According to The Pulse of Radio, Trent Reznor says that NINE INCH NAILS is "not dead" even though he is focusing for the moment on HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS, the new act he has assembled with his wife, singer Mariqueen Maandig, and frequent collaborator Atticus Ross. Reznor answered selected fan questions at the HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS page on Facebook, saying about NINE INCH NAILS, "I am about to work on some material that I believe will be quite different than previous NIN very soon."

He added that HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS "frees me from some of the constraints I've begun to feel (primarily emotionally) in NIN," revealing that the band's upcoming six-song EP will come out in both digital and physical form this summer.

The first song released by the band, "A Drowning", is only available digitally.

A full-length ANGELS album will come out early next year, with some possible touring to support it.

Reznor retired NINE INCH NAILS as a live act last fall, although he said at the time he still intended to make music under that name.

The Local reports: A trainee high school teacher in Stuttgart who moonlights in a gory death metal band that includes naked, blood-smeared women in its live act, is being threatened with dismissal unless he gives up his music career.

By day, Thomas Gurrath, 29, is a trainee teacher in politics, history and ethics at Hegel Gymnasium in the city's Vaihingen district. By night, he is Thomas "The Bloodbeast" Gurrath, frontman for the gory metal band DEBAUCHERY.

Now, he's been given an ultimatum: it's one or the other. According to daily Bild on Friday, education authorities have told Gurrath he will have to give up the teacher traineeship he began on January 1 unless he quits his band.

Clemens Homoth-Kuhs, spokesman for the regional education authorities, told the paper: "We have in the end agreed that Mr. Gurrath is now to stop his traineeship, but have told him that he can start again under certain conditions."

An edited version of "Revolution, Baby", the new single from Swedish/British modern metallers SONIC SYNDICATE, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off SONIC SYNDICATE's new album, "We Rule The Night", which will be released in Europe on August 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden and was mixed at Paramount Studios in North Hollywood, California by producer Toby Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.

Swedish modern metallers DEAD BY APRIL will be returning to the UK in October for a full run of dates supporting MY PASSION.

In advance of these shows, on May 17th, the band will be releasing a new double A-side digital single, comprising of ‘Love Like Blood’ and ‘Promise Me’.

‘Love Like Blood’, a cover of the KILLING JOKE classic, is taken from a forthcoming Killing Joke tribute album (also featuring artists such as METALLICA, FOO FIGHTERS and HELMET), whilst ‘Promise Me’ can be found on Dead By April's debut self-titled album, a #2 record in their native Finland.

The band recently confirmed a lineup change, with guitarist/vocalist Pontus Hjelm being replaced by Zandro Santiago (Pontus, however, will continue as a non-touring member of the writing team). This means that Santiago will share vocal duties with Jimmie Strimell, leaving Johan Olsson to take care of all guitar parts live.

The Pulse of Radio reports that Courtney Love slammed LIMP BIZKIT frontman Fred Durst last Saturday night (May 1) during a performance at a radio festival in Dallas where both her band HOLE and LIMP BIZKIT were appearing. According to SFGate.com, Love took the opportunity between songs during HOLE's Edgefest set to put down Durst and LIMP BIZKIT's 1999 hit "Nookie", saying, "I have to say, as much as I like Fred, he brought about the worst years in rock history. That just be (sic) a fact, OK? That just be a fact. 'I did it for the nookie!' I did not do it for the nookie, I did it for the rock! I'm just saying, man, he's a nice guy, but Jesus!"

Love then called out — and gave the middle finger to — a concertgoer who was wearing a hat similar to Durst's trademark red baseball cap.

She said, "I see (a) guy with (a) backwards baseball cap. Dude, you! You scare me! You make me feel like you're going to rape me or something, and all my children! You did it for the nookie, dude in the red baseball hat! Do you know one word to one (HOLE) song? That is so lame. I'm so sorry, you're here for the nookie! I could beat your ass."

