The cover artwork for "Universal", the new album from Norway's BORKNAGAR, can be viewed below. Due on February 22, 2010 through Indie Recordings, the effort will be made available in four different formats: regular jewelcase CD, limited digipack (including bonus disc), CD box with extras and gatefold LP with double vinyl.

Commented the band: "We are really proud to finally reveal the cover for 'Universal'. It has been a long process to circle in and establish the perfect visual approach for this album. A cover that is able to visually represent the album. We firmly believe that we have achieved that with the new cover and the general designs (including CD, CDL, LP and CD box) represent nothing less."

"Universal" track listing:

01. Havoc
02. Reason
03. The Stir of Seasons
04. For a Thousand Years to Come
05. Abrasion Tide
06. Fleshflower
07. Worldwide
08. My Domain (feat. guest vocals by I.C.S Vortex)

"Universal" was recorded and mixed at Toproom Studio in Lunner, Norway, with the bandmembers themselves handling the production duties.

Commented BORKNAGAR mainman Øystein G. Brun: "We are extremely satisfied with the result! The album turned out even better than we dared to hope for when starting this journey. There is an attitude, energy and nerve to this record that will appeal to the most primal side of man, yet there is complexity and atmosphere that will challenge the most sophisticated parts of mind. The album contains all the elements that made BORKNAGAR the band we are and we firmly believe that this album will be a huge piece of candy for those who have followed the band through the years. This is by far the most complete album we have done to date — musically and production-wise — and we are right now just immensely eager to get the album out there!"

Regarding the album title, Brun said, "'Universal' is the title that shines through and mirrors the essence of the album. 'Universal' is a title that is broad enough and huge enough to project the giant character of this album, both musically and lyrically."

Finnish folk metallers FINNTROLL will release their new album, "Nifelvind" (the previously announced title "Mot Skuggornas Värld" has apaprently been scrapped), via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Finland: Wednesday, February 17
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, February 19
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, February 23
Sweden, Hungary: Wednesday, February 24
Rest Of Europe: Monday, February 22
North America: Tuesday, March 9

"Nifelvind" was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The album cover artwork was created once again by the band's guitarist Skrymer.

Commented FINNTROLL in a statement: "After tough and hectic weeks in the studio, due to lack of time and summer festivals, we are now really, really pleased with the results. 'Nifelvind' is the most advanced and mature FINNTROLL album to date, with musical themes ranging from powerful death metal riffs to dark soundtracks, from pounding black metal to groovy '80s pop music. All this is accompanied by our trademark sound, lots of never-before-heard instruments in the metal scene, folklore and legends that make it overall the most versatile album we have created so far."

"Nifelvind" track listing:

01. Blodmarsch (intro)
02. Solsagan
03. Den Frusna Munnen
04. Ett Norrskensdåd
05. I Trädens Sång
06. Tiden Utan Tid
07. Galgasång
08. Mot Skuggornas Värld
09. Under Bergets Rot
10. Fornfamnad
11. Dråp

"Death Domination", the new album from Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS, will be released in Asia on December 23.

The Asian version of the CD will include the bonus track "The Reaper's End", which was previously unreleased.

"Death Domination" is being released in North America today (November 24) via Metal Blade Records. The CD's cover artwork, which the band describes as "one of the most sinister and malignant-looking album covers ever," was created by Marcello Vasco and can be viewed below.

Commented the band, "'Dead Awakening' is definitely one of the strongest and most varied songs on the album. It also features some guest vocals by Andreas Khörven Nilsson from the Gothenburg band HOPE OVER FEAR."

"Death Domination" track listing:

01. Abomination Glorified
02. The Demand
03. I Am The King
04. And The Empire Shall Fall
05. Dead Awakening
06. Hate Killing Project
07. Rostov Ripper
08. Legions
09. As Death Lives In Me
10. Irreligious State Of War
11. The Reaper's End (Asian bonus track)

"Death Domination" features a guest appearance by former THE CROWN and current ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET frontman Johan Lindstrand on the song "The Demand".

