Italian thrash-death metallers SAWTHIS (formerly SOTHIS) have inked a deal with Scarlet Records. the band's sophomore album, "Egod", will be released on May 17. The CD was recorded at Petemkin Studios with producer Paolo Ojetti (INFERNAL POETRY). 13 songs were written for the album and 10 of them were tracked for the final product. Daniele "Axo" Galassi from INFERNAL POETRY played a guest guitar solo on "Barabba", which is said to be "the most atypical song that SAWTHIS has ever written."

SAWTHIS will begin a tour in May supporting the legendary Polish band VADER in Eastern Europe.

SAWTHIS's debut album, "Fusion", was released in April 2006 via Italy's Temple Of Noise Records.

POISON singer Bret Michaels' web site has been updated with the following message:

"Everyone at Michaels Entertainment would like to thank all fans and friends for their continued thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

"At this point Bret remains in ICU in critical condition. He is under 24-hour doctor's care and supervision. We are hopeful that further tests will locate the source of the bleeding, which has still not been located.

"As we all know, Bret is a fighter and we are hopeful that once all is complete, the slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness, etc. will be eliminated and all functions will return to normal.

"More information will be posted as it becomes available."

Former ANTHRAX vocalist Dan Nelson will head over to the West Coast soon to begin rehearsing with his new band BLACKGATES, also featuring drummer Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, ex-EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN), guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Uriah Duffy (WHITESNAKE). "[I] can't wait to get out there and jam with the guys," Nelson writes in his SkullsNBones.com blog. "We have a lot of ideas and tunes to work on. HEAVY stuff here."

Nelson previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, " It's thrashy and heavy, so will appeal to ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT fans. But has the groove and brutality of PANTERA, and is also very melodic. The guitarist is a kid from the Bay Area named Jeremy Epp, who's an unknown, but sensational. People are gonna love him."

According to Nelson, he has also been working on his own music on his home turf in Long Island, New York with his drummer of the last seven years from INSIDE HOLLOW, Frankie Apicelli. Dan says, "The project will be called CHILDE OF HALE. The music is very dark, ala BLACK SABBATH/THE DOORS meets something pissed off at everything! [I'm] stoked to get that into everyone's ears very soon as well."

Regarding his split with ANTHRAX in July 2009, Nelson told The Metal Den, "I never live my life with any regrets and never look back and wish I did something different. I chose instead to look forward to the future. We did some great things in the time we wrote and performed together, and I am very proud of that."

The track listing has been revealed for KORN's new album, "Korn III - Remember Who You Are", which is tentatively due late June/early July via Roadrunner Records. The first single from the CD, "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)", will go for radio adds at the end of May.

"Korn III - Remember Who You Are" track listing:

01. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
02. Pop A Pill
03. Fear Is A Place To Live
04. Move On
05. Lead The Parade
06. Let The Guilt Go
07. The Past
08. Never Around
09. Are You Ready To Live?
10. Holding All These Lies

KORN's ninth offering, "Korn III - Remember Who You Are", is the band's first effort for brand new label home, Roadrunner Records, and it bursts at the seams with that very feeling that defined the band from the get-go. Each song unleashes an uneasiness reminiscent of KORN's earliest and most unbridled material, but there’s also a modern refinement that's epic in its execution.

Audio samples of all the songs that appear on "Miracle", the new album from the Ft. Lauderdale hard rock quartet NONPOINT, are available for streaming on Amazon.com.

"Miracle" will be released in Europe on June 14 via Powerage Records. The CD will be made available in the U.S. on May 4 via the band's own 954 Records in partnership with Rocket Science Ventures / RED / Sony.

