Vocalist Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven of the Norwegian black metal band SATYRICON has told Noisecreep that the group plans to halt all road activities after their forthcoming North American tour. "We started touring and haven't stopped," Satyr said. "We did Japan and Australia, then the U.S. Then we did an extensive of the Nordic countries and had a few weeks off and then went right into festival season, which ran from May through September.

"We've been off for a week and we're going back on tour for a month. November is off, with only one show, so it'll be quiet. Christmas will be it for quite some time. It'll take something special for us to go out in 2010. We need a break, since we've been going for a long time. We feel motivated to do a full headline tour of the States right now."

Supporting SATYRICON on the U.S. trek will be BLEEDING THROUGH and CHTHONIC. But Satyr told Noisecreep he was impressed by one of the other bands that is only on a handful of the dates. "The one band I am unfamiliar with, but who sounded interesting from the few songs I heard, is TOXIC HOLOCAUST. They are doing the first half of the tour. Once I heard a few songs, I sent an email to my booking agent, asking, 'Why can't they be on the entire tour?' That's how much I liked it."

"Noumenon & Phenomenon", the new video from Swedish progressive melodic death metallers SCAR SYMMETRY, can be viewed below. The clip was shot with director Maurice Swinkels (of the Dutch metal band LEGION OF THE DAMNED).

Commented SCAR SYMMETRY drummer Henrik Ohlsson: "We shot the video at two locations here in Sweden; the first one was basically a photo studio and the second location was... get ready now... an abandoned and haunted insane asylum!"

Added Swinkels: "[It] was great meeting up with the SCAR SYMMETRY guys again since I produced their very first, one of the 'The Illusionist' videos as well. We had two locations, one was shot with green screen, one was an old mental hospital which was actually near the studio of Peter Tägtgren [HYPOCRISY, PAIN]! Very cool!"

"Noumenon & Phenomenon" comes off SCAR SYMMETRY's new album, "Dark Matter Dimensions", which was released on October 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Dark Matter Dimensions" track listing:

01. The Iconoclast
02. The Consciousness Eaters
03. Noumenon And Phenomenon
04. Ascension Chamber
05. Mechanical Soul Cybernetics
06. Nonhuman Era
07. Dark Matter Dimensions
08. Sculpture Void
09. A Paranthesis In Eternity
10. Frequencyshifter
11. Radiant Strain
12. Pariah (exclusive limited-edition digipack bonus track)

"Tatsumaki: Voivod in Japan 2008", a brand new DVD from Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD, will be released on November 17 via MVD Entertainment Group. The disc will contain professionally filmed footage (three-camera shoot) of VOIVOD's September 20, 2008 concert at Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan. The band was in Japan taking part in the two-night Thrash Domination 2008 event alongside TESTAMENT and FORBIDDEN.

The track listing is as follows:

* Voivod
* The Prow
* The Unknown Knows
* Ravenous Medicine
* Overreaction
* Tribal Convictions
* Tornado
* Panorama
* Nuclear War
* Nothingface
* Brain Scan
* Astronomy Domine

Bonus Materials:

* Live in Quebec City (July 2009) performing:

01. Panorama
02. Treasure Chase
03. Tornado

* Interview with Dave Grohl
* "Panorama: Seeking Voivod" (unreleased French mini doc film with English subtitles)
* Trip Photos

A clip of the "Voivod" performance from the "Tatsumaki: Voivod in Japan 2008" DVD can be viewed below.

Band lineup for Kawasaki, Japan concert:

Denis "Snake" Belanger - Vocals
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Theriault - Bass
Dan Mongrain (MARTYR) - Guitar

Just a few days into the band's European tour with AMON AMARTH, bassist Mike Alexander of British thrashers EVILE was suddenly taken ill and rushed to hospital, but tragically passed away in Luleå, Sweden [on Monday, October 5]. He was 32 years old.