Commented IMPIOUS: "It's great to finally have Johan adding to our sound again for the first time in years! Johan is an amazing vocalist and he totally rip shit up on this track!"

Added Lindstrand: "I've known IMPIOUS since they first started back in '94. Both on a personal, friendly level as well as on a professional level. I played the drums on their first demo and now I do some guest vocals on their new album. Always a pleasure to do stuff with them and especially on this new one that I feel is their strongest one yet. It's one hell of a speed ride with a lot of passion to it and I feel very honored that they asked me to join them on a song. They will do great with 'Death Domination'."

According to the band, the album title "symbolizes how death rules over all, and how man seeks to religion as a feeble comfort against what will happen when death takes us. Without death, religion is powerless. And only in death will religion fill its purpose."

The group adds, "It was extremely important to us that the title would fit our new songs and artwork perfectly. We needed a short yet powerful title that would show just how confident we are about our new material.

"This album will by far be the most crushingly brutal album we've ever made and we believe this title says it all!"

IMPIOUS's new CD was recorded at guitarist Valle Adzic's Studio Deadline. The band previously stated, "This is the first album ever we'll produce and engineer by ourselves and we're pretty stoked about delivering this baby without any other people involved. This album will truly represent what the fuck IMPIOUS is all about!"

According to the Italian news blog Musica Metal, Friar Cesare Bonizzi, the 63-year-old Italian self-described "preacher-singer" who has released a couple of albums with his heavy metal band FRATELLO METALLO (Metal Brother), took part in a live videochat yesterday hosted by Virgin Radio Italy, sporting his newly trimmed beard and hair, and discussing last week's news that he would retire from the limelight. During the chat, Bonizzi stated that he was not retiring from the music world but that the "Brother Metal" character had to be put to rest because it had grown too famous. He added that too much attention from the media had been placed on his long mane and white beard, so he cut them off to reduce the impact of his image. He also announced that he would release a new album sometime next year.

Bonizzi, who fell in love with heavy metal when he attended a METALLICA concert some 15 years ago, told Reuters fame had put him on the wrong path. But he still thinks heavy metal can be a means to spread the gospel message of pace and love.

"I think that metal is the strength of music itself. Metal is a brother," he said.

Whereas most rock and roll bands take the end of year holidays off for a breather, December will indeed be a busy month for Maryland rockers CLUTCH. Not only will the veteran foursome end the calendar year with FIVE high-profile concerts to be filmed for their forthcoming DVD, they will celebrate the release of FOUR projects, which, in essence, have been a long time coming!

On December 15, CLUTCH will issue a double vinyl package of their latest studio effort, "Strange Cousins From the West", through the band's self-owned label Weathermaker Music. This vinyl edition will feature two tracks that cannot be found on the CD version of "Strange Cousins..." The first track is the recently recorded "Metroliner Special" and the second is an extended version of the band's latest single and video, "50,000 Unstoppable Watts".

The first 4,000 pieces of "Strange Cousins" vinyl will include a coupon for a free digital download of all 12 songs through the band's web site, www.pro-rock.com.

Also this fall, Weathermaker will make available for digital purchase the former DRT Entertainment catalog, which includes "Blast Tyrant" (2004), "Robot Hive/Exodus" (2005) and "From Beale Street to Oblivion" (2007). Weathermaker plans to reissue all three of these in 2010 with a heavy dose of bonus material. Double vinyl packages are in the works for these as well.

