Swedish metallers SOILWORK have finished mixing their new album, "The Panic Broadcast", at Fascination Street studio in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, PARADISE LOST, BLOODBATH).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Late For The Kill, Early For The Slaughter
02. 2 Lives Worth Of Reckoning
03. The Thrill
04. Deliverance Is Mine
05. Night Comes Clean
06. King Of The Threshold
07. Let This River Flow
08. Epitome
09. The Akuma Afterglow
10. Enter Dog Of Pavlov

Montreal, Quebec, Canada extreme metallers DESPISED ICON have released the following statement via MySpace:

"The time has come for us to move on. Some of us have recently reached a new chapter in their lives, starting families, buying houses and pursuing other careers to make it all happen. Writing music, touring and leaving home for months at a time is slowly becoming impossible because of that. We all decided that it'd be best to pull the plug now and end things right.

"It's hard to believe we started this band almost 10 years ago already. At first, DESPISED ICON was mostly just an excuse to hang out, write brutal slam riffs and play local shows once in a while. With your support, we got the opportunity to actually play music for a living, make friends around the world, be MVPs and travel to places we never even dreamed of visiting in our lifetime.

"Thank you all for some of the best times of our lives.

"We're currently working on setting up our final tours in Canada, USA and Europe. Expect to see us in a town near you sometime before the end of the year. If all goes as planned, we'll also be touring Australia and Asia for the first time in the fall. We'll keep you posted on everything.

"These last shows will be fucking epic! See you guys then!"

German power metallers STORMHAMMER have announced the addition of guitarist Marcelo Oehninger (ex-IRIDIUM-X) to the group's ranks.

The band in January recruited new singer Ben Silver.

STORMHAMMER's fourth album, "Signs Of Revolution", came out in May 2009 via Silverwolf/SPV. According to a press release, the CD saw the band "deliver[ing] a very diverse mixture of hyper melodic, Euro-style power metal, and U.S. metal as well as a decent bite of a NWOBHM approach similar to IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, etc."

"Signs Of Revolution" was recorded in early 2008, completely produced by STORMHAMMER. The mix was handled by Thomas Burlefinger, who has previously worked with Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), Greg Bissonette (DAVID LEE ROTH), Dave Evans (AC/DC), Darren Wharton (THIN LIZZY), L.A. GUNS and SUBWAY TO SALLY. The cover artwork was designed by "Stripe" Schinzel (AGENT STEEL, ANVIL, HANOI ROCKS, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P., WITCHCRAFT).

STORMHAMMER released its third album, "Lord of Darkness", in May 2004 via Mausoleum Records.

Los Angeles-based technical progressive metallers THE HUMAN ABSTRACT have recruited ex-FROM FIRST TO LAST guitarist/vocalist Travis Richter as their new frontman. He replaces Nathan Ells, who exited the group late last year.

Commented the band: "We're excited to welcome Travis to THE HUMAN ABSTRACT. We couldn't be more pumped on the current state of the band and can't wait to give our fans the best album our hard work has to offer."

THE HUMAN ABSTRACT announced in November that it was once again working with the band's original guitarist, A.J. Minette. Minette is part of the writing force and will serve as producer for the third THE HUMAN ABSTRACT album.

THE HUMAN ABSTRACT's "Counting Down The Days" video can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's sophomore full-length album, "Midheaven", which came out in August 2008 via Hopeless Records.

Although the initial sessions for "Midheaven" were helmed by veteran producer Toby Wright (METALLICA, SLAYER, ALICE IN CHAINS, SOULFLY, FEAR FACTORY), the CD was completed with a different producer and Wright's name was "wiped off all credits," according to drummer Brett Powell.

THE HUMAN ABSTRACT's Hopeless Records debut, "Nocturne", was released in August 2006.

French progressive metallers GOJIRA will support METALLICA on the following dates:

April 13 - Oslo, Norway - Telenor Arena
April 14 - Oslo, Norway - Telenor Arena
April 17 - Riga, Latvia - Arena
April 18 - Tallin, Estonia - Saku Hall
April 20 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Siemens Arena
April 21 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Siemens Arena
April 24 - Moscow, Russia - Olympic Arena
April 25 - Moscow, Russia - Olympic Arena

Also appearing on the bill is FEAR FACTORY.

Commented GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier: "Being invited on tour for the second time by METALLICA is a confirmation that our first run with them last year in the U.S. was not a dream. It actually happened, and it's going to happen again!