EVILE members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter have released the following statement:

"This is so hard to find the words to express fully how we feel. We can't believe or accept what's happened. One minute we're talking to our buddy, Mike, the next minute we can never speak to him again.

"There's so many things rushing through our heads that we want to say, do and feel. We half expect him to come round the corner and call us 'dickheads'. We can't get our heads around it.

"It upsets us so much that he was away from his family when this happened, although knowing Mike, we're at least glad he was on tour doing what he loves.

"We're lost for words. We all miss him so much already. He was such a headstrong, genuinely nice guy who loved music and his family. We've got so many brilliant memories with him.

"Our hearts go out to his daughter, family and friends at this tragic, difficult time.

"Mike is much loved and is sorely missed.

"Rest in peace, brother."

Three songs from MORTAL SIN's recently released live album, "Into the Inferno (Live in Oslo)" (Riot! Entertainment), are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The CD, which contains the group's March 2008 performance in Oslo, Norway, was described by the band as "possibly the best live show MORTAL SIN have ever had recorded."

"Into the Inferno (Live in Oslo)" track listing:

01. Voyage Of The Disturbed
02. Blood Death Hatred
03. Lebanon
04. Deadman Walking
05. Eye In The Sky
06. Tears Of Redemption
07. I Am Immortal
08. Mayhemic Destruction

A six-minute medley of audio samples from "Sycroscope", the forthcoming third album from Munich, Germany-based "epic black metallers" SYCRONOMICA, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

"Sycroscope", on October 23 via the Bavarian label Silverwolf Productions. The CD was recorded at Munich's Helion Studios, where both of SYCRONOMICA's previous albums — "Paths" (2004) and "Gate" (2006) — were tracked. The cover artwork was created by drummer Michael Bayer.

01. Preludium III
02. Kaleidoscope
03. Realm Of Dust An Ashes
04. The Call
05. An Der Schwelle
06. Nebelgestalt
07. Embers
08. Ground On Fire
09. Geleit Ins Moor

Former RAINBOW keyboard player Tony Carey has told U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine that he can never see a reunion of the band.

Carey, who played on the classic "Rising" and "On Stage" albums, believes the time has now passed for this to happen.

"I'd love the chance to get on stage again with Ritchie Blackmore [guitar], Ronnie Dio [vocals] and Jimmy Bain [bass]," he said. "We could have Bobby Rondinelli or Greg Smith on drums, replacing Cozy Powell. But I tell you right now, it will never happen."

He continued, "Ronnie needs the aggravation of working again with Ritchie like he needs a new asshole. And Ritchie is so into his renaissance music, with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, that I doubt he even thinks about getting RAINBOW back together. So, anyone who is holding out the hope of a reunion? Forget it."

Carey, who co-founded OVER THE RAINBOW with vocalist Joe Lynn Turner and Rondinelli, is currently talking to vocalist Doogie White (who was in the last RAINBOW lineup in 1994) about a new project, and is also working on a new solo album.

"I had to quit OVER THE RAINBOW, because I was seriously ill earlier in the year — to the point where I was only given a 10 percent chance of living — and just cannot commit to their touring schedule. [Paul Morris has since taken over — Ed.] But hopefully, this new band with Doogie will happen, and I can get back to playing the loudest Hammond organ in the world!"

Reuters reports: Two independent record labels sued U.S. rock band GUNS N' ROSES for $1 million, claiming the group used portions of two songs by a German musician on their last album "Chinese Democracy".

British label Independiente and the U.S. arm of Domino Recording Company, who own the licensing rights to songs by German electronic musician Ulrich Schnauss, allege that singer Axl Rose and GUNS N' ROSES band members and album producers copied portions of two of Schnauss' songs — "Wherever You Are" and "A Strangely Isolated Place" (hear audio below) — for a song used on the band's last GN'R album called "Riad N' the Bedouins".