For now, look for the digital release of "Robot Hive/Exodus" on November 30 to be followed by "Blast Tyrant" on December 18. Due to the high amount of digital demand for the band's 2007 single "Electric Worry", Weathermaker has already issued "From Beale Street to Oblivion" on November 7 to coincide with the song's inclusion in the popular video game "Left 4 Dead 2" and its television commercial.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser was interviewed on the November 6, 2009 edition of the "Uncensored Net Noise". The program can now be streamed using the audio player below. (Note: The Kisser interview begins around the 35-minute mark.) A few excerpts from the chat follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

SEPULTURA's plans for 2010:

"The plan is to keep [touring] through next year. We're celebrating 25 years of the group. We have an intention to do a live DVD with our new drummer [Jean Dolabella], maybe an orchestra and stuff, to celebrate this special date. So, let's see. The plans are, really, to keep on the road for the next year."

On whether there is any bad blood between the current members of SEPULTURA and their former bandmates, vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera (currently in SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) and drummer Igor Cavalera (currently in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and MIXHELL):

"Max [leaving SEPULTURA in 1996] was a pretty heavy departure. He was the singer, we were at the peak of our career, touring [in support of the gold-certified] 'Roots' [album] and everything; it was very difficult to keep everything together. When Igor left [in 2006], it was easier to deal with, with our experience that we had with Max and to rebuild the SEPULTURA career and everything. I mean, his departure was made step by step and he was not very happy touring etc. We [are] still on good terms, of course. Max is very hard to get in touch [with], but Igor lives in Brazil, our families know each other and stuff, and we still have a really cool relationship. But [we live in] different worlds — he's [Igor] doing a DJ job [with MIXHELL], using his drums in a different way."

On CAVALERA CONSPIRACY (the collaboration between brothers and former SEPULTURA members Max and Igor Cavalera):

"I think it's cool. It's great to see the brothers playing again. But, you know, it seems to me that everything [for the debut CAVALERA CONSPIRACY album, 'Inflikted'] was done in a rush. They could spend a little more time enjoying this brother reunion and jam and write something together. I mean, Igor was just the drummer there [on the first CAVALERA CONSPIRACY album]. But I think it's cool. At least they're talking to each other again, which is very positive."

On whether he thinks Marc Rizzo (SOULFLY guitarist) is a good fit for CAVALERA CONSPIRACY:

"I don't know, man. It could be anyone, because it's something new. Of course, they only do SEPULTURA stuff [when they play live], but... [laughs] I guess they don't have any choice. I think Marc Rizzo is a great player, he's a great guy... I really admire his style. I mean, his flamenco playing, his acoustic stuff, is amazing, and he's a great dude, man. It's great to see that he's jamming with Max for a long time, for awhile. I guess it's just whatever music they wanna do. I guess they [got] along well and it worked out cool."

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band's new studio album, entitled "In The Night", will be released on January 25, 2010 in Europe and January 26, 2010 in North America.

Commented the band in a statement: "Finally, after three long years it's time to release a new album and at the same time we have again signed with Century Media Records. It's good to work with friends and that's what DREAM EVIL and Century Media has become over the past eight years.

"The new album will be called 'In The Night' and is again in DREAM EVIL's very own vein.

"We're sure that this will become the strongest DREAM EVIL release so far and with songs like 'Immortal', 'In The Night', 'Bang Your Head' and 'In The Fires Of The Sun', we will melt your brains!"

"In The Night" was once again produced at Sweden's Studio Fredman (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL), which is owned by DREAM EVIL axeman Fredrik Nordström.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Immortal
02. In The Night
03. Bang Your Head
04. See The Light
05. Electric
06. Frostbite
07. On The Wind
08. The Ballad
09. In The Fires Of The Sun
10. Mean Machine
11. Kill, Burn, Be Evil
12. The Unchosen One

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"Let's try and bring some clarity to the rumours that have been circulating lately.

"Although [SATYRICON's latest album] 'The Age Of Nero' is now a year old, the project is still very much alive to us as we've been working it more or less non-stop for almost three years.