"Miracle" track listing:

01. Shadow
02. Miracle
03. Crazy
04. Frontlines
05. Looking Away
06. Electricity
07. What You've Got For Me
08. Throwing Stones
09. 5 Minutes Alone
10. What I've Become
11. Dangerous Waters
12. Lucky #13

"Combat", a brand new track from German death metal and hardcore fusionists HEAVEN SHALL BURN, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's new album, "Invictus", which will be released via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: Friday, May 21
Spain, Italy : Tuesday, May 25
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, May 26
Rest Of Europe: Monday, May 24
North America: Tuesday, June 8

The CD was recorded at Tue Madsen's Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark with the band's the two guitarists, Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz, handling production duties.

Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX recently entered Sonic Assault studio to record two new songs. One of the cuts, "We Doom You To Death", will appear on the upcoming split seven-inch single with Finnish doom/deathsters HOODED MENACE. ASPHYX says, "The title says it all...it's brutally doomy and heavy." The second track is a cover of the song "Bestial Vomit" from the 1988 demo by the mighty MAJESTY from the U.S. ASPHYX comments: "Since MAJESTY is a big influence of ASPHYX, we thought it was a good idea to honour that excellent demo this way."

ASPHYX recently parted ways with bassist Wannes Gubbels and replaced him with Alwin Zuur (PULVERIZER, ESCUTCHEON).

ASPHYX's new lineup made its live debut at this year's edition of the Hammer Of Doom festival on February 6 at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany.

ASPHYX 2010 (pictured below) is:

Martin van Drunen (vocals)
Alwin Zuur (bass)
Paul Baayens (guitar)
Bob Bagchus (drums)

ASPHYX's "Death...The Brutal Way" video can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by Oliver Barth of Visions In Fear.

"Death...The Brutal Way" is the title track of ASPHYX's comeback album, which was released in Europe on June 22, 2009 via Century Media Records (September 1 in the U.S. via Ibex Moon Records). The CD was recorded at the Sonic Assault studio and engineered by Frank Klein Douwel (who is also the band's live sound engineer). Mixing duties were handled Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.
The limited-edition version of "Death...The Brutal Way" contains additional slipcase packaging as well as a bonus DVD featuring the band's entire, unforgettable reunion show from 2007's Party.San festival in Bad Berka, Germany.

California tech-death masters DECREPIT BIRTH will release their third album, "Polarity", on July 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. Drums for the CD were tracked at Sharkbite Studios (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS) in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, SUFFOCATION, IMMOLATION) while the rest of the recordings were overseen by guitarist Matt Sotelo before the entire effort was mixed by Ohren at Castle Ultimate Studios.

Commented Sotelo: "'Polarity' is a musical odyssey into the mind and soul, covering many different emotions. This album really fuses together where we are as musicians, by combining melody and brutality on a new level."

"Polarity" track listing:

01. (A Departure of the Sun) Ignite the Tesla Coil
02. Metatron
03. Resonance
04. Polarity
05. Solar Impulse
06. Mirroring Dimensions
07. A Brief Odyssey in Time
08. The Quickening of Time
09. Sea of Memories
10. Symbiosis
11. Darkness Embrace

Mail-order-edition bonus track:

12. See Through Dreams (DEATH cover)

Check out video footage from the studio below. Photos are available at this location.

DECREPIT BIRTH, founded in 2001, has so far released two highly acclaimed albums, "…And Time Begins" (2003) and "Diminishing Between Worlds" (2008).

"Diminishing Between Worlds" was released in January 2008 via Unique Leader Records. The CD was recorded at Castle Ultimate studios with engineer/producer Zack Ohren.

New York City-based power metallers GOTHIC KNIGHTS are putting the finishing touches on the long-awaited follow-up to 2003's "Up from the Ashes", tentatively due before the end of the year. The band states, "Our next CD is going to be mixed this July at Trax East Studios by Eric Rachel!

"This next CD from beginning to end, is going to feature our darker and heavier side, and we expect to release it sometime soon after. The cover artwork, which is already finished, was developed by Eliran Kantor.

"It's been a long time since our last release, but we feel that this next CD is going to be a great representation of the band's growth musically and sonically!"

"Up from the Ashes" was released in 2003 on LMP/SPV.

