"Comes Down Like Rain", the new video from W.E.T., can be viewed here.

Frontiers Records has set a November 6 European release date (November 24 in the U.S.) for the self-titled debut album from W.E.T. as a special CD/DVD package.

Featuring the immense talents of singer/songwriter Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN); guitarist/songwriter Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE) and keyboardist Robert Sall (WORK OF ART), "(W)ork of art (E)clipse (T)alisman" was written and recorded over the last 12 months and features the best elements of the three bands the principal artists have been involved in.

Commented Erik: "In the beginning it was just a project set up by Frontiers, but somewhere along the process of making it, it evolved into something greater than the project we had started with. We had a fantastic flow in the songwriting and when Jeff recorded his lead vocals it all fell into place."

Added Jeff: "I'm very excited about the W.E.T. project. What a brilliant idea of Frontiers to put the three of us together. I think the album turned even better than we hoped for and I can't wait to see the reactions from the melodic rock fans. I'm really proud of this record and I think a lot of people are gonna 'wet' there pants once they get to hear it!"

He continued, "I knew this was the kind of album a LOT of people wanted me to make so I am quite hopeful it will be amongst one of the biggest things I have done in my career thus far. I have never heard or felt such a buzz for something I am a part of and I couldn't be more proud with my 'brothers in arms,' Erik and Robert, for helping create what shall hopefully become a classic masterpiece."

Regarding the band's future plans, Jeff said, "I believe if it does well enough, we would be silly not to take it on the road. Possibly start with a few select dates to get our feet 'wet,' then see what time and schedules permit. The thing to remember here is we are of three separate and completely different careers that are all currently in motion but in my heart of hearts, I feel this is the beginning of something that will be around for a while, not just a one-off!"

"W.E.T." (cover) track listing:

CD:

01. Invincible
02. One Love
03. Brothers In Arms
04. Comes Down Like Rain
05. Running From The Heartache
06. I'll Be There
07. Damage Is Done
08. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
09. One Day At A Time
10. Just Go
11. My Everything
12. If I Fall

DVD:

* "One Love" (video)
* "Comes Down Like Rain" (video)

TO-MERA — the U.K.-based dark progressive metal band fronted by former WITHOUT FACE vocalist Julie Kiss — has uploaded a new song, "Arcane Solace", from the group's new EP, "Earthbound". Check it out on the TO-MERA MySpace page.

"Earthbound" was released on October 24. The group previously stated that the CD would include four new songs with a running time of "around 30 minutes."

"Earthbound" track listing:

01. Mesmerize
02. Earthbound
03. Arcane Solace
04. Another World

TO-MERA parted ways with Candlelight Records after releasing two albums through the label — 2006's "Transcendental" and 2008's "Delusions".

Finnish metallers KALMAH have completed work on their sixth album for a January/February 2010 release via Spinefarm Records. The CD, which has a working title of "12 Gauge", was recorded between June and August 2009 at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden. Nine new songs and one cover version were laid down during the sessions which "went [smoothly], as always, even though this time the recordings were done in three different time periods within a half a year."

Regarding the new album's musical direction, lead guitarist Antti Kokko stated, "It is very KALMAH-like, but we haven't forgot to introduce new tuning here and there."

KALMAH was forced to cancel its previously announced shows at the Unirock Extreme Festival in Istanbul, Turkey and Nuclear Nightclub in Oulu, Finland due to a hand injury suffered by the band's guitarist/vocalist Pekka Kokko.

KALMAH's fifth studio album, "For The Revolution", was released in the U.K. in July 2008 via Spinefarm.

For the U.K. version of "Revolution", selected bonus audio/visual content was added to the mix, along with a slipcase bearing exclusive new artwork. The bonus audio track is a cover of SEPULTURA's "Arise", while on the visual side, "The Groan Of Wind" (a song from 2006's "Black Waltz") has also been included as an enhanced video.

"For the Revolution" in May 2008 landed at position No. 17 on the Finnish national album chart. This was the band's strongest chart showing to date in Finland. The CD's cover artwork was designed by former SENTENCED drummer Vesa Ranta, who was also responsible for the artwork of KALMAH's previous album, "The Black Waltz".