"The last 12 months since release has been spent relentlessly touring and the fortunate success of the album has taken us to India, Australia, Japan, twice to America, across Europe and around Scandinavia and now we head out on the 'Finale In Black' tour, which will mark the end of the colossal 'The Age Of Nero' project. Once we have done that, we feel the time is right to take a break. A break where we can rest, get some perspective, work on other musical projects and non-musical projects and allow ourselves to figure out SATYRICON's next move. We have some ideas on what we want to do next and one of them is to open a new musical chapter.

"It has never been in this bands nature to rest on our laurels and we won't be doing that either. When the time is right, we will start working on exploring new musical territory and only the future can tell what that will turn into. Taking on challenges like that is something SATYRICON never has been afraid of. On the contrary, it is what has made the band grow.

"We tried to perfect everything SATYRICON has learnt and experienced musically for the last decade on 'The Age Of Nero' and we feel that we reached the goal we set out to achieve. It is time to pave way for something new. No, we won't return to something old. Forget it! All we know is that regardless of what we end up doing, it will still sound unmistakably like SATYRICON.

"We won't tour in the foreseeable future unless it is something so unique that it could be considered an historical event, but we will do one or two select festivals here and there whenever we feel like it. When we return, some of the people surrounding us today might be gone and some might still be with us. We don't know when, we don't know how, but we do know that SATYRICON is still very much alive and this break is something we know we need to do to keep it that way. Until then, see you at 'Finale In Black'!"

Hector Saldaña of San Antonio Express-News recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On "Endgame" tour preparations:

"I'm pretty well ready to do my job. I just make sure I have my workout gear and my personal stuff together, and make sure I have what I need on stage. It's a matter of, 'How dedicated am I?' Is this a joke? Is this a hobby? When it's time to go, I'm ready."

On MEGADETH's new album, "Endgame":

"When you have a record like ['Endgame'] and you look at the sales and they just aren't there, you start to take that personally. I gotta tell you, it's been so frustrating for us the last few years with the way things are going in the music industry. I remember back when people would say something and then keep their word. I remember back when people that worked at radio actually knew what working at radio meant."

On being credited alongside SLAYER, ANTHRAX and METALLICA with creating and perfecting thrash metal:

"I look at my career and I know what I've accomplished. Between my career with MEGADETH and the songs I've written and sold with METALLICA, I've sold more than 60 million records around the world. I'm currently rated as a top guitar player, I'm really inspired and this is one of the greatest periods of my life."

On new MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick, formerly of JAG PANZER, who joins journeyman bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Shawn Drover:

"The relationship with Chris is really unique because he's such an incredible talent and, fortunately for me, he's either really humble or he's either really unaware of how great he really is."

On his Internet radio station, Megadeth Radio, available at www.iheartradio.com:

"I'm currently going through the playlist which is about 2,000 to 3,000 songs, and I'm adding stuff as we go along. I want the world to know that it's bull(crap) what everybody keeps saying about me having a problem with METALLICA. There is no problem, and to prove this, I put them on my radio show. So, we'll see how much longer this nonsense keeps going. It'll go on forever, I imagine, but hopefully there will be a new wave of young metal fans that go, 'You know what? You guys that believe that (crap), you go ahead and believe it, but we're smarter than that.'"

Swedish heavy metal band CRYONIC TEMPLE has issued the following update:

"We are glad to tell you that our problem with drummer has been solved. Hans Karlin is back!!! He left his job to free the time that is needed for the band! So he's BACK.

''The songs for the upcoming album [are] talking form and we're hoping that we can enter the studio in January to start the recording of the new album.

"A big thank you to all of you guys around the world that has been interested in trying out for the drummer position! You are great!"

"Standing Tall", the latest video from CRYONIC TEMPLE, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's most recent album, "Immortal", which was released on November 21, 2008 via Metal Heaven Records.

CRYONIC TEMPLE was founded in 1996 and has over the years performed at such festivals as Sweden Rock, Headbanger's Open Air, Peace And Love, Gothenburg Metal, Motala Metal and 2000 Decibel. They have also supported URIAH HEEP, SAXON, LION'S SHARE and PAUL DI'ANNO.

