Metal-Experience.com recently conducted an interview with BORKNAGAR guitarist Jens Fredrik Ryland. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal-Experience.com: How did you launch into writing material for "Universal" and how much time did you spend on the songs?

Jens: The writing process is Øystein's [Garnes Brun, guitar], and him being one overproductive fella, he's had some of the riffs on tape since the late Nineties. The song named "My Domain" was actually intended for "The Archaic Course" in 1998, that's also why Vortex was brought back in to do the vocals. Then there is the actual preproduction work to bring it all together, but also here most of the work is done by Øystein.

Metal-Experience.com: What approach did you take to create this album? Did you go for a more raw exposition.. or something more reminiscent of your previous other works, or something all together different?

Jens: The key words here are "fresh start" and the spirit within the band also reflects on the album. We want to move back in time a bit and recreate a bit of rawness in the sound and the songs themselves. Still the album is the best produced work we have done so far; Øystein is getting really good at this.

Metal-Experience.com: How can we imagine you work on new songs, what's the typical writing process like for BORKNAGAR?

Jens: The actual writing process has changed over the years. As we live quite far apart we can't work things out in the rehearsal studio, so we use Cubase to exchange files. Usually Øystein has most of the songs done anyway, so it's more about arrangements and details by the time we get the files. Øystein also always has a lot more material than we actually end up recording, and part of the process is to filter out what we don't want to use.

Metal-Experience.com: Could you describe the implications of the title "Universal", what does it stand for and is there a special meaning behind it?

Jens: As always, a BORKNAGAR title has many meanings and no one way to understand. I guess by using "Universal" we want people to look back in time, one of the songs on "The Archaic Course" is also called "Universal". But we haven't made this album with a reference to "The Archaic Course" either. It's only a hint. "Universal" seems like an all-round fitting name for our music anyway, it's dynamic, varied and challenging. It's music you need to listen to, and it's not meant for a small group of listeners. We're not a grindcore band, we're not a strictly black metal band either; our music is more universal...

Metal-Experience.com: How did the recording process proceed, did you work differently this time than you did with your previous works? How much time did you spend in the studio?

Jens: As always, we broke the recording into sequences as everyone has work and other obligations. Staying for one month in the studio with the whole band to record an album is so Nineties. [Laughs] The only one who has actually been in the studio during the whole process is Øystein who also produced the whole thing. David [Kinkade] came over for the first week to record the drums. I only went in there to deliver the drum kit, I never set foot in the studio in the actual drum-recording process. I guess this is how we have worked since we visited Abyss studios in 2000. Andreas [Hedlund] just came down one weekend and he had already recorded all the vocals in his home studio.

Metal-Experience.com: Overall, are you pleased with the outcome of the songs or would you have liked to have changed anything in retrospective? Which element of the CD are you the most proud of?

Jens: In the process of releasing an album you go through a lot of emotions and phases, some compare it to a mild version of having a baby. At this point I'm very content. The overall view of things is that we have made an album that's very whole, varied and dynamic like a BORKNAGAR album should be. We have made progression in sound and it's very well produced. There are details I would have changed, but nothing worth mentioning.

Metal-Experience.com: What is your opinion on the metal scene these days? What do you think of the overload of bands at the moment and is there anything missing in the scene?

Jens: The metal scene is sharing the same problems the rest of the music scene is, and that's how to deal with the problems of downloading. Almost all labels are stunned with the developments and have no clue how to deal with it. And the problems the upcoming metal bands are facing is that the old way of measuring how popular you are for a live show is looking at the sales numbers in the area you want to play live. Now there is no way of comparing bands up against each other as sales numbers don't tell you naught! So in my opinion it seems like when a band is up and coming, it is more out of pure luck than it used to be. You need to get an album out, and if you manage to create some kind of buzz on the net you pave the way to play a few gigs, and if enough people turn up for the gig, you have made a buzz for yourself by playing live. In my view, most major labels are now looking like dinosaurs just after the meteor hit the Earth, causing their extinction: They're just too big and can't cope with the development and are just running in circles finding nowhere to hide. Soon they will be dead and the path will open for new races to develop. I see that the bands succeeding in the future will be those who are able to master more of the business themselves. You can't have five people in a band where everyone makes music and no-one is thinking about all the other details.