There was no word on whether Durst heard about or responded to Love's comments.

HOLE is touring in support of its first album in 12 years, "Nobody's Daughter", while LIMP BIZKIT's first full-length record with its original lineup in 11 years, "Gold Cobra", arrives this summer.

German power metallers HUMAN FORTRESS have parted ways with singer Jioti Parcharidis. A band update reads:

"He has serious health problems, so it's not possible for him to sing any longer for Human Fortress or any other band.

For those who have read it in the press the last days, it is now confirmed. His health has first priority and Human Fortress wishes him all the best to get well again.

We keep him in our memory as the former voice of Human Fortress who created something very special with us and it was a great pleasure for us all to work with him and produce the albums Lord Of Earth And Heavens Heir and Defenders Of The Crown.

In the meantime, we continue our work on a new album. Already ten tracks are finished in the old Human Fortress style with epic and folk parts you will remember from prior releases. Another two tracks are composed and are now waiting to be recorded.

It's time for a new part in the history of Human Fortress. We are searching for a new voice now!"

San Francisco's EARLY GRAVES has completed work on its sophomore album, "Goner", for a June 22 release via Ironclad/Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2008's "We: The Guillotine" was recorded at Louder Studios (MELVINS, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, SAVIOURS) by Tim Green (THE FUCKING CHAMPS, NATION OF ULYSSES) and mastered by John Golden at Golden Mastering. The artwork was created by Nat Damm Design (MONOTONIX, AKIMBO, THE FUCKING WRATH).

"Goner" is described in a press release as "a ragged, pissed off amalgamation of heavy self-medication, year-long blackouts and all the depression of an a thousand-yard stare. . . Combining the best elements of HELLACOPTERS/TURBONEGRO rock n' roll with BLACK FLAG- and BAD BRAINS-inspired hardcore with a crushing balance of both MORBID ANGEL's heaviness and the raw intensity of power violence pioneers DROPDEAD and MASSKONTROLL, EARLY GRAVES have set the bar for complete, unhinged self destruction."

Commented vocalist Makh Daniels: "I guess the record is about alcoholism... and all the bullshit that comes with it. All the 'whys' and 'how-comes' and our stupid fucking excuses for it.

"I can't say that this will be the heaviest record you've ever heard or the best recording or the most musically precise, but I can say that, at least, it's fucking honest."

"Goner" track listing:

01. Goner
02. Faith is Shit
03. Old Bones
04. Rot
05. MayDay
06. Wraiths
07. Trauma
08. Give Up
09. Bastard Tears
10. Harm

Known for its ability to combine the hardest elements of European death metal, American hardcore and old-school thrash, HELL WITHIN is poised to release its new full-length album, "God Grant Me Vengeance", on July 13 via Thorp Records. The CD was recorded in February at Damage Studios with producer Peter Rutcho , who has previously worked with BURY YOUR DEAD, UNEARTH and REVOCATION, among others.

Two songs from "God Grant Me Vengeance" — "Condemning The Bloodline" and the title track, "God Grant Me Vengeance" — are available for streaming below.

"Condemning The Bloodline":"God Grant Me Vengeance":

OBSERVANT, the new Finnish metal band featuring members of FINNTROLL and CHTHONIAN, has made its debut EP, "Corrodead", available via MySpace. The EP was recorded at Studio KPB by the bandmembers themselves, and was mixed and mastered by Sami "Hannu" Koivisto at Biotech Audio Solutions and Nordic Audio Labs.

OBSERVANT was formed in late 2008 in Pietarsaari, Finland by Mikael Ekstedt, Kenna Nygård and Staffan Holmnäs (CHTHONIAN) after a late night in the bar. Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) and Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) joined the band the following year and the lineup was complete.

All members of OBSERVANT have played together in Pietarsaari before in various bands like DEGENERATE, DEVIOUS IMP, TWILIGHT MOON, etc.