"This is great news for us, we are stoked and ready to jump on stage with them.

"They are the spiritual fathers of metal, the music we play today.

"We will give our best on these shows."

French black metallers TEMPLE OF BAAL have parted ways with longtime drummer Antares. The band is currently looking for a replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at templeofbaal@myspace.com.

TEMPLE OF BAAL released its third album, "Lightslaying Rituals", in November 2009 via Agonia Records. It was made available as a CD, limited digipack and limited LP.

"Lightslaying Rituals" was recorded at Hybreed Studios by Andrew Guillotin (GLORIOR BELLI). Visual aspect was handled by MKM (ANTAEUS, AOSOTH) and Vertigo Photography.

According to a press release, "when it comes to French black metal, TEMPLE OF BAAL is often mentioned as an example of integrity and excellence. Formed in 1998, with two full-lengths ('Servants Of The Beast' and 'Traitors To Mankind') a load of split EPs, strong of a very good live reputation (the band has shared the stage with acts like DESTROYER 666, WATAIN or REVENGE), TEMPLE OF BAAL is one of the most respected bands of the French black metal scene. . . 'Lightslaying Rituals' [sees the group] blending occult black metal atmospheres, death metal aggression, intense guitar leads with the darkest aspects of spirituality."

ODEM ARCARUM, the band featuring SECRETS OF THE MOON guitarist Ar, has just released a new album, "Outrageous Reverie Above The Erosion Of Barren Earth", via Osmose Productions. The CD, which is available as luxurious digipack with a 12-page booklet, is described in a press release as "a trip to the origin of existence itself, a journey to the inner most impulse of self mastery and elevation."

Formed in 1995, ODEM ARCARUM was raised under the banner of traditional black metal. After some lineup changes, Ar and C.A. recorded a first demo and a self-released EP in 2000 called "Awaiting the Horizon of Chaos".

In 2003 ODEM ARCARUM issued the self-released full-length "Bloody Traces in the Virgin Snow". After this CD, Skoarth and Zahak joined ODEM ARCARUM in 2003/2004 as permanent members.

U.K. atmospheric progressive doomsters PANTHEIST have issued the following update:

"We are currently working on tracks for our new album. Seven compositions have been created so far. Some of them have been tested live in the gigs we have played over the last few months.

"The band are currently working on a two-track promo, containing a composition of Kostas called 'Broken Statue' (which has been unveiled to receptive audiences in the five previous gigs we played) and one of Ilia called 'Brighter Days'. This promo will be sent to labels and our aim is to record and release a new album in 2010."

PANTHEIST will perform at the prestigious Moscow Doom Fest on May 29 at the Plan B venue in Moscow, Russia.

Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs, James Kottak and Pawel Maciwoda of the SCORPIONS were inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 with a special ceremony at Guitar Center in Hollywood.

Check out video footage of the event below. Also available are photos of the ceremony:

* Getty Images
* Film Magic
* Associated Press

This marked a very special occasion for the SCORPIONS: with the March 23 release of their new album, "Sting in the Tail" (via Universal Music Enterprises) and a three-year, five-continent mammoth tour, one of the most successful rock bands in the world will be ending their career. It will be the most adventurous if not greatest project of the band: hundreds of shows, hundreds of thousands of fans, countless miles on a plane and tour bus.

It has been 35 years since the original formation of the legendary German hard rock band SCORPIONS drove their rickety red VW bus from one small pub to another, from one back yard to another, in their home state of Lower-Saxony to unpack their equipment and rock on. Five years earlier, in the little town of Sarstedt, Rudolf Schenker had given the band its name. From the very beginning the band showed signs for a promising career.

From an Echo for "Life Achievement" (2009) and "Best National Band" (1994) to the World Music Award (1994), there aren't many noteworthy awards the SCORPIONS have not received. The accomplishments throughout their career have built a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow: they drew more than 150,000 spectators between Manaus and Rio on the last big South America tour, sold-out stadiums in Greece last summer, jam-packed venues in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Mumbai and performed at Monsters Of Rock.

Hollywood's RockWalk is the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of rock and roll, blues and R&B. The SCORPIONS' handprints will reside alongside the handprints, signatures, and faces of other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, John Lee Hooker and EARTH WIND & FIRE, among numerous others.

"Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)", a brand new song from San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans EXODUS, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the band's ninth album, "Exhibit B: The Human Condition", which is scheduled for release in North America on May 18 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Exhibit B: The Human Condition" track listing:

01. The Ballad Of Leonard And Charles
02. Beyond The Pale
03. Hammer And Life
04. Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)
05. Downfall
06. March Of The Sycophants
07. Nanking
08. Burn, Hollywood, Burn
09. Democide
10. The Sun Is My Destroyer
11. A Perpetual State Of Indifference
12. Good Riddance

Maryland rockers CLUTCH will release a new two-DVD set, "Live At The 9:30", on May 11 through their own Weathermaker Music label. The first disc features a high-definition, seven-camera shoot of the band's December 28, 2009 concert at the 9:30 club in Washington, D.C. — including a performance of the group's entire 1995 self-titled CD — helmed by director/producer Agent Ogden. The second disc will contain a documentary-style feature dubbed "Fortune Tellers Make A Killing Nowadays" clocking in at 110 minutes and spanning CLUTCH's entire career. Included will be footage of the band's second-ever show in October 1991 as well as appearances by members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, CKY, THE COMPANY BAND and FU MANCHU, among others. There will also be a rare 1992 performance of the track "Wicker" at the 9:30 club and live renditions of the tracks "Eight Times Over Miss October", "Immortal", "Burning Beard", "Abraham Lincoln" and more.

The track listing for the first DVD is as follows:

01. Intro
02. 50,000 Unstoppable Watts
03. Struck Down
04. Minotaur
05. Let A Poor Man Be
06. Big News 1
07. Big News 2
08. Rock & Roll Outlaw
09. Texan Book Of The Dead
10. Escape From The Prison Planet
11. Spacegrass
12. (I Have the Body of) John Wilkes Booth
13. Tight Like That
14. Animal Farm
15. Droid
16. House That Peterbilt
17. 7 Jam
18. Tim Sult vs. The Greys
19. Regulator
20. Gravel Road

"Strange Cousins From the West", the ninth studio album from CLUTCH, sold 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Finnish metallers SHADE EMPIRE have issued the following update:

"SHADE EMPIRE has ended co-operation with Dynamic Arts. Cooperation ran for the last two albums. Now it was time to denounce and to direct all eyes to the future.

"Terminating the contract took place at the end of last year but for technical reasons is informed only now.

"SHADE EMPIRE wishes Dynamic Arts and its bands a safe trip and all the best to meet future challenges.

"SHADE EMPIRE is currently preparing for the fourth album. By whom and when is the publishing going to take place, we don't know yet. The band intends to look at all the cards safely and carefully through and be open to all potential offers (contact information can be seen at the official website). Interest, however, has already been showed also abroad..."

SPIRALARMS, the San Francisco Bay Area-based band featuring Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN, ex-MANMADEGOD) on guitar, Tim Narducci (ex-SYSTEMATIC) on vocals, Chris "Cornbread" Lombardo on bass, Brad Barth on keyboards, Greg Narducci on rhythm guitar and Ron Redeen on drums, has completed work on its full-length debut, "Highest Society", which will be released in Europe in June through Luxury Buzz, the new label started by Narducci and Barth, in association with Apache Productions. A U.S. release date has yet to be announced. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Blood And Wine", "Sleep Of The Just", "Bottom Rung", "Later On", "Live Another Day", "Scorpio", "Silver Sky", "All That You Seek", "Dirty Bomb" and "Got It All Wrong".

German death metal and hardcore fusionists HEAVEN SHALL BURN will release their new album, "Invictus", 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.

According to a press release, "Invictus" "is the third part of the 'Iconoclast' story after 'Iconoclast' and [HEAVEN SHALL BURN's] DVD 'Bildersturm'. Again stories about unconventional heroes are being told, a different light is cast upon well known idols and legends."

"Invictus" track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Omen
03. Combat
04. I Was I Am I Shall Be
05. Buried In Forgotten Grounds
06. Sevastopoll
07. The Lie You Bleed For
08. Return To Sanity
09. Against Bridge Burners
10. Of Forsaken Poets
11. Given In Death
12. Outro

"Nehalennia", the new video from the Dutch folk metal six-piece HEIDEVOLK, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Uit Oude Grond" ("From Old Soil"), which was released on March 26 via Napalm Records.