A finnish goth grunge band FLAMER released their first single 'The Imperia' on 11.09.09. The song's available on YouTube, on the official website and on the official band myspace.
That's what the lead singer Caleb says about the song: "I wanted to combine different genres from different era's - pop hooks, grunge and metal - all the music styles I've been digging since a child. The idea of the music style was born already in 2003 when I wrote 'Crossword', but on 'The Imperia' I wanted to go a little further and even add some elements of techno and hip hop.
As for the lyrics of 'The Imperia', I feel that living in the modern world often reminds me of the Bible's Babylon: people worship false gods - they follow only their selfish and vile desires, whereas love and faith seem no longer to be nothing more than a myth.
But like Babylon, that world will come to an end, sooner or later, one way or another - no matter how you try to forget the real world, you cannot mute that sound. You will "hear them call you" - just like we all hear the call of the Babylon.
The real world is out there, constantly reminding you of its precence, it's in the news, it's on the street, in the air - you cannot escape it - and eventually it will come knocking on your door; it will bring down those towers, it will tear down those walls - the Babylon will fall."

The band was previously known as Bleak with a different line-up that broke up in February 2009. Their first and only album [Burns Inside] was out in 2006 and contained 3 hit singles "Play", "What You Are" and "Silvertigo". After that breakup singer/songwriter Caleb announced that he would continue his music with a new line-up and a new band name - FLAMER. They will release the songs written for Bleak's second album and 'The Imperia' is one of those songs.

The last Diary of Dreams album “(if)” was kicked off by the impressive
video to “the Wedding”, a clip which received more than 90, 000 clicks
alone at Myspace. Against all expectations, the band has now decided
to release a CD single off that album that follows a more conventional
format; the chosen track is “King of Nowhere”.

The band is well known for their habit to create something special and
extraordinary from their musical travels, and thus it is no surprise
to learn that Diary of Dreams have filmed another very lavish video
clip which of course will also be included on this CD single. As
usual, the images will polarize, inspire thoughts and discussions and
will also show the depth and scrutiny the Diary of Dreams team commits
to the artistic work.

Apart from that, this rather extraordinarily compact single includes
another clip, showing live footage of the title track, filmed at the
four-week long tour through Russia the band did earlier this year.

The audio material fascinates particularly because of the different
versions, ranging from quiet and experimental to straight and
rhythmic, and because of the straight-to-the-point production.

Let’s all enjoy this unexpected gift – and wait and see which ideas
Diary of Dreams have come up with for their video clip this time…

International rock music record label earMUSIC will release a new, "deluxe edition" of the eponymous debut album by CHICKENFOOT in the U.K. on October 26. The two-disc deluxe edition includes a bonus DVD disc featuring exclusive live footage, behind-the-scenes interviews and both of the band's official music videos ("Oh Yeah" and "Soap On A Rope").

Last night's (Wednesday, September 23) CHICKENFOOT concert at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona was filmed for possible use on a future DVD release. The band's August 30, 2009 show at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia was also recorded for the same purpose.

CHICKENFOOT's self-titled debut album was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) on September 10, 2009 for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. The LP — which has actually shifted 315,000 units so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan — is packaged in heat-sensitive artwork, which means when you put your hand on the CD inlay, photos of the band members are revealed behind the CHICKENFOOT band logo.

CHICKENFOOT was formed last year by ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar, who enlisted former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith to complete the lineup, which has toured the U.S. and Europe since the release of the CD.