Metal Blade Records has set a November 9 European release date (except Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where it will arrive three days earlier) for "Just Highs No Lows (12 Years Of Persistence)", a two-disc "best-of" collection from German melodic metallers BRAINSTORM. According to a press release, the set will contain all of the band's "memorable hits as well as rarities, covers, Japanese-edition songs and live tracks."

"Just Highs No Lows (12 Years Of Persistence)" track listing:

Disc 1:

"Downburst" (2008):

01. Falling Spiral Down
02. Fire Walk With Me
03. End In Sorrow
04. How Do You Feel

"Liquid Monster" (2005):

05. Worlds Are Coming Through
06. All Those Words
07. Inside The Monster
08. Painside
09. Heavenly

"Soul Temptation" (2003):

10. Highs Without Lows
11. The Leading
12. Doorway To Survive

"Trinity of Lust" trilogy :

13. Shiva's Tears
14. Fornever
15. Soul Temptation

Disc 2:

"Metus Mortis" (2001):

01. Blind Suffering
02. Hollow Hideaway
03. Shadowland
04. Under Lights

"Ambiguity" (2000):

05. Tear Down The Walls
06. Maharaja Palace
07. Beyond My Destiny
08. Demonsion

Bonus Stuff:

09. Face Down (from "Metus" digipack)
10. Breathe ("Liquid Monster" Japanese bonus)
11. Drowning ("Downburst" Japanese bonus)
12. Crawling In Chains ("Downburst" Japanese limited edition)
13. Before The Dawn (JUDAS PRIEST cover / from "All Those Words" single)

Live Stuff:

From "Unholy" (1998):

14. Voices (Budapest DVD)

From "Hungry" (1997):

15. Liar's Edge (Summer Breeze DVD)

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

"CRYONIC TEMPLE is looking for a new drummer! Hans Karlin has decided to leave the band cause he feels that the time he can put into the band isn't enough.

"As soon as the spot is filled by a new drummer, a big farewell party in Hans' honor is going to take place!

"If you want to try out for the band just drop a mail to ctdrummer@live.se."

According to Iltalehti.fi, STRATOVARIUS' September 30, 2009 concert at the Starlite Room in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ended in flames. An eyewitness told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "Near the end of STRATOVARIUS' set there was some commotion and I saw the [Finnish] band look up at something, [and it turned out that the ceiling-mounted PA speaker] had caught on fire. The concert stopped and the fire alarm went off. The building was evacuated. Three fire trucks showed up."

"Everything went well considering the circumstances, and no one was hurt. The fire was quickly put out," singer Timo Kotipelto said, according to Iltalehti.fi.

The eyewitness added, "The fire was small and everyone was laughing about it and seemed in good spirits. Also, a couple members of STRATOVARIUS came out of the tour bus and took photos signed autographs and chatted with fans. They were really nice regular guys."

After seven years together, BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld and his wife, adult film star Tera Patrick, have officially separated. Tera and Evan "remain the best of friends and business partners," according to a statement released by Teravision, the company owned by Seinfeld and Patrick. "They share a mutual respect and a commitment to continue to grow the Teravision and Iron Cross labels together."

"Tera is a huge star and a benefit to both adult and mainstream entertainment. I feel fortunate to have shared so much of her life and career," says Seinfeld. "Teravision and Iron Cross are going strong and I look forward to continuing to represent the Tera Patrick brand and support all of her endeavors. She is forever in my heart."

Tera echoes Evan's sentiments. "Evan helped me build this company and take my career to new heights. For that I am eternally grateful. I look forward to remaining hands-on with Teravision and working closely with Evan on all of our joint endeavors. He is truly an amazing person."

Anthem Entertainment has set a November17 release date for "Working Men", the first "best-of" live performance compilation from renowned rock trio RUSH. The collection will be released on DVD in partnership with Rounder and on CD via Atlantic Records outside of Canada.

Culled from Anthem Entertainment and Zö Vision's three other RUSH DVD releases — "Rush in Rio", "R30" and "Snakes & Arrows Live" — "Working Men" features live recordings of the band's greatest hits as well as one previously unreleased track , "One Little Victory" (see track listing below).