OBSERVANT is:

Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) - Vocals
Mikael Ekstedt - Guitar
Kenna Nygård - Drums
Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) - Bass
Staffan Holmnäs (CHTHONIAN) - Guitar

ANNIHILATOR guitarist/ founder Jeff Waters recently discussed life as a professional musician after 20+ years and thirteen albums. An excerpt is available below:

Waters: “It was a lot of fun doing the Metal album but honestly – totally honest – it was just another record. You can’t have this pressure and stress where you say ‘I guess if this album doesn’t sell well that’s it for the band…’ or ‘I hope this thing makes a lot of money.’ We don’t think like that. For us it’s a big deal that we have the chance to make another album. We sit and look in the mirror and say ‘This is awesome, be grateful and enjoy the fucking thing.’ The only stress I have doing a record these days is whether I’m out of coffee or not. That’s the only way you can do this.”

Annihilator are due to release their new self-titled studio album on May 17th in Europe via Earache Records, Japan via Marquee and in Australia via Riot Entertainment.

The new song, 'Betrayed', is now streaming at this location.

The tracklisting for the CD is as follows:

'The Trend'
'Coward'
'Ambush'
'Betrayed'
'25 Seconds'
'Nowhere To Go'
'The Other Side'
'Death In Your Eyes'
'Payback'
'Romeo Delight'

Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS have entered the studio to begin recording their fifth album, due this fall via Prosthetic Records/Razor & Tie. To engage fans in the recording process, Phil Labonte (vocals), Oli Herbert (guitar), Mike Martin (guitar), Jeanne Sagan (bass) and Jason Costa (drums) have set up AllThatRemainsTV.com, a streaming video site set up in their recording studio. Fans can look to the band's social networking sites for detailed broadcast schedules, giveaways, and weekly chat sessions, but the feed is constantly streaming and any of the band members as well as the album's producer, Adam Dutkiewicz from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, may pop into the chat room at a random time.

While fans wait for the new album, they can find several of their favorite songs from ALL THAT REMAINS' latest album, "Overcome", on the Rock Band Network for the Xbox Marketplace. The new songs that are now available for download are "Days Without", "Undone" and "Forever In Your Hands".

Vocalist Adrian O' Shaughnessy, better known in some circles as Aio, was a candidate in 2007 for the planned third FRAMESHIFT album, The God Delusion. O' Shaughnessy has resurfaced with audition material for DRAGONFORCE, who are currently looking for a replacement for departed singer ZP Theart who left the band in March. He has issued the following update:

"Hi Folks,

So here it is, my audition vocals for Dragonforce. I really enjoyed the soaring melodies of this tune and it suited my vocal style pretty well. I think I'm supposed to record a vid of me singing it live and post it on YouTube but to be honest I'm not sure Dragonforce would be interested. If they hear this and get in touch then I'll record a vid and post it up. Turn it up!"

Ibex Moon Records has announced the upcoming release of the special collector's vinyl edition of all-time classic, death metal masterpiece "The Rack" from the mighty Dutch outfit ASPHYX.

The release will only be available from Ibex Moon Records and Abyss Records mailorder. The first 25 copies sold through either IbexMoonRecords.com or OfficialAbyssRecords.com will be autographed by band members Martin Van Drunen and Bob Bagchus. It is limited to 666 copies on blue vinyl and includes new liner notes with commentary by journalists, fans, fellow musicians, and the bandmembers themselves. The album also comes with an 18" x 24" ASPHYX poster.

"The Rack" defines "brutality" with its abrasive chainsaw guitars, doom churn to death romp tempos, and a sickening vocal style from Martin Van Drunen that sounds like he was being tortured during the recording of the LP.

"The Rack" will ship on June 8, 2010.