Atlanta-based post-hardcore rockers NORMA JEAN have inked a deal with Razor & Tie. The band will headline the "Explosions 2009" U.S. tour in November/December before entering the studio in January to begin recording a new album for a summer 2010 release. During the upcoming trek, NORMA JEAN will play its breakthrough album, "Bless The Martyr and Kiss the Child", in its entirety on select dates. This is the band's first headlining trek since the fall of last year and boasts an impressive lineup — HORSE THE BAND, THE CHARIOT and ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS — with a few surprises from the powerful live band.

Cory Brandan of NORMA JEAN comments, "If we didn't sign to Razor & Tie, I think we would have gone on a killing spree, with no regard for life or limb. I think for the first time in our career, upon presenting our ideas, we get to hear the word 'yes' more often. It's like discovering an unknown tribe on a distant island. Except we're the tribe and we don't know your language. Plus we have spears and swords and we're cannibals. Either way, we're insanely animated about R&T showing up and want to try on their Nike Air Jordans. "
NORMA JEAN has released four albums to date, with combined sales of over 360,000 copies. The band's last album, "The Anti Mother", debuted at #29 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and received rave reviews, with Alternative Press calling it "ambitious and addictive." The CD featured Page Hamilton of HELMET as well as a collaboration with DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno.

NORMA JEAN is

Cory Brandan (lead vocals/guitars)
Scottie Henry (guitars)
Jake Schultz (bass)
Chris Day (guitars)
Chris Raines (drums)

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR were forced to cancel tonight's (Wednesday, November 4) concert in Bergen, Norway after their bus crashed (see photo below) while the band was making its way to the city from Oslo. According to a statement released by International Touring and Management GmbH & Co, "nobody got injured, and after a few hours stop/work, the travel party could continue their journey but had to cancel the show tonight."

"16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)", the new album from PRIMAL FEAR, was released in Europe on May 22 and was made available in the U.S. in early June via Frontiers Records. The CD was recorded at House Of Music studios in Winterbach, Germany with Dennis Ward and Achim Köhler.

"16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)" marks the group's first release with Magnus Karlsson (ALLEN/LANDE, STARBREAKER), who replaced Stefan Leibing last year. Returning guitarist Henny Wolter and Karlsson participated in the songwriting and pre-production, which took place at Karlsson's Stuntguitar Studio in Sweden. The band spent four weeks at House Of Music recording the effort, which was mastered by Ted Jensen at the Sterling Sound in New York City.

Several audio samples from "16.6: (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)" are available for download at Frontiers.it.

On September 12, 2009, Altitude TV spoke with KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer about the songwriting and recording process for the band's next album. Watch the four-minute clip below.

On how the songwriting/recording process is coming along:

"Right now we are in the studio making another record. We are doing it with Ross Robinson; he's producing it. It's so much fun to be recording with him again, 'cause he has such a passion for what we did on the first two albums. That, for him and us, that kick-started our careers; for him as well. And he just keeps putting out platinum albums.

"We didn't drift apart, but we wanted to try other producers, we wanted to kind of experiment, but it just feels like we've been on a long journey and we've come home again."

"The whole record's all organic — it's all guitars, bass, drums and Jonathan's [Davis, vocals] raw emotion, and it's just... man. Some of the stuff that Ross is pulling out of Jonathan, it's just like, 'Wow!' You can feel the energy, the pain, whatever it might be he's singing about that day. It's cool 'cause we're in a room no bigger than this, and we're jamming. It's like a one-car garage and it's covered in carpet; it's a 15-year-old's bedroom or something. And you can hear it in the songs when you play it back. And we're going all analog to tape. It's cool."

On KORN's current label situation:

"We don't have a record label. [Laughs] We're unsigned. It's kind of cool because there's so many options. I don't know at this point. I don't know if we wanna sign with a record label. The good thing about signing with a record label is that they have money to put into promotion and tell people about it. There's talk about us releasing it three songs at a time in a period of over three months. And then there's talk about us releasing it on only a USB key — you know that little chip that goes in your computer. And maybe we'll do all three. But we're thinking about a February release."