When you think of Estonia, the dominating image is that of
> melancholic, misty landscapes, untouched and romantically dark,
> breathing peace and loneliness. This country is the home ground of
> Sinine. The band's music is honest, unaffected and straightforward,
> without any stereotypical clichés, and of a touching beauty.
> Stylistically, Sinine's sound wavers between pop, dark wave and
> metal, combining electronic music with acoustic instruments - a
> mixture of incredible homogeneity, conclusion and sophistication
> that shows clearly all the work that has gone into this record.
> Sinine have spared neither time nor love for detail in the creation
> of this musical pearl, and that can be felt in every tone and
> nuance floating out of the loudspeakers. The emotional vocals are
> the final element of this acoustic image. Singer Mauno is telling
> stories from real life, in a matchlessly touching way -- sometimes
> fragile, sometimes angry, but always authentic. The professional
> recording and production are a source of pure enjoyment for music
> fans - one more reason to dive into the depths of this album and
> discover the composition of these musical virtuosos. In all,
> "Butterflies" is a debut album of exceptional quality.
> Welcome to the world of Sinine.

Mastered by Christoph Stickel at MSM Studios in Munich, Germany, 2008.
Released on: Accession Records
Release date: September 18th, 2009

Guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, UNION) has revealed the final track listing of his third solo album, "BK3". The CD, which follows 2001's "Audio Dog" and 2003's "Transformer", was mastered on July 16 at Precision Mastering in Hollywood, California. An official release date has not yet been announced.

"BK3" features guest appearances by legendary vocalist Doug Fieger (THE KNACK), Tobias Sammet (EDGUY, AVANTASIA), Nick Simmons (Gene Simmons' son), and former KISS cohorts Gene Simmons (singing lead vocals on a track co-written with Kulick called "Ain't Gonna Die") and Eric Singer (who contributed drums on the track vocalized by Sammet). It also includes the three songs that were featured on the limited-edition EP that was created especially for Kulick's last Australian guitar clinic tour, which took him to four cities during his brief one-week visit. Included on the disc were "No Friend of Mine" featuring guest vocalist John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE, UNION, RATT, ESP), "And I Know" (featuring Kulick on vocals), and the instrumental track "Between The Lines" featuring a musical "supergroup" comprised of drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and the dual guitar attack of Kulick and Steve Lukather.

"BK3" track listing:

01. Fate
02. Ain't Gonna Die (featuring Gene Simmons)
03. No Friend Of Mine (featuring John Corabi)
04. Hand of the King (featuring Nick Simmons)
05. I'll Survive
06. Dirty Girl (featuring Doug Fieger)
07. Final Mile
08. I'm The Animal (featuring Tobias Sammet & Eric Singer)
09. And I Know
10. Between The Lines (featuring Steve Lukather)
11. Life

Columbus, Ohio-based Christian power metallers JACOBS DREAM will release their fifth full-length album, "Beneath The Shadows", on November 10 via Retroactive Records.

According to a press release, "Beneath the Shadows" is "a concept album based on a story written by vocalist, Chaz Bond. The theme of the album is an intriguing tale, centering around the choices, experiences and decisions of Camren, the main character, who struggles to find his way in and out of darkness and into the light.

"Bond is a critically acclaimed vocalist in the prog/power metal genre and often compared to Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN), Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE), and Jimmy Brown (DELIVERANCE). The soaring vocal melodies are hook-filled and charismatic. The guitar work is thick, powerful metal, filled with great riffs and hooks. Look no further for powerful, intelligent lyrics and top-notch METAL!"

"Beneath the Shadows" track listing:

01. Welcome To My World
02. Minds Will Burn
03. Stain
04. Illusive Dream
05. Hand Full Of Dust
06. The Hell That I Breathe
07. The Darkest Hour
08. All My Fears
09. Reborn In Fire
10. Beneath The Shadows
11. The Blessing And The Curse

Polish metallers CRIONICS have finished mixing their new EP, "N.O.I.R.", with the Wieslawski Bros. at their Hertz Studio in Bialystok. The CD, which was recorded at Cracow's Shindler Factory Studio, contains three new songs plus two covers: IMMORTAL's "Blashyrk (Mighty Ravendark)" and RAMMSTEIN's "Moskau", the latter of which features guest appearances by Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (VADER) on vocals and Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka (VADER, DECAPITATED) on accordion and acoustic guitar.