Vocalist Ville Valo of Finnish "love" metallers HIM was interviewed prior to the band's April 10, 2010 concert at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Watch the chat below.

When asked how HIM's new CD, "Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice", is being received by the band's fans, Ville replied, "People are liking the album, but nobody's really buying it, because nobody's buying albums anymore, and that sucks."

He continued, "A lot of people expect us to behave like rock stars, but we can't afford it. So I'm really glad that I did all the Jim Morrison-type stupidity in the late '90s and early 2000s — that's when we still had money. Now I'm just drinking water and writing sentimental, miserable songs.

"We just toured a couple of countries in Europe and we played a lot of the new songs. And everybody in the audience was singing along to the lyrics — in countries where the album had only sold, officially, like, five copies. It's kinda unsexy in that sense, but I can't be complaining in a way that we still do have the opportunity of travelling around, and there's a lot of people who wanna see us live, so that's great."

MUSICA DIABLO — the São Paulo, Brazil-based thrash metal project featuring SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, guitarist André NM (NITROMINDS), bassist Ricardo Brigas, guitarist André Germani Curci (KORZUS, THREAT) and drummer Edu Nicollini (NITROMINDS) — will release its self-titled debut album on May 28 via SAOL / H'Art / Zebralution. The CD's cover artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes, who has previously worked with ARCH ENEMY, GOD FORBID and OLD MAN'S CHILD.

"Musica Diablo" track listing:

01. Sweet Revenge
02. Sacrifice
03. Live To Buy
04. Underlord
05. Work Out
06. Lifeless
07. In The Name Of Greed
08. Betrayed
09. The Flame Of Anger
10. Twisted Hate
11. The Rack

"Musica Diablo" will be released in South America with different artwork from the version that will be made available in the rest of the world.

Commented André NM: "It was never our intention to create more than one cover for the album, but Gustavo Sazes came with at least four amazing covers and made our choosing process a living hell! Therefore we decided then to have the two covers we liked most to be released simultaneously, as the costs for such effort are big, we came with the idea of giving each continent a different cover."

Added Sazes: ''It was not that easy to mix and blend to the bone modern influences and old-school feelings, but I think we did a really great job on it. It's a really iconic and symbolic cover with some small details that fans will dig into. Red is our main theme here and for sure it reflects the rage and fury within their music. I’m really happy with the results. The beast is really inside those arts."

Swedish doom metallers NOX AUREA have inked a deal with the Austrian label Napalm Records. The band's new album, "Ascending In Triumph", is tentatively due in the summer.

Commented the group in a statement: "We are proud to announce that NOX AUREA recently signed a deal with the Austrian label Napalm Records for the new album, 'Ascending in Triumphant', and we are strongly motivated to work together with this respected and enterprising label."

"Ascending in Triumph" was recorded at Studio Underground with producer Pelle Saether. The album further reflects NOX AUREA's musical journey into the concealed realms of dark arts, mysticism and obscure philosophy.

NOX AUREA is:

Peter Laustsen - Guitar, Synth
Grim Vindkall - Guitar, Synth, Vocals
Robert Persson - Bass, Synth, Vocals
Patrick Kullberg - Vocals
Alice Persell - Vocals
Joakim Antonsson - Drums

NOX AUREA's debut album, "Via Gnosis", was released last year via the Russian label Solitude Productions.

"The Abyss", a brand new song from reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's new studio album, "Blood Of Nations", which is scheduled for release in North America on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band's 15th LP was recorded at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE). The CD — which will mark the recording debut of the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — will contain around 14 tracks, including "Teutonic Terror". "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations" and "Pandemic".

Opposive Views reports that POISON singer Bret Michaels is in stable condition after suffering a brain hemorrhage, according to TMZ.com. Michaels is "awake, in good spirits and talking," says the gossip site. That's an upgrade from earlier in the day when his publicist, Joann Mignano, confirmed he was in critical condition.