On working with the band's newest addition, former ARMY OF ANYONE/DAVID LEE ROTH drummer Ray Luzier:

"When I come up with a riff, or Fieldy [bassist Reginald Arvizu] comes up with a riff, [we'll be like], 'It's OK.' And then Ross will say, 'Keep playing it. Try to develop it more.' And then when Ray steps in and puts his beats down, it could be the crappiest riff ever, but he starts playing to it, and it's like, 'Bam!' It turns it up on ten."

Regarding the new KORN album's lyrical concept — which singer Jonathan Davis previously identified as the five symbols he feels will be the downfall of man: drugs, religion, power, money and time — the frontman recently told AOL's Noisecreep, "It's turning into something else. I was going for that, and I was writing lyrics and stuff around that vibe. And other stuff started coming out, and I can't control what's coming out on my inside. So, the music's ... it always changes. I can start out with a plan, but it's just turning into different stuff. We've got 13 or 14 songs, and the guys are taking turns doing bass and guitars. The drums are all recorded. It's our most diverse record, and I think it's going to make all of our fans happy, and they'll all be very surprised."

AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler has confirmed to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine that he will pursue solo projects during the coming months.

"Once the band hit the final note and I walk off stage — then I'll tell you the whole story," an exuberant Tyler announced to Classic Rock minutes before AEROSMITH played a triumphant set to a crowd of over 50,000 adrenalized punters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1.

"I don't know what I'm doing yet, but it's definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself — brand Tyler," he added.

According to Classic Rock, on stage there was no sign of any acrimony — just the smiles, banter and the general bonhomie that is associated with Boston's premier good-time band.

But off stage the story was much different.

As with the last three shows, none of the band saw Tyler until the opening number and his dressing room was located quite a distance from the rest of the group.

JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has set "Festival" as the title of its fourth album, due on February 19, 2010 via AFM Records. A March/April European tour will be confirmed soon, culminating with the filming of a live DVD consisting of music from the four JON OLIVA'S PAIN CDs and a healthy dose of SAVATAGE classics.

Drummer Christopher Kinder recently stated about the forthcoming JON OLIVA'S PAIN CD, "Part of the staple JON OLIVA'S PAIN sound has become [Jon's] ability to change characters and voices at will and to create incredibly interesting, thought-provoking, passionate and downright insane vocal melodies. [Producer] Tom Morris and I have been pushing him to the edge (as Jon Oliva requested), and we have met that challenge with great enthusiasm and also a bit of joy watching him suffer.... .

"Oliva's tenancious attitude, drive and full desire to do the best he can is only partially over-shadowed by the seemingly impossible task of singing songs that would require most of us to swallow mass consumptions of razor-blades in order to deliver what would be considered as torture to any metal music lover.

"We are all stoked, to say the least, and proud of his commitment to giving all of you... all he has!"

"Severed", the new video from Canadian modern metallers THREAT SIGNAL, can be viewed here. Edited by vocalist Jon Howard, the clip features live and behind-the-scenes footage from the band's summer 2009 tour with SYBREED, THE AGONIST and THE AUTUMN OFFERING.

"Severed" comes off THREAT SIGNAL's sophomore album, "Vigilance", which sold around 1,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 32 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Released on September 8 in North America and September 11 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was produced by vocalist Jon Howard and mixed by Greg Reely (FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY).

THREAT SIGNAL has replaced DAATH as direct support on EPICA's upcoming North American tour.

Commented THREAT SIGNAL in a statement: "This will be THREAT SIGNAL's first tour supporting our new album, 'Vigilance'. We are excited to be tearing apart North America with EPICA and also promoting our new record on the road. We will be performing songs from both albums, 'Under Reprisal' and 'Vigilance'. Expect to find us in the crowd hanging with friends and fans, so come hang out and be prepared to drink!"