RUSH — Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart — is without question one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both its virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting. Just last year, a career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature praised the band for its continuing artistic vitality, noting that "It's true that RUSH doesn't mean today what it did in '76 or even '96. It may mean more." The sentiment was echoed in subsequent pieces published earlier this year in Entertainment Weekly and Spin. RUSH's enduring pop culture relevance is perhaps best evidenced by a pair of high profile appearances — a rare national television performance and interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" in 2008 (the band's first TV appearance since 1975), and a pivotal role in the storyline of the hit comedy "I Love You, Man". Released this past spring, the band also made a memorable cameo in the film, which starred Paul Rudd and Jason Segal.

Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 1974, RUSH has achieved worldwide sales exceeding 35 million units, including such acclaimed works as 1976's 2112, 1981's "Moving Pictures", 1996's "Test For Echo", and 2002's "Vapor Trails". The band's most recent studio collection, 2007's "Snakes & Arrows", made a triumphant debut on The Billboard 200 upon its initial release, entering the chart in the #3 spot. The album's success marked RUSH's highest chart debut since 1993, as well as the group's eleventh top ten album in the U.S.

"Working Men" track listing:

01. Limelight
02. The Spirit Of Radio
03. 2112
04. Freewill
05. Dreamline
06. Far Cry
07. Subdivisions
08. One Little Victory (previously unreleased)
09. Closer to the Heart
10. Tom Sawyer
11. Working Man
12. YYZ

Freddy Cricien, frontman for the legendary New York hardcore band MADBALL, will release a solo album on November 4 via his own Familia Entertainment label. Entitled "Catholic Guilt", the CD will feature Freddy's "tough-as-nails vocals but with different muscles flexed," according to a press release. "I'm doing everything on this album — singing, rhyming and yelling, rhyming being the focal point," he says.

While MADBALL has always had an urban beat to its sound, "Catholic Guilt" contains all-out boom bap beats and rock breaks. DJ Stress The White Boy provides the bulk of the production (having previously produced/remixed FALL OUT BOY, GYM CLASS HEROES, TYGA, REEF THE LOST CAUZE and more) along with LD (LDEEZLE Productions, Pitchfork Hardwear).

Commented Freddy: "A friend of mine knew I was working on my hip hop stuff. He mentioned his friend Stress was a talented producer etc. He also grew up in the hardcore scene, he knew my backround in that world, but was big into hip hop culture. Sort of just made sense for us to meet and talk. We did and the rest is history. The only other producer on this is my man LD; we've been friends for a long time. We were actually going to do a record some years back, but that took a back seat when I was side tracked by HAZEN ST."

Guest appearances on "Catholic Guilt" include members of RANCID, who are featured on the re-imagining of "London Calling" (currently up on); Vinnie Paz of JEDI MIND TRICKS on the track "Dark Of The Night"; Slaine (LA COKA NOSTRA, SPECIAL TEAMZ), Jaysaun (SPECIAL TEAMZ) and KO, who appear on the track "Gunshots"; Reef The Lost Cauze on "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me" and Travis McCoy of GYM CLASS HEROES on "The New Black".

Regarding the album's lyrical content, Freddy said, "'Catholic Guilt' is the title and it is a significant part of the themes of the songs. I grew up being a not-so-great example for Christians. But then again, who is right? There's a lot of hypocrisy with organized religion in general. In this record, I question a lot of things about it, I question its very existence, faith, etc. I question my place in all of it as well. The other part is that constant struggle within me/people, between good and bad, heaven and hell. A lot of the songs show different sides of me, through real experiences... Good ones and bad ones. The struggle continues."

"My Funeral", the new video from Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL, can be viewed here. (WARNING: Video features graphic violence and is not suitable for all ages. Viewer discretion is advised.) According to the band, "My Funeral" "is one of the three heavier, non-blast-beat songs" that are featured on DARK FUNERAL's new full-length album, "Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus". The video was shot in and outside an old and closed mental hospital by Standard Film Team.