Michaels, the star of such shows as "Rock of Love" and a contestant on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice", had an emergency appendectomy last week.

Trump issued a statement saying he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Michaels' condition. "He's a great competitor and champion, and I hope he will be fine."

"Napalm", the new EP from Finland's ROTTEN SOUND, is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. The CD features three brand new ROTTEN SOUND songs and three NAPALM DEATH covers along with a bonus DVD that includes a full live set from the Obscene Extreme festival.

The EP's complete track listing is:

01. Mindkill
02. Dead Remains
03. Brainload
04. The Kill
05. Missing Link
06. Suffer The Children

"Napalm" was released on March 30 in North America and April 5 internationally via Relapse Records.

"Everyone Bleeds Now", the new video from Connecticut hardcore/metal masters HATEBREED, can be viewed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The clip was filmed in Vienna, Austria during the band's European tour with MACHINE HEAD. Martin Kame directed the video and also programmed HATEBREED's light show/pyro.

The "Everyone Bleeds Now" clip will make its television debut on MTV2's "Headbangers Ball" this coming Monday night, April 26 at 3 a.m. EST.

The new self-titled album from HATEBREED sold 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 37 on The Billboard 200 chart.

HATEBREED's last collection of new material, "Supremacy", opened with around 27,000 copies back in September 2006 to land at No. 31. This number was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Rise Of Brutality", which shifted more than 32,000 copies back in November 2003 to debut at No. 30.

HATEBREED's covers album, entitled "For The Lions", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in May 2009 to debut at position No. 58 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Hatebreed" was released in North America on September 29, 2009 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The effort was made available on CD, digital download, vinyl and special edition with a bonus 65-minute DVD.

"Hatebreed" was issued on Roadrunner in all other territories.

"Weed Out The Weak", the new video from Swedish metallers HYPOCRISY, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Denis Goria, a popular French photographer who previously worked on PAIN's (the band led by HYPOCRISY's Peter Tägtgren) "Monkey Business" video.

HYPOCRISY's February 27 concert at the Blue Box club in Sofia, Bulgaria was filmed for an upcoming DVD release.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Valley Of The Damned
02. Hang Him High
03. Fractured Millenium
04. Adjusting The Sun
05. Eraser
06. Medley: Pleasure Of Molestation / Osculum Obscenum / Penetralia
07. Medley: Apocalypse / 4th Dimension
08. Killing Art
09. A Coming Race
10. Let The Knife Do The Talking
11. Weed Out The Weak
12. A Fire In The Sky
--------------------------
13. The Final Chapter
14. Warpath
15. Roswell 47 (666)

On May 21, LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — will release a "special fan edition" of its latest album, "Njord", in Germany, Austria and Switzerland containing three previously unreleased tracks — "At Heaven's End", "Angus and the Swan" and an acoustic version of "Irish Rain". The set also features an appearance by Liv's sister, Carmen Elise Espenaes from MIDNATTSOL, as a guest vocalist on "Irish Rain". The special fan edition comes with a noble matt and glossy foil printed slipcase, which is strictly limited.

The "special fan edition" of "Njord" consists of the "Njord" digipack, including two bonus tracks, as well as the brand new bonus CD "At Heaven's End", which contains seven non-album tracks, and the "My Destiny" video.

"Njord - Special Fan Edition" contents:

"Njord" (limited-edition digipak)

01. Njord
02. My Destiny
03. Emerald Island
04. Take the Devil in Me
05. Scarborough Fair
06. Through Our Veins
07. Irish Rain
08. Northbound
09. Ragnarok
10. Morgenland
11. The Holy Bond
12. Frøya's Theme
13. Landscape of the Dead (bonus track)
14. Les Champs de Lavande (bonus track)

"At Heaven's End" (bonus CD)