"Uit Oude Grond" was recorded at S&K Studio in Doetinchem, Holland with producer Dick Kemper. 11 songs were laid down during the sessions "ranging from epic and solemn folk tunes to brutal and merciless metal riffs," according to a press release. The CD was mixed and mastered by Dick Kemper while Awik Balaian created the album artwork.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Nehalennia
02. Ostara
03. Vlammenzee (Sea Of Flames)
04. Een Geldersch Lied (A Gueldrian Song)
05. Dondergod (God Of Thunder)
06. Reuzenmacht (Giants' Might)
07. Alvermans Wraak (Revenge Of The Alverman)
08. Karel Van Egmond, Hertog Van Gelre (Karel Of Egmond, Duke Of Guelders)
09. Levenslot (Fate Of Life)
10. Deemstering (Dusk)
11. Beest Bij Nacht (Beast By Night)

Audio samples of all nine tracks that will appear on "The Bride Screamed Murder", the new album from the MELVINS, are available for streaming at Amazon.com. The CD will be released on June 1 via Ipecac Recordings. A U.S. tour will launch the same day in San Diego and include a stop at the Bonnaroo Festival.

"The Bride Screamed Murder" is the third release featuring Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and BIG BUSINESS's Coady Willis and Jared Warren.

01. The Water Glass (4:16)
02. Evil New War God (4:48)
03. Pig House (5:29)
04. I'll Finish You Off (4:57)
05. Electric Flower (3:27)
06. Hospital Up (5:38)
07. Inhumanity And Death (3:03)
08. My Generation (7:39)
09. P.G. x 3 (6:20)

Reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. Due late summer, the band's 15th album, "Blood Of Nations", 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 "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations", "Pandemic", " Teutonic Terror" and "The Abyss".


Commented Gaby Hoffmann and Deville Schober of ACCEPT's management company, "We really appreciate the cooperation with Nuclear Blast. ACCEPT finally found a powerful partner to create a big international impact. Nuclear Blast got a lot of experience and the power to push ACCEPT into new dimensions!"

Added Andy Siry, label manager of Nuclear Blast: "We are very proud to declare the signing of ACCEPT!

"Like a lot of people out there, employees of Nuclear Blast have grown up with songs like 'Restless And Wild', 'Breaker' and 'Balls To The Wall'. It's an honor to us!

"ACCEPT found a new voice with Mark Tornillo and working together with sucessful producer Andy Sneap will cause an amazing record — a gift for the fans out there! This album will become a milestone in the history of ACCEPT!"

AVANTASIA/EDGUY mainman Tobias Sammet was interviewed this past weekend by his webmaster, Harmon Caldwell. The question-and-answer session follows in its entirety below.

Q: Tobias, the day has come: Your two new AVANTASIA albums, "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon", have hit the record stores. They seem to be considered the "most ambitious project you have ever done." Are you excited or even nervous now that your fans can hold the albums in their hands?

Tobias: As far as the "most ambitious project" goes, I have always been ambitious and very enthusiastic with whatever I did or am doing. Only this time around we've got two albums and a running time of 120 minutes. Everything was twice as intensive, it has taken twice as long to record, twice as much sweat, twice as many sleepless nights and of course: Now I am twice as happy.

Q: The list of guest musicians is really impressive once again. Klaus Meine, Jon Oliva, Russell Allen, Jorn Lande, Ripper Owens... At some point, weren't you afraid that you might become just another guest on your own albums? Not as a composer, of course, but as a performer?

Tobias: When you put such an epic together, you don't put your own performance front and center. You focus on the project as a whole. Of course, I wanted to perform my vocals as good as I possibly could. But I didn't do this project to boost my ego, I did this because it makes me feel like a kid in a toy store. Believe it or not, when you're in the studio with all these great performers, you are nothing but thankful and happy. It's all for the sake of creating music together, music that I love. You don't start a dick-waving contest. I am just happy to create music I want to listen to myself. This is not the Olympics. It's all about the joy of doing it and listening to the final results afterwards!

Q: Everybody talks about the great guest vocalists' performances. How would you rate your own singing? How has your style changed over the years in your opinion?