The track listing is as follows:

01. The Quest Of Absurdity
02. Vermin
03. Diabolical Existence
04. Evocation
05. Wasteland Of Terror
06. The Sickening Dwell
07. Ode To A Nameless Grave
08. Pages In Blood
09. The Rack

Swiss goth metal veterans LACRIMOSA will release their 20th anniversary release, Schattenspiel, tomorrow (May 7th).

The band have issued the following message:

"One might ask himself, why don't Lacrimosa simply release a best of compilation?

Very easy: a best of compilation is for people who don't really know a band and with such a compilation of hits they shall be forced to like this band. But what about those who are listening to a band for many years and who have all their CDs already? What shall they do with a best of?

For the 20th anniversary we didn't want to make a CD for those who didn't care about Lacrimosa in the past, we made a CD for those whom we have to thank for this anniversary: you, our audience!

And since we've been asked by you many times if we could finally release those compositions that we didn't include to regular albums, we now meet your wishes and present 16 unreleased and 2 brandnew tracks on Schattenspiel!

But, some may ask now, what shall we do with left-over songs?

At Lacrimosa there is no class society between the songs, because our aim is not to write hits, our aim is to express feelings and feelings are relative. If we didn't release a song at its time there was always a reason for it. An example: on Schattenspiel (= shadow play) there are compositions which were as important to the developement of Lacrimosa as supporting pillars in the house of our art and we couldn't just pull them out of this building back in those days. In the course of the years we kept on building and those parts of the house are self-supporting nowadays. Today we can tear out those pillars without everything collapsing!

Thus every title on Schattenspiel has its own history and in the booklet of the CD I write about all those stories and explain the relevance for Lacrimosa of each title.

With this in mind we wish you exciting and moving moments with the music that in the past 20 years we have played in the shadow!"

Norway's SWORN has issued the following update:

"We'd like to inform you that we're currently working on material for our third album. Half of it is already complete, and it's enormous, to say the least!

"Our deadline is set to end of August, and our plans are to have the album recorded by the end of 2010.

"Some working titles are:

• The Silver Asylum
• Corridors of Dark Salvation
• The Keeper
• Mot Stupet (Norwegian lyrics)

"Also, SWORN and Dag Dreggen Anderson (bass) have split ways, and we will do live shows with a session bass player until we find a suitable replacement.

"We want to thank Dreggen for his duties on the 'Bastards And Conquerors' album, and wish him good luck with his other projects.

"Regarding live shows, we're working on a tour for the 'Bastards And Conquerors' album, but nothing is certain on this matter yet."

France's HYPNOSIS have issued the following message from guitarist Pierre Bouthemy:

"It's over... After 17 years, Cindy (Goloubkoff - guitar, vocals) and I have decided to put an end to Hypnosis.

It was not an easy decision to make, and however important this band may be in our lives, we didn't feel the motivation to continue anymore.

We are very proud of all that we've done, and want to thank all the people, past and present, involved in this project, and all the people that supported us during these years.

Thanks a lot."

Italy's EXILIA have issued the following update:

"The new special edition of Naked is coming out soon on May 21st, but It's getting closer to time to previewing the new songs for all of you. So keep an eye out this week and next for new songs that we will post for everyone that has been waiting.

On May 6th on the official MySpace page you can listen to the the full previews of some songs included in Naked. Furthermore at the next live show+ release party that will take place at Settimo Milanese Palazzo Granaio for all the closest fans it will be possible to buy as a first ever preview a copy of Naked. So if you are around the area of the club, don't miss the show!"

Producer Kevin Shirley recently finished mixing the new IRON MAIDEN album, "The Final Frontier", at his studio for a late summer release. The CD was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas with Shirley at the helm.

Shirley previously worked on the last three MAIDEN albums — 2000's "Brave New World", 2003's "Dance of Death" and 2006's "A Matter of Life and Death".