01. At Heaven's End (non-album track)
02. Angus and the Swan (non-album track)
03. Irish Rain (acoustic version - non-album track)
04. The Battle of Maldon (non-album track)
05. Scarborough Fair (acoustic version - non-album track)
06. Nine Wave Maidens (non-album track)
07. My Destiny (remix - non-album track)
08. My Destiny (video)

AAARRG Records has set a June 10 release date for "Wanderer On The Edge Of Time", the new album from the legendary German progressive thrash outfit MEKONG DELTA. According to a posting on the band's web site, "It has become clear that the story that began with one song ('Shades Of Doom'), followed by half an album (Rondo for Rockgroup 'Dances Of Death') is continued as a full album on 'Wanderer On The Edge Of Time'. More progressive than MEKONG DELTA has ever done, this album will definitely beat 'Dance Of Death' as MEKONG's finest."

"Wanderer On The Edge Of Time" track listing:

01. Intro - Concert Guitar
02. Ouverture
03. "A Certain Fool" ( Le Fou ) / Movement 1
04. Interlude 1 - Group
05. "The 5th Element" (Le Bateleur) / Movement 2
06. Interlude 2 - Group
07. "The Apocalypt - World In Shards" ( La Maison Dieu ) / Movement 3
08. Interlude 3 - Concert Guitar
09. "King With Broken Crown" (Le Diable) / Movement 4
10. Intermezzo (Instrumental) / Movement 5
11. Interlude 4 - Group
12. "Affection" (L' Amoureux) / Movement 6
13. Interlude 5 - Group
14. "Mistaken Truth" (Le Hérétique) / Movement 7
15. Finale

France's Season of Mist has inked a deal with Chile's MAR DE GRISES — the first South American signing in the label's history! The band's third full-length album will be released later this year.

"We are very happy about this deal with Season of Mist," the band comments. "For a young band like MAR DE GRISES, it is really exciting to be part of an impressive roster with big names such as MORBID ANGEL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, MAYHEM and CYNIC, among many others. We are also proud to be the first Ibero-American band working with this company. It is an important motivation to continue composing this kind of music on the other side of the world, in Chile.

"This partnership with Season of Mist represents a big step for us. It is exactly what we were looking for, as it enables us to share our music with more metalheads than ever before!

"We are nearly done composing the new album and are about to start the recording process. We couldn't wish for a better incentive than to know we will have the best support for our upcoming campaigns.

"We can't wait to come back to Europe!"

MAR DE GRISES' last album, "Draining the Waterheart", was released in April 2008 via Firebox Records. Two separate versions of the LP were made available: the regular album and a limited-edition digipack (A5 format) that included a bonus mini-CD, entitled "Unconscios Passenger". The artwork was designed by Tuomo Lethonen (SWALLOW THE SUN, GRAVE FLOWERS).

MAR DE GRISES is:

Sergio Alvarez - Guitar
Alejandro Arce - Drums
Rodrigo Gálvez - Bass
Rodrigo Morris - Guitar
Juan Escobar - Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer

Gore metal legends NECROPHAGIA have completed the songwriting process for their long-awaited new album, "Deathtrip 69". According to the band, "The new material sounds like it should have chronologically followed 'Season of the Dead', consisting of very dark and heavy riffs interwoven with audio horror and inhuman vocals. [Frontman] Killjoy [real name: Frank Pucci] is full of praises for the new lineup and says that although it's been a very long time since the band has been active, it's the beginning of a rollercoater ride into horror hell! Inspiration is at an all-time peak and having known guitarist Boris Randall for over twenty years makes things a lot easier when it comes songwriting 'because we are always thinking in the same direction musically.' Another element brought back to NECROPHAGIA is lead guitar passages courtesy of Randall.

"Songs definitely set to appear are as follows:

* Beast With Feral Claws
* Suffering Comes In Sixes
* Naturan Demonto
* Reborn Through Black Mass
* A Funeral For Solange
* Tomb With A View

"NECROPHAGIA will mark their return on June 26th 2010 headling the FireWalk Fest in Milwaukee. Next up [is the] 'Deathtrip 69' [release] this fall along with a U.S./Canadian tour with THE MOST legendary black metal band from Norway (bands and dates will be announced very shortly).