According to a press release, "N.O.I.R" marks a new beginning in CRIONICS' history following the departure of guitarist/vocalist War-A.N. and drummer Darkside. The band — featuring new members Quazarre (guitar/vocals; DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS, ASGAARD), Pawel "Paul" Jaroszewicz (drums; VADER, SOUL SNATCHER) and Rafal "Brovar" Brauer (bass; BLINDEAD) — "didn't change its direction much but decided to take advantage on Quazarre's impressive vocal skills to expand CRIONICS' creation with clean vocal parts."

"N.O.I.R." track listing:

01. NarcotiQue
02. Scapegoat (Welcome to Necropolis)
03. Perdition
04. Blashyrk (Mighty Ravendark) (IMMORTAL cover)
05. Moskau (RAMMSTEIN cover)

CRIONICS fulfilled its contractual obligations to the British label Candlelight Records with the release of the band's last album, and the group's management — Creative Music — is currently negotiating a new deal with a few European record companies.

Liechtenstein-based gothic metallers ELIS will release their new album, "Catharsis", before the end of the year via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Griefshire" was recorded at Mastersound Studio in Germany with producer Alex Krull (ATROCITY, LEAVES' EYES) and marks the band's first full-length recording with Sandra Schleret, who joined ELIS in December 2006.

"Catharsis" will be released with two different designs — jewel case and the digipack — both of which were created by Stefan "Heile" Heilemann and which can be viewed below.

"Catharsis" track listing:

01. Core Of Live
02. Twinkling Shadow
03. Warrior's Tale
04. Des Lebens Traum, des Traumes Leben
05. I Come Undone
06. Firefly
07. Morning Star
08. Das kleine Ungeheuer
09. Mother's Fire
10. Rainbow
11. The Dark Bridge
12. Ghost Of The Past (bonus on digipack)
13. No Hero (bonus on digipack)

The digipack version of "Catharsis" will include a bonus DVD.

Commented Sandra: "Sometime ago, shortly before I joined ELIS, I had to go through a very hard time, physical-wise the hardest experience in my life. I was fighting against a severe disease, and while my body was struggling, I felt my soul started to go its own way. I came to new insights, and started to develop a very intense strength like I never would have imagined I would be able to, but which was really essential for me at that time. I was taken out of the 'real life' for about half a year and felt like an onlooker, not participating in the real world. With the stories I tell on 'Catharsis', I am kind of digesting this period in my life, sharing my feelings, fears and also the things I saw as an 'outcast' watching the world. The word 'catharsis' has some different meanings, but for me it represents 'the healing of the soul by going through tragedy.' As I see it now, to see how magic life can be I also had to experience its dark side..."

"Never Say My Name", the new video from Polish extreme metallers VADER, can be viewed below. Inspired by Patrick Graham's bestselling book "L'Évangile Selon Satan" (translation: "The Gospel According to Satan"), the clip tells an alternate story of the death of a messiah who curses humanity before his death on the cross and chooses life in Hell instead of Heaven. Perhaps because of its "controversial" title and content, this book is not available in the U.S. in English, but a French version can be ordered from Canada.

Commented VADER guitarist/vocalist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek: "We started the video shoot on August 15, at about noon. That day we were in the Last Supper and the slaughter of the Messiah's followers scenes, while during the night we were to take some bluebox and Janus shots. The same day in Wroclaw, the masses came to see a light-and-water show taking place just 200 meters from the place of our shooting the 'Bible scenes.' Lots of people were wondering, 'What's being shot here? A new TV series? The Bible stories? Or maybe a Discovery program?' Despite 12 hours of hard work and constant stage make-up changes, we managed to finish before 1 a.m. We went through it without a bloodshed — well, despite the Last Supper scene... but the blood was a fake.

"The next day we took the martyr shots and the Romans' armament ones, which were crucial for 'Necropolis.' Sunday: the unbearable heat and another couple of hours in the nearby gravel pit. It wasn't so easy that day. The owner of the place, who at first was eager to rent it to the Inbornmedia crew, had enough when it came to the crucifixion, burning, and the transformation of the Messiah into Janus. My roars and the burning crucifix brought about an immediate response of the security guards. They called the police and we were supposed to leave the gravel pit at once. Fortunately, we managed to 'steal' one more hour before the cops arrived. There only remained ashes. And we, together with the Romans, came back to the hotel at about. 2 a.m. And there were still the final scenes left."