Tobias: I am much more happy with my voice nowadays. When I listen to some of the stuff I did on early albums, I scratch my head, haha! I hate my vibrato on those old albums. Mikko Karmilla (engineer of EDGUY's early albums — from "Vain Glory Opera" to "Hellfire Club") once said that it sounds like somebody is shaking me while I try to keep a tone. Thank God my producer Sascha cured me from it. Whenever I start to sing with high clean opera vocals, Sascha throws up on the mixing desk. At some point I couldn't stand the smell of his vomit in the studio anymore. I don't wanna be in a fucking Alessandro Moreschi tribute band (laughs). The range is still there, which feels great, but I would rather focus on feeling and emotion than competing with the sound of a sharply braking freight train. If you listen to the new AVANTASIA material like "Your Love Is Evil" or the chorus of "States Of Matter", without blowing my trumpet, I guess that's not too bad. But, of course, there are so many outstanding singers who did a great job on AVANTASIA, it would be out of place to speak about my performance in that context. If you listen to the last EDGUY album, "Tinnitus Sanctus", you can hear the essence of my singing. This is just me on vocals. Having enough distance from that album now, I can rightfully say that it is the strongest EDGUY album. It's a killer album, maybe some people didn't understand it, but "Sex Fire Religion" or "Pride Of Creation" are killer tracks. That's what metal has to sound like, in my opinion. On "929" I think I gave my best vocal performance in ten years, maybe. The album didn't have the success it deserved in all territories, but that's the price we are willing to pay in order to follow our hearts. "Tinnitus Sanctus"... What an album! Wow, off topic. Back to AVANTASIA (laughs).

Q: I really liked "Tinnitus", but the two new AVANTASIA albums seem to be a little more epic and some people even think you are going back to the roots with those albums. Was that intentional? Some people have even said or implied that you put more work into AVANTASIA than EDGUY. What is your counter argument to that claim?

Tobias: It's bullshit! "Tinnitus Sanctus" is the perfect EDGUY album, even if some people hate it or not. I can judge, I am IN this band! It's funny, whenever I speak to the press or fans I get the feeling that a lot of people out there know more about our insidious plans and intentions than we do. I have heard it all: commercial sell-out, back to the roots, burnt out, you name it. But we don't think about it, we're just out to have fun and play the music we love. Again, "Tinnitus Sanctus" embodies the essence of EDGUY, it has got some of the strongest songs we have ever done. It kicks ass, it's mean and dirty and yet bombastic and it's got some of the most anthemic melodies. And it's got great songwriting, the greatest performance of each musician in the history of EDGUY. I know it, I am actually a member of this band (laughs). I respect every opinion, but I am in the position to eventually judge! As far as selling out goes, we didn't even release a single. If we would be out for a hit single, it would be rather dumb to not release one at all.

Q: Okay, back to AVANTASIA: If an alien came down to earth: How would you describe the two new albums in your own words, briefly?

Tobias: I think it's just a magnificent piece of work, but in press language I'd tell the alien it's a six-point-four out of a six-and-a-half-point-two. And the deduction is only because it sounds like BON JOVI (laughs)! If the alien didn't understand what I meant, then nobody would. Sane music lovers surely don't understand the music press. I'd say it's great and epic music. I'd tell the alien: Listen, parts of the drums have been played by one of your kind! Now give it a listen or two and you will hear how honest we were and how we constantly tore down limits and boundaries. The honesty, the diversity, the elemental force and the grandeur will drip out of your stereo... And finally melt your spaceship!

Q: You produced two albums at once; it must have been a lot of work. Was there a point during the production, that you regretted recording such a massive amount of material?

Tobias: No, when I realized how much material it was, it was already produced! The secret is quite easy, it's like a life motto to me: "Do what you love!" I focus on things that make me happy. On the two new AVANTASIA albums, for example, all I want to do is play the music I love and seize my time on this beautiful planet with something that fills me with joy. And believe me, I live the happiest life on the planet. So it's my duty to pass it on. I know I have had a lot of luck, more luck than talent for sure. And I know that many people can not live by that motto 24 hours a day, seven days a week (me neither, by the way.). But if we really want it we can optimize the happy aspects in our lives. Just take a look around: There are so many people who waste their energy on giving someone else a hard time. Take music journalism: Some people look out for music they love and some people wait for bands they can hate and bash. You have to be perverse to choose to be miserable and surround yourself with such a negative, angry, and unfair vibe. Or neighbours: Some people call the police and complain about noisy couples in the flat above, and others take the opportunity and fuck themselves. Relax! Follow your dreams and enjoy life! Wasting your energy for something negative is disrespectful towards those who really need your support and energy. I try not to waste precious time and energy: I seize the day to make people smile, me included. You'll be surprised of how much you can work out if you live by that motto.