THREAT SIGNAL members Jon Howard and Pat Kavanagh (bass) are also involved with ARKAEA, the band featuring FEAR FACTORY members Raymond Herrera (drums) and Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar).

According to MetOnTour.com, which is described as "your FREE virtual backstage pass to every METALLICA show," METALLICA will release a new DVD featuring footage from the band's Canadian performances in Quebec City, Quebec (October 31 and November 1) and Ottawa, Ontario (November 3). Drummer Lars Ulrich commented from the stage at the second Quebec City show, "I couldn't think of a better city for METALLICA to film a DVD." The concerts were filmed by the band's longtime friend and collaborator, famed video director Wayne Isham.

The band's setlists were as follows:

October 31, 2009 at Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. For Whom The Bell Tolls
04. Holier Than Thou
05. One
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. Cyanide
08. Sad But True
09. Turn the Page
10. All Nightmare Long
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Damage, Inc.
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Breadfan
17. Phantom Lord
18. Seek and Destroy

November 1, 2009 at Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. The Four Horsemen
04. The Shortest Straw
05. One
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. My Apocalypse
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Killing Time
17. Whiplash
18. Seek and Destroy

November 3, 2009 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. Creeping Death
04. Fuel
05. Fade To Black
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. Cyanide
08. Sad But True
09. One
10. All Nightmare Long
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Last Caress
17. Motorbreath
18. Seek and Destroy

A short teaser for "Where Dream And Day Collide", the new video from Norway's MADDER MORTEM, can be viewed here. The song comes off MADDER MORTEM's latest album, "Eight Ways", which was released in Europe on May 18 via Peaceville Records. The CD was issued in North America on June 16.

"Eight Ways" track listing:

01. Formaldehyde
02. The Little Things
03. Armour
04. Resolution
05. A Different Kind Of Hell
06. Riddle Wants To Be
07. Where Dream And Day Collide
08. The Flesh, The Blood And The Man
09. Get That Monster Out Of Here
10. Life, Lust & Liberty
11. All I Know
12. The Eighth Wave

MADDER MORTEM's previous album, entitled "Desiderata", came out in March 2006 via Peaceville Records. The CD was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and at Space Valley Studios. Mastering duties were handled at Strype Audio in Oslo.

Long-running German power metallers HELLOWEEN have teamed up with Sony Music in co-operation with SPV Records, to release the band's upcoming albums. The group's long awaited "Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" album will be made available on the following dates:

Dec. 16 – Japan, Southeast Asia (JVC/Victor)
Jan. 29 - Europe (Sony/SPV)

A U.S. release date has yet to be announced.

The artwork, which can be viewed here, was once again created by Martin Haeusler, who had previously worked with HELLOWEEN on the "The Legacy" and the "Gambling With The Devil" releases.

The photo shoot for the album packaging took place at a salt lake near Los Angeles and a detailed making-of story will be featured on the band's official web site soon.

"Unarmed" will be released in a limited-edition version with a very special digipack, including a 30-minute making-of DVD, containing interviews and studio footage. It will also be made available as a double vinyl.

The band says, "'Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary' is a big 'thank-you' to all our fans, old and new, all over the world! Instead of putting together a regular greatest-hits compilation featuring our most successful tracks to celebrate this anniversary, we completely rearranged and re-recorded the greatest songs and melodies of our career. Together with our tried and tested producer, Charlie Bauerfeind, we invited many great musicians to guest on this special record, with the doubtless highlight of having the 70-piece Prague Symphonic Orchestra performing 'The Keeper's Trilogy', a 17-minute medley consisting of the songs 'Halloween', 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' and 'The King for A 1000 Years' — goose bumps guaranteed!

"We aren’t one of those bands who like to celebrate themselves, we just want to say 'thank you' in our own special way to all of you who have followed us through the past 25 years. To us, this album stands for an official celebration.

"It was a big challenge and great experience and we had a lot of fun recording our most important tracks in an entirely new 'outfit' and with new arrangements. We hope you like them!

"Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" will feature the following tracks:

01. Dr. Stein
02. Future World
03. If I Could Fly
04. Where The Rain Grows
05. The Keeper's Trilogy
06. Eagle Fly Free
07. Perfect Gentleman
08. Forever & One
09. I Want Out
10. Falling To Pieces
11. A Tale That Wasn't Right

A new IMPIOUS track entitled "Dead Awakening" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the Swedish death/thrashers' new album, "Death Domination", which will be released in North America on November 24 via Metal Blade Records (November 23 in Europe). 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 here.

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

"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!"

The band's last CD, entitled "Holy Murder Masquerade", was released in January 2007 via Metal Blade Records.

Lemi, Finland-based heavy metal act STAM1NA has entered Astia Studios in Lappeenranta, Finland to begin recording its fourth full-length album, tentatively titled "Viimeinen Atlantis", for a spring 2010 release. The CD is being produced by Miitri Aaltonen, who helmed the first two STAM1NA albums. The group states, "The production plan states that the new album will have 25% more official band members, 54% more notes, 42% thicker sounds and 61,4% better song titles. The studies also predict that the sexual life of the album listeners will increase by 38% during the first two weeks of listening the CD version of the upcoming album."

STAM1NA recently announced the addition of keyboardist Emil Lähteenmäki to the group's ranks. The band says, "Emil has played all the keyboard parts for STAM1NA's records and has been playing live with STAM1NA since 2007. "

STAM1NA's "K13V" DVD topped the Finnish music DVD chart in May 2009. The set is said to be an overview of the band's entire career thus far — from the group's inception through the release of the band's last album, "Raja". The title of the DVD refers to the fact that this summer marks the 13th year of STAM1NA's existence.

Russian virtuoso pianist VITALIJ KUPRIJ's (ARTENSION, ex-RING OF FIRE) has announced that he has joined TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA for their upcoming tour.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their new album, Night Castle, on October 27th. The album's release was preceded by a single, a cover of EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER's 'Nutrocker' that features Greg Lake guesting on bass.

Night Castle is TSO's second non-Christmas rock opera, following Beethoven's Last Night in 2000. At is heart is the story of a US Army special forces officer (Lt. William Crozier, voiced by former JOURNEY and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN singer Jeff Scott Soto) and his journey to fight the Khmer Rouge in the early '70s Killing Fields of Cambodia.

The Night Castle opera takes up 21 of the two-disc set's 26 songs and is fleshed out by a 68-page booklet featuring the artwork of TSO cohort Greg Hildebrandt. The five 'bonus tracks' include 'Nutrocker' and a rendition of Carl Orff's 1930s composition 'Carmina Burana'.

Swedish melancholic metallers IN MOURNING recently entered Black Lounge Studio (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE, STEEL ATTACK, etc.) with producer/engineer Jonas Kjellgren to begin recording their second CD for an early 2010 release via Pulverised Records.

Commented the band: "The new album is completed, it's mixed, it's mastered and it's sounding nice! Artwork is in the making, so things are moving in the right directions. We hope to reveal more detailed information about the album soon, so keep patient!"

Check out a few photos from the studio at this location.

"Shrouded Divine", the 2008 debut album from IN MOURNING, will be released on vinyl on November 20 via Kolony Records. Limited to 500 copies worldwide, it will come with new exclusive artwork for this version only and inner sleeve containing all lyrics and info.

The album is available for pre-order at this location.

The band will present the LP in advance during their show at Kolony Metal Fest in Lonato del Garda (BS), Italy on November 28.

"Shrouded Divine" gained a massive amount of attention and also very positive responses worldwide with the band's brand of heart-wrenching melodic passages entwined with progressive elements but yet still retaining all the brutality of death metal aggression.

IN MOURNING is:

Tobias Netzell - Vocals, Guitar
Pierre Stam - Bass
Björn Pettersson - Guitar
Tim Nedergård - Guitar
Christian Netzell - Drums

"The World Outside", the new video from Arizona's EYES SET TO KILL, can be viewed here. The clip was directed by Black Fawn Films' Chad Archibald (ARISE AND RUIN, FAREWELL TO FREEWAY) and Philip Carrer in Los Angeles.