"A demo version of 'Beast with Feral Claws' will be world-premiered on the NECROPHAGIA MySpace page on Saturday, April 24."

NECROPHAGIA will begin working on a series of videos for an upcoming DVD, to be titled "The Gospel of Gore", once it has completed the recording of its long-awaited new album, "Deathtrip 69". Some early names the band has expressed interest in working with include Hart D. Fisher, Jim Vanbebber, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Tom Savini, Ryan Nicholson, Toe Tag Pictures, Don Edmonds, Gunnar Hansen, Jovanka Vuckovic and Mariano Baino.

Brendon Small, co-creator of "Metalocalypse", the smash hit animated series on Adult Swim featuring the fictitious metal band DETHKLOK, told Metal Injection at the the Revolver Golden Gods Awards that he is working on a new side project with Gene Hoglan (FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL).

He said: "I'm finishing the season then I'm going into the studio and I'm finishing a solo record that me and Gene Hoglan, and the same DETHKLOK producer did, so if you like DETHKLOK, it'll be the same thing, and it'll come out this fall."

When asked if the tone of the record would be less silly, he quipped, "It'll be as wise-assy as it needs to be but if you like the riff style, the double kicks, the Gene Hoglan playing, the guitar playing… the vocals will be a bit more melodic but still a heavy project."

German progressive metallers VANDEN PLAS will release their new concept album, "The Seraphic Clockwork", on June 4 in Europe and June 22 in the U.S. via Frontiers Records.

Highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, "The Seraphic Clockwork" is a fascinating concept album, which not only shows the quintet's exceptional technical skills, but also highlights their impressive development as songwriters. The new album sounds more multi-layered, progressive and metal-oriented than any previous VANDEN PLAS release. "I think that my penchant for music of the tougher persuasion shines through more than ever before on this album," comments guitarist Stephan Lill, who — along with keyboardist Günter Werno and vocalist Andy Kuntz — makes up the group's creative triumvirate. He adds: "Hard riffs, elaborate keyboard and orchestral arrangements plus catchy hooklines come together in a perfect symbiosis which marks VANDEN PLAS' own style. I feel that we were much more adventurous on with 'The Seraphic Clockwork' than ever before."

A perfect example which substantiates this statement, is the 13-minute track "On My Way To Jerusalem", a little masterpiece within a homogeneous, self-contained album. The song takes the listener on a haunting, adventurous journey which comes full circle musically towards its end. From soaring piano sounds through hard riffs and versatile arrangements to atmospheric parts, the whole range of expressive forms which the progressive metal genre has to offer are present. On the other hand, "Heal The World" with its melodic intro, subsequent heavy riff and catchy chorus, reveals the band's affinity to theatre music and all its complexity, and is classic VANDEN PLAS.

The band's fascination with classical history has left its mark on "The Seraphic Clockwork", particularly in terms of lyrics: the dramatic science fiction story of the concept album was penned by vocalist Andy Kuntz and chronicles a journey in place and time from 16th century Rome to Jerusalem in the year 33 A.D. The protagonist, after an apocalyptic vision, has come under the spell of an Old Testament prophecy and must travel back through the centuries to face his God-given destiny. "It's about being unable to escape fate," explains Kuntz, a master at making complex subject matter both fascinating and accessible to contemporary audiences. "Working for the theatre has definitely influenced the story's depth. When you realize or reproduce your own projects on a stage, you learn a lot about dramaturgy."

"The Seraphic Clockwork" was exclusively presented to the journalists in a press showcase held in Koln, Germany on April 9.

"The Seraphic Clockwork" track listing:

01. Frequency
02. Holes In The Sky
03. Scar of an Angel
04. Sound of Blood
05. The Final Murder
06. Quicksilver
07. Rush of Silence
08. On My Way to Jerusalem

Swedish metallers EVERGREY have issued the following update:

"As promised there will be a whole lot of news coming your way in the coming weeks and days.