"Letzte Worte", the new video from German folk metallers SALTATIO MORTIS, can be viewed here. The song comes off the band's new album, "Wer Wind Sät", which entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 10 upon its release on August 28 via Napalm Records.

A press release states: "Not unlike the medieval players' previous album 'Aus der Asche' [2007], which managed to reach the upper echelons of the German charts, SALTATIO MORTIS' latest effort promises to storm the charts just the same. 'Wer Wind Sät' goes beyond the band's signature enthusiasm, catchy melodies, and passionate lyrics. It combines the best of contemporary and medieval elements to deliver premium medieval rock. By skillfully merging modern rock sounds with genuine traditional instruments, such as the bagpipe or hurdy-gurdy, SALTATIO MORTIS develop an exquisite dance connection that is crowned by the vocals of the charismatic frontman Alea. As a special highlight, legendary metal queen Doro joins Alea on 'Salome', lending a mysterious and exotic touch to this track. Further songs like 'Ebenbild', 'Kaltes Herz', or 'Manus Manum Lavat' also work well to create an upbeat and celebratory atmosphere, whether within the confines of your home or at one of the myriad SALTATIO MORTIS concerts to come. This is how to rock the ages-the Middle Ages, that is!"

Reactivated Swedish death metallers DESULTORY will enter Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, NOMINON, AVERSE SEFIRA, FUNERAL MIST, NEX, ONDSKAPT, MORK GRYNING, ADORIOR) in Alvik, Sweden in November with producer Tore Stjerna to begin recording their first new album in almost 14 years. The follow-up to 1996's "Swallow The Snake" will be released in early 2010 via Pulverised Records

Commented DESULTORY lead guitar player Håkan Morberg: "The [new] songs are a mix of fast and heavy melodic death metal with dark and melancholic lyrics, all in the true spirit of DESULTORY.

"The album will be a logical continuation of 'Into Eternity' [1993] and 'Bitterness' [1994] and will be a strong bridge linking the past to the present."

DESULTORY previously stated about it decision to reunite, "After our third album in 1996, we put DESULTORY to sleep and went on to explore other musical directions. But now, 13 years later, we are back again, we felt the need to create some new death metal and that it was time for DESULTORY to be reborn. The new material for the forthcoming record will be a touch of the old DESULTORY but mixed up with new influences. It will be hard, brutal and melodic.

"Two lineup changes. Håkan Morberg is now playing lead guitar (before he was playing bass) and Jojje Bohlin is handling the bass. Still Klas Morberg on vocals and guitar and Thomas Johnson smashing the drums."

Dutch melodic death metal band GOD DETHRONED recently filmed a video for the track "Poison Fog", which is described as "one of the most lyrically intense songs" from the group's latest CD, "Passiondale". The clip, which was directed by Maurice Swinkels, can be viewed here.

"Passiondale" was released in April as a limited double digipack edition including a bonus CD. The double-digipack features stunning artwork and two discs: the regular album plus a live recording from 2005 featuring nine songs! The CD was recorded at Soundlodge studios in Germany with producer Jörg Uken.

GOD DETHRONED will embark on a headlining tour of North America in support of "Passiondale". Also taking part in the trek, which is scheduled to start on September 30, are ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, AUGURY and Metal Blade labelmates WOE OF TYRANTS.

Canadian hard rockers HELIX have completed recording their new album, "Vagabond Bones", tentatively due before the end of the year. Singer Brian Vollmer has been collaborating with Sean Kelly (CRASH KELLY) on material for the CD, which is being mixed by engineer Aaron Murray.

Commented Vollmer: "We had recorded the last three tracks in Toronto at Pocket Studios the week before we left, and so there was just the mix to take care of and then off to the pressing plant.

"We usually get out of the studio and let [engineer] Aaron 'do his thing' when it comes to the mixing. It usually takes a day to mix one song and then Aaron sends the mix to Sean and I by e-mail."

"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

"The Forsaken", the new video from the Finnish metal band TRACEDAWN, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's sophomore album, "Ego Anthem", which was released yesterday (September 23) via Redhouse FMP. The CD was produced and engineered by Janne Joutsenniemi at Redhouse FMP Studio and it was mixed by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox. The cover art by Gyula Havancsák can be viewed here.