"Shooting the video brought the song to life for me personally since the song is about being overwhelmed with change," says EYES SET TO KILL's Alexia Rodriguez. "It was cool too express it through visual media, which allowed for a dramatic performance with zombies and violence."

"The World Outside", the sophomore album from EYES SET TO KILL, sold 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 9 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Written and recorded by the band in Los Angeles with producer Dave Aguilera (ex-OTEP, BLEED THE DREAM) and mixed by Thom Flowers (THE ATARIS), "The World Outside" showcases the band's evolution from their screamo beginnings into powerful songwriters that resonate raw emotion.

"There were things that I put into this record that I've never told anyone before, not even my sister or some of my best friends," said Alexia. "Writing was like therapy to me, because there are times when I feel so alone that I don't know how to express myself other than through music. This is who I am and what I do."

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of Sweden's THE MURDER OF MY SWEET.

The band was formed by drummer, songwriter and producer Daniel Flores, who — after a few false starts of what was to become THE MURDER OF MY SWEET — just by coincidence came across the magnificent singer Angelica Rylin, well endowed with the right look, voice and talents, being exactly what Daniel was searching for. The rest of THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's lineup followed — guitarist Daniel Palmqvist, bass player Johan Niemann and keyboardist Andreas Lindahl all being mentally, creatively and spiritually the right combination to complete the perfect match.

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's sound is rich in influence and yet distinctly unique. The lush melodic cinematic landscapes reflect the diversity of the five members own musical experiences. From Angelica's soaring vocal melodies and sweeping choruses to the explosive layers of guitars from Palmqvist and the thrilling orchestratic keyboard arrangements painted by Andreas Lindahl backed by the bombastic and dynamic rhythms of Niemann and Flores. The resulting collaborations are a work both haunting and uplifting — fuelled by the curiosity of seeing where their burning ambitions will take them.

"All of us in THE MURDER OF MY SWEET are highly excited to be collaborating and releasing our debut album with such an experienced and talented label as Frontiers," says Daniel Flores.

"We feel extremely privileged to be band mates with such great bands as JOURNEY, TOTO and SURVIVOR, to mention just a few," adds Angelica. "We are looking forward to launch and to get our music heard world wide. A special thank you goes out to all our fans on MySpace who have been so dedicated and devoted since the start in 2007."

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's single for the track "Bleed Me Dry" will be released exclusively in the band's home country on November 13. The band will also present the release with a launch gig in their hometown on the same day at the Roq Club.

The CD single track listing:

01. Bleed Me Dry
02. Bleed Me Dry (instrumental version)
03. Sands Of Time (non-album track)

Guitarist C.J. Pierce of Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL has issued the following update:

"To all our fans: We're in the studio working hard as hell 12/15-hour days seven days a week, making the best DROWNING POOL rock record to date! I honestly have never been more excited about our all our new material. All the songs are growing and changing for the better during this recording process. We promise you won't be disappointed. Can't wait to get these songs out to you all and start touring again."

In a recent interview with The Buffalo News, DROWNING POOL drummer Mike Luce said about how the band has grown over the past few years after acquiring lead singer Ryan McCombs (formerly of SOIL), "[I'm] kind of comparing it to buddies dug into the trenches. You've kind of been through some stuff that you can't really put into words. It just makes you a tighter-knit family."

"We were starting to see our attributes," he added. "We've all grown up quite a bit regardless of the ups and downs. Everybody's matured, older, and we better handle what's expected of us when recording. We're writing some of the very best stuff we've ever been a part of. We're starting to learn the ins and outs of Ryan and he of us. Writing [is] a more tighter, easier experience."

Luce said that while 2007's "Full Circle" explored the band's horizons to the max, the band has been working on an album that mirrors the newly channeled approach to recording.

"It sounds like we're zeroing in on these attributes," Luce said. "I think we're diving into a more soulful, passionate delivery of it. I think people are gonna trip out. [We're] exploring soulful melodic kind of stuff, not just hammering at you the whole time."