Witing in the "Caveman's Diary" section of his Caveman Productions web site, Shirley states about the final stages of the recording process for the new IRON MAIDEN CD, "Bruce Dickinson [vocals] flew in for a few days and sang all his parts before flying off to the four corners of the globe and Steve Harris [bass] stayed behind to finish the record with me. He's pretty hands-on like that. Adrian Smith [guitar] dropped in from time to time to hear stuff, and like in any band, not everyone has the same end result in mind, but we get there.

"That's the kind of watered-down stuff I can tell you.

"I will tell you that IRON MAIDEN are the best band in the world to work for — it's a family and they are the most grounded guys I have ever met in this business. Nary a Ferrari in sight."

The next IRON MAIDEN album will be the band's fifteenth studio record, and they face a challenge to follow up "A Matter of Life and Death", which was received well critically and saw the group play the whole album on tour.

Speaking at last year's premiere of the band's documentary film "Iron Maiden: Flight 666", guitarist Adrian Smith stated, "There's always a bit of pressure to follow up the last album. In a way, it's good, because it motivates you.

"We never get complacent; we always try our best for our own sake as much as anything else. As far as pressure for another album, we just do what we do — we've been doing it long enough now; we know what we're doing. [laughs]"

"Heirs To Thievery", the brand new album from Baltimore, Maryland's MISERY INDEX, is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. Due in North America on May 11 via Relapse Records, the CD was recorded at Wright Way Studios (DYING FETUS, SLIPKNOT, MOS DEF) with engineer Steve Wright.

"Heirs To Thievery" track listing:

01. Embracing Extinction
02. Fed To The Wolves
03. The Carrion Call
04. Heirs To Thievery
05. Spectator
06. The Seventh Cavalry
07. Illuminaught
08. Plague Of Objects
09. You Lose
10. Sleeping Giants

Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X) have completed work on the third ALLEN / LANDE collaborative album for a September release via Frontiers Records. Entitled "The Showdown", the CD was mixed by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER, SILENT FORCE) and once again features material written by Swedish guitar sensation Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR, STARBREAKER, LAST TRIBE).

According to a press release, "The Showdown" "shows again that the musical direction will be epic, grandiose and very melodic hard-rocking music. The cover art was designed specifically for the project once again by the amazing Rodney Matthews."

A video for the song "Judgement Day" was shot in Scandinavia in April under the direction of Thomas Tjader (SAINT DEAMON, ISSA). Watch a trailer for the clip below.

German pagan metallers EQUILIBRIUM will release their new album, "Rekreatur", on June 18 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. In Heiligen Hallen
02. Der Ewige Sieg
03. Verbrannte Erde
04. Die Affeninsel
05. Der Wassermann
06. Aus Ferner Zeit
07. Fahrtwind
08. Wenn Erdreich Bricht
09. Kurzes Epos

The first trailer for the album can be viewed below. Also available is an acoustic version of the track "Heimwärts", which will appear on the "Rekreatur" bonus CD.

METALFORCE — the German metal band led by former MAJESTY singer vocalist Tarek "MS" Maghary — has issued the following update:

"Due to personal health issues, Josef Echter [rhythm guitar] will not be able to continue to play in METALFORCE. This has been a very hard decision for him but the band supports his decision. We wish him all the best and the fastest possible recovery. We will continue as a quartet from now on."

Josef Echter officially joined METALFORCE in January. He made his live debut with the band on the German/Dutch leg of MANOWAR's "Death To Infidels" European tour.

METALFORCE's self-titled debut album was released last summer via Magic Circle Music, the record label owned by members of MANOWAR. According to the band's official bio, the members of METALFORCE "honor their fans with anthems of power and might. It's the stuff metal legends are made of and METALFORCE is destined to become one and the same. There [are] 11 new songs to motivate 'true metal' fans to raise their flags and pledge their allegiance. . . METALFORCE promises to unite the world of 'true metal' through the power of passion, expressed through their music."

Commented Maghary: "True metal doesn't follow commercial trends, it comes from your heart, it's truthful, it's totally honest, an honesty that is dedicated to your music and your fans."