After CRYONIC TEMPLE's successful and highly acclaimed third album, "In Thy Power", in 2005, the band went through some lineup changes and took time off to write new material before hitting the studio.

The group's new lineup features guitarists Esa Ahonen and Leif Collin alongside new singer Magnus Thurin (ex-MINDSCAPE), whose vocal style is said to be influenced by Michael Kiske, Geoff Tate and Tony Martin.

CRYONIC TEMPLE is:

Magnus Thurin - Vocals
Leif Collin - Guitar
Esa Ahonen - Guitar
Hans Karlin - Drums
Bjorn Svensson - Bass

Mathias "Warlord" Nygård of Finnish folk metal overlords TURISAS talking about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's third album can be viewed below. "We've done great progress," he said. "Of course, there's still a lot of pre-production and work to be done...but it's shaping up nicely and I'm happy to tell you that you can start looking forward to an excellent third TURISAS album."

Regarding TURISAS' upcoming touring plans, Nygård said, "Already now we're working on shows and tours in territories we've never played before... also in other places than only Europe and North America and we're highly looking forward to finally being able to take this live show over to where our fans have been waiting for this for a very long time."

In other news, Nygård and TURISAS were honored with the 2009 Culture Award by the Regional Council of Häme province. Since 1991, the award has been handed out annually to a person living and working in Häme region as a way to honor his/her achievements in the field of culture. The award was received by Mathias and guitarist Jussi Wickström on Monday, November 23. The Council mentioned that Nygård and the band represent "new kind of creativity in Häme" and that they "create new international culture by using old tradition."

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarish Slash joined THE JOE PERRY PROJECT on stage Tuesday night in Hollywood, California at the House of Blues to perform AEROSMITH's classic rocker "Walkin' The Dog".

According to Examiner.com, the appearance of Slash for "Walkin' The Dog" was not the only surprise of the evening. A surrealistic moment occurred when Joe Perry's band played a transfixing reggae version of the AEROSMITH über-hit "Dream On". After playing the song, Perry joked, "We're never going to play that song like that ever again."

THE JOE PERRY PROJECT setlist - November 24, 2009 in Hollywood, California:

01. Let The Music Do The Talking
02. Walkin The Dog (featuring Slash)
03. Bright Light Fright
04. Long Way To Go
05. East Coast, West Coast
06. Head Kicked In
07. Get The Lead Out
08. Dream On
09. Vigilante Man
10. Sight For Sore Eyes
11. Do You Wonder?
12. Rockin' Train (with bass solo)
13. Wooden Ships
14. Slingshot
15. Scare The Cat
16. Combination
17. Toys In The Attic

Encore:

18. Stop Messin' Around
19. Walk This Way (a reggae version)

Greek metallers KINETIC entered the studio on November 22 to begin recording their third full-length album, "Human Horror Industry", for an early 2010 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

The band's most recent release was a six-song EP entitled "6.6.6.6.", which came out on December 6, 2008 as a free download.

Formed in 2002 as a quartet, KINETIC has released two full-length studio albums, "The Chains That Bind Us" (2005, Sleaszy Rider Records) and "Corrosion" (2007, Burning Star Records). The group has since expanded to a sextet by adding a female vocalist and a keyboardist.

Pulverised Records has announced the signing of Norwegian black metallers DEN SAAKALDTE.

Consisting of some of black metal's most notorious and prolific musicians — including main songwriter/guitarist Mikael Sykelig (ex-GORGOROTH session guitar player) — DEN SAAKALDTE previously released the monumental debut "Øl, Mørke og Depresjon" (which translates to "Beer, Darkness And Depression") and the remarkably depressive full-length effort "All Hail Pessimism" (2009), both of which received rave reviews worldwide.