According to a press release, with "Ego Anthem" sees "TRACEDAWN redeem[ing] the high expectations their well received debut set upon them and tak[ing] it even further. The new album represents a self-assured band that combines strong melodies and furious riffs into a progressive, dynamic and contagious metal music."

Commented singer Antti Lappalainen: "This time we chose to let it all out without thinking that much and taking ourselves too serious. I think these are the biggest reasons why 'Ego Anthem' combines various influences from power and thrash to death metal. The songs can change from calm and beautiful into full blown mayhem in a blink of an eye."

"Ego Anthem" (cover) track listing:

01. Make Amends
02. Part Of The Wounded
03. Scum
04. In Your Name
05. Your Way Is Not For Me
06. Dirt Track Speedball
07. Repeating Mistakes
08. Brain Attack
09. The Forsaken

TRACEDAWN will support ENSIFERUM on a European tour beginning tonight (September 24) in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear is METSATÖLL.

TRACEDAWN is:

Antti Lappalainen (vocals)
Tuomas Yli-Jaskari (guitar)
Roni Seppänen (guitar)
Perttu Kurttila (drums)
Pekko Heikkilä (bass)
Vili Itäpelto (keyboards)

TRACEDAWN's self titled debut album entered the Finnish chart at position No. 29.

BIBLEBLACK, the new Swedish band featuring members of KING DIAMOND and MEMORY GARDEN, has parted ways with drummer Tobhias Ljung and has replaced him with Staffan Lundholm (CIRCLE OF CHAOS). The group is currently rehearsing for upcoming shows in Finland and Sweden.

BIBLEBLACK's debut album, "The Black Swan Epilogue", was released in May via Vic Records. The LP was made available in two different versions — a jewel-case double-disc containing a bonus DVD and a digipack featuring additional artwork.

BIBLEBLACK's video for the song "Bleed" can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Owe Lingvall of Village Road Film.

BIBLEBLACK is:

Kacper Rozanski - The Voice
Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) - Lead Guitar
Simon Johansson (MEMORY GARDEN, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) - Rhythm Guitar
Jonaz Bülund - Electric Bass Guitar
Staffan Lundholm (CIRCLE OF CHAOS) - Drums

Dutch "epic battle metal" band ELEXORIEN has parted ways with vocalist Iné Zijlstra. The group states, "Due to personal differences, we no longer feel we are a solid unit, and we were left with no other choice but to go separate ways."

Iné comments: "Although it hurts inside, I've made the decision to leave ELEXORIEN. Due to some personal issues, I feel like I cannot put a hundred percent effort in this band at the moment.

"Being the singer of ELEXORIEN has been an amazing experience; I absolutely love making music, being on stage, going on tours and having fun. The recent South America tour is a fantastic memory forever. It was a great honor to perform for you, the fans. Maybe you will see me in other musical projects in the future.

"I want to thank ELEXORIEN for all the good times we shared and wish them all the best for the future. I hope the band will be on stage again very soon! Especially I would like to thank you, the fans, and everyone who helped me or ELEXORIEN the last five years. You're the best, I will never forget you!"

According to ELEXORIEN's official bio, the band has been influenced by such acts as THYRFING, MOONSORROW, BAL-SAGOTH, and OLD MAN'S CHILD. ELEXORIEN "creates an extremely powerful sound which is jam-packed full of catchy melodies, blazing drums, majestic keys, growls and classically trained female vocals."

ELEXORIEN's debut album was released in April 2007 via Germany's Trollzorn/SMP Records. The CD was recorded at Jörg Uken's Soundlodge Studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany.

German metallers MOB RULES will release a new EP, "Astral Hand", on October 9.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Astral Hand
02. Astral Hand (Radio Edit) *
03. Astral Hand (Instrumental) *
04. Man On The Run *#
05. Hold On 2009 (Unplugged Version) *

* exclusive bonus tracks which will not appear on the band's new album, "Radical Peace"
# unreleased track from the "Among The Gods" session.