Check out photos from the video shoot at this location.

Scott Kara of NZHerald.co.nz recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On whether he has any real regrets about what he has done over the years:

"The only thing that is regrettable is when people die and you don't have a chance to say everything you need to say before they pass away. And I'm getting older and people who are in my age group, they're getting older too. That's why I've really been trying to make right with the people I've had differences with over the years because people die."

On his guitar playing:

"A lot of people play guitar very passively and strum it like Roberta Flack, like [he breaks into mock singing] 'Killing me softly ...'. But me, I just like to punch the guitar in the stomach and if the little bastard gets out of my hands at the end of the day then he's won his freedom. I look at the guitar as a weapon, not a paintbrush. I use my guitar to make a living and like I say, 'Killing is my business.'"

On MEGADETH's current lead guitarist, Chris Broderick:

"He's really shy. The guy is as big as a horse and he can play guitar circles around anybody. I'm pretty well regarded as a guitar player but I gotta say this guy is better. He's made me a better player. Not only did he pick up my style, but he did it faster and closer to the true style I have than any other guitar player I've worked with."

Finnish metallers SAATTUE have posted a new song, "Taakka", on their MySpace page. The track comes off SAATTUE's sophomore album, "Vuoroveri", which is scheduled for release on October 21 via Spikefarm Records. The CD will include "eight works of heavy, dark and multi-dimensional saatto metal," according to a press release.

"Vuoroveri" was recorded at D-Studio in Klaukkala, Finland with producer Jarno Hänninen and was mastered at Finnvox Studio by Mika Jussila.

"Vuoroveri" track listing:

01. Vapahtaja (Saviour)
02. Luopio (Apostate)
03. Evoluution Kruunu (The Crown Of Evolution)
04. Itsensä Herra (His Own Master)
05. Synnistä Syntynyt (Born Out Of Sin)
06. Taakka (A Burden)
07. Verenperimä (Heritage Of Blood)
08. Häpeän Linnut (Birds Of Shame)

The video for the track "Vapahtaja", which was directed by Matti Salminen, can be viewed below.

"Vapahtaja" features special guest appearances by Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM) on guitar solo, Pasi Koskinen (AJATTARA) on backing vocals and Aapo Romu (VANGUARD) on cello.

SAATTUE writes its lyrics in Finnish and calls its music "saatto metal."

"Saatto," as well as "saattue," means "procession" in Finnish.

DEAD TO THIS WORLD — the speed/thrash/black metal project led by former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah — has issued the following update:

"Recordings for our forthcoming MCD/MLP will start in two weeks' time. It will contain five songs with a playing time close to 30 minutes. This will be released through Vàn Records on both CD and vinyl format sometime during start of 2010.

"Work on the second full-length is already in progress, but details for this will follow at a later time.

"We do now have a limited re-stock of our 'Dominions of Hell' shirt available. Also LP versions of the debut album which is also strictly limited."

DEAD TO THIS WORLD is:

Iscariah - Supreme Necromancer of the Apocalypse
m:A Fog - Drums of War
Thurzur - Black God of Infamous Circle

DEAD TO THIS WORLD's debut album, "First Strike for Spiritual Renewance", was released in November 2007 via Dark Essence Records. The CD was produced by Bjørnar E Nielsen at Nielsen's Conclave Media Studios in Bergen.

DEAD TO THIS WORLD was originally founded by Iscariah (NECROPHAGIA, ex-IMMORTAL) as a solo project, but was expanded to a full lineup, releasing a three-track demo in 2005.

Norwegian/Spanish female-fronted gothic metal band SIRENIA has issued the following update:

"As Jonathan [A. Perez, drums] became a father recently, he has decided to take some time off with his family. So for the 'Beauty & The Beast' tour in November Roland Navratil from DIGNITY will step in as a session drummer.