Commented Sykelig: "We are proud to announce that DEN SAAKALDTE's new record label is to be Pulverised Records. In our opinion, Pulverised is currently one of the most upcoming labels you can find. They work hard for their bands, and just seeing the names that they have on their roster is enough to know that their goals, and standards, are set very high indeed. We are delighted that our new album will be released on Pulverised, especially at a time when the label is going from strength to strength, and very much look forward to working closely with them."

Stated Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin: "It was quite a pleasant surprise when the email came in from Mikael, and he was wondering if there would be a possibility of us working together for their new album.

"DEN SAAKALDTE very quickly established their reputation in the scene in just a period of a few years since their formation, and it was obvious that the band had already became a force to be reckoned with. There was not a single doubt about signing DEN SAAKALDTE and an agreement was worked out almost immediately. We have absolute confidence that the band will outdo themselves and create yet another phenomenal follow-up full-length effort, filled with utter anguish and despondency."

DEN SAAKALDTE's new studio album, "Kapittel II: Faen i Helvete", is scheduled for release in the fall of 2010.

DEN SAAKALDTE recently parted ways with drummer Jarle "Uruz" Byberg (ex-SHINING, URGEHAL). A replacement skinsman has not yet been announced.

In other news, DEN SAAKALDTE will take part in the "Skandinavisk Pessimisme Omringer Europa Tour", alongside TROLL and SARGEIST, starting in March 2010. DEN SAAKALDTE will also make an appearance at next year's edition of the Kings Of Black Metal Festival, set to take place April 10, 2010 and Barther Metal Open Air, which will be held on August 20 of.

Also on the DEN SAAKALDTE front, there are plans to re-release "Øl, Mørke og Depresjon" on digipak CD and gatefold LP and "All Hail Pessimism" on limited gatefold double LP.

DEN SAAKALDTE is:

Mikael Sykelig (ex-GORGOROTH) - Guitars
Niklas "Kvarforth" Olsson (SHINING, SKITLIV) - Vocals
Tor Risdal "Seidemann" Stavenes (1349, PANTHEON I) - Bass
Jormungand (DØDHEIMSGARD) - Synth, Effects
[to be announced] - Drums

Finnish melancholic metallers THE CHANT have entered the studio with producer Ville Sorvali (MOONSORROW) to begin recording their second album, tentatively titled "This Is The World We Know", for an early 2010 release via an as-yet-undisclosed label.

A studio diary is available at this location.

THE CHANT's debut album, "Ghostlines", was released in February 2008 the U.K. and Ireland via Shadow World Records / Plastic Head Distribution. "Ghostlines" was described as "a 54-minute emotionally charged rollercoaster ride with morose atmospheres, beautiful melodies and harmonies in the course of KATATONIA, ANATHEMA and HIM."

"Ghostlines" was produced by the MOONSORROW vocalist-bassist Ville Sorvali, and was mastered by Mikko Herranen of Rust and Misery Inc.. The cover booklet was shot by Ville Juurikkala (NIGHTWISH, HIM, AMORPHIS), who was named the "Best Rock Photographer" by the immensely popular City magazine.

MONSTER MAGNET has inked a new worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records. The band will enter the studio in January with producer Matt Hyde to begin recording its new album for a summer 2010 release.

Commented frontman Dave Wyndorf: "I'm really looking forward to joining the roster at Napalm Records and working with them on future endeavours." Markus Riedler, Napalm Records managing director, added, "It is an honor to cooperate with a scene icon such as Dave Wyndorf! He's very enthusiastic, full of energy and together we want to rock through the coming years! The new album will be killer and fans should make sure to check out the high-energy live show of the band! 2010 will be the year of MONSTER MAGNET!"

MONSTER MAGNET's latest CD, "4-Way Diablo", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 81. The album, which was also produced by Hyde and featured a cover version of THE ROLLING STONES' "2,000 Light Years from Home", landed on the Swedish chart at No. 51. It sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area drummer Chris Kontos (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT, SPIRALARMS) has joined THE ALIEN BLAKK, the band led by guitarist/producer Joshua Craig.

