? It's not only a classic in our discography but also an important album in the history of Polish metal (I say it not out of pure vanity; it's our fans' opinion). What's more, it will be a great diversification to the whole concert set. If it'll work out — we'll return to other albums in the future. A premiere would be the August tour across Poland. We're going to carry it on over to the USA during the tour with IMMOLATION. Not to mention the fact that the American division of Nuclear Blast particularly liked the whole idea. I wonder myself how the album will sound after so many years... and what will be the feedback of our maniacs.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based old-school metallers MANTIC RITUAL have parted ways with drummer Adam Haritan. The band states, "This was a mutual decision and we all agree that it's best for everyone involved.

"It's been obvious to us for some time that Adam was not as interested in making music as he once was, and we all thought this would be a good time for him to pursue other things while we found another drummer who can be fully dedicated to MANTIC RITUAL. There are no hard feelings between us, and we're grateful for all the time and effort Adam has put into this band over the last five years. We wish him the best and we're sure he'll be successful in whatever path he chooses.

"MANTIC RITUAL will be looking for a new drummer immediately to continue writing, recording, and touring. We'll be back in action as soon as possible!"

States Haritan: "The time has come for me to part ways with MANTIC RITUAL.

"Over the past few months, my heart has been pulling me in a different direction, and it has been hard to fight the urge to follow my passion.

"Although I will no longer be the drummer of MANTIC RITUAL, I'll always be a strong supporter of the band and remain great friends with Ben, Jeff, and Dave. Some of my most cherished memories in life involve this band, and I'll never forget them.

"Emerson stated it perfectly when he said, 'We change, whether we like it or not.'

"One year ago I had no idea that I'd be returning to school, immersed in a non-musical field, but that's the way the universe works.

"I wish nothing but the best for the band, and hope the guys thrive in everything they do."

"Push The Venom", the new video from Canadian extreme metallers KATAKLYSM, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed last month in Belgrade, Serbia with director Ivan Colic (TYPE O NEGATIVE, UNLEASHED, DEATHSTARS, EX DEO).

"Push The Venom" comes off KATAKLYSM's new album, "Heaven's Venom", which will be released on August 13 in Europe and August 24 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Prevail" was produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX) and was mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, DARK TRANQUILLITY).

Commented vocalist Maurizio Iacono: "After the crazy videos we did with EX DEO, it was only natural for us to upgrade the KATAKLYSM visuals as well.

"We decided to try to recreate the underworld fantasy atmosphere depicted in the artwork with some great visual effects.

"The song is about surviving the judgment that others cast upon you, and that which is important and feels right to you. Spread your venom and not the lies of your enemies!

"Ivan did another fantastic job and we are super-happy with it and hopefully you guys dig it too."

"Heaven's Venom" track listing:

01. A Soulless God
02. Determined (Vows Of Vengeance)
03. Faith Made Of Shrapnel
04. Push The Venom
05. Hail The Renegade
06. As The Walls Collapse
07. Numb & Intoxicated
08. At The Edge Of The World
09. Suicide River
10. Blind Savior

Dagenais previously stated about the new CD, "Everything you wish for in a KATAKLYSM album is here and some unexpected musical adventures as well. Everyone here has given 150% of themselves!

"As KATAKLYSM turns twenty next year, we want to be remembered as the band who never gave up and faced the odds. This explosive slab of metal will lead scene for future conquests and not be forgotten ever. The music, the vocals and the production are all top notch."