Q: So what are the future plans of Tobias Sammet? Any new dreams to dream?

Tobias: I don't think about that right now, I just enjoy having recorded two amazing new chapters in my personal discography. Life is what happens to you while you are making plans. 20 years ago I had the dream of becoming a rock musician. I wanted to record my own albums and make just enough money to earn a living. Today I am looking back on chart-breaking albums, a tour with AEROSMITH, stadium shows with IRON MAIDEN and the SCORPIONS. I was given the great opportunity to start AVANTASIA and to work with Alice Cooper, musicians from KISS and the SCORPS whose posters I had on my wall. I have been given the chance to play various world tours, travelled from Israel to China and from the USA to Brazil. I still can't believe this is all true, so please don't wake me up! And all my life I have just worked on future plans. Now is the time to recall the past, enjoy it, and relax. I deserve that after these two new albums, I really deserve being able to not think about the future for a few weeks.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen is continuing work on her new solo album, "What Lies Beneath", for a late summer release. With production handled by Tarja herself and selected tracks set to be mixed by U.K. producer Colin Richardson (famed for his work with MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and SLIPKNOT, among others), the follow-up to 2007's "My Winter Storm" "looks set to take Tarja's unique musical mix of drama 'n' decibels to a whole new level of success," according to a press release.

"We worked on 33 songs this time around from which I decided to record 17," Tarja explains. "It has been great to have the freedom to produce my own record for the first time; these sessions have been such a gift, a real learning process and a true joy. In many ways, it feels like the first time…"

The lead single from "What Lies Beneath", title to be confirmed, is currently being discussed for an early August release, with the full album to follow later that month.

DEATHDESTRUCTION — the new Swedish metal "supergroup" featuring members of EVERGREY, HAMMERFALL and DEAD BY APRIL — entered IN FLAMES' IF Studios on February 15 with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE) to begin recording its debut album.

The band has since issued the following update:

"We've almost finished the album now. The only thing remaining is the mastering, which we will do in about three weeks or so.
"Everything has been just awesome, and Roberto Laghi has been just great and perfect for DEATHDESTRUCTION! He managed to get the exact right sound and feeling for the album that we wanted. And musically, he pulled out the best of each one of us. He's a huge part of that the album turned out the way it did.

"Big thanks and love to you, Roberto, you're awesome!!"

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

Jimmie Strimell (DEAD BY APRIL) - Vocals
Henrik Danhage (EVERGREY) - Guitar
Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Jonas Ekdahl (EVERGREY) - Drums

"Prototype: Death Machine", a brand new song from Pomona, California thrashers BONDED BY BLOOD, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's recently completed new album, "Exiled To Earth", which is due later in the year via Earache Records.

Commented BONDED BY BLOOD vocalist Jose Barrales: "'Exiled To Earth' will destroy you! 'Prototype: Death Machine' is a sign of things to come. BONDED BY BLOOD will demolish YOU!"

"Exiled To Earth" is set 600 years in the future and tells the tale of the Crong, an alien race who were sent to Earth long ago with one goal: global domination. A skilled group of warriors must now face the impossible and overthrow the Crong to take back our planet.

Illinois-based extreme metallers NACHTMYSTIUM, led by mastermind Blake Judd, will release their new album, "Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II", on June 8 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Volume Studios (RWAKE, MINSK, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, PELICAN) in Chicago with producer Sanford Parker (MINSK). The band also enlisted the talents of Wrest (LEVIATHAN, LURKER OF CHALICE, TWILIGHT) to lay down all drum tracks, as well as Will Lindsay (WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, MIDDIAN) to handle the bass duties on the CD.

"Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II" track listing:

01. Cry For Help
02. High on Hate
03. Nightfall
04. No Funeral
05. Then Fires
06. Addicts
07. The End Is Eternal
08. Blood Trance Fusion
09. Ruined Life Continuum
10. Every Last Drop

There will also be a limited-edition, double gatefold vinyl featuring the bonus track "Macrocosmic" and an iTunes-exclusive bonus track, "Every Last Drop", remixed by James Plotkin (KHANATE, PHANTOMSMASHER). Artwork was created by Jimmy Hubbard and Seldon Hunt and the album features guest vocals by Bruce Lamont (YAKUZA) and guitar solos by Russ Strahan (PENTAGRAM) and Matt Johnson (PHARAOH).