"We have, and still are, undergoing some BIG changes in EVERGREY at the moment. This involves everything you can possibly imagine, and can't imagine. BUT we are also very determined and focused on making the best album we have ever accomplished!

"We have NEVER spent so much time on detail as we are doing on this album. Everything from sounds to song structures is under the magnifying glass and nothing will be left to chance.

"Purely business-related, we are also undergoing changes, both big and small, and the only thing we can and are allowed to say right now is that being us is very exciting for the moment :)

"Of course you will all be informed about this as soon as we know for certain that the plans are going to take place.

"BUT we DO have some new tour dates as well as quite a few to still be added on other continents than Europe so for our fans outside of Europe don't give up hope we will try to please everyone as soon as possible, probably sooner than you think :)

"And for our Euro fans, be sure you get tickets for these shows as they will be something none of you have seen from EVERGREY before.

"Hmmmm, what else might there be to tell...?

"Yeah, back to the album!

"11 songs are written and we will keep on writing and recording as long as time allows us.

"We are very pleased with the result and the direction we are heading right now. Maybe there is bit more weight put on melody and the orchestration of some songs.

"As said before, the sounds have become VERY important for us, every song has its own unique trademark as far as the sounds go. There are short songs (meaning 3 – 3.30 minutes) There are long songs (meaning up to 6.40) for the moment. There are slow, heavy, fast and atmospheric songs, and, of course, most important of all — it sounds more EVERGREY than ever!

"So please stay tuned, visit our pages to catch the latest news and we will be there to serve them."

Bassist Danny Theriot, who filled in for Rex Brown during DOWN's summer/fall 2009 North American tour, has released a new solo track entitled "Knife In The Back". The song, which features Theriot on vocals, bass and guitar, is available for free download at this location.

Theriot was in a band called VICTORIAN BLITZ in the mid-to-late '80s with DOWN guitarist Kirk Windstein. Although the group reportedly started out by playing original material, they eventually began including more covers in their set from such acts as IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and METALLICA.

The original VICTORIAN BLITZ featured Windstein (vocals, guitar), Paul Bibeau (guitar), Theriot (bass) and Sid Montz (drums).

Brown has fully recuperated from his fight with pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment. He said in a statement, "After two major surgeries to close out 2009, I have recovered from pancreatitis and I'm looking forward to getting back to work with DOWN."

Swedish death metal legends GRAVE are putting the finishing touches on their new album, "Burial Ground", for a June 14 release via Regain Records.

Commented guitarist/vocalist Ola Lindgren: "We are in the very final stages now and will be finished within a couple of days."

"Burial Ground" track listing:

01. Liberation
02. Semblance In Black
03. Dismembered Mind
04. Ridden With Belief
05. Conquerer
06. Outcast
07. Sexual Mutilation
08. Bloodtrail
09. Burial Ground

Madison, Alabama's MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE will release its new album, "Lost Boy", on June 8 via Solid State Records. The follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed "Unbreakable" was recorded at Glow In The Dark Studio in Atlanta, Georgia by producer Matt Goldman (UNDEROATH, COPELAND, THE CHARIOT).

"Lost Boy" track listing:

01. Terra Firma
02. Hooligans
03. King of the Hopeless
04. Crimson Grim
05. Lost Boys
06. Dark Passenger
07. Gatekeeper
08. Digital Rebirth
09. Redeemer
10. Nuclear
11. Lungs Full of Water

Germany's "doom metal kings" MIRROR OF DECEPTION have entered Soundmann Studio in Stuttgart, Germany on April 1 to begin recording their fourth album, entitled "A Smouldering Fire". An October release is expected.

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include:

* Isle Of Horror
* Walking Through The Clouds
* Unforeseen
* Sojourner
* Bellwethers In Mist