The edited version of the "Astral Hand" song is now available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT have officially recruited acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) to helm their forthcoming studio album. The as-yet-untitled CD — which will mark the recording debut of the band's new lead singer, Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — will be recorded at Sneap's Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England starting on October 23. An early 2010 release is expected via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

Commented Sneap: "We just had a week of pre-production in Nashville at castle Von Hoffmann [guitarist Wolf Hoffmann's home], working on vocal ideas and arrangements for seven new ACCEPT songs. Mark Tornillo is seriously on the money; actually, he reminds me a touch of David Wayne from METAL CHURCH crossbred with Bon Scott [AC/DC] — not a pretty mental image, I know, but it's fitting the music great. He's got his own thing going as well, of course, but comparisons are always the easiest way to describe something without hearing it."

He added, "The music is now tending to lean towards the classic heavier albums too, so I'd class this last week as more of a front-row seat watching some great songs come together rather than work."

ACCEPT 2009 is:

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums

Austrian black metallers ABIGOR have issued the following update:

"The recordings for the new [ABIGOR] album (the joint venture with [French black metal group] BLACKLODGE, where both [bands] have worked on the same topic and the release will be a split or at least parallel) are finally completed, at this very moment the mix is laid down, and mastering is scheduled for October 11. Expect a release on End All Life soon!

"The album is truly a monument (a word often used, but hardly ever justified) that makes the profound and inevitable link between Satan and all man painfully visible like few others, if any, have before. Through the 'subject' of time, the album is exactly at the centre of human existence, the metamorphosis that's possible when flesh becomes one with His principle — gloria victoria!"

The release date of Rob Zombie's fourth solo studio album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool", has been pushed back one week — to November 17. "Hellbilly Deluxe" was the name of Zombie's first and most successful solo outing, issued back in 1998.

"Hellbilly Deluxe 2" track listing:

01. Jesus Frankenstein
02. Sick Bubble-Gun
03. What?
04. Mars Needs Women
05. Werewolf, Baby
06. Virgin Witch
07. Dream Factory
08. Burn
09. Cease to Exist
10. Werewolf Women of the SS
11. The Man Who Laughs

"A Cry In The Night", a brand new song from German "noble power metal" hopefuls CRYSTALLION, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's third album, "Hundred Days", which is scheduled for release on October 23 via Dockyard 1. The CD is said to be "a concept album about the return of Napoleon (after his first exile) until his complete defeat in the battle of Waterloo."

"Hundred Days" track listing:

01. Cloak And Dagger
02. The Sleeping Giant
03. A Cry In The Night
04. Sole Survivors In Ligny
05. Nations Falling
06. Hougoumont
07. Under Heavy Fire
08. We Stand Aligned
09. Hundred Days
10. The Bravest Of The Brave

Drummer Lyn Jeffs has quit the U.K.-based death metal act ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY in order to focus on his other band, INGESTED. He says in a statement, "I feel that they [ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY] deserve a drummer who is 100% committed to what the band is doing."

He adds, "I've had a great time on tour with ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY and a great time meeting all the fans who have supported me and the band over the past year.

"I wish the band luck in the future and hope to share a stage again one day. For now, I will be playing the remaining tours we have booked 'till the end of the year, so I'm looking forward to meeting all you fuckers on the road again!"

ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY's new album, "The Reign Of Darkness", is scheduled for release in January 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records worldwide (excluding the U.K.).

Former 3 INCHES OF BLOOD bassist Brian Redman died Saturday night in a motor vehicle accident near his home in Tacoma, Washington.

According to Weekly Volcano's "Spew" blog, Redman recently returned to Tacoma after living in Southern California for a short stint.

Before he left for California, he tended bar at Doyle's Public House in Tacoma and fronted the rock band the DIRTY KNOCKERS.

"We have lost a friend, family member, lover, musician and all-around good person," posted Doyle's Public House co-owner Russ Heaton on his bar's web site.

Brian Redman was in 3 INCHES OF BLOOD between 2004 and 2006 and appeared on the band's 2004 album, "Advance and Vanquish" (Roadrunner).