Commented Craig: "Chris and I have been talking for about a year or so about THE ALIEN BLAKK. It has been over this time that we have come to a solid understanding of each other as people and as musicians that I am happy to make this announcement.

"Chris has an approach that is [John] Bonham [LED ZEPPELIN] meets Igor [Cavalera; SEPULTURA] and way beyond, in my opinion. He has all the ALIEN music and digs the newer direction and we are both enthusiastic about where this can go to for future material."

Added Chris: "I can't wait to get in the room with Josh and make some music! I think the 'power trio combo' vibe will bring out some really raw and inventive metal music with rock overtones new to THE ALIEN BLAKK sound perhaps. 2010 will bring out full disclosure of THE ALIEN BLAKK!"

THE ALIEN BLAKK's sophomore album, "Bekoming", is tentatively due early next year via an as-yet-undisclosed label. The CD, which was mixed by Glen Robinson (VOIVOD, ANNIHILATOR), will feature guest appearances by Deron Miller (CKY), Eric A.K. (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Kevin Talley (DAATH), Donnie Hamby (DOUBLE DRIVE) as well as contributions from David Ellefson (bass; MEGADETH) and Craig Nielsen (drums; FLOTSAM AND JETSAM).

"Bekoming" (cover) track listing:

01. The Quickening (feat. special guest)
02. Erased (feat. Donnie Hamby)
03. The Path (feat. Deron Miller)
04. I Tried You
05. Jigsaw
06. Runnin' Down A Dream (TOM PETTY cover)
07. Voices Hearing Voices
08. Hate Me (feat. Eric A.K.)
09. Ann
10. Will I? (feat. Eric A.K.)
11. Psychadehlia
12. A Lie
13. Snowblind (BLACK SABBATH cover) (feat. Eric A.K.)

THE WRETCHED END, the new Norway-based band featuring guitarist Samoth (EMPEROR, ZYKLON) and bassist Cosmo (MINDGRINDER) alongside Swedish drummer Nils Fjellström (DARK FUNERAL, IN BATTLE, AEON), has entered the studio to begin recording its as-yet-untitled debut album for a 2010 release. A vocalist for the band has not yet been confirmed.

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include:

* Zoo Human Syndrome
* Red Forest Alienation
* Residing in Limbo
* The Human Corporation
* Numbered Days
* Of Men and Wolves
* The Juggernaut Theory
* Last Judgement

According to a press release, THE WRETCHED END's music "can best be described as 'deathrash,' taking elements from both death metal and thrash metal. Many of the songs are quite groove-orientated, and also offer a melodic side. Influences range from the flavors of old-school as well as a more modern death/thrash metal sound."

THE WRETCHED END was formed in 2008 as creative collaboration between Samoth and Cosmo, who previously worked together on the infamous death-punk project SCUM. Cosmo also played with ZYKLON as a bass player when ZYKLON toured Europe as special guest for MORBID ANGEL in 2001. The two have long spoken about collaborating on an extreme metal project. Throughout 2008 most of the material for the debut album was composed and by spring 2009 a full pre-production demo consisting of 11 tracks was recorded.

The drums for THE WRETCHED END album were recorded this past September at the Strand Studio in Oslo, Norway.

Swedish black metallers SHINING have completed work on their seventh album, "Shining VII - Född Förlorare" (English translation: "Born Loser"), for a March/April release via Indie Recordings.

The album will feature the following track listing:

01. Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel
02. Tiden Läker Inga Sår
03. Människa O'Avskyvärda Människa
04. Tillsammans Är Vi Allt
05. I Nattens Timma
06. FFF

According to frontman Niklas Kvarforth, "Shining VII - Född Förlorare" will see SHINING "tak[ing] a deep dive into the darkest of all musical genres you could imagine."