"It is not the first time we work with Roland, as he also replaced Jonathan on our European tour back in 2004/2005.

"We are looking forward to work with him again, and we would like to wish Jonathan the best of luck and some great time with his family."

Scheduled to kick off on November 13 in Lichtenfels, Germany, the "Beauty & The Beast Tour" will also features LEAVES' EYES, ATROCITY, ELIS and STREAM OF PASSION.

"The 13th Floor", the latest album from SIRENIA, debuted at No. 149 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.

"The 13th Floor" was released in Europe on January 23. The CD was tracked at Sound Suite Studios in France and Stargoth Studios in Norway while the mixing and mastering sessions took place at the Antfarm Studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen.

SIRENIA's video for the song "The Path To Decay" was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company.

SIRENIA recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group in 2007 after only one album due to "musical differences."

Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.

Fresh from their "Ok Then, Let's Shred" European tour, Italian deathcore specialists STIGMA have been holed up in pre-production for their as-yet-untitled sophomore release, which will be produced by former BLEEDING THROUGH and current BRING ME THE HORIZON guitarist Jona Weinhofen and mixed and mastered by Scott Atkins (BEHEMOTH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SYLOSIS, IGNOMINOUS INCARCERATION). Additionally, STIGMA has parted ways with guitarist Morgan Ferrua and will enter the studio this November as a four-piece.

Commented the band: "After nearly seven years together we decided to part ways with our guitar player Morgan. There's no bad blood between us; we'd
like to thank him for the time he spent in the band and wish him the
best in whatever he'll do in the future.

"We'll record the new album as a four piece; in the meantime we'll look
for the right shredder to join the band.

"We're all really satisfied with the new songs, totally focused on the
upcoming recordings and we truly believe this new one will reduce our
debut to dust! Get excited, this is just the beginning, news and new shows coming soon!"

Canadian hard rockers HELIX will release their new album, "Vagabond Bones" (cover), in Canada on November 17 via Universal/Fontana. Singer Brian Vollmer has been collaborating with Sean Kelly (CRASH KELLY) on material for the CD, which was mixed by engineer Aaron Murray.

Commented Vollmer: "On 'Vagabond Bones', we were working under a self-imposed deadline of having the CD out for the fall of 2009.

"The writing relationship between Sean and I developed when Sean joined the band this past spring. At the same time my writing relationship with Gord Prior came to an end as he could not commit to the project, so Sean and I began writing with each other and quickly hit it off.

"When Sean got the job as the new guitar player for Nelly Furtado, we made a pact between the two of us to finish the new CD before he had to take off on tour. We went right down to the wire last week, but in the end victory was ours and everything was finished by the time Sean got on the plane for Europe.

"We really lucked out with the talented people we were able to involve on the project. From the recording to the artwork, the team we assembled did a remarkable job on a shoe-string budget.

"I'm very proud of this piece of work. I hope the fans will enjoy it as much as I did recording it."

"Vagabond Bones" tentative track listing (not final sequence):

01. The Animal Inside (Won't Be Denied)
02. Go Hard or Go Home
03. Vagabond Bones
04. Monday Morning Meltdown
05. When The Bitter's Got The Better Of You
06. Hung Over But Still Hanging In
07. Best Mistake I Never Made
08. Make 'Em Dance
09. Jack It Up

Swedish "art rockers" CULT OF LUNA have issued the following update:

"CULT OF LUNA will gather soon for a shorter recording session. One weekend in the middle of October in Umeå. It is not a recording related to an album, though; it is for something else. We'll definitely try to put this project into words for you during this particular weekend."

CULT OF LUNA's DVD, "Fire Was Born", was released on April 27 via Earache Records). Along with an epic live show recorded on July 1, 2008 at Scala in London, England, the disc — which was mixed, edited and designed by the band — features footage of Johannes Persson and Anders Teglund (keyboards) answering questions from fans all around the world and the videos for "The Watchtower", "Leave Me Here" and "Back To Chapel Town".