German power metallers PARAGON have issued the following update:

"After all these years and constant songwriting, we felt a little bit tired.

After a few months break, we had the idea to bring back the heroes of the past. And as there will be the 20th anniversary of the band next year to plan some special shows.

"We're trying to return to the 2002 lineup that wrote, recorded and performed the metal masterpiece 'Law Of The Blade'. Therefore we had to part ways with our current bass player Dirk Seifert [replaced by returning bassist Jan Bünning] and our second guitarist Günny Kruse.

"We would like to play the whole 'Law Of The Blade' record live.

"Interested?

"The time to book the band is now!"

Italian melodic death metallers DISARMONIA MUNDI will release their new album, "The Isolation Game", on December 9 via Coroner Records. The CD was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered at The Metal House Studio by Ettore Rigotti and contains 13 brand new tracks of "wall-shaking extreme metal," according to a press release. The cover artwork was created by the French artist Trëz and can be seen below.

"The Isolation Game" features guest appearances by Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) on vocals and Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE) on lead guitar.

"The Isolation Game" track listing:

01. Cypher Drone
02. Structural Wound
03. Perdition Haze
04. Building An Empire Of Dust
05. Stepchild Of Laceration
06. The Isolation Game
07. Blacklight Rush
08. Glimmer
09. Ties That Bind
10. Losing Ground
11. Same Old Nails For A New Messiah
12. Digging The Grave Of Silence
13. Beneath A Colder Sun

Bassist Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE, BLOTTED SCIENCE) has finished recording a guest appearance on the debut album from TIWANAKU, the central Florida-based metal band featuring Emo Mowery (ex-NOCTURNUS) on guitar/vocals and Mike Estes (BURNING INSIDE, ACHERON) on guitar, and and newest addition, Royse Bassham on drums, has uploaded a song called "Today in Battle", featuring a guest appearance by bassist Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE, BLOTTED SCIENCE).

Commented Mowery, "Alex is one of the most professional and humble musicians we have had the pleasure to work with. When we called him to ask if he would like to record a song with us, there was no hesitation with him at all. Alex did a very proficient and awesome job!! We gave him full rein to pick whatever song of ours he wanted to do, let him do his thing with it, and the finished tracks came out phenomenal! We couldn't be happier with the results!"

Inspired by the Mayan culture and the Mayan prophecy, "Today in Battle" is a pre-production/demo track the bandmembers recorded on their own and then mixed at Zen Studios in Pinellas Park, Florida. The song will appear on Rat Pak Records "Unleashed 5" compilation, tentatively due before the end of the year.

TIWANAKU is currently recording material for its full-length debut.

"Deathless", the new album from Orange County, California's hardcore/metal act THROWDOWN, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page.

"Deathless" will be released in the U.S. on November 10 through E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The CD, which will be made available in Europe on January 22, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced by Mudrock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK, POWERMAN 5000) and was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and SHADOWS FALL, among others. The artwork was created by Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature and DEMON HUNTER and can be viewed below.

Two brand new songs from the French heavy metal squad LONEWOLF — "Legacy Of The Wild" and "Hail Victory" (both taken from the band's forthcoming studio album "The Dark Crusade") — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

"Legacy Of The Wild" is the group's personal tribute to RUNNING WILD, the German heavy metal legends that had the biggest influence on LONEWOLF.

"The Dark Crusade" will be released on November 11 on both CD (Karthago Records) and vinyl (Killer Metal Records). The CD version will include bonus track "The Hour 0" while the vinyl version — which will be available in 500 copies (100 on green vinyl, and 400 on black vinyl) — will include a different bonus cut, "Burning The Icons".

"The Dark Crusade" was mixed and mastered by the Grammy-nominated guitarist Andy La Rocque of KING DIAMOND and was produced by Bart Gabriel (editor-in-chief of the biggest Polish rock/metal magazine Hard Rocker, who also helmed albums from such groups as CRYSTAL VIPER, SABBAT and KAT). The front cover artwork was painted by Chris Moyen, the legendary French artist who has previously worked with SLAYER, TRIVIUM, BEHERIT and BLASPHEMY. Guest musicians on the CD include Majk Moti (ex-RUNNING WILD, now in WILD KNIGHT), Jan Bünning (PARAGON) and Marta Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER).