Israel's progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND will release their highly anticipated fourth studio opus, "The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR", in Europe on January 25, 2010 and in the U.S. on February 9 via Century Media Records. Mixed by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE, OPETH), who is also responsible for several keyboard parts on the new CD, the effort is a sophisticated concept album which takes ORPHANED LAND's unique brand of exotic, heavy music to soaring new heights in terms of complexity and catchiness.

The band is preparing to launch a series of introspective webisodes documenting the making of the album and the first album trailer can be viewed below. This clip features some commentary from Steven Wilson and the band mixed in with live performance footage from Tel Aviv.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" track listing:

Part I: Godfrey's Cordial – An ORphan's Life

01. Sapari
02. From Broken Vessels
03. Bereft In The Abyss
04. The Path Part 1 – Treading Through Darkness
05. The Path Part 2 – The Pilgrimage To Or Shalem
06. Olat Ha'tamid

Part II: Lips Acquire stains – The WarriOR Awakens

07. The Warrior
08. His Leaf Shall Not Wither
09. Disciples Of The Sacred Oath II
10. New Jerusalem
11. Vayehi Or
12. M I ?

Part III: Barakah – Enlightening The Cimmerian

13. Barakah
14. Codeword: uprising
15. In Thy Never Ending Way (Epilogue)

"Diesel Uterus", a brand new song from Danish modern metallers MNEMIC, is available for streaming at Metal-Hammer.de. The track comes off the band's fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", which will be released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at MNEMIC's own studio and at the Antfarm facility in Aarhus, Denmark with Danish producer Tue Madsen (HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED), who previously helmed the group's "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" (2003) and "The Audio Injected Soul" (2004) CDs. The band also worked with Danish electro legends LEÆTHER STRIP on the remix versions of two of the songs from the new album – "Orbiting" and "Sons Of The System" — which will be used as bonus tracks.

Brazilian melodic metallers ANGRA are currently working on material for their next studio album, to be released in 2010.

Commented vocalist Eduardo Falaschi: "I'm here to tell that ANGRA already has more than ten songs in the works. These songs promise our album to be phenomenal at the very least!

"I'm going to try to express how the new album is getting its shape. What became clearer day by day is the magic in these songs, the romanticism, the aura of the times of hope, the beauty and the finess in the melodies. The technique becomes a real ally of the passion, which permeates every harmony in its most sublime form! These melodies make the breast explode in this feeling of pride and joy. This is the new album from ANGRA!"

Wendy Dio, the wife and manager of legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

"Thanks to all the friends and fans, from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

SOULFLY entered Edge Of The Earth studios in Hollywood, California on November 6 with producer Logan Mader (MACHINE HEAD, DIVINE HERESY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER) to begin recording its new album, tentatively titled "Omen", for an early 2010 release.

In a recent interview, SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera stated about the songwriting process for the band's next album, "We're thinking about making the songs a little shorter, so if you can imagine maybe a little bit like MINOR THREAT mixed with [SLAYER's] 'Reign In Blood' mixed with SOULFLY, with still some world music, but much smaller, and the songs not so long — shorter. It'll be more aggressive than 'Conquer' [album] even, because it'll be shorter — it'll be like when SLAYER did 'Reign In Blood', [that] kind of thing."

Working songtitles set to appear on the follow-up to last year's "Conquer" include:

* Bloodbath And Beyond
* Soulfly VII
* Off With Their Heads
* Omen
* Rise Of The Fallen
* Great Depression
* Apocalyptic Clash
* Vulture Culture
* Lethal Injection
* 7 Daggerz

Bonus / B-side tracks:

* Four Sticks (LED ZEPPELIN cover)
* Refuse/Resist (SEPULTURA cover; feat. Max's son Zyon on drums)
* Your Life, My Life (EXCEL cover; feat. Max's son Igor on drums)

"Conquer" sold around 8,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 66 on The Billboard 200 chart. This number is in line with the opening tally of the CD's predecessor, "Dark Ages", which shifted a little more than 8,000 copies during its first week of release in October 2005 to enter the chart at No. 155.