The Japanese market edition of BON JOVI's Live At Madison Square Garden DVD is now available for pre-order via HMV Japan. It is set for a November 25th release date and can be pre-ordered here.


The tracklist is as follows:

'Lost Highway'
'Born To Be My Baby'
'Blaze Of Glory'
'It's My Life'
'Keep The Faith'
'Raise Your Hands'
'Living In Sin/Chapel Of Love'
'Always'
'Whole Lot Of Lovin''
'In These Arms'
'We Got It Going On'
'I'll Be There For You'
'(You Want To) Make A Memory'
'Blood On Blood'
'Dry County'
'Have A Nice Day'
'Who Says You Can’t Go Home'
'Hallelujah'
'Wanted Dead Or Alive'
'Livin’ On A Prayer'

Bonus Songs:

'You Give Love A Bad Name'
'Runaway'
'Bed Of Roses'

Hamburg, Germany-based record label Remedy Records is putting together a W.A.S.P. tribute album, entitled "W.A.S.P. Tribute - The Crimson Covers". The collection will be released early 2010 as a limited-edition two-CD set for the price of a normal CD. It will be mastered by Marius Costache, who has previously worked with such bands as SHINING, AVATAR and THUNDERSTORM. The cover artwork was created by the acclaimed Romanian graphic artist Costin Chioreanu, who has collaborated with CENTINEX, DECREPIT SPECTRE, DEMONICAL, GRAVE and THUNDERSTORM.

"W.A.S.P. Tribute - The Crimson Covers" will feature the following artists/songs:

* 5TH SONIC BRIGADE (SE) - My Tortured Eyes
* 5TH SONIC BRIGADE (SE) - Heaven's Blessed
* 5TH SONIC BRIGADE (SE) - Hold On To My Heart
* ABIGAIL (RO) - Take Me Up
* ADORNED BROOD (DE) - Neutron Bomber
* AGAMENDON (DE) - The Headless Children
* ALIENATION (DE) - I'm Alive
* BLACK DESTINY (DE) - L.O.V.E. Machine
* BLACK DESTINY (DE) - Wild Child
* BURNING POINT (FI) - Widowmaker
* COLD COLOURS (US) - Forever Free
* CUSTARD (DE) - 9.5.-N.A.S.T.Y.
* FIRE (DE) - Hellion
* GODS OF HATE (DE) - Arena Of Pleasures
* GWYLLION (BE) - The Rock Rolls On
* HAZY HAMLET (BR) - Rebel In The F.D.G.
* INGRIMM (DE) - On Your Knees
* KNEIPENTERRORISTEN (DE) - Fiese Sau [Mean Man]
* LONEWOLF (FR) - The Torture Never Stops
* THE CHUCKIES (SE) - Ballcrusher
* THE CLAYMORE (DE) - Chainsaw Charlie
* THE RUGGED (ES) - The Idol
* THORN (BR) - Revengeance
* TORMENT (DE) - Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)
* TORMENT (DE) - I Wanna Be Somebody
* TRAGEDIAN (DE) - Doctor Rockter
* TRAGEDIAN (DE) - Sleeping (In The Fire)
* V8 WANKERS (DE) - Helldorado
* VYKYNG (US) - School Daze
* WARHEAD (DE) - The Manimal
* WARHEAD (DE) - Killahead
* WYLDFYRE (DE) - Blind In Texas

A new DARK FUNERAL track entitled "Stigmata" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the Swedish black metallers' new album, "Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus", which will be released on November 18 via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at Abyss Studio in Grangärde, Sweden with famed engineer and legendary producer Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY). Nine songs are featured on the effort, which is being described in a press release as "the band's most technical and varied album to date. And while still being true to their roots, they have taken a great step forward in the evolution of their brand of fine Swedish black metal. 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus' is, from the very beginning to the end, a hell ride you simply don